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P3 English CA2 2025 — CHIJ
P3 English CA2 2025 — CHIJ
P3
English
2025
CA2
25 questions
28 marks
Source: CHIJ, 2025
This P3 English CA2 paper from CHIJ (2025) covers visual text and situational writing and comprehension across 25 questions worth 28 marks. Practise English the way it's tested at P3 level in Singapore, with step-by-step answers on LearnBuddy.
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Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Q13
Q14
Q15
Q16
Q17
Q18
Q19
Q20
Q21
Q22
Q23
Q24
Q25
Q1
MCQ
1 mark
My brother forgot to bring his lunch so I shared ____ with him.
(1) me
(2) my
(3) mine
(4) myself
Explanation
The correct word to fill the blank is a possessive pronoun that refers to the speaker's lunch. 'Mine' is a possessive pronoun. 'Me' is an object pronoun, 'my' is a possessive adjective, and 'myself' is a reflexive pronoun. Thus, 'I shared my lunch with him' is correctly expressed as 'I shared mine with him'.
Q2
MCQ
1 mark
There are ____ apples left in the basket. We need to buy more.
(1) a few
(2) a little
(3) a bit of
(4) a lot of
Explanation
'Apples' is a countable noun. 'A few' is used with countable nouns to indicate a small quantity. 'A little' and 'a bit of' are used with uncountable nouns. While 'a lot of' can be used with countable nouns, the phrase 'We need to buy more' suggests that the quantity left is small, making 'a few' the most appropriate choice.
Q3
MCQ
1 mark
The agile cat swiftly jumped ____ the fence and ran into our neighbour's garden.
(1) on
(2) over
(3) under
(4) beside
Explanation
To get to the other side of a fence, an animal would typically jump 'over' it. 'On' implies being on top, 'under' implies being beneath, and 'beside' implies being next to, none of which fit the action of crossing a fence to enter a garden.
Q4
MCQ
1 mark
Mr Lim ____ a book when the pizza delivery man rang the bell.
(1) read
(2) reads
(3) is reading
(4) was reading
Explanation
The phrase 'when the pizza delivery man rang the bell' indicates a specific point in the past. The action of Mr Lim reading was ongoing at that moment in the past. Therefore, the past continuous tense 'was reading' is the correct choice to describe the continuous action interrupted or co-occurring with a past single event.
Q5
MCQ
1 mark
"The swarm of locusts ____ flying towards the field of crops! What do we do?" cried the farmers in dismay.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were
Explanation
The subject 'swarm' is a collective noun and is treated as a singular unit. Therefore, it requires a singular verb. The exclamation 'What do we do?' indicates a present tense situation. Thus, 'is' is the correct singular present tense verb.
Q6
MCQ
1 mark
____ my mother worries for my safety, I am confident I am able to go to school by myself.
(1) As
(2) While
(3) Unless
(4) However
Explanation
'While' is used to introduce a contrasting or concessionary statement. In this sentence, it highlights the contrast between the mother's worry and the speaker's confidence. 'As' typically means 'because' or 'at the same time as'. 'Unless' introduces a condition. 'However' is an adverbial conjunction used to show contrast, but it typically follows a semicolon or a period and connects independent clauses, not starting a dependent clause in this structure.
Q7
MCQ
1 mark
Min Hui might ____ at the talent time contest if she is able to recover from her sore throat in time.
(1) sing
(2) sang
(3) sung
(4) sings
Explanation
After a modal verb like 'might', the base form of the verb (infinitive without 'to') is used. The base form of 'sing' is 'sing'. 'Sang' is past tense, 'sung' is past participle, and 'sings' is third-person singular present tense.
Q8
MCQ
1 mark
"You haven't seen my keys, ____ you?" asked Father, searching the drawer frantically.
(1) did
(2) has
(3) had
(4) have
Explanation
This is a tag question. The main clause 'You haven't seen my keys' uses the auxiliary verb 'have' in its negative form ('haven't'). To form the tag question, we use the positive form of the same auxiliary verb, 'have'.
Q9
MCQ
1 mark
"Shall we buy ____ vegetables? They look fresh," asked Grandma, holding a couple of stalks in her hands.
(1) this
(2) that
(3) these
(4) those
Explanation
'Vegetables' is a plural noun. Since Grandma is holding the stalks in her hands, they are close to her. The plural demonstrative pronoun for close objects is 'these'. 'This' and 'that' are singular, and 'those' refers to plural objects that are further away.
Q10
MCQ
1 mark
By the time Khairul and his family arrived at the cinema, the movie ____.
(1) starts
(2) started
(3) has started
(4) had started
Explanation
This sentence describes two actions in the past: Khairul's family arriving and the movie starting. The phrase 'By the time...' indicates that the movie starting happened before their arrival. To show an action that was completed before another action in the past, the past perfect tense ('had started') is used.
Q11
MCQ
1 mark
The leopard crept up quietly on its ____ before pouncing on it.
(1) carnivore
(2) herbivore
(3) predator
(4) prey
Explanation
A leopard is a predator, meaning it hunts other animals. The animal it hunts and feeds on is its 'prey'. 'Carnivore' describes what a leopard is (a meat-eater). 'Herbivore' describes a plant-eater. 'Predator' describes the role of the leopard itself, not the animal it pounces on.
Q12
MCQ
1 mark
The soldiers smeared green paint all over their faces to ____ themselves in the dense jungle.
(1) mask
(2) cover
(3) disguise
(4) camouflage
Explanation
'Camouflage' specifically refers to the act of blending in with the surroundings to avoid detection, typically used in military contexts or for hunting. While 'mask', 'cover', and 'disguise' involve concealment, 'camouflage' is the most precise term for what soldiers do with paint in a jungle environment.
Q13
MCQ
1 mark
The peacock strutted proudly and fanned its long tail, showing off the ____ colours.
(1) dull
(2) pale
(3) vibrant
(4) radiant
Explanation
Peacocks are known for their spectacular, intense, and lively colours. 'Vibrant' best describes these strong, bright, and energetic colours. 'Dull' and 'pale' are opposites. 'Radiant' implies shining, but 'vibrant' captures the depth and richness of the colours more comprehensively.
Q14
MCQ
1 mark
The pickpocket glanced ____ to ensure no one was looking and fished out the victim's wallet.
(1) quietly
(2) furtively
(3) stealthily
(4) cautiously
Explanation
'Furtively' means in a way that attempts to avoid notice or attention; secretively. This accurately describes the sly, hidden nature of a pickpocket's glance to ensure no one sees their illicit act. While 'stealthily' is similar, 'furtively' specifically highlights the secretive intention behind the glance.
Q15
MCQ
1 mark
Which of the following activities is conducted in both workshops?
(1) playing games
(2) doing experiments
(3) creating a notebook
(4) feeding a Venus flytrap plant
Explanation
According to the advertisement:
- Workshop A: 'Watch a Venus Flytrap in action during the feeding session'.
- Workshop B: 'Watch a Venus Flytrap in action during the feeding session'.
This activity is common to both, which aligns with 'feeding a Venus flytrap plant'. Playing games, doing experiments, and creating a notebook are exclusive to either Workshop A or B.
Q16
MCQ
1 mark
The aim of the Power Plant Workshop advertisement is to ____
(1) teach children interesting facts about the Venus flytraps
(2) let children conduct experiments on Venus flytraps
(3) inform others that their Venus flytraps are special
(4) encourage children to sign up for their workshop
Explanation
The primary purpose of an advertisement is to persuade potential participants to register for the event or purchase the product. The advertisement uses phrases like 'DON'T MISS THIS EXCITING SCIENCE WORKSHOP!' and includes registration details and a call to action ('Act fast to avoid disappointment!'), all geared towards encouraging sign-ups. While the other options describe aspects of the workshop content, they are not the overall aim of the advertisement itself.
Q17
MCQ
1 mark
Twelve-year-old Jing Hui will ____ if she signs up for the workshop B.
(1) pay $60
(2) play games
(3) bring home a tank which she set up
(4) observe how Venus flytraps survive in the wild
Explanation
Jing Hui is twelve, placing her in the 11-14 age group for Workshop B. The details for Workshop B state: 'Set up own tank with bug-eating plants and bring your creation home'.
- (1) Paying $60 is for Workshop A; Workshop B costs $80.
- (2) Playing games is an activity in Workshop A.
- (4) Observing how Venus flytraps survive in the wild is covered in Workshop A ('learn about their habitats and diets ✓ how these unusual plants survive in the wild').
Q18
MCQ
1 mark
Which of the following statements is true?
(1) Workshop A costs more than workshop B:
(2) The Venus flytrap plants provided at the workshop are healthier.
(3) Every child who is interested in any of the workshops will have a place.
(4) If Jeannie has an enquiry, she must call the hotline on Sunday before 5 p.m..
Explanation
Let's evaluate each statement:
- (1) Workshop A costs $60, Workshop B costs $80. So Workshop A costs less than Workshop B. (False)
- (2) The advertisement states: 'Why are our Venus flytraps so special? Unlike regular ones, our plants stay healthy for a long time.' This implies their plants are healthier. (True)
- (3) The advertisement explicitly mentions 'Limited vacancies. Act fast to avoid disappointment!'. This means not every child interested will have a place. (False)
- (4) The enquiry hotline operates 'Mondays to Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.'. It is closed on Sundays. (False)
Q19
MCQ
1 mark
The night watchman was distracted by ____ [1m]
(1) corn sacks
(2) the wind
(3) a cat
(4) Tom
Explanation
The first paragraph states: 'Tom slipped past the night watchman who was distracted by a cat and hid among wheat sacks aboard a ship.' This explicitly identifies 'a cat' as the distraction.
Q20
Open-ended
1 mark
What does 'one' in line 7 refer to? [1m]
[Write only the answer in the box below.]
It refers to a ____
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Q21
Structured
2 marks
How did Tom use his quick thinking to hide from the sailors? [2m]
[Choose two actions by indicating with a tick.]
He tied the sack.
He realised that he would be sent home.
He hid for six days without being found out.
He went to a different place for a fresh start.
He climbed into a sack that he had emptied.
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Q22
Structured
2 marks
Give a reason for each statement in the table below. [2m]
[Write your reason in a complete sentence / complete sentences.]
Sentence | True / False | Reason
(a) The first sailor noticed something strange about the corn sack he was about to unload. | True | He ____
(b) The second sailor knew Tom was in the sack. | False | He thought ____
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Q23
Open-ended
1 mark
Which word in paragraph 4 showed that it took a lot of strength to lift the sack? [1m]
[Write only the required word in the box below.]
With all his might, he ____ the sack of 'corn' and ____ it into the cargo net.
(A) | (B)
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Q24
Structured
1 mark
These statements describe the events that took place in the story.
Put them in the right sequence. Write 1, 2 and 3 on the lines. [1m]
____ Tom escaped from the ship.
____ Tom heard that the merchant searched for the sack of dried corn.
____ Tom knew the ship had docked at Cranberry Port.
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Q25
Open-ended
2 marks
In the last paragraph, why do you think the merchant never found the 'sack of corn'? [2m]
[Write your answer in a complete sentence / complete sentences.]
Tom had ____ and ____
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