Question 1

Mr Steve Tee, a visually impaired athlete, excels in sports and is an inspiration to others despite his ____________.

Accepted Answer

B. disability. A 'visually impaired athlete' has a 'disability' (a physical limitation). 'Despite his disability' fits the meaning that he excels in spite of his condition. 'Inability' is too generic, while 'perseverance' and 'independence' are positive traits that would not follow 'despite'.

Question 2

Before the theatre performance started, the actors wished each other good luck by saying, "____________!"

Accepted Answer

A. Break a leg. 'Break a leg' is an idiom used in theatre to wish performers good luck. 'Break the ice' means to start a conversation, 'break the bank' means to be expensive, and 'break the rules' means to disobey.

Question 3

The teacher was ____________. She allowed the students to choose a topic of their choice for their presentation.

Accepted Answer

C. flexible. Allowing students to choose freely shows that the teacher is 'flexible' (willing to adjust or accommodate). 'Visible' means able to be seen, 'usable' means able to be used, and 'possible' means able to happen — none describe the teacher's accommodating attitude.

Question 4

She could not trust her closest friend after she had ____________ her.

Accepted Answer

B. deceived. Loss of trust most logically results from being 'deceived' (lied to or misled). 'Believed' and 'encouraged' are positive actions, and 'frightened' relates to fear, not broken trust.

Question 5

The breathtaking ____________ at the top of Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Malaysia, left us speechless.

Accepted Answer

C. scenery. 'Scenery' refers to the natural visual surroundings, which can be described as 'breathtaking' from a mountain summit. 'Interior' means inside of something, 'location' is a place, and 'enclosure' is a closed-off area — none describe a beautiful view.

Question 6

During the soccer match, the ____________ sun made the pitch feel like an oven, causing many of the players to become tired easily.

Accepted Answer

B. blazing. A 'blazing' sun describes intense heat that would make a pitch feel like an oven. 'Gentle' is the opposite, 'twinkling' describes stars, and 'crackling' describes fire sounds — none describe a hot sun.

Question 7

Reggie's kittens ____________ curious and playful. They love to roll around and climb over the furniture.

Accepted Answer

D. were. Per the school's marking scheme, the plural subject 'kittens' takes the plural past-tense verb 'were' to describe their state. 'Is' and 'was' are singular and must be ruled out.

Question 8

"Mother ____________ dinner in the kitchen right now. Please do not distract her," said Father.

Accepted Answer

C. is preparing. The time marker 'right now' indicates an ongoing action, requiring the present continuous tense 'is preparing'.

Question 9

Before making her way ____________ the supermarket, Sally completed her chores at home.

Accepted Answer

A. to. The phrase 'make one's way to [a place]' is the correct preposition collocation indicating destination.

Question 10

During the "Toy Making" competition, ____________ participant has to present a unique creation to the judges.

Accepted Answer

D. every. 'Every' is the only determiner that fits a singular countable noun ('participant') and indicates that all participants must do this. 'Few' takes plural nouns, 'much' takes uncountable nouns, and 'any' here would be grammatically awkward.

Question 11

Last weekend, I ____________ reading the novel that my friend had recommended. It was interesting.

Accepted Answer

B. finished. The time marker 'Last weekend' calls for the past simple tense 'finished' to describe a completed action in the past.

Question 12

When I visited my cousin's home, he and his friends ____________ a movie together.

Accepted Answer

D. were watching. The visit (past event) interrupted an ongoing action — past continuous 'were watching' is required to show the action was in progress at the time of the visit.

Question 13

____________ red book at the far corner of the top shelf caught my attention immediately.

Accepted Answer

B. That. 'Book' is singular (ruling out 'These'/'Those') and 'at the far corner' indicates distance from the speaker (ruling out 'This'). 'That' is the correct singular distal demonstrative.

Question 14

I like running ____________ not cycling as I have fallen down many times!

Accepted Answer

C. but. The contrast between liking running and not liking cycling requires the contrasting conjunction 'but'.

Question 15

Timmy ____________ playing with his baby brother in the garden yesterday when he saw a snake.

Accepted Answer

C. was. Singular subject 'Timmy' with past-continuous time marker 'yesterday' requires the past-singular auxiliary 'was'.

Question 16

Gerald purchased ____________ flour, sugar, and baking soda to make cakes and muffins for the school's annual fundraiser.

Accepted Answer

C. some. The items listed are uncountable nouns. 'Few' and 'many' are for countable plurals; 'little' would normally take just one noun. 'Some' works naturally with a mixed list of uncountable ingredients.

Question 17

Comprehension 1 — Which word has the same meaning as "challenging"? Circle either (A) or (B). [1m]

This lifted their spirits, strengthening them for the demanding (A) and exhilarating (B) climb that lay ahead.

Accepted Answer

A. demanding. 'Demanding' means requiring much effort, which matches 'challenging'. 'Exhilarating' means thrilling or exciting, which does not match the meaning of 'challenging'.

Question 18

Comprehension 1 — Tick (✓) your chosen answer. [1m]
Based on paragraph 3, Mary and her friends were able to achieve progress in their climb because of their ____________.

Accepted Answer

A. determination. Paragraph 3 says 'nothing could stop them from moving forward' despite cold and danger — this shows 'determination' (firm resolve to keep going). 'Motivation' is what kept them inspired (the view), and 'cooperation' is teamwork (covered earlier), neither of which is paragraph 3's focus.

Question 19

Comprehension 2 — Which word shows the effects of the snowstorm on the villagers in Paragraph 2? Circle either (A) or (B). [1m]

One winter, a severe (A) snowstorm hit the village and everyone struggled (B) to clear the snow from their driveways.

Accepted Answer

B. struggled. 'Severe' describes the snowstorm itself (its intensity), not the effect on people. 'Struggled' describes what the villagers experienced as a result — the effect on them.

Question 20

Comprehension 2 — Tick (✓) your chosen answer. [1m]
Which one of the following words below best describes Emma's attitude as she went about helping others?

Accepted Answer

A. joyful. The passage describes Emma as 'cheerfully' grabbing a shovel and that joy 'warmed her heart and filled her with happiness' — these all show a 'joyful' attitude. 'Hopeful' implies future expectation and 'grateful' implies thankfulness, neither of which is the focus.

Question 21

Comprehension 2 — For Questions 38 and 39, decide who did the following acts of kindness. Tick (✓) your chosen answer. The first example has been done for you. [2m]

Example: tending to the elderly — Emma

38: reaching out to the poor

Accepted Answer

A. Emma. Emma alone bought a pastry for Timmy, whose family was poor — 'Without a second thought, Emma bought a pastry for Timmy'. Her friends are not mentioned in this act.

Question 22

Comprehension 2 — Decide who did the following act of kindness.

39: serving the community

Accepted Answer

B. Emma and her friends. Paragraph 2 states 'a group of friends joined her in her good deed' of clearing snow for neighbours — a community-serving act done by Emma and her friends together.

Question 23

Comprehension 2 — Tick (✓) your chosen answer. [1m]
"Timmy's family was going through tough times" suggests that Timmy ____________.

Accepted Answer

B. could not afford to buy a pastry. 'Going through tough times to make ends meet' implies financial difficulty — Timmy could not afford the pastry. The text confirms this: 'knowing that he could not afford it'. The other options describe his desire and his reaction, not what the phrase suggests about his family's situation.

P4 English SA2 2023 — Anglo Chinese

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