Question 1

Sarah, together with her parents, ____ going to the National Museum this Saturday.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

Accepted Answer

(2) are. The subject of the sentence is 'Sarah, together with her parents'. When 'together with' connects two subjects, the verb agrees with the first subject, which is 'Sarah' (singular). The action is planned for 'this Saturday', indicating a present continuous tense used for future arrangements, hence 'is going'.

Question 2

If I had studied, I ____ my examination.
(1) passed
(2) will pass
(3) have passed
(4) would have passed

Accepted Answer

(4) would have passed. This is a third conditional sentence, used to describe an unreal or hypothetical situation in the past and its probable result in the past. The structure is 'If + past perfect, would have + past participle'. Thus, 'If I had studied, I would have passed'.

Question 3

The three siblings have an agreement ____ themselves to do the housework.
(1) in
(2) from
(3) among
(4) between

Accepted Answer

(3) among. 'Among' is used when referring to a group of three or more people or things, indicating a relationship or distribution within that group. Since there are 'three siblings', 'among' is the appropriate preposition.

Question 4

While Ahmad ____ in the pool, he spotted a monitor lizard on the fence.
(1) swam
(2) swims
(3) is swimming
(4) was swimming

Accepted Answer

(4) was swimming. This sentence describes two past actions: one ongoing ('was swimming') and one sudden or completed ('spotted') that occurred during the ongoing action. The past continuous tense ('was swimming') is correct for the longer, ongoing action.

Question 5

____ Mr Chan is eighty-five years old, he continues to take part in marathons.
(1) Since
(2) Unless
(3) Despite
(4) Although

Accepted Answer

(4) Although. The sentence expresses a contrast between Mr Chan's age and his continued participation in marathons. 'Although' is a conjunction used to introduce a subordinate clause that expresses a concession or contrast, fitting this context.

Question 6

The runner ____ and sprinted ahead before the referee started the race. He was eventually disqualified.
(1) jumped the gun
(2) hit below the belt
(3) threw in the towel
(4) turned over a new leaf

Accepted Answer

(1) jumped the gun. 'Jumped the gun' is an idiom meaning to start something too soon or prematurely. This fits the context of a runner starting before the race officially began, leading to disqualification.

Question 7

It was a ____ decision. All the athletes in the club voted Joseph as the Sportsman of the Year.
(1) united
(2) majority
(3) conclusive
(4) unanimous

Accepted Answer

(4) unanimous. 'Unanimous' means that all people involved agree about something. The phrase 'All the athletes in the club voted Joseph' directly indicates a unanimous decision.

Question 8

Last year, thousands of ____ gathered at the National Stadium to watch the rugby match between the two popular secondary schools.
(1) audience
(2) witnesses
(3) spectators
(4) bystanders

Accepted Answer

(3) spectators. 'Spectators' are people who watch an event, especially a sports event, from the sidelines or stands. This is the most appropriate term for people watching a rugby match at a stadium.

Question 9

Mr Lim and his family were terrified when they found the dirty chalet ____ with cockroaches and ants.
(1) infected
(2) infested
(3) polluted
(4) contaminated

Accepted Answer

(2) infested. 'Infested' means to be present in large numbers, typically so as to cause damage or disease, often used for pests like insects. 'Infested with cockroaches and ants' is the correct usage.

Question 10

During the blackout, my parents tried to calm my siblings and me down by ____ us that everything would be all right soon.
(1) advising
(2) assuring
(3) insuring
(4) persuading

Accepted Answer

(2) assuring. 'Assuring' means to tell someone something positively to remove any doubts or fears. Parents calm their children down by 'assuring' them that things will be alright.

Question 11

reverberated
(1) tapped
(2) echoed
(3) vibrated
(4) reflected

Accepted Answer

(2) echoed. 'Reverberated' means to re-echo or vibrate. 'Echoed' is the closest synonym in the context of sounds filling a stadium.

Question 12

trounced
(1) defeated
(2) outwitted
(3) overthrew
(4) dismissed

Accepted Answer

(1) defeated. 'Trounced' means to defeat heavily or severely. 'Defeated' is the most direct and accurate synonym among the given options.

Question 13

talented
(1) diverse
(2) capable
(3) dedicated
(4) committed

Accepted Answer

(2) capable. 'Talented' means possessing natural aptitude or skill. 'Capable' means having the ability or quality to do something. While not a perfect synonym, 'capable' is the closest in meaning among the choices provided.

Question 14

exasperation
(1) disbelief
(2) confusion
(3) frustration
(4) bewilderment

Accepted Answer

(3) frustration. 'Exasperation' is a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance. 'Frustration' is a feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of an inability to change or achieve something. These are very close in meaning.

Question 15

selected
(1) affirmed
(2) depicted
(3) identified
(4) presented

Accepted Answer

(3) identified. 'Selected' means chosen as being the most suitable. 'Identified' in this context means recognized or designated as suitable for a role, making it the closest meaning.

P5 English SA1 2023 — Rosyth

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