Question 1

Mr Koh usually takes the MRT to school but yesterday, he ____ a taxi instead.

Accepted Answer

(1) took. The word "yesterday" indicates that the action happened in the past. Therefore, the simple past tense of "take," which is "took," is the correct verb form.

Question 2

I am sure the new teacher ____ appreciate some help looking for the staffroom.

Accepted Answer

(3) would. The phrase "I am sure" indicates a high degree of certainty or expectation. "Would" is used here to express an expected or probable outcome. "Must" implies necessity, "could" implies possibility, and "should" implies obligation or recommendation.

Question 3

Neither Shu Mei nor her cousin ____ the movie because they find that it is too long.

Accepted Answer

(2) enjoys. When using "Neither... nor," the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it. In this case, "her cousin" is singular, so the singular verb "enjoys" is correct. The second part of the sentence, "they find that it is too long," also indicates the present tense.

Question 4

The teacher made Ahmad ____ down the messy and dirty table.

Accepted Answer

(1) wipe. With causative verbs like "make," "let," or "have," when referring to an action performed by someone else, we use the bare infinitive (the base form of the verb without "to"). Thus, "wipe" is correct.

Question 5

Mary will get to play ____ the reigning tennis champion school in the upcoming match.

Accepted Answer

(3) against. When competing in a sport or game, one plays "against" an opponent or team. "Against" signifies opposition.

Question 6

____ Sally is going to the grocery store, we could ask her to buy us a loaf of bread.

Accepted Answer

(1) Since. "Since" is used to introduce a reason or cause. Sally going to the grocery store is the reason why they could ask her to buy bread.

Question 7

After weeks of training, I am looking forward to ____ the opposing team.

Accepted Answer

(4) facing. The idiom "look forward to" is always followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb) or a noun. Therefore, "facing" is the correct choice.

Question 8

"All we want ____ a safe place to bring up our children," the refugees told the reporter.

Accepted Answer

(1) is. In the phrase "All we want is...", "all" functions as a singular subject when it refers to 'the only thing' or 'the entire thing'. Here, 'all we want' refers to one single desire or concept, which is 'a safe place'. Hence, it takes the singular verb "is".

Question 9

This building was built more than a century ago and it ____ many renovations since then.

Accepted Answer

(3) has undergone. The phrase "since then" indicates an action or state that began in the past and continues up to the present moment. This requires the use of the present perfect tense, "has undergone."

Question 10

The picture is framed and then ____ on the wall.

Accepted Answer

(1) hung. The sentence describes two past actions in a passive voice. "Is framed" implies a state, and the second verb should also be a past participle. The past participle of 'hang' (for objects) is 'hung'. 'Hanged' is used for people who are executed.

Question 11

To make his parents proud, the young athlete was ____ in completing the race.

Accepted Answer

(3) persistent. To make his parents proud, an athlete would need to show determination and continue despite difficulties. "Persistent" means continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition, which fits the context. "Tardy" means late, "absorbed" means engrossed, and "spontaneous" means unplanned.

Question 12

Due to the volunteers' ____ the earthquake survivors received plenty of food and shelter.

Accepted Answer

(4) generosity. "Generosity" refers to the quality of being kind and giving. It is the most appropriate word to explain why survivors received plenty of aid.

Question 13

"I haven't done anything wrong!" the passenger exclaimed ____ refusing to leave his seat.

Accepted Answer

(1) defiantly. Exclaiming innocence and refusing to comply with an instruction indicates a strong and open resistance. "Defiantly" means in a manner that shows open resistance or bold disobedience.

Question 14

Mr Lim can hardly ____ with the meagre monthly salary of five hundred dollars.

Accepted Answer

(1) get by. The idiom "get by" means to manage to live or survive, especially financially, often with difficulty. A "meagre monthly salary" implies financial hardship, making "get by" the most suitable phrasal verb.

Question 15

"Before making any decision, take some time and ____ the consequences of your actions," Mrs Rathnam reminded the class.

Accepted Answer

(4) contemplate. "Contemplate" means to think deeply or consider thoroughly. This aligns with the advice to carefully think about the consequences before making a decision. "Anticipate" means to expect or predict, which is less about deep thought.

Question 16

"Students, please ____ There's no need to rush, I'm coming to that question soon," Mrs Li told the class.

Accepted Answer

(2) hold your horses. "Hold your horses" is an idiom meaning to wait, be patient, or slow down. This fits perfectly with the phrase "There's no need to rush."

P5 English SA1 2023 — Tao Nan

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