P6 English SA1 2014 — Henry Park | Singapore Past Year Paper

Q: One of the organisers of the 2014 National Spelling Bee is ____.

B. National South Bank. The poster states 'Organised by: New Times' together with 'National South Bank', so National South Bank is one of the organisers. Schools Section is only a partner and the National Spelling Committee only supports the event.

Q: The National Spelling Bee has been held for the past ____ years.

A. two. The poster says the Spelling Bee 'returns for its 3rd year', meaning 2014 is the third year — so it has been held for the past two years.

Q: According to the poster, the main aim of the competition is for participants to ____.

C. raise their awareness of phonemes and syllabication. The description states the competition 'increases participants' awareness of phonemes and syllabication and enriches their vocabulary' — this is the stated main aim. Using strategies and confidence are secondary points.

Q: Only those who ____ are allowed to participate in the 2014 National Spelling Bee.

B. are selected by their primary schools. The registration box says each primary school can nominate a maximum of six pupils from Primary 4, 5 or 6 — participants must be selected (nominated) by their schools.

Q: According to the poster, which of the following is true?

B. Participants must be able to spell the word given within a minute.. The rules box states all participants must 'be able to spell words within the 60-second time limit' — 60 seconds is one minute. The other statements distort or contradict the poster.

Q: Rahman noticed his brother ____ into the kitchen to snack on the cookies that their mother had forbidden them to eat as it was almost time for dinner.

A. sneak. After a verb of perception ('noticed his brother'), the bare infinitive 'sneak' is used to describe the complete observed action: 'noticed his brother sneak into the kitchen'.

Q: The credit should not have gone to Miss Lim but to Mr Chong who has managed to achieve the target all by ____.

C. himself. The reflexive pronoun must refer to Mr Chong, a male individual, so 'himself' is correct.

Q: "I can never get it right, ____?" James sighed as he stared at the challenging sums forlornly.

C. can I. A negative statement ('I can never get it right') takes a positive question tag with the same auxiliary and subject: 'can I?'.

Q: "I ____ it for spelling, punctuation and grammatical mistakes," Peter said with satisfaction as he handed in his composition to his English teacher.

C. have checked. The action is completed just before speaking, so the present perfect with first-person subject 'I have checked' is correct; 'has' does not agree with 'I'.

Q: "Neither of the twins ____ present, I suppose that the two other reserves have to take their place," the coach said.

A. is. 'Neither of + plural noun' takes a singular verb, and the present-tense context ('have to take their place') requires 'is'.

Q1 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

Visual context

A promotional poster for the '2014 National Spelling Bee'. It shows: a starburst saying 'The New Times and NSB National Spelling Bee returns for its 3rd year!'; the tagline 'Overall champion wins $8,000 and Challenge Trophy'; a description paragraph about the competition increasing awareness of phonemes and syllabication and enriching vocabulary; a Competition Dates box (Sat 12 July 2014 Preliminary Round, Sat 26 July 2014 Zonal Round, Sat 16 August 2014 Grand Finals) with venue New Times Centre; a Registration box (each primary school can nominate a maximum of six pupils from Primary 4, 5 or 6; registration deadline 5 June 2014); a rules box ('All participants must: be attired in their full school uniform; be able to spell words within the 60-second time limit'); footer showing 'Organised by: New Times / National South Bank', 'In partnership with: Schools Section', 'Supported by: National Spelling Committee'.

One of the organisers of the 2014 National Spelling Bee is ____.

Q2 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

The National Spelling Bee has been held for the past ____ years.

Q3 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

According to the poster, the main aim of the competition is for participants to ____.

Q4 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

Only those who ____ are allowed to participate in the 2014 National Spelling Bee.

Q5 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

According to the poster, which of the following is true?

Q6 MCQ 1 mark

Rahman noticed his brother ____ into the kitchen to snack on the cookies that their mother had forbidden them to eat as it was almost time for dinner.

Q7 MCQ 1 mark

The credit should not have gone to Miss Lim but to Mr Chong who has managed to achieve the target all by ____.

Q8 MCQ 1 mark

"I can never get it right, ____?" James sighed as he stared at the challenging sums forlornly.

Q9 MCQ 1 mark

"I ____ it for spelling, punctuation and grammatical mistakes," Peter said with satisfaction as he handed in his composition to his English teacher.

Q10 MCQ 1 mark

"Neither of the twins ____ present, I suppose that the two other reserves have to take their place," the coach said.

Q11 MCQ 1 mark

The avid football fan was worked ____ over the referee's call. His face was all flustered as he exclaimed repeatedly how unfair it was.

Q12 MCQ 1 mark

I am tired; ____, I have to carry on working.

Q13 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage: On Christmas morning, we rushed into the living room and reached for our presents under the Christmas tree. "Here's another one for you ____ said Mother as she handed me a package.

Q14 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage: Having spent so much time examining the presents before Christmas, I recognised this one. But it had not been mine, it was my mother's present ____ A new label had been put on it, with my name written in my mother's handwriting.

Q15 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the correct punctuation to complete the passage: "Mom, I can't ____ I protested loudly. I stopped when I saw the expression on my mother's face — a look I could not really understand.

Q16 MCQ 1 mark

The fireworks display at the National Day Parade was ____. All the spectators were awestruck.

Q17 MCQ 1 mark

Due to Jon's ____ performance during his piano recital, he was granted a music scholarship in London.

Q18 MCQ 1 mark

Jacqueline ____ so much confidence during the talent competition that all the judges chose her to be the winner.

Q19 MCQ 1 mark

The police successfully apprehended the kidnappers as they were ____ in their pursuit of them.

Q20 MCQ 1 mark

Marcus was ____ by his Mathematics teacher for failing to complete his homework on time.

Q21 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'resented' in the passage: "It was not that they resented a Scottish king but it was his debauched behaviour and unconcealed hatred of the people of London that eventually led to his downfall."

Q22 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'unconcealed' in the passage: "...it was his debauched behaviour and unconcealed hatred of the people of London that eventually led to his downfall."

Q23 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'defiance' in the passage: "...his continual defiance of the Parliament made civil war virtually inevitable."

Q24 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'inevitable' in the passage: "...his continual defiance of the Parliament made civil war virtually inevitable."

Q25 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'open' in the passage: "The war escalated into open conflict."

Q26 MCQ 1 mark

"No one dared to tell on Billy because if they did so, they knew what would be in store for them later." (Lines 4-5) Billy's victims believed that ____ if they reported him to their teachers.

Q27 MCQ 1 mark

Billy was a coward at heart because he ____.

Q28 MCQ 1 mark

When Stephen said that Billy would "meet his match" (line 13) one day, he meant that ____.

Q29 MCQ 1 mark

What was the main reason for Stephen's sudden attack on Billy in paragraph 6?

Q30 MCQ 1 mark

Based on the passage, which of the following statements is true?

Q31 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze — choose the most suitable word (letter A to Q) from the given list. Word list: A) above, B) despite, C) to, D) although, E) due, F) their, G) away, H) in, J) up, K) so, L) this, M) which, N) before, P) who, Q) where. Each word can be used only once. Sentence: "Hong Kong locals have been enjoying trips to Shenzhen (31) ____ there are discounts, attractions and fine cuisine."

Q32 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze (same word list as ____): "This open secret has been the choice for many (32) ____ want to have some weekend fun..."

Q33 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze (same word list as ____): "...and it is only a matter of time (33) ____ Shenzhen becomes one of the top must-visit destinations in Asia."

Q34 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze (same word list as ____): "Situated a stone's throw (34) ____ from the hustling and bustling city of Hong Kong, Shenzhen is gaining a name as a commercial hub of China..."

Q35 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze (same word list as ____): "...Shenzhen is gaining a name as a commercial hub of China, partly (35) ____ to it being a Special Economic Zone."

Q36 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze (same word list as ____): "(36) ____ Shenzhen may lack the natural beauty, this industrious city makes it up with its wide number of man-made amusement parks and sheer ambition to be a cut (37) ____ the rest." (This item is blank 36.)

Q37 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze (same word list as ____): "...sheer ambition to be a cut (37) ____ the rest."

Q38 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze (same word list as ____): "Moreover, Shenzhen locals take (38) ____ food seriously."

Q39 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze (same word list as ____): "Regional delicacies are found everywhere in (39) ____ migrant city though the most popular styles of cooking would have to be Cantonese and Hunan cuisine."

Q40 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze (same word list as ____): "An ideal place for a family vacation, it appeals (40) ____ many as it is not too far away."

Q41 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the underlined word: "One of the boys (41) sits in front of me was restless and took out a pack of cards."

Q42 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the word in bold: "I (42) envyeed him as he had a large collection."

Q43 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the word in bold: "He (43) reluktently stacked the cards together and put them on her outstretching palm."

Q44 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the underlined word: "...and put them on her (44) outstretching palm."

Q45 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the underlined word: "Norman, please walk (45) by the front of the room and face the class."

Q46 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the underlined word: "She (46) sound quite calm."

Q47 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the word in bold: "Norman slowly walked to the front of the class as (47) instrukted..."

Q48 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the word in bold: "...but he tripped over Melody's bag as he was quite (48) klumzy."

Q49 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the word in bold: "He nearly fell flat on his face but was saved from the (49) embaresment at the last moment by Adrian who grabbed his arm before he met the ground."

Q50 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing for spelling and grammar — correct the underlined word: "(50) Shook by the incident, Norman appeared to be on the verge of tears."

Q51 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze — fill in the blank with the most suitable word: "Remember the earthquake and tsunami in the North East Coast of Japan on 11 March 2011? Many of us still (51) ____ the images of the waves ripping into buildings and uprooting everything in its path etched deeply in our minds."

Q52 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "...the images of the waves ripping into buildings and uprooting everything (52) ____ its path etched deeply in our minds."

Q53 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "...uprooting everything in its path etched deeply in our (53) ____."

Q54 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "Admist the fear and horror of the immediate catastrophe, the tsunami had (54) ____ the cooling system of the Fukushima Daishi Nuclear Power Plant..."

Q55 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "...the tsunami had damaged the cooling system of the Fukushima Daishi Nuclear Power Plant and (55) ____ employees working in the Plant knew that there was an imminent threat of nuclear fallout..."

Q56 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "...the employees working in the Plant knew that there was (56) ____ imminent threat of nuclear fallout..."

Q57 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "...there was an imminent threat of nuclear fallout, the effects of (57) ____ would extend beyond Fukushima if the damage was not rectified in time."

Q58 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "...the effects of it would extend beyond Fukushima if the damage was not rectified in (58) ____."

Q59 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "Time continued to tick away as the senior management considered (59) ____ to cool four of the nuclear reactors."

Q60 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "Two reactors were (60) ____ down for maintenance, the electrical and back-up power supplies were cut off due to the tsunami."

Q61 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "...the electrical and back-up power supplies were cut (61) ____ due to the tsunami."

Q62 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "If the nuclear fuel rods were not cooled off, (62) ____ would melt causing release of radioactive materials reaching far beyond Fukushima."

Q63 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "...causing release of radioactive materials reaching (63) ____ beyond Fukushima."

Q64 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "Most people (64) ____ the Plant and the surrounding areas."

Q65 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze: "There were even rumours that the government might evacuate the thirty-five million (65) ____ of greater Tokyo!"

Q66 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis/Transformation — rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided; your answer must be one sentence with the same meaning: "Karen always surprises her parents with her outstanding performance." Begin with: "Karen never ____"

Q67 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis/Transformation: "The deep gash in his leg was not mentioned in the report." Begin with: "There was no ____"

Q68 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis/Transformation: "The petite lady spoke rudely. She wore a well-tailored suit." Combine using: "____ who ____"

Q69 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis/Transformation: "'Are you the one who ate the chocolate cookies in the jar?' my brother asked me." Begin with: "My brother asked me ____"

Q70 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis/Transformation: "Mrs Kumar knew he would complain about everything and he did." Rewrite using: "____ just as ____"

Q71 Open-ended 2 marks

What was Bill Pinkham doing at Eagle Summit?

Q72 Open-ended 2 marks

Why did Pinkham and his dogs have to stop and rest?

Q73 Open-ended 2 marks

Which word from Paragraph 2 tells you that Pinkham submitted without resistance to take a rest in the snow?

Q74 Open-ended 2 marks

From Paragraph 2, give two reasons why Pinkham was 'wiped out'.

Q75 Open-ended 2 marks

What was the weather condition when Pinkham was wandering around for an hour?

Q76 Open-ended 2 marks

Which phrase tells you how Pinkham felt when he realised he was lost?

Q77 Open-ended 2 marks

Explain what the wind did to Pinkham's footsteps.

Q78 Open-ended 2 marks

What did Pinkham do when he realised that he was lost?

Q79 Open-ended 2 marks

From Paragraphs 4 and 5, list two conditions that made Yukon Quest challenging for competitors.

Q80 Open-ended 2 marks

Name one characteristic competitors in the Yukon Quest have to possess. Give a reason for your answer.

P6 English SA1 2014 — Henry Park

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