P6 English SA1 2025 — Nanyang | Singapore Past Year Paper

Q: Jonathan _________ for his wallet for the past hour but has not found it.

D. has been searching. The action started in the past and is still continuing into the present, signalled by 'for the past hour'. Present perfect continuous 'has been searching' is required.

Q: _________ Maria had a headache, she attended the meeting.

D. Although. The two clauses show contrast (headache vs. still attending). 'Although' is the correct subordinating conjunction. 'Despite' would need a noun phrase, not a clause.

Q: You won't be attending tonight's party, _________ you?

A. will. Question tags use the opposite polarity of the main clause. The main clause is negative ('won't be attending'), so the tag must be positive: 'will you'.

Q: There was _________ confusion during the meeting as the presenter was very clear.

B. little. 'Confusion' is an uncountable noun, so 'few/many' are eliminated. The clause shows there was hardly any confusion, so 'little' (small amount) fits, not 'much'.

Q: Neither of the employees _________ able to attend the meeting yesterday.

C. was. 'Neither' takes a singular verb, and 'yesterday' fixes the tense as past. The singular past form is 'was'.

Q: Tom's father, _________ everyone respects and admires, volunteers regularly at an animal shelter.

C. whom. The relative pronoun is the object of 'respects and admires' (everyone respects him), so the object form 'whom' is required.

Q: "Sally _________ see a doctor as soon as possible as she is running a very high fever," the school nurse advised Sally's parents.

D. should. The nurse is giving advice/recommendation, so the modal of obligation/advice 'should' is correct.

Q: Having discussed the project for over an hour, the group members finally agreed _________ the topic that they would research on.

C. on. The collocation 'agreed on' is used to indicate consensus about a decision or topic.

Q: During the earthquake, we felt the ground _________ beneath our feet.

C. shaking. After verbs of perception ('felt'), the present participle (-ing form) is used to describe an ongoing action that was perceived.

Q: If she _________ the instructions carefully, she would not have made that mistake.

C. had read. This is a third conditional (unreal past). The 'if' clause requires past perfect 'had read' to pair with 'would not have made' in the result clause.

Q1 MCQ 1 mark

Jonathan _________ for his wallet for the past hour but has not found it.

Q2 MCQ 1 mark

_________ Maria had a headache, she attended the meeting.

Q3 MCQ 1 mark

You won't be attending tonight's party, _________ you?

Q4 MCQ 1 mark

There was _________ confusion during the meeting as the presenter was very clear.

Q5 MCQ 1 mark

Neither of the employees _________ able to attend the meeting yesterday.

Q6 MCQ 1 mark

Tom's father, _________ everyone respects and admires, volunteers regularly at an animal shelter.

Q7 MCQ 1 mark

"Sally _________ see a doctor as soon as possible as she is running a very high fever," the school nurse advised Sally's parents.

Q8 MCQ 1 mark

Having discussed the project for over an hour, the group members finally agreed _________ the topic that they would research on.

Q9 MCQ 1 mark

During the earthquake, we felt the ground _________ beneath our feet.

Q10 MCQ 1 mark

If she _________ the instructions carefully, she would not have made that mistake.

Q11 MCQ 1 mark

Bob's academic progress has _________, causing his parents to be worried.

Q12 MCQ 1 mark

His _________ for the environment led him to found an organisation dedicated to conservation.

Q13 MCQ 1 mark

The teacher told Tom to _________ his phone after he was caught using it in class.

Q14 MCQ 1 mark

The team adopted a/an _________ approach to finding a solution so that all the possibilities would be covered.

Q15 MCQ 1 mark

The fan blades are spinning _________, which might be a safety hazard.

Q16 MCQ 1 mark

[Cloze passage about Malware:] The purpose is to _________ computers or devices with viruses, delete files, steal personal information or spy on a victim. Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'infect'.

Q17 MCQ 1 mark

Malware is often downloaded from _________ websites, created to serve the purpose of cyber criminals with bad intentions. Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'malicious'.

Q18 MCQ 1 mark

Children who visit these websites might _________ download malware while trying to install games or apps on their devices. Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'inadvertently'.

Q19 MCQ 1 mark

To protect against malware, parents can _________ their children's access to the internet. Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'restrict'.

Q20 MCQ 1 mark

They can also ensure that their children seek their permission before downloading files from _________ sources. Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'verified'.

Q21 MCQ 1 mark

According to the poster in Text 1, which of the following is true of the zoo? [Text 1: Brave Zoo poster — 'Keep us alive. Keep them alive. Collective action is needed to save more of them.' 'Brave Zoo is a budding wildlife preservation site inhabited by at least 100 animals!' 'At Brave Zoo, we're dedicated to protecting wildlife and inspiring the next generation to love nature. However, we can't do it alone.' 'Your donations can help us do so much more!' 'Visit bravezoo.com to contribute today.']

Q22 MCQ 1 mark

"Keep us alive. Keep them alive." Why did the writer make this statement in Text 1?

Q23 MCQ 1 mark

According to Text 2, which of the following is not mentioned as a possible consequence of poor enclosure management in zoos? Some animals may _________. [Text 2: 'Some zoos neglect cleaning their enclosures, resulting in a greater risk of diseases spreading. Others might house animals in enclosures that are cramped or unfamiliar, leaving them stressed. As such, some animals may display unusual signs of aggression or take a much longer time to finish their food. The more sociable types of animals may become withdrawn and isolate themselves.']

Q24 MCQ 1 mark

In Text 2, which of the following is a reason why a zoo's use of donations is debated?

Q25 MCQ 1 mark

Some people may hesitate to respond to the appeal for donations made in Text 1 because Text 2 says _________.

Q26 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. Word bank: A) a, B) and, C) between, D) but, E) each, F) for, G) from, H) into, J) of, K) on, L) or, M) since, N) the, P) through, Q) while (letters I and O omitted). Sentence: '_________ (26) of his murals narrates tales of Singapore's rich cultural heritage and history.' EACH WORD CAN BE USED ONLY ONCE.

Q27 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. 'With his meticulous strokes _________ (27) keen eye for detail, Yip transforms ordinary walls...'

Q28 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. '...Yip transforms ordinary walls _________ (28) captivating storytelling canvases.'

Q29 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. 'Yip's murals not only adorn the streets but also serve as his interpretations _________ (29) Singapore's past, present and future.'

Q30 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. '_________ (30) depicting scenes of traditional trades like street hawkers and laundry ladies to showcasing iconic landmarks and everyday life, Yip's art encapsulates...'

Q31 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. '...Yip's art encapsulates _________ (31) essence of Singaporean identity.'

Q32 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. 'Beyond mere aesthetics, Yip's murals evoke _________ (32) sense of nostalgia and belonging among locals...'

Q33 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. '...evoke a sense of nostalgia and belonging among locals _________ (33) fascinating and delighting visitors from around the world.'

Q34 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. 'His dedication to preserving and sharing Singapore's cultural legacy _________ (34) art has earned him widespread acclaim and admiration.'

Q35 Open-ended 1 mark

Grammar cloze. 'Yip's murals serve as more than just visual treats, fostering a deeper connection _________ (35) people and their surroundings.'

Q36 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing (spelling/grammar). Underlined word: 'intreging' in the sentence 'A unique and intreging beverage, it is brewed from coffee beans extracted from the faeces of the Asian palm civet...'

Q37 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing. Underlined word: 'of' in the sentence '...the Asian palm civet, a small animal native of Southeast Asia.'

Q38 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing. Underlined word: 'passes' in the sentence 'These then passes through the civet's digestive system...'

Q39 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing. Underlined word: 'where' in the sentence '...digestive system where supposedly enhances their flavour by reducing bitterness and acidity...'

Q40 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing. Underlined word: 'aeromatik' in the sentence '...imparting a unique aeromatik scent.'

Q41 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing. Underlined word: 'thourouhly' in the sentence 'After being excreted, the beans are collected, thourouhly washed, and then roasted to perfection.'

Q42 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing. Underlined word: 'notisabli' in the sentence 'It is notisabli not bitter and has a complex flavour...'

Q43 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing. Underlined word: 'the' in the phrase '...smooth, earthy and sweet with the hint of chocolate.'

Q44 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing. Underlined word: 'unfaverabel' in the sentence '...plantation farms raise palm civets, sometimes in unfaverabel conditions.'

Q45 Open-ended 1 mark

Editing. Underlined word: 'confines' in the sentence '...controversy surrounds the production of kopi luwak, with some producers confines civets in cramped cages.'

Q46 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. Fill with a suitable word: 'These specialised traits help organisms obtain food, avoid predators and _________ (46) with changing conditions...'

Q47 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. '_________ (47) adaptations, organisms would certainly face a higher risk of extinction as they struggle to compete _________ resources.'

Q48 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. '...they struggle to compete _________ (48) resources.'

Q49 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. 'Consider the humble moth, for _________ (49). Its wings are adorned with patterns that...'

Q50 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. 'Its wings are adorned with patterns that _________ (50) the eyes of larger predators to scare off would-be attackers...'

Q51 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. '...and keep _________ (51) safe from harm.'

Q52 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. 'If an insect looks like a leaf, it is not easily _________ (52) by hungry birds.'

Q53 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. 'This explains why numerous insects _________ (53) evolved to look like leaves over the last several thousand years.'

Q54 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. 'Another animal, the chameleon, has an incredible _________ (54) to change its colour to match the surroundings.'

Q55 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. '...allowing it to sneak _________ (55) on unsuspecting prey.'

Q56 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. 'Like animals, adaptations in plants are just as _________ (56) for their survival in diverse environments.'

Q57 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. '_________ (57) from their stems, their shallow but wide-reaching root systems _________ them to quickly absorb water...'

Q58 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. '...their shallow but wide-reaching root systems _________ (58) them to quickly absorb water from rain or dew.'

Q59 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. 'The spines of the cacti also help them to _________ (59) water loss.'

Q60 Open-ended 1 mark

Comprehension cloze. 'As plants and animals adapt to their environment, they can protect _________ (60) and ensure their continuity.'

Q61 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis & Transformation. Rewrite as one sentence beginning with 'My sister asked me': '"Did you finish my cake last night?" my sister asked me.'

Q62 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis & Transformation. Rewrite beginning with 'Despite Tom's': 'Tom clearly explained why he was late. His teacher did not believe him.'

Q63 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis & Transformation. Rewrite using 'unless': 'You must produce your ticket at the entrance or you will be denied entry.'

Q64 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis & Transformation. Rewrite beginning with 'The letters': 'The teacher has not posted the letters that the students wrote to their parents.'

Q65 Open-ended 2 marks

Synthesis & Transformation. Rewrite beginning with 'No matter how sincerely': 'Tom's friend refused to forgive him even though Tom's apology was sincere.'

Q66 Open-ended 1 mark

[Refer to the passage on page 9 of Booklet A about Alex's basketball trial.] What event was Alex headed for? [1m]

Q67 Open-ended 1 mark

Pick out a three-word phrase from paragraph 2 suggesting that everything would change for the better for Alex's family. [1m]

Q68 Structured 3 marks

Look at the table below. What do the words in the left column refer to in the passage? (i) 'It' (line 5); (ii) 'her plea' (line 15); (iii) 'his slot' (line 30). [3m]

Q69 Structured 2 marks

(i) Based on paragraph 3, which one of the following words best describes Alex's character? Put a tick in the box next to the word: selfless / nurturing / brave. [1m] (ii) Support your answer with evidence from the text. [1m]

Q70 Structured 2 marks

Which two words from paragraph 3 show that Alex comforted the elderly woman? The words are found in two separate sentences. [2m]

Q71 Structured 3 marks

Based on the story, state whether each statement in the table below is true or false, then give one reason why you think so. (i) Alex felt a sense of responsibility towards his family. (ii) The elderly lady was grateful towards Alex. (iii) The officials ignored Alex's explanation for being late. [3m]

Q72 Structured 3 marks

Using the given paragraph reference in the table below, fill in the missing information. Row 1 (Paragraph 3, feeling: anxious; cause: Alex was about to be late for his trial; reaction: ?). Row 2 (Paragraph 3, feeling: ?; cause: Alex saw a confused elderly woman standing dangerously on the kerb of a busy junction; reaction: Alex helped the elderly woman cross the junction). Row 3 (Paragraph 6, feeling: confident; cause: ?; reaction: Alex played well and cleared the series of drills with ease). [3m]

Q73 Open-ended 1 mark

Write 1, 2 and 3 in the blanks below to indicate the order in which the events occurred in the passage. Events: 'Alex compared his attire with the other participants'.' / 'Alex arrived at the basketball court.' / 'Alex started his trial.' [1m]

Q74 Structured 2 marks

(i) What was the most important trait that the officials were looking out for in the players? [1m] (ii) Provide an example of how Alex demonstrated this trait. [1m]

Q75 Open-ended 2 marks

Based on Alex's statement that he had setbacks that day but did not give up (line 45), identify one setback which he had encountered and explain clearly how he overcame it. [2m]

P6 English SA1 2025 — Nanyang

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