P6 English SA2 2021 — Raffles Girls | Singapore Past Year Paper

Q: Mrs Lim, as well as her children, ____ always friendly to everyone.

A. is. 'As well as her children' is a parenthetical phrase that does not change the number of the subject. The true subject is the singular noun 'Mrs Lim', so the verb must agree in the singular form — 'is'.

Q: In spite of the public education on recycling, ____ difference has been made to the amount of waste generated.

B. little. 'Difference' here is uncountable. 'Few' and 'many' modify countable nouns, so they are ruled out. 'Much' suggests a large amount, which contradicts the contrast set up by 'In spite of'. 'Little' correctly conveys 'almost no difference'.

Q: If I ____ the consequences of my action, I would not have acted so hastily.

C. had realised. The main clause uses 'would not have acted' (perfect conditional), so this is a third-conditional sentence. The if-clause must use the past perfect tense — 'had realised'.

Q: Wendy has never fried an egg in her life ____ she is adamant about becoming a chef.

C. though. The two clauses present a contrast (no cooking experience vs. determined to be a chef). 'Though' is the only contrastive conjunction that links two full clauses here. 'Despite' is a preposition and cannot link two clauses on its own.

Q: She always speaks the truth so she is ____ suspicion. Nobody will think she is lying.

D. beyond. 'Beyond suspicion' is the fixed idiomatic phrase meaning 'so trustworthy that nobody would suspect her of lying', which fits the context perfectly.

Q: All the women working in the department ____ given course application forms last week.

D. were. The subject 'All the women' is plural, and the time marker 'last week' demands the past tense. The structure is also passive ('given'). The plural past form of 'to be' for a passive construction is 'were'.

Q: Mr Chen has been staying ____ China for a week, but he will be leaving ____ Rome tomorrow.

D. in … for. We use 'in' (not 'at') with countries — 'staying in China'. The phrasal verb 'to leave for [a destination]' takes 'for', meaning to depart toward that place — 'leaving for Rome'.

Q: "You ____ assemble at the parade square at 6 a.m. sharp," the army officer commanded the recruits.

C. must. The reporting verb 'commanded' signals an order with no choice. Only 'must' expresses strong obligation. 'Can' and 'could' indicate ability; 'may' indicates permission or possibility.

Q: The noise from the traffic was so loud that Jack and Jill had to shout to make ____ heard.

D. themselves. The subject is 'Jack and Jill' — two third-person individuals. The matching reflexive pronoun is 'themselves'. 'Ourselves' would only fit with a first-person plural subject.

Q: The buses in this small town never seem to run on time, ____ they?

A. do. The main clause is negative ('never'), so the tag question must be positive. The main verb is 'seem' (present simple, no auxiliary), so the tag uses the auxiliary 'do'.

Q1 MCQ 1 mark

Mrs Lim, as well as her children, ____ always friendly to everyone.

Q1 Open-ended 40 marks 🖼 Visual

Write a composition based on one or more of the pictures provided. Write at least 150 words about being motivated. Consider the following points when you plan your composition: Who was/were being motivated? What/Who motivated the person(s)? What happened in the end? You may use the points in any order and include other relevant points as well.

Q2 MCQ 1 mark

In spite of the public education on recycling, ____ difference has been made to the amount of waste generated.

Q3 MCQ 1 mark

If I ____ the consequences of my action, I would not have acted so hastily.

Q4 MCQ 1 mark

Wendy has never fried an egg in her life ____ she is adamant about becoming a chef.

Q5 MCQ 1 mark

She always speaks the truth so she is ____ suspicion. Nobody will think she is lying.

Q6 MCQ 1 mark

All the women working in the department ____ given course application forms last week.

Q7 MCQ 1 mark

Mr Chen has been staying ____ China for a week, but he will be leaving ____ Rome tomorrow.

Q8 MCQ 1 mark

"You ____ assemble at the parade square at 6 a.m. sharp," the army officer commanded the recruits.

Q9 MCQ 1 mark

The noise from the traffic was so loud that Jack and Jill had to shout to make ____ heard.

Q10 MCQ 1 mark

The buses in this small town never seem to run on time, ____ they?

Q11 MCQ 1 mark

Sally felt so nervous over her piano examination that she was worried it would ____ her performance.

Q12 MCQ 1 mark

Mary smiled ____ and blushed in embarrassment when her teacher complimented her on her artwork.

Q13 MCQ 1 mark

I was talking to Peter when Kate suddenly ____ and interrupted our conversation.

Q14 MCQ 1 mark

It was a ____ effort to reason with her as she would not listen to what we said.

Q15 MCQ 1 mark

When Cathy forgot to do her homework, she tried to come up with an excuse that her teacher would believe and let her ____.

Q16 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'inexplicable' in the sentence: 'The impulse to write things down is a peculiarly compulsive one, inexplicable to those who do not see a need to do so.'

Q17 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'maiden' in the sentence: 'My maiden entry that I had written was an account of a woman who believed herself to be freezing to death in the Arctic night...'

Q18 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'dawn' in the sentence: '...only to find, at dawn, that she had stumbled onto the Sahara Desert...'

Q19 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'prompted' in the sentence: 'I have no idea what prompted a five-year-old child to write something like that...'

Q20 MCQ 1 mark

Choose the word closest in meaning to the underlined word 'penchant' in the sentence: '...it does reveal a certain penchant for the extreme which has followed me into adult life.'

Q21 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

Visual context

A promotional flyer titled 'Visit the Expo City this October and learn more about wildlife.' Contains an introductory section 'An annual event not to be missed', a speech bubble from a group of cartoon animals (lion, elephant, panda, rhinoceros, monkey) saying 'We are constantly being hunted and killed by mankind. Our natural habitats are also being destroyed at an alarming rate. Our numbers have declined significantly over the years! Please save us! Do your part to ensure our survival!', a 'POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION' panel (10 book vouchers + 10 mobile phones, on 24 October at Expo Hall 2, register with student pass, judges' decision final), an 'ART EXHIBITION' panel (works of local artist Andy Chua, 1–20 October at Expo Hall 1, ticket prices: Adult $20, Child under 6 $5, Student $10; guided school tours by advance booking with Mandy at 6453 6547), a 'FIGURINE-MAKING WORKSHOP' panel ($10 per person, ages 8–12, must be accompanied by a parent, at Expo Hall 3, dates: Week 1 = 1, 2, 4, 5 Oct; Week 2 = 10, 12 Oct; Week 3 = no lessons; Week 4 = 24, 25, 28 Oct), and a panda speech bubble inviting readers to register for free Wildlife Foundation (WF) membership at www.wfmembers.com.sg between 1 and 30 October (usual price $20/year) for monthly wildlife newsletters. A footnote marked with an asterisk defines 'endangered animals' as those at risk of extinction (e.g. rhinoceros, orang utan, gorilla, panda).

In the section "An annual event not to be missed", the asterisk (*) in front of the word "endangered" is used to ____.

Q22 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

According to the flyer, to participate in the poster design competition, Ahmad has to ____.

Q23 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

Which one of the following statements about the Art Exhibition is true?

Q24 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

In the speech bubble, "We are constantly being hunted and killed by mankind", what does the "We" refer to?

Q25 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

What can a nine-year-old boy do at Expo Hall 3 on 24 October?

Q26 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

What is a similarity among the activities held at the Expo City?

Q27 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

Amy wishes to read stories and news about wildlife. What should she do?

Q28 MCQ 1 mark 🖼 Visual

What is the main purpose of the flyer?

Q29 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (29): 'Not only does community gardening contribute to the green ambience of Singapore ____ also fosters community spirit by bringing together like-minded people...' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q30 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (30): '...by bringing together like-minded people, ____ young and old, with an interest in gardening to bond as a community.' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q31 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (31): 'The number of community gardens ____ increased significantly since the start of this movement.' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q32 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (32): 'These community gardens are common spaces ____ the residents come together to create and sustain a gardening space in their neighbourhood.' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q33 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (33): '...there are over 1,600 community gardens in Singapore adding vibrancy ____ our community spaces.' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q34 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (34): 'They nurture the values ____ cooperation, volunteerism, and respect for nature...' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q35 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (35): '...respect for nature especially in ____ multi-ethnic society.' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q36 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (36): 'Gardening with edible plants is a fun and rewarding activity ____ residents in the community.' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q37 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (37): 'These gardens help to attract wildlife to our urban greenery ____ addition to providing edible crops.' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q38 Open-ended 1 mark

Choose the most suitable word from the list (A–Q) for blank (38): 'Such pockets of green spaces serve as a corridor for wildlife like butterflies and birds to migrate ____ one nature reserve to another...' Word list: (A) at, (B) both, (C) but, (D) for, (E) from, (F) has, (G) have, (H) in, (J) of, (K) our, (L) such, (M) to, (N) when, (P) where, (Q) with.

Q39 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: 'For days, his family had nothing much to eat _expect_ for potatoes.'

Q40 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: 'As it was late, Anand thought the street vendors would have _go_ home.'

Q41 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: 'As expected, the market was _disserted_ and the ground was littered with both banana peels...'

Q42 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: '...the ground was littered with both banana peels _or_ wilted cabbage leaves.'

Q43 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: 'Only the big store, the one which charged _exorbitent_ prices, was still open and doing business...'

Q44 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: 'Despite _know_ that most of the items sold there were beyond his budget, Anand walked up to the store...'

Q45 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: '...that most of the items sold there were beyond his _badget_...'

Q46 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: '_Immediate_, his eyes caught sight of some mangoes.'

Q47 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: 'They looked _suculent_ and plump, almost in the state of perfect ripe.'

Q48 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: 'They looked succulent and plump, almost in the state of perfect _ripe_.'

Q49 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: 'Finding the temptation too _irisistable_, he paid the storekeeper...'

Q50 Open-ended 1 mark

Identify the error in the underlined word and write the correct word: '...before carefully picking the _big_ and fattest mango.'

Q51 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (51) with a suitable word: 'Nursing is by nature a demanding ____ requiring long hours and overnight schedules.'

Q52 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (52) with a suitable word: 'Dealing ____ frustrated patients and family members is also ____ and parcel of nursing.'

Q53 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (53) with a suitable word: 'Dealing with frustrated patients and family members is also ____ and parcel of nursing.'

Q54 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (54) with a suitable word: '...with their modest salaries, it is ____ surprising that some nurses choose to leave the profession for ____ jobs.'

Q55 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (55) with a suitable word: '...some nurses choose to leave the profession for ____ jobs.'

Q56 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (56) with a suitable word: 'Thus, the government needs to do more ____ attract talented young Singaporeans into nursing...'

Q57 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (57) with a suitable word: '____ nurses a pay rise is not merely enough ____ they also need better benefits.'

Q58 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (58) with a suitable word: 'Giving nurses a pay rise is not merely enough ____ they also need better benefits.'

Q59 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (59) with a suitable word: 'Healthcare is rich in public-spiritedness and efforts should be ____ up to preserve this sense of public-spirit.'

Q60 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (60) with a suitable word: 'We need to protect nurses ____ long shift work, unreasonable demands and burnout.'

Q61 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (61) with a suitable word: 'For nurses, mastery of skills and independence are two ____ of the same coin.'

Q62 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (62) with a suitable word: 'Therefore, it is ____ unusual to find senior nurses training junior doctors in medical schools.'

Q63 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (63) with a suitable word: 'Unfortunately, today, nurses ____ still frequently seen as assistants to doctors.'

Q64 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (64) with a suitable word: 'We need a ____ of mindset and start to give them some respect and independence.'

Q65 Open-ended 1 mark

Fill in the blank (65) with a suitable word: 'Nurses empowered with more responsibility for the well-being of the patients ____ their care will be motivated to keep improving their skills.'

Q66 Open-ended 2 marks

Rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence must be the same as that of the given sentence(s). 'Priya likes to dance. Nora likes to dance as well.' Begin with: Both ____

Q67 Open-ended 2 marks

Rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence must be the same as that of the given sentence(s). 'Jess had not cooked a meal before so she made a mess of it.' Begin with: Not ____

Q68 Open-ended 2 marks

Rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence must be the same as that of the given sentence(s). 'I sympathised with what John was going through, so I offered him some help.' Begin with: Out of ____

Q69 Open-ended 2 marks

Rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence must be the same as that of the given sentence(s). 'Ronny asked his mother, "Where is my shirt?"' Begin with: Ronny asked his mother ____

Q70 Open-ended 2 marks

Rewrite the given sentence(s) using the word(s) provided. Your answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of your sentence must be the same as that of the given sentence(s). 'The huge lion was injured. It was easily captured.' Form: ____ due to its ____.

Q71 Open-ended 1 mark

In paragraph 1, what made Lucia used to the smell of rotten fruit? (1m)

Q72 Open-ended 1 mark

Which five-word phrase in paragraph 1 tells you that Lucia was not young anymore? (1m)

Q73 Open-ended 3 marks

Based on lines 6–13, state whether each statement in the table below is true or false, then give one reason why you think so. (3m) Statements: (a) Lucia sat down on the bench to have a drink. (b) Lucia has never visited Lorenzo's bakery. (c) Maria was nervous about asking for Lucia's help.

Q74 Open-ended 2 marks

What was the favour asked for in line 14 and why was it not given? (2m)

Q75 Open-ended 2 marks

Which two words from lines 17–19 describe what Lucia thinks of Maria's daughter? The words are found in two separate sentences. (2m)

Q76 Open-ended 3 marks

Look at the table below. What do the words in the left column refer to in the passage? Write your answers in the column on the right. (3m) Words: (a) her (line 17); (b) they (line 21); (c) it (line 23).

Q77 Open-ended 2 marks

Explain clearly why Lorenzo referred to Lucia as his "best customer" (line 24). (2m)

Q78 Open-ended 3 marks

Based on lines 20–30, fill in the table below to show how the actions of other characters affected Lucia and what she did as a result. (3m) Rows: (a) Lorenzo and Maria suggested Lucia give up her cake for Maria — She felt shocked — fill in what she did immediately. (b) Lorenzo offered to give Lucia sugar cookies or eclairs — fill in how she felt — She rejected his offer of sugar cookies or eclairs. (c) Maria tried to appeal to Lucia as a mother — Lucia felt unmoved by Maria's pleas — fill in what she did immediately.

Q79 Open-ended 1 mark

Write 1, 2 and 3 in the blanks below to indicate the order in which the events occurred in the story. (1m) Events: (a) Lucia replaced the cake in her cake stand. (b) Lucia's tomato plants in her vegetable garden were destroyed. (c) Lorenzo told Maria he had to wait for Lucia to come.

Q80 Open-ended 2 marks

With reference to the passage, which two of the following words best describe Maria? Put a tick √ in the box beside each of your answers. (2m) DO NOT TICK MORE THAN TWO BOXES. Options: helpful, hopeful, grateful, fair, envious, hardworking.

P6 English SA2 2021 — Raffles Girls

Related papers