marking scheme...MARKING SCHEME: SEC ENGLISH LANGUAGE (MAY 2018) Page 1 of 20 Marking schemes...

MARKING SCHEME

SEC ENGLISH LANGUAGE

MAY 2018

MARKING SCHEME: SEC ENGLISH LANGUAGE (MAY 2018)

Page 1 of 20

Marking schemes published by the MATSEC Examination Board are not intended to be

standalone documents. They are an essential resource for markers who are subsequently

monitored through verification/moderation processes to ensure consistent and accurate

application of the marking scheme.

In the case of marking schemes which include expected solutions or answers, it should be

noted that these are not intended to be exhaustive. Variations and alternatives may also be

acceptable. Examiners must consider all answers on their merits, and will have consulted with

the MATSEC Examinations Board when in doubt.


Page 2 of 20

Listening Comprehension

Listening Passage 1A

(15 marks)

Listening Passage 1B

(15 marks)

1. 6, 2, 4, 1, 7, 5, 8 , 3 (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. 25 (8 x 1 mark = 8 marks)

b. 100

c. frying

d. butter

e. moderate

f. spatula

g. breakfast/morning

h. butter/marmalade


(15 marks)

1. f, c, a, b, h, d, e, g. (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. True because they have achieved mythical status. (6 x 1 mark = 6 marks)

b. False because Arthur threatened to execute her/Lancelot saved her.

c. True because there was war between Arthur and Lancelot.

d. True because it was round to avoid squabbles.

e. False because Arthur pulled it out because only he could do it.

f. False because only vague traces of such evidence exist.

3. b. (1 x 2 marks = 2 marks)

1. e, g, b, c, f, h, d, a. (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. True because you can pick any spot on the map and find that someone has said that

Atlantis was there. (6 x 1 mark = 6 marks)

b. True because he says that its story had been passed down by poets, priests and

others.

c. False because no Nobel Prize Winners have said that what Plato wrote about Atlantis

is true.


Page 3 of 20


(15 marks)

1. 4, 7, 2, 8, 1, 6, 5, 3. (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. 150 (8 x 1 mark = 8 marks)

b. clumps

c. 1

d. moderate

e. ovenproof

f. 4

g. Sunday/lunch/hot

h. cut up/hot/with roast beef


(15 marks)

d. False because the time of the eruption in Santorini doesn’t coincide with the

destruction of Atlantis.

e. False because they became petty and greedy after they had been a spiritual people.

f. True because the gods punished them.

3. a. (1 x 2 marks = 2 marks)

1. h, f, a, b, e, d, c, g. (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. False because her husband Leofric did. (6 x 1 mark = 6 marks)

b. True because he was sure his wife would never do such a thing.

c. False because his wife, Lady Godiva did.

d. True because he reduced the people’s debts.

e. False because Lady Godiva was one of only a few female landowners at the time.

f. False because a book and a poem were written about her.



Page 4 of 20


(15 marks)

1. 3, 1, 4, 5, 8, 7, 6, 2. (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. 180 degrees Celsius (8 x 1 mark = 8 marks)

b. 400

c. ginger

d. wooden spoon

e. a quarter

f. baking tin

g. golden brown

h. supper/evening/night


(15 marks)


(15 marks)

1. 2, 6, 7, 5, 1, 4, 8, 3. (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. mincemeat (8 x 1 mark = 8 marks)

b. 400

c. apple/s

d. cinnamon/nutmeg

e. 500

f. 30

g. warm/with icing sugar

h. tea

1. h, f, b, a, g, e, d, c. (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. True because it is commonly used to describe a complex problem.

(6 x 1 mark = 6 marks)

b. True because it was impossible to see how it was fastened.

c. False because it belonged to Gordius/his father.

d. False because he struck just one stroke.

e. False because there are two versions.

f. False because he died at 32.

3. a. (1 x 2 marks = 2 marks)


Page 5 of 20


(15 marks)


(15 marks)

1. 5, 1, 3, 8, 7, 2, 6, 4. (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. 250 (8 x 1 mark = 8 marks)

b. water

c. brown sugar

d. press/dampen with water

e. trimmings

f. milk

g. superfine/caster sugar

h. vanilla ice-cream/warm custard

1. g, c, d, h, f, a, b, e. (7 x 1 mark = 7 marks)

2. a. False because they believed it was somewhere in South America.

(6 x 1 mark = 6 marks)

b. True because they were thrown in to appease the god of the lake.

c. False because the Spanish people started calling him by this name.

d. False because he stayed behind at base camp/he was too old.

e. False because King James ordered him to be beheaded.

f. True because it has never been found.



Page 6 of 20

Paper I – Part 1

MARK PERFORMANCE

10

EXCELLENT

Excellent interaction and command of language. Hesitation typical of spoken language.

Accurate structures.

Wide range of vocabulary. Utterances are well extended.

Pronunciation is clear throughout with the right intonation /stress.

8 – 9

VERY GOOD

Able to interact very well. Has a very good command of the language. Very fluent.

Occasionally inaccurate structures.

Wide range of vocabulary. Utterances are fairly extended.

Pronunciation is clear with the right intonation and stress.

6 – 7

FAIRLY GOOD TO GOOD

Interacts fairly well, with a sufficient degree of naturalness. Has a generally effective

command of the language. Some pauses may occur.

Some inaccurate structures.

Vocabulary range is adequate though lacking in idiomatic expression. Utterances are of

adequate length.

Pronunciation is satisfactory.

5

SLIGHTLY INADEQUATE TO PASS

Has average command of the language. Some false starts may occur. Hesitation occurs.

Structures used are generally simple and some non-basic inaccuracies occur.

Vocabulary range is adequate though limited to the everyday. Responses are short.

Pronunciation is largely clear.

3 – 4

WEAK

Can use only limited language. Hesitates frequently searching for the right words.

Inaccurate structures show many basic errors.

Vocabulary is very basic. Responses are very short.

Pronunciation hinders communication.

1 - 2

VERY POOR

Has difficulty understanding spoken English and no real communication is possible.

Structures are all inaccurate.

Can only produce a few isolated words.

Pronunciation interferes with communication.


Page 7 of 20

Paper I – Part 2

1. Fill in each blank with ONE suitable preposition. The first one has been done for you.

(10 x ½ mark = 5 marks)

(a) on

(b) at/by/near

(c) until/before/till

(d) in

(e) ahead

(f) since

(g) on

(h) across/around

(i) along

(j) for

2. You are interviewing a cyclist. Write the questions to which the following are the

answers, as in the example. (5 x 1 mark = 5 marks)

(a) Who is cycling for?/Who is it for?

(b) Where can you get one/a bicycle from?

(c) How many calories does it/cycling/do you burn?

(d) Is there a disability option?

(e) Where do I/does one start?

3. Complete the following passage by forming ONE word from the one in brackets.

The first one has been done for you. (10 x ½ mark = 5 marks)

(a) exceptional

(b) remains

(c) creature

(d) preserved

(e) optical

(f) findings/find

(g) unearthed

(h) researchers

(i) revealing

(j) identified

4. Fill in the blanks to complete the phrasal verbs. The first one has been done for you.


(a) in

(b) for

(c) about/around

(d) off/over

(e) on

(f) up

(g) up

(h) out


Page 8 of 20

5. Fill in each blank with ONE suitable word. The first one has been done for you.


6. Fill in the blanks with a suitable word to complete the idiomatic expressions.

The first one has been done for you. (10 x ½ mark = 5 marks)

(a) trade

(b) volumes

(c) salt

(d) earth

(e) zone

(f) feelings

(g) plunge

(h) steam

(i) horizon

(j) appetite

7. Copy the following sentences inserting all the necessary punctuation.

(20 x ¼ mark = 5 marks)

(a) 1It 2’s what parents have suspected all along 3, isn 4 ’t it 5 ?

(b) 6 Children who have many toys are more easily distracted and do not enjoy quality playtime 7, a new study suggests8 .

(c) 9 ‘ 10 This study sought to determine if the number of toys in toddlers 11 ’ environment

influences the quality of their play 12, 13 ’ said the author 14 Dr 15 Carly 16 Dauch in the journal 17 Infant 18 Behaviour 19 Development 20.

(a) every

(b) drastically

(c) bonus

(d) line

(e) launched

(f) where

(g) Besides

(h) public

(i) access

(j) basic


Page 9 of 20

8. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. The first one has been

done for you. (10 x 1 mark = 10 marks)

9. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one.

The first one has been done for you. (5 x 1 mark = 5 marks)

(Different wording is acceptable if the answer is grammatically correct and still conveys the same

meaning.)

(a) Many are the languages you can learn if you use apps.

(b) Not only are the lessons broken down into bite-sized chunks but it also feels like

playing a game.

(c) No matter where you are, you can make use of the language learning app.

(d) Unless you practise, you won’t learn a language.

(e) The speaker suggested trying one of the many language learning apps available.

(a) were provided/should be provided

(b) had had

(c) could not/couldn’t

(d) was told/had been told

(e) to help

(f) remembers

(g) led

(h) are being used

(i) were not/had not been

(j) would not/wouldn’t be able/would not/wouldn’t have been able


Page 10 of 20

Paper IIA

1. WRITING TASK

FLUENCY 15 MARKS

TASK ACHIEVEMENT

AND RELEVANCE

(5 marks)

- writing is appropriate to task and purpose

- (short story) realistic sequence of events

- (article) convincing point of view

- (email) greeting - reason for writing email - closing

ORGANISATION AND

LINKING (5 marks)

- ability to organise, present and link ideas clearly and

appropriately between paragraphs and within paragraphs

- development of material is effectively managed

e.g. introduction - body - conclusion

- evidence of linking devices

- (short story) material is clearly controlled and sequenced

- (article) material is clearly structured

- (email) material is clearly structured

VOCABULARY

(5 marks)

- ability to use language appropriately

- ability to use a range of vocabulary

- range of vocabulary generally varied and is judiciously chosen

- language is appropriate to task chosen (formal vs informal)

ACCURACY 25 MARKS

GRAMMAR

(20 marks)

- ability to use language accurately

- punctuation is correct

- correct use of tenses-

- correct spelling of simple/high frequency words/ common

words/content words.

SENTENCES

(5 marks)

- mastery of sentence structure

- sentences are varied in length and construction

- syntax is consistently accurate

- good command over style


Page 11 of 20

2. READING COMPREHENSION AND SUMMARY

Passage 1

(27 marks)

1. What was the main change that the explorer Francois Leguat and the rest of the men had to

make to their original plans? (1 mark)

Originally they were meant to land on Reunion to set up a colony of protestant refugees

but they founded a settlement in Rodrigues instead.

2. What does the writer mean when he says that ‘this fascinating bird seems to have suffered

the same fate as the iconic dodo’ (lines 8-9)? (1 mark)

The solitaire bird became extinct like the dodo.

3. In your own words, explain how Francois Leguat’s writings have been helpful to researchers

today. (2 marks)

They have helped in the understanding and recreating of knowledge about the bird’s

physical features and that of the geography of the island.

4. Mention TWO ways in which the reduced land habitat affected the solitaires. (1 mark)

5. What does the writer suggest when he says ‘These would have been quite a sight’ (line 22)?

(2 marks)

As the males were quite huge, it would have been quite an attraction watching them

fight each other and the writer is fascinated by the idea of solitaire birds fighting each

other.

6. Between lines 26 and 31, find FOUR facts about the solitaire. (2 marks)

a.

It forced the birds to fight for food.

b.

It forced the birds to fight for territory.

Iii

OI

c.

It led to the evolution of the solitaire.

a. It had short wings.

b. It made rattling sounds.

c.

It had a bone on the wing that grew larger at the end/formed a mass under

the feathers.

d. The bone and the beak served as defence weapons.


Page 12 of 20

7. Between lines 20 and 32, find single words that match the following meanings as used in

the passage: (2 marks)

a. getting smaller shrinking b. contests disputes

c. clattering rattling d. intriguing tantalising

8. Are the following sentences True or False? Circle the correct answer and give a reason for

each of your answers. (4 marks)

a. The solitaire was mistaken for a dodo by the men who settled on Rodrigues.

(True/False) because the early explorers believed the solitaire was a dodo/it had

similarities to the dodo.

b. Half of Rodrigues has disappeared beneath the sea.

(True/False) because it is believed that 50% of the original dry land has been lost

due to the rising sea level and so it is submerged/it can be seen in satellite images.

c. Male and female solitaires did not share any characteristics.

(True/False) because they share some characteristics such as strong legs and long

necks.

d. The solitaires fought the dodos.

(True /False) because the dodo lived on Mauritius/the solitaires fought with one

another/the two birds lived on different islands.

9. In a paragraph of not less than 60 and not more than 70 words, summarise the similarities

and differences between the solitaire and the dodo. Use your own words. (9 marks)

Points to be included:

The solitaire and the dodo descended from pigeons.

They came from similar environments.

They used their beaks to settle competitions.

They were both violent and territorial.

The dodo did not develop the solitaire’s clubbed wings to fight back.

The dodo used its smaller wings to maintain balance.

Both birds went extinct.

Both birds arrived on islands where there was enough food and less threat from

predators.


Page 13 of 20

10. (a) What remains of the solitaire nowadays and (b) what has been lost? (2 marks)

11. Between lines 46 and 49, find a part sentence of SIX words that indicates the solitaire has

been given recognition as much as its relative the dodo. (1 mark)

has been put on the map

Passage 2

(23 marks)

1. What does the writer suggest when she says that people give her ‘a blank look’ (line 2) when

she tells them that she is an explorer? (1 mark)

They are confused when she mentions that her job is an explorer because it is unusual.

2. In your own words, explain how the writer makes a living. (2 marks)

She makes a living by travelling to far and unknown parts of the world and then

narrating what she went through.

3. Mention THREE things that the writer has learnt from Milly. (3 marks)

Accept any three.

The writer learns what being a good leader means; to be resourceful; to listen to the

environment around her; and to listen to those around her.

4. Between lines 7 and 13, find a phrasal verb and a verb which have a similar meaning to

‘began’. (1 mark)

a. embarked on b. started

5. What did ‘the most terrifying day’ (lines 14-15) of the writer’s expedition in the Namibian

desert make her realise? (2 marks)

The writer realised that unless one is mentally strong and prepared for the challenges

whilst exploring, it does not really matter how physically prepared one is, because one

will make mistakes or put oneself at risk.

6. Between lines 14 and 21, find single words that are opposite in meaning to:

(2 marks)

a. accompanied solo b. cautious reckless

7. Mention TWO goals that the writer hopes to achieve by rowing across the Pacific Ocean.

(1 mark)

a. There are only bone remains in caves, deposits, and museums.

b. No live specimen has left the island and there are no preserved skins.


Page 14 of 20

8. Why is ‘visualisation…one of the key elements in the success of this expedition’ (line 29)?

(2 marks)

Visualisation is essential in ensuring a successful expedition because she would be able

to practise her responses and ultimately these would become automatic.

9. Between lines 22 and 29, find a part sentence of SEVEN words which means that the

writer will have no control over natural conditions on her journey across the Pacific Ocean.

(1 mark)

at the complete mercy of the ocean

10. What does the writer mean when she says that ‘normal rowing on flat river water doesn’t cut

it’ (line 30)? (2 marks)

It is not sufficient or good enough to practise on flat river water because the ocean

would present a different challenge and it would require a different pattern of rowing.

11. How will the sports psychologists help the writer prepare for the rowing expedition? (1 mark)

The writer will be helped by the sports psychologists to prepare in the best way possible

to face the different physical and mental challenges that she might encounter.

12. Explain the writer’s attitude towards failure. (2 marks)

The writer does not consider failure as something negative but believes that it helps

one learn from mistakes. She knows that things can go wrong but feels that this pushes

us out of our comfort zone.

13. What do the words below refer to in the passage? (3 marks)

a.

She hopes to be the first female to row on her own without stopping.

b. She hopes to be the youngest person to row alone/ the fastest in crossing.

a. it (line 2) the writer’s reply b. This (line 9) Bolivia’s jungles

c. she (line 11) Milly/the puma d. those (line 12) good leaders

e. It (line 14) when she cycled

solo/terrifying day

f. it (line 24) the writer’s

rowing

expedition


Page 15 of 20

Writing Task

(10 marks)

You are Pat and you are planning to take part in the school fun run next month. In between 60

and 80 words write a dialogue encouraging your friend Billie to join you. In the dialogue, mention

what you will need to do to prepare for the school fun run.

You will be penalised if you write less than 60 and more than 80 words.

Marks are awarded for task achievement/informal language/accuracy/appropriate length.


Page 16 of 20

Paper IIB

1. WRITING TASK

FLUENCY 15 MARKS

TASK ACHIEVEMENT

AND RELEVANCE

(5 marks)

- writing is appropriate to task and purpose

- (short story) realistic sequence of events

- (article) convincing point of view

- (email) greeting - reason for writing email - closing

ORGANISATION AND

LINKING (5 marks)

- ability to organise, present and link ideas clearly and

appropriately between paragraphs and within paragraphs

- development of material is effectively managed

e.g. introduction - body - conclusion

- evidence of linking devices

- (short story) material is clearly controlled and sequenced

- (article) material is clearly structured

- (email) material is clearly structured

VOCABULARY

(5 marks)

- ability to use language appropriately

- ability to use a range of vocabulary

- range of vocabulary generally varied and is judiciously chosen

- language is appropriate to task chosen (formal vs informal)

ACCURACY 25 MARKS

GRAMMAR

(20 marks)

- ability to use language accurately

- punctuation is correct

- correct use of tenses-

- correct spelling of simple/high frequency words/ common

words/content words.

SENTENCES

(5 marks)

- mastery of sentence structure

- sentences are varied in length and construction

- syntax is consistently accurate

- good command over style


Page 17 of 20

2. READING COMPREHENSION AND SUMMARY

Passage 1

(24 marks)

1. Write down TWO part-sentences found between lines 1 and 6, of TWO or THREE words

each, that have the same meaning as rabbits. (1 mark)

a. fluffy, hopping residents

b. four-legged furballs

c. hundreds of bunnies

2. Write down FOUR facts about the rabbits on Okunoshima found between lines 1 and 7 of the

passage. (2 marks)

Accept any four.

a. Hundreds live on the island.

b. They are friendly.

c. They love people.

d. They nibble fingers.

e. They are harmless.

3. What does the writer mean by ‘less-than-cute history’ (line 7)? (2 marks)

A past which is not very pleasant.

4. In your own words, explain why Japan wanted to keep its production of chemical weapons a

secret. (2 marks)

Japan was part of the Geneva protocol that did not allow the use of chemical warfare.

5. What TWO things did the Japanese government do to ensure its programme to develop chemical

weapons remained a secret? Use your own words. (2 marks)

a. The island was taken off some of the maps of Japan.

b. They converted the local fish preservation processor into a poisonous gas reactor

without telling the inhabitants what was going on.

6. What TWO parts of the human body are affected by mustard gas? (1 mark)

a. skin b. lungs

7. Between lines 1 and 17, find single words that match the following meanings as used in the

passage. (3 marks)

a. lovable adorable d. poisonous toxic

b. located situated e. idea clue

c. prohibited banned f. tough harsh

8. Who are ‘today’s inhabitants’ (line 21)? (1 mark)

The rabbits/Descendents of bunnies.

9. Explain the TWO different theories regarding how rabbits came to live on Okunoshima.

(2 marks)


Page 18 of 20

a. They are the descendants of those rabbits brought over in the past to be tested on.

b. They were brought over by a group of students.

10. What fact shows that rabbits on Okunoshima are taken care of today? (1 mark)

Predators such as dogs and cats are prohibited on Okunoshima.

11. What do you think is the purpose of this passage? (1 mark)

The passage aims to attract visitors to the island.

12. Mention EIGHT facts about Okunoshima that we learn from lines 3-28 of the passage.

(4 marks)

Accept any eight.

a. It is an island.

b. It is situated off the coast of Japan.

c. Its nickname is Rabbit island.

d. Hundreds of bunnies live there.

e. A chemical plant was constructed there.

f. It was removed from the map of Japan.

g. The test factory was shut down at end of World War II.

h. There is a peaceful environment on Okunoshima.

i. Predators such as dogs and cats are banned.

j. It is a short ferry ride away from main island of Japan.

13. Explain what is meant by ‘If you’re looking up flights to Japan right now, we don’t blame you

in the slightest’ (lines 32-33). (2 marks)

It is natural that after reading the article, people may be interested in visiting the island.

Passage 2

(26 marks)

1. In your own words explain what the writer means by ‘She wants me gone before I scare her guests’ (line 3). (2 marks)

Since the writer looks so sick, the receptionist gives her a room quickly because she

doesn’t want her to put off the other guests.

2. Write down FOUR pieces of evidence found between lines 4 and 11 of the passage that show

that the writer was not very well. (2 marks)

a. Her head was fuzzy. b. Her throat was parched. c. She crawled out of bed. d. She was pale. e. She was shaky.

3. Write down:

a. a part-sentence of not more than FOUR words, found between lines 1 and 8 that shows that

the writer had never done any running in Ethiopia. (½ mark)

introduction to Ethiopian running

b. a part-sentence of not more than FOUR words, found between lines 1 and 8 that shows that

the writer was determined to go out in spite of her illness. (½ mark)


Page 19 of 20

would not be beaten

4. Explain what the writer felt after having spoken to Aschallew. (1 mark)

She felt that she wasn’t even at the level of an amateur in this country.

5. Write down FOUR characteristics of a typical African city found in the text. (2 marks)

a. a traffic-choked highway

b. a jumble of shops and offices

c. a smog-laden skyline

d. overland metro

e. chaos

6. Are the following statements True or False? Circle the correct answer and give a reason for

each of your answers. (5 marks)

a. The writer wakes up rather late in the morning on her first day in Addis Ababa.

(True/False) because it was dawn.

b. Calling Meskel Square a ‘square’ is not very correct.

(True/False) because it was more of a crescent.

c. The writer considers herself a professional jogger.

(True/False) because she speaks of amateurish kinship.

d. The writer returns to Meskel Square late at night on the same day.

(True/False) because it was dusk / she visited the next day.

e. There are more people at Meskel Square at the weekend.

(True/False) because the writer notices that numbers have swelled.

7. Write down TWO separate words that indicate that the people at Meskel Square at the weekend

are lively. (1 mark)

a. energetic b. sprightly

8. What do the words below refer to in the passage? (3 marks)

a. he (line 11) Solomon/assistant

coach

b. him (line 14) Solomon/assistant

coach

c. him (line 17) Aschellew d. me (line 22) the writer

e. here (line 24) Meskel Square f. it (line 29) pace

9. In a paragraph of not less than 60 words and not more than 70 words, describe what

we learn about Meskel Square from the passage. Use your own words. (8 marks)

Points to be included:

It is the gathering point for the city’s amateur joggers.

It is the shape of a crescent and narrow, with a slight curve.

It is the capital’s best-known spot for running.

It consists of a number of banked terraces.

At the far end, there is a flight of stone-flagged steps.

One can enjoy a view of the city from the square.

It is calm.

It is popular with citizens especially at weekends.


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10. What TWO separate words found in the last paragraph of the passage indicate that the writer

is sad to leave Addis Ababa? (1 mark)

Accept any two of the following:

a. regret b. all-too-brief c. Unfortunately

Writing Task

(10 marks)

You are Andrea and you want your best friend Jo to come jogging with you on Saturday mornings.

You phone your friend Jo to invite her to join you. Write the dialogue of between 50 and 60

words that takes place over the telephone.

You will be penalised if you write less than 50 or more than 60 words.

Marks are awarded for task achievement/ informal language/accuracy/appropriate length.

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