CHUNG LING PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL

First Mid-Semester Exam 2020

Junior Middle 1

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Time: 70 minutes (1 hour 10 minutes)

Instructions to candidates:

1. This paper consists of 11 printed pages.

2. This paper is divided into FIVE sections:

Section A : Comprehension (20%)

Section B : Forms and Functions (10%)
Section C : Closest in Meaning ( 5%)
Section D : Structure and Usage (15%)
Section E : Tenses (30%)

3. Answer all sections.

4. Write your answers on the ANSWER SHEETS provided.

DO NOT TURN OVER THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

Name: ____________________ School No: ____________________

Class: ____________________

Prepared by: MDM TAN HUEY MEI Checked by: MDM SOON SEE SEE

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SECTION A: COMPREHENSION (20 ×1 %=20 %)

Read the following passages carefully and then answer the questions which follow. For each question,
select the BEST answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Passage 1
It is strange to know that there are millions of children in the world who have never known comfort,
care or love at home or in school. Some children have only known the streets as their homes while others
actually prefer to live on the streets.

There are many reasons why children are found on the streets. This means that their parents are also
on the streets with them. They have had no homes and have never known what it is like to sleep in bedrooms,
have meals at tables or use proper toilets. They probably use public toilets and have baths at open-air taps.
Their clothes have always been those discarded by others. If they do eat, it is probably because someone was
kind to them, or they have found food in dustbins behind restaurants. They have never gone to school.

Another group of street children come from poor families, where the parents can barely get enough
food for the day. Life at home is an endless cycle of hunger and scolding. These children feel that they are
better off on the streets and run away from home. They sleep on cardboard boxes on pavements and
scrounge for restaurant leftovers. They will do odd jobs on the streets and make some money each day just
to survive.

The families of these street children face numerous problems. Poverty drives some of them to steal or
do illegal things. Some end up in prisons. Poverty sometimes drives them to take or sell drugs. Broken homes
add to the problems. The parents cannot hold jobs for long. Others suffer from depression and thus, cannot
look after their families responsibly. Their children are left with no food, love or care. There is no guidance
of any sort. Many children do not go to school or drop out easily. Sickness among the poor is unattended and
can only become worse.

The authorities feel that there is very little they can do to help the street children. They do pick them
up occasionally, but they cannot contact the families and even if they do, the children refuse to go home or
would run away again. The public tend to look down on street children and will have nothing to do with
them.

In some countries, some centres have been opened to the street children to provide them a place to
hang out. The organisers try to teach them in informal ways to make them literate. They leave books,
computers and games around for the children to use. They have volunteers to guide the children and counsel
them in such a way as to make them feel cared for and loved. The volunteers do not judge and criticise them.
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Their role is essentially one of a caring mentor. Some of these centres have been successful in getting some
of the children to attend regular school and actually do well in life. However, the success stories are minimal.

1. Why does the author claim that there are many children do not know the comfort, care and love at
home?
A Schools are their homes.
B They live on the streets.
C Their houses are not renovated.
D There are no bedrooms in their houses.

2. Based on the second paragraph, which of the following statements is not true?
A The homeless children bath in the proper toilets at homes.
B The homeless children usually wear second-hand clothes.
C The homeless children are usually illiterate.
D Some homeless children live on the streets with their parents.

3. Based on the third paragraph, why do the children prefer staying on the streets?
A They like to run on the streets.
B They can get enough food on the streets.
C They are always scolded and starved at home.
D They want to stay with their parents on the streets.

4. In the third paragraph, the word ‘scrounge’ can best be replaced by .

A beg
B search
C collect
D receive

5. Based on the third paragraph, how do the children earn some pocket money?
A They do some odd jobs at restaurants.
B They do some odd jobs on the streets.
C They do some odd jobs by selling cupboard boxes.
D They do some odd jobs by selling restaurant leftovers.

6. Why do the children involve themselves in illegal activities?

A They are poor.
B They have depression.
C They cannot find odd jobs.
D They are forced by their families.

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 7. Why do the families fail to take care of the children?
A The parents are imprisoned.
B The parents are unemployed.
C The parents take and sell drugs.
D The parents do not know how to give guidance to the children.

8. Why do the authorities feel that there is nothing much they can do to help the street children?
A They fail to get in touch with the parents.
B The parents refuse the children to go home.
C They only pick the children up occasionally.
D The parents look down on the street children.

9. The following statements are the things done by the centres to help the children except
A They give the children loves and cares.
B Provide places for the children to hang out.
C They guide the children in doing voluntary tasks.
D Teach the children read and write in an informal way.

10. According to the author, what have been done successfully by the centres?
A They judge the children.
B They criticise the children.
C They convince the children to go to school.
D They teach the children how to play computer games.

Passage 2
Influence from peers especially as teenagers is always tremendous because they spend a lot of time
together. Friends may influence how you act or do something. Sometimes you are compelled to be like them.
This is what we call peer pressure.

Peers may have a positive influence on each other. They may encourage one another to study hard for
their examinations. Sometimes, they admire someone who plays musical instruments or is good in sports.
This might make them want to be like them. But sad to say, more often than not peer pressure has negative
effects on teenagers. For instance, students may group together and decide to play truant, play computer
games at cyber cafes till late at night or loaf at a mall. Young girls may want to keep up with the fashionable
clothes their friends wear.

Why do you think teenagers give in to peer pressure? One of the reasons is most of them want to fit
into the group. They worry others would make fun of them. For example, a student may be pressured to join
his friends who decide to play truant. Otherwise, he may be afraid that he would be called a coward or he
would be left behind. Some go along with their friends because they are curious to try something new that

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others are doing. It may be smoking, taking drugs or ecstasy pills, partying or clubbing. The idea that
everyone’s doing it may also give them the idea that it is perfectly fine to do it.

It is not easy to walk away from peer pressure. It takes a lot of willpower to decline what your friends
ask you to do. Pay attention to your feelings or beliefs and decide what is right or wrong. Follow the values
inculcated by your family or religion. If your friends ask you to bully a boy and you know that this is the
wrong thing to do then you should not get involved in this bad deed. Have inner strength and self-confidence
to stay away from unhealthy activities such as smoking, taking drugs, clubbing or even bullying. Avoid
situations where people are doing things you do not want to do. So, avoid going to places like abandoned
buildings, bushes or behind shop lots.

In conclusion, it is all up to us. We can choose to be free from the negative influence of peer pressure
and instead learn from our peers who can impart positive value to us.

11. Why do teenagers have a lot of influence from their friends?

A They have a lot of friends.
B They spend a lot of time together.
C They do not want to disappoint their friends.
D They receive encouragement from their friends.

12. Which of the following statements is not true?

A Peers have positive and negative influence on each other.
B Peers have more positive effects on teenagers.
C Peers encourage one another to do something.
D Admiration causes teenagers to be influenced.

13. In the second paragraph, the word ‘loaf’ means

A stay indoors
B shop and buy
C spending time doing nothing
D a quantity of bread that is shaped and baked

14. Why do teenagers give in to peer pressure?

A They want to form a group.
B They want the group to be fit.
C They want to make fun of someone.
D They want to be accepted into the group.

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15. Why do teenagers want to join in the group?
A They are afraid of loneliness.
B They want to have more friends.
C They do not want to be left out.
D They want to play truant together with their friends,

16. Which of the following statements is true?

A Peer pressure drives them into loneliness.
B Peer pressure turns them into a coward.
C They are afraid of playing truant with their friends.
D They skip class with their friends to avoid being mocked.

17. In the third paragraph, the phrase ‘go along with’ means
A walk along
B walk together
C travel with someone
D agree to do something together

18. In the fourth paragraph, the word ‘willpower’ means

A determination
B inability
C strength
D authority

19. How can the teenagers walk away from peer pressure?
A Pay attention to their friends
B Refuse to do what others ask them to do
C Follow the values inculcated by their friends
D Take into consideration the feelings and beliefs of their friends

20. Based on the third paragraph, which of the following are the unhealthy activities that teenagers
should not involve in
A fighting, partying, computer games and smoking.
B playing truant, drug abusing, smoking and clubbing.
C playing truant, drug abusing, smoking and loafing.
D playing musical instruments, bullying, joining group and clubbing.

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SECTION B: FORMS AND FUNCTIONS (10 ×1 %=10 %)

Complete each of the dialogues below by selecting the BEST answer from the options A, B, C and D
according to the functions in brackets.

21. Jess : Are we going now?

Father : Yes. (To remind)
A Lock the room, please.
B Can you lock your room?
C You have to lock your room.
D Don’t forget to lock your room.

22. Ben : How dare you accuse me of stealing!

Brother: (To protest)
A I didn’t say that.
B I’m telling mum!
C Please calm down.
D You should apologise.

23. Noah : Excuse me. (To offer)

Lady : Thank you. That’s very kind of you.
A You need a seat.
B Why are you standing?
C Can you find your seat?
D You can have my seat if you like.

24. Student : We have cleaned the classroom thoroughly.

Teacher : (To express dissatisfaction)
A So what.
B Clean it again.
C Now clean the library.
D Ask the others to help you.

25. John : I keep getting lots of spam messages.

Billy : Your computer isn’t protected properly. (To suggest)
A That’s bad.
B I hope it recovers soon.
C You can update your virus software.
D Please update your virus software now.

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26. Tom : How about going to a horror movie tomorrow after school?
Jerry : (To express fear)
A No thanks. I have tuition class.
B It gives me goose pimples. No thanks.
C No thanks. Ghost movie do not appeal to me.
D I’m afraid I’ll have to decline as it is not my cup of tea.

27. Jack : What do you think of the opening ceremony of the Asian Games?
Kelly : (To compliment)
A Oh, that’s second to none.
B I’m very excited about the fireworks display.
C I think it pales in comparison to the commonwealth Games.
D Well, that’s second best after the Olympic Games held in Beijing.

28. Wife : The show starts in 20 minutes!

Husband : Don’t worry. It takes only five minutes to get there.
Wife : (To express relief)
A Good.
B That’s better.
C It’s about time!
D Thank goodness for that!

29. Mia : Can I help you to take Cookies to the vet?

Bob : (To decline politely)
A Yes, you can.
B No. Don’t be a busybody.
C It’s all right. I’ll take care of him.
D Thank you. That’s very kind of you.

30. Mum : The pot is hot. Beware!

Molly : (To reassure) I’ll use a pot holder.
A Is it?
B I can cook.
C I’ll be careful.
D I’m not stupid.

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SECTION C: CLOSEST IN MEANING (5 ×1 %=5 %)

Select the best answer which is closest in meaning to the statements underlined.

Sean : I sympathise with Brian. His family is in the red.

(31)

Dawn : I heard they have been overspending. You should always cut your coat according to your cloth.
(32)

Sean : I agree. Now, they regret their actions, but it’s no use crying over spilt milk.
(33)

Dawn : I’ve known him since my childhood. He’s my good friend. I wish I could lend him a hand.
(34)

Sean : You’re not financially independent. Don’t worry, he knows that your hands are tied.
(35)

31. A in debt
B in a crisis
C in trouble
D in a dilemma

32. A live within your means

B save as much as possible
C spend only when there are sales
D spend as less as possible

33. A cry yourself

B apologising for making a mistake
C pitying yourself for making a mistake
D regretting a mistake that cannot be undone

34. A ask for help

B help him
C comfort him
D give him my arm

35. A your hands are in pain

B your hands are tied with rope
C you do not know how to help
D you do not have the ability to help

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SECTION D: STRUCTURE AND USAGE (15 ×1 %=15 %)
For each question, select the BEST answer from the options A, B, C and D to fit each numbered blank.
Many people are surprised when told that they are breeding insects in their homes. (36)

most common insects (37) flies, beetles and ants. Of course spiders, moths,

millipedes, silverfish, (38) and cockroaches are also (39) in the

most homes. Having (40) diversity of insects in our homes has (41) a

norm as most of these insects are harmless (42) go unnoticed. No home is insect-free.

(43) most insects are harmless, many people have a great fear (44)

them. A fear of insects is known as entomophobia. To (45) our homes insect-free, we have

to (46) insect breeding grounds. For instance, make sure that garbage is disposed properly

(47) flies do not lay eggs in your garbage. An easy (48) to control the

breeding of insects is by arranging for regular visits by the pest controllers. (49) positive

steps are taken, all these insects will thrive (50) our homes.
36. A A 41. A become 46. A get off
B An B becomes B get rid of
C The C became C get used to
D - D becoming D get along with

37. A is 42. A or 47. A so that

B are B but B as such
C was C nor C such as
D were D and D as long as

38. A mosquito 43. A However 48. A way

B mosquitos B Although B idea
C mosquite C In addition C step
D mosquitoes D As a result D thing

39. A find 44. A as 49. A Even

B finds B by B Unless
C found C of C What if
D founded D for D Usually

40. A a 45. A do 50. A at

B an B get B in
C the C keep C on
D - D allow D under

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SECTION E: TENSES (15 ×2 %=30 %)

Fill in the blanks with the correct TENSES of the VERBS in brackets.

51. The students (assemble) in the school hall on Mondays before classes begin.

52. Janet (organise) a barbeque this Friday night. Would you like to come?

53. After he wakes up, the first thing he (do) is to go for a walk in the garden.

54. Last night, a fire (break) out at a popular disco in the city.

55. I (wait) for a taxi since three o’clock and I still can’t get one.

56. He (not / go) to the bank yet so he can’t lend us any money.

57. Ben (type) out his essay when I visited him yesterday.

58. I studied for my test while my sister (watch) TV.

59. My parents live at Holland village in Singapore. They (be) there for more than 20 years.

60. Julia (work) as a fitness instructor in a sports club. She will be leaving her job soon

to get married.

61. During my early years at school, I often (get) into trouble with my teachers.

62. I (misplace) my house keys. I hope I find them soon or I will have to climb in through

a window.

63. Bernard (always / find) fault with my work these days although I have tried to do my

best.

64. In those years when my father was in the foreign service, we (shuttle) from place to

place and seldom had a chance to make good friends.

65. I (promise) that I’ll do my best in the science quiz. I won’t let you down.

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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 CHUNG LING PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL

First Mid-Semester Exam 2020

Junior Middle 1

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

ANSWER

Section A: Comprehension

1. B 2. A 3. C 4. A 5. B 6. A 7. B 8. A 9. C 10. C
11. B 12. B 13.C 14.D 15.C 16. D 17. D 18. A 19. B 20. B

Section B: Forms and Functions

21. D 22. A 23.D 24.B 25.C 26. B 27. A 28. D 29. C 30. C

Section C: Closest in Meaning

31. A 32. A 33.D 34.B 35.D

Section D: Structure and Usage

36. C 37. B 38.D 39.C 40.A 41. A 42. D 43. B 44. C 45. C
46. B 47. A 48.A 49.B 50.B

Section E: Write down the correct TENSES of the VERBS. (15 ×2 %=30 %)
51. assemble 59. have been living
52. is organising / will organise / is going to organaise 60. works
53. does 61. got
54. broke 62. have misplaced
55. have been waiting 63. always finds
56. has not gone 64. shuttled
57. was typing 65. promise
58. was watching

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