Grade 7 English Home Language

Test Paper 2 – Term 1

Reading Comprehension and Language in Context

Name:  Date: 

Class:  Total: /60

Time: 90 minutes

Instructions for learner

• This paper is made up of Section A: Comprehension (30 marks) and Section B:

Language in Context (30 marks).

• Answer all questions on the question paper.

• Answer in full sentences unless stated otherwise.

• Use the number of marks as a guide to the detail needed in your answer.

• You may not use a dictionary during this assessment.

• Write neatly and legibly.

• Try your best.

Section A: Comprehension (30 marks)

Read the text, then read the questions, then read the text a second time.
Thereafter, answer the questions.

This newspaper article appeared recently in a local publication.

In the tranquil, beautiful South African landscape is a hidden blemish:

the plight of the rhinoceros. These majestic creatures were once abundant
in the wild but are now facing a deadly threat – poaching.

The rhinos are prime targets of illegal hunters due to the high demand for
their horns in certain parts of the world. Rhino horns are believed to have
medicinal properties in some cultures.

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 Grade 7 English Home Language Test Paper 2 – Term 1
Although conservation authorities continue the titanic effort of protecting them, the brutal
practice of killing rhino for their horns continues to escalate, pushing them to the brink
of extinction. There have even been cases where the horns have been hacked off while the
animals are still alive, leaving them mutilated and in pain. This has resulted in rangers
having to euthanise them.

South Africa is a hotspot for poachers since it is home to the largest population of rhino in
the world. Even in our national parks, rhinos are not safe. Criminals will stop at nothing
to obtain rhino horns because of the very lucrative market where a single horn can fetch
thousands of rand.

Rhino poaching has devastating consequences. It endangers the survival of the species and
disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems. The decline of the rhino population could have
far-reaching consequences for other wildlife and the environment as a whole.

To combat this crisis, conservationists, local authorities and government agencies have joined
forces. There are armed rangers who patrol national parks throughout the day and night,
at great risk to their own safety, in an attempt to protect rhinos from poachers. Advanced
technologies like drones and GPS trackers are used to monitor and safeguard rhinos. Many
rhinos have also been dehorned in an attempt to keep them safe. Animals are darted and the
horn is cut off and the stump is curarised. This does not hurt the animal, but it does render
it worthless to poachers.

The battle, however, is far from over. Poaching syndicates are well organised and funded,
posing a formidable challenge to conservation efforts. Ongoing dedication, collaboration, and
international support are required to combat rhino poaching and ensure a future where these
majestic creatures can thrive in the wild and be saved from extinction.

Questions

1. What is leading to rhinos becoming endangered? [1]




2. Why are rhino horns sought after?  [1]




3. What motivates poachers to get rhino horns?  [1]




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 Grade 7 English Home Language Test Paper 2 – Term 1
4. Give two consequences of poaching.  [2]





5. List three approaches being used to stop poaching of rhino. [3]

5.1 

5.2 

5.3 


6. Give two reasons why you think that international support is needed in the fight against
rhino poaching?  [2]





7. Find synonyms for each of these in the text.  [5]

7.1 illegal hunting 
7.2 law breakers 
7.3 organised crime groups 
7.4 difficult to overcome 
7.5 damage beyond repair 

8. What does the term “hotspot” mean?  [1]




9. What heading would you give this article to draw attention to it? [1]



10. List four finite verbs from the passage.  [2]



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 Grade 7 English Home Language Test Paper 2 – Term 1
11. Find antonyms for each of these in the text. [5]
11.1 scarce 
11.2 drop 
11.3 poorly paid 
11.4 inspiring 
11.5 not paid for 

12. What onomatopoeia could be used to describe a rhino’s footsteps?  [1]




13. What is the main idea of the text?  [1]




14. What do you think the writer’s opinion is of this topic? Why?  [2]



15. Put a X in the box of the statement that is a fact and state what makes it a fact.  [2]
Rhino are going to become extinct.
Six rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park in 2023.



16. What is your opinion of rhino poaching? Give a reason for your answer.  [1]



Section B: Language in Context (30 marks)

1. Rewrite these sentences, using the correct plurals: [5]

1.1 There were six bus in a row.

1.2 Grandmother has lots of antique in her home.

1.3 The farmer had a whole flock of goose.


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 Grade 7 English Home Language Test Paper 2 – Term 1
1.4 Our neighbour’s dog had a litter of pup.

1.5 There were several different cheese on the platter.


2. Choose the correct degree of comparison for the word in brackets to correct each of these
sentences. [5]
2.1 She is the (pretty) girl in the class.

2.2 That was the (delicious) cake that I have ever tasted.

2.3 I am (happy) that I was last year.

2.4 Martha is (dedicated) to her school work than Bongi.

2.5 Sara is (strong) than her little brother.


3. Write a simile of your own with each of these words:  [2]

3.1 school


3.2 water



4. Circle the possessive pronouns in each sentence.  [2]

4.1 This is my pencil. It has my name on it.

4.2 We went with our friend to visit his uncle.

5. Change these sentences to simple present tense. [3]

5.1 I went to the mall with my friend.

5.2 I ate chips, a hamburger, and fries.


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 Grade 7 English Home Language Test Paper 2 – Term 1
5.3 I wrote my test.


6. Change these sentences to simple past tense.  [3]

6.1 I am at home all alone.

6.2 I eat my lunch and drink my juice.

6.3 I read my book while I wait.


7. Circle the correct word in the brackets.  [4]

7.1 I went (to, too, two) the shop and bought (to, too, two) litres of milk.

7.2 The children took (there, their) books out when they got to (there, their) seats.

7.3 Would you like to (borrow, lend) a pen?

7.4 Please (borrow, lend) me R10.

8. Punctuate these sentences. [3]

8.1 sandi jill and mark ordered chips burgers and milkshakes

8.2 would you prefer chocolate lime of strawberry milkshake

8.3 my friend lindi has four dogs scamp rover giant and muffin

9. Make a metaphor with each of these words: [3]

9.1 friend


9.2 athlete


9.3 classroom



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 Grade 7 English Home Language Test
Paper 2 – Term 1 Memorandum
Section A: Comprehension

Mark
Criteria Total
Allocation
1 Poaching is leading to rhinos becoming endangered. 1
Rhino horns are sought after because they are thought to
2 1
have medicinal powers in some cultures.
3 Money motivates poachers. 1
It endangers the survival of the species and disrupts the
4 1
delicate balance of ecosystems.
There are armed rangers who patrol national parks
5.1 1
throughout the day and night.
Advanced technologies like drones and GPS trackers are
5.2 1
used to monitor and safeguard rhinos.
Many rhinos have also been dehorned in an attempt to keep
5.3 1
them safe.
Answers will vary: funds are needed; to ensure that rhino
6 2
do not become extinct; etc.
7.1 poaching 1
7.2 criminals 1
7.3 syndicates 1
7.4 formidable 1
7.5 mutilate 1
8 Hotspot means an area or place of known danger. 1
9 Answers will vary 1
1
10 protecting, killing, hacked, etc. 2x 4=2
11.1 abundant 1
11.2 escalate 1
11.3 lucrative 1
11.4 formidable 1
11.5 funded 1

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 Grade 7 English Home Language Test Paper 2 – Term 1 Memorandum

12 Answers will vary: boom-boom, etc. 1

13 Answers will vary: The devastation of poaching of rhino. 1
The writer disagrees with poaching and feels that is it
14 2
having a devastating effect on the environment
Six rhinos were killed in the Kruger National Park in 2023.
15 2
It is a fact because it can be verified.
16 Answers will vary. Ensure that a reason has been given. 1

Total 30

Section B: Language in Context

Mark
Criteria Total
Allocation
1.1 busses 1
1.2 antiques 1
1.3 geese 1
1.4 puppies/pups 1
1.5 cheeses 1
2.1 prettiest 1
2.2 most delicious 1
2.3 happier 1
2.4 more dedicated 1
2.5 stronger 1
Answers will vary: School is as as ./
3.1 1
School is like .
The water is as as ./
3.2 1
Water is like .
4.1 my (x2) 1
4.2 our, his 1
5.1 I go to the mall with my friend. 1
5.2 I eat chips, hamburger, and fries. 1
5.3 I write my test. 1
6.1 I was home all alone. 1

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 Grade 7 English Home Language Test Paper 2 – Term 1 Memorandum

6.2 I ate my lunch and drank my juice. 1

6.3 I read my book while I waited. 1
7.1 to, two 1
7.2 their, their 1
7.3 borrow 1
7.4 lend 1
Sandi, Jill, and Mark ordered chips, burgers, and
8.1 1
milkshakes.
8.2 Would you prefer chocolate, lime, or strawberry milkshake? 1
My friend, Lindi, has four dogs: Scamp, Rover, Giant, and
8.3 1
Muffin.
Answers will vary. e.g. My friend is a shining star. That
9 3
athlete’s a machine. This classroom is a pig sty.

Total 30

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