SCHOOL LETTERHEAD
TERM 1 BASELINE ASSESSMENT
RESPONSE TO TEXTS
GRADE: 9
ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE
BASELINE ASSESSMENT
DATE: 15 – 17 JANUARY 2024
Marks: 50
Duration: 2 hours
DATE QUESTION
15.01.2025 1
16.01.2025 2
17.01.2025 3
This question paper consists of 10 pages.
EnglishFAL/Grade9/Baseline Assessement Jan/2025
Instructions to the learner
1. This question paper consists of THREE questions.
2. Answer ALL questions.
3. Write on an examination page provided by your teacher.
4. Write the letter of the correct answer for multiple choice questions.
5. Leave a line after EACH answer.
6. Number the answers according to the numbering used in this question paper.
7. Pay special attention to spelling and sentence construction.
8. Write neatly and legibly.
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EnglishFAL/Grade9/Baseline Assessement Jan/2025
Question 1
TEXT A Comprehension
Read the comprehension text carefully and answer questions that follow
Comrades win 'means a lot' says jubilant Tete Dijane after 3 months of
prep work
1. Maiden Comrades Marathon winner Tete Dijana battled to hide his joy
when winning the 95th edition of the ultra-marathon from only his
second start in the race. Dijane, who hails from the North-West
province, crossed the finishing line in a time of [Link], just over three
minutes ahead of the second-placed Edward Mothibi, who also was the
defending champion. athletes
2. The 34-year-old Dijana, who quit his job as a security guard to focus on
running, said winning the race meant a lot to him, while also thanking
his coach Dave Adams for ensuring he was in top nick for the race." I
don't have any words. It took me three months to prepare for this
marathon and I would like to thank Coach Dave for his help," Dijana
said.
3. "It means a lot to me because I have been through a lot because before
the race, something happened to me and I had to go to the
psychologist’’. "I went into camp for three months and I took unpaid
leave. The race also belongs to Mafikeng because the last two winners
are from there," he said happily.
4. Women’s race winner Alexandra Morozova was visibly flagging by the
time she entered the Moses Mabhida Stadium. However, she'd put in a
fair bit of distance between her ([Link]) and second place finisher
Dominika Stelmach ([Link]), who is from Poland.
5. Morozova’s participation was clouded by legalities. She was cleared to
take part on Friday."It was amazing and it was one of the dreams that
came through today," Morozova said through an interpreter.
6. "It's been one of the most difficult moments of my life in the past four
years and it's very good to be here and to achieve this’’.”I've been here
a few years and it was my turn to take the medal now. There are other
strong racers from previous years, so it's my year now."
Adapted [Link]/sport/othersport/athletics/comrades
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EnglishFAL/Grade9/Baseline Assessement Jan/2025
1.1 The purpose of this newspaper article is to tell us how…
A Edward Mothibi obtained position 2.
B Tete Dijane won the Comrades Marathon.
C Alexander Morozova won the prize.
D Dominica Stelmach obtained second position. (1)
1.2 In which province do we find the town of Mafikeng?
A Botswana
B North West
C Gauteng
D Limpopo (1)
1.3 What is the meaning of the word jubilant as used in the title?
A happy
B Angry
C Sad
D Dejected (1)
1.4 Is the following statement a fact or opinion? Paragraph 1.
Quote a sentence to support your answer.
The Comrades Marathon was held for the second year. (2)
1.5 What is the main idea of paragraph 2? (1)
1.6 Give one feature of a newspaper article. (1)
1.7 Do you think Tete took a good decision to quit his job? Why? Paragraph 2. (2)
1.8 Who will enjoy reading this article? (1)
1.9 Write the topic sentence of paragraph 5. (2)
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EnglishFAL/Grade9/Baseline Assessement Jan/2025
1.10. Describe the mood of the writer in paragraph 3. (1)
1
1.10.2 Quote one word from the paragraph 3 to support your answer. (1)
1.1 Give one word for the following phrase “I don’t have any words’’. (1)
1
1.1 Indicate whether the underlined word is figurative or literal.
2 Dijane hails from the North-West province. (1)
1.1 What is the writer’s intention about this article? (2)
3
1.1 Will you participate in the comrades’ marathon? Why? (2)
4
[20]
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EnglishFAL/Grade9/Baseline Assessement Jan/2025
Question 2
Visual Literacy
TEXT B Advertisement
Study text below and answer questions that follow.
Adapted from [Link].com2021
2.1 What is the slogan of the advertisement? (1)
2.2 Identify the persuasive language used in the advertisement (1)
2.3 Will you buy this product? Why? (2)
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EnglishFAL/Grade9/Baseline Assessement Jan/2025
2.4 Why are some words in the advertisement written in bold? (1)
TEXT C Cartoon
Study the cartoon below and answer questions that follow
CALVIN AND HOBBES by Bill Watterson
FRAME 1 FRAME 2 FRAME 3 FRAME 4
NOTE: The boy’s name is Calvin, and the girl is his classmate, Susie.
2.5 Identify the audience in the cartoon. (1)
2.6 Which one is not the purpose of the cartoon?
A inform
B confuse
C entertain
D educate (1)
2.7 Refer to frame [Link] punctuation mark has been used to indicate (1)
emphasis? THIS IS BLACKMAIL!
2.8 Refer to frame 1. Why is Calvin scratching his head? (1)
2.9 Refer to frame 4. What facial expression shows that Calvin is angry? (1)
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EnglishFAL/Grade9/Baseline Assessement Jan/2025
(5)
[10]
Question 3
TEXT: D Language structures and conventions
Read the passage below and answer questions that follow.
The Ndlovu Youth Choir first caught the attention of South Africans when they
delivered a stellar performance on reality competition, America’s Got Talent,
getting a standing ovation from the audience.
The group who originates from Limpopo has now made it through to the live rounds
of the show, and they could not be happier. “We have received the most amazing
messages of encouragement,” said Ralph, the group’s choir master.
The video of The Ndlovu Youth Choir’s America’s Got Talent audition has gained
over 5 million views on You Tube, something that Ralph did not see coming. “We
thought there would be a few people from around the world that would see it, and
maybe a few of our friends and one or two people from South Africa would be
interested, but never envisioned the overwhelming support that we have received.”
Adapted by examiner from [Link]/the-juice/new
3.1 Identify the part of speech of the underlined word in the sentence below.
The Ndlovu youth choir was the happiest of all the contesting choirs. (1)
3.2 What do we call a group of people singing together? (1)
3.3 Give the plural form of the underlined words. Write the correct answer.
3.3.1 The choir performed at the major city of America. (1)
3.3.2 We have received most amazing message. (1)
3.4 What is the antonym of the underlined word?
Our friends came to watch the choir competition. (1)
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EnglishFAL/Grade9/Baseline Assessement Jan/2025
3.5 Identify the adverb of manner from the sentence below
The Ndlovu youth choir sang amazingly. (2)
3.6 Use the conjunction in brackets to join the sentences below.
The group performed on reality competition. The group received a standing (1)
ovation. (and)
3.7 Rewrite the following sentence in indirect speech.
‘’We have received the most amazing messages of encouragement”, said Ralph. (2)
3.8 Punctuate the following sentence.
Does the group originate from limpopo (2)
3.9 Correct the words in brackets.
Ndlovu (to start) and (to develop) the youth choir last year (2)
3.10 Use the correct preposition to complete the sentence below.
After touring the USA, the choir finally arrived _____ Johannesburg. (1)
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EnglishFAL/Grade9/Baseline Assessement Jan/2025
3.1 Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence? Rewrite. (1)
1
A The choir spread joy and messages of hope.
B The choir caught the attention of South Africans when they delivered a stellar
performance and got standing ovation from the audience.
3.12 Identify the main clause in the sentence below.
The group who originates from Limpopo has now made it through to the finals. (2)
3.13 Change the following sentence from active to passive voice.
The Ndlovu youth choir caught the attention of South Africans. (2)
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