Practice: English Exam
Section A: Unseen Comprehension and Summary (20 Marks)
Question 1: Unseen Comprehension (12 Marks)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The old clock tower in the heart of the town square had stood for centuries, its weathered
stone a silent witness to countless moments in the town's history. Its bell, though now slightly
off-key, still chimed the hour, a familiar sound that wove its way through the daily life of
Oakhaven. Children played tag around its sturdy base, couples met beneath its shadow, and
market vendors set up their stalls nearby, their voices a lively contrast to the tower's quiet
dignity.
One sweltering summer afternoon, a young boy named Leo noticed something unusual. High
up on the tower, near the clock face, a small bird seemed to be trapped. It fluttered frantically
against the glass, its tiny chirps barely audible above the town's hum. Leo, a kind and
observant child, felt a pang of sympathy for the creature. He tried shouting to scare it away,
but the bird remained trapped.
He ran to the nearby bakery, where old Mrs. Gable, known for her gentle nature and
knowledge of the town, was serving customers. Leo breathlessly explained what he had seen.
Mrs. Gable listened intently, her brow furrowed with concern. "That old tower," she
murmured, "it's been years since anyone climbed up there. The inner stairs are likely very
fragile."
Despite the potential danger, Leo felt he had to help. He imagined the bird growing weaker
under the scorching sun. He pleaded with Mrs. Gable, who, seeing his genuine distress,
finally agreed to contact Mr. Abernathy, the retired town historian who held the only key to
the tower's heavy wooden door. What followed was a small, anxious gathering in the square
as Mr. Abernathy, his movements slow but determined, unlocked the tower. Leo, his heart
pounding, was the first to step inside the cool, dusty interior, the spiral staircase stretching
upwards into the dim light.
a) What is the significance of the old clock tower to the town of Oakhaven? (2 Marks)
b) Identify two explicit details that show Leo's concern for the trapped bird. (2 Marks)
c) What can you infer about Mrs. Gable's character based on her interaction with Leo?
Support your answer with evidence from the text. (2 Marks)
d) Find and write down two vocabulary words from the passage and explain their meaning: (4
Marks)
* Sweltering:
* Dignity:
e) Why do you think the author mentions that the bell is "slightly off-key"? What might this
detail subtly suggest about the tower's age and history? (2 Marks)
Question 2: Unseen Summary (8 Marks)
Write a summary of the passage in Question 1 in no more than 80 words.
Section B: Grammar (20 Marks)
Question 3: Prepositions (4 Marks)
Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence:
a) The book fell _______ the table. (off, on, beneath)
b) The children played hide-and-seek _______ the trees. (among, beside, in)
c) She is looking _______ her lost keys. (for, at, with)
d) The cat sat _______ the window sill. (on, under, near)
Question 4: Conjunctions (4 Marks)
Fill in the blanks with the most suitable conjunction:
a) He wanted to go swimming, _______ the pool was closed.
b) We will go to the zoo _______ it stops raining.
c) She is a talented singer, _______ a skilled dancer.
d) You can have cake _______ ice cream for dessert.
Question 5: Transitive and Intransitive Verbs (4 Marks)
Identify whether the underlined verb in each sentence is Transitive (T) or Intransitive (I):
a) The rain <ins>stopped</ins> suddenly. ( ____ )
b) He <ins>threw</ins> the ball. ( ____ )
c) The flowers <ins>bloomed</ins> in the spring. ( ____ )
d) She <ins>answered</ins> the question. ( ____ )
Question 6: Subject-Verb Agreement (4 Marks)
Choose the correct form of the verb:
a) The news _______ surprising. (was, were)
b) Neither of the boys _______ interested in the game. (was, were)
c) Physics _______ a difficult subject for some students. (is, are)
d) Several students _______ absent today. (is, are)
Question 7: Direct and Indirect Speech (4 Marks)
Rewrite the following sentences in Indirect Speech:
a) He says, "I will go to the market."
b) She says, "My brother is playing outside."
c) They say, "We are watching a movie."
d) The teacher says, "The test is tomorrow."
Section C: Creative Writing (20 Marks)
Question 8: Narrative Writing (10 Marks)
Write a short narrative (story) in about 150-200 words. You can write in either the first
person (I) or third person (he/she/they). (Hint: Refer to Worksheet O1 for narrative writing
prompts if needed)
Prompt: Write a story about a character who makes a difficult choice that changes their life.
Question 9: Descriptive Writing (10 Marks)
Write a descriptive paragraph of about 150-200 words. (Hint: Refer to Worksheet O1 for
descriptive writing prompts if needed)
Prompt: Describe an old, forgotten book that you find in an attic. Focus on its physical
appearance and the feelings it evokes.
Section D: Literature (20 Marks)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Chapters 1-7)
Question 10: Explicit and Implicit Questions (8 Marks)
a) What warning does Dobby give Harry in Chapter 2? (1 Mark)
b) What subject does Gilderoy Lockhart teach at Hogwarts? (1 Mark)
c) Why do Harry and Ron end up taking the flying car to Hogwarts? (2 Marks)
d) What does the way the other students react to Harry's ability to hear the mysterious voice
suggest about the general atmosphere at Hogwarts? (2 Marks)
e) How does the author use the character of Dobby to create a sense of unease and mystery in
the initial chapters? (2 Marks)
Question 11: Character Sketch (6 Marks)
Write a short character sketch of either Vernon Dursley or Petunia Dursley. Include their
main traits and their relationship with Harry. (Hint: Refer to "Character Review" worksheet if
helpful).
Question 12: Use of Language (6 Marks)
Find an example of figurative language (simile or metaphor) used in Chapters 1-7 to describe
a person or a place. Write down the example and explain its effect. (Hint: Consider
descriptions of the Dursleys' house or the Burrow).
END OF EXAMINATION
