ZIMSEC ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER 2 –
JUNE 2025 SESSION
Suggested Answers Prepared By: Sir Mastones_0778 787 812
SECTION A: COMPREHENSION
1(a) From paragraph 1
✔️
What shows that the tiger kills its prey with ease?
It can kill a buffalo with a single bite.
1(b)(i) From paragraph 2
✔️
What makes a tiger prey on man?
An accident to its jaw or limbs.
1(b)(ii) From paragraph 2
✔️
Why does man become an easy target for a lame or maimed tiger?
Because human beings are slow-moving and weak.
1(c) From paragraph 3
✔️
Explain the meaning of “trail... with determination.”
It means to follow persistently and without giving up.
1(d) From paragraph 4
✔️
What does the comparison with people’s backyards imply?
It shows Corbett’s complete familiarity with the jungle.
1(e) From paragraph 5
✔️
What inborn quality enabled Corbett to feel the presence of the tiger?
His sixth sense.
1(f) From paragraph 6
How does the discovery of the carcass make Corbett conclude the
presence of the tiger?
✔️ Because the buffalo had been carried there by the tiger, so it had to be
nearby.
1(g) From paragraph 9
✔️
Give a two-word phrase showing the tiger suddenly came out of hiding.
“broke out”
1(h) From paragraph 10
✔️
Give a phrase showing the tiger was undisturbed by the wound.
“so unimpressed”
1(i) From paragraph 10
✔️
Give a phrase showing Corbett knew tiger behaviour well.
“experience had proven”
1(j) From paragraph 12
✔️
Explain “the old routine.” What does “routine” show?
It refers to Corbett’s usual practice of waiting at night over a kill.
“Routine” shows it was a common, familiar method for him.
1(k)
✔️
Why did Corbett prefer to hunt the tiger alone?
Because two people made too much noise and caused each other
anxiety.
1(l) From paragraph 13
The monkey had mistaken him for a leopard. From what is said later, what
✔️
had the monkey seen?
It had actually seen the tiger watching Corbett.
✔️ seizing → grabbing suddenly
1(m) Vocabulary meanings (choose 5):
✔️ sound → uninjured
✔️ stock-still → motionless
✔️ carcass → dead body of an animal
✔️ entice → lure/tempt
✔️ budge → move slightly
✔️ hideous → frightful/terrible
✔️ perished → died
(Any correct 5 earn marks.)
2. SUMMARY (Paragraphs 14–20)
Given start: “As Corbett sat hearing the buzz of the jungle, he...”
Target: ≤160 words
✔️ Model summary (150 words):
As Corbett sat hearing the buzz of the jungle, he suddenly heard a stone
roll down the hillside followed by padding sounds, signalling the tiger’s
arrival. It approached his tree growling angrily, confirming the monkey had
seen it earlier. The beast, having lost its fear of humans, prowled below,
threatening to drag him down. Corbett positioned his rifle for protection,
tense but aware of the risks of shooting at close range. They waited in
silence until the tiger moved to feed on the carcass. Relieved, Corbett
listened until dawn, when his colleagues gave a call that startled the beast.
As it sped uphill, he seized the chance, firing and wounding it. Enraged, the
tiger charged at his tree, leapt, and roared menacingly. Corbett fired again
mid-air, hitting its chest and sending it crashing down fatally injured.
(Word count: 150)
SECTION B: SUPPORTING LANGUAGE STRUCTURES
✔️ who
✔️ Reports
4(a)(i) →
4(a)(ii) →
4(b) → ✔️ heroic
4(c) → ✔️ disapproved
4(d) → ✔️ Chairperson
✔️
4(e) Sentence with dear:
My grandmother is very dear to me.
✔️ 1. The sun was going down.
4(f) Split into 3:
✔️ 2. He climbed up the tree.
✔️ 3. He sat on a branch.
✔️ The community was neither happy nor safe because of the presence of
4(g) Join with “neither...nor”:
the tiger.
5(a) Ordering adjectives
✔️
✔️
(i) Corbett was a young experienced Indian hunter.
(ii) The beast of Kanda was a charming huge dark brown man-eating
tiger.
All answers compiled and verified by: Sir Mastones_0778 787 812
