STRATHMORE SCHOOL-NAIROBI

102/2
ENGLISH
(COMPREHENSION, LITERARY APPRECIATION AND
GRAMMAR)
FEBRUARY 2014
2 HOURS 30 MINUTES

Q. 1.

COMPREHENSION

Read the passage below and the answer the questions that follow.
There are very few secrets in the world today but surprisingly, secrets to success
are a dime a dozen. Every other day a writer unveils a new secret to success
and happiness. Today, I want do the same. Hard work and determination are
no longer secrets. In fact, they are nothing more than clichs. There is,
however, one secret to success that most people do not seem to have
discovered attitude.
I think attitude is the main ingredient for success, irrespective of the
circumstances in which you find yourself, for it is your attitude that determines
where your hard work and determination lead.
Ask any successful individual and they will tell you that no matter what your
attitude, talent genius and potential, it is impossible to reach the top with a
negative attitude. The opposite is also true; regardless of the mediocrity of
ones attitude, talent and potential, they can become successful with a positive
attitude.
Attitude is mindset. A positive attitude is, therefore, an optimistic point of view.
The reason why attitude is such an integral element of success is that it stems
from the mind like our thoughts and, consequently, actions and decision (thinking
is everything; what a man thinks, he becomes). An attitude is basically a mental
thermostat. If you set it at the wrong calibration, you could very well freeze or
boil yourself and or others unfortunately, resetting is not as easy as setting a
normal thermostat on an electrical gadget.
We have all probably encountered people with lousy attitudes, individuals who
will not accept to be corrected because they think they know it all or who will not
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take instructions because they think they are better. Also there is a group that
will never take responsibility because they always think someone else is to
blame.
The power of attitude cannot be understated. Racism, terrorism, colonialism and
sexual abuse are borne of attitudes. Attitude is also to blame for denying
generations of capable Kenyan girls and women a chance to make a mark.
A positive attitude helps one focus better on the more important things which
means faster and better decisions and actions. Two examples will suffice.
First is the never say die or never give up attitude. This is arguably the most
common one in the world, yet one of the hardest to maintain, especially in the
developing world, what with our kind of economy and leadership. Tales of
unsuccessful applications and interviews abound among both the young and old.
But while it is unquestionable that repetitive defeat and failure may take
something out of you, , the trick is to take something out of failure in return to
make sure it never takes everything you have.
It is extremely difficult to wake up, energise and focus after failure and that is
where your attitude comes in. When every other instrument on your dashboard
says Quit it says Get up and go The bottom lines is simple: lose the attitude
and you lose the fight.
The second and equally popular is the dismissive of I dont give a damn!
attitude. It seems to stem from inherent human trait of finding fault with
everything good or bad. Learn to dismiss rumours and empty talk; People tire of
talking about the same thing. This is also a popular attitude with daring people
who take risks amid rampant criticism and disparagement but go on anyway
because theirs is an attitude of passion conviction and self-belief. It is not
possible to live your life based on what other people think; it is actually ridiculous
to try. But much as one needs to ignore the many wet blankets around one
must take caution not to throw out good criticism. Where criticism is valid and
deserved, listen, accept and better still heed it.

QUESTIONS
a) Why does the writer refer to hard work and determination as nothing but
clichs? (2mks)

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b) It is extremely difficult to wake up energized and focused after failure
(2mks) (Rewrite beginning: So)

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c) How correct is the writers comparison of the operations of a thermostat
with attitude (2mks)

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d) A positive attitude helps one focus better on the most important thing.
(Add a question tag) (1mk)

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e) Explain the meaning of the following idiomatic expressions (2mks)
i)
Are a dime a dozen

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ii)

wet blanket

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f) Summarize the writers view a bout positive attitude (4mks)

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g) How should a person with a positive attitude react to criticism (2mks)

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h) Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the passage (5mks)
i)

clichs

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ii) Suffice

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iii)

Mediocrity

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iv)

Inherent

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v)

Gait.

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Q. 2
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow
Then back to the round of too wet and too dry, day in day out, until well into
the second year when, as though a miracle, her periods stopped and she had
difficulty retaining the water and felt a little queasy when it was hot. She
wondered whether to go to a doctor, to her mother to the supervisor. In the end
she told nobody. As her figure filled rounded the men about the place took a little
more notice of her, the women found her happier and though she was beginning
to enjoy the fruit of her labours. Her morning sickness was carefully concealed
from them and her longings were not remarked on as she generally ate alone.
Nobody ever questioned her about Simon, whom when referred to casually
as my in-law if introductions were necessary. Perhaps some of the neighbours
thought that he was her husband visiting from Kisumu, but many close to her
knew that she was a wife of Gem and did not doubt that she lived alone on
account of her childlessness. And some certainly knew Simon through his work
or because of kinship but they said nothing. Even the two saved women in the
group were not unkind to her though they told stories pointedly sometimes of
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broken marriages miraculously healed and children born after long years of
waiting, for her ways were quite, like theirs, and Simon came and went so
inconspicuously that no one was forced to challenge him.
After third month she began to sew herself looser dresses. Simon was sated
these days and took her quickly and carelessly, and it was not till the end of the
fourth month that he asked her and she replied. He was glad, but he told her,
and she already knew, that Marthas people would not stand for his taking a
second wife, and that he himself did not want to get into conflict with Martin
after all, no one could blame him for wanting a fertile wife and he might even
wish to claim the child.
They were speaking quietly in bed in the little house. It was hardly ten
0oclock and there was still the noise of heavy traffic along the Kisumu road.
Paulina had never felt more alert, more detached, more sure of herself. She
stepped out of bed and put on a robe and a pair of rubber sandals.
I thank you for the child, Simon she said. It is what I wanted. Whatever
quarrels may come no one can doubt that the child is mine. You also have had
what you wanted, and there is no need to become involved in my quarrels. A
child of mine does not have to look to a father who will not stand up for him. Go
now. There will be buses running. Tell my friend Martha that you were kept late
by a workmate wanting to talk in a bar. She has been patient with you. She will
not start to make a noise now. Repent towards your blessed in laws if that will
make things better for you. But go now, just go now. I have a longing to be
alone.
Adapted from Marjorie Oludhe Macgoyer Coming to Birth

Questions
a) What had taken place before this extract? (2mks)

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b) Who is Simon? (1mk)

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c) Describe any two of Paulinas character portrayed in the extract (4mks)

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d) Identify and illustrate the tone in the last paragraph (2mks)

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e) What reasons does Simon give for not accepting full responsibility for
Paulinas pregnancy? (2mks)

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f) From this extract what type of person is Simon? (4mks)

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g) What happens after this extract? (1mk)

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h) i. In the end she told nobody, _______________________(Add question
tag)
ii) They were speaking quietly in bed in the little house. (Write in the
interrogative)
iii)
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iii) thank you for the child, Simon she said. (Write in reported
speech(1mk)

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iv) There will still be buses running (Begin, Buses.) (1mk)

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v) I have a longing to be alone (Use. Long)

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Q. 3
Read the narrative extract below and then answer the questions that
follow.
There was a Hare and an Antelope who were neighbours. Each of them had
two wives. Whenever their wives ground maize, they used banana leaves to
catch the flour and in the process, much of it was blown away by the wind.
My wives, the Hare told his two women one evening, one of these days,
each of you is going to use Lions skin to hold the flour instead of banana
leaves.
When the Antelope heard what the Hare had told his wives, he became
cynical and laughed. He said to the Hare, What a joke. Of course, thats
nothing but wishful thinking. How will you kill a lion, seeing he is so big and
fierce, while you are so small and ordinary?
Well, the hare began clearing his voice, it isnt necessary that we all must
be big physically so as to be able to succeed in whatever we set out to do.
Ahhaha, the Antelope laughed jeering at the Hare, well see, arrogant little
fellow, how youll kill and skin the might Chief of the Jungle, And so saying he
galloped into the Jungle with his tail in the air.
One day, the Hare set out to hunt for some lions and it took him many hours
before he spotted any. He grew tired, thirsty and hungry. So he sat under a tree
to have some rest. While he was still resting under the tree in the cool shade, he
spied a Lion and a Lioness. The Lion was carrying a carcass of an animal they
had killed. The Hare moved to where the Lions were.
Come and join us, the Lion invited the hare. They had then began to eat
the meat of the animal they had killed.
No, : the Hare replied, I dont eat uncooked meat. Raw meat had no taste .
The Lions had never thought of cooking the meat ,they ate, but because of what
the Hare had said they decided to cook some meat for him. The Lions also ate
some of the cooked meat and indeed, it was tastier than raw meat.
After the heavy meal, the two Lions wanted to go to drink some water. The
Hare told them where there was a deep well with cool water. But before they left,
he quickly said, I think you should tie me with this rope so as to make sure I
wont cook and eat the meat youve kept for the next meal. The Lions took the
rope which the Hare had carried with him from his home and tied him with it.
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They then went away to drink some water from the well where the hare had
directed them.
When the Lion and Lioness returned, The hare said he too wanted to go to
drink some water, so the Lion untied him. But before he left the Lions asked the
Hare to tie them so that they might not eat the meat which had been kept for the
next meal. The Hare tied the Lion and Lioness, quickly took out his poisoned
arrow and shot them both dead! Then skinned the two and triumphantly carried
their skins home to his two wives.
The news about the Hares wives using Lions skin to hold the flour while
grinding maize was talked about everywhere in the jungle. When the sensational
news reached his neighbour, the Antelope, he become exceedingly jealous. He
decided he too would go out to try and kills some Lions. Early the following day,
he took his hunting kit and left for the jungle before any of his family members
were awake. Fortunately , he spotted a pride of fives lions. As he was preparing
to shot one of them with his bow and arrow, the rest of the four lions jumped on
him, killed and devoured every bit of him. His two wives were taken by the Hare.
QUESTIONS

(20 marks)

a) Under what category of oral narrative does this story fall? Support your
answer (2mks)
b) Identify social economic activities found in this community. (4mks)
c) Describe the character of the Hare and the Lions (4mks)
d) Identify any two features that make this story an oral narrative and show
the effectiveness.
e) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given without
changing the meaning.
i) Change the following sentence to reported speech.
ii) The lions had never before thought of cooking the meat they ate . rewrite
beginning with the word Never
f) Give synonyms of the following words.
i) Fierce
ii) Tired
iii) Sensational
iv) Jungle
g) What is moral lesson of this story.

Q.4. GRAMMAR ( 15 MARKS)

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a) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions after each.

(3mks)
i) The government has appealed to the citizens to work hard but some
disgruntled elements are thwarting this effort.
(Rewrite beginning: In spite of

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ii) If it were not for the Principals competence, the students would have all
failed.
(Rewrite beginning: Had.)

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iii) We have never had such problems at the beginning of the year.
( Rewrite beginning: Never before)

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b) Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with the correct preposition
(2mks)
i) Many people are not averse______________________________ making
money .
ii) Did you merely get it _______________________a stroke of luck.

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iii) I am ________________diet, therefore , I cannot eat cheese rolls.

iv) I was persuaded by the teacher that is should always be accountable
________________________whatever I say.
c) Replace the underlined words) with the most appropriate phrasal verb
made from the verbs in brackets (3mks)
i) They terminated the engagement because one of them was unfaithful.
(BREAK)

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ii) This matter will be mentioned during the Annual General meeting (BRING)

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iii) I cannot tolerate such behaviour (PUT)

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d) Use the correct form of the words in brackets to fill in the blank spaces
(3mks)
i) It is ____________for the teacher to turn down what had been agreed
upon. (RAGE)
ii) Surgeons deal with a lot of delicate operations on the human body which
require a lot of ___________________________ (SOBER)
ii) When will the bill protecting women against rape be
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(ACT)

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e) Identify the spelling errors in the following passage. Undermine the

misspelt words and then write them correctly (4mks)
The continuous influx of pick pockets in our magnificent is a bit embarrassing.
In fact, one professor of sociology has defined this bizarre phenomenon as
societal hemorrhage. On many occasions pick pockets have left their victims
with painful memories.

SHULE YA UPILI YA STRATHMORE-NAIROBI

102/1
KISWAHILI
KARATASI YA 1
INSHA
FEBRUARI 2014
MUDA : SAA 1

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MAAGIZO:Jibu maswali mawili.

Swali la kwanza ni la lazima
Chagua swali lingine kutoka kwa yale matatu yaliyobaki.
Kila insha isipungue maneno 400
Kila insha ina alama 20.

1) Insha ya lazima
Andika ripoti juu ya chanzo cha njaa nchini mwetu na upendekeze jinsi ya
kukabiliana na janga hili.
2) Itachukua muda mrefu mno kwa Bara la Afrika kujinasua kutoka kwa lindi la
umaskini. Jadili kauli hii.
3) Andika insha inayothibitisha methali isemayo, Usiache mbachao kwa msala
upitao.
4) Kamilisha kisa kifuatacho:
Nilipokumbuka kwetu, machozi yalidondoka
njia mbili. Macho yakaingia kiza.....................

STRATHMORE SCHOOL - NAIROBI

HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT
PAPER 311/1
FORM 3 TERM 1- 2014 FEBRUARY
TIME: 2 HOURS.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Write your name, class and admission number on the answer
material provided
2. Answer ALL questions in section A 3 from section B and 2 from
section C

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SECTION A (25 MARKS)

1. State 2 limitations of using written records as source of African history
(2mks)
2. Give 2 economic activities of Homo Erectus (2mks)
3. State 2 ways in which poor transport systems have contributed to food
shortage in Africa (2mks)
4. Give 2 impacts of local trade in pre-colonial Africa (2mks)
5. State 2 terms the Berlin conference of 1885 (2mks)
6. Who discovered cotton gin? (1k)
7. Mention 2 personalities who made inventions in the motor vehicle industry
(2mks)
8. Name 2 communities which participated in the Maji Maji uprising (2mks)
9. State 2 reasons for construction of canals (2mks)
10. How did the Homestead Act of 1862 promote the Agrarian
Revolution in the U.S.A (1mk)
11. What name was given to the early form of writing developed in Egypt?
(1mk)
12. Give 2 uses of the wheel in the Ancient period in Mesopotamia (2mks)
13. In which 2 ways did signing of treaties enhance scramble and partition of
Africa (2mks)
14. State 2 challenges encountered in space exploration (2mks)

SECTION B (45 MARKS)

15. a) Name 3 coastal city states that allied with the Portuguese rule in East
Africa
b) Discuss the factors that contributed to the decline of Portuguese rule
in East Africa (12mks)
16. a) State 3 methods used by Europeans to acquire colonies in Africa
(3mks)
b) What were the causes of the Franco-Mandinka War of 1891- 1898?
(12mks)
17. a) State 3 characteristics of 3rd world countries (3mks)
b) What problems hinder industrialization in 3 rd world countries? (12mks)
18. a) Give 3 theories about the origin of human beings (3mks)
b) Describe the culture of early man during the middle stone Age period
(12mks)

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SECTION C (30 MARSK)

19. a) Identify 5 features of the social organization of the Shona during the
pre- colonial period (5mks)
b) Describe the political system of Mwene mutapa Kingdom during the
pre- colonial period (10mks)
20. a) Name 3 Urban centres in Africa which are currently capital cities of their
respective countries and which were established during the pre- colonial
period (3mks)
b) What factors facilitated the development of Urban centres in the
pre- colonial Africa? (12mks)
21. a) Give three main characteristics of human rights (3mks)
b) What are the merits of democracy? (12mks)

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