ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE LANGUAGE EXAM GRADE 8 NOVEMBER 2011 TIME: 1 HR 30 MIN EXAMINER: JACKA TOTAL: 80 MARKS MODERATOR: GOODWIN

Transcription

1 WYNBERG BOYS HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE LANGUAGE EXAM GRADE 8 NOVEMBER 2011 TIME: 1 HR 30 MIN EXAMINER: JACKA TOTAL: 80 MARKS MODERATOR: GOODWIN Instructions: This examination consists of 3 SECTIONS with a total of FIFTEEN questions (12 pages in total). Write clearly and neatly. Ensure that your name and your teacher s monogram are at the top of every page. Answer every question. All answers must be in full sentences, and must be in your own words as far as possible. Number your answers correctly according to the numbering of the questions. 1

2 2

3 SECTION A: Comprehension (20 Marks) Question 1: Bram Stoker's story about Dracula is a classic vampire tale. First published in 1897, the novel drew from various vampire myths to create a literary legacy. Stoker helped to spawn a new dimension in horror literature. Read the extract below from the beginning of the novel, where a young lawyer, Jonathan Harker, arrives at the eerie manor of Dracula in the middle of the night, and answer the questions that follow. Just as I had come to the conclusion that no one was at home I heard a heavy step approaching behind the great door, and saw through the chinks the gleam of a coming light. Then there was the sound of rattling chains and the clanking of massive bolts drawn back. A key was turned with the loud grating noise of long disuse, and the great door swung back. 1 Within, stood a tall old man, clean shaven save for a long white moustache, and clad in black from head to foot, without a single speck of colour about him anywhere. He held in his hand an antique silver lamp, in which the flame burned without a chimney or globe of any kind, throwing long quivering shadows as it flickered in the draught of the open door. The old man motioned me in with his right hand with a courtly gesture, saying in excellent English, but with a strange accent. "Welcome to my house! Enter freely and of your own free will!" 2 3 He made no motion of stepping to meet me, but stood like a statue, as though his gesture of welcome had fixed him into stone. The instant, however, that I had stepped over the threshold, he moved impulsively forward, and holding out his hand grasped mine with a strength which made me wince, an effect which was not lessened by the fact that it seemed cold as ice, more like the hand of a dead than a living man. Again he said, "Welcome to my house! Enter freely. Go safely, and leave something of the happiness you bring!" The strength of the handshake was so much like that which I had noticed of the driver of my carriage, whose face I had not seen, that for a moment I doubted if it were not the same person to whom I was speaking. So to make sure, I said interrogatively, "Count Dracula?" 4 3

4 He bowed in a courtly way as he replied, "I am Dracula, and I bid you welcome, Mr. Harker, to my house. Come in, the night air is chill, and you must need to eat and rest." As he was speaking, he put the lamp on a bracket on the wall, and stepping out, took my luggage. He had carried it in before I could forestall him. I protested, but he insisted. 5 "Nay, sir, you are my guest. It is late, and my people are not available. Let me see to your comfort myself." He insisted on carrying my traps along the passage, and then up a great winding stair, and along another great passage, on whose stone floor our steps rang heavily. At the end of this he threw open a heavy door, and I rejoiced to see within a well-lit room in which a table was spread for supper, and on whose mighty hearth a great fire of logs, freshly replenished, flamed and flared. 6 "I pray you, be seated and sup how you please. You will I trust, excuse me that I do not join you, but I have dined already, and I do not eat." 7 The count himself came forward and took off the cover of a dish, and I fell to at once on an excellent roast chicken. This, with some cheese and a salad and a bottle of old tokay, of which I had two glasses, was my supper. During the time I was eating it the Count asked me many questions as to my journey, and I told him by degrees all I had experienced. 8 By this time I had finished my supper, and by my host's desire had drawn up a chair by the fire and begun to smoke a cigar which he offered me, at the same time excusing himself that he did not smoke. I had now an opportunity of observing him, and found him of a very marked physiognomy. 9 His face was a strong, a very strong, aquiline, with high bridge of the thin nose and peculiarly arched nostrils, with lofty domed forehead, and hair growing scantily round the temples but profusely elsewhere. His eyebrows were very massive, almost meeting over the nose, and with bushy hair that seemed to curl in its own profusion. The mouth, so far as I could see it under the heavy moustache, was fixed and rather cruel-looking, with peculiarly sharp white teeth. These protruded over the lips, whose remarkable ruddiness showed astonishing vitality in a man of his years. For the rest, his ears were pale, and at the tops extremely pointed. The chin was broad and strong, and the cheeks firm though thin. The general effect was one of extraordinary paleness. 10 Until then I had noticed the backs of his hands as they lay on his knees in the firelight, and they had seemed rather white and fine. But seeing them now close to me, I could not but notice that they were rather coarse, broad, with squat fingers. Strange to say, there were hairs in the centre of the palm. The nails were long and fine, and cut to a sharp point. As the Count leaned over me and his hands touched me, I could not repress a shudder. It may have been that his breath was rank, but a horrible feeling of nausea came over me, which, do what I would, I could not conceal. 11 The Count, evidently noticing it, drew back. And with a grim sort of smile, which showed more than he had yet done his protruberant teeth, sat himself down again on his own side of the fireplace. We were both silent for a while, and as I looked towards the window I saw the first dim streak of the coming dawn. There seemed a strange stillness over everything. But as I listened, I heard as if from down below in the valley the howling of many wolves. The Count's eyes gleamed, and he said. 12 4

5 "Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!" Seeing, I suppose, some expression in my face strange to him, he added, "Ah, sir, you dwellers in the city cannot enter into the feelings of the hunter." he said I felt that it was getting very late indeed, but I did not say anything, for I felt under obligation to meet my host's wishes in every way. I was not sleepy, but I could not help experiencing that chill which comes over one at the coming of the dawn. All at once we heard the crow of the cock coming up with preternatural shrillness through the clear morning air. Count Dracula, jumping to his feet, said, "Why there is the morning again! How remiss I am to let you stay up so long. With a courtly bow, he quickly left me ) Rattling, clanking and grating (Paragraph 1) are all examples of which sound device? (1) 1.2) Describe THREE initial things that Mr Harker notices about Count Dracula s physical appearance. (3) 1.3) What does Mr Harker notice about Count Dracula as he shakes his hand? (2) 1.4) Why does Count Dracula ask Mr Harker to come into his house quickly? (2) 1.5) How do we know that Count Dracula had a large house (Paragraph 6)? (2) 1.6) QUOTE ONE WORD in paragraph 7 that shows this text was written in (1) 1.7) What does the Count ask of Mr Harker while he eats? (1) 1.8) After supper, what action does Mr Harker partake in that the Count also refuses? (1) 1.9) Explain in your own words what physiognomy (paragraph 9) means (Hint: think of the meaning of the prefix physio- ). (1) 1.10) How does Dr Harker react when Count Dracula touches him? (1) ) What was Count Dracula referring to when he speaks of the children of the night. (Paragraph 13)? (1) ) What music they make! Explain why Count Dracula s words are IRONIC. (2) 1.12) What happens that causes Count Dracula to get a fright? (1) 1.13) What is strange about the Count s behaviour at the end of the extract? (1) TOTAL FOR SECTION A: 20 MARKS [20] 5

6 SECTION B: Summary (10 Marks) QUESTION 2: Read the article below and answer the question that follows. M r R i c h a r d s o n s G u i d e t o F i g h t i n g V a m p i r e s Vampires. We do not trouble ourselves with the idea that these undead predators may even now be passing for human on the darkened streets of cities across South Africa. This is unwise. It is the official position of your school that you be prepared, when necessary, to root out the vampire menace and destroy it utterly. To that end you must have both the tools and the knowledge necessary to know your foes and eliminate them. The best thing to do is your own private research on the topic of vampires. I recommend that you do your homework by renting and screening the films Blade, Blade II, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Near Dark, Fright Night, The Lost Boys, and as many other vampire-oriented films as possible. Make sure to "train" with plenty of popcorn and refreshing beverages on hand. It's best to turn out all the lights before commencing your research. Arm yourself with a sword it is one of the best all-around monster-killing tools. While someone may appear dead but still live in any number of ways, it is very, very hard to continue functioning (alive or undead) without a head. No weapon will serve you in better stead across a wider array of monster combat than will a quality sword. While it is a little out of place in warmer weather, one valuable accessory to the sword (and to your monster-fighting kit) is the long coat. Long overcoats like dusters and trench coats are favored by vampires, vampire-hunters, and sword-wielding immortals alike for the concealment utility they provide. Follow all local laws regarding concealed weapons and make sure you have the appropriate monster-hunting paperwork where appropriate. It is widely known that a wooden stake through the heart will kill (or at least immobilize and set up for termination) a vampire. No good vampire-hunter leaves home without a supply of pre-sharpened wooden stakes. Sharpen a handful of stout, foot-long sticks and carry them with you. There are those who think hanging cloves of fresh garlic around their necks will ward off the creatures of the night, too. (Hanging these around your neck will ward off just about anyone, but it's not a practical solution.) Vampires are generally believed to be stronger and faster than ordinary humans, however. This, in conjunction with the supernatural powers they may or may not possess (such as hypnotism and transmogrification), makes the vampire a formidable foe. You must use cunning and tactics to destroy vampires whenever possible. If confronted by a vampire individually, your personal defense strategy will depend very much on the tools you have on hand and on the circumstances of the encounter. Keep your wits about you by not panicking. Avoid looking the vampire in the eyes. Avoid the urge to "muscle through," to fight force directly with force. The vampire's superior strength will win every time. Instead, focus on by delivering stunning and distracting blows to the vampire's head and neck region. If the circumstances allow, flee to the nearest human activity. It is better that you escape and live to hunt another day than try desperately to finish a blood-sucker who might gain the upper hand in extended combat. The trade-off to the near-immortality of vampirism is, of course, the inability to operate in daylight. Sunlight is your best friend when fighting the undead, for if you can trap or otherwise lure a vampire into direct sunlight you can be reasonably certain of its destruction. Vampires are a grave concern, but fortunately their numbers are not great. You may go your entire life without encountering one. It would be unwise, however, not to be prepared for this eventuality. 6

7 In TEN separate sentences of no more than 7 words each, summarize the above article by mentioning 10 different points on how to fight a vampire. Your summary must not be more that 70 words in total. Bear the following instructions in mind: Each sentence should contain one point only. Every sentence must be written in correct English. Start each sentence on a new line. Do not use contractions or abbreviations (Don t, Won t, Can t etc.) Number you sentences from At the end of each sentence, write the number of words used in each sentence in brackets. At the end of the entire summary write your entire word total in brackets. Failure to follow instructions correctly will result in severe penalties. [10] TOTAL FOR SECTION B: 10 MARKS 7

8 SECTION C: Language (50 Marks) Question 3: I knew that the morning had come, and I felt that I was safe. With a glad heart, I opened the door and ran down the hall. I had seen that the front door was unlocked, and now escape was before me. Find and write down SIX nouns in the paragraph above. Number them from 3.1 to 3.6. [6] Question 4: But the door would not move. Worry seized me. I pulled and pulled at the handle, and shook, massive as it was, I could see the bolt were broken! Rewrite the above paragraph, changing all the nouns to PLURALS. Underline the changes that you make. [4] Question 5: When I found that I was a prisoner a wild feeling came over me. I rushed up and down the winding stairs, trying the ancient doors and peering out of every window I could find. I was terrified. Find and write down FIVE adjectives in the above extract. Number your answers [5] Question 6: I screamed out allowed, and in my dejected state fell down write there upon the cold, hard floor. The sentence above contains TWO HOMOPHONES used INCORRECTLY. Write down the two CORRECT words only. [2] 8

9 Question 7: The sentences below contain one incorrect degree of comparison each. Write down the correct degree of comparison for each sentence. 7.1) I do believe that this was the most scariest night that I had ever experienced. (1) 7.2) Between Dracula s Castle and Frankenstein s Lair, this was by far the most terrifying of the two. (1) [2] Question 8: Write down the plural forms of the following words: 8.1) Vampire 8.2) Wolf 8.3) Fairy [3] Question 9: The following paragraph has been written WITHOUT ANY PUNCTUATION. Rewrite the entire paragraph, making 4 separate sentences. Start each sentence on a new line. I felt a sense of uneasiness which I always have when the count is near when the count saw my face his eyes blazed with a sort of demoniac fury and he suddenly made a grab at my throat I drew away and his hand touched the string of beads which held the crucifix it made an instant change in him 9 [4]

10 Question 10: The count s eyes looked deep into my soul, and I felt that room s walls were slowly caving in on me. 10.1) What is the reason for the apostrophe in the above sentence? (1) 10.2) Name another use of the apostrophe. (1) [2] Question 11: Change the following sentences into REPORTED SPEECH. 11.1) The Count whispered, Mr Harker, is everything alright? (2) 11.2) I slept badly last night, I stammered. (2) [4] Question 12: Choose the correct word in brackets for each number in the paragraph below. Write down only the number and your correct answer. Question 13: All of a sudden, the Count ( was/were) throwing me to the ground. My arms ( was/were) swinging wildly from side to side, but his strength ( was/were) too much for me. Find and write down THREE adverbs from the paragraph below. Number your answers At the first howl the horses began to strain and rear, but the driver spoke to them soothingly, and they quieted down, but shivered and sweated as though they had been abruptly terrified. [3] [3] 10

11 Question 14: Identify the figure of speech in each of the following sentences: 14.1) When I found that I was a prisoner, I realised that this was possibly the worst thing in the entire universe. (1) 14.2) I rushed up and down the stairs, like a rat in a trap, trying every door and peering out of every window I could find. (1) 14.3) When I look back, after a few hours, I think a sense of wild calmness affected me. (1) 14.4) When, however, the conviction came to me that I was helpless, I sat down quietly. This is just brilliant, I thought, absolutely brilliant. 14.5) I looked around the empty hall, and the walls seemed to lean over me, surrounding with their ancient stone arms. (1) (1) 14.6) I was a pawn in Count Dracula s evil scheming. (1) 14.7) I believed that I would soon pass away. (1) 18.8) Overwhelmed with emotion I screamed, Will I ever escape this sinister place? (1) [8] 11

12 Question 15: From your knowledge of parts of speech, as well as prefixes and suffixes, fill in the table below. Noun Adjective Verb Adverb 15.1 Terrified Terrify Terrifyingly Danger 15.2 Endanger 15.3 Hate Hateful Hate 15.4 TOTAL FOR SECTION C: 50 MARKS GRAND TOTAL: 80 MARKS 12

13 MEMO: QUESTION 1: 1.1) Rattling, clanking and grating (Paragraph 1) are all examples of which sound device? (1) Onomatopoeia 1.2) Describe THREE initial things that Mr Harker notices about Count Dracula s physical appearance. (3) Old, tall, wears black, moustache (any three, one mark for each) 1.3) What does Mr Harker notice about Count Dracula as he shakes his hand? (2) He is extremely strong, and his hands are extremely cold. 1.4) Why does Count Dracula ask Mr Harker to come into his house quickly? (2) It is a cold night and Mr Harker needed to eat and to rest. 1.5) How do we know that Count Dracula had a large house (Paragraph 6)? (2) It s described having long, winding staircases and great passages. 1.6) QUOTE ONE WORD in paragraph 7 that is indicative of 1897 vocabulary. (1) Sup 1.7) What does the Count ask of Mr Harker while he eats? (1) He asks him questions of his journey. 1.8) After supper, what action does Mr Harker partake in that the Count also refuses? (1) He smokes a cigar. 1.9) Explain in your own words what physiognomy (paragraph 9) means (Hint: think of the meaning of the prefix physio- ). A person s appearance, physical make up etc. (1) 1.10) How does Dr Harker react when Count Dracula touches him? (1) He shudders and feels sick ) What was Count Dracula referring to when he speaks of the children of the night. (Paragraph 13)? (1) The wolves outside in the valley ) What music they make! Explain why Count Dracula s words are IRONIC. Music is supposed to be pleasant, yet the sound of wolves howling in generally NOT seen to be like that. (2) 1.12) What happens that causes Count Dracula to get a fright? (1) He hears a cock crow, signaling morning has come. 1.13) What is strange about the Count s behaviour at the end of the extract? (1) He jumps up extremely quickly and leaves with saying very little, which seems impolite. 13

14 QUESTION 2: MEMO for Summary: Points to award marks for the following points: Do your own private research. (5) Arm yourself with a sword. (5) Wear a long coat. (4) Carry a wooden stake. (4) Wear cloves of fresh garlic. (5) Use cunning and tactics. (4) Keep calm and do not panic. (6) Avoid eye contact with vampires. (5) Avoid fighting force directly with force. (6) Attack the vampire's head and neck. (6) Run away. (2) Lure a vampire into direct sunlight. (6) Award one mark per sentence only, maximum of 10. Do not give marks for repeated points. Up to - 5 for incorrect spelling, grammar and language Up to 3 for other instructions not followed (word counts etc.) No point form, no marks. -1 per 5 words over total words count: -1 for 71-75, -2 for 76-80, -3 for etc. 14

15 MEMO: Question 3: 3.1) morning 3,2) heart 3.3) door 3.4) hall 3.5) door 3.6) escape Question 4: But the doors would not move. Worries seized me. I pulled and pulled at the handles, and shook, massive as they were, I could see the bolts were broken! Question 5: 5.1) Wild 5.2) Winding 5.3)Ancient 5.4) Every 5.5) Terrified Question 6: I screamed out aloud, and in my dejected state fell down right there upon the cold, hard floor. Question 7: 7.1) scariest 7.2) more terrifying Question 8: 8.1) Vampires 8.2) Wolves 8.3) Fairies Question 9: I felt a sense of uneasiness which I always have when the count is near. When the count saw my face his eyes blazed with a sort of demoniac fury and he suddenly made a grab at my throat. I drew away and his hand touched the string of beads which held the crucifix. It made an instant change in him. Question 10: 10.1) Possession 15

16 10.2) Omission Question 11: Change the following sentences into REPORTED SPEECH. 11.1) The Count whispered, Mr Harker, is everything alright? (2) The Count asked if everything was alright. 11.2) I just slept badly last night, I stammered. (2) I stammered that I had slept badly the previous night. Question 12: 12.1 was 12.2 were 12.3 was Question 13: 13.1) Soothingly 13.2) down 13.3) Abruptly Question 14: 14.1) Hyperbole 14.1) Simile 14.2) Oxymoron 14.3) Sarcasm 14.4) Irony 14.5) Personification 14.6) Metaphor 14.7) Euphemism 14.8) Rhetorical Question Question 15: 15.1) Terror 15.2) Dangerous 15.3) Dangerously 15.4) Hatefully 16