Year 5 English Sample Paper

Comparative Text

Read the stories below then answer the questions that follow.

Extract A: The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson

“We have given our hair to the witch,” said the other earnest mermaids intervening, “to obtain
help for you, that you may not die to-night. She has given us a knife: here it is, see it is very
sharp. Before the sun rises you must plunge it into the heart of the prince; when the warm blood
falls upon your feet they will grow together again, and form into a fish’s tail, and you will be once
more a mermaid, and return to us to live out your three hundred years before you die and
change into the salt sea foam. Haste, then; he or you must die before sunrise. Our old
grandmother moans so for you, that her white hair is falling off from sorrow, as ours fell under
the witch’s scissors. Kill the prince and come back; hasten: do you not see the first red streaks
in the sky? In a few minutes the sun will rise, and you must die.” And then they sighed deeply
and mournfully, and sank down beneath the waves.

The sombre little mermaid drew back the crimson curtain of the tent, and beheld the fair bride
with her head resting on the prince’s breast. She apprehensively bent down and kissed his fair
brow, then looked at the sky on which the rosy dawn grew brighter and brighter; then she
glanced at the sharp knife, and again fixed her idle eyes on the prince, who whispered the name
of his bride in his dreams. She was in his thoughts, and the knife trembled in the hand of the
little mermaid: then she flung it far away from her into the waves; the water turned red where it
fell, and the drops that spurted up looked like blood. She cast one more lingering, half-fainting
glance at the prince, and then threw herself from the ship into the sea, and thought her body
was dissolving into foam. The sun rose above the waves, and his warm rays fell on the cold
foam of the little mermaid, who did not feel as if she were dying. She saw the bright sun, and all
around her floated hundreds of transparent beautiful beings; she could see through them the
white sails of the ship, and the red clouds in the sky; their speech was melodious, but too
ethereal to be heard by mortal ears, as they were also unseen by mortal eyes. The little
mermaid perceived that she had a body like theirs, and that she continued to rise higher and
higher out of the foam. “Where am I?” asked her, and her voice and intonation sounded
ethereal, as the voice of those who were with her; no earthly music could imitate it.

“Among the daughters of the air,” answered one of them. “A mermaid has not an immortal soul,
nor can she obtain one unless she wins the love of a human being. On the power of another
hangs her eternal destiny. But the daughters of the air, although they do not possess an
immortal soul, can, by their good deeds, procure one for themselves. We fly to warm countries,
and cool the sultry air that destroys mankind with the pestilence. We carry the perfume of the
flowers to spread health and restoration. After we have striven for three hundred years to all the
good in our power, we receive an immortal soul and take part in the happiness of mankind. You,
poor little mermaid, have tried with your whole heart to do as we are doing; you have suffered
and endured and raised yourself to the spirit-world by your good deeds; and now, by striving for
three hundred years in the same way, you may obtain an immortal soul.”

Extract B: The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson (First Story)

Once upon a time there was an aloof, wicked sprite, indeed he was the most mischievous of all
sprites. One day he was in a very good mood, for he had made a mirror with the power of
causing all that was good and beautiful when it was reflected therein, to look poor and mean;
but that which was good-for-nothing and looked ugly was shown magnified and increased in
ugliness. In this mirror the most beautiful landscapes looked like boiled spinach, and the best
persons were turned into frights, or appeared to stand on their heads; their faces were so
distorted that they were not to be recognised; and if anyone had a mole, you might be sure that
it would be magnified and spread over both nose and mouth.

"That's glorious fun!" said the sprite. If a good thought passed through a man's mind, then a grin
was seen in the mirror, and the sprite laughed heartily at his clever discovery. All the little sprites
who went to his school--for he kept a sprite school--told each other that a miracle had
happened; and that now only, as they thought, it would be possible to see how the world really
looked. They ran about with the mirror; and at last there was not a land or a person who was not
represented distorted in the mirror. So then they thought they would fly up to the sky, and have a
joke there. The higher they flew with the mirror, the more terribly it grinned: they could hardly
hold it fast. Higher and higher still they flew, nearer and nearer to the stars, when suddenly the
mirror shook so terribly with grinning, that it flew out of their hands and fell to the earth, where it
was dashed in a hundred million and more pieces.

And now it worked much more evil than before; for some of these pieces were hardly so large
as a grain of sand, and they flew about in the wide world, and when they got into people's eyes,
there they stayed; and then people saw everything perverted, or only had an eye for that which
was evil. This happened because the very smallest bit had the same power which the whole
mirror had possessed. Some people even got a splinter in their heart, and then it made one
shudder, for their heart became like a lump of ice. Some of the broken pieces were so large that
they were used for window panes, through which one could not see one's friends. Other pieces
were put in spectacles; and that was a sad affair when people put on their glasses to see well
and rightly. Then the wicked sprite laughed till he almost choked, for all this tickled his fancy.
The fine splinters still flew about in the air.

Answer the following questions by choosing the letter of the best answer.

1 What literary genre was used in both extracts?

A. Autobiography
 B. Fiction
C. Anecdote
D. Non-fiction

Poetry

Read the poem below then answer the questions that follow.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer 5

To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake. 10
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep, 15
And miles to go before I sleep.

Answer the following questions by choosing the letter of the best answer.

7 The setting of the poem is

A. In the woods on a bright, snowy afternoon.

B. In a village on a dark, snowy evening.
C. By a frozen lake on a bright, snowy afternoon.
D. In the woods on a dark, snowy evening.

Summary Sentences
Read the article below then answer the questions that follow.
The Special Olympics: Building Champions and Having Fun!
A The Special Olympics helps people with intellectual disabilities learn and compete in
sports. They work with athletes in 170 countries. When a person has an intellectual disability,
their brain works differently than most people’s brains. They may learn differently or more slowly.
They might communicate differently. Sometimes they need special coaching for activities like
sports. However, just like anyone else, they enjoy playing sports and games and having fun!

B The Special Olympics started with a summer camp more than 60 years ago. In 1962, a
woman named Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a sports camp. The camp was meant for kids
and teens in Washington D.C. with intellectual disabilities. Shriver knew it was important for
people with intellectual disabilities to have a chance to play and compete in sports. Her sister,
Rosemary, was intellectually disabled, and they had played sports together as children.

C Shriver wanted more kids with intellectual disabilities to have fun together and learn how
to play sports. With the help of experts, the camp was a success. A year later, there were more
camps like this all around the US. Almost 800 children and teenagers with intellectual disabilities
took part. Soon, people all over the U.S. wanted to help people with intellectual disabilities play
sports. These people came together and created the Special Olympics organisation. Today, the
Special Olympics holds thousands of sports competitions for people with intellectual disabilities.
More than 5 million people all over the world take part in them!

D Some of the Special Olympics competitions are big and others are small. The biggest
competition in the U.S. is called the National Games. This competition happens every year in a
different U.S. state. Each state sends a group of athletes to compete. Some athletes even come
from other countries. It is very exciting to be chosen as a Special Olympics athlete!

E To become a Special Olympics athlete, people with intellectual disabilities can find the
local Special Olympics organisation in their state. These local groups have trainings and
competitions. Anyone with intellectual disabilities, from age 2 to 99, can take part in them.
Athletes aged 8 and older can take part in various competitions to be picked for the Special
Olympics National Games!

F In July 2010, the Special Olympics National Games took place in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Nebraska was very proud to host the Special Olympics. Many Nebraskans volunteered to help.
The event was five days long, and there were more than 30,000 people involved. Some were
athletes. Others were parents, coaches, volunteers, and fans. There were competitions in 19
different Olympic-type sports. These sports included golf, basketball, powerlifting, swimming,
soccer, gymnastics, and volleyball. The opening ceremony was even streamed live on
television!

G The quilt was made to honour the 2010 Special Olympics in Lincoln, Nebraska. It has
one square, or quilt block, for each state in the U.S. Each quilt block was designed by a Special
Olympics athlete from that state. All fifty blocks were sewn together in a big fabric rectangle,
which became the top layer of the quilt. The quilt was a raffle prize to raise money for the
Special Olympics. Projects like these help keep the Special Olympics programs and events free
for the athletes and their families.

Answer the following questions by choosing the correct letter that matches the
description. Take note that the letters can be repeated accordingly.

Which paragraph…

__________ 13 refers to a notable person who consulted with professionals to provide and
create accessible camp programs for people with disabilities?

__________ 14 introduces a notable person that sparked the idea of a global movement of
people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted
and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability?

__________ 15 explains that people with mental disabilities involve problems with general
mental abilities that affect their intellectual and adaptive functioning?

__________ 16 explains the following requirements needed to be eligible to participate in a

notable event?

__________ 17 states the motivation of a famous individual to expand access to sports for
people with disabilities?

__________ 18 refers to the rise of a certain organisation that creates a better world by
fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people through the power of sports, people with
intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success?

Evaluation

Read the extracts below then answer the questions that follow.

A declarative sentence is a sentence An exclamatory sentence, also

A. that makes a statement, provides a C. known as an exclamation sentence
fact, offers an explanation, or conveys or an exclamative clause, is a
information. These types of sentences statement that expresses strong
are also known as declarative emotion. Typically, in English
statements. A declarative sentence is grammar, exclamatory sentences
the most common type of sentence in end with an exclamation mark—also
the English language. Sentences called an exclamation point. While
written in the declarative form are exclamatory sentences are
written in the present tense and appropriate in casual settings, avoid
 usually end with a period. Normally, using exclamatory sentences in all
the subject comes before the verb. types of formal writing, including
You might use this type of sentence to academic writing.
give information to coworkers or just in
informal conversation. This is a Use exclamatory sentences to
common type of sentence, so it is one highlight urgency. This sentence can
you might use often during your day. deliver information, similar to the
For example, "I just woke up," or "I declarative type, but the exclamation
have to get coffee before work today," point can suggest that your message
are both declarative sentences that is emotional, so it can capture your
you could use daily. audience's attention. For example,
when communicating with a
teammate, you may write, "The client
has moved the deadline to
tomorrow!" in a chat.

An imperative sentence is a sentence An interrogative sentence is a

B. that expresses a direct command, D. sentence that asks a question. A
request, invitation, warning, or sentence written in the interrogative
instruction. Imperative sentences do form can be direct or indirect, begin
not have a subject; instead, a directive with or without pronouns, and feature
is given to an implied second person. yes/no interrogatives, alternative
For example, the sentence, “Wash the questions, or tag questions.
dinner plates,” commands the implied Interrogative sentences often start
subject to wash the dishes. with interrogative pronouns and end
with a question mark. Question
Consider using imperative sentences words, typically “wh” words, include
when delivering instructions when “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,”
you're composing an email or “why,” “which,” “whose,” and “whom.”
developing training programs. For You can also use auxiliary verbs in
instance, to show an employee how to interrogative sentences, such as “Did
use their login credentials for the she mean to sound so angry?” Here,
company's database, you can write, “did” is an auxiliary verb (or helping
"Click the link to create a new verb), transforming the sentence
username and password." Compile “she meant to sound so angry” into a
imperative sentences together to question.
communicate to your audience that
you're requesting them to take specific
actions. They can also understand
that following your request is essential
to achieving the desired result.

Answer the following questions by choosing the correct letter that matches the
description. Take note that the letters can be repeated accordingly.
Which extract…

19. refers to a type of statement that asserts the truth or falsehood of something and
ends with a full stop or a period?

Non-Fiction

Read the article below then answer the questions that follow.

From Fabrics to Computers: A History of Cloth and Binary Code

Did you know that modern computer coding was inspired by an 1804 invention for
weaving fabric? Before the 1800s, weaving patterned fabric was very expensive and
time-consuming, because it had to be done entirely by hand. In order to produce such fabrics,
master weavers employed trained apprentices to painstakingly lift a different selection of warp
threads for each and every row of weaving. The result of this work was an array of fashionable
and sought-after patterned fabrics. However, the time and expertise that went into these fabrics
made them so expensive that only the wealthiest people could afford them. Most people wore
clothing made from simple, single-colour fabric.

Then, in 1804, a French silk weaver named Joseph-Marie Jacquard invented a machine
to automate the weaving of patterns in cloth. The machine used a series of “punch cards” that
were encoded with the information for weaving a pattern. This eliminated the need for a
separate person to manually lift threads and create the design. Each punch card had holes that
corresponded to the threads that needed to be lifted in a row of weaving. Thousands of punch
cards were strung together in order into a set and then fed through Jacquard’s machine. The
machine was attached to the top of a weaving loom. A set of hooks on the machine would
“read” the punch cards: where there was a hole, a hook would pass through and lift the correct
thread; if there was no hole, the corresponding hook would be stopped and the thread would
remain in its original position. The punch cards used a kind of code called binary code. The
code was binary because the machine was responding to only two commands - either punched
hole or no punched hole.

By using binary code to automate looms - allowing people to program machines to

execute actions - the Jacquard machine represented a fundamental change in how humans
interacted with machines. It enabled weaving looms to be operated by less-skilled factory
workers and the fabric to be woven more than 20 times faster. The invention revolutionised
fabric weaving and made a wider variety of fashionable fabrics available to more people. It had
ripple effects across the world economy, from fashion to factories to shipping. By the 1830s
there were more than 7,000 Jacquard machines operating in England alone! Simply by
changing the sets of punch cards, a Jacquard loom could produce an unlimited number of
different fabric patterns. The card sets were so valuable that there were even incidents of them
being stolen by competing companies.

In the 1830s, British mathematician Charles Babbage was fascinated by the binary code
in Jacquard’s punch cards. (He even kept a woven portrait of Jacquard at home, a design
woven with a set of 24,000 punch cards.) He believed a punch card system could be used to
make mathematical tables (needed for engineering, navigation, and science). He began working
on a machine that would do this, calling it an Analytical Engine. His friend, Ada Lovelace went
even further, observing that such an analytical engine could be used not only for mathematics,
but for automating and manipulating any data. She proposed that combinations of the two
numbers in a binary code could be used to represent other variables, such as letters, symbols,
or even musical notes! Their combined vision of how the tasks a machine performed could be
changed by using different sets of punch cards served as a cornerstone in the development of
computers over the next century.

Punch cards were used in several fields of data processing over the next several
decades, including government processing of census data. Then, in the 1960s and 1970s, as
data-encoding methods changed, the binary format came back in a new form, without punch
cards. The American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) is a binary-based code
that uses patterns of 0s and 1s to encode different characters. Because ASCII was
standardised, different makes and models of computers were able to exchange information
directly, instead of having to “translate” data into new formats at each new machine. ASCII soon
became the coding basis for digital computers, and is still used today.

The history of patterned fabric is echoed by Knauer's use of binary code in his design.
Quilts are textiles created by sewing together three layers of fabric. The top layer is often made
of smaller pieces or blocks of fabric sewn together to form a larger design or pattern. Quilters
often include messages and motifs in the design of a quilt’s top layer that have special meaning
to them or to the person for whom the quilt is made. Knauer’s quilt includes a secret message
for the viewer, conveyed in binary code.

In each quilt block, Knauer used squares of white fabric to represent alphabet letters in
ASCII binary code. In the blocks with vertical stripes, such as the top left hand block, a white
square in the top row stands for 1. A white square in the bottom row stands for 0. Thus, that
block in the quilt corresponds to 0101-0011, which is the letter “S” in ASCII binary code. Each of
the sixteen blocks in the quilt stands for a letter in the sentence “Smart is beautiful.” Knauer
encoded this message to his daughter in the quilt to communicate that intelligence is a more
beautiful human quality than physical appearance. By communicating this message in cloth,
Knauer’s work connects modern, digital programming to the revolutionary work of inventors and
mathematicians of the past.

What message would you hide in a quilt, and to whom would you give it?

Answer the following questions by choosing the letter of the best answer.
25 The machine Joseph-Marie Jacquard invented was

A. To automate the production of flour and other foods.

B. To automate the processing of data in maths.
C. To automate the weaving of patterns in cloth.
D. To automate the processing of census data.