M

E
S

Gerat Cor
ns pus
Me

Let the mind manage the body

Que l’esprit gère le corps

Index Number: ..............................................................................

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION

2023

ENGLISH (N500) TIME: 2 HOURS 15 MINUTES

Candidates answer on the Question Paper.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. Write your index number in the space provided above.

2. Write in dark blue or black ink. Do not use correction fluid.
3. Any rough working should be done in this booklet.
4. Answer ALL questions.
5. For Question 10, answer either Option A or Option B.
6. This document consists of 10 questions printed on 21 pages, numbered 2 to 22.
7. The number of marks for each question is given in brackets ( ).
8. The total mark for this paper is 100.

For Examiners’ use

Question No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Signature

Examiner

Team Leader

CE/ACE

© Mauritius Examinations Syndicate

 Marks

Question 1 (15 marks)

For items 1 to 9, circle the correct answer. Each item carries one mark.

1. Jane is the …………………………… girl at school.

A taller

B tallest

C as tall

D so tall

2. My sister had a smile on …………………………… face after winning the race.

A his

B their

C her

D my

3. We stayed …………………………… my uncle’s place.

A in

B by

C for

D at

4. Yesterday, my cousins …………………………… to visit me.

A are coming

B have come

C come

D came
©MES 2
 Marks
5. The film will start …………………………… half an hour.

A in

B on

C at

D by

6. Kevin and his brother make their bed …………………………… .

A herself

B himself

C ourselves

D themselves

7. …………………………… does this road go?

A How

B Why

C What

D Where

8. If I eat fruits and vegetables, I …………………………… healthy.

A was

B were

C will be

D was being

9. There is too …………………………… sugar in my tea.

A many

B plenty

C lots

D much

©MES 3 Please turn over

 Marks
For items 10 to 15, follow the instructions given. Each item carries one mark.

10. Underline the words which should begin with a capital letter.

mary has gone to england.

11. Punctuate the following:

Tim bought three apples two oranges and one kiwi.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

12. Re-write the sentence below in its negative form.

The match will be organised.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

13. Use the words in brackets to link the following sentences. Remember to
make all necessary changes.

His father comes home. He will prepare dinner. (as soon as)

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

14. Re-write the sentence below in the past tense.

John walks to school.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

15. Re-write the sentence below using direct speech.

The teacher asked us if we were hungry.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………

©MES 4
 Marks
Question 2 (5 marks)

For each item, circle the letter which shows the correct answer.

1. His bag is too …………………………… . He cannot carry it alone.

A difficult C heavy

B hot D expensive

2. There’s a wedding in my family. I need to buy some …………………………… clothes.

A torn C dirty

B new D ugly

3. I am very …………………………… . My father is ill.

A hungry C worried

B excited D shy

4. My phone is broken. I cannot …………………………… calls.

A run C make

B eat D work

5. James has been …………………………… permission to go home early.

A given C put

B sold D said

©MES 5 Please turn over

 Marks
Question 3 (10 marks)

Read the poster below and answer the questions that follow.

©MES 6
 Marks
1. Which event is being organised?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

2. Which school is organising this event?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

3. Who is invited to the event?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

4. On which date will this event be held?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

5. At what time will the event start?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

6. How much is the entry fee?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

7. Name one food item available in the Food Corner.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

8. Which activity will be performed by Grade 9 students?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

9. Name one activity available in the Games Corner.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

10. What is the name of the headmaster of the school?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

©MES 7 Please turn over

 Marks
Question 4 (5 marks)

Write the correct form of the words in brackets. The first one has been done for
you.

The Mauritian sega is

.............................................................................. (to be) very well-known in the world. It is

often .............................................................................. (perform) at family events or in public places. Sega songs

are .............................................................................. (popularity) because they often talk about love. Women

dancers wear .............................................................................. (tradition) long skirts. The men wear rolled-up

trousers and .............................................................................. (colour) shirts. Sega is known for

.............................................................................. (bring) people together.

(Adapted from https://ich.unesco.org )

©MES 8
 Marks
Question 5 (5 marks)

Read the text below and correct the underlined mistakes. An example is given.

Vaco Baissac was an incredibel artist. He was one of the greatest Mauritian painter.

incredible
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

He liked portraying life on a island in his work. Very often, she painted about Mauritian

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

flora and fauna. His works have showed how beautiful Mauritius is. Baissac has

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

represented Mauritius on many international competitions.

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

©MES 9 Please turn over

 Marks
Question 6 (5 marks)

Complete the following text by writing one suitable word in each blank space.

An example is given.

In some countries, letting babies sleep outside in cold weather is a normal

................................................................

practice. First, by sleeping outside, babies ................................................................ the sounds of nature.

Thus, ................................................................ sleep better. Second, babies who sleep outside

................................................................ sick less often. Of course, when they are placed outdoors to sleep,

they are kept warm. They are made to ................................................................ a woollen hat on their head.

They are also ................................................................ with a thick blanket.

©MES 10
 Marks
Question 7 (10 marks)

You are moving to a new school. Write a goodbye card to your favourite teacher.

Write about 50-75 words based on the following:

 Why are you moving to another school?

 Why is he/she your favourite teacher?
 Your feelings about moving to a new school.
 How do your friends feel about you moving to another school?
 Promise to write to your teacher regularly.

Dear ............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Yours

…………………………………………………

©MES 11 Please turn over

 Marks
Question 8 (20 marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions which follow.

1 “Let’s go to the fancy fair!”

When we were young, these were magic words which sent a surge of excitement through
our family. But tastes change over time and we had started to feel the burden of age! My
wife and I looked at each other, glanced at our one-year old Tina sleeping peacefully in
her pram, and then told our four-year old Noah, “All right then, come on, let’s go!” 5

2 As we drew closer to the open field where the fancy fair was being held, we could hear the
murmur of the crowd while the smell of hot greasy cakes drifted towards us and pulled us
onwards. A path opened in the crowd. I pushed the pram where a bouncing and giggling
baby was sitting and my wife walked an eager toddler, holding his hand tightly. After I had
paid the entrance fee for two adults at the ticket booth, we were ready to try out some fun 10
activities.

3 As soon as he noticed the huge aquarium tank under the open green tent, Noah became
curious. He steered us in that direction cleverly. At the bottom of the tank full of pinkish
water were a few tiny glasses. They contained 50-cent coins. To play the game,
participants drop a coin in the water. If it lands in one of the glasses, they win a prize of 15
their choice. I paid for the game and Noah was provided with three 50-cent coins. He
carefully hovered one of the coins on top of a glass before releasing it. At his last try, the
coin floated down and landed into the glass. Noah had won! As prize, he chose a rainbow-
coloured bracelet and proudly slipped it onto Tina’s chubby wrist.

4 We moved from tent to tent, watching people try different games and attempting some 20
ourselves. Finally, we stopped at the food tent and searched for a free table. I sat Noah
on a plastic chair and pushed Tina’s pram, with her seated in it, next to Noah. I wiped the
table clean. One can never be too careful! Meanwhile, my wife went to buy some snacks
and drinks: a portion of potato chips and a bottle of water for Tina and Noah, and a small
tray of vegetarian samosas and sweet strong coffee for us. 25

5 It was getting dark and the children looked tired, so we decided to head back home.
I went to throw our used, disposable paper cups and plates into the nearby waste bin.
Meanwhile, my wife quickly checked the metro timetable on her mobile phone. When
I came back, I stared at my wife, “Where’s Noah?”

6 Noah had been there just a few seconds before, but now, there was no sign of him. 30
I quickly scanned the tent but could not see him! My wife stayed at the table with the pram,
while I extended my search further into the tent, then outside the tent. He could not have
gone far in just a few seconds. I asked a few people whether they had seen a little boy.
No one had.

7 I made my way back to the food tent to comfort my wife, who was probably panicking and 35
in tears by now. However, she needed no comforting, for Noah was sitting in her lap.

“Do you know where this little rascal was?” she asked. “He had climbed into the pram
beside Tina, had pulled the blanket over himself and had gone straight to sleep.”

I was speechless. I looked at the culprit. His face was that of an angel – a very tired
40
angel.
©MES 12
 Marks
From Paragraph 1

1. What were “the magic words” (line 2) the narrator refers to?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

2. Why did the narrator feel less excited about going to the fancy fair now? Give two
reasons.

(i) ……………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) …………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………

[2]

From Paragraph 2

3. What was the first thing the narrator heard when approaching the fancy fair?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

4. What “pulled” (line 7) the narrator towards the fancy fair?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

5. According to you, why did the narrator’s wife hold Noah’s hand “tightly” (line 9)?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

From Paragraph 3

6. Which word shows that it was Noah who led his parents in the direction of the
aquarium?

…………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

7. Explain fully what should be done to win a prize in the coin game.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

8. Noah chose a bracelet and gave it to Tina. What does this show about his
feelings for his sister?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]
©MES 13 Please turn over
 Marks
From Paragraph 4
9. What did the narrator do as he moved “from tent to tent” (line 20)? Mention two
things.

(i) ……………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) …………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………

[2]

From Paragraph 5
10. Why did the family decide to go home? Give two reasons.

(i) ……………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) …………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………

[2]
11. “I stared at my wife” (line 29).
Why did the narrator stare at his wife?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

From Paragraph 6
12. The narrator thinks that Noah could not have gone very far (lines 32-33).
Explain why.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

From Paragraph 7
13. “His face was that of an angel” (line 39).
Do you agree with this description of Noah? Why?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

From the entire passage

14. Give the meaning of the following words or expressions as they have been used in
the passage.

(i) glanced (line 4): …………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………...……………

(ii) chubby (line 19): …………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………..………….

(iii) speechless (line 39): …………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………..….

[3]
©MES 14
 Marks
Question 9 (15 marks)

Write an essay of about 200-250 words on one of the following:

(i) Describe the scene in your house on the day of an important event.

(Remember you must describe what you see and hear, the atmosphere, the
people, and what you feel.)

Or

(ii) It is important for children to learn to do house chores (e.g. washing the dishes,
sweeping the floor, etc.). Do you agree?

Or

(iii) Write a story based on the following line:

“I had never been so disappointed ….”

Option chosen: ......................................

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©MES 15 Please turn over

 Marks
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©MES 16
 Marks
Question 10 – Answer either Option A or Option B

Option A – Poetry (10 marks)

Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow.

A Poison Tree

I was angry with my friend; Glossary:

I told my wrath1, my wrath did end. 1. wrath: extreme anger
I was angry with my foe ; 2
2. foe: enemy
I told it not, my wrath did grow. 3. wiles: tricks / traps
4. veiled: clouded
And I watered it in fears,
5. pole: the sky
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles3.

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole,

When the night had veiled4 the pole5;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

(Adapted from A Poison Tree, by William Blake)

©MES 17 Please turn over

 Marks
1. Which one of the following is a pair of rhyming words?

A friend, foe

B night, bright

C sunned, smiles

D apple, stole
[1]

2. (a) Which narrative voice is the poet using in this poem?

A First-person

B Second-person

C Third-person

D Fourth-person
[1]

(b) Give one piece of evidence from the poem to support your answer.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

[1]

3. (a) Which one of the following is a metaphor?

A I was angry with my friend

B And I watered it in fears

C And he knew that it was mine

D In the morning glad I see

[1]

(b) Give an example of another metaphor used in the poem.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[1]

©MES 18
 Marks
4. What do you understand by the following lines from the poem?

(i) “I told it not, my wrath did grow.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

[1]

(ii) “My foe outstretched beneath the tree.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

[1]

5. According to you, what is this poem about?

Support your answer with close reference to the poem.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[3]

©MES 19 Please turn over

 Marks
Option B – Prose (10 marks)

Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.

Early one morning as we were beginning our day’s play in the backyard, Jem and I heard
something next door in Miss Rachel Haverford’s yard. We went to the wire fence to see if
there was a puppy; instead, we found someone sitting and looking at us.
“Hey. I’m Charles Baker Harris,” he said. “I can read.”
“So what?” I said. 5

“I just thought you’d like to know I can read. You got anything that needs reading, I can
do it…”
“How old are you,” asked Jem, “four-and-a-half?”
“Nearly seven.”
“It’s no wonder, then,” said Jem, jerking his thumb at me. “Scout has been reading ever 10
since she was born. You look right puny for nearly seven.”
“I’m little but I’m old,” he said.
Jem brushed his hair back to get a better look. “Why don’t you come over, Charles Baker
Harris?” he said.
“People call me Dill,” said Charles Baker Harris, struggling under the fence. 15
“It’s better if you go over it instead of under it,” I said. “Where’d you come from?”

Dill was visiting his aunt, Miss Rachel. He planned to spend every summer there from
now on. His mother had entered his picture in a contest and won five dollars, which she
gave to Dill. He used the money to go to the movies twenty times.
“Don’t have many movies here,” said Jem. “Ever see anything good?” 20

Dill had seen Dracula1, a revelation that moved Jem to eye him with the beginning of
respect. “Tell it to us,” he said.

Dill was a curious sight with blue linen shorts buttoned to his shirt, and with snow-white
hair. Although he was one year older than me, I still towered over him. His blue eyes
would change, his laugh was sudden and joyful, and he often tugged at a lock of hair on 25
his forehead. Dill reduced Dracula to dust, and Jem said the show sounded better than
the book.
I asked Dill where his father was: “You haven’t said anything about him.”

(Adapted from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird)

1
Dracula: A horror film based on a famous novel of the same name, written by Bram Stoker. Dracula
is a vampire in the story.

©MES 20
 Marks
1. (a) Which narrative voice is the narrator using in this extract?

A First-person

B Second-person

C Third-person

D Fourth-person
[1]

(b) Give one piece of evidence from the extract to support your answer.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

[1]

2. (a) Which one of the following is a metaphor?

A We went to the wire fence to see if there was a puppy…

B I just thought you’d like to know I can read.

C Jem brushed his hair back to get a better look.

D Dill reduced Dracula to dust…

[1]

(b) Give an example of a metaphor found between lines 20-25.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

[1]

3. What do you understand by the following lines from the extract?

(i) “Scout has been reading ever since she was born” (lines 10-11).

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

[1]

©MES 21 Please turn over

 Marks
(ii) “You look right puny for nearly seven” (line 11).

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

[1]

(iii) “Dill was a curious sight…” (line 23).

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

[1]

4. Based on your reading of the extract, describe Dill’s character. Support your
answer with close reference to the extract.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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[3]

©MES 22
 Marks
BLANK PAGE

©MES 23 Please turn over

 Marks
BLANK PAGE

©MES 24