PARTS OF SPEECH

INTRODUCTION
English Language can be compared to a human body. The human body is arranged in different parts.
Each part appropriately placed and performing its role, thus, making the body function well. Some
visible parts of the body include; the legs, the arms, the eyes, and the head. Features on the head
include the eyes, the nose, the mouth and the ears. On the arms, you have the fingers and the elbows.
On the legs are the toes, ankles and the knees. There are many body parts, both visible and invisible
by the human eye. The arrangement of body parts is called body morphology. All body parts must be
positioned correctly in order to have a complete normal human body. You cannot for example, have a
mouth in the arm pit or the nose on the chin. This could be a very serious abnormality.
Similarly, in English Language, different groups of words are used to make sentences correctly
constructed. Each word in a sentence performs an important role. Just like body parts are arranged,
English words are also correctly positioned to make complete and meaningful sentences. Any dis-
positioning of a word in a sentence will make the sentence wrong. Arrangement of words in a
sentence is called morphology.
Parts of speech are different word groups used in sentences. They refer to language’s names of
reference. E. g
(i) Noun
(ii) Verb
(iii) Adverb
(iv) Pronoun
(v) Adjective
(vi) Preposition
(vii) Conjunction
(viii) Interjection

Noun
A noun is a naming word. It refers to a person, thing or substance. E. g John, table, school. In
sentences, nouns function as:
(a) Subject of a verb, e. g the girl cried.
(b) Object or complement of the verb, e. g I saw a girl.
(c) Object of a preposition, e. g the jury spoke to the man.

Types of nouns
1. Common nouns: They have plural forms generally. E. g man, road, river, car, school etc.
2. Proper nouns: They begin with capital letters, irrespective of the position; and are specific
names. Examples; Jacob, Mumbi, Janet, James, Kasama Boys Secondary School, Shoprite.
3. Collective Nouns: These are nouns that name individuals, persons, or groups of things in a
collective way. Examples; Band, team, horde, herd, swarm, pride.
4. Abstract Nouns: These do not appeal to the sense of touch or sight. Most of them are mass
nouns or uncountable, e. g electricity, air, music, happiness, sadness, intelligence, sound,
love, wisdom, hate, etc.

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 The verb
A verb is a word that expresses action, (doing words). However some are state verbs. E. g am,
know, have. E.g. (1) I have two million kwacha. (2.) He knows her.
Verb forms: Verbs have various forms according to their tense. The following are the forms:
(a) The V- form; this is the infinitive or the simple form. E.g. Eat, swim, play, jump, cook etc.
(b) The –ed form; This is the past simple. V+ed show that that the action has passed. E.g
(i) Play+-ed=They played football every after two weeks.
(ii) Cook+ed =She cooked food nicely.
(c) The –en form; This is the past participle. It is the same as the past simple in regular verbs. In
irregular verbs, this the V+-en form. E. g
(i) Beat+en= The boy was badly beaten
(ii) Give+en=She was given a K20 note.
(iii) Eat+en=We have already eaten maize.

The –ing form: This is the present continuous. It is used for actions that are happening ‘now’ and are
in progress E.g
(i) Beat+ing= He is beating the drum well.
(ii) Read+ing=He is reading a novel.

The S-form: This is the present simple form. It is used to express facts, habits etc. e.g
(i) She goes to church every Sunday
(ii) He reports late for work.
(iii) Martha gets Five thousand kwacha per month.

The pronoun
Pronoun is a label of words used in place of a noun. Words such as her, them, they, we, she, him, it.
No article is needed before a pronoun. Pronouns help us avoid repetition of nouns. They function as:
(a) Subject of verb. E. g He kicked the ball
(b) Object or complement. E.g. The car is mine.
(c) Object of preposition. E.g we spoke to him.

Types of pronouns

(a) Subject pronouns: these are pronouns that can be used as subjects of verbs. Examples, (I,
You)
(i) I gave him all the money.
(ii) You can go now.
(iii) The third person singular pronouns,(he, she, it) as in;
He will come tomorrow.
She is cooking relish.
It over turned last week.
(iv) We (plural) did not have breakfast.
(v) They (third person plural) prepared the room well.

(b) Object Pronouns: these are used as objects of a verb. E.g.

(i) She insulted me

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 (ii) The Head teacher wants to see you.
(iii) The detective talked to him/her
(iv) We killed it.

(c) Possessive pronouns: These are pronouns which show possession or ownership. E.g
(i) This book is mine
(ii) I am all yours
(iii) His/hers is as big as mine.
(iv) Theirs has not yet arrived.
(v) This vehicle is ours.

(d) Reflexive pronouns: These replace a co-referential noun phrase, normally within the same
finite verb clause. They refer back to the subject of the verb in a sentence and they end in self
or selves. Examples
(i) I have never seen it myself
(ii) Do not hurt yourself.
(iii) Sikazwe told his friend that he would not do it himself.
(iv) Rhoidah told me that she would take care of herself.
(v) Let us starve ourselves

(e) Relative pronouns

These are used to show the relationship between two clauses in a sentence. They can
be classified as:
1. Personal: who, whom, whose
2. Non-personal: which, whose

Examples:
(i) The girl who aborted yesterday has died.
(ii) The police officer whom I bribed has been arrested.
(iii) The man whose wife died at work has sued the company.
(iv) The dog which they bought for me has disappeared.

‘That’ can also be used as a relative pronoun. E.g.

(i) The bridge that China Geo constructed has collapsed.
(ii) The bridge China Geo Constructed has collapsed. (‘That’ can also be omitted)
Pronoun and gender
In English Language, the terms masculine, feminine and neuter are often used to
refer to male, female and the absence of sex respectively.
(a) Third person singular pronoun
(i) He- Male
(ii) She- Female
(iii) It- neuter
(b) Relative pronouns
(i) Whom/who/whose- male or female
(ii) Which-neuter but may refer to male or female.

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 (iii) That-male, female or neuter.

Adjectives
Adjective is any word that describes a noun. Adjectives are used to change meaning
of nouns and pronouns. Although adjectives comprise of describing words, any words
that go with nouns or pronouns can be classified as adjectives. E.g.
(i) Articles: A, an, and the.
(ii) Numerals: First, second, third, etc.
(iii) Possessives: My, their, ours

Adjectives answer the questions ‘what/what kind of’ questions.

Thandiwe is a beautiful girl.
In the above sentence, the word beautiful says something about Thandiwe.
Types of adjectives
(a) Pure adjectives: These are adjectives that indicate quality, state or kind, such as
big, fat, boring, etc. Most of these take the comparative or superlative forms, er/est
e.g. smaller-smallest, more-less, most-least.
(b) Determiners: These are adjective that limit the meaning of nouns. They come
before other adjectives that describe the same nouns. Determiners can be divided
into various classes e.g.
(i) Articles: a and the
(ii) Indefinite adjectives: some, many, a little, few, etc.
(iii) Possessive: My, yours, his, hers, theirs. etc.
(iv) Demonstrative: this, these, that, those
(v) Numerals: one, two, three, four, etc., (called cardinals) and also first, second,
third, fourth, etc.
(c) Colour adjectives: White, blue, green, etc.

Clauses used as adjectives

Clauses that say something about noun or noun phrases are called adjective
clauses. Relative clauses perform such a function. E.g.
(i) The boy who fainted during the athletics competition has died.
(ii) I saw the lion that you were talking about.

Adverbs
An adverb is a verb that describes or adds to the meaning of a verb, an adjective or
another adverb in a sentence. Adverbs answer such questions as: how? When?
Where?
The most common function of adverbs is to us more about the verbs. Examples
1. Chanda runs slowly
2. Grace does her work quickly.

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 Adverbs can be used to indicate manner, time, place and duration. There are also adverbs
used to express interrogation. E.g. where, when, how, why, etc. e.g.
1. I answered her calmly.
2. Those girls are always late.
3. Gertrude walks home.

Adverbs can be used to provide answers for answer adverbs. E.g.

1. Whenever he is drunk, he beats his wife.

Prepositions
A Preposition is a word which expresses a relationship between one word and another.
Prepositions are mostly short words which indicate place, position, movement, direction, etc.
to, with, by, on are few examples of prepositions.
Prepositions are always completed by noun or pronoun that comes after them. They come at
the end of the sentence in rare cases. E.g.
1. Where is she going to?

The term Preposition means ‘Placed in front of’. This means that a preposition’s natural
position is in front of a noun, a noun clause or a pronoun. This means therefore that, you
should not say:
-The house that I slept in has collapsed.
This is because the preposition must come before the relative pronoun ‘that’. The correct way
would be:
The house in which I slept has collapsed.
In informal English, the preposition at the end of the sentence is quite normal. e.g.
-This is the man whom I was talking about. However, in writing, it would be better to say:
-This is the man about whom I was talking. Below is a list of some prepositions.
About between into under above behind
Like up across before near with
After by of since against during
On through at down over in
Along for round aboard among from to

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Interjections

Interjections are words which do not have a well-fitting place into the grammatical structure
of a sentence. These are such as:
Oh!
Hellow
Yes
No!
Heavens etc.

Task
In each of the following sentences, state what part of speech the underlined word is.
1. Mr Musonda is a kind and loving parent.
2. Our team played very well though they drew with Guinea.
3. Ray and Mutale fought in public. They laughed at themselves at last.
4. Although Joseph looks big, he is in grade eight.
5. Grace is in grade ten at ST Therese Mission School.
6. Mary is a very hardworking girl. She has received many awards for the same.
7. Dominic and Gilbert have already submitted their assignments.
8. The team played well though they lost the match.
9. In the family of four, Kapembwa is the last born son.
10. Beautiful as she is, the lady has married a very ugly man.
11. Small as the house looked, it was well-maintained.
12. The Levy Mwasa Bridge in Western Province is beautifully made.
13. ‘‘Open fire!’’ shouted the commander.
14. Joan was quite good at mathematics but failed for her examinations
15. The president and the first lady are leaving for Japan this Friday.
Intensifiers
Intensifiers are adverbs which strengthen or give emphasis to other words. They modify an
adjective or another adverb. Intensifiers are placed before the adjective or adverb. They
include words like
Almost just hardly extremely
Nearly too barely fairly
Quite very scarcely too
Entirely simply definitely
Completely rarely rather
Examples
1. I know him quite well.
2. He played extremely badly.
3. The firm was fairly good.

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 4. It was too hot to work.
5. He can nearly swim.
6. I am just going.
Intensifiers have a heightening or lowering effect on some part of the sentence. Many of them
occur in the middle position. E.G
1. He is definitely going to come.
2. I simply don’t believe what he said.
3. He completely ignored my request.
4. He looks rather tired.
The following intensifiers can also modify verbs: hardly, scarcely, and barely. They are
placed before the main verb. E.g
1. He hardly/ scarcely speaks to me.
2. We have barely ten minutes to complete the exercise.
Task 11
Use a suitable intensifier for each blank space to complete the following sentences.
1. They…………………….ignore our views.
2. He……………………….missed the plane.
3. The story is………………………..false.
4. I ……………………….disagree with you.
5. It………………………..expensive.
6. I……………………like him.
7. I like him……………………………..much.
8. I am …………………………………happy to meet you.
Some adverbials can occur in fixed positions. Most adverbials are mobile. They come in the
front position. E.G
1. Now peter is very happy. (Initial Position)
2. Peter is now very happy. (Middle position
3. Peter is very happy now. (End position)

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SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

This topic covers the following:

• Parts of speech used as subjects in subject verb agreement (Nouns, pronouns and
verbs)
• Rules
A. Singular subjects
B. Relative pronouns as subjects
C. Compound subjects
D. Collective nouns
E. Plural-Looking Nouns
F. Indefinite pronouns
G. Titles
H. Amounts and measurements
• Exercises
The word ‘subject’ means something being discussed or talked about; and the word
‘agreement’ means sameness of feelings or opinions. In ordinary life if you are in agreement
with another person, your opinion and that person’s opinion match.
➢ In Grammar, agreement of subject and verb means that those two parts of a sentence
match in number. Singular subjects should be matched with singular verbs and plural
subjects with plural verbs.
The number of nouns, pronouns and verbs.
➢ The grammatical concept of number indicates if a word is singular or plural. The only
parts of speech that indicate number are nouns, pronouns and verbs. Number refers to
two forms of a word: Singular and plural. Singular words indicate one; plural words
indicate more than one.

Nouns
➢ The difference between the singular and plural forms of nouns is usually obvious.
Most nouns form their plurals by adding an –s or –es to the singular form e. g
Bus buses

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 Book books
School schools
Hoe hoes
➢ Some nouns, however, form their plurals in irregular ways. E. g
Mouse mice
Ox oxen
Tooth teeth

Personal pronouns
Many pronouns also have different forms to indicate their number. The chart below
shows different forms of pronouns:
Singular Plural Singular or plural
I we you
He they
She
It___________________________________________________________________

Verbs
Many verbs can either be singular or plural depending on their subjects. A verb will be
singular if it has had –s or –es added to it or if it includes the words has, am, is, or was. The
number of any other verb depends on the subject. The chart below shows the verb forms that
are always singular and those that can be singular or plural.

Always singular Singular or Plural_______________________

(he, Kate) talks (I, You, We, they) talk
(he, Kate) has talked (I, You, We they) have talked
(I) am, (Kate, he) is (You we, they) were
(I, he, Kate) was (You, we, they) were_____________

Rules
A) A singular subject must have a singular verb. A plural subject must have a plural verb.
E. g
1. She tries to excel in sport. (Singular subject, ‘she’ and singular verb ‘tries’.)
2. John has been jogging twice a week. (Singular)
3. They try to excel in sport. (plural subject, ‘they’ and plural verb, ‘try’
4. We have been jogging twice a week. (plural)

B) Relative pronouns as subjects

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 When who, which, or that acts as a subject of a subordinate clause, its verb will be
singular or plural, depending on the number of the antecedent. The antecedent of a
relative pronoun determines its agreement with a verb. E. g

1. John is the only one of the trainees who has applied. (The word ‘one’ is antecedent of
who
2. John is the only qualified person of the trainees who have applied.

C) Compound subjects
Four different rules of agreement apply to compound subjects joined by Or, Nor or
And.
(i) Singular subjects joined by Or or Nor. The conjunction Or and Nor require a
singular verb when each part of a compound subject is singular e. g
1. Neither Raphael nor his sister has reported for work today.
2. Either her teacher or her parent has taught her well.
(ii) Plural subjects joined by Or or Nor.
A compound subject consisting of two plural subjects requires a plural verb. E. g
3. Chopped apples or nuts make a good topping.
4. Their sons or daughters often help with the meals.
5. Neither the students nor their representatives attended the meeting.
(iii) Subjects of mixed number joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’. When a compound subject
consists of a singular subject and a plural subject, the subject closest to the
verb determines the agreement. E. g
6. Neither tapes nor pins were holding the pieces.
7. Neither the pins nor the tape was holding the pieces.

(iv) Subjects joined by ‘and’; A compound joined by ‘and’ is generally plural and
must have a plural verb. E.g.
8. Pins and tacks were holding the pieces.
9. Pins and a tack were holding the pieces.
Exceptions to the above rule occur when the parts of a compound subject equal one
thing and when the word ‘each’ or ‘every’ is used before a compound subject. e. g
10. Macaroni and cheese tastes good. (one dish of food)
11. Peanut butter and jelly makes a good sandwich.
12. Each man and woman was waving the flag.
13. Each boy and girl wears a black uniform.

D) Collective Nouns
➢ Collective nouns such as audience, team, class, and crowd name groups persons or
things and may either be singular or plural depending on how they are used.
➢ A collective noun takes a singular verb when the group it names acts as a single unit.
E. g
14. The family is very happy with the new house.
15. The jury has reached a decision.
➢ A collective noun takes a plural form when the group it names act as individuals with
different points of view. E.g.
16. The family are unable to decide on a vacation spot.
17. The jury have been unable to reach a decision.

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 E) Plural-Looking Nouns
➢ Nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning agree with singular verbs. Some
of these nouns name branches of knowledge: acoustics, civics, economics, ethics,
mathematics, physics, politics, and social studies. Others have singular meanings
because they name single units: Measles (one disease) News (One set of information)
e.g
18. Physics is a challenging subject.
19. The news was not very interesting yesterday.

➢ It must be noted that when some of these words such as acoustics and ethics do not
name branches of knowledge but rather indicate characteristics, their meanings are
plural. Similarly, words such as eyeglasses, pliers and scissors, though they name
single items, take plural verbs E.g.
20. The acoustics in the theatre are excellent.
21. My lost eyeglasses were behind the sofa.
F) Indefinite Pronouns
Some indefinite pronouns are always singular for example; anybody, everyone, each
and so on. Others are always plural, for example; both, many etc.
➢ Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs e.g.
22. Each of the answers is correct.
23. Everyone in the band is going on the trip.
➢ Plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs E.g.
24 Both of the children were exhausted.
25. Several of the cuts require stitches.
➢ none, and some take a singular verb if the antecedent is singular and a plural verb if
it is plural. E.g.
26. Some of the fruit is ripe. (Singular)
27. Some of the puzzle pieces are lost. (Plural)
G) Titles
➢ A title is singular and must have a singular verb. Examples
28. Ship of Fools is a novel by Katherine Anne Porter.
29. The Merry Wives of Windsor is a Shakespearean Play.
H) Amounts and measurements
➢ Most amounts and measurements, although appearing plural, express single units. A
noun expressing an amount or measurement is usually singular and requires a singular
verb.

Examples
30. Twelve dollars is the price of the ticket. (One sum of money)
31. Three cups of flour is required. (One measurement)
32. Two thirds of the produce has spoiled. (One part of a whole)
33. Half of the invitations were mailed. (Half refers to individual items and is plural)

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 ➢ In the three examples above, the subjects agree with singular verbs. Twelve dollars
equals one sum of money; three cups equals one measurement; and two thirds is one
part of a whole. In the last example, half refers to individual items and is plural.

Task 1

A. Identify each item as singular, plural or both. Example: Mice (plural)

1. sits 6. has lost 11.grapes 16. had forgotten
2. mouse 7. trembled 12. geese 17. Is racing
3. gloves 8. were 13. mystery 18. centimetre
4. speech 9. You 14. helps 19. was swimming
5. they 10. begin 15. have 20. were crying

Task 2
B. Choose the item in parentheses that agrees with the subject of each sentence.
1. The Wings of the Dove (is, are) an acclaimed novel.
2. Twenty five cents (are, is) more than enough for this.
3. Half of my problems (were, was) solved by her generosity.
4. Two cars or a van (are, is) needed for the outing.
5. Each boy and girl (wear, wears) a dark blue uniform.
6. Neither the hotel nor the two motels (was, were) quiet.
7. Either the senior prefects or the head boy (are, is) organising assembly.
8. Pork and beans (was, were) the child’s favourite meal.
9. Mathematics (were, was) a challenge to most female students.
10. Peter, along with his brothers, (go, goes) skating often.
11. Your composition as well as mine (are, is) about Livingstone.
12. Any student who (wants, want) help should see Mr Mweebo.
13. I am one of the many people who (leaves, leave) tomorrow.
14. The stainless steel pans (lasts, last) for a life time.
15. My sister, accompanied by my mother, (has, have) bought her first pair of shoes.
16. Neither the boys nor the girl (has, have) had their lunch.
17. A few children or one adult (raises, raise) the flag.
18. Each of the answers (were, was) correct.
19. Star Wars (are, is) a film I have seen three times.
20. One cause of lung cancer (is, are) cigarette

SUBJECT VERB-INVERSION
➢ In normal order, the English Language sentence begins with a subject then followed
by the verb representing it. However, in certain instances, this order is reversed
E. g SUBJECT VERB
He is
Inversion:
Is he?

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 ➢ Inversions occur in the following instances:
a) When changing statements to questions. E.g.
(i) He can dance. -------Can he dance?
(ii) They have changed-----Have they changed?
(iii) She is intelligent…………Is she intelligent?

b) The Adverbs/Adverbials: Often, twice, many a time, near the, side by side, such a; do
not normally occur in front position of a sentence. If they are used to start a sentence,
the subject verb order must be reversed. Examples:
1. I have often been left behind in his car.
Often have I been left behind in his car.
2. I have experienced this feeling twice.
Twice have I experienced this feeling.
3. I have climbed this tree many a time.
Many a time have I climbed this tree.
4. The shop was near the road.
Near the road was the shop
5. His faithful dog sat by his side.
By his side sat his faithful dog.
6. Martha was such a kind girl that everyone liked her.
Such a kind girl was Martha that everyone liked her.

c) Negative adverbs; In no, not until, nowhere no sooner, not only, never, hardly or
seldom, do not in normal circumstances occur in the beginning of the sentence, and an
inversion must be effected if they do so.
E.g.
1. I will not agree to such a proposal.
In no way will I agree to such a proposal.
2. I have never seen such beautiful scenery anywhere else
Nowhere else have I seen such beautiful scenery.
3. Apart from being robbed of all his money, he was also badly beaten.
Not only was he robbed of all his money but also badly beaten.
4. He has never stepped inside a church.
Never has he stepped inside a church.
. She visits her boyfriend seldom.
Seldom does she visit her boyfriend.

Task 3
Rewrite the following sentences in inverted form.
1. He did not come back until he was paid.
Not until……
2. It is very rare for the generator to break.

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 Only rarely……
3. Muslims do not enter the mosque until they have removed their shoes.
Not until…..
4. I will not accept such a suggestion under any circumstance.
Under no……
5. He is such a good man that everyone likes him
Such a…..
6. He only goes out of bounds sometimes.
Only sometimes…
7. He went outside the house only once during the night
Only once…..
8. We have never come across stones as precious as diamonds.
Never……
1. I have never seen a river as beautiful as the Zambezi
Never………………….
10. Celebrations began as soon as the national anthem was sung.
No sooner……..

CONTRAST
No matter
• No matter is used with how, when, where, who, which or what structures. E.g.
1. No matter how many sources he tried, the Head master failed to acquire funds for the
project.
• No matter can replace how/ WH structures. E.g.
2. Whatever he said ,nobody believed him
No matter what he said, nobody believed him.
3. Whoever you saw, it was not my brother.
No matter whom you saw, it was not my brother.
4. However late you arrive, I will be waiting for you.
No matter how late you arrive, I will be waiting for you.
5. Whatever the result (is), don’t be afraid.
No matter what the result, don’t be afraid.
6. However bad the road is, we shall arrive.
No matter how bad the road, we shall arrive.
7. Whether he is intelligent or not, he will get the job.
No matter how intelligent he is or not, he will get the job.

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 • The future and conditional sentences are avoided. E.g.
8. However late you will arrive….
9. Whatever he would say….

Task 4
Rewrite the following sentences using no matter clauses.
1. Whatever he says, I will help you.
2. Whether he passes or he fails he will get the job.
3. Whichever comes first, it will make no difference.
4. Whoever did it, there is nothing we can do.
5. Whichever person you show it to, Mary will find out.
6. Whether he does it this year or next, he won’t have to leave school.
7. Who are you? You can’t come in.
8. How well does he drive? There is a possibility of an accident.
9. Which way do you look? You see nothing but unhappiness.
10. However you decide to travel, your brother will take care of you.

*INTERCHANGING PARTS OF SPEECH

• Words are in different groups, nouns, pronouns, adverbs adjectives, verbs,
interjections, determiners. Some words may belong to more than one word group.
Others can be changed from one part of speech to another. E.g.
➢ Form the correct adjective from the word in the bracket in each sentence.
1. The continuous rains resulted in (disaster) rains. Disastrous
2. The combatants performed many (hero) feats during the war. Heroic
3. She was wearing a (wool) skirt. woollen
4. The mine depended on (migrate) labour. Migrant
5. Some churches are (tolerate) of traditional beliefs. (tolerant)
6. Lesotho is a (mountain) country. Mountainous
7. The clerk had a (style) signature. Stylish
8. Many of the patients had (infect) diseases. Infectious
9. The child came from a (distance) farm. Distant

Task 5
Form a suitable adjective from the word in the brackets
1. The weather was (wind)
2. Independence Day is a major (nation) holiday
3. Misozi scored the (decide) goal in the march.
4. Somebody wrote (offend) words on the board.
5. He showed us a (practice) way of repairing a loan mower.
6. The major’s speech was boring and (repetition).
7. She wore a (fashion) dress to the party.
8. We had an (enjoy) holiday in the country.
9. Her aunt is very (talk).

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 10. He wrote a very (imagine) account of the war.
11. He was arrested for his (crime) activities.
12. The nurses could not find his (medicine) record
13. The candidate gave a very (persuade) speech.
14. The hotel serves (taste) meals.
15. The police man gave a (logic) explanation for the increase in 1crime.

PHRASAL VERBS
• Words/ verbs consisting of a verb and a preposition or an adverb. E. g
2. Bring up
3. Take after
4. Turn off
5. Look up
6. Hand in
7. Come across
8. Break down
9. Look down

• Some phrasal verbs are formed from three words e.g.

1. Get on with
2. Get out of
3. Put up with
4. Catch up with

• Phrasal verbs are made of frequently used verbs like:

1. Go
2. Take
3. Put
4. Do
5. Fall
6. Get, and many more.
• Mostly used with informal English: E. g
(i) Continue_ Carry on
(ii) Investigate-_Look into
(iii) Postpone_ Put off
• Transitive phrasal verbs which require objects e.g.
(i) John takes after his father
(ii) Joyce doesn’t care for cocoa.
• Sometimes the object may be placed after the verb or within the verb. E.g.
(i) Turn off the light= turn the light off
• When the object is a pronoun, it is usually placed within the phrasal verb. E.g.
(i) He threw it away.
(ii) I lifted him up
16
 • Intransitive: Do not have an object. E.g.
(i) I do not think the weather will clear up.
(ii) The milk has boiled away.

Task 6
Pick out the item which best completes the sentence.
1. Good as he was, the medicine man shunned cheap publicity and preferred to
keep….A. near the ground B. under cover C. a low profile D. Out of favour E.
Cool head.
2. Though many people were against bringing in a witch finder, in the end, they just had
to……. A. cave in .B Cry quits C. eat dirt D. Lie Low E. knuckle under
3. Unfortunately, the Induna is such a ………….speaker that many listeners fall asleep
during his speech. A. a two faced B. loud-mouthed C. Half-hearted D. Long-
winded E. Back-handed
4. There are many good customs which are ……from generation to generation. A.
handed on B. handed round C. handed up D. handed after E. handed down
5. The young couple gradually lost interest in each other and …….apart A. floated B.
drifted C. inched D. idled. E. ambled
6. Peter will never marry. He is a …………..bachelor
A. Convinced B. conservative C. conditioned D. confirmed
7. Before he left the country, my brother was able to ……..all his affairs. A. wind down.
B. fade away C. hang up D. Break up E. wind up
8. All members of the family……..with each other even though they are far apart.
A. Keep in mind B. keep in touch C. keep in step D. keep in time E. keep in
sight.
9. We cannot ……the possibility of their asking for a large amount of money as lobola.
A. Wipe out B. Block out C. cross out D. rule out E. take out
10. Buumba comes from a close-knit family and they have never once………on any
serious issue. A. got him down B. taken him down C. let him down D. sent him
down E. put him down

THE PAST PERFECT CONTINOUS TENSE

• Tense is used for an action in the past that was continuing up to the time when another
action took place E. g
1. The baby had been sleeping for an hour when it was awaken by the loud noise.
2. How long had you been playing when it started to rain?
• Had + been + gerund+ v (Past simple)
• Two verbs are used in the sentence, one in the past simple and the other in continuous.
E.g.
3. Kaunda had been driving for an hour before the rear tyre burst.
4. Clara had been washing the pots when her fiancé came.
5. She had been suffering from cancer before she died.
6. It had been raining for two days when the young girl drowned in the drainage.
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 Task 7
Write the following sentences, changing the verbs in brackets into the past perfect
continuous tense.
1. Banda (listen) to the news before I arrived.
2. They (already work) in the garden for an hour when you came.
3. She (walk) for five hours, so she stopped for a rest.
4. After we (sing) for an hour, we performed a short play.
5. Clement was punished because he (disturb) the class for the whole lesson.
6. Mr Mwamba (teach) English Language for six years before he was appointed senior
master.
7. She (think) of applying for a new job for some time when she finally made up her
mind.
8. Until they complained, their teacher (not give) them any home work.
9. Construct your own sentences and have them checked by your teacher or reliable
friend.

‘THAT CLAUSE’ AS A SUBJECT OF A SENTENCE

• This type of clause is introduced by the pronoun ‘that’
• It can act as subject or object of the sentence.
• The clause often comes after adjectives that express feelings or emotions, such as
sure, glad, pleased, sorry, afraid, aware, fortunate, convinced and many others. E. g

1A. It is fortunate that he escaped unhurt.

B. That he escaped unhurt is fortunate.
2A. She was caught stealing from Shoprite. This shocked her husband.
B. That she was caught stealing from Shoprite shocked her husband.
3A. She did not do the work in good time. This angered her lecturer.
B. That she did not do the work in good time angered her lecturer.
4A.It is sad that you are leaving her when she badly needs you.
B. That you are leaving her when she badly needs you is sad.
5A. It was surprising that the pastor could abuse members of his congregation.
B. That the pastor could abuse members of his congregation was surprising.
• The ‘that clause’ can also come after verbs such as ask, promise, hear, advise,
remind, say and wish. E. g

3. I hear that you are marrying her.

4. I wish that I could fly.

18
Task 8
Rewrite the following sentences beginning with a ‘that clause’.
2. Janet was shockingly murdered in day light. This puzzled the public.
3. It is still unbelievable to some PF cadres that Wynter has been fired.
4. The Rev Father was caught with another man’s wife. This surprised the catholic
members.
5. It was quite shocking to the Zambian soccer fans that the Zambia National Soccer
Team was beaten by Cape Verde in the Africa Cup Qualifying match.
6. The man was astounded by the fact that his wife had three children outside marriage.
7. The unexpected demise of Martha confused Mr Mulenga as well as his family
members.
8. The Israelis were amazed by the constant rocket fire from Palestine.
9. 9 and 10, construct your own.

UNREAL PAST
• Use of the past simple tense to refer to the present.
• In English, a past tense is sometimes used even though not referring to the past time.
This type of sentence is referred to as unreal past. Below are some examples in which
the unreal past is used.
Examples
2. I wish I ( not invite him)
I wish I did not invite him
3. I wish the other students (be) here now.
I wish the other students were here.
4. I wish (not begin) this work
I wish I did not begin this work.
5. It’s time you (have) a car
It’s time you had a car.
6. If only there (be) peace in the world
If only there was peace in the world.

7. I would rather she (not marry) him.

I would rather she did not marry him.
8. I would rather She (come) tomorrow.
I would rather she came tomorrow.
9. If only she (can) see you now.
If only she could see you now.
• You can notice that in the above examples, verbs in the brackets are changed
from present simple to past simple to make unreal past sentences.

Task 9
Convert the words in brackets to change the given sentence into unreal past.
2. I wish I (know) English better than him.

19
 3. I wish I (be) younger.
4. It would have (be) better if she (tell) me earlier.
5. Shall I go now? I would rather you (go) tomorrow.
6. It’s time the children (be) in bed.
7. I wish I (work) harder when I (be) at school.
8. I can’t go now. Suppose the boss (walk) in!
9. I wish I (can) drive a car.
10. If only I (know) earlier.
11. I wish I (not tell) him. Now everyone will know.
12. Just suppose we (have) plenty of money.
13. She behaves as though she (is) my daughter.
14. I would prefer that they (don’t) smoke.
15. Imagine she (is) a president.

‘WHAT CLAUSES' AS SUBJECTS OF SENTENCES

• In normal order, the English sentence begins with a subject. However, by using an
opening sentence, we can put the subject last and so make the sentence. E. g
1. My good English impressed him.
-What impressed him was my good English.
2. The fact that rains were late made things worse.
-What made things worse was the fact that rains were late.
3. They failed to realise the danger they were in.
-What they failed to realise was the danger they were in.
4. She is suffering from loneliness.
-What she is suffering from is loneliness.
5. He saw a white elephant as he moved through the bush.
-What he saw as he moved through the bush was a white elephant.
Task 10
Rewrite the following sentences beginning with a ‘What clause’.
1. Their unexpected refusal caused the difficulty.
2. An article I read in the magazine changed my mind.
3. His obvious desire to help the people of the village impressed me.
4. Shortage of money prevents quick development.
5. Not courage but fear drove him into the battle.
6. The government should decide when to hold elections.
7. You need a rest.
8. She needs a caring husband.
9. The immense size of the town surprised them.
10. Her intelligent conversation made her attractive to me.
11. The pressure of the air under the wings helps to hold it up.

20
 12. Everyone would like to know how the monkey got into the room.

Rewrites
Hints on how to answer SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS (Rewrites)
• Read and understand the meaning of the original sentence/ statement.
• Identify the structure involved.
• Do not alter the meaning of the original statement.
• Do not change the tense, unless dealing with direct and reported speech.
• Always transform sentences/statements into one and never two sentences.
• Bear in mind all the structure topics.

Task 12

In each of the following items, sentence A is complete, but sentence B is incomplete.

Complete sentence B each time, making it as similar as possible in meaning to sentence A.
Make sentence B one sentence, never two. Do not make any changes to the printed parts of
sentence B.

TEST1: EXPRESSING COMPARISON

1AThey succeed more when they try harder.

B The……………………………………………………………………………………...
2 A Musonda is more intelligent than Peter who is less intelligent than Moses.
B Peter is………………………………………………………………………………….
3 A No boy in school is as short as Morgan.
B Morgan…………………………………………………………………………………
4 A Janet spends less money on food. She serves more for clothing.
B The less…………………………………………………………………………………
5 A Siwale’s shoe is slightly smaller than Chanda’s.
B Chanda’s shoe………………………………………………………………………….
6 A Obama is the most peaceful and sober minded American president.
B Of all……………………………………………………………………………………
7 A My book is two times thicker than yours.
B My book is twice……………………………………………………………………….
8 A The boxers fought with increasing exhaustion.

21
 B The longer……………………………………………………………………………...

TEST 2: EXPRESSING CONTRAST

9 A Sikaonga was not good at English but got distinction one.
B Despite………………………………………………………………………………….
10 A.I tried really hard but I could not read his writing
B. No matter……………………………………………………………………………..
11 A Even if you work very hard, you will never earn enough to buy a car.
B. However……………………………………………………………………………
12 A He thought the film would be interesting. Instead it was boring (Rewrite as
one sentence.)
B The film was………………………………………………………………………….
13 A. In spite of his extensive knowledge of electronics, he failed to find the fault in
the equipment.
B For all…………………………………………………………………………………
14 A Despite being late for lessons, the pupils were admitted to class by the teacher.
B Notwithstanding………………………………………………………………………
15 A Although she is very beautiful, she is extremely careless.
B Beautiful………………………………………………………………………………
16 A. Although he tried very hard, he achieved very little.
B. The harder…………………………………………………………………………...
17 A Whoever you will ask will confirm that he is mad
B No matter…………………………………………………………………………….
18 A She can go anywhere, she will be traced by the police.
B No matter………………………………………………………………………..

TEST 3: EXPRESSING CONDITION

19. A Supposing she reported the matter to the police, what would he do?
B What…………………………………………………………………………………
20. A If he does not come, he will not be included on the list
B Unless……………………………………………………………………………….

22
21. A He did not go to school. He did not write the test.
B Had…………………………………………………………………………………..
22. A ‘‘If you don’t work hard, you will not be able to settle your debts or improve your
standard of living,’’ the manager told the worker.
B The manager warned the worker……………………………………………………
23. A If it had not been for the lawyer, he would have been jailed.
B But for………………………………………………………………………………
24. A If Kalufumo asks Jane, she will marry him.
B Jane…………………………………………………………………………………
25. A If Kalufumo asked Jane, she would marry him.
B Jane…………………………………………………………………………………
26. A If Kalufumo had asked Jane, she would have married him.
B Jane…………………………………………………………………………………
27. A He would have been killed if the police had not come quickly
B But for ……………………………………………………………………………..
28. A Zambia would have beaten Congo D R if the referee had been fair enough.
B. Congo D R………………………………………………………………………….

TEST 4: EXPRESSING REASON

29. A Since you are beautiful you will get married to a rich man.
B As you………………………………………………………………………………
30. A He saw that the young man was progressing well. He made his life difficult.
B Seeing that………………………………………………………………………….
31. A They were punished because they were late for the English lesson.
B Since……………………………………………………………………………….
32. A He didn’t know the way so he asked a police man who was passing by.
B As…………………………………………………………………………………..
33. A She did not move because she did want to be shot by the bandits
B She did not dare to move for……………………………………………………….

TEST 5: EXPRESSING RESULT

34. A He was an arrogant man. Nobody could sympathise with him.

23
 B So arrogant……………………………………………………..
35. A He failed the mid-term test. Therefore, he could not pass English above merit.
B Since……………………………………………………………………………
36. A She failed mathematics. As a result, she could not be picked.
B As……………………………………………………………………………...
37. A They were so beautiful that every man wanted to smile at them.
So beautiful……………………………………………………………………
38. A The boy was too intelligent not to be sponsored.
B Such intelligent………………………………………………………………….
39. A The departure of the train was delayed. Consequently, the wedding was postponed.
B The Postponement……………………………………………………………………

TEST 6: EXPRESSING PURPOSE

40 A He temporarily divorced his wife so that dependants can vacate his home.
B He divorced……………so as…………………………………………….
41 AThe Members of Staff donated money so that they can buy a present for the wedding
B Money was donated in…………………………………………………………….
42 AThe girl stopped to have a smoke.
B The girl stopped so…………………………………………………………………
43 A Alexander went to a bar in order to drink.
B Alexander went……………. that he……………………………………………….
44 A I invited my girl friend home in order to chat.
B I invited my girl friend home for…………………………………………………..

TEST 7: DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

45 A ‘‘Is it clear,’’ the teacher asked the pupils, ‘‘ Can we progress?’’
B The teacher………………………………………………………………………….
46 A ‘‘Do we have to carry our books,’’ she asked.
B She asked……………………………………………………………………………
47 A ‘‘will you be going to Kasama next week?’’ my friend asked me.
B My friend…………………………………………………………………………...
48 A ‘‘I am a very humble girl,’’ she said, ‘‘ I have never disobeyed God in my life.’’
B She said that…………………………………………………………………………
49 A ‘‘I will be going to London tomorrow, so come next Sunday,’’ he informed us.
B He informed…………………………………………………………………………
50 A ‘‘Somebody help me!’’ cried the drowning boy.
B The ………………………………………………………………………………….
51 A The man told me that he loved his wife so much that he could not divorce her even
when she double crossed him.
B ‘‘ I love…………………………………………………….,’’ the man told me.
52 A She asked if we were ready so that we could go for the history lesson.
B ‘‘Are you…………………………………………………………………………
53 A They complained that they had not been paid for the past six months.
B They complained, ‘‘..………………………………………………………………
54 A She asked him if he had failed to lock the door so that she could help him.
‘‘Have you…………………………………………………………?’’ She asked him.

24
TEST 8: SUBJECT –VERB INVERSION
55 A He can dance
B Can…………………………………………………………………………………..
56 A He told them such a story.
B Such………………………………………………………………………………….
57 A I will not agree to such a proposal
B In no way……………………………………………………………………………
58 A The book that you wanted is here.
B Here…………………………………………………………………………………..
59 A You will not come along until you pay.
B Not until……………………………………………………………………………...
60 Apart from being robbed of all her money, she was also badly beaten.
B Not only……………………………………………………………………………….
61 A He has climbed this tree many a time
B Many a time…………………………………………………………………………..
62 A Celebrations began as soon as the National anthem was sung.
B No sooner……………………………………………………………………………..
63 A Susan only goes out of bounds sometimes.
B Only sometimes……………………………………………………………………….
64 A It is very rare for the generator to break.
B Only rarely……………………………………………………………………………

TEST 9: MISCELLENOUS EXAMINABLE STRUCTURES

65A He was suspended from school because he was caught drunk.
B Owing to………………………………………………………………………………
66 A They searched with increasing impatience.
B The longer…………………………………………………………………………….
67 A She went to college to study anthropology.
B (Rewrite using with a view to)
68 A He killed his son because he was driven by madness.
B Driven…………………………………………………………………………………
69 A Because there was a funeral, we had no lessons.
B In view of……………………………………………………………………………..
70 A She did not realise how difficult and complicated the problem was until I told her.
B Only…………………………………………………………………………………...
71 A I asked Mary if she could lend me her calculator.
B ‘‘Mary’’, I requested, ‘‘………………………………………………………………
72 A The fire burnt fiercely. It gutted the Staff room and the mathematics stock room.
B Burning fiercely……………………………………………………………………….
73 A It is late, you cannot go to the market.
B It is too………………………………………………………………………………...
74 A She was a generous woman. She was liked by every one.
B Such…………………………………………………………………………………...
75 A They must be at home now. …………………………………………………………
B (Add a question tag)
76 A Are you aware of the administrative changes? Kate asked Muchona.
B (Punctuate completely)
77 A Let us start writing the notes.
B It is high……………………………………………………………………………….
78 A As Manix walked through the thicket, a snake bit him.

25
 B Walking ………………………………………………………………………………
79 A Joroup caught a young parrot.
B A young……………………………………………………………………………….
80 A She failed to finish the project in the expected time. It led to her disqualification.
B That……………………………………………………………………………………
81 A He was injured but he managed to finish the race.
B Although………………………………………………………………………………
82 A Chanda was confused. He did not know the approach to take.
B Chanda was too……………………………………………………………………….
83 A Mr. Mulenga did not go for residential school so did Mr. Mwamba.
B Both…………………………………………………………………………………...
84 A Finally, my chant is a salute to Mobe
B I……………………………………………………………………………………….
85 A Don’t you think he needs to speak up.
B Needn’t he……………………………………………………………………………
86 A All the questions she has attempted are difficult
B None………………………………………………………………………………….
87 A They do not often eat meat.
B Hardly………………………………………………………………………………..
88 A Teachers are not responsible for the poor performance of pupils in any way.
B In………………………………………………………………………………………
89 A Neither you nor I carry the blame.
B Neither of us…………………………………………………………………………..
90 A It would be better if he admitted his fault.
B He……………………………………………………………………………………..
91 A Most people believe that democracy is the best system of government in the world.
B It………………………………………………………………………………………
92 A Just as he recovered from cholera, he went down with dysentery.
B No sooner……………………………………………………………………………..
93 A She is wise enough to know that she cannot become rich without working hard.
B She is too……………………………………………………………………………...
94 A He mustn’t have done that nuisance………………………………………………….
B (Add a question tag)
95 A Siwale is sick, so he must see a doctor.
B Siwale is too…………………………………………………………………………..
96 A Now is the time for you to take the matter seriously.
B It is high time………………………………………………………………………….
97 A The Head teacher emphasised the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
B The Head teacher put………………………………………………………………….
98 A Who ever you saw, it was not my brother.
B No matter……………………………………………………………………………...
99 A No matter how late you arrive, I shall be waiting for you.
B However………………………………………………………………………………
100 A The teacher told him to do the exercise ten times.
B The teacher made……………………………………………………………………..
101 A I do not like history and my sister does not.
B Neither………………………………………………………………………………..
102 A I would rather starve than eat imbeba
B I prefer………………………………………………………………………………
103 A It was strange that the four-month old baby sang a song.

26
 B The four-month old baby……………………………………………………………..
104 A He confessed because you caused him to.
B You…………………………………………………………………………………..
105 A Donald has wedded his fiancée, Angela. This is good news.
B That…………………………………………………………………………………..
106 A He told Mary that Martha was back.
B ‘‘Mary……………………………………………………………………………….
107 A. Even if you are a careful driver, you will have an accident eventually.
However………………………………………………………………………………...
108 A. John was arrested because he insulted a police officer.
B Had…………………………………………………………………………………..
109 A. This Man’s extravagance is extraordinary.
B This man……………………………………………………………………………..
110 A. as he moved through the wood, wasps stung him.
B Moving………………………………………………………………………………
111 A. Take the umbrella with you in case it rains.
B Lest…………………………………………………………………………………..
112 A. The child can’t hear or speak.
B The child is…………………………………………………………………………..
113 A.The Scandal did not involve Banda or Charity.
B. Neither………………………………………………………………………………
114 A. How is Thandiwe feeling this morning?
B …….does……………………………………………………this morning?
115 A. A bird with a long tail was balancing on the wire.
B A long……………………………………………………………………………….
116 A Iam sorry you can’t tell me the correct answer.
B I wish……………………………………………………………………………….
117 A It was all over amasing quickly.
B It was amasing……………………………………………………………………….
118 A A man is responsible for his wife’s taxes if she earns money.
B A man whose………………………………………………………………………...
119 A Sikazwe gave the reasons for a trip to Kateshi a secret.
B Sikazwe didn’t tell…………………………………………………………………..
120 A Long John’s mouth watered when he smelt the food.
B The smell…………………………………………………………………………….
121 A James was so ill that he had to be shaved.
B James was too……………………………………………………………………….
122 A He was wrong to expel the newly appointed prefects.
B He ought……………………………………………………………………………..
123 A The fact that she behaves as though she was single puzzles the congregation.
B What…………………………………………………………………………………
124 A America and other countries are fighting terrorism.
America as………as…………………………………………………………………...
125 A The soldier has died. He is a brother to the late Miriam we buried last week.
B The soldier who……………………………………………………………………
126 A The rate at which Mr. Mulenga progresses leaves anger in some people’s minds.
B Mr. Mulenga’s ………………………………………………………………………
127 A The teachers are interviewing the prefects to be.
B The would …………………………………………………………………………...
128 A They will not stop troubling him until he pays what he owes them.

27
 B Only………………………………………………………………………………….
129 A If she is not delivered, she will become a mere dog.
B Unless deliverance…………………………………………………………………...
130 A Important though he is, he urinates in bed.
B Although……………………………………………………………………………..
131A. She gave him nice look. Prince did not hesitate to greet her and ask for her name.
B. Given…………………………………………………………………………………………...
132A. The boy was punched on the nose. He fell down instantly.
Punched……………………………………………………………………………………………
133A. So busy did the teacher keep the boys that they forgot about having their lunch.
B. Kept busy……………………………………………………………………………………………
134A. The convict was pushed behind the bars by the police officer, He confessed his sins.
B. Pushed…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
135A. Banda was badly beaten by a group of known thugs. He quickly reported the matter to
the police.
B Beaten……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
136A.Musonda was given a lot of money by her boyfriend. She became very excited.
B. Given…………………………………………………………………………………………………
137A. Wynter had hope that he would be adopted for presidential candidature. He campaigned
vigorously,
B. Hoping……………………………………………………………………………………………
138A. Susan came out best in the Inter-Schools Chess competition. Her father awarded her
handsomely,
B. Having come……………………………………………………………………………………………..
. Chanda was appointed deputy permanent secretary. He thanked the president and
promised to work tirelessly and help take development to greater heights.
B. Having been……………………………………………………………………………………………...
140A.The alcoholic crossed the road without looking right and left. He was hit by a fast moving car.
B. Crossing................................................................................................................................
,

1 41A. China GEO is a very effective road construction company. It constructs good roads.
B.China GEO which……………………………………………………………………………….
142A.The woman has hanged herself. She aborted yesterday.
B. The. ...........……………………………………………………………………………...herself.
143 Musonda and his wife are leaving for Japan tomorrow.
B. Musonda as well…………………………………………………………………………………….
144,A. He did not realise that she was a dupe until she stole his talk time.
B. Not until………………………………………………………………………………………
145A.The dropping of the Kwacha value worried the minister of finance and the president.
B. What………………………………………………………………………………………………..
146A. The burglar saw the police coming towards him. He started firing at them.
B. Seeing………………………………………………………………………….....
147A.Clara is a very honest but rough lady.
B. Honest……………………………………………………………………………………
148A.John is both intelligent and strong.
B. Not only…………………………………………………………………………………
149A.The sisters have no burial program for their late mother, neither brother, John has.
B. Neither…………………………………………………………………………………….
150A.His internal organs stopped functioning. He was evacuated to Israel for medical
treatment.
B. Having his………………………………………………………………………………

28
Task 13, LEXIS
Choose the alternative that makes the sentence complete correctly.

1. I am …………….educated to be misled. too/ very/ as

2. She is ………………beautiful than ever before. more/ most/ as
3. The love will be………..than ever. stronger. more strong / more / stronger
4. He must learn from this………………….. incidents / incident/ incidence
5…………. me, it seems she may soon resign. With/ To/ For
6. has every one carried ………..book? his/ their/ her
7. I congratulated her…………her successful wedding. For/ with/ on
8. Bus fares have been………. hiked/ raised/ expanded
9. She………… do without young men. can not/ can’nt/ cannot
10. The train is on ………way to Kasama. its/ it’s/ her.
11. Simutowe has qualified………..the next round. in/ to/ for
12.The…………team perished. all/ losing/ whole
13. This problem ……..in 2005. begun / Began/ began
14. I prefer coffee …………cocoa. with/ to / and
15. Life is difficult, especially……. rural areas. for/ with / in
16. The rich will become………….. more richest/ richer/ richest
17. She has already. …………the song. sung/ sing/ sang
18. You will be fully …………of your own affairs. incharge/ In charge/ in charge
19. We did it almost ……………. Every day / everyday / every day.
20. Not. ……………you pay will you come along with us! Untill / until / Until
21. Neither him nor his friends……………paid for the trip. is / has/ have
22. It’s like every one has………in chess talent/ the talent/ talented
23. I wouldn’t mind if she …………….goes / went/ Came.
24. The mice………….a delicious relish for the Ngonis. was / are / is
25……….he committed suicide, he would be dead today. Hard/ Had/ if
26. Bread and butter………..what we had for lunch. Is/ was/ were
27. It is said that he died ………… malaria. of / with / from
28. They must be hard working………….they? Mustn’t / weren’t/ aren’t
29. They refused to give him ……………water. Her / some /any.
30. Off the …………of Benin the ship went. cost / coast/ costs
31. I need a pair of ………………..please. Sccisors/ scisors/ scissors

29
32. The doctor operated ……the patient and advised him to rest. on / in / of
33. She admitted ………the phone. stealing /staring/ to stealing
34. He was accused………….having misappropriated the funds. off/ by/ of
35. She cried …………..help. with/ in / for
36. Don’t blame her for …………the money. loosing/ loss/ losing
37. I think he is……quite good health now. with / in/ on
38. Since she has a big luggage, I will pick her……… on/ up/ out.
39. Anybody can invest ……… the fish industry. on/ in /with
40. Muchona must be given a……….beating for misbehaviour. good / bad / better
41. Things did not turn as ………as she expected. well / worst/ good
42. The flood did not ………us very much, thank goodness. effect / affecting/ affect
43. He never gives her money………………? does he/ doesn’t he / does she
44. Respecting others has not been important ……….him. for / to / with
45. His ………..seems to us to be rather ridiculous. belief / beliefs / believe
46. ……….there much evidence to show what happened? Has /are / Is
47. She has ………… to Choma before. being/ been/ beings
48. The…….. she eats, the fatter she becomes. most/ best/ more
49. They thought only of…… all of them / own selves/ themselves.
50. He is conversant………. the main language of the city to / with / of
51. Switch ………..the radio please. down / off/ in
52. He turned………..my invitation. down /up/ on
53. She …………it away. threw/ on / backed
54. Do you think the weather will clear………soon? out/ up/ off
55. She kept……….ringing even when she received no response. on / in / up
56. The enemy was forced to give……….over /in / out.
57. The bridge was blown ………by the fighter jet out/ up/ down
58. Nakonde border has been………… closed up / closed in / closed down
59. When the string is pulled, it will trigger………….a chain reaction. off / in / on
60. My house was………for sale. put up on/ put up with/ take care
61. Some gods……….non submissive subordinates as well as submissive ones.
take up/ take care of / take in
62. They ………around 04:30 hours. started off/ started out/ started for
63. She cannot ……this kind of behaviour from a child. Put up in/ put up with/ put up of
64. If I had a big dictionary, I would …….for every phrasal verb. look up/ look in/ look
30
 Insert a phrasal verb from the listed, in the space/s that
has the same meaning as the word in the bracket in each sentence, 65-72.

Trigger off, faced with, look up, look up to, put up with, put up on, put up,
take care of, give rise to, indulge in,
65. A goal in the first half of the game will……. hopes of winning the match. (lead to)
66. One of the demands……priests and holymen is to provide impressive rituals.
(causing some inconvenience to)
67. They ……beer drinking when ever they win a game. (allow oneself to do what
one wants)
68. What would you do if you were…….danger in form of a lion? (confronted by)
69. It is natural for children to………their parents since their parents are older. (respect)
70. I cannot ……..this kind of behaviour from a child. (tolerate)
71.Their house was……..for sale (offered)
72. When his father dies, I will ………him. (look after )
73. …….no account must he get free money. By/ With / On
74. The farmer reacted angrily because he knew his cattle……killed. were /are/ had been
75. The man gave…….smoking on the doctor’s advice. in / up / into
76. I drank water to quench my ………..thirst/ thirsty/ thist
77. The ………by our team was most expected. loose/ lose/ loss
78. Her failure is consequent ……. …truancy. on/ in / from
79. I bought the computer…………the total cost of K 1’ 250’ 000. from / at /about
80. He shouldn’t be deterred by failure…………trying again. in / from/ for

ANSWERING A CLOZE TEST

• A cloze test is a passage with numbered blank spaces.
-Read the passage carefully.
-Identify clues (Related structure leading you to correct answers)
-Read the passage slowly as you answer the questions.
-Refer to the passage regularly to confirm correct answers.
Read the following passage and then fill in the missing correct words.

Task 14, Windfall Tax

31
 The government should increase collection of revenue from the mining sector but not
through the introduction of the 2008 windfall tax, says a local economist, Hobby
sinzile. The……..1………..in 2008 introduced a 25 percent……….2………….tax
and separated hedging economy……3………mining income for tax
purposes……….4…………..abolished the legislation following protests from mining
companies……..5………depression in copper prices.
However, following the ascendancy………6……….the PF to power calls for the
government to introduce the windfall tax……….7….. heightened and not even
vehement opposition from finance minister, Alexander
Chikwanda………8………described proponents of the windfall ………..9……..as
lunatics as worked to dissuade………..10…………………………..
But Sinzile said ……… 11…….there was need to raise mineral revenues from
the………..12………,the windfall tax would …………….13………..be ideal.
‘‘A windfall tax cannot…………14……….the basis for a tax policy
………..15……..is arguably in the best interest of the Zambian economy,’’ he said
in………..16…..interview. As implied by the name……….17…….., a windfall tax is
a ………..18………assessed on a company or industry………19……..unsually high
revenues are made, making …….20…….a temporal tax measure

SUMMARY
POINTS TO CONSIDER
• Read the passage and the question.
• Understand the key words in the question.
• Select relevant [20 points] for your note summary
• Join the points into one paragraph using linking structures/words.
** AVOID:
• Writing introduction and conclusion.
• Lengthy explanation.
• Examples, unless asked to give.
• Adding ideas not mentioned in the passage.
• Using irrelevant points.
• Writing beyond word limit
• Writing in more than one paragraph (Unless question demands)

32
EXAMPLE
(Passage)
The main prerequisite for the use of mail questionnaires is a sufficient level of literacy and
familiarity with language used. This prerequisite is usually not satisfied by a large proportion
of the population of a less industrialized country. Studies tend to be carried out in foreign
languages. A related issue is that, when sending out questionnaires, it is usually not possible
to discover in advance whether or not the respondent has this minimum level of literacy. For
this reason, as well as due to social and cultural constraints, people other than the chosen
participants might fill out questionnaires. In particular, heads of house- holds consider it their
prerogative to answer for their wives, daughters, or other dependants; managers might ask
their secretary or other subordinates to do the work for them.

Moreover, the response for questionnaires tends to be very low, contribute to this poor return.
The respondent might never have received the questionnaire due to poor mail service in rural
areas; or in the case of women, they might have married and changed their name and
residence, or the questionnaire has been confiscated by the husband. It might also be that the
participant lacks interest and has misplaced the questionnaire or can’t be bothered to fill it in;
or has no stamp to mail it back. To these unreturned questionnaires have to be added the high
number of incorrectly or incompletely filled-out ones that have to be discarded. It is very
common for respondents or self-administered questionnaires to skip over difficult or
embarrassing questions, spoiling the whole questionnaire in so doing.

In not more than 120 words state the disadvantages of mail questionnaires. The beginning
has been started for you.

There are various disadvantages of mail questionnaires. Among these is

that………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Model answer
Note summary
-One might not know the literacy level of the respondent
-People other than the chosen participants may fill out the questionnaire
-Response for questionnaires tends to be very low
-Respondent might never have received the questionnaire
-Women might have married and changed name and residence
-Husbands might confiscate the questionnaire

33
-A participant may lack interest
-A questionnaire may be misplaced by the respondent
-A respondent is not bothered to fill in the questionnaire
-High number of incorrectly and incompletely filled-out questionnaires have to be discarded
-Respondents may skip over difficult or embarrassing questions.

Prose summary
There are various disadvantages of mail questionnaires. Among these is that one might not
know the literacy level of the respondent. Apart from this, people other than the chosen
participants may fill out the questionnaires. Furthermore, response for questionnaires tends to
be low. Additionally, a participant might never have received the questionnaire. Not only
these, in case of women, they might also have married and changed names and residences;
husbands may confiscate the questionnaires. Apart from these, a participant may lack interest
and misplace the questionnaire since is not bothered. Besides these, respondents may skip
difficult or embarrassing questions. Consequently, a number of incorrectly and incompletely
filled-out questionnaires have to be discarded

Task 15
Read the following passage carefully and then answer the question that follows

1. Over the last few years, we have consistently reminded and warned by scientists that
our planet risks extinction if human activities are not controlled or regulated.
2. We have been warmed many a time that although economic activities such as
industrialization are good for the advancement of our lives, there is also the other side
of the coin-degradation of nature. If nothing is done, our planet one day will
disintegrate because we are destroying earth’s geography. Temperatures are rising and
ice caps are melting. In short, because of the effects of global warming, life on earth is
on jeopardy.
3. However, there are genuine reasons why we should start to act against global
warming and stop degradation of our planet. For us in Africa, there are even more
compelling facts why we should wake up to the realities that are coming with the
effects of global warming.
4. Sometime in 2002, the conservation group worldwide fund for nature (WWF), had for
instance warned in its report that food and water supplies in Africa could be put at risk
if global warming continued unabated. There were fears that climate change could
spell disaster for millions as changes in the amount and distribution of rain fall would
affect crops and animals alike.
5. As an example of the impact of climate change, the WWF argued that the ice cape on
mount Kilimanjaro had shrunk by more than 80% since 1900. And there was further if
carbon was left unchecked climate change would have pervasive effect on life in
Africa. Continued carbon pollution would threaten people, animals and natural
resources that make Africa unique. It was also noted that reduced rain fall in the semi-
34
 arid Sahel region, south of the Sahara desert, was another example of the effects of
pollution and climate change on Africa in the WWF report. Further Climate change
would also threaten vulnerable animal and plant species in Africa and threaten
migration routes for animals and birds within Africa and between Africa and other
continents.
6. If such warnings were not enough, the Inter- governmental on climate change IPCC,
has released another report which states that heavy monsoon-like rains and higher
temperatures will further the breeding of disease carrying mosquitoes allowing them
to thrive at higher attitudes in Africa.
7. The report has repeated WWF’s concerns that rising levels of disease, famine and
poverty are focused for Africa by scientists studying the impacts of global warming.
The report sites how malaria cases in the highlands of Rwanda have increased by
337% in recent years with 80% of the climb linked with changes in temperature and
rain fall which improved breeding conditions for malaria carrying mosquitoes. A
similar has been reported in Zimbabwe.
8. The report notes that mosquitoes can also transmit many viruses, over 100, of which
are known to infect humans. These include malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and
severe and sometimes fatal encephalitis and haemorrhage fever.
9. Cholera, which is transmitted through water or food, could aggravate health problems
in many parts of the world including Africa. The scientist who worked on the report
said that during the 1977-1988, El Nino excessive flooding caused cholera epidemics
in Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. They argue that there is
actually evidence that El Nino, a vast natural climate phenomenon that can bring
intense floods and droughts in many parts of the globe is becoming more as result of
global warming.
10. The scientists predict that in terms of drought, southern Africa could be one of the
hardest heat areas as the report states that like of rain, warm temperature and increases
in evaporation could reduce yield by a third or more in these areas. While it is noted
that farmers in the developed world may get access to new crops which are more heat
and drought tolerant, the scientists warn that in the developing world, many farmers
have little or no access to new species and varieties. The reports of several of other
consequences as a result of global warming. This is exactly why we should start
acting against this real phenomenon which is threatening our existence.
(Saturday Post, November, 2006)

Question
In not more than 150 words, say what the effects of global warming will be according
to different reports given in the passage.
Global warming will affect the world in many
ways……………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

(Check the answer from the answer section of this module)

35
Task 16
Read the following passage carefully and then answer the question that follows
1. Tobacco is one of the cash crops in Zambia. It mainly grown in Southern, Eastern and
Central Provinces by both small scale and commercial farmers. In Southern Province
tobacco farmers ready to launch a new tobacco curing technology that stands to
revolutionise their lives. This will be supported by the programme for basic energy
conservation (ProBEC). This is a SADC project which trains barn builders in this new
technology and supports them with follow-visits as part of its commitment to serving
energy for a better future. The new technology is currently in use in Malawi where it
has also been promoted by ProBEC. It is widely used there because of its benefits.
2. In September, eleven farmers in eight zones will begin training and construction of
these tobacco curing barns which are referred to as ‘rocket’ barns due to their shape.
The farmers have been doing the necessary preparations since June, having made the
moulded bricks.
3. As pilot project, three small -scale farmers and one commercial farmer in Zambia are
already using the rocket barn. The unique design has been shown to burn the wood
very efficiently, requiring as a result far less wood, and is therefore less labour
intensive. Whereas, previously, three or four people were needed to load the wood,
now only one is needed. Based on research and initial tests by University students, the
barns use 60 percent wood than the traditional model.
4. So convinced are the farmers of the efficiency of the product that they are keen on
providing materials. The local materials also make the construction of the barns
affordable to all farmers. The expensive foreign materials which have been used to
build barns in the past are not necessary with this innovation. These barns are also
safer and have less risk of catching fire.
5. Alliance one, the primary buyer of tobacco in the country, is aware of the introduction
of this technology. It is hoped that there will be collaboration between the farmers and
the company. Then it can support the farmers with material inputs for the barn
construction.
6. The more efficient insulation and the unique design of the furnace makes the wood
burn slowly and efficiently, since the heat is more evenly distributed and regulated.
Ordinary barns require regular maintenance to their high heat while these do not. Such
low-wood rocket barns are given preference on the international market because they
minise deforestation and the emission of green house gases and toxic smoke that
contribute to climate change.
7. The rocket barn technology is in fact multi-purpose. It can be used for drying other
crops like maize, vegetables and timber. Further more, such barns can also help
vegetable farmers to plant two crop cycles in the wet season without putting the
vegetables at the risk of rotting. This technology falls within the proBEC mandate to
conserve the environment and promote sustainability- both economic and
environmental.
(Adapted from Zambia Daily Mail, 12th September, 2008)

36
 Question:
What are the advantages of using rocket barns?
Use not more than 120 words. Excess words will not be considered as part of
your summary.
The summary has been started for you.
The advantages of using the rocket barns are
many……………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………
(Check the answer from the answer section of this module)

Task 17
Read the following passage carefully and then answer the question that follows.

11. Over the last few years, we have consistently reminded and warned by scientists that
our planet risks extinction if human activities are not controlled or regulated.
12. We have been warmed many a time that although economic activities such as
industrialization are good for the advancement of our lives, there is also the other side
of the coin-degradation of nature. If nothing is done, our planet one day disintegrate
because we are destroying earth’s geography. Temperatures are rising and ice caps are
melting. In short, because of the effects of global warming, life on earth is on
jeopardy.
13. However, there are genuine reasons why we should start to act against global
warming and stop degradation of our planet. For us in Africa, there are even more
compelling facts why we should wake up to the realities that are coming with the
effects of global warming.
14. Sometime in 2002, the conservation group worldwide fund for nature (WWF), had for
instance warned in it’s report that food and water supplies in Africa could be put at
risk if global warming continued unabated. There were fears that climate change
could spell disaster for millions as changes in the amount and distribution of rain fall
would affect crops and animals alike.
15. As an example of the impact of climate change, the WWF argued that the ice cape on
mount Kilimanjaro had shrunk by more than 80% since 1900. And there was further if
carbon was left unchecked climate change would have pervasive effect on life in
Africa. Continued carbon pollution would threaten people, animals and natural
resources that make Africa unique. It was also noted that reduced rain fall in the semi-
arid Sahel region, south of the Sahara desert, was another example of the effects of
pollution and climate change on Africa in the WWF report. Further Climate change
would also threaten vulnerable animal and plant species in Africa and threaten
migration routes for animals and birds within Africa and between Africa and other
continents.
16. If such warnings were not enough, the Inter-governmental on climate change IPCC,
has released another report which states that heavy monsoon-like rains and higher

37
 temperatures will further the breeding of disease carrying mosquitoes allowing them
to thrive at higher attitudes in Africa.
17. The report has repeated WWF’s concerns that rising levels of disease, famine and
poverty are focused for Africa by scientists studying the impacts of global warming.
The report sites how malaria cases in the highlands of Rwanda have increased by
337% in recent years with 80% of the climb linked with changes in temperature and
rain fall which improved breeding conditions for malaria carrying mosquitoes. A
similar has been reported in Zimbabwe.
18. The report notes that mosquitoes can also transmit many viruses, over 100, of which
are known to infect humans. These include malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and
severe and sometimes fatal encephalitis and haemorrhage fever.
19. Cholera, which is transmitted through water or food, could aggravate health problems
in many parts of the world including Africa. The scientist who worked on the report
said that during the 1977-1988, El Nino excessive flooding caused cholera epidemics
in Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. They argue that there is
actually evidence that El Nino, a vast natural climate phenomenon that can bring
intense floods and droughts in many parts of the globe is becoming more as result of
global warming.
20. The scientists predict that in terms of drought, southern Africa could be one of the
hardest heat areas as the report states that like of rain, warm temperature and increases
in evaporation could reduce yield by a third or more in these areas. While it is noted
that farmers in the developed world may get access to new crops which are more heat
and drought tolerant, the scientists warn that in the developing world, many farmers
have little or no access to new species and varieties. The reports of several of other
consequences as a result of global warming. This is exactly why we should start
acting against this real phenomenon which is threatening our existence.
(Saturday Post, November, 2006)

Question
In not more than 150 words, say what the effects of global warming will be according
to different reports given in the passage.
Global warming will affect the world in many
ways……………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

(Check the answer from the answer section of this module)

ANSWERING COMPREHENSION
• Comprehension is the ability to grasp or understand the meaning of the given
statement.
➢ Read the passage carefully.
➢ Look at the questions and refer to the passage frequently to locate information.
➢ Answer Wh questions, who, where, what, how, which, whom and that…..
➢ Identify true from false statements.
➢ Answer vocabulary questions.

38
 ➢ Infer, deduce and conclude.
➢ For multiple choice questions, choose the best answer by eliminating incorrect ones.

Task 18
Read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow.

The notorious fly

1. When a swarm of these buzzing blood suckers entered the car, it was by no means easy to
deal
with them, for they are swift and persistent as well as tough. If they are merely swatted, like
house flies they may momentarily give up the fight because of the broken leg or wings,
but they will soon pull themselves together and start biting again. They must be properly
caught and quashed between the forefinger and the thumb till they crack. Magbo, our
driver, always insisted that they are really not dead until you pulled their heads off.
Tsetse flies are not only more bloody thirsty than lions and dogs, they are also more
successful, Wild animals have to give way whenever men want to evict them from their
home land. It is easy to exterminate leopards, elephants, buffaloes and antelope. But the tsetse
fly does not surrender so easily. To wipe off this insect requires a great deal of money and
intelligence,
2. With mosquitoes and most other flies, only the female drinks blood. The males live on
blood and other innocuous liquids. But both male and female tsetse flies drink blood and have
never been observed feeding on anything else. Small cutting teeth on the proboscis quickly
penetrate the skin. And pierce a minute blood-vessel. This causes a small lake of blood to
form just below the skin. The fly squirts saliva into the blood to prevent it frorn clotting.Then
it begins to suck up the blood and its sunken body becomes fuller and redder.
3. Many people do not know that a fly can be pregnant. Ordinary flies and most insects lay
large numbers of eggs which hatch out into larvae. Most of these die. The tsetse fly is
different. After the male and female have paired, which may take up five hours, the female is
fertilized for the rest of her life. She produces eggs but does not lay them. A female tsetse fly
will hatch eggs inside her body and feeds the larvae through special glands. The larva will
then shed its skin several times inside the 'womb' just as ordinary insects larva is born as
whitish maggot two fifth of an inch long.
4. During the first few days before birth, the mother can no longer suck blood because there
is simply no room for a meal. She chooses a shady, loose soil as a nursery and uses her own
legs to act as midwife. The larva hardens into a brown pupa, and within thirty days the inside
of the chrysalis change into an adult fly. When it is ready, the young fly opens the chrysalis
by pushing at the lid with its head. A fertilized female can probably bear two or three children
a month.
5. Nobody would make a fuss about the tsetse fly if none of the species did not carry a
dangerous
Disease. Its swift flight and high-pitched, buzz meant death for untold number of men and
animals. These flies are true Africans and do not feel at home anywhere else. When travel in
Africa become easier at the end of the last century, the tsetse flies were transported into new
regions. Large areas were depopulated by this scourge, though now, thanks to modern
drugs, it is no longer important in Africa.

39
Choose the best answer of the four options given.
1. Pull themselves together means
A, Mend themselves
B. Get together
C. Recover
D. Swarm

2. Which of these is incorrect?

A. Tsetse flies are easier to exterminate than wild animals
B. Men can wipe out wild animals
C. To wipe out Tsetse fly can cost a lot of money
D. 'tsetse flies are more blood thirst than animals.

3. Both male and female tsetse flies drink blood and have never been observed to feed on
anything else means. ...
A. The tsetse flies drink a lot of blood as well as fruit juice'
B. Although tsetse flies have never been seen drinking anything but blood, they feed
on other things.
C. It is mainly female tsetse fly which drinks blood, while the male is like other insects
and feeds on fruit juices.
D. The tsetse drinks nothing but blood as far as we know.

4. In what way does the tsetse fly differ from other flies
A. It is hard to remove from an area.
B. It produces eggs.
C. It sheds its skin three times when in a larva stage.
D. It produces eggs but does not lay them.

5. The fact that the female is fertilised for life is important because.
A. She can continue to lay eggs.
B. She can produce in new regions without a male fly.
C. She is different from other flies.
D. She will only live In 200 more days after fertilisation.

6. The main point the author is trying to make in paragraph three is. '...
A. The tsetse fly is typical fly in the way it lays eggs'
B. It produces eggs in a similar way to animals
C. The young larvae shed in the same way as the larvae of other flies.
D. The tsetse fly is unusual because it hatches eggs outside its body.
.

7. From the facts given in the passage we can roughly guess the maximum number of off-
springs a female tsetse fly can produce from the time it is fertilised to be
A 2I
B 57
C 157
D 1-200

8. Why were people so concerned about the tsetse flies?

A. It was transported into new religions when transport became easier

40
B. It fascinated scientists because it was different from other flies
C. Some species carried deadly diseases
D. None of the above

9. Which one of the following sentences is true about tsetse flies.

A. They suck blood for energy.
B. Female can lay eggs for a week once fertilised by a male.
C. A female tsetse fly does not lay eggs.
D. Both female and male tsetse flies can lay eggs.

10. From the underlined words in the passage, choose words which mean the same or nearly
the same as:
a) Eradicate.
b) Suckling.
c) Concern.
d) Expectant

Task 19
Read the following passage carefully and then answer the questions that follow.
SCIENCE AND LITERATURE CONNECTION
1 There was a chief in a certain village. He had many slaves. Whatever he wanted
to be done, he ordered it. If it was a wise thing he wanted, his various counsellors
said to him. “Yes, it is good,” if it was not a wise thing, they said, just the same,
“Yes, it is good,” because if they disagreed with him he grew angry, saying,
“What! Do you say the chief doesn’t know what he is doing?” But the lowest of
his counsellors never said yes or no. If the chief asked him about a certain thing
he would think for a while and then reply: “All things are linked.”

2 It happened one time that the chief could not sleep at night because of the
croaking of the Frogs in the marshes. Night after night he could not sleep, and
decided at last that the frogs would have to be exterminated. He told his
counsellors what he intended to do. One by one, as usual, they applauded him,
saying, “Yes, it is good.” Only the lowest of the counsellors did not sleep. The
chief said: “O chief, all things are linked.” The chief thought: “This man knows
nothing else to say.”

3 The chief sent his slaves out to exterminate the frogs in the marsh . They killed
the frogs until no more frogs remained. They retained, saying, “Sir, the frogs are
done with.” That night the chief slept well, and he slept well for many nights
thereafter. He was pleased with life.

4 But in the marshes, the mosquitoes began to rise in swarms because there were no
frogs to eat the larvae. They came into the village. They come into the chief’s
house and bit him. They made his life a misery. The people of the village
suffered. So the chief ordered his slaves to go out and kill mosquitoes. The slaves

41
 went out, they tried, but the mosquitoes were too numerous. They continued to
plague the village. The chief called his counsellors. He scolded them, saying, “If
the frogs are killed the mosquitoes will multiply? Only one of you said something
for me to think about. He said, ‘All things are linked,’ but I did not understand his
words.”

5 The mosquito hordes made life unliveable. People left their houses and fields and
went away. They went to distant places, cleared new fields, and began living
again. The old village became deserted except for the chief and his family.
Finally, the chief, too, took his family and went away.

6 Because of what happened, there came to be a saying: a ‘Yes, it is good’ caused a

village to become deserted.”

In each of the questions 1 – 9, select the best of the four choices given. Show the letter of
your choice by putting a ring around it on the question paper, as in the example below. If you
change your mind, cross the ring very neatly. Answer question 10 according to instructions.
Example:
What is the main role of the frogs in the inter link?
A a bad chief.
B mosquitoes and frogs.
© eating up mosquitoes larvae
D Leaping up and down
C is the best answer and as you can see it has been ringed.

1 The story is about….

A. a bad chief.
B. mosquitoes and frogs.
C. ecological ignorance.
D. wrong counseling.

2 What was the truth according to the chief?

A. What the majority counsellors said.
B. His opinions.
C. What the lowest counsellor said.
D. That all things are linked.

3 According to paragraph 1, what type of people did the chief not kill?
A. Slaves.
B. Opposers.

42
 C. Proposers.
D. Quite.
4 In the same paragraph 1, the lowest counsellor always……..
A. agreed.
B. said nothing.
C. remained neutral.
D. inter – linked things.

5 According to paragraph 2, the chief……...

A was irritated by the lowest counsellor’s answers.
B . always consulted the counsellors for an answer.
C. interrogated the counsellors one by one.
D. accepted any group advice given.

6 The frogs irritated the chief with their…………

A. prolific breeding.
B. incessant movement.
C. nocturnal noise.
D. indiscriminate feeding.

7 After the frogs were exterminated…….

A mosquitoes bites increased.
B snakes became pests.
C the village stank.
D mosquitoes became noisy.

8 The main culprit of the disaster in the swamp……

A was the chief.
B were the slaves.
C was the lowest counsellor.
D were the other counsellors.
9 According to the passage “All things are linked” implies……
A independence.
B interdependence.
C dependence.
D parasitic life.
10 Choose the underlined words in the passage that mean the same or nearly the same as
the words below. Write the words against each word or phrase.

A Left alone………………………………………………………..
B Large numbers…………………………………………………..
C Connected…………………………………………………………
D Wiped out…………………………………………………………

43
 Task 20
THE ELEPHANT
1 The elephant is a very large grey land animal. The Africa elephant is larger than the lndian
Species, and has a long slopping heard and enormous ear. The tusks are also lager than the
African species.
2 An African elephant that was estimated to be 30 years old weighed nearly four and a half
tones, and one about sixty years of age was discovered to weigh nearly six tones. The African
elephant indulge in a dust bath to discourage flies and ticks. This is one of the uses of the
trunk,
a remarkable organ which combines strength and sensitivity,
3 The Indian elephant rarely lives for more than seventy years and the African for fifty years'
The age can be judged approximately from the rims of the ears and the wear of the teeth
4 inspite of its thickness and hardness, an elephant's skin is very sensitive to insect bites and
readily chaps under exposure to the sun. Wild elephants therefore bath frequently, afterwards
roiling in the mud. In captivity, their skins have to be greased .Hair grows very scantly
except
tuft at the end of the tail.
5 The trunk, which is an elongated nose, is highly sensitive, In addition, it is prehensile and
the
network of muscle composing it gives it great flexibility and strength. With its trunk an
elephant can carry a tree or lump of sugar. The elephant uses it to touch and smell, carry food
and water to its mouth, give itself a shower-bath and powder itself with sand. It is a multi-
purpose organ and an elephant can be trained to use it to bolt unbolt doors or untie ropes, For
the more delicate actions the extremity, is used. The African elephant has at the tip of its
trunk
an upper and lower triangular projection which can be used for gripping, whereas the Indian
elephant has only one.
6 The upper incisors or tusks extend on either side of the trunk. They grow to a great length,
particularly in the males. They may be straight or curved upwards and the enamel is only
present at the tip and soon horn away than the left as it is used more; the elephant being
predominantly right handed.
7 The tusks of the Indian elephant are smaller and weigh an average of ten to twenty pounds.
Elephants with only one tusk are sometimes found, this being the result of an accident. More
rarely animals may be found with three or even four tusks, the result of damage to the
growing
tooth germ when young.
8 Elephants have neither lower incisors nor canines. The molars are enormous and are subject
to a curios system of replacement. There are six molars in each half of both upper and lower
jaws, but only one function at a time. Pushing out the stump of its predecessor, each in turn
will be pushed out by the one to follow. Each molar seems to be formed of many tall plates
stuck together, but it is a single large tooth deeply ridged, being covered with cement, the
tooth appears smooth and uniform when it breaks through the gum.

In each of the questions 1-9, select the best of the choices given, Show the letter of your
choice
by putting a ring around it.

Answer question 10 according to the instruction.

1. According to paragraph 2, how are the flies and ticks discouraged?

44
A. They keep away from the dust.
B. They do not like the dust.
C. They are prevented by the layer of dust.
D. They fail to land on the elephant.

2. According to paragraph 3, which one of the following statements is true?

A. The elephant's teeth wear away each year.

B. The eating makes the teeth wear away.

C. The older the elephant, the more rims on its ears.
D. The African elephant can live up to 50 years.

3 Elephants bath by.......

A Greasing their bodies.
B rolling in mud
C rolling in water
D throwing dust on bodies

4 The word ‘captivity’ in paragraph 4 is used to mean that the elephant has been……
A third
B termed
C Trapped
D wild

5. In paragraph 5, the word ‘prehensile’ means the trunk is…………………..

A very sensitive
B Very insensitive
C Able to hold things
D able to smell things

6. According to paragraph, which one of the following is an example of delicate actions

referred here?
A Carrying a tree.
B Powdering itself
C showering bathing
D Untying a rope

7 According to paragraph 6, the enamel soon gets worn away because it is……..
A delicate
B the part that is used most
C over grown
D found at the top of incisors

8 According to paragraph 7, if an elephant has one tusk, we can conclude that

A it was involved in an accident
B the tooth germ was damaged
C it is still very young
D it was born handicapped

9 According to paragraph 8, how many molars does an elephant have in total?

45
A3
B6
C 12
D 24

10 From the underlined words in the passage, find one which has the opposite meaning to the
following words.
(i) Freedom…………………………………………………………….
(ii) Successor……………………………………………………………
(iii) Usual………………………………………………………………..
(iv) Rigidity……………………………………………………………...

Task 21

comprehension [ 20 marks ]
Read the questions carefully and answer the questions that follow.
1. Real poverty is a very curious phenomenon. Like everything else in life,
it can grow and reproduce itself into more and more complex and
advanced forms. Real poverty penetrates, and resides in every aspect of
life of the attacked individual or society.

2. Poverty in many developing countries has become such a common

feature for the majority of the people that they do not know and cannot
imagine that it is very possible and perfectly desirable and normal to live
without it. The most perfect state of the oppression is reached when the
oppressed can no longer dream of the possibility of the life free from
poverty.

3. Many people in the developing counties have resigned themselves to their

fate! A life lived in a permanent state of debilitating poverty until death
kindly rescues them. For instance, nowadays, not to be employed or to be
without a job is normal in most developing countries. It is in fact,
abnormal to have a good and well- paying job because then you are in the
minority.

4. In Africa today and many other countries in Latin America and South
East Asia, everyday, people have become used to witnessing deaths
because of poverty. At a very early age, our children get introduced to
death and funerals as the most common and permanent feature in the
communities. It is common to see children running and playing around at
the funeral of their father, mother brother or sister completely unbothered
46
 by the goings- on around them. Such is the frequency of death in our
communities that its occurrence is no longer a matter of any concern for
any concern for anybody, let alone our young children.

5. Inevitably, although completely unpardoned and thoroughly unjustified,

our children in our homes have become witnesses to some of the worst
forms of verbal abuse and physical violence which are a feature of any
society gripped by the kind of any oppression so that of the worst forms
of verbal abuse and physical violence which are a feature of any society
gripped by the kind of oppression from poverty many people are
suffering from today. There can be no real, deep, lasting peace in a home
in which poverty is the permanent guest.

6. On the contrary, countries in developed regions of the world suffer high

forms of poverty usually after some major war or a devastating epidemic.
It is therefore unbelievable that in peaceful under- developed countries of
the world, poverty has set the scene for internal civil strife as it feeds
perfectly in the HIV|AIDS pandemic and other diseases. There is a very
bad form in which poverty manifests itself; wilful conscious ignorance –
ignorance of even the most basic pieces of knowledge available in
modern humanity. The picture painted is more of doom than hope. It is
high time most countries of the world created conditions for better health,
education and generally poverty eradication for a sustainable happy
world.

(Adapted article from the Sunday post- dated, May 14, 2006)

In each of the questions 1- 8, select the best answer of the four choices
provided, by drawing a ring around it as in the example below. If you
change your mind, cross out the ring very neatly.
Example: This passage is about…….

A. Suffering in the world.

B. Poverty in underdeveloped nations.
C. Problems faced by developing nations.
D. Lack of food in the developing nations.
1. According to paragraph and 2, what is real poverty?
A. Accepting being poor.

47
 B. A state of being poor.
C. Lack of food.
D. Lack of literacy.
2. In the first paragraph, what does the offer think about poverty?
A. An abnormal phenomenon.
B. A strange phenomenon.
C. A normal phenomenon.
D. A fair phenomenon.

3. In Paragraph 3, “ people have resigned themselves to their fate”. This

means they……
A. Retired from poverty.
B. Have resigned due to poverty.
C. Have given up hope due to poverty.
D. Have fought poverty till death.

4. In paragraph 3, why does the author consider it abnormal to have a good

in most and well- paying job in most developing countries?
A. Jobs are easily found by the majority.
B. Jobs are quite enough for the majority.
C. The majority have none and are suffering.
D. The minority have good jobs and enjoying.
5. In paragraph 4, why is it common for children to play and run around
funeral places nowadays? The children…..
A. Have become familiar with death.
B. Do not know anything.
C. Do not care about death.
D. Are ignorant about death.
6. A society “ gripped” by the kind of oppression from poverty ( Paragraph
5). The word gripped means….
A. Forced.
B. Held.
C. Pulled.
D. Pushed.
7. Which statement below is true about paragraph 6?
A. Developed countries experience poverty after war or an epidermic.
B. HIV/ AIDS has no relationship with poverty.
C. Poverty has no relationship with poverty.

48
 D. Poverty is not a recipe for civil strife in poor countries.
E. Under developed countries suffer highest forms of poverty after war
and an epidemic.

8. What does the offer mean about: “ willful, conscious ignorance”?

people……
A. Are forced to accept.
B. Don’t know what is happening.
C. Don’t know that they are accepted.
D. Know and accept.

9. According to paragraph 6, there are two ugly results in which poverty

manifests itself. Write down the two points as concisely as possible.
( 1) ………………………………………………………………………...
( 2) ……………………………………………………………………...…
10. Find words among the underlined in the passage that are antonyms or
near opposites to the following.
A. Knowledge……………………………………………………………
B. Wealth…………………………………………………………………
C. Mitigating……………………………………………………………..
D. Concerned……………………………………………………………..

49
 Narrative Writing
• To narrate means to tell a story.
Points to consider
➢ Choose an experience-either real or imagined that you can tell in a series of
events in a clear language.
➢ Know whom you are writing to (Audience).
➢ Decide which points to include in your essay.
➢ First and last paragraphs will form introduction and conclusion respectively.
➢ Introduction must reflect a general truth that a story will illustrate.
➢ Conclusion should offer an interpretation of the story.
➢ Events must follow each other in a logical order.
➢ Paraphrase all direct speech.
➢ Use the simple past, the past perfect and past continuous tenses.
➢ Avoid very long and very short sentences.
➢ Express yourself clearly.
➢ Use of idioms and expressions may spice your essay.
➢ Avoid high sound words.
➢ Check your punctuation and spelling.

Task 22
Write a story entitled: ‘The Black Monday’.
The beginning has been started for you.

When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by the bright sun which was shining directly into
his bedroom. Kai looked at his watch and saw that it was exactly 08.30 hours.
‘‘Oh no! He shouted………………………………………………

DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
• To describe means to paint a clear picture of a person, place or something.
• The purpose of descriptive writing is to transmit the writer’s impression of some
person, place, object or experience that allows the reader truly and fully to imagine
the topic under discussion.
• Focus on a main impression using language that appeals to the reader’s emotions,
senses, and imaginations.

50
 • Choose a topic that you know well and that you can describe with specific interesting
words.
• Organise the details sequentially, from top to bottom so that the reader can grasp the
relationship of one detail to another.
• Concentrate on involving the reader’s emotions, senses, and imagination as you write.
• Use necessarily past and present tenses.
• Revise your work for clarity, consistency of mood, strength and unity of its main
impression.

Task 23
Describe a fight between two groups of family members that you witnessed. (Check
the model answer from the answer section).

Task 24
You were at the corner of the Great North Road, commonly known as Landless
Corner when you saw a serious accident involving five vehicles at the same spot.
Describe what happened. (Submit your work to your teacher or reliable friend/s for
checking)

Letters
There are three types of letters;
1. The informal letter
2. The semi-formal letter
3. Business or formal letter

The informal letter

This is a letter written to a friend or relative.
Points to consider:
• Decide who you are writing to;
• Purpose of the letter.
• What you want to write about.
• Organise the personal information you wish to convey into an interesting opening,
substantial body, and suitable conclusion.
• Use simple words for clarity.
• Use simple and short sentences so that you can be easily understood.
• Avoid difficult words as well as long sentences.
• Write your letter in a conversational style.
• Proofread your letter carefully.
*Other considerations

51
 • One address written on top left side of the paper in slanted form.
• Date, written below the address with one line spacing from the address.
• Salutation will depend on the person being written to. E.g. Dear Mary,.
• Farewell will as well depend on the relationship with the recipient. E.g. Yours friend/
Your brother

Task 25
Imagine that a close friend’s parent dies, then write a letter of condolence expressing your
sympathy. (Check model riposte from the answer section)

Task 26
Write a friendly letter to a distant friend to bring him or her up to date on your activities. (Ask
your teacher or reliable friend to check your work)

The Semi formal letter

This is a type of letter written to a person whom you know but are not close to you. E. g. a
friend of your father, a priest, or your Grade teacher.
• A semi-formal letter has a definite purpose, such as asking someone for something.
• Use polite language as you write your letter.
• Use the same register (language) that is used when speaking to that person.
• Greetings or enquiry about some one’s health is not necessary.
• One address written on top left side of the paper in slanted form.
• Date, written below the address with one line spacing from the address.
• Salutation will depend on the person being written to. E.g. Dear Pastor, Uncle,….
• The beginning of the letter states the purpose of the letter.
• Ending is yours sincerely.

Task 27
You are doing Grade eleven. Your parents have been involved in a road traffic accident and
die on the spot during a school holiday. Your uncle, who has no formal employment, decides
to look after you. Unfortunately, he fails to raise school user fees for you. Write a letter to
your Grade teacher and seek advice on what you can do. (Check the model riposte from the
answer section)
Task 28
You are about to close school. You want to pay a visit to your uncle who works for ZESCO
in Ndola. Write a letter to him, requesting him to send transport money for you. In the letter,
tell him anything that you want him to know. (Ask your teacher or friend/s to check your
work).

52
 The Business or formal letter
➢ This letter is usually written to people we do not know in business,
government departments, institutions etc.
➢ Sometimes a person being written to may be well known or might not be
known at all.
➢ Since the letter is business like, write what is really necessary.
➢ No greetings or enquiry about some one’s health is necessary.
➢ Use formal language.
➢ Letter must be clear and precisely worded.
➢ Do not use short forms or slang expressions.
➢ Pay particular attention to the choice of words and correctness of language
used.
➢ Two addresses; sender’s address written on top left side of the paper and
recipient’s address on the right side of the paper, below the date.
➢ Date is written below the sender’s address with one line space in between.
➢ Salutation is; Dear Sir/madam,
➢ Heading is written in capital letters and may be underlined. (Note that not all
formal letters require headings).
➢ Opening paragraph states what the letter is about.
➢ Main body in the letter of application should include:
• Personal details; e.g. age, sex, and if necessary marital status of the
applicant.
• School background and qualifications.
• Previous experience (if any).
• Names of referees (If necessary).
➢ Ending: Is usually Yours faithfully,
• Signature
• Full names in block letters after which you can write (Mrs, Ms , Miss or Mr)

Task 29
You are a resident of Mungwi Township. You are happy about sufficient power supply since
Lunzuwa power station was upgraded. Since its upgrade, you have noticed the following
improvements:
-Constant power supply
-No Load shading
-Constant water supply
-Improved sanitation
-Less or no damages to electrical appliances in many homes
-Improved student results
53
Write a letter of appreciation to the Minister of Energy, Mines and water reticulation who is
also your area member of parliament.

1. SPEECHES
A speech is a formal/informal talk given to an audience.
All speeches have similar features. Speeches for example, the introductory
Speech, the main speech and the vote of thanks will have the following features:

(a) The heading written in capital letters must have: - (i) Name and or title of
the person to deliver the speech.
(ii) The venue (iii) Date and (i) Event

(b) The salutation written in the order of importance of the people present (protocol).
(c) The main body: As you write, bear in mind the following points:
-Choose relevant points if given to choose from.
-Use of appropriate tenses
-Write short paragraphs as speeches take the spoken form of language.
- Forms of address may be repeated. E. g sir, ladies and gentlemen.
-End the speech in a polite manner by acknowledging the audience.
-Follow the correct rubric for examination, of 250-350 words.

Question: You are the permanent secretary in the ministry of education. Your minister
has asked you to prepare a speech about the problems your ministry is facing and how to
curb the same. The speech will be moved during a parliamentary session. Here are some
points you have prepared:
-Ministry faces numerous problems.
-Lack of good infrastructure
-Lack of furniture in most institutions
-Poor results at grade 9 and twelve
-Pupil /student indiscipline
-School dropouts
-High rate of pregnancies in co-education institutions
-Government doing a lot to rehabilitate and build more infrastructures

54
 -Rules will be stiffen to promote moral uprightness
-Government to open more charitable organizations to help the vulnerable.

Model answer.

SPEECH MOVED BY THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION DURING A

PARLIAMENTARY SESSION HELD ON 24/02/09 AT PARLIAMENT
BUILDING.

The Speaker of National Assembly, His honour the vice president, Cabinet Ministers,
Honorable Members of parliament, Distinguished quests.
It is my rare privilege and honour to stand before this important gathering and
deliver my speech. Mr. Speaker Sir, Ladies and gentlemen, my ministry faces a number
of challenges. These include: Lack of good infrastructure and furniture in most
institutions. Apart from this, ladies and gentlemen, student indiscipline which has resulted
in poor results at grade nine and twelve is yet another big blow.
Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the high rate of pregnancies in co-education institutions
and school dropouts are worrying factors in my ministry.
However, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as a ministry we feel some thing
must be done to solve these problems. Firstly, government is already doing a lot in
infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion.
Apart from this, members of the house, the ministry of education through various
stake- holders in all institutions, is stiffening the rules so as to promote moral uprightness
among students.
Lastly, but not the least Honorable members, there is need for government to lobby
for more charitable organisations to help the vulnerable students.
I thank you all.

2. WRITING A REPORT
There are different types of reports, but the features below are common:
• Report writing is like narrative writing. It is about what happened.
• Title in block letters
• Use the past tenses
• Use reported speech
• Paraphrase all direct speech
• Give a step by step narrative
• Be brief and to a point
• Avoid language which is personalised

55
 • In the conclusion, put recommendations in a number or paragraph form
• Name and designation of the writer is indicated.
• Ending:
Report compiled by:
Name
Signature
Designation
• Word limit: 250-350 words

Question: You are the Head of Department of Languages. The Deputy Head teacher has
asked you to write a report about the damaged locking system to your departmental stock
room. You jot some points down before you compile:
-Unknown people tempered with the lock
-Mr. Hamoonga failed to open the lock
-07:15 Mr. Mulenga, D. almost failed to insert the key.
-Lock opened after struggling for four minutes in presence of Ms Ng’ambi
-Lock scrutinised and found tempered with
-Stock in the store room not tempered with, though not all was counted

Model answer

REPORT ON THE DAMAGE TO THE LOCKING SYSTEM

AT THE LANGUAGES STOCK ROOM, GIVEN TO THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
ON 20TH NOVEMBER 2008.

The Languages stock room locking system was last night tempered with by unknown people.
This was evidenced by the fact that this morning, at about seven hours, Mr. Hamoonga, G.J a
teacher of English Language, who keeps one of the keys to the stock room of the Department
of Languages failed to open the lock.

56
At 07:15 hours, Mr. Mulenga, D. The acting Head of Languages Department almost failed to
insert the key into the lock. However, after struggling for about four minutes, the lock was
opened in the presence of Ms Ng’ambi, G, who is also a member of the same department.

After scrutinizing the lock, it was discovered that the lock was tempered with, and had its
bottom parts broken. Nevertheless, the property in the stock room seemed not to have been
tempered with, though all stock was not counted.
Report compiled by:

MULENGA, D. (M.R)
HOD, Languages Department

3. ARTICLE WRITING
So many types of articles exist, however, at grade twelve level, candidates normally are
requested to write Newspaper or School Magazine Articles. When writing an article, bear
the following important points in mind:
• The title must be catchy, to attract readership and should necessarily be written in
present simple form.
• Author’s name appears immediately after the title/heading.
• Opening paragraph is a summary of the whole text.
• Use quotations to indicate cardinal information that shows reality of the text.
• Distinguish an article from a report.
• Use short paragraphs to sustain reader interest.

Question: You watched a game between Shooting Stars and Manchester United. You want to
write an article for the School Magazine. As the game proceeded, you jotted down these
points:
-Match commenced at 15:00 hours
-Manchester under pressure in early minutes
-In 30th minute shooting stars scored their first goal
-things sour when Manchester equalized in 2nd half
-Shooting Stars disorganized after substitution
-Manchester scored another goal, taking advantage
-Game played safely, no injuries
-match ended in an exciting manner as shooting stars’ coach mourned

57
Model article

SHOOTING STARS’ COACH MOURNS

By Susan Mulenga.
Yesterday’s match that was played between Shooting Stars and Manchester United left
shooting Stars Coach in great shock when Manchester beat the Stars by two goals to one in a
qualifying match.
The match started at 15:00 hours with Manchester under pressure in the early minutes
of the game.
In the 30th minute of the game, shooting stars scored their first and last goal. The goal
came through a header, Brian Chintu, the Stars’ dangerous striker. However, things turned
sour when Manchester equalized in the second half.
The Stars became disorganized after their main defender was shown a yellow card and
consequently substituted by the coach. Manchester took advantage of this and scored their
second goal.
However, the game was played safely as players did not experience any injuries. The
match ended in an exciting manner as Shooting Stars Coach mourned terribly.

4. EXPOSITORY WRITING
• This is also called explanatory composition
• The question asks the candidate to explain process, ideas and facts, opinions (which
must be supported by facts).
• It is made up of a number of related paragraphs.
• The introduction must be interesting enough so as to capture the interest of the reader.
• There must be adequate development of the paragraphs.
• There must also be cohesion and interest. This requires developing the topic.
• Expository composition also involves showing directions, explaining how a crop is
grown etc.

Example
There is a lot of immorality in the Zambian institutions of learning. What are the causes?
Suggest solutions.
Points:
-Pornographic pictures
-access to opposite sex rooms
-advertisement of condoms
-female students sell their bodies to lecturers in exchange of marks.
-pairing is encouraged

58
 -cell phones are making easy communication and contact
-pornographic pictures must be banned
-institution management must devise rules to bar visiting female hostels and vice versa
-students and lecturers found wanting must face disciplinary action
-pairing should be discouraged and culprits punished.
-use of cell phones by students should be banned.
-advertisement of condoms must be discouraged.

Model
There is a lot of immorality in the Zambian institutions of learning today and society
seems to be puzzled and unable to stop it. There are many causes for this moral decay in
our schools.
The first cause is the pornographic pictures. This encourages sexual appetite in
many students. The second cause is access to opposite sex hostel rooms.

Apart from the above, advertisement of condoms is also another cause. Students
indulge in sexual activities carelessly, knowing that they are protected by a condom.
Furthermore, there is a tendency by lazy female students to sell their bodies to
lecturers in exchange of marks. Apart from these, pairing is yet another problem.
Added to these, is the use of cell phones, which is another big cause of immorality in
school as it makes easy to make contacts among students of opposite sex.
However, the following could serve as solutions to these problems:
Firstly, Pornographic pictures must be banned. Secondly, visiting hostels of opposite sex
should be discouraged.
Not only these, the advertisement of condoms must stop. Furthermore, students and
lecturers found wanting should face disciplinary action. Additionally, student use of cell
phones in schools must be banned.
To conclude this discussion, I would say that immorality in schools remains a worry
if not checked and the stated measures above not taken seriously.

ARGUMENTATIVE COMPOSITION
Argumentative composition is a kind of writing in which the writer tries to persuade the
reader to accept his/her point of view. It is a kind of question which requires one to argue
for or against a particular question. How can you identify an argumentative question?
Questions such as:
1. Scientific advancement is a menace to mankind. Confer.
59
 2. Money cannot buy happiness. Do you agree or disagree
3. Do you agree that watching television is a waste of time?
4. Men and not women are responsible for the spread of
HIV/AIDS. Discusss.
5. It is better to be a boy than a girl. Do you agree?
• Take one side of the question, not both.
• Bring out convincing reasons for supporting or opposing the statement.
• Jot down the points for and points against the given motion.
• Points not in support must come in the first paragraph as an introduction.
• The subsequent paragraphs from the introduction should comprise points being
proposed or supported
• Opposing points should be fewer than the proposing ones.
• Joining the points with linking structures/words will make the composition more
colourful.

Model example/exercise
Question: It is better to be a boy than a girl. Discuss
Points for:
-Boys are naturally stronger than girls.
-Girls are both physically and emotionally weak.
-Boys have more freedom of movement than girls.
-Boys are more intelligent than girls
-Boys are less demandful than girls
-A boy child is almost a king.
-Girls are men’s life hazards.

Points against
-Girls do not indulge in illicit activities such as smoking and beer drinking.
-Girls are more favoured than boys.
-Girls are naturally caring, thus, benefit many family members when become mothers.
-Girls are much far more hygienic than boys.
-Girls are more responsible at homes than boys.
▪ Check the model essay from the answer section.

60
5. WRITING PROFILES
There are two types of profiles:
A. Autobiography
This is a life history of a person written by himself/ herself.
B. The Biography
The following information is necessary when writing a profile.
• Place and year of birth
• Early life
• Education
• Career
• Other achieved programmes
• Family life
Other considerations:
• Amplify the points
• Indent your work
• Word limit: 250-350 words

Example
Oswald Sampa, the newly appointed army chief has had an interesting and challenging
career. Lieutenant Sampa was born in Selu’s Village on 23 may, 1975 in Northern Province.
His father was a prominent peasant farmer and his mother was a housewife.
In his early life, Sampa helped his father tendering the vegetable garden.
At seven, Sampa started grade one at Kateshi primary school in 1987. He did his High
School Education at Mbala High School where he was good at all Junior Secondary subjects.
He finished his High school education in 1996 at the same school.
In 2001, he started pursuing a NATEC programme at Evelyn Honey College that took
him three years. A year after completion of this accounting programme, Oswald joined the
National Service after training for six months.
During his National Service training, Sampa was already ranked first Lieutenant. It
came to his shock when he was pronounced Army Chief by the president.
Lieutenant Sampa is currently single but intends to get married soon. He is sober
minded and commands high levels of discipline and integrity.

TASK: 30
You are the editor of your school magazine, you have been asked to write a biography for
your Paramount Chief. You have prepared these points:
-born in Chitimukulu Village
61
-the only son of chief Nkula’s.
-primary education: same village school
-Went to St Francis secondary school
-went to UNZA, BA public administration
-Married, six children
(Check the model answer from the answer section)

ANSWER SECTION
Task 1 Subject verb agreement
1. singular 2. Singular 3. Plural 4. Singular 5.plural 6.singular 7.both
8. plural 9.both 10.plural 11. Plural 12. Plural 13.singular
14.singular 15. Plural 16. Both 17. Singular 18. Singular 19.
Singular 20. Plura
Task 2
1.is 2. Is 3. Were 4. Is 5.wears 6. Were 7. Is
8 .was 9. Was 10. Goes 11. Is 12. Wants 13. Leave 14. Last
15.has 16. Has 17. Raises 18. Was 19. Is 20. Is
Task 3 subject verb inversion
1. Not until he was paid did he come back.
2. Only rarely does the generator break.
3. Not until Moslems have removed their shoes do they enter the
mosque.
4. Under no circumstance will I accept such a suggestion.
5. Such a good man is he that everyone likes him.
6. Only sometimes does he go out of bounds.
7. Only once did he go outside the house during the night.
8. Never have we come across stones as precious as diamonds.
9. Never have I seen a river as beautiful as the Zambezi.
10. No sooner had the national anthem been sung than celebrations
began.
Task 4 Contrast (No matter)
1. No matter what he says, I will help you.
2. No matter whether he passes or he fails, he will get the job.
3. No matter what comes first, it will make no difference.
4. No matter who did it, there is nothing we can do.
5. No matter which person you show it to, Mary will find out.

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 6. No matter whether he does it this year or next, he won’t have to
leave school.
7. No matter who you are, you won’t come in.
8. No matter how well he drives, there is a possibility of an
accident.
9. No matter which way you look, you see nothing but
unhappiness
10. No matter how you decide to travel, your brother will take care
of you.

Task 5 Interchanging parts of speech

1. windy 2. National 3. Deciding 4. offending 5. Practical
6. repetitive 7. Fashionable 8. Enjoyable 9. Talkative 10.
Imaginative
11. criminal 12. Medical 13. Persuading 14. Tasty 15. Logical

Task 6 Phrasal verbs

1.C 2. E 3. D 4. E 5. B 6.
D
7. E 8. B 9. D 10. C

Task 7 Past perfect continuous tense

1.had been listening 2. Had already been working 3. Had been walking 4 had been singing
5. had been disturbing 6. Had been teaching 7. Had been thinking 8.had not been giving

Task 8 ‘That’ clause as subject of a sentence

1. That Janet was shockingly murdered in day light shocked the
public.
2. That Wynter has been fired is still unbelievable to some PF
cadres.
3. That the Reverend Father was caught with another man’s wife
surprised the Catholic members.
4. That the Zambia National Soccer Team was beaten by Cape
Verde in the Africa Cup Qualifying Match was quite shocking
to the Zambian soccer fans.

63
 5. That his wife had three children outside marriage was the fact
that astounded the man.
6. That Martha died unexpectedly confused Mr Mulenga as well
as his family members.
7. That the rockets were constantly fired from Palestine amazed
the Israelis.
Task 9 Unreal past
1. I wish I knew English better than him.
2. I wish I was younger.
3. It would have been better if she told me earlier.
4. I would rather you went tomorrow.
5. It’s time the children were in bed.
6. I wish I worked hard when I was at school.
7. I can’t go now. Suppose the boss walked in?
8. I wish I could drive a car.
9. If only I knew earlier.
10. I wish I did not tell him. Now everyone will know.
11. Just suppose we had plenty of money.
12. She behaves as though she was my daughter.
13. I would prefer that they didn’t smoke.
14. Imagine she was a president.

Task 10 What clauses as subjects of sentences

1. What caused the difficulty was their unexpected refusal.
2. What changed my mind was an article I read in the magazine.
3. What impressed me was his obvious desire to help the people of the village.
4. What prevents quick development is shortage of money.
5. What drove him into the battle was not courage but fear.
6. What the government should decide is when to hold elections.
7. What you need is a rest.
8. What she needs is a caring husband.
9. What surprised them was the immense size of the town.
10. What made her attractive to me was her intelligent conversation.
11. The pressure of the air under the wings helps to hold it up.
12. What everyone would like to know is how the monkey got into the room.

Task 11 intensifiers
1.Completely 2 Nearly 3 rather 4 totally
5.Just/very/extremely/quite 6 really 7 very 8.realy/very/extremely
9.Hardly

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Task 12 SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS (Rewrites)
TEST 1
1. The harder they try, the more they succeed.
2. Peter is the least intelligent of the three.
3. Morgan is the shortest boy in school.
4. The less money Janet spends on food, the more she saves for clothing.
5. Chanda’s shoe is slightly bigger than Siwale’s.
6. Of all American presidents, Obama is the most peaceful and sober minded.
7. My book is twice thicker than yours.
8. The longer the boxers fought, the more exhausted they were/became.

TEST 2
9. Despite the fact that he was bad at English, / being bad at English, Sikaonga
got distinction one.
10. No matter how hard I tried, I could not read his writing.
11. However hard you work, you will never earn enough to buy a car.
12. The film was not as interesting as he thought it would be, but boring.
13. For all his extensive knowledge of electronics, he failed to find the fault in
the machine.
14. Notwithstanding (their being) the fact that they were late for lessons, the pupils
were admitted to class by the teacher.
15. Beautiful though she is, she is extremely careless.
16. The harder he tried the little he achieved.
17. No matter whom you ask will confirm that he is mad.
18.No matter where she goes, she will be traced by the police.

TEST 3.
19. What would he do if she reported the matter to the police?
20. Unless he comes, he will not be included on the list.
21. Had he gone to school, he would have written the test.
22. The manger warned the worker that if he did not work hard he would not be

65
 able to settle his bills and improve his standard of leaving.
23. But for the lawyer, he would have been jailed.
24. Jane will marry Kalufumo if he asks her.
25. Jane would marry Kalufumo if he asked her.
26. Jane would have married Kalufumo if he had asked her.
27. But for the quick coming of the police, he would have been killed.
28. Congo D R would have been beaten by Zambia if the referee had been fair enough.

TEST 4
29. As you are beautiful, you will get married to a rich man.
30. Seeing that the young man was progressing well, he made his life difficult.
31. Since they were late for the English lesson, they were punished.
32. As he did not know the way, he asked a police man who was passing by.
33. She did not dare to move for fear of being shot by the bandits.

TEST 5
34. So arrogant was a man that nobody sympathised with him.
35. Since he failed the mid -term test, he could not pass English above merit.
36. As she failed mathematics, she could not be picked.
37. So beautiful were they that every man wanted to smile at them.
38. Such intelligent was the boy that he was sponsored.
39. The postponement of the wedding was as result of the delayed departure of the train.

TEST 6
40. He divorced his wife temporarily so as to vacate dependants from his home.
41. Money was donated in order to buy a present for the wedding by members of staff.
42. The girl stopped so as to have a smoke.
43. Alexander went to a bar so that he could have a drink.
44. I invited my girl friend home for a chat.

TEST 7
45. The teacher asked the pupils if/whether it was clear and if they could progress.
46. She asked if they had to carry their books.

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47. My friend asked me if I would be going to Kasama next/the following week.
48. She said that she was a humble girl and that she had never disobeyed God in her life.
49. He informed us that he would be going to London the following/ next day and
that we go next Sunday.
50. The drowning boy cried/shouted for help.
51. ‘‘I love my wife so much that I cannot divorce her even when she double
crosses me,’’ the man told me.
52. ‘‘Are you ready so that we go for the history lesson?’’ she asked us.
53. They complained ‘‘we have not been paid for the last six months.’’
54. ‘‘Have you failed to lock the door so that I help you?’’ She asked him.

TEST 8
55. Can he dance?
56. Such was the story he told them.
57. In no way will I agree to such a proposal.
58. Here is the book that you wanted.
59. Not until you pay will you come along.
60. Not only was she robbed of all her money, but also badly beaten.
61. Many a time has he climbed this tree.
62. No sooner had the National Anthem been sung than celebrations began.
63. Only some times does Susan go out of bounds.
64. Only rarely does the generator break.

TEST 9
65. Owing to the fact that he was caught drunk, he was suspended from school.
66. The longer they searched, the more impatient they were/ became.
67. She went to college with a view to studying anthropology.
68. Driven by madness, he killed his son.
69. In view of the funeral, we had no lessons.
70. Only when I told her did she realise how important and complicated the problem was.
71. ‘‘Mary’’ I requested, ‘‘May I borrow your calculator?’’
72. Burning fiercely, the fire gutted the Staff Room and the mathematics stock room.
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73. It is too late for you to go to the market.
74. Such was she a generous woman that she was liked by every one.
75. Mustn’t they?
76. ‘‘Are you aware of the administrative changes?’’ Kate asked Muchona.
77. It is high time we started writing notes.
78. Walking through a thicket, Manix was bitten by a snake.
79. A young parrot was caught by Jourop.
80. That she failed to finish the project in the expected time led to her disqualification.
81. Although he was injured, he managed to finish the race.
82. Chanda was too confused to know the approach to take.
83. Both Mr. Mulenga and Mr. Mwamba did not go for residential school.
84. I finally chant in salute of Mobe.
85. Needn’t he speak up?
86. None of the questions she has attempted is easy.
87. Hardly do they eat meat.
88. In no way are teachers responsible for the poor performance of pupils.
89. Neither of us carries the blame.
90. He better admits his fault.
91. It is believed by most people that democracy is the best system of government in
the world.
92. No sooner did he recover from cholera than he went down with dysentery.
93. She is too wise not to know that she cannot become rich without working hard.
94. Must he?
95. Siwale is too sick not to see a doctor.
96. It is high time you took the matter seriously.
97. The Head teacher put emphasis on the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
98. No matter whom you saw was not my brother.
99. However late you arrive, I shall be waiting for you.
100. The teacher made him do the exercise ten times.
101. Neither my sister nor I like history.
102. I prefer starving to eating imbeba.

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103. The four-month old baby strangely sang a song.
104. You made him confess.
105. That Donald has wedded his fiancée, Angela is good news.
106. ‘‘Mary, Martha is back,’’ he told her.
107. However carefully you drive, you will have an accident eventually.
108. Had john not insulted a police officer, he wouldn’t have been arrested.
109. This man is extraordinarily extravagant.
110. Moving through the wood, he was stung by wasps.
111. Lest it rains, take the umbrella with you.
112. The child is deaf and dumb.
113. Neither Banda nor Charity was involved in the scandal.
114. What does Thandiwe feel like this morning?
115. A long tailed bird was balancing on the wire.
116. I wish you could tell me the answer.
117. It was amasing how quickly it was all over.
118. A man whose wife earns money is responsible for her tax.
119. Sikazwe didn’t tell anyone why he left for Kateshi.
120. The smell of food made Long John’s mouth water.
121. James was too ill not to be shaved.
122. He ought not have expelled the newly appointed prefects.
123. What puzzles the congregation is the fact that she behaves as though she was single.
124. America as well as other countries is fighting terrorism.
125. The soldier who has died is the brother to the late Miriam we buried last week.
126. Mr. Mulenga’s progress rate leaves anger in some people’s minds.
127. The would be prefects are being interviewed by the teachers.
128. Only when he pays what he owes them will they stop troubling him.
129. Unless deliverance is done about her, she will become a mere dog.
130. Although he is important, he urinates in bed.
131. Given a nice look, Prince did not hesitate to greet her and ask for her name.
132.Punched on the nose, the boy fell down instantly.
133. Kept busy by the teacher, the boy forgot about having their lunch.

69
134. Pushed behind bars by the police officer, the convict confessed his sins.
135. Beaten badly by a group of known thugs, Banda quickly reported the matter to the police
136. Given a lot of money by her boyfriend, Musonda became very excited.
137. Hoping to be adopted for presidential candidature, Wynter campaigned vigorously.
138. Having come best in the Inter-school chess championship, Susan was awarded
handsomely by her father.
139. Having been appointed deputy permanent secretary, Chanda thanked the president
and promised to work tirelessly and help bring development to greater heights.
140. Crossing the road without looking right and left, the alcoholic was hit by a fast
moving car,
141.China GEO,which is an effective road construction company, constructs good
roads.
142. The woman who aborted yesterday has hanged herself,
143. Musonda as well as his wife is leaving for Japan tomorrow.
144. Not until she stole his talk time did he realise that she was a dupe.
15. What worried the minister of finance and the president was the dropping of the
kwacha value.
16. Seeing the police coming towards him, the burglar started firing at them.
17. Honest though/as Clara is, she is a rough lady.
18. Not only is John intelligent but also strong.
19. Neither the sisters nor their brother, John has the burial programme for their late
mother.
20. Having his internal organs stop functioning, he was evacuated to Israel for medical
treatment.

Task 13, LEXIS & PHRASAL VERBS

1. too 2. more 3. Stronger 4.incident

5. To 6. their 7. on 8.hiked

9. cannot 10. its 11.to 12. whole

13. began 14. to 15. in 16 richer

17. sung 18.in charge 19.every day 20. until

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21. have 22. talent 23.went 24. are

25. Had 26. was 27.of 28.Mustn’t

29. some 30.coast 31.scissors 32.on

33. stealing 34. of 35.for 36.losing

37. in 38.up 39. in 40.good

41. good 42. affect 43. does he? 44. to

45. belief 46. Is 47. been 48. more

49. themselves 50.with 51. off 52.down

53. threw 54. out 55. on 56. in

57. up 58. closed down 59.off 60. put up on

61. take care of 62.started off 63.put up with 64. look up

65. give rise to 66. put upon 67.indulge in 68. faced with

69. look up to 70. put up with 71.put up on 72.take care of

73. on 74. had been 75. up 76. thirst

77.loss 78. on 79.at 80. from

Task 14, CLOZE TEST

1.government 2 windfall 3 from 4 but
5 the 6 the 7 have 8 who
9 tax 10 calls 11 although 12 minds
13 not 14 be 15 and 16 an
17 itself 18 tax 19 when 20 it

Task 15, SUMMARY

Tobacco
Points
1They burn the wood very efficiently.
2 Requiring less wood/60% less wood
3 They are less labour intensive/requiring less labour.
4 They use local materials.

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 5 Which makes their construction affordable to all farmer./expensive foreign
materials are not necessary.
6 They are safer
7 With less risk of catching fire
8 They have a more efficient insulation
9 And unique design
10 Which makes the wood burn slowly
11 The heat is more evenly distributed
12 and regulated
13 They do not require regular maintenance
14 They help minimise deforestation
15 Emission of Greenhouse gases
16 And toxic smoke
17 It is multi-purpose/ can be used to dry other crops
18 They can help farmers to plant in two crop circles
19 In the wet season
20 Without putting the vegetables at the risk of rotting
Task 16, Global Warming (summary)
Points
1 Food
2 and water supplies in Africa could be put at risk
3 There will be changes in the amount and distribution of rain fall,
4 Affecting crops and animals.
5 continued carbon pollution would threaten people,
6 animals
7 and natural resources
8 It would threaten vulnerable animals
9 and plant species
10 and threaten migration routes,
11 for animal
12 and birds
13 Heavy monsoon- like rains and higher temperature will favour the breeding disease
carrying mosquitoes,
14 Allowing them to thrive at higher altitudes in Africa
15 Mosquitoes can also transmit many viruses, over 100 of which are known to infect
humans
16 El Nino a vast natural climatic phenomenon that can bring intense floods
17 And droughts in many parts of the globe will become more frequent
18 This will cause cholera
19 Which could aggravate health problems
20 Droughts could reduce yields by a third or more.

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 COMPREHESION
Task 17, (Science and literature connection)
1C 2B 3B 4C 5B
6 C 7A 8A 9B
10(a) deserted
(b) Swarms
(c) Linked
(d) Exterminated

Task 18, the notorious fly

1. C 2A 3D 4D 5B
6B 7A 8C 9C
10
(a) Exterminated
(b) Feeding
(c) Fuss
(d) Pregnant
Task 19, Elephant
1. C 2D 3D 4B 5C
6D 7B 8A 9D
10
(a) Captivity
(b) Predecessor
(c) Remarkable
(d) Flexibility

Task 20, Poverty

1.A 2B 3C 4C 5A
6B 7A 8D
9
(i) Poverty manifests itself in the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other diseases
(ii) Poverty manifests itself in wilful conscious ignorance-(Ignorance of even the most
basic pieces of knowledge available in modern humanity.
10. (a) Ignorance (b) Poverty (c) free mark (d) unbothered

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 TASK 20, The Black Monday
When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by the bright sun which was shining directly into
his bedroom. He looked at his watch and saw that it was exactly 08.30 hours.
‘‘Oh no!’’ Kai shouted to himself, ‘‘I am late for work,’’ as he pushed a Puma blanket
off him. But did he even go for work?
It was a tiresome Monday morning, after a long Heroes and Unity Four-Day Holiday,
when Kai heard a loud bang in the bathroom. It was Thandiwe, his fourth born daughter who
had hit her mouth against the bathroom tub. She was about to start bathing in readiness for
school when she slip off the edge of the tub.
‘‘Mum, mum,’’ she cried as the thick blood oozed off her mouth. Kai could not
remember how he moved from the bedroom. What he could see was his wife buttoning the
cuffs of his long sleeved sky blue shirt. He looked at his beautiful daughter; the four front
teeth were pushed inside, behind the outside gums. In a blink of an eye, her face changed
from that look of a normal human being to a three month old piglet.
Kai called his son to bring the car keys from the dining table. Manix responded faintly from
the spare bedroom.
‘‘Who were you fighting with?’’ Kai asked his first born son as he dropped the car keys into
his hands.
‘‘No one dad,’’ replied Manix, ‘‘I found it like this when I woke up.’’ His cheek was
swollen. He looked as if he had put a mango seed in his mouth. Anyway Kai did not mind
about this problem. He concentrated much on the main business.
Kai pushed the car keys into the ignition hole, but the car could not start. Little did he realise
that the car was in neutral and not on park. At hundred and twenty kilometres per hour, they
were at the clinic in forty five seconds. Her lips kept on swelling. Given a referral letter to go
the General Hospital, Kai and his daughter got on the ambulance. It took them fifteen minutes
to reach the General Hospital. Thandiwe was injected with a pain killer around ten hours and
her teeth were moved back into their normal position. ‘‘Thank God for the committed and
accurate dentist,’’ Kai appreciated. What was the next problem? Hunger. Kai bought food for
her, but she could not eat. He could not eat too. He totally lost appetite because he was upset.
At 17.00 hours, Kai and Thandiwe were at home. He thought he could then rest when he
heard a sharp laughter from Susan in the kitchen as she washed plates, cups and pots from the
kitchen sink.
He could not recognise his second born son. ‘‘Angel,’’ he called, ‘‘are you Angel?’’ It was
not until they reached the clinic when Angel explained to the nurse on duty what had
happened as he was coming from school. It happened that when Angel and his friends were
coming back from school, he was stung by a swarm of bees which were on the ZESCO pole
near the entrance to the school gate.
What puzzled Kai was how quick Angel’s face got swollen, because from the scenery to their
home, it took Angel eight minutes. Angel was put on five injections.
At home, they nursed three swollen family members. Indeed, this was a ‘black Monday’ for
Kai and his family.

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Task 21
The return Match
One kick was enough to send Nafu to hospital for a month. Nafu was a middle aged beautiful
lady who was married to a man twenty five years older than her. Nafu’s beauty and character
was enough to attract any man’s eye. Nafu and her family lived in a village called Sela; this
was a very big village which had a population of about one million two hundred and fifty
four people. The major activity in this village was farming. In terms of leisure, many people
were confined to drinking the local brew known as katata. People could go to Sunday Church
Services after which entertainment commenced.
On a Sunday noon of October, 1979, Kaleh summoned Nafu, his private fiancé to a drinking
spree at Natobo’s house, their usual luxurious drinking house. Everything was properly
arranged; enough beer, cigarettes, braai and of course empty beds were waiting anxiously to
receive their usual clients.
At this day, Mula, Natobo’s Married boyfriend, was in a white suite; his big brown eyes
flashed behind his dark sun glasses. Seated near the entrance to the main bedroom and
holding Natobo’s hand, Mula took two cups of Katata before he could give the empty cup to
Kaleh. ‘‘You must take three at once,’’ Mula told Kaleh, ‘‘We are very much behind
schedule, as you know our spouses are also waiting for us at our homes.’’ ‘‘Ok dear’’ Kaleh
responded as he offloaded his hands from Nafu’s waist who was seated right on his thighs.
‘’Sweetie, don’t take too much, I need no more disappointments, ’Nafu warned Kaleh as she
looked at Natobo being dragged to the main bedroom. ‘‘I will be careful today, won’t take
too much,’’ Kaleh responded as he rushed towards the exit door squeezing the parts below his
belt in their right position.
At 19 30 hours, the moon was brightly shining for an eleven year old boy to see and identify
a medium heighted figure, Kaleh moving out of the house to a nearby grass thatched pit
latrine. ‘‘Yes, it is said that a fool never learns,’’ Reuben told himself, ‘‘This fools are here
again. Last month, my aunt fought Nafu and lost the fight, she will see today.’’
‘‘The problem is that you like talking too much at the expense of emptying your bladder in
good time, look! Your pair of trousers is wet. This habit is growing and growing,’’
complained Nafu. ‘‘I am sorry honey,’’ Kaleh apologised.
No sooner had Nafu and Kaleh had swallowed their last chicken pieces than they quickly
retired to bed in the spare bedroom. ‘’Remove the shoes,’’ she told him. Soon, the game had
set off; meanwhile it was over in the main bed room.
Short though Reuben was, he was able to stand tiptoe and through a small window like hole
watch the activity inside the house. It took Reuben five minutes to reach home and report
what he saw to his aunt. Reuben’s family organised themselves and dashed to the scene.
When Reuben and his aunt reached the main road to the ‘Line Township’ where Reuben had
seen the game, they met Benard, Nafu’s Nephew. Benard quickly joined the troop after
hearing Reuben’s report. They moved swiftly to Natob’s house.
It was Mula’s turn to empty his bladder. Because of his poor sight, he could not notice his
wife, Nachand, who was just standing by the entrance to the house. A slap was sufficient to
send Mula to the ground. His glasses scattered in all directions. ‘’You male prostitute,’’
Nachand shouted at him, ‘‘When are you going to stop this nonsense?’’ Things became

75
worse when Benard kicked Mula on the knee. He lay motionlessly on the ground. His bladder
could no longer resist pressure before it could put him in a stream of urine.
Nachand rushed inside the house. A sharp pig like sound could be heard in the Line Area;
‘‘My eye, my eye,’’ she screamed repeatedly as the watery blood flowed from the right eye
down the cheeks to the right breast. Nachand had hit Natob with a sharp and pointed shoe
heel on the right eye.
Nafu in desperation threw a cow kick at Reuben which landed on the bucket of katata
splashing the staff into Bernard’s eyes. Reuben pushed Nafu’s head into his left arm pit and
gave her three good punches breaking her nose. Before she could fall down, Bernard’s right
safety boot kick inside Nafu’s skirt added salt to the injury. Another stream inside the house,
this time, a blood stream. Nafu was no more.
Seeing that justice was done to the three prostitutes, the three heroes took to their feet back
home. Where was Kaleh? This was a big question to the three champions.
It happened that when Kaleh heard Bernard’s voice outside the house, he had escaped
through the kitchen window. Kaleh and Bernard had been at loggerheads, the reason being
that Bernard did not like the flirting of Nafu with Kaleh because Nafu was a wife to
Bernard’s uncle.
The heroes had just run half a kilometre when they saw a gang of five people in front of them
standing in the middle of the road, just after the corner of the road. Commanded by Kaleh, the
team surrounded Bernard, Reuben and his aunt. Bernard noticed that Kaley was among the
gang that stood in front.
Nachand’s limbs became frozen instantly upon seeing swords being swung in readiness for a
possible attack on them. No sooner had Nachand seen Reuben’s arm falling down than she
collapsed. It was Tob, Natob’s first born son who had done it. Seeing what had happened,
Bernard took to his feet. Reuben’s screaming was even louder than Nafu’s.
‘‘Catch him,’’ commanded Kaley, ‘‘He is a foolish boy.’’ They ran after Bernard. However,
their chase was in vain. Meanwhile, Nachand gathered courage and lifted Reuben up and
rushed him home.
It was quite shocking for the rivals to find themselves in the same wards of Chilubula
Mission Hospital. Nafu spent a month in the hospital. The innocent boy, Reuben lost his arm
and spent two months in hospital. Natob lost her eye. Mula sustained a knee injury and was
treated for two weeks at the same hospital. Kaley, the clever one, Bernard and Nachand had
nothing to nurse. It was a very big lesson to Nafu, Mula and Natob and a misery to the
innocent boy, Reuben.

Task 22
Misango Secondary School,
P. O. Box 410204,
Kasama.

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 5th July, 2015.
Dear Kapuku,
I learned the death of your father with deep sorrow. Indeed I know what you have passed
through. Words are not much good at a time like this, but I want you to know how sorry I am.
Everybody loved your father for his friendliness and good humour. You, of course were the
person he looked up to above all. As the days go by, your memories of the wonderful time
you gave him will be a comfort to you.
Losing a parent at that age means a lot of misery. I would therefore like to encourage you to
live by prayer as it never fails. Put trust into the hands of the Almighty, God, he will do
everything for you.
I would also like to encourage you to be mindful and to concentrate on your studies. As you
know being the only boy in the family and a first born implies that you need to work extra
hard and be a model to the three young sisters.
Please, let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Your friend,
Buumba

Task

Chimbaza Teachers’ Training College,

P. O. Box 210424,
Ndola.

7th July, 2015.

Dear Mr Antonio,
With deep sorrow, I write to request for your advice on what I should do.
On the 10th June, 2015, I lost my parents in the road traffic accident at the Landless corner in
Kabwe.
Currently I am being kept by my uncle who is not in formal employment. The situation is not
very favourable for my education. My uncle has failed to raise school fees for me because he
has a lot of school going children who also he has failed to pay school fees for.
It is therefore, in this disposition that I have written this letter to request for advice from you
on what I should do. I am really in a desperate situation.

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Please, write me quickly and let me know what step I must make for my education.
Your quick response in this regard is highly thanked for in anticipation.
Your pupil
Nonde Kaputula

Task 18
Musungu Primary School,
P.O. Box,
Mungwi.

8th June, 2015.

The Honourable Minister of Energy,
P.O. Box 200532
Lusaka.
Dear Sir,

RE: APPRECIATION
With reference to the above subject matter, I write your good office to express my sincere
thanks to you for the wonderful work done in our constituency.
Ever since you took office as Area Member of Parliament, you have initiated a lot of projects
which are running, some are even complete. Indeed sir, you have demonstrated good
leadership qualities. I have stayed in this constituency for seventeen years. I have never seen
any Member of Parliament who has worked hard like you.
Because of constant power supply, we have constant water supply, improved sanitation and
no load shading. Apart from these, student results have tremendously improved. Furthermore,
the improved road network has reduced traffic accidents in our constituency and has also
made transportation of goods easy.
Honourable Minister, there are many things that you have done that I cannot mention. Please,
continue with the same spirit of working hard.
May the Good Lord abundantly bless you.
Yours faithfully,

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 Oswald Panta

Argumentative composition
In society today, many people are deceived. They say that girls do not indulge in illicit
activities such as beer drinking, casual sex and dagger smoking. Apart from this, they state
that girls are more favoured by government and at homes than boys. Furthermore, it is said
that girls are more hygienic than boys and that their natural care brings a lot of benefits to
their family members. Additionally it is pronounced that girls are much responsible children
in many homes the boys.
Much as the above statement may seem to be correct, I feel that it is better to be a boy than a
girl on the following grounds:
To begin with, boys are stronger than girls physically. Not only this, girls are both physically
and emotionally weak. Girls are less intelligent than boys in many cases. Further, girls
dropout due to their early pregnancies. This results in shuttering their dreams of becoming
responsible people and be counted in society.
Additionally, girls are so demandful that their parents spend a lot on them. Consequently
putting a lot pressure on their parents. Worse than this, girls as compared to boys, are easily
tempted and carried with material things. This ends them in serious consequences.
In many cases, a boy child is treated like a king because he is more intelligent and stronger
than the girl child. This gives more privilege and freedom of movement for the boy than the
girl. Worse still, a girl child is life hazard to the boys and men. Many men have ended up in
police cells and finally prison because of the carelessness of girls.
In a nut shell, girls are naturally a weak sex and should not be compared to boys for the above
stated points. Boys on the other hand are intelligent, stronger and less demandful than girls.
This is why I feel it is better to be a boy than a girl.

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