QUADRON P INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

No 23, Williams Street, Quality/Ajagbe, Laketu Estate, Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu, Lagos
Motto: Godliness with Contentment
FIRST TERM 2024/2025 EXAMINATION
CLASS: SS 2 SUBJECT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE TIME: 2hr 15mins
PAPER 1 OBJECTIVES QUESTIONS
SECTION A: In each of the following sentences, there is one underlinedword and one gap. From the list of
words lettered A – D, choose the one that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word and that
will, at the same time correctly fill the gap in the sentence.
1. Binetou’s inquisitiveness is in sharp contrast with her sister’s______ (a) indifference (b) noisiness (c) calmness (d)
dullness
2. Though at first it appeared an insignificant idea, it turned out to be quite______(a) outstanding (b) successful (c)
remarkable (d) interesting
3. After grasping the fundamental aspects of his job, Kwesi had to cope with more______ procedures (a) advanced (b)
academic (c) subsidiary (d) secondary
4. The youth prefer discussing contemporary issues to_______ ones (a) archaic (b) uninteresting (c) stale (d) political
5. As erroneous as it might sound, the Headmaster’s assumption was quite_______(a) wise (b) correct (c) precise (d)
faulty
6. Halima likes to dwell on trivial, rather than______ matters (a) strong (b) popular (c) weighty (d) heavy
7. We all know that Bola is insolent whereas Ade is______(a) cowardly (b) respectful (c) humble (d) modest
8. A few days after Musa’s______, his sister longed for his departure (a) coming (b) entrance (c) arrival (d) welcome
9. Algebra seems complicated, but with practice it becomes______(a) solved (b) simple (c) accessible (d) achievable
10. Mrs. Agide is unassuming whereas her twin sister is______(a) cheerful (b) boastful (c) loud (d) rude
SECTION B: From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.
11. At Christmas, employees of the Sugar Factory receive huge______(a) benefits (b) dividends (c) bonuses (d) salaries
12. The exposed milk in that container has turned______(a) sour (b) putrid (c) mouldy (d) stale
13. Not all activists champion______ causes (a) worthy (b) real (c) concrete (d) favourable
14. The Mayor gave a glowing______ at the funeral of the city’s only curator (a) citation (b) statement (c) tribute (d)
commendation
15. At the end of______, the National Anthem is played on our radio station (a) programming (b) production (c)
transition (d) transmission
16. The defence counsel was unable to convince the______ of John’s innocence (a) plaintiff (b) witness (c) panel (d) jury
17. Unfortunately, corruption is the______ of most African countries (a) venom (b) bane (c) disaster (d) backbone
18. The______ results proved that the patient had hepatitis (a) investigation (b) diagnosis (c) probe (d) test
19. The new book has beautiful______ which make it attractive (a) illustrations (b) demonstrations (c) illuminations (d)
compositions
20. Their marriage was finally______ after years of hostility (a) cancelled (b) annulled (c) broken (d) separated
SECTION C: After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations is given. Choose the interpretation
that is most appropriate for each sentence.
21. Can you imagine Oka behaving as if he has all the knowledge in the world? This means that Oka (a) does not really
know everything (b) knows so much more than we think (c) is admired by everybody (d) respects other people
22. Akin is too full of himself. This means that Adin (a) talks too much (b) eats too much (c) is too proud (e) is quite
annoying
23. She slogged her guts out for the examination. This means that she (a) failed the examination despite working hard for
it (b) passed the examination despite not working hard for it (c) used unfair means to face the examination (d) really
worked very hard for the examination
24. I admire Modou: very few people can stomach all of Adaeze’s insults. This means that Modou (a) tolerated Adaeze’s
(b) was a weakling (c) had no answer to Adaeze’s insults (d) did the right thing by remaining silent
25. After months of battling with stroke, he is now a shadow of his former self. This means that he (a) is now frail (b) is
vulnerable (c) is hopeless (d) has almost recovered
26. Kura, you can’t be too careful when dealing with Wang. This means that Kura (a) has no reason to be suspicious of
Wang (b) can fully rely on Wang (c) has to be very careful in his relationship with Wang (d) may feel free in the
company of Wang.
27. Don’t tell me another cock and bull story. This means that the speaker does not want to (a) be further baffled (b) hear
the same old story (c) hear another drab story (d) be further deceived
28. Had he confessed much earlier, she would have trusted him. This means that he (a) had confessed earlier on, but he
wasn’t trusted (b) had confessed much earlier on, and he was trusted (c) hadn’t confessed much earlier on, and he was
trusted (d) hadn’t confessed earlier on, and he wasn’t trusted
29. Kola: You really worked had to win the case. Didia: You don’t know the half of it. This means that (a) it wasn’t as
difficult as Kola had thought (b) Kola’s statement wasn’t actually correct (c) it was even more difficult than Kola
could imagine (d) winning the case didn’t mean much to Kola
30. Femi is too clever by half. This means that Femi (a) displays his cleverness in an annoying way (b) is not as clever as
he thinks (c) pleases everyone he meets (d) hides how clever he really is
SECTION D: From the words lettered A – D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words
that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as it is used in the sentence.
31. He was such a brilliant footballer! (a) an inspired (b) an intelligent (c) a dazzling (d) a skillful
32. The politician is a fluent speaker (a) an eloquent (b) a superficial (c) an insightful (d) a persuasive
33. Everyone has the urge to succeed in life (a) compulsion (b) desire (c) need (d) courage
34. When he heard the gunshot, he ran into a thick forest (a) tight (b) deep (c) dense (d) close
35. That was a timely intervention (a) suitable (b) accurate (c) prompt (d) major
36. David is not only hardworking but also scrupulous (a) painstaking (b) ambitious (c) pleasant (d) daring
37. We really have to be careful because the situation is rather tricky (a) deceitful (b) trivial (c) unexpected (d) difficult
38. I think that his essay is impeccable (a) erroneous (b) correct (c) satisfactory (d) faultless
39. There has been a marked change in her study habit (a) significant (b) real (c) full (d) complete
40. He was directed to write the letter (a) advised (b) instructed (c) persuaded (d) forced
SECTION E: From the words or group of words lettered A – D, choose the word or group of words that best completes
each of the following sentences.
41. Every one of the students______ to be excited about the excursion (a) was seeming (b) is seeming (c) seem (d) seems
42. We should assist the poor,______? (a) shall we (b) isn’t it (c) shouldn’t we (d) we shouldn’t
43. Either he or you______ to clean up the mess (a) has (b) have (c) were (d) was
44. If Musa had woken up earlier, he______ breakfast (a) would not have missed (b) ought not to miss (c) shall have
missed (d) may have missed
45. He would rather appeal the decision______ defeat (a) instead of accepting (b) than accepting (c) than accepts (d) than
accept
46. The student complained that he______ the teacher (a) was not hearing (b) could not hear (c) does not hear (d) is not
hearing
47. My brother_______ in Lagos for the past ten years (a) is living (b) lived (c) will have lived (d)has been living
48. I am totally disappointed_______ such poor grades (a) from (b) with (c) for (d) on
49. He is a doctor but he dabbles______ politics now and then (a) in (b) through (c) on (d) into
50. _______arrived before the manager (a) neither he nor I (b) neither me nor he (c) either I nor him (d) neither me nor
him
SECTION F: In the following passage, the numbered gaps indicate missing words. Against each number in the list
below the passage, four options are given in columns lettered A – D. choose the word that is the most suitableto fill the
numbered gaps in the passage.
An entrepreneur is a person who organizes and manages any business enterprise, or one who combines the
other factors of 51to start a business and make a profit. He possesses considerable initiative and is willing to take
52. An entrepreneur can be a farmer, a dressmaker, a factory owner, a wholesaler or a 53.
More often than not, it is best for an entrepreneur to start a business from scratch rather than 54in or buy an
existing business. One advantage is that he would be independent and not become a 55 or get to inherit some bad
debt.
The 56of a good entrepreneur must include hard work, innovation and creativity. He must be well-informed
and confident to make worthwhile decisions. As it takes a great deal of energy, time and money to operate one’s
own business, entrepreneurs must seek to possess good managerial 57in order to manage their business
successfully.
But how useful is the entrepreneur to the society? He is an innovator who develops new 58and services to
make life easier and more comfortable. He plans, organizes, directs and 59his business activities effectively, thus
minimising wastage of limited 60 and enhancing productivity. Also, he creates employment and contributes to
the generation of revenue for the government by paying taxes.
A B C D
51. Creation provision construction production
52. Debts pitfalls risks problems
53. Hawker peddler retailer trader
54. Plunge invest break delve
55. Colleague comrade fellow partner
56. Tendencies properties attributes features
57. Skills talents knack foresight
58. Outputs yields products materials
59. Controls checks restrains bridles
60. Assets wealth stock resources
PAPER 2: THEORY
SECTION A
CONTINUOUS WRITING
You are required to answer only one question from this section. Your answer should not be less than 450 words. All
questions carry equal marks. You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.
1. Your sister has gained admission into your former school. Write a letter giving her information about the school
and advise her on how to behave well while in the school
2. Write an article suitable for publication in a national daily on the rising cases of ritual killings in your community
and suggest measures to curb the trend
3. You are a chief speaker in a debate on the topic: Religious Studies should be Made Compulsory in Secondary
School. Write your argument for or against the motion
4. Write a story that clearly illustrates the saying: Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
SECTION B
COMPREHENSION
5. Read the passage below carefully and answer the questions on it.

I had emerged unscathed from the encounter with the principal in his office, but it was unfortunately not
my last encounter with him. In my next year at school, I came across Mr. Francis, a highly educated and
refined gentleman who had come from Lagos. To most of the students in my class, Mr. Francis was a weak
and incompetent an who could be taken full advantage of. His classes were always an opportunity for us to
fool around an have fun at his expense. I myself was an active participant in this mockery although I did
not have him. On his part, Mr. Francis magnanimously ignored most of our pranks until one day he lost his
temper and sent me to the principal.

The principal recognized me at once when he saw me, and I began to pray hopefully. Consulting his
records, he looked puzzled as if he did not expect to see what he had just seen. I had maintained such good
grades but had so many disciplinary cases against me. After much thought, he said, “Tell your father to
come and see me.” I felt sick. The next day, I was again in the office, this time with my father. Seeing that
my father was determined to keep me in the school, the principal gave me a fairly reasonable sentence. He
asked me to report to him forty-five minutes before school every morning for the next one month and to
read Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.” My punishment was a great joke to all the other students who
had heard the news, but I myself enjoyed the book very much.

A week later, Mr. Francis brought a stack of papers into the classroom. The lesson proceeded as usual but
at the end of the class, everybody started crowding around him, asking questions. I had no idea what was
going on until later someone came up to me and whispered, “We took a copy of Mr. Francis’ test
questions. We are working on the answers.”

The next day, the papers were discreetly passed to me. I did not understand most of the questions but I
tried my best to answer them. When the test results were released, I performed fairly well while those who
had cheated performed excellently. Somehow, Mr. Francis discovered that the students had prior
knowledge of the test questions. So, he came up with his own method of retaliation.

The following day, Mr. Francis announced that there would be another test in two days. The results this
time were more realistic. My performance was the same, but the others did considerably worse. From that
day on, everyone paid full attention in Mr. Francis’ class.
(a) What led to the writer to his second encounter with the principal?
(b) Why were the students fond of playing pranks during Mr. Francis’ lessons?
(c) What did the principal do when he was the writer in his office the second time?
(d) Explain the reason for the principal’s surprise at the attitude of the writer
(e) According to the passage, why was the performance of most of the student’s poor in the second test?
(f) …who had cheated…
(i) What grammatical name is given to this expression?
(ii) What is its function?
(g) How did Mr. Francis succeed in changing the attitude of the students during his lessons?
(h) Find one word or phrase which is nearest in meaning to and can at the same time replace each of the following
words as used in the passage.
(i) refined
(ii) pranks
(iii) puzzled
(iv) sentence
 (v) retaliation
(vi) considerably
SECTION C
SUMMARY
6. Read the passage below carefully and answer the questions on it.

A recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) shows significant improvement in health
conditions of children in many nations. Through concerted efforts of government and international
organisations, mortality rate for children under five years of age has fallen in a number of countries.
Nevertheless, the report also shows that each year, millions of more young lives could be spared by simple
and inexpensive means, especially in developing counties. Parents in these nations and elsewhere may find
the following recommendations in the report helpful.

Breastfeeding is the best possible start towards good health and nutrition. According to the World Health
Organisation (WHO), over the million infants’ lives could be saved in a year if all babies were exclusively
breastfed for about the first six months. Since hospitals and maternity units set a powerful example,
UNICEF and WHO are promoting a baby-friendly hospital initiative. The objective is to motivate hospitals
to give mothers of newborn babies support and proper advice regarding breast-feeding.

The toll of diseases could be drastically reduced by safe water, using latrines, washing hands before
handling food, preparing and storing food safely. Though in many communities, great effort is required to
obtain enough of clean water which is indispensable to child and family health.

Vitamin-A supplementation could prevent as many as three million children from dying each year. The
solution to the problem is available and affordable and may be realized by improving diets, fortifying foods
or distributing vitamin-A capsules. Distributing reasonable quantity of vitamin-A capsules periodically to
young children is already proving effective in nations where vitamin-A deficiency is common. Also
recommended are foods like papayas, mangoes, carrots green leafy vegetables and eggs.

UNICEF says that half the annual percentage of child deaths caused by diarrhoea could be prevented with
the aid of inexpensive and easy-to-prepare mixtures of clean water, salt and sugar. This is also known as
Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT). Already, an estimated one million lives a year are being saved by these
means.
(a) In three sentences, one for each, state ways of reducing infant mortality
(b) In three sentences, one for each, enumerate ways of ensuring a disease-free environment.