Life-long Learning Resources

Secondary One English

You are asked to read Textbook pg-44 Lonely Hamster Does a Runner.

Create a news item for television based on this story.

What are the key points of this story? Try to sum up the story in five short sentences,

keeping all the essential information. (Do not forget to include 5Ws).
You need to interview at least three people to get more attention from the viewers.
You are suggested to choose the people listed below.
Joe Smith, the caretaker
Patsy Jones, Class 4 teacher
Chris Jenkins from Save
Pritesh Khan, the local vet
Sam Pepper, the child psychologist

Prepare some interesting questions and answers for the interview.

You should ask at least one question (more than 1 questions are appreciable) for each
person that you’ve chose from the above list.

You(news reporter)
Interviewee(Name)

You(news reporter)
Interviewee(Name)

You(news reporter)
Interviewee(Name)
 Secondary One English

Commas Quiz

1. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct comma
placement.

1.

A) I took Angie, the one with the freckles to the movie last night.

B) I took Angie, the one with the freckles, to the movie last night.

C) I took Angie the one with the freckles, to the movie last night.

D) I took Angie, the one with the freckles, to the movie, last night.

2.

A) Jeremy, and I, have had our share of arguments.

B) Jeremy and I, have had our share of arguments.

C) Jeremy and I have had our share of arguments.

D) Jeremy and I have had, our share of arguments.

3.

A) You are I am sure, telling the truth.

B) You are, I am sure, telling the truth.

C) You are, I am sure telling the truth.

4.

A) She left Albany, New York, on January 18 of that year.

B) She left Albany, New York on January 18, of that year.

C) She left Albany New York, on January 18 of that year.

D) She left Albany New York, on January 18, of that year.

5.

A) I need, sugar, butter, and eggs from the grocery store.

B) I need sugar, butter, and eggs, from the grocery store.

C) I need: sugar, butter, and eggs from the grocery store.

D) I need sugar, butter, and eggs from the grocery store.

6.

A) Please Sasha, come home as soon as you can.

B) Please, Sasha, come home as soon as you can.

C) Please, Sasha come home as soon as you can.

D) Please Sasha, come home, as soon as you can.

7.

A) Although, you may be right I cannot take your word for it.

B) Although, you may be right, I cannot take your word for it.

C) Although you may be right I cannot take your word for it.

D) Although you may be right, I cannot take your word for it.
8.

A) My oldest sister Maya is the feisty one.

B) My oldest sister Maya, is the feisty one.

C) My oldest sister, Maya is the feisty one.

D) My oldest sister, Maya, is the feisty one.

9.

A) “Why,” I asked, “are you still here in Maine?”

B) “Why” I asked “are you still here in Maine?”

C) “Why,” I asked. “Are you still here in Maine?”

10.

A) She finished her work, and then took a long lunch.

B) She finished her work, and then, took a long lunch.

C) She finished her work and then took a long lunch.

D) She finished her work and then, took a long lunch.

 Secondary One English

Summary w ords

A summary word (or phrase) names a general idea that has several examples or parts.

Summary words and phrases are very helpful in summarizing.

Example:

One morning, Ayako decided to make some egg salad. First, she boiled the
water. Then she added a drop of vinegar and six eggs. She boiled them for ten
minutes. After that, she placed the eggs in some cold water for half an hour to cool
them. Then she peeled the eggs and chopped them. Finally, she added some
mayonnaise and chopped celery, and the salad was ready. The whole process had
taken about an hour.

Whole process is a summary phrase that refers to all the steps in making egg salad.

Write a summary word or phrase for each list.

1. …………………………………

baseball

basketball

football

swimming
2……………..………….

Mars

Uranus

Jupiter

Saturn

3…………………………..

malaria

tuberculosis

scarlet fever

diphtheria

measles

4. ………………………………………

Everybody continues in a state of rest or of motion at a constant speed in a straight line

unless it is disturbed by a force acting on it.

A force is required to accelerate a body. The strength of the force is directly

proportional to the mass of the body.

To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The action is on one body, the
reaction on another.
5. …………………………………………..

get a shovel

dig a hole in the ground

put lots of water in the hole

unwrap the roots of the tree

place the roots in the hole

be sure the tree is straight

cover the roots with lots of soil

stamp down the soil

add more water

6. ………………………………………………………….

clean the house

buy some chips and salsa

make some pizza

bake a cake and decorate it

wrap the presents

set the table

cool the drinks

7…………………………..

cathedral

church

temple

mosque

chapel

8……………………………………

Verb

Nouns

Adjectives

Adverbs

Pronouns

9……………………………………..

Masthead

Puff

Headline

Image

Text

Strapline

byline
 Secondary One English

Summarizing a sentence

When you summarize a sentence, you make it much shorter. You can do this by
using summary words and phrases to take the place of groups of words about the same
topic. You should leave out descriptive words such as adjectives or adverbs, and keep
only the words that tell the main point of the sentence. Use as few words as possible.
The summary of a sentence should still be a complete sentence.

Example: The tall cowboy put the saddle on his horse, untied him from the fence,
waved good-bye, and rode off into the sunset.

Summary: The cowboy left.

You can leave out the word tall since that is a descriptive word (adjective). All of
the cowboy’s actions (put the saddle on his horse, untied him, waved good-bye, and
rode off) can be summarized in one summary word: left

The cowboy left is a complete sentence.

Read the given sentence/s then summarize as a complete sentence.

1. After she turned on the oven, Yuki mixed the sugar, flour, eggs, milk, oil, and
vanilla in the mixer, poured the batter into the buttered pans, and put the cake in the
oven.

Summary :…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. As the bus rolled into her hometown, Liz looked around at the familiar streets
and shops that she had not seen for two years.

Summary :…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Geraldo put on his coat, picked up his briefcase from the table near the door, put
out the cat, and got ready for his ten-minute walk to the bus stop.

Summary: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

4. When the Chen family returned from their vacation, they found the back door
broken open, the television set missing, and all the food in their freezer gone.

Summary:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. In Natasha’s library you can find mysteries, novels, biographies, travel books,
how-to manuals, science fiction thrillers, and reference books.

Summary: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

6. With her new credit card, Piper bought groceries at the supermarket, shoes at
the department store, and a new set of tires for her sports car at the auto supply store.

Summary: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. During the summer along the Charles River in Boston, you can go walking, in-line
skating, jogging, hiking, and bicycling, or you can have a picnic while listening to an
outdoor concert or watching a movie.

Summary: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

8. After clearing away the old leaves and branches, Jeff dug up the hard ground,
mixed in fertilizer and new soil, raked it all smooth, and planted the seeds.

Summary: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

9. When they heard the weather forecast, the islander closed the windows, put
tape across the glass, moved all of their plants and chairs indoors, and bought many
bottles of fresh water.

Summary: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. Anna put her pens and pencils neatly in a row, turned on the radio, stacked her
English books on the desk, got herself a soda, and sat down in her desk chair.

Summary: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
 Secondary One English

Summarize the following passage in about 100 words. In your summary,

you need to include the problems Edison’s research team faced and how
they were finally successful in inventing the light bulb.

The way in which Edison and his staff of about forty men worked on the invention of
the electric bulb is unique in the history of research. Work went on all the time. The
men slept for only four to six hours a day. Edison himself was content with his usual
short nap on a laboratory table with a couple of books for a pillow. After short rests like
this, work was resumed.

Edison’s biggest problem was what material to use as a filament in the glass bulb.
Carbonized paper gave a good light, but only for a few seconds. Platinum, with its great
resistance to electricity, proved better; but it would be too expensive- Edison was
determined to make his lamp so cheap that everybody could afford it. He knew carbon
was the best possibility, but again he faced the problem of what material would be
most suitable to be carbonized. Everything he could lay his hands on was carbonized
and tried out in the lamp: cardboard, coconut shell and even red hairs from the beard
of a visitor to his home. Nothing gave him the result he wanted.

One night in October 1879, Edison sat at his desk, wondering what to do. Absent-
mindedly, his fingers played with a loose button on his coat. It came off. A bit of thread
was still clinging to it.
Suddenly, he jumped up and went out into the laboratory. “Have we tried this for a
conductor?” he asked his technicians. “No,” replied one of the technicians.

“Well, why not? Get some thread. Cut it up into short lengths. Carbonize the strands
and try them out in our lamps,” said Edison.

They rushed to comply with his wishes, though not very hopefully. This looked like a
last desperate effort before the whole thing was given up.

When the carbonized thread was ready, a few strands were sealed into a bulb from
which the air had been pumped out. Then the current was turned on. There was a soft
yellowish glow. Edison and his assistants stared at it anxiously. How long would it last?
A minute? An hour perhaps? As usual, bets were laid by everybody. The lamp burned
for over forty hours! Edison had succeeded in inventing the electric bulb!
 Secondary One English

Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz-1

1. For each of the following, choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree.

1.

A) Every one of the shirts has a green collar.

B) Every one of the shirts have a green collar.

2.

A) This singer, along with a few others, play the harmonica on stage.

B) This singer, along with a few others, plays the harmonica on stage.

3.

A) Sandals and towels are essential gear for a trip to the beach.

B) Sandals and towels is essential gear for a trip to the beach.

4.

A) The president or the vice president are speaking today.

B) The president or the vice president is speaking today.

5.

A) Either Cassie or Marie pays the employees this afternoon.

B) Either Cassie or Marie pay the employees this afternoon.

6.

A) Either the sculpture or the paintings are in the museum today.

B) Either the sculpture or the paintings is in the museum today.

7.

A) The coat or the hats are in that closet.

B) The coat or the hats is in that closet.

8.

A) Neither she nor I is getting the lunch special.

B) Neither she nor I am getting the lunch special.

C) Neither she nor I are getting the lunch special.

9.

A) Each of the dancers twirls brilliantly.

B) Each of the dancers twirl brilliantly.

10.

A) Mustard greens are my favorite vegetable.

B) Mustard greens is my favorite vegetable.

Subject and Verb Agreement Quiz-2

1. For each of the following, choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree.

A) More than half of the basketball court is used for volleyball practice.

B) More than half of the basketball court are used for volleyball practice.

2.

A) Some of the potatoes is salted.

B) Some of the potatoes are salted.

3.

A) Either of the classic cars is for sale.

B) Either of the classic cars are for sale.

4.

A) A limousine and driver is in the driveway.

B) A limousine and driver are in the driveway.

5.

A) Neither my radio nor my television is working.

B) Neither my radio nor my television are working.

6.

A) Six dollars is too much to pay for a gumdrop.

B) Six dollars are too much to pay for a gumdrop.

7.

A) The weather in the Western states are cold sometimes.

B) The weather in the Western states is cold sometimes.

8.

A) The water polo team have won the state championship for the second time.

B) The water polo team has won the state championship for the second time.

9.

A) That skier is one of those who compete nationally.

B) That skier is one of those who competes nationally.

10.

A) There have to be some people left who care about English.

B) There has to be some people left who care about English.

11.

A) A number of suggestions was made.

B) A number of suggestions were made.

 Secondary One English

Apostrophes Quiz-1

1. For each of the following, choose the correct sentence.

A) Her husbands wallet was full of curious items.

B) Her husband’s wallet was full of curious items.

C) Her husbands’ wallet was full of curious items.

2.

A) I went to the editor-in-chief house for dinner last night.

B) I went to the editor-in-chief's house for dinner last night.

C) I went to the editor-in-chiefs' house for dinner last night.

3.

A) You may not enter Mr. Harris's office without his permission.

B) You may not enter Mr. Harris office without his permission.

C) You may not enter Mr. Harrises office without his permission.

D) You may not enter Mr. Harrises' office without his permission.
4.

A) What are your childrens names?

B) What are your children's names?

C) What are your childrens' names?

5.

A) The women's dresses are on the second floor.

B) The woman' dresses are on the second floor.

C) The womens' dresses are on the second floor.

6.

A) It's a shame that had to happen.

B) Its a shame that had to happen.

7.

A) It's a dog wagging its tail.

B) It's a dog wagging its tail.

C) Its a dog wagging its tail.

8.

A) The two city's weather is always warm.

B) The two cities' weather is always warm.

C) The two cities weather is always warm.

9.

A) The Reynoldses' car has a flat tire, Sal Reynolds told me.

B) The Reynold's car has a flat tire, Sal Reynolds told me.

C) The Reynolds' car has a flat tire, Sal Reynolds told me.

10.

A) The seamstress's do great work.

B) The seamstresses do great work.

C) The seamstresses' do great work.

Apostrophes Quiz-2

1. For each question, choose the correct sentence.

A) The movie had its desired effect.

B) The movie had it’s desired effect.

2.

A) Both of my brothers-in-law live near Durango.

B) Both of my brother-in-laws live near Durango.

C) Both of my brothers-in-law’s live near Durango.

3.

A) Those girls vitality and humor are infectious.

B) Those girl’s vitality and humor are infectious.

C) Those girls’ vitality and humor are infectious.

4.

A) Womens’ Wear Daily has been called the industry’s voice of authority.

B) Women’s Wear Daily has been called the industries voice of authority.

C) Womens’ Wear Daily has been called the industrie’s voice of authority.

D) Women’s Wear Daily has been called the industry’s voice of authority.
5.

A) Those actress’s costumes look beautiful on them.

B) Those actresses’ costumes look beautiful on them.

C) Those actresses’ costume’s look beautiful on them.

D) Those actress’s costume’s look beautiful on them.

6.

A) Bill and Al had a boat. I was there when Bill’s and Al’s boat sank.

B) Bill and Al had a boat. I was there when Bill and Al’s boat sank.

C) Bill and Al had a boat. I was there when Bills’ and Als’ boat sank.

7.

A) She always let me stay up past the other children’s bedtime.

B) She always let me stay up past the other childrens’ bedtime.

C) She always let me stay up past the other children bedtime.

8.

A) In some peopleses’ opinion, Faulkner is too difficult.

B) In some peoples’ opinion, Faulkner is too difficult.

C) In some people’s opinion, Faulkner is too difficult.

9.

A) I really felt that I got my monies worth.

B) I really felt that I got my monies’ worth.

 C) I really felt that I got my moneys’ worth.

D) I really felt that I got my money’s worth.

10.

A) Would that companys’ health plan give you peace of mind?

B) Would that company’s health plan give you peace of mind?

C) Would that companie’s health plan give you peace of mind?

D) Would that companies’ health plan give you peace of mind?

 Secondary One English

Summarize in not more than 120 words, the various communicative

methods practiced by animals in the wild.

Communication is part of our everyday life. We greet one another, smile or frown,
depending on our moods. Animals too, communicate, much to our surprise. Just like us,
interaction among animals can be both verbal or non-verbal.

Singing is one way in which animals can interact with one another. Male blackbirds
often use their melodious songs to catch the attention of the females. These songs are
usually rich in notes variation, encoding various kinds of messages. Songs are also used
to warn and keep off other blackbirds from their territory, usually a place where they
dwell and reproduce.

Large mammals in the oceans sing too, according to adventurous sailors. Enormous
whales groan and grunt while smaller dolphins and porpoises produce pings, whistles
and clicks. These sounds are surprisingly received by other mates as far as several
hundred kilometers away.

Besides singing, body language also forms a large part of animals' communication
tactics. Dominant hyenas exhibit their power by raising the fur hackles on their necks
and shoulders, while the submissive ones normally "surrender" to the powerful parties
by crouching their heads low and curling their lips a little, revealing their teeth in
friendly smiles.

Colors, which are most conspicuously found on animals are also important means of
interaction among animals. Male birds of paradise, which have the most gaudy colored
feathers often hang themselves upside down from branches, among fluffing plumes,
displaying proudly their feathers, attracting the opposite sex.

The alternating black and white striped coats of zebras have their roles to play too.
Each zebra is born with a unique set of stripes which enables its mates to recognize
them. When grazing safely, their stripes are all lined up neatly so that none of them
loses track of their friends. However, when danger such as a hungry lion approaches,
the zebras would dart out in various directions, making it difficult for the lion to choose
his target.

Insects such as the wasps, armed with poisonous bites or stings, normally have brightly
painted bodies to remind other predators of their power. Hoverflies and other harmless
insects also make use of this fact and colored their bodies brightly in attempts to fool
their predators into thinking that they are as dangerous and harmful as the wasps too.
 Secondary One English

Trapped Miners Freed After 14 Days

On April 25,2006, a minor earthquake triggered a rockfall at the Beaconsfield

Gold Mine in Tasmania, Australia. Seventeen men were working in the mine that day
and 14 walked out alive. Serious concerns were held for three missing – Larry Knight,
Todd Russell, and Brant Webb.

At the time of the collapse, Todd and Brant were working a half mile
underground in the metal cage of a machine known as a tele loader. Thousands of
small rocks fell, trapping the men inside the cage. Todd’s legs were covered in rocks,
and Brant was knocked unconscious for a short time. When he woke, the pair
systematically removed the individual rocks off of them. Thankfully, groundwater was
dripping form some of the overhead rocks, so the men used their helmets to collect it.

For two days, rescuers used remote-controlled earth movers to search for the
three missing men, and on April 27, the body of Larry Knight was found. Many believed
it would be a miracle if Todd and Brant were found alive.

The rescuers decided the original tunnel was unsafe, so they blasted a new
tunnel. Six large explosives were detonated, dislodging rocks surrounding the cage the
two miners were in. They tried to clear the rocks as new ones fell in their place. After
some time, Todd and Brant believed the explosions being detonated to rescue them
would actually kill them, so they wrote goodbye letters to their families on their
clothing.

On April 30, five days after the rockfall at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine, Todd
Russell and Brant Webb were miraculously found to be alive! The families of the two
men rejoiced, and the residents of Beaconsfield celebrated in the streets. Special
thermal imaging cameras that detect heat were used to find the men in the rubble. A
hole was drilled into the cage, and fresh food and water, batteries for their headlamps,
dry clothes and blankets, newspapers, and letters from the miner’s families were passed
through. The men asked for music players, the local sports results, and humorously, a
newspaper to “look for another job”.
 Although Todd and Brant could be seen and spoken to, it was believed that
trying to rescue them through the new tunnel would cause another rockfall. The
rescuers stopped using explosives and worked around the clock, carefully drilling –
knowing the slightest mistake could cause a catastrophe. It was a slow process as they
could only drill at a rate of about 15 inches per hour. Hundreds of people and
journalists with their news teams waited in anticipation at the mine site, hoping to catch
a glimpse of the freed miners. They waited another nine days!

On May 9, rescuers, who had been painstakingly drilling upwards with hand
tools, retrieved Brant Webb and Todd Russell from the cage and escorted them to the
surface. Friends, family, the media, and all of Australia watched as the two men
(incredibly) walked out of the mine with fists punching the air in triumph. That same
day, Todd Russell attended the funeral of his college, Larry Knight.

After they were freed, the men were offered million-dollar deals to tell their
story, which they did on news shows in Australia and America. A worldwide book deal
was agreed, and a film of the men’s survival story followed.

1. Which sentence would best be left out of a summary about the rescue of the two
miners?

(a) The Beaconsfield Mine is in Tasmania, Australia.

(b) The rock fall occurred on April 25, 2006.

(c) Todd and Brant spent 14 nights underground before they were freed.

(d) The residents of Beaconsfield celebrated in the streets.

2. How could the men’s condition after they were discovered alive by the rescuers
on April 30 best be summarized?

(a) The men were thirsty and hungry.

(b) The men were unconscious.

(c) The men were in good spirits.

(d) The men were very upset with the mining company.
3. Which sentence best summarizes why the men were able to survive underground
for the first five days?

(a) They had each other for company.

(b) They only had minor injuries.

(c) They could see with their headlamps.

(d) They used their helmets to collect water to drink.

4. Which sentence best summarizes why the rescuers stopped using explosives and
started drilling to free the miners?

(a) Explosives were too expensive.

(b) The explosives were too noisy.

(c) Drilling was safer.

(d) Drilling was quicker.

5. Use short phrases to make a summary of what happened between April 27 and
April 30.

6. (a) Write a sentence that summarizes the efforts of the men who rescued the
trapped miners.
(b) Write a sentence that summarizes your opinion of the rescuers.

7. Which sentence would best be left out of a summary explaining how the men
were rescued?

(a) The rescuers used large explosives to create a new tunnel.

(b) Cameras that detect heat found the two men in the rubble.

(c) Rescuers drilled at a rate of 15 inches per hour.

(d) Hundreds of journalists waited to film the men once they reached the surface.

8. Which sentence best summarizes why Todd and Brant wrote goodbye letters to
their families on their clothes?

(a) They missed their families.

(b) They had no paper to write on.

(c) They believed they may never see their families again.

(d) They wanted to tell their families about the accident.

9. Which two words best summarize the people who rescued Brant and Todd from
the mine?

(a) friendly and determined

(b) determined and brave

(c) cautious and stubborn

(d) stubborn and friendly

10. Summarize the events that took place on each of these dates.

April 25 :

April 27 :

April 30 :

May 9 :

After May 9 :
 Secondary One English

Assessment Task (Textbook Page-22)

Reading: Reading for meaning

You are going to read various texts about Steve Irwin, for a book about people who are
well known for their work with animals.

Your Task
Write a biography of Steve Irwin.
 Secondary One English

Grammar

I. Complete the story using the simple past form of the verbs in the
brackets.

I (have) a very interesting weekend. On Saturday, I (wake) up in the

morning and (have) breakfast with my family. It (is) my father’s birthday, so we
(prepare) a special meal for him. After that, we (go) to the club and (play)
dodgeball all day. We (have) lunch at the club. At night, we (go) to a restaurant
where the waiter (sing) ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. He (is) so embarrassed!

On Sunday, we (travel) to our family house where all the family (get)
together. We (have) a cookout. My uncle (play)the guitar and we all (sing)
together. We (have) a lot of fun!

II. Underline the nouns.

1. They were lucky to escape injury.

2. He edits the local newspaper.

3. Strong winds had caused serious damage to the roof.

4. She was stopped outside the shop and put under arrest.

5. The weather was so bad. We abandoned our plans for a picnic.

III. Highlight the adjectives.

1.She’s got the most elegant writing style.

2. I was amazed when I heard he’d been promoted.

3. She once made a brief appearance on television.

4. Susan became addicted to diet pills.

5. We had a wonderful time in Italy last summer.

IV. Underline the verb phrases.

1. If the shop won’t give me a replacement TV, I’ll claim my money back.

2. The university has launched a campus-wide campaign to reduce use of

fossil fuels.

3. You can’t force her to make decision.

4. He was banned from driving for three years.

5. The boating area is marked with buoys to warn off swimmers.

6. The team has just signed a new player.

7. Lots of people have complained about the noise.

8. They wouldn’t let me stay out late.

 Secondary One English

Vocabulary

Complete the chart below.

Vocabulary Definition Example Sentence
Word

nip

stranded

speculation

thug

absurd

norm

impose

soaring

intimidating

dismaying
 Secondary One English

Reading
Geraldo’s Journal

Our voyage has begun. I wish now that I had not signed on to this ship for this
dreadful journey. All seemed well when we were loading our supplies and making
the usual preparations. But now, a month later, I fear a curse has fallen over
this ship. Only three days after we left, our mast was damaged. The Santa María
and the Niña helped us get to port for repairs. The Pinta was seaworthy again
after a few weeks. Now, we sail into the west day after day. The men whisper
among themselves. They tell tales of terrible monsters who are waiting to devour
our ship when we arrive at the edge of the ocean. I am fearful of these savage sea
creatures, and just as fearful of the never-ending sea and the man who seems to
believe we can find land where no land exists.

Our situation worsens, but there may be a small hope of saving ourselves. For
days now, the crew has grown more and more vocal about how long we have
sailed without seeing anything but water, stretching in all directions. Finally
some of the older sailors went to Captain Perez with their fears. He spoke directly
to the Lord Admiral himself. Afterward, our three ships changed direction to the
southwest. I pray that this shift in direction will keep us from sailing off the edge
of the world. A rumor has it that we will try this heading for a few days only, and
then turn back. I may never go to sea again, should I be fortunate enough to find
my way safely home.

A miracle has occurred. Señor Garcia saw a large piece of driftwood yesterday
afternoon. Amid great excitement, Captain Perez examined it. He said that since
the wood was not smooth, it could not have been in the water for long. Then,
early this morning, the lookout on the Santa María spotted some birds. The crew
did their work feverishly, scanning the horizon at every other moment. Finally,
we heard our own lookout’s cry, the one we had waited for every day. “Land!
Land! There it was, green and hazy on the horizon under a bank of low clouds.
Not monsters, but land!

Answer the questions.

1. This is a fictitious journal, but it describes a historic voyage. Choose three

words or phrases to describe Geraldo, the fictitious seaman who is the
“author” of the journal.

2. What are two of Geraldo’s concerns on his sea voyage?

3. Why were the birds and the driftwood so heartening to the crew?

4. How do the men interact on the ship during the voyage?

5. Imagine that Geraldo goes back home after the adventure that is ahead of
him. Do you think he will go back to sea again, as he wrote, or not? Give
reasons for your answer.
 Secondary One English

Grammar
I. What kind of sentences are these? (Statement, Question, Command,
Exclamation)
1. I order a taco for lunch.
2. What time is the party?
3. Eat all your vegetables.
4. What a lovely day it is!
5. I’m going to the dentist.

II. Write four sentences, one of each type:

Statement

Question

Command

Exclamation
III. Complete the sentences using the correct punctuation.

1. We were really surprised that it was so easy to travel on the motorways

2. Feed the dog

3. How was your day

4. Help

5. She walked into the shop and called out Hello Is anybody here

6. How bright they’ve grown in the sunlight

7. You won the lottery didn’t you

8. Who is there she asked

9.I wonder what she’s doing tonight

10. John said I really hate when it’s hot outside

IV. Fill in the blanks using the words in brackets.

1. Everyone’s waiting (anxious) for the concert tickets to go on

sale.

2. The police think the fire was started (deliberate)

3. He paints (good)

4. Tie the boat (fast) to the pier.

5. I (sudden) realized what I’d said, but it was too late.

 Secondary One English

Read the story and then put the events in order.

Dr. Doolittle
Once upon a time, many years ago—when our grandfathers were little children—

there was a doctor; and his name was Dolittle—John Dolittle, M.D. “M.D.” means that he

was a proper doctor and knew a whole lot.

He lived in a little town called, Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. All the folks, young and

old, knew him well by sight. And whenever he walked down the street in his high hat

everyone would say, “There goes the Doctor!—He’s a clever man.” And the dogs and the

children would all run up and follow behind him; and even the crows that lived in the

church-tower would caw and nod their heads.

The house he lived in, on the edge of the town, was quite small; but his garden

was very large and had a wide lawn and stone seats and weeping-willows hanging over.

His sister, Sarah Dolittle, was housekeeper for him; but the Doctor looked after the garden

himself.

He was very fond of animals and kept many kinds of pets. Besides the gold-fish in

the pond at the bottom of his garden, he had rabbits in the pantry, white mice in his

piano, a squirrel in the linen closet and a hedgehog in the cellar.

 He had a cow with a calf too, and an old lame horse—twenty-five years of age—

and chickens, and pigeons, and two lambs, and many other animals. But his favorite pets

were Dab-Dab the duck, Jip the dog, Gub-Gub the baby pig, Polynesia the parrot, and

the owl Too-Too. His sister used to grumble about all these animals and said they made

the house untidy.

And one day when an old lady with rheumatism came to see the Doctor, she sat

on the hedgehog who was sleeping on the sofa and never came to see him any more,

but drove every Saturday all the way to Oxenthorpe, another town ten miles off, to see

a different doctor. Then his sister, Sarah Dolittle, came to him and said, “John, how can

you expect sick people to come and see you when you keep all these animals in the

house? It’s a fine doctor would have his parlor full of hedgehogs and mice! That’s the

fourth personage these animals have driven away. Squire Jenkins and the Parson say

they wouldn’t come near your house again—no matter how sick they are.

We are getting poorer every day. If you go on like this, none of the best people

will have you for a doctor.” “But I like the animals better than the ‘best people’,” said the

Doctor. “You are ridiculous,” said his sister, and walked out of the room.

So, as time went on, the Doctor got more and more animals; and the people who

came to see him got less and less. Till at last he had no one left—except the Cat’s-meat-

Man, who didn’t mind any kind of animals. But the Cat’s-meat-Man wasn’t very rich and

he only got sick once a year—at Christmas-time, when he used to give the Doctor

sixpence for a bottle of medicine. Sixpence a year wasn’t enough to live on—even in
those days, long ago; and if the Doctor hadn’t had some money saved up in his money-

box, no one knows what would have happened.

And he kept on getting still more pets; and of course it cost a lot to feed them.

And the money he had saved up grew littler and littler. Then he sold his piano, and let

the mice live in a bureau-drawer. But the money he got for that too began to go, so he

sold the brown suit he wore on Sundays and went on becoming poorer and poorer.

And now, when he walked down the street in his high hat, people would say to

one another, “There goes John Dolittle, M.D.! There was a time when he was the best

known doctor in the West Country—Look at him now—He hasn’t any money and his

stockings are full of holes!” But the dogs and the cats and the children still ran up and

followed him through the town—the same as they had done when he was rich.

People say Dr. Doolittle’s stockings are full of holes.

Dr. Doolittle sold his piano.

An old lady with rheumatism sits on a hedgehog.

Less and less patients come to see Dr. Doolittle.

Dr. Doolittle sold his brown suit.

Dr. Doolittle is rich and keeps many animals.

Dr. Doolittle kept getting more and more pets.

Sarah Doolittle scolds her brother

 Secondary One English

PERSONAL PROUNOUNS

Replace the bold word(s) with the correct pronoun (I, you, we, they, it, she, or he):

1. My cousin and her friend were at the mall. were at the mall.

2. Peter is a little sick. is a little sick.

3. Does your aunt know what happened? Does know what happened?

4. The door is locked. is locked.

5. My friend Linda and I are going on a trip. are going on a trip.

6. Am I a good student. Yes, are a good student.

7. My cats are hungry. are hungry.

8. Mr. Jones is a good teacher. is a good teacher.

9. Is Chinese a difficult language. Yes, is a difficult language.

10. My brother and I live together. live together.

 Secondary One English

A Peculiar Dog Personality

A. Fill in the blanks with the words given in the box. (5 marks)

encountered peculiar companions untidy desert

humble irritates pathetic lovable laze

Many people keep cats and dogs as pets. Cats with soft fur, sharp teeth
and claws are raised to keep mice and rats at bay and are adored for their
independent and (1) nature. Dogs, often regarded as “man’s best
friends” and whose barks keep their masters protected from harm, are very loyal
and make good (2) . Dogs have skills in reading human behavior and
can figure out their owners’ moods. They have feelings or emotions and can make
their masters happy by wagging their tails and jumping with joy on seeing them
especially after a period of absence. They never (3) their masters and
can even miss them when they are not physically present. Many owners take
dogs to be partners to play with at leisure and for relief from worry and anxiety.

In my 30 years of living in my present neighbourhood, I have (4)

one particular dog with a peculiar personality. He is shaggily (5) with
his small frame covered in uneven russet or reddish brown fur. Russet is the
pride of a quiet and introverted 9-year-old boy who treats and feed him well. He
hardly barks and neither (6) neighbours nor scares family friends
away. He makes his owner laugh and comforts him when he is down.
 Russet has a (7) habit of not sleeping in the kennel but in one
of the flower pots in the garden. Being an introvert like his owner, he moves
about with his head bent downwards and tail sweeping the floor. With downcast
eyes, he has such a (8) appearance that you cannot help feeling sorry
for him. He does snuggle up for the boy’s cuddle unless invited. I have often seen
Russet sitting obediently at the boy’s feet with an adoring look and an air of
gratitude at being loved. Russet will always sit patiently and allow himself to be
stroked but when attention is absent, he will always with a sigh of relief, return
to his favourite flower pot to (9) about.

It is rare to hear Russet’s voice. On one occasion, he became an instant

hero and was heard when he barked for attention and returned a ball to a little
girl who had been desperately searching for it in the garden. Despite being
showered with praises and hugs, Russet remains (10) and a faithful
companion to the little boy.

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.
 Secondary One English

A. Read the passage and answer the questions.

A Journey of Hope

“ Goodbye,” I whisper to my neighbor and friend, Dominique. We hug each

other and promise to always remember the times we shared in this once beautiful
country. I have known and been friends with Dominique my entire life. She is
the best friend in all of Ireland. I know that we will never see each other again,
but at least she is alive. Dominique will not travel with me on my journey to
America because her mother is too sick for the voyage and her family doesn’t
want to leave without her.

We lost grandmother to the famine. After her funeral, I was so grief-stricken,

I cried for days, unable to understand how this could possibly be happening to
my family. I don’t want to leave Dominique, but I know my family will be safe
when we arrive in America to live with my uncle. He is eagerly waiting for us.
Health and peace are waiting as well; at least that’s what my mother says.

The day I found out we had to leave, I yelled and screamed in protest, ‘This
disgusting, hateful famine has taken everything from me! I won’t go and leave
my friends, and leave my home!

Mother sat beside me, rubbing my hair and wiping my tears. “ It has been a
terrible time for us, “ she started, but if we make it to America, we will be safe.”
I knew what she meant by “ if we make it.” I had heard terrible stories about the
ships that would take us to America. The conditions were frightening. Many
diseases were spread and many people died. I was afraid and angry. My mother
read my face.
 “ We will be fine, she told me. “ I believe that we will, I know we will.” I
wondered if her words were to comfort me, or to comfort her. As the tears
streamed down her face, I knew she was troubled and apprehensive. The past
few years had been horrendous. Our main source of food had been potatoes.
Once the potato blight came, it destroyed all of our crops, and many of my
family’s friends died. It was not until we lost grandmother that my family realized
the terrible shape we were in. My mother worried that we would not survive here.
We had very little food to eat and we were all getting weak. My father made the
decision to travel to America. Looking at my mother, it was clear that even
though she was afraid of what might happen on the ship, she believed that what
could happen to us here was worse. I didn’t want to be selfish and make the
situation more difficult.

“ You are right, mother, we will go to America. We will be safe there; we will
build a new life. I will make new friends and always hold on to the memory of
grandmother and Dominique.” I smiled, hoping to convince my mother that I was
okay. Gazing into her eyes, I knew I had to believe that she and my father were
right, health and peace would be waiting for us.

And hope, hope would be there in America as well. We would build a new life
and forever remember our native country. I packed my things for our journey,
knowing in my heart we would be safe. We would travel to America and begin
again.

1. At what point did the narrator’s family decide they should leave?

2. How does the potato blight impact the narrator’s life?

3. At the beginning of the story, how does the narrator feel about leaving? What
happens to make her change her mind?

4. What can you infer about the narrator? Cite evidence from the text to support
your answer.

5. What does apprehensive mean?

6. Why might the narrator’s mother be apprehensive?

 Secondary One English

You are going to read the stories (3 PDF books) from Books for Reading folders. Then

write the book reports for the books you have read.