BPGHS PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2021

SUBJECT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE, PAPER 2

ANSWER SCHEME

SECTION A [5 marks]

1 Refer to the two paragraphs below ‘Come learn to surf with us’. Which two words convey
to the readers that the surf lessons will fit the individual?

- Personalized
- Customized [1]

2 Look at the photograph beside ‘Our Surfing Instructors’. With reference to the
information under the sub-heading ‘Our Surfing Instructors’, what quality of the
instructor does the photograph illustrate?

- Attentive [1]
(Because the instructor is looking at his student. / Because the instructor has one hand
stretched out to support his student.)

Question asks for ‘quality’, so only one quality is required.

3 ‘We provide more instructors and lifeguards in our lessons than any other surf school on
the island.’ What is the intended effect of this statement on the reader?

- It makes the readers feel that this school is safety-minded / … that it is (very)
safe to enroll in surfing lessons in this school. / makes the reader feel assured. [1]

4 Which expression in the testimonials section would encourage the surfer ‘looking to push
themselves to their own personal limits’ to enroll in lessons with Waikiki Beach Surf
School?
[1]
- ‘I achieved a breakthrough’

5 Which sentence gives the overall purpose of the webpage?

- ‘Come learn to surf with us’ [1]

SECTION B [20 marks]

6 At the beginning of the text, the writer describes spring. Explain how the language used
in Paragraph 1 makes the plants and animals seem happy that it is spring.

- ‘(flowers) chuckled among themselves’ – ‘chuckled’ means laughing and shows

the flowers as laughing, an action that shows happiness/ as if they are happy.
- ‘(goldfinches) … danced merrily’ – dancing is an action that takes place when one
is in a good mood OR ‘danced merrily’ shows that the birds are moving in an
excited manner/energetic manner, showing that they are happy.
- ‘(frogs) …snored a rapturous chorus’ – ‘rapturous’ tells us the frogs were singing
[3]
/ singing happily.
Students should be able to tell from ‘3 marks’ that they need to find 3 details. For the
detail on the frogs, answers must show that recognition of “rapturous chorus” and explain
either singing or singing happily.

7 The writer describes Margo’s singing as ‘shrilly and untunefully’ (line 8). What do these
words tell us about Margo’s voice and singing?

- ‘shrilly’ tells us her voice is high-pitched.

- ‘untunefully’ tells us she is out of tune / tone-deaf [2]

X off-pitch (One’s singing could be ‘off pitch’ and still be in tune, and not out of tune.
‘Off-pitch’ is singing in a different key from the original song/score.)

8 In Paragraph 2, the writer says, ‘She would dive into the bathroom and once in there she
was as hard to dislodge as a barnacle from a rock. The family in turn would bellow and
batter on the door, getting no more satisfaction than an assurance that she was nearly
finished, an assurance that we had learnt by bitter experience not to have any faith in.’

Which words or phrases in the given sentences describe what happened?

Descriptions Words or phrases from the passage

(i) Margo spent a very long time As hard to dislodge as a barnacle from a
in the bathroom. rock / hard to dislodge as a barnacle / hard
to dislodge

(ii) The family told Margo to hurry Bellow and batter on the door / bellow and
up. batter
[3]
 (iii) The family knew that when An assurance that we had learnt by bitter
Margo said she would be done experience not to have any faith in
soon it was not true.
The head noun is ‘assurance’, so this entire
string of words is still a phrase.

An assurance [=when Margo said she was

done] that we had learnt by bitter
experience not to have any faith in [it was
not true]

9 What phrase in Paragraph 3 indicates that the writer was not surprised that it was Spiro
who first found out that Margo was seeing a man?

- Of course [1]
X Quoting a complete clause.

10 In Paragraph 3, explain what the writer means when he writes that Spiro ‘watched over
Margo’s welfare with the earnest concern of a guard dog’.

The writer means that Spiro is protective of Margo / … that Spiro cares about whether
Margo is well and happy. / … cares about Margo’s safety and security. [1]

[protective
OR
‘care for + Margo’s well-being/ safety’
Language must be correct.]

All answers that gave the literal meaning are rejected.

Rejected:
- An earnest dog follows the owner everywhere, so Spiro is like a dog and follows
Margo everywhere.
- Spiro stalks Margo, and watches her every move.
- Spiro observes Margo’s actions all the time.
- This means Spiro is like a loyal dog. (Do not explain metaphorical language using
figurative language.)
- The writer means that Spiro monitored Margo’s welfare very carefully.
- ...means that Spiro is very detailed / meticulous in looking after Margo.
- … means Spiro is always worrying for Margo. / very worried about Margo’s
well-being
- This means that Spiro observes Margo closely to ensure she is safe.
- Spiro is highly attentive to Margo’s welfare.

11 How does the writer convey that Spiro is charged with emotion when speaking to Mrs
Durrell in lines 29-30?
 He uses exclamation marks at the end of each sentence Spiro forms/ says. [1]

12 From Paragraph 6, write down the two phrases that show the writer’s opinion of Margo’s
male friend.

Writer’s opinion Phrase

He thinks Margo’s male friend is an insincere Flashy smile / flashy smile

person. that managed to convey the
minimum of humour
[2]
No ‘Excess Denied’ here as
‘that managed to
convey ...humour’ does not
affect ‘flashy smile’.

He thinks Margo’s male friend exudes arrogance. Maximum of

condescension

13 In Paragraphs 8 to 9, how does Mother successfully prevent Larry and Leslie from starting
a conversation with Margo’s male friend?

Answer must have both descriptions of action + impact.

[1]
- She distracts the male friend from responding / changes the topic / turns the
attention to herself / interrupts (impact) by asking a question / by asking if he
wants sugar in his tea (action).
0m:
- Mother glared at them. (Mother glared at Leslie and Larry but both of them failed
to notice.)
- EXCESS (Answer also mentions that the glaring did not work)
- Mother offers Margo’s male friend sugar for his tea / asks Margo’s male friend if
he wants sugar in his tea. (Impact is not stated.)

14 What is unusual about the writer’s use of the word ‘modestly’ (line 57)?

- Margo’s male friend is boasting that he is fearless and that is not modest. [1]
/ ‘modestly’ means humbly, but Margo’s male friend was bragging about his
abilities.
0m:
 - ‘modestly’ means humble but Margo’s male friend was arrogant / sounded very
proud / boasting / boasting about himself (Context is not stated / not stated
adequately.)
- Margo’s friend is showing off his lack of fear. (Incomplete answer.)

15 In Paragraph 13, what is the tone of Larry’s comment in line 62?

- Sarcastic [1]
0m:
- misspelling
- appreciative / optimistic / pessimistic / arrogant / annoyance / critical /
disapproving / condescending / mocking / don’t care

16 The structure of the text reflects the main stages in the narrative.
Complete the flow chart by choosing one phrase from the box to summarise the main
focus of each stage of the narrative. There are some extra phrases in the box that you do
not need to use.

Receiving new information Dysfunctional engagement Welcoming an honoured

guest
Paying attention to First impressions Joyous party
grooming
Dangerous encounters

Paragraph 1 A new season

Paragraph 2 (i) ..……………………………

Paying attention to grooming

Paragraphs 3 – 5 (ii) …………………………….

Receiving new information

[4]
Paragraphs 6 – 8 (iii) …………………………….
First impressions

Paragraphs 9 – 13 (iv) ………………………………

 Dysfunctional engagement

SECTION C [25 marks]

17 Which one word in paragraph 1 bears the same meaning as ‘disaster’?

Catastrophe [1]
0m:
- misspelling
- debris / magnitude / explosion / exploded / ripped / accident

18 Explain what the writer means when she says “radioactive particles travelled far
and wide” (line 10, paragraph 2). Answer in your own words without repeating
the words in italics.
Radioactive particles spread/ moved/ advanced over a very large area or distance/
in every direction/ everywhere/ all around / greatly / much further. [1]
0m:
- repeating any of the italicised words
- ‘travelled’: flew / contaminated / affected / went across / sent / covered /
blasted out / were scattered/dispersed/blown/spread (The particles moved
on their own, not caused by someone.) / reached / relocated / were launched
/ were ejected / expanded / propagated (idea/theory)
- ‘far and wide’: easily / quickly / across Chernobyl / around the plant /
around 30 kilometres / all around the globe / across the world

19 Paragraph 3 discusses the nature of a liquidator’s job which necessarily involves

exposure to radiation. State what characteristics of radiation make the liquidator’s
job both difficult and dangerous.

Nature of a Characteristics of radiation

liquidator’s job

(i) Difficult Radioactive particles are invisible/ have no taste and smell
/contaminates everything /cannot be destroyed.

(ii) Dangerous Lethal doses of radiation can be absorbed within minutes /

in a few minutes. [2]

0m:
- Radiation contaminates everything.
- Radiation cannot be destroyed.
- Radiation is contagious / spreads very quickly.
 - Radiation is lethal / deadly / life-threatening.
- Radiation can be absorbed very quickly (note: lethal
doses of it) / easily.
- The liquidators were killed by the lethal doses of
radiation.
- High doses of radiation can be lethal (in minutes).

20 Evgeniy Valentey, the IT specialist, spoke about “the people really victimized in
the process of liquidation” (lines 25-26)
(i) Who is he referring to?
The liquidators / Liquidators from USSR / Men involved in liquidation
[1]
/ Workers involved in the clean-up effort on decontamination
0m:
The workers / young men at that time / people from USSR / people who died during
liquidation / friends and family of liquidators / people forced by USSR to work as
liquidators / people living in Chernobyl / people who died in the accident / victims
of the accident / 31 people who died / survivors who are alive / villagers / Elena
Buntova / government / people in charge of the Soviet Union / Soviet Union /
former USSR

(ii) In what way were these people victimized?

They (the liquidators) died before their time/They died young. [1]
The answer should convey the idea of an unfair consequence as suggested by the
word ‘victimized’ and the following details in the text - ‘most were young men at
the time. Perhaps 10 percent of them are still alive today.’
0m:
died / risked their lives / sacrificed / absorbed radiation in minutes / young men /
not recognised for their sacrifice

21 Here is a conversation between two students, Daryl and Lisa, who have read the
article.
 Daryl Lisa

“It would be thrilling to work in “I think even adults should avoid

Chernobyl in the few years immediately visiting Chernobyl at all cost, even
following the disaster.” today.”

(a) With reference to paragraph 4, why do you think Daryl is attracted to

Chernobyl?
It presents a rare chance to work with the best scientists from all over the USSR. /
work with the best scientists from all over USSR
[1]
Text: “the best scientists from all over USSR… the opportunity of a lifetime”
The answer should apply to Daryl directly. It should not be left to be inferred.

0m:
- Best scientists from all over the USSR work in Chernobyl. (So?)
- You will get to work with the best scientists. (Not Daryl?)
- There were opportunities to work with the best scientists in the USSR. (No
longer the case? So what’s the attraction then?)
- Working in Chernobyl is the opportunity of a lifetime. (In what way?)
- Only a small group of people is allowed to live in Chernobyl. (Wrong focus)
- Meet people with the same interest / best scientists from the USSR / Elena
/ life partner. (Daryl wants more than just to meet the best scientists.)
- Study the effects of radiation. (Missed the focus: working with the best
scientists in the USSR as ‘the opportunity of a lifetime’)
- “In the first years after the accident, the best scientists from all over the
USSR came to Chernobyl for work, so it was really interesting to cooperate
with them.” (So what does this suggest about Daryl’s attraction to
Chernobyl? Don’t just quote someone else’s (not his!) experience without
saying how that applies to Daryl.)

(b) How would Lisa explain her position with reference to paragraph 5? Give two
points.
[2]
(i) Radiation is a constant companion / ever/always present in Chernobyl. (The
underlined ideas should be mentioned to explain why adults are susceptible
to ionising radiation/overexposure to radiation.)
(ii) The background levels in some places are dangerously high / Radiation
levels can be hazardous to one’s health. (Either of the underlined words
 should be mentioned. This makes clear that high levels of radiation cannot
be ignored; it is not a case of high but tolerable levels of radiation.)
Students need to pick the correct part of the paragraph in order to explain why
adults should not at all visit Chernobyl.
0m:
- Living in Chernobyl is risky and troublesome.
- They are still susceptible to radiation.
- Children are forbidden.
- Children under 18 are more susceptible to ionizing radiation.
(These answers do not adequately explain the avoidance of Chernobyl ‘at
all cost’.)

- Many have died in the last five years. (So? Is death totally surprising for the
age group in question? These people are in their 70s and 80s.)

22 Which sentence in paragraph 7 conveys a resigned tone?

“The Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe, it’s not manageable at all.” (This main clause [1]
by itself is a sentence.)
/ ‘Simply put, though thousands of people still work on-site every day, “The
Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe, it’s not manageable at all.”’ (The subordinate
clause AND main clause make up the sentence.)

Note: A resigned tone is one that conveys acceptance of something unpleasant that
one cannot do anything about.
0m:
- inaccurate quoting / spelling (misspelling of ‘manageable’ / ‘catastrophe’ /
‘nuclear’)
- “humankind does not currently have the technical solutions or the financial
means to manage a disaster like this” (matter-of-fact tone)

23 Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the reasons for human presence in Chernobyl
and the precautions taken to reduce their exposure to radiation.
Use only information from Paragraphs 5 and 6.
Your summary must be in continuous writing (not note form). It must not be longer than 80 words (not
counting the words given to help you begin).
[25]
Despite the radioactive levels in Chernobyl, people…
Points From the text In your own words

1 Because of their connection to the who have relocated and resided there for
place… resettlers... live in the zone full work continue living there even after their
time… they have lived here for over 30 retirement.
years, and are now… retired, they don’t
plan on going anywhere.

2 who have permission from the Ukrainian with the approval of the authorities
government

3 returned to their home villages after the Original/earlier residents of Chernobyl

accident are now in their late 70s or early have gone back to their homes,
80s

4 Those who flouted the evacuation order illegally/ going against orders to evict.
and,

5 7,000 people… come in and out of the People travel to Chernobyl for work.
zone to work

6 3,000 arrive by train each day to work at Some make daily trips to work there
the nuclear power plant.
while

7 The rest of the labour force have shifts of others regularly stay there full time for
either 15 days a month or four days a half a month or half a week at a stretch (to
week—schedules devised to minimize reduce exposure to harmful radiation)
exposure to ionizing radiation….

8 They are security guards, firefighters, These are security personnel, firemen,
scientists, or those who maintain the scientists and those who are tasked to
infrastructure of this unique community. upkeep the structure and facilities of the
community/place.

9 children are forbidden… anyone under Those under 18 are prohibited from
18… could never come inside the entering Chernobyl due to their greater
zone….is more susceptible to ionizing vulnerability to radiation.
radiation,

10 break the radiation safety regulations… Swimming in the river is banned (to
swim in the river. protect people from radiation).
The question requires a summary of :
A) the reasons for human presence in Chernobyl; and
B) the precautions taken to reduce their exposure to radiation.
Human presence is restricted to only:
(i) Those who work there (point 5); and
(ii) Special cases - those who have relocated to work there and are now retired (point 1) and have
the authorisation of the government to continue residing there (point 2).
These are the people whose presence is legal.
There is a group of people whose presence is illegal, namely original inhabitants who have returned
home (point 3) in contravention of the evacuation order (point 4).
For those who work there, the following precautions are taken to minimise their exposure to radiation
–
• Daily commuting to work (those who live outside Chernobyl) (point 6); and
• Work in shifts which reduce their reporting/working days resulting in less time spent in
Chernobyl (viz. stay there full time for 15 days a month or 4 days a week) (point 7)
• The latter involve those whose nature of work requires them to live in Chernobyl such as
security guards, firefighters, scientists and those who maintain the infrastructure of the community
there (point 8).
Three further precautions which are adopted are:

❖ Imposition of an evacuation order (point 4)

❖ Denying entry to children under 18 years as they are more susceptible to radiation (point
9); and
❖ Banning swimming in the river (point 10).
Note:
Rephrasing that does not fully convey the idea
e.g. Points 4 and 10 – an ‘evacuation order’ and ‘radiation safety regulations’ are prohibitive in nature
and cannot be rephrased as being (merely) advised to evacuate or advised not to go for a swim.
Point 9 – To state that it is illegal for children under 18 to live or visit Chernobyl due to ‘possible
radiation exposure’ is different in meaning from children’s ‘greater vulnerability to radiation’. It is
clear from the passage that radiation exposure happens to everyone present, young and old.
Omission of important idea(s) in the point which results in a failure to put a point across
e.g. Point 2 sets out the requirement to get ‘permission from the Ukranian government’ to live in
Chernobyl. Failure to include the authorising body (the government/state/authorities) which is relevant
will cost the student the mark for this point.
Point 9 reads ‘children are forbidden…more susceptible to ionizing radiation’. The reason for
disallowing children’s presence is relevant and should be specified. Answers that omit the rationale
behind banning children will not get the mark.
Also Point 10 reads ‘break the radiation safety regulations… swim in the river.’ It is possible the
prohibition arises from the river being highly contaminated. Answers that omit reference to the river,
and so generalised to a prohibition on swimming are not accurate.

Irrelevance
Making irrelevant points about many people (in their 70s and 80s) dying in the last five years when
the question is asking about why people live there (reasons for human presence).
Writing generally (and repeatedly) about precautions being taken without specifying what these
precautions are.
Making reference to the last two lines of paragraph 6 in relation to the plant no longer producing
electricity and the decommissioning of the remaining reactors will continue until 2065, all of which
bear no relevance to the requirements of the question.