THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL OF TANZANIA CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION

ENGLISH

(For Both School and Private Candidates)

Time: 3 Hours Year: 2005

SECTION A

COMPREHENSION

1. Read the following passage carefully then answer the questions that follow it by writing the letter of the correct answer in the answer booklet provided.

Believe me or not, snakes save far more human lives than they destroy. For example, were it not for the snakes in a land of clement weather and abundance, rats and mice would increase in such numbers that the only control measure would be the rat-borne diseases.

It must not be believed that all snakes eat rats and mice. Some of them are highly specialized. Although the deadly snakes can kill a person or a large animal and in some cases, kill a person quickly, they prefer not to do so. A snake will always give a man or a large animal a safe distance from it and will only bite if cornered or molested. In fact, most reported cases of snakes attacking people are instances of an animal defending itself.

The ability to kill by injecting a powerful toxin is not an invention of the devil to spite humanity, but just a good way to conquer a prey which could do a great deal of damage if not killed quickly. The primary use of venom is to obtain and kill prey. Defense may be a useful application but only a secondary one. The dangerous snakes commonly found in Africa are the mambas and the cobras. These belong to the family Elapidae. Unlike other snakes, mambas are shy and retiring. However, the black mamba has been known to look for trouble on rare occasions.

The black mamba is very seldom black, the usual colour being a dull olive green, slightly darker on the back. All the mambas are long lithe snakes, incredibly quick, and can strike like lightning. Their speed, however, as in the case of other snakes, has been over and above the truth. They travel at much less than 10 kilometres per hour.

On the other side, cobras are a large group of snakes which are remarkable for their show of power. When sufficiently provoked, or cornered, they fight madly making repeated attacks on their enemies. Like mambas, they secrete toxic venom. The target is always the eye of the enemy. The result of the poison in the eye is painful in the extreme and often results in temporary blindness, or permanent damage, This happens only when the snake is provoked or cornered by human beings or large animals or else the snakes are so friendly when not disturbed.

QUESTIONS

(i) The control for the great numbers of rats and mice is:

1. the rat borne diseases. 
2. the snakes.
3. both the rat borne diseases and the snakes. 
4. only the poisonous snakes.
5. the killings done by human beings.

(ii) One of the most interesting characteristics of snakes is that: 

1. they will always kill a person or a large animal. 
2. it will bite even when not cornered or provoked.
3. it will always get far from the reach of its enemies.
4. they never stay in corners. 
5. they protect human lives.

(iii) The black mamba is said to be shy because it:

1. doesn't trouble human beings. 
2. moves very rapidly when seen.
3. is seldom black by the colour.
4. is smaller than the cobra.

(iv) The cobras and mambas are well known for their:

1. fast attacking.
2. moving together with pride.
3. almost equal size.
4. dangerous and powerful toxins. 
5. styles of killing preys.

(v) Snakes other than the black mamba: 

1. can strike very quickly like lightning. 
2. have great speed.
3. are long lithe snakes.
4. cannot strike like lightning.
5. are seldom black in colour.

(vi) The author says snakes possess poison primarily:

1. to defend themselves. 
2. to obtain food.
3. to protect their young. 
4. for detecting enemies.
5. to poison enemies.

(vii)From the reading, one can say black mambas:

1. are less powerful than cobras.
2. are as powerful as cobras.
3. secrete more toxic venom than cobras.
4. are furious when provoked. 
5. are proud of their powers.

(viii)Whenever provoked, the black mambas:

1. fight by tooth and nail.
2. fight with repeated actions.
3. target at their enemies.
4. have painful poison in the eyes.
5. aim at the eyes of the enemy.

(ix)Snakes are generally friends to human beings if:

1. given an opportunity to live with humans. 
2. other snakes do not disturb cobras and mambas.
3. not disturbed or provoked. 
4. large animals are friendly. 
5. human beings keep them.

(x)From the passage, the title would be:

1. Friendly Snakes of the Forest
2. Cobras of Africa
3. Control of Dangerous Snakes
4. The Most Powerful Snakes
5. The Deadly Snakes of Africa

9, Complete the following sentences with a suitable word or words from among the given alternatives and write its letter beside the item number.

(i) The scholarship ......... for another year.

1. enable him study 
2. enables him to study
3. enabled him to studying
4. enabled his studies
5. enable to study

(ii) They said they didn't feel just yet.

1. for eating 
2. like to eat
3. for food
4. like eating 
5. eating

(iii) Because of the preparations she hed made, Anna was not quite as nervous the other candidates.

1. than
2. as like
3. like
4. as
5. like as

(iv) They wrote their answers that they finished well before the end of the examination.

1. so quickly
2. as quickly
3. more quickly
4. very quickly
5. much quickly

10. Write two sentences for each of the words given to show their differences in meaning.

Example: bank

(a)Put your money in the bank for safety.

(b)When it rains, the river banks overflow.

(i) case

(ii) train

(iii) lead

(iv) book

SECTION D

RESPONSE TO READING

NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES

1. Madam, this is Annie - Diane Case (1986) - Macmillan

2. A Wreath for Father Mayer of Masasi - by Ndunguru S. N. (1997) - Mkuki na Nyota

3. Encounters from Africa - By Macmillan Education Ltd. (2002).

Plus any three (3) of the following:

1.Is it Possible? - by Kulet H. R. Ole (1975)

2.The Great Ponds - by Amadi E. (1976)

3.Pan African Short Stories - by Neville Denny (ed) (1965)

4.Things Fall Apart - by Chinua Achebe (1962)

5.Mine Boy - by P. Abrahams (1963)

6.No Bride Price - by R. David (1967)

7.House Boy - by oyono F. (1966)

PLAYS

1. Betrayal in the City - by Francis Imbuga (1990)

2.Lwanda Magere - by Okot Omtatah (1991)

3.Three Suitors One Husband - by Mbia Oyono (1974)

4.The Lion and the Jewel - by Soyinka O. (1963) COUP)

5.This Time Tomorrow - by Ngugi wa Thiong'o (1972) (Heinemann)

6.The Black Hermit - by Ngungi wa Thingo (1972) - (Heinemann)

POETRY

1.Song of Lawino or Ocol - by Okot p'Bitek (EAPH)

2.Plus five (5) Poems from either:

• Growing up with Poetry by David Rubadiri (ed) - (Heinemann)
• Poems from East Africa - by David Cook (1971) - (EAPH)

OR

• Summons - by Mabala - (TPH) (1960)

OR

• Drum Beat - by Okola Bennard (1967) - (EAPH)

11.Using TWO (2) references from the list of texts you have read under this Section explain how children sometimes find themselves in situations which force them to disobey their parents and are blamed for it.

12. With the help of examples from TWO (2) texts you have read under this Section discuss the positive and negative effects brought about by the coming of Europeans to Africa.

13. African societies were very strong in exerting pressure to individuals who acted contrary to people's expectations'. From TWO (2) readings you have done under this Section give examples to support the statement.

14. One of the challenges in today's African way of life is women's struggle for their rights. To what extent have the writers of TWO (2) texts you have read under this Section, shown this?