Chapter 02 : Graduation day

In this unit you will learn how to:

• read and answer questions on a passage about the Graduation day.
• pronounce and use vocabulary found in the passage.
• express past actions.
• write a short paragraph.
• tell the time.

Activity 1: Reading practice

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

I am Sabas Matanda. I come from Mwanza. My parents are Tanzanians. My father, Rashid Matanda, came to work in Dar es Salaam five years ago. He is an engineer at a gas company. He came with his family. The family members are my mother, my two younger sisters and l. My sisters, Jamila and Rashida, and I registered at Uhuru Primary School. At that time, I was in Standard Three. I completed Standard Seven last year. I remember the graduation day as if it was yesterday.

It was Saturday, the 15^th of November, the day I had been waiting for. I woke up early in the morning to get ready. I put on my clean and well ironed uniform. My mother prepared my favourite breakfast, and I ate it quickly. My best friend, Nanai, came and we left for school together. Both of us were graduating. We walked fast so that we would not be late.

Nanai and I were excited when we arrived at our school. There was a huge banner at the school entrance that read: Welcome to the 16^th Standard Seven Graduation Ceremony.

Tents were pitched on the school grounds, and many chairs were arranged inside the tents. All of us were asked to take our seats. Guests started arriving at around 10:30 a.m. At twelve o'clock, the Guest of Honour arrived. The ceremony began. There were traditional dances, a choir, and a brass band that entertained the guests. After the entertainment, the Guest of Honour gave a speech. He congratulated us on our successful completion of primary education. Then, he awarded us our leaving certificates. We were very happy to complete primary education.

Finally, it was time for the farewell party. We were asked to go to the school Assembly Hall. When we entered the hall, we were surprised to see beautiful decorations. There was music in the background and a long table with different kinds of food and drinks. The Headteacher welcomed us with a short speech. Then, the party began. We ate a delicious meal and drank soda. After that, the Headteacher opened the dance with the Assistant Headteacher. Later, everyone joined them on the dance floor. The Disc Jockey (DJ) played music that everyone liked. There was bongo flava, Rhythm and Blues (R & B), reggae and hip hop music. We danced until we were exhausted. The party ended at 6:30 p.m. We all went home very happy.

Activity 2: Speaking Practice

Pronounce the following pairs of words.

Activity 3: Vocabulary practice

(a) Match the words in column X with their meanings column Y.

(b) Search for ten words in the puzzle and circle them. An example is provided.

Activity 4: Language practice

(a) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words brackets.

Example:

• Last year, Neema . . . . . . . . . (go) to Mbinga.
• Last year, Neema went to Mbinga.

1. Yesterday, the graduation ceremony . . . . . . . . . (start) late.

2. Last year, on the graduation day, Nanai and Sabas . . . . . . . . (arrive) at school early.

3. Towards the end of the ceremony, the Guest of Honour . . . . . . . . . (award) leaving certificates to Standard Seven pupils.

4. The party . . . . . . . . (begin) at two o'clock in the afternoon.

5. Sabas . . . . . . . . (drink) soda at the party.

6. Standard Seven pupils . . . . . . . . (dance) and enjoyed themselves.

7. Mrs Matanda . . . . . . . . . (register) her three children at Uhuru Primary School.

8. Last month, we . . . . . . . . . (build) a chicken coop.

9. We . . . . . . . . (keep) layers last year.

10. Early this week, I . . . . . . . . . . (sell) eggs to our neighbours.

(b) Match the time in numbers with the time in words.

(c) For each of the clock faces below, write the time numbers and in words.

Activity 5: Writing practice

Rearrange the following sentences in the correct order to form a short paragraph.

(a) When Sabas and Nanai arrived at school, they were asked to take their seats.

(b) There was good food, a lot of drinks and great music at the party.

(c) He was really looking forward to graduating.

(d) The party ended at 6.30 in the evening.

(e) As soon as the Guest of Honour arrived, the ceremony started.

(f) Last year, Sabas finished Standard Seven.

(g) Later, everyone danced until they were very tired.

(h) In the morning of the graduation day, he woke up early.

(i) After the graduation ceremony, all Standard Seven pupils were asked to attend a farewell party.