HEATHER SECONDARY SCHOOL

FINAL EXAMINATION 2024

ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE

GRADE 9

Examiner: Ms. S. Makhan Moderators: ZH, AS, DM and ER

Duration: 2 hours Marks: 70

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION:

1. This paper consists of NINE pages.

2. This paper consists of FOUR sections:

 SECTION A – Question 1: Comprehension (25 MARKS)

 SECTION B – Questions 2 & 3: Visual Literacy (15 MARKS)
 SECTION C – Question 4: Summary (10 MARKS)
 SECTION D – Question 5: Language Structures (20 MARKS)
3. Read all the instructions carefully.

4. Answer all the questions.

5. You are strongly advised to spend your time as follows:

 Question one: approximately 40 minutes

 Question two and three: approximately 30 minutes
 Question four: approximately 25 minutes
 Question five: approximately 25 minutes
6. Number your answers according to the numbering system in the question paper.

7. Write neatly and legibly.

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 SECTION A: READING COMPREHENSION

QUESTION ONE

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:

TEXT A:

HOW SEA POLLUTION AFFECTS THE MARINE LIFE

1. 1 Every part of the ocean is polluted. Solid waste – such as plastic garbage, tar balls, and
hypodermic needles – is a visible form of pollution along ocean shorelines. Trash washes up on
beaches worldwide, even on the beaches of remote islands. Sea animals may mistake trash for
food and eat plastic that can block their digestive systems. Animals also get tangled in and even
strangled by plastic waste. 5

2 Most ocean pollution is harder to see than solid waste. Chemical pollutants, nuclear wastes,
and heavy metals like mercury and lead are found in all parts of the ocean. These pollutants are
known to harm and kill ocean life. They are also harmful to humans. Pregnant women are
sometimes advised not to eat tuna and other fish because the fish may contain low levels of toxic
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mercury.
2. 3 Although the small amounts of mercury may not harm an adult, they could damage a
developing child. Human waste, sewage, and fertilizers have caused dead zones in the ocean–
areas where no plants or animals can live. These pollutants contain nutrients and cause a huge
increase in the amount of algae that live in an area. When the algae die, bacteria consume them.
The large numbers of bacteria use up all the oxygen in an area of ocean. 15
3.
4. 4 Without oxygen, the animals in the area cannot survive. Some pollutants are dumped directly
into the ocean. Many other pollutants wash from the land into the ocean or into rivers that flow
into the ocean. Although oil spills are dramatic events that kill many animals, they account for
only a small percentage of the oil pollution in the ocean. More oil enters the ocean by washing 20
off the land than by being spilled.
5.
6. 5 In addition to oils, pesticides, fertilizers, and many other pollutants wash into the ocean from
the land. Ocean pollution can be prevented and reduced. In 1988, for example, the United States
government restricted the use of a harmful chemical that had been used in ship paint. As a result,
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levels of the chemical dropped in certain areas of the ocean, and the health of some types of sea
life, such as oysters, improved.
7.
8. 6 Government organizations have also banned the dumping of some chemicals into the ocean.

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 These bans have successfully reduces some kinds of pollution. Individuals can help prevent or
reduce ocean pollution. Many people may not realize that oil or other chemicals dumped in a
drain or sewer or on the ground can end up in the ocean. The proper disposal of household
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chemicals and other toxic substances could reduce ocean pollution.
9.
10. 7 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has information about the proper disposal of
many common chemicals. Remember that the ocean is a connected global body of water. Ocean
currents circulate water around the globe and carry pollutants to all parts of the ocean. Pollution
that occurs in any part of the world can affect the whole [Link] United Nations, through its 35
1994 Law of the Sea, attempts to manage ocean resources.
11.
12. 8 Furthermore to conserve ocean environments, the law calls on all countries to enforce
pollution controls. It also sets pollution rules for ships operating in international waters,
regulates fishing, and attempts to divide rights to undersea resources. This international law is an
important step toward protecting the ocean and its resources for future generations.

G GLOSSARY

Bacteria - Bacteria are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one
biological cel cell.

Fertilizers- is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues.

Pesticides- Pesticides are substances that are used to control pests.

QUESTIONS:

1.1. REFER TO PARAGRAPH 1:

1.1.1. Define the term pollution? (2)

1.1.2. Identify the various forms pollution found along the ocean shorelines? (2)

1.1.3. Discuss the dangers of marine life when they come into contact with these

pollutants that infest the ocean shorelines? (2)

1.2. REFER TO PARAGRAPH 2:

1.2.1. State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.

Quote from the passage to support your answer.

1.2.2. Chemical pollutants, nuclear wastes, and heavy metals like mercury and lead are found

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 in all parts of the ocean, and these pollutants are only harmful to marine life. (2)

1.2.3. Explain why pregnant women are advised not to eat fish such as Tuna. (2)

1.3. REFER TO PARAGRAPHS 3 AND 4:

1.3.1. How do waste, sewage, and fertilizers cause dead zones in the ocean? (2)

1.3.2. Explain the chain reaction that causes animals to die from lack of oxygen. (2)

1.4. What are the dangers of a person consuming small amounts of mercury? (1)

1.5. How does most oil enter the ocean? (1)

1.6. REFER TO PARAGRAPHS 5 AND 6:

1.6.1. According to the passage, describe two ways in which the U.S. government has helped

reduce ocean pollution. (2)

1.6.2. What was the result of the restrictions imposed? (2)

1.6.3. How can that individuals can reduce ocean pollution? (1)
1.6.4. How can we protect the ocean for future generations? (2)

1.7. REFER TO PARAGRAPHS 7 AND 8:

1.7.1. What penalty should be imposed against those guilty of polluting the ocean? (2)
[25]

SECTION A TOTAL: 25 MARKS

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SECTION B – VISUAL LITERACY

QUESTION TWO: ADVERTISEMENT

Study the advertisement below and answer the questions that follow:

TEXT B:

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QUESTIONS:

2.1. What is the slogan of the product (1)

2.2. What is the name of the product that is being advertised? (1)

2.3. Why do you find this advert appealing? Mention two points. (2)

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2.4. Discuss how this product promotes healthy lifestyle. (3)

2.5. Does the advertiser use any persuasive language? If so, Quote one example of

persuasive language from the advertisement above. (2)

2.6. Comment on the words: “coming soon”. (1)

[10]

QUESTION THREE: CARTOON

Study the cartoon below and answer the questions that follow:

TEXT C:

QUESTIONS:

3.1. State the purpose of this text. (1)

3.2. Refer to frame 2:

3.2.1. Comment on the effectiveness of the instruction, ‘DON’T TOUCH THAT ED!’ (2)

3.2.2. What does the body language of the 2 adult penguins convey? (2)

[5]

SECTION B TOTAL: 15 MARKS

SECTION C – SUMMARY

QUESTION FOUR

Read the passage below and summarise SEVEN points on finding solutions to the
plastic problem.

INSTRUCTIONS:

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1. List SEVEN points
2. Number your points from 1-7.
3. List ONE point per line.
4. Write in full sentences.
5. Do not use more than 70 WORDS
6. Use your OWN words.
7. Indicate your word count in brackets at the end of the summary.
TEXT D:

FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE PLASTIC PROBLEM

1 Plastic pollution has a devastating effect on our planet. The South African
World Wildlife Fund has started a campaign to show that by changing a few of
our day-to-day choices, we can tackle the problem. When you support the
campaign, you become part of a global movement that uses less plastic.
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2 Plastic shopping bags cause serious damage to the environment and to sea
creatures like turtles. The alternative is to use strong, reusable bags that are
made of environmentally friendly materials.

3 Globally, over 100 billion plastic cups or those that have a plastic lining are
discarded every year. Rather, carry your own reusable cup or mug. It takes 26 10
litres of water to produce a one-litre bottle made out of plastic. A refillable glass
or stainless steel bottle is a better choice.

4 Plastic straws cause the death of birds and fish when infested. Instead, use
reusable straws made of glass, steel or bamboo. Nowadays, plastic lollipop
sticks and ear buds cause a similar problem as straws when swallowed by 15
marine creatures. There are brands of lollipops and ear buds available where the
sticks are made of cardboard. These are better alternatives to buy.

5 A huge amount of plastic sweet wrappers are found in our rivers, lakes and
seas. It makes sense to buy unwrapped sweets and store them in a glass jar.
Unrecyclable containers, sauce packets and plastic cutlery used in the takeaway 20
industry add to the plastic problem. Avoid using these items. It is important for
each of us to join the battle against plastic pollution.

[10]

SECTION C TOTAL: 10 MARKS

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SECTION D – LANGUAGE STRUCTURES

QUESTION FIVE

Read the extract below, which contains deliberate errors, and answer the questions that
follow:

TEXT E:

DOLPHINS ARE OUR FRIENDS

1 Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea. stories of them
helping drowning sailors have been common since roman times. The more we
learn about dolphins.

2 The more we realise that their society is more complex than people. Previously
imagined they look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnent 5
mothers and protact the weakest in the community as we do.

3 Scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more
probable that they communicate with each other without needing words.

4 Could any of there mammals be more intelligent than man? Certainly the most
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common argument in favours of man's superiority over them, is that we can kill
them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory, on the contrary, the
more we discover about these remarkable creatures, the less we appear superior.
When we destroy them.

QUESTIONS:

5.1. Provide an antonym for the word ''complex'' (line 4)? (1)

5.2. Provide a synonym for the word "superiority" (line 10)? (1)

5.3. Study the sentence below:

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea (line 1).

5.3.1. Rewrite the above sentence in past tense. (1)

5.3.2. Identify the superlative adjective in the sentence above. (1)

5.3.3. What is the root word for “friendliest”? (1)

5.4. Study the sentence below:

stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since roman times

(lines 1-2).

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5.4.1. Rewrite the above sentence with the correct punctuation. (2)

5.4.2. Provide the suffix of the underlined word from the above sentence. (1)

5.4.3. Identify one gerund in the sentence above. (1)

5.5. Read the following sentence:

Previously imagined they look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for

pregnent mothers and protact the weakest in the community (lines 4-6).

5.5.1. Identify the spelling errors in the sentence above. (2)

5.5.2. What part of speech is the word “and”? (1)

5.5.3. State the collective noun in the above sentence? (1)

5.5.4. Identify the pronoun in the above sentence. (1)

5.6. Refer to the sentence below:

Could any of there mammals be more intelligent than man? (Line 9)

5.6.1. Identify the punctuation mark used in the above sentence and provide

its function? (2)

5.6.2. Provide the negative form of the above sentence? (1)

5.7. Read the sentence below:

Scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more
probable

that they communicate with each other without needing words (lines 7-8).

5.7.1. Rewrite the above sentence in direct speech. (3)

Begin with: “Dolphins have a language …

[20]

SECTION D TOTAL: 20 MARKS

FINAL TOTAL: 70 MARKS

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