Grade 12 English First Additional Language Past Paper 1

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Last Updated : November 22, 2023

Grade 12 [Matric: english] past papers and memos

English First Additional Language Paper 1 2020

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

  1. This question paper consists of THREE sections:
    SECTION A: Comprehension (30)
    SECTION B: Summary (10)
    SECTION C: Language (40)
  2. Answer ALL the questions.
  3. Read ALL the instructions carefully.
  4. Start EACH section on a NEW page.
  5. Leave a line after each answer.
  6. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper.
  7. For multiple-choice questions, write only the letter (A–D) next to the question number in the ANSWER BOOK.
  8. Pay special attention to spelling and sentence construction.
  9. Use the following time frame as a guideline:
    SECTION A: 50 minutes
    SECTION B: 20 minutes
    SECTION C: 50 minutes
  10. Write neatly and legibly.

SECTION A: COMPREHENSION QUESTION 1
Read BOTH TEXT A and TEXT B and answer the set questions.


TEXT A

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Glossary: *Etiquette – politeness or good manners

1.1. Refer to paragraph 1.
Which ONE of the words below means the same as ‘customs’, as used in this context?

  1. Taxes
  2. Duties
  3. Habits
  4. Levies (1)

1.2. Refer to paragraph 2.
1.2.1. What is meant by ‘consideration for others’? (1)
1.2.2. Using your OWN words, explain why it is important to express gratitude to your hosts for being invited to their dinner party. (2)

1.3. Refer to paragraph 3.
1.3.1. Give an antonym for the word ‘ancient’. (1)
1.3.2. State TWO beliefs in this paragraph that may not be relevant today. (2)

1.4. Refer to paragraph 5.
1.4.1. What do the words, ‘address adults with a certain level of formality’ (lines 20–21), suggest about the relationship between children and adults in African society? (2)
1.4.2. Quote a SINGLE word which means the same as ‘offensive’. (1)

1.5. Refer to paragraph 6.
1.5.1. Why does the writer refer to Kenya and Nigeria? (1)
1.5.2. Why does the writer conclude paragraph 6 with a question? (2)

1.6. Refer to paragraph 7.
Explain why the following statement is FALSE.
A poor understanding of etiquette across different cultures only affects one’s relationships with others. (1)

1.7. Refer to paragraph 8.
1.7.1. Explain the findings of Commiceo in lines 40–43 (‘… has found that… interpreted very differently’). Use your OWN words. (2)
1.7.2. Explain what is meant by clock-watching. (2)

1.8. Refer to paragraph 9.
1.8.1. Give TWO reasons why speaking loudly ‘may be viewed as a positive quality in the Western world’. (2)
1.8.2. Do you agree with the writer’s views in lines 49–51 (‘Therefore, instead of … behaviour and actions’) of this paragraph?
Substantiate your answer. (2)

1.9. Discuss the suitability of the title, ‘MANNERS MATTER’. (2)

TEXT B

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1.10. Identify the percentage that is spent on fast food by the average South African household. (1)

1.11. What do the statistics suggest about the amount of money that is spent on education when compared to the expenditure on clothing and footwear? (1)

1.12. Why do the illustrations of wallets with arrows in the circle appear in this text?
State TWO points. (2)

1.13. Discuss whether a bar graph would be more effective in conveying the statistics for average South African household expenditure. (2)

TOTAL SECTION A:

30


SECTION B: SUMMARY QUESTION 2

Plastics invade every part of our world.

Read TEXT C below and list SEVEN points on how to reduce plastic pollution. INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Your summary must be written in point form.
  2. List your SEVEN points in full sentences, using no more than 70 words. Number your sentences from 1 to 7.
  3. Write only ONE point per sentence.
  4. Use your OWN words as far as possible.
  5. Indicate the total number of words you have used in brackets at the end of your summary.

TEXT C

FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE PLASTIC PROBLEM

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.

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.

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 litres of water to produce a one-litre bottle made out of plastic. A refillable glass or stainless steel bottle is a better choice.

Plastic straws cause the death of birds and fish when eaten. 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 marine creatures. There are brands of lollipops and ear buds available where the sticks are made of cardboard. These are better alternatives to buy.

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 industry add to the plastic problem. Avoid using these items. It is important for each of us to join the battle against plastic pollution.

[Adapted from Sawubona, October 2018]

TOTAL SECTION B: 10

SECTION C: LANGUAGE

QUESTION 3: ANALYSING AN ADVERTISEMENT
Study the advertisement (TEXT D) below and answer the set questions.

TEXT D

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3.1. Who is the target audience in this advertisement? (1)

3.2. Why has the advertiser included four bottles of Plush Supreme Cream? (1)

3.3. How is the word, ‘Supreme’, intended to influence the reader? (1)

3.4. How does the advertiser reinforce the idea that Plush Supreme is an all-purpose cleaner? (2)

3.5. Quote a SINGLE word from the body copy which means the same as ‘glittering’. (1)

3.6. How can the reader get more information about the advertised product?
State TWO points. (2)

3.7. In your view, is the visual of the lady effective in conveying the message of the advertisement?
Substantiate your answer. (2)

[10]


QUESTION 4: ANALYSING A CARTOON
Read the cartoon (TEXT E) below and answer the set questions.

TEXT E

CALVIN AND HOBBES

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NOTE: In this cartoon, the boy’s name is Calvin and the woman is his mother.

4.1. Refer to FRAME 1.
4.1.1. Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence: In the context of this cartoon, the word ‘purse’ means …

  1. cellphone.
  2. handbag. C suitcase. D laptop. (1)

4.1.2. What is Calvin’s mother doing in this frame? (1)

4.2. Refer to FRAME 3.
Explain why Calvin says, ‘AHEM’. (2)

4.3. Refer to FRAMES 1 and 4.
4.3.1. Explain how Calvin’s attitude in FRAME 4 is a contrast to his attitude in FRAME 1. (2)
4.3.2. How does the cartoonist use a visual and a verbal clue to convey the mother’s feelings in FRAME 4? (2)

4.4. Do you think Calvin’s behaviour is justified in this cartoon? Substantiate your answer. (2)

[10]


QUESTION 5: LANGUAGE AND EDITING SKILLS

5.1. Read the passage (TEXT F) below, which has some deliberate errors, and answer the set questions.


TEXT F

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5.1.1. Correct the SINGLE error in EACH of the following sentences. Write down ONLY the question numbers and the words you have corrected.
(a) Welcome in our island. (1)
(b) That is the welcome you recieve wherever you go. (1)
(c) At first I thought the locals where just trying to relate to tourists because they knew we really liked Disney’s, The Lion King. (1)
(d) Not when our taxi drivers would get stuck in traffic; not when stubborn goats wouldnt move out of the road. (1)

5.1.2. Rewrite the following sentence in the passive voice:
The people of Zanzibar extended a warm welcome to the tourists. (2)

5.1.3. Combine the following sentences into a single sentence:
My family and I stepped out of the aeroplane in Zanzibar. My family and I were welcomed with fresh flowers.
Begin with the following words: When my family and I … (2)

5.1.4. Give the correct degree of comparison in the following sentence:
Some tourists are (friendly) than others. (1)

5.1.5. Rewrite the following sentence in the simple past tense:
Zanzibari taxi drivers encounter many obstacles on the roads. (1)

5.1.6. Complete the following tag question. Write down only the missing words.
Hakuna matata means ‘no worries’, …? (1)

5.1.7. Rewrite the following sentence in reported speech:
‘I have never seen such a community spirit,’ said the tourist. (3)


5.2. Study the text (TEXT G) below and answer the questions.

TEXT G

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5.2.1. Give the correct form of the word in brackets:
Supermarkets offer a wide (variant) of hot beverages. (1)

5.2.2. Rewrite the following sentence in the negative form:
Dhania makes a soothing cup of hot chocolate. (1)

5.2.3. Study the following sentence:
Mothers dress their children warmly.
State the part of speech of EACH of the underlined words used in the context of this sentence. (2)

5.2.4. Study the following sentence:
The weather is extremely cold this winter.
Use a homonym for the word cold in a sentence of your own. (1)

5.2.5. Give the plural form of the underlined word in the following sentence. Pupils are allowed to wear scarf to school in winter. (1)

[20]

TOTAL SECTION C: 40
GRAND TOTAL: 80