025. Rational Cloze 1

Read the following passage and then fill in the numbered blanks with the best answer.

Many social problems today involve young people. These problems (1) addiction to drugs, illegal car or motor-bike racing, extortion and bullying. It would be useful to analyse why youths are running to criminal activities.

Several factors explain this situation. Apparently, the way they were (2) has a lot to do with it. This means that parents are responsible (3) most of the social problems their children now involved in.

In the past, the cane was used as a (4) measure. Today, canes have become a rare sight. Parents believe in (5) their children to form opinions and make decisions on their own. What they fail to realise is that, (6) their characters are formed, children need rules and guidelines. It is true one can learn through one's own (7) and mistakes. However, this principle cannot be applied to children and all ages. A child below seven is most certainly not in any position to form his or her own views and make wise decisions.

1. A. concern B. concerned C. are concerning D. have concerned
2. A. bring B. brings up C. brought up D. bringing up
3. A. experience B. for C. to D. in
4. A. disciplining B. disciplinary C. disciplined D. discipline
5. A. allow B. allows C. allowed D. allowing
6. A. unless B. before C. since D. until
7. A. experience B. experiences C. experienced D. experiencing

024. Describe an occasion when you did something foolish and regretted later

Continuous Writing (50 marks)

Suggested Approach
1. Introduction

• words of regret about the foolish action

2. How it started

• background

3. What you did

4. What went wrong

• direct speech: a new paragraph for each piece of direct speech

5. What happened later

6. Conclusion

• refer to action, promise not to repeat action

023. The advantages of computer literacy

Continuous Writing (50 marks)

Suggested Approach
1. Define literacy

• computer literacy
• knowing how to use the computer

2. Advantages to students

3. Advantages in business sector

• banks
• marketings and sales
• manufacturing

4. Computer for information

5. Computer for entertainment

6. Computer for correspondence

7. Conclusion

• more advantages than disadvantages

022. A place you would like to visit most

Continuous Writing (50 marks)

Suggested Approach
1. Type of Place

• Seaside
• Mountain
• City
• Village

2. A Brief History of Place

• How it started
• The first settlement
• What it was well-known for

3. Main Attractions

• Food
• People
• Place of interest
• Activities

4. Weather Conditions

• Nice, breezy
• Cool, fresh
• Hot, dusty

5. Why you like it

• Special things about the place

6. Description of a Recent Visit

• What happen
• An enjoyable time
• Happy memories

7. Conclusion

021. Report

Directed Writing (35 marks)

You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.

Your friend was driving the car you were travelling in along a busy main road in the centre of town near the market. Suddenly, a van appeared from a junction and rammed into your friend's car. When you and your friend went to the police station to report the accident, the police asked one of you to write a report stating as clearly as possible what had happenend. As your friend cannot write reports well, he asked you to write the police report. You should include the following details and elaborate on them.

• the exact time and place
• description of the vehicles, including your friend's car
• how the accident happened
• whose fault you think it was

When wiritng the report, you should address it to the Traffic Police.