Ngee Ann Sec English P2 Prelim 2006

NGEE ANN SECONDARY SCHOOLBuilding CharacterExpanding MindsShaping Lives

Preliminary Examination 2006Secondary 4 Express / 5 Normal Academic

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE1127/2

Wednesday Duration:16 August 2006 1 h 40 min

Additional Materials

Writing paper

Instructions to Candidates:

1. Write your name, register number and class at the top of this page and on each page of your writing paper.

2. Answer ALL questions in INK.

3. Mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar may be penalized in any part of the paper.

4. Hand in your summary separately.

After checking of answer scripts

Checked by Signature Date

Student

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE OVER UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

This Question Paper Consists of 7 Pages (including the cover page)

NAS Preliminary Examination 1127/2 (2006) 1

Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow. Answer all questions. You are recommended to answer them in the order set.Mistakes in spelling, punctuation and grammar may be penalized in any part of the paper.

PASSAGE A

1 Jerry swam out to the big barrier rock, adjusted the goggles, and dived. He understood that he must swim down to the base of the rock from the surface of the water. Under him, six or seven feet down, was a floor of perfectly clean, shining white sand, rippled firm and hard by the tides. The great rock the big boys had swum through rose sheer out of the white sand – black, tufted lightly with greenish weed. He could see no gap in it. He swam down to its base.

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2 Again and again he rose, took a big chestful of air, and went down. Again and again he groped over the surface of the rock, feeling it, almost hugging it in the desperate need to find the entrance. And then, while he was clinging to the black wall, his knees came up and he shot his feet forward and they met no obstacle. He had found the hole.

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3 He gained the surface, clambered about the stones that littered the barrier rock until he found himself a big one, and with this in his arms, let himself down over the side of the rock. He dropped, with the weight, straight to the sandy floor. Clinging tight to the anchor of stone, he lay on his side and looked in under the dark shelf at the place where his feet had gone. He could see the hole – it was an irregular, dark gap; but he could not see into it. He let go of his anchor, clung with his hands to the edges of the hole, and tried to push himself in.

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4 He got his head in, found his shoulders jammed, moved them in sideways, and was inside as far as his waist. He could see nothing ahead. Something soft and clammy touched his mouth; he saw a dark frond moving against the grayish rock, and panic filled him. He pushed himself out backward and caught a glimpse as he retreated, of a harmless tentacle of seaweed drifting in the mouth of the tunnel. But it was enough.

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5 He reached the sunlight, swam ashore, and lay on the diving rock. He knew he must find his way through the cave, or hole, or tunnel, and out the other side and he knew that this was the moment when he would try. If he did not do it now, he never would. He was trembling with horror at the long, long tunnel under the rock, under the sea. Even in the open sunlight, the barrier rock seemed very wide and very heavy; tons of rock pressed down on where he would go. If he died there, he would lie until one day – perhaps not before next year – when those big boys would swim into it and find it blocked.

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6 He put on his goggles, fitted them tight, and tested the vacuum. Then he chose the biggest stone he could carry and slipped over the edge of the rock until half of him was in the cool enclosing water and half in the hot sun. He filled his lungs once, twice, and then sank fast to the bottom with the stone. He took the edges of the hole in his hands and drew himself into it, wriggling his

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shoulders in sideways as he remembered he must, kicking himself along with his feet. 40

7 Soon he was clear inside. He was in a small rock-bound hole filled with yellowish-gray water. The water was pushing him up against the roof. He pulled himself along with his hands – fast, fast – and used his legs as levers. His head knocked against something and a sharp pain dizzied him. Fifty, fifty-one, fifty-two … he was without light, and the water seemed to press upon him with the weight of rock. Seventy-one, seventy-two … there was no strain on his lungs. He felt like an inflated balloon - his lungs were so light and easy, but his head was pulsing.

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8 Again he thought of octopuses, and wondered if the tunnel could be filled with weeds that could tangle him. He gave himself a panicky, convulsive kick forward, ducked his head, and swam. His feet and hands moved freely, as if in open water. The hole must have widened out. He thought he must be swimming fast, and he was frightened of banging his head if the tunnel narrowed.

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9 A hundred, a hundred and one… the water paled. Victory filled him. His lungs were beginning to hurt. A few more strokes and he would be out. He was counting wildly; he said a hundred and fifteen, and then, a long time later, a hundred and fifteen again. The water was a clear jewel green all around him. Then he saw, above his head, a crack running up through the rock. Sunlight was falling through it, showing the clean, dark rock of the tunnel, a single mussel shell, and darkness ahead.

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10 He was at the end of what he could do. He looked up at the crack as if it were filled with air and not water, as if he could put his mouth to it to draw in air. A hundred and fifteen, he heard himself say inside his head – but he had said that long ago. He had to go on into the blackness ahead, or he would drown. His head was swelling, his lungs cracking. A hundred and fifteen, a hundred and fifteen pounded through his head, and he feebly clutched at the rocks in the dark, pulling himself forward and leaving the brief space of sunlit water behind. He struggled on in the darkness between lapses of consciousness. An immense, swelling pain filled his head, and then the darkness cracked with an explosion of green light. His hands, groping forward, met nothing; and his feet, kicking back, propelled him out into the open sea.

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(Adapted from “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing)


PASSAGE B

When divers use common sense and follow important safety rules, cave diving can be nearly as safe as diving in open water. However, when divers fail to take precautions and follow rules, the results are often tragic.

1 Although vastly improved over early designs, underwater lights remain among the least reliable of all dive equipment. Even for top-of-the-line models, the question is not whether a dive light will or will not fail but, rather, when. Being caught in the total darkness of an underwater cave, due to light failure, is not fatal in itself. Nevertheless, it has been a major contributory factor in several cave-diving fatalities. Loss of sight, due to light failure, contributes substantially to disorientation and a sense of panic. Panicky, disoriented divers often make mistakes that divers who can see do not.

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2 Divers blinded by loss of light will have difficulty finding the continuous guideline that leads to the cave entrance, assuming they were wise enough to use one in the first place. Even when lightless divers are in physical contact with such a guideline, it will most likely take them substantially longer to reach daylight than it would were they able to see. At this point, the question becomes whether each diver has sufficient breathing gas to make it to the exit, when moving at such a slow pace.

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3 Because of the hazard that loss of light presents, cave divers should carry at least three battery powered dive lights — one primary light and two back-ups apiece. The sun counts as another light source. Although almost every cavern or cave diver eventually experiences a dive light failure, the odds that all members of a buddy team will experience a triple light failure are astronomically slim.

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4. Over the years, there have been a number of cave-diving fatalities in which the victims either knew the way out, or had a good chance of finding the way out. They simply did not have sufficient breathing gas to make it. Recreational divers, in particular, tend not to think about surfacing until the pressure in their cylinders drops to between 500 to 1,000 psi. This may seem like a no-brainer, but if divers use 2,000 psi or more to penetrate a cave, it is going to be very difficult to exit that cave on 1,000 psi or less. Should you factor in the unforeseen, the odds of divers surviving under such circumstances are exceptionally slim. Trained cave divers learn to keep at least two thirds of their starting gas volume in reserve to exit. To date, this “Rule of Thirds” has proven to provide a sufficient safety margin — even in instances where divers’ exits have been slowed by poor visibility or momentary loss of contact with the guideline, or when gas consumption has increased, due to apprehension or the need to “share air” with another diver.

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5 Many cave diving accident victims assume they are swimming into a single, sewer-like conduit. Imagine their shock when, upon turning to exit, they discover multiple passageways behind them — and that which passage leads to safety is not always clear.


6 Compounding this problem is the fact that divers who lack training in ultra-precise buoyancy control and anti-silting propulsion techniques, often leave a trail of poor visibility behind them. Disoriented divers frequently assume that swimming into clearer water will lead them to safety. Ironically, doing so in a cave will tend to lead them further from the entrance. This is why among the most important of all cavern- and cave-diving safety rules is running a continuous guideline that will lead divers directly to the cave entrance. Even though the maze-like configuration of many caverns and caves may momentarily deceive divers, properly used guidelines don’t lie.

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7 Amazingly, the one thing nine of ten diving accident victims have in common is the lack of formal training in how to dive in this unique environment in as safe a manner as possible. Even in those instances in which accident victims had formal cavern or cave diver training and certification, death more often than not resulted from divers exceeding the limits of their training. Cave Diver training, in itself, does not prepare divers for depths in excess of 130 feet. At these depths, factors such as nitrogen narcosis, high partial pressures of carbon dioxide — and physiological mechanisms that experts have yet to understand — can either lead directly to a diver’s demise, or contribute substantially to his or her death.

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(Adapted from www.cavediving.com)


From Passage A

From Paragraphs 1&2

1. Quote a phrase which suggests that Jerry’s search for the underwater tunnel took a great deal of effort.

[1]

From Paragraph 3

2. Explain fully in your own words the purpose of the big stone Jerry was looking for.

[2]

From Paragraph 4

3(a) What does the writer suggest about the reason for Jerry’s panic? [1]

3(b) Quote a word to support your reason. [1]

From Paragraph 5

4. Why was Jerry fearful at the thought of swimming through the tunnel? [1]

From Paragraphs 7-8

5. List four factors which made Jerry’s swim through the tunnel difficult. Number the factors (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv).

[2]

From Paragraph 9

6(a). Why was Jerry filled with victory when the water paled? [1]

6(b). “…he said a hundred and fifteen, and then, a long time later, a hundred and fifteen again.” (lines 57-58)What effect is the writer trying to achieve in this line?

[1]

From Paragraph 10

7(a). Give two pieces of evidence based on Jerry’s actions to show that he was “at the end of what he could do”.

[2]

7(b). ‘”…the darkness cracked with an explosion of green light.” (line 70)With reference to the line above, describe in your own words what happened just before Jerry reached the surface of the water.

[3]


From Passage B

From Paragraph 1

8. In your own words, explain the impact of the loss of sight on a diver. [2]

From Paragraph 4

9. How does the “Rule of Thirds” provide a safety margin for a diver? [1]

From Paragraph 7

10(a). According to the writer, what is the most common underlying cause of diving accidents?

[1]

10(b). Quote a word that has the same meaning as “death”. [1]

From Passages A & B

11. For each of the following, give one word or short phrase (of not more than seven words) which has the same meaning that the word or phrase has in the passage.

[5]

Passage A Passage B a) irregular (line 17) c) disorientation (line 7) b) propelled (line 72) d) factor in (line 28)

e) compounding (line 40)

12. BEGIN YOUR ANSWER ON A FRESH SHEET OF PAPER

From Passage B

The passage describes the risks involved in cave diving and suggests some precautions divers can take. Using your own words as far as possible, write a summary of the problems a diver may encounter and the safety precautions the writer recommends.

Use only material from the whole of Passage B.

Your summary, which should be in continuous writing, should not be more than 150 words, not including the words given below.

Begin your summary as follows:

One common problem a cave diver might face is the……

[25]

***End of Paper***


From Passage A


From Paragraphs 1&2

1. Quote a phrase which suggests that Jerry’s search for the underwater tunnel took a great deal of effort.

[1]

“again and again”

From Paragraph 3

2. Explain fully in your own words the purpose of the big stone Jerry was looking for.

[2]

He needed the stone to secure (anchor) him to the (floor) / seabed [1]so that he could look at the opening (hole) easily / without drifting off [1]

From Paragraph 4

3(a) What does the writer suggest about the reason for Jerry’s panic? [1]

Jerry panicked because he thought there was an octopus in the cave.

3(b) Quote a word to support your reason. [1]

“tentacle”

From Paragraph 5

4. Why was Jerry fearful at the thought of swimming through the tunnel? [1]

He thought he might be crushed under the weight of the rock [1/2]and die [1/2].

From Paragraphs 7-8

5. List four factors which made Jerry’s swim through the tunnel difficult. Number the factors (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv).

[2]

(i) the water was pushing him against the roof of the tunnel(ii) the water pressure (press upon him)(iii) darkness (without light)(iv) the narrow tunnel (small)

From Paragraph 9

6(a). Why was Jerry filled with victory when the water paled? [1]

He thought he had come to the end of the tunnel.


6(b). “…he said a hundred and fifteen, and then, a long time later, a hundred and fifteen again.” (lines 57-58)What effect is the writer trying to achieve in this line?

[1]

He is trying to portray Jerry’s state of mental disorientation.

From Paragraph 10

7(a). Give two pieces of evidence based on Jerry’s actions to show that he was “at the end of what he could do”.

[2]

He was counting repeatedly. He feebly clutched at the rocks. Any 2 pointsHe struggled between lapses of consciousness.

7(b). ‘”…the darkness cracked with an explosion of green light.” (line 70)With reference to the line above, describe in your own words what happened just before Jerry reached the surface of the water.

[3]

He was swimming in the tunnel (darkness) [1]when suddenly (cracked / explosion) [1]he reached open water (green light) [1]

From Passage B

From Paragraph 1

8. In your own words, explain the impact of the loss of sight on a diver. [2]

“contributes greatly to disorientation and a sense of panic”It is a major [1/2]factor [1/2] (contributes greatly)which leads a diver to feela loss in his sense of direction [1/2] (disorientation)and fear [1/2] (panic)

From Paragraph 4

9. How does the “Rule of Thirds” provide a safety margin for a diver? [1]

It ensures an extra gas supply if the diver’s exit is slowed.

From Paragraph 7

10(a). According to the writer, what is the most common underlying cause of diving accidents?

[1]

It is the lack of formal training in diving.

10(b). Quote a word that has the same meaning as “death”. [1]


“demise”From Passages A & B

12. For each of the following, give one word or short phrase (of not more than seven words) which has the same meaning that the word or phrase has in the passage.

[5]

Passage A Passage B a) irregular (line 17)

of an uneven shape / outline

c) disorientation (line 7)

loss of sense of direction / place

b) propelled (line 72)

pushed (not guided)

d) factor in (line 28)

take into consideration

e) compounding (line 40)

adding to / making worse

13. BEGIN YOUR ANSWER ON A FRESH SHEET OF PAPER

From Passage B

The passage describes the risks involved in cave diving and suggests some precautions divers can take. Using your own words as far as possible, write a summary of the problems a diver may encounter and the safety precautions the writer recommends.

Use only material from the whole of Passage B.

Your summary, which should be in continuous writing, should not be more than 150 words, not including the words given below.

Begin your summary as follows:

One common problem a cave diver might face is the……

[25]


SUMMARY

No Point

1 not whether a dive light will or will not fail but, rather, when

2 it contributes substantially to disorientation.

3 and a sense of panic

4 panicky, disoriented divers often make mistakes that divers who can see do not.

5 Divers blinded by loss of light will have difficulty finding the continuous guideline

6 (it will) take them substantially longer to reach daylight than it would were they able to see.

7 cave divers should carry at least three battery powered dive lights

8 whether each diver has sufficient breathing gas

9 keep at least two thirds of their starting gas volume in reserve to exit.

10 Many victims assume they are swimming into a single, sewer-like conduit.

11 they discover multiple passageways behind them

12 which passage leads to safety is not always clear.

13 divers who lack training in ultra-precise buoyancy control and anti-silting propulsion

14 leave a trail of poor visibility behind them

15 Disoriented divers frequently assume that swimming into clearer water will lead them to safety

16 Running a continuous guideline that will lead divers directly to the cave entrance.

17 divers exceeding the limits of their training

18 nitrogen narcosis, high partial pressures of carbon dioxide — and physiological mechanisms …. contribute…to his or her death.


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Ngee Ann Sec English P2 Prelim 2006