St. Hilda’s Secondary School 4E/4NA/5E

Preparatory Examinations

1127 Paper 2

Read Passage A and Passage B and then answer the

questions which are printed on the Question Paper.

Passage A

1. The single greatest cause of extinction that looms over most Asian wildlife especially the endangered tiger, and pushes them to become endangered species, is the massive demand for traditional medicine. The annual consumption of traditional remedies made of tiger bone, bear gall bladder, rhinoceros horn, dried geckoes and a plethora of other animal parts is of phenomenal proportions. It is believed that today at least sixty percent of China’s billion-plus inhabitants use medicines of this type.

1. The single greatest cause of extinction that looms over most Asian wildlife especially the endangered tiger, and pushes them to become endangered species, is the massive demand for traditional medicine. The annual consumption of traditional remedies made of tiger bone, bear gall bladder, rhinoceros horn, dried geckoes and a plethora of other animal parts is of phenomenal proportions. It is believed that today at least sixty percent of China’s billion-plus inhabitants use medicines of this type.

only / sole / one state of being completely dying off

determinant /agent / reason/root

largest / biggest

threatens /negatively affects/emerges

Animals roaming about in forests or jungles

particularly being put at risk /threatened

variety / class / breed /kind / type

very huge /

enormous

need / want / requirement

customary / handed down /habitual

yearly

usage cures / medicinal formulae / panaceas /treatments

a large number

Unbelievable / miraculous /Extraordinary / unusual / exceptional / rare / out of this world

over

People

nature / kind

IN MY OWN WORDS

thought

From Passage A Paragraph 1

1. Which word in the paragraph signals an impending problem? [1m]

2. Why does the author use “phenomenal proportions” to describe the consumption of animal parts? [2m]

Passage A

2. The booming economies and personal incomes of Southeast Asia have caused demand and prices to soar, lifting the international trade in wildlife products to an estimated $6 billion-a-year business. The use of tiger parts in Chinese medicine is nothing new, but it has only been in recent years that the increase in the standard of living in Southeast Asia has made these remedies available to most people. It is no wonder then that this newly affluent population has had a great effect on wildlife numbers and the demand for tiger parts. In many places in China, tiger parts are a delicacy that is served at special private banquets.

2. The booming economies and personal incomes of Southeast Asia have caused demand and prices to soar, lifting the international trade in wildlife products to an estimated $6 billion-a-year business. The use of tiger parts in Chinese medicine is nothing new, but it has only been in recent years that the increase in the standard of living in Southeast Asia has made these remedies available to most people. It is no wonder then that this newly affluent population has had a great effect on wildlife numbers and the demand for tiger parts. In many places in China, tiger parts are a delicacy that is served at special private banquets.

prospering /vastly improving

countries

Increase steeply/Increase drastically

Increasing

World business / global exchangeof goods and services

educated guess

current cures / treatments

accessible by

logical to suggest /reasonable to claim

Prosperous /Rich

huge, very big,tremendous, enormous Impact / influence

need /requirement

goody / treat / gourmet food

personal, non-public, own, attendance by invitation only

feasts

From Passage A Paragraph 2

3. In your own words, explain why the international trade in wildlife products is a lucrative business. [2m]

4. Explain why people consume tiger parts. [2m]

Passage A

3. The use of endangered tiger products and their medicines is seen as a symbol of high status and wealth. Some remedies list tiger parts as an ingredient, but the real animal parts are so expensive that often the medicines may have only trace elements; but even these are enough to promote the continued slaughter of the tiger. In addition, in recent years there has been resurgence in traditional practices fundamental to the history of Chinese society. This has been fuelled by cultural pride. There is also a growing sentiment that western medicine contains some shortcomings in treating illness. Furthermore, new communities around the globe including non-Asian communities are supplementing traditional Chinese medicine treatments into their western style of medicine, igniting the demand for tiger parts beyond what can be supplied.

3. The use of endangered tiger products and their

medicines is seen as a symbol of high status and wealth. Some remedies list tiger parts as an ingredient, but the real animal parts are so expensive that often the medicines may have only trace elements; but even these are enough to promote the continued slaughter of the tiger. In addition, in recent years there has been resurgence in traditional practices fundamental to the history of Chinese society. This has been fuelled by cultural pride. There is also a growing sentiment that western medicine contains some shortcomings in treating illness. Furthermore, new communities around the globe including non-Asian communities are supplementing traditional Chinese medicine treatments into their western style of medicine, igniting the demand for tiger parts beyond what can be supplied.

threatened to die offcompletely

sign / mark /

indication prestige / position / class /standing

component, element, part, item

pinch / speck /a tiny bit

encourage / motivate

killing besides / moreover /furthermore

recently, nowadays conventional,

customary

renewal of interest,

reemergence

foundational, underlying, Integral, basic, essential

driven, motivated

dignity, ego, arrogance feelings

flaws, weaknesses,drawbacksworldwide / internationally moreover, besides

adding to, complementing, augmenting, reinforcing

technique,way of administeringarousing, sparking need, requirement

From Passage A Paragraph 3

5. Write down the single word which tells us that something is in limited amount? [1m]

Passage A

4. The popularity of tiger bones as a remedy for a multitude of ailments has produced a thriving black market, which is very difficult to monitor. Unlike a tiger skin, tiger bones can be crushed and made odourless and can be disguised as other types of bones. Tiger derivatives that are confiscated in raids by government officials are therefore believed to be just the tip of the iceberg.

4. The popularity of tiger bones as a remedy for a multitude of ailments has produced a thriving black market, which is very difficult to monitor. Unlike a tiger skin, tiger bones can be crushed and made odourless and can be disguised as other types of bones. Tiger derivatives that are confiscated in raids by government officials are therefore believed to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Wide acceptance, appeal

treatment,cure

many kinds

sicknesses, illnesses,medical problems

generated,spun off,

growing, flourishing,prospering, booming

illegal buying and selling of goods and services

hard

oversea, watch over,observe, police, check, keep an eye on

mashed, squashed,crunched

without any smell

covered up, masked, veiled, passed off

products springing from the original material

seized, appropriated,taken away

sweeps

thus

thought

a small sign of a problemwhich is much larger

Passage A

5. The trade in tiger parts is thought to have intensified as a result of a rapid increase in the demand for traditional Chinese medicine in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. Despite the acceptance of new trade policies in China, it still remains a principle player in the demise of the tiger and other endangered species. Other countries such as Taiwan have stepped up enforcement efforts since coming under pressure from the United States in 1993-1994.

5. The trade in tiger parts is thought to have intensified as a result of a rapid increase in the demand for traditional Chinese medicine in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. Despite the acceptance of new trade policies in China, it still remains a principal player in the demise of the tiger and other endangered species. Other countries such as Taiwan have stepped up enforcement efforts since coming under pressure from the United States in 1993-1994.

believed heightened /magnified /amplified

East Asian countries

outcome, consequence

quick /fast rise

customary

In spite of

adoption, recognition

rules and regulations

main, key

termination,

death, end increased

execution / implementation / policing work

criticism, warning, persuasion

Passage A

6. However, such policing efforts in Asian countries touch only a small percentage of Chinese medicine stores, and often owners get word of a “raid” in time to hide or disperse any tiger parts they may have in stock. As the demand for tiger products continues to grow, and poaching is still prominent in India, Russia and Southeast Asia, additional measures need to be implemented to curb both the supply and the demand for endangered tiger parts.

6. However, such policing efforts in Asian countries touch only a small percentage of Chinese medicine stores, and often owners get word of a “raid” in time to hide or disperse any tiger parts they may have in stock. As the demand for tiger products continues to grow, and poaching is still prominent in India, Russia and Southeast Asia, additional measures need to be implemented to curb both the supply and the demand for endangered tiger parts.

enforcement, implementation, monitoring

learn about, receive information

supplementary,further,extra

threatened, imperiled, put at risk

striking, problematic,blatant,rampant

affect, involve,concern, has to

do with

distribute away, scatter, disseminate

Illegal hunting actions, procedures,policies, steps

put in place,carried out,executed, enforced

control, limit, manage,slow down

Passage A

7. Many of the tiger-range countries’ governments have established legal provisions to protect the endangered tiger. In addition, most tiger countries are members of CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) which bans the trade of tiger parts (the exceptions are Burma, Lao PDR, and Cambodia). However, inadequate legal structures, political commitment, and financial resources severely limit domestic enforcement efforts.

7. Many of the tiger-range countries’ governments have established legal provisions to protect the endangered tiger. In addition, most tiger countries are members of CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) which bans the trade of tiger parts (the exceptions are Burma, Lao PDR, and Cambodia). However, inadequate legal structures, political commitment, and financial resources severelyseverely limit domestic enforcement efforts.

set up, put together

lawful

measures, Policies, rules and regulations

besides, moreover,furthermore

meeting, assembly,Conference,caucus

insufficient

framework, system

governmental

monetary support

support, promise, pledge,responsibility, obligation

greatly, seriouslyrestrict, holdback, curb

Internal, local

implementationpolicing, monitoring

Passage A

8. Despite legislation banning hunting, the staff employed to protect tigers in “protected areas” often are not legally empowered to enforce anti-hunting laws. For example, they may be restricted from searching for or confiscating hunting weapons, arresting or prosecuting poachers, or even carrying guns to protect the tigers, as well as themselves, from poachers.

8. Despite legislation banning hunting, the staff employed to protect tigers in “protected areas” often are not legally empowered to enforce anti-hunting laws. For example, they may be restricted from searching for or confiscating hunting weapons, arresting or prosecuting poachers, or even carrying guns to protect the tigers, as well as themselves, from poachers.

In spite of

rules and regulations, laws, policies

putting an end to, outlawing, forbidding, Stopping, prohibiting, disallowing, barring

authorised

impose, implement

curbed, limitedRemoving from one’s possession

charging someonein a court of law

People who hunt animals illegally

Passage A

9. Furthermore, anti-hunting laws that protect tigers do not protect tiger prey, leaving tigers in vital tiger habitat wtihout food nor do they protect endangered tiger populations that exist or stray outside protected areas, or roam across country borders.

9. Furthermore, anti-hunting laws that protect tigers do not protect tiger prey, leaving tigers in vital tiger habitat wtihout food nor do they protect endangered tiger populations that exist or stray outside protected areas, or roam across country borders.

Besides, moreover

the hunted, quarry

important, crucial,essential

home, living area

look after, Take care of

wander away, rove, straggle

move about aimlessly

Passage A

10. Forestry and wildlife departments are too understaffed and under-budgeted to save the endangered tiger from poachers. Lacking funds, organisation, compensation for high-risk work, recognition, training, motivation, camps inside the protected areas, night patrols, and resources such as firearms, vehicles and communication equipment, the guards’ efforts to enforce of anti-hunting laws are ineffective. Poor standards of living also leave some officials vulnerable to corruption. The tigers’ increasing scarcity and Asia’s booming economies drive the price of tiger parts up, offering great incentive to poachers who

bribe some governmental officials to turn the other cheek.

10. Forestry and wildlife departments

are too understaffed and under-budgeted to save the endangered tiger from poachers. Lacking funds, organisation, compensation for high-risk work, recognition, training, motivation, camps inside the protected areas, night patrols, and resources such as firearms, vehicles and communication equipment, the guards’ efforts to enforce of anti-hunting laws are ineffective. Poor standards of living also leave some officials vulnerable to corruption. The tigers’ increasing scarcity and Asia’s booming economies drive the price of tiger parts up, offering great incentive to poachers who bribe some governmental officials to turn the other cheek.

insufficient manpoweremployed for a particular purpose

Insufficient money or fundsallocated to dosomething

impotent, futile,Inadequate, not workingto its full extent

bribery

exposed, susceptible,unprotected against

thriving, prospering, flourishing

countries

shortage

force generous,huge, big,handsome

reward

bureaucrats, people who work for the government /people who work in the public sector

using money to entice, buy off

To feign ignorance,to pretend not to know or notice

From Passage A Paragraph 10

6. Explain why some officials accept bribes from the poachers. [1m]

Passage A

11. Improved national legislation and international support, when combined with the promotion of alternatives to traditional Chinese remedies and habitat protection, are vital to save the tiger from being an endangered species, or from becoming extinct.

11. Improved national legislation and international support, when combined with the promotion of alternatives to traditional Chinese remedies and habitat protection, are vital to save the tiger from being an endangered species, or from becoming extinct.

reinforced, strengthened,revised

laws, rules and regulations,policies global,

worldwide

Other ways /Other means

cures, treatments

customary,conventional

natural livingenvironment

essential,key, crucial

threatened dying off completely

breed

Passage B

1. The hyena’s end had come, and mine as I stood rooted to the spot, paralysed, in thrall to the action before my eyes. Against my expectations, it happened practically in silence. The hyena died neither whining nor whimpering, and the tiger killed without a sound. The flame-coloured carnivore emerged from beneath the tarpaulin and made for the hyena. The hyena was leaning against the stern bench, transfixed. It did not put up a fight. Instead it shrank to the floor, lifting a forepaw in a futile gesture of defence. The look on its face was of wild terror. The tiger’s jaws closed on the side of the hyena’s neck. Its glazed eyes widened and there was a noise of organic crunching as windpipe and spinal cord were crushed. The hyena shook, its eyes went dull and it was over.

1. The hyena’s end had come, and mine as I stood rooted to the spot, paralysed, in thrall to the action before my eyes. Against my expectations, it happened practically in silence. The hyena died neither whining nor whimpering, and the tiger killed without a sound. The flame-coloured carnivore emerged from beneath the tarpaulin and made for the hyena. The hyena was leaning against the stern bench, transfixed. It did not put up a fight. Instead it shrank to the floor, lifting a forepaw in a futile gesture of defence. The look on its face was of wild terror. The tiger’s jaws closed on the side of the hyena’s neck. Its glazed eyes widened and there was a noise of organic crunching as windpipe and spinal cord were crushed. The hyena shook, its eyes went dull and it was over.

From Passage B Paragraph 1

7. What were the expectations of the author regarding the death of the hyena? [2m]

8. What does “it” refer to in the sentence, “The hyena shook, its eyes went dull and it was over”? [1m]

Passage B

2. The tiger let go and growled but it seemed like a quiet growl, private and half-hearted. He was panting, his tongue hanging from his mouth. He licked his chops, shook his head and sniffed the dead hyena. He raised his head high and smelled the air. He placed his forepaws on the stern bench and lifted himself. The rolling of the boat, though gentle, was visibly not to his liking. He put out a low, mean snarl. He smelled the air again before slowly turning his head till he was looking straight at me.

2. The tiger let go and growled but it seemed like a quiet growl, private and half-hearted. He was panting, his tongue hanging from his mouth. He licked his chops, shook his head and sniffed the dead hyena. He raised his head high and smelled the air. He placed his forepaws on the stern bench and lifted himself. The rolling of the boat, though gentle, was visibly not to his liking. He put out a low, mean snarl. He smelled the air again before slowly turning his head till he was looking straight at me.

Passage B

3. I wish I could describe what happened next, not as I saw it, which I might manage, but as I felt it. I beheld the tiger from the angle that showed him off to the greatest effect: from the back, half-raised, with his head turned. The stance had something of a pose to it. When the tiger’s eyes met mine, the stare was intense, cold and unflinching, not flighty or friendly, and spoke of self-possession on the point of exploding with rage. His ears twitched and then swivelled right around. One of his lips began to rise and fall coyly revealing the yellow canine which was as long as my longest finger.

3. I wish I could describe what happened next, not

as I saw it, which I might manage, but as I felt it. I beheld the tiger from the angle that showed him off to the greatest effect: from the back, half-raised, with his head turned. The stance had something of a pose to it. When the tiger’s eyes met mine, the stare was intense, cold and unflinching, not flighty or friendly, and spoke of self-possession on the point of exploding with rage. His ears twitched and then swivelled right around. One of his lips began to rise and fall coyly revealing the yellow canine which was as long as my longest finger.

From Passage B Paragraph 3

9. What does the word “unflinching” suggest about the tiger’s nature? [1m]

Passage B

4. Every hair on me was standing up, shrieking with fear. That was when the rat appeared. Out of nowhere, a scrawny brown rat materialised on the side bench nearest to the tiger. The tiger looked as astonished as I was. Nervous and breathless, the rat leapt onto the tarpaulin and raced my way. At the sight, in shock and surprise, my legs gave way beneath me and I practically fell onto the deck. Before my incredulous eyes the rodent hopped over the various parts of the raft, jumped onto me and climbed to the top of my head, where I felt its little claws clamping down on my scalp, holding on for dear life.

4. Every hair on me was standing up, shrieking with fear. That was when the rat appeared. Out of nowhere, a scrawny brown rat materialised on the side bench nearest to the tiger. The tiger looked as astonished as I was. Nervous and breathless, the rat leapt onto the tarpaulin and raced my way. At the sight, in shock and surprise, my legs gave way beneath me and I practically fell onto the deck. Before my incredulous eyes the rodent hopped over the various parts of the raft, jumped onto me and climbed to the top of my head, where I felt its little claws clamping down on my scalp, holding on for dear life.

From Passage B Paragraph 4

10.Explain why the tiger and author were astonished to see the rat. Answer in your own words. [1m]

11.Suggest why the rat headed for the top of the author’s head and clamped down on its scalp? [1m]

Passage B

5. The tiger’s eyes had followed the rat. They were now fixed on my head. He completed the turn of his head with a slow turn of his body, moving his forepaws sideways along the side bench. He dropped to the floor of the boat with ponderous ease. I could see the top of his head, his back and his long, curled tail. In three paces, he was now at the middle of the boat. He was less than ten feet away. His head, his chest, his paws – so big! His teeth – an entire army battalion in a mouth. He was making to jump onto the tarpaulin and I thought about that this time. I was really going to die. However, the tarpaulin’s strange softness bothered him. He pressed at it tentatively. The rolling motion of the boat continued to unsettle him. For a brief moment, the tiger was hesitating.

5. The tiger’s eyes had followed the rat. They were now

fixed on my head. He completed the turn of his head with a slow turn of his body, moving his forepaws sideways along the side bench. He dropped to the floor of the boat with ponderous ease. I could see the top of his head, his back and his long, curled tail. In three paces, he was now at the middle of the boat. He was less than ten feet away. His head, his chest, his paws – so big! His teeth – an entire army battalion in a mouth. He was making to jump onto the tarpaulin and I thought about that this time. I was really going to die. However, the tarpaulin’s strange softness bothered him. He pressed at it tentatively. The rolling motion of the boat continued to unsettle him. For a brief moment, the tiger was hesitating.

From Passage B Paragraph 5

12. Which two words in the paragraph have the same meaning as “disconcerted”? [2m]

13. Explain fully what the author meant by, “an entire army battalion in a mouth”? [2m]

14. What did the author liken the tiger’s mouth to? [1m]

Passage B

6. I grabbed the rat and threw it his way. I can still see it in my mind as it sailed through the air – its outstretched claws and erect tail. The tiger opened his maw and the squealing rat disappeared into it like a baseball into a catcher’s mitt. Its hairless tail vanished like a spaghetti noodle sucked into a mouth. Seemingly satisfied with the offering, he backed down and returned beneath the tarpaulin. My legs instantly became functional again. I leapt up and raised the locker lid again to block the open space between the bow where he was and the tarpaulin which was to be my refuge for the rest of the journey.

6. I grabbed the rat and threw it his way. I can still see it in my mind as it sailed through the air – its outstretched claws and erect tail. The tiger opened his maw and the squealing rat disappeared into it like a baseball into a catcher’s mitt. Its hairless tail vanished like a spaghetti noodle sucked into a mouth. Seemingly satisfied with the offering, he backed down and returned beneath the tarpaulin. My legs instantly became functional again. I leapt up and raised the locker lid again to block the open space between the bow where he was and the tarpaulin which was to be my refuge for the rest of the journey.

From Passages A and B

15. For each of the following words or phrases, give one word or short phrase (of not more than seven words) which has the same meaning as the word or phrase in the passage. [5m]

Passage A: 1. plethora2. affluent 3. fuelled

Passage B: 4. tentatively 5. offering

From Passage A 16. Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the reasons

for the demise of the tiger and the measures taken to save the tiger. [25m]

USE ONLY THE MATERIAL IN PASSAGE A FROM PARAGRAPHS 3 TO 8.

Your summary, which must be in continuous writing (not note form), must not be longer than 150 words (not counting the words given to help you begin).

Begin your summary as follows: The factors contributing to the demise of the tiger are…

END OF PAPER