preparatory examinations 1127 english paper 2 - term4 week4.2010 at shss-further worked out...
TRANSCRIPT
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