The answers are in the passage. Your own words show that you understood them. A copied line shows only that you found them.
The idea
Read the passage for what happens, then the questions, then the passage again. A fact question has a line you can point to. An inference question has clues and a conclusion. Vocabulary in context asks what a word is doing in this sentence, not what it did in some other text you remember. If the question says "in your own words", rebuild the meaning. Keep names, numbers and words that have no simpler form.
Write in sentences unless the question says "state" or "quote". Do not add a moral the passage did not earn. Do not bring in knowledge from outside if the question says "from the passage". The practice passage on this page was written for the page. It is not from a past paper.
The English tips guide sets out the papers, comprehension, and the mistakes that cost marks. WASSCE English tips
What earns the marks
Own words is a separate mark from the right idea. A correct idea in the writer's sentence fails the own words mark. Inference needs both the conclusion and the clue when the question says "how do you know". A feeling named with no clue is a guess.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
4 marks
Read this passage.
The lorry park was already awake when Kwesi arrived with one small bag. He had the fare counted twice in his pocket. The mate shouted a town Kwesi did not want, then another that he did. Kwesi climbed in, sat by a window that would not shut, and watched his uncle's roof until the lorry turned and the roof was gone.
(a) In your own words, why did Kwesi count the fare twice? (2 marks)
(b) What tells you that he was leaving a place that mattered to him? (2 marks)
Model answer
(a) He was checking that he had exactly the money, because he could not afford a mistake.
(b) He kept his eyes on his uncle's roof until the lorry turned and he could not see it.
Mark scheme
Own words: he was making sure the money was right or complete1 mark
Own words: the fare mattered, or an error would have been costly1 mark
He watched the uncle's roof1 mark
Until it disappeared, which shows reluctance to lose sight of home1 mark
2Question 2
1 mark
From the same passage, why did Kwesi not board at the mate's first shout? (1 mark)
Model answer
The first town was not the town he wanted.
Mark scheme
It was not his destination1 mark
3Question 3
2 marks
The window would not shut. What discomfort does that detail prepare you for, even though the passage ends before the journey? (2 marks)
Model answer
Dust, noise or rain will come in. The journey will be uncomfortable, not sealed and easy.
Mark scheme
A reasonable discomfort, such as dust, wind or noise1 mark
Tied to the open window, not to a detail the passage does not contain1 mark
Practise English Language with Anna
More questions on this topic are inside GLearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
When the question says "quote". Otherwise answer in your own words. A name or a number can stay as it is. A whole sentence copied from the passage fails an own words mark even if the idea is right.
What is inference?+
A conclusion from clues, where the passage did not state the answer in one line. Name the clue. "He watched the roof until it was gone" supports the idea that leaving mattered. The feeling alone, with no clue, does not score. All WASSCE English Language past questions