The government has announced the addition of new public holidays. Write an article to be published in a national newspaper on two effects of public holidays on teaching and learning.

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.

Friends are meant to help each other when the need arises. At school, some people develop friendly relationships which continue throughout their lives. One thing which helps people to stay together as intimate friends is the ability to communicate freely among themselves and endeavour to be each other's keeper. What destroys friendships mostly is friends being suspicious of each other. That is why a popular adage says, "Suspicious is the bane of friendship".

People attend school not only because they want to make friends but also to acquire knowledge and skills for employment. Education helps people to be polished in their manners. The school prepares its students to become useful citizens.

At school, Tono was not in good books of the teachers because he behaved in an unruly manner. Initially, everyone avoided his company; he could be violent at times. Worst of all, he would refuse todo his assignment and was a habitual late comer. With the passage of time, he was subjected to strict discipline. He began to amend his ways and obey the school's rules and regulation. He realised the need to work diligently in order to have a bright future. His academic work there improved by leaps and bounds.

Fortune separated us. I travelled abroad for further studies. I stay away for two decades. On my return, I went to my former school for my certificate. There, I met a middle-age gentleman who also came to the office for the same purpose. I could not recognize him because time had wiped off all memories of school life. However, the names on the certificates revealed that we were classmates.

After further discussion, Tono invited me to his business partner.

(a)I. State one thing which helps people to be close.

(a)II. How can friendships get destroyed?

(b) Give two reasons why people go to school.

(c)I. Why did people avoid Tono's company?

(c)II. State Tono's reason for visiting his former school.

(d) Why could the writer not recognise Tono?

(e) Explain in your own words the following expressions as used in the passage:

(i) was not in the good books of the teachers;

(ii) with the passage of time;

(iii) by leaps and bounds.

(f) For each of the following words, give another word of a phrase that means the same, and can fit into the passage:

(i) intimate;

(ii) adage;

(iii) acquire;

(iv) polished;

(v) initially.

Write a letter to your father asking permission to join your schoolmates who are going on an excursion.

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions which follow.

The dry season was very long. The people waited anxiously for the rains to plant their seeds. The rain clouds that appeared occasionally were deceptive. To while away the time, they wove baskets and kente; others carved stools or sat under trees, playing games and drinking palm wine.

Sentu and his family were on the verge of starvation. They had just one cassava farm left to feed on. The maize in the barn was all gone. In fact, they had started eating the seed maize. Sentu kept wondering how he would get seeds to plant when the rainy season eventually started. He went to inspect the traps he had set for the rodent that had been feasting on the cassava. If the traps caught any animals, it would be a double blessing; he would get meat and reduce the population of 'his enemies', the pests. While inspecting his traps, h saw some smoke. He dashed towards it. He tried to put out the fire but could not. He shouted for help. In a twinkling of an eye, the whole farm had been destroy. Sentu wept uncontrollably.

When he raeched the village, his neighbours rushed to his house to console him. They gave him foodstuff and promised to help him get back on his feet. Tutu, the palm-wine tapper, visited Sentu that evening. He was accompanied by two elderly and highly respected men in the village. Their mission was simple. Tutu had asked them to apologize to Sentu on his behalf. It was the fire from Tutu's torch that had caused the havoc and brought such agony to Sentu's family. What could Sentu do or say?

(a)I. What was the main occupation of the people?

(a)II. State two other things they did that could earn them an income.

(b)I. What does 'pests' refer to?

(b)II. Why did the writer refer to the pests as 'his enemies'?

(c)I. How did Sentu feel when his farm was burnt?

(c)II. Why did he feel that way?

(d) For what two reasons did Tutu choose the elderly and highly respected men to accompany him to visit Sentu?

(e) Explain the following expressions in your own words.

I. a double blessing;

II. wept uncontrollably;

III. get back on his feet.

(f) For each of the following words, give another word or phrase that means the same and can fit into the passage;

I. anxiously;

II. deceptive;

III. dashed;

IV. mission;

V. agony.

Your school is planning an excursion to a place of interest in your district. Describe the preparations you are making towards the journey.