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

The academic performance of students in the olden days was golden. Students knew the essence of education and made efforts to achieve excellence. Reading whatever material, they came across not only helped thier mental development but also made them self-reliant and confident. Students burn the midnight oil in order to make grades and to come out of the school as better people.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of students today. Whatever students achieved in the past is considered archaic. The emergence of improver technology has bedevilled the society. Students prefer staying in touch with friends and loved ones. The use of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram, has taken over their entire being. Reading useful materials like dailies, storybooks and others is now a thing of the past.

The negative influence of social media has deprived students of achieving excellence. Examination malpractices, mass failure in examination and bad language have become the order of the day.

Modern technology has its own benefits. In addition to serving as a great tool for businesses, it enables students to access informations easily. What is more, it enables easy interactions between friends and loved ones. As much as these are important, students should realise that, without good moral practices, education and reading, the future remains blurred. Students can eradicate the negative effects of modern technology has on them if only they remain focussed on their academic work.

(a) State two benefits of reading mentioned in the passage.

(b) For what two reasons did students study late into the night in the past?

(c) State two benefits of modern technology.

(d) How can students get rid of the harmful influence of social media?

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

I. Burn the midnight oil;

II. Taken over their being;

III. The order of the day.

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

I. golden;

II. excellence;

III. archaic;

IV. blurred;

V. eradicate.

Write a letter to the Director of Health of your district, discussing two ways in which the activities of some food sellers affect the health of people in your community and suggest one solution to the problem.

Narrate an interesting story that ends with the statement, Indeed, it was a great achievement.

Question (a) to (c) are based on the abridged and simplified version of Charles Dicken's Oliver Twist.

CHARLES DICKENS: Oliver Twist

'Mr. Bumble mad Oliver miserable and the boy couldn't wait to get away from the workhouse.'

(Page 104)

KEN SARO-WIWA: Home Sweet Home

Read the following extract carefully and answer Questions (d) and (e).

"They came in the usual assortment of rags:gowns picked up from the stores of second-hand clothes traders, singlets bearing the words, Oxford University, mildewed blouses. Some women wore shirts that are meant for men; one of them was in a printed cotton nightgown that had fade beyond recognition."

(Page 178)

Read the following extract carefully and answer Questions (f) and (h).

AMA ATA AIDOO:The Dilemma of a Ghost

EULALIE: Ya, I remember I bought the idea, but I got the feeling ...

ATO: Heavens, women! They are always getting feelings. First, you got the feeling you needed a couple of years to settle down and now you are obviously getting a feeling.

(Act 2, Page 46)

Read the following extract carefully and answer Questions (i) and (j).

V.B AAKYE: The colour of God

How sily man is, laughs the rose
Why should he be black or white
Or green or yellow or even red?

Write arguments for or against the topic: It is more advantageous to live in the village than in the city.