2016 English KNEC KCPE Past Paper
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education
2016 English
Read the passage below. It contains blank spaces numbered I to 15. For each blank space, choose the best alternative from the choices given. I think that time has __1_ in our lives when we cannot do without the computer. With the computer, we __2_ do almost everything especially with regard __3_ typing. One advantage of using the computer is that we can _4_ parts of typed work, such as paragraphs, from one section of__5_ document to another. When using a typewriter we would have to _6_ away with the unwanted sections, then type all over again. Another advantage of using the computer is that we can preserve and store information. __7_ information can be retrieved more easily than when it is filed. Imagine being able to get your work at the touch of a __8_ without having to go through volumes __9_ volumes of books. With the computer, one can find work that was typed as long ago as ten years without much struggle. The computer is also fun to work __10_ as it can provide many __11_ of entertainment. For example, it can be used to play music as well as a __12_ variety of games. We can also watch movies from a computer. In addition, a computer that is connected to the internet can provide __13_ to a lot of information. __14_ , the computer has made life __15_ easy and interesting that I cannot imagine life without it.
1. A. come B. gone C. reached D. passed
2. A. should B. must C. would D. can
3. A. about B. for C. at D. to
4. A. remove B. take C. move D. send
5. A. a B. any C. the D.that
6. A. make B. do C. get D. put
7. A. All B. Some C. such D. Any
8. A.switch B. key C. letter D.sign
9. A. plus B. With C. over D.and
10.A. with B. for C. at D. on
11.A. things B. styles C. forms D. ideas
12.A new B. wide C. good D. full
13.entry B. admission C.access D. means
14. A. Indeed B. However C. Besides D. morever
15. A. very B. so C. more D. much
For questions 16 and I 7, choose the alternative that best completes the statement given.
16. They rarely come to school late, ?
A. don’t they
B. isn’t it
C. do they
D. is it
17. You do not have to shout, ?
A. do you
B. should you
C. don’t you
D. shouldn’t you
For questions 18 and 19, choose the alternative which means the same as the underlined words.
18. The plaintiff was given a hearing by the magistrate.
A. accused
B. complainant
C. suspect.
D. witness
19. The noise made by the ducks was annoying.
A. quacking
B. squawking
C. cackling
D. elucking
In questions 20 and 21, choose the best alternative that is pronounced in the same way as the underlined word.
20. One ewe was killed by the stray lion.
A. awe
B. you
C. woe
D. woo
21. He injured his toe.
A. too
B. two
C. to
D. tow
For questions 22 and 23, rearrange the given parts in order to form a sensible sentence. although she had been in hospital for a Week
22.(i)although she was in hospital for hospital (ii) my friend got a present
(iii) and passed the test
(iv) because she worked hard
ii, iii, i, iv
i, iv, ii, iii
11, iv, iii, 1
iv, i, ii, iii
23.(i)she was admitted
(ii) of her choice in the country
(iii) having finished her primary education
(iv) to a national school
A.iii, i, iv, ii
B.i,iii, iv, ii
C.iii, iv, ii, i
D.i, iv, iii, ii
For questions 24 and 25, choose the sentence which means the same as the underlined
24.If he had money. he would buy the book.
A.Though he had money, he could not buy the book.
B.He had the money though he did not buy the book.
C.He wished he had bought the book with the money.
D.He did not have money so he did not buy the book.
25. Neither Tom nor Tanya was present at the music festival.
A.Both Tom and Tanya attended the music festival.
B.None of them attended the music festival.
C.Only Tom attended the music festival.
D.Tanya perhaps attended the music festival.
Read the passage below and then answer questions 26 to 38.
I had never felt so nervous in my life. As I stood outside the hall waiting for my tum to go on stage and recite my poem, discouraging thoughts crossed my mind. I had been told that it was extremely difficult to win at this level of the competition.
I had heard that adjudicators usually favoured participants from schools with a history of winning, and that it was almost impossible for a fist-timer like me to emerge victorious. Indeed, it was rumoured that if the judge did not know you or your school, you stood little chance of winning. Now here I was.
Neither my school nor I had taken part in the festival before. I was representing my county in this competition, whose winner would proceed to the national level. My poem was entitled “Conquer the Monster”. It was about the evils of corruption and favouritism.
“All those waiting to recite poems should now line up outside the entrance to the stage,” came the emcee’s voice over the loudspeaker. “If you fail to appear when your name is called, you will have yourself to blame.” Mr. Gali, my teacher, came to me, held me by the hand and led me to the entrance where I joined the queue. There were only three people in front of me. “… And thereafler, Lydia shall present her poem ‘Conquer the Monster’.” When I heard my name I almost fainted. I felt weak in the knees, my eyes felt moist and then all of a sudden, I wanted to use the toilet.
I looked around and saw a block of toilets nearby labelled “Staff Only.” Luckily, the toilets were notlocked. No sooner was I inside one of the toilets than I heard the emcee announce that there was going to be a short break. Quick thinking told me that some staff members were likely to visit these toilets.
Determined not to be found out, I firmly locked the door of the toilet in which I was. And sure enough, I soon heard two men talking as they approached the toilets. “I wonder what is happening in this festival,” one of them said.
“Sure,” said the other “I am yet to see a confident performer since the festival began. In fact, I have never adjudicated at a more boring festival.” What? So these were the adjudicators! I now listened to them more keenly.
“Most of the performers appear to lack confidence andtare unsure of their lines,” continued the second man. That was music to my ears. All the nervousness melted away in a second. To my relief, these people did not stay in the toilets for long. As soon as they had left, I opened the door, rushed out and resumed my position on the queue. When I went on stage, I recited my poem as if my life depended on it. Needless to say, I got the first position.
26.Why was the writer feeling nervous?
A. She was eager to recite her poem.
B. She was not sure of herself.
C. Her turn to perform was yet to come.
D. Her thoughts made her feel discouraged.
27.What had the writer been told about adjudieators?
A. They hated boring performers.
B. They preferred past winners.
C. They new most performers.
D. They were usually bribed.
28.Which of the following is not true about this festival
A.Perfomers represented their counties.
B.The judges were fair.
C.It was very entertaining.
D.There were new performers.
29.Despite being a student, the writer went to the staff toilets because
A. the toilets were the nearest.
B. she Was preparing to go on stage.
C. the toilets were not locked.
D. there were no other toilets available.
30.As soon as the writer was inside the toilets,
A. the adjudicators had a discussion.
B. the emcee made an announcement.
C. the festival stopped briefly.
D. the adjudicators took a short break.
31.Why did the writer firmly lock the door of the toilet?
A. She did not want to be found in the staff toilets.
B. She wanted to hear what the adjudicators would say.
C. She wanted to rehearse her lines as required.
D. She did not want anyone to disrupt her privacy.
32.The statement “l wonder what is happening in this festival,” can also be written as
A. He wondered what is happening in this festival.
B. He wondered what is happening in that festival.
C. He wondered what was happening in that festival.
D. He wondered what was happening in this festival.
33.According to the second man,
A. most perfonners Were absent-minded.
B. most performers had little confidence.
C. all performers were weak and confused.
D. all performers showed lack of boldness.
34.From their conversation, We can tell that the adjudicators
A. were interested in exciting performers
B. were plarming to favour some perfomers.
C. did not know What was happening.
D. had never seen interesting performances.
35.The expression “That was music to my ears” means that the writer
A. was pleased to hear that.
B. felt entertained by that.
C. got everything very clearly.
D. heard a familiar song.
36.The expression ‘melted away’ as used in the passage can be replaced by all the following except
A. evaporated.
B. decreased.
C. disappeared.
D. vanished.
37.The writer probably got the first position because
A. her poem was the most relevant.
B. her life depended on her performance.
C. she had been favoured by the adjudicators.
D. she knew what the adjudicators wanted.
38.What lesson do we learn from the passage?
A. Practice makes perfect.
B. We should listen to advice.
C. Confidence is key to success.
D. Competition is healthy.
Read the following passage and then answer questions 39 to 50.
Population control has become a burning issue in developing countries. Most countries realise that if they became overpopulated, the consequences will be grave. lt is obvious that even within the family set-up, having many children becomes more of a problem than a blessing. In Kenya, the government, the church and individuals have always stressed the need to have a population that we can easily manage.
This is because the negative effects of overpopulation are far-reaching. For a country that relies on agriculture for its economic growth, the issue of land is crucial. If there is overpopulation, there will not be enough land for people to cultivate. They will therefore start cultivating the marginal lands and this could lead to the spread of deserts.
Lack of enough land for farming will also lead to shortage of food, resulting in starvation and illnesses like marasmus and kwashiorkor.
In addition, scarcity of land may force people to move from rural to urban areas in search of alternative means of earning a living. With these migrations, towns become so overcrowded that people are forced to live in slums. The conditions in these areas are a health hazard. When people fail to get jobs, they become frustrated and some may tum to crime. Furthermore, overpopulation causes strain on resources in the education sector. When the number of children bom every year continues to grow, classrooms become congested and there aren’t enough teachers. This affects the academic performance of the pupils.
Moreover, a country with a high population finds it difficult to cope with the health problems of its people. The medical facilities will not be adequate. This means that the sick will not be attended to in time, infant mortality will be high, and the life expectancy will be low.
The problem of overpopulation also has a great effect on individuals even at the family level. A family that has many children often finds it difficult to feed, clothe;and educate them. The parents usually blame each other for their problems and in the long run, this may lead to family breakup. It is important, therefore, that people embrace family planning methods in order to cut down on the high rate of population growth.
39.From the first paragraph, why shouldn’t countries allow themselves to become overpopulated?
A. Overpopulation is not a blessing.
B. Population control is a burning issue.
C. Overpopulation has serious negative effects.
D. Different bodies emphasize population control.
40.What causes the spread of deserts?
A. Springing up of slums.
B. Cultivation of marginal lands.
C.Lack of employment opportunities.
D.Having large families.
41.Which of the following can best replace the word ‘grave’ as used in the passage?
A. Many
B. Deadly
C. Obvious
D. Serious
42.The issue of land is crucial in Kenya because
A. the population is growing fast.
B. we need to control rural-urban migration.
C. our economy depends on agriculture.
D. we must not cultivate marginal lands.
43.Why, according to the passage, do slums develop?
A. To house the unemployed.
B. To provide housing for urban dwellers.
C. To provide housing to those without.
D. To house the rural-urban migrants.
44.Which of the following is an effect of inadequate medical facilities?
A. People will not live for long.
B. Most infants will die.
C. The sick will not be treated.
D. More hospitals will be built.
45.According to the passage, which of the following is not true about high population?
A. lt leads to construction of more houses.
B. It causes strain on school resources.
C. It leads to lack of proper medical care.
D. It causes conflicts in the family.
46.The expression cut down on as used in the passage means
A. reduce.
B. restrain.
C. decline.
D. stop.
47.Having many children in a family is a problem because it
A. makes them perform poorly in school.
B. makes them become criminals.
C. causes health problems at home.
D. Lessens ability to provide basic needs.
48.Which of the following is not an effect of overpopulation according to the passage‘?
A. People have no land to cultivate.
B. People suffer unemployment.
C. ‘Many people move to urban areas.
D. Many people may become criminals.
49.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Population control is a big concern to the government.
B. The govemment wants a certain number of people.
C. Population control is the govemment’s responsibility.
D. The government regulates the size of families.
50.Which one of the following is the most suitable title for the passage?
A. Oveipopulation in developing countries.
B. Effects of overpopulation.
C. Causes of overpopulation.
D. Control of overpopulation.
2016 KCPE English Past Paper-Marking Scheme/Answers
1. A. come
2. D. can
3. D. to
4.C. move
5. A. a
6. B. do
7.C. such
8. B. key
9. D.and
10.A. with
11.C. forms
12.B. wide
13.C. access
14.A. Indeed
15.D. much
For questions 16 and I 7, choose the alternative that best completes the statement given.
16. They rarely come to school late, ?
C. do they
17. You do not have to shout, ?
A. do you
For questions 18 and 19, choose the alternative which means the same as the underlined words.
18. The plaintiff was given a hearing by the magistrate.
B. complainant
19. The noise made by the ducks was annoying.
A. quacking
In questions 20 and 21, choose the best alternative that is pronounced in the same way as the underlined word.
20. One ewe was killed by the stray lion.
B. you
21. He injured his toe.
D. tow
For questions 22 and 23, rearrange the given parts in order to form a sensible sentence.
although she had been in hospital for a Wee
22.(i)although she was in hospital for hospital (ii) my friend got a present
(iii) and passed the test
(iv) because she worked hard
C. 11, iv, iii, 1
23.(i)she was admitted
(ii) of her choice in the country
(iii) having finished her primary education
(iv) to a national school
A.iii, i, iv, ii
For questions 24 and 25, choose the sentence which means the same as the underlined
24.If he had money. he would buy the book.
D.He did not have money so he did not buy the book.
25. Neither Tom nor Tanya was present at the music festival.
B.None of them attended the music festival.
26 – 38 passage answers.
26.Why was the writer feeling nervous?
D. Her thoughts made her feel discouraged.
27.What had the writer been told about adjudicators?
B. They preferred past winners.
28.Which of the following is not true about this festival
C.It was very entertaining.
29.Despite being a student, the writer went to the staff toilets because
A. the toilets were the nearest.
30.As soon as the writer was inside the toilets
B. the emcee made an announcement.
31.Why did the writer firmly lock the door of the toilet?
A. She did not want to be found in the staff toilets.
32.The statement “l wonder what is happening in this festival,” can also be written as
C. He wondered what was happening in that festival.
33.According to the second man,
B. most performers had little confidence.
34.From their conversation, We can tell that the adjudicators
A. were interested in exciting performers
35.The expression “That was music to my ears” means that the writer
A. was pleased to hear that.
36.The expression ‘melted away’ as used in the passage can be replaced by all the following except
B. decreased.
37.The writer probably got the first position because
D. she knew what the adjudicators wanted.
38.What lesson do we learn from the passage?
C. Confidence is key to success.
39 – 50 passage answers .
39.From the first paragraph, why shouldn’t countries allow themselves to become overpopulated?
C. Overpopulation has serious negative effects.
40.What causes the spread of deserts?
B. Cultivation of marginal lands.
41.Which of the following can best replace the word ‘grave’ as used in the passage?
D. Serious
42.The issue of land is crucial in Kenya because
C. our economy depends on agriculture.
43.Why, according to the passage, do slums develop?
D. To house the rural-urban migrants.
44.Which of the following is an effect of inadequate medical facilities?
A. People will not live for long.
45.According to the passage, which of the following is not true about high population?
A. lt leads to construction of more houses.
46.The expression cut down on as used in the passage means
A. reduce.
47.Having many children in a family is a problem because it
D. Lessens ability to provide basic needs.
48.Which of the following is not an effect of overpopulation according to the passage‘?
A. People have no land to cultivate.
49.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Population control is a big concern to the government.
50.Which one of the following is the most suitable title for the passage?
B. Effects of overpopulation.
