WAEC SSCE WASSCE 2014 Comprehension passages
WAEC 2014
COMPREHENSION PASSAGE I
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.
In the past, people thought of libraries as a large collection of books. Many people still think so. Institutions, companies, offices and even some individuals keep and maintain libraries.
Today, however, libraries form a vital part of the world’s system of communication and education. Unlike traditional libraries, which typically were a collection of books, modern libraries have a wide variety of other materials that communicate, educate, and entertain. These include books, films and the Internet. Libraries, among other things, serve as a store of knowledge that has been collected and kept through the ages.
People from all walks of life use library sources in their work. A large number of people also turn to libraries to satisfy a desire for knowledge or to obtain reading materials for their leisure. Development is impossible unless formal education goes hand in hand with reading at one's leisure.
Libraries also play an important part in keeping the society's heritage. Some libraries, too, put up public shows to help people to learn more about their own community or the culture of other countries. Moreover, they help teachers to prepare reading list to add to their classroom work and research. Students also make use of libraries to gather information for assignments in their various subject areas.
Most people, unfortunately, forget that while reading story books they imbibe knowledge about other places, other people in their culture and even some basic facts. This special benefit which people can derive from reading is invaluable.
One other important benefit people derive from reading stories or novels is “a proper sense of acceptable values.” For example, one may learn that respect for time is important to success and that it is a value that is accepted everywhere in the world.
By reading story books and novels, one lives through imagination with different characters and learns a great deal about what you do and what happens to them. One lens and tries to practice such qualities as honesty, truthfulness and fair play. Indeed, there is no substitute for reading.
Questions
(a) State the difference between traditional and modern library.
(b) This special benefit… is invaluable.
What does this expression mean?
(c) Apart from reading and research, mention two other uses of the library.
(d) What benefits do people derive from reading storybooks?
(e) Give the meaning of the expression: “people from all walks of life...”
(f) ... a desire or knowledge
i) what is the grammatical name given to the expression about?
ii) What is its function?
(g) … there is no substitute for reading.
What advice does the writer want to give with this quotation?
(h) For each of the following words on the line in the passage command give another word or phrase which means the same and can replace it in the passage:
(i) vital
(ii) variety
(iii) store
(iv) heritage
(v) imbibe
(vi) basic
COMPREHENSION PASSAGE II
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.
The tradition of little girls playing mother-to-baby dolls is as old as one can imagine. Perhaps, this tradition is universal.
Enjoy status other than just being objects for play. Ghanaian folklore abounds in tales of overindulged cab doors we do their infertile “parents” the supreme favor of miraculously coming to life. By such transformation, the doll-turned human fulfills a basic longing: it is an answer to childless couple’s desperate prayer – a gift from the gods.
In folklore, dolls are associated with fertility. This is how the Akuaba Fertility Doll institution has come into being. The exquisite beauty that has been painstakingly carved into the Akuaba is justified on two grounds. Firstly, if the Akuaba is going to become human, it makes sense that its mother would wish it to be very beautiful. Secondly, if the doll is merely going to serve as the charm that attracts scores of babies into an already fertile womb, again, it stands to reason that the doll should be remarkably beautiful. This reasoning is based on yet another superstition – a foetus in the womb takes after the features of any object that its mother constantly views. An expectant mother, therefore, is advised to keep the Akuaba beauty doll within easy sight, so that her eyes would effortlessly be directed to it regularly.
It is in line with these beliefs that the creator of the Akuaba doll endows it with all the desirable attributes that the Ghanaian society regards as feminine. Most striking among the Akuaba’s beauty assets are its smooth, flat forehead, captivating liquid eyes, well-defined eyebrows, slightly pointed nose, lips and a neck deliberately made long to allow for its six lines of thick, fleshy folds. Below the neck is the chest, out of which juts two firm and ample breasts. A flattish stomach comes next, dented with a very evident navel. An inch or two below the navel lie two rows of waist-beads on the Akuaba’s sizeable hips. Perhaps, the most striking feature of the traditional Akuaba doll is its jet-black glossy veneer, which portrays the typical Ghanaian belief that black is beautiful.
Questions
a) Quote two adjectives from the passage wich describe the tradition of little girls playing mother-to-baby dolls.
b) Give the reason why cap dolls have come to be associated with fertility.
c) Why does the carver put so much effort into making the doll?
d) Why is it recommended at the expectant mother look at the Akuaba doll very often?
e) How would you describe the belief in Akuaba dolls?
f) …basic longing.
What does this expression refer to?
g) … that its mother constantly views.
(i) What grammatical name would you give to this expression?
(ii) What is its function in the sentence?
h) For each of the following words, find another word or group of words or phrase which means the same as the word or group of words and can replace it in the passage:
(i) abounds in
(ii) fulfils
(iii) painstakingly
(iv) scores
(v) striking
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