2021 PSLE ENGLISH PAPER 2

Booklet A

Section A: Grammar Multiple Choice (10 X 1 mark)

For each question from 1 to 10, write your answer (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.

1. “You rarely make mistakes in school, __________? Keep it up!” Mrs

Mandy told her daughter.

(1) do you
(2) don’t you
(3) have you
(4) haven’t you ( )

2. Mrs Farhan’s three children shared the cake __________ themselves.

(1) with
(2) along
(3) among
(4) between ( )

3. This water bottle is made entirely __________ plastic. It is light yet sturdy.

(1) in
(2) of
(3) off
(4) with ( )

4. “Please inform our technicians __________ you have any problems,” said
the customer service officer.

(1) may
(2) must
(3) could
(4) should ( )

5. The accused confessed to __________ the money.

(1) stole
(2) steal
(3) stolen
(4) stealing ( )

6. The man __________ you sat next to at the concert looks familiar.

(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose ( )
Nasri is holding __________ some important information from us. We should
not readily trust him.

(1) to
(2) on
(3) back
(4) down ( )

7. Kenneth felt an ant __________ up his arm as he was typing his report
on his laptop.

(1) crawl
(2) crawls
(3) crawled
(4) has crawled ( )

8. __________ and __________ took our mother out to her favourite

restaurant for Mother’s Day.

(1) My brother … I
(2) My brother … us
(3) Me … my brother
(4) My brother … me ( )

9. __________ did Annie expect such a surprise on her birthday. She was
blown away!

(1) Any
(2) Little
(3) Much
(4) None ( )

PSLE English Paper 2 2

Section B: Vocabulary Multiple Choice (5 X 1 mark)
For each question from 11 to 15, write your answer (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.

10. The owner of the lost cat offered a __________ reward to anyone who
could return her prized and precious Scottish Fold.

(1) vast
(2) hefty
(3) bulky
(4) worthy ( )

11. Muhammad decided to __________________ and ride the momentum to

finish his work. He knows he will not feel this motivated for much longer.

(1) leave no stone unturned

(2) kill two birds with one stone
(3) make hay while the sun shines
(4) bite off more than he can chew ( )

12. Mdm Aisyah’s daughter is naturally __________. She likes to know all that
is going on around her.

(1) indelible
(2) indignant
(3) inquisitive
(4) incorrigible ( )

13. The Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel helped to __________ all
the residents from the burning building.

(1) evict
(2) remove
(3) abandon
(4) evacuate ( )

14. 4G networks will soon become __________. Telecommunications

networks will soon switch to 5G networks.

(1) oblong
(2) obscure
(3) obsolete
(4) obdurate ( )

PSLE English Paper 2 3

Section C: Vocabulary Cloze Multiple Choice (5 X 1 mark)
For each question from 16 to 20, choose the word(s) closest in meaning
to the underlined word(s). Write your answer (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the brackets
provided.
“The holidays have arrived!” Bala exclaimed (16) euphorically. Bala
and his cousins had planned a 3-day 2-night staycation at Sentosa Resorts
Hotel, and they intended to make full use of their time there. Packing for the
staycation, however, was turning out to be (17) daunting for Bala. He was
caught in a (18) predicament about which game console he should bring.
“The Playstation or the Nintendo Switch?” he (19) mused.

In the end, Bala (20) settled on neither. He decided that quality family
bonding time was the most important thing for this trip.

15. (1) sadly

(2) angrily
(3) elatedly
(4) despairingly ( )

16. (1) tiring

(2) thrilling
(3) intimidating
(4) discouraging ( )

17. (1) difficulty

(2) dilemma
(3) decision
(4) resolution ( )

18. (1) joked

(2) puzzled
(3) brooded
(4) pondered ( )

19. (1) decided

(2) rejected
(3) believed
(4) concluded ( )

PSLE English Paper 2 4

Section D: Visual Text Comprehension (8 X 1 mark)
Study this advertisement and then answer questions 21 to 28.

ThinkSeven Automative Specialists

Machine Reliability and Quality Service

SoutheaSt aSia’S Leading Manufacturer urgentLy requireS:

A) Full / Part-time Telemarketers

✓ Strong communication skills
✓ Must have initiative and be tactful in handling customers
✓ Some years of relevant experience in telemarketing
✓ Hourly-rated salary plus commission

B) Sales Executive
✓ Minimum with Diploma or ‘A’ level
✓ PC Literate
✓ 1-5 years of sales experience in IT / Presenting products
✓ Excellent interpersonal skills

For position A
Interested applicants, please walk in from 19 to 23 October from 9.00 a.m. to
12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

For position B
Interested applicants, please forward your resume with indication of your
present and expected salary together with a recent non-returnable photograph
by 24 September to the address below.

June May
Talent Acquisition Specialist
188, Soh Leng Towers
Singapore 5600056
email: [email protected]

PSLE English Paper 2 5

 How to Ace your Interviews
Conduct Research on the Hiring Company and People:
Success in a job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge on the
jobseeker's part. You should understand the employer, the requirements of the
job, and the background of the person (or people) interviewing you.

Dress for Success:

Plan out a wardrobe that fits the organisation and its culture, striving for the
most professional appearance you can accomplish. Remember that it is always
better to be overdressed than under -- and to wear clothing that fits and is clean
and pressed. Keep accessories and jewellery to a minimum.

Arrive on Time for the Interview -- and Prepared for Success:

There is no excuse for ever arriving late for an interview -- other than some sort
of disaster. Strive to arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled interview
to complete additional paperwork and allow yourself time to get settled.

Make Good First Impressions -- to Everyone You Encounter:

Be polite and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet -- from the parking
attendant or the receptionist to the hiring manager. Employers often are curious
how job applicants treat staff members -- and your job offer could easily be
withdrawn if you are rude or arrogant to any of the staff. When it is time for the
interview, keep in mind that first impressions -- the ones interviewers make in
the first few seconds of greeting you -- can make or break an interview.

Be Authentic, Upbeat, Focused, Confident, Candid, and Concise:

Once the interview starts, the key to success is the quality and delivery of your
responses. Your goal should always be authenticity, responding truthfully to
interview questions. At the same time, your goal is to get to the next step, so
you will want to provide focused responses that showcase your skills,
experience, and fit -- with the job and the employer. Provide solid examples of
solutions and accomplishments -- but keep your responses short and to the
point.

PSLE English Paper 2 6

For each question from 21 to 28, write your answer (1, 2, 3 or 4) in the
brackets provided.

20. ThinkSeven Automation Specialists is in urgent need of __________.

(1) several sales executives and telemarketers

(2) full/part-time telemarketers and a temporary sales executive
(3) a sales executive and full/part-time telemarketers
(4) both temporary and permanent sales executives and telemarketers ( )

21. Candidates for both vacancies must __________.

(1) have computer knowledge

(2) be experienced in their respective fields only
(3) have knowledge in the use of computers and communicate well
(4) be able to communicate well and be experienced in their respective fields
( )

22. Which position/s is/are required to deal with customers?

(1) Sales executives only

(2) Part-time telemarketers only
(3) Both Full-time and Part-time telemarketers
(4) Sales Executives, Full-time and Part-time telemarketers ( )

23. An applicant for the post of sales executive can either __________.

(1) send his/her resume by post or email

(2) attend an interview or call up the company
(3) email his/her resume or attend an interview
(4) call up the company or submit his/her resume by hand ( )

24. Which of the following is the best reason for conducting research on the
company or the people whom you are interviewing for?

(1) You will be better prepared to answer possible interview questions.

(2) You can show off to the interviewer/s how much you know about them.
(3) You will be better able to impress them with the knowledge of their history.
(4) You will be able to manipulate the interview to your advantage since you
have studied their personality types. ( )

25. Why are you encouraged to arrive early for an interview?

(1) You allow yourself some time to settle down.

(2) You can observe the dynamics of the workplace.
(3) You will be able to calm your nerves and anxiety.
(4) You allow yourself some time, just in case you need to use the bathroom.
( )

PSLE English Paper 2 7

26. Which of the following would be considered making a good first
impression?

(1) Greeting the coffee lady and the interviewer.

(2) Dressing well and offering a very firm handshake.
(3) Being early and nonchalant towards the interviewer when you introduce
yourself.
(4) Showing off your knowledge of the company and responding truthfully to
interview questions. ( )

27. Which word best replaces the word “authentic” in the last section?

(1) pure
(2) honest
(3) original
(4) authoritative ( )

PSLE English Paper 2 8

Booklet B

Section E: Grammar Cloze (10 X 1 mark)

There are 10 blanks, numbered 29 to 38, in the passage below. From the
list of words given, choose the most suitable word for each blank. Write
its letter (A to Q) in the blank. The letters (I) and (O) have been omitted to
avoid confusion during marking.

EACH WORD CAN BE USED ONLY ONCE

(A) from (D) and (G) with (K) that (N) onto
(B) by (E) towards (H) up (L) down (P) over
(C) to (F) at (J) then (M) into (Q) for

A ex-naval officer who punched a motorist on the face (29)__________ a

parking incident was ordered by the court to pay a fine of $1,500. Diana Foo,

46, admitted fighting (30)__________ Loo Soo Teck, 63, at the car park of

Block 123 Yishun Ring Road on July 4 last year.

The court heard (31)__________ Loo, a retiree, was driving with his wife

as passenger when he tried to reverse (32)__________ a car park lot at Block

107. Just (33)__________, Foo drove and stopped her car close to Loo's

(34)__________ prevent him from reversing. He then stuck his hand out of the

car window and waved (35)__________ Foo to reverse her car, but she did not

and gestured in return. Loo then got (36)__________ and approached Foo's

car, opened the front passenger side door and asked her to reverse her car.

A dispute arose. Loo slammed Foo’s door and while he was walking back

to his car, Foo punched him on the face. He blocked the attack (37)__________

raising his arms but she continued to punch him. He then retaliated, causing

her to fall. When she got (38)__________, she tried to attack Loo again. Loo

has been fined $200. Foo could have been jailed for up to 15 months and/or

fined up to $10,000 for the offence.

PSLE English Paper 2 Booklet B 1

 Section F: Editing (12 X 1 mark)
Each of the underlined words contains either a grammatical or spelling
error. Write the correct word in each of the boxes.

(39)
The wild boar lowered its head. It snorted. Xena realise that it was about

to charge. She thought back to her father's words. "Pretend you are a boar."
(40)
She screamed; a high-pitched, rezonent scream. Xena raised her arms
(41)
and flapped it threateningly at the boar. She screamed again. It was not a
(42)
scream of fear, but of threat. The boar was stuttled. It hesitated, then turned

and crashed back into the forest.

(43)
Xena took a shuddering breath. She started to trambel and clasped her

arms to stop them shaking. She felt cold, and turned to grab the shawl that had
(44) (45)
fell off when she was praying to the gawddes. When she turned back, she saw

the bushes rustling.

Xena prepared herself. In case the wild boar returned. She breathed a sigh
(46) (47)
of relieve when Tarzan, the loyal hound, emerged over through the trees, nose
(48)
to the ground, following the trayle of the boar. He caught Xena’s scent and
(49)
barqed with joy. He leap up at her and licked her face all over. Xena laughed
(50)
and pushed him away.

PSLE English Paper 2 Booklet B 2

Section G: Comprehension Cloze (15 X 1 mark)
Fill in each blank with a suitable word.

Ole Kirk Christiansen was a carpenter from Denmark. He conceptualised

and invented the design of Lego (51)__________. He came from a

(52)__________ family and worked as a carpenter to make ends

(53)__________, and used his workplace skills to begin to produce toys made

out of wood for sale. He considered it as his real job (54)__________ the time,

constructing miniature furniture and houses to sell. By 1934, his company was

already addressed as Lego, the (55)__________ under which the toys would

become famous as.

In 1947, he decided to use plastic to make these toys. In 1949, his company

started to (56)__________ toys called ‘automatic binding bricks’, which were

comprised of interlocking bricks. Christiansen named this product after his

company, Lego, which was (57)__________ from the Danish phrase leg godt,

which means ‘play well.’ He also emphasised on his employees the

(58)__________ of quality.

In 1954, his son, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, assumed the (59)__________

of Lego Group's junior managing director. He was credited for introducing Lego

bricks as a more enjoyable and fun toy system. In January 1958, months

(60)__________ Ole Kirk’s death, the patent for the modern version of Lego

bricks was approved.

Today, the Lego Group has progressed even (61)__________. It has

designed and manufactured thousands of (62)__________ sets that are

guaranteed to (63)__________ fun and enjoyment to everyone, with a range of

themes and licensed special editions (64)__________ on movies and TV

shows. The company has expanded to include movies, books, video games,

PSLE English Paper 2 Booklet B 3

clothing, and even Legoland theme parks, and is now one of the most

(65)__________ brands in the world.

adapted from https://brickipedia.fandom.com/wiki/LEGO

PSLE English Paper 2 Booklet B 4

Section H: Synthesis and Transformation (5 X 2 marks)
For each question from 66 to 70, rewrite the given sentence(s) using the
word(s) provided. You answer must be in one sentence. The meaning of
your sentence must be the same as meaning of the given sentence(s).

66. You should press the emergency button if the lift is stuck.

Unless _____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________.

67. Someone dropped the iPad accidentally.

The iPad ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________.

68. You must key in the correct password to unlock the phone.

____________________________________________________ without

__________________________________________________________.

69. “I did all the chores on my own today,” Ariff complained.

Ariff complained _____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________.

70. The students practised for the play. They did so very enthusiastically.

It was with __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________.

PSLE English Paper 2 Booklet B 5

Section I: Comprehension Open-ended (20 marks)
Read this passage and answer questions 71 to 80.

I was playing the last match of my career. With 14 years, three

league titles, one continental trophy and four domestic cup titles under
my belt, I had a fantastic career playing only for my hometown football
club, and was intent on bringing glory to my club by leading my team
to earn one more title. I was determined not to disappoint my coach, 5
teammates and family for their unwavering support throughout the
years of my football career. It was the final game of the season and
we were two points off the top. Although we were missing key players
due to injury, I had confidence that we would beat the odds and
triumph. Win this game, and we win the league. 10

So far, the match had been an intense one, with both teams in a
fighting a battle of attrition. We had scored early in the first half of the
game, but the opponents equalised on the stroke of half-time. With
the score now 1-1 and already two minutes of three of injury time on
the clock, both teams were getting increasingly anxious. The sea of 15
fans in the stadium around us reflected our emotions, their chanting
and cheering increasing to deafening decibels as they cheered on
their respective teams. It had been a true nail-biter of a match, with
many near misses and heart-stopping moments.

I tried to stay calm and not let my nervousness affect my 20

performance. Instead of focusing purely on blindly attacking the goal,
I found myself strategising ways to create space to allow for chances
for scoring. The opponents had a strong line of defenders who had
diligently thwarted our advances time and again, resulting in our many
missed chances. However, instead of letting my frustration result in 25
mistakes, I urged myself to stay calm and think of ways to overcome
the obstacle. To have a chance at scoring, we would have to catch
them off guard.

As soon as my teammate nicked the ball off an opponent, I took

off running. A few swift and accurate passes later, I finally regained 30
possession of the ball. Agilely avoiding their vicious tackles, I flew
past the opponents and raced towards the goal, faking the intention
of scoring. As expected, the final line of opponent players formed an
impenetrable wall of defence as they closed in on me. I quickly
passed the ball to an unmarked teammate behind, who provided a 35
distraction to the opponent players.

My chance had come at last! I swivelled past the remaining

defenders, all the while keeping my eyes on the ball. A carefully
placed pass from a teammate, lobbed the ball over the heads of the
defenders, fell down back to me. Letting instinct and muscle memory 40
take over completely, I lifted my leg to take the final defining kick of
my career.

PSLE English Paper 2 Booklet B 6

 The ball curled right into the top right-hand corner of the goal, hit
its target square on and swished satisfyingly into the net. There was
a split second of absolute silence before the crowd erupted. Before I 45
could react, my teammates were crowding around me, cheering,
hugging, and crying.

When the final whistle blew after what felt like a lifetime later, I
felt a rush of emotions as I watched the exuberant crowd celebrating
in the stands. What a way to end my career! 50

71. Based on the information given about the writer, fill in the blanks in the
following table. [3]

An adjective to Evidence
describe the writer

accomplished

The writer had spent his entire playing career

playing only for his hometown club.

determined

72. What emotion is being conveyed when the writer said that he did not want
to disappoint his coach, his teammates and his family? [1m]

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

73. Which phrase suggests that both teams did not want to give an inch to the
other? [1m]

74. Why were the writer and his teammates getting “increasingly anxious”?
(line 15) [2m]

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

PSLE English Paper 2 Booklet B 7

75. Which sentence shows that the writer is someone who is persistent and
not emotional? [1m]

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

76. From lines 23 to 43, choose a word that has the same meaning as the
following word or phrases. [3m]

(a) prevented from accomplishing

(b) stole

(c) exemplifying or characterising

77. Look at the table below. What do the words in the left column refer to in the
passage? Write your answers in the column on the right. The first one has
been done for you. [3m]

Word from the passage Who the word refers to

my (line 4) the writer

we (line 7)

us (line 15)

we (line 27)

78. Write 1, 2, and 3 in the blanks below to indicate the order in which the
events occurred in the passage. [1m]

____ The writer got past the last defender.

____ The writer received the lobbed pass.

____ The writer pretended to shoot.

79. Why do you think it “felt like a lifetime” for the writer before the final whistle
blew? [2m]

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

PSLE English Paper 2 Booklet B 8

80. Based on the story, state whether each statement in the table below is true
or false, then give one reason why you think so. [3m]

True/False Reason
The writer
believed it
would be an
easy win.

The win was

solely due to
the effort of the
writer as he
had scored the
winning goal.

The final score

was 1-0, with
the writer’s
team winning
and the
opposing team
did not score.

End of Paper

PSLE English Paper 2 Booklet B 9