Lower Secondary Checkpoint Term 1 Exam | Year 8| Mark Scheme

This paper is the mark scheme for the Primary Checkpoint Term 1 Exam by THE GATE.

The exam consists of two papers: Paper 1, Non-fiction Reading and Writing, and Paper 2, Fiction Reading and
Writing. It covers most of the topics that should be addressed during Term 1 in most schools.

The mark scheme is 8 pages long.

The exam and mark scheme are copyrighted by THE GATE, owned by Taha Mohamed for Educational
Services. This version of the exam is authorized for individual and group use.

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This exam is copyrighted by THE GATE, owned by Taha Mohamed for Educational Services. This version of the exam is authorized for individual and group use.
 Relax your mind, study with purpose, and let success unfold. 2
This exam is copyrighted by THE GATE, owned by Taha Mohamed for Educational Services. This version of the exam is authorized for individual and group use.
 Paper 1 Non-fiction

Question Answer Marks

1(a) By withholding the information / by delaying the reveal of the information 1
/ by using the pronoun ‘it’ to refer to the stop sign / by using a short
phrase to identify what it is ‘The stop sign’.
1(b) The last sentence reveals that the noun “stop sign” is what the pronoun 1
“it” in the first sentence refers to.

Question Answer Marks

2(a) to link the second paragraph back to the first paragraph / the noun phrase 1
of the second paragraph (‘the stop sign) is the same as the last noun
phrase of the second.
2(b) • It can refer to the font of the word / the thickness of the letters of the 2
word, showing they stand out clearly.
• It can refer to the design of the stop sign and that it is blunt to make it
unmistakable and effective for immediate recognition.
2 (c) the result of decades of thought, experimentation, and adjustment 1

2 (d) because every aspect of it is carefully crafted to serve a specific purpose 1

and to ensure drivers immediately recognise it and understand its message

Question Answer Marks

3(a) To show these words are quoted / to quote exactly what someone has 1
said.
3(b) It provides time to take a pause and enjoy nature / enjoy the scenery 1
around us.

Question Answer Marks

4(a) not accident 1

4(b) Chronological order / using dates or incidents in the order of time. 1

4(C) Because it was of high quality and reflective. 1

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Question Answer Marks
5(a) to emphasise or grab the attention to the point that the speaker is an 1
expert / to highlight the speaker is expert (their point of view is of value) /
to grab the attention to the value or credibility of what the speaker is
saying by making their profession stand out through the dashes
5(b) even 1

5(C) The stop sign 1

Question Answer Marks

6(a) It will present an opposite point of view / It will discuss the argument 1
against the stop sign / It will discuss a different opinion.
6(b) (i) A rhetorical question 1

6(b) (ii) were introduced / was enjoyed 1

Question Answer Marks

7 Was designed 1
8 Compound complex 1

Question Answer Marks

9(a) 3
Stop sign

Universal Current Octagonal shape, red colour, thick white

appearance letters spelling "STOP".

Material High-quality red reflective paint.

Intended Use To ensure safety by instructing drivers and

pedestrians to pause.

Historical Change Evolved from yellow to red in the 1950s

when red reflective paint became available.

Other Versions Japan uses triangular stop signs with

Japanese characters instead of "STOP".

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Question Answer Marks
9(b) The stop sign is an octagonal, red sign with bold white letters designed for safety. 2
Made with reflective paint, it transitioned from yellow in the 1950s. Its variations,
like Japan’s triangular design, share the same safety purpose.

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 Paper 2 Fiction

Question Answer Marks

1(a) Metaphor 1
1(b) It shows the speaker's control over time / it emphasises the speaker’s 1
confidence in their ability to control over time.

Question Answer Marks

2(a) repeats something previously mentioned. 1
Box 2 should be ticked.
2(b) To add an adjustment to the previous sentence / to correct a previously 1
mentioned statement / to emphasise that Mark is knowledgeable by
expanding his area of knowledge.
2 (c) where we used to hang out 1

Question Answer Marks

3(a) “(Mark said), pulling the collar of his coat up higher.” 1

3(b) He is very self-confident about what he says / he trusts his way of thinking. 1

3(c) to (fully) understand 1

Question Answer Marks

4(a) The rushing cars symbolise motion, flow, and the passage of time as 1
something dynamic and ever-moving, much like a river. This contrasts s
with Mark’s description of time as a "stagnant pool," which conveys
stillness and lack of forward movement.
4(b) stagnant 1

4(C) hissing 1

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Question Answer Marks
5(a) Compound adjective 1
5(b) In a way 1
5(c) They were shocking / they took him by surprise / they powerful and 1
forceful
5(d) The narrator’s approach: Time should be filled with work to make money. 4
Quotation: “…always chasing the next dollar” / “The more I worked, the
more I had, and the more I could keep everything in motion.”
Mark’s approach: Time should be filled with memories / time should be
made use of by making memories.
Quotation: “The more memories you create, the more time you own.” /
“Make memories—moments shared with the ones you love.”

Question Answer Marks

6 Flashback 1

Question Answer Marks

7(a) Now 1
7 (b) To show the narrator paused to find the correct word / to show the 1
narrator paused to reveal a hurting truth / to create a pause to show a
sense of regret.

Question Answer Marks

8 implies the speaker's growing desperation / highlights the speaker's sense 1
of isolation and longing for connection.

Question Answer Marks

9 Repetition of ‘I’ and ‘now’ 1

Question Answer Marks

10 The ‘knowingly smile’ has faded away / he has become less self-assured / 1
the confident spirit he had has faded away.

Question Answer Marks

11 The truth / the reality of time / the real concept of time / the mistake he 1
made all through his life.

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This exam is copyrighted by THE GATE, owned by Taha Mohamed for Educational Services. This version of the exam is authorized for individual and group use.