Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

2021 English Paper 1

 Imagine you are the student leader in charge of games and clubs’ activities in your school. There has been a
decline in students’ participation in these activities. The principal has appointed you the Chairperson of a
Committee to investigate the causes of the problem. Write the report, giving recommendations on what should
be done to address the problem. (20 marks)
 Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with the most appropriate word. (10 marks)
Knowing how to talk about characters in a story is an important aspect of the study of literature. Can you (a)
…………… figure …………… out if your friend is in a good mood or a bad mood? (b) …………… You …………… probably can.
What your friend says or does (c) …………… reveals …………… his or her character. At their (d) …………… best ……………
writers reveal the traits of the characters in their stories in the (e) …………… same …………… way. They describe what
the characters do or say. They offer other (f) …………… clues …………… about the characters’ traits too. Writers also (g)
…………… provide …………… information about a character’s motives or reasons (h) …………… for …………… saying or
doing something. Often in a story (i) …………… there …………… will be a single motive behind the (j) …………… things
…………… a character does or says.
 (a) Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
The Beard
By Proscovia Rwakyaka
In the pulpit he swayed and turned,
leaned forward, backward,
To the right: to the left.
His solemn voice echoed;
Lowly the congregation followed,
‘Do you love your neighbour?’
Meekly they bow at his keen eye
Now examining a grey head
Heaving under her Robs.
His heart leapt assured —
‘Her sins weigh on her!’
So with her he chats outside;
‘Weep not child you are pardoned.’
‘But, sir, your beard conjured up
The spirit of my dear goat!’
From: Poems from East Africa. David Cook and David Rubadiri (Eds.) EAEP, Nairobi
i) Identify and illustrate two sound features used in the poem. (4 marks)

ii) Describe how you would say the following lines in the poem.
I) ‘Do you love your neighbour?’ (2 marks)

II) ‘But, sir, your beard conjured up the spirit of my dear goat!’ (2 marks)

(b) Underline the stressed part of the words in bold in the sentences below. (4 marks)
i) She is unwell now but I know she will manage.
ii) We need to register all the students before the end of the day.
iii) Remember we have an agreement.
iv) The convict pleaded for leniency.
(c) Imagine that your class is having a talk on career choices. The speaker keeps asking the students to pay attention. Give
six indicators that inform the speaker that his or her listeners are not attentive. (6 marks)

(d) In each set of words given below, identify the odd one out according to the pronunciation of the underlined part of the
word. (4 marks)
i) breath, breadth, breathe
ii) pole, poll, pool
iii) four, fowl, for
iv) pear, pier, peer
(e) Read the following conversation between Jane and a trader and answer the questions that follow.
Jane: (Looking at the phones on display) Good Morning
Trader: Which one of them do you want?
Jane: (Surprised) Er, I would like to buy a nice phone.
Trader: All phones on display here are fantastic. Which one of them do you want?
Jane: (Pointing). This one looks great, how much is it?
Trader: Twenty thousand shillings only.
Jane: Goodness, you can’t be serious! You are extremely expensive.
Trader: Then find another shop.
Jane: Um, what about a discount, please I am serious about buying a phone.
Trader: (Uninterested) Really?
Jane: (Exiting) I’m sorry to have bothered you.
Trader: (Cursing) Get lost!
i) Give two illustrations to show that Jane is polite. (2 marks)

ii) In the dialogue, Jane hesitates to respond two times. Explain one possible reason for the hesitation. (2 marks)

iii) In your own words, rewrite any two of the responses by the Trader to demonstrate politeness. (4 marks)

2020 English Paper 1

 Kenya Talent Academy is looking for a suitably qualified, experienced, and enthusiastic sports coach.
Responsibilities: Coaching and training students in a variety of sports. Counseling and mentoring the youth.
Requirements: [Details not provided in the question].
 Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with the most appropriate word. (10 marks)
Writing letters and notes to people who have suffered a painful loss can be a very sensitive and difficult task. It is (a)
…………… such …………… a hard task that we might react by (b) …………… avoiding …………… it, starting then stopping or
distracting (c) …………… ourselves …………… until we can get (d) …………… into …………… the right state of mind. (e)
…………… Why …………… is it too difficult? It is because writing (f) …………… even …………… a short note on a sympathy
card (g) …………… requires …………… us to walk with a person in grief and empathize with their (h) …………… pain
……………. It is not easy, and it is not pleasant (i) …………… but …………… it is a (j) …………… meaningful …………… act of
communicating that we care.
 (a) Study the riddle below and answer the questions that follow.
Challenger: Take a riddle.
 Respondent: I take it.
Challenger: This small woman cooks better than your mother.
Respondent: It’s a bee.
i) Describe the stages of a riddling process evident in the riddle above. (4 marks)

ii) Who are the most likely participants in a riddling process? (1 mark)

iii) What would have happened if the respondent had not got the right answer? (1 mark)

(b) For each of the following words, give a word that is pronounced the same. (6 marks)
i) Blue ________________________
ii) Flour ________________________
iii) Air ________________________
iv) One ________________________
v) Know ________________________
vi) Would ________________________
(c) For each of the following words, underline the part that is stressed. (3 marks)
i) advice
ii) tribalism
iii) surprise
(d) You are the Chairperson of your English study group. Explain three things that you would do to ensure that the
discussion is conducted effectively. (6 marks)

(e) Read the following conversation between Hamisi and the Secretary of Walimu Wema College and answer the questions
that follow.
Hamisi: Hello.
Secretary: Hello. Who are you?
Hamisi: I am Ian Simiyu. Is that Walimu Wema College?
Secretary: Yes. What do you want?
Hamisi: I would like to talk to the Pri…
Secretary: The Principal is not in.
Hamisi: I wanted to enquire about the requirements for joining the college.
Secretary: There’s no room for more students.
Hamisi: Could you kindly tell me about the next intake?
Secretary: I don’t know. You will see the advert in the newspapers. (hangs up)
i) Identify the shortcomings in the Secretary’s responses. (3 marks)

ii) Correct any three responses of the Secretary to ensure that they adhere to telephone etiquette. Write your responses in
the table below. (3 marks)
 What she said What she should have said
1.
2.
3.
2019 English Paper 1
 Imagine you have recently transferred to another school. Write a letter to your best friend in your former school
persuading him or her to transfer to your new school. In your letter, give at least three reasons why this school is
better than your former school. (20 marks)
 Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with the most appropriate word. (10 marks)
Regardless of your intelligence and the way you learn, knowing how to concentrate is critical to a student’s success.
Concentration is a (a) …………… skill …………… that is developed through self-discipline and (b) …………… practice
……………. It is a habit that (c) …………… requires …………… time and effort to develop for consistent success. Athletes
have it. Surgeons have it; and successful students (d) …………… must …………… have it. Concentration can be defined
as the process of paying attention or (e) …………… giving …………… full attention on the task (f) …………… at ……………
hand. The mark of a genius is the (g) …………… ability …………… to concentrate on one thing at a time. This is (h)
…………… easy …………… if the task is fun and exciting. (i) …………… However …………… it becomes more difficult when
one is required to read (j) …………… material …………… that is boring or complicated.
(Adapted from: Bridging the Gap by Brenda D. Smith, Pearson Education Inc. 2008)
 (a) Study the poem below, and then answer the questions that follow.
A stooped old man and a young man
By Amy Z. Davis and Florence Stratton
A stooped old man and a young man
Chanced to meet one day.
The young one said to the elder
In his usual braggart way,
“Why don’t you walk up straight like me?
That’s no way to grow old;
It’s all a form of habit;
At least that’s what I’m told.”
The old man gave him a knowing look,
And said,
“My dear young friend,
Have you ever examined your wheat field,
And noticed the heads that bend?
If not, just look them over
As harvest time draws nigh;
You’ll find that the heads that are empty
Are standing tall and high,
But the heads that count in the harvest
Are filled and bending low,
Awaiting the reaper’s sickle;
Their time is short, they know.”
And as the young man passed on by,
He slowly bowed his head,
No doubt he pondered many a day
On the things that the old man said.
From How to Teach Poetry by Amy Z. Davis and Florence Stratton. Heinemann Edu Books, 1984
i) Identify two features of oral songs in this poem. (4 marks)
ii) Identify any two words that you would stress in the second line of the last stanza. Explain your answer. (3 marks)

iii) How would you perform the fifth line of the first stanza? (2 marks)

(b) Identify the intonation in the following sentences: (2 marks)

i) Did you do your homework? ________________________
ii) What a beautiful girl! ________________________
iii) Get out of sight now ________________________
(c) For each of the following words, provide another that is pronounced in the same way. (6 marks)
i) whale ________________________
ii) need ________________________
iii) seem ________________________
iv) queue ________________________
v) rain ________________________
vi) pair ________________________
(d) Assume that you attended a youth conference on drug abuse. Your principal has asked you to give an oral report during
an assembly. How would you use your voice effectively? (6 marks)

(e) For each of the situations below, write what you would say.
i) Would you like to join us for tea? (1 mark)

ii) Thank you for the wonderful gift. (1 mark)

iii) You wait to seek clarification. (2 marks)

iv) You did not complete your homework because you were not feeling well last night. You go to your class teacher to explain.
(2 marks)

2018 English Paper 1

 A travelling theatre group is staging a performance of one of the literature set books in the local sub-county hall.
Members of the drama club, the form three students, and the form four students would want to watch the
performance. As the secretary of the drama club, write a letter to the principal asking for formal permission. In
your letter, give details about who will attend, the date and the time of the performance, and the cost. You should
also explain why the performance is important. (20 marks)
 Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with the most appropriate word. (10 marks)
Are leaders born or are they created out of circumstances and experience? The debate (a) …………… on …………… this
topic has gone on as long as the chicken-and-egg (b) …………… question ……………. There are strong points for (c)
…………… each …………… side. For our purposes, we will say that the answer is a little bit of (d) …………… both …………….
 Some individuals such as royalty are born and bred to (e) …………… take …………… on leadership roles in later life.
Other people develop into leaders over a sustained (f) …………… period …………… of time. This is the type of leader (g)
…………… we …………… should all strive to become. All too (h) …………… often …………… people find themselves in awe
of great leaders, wondering, “where do beings like these come from?” What these same individuals fail to realize is
that (i) …………… while …………… personality and luck can (j) …………… contribute …………… to a leader’s success, those
things are not the essence of what makes an exceptional leader.
(Adapted from: Everything Leadership Book by Bob Adams)
 (a) Read the poem below, and then answer the questions that follow.
A Poison Tree
By William Blake
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
i) Identify and explain any two features that would make this poem easy to recite. (4 marks)

ii) Describe the rhyme scheme of this poem. (3 marks)

iii) In an oral performance of this poem, how would you say the last line? (2 marks)

(b) Paying attention to the vowel sound in each of the following words, pick the odd one out. (6 marks)
i) scene, ship, these, bean, be
ii) one, sun, put, ton, but
iii) hard, hurt, firm, earn, fur
iv) rode, coat, port, sew, know
v) sit, nine, fight, eye, hide
vi) soup, food, sue, root, good
(c) For each one of the words below, provide another word which is pronounced in the same way but spelt differently.
i) mite ________________________
ii) rest ________________________
iii) waist ________________________
iv) stare ________________________
v) rain ________________________
(d) Read the dialogue below then answer the questions that follow. (6 marks)
Ms. Simiyu: Kantai: Good morning Kantai, why are you waiting outside?
Kantai: Good morning Madam. I was waiting to speak to you.
Ms. Simiyu: What is the problem this time? Are the boys in your class fighting again?
Kantai: There is no problem, Madam. My class sent me to ask you to allow them to attend the entertainment session
tomorrow.
Ms. Simiyu: You already know the answer to this, Kantai. Your class had their turn last weekend.
Kantai: It is true Madam, we had our turn last weekend. But Madam, the video showing this weekend is based on one of our
literature set texts. Here is the notice Madam.
Ms. Simiyu: Let me see it.
Kantai: Here, Madam.
Ms. Simiyu: Also Madam, we have come up with questions which we will answer and discuss in groups after watching the
video.
Kantai: Where are the questions?
Kantai: Here they are Madam.
i) What marks politeness in this negotiation? (2 marks)

ii) What part in this negotiation shows that Kantai had prepared his case well? (2 marks)

iii) What in Ms. Simiyu’s behaviour encourages Kantai to continue with the negotiation? (2 marks)

2017 English Paper 1

 Imagine that you are a former drug addict who has recovered after spending three months in a rehabilitation
centre. You have been invited to a youth forum to talk about ways of preventing drug and substance abuse among
the youth. Students, the County Director of Education, teachers, and some school principals will attend. Write
down the speech you would deliver during the occasion. (20 marks)
 Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with an appropriate word. (10 marks)
A rich vocabulary can only be acquired through wide reading, and can only be (a) …………… retained …………… in the
mind through (b) …………… extensive …………… reading. Dictionaries are useful up to a point. They give information
where needed. (c) …………… But …………… the exact flavour of a word can only (d) …………… become …………… familiar
with repeated encounters of (e) …………… it …………… in different contexts. It is (f) …………… worth ……………
remembering that we acquire (g) …………… most …………… of our active vocabulary without the help of a dictionary at
all. (h) …………… Thus …………… in the acquisition of vocabulary, the course book and the dictionary are mere (i)
…………… aids …………… in a more natural process founded chiefly (j) …………… on …………… leisure-time reading.
 (a) Read the song below, and answer the questions that follow.
Maize has a market
Adapted from Magomoro: Portrait of an African Village (1987) by Landeg White, Cambridge University Press, 1987
Maize has a market
Sorghum has a market
Maize has a market
What about my children?
My children’s market is the graveyard
What about my children?
My children’s market is the graveyard
You are a backbiter
You are a witch
You are a gossip
My children
 You will kill them because of jealousy
My children
You will kill them because of jealousy.
i) With an illustration in each case, identify any three features that contribute to the oral nature of the song. (6 marks)

ii) Briefly explain why the word “You” should be stressed while performing the song. (2 marks)

(b) Identify a sound feature in each of the short forms given below. (6 marks)
i) Challenge: It can be cracked, It can be made. It can be told, It can be played. What is it?
Respondent: A joke

ii) A good wife and health are man’s best wealth.

iii) Ken can can a can of curled kales.

(c) Group the following words according to the pronunciation of the underlined letters. (4 marks)
guide fluid juice cruise biscuit
anguish built quite suitable equipment
guilt
i) ________________________
ii) ________________________
iii) ________________________
iv) ________________________
(d) For each of the following words, underline the part that is stressed. (3 marks)
i) record
ii) convict
iii) absent
(e) You have just attended a public meeting where various speakers were sensitizing people on the problem of cheating in
national examinations. A news reporter who was covering the function decides to interview you. Fill in the gaps in the
conversation so that it flows naturally.
Reporter: Hello, what is your name and what do you do?
You: ________________________ (1 mark)
Reporter: What is the most outstanding thing that you have learnt today?
You: ________________________ (2 marks)
Reporter: ________________________ (1 mark)
You: I would like to tell them that ________________________ (1 mark)
Reporter: ________________________ (1 mark)
2015 English Paper 1
 You are the secretary of the Young Farmers Club in your school. The club has just held its meeting. The patron of
the club and eight of its ten members attended. The deputy principal also attended. During the meeting, the issue
of starting a fish pond was revisited. Members also discussed the following issues: club’s financial status,
members’ annual trip, and sale of club’s farm produce. Write down the minutes of the meeting. (20 marks)
 Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with the most appropriate word. (10 marks)
The positive way to react to disappointment is to use it as a (1) …………… catalyst …………… for growth. This is not
 easy, but it is the only way to deal with an (2) …………… inevitable …………… aspect of life. Helen, the woman who was
not promoted, could have (3) …………… handled …………… her disappointment by looking at other (4) …………… options
……………. For instance, if her boss did not recognize her talent and hard work, (5) …………… perhaps …………… she
could transfer to another department or ask the boss how she could improve her performance in order to be a
candidate (6) …………… for …………… the next promotion. Jamal, the young man who did not (7) …………… get ……………
into the college of his dreams, should look into other institutions of higher learning. Going to another college may
encourage him to be his (8) …………… own …………… man, step out of his brother’s shadow, and realize that being
turned (9) …………… down …………… by one college is not a final judgement on his abilities or potential.
Disappointments in life can make us bitter or better, (10) …………… whether …………… we become victims or victors is
our choice.
(Adapted from: College Writing Skills with Readings, Sixth Edition. New York: Lisa Moore (2005) by Langan John.)
 (a) Study the passage below, which is about negotiation and conflict resolution, and then answer the questions
that follow.
One evening Linda was walking down a desolate, dangerous block lined with abandoned, boarded-up buildings
when suddenly, out of nowhere, she was surrounded by three boys about fourteen years old. One pulled out a knife
with a four-inch blade as they pressed around her.
“Give me your purse! Now!” the boy with the knife hissed.
Though frightened, Linda had the presence of mind to take some deep breaths and reply coolly, “I’m feeling a little
uncomfortable. You know, guys, you’re a little into my space. I’m wondering if you could step back a little.”
Linda studied the pavement — and, to her amazement, she saw them take a few steps back. “Thank you,” she said.
Then she continued, “Now, I want to hear what you said to me, but to tell you the truth, I’m a little nervous about
that knife. I’m wondering if you could put it away.”
After what seemed an eternity of silence and personally, the knife went back into a pocket. Quietly reaching into her
purse, Linda took out a 1,000/= shilling note, caught the eye of the one with the knife, and asked, “Who should I give
it to?”
“Me,” he said.
Glancing at the other two, she asked if they agreed. One of the two nodded.
“Great,” she said, handing the leader the 1,000/= shilling note. “Now here is what’s going to happen. I’m going to
stay right here while you walk away.”
With puzzled looks on their faces, the boys started to walk away, glancing over their shoulders at Linda — and then
they broke into a run. They were running from her.
(Adapted from Working with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. London: Bantam Books, 1999)
i) From the passage, it is evident that Linda has excellent negotiation skills. Identify four of these skills. (4 marks)

ii) Why would we describe this encounter as a win-win situation? Explain your answer. (3 marks)

iii) Describe the rhythm of the last paragraph of this passage. (2 marks)

(b) Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow.
Reprise
By Ogden Nash
Geniuses of countless nations
Have told their love for generations
Till all their memorable phrases
Are common as goldenrod or daisies.
Their girls have glimmered like the moon,
Or shimmered like a summer noon,
Stood like lily, fled like fawn,
Now the sunset, now the dawn,
Here the princess in the tower
There the sweet forbidden flower.
Darling, when I look at you
Every aged phrase is new
And there are moments when it seems
I’ve married one of Shakespeare’s dreams.
(By Ogden Nash in Literature. Boston: McDougal Littell, 2008.)
i) Describe the rhyme scheme in this poem and say what it does. (4 marks)

ii) Identify and illustrate any two instances of alliteration in the poem. (2 marks)

iii) Explain how you would perform the last four lines. (3 marks)

(c) Examine the sets of words below and on the basis of the pronunciation of the vowel sounds that have been
highlighted, pick the odd one out. (6 marks)
i) leopard, jeopardy, deodorant
ii) audience, haunt, laud
iii) said, paid, laid
iv) neither, either, neighbor
v) gone, tone, bone
vi) food, fool, book
(d) On your way home from school, you meet a lady who tells you that she is new in the neighborhood. She requests you
to give directions to the nearest police station. How would you ensure that the directions you give enable her to reach her
destination? (6 marks)

2014 English Paper 1

 You have recently visited a schoolmate during the holidays and thoroughly enjoyed yourself. Write a letter to the
schoolmate, thanking him or her for the invitation. Describe the experiences that made your stay memorable. (20
marks)
 Read the passage below and fill in each blank space with an appropriate word. (10 marks)
An outline is an organized list of what you plan to write about. It is a sketch of what your essay will (1) …………… look
…………… like. It is also a guide which will keep you on the right (2) …………… track …………… when you are writing your
first draft. In the (3) …………… early …………… stages, your outline should be a changing, working outline; in (4)
…………… its …………… final form, your outline should be a “table of contents” of what you have “said” (5) …………… in
…………… your essay. (6) …………… If ……………, for instance, you were assigned to write an essay about trees, you
might choose to write about “Trees used for fuel”. In the planning of your paper, you might decide to (7) ……………
divide …………… your topic into “Trees for firewood” (8) …………… and …………… “Trees used for charcoal”. You might
then (9) …………… further …………… divide your subtopics into the different kinds of trees (10) …………… used ……………
for each purpose.
(Adapted from: Write Source 2000 compiled by Patrick Sebranek, Verne Meyer, and Dave Kemper (1995).)