G10 ENG LANGUAGE OPENER TERM 3 2026 MS

ENGLISH LANGUAGE GRADE 10

TERM 3 OPENER EXAMINATION 2026

MARKING SCHEME

SECTION A: LISTENING AND SPEAKING (ORAL SKILLS) (15 marks)

QUESTION 1 (Total: 15 marks)

(a) A diphthong is a vowel sound produced when the tongue glides from one vowel position to another within the same syllable, e.g. /aɪ/ as in "time" or /eɪ/ as in "day". A pure vowel (monophthong) is a vowel sound produced with the tongue and lips remaining relatively stable throughout, without a glide, e.g. /iː/ as in "see" or /ɒ/ as in "hot".[B2 definition + B1 example, ×2 (any correct example accepted) = 4]

(b) "Seed" — it has the vowel sound /iː/, while "bed", "said" and "head" all have the vowel sound /e/.[B2]

(c) (i) PHOtograph — stress on the 1st syllable. (ii) phoTOGrapher — stress on the 2nd syllable. (iii) photoGRAPHic — stress on the 3rd syllable.[B1 B1 B1]

(d) Any TWO: eye contact; facial expressions; gestures/hand movements; posture/body language; appropriate pauses; use of visual aids.[B1 B1]

(e) Any TWO: greet the caller politely; identify yourself/your organisation at the start of the call; speak clearly and at a moderate pace; avoid interrupting the other speaker; use polite closing remarks; keep the call brief and to the point.[B1 B1]

(f) Extensive listening involves listening to longer texts for general/overall understanding or enjoyment, without focusing on every detail (e.g. listening to a story for pleasure). Intensive listening involves listening closely and carefully to a shorter text to extract specific, detailed information (e.g. listening for particular facts or figures).[B1 B1]

SECTION B: READING COMPREHENSION (20 marks)

QUESTION 2 (Total: 20 marks)

(a) Any TWO: it stabilises riverbanks; it prevents soil erosion; it helps recharge underground water sources.[B1 B1]

(b) Eucalyptus consumes vast quantities of water and lowers the water table in areas where it is planted extensively, causing nearby streams/water sources that farmers depend on to dry up.[B1 B1 B1]

(c)(i) "Revered" — deeply respected/honoured/regarded with great esteem.[B1 (accept any close synonym conveying deep respect)]