Comprehension Passage

Read the passage, then answer the 5 questions that follow. Marking schemes are included.

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow

Long ago, in a forest near the hills, there lived a clever tortoise named Kobe and a proud hare named Sungura. Sungura was the fastest animal in the whole forest, and he never stopped boasting about his speed. He laughed at the slow tortoise whenever they met on the path. Kobe said nothing, but deep inside he grew tired of the hare's rude words and constant mocking.

One day, Kobe surprised everyone by challenging Sungura to a race. The other animals could hardly believe their ears. The hare laughed so hard that he nearly fell over. He agreed at once, certain that he would win without any effort. The race would begin at the old baobab tree and end at the river, far across the green valley where the animals often gathered to drink.

When the race began, Sungura shot ahead like an arrow and was soon out of sight. Feeling sure of his victory, he decided to rest under a shady tree. The afternoon was warm, and before long he fell fast asleep. Meanwhile, Kobe kept moving slowly but steadily, never once stopping. He passed the sleeping hare quietly and continued towards the river, step after patient step.

When Sungura finally woke, the sun was low in the sky. He raced to the river as fast as his legs could carry him, but it was too late. Kobe was already there, calmly waiting, having won the race. The animals cheered for the tortoise. Sungura hung his head in shame, having learned that pride and laziness can defeat even the swiftest runner.

  1. Question 1

    1 mark

    Why did Kobe finally challenge Sungura to a race?

    A. He was tired of the hare's rude words and mocking

    B. He had been promised a reward by the animals

    C. He wanted to become the leader of the forest

    D. He wished to explore the green valley

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    A. He was tired of the hare's rude words and mocking

  2. Question 2

    1 mark

    What did Sungura do during the race that cost him victory?

    A. He stopped to help another animal

    B. He returned to the baobab tree

    C. He fell asleep under a shady tree

    D. He took a wrong path to the river

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it
  3. Question 3

    1 mark

    The word 'steadily' as used in the passage means

    A. in a noisy and careless way

    B. in a constant and continuous way

    C. in a fearful and shaky way

    D. in a slow and unsure way

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it
  4. Question 4

    1 mark

    What lesson can be learned from the passage?

    A. It is foolish to take part in a race

    B. The fastest runner always wins a race

    C. Animals should never challenge each other

    D. Pride and laziness can lead to defeat

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it
  5. Question 5

    1 mark

    The best title for this passage is

    A. A Walk to the River

    B. The Animals of the Forest

    C. The Sleepy Afternoon

    D. The Proud Hare and the Patient Tortoise

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it
  6. 4 more marking schemes are on this page. A free account opens all of them, and lets you build your own paper on the topics you have actually taught, laid out in KNEC format with its full marking scheme.

    Create a free account

More Grade 8 English topics