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

Wanjiru woke up before sunrise on Saturday. She had promised her grandmother that she would help at the busy market in Nakuru. The morning air was cool and the streets were still quiet. Wanjiru carried two empty baskets on her arms and walked quickly along the dusty path. She wanted to arrive early so that they could find the best spot near the main gate.

By the time the sun rose, the market was already alive with noise. Traders shouted to attract customers, and the smell of ripe mangoes filled the air. Wanjiru's grandmother sold fresh vegetables that she grew on her small farm. The two of them arranged the tomatoes, carrots and spinach neatly so that buyers could see how fresh they were.

A kind woman stopped at their stall and bought a large basket of vegetables. She praised Wanjiru for being so diligent at such a young age. Wanjiru smiled shyly and thanked her. Throughout the morning, more customers came, and the vegetables sold quickly. Wanjiru carefully counted the money and kept it safe inside a small cloth bag tied around her waist.

When the market closed in the afternoon, the two baskets were empty. Wanjiru felt proud because she had helped her family earn a good income. Her grandmother bought her a sweet, ripe mango as a reward. As they walked home together, Wanjiru decided that she would help at the market every Saturday during the school holidays.

  1. Question 1

    1 mark

    What did Wanjiru promise her grandmother she would do?

    A. She would cook supper for the whole family.

    B. She would water the vegetables on the farm.

    C. She would sweep the streets near the gate.

    D. She would help at the busy market in Nakuru.

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

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  2. Question 2

    1 mark

    What did Wanjiru's grandmother sell at the market?

    A. Empty baskets made from dry grass.

    B. Ripe mangoes from a large orchard.

    C. Cloth bags for carrying money.

    D. Fresh vegetables grown on her small farm.

    (1 mark)

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  3. Question 3

    1 mark

    The word 'diligent' as used in the passage means

    A. shy and afraid of strangers.

    B. tired and ready to rest.

    C. hardworking and careful.

    D. lazy and unwilling to work.

    (1 mark)

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  4. Question 4

    1 mark

    Why did Wanjiru feel proud when the market closed?

    A. She had arrived earlier than all the other traders.

    B. She had counted more money than her grandmother.

    C. She had bought a sweet, ripe mango for herself.

    D. She had helped her family earn a good income.

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    D. She had helped her family earn a good income.

  5. Question 5

    1 mark

    Which is the best title for this passage?

    A. The Long Walk to School

    B. A Helpful Day at the Market

    C. How to Grow Fresh Tomatoes

    D. The Quiet Streets of Nakuru

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

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  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.

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