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

Juma had always dreamed of becoming a doctor. He lived in Kisumu with his mother, who sold fish at the busy market by the lake. Money was scarce, and there were days when the family ate only one meal. Yet Juma studied hard by the light of a small lamp every night, because he believed that good marks would one day open the door to a better life for his family.

At school, Juma was not the cleverest pupil, but he was the most determined. When a topic was difficult, he asked his teacher many questions until he understood. He also helped his classmates who struggled, explaining problems in simple words. His friends admired him because he never made anyone feel foolish for not knowing an answer.

One term, a sickness spread through the school, and several pupils fell ill. Juma remembered the lessons about clean water and washing hands. He gently reminded his friends to boil their drinking water and to wash before eating. Soon, fewer pupils became sick, and the head teacher thanked Juma for his quiet but useful advice.

Years later, after many late nights and great effort, Juma earned a place at a university to study medicine. His mother wept with joy at the market when she heard the news. Juma had shown that with patience and a kind heart, even a child from a poor home could reach a high dream.

  1. Question 1

    1 mark

    Where did Juma's mother work?

    A. At a school in Kisumu

    B. At a university

    C. At a hospital by the lake

    D. At the fish market by the lake

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

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  2. Question 2

    1 mark

    How did Juma help his classmates?

    A. He explained difficult problems in simple words without making them feel foolish

    B. He gave them money for food

    C. He reported them to the teacher

    D. He did their homework for them

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    A. He explained difficult problems in simple words without making them feel foolish

  3. Question 3

    1 mark

    The word 'scarce' as used in the passage means

    A. stolen

    B. plentiful

    C. colourful

    D. not enough or hard to find

    (1 mark)

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  4. Question 4

    1 mark

    We can infer that Juma succeeded mainly because of his

    A. determination and hard work

    B. height and strength

    C. wealth and connections

    D. luck and good fortune

    (1 mark)

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  5. Question 5

    1 mark

    The best title for this passage would be

    A. A Sickness at School

    B. Life in Kisumu

    C. The Fish Market

    D. Juma's Determined Dream

    (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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