Examination on English Language Studies
Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Time: 1 Hour
Total Marks: 70

SECTION A: READING COMPREHENSION

The busy streets of Lagos are a constant reminder of the importance of road safety. Every day, thousands of vehicles, from cars to motorcycles and large lorries, navigate the complex network of roads. It is a fact that road accidents are a major cause of injuries and fatalities in Nigeria. Many of these accidents could be prevented if all road users, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, adhered strictly to traffic rules.

One common cause of accidents is overspeeding. Drivers who exceed the speed limit often have less time to react to sudden changes on the road, such as a child running out or another vehicle stopping abruptly. Another significant factor is reckless driving, which includes dangerous overtaking and driving under the influence of alcohol. It is my opinion that stricter enforcement of traffic laws, coupled with public awareness campaigns, is crucial to reducing these incidents.

Pedestrians also play a vital role in ensuring their own safety. Crossing the road at designated pedestrian crossings, looking left and right before crossing, and avoiding distractions like mobile phones are simple but effective measures. Warning signs like “Zebra Crossing Ahead” or “Bend Ahead” are placed to guide and protect road users; ignoring them is an invitation to disaster. The government should also ensure that roads are well-maintained and streetlights are functional, especially in urban areas. Ultimately, road safety is a shared responsibility, and every individual’s actions contribute to the collective well-being on our roads.

Answer questions 1–10 based on the passage.

1. What is identified as a major cause of injuries and fatalities in Nigeria? (a) Bad roads (b) Road accidents (c) Lack of streetlights
2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common cause of accidents? (a) Overspeeding (b) Reckless driving (c) Poor vehicle maintenance
3. The phrase “an invitation to disaster” as used in the passage means: (a) a call to attend a party (b) a direct cause of a dangerous situation (c) an opportunity to meet new people
4. According to the passage, what is the author’s opinion regarding traffic laws? (a) They are too strict (b) They should be relaxed (c) They need stricter enforcement and public awareness
5. All of these are ways pedestrians can ensure their safety EXCEPT: (a) Crossing at designated points (b) Looking left and right (c) Using mobile phones while crossing
6. The main reason for placing warning signs on roads is to: (a) decorate the road (b) guide and protect road users (c) inform drivers of upcoming events
7. The passage suggests that road safety is ultimately a: (a) government responsibility (b) driver’s responsibility (c) shared responsibility
8. Which of these is a fact stated in the passage? (a) Stricter enforcement is crucial (b) Road accidents are a major cause of injuries (c) Roads should be well-maintained
9. From the passage, one can deduce that reducing road accidents requires: (a) more traffic wardens (b) collective effort from all road users (c) fewer vehicles on the road
10. The topic sentence of the second paragraph is: (a) One common cause of accidents is overspeeding. (b) Pedestrians also play a vital role. (c) The government should also ensure that roads are well-maintained.

LISTENING AND SPEAKING
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11. Which of the following words contains a long vowel sound /i:/? (a) Bit (b) Seat (c) Sit
12. Identify the word that has a diphthong /ai/. (a) Day (b) Boy (c) My
13. The word ‘ship’ and ‘sheep’ are examples of: (a) Homophones (b) Minimal pairs (c) Synonyms
14. Choose the word correctly stressed on the first syllable. (a) reCORD (b) PREsent (c) proDUCE
15. Which of these words contains a consonant cluster at the beginning? (a) Apple (b) Street (c) Open
16. The intonation pattern for a ‘Wh-question’ (e.g., “Where are you going?”) typically: (a) rises (b) falls (c) stays flat
17. The word ‘tree’ has the initial consonant cluster: (a) /tr/ (b) /t/ (c) /r/
18. An example of a word with a short vowel /ɒ/ is: (a) Pot (b) Boat (c) Coat
19. Which of the following sentences shows a falling intonation typical of a command? (a) Are you coming? (b) Close the door. (c) What a beautiful day!
20. The main reason for using rhythm in speech is ________. (a) to confuse the listener (b) to make speech sound natural and engaging (c) to speak faster

GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY
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21. He studies hard ________ he can pass his exams. (a) so that (b) although (c) because
22. All of these are adverbials of frequency EXCEPT: (a) often (b) rarely (c) usually (d) slowly
23. The correct form of the verb in “She ________ (go) to the market every Saturday” is: (a) go (b) goes (c) went
24. We will go to the park ________ it rains. (a) if (b) unless (c) because
25. The ________ is called an adverb of manner. (a) word ‘happily’ (b) word ‘yesterday’ (c) word ‘never’
26. The active voice of “The ball was kicked by the boy” is: (a) The boy kicked the ball. (b) The ball kicked the boy. (c) The boy was kicked by the ball.
27. Which of the following sentences is in the passive voice? (a) He wrote a letter. (b) A letter was written by him. (c) They are writing letters.
28. She visits her grandmother ________ a week. (a) always (b) twice (c) in
29. ________ you finish your homework, you can watch TV. (a) As soon as (b) While (c) Despite
30. An example of a preposition is ________. (a) and (b) but (c) under
31. The main reason for using the present continuous tense is ________. (a) to describe past actions (b) to describe actions happening now (c) to describe future plans
32. The sentence “She sings beautifully” contains an adverb. Identify it. (a) She (b) Sings (c) Beautifully
33. Which of these conjunctions shows contrast? (a) And (b) But (c) So
34. The correct form of the verb in “The children ________ (play) outside since morning” is: (a) play (b) have been playing (c) played
35. The teacher asked the students to work ________. (a) quick (b) quickly (c) quicker

WRITING
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36. An example of a composition that aims to convince the reader to agree with a point of view is ________. (a) descriptive (b) narrative (c) argumentative
37. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a formal letter? (a) Sender’s address (b) Slang language (c) Recipient’s address
38. The main reason for arranging ideas in a logical sequence in a composition is ________. (a) to make it longer (b) to ensure clarity and coherence (c) to confuse the reader
39. The ________ is usually found at the beginning of a composition, introducing the topic. (a) conclusion (b) body paragraph (c) introduction
40. When writing an informal letter, you typically use: (a) two addresses (b) one address (c) no address

LITERATURE
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41. Which of the following is a common feature of a folktale? (a) Scientific explanations (b) Moral lessons (c) Complex characters
42. The ________ is called the sequence of events in a story. (a) character (b) plot (c) theme
43. An example of a myth often explains: (a) everyday modern life (b) natural phenomena or origins (c) political events
44. Which of these literary elements deals with the underlying message or central idea of a story? (a) Setting (b) Theme (c) Symbolism
45. All of these are types of prose EXCEPT: (a) novel (b) poem (c) short story
46. The main reason for studying poetry structure is ________. (a) to ignore the poet’s message (b) to understand how the poet conveys meaning and emotion (c) to memorize lines
47. The ________ is a literary device where an object or idea represents something else. (a) plot (b) symbolism (c) character
48. In a narrative composition, the focus is primarily on: (a) describing a place (b) telling a story or event (c) arguing a point
49. Which is NOT a common theme found in myths and legends? (a) Heroism (b) Creation (c) Modern technology
50. The correct form of identifying the main characters in a story is by observing their actions, dialogue, and ________. (a) the author’s biography (b) their development throughout the plot (c) the number of pages they appear on

SECTION B: WRITING

Instruction: Answer ONE question only.

1. Write a descriptive essay about “My Favourite Market Day in My Town.”
2. Write a formal letter to the Principal of your school, requesting permission to use the school hall for your club’s end-of-year party.
3. Write an informal letter to your cousin, telling him/her about your experience during the last school excursion.

OBJECTIVE MARKING SCHEME

Question 1 – ✅ (b) Road accidents
Question 2 – ✅ (c) Poor vehicle maintenance
Question 3 – ✅ (b) a direct cause of a dangerous situation
Question 4 – ✅ (c) They need stricter enforcement and public awareness
Question 5 – ✅ (c) Using mobile phones while crossing
Question 6 – ✅ (b) guide and protect road users
Question 7 – ✅ (c) shared responsibility
Question 8 – ✅ (b) Road accidents are a major cause of injuries
Question 9 – ✅ (b) collective effort from all road users
Question 10 – ✅ (a) One common cause of accidents is overspeeding.
Question 11 – ✅ (b) Seat
Question 12 – ✅ (c) My
Question 13 – ✅ (b) Minimal pairs
Question 14 – ✅ (b) PREsent
Question 15 – ✅ (b) Street
Question 16 – ✅ (b) falls
Question 17 – ✅ (a) /tr/
Question 18 – ✅ (a) Pot
Question 19 – ✅ (b) Close the door.
Question 20 – ✅ (b) to make speech sound natural and engaging
Question 21 – ✅ (a) so that
Question 22 – ✅ (d) slowly
Question 23 – ✅ (b) goes
Question 24 – ✅ (b) unless
Question 25 – ✅ (a) word ‘happily’
Question 26 – ✅ (a) The boy kicked the ball.
Question 27 – ✅ (b) A letter was written by him.
Question 28 – ✅ (b) twice
Question 29 – ✅ (a) As soon as
Question 30 – ✅ (c) under
Question 31 – ✅ (b) to describe actions happening now
Question 32 – ✅ (c) Beautifully
Question 33 – ✅ (b) But
Question 34 – ✅ (b) have been playing
Question 35 – ✅ (b) quickly
Question 36 – ✅ (c) argumentative
Question 37 – ✅ (b) Slang language
Question 38 – ✅ (b) to ensure clarity and coherence
Question 39 – ✅ (c) introduction
Question 40 – ✅ (b) one address
Question 41 – ✅ (b) Moral lessons
Question 42 – ✅ (b) plot
Question 43 – ✅ (b) natural phenomena or origins
Question 44 – ✅ (b) Theme
Question 45 – ✅ (b) poem
Question 46 – ✅ (b) to understand how the poet conveys meaning and emotion
Question 47 – ✅ (b) symbolism
Question 48 – ✅ (b) telling a story or event
Question 49 – ✅ (c) Modern technology
Question 50 – ✅ (b) their development throughout the plot