Q&A - PSLE English

[ridcully]

Mum1113:

EL paper 2 is over........good gracious 1 paper down

Son came back with this question.

Qn : The equipment in this factory _____ all newly purchased last year.
1) is
2) was
3) are
4) were

He picked were as the word all implies more than one equipment. Is this correct ?

The answer is 2.

There is indeed more than one item of equipment. However, being uncountable, 'equipment' only takes a singular form, and this governs the verb.

Rgds
R

[Mum1113]

so is 1 mark gone liao…another precious grammar lesson learned…thanks ridcully

[KRR]

Can someone please help me with these synthesis questions.


1.\tThe policeman saw the boy steal some fruit. The policeman \tyelled at him.

\tOn seeing the boy steal some fruit, the policeman yelled at him.

OR\tOn seeing the boy stealing some fruit, the policeman yelled at him.

2.\tShe scrubs very hard. She still cannot remove the stains.

\tHowever hard she scrubs, she still cannot remove the stains.

OR\tHowever hard she scrubs, she cannot remove the stains.

3.\tMiss Lee asked,” Why are both of you late for class?”

\tMiss Lee asked the two girls why both of them were late for class.

OR\tMiss Lee asked the two girls why were both of them late for class.

4.\tThe couple was very poor. Yet they were happy.

\tIn spite of ___________________________________________

Thank you so much in advance.

KRR

[ridcully]

KRR:

1.\tThe policeman saw the boy steal some fruit. The policeman \tyelled at him.


\tOn seeing the boy steal some fruit, the policeman yelled at him.

OR\tOn seeing the boy stealing some fruit, the policeman yelled at him.

Correct ans: On seeing the boy steal some fruit, the policeman yelled at him.

KRR:

2.\tShe scrubs very hard. She still cannot remove the stains.

\tHowever hard she scrubs, she still cannot remove the stains.

OR\tHowever hard she scrubs, she cannot remove the stains.

Correct ans: However hard she scrubs, she still cannot remove the stains.

KRR:

3.\tMiss Lee asked,” Why are both of you late for class?”

\tMiss Lee asked the two girls why both of them were late for class.

OR\tMiss Lee asked the two girls why were both of them late for class.

Correct ans: Miss Lee asked the two girls why both of them were late for class.

KRR:

4.\tThe couple was very poor. Yet they were happy.

Ans:\tIn spite of being very poor, the couple was happy.

Rgds
R

[KRR]

Hi R

Thank you very much for the answers for the synthesis questions.

Can u please let me know. when does the word ‘couple’ take the
plural verb? (or am I wrong!!)

KRR

[ridcully]

KRR:

Can u please let me know. when does the word 'couple' take the

plural verb? (or am I wrong!!)

When referring to a husband and wife (or comparable relationship), couple is regarded as a collective noun and may, in fact, be used with a singular or plural verb.

A plural verb usually sounds better. It allows you to use other plural words such as pronouns and possessive adjectives as in the sentence:

The couple were elated when their son got the scholarship.

The general rule, as with other collective nouns: If you are thinking of the couple as acting as one entity, then use a singular verb; if you are thinking of the couple as acting as separate elements, then use a plural verb. For example:

The couple has three children. [one entity - singular verb]

The couple hold hands. [separate elements - plural verb]

When in doubt, go for the plural verb.

Hope that helps.

Rgds
R

[KRR]

Thank you so much R, it was very well explained.


KRR

[ridcully]

KRR:

Thank you so much R, it was very well explained.

KRR

:celebrate:

[Mum1113]

Hi, pls help :


Qn : The trip to Bali is less expensive than Mauritius. The trip to Bali is shorter in travelling time than Mauritius.
Ans : Not only _______________ but also _______________ .

Is this ans acceptable ? Not only is the trip to Bali less expensive than Mauritius, but also has a shorter travelling time.


Qn : It was a didactic piece of art. It was also extremely enchanting.
Ans : _________________ not only ________ but also _____________________ .

Is this ans acceptable ? The piece of art was not only didactic but also extremely enchanting .


Another general question, for punctuations such as commas, if students ommit or added in when the models answers are not called for, would marks be deducted off ? If yes, does that mean 1 mark be deducted off ?

MTIA.

[ridcully]

Mum1113:

Qn : The trip to Bali is less expensive than Mauritius. The trip to Bali is shorter in travelling time than Mauritius.

Ans : Not only _______________ but also _______________ .

Is this ans acceptable ? Not only is the trip to Bali less expensive than Mauritius, but also has a shorter travelling time.

When 'not only' is used at the beginning of the sentence, you need to repeat the subject in the second clause; hence:

Not only is the trip to Bali less expensive than Mauritius, but it also has a shorter travelling time.

Mum1113:

Qn : It was a didactic piece of art. It was also extremely enchanting.
Ans : _________________ not only ________ but also _____________________ .

Is this ans acceptable ? The piece of art was not only didactic but also extremely enchanting .

Correct.

Mum1113:

Another general question, for punctuations such as commas, if students ommit or added in when the models answers are not called for, would marks be deducted off ? If yes, does that mean 1 mark be deducted off ?

Personally, I don't have much faith in model answers.

My understanding is that marks would be deducted if the insertion/omission of punctuation affects the material meaning of the sentence, particularly if it causes ambiguity, or breaks an established convention in punctuation usage.

Don't know about the mark deduction scheme.