KCSE English Revision Paper 3 Trials

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 1

1. Imaginative Composition (Compulsory) Either
2. a) Write a composition to illustrate the saying, “When the deal is too good, think twice. Or
3. b) Write a composition beginning with the following words, “I knew it was going to be a promising day when…” 2.The Compulsory Set Text (20 marks)

Using illustrations from the play, A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, show how lies and deceit are exposed in the play.

3. The Optional Set Texts (20 marks) Either

a)Despite colonisation, the Kino’s strongly hold onto their traditional faith. Validate this statement with reference to ‘The Pearl’ by John Steinbeck.

Or

b)”War is ugly.” Drawing illustrations from the short story, The President by Mariatu Kamara in the anthology Memories We Lost and Other Stories, validate this statement.

Or

1. “What goes around comes around.” Using illustrations from the play, Inheritance by David Mulwa, justify this statement.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 2

1. Imaginative Composition (Compulsory) Either

a) Write a composition to illustrate the saying, “Honesty is the best policy. Or

b) Write a composition explaining how young Kenyans can overcome corruption.

2. the Compulsory Set Text

“Money is the source of all evil.” Support this statement with illustrations from the play, A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen.

3. The Optional Set Texts Either
4. “Determination is the driving force that helps Kino and Juana overcome misfortunes. Write an essay to support this statement with close reference to 7he Pearl by John Steinbeck.

Or

1. “Religious hypocrisy leads to exploitation of the vulnerable.” Justify this statement with illustrations from the short story, the Folded Leafing the anthology Memories We Lost and Other Stories.

Or

1. “Close relationship with leaders can make one to commit a crime with impunity. Drawing illustrations from the play, Inheritance by David Mulwa, support this statement.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 3

Imaginative Composition (Compulsory)

Either

1. Write a composition illustrating the saying, “As you sow so you shall reap. Or
2. Write a composition ending with the following words, “As prison warders led me out of court, I cursed myself silently.”

The Compulsory Set Text

“Never judge a book by its cover.” Using illustrations from the play, A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, support this statement.

The Optional Set Texts

Either

Human beings are naturally opportunistic.” Justify this statement with close reference to The Pearl by John Steinbeck.

Or

1. Drawing illustrations from the short story Hitting Budapest by No Violet Bulawayo, in the anthology, Memories We Lost and Other Stories, write an essay on the devastating effects of poverty.

Or

1. “Greed is an inherent trait of most Africans in absolute power.” With reference to the play Inheritance by David Mulwa, validate this statement.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 4

1. Imaginative Composition (Compulsory)

Write a story illustrating the saying, “When the deal is too good, think twice.

Or

Write a composition explaining how young Kenyans can help eradicate poverty.

2. The Compulsory Set Text

“Blood is thicker than water.” Drawing illustrations from the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah by Henry Ole Kulet, support the above statement.

3. The Optional Set Texts
4. “Choices have consequences.” Justify this statement with reference to The Pearl by John Steinbeck. Or
5. Drawing illustrations from the short story Light by Lesley Nneka in the anthology, Memories We Lost and Other Stories write an essay on the challenges that single male parents face when bringing up their daughters.

Or

“The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Using illustrations from the play Inheritance by David Mulwa, write a composition to support this statement.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 5

1.Imaginative Composition (Compulsory)

Either

1. Write a story illustrating the saying, “All that glitters are not gold.” Or
2. Write a composition with the title, “A miserable journey.”
3. The Compulsory Set Text

“Change is inevitable in any society.” Validate this statement with illustrations from the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah by Henry Ole Kulet.

The Optional Set Texts

1. Drawing illustrations from the story, Memories We Lost by Lidudumalingani Mqomboti in the anthology Memories We Lost and Other Stories, write an essay on the effects of mental illness.

Or

1. “Kutula republic is a reflection of African states that are ruled by an iron fist.” Support this statement basing your argument on the play, Inheritance by David Mulwa.

Or

1. “Family members play a pivotal role in one’s life.” Basing your argument on Kino in the novel, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, validate this statement.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 6

Imaginative Composition (Compulsory)

1. write a story to illustrate the proverb, “Hurry has no blessing. Or
2. Write a story beginning, “Screams of sirens rented the air…
3. The Compulsory Set Text

“Determination is the key to success.” With reference to Resian in the novel, Blossoms of the Savannah by Henry Ole Kulet, write an essay to support this statement.

The Optional Set Texts

3. “The pearl is the source of evil to Kino’s family.” Discuss this statement with reference to John Steinbeck’s novel, The Pearl.

Or

1. Almost Home is a story about the dangers of illegal immigration. With reference to the story in the anthology Memories We Lost and Other Stories, discuss the validity of this statement.

Or

1. “The plight of Kutula citizens is as a result of poor governance.” Drawing illustrations from the play, Inheritance by David Mulwa, validate this statement.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 7

IMAGINATIVE COMPOSITION (20MKS)

Write a composition ending with the following statement.

……a final look at her made me realize that choices have consequences.

OR

Write a composition to illustrate the proverb, “once beaten twice shy”.

COMPULSORY TEXT BLOSSOMS OF THE SAVANNAH H.R OLE KULET (20MKS)

Parenting should build an environment of trust and peace in a family. Write an essay that explores how this statement applies to the Ole Kaelo family in Blossoms of the Savannah

OPTIONAL SET BOOKS

Drama: David Mulwa: The Inheritance

Inheriting a top seat without merit only invites ridicule from subjects. Write an essay showing how satire has been used in The Inheritance by David Mulwa.

Short stories: Moran (ED) memories we lost.

Discuss the major issues highlighted by the writer in the story window seat by Benjamin Branoff.

John Steinbeck. The Pearl

The Pearl portrays humans as beings inherently greedy. Show the validity of this statement with reference to The Pearl.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 8

Imaginative Composition

EITHER

1. Write a composition that has the following: explosion, crowd, siren and hospital

OR

1. Write a composition on the following statement: “Technological advancement has impacted negatively on the society, especially the youth.”

The Compulsory Set Text.

“Self-interest is a vice that whoever engages in it is bound to fail.” Using Blossoms of the Savannah, write an essay to support this assertion. (20 marks)

The Optional Set Texts. (20 marks)

Answer any one of the following two questions.

EITHER

1. a) The Short Story:

Poverty creates deep social contrast in the way people live in the society. Write an essay in support of the above statement drawing illustrations from NoViolet Bulawayo’s story, Hitting Budapest.

OR

1. b) drama: inheritance

In what ways is Judah zenMelo’s struggle symbolic of the struggle of all workers in Kutula Republic?

1. c) The novel

“Failure to positively respond to wise counsel often leads to suffering and frustrations.” Show the validity of this statement focusing on characters in the novel The Pearl

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 9

1. Creative composition

Either

(a) Write a composition beginning with: (20 marks)

Visiting a children’s home was not my idea of spending my birthday, but I was determined to make the day interesting.

Or

(b) Write a story to illustrate the proverb: A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. (20 marks)

2. The compulsory set text Henrik Ibsen: A Doll’s House

‘Women are portrayed as loving and self-sacrificing in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, ‘ Write an essay to show the truth of this statement.

3. The optional set texts Either

(a) ‘the short story: We Lost and other stories (20 marks)

‘Ignorance often leads to unnecessary suffering.’ Using illustrations from Lidudumalingani Mqombothi’s short story, memories we Lost, write an essay to justify this statement.

Or

• Drama David Mulwa: Inheritance

‘Colonial rule sets the stage for African dictatorship.’ Using David Mulwa’s Inheritance, justify this statement. Or

• The novel John Steinbeck: The Pearl

“Things are not always what they seem.’ Using evidence from The Pearl by John Steinbeck, show the truth of this statement.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 10

1. Creative composition (Compulsory) Either

(a) Write a composition beginning with the following: (20 marks)

As I got closer to my home that night, I realized that the commotion and noise I had heard on getting off the bus came from my elder brother’s house.

Or

(b) Write a composition to illustrate the saying: Love is blind.

2. The compulsory set text Henrik Ibsen: A Doll’s House (20 marks)

Write an essay to show that appearances can be misleading. Draw your illustrations from Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House.

3. The optional set texts

Either

• The short story Wanjala Chris (Ed): Memories We Lost and other stories (20 marks)

‘Majdy’s stay in London makes him indifferent to his people.’ Drawing from Leila Aboulela’sMissing Out, write an essay showing the truth of this statement. Or

• Drama David Mulwa: Inheritance

‘Lacuna Kasoo is a callous man devoid of any moral values.’ Discuss this statement using illustrations from Inheritance by David Mulwa.

(c) the novel

John Steinbeck: The Pearl

‘The natives presented to us in The Pearl are considered primitive and ignorant by the foreigners.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use illustrations from the text.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 11

1. Creative composition (Compulsory)

Either

• Write a composition ending: It was by the grace of God that I survived.

Or

(b) Write a composition to illustrate the saying: Every dog has its day.

2. The compulsory set text

Henrik Ibsen, A Doll’s House (20 marks)

Drawing illustrations from Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, write an essay to justify the statement: All her life, Nora has been treated like a doll to be petted and shown off.

3. The optional set texts

Either

(a) The short story

Wanjala Chris (Ed), Memories We Lost and other stories (20 marks)

Basing your answer on Leo Tolsoy’sHow Much Land Does Man Need? show how lack of contentment with what one has leads to destruction.

(b) Drama

David Mulwa, Inheritance

‘It is possible to achieve positive change without violence’. Using David Mulwa’s Inheritance, justify this statement.

(c) The novel

John Steinbeck, Ike Pearl

The pearl of the world arouses the destructive power of greed.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Base your arguments on The Pearl by John Steinbeck.

KCSE REVISION SAMPLE 12

1.Creative composition

Either

• Write a composition with the ending: This experience taught me that to give is more blessed than to receive.

Or

(b) Write an argumentative composition in support of herbal medicine.

The compulsory set text

H.R. Ole Kulet: Blossoms of the Savannah (20 marks)

‘Retrogressive cultural practices can lead to disorientation among members in the society.’ Discuss this statement in the light of Ole Kulet’sBlossoms of the Savannah’.

The optional set texts

Either

The short story

Wanjala Chris (Ed): Memories We Lost and other stories.

‘Education is key in transforming individuals in a society.’ Drawing illustrations from NoViolet Bulawayo’s Hitting Budapest, justify this statement.

Drama

David Mulwa: Inheritance

‘Nothing good comes easy.’ Using illustrations from David Mulwa’s Inheritance, show how true this is.

The novel

John Steinbeck: Ike Pearl

‘The pursuit of wealth can make one blind to the things that really matter’. With close reference to Kino in The Pearl, show the truth of this statement.