# English HL Grade 8 P1 November Mock 2026 Question Paper (English)

> Grade 8 English HL Paper 1 question paper from the November Mock Exam 2026 (English), 10 pages. Read online or get the free PDF download, memo linked when available.

- Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-english-hl-2026-november-mock-exam-question-paper-paper-1-english/c4d0380a-b353-42f7-8078-585e78e77ed8
- Updated: 2026-10-26
- Subject: English HL
- Grade: Grade 8
- Language: English
- Document type: Question paper
- Year: 2026
- Exam period: November Mock Exam
- Paper: 1
- Publisher: Hlayiso
- Curriculum: CAPS
- Pages: 10

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## About this document

English HL · Grade 8 · November Mock Exam · 2026. Question paper, 10 pages. Read online or download the PDF.

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## Matching paper and memo

- [Grade 8 English HL P1 November 2026 Mock Memo](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-english-hl-2026-november-mock-exam-memorandum-paper-1-english/e2d13898-1854-482f-a95f-c9520395e8c9) — Memo · 2026 · Eng

## Document text

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### Page 1

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Mock
hlayiso mock exams
Practice Series:
Grade 8 Exam Preparation
WWW.HLAYISO.COM
SENIOR PHASE
END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATION
GRADE 8
ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE P1
NOVEMBER 2026 (MOCK)
MARKS: 70
TIME: 2 hours
This question paper consists of 10 pages.

### Page 2

English Home Language/P1
2
Senior Phase Mock
Hlayiso/Mock 2026
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
1.
This question paper consists of THREE sections:
SECTION A: Reading and viewing
(30)
SECTION B: Summary
(10)
SECTION C: Language in context
(30)
2.
Read ALL the instructions carefully.
3.
Answer ALL the questions.
4.
Start EACH section on a NEW page.
5.
Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question
paper.
6.
For multiple-choice questions, write down only the letter (A–D) next to the question
number, e.g. 1.11 D.
7.
Leave a line after each answer.
8.
Pay special attention to spelling and sentence construction.
9.
Suggested time allocation:
SECTION A:
50 minutes
SECTION B:
20 minutes
SECTION C:
50 minutes
10.
Write neatly and legibly.
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### Page 3

English Home Language/P1
3
Senior Phase Mock
Hlayiso/Mock 2026
SECTION A: READING AND VIEWING
QUESTION 1: COMPREHENSION
Read TEXT A below and answer the questions set. Use your own words as far as possible.
TEXT A
LEARNING TO FLOAT
1
The first time thirteen-year-old Ayanda Cele* stood waist-deep in the Indian
Ocean, her knees were shaking more than the waves. She had grown up in
Inanda, only about thirty kilometres from Durban's beaches, but like most of her
friends she had never learnt to swim. 'The sea was something we looked at
through the taxi window,' she says. 'It was beautiful, but it was a stranger.'
5
2
Ayanda's story is not unusual. When her class teacher asked who could swim, only
9 of the 40 learners in her class put up their hands. Every summer, the news carries
reports of children who have drowned in rivers, dams and swimming pools during
the holidays. Many of these tragedies happen only a few metres from safety.
3
Everything changed last October, when a coach from the Golden Shore Junior 10
Lifesavers*, a volunteer club, visited Ayanda's school. The club offered free
swimming lessons on Saturday mornings to any learner between the ages of 11
and 15. Ayanda's mother was worried. 'I told her that the ocean does not forgive
mistakes,' Mrs Cele remembers. But Ayanda begged and begged until her mother
agreed – on condition that she never swam without a lifeguard nearby.
15
4
The first lessons did not take place in the sea at all, but in a municipal swimming
pool. Coach Priya Naidoo* began by teaching the learners to float on their backs.
'Floating is the most important skill,' she explains. 'If you panic, you sink. If you
float, you can breathe, and if you can breathe, you can wait for help.' In her first
week, Ayanda swallowed what felt like half the pool. 'I came home coughing like 20
an old car,' she laughs.
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### Page 4

English Home Language/P1
4
Senior Phase Mock
Hlayiso/Mock 2026
5
Slowly, her fear began to melt away. By December, Ayanda could swim fifty
metres without stopping. In the new year the group moved to the beach, where
the lifeguards taught them how to recognise a rip current – a strong, narrow
channel of water that flows away from the shore and can pull even a good 25
swimmer out to sea. 'If you are caught in a rip, never fight it,' says Coach Naidoo.
'Swim sideways, parallel to the beach, until you are out of it, or float and raise
one arm to call for help.'
6
This year Ayanda passed her junior lifesaving test, which included a 200-metre
swim and a rescue with a float. Every Saturday she now arrives an hour early to 30
help the coaches with the youngest beginners. 'When a small child grabs my hand
in the water, I remember how scared I was,' she says. 'I tell them that the water is
not their enemy. It just needs respect.'
7
Ayanda dreams of becoming a professional lifeguard and, one day, of starting a
swimming club in Inanda. 'There are children in my area who will never see a 35
lifeguard at a river,' she says. 'But if I teach them to float, I can save a life without
even being there.'
*All names of people and the club are fictitious.
[Examiner's own text]
1.1
Choose the correct answer from the options below.
TEXT A is mainly about …
A
how to become a professional lifeguard.
B
a girl who overcame her fear of water and learnt to swim.
C
the dangers of the beaches in Durban.
D
a swimming competition for learners.
(1)
1.2
Refer to paragraph 1 (lines 1–5).
Ayanda says that the sea 'was a stranger' to her. Explain what she means.
(2)
1.3
Refer to paragraph 2 (lines 6–9).
State TWO facts which show that many children are in danger when they are
near water.
(2)
1.4
Choose the correct answer from the options below.
As it is used in paragraph 3, the word 'begged' means …
A
asked for money.
B
asked again and again, very eagerly.
C
refused angrily.
D
asked politely only once.
(1)
1.5
Refer to paragraph 3 (lines 10–15).
Why do you think Mrs Cele agreed only if Ayanda never swam without a
lifeguard nearby?
(2)
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### Page 5

English Home Language/P1
5
Senior Phase Mock
Hlayiso/Mock 2026
1.6
Refer to paragraph 4 (lines 16–21).
Is the following statement TRUE or FALSE? Quote a phrase from the
paragraph to support your answer.
The first swimming lessons took place in the sea.
(2)
1.7
Refer to paragraph 4 (lines 16–21).
According to Coach Naidoo, why is floating the most important skill? Answer
in your own words.
(2)
1.8
Refer to line 20: 'I came home coughing like an old car'.
1.8.1
Identify the figure of speech used in this line.
(1)
1.8.2
Explain what this comparison tells us about Ayanda's first week of
lessons.
(2)
1.9
Refer to paragraph 6 (lines 29–33).
Describe ONE of Ayanda's character traits that is shown in this paragraph.
Support your answer with evidence from the paragraph.
(2)
1.10
Choose the correct answer from the options below.
Which word best describes the tone of paragraph 7?
A
hopeful
B
angry
C
sarcastic
D
hopeless
(1)
1.11
Do you think that swimming lessons should be compulsory for all learners in
South Africa? Give a reason for your answer.
(2)
[20]
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### Page 6

English Home Language/P1
6
Senior Phase Mock
Hlayiso/Mock 2026
QUESTION 2: ANALYSING AN ADVERTISEMENT
Study the advertisement (TEXT B) below and answer the questions set.
TEXT B
Load-shedding again?
Keep your marks SHINING!
Every house
is dark …
SunBox
FREE
phone-charging
cable!*
Charges in the sun
The SunBox solar study lamp:
• charges in the sun during the day
• gives 8 hours of bright light
• light, strong and easy to carry
Used by more than
10 000 happy learners!
Only R199
SunBox: Study bright, every night.
*While stocks last.
[Examiner's own advertisement. SunBox is a fictitious product.]
2.1
Name the product that is being advertised.
(1)
2.2
Who is the target audience of this advertisement? Give ONE clue from the
advertisement to support your answer.
(2)
2.3
Refer to the headline: 'Keep your marks SHINING!'
Explain the TWO meanings of the word 'SHINING' as it is used in the headline.
(2)
2.4
Explain how the picture supports the message of the headline. Refer to the
window AND to the desk in your answer.
(2)
2.5
Refer to the slogan: 'SunBox: Study bright, every night.'
Identify the sound device used in the slogan and explain why it makes the
slogan effective.
(2)
2.6
Why does the advertiser include the words 'Used by more than 10 000 happy
learners!'?
(1)
[10]
TOTAL SECTION A:
30
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### Page 7

English Home Language/P1
7
Senior Phase Mock
Hlayiso/Mock 2026
SECTION B: SUMMARY
QUESTION 3: SUMMARISING IN YOUR OWN WORDS
Read TEXT C below. List SEVEN things that a person should do to stay safe during a
thunderstorm.
NOTE:
1.
Write SEVEN points in full sentences.
2.
Number your sentences from 1 to 7.
3.
Write only ONE point per sentence.
4.
Use your own words as far as possible.
5.
Your summary should be 60–70 words in length.
6.
Indicate the total number of words you have used in brackets at the end of
your summary.
7.
You are NOT required to write a title for your summary.
TEXT C
WHEN THE SKY ROARS
Summer on the Highveld brings dramatic afternoon thunderstorms. They can be beautiful
to watch, but every year lightning kills and injures people in South Africa. Most of these
accidents can be prevented if people know what to do.
The safest place during a thunderstorm is inside a solid building. As soon as you hear
thunder, go indoors: if you can hear it, you are close enough to be struck. Do not wait for
the rain to start. If there is no building nearby, a car with a metal roof will also protect you,
as long as the windows are closed. An open bakkie, however, offers no protection at all.
Many people run for shelter under a tree, but this is one of the most dangerous places to
be. Lightning often strikes the tallest object in an area, and the current can jump from the
tree to a person standing beneath it.
Water and metal carry electricity easily. Get out of swimming pools, rivers and dams
immediately, and keep away from wire fences, bicycles and metal poles. My uncle, who
loves fishing, now packs up his rods the moment he sees dark clouds.
There are dangers indoors too. Lightning can travel along electrical wires, so unplug
televisions, computers and other appliances, and do not use a phone that is plugged into
the wall.
If you are caught in an open field, do not lie flat on the ground. Crouch down low with your
feet together and cover your ears.
Finally, be patient. Wait at least thirty minutes after the last clap of thunder before you go
outside again. A storm that seems to be over can still be dangerous.
[Examiner's own text]
TOTAL SECTION B:
10
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### Page 8

English Home Language/P1
8
Senior Phase Mock
Hlayiso/Mock 2026
SECTION C: LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT
QUESTION 4: VISUAL LITERACY (CARTOON)
Study the cartoon (TEXT D) below and answer the questions set.
TEXT D
FRAME 1
GAME
ON!
MATHS
Have you studied for
tomorrow's Maths test?
Relax, Mom!
I know EVERYTHING.
FRAME 2
MATHS TEST
Time: 1 hour
Uh-oh …
FRAME 3
SCHOOL
4/50
That test was UNFAIR!
It only asked the
questions I didn't know!
[Examiner's own cartoon]
DESCRIPTION OF THE FRAMES:
FRAME 1:
A teenage boy sits on a couch with a game controller in his hands, grinning at the
TV. Maths books lie unopened on the floor. His mother stands next to him and asks
a question.
FRAME 2:
The next day the boy sits at a desk in the classroom with the test paper in front of him.
FRAME 3:
After school the boy holds up his test, which shows 4 out of 50. His friend looks at him
with one eyebrow raised and a straight mouth.
4.1
Where is FRAME 1 set? Give ONE visual clue to support your answer.
(2)
4.2
Refer to FRAME 1. What is the boy doing instead of studying?
(1)
4.3
Refer to FRAME 1. Why is the word 'EVERYTHING' written in capital letters?
(1)
4.4
Refer to FRAME 2. Describe the boy's facial expression and explain what it
shows about how he feels.
(2)
4.5
Refer to FRAME 2. What does the ellipsis (…) in 'Uh-oh …' suggest?
(1)
4.6
Refer to FRAME 3. Explain why the boy's words are humorous.
(2)
4.7
What lesson does the cartoonist want learners to learn?
(1)
[10]
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### Page 9

English Home Language/P1
9
Senior Phase Mock
Hlayiso/Mock 2026
QUESTION 5: LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS
Read TEXT E below and answer the questions set. Some deliberate errors have been
included in the text.
TEXT E
OUR HERITAGE ON A PLATE
1
Last Friday, Sunnyside Secondary School* celebrated Heritage Day in grand
2
style. Learners and teachers came to school in traditional clothes, and the
3
school hall was decorated with beadwork, baskets and colourful flags. Each
4
grade prepared a stall with food from a different culture. The Grade 8 stall,
5
which sold vetkoek, chakalaka and koeksisters, were the most popular of all.
6
In the afternoon, a group of girls performed a gumboot dance, while the school
7
choir sang songs in five different languages. At the end of the day, the
8
principal's short speech moved many parents. 'Our heritage is like a tree,' he
9
said. 'If we forget our roots, we will fall over.'
10
Lerato, a Grade 8 learner, said that it was the best day of the year. 'I learnt
11
more about my classmates today than in the hole term,' she said. The money
12
raised at the stalls will be used to buy new books for the school libary.
13
The RCL hopes to make the celebration even bigger next year.
*a fictitious school
[Examiner's own text]
5.1
Identify the parts of speech of the following underlined words:
5.1.1
grand (line 1)
(1)
5.1.2
prepared (line 4)
(1)
5.1.3
while (line 6)
(1)
5.2
Identify and correct the TWO spelling errors in lines 11 and 12.
(2)
5.3
Correct the error of concord in line 5.
(1)
5.4
Give a synonym for the word 'decorated' (line 3).
(1)
5.5
Add a prefix to the word 'popular' (line 5) to form its antonym.
(1)
5.6
What is the function of the apostrophe in 'principal's' (line 8)?
(1)
5.7
Why are inverted commas used in lines 8–9?
(1)
5.8
Rewrite the following sentence in the passive voice:
A group of girls performed a gumboot dance.
(2)
5.9
Rewrite the following sentence in reported (indirect) speech. Begin with: The
principal said that …
The principal said, 'If we forget our roots, we will fall over.'
(2)
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### Page 10

English Home Language/P1
10
Senior Phase Mock
Hlayiso/Mock 2026
5.10
Rewrite the following sentence in the future tense:
The choir sang songs in five different languages.
(1)
5.11
Write the abbreviation 'RCL' (line 13) out in full.
(1)
5.12
Is the sentence in line 13 a simple, compound or complex sentence?
(1)
5.13
Rewrite the following sentence in the negative form:
Learners came to school in traditional clothes.
(1)
5.14
Use the homophone of 'new' (line 12) in a sentence of your own.
(1)
5.15
Change the verb 'performed' (line 6) into a noun.
(1)
[20]
TOTAL SECTION C:
30
GRAND TOTAL:
70
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