English HL Grade 8 P2 November Mock 2026 Question Paper (English)

Copyright reserved Please turn over Mock hlayiso mock exams Practice Series: Grade 8 Exam Preparation WWW.HLAYISO.COM SENIOR PHASE END-OF-YEAR EXAMINATION GRADE 8 ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE P2 NOVEMBER 2026 (MOCK) MARKS: 50 TIME: 1½ hours This question paper consists of 7 pages.

English Home Language/P2 2 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 1. This question paper consists of TWO sections: SECTION A: Essay (30) SECTION B: Longer transactional text (20) 2. Answer ONE question from EACH section. 3. Start EACH section on a NEW page. 4. You must plan (e.g. use a mind map/diagram/flow chart/key words, etc.), edit and proofread your work. The plan must appear BEFORE your answer. 5. All planning must be clearly indicated as such. It is advisable to draw a line through all planning. 6. You are strongly advised to spend approximately: • 55 minutes on SECTION A • 35 minutes on SECTION B 7. Number each response exactly as the topics are numbered in this question paper. 8. Give each response a suitable title/heading. NOTE: The title/heading must NOT be considered when doing a word count. 9. Write neatly and legibly. Copyright reserved Please turn over

English Home Language/P2 3 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 SECTION A: ESSAY QUESTION 1 • Write an essay of 200–250 words (approximately 4–6 paragraphs) on ONE of the following topics. • Write down the NUMBER and the TITLE/HEADING of your essay, e.g. 1.1 A Promise I Am Glad I Kept. 1.1 A promise I am glad I kept [30] OR 1.2 Write an essay that includes the following words: 'The last taxi had already left the rank, and the sky was turning a deep purple. That was when I heard someone call my name …' NOTE: The words given above MUST appear somewhere in your essay (not necessarily at the beginning). Provide your own title. [30] OR 1.3 Early in the morning, before most people are awake, your neighbourhood is a different place. Describe your street or neighbourhood at sunrise. Use as many of the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and taste) as you can. [30] OR 1.4 Homework should be banned in primary schools. Do you agree or disagree? Write an essay in which you argue your point of view. [30] OR 1.5 The pictures on the next pages may evoke a reaction or feeling in you, or stir your imagination. • Select ONE picture and write an essay in response to it. • Write down the question number of your choice (1.5.1, 1.5.2 or 1.5.3) and give your essay a suitable title. NOTE: There must be a clear link between your essay and the picture you have chosen. Copyright reserved Please turn over

English Home Language/P2 4 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 1.5.1 [30] 10 [Examiner's own drawing] OR 1.5.2 [30] [Examiner's own drawing] OR Copyright reserved Please turn over

English Home Language/P2 5 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 1.5.3 [30] ? ? [Examiner's own drawing] TOTAL SECTION A: 30 Copyright reserved Please turn over

English Home Language/P2 6 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 SECTION B: LONGER TRANSACTIONAL TEXT QUESTION 2 • Respond to ONE of the following topics. • The body of your answer should be 140–160 words in length. • Pay careful attention to the following: – Audience, register, tone and style – Choice of words and language structure – Format • Write down the NUMBER and the TITLE/HEADING of the text you have chosen, e.g. 2.3 Dialogue. 2.1 INFORMAL/FRIENDLY LETTER Earlier this year you broke your arm and could not write for six weeks. During that time a friend copied notes for you, carried your bag and helped you to catch up. Your friend has since moved to another town. Write a letter to your friend in which you thank him/her and share your news about the rest of the year. [20] OR 2.2 FORMAL LETTER Many learners from your school cross a busy road every morning and afternoon. There is no pedestrian crossing and no scholar patrol, and there have been two near-accidents this term. Write a letter to your Ward Councillor in which you explain the problem and suggest what should be done. [20] OR 2.3 DIALOGUE Your class is going on a three-day educational camp in the Drakensberg during the first term of next year. The trip costs R1 200 and your parent/guardian is not sure that you should go. Write a dialogue between you and your parent/guardian in which you try to persuade him/her to allow you to go on the camp. [20] OR Copyright reserved Please turn over

English Home Language/P2 7 Senior Phase Mock Hlayiso/Mock 2026 2.4 NEWS REPORT You are a junior reporter for your local community newspaper. Use the notes below to write a news report. Reporter's notes • Event: Provincial Spelling Bee final for Grade 7–9 learners • When and where: Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the City Hall, Polokwane • Winner: Tumi Mahlangu (13), a Grade 8 learner at Thabakgolo Secondary School • 40 finalists from across the province; the final word was 'conscientious' • Tumi practised every evening with her grandmother, using an old dictionary • Prize: a tablet for Tumi and R10 000 worth of books for the school library • Tumi's words: 'Every word has a story. I just listened to the story.' [Examiner's own notes; the people, school and event are fictional.] Write the news report about Tumi's success. [20] TOTAL SECTION B: 20 GRAND TOTAL: 50 Copyright reserved