# English Hl Grade 8 Paper 2 NSC June 2017 Memo (English) > Grade 8 English Hl Paper 2 memorandum from the NSC June Exam 2017 (English), 12 pages. Read online or get the free PDF download, question paper linked when available. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/june-2017-g8-eng-hl-p2-memo/afe45289-83c2-40f9-9663-6afa59c245a1 - Updated: 2026-09-27 - Subject: English Hl - Grade: Grade 8 - Language: English - Document type: Memorandum - Year: 2017 - Exam period: NSC June Exam - Paper: 2 - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 12 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 8](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8) › [English Hl](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8/english-hl) › [English Hl Grade 8 Paper 2 NSC June 2017 Memo (English)](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/june-2017-g8-eng-hl-p2-memo/afe45289-83c2-40f9-9663-6afa59c245a1) ## About this document English Hl · Grade 8 · NSC June Exam · 2017 · English. Memorandum, 12 pages. Read online or download the PDF. Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there. ## Matching paper and memo - [June-2017-G8-Eng HL-P2](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/june-2017-g8-eng-hl-p2/0ac30fda-82a1-46cf-8d14-5300bc0f4174) — QP · 2017 · Eng ## Document text Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction. ### Page 1 TEACHERS WITHOUT BORDERS PROGRAMME BROUGHT TO YOU BY With grateful thanks to our associate partners, The National Department of Basic Education, The Independent Examinations Board, Siyavula Education, Smarticks, Noteshare, Lemonlicious, datacentrix, and most of all, to the schools and teachers from both the public and private education sectors who as founder contributors, have lent content to the Teachers without Borders programme, for the benefit of all South Africa's learners. In Bill Gates words, at the Mandela Day ‘Living Together’ address: “Maintaining the quality of this country’s higher education system while expanding access to more students will not be easy. But it’s critical to South Africa’s future” – working together, we can help achieve this." Contributing schools to date: Clifton School Milnerton High Rustenburg Girls’ High St Peter's Durban Girls' Northwood High St Anne's DC St Stithians Fairmont High Roedean St John's DSG Wynberg Boys' High Herzlia High Rondebosch Boys’ St Mary's DSG Kloof Wynberg Secondary ### Page 2 JUNE EXAMINATIONS 2017 Memo GRADE 8 ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE Paper 2 (Language) Time: 1 ½ hours Total marks: 80 This memo consists of 11 pages. INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 1. This question paper consists of TWO sections, namely: SECTION A: COMPREHENSION (25) SECTION B: LANGUAGE STUDY (35) 2. Start each section on a NEW page and rule off on completion of EACH section. 3. Leave a line open after each answer. 4. Draw a margin down the right hand side of EVERY page. 5. Number the questions correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper. 6. Pay special attention to spelling and sentence construction. SECTION A: COMPREHENSION QUESTION 1: READING FOR MEANING AND UNDERSTANDING Read TEXT A. Answer the questions in FULL SENTENCES unless otherwise specified. TEXT A Paragraph 1 Albert Einstein was one of the greatest minds in world history. Einstein is known as a brilliant physicist who contributed more to the scientific world than any other person. His ideas about relativity are the basis for how science now understands time, space, energy, and gravity. Paragraph 2 Einstein was brilliant in his thinking and far in front of anyone living at his time. Einstein, like most brilliant minds, was also a very strange and different kind of person. He often liked to work away from people and family but he also spoke in public about issues that he believed in. He was a person who cared about other human beings but his work also led to one of the most destructive forces ever known to man, the atomic bomb. Paragraph 3 Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879 in Germany. His parents were Pauline and Hermann Einstein. In his early years, was a very shy but curious child who did not seem to be good at anything. In primary school, Albert was such an under-achiever in all subjects other than Maths and Science that his parents suspected that he might be mentally handicapped. One teacher even told him ### Page 3 that he would never amount to anything. As it turned out, Albert preferred to learn on his own and had taught himself advanced Mathematics and Science by the time he was a teenager. Paragraph 4 He dropped out of high school and tried to get into the Swiss Polytechnic University in 1895. However, he was made to finish high school, which he did. He finished high school at the age of 17. Paragraph 5 It was only in his adult life that he achieved greatness and fame. Einstein’s work was interrupted by World War I. A lifelong pacifist, he opposed Germany’s entry into war. He would write, “At such a time as this, one realizes what a sorry species of animal we are.” Paragraph 6 During World War 2, a Nazi organization published a magazine with Einstein’s picture and the words “Not Yet Hanged” on the cover. There was even a price on his head. The threat was so great that Einstein split with his pacifist friends. He said that it was justified to defend yourself with weapons against Nazi aggression. To Einstein, peace was not an absolute concept but one that had to be re-examined depending on the size of the threat. Paragraph 7 Up to his final days, this genius continued his search for laws that would explain more of the universe. To this day, his ideas and theories are still treated with respect. It is important for all young people to know about Einstein: he did not achieve while he was at school, and people thought he was stupid and useless, but he was a great man. All young people need to realise that they can achieve in their lives; they simply might not achieve greatness early. If they do not achieve at school, they will find what they are really interested in and become successful later in their lives. WRITE IN FULL SENTENCES. Marks will not be awarded for fragments of one-word answers. USE YOUR OWN WORDS. Marks will not be awarded for passages taken directly out the text. QUESTIONS ON TEXT A Refer to paragraph 1 1.1 What field of work was Einstein famous for? [1] Science / physics 1.2 How does the writer prove that Einstein was a genius? Provide two statements. [2] He claims that he contributed to the scientific world more than any other scientist. He explained that Einstein’s theories are how we understand time, space, energy and Page 2 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 ### Page 4 gravity today. Refer to paragraph 2 1.3 Why is it unexpected that Einstein should have done work that led to the development of the atomic bomb? [2] He cared about people  but he helped develop the bomb that was so destructive. 1.4 Einstein is described as being a “very strange and different kind of person.” Do you think this statement is fair? Justify (prove/support) your answer by referring to the text. [2] No. He seemed introverted or focused on what he was doing. There is nothing strange about that. / ‘Strange has negative connotations… Yes. Einstein was different. He clearly had other interests than those of the norm, which would explain his introversion… [Award marks for appropriate answers.] Refer to paragraph 3 1.5 Describe Einstein’s character as a child. [2] Shy, curious, under-achiever [Accept any 2.] 1.6 Both Einstein’s parents and his teacher had opinions about Einstein. Compare their attitude towards him. Justify (prove/support) your answer. [2] They both felt that he would struggle in later life, either as a result of his mental handicap – which his parents suspected; or simply because he would ‘never amount to anything’ – which means he would not be successful. [Marks awarded for the similarity between parents’ and teacher’s sentiments being identified.] 1.7 What do you think Einstein’s teacher should have told him? [1] ‘You shouldn’t give up.” / “Good try.” / “If you just applied yourself…’ [Accept any reasonable, positive response.] 1.8 How did Einstein learn maths and Science? [1] He taught himself. Refer to paragraph 4 1.9 At what age did Einstein finish school? [1] 17 Refer to paragraph 5 1.1 Refer to the statement Einstein wrote: “At such a time as this, one 0 realizes what a sorry species of animal we are.” 1.10 Identify the figure of speech used in the underlined section. .1 [1] Metaphor 1.10 What is being compared to what in this figure of speech? .2 [2] Humans are being compared to animals Page 3 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 ### Page 5 1.10 Do you think this figure of speech is effective? Give a reason .3 for your answer. [1] Yes. We credit animals as being vicious, blood-thirsty, uneducated creatures. By comparing us to animals, he is highlighting the traits in humans that bring about war. No. Animals have never created the level of destruction and violence that humans have. They do not have the capabilities… [Consider each answer for its own merits.] Refer to paragraph 6 1.1 Do you think Einstein was justified (right) to be worried about the 1 Nazi magazine? Give two (2) reasons for your answer. [2] Yes. They clearly wanted him dead, as the picture referred to the fact that he had not been executed. They put a price on his head, meaning the person who killed him would get a financial reward for their efforts. 1.1 Einstein said that it was justified to defend yourself with weapons 2 against Nazi aggression. Do you agree with this sentiment (idea)? Give a reason for your answer. [1] Yes. Not retaliating does not necessarily result in an end of violence. One just becomes a punch bag. Sometimes, one needs to stand up and fight to put an end to violence. / The Nazis reached new levels of violence with the holocaust. No passive approach would cease that level of brutality and immortality. They needed to be stopped with aggression. No. By resorting to violence, one becomes as evil as the party one is trying to stop. Two wrongs don’t make a right… [Award marks on merit of answer.] General 1.1 Which wars did Einstein live through? 3 [2] WW1, WW2 1.1 For whom do you think this article was written? Give a reason for 4 your answer. [2] The writer seems to want to comfort any young person who is not achieving at school by telling him/her that Einstein did not achieve at school either but went on to become one of the greatest people the world has ever known. The writer seems to want to inspire young people not to get depressed or to feel bad about themselves: they might only realise what they want to do later, and then they will be successful, like Einstein. (mark globally) TOTAL SECTION A: [25 ] TAXONOMY FOR QUESTION 1 This Keywords Question number Req paper Level Literal e.g. Name; List; 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 1.9, 10 10 Page 4 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 ### Page 6 1 (information Identify Describe; in the text) Relate Level Reorganisat Summarise the marks 2 ion (analysis, main ideas; State 1.10.1 synthesis or differences/ 40% organisation similarities of information) Level Inference e.g. Explain the 3 (engagement main idea; What 10 with is the writer's 1.3, 1.6, 1.10.2, 1.11, marks information in intention; 10 1.14 terms of What, do you 40% personal think, will be … experience) Level Evaluation e.g. Do you think 4 (judgements that; concerning Discuss critically; the value or 5 marks worth) 1.4, 1.7, 1.10.3, 1.12 5 Level Appreciatio Discuss your 5 n (assess the response; 20% impact Comment on of the text) writer's use of language Page 5 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 ### Page 7 SECTION B: LANGUAGE STUDY Question 2: VOCABULARY Match the words in COLUMN A with the correct synonyms in COLUMN B. Write down only the question number and the letter of the correct answer. You will find the words in column A highlighted in bold in Text A (the comprehension). Refer to the words in the comprehension to assist you. COLUMN A COLUMN B 2.1 Brilliant (para. 1) A devastating [1] 2.2 Contributed (para. 1) B peace lover [1] 2.3 Strange (para. 2) C exceptionally talented [1] 2.4 Destructive (para. 2) D unusual [1] 2.5 Pacifist (para. 5 & 6) E gave [1] [5] 2.1 C 2.2 E 2.3 D 2.4 A 2.5 B Page 6 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 ### Page 8 Question 3: ADVERTISING Study the advertisements below and then answer the questions that follow. TEXT B TEXT: FLEXIBILITY WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST At Rentguard we understand one approach doesn’t always fit all, that’s why we provide flexible solutions and bespoke policies to meet your demands. Underwritten by leading UK insurers, our exceptional range of products allow you to fully cover your customers, whilst still retaining your own brand identity. QUESTIONS ON TEXT B 3.1 Which company is being advertised here? [1] Rentguard Insurance 3.2 Rewrite “one approach doesn’t always fit all” in more formal language. [1] One approach does not fit/suit every situation  3.3 Does the image support the headline, “Flexibility when you need it most”? Explain your answer. [2] Yes, ballet dancers need to be flexible to perform the twists and turns they need to. The girl in the picture is clearly flexible with her leg twisted behind her and her body bending backwards. /4/ TEXT C TEXT: Tabard. Stops insects bugging people. Page 7 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 ### Page 9 QUESTIONS ON TEXT C 3.4 Why is the slogan “stops insects bugging people’’ an effective one? [2] It is a pun. Bugging can be referring to bugs / insects; or it can be referring to annoying, the alternate meaning.  3.5 Identify the following parts of speech as used in the wording ‘’mosquito and insect repellent’’. 3.5.1 repellent [1] Noun 3.5.2 insect [1] Adjective 3.6 How does the image (picture) in the advertisement support the product being sold? [1] It has a picture of a mosquito on a circle with a line through, suggesting that there are no mosquitos. 3.7 The text ’mosquito and insect repellent’’ is not written on a straight line. Suggest a reason why the advertisers chose to do this. [1] It captures the sporadic, random way a mosquito or bug flies. /6/ [10] Question 4: VISUAL LITERACY Read the cartoons below and then answer the questions that follow. TEXT D QUESTIONS ON TEXT D 4.1 Explain why the boy offers the teacher his cell phone. [2] He wants her to read about his vacation on Facebook instead of writing an essay about it.  4.2 Identify the teacher’s tone of voice and say how you know this. [2] She is strict / angry / annoyed  because she carries a ruler in her hand / her mouth is open / unfriendly / her glasses make her eyes look angry / etc.  Page 8 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 ### Page 10 (Accept a valid answer) /4/ TEXT E Frame 1 Frame 2 Frame 3 Frame 4 Calvin is the little boy. Hobbes is the tiger. QUESTIONS ON TEXT E 4.3 How is the word “Go” said in Frame 1? How do you know this? [2] It is shouted. Bold, caps 4.4 Refer to the illustration in frame 2. How do you know that the characters aren’t moving quickly? [2] They have their arms outstretched to balance, Calvin has his tongue out, no speed lines… [Consider answer’s validity] 4.5 Refer to Frame 4. Write Calvin says (That’s cheating!) in INDIRECT speech. [1] Calvin said that that was cheating. 4.6 What makes this cartoon humorous? [1] A race is usually about running the fastest, not moving the slowest. /6/ [10] Page 9 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 ### Page 11 Question 5: LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT Read the text that follows and then answer the questions below. TEXT F Dr. Congo-man by Inessa Rajah 1 I don’t know the car guard’s name. All I know is the bright smiling face, the 1 strong hands that help my mother with her shopping bags and the kind 2 manner in which he bends to greet Bobby. I do not know his name because I 3 have never asked what it is. Bobby has, but the man did not understand. 4 2 He always accept the change my mother hands him with a sincere “Merci”. 5 3 Once, my cousin, who speaks French, had a conversation with him. I asked 6 her about it. He was a doctor in his country. His country is in turmoil, he was 7 forced to flee his home, and he is a qualified doctor working as a car guard. 8 Bobby started calling him Dr. Congo-man. 9 4 Turning on the television is depressing, watching streets lined with violence 10 and rage. “Foreigners are stealing our jobs,” a young man shouts. Refugees 11 are shot in the streets. They escaped to our country to run from chaos and 12 pain, but instead found themselves running in a circle, directly back to 13 injustice. 14 5 I am suddenly aware of the stillness beside me. “Bobby?” I whirl my head 15 from side to side. “Bobby?” I’m on the verge of screaming for help, when I see 16 him sitting on the ledge of the car park, his smile so big it slides off the sides 17 of his face. The kind, Congolese man is standing beside him. 18 6 I catch sight of the laceration on the man’s arm. The wound looks like a burn. I 19 look into his eyes and see the eyes of a man cheated by life, more times than 20 fate should allow. 21 QUESTIONS ON TEXT F 5.1 What is the function of the comma in line 1? [1] Separate items in a list 5.2 Correct the error of concord in paragraph 2. You need only write the corrected word. [1] Accepts 5.3 Why is the word ‘Merci’ (line 5) written in italics? [1] It is not English 5.4 Refer to paragraph 3. Rewrite the underlined sentence in DIRECT speech. Begin your answer with: She said [1] She said, “He was a doctor in his country.” [All punctuation must be correct.] 5.5 Refer to paragraph 3. Is Dr. punctuated correctly? Give a reason for your answer. [1] No. The word ‘doctor’ ends on an ‘r’, as does the abbreviation ‘Dr’, therefore it does not get a full stop after the abbreviation. 5.6 Refer to paragraph 5. Write the underlined speech in INDIRECT / REPORTED speech. [2] The young man shouted that foreigners were stealing their jobs. [No mark awarded for ‘there’] 5.7 Refer to paragraph 5. Rewrite the sentence in bold (line 11-12) in the Active Voice. Begin your answer with: They [1] They shoot refugees in the streets. Page 10 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 ### Page 12 5.8 Refer to the underlined sentence in paragraph 5. Identify the finite verb in the underlined sentence. You need only write the word(s). [1] Is standing 5.9 Give a reason for the use of the apostrophe in paragraph 6. [1] possession [10] TAXONOMY FOR QUESTIONS 2-4 This Keywords Question number Req paper Level Literal e.g. Name; List; 1 (information Identify Describe; in the text) Relate 14 Level Reorganisat Summarise the 3.1, 3.4, 3.6, 4.1, 4.3, marks 2 ion (analysis, main ideas; State 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.4, 5.5, 14 synthesis or differences/ 5.6, 5.9 40% organisation similarities of information) Level Inference e.g. Explain the 3 (engagement main idea; What 14 with is the writer's 2.1-2.5, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, marks information in intention; 14 4.1, 4.3, 5.2, 5.7, 5.8 terms of What, do you 40% personal think, will be … experience) Level Evaluation e.g. Do you think 4 (judgements that; concerning Discuss critically; the value or 7 marks worth) 3.3, 3.7, 4.2, 4.6, 5.3 7 Level Appreciatio Discuss your 5 n (assess the response; 20% impact Comment on of the text) writer's use of language Page 11 of 11 G8 English Home Language P2 June 2017 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) ## Related documents - [English HL P1 Nov 2017](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/english-hl-p1-nov-2017/4678d748-96ad-41f2-aeb6-91cd15ebdb00) — English HL · QP · 2017 · Eng - [Grade 8 English HL P2 November 2026 Mock](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-english-hl-2026-november-mock-exam-question-paper-paper-2-english/967f4869-31b5-419b-bc59-fedbda6c9872) — English HL · QP · 2026 · Eng - [English HL P2 Nov 2018](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/english-hl-p2-nov-2018/53c46757-54f2-45cd-a061-38cf8daad43f) — English HL · QP · 2018 · Eng - [English HL P2 Nov 2015](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/english-hl-p2-nov-2015/e0f491fb-91a7-4c11-acd8-b0657d263fd4) — English HL · QP · 2015 · Eng - [Grade 8 English HL P1 November 2026 Mock](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-8-english-hl-2026-november-mock-exam-question-paper-paper-1-english/c4d0380a-b353-42f7-8078-585e78e77ed8) — English HL · QP · 2026 · Eng - [English HL P1 Nov 2018](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/english-hl-p1-nov-2018/06f87c4d-8383-4829-8c1d-52297cc37af7) — English HL · QP · 2018 · Eng ## More from Grade 8 English Hl - [English HL P1 March 2016](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/english-hl-p1-march-2016/3b7b4354-2a8f-4522-ad58-08b69bbae839) — QP · 2016 · Eng ## Collection - [Grade 8 past papers](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-8/past-papers) --- Hlayiso: free CAPS and IEB past papers, memos, notes and study guides for South African learners. 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