Question

COMPREHENSION
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow it.
It often happens on the streets of many cities in Africa that a shabbily-dressed man, clutching a purse or a money
belt, races through crowds of startled pedestrians and an enraged mob follows hard on his heels, screaming,
"Catch him! kill him! kill the thiefl" They trap the man in an alley and begin kicking and punching him. If he is
lucky the police will come to his rescue. But more often than not, the thief is beaten to death or burned alive.
Although mob justice is a common phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa, there are fewer countries that experience
it with such regularity or such brutality than Kenya. There, between nine and eleven people, most of them petty
thieves are executed every week across the country. That number is rapidly growing. In 1992, 432 people were
murdered by mobs; in 1994, the figure rose to more than 500. They were put to painful death: stabbed, slashed
with machetes, stoned, kicked or trampled upon.
Some psychologists generally ascribe the resort to violence to the exposure to violence and instance justice on
the screen, but in Africa, much of the street justice is a reaction to the ineffectual criminal justice system. Not only
do the police lack essential equipment like radios to carry out their work efficiently and quickly; they are so poorly
paid that they demand and readily receive bribes from criminals. Even when cases end up in court, it takes too
long a time for judgment to be handed down. And it certainly exasperates many a layman when a thief caught in
the act is set free to walk away from court with his booty. No wonder many have now accepted mob justice as
the only effective way to punish thieves.
Critics also say the vigilantes, who usually dispense justice in the street take their cue from politicians, particularly
those in power. Government-sponsored thugs are often accused of burning homes and beating up members of
the opposition in full view of the people. In one African country, the secretary-general of a political party warned
that his opponents would receive another beating if they dared visit his home constituency again; and other
officials openly supported the assault. Wherever politics remain steeped in violence, citizens seem likely to follow
suit
It is a very sad reflection on African countries that such developments stand in the way of their march to
democracy. Many African politicians regard being in the government not as an opportunity to serve their country
but as a means of living well and making a fortune. Hence they regard opponents as enemies who must be crushed
by any means possible.
Africans, however, know that violence begets more violence; unleashing chaos and undermining the rule of law is
not a justifiable means to put an end to crime in any society. No matter how inadequate a country's institutions
are, there can be no justification for violence and, in particular, mob justice.
a) For each of the following words underlined in the passage, give another word or phrase which means the
same and can replace it in the passage.
1) Phenomenon ii) ineffectual iii) exasperates iv) assault v) unleashing
b) What does the writer say about Kenya?
c) In one sentence, summarise the cause of mob action in Africa?
d) What does politicians do that encourages the actions of vigilantes?
e) In the writer's opinion, why do Africans generally enter politics?
1) in one short sentence, explain in your own words the expression: 'violence begets more violence'.
s) if he is lucky...
h) What is the writer's attitude to mob action?
Quote a sentence or phrase from the last two paragraphs to support your answer.​

Answer 1

Answer:

Too long

Explanation: