Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (20)
With the hiss of steam brakes ,the train pulled up beside the concrete platform and Bruce jumped down.
“All right,Ruffy,”he shouted, “Let’s get cracking.”
Bruce had placed the three –sided open trucks in the van, for they were the easiest to defend. From behind the breast-high sides ,the Bren guns could sweep ahead and on both flanks. They followed the two passenger coaches,to be used as storerooms and officers’ quarters; also for accommodation of refugees on the return journey. Finally, the locomotive in the rear ,where it would be least vulnerable and would not spew smoke and soot back over the train.
The stores were loaded into four of the compartments, the windows shuttered ,the doors locked .Then Bruce set about laying out his defences. In a low circle of sandbags on the roof of the leading coach he sited one of Brens and made his own post. From here, he could look down over open trucks ,back at the locomotive, and also command an excellent view of the surrounding country.
The other Brens he placed in the leading truck and he put Harry in command there .He had obtained from the major at Ordinance three of the new walkie-talkies sets; one he gave to the engine driver, another to Henry up front, and the third he retained in his emplacement; and his system of communication was satisfactory.
It was almost twelve o’clock before these preparations were complete and Bruce turned to Ruffy who sat on the sandbags beside him.
“All set?”
“All set,boss”
“How many missing?”Bruce had learned from experience never to expect his entire command to be in any one place at any one time.
“Eight, boss.”
“That’s three more than yesterday; leave us fifty two men. Do you think they’ve taken off into the bush also?” Five of his men had deserted with their weapons on the day of ceasefire. Obviously, they had gone into the bush to join one of the bands of “shufta” that were already playing havoc along the main roads: ambushing all unprotected traffic, beating up unlucky travellers and murdering those less fortunate, when they had the opportunity, and generally enjoying themselves.
“No boss. I don’t think so ,those three are good boys .They’ll be down in the city having themselves some fun ; guess they forgot the time.”Ruffy shook his head. “Take us about half an hour to find them; all we need to do is to go down and visit all bars. You want to try?”
a. Give the meaning of these words in the context in which they are used in the passage.(3)
1. Defend
2. Retained
3. Vulnerable
b.Answer the following questions briefly in your own word;
1. What were the passenger coaches used for?(1)
2. Give two reasons why Bruce placed the locomotive in the rear.(2)
3. How did Bruce organize his defences ?(2)
4. What did Bruce do to make his system of communication satisfactory?(2)
5. Why does Bruce ask , “How many missing?”(2)
c.In not more than 50 words of your own ,report the conversation that Bruce had with Ruffy. (8)
(Please adhere to the format of precis by writing all the steps. Failing to do so will lead to negative marking)
Answers
Answer:
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (20)
With the hiss of steam brakes ,the train pulled up beside the concrete platform and Bruce jumped down.
“All right,Ruffy,”he shouted, “Let’s get cracking.”
Bruce had placed the three –sided open trucks in the van, for they were the easiest to defend. From behind the breast-high sides ,the Bren guns could sweep ahead and on both flanks. They followed the two passenger coaches,to be used as storerooms and officers’ quarters; also for accommodation of refugees on the return journey. Finally, the locomotive in the rear ,where it would be least vulnerable and would not spew smoke and soot back over the train.
The stores were loaded into four of the compartments, the windows shuttered ,the doors locked .Then Bruce set about laying out his defences. In a low circle of sandbags on the roof of the leading coach he sited one of Brens and made his own post. From here, he could look down over open trucks ,back at the locomotive, and also command an excellent view of the surrounding country.
The other Brens he placed in the leading truck and he put Harry in command there .He had obtained from the major at Ordinance three of the new walkie-talkies sets; one he gave to the engine driver, another to Henry up front, and the third he retained in his emplacement; and his system of communication was satisfactory.
It was almost twelve o’clock before these preparations were complete and Bruce turned to Ruffy who sat on the sandbags beside him.
“All set?”
“All set,boss”
“How many missing?”Bruce had learned from experience never to expect his entire command to be in any one place at any one time.
“Eight, boss.”
“That’s three more than yesterday; leave us fifty two men. Do you think they’ve taken off into the bush also?” Five of his men had deserted with their weapons on the day of ceasefire. Obviously, they had gone into the bush to join one of the bands of “shufta” that were already playing havoc along the main roads: ambushing all unprotected traffic, beating up unlucky travellers and murdering those less fortunate, when they had the opportunity, and generally enjoying themselves.
“No boss. I don’t think so ,those three are good boys .They’ll be down in the city having themselves some fun ; guess they forgot the time.”Ruffy shook his head. “Take us about half an hour to find them; all we need to do is to go down and visit all bars.
Explanation:
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