October/November 2025
ENG2611
EXAM DATE :26 NOVEMBER 2026
APPLIED ENGLISH LANGUAGE FOR FOUNDATION AND INTERMEDIATE PHASE -
FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE
First examiner: Dr P Scordis
Second examiner: Ms N Best
SECTION A
Read the questions below carefully and write all your responses in paragraph
form.
QUESTION 1
1.1 According to Leland et al. (2013) the concept of reading for pleasure at both
home and school contributes to a student’s academic success and critical thinking
skills. In a paragraph of 150 words, discuss how this approach contrasts with
viewing reading solely as a skill to be learned and practiced.
Reading for pleasure, as described by Leland et al. (2013), differs strongly from viewing
reading only as a technical skill to be taught and practiced. When reading is approached
as a pleasurable activity, learners engage with texts out of interest and curiosity rather
than obligation. This encourages intrinsic motivation, deeper comprehension, and the
development of critical thinking, as students naturally question, interpret, and connect
ideas to their own experiences. In contrast, when reading is treated solely as a skill, it
often focuses on decoding, fluency, and assessment outcomes. While these are
important, an overemphasis on drills and exercises can make reading feel mechanical
and discouraging. Learners may read only to meet school requirements, limiting
creativity and independent thought. Reading for pleasure also extends beyond the
classroom into the home, promoting lifelong reading habits. According to Leland et al.
, (2013), this holistic approach supports academic success by nurturing both cognitive
growth and a positive attitude toward learning, which a purely skills-based approach
often fails to achieve.
1.2 In a paragraph of 150 words explain why cultural awareness is important when
analysing literature? How might it influence a reader’s interpretation of a
character's actions or the conflicts within a story? Then, in another paragraph of
150 words illustrate the impact of cultural context on character interpretation
using a Foundation Phase story of your choice.
(10 marks)
Cultural awareness is important when analysing literature because stories are shaped by
the beliefs, values, traditions, and social norms of the culture in which they are written.
When readers understand the cultural background of a text, they are better able to
interpret characters’ actions, motivations, and choices fairly and accurately. Without
cultural awareness, a reader may judge characters using their own cultural standards,
which can lead to misunderstanding or oversimplification. Cultural context also
influences how conflicts arise and are resolved in a story. For example, issues related to
family roles, respect for elders, gender expectations, or community responsibilities may
carry deep meaning within a specific culture. A character’s behaviour that seems strange
or inappropriate to one reader may be acceptable or even admirable within another
cultural setting. Therefore, cultural awareness helps readers develop empathy, think
critically, and gain a deeper understanding of both the text and the people represented
in it.
A good example of the impact of cultural context on character interpretation can be
seen in the Foundation Phase story The Lion and the Mouse. In many African cultures,
respect for power and hierarchy is important, which helps readers understand why the
mouse initially fears the lion. The lion’s decision to spare the mouse may reflect cultural
values of kindness, mercy, and communal harmony. Without this context, a reader might
see the lion’s action as unrealistic or unnecessary. Similarly, the mouse’s bravery in
helping the lion later can be interpreted as showing that even the smallest members of
a community have value and responsibility. This idea aligns with cultural teachings that
emphasise cooperation and mutual support. Understanding this cultural context helps
ENG2611
EXAM DATE :26 NOVEMBER 2026
APPLIED ENGLISH LANGUAGE FOR FOUNDATION AND INTERMEDIATE PHASE -
FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE
First examiner: Dr P Scordis
Second examiner: Ms N Best
SECTION A
Read the questions below carefully and write all your responses in paragraph
form.
QUESTION 1
1.1 According to Leland et al. (2013) the concept of reading for pleasure at both
home and school contributes to a student’s academic success and critical thinking
skills. In a paragraph of 150 words, discuss how this approach contrasts with
viewing reading solely as a skill to be learned and practiced.
Reading for pleasure, as described by Leland et al. (2013), differs strongly from viewing
reading only as a technical skill to be taught and practiced. When reading is approached
as a pleasurable activity, learners engage with texts out of interest and curiosity rather
than obligation. This encourages intrinsic motivation, deeper comprehension, and the
development of critical thinking, as students naturally question, interpret, and connect
ideas to their own experiences. In contrast, when reading is treated solely as a skill, it
often focuses on decoding, fluency, and assessment outcomes. While these are
important, an overemphasis on drills and exercises can make reading feel mechanical
and discouraging. Learners may read only to meet school requirements, limiting
creativity and independent thought. Reading for pleasure also extends beyond the
classroom into the home, promoting lifelong reading habits. According to Leland et al.
, (2013), this holistic approach supports academic success by nurturing both cognitive
growth and a positive attitude toward learning, which a purely skills-based approach
often fails to achieve.
1.2 In a paragraph of 150 words explain why cultural awareness is important when
analysing literature? How might it influence a reader’s interpretation of a
character's actions or the conflicts within a story? Then, in another paragraph of
150 words illustrate the impact of cultural context on character interpretation
using a Foundation Phase story of your choice.
(10 marks)
Cultural awareness is important when analysing literature because stories are shaped by
the beliefs, values, traditions, and social norms of the culture in which they are written.
When readers understand the cultural background of a text, they are better able to
interpret characters’ actions, motivations, and choices fairly and accurately. Without
cultural awareness, a reader may judge characters using their own cultural standards,
which can lead to misunderstanding or oversimplification. Cultural context also
influences how conflicts arise and are resolved in a story. For example, issues related to
family roles, respect for elders, gender expectations, or community responsibilities may
carry deep meaning within a specific culture. A character’s behaviour that seems strange
or inappropriate to one reader may be acceptable or even admirable within another
cultural setting. Therefore, cultural awareness helps readers develop empathy, think
critically, and gain a deeper understanding of both the text and the people represented
in it.
A good example of the impact of cultural context on character interpretation can be
seen in the Foundation Phase story The Lion and the Mouse. In many African cultures,
respect for power and hierarchy is important, which helps readers understand why the
mouse initially fears the lion. The lion’s decision to spare the mouse may reflect cultural
values of kindness, mercy, and communal harmony. Without this context, a reader might
see the lion’s action as unrealistic or unnecessary. Similarly, the mouse’s bravery in
helping the lion later can be interpreted as showing that even the smallest members of
a community have value and responsibility. This idea aligns with cultural teachings that
emphasise cooperation and mutual support. Understanding this cultural context helps
