ENGLISH
PAPER 2
FORM 3 M/SCHEME
END TERM 1, 2025
1. COMPREHENSION
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Everyone has struggled with lack of confidence at one time or another. More so, confidence that may
have been built over the years may be lost when we face new challenges, make mistakes, fail or receive
criticism. It is probable that one of the most common wishes for many people is to feel more confident in
various spheres of life. Building confidence must be something you want for yourself and not just for
appearance’s sake. Confidence is beneficial in business, at the work place, in your social life and even in
your interpersonal relationships. It can make the difference between success and failure in business,
getting a promotion or a pay rise, meeting someone interesting at a party and even successfully
disciplining your children when you become a parent.
Some people have a higher level of confidence than others, but this should not discourage those who lack
it. Like many things in life, confidence can be learned and even perfected. Most people have areas in their
lives when they could be more confident and thus have better results. There are various practical ways
about building confidence. However, these are not necessarily quick fixes or overnight solutions. Building
confidence should happen gradually over a period of time.
Spending time thinking about how little confidence you have is not helpful and will only discourage you
more. It may be easier said than done but working on something and getting it done is a useful confidence
builder. Stop relying on your feelings and spring into action. Dale Carnegie, a famous American writer,
once said that ‘inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage’. If you want to
conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get it.
Facing your fears is another confidence builder. Begin by recognizing that many fears are based on
misjudgements and wrong perceptions. Yes, even your memory about something may be skewed and
inaccurate, making you believe something that is actually not true. You should learn to develop a healthy
curiosity filled with anticipation and enthusiasm about various situations and tasks you have been fearful
of. With time it will enable you to be more open to experience and put less focus on your fear.
Lack of preparation is a big source of low self-confidence. You have no idea what to expect and this
makes you fear the unknown. You are not sure what you are afraid of. Most of the times, low self-
confidence can be solved by adequate preparation. Be aware what to expect and how to deal with
whatever is at hand.
Confidence does not really come assured of success. It also comes from knowing that failure is not the
end of the world. Failure never feels good, but it gives us valuable lessons if we are keen enough to learn.
Failure makes us stronger. Again, remember that not everyone is busy monitoring your every success or
failure. They are too preoccupied with their own issues. Therefore, do not spend too much time thinking
what people will say about your failure.
Despite being aware of what makes you lack confidence and how to build it, confidence will not always
come naturally. Sometimes you have to fake it till you make it. You may have to face intimidating
, situations head on while telling yourself that you are ready for them, even when you know that you do not
feel that way. This may go a long way in helping you to actually feel confident. Interestingly, the people
who may regard you as more confident than you could also be using this technique. Also, consider your
strengths and recognize the fact that just like everyone else, you have something to offer.
QUESTIONS
a. Why does the author say that we should build our confidence? (3mks)
Confidence is beneficial in business, at the work place, in your social life and even in your
interpersonal relationships(1) It can make the difference between success and failure in business(1)
getting a promotion or a pay rise, meeting someone interesting at a party and even successfully
disciplining your children when you become a parent(1)
b. Why should one not compare themselves with others? (2mks)
Confidence can be learned and even perfected
c. How does developing a healthy curiosity enable you to develop confidence? (2mks)
Developing a healthy criticism enables one to be more open to experience and put less focus on ones
fears.
d. Make notes on the practical ways in which one can build their confidence. (4mks)
- working on something and getting it done/one to stop relying on feelings and spring into action
- Facing your fears
- Preparation
-positive attitude that failure makes us stronger
e. What is the author’s attitude towards the subject matter? (3mks)
Pragmatic/Realistic- the author gives realistic measures on how to be self-confident
f. Like many things in life, confidence can be learned and even perfected. (Rewrite the sentence
beginning: Confidence…) (1mk)
Confidence, like many things in life, can be learned and even perfected.
g. How does the writer reassure those who lack confidence? (2mks)
One may gain confidence gradually by facing intimidating situations head on considering ones
strengths (1mk) and recognizing the fact that just like everyone else, you have something to offer
(1mk)
h. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt. (3mks)
Breeds – gives rise to/ rears
Preoccupied –obsessed/fixated/very much interested in something
Fake it till you make it - pretend
2. FATHERS OF THE NATIONS BY PAUL B. VITTA
Read the excerpt below and then answer the questions that follow.
Professor Kimani joined the University of Nairobi directly as a senior lecturer. Even before taking off, he
was already flying. There was a reason. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda has just dismantled their University
of East Africa. Kenya’s part of the university, now renamed the University of Nairobi, found itself with a
vacancy it had to fill immediately in its Institute of Development Studies. Professor Kimani, who had just
completed his studies at the University of Oxford, wrote from there to say he wanted to fill it. To ensure
he came and filled it for sure, the University of Nairobi raised his entry point from that of lecturer to that
of senior lecturer.
He came. Only a month after his arrival, he launched a noisy debate in which he demanded that the
University of Nairobi henceforth strive for relevance to the society rather than simply excellence of its
PAPER 2
FORM 3 M/SCHEME
END TERM 1, 2025
1. COMPREHENSION
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Everyone has struggled with lack of confidence at one time or another. More so, confidence that may
have been built over the years may be lost when we face new challenges, make mistakes, fail or receive
criticism. It is probable that one of the most common wishes for many people is to feel more confident in
various spheres of life. Building confidence must be something you want for yourself and not just for
appearance’s sake. Confidence is beneficial in business, at the work place, in your social life and even in
your interpersonal relationships. It can make the difference between success and failure in business,
getting a promotion or a pay rise, meeting someone interesting at a party and even successfully
disciplining your children when you become a parent.
Some people have a higher level of confidence than others, but this should not discourage those who lack
it. Like many things in life, confidence can be learned and even perfected. Most people have areas in their
lives when they could be more confident and thus have better results. There are various practical ways
about building confidence. However, these are not necessarily quick fixes or overnight solutions. Building
confidence should happen gradually over a period of time.
Spending time thinking about how little confidence you have is not helpful and will only discourage you
more. It may be easier said than done but working on something and getting it done is a useful confidence
builder. Stop relying on your feelings and spring into action. Dale Carnegie, a famous American writer,
once said that ‘inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage’. If you want to
conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get it.
Facing your fears is another confidence builder. Begin by recognizing that many fears are based on
misjudgements and wrong perceptions. Yes, even your memory about something may be skewed and
inaccurate, making you believe something that is actually not true. You should learn to develop a healthy
curiosity filled with anticipation and enthusiasm about various situations and tasks you have been fearful
of. With time it will enable you to be more open to experience and put less focus on your fear.
Lack of preparation is a big source of low self-confidence. You have no idea what to expect and this
makes you fear the unknown. You are not sure what you are afraid of. Most of the times, low self-
confidence can be solved by adequate preparation. Be aware what to expect and how to deal with
whatever is at hand.
Confidence does not really come assured of success. It also comes from knowing that failure is not the
end of the world. Failure never feels good, but it gives us valuable lessons if we are keen enough to learn.
Failure makes us stronger. Again, remember that not everyone is busy monitoring your every success or
failure. They are too preoccupied with their own issues. Therefore, do not spend too much time thinking
what people will say about your failure.
Despite being aware of what makes you lack confidence and how to build it, confidence will not always
come naturally. Sometimes you have to fake it till you make it. You may have to face intimidating
, situations head on while telling yourself that you are ready for them, even when you know that you do not
feel that way. This may go a long way in helping you to actually feel confident. Interestingly, the people
who may regard you as more confident than you could also be using this technique. Also, consider your
strengths and recognize the fact that just like everyone else, you have something to offer.
QUESTIONS
a. Why does the author say that we should build our confidence? (3mks)
Confidence is beneficial in business, at the work place, in your social life and even in your
interpersonal relationships(1) It can make the difference between success and failure in business(1)
getting a promotion or a pay rise, meeting someone interesting at a party and even successfully
disciplining your children when you become a parent(1)
b. Why should one not compare themselves with others? (2mks)
Confidence can be learned and even perfected
c. How does developing a healthy curiosity enable you to develop confidence? (2mks)
Developing a healthy criticism enables one to be more open to experience and put less focus on ones
fears.
d. Make notes on the practical ways in which one can build their confidence. (4mks)
- working on something and getting it done/one to stop relying on feelings and spring into action
- Facing your fears
- Preparation
-positive attitude that failure makes us stronger
e. What is the author’s attitude towards the subject matter? (3mks)
Pragmatic/Realistic- the author gives realistic measures on how to be self-confident
f. Like many things in life, confidence can be learned and even perfected. (Rewrite the sentence
beginning: Confidence…) (1mk)
Confidence, like many things in life, can be learned and even perfected.
g. How does the writer reassure those who lack confidence? (2mks)
One may gain confidence gradually by facing intimidating situations head on considering ones
strengths (1mk) and recognizing the fact that just like everyone else, you have something to offer
(1mk)
h. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt. (3mks)
Breeds – gives rise to/ rears
Preoccupied –obsessed/fixated/very much interested in something
Fake it till you make it - pretend
2. FATHERS OF THE NATIONS BY PAUL B. VITTA
Read the excerpt below and then answer the questions that follow.
Professor Kimani joined the University of Nairobi directly as a senior lecturer. Even before taking off, he
was already flying. There was a reason. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda has just dismantled their University
of East Africa. Kenya’s part of the university, now renamed the University of Nairobi, found itself with a
vacancy it had to fill immediately in its Institute of Development Studies. Professor Kimani, who had just
completed his studies at the University of Oxford, wrote from there to say he wanted to fill it. To ensure
he came and filled it for sure, the University of Nairobi raised his entry point from that of lecturer to that
of senior lecturer.
He came. Only a month after his arrival, he launched a noisy debate in which he demanded that the
University of Nairobi henceforth strive for relevance to the society rather than simply excellence of its
