ENG2611 January/February Supplementary Exam
Memo | Due January/February 2026 | Applied English
Language for Foundation and Intermediate Phase
(UNISA)
,Question 1: Identify the main idea of the following passage.
Passage:
In recent years, the importance of learning a second language has been emphasized in
various educational systems. Studies show that bilingual individuals have advantages in
cognitive abilities and employment opportunities.
• A) Learning a second language is boring.
• B) Bilingual individuals are more successful.
• C) English is the only language that matters.
• D) Learning a new language is not helpful.
Correct Option: B) Bilingual individuals are more successful.
Rationale:
The passage highlights the benefits of bilingualism, particularly regarding cognitive
abilities and job opportunities, making option B the main idea. The other options do not
accurately reflect the content of the passage.
Question 2: Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
• A) The team of researchers have published their findings.
• B) The group of students were excited about the trip.
• C) Each of the players is responsible for their performance.
• D) Several of the cars was parked outside.
Correct Option: C) Each of the players is responsible for their performance.
Rationale:
In option C, "Each" is a singular subject, thus requiring a singular verb "is." The other
options contain errors in subject-verb agreement, as they incorrectly pair plural
subjects with singular verbs or vice versa.
Question 3: Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
• A) Its time to eat, Grandma.
• B) It's time to eat Grandma.
• C) Its time to eat Grandma.
• D) It's time to eat, Grandma.
Correct Option: D) It's time to eat, Grandma.
, Rationale:
Option D correctly uses the contraction "It's" (it is) and includes a comma before the
address to Grandma, indicating that she is the one being invited to eat. Option B
suggests a humorous and incorrect meaning. The others are either missing punctuation
or use incorrect forms.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?
• A) To summarize the entire essay.
• B) To provide a roadmap for the essay’s argument.
• C) To introduce the topic without a clear stance.
• D) To provide references for the information used.
Correct Option: B) To provide a roadmap for the essay’s argument.
Rationale:
A thesis statement serves as a guide for the reader, outlining the main argument and
direction of the essay. It indicates what the writer intends to prove or discuss. The other
options either misrepresent the role of a thesis statement or describe unrelated aspects
of essay writing.
Question 1: Identify the main idea of the following passage.
Passage:
In recent years, the importance of learning a second language has been emphasized in
various educational systems. Studies show that bilingual individuals have advantages in
cognitive abilities and employment opportunities.
• A) Learning a second language is boring.
• B) Bilingual individuals are more successful.
• C) English is the only language that matters.
• D) Learning a new language is not helpful.
Correct Option: B)
Rationale: The passage indicates that bilingualism has advantages, emphasizing option
B.
Question 2: Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
• A) The team of researchers have published their findings.
• B) The group of students were excited about the trip.
• C) Each of the players is responsible for their performance.
Memo | Due January/February 2026 | Applied English
Language for Foundation and Intermediate Phase
(UNISA)
,Question 1: Identify the main idea of the following passage.
Passage:
In recent years, the importance of learning a second language has been emphasized in
various educational systems. Studies show that bilingual individuals have advantages in
cognitive abilities and employment opportunities.
• A) Learning a second language is boring.
• B) Bilingual individuals are more successful.
• C) English is the only language that matters.
• D) Learning a new language is not helpful.
Correct Option: B) Bilingual individuals are more successful.
Rationale:
The passage highlights the benefits of bilingualism, particularly regarding cognitive
abilities and job opportunities, making option B the main idea. The other options do not
accurately reflect the content of the passage.
Question 2: Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
• A) The team of researchers have published their findings.
• B) The group of students were excited about the trip.
• C) Each of the players is responsible for their performance.
• D) Several of the cars was parked outside.
Correct Option: C) Each of the players is responsible for their performance.
Rationale:
In option C, "Each" is a singular subject, thus requiring a singular verb "is." The other
options contain errors in subject-verb agreement, as they incorrectly pair plural
subjects with singular verbs or vice versa.
Question 3: Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
• A) Its time to eat, Grandma.
• B) It's time to eat Grandma.
• C) Its time to eat Grandma.
• D) It's time to eat, Grandma.
Correct Option: D) It's time to eat, Grandma.
, Rationale:
Option D correctly uses the contraction "It's" (it is) and includes a comma before the
address to Grandma, indicating that she is the one being invited to eat. Option B
suggests a humorous and incorrect meaning. The others are either missing punctuation
or use incorrect forms.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?
• A) To summarize the entire essay.
• B) To provide a roadmap for the essay’s argument.
• C) To introduce the topic without a clear stance.
• D) To provide references for the information used.
Correct Option: B) To provide a roadmap for the essay’s argument.
Rationale:
A thesis statement serves as a guide for the reader, outlining the main argument and
direction of the essay. It indicates what the writer intends to prove or discuss. The other
options either misrepresent the role of a thesis statement or describe unrelated aspects
of essay writing.
Question 1: Identify the main idea of the following passage.
Passage:
In recent years, the importance of learning a second language has been emphasized in
various educational systems. Studies show that bilingual individuals have advantages in
cognitive abilities and employment opportunities.
• A) Learning a second language is boring.
• B) Bilingual individuals are more successful.
• C) English is the only language that matters.
• D) Learning a new language is not helpful.
Correct Option: B)
Rationale: The passage indicates that bilingualism has advantages, emphasizing option
B.
Question 2: Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
• A) The team of researchers have published their findings.
• B) The group of students were excited about the trip.
• C) Each of the players is responsible for their performance.
