ENG2611 January/February Supplementary Exam
Memo | Due January/February 2026 | Applied English
Language for Foundation and Intermediate Phase
(UNISA)
Question 1:
Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
A) She go to the market every Saturday.
B) She goes to the market every Saturday.
C) She going to the market every Saturday.
D) She gone to the market every Saturday.
Correct Option: B) She goes to the market every Saturday.
Rationale:
The correct option is B because the subject "she" requires the verb form "goes" to agree
in the third person singular. In standard English grammar, singular subjects take specific
verb forms, and "goes" is the proper singular form.
Question 2:
What is the primary purpose of a persuasive essay?
A) To inform the reader about a topic
B) To entertain the audience
C) To convince the reader to accept a particular viewpoint
D) To describe a process
Correct Option: C) To convince the reader to accept a particular viewpoint.
Rationale:
The primary purpose of a persuasive essay is to convince the audience of a specific
position or opinion. This involves using logical reasoning, emotional appeals, and
evidence to persuade the reader, setting it apart from informative or descriptive writing.
Question 3:
Identify the sentence that uses a passive voice.
A) The chef cooked a delicious meal.
B) The meal was cooked by the chef.
C) The chef is cooking dinner.
D) The chef will cook the meal later.
Correct Option: B) The meal was cooked by the chef.
, Rationale:
Option B is in passive voice because the subject (the meal) is acted upon rather than
performing the action. In passive constructions, the doer of the action may be
introduced by the preposition "by," whereas the focus is on the action itself rather than
the subject performing it.
Question 4:
Which of the following is an example of an oxymoron?
A) Bitter sweet
B) Loud silence
C) Clearly confused
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D) All of the above.
Rationale:
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. All the options
presented (bitter sweet, loud silence, clearly confused) exemplify this characteristic,
creating a unique effect that highlights contrasts in meaning.
Question 5:
What does the term "context" refer to in literary analysis?
A) The plot of the story
B) The environment in which a story takes place
C) The background information surrounding the text, including historical and social
factors
D) The main character’s motivations
Correct Option: C) The background information surrounding the text, including
historical and social factors.
Rationale:
In literary analysis, "context" encompasses the various factors that influence the
creation and understanding of a text, including its historical, cultural, and social
background. Understanding context is crucial for interpreting deeper meanings and
appreciating the author's intent.
Question 6:
Which of the following is a synonym for "happy"?
A) Sad
B) Joyful
Memo | Due January/February 2026 | Applied English
Language for Foundation and Intermediate Phase
(UNISA)
Question 1:
Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
A) She go to the market every Saturday.
B) She goes to the market every Saturday.
C) She going to the market every Saturday.
D) She gone to the market every Saturday.
Correct Option: B) She goes to the market every Saturday.
Rationale:
The correct option is B because the subject "she" requires the verb form "goes" to agree
in the third person singular. In standard English grammar, singular subjects take specific
verb forms, and "goes" is the proper singular form.
Question 2:
What is the primary purpose of a persuasive essay?
A) To inform the reader about a topic
B) To entertain the audience
C) To convince the reader to accept a particular viewpoint
D) To describe a process
Correct Option: C) To convince the reader to accept a particular viewpoint.
Rationale:
The primary purpose of a persuasive essay is to convince the audience of a specific
position or opinion. This involves using logical reasoning, emotional appeals, and
evidence to persuade the reader, setting it apart from informative or descriptive writing.
Question 3:
Identify the sentence that uses a passive voice.
A) The chef cooked a delicious meal.
B) The meal was cooked by the chef.
C) The chef is cooking dinner.
D) The chef will cook the meal later.
Correct Option: B) The meal was cooked by the chef.
, Rationale:
Option B is in passive voice because the subject (the meal) is acted upon rather than
performing the action. In passive constructions, the doer of the action may be
introduced by the preposition "by," whereas the focus is on the action itself rather than
the subject performing it.
Question 4:
Which of the following is an example of an oxymoron?
A) Bitter sweet
B) Loud silence
C) Clearly confused
D) All of the above
Correct Option: D) All of the above.
Rationale:
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. All the options
presented (bitter sweet, loud silence, clearly confused) exemplify this characteristic,
creating a unique effect that highlights contrasts in meaning.
Question 5:
What does the term "context" refer to in literary analysis?
A) The plot of the story
B) The environment in which a story takes place
C) The background information surrounding the text, including historical and social
factors
D) The main character’s motivations
Correct Option: C) The background information surrounding the text, including
historical and social factors.
Rationale:
In literary analysis, "context" encompasses the various factors that influence the
creation and understanding of a text, including its historical, cultural, and social
background. Understanding context is crucial for interpreting deeper meanings and
appreciating the author's intent.
Question 6:
Which of the following is a synonym for "happy"?
A) Sad
B) Joyful
