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 Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

Open to review
Everyone is a critic—mostly unpaid. I am paid. Reviewing is my career. My income is
dependent upon the tools of my trade: words, wit and wisdom. Film reviews are my
specialty, followed closely by biographies.

I find my work immensely satisfying but feel reviewers, generally, are misunderstood—
maligned even. The very nature of our work is criticism, positive and negative. Often
the negative criticisms are the ones by which a reviewer is mostly remembered! While
seasoned reviewers tend to have a formula ensuring objectivity and impartiality, barbed
comments—those single, indulgent departures from the formula, enticing litigation—sell.
A few recent ‘one-liners’ spring to mind (authors shall remain anonymous).

The plot thickened; pity the characters weren’t there to see it happen.

An unwelcome departure from the writer’s previous ventures into mediocrity.

‘Shambolic’ is a word too infrequently applied to films of this style.

This was Benson’s debut as a playwright. Described in advertising as a satirical

work, the tragedy unfolded scene by scene.

At times like these I draw inspiration from my friends and family; the book
provided none.

It [the movie plot] lumbered along, collapsed, and writhed on the ground while
the main characters watched.

These are the comments which gain reviewers that barbarous reputation. Single
lines embedded in lengthy well-constructed reviews. The tantalising snippets that are
remembered—that come back to bite!

Spare a thought next time you ponder a review. The literary critic has performed
a community service, providing a considered opinion about entertainment
offerings (burnt or otherwise), possibly saving you time and money in the process. If
occasionally you meet a razor sharp comment, enjoy it, but recognise it as a stylistic
departure!

2
ICAS English Practice Questions Paper I © EAA
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1. What does the word ‘maligned’ mean?

(A) abused
(B) rejected
(C) disgraced
(D) misrepresented

2. The writer’s use of the term ‘community service’ is intended to be

(A) caustic.
(B) flippant.
(C) derisive.
(D) defamatory.

3. Which statement about reviewers’ comments would the writer most likely agree with?

(A) Comments that are highly scathing would be rejected by readers.

(B) Reviewers rely too much on sensationalism to attract attention.
(C) Experience gives reviewers the confidence to be more colourful in their
comments.
(D) Although reviewers strive to be objective, personal feelings sometimes get in
the way.

For questions 4 and 5 choose the best option to complete the passage.

Clarence House
The weather next morning was dull, but at least it was dry and warm, and Tranmere’s narrow streets were
packed with sauntering holidaymakers. Dylan set out again for Clarence House. This time, however, he
found the enormous gates closed. And not only closed, but secured with lock and chain.

‘Odd,’ he muttered to himself.

Or was it? Perhaps the man he had seen yesterday had departed and this was great-uncle Marcus’s
guarantee (4) .

The sound of an approaching car interrupted Dylan’s thoughts—and at the same time answered a few
questions. (5) , he recognised it immediately as the one parked outside Clarence House
yesterday. As it slowed and came to a halt, Dylan recognised the man at the wheel.

4. (A) against further invasion of his privacy.

(B) to avoid further invasion of his privacy.
(C) prevention of further invasion of his privacy.
(D) protecting from further invasion of his privacy.

5. (A) Meanwhile a car swept past him

(B) Since the car tore down the road
(C) Just then a car clearing the bend
(D) For as the car came round the corner

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3 ICAS English Practice Questions Paper I © EAA
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 LEVEL OF
QUESTION KEY KEY REASONING AREA
DIFFICULTY
Interpret the meaning of a word in a persuasive text:
1 D VOC Easy
maligned
Infer the writer’s intention in using a particular phrase in
2 B WC Medium/Hard
a persuasive text
Evaluate a persuasive text to identify a statement the
3 C TC Medium
writer would agree with
Identify the prepositional phrase to best complete a
4 A SYN Medium/Hard
sentence

5 D Identify the correct clause to complete a sentence VOC Medium/Hard

LEGEND

Area refers to the particular curriculum area or strand assessed by the question.

TC Text comprehension questions which require students to comprehend information provided in the text
as well as to interpret the information and use it to make inferences and predictions
WC Writer’s craft questions which require students to focus on the techniques, devices and choices
that writers make to create an effect on the reader
SYN Syntax questions about accuracy and clarity within sentences or texts (e.g. pronoun
reference, tense) and the recognition of grammatical terms (e.g. noun, main clause)
VOC Vocabulary questions about the meaning of words or phrases

Level of difficulty refers to the expected level of difficulty for the question.

Easy more than 70% of candidates will choose the correct option
Medium about 50–70% of candidates will choose the correct option
Medium/Hard about 30–50% of candidates will choose the correct option
Hard less than 30% of candidates will choose the correct option

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Brunei Pre-University 2
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Hong Kong Form 6
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have an 8-digit school code starting with 46) should sit the papers
Middle East 3
Class 12 according to the Australian year levels.
2 Indian Subcontinent Region: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and
Bangladesh.
New Zealand/ Pacific4 Year 13 3 Middle East Region: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Turkey, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya,
Algeria, Jordan and Pakistan.
Singapore Junior College 1 4 Pacific Region: Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
5 Southern Africa Region: South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland,
Southern Africa 5
Grade 12 Zimbabwe and Namibia.

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