## 1. SECTION A: UNSEEN PROSE PASSAGE (30 marks)
**Read the passage and ANSWER ALL the QUESTIONS that follow:**
In the early hours before I was to **embark** on my journey as a student at a secondary school in the city, I found myself overwhelmed with emotion. Tears streamed down my face as I grappled with a profound sense of fear. The thought of stepping into this vast, **avant-garde world**—a realm so intimidating filled me with dread. I was aware that I was on the brink of a transition, one that would take me far from the familiar comforts of my primary school, where I had felt safe and secure. What compounded my anxiety was the stark reality that I had no one to confide in about the challenges that lay ahead. My parents, well-meaning but unaware of the depth of my feelings, would simply dismiss my worries. "There, you have nothing to worry about." Their words, intended to comfort me, only served to deepen my sense of loneliness.
As I reflected on my friendships from primary school, I felt a pang of **sadness**. I had left behind the few friends I had, those who had been my companions in that cosy, nurturing environment. Some had moved on to different schools, pursuing their paths. I couldn't help but wonder if they too were grappling with similar anxieties about this new chapter in their lives. But deep down, I doubted it. I had always been a shy and awkward child. My weight had made me a target for **ridicule**, and I often felt like I was wearing a sign that read "unwanted." The nickname 'Fatty' echoed a painful reminder of the bullying I endured.
In physical education classes, the sting of rejection was palpable. I was consistently the last one chosen for teams, and on more than one occasion, I was left standing alone, invisible to my peers. Secondary school felt like a minefield, and I was ill-equipped to navigate it. I struggled to make connections, and as the days turned into weeks, I found myself increasingly isolated. The weight of my confusion was heavy; the sheer volume of homework, the imposing modern buildings, the many students bustling about, and the **stern** faces of teachers contributed to my disorientation. Each night, when I retreated to the safety of my bed, I would allow myself to cry. The tears were a release, a way to express the sadness that had become my constant companions. It felt as though I was a newborn baby, thrust into a vast world, struggling to find my place.
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**Answer the following questions:**
- a). In a few words give any suitable title to the passage.
- b). What are the key issues the writer is trying to reveal in the passage?
- c). Using your own words, explain the meanings of the underlined words.
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# SECTION A: UNSEEN PROSE PASSAGE — Answers
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## a) Suitable Title for the Passage
**"A New Beginning: The Struggles of a Lonely Student"**
or
**"Lost in Transition: Fear, Isolation and Loneliness in Secondary School"**
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## b) Key Issues the Writer is Trying to Reveal
1. **Fear of change/transition** — The writer reveals the anxiety and dread of moving from a familiar primary school environment to a new, intimidating secondary school.
2. **Loneliness and lack of support** — The writer shows how the student had no one to truly confide in, as parents dismissed their feelings without understanding the depth of their emotions.
3. **Bullying and body shaming** — The nickname "Fatty" and being ridiculed for weight highlights the issue of bullying among students.
4. **Social isolation and rejection** — Being the last chosen for teams and struggling to make friends shows the pain of peer rejection.
5. **Emotional distress** — The writer reveals how the student cried each night as a release, showing deep psychological suffering.
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## c) Meanings of the Underlined Words
| Word | Meaning |
|------|---------|
| **Embark** | To begin or set out on a new journey or venture |
| **Avant-garde world** | A new, modern and unfamiliar environment; far ahead of what one is used to |
| **Sadness** | A feeling of deep sorrow, unhappiness or grief |
| **Ridicule** | To be mocked, laughed at or made fun of by others |
| **Stern** | Strict, harsh, serious and unfriendly in appearance or manner |