Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region I
CABAYAOASAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Mangatarem, Pangasinan

Semi Final EXAM

SECOND SEMESTER
READING AND WRITING SKILLS

Name: ____________________________________ Score:______________________

Grade & Section: Date:______________________

I. Reading Comprehension. Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow. Shade the circle before each number
that corresponds to the letter of your chosen answer
For # 1-3

Cheating never pays. A friend of mine, whom we shall call John, thought that it did. He once said to me, “Why should I study when
it is so easy to get the desired result without work? The only sin in cheating is being caught” And so, John was dishonest all
through his four years at high school. But when he took the College Board examinations, he could not cheat because the proctors
were efficient. He failed and was bitterly disappointed because he wanted very badly to enter the prestigious school. Now believe
as I do, that cheating never pays. - Harry Shaw, Writing and Rewriting

1. What is the main idea of the selection?

a. cheating pays b. cheating never pays
c. the only sin in cheating is being caught d. we can cheat as long as we want
2. What does this statement mean? “Why should I study when it is so easy to get the desired results without
work?”
a. feeling of insecurity b. over confidence
c. always depends on cheating during tests d. we can cheat as long as we want
3. The lesson that we can get from this selection is ___________
a. it is always good to cheat b. depend on your classmates
c. study hard and be honest d. just be honest, never mind studying hard.
For # 4-6

Stamp collecting is a rewarding hobby. It gives an opportunity to make friends with other friends with other stamp collectors, not
only from the Philippines, but also from abroad. It makes me familiar with the different countries from which the stamps come.
Indeed, stamps are rich vehicles for broadening one’s horizons.

4. Which is the central idea of the selection?

a.vstamp collecting is a rewarding hobby b. stamp collecting gives an opportunity to make friends
c. it helps one familiarize with other countries d. it broadens one’s horizon
5. Why is stamp collecting a rewarding hobby?
a. because it gives opportunity to make friends with other stamp collectors
b. because it makes one familiar with the different countries from which the stamps come.
c. because stamps are rich vehicles for broadening one’s horizons
d. all of the above
6. What should be the best title for this reading selection?
a. stamp collecting b. stamp collecting, a rewarding hobby
c. a rewarding hobby d. rich vehicles for broadening one’s horizon
7. It is the understanding the essence of a word, an idea, or concept, or an expression.
a. definition b. denotation c. connotation d. extended definition
8. It is the primary, explicit, or literal definition of a word based on a dictionary.
a. definition b. denotation c. connotation d. extended definition
9. It is not necessarily included in the dictionary; rather, it is how people understand a word based on their own
personal or consensual experiences, and not based on a dictionary.
a. definition b. denotation c. connotation d. extended definition
10. It is a technique that you can use to define a word or concept by explaining what it is not.
a. function b. negation c. comparison d. collocation
 11. It means that there are words or expressions that are usually almost immediately associated with the concept
you are trying to define.
a. comparison b. contrast c. collocation d. etymology
12. It is associating the word or expression you are trying to define with something else not necessarily
synonymous with it.
a. comparison b. contrast c. collocation d. etymology
13. Which of the following technique in definition that understand what a word or concept means is to kow its
purpose?
a. function b. negation c. synonyms d. etymology
14. Books are considered to be credible and reputable resource materials to consult when you are trying to find
the definition of a word. Some of these are dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopedias, and manuals. What technique in definition is referring
to?
a. examples b. negation c. synonyms d. etymology
15. Ancient sundial is a classy pocket watch, a Rolex or swatch wrist, an antique grandfather’s clock, or mighty Big
Ben of London, a clock, first and foremost, is a mechanical device or technology whose primary purpose is to measure time. What
technique in definition is referring to?
a. function b. negation c. synonyms d. etymology
16. It entails dealing with the similarities or likeness of at least two subjects.
a. comparison b. contrast c. difference ` d. the same

For # 17 -19 Identify the figurative language used in the following sentences.
17. My father was the sun and the moon to me. What type of figurative language is used in this sentence?
a. metaphor b. simile c. oxymoron d. personification
18. The rain seemed like an old friend who had finally found us. What type of figurative language is used in this
sentence?
a. metaphor b. simile c. oxymoron d. personification
19. The curtain was waving to everyone every time the wind blew through the open window. What type of
figurative language is used in this sentence?
a. metaphor b. simile c. oxymoron d. personification
20. Odometer is to mileage as compass is to __________
a. speed b. hiking c. needle d. direction
21. Marathon is to race as hibernation is to ____________
a. winter b. bear c. dream d. sleep
22. Window is to pane as book is to _________________
a. novel b. glass c. cover d. page
23. Optimist is to cheerful as pessimist is to _________________
a. gloomy b. mean c. petty d. helpful
24. What is the definition of a cause?
a. the result of what happened in a given b. the effect of what happened in a given situation
c. the reason something happened in a given situation d. what happened in a given situation
25. What is the definition of an effect?
a. the order of events in a given situation b. what happened in a given situation
c. the reason something happened in a given situation d. the result of what happened in a given situation

For # 26-29 Read the cause and choose the effect.

26. A child stretched a balloon, put it to his lips, and pursed his lips around the balloon’s neck.
a. the balloon deflated b. the child took a deep breath
c. the balloon popped d. the child blew up the balloon
27. She was in a hurry riding her bike, so she carried her viola across the handle bars. She failed to see the rock
on the street in front of her.
a. the girl fell off of her bike b. the girl got off her bike to take a break
c. the viola did not fall off the bike d. the rock did not get in the girl’s way
28. We had tremendous snowstorm during the night. Winds gusted to 45mph. The roads are blocked, even at the
bus stop.
a. we decided to make a snowman b. we stayed inside and made hot chocolate
c. we were not able to go to school d. we went to the store to get some snacks
 29. I ran as fast as I could, passing all the other runners in the race. I wasn’t even tired, either
a. I stopped at the store for snack, since I was ahead of everyone else
b. I decided to run the last lap of the race again
c. I came in last place in the race
d. I won the race
30. It is an active and reactive process that used question assumptions, demand proof, judge information, seek
definition and evaluate claims.
a. reading b. critical reading c. proof reading d. story reading
31. It is similar to keeping a diary, except you are writing your feelings and ideas in reaction to your reading
assignment.
a. reading journal b. autobiography c. biography d. slam book
32. It simply means making notes on your copy of the reading. This includes highlighting or underlining important
passages and writing notes, comments, questions, and reactions on the margins.
a. annotating the text b. outlining the text c. summarizing the text d. questioning the text
33. What technique in critical reading that is similar to outlining in which you need only to get the gist?
a. annotating the text b. outlining the text c. summarizing the text d. questioning the text

READING: Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow. For # 34-39
One night, Raul came home late. He didn’t want to be noticed. So he sneaked through the kitchen window. He tip-toed across the
living room to the stairs. Then, he scurried up the stairs to his bedroom. When he opened the door, he saw his father sitting on his
bed waiting for him.

34. What is the paragraph about?

a. Raul’s coming home late one night. b. Raul’s sneaking through the kitchen window
c. Raul’s scurrying up the stairs to his bedroom d. Raul’s opened the door, he saw his father sitting on his bed.
35. What would be a good title for the paragraph?
a. Raul’s father b. Raul’s Ineffective technique
c. The hardships of Raul d. Raul’s father was a loving father
36. What word best describes Raul?
a. tricky b. brave c. understanding d. honest
37. Which of these sentences is not true?
a. Raul was angry with his father b. Raul did not want his father to notice his coming home late
c. Raul’s father was a loving father c. Raul’s coming home late one night
The speaker felt magnificent. The flying creature hovered over the speaker. The flying creature deposited small around thing on a
leaf of bush nearby. The speaker wished it could get the small round thing and play with it. The small round thing turned into a
crawling creature. The crawling creature ate every green living thing it passed. The creeping creature spanned something around
itself. The speaker saw the creature freeing itself from its own brown prison cell. The speaker felt frightened.

38. What is the main idea of the selection?

a. the speaker felt magnificent b. the crawling creature ate every living thing
c. some flying creatures undergo several stages development d. the flying creature can crawl and creep
39. What is the author’s purpose in presenting the paragraph?
a. to inform b. to convince c. to describe a process of development d. to entertain
40. What quality of human nature is revealed in the statement below?
“Kunta’s firth although he is already weak and blooded”.
a. violence b. braver c. humility d. loyalty
41. What character of the speaker can be inferred from the statement below?
“You can be kind to him after I am gone for the love you bear his master”.
a. equality b. brotherhood c. kindness d. faithfulness

For # 42 to 50. Identify the following assertions below if it is:

a. convention b. fact c. opinion d. preference
42. Social media is defined as the Internet and mobile-based tools and devices that facilitate the integration of
technology, telecommunications, and social interaction.

43. Facebook is a cooler social media platform than Twitter.

 44. Teachers should use social media in their lessons to get more students interested

45. Another name for social media is “Web 2.0” because both terms emphasize the social aspects of the Internet
as avenues for communication, collaboration, and creative expression.

46. Many teenagers’ present obsession with taking selfies shows they are the most narcissistic generation.

47. Parents ought to enforce stricter guidelines in social media to safeguard their children’s privacy.

48. Children are learning how to operate mobile devices at increasingly younger ages; many of them have an idea
of how to use a touch screen tablet before they are two.

49. Social networks are the most distracting websites on the Internet.

50. In 2012, there were 1.4 billion users of social media worldwide.

Prepared by:

JULIET C. ULANDAY
T-II

ANICETO S. TOLEDO III

T-III Checked by:

GINALYN U. MUYANO, PH.D.

Principal- I

Reviewed by:

LIGAYA C. TACBI, PH.D.

Public Schools District Supervisor
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region I
CABAYAOASAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Mangatarem, Pangasinan

SemiFinal EXAM
SECOND SEMESTER
Reading & Writing Skills

ANSWER’S KEY

1. B 26. C
2. B 27.C
3. C 28. C
4. A 29. D
5. D 30. C
6. A 31.A
7. A 32. A
8. B 33. C
9. C 34. A
10.A 35. B
11. B 36. A
` 12. A 37. A
13. A 38. A
14. A 39. A
15. A 40. B
16. A 41. C
17. A 42. B
18. B 43. C
19. D 44. C
20. D 45. B
21. D 46. D
22. D 47. C
23. A 48. A
24. C 49. C
25. D 50. B
 ` Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
CABAYAOASAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Mangatarem, Pangasinan

TABLE OF SPECIFICATIONS
READING & WRITING

Learning Competencies No. of No. of Item Placement Under Each Cognitive Domain
teaching % Test item
day

Easy (60%) Average (30%) Difficult (10%)

Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating

1. distinguishes between and

among patterns of
development in writing across 5 12 6 1,2,3,4,5,6
disciplines:
a. narration

7 18 9 7,8,9,10,11, 15
b. definition 12,13,14

17,18,19
6 15 8 16 ,20,21,2
c. comparison & contrast 2,23,

d. cause & effect 5 12 6 24,25,26,27,

28,29
2. explains critical reading as
looking for ways of thinking 10 12 30,31,32,33, 34,35,36,
25 39,40,41 37,38
3. explains critical reading as 42,43,44,45,
reasoning 7 18 9 46,47,48,49,
50
Total 40 100% 50 30 15 5

Prepared by:

JULIET C. ULANDAY
T-II

ANICETO S. TOLEDO III

T-III
Checked by:

GINALYN U. MUYANO, PH.D.

PRINCIPAL -I
Reviewed by:

LIGAYA C. TACBI, PH.D.

Public Schools District Supervisor