We often fail to recognize opportunities. Indeed, even when we see an opportunity we often manage it poorly. In the end, it does not give us the desired results. Tragically, opportunities do not come by every day. This is regardless that the focus is on business, or on any other workplace or on life generally.

Great opportunities are few and far between. When they finally arrive, they are likely to take the least
expected character. This makes them difficult to recognize. We may only recognize them when they have already passed us by. Of course all of us have missed one opportunity or the other. However, a keen mind will help you to minimize missed chances.

It helps to be curious. This calls for deep insightful questions about the situations and environments that you find yourself in. when you seek to know new things you are more likely to generate new ideas that will lead to hidden opportunities. Curiously keeps your mind exercised and appropriately stretched.

Like a well-exercised muscle, your mind legs better and more effective when exercised this way. An exercised mind generates new ideas. It brings better insights and helps you to grab opportunities. A generous mind set is likely to see new opportunities. Such a mindset willing to give opportunities to others. It particulary recognizes opportunities that may be more useful to others than to the person seeing them. When you approach life this way, you are likely to see opportunities for yourself, too.
The greatest problems we encounter will most likely bring with them our lifetime opportunities. A difficult boss or a difficult business market may be what we need to open your eyes to that great opportunity and even personal potential.

It therefore pays to preserve. It is the persistence that will open up that opportunity. Quiting closes the door. A persistent mind-set hangs on long enough to see what lies at the end, you must have a confident mind-set.

There is always a light side to most circumstances. A mind-set that sees opportunities will appreciate the light side of things. It may from time to time even tends towards the “playful” and will be willing to break a few rules.

Sometimes things might not be as bad as they look. It might be when you are laughing at yourself that you see a whole new dimension of the circumstances. A bit of fun in difficult circumstances may be the energy needed to move on. Some of our worst moments might as well be our most hilarious ones in retrospect. That is why a mind-set with hindsight identifies opportunities faster because it is able to discern parallels between the present and the past. It seems the similarity of current circumstances and the likely outcomes of different courses of action. You develop hindsight by taking time to reflect on the past and particularly on the worst circumstances.

Finally, is the role of a grateful spirit. Gratitude shines a light on opportunities. When you are thankful for previous opportunities that have put you where you now are, you are more likely to see where else you should be.But when you are grumpy, all opportunities that you should see will blurred by dumbness of your grumpiness. Opportunities are managed by your mind-set and rarely by the many qualifications you my hold.

Adapted from the Daily Nation 19th may 2015
a) Referring to the first paragraph, what is tragic about opportunities? (2 marks)
b) Why is it difficult to recognize opportunities? (2 marks)
c) Identify and explain the style used in paragraph 4 of this passage. (3 marks)
d) In not more than 55 words, write a summary on the ways in which a persistent minds-set open up opportunities.
(6 marks)
e) Explain the assertion that “sometimes things might not be as bad as they look.”(3 marks)
f) i) Rewrite the following sentence beginning:
‘when exercised this way….’
Like a well-exercised muscle, your mind gets better and more effective when exercised this way. (1 mark)
ii)of course all of us have a missed one opportunity or other. Add a question tag
g) Explain the meaning of the following expressions As used in the passage. (2 marks)
i) Retrospect
ii) Grumpy

a) Briefly explain the circumstances leading to the baby being left behind. (4 marks)
b) Who is Michael and what is special about him? (2 marks)
c) “I’d rather not think what’d happen to anybody who was found with that baby.” Referring to the rest of the novel,
make notes on the ways in which Grusha suffers due to her association with Michael. (6 marks)
d) Identify and illustrate two character traits of Grusha in this excerpt. (4 marks)
e) Contrast the servant’s attribute towards baby Michael earlier in the play and in this excerpt. (4 marks)
f) Identify and explain one dominant theme highlighted in this excerpt. (2 marks)
g) What happens immediately after this excerpt? (2 marks)

THE NECKLACE
From a distance I watched,
Fearful of inching any further,
A cold sweat trickled rivulets,
Making me shiver at noon.

Undaring to approach the form.
It was over in minutes,
The necessities of execution availed,
The firestone tyre,
Petrol in blackened tin,
And ignites in numerous hands
Each participant ready and anxious,
To set the man a flame.

As the smouldering form blackened,
Smell of sizzling flesh filling in the air,
Piercing the nostrils,
And choking me breathless,
I watched in wonder,
Witness to an unwritten law.

As the crowd dispersed,
The haggling and bargaining resumed,
Buying, selling and cheating,
As men in uniform arrived,
Bering away the charred remains.

Questions
a) How relevant is title to the poem? (2 marks)
b) Describe the character of the executions in the poem. (2 marks)
c) What was needed to carry out the execution? (3 marks)
d) Explain the difference use of the “form” in stanza one and the same words in stanza three. (2 marks)
e) i) who is the persona? (1 mark)
ii) what deters the persona from getting closer to the scene of action? (1 mark)
f) Explain the meaning of the following phrases as used in the poem. (3 marks)
i) Smell of sizzling flesh.
ii) Each participant
iii) Witnessed to an unwritten law.
g) What mood is portrayed in the poem? (2 marks)
h) Paraphrase the last stanza. (4 marks)

a) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Do not change the
meaning.
i) Many students benefit if they read in the morning. (Rewrite using a gerund) (1 mark)
ii) The teacher found out how intelligent Naserian was when he started the discussion.
(Begin: It was not-) (1 mark)
iii) The child was fed and changed. She slept soundly. (use a participate) (1 mark)
iv) The company is proud to launch a………drink. (refreshing, sparkling, new) put the adjective in the
correct order.

Replace the underlined word (s) with a suitable phrasal verb formed using the words in brackets.
i) The dog attacked the stranger the moment the gate was opened. (go)
ii) The patient recovered from his injuries sooner than we expected. (get)
iii) Linet was deceived by the smartly dressed man. (take)

Rewrite the following sentences filling the blank spaces with the correct complex preposition.
i) People need to learn basic first aid so that …………..an accidentally they can be of assistance.
ii) …………….. her disability, she runs a very successful business enterprise.
iii) Most companies had to lay off workers……….. the poor economic situation.

Use the appropriate pronoun to fill the blank spaces. Do not use the pronoun “you” (2 marks)
i) Peter and ………… won our matches.
ii) I wish I were …………

punctuate the following sentence. (1 mark)
How many times have I warned you not to dirty your clothes mother asked my little brother

Mrs. Wafula and Mrs. Kamau……… are setting the exam in the library. (Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb ‘be’)

George does not smoke. He does not drink. (Join the sentences using: Neither……nor…..)