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WE have tried to master composition writing by having some practice work. Paper 1: Comprehension Drill follows. Let us start here. Here is a public examination style passage:
Passage: Poverty often reveals the true character of relatives. When death occurs some relatives come to mourn, but others come to benefit. In many African funerals, money contributed by well-wishers is meant to give the deceased a dignified burial.
However, when there is no accountability, this money can be misused, leaving the family in shame. The bereaved family, already in pain, is forced to bury their loved one as a pauper, not because they are poor, but because of dishonesty.
Here are questions out of 20 on this passage: According to the passage, what does poverty reveal? Why do some relatives come when death occurs? What is the money from well-wishers meant for? What causes the money to misused? Find a word in the passage that means “honest burial” In your own words, why is the family forced to bury their loved ones as a pauper? What lesson do you learn from this passage? (2)(4)(6).
Let us do one question together as example, so you see public examination marking: Question: What is money from well-wishers meant for? Wrong answer: To help (too short -0marks. Correct public examination answer: The money from well-wishers is meant to give the deceased a dignified burial. (Full sentence + keyword “dignified burial” = 2 marks.
Perfect topic for a composition –“Poverty reveals the rue character of relatives. Have a look at the break down. Here are better openings for this title. Opening A-Proverb/ Cultural. There is one proverb translated from vernacular language. It reads – a poor person is not a person.
Opening B-Scene/Story: When electricity was cut off in our house, the house that used to be full on Sundays suddenly went quiet. No cousins, no aunts.
Opening C – Bold Statement/Argument: Money does not change relatives. It reveals them. Poverty is the test that most families fail”. Opening D –Question: Who is family when there is nothing left to share? Poverty gives you the honest answer.
Simple Outline for Your Essay
Introduction: Define poverty, and state your point – that wealth hides character, but lack exposes it. Body 1- The pretence of love when there is money. When there is money, everyone visits, praises you, calls you “brother”. It is easy to be loved.
Body 2 – The revelation in poverty: Some relatives disappear, avoid calls, laugh at you. Some start gossiping – “He mismanaged his money”. Only a few remain –they share sadza, pay fees, encourage you.
Body 3- Lessons/Your reflection: Poverty teaches you who is real family. Not all relatives are family, and not all family are relatives. It teaches independence and gratitude.
Conclusion: Poverty I painful, but it is a good teacher. It cleans the crowd around you and leaves the true ones.
Powerful words/Phrases to use –Fair weather relatives, unmasked/exposed their true colours, stood by us through thick and thin, Turned their back on us, A blessing in disguise, The bond of blood versus bond of love.
Here is a short paragraph you can use.
Poverty does not make people cruel; it reveals the cruelty that money was covering. When my family lost everything, those who used to eat with us daily found excuses. The ones we least expected – a distant aunt, a poor grandmother – became our strength. That is when I understood, relatives are many when you have, but few when you are in need.
Let us show how this paragraph s marked in the public examination. Content and Relevance: 8/8 Stays on topic. Clear message that poverty reveals character. Good insight.
Language and vocabulary: 6/7. Good sentence variety, good idiom “true colours/became our strength”. Small fix: “money was covering”-> better as “money had been hiding”.
Structure and Flow: 4/5 Logical flow from general statement -> personal example -> lesson. The last sentence is a strong closing. Total: 18/20 – This is a high-mark paragraph. One better version for full marks:
“Poverty does not make people cruel; it reveals the cruelty that wealth was hiding. When my family lost everything, those who used to eat with us every day suddenly found excuses. Ironically, those we least expected a distant aunt and my poor grandmother – became our pillars of strength. That is when I understood relatives are many when you have plenty, but few when you have nothing.”
Section C: Language Exercises
Based on the paragraph: Poverty reveals the true character of relatives
Exercise 1 Vocabulary and Synonyms Replace the selected word with a better word. Some relatives disappeared when we became poor. (disappeared). They became our strength. (became). Poverty shows who is real. (shows).
Exercise 2: Sentence correction
Correct these sentences: Poverty reveal the true character of relatives.
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