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English entrance exam, 2018 E.C. (2026)

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in English, as students sat it in 2018 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.

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  • Both streams

    Who sits it

  • 2018 E.C. (2026)

    Exam year

  • 92 questions with answers

    In this set

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Answer each question yourself before opening the answer. The explanations point to the exact textbook section, so you know which page to reread when you miss one.

Question 1

Student A: Did you do the math homework? It was so difficult. Student B: Yeah, I spent two hours on it. I think I got most of it right. Student A: ______ ? I'm stuck on number 5. Student B: Sure, but don't just copy. Try to understand it.

  1. A.Do you want to work together next time
  2. B.Was it harder than last week's
  3. C.Can you help me study
  4. D.Can I see your answers
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D Can I see your answers

Why

The reply decides it. Student B agrees but warns against copying and tells A to understand the work instead, and the only thing you can copy is a finished set of answers. So the request in the blank is to look at those answers. Option C, asking for help with studying, is tempting because A is stuck on number 5, but a study session is not something you copy, and the warning would then make no sense.

Question 2

Traveller: Excuse me, is this the gate for flight 123 to Paris? Agent: No, this is gate 10. Flight 123 is at gate 15, but they just started boarding. Traveller: ______

  1. A.Oh no, I need to hurry. Thanks!
  2. B.That's a relief.
  3. C.Can you call them for me?
  4. D.I thought it was delayed.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A Oh no, I need to hurry. Thanks!

Why

The agent has said the flight is at another gate and that boarding has already started, so the traveller has to move fast. Thanking the agent and hurrying is the reaction that fits. Option B, saying it is a relief, does not work, because there is nothing relieving about a plane already boarding at a gate you are not standing at.

Question 3

Doctor: Your test results came back, and everything looks normal. But you mentioned you've been feeling tired. Are you getting enough sleep? Patient: I try to, but I've been stressed with work. Doctor: So, ______ you should try some relaxation techniques.

  1. A.You need more exercise.
  2. B.Here's a prescription.
  3. C.Stress can definitely affect your energy.
  4. D.You should see a specialist.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C Stress can definitely affect your energy.

Why

The doctor's line begins with So, which signals a conclusion drawn from what the patient has said. The patient named work stress, and the doctor goes on to advise relaxation, so the missing sentence has to link stress to the tiredness. Option A, more exercise, ignores the stress the patient raised and leaves the advice about relaxation unexplained.

Question 4

Cashier: Did you find everything okay today? Customer: Yes, but I couldn't find the organic almond milk. Do you carry it? Cashier: We do, it's in aisle 4, next to the dairy alternatives. Customer: ______

  1. A.Thanks, I'll grab it quickly.
  2. B.Is it on sale?
  3. C.I'll just skip it.
  4. D.Never mind, I'm in a hurry.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A Thanks, I'll grab it quickly.

Why

The cashier has already told the customer that the milk is in aisle 4. The natural next turn thanks the cashier and goes to fetch it, which is what A does. Option C, giving up on the item, contradicts the customer, who asked for it and has now been told exactly where it is.

Question 5

Dad: So, son, have you thought about what you want to study in college? Son: I'm thinking of majoring in philosophy. Dad: ______ How will you make a living? Son: I know, but it's what I'm passionate about.

  1. A.That's a great choice!
  2. B.Which college offers that?
  3. C.Philosophy? That's not very practical.
  4. D.You should study something else.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C Philosophy? That's not very practical.

Why

The father's turn continues with a question about earning a living, which is a worry about money. The sentence before it must raise that doubt, so calling philosophy impractical fits. Option A, praising the choice, would contradict the objection the father makes in the same breath.

Question 6

User: I can't log into my account. I forgot my password. Supporter: No problem. Click on 'forgot password' and we'll send a reset link to your email. User: I tried, but I'm not getting the email. Maybe it's in spam. Support: ______ If not, we can manually reset it.

  1. A.Your account might be locked.
  2. B.Try using a different email.
  3. C.Check your spam folder.
  4. D.We'll delete your account.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C Check your spam folder.

Why

The user has already guessed that the reset email may be in the spam folder. Support confirms that guess, and the follow-up, If not, we can manually reset it, needs a check that can fail, which is looking in spam. Option B, trying a different email, is tempting but it drops the idea the user has this moment raised and changes the account instead of finding the message.

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English papers from other years

2017 E.C. (2025)2016 E.C. (2024)2015 E.C. (2023)2014 E.C. (2022)2013 E.C. (2021)2005 E.C. (2013)

Revise English before you sit this paper

The Grade 12 English short notes hold 13 cards. Each one gives the rule, what its symbols stand for and the mistake that costs marks, chapter by chapter from the national textbook.

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Are these the real 2018 E.C. English entrance exam questions?

Yes. They come from the national university entrance exam in English that students sat in 2018 E.C. (2026). Our set holds 92 of its questions, each with its answer and an explanation that points back to the textbook.

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Can I download the English 2018 E.C. paper as a PDF?

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