Grade 12 results are out. Where to check yours

Exam papers

Grade 12 English entrance exam, 2018 E.C. (2026), round 1

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. The 2018 E.C. exam was sat in more than one round. This page holds round 1.

Start practicing freeQuestion paper
Get it on Google Play

  • Both streams

    Who sits it

  • 2018 E.C. (2026), round 1

    Exam year

  • 88 questions with answers

    In this set

Try questions from this paper

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

Question 1

Communicative Activities (Questions 1–15) Directions: Choose the alternative that is most appropriate to complete the dialogue. Aster: Do you prefer reading books or watching movies? Bilen: ______

  1. A.I prefer read books.
  2. B.I'd rather watching movies.
  3. C.I prefer reading books to watching movies.
  4. D.I like better movies than books.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C I prefer reading books to watching movies.

Why

The correct structure for expressing preference between two options is "prefer X to Y" where both X and Y are in the -ing form (gerunds). Option C correctly uses this structure. Option A uses the incorrect form "prefer read" (should be "prefer reading"), option B uses "rather" incorrectly with "-ing" (should be "I'd rather watch"), and option D has incorrect word order.

Question 2

Communicative Activities (Questions 1–15) Directions: Choose the alternative that is most appropriate to complete the dialogue. Teacher: Global warming is the most serious current issue we face today. Student: ______. The climate changes are visible everywhere.

  1. A.I totally agree with you
  2. B.I don't think so
  3. C.That makes no sense
  4. D.I completely disagree
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A I totally agree with you

Why

The student's response "The climate changes are visible everywhere" shows agreement with the teacher's statement about global warming. Option A is the appropriate response showing strong agreement. Options B and D express disagreement, while C is dismissive and inappropriate in this context.

Question 3

Communicative Activities (Questions 1–15) Directions: Choose the alternative that is most appropriate to complete the dialogue. Friend: I finally got the scholarship to study abroad! You: ______

  1. A.Oh no, I am so sorry for your grief.
  2. B.That's wonderful! I am so happy for you!
  3. C.Why did you do that?
  4. D.I disagree with your choice.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B That's wonderful! I am so happy for you!

Why

The friend has shared exciting news about receiving a scholarship. The appropriate response is to congratulate them and express happiness. Option B is the only positive and supportive response. Option A expresses sympathy (inappropriate for good news), C is questioning, and D expresses disagreement.

Question 4

Communicative Activities (Questions 1–15) Directions: Choose the alternative that is most appropriate to complete the dialogue. Sister: My pet dog just passed away last night. Brother: ______

  1. A.Congratulations!
  2. B.I prefer cats anyway.
  3. C.Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. My deepest condolences.
  4. D.That's a great current issue.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. My deepest condolences.

Why

The sister has shared sad news about her pet's passing. The brother should express sympathy and condolences. Option C is the only appropriate response showing empathy and compassion. Option A expresses congratulations (completely inappropriate), B is dismissive and irrelevant, and D is inappropriate.

Question 5

Communicative Activities (Questions 1–15) Directions: Choose the alternative that is most appropriate to complete the dialogue. John: I believe social media does more harm than good to teenagers. Sara: ______. It helps them connect with peers globally. 2018 First Round

  1. A.I couldn't agree more
  2. B.I completely disagree
  3. C.You are absolutely right
  4. D.No doubt about it
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B I completely disagree

Why

Sara's response "It helps them connect with peers globally" contradicts John's statement that social media does more harm than good. Therefore, she disagrees with his opinion. Option B clearly expresses disagreement. Options A, C, and D all express agreement, which contradicts her statement.

Question 6

Communicative Activities (Questions 1–15) Directions: Choose the alternative that is most appropriate to complete the dialogue. Waiter: Are you ready to order, sir? Customer: ______

  1. A.Yes, I will have the roasted chicken, please.
  2. B.Yes, the kitchen is big.
  3. C.No, I prefer eating out.
  4. D.I bought this shirt yesterday.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A Yes, I will have the roasted chicken, please.

Why

The waiter is asking if the customer is ready to order food. Option A is the appropriate response indicating the customer is ready and states what they want to order. Options B, C, and D are irrelevant to the question about ordering food.

Download the whole paper as a PDF

All 88 questions in this set as a printed paper, and the answer key with 88 worked explanations as a second file. Print them or read them with no data.

Free, and it needs no account.

Question paperAnswer key and explanations

Sit the full paper, timed and scored

A free Temari account gives you the whole English paper, and every other year, as timed mock exams with instant scoring. It works on any phone, even over a weak connection.

Start practicing free

Temari.et is also an Android app, free on Google Play.

Get it on Google PlayAbout the Temari app

The other English papers of 2018 E.C.

2018 E.C. (2026)2018 E.C. (2026), social stream2018 E.C. (2026), version 12018 E.C. (2026), version 2

English papers from other years

2017 E.C. (2025)2017 E.C. (2025), booklet 2142017 E.C. (2025), version 12016 E.C. (2024)2016 E.C. (2024), natural stream2016 E.C. (2024), social stream2016 E.C. model exam2015 E.C. (2023)2015 E.C. (2023), natural stream2014 E.C. (2022)2014 E.C. (2022), natural stream2013 E.C. (2021)2013 E.C. (2021), version 12011 E.C. (2019)2010 E.C. (2018)2009 E.C. (2017)2008 E.C. (2016)2007 E.C. (2015)2006 E.C. (2014)2005 E.C. (2013)

More papers like this one

All Grade 12 English papersAll papers of 2018 E.C.Every subject and year

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.

Open the English notes
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 88 of its questions, each with its answer and an explanation that points back to the textbook.

How do I practice the full paper?

Create a free account with a phone number. The full paper runs as a timed mock exam with instant scoring, and the AI tutor upgrade at 199 ETB per month can walk you through anything you miss.

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

Yes, and it is free. The question paper is one file and the answer key with its worked explanations is another, so you can attempt the paper first. Print them, or keep them on your phone for revision when there is no data.

Sign inCreate your account