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Unit notes and practice questions

Grade 12 English unit 1: Sustainable Development

Everything here is for unit 1 of the Grade 12 English textbook: what the chapter covers, the short notes, practice questions with their answers, and the lesson video where one exists.

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Practice questions on unit 1
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The textbook pages for unit 1

Short notes for unit 1

The cards filed under this chapter on the Grade 12 English page. Open one at a time.

ConnectorFollowed ByExample
although / even thoughSubject + Verb (Clause)Although it rained, we went out.
despite / in spite ofNoun / Gerund (-ing) / PronounDespite the rain, we went out.
despite the fact that / in spite of the fact thatSubject + Verb (Clause)Despite the fact that it rained, we went out.

When you use it

Use to express contrast between two opposing ideas in a sentence.

Watch out

Never write 'despite of'. Use 'despite' alone or 'in spite of'.

Drafted from Grade 12 English, pages 1-23, then checked twice before it went up

Base Final SoundSuffix SoundExamples
/t/ or /d//-id/wanted, decided, needed
Voiceless: /p/, /f/, /k/, /s/, /sh/, /ch/, /th//-t/watched, finished, stopped, laughed
Voiced: /b/, /v/, /g/, /z/, /j/, /th/, /l/, /m/, /n/, /r/, vowels/-d/planned, called, loved, agreed

When you use it

Use to decide whether the regular past suffix -ed is pronounced as /-t/, /-d/, or /-id/.

Watch out

Do not pronounce -ed as /-id/ unless the base verb ends in a /t/ or /d/ sound.

Drafted from Grade 12 English, pages 1-23, then checked twice before it went up

Fragment TypeProblemCorrection Method
Missing SubjectPredicate verb has no subjectAdd a suitable subject or pronoun.
Missing VerbSubject has no main verbAdd a main verb.
Dependent Clause AloneSubordinate clause punctuated as a sentenceAttach to a main clause or remove the subordinator.

When you use it

Use to identify incomplete sentence structures and correct them into full sentences.

Watch out

A dependent clause starting with a subordinator like 'even though', 'after', or 'because' cannot stand alone with a full stop.

Drafted from Grade 12 English, pages 1-23, then checked twice before it went up

Practice questions on unit 1

10 multiple-choice questions written against this chapter, each with its answer and the reason. Try one before you open the answer.

Question 1

According to the grammar notes in Unit 1, which of the following words must be followed by a subject and a verb when linking contrasting ideas?

  1. A.Despite
  2. B.In spite of
  3. C.Although
  4. D.Regardless of
Show the answer and why

Answer: C Although

Why

The textbook explains that although and even though are followed by a subject and a verb. In contrast, despite and in spite of are followed by a noun, gerund, or pronoun.

Question 2

According to the pronunciation rules for regular past tense verbs, when is the suffix -(e)d pronounced as /id/?

  1. A.When the base verb ends in a /t/ or /d/ sound
  2. B.When the base verb ends in a voiceless consonant
  3. C.When the base verb ends in a vowel sound
  4. D.When the base verb ends in /p/, /k/, or /s/
Show the answer and why

Answer: A When the base verb ends in a /t/ or /d/ sound

Why

The textbook notes that if the verb base ends in a /t/ or /d/ sound, the ending -(e)d sounds like /id/ (for example, in wanted or needed).

Question 3

Based on the vocabulary section in Unit 1, what is the meaning of the word synergy?

  1. A.Protection and careful management of the environment
  2. B.Combined or cooperative action or force
  3. C.Broader in content and scope
  4. D.Putting an issue as a central part of a plan
Show the answer and why

Answer: B Combined or cooperative action or force

Why

In Activity 1.8, synergy is defined as combined or cooperative action or force.

Question 4

According to the writing skills section, what are the three major parts of a well-structured paragraph?

  1. A.Introduction, body, and summary
  2. B.Topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence
  3. C.Thesis statement, transitions, and conclusion
  4. D.Main clause, dependent clause, and punctuation
Show the answer and why

Answer: B Topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence

Why

The textbook explicitly lists the three major parts of a paragraph as: topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence.

Question 5

According to the pronunciation guide, for which group of word-ending sounds is the affix -s pronounced as /-iz/?

  1. A./p/, /k/, /t/, /f/, /θ/
  2. B./b/, /d/, /g/, /l/, /m/
  3. C./s/, /t∫/, /dʒ/, /z/, /∫/, /ʒ/
  4. D./v/, /n/, /ŋ/, /r/, /ð/
Show the answer and why

Answer: C /s/, /t∫/, /dʒ/, /z/, /∫/, /ʒ/

Why

The pronunciation tips state that if words end in /s/, /t∫/, /dʒ/, /z/, /∫/, or /ʒ/ sounds, the suffix -s is pronounced as /-iz/ (as in buses, watches, or boxes).

Question 6

In Reading Text B, what are the three essential pillars of sustainable development that must receive equal emphasis?

  1. A.Trade, foreign aid, and industrial investment
  2. B.Economic, environment, and social aspects
  3. C.Constitutional laws, directives, and court regulations
  4. D.Primary education, healthcare, and road building
Show the answer and why

Answer: B Economic, environment, and social aspects

Why

Reading Text B states that sustainable development can only be realized when the three pillars of development, namely economic, environment, and social aspects, are given equal emphasis.

Question 7

According to the grammar explanation in Unit 1, what defines a sentence fragment?

  1. A.A sentence that connects two complete thoughts without any conjunction
  2. B.A group of words that lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought
  3. C.A sentence that expresses contrasting ideas using subordinators
  4. D.A long sentence containing multiple independent clauses
Show the answer and why

Answer: B A group of words that lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought

Why

The textbook states that a sentence fragment is a group of words that resembles a sentence but does not give complete meaning because it lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.

Question 8

In the vocabulary exercises of Unit 1, what is the contextual definition given for the word mainstream?

  1. A.Putting an issue center/part in the plan
  2. B.Holding steadily to established principles
  3. C.Putting responsibilities under a dishonorable position
  4. D.Holding a process back from progressing
Show the answer and why

Answer: A Putting an issue center/part in the plan

Why

Activity 1.8 matches the word mainstream with the definition: putting an issue center/part in the plan.

Question 9

According to Reading Text B (Challenges of SDGs in Ethiopia), how long is the lifespan of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and when does this agenda terminate?

  1. A.A lifespan of 10 years, terminating in 2025
  2. B.A lifespan of 15 years, terminating in 2030
  3. C.A lifespan of 20 years, terminating in 2035
  4. D.A lifespan of 25 years, terminating in 2040
Show the answer and why

Answer: B A lifespan of 15 years, terminating in 2030

Why

Paragraph 1 of Reading Text B states: "This ambitious and transformative agenda has a lifespan of fifteen years, terminating in 2030."

Question 10

Read the sentence below:
"_____ having a headache, I had a great birthday."
Which word correctly fills the blank according to the grammar rules in Unit 1?

  1. A.Although
  2. B.Even though
  3. C.Despite
  4. D.In spite
Show the answer and why

Answer: C Despite

Why

The unit notes that despite is followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form like having). Although and even though require a subject and a verb, and in spite requires of.

The app holds 12 questions on this unit, marked as you go. These are the first 10.

The textbook pages for unit 1

Unit 1 runs from page 1 to page 23 of the Ministry of Education edition.

Ministry of Education edition, English, 270 pages

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All Grade 12 English short notes

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