ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE PAPER 1
GRADE 12
NOVEMBER 2020
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. This question paper consists of THREE sections:
   SECTION A: Comprehension (30)
   SECTION B: Summary (10)
   SECTION C: Language in context (30)
2. Read ALL the instructions carefully.
3. Answer ALL the questions.
4. Start EACH section on a NEW page.
5. Rule off after each section.
6. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper.
7. Leave a line after each answer.
8. Pay special attention to spelling and sentence construction.
9. Suggested time allocation:
   SECTION A: 50 minutes
   SECTION B: 30 minutes
   SECTION C: 40 minutes
10. Write neatly and legibly.

SECTION A: COMPREHENSION
QUESTION 1: READING FOR MEANING AND UNDERSTANDING
Read TEXT A and TEXT B below and answer the questions set.
TEXT A
TRIAL BY SOCIAL MEDIA
You're in court. A football-sized crowd is screaming obscenities at you from the public gallery. Some shout loudly that they want to do unmentionable things to you. The judge, jury and defence lawyer are nowhere to be seen. Your friendly smile and self-deprecating humour have long gone, replaced by fear and the beginnings of tears. Like an endangered species, you wildly look around for the exit. There isn't one. You're hunted and hated, in equal measure.
Welcome to the world of trial by social media.
This devastating trend is perhaps one reason why a legal expert has recently urged the justice system to 'catch up with the modern world'. In social media land, inhibitions are lost, opinions freely and brutally given and hard-fought-for reputations can be wrecked by a 'share' or 'angry face'.
Just to be really clear though: for the voiceless and unheard many, who have suffered deeply and endured appalling sexual harassment and abuse, social media can be a way of being heard at long last. It takes, and continues to take, huge courage to #metoo1, and then detail the very abuse that destroyed precious confidence and career prospects. The powerful – be they film directors, politicians or TV hosts (sadly this is not a finite list) – know exactly what they did and are doing. So, I totally understand why many feel that their tweets will be taken more seriously than their talk would be. I too am disgusted by those who trivialise and taunt abuse victims. Abuse of any kind is the problem of the powerful and not that of the powerless.
As a lawyer, I am, however, also worried about those with whom I work, and often represent, who can also find themselves at the centre of a different kind of social media feeding frenzy. It could be the business person, whose divorce settlement becomes the focus of a frantic and vicious Facebook debate, or the actor or musician facing a drugs charge. In both cases, any supposed misdemeanours are detailed, documented and dissected on Twitter or Instagram2, and after a few hundred, then thousand retweets, there's your verdict – 'Guilty!'. The 'trial' has not even reached the courtroom – it's in this sphere that things get tricky.
Because most people aren't lawyers and are just not familiar with the rules surrounding current court cases, anyone can allege that you or I are 'as guilty as sin', even before we've stepped inside a courtroom. Journalists representing the traditional media could be charged if their reporting and/or news coverage prejudices or influences a trial in any way. News organisations can be heavily fined if they break this code, and cases can be thrown out of court, at great expense to the taxpayer, if the judge feels that inappropriate reporting or comments has prejudiced the integrity of a trial.
Freedom of speech, of course, is paramount. But laws about defamation aim to protect reputations. If false claims are made, and we have worked our socks off building a credible brand or career for years, and we're rubbished unfairly, our lives could be in tatters. Defamation jeopardises not only our ability to earn, but also our mental health. Even the safety, privacy and dignity of our friends and family are compromised. The good news is, we have a right to reply, and can choose to take the accuser to court if we are brave enough to do so.
Social media knows no boundaries. You'll find the cyber-libeller3 potentially on every phone and on every discussion-focused app, virtually, anywhere in the world. It does not matter whether you're uploading an opinion in Cape Town or Cairo, subscribe to the feed, and you'll be fed whatever rage, bile or untruth the source spews about the alleged crime.
I hope the legal fraternity who are gathering evidence about defamatory comments will acknowledge that the social media giants have moved a long way from their original intention – to allow people to connect with one another. These organisations are now publishers, whether they like it or not, and, believe me, They. Do. Not. Like. It.
Of course, you and I ought and should be able to 'have our say' online. But, if we overstep the mark, perhaps more and more of us will face the legal consequences of our actions. However, is it not also fair that the Facebook and Instagram Twitterati take their share of the cyber-libel load too? I think so.
GLOSSARY:
¹#metoo: In the context of the passage, #metoo refers to a group of people who have experienced abuse.
²Instagram: a social media platform on which people share images/photographs/ media clips
³cyber-libeller: someone who spreads lies via electronic media

AND
TEXT B

QUESTIONS: TEXT A
1.1 Account for the writer's use of, 'You're in court' (line 1) as the opening sentence. (2)
1.2 Refer to paragraph 3.
Explain why the writer states that the justice system needs to 'catch up with the modern world' (line 9). (2)
1.3 Refer to paragraph 4.
Discuss why the writer sympathises with those who participate in the #metoo movement. (2)
1.4 Discuss the writer's inclusion of the aside '(sadly this is not a finite list)' (line 17). (3)
1.5 Refer to paragraph 4, lines 18–20 ('So, I totally … taunt abuse victims') and paragraph 5.
Assess the extent to which the writer's viewpoint in paragraph 5 contradicts her sentiments expressed in lines 18–20. (3)
1.6 Comment on the writer's diction in lines 40–42, 'If false claims … be in tatters'. (3)
1.7 Comment on the writer's tone in paragraph 8. (3)
1.8 Discuss critically the impact of 'They. Do. Not. Like. It.' (line 55), in the context of paragraphs 9 and 10. (3)

QUESTIONS: TEXT B
1.9 Assess the sincerity of the boss's thoughts in FRAME 5. (2)
1.10 Refer to FRAME 6.
Critically comment on the verdict passed by the judge in the context of the cartoon as a whole. (3)

QUESTION: TEXTS A AND B
1.11 To what extent does TEXT B support the writer's argument in paragraph 7 of TEXT A? Justify your response by making close reference to BOTH texts. (4)
TOTAL SECTION A: 30

SECTION B: SUMMARY
QUESTION 2: SUMMARISING IN YOUR OWN WORDS
TEXT C provides insight into the importance of verbal communication in the field of technology. Summarise, in your own words, the reasons for every employee in the field of technology improving his/her communication skills.
NOTE:

1. Your summary should include SEVEN points and NOT exceed 90 words.
2. You must write a fluent paragraph.
3. You are NOT required to include a title for the summary.
4. Indicate your word count at the end of your summary.

TEXT C
SPEAK UP!
Verbal communication poses a challenge to many people in the field of technology. This can prevent a technology rockstar from reaching his full potential. Honing one's ability for concise and effective communication at work is important. In technology, like any other field, you are a leader or you are a follower. To be a leader requires effective communication. Effective communication isn't necessarily speaking in front of a large audience. The audience could be one co-worker, your manager, or a group of like-minded individuals. The ability to articulate a message is your chance to translate and transfer your ideas, your knowledge and your requirements to others. This is the protocol for exchanging information. A technically astute individual may be overlooked in favour of his less proficient, but 'outgoing', counterparts. This creates a lot of frustration. Addressing personal challenges with effective oral communication is as important as sharpening technical skills. While many find public speaking frightening, they need to reaffirm their potential. There is absolutely no reason why a tech-savvy introvert cannot deliver an effective presentation, harnessing the full power of his thought processes. The fear of speaking is said to be greater than the fear of death. Developing effective communication skills will help you become a bit more comfortable when addressing an audience. Maybe, just maybe, you can get to the point where you can compare speaking to something a little less dramatic than death (for example, paying taxes). In the end, the absolute best conversations that can be had are when you can simply be yourself. Nothing turns off an audience, especially a technical audience, more than when they sense that someone isn't being genuine. A good speaker is receptive to signals from the audience, which will enable him to improve on his delivery. Our jobs are ultimately more than just technology. Our jobs involve many soft skills areas, including the ability to communicate effectively. Although verbal communication can be particularly challenging, it is also necessary. Many people who are successful in the world of technology have struggled with their ability to comfortably and effectively communicate with others. By identifying the problem and polishing these skills, anyone can become a more effective communicator. The skill of effective communication is very important and will allow an employee to unleash his full potential in a career in technology. [Adapted from www.packetpushers.net]
TOTAL SECTION B: [10]

SECTION C: LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS
QUESTION 3: ANALYSING ADVERTISING
Study the advertisement (TEXT D) below and answer the set questions.
TEXT D

The text in small font reads as follows:
Barriers break when people talk
The simple act of talking can bring the world together. In the future, countries will no longer be divided by languages but shall be united in dialogue. Families will come together in lively conversations. And people will be set free by reason, understanding and speech. Simply put, the world will be a better place, if only we talk to each other.

QUESTIONS: TEXT D
3.1 'Barriers break/when people talk'
Explain how this headline is intended to influence the reader. (2)
3.2 What is the advertiser's intention in referring to future events? (2)
3.3 Is the visual image suitable for this advertisement? Substantiate your response. (3)
3.4 Study the language in the written text: 'The simple act … to each other.'
Discuss how the advertiser succeeds in juxtaposing division and unity to convey his/her message. (3)
[10]

QUESTION 4: UNDERSTANDING OTHER ASPECTS OF THE MEDIA
Study TEXT E and answer the set questions.
TEXT E: CARTOON

QUESTIONS: TEXT E
4.1 Account for the father's being ejected from his armchair, in FRAME 2. (2)
4.2 Refer to FRAME 4.
Identify TWO ways in which the cartoonist shows the boy's annoyance. (2)
4.3 Refer to FRAMES 6–10.
Why do you think the boy does not say anything in these frames? (3)
4.4 Refer to FRAME 11 and FRAME 12.
In your view, is the absence of speech in FRAME 12 effective in conveying the cartoonist's message? Justify your response by a close study of FRAME 11 and FRAME 12. (3)
[10]

QUESTION 5: USING LANGUAGE CORRECTLY
Read TEXT F, which contains some deliberate errors, and answer the set questions.
TEXT F
IT'S TIME TO BREAK UP ... WITH PLASTIC
'There are plenty of fish in the sea', or so the saying goes – frequently used words to give comfort when you're ugly-crying into your pillow after having a difficult break-up. What's perhaps not comforting is the frequently sited figure that there will be more plastic in the sea than fish by 2050. A humbling statistic, and it's no surprise considering one rubbish truck of plastic is dumped into the sea every minute.
We need to break up with plastic – ending the toxic relationship. Here's a quick task – open the fridge and grocery cupboards and take out everything you find that's made of plastic. Cartons of milk, tubs of yoghurt, bags and punnets of fruit and vegetables, packets of pasta, polystyrene-clad meat and fish.
It's totally chilled, though, because you recycle, right? Of all the plastic that you found in your kitchen alone, more than 60% are unable to be recycled. Recycling is the fairy tale we've all been brainwashed into accepting as a silver bullet: that if we separate our waste, it will all be taken somewhere by some magical people.

QUESTIONS: TEXT F
5.1 Explain the idiom, 'There are plenty of fish in the sea' (line 1). (1)
5.2 Refer to lines 2–3.
5.2.1 'you're ugly-crying into your pillow after having a difficult break-up.'
5.2.2 'you're ugly; crying into your pillow after having a difficult break-up.'
Explain the differences between the two sentence fragments quoted above. (2)
5.3 A word has been used incorrectly in the second sentence, 'What's perhaps not … fish by 2050.'
Write down the correct word. (1)
5.4 Give the noun form of 'toxic' (line 7). (1)
5.5 Refer to lines 9–10: 'Cartons of milk, tubs of yoghurt, bags and punnets of fruit and vegetables, packets of pasta, polystyrene-clad meat and fish.'
Rewrite the above as a complete sentence. (1)
5.6 Refer to line 11.
Replace the word 'chilled' with a formal English word. (1)
5.7 Refer to paragraph 3.
5.7.1 Identify and correct the error of verb tense.
5.7.2 Correct the concord error. (2)
5.8 Provide a suitable word for the expression 'silver bullet' (line 13). (1)
[10]
TOTAL SECTION C:30
GRAND TOTAL:70