ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE
GRADE 12
PAPER 3 
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
SEPTEMBER 2017

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 

1. This question paper consists of TWO sections:
   SECTION A: Essay (50)
   SECTION B: Transactional texts (50) 
2. Answer ONE question from SECTION A and TWO from SECTION B. 
3. Write in the language in which you are being assessed. 
4. Start each section on a NEW page.
5. You must plan (e.g. a mind map/diagram/flow chart/key words, etc.), edit and  proofread your work. The planning must appear BEFORE the answer. 
6. All planning must be clearly indicated as such. It is advisable to draw a line across  all planning.
7. You are strongly advised to spend approximately: 
   • 80 minutes on SECTION A
   • 70 minutes on SECTION B 
8. Number each response correctly according to the numbering system used in this  question paper. 
9. Give each response a suitable title/heading, as indicated by the question. NOTE: The title/heading must NOT be considered when doing a word count. 
10. Write neatly and legibly

QUESTIONS

SECTION A: ESSAY 
QUESTION 1 

• Write an essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages) on ONE of the following topics.
• Write the number of the topic you have chosen. 

1.1 The following words should appear during the course of your essay: The answer was so obvious. [50]
OR 
1.2 The path curved ahead … [50]
OR 
1.3 “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We  are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” [Barack Obama] [50] 
OR 
1.4 “Man as an individual is a genius. But men in the mass form the headless monster,  a great, brutish idiot that goes where it is prodded.” [Charlie Chaplin] [50] 
OR 
1.5 People observe the colors of a day only at its beginnings and ends, but to me it’s  quite clear that a day merges through a multitude of shades and intonations, with  each passing moment. A single hour can consist of thousands of different colors.  Waxy yellows, cloud-spat blues. Murky darknesses. [The Book Thief – Markus Zusak] [50] 
OR
1.6 The pictures reproduced below may evoke a feeling in you, stir your imagination or  evoke another response. 

• Select ONE picture and write an essay in response. 
• Write the question number of your choice (1.6.1, 1.6.2 or 1.6.3) and give your  essay a title. 
• There must be a clear link between your essay and the picture you have  chosen. 

1.6.1

[Sawubona magazine] [50] 
OR 
1.6.2   [50] 
OR
1.6.3

[Sawubona magazine] [50] 

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

SECTION B 
QUESTION 2 

• Respond to TWO of the following topics.
• The body of EACH answer should be 180–200 words (20–25 lines).
• Pay careful attention to the following: 
  • content and planning 
  • audience, register, tone, language and style 
  • structure, format and editing 

2.1 REVIEW 
You have seen a very modern version of the play you studied in grade 12. The  director also made some controversial changes to the play. 
You have been asked to write a review of the play. The review will be included in  a special supplement aimed at grade 12 learners. [25] 
OR 
2.2 FORMAL LETTER TO THE PRESS 
The following article appeared in Sawubona magazine: 

Write a letter to the Editor of the Sawubona magazine in response to the article. [25]
OR 
2.3 LETTER OF REQUEST 
You and a group of friends wish to cycle from East London to Cape Town to raise  awareness and money for a charity/cause/welfare association. However, a trip of  this nature, which will take ten days to complete, requires extensive funding. 
You decide to request sponsorship from a wealthy company in your community.  Write a letter to the financial officer of the company in which you explain the  reasons for the trip and motivate your request for sponsorship. [25] 
OR 
2.4 AGENDA AND MINUTES 
You are your school’s TADA (Teenagers against Drugs and Alcohol) chairperson.  A meeting has been convened with the TADA representatives from other schools  to discuss the problems of alcohol and drug abuse in schools and steps to combat  the problems. 
Write the minutes and agenda for the meeting. [25] 
OR 
2.5 FORMAL SPEECH 
“Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career  success.” [Paul J. Meyer] 
You have been selected to address your peers on the importance of effective  communication in achieving success in their chosen careers. 
Write the speech you deliver during a special assembly. [25] 
OR 
2.6 INTERVIEW 

[Based on an article in Discovery magazine (2009)] 
You are a reporter for your local radio station. After reading the above article,  you invite Derick Brummer for an interview. Write the interview which you  conduct with this inspirational man. [25] 

TOTAL SECTION B: 50 
GRAND TOTAL: 100