Waec English language 2006 Past Questions and Answers

Question 106:

• WAEC 2006

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.
Children today are being hurried through childhood, rushed into taking on adult tasks at a very early age. Granted that the effects are not always so dramatic or so tragic, they can be profound and long lasting Parents are understandably eager to see their children succeed. When that eagerness turns into anxiety. parents may overload their children, pushing them too hard too soon. For instance it is becoming increasingly common for parents to enroll young children in after-school activities. Often, special tutoring is added.
Of course, it is not wrong to encourage a child's talents or interests. There is a danger of excess when some children seem to have as many pressures as harried adults do. Before their children are born, parents are already enrolling them in preschool, hoping to improve their prospects of success. In some countries, children are assessed for reading and Mathematics skills before they are six years old. Such practices have raised concern about emotional damage. Many parents seem to think it normal. even advisable, to teach their children that winning is everything.
Some parents work extremely hard to provide every possible material comfort for the children, believing that they are working to ensure their children's happiness - but they may well be doing the opposite. Often, more than a few children raised this way are involved in drinking, drugs and sullen rebellious behaviour as many fume with resentment because they feel neglected. The children often pay a high price. Although they may have many material luxuries, they lack the most essential ingredients of a good childhood: parental attention and love. Without guidance. discipline and direction they face adult questions too soon, with little or no preparation. They will likely obtain their own answers from peers or TV or movie characters. The results often bring childhood to an abrupt, even tragic end. Without a doubt, rushing children through childhood is a dangerous practice that should be avoided.
(a) Why do parents rush their children through childhood?
(b) Give two examples of how parents rush their children through childhood.
(c) State two sad effects of bringing up children in extreme luxury.
(d) Why do children raised in luxury become angry?
(e) What is ironical about parents' efforts to make their children happy?
(f) "the children often pay a high price". What is the meaning of this expression?
(g) "Although they may have many material luxuries ..."
(i) What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage?
(ii) What is its function?
(h) For each of the following words, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage: (i) effects (ii) eager (iii) prospects (iv) raised (v) essential (vi) resentment.