English HL P2 memo

November 2017 — Grade 12 / Matric — English

Memo 2017 Grade 12 English - HL English Hub →

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🎯 80 marks 📄 2 pages 📝 47 items found 📚 6 topics 📖 5 language components

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2.1

2.2the silent land is used euphemistically for death /the afterlife She might be fearful/apprehensive of the unknown and the isolation she might experience She might be fearful of being alone and forgotten.

2.3This image signifies the speaker suspended state/state of limbo. She knows that she is going to die yet tries to prolong her life for as long as possible. For her, death is merely a half turn away. However, her innate

2.4[Candidates should recognise that a mixed response is the most appropriate response as the speaker's feelings undergo a change in the course of the poem.] The speaker s concern with self is evident when she commands her beloved

3.1The mood is oppressive /unforgiving /foreboding/unbearable/stifling because of the extreme heat and discomfort experienced by the girl and the labourers. [Award 2 marks only if mood is discussed.] (2\

3.2The girl is part of a gang of labourers working under extreme conditions and this acti on can be viewed as exasperated and an act of defiance against thority. The girl is exhausted by her physical activity and her exhaustion is

3.3The act of breast feeding not only provides nourishment for the child but also transmits to him the mother s feelings and attitude. The word, languor suggests that the mother is weary and despairing of the situation in which she

3.4YES The mother represents the two visions the oppressed people of South Africa have. As the hill , she looms over them, protecting her people who are

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4.1he dark side of the vultures as described in Section O ne contributes t o the down hearted/dull/gloomy /hopeless mood.

4.2

4.3The Commandant ends his day like any ordinary worker returning to his family after work. However, this Commandant has not had an ordinary day at work in that he has been directly involved in the atrocious sins committed against

4.4YES The Commandant, who is referred to as the ogre , has an element of goodness for which one needs to be grateful /hopeful Praise bounteous providence . His humanity is seen as a

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7.7Doria s despair and bitterness at Basil s contribution to his current state and Basil s reaction to seeing the portrait are ominous and menacing. This, together with Dorian s hostility, creates a mood of underlying violence.

7.8Dorian is unsure whether he regrets having initially expressed the wish that the portrait age while he remains young because this wish has allowed him to commit a variety of sins without people s becoming aware of

9.2In Pi s first story with the animals, a beautiful mal e Grant s zebra breaks its leg as it jumps into the lifeboat. The zebra is killed b y the hyena./ In Pi second story, the zebra has a hu

9.6YES Richard Parker s presence distracts Pi from dwelling on the loss of his family and the hopelessness of his situation. His preoccupation with taming the tiger keeps him busy. Without Richard Parker, he would have no sense of purpose

9.7s current mood is of exhilaration/pride/elation. He is now the alpha male who has successfully tamed Richard Parker and he is the provider of food. Previously, Pi was terrified, desperate and anxious about surviving the ordeal.

9.8This statement focuses on Pi s loss of innocence. He changes from being a strict vegetarian and an es sentially non violent person to someone who finds killing the dorado thrilling

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Q11— Section header —

11.1

11.2Hamlet is angry/bitter/tortured/despairing at his father s death and his mother s marriage to Claudius. He finds life too painful to bear and wishes that he had never been born. Some candidates might indicate that he wishes he had not been Gertrude

11.3Hamlet is aware that Ophelia is lying ab out the whereabouts of Polonius. He is frustrated that Ophelia continues lying to him. Hamlet appears to be aware that Polonius is spying on them. Hamlet knows about the meddling/interfering

11.4Both Polonius and Laertes constantly bombard Ophelia with restrictive instructions. Laertes warns her that she is not of the same rank as Hamlet and that he is merely trifling with her. He claims that, as a Prince, Hamlet

11.5Candidates who blame Hamlet for Ophelia s death might argue that instead of supporting Ophelia at a time when Polonius forbids her from seeing him, Hamlet actually catapults her into depression because of the way in which he

11.6During the duel between Laertes and Hamlet, Gertrude drinks from the oisoned cup intended for Hamlet. efore s he dies, she manages to warn Hamlet that the drink is poisoned. This is to prevent him from drinking from

11.7Although Claudius professes to act in friendship and love for Laertes, he has an ulterior motive. As a friend, Claudius should have Laertes s best interests at heart, but he intends to use this supposed friendship to manipulate Laertes

11.8Laertes might be pensive and deeply sorrowful, h aving lost his father and having to deal with Ophelia s descent into madness . There is, however, a sense of his pent up anger at what he perceives is a personal affront.

11.9AGREE Claudius murders his brother, usurps the throne and marries the wife of his victim to feed his ambition. He shows no concern for the spiritual state in which his brother died or the impact his actions will have on others.

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13.1Othello is relieved that Desdemona has arrived safely despite the storm. He is ecstatic/overjoyed at being reunited with her in Cyprus. His overwhelming love for her is evident. [Award 2 marks for any two ideas.]

13.2Iago intends to use the friendship between Desdemona and Cassio to suggest that they are in love and are having an affair. Iago will benefit as he will derive great satisfaction from destroying Othello

13.3These lines reveal Iago seated jealousy of Othello and his sense of (sexual\ insecurity. He suspects that Othello has slept with Emilia and he will not be satisfied until he has avenged himself by sleeping with Desdemona.

13.4Despite his hatred for Othello, Iago acknowledges that Othello will be a loyal loving husband to Desdemona. This is ironic because, instead of being A most dear husband , Othello chooses to put his trust in Iago rather than in

13.5It is Othello s gullible and trusting nature that enables Iago to manipulate him. As an excellent judge of character, Iago realises that he can use Othello many insecurities to his advantage. Furthermore, Iago knows that Othello

13.6Othello is horrified as he and Iago had agreed to kill Desdemona and Cassio that night. However, Iago has failed to keep his word to have Cassio killed, whereas Othello has proceeded to kill Desdemona.

13.8Desdemona s na vety, her betrayal of her father by running off with Othello, her obvious sympathy for Cassio and her desire to help him to be reinstated play into Iago s hands and make his lies about her more credible to Othello.

13.9VALID Desdemona is the embodiment of virtue and innocence. She is ignorant of the nature and extent of evil in her world. She becomes the unwitting pawn in Iago s evil plan to destroy Othello. Her death at Othello

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15.9Justice implies an objective weighing up of evidence and fairness in sentencing. In this extract, Danforth displays incredu lity that the girls testimony might be pretence . This shows that the court bases its

Language Components

Essay/ArgumentGrammar ExerciseLiterature AnalysisCreative WritingOral/Debate

Topics Identified

Language in ContextLiteratureEssay WritingGrammarCreative WritingOral Communication

Mark Allocation

Total80 marks

Sections10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 25 + 25 + 25 + 25 + 25 + 25 = 200 marks

Paper information

SubjectEnglish

Year2017

SessionNovember

TypeMemo

PaperPaper 2

LanguageEnglish (HL — verified from PDF)

Pages25

Downloads3

Examination context

Decade2010s

Years ago9y

SeasonSpring (SH)

Start daySunday

Exam periodNovember 2017

Days since exam3,275

About English examination preparation

Grade 12 English involves reading, language use, interpretation, and clear written communication. Paper 1 tests comprehension, summary writing, and language in context, while Paper 2 covers literature and essay writing.

Every available Grade 12 English past paper and memorandum is collected in the English hub at english.freemode.co.za — browse all years, sessions and languages in one place.

How to use this resource for revision

A past examination paper is most useful when it is treated as an active revision exercise. Try the questions yourself before checking the corresponding memorandum. Where you make an error, identify the reason — was it a knowledge gap, a calculation mistake, an interpretation issue, or an examination technique problem?

For stronger examination practice, complete the paper without unnecessary interruptions and keep track of the questions that take the most time. Afterwards, review the memorandum and separate knowledge gaps from mistakes caused by interpretation, calculation, structure, or examination technique.

reading and comprehension

language accuracy

interpretation

structured written responses

clear communication

A practical revision approach

English rewards structured argument over length. Plan your response for 5 minutes before writing — a well-structured 2-page essay consistently outperforms a disorganised 4-page response.

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Corresponding examination paper

Examination paper available

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File size455.7 KB

Pages25

Archived on7 September 2026

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