EDEN THS
English Home Language
(HL)
Grades 8
HOME STUDYBOOKLET
2021
1
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MARKS PAGE
1.
NOTE TO LEARNER
-
3
2.
NOTE TO PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S)/CAREGIVERS
-
4
4.
SECTION A: SHORT STORY
15
5
5.
SECTION B: POETRY
15
9
6.
SECTION C: LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT
30
14
7.
SECTION D: SUMMARY
10
19
8.
SECTION E: WRITING
40
20
TOTAL MARKS:
110
MARKING GUIDELINES
PAGE
1.
NOTE TO EDUCATOR
25
2.
SECTION A: SHORT STORY
26
5.
SECTION B: POETRY
27
6.
SECTION C: LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT
28
7.
SECTION D: SUMMARY
29
THIS BOOKLET CONSISTS OF 29 PAGES
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
NOTE TO LEARNER
Dear Learner
[Sources: Bing images]
The Grade 8s have returned to school after spending
many months, since March 2020, at home. This long
break was to ensure your safety and the safety of
others during the Covid-19 Pandemic. During the
lockdown, many of you may have received
schoolwork from your teachers/schools in the form of
booklets or through WhatsApp, Zoom, emails or other
social media platforms. If you did not, then we hope
that during this time, you continued with
independent study, that you have made reading a
habit and that you kept a Lockdown journal or
diary. These activities would have allowed you to
develop your reading and writing skills. Now that
many of you have returned to school, you will be
alternating with other grades. This will require that
you continue to work independently at home. This
booklet has been created to assist you with
understanding the fundamental skills of English
Home Language, at Grade 8 level. We do hope that
you enjoy engaging with the texts and the exercises
contained in this booklet. In addition, please use
the links provided to watch videos related to some of
the written texts. This will allow you to interact more
meaningfully with the content. We wish you well
with your studies. Take care and besafe.
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
WHEN YOU ARE
REMEMBER . ..
AT
SCHOOL
 Socialdistancing
 Wear a mask in the rightway
 Wash and sanitise your
hands regularly
 Do not share stationeryand
other items that can cause
the spread ofCovid-19
[Picture: Bing images]
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s)/Caregiver(s)
Many parents/guardians/caregivers have been
anxious from the time the Lockdown began. Your
concerns regarding your child’s/ward’s safety and
his/her education are the concerns of parents/
guardians/caregivers the world over, in the midst of
the Covid-19 Pandemic. You, like so many other
parents/guardians/caregivers, have tried your best to
ensure that your child/ward is occupied with
academic work while at home. After months of
lockdown, in planning for the phased return of
learners to school, the Department of Basic Education
has trimmed the curriculum and excluded some
assessment tasks in order to ensure that the academic
year is not lost. The focus of the trimmed curriculum is
on the fundamental or core conceptual aspects that a
learner is expected to master in an academic year.
This booklet has been prepared to help your child/ward
to master those core concepts. Links to videos aimed at
more meaningful engagement with the texts have been
provided. Please watch these with your child/ward as
they provide an excellent impetus for meaningful
conversation in the home. We urge you to continue to
support your child academically during these
Challenging times.
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English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
SECTION A: SHORT STORY
PRE-READING
TEXT A
VISUAL TEXT AND CAPTION
The
Coronavirus
pandemic is
forcing medical
professionals
to make
impossible
choices.
[Image: 123RF/kmlmtz66]
[Source: https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle]
Study Text A and keep in mind how it relates to the story.
TEXT B
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ekow Duker is an oil field engineer who became an investment
banker and turned part-time author. His first novel, White Wahala,
was a finalist in the 2011/12 European Literary Awards. His most
recent novel, Yellowbone, was published in 2019.
In this short story, Themba, the author puts a face to the masses
of medical professionals who are having to leave their families in
order to save yours during the coronavirus pandemic.
Consider why the author uses the main character’s name as the
title.
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English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
TEXT C
SHORTSTORY
THEMBA
1
She covered her ears when he began to speak. "Please. I don't want to hear
any more!" She kept muttering until he took hold of her wrists and gently
pried them away from the bush of white hair that clung to her head. "This is
important," he said softly. "You know what a ventilator is?"
2
She looked hurt that he'd forced her to listen. He shouldn't have done that but
he didn't have much time.
3
"The machine with the pipes that makes you breathe."
4
"Yes. There aren't enough of them and you're ... you're both over 80."
5
She turned to his grandfather in his wheelchair and began pushing him gently
back and forth. She spent all day rocking him like this, talking to him
incessantly when she was really talking to herself.
6
"We'll be alright," she said stubbornly.
7
"No you won't!" He realised he'd shouted and he mumbled an apology. "I'm
sorry."
8
They both stared at him. His grandfather's eyes were large and questioning. It
looked like the old man was going to say something and he held his breath in
anticipation. Then a cloud of incomprehension passed over his grandfather's
face and his anger flared again.
9
"Look, I've kept a ventilator aside for you. An old one. But it works."
10
His grandmother's voice rose sharply. "The hospital let you do that? Keep a
whole ventilator for yourself?"
11
She was scolding him like he was 10 years old and she'd caught him stealing
peaches from Mrs Sithole's tree.
12
"It's the only way," he said desperately. "Without a ventilator, you won't make
it when you get sick."
13
"But we're not sick." She turned to his grandfather and prodded him in the
belly. "Are you sick, Jabu? You see, he's not sick."
14
He gritted his teeth and took an envelope out of his jacket pocket and placed
it on the table. "Here. I've written it all down for you. What you must do when
you start coughing. Where you must go. In case I'm not able to come ..."
His grandmother slid the envelope away from her. "I said we'll be alright."
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5
10
15
20
25
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
15
"You've not read it," he said. He glanced at his watch and swore under his
breath. He'd be late for his shift.
16
"I know what it says already, don't I Jabu?" She pushed his grandfather's
wheelchair harder than before, pistoning him back and forth like the
mechanical presses he used to operate. "You see?" she said with a smile of
triumph. "Your grandfather agrees with me. We'll be alright."
17
He slung his rucksack over his shoulder and wondered what he'd say to Dr
Forson when he walked into the ICU late. With any luck Dr Forson wouldn't be
there.
18
"Promise me you'll read it," he said at the door. He knew she wouldn't.
19
All of a sudden, a gurgle of manic laughter escaped from his grandfather's
lips, twisting his mouth into a look of grotesque amazement. He heard his
grandmother call out to him as he got into his car.
20
"Don't worry about us, Themba. We'll be alright. Go and do your job."
35
40
[Source: https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle]
POST-READING
 Read the text more thanonce.
 Find and write down the meanings of the words that are in bold font, or any other
word you may not understand, by using a dictionary or a dictionaryapp.
 Identify the setting of the story in termsof:
a) Time (When does the action take place?)and
b) Place (Where does the action takeplace?)
 Write a summary of thestory.
 Identify as many themes as youcan.
 Answer the questions that appear in the character table (TextD).
 Focus on the tone and mood in the story. Forexample:
Refer to Paragraph 4: ‘There aren't enough of them and you're ... you're both over
80’ (line 8). How would you describe Themba’s tone in this line?
 Answer the questions based on Texts C, taking into account the markscheme.
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English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
TEXT D: THE CHARACTERS IN THE SHORT STORY
THEMBA
(The main Character OR
protagonist)
Describe the Character,
Themba.
Describe Themba’s
character.
What is the difference?
Does Themba live with
his grandparents?
Provide reasons for your
answer.
THEMBA’S GRANDMOTHER
JABU, THEMBA’S
GRANDFATHER
Themba’s grandparents are
octogenarians. What does this
mean?
Why is Themba’s grandmother so
reluctant to listen to his advice?
What does the writer mean when
he says that Themba’s
grandmother talks to Jabu
incessantly?
Why, do you think, she does this?
We do not refer to Jabu as
‘crippled’. Rather, we use
the euphemism,
‘differently abled’. Why do
we refer to Jabu in this
way?
Why does Jabu not speak
much?
[Emoji Sources: Bing images]
QUESTIONS: TEXT C
1.1
What evidence in the story suggests that Themba is a doctor?
1.2
Refer to Paragraph 1.
What does this paragraph tell the reader about the grandmother’s character?
1.3
(2)
Refer to Paragraph 12, ‘”It's the only … you get sick”’.
Provide TWO reasons why Themba fears the worst if his grandparents should
become sick?
1.4
(2)
(2)
Refer to Paragraph 16, ‘She pushed his … used to operate’ (lines 34–36).
1.4.1 Identify the figure of speech used in these lines.
(1)
1.4.2 Why is this figure of speech effective?
(2)
1.5
Identify and explain ONE theme of this short story.
1.6
Discuss the conflict that Themba experiences in the story.
(3)
TOTAL QUESTION 1:
8
(3)
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
SECTION B: POETRY
PRE-READING
TEXT E
BACKGROUND TO THE POET AND THE POEM
Tom Roberts is a 26-year-old New Zealand-born filmmaker and
spoken word poet who goes by the name, Tom Foolery. He started
his YouTube channel about two years ago, but only really began
focusing on it about a month ago, when he went into self-isolation
and his other film projects had to be put on hold.
Tom, who now lives in London with his family, said: "My mum, my
dad and my big sister all are working in the hospital, saving people's
lives, and I am a poet who stays at home and thinks of rhyming
couplets, records them and posts them online."
The poem, The Great Realisation, reimagines our post-pandemic
world. It is written in the style of a bedtime story that is being read to
a child. The reading of the poem was filmed at the poet’s home with
his little brother and sister. The video of the poem has gone viral,
having been viewed more than 18 million times across YouTube,
Facebook and Instagram since it was posted on 29 April 2020.
[Adapted from: https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/books/the-great-realisation]
TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE POEM …
 If possible, watch the video of the poem on YouTube using the following
link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw5KQMXDiM4
 Read the poem aloud at leasttwice.
 Use a set of highlighters or coloured pens to highlight as many figures of
speech and difficult words aspossible.
 Examine the title in relation to thepoem.
 Ask yourself what the poem isabout.
 Notice how the poem is structured. (A series of rhymingcouplets)
 Identify the themes of thepoem.
 Establish the poet’smessage.
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English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
TEXT F: POEM 1
THE GREAT REALISATION by Tom Roberts
– 'Tell me the one about the virus again. Then I'll go to bed.’–
'But, my boy, you're growing weary, sleepy thoughts about your head.’
– ‘Please! That one's my favourite. I promise, just once more.’–
'Okay, snuggle down my boy, though I know you know full well
The story starts before then, in a world I once would dwell
5
'It was a world of waste and wonder, of poverty and plenty
Back before we understood why hindsight's 2020
'You see, the people came up with companies to trade across all lands.
But they swelled and got much bigger than we could ever have planned
'We'd always had our wants, but now, it got so quick.
You could have everything you dreamed of in a day and with a click.
10
'We noticed families had stopped talking. That's not to say they never spoke.
But the meaning must have melted and the work life balance broke.
'And the children's eyes got squarer and every toddler had a phone.
They filtered out the imperfections but amidst the noise, they felt alone.
15
'And every day the skies grew thicker, till we couldn't see the stars.
So we flew in planes to find them while down below, we filled our cars.
'We'd drive around all day in circles. We'd forgotten how to run.
We swapped the grass for tarmac, shrunk the parks till there were none.
'We filled the sea with plastic because our waste was never capped.
Until, each day when you went fishing, you'd pull them out, already wrapped.
20
'And while we drank and smoked and gambled, our leaders taught us why,
It's best to not upset the lobbies, more convenient to die.
'But then, in 2020, a new virus came our way.
The governments reacted and told us all to hide away.
25
'But while we were all hidden, amidst the fear and all the while,
The people dusted off their instincts. They remembered how to smile.
'They started clapping to say thank you, and calling up their mums.
'And while the cars keys were gathering dust, they would look forward to their runs.
'And with the sky less full of voyagers, the earth began to breathe.
And the beaches bore new wildlife that scuttled off into the seas.
30
'Some people started dancing, some were singing, some were baking.
We'd grown so used to bad news but some good news was in the making.
'And so when we found the cure, and were allowed to go outside,
We all preferred the world we found to the one we'd left behind.
'Old habits became extinct, and they made way for the new.
And every simple act of kindness was now given its due.’
10
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
–'But why did it take a virus to bring the people back together?' –
‘Well, sometimes, you got to get sick, my boy, before you start feeling better.
'Now, lie down, and dream of tomorrow, and all the things that we can do.
And who knows, maybe if you dream strong enough, maybe some of them will come true.
40
'We now call it the Great Realisation, and yes, since then there have been many.
'But that's the story of how it started, and why hindsight's 2020.’
[Adapted from: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1277555/Coronavirus-pandemic-poem-thismorning-Tom-Roberts-The-Great-Realisation-poem-in-FULL
QUESTION 2: TEXT F
2.1
Refer to lines 1– 4: 'Tell me the … down my boy’
Choose the correct alternative from the options provided below:
This poem is written in the style of a …
A
B
C
D
2.2
love story.
horrorstory.
fantasy story.
bedtimestory.
(1)
A rhyming couplet refers to two lines that rhyme in a poem and that
generally have the same rhythm.
What effect does the poet’s use of rhyming couplets have on the reader?
2.3
What does the poet mean by the following:
2.3.1 ‘You could have everything you dreamed of in a day and with a click’ (line 11).
2.3.2 'They started clapping to say thank you, …’ (line 28).
2.4
2.7
(3)
Refer to line 24, ‘But then, in 2020, a new virus came our way’.
State TWO words, from the above line, that change the tone of the poem.
2.6
(1)
(1)
Refer to lines 12–15: ‘'We noticed families … they felt alone.’
Identify and explain the theme highlighted in these lines.
2.5
(2)
(1)
Refer to line 30, ‘… the earth began to breathe’.
Identify and explain the figure of speech used in this line.
(3)
Refer to the title of the poem, ‘The Great Realisation’.
Do you think that this is a suitable title? Substantiate your answer by referring
to the poem as a whole.
(3)
TOTAL QUESTION 2:
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
PANDEMIC POEMS TO PONDER
Read the poems below and do the following to understand them better:
 Who is the poet? What is his/herbackground?
 Use a set of highlighters or coloured pens to highlight as many figures of
speech and difficult words aspossible.
 Examine the title in relation to thepoem.
 State what the poem isabout.
 Examine how the poem isstructured.
 Does the poem convey any of the poet’sfeelings?
 What feelings does the poem evoke inyou?
 Identify the themes of thepoem.
 What is the poet’smessage?
TEXT G: POEM 2
WHEN THIS IS OVER by Laura Kelly Fanucci
‘When this is over,may we never again take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves atthestore
Why arethe
Conversationswith neighbors
words inbold
Acrowdedtheater
font speltthis
way?
Fridaynight out
The taste of communion
A routine checkup
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Each deep breath
A boring Tuesday
Life itself.
When this ends
may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way — better
for each other
because of the worst."
[Source: https://www.caller.com/story/news/2020/03/18/coronavirus-poeminspirational-viral-message-covid-19-pandemic/2866087001/]
Did you notice that the poet did not mention ‘coronavirus,’ ‘virus’
12
or ‘pandemic’ once in this poem?
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10
15
20
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
TEXT G: POEM 2
WARRIORS by Yvonne Tagoe
It's peace time
But they work in a war zone
Healthcare workers
In gowns, masks, gloves, goggles
Back and forth
Around gurneys, beds, ventilators
With the dedication
OfFlorenceNightingale
Did you knowthat
In a beehiveof activity
Florence Nightingale
Eyesexpressionless
was the founderof
Behindairtightgoggles
modern nursing?
Nurses exchangebriefglances
Find out more about
Then on to the nextpatient
Keeping track
Hoping for positive signs
Monitors beep amid the heavy silence
In a battle for the lives of patients
Some hang on
Others lose
Families at home
Anxious for news
The phone rings
The doctor delivers the news in a monotone
A family breaks down
Shattered
Back in the war zone
More work to do
Back in the war zone
A shift ends
Gear peeled off
Time to scrub down and head home
Exhausted warriors emerge from the trenches
A silent prayer on their lips
That the unseen enemy is scrubbed off
And not following them home
In the empty streets
The sound of silence is pierced
By the sound of sirens
Another ambulance arrives.
[Source: https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/journal/bjca]
Who are the Warriors that the poet refers to in the title?
Highlight all the words that have connotations of war.
Did you notice that this poem also does not mention
‘coronavirus,’ ‘virus’ or ‘pandemic’?
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
SECTION C: LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT
Advertising
Remember that the aim of Advertising is to sell a product, service or
an idea. In order to do this, advertisers use emotions to appeal to
their target audience. Both the verbal and non-verbal aspects of an
advertisement are carefully chosen to fulfil this aim. In addition,
advertisers use the AIDA principle (Attention, Interest, Desire and
Action) to develop their advertisements. Always keep in mind how the
words are used and how they are linked to the visual aspects of the
advertisement.
AIDA
[Source: Google Images]
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
QUESTION 3: ANALYSING ADVERTISING
Study the advertisement (TEXT H) below, released during the Covid-19 pandemic, and
answer the questions set.
TEXT H
[Source: Google images]
QUESTIONS: TEXT H
3.1
What brand is being advertised? Provide a reason for your answer.
(2)
3.2
Suggest a reason for the advertiser not including the name of the brand.
(1)
3.3
To whom would this advertisement appeal? Justify your answer.
(2)
3.4
Explain what the advertiser means by, ‘Play inside’.
(2)
3.5
Do you think that the message of this advertisement is clear?
Substantiate your answer.
(3)
TOTAL QUESTION 3:
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English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
UNDERSTANDING OTHER ASPECTS OF THE MEDIA
Cartoons
When reading a cartoon, examine the connection between the verbal and
non-verbal aspects. Verbal aspects refer to the words that are used and the
manner in which they are used. Non-verbal aspects include facial
expression, body language, clothing, actions and movements.
QUESTION 4: CARTOONS
Study TEXTS I and J and answer the set questions.
TEXT I
[Source: Google Images]
TEXT J
NOT ALL SUPERHEROES WEAR CAPES
[Source: Google Images]
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Home Study Booklet 2021
QUESTIONS: TEXTS I AND J
4.1
Refer to TEXT I.
Identify TWO visual clues that indicate that the characters in the cartoon are
medical personnel.
(2)
4.2
What does the nurse mean when she says, ‘…and you became one’.
(2)
4.3
Write out what you think the sign on the door is.
(1)
4.4
Refer to TEXT J.
4.5
Identify TWO superheroes included in this cartoon.
(2)
Do you think that TEXT J supports the message of TEXT I? Substantiate your
answer.
(3)
TOTAL QUESTION 4:
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Home Study Booklet 2021
QUESTION 5: USING LANGUAGE CORRECTLY
Read TEXT K, which contains some deliberate errors, and answer the set questions.
TEXT K
HOW SOAP WORKS AGAINST COVID-19
1
Water alone may rinse off dirt, but viruses and bacteria are so small they
often need chemicals to get them out of the crevices that make up our
unique fingerprints. That’s why soap is so important. It’s made for this job.
In 20 seconds, at least, of thorough scrubbing, the pin-shaped molecules
5
of soap will penetrate all types of bacteria and viruses, including COVID19. Like a nail popping a tire, the water-repelling end of the soap
molecule, stabs COVID-19 and leaves the virus deflated.
2
Alcohol can break an oily membrane. Washing with soap has the added
benefit of removing tougher to break viruses and bacteria from the skin.
Scrubbing all parts of your hands and wrists vigorously, with a sudsy 10
lather, is key to locking these invading particles away for good – and
washing them down the drain. And whether the water is cold or warm
doesn’t matter, as long as it’s soapy.
[Adapted from: https://en.unesco.org/news/how-soap-kills-covid-19-hands]
QUESTIONS: TEXT K
5.1
Write the acronym COVID in full.
(1)
5.2
Correct the spelling error in paragraph 1.
(1)
5.3
Refer to line 3, ‘That’s why soap is so important’.
State the function of the apostrophe.
(1)
5.4
What is the function of the hyphen in, ‘pin-shaped’ (line 4)?
(1)
5.5
Rewrite the following sentence in the passive voice:
The pin-shaped molecules of soap will penetrate all types of bacteria and
viruses.
5.6
Identify the following parts of speech:
5.6.1
5.6.2
popping (line 6)
vigorously (line 10)
5.7
Join the following sentences (lines 8–9) using a suitable conjunction:
(1)
(1)
Alcohol can break an oily membrane. Washing with soap has the added
benefit of removing tougher to break viruses and bacteria from the skin.
5.8
(1)
(2)
Refer to lines 10–12, ‘Scrubbing all parts … down the drain’.
Provide a synonym for the word, ‘sudsy’ (line 11) from elsewhere in the
passage.
TOTAL QUESTION 5:
18
(1)
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Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
SECTION D: SUMMARY
QUESTION 6
Summarise in your own words the importance of wearing and caring of cloth masks
during the Covid-19 pandemic.
TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. Your summary should include SEVEN points and NOT exceed 60words.
2. You are NOT required to include a title for thesummary.
3. Indicate your word count at the end of yoursummary.
SHIELD OF HONOUR
1
The use of cloth face masks as an additional preventative measure against
COVID-19, has been recommended for public use by the National Department
of Health (NDoH).
2
The spread of COVID-19 is mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an
infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other
respiratory diseases spread. Therefore, wearing a fabric face mask is added as
a measure to help limit transmission of the virus.
3
Wearing a mask when in public places, especially crowded places, can help
slow the spread of Covid-19. Together with the wearing of a mask, handwashing and social distancing remain the most important interventions to stop
the disease from spreading.
4
Cloth masks are easy and not expensive to make, reusable and help reduce
the transmission of COVID-19 by acting like ashield.
5
They prevent the touching of your face while you are out and about. When you
get back home, the mask must be washed with soap and water immediately,
without using chemicals. After washing, the mask should then be ironed or left
out in the sun to dry.
6
You should never share your mask with anybody else, and it is preferable that
every person has two masks so that they can be interchanged during washes.
7
The inside layer of the mask should not be touched when taking it off or putting
it on.
8
The public should not wear medical masks – these are reserved as personal
protective equipment for our healthcare workers who are on the front line of the
battle against COVID-19. Let us give them the tools to fight that battle.
[Adapted from: https://www.nicd.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Guidelines-Use-of-
cloth-face-masks.pdf]
TOTAL QUESTION 6:
19
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Home Study Booklet 2021
SECTION D: WRITING
THE WRITING PROCESS
A good piece of writing usually involves several steps that include:
 Planning (using key words, a mind map or a bubblediagram)
 Drafting (Write out at least ONE fulldraft)
 Revision (Read your draft and make corrections ifnecessary)
 Editing (Check sentence construction, paragraphing, spelling,
grammaretc)
 Proof-reading (Read your work to check that it isflawless)
 Presenting (present work that is a neat and legible)
Remember thefollowing:
Do not exceed the word count of 250 words (GRADE 8), for the Essay and
160 words for the Transactional piece.
Do not add the title of your essay and the format of your transactional
piece to the word count.
Include all aspects of the relevant format in your transactional piece.
The bubble diagram below is an example that can be adapted for different
types of writing.
TEXT L: PLANNING TO WRITE
Paragraph1
Introduction
Paragraph7
Paragraph 2
Main Idea and
supporting points
Conclusion
TOPIC
Paragraph 6
Main Idea and
supporting points
Choose your topic
carefully. Underline
key words to direct
your ideas.
Paragraph 5
Main Idea and
supporting points
Paragraph 3
Main Idea and
supportingpoints
Paragraph 4
Main Idea and
supporting points
20
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
QUESTION 7: ESSAY WRITING


7.1
Write an essay, of approximately 200–250 words (GRADE 8) on
ONE of the followingtopics.
Follow the writing process outlinedabove.
Write an ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY in which you take a specific viewpoint
FOR or AGAINST the followingtopic:
Learning at home using various forms of social media can never
replace the face-to-face lessons with the teacher in the classroom.
You must provide arguments to support your view.
Your conclusion should be a clear statement ofyouropinion.
7.2
Write a DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY in which you respond to the picture below.
Your essay should create a picture using words. Use as many of the senses
as possible to make your descriptionclear.
[Source: DailyMaverick,2020-07-28]
7.3
[30]
[30]
Write a NARRATIVE ESSAY, with a strong story line and a captivating
conclusion, on the followingtopic:
EscapefromLockdown
[30]
TOTAL QUESTION 6:
21
30
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
QUESTION 8: TRANSACTIONAL WRITING
Diary Entry
Birthdays, religious occasions, weddings and anniversaries are when family
and friends come together. The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the
nature of these events. People have had to adapt to this extraordinary
situation for their own safety and the safety of others.
Write a diary entry of 140–160 words in which you relate how you felt about
observing an important occasion during the lockdown.
[10]
TOTAL QUESTION 8:
22
10
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
EDEN THS
English Home Language
(HL)
Grades 8
HOME STUDYBOOKLET
2021
MARKING GUIDELINES
23
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
NOTE TO EDUCATOR
Dear Educator
You, like so many other educators around the globe, have
had to be resourceful in trying to reach your learners
during this pandemic. Depending on your contextual
factors, some have been more fortunate than others in
teaching learners via various social media platforms.
Others have been able to send workbooks or worksheet
packs to their learners. In order to supplement the
resources that you may have prepared, the General
Education and Training (GET) Directorate has prepared
this booklet.
This booklet focuses on some of the fundamental skills
and concepts that learners need to master. Do not use the
texts and sections contained in this booklet as summative
assessments. The intention is to provide study material for
Grade 8 learners to use athome.
The onus is on you, as the educator, to convey
instructions to your learners in respect of where the tasks
contained in this booklet should be answered and when
and how it should be submitted. We trust that you find
this booklet useful. Best wishes to you and your learners
during these challenging times. Take care and besafe.
NOTE:

These Marking Guidelines are a guide for learners, their parents/guardians
and caregivers and educators. Learners must complete the tasks in the

booklet first, before attempting to use the Marking Guideline.

These Marking Guidelines are not exhaustive and alternate responses
should be considered.

In respect of Writing (Section E), suitable rubrics should be used to assess

the final piece of writing.
24
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
SECTION A: SHORT STORY: THEMBA
QUESTION 1
1.1
Themba kept a ventilator aside in the hospital for his grandparents.
He was concerned about reporting to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) late.
(2)
She is stubborn. The grandmother’s reluctance to hear what Themba has to
say shows her stubborn nature.
(2)
Themba’s grandparents are over 80 and the elderly have a very slight chance
of survival should they contract a deadly virus.
They refuse to read Themba’s instructions on what they should do if they start
showing symptoms of being sick. This means that they may not be able to act
quickly if they become sick, putting themselves at greater risk.
(2)
1.4.1
Simile
(1)
1.4.2
Themba’s grandmother pushes the grandfather’s wheelchair so vigorously,
that the movements appear similar to the movements of pistons in the
machines that Jabu used to operate.
(2)
The difficulties faced by the elderly who live alone/The effects of the Covid-19
pandemic on the elderly/Fear/Love for the elderly.
(1)
The elderly are generally vulnerable members of society who require
assistance from members of their family, especially when they need medical
care./
Viruses can be life-threatening for the elderly if they do not take the
precautions. Diseases like Covid-19 affect old people more seriously./
Covid-19 has left people fearful about their loved ones, especially the elderly,
as they are likely to die if they contract the virus./
Themba shows, through his actions, the love that he has for his grandparents.
He does not want any harm to come to them.
(2)
1.2
1.3
1.5
1.6
Themba experiences the conflict of his duty as a doctor, who has to care for
his patients, and his duty as a grandson, who has to care for his
grandparents. Throughout the story, there is a sense of urgency because
Themba has to leave to go to the hospital, where he is doctor. He is providing
a life-saving role to so many sick people who rely on him to become well. Yet,
atthesametimehehastotakecareoftheneedsofhisgrandparentswho
are vulnerable and also require his attention.
25
(3)
[15]
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
SECTION B: POETRY
QUESTION 2
2.1
D/Bedtime story
(1)
2.2
The rhyming couplets give the poem a musical quality which makes the poem
pleasant/enjoyable to read.
(2)
2.3.1
2.3.2
2.4
A person can order anything he/she needs online (with the ‘click’ of a
computer mouse) and it will be delivered to him/her quickly.
People in many countries have taken to clapping to show their appreciation to
healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The lack of face-to-face communication/Poor communication among family
members/Alone together.
(1)
(1)
(1)
These days, parents are so busy with work that they fail to communicate
effectively with their children and other family members. Furthermore, when
all members of the family are together, they are usually busy on their
cellphones or electronic gadgets and not communicating effectively with one
another. This kind of behaviour is nothealthy.
(2)
2.5
‘But then’
(1)
2.6
Personification
(1)
The Earth is given the ability to breathe, like a person. With air traffic brought
almost to a standstill because of the pandemic, the massive reduction of the
aeroplanes in the sky means no pollution. Therefore, with cleaner air, Earth
can ‘breathe’.
(2)
2.7
SUITABLE:
The Great Realisation came during a pandemic, when everyone was forced to
stop and reflect on their lives, the state of the world and the damage that has
been done to the planet because of the actions of humans. The poet sees
‘The Great Realisation’ as an opportunity for people to change for their own
benefit and the benefit of the planet.
NOT SUITABLE
This poem is written in the style of a bedtime story. The title, ‘The Great
Realisation’ is too serious and therefore not suited to a bedtime story.
A more exciting title should have been chosen in keeping with this style.
26
(3)
[15]
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
SECTION C: LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT
QUESTION 3: ANALYSING ADVERTISING
3.1
Nike. The Nike swoosh (tick) tells us the brand that is being advertised.
(2)
3.2
Nike is a brand that is identifiable/recognised throughout the world by its
symbol, the swoosh (tick). Therefore, the name need not be used.
(1)
To people interested in sport/sports people who are aiming to achieve in
sport. These people usually wear/use Nike products when participating in
sportorsport-relatedactivitiesandarelikelytoheed/supportthemessageof
the advertisement.
(2)
People usually wear/use Nike products outdoors. Now, in order to combat the
spread of the virus, Nike is urging sports people to find ways to play (exercise,
stay fit) indoors.
(2)
3.3
3.4
3.5
Yes. Nike is making an appeal to help curb the Covid-19 pandemic by staying
indoors. Those who would normally like to go out to play sport are urged to
play for millions of people around the world by staying at home. If every
individual does this then the positive impact will be felt worldwide.
No. Those who do not know that the swoosh (tick) represents Nike, will not
fully understand what the advertisement is about.
TOTAL QUESTION 3:
(3)
10
QUESTION 4: CARTOONS
4.1
Masks/gloves/theatre gowns/hair coverings/goggles
[Any 2]
(2)
The nurse is suggesting that doctors are superheroes because they save
people’s lives, just like fictional superheroes.Therefore, the doctor in the
cartoon is also a superhero.
(2)
4.3
Covid-19 Cases
(1)
4.4
Batman/Superman/Wonderwoman
[Any 2]
(2)
4.5
The title/caption of Text J states, ‘NOT ALL SUPERHEROES WEAR CAPES’
referring to the fact that the medical personnel in the cartoon, like the caped
Superman, Wonderwoman and Batman are also superheroes. This is in
keeping with the message of Text I which also implies that medical personnel
are superheroes.
TOTAL QUESTION 4:
4.2
27
(3)
10
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
QUESTION 5: USING LANGUAGE CORRECTLY
5.1
Corona Virus Disease
(1)
5.2
tyre
(1)
5.3
Contraction
(1)
5.4
To join two words to form a compound word.
(1)
5.5
All types of bacteria and viruses will be penetrated by the pin-shaped
molecules of soap.
(1)
5.6.1
5.6.2
verb
adverb
(1)
(1)
5.7
Alcohol can break an oily membrane however, washing with soap has the
added benefit of removing tougher to break viruses and bacteria from the
skin.
OR
5.8
While alcohol can break an oily membrane, washing with soap has the added
benefit of removing tougher to break viruses and bacteria from the skin.
(2)
Soapy
(1)
TOTAL QUETION 5:
28
10
Grade 8
English Home Language
Home Study Booklet 2021
SECTION D: SUMMARY
QUESTION 6: SUMMARISING IN YOUR OWN WORDS
Use the following main points that should be included in the summary as a
guideline.
Point form and paragraph-form summaries are acceptable.
Sentences must be clear.
NO.
QUOTATIONS FROM THE PASSAGE
1
‘…wearing a fabric face mask is
added as a measure to help limit
transmission of the virus.’
‘Cloth masksare easy and not
expensive to make, …’
‘…reusable and help reduce the
transmission of COVID-19 by acting
like a shield.’
‘… the mask must be washed with
soap and water immediately,
without using chemicals.’
‘After washing, the masks should
then be ironed or left out in the sun
to dry.’
‘You should never share your mask
with anybody else, and it is
preferable that every person has
two masks so that they canbe
interchanged during washes.’
‘The inside layer of the mask should
not be touched when taking it off or
putting it on.’
2
3
4
5
6
7
NO.
POINTS IN OWN WORDS
1
Cloth face masks are recommended to
prevent the spread of Covid-19.
2
They are simple and cheap to make.
3
A cloth mask can be used again.
4
Wash the mask with soap and water,
not chemicals.
5
To dry the mask, iron, or leave it in the
sun.
6
Have two masks that you never share.
7
Never touch the inside layer of the
mask.
The summary should be marked as follows:
 Mark allocation:
o 7 marks for 7 points (1 mark per mainpoint)
o 3 marks forlanguage
o Total marks:10

Distribution of language marks when learner has not quotedverbatim:
o 1–3 points correct: award 1mark
o 4–5 points correct: award 2marks
o 6–7 points correct: award 3marks

Distribution of language marks when learner has quotedverbatim:
o
o
6–7 quotations: award no languagemark
1–5 quotations: award 1 languagemark
TOTALQUESTION6:
29
10