Resource

Gr 10 Revision for Exams
SECTION A: Comprehension & Language 25 MARKS

TEXT A:
Phelelani: Lord of the Rings

Circus performer Phelelani Ndakroka has captured the hearts of audiences around the globe. The
dynamite acrobat shares his inspiring journey.
1. Phelelani Ndakroka, a performer in the Zip Zap Circus, has mesmerised audiences around the world,
leaving them in awe of his acrobatic skills and precision.
2. In April, he performed in Switzerland for Roger Federer and Andy Murray before putting on a show for the
Afro-pop duo, Mafikizolo, in June.
3. The Zip Zap Circus holds a special place in Phelelani’s heart. It’s where he was taught that he, too, can dare
to dream. The young performer was introduced to the circus in 2010 while living at a shelter in Salt River.
4. After being born to a single mother, he spent many years living on the streets of Cape Town.
5. “I grew up with a life that no kid would want to live. It was difficult having to choose between right and
wrong. People need to be really tough for that life because living on the street for 15 years is not easy. You
need to be strong and patient. You have to figure out what you want and pray for it,” Phelelani told Cape
Talk’s Pippa Hudson in a recent interview.
6. Phelelani’s introduction to the Zip Zap Circus was a life-altering experience. “Being introduced to Zip Zap
was really life changing. When I saw it, I fell in love with it. In fact, now I want to marry it,” he laughs.
7. With no prior experience, Phelelani took to the theatrics like a duck to water. While he never imagined
building a career as a circus performer, the acrobat is determined to craft his skill and rehearses for nearly
seven hours a day, four times a week.
8. Whenever Phelelani takes to the stage, he embodies his character. “As soon as I hit the stage, I evolve. It
feels as if I’m teleported to a different world. I become a different person. It’s as if my soul is on stage and
my body’s backstage, watching. When I’m on stage it’s all about having fun, and sharing energy and
emotion with the audience,” he explains.
9. The young acrobat admits that he still gets nervous before an act. “I go down on my knees and pray,” he
adds.
10. Phelelani has mastered the skill of acrobatics and now transfers his knowledge – about life both on and off
stage – to younger performers as an instructor. “Since joining Zip Zap, I have not only learnt circus skills,
but life skills too, including how to conduct myself among older people and my peers.
11. I am more confident now and am able to deal with conflict better,” he says.
12. In his seven years of performing in the circus, Phelelani has also earned the respect of his instructors and
fellow performers. Laurence Estève, co-founder of Zip Zap, says the artist has grown as a performer and
person.
13. “Phelelani is like Picasso, painting with his body. His performance is infectious; it’s circus artistry at its
best. From being ignored or even brutalised to being on stage and idolised, he is keeping a very sensible
attitude. He’s not fazed by glamour, but enjoys it and is very faithful to his circus family,” she says.
(Source: The Big Issue 30/10–4/11/2017)
1
Questions
1.1. Explain the play on words in the heading ‘Phelelani: Lord of the Rings’. (2)
1.2. Discuss the meaning of “mesmerised” from the context in which it is used in
paragraph 1. (2)
1.3. Refer to paragraph 3. What does the expression “dare to dream” teach Ndakroka? (2)
1.4. Refer to paragraph 5. Discuss what pressures there might have been on Ndakroka
which would have made it “difficult” for him to “choose between right and wrong”.
(2)
1.5.1 Give the meaning of the idiomatic expression, “he took (to the theatrics) like a duck
to water” (paragraph 7). (1)
1.5.2 Another idiomatic expression that uses the word “duck” is “sitting duck”.
Provide its meaning. (1)
1.6. “Teleported” (paragraph 8) has the following definition: (especially in science
fiction) to be transported across space and distance instantly.
Explain why you think Ndakroka uses the word “teleported” in this context, rather
than “taken” or “transported”. (2)
1.7. In your own words, list two benefits that have come to Ndakroka from being at the
Zip Zap Circus. (2)
1.8. Refer to paragraph 13 (“Phelelani is like Picasso”). Name the figure of speech and
discuss its effectiveness. (3)
1.9 Do you think Ndakroka is a role model for young South Africans? Provide evidence
from the text to support your answer. (2)
1.10 Refer to the source. Why is The Big Issue underlined? (1)
(20)
TEXT B: Some deliberate errors have been made.
Zip Zap’s going places
1. Zip Zap Circus in Cape Town was founded in 1992 by Brent van Rensburg and Laurence Estève. The
couple established the circus to inspire young people and help build a new culture of peaceful
coexistence in South Africa.
2. For the passed 25 years, Brent and Laurence have been working with young people from all walks of
life. They are dedicated to supporting development and conducting training in circus arts. They use
circus performance as a vehicle for social transformation, youth empowerment, team building and
community upliftment.
3. Zip Zap has been recognised as a major contributor to the development and sustainability of circus arts
in South Africa, the organisation has changed the lives of nearly 15000 students, with 72% of their
learners coming from the Cape Flats area.
4. Children as young as seven are invited to join the academy.
5. While the academy operates predominantly in the Western Cape, the circus has participated in many
national and international tours, including performance and skills transmission programmes.
6. “Zip Zap has done more than 30 international performances, from Australia to America, China to
Africa and all over Europe. Last October, they performed by the White House on Halloween for
Barack Obama and his family, and we’re looking forward to travelling to Addis Ababa for the African
Circus Arts Alliance Festival later this year,” says Laurence proudly.
(Source: The Big Issue 30/10-4/11/2017)
Question 2: Refer to TEXT B.
2.1 Refer to paragraph 1. Write the first sentence in the active voice. (1)
2.2 Refer to paragraph 2. Correct the spelling error in the first sentence. (1)
2.3 Provide a synonym for “predominantly” (paragraph 5). (1)
2
2.4 Refer to paragraph 5. Give the noun form of “participated”. (1)
2.5 Refer to paragraph 6, ‘Last October…Laurence proudly’. Replace the incorrect
preposition with the correct one. (1)
/5/
SECTION B: VISUAL LITERACY 20

MARKS
TEXT C
Question 3: Refer to TEXT C

3.1 Explain the irony in the cartoon. (2)
Text D
3
Refer to Text D
3.2 Explain the positive effect of screen-time as portrayed in this cartoon. (2)
3.3 How is the mother re-enforcing a gender stereotype? (1)
Text E
Refer to Text E
3.4 What does the waiter’s speech reveal about modern society? (1)
3.5 Explain the male patron’s reaction by referring to facial expression. (2)
3.6 Identify the setting and provide two visual clues as proof. (2)
TOTAL: 45

Resource

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Resource

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Resource

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Gr 10 Revision for Exams

SECTION A: Comprehension & Language 25 MARKS

Phelelani: Lord of the Rings

Question 2: Refer to TEXT B.

SECTION B: VISUAL LITERACY 20

Question 3: Refer to TEXT C

You might also like