Cameroon GCE ordinary level June 2025 English language 2
Cameroon GCE ordinary level June 2025 English language 2
SECTION A
DIRECTED WRITING (30 marks)
MARK DISTRIBUTION
Content
Expression and Accuracy
Slanting
(14 marks)
(12 marks)
(4 marks)
You are the president of your students’ union. You came across this information on second hand clothes and you
found it useful. Select relevant information from it and write an article for your magazine on the disadvantages of
using second hand clothes and possible measures to prevent contamination if they must be used. Write in TWO
paragraphs of not more than 150 words. Your pen name is A.A.FIavour. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation,
spelling and handwriting.
The sale of secondhand clothes is booming in the country, in different forms. In the past, secondhand clothes
were synonymous to poverty. The rich and middle class bought their clothes from boutiques, but today it is no longer the
case. The rich, the middle class, and the low income earners have practically adjusted their budgets and are now visiting
these markets. Given that people of all economic levels are customers of this market, there is no social stigma attached to
it. Shopping for secondhand clothing will give you the advantage finding clothes that no one else has. You will be unique
without putting much effort into it and in addition, your purse will not feel a difference. Some people simply say such
shopping is a great way to look good without having to spend a fortune.
Despite the demand and stampede surrounding the business, health experts have warned of the dangers of buying
secondhand clothes. Many human diseases, especially sexually transmitted ones, are transmitted through body fluids such
as blood, sweat, urine, semen, and so on. The causative organs implicated in a lot of these diseases have been isolated in
clothes of people with these diseases. Infections such as skin candidiasis, scabies, ringworm, body lice, and chicken pox
can be transmitted through clothes previously used by infected persons. The risk is even more if the clothes are not
properly washed, disinfected and ironed before use. The category of clothing that is even more culpable is underwear
which many people do not iron before use due to the material with which it is made, which does not allow it to withstand
much heat.
If you happen to buy secondhand clothes, ensure that you use antiseptics to disinfect them, line them out in the
sun, and iron them before use. For clothing that cannot be ironed directly such as underwear, you can do “shadowironing” by placing some material on it while it is still wet and then iron it till it gets dry. Another common practice is
trying on clothes that you want to buy, to see if they fit. Desist from this practice; but if you must, always try them on
without taking off your clothes. By this, you prevent them from getting in contact with your skin before you disinfect and
iron them. Also, a careful examination of every item before you purchase it will give you an indication of its general
cleanliness and quality, even though it will not necessarily reveal the health risk.
Items that are grossly soiled or contaminated should be discarded. Better still, avoid buying such clothing
entirely. While few know the dangers that accompany secondhand clothes but decide to overlook them, many are in total
darkness. Nonetheless, medical studies have shown many risks these common habits might pose. Although we may not
notice them almost immediately we are infected, and even when we do so, we tend to deceive ourselves by admitting that
we got the infections from elsewhere. In all, secondhand articles have become a rampant phenomenon where no one can
cast a stone for never having used any secondhand product before. If not clothes, it would be electronics, footwear, home
utensils, gadgets, or even automobiles. Yes, the list is endless.
SECTION B
COMPOSITION (40 marks)
MARK DISTRIBUTION:
Content and Organization
Expression
Accuracy
(12 marks)
(16 marks)
(12 marks)
Choose ONE topic to write on from the list below. You are advised to write clearly and effectively, to spell and
punctuate correctly, and to ensure that your writing is appropriate in style and content to the topic chosen. Avoid
obscene language and do not disclose your identity. You should write between 450– 500 words.
a) Describe a cultural event that recently took place in your community and give the importance of the event to the
people.
b) As the roof of the building collapsed in the raging fire, she remembered that her youngest son was sleeping in the
room … . Continue the story.
c) Markets.
d) Tell a story to illustrate the proverb: Prevention is better than cure.
e) Boarding schools are better than day schools. Do you agree?
f) Describe the process involved in carrying out a traditional marriage in your village.
g) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of employing house–helps.
h) Write a story, a description or other form of composition suggested by one of the following pictures. Your
composition may be directly about the subject of the picture or take some central suggestion(s) from it. There
must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.
