
SECTION A (10 Marks)
COMPREHENSION AND SUMMARY
Answer all questions in this section.
1. Read the passage below carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The Minister for Lands and Environment was Hon. Peter Msokonde. At thirty six, he was the
youngest member of the cabinet and was one of my psychology students during his undergraduate
days at the University of Dar es Salaam. Although he was generally below the average in his
scholastic achievement at the University, he had nevertheless been a political activist among his
fellow students, and his activities had not gone unnoticed by the party bosses. So active was he in
the University Wing of the Youth League that immediately after the graduation he was appointed
as one of the department heads at the ruling party headquarters.
From a humble beginning he climbed up the political ladder until finally, he headed the
prestigious department of Mobilization and Propaganda.
During a minor cabinet reshuffle a year ago, His Excellence, the President, nominated Peter
Msokonde a member of parliament and appointed him Minister for Lands and Environment. Such
meteoric rise to positions of eminence is not uncommon in Third World Countries. All you need
is to have your name mentioned at the right time to the right people. But if due regard is not given
to such things as age, education and experience, and instead promotions are made on the basis of
irrelevant reasons such as “this is one of us,” then one of two things may happen: either the
incumbent gets spoiled by being inebriated by his own pomposity, or he breeds resentment among
his more deserving subordinates.
Such was the case with Peter Msokonde. He was six years younger than Tom, his Permanent
Secretary, ten years younger than me - Chris, his former professor, and twelve years younger than
David Chambakane. In addition to the disparity in age, there were differences in educational
level, Tom was the holder of the second degree in Economics and I had a second degree in
Education while David had a doctorate in Mathematics. So the trip we were about to make to
Sweden was to be led not only by the youngest member of the group but also by the least
qualified academically.
The Hon. Minister invited David and I to his office a few days before our departure to tie up some
loose ends related to with our impending trip. The Permanent Secretary was also in attendance at
the meeting.
The young Minister was sitting behind an immaculately polished executive desk on which were
placed two small flags: the National flag and the flag of the ruling party. When he saw me
entering, he stood up and started moving to a side conference table.
“Hi, you are welcome” He said, showing me to a chair.
“You rarely come to my office. It’s good to drop in sometimes, even when you have nothing
official to discuss. You’re my former teacher, so fill free to drop in anytime and give me moral
encouragement.”