The Editor, Sir:
It has been quite evident that crime in this country is increasing at a high rate each day, and
unemployment plays a major role in this aspect for the saying goes ‘Idle dogs eat sheep’.
How do we tackle this problem? I personally believe that with the expertise we have in this
country no outside help should be sought.
Based on the observation that males are the predominant offenders, my suggestions are:
1. Draft into the Army boys between the age of 15-25 years (those not pursuing higher studies
or not employed) where the respective skills could be taught, e.g. auto mechanics, craft,
construction, welding, agriculture, etc.
2. After one year’s training they should be dispatched to areas where those skill would be
required whether in the government service or privately.
3. The trainees should receive a stipend monthly.
4. An assessment should be done at the end of the year as to the feasibility of such training.
There has got to be a start somewhere, for, if the situation of crime continues, we will all be
heading for destruction.
Yours sincerely,
Dean Archer
St. Elizabeth
1. What does the writer assume when he uses ‘quite evident’ in his opening sentence?
A. Crime in the country is increasing at a high rate each day
B. The writer assumes that his guess in right.
C. The writer assumes that crime is increasing.
D. The writer assumes that the readers are aware of the amount of crime being committed.
2. What does ‘aspect’ refer to in line 2?
A. A major role
B. The increase in the amount of crime
C. Unemployment
D. Increase at a high rate each day
3. To what or whom is the writer referring when he mentioned ‘idle dogs’ in the first
paragraph?
A. A dog which has no work to do
B. Young unemployed males
C. Dogs and young men that have no work to do and cause trouble
D. Idle dogs at the side of the road
4. What is the problem referred to in the second paragraph?
A. The increase in the crime rate
B. Drafting boys aged 15-25 into the army
C. That men are behaving like dogs
D. That young men cannot find work
5. What does the word ‘predominant’, used in paragraph two, mean?
A. Worst
B. Strongest
C. Main
D. Only
6. What does the writer imply by using ‘drafting’ instead of ‘enroll’ or ‘admit’?
A. He knows that the Army is part of the military.
B. He implies that the Army won’t be happy to have all the young men in it.
C. To show that it will be compulsory for males aged 15-25 to serve in the Army (with some
exceptions).
D. To make boys join even though they don’t like it.