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NCEA Level 3 Lea Faka-Tonga study materials
NCEA Level 3 Lea Faka-Tonga study resources

NCEA Level 3 Lea Faka-Tonga practice questions

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Question 1TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan word correctly completes the sentence: 'Naʻe ʻalu ʻa Sione ki he ____ ʻi he ʻaho Sāpate?' (Sione went to the ____ on Sunday.)

  1. fale fakatau
  2. fale lotu Correct answer.
  3. fale kai
  4. fale ako

Explanation

The context word 'Sāpate' (Sunday) points to a place of worship, and 'fale lotu' literally means 'house of prayer/church'. The other compounds describe a restaurant, a school and a shop, which do not fit the Sunday context.

Question 2TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

In Tongan, which pronoun should be used to refer to two people when the speaker includes the person addressed?

  1. kitaua Correct answer.
  2. kimoua
  3. kimaua
  4. kinautolu

Explanation

Tongan distinguishes inclusive and exclusive first person. 'Kitaua' is first person dual inclusive, meaning 'we two, including you'. The exclusive form for two people excluding the addressee is 'kimaua'.

Question 3TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

What does the Tongan prefix 'faka-' most commonly do when added to a base word, as in 'fakamālō' or 'fakaʻofoʻofa'?

  1. It turns a noun into a numeral.
  2. It pluralises a noun.
  3. It marks the past tense of a verb.
  4. It forms a causative or 'to make/behave as' meaning. Correct answer.

Explanation

The prefix 'faka-' is a causative and manner-forming prefix, giving meanings such as 'to cause to be' or 'in the manner of'. For example, 'fakamālō' means to thank or express gratitude, and 'fakaʻofoʻofa' means to make beautiful or behave beautifully.

Question 4TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which sentence uses the correct Tongan tense particle for an action happening right now?

  1. ʻOku lea ʻa Mele ki he kau ako. Correct answer.
  2. Kuó lea ʻa Mele ki he kau ako.
  3. Naʻe lea ʻa Mele ki he kau ako.
  4. Te lea ʻa Mele ki he kau ako.

Explanation

The particle 'ʻoku' marks present progressive or current action, so 'ʻOku lea' means 'is speaking'. 'Naʻe' marks past, 'kuó' marks perfect/completed aspect, and 'te' marks future.

Question 5TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

What is the correct Tongan term for the number 'fifty'?

  1. onongofulu
  2. fāfangofulu
  3. tahangofulu
  4. nimangofulu Correct answer.

Explanation

Tongan tens are formed with the numeral root plus 'ngofulu'. 'Nima' means five, so 'nimangofulu' is fifty. 'Fā' is four, 'taha' is one and 'ono' is six.

Question 6TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which greeting is appropriate in Tongan when addressing a group of people in the morning?

  1. Mālō e lelei ki he hoʻatā ni.
  2. Mālō e lelei ki he pongipongi ni. Correct answer.
  3. Mālō e lelei ki he pō ni.
  4. Mālō e lelei ki he efiafi ni.

Explanation

'Pongipongi' means morning, so 'ki he pongipongi ni' means 'this morning'. The other time words refer to evening, night and dawn respectively, which do not match a morning greeting.

Question 7TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

In Tongan orthography, which symbol is used to indicate that a vowel is pronounced with a glottal stop?

  1. The tilde.
  2. The hyphen.
  3. The macron (toloi).
  4. The apostrophe-like fakauʻa. Correct answer.

Explanation

The fakauʻa, written like an apostrophe, marks the glottal stop in Tongan. The toloi (macron) is a separate diacritic that marks vowel length.

Question 8TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

What does the Tongan idiom 'fakaʻofoʻofa' most closely mean when used to describe a person's appearance?

  1. tired or sleepy
  2. wealthy or rich
  3. beautiful or well-presented Correct answer.
  4. angry or upset

Explanation

'Fakaʻofoʻofa' derives from 'ʻofoʻofa' (beauty) with the causative/manner prefix 'faka-', describing someone as beautiful or well turned out. It concerns appearance and presentation, not emotion, fatigue or wealth.

Question 9TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly expresses possession of a book by the speaker using the A-class possessive?

  1. ʻOku ʻi ai ʻa e tohi ʻo au.
  2. ʻOku ʻi ai ʻene tohi.
  3. ʻOku ʻi ai ʻa e tohi ʻa au.
  4. ʻOku ʻi ai ʻeku tohi. Correct answer.

Explanation

Tongan possessive pronouns distinguish A-class and O-class. 'ʻEku' is the A-class singular possessive 'my', used with items like books that are actively possessed or controlled. 'ʻEne' is third person, and the other options use incorrect particle combinations.

Question 10TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which particle correctly completes the sentence: 'Naʻe tokoni ʻa Pita ____ ʻene faifekau.' (Pita helped his teacher.)

  1. he
  2. ki Correct answer.
  3. ʻi
  4. ʻa

Explanation

The verb 'tokoni' (to help) takes the directional preposition 'ki' before its object, giving 'tokoni ki'. This is a common verb-preposition pairing in Tongan.

Question 11TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which sentence correctly uses the Tongan negative construction to say 'I did not go to school'?

  1. Naʻe ʻalu ʻikai au ki he ako.
  2. Naʻe ʻikai ke u ʻalu ki he ako. Correct answer.
  3. Naʻe ʻikai ʻalu au ki he ako.
  4. ʻOku ʻikai ke u ʻalu ki he ako.

Explanation

Tongan negation places 'ʻikai' after the tense particle, followed by 'ke' before the subject pronoun. For past reference, 'Naʻe ʻikai ke u ʻalu' is the standard pattern. The other options either use the wrong tense or misplace the negative particle.

Question 12TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

What is the function of the Tongan particle 'ʻi' in the phrase 'ʻi he fale'?

  1. It forms a question.
  2. It marks the object of a transitive verb.
  3. It indicates location, meaning 'in/at the house'. Correct answer.
  4. It marks the future tense of the verb.

Explanation

'ʻI' is a locative preposition meaning 'in, at, on', so 'ʻi he fale' means 'in/at the house'. It does not mark tense, object or interrogation.

Question 13TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan term describes the traditional practice of gifting food and goods at a significant family event such as a wedding?

  1. ʻumu
  2. tauhi vā
  3. faikava
  4. fatongia Correct answer.

Explanation

'Fatongia' refers to obligations and responsibilities, including the giving of goods and food at important events. 'Faikava' is a kava circle, 'ʻumu' is an earth oven, and 'tauhi vā' is about maintaining relationships.

Question 14TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

In a Tongan conversation, which phrase would you use to politely ask someone to repeat what they said?

  1. ʻAlu ki he fale.
  2. Mālō ʻaupito.
  3. ʻOku ou fie maʻu ha vai.
  4. Fakamolemole, toe lea mai. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Fakamolemole' means 'please/excuse me', and 'toe lea mai' means 'speak again', forming a polite request to repeat. The other options are thanks, a command to go to a house, and a request for water.

Question 15TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which option correctly identifies the Tongan word for 'yesterday' and its typical sentence position?

  1. ʻaneafi, placed at the end or beginning of the clause Correct answer.
  2. ʻapongipongi, placed at the end of the clause
  3. ʻanepō, placed at the end of the clause
  4. ʻaho ni, placed before the verb

Explanation

'ʻAneafi' means 'yesterday' and functions as a time adverbial that can appear at the end or beginning of a clause. 'ʻAnepō' means last night, 'ʻapongipongi' means tomorrow, and 'ʻaho ni' means today.

Question 16TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which sentence correctly uses the Tongan causative construction with 'faka-'?

  1. Naʻe fakaʻofoʻofa ʻa Mele ʻi he katoanga. Correct answer.
  2. Naʻe fakatau ʻa Mele ʻi he katoanga.
  3. Naʻe ʻofoʻofa ʻa Mele ʻi he katoanga.
  4. Naʻe ako ʻa Mele ʻi he katoanga.

Explanation

The causative 'faka-' combines with 'ʻofoʻofa' to give 'fakaʻofoʻofa', describing someone making themselves beautiful or well-presented at a celebration. The other options either omit the causative prefix or use unrelated verbs.

Question 17TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

What is the correct Tongan translation of the English sentence 'The children are playing in the sea'?

  1. ʻOku vaʻinga ʻa e fānau ʻi he tahi. Correct answer.
  2. ʻOku mohe ʻa e fānau ʻi he tahi.
  3. Naʻe vaʻinga ʻa e fānau ʻi he tahi.
  4. ʻOku vaʻinga ʻa e fānau ʻi he ʻapi.

Explanation

The present progressive 'ʻOku' matches 'are playing', 'fānau' is children, and 'tahi' is the sea. The other options change the tense, the location, or the verb.

Question 18TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan proverb or saying best expresses the idea that a family's unity is its strength?

  1. Ko e ʻaho ni ʻoku māfana.
  2. ʻAlu ʻo mohe.
  3. ʻOku ou fie maʻu ha meʻakai.
  4. Ko e kāinga, ko e mafu. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Ko e kāinga, ko e mafu' links the extended family (kāinga) with the heart or core, expressing the central value of family unity. The other options are ordinary statements about food, sleeping and weather.

Question 19TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which sentence correctly uses the Tongan passive construction to say 'The food was eaten by the children'?

  1. Naʻe kai ʻa e meʻakai ʻe he fānau. Correct answer.
  2. Naʻe kai ʻa e fānau ʻe he meʻakai.
  3. Naʻe kai ʻe he meʻakai ʻa e fānau.
  4. Naʻe fānau ʻa e meʻakai ʻe he kai.

Explanation

In the Tongan passive, the patient ('meʻakai', the food) precedes the agent, which is introduced by 'ʻe'. So 'Naʻe kai ʻa e meʻakai ʻe he fānau' correctly states that the food was eaten by the children.

Question 20TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the Tongan emphatic marker 'ʻaupito' after an adjective?

  1. ʻOku ʻaupito mālohi ʻa e matangi.
  2. ʻOku mālohi ʻaupito ʻa e matangi. Correct answer.
  3. ʻAupito ʻoku mālohi ʻa e matangi.
  4. ʻOku mālohi ʻa e matangi ʻaupito ʻi.

Explanation

'ʻAupito' follows the adjective it intensifies, so 'mālohi ʻaupito' means 'very strong'. Placing it before the adjective or before the tense particle breaks Tongan word order.

Question 21TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses the conjunction 'kae' to contrast two clauses?

  1. Naʻe lea ʻa Sione mo Mele nofo.
  2. Naʻe lea ʻa Sione kae nofo ʻa Mele. Correct answer.
  3. Naʻe lea ʻa Sione he nofo ʻa Mele.
  4. Naʻe lea ʻa Sione ʻi he nofo ʻa Mele.

Explanation

'Kae' is a contrastive conjunction meaning 'but/while', linking two clauses with different subjects. 'Naʻe lea ʻa Sione kae nofo ʻa Mele' means 'Sione spoke while Mele sat'. The other options misuse prepositions or particles in place of the conjunction.

Question 22TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

In Tongan, which form of the word for 'to go' is used with a dual subject, as in 'you two go'?

  1. Meʻa
  2. Haʻu
  3. Ō Correct answer.
  4. ʻAlu

Explanation

Tongan has suppletive verb forms that vary with number. 'Ō' is the dual/plural form of 'go', while 'ʻalu' is the singular form. 'Haʻu' means 'come', and 'meʻa' means 'thing'.

Question 23TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which sentence correctly uses the Tongan possessive classifier for food with a first person singular possessor?

  1. ʻOku ʻi ai ʻaku meʻakai. Correct answer.
  2. ʻOku ʻi ai ʻene meʻakai.
  3. ʻOku ʻi ai ʻoku meʻakai.
  4. ʻOku ʻi ai ʻeku meʻakai.

Explanation

Food belongs to the O-class of possession in Tongan, so 'my food' uses the O-class possessive 'ʻaku', not the A-class 'ʻeku'. 'ʻEne' is third person, and 'ʻoku' is a tense particle, not a possessive.

Question 24TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which sequence correctly orders the Tongan tense particle, negative particle and subject pronoun in a past negative statement?

  1. Ke - naʻe - ʻikai - au
  2. Au - naʻe - ʻikai - ke
  3. ʻIkai - naʻe - au
  4. Naʻe - ʻikai - ke - au Correct answer.

Explanation

The standard past negative order is tense particle ('naʻe'), negative particle ('ʻikai'), the complementiser 'ke', then the subject pronoun. This yields 'Naʻe ʻikai ke au...'. The other sequences violate this ordering.

Question 25TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which statement best explains the difference between the Tongan words 'kāinga' and 'fāmili' in contemporary usage?

  1. 'Kāinga' refers only to parents, while 'fāmili' refers to cousins.
  2. 'Kāinga' typically denotes the wider kin group and its obligations, while 'fāmili' is a borrowed term often used for the narrower household unit. Correct answer.
  3. 'Fāmili' is the older traditional term, while 'kāinga' is a recent borrowing.
  4. Both terms are synonyms with no difference in register or scope.

Explanation

'Kāinga' is the traditional term for the extended kin network with its reciprocal obligations, whereas 'fāmili' is a loanword from English often used for the immediate household. The two overlap but differ in scope and register.

Question 26TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

In Tongan, which verbal particle marks that an action is currently in progress, as in 'the child is sleeping'?

  1. naʻe
  2. te
  3. kuo
  4. ʻoku Correct answer.

Explanation

ʻOku is the present-tense particle and, with a verb following it, presents an action as happening now. Naʻe places the action in the past, kuo marks a completed or perfect state, and te signals future reference.

Question 27TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan word correctly refers to the class of possessive markers used with things like food and drink, as opposed to the A-class?

  1. ʻo Correct answer.
  2. ʻa
  3. ʻe
  4. ʻi

Explanation

Tongan divides possession into A-class and O-class. The O-class marker ʻo is used with items such as food and drink, while ʻa belongs to the A-class. The other options are not possessive classifiers of this kind.

Question 28TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan numeral correctly completes 'I have three children' when counting people?

  1. taha
  2. tolu Correct answer.
  3. tolungofulu
  4. fā

Explanation

Tongan uses a set of numerals for counting people, and tolu is the form for 'three' in that series. The other options give a different number or a different counting category, so they cannot express 'three children'.

Question 29TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan question word is used to ask 'where?' about a location?

  1. fēfē
  2. hē Correct answer.
  3. ha
  4. fē

Explanation

Hē is the interrogative used to ask about place, as in asking where something is. Fē appears in time expressions, fēfē asks 'how', and ha is an indefinite article rather than a question word for place.

Question 30TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan pronoun set correctly refers to 'we two, excluding the person addressed'?

  1. kiteu
  2. kimaua Correct answer.
  3. kitaua
  4. kinautolu

Explanation

Tongan pronouns distinguish inclusive from exclusive. Kimaua is the dual exclusive form, meaning the speaker and one other person but not the addressee. Kitaua is the inclusive dual, and the others refer to different numbers or persons.

Question 31TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan word names the formal speech style or register used when speaking to chiefs and royalty?

  1. lea fakatokolahi
  2. lea fakahouʻeiki
  3. lea fakapulotu
  4. lea fakaʻeiki Correct answer.

Explanation

Tongan has distinct registers, and lea fakaʻeiki is the chiefly or honorific speech used toward people of high rank. The other options either name ordinary or foreigner-directed registers or are not established register labels.

Question 32TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan expression is the standard polite way to say thank you?

  1. Fakamolemole
  2. ʻIo
  3. Mālō Correct answer.
  4. ʻAlu ā

Explanation

Mālō is the general Tongan expression of thanks and appreciation. ʻIo means yes, fakamolemole is used for excuse me or please, and ʻalu ā is a farewell to someone leaving.

Question 33TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan word correctly refers to the traditional chiefly title held by a male leader of a village or district?

  1. matāpule
  2. kāinga
  3. ʻeiki Correct answer.
  4. tuʻi

Explanation

ʻEiki denotes a chief or person of high rank, and it is used in chiefly address and reference. Matāpule is a ceremonial attendant or talking chief, tuʻi is a king or paramount ruler, and kāinga refers to kin group.

Question 34TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which sentence correctly places the Tongan prepositional phrase to say 'The man is working in the garden'?

  1. ʻOku ngāue ʻi he tangata ʻa e ngoue.
  2. ʻOku ʻi he ngoue ngāue ʻa e tangata.
  3. ʻOku he ngoue ʻi ngāue ʻa e tangata.
  4. ʻOku ngāue ʻa e tangata ʻi he ngoue. Correct answer.

Explanation

Tongan clauses normally place the verb first, then the subject marked by ʻa, then the locative phrase introduced by ʻi he. Only the first option follows that order with the correct particles.

Question 35TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses the particle ʻa to mark the subject of a transitive verb?

  1. Naʻe kai ʻa e meʻakai ʻe he tama. Correct answer.
  2. Naʻe kai ʻe he tama ʻa e meʻakai.
  3. Naʻe kai ʻa e tama ʻi he meʻakai.
  4. Naʻe ʻa e tama ʻa e meʻakai.

Explanation

In a transitive clause with an ergative pattern, ʻe marks the agent and ʻa marks the object or the subject of an intransitive verb. The correct option uses ʻe he tama for the agent and ʻa e meʻakai for what was eaten.

Question 36TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan phrase correctly uses a single O-class possessive before a noun to say 'my house'?

  1. hoku faleʻi
  2. hoku fale ʻaʻaku
  3. hoku fale Correct answer.
  4. ʻeku fale

Explanation

Tongan expresses 'my house' with the O-class possessive hoku before the noun fale. Here hoku is a separate word, not a suffix attached to fale. This gives the requested simple possessive phrase hoku fale.

Question 37TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses the future tense to say 'We will meet tomorrow'?

  1. Naʻe fakataha kimautolu ʻapongipongi.
  2. Kuo fakataha kimautolu ʻapongipongi.
  3. ʻOku fakataha kimautolu ʻapongipongi.
  4. Te fakataha kimautolu ʻapongipongi. Correct answer.

Explanation

The future particle te is placed before the verb to indicate an action that will happen. Naʻe marks past, ʻoku marks present, and kuo marks a completed state, none of which suits a future meeting.

Question 38TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses the causative prefix faka- with a verb?

  1. Naʻe faka e tama ʻilo ʻa e meʻa.
  2. Naʻe ʻilo ʻe he tama ʻa e meʻa.
  3. Naʻe fakaʻilo ʻe he tama ʻa e meʻa. Correct answer.
  4. Naʻe ʻilo faka ʻa e tama ʻi he meʻa.

Explanation

The causative prefix faka- attaches directly to a root to make a causative verb, so fakaʻilo means to cause to know or to inform. The other options either omit the prefix or split it from its root, which is not grammatical.

Question 39TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses the negative construction for a present state, 'The child is not here'?

  1. ʻIkai ʻoku ʻi heni ʻa e tama.
  2. ʻOku ʻi heni ʻa e tama ʻikai.
  3. ʻOku ʻikai ke ʻi heni ʻa e tama. Correct answer.
  4. ʻOku ʻikai ʻa e tama ʻi heni ke.

Explanation

Tongan negation typically places ʻikai after the tense particle and before the predicate, with ke often following in this pattern. The first option follows that order, while the others misplace the negative or the particle ke.

Question 40TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses the conjunction he to give a reason, meaning 'because'?

  1. Naʻe nofo ʻa Mele he ʻi he fale naʻe ʻuha.
  2. Naʻe nofo ʻa Mele ʻi he fale he naʻe ʻuha. Correct answer.
  3. He naʻe ʻuha naʻe nofo ʻa Mele ʻi he fale.
  4. Naʻe he nofo ʻa Mele ʻi he fale ʻuha.

Explanation

He introduces a reason clause meaning 'because' and follows the main clause. The correct option places he before the clause naʻe ʻuha, while the others misplace he or break up the main clause.

Question 41TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses a directional particle to say 'Come here'?

  1. ʻAlu mei heni.
  2. Haʻu mei heni.
  3. Haʻu ki heni. Correct answer.
  4. ʻAlu ki heni.

Explanation

Haʻu means 'come' and ki heni means 'to here', so the combination expresses movement toward the speaker. ʻAlu means 'go' and mei expresses movement away, so those options do not match the instruction.

Question 42TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan phrase correctly uses a respectful register when referring to a chief eating?

  1. ʻOku ʻai ʻa e ʻeiki. Correct answer.
  2. ʻOku inu ʻa e ʻeiki.
  3. ʻOku mohe ʻa e ʻeiki.
  4. ʻOku kai ʻa e ʻeiki.

Explanation

In chiefly register, everyday verbs are replaced by honorific equivalents, and ʻai is the respectful word used for a high-ranking person eating. Kai is the ordinary verb, while inu and mohe refer to drinking and sleeping.

Question 43TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses the anaphoric pronoun ai to refer back to a previously mentioned place?

  1. Naʻe ʻalu ʻa Sione ki he kolo ʻo ne nofo ai. Correct answer.
  2. Naʻe ʻalu ʻa Sione ai ki he kolo ʻo ne nofo.
  3. Naʻe ʻalu ʻa Sione ki ai he kolo ʻo ne nofo.
  4. Naʻe ai ʻalu ʻa Sione ki he kolo ʻo ne nofo.

Explanation

The pronoun ai stands in for a previously mentioned location and normally follows the verb phrase it relates to. The correct option places ai after nofo, referring back to the town, while the others attach it to the wrong element.

Question 44TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses the particle ʻi with a time expression meaning 'in the morning'?

  1. ʻOku ou ʻi he pongipongi ngāue.
  2. ʻOku ʻi he ngāue ou pongipongi.
  3. ʻI he pongipongi ʻoku ou ngāue.
  4. ʻOku ou ngāue ʻi he pongipongi. Correct answer.

Explanation

Time expressions with ʻi he typically follow the predicate in a Tongan clause. The second option keeps the verb and subject together and places the time phrase after them, while the others disrupt the clause order.

Question 45TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which Tongan sentence correctly uses a relative clause introduced by ʻa to describe a person?

  1. Ko e tamasiʻi ʻa naʻe ia lea mai.
  2. Ko e ʻa ia tamasiʻi naʻe lea mai.
  3. Ko e tamasiʻi ʻa ia naʻe lea mai. Correct answer.
  4. Ko e tamasiʻi naʻe lea mai ʻa ia.

Explanation

Relative clauses in Tongan are introduced by ʻa ia, which follows the noun it modifies and precedes the relative predicate. The correct option places ʻa ia directly after tamasiʻi, while the others break up the marker or move it.

Question 46TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which statement best explains why the Tongan sentence 'Naʻe tamateʻi ʻe Tevita ʻa e fanga puaka' uses ʻe before Tevita?

  1. Because ʻe is a tense particle indicating past time.
  2. Because ʻe is a possessive marker for the A-class.
  3. Because ʻe marks the object of a transitive verb.
  4. Because ʻe marks the agent of a transitive verb in an ergative pattern. Correct answer.

Explanation

Tongan transitive clauses follow an ergative pattern: the agent of a transitive verb is marked by ʻe, while the object is marked by ʻa. Tevita is the one doing the killing, so ʻe correctly marks him as agent.

Question 47TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

A speaker wants to report someone else's words in Tongan and uses the quotative particle pe. Which analysis of its function is correct?

  1. Pe marks the subject of a transitive clause.
  2. Pe indicates future time.
  3. Pe introduces direct speech and can follow the verb of speaking. Correct answer.
  4. Pe negates the following clause.

Explanation

The particle pe functions as a quotative marker introducing reported or direct speech, often after a verb such as saying. It does not carry tense, negation, or subject-marking functions, which belong to other particles.

Question 48TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which analysis best explains the difference between the Tongan words loto and ʻatamai in describing a person?

  1. Both words mean physical strength.
  2. Loto refers to the inner self or will and ʻatamai to intelligence. Correct answer.
  3. Loto refers to the mind and ʻatamai to the heart.
  4. Both words mean wealth.

Explanation

Loto relates to the inner self, will, or disposition, and it appears in expressions about attitude and willingness. ʻAtamai refers to intelligence or understanding, so the two words describe different aspects of a person.

Question 49TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which analysis correctly explains the role of the particle ko in a Tongan equative sentence such as 'Ko Sione ʻa e tangata'?

  1. Ko marks past tense.
  2. Ko marks a location.
  3. Ko marks the object of a transitive verb.
  4. Ko marks the predicate noun and identifies it with the subject. Correct answer.

Explanation

The particle ko introduces a nominal predicate in equative clauses, linking the identified entity to the subject. It does not mark objects, tense, or location, which are handled by other particles.

Question 50TBC - official domain list not confirmed by source

Which analysis best explains how reduplication changes meaning in Tongan words such as lea and lealea?

  1. Reduplication marks negation.
  2. Reduplication can intensify or shift meaning, as from lea 'speak' to lealea 'talkative, fond of speaking'. Correct answer.
  3. Reduplication always marks plurality of nouns.
  4. Reduplication marks past tense.

Explanation

Tongan uses reduplication productively to modify meaning, often intensifying or creating a descriptive form. Lea means 'speak' or 'speech', while lealea describes someone given to talking, showing this kind of semantic shift rather than a tense or number change.