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HSC English Test Papers 2015

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1 n English First Paper : Questions n

Contents
First Paper
1. Dania University College, Dhaka........................................................................................................ 2
2. New Model Degree College, Dhaka................................................................................................... 4
3. SOS Hermann Gmeiner College, Dhaka............................................................................................. 6
4. Rajbari Government College, Rajbari................................................................................................. 8
5. Upashahar Mohila College, Jessore.................................................................................................... 11
6. Cantonment Public School and College, Jahanabad Cantonment, Khulna......................................... 13
7. Barisal Model School & College, Barisal........................................................................................... 15
Board Questions First Paper
8. Dhaka Board — 2003.......................................................................................................................... 18
9. Dhaka Board — 2004.......................................................................................................................... 20
10. Dhaka Board — 2005......................................................................................................................... 22
11. Rajshahi Board — 2003...................................................................................................................... 24
12. Rajshahi Board — 2004...................................................................................................................... 27
13. Rajshahi Board — 2005...................................................................................................................... 29
14. Jessore Board — 2003........................................................................................................................ 31
15. Jessore Board — 2004........................................................................................................................ 34
16. Jessore Board — 2005........................................................................................................................ 36
17. Comilla Board — 2003....................................................................................................................... 38
18. Comilla Board — 2004....................................................................................................................... 40
19. Comilla Board — 2005....................................................................................................................... 43
20. Chittagong Board — 2003.................................................................................................................. 45
21. Chittagong Board —2004................................................................................................................... 48
22. Chittagong Board — 2005.................................................................................................................. 50
23. Sylhet Board — 2003.......................................................................................................................... 53
24. Sylhet Board — 2004.......................................................................................................................... 55
25. Sylhet Board — 2005.......................................................................................................................... 57
26. Barisal Board — 2003......................................................................................................................... 60
27. Barisal Board — 2004......................................................................................................................... 62
28. Barisal Board — 2005......................................................................................................................... 64
Second Paper
29. Dania University College, Dhaka....................................................................................................... 67
30. New Model Degree College, Dhaka................................................................................................... 68
31. Gazipur Govt. Mohila College,Gazipur............................................................................................. 69
32. Pabna Islamia Degree College, Pabna................................................................................................ 71
33. Govt. Akbar Ali College, Ullapara, Sirajganj..................................................................................... 72
34. Holy Land College, Dinajpur.............................................................................................................. 73
35. Jessore Govt. City College, Jessore.................................................................................................... 74
36. Upashahar Mohila Degree College, Jessore....................................................................................... 75
37. Cantonment Public School and College, Jahanabad Cantonment, Khulna........................................ 77
38. Govt. Sundarban Adarsha College, Khulna........................................................................................ 78
39. Chandpur Govt. Women’s College, Chandpur................................................................................... 79
40. Puran Bazar University College, Chandpur........................................................................................ 80
41. Mohila University College, Chattagram............................................................................................ 82
42. Bianibazar Govt. College, Sylhet........................................................................................................ 83
2 n HSC English Test Papers n

Dania University College, Dhaka


1
Test Examination—2014; English : Paper I
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1–4 : [Unit—6; Lesson—3(B)]
In recent years, there have been many alarming reports that the world's climate is undergoing a significant change. All
these reports provide strong evidence that world temperatures are increasing day by day. This increase in global
warming is caused by increased amounts of carbon dioxide around the earth. Most climatologists believe that the
greenhouse effect is the likely cause of this global warming.
What is the greenhouse effect? It is the gradual warming of the air surrounding the earth as a result of heat being
trapped by environmental pollution. This is exemplified by the destruction and burning down of tropical rainforests, by
traffic that clogs up city streets, by the rapid growth of industry, the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in packaging
and manufacturing commercial products, the use of detergents such as washing powder and washing-up liquid and so
on. The oceans are also said to be affected both because of human waste and because of pollution caused by industrial
waste products, oil seeping from damaged supertankers and from other maritime disasters. However, the main culprits
for global warming are carbon dioxide gas, produced by the burning of fossil fuels and forests, and pollutants such as
methane and chlorofluorocarbons.
Climatologists predict that midway through the next century, temperatures may have risen by as much as 4 °C. This
could catastrophically reduce mankind's ability to grow food, destroy or severely damage wildlife and wilderness, raise
sea levels and thereby flood coastal areas and farmland. The alarming news about Bangladesh is that as a result of the
rise of the sea level, the lower southern part of the country may one day go under water.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 1×5=5
(a) Greenhouse effect is the authentic/certain/probable cause of global warming.
(b) Detergents work as pollutants/pollutions/pollute of the environment.
(c) The main culprits for global warming are two/three/four in number.
(d) The most likely cause of greenhouse effect is the raise/rise/soar of the sea level.
(e) Further rise of temperature in the next century may cause man’s inadequacy/inability/ability to grow food.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 1×5=5
(a) Greenhouse effect is hardly responsible for global warming.
(b) Any kind of washing powder is a detergent.
(c) One of the consequences of the rise in temperature is desertification.
(d) Fossil fuels and forests are some of the main culprits for global warming.
(e) Traffic congestion is making the earth’s atmosphere hotter.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary. 1×5=5
(a) (Disturb) —— balance of the environment causes natural disasters.
(b) Ecological imbalance causes (climate) —— changes in the world.
(c) Oceans are said to (affect) —— both human and non human factors.
(d) By the middle of the next century world temperatures may (rise) —— by as much as 4°C.
(e) Life on earth is seriously (threat) —— global warming.
4. Make a list of five effects of global warming. 1×5=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5–8 : [Unit—10; Lesson—4(C)]
There have been significant changes in the types of entertainment over time. Many of these no longer exist. Even if
they do, people keep looking for newer forms of entertainment. Thus snake charming, puppet shows, jatra, jarigan,
sharigan and kabigan which were common forms of entertainment in the past, have almost lost their appeal. Radio,
which used to be a good source of entertainment in the past, is now giving place to television, and to satellite channels
in particular. The entertainment business, like other spheres of life, is getting westernised day by day. Folk music or
palligeeti is now sung with western instruments. At the same time, modern music is now fusing melodies from folk and
traditional songs. In general, band and pop music is becoming more and more popular, particularly among the young
generation.
Sport has become a great source of entertainment today. Football, which used to be the most popular spectator sport in
Bangladesh, is gradually being replaced by cricket as a popular form of sports entertainment.
5. Write short answer to the following questions. 1×5=5
(a) Do you notice any change in the field of entertainment in Bangladesh?
(b) Why have the old forms of entertainment lost their appeal?
(c) What is the position of radio now?
(d) What changes do you find in music?
(e) What is the position of football nowadays?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 1×5=5
3 n English First Paper : Questions n
Change is the (a) —— of nature. Everything changes with the (b) —— of time. Today what is new gets old
tomorrow. Similarly change is noticed in (c) ——. Today people’s tastes are not (d) —— in older type of
entertainment. Once people used to enjoy football match. But nowadays people (e) —— cricket to football.
7. Summarize the passage in five sentences. 5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing the
change in entertainment through the ages. (No. 1 has been done for you). 1×5=5
1. Noticeable changes in the forms of  2  3  4  5  6
entertainment
Part B : Vocabulary Test (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the box. (Make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 1×10=10
development include proper go able give
responsible closure bring fail boost training
If all the children in Bangladesh (a) —— to school, the country would get rid of the curse of illiteracy. To (b)
—— up education, the government should spend more money. Subsidies must be (c) —— in the education
sector. Teachers are needed to be (d) —— for good teaching. The poor students can (e) —— under ‘Food for
Education’ program. We should take care that no institution is (f) —— down due to political clashes. More co-
curricular activities are to be included to (g) —— students to (h) —— their non-academic skills. It is our social
(i) —— to educate our children and the (j) —— of which will lead to catastrophe.
10. Fill in each gap with an appropriate word. 1×10=10
Sports are a popular form of (a) ——. Many international sporting events are (b) ——from time to time. Most of
these events are (c) —— by multinational manufacturing companies and business firms. They pay for the sports
events (d) ——exchange for the right to (e) —— their products during those events. These events are telecast
worldwide (f) —— satellite and people all over the world watch them (g) ——. As a result, the (h) —— products
receive maximum media coverage (i) ——giving companies international (j) ——.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 2×6=12
A B C D
(a) He was a free will agent teach, for they are gracious things that predicated experience
and done we find done
(b) He did for me the loose in the he came himself by a responsibility without
short-cut subterfuge
(c) Things no training can he chose to do rough walk to as candy and apples he was
careful work wordless
(d) A stone was I tried to return and if he failed he the cabin
his took the
(e) He dug a deeper hole unnecessary thoughtfulness with only by the great of heart
thing, the such things
(f) I found that when and steadied it, on the instant, with no over the bank
although
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the correct order to make a
continuous paragraph. 1×14=14
(i) The agitated students of Rajshahi University started to jump over the locked gate and to scale the wall.
(ii) The situation went beyond control.
(iii) So, they requested the guards on duty to open the gate.
(iv) But they did not pay any heed to him.
(v) He requested the armed forces not to open fire on the students.
(vi) They set it on fire.
(vii) Seeing the armed forces taking position, Dr. Zoha came forward.
(viii) Finally, Dr. Zoha was shot in the back at 11 in the morning.
(ix) Later, he was bayonet charged too.
(x) Meanwhile, the students doused a parked army jeep with kerosene.
(xi) The teachers saw this.
(xii) The armed forces saw the situation.
(xiii) They started to take up position against the students.
(xiv) Then, he declared that their bullets would pierce his heart first.
4 n HSC English Test Papers n
13. Write a paragraph of about 150 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) Why is Bangladesh called a land of natural calamities?
(b) What is the most common natural calamity here?
(c) When does it occur?
(d) What is the impact?
(e) How do the people suffer?

New Model Degree College, Dhaka


2
Test Examination—2014; English : Paper I
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—14; Lesson—3(B)]
One very conspicuous change in our society is the presence of working women outside the home. Of course, it has to
be acknowledged that women have always worked within the household but this commonly is not counted as 'work'. It
is unfortunate that women's roles in agricultural societies (as in our villages, particularly during harvest time) have not
been recognised either.
Whether it is due to economic necessity or the urge to establish an individual identity or both, nowadays many women
are entering the outside workforce. They are joining a wide range of professions. Moreover, it is not only educated
women who are opting to work but women with little or no education have come out of their cocoons to earn and
become self-reliant.
This does not mean that life is any easier for women now. In many ways it is more difficult, since women must still
fulfil their traditional roles of wife, mother and homemaker. At work, as they compete with men, they have to prove
their worth twice over in order to survive.
1. Choose the right word/expression to complete each sentence. 1×5=5
(a) The position of women in Bangladesh is upgrading/declining/deteriorating.
(b) Women are now working in a visible/variety of/various professions.
(c) The presence of working women outside the home is on the alert/increase /decrease.
(d) Women have to compete with men to prove their superiority/humility/ability.
(e) Women, in general, were supposed to do outdoor/household/official activities.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 1×5=5
(a) Only women having education are opting to work outside the home.
(b) Women are no longer cocooned from the outside world.
(c) Women are practically capable of doing any sort of work.
(d) Women should continue their traditional roles in the family.
(e) Women have to assert themselves for equal rights.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary. 1×5=5
(a) The traditional (believe) —— common people regarding women's working ability is obviously wrong.
(b) Women are entering the workforce for the (attain) —— their economic solvency.
(c) Most of the women in our society have no self (confident) —— themselves.
(d) Women have to excel themselves by (compete) —— men.
(e) Women's (depend) —— men sounds foolish in the present context of the world.
4. Make a list of five activities generally done by women in the household. 1×5=5

Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—15; Lesson—2(B)]
Education is one of the basic needs of a human being and is essential for any kind of development. The poor socio-
economic condition of Bangladesh can be largely attributed to most people's inaccessibility to education. Many
illiterate people do not have any knowledge of health, sanitation and population control. If they were educated, they
could live a healthy and planned life. Education teaches us how to earn well and how to spend well. It enables us to
make the right choices in life and to perform our duties properly. It enhances our ability to raise crops, store food,
protect the environment and carry out our social responsibilities. It is only education which can help us to adopt a
rational attitude. It provides us with an enlightened awareness about things and this awareness is the prerequisite for
social development.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 1×5=5
(a) What is the cause of mass illiteracy in Bangladesh?
5 n English First Paper : Questions n
(b) What are not the illiterate people aware of ?
(c) What does education aim at?
(d) How is poverty an effect of illiteracy?
(e) How can education ensure a better life for all?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 1×5=5
Education is (a) —— as one of the basic needs of a human being. Without (b) —— education man cannot
exactly decide what he has to do for a better life (c) —— from the curse of poverty, malnutrition and diseases. In
fact, education (d) —— darkness and creates (e) —— in him with regard to his personal needs and duties to the
society as well.
7. Summarise the passage in five sentences. 1×5=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing
the function of education. (No. 1 has been done for you.) 1×5=5
1. Education develops human mind  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary Test (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical change if necessary). There
are more words in the box than you need. 1×10=10
source manpower explore provide concern employment independence
recreation necessary different across dense solution unemployment
Bangladesh is a (a) —— populated country, but a large number of her people are (b) ——. It is not possible for
her to ensure (c) —— to the teeming millions. Self-employment is a possible (d) —— to this problem. It means
that people themselves should (e) —— avenues for self-employment. Facilities for training in (f) —— trades and
vocations are available (g) —— the country. The youths, in particular, can train themselves in any of these trades
and turn into a useful (h) ——. The Govt. also (i) —— easy loans and counselling with a view to helping them
start an (j) —— earning activity.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 1×10=10
Modern life (a) —— much on transport. We can very well (b) —— how important transport is when it is (c)
—— by natural calamities or during socio-political crises. In fact, transport has made it (d) —— for us to reach
places previously (e) ——. It has (f) —— helped the flourish of trade and commerce and to (g) —— new
knowledge and ideas. (h) ——, transport has (i) —— friendship and understanding among nations and peoples
(j) —— the globe.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 2×6=12
A B C D
(i) The role of is not possible for any nation western countries but also dignity and honour
women in nation- in reach
building
(ii) It was a time when women any more in the present has been changed
were
(iii) There cannot be denied its goal without allowing the family affairs.
women folk
(iv) They of civilization the out- look looked upon without any situation of the world
and
(v) But with the is true not only for the to serve the to play their active
progress role
(vi) This where the only instrument attitude of the world towards for the Islamic
women countries as well.
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in proper order and in a continuous
paragraph to make a story. 1×14=14
(i) The king was fond of knowing his future from the astrologer.
(ii) The king called him to the palace.
(iii) At this the king got furious and condemned him to death.
(iv) A good astrologer visited the capital of the king.
(v) Once there was a king.
6 n HSC English Test Papers n
(vi) With ready wit he said, "The stars declare that I'll die only a week before your death!"
(vii) But another thought crossed his mind before the astrologer was removed for execution.
(viii) The king then asked, "How long would you live?"
(ix) The astrologer told something very unpleasant.
(x) He then thought for a while for some way of escape.
(xi) He thought that the king would prove him a liar putting him to death.
(xii) At this the king turned pale.
(xiii) "Drive this wretch away and let him not come again," shouted the king.
(xiv) "I shall wait to receive your majesty where you have been sending me."
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) Where is Bangladesh situated? (b) When did she get her freedom? (c) How is the climate in Bangladesh? (d)
Which are the main rivers of the country? (e) What are the main attractions of the country? (f) How do you feel
about your country?

SOS Hermann Gmeiner College, Dhaka


3
Test Examination—2014; English
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1 and 2 : [Unit—21; Lesson—5(B)]
Although globalization is ''mainly connected with business, trade and international relations, it is no longer viewed
from that perspective alone. The tide of globalization is now encroaching into other spheres too. Satellite television
channels and the internet are bringing all sorts of different customs and behaviour into our homes. Under the influence
of globalization, global cultures are steadily getting integrated with local cultures. Different cultures are constantly
interacting. As an independent nation, we have our own traditional social values, beliefs and attitudes. But in the
globalizing process, many foreign customs and beliefs are intruding on them. This is having a profound impact on our
young generation in particular. The intrusion of foreign culture is seen by many as a threat to our national cultural
identity.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 1×5=5
(a) There is basic/primary/permanent connection between globalisation and commerce.
(b) As an independent nation, we have our own identity/prestige/patronisation.
(c) Global cultures are going to be fused/disintegrated/analysed with local cultures.
(d) This type of mixing up is a blessing/burden/threat to our own culture.
(e) Our local culture is enriched/vitiated/stained by the broadcast of satellite television channels.
2. Fill in the gaps with the correct forms of the words in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary. 1×5=5
(a) No one is now (isolate) —— the global society.
(b) There is a tremendous effect of cultural (intrude) —— our young generations.
(c) The (advance) —— tide of globalisational is striking into several spheres.
(d) As an independent nation the (maintain) —— our own identity is very urgent.
(e) The dimension of globalisation (wide) —— nowadays.
Read the passage below and answer the questions 3 and 4.
[Unit-18; Lesson-2(C) & 3 (B)]
Though a small country, Bangladesh has three World Heritage Sites: the historic Shatgombuj Mosque of Bagerhat, the
ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur and the Sundarbans.
The Shatgombuj Mosque is a 15 th century Islamic edifice situated in the suburbs of Bagerhat, on the edge of the
Sundarbans, some 175 km southwest of Dhaka. It is an enormous Moghul architectural site covering a very large area.
The mosque is unique in that it has sixty pillars, which support seventy-seven exquisitely curved domes that have worn
away with the passage of time. The mausoleum of the city’s founder, Khan Jahan Ali can be found nearby. With the
declaration of the mosque as a World Heritage Site, it is hoped that this beautiful architectural monument will be
preserved from further decay.
The Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur, 200 kilometres northwest at Dhaka, was founded in the 7 th century. It is the largest
single Buddhist monastery in the Indian subcontinent and is also known as the Somapura Mahavira, the Great
Monastery. It was a renowned intellectual centre from the 7th century until the 17 th century. Its layout is perfectly
adapted to its religious function. This monastery-city represents a unique artistic achievement which has influenced
7 n English First Paper : Questions n
Buddhist architecture as far away as Combodia. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985 at the 9th session of the
21-member international committee.
3. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 1×5=5
In spite of (a) —— a small country, Bangladesh possesses three significant places which are (b) —— as World
Heritage Sites. These are the historic Shatgombuj Mosque, the ruins of the Buddhist Vihara and the Sundarbans.
All of them have historical (c) ——. The prominent Shatgombuj Mosque is situated at Bagerhat and has (d) ——
a very large area. The mosque has sublimity because of (e) —— sixty pillars.
4. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart giving
information about the Shatgombuj Mosque. (No. 1 has been done for you.)
1×5=5
1. One of the three World Heritage Sites  2  3  4  5  6
5. Fill in the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use negatives where
necessary. 1×5=5
obliterate prepare lie face engage serve enjoy
The main pursuit of students is study and the acquisition of qualities that will make them (a) —— for the life (b)
—— ahead. But when the country is (c) —— with a natural calamity like flood, famine or epidemic, they should
come forward and stand by the suffering humanity. Even in normal times they should (d) —— in many acts of
social service with an object to (e) —— their fellowmen.
6. Fill in the blanks with appropriate preposition. 1×5=5
Games and sports are (a) —— great value to man. They are a must (b) —— maintaining a sound mind. We all
know that a sound mind lives only (c) —— a sound body. A healthy body is very much necessary (d) —— life.
So, one should be careful (e) —— one’s body and mind.
7. Fill in the blanks with tag questions. 1×5=5
(a) Everybody is liable to error, ——?
(b) Very few students are devoted to study, ——?
(c) Please, don’t waste your time, ——?
(d) Let us go out for a walk, ——?
(e) Fire burns, ——?
8. Read the following passage and transform the underline sentences as directed in brackets. 1×5=5
Anger is nothing but a vice. (a) It begets only the worst (Negative). (b) Anger is one of the most inhuman vices
(Positive). (c) So we should control it for our own sake (Passive). (d) He who is taken by anger causes a lot of
troubles (Simple). (e) Realizing it, we should try to be emotionally balanced (Complex).
9. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 1×10=10
The habit of the British for (a) —— their emotions private is (b) ——. Some obvious things are noticed in the
(c) —— of the British. For example, on public transport one passenger does not usually (d) —— to another
passenger. On first meeting, people do not (e) —— and often simply shake hands. In theaters, concert halls and
cinemas audiences (f) —— quiet during the performance. None of these (g) —— of their conduct should be (h)
—— as unfriendliness. If a visitor (i) —— the first move to start a conversation, he will find a British citizen
rather (j) ——.
10. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 2×6=12
A B C D
(i) He was a free will agent and teach, for they are done gracious thing that we predicated
find done experience
(ii) He did for me the loose in the he came himself by a responsibility
short cut without subterfuge
(iii) Things no training can he chose to do careful rough walk to as candy and apples
work he was wordless
(iv) A stone was I tried to return his and if he failed, he took the cabin
the
(v) He dug a deeper hole unnecessary thing, the thoughtfulness with only by the great of
such things heart
(vi) I found that when and steadied it, although on the instant, with no over the bank
11. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 1×14=14
(i) He was put up in a lodging house under the care of a professional coach, Mr. Scott.
8 n HSC English Test Papers n
(ii) It continued in full swing.
(iii) In 1880, Rabindranath was called back to India.
(iv) He was awarded the Noble Prize in 1913 for his Gitanjali.
(v) He returned home without any qualifications of distinction.
(vi) He wrote Gitanjali, a collection of Bengali songs of superior quality.
(vii) Rabindranath Tagore was born in 1861 in a respectable family at Jorasanko in Kolkata.
(viii) At the age of seventeen, in 1878 he reached London to attend school.
(ix) He was the fourteenth child of Devendranath and Sarada Devi Tagore.
(x) He went to school early and wrote his first verse at the age of eight.
(xi) The experience had a lasting effect on his later life.
(xii) There he came in direct touch with English literature and the then-politics of UK.
(xiii) However he never gave up his habit of writing poetry.
(xiv) He gathered much experience from his stay in London.
12. Suppose, you have seen a job advertisement in a renowned daily newspaper for the post of a Lecturer in
Accounting. Now you are eager to apply for the post. Write an application to the Principal with a detailed
CV. 10
13. Write a short composition on ‘Students and Social Service’ or ‘The Value of
Time.’ 14

Rajbari Government College, Rajbari


4 Year Final Examination—2014 English : Paper I
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—9; Lesson—1(B)]
Education is the process by which our mind develops through formal learning at an institution like a school, college or
university. It is mental and intellectual training which provides opportunities of growth and helps to meet challenges
and overcome obstacles to progress. Again, the purpose of education is to enlighten the individual and develop his/her
capacity to the limit. It is also the business of education to train individuals to make the right choices to go ahead. It
ennobles our mind and refines our sensibility. It also broadens our outlook and helps us become aware of our rights and
responsibilities.
According to Newman, education "gives a man a clear conscious view of his own opinions and judgements, a truth in
developing them, an eloquence in expressing them and a force in using them." Therefore, it is often compared to light
which removes the darkness of ignorance and helps us distinguish between right and wrong. Ex-President Julius
Nyerere of Tanzania way back in 1974 said at an international conference that the primary purpose of education was
the liberation of man from the restrictions of habits and attitudes which limit his humanity. He further said education
should promote humanity and universal brotherhood and that it could be used as a catalyst for a change for the better.
How right he was!
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 1×5=5
(a) The purpose of education is to bar/use/illuminate the individual.
(b) Education lengthens/shortens/widens our outlook.
(c) What Julius Nyerere said about education is comical/farcical/appropriate.
(d) Education makes people conscious/aware/unaware of their rights and duties.
(e) Education provides man with unconsciousness/consciousness/sub-consciousness.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 1×5=5
(a) Education aims at our psychological development.
(b) Education ruins our sensibility.
(c) Without education, man cannot develop a good relationship.
(d) We receive formal education outside the educational institutions.
(e) Restrictions of habits help us liberate humanity.
3. Fill in the gaps with correct form of the words given in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary. 1×5=5
(a) Education aims at (enlighten) —— an individual.
(b) Education helps the (develop) —— our mind.
(c) Education is essential for the (remove) —— darkness of ignorance.
(d) Habit (restrict) —— man from becoming enlightened.
(e) Mental development (depend) —— education.
4. Make a list of five points on the necessity of education. 5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5-8: [Unit—7; Lesson—1(C)]
9 n English First Paper : Questions n
Much of the destruction caused by the cyclone of April 1991 was due to the wind velocity and the tidal surge which
began to swell about the time the cyclone hit the coastal areas of the country. Twenty-five feet at some points, it
swamped the offshore islands, submerging them and then bursting across the shoreline, raced inland. The impact of
such an event was especially catastrophic because there was a dense rural population living in extreme poverty and
with little protection in these areas. It is estimated that nearly 1,40,000 people lost their lives during this cyclone. As
many as 1 million people in 16 districts of the country were affected in varying degrees while nearly 1,38,849 people
were reported to have been injured.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 1×5=5
(a) Why was the cyclone of April 1991 so destructive?
(b) How high was the tidal surge raised by the cyclone?
(c) What did tidal surge do to the land areas?
(d) Why did the rural people suffer most?
(e) Where did the cyclone take place?
6. Fill in the blanks with suitable words. 1×5=5
Bangladesh often faces natural calamities. Of the calamities, cyclone originates from the Bay of Bengal and it is
more (a) —— than other calamities. The cyclone of April 1991 is one of the most devastating cyclones in recent
times. It (b) —— extensive damage to the country. The wind blew at a very high (c) ——. The tidal surge hit the
(d) —— areas. The loss of life and property (e) —— by this cyclone was enormous.
7. Summarise the passage in five sentences. 5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart
indicating the main features of the cyclone of April 1991. 1×5=5
1. Destructive  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary Test (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There
are more words in the box than you need. 1×10=10
mankind endanger be save spoil protection destroy
species perish change concern mean affect extinct
All species are important for maintaining ecological balance. If one is lost, the whole natural environment gets
(a) ——. We should, therefore, (b) —— our wildlife to protect the environment from being (c) ——. Many
countries are now taking action to protect their (d) —— wildlife. Mankind must develop a (e) —— for wild
creatures and must ensure that they will not (f) ——. (g) —— wild creatures means destroying ourselves. It is
high time we (h) —— them. Love for animals (i) —— love for (j) ——.
10. Fill in the empty places with an appropriate word in each gap. 1×10=10
Jerry was a twelve years old orphan boy (a) —— lived in the orphanage. The authoress hired the cabin (b) ——
to the orphanage. Jerry came to the cabin to (c) —— wood for the authoress. He also did some extra work (d)
—— the convenience of the authoress. Once he (e) —— a cubby-hole where he put some chopped wood (f) ——
that the writer might get dry fire (g) —— in case of sudden wet (h) ——. He also steadied a loose (i) —— in the
rough walk to the cabin. His work (j) —— her very much.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 6×2 =12
A B C D
(i) Ayesha Begum with now neither does she have the means to find out
(ii) Years of malnutrition Ayesha Begum has are now her old invalid
started begging husband and herself
(iii) All they are left what ails him collecting food old and feeble
(iv) Out of desperation and her husband have made them little thatched house
(v) She does not know too busy in their broken for survival
(vi) She is and deprivation in the village to feed took older than their
years
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph. 1×14=14
(i) He was put up in a lodging house under the care of a professional coach.
(ii) It continued in full swing.
10 n HSC English Test Papers n
(iii) In 1880, Rabindranath was called back to India.
(iv) He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1913 for his Gitanjali.
(v) He returned home without any qualifications of distinction.
(vi) He wrote Gitanjali, a collection of Bengali songs of superior quality.
(vii) Rabindranath Tagore was born in 1861 in a respectable family at Jorasako in Calcutta.
(viii) At the age of seventeen in 1878, he reached London to attend school.
(ix) He was the fourteenth child of Debendranath and Sarada Devi Tagore.
(x) He went to school early and wrote his first verse at the age of eight.
(xi) The experience had a lasting effect on his later life.
(xii) There he came in direct touch with English literature and the then politics of Britain.
(xiii) He never gave up his habit of writing poetry.
(xiv) He gathered much experience from his stay in London.
13. Write a paragraph of about 150 words based on the following questions. 14
(i) Why is English so important? (ii) Why should we learn it? (iii) What benefits do we get from learning
English? (iv) What is the present position of English in Bangladesh? (v) What are your suggestions to your
fellow students to improve it?
Upashahar Mohila College, Jessore
5 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper I
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions: 1–4 [Unit-21; Lesson-2 (B)]
Capitalism developed in the European countries as a result of their 'laissez-faire' (hands off) policy. The idea of global
trade which was inherent in capitalism has now become universalized. Taking advantage of the idea of globalisation,
capitalism seems to be on a triumphant march. However it is creating more opportunities for capitalist countries rather
than for the developing ones. In the name of help and co-operation, the industrially developed capitalist countries are
exploiting the cheap labour available in poorer countries. The global strategy of development promises greater
employment opportunities to the people of poor countries but at the same time it also promises high returns to capital.
This actually paves the way for a lasting poverty so that the capitalists can continue to have a pool of cheap labour to
draw from. The exploited and impoverished workers of the developing countries are no match for a globalising
powerful capitalism. As a result, the gap between wealth and poverty is ever widening. Globalisation has put the people
of the world on the same vessel but in different cabins. Only a trifling minority are travelling in luxurious cabins
furnished with all modern amenities. They have access to nutritious food, pure drinking water, advanced medicare and
a life of luxury. But the overwhelming majority are travelling in the third-class decks and are suffering from hunger and
disease. Globalisation can bring happiness to everyone only when all the passengers of the ship can travel in the same
class of cabins in conditions of solidarity, equity and justice. But will the capitalists ever allow this to happen?
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 1×5=5
(a) Globalisation is creating more convenience/inconvenience/awkward for capitalist countries.
(b) Globalisation ensures maximum benefit for the developing/developed/ communist countries.
(c) The global strategy of development unfolds/lacks/shrinks bigger employment opportunities for the
developing countries.
(d) The idea of globalisation was intrinsic/clear/comprehends in capitalism.
(e) Taking the advantage of globalisation, capitalism seems to be on jubilant/humble/trial march.
2. True /false? If false, give the correct information. 1×5=5
(a) Globalisation has mitigated the gap between wealth and poverty.
(b) The world has become heavenly for all.
(c) Because of globalization our country is not affected.
(d) The developing countries are exploiting the cheap labour of the poorer countries.
(e) The process of globalization is unable to eradicate poverty.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words. Add any preposition if necessary. 1×5=5
(a) The (develop) —— countries are benefited in the world of globalisation.
(b) The poor are always (exploit) —— the rich.
(c) The poor countries are victims (exploit) ——
(d) Poor countries do not get proper (treat) —— the richer countries.
(e) The idea of capitalism is now a (universe) —— concept.
4. Make a list of five demerits of capitalism. 1×5=5
11 n English First Paper : Questions n
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5–8 : [Unit—11; Lesson—1(C)]
A society's culture is made up of all of its ideas and ways of behaving. Language, music, ideas about what is bad and
good, ways of working and playing, and the tools and other objects made and used by people in the society-all these are
part of a society’s culture. As studying a person's repeated actions is a good way to find out about that person, studying
the important patterns of an entire society is a way to learn about the culture of that group. Patterns of behaviour and
action vary from individual to individual, class to class, society to society and country to country. These differences are
referred to as cultural differences. What is an appropriate mode of behaviour in one culture might prove inappropriate
or even rude in another culture. For example, when Latin Americans talk to each other, they stand about 18 to 12 inches
apart, measured nose to nose. To stand further away from each other while talking seems unfriendly to them. In some
Arab countries too, the proper and polite distance for a conversation is to be close enough to feel the other person's
breath. But in British or American society, getting so close during a conversation is considered inappropriate.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 1×5=5
(a) What are parts of society’s culture?
(b) How is a society’s culture made up?
(c) What do you understand by culture?
(d) How does culture differ?
(e) What are the cultural differences?
6. Fill in the blanks with suitable words. 1×5=5
Culture should be (a) —— as a complete picture of (b) ——. It varies from (c) —— to person, culture to culture.
The people who belong to different cultures should (d) —— their own culture. Culture can be enriched by (e)
—— with different culture.
7. Summarise the passage in five sentences. 1×5=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in the boxes in the flow chart defining the concept
of culture with examples of cultural differences. (No. 1 has been done for you) 1×5=5
1. Culture understood by  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary Test (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the box. (Make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the boxes than you need. 1×10=10
happen furious die spoil live execution expire
knowing wit pleasant declare wretch unpleasant cause
Once upon a time, there was a king who was very fond of (a) —— this future from the astrologers. A famous
astrologer (b) —— to stop at his capital on his way to Benaras. The king called on him to know about his future
and the astrologer told him something (c) ——. At this the king got (d) —— and condemned him to (e) ——
saying. “Men like you should not live to (f) —— the peace of the world.” But another thought had crossed his
mind before the astrologer was removed for (g) ——. “How long will you live?” asked the king. With ready (h)
—— the astrologer said, “The stars (i) —— that I shall die only a week before your majesty, so, good bye.”
Hearing this, the king turned pale like a dead man and shouted, “Drive this (j) —— away, let him not come here
again.”
10. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word in each gap. 1×10=10
Hospitality has long (a) —— part of our (b) —— in Bangladesh. (c) —— many other things are changing now.
People are still (d) —— polite and friendly towards foreigners. They like
(e) —— to foreigners even if they have not been (f) ——. It is common for Bangladeshis to ask (g) ——
questions about family, jobs and (h) —— which visitors from overseas might find (i) ——. However, it should
be understood that no harm is meant by such (j) ——.
11. Following substitution table to make sensible sentence. Write the sentences in full.
2×6=12
A B C D
(i) Email has is a revolution mode of
communication
(ii) Messages can be become greatly to another countries like ours
dependent
(iii) It brought about on this speedy telephone calls
(iv) Trade and commerce not reached commercially operated email within seconds
has everyone facilities.
12 n HSC English Test Papers n
(v) It has however, started using far cheaper than in modern
communication
(vi) But even here people transmitted from especially in developing for important purposes
have one country
12. Rewrite the following jumbled sentences maintaining proper sequence: 1×14=14
(i) Then he joined the training programme of NHC.
(ii) Poverty then forced him to look for works.
(iii) He has remained associated with it since then.
(iv) He was an unemployed youth of an impoverished family.
(v) His lot has changed radically.
(vi) Belal is now an affluent man.
(vii) He worked as a labourer.
(viii) Then he got a lease of land in his village.
(ix) He is now very happy to be a self-sufficient man.
(x) He has also been raising hybrid cows for milk as well as to produce manure.
(xi) Through hard work he has managed to turn the wheels of fortune.
(xii) He applied his new and improved knowledge to cultivating vegetables.
(xiii) He studied up to class eight.
(xiv) He first received training in vegetable cultivation.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answers to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) What do you mean by physical exercise? (b) How do we maintain good health? (c) Is balanced food needed
for it? (d) How did you enjoy it? (e) How do you maintain your health?

Cantonment Public School and College, Jahanabad


6 Cantonment, Khulna
Test Examination—2014; English : Paper I
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1—4 : [Unit—6; Lesson—3(B)]
In recent years, there have been many alarming reports that the world's climate is undergoing a significant change. All
these reports provide strong evidence that world temperatures are increasing day by day. This increase in global
warming is caused by increased amounts of carbon dioxide around the earth. Most climatologists believe that the
greenhouse effect is the likely cause of this global warming.
What is the greenhouse effect? It is the gradual warming of the air surrounding the earth as a result of heat being
trapped by environmental pollution. This is exemplified by the destruction and burning down of tropical rain forests, by
traffic that clogs up city streets, by the rapid growth of industry, the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in packaging
and manufacturing commercial products, the use of detergents such as washing powder and washing-up liquid and so
on. The oceans are also said to be affected both because of human waste and because of pollution caused by industrial
waste products, oil seeping from damaged supertankers and from other maritime disasters. However, the main culprits
for global warming are carbon dioxide gas, produced by the burning of fossil fuels and forests and pollutants such as
methane and chlorofluorocarbons.
Climatologists predict that midway through the next century, temperatures may have risen by as much as 4°C. This
could catastrophically reduce mankind's ability to grow food, destroy or severely damage wildlife and wilderness, raise
sea levels and thereby flood coastal areas and farmland. The alarming news about Bangladesh is that as a result of the
rise of the sea level, the lower southern part of the country may one day go under water.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 1´5=5
(a) According to majority of the climatologists the greenhouse effect is the implausible/probable/prime cause
of the global warming.
(b) The global warming may have a disastrous/magnificent/blissful effect on life on earth.
(c) The burning of fossil fuels, forests and various pollutants is the effect/upshot/source of carbon dioxide gas.
(d) The dumping of industrial wastes and waste products into the ocean affects/ causes/diminishes
environmental pollution.
(e) The rise of temperature may one day damage/swallow/submerge the lower southern part of Bangladesh.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 1´5=5
13 n English First Paper : Questions n
(a) Carbon dioxide gas is the only culprit for global warming.
(b) The greenhouse effect is a global phenomenon.
(c) Fossil fuels and forests are some of the main culprits for global warming.
(d) The greenhouse effect can be diminished if we can reduce the environmental pollution.
(e) Global warming is good for the cold countries of the world.
3. Fill in the gaps with correct form of words. Add appropriate prepositions if necessary.
1´5=5
(a) The greenhouse effect may be the cause of (destruct) —— wildlife and wilderness.
(b) According to the (believe) —— the climatologists, the greenhouse effect is the most likely cause of the
global warming.
(c) If the sea level rises abnormally, we have reason to be (worry) ——.
(d) Carbon dioxide is (produce) —— the burning of fossil fuels and forests.
(e) Even the oceans are getting (pollution) ——.
4. Make a list of five causes of global warming. 1´5=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5—8 : [Unit—10; Lesson—1(D)]
A major influence on American children's lives is the television shows they watch. TV viewing statistics are staggering:
96% of US homes have at least one television set, and children aged three to five watch an average of fifty hours of TV
every week. By the time these kids graduate from high school, they will have spent more than 22,000 hours in front of
the box but only 11,000 hours in school. Most research on the effects of TV on children centres round whether
watching so much violence on TV makes them more aggressive. Many studies show that it does. Indeed TV watching
influences children's learning style too.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 1´5=5
(a) What do you think of the report on watching TV by US children?
(b) What are the bad impacts of watching TV for long hours?
(c) How long do you watch TV everyday?
(d) Why are the TV viewing, statistics described as staggering?
(e) What are the positive aspects of watching TV?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 1´5=5
Television is the most common source of entertainment. American children (a) —— television more than they
read books. Most of the children are (b) —— to be sluggish day by day. Their parents are becoming (c) —— for
them. But the children (d) —— bother for that. They love only (e) —— violence in films shown on TV.
7. Summarise the bad effects of watching TV in five sentences. 1´5=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing
different aspects of watching TV. (No. 1 has been done for you.) 1´5=5
1. Good and bad aspects of watching TV  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary Test (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 1´10=10
burn stars energy gravity space pinpoint
begin present because real light towards
Black holes are produced by huge (a) ——. They are called black holes not (b) —— there are real holes in (c)
—— but because they cannot be seen as there is no
(d) —— coming out of them. When, after (e) —— for billions of years, stars reach the end of their lives, their (f)
—— does not disappear. The burning core becomes very small like a (g) —— but its weight is as much as a star.
It also has tremendous (h) —— and this gravity pulls (i) —— it everything that comes near it. Although black
holes cannot be seen through telescopes, their (j) —— can be identified. They are like gigantic magnets in space.
10. Fill in the gaps with suitable words with appropriate words. 1´10=10
Sports can give us (a) ——. International sports (b) —— organise different sporting events in different (c) ——.
Most of these events are sponsored by multinational manufacturing companies and business firms. They pay for
the sport event. They do it because in (d) —— they get the right of (e) —— their products (f) —— the events.
The satellite channels (g) —— the events (h) ——. As a (i) ——, people all over the world can (j) —— the
events live.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 2´6=12
14 n HSC English Test Papers n
A B C D
(i) Nuclear family no privacy lonely in an extended family
(ii) There is no are never and cost of living there
(iii) Loneliness consists of common feature of it
nocturnal beast
(iv) We find grandparents and and so much is rather low
other
(v) There is much chaos parents chaos and confusion
(vi) But people is a kith and kin and their children
12. Rewrite the following jumbled sentences maintaining proper sequence. 1´14=14
(a) As he came near, the man said that he wanted some financial help.
(b) Hojja immediately replied, "Why have you made me climb all the way down stairs to ask for money
instead of shouting from below?"
(c) Hojja was quite curious.
(d) Hojja decided to teach him a good lesson.
(e) Suddenly he saw someone calling from below.
(f) At this Hojja became furious.
(g) He saw there a man standing at the foot of the stairs.
(h) One day Nasruddin Hojja was mending a hole on the roof of his two-storey house.
(i) Being greatly annoyed, the man asked why Hojja had made him climb up the stairs only to say that he had
no money.
(j) The man was asking him to get down and listen to him.
(k) When they both got to the roof top, Hojja said to the man, “Sorry, I have no money".
(l) He thought that the man had something important to say.
(m) Therefore, he told the man to climb up the stairs with him.
(n) So, he climbed from the roof down the stairs.
13. Answer the following questions to make a continuous paragraph on My Kitchen Garden. 14
(a) What is a kitchen garden?
(b) Where is your one?
(c) When are you busy here?
(d) What do you cultivate?
(e) How does it help your family?

Barisal Model School & College, Barisal


7 Year Final Examination—2014; English : Paper I
Part A : Seen comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions (1-4) : [Unit—10; Lesson—4(C)]
There have been significant changes in the types of entertainment over time. Many of these no longer exist. Even if
they do, people keep looking for newer forms of entertainment. Thus snake charming, puppet shows, jatra, jarigan,
sharigan and kabigan which were common forms of entertainment in the past, have almost lost their appeal. Radio,
which used to be a good source of entertainment in the past, is now giving place to television, and to satellite channels
in particular. The entertainment business, like other spheres of life, is getting westernized day by day. Folk music or
palligeeti is now sung with western instruments. At the same time, modern music is now fusing melodies from folk and
traditional songs. In general, band and pop music is becoming more and more popular, particularly among the young
generation.
Sport has become a great source of entertainment today. Football, which used to be the most popular spectator sport in
Bangladesh, is gradually being replaced by cricket as a popular form of sports entertainment.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 1×5=5
(a) There are conspicuous/alarming/charming changes in the types of entertainments.
(b) Snake charming was significant/modern/conventional form of entertainment in the past.
(c) Television has become more populous/popular/significant than ever before.
(d) There is a difference/distance/tradition between modern and folk music.
(e) Sports has become a great source of pleasure/leisure/measure.
15 n English First Paper : Questions n
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 1×5=5
(a) Now television has been replaced by radio.
(b) Our culture has been in a static condition for a long time.
(c) Football is still very popular in our country.
(d) Now, folk song is sung with western instrument.
(e) The importance of entertainment cannot be ignored.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words. Add any preposition if necessary.
1×5=5
(a) People always (look) —— newer forms of entertainment.
(b) Radio (be) —— the common source of entertainment in the past.
(c) Significant changes have (take) —— place in the type of entertainment.
(d) Sports have (turn) —— a source of entertainment.
(e) We are (astonish) —— the present rate of change in entertainment.
4. Make a list of five changing forms of entertainment over time. 1×5=5

Read the passage below and answer the questions (5—8) : [Unit—14; Lesson—3(B)]
One very conspicuous change in our society is the presence of working women outside the home. Of course, it has to
be acknowledged that women have always worked within the household but this commonly is not counted as 'work'. It
is unfortunate that women's roles in agricultural societies (as in our villages, particularly during harvest time) have not
been recognized either.
Whether it is due to economic necessity or the urge to establish an individual identity or both, nowadays many women
are entering the outside workforce. They are joining a wide range of professions. Moreover, it is not only educated
women who are opting to work but women with little or no education have come out of their cocoons to earn and
become self-reliant.
This does not mean that life is any easier for women now. In many ways it is more difficult, since women must still
fulfil their traditional roles of wife, mother and homemaker. At work, as they compete with men they have to prove
their worth twice over in order to survive.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 1×5=5
(a) What is the conspicuous change in our society?
(b) What is unfortunate about our women?
(c) Why are our women joining the outside workforce?
(d) What are the traditional roles of women in our society?
(e) What problems do working women face?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 1×5=5
It is (a) —— here that today’s women are trying to be self (b) ——. Particularly the village women’s (c) —— is
mentionable. But women’s roles in agricultural societies have not been (d) —— either. Due to economic
necessity or the urge to establish an individual identity, nowadays many women are (e) —— the outside
workforce.
7. Summarise the condition of the working women in five sentences. 1×5=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing how
women are changing their lot. (No. 1 has been done for you.) 1×5=5
1. Working outside  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary Test (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box. (make grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 1×10=10
veil knock looking saw sweet perfection dress
trade against thinking indeed perfect live beautiful
Once upon a time there (a) —— in the city of Bagdad a young bachelor who was by (b) —— a porter. One day
he sat in the market place leaning idly (c) —— his basket. A young woman (d) —— in rare silks and cloaked in a
gold-embroidered mantle stopped before him and gently raised her (e) ——. Beneath it there showed dark eyes
with long lashes and lineaments of (f) —— beauty. “Lift up your basket, porter,” she said in a (g) —— voice,
“and follow me.” At once the porter took up his basket, (h) —— to himself, “This is (i) —— a lucky day!” He
followed her until she stopped at the door of a house and (j) ——.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 1×10=10
For international communication a common language is (a) ——. There are many (b) —— for which English has
achieved the (c) —— of being that language. Now English has (d) —— the national borders to (e) —— people
who speak other languages. It is no longer the (f) —— possession of British or American or other native
speakers, but a language that belongs to (g) —— people. This phenomenon has led to a (h) —— variety of
16 n HSC English Test Papers n
English around the world. As more and more people speak English, more and more varieties have (i) —— which
are strongly (j) —— by the pronunciation, grammar and idioms of the respective mother tongues.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 2×6=12
A B C D
(a) Education in our has become Bangladesh is already to be engaged in violence
country
(b) Campus violence are getting concerned through a of the students
(c) It is passing almost a ignored
(d) The impact of be said that about the welfare stage of crisis
such violence
(e) It may easily can students are in the daily affair
colleges and
universities only
(f) The teachers appears that hardly be educationally backward
12. Rewrite the following jumbled sentences in the proper order and in a continuous paragraph to make a
story. 1×14=14
(i) The guests praised the king.
(ii) This made the king very happy.
(iii) But he was very hospitable.
(iv) People loved him.
(v) The king ordered the man to kill Hatem Tai and bring his head.
(vi) So the king wanted to kill him.
(vii) There lived a very kind man in Yemen.
(viii) The king felt happy and proud.
(ix) On the following day he sent one of his men to Hatem Tai.
(x) The name of that kind man was Hatem Tai.
(xi) One day the king gave a dinner.
(xii) He was not rich.
(xiii) They praised him more than their king.
(xiv) The guests also praised Hatem Tai.
13. Write a paragraph of about 150 words based on the following questions. Your answers to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) What do you understand by satellite TV channels? (b) Do you think them to be beneficial? (c) Do you think
that some channels cause cultural decay and moral degeneration? (d) How can our national culture be fostered
and enriched? (e) Can you make any suggestions regarding the positive use of the satellite TV channels?

BOARD QUESTIONS
ENGLISH FIRST PAPER
DHAKA BOARD — 2003
8 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
17 n English First Paper : Questions n
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1 — 4 : [Unit—3; Lesson—2(B)]
Statistics show that about 350 million people speak English as a first language and another 300 million use it as a
second language. It is the official or semi-official language in more than 60 countries and of many international
organisations. The International Olympic Committee, for example, always holds meetings in English. English helps the
international community and the business world to communicate across national borders. Today, more than 80% of all
the information in the world's computers is in English, so organisations frequently need employees who speak and write
a standard form of English. In fact some companies provide English language training for their staff. It is therefore little
wonder that job advertisements nowadays often ask for a 'good working knowledge' of English. Many believe now that
English usually helps them to get good jobs and better salaries.
1. Choose the right word/expression to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) First language means the important/main/natural language.
(b) A second language is one that is taught and learnt regarding it as next in importance to the mother tongue/a
foreign language/ a dead language.
(c) The number of people who use English as a second language is about 300/350/250 million.
(d) International Olympic Committee always holds its meetings in French/English/ Spanish.
(e) English is used as official or semi-official language in more than 60/50/70 countries.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Nowadays more than eighty per cent of all the information in the world’s computers is in English.
(b) Many nowadays get good jobs because they know English.
(c) Many international organisations often use different languages.
(d) A good knowledge of English is necessary for a good job.
(e) No companies arrange training for their staff to make them able to use English well.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary. 15=5
(a) Statistics show that English is (speak) —— as a first language by 350 million people.
(b) The International Olympic Committee (use) —— English in its meetings.
(c) English (help) —— communication across national borders.
(d) More than 80% of all the information in the world's computers (be) —— in English.
(e) Employers nowadays want applicants (have) —— a good working knowledge of English.
4. Make a list of five reasons why English is important. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—3; Lesson—3(B)]
Two friends, Raghib and Adeeb, wanted to learn how to ride a cycle. Adeeb bought a book called How to Ride a Cycle
and started reading it. On the other hand, Raghib took out his cycle on the street and started trying to ride it. He fell off
several times and Adeeb laughed at him. However, by the time Adeeb finished the first chapter of his book, Raghib was
riding his cycle fairly well. Adeeb knew how the cycle worked but did not know how to use it. Raghib did not need to
know everything about how his cycle worked but he knew how to use it from first-hand experience.
Learning a language is like riding a cycle. The most important thing about any language is communication. You learn
to communicate effectively by using a language, by doing things with it, and by experiencing it. You can learn English
in the same way that Raghib learnt to ride a cycle. Don't worry if people laugh at you when you make mistakes. You
can certainly learn through mistakes.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) What did Raghib & Adeeb want to do?
(b) What did Raghib do to learn how to ride a cycle?
(c) What did Adeeb know by the time Raghib had learnt to ride his bicycle fairly well?
(d) How is learning a language like learning how to ride a bicycle?
(e) What should you not do if people laugh at you when you make mistakes?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
Karim, a student, wanted to (a) —— a bicycle and bought a book entitled 'How to Ride a Bicycle'. He read it for
several days but did not get much help from it. Then he carefully watched a friend getting on his bicycle and (b)
—— it. The next day he took out his new bicycle and tried to ride it. He failed several times but in two days he
succeeded in riding his bicycle. After a few days he was able to ride his bicycle quite (c) ——. One day someone
told him that learning a language was like (d) —— to ride a bicycle. From that day on he started to note how
people arrange words to make sentences. He also read a few story books, noting the arrangement of words in the
stories. Then he started to speak and write English. He made many (e) —— but he did not lose heart. Finally he
learnt to speak and write simple correct English.
7. Summarise what Raghib and Adeeb did to learn how to ride a bicycle in five sentences.
15=5
18 n HSC English Test Papers n
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing how
a language can be learnt. (No. 1 has been done for you) 15=5
1. Learning a language  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
add breathe need plant prevent preserve grow
produce protect provide take give wash gather
Trees are very useful to humans. They (a) —— the rich top soil from being (b) —— away by rain water and
floods. You can see trees being (c) —— along mountain slopes, on roadsides, in parks and gardens. Trees give us
shade. They (d) —— life to a place with their colourful flowers, beautiful leaves, fruits and thick trunks. They (e)
—— shelters for birds and animals. They give us timber, medicines, paper, gum and many other useful things.
They
(f) —— in carbon dioxide and (g) —— oxygen. As you know by now man
(h) —— oxygen to (i) —— and live. Trees are our best friends. We should (j) —— them and plant more trees
around us.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Housing is one of the (a) —— problems of our (b) ——. Thousands of people in big
(c) —— like Dhaka and Chittagong dwell on the footpaths. In rural (d) —— also there is an acute (e) —— of
houses. The cost of construction is (f) —— everyday. At present it is very
(g) —— for the common (h) —— to afford the (i) —— of construction. This problem needs to be (j) ——
immediately.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) All of you raised the greatest man and fearful
(ii) He have heard to conquer to a high position
(iii) His good work and remained the name of in the country
courage
(iv) His mission became him Napoleon
(v) He was the French army the neighbouring countries
(vi) France under him entered very powerful as an ordinary soldier
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) He was born in Jilan in Iraq.
(ii) She was very pious and taught him many important and religious things.
(iii) Hazrat Abdul Quader was a famous religious figure in Islam.
(iv) His mother decided to send him to Baghdad with a view to educating him there.
(v) His father died even before his birth.
(vi) The boy left for Baghdad with a caravan of merchants, but on their way a gang of robbers fell upon them
and looted their money.
(vii) That time the roads were unsafe; often gangs of robbers fell upon the travellers and plundered their
belongings and money.
(viii) One of the robbers said the small boy might have something with him.
(ix) At the time of sending, his mother sewed forty gold coins in his shirt and advised him never to tell a lie.
(x) The boy said, "Mother has advised me never to tell a lie even in danger."
(xi) The leader felt surprised and said, "You might not have disclosed the fact."
(xii) Boy Abdul Quader spoke out, "No, no, I have forty gold coins sewed in my shirt."
(xiii) The robbers felt ashamed of their deeds and gave up robbery.
(xiv) The gang leader said that perhaps the boy had nothing with him.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
How did you celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr this year? What did you find your mother and sisters doing in
the morning of the Eid day? What did you do in the morning? What did you find when you went to
19 n English First Paper : Questions n
the Eidgah? What kind of feast was arranged at your residence for this occasion? How did you spend
the afternoon?
DHAKA BOARD — 2004
9 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—20; Lesson—3(B)]
Ismail Hossain is an affluent man now. Through hard work and devotion, he has managed to turn the wheels of fortune.
He was an unemployed youth of an impoverished family from Ekdala village in Natore Sadar thana. Through new
knowledge, hard work and perseverance, he has brought prosperity to his family. Ismail Hossain, son of Zohar Ali,
studied up to class eight. Poverty then forced him to look for work. He worked as a labourer before he joined the
training programme of the Natore Horticulture Centre (NHC) and has remained associated with it since then.
The officer-in-charge of NHC said that Ismail seemed to be an enthusiastic and energetic youth during the selection of
villages under NHC's command area.
Ismail first received training in vegetable cultivation. Then he got a lease of land in his village and applied his new and
improved knowledge to cultivating vegetables. He earned taka 25,000 as profit that year. In the same way he made a
profit of taka one lakh by cultivating quality cauliflowers the next year. Later he bought some land and used it entirely
to cultivate cauliflowers. He has also been raising hybrid cows for milk as well as to produce manure.
Ismail's lot has changed radically. He said with a satisfactory smile, "I am very happy to be self-sufficient now. I had
nothing of my own before, but now I have so much. It has been possible through my hard labour and systematic
cultivation. The credit also goes to the NHC of course", he added. The officer-in-charge of NHC said, "I feel proud of
Ismail Hossain. He deserves national recognition for his outstanding success."
1. Choose the right word/expression to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) At present, Ismail Hossain is a rich/poor/idle man.
(b) Ismail Hossain is a self-dependent/other-dependent/proud man.
(c) Ismail Hossain looked for work for his satisfaction/poverty/family.
(d) Ismail got a lease of land before his training/after his training/during his training.
(e) Ismail has been able to change his fortune for his hard labour/the Natore Horticulture Centre/his hard
labour and the Natore Horticulture Centre.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Ismail could get rid of poverty for living in village.
(b) Ismail earned taka 1,00,000 as profit for the first time.
(c) Ismail has raised hy-brid cows only for milk.
(d) Everybody said that Ismail's great success should be nationally recognised.
(e) Ismail's family was poor.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in brackets. 15=5
(a) Before he got a lease of land, he (receive) —— training.
(b) He bought some land in order to use it for (cultivate) —— cauliflowers.
(c) His fortune (change) —— for his hard labour.
(d) He was (pride) —— of his success in life.
(e) He proved that he was a (self-make) —— man.
4. Write five sentences talking about Ismail's outstanding success in life. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—5; Lesson—6(A)]
His name was Jerry; he had been at the orphanage since he was four. I could picture him at four, with the same grave
gray-blue eyes and the same independence? No, the word that comes to me is "integrity." It is embedded on courage,
but it is more than brave. It is honest, but it is more than honesty.
The axe handle broke oneday. Jerry said, the orphanage woodshop would repair it. I brought money to pay for the job
and he refused it. "I'll pay for it," he said. "I brought the axe down careless."
"But no one hits accurately every time. " I told him. "The fault was in the handle."
It was only then that he would take the money. He was standing back of his own carelessness. He was a freewill agent
and he chose to do careful work; and if he failed, he took the responsibility without subterfuge.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) Where was Jerry living when he was four?
(b) What is integrity embedded on?
(c) Why did Jerry want to pay for the repair of the axe handle?
(d) When did Jerry agree to take the money for the repair of the axe handle?
20 n HSC English Test Papers n
(e) "The fault was in the handle."— Who said this?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
Arif was an (a) —— boy. He lost his parents when he was four. He had no (b) —— to live in. So, he had been at
the orphanage since he was four. While living there, he developed a strong (c) —— of morality. And the only
word that can suitably define his character is
(d) ——. It is based on (e) ——.
7. Describe Jerry's character in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing how
Jerry who had been at the orphanage, could maintain his integrity. (No. 1 has been done for you). 15=5
1. Jerry was freedom loving 2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
prestige huge education indicate invention instituted certificate
division treated material promote fame contribute research
Every year the Nobel Prize is awarded for outstanding (a) —— to the fields of science, literature, economics and
for the (b) —— of peace. It is the world's most (c) —— prize. If there are more than one recipient, the prize
money is (d) —— equally among the winners. The prize was (e) —— by Sir Alfred Nobel, the father of the
science of destruction. He
(f) —— dynamite. Though Nobel was born in Sweden, he was (g) —— in Russia. For this important invention,
he became (h) —— all over the world. He earned a (i) —— sum of money. The prize is given from the interest
of the money. The winners of the Nobel Prize are (j) —— with great respect across the globe.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Many events of (a) —— importance took place during the last century. Significant advances were made in the (b)
—— of science and technology. Many European colonies (c) —— independence. The movement for democracy
became (d) —— in many parts of the world. Two world wars (e) —— out in this century. It also witnessed the
misuse of atomic energy. Two cities of Japan were completely (f) —— as a result of the dropping of atom
bombs. The Vietnam War and the Gulf War killed (g) —— of innocent people. However, the emergence of
Bangladesh as an (h) —— nation was a momentous event. After a bloody (i) —— of nine months, Bangladesh
was born. Now we hold our heads (j) —— in the comity of nations.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) Women in rural have started the main beneficiaries of this project of poverty
Bangladesh
(ii) They are reaping the benefits in various economic activities
(iii) Recently, the ILO aims a project for of this laudable project
(iv) The project have launched at training rural women employment of rural women
(v) Very poor women are compelled very few opportunities in doing household chores
(vi) These helpless women have to spend their whole life of work outside the home
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) The blacks were subjected to all sorts of indignities.
(ii) But the oppressive rulers could not break his spirit.
(iii) Nelson Mandela was the greatest leader of South Africa.
(iv) Eventually, the great leader realised the goal of liberating his own people.
(v) In fact, he was one of the greatest leaders of the world.
(vi) All his life he struggled against apartheid.
(vii) They were aliens in their own country.
(viii) It was government policy of racial segregation.
(ix) The blacks were treated cruelly.
(x) He was thrown behind the prison bars.
(xi) The great leader vowed to put an end to the inhuman practice.
(xii) They were denied all basic human rights.
21 n English First Paper : Questions n
(xiii) The Europeans were separated from the non-Europeans.
(xiv) Even dogs received a much better treatment than the blacks.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
What is good health? How can one keep good health? Do all the people of our country get the food they need for
good health? Are the rich and educated people of our country conscious of the rules of good health? What impact
do the complexities of life have on our health? Do you think a simple and care-free life is conducive to good
health?

DHAKA BOARD — 2005


10 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—14; Lesson—3(B)]
One very conspicuous change in our society is the presence of working women outside the home. Of course, it has to
be acknowledged that women have always worked within the household but this commonly is not counted as 'work'. It
is unfortunate that women's roles in agricultural societies (as in our villages, particularly during harvest time) have not
been recognised either.
Whether it is due to economic necessity or the urge to establish an individual identity or both, nowadays many women
are entering the outside workforce. They are joining a wide range of professions. Moreover, it is not only educated
women who are opting to work but women with little or no education have come out of their cocoons to earn and
become self-reliant.
This does not mean that life is any easier for women now. In many ways it is more difficult, since women must still
fulfil their traditional roles of wife, mother and homemaker. At work, as they compete with men, they have to prove
their worth twice over in order to survive.
1. Choose the right word /expression to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) The position of women in Bangladesh is upgrading/declining/deteriorating.
(b) Women are now working in a visible/variety of/various professions.
(c) The presence of working women outside the home is on the alert/increase/decrease.
(d) Women have to compete with men to prove their superiority/humility/ability.
(e) Women, in general, were supposed to do outdoor/household/official activities.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Only women having education are opting to work outside the home.
(b) Women are no longer cocooned from the outside world.
(c) Women are practically capable of doing any sort of work.
(d) Women should continue their traditional roles in the family.
(e) Women have to assert themselves for equal rights.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words given in brackets. Add any prepositions if necessary.
15=5
(a) The traditional (believe) —— common people regarding women's working ability is obviously wrong.
(b) Women are entering the workforce for the (attain) —— their economic solvency.
(c) Most of the women in our society have no self (confident) —— themselves.
(d) Women have to excel themselves by (compete) —— men.
(e) Women's (depend) —— men sounds foolish in the present context of the world.
4. Make a list of five activities generally done by women in the household. 15=5

Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—15; Lesson—2(B)]
Education is one of the basic needs of a human being and is essential for any kind of development. The poor socio-
economic condition of Bangladesh can be largely attributed to most people's inaccessibility to education. Many
illiterate people do not have any knowledge of health, sanitation and population control. If they were educated, they
could live a healthy and planned life. Education teaches us how to earn well and how to spend well. It enables us to
make the right choices in life and to perform our duties properly. It enhances our ability to raise crops, store food,
protect the environment and carry out our social responsibilities. It is only education which can help us to adopt a
rational attitude. It provides us with an enlightened awareness about things and this awareness is the prerequisite for
social development.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
22 n HSC English Test Papers n
(a) What is the cause of mass illiteracy in Bangladesh?
(b) What are not the illiterate people aware of?
(c) What does education aim at?
(d) How is poverty an effect of illiteracy?
(e) How can education ensure a better life for all?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
Education is (a) —— as one of the basic needs of a human being. Without (b) —— education man cannot
exactly decide what he has to do for a better life (c) —— from the curse of poverty, malnutrition and diseases. In
fact, education (d) —— darkness and creates (e) —— in him with regard to his personal needs and duties to the
society as well.
7. Summarise the passage in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing the
function of education. (No. 1 has been done for you.) 15=5
1. Education develops human mind  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
source manpower explore provide concern employment independence
recreation necessary different across dense solution unemployment
Bangladesh is a (a) —— populated country, but a large number of her people are (b) ——. It is not possible for
her to ensure (c) —— to the teeming millions. Self-employment is a possible (d) —— to this problem. It means
that people themselves should (e) —— avenues for self-employment. Facilities for training in (f) —— trades and
vocations are available
(g) —— the country. The youths, in particular, can train themselves in any of these trades and turn into a useful
(h) ——. The Govt. also (i) —— easy loans and counselling with a view to helping them start an (j) —— earning
activity.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Modern life (a) —— much on transport. We can very well (b) —— how important transport is when it is (c)
—— by natural calamities or during socio-political crises. In fact, transport has made it (d) —— for us to reach
places previously (e) ——. It has (f) —— helped the flourish of trade and commerce and to (g) —— new
knowledge and ideas. (h) ——, transport has (i) —— friendship and understanding among nations and peoples
(j) —— the globe.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) World's climate might cause one of the major causes day by day
(ii) Destruction of forests are increasing a significant change of global warming
(iii) World temperatures is undergoing the likely cause in recent years
(iv) Greenhouse effect is also to a great extent in the days ahead
(v) Global warming is greater natural disaster around the earth
(vi) Such an imbalance is caused by increased amount of of this natural
carbon dioxide disaster
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) The king was fond of knowing his future from the astrologer.
(ii) The king called him to the palace.
(iii) At this the king got furious and condemned him to death.
(iv) A good astrologer visited the capital of the king.
(v) Once there was a king.
(vi) With ready wit he said, "The stars declare that I'll die only a week before your death!"
(vii) But another thought crossed his mind before the astrologer was removed for excecution.
(viii) The king then asked, "How long would you live?"
(ix) The astrologer told something very unpleasant.
(x) He then thought for a while for some way of escape.
23 n English First Paper : Questions n
(xi) He thought that the king would prove him a liar putting him to death.
(xii) At this the king turned pale.
(xiii) "Drive this wretch away and let him not come again," shouted the king.
(xiv) "I shall wait to receive your majesty where you have been sending me."
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
What is load-shedding? When and why does it occur? How does it affect the students? What is its effect on the
industrial sector? How can we minimise load-shedding? What should the govt. do to stop load-shedding?

RAJSHAHI BOARD — 2003


11 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1 — 4 : [Unit—3; Lesson—1(B)]
‘Communicative competence’ refers to the ability to use language appropriately in different circumstances. There are
two ways of developing communicative competence in a language. The first is acquisition which is similar to the way
people develop ability in their mother tongue. It is a natural, subconscious process in which users are not usually aware
of acquiring a language. They are aware only of the fact that they are using the language to communicate. In non-
technical terms, acquisition is 'picking up' a language spontaneously. It may also be called 'implicit' learning.
On the other hand, the second way of developing communicative competence in a language is learning that language. It
refers to conscious knowledge of a language, knowing the rules of language use, being aware of using them, and being
able to talk about them. In non-technical terms, learning is to know consciously about a language. It may be described
as 'explicit' learning.
Language specialists believe that acquiring a language is more successful and longer lasting than learning it. Therefore,
teachers these days encourage learners of a second language to practise and experience the language in different
situations where they are involved in communicating with others. And that is exactly what the tasks in ‘English For
Today’ are designed to do.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) Communicative competence indicates/defers/discourages the ability to use language appropriately.
(b) Communicative competence can be developed/mastered/development in two ways.
(c) Language specialists believe that learning a language is not so successful as/like/ than acquiring it.
(d) Acquisition likens/clashes/relates to the way people develop ability in their mother tongue.
(e) Learning is something natural/explicit/implicit.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) We are acquiring English.
(b) People learn a second language unconsciously.
(c) The passage shows the difference between acquisition and learning.
(d) Acquisition is easier than learning.
(e) Explicit learning is a subconscious process.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in brackets. Add prepositions if necessary. 15=5
(a) The power of (use) —— language properly means communicative competence.
(b) Every person learns his or her mother tongue (natural) ——.
(c) Learners of a second language are (encourage) —— their teachers.
(d) Picking up means (spontaneously) —— learning of a language.
(e) The (believe) —— the language specialists is right.
4. Make a list of five things about developing communicative competence in a second
language. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—10; Lesson—4(C)]
There have been significant changes in the types of entertainment over time. Many of these no longer exist. Even if
they do, people keep looking for newer forms of entertainment. Thus snake charming, puppet shows, jatra, jarigan,
sharigan and kabigan which were common forms of entertainment in the past, have almost lost their appeal. Radio
which used to be a good source of entertainment in the past, is now giving place to television and to satellite channels
in particular. The entertainment business, like other spheres of life, is getting westernised day by day. Folk music or
palligeeti is now sung with western instruments. At the same time, modern music is now fusing melodies from folk and
24 n HSC English Test Papers n
traditional songs. In general, band and pop music is becoming more and more popular, particularly among the young
generation.
Sport has become a great source of entertainment today. Football, which used to be the most popular spectator sport in
Bangladesh, is gradually being replaced by cricket as a popular form of sports entertainment.
5. Write short answers to the following questions about entertainment. 15=5
(a) Is there any change in the field of entertainment in our country?
(b) What were the common forms of entertainment in the past?
(c) What is the position of radio now?
(d) Are the common forms of entertainment popular as before?
(e) Which sport is gradually taking the place of football?
6. Fill in each gap with suitable word. 15=5
Change is the (a) —— of the day. Everything (b) —— in course of time. What is new today will grow old
tomorrow. In the same way we notice changes in the matter of (c) ——. At present our people find little (d) ——
in jarigan, sharigan and kabigan. Our melodious and meaningful Bangla songs are yielding place (e) —— the
vociferous pop songs.
7. Summarise the passage in five sentences. 15=5
8. On the basis of your reading of the passage, make a short note in each of the boxes in the flow chart
showing how changes are taking place in the sphere of entertainment. (No. 1 has been done for you) 15=5
1. Noticeable changes in the forms of entertainment  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in each gap with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
veil knock looking saw sweet perfection dress
trade against thinking indeed perfect live beautiful
Once upon a time there (a) —— in the city of Bagdad a young bachelor who was by (b) —— a porter. One day
he sat in the market place leaning idly (c) —— his basket. A young woman (d) —— in rare silks and cloaked in
a gold-embroidered mantle, stopped before him and gently raised her (e) ——. Beneath it there showed dark eyes
with long lashes and lineaments of (f) —— beauty. ‘‘Lift up your basket, porter’’, she said in a (g) —— voice,
“and follow me.’’ At once the porter took up his basket, (h) —— to himself, “This is (i) —— a lucky day !’’ He
followed her until she stopped at the door of a house and (j) ——.
10. Fill in each blank with an appropriate word. 110=10
One day a grocer borrowed a balance and weights from a fruitseller. After a few days the fruitseller asked the
grocer to (a) —— his balance and weights to him. The grocer said, ‘‘I am sorry to say that the mice ate away
your balance and weights.’’ The fruitseller bacame very (b) —— at the (c) —— excuse of the dishonest grocer.
Then one day the fruitseller said to the grocer, “I am (d) —— to the town to do some shopping. Please, send your
son with me to
(e) —— my things. We will come back tomorrow.’’ So, the grocer (f) —— his son with the fruitseller. The next
day the fruitseller returned alone from the town. ‘‘Where is my son?’’ asked the grocer. “A crow carried your son
away,’’ replied the fruitseller. How can a crow
(g) —— away such a big boy?” The grocer shouted angrily. “Just the same way as the mice can (h) —— away
the balance and weights.’’ said the fruitseller. The grocer (i) —— the point. He returned the balance and weights
to the fruitseller. Then the fruitseller sent the boy
(j) —— to his father.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases/clauses in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the
sentences in full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) The ancient mariner opened flying until they arrived in cold grey
seas
(ii) He and the other sailors being the marriage guest towards the ship
(iii) The big white sails of an albatross as a bird of good omen
their ship
(iv) The weather told very cold, there were about his last journey on the
sea
(v) One day the sailors saw welcomed it to the south blew them quickly through the
25 n English First Paper : Questions n
icy waters
(vi) All of them sailed away wide, as the strong wind no birds or animals in the sea
12. The following sentences are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in one paragraph to
make a story. 114=14
(i) They looked for him here and there for sometime.
(ii) Once the queen of Belgium invited him to Brussels.
(iii) So, they went back to the queen and informed her that Einstein had not come by train.
(iv) ‘‘I did not think that anybody would send a car for me,” replied the great scientist with a smile.
(v) But understandably, they failed to find him out.
(vi) Einstein, the great scientist, was simple in his ways of life.
(vii) He travelled to Brussels by train and got down at the station.
(viii) “But I can assure you that I have greatly enjoyed the walk,’’ said Einstein.
(ix) They never imagined that this shabby man would be Einstein himself.
(x) Einstein, however, walked the whole way with a suitcase in one hand and a violin in the other.
(xi) The officials also expected to see somebody who was rich and aristocratic.
(xii) The queen was highly amazed at his simplicity.
(xiii) But he could not think that many gorgeously dressed officials had come to receive him at the station.
(xiv) When he reached the destination, the queen said to him, “I sent a car for you, Dr. Einstein.’’
13. Write a paragraph of around 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer should give as
much detail as possible. 14
Do you support unfairmeans in the examination? Why are you against it? Why, according to you, do the students
adopt unfairmeans? What measure have the authorities recently taken to prevent unfairmeans in the examination?
Describe the good effects of the preventive measures.

RAJSHAHI BOARD — 2004


12 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—9; Lesson—1(B)]
Education is the process by which our mind develops through formal learning at an institution like a school, college or
university. It is mental and intellectual training which provides opportunities of growth and helps to meet challenges
and overcome obstacles to progress. Again, the purpose of education is to enlighten the individual and to develop
his/her capacity to the limit. It is also the business of education to train individuals to make the right choices to go
ahead. It ennobles our mind and refines our sensibility. It also broadens our outlook and helps us become aware of our
rights and responsibilities.
According to Newman, education "gives a man a clear conscious view of his own opinions and judgements, a truth in
developing them, an eloquence in expressing them and a force in using them." Therefore, it is often compared to light
which removes the darkness of ignorance and helps us distinguish between right and wrong. Ex-President Julius
Nyerere of Tanzania way back in 1974 said at an international conference that the primary purpose of education was
the liberation of man from the restrictions of habits and attitudes which limit his humanity. He further said education
should promote humanity and universal brotherhood and that it could be used as a catalyst for a change for the better.
How right he was!
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) The aim of education is to diminish/illuminate/subside the individual.
(b) Education helps a man to take/differentiate between/appreciate right and wrong.
(c) Education limits/widens/extends our outlook.
(d) Education makes us vigilant/conscious/tactful of our rights and responsibilities.
(e) The statement of Julius Nyerere was farcical/humorous/appropriate.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) A good relationship and understanding is possible without education.
(b) An educated man becomes conscious of his rights and responsibilities.
(c) Education aims at our physical development.
(d) Education helps to drive away the darkness of ignorance.
(e) Educational institutions give us formal learning.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words. Add prepositions if necessary. 15=5
(a) Education trains us (mental) ——.
26 n HSC English Test Papers n
(b) Formal education helps the (develop) —— our mind.
(c) Education gives a man (conscious) —— his own opinion and judgement.
(d) Education aims at (enlighten) —— an individual.
(e) Education is essential for the (remove) —— of darkness of ignorance.
4. Make a list of five benefits about education. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—7; Lesson—2(A)]
Fires swept over the prairies any time during practically ten months a year, although the worst were usually in the fall,
with the grass standing high and rich in oily seeds. The prairie fires could be set by lightning, by the carelessness of
greenhorns in the country, by sparks from the railroads, and by deliberate malice. Once started, the heat of the fire
created a high wind that could sweep it over a hundred miles of prairie in an incredibly short time. Settlers soon learned
to watch the horizon for the curling smoke rising from prairie grass. At the first sign of this, everyone hurried to the
flames with water barrels, gunnysacks, hoes and particularly ploughs to dig furrows so as to prevent the fire from
spreading. Even more important was the awareness of the danger ahead of time, early enough so fireguards were
ploughed around the homestead, at least around the building.
5. Write short answers to the questions below. 15=5
(a) What are the causes of prairie fires?
(b) What do you understand by “Prairie”?
(c) Which part of the world do you think this passage refers to?
(d) What did the settlers do when they sensed a fire?
(e) Give a title to the passage.
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
Prairie caught fire for a good (a) —— reasons. Railroads, lightnings and deliberate malice were a few to (b)
——. Everyone (c) —— to run over to the place of fire with water barrels, gunnysacks, etc. Some with ploughs
dug furrows to stop the fire. Once started, the heat of the fire (d) —— a great area and (e) —— the people.
7. Summarise prairie fire in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on the reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing how
prairie fires can be prevented. (No. 1 has been done for you) 15=5
1. With much awareness of the people  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
discuss go happy gossip cook neighbour experience
use bother visit please household chores trouble
Mrs. Zaman is a house wife. She loves (a) ——. She lives in an appartment block. There are seven more families
in the building. She has an (b) —— cook. So she does not have to do any (c) ——. Almost everyday around
eleven o’clock she (d) —— to visit one of her
(e) —— in the apartments mostly to gossip. Most of the housewives she (f) —— do not have much domestic
help and they (g) —— this time to cook, clean or do other household
(h) ——. But Mrs. Zaman does not seem to be (i) ——. She does not mind (j) —— the personal matters of one
family with another.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
A large number of people (a) —— English all over the world. Some people use it as a
(b) —— language and some people take it as a (c) —— language. Many international
(d) —— now depend on English to (e) —— with offices in different countries. Their advertisements published in
different (f) —— are always in (g) ——. They also want people who possess a good (h) —— knowledge of
English. People seeking employment (i) —— expect to get good jobs without (j) —— English.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 2 6=12
A B C D
(i) Robinson Crusoe wanted that he should go at all
(ii) His father did not want to be a sailor England
(iii) He ran away from home from his boyhood
(iv) He was born him to study law
(v) His father wanted in one day
27 n English First Paper : Questions n
(vi) He did not like the idea to sea
12. The following sentences are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in one paragraph to
make a story. 114=14
(i) He bought a cat to kill the mice.
(ii) They were doing a lot of mischief there.
(iii) There was an old house in a village.
(iv) The mice were in great difficulty.
(v) There lived a number of mice in that house.
(vi) At this all remained silent, as there was none to tie the bell round the cat’s neck.
(vii) All the mice thanked the young mouse for his plan.
(viii) Several proposals were made but none of the proposals was good.
(ix) At last a young mouse rose to speak.
(x) The master of the house was very annoyed and made a plan to get rid of them.
(xi) They could not move freely as before.
(xii) They held a meeting to discuss the matter and find a way to be free from this danger.
(xiii) He said, “I have a good plan for your consideration. Let us tie a bell round the cat’s neck. Then we will
hear him coming and be able to hide ourselves in time.”
(xiv) But an old mouse stood up and said, “No doubt the idea is good. But who will tie the bell?”
13. Write a paragraph of around 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer should give as
much detail as possible. 14
(a) Why is English called an International Language? (b) Why should we learn English?
(c) What do you think about the necessity of grammar in learning English? (d) How does your English textbook
help you learn English?

RAJSHAHI BOARD — 2005


13 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—15; Lesson—2(B)]
Education is one of the basic needs of a human being and is essential for any kind of development. The poor socio-
economic condition of Bangladesh can be largely attributed to most people's inaccessibility to education. Many
illiterate people do not have any knowledge of health, sanitation and population control. If they were educated, they
could live a healthy and planned life. Education teaches us how to earn well and how to spend well. It enables us to
make the right choices in life and to perform our duties properly. It enhances our ability to raise crops, store food,
protect the environment and carry out our social responsibilities. It is only education which can help us to adopt a
rational attitude. It provides us with an enlightened awareness about things and this awareness is the prerequisite for
social development.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) There is no doubt that education is one of the basic needs of wild beasts/insects/ human beings.
(b) Knowledge of health, sanitation and population control is absent among the highly educated
people/illiterate people/old people.
(c) Education teaches us how to fight well/cheat well/earn well and spend well.
(d) It enables us to make the wrong choices/right choices/doubtful choices in life.
(e) Only education can help us to adopt an irrational/rational attitude/illogical attitude.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) The rich socio-economic condition of Bangladesh can be largely attributed to most people's accessibility to
education.
(b) Many uneducated people have the knowledge of health, sanitation and population control.
(c) Education enables us to earn well and spend well.
(d) Education disables us to make the right choices in life and to perform our duties properly.
(e) Only education can help us to adopt an irrational attitude.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of words in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary. 15=5
(a) We can attribute the socio-economic (develop) —— of the country to education.
(b) Many illiterate people —— (not aware) of the rules of health.
28 n HSC English Test Papers n
(c) Education helps the —— (protect) of environment.
(d) We own the —— (enhance) of our abilities to education.
(e) A rural woman usually —— (not have) any knowledge of sanitation.
4. Make a list of five merits of education. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5—8 : [Unit—6; Lesson—2(C)]

Water, a vital element of the environment, is also polluted in different ways. Man pollutes water by throwing waste into
it. Farmers use chemical fertilisers and insecticides in their fields. When rain and floods wash away some of these
chemicals, they get mixed with water in rivers, canals and ponds. Mills and factories also throw their poisonous
chemicals and waste products into rivers and canals and thus pollute the water. Water vehicles also pollute rivers by
dumping oil, food waste and human waste into them. Insanitary latrines and unsafe drains standing on river and canal
banks are also responsible for further pollution.
5. Write short answers to the questions below. 15=5
(a) What is a vital element of the environment?
(b) How does a farmer pollute water?
(c) How do mills and factories pollute water?
(d) How do water vehicles contribute to water pollution?
(e) Do you think insanitary latrines and unsafe drains are responsible for water pollution?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
(a) Water is polluted in —— ways.
(b) Man is a vital —— of environment.
(c) Farmers use chemical and —— in their fields.
(d) Mills and factories —— their waste products into rivers.
(e) Water vehicles are also responsible —— water pollution.
7. Summarise water pollution in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing how
water pollution can be prevented. (No. 1 has been done for you) 15=5
1. Through a law from the parliament  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
waste rubbish incinerators environment refabricated
manage utilise of some non-burnable
We cannot altogether get rid of our (a) —— but a proper management of it can certainly reduce its quantity. If
we think of burning, burying, recycling and thus (b) —— our waste, we can to a large (c) —— save our (d)
——. Our garbage consists (e) —— various kinds of things. Some are burnable, (f) —— are (g) ——. In some
countries waste is destroyed by
(h) ——. The non-burnable waste is melted and (i) ——. Some rubbish is not (j) —— at all.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Newspapers in Bangladesh have constantly (a) —— our attention to the (b) —— safety measures provided by (c)
—— garment factories. They (d) —— adequate space, (e) —— staircases and (f) —— exits. (g) —— addition,
most of the garment (h) —— do not have any training (i) —— fire safety. At least 104 garment employees were
(j) —— in fire related incidents.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) Mr. Robertson doesn't like a who talk much
(ii) He in his fifties a beard but curly
(iii) His hair it makes him people loves to eat
(iv) He is is straight important
(v) He doesn't have look but he has a moustache
(vi) He says is not and lawyer
29 n English First Paper : Questions n
12. The following sentences are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in one paragraph to
make a story. 114=14
(i) Bashir milked the cow and drank the milk.
(ii) Ali was the younger brother and Bashir was the elder.
(iii) Bashir grew fatter and Ali became thinner day by day.
(iv) There lived two brothers named Ali and Bashir.
(v) They inherited a cow that Ali grazed everyday.
(vi) One day their father died.
(vii) Bashir drank the juice alone.
(viii) Ali watered the palm tree.
(ix) Bashir agreed to share the juice with Ali.
(x) Bashir had to share the cow's milk with Ali.
(xi) The clever man whispered something into Ali's ears.
(xii) Ali started beating the cow just when Bashir was about to milk it.
(xiii) Bashir requested Ali not to cut the palm tree.
(xiv) A clever man noticed everything.
13. Write a paragrpah of around 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer should give as
much detail as possible. 14
(a) What do you think about the necessity of education? (b) Can education really remove the darkness of
ignorance? (c) How does education promote understanding among people?
(d) How can education contribute towards change for the better?

JESSORE BOARD — 2003


14 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1 — 4 : [Unit—21; Lesson—1(B)]
'Globalisation' has become a buzzword in the new era of international relations. Basically, it is a process of expanding
trade and commerce all over the world by creating a borderless market. But it has had a far-reaching effect on many
aspects of life. With the development of hi-tech communication media and rapid transportation facilities, the world has
come closer. We can now learn in an instant what is happening in the farthest corner of the world and travel to any
country in the shortest possible time. Countries of the world are like families in a village. They can even share their
joys and sorrows like the next-door neighbours. If one country is in distress, others can immediately come to its
assistance. If we would build up an atmosphere of mutual understanding and co-operation through this globalisation
process, our world could certainly be a better place to live in.
1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 15=5
(a) Globalisation has influenced our life very slightly/easily/widely/mildly.
(b) Now a country in distress can immediately be attacked/advised/helped/ criticised by the others.
(c) It is very important/easy/difficult/nice to know what is happening in other parts of the world.
(d) Globalisation aims at expanding/creating/establishing/breaking a borderless market in the world.
(e) The world has come closer and has become a big/small/global/densely populated village.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Now we can know at once what is happening in the remotest parts of the world.
(b) 'Globalisation' has not become a fashionable word.
(c) Globalisation is a process of expanding trade and commerce all over the world.
(d) Globalisation hinders mutual understanding and co-operation between nations.
(e) Only a few aspects of our life have been influenced by globalisation.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of word in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary. 15=5
(a) Due to development of hi-tech communication media we can now know at once what (happen) —— in the
remotest parts of the world.
(b) Other countries can immediately come to the (assist) —— of a country in disaster.
(c) If it (be) —— possible to build up an atmosphere of mutual understanding and co-operation, the world
would be a better place to live in.
(d) Globalisation is a process (expand) —— trade and commerce all over the world.
30 n HSC English Test Papers n
(e) Any country can (reach) —— in the shortest possible time.
4. Make a list of five opportunities created by globalisation. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—12; Lesson—6(C)]
As his reputation as a scientist soared higher and higher, fate followed with less rewarding things. Stephen Hawking
gradually started losing control over the muscles of his body as he gradually became a victim of Gehrig's disease. Since
the age of thirty, he has been confined to a wheelchair with no power to control his body except for some limited
movement of his head and hands only. He can speak only through a computer with a voice synthesiser that converts his
messages into sounds. But such a tremendous physical handicap has not managed to dishearten or slow him down.
Stephen is still a relentless worker, using his computer to carry on research work as well as deliver lectures. He lives
with his wife and three daughters and is provided with twenty-four hours nursing facilities by an American organisation
for his physical well-being.
5. Write short answers to these questions about Stephen Hawking. 15=5
(a) Who is Stephen Hawking?
(b) What disease was he attacked with?
(c) How could he do his work in spite of his illness?
(d) Whom does he live with?
(e) What facilities is Hawking provided with?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
As Hawking’s reputation gradually (a) ——, fate followed with less rewarding things. He
(b) —— control over the muscles by degrees and became a (c) —— of Gehrig's disease. He is now (d) —— to
the wheelchair and (e) —— no power to control his body except his head and hands only.
7. Summarise the passage in five sentences giving the most important information about Stephen Hawking.
15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing how
Stephen Hawking, the victim of Gehrig's disease, survives as a scientist. (No. 1 has been done for you)
15=5
1. Became a victim of Gehrig's disease.  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
learn quickly over commit explain reading filled
enriched aloud times know possession thoughts of
Young people often consider (a) —— poetry by heart a tiresome drudgery. But the learning of poetry has great
advantage (b) —— merely reading it. Poems that have been learnt become a permanent personal (c) ——. The
mind is (d) —— with a store of beautiful or lofty (e) —— and ideas which may be a source of pleasure, comfort
and inspiration at (f) —— when the books are not at hand. Poems selected for learning, however, should be
worthy (g) —— the time to be spent on them and should be those which make a strong appeal to the learner. The
best way to (h) —— a poem to memory is not to learn it line by line, but to read the whole poem (i) —— over
and over again until it is thoroughly (j) ——.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Man pollutes water, another vital (a) ——, of the environment by (b) —— waste into it. Farmers (c) ——
chemical fertilisers and insecticides in their fields. Some of these chemicals, washed away by rain and floods. (d)
—— mixed with water in rivers, canals and ponds. Water is also (e) —— by mills and factories when they throw
their (f) —— chemicals and waste products into rivers and canals. Water vehicles also pollute rivers by dumping
oil, food waste and human (g) —— into them. Insanitary latrines (h) —— on river and canal banks are also (i)
—— for further pollution. In this way various (j) —— of waste and filth contaminate water.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) The present age to the family income the broken families and out of home activities
31 n English First Paper : Questions n
(ii) Women household work and a wide by both husbands and wives
outdoor activities disintegration of
(iii) As they began to has seen giving place to are having psychological
contribute problems
(iv) In the developed in the west and they started small, nuclear families
countries now influencing
(v) Extended families are associating now are done equally large kin groups
have given,
(vi) Marriages now often and are still with earning decisions about family
break up matters
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) He was quite happy in Brighton.
(ii) He described London as a dismal city, smoky, foggy and wet.
(iii) Rabindranath was the fourteenth child of Debendranath and Sarada Devi Tagore.
(iv) Away from his brother's home he was lucky to find a friendly English family of Dr. and Mrs. Scott.
(v) Though he was full of admiration for English society yet he was called back to India in 1880.
(vi) He went to school early and wrote his first verse at the age of eight.
(vii) He often visited the Houses of Parliament and listened to Gladstone and John Bright's debates on Irish
Home Rule.
(viii) He returned home without any qualifications of distinction.
(ix) He joined his brother's family at Brighton and attended school there.
(x) At the age of seventeen, in 1878, he arrived in London.
(xi) Young Tagore joined London University, where he attended Henry Morley's lectures on English
literature.
(xii) But soon his brother sent him to London to benefit from the education in the west.
(xiii) But the girls' parents in fact treated him like a son.
(xiv) Their two daughters were taken aback with the presence of a 'blackie' in the house.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) What is dowry? (b) What is the main reason of dowry? (c) Who take dowry and who are the
victims of dowry? (d) How does the dowry system affect the whole society? (e) What is your reaction
to the social vice? (f) How can this social curse be eliminated?
JESSORE BOARD — 2004
15 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—8; Lesson—3(B)]
The unit by which the loudness of sound is measured is called a decibel. According to the UN, the normal tolerance
limit of sound is 45 decibels. When the vibration of sound is at a tolerable, pleasant level, it is simply called sound. But
when it is sharp and harsh to the ears it becomes noise. Serious harm can be caused to people if they are regularly
exposed to sounds exceeding 70 decibels. Because of the growth of urban population and the increasing use of
machines in our everyday life there has been a general increase in the level of sound around us. On an average, people
in the cities are exposed to sounds ranging from 30 to 90 decibels or even more. A study in Japan has found that
housewives who live in the city were exposed to almost the same amount of sound that a factory worker was exposed
to at his/her workplace. The occupations that the study found to be the noisiest were factory work, truck driving and
primary school teaching.
1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 15=5
(a) Decibel is connected with physics/geography/history.
(b) Sound is milder/sharper/more unwholesome than noise.
(c) Regular exposure to sounds more than 70 decibels is not bad/good/harmful.
(d) The growth of population poses a threat to our sanitation/economy/health.
32 n HSC English Test Papers n
(e) Truck drivers are victims to accidents/sound pollution/traffic jam.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Sound pollution is acute in pastoral areas.
(b) Sounds exceeding to 70 decibels is detrimental to man.
(c) Noise is beyond the control of man.
(d) In Japan primary education is free from sound pollution.
(e) The difference between sound and noise depends upon the nature of vibration.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of words in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary. 15=5
(a) Decibel is a unit of (measure) —— sound.
(b) Development of public (aware) —— is necessary to control sound pollution.
(c) A study in Japan has found that housewives who (live) —— the city were exposed to more sound.
(d) Town areas are (noise) —— than remote areas.
(e) In Japan housewives (live) —— the city were in danger of sound pollution.
4. Make a list of five things that cause sound pollution. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—9; Lesson—1(B)]

Education is the process by which our mind develops through formal learning at an institution like a school, college or
university. It is mental and intellectual training which provides opportunities of growth and helps to meet challenges
and overcome obstacles to progress. Again, the purpose of education is to enlighten the individual and to develop
his/her capacity to the limit. It is also the business of education to train individuals to make the right choices to go
ahead. It ennobles our mind and refines our sensibility. It also broadens our outlook and helps us become aware of our
rights and responsibilities.
5. Write short answers to these questions about education. 15=5
(a) What is education?
(b) What do the schools, colleges and universities do?
(c) What is the purpose of education?
(d) Does education make our mind noble?
(e) How can we meet challenges and overcome obstacles to progress?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
Education enlightens mankind. Newman says. " (a) —— gives a man a clear conscious view of his own opinions
and judgements, a (b) —— in developing them, an eloquence in expressing them, and a force in using them." It is
often (c) —— to light which removes the
(d) —— of ignorance and helps us distinguish between right and wrong. Ex-President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania
way back in 1974 said in an international conference that the primary purpose of education was the liberation of
man from the (e) —— of habits and attitudes which limit his humanity.
7. Summarise the purpose of education in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing
what education does. (No. I has been done for you) 15=5
1. Education enlightens mankind  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
present even television common BTV
source interest educative numerous distance
Television has become the most (a) —— and most wide spread (b) —— of entertainment of the (c) —— world.
A wide range of programmes of varied (d) —— is telecast on (e) —— channels. Almost every middle class and
(f) —— working class families have a (g) —— set today. Television programmes are not only entertaining; they
can be highly (h) —— too. For example, television is used for (i) —— learning. Courses run by the Open
University are shown on (j) —— by them.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Amin is a young man of 20 years. His parents were very poor. They could not provide his educational (a) ——.
Amin passed the SSC Examination. He thought that he (b) —— not be able to continue his studies. He thought
that he would get (c) —— in poultry and cultivation of fish. He got himself admitted into Youth Development
Training Center and after (d) —— training he (e) —— an amount of money from a bank. He (f) —— a poultry
farm. He was
(g) —— profits. Then he started fish cultivation (h) —— brought huge (i) —— for him. He is no more an (j)
—— man rather he can provide people with work.
33 n English First Paper : Questions n
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) The Sundarbans and the decrease in is the located in the south of
uncontrolled Bangladesh
(ii) The tigers for their extinction their own felling of trees in the forest areas
(iii) This nocturnal beast hunt on canals and creeks and not in a pack
is
(iv) Tigers usually hunts only when it is are responsible for the
diminishing of tigers
(v) Illegal poaching with its 6,000 sq. km of victim to devious poachers
(vi) The main reason fall the number of hungry or feels threatened
preys
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) She was glad to have a meal.
(ii) He told his wife about a poor helpless Beduin woman.
(iii) The Caliph offered her food which they had brought with them.
(iv) On hearing the fact, his wife expressed her eagerness to set out immediately for helping her fellow
woman.
(v) She heard that the Caliph Omar (R) was a harsh man.
(vi) After a while they reached the house of the Beduin woman.
(vii) His wife was still waiting for her husband.
(viii) It was past midnight when the Caliph returned home.
(ix) When they went, they took with them some food.
(x) Then they entered into a conversation on life and teachings of the Prophet (Sm).
(xi) She expressed her feelings towards them.
(xii) The Beduin restlessly walked up and down.
(xiii) Now she bowed low in gratitude to the Caliph.
(xiv) Later on she learnt that the visitor was the Caliph.
13. Write a paragraph introducing Bangladesh to a foreigner who does not have much idea about our country.
14
(a) Where is Bangladesh located? (b) When did she get her freedom? (c) Where is the capital of Bangladesh? (d)
What are the different religions here? (e) What are some of the common customs and traditions that people
follow? (f) What are the main tourist spots in Bangladesh?

JESSORE BOARD — 2005


16 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—4; Lesson—1(C)]
For the Germans leisure has become a major pursuit. Formerly, Germans used to work ten hours a day and six days a
week and had very little time to relax. But in modern times working hours in Germany have become shorter stretching
over five days. People therefore have more time to spare now. They are so interested in spending their free time
effectively that there is even a German Leisure Association that conducts research on leisure activities. The Germans
love to travel and almost half of all adults in Germany have made a trip outside the country just for pleasure and
relaxation. There are also many sports centres where young people go for physical exercise. Going to dance clubs or for
long drives are other popular pastimes. Hiking, walking or visiting family and friends are also some of the most
common leisure activities there.
1. Choose the right word/words to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) Nowadays the Germans have to work six days/five days/seven days a week.
(b) As the working hours have become shorter people in Germany have no time/more time/a lot of time to
spare now.
(c) Travelling/Riding/Fishing as a leisure activity is very popular with the German adults.
34 n HSC English Test Papers n
(d) The Germans are not interested/very interested/hardly interested in spending their free time effectively.
(e) The young people in Germany go to sports centres for research on leisure activities/physical
exercise/merrymaking.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Formerly, Germans used to work five days a week.
(b) Nearly 50% of all adults in Germany have made a trip outside the country for pleasure and relaxation.
(c) The existence of German Leisure Association shows the great interest of Germans in spending their free
time effectively.
(d) Sports centres are very rare in Germany.
(e) Some of the common leisure activities in Germany are hunting, skate boarding and boating .
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of words in brackets. Add any preposition
if ncessary. 15=5
(a) Nowadays working days have been (bring) —— down to five.
(b) Germans are deeply interested in (spend) —— their leisure effectively.
(c) Half of German adults travel abroad for (relax) ——.
(d) German Leisure Association is formed with a view to (conduct) —— research on leisure activities.
(e) One of the common leisure activities in Germany is (visit) —— family and friends.
4. Make a list of five leisure pursuits in Germany. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5—8 : [Unit—6; Lesson—2(C)]
Water, another vital element of the environment, is also polluted in different ways. Man pollutes water by throwing
waste into it. Farmers use chemical fertilisers and insecticides in their fields. When rain and floods wash away some of
these chemicals, they get mixed with water in rivers, canals and ponds. Mills and factories also throw their poisonous
chemicals and waste products into rivers and canals and thus pollute the water. Water vehicles also pollute rivers by
dumping oil, food waste and human waste into them. Insanitary latrines and unsafe drains, standing on river and canal
banks are also responsible for further pollution. Thus water is contaminated by various kinds of waste and filth.
5. Write short answers to the questions about water pollution. 15=5
(a) How is water polluted by the farmers?
(b) How do water vehicles contaminate water?
(c) How is the water of the rivers and canals polluted by mills?
(d) What kinds of latrines and drains are responsible for water pollution?
(e) How is human waste dumped into the river?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
Water is one of the most important elements of our environment. Unfortunately we seldom realise this and often
(a) —— it by throwing various kinds of waste and (b) —— into it. Rain water (c) —— away fertilizers and
insecticides into the river water, which is also contaminated by the (d) —— from mills and factories. Insanitary
latrines and unsafe drains are also responsible for water (e) ——.
7. Smmarise the main factors of water pollution in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart to show how
water is polluted. (No. 1 has been done for you.) 15=5
1. Man throws waste into water  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
sense dots see read man using
tips although ability letters way mails
(a) —— blind people cannot (b) ——, their (c) —— of touch becomes for more developed than that of most
sighted people. This (d) —— was put to use by a brilliant (e) —— called Louis Braille. In the early nineteenth
century, he invented a (f) —— of writing with bears his name. The Braille system reproduces the (g) —— of the
alphabet by a series of (h) —— in certain positions, which are raised on the paper. The blind person runs the (i)
—— of his fingers across the pages of the Braille book, and can work out the printed letters and numbers. In this
way, he read the book (j) —— his sense of touch.
10. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Your performance in the interview is very important, even (a) —— some people regard
(b) —— as poor predictors of future (c) ——. There is a good (d) —— of subjectivity in an interview to judge a
(e) ——, but as a candidate, the subjectivity inherent in interviews can work to your (f) ——. If you menifest
35 n English First Paper : Questions n
confidence and enthusiasm, smile a (g) —— and generally look as though you know (h) —— you are talking
about, then you are well on the (i) —— to a result. (j) —— you respond is probably more important than what
you say.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 2 6=12
A B C D
(i) E-mail has is a revolution mode of communication
(ii) Messages can become greatly dependent to another countries like ours
be
(iii) It brought about on this speedy telephone calls
(iv) Trade and not reached everyone commercially operatered e- within seconds
commerce has mail facilities
(v) It has, however, started using far cheaper than in modern communication
(vi) But even here transmitted from one especially in developing for important purposes
people have country
12. The following sentences are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in one paragraph to
make a story. 114=14
(i) Alexander, the king of Macedon, crossed the Khayber Pass and reached India.
(ii) Then he came to the plain of the Punjab.
(iii) Alexander was pleased with Porus for his bold reply.
(iv) There ruled a king called Porus.
(v) But unfortunately he was defeated in a battle.
(vi) "Like a king," was the reply of Porus.
(vii) He was brought before Alexander.
(viii) He wanted to attack the land of Porus.
(ix) He showed his boldness before Alexander.
(x) He also made him king of another province in the Punjab.
(xi) Then he was taken prisoner.
(xii) Porus came forward with his men and arms in order to defend his land from the attack of Alexander.
(xiii) He allowed him to rule his country as before.
(xiv) Alexander asked him how he would like to be treated.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer should give as much
detail as possible. 14
(a) Why are sports necessary? (b) What type of sports are very popular? (c) Do sports help us any how? (d) Do
you take part in sports? (e) Do sports strengthen international brotherhood?

COMILLA BOARD — 2003


17 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1 — 4 : [Unit—6; Lesson—4(B)]
Humans, animals and plants are all important elements of the natural environment. But humans are cruelly destroying
plants and animals and thereby creating a danger for us all. The destruction of forests and other habitats is causing the
extinction of various plants and animals everyday. These losses are particularly severe in the areas of tropical forests
which cover only 7% of the surface of the globe, but which provide the living space for between 50% and 80% of all
our wildlife. Many wild animals and birds such as pandas, bears, tigers, alligators, whales, wolves, eagles, falcons, kites
and buzzards are faced with the threat of extinction today. Their decline has been accelerated by the destruction of their
feeding and nesting places, by the collection of eggs, and above all by the widespread use of chemicals and pesticides
which enter their food chains leading to sterility and mass deaths. Hunting of birds and animals is another cause of their
extinction. Men kill birds for food and feather, hunt big cats to make fur coats and slaughter alligators and other reptiles
36 n HSC English Test Papers n
for shoes and bags. In addition, whale hunting has also drastically reduced the number of blue whales in the Atlantic
ocean.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) Humans are destroying plants and animals which are good/useful/dangerous to us.
(b) The tropical forests cover about 70/17/7 per cent of the surface of the earth.
(c) Most of the wild animals live in the tropical/subtropical/coastal forests.
(d) Hunting of birds is a cause of their destruction/increase/extinction.
(e) Whale hunting has reduced the number of blue whales in the Indian/Pacific/ Atlantic Ocean.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Humans, animals and plants are ordinary elements of natural environment.
(b) Losses of plants and animals are severe in the tropical region.
(c) Men kill birds for food and feathers.
(d) In order to protect environment we should not protect our wildlife.
(e) Sterility among the birds is caused by destruction of forests.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words. Add any preposition if necessary.
15=5
(a) (Destroy) —— forests has a very bad effect on the wild animals.
(b) They (lose) —— their breeding places.
(c) Their food chain is also (affect) —— the widespread use of chemicals.
(d) Many wild animals (face) —— with the threat of extinction.
(e) (Hunt) —— animals should be restricted by the government.
4. Match the words/phrases of column A with the ones of column B and put them in complete sentences.
15=5
 Column A Column B
(a) Their decline has been accelerated (i) we should protect our wildlife
(b) Hunting of birds and animals is (ii) is to be kind to mankind
(c) In order to protect our environment (iii) drastically reduced
(d) To be kind to animals (iv) by destruction of their habitat
(e) Whale hunting has also (v) another cause of their extinction
(vi) threat of extinction today
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—20; Lesson—4(B)]
When you are crossing the road and your vehicle gets stuck in a seemingly never-ending jam in Dhaka city, every few
minutes a boy or a girl comes to you and tries to sell a bunch of roses or rajanigandha saying, "Bhaiya/Apa, please buy
these flowers". They do not tire and will pursue you relentlessly, at least as long as the jam lasts. If you are alone they
will say that you must take the flowers for their bhabis—meaning your girlfriend or wife. You often get annoyed at
their ways and shout at them. It has very little effect and often you are forced to accept their demand and console
yourself by thinking that it was after all a good bargain. However, how they manage to sell the flowers at such a cheap
price really bewilder you. And they are not very forthcoming with their answer, if you ask them.
These kids are seen in some particular spots of the city. The Sheraton and the Panthapath roads of Dhaka city are two
such places. Invariably, you may find an interesting character or two among them. There is this guy who is something
of a sardar among the flower peddlers at Kawran Bazar. He is perhaps the smallest of the bunch but he rules his
disciples with an iron hand.
5. Write short answers to these questions about the flower peddlers. 15=5
(a) What request will the flower peddler make to you?
(b) Why will you often get annoyed?
(c) Where are they generally seen?
(d) What may have caused them to sell flowers?
(e) Do you feel pity for them? Why?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
In Bangladesh, the existing law cannot (a) —— the child oppression. The children have to
(b) —— their own livelihood. In (c) —— spots of Dhaka city one can see young boys and girls selling flowers in
the (d) —— jam. It is very (e) —— that we can't ensure them a better life.
37 n English First Paper : Questions n
7. Summarise the struggles of the street children. 5
8. Based on the reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing
struggles of life of the flower peddlers. (No. 1 has been done for you) 15=5
1. Poverty, their constant companion.  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There
are more words in the box than you need. 110=10
flower job farming raising also sectors means
opportunities engage create oneself easily rearing many
Self-employment means to create (a) —— opportunity for (b) —— by one's own effort. Various government
organisations are trying to (c) —— a congenial atmosphere for self-employment. Different NGO's have (d) ——
rendered their help. Livestock (e) —— agricultural (f) ——, poultry (g) —— are some of the (h) ——. There are
many (i) —— for self-employment in Bangladesh. One can (j) —— engage oneself in these jobs.
10. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Money is power and can do much good and evil. It gives (a) —— and delight. It (b) —— do everything. A
person (c) —— is a person to be pitied. Nobody pays (d) —— respect to him. His friends do not (e) —— him.
He has to depend on the (f) —— of others. In order to
(g) —— money he does a lot of jobs. It is a must (h) —— our life. But it does not necessarily (i) —— happiness.
Happiness is absolutely a (j) —— matter.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) Deprivation of basic in the developing three dimensions of in Bangladesh
human need countries poverty
(ii) There live do not have of poverty
(iii) The consequences of it is probably hunger is often deadly enough to eat
(iv) 8 hundred million people is also widespread and low life expectancy social, economic and
political
(v) Poverty are the universal definition in this country
(vi) About 45% of the are under acute poverty and illiteracy
population
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 14
(i) The hare was always proud of his speed.
(ii) The next day the hare and the tortoise reached the venue.
(iii) One day he challenged the tortoise to defeat him in a race.
(iv) The hare ran very swiftly.
(v) Long ago there lived a hare in a forest.
(vi) They got ready.
(vii) The hare always teased the tortoise.
(viii) Covering much, the hare took rest.
(ix) A tortoise also lived nearby.
(x) They went to a fox and wanted him to act as a judge.
(xi) He decided to take rest for some time.
(xii) The tortoise accepted the challenge.
(xiii) As the fox waved the flag, the two started running.
(xiv) But the tortoise ran very slowly.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
What's your idea about leisures? How do village and city people spend their leisures? What are the common
sports and pastimes? What do you know about the late winter activities of the people? How do you evaluate
travelling?

COMILLA BOARD — 2004


18 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
38 n HSC English Test Papers n
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—5; Lesson—6(A)]
His name was Jerry; he had been at the orphanage since he was four. I could picture him at four, with the same grave
gray-blue eyes and the same — independence. No, the word that comes to me is "integrity." It is embedded on courage,
but it is more than brave. It is honest, but it is more than honesty.
The axe handle broke one day. Jerry said, the orphanage woodshop would repair it. I brought money to pay for the job
and he refused it. "I'll pay for it," he said. "I brought the axe down careless." "But no one hits accurately every time," I
told him. "The fault was in the handle."
It was only then that he would take the money. He was standing back of his own carelessness. He was a free will agent
and he chose to do careful work; and if he failed, he took the responsibility without subterfuge.
And he did for me the unnecessary thing, the gracious thing that we find done only by the great of heart. Things no
training can teach, for they are done on the instant, with no predicated experience. He found a cubby hole beside the
fireplace that I had not noticed. There, of his own accord, he put wood, so that I might always have dry fire materiel
ready in case of sudden wet weather. A stone was loose in the rough walk to the cabin. He dug a deeper hole and
steadied it, although he came, himself, by a shortcut over the bank.
I found that when I tried to return his thoughtfulness with such things as candy and apples, he was wordless. "Thank
you" was, perhaps, an expression for which he had no use, for his courtesy was instinctive. He only looked at the gift
and at me, and a curtain lifted, so that I saw deeper into the clear well of his eyes; and gratitude was there, and
affection, soft over the firm granite of his character.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) What impressed the writer most was Jerry's integrity/probity/fairness of character.
(b) It was because of his greatness/magnanimity/generosity of heart that Jerry chose to do careful work.
(c) Jerry did good things for the comfort of the authoress without being demanded/ wanted/asked.
(d) As his courtesy was simple/instinctive/common, he did not thank the writer.
(e) Jerry took the responsibility without excuse/temptation/delay.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) One day Jerry broke the axe handle.
(b) Jerry had moral courage to confess his fault.
(c) He did the odd job willingly.
(d) Jerry was in the habit of thanking others.
(e) He put the firewood in the cubby hole.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words given in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary.
15=5
(a) Jerry (admit) —— his fault without subterfuge.
(b) Jerry did his work (careful) ——.
(c) In case of his (fail) —— Jerry took the responsibility.
(d) (Stand) —— back of his own carelessness, Jerry earned the admiration of the writer.
(e) There (be) —— a fault in the axe handle when Jerry started chopping wood.
4. Make a list of five qualities of Jerry that made him dear to the writer. 15=5

Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—6; Lesson—2(B)]

The world is producing millions of tons of domestic rubbish and toxic industrial waste each year, and it is becoming
increasingly difficult to find suitable locations to get rid of all the refuse. The disposal of various kinds of waste is
seriously polluting the environment. We know that air is an important element of our environment and our air is
polluted by smoke. Man makes fires to cook food, make bricks, melt tar for road construction and to do many other
things. Fires create smoke and pollute the air. Railway engines and powerhouses create smoke by burning coal and oil.
Mills and factories also belch a lot of smoke. Buses, trucks and cars use petrol and diesel oil. These too emit smoke. All
these kinds of smoke pollute the air.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) Why is tar used?
(b) What is seriously polluting the environment?
(c) How do rail engines and powerhouses pollute air?
(d) Why does man make fire?
(e) What kind of waste do mills and factories dispose?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
39 n English First Paper : Questions n
Air is an important (a) —— of our environment. We cannot live without (b) —— air. But
(c) —— air is harmful for our health. The important element which pollutes air is (d) ——. So we should (e)
—— public opinion about air pollution.
7. Summarise the passage in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing the
factors responsible for air pollution. (No. 1 has been done for you). 15=5
1. Domestic rubbish and industrial  2  3  4  5  6
waste
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
drive without traffic conscious occur be frequent
many through easily know move go come
It (a) —— difficult to drive in Bangladesh if you have no experience of (b) —— here. Drivers change lanes (c)
——. As a foreigner you may find lane changing (d) —— signal quite distressing. Even drivers (e) —— defying
rules. Many people are not at all (f) —— about traffic signals. They go around not (g) —— what may happen to
them if accident
(h) ——. Rikshaw and baby-taxis (i) —— in and out in a zigzag course and try to push
(j) —— whenever they find some space.
10. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Bangladesh is a country (a) —— an area of 1,47,570 square kilometres. It is (b) —— with more than 120 million
people. About one thousand people (c) —— per square kilometre. So, it is, a (d) —— populated country. The
growth rate is very (e) —— which must be
(f) —— immediately. If this rate (g) —— on unchecked, Bangladesh will (h) —— a great problem. So, everyone
should (i) —— forward to (j) —— public consciousness.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) In Parambanan Indonesia is themselves of walking on fire
worshippers
(ii) Yoga do not think considered a good to be possessed by gods
exercise
(iii) Researchers can magic is the secret for controlling
breathing
(iv) Dancers of Bali consider pierce their bodies as long as they want
(v) Fakirs believe to keep their heads buried with daggers
in the ground
(vi) Polynesian firewalkers are able themselves to be under the spell of
'mana'
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) As he was leaving the jar in despair, he noticed a heap of pebbles nearby.
(ii) But it had no effect.
(iii) At last he found a jar in a garden.
(iv) But it was at the bottom and out of his reach.
(v) He flew from one place to another in search of water.
(vi) He took some pebbles.
(vii) Then he hit upon a plan.
(viii) Then he flew away.
(ix) Then he dropped the pebbles into the jar.
(x) A crow was very thirsty and wanted to drink.
(xi) When the water came to the mouth of the jar the crow drank his fill.
(xii) As each pebble went down, the water in the jar rose up little by little.
(xiii) The crow tried to turn the jar over and over again.
40 n HSC English Test Papers n
(xiv) There was some water in the jar.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) Why is Bangladesh called a land of natural calamities? (b) What is the most common natural
calamity here? (c) When does it occur? (d) What is the impact? (e) How do the people suffer?
COMILLA BOARD — 2005
19 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—3; Lesson—1(B)]
'Communicative competence' refers to the ability to use language appropriately in different circumstances. There are
two ways of developing communicative competence in a language. The first is acquisition which is similar to the way
people develop ability in their mother tongue. It is a natural, subconscious process in which users are not usually aware
of acquiring a language. They are aware only of the fact that they are using the language to communicate. In non-
technical terms, acquisition is 'picking up' a language spontaneously. It may also be called 'implicit' learning.
On the other hand, the second way of developing communicative competence in a language is learning that language. It
refers to conscious knowledge of a language, knowing the rules of language use, being aware of using them, and being
able to talk about them. In non-technical terms, learning is to know consciously about a language. It may be described
as 'explicit' learning.
Language specialists believe that acquiring a language is more successful and longer lasting than learning. Therefore,
teachers these days encourage learners of a second language to practise and experience the language in different
situations where they are involved in communicating with others.
1. Choose the right word/phrase to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) Communicative competence can be gained/earned/developed in two ways.
(b) People acquire a mother tongue consciously/unconsciously/subconsciously.
(c) Acquisition signifies implicit/explicit/exact learning.
(d) Knowing a language by rules lasts longer/shorter/ more momentarily than acquiring a language.
(e) Teachers suggest that learners should learn language by practising and communicating with others/writing
letters/watching TV.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) People develop competence in their mother tongue through a deliberated process.
(b) We are acquiring English.
(c) Communication through learning language by rules is a long process.
(d) People learn a second language subconsciously.
(e) Learning a language is more effective than acquiring it.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of words given in brackets. Add any preposition, if necessary. 15=5
(a) To be (competence) —— a language one has to use it in different situations.
(b) There is an element of (spontaneous) —— the acquisition of a language.
(c) Acquiring a language (believe) —— to be more lasting than learning it.
(d) By being (consciously) —— a language one can develop his 'explicit' learning.
(e) Communicative competence can be (develop) —— in two ways.
4. Write five points about the ways of developing communicative competence in a language. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—15; Lesson—3(B)]
Working opportunities for women are very few in rural areas of Bangladesh. They usually spend their time doing their
household chores. The ILO recently started a project titled "Technologies for Rural Employment with Special
Reference to Women and Sustainable Development". The aim of this project is to impart training to rural women in
various activities and make them self-reliant.
Sakhina Begum is a beneficiary of this project. She attended a training course on food processing at the Bangladesh
Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) at Gazipur. Sakhina has two school-going children. Her husband is a rickshaw-
puller who does not earn enough to support the family and pay for the children's education. From the BARI training
course, Sakhina learnt how to make jam, jelly, pickles, popcorn and many other food items. Along with her fellow
project beneficiaries, she is now producing these items and selling them in the local market. With the proceeds, she is
now able to add to her family income. If they continue doing their work, Sakhina and other women working with her
will surely see happier days with the new employment opportunities created by the ILO project.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) What does ILO mean?
(b) What is the aim of the ILO project?
41 n English First Paper : Questions n
(c) What training did Sakhina Begum receive from BARI?
(d) Why can't Sakhina's husband pay for the children's education?
(e) How do village women usually pass their time?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
The condition of the poor village women is very (a) ——. They do not find any (b) —— for work in the rural
areas. The ILO has recently started a project with a view to (c) —— their condition. It (d) —— training to rural
women. Sakhina Begum has received training under this project. She has been able to (e) —— her financial
condition.
7. Summarise the passage in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing
Sakhina's income generating activities. (No. 1 has been done for you). 15=5
1. Training programme of ILO  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
constrains unusually huge education need standard facilities
increase available affect troubled requisite progress academic
Bangladesh has a (a) —— population. Our educational institutions are also few. We have far too many students
to (b) ——, compared to the number of institutions (c) ——. Bangladesh (d) —— more schools, colleges and
universities to provide for the (e) —— number of students. But owing to financial and resource (f) ——, the
government cannot fund the
(g) —— number of educational institutions. At present every educational institutions are overcrowded and class
size is (h) —— large. As (i) —— in these institutions are poor, the students do not get a (j) —— education.
10. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Riaz is fed (a) —— with his next door (b) ——. His bed room is very (c) —— to theirs. Every time he sits down
to (d) —— in the evening (e) —— comes the blaring sound of the television (f) —— the house next door. It (g)
—— that the TV is kept (h) —— the whole evening. In winter he can bear it by (i) —— his window closed (j)
—— in summer it gets too hot and stuffy if the window is kept closed.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) Water feel most of our crops
(ii) But it helps water bumper crops
(iii) Moderate rainfall do not get very essential for water for irrigation
(iv) Excessive rainfall can be the dire need of in a proper way
(v) Our farmers is produce and a curse
(vi) They destroys both a blessing our agriculture
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) This time he put on gorgeous dress.
(ii) The courtier understood his fault and begged pardon to the poet.
(iii) On his way back home, Sa'di again took shelter in the same courtier's house.
(iv) He set out for the emperor's palace in ordinary dress.
(v) Sa'di replied, "My dress deserves this food."
(vi) He was simple in his ways of life.
(vii) On the way, he took shelter in a courtier's house.
(viii) Sheikh Sa'di was a great Persian poet.
(ix) They asked, "Why are you putting the foods in your dress?":
(x) Once he was invited to the emperor's palace.
(xi) The courtier's men were surprised to see this.
(xii) The courtier and his men did not show much honour and hospitality to him.
42 n HSC English Test Papers n
(xiii) Now Sa'di began to put his foods in the pockets of his dress.
(xiv) The courtier received him cordially and entertained him with rich and delicious foods.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) Where is Bangladesh situated? (b) When did she get her independence? (c) How is the climate of the country?
(d) What is the main occupation of the people here?
(e) What is the main attraction of this country? (f) How do you feel about Bangladesh?

CHITTAGONG BOARD — 2003


20 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1 — 4 : [Unit—6; Lesson—3(B)]
In recent years, there have been many alarming reports that the world's climate is undergoing a significant change. All
these reports provide strong evidence that world temperatures are increasing day by day. This increase in global
warming is caused by increased amounts of carbon dioxide around the earth. Most climatologists believe that the
greenhouse effect is the likely cause of this global warming.
What is the greenhouse effect? It is the gradual warming of the air surrounding the earth as a result of heat being
trapped by environmental pollution. This is exemplified by the destruction and burning down of tropical rain forests, by
traffic that clogs up city streets, by the rapid growth of industry, the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in packaging
and manufacturing commercial products, the use of detergents such as washing powder and washing-up liquid and so
on. The oceans are also said to be affected both because of human waste and because of pollution caused by industrial
waste products, oil seeping from damaged supertankers and from other maritime disasters. However, the main culprits
for global warming are carbon dioxide gas, produced by the burning of fossil fuels and pollutants such as methane and
chlorofluorocarbons.
Climatologists predict that midway through this century, temperatures may have risen by as much as 4 C. This could
catastrophically reduce mankind's ability to grow food, destroy or severely damage wildlife and wilderness, raise sea
levels and thereby flood coastal areas and farmland. The alarming news about Bangladesh is that as a result of the rise
of the sea level, the lower southern part of the country may one day go under water.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) According to majority of the climatologists, the greenhouse effect is the plausible/probable/prime cause of
the global warming.
(b) The global warming may have a disastrous/magnificent/heinous effect on life on earth.
(c) The burning of fossil fuels, forest and various pollutants is the effect/root/ source of carbon dioxide gas.
(d) The dumping of industrial wastes and waste products into the ocean affects/ causes/diminishes
environmental pollution.
(e) The rise of temperature may one day damage/swallow/submerge the lower southern part of Bangladesh.
2. Write whether the following statements are true or false. If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Carbon dioxide gas is the only culprit for global warming.
(b) The greenhouse effect is a global phenomenon.
(c) Fossil fuels and forests are some of the main culprits for global warming.
(d) The greenhouse effect can be diminished if we can reduce the environmental pollution.
(e) Global warming is good for the cold countries of the world.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in brackets. Add appropriate prepositions if necessary.
15=5
(a) The greenhouse effect may be the cause of (destruct) —— wildlife and wilderness.
(b) According to the (believe) —— the climatologists, the greenhouse effect is the most likely cause of the
global warming.
(c) If the sea level rises abnormally, we have reason to be (worry) ——.
(d) Carbon dioxide is (produce) —— the burning of fossil fuels and forests.
(e) Even the oceans are getting (pollution) ——.
4. Make a list of five causes of global warming. 15=5
43 n English First Paper : Questions n
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—24; Lesson—4(C)]
Gender discrimination in Bangladesh begins at birth. Most parents want to have children so that they can, when they
are older, supplement their family income and/or help with the domestic work. In the existing socio-economic set-up,
male children are best suited to this purpose. So, girls are born to an unwelcome world. However, they are assigned,
rather confined to domestic chores. Some of these girls may be at school. But all their work—domestic or academic—
stops as soon as they are married off, which is the prime concern of the parents about their daughters.
This discriminatory treatment has some long-term negative effects on the body and mind of the girl children and
women in a family. They are given to understand that they should keep the best food available for the male members in
the family, that they should eat less than the male members; that they should not raise their voice when they speak; that
they should not go out of their house without permission from, and without being escorted by the male members. All
these shape the girls’ thinking about life and the world, and go to establish their relationships with the male members in
the family. As a result they suffer, more than their male counterparts, from malnutrition and anaemia which make them
vulnerable to various diseases, resulting in a high mortality rate. They develop a sense of self-effacement, self-denial
and inferiority that persists throughout their lifetime as an inevitable benchmark of the weaker sex. As a result, married
off even at 9 or 10 to a man of 40 or 50, a girl rarely has any say in decision making in the family, let alone in society.
5. Write short answers to the following questions (Don't quote sentences from the given passage). 15=5
(a) What do you mean by gender discrimination?
(b) Why do the parents prefer a male child?
(c) What matters most to the parents about their daughters?
(d) How does a girl think about life and world?
(e) What is the most harmful effect that persists throughout a woman's life?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
In our country most of the girls fall (a) —— to gender discrimination as soon as they are born, even before their
birth. Almost all the parents (b) —— a male child to a female one. A girl’s education life comes to a (c) ——
with her marriage. Because of discriminatory treatment, throughout her life she suffers from inferiority (d) ——
which tells upon both her physical and (e) —— health.
7. Summarise five negative effects of gender discrimination on girl children and women in a family. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in
the flow chart showing the position of a girl in the family. (No.1 has been done for you)
15=5
1. A girl's unwelcome birth to a  2  3  4  5  6
hostile world.
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
device trained about perform essential great abacus
fairly large special recent sense refers called
The computer is a fairly (a) —— invention. It has now become an (b) —— part of modern life. It has greatly
benefited us and brought (c) —— revolutionary changes in our life. Any (d) —— that helps people perform
mathematical calculation may be (e) —— a computer. In this sense the (f) —— is a simple computer. Today,
however, the term computer (g) —— to special kind of electronic machine that can perform mathematical
calculations and process (h) —— masses of information at a (i) —— speed. In a few minutes a computer can
perform calculation that (j) —— mathematicians would need years to complete.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Jerry was a twelve years old boy (a) —— lived in the orphanage. The authoress hired the cabin. (b) —— to the
orphanage. Jerry came to the cabin to (c) —— wood for the authoress. He also did some extra work (d) —— the
convenience of the authoress. Once he (e) —— a cubby hole where he put some kindling and medium wood (f)
—— that the writer might get dry fire materials ready in case of (g) —— wet weather. The authoress was pleased

(h) —— him. When she gave him some candy or apples he used to (i) —— silent. He expressed his (j) —— by
looking at the gift and the authoress.
44 n HSC English Test Papers n
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) Environment must be taken in various ways by smoke of factories and
pollution vehicles
(ii) In our cities air has become to control is polluted by garbage
(iii) Even the ground we is constantly one of the greatest alarming pollution
problems
(iv) Water walk on in the face of in our country
(v) But we is also polluted being polluted in this modern age
(vi) Measures should not remain idle both in urban and rural such an alarming problem
areas
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) Then he saw a spider trying hard to reach the ceiling of the cave.
(ii) But it did not give up hope.
(iii) The spider failed again and again to succeed.
(iv) Bruce saw the spider climbing to the ceiling after some unsuccessful attempts.
(v) He gathered an army of strong men and attacked his enemies.
(vi) This dauntless spider inspired Bruce to shake off the darkness of the despair.
(vii) The enemies courted defeat and Robert Bruce regained his kingdom.
(viii) The king fought bravely but lost the battle.
(ix) Robert Bruce was a famous king.
(x) He had to flee from his kingdom to his life.
(xi) Enemies invaded his kingdom.
(xii) And he took shelter in a remote cave.
(xiii) Once he was lying in the cave.
(xiv) The king was always in a gloomy state for his unhappy condition.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
What kind of family do you live in? Extended or nuclear? Why is nuclear family getting popularity nowadays?
What are the advantages you find in a nuclear family? What are the disadvantages of it? Do you like nuclear
family? If so, why? If not, why?

CHITTAGONG BOARD — 2004


21 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—7; Lesson—5(B)]
How safe will the buildings in the city of Dhaka be in the event of an earthquake? Experts give no straight answer to
this question, but call for taking adequate precautions to minimise losses. That Bangladesh lies in the active earthquake
zone is not unknown to Bangladeshis. Alarmed by the recurrence of quakes during recent years, experts have called for
the development of an earthquake resistant building code that all buildings should follow as mandatory.
There are two schools of experts regarding earthquakes. One school comprising of engineers and geologists is of the
view that the recurrence of quakes in recent years should be taken as a signal for a major earthquake. Another school
comprising of similar categories of experts, however, believes that the concern should not be amplified, because
although there are a number of fault lines in the geographical area comprising Bangladesh, none of them is active
enough to pose a major threat. Yet none of the schools rules out the possibility of a major quake and the dangers that
might be associated with it. The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakhya (RAJUK), responsible for a planned development of
the city believes that an earthquake resistant building code should be developed to reduce the losses.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) That Bangladesh is in the active earthquake zone is known/unknown/ unfamiliar to Bangladeshis.
45 n English First Paper : Questions n
(b) Experts are of the opinion that precautionary measures should be taken to increase/decrease/equalise
losses.
(c) By the recurrence of earthquakes experts are encouraged/ alarmed/ indifferent.
(d) In the passage the word ‘pose’ means to possess/expose/create.
(e) All buildings should follow earthquake resistant building code as compulsory/ optional/peculiarity.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Experts have given a clear answer to the question of safety of the buildings in Dhaka city during an
earthquake.
(b) Bangladesh lies in the inactive earthquake zone.
(c) RAJUK should develop an earthquake resistant building code to decrease the losses.
(d) No fault lines are there in the geographical area comprising Bangladesh.
(e) To minimise losses in the event of an earthquake adequate precautions should be taken.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in brackets. Add appropriate prepositions if necessary.
15=5
(a) All buildings should be built in a (plan) —— way.
(b) The fault lines in the area covering Bangladesh are in (active) —— zone.
(c) The two schools of experts do not rule out the (possible) —— major earthquakes.
(d) The (amplify) —— of the concern of a major earthquake has been forbidden.
(e) Experts have called for (develop) —— an earthquake resistant building code.
4. Match the phrases of Column A with the ones in Column B. 15=5
Column A Column B
(a) Precautionary measures should be taken (i) Dhaka city
(b) Regarding earthquake there are (ii) engineers and geologists
(c) The schools comprise of (iii) to minimise losses
(d) They do not rule out the dangers (iv) hundreds of opinions
(e) RAJUK stands for (v) associated with it
(vi) the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakhya
(vii) two schools of experts
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—13; Lesson—3(D)]
Ayesha Begum has three sons and two daughters. Her husband was a landless farmer who used to work on other
people's land. With great effort they married their daughters off by the time they reached teenage. The sons also started
working with their father as day-labourers when they were old enough to help. By the time they were about seventeen
years old, all of them had left to work in nearby towns to earn money. At first they used to send money to their parents
occasionally, but after getting married they barely had enough to support their own families. Ayesha Begum and her
husband are now old and feeble. Years of malnutrition and deprivation have made them look older than their years. All
they are left with now is their broken little thatched house. Out of desperation Ayesha Begum has started begging in the
village to feed her old, invalid husband and herself. She does not know what ails him, neither does she have the means
to find out. She is too busy collecting food for survival.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) What did Ayesha Begum’s husband do?
(b) When did her sons start working?
(c) Why did the sons stop sending money to their parents?
(d) Why do Ayesha Begum and her husband look older than their ages?
(e) How does Ayesha Begum now feed her husband and herself?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
Ayesha Begum is (a) —— with three sons and two daughters. Her husband (b) —— was a landless farmer used
to work on other people’s land. They married off their (c) —— daughters with great effort. The sons (d) —— to
work with their father. But now Ayesha Begum and her husband are (e) —— of their rights.
7. Summarise the rights of which Ayesha Begum and her husband are deprived. 5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing the
troubles of Ayesha Begum. (No. 1 has been done for you) 15=5
1. Deplorable condition of husband  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
46 n HSC English Test Papers n
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
warming cut rise anticipation habitats increase extinction
recklessly severe imperative particularly catastrophe provide alarming
The destruction of forests and other (a) —— is causing the (b) —— of various plants and animals everyday. In
the last 25 years alone the world has lost one-third of its natural wealth. Forests are being (c) —— down.
Moreover, they are being burnt (d) —— resulting in an (e) —— in carbon dioxide and ultimately the water level
is (f) —— as a consequence of global (g) ——. It is (h) —— that the new century will face an overwhelming
environment
(i) ——. It is, therefore, (j) —— to check the reckless pollution of the environment.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
For international communication a common language is (a) ——. There are many (b) —— for which English has
achieved the (c) —— of being that language. Now English has (d) —— the national borders to (e) —— people
who speak other languages. It is no longer the
(f) —— possession of British or American or other native speakers, but a language that belongs to (g) ——
people. This phenomenon has led to a (h) —— variety of English around the world. As more and more people
speak English, more and more varieties have (i) —— which are strongly (j) —— by the pronunciation, grammar
and idioms of the respective mother tongues.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(a) Education in our has bcome Bangladesh is already to be engaged in violence
country
(b) Campus violence are getting through a of the students
concerned
(c) It is passing almost a ignored
(d) The impact of such be said that about the welfare stage of crisis
violence
(e) It may easily can students are in the colleges and daily affair
universities only
(f) The teachers appears that hardly be educationally backward
12. Rewrite the following jumbled sentences in the proper order and in a continuous paragraph to make a
story. 114=14
(i) The guests praised the king.
(ii) This made the king very happy.
(iii) But he was very hospitable.
(iv) People loved him.
(v) The king ordered the man to kill Hatem Tai and bring his head.
(vi) So, the king wanted to kill him.
(vii) There lived a very kind man in Yemen.
(viii) The king felt happy and proud.
(ix) On the following day he sent one of his men to Hatem Tai.
(x) The name of that kind man was Hatem Tai.
(xi) One day the king gave a dinner.
(xii) He was not rich.
(xiii) They praised him more than their king.
(xiv) The guests also praised Hatem Tai.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
What does the environment refer to? What elements make up the environment? What is the relation among
different elements? What will happen if this relationship is disturbed? What is the necessity of maintaining
ecological balance? Do you have any idea about its solution?
47 n English First Paper : Questions n

CHITTAGONG BOARD — 2005


22 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1—4 : [Unit—8; Lesson—3(B)]
The unit by which the loudness of sound is measured is called a decibel. According to the UN, the normal tolerance
limit of sound is 45 decibels. When the vibration of sound is at a tolerable, pleasant level, it is simply called sound. But
when it is sharp and harsh to the ears, it becomes noise. Serious harm can be caused to people if they are regularly
exposed to sounds exceeding 70 decibels. Because of the growth of urban population and the increasing use of
machines in our everyday life there has been a general increase in the level of sound around us. On an average, people
in the cities are exposed to sounds ranging from 30 to 90 decibels or even more. A study in Japan has found that
housewives who live in the city were exposed to almost the same amount of sound that a factory worker was exposed
to at his/her work place. The occupations that the study found to be the noisiest were factory work, truck driving and
primary school teaching.
Many developed countries are trying to control sound pollution by careful town planning and developing public
awareness. In Holland schools are not allowed near airports and houses which are situated near airports are provided
with special types of insulation to limit the sound heard inside the buildings.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) According to the report of the UN, human beings are capable of enduring/ absorbing/assimilating the
sound not exceeding 45 decibels without any harm.
(b) It is called sound when the vibration of sound is not at an outrageous/ intolerable/ insufferable level.
(c) Sound pollution is more in rural/urban/remote areas.
(d) Noise does not cause harm when it is loud/pleasant/harsh.
(e) Decibel is the scale/unit/balance of measuring sound.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Primary school teaching is free from sound pollution.
(b) Sound pollution is not acute in rural areas.
(c) Primary schools are free from sound pollution.
(d) People in cities are exposed to sounds ranging from 45-90 decibels or even more.
(e) When the vibration of sound is sharp and harsh to the ears, it becomes noise.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in brackets. Add appropriate prepositions if necessary.
15=5
(a) Sound pollution is very (harm) —— people.
(b) Sound pollution is (cause) —— the sounds ranging from 45 to 90 decibels or even more.
(c) The occupations like factory work, truck driving and primary school teaching are found to be the (noisy)
——.
(d) Houses situated near airports are (provide) —— special types of insulation.
(e) (Develop) —— public awareness is necessary for the control of sound pollution.
4. Make a list of five things that cause sound pollution. 15=5
Read the following passage and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—10; Lesson—1(C)]
Television has become the most common and widespread source of entertainment of the present world. A wide range
of programmes of varied interest is telecast on numerous channels. Almost every middle class and even working class
families have a television set today. Television programmes are not only interesting; they can be highly educative too.
For example, television is used for distance learning. Courses run by the Open University are shown on BTV. Several
channels like the Discovery Channel and the National Geographic Channel telecast highly informative programmes.
Watching TV, however, has become an addiction for many.
Satellite telecasting has added new dimensions to television; but it has sometimes been branded as a cultural assault on
developing nations. The East is being exposed more and more to Western music, entertainment and modes of life. As a
result, young people's tastes are gradually being influenced by them.
5. Write short answers to these questions. 15=5
(a) How has television become an addiction for many?
(b) How does satellite telecast influence our young generation?
(c) What do you mean by cultural assault?
(d) What part does television play in our education?
(e) What do you think are the good effects of television?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
48 n HSC English Test Papers n
Television is a (a) —— means of communication and recreation. After day's work, we sit before a television (b)
—— and enjoy different programmes. Television can educate the people to the current (c) —— of the world.
Some vulgar programmes destroy the (d) —— of the young people. The students become (e) —— to watching
programmes and lose their valuable time.
7. Summarise the passage in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in
the flow chart showing demerits of watching television. [No. 1 has been done for you.)
15=5
1. It influences the character of the young 2  3  4  5  6
generation
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
carry provide get essential attribute hence define needs
enable yardstick adopt shelter enhance protect aware perform
Education is one of the basic (a) —— of a human being and is (b) —— for every kind of development. It (c)
—— us to make right choices in life. It (d) —— our ability to raise crops, store food, (e) —— the environment
and (f) —— out our social responsbilities. It (g) —— us with an enlightened (h) —— about things. But
education has to be (i) ——. It is not merely (j) —— degrees from schools, colleges and universities. It is
something more lasting, more humane.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
The great ship 'Titanic' (a) —— for New York from Southampton on April 10, 1912. She was (b) —— 1316
passengers and a crew of 891. At that time, however, she was the only largest ship that had been (c) —— built.
She was regarded as unsinkable, for she had sixteen water-tight compartments. The tragic (d) —— of the great
ship will always be remembered, for she went down on her maiden (e) —— with a heavy loss of life. Four days
after setting out, while the Titanic was sailing (f) —— the icy water of the North Atlantic, a huge ice-berg was
suddenly spotted (g) —— the look-out. After the alarm had been given, the great ship turned sharply to avoid a
(h) ——. Suddenly, there was slight trembling sound from below and the captain went down to see what had (i)
——. The noise had been so faint that no one thought that the ship had been damaged. Below the captain realised
to his horror that the 'Titanic' was sinking rapidly, for five of the sixteen water-tight compartments had already
been
(j) ——.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(a) English has English in order to language because of its for the competitive world
become
(b) People learn an international make them competent linguistic benefits
(c) English is an learn English for globalisation that successful
(d) People adopt different policies that makes a man the culmination of success
(e) Those who international exactly can reach aims at having development for
language every nation
(f) English is essential to make their English outstanding
12. Rewrite the following jumbled sentences in the proper order to make a compact and continuous
paragraph. 114=14
(i) His friends and disciples could not bear the sight.
(ii) With eyes full of tears, they bade Socrates a last farewell.
(iii) A few moments passed, Socrates lay down and covered his face.
(iv) The cup contained hemlock, a very strong poison.
(v) At last, the hour of departure had arrived.
(vi) A moment later, he uncovered his face and looking at Crito, said, "Don't forget the debt, Crito."
49 n English First Paper : Questions n
(vii) They burst into tears and cried loudly like children.
(viii) Socrates met his friends and disciples for the last time.
(ix) He asked them to let him die in peace.
(x) At sunset, the Governor of the prison came.
(xi) Then there came a man with a cup in hand.
(xii) He argued with them about the immortality of the soul.
(xiii) He told them that the soul of man cannot die.
(xiv) Socrates took the cup in his hand, said his prayer and drank the hemlock without any hesitation.
13. Write a paragraph of about 120 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) What is a book fair? (b) When and where is it held? (c) How popular is it? (d) Have you ever
visited a book fair? When? (e) What kind of books are usually available in a book fair? (f) What is
your personal impression of a book fair?
SYLHET BOARD — 2003
23 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1 — 4 : [Unit—5; Lesson—6(A)]
His name was Jerry; he had been at the orphanage since he was four. I could picture him at four, with the same grave
gray-blue eyes and the same independence? No, the word that comes to me is "integrity." It is embedded on courage,
but it is more than brave. It is honest, but it is more than honesty. The axe-handle broke one day. Jerry said the
orphanage woodshop would repair it. I brought money to pay for the job and he refused it. "I'll pay for it," he said. "I
brought the axe down careless." "But no one hits accurately every time," I told him. "The fault was in the handle." It
was only then that he would take the money. He was standing back of his own carelessness. He was a free will agent
and he chose to do careful work; and if he failed, he took the responsibility without subterfuge. And he did for me the
unnecessary thing, the gracious thing that we find done only by the great of heart. Things no training can teach, for they
are done on the instant, with no predicated experience. He found a cubbyhole beside the fireplace that I had not noticed.
There, of his own accord, he put wood, so that I might always have dry fire material ready in case of sudden wet
weather. A stone was loose in the rough walk to the cabin. He dug a deeper hole and steadied it, although he came,
himself, by a shortcut over the bank.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) Jerry's sense of duty/courtesy/integrity impressed the authoress.
(b) Jerry wanted to get the axe-handle repair/repaired/repairing.
(c) Jerry's courtesy was formal/artificial/inborn.
(d) Jerry came to the orphanage at the age of eight/four/twelve.
(e) The phrase ‘Of his own accord’ means willingly/at random/freely.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Jerry steadied the loose stone for his own use.
(b) Jerry had been at the orphanage for four years.
(c) The axe-handle broke because Jerry brought the axe down careless.
(d) Integrity is embedded on courage.
(e) Jerry did for me the necessary thing.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the word. Add prepositions if necessary. 15=5
(a) Jerry (be) —— at the orphanage since he was four.
(b) He took the (responsible) —— breaking the axe-handle.
(c) He chose to work (careful) ——.
(d) He was an orphan boy (live) —— the orphanage.
(e) (Dig) —— a deeper hole, Jerry steadied a loose stone.
4. Make a list of five points describing Jerry's character. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—16; Lesson—3(B)]
50 n HSC English Test Papers n
It has been over three hundred years since Emperor Shah Jahan of Delhi built the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his wife in
Agra. Architecturally, it is still one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The building is made of fine white
marble with inlays of coloured marble. It has eight sides and many open arches. It rests on a platform or terrace of red
sandstone. Four slender white towers rise from the corners of the terrace. There is a large dome above the centre of the
building. Around the large dome there are four smaller domes. Just inside the outer walls, there is an open corridor
from which visitors can look through carved marble screens into a central room. The bodies of Shah Jahan and his wife
Mumtaz lie in two graves below this room. The Taj Mahal is surrounded by a beautiful garden and there is a long pool
that stretches out in front of the building. One can see the beauty of the Taj Mahal in its reflection in the pool water.
Visitors come to see this wonderful building at different times of the day since it assumes a different look at different
times. Most people like it best on moonlit nights.
5. Write short answers to these questions about 'The Taj Mahal'. 15=5
(a) What architectural feature of the Taj Mahal makes it most impressive?
(b) Why is it called the Taj Mahal?
(c) How does the pool enhance the beauty of the Taj Mahal?
(d) Why did Shah Jahan build the Taj Mahal?
(e) When does the Taj seem most appealing?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
There is a beautiful garden (a) —— the Taj and a long pool that (b) —— out in front of the building. One can see
the beauty of the Taj well when it reflects in the pool water. Visitors come to see this wonderful (c) —— building
because it (d) —— a different look at different times. Most people like it (e) —— on moonlit nights.
7. Summarise five important mentionable sides of the Taj Mahal. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in
the flow chart showing the wonderful design of the Taj Mahal. (No. 1 has been done for you)
15=5
1. Made of fine white marble with inlays  2  3  4  5  6
of coloured marble
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
happen furious die spoil live execution knowing
wit pleasant declare wretch unpleasant expire cause
Once upon a time, there was a king who was very fond of (a) —— his future from the astrologers. A famous
astrologer (b) —— to stop at his capital on his way to Benaras. The king called on him to know about his future
and the astrologer told him something (c) ——. At this the King got (d) —— and condemned him to (e) ——
saying, “Men like you should not live to (f) —— the peace of the world’’. But another thought had crossed his
mind before the astrologer was removed for (g) ——. “How long will you live?’’ asked the king. With ready (h)
—— the astrologer said, ‘‘The stars (i) —— that I shall die only a week before your majesty. So, good-bye.’’
Hearing this, the king turned pale like a dead man and shouted, “Drive this (j) —— away, let him not come here
again.”
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
One day a lad went to a famous teacher and having expressed his desires to (a) —— knowledge, begged him to
(b) —— him in the arts and sciences. The learned man, wishing to (c) —— out what sort of ability the lad (d)
——, asked him where God (e) ——. The lad replied, ‘‘I will answer you, if you will first (f) —— me where he
is (g) —— ’’. The sage, from this sensible (h) ——, thought highly of the boy's (i) —— and according to his (j)
—— perfected him in his studies. Thus the wisdom of the wise manifests itself early.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make six sensible sentences. Write out the
sentences in full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) It saw from a long journey
(ii) Here and there over came back desolate he turned children out
the grass
(iii) Every afternoon as became the children playing in the garden in the giant's garden
they
51 n English First Paper : Questions n
(iv) One day the giant stood a large, lovely garden with soft green grass
(v) When he was from school, the children used to like stars
go and play
(vi) The garden were coming beautiful flowers soon
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) The lion was relieved of his pain.
(ii) To escape torture, one day he fled from his master's house.
(iii) It was unbearable for him.
(iv) He took the lion's paw in his hand and removed a big thorn from it.
(v) He used to inflict heavy torture on him.
(vi) The merchant sold him to a rich man in another country.
(vii) Unfortunately he was caught by a slave merchant.
(viii) The lion seemed wounded as he was groaning.
(ix) A lion lived in a cave.
(x) He came near the lion.
(xi) He took shelter in a cave.
(xii) In the evening the lion entered the cave.
(xiii) The man was very rude and cruel.
(xiv) Once there lived a young man named Androcles.
13. Write a paragraph of about 150 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
What is your idea about a book fair? When and where is it usually held? What purposes does it serve? How is it
organised? What steps can be taken to make such a fair successful?

SYLHET BOARD — 2004


24 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—10; Lesson—4(C)]
There have been significant changes in the types of entertainment over time. Many of these no longer exist. Even if
they do, people keep looking for newer forms of entertainment. Thus snake charming, puppet shows, jatra, jarigan,
sharigan and kabigan which were common forms of entertainment in the past, have almost lost their appeal. Radio,
which used to be a good source of entertainment in the past, is now giving place to television, and to satellite channels
in particular. The entertainment business, like other spheres of life, is getting westernised day by day. Folk music or
palligeeti is now sung with western instruments. At the same time, modern music is now fusing melodies from folk and
traditional songs. In general, band and pop music is becoming more and more popular, particularly among the young
generation. Sport has become a great source of entertainment today. Football, which used to be the most popular
spectator sport in Bangladesh, is gradually being replaced by cricket as a popular form of sports entertainment.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) Now, there are important/significant/remarkable changes in the forms of entertainment.
(b) The traditional forms of entertainment have almost lost their power/charm/ attraction.
(c) Folk music means the song of love/song of country/song of common masses.
(d) Band music and pop music are chosen/preferred/wanted more and more by people.
(e) There is also a western power/domination/influence on our entertainment business.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Our culture has been in a static condition for a long time.
(b) Football is still very popular in our country.
(c) Now, folk song is sung by western instrument.
52 n HSC English Test Papers n
(d) The importance of entertainment cannot be ignored.
(e) People have changed their taste both in sports and music.
3. Fill in the gaps with correct form of words. Add any preposition if necessary. 15=5
(a) We are (astonish) —— the present rate of change in entertainment.
(b) People are (hanker) —— modern changes.
(c) Significant changes have (take) —— place on the type of entertainment.
(d) Sports have (turn) —— a source of entertainment.
(e) Now, we can see the (grow) —— influence of western music and culture in our life.
4. Mention five points on the changing form of entertainment in Bangladesh. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—15; Lesson—3(B)]
Working opportunities for women are very few in rural areas of Bangladesh. They usually spend their time doing their
household chores. The ILO recently started a project titled "Technologies for Rural Employment with Special
Reference to Women and Sustainable Development". The aim of this project is to impart training to rural women in
various activities and make them self-reliant.
Sakhina Begum is a beneficiary of this project. She attended a training course on food processing at the Bangladesh
Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) at Gazipur. Sakhina has two school-going children. Her husband is a rickshaw-
puller who does not earn enough to support the family and pay for the children's education. From the BARI training
course, Sakhina learnt how to make jam, jelly, pickles, popcorn and many other food items. Along with her fellow
project beneficiaries, she is now producing these items and selling them in the local market. With the proceeds, she is
now able to add to her family income. If they continue doing their work, Sakhina and other women working with her
will surely see happier days with the new employment opportunities created by the ILO project.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) How do the village women pass their time?
(b) Can these village women earn any cash money?
(c) How can these women be made earning hands?
(d) What training does Sakhina get from BARI?
(e) What is ILO doing for these village women?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
(a) The condition of village women beggars ——.
(b) Something —— should be done to change their lot.
(c) ILO has come forward with a view to —— women’s skill.
(d) They —— training for the rural women.
(e) Sakhina is also a —— of such project.
7. Summarise five objectives of ILO project. 15=5
8. Make short notes to fill in each box in the flow chart showing Sakhina’s gradual changes. (The first one is
done) 15=5
1. Got ILO project training  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
mail operation nature between computer distribute know
individual base electronic terminal difference communication
Electronic mail, popularly (a) —— as ‘e-mail’, is the communication of textual messages via (b) —— means.
Although telex (c) —— is also electronic in (d) ——, there are differences
(e) —— a telex and ‘e-mail’. While telex communication is (f) —— to terminal, electronic mail communication
is user to user via the (g) ——. In telex, messages destined to a number of users are sent to the same terminal
from where it is (h) —— in a printed form by an operator. On the other hand, e-mail is delivered to (i) ——
electronic mail boxes (j) —— in computers.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Atom bomb was first (a) —— on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. When the first bomb (b) ——, the
world knew for the first time that man (c) —— at long last been in possession of a force (d) —— in all respects.
The atom bomb (e) ——. But alas! the superhuman energy has been (f) —— against mankind. One single bomb
(g) —— the
(h) —— town Hiroshima and another bomb Nagasaki. There had (i) —— many children, women and patients
not (j) —— in the problems of the war.
53 n English First Paper : Questions n
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make six sensible sentences. Write out the
sentences in full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) Farmers carry the river water for dry seasons
(ii) Irrigation is built in India and Ceylon in different parts of the world
(iii) Canals were used their fields when there is very little rain
(iv) Dams have to easy enough if there is a great river near the fields
irrigate
(v) A dam across a river is to store water about 2,500 years ago
(vi) Earthdams have been for centuries to the fields when necessary
built
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a
continuous paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) He earned a lot of money from his dynamite business.
(ii) He was an engineer.
(iii) The ‘Nobel Prize’ has been being given since 1901.
(iv) In 1850 Alfred joined his father’s company.
(v) This award was named after Alfred Nobel.
(vi) Dr. Alfred Nobel was born on 21st October, 1833 at Stockholm, Sweden.
(vii) He had ammunition business at Leningrad.
(viii) He undertook a plan to give an award for encouraging the creative work.
(ix) His father Emanuel Nobel was an architect and researcher.
(x) After some years Alfred Nobel invented dynamite.
(xi) The prize is given every year.
(xii) So it was called the ‘Nobel Prize’.
(xiii) The award was also given for setting up peace in the world.
(xiv) The prize has immortalised his name.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) What is a kitchen garden? (b) Where is your one? (c) When are you busy here? (d) What do you cultivate? (e)
How does it help your family?

SYLHET BOARD — 2005


25 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1—4 : [Unit—9; Lesson—3(C)]
Bangladesh is a small country but has a large population. Most people here live below the poverty line and cannot
therefore afford to educate their children. Many poor children either drop out of school after just a few years or simply
do not go to school at all. Despite this situation, we have far too many students to educate compared to the number of
institutions available. Bangladesh needs more schools, colleges and universities to provide for the increasing number of
students. But owing to financial and resource constraints, the government cannot fund the requisite number of
educational institutions. At present every educational institution is over-crowded and class size is unusually large. As
facilities in these institutions are poor, students do not get a standard education. Moreover, many educational
institutions in Bangladesh are troubled with politics and violence. Sometimes institutions are closed down to avoid
clashes between rival groups of students. Such closures badly affect academic progress.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) Most of the people in Bangladesh do not have the intention/ability/ endeavour to educate their children.
(b) Comparatively the number of the educational institutions is insufficient/ available/excess in Bangladesh.
(c) Our budget should give more/less/average facilities for our education.
(d) Some of our educational institutions are troubled/accomplished/glorified by terrorism.
(e) The academic progress of our education has been stopped/interrupted/ executed by many obstacles.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Every child of Bangladesh has the opportunity to take primary education.
(b) We have sufficient finance and resources, but we do not utilise them.
54 n HSC English Test Papers n
(c) Though many students drop out of school level, every educational institution of our country is
overcrowded.
(d) Students do not get a standard education because of insufficient facilities in our educational institutions.
(e) The practice of politics develops the standard of our educational institutions.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of words in brackets. Add any preposition if necessary. 15=5
(a) Poverty is the main obstacle for most of the people of Bangladesh to be (educate) ——.
(b) Without (remove) —— poverty, our population cannot be educated.
(c) Our nation cannot (progress) —— education.
(d) (Corrupt) —— is prevailing in our educational institutions.
(e) (Compare) —— many students of Bangladesh we find that institutions are not enough.
4. Make a list of five reasons why people cannot afford to educate their children. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—21; Lesson—4(B)]
Sports are a popular form of entertainment. Many international sporting events are organised from time to time. Most
of these events are sponsored by multinational manufacturing companies and business firms. They pay for the sports
events in exchange for the right to advertise their products during those events. These events are telecast worldwide by
satellite and people all over the world watch them live. As a result, the sponsor's products receive maximum media
coverage thus giving companies international recognition. This is only the commercial aspect of international sport but
there are other aspects too. The sports venue becomes a meeting place of people from different countries. When people
of different nations get together on the occasion of an international sporting event, they come closer to each other,
sharing views, opinions and friendship. This opportunity creates a sense of brotherhood and a spirit of mutual co-
operation among them. Moreover, getting acquainted with different cultures helps to break down prejudice and broaden
outlook. If globalisation has anything to do with the development of international relationship, then sports can certainly
contribute in a big way to this.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) Who help to organise the international sporting events?
(b) Why do companies and business firms sponsor interntaional sporting events?
(c) How are the events telecast?
(d) How do the people of different nations come close to each other?
(e) Do sports play any role for international relationship?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
The World Cup Cricket '99 was arranged in England. This event was sponsored by (a) —— and (b) ——.
England became a meeting place of (c) —— from different countries. About twelve (d) —— participated at this
event. This event is (e) —— important in growing international relationship.
7. Write five points on how sports develop international relationship. 15=5
8. Make a short note in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing how multinational companies and
business firms are benefited by using the international sports events. (No. 1 has been done for you). 15=5
1. A way for broadcasting  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with suitable words from the boxes (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There
are more words in the box than you need. 110=10
eager joyous become remain festive favourite
food want flood invite gift elders
Children are very fond of festivals. They become very (a) —— on a day of festival. If it is their birthday, their
joys become over (b) ——. They become very (c) —— to have wishes from their beloved persons. The whole
day they (d) —— to spend times in joy. Usually a child on its birthday, gets up early and tries to (e) —— closed
to their parents. It (f) —— a nice day, if it is presented anything very (g) —— to it. Children also want to have
their friends (h) —— to their house on a festival. They expect to have a party. Their joys give pleasure to their (i)
——. We should try to keep the children always in a (j) —— mind.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Sincerity is the best way for achieving success. One can go a long way if one does anything with sincerity.
People who are sincere to their work are (a) —— of making anything success. The greatmen are also sincere
because they (b) —— that sincerity is the (c) —— to success. Those who are not (d) —— can never (e) —— a
long way in the world. The poor people are not always sincere, because they do not know the (f) —— of
sincerity. If they knew it they would (g) —— a good use of it. Sincerity (h) —— not only to do work properly,
55 n English First Paper : Questions n
but also with dutifulness, honesty, modesty and good behaviour. The people of our country are not still (i) ——
of the (j) —— of sincerity.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) Mount Everest is difficult and who was the first as the conquerers of the
dangerous highest mountain in the
world
(ii) It was named the daring mountaineers and have gone into the is the highest mountain in
history the world
(iii) Climbing mountains which is in the because there is snow had to be abandoned
like Everest Himalayan Mountains all over and
(iv) In spite of all been led to conquer are not daunted to survey the Himalayas in
difficulties and Mount Everest because 1841
dangers
(v) Many expeditions Edmund Hillary and North India between mountains always look
had Tenzing Norkay reached Tibet and Nepal exciting and challenging to
the top on May 10 them
(vi) After two months of after an Englishman but some of them there might be snowslides
difficult and George Everest and cracks under the ice
dangerous climbing and snow
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in proper order and in a continuous
paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(a) The lion laughed and said, "O, you! Are you suitable to help me?"
(b) The lion said, "You are small in size but worthful."
(c) While going outside the net, the lion said, "It is a lesson for me."
(d) In fact, the strong or mighty someone is also dependent to the weak one.
(e) "Many thanks to you. You have saved my life," said the lion.
(f) From then the lion was kindhearted to the tiny creatures.
(g) The mouse was proud of saving the lion.
(h) The lion caught it and it began to tremble with fear.
(i) A lion was sleeping in a cave.
(j) Listening this, the mouse came swiftly and found the lion in a trap.
(k) At that time, a mouse fell upon its body playing.
(l) After sometime, the lion fell into a trap and he was crying "Save me, please, save me, please."
(m) The mouse cut the net into pieces and thereby he was saved.
(n) The mouse said, "Let me go; sooner or later, I may help you."
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) Did you ever go on a journey by train? (b) When did you go? (c) What was the occasion? (d)
Describe the journey? (e) How much did you enjoy it?
BARISAL BOARD — 2003
26 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1— 4 : [Unit—11; Lesson—3(B)]
British eating habits are very different now from thirty years ago. No longer are tastes confined to roast beef, mint
sauce and Yorkshire pudding (which in fact is not a pudding at all). People travel more and are learning to enjoy food
from many different countries. In most towns there are Italian, Chinese and Indian restaurants but in big cities you can
also eat Japanese, Thai, Korean and Malaysian food. These restaurants are often cheaper than European restaurants and
56 n HSC English Test Papers n
many people find the food more interesting. Indeed supermarkets now offer a wide range of multicultural, ready-to-
cook foods to try at home.
Take-away food is also very popular in Britain. Many people think that the idea of take-away meals comes from the
USA, but in fact it comes from Britain. The original British take-away meal was fish and chips and there are still fish
and chip shops in places, as well as joints that sell fast food like pizzas and hamburgers.
In Britain most people use knives and forks for eating. In some countries, for example, China, Japan, Korea and
Taiwan, people use chopsticks. In many other countries, as in the Indian sub-continent, people use their fingers.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) There are hardly/hard/lots of difference between British eating habits and our eating habits.
(b) British supermarkets provide/enjoy/offering multicultural foods.
(c) Wide range means diversity/alike/all the same.
(d) In England the foreign restaurants are expensive/cheap/costly in comparison with European restaurants.
(e) Yorkshire pudding is really/hardly/not a pudding.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Frequent changes are found in British eating habits.
(b) People in the Indian subcontinent use spoons and fingers for eating.
(c) Take-away food is very popular in Britain.
(d) The British people don't like the foods of other countries.
(e) In England European restaurants are more expensive than Thai.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words. Add any preposition if
necessary. 15=5
(a) Spoons and forks are (use) —— eating.
(b) Our tastes are no longer (confine) —— hamburgers.
(c) Some people are (replace) —— rice with bread.
(d) Take-away food is getting (popular) —— Bangladesh.
(e) We should (know) —— about eating habits.
4. Make a list of five ways in which our food and eating habits differ from those of
Britain. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—10; Lesson—1(D)]
A major influence on American children's lives is the television shows they watch. TV viewing statistics are staggering:
96% of US homes have at least one television set, and children aged three to five watch an average of fifty hours of TV
every week. By the time these kids graduate from high school, they will have spent more than 22,000 hours in front of
the box but only 11,000 hours in school. Most research on the effects of TV on children centres round whether
watching so much violence on TV makes them more aggressive. Many studies show how that it does. Indeed TV
watching influences children's learning style too.
(Adapted from : G. Ramson, Preparing to teach reading.)
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) What do you think of the report on watching TV by US children?
(b) What are the bad impacts of watching TV for long hours?
(c) How long do you watch TV everyday ?
(d) Why are the TV viewing, statistics described as staggering?
(e) What are the positive aspects of watching TV?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
Television is the most common source of entertainment. American children (a) —— television more than they
read books. Most of the children are (b) —— to be sluggish day by day. Their parents are becoming (c) —— for
them. But the children (d) —— bother for that. They love only (e) —— violence in films shown on TV.
7. Summarise in 5 sentences the bad effects of watching TV. 15=5
8. On the basis of your reading of the passage, make a short note in each of the boxes in the flow chart
showing how watching TV can also be good for children. 15=5
1. Good aspects of watching TV.  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in each gap with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
go have find lose die are way consider
prefer enjoy be dead preference take bound
We find changes in amusement and entertainment that (a) —— taken place over time. Common forms of
entertainment like snake charming, puppet shows, jarigan (b) —— popular in the past are gradually (c) ——
57 n English First Paper : Questions n
their appeal. They are (d) —— out. We don't
(e) —— the existence of many of these. Now people like to (f) —— TV. They (g) —— concert, disco, pop etc.
All the changes that have (h) —— place today are not (i) —— good. Sometimes people are (j) —— to receive
some bad aspects of western culture.
10. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap. 110=10
Sports can give us (a) ——. International sports (b) —— organise different sporting events in different (c) ——.
Most of these events are sponsored by multinational manufacturing companies and business firms. They pay for
the sport event. They do it because in (d) —— they get the right of (e) —— their products. (f) —— the events.
The satellite channels
(g) —— the events (h) ——. As a (i) —— people all over the world can (j) —— the events live.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the sentences in
full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) We is easily with his family
(ii) Our family drag to keep our apartment clean
(iii) They try on the very good terms day and night
(iv) These sounds have tried many times chairs around up
(v) We are not acquainted to tell them to give it avoided
(vi) I can be with these people
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a single
paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) It continued for a full week.
(ii) The very next day the rain started to fall.
(iii) She wanted to grow some peas before the hot weather set in.
(iv) Last year she started her garden early.
(v) Mina loves gardening.
(vi) All her seeds washed away.
(vii) Mina started to prepare fresh.
(viii) Then the sun finally came out.
(ix) She now knew the uncertainty that the farmers must endure each year.
(x) People may have different hobbies.
(xi) Some may have strange habits.
(xii) It reveals the taste of a person.
(xiii) It refreshes us.
(xiv) It gives us new ideas too.
13. Write a paragraph of about 150 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
Where is Bangladesh situated? When did she get her freedom? How is the climate in Bangladesh? Which are the
main rivers of the country? What are the main crops? What is the main occupation of the people here? What is
the main attraction of this country?
BARISAL BOARD — 2004
27 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1 — 4 : [Unit—7; Lesson—5(B)]
How safe will the buildings in the city of Dhaka be in the event of an earthquake? Experts give no straight answer to
this question, but call for taking adequate precautions to minimise losses. That Bangladesh lies in the active earthquake
zone is not unknown to Bangladeshis. Alarmed by the recurrence of quakes during recent years, experts have called for
the development of an earthquake resistant building code that all buildings should follow as mandatory.
There are two schools of experts regarding earthquakes. One school comprising of engineers and geologists is of the
view that the recurrence of quakes in recent years should be taken as a signal for a major earthquake. Another school
comprising of similar categories of experts, however, believes that the concern should not be amplified, because
although there are a number of fault lines in the geographical area comprising Bangladesh, none of them is active
enough to pose a major threat. Yet none of the schools rules out the possibility of a major quake and the dangers that
might be associated with it. The Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakhya (RAJUK), responsible for a planned development of
the city believes that an earthquake resistant building code should be developed to reduce the losses.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
58 n HSC English Test Papers n
(a) In case of an earthquake the buildings of the Dhaka city will be safe/saved/unsafe.
(b) Bangladesh is a land lies/lying/lie in an active earthquake zone.
(c) Experts are differ/difference/divided in their opinions.
(d) Two schools of experts comprise/comprises/comprising similar categories of experts.
(e) Experts give an interesting/instant/indirect answer to the question about the result of an earthquake.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Adequate precautions can maximise the losses caused by an earthquake.
(b) During the recent past, earthquakes recurred in Bangladesh.
(c) The experts alarm the earthquakes.
(d) The earthquake zone covering Bangladesh is inactive.
(e) The opinions of the two schools of experts concerning earthquakes are dissimilar.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in brackets. Add appropriate preposition, if necessary.
15=5
(a) It is the (safe) —— the buildings that the experts are concerned about.
(b) An earthquake resistant building code should (follow) —— strictly.
(c) Bangladesh is (lie) —— in the active earthquake zone.
(d) Recurrence of earthquakes is quite (alarm) ——.
(e) Experts call for taking precautions (adequate) ——.
4. In the light of the comprehension passage, make a list of five pieces of information about earthquakes.
15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—8; Lesson—3(B)]
The unit by which the loudness of sound is measured is called a decibel. According to the UN, the normal tolerance
limit of sound is 45 decibels. When the vibration of sound is at a tolerable, pleasant level, it is simply called sound. But
when it is sharp and harsh to the ears it becomes noise. Serious harm can be caused to people if they are regularly
exposed to sounds exceeding 70 decibels.
Because of the growth of urban population and the increasing use of machines in our everyday life there has been a
general increase in the level of sound around us. On an average, people in the cities are exposed to sounds ranging from
30 to 90 decibels or even more. A study in Japan has found that housewives who live in the city were exposed to almost
the same amount of sound that a factory worker was exposed to at his/her workplace. The occupations that the study
found to be the noisiest were factory work, truck driving and primary school teaching.
Many developing countries are trying to control sound pollution by careful town planning and developing public
awareness. In Holland schools are not allowed near airports and houses which are situated near airports are provided
with special types of insulation to limit the sound heard inside the buildings.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) What is the view of the UN about the tolerance limit of sound?
(b) What is a decibel?
(c) When does sound become a noise?
(d) Why does the Japanese study consider the primary school environment noisy?
(e) What is the range of sound in the cities of Bangladesh?
6. Fill in each gap with suitable words. 15=5
We (a) —— the loudness of sound by a unit called a decibel. Sound is tolerable but noise is (b) ——. The level
of sound around us has (c) ——. Growth of population and increasing use of machines (d) —— responsible for
this. Many developed countries are controlling sound pollution in (e) —— ways.
7. Summarise the causes and effects of sound pollution in five sentences. 15=5
8. On the basis of your reading of the passage, make a short note in each blank box, showing the measures
taken by the developed countries. (No. 1 has been done for you)
15=5
1. Town planning  2  3  4  5  6
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
embrace introduce noticing introduction remain makes friend
reputation noticeable make keep usual interpreted control
The British have (a) —— for (b) —— their emotions private. Some obvious things are
(c) —— in British behaviour. For example, on public transport one passenger does not
(d) —— talk to another passenger. On meeting, people do not (e) —— and often simply shake hands on a first (f)
59 n English First Paper : Questions n
——. In theatres, concert halls and cinemas audiences (g) —— quiet during performances. None of these
behaviour traits should be (h) —— as unfriendliness. If a visitor (i) —— the first move to start a conversation, he
will find a British citizen rather
(j) ——.
10. Fill in each gap with an appropriate word. 110=10
Student life is a life of (a) —— for future struggle. To make him (b) —— for the struggle, education is
necessary. So, the first and foremost duty of a student (c) —— to prosecute his studies well. He who (d) —— his
lessons regularly (e) —— well in the examination. On the (f) ——, the student who wastes his time cuts a (g)
—— figure. It should be (h) —— in mind that none can get back the (i) —— time. If the students neglect their
studies they will suffer in the (j) —— run.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases/clauses in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the
sentences in full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) One day Jerry to know of the handle at his own cost
(ii) The authoress came broke the matter from her
(iii) For repairing it agreed to Jerry suddenly
(iv) But Jerry said that the wood to repair it was defective
(v) The authoress wanted accept the money from Jerry
(vi) Only then he she offered the axe handle some money
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order and in a single
paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) As he came near, the man said that he wanted some financial help.
(ii) Hojja immediately replied, "Why have you made me climb all the way down stairs to ask for money
instead of shouting from below?"
(iii) Hojja was quite curious.
(iv) Hojja decided to teach him a good lesson.
(v) Suddenly he saw someone calling from below.
(vi) At this Hojja became furious.
(vii) He saw there a man standing at the foot of the stairs.
(viii) One day Nasruddin Hojja was mending a hole on the roof of his two-storey house.
(ix) Being greatly annoyed, the man asked why Hojja had made him climb up the stairs only to say that he had
no money.
(x) The man was asking him to get down and listen to him.
(xi) When they both got to the roof top, Hojja said to the man, Sorry, I have no money".
(xii) He thought that the man had something important to say.
(xiii) Therefore, he told the man to climb up the stairs with him.
(xiv) So, he climbed from the roof down the stairs.
13. Write a paragraph of about 150 words based on the following questions. Your paragraph should have a
suitable title. 114=14
What is the name of the zoo you visited? When did you visit it? Where is it located? How big is the area of the
zoo? How many kinds of birds and animals did you find there? What were the main attractions of the zoo? How
long did you stay there? What was your feeling at that time?

BARISAL BOARD — 2005


28 ENGLISH (COMPULSORY) FIRST PAPER
Part A : Seen Comprehension (40 Marks)
Read the passage below and answer the questions 1—4 : [Unit—10; Lesson—4(C)]
There have been significant changes in the types of entertainment over time. Many of these no longer exist. Even if
they do, people keep looking for newer forms of entertainment. Thus snake charming, puppet shows, jatra, jarigan,
sharigan and kabigan which were common forms of entertainment in the past, have almost lost their appeal. Radio,
which used to be a good source of entertainment in the past, is now giving place to television and to satellite channels
in particular. The entertainment business, like other spheres of life, is getting westernised day by day. Folk music or
palligeeti is now sung with western instruments. At the same time, modern music is now fusing melodies from folk and
60 n HSC English Test Papers n
traditional songs. In general, band and pop music is becoming more and more popular, particularly among the young
generation.
Sports has become a great source of entertainment today. Football, which used to be the most popular spectator sports
in Bangladesh, is gradually being replaced by cricket as a popular form of sports entertainment.
1. Choose the right word to complete each sentence. 15=5
(a) In our country the forms of entertainment have been changing with the change of ages/time/seasons.
(b) People are, no longer, pleased with the conventional/unappealing/unpleasant forms of entertainment.
(c) Television is now more popular/important/unpleasant.
(d) The common forms of entertainment of the past have ceased to be as fantastic/ enchanting/popular as they
were in the past.
(e) Different types of entertainment in our country are now increasingly coming under the western
spell/influence/control.
2. True/False? If false, give the correct information. 15=5
(a) Some of the old forms of entertainment are no longer in use.
(b) The newer forms of entertainment are considered better than those of the past.
(c) Now people prefer modern music to folk songs.
(d) There appear modern songs in every sphere of life.
(e) Football and cricket are two popular spectator games in our country at present.
3. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words. Add any preposition, if necessary.
15=5
(a) Many of these are no longer in (exist) ——.
(b) Significant changes in the (tradition) —— forms of entertainment are now evident.
(c) Our taste for forms of entertainments (change) —— day by day.
(d) Western instruments are now being used for the (present) —— palligeeti.
(e) Band and pop music is rapidly attaining (popular) —— the youngsters.
4. Make a list of five changes that have come about in the forms of entertainment over the years. 15=5
Read the passage below and answer the questions 5 — 8 : [Unit—22; Lesson—2(C)]
Scientists have always wondered if there is life anywhere out in the space besides us. They have joined together on a
major project called the Communication with Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (CETI) which seeks to establish contact
with any other living beings in the universe. For this they are beaming out radio signals into space in the hope of
attracting attention of "other worlds".
It was thought that there is life on Mars. But two Viking spacecrafts that landed on Mars in 1976 did not provide much
evidence of life. The pictures sent by them showed Mars as having a red sky instead of a blue one like ours and a
pinkish iron-rich soil. Its gravity is about half as strong as that of Earth so that the atmosphere is also much thinner than
our planet. It has deserts, high mountains, volcanoes, craters, grooves like canals as well as summer and winter seasons.
But there are no trees or signs of any life forms. However a close inspection of a meteorite from Mars that fell on the
Earth has revealed tiny fossils like bacteria 3.6 billion years old. This proved that some form of life existed there in the
past. But who knows! Space probes have also been sent to planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. It will take
years for a space probe to reach a planet and many more years to analyse all the data sent to Earth by these probes.
5. Write short answers to the following questions. 15=5
(a) What do scientists do to establish contact with any other living beings out in the space?
(b) How did scientists collect details about the planet Mars?
(c) Which particular evidence suggests that the atmosphere of Mars is much thinner than that of the Earth?
(d) How many seasons does the planet Mars seen to have?
(e) Why does the author say 'who knows'?
6. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. 15=5
Scientists are very curious about the (a) —— of life somewhere out in the space. They are making efforts in
various ways to establish contact with other worlds in the
(b) ——. A great deal of (c) —— has come into the possession of scientists regarding the planet Mars. Mars is
similar to Earth in some respects but different from Earth in the
(d) —— of its sky and soil. These details, however, show no clear (e) —— of life on Mars.
7. Summarise the main facts about Mars in five sentences. 15=5
8. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow chart showing the
efforts of the scientists to find out evidence of any life forms out in the space. (No. 1 has been done for you)
15=5
1. Efforts of the scientists to find out any life  2  3  4  5  6
forms out in the space
61 n English First Paper : Questions n
Part B : Vocabulary (20 Marks)
9. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word from the box (make any grammatical changes if necessary). There are
more words in the box than you need. 110=10
educate recreation religion original question broadcast sent
aim facilities concern look consider though taken
Television, a source of much knowledge, pleasure, and information and a widely used media of mass
communication, is now being (a) —— at from a different point of view. Is the TV really doing good, especially
to the youngsters of our new generation? It is an important (b) —— both to ask and to answer indeed. Looked
from an (c) —- point of view, the TV is to be (d) —— one of the most effective means of educating both the
students and the public as a whole. Again, it has almost become the most effective and popular means of people's
(e) ——. Films, dramas, songs, dances, comedy series– all these are very attractive packages of programmes. As
a means of communications TV is, (f) —— not the most important, yet the most effective and useful means of
communication. Up to this point, we must say that the TV is doing good to our youngsters by educating them and
by giving them recreational (g) ——. But as far as the satellite TV is (h) ——, we cannot say this for certainty.
The commercial package programmes (i) —— by satellite TVs are detrimental to our young generation,
pernicious to our societies, threatening to our values and traditions and (j) —— beliefs.
10. Fill in the gaps with an appropriate word. 110=10
In the polar regions, one kind of houses is made of glass for growing crops in it. When the rays of the sun fall on
earth, their wave-length is so small that they (a) —— on the soil inside the house without (b) —— the glass
walls. When those rays are reflected by the earth, their wave-length gets (c) —— and thus they can easily heat
the glass-walls. This process of artificially heating up the glass-houses is called the greenhouse effect. Though it
is fundamentally the (d) —— of a scientific process, now we (e) —— by it to a dangerous effect being caused in
the atmosphere. For various scientific reasons, nowadays the amount of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,
chlorofluoro carbons are (f) —— in the atmosphere. Consequently, when the rays of the sun, after being (g) ——
by the earth, goes up with larger wave-lengths, the above mentioned gases get heated by it (h) —— the glass-
walls of the aforesaid greenhouse. The result is obvious and fatal : the temperature of the (i) —— around the
earth increases more than (j) ——.
Part C : Guided Writing (40 Marks)
11. Match the phrases/clauses in the following substitution table to make sensible sentences. Write out the
sentences in full. 26=12
A B C D
(i) He came and often I and they would both go in silence up the hill
everyday doze,
(ii) The days had and cut wood and since the asters were and I took it easy
become cold now gone
(iii) He would lie on with a common ecstasy and did small helpful and wait quietly for me
the floor through the laurel favours
(iv) Other days they in front of the fire, with let him come and stayed to talk
ran one arm across the
pointer
(v) When he went the next day, over the mountains and I inside the cabin
away watched him
(vi) I expected him I remember that a new but he did not come he brought me back
moon hung vermilion maple leaves
12. The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rewrite the sentences in the proper order in a continuous
paragraph to make a story. 114=14
(i) Desdemona was fascinated by his stories and especially by the story of his life.
(ii) Othello was a brave soldier who had risen to become a general.
(iii) He told them of deserts, caves and mountains high enough to touch the sky.
(iv) Brabantio, a rich senator of Venice, had only one child, a daughter named Desdemona.
(v) Her pity soon turned to love and she confessed to Othello that she loved him.
(vi) She refused them all because she loved Othello, a noble Moor from North Africa.
62 n HSC English Test Papers n
(vii) Othello told them strange stories of battles he had fought in and places he had seen.
(viii) He had shown his bravery in many bloody battles against the Turks.
(ix) She pitied Othello for the misfortunes and hardships of his life.
(x) She was so beautiful that many young men of the best families wished to marry her.
(xi) Everyone praised him and the senate trusted and honoured him.
(xii) He also told them of men who ate human flesh and of strange race of people whose heads were under
their shoulders.
(xiii) Brabantio often invited Othello to his house where he and his daughter listened in wonder to Othello as he
spoke about his adventures.
(xiv) Hearing it, she had to weep and she never became tired of listening to it.
13. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the following questions. Your answer to the questions
should give as much detail as possible. 14
(a) Where is Bangladesh located? (b) Since when has she been independent? (c) What is the language of the
people? (d) How many religions are there in Bangladesh? (e) What sort of climate does she have? (f) What is the
chief occupation of the people? (g) What are some of the common customs and traditions that people follow?

Dania University College, Dhaka


29 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use the
negatives where necessary. 1×5=5
reflect give assign provide find
experiment stand bring include be
Hamidur Rahman (a) —— shape to the concept and design of the Shaheed Minar by combining all the
aspirations of Bengali identity and nationalism. When he
(b) —— to make the design, he was full of enthusiasm focusing on the language movement as the central
concept. He wanted to find a new expression to convey the aspirations of the people. He (c) —— with basic
horizontal and vertical forms to bring out the concept of Bengali solidarity and unity for their national identity.
The vertical lines of his design (d) —— the manifestations of inner strength. The four columns on both sides of
the central structure (e) —— the balance and harmony of a united stand.
Hamidur Rahman (a) —— shape to the concept and design of the Shaheed Minar by combining all the
aspirations of Bengali identity and nationalism. When he
(b) —— to make the design, he was full of enthusiasm focusing on the language movement as the central
concept. He wanted to find a new expression to convey the aspirations of the people. He (c) —— with basic
horizontal and vertical froms to bring out the concept of Bengali solidarity and unity for their national identity.
The vertical lines of his design (d) —— the manifestations of inner strength. The four columns on both sides of
the central structure (e) —— the balance and harmony of a united stand.
2. Fill in the blanks with prepositions. 1×5=5
I worked hard (a) —— my HSC Examination. My effort did not end (b) —— smoke. I succeeded (c) ——
Examination. My parents were glad of my success. They felicitated me (d) —— my brilliant result. I also owe (e)
—— my parents and teachers.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross (×) mark where an article is not
needed. .5×10=5
You must have heard (a) —— name of Kazi Nazrul Islam. He is known as (b) —— rebel poet. He was born in
(c) —— poor family. When (d) —— First World War broke out, he joined
(e) —— army. After (f) —— war, he began to write poems. He wrote specially for (g) —— oppressed and
downtrodden people. He is called (h) —— Shelley of (i) —— Bengali literature. His poems and songs inspired
(j) —— Bangalees.
4. Make meaningful sentences with the following idioms (any five). 1×5=5
out and out, kick off, beggar description, put down, give away, ask for, hanker after.
5. Rewrite the following in the reported speech. 5
The writer said to Jerry, “Your roller-skates look very nice. Who has bought them for you?”
“My mother.”
“Is she alive?”
63 n English First Paper : Questions n
“Yes, she lives in Mannville.”
6. Read the following passage and transform the underlined sentences as directed. 1×5=5
(a) Anika wrote a letter to her mother yesterday (Passive).
(b) She told her mother to send Tk. 1000 to buy some books (Complex).
(c) In the letter, she told her that she should not worry about her studies (Simple).
(d) Her mother often writes to her (Interrogative).
(e) She feels that her mother is better than all other mothers in the world (Superlative).
7. Fill in the blanks with tag questions. 1×5=5
(a) Fire burns, ——?
(b) Very few students are devoted to studies, ——?
(c) ‘You’ is a ponoun, ——?
(d) There is a little water in this pond, ——?
(e) Their performance shows it, ——?
8. Complete the following sentences. 1×5=5
(a) He is tall enough ——.
(b) Saturday is the day when ——.
(c) It is time for you ——.
(d) I would rather suffer ——.
(e) Scarcely had I reached the college ——
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
9. Write a report on a village fair which was held with great enthusiasm. 10
10. Write a short composition on “A Journey that You have Recently Made.” 15
11. Write an application to the Principal of your college for prohibiting the use of cell phone in the classroom.
10
12. Make a dialogue between you and your friend about the preparation of coming exam. 10
Or, Write a summary of the following passage.
Man is the maker of his own fortune. If we are afraid of work, we cannot prosper in life. Some people think that
success of life depends on luck or chance. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Scientists toiled day and night in
their laboratories to invent radio, television and computer which have added to the joy of our life. Life is not a
bed of roses. It may be full of discomforts and problems if we are reluctant to work. In fact, life may be a misery
if we shrink from labour and fail to earn enough money to meet our daily expenses. Industry can bring success in
our life. If we want to improve the quality of our life, we must work hard which is the key to success.
13. Complete the story with the following cue: 15
Once a crocodile wanted her children to be educated. So she went to a fox and asked him to educate her children.
The fox willingly agreed ......................................................

New Model Degree College, Dhaka


30 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use the
negatives where necessary. 1×5=5
be fight regain brood try inspire help
Robert Bruce was the king of Scotland. Once he (a) —— with the British forces and lost his kingdom to
England. He fought several times with the British forces to (b) —— his country but failed. One day, he sat in a
lonely cave (c) —— over his sad lot. Suddenly he caught sight of a spider. It was (d) —— to reach the ceiling.
But each time it tried, it dropped. After six attempts it became successful. This perseverance of the spider (e)
—— Bruce to fight again with British and this time he was able to free his country from the enemy.
2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions. 1×5=5
One day some boys were playing by a pond. All (a) —— a sudden, they saw some frogs were swimming in it.
They started throwing stones (b) —— them. Two or three frogs died (c) —— it. One senior frog holding its head
64 n HSC English Test Papers n
(d) —— said, “Please stop this cruel act of yours.” The boys said, “We are playing a game. We will not stop.”
“What is a game for you is a cause of death (e) —— us,” said the frog.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross (×) mark where an article is not needed.
.5×10=5
It is (a) —— known fact that English is (b) —— international language. (c) —— language used by international
community is important. Statistics show that 350 million people speak English as (d) —— first language and
another 300 million use it as (e) —— second language. It is (f) —— official language in more than 60 countries
of the world. Once it was also (g) —— official language of our country. Most of (h) —— books of science and
technology are written in English. So (i) —— importance of learning English beggars description. It is (j) ——
must.
4. Make meaningful sentences with the following idioms (any five). 1×5=5
apple of discord, beggar description, catch sight of, hue and cry, in the long run, of one’s own accord, on the sly.
5. Rewrite the following in the reported speech. 5
“Good morning, Ahana,” said Shuvo. “How much preparation have you taken for the test examination?” “A great
preparation,” replied she. “I must get GPA-5.” “Wow, what a lucky girl!” said Shuvo. “But my preparation is not
so good.”
6. Read the following passage and transform the underlined sentences as directed. 1×5=5
(a) Long long ago there was a king who was very wise (Make it simple). (b) People called him wise Solomon
(Make it passive). (c) Actually, at that time he was the wisest of all (Make it comparative). (d) There was another
ruler also named Queen of Sheba (Make it compound). (e) One day she thought Solomon’s wisdom should not
remain untested (Make it complex).
7. Fill in the blanks with tag questions. 1×5=5
(a) None believes a liar, ——?
(b) “I” is a vowel, ——?
(c) Nabila knows you better, ——?
(d) The wise say like that, ——?
(e) Let’s go out for a walk, ——?
8. Complete the following sentences. 1×5=5
(a) Would you mind ——.
(b) Five years have passed since ——.
(c) It is high time you ——.
(d) Scarcely had the bell rung ——.
(e) Where there is a will, ——.
Part B : Composition Writing (60 Marks)
9. Suppose, you are the staff reporter of The Daily Star. Now prepare a report on a terrible road accident
you have come across very recently. 10
10. Write a short composition on any one of the following. 15
(a) Wonders of modern science; (b) Unemployment problem in Bangladesh.
11. Write an application to the Principal of your college for permission to go on a study tour. 10
12. Make a dialogue between you and your friend on the abuses of mobile phone particularly by the teenagers
in the recent times. 10
Or, Write a summary of the following passage.
One fascinating benefit of travel to foreign places is learning how customs differ from country to country. As a
case in point, there are interesting cultural variations among peoples in such matters as work, play and education.
In the United States, for example, most business and industries operate a forty-hour week for their individual
employees, although a large number of firms remain open over hundred hours a week by making use of two or
three groups of different workers. For leisure-time entertainment, Americans indulge in a great range of sports
(hunting, fishing, golf, tennis, baseball, football, etc.) as well as other social and recreational activities
participated in by men and women together. The custom of non-separation of the sexes is also the general rule in
American schools, from the first grade all the way through the university.
13. Complete the following story following the clue. 15
There was a shepherd boy. He used to graze a flock of sheep near a forest. It was not far from his village. One
day, he wanted to make fun of -------------

Gazipur Govt. Mohila College, Gazipur


31 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
65 n English First Paper : Questions n
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use the
negatives where necessary. 1×5=5
spread do be here prevent concern cause
Ebola (a) —— a name of panic today. Twelve years ago it (b) —— first in Congo. Again this year already it (c)
—— deaths about ten thousand people in the African countries. Recently it (d) —— out in Mali. Bangladesh is
also (e) —— about Ebola.
2. Read the following passage and fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions. 1×5=5
Bonsai is the art of growing trees (a) —— small containers. A bonsai container has holes (b) —— the bottom
which are covered (c) —— small nets. The plant is often taken out of its original pot and one third of its root is
cut (d) ——. It is then tied (e) —— the bottom of the pot.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross (×) mark where an article is not needed.
.5×10=5
(a) —— cook roasted (b) —— duck for his master. (c) —— roast looked so delicious that (d) —— cook could
not resist (e) —— temptation and ate up one of (f) —— drumsticks. When his master sat down to eat, he
quickly noticed (g) —— missing leg. (h) —— cook told him that (i) —— duck had one leg only. (j) —— master
was not to be fooled.
4. Make meaningful sentences with the following phrases and idioms (any five). 1×5=5
green horn, off and on, burning question, on the sly, all and sundry, big guns, nip in the bud.
5. Rewrite the following passage in the reported speech. 5
Mr. Abedin said to Rafiq, “Is it bad for us to have such a big population in the country?” Rafiq said, “Sir, before
my answer, could I tell what happened to Kalim Majhee last week?” Mr. Abedin said, “Ok. But say briefly.”
Rafiq said, “Thank you, sir. It was a hot day.”
6. Read the following sentences and transform the sentences as directed. 1×5=5
(a) The industrious people are loved by all (Active).
(b) No one can prosper in life without industry (Affirmative).
(c) We have to work hard to earn money (Complex).
(d) They have to suffer because they are idle (Compound).
(e) Work hard and you will see the light of prosperity (Simple).
7. Fill in the blanks with tag questions. 1×5=5
(a) The moon has hidden her face behind a cloud, ——?
(b) Nothing was said, ——?
(c) I had an accident last night, ——?
(d) Give me an example, ——?
(e) Nobody complained about the question, ——?
8. Complete the following sentences. 1×5=5
(a) A railway station is a place ——
(b) I cannot help ——
(c) No sooner had he aimed the bird ——
(d) Rima behaved as if ——
(e) Ten years have passed since ——
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
9. Suppose, you are a reporter of a national daily. Write a report on a terrible road accident that you
witnessed yesterday at DhakaMymenshing Highway. 10
10. Write a short composition on any one of the following. 15
(a) Population Explosion of Bangladesh; (b) The Value of Time.
11. Write an application to the Principal to form a debating club at your college. 10
12. Suppose, you want to buy a dictionary. Now, write a dialogue between you and the book seller. 10
Or, Write a summary of the following passage.
Culture is the refinement of taste and attitudes. But in the house of satellite compact we are facing two phases of
culture known as the eastern and the western culture. There exists far difference between these two cultures.
Eastern culture is based on religious beliefs like Islam, Hinduism, Jainism and the Buddhism. The followers of
these religious are quite reluctant to do anything or to follow any other dictates, cultures and instruction
neglecting the dictates of the above religions. But western culture is an individually oriented culture. The
individual’s needs, rights and privileges are of utmost significance. An individual under this western culture can
master the forces of nature. The individual in the western culture always thinks. He forgets his taboos and
useless preconceived notions which are normally associated with eastern culture. Western culture is based on
scientific and materialistic thought.
13. Complete the following story with the cue. 15
66 n HSC English Test Papers n
Once upon a time there was a king in England. He had three daughters. He made up his
mind--------------------------------------
Pabna Islamia Degree College, Pabna
32 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use the negative
where necessary. 15=5
pass buy swim get write be go
If I (a) —— money, I would have bought a car. I wish I (b) —— a car made in Japan. Many years (c) —— since
I had not implemented the long cherished dream. Today I together with my parents (d) —— to Dhaka to make
the plan successful. That is why, my parents with me (e) —— extremely happy.
2. Read the following letter and fill in the blanks with suitable preposition. 15=5
The heart that is devoid (a) —— education turns (b) —— the heart of darkness. But hopefully speaking, it is
education which can remove the darkness of heart (c) —— a man. So each and everybody should be thirsty (d)
—— education. It is ever-memorable that, education is a key (e) —— development and prosperity.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross mark () where an article is not
needed. .510=5
(a) Please give —— little salt in the curry.
(b) Are you reading foreign language at college, like —— English.
(c) —— Quran is the storehouse of knowledge and science.
(d) Once —— Jamuna was a mighty river.
(e) My father always wants me to be —— intelligent in everything.
(f) It is universal truth that —— black and white are the stamp of Allah.
(g) Please wait for me for —— few minutes.
(h) Did you get —— wedding card that I sent you?
(i) Our Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (sm) taught people to speak —— truth.
(j) —— gold of Arabia is pure.
4. Write meaning and make meaningful sentences with the following idioms (any five).
15=5
storm in a tea cup, live from hand to mouth, in course of time, at the sight of, an irony of fate, hard and fast, good
for nothing.
5. Rewrite the following in the reported speech. 5
“My sons” said he. “A great treasure lies hidden in the estate, I am about to leave you”. “Where is it hidden?”
said the sons. “I am about to tell you,” said he, “But you must dig for it.”
6. Read the following passage and transform the sentences as directed in the bracket.
15=5
(a) We work hard to attain success in our life (Complex).
(b) Peace and prosperity is not possible without hard work (Affirmative).
(c) A man who leads an idle life, brings misery for his life (Simple).
(d) He can never help the people of the society (Passive).
(e) Everybody dislikes him (Negative).
7. Add tag questions to each of the statements. 15=5
(a) Anyone is allowed to come, ——?
(b) Every mother is busy teaching her child, ——?
(c) Kamal need not go to college, ——?
(d) Fire burns, ——?
(e) Allah alone can help us, ——?
8. Complete the following sentences. 15=5
(a) A tokai is ——.
(b) Since he is homeless ——.
(c) He works hard so that ——.
(d) He may have parents but ——.
(e) He cannot think of going to school because ——.
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
67 n English First Paper : Questions n
9. Suppose, you are a reporter. Write a report on the celebration of Pahela Baishakh. 10
10. Write a short composition on “Your Aim in Life.” 15
11. Complete the following story with the cue. Give a title. 15
Once there was a king whose fame spread far and wide. He was very famous for his ready wit and wisdom. Soon
the Queen of Sheba came to know about him. She wanted .......................
12. Write an application to the Principal for holding a freshers’ reception in your college. 10
13. Write a dialogue on the necessity of reading newspapers. 10

Govt. Akbar Ali College, Ullapara, Sirajganj


33 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use the
negatives where necessary. 1×5=5
need learn go do modify revise design
Communicative competence in English is urgently (a) —— in our country. The present world (b) —— fast and
developing by leaps and bounds. In order to keep pace with the present world, we cannot help (c) —— English,
but the present system of teaching and learning English is not up to the mark. The textbooks (d) —— for the
classes XI-XII have to (e) —— and made updated.
2. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions. 1×5=5
Population growth is one (a) —— the causes (b) —— the world’s environmental problems. Although the growth
rate (c) —— the world’s population has slowed slightly since 1990, still it increases (d) —— 77 million human
beings each year. (e) —— the increasing number of people, destruction of habitats and the use of additional
natural resources are gradually increasing.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross (×) where an article is not needed. .5×10=5
A library is (a) —— part and parcel of (b) —— educational institution. It is (c) —— unique place where books
of different subjects are kept for (d) —— reading. It enables (e) —— readers to read books of their choice that
creates (f) —— enthusiasm for learning. Students should pay (g) —— visit to (h) —— library regularly. They
can borrow books for (i) —— certain period and return them after (j) —— given time.
4. Fill in the blanks with suitable linking words from the list. 1×5=5
either if also or as moreover and
English gives us easy access to the ever-expanding knowledge of science and technology, arts and education,
innovations and discoveries. (a) —— all the books, journals, reports, research-findings are available in English.
(b) —— any important books, papers etc. are (c) —— written in English (d) —— translated into English
immediately after they are published in other language. You can easily learn about them (e) —— you have
acquired the reading skills in English.
5. Rewrite the following in the reported speech. 5
“I came here yesterday from my village”, he said. “Why did you come?” I asked, “My mother sent me to you
with this letter.” “How is your mother? I have not seen her for a long time. I hope she is quite well.”
6. Make meaningful sentences with following phrases (any five). 1×5=5
on the sly, white elephant, null and void, maiden speech, at the sight of, big guns, come round.
7. Read the following passage and transform the underlined sentences as directed in brackets. 1×5=5
(a) My friend invited me to pay a visit to Cox’s Bazar (Make it interrogative). (b) I gladly accepted the invitation
(Make it passive). (c) When I reached there, my friend received me cordially (Make it compound). (d) I was very
glad to see the seabeach. (Make it exclamatory). (e) It was one of the most memorable journeys in my life (Make
it positive).
8. Complete the following sentences. 1×5=5
(a) A graveyard is a place where ——.
(b) I am not sure whether ——.
(c) The old man is walking carefully lest ——.
(d) Do you mind if ——?
(e) Unless you work hard ——.
9. Complete the following sentences. 1×5=5
(a) No sooner had he reached the station ——.
68 n HSC English Test Papers n
(b) She ran fast lest ——.
(c) He could not avail ——.
(d) I prevented him ——.
(e) All should do something to ——.
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
10. Suppose, you are a reporter of a reputed daily. Now, write a report on price hike. 10
11. Write a short composition on “Your Childhood Memories.” 15
12. Write an application to the Principal of your college for changing an elective subject. 10
13. Write a dialogue between two friends on Reasons of Failure in English. 10
14. Complete the following story using the clues given below. 15
Once there live a woodcutter. He was very poor but honest. He lived on the bank of a river near a jungle. He used
to cut wood ------------------

Holy Land College, Dinajpur


34 Year Final Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use negatives where
necessary. 15=5
occur increase punish keep clean bring obey
Most often traffic problem (a) —— in the congested areas where the roads are very narrow. In proportion to our
population roads (b) ——. There are many unlicensed vehicles which should (c) —— under control. The drivers
are not willing to (d) —— the traffic rules. Irresponsible drivers (e) —— strictly.
2. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions. 15=5
We are to be content (a) —— what we have. We should bear in mind that money is the root (b) —— all evils.
But this does not mean that we can live (c) —— money. We should maintain dignity and honesty (d) ——
earning money. Money (e) —— any cost should not be our target.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross () mark where an article is not
needed. .510=5
Long long ago (a) —— mirror was found in (b) —— paddy field by (c) —— old farmer. Neither this farmer nor
anybody else in (d) —— area had ever seen a mirror. So, when (e) —— farmer looked into (f) —— mirror, he
was surprised to see (g) —— man looking straight at him. Now, (h) —— farmer closely (i) —— resembled his
father who had died many years ago. He thought that it was his father (j) —— inside it and saluted him with love
and respect.
4. Make meaningful sentences with the following idioms and phrases (any
five). 15=5
maiden speech, null and void, at a stretch, for good, blue blood, take after, in lieu of, hue and cry.
5. Rewrite the following in the reported speech. 5
“Will you go to college toady”? The mother said to her son. “No, our classes are suspended.” “Then go to the
market and bring some vegetables.” “Let me be ready and give me money.”
6. Read the following passage and transform the underlined sentences as directed. 15=5
Success will not come to one’s life automatically. (a) Do you know it? (Passive). (b) An industrious boy will
shine in life (Complex). (c) A life with an assignment is an actual life (Negative). (d) None can receive any
reward unless he works hard (Simple). (e) It is evident that industry is one of the greatest virtues (Positive).
7. Fill in the blanks with tag questions. 15=5
(a) Everyone would do so, ——?
(b) You need not do this, ——?
(c) There is a little water in this pond, ——?
(d) ‘You’ is a pronoun, ——?
(e) A man like you should not do this ——?
8. Complete the following sentences. 15=5
(a) I don’t like people who ——.
(b) Do you know where ——?
(c) It was long since ——.
(d) You will not prosper unless ——.
69 n English First Paper : Questions n
(e) Had I been proposed to go ——.
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
9. Suppose, you are a reporter of a daily newspaper. Write a report for your newspaper on “Corruption in
Bangladesh and its Impact on Society.” 10
10. Write a short composition on any of the following. 15
(a) The Dangers of Drug Addiction; (b) The Natural Beauties of Bangladesh.
11. Make a dialogue between you and your friend about “Your Future Plan.” 10
12. Write an application to the Principal of your college seeking permission to set up a Film Club in your
college. 10
13. Complete the story with the following clue. 15
Once a lion was sleeping in a forest. Suddenly a mouse came here. By chance it ran over the face of the
lion ...................................

Jessore Govt. City College, Jessore


35 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
[Answer any eight questions out of nine]
1. Complete the passage with the suitable form of verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use the
negatives where necessary. 15=5
see create say wonder be play write
I continue my letter. It is night, everybody (a) —— asleep. I am sitting up late
(b) —— to you before the open window. The garden is full of scents, the air is warm. Do you remember when
we were children? Whenever we (c) —— or heard anything, we used to say to ourselves, “Thank Lord for
having (d) —— it.” Tonight I (e) —— to myself with my whole soul, “Thank Lord for having made the night so
beautiful.”
2. Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepositions. 15=5
Education is not confined (a) —— schools, colleges and universities only. The family, the society and the whole
world (b) —— large educate us. What we learn (c) —— experience in our practical life is no less important than
what we learn from our educational institutions formally. Education begins (d) —— birth and ends only at death.
We continue to learn
(e) —— our whole life.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross () mark where not
needed. .510=5
There are (a) —— good number of reasons why students in Bangladesh fail in English. That English is (b) ——
foreign language is (c) —— main reason. Besides, students have no good feelings for English. Very few of them
are earnest in (d) ——learning English. What most students seek is to cross (e) —— barriers of examinations. To
them, learning is (f) —— unpleasant and examination is fearful. On the other hand, teaching (g) —— foreign
language becomes very difficult when the learners are not mentally keen on (h) —— subject. In that situation,
even (i) —— efficient teacher of English can hardly find out (j) —— technique suitable for all.
4. Fill in the blanks with suitable linking words from the box below. 15=5
in case which for besides so that and as
I tried to get up, but could not move, (a) —— I found my arms and legs tied strongly to the ground. My hair, (b)
—— was long and thick, was tied down in the same manner. (c) ——, I felt several fine ropes across my body,
from my arms to my legs. I could only look upward. The sun began to grow hot, (d) —— the light hurt my eyes.
I heard a strange noise around me, but (e) —— I lay on my back I could see nothing but the sky.
5. Make meaningful sentences with the following phrases and idioms (any
five). 15=5
in spite of, at stake, in a nutshell, owing to, blue blood, on the sly, keep body and soul together.
6. Rewrite the following in reported speech. 5
“Porter, you may go,” said the mistress of the house laughing. “You have gained your freedom.”
“By Allah,” he replied, “I will not leave this house until I have heard the stories of my companions.”
7. Read the following passage and transform the sentences as directed. 15=5
70 n HSC English Test Papers n
(a) The old sailor shot the albatross (Passive). (b) At this, the sailors were very angry with him (Negative). (c)
Their throats were dry and they could not speak (Complex). (d) Since the old sailor killed the bird, he brought
bad luck to the sailors (Simple). (e) It was a very unlucky day (Exclamatory).
8. Fill in the blanks with suitable question tags. 15=5
(a) We must love our country, ——?
(b) Let’s have an open discussion, ——?
(c) I am me without my hair, ——?
(d) Nobody believes a dishonest man, ——?
(e) We shall overcome someday, ——?
9. Complete the following sentences. 15=5
(a) No sooner had we reached the station, ——.
(b) Although Bangladesh is a democratic country, ——.
(c) He studied attentively so that ——.
(d) The man is strong enough ——.
(e) We walked fast lest, ——.
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
10. Suppose, you are a reporter of 'The Daily Mirror.' Recently teachers and students of the government
colleges of Jessore formed a human chain to create public awareness and protest against Eve-teasing. Now,
write a report based on your observation. 10
11. Write a short composition on ‘Digital Bangladesh.’ 15
12. Suppose, you are a student of Rajshahi College. Now, write an application to the Principal on behalf of
your classmates for his permission to set up an English language club in the college. 10
13. Write a dialogue between you and your friend about your preparation for the forthcoming examination. 10
14. Complete the following story with the cue below. 15
Once there lived a woodcutter. He was very poor but honest. He lived on the bank of a river near a forest. He
used to cut wood ............................

Upashahar Mohila Degree College, Jessore


36 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use negatives
where necessary. 1×5=5
build use be utilize show become can
Although Bangladesh is a populous country, we cannot definitely say that it is overpopulated. All its resources
have not yet been (a) —— fully. It has plenty of unused, unexplored natural resources which can help (b) ——
many new industries. Its agriculture too is potentially rich. Hence this enormous population has the possibility of
being (c) —— productively. But of all the resources of Bangladesh, human resource (d) —— the most
important. A population of 98 million can (e) —— a powerful source of human energy to build its economy.
2. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions. 1×5=5
You know that Bangladesh is a tropical country. It has a moderate climate. The climate is greatly influenced (a)
—— the monsoon which is a seasonal wind. It blows (b) —— from the Bay of Bengal. It is from south-west (c)
—— our country and parts of India from April to October. This wind brings heavy rainfall which sometimes
causes floods. Crops are damaged. Houses and trees are wiped (d) ——. Man and property are washed (e) ——.
3. Use articles in the gaps, put a cross (×) where an article is not needed. .5×10=5
Mr. Alam is (a) —— shopkeeper. He is (b) —— active man. He does not like (c) —— inactive man. He has (d)
—— one-eyed friend. He is an honest (e) —— man. Mr. Alam knows that
(f) —— active man and (g) —— inactive man cannot be equal. He opens his shop early in (h) —— morning.
After taking lunch he takes half (i) —— hour rest. Again he goes to this shop. When Mr. Alam takes rest, his
helping hand serves (j) —— customers.
4. Make meaningful sentences with the following idioms (any five): 1×5=5
out and out, a man of letters, slow and steady, search for, on the contrary, silver spoon.
5. Rewrite the following passage in the reported speech: 5
“What are you writing?”
The angel looked up and replied in a sweet tone, “The name of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” asked Abu.
71 n English First Paper : Questions n
“No, your name is not included here,” replied the angel.
Then Abu said, “Please write down my name as one who loves his fellowmen.”
6. Read the following passage and transform the underlined sentences as directed. 1×5=5
(a) January is the coldest month in Bangladesh (Comparative). (b) The poor people suffer much (Complex). (c)
They make fire and warm themselves (Simple). (d) During winter, vegetables are cheap (Complex). (e) Date
juice during winter is very sweet (Exclamatory).
7. Fill in the blanks with appropriate tag questions. 1×5=5
: Rafiq is frustrated because he possesses a very ill health. Yesterday he read an article about the
maintenance of good health. After reading the article he talked to himself.
: Good health means the health free from all kinds of diseases, ——?
: One cap keep good health by following certain rules, ——?
: He is to eat a balanced diet, ——?
: He has to take regular physical exercise, ——?
: He must enjoy sound sleep, ——?
8. Complete the following sentences. 1×5=5
(a) Jamil waited at the station till ——.
(b) I was late because——.
(c) The train left as soon as ——.
(d) I reached Chittagong when ——.
(e) We hired a taxi after ——.
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
9. Suppose, you are a reporter of a reputed daily newspaper. Write a report on the problem of drug
addiction in your locality. 10
10. Write a short composition on “The Importance of Reading Newspaper.” 15
11. Write an application to the Principal of your college for the change of an elective subject. 15
12. Write a dialogue between two friends on the choice of career. 10
13. Complete the given story following the clue: 15
Once there lived a happy cobbler who passed his days in working and singing. A rich man -----------
Cantonment Public School and College,
37
Jahanabad Cantonment, Khulna
Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
[The figures in the right margin indicate full marks]
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
[Answer any eight questions out of nine]
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use the negatives
where necessary. 15=5
waste suffer envelop educate do study
It is high you (a) —— for the Test Exam. You (b) —— much time wandering aimlessly and doing meaningless
jobs. Don’t you know that your parents and relatives highly expect you to (c) ——? But if you are not serious
right from now, you (d) —— in the long run. Besides, your future (e) —— in darkness.
2. Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepositions. 15=5
Ms. Aeysha Afrin applied (a) —— the post of a lecturer. Being pleased (b) ——her performance, the authority
appointed her (c) —— the post. Actually she had authority (d) —— English. Moreover, she had a great zest (e)
—— music.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross () where an article is not
needed. .510=5
(a) —— 16th December is (b) —— red-letter day in the history of Bangladesh. On this day, we achieved (c)
—— freedom at the cost of (d) —— blood and Bangladesh came into (e) —— being and made a place in (f)
—— world map as (g) —— independent country. Every year this day is celebrated in (h) —— enthusiastic
72 n HSC English Test Papers n
atmosphere. We remember (i) —— great sacrifice of our heroic sons who die for this country. We also pay (j)
—— great tribute to them.
4. Fill in the gaps with suitable linking words. 15=5
for example though but as well as so however because
Men usually want to have their own way. No one, (a) ——, can have his own way all the time. He has to
consider the interest of others (b) —— his own interests. He is free to take his own decisions, (c) —— these
decisions must not be unjust or harmful for others. (d) ——, he must be very careful while driving (e) —— there
are other vehicles and pedestrians on the road.
5. Rewrite the following passage in the reported speech. 5
“Where are you going?” “I am going to my friend’s house.” “Come back before the sunset? Your exam is
knocking at the door, son.” “Ok mom, don’t worry.”
6. Read the following passage and transform the underlined sentences as directed. 15=5
(a) My friend invited me to pay a visit to Cox’s Bazar (Passive). (b) I gladly accepted the invitation (Negative).
(c) When I reached there, my friend received me cordially (Compound). (d) I was very delighted to see the sea
beach (Exclamatory). (e) It was one of the most memorable journeys in my life (Positive).
7. Make meaningful sentences with the following phrases and idioms (any
five). 15=5
jump at an offer, ups and downs, on the contrary, an open secret, in the mean time, in the event of, as though,
beyond doubt.
8. Fill in the blanks with tag questions. 15=5
(a) I’d meet you, ——?
(b) Everyone welcomed us, ——?
(c) I have the right to get your help, ——?
(d) Let’s have a discussion, ——?
(e) He seldom comes here, ——?
9. Complete the following sentences in the passage below. 15=5
(a) There is hardly any person ——.
(b) No sooner had he reached the station ——.
(c) He could not avail——.
(d) I prevented him ——.
(e) All should do something to ——.
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
10. Suppose, you are a reporter of a local daily and recently you have visited a village fair. Now, write a report
describing it. 10
11. Write a composition on The Duties and Responsibilities of Students. 15
12. Write an application to your Principal seeking permission to stage a drama. 10
13. Make a dialogue between two friends on the abuses of mobile phone. 10
14. Complete the story following the cue. 15
It happened that a dog got a piece of meat and was carrying it in his mouth. He thought going home he would eat
it in peace. On his way...........

Govt. Sundarban Adarsha College, Khulna


38 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use the negatives
where necessary. 1×5=5
Today women play an important role in all spheres of life. Once they were (a) —— by men. They (b) —— no
longer (c) —— within the four walls. They have (d) —— out of kitchens and are (e) —— hand in hand with
men.
2. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions. 1×5=5
We must learn English (a) —— get good jobs. If we don’t know English, we will not be eligible (b) —— good
jobs. (c) —— knowing English we can’t go abroad (d) —— better salaries. Without English modern life is (e)
—— imagination.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross (×) where an article is not needed.
73 n English First Paper : Questions n
.5×10=5
Patriotism means (a) —— love for one’s (b) —— country. It’s (c) —— noble virtue. It removes (d) —— mean
mindedness of (e) —— man. It also inspires (f) —— man to shed (g) —— last drop of blood from the body to
defend (h) —— freedom of (i) —— country. A man devoid of patriotic feelings is inferior to (j) —— beast.
4. Rewrite the following direct speech into indirect. 5
“What’s your programme after examination?” asked Shuvo. Arnob said, “I’ve not yet decided. Can you suggest
any?” “Let us go on a picnic,” said Shuvo. “What an excellent idea! I shall certainly join you,” said Arnob.
5. Make meaningful sentences with the following idioms and phrases (any five): 5
on the sly, nip in the bud, take after, a bed of roses, skim through, burning question, loom large.
6. Fill in the blanks with appropriate linking words from the list: 1×5=5
in fact if as that hence who while
Students are future leaders (a) —— are to lead a nation. (b) —— they must seek to fulfill potential. They possess
the art (c) —— can lead to their success (d) —— leaders they can decide our fates. (e) —— they do their duty,
they can reach the target.
7. Read the following passage and transform the sentences as directed. 1×5=5
(a) Books are the best companions of man. (positive)
(b) Nowadays, books are published in huge quantity. (active)
(c) People read books for pleasure. (compound)
(d) A book is a great treasure. (exclamatory)
(e) We should develop the habit of buying books. (interrogative)
8. Fill in the blanks with tag questions. 1×5=5
: The beauty of a moonlit night cannot be described in words, (a) ——?
: It is very charming, (b) ——?
: It dazzles our eyes, (c) ——?
: Everybody enjoys a moonlit night, (d) ——?
: Even little insects fly here and there, (e) ——?
9. Complete the following sentences. 1×5=5
(a) We look forward to ——.
(b) Future is built up on the basis of ——.
(c) If anybody gets derailed, his future——.
(d) Future depends on ——.
(e) We should try to cultivate ourselves ——.
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
10. Suppose, you are Priyadarshan, a reporter of “The Daily Star”. Recently you have visited a vote-center.
Write a report on your observation. 10
11. Write a short composition on any of the following: 15
(a) Uses and Abuses of Internet; (b) Drug Addiction Among the Young Generation.
12. Write an application to the Principal of your college to provide sound system for large classrooms. 10
13. Write a dialogue between two friends about the win of Bangladesh against Zimbabwe in the 1st Test
Match. 10
14. Complete the following story using the clues given below : 15
There lived a man in a village. He had a great attraction to English and so, he went to a teacher. The teacher
began to teach him, but the man was dull-headed ---------

Chandpur Govt. Women’s College, Chandpur


39 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
[The figures in the right margin indicate full marks]
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
[Answer any eight questions out of nine]
1. Complete the following passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use
negatives where necessary. 15=5
obtain run regard take redefine come imagine
74 n HSC English Test Papers n
Education (a) —— as the yard stick of development. Development (b) ——ignoring education. (c) —— degrees
should not be the prime object of education. That is why education has to be (d) ——. It is high time we (e) ——
measures to spread education.
2. Fill in the gaps with suitable prepositions. 15=5
A good student prefers books (a) —— dress. He adheres (b) —— his studies. He always tries to cut a good figure
(c) —— the examination. He never deviates (d) —— his duties because success depends (e) —— hard work.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross () where an article is not
needed. .510=5
(a) —— use of article is so easy but most of (b) —— our students make mistakes
(c) —— in it. The simple rule is that (d) —— vowel letter is always preceded by
(e) —— and a consonant is always preceded by (f) —— if “U” is uttered as “you” it is (g) —— preceded by (h)
—— or if it (i) —— is uttered as “Aa” (j) —— is used.
4. Fill in the blanks with suitable linking words from the list. 15=5
so that even that if for because let alone in order to
We take food not only because we want to satisfy our hunger but also (a) —— we want to preserve our health.
(b) —— the educated are not aware of the importance of balanced diet, (c) —— the illiterate people. We have to
bear in mind (d) —— we should take balanced diet (e) —— we can preserve our health.
5. Make meaningful sentences with the following phrases and idioms (any
five). 15=5
all and sundry, breathe one’s last, call into question, dead against, from A to Z, get through, in the teeth of.
6. Rewrite the following in the reported speech. 5
“What a beautiful cock it is!” the cunning fox said himself, “I must have it for meal.” The fox looked up at the
cock and said, “Dear friend, cock, have you heard the good news?” “What’s the good news?” asked the cock.
“Please come down and listen to me” said the fox.
7. Transform the following sentences as directed. 15=5
(a) The Sundarbans that is the unique creation of nature is called the 52 nd World Heritage Site. (Simple)
(b) It is called the mangrove forest. (Active)
(c) It is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world. (Positive)
(d) It protects southern part of our country in time of natural disaster. (Complex)
(e) Many people go to the Sundarbans to observe the natural beauties. (Compound)
8. Fill in the blanks with tag questions. 15=5
(a) Allah alone can help us, ——?
(b) Everybody is happy here, ——?
(c) None wishes to be unhappy, ——?
(d) Don’t run in the sun, ——?
(e) A barking dog seldom bites, ——?
9. Complete the following sentences. 15=5
(a) If you are late ——.
(b) He is studying hard lest ——.
(c) This is the boy whom——.
(d) Whoever you are ——.
(e) Do you know why ——.
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
10. Suppose, you are a reporter of a national daily. Now, write a report on the price-hike of essential
commodities. 10
11. Write a short composition on ‘The Importance of Reading Newspaper.’ 15
12. Suppose, you are a student of 12 th class of ‘X’ college. You failed to appear in the pre-test exam for your
personal problems. Now, write an application to the Principal of your college to arrange a supplementary
exam for you. 10
13. Write a dialogue between two friends about the newly joined Principal of their college.
10
14. Complete the following story with the cue. 15
One day, a grocer borrowed a balance and weights from a fruit seller. After a few days the fruit seller asked the
grocer to return his balance and weights to him...........
75 n English First Paper : Questions n

Puran Bazar University College, Chandpur


40 Test Examination—2014 English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use negatives
where necessary. 1×5=5
develop tax be prepare achieve run stop
Most students of our country (a) —— expert in cramming answers. They (b) —— their hand notes themselves.
They get them prepared by their private tutors. Their tutors (c) —— their brains on the students’ behalf. As a
result, their thinking power (d) ——. They obtain better results, but actually, they (e) —— very little.
2. Read the following letter and fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions. 1×5=5
My dear X,
Best wishes to you. I’m very glad to know that you have stood first in order (a) —— merit. I knew, you would do
well in the exam as you worked harder. So, it is rightly said that industry is the key (b) —— success. Very few
students can do well in the exam (c) —— dint of merit. It is observed that those who have become great in this
mundane world have become so (d) —— hard labour and perseverance. I pray to almighty Allah (e) —— your
impressive success in the days ahead.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross (×) where an article is not needed. .5×10=5
It is (a) —— known fact that English is (b) —— international language. (c) —— language used by international
community is important. Statistics show that 350 million people speak it as (d) —— first language and another
300 million use it as (e) —— second language. It is (f) —— official language in more than 60 countries of the
world. Once it was also (g) —— official language of our country. Most of (h) —— books on science and
technology are written in English. So, (i) —— importance of learning good English beggars description. It is (j)
—— must for our progress and prosperity.
4. Fill in the gaps with suitable linking words from the list. 1×5=5
but equally and while as so
Once there was a mighty king in England whose name was Lear. He had three daughters——Goneril, Regan and
Cordelia. He became very old (a) —— wearied. Goneril and Regan were married (b) —— Cordelia was not. (c)
—— King Lear was tired of ruling and he needed rest, he decided to step down the throne and divide his
kingdom (d) —— among his three daughters. He invited all his daughters and asked them how much they loved
him. Goneril and Regan said, they had loved him more than their eyes and lives (e) —— Cordelia, whom he
loved most, said, “Father, I love you just like a father.” This shocked the proud, old king who banished her at
once.
5. Make meaningful sentences with the following idioms and phrases (any 5). 1×5=5
of one’s own accord, by hook or by crook, out and out, black and white, keep body and soul together, big guns, at
the eleventh hour, on the sly.
6. Read the following passage and transform the sentences as directed (any five): 1×5=5
(a) Health is wealth (complex). (b) A university is the highest seat of learning in a country (Comparative Degree).
(c) Always speak the truth (Negative). (d) A healthy man is an asset but an unhealthy man is a liability to all
(Complex). (e) Everybody hates a corrupt man (Interrogative). (f) There is no mother but loves her child
(Affirmative). (g) One should keep one’s promise (Change the voice).
7. Complete the following sentences: 1×5=5
(a) Study seriously lest ——
(b) It is high time ——
(c) No sooner had they reached the station ——
(d) Unless you work hard, ——
(e) United we stand, ——
8. Fill in the blanks with tag questions (any 5): 1×5=5
(a) I’d meet you on the sly, ——?
(b) Sakib Al Hasan, ——?
(c) Anyone is allowed to come, ——?
(d) None is to none under the sun, ——?
(e) Acid rain is harmful, ——?
(f) Ram, Rahim and John went to a picnic yesterday, ——?
76 n HSC English Test Papers n
9. Rewrite the following passage in the reported speech. 1×5=5
“I’ll pay for it,” he said. ‘I broke it. I brought the axe down careless.’ “But no one hits accurately every time,
Jerry. Moreover, the fault was in the wood of the handle. I’ll see the man from whom I bought it”, I told him.
Part B : Guided Writing (60 Marks)
10. Write a paragraph on Internet/Students and Social Service. 10
Or, Suppose, a road accident took place on Chandpur-Comilla road at Baburhat in Chandpur Sadar Upazila.
Two people died and ten others were injured in it. You are a reporter of a national daily newspaper. Now,
write a report on this accident.
11. Write a short composition on “Eve-teasing”/”Drug Addiction.” 15
12. Write an application to the Principal of your college requesting him to arrange multimedia system in the
classrooms. 10
13. Write a dialogue between you and a foreigner who has come to Bangladesh recently for the first time. 10
14. Complete the given story with the cue. 15
Sheikh Sa’adi was a great Persian poet. He used to put on simple dress. Once he took shelter in a nobleman’s
house. The nobleman could not recognize him and treated him as an ordinary man...............
Mohila University College, Chattagram
41 Test Examination—2014 English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Fill in the gaps with the right form of verbs from the box below. Use negatives where necessary.
There are more words than needed: 5
provide leave turn be cut stop prevent
Trees (a) —— useful to us in many ways. They (b) —— us with food, fruit, shade and shelter. They prevent a
region from (c) —— into a desert. But it is a pity that the people of our country (d) —— trees indiscriminately. It
is high time we (e) —— such an act of human cruelty towards trees.
2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions. 1×5=5
In the long run a sinner atones (a) —— his sin because he knows that everybody will have to be accountable (b)
—— God (c) —— his/her deeds. So, when, a sinner becomes really repentant he/she is seen devoted (d) ——
God. Sometimes he/she is seen absorbed (e) —— deep meditation.
3. Fill in the gaps with articles. Put a cross (×) where not necessary. 5
th
The 16 December is (a) —— red-letter day in the history of Bangladesh. On this day we achieved (b) ——
freedom through (c) —— long bloody battle. (d) —— new nation named Bangladesh came into (e) —— being
and made a place in (f) —— world map as (g) —— indepe2ndent country. Every year this day is celebrated in
(h) —— enthusiastic atmosphere. We remember (i) —— great sacrifices of our heroic sons who died for this
country. We also pay (j) —— great tribute to them.
4. Fill in the blanks with the linking words from the box below. 1×5=5
if unless according to what where which but and
The foods that we eat can be divided into six kinds (a) —— what substances they contain and (b) —— benefits
they do to us. Fish, meat, peas and milk provide us with protein (c) —— builds our body and helps us grow. (d)
—— we do not take all these, we cannot grow well. Vitamins and mineral salts protect us from diseases (e) ——
keep us fit for work.
Or, Make sentences with any five of the following phrases and idioms: 5
look down upon, in a body, golden age, on the sly, hanker after, a slow coach, out and out.
5. Rewrite the passage into indirect speech. 5
“Mina, have you done your English lesson today?” said the teacher. “Yes, sir” she replied. “But I haven’t
understood one grammatical point.” Don’t worry. I’ll help you understand it,” said the teacher. “Thank you, sir,”
said she.
6. Transform the following passage as directed: 1×5=5
77 n English First Paper : Questions n
(a) Our Parliament House at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka is a triumph of modern architecture and technology
(Complex). (b) A famous American architect Louis I Khan designed this magnificent building (Passive). (c) It is
one of the largest parliament buildings (Positive). (d) As it is a highly complex structure, its annual maintenance
cost is about 50 million taka (Simple). (e) It is very difficult for a poor country like Bangladesh to bear this high
expense (Negative).
7. Add tag questions to the following sentences. 1×5=5
(a) A student should read the text again and again, ——?
(b) Nobody pays due respect to a dishonest man, ——?
(c) ‘I’ is a pronoun, ——?
(d) Thousands of people admired Rumi in his life time, ——?
(e) Deeba as well as her friends enjoyed the short film, ——?
8. Complete the following sentences. 1×5=5
(a) He walked fast lest ——.
(b) He came here with a view to ——.
(c) If I knew his mobile number ——.
(d) Had I been a rich man ——.
(e) He reads attentively so that ——.
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
9. Suppose, you are a staff reporter of the Daily Observer. Now, write a report on ‘Drug Addiction.’ 10
10. Suppose, you are a student of M.B. College. Now, write an application to the Principal for permission to go
on a picnic. 10
11. Write a dialogue between you and your friend about your preparation for the HSC Examination. 10
12. Complete the following story and give a title to it: 15
There lived two friends in a certain village. They were very fond of travelling. They liked to enjoy the beauty of
nature, to see green trees, blue seas and to hear the sweet songs of birds. One day they went to a forest for
travelling. They were walking along the path of the forest. They were talking about friendship -----------------
13. Write a composition on any one of the following topics: 15
(a) Childhood Memories; (b) Population Problem in Bangladesh.

Bianibazar Govt. College, Sylhet


42 Test Examination—2014; English : Paper II
Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)
1. Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tense. Use the
negatives where necessary. 1×5=5
be reach work come confine dominate succeed
Today women play an important role in all spheres of life. Once they were (a) —— by men. They (b) —— no
longer (c) —— within the four walls. They have (d) —— out of kitchens and are (e) —— hand in hand with
man.
2. Read the following passage and fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions: 5
Everyone desires (a) —— wealth. But very few can attain it. Some people hanker (b) —— riches. Some are
content (c) —— what they have. True happiness lies (d) —— contentment. It is high time we gave (e) —— the
habit of covetousness.
3. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross (x) where an article is not needed. 5
(a) —— idle man and (b) —— active man cannot be equal. We know (c) —— story of (d) —— ant and (e) ——
grasshopper. (f) —— ant was industrious. On the other hand, the grasshopper was really (g) —— lazy. The ant
knew that (h) —— industrious shine. On (i) —— contrary, (j) —— lazy suffer in life.
78 n HSC English Test Papers n
4. Rewrite the following passage in the reported speech. 5

“I came here yesterday from my village”, he said, “Why did you come?” I asked. “My mother sent me to you
with this letter.” “How is your mother? I have not seen her for a long time. I hope she is quite well.”
5. Make meaningful sentences with the following idioms (any five). 5
at stake, big guns, cut out, end in smoke, irony of fate, lion’s share, nip in the bud, take after.

6. Read the following passage and transform the underlined sentences as directed. 1×5=5

(a) Once a cook roasted a duck for his master (passive) (b) The roast looked so delicious that the cook could not
resist the temptation (simple). He ate one of the drumsticks. (c) When his master sat down to eat, he quickly
noticed the missing drumstick (compound). (d) The master enquired of the missing leg (interrogative) (e) But the
cook told him that this duck had only one leg (negative).
7. Fill in the blanks with suitable linking words. 1×5=5
otherwise but so although however which accordingly
Every citizen has some duties and responsibilities for his nation. (a) —— most of the people are careless in this
respect. The people of this country have achieved national identity by dint of a great sacrifice (b) —— is still
evaluated nationally (c) —— some selfish people never want to give their recognition. (d) ——, we all should do
some benevolent activities. (e) ——, we will be indebted to the nation.
8. Fill in the blanks with tag questions. 1×5=5
(a) Everybody is liable to error, ——?
(b) Very few students are devoted to studies, ——?
(c) Please, don’t waste your time ——?
(d) Let us go out for a walk, ——?
(e) Fire burns, ——?
9. Complete the following sentences. 5
(a) Time is so valuable that ——
(b) The gifts are too nice to ——
(c) He talks as if ——
(d) You cannot get A+ provided ——
(e) If you want to get it ——
Part B : Composition (60 Marks)
10. You know, Sylhet being a big city, traffic clogs up the streets and it has been a matter of disturbance for
city dwellers, especially for school and office goers. Draft a report on the given situation. 10
11. Write a short composition on any one of the following. 15
(a) Is Science a Blessing or a Curse? (b) The Rivers of Bangladesh.
12. Write a dialogue between yourself and your friend about the choice of career. 10
13. Suppose, the classrooms at your college are unusually large and you find it pretty difficult to listen to your
teacher’s lectures. Now, write an application to the Principal asking him for taking necessary steps. 15
14. Complete the following story using the cue. 15
Once there lived a poor woodcutter. But he was very honest. He earned his livelihood by selling wood in the
market. One day he was cutting wood beside a river. Suddenly --------------------------------

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