Here is the complete, solved version of the 2019 English HSLC Examination Paper.
English HSLC Examination Paper – 2019 (Solved)
Full Marks: 90
Time: 3 hours
SECTION – A
1. (a) Choose the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence from among the alternatives given in the brackets : (1)
I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone…
(enhanced/reduced/withheld)
Answer: reduced
(b) State whether the following statements are True or False (Reference : Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom) : (1+1=2)
(i) On the podium, Mr. de Klerk was first sworn in as first Deputy President.
Answer: False (He was sworn in as second Deputy President).
(ii) Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as second Deputy President.
Answer: False (He was sworn in as first Deputy President).
(c) Choose the correct answer from among the alternatives given and complete the sentence : (1)
In life, every man has ______.
(i) three obligations
(ii) twin obligations
(iii) many obligations
Answer: (ii) twin obligations
2. “The only thing the earth needed….” What ‘only thing’ did the earth need? (2)
Answer: The ‘only thing’ the earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower of rain for Lencho’s ripe cornfield.
3. What did Mandela say about the wealth of his country? (2)
Answer: Mandela said that his country was rich in minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but its greatest wealth was its people, who were finer and truer than the purest diamonds.
4. What did Lencho write in his letter to God? (2)
Answer: In his letter to God, Lencho wrote that the hailstorm had destroyed his entire crop and that he needed one hundred pesos to sow his field again and to live until the new crop came.
5. When does the season of joy commence in Coorg? Till what time does it continue? (1+1=2)
Answer: The season of joy commences in Coorg from September and it continues till March.
6. Mention the story that supports the view that the people of Coorg are of Greek origin. (2)
Answer: The story that supports this view is that a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled in Coorg when their return became impractical. These people then married amongst the locals.
7. What type of a man was the Postmaster? (1)
Answer: The Postmaster was a fat, amiable (friendly and pleasant) fellow.
8. Give a brief description of Dhekiabari tea garden. (2)
Answer: Dhekiabari tea garden had acres of neatly pruned tea bushes on both sides of the road. Groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.
9. What was the distance from Valli’s village to the nearest town? What was the bus fare for a trip from Valli’s village to the town? (1+1=2)
Answer: The distance from Valli’s village to the nearest town was six miles. The bus fare was thirty paise one way.
10. Give a description of the bus in which Valli travelled. (2)
Answer: The bus was new. Its outside was painted a gleaming white with some green stripes, and inside, the overhead bars shone like silver. The seats were soft and luxurious.
SECTION – B
11. Choose from the box given below the words that rhyme with the following : (1×2=2)
feet, harbour
[bit, beat, sit, hour, honour, armour]
Answer:
- feet – beat
- harbour – armour
12. Choose the meaning of the underlined words from the alternatives given in the brackets : (1×2=2)
(a) In his quiet rage. (noisy/silent/worst)
Answer: silent
(b) At the jungle’s edge. (border/side/centre)
Answer: border
13. How old is Amanda? How do you know it? (1+1=2)
Answer: Amanda is likely a young school-going girl, probably around 10-12 years old. We know this because she is being nagged about things like biting her nails and finishing her homework.
14. Why does the poet feel more at home with animals than with humans? (2)
Answer: The poet feels more at home with animals because they are placid (calm) and self-contained. They do not complain about their condition, weep for their sins, or have a mania for owning things, which makes them seem more honest and natural than complicated humans.
15. How did Belinda and her pets behave when they saw the Pirate climbing the window? (2)
Answer: When they saw the pirate, Belinda turned pale and cried for help. Mustard fled with a terrified yelp, Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household, and Blink strategically hid in a mousehole.
16. Give a description of the fight between Custard dragon and the Pirate. (2)
Answer: Custard bravely jumped up, snorting like an engine, and clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon. He charged at the pirate like a robin at a worm. The pirate fired two bullets but missed, and Custard gobbled him up in a single bite.
SECTION – C
17. (a) How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room? (5)
Answer: Ausable manages to make Max believe there is a balcony by creating a detailed and plausible story. He complains about the balcony being a nuisance, stating it belongs to the next apartment and that someone had entered his room through it last month. His calm and annoyed tone makes the story sound genuine. When there is a knock at the door, Ausable’s prior mention of expecting the police makes Max panic and jump out of the window onto the non-existent balcony to hide.
Or
(b) How did the young lady trick Horace Danby? (5)
Answer: The young lady tricked Horace Danby by confidently pretending to be the lady of the house. She remained calm, told him she had forgotten the number to open the safe, and needed the jewels for a party. She gained his trust by promising to let him go if he opened the safe for her. Horace, fooled by her charm and convincing act, broke open the safe without wearing gloves, leaving his fingerprints all over and getting himself arrested later.
18. (a) How and why did Griffin come to the village of Iping? Why does Mrs. Hall find him eccentric? (3+2=5)
Answer: Griffin, an invisible scientist, came to the village of Iping to escape the crowded and chaotic life of London and to find solitude to continue his work.
Mrs. Hall found him eccentric because of his strange appearance with bandages all over his face, his desire for solitude, his short temper, and his refusal to talk. His arrival in winter was also unusual, and he had an uncertain temper, which made her consider him an eccentric scientist.
Or
(b) Describe the first meeting between Bill and the young lawyer. (5)
Answer: The first meeting occurred at the New Mullion station. The young lawyer, looking for Oliver Lutkins, met a cheerful, friendly hack driver who introduced himself as Bill. The lawyer told Bill his purpose, and Bill, who was actually Lutkins himself, offered to help find Lutkins for two dollars an hour. Bill immediately started fooling the lawyer, describing Lutkins as a tricky person and offering to drive him around the village to all the places where Lutkins usually hung out.
SECTION – D
19. Fill in the blanks with the right determiners : (½x4=2)
(a) My brother had gone an hour ago.
(b) A busy man has little time to waste.
(c) The classes started after the bell had rung.
(d) Much of their property was lost in the flood.
20. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition from among the choices given in the brackets : (½x4=2)
(a) This train is bound for Delhi.
(b) Assam is rich in minerals.
(c) I met him on the street.
(d) Happiness consists in speaking the truth.
21. Rewrite the following sentences putting the verbs in the brackets in their correct tense form : (1×3=3)
(a) They (live) in Delhi for ten years.
Answer: They have been living in Delhi for ten years.
(b) When he came it (be) all over.
Answer: When he came it was all over.
(c) He (stay) here until you return.
Answer: He will stay here until you return.
22. Change the narration of the following: (1×2=2)
(a) She asked me why the teacher had punished me.
Answer: She said to me, “Why did the teacher punish you?”
(b) Anita said to Ravi, “Please lend me your pen.”
Answer: Anita requested Ravi to lend her his pen.
23. Change the voice of the following : (1×2=2)
(a) I have lost my English textbook.
Answer: My English textbook has been lost.
(b) He was punished for his misconduct.
Answer: His misconduct punished him. OR They punished him for his misconduct.
24. Combine each of the following pairs of sentences into a single sentence : (1×2=2)
(a) The earth is round. We can prove it.
Answer: We can prove that the earth is round.
(b) Where does he live? Do you know it?
Answer: Do you know where he lives?
25. Choose the correct alternative from the choices given in the brackets and write out the sentences : (1×2=2)
(a) She narrated the matter (shortly/briefly).
Answer: She narrated the matter briefly.
(b) Please (listen/hear) to what he says.
Answer: Please listen to what he says.
26. Make sentences to illustrate the meaning of any two of the following: (1×2=2)
far and wide; break out; give up; fall out.
- far and wide: People came from far and wide to see the festival.
- break out: The fire broke out in the middle of the night.
- give up: You should not give up your dreams.
- fall out: The two friends fell out over a small issue.
27. Correct the errors in any three of the following sentences : (1×3=3)
(a) It can rain tonight.
Answer: It may rain tonight.
(b) The cattles were grazing in the field.
Answer: The cattle were grazing in the field.
(c) Each of the boys play cricket.
Answer: Each of the boys plays cricket.
(d) How much money you need?
Answer: How much money do you need?
(e) When you do your homework?
Answer: When will you do your homework?
(f) I do not know to do it.
Answer: I do not know how to do it.
SECTION – E
28. Translate into English (any one Group of the following) : (1×5=5)
(Assamese Group)
(a) যদুৱে মোক সুধিছিল, “ৰাজু ইংৰাজীত ভালনে?”
Answer: Jadu asked me, “Is Raju good at English?”
(b) দোকমোকালিতে শোৱাৰ পৰা উঠাটো তেওঁৰ অভ্যাস।
Answer: It is his habit to get up from bed at dawn.
(c) মিছা কথা কোৱা উচিত নহয়।
Answer: One should not tell a lie.
(d) সৌ গছডাল ইমান ওখ!
Answer: How tall that tree is!
(e) কিতাপখন টেবুলৰ ওপৰত আছে।
Answer: The book is on the table.
OR
Give substance of the following passage : (6)
The work which Gandhiji had taken up…
Substance:
Gandhiji’s work aimed not only for political freedom but also for a new social order based on truth, non-violence, equality, and universal brotherhood. Achieving this social order was more difficult than political freedom because it required changing people’s mindsets. Experience shows that people value their possessions greatly, and establishing an egalitarian society requires the rich to yield to the poor, which is a significant challenge.
29. Write, in about 150 words, an essay on any one of the following topics : (6)
(b) The festival you like most
The Festival I Like Most: Bihu
India is a land of festivals, but for me, the most cherished festival is Bihu, the heart and soul of Assam. Bihu is not just one festival but a set of three: Rongali Bihu, Kongali Bihu, and Bhogali Bihu, each marking a different phase of the agricultural calendar. However, it is Rongali Bihu, celebrated in April, that I like the most.
Rongali Bihu marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and the onset of spring. The air fills with joy, music, and the sweet fragrance of new leaves and flowers. The sound of the dhol, pepa, and gogona echoes through the villages as young boys and girls, dressed in traditional attire, perform the vibrant Bihu dance. It is a celebration of life, fertility, and community.
What I love most about Bihu is the spirit of togetherness it fosters. People visit their relatives and friends, exchange ‘gamosas’ as a sign of respect, and share delicious ‘pithas’ and ‘larus’. It is a time when all differences are forgotten, and everyone comes together to celebrate their shared culture and heritage. Bihu truly represents the colourful and vibrant spirit of Assam.
OR
Write a story in about 150 words using the outlines given below and adding a title to it : (6)
Outlines: A speedy car hit an old man—escaped—…
(This story is identical to the one provided in the 2021 solved paper. Please refer to that solution.)
30. Answer either (a) or (b) : (5)
(a) Write a letter to the Editor of a local daily expressing your concern over the incidents of crime against women in Assam.
To
The Editor
The Assam Tribune
Guwahati – 781003
Subject: Concern over the rising crime against women
Sir,
Through the esteemed columns of your newspaper, I wish to voice my deep concern over the alarming increase in incidents of crime against women in our state of Assam.
Hardly a day passes when we do not read reports of harassment, assault, or other heinous crimes committed against women. It is disheartening to see that women do not feel safe in public spaces, or even within their own homes. This rising trend is not only a legal issue but also a reflection of a deep-rooted social malaise.
While stricter laws and more efficient policing are necessary, they are not enough. We need a fundamental change in societal mindset. It is crucial to educate our children from a young age to respect women and to sensitize the public about gender equality. The authorities must take swift and stringent action against perpetrators to create a deterrent. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that Assam becomes a safe and secure place for every woman.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
(b) Write a report for a local daily on the basis of the information given below :
Annual Guwahati Book Fair Commences
By a Staff Reporter
Guwahati, Nov 10, 2018: The much-awaited Annual Guwahati Book Fair commenced today at the Assam Engineering Institute playground. The Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, declared the fair open at a formal ceremony held at 6:00 p.m.
In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of books in shaping society and encouraged everyone, especially the youth, to cultivate a habit of reading. The fair has seen enthusiastic participation from many publishers from Assam and other parts of the country, offering a wide variety of books across different genres.
The book fair will continue for ten days. A large gathering of book lovers from all walks of life is expected over the coming days, making it one of the most significant literary events in the city’s calendar.
31. (a) Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
(i) How can books teach us? (1)
Answer: Books can teach us many things directly or indirectly, helping us to know what nobleness is and making us better human beings.
(ii) How can one share the great thoughts through books? (2)
Answer: As we read books, we establish contact with great men. We hear what they said and did, and through the books, we share their great thoughts as if they were really alive.
(iii) Why should books be treated as friends and guides? (2)
Answer: Books should be treated as friends and guides because they are our best companions, give us the best society, and work as agents to help us become better than we are.
(b) Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow :
(i) How was tea drunk in Europe in the sixteenth century? (2)
Answer: In the sixteenth century, tea was drunk more as a medicine than as a beverage in Europe.
(ii) What is the Chinese legend about tea? (2)
Answer: The Chinese legend is about an emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day, a few leaves from the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water, giving it a delicious flavour. These were said to be tea leaves.
(iii) What is the Indian legend about tea? (2)
Answer: The Indian legend is about Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, who cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids, and the leaves of these plants, when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.