English HSLC Examination Paper – 2023 (Solved)
Full Marks: 90
Time: 3 hours
SECTION – A
1. Choose correct options for the following : (1 × 10 = 10)
(i) “A plague of locusts would have left more than this ….” What does the underlined word mean?
(a) a herd of animals
(b) a swarm of bees
(c) a flock of birds
(d) a swarm of insects
Answer: (d) a swarm of insects
(ii) “The postmaster – a fat, amiable fellow – also broke out laughing -“. Choose from below the word that is same in meaning as ‘amiable’ –
(a) huge
(b) friendly
(c) jealous
(d) angry
Answer: (b) friendly
(iii) Apartheid is a political system that separates people according to their ______.
(a) religion
(b) language
(c) race
(d) gender
Answer: (c) race
(iv) In life, every man has twin obligations – what is another word for ‘obligations’?
(a) duty
(b) hobbies
(c) wealth
(d) livelihood
Answer: (a) duty
(v) Between Mysore and the coastal town of ______ sits a piece of heaven.
(a) Travancore
(b) Mangalore
(c) Cuddalore
(d) Bangalore
Answer: (b) Mangalore
(vi) Lencho hoped for help from ______.
(a) neighbours
(b) sons
(c) God
(d) wife
Answer: (c) God
(vii) ______ has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world.
(a) Darjeeling
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Assam
(d) Kerala
Answer: (c) Assam
(viii) Tea was first drunk in ______.
(a) China
(b) Japan
(c) England
(d) India
Answer: (a) China
(ix) Despite having a strong desire, what did Valli resist in the fair to save for the bus fare?
(a) merry-go-round
(b) ribbons
(c) snacks
(d) lollipops
Answer: (a) merry-go-round
(x) For Valli, the most fascinating thing to watch was ______.
(a) cows grazing in the field.
(b) children playing in the street.
(c) the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town.
(d) the bullock-carts on the village street.
Answer: (c) the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town.
2. Choose the correct answer of the following : (1 × 10 = 10)
(i) The captured tiger is stalking in ______.
(a) the stable
(b) the cage
(c) the zoo
(d) the night street
Answer: (b) the cage
(ii) Chocolate was harmful for Amanda’s ______.
(a) nails
(b) hair
(c) acne
(d) tummy
Answer: (c) acne
(iii) The word ‘rigid’ means ______.
(a) flux
(b) soft
(c) hard
(d) dry
Answer: (c) hard
(iv) Custard was the name of a ______.
(a) dragon
(b) dog
(c) cat
(d) biscuit
Answer: (a) dragon
(v) The world, as mentioned in ‘The Ball Poem’, is one of ______.
(a) balls
(b) friends
(c) fun
(d) possessions
Answer: (d) possessions
(vi) Griffin was a ______.
(a) teacher
(b) scientist
(c) driver
(d) trader
Answer: (b) scientist
(vii) The speaker in ‘The Hack Driver’ was sent to a town ______ miles away in the country.
(a) twenty
(b) thirty
(c) forty
(d) fifty
Answer: (c) forty
(viii) Max was like a ______, according to the author of ‘The Midnight Visitor’.
(a) deer
(b) hyena
(c) wolf
(d) fox
Answer: (d) fox
(ix) Mandela’s country is rich in ______.
(a) forests and lakes
(b) agriculture
(c) gems and minerals
(d) hills and rivers
Answer: (c) gems and minerals
(x) The main crop of Coorg is ______.
(a) rice
(b) coffee
(c) tea
(d) peanuts
Answer: (b) coffee
3. Write very short answers to the following questions : (1 × 10 = 10)
(i) What is Coorg home to ?
Answer: Coorg is home to evergreen rainforests, spices, and coffee plantations.
(ii) Name the tea garden where Pranjol’s father was posted as a manager.
Answer: The tea garden was Dhekiabari Tea Estate.
(iii) “… there it is in water”. What does ‘it’ refer to here? (‘The Ball Poem’)
Answer: ‘It’ refers to the boy’s ball.
(iv) Who is the poet of the poem ‘Animals’ ?
Answer: The poet is Walt Whitman.
(v) In the first stanza of the poem ‘Amanda’, what is Amanda told not to do?
Answer: Amanda is told not to bite her nails.
(vi) Which place was known as the centre of the theatre world ? (‘Footprints without Feet’)
Answer: Drury Lane was known as the centre of the theatre world.
(vii) Who was following Ausable in the corridor of the French hotel ?
Answer: Max was following Ausable in the corridor.
(viii) What was people’s opinion about Horace Danby?
Answer: People’s opinion about Horace Danby was that he was a good, honest citizen.
(ix) Why is the boy in ‘The Ball Poem’ upset ?
Answer: The boy is upset because he has lost his ball, which was linked to his cherished childhood memories.
(x) Why would the poet like to turn and live with the animals ?
Answer: The poet would like to live with animals because they are placid (calm) and self-contained, and they possess virtues that humans have lost.
4. Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions in Part – A and with correct determiners in Part – B. (1 x 10 = 10)
PART – A
(i) Put the cup on the dish.
(ii) The cows are in the field.
(iii) Lila lives with her parents.
(iv) He is fond of reading novels.
(v) This shop deals in stationery.
PART – B
(vi) My friend is an M.A. in English.
(vii) The book you have mentioned is out-of-print.
(viii) Kindness is a great virtue.
(ix) The Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world.
(x) Is there any sugar in the pot ?
5. Answer the following questions as directed : (1 × 5 = 5)
(i) Whom did you call? (Change into Passive)
Answer: By whom were you called?
(ii) The glass was not broken by the boy. (Change into Active)
Answer: The boy did not break the glass.
(iii) Shillong is colder than Simla. (Rewrite in Positive degree)
Answer: Simla is not as cold as Shillong.
(iv) He said, “I can do it.” (Change into Indirect)
Answer: He said that he could do it.
(v) Rina asked him politely not to go home then. (Change into Direct)
Answer: Rina said to him, “Please do not go home now.”
SECTION – B
6. Give short answers to the following : (2 x 8 = 16)
(i) What were Lencho’s feelings after the hailstorm was over?
Answer: After the hailstorm was over, Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness. He was completely devastated as his entire cornfield was destroyed, leaving him with no crop for the year.
(ii) Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho?
Answer: The postmaster was deeply moved by Lencho’s unwavering faith in God. To prevent that faith from being shaken, he decided to send money to Lencho himself.
(iii) What is courage according to Mandela?
Answer: According to Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. A brave man is not one who does not feel afraid, but one who conquers that fear.
(iv) Mention a few adventure sports that one can enjoy at Coorg.
Answer: A few adventure sports one can enjoy at Coorg are river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountain biking.
(v) Explain the expression ‘quiet rage’ in the context of the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’.
Answer: The expression ‘quiet rage’ describes the tiger’s intense but suppressed anger. The tiger is furious about being caged, but he is helpless and can only express his anger silently by walking up and down in his cage.
(vi) What kind of person was the bus conductor? How did he address Valli ?
Answer: The bus conductor was a jolly, fun-loving person who was fond of joking. He addressed Valli as ‘madam’ in a playful and respectful manner.
(vii) Why did Rajvir prefer to look out of the train window instead of reading?
Answer: Rajvir preferred to look out of the window because he had never seen so much greenery before. He was fascinated by the magnificent view of the tea gardens and wanted to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
(viii) Name the pets that Belinda had besides the dragon.
Answer: Besides the dragon (Custard), Belinda had a little black kitten (Ink), a little grey mouse (Blink), and a little yellow dog (Mustard).
7. Answer any two from the following : (4 x 2 = 8)
(i) Narrate how Ausable managed to make Max believe that there was a balcony attached to his room.
Answer: Ausable cleverly created a completely believable story about a non-existent balcony. He told Max that his room was part of a larger unit and that the balcony belonged to the next apartment. He complained that this was the second time someone had entered his room through it. His detailed and casual description, combined with his complaint about the hotel management, made the story so convincing that Max believed it without question.
(ii) What led Horace Danby to break open the safe containing jewellery at Shot-over Grange?
Answer: Horace Danby was tricked by a young lady who was also a thief but pretended to be the owner of the house. She told him she needed the jewels for a party but had forgotten the combination of the safe. She charmed him and gained his trust, leading him to break open the safe for her, believing he was helping the lady of the house.
(iv) Write about any one incident which proves that Griffin was a lawless person.
Answer: One incident that proves Griffin was a lawless person occurred in the village of Iping. When the village constable, Mr. Jaffers, was called to arrest him for the chaos he had caused at the inn, Griffin showed no respect for the law. He became invisible by removing his clothes and then proceeded to knock the constable unconscious to make his escape, demonstrating his complete disregard for legal authority.
SECTION – C & D (Writing)
8. Write an essay on either of the following topics : (5)
(i) Science in Daily Life
Science in Daily Life
Science is not just a subject we study in school; it is the backbone of our modern existence, touching every aspect of our daily lives. From the moment we wake up to the alarm on our smartphones to the time we switch off the lights to sleep, science is constantly at work.
Our mornings begin with technology derived from scientific principles. The electricity that powers our homes, the clean water that flows from our taps, and the gas that cooks our food are all products of scientific innovation. Communication has been revolutionized by science; we can connect with anyone across the globe in seconds through mobile phones and the internet. Transportation, from bicycles to airplanes, has made the world a smaller place.
In the field of health, science has been a lifesaver. Medicines, vaccines, and advanced surgical procedures have increased our life expectancy and improved our quality of life. Even the entertainment we enjoy, like television and movies, is a gift of science. In short, our daily life is a testament to the power and importance of science. It has made our lives more comfortable, convenient, and secure.
9. Write a letter to your friend inviting him/her to your place during the summer vacation. (3)
[Your Address][City, PIN Code]
[Date]
My dear [Friend’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. Our final exams are over, and the summer vacation is about to begin. I was thinking it would be wonderful if you could come and spend a part of your vacation with me at my place.
We haven’t met in a long time, and this would be a perfect opportunity to catch up. We can play cricket in the evenings, watch some new movies, and I can show you around my town. My parents would also be very happy to have you here.
Please let me know if you can come and when you would be arriving. I am eagerly looking forward to your positive reply. Give my regards to your parents.
Yours lovingly,
[Your Name]
OR
Write a Report on the Prize Distribution ceremony of your school. (3)
Prize Distribution Ceremony Held
By a Staff Reporter
Guwahati, March 16: Our school, [Your School’s Name], organized its annual Prize Distribution Ceremony on Monday, 15th March, in the school auditorium. The ceremony began at 11 am. The function was presided over by our respected Headmaster.
The event commenced with recitations and the singing of the School Anthem by the school choir. The Headmaster then presented the Annual Report, highlighting the academic and co-curricular achievements of the students throughout the year. The Chief Guest, [Name of Chief Guest], then distributed the prizes to the meritorious students.
In his address, the Chief Guest congratulated the winners and motivated all students to strive for excellence. The President of the function, our Headmaster, also delivered an inspiring speech. The ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by the School Monitor.
10. (i) Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (6)
(a) Where does Kaveri get its water from? (1)
Answer: The river Kaveri obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg.
(b) Who was the first Chief of the Indian Army ? (1)
Answer: The first Chief of the Indian Army was General Cariappa.
(c) Write briefly about the valour of the people from Coorg. (2)
Answer: The people of Coorg are known for their valour. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and Coorgi homes have a tradition of recounting tales of bravery related to their sons and fathers.
(d) Why is it believed that Coorgies are of Arab origin? (2)
Answer: It is believed that Coorgis are of Arab origin because of the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt they wear, known as Kuppia. This dress resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
(ii) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow : (4)
(a) What is a very good exercise? (1)
Answer: Walking is a very good exercise.
(b) What happens when we take morning walks everyday ? (1)
Answer: When we take morning walks every day, we feel fresh and energized, and our daily routine becomes well-organized.
(c) Name two benefits we derive from a morning walk. (1)
Answer: Two benefits of a morning walk are: (i) it makes us feel fresh and energized, and (ii) it helps develop the habit of rising early.
(d) Which environment is suitable for walking? (1)
Answer: The early morning environment is suitable for walking.
11. Translate into the language as per your MIL/(IL) Subject : (1×3=3)
(Solution provided in Assamese)
(i) Man is mortal.
Assamese: মানুহ মৰণশীল।
(ii) We should respect our elders.
Assamese: আমি আমাৰ জ্যেষ্ঠসকলক সন্মান কৰিব লাগে।
(iii) Kashmir is known as the Heaven on Earth.
Assamese: কাশ্মীৰক পৃথিৱীৰ স্বৰ্গ বুলি জনা যায়।
OR
Write a substance for the following :
It is easy to acquire bad habit…
Substance:
It is easy to form bad habits like overeating or smoking, and the more we indulge in them, the harder they are to break. This force of habit must be fought, as even good things can become harmful if done in excess. A wise person is always mindful of this, checks for any bad habits like idleness or smoking, and resolves to get out of them at once.
SECTION – E (Grammar)
61. Rewrite the sentences using the correct form of tense for the verb given in the brackets: (1×2=2)
(a) Hari loves to read novels. (love)
(b) We have been living in Guwahati since last January. (live)
62. Change the narration of the following sentences: (1×2=2)
(a) The teacher said, “Today we will learn a poem.”
Answer: The teacher said that they would learn a poem that day.
(b) Father told me not to waste my time.
Answer: Father advised me not to waste my time.
63. Rewrite the following as directed: (1×2=2)
(a) Though he was old, he was energetic. (Write as a compound sentence)
Answer: He was old, but he was energetic.
(b) Social media is deceptive. (Rewrite in interrogative form)
Answer: Is social media not deceptive?