Board Questions for HSC (English First Paper) are very important to practise.

Dhaka Board-2018

Subject: English First Paper

Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

Part I: Reading Test (Marks-60)Unit:8,Lesson:1

1. Read the passage below and answer questions A and B.

When you are in the driving seat of a car, you have the steering and the horn in your hands, the brake and accelerator under your feet, eyes open looking ahead, left and right. The same can be said about a motorcycle rider, with some modifications. These are all very visible. But, behind all, there is something that keeps working unseen. And that is the Central Processing Unit (CPU), your brain. CPUs are artificially intelligent machines that are programmed to do specific jobs under fixed conditions and judgments. But the human brain is intelligent by nature. It is the most sophisticated machine that is able to operate on ever-changing conditions and standards of judgment. As conditions in the traffic keep invariably changing, this virtue of sophistication of your brain must be at work when you are driving. The difference between traffic in the roads and highways and racing circuit must not be blurring inside you. Never imagine yourself to be a Michael Schumacher driving an F-1 at 300 mph. Leave no room for fantasy. You must always be ready to encounter unexpected behavior from any vehicle or pedestrian. ÔKeep your cool’ is easy to advice but difficult to maintain. Still you must always restrain yourself because, at the end of the day, you don't want to be regarded as a killer. Now you see, the last thing that differentiates you from a computer is your conscience.

A. U Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1x5 = 5

a) What could be the closest meaning for “modification”? —i) to change, ii) to make less extreme, iii) adjust, iv) an alteration or adjustment to something

b) The word ‘sophisticated’ refers to—i) gorgeous, ii) advanced, iii) unrefined, iv) uncomplecated

c) ‘invariably’ could be best replaced by- i) regular, ii) alterable, iii)inconsistent, iv)always

d) The human brain is called Central Processing Unit because- i)it is the central part of the body,ii)it performs all important activities,iii)it is the central part of all activities,iv)it is the central part of mind

e) The best synonym of ‘encounter’ is…..i) battle,ii)meeting,iii)face,iv)clash

B. Write short answers to these questions. 2x5 = 10

a) What kind of skill does car driving require?

b) What is meant by ‘eyes open looking ahead’ left and right?

c) Why is human brain called the most sophisticated machine?

d) How do CPUs and brains differ?

e) Do you support the idea that conscience is our best guide on the roads? Why? Why not?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the causes and aspects of conflict. (No. 1 is done for you) Unit: 9, Lesson:3

Conflict can be described as a disagreement among groups or individuals characterized by antagonism and hostility. This is usually fueled by the opposition of one party to another in an attempt to reach an objective different from that of the other party. The elements involved in the conflict have varied sets of principles and values, thus allowing a conflict to arise. Conflict can be defined in many ways but one of the simplest is that it pertains to the opposing ideas and actions of different entities, resulting in an antagonistic state. Conflict is an inevitable part of life. All of us possess our own opinions, ideas and sets of beliefs. We have our own ways of looking at things and we act according to what we think is proper. Hence, we often find ourselves in conflict in different scenarios; it may involve other individuals, groups of people, or a struggle within our own selves. Consequently, conflict influences our actions and decisions in one way or another.

Disagreement among groups or individuals

3. Write a summary of the following text. 10

Universities should never be made into mechanical organizations for collecting and distributing knowledge. Through them the people should offer their intellectual hospitality, their wealth of mind to others, and earn their proud right in return to receive gifts from the rest of the world. But in the whole length and breadth of India there is not a single University established in the modern time where a foreign or an Indian student can properly be acquainted with the best products of the Indian mind. For that we have to cross the sea, and knock at the doors of France and Germany. Educational institutions in our country are India's alms-bowl of knowledge; they lower our intellectual self-respect; they encourage us to make a foolish display of decorations composed of borrowed feathers.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary. 0.5´10=5

ready	same	proud	blue	depends	rational
flesh	mention	inferior	class	birth	work

Man’s dignity depends upon his works. Man is a(a)-----being on earth. He is to(b) ----- for others. He should not be (c) ----- if he is of(d) ------blood. He should be (e) ----- to help any(f) ----- of man. The man whom he is helping may be(g)----- to him by(h)-----. But after all, he is a man. He has the(i) -----blood and flesh as the above(j)-----man.

5. Fill in the blanks with suitable word in each gap. 1´10=10

Rabindranath Tagore was a man of(a) ----- genius. He was(b) ----- a poet and a novelist (c) ----- a playwright, a composer, a painter and a philosopher. He was awarded Noble Prize for (d) ----- Gitanjali into English. Those translations earned him a great(e) ----- in the west. As a humanist, Tagore accused the British(f) ----- and pleade4d for the (g) ----- of India from Britain. Tagore was highly influential in(h) ----- the best of Indian culture to the west and vice-versa. He(i) ----- himself to literature at a very early age. After coming back from England, he began to write (j) ----- in all branches of literature.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence. 10

i. They were aliens in their own country and were subjected to all sorts of indignities.

ii. The blacks were treated cruelly.

iii. The great leader vowed to put an end to the inhuman practice.

iv. They were denied all basic human rights.

v. Even dogs received a much better treatment than the blacks.

vi. Eventually the great leader realized the goal of liberating his own people.

vii. He was thrown behind the prison bar.

viii. Nelson Mandela was the greatest leader of South Africa.

ix. But the oppressive rulers could not break the spirit.

x. In fact, he was one of the greatest leaders of the world who struggled against apartheid throughout his whole life.

Part II : Writing Test (Marks 40)

7. Write a paragraph on “Food Adulteration”

8. The following part is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. 7

Once upon a time there lived a dove. It was passing its days happily. One day while he was sitting on a tree beside a river, he saw an ant, ………………………………………

9. Suppose your friend got first prize in debate competition. Write an e-mail congratulating him. 5

10. The graph below shows ‘the number of people living below the poverty line from 1995 to 2010.’ Describe the graph in 150 words. You should highlight and summarize the information given in the graph.(At least in 80 words) 10

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words) 8

Time, You old Gypsy man

Will you not stay,

Put up your caravan

Just for one day?……

Dhaka Board-2017

Subject: English First Paper

Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

Part I: Reading Test (Marks-60)Unit:8,Lesson:1

12. Read the passage below and answer questions A and B.

One of the sources of water in our country are the rivers. Rivers are everywhere in our life, literature, economy and culture. But are the rivers in good shape? Unfortunately, they are not. A few are already dead and several are going through the pangs of death. The river Buriganga is an example of a dying river. A report published in the Daily Sun describes what has happened to the river Buriganga and why. ItÕs water is polluted and a perpetual stench fills the air around it. But that is not what it was like before. The report says that the river had a glorious past. Once it was a tributary of the mighty Ganges and flowed into the Bay of Bengal through the river Dhaleshwari. Gradually, it lost its link with the Ganges and got the name Buriganga. The Mughals marveled at the tide level of the Buriganga and founded their capital Jahangirnagar on its banks in 1610. The river supplied drinking water and supported trade and commerce. Jahangirnagar was renamed Dhaka which grew into a heavily populated city with a chronic shortage of space. The city paid back the bounty of the river by sucking life out of it! According to newspaper report, the Buriganga is dying because of pollution. Huge quantities of toxic chemicals and wastes from mills and factories, hospitals and clinics and households and other establishments are dumped into the river every day. The city of Dhaka discharges about 4500 tons of solid waste every day and most of it is directly released into the Buriganga. According to the Department of the Environment (DoE), 20,000 tons of tannery waste, including some highly toxic materials, are released into the river every day. Experts identified nine industrial areas in and around the capital city as the primary sources of river pollution: Tongi, Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Tarabo, Narayanganj, Savar, Gazipur, Dhaka Export Processing Zone and Ghorashal.

C. U Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1x5 = 5

f) The word “tributary” refers to—i) fountain, ii) territory, iii) stream, iv) kingdom

g) The Burigonga water fills the air with—i) aroma, ii) fragrance, iii) stink, iv) scent

h) ----founded their capital on the bank of the Burigonga. i) The British, ii) The Mughals, iii)The Indians, iv)The Bangladeshi

i) Which of the following statements is false? i)Burigonga is a river,ii)Our rivers are not in a good shape,iii)Jahangirnagar was once called Dhaka,iv)Water is being contaminated

j) The best synonym of ‘toxic’ is…..i) Poisonous,ii)Hygenic,iii)Healthy,iv)Useful

D. Write short answers to these questions. 2x5 = 10

f) What do you think the condition of the rivers of our country?

g) What is the commercial value of the river Burigonga?

h) Why is the Burigonga described as an example of a dying river? Give reasons for your answer.

i) How is the Burigonga polluted?

j) What did the Mughals marvel at? What was the outcome of it?

13. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the specialties of Gazi Pir. (No. 1 is done for you) Unit: 9, Lesson:3

According to some myths and legends, Gazi Pir was a Muslim saint who is said to have spread Islam in the parts of Bengal close to the Sunderbans. He was credited with many miracles. For example, he could supposedly calm dangerous animals and make them docile. He is usually depicted in paats or scroll paintings riding a fierce-looking Bengal tiger, a snake in his hand, but in no apparent danger. According to some stories, he also fought crocodiles who threatened the people of a region full of canals and creeks, indeed, a kind of watery jungle bordering the Bay of Bengal. Because of his alert and vigilant presence, all predatory animals were said to have been kept within bounds. It was also believed that he enabled villagers to live close to forests and jungles and cultivate their lands. Consequently, people of these regions would pray to him for protection. The story of Gazi Pir has been preserved in

folk literature as well as art and has been performed in indigenous theatre. In fact, some Gazir paat scrolls are part of the collection of the British Museum.

Being credited with miracles

14. Write a summary of the following text. 10

Anne Frank is perhaps the most well-known victim of the Nazi Holocaust of World War II. Anne, born on 12 June 1929, was given a diary at the age of 13, in which she chronicled her life from 1942 to 1944. During this time, Anne spent two years in hiding with her family in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam in a secret annex with four other Jews. Betrayed and discovered in 1944, Anne was sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where she died of typhus in 1945. AnneÕs father, Otto Frank, was the only occupant of the secret annex to survive the war. In 1947, he published AnneÕs diary as The Diary of a Young Girl. AnneÕs account of her internment, as well as her deep belief in humanity has become one of the worldÕs most widely read books. Unit:5, Lesson:5

15. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary. 0.5´10=5

Recur	Safe	Opine	Aware	Develop	Precaution
Minimize	Lie	Compulsory	Straight	Loss	Possibility

It is a matter of great concern that Bangladesh(a)-----in the active earthquake zone. Most of the Bangladeshis are fully(b) ----- of its severity. Experts are alarmed by the(c) ----- of quakes during recent years. But they give no(d) ------answer to the question of (e) ----- about the buildings of Dhaka city. Since there is every(f) ----- of earthquakes in Bangladesh, experts call for taking adequate(g)----- measures to(h)-----losses. Rajuk(i) -----that an earthquake resistant building code should be(j)-----.

16. Fill in the blanks with suitable word in each gap. 1´10=10

17. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence. 10

xi. Then he invited applications.

xii. The applications were asked to meet the sultan one by one.

xiii. Long ago, there lived a sultan in a country.

xiv. Then he found the desired man.

xv. He wanted to appoint an honest man as his tax collector.

xvi. A number of people applied for the job.

xvii. All the applicants blushed and refused except one.

xviii. So, he asked for the wise counselor’s advice.

xix. When they all arrived, the sultan asked them to dance.

xx. They came through a passage where gold coins were kept.

Part II : Writing Test (Marks 40)

18. Write a paragraph on “Food Adulteration”

19. The following part is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. 7

Once an ant was very thirsty. He went to a river to drink water. When he began to drink water, a wave ………………………………………

20. Suppose you are Alif/Adrita. You have just received a letter from your pen-friend Clara who lives at 17 Dawning Street, UK. She wants to know about Bangladesh. Now write a reply to the letter. 5

21. Look at the chart. It shows the sources of USA electricity in 1980. Now analyse the chart focusing the main aspects(At least in 80 words) 10

22. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words) 8

O father and mother if buds are nipped,

And Blossoms blown away

And if the tender plants are stripped

Of their joy in the springing day,

By sorrows and cares dismay……

Comilla Board-2017

Subject: English First Paper

Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

Part I: Reading Test (Marks-60)Unit:14,Lesson:2

1. Read the passage below and answer questions A and B.

Folk music consists of songs and music of a community that are uninfluenced by any sophisticated musical rules or any standard music styles. Bangladesh has a heritage of rich folk music which includes both religious and secular songs. Folk music may be described as that type of ancient music which springs from the heart of a community, based on their natural style of expression uninfluenced by the rules of classical music and modern popular songs. Any mode or form created by the combination of tune, voice and dance may be described as music. Thus, the

combination of folk song, folk dance and folk tune may be called folk music. For example, Baul songs are a combination of tune, music and dance.

Folk music has the following characteristics: (i) It is composed by rural folk on the basis of ancient rules transmitted orally; (ii) These ancient rules of music have not been influenced by classical or modern music; (iii) Folk songs may be sung in groups or individually; (iv) No regular practice is required for folk music; (v) It is composed and performed by illiterate or semi-literate people; (vi) It is a spontaneous expression in easy language, local dialect, and simple tune; (vii) Both words and tune are appealing; (viii) despite its universal appeal it uses local dialect; (ix) It depends upon nature and the rural environment; (x) It is an explicit manifestation of the joys and

sorrows of daily life; (xi) It uses simple and natural rhythms; (xii) It contains a strong emotive expression of human love and separation.

A. U Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1x5 = 5

a) What could be the closest meaning ‘sophisticated’ to—i) latest, ii) old, iii) last, iv) past

b) The wortd ‘ heritage’ refers to—i) heir, ii) tradition, iii) legitimacy, iv) intimacy

c) The word ‘natural’ could be replaced by… i) artificial, ii) spontaneous, iii)deliberate, iv)wanton

d) Folk music emanates from……of a community. i)background,ii)heart,iii)core,iv)inside

e) The synonym of ‘mystical’ is…..i) dull,ii)material,iii)classical,iv)spiritual

B. Write short answers to these questions. 2x5 = 10

a) What do you mean by folk music according to text?

b) What does folk music reflect?

c) How are mystical songs composed of?

d) What makes the Bhatiali an important genre?

e) What are the reasons of great variety in folk music?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the painful experiences a street child has to suffer to survive. (No. 1 is done for you) Unit: 7, Lesson:4

The streets are now my home. Sometimes I find work. I used to collect trash and sell it to a vendor. I stopped doing that after I had a serious infection and a doctor told me to stay away from the trash dump. Once I worked for an ice cream shop owner and sold ice cream on the beach. But I got no money in return. The owner of the shop gave me something to eat, and let me sleep in his hut at night. The work was difficult and painful. The ice cream box is quite heavy when it is full. I had to walk for hours, offering my ice cream to whoever wanted to buy. There were days when I could not even sell one ice cream.

Homeless

3. Write a summary of the following text. 10

Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. As we look around, we discover beauty in pleasurable objects and sights - in nature, in the laughter of children, in the kindness of strangers. But asked to define, we run into difficulties. Does beauty have an independent objective identity? Is it universal, or is it dependent on our sense perceptions? Does it lie in the eye of the beholder? -we ask ourselves. A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself not only by its presence, but by its absence as well, as when we are repulsed by ugliness and desire beauty. But then ugliness has as much a place in our lives as beauty, or may be more-as when there is widespread hunger and injustice in a society. Philosophers have told us that beauty is an important part of life, but isn't ugliness a part of life too? And if art has beauty as an important ingredient, can it confine itself only to a projection of beauty? Can art ignore what is not beautiful? Unit:14, Lesson:1

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary. 0.5´10=5

eloquent	darkness	awareness	learn	intellectual	attain
enlighten	choice	sensibility	purpose	human	parochialism

Education is the process by which our mind develops through formal(a) ----- at an institution like a school, college, or university. It is mental and(b) ----- training . It provides opportunities of growth and helps to overcome obstacles to (c) ----- success. Moreover, the purpose of education is to (d) ----- an individual and develop his/her capacity to the limit. It is also the business of education to train individuals to make the right(e) ----- It ennobles our mind and refines our(f) ----- . It also broadens our outlook and removes(g) -----. It helps us to be (h) ----- of our rights and responsibilities. Education furnishes us with an(i) ----- in expressing truth. Therefore it compared to light which dispels the (j) ----- of ignorance.

5. Fill in the blanks with suitable word in each gap. 1´10=10

Bangladesh is land of(a) ----- beauty. Its beauty is so captivating that a stranger cannot but be(b) ----- looking at this endless variety. Nature has (c) ----- showered its blessings on this country. The rivers, hills and forests are rich in natural(d) ----- . The people of this country feel a strong(e) ----- for their mother land. They love their mother land from the(f) ----- of heart. They work hard to(g) ----- its economic condition and to remove poverty. Most of them toil hard from dawn to dusk to accelerate the pace of(h) ----- . The progress of this country lies in the(i) ----- of common people. They are the (j) ----- of a beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence. 10

i) As Bagherhat is near the Bay of Bengal, the water is usually saline.

ii) Khan Jahan Ali was a philanthropic man.

iii) He, therefore, excavated many tanks to provide fresh water to the people.

iv) He came to Bagherhat to preach Islam and to promote the plight of people.

v) He found Bagherhat beset with many problems.

vi) His memory will never be sunk into oblivion.

vii) Thus, he redressed the problem of drinking water.

viii) The scarcity of drinki9ng water is one of them.

ix) The people of Bagherhat remember him with great respect.

x) Gora Dighi is one of them.

Part II : Writing Test (Marks 40)

7. Write a paragraph on “An Ideal Student”

8. The following part is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. 7

There was boy who hailed from an obscure background. But he was brilliant, diligent and innovative. He ……

9. Write an e-mail to the Graduate Admissions, International Service, 353 South Road, Portico, Sydney 2067, Australia asking them about admission procedure for overseas students.

10. The pie chart below shows the time allocation of students daily activities. Now analyze the chart focusing the main preoccupations(At least in 80 words) 10

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words) 8

I love to rise in a summer morn,

When the birds sing on every tree…..

Dinajpur Board-2017

Subject: English First Paper

Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

Part I: Reading Test (Marks-60)Unit:5,Lesson:2

1. Read the passage below and answer questions A and B.

Adolescents constitute a nationÕs core resource for national renewal and growth. Adolescence is a period in life when transition from childhood to adulthood takes place and behaviours and life styles are shaped. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girlsÕ and boysÕ lives. There are 28 million adolescents in Bangladesh; 13.7 million of them are girls and 14.3 million boys. The situation of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is characterised by inequality and subordination within the family and society. This inequality leads to widespread practice of child marriage, marginalisation or exclusion from health, education and economic opportunities, and vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse. In Bangladesh, the legal age of marriage is 18 for girls and 21 for boys. However, 33 percent of adolescent girls are married before the age of 15 and 60 percent become mothers by the age of 19. Research finds that adolescents with higher level of education and from more affluent families tend to marry at a later age. Boys, however, become ready for marriage only after several years of adolescence and young adulthood.

A. U Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1x5 = 5

a) What could be the closest meaning ‘constitute’ —i) take, ii) form, iii) add, iv) make

b) The phrase ‘take place’ in the second sentence stands for —i) occur, ii) recur, iii) go to a place, iv) all of them

c) Adolescence is a ..… period from childhood to adulthood. i) transition, ii) transitory, iii)transitional, iv)transient

d) The synonym of ‘affluent’. i)destitute,ii)poor,iii)poverty,iv)well off

e) The word ‘economic’ can be replaced by…..i) economy,ii)economical,iii)monetary,iv)finance

B. Write short answers to these questions. 2x5 = 10

a) How will you define adolescence?

b) Why is adolescence important?

c) What do the adolescent girls usually face in Bangladesh?

d) What are the effects of female inequality in Bangladesh?

e) How do wealth and education influence a girl’s marriage?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the painful experiences a street child has to suffer to survive. (No. 1 is done for you) Unit: 12, Lesson:5

A peace movement is a social movement that seeks to achieve ideals such as the ending of a particular war (or all wars), minimize inter-human violence in a particular place or type of situation, including ban of guns, and is often linked to the goal of achieving world peace. Means to achieve these ends include advocacy of pacifism, non-violent resistance, diplomacy, boycotts, demonstrations, peace camps; supporting anti-war political candidates and banning guns, creating open government, direct democracy; supporting people who expose war-crimes or conspiracies to create wars, and making laws. Different organizations involved in peace movements may have some diverse goals, but one common goal is sustainability of peace

Ending of war

3. Write a summary of the following text. 10

Unit:6, Lesson:1

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary. 0.5´10=5

who	health	choice	be	develop	enable
able	ability	Importance	face	which	know

Education is one of the basic needs of a human being. It is (a) ----- for the(b) ----- of mind. Many literate people do not have any(c) ----- of health. If they (d) ----- educated, they could live a(e) ----- and a planed life. education teaches us how to live well. It (f) ----- us to make the right(g) -----in life. It enhances our(h) ----- to perform our duties properly and(i) ----- our everyday problems. In fact, it is education (j) ----- brings positive changes in our life.

5. Fill in the blanks with suitable word in each gap. 1´10=10

Sports are a popular form of entertainment. Many international sporting events are(a) ----- from time to time. most of these events are(b) ----- by multinational manufacturing (c) -----and business firms they pay for the sports events in(d) ----- for the right to(e) ----- their products during those events. These events are(f) …….worldwide by satellite and people all over the world watch them(g) ----- As a (h) ----- , sponsor’s products receive maximum media(i) ----- Thus sports help the (j) ----- of trade and commerce.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence. 10

i) Please let me go my country

ii) An English boy was making a small boat.

iii) ‘I shall cross the sea and go to my country by this boat’

iv) He made all arrangement to send him, to his country.

v) Suddenly he noticed a wonderful thing.

vi) Napoleon was charmed by the words of the small boy.

vii) ‘I haven’t seen my mother for a long time’

viii) The boy said, ‘My country is on the other side of the sea.’

ix) One day Napoleon, the king of France, was walking along the sea shore.

x) The boy was brought before him and he asked him what he would do with such a small boat.

Part II : Writing Test (Marks 40)

7. Write a paragraph on “Drug Addiction”

8. The following part is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. 7

It was a bright sunny morning. I was going to college with some of my friends. We were in a hilarious m ood as we were talking about our plan to go on a picnic. Suddenly……….

9. Suppose you are Anik/Anika. You received a letter from your father yesterday. In the letter he warned you not to spend time in facebook. Now, write a reply to his letter.

10. Look at the chart below. It shows the sources of air pollution in a city. Now analyze the chart in at least 80 words focusing the main aspects. 10

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words) 8

Time, you old gypsy man,

Will you not stay,

Put up your caravan

Just for one day?...

Jessore Board-2017

Subject: English First Paper

Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

Part I: Reading Test (Marks-60)Unit:8,Lesson:1

1. Read the passage below and answer questions A and B.

A. U Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1x5 = 5

a) What could be the closest meaning ‘shape’ —i) condition, ii) form, iii) model, iv) body

b) Which one of the following statements is false? —i) the rivers are only the source of water in our country, ii) the tide-level of the Burigonga was surprising, iii) it was connected with the river Dhaleshwari, iv)the humans are responsible for pollution

c) How are the rivers related to literature?. i) are being polluted, ii) are a very important water source, iii)can inspire the poets, novelists etc, iv)constitute two-thirds of our country

d) Burigonga is on death-bed due to.. i)water vehicles,ii)pollutions,iii)the Mughals,iv)the report published in the newspaper

e) The Burigoinga….the Ganges..i) has a link with,ii)has nothing to do with,iii)was a branch of,iv)was once called

B. Write short answers to these questions. 2x5 = 10

a) Do you think rivers attract people to urbanization? How?

b) In what sense rivers are going through the pangs of death?

c) What should we do to bring back the glorious past of the rivers?

d) Do you think industrialization is responsible for river pollution?

e) We, the people are responsible for the catastrophe of our rivers. Do you agree? Why/Why not?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the. (No. 1 is done for you) Unit: 14, Lesson:3

A craftwork is an applied form of art, a social and cultural product reflecting the inclusive nature of folk imagination. A craftwork, which usually doesnÕt bear the signature of its maker, retains a personal touch. When we look at a thirty year old nakshikantha we wonder at its motifs and designs that point to the artistic ingenuity and the presence of the maker in it. The fact that we donÕt know her name or any other details about her doesnÕt take anything away from our appreciation of the artist. Indeed, the intimate nature of the kantha and the tactile feeling it generates animate the work and make it very inviting. A craftwork is shaped by the interaction of individual creativity and community aesthetics, utility functions and human values. It is distinguished by its makerÕs desire to locate himself or herself in the wider and ever-changing cultural aspirations of the community, and subsequently of the market.

An applied form of art

3. Write a summary of the following text. 10

ÔÔIÕm not in the least hungry,Ó my guest sighed, Ôbut if you insist I donÕt mind having some asparagus.Õ I ordered them. ÔÔArenÕt you going to have any?Ó ÔÔNo, I never eat asparagus.Ó ÔÔI know there are people who donÕt like them. The fact is, you ruin your palate by all the meat you eat.Ó We waited for the asparagus to be cooked. Panic seized me. It was not a question now of how much money I should have left over for the rest of the month, but whether I had enough to pay the bill.The asparagus appeared. They were enormous, succulent, and appetizing. The smell of the melted butter tickled my nostrils . . . . ÔÔCoffee?Ó I said. ÔÔYes, just an ice cream and coffee,Ó she answered. I was past caring now. So I ordered coffee for myself and an ice cream and coffee for her.

Unit:3, Lesson:2

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary. 0.5´10=5

poisonous	of	preserve	greatest	be	more
refresh	stern	by	production	contamination	health

Food adulteration is one of the (a) ----- problems in the recent time in our country. Different food and food products, vegetables, fruits and fishes are being(b) ----- (c) ----- the unscrupulous and profit monger businessmen and green grocers. However, we, the general people (d) ----- the victims(e) ----- all sorts of pangs and serious diseases. The businessmen use(f) ----- chemicals such as DDT, Aldine, Heptachlor just to make just to make their products(g) -----attractive or to(h) ----- them for a long time. so, it is time the authority concerned took(i) ----- steps to stop such food adulteration. Proper monitoring, supervision and public awareness should be compulsory from (j) ----- level to consumers.

5. Fill in the blanks with suitable word in each gap. 1´10=10

Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. As we look around, we discover beauty in (a) ----- objects and sights - in nature, in the (b) ----- of children, in the kindness of strangers. But asked to define, we run into(c) -----. Does beauty have an independent objective identity? Is it(d) -----, or relative? is it dependent on our sense(e) -----? Does it lie in the (f) ----- of the beholder? Thus, there will arise a number of(g) ----- in our minds. However, poets artists, philosophers and thinkers(h) ----- always in search of beauty in their work and arts. But most of them have the common and undisputed opinion that where there is (i) ----- beauty, there is that is a thing of beauty is a joy (j) -----

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence. 10

a) He asked him where God was.

b) He praised him highly.

c) Once a lad went to a famous teacher.

d) The teacher thought highly of the boy understands.

e) The lad replied that he would answer if he would tell where He is not.

f) The boy devoted himself to earning knowledge.

g) He begged to instruct hi9m in the arts and sciences.

h) He agreed to teach the lad.

i) He had expressed his desire to acquire knowledge.

j) The teacher wished to find out the ability of the boy.

Part II : Writing Test (Marks 40)

7. Write a paragraph on “My Best Friend”

8. The following part is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. 7

One day a crow stole a piece of meat. It flew away and sat on the branch of a tree. Suddenly a fox……….

9. Suppose you are Tanzim. Now, write an e-mail to your friend telling him about how you have prepared yourself for the ensuing examination.

10. The graph below shows the the number of people living below the poverty line from 1995 to 2010. Describe the graph in 150 words. You should highlight and summarize the information given in the graph. 10

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words) 8

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly……

Chittagong Board-2017

Subject: English First Paper

Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

Part I: Reading Test (Marks-60)Unit:11,Lesson:1

1. Read the passage below and answer questions A and B.

The term ÔdiasporaÕ is used to refer to people who have left their homelands and settled in other parts of the world, either because they were forced to do so or because they wanted to leave on their own. The word is increasingly used for such people as a collective group and/or a community. The world has seen many diasporas but scholars have been studying the phenomenon with great interest only in recent decades. Among the great diasporas of history is that of the Jewish people, who were forced to leave their lands in ancient times. The movement of Aryans from Central Europe to the Indian sub-continent thousands of years ago is also a noteworthy diaspora, although the causes of this diaspora are unclear. In twentieth century history, the Palestinian diaspora has attracted a lot of attention and been a cause of concern for world leaders because of the plight of Palestinians. There have been massive diasporas in Africa, too, over the centuries, either because of war or because of them ravages of nature. But the chief reason why the phenomenon of diaspora is attracting so much attention now is globalization.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1x5 = 5

a) The word’decade’ refers to—i) thirty years, ii) fifty years, iii) ten years, iv) five years

b) What does diaspora mean?—i) people love their own country, ii) people go abroad, iii) people work in other countries, iv) people leave their own countries and settle in other parts of the world.

c) The synonym, of ‘noteworthy’ is i) insignificant, ii) noticeable, iii)invaluable, iv)appreciable

d) The Aryans came to the Indian sub-continent from…… i)America,ii)Africa,iii)Central Europe,iv)Europe

e) In Africa, there have been…..i) massive diasporas,ii)a little diasporas,iii)no diasporas,iv)very little diasporas

B. Write short answers to these questions. 2x5 = 10

a) Why do people leave their own countries?

b) Do you think that there have been massive diasporas in Africa?

c) Why is diaspora attracting so much attention?

d) How do the twentieth century Palestinian diasporas draw the attention of the world leaders?

e) Why have the scholars been studying about diasporas with great interest?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the (No. 1 is done for you) Unit: 9, Lesson:3

Close to the Sundarbans

3. Write a summary of the following poem. 10

Because I have seen BengalÕs face I will seek no more; 1

The world has not anything more beautiful to show me.

Waking up in darkness, gazing at the fig-tree, I behold

DawnÕs swallows roosting under huge umbrella-like leaves. I look around me

And discover a leafy dome-Jam, Kanthal, Bat, Hijol and Aswatha trees- 5

All in a hush, shadowing clumps of cactus and zedoary bushes.

Unit:14, Lesson:1

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary. 0.5´10=5

victorious	champion	recapitulate	take	birth	attack
independence	surrender	oppression	historical	division	significant

The most (a) ----- event for Bangladesh is her(b) ----- as an(c) ----- nation on March 26,1971. It is a red letter day in the (d) ----- of Bangladesh. After the(e) ----- of sub-continent, we got Pakistan. But the Pakistanis began to(f) ----- our people. At first they(g) -----our language. We shall never forget the language movement of 1952. The language movement led to the mass upsurge of 1969. As result, the war of liberation(h) -----place in 1971. After nine months struggle, the Pakistanis were compelled to(i) ----- and we won (j) -----

5. Fill in the blanks with suitable word in each gap. 1´10=10

There goes a saying that a child is the(a) ----- of the man. Today’s child is the (b) ----- of a nation. He will(c) ----- the country. The whole(d) ----- depends on their proper(e) ----- . It is our fundamental (f) ----- to rouse their(g) ----- talent. A sound environment is (h) ----- both in the family and society so that a child can(i) ----- up physically, mentally and spiritually. Only then it will be (j) ----- to build up a beautiful and developed country.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence. 10

i) He was one of the most renowned linguists of Bangladesh.

ii) He died in 1969 and we remember him with due respect.

iii) He was second to none in Bengali language and literatiure.

iv) Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah was born in 24 Porgona, West Bengal, in 1885.

v) He joined in Jessore Zilla Scvholl in 1910.

vi) He passed the Entrance and FA exam in 1904 and 1906 respectively.

vii) He received some awarsds and contributed much to Bengali literature.

viii) He passed Hons and MA in 1910 and 1912.

ix) He joined Dhaka University as a Lecturer in Bengali in 1921.

x) He got his Ph.D in 1928.

Part II : Writing Test (Marks 40)

7. Write a paragraph on “Food Adulteration”

8. The following part is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. 7

There was a naughty cowboy who grazed his cows beside a forest. He used to make fun with people crying Tiger! Tiger!.....

9. Suppose your friend got first prize on debate competition. Write an e-mail congratulating him.

10. The graph chart shows the choice of profesasion by educated people in our country. Describe the graph at least in 80 words. 10

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words) 8

There were two brothers in a village. One was Karim by name and trhe other was Bashir. Karim was elder brother of Bashir. They began to grow gradually. Suddenly their father died. They fell in problem……

Sylhet Board-2017

Subject: English First Paper

Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

Part I: Reading Test (Marks-60)Unit:8,Lesson:1

1. Read the passage below and answer questions A and B.

ColeridgeÕ poem, a ballad, narrates the harrowing sea-voyage of an old mariner who at one point of his journey didnÕt have any water to drink because of a curse. Cursed or not, we know how important drinking water is in our life. We know we cannot survive without it. In fact two-thirds of our body is made up of water. Not for nothing is it said that the other name of water is life. Is there a crisis in our time with regard to access to clean drinking water? The United Nations in a meeting on the eve of the new millennium identified the drinking water problem as one of the challenges for the future. But do we need to about the problem as ours is a land of rivers and we have plenty of rainfall? Besides, we have a sea in our backyard too. One of the sources of water in our country are the rivers. Rivers are everywhere in our life, literature, economy and culture. But are the rivers in good shape? Unfortunately, they are not. A few are already dead and several are going through the pangs of death. The river Buriganga is an example of a dying river. A report published in the Daily Sun describes what has happened to the river Buriganga and why. ItÕs water is polluted and a perpetual stench fills the air around it. But that is not what it was like before.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1x5 = 5

a) What could be the closest meaning for ‘ballad’ in the first paragraph?—i) epical poem, ii) mock-epical song iii) parody, iv) simple narrative poem

b) The word ‘curse’ in the first paragraph refers to….i) discharge, ii) devilish act, iii)divine decree of destruction, iv) angel’s bounty

c) ‘survive’ in the first paragraph could be best replaced by… i) exist, ii) attend, iii)appear, iv)revive

d) The old mariner had a very….sea-voyage. i)pleasant,ii)agonizing,iii) wonderful,iv)memorable

e) The best synonym of ‘perpetual’ is…i) continuous,ii)stable,iii)entire,iv)temporary

B. Write short answers to these questions. 2x5 = 10

a) What, according to you, is the significance of water?

b) Why has the United Nations identified drinking water problem as a challenge?

c) Narrate the conditions of the rivers in Bangladesh in your own words.

d) What has been depicted in a report published in the Daily Sun?

e) Do you think the Burigonga River is dying? If so, why?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing (No. 1 is done for you) Unit: 5, Lesson:1

Many adolescents face pressure to use alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs and to initiate sexual relationships putting themselves at high risk for intentional and unintentional injuries, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many also experience a wide range of adjustment and mental health problems

Physical and sexual maturation

3. Write a summary of the following text.

Kuakata, locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic spot located on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. Kuakata in Latachapli union under Kalapara Police Station of Patuakhali district is about 30 km in length and 6 km in breadth. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka. An excellent combination of thepicturesque natural beauty, sandy beaches, blue sky and the shimmering expanse of water of the Bay of Bengal and the evergreen forest makes Kuakata a much sought after tourist destination. The name Kuakata takes its origin from the story of a ÔKuaÕ- or well-dug on the sea shore by the early Rakhaine settlers for collecting drinking water. The Rakhaines had landed on Kuakata coast after being expelled from Arakan by the Mughals. Following the first well, it became a tradition to dig wells in the neighborhood of Rakhaine homesteads for fresh water supply. Kuakata is one of the unique spots which allow a visitor to watch both the sunrise and the sunset from the beach. That perhaps makes Kuakata one of the world's most attractive beaches. The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy beach slopes gently into the Bay and bathing there is as pleasant as is swimming or diving.

Unit:8, Lesson:5

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary. 0.5´10=5

cheat	tell	story	completely	think	rescue
make	face	care	matter	promise	treat

Keeping promise given to anyone is a must though it takes much perseverance to keep promise honestly. Since keeping promise is a (a) ----- of remembrance, we should be(b) ----- whenever we make promises. While(c) ----- an unavoidable danger, people usually (d) ----- any promise only to be(e) ----- from the situation without perfect(f) ----- after being rescued most people(g) -----forget the promises given. A(h) -----about the pied piper of Germany(i) ----- how the piper was deliberately (j) ----- by the mayor, who had made promises to give the piper one thousand guilders for his work.

5. Fill in the blanks with suitable word in each gap. 1´10=10

The proper (a) ----- of study involves regular and proper understanding. In order to (b) ----- the best benefit from study, we should read(c) ----- and intelligently. We should not study(d) ----- for the purpose of(e) ----- examinations. We should take genuine (f) ----- in our studies so that we can enjoy what we(g) ----- . This will give us knowledge and wisdom and (h) ----- the horizon of our (i) ----- We should, therefore, study not for immediate gains but for(j) ----- the wealth of our mind.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence. 10

a) One prize is awarded in each field.

b) The prize is instituted by a man who was the inventor of the science of destruction.

c) Noble Prize is the world’s most important prize.

d) He is Alfred Bernard Nobel.

e) Though he is a citizen of Sweden, he was educated in Russia.

f) Nobel prizes are awarded every year for outstanding achievements in the field of science, literature and for promoting world’s peace.

g) The prize given to persons with most outstanding contribution.

h) If there are more than one recipient of the prize in one field, the prize money is equally distributed amongst all the winners.

i) Economics was added to the list in 1969 for the first time.

j) He was born in Stockholm on 21^st October, 1833 and he died on 10^th December, 1896.

Part II : Writing Test (Marks 40)

7. Write a paragraph on “Modern Technology”

8. The following part is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. 7

Once there lived a poor woodcutter. But he was very honest. He earned his livelihood by selling wood in the market. One day while he………..

9. Suppose you are Salim. Sahir is your best friend. You are going for a picnic. Now, write an e-mail to your friend Sahir inviting him to join the picnic.

10. The pie chart below shows the percentages of transportation used by 800 students to come to college. Describe the chart in 150 words. 10

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words) 8

Under the greenwood tree

Who loves to lie with me,

And turn his merry note

Unto the sweet birds throat---

Barisal Board-2017

Subject: English First Paper

Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

Part I: Reading Test (Marks-60)Unit:8,Lesson:1

1. Read the passage below and answer questions A and B.

The river Buriganga is an example of a dying river. A report published in the Daily Sun describes what has happened to the river Buriganga and why. ItÕs water is polluted and a perpetual stench fills the air around it. But that is not what it was like before. The report says that the river had a glorious past. Once it was a tributary of the mighty Ganges and flowed into the Bay of Bengal through the river Dhaleshwari. Gradually, it lost its link with the Ganges and got the name Buriganga. The Mughals marveled at the tide level of the Buriganga and founded their capital Jahangirnagar on its banks in 1610. The river supplied drinking water and supported trade and commerce. Jahangirnagar was renamed Dhaka which grew into a heavily populated city with a chronic shortage of space. The city paid back the bounty of the river by sucking life out of it! According to newspaper report, the Buriganga is dying because of pollution. Huge quantities of toxic chemicals and wastes from mills and factories, hospitals and clinics and households and other establishments are dumped into the river every day. The city of Dhaka discharges about 4500 tons of solid waste every day and most of it is directly released into the Buriganga. According to the Department of the Environment (DoE), 20,000 tons of tannery waste, including some highly toxic materials, are released into the river every day. Experts identified nine industrial areas in and around the capital city as the primary sources of river pollution: Tongi, Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Tarabo, Narayanganj, Savar, Gazipur, Dhaka Export Processing Zone and Ghorashal. The river would need a monsterÕs stomach to digest all the wastes mentioned above. There is a limit up to which it can put up with its cruel and thoughtless treatment. We the humans have successfully killed one of our rivers. There are other rivers in the country that are being subjected to similar thoughtless treatment. Unless we take care of our rivers there may come a time when we will cry Ôwater, water' and find it nowhere.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1x5 = 5

a) The word ‘tributary’ mentioned in the passage means..i) rivulet, ii) lake iii) pond, iv) estuary

b) The word ‘marvelled’ mentioned in the passage means ….i) offended, ii) grief-stricken, iii)overwhjelmed, iv) hurt

c) The word ‘toxic’ mentioned in the passage means … i) tasty, ii) healthy, iii)moderate, iv)poisonous

d) How did Dhaka city pay backthe bounty of the river?. i)by cleaning the river,ii)by polluting the river,iii) by purifying its water,iv)by making it glorious

e) The word ‘identified’ in the passage means.. i) excluded,ii)traced out,iii)carried out,iv)teased

B. Write short answers to these questions. 2x5 = 10

a) According to the passage, what happened in the year 1610?

b) What, according to the experts, are the primary sources of river pollution in and around Dhaka city?

c) What amount of solid waste is produced in Dhaka city and where does it go?

d) What does DoE say?

e) What may happen if we do not take care of our rivers?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the painful experiences a street child has to suffer to survive. (No. 1 is done for you) Unit: 1, Lesson:2

I declared that the Assembly would continue to meet. But suddenly on the 1^st of March the Assembly was shut down. Mr. Yahya Khan called the session of the Assembly in his capacity as the President and I declared I would be attending it. Mr. Bhutto said he wouldn’t be part of it. Thirty-five members of the Assembly came from West Pakistan to take part in its proceedings. But it was dissolved all of a sudden. The blame was put on the people of Bengal, the finger was pointed at me! After the Assembly’s session was prorogued, the people of this country protested. I told them, ÔÔObserve the General Strike we have called peacefully. I told them Shut down all mills and factories. Our people responded to my call. They came to the streets spontaneously. They expressed their firm determination to carry out the struggle peacefully. What have we got in return? Those who brought arms with our money to defend us from external enemies are now using those arms on the poor, -the wretched, -the downtrodden people of the land. Bullets are being aimed at their hearts. We constitute the majority in Pakistan; but whenever we Bengalis have tried to assume power they have used force on us.

Who/what	Event/Activity	Where/place	When/how
The Assembly	Was shut down		i)
Mr Yahya Khan	ii)		as the president
Bngabandhu	iii)		to meet
iv)	disagreed to join the Assembly
Thirty five members	the Assembly	v)

3. Write a summary of the following text.

Accessibility to higher education implies that students get the opportunity to get university education and sufficient support from educational institutions. Increasing enrolment at the secondary and higher secondary level puts pressure on higher educational institutions. But due to limited capacity, only a small number of students may be enrolled in universities. Thus, each year a large number of students are denied access to higher education. Also, due to poverty and increase in educational expenses, students of the lower middle class do not get easy access to higher education. Moreover, those who get places in the universities have limited access to avail all kinds of diversified educational facilities relating to their study fields. Only about 12 percent of graduates enter higher educational institutions. More than 80 percent of these students are admitted to NU affiliated colleges. Others are absorbed by the public and private universities.

Unit:6, Lesson:2

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary. 0.5´10=5

all	necessary	budget	use	rise	begins
follow	answer	have	through	careful	carefully

Students should be strategic about their examination. It is (a) ----- for an examinee to(b) -----some instructions. He should go (c) ----- the whole question before he(d) ----- to write. He must make a(e) ----- of his time so that he can(f) -----enough time to answer(g) -----questions. He must write his answer(h) ----- he should be (i) ----- about his hand writing. He can (j) ----- double space if his hand writing is tiny or very large.

5. Fill in the blanks with suitable word in each gap. 1´10=10

Many events of great importance (a) ----- during the last century. Significant advances(b) ----- in the field of science and technology. Many European colonies gained independence. The movement (c) ----- democracy became(d) ----- in many parts of the world. Two world wars (e) ----- in the century. It (f) ----- witnessed the misuse of atomi8c energy. Two cities of Japan were completely destroyed as a result of dropping of atom bombs. The Vietnam war and the Gulf war killed many innocent people. However the (g) ----- of Bangladesh as an independent nation(h) ----- a momentous event. After a (i) ----- war of nine months, Bangladesh was born. Now we (j) ----- our heads high as an independent country in the world.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence. 10

i) Then he invited applications.

ii) The applications were asked to meet the sultan one by one.

iii) Long ago, there lived a sultan in a country.

iv) Then he found the desired man.

v) He wanted to appoint an honest man as his tax collector.

vi) A number of people applied for the job.

vii) All the applicants blushed and refused except one.

viii) So, he asked for the wise counselor’s advice.

ix) When they all arrived, the sultan asked them to dance.

x) They came through a passage where gold coins were kept.

Part II : Writing Test (Marks 40)

7. Write a paragraph on “The Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phone”

8. The following part is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. 7

It was a hot summer day. There was scorching heat of the sun. On that day a crow became very thirsty. It wanted to drink but there was no water around it. So, it began to……………

9. Write an e-mail to one of your friends thanking him/her for a gift you received from him/her on your birthday.

10. The pie chart below shows the percentages of a family’s household income distributed into different categories. Describe the pie-chart in 150 words. 10

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words) 8

Blow, blow, thou winter wind

Thou art not so unkind

As man’s ingratitude’

Thy tooth is not so keen……

Dhaka Board – 2016

English Second Paper

[According to the Syllabus of 2016]

Subject Code: 108

Time––3 hours; Full marks––100

[N. B. ––The figures in the right margin indicate full marks. Answer all the questions.]

Part A––Grammar : Marks–60

1. Fill in the blanks in the following text with articles(a/an/the) as necessary. Some of the blanks may not require an article. Put a cross(x) in those blanks.

Michael Madhusudandatt was (a) ––––– popular 19^th century Bengali poet and dramatist. He was born in (b) ––––– Sagardari on (c) ––––– bank of (d) ––––– Kopotaksho river, (e) ––––– village in Keshobpur Upazilla under Jessore district. From (f) ––––– early age, Dutt aspired to be (g) ––––– Englishman in form and manner. Though he was born in (h) ––––– sophisticated Hindu family, he took Christianity arousing (i) ––––– anger of his family. He contributed much to (j) ––––– development of Bangali literature.

Answer:

(a) a (b) x (c) the (d) the (e) a (f) the/ x (g) an (h) a (i) the / x (j) the

2. Complete the text with suitable prepositions.

A good stock (a) ––––– words is necessary (b) ––––– anybody who wants to use a language. Vocabulary is an essential components (c) ––––– successful communication. It is an integral part (d) ––––– reading skill. While grammar is important, a lack (e) ––––– vocabulary may result (f) ––––– complete failure to convey a message. Vocabulary includes conceptual knowledge (g) ––––– words that go well (h) ––––– an ordinary dictionary meaning. Students’ vocabulary knowledge is a building process that occurs (i) ––––– time as they tend to make connections (j) ––––– other words.

Answer:

(a) of (b) for (c) of/ for (d) of (e) of (f) in (g) about / of (h) beyond (i) in (j) with

3. Complete the sentences with suitable phrase or words given in the box:–

unless	let alone	it	there	would you mind
as if	neither will	had better	as fast as	the older ------ the more

(a) When my brother was a child, he would not look at all like my father, ---------- he gets, -------- he looks like him.

(b) --------- are hundreds of languages spoken regularly by human beings. But everywhere of the world people speak English.

(d) It is admitted by all that a deer can run fast. But it cannot run ------- a Cheetah.

(e) He loves his garden very much. He does not allow his sons to pluck any flower, --------- other children.

(f) I cannot carry the box on my back. --------- taking the box into the room.

(g) ––––– is very difficult to get good grade in Bengali and English.

(h) It is getting dark. You –––– go home right now.

(i) The man was seriously injured in an accident. He would have died ––––– he had been taken to a nearby hospital.

(j) The boy talks too much of himself. He talks –––– he knew everything.

Answer:

(a) the older –––– the more (b) there (c) neither will (d) as fast as (e) let alone (f) would you mind (g) it (h) had better (i) unless (j) as if

4. Complete the sentences using suitable clauses/phrases.

(a) Physical exercise keeps us healthy and strong. If you take regular physical exercise, –––––––– .

(b) They came to you with a view to ––––– , but you scolded them without any reason.

(d) I was not hungry at all. If I had been hungry, –––––– .

(e) Trees are essential for our existence. So; we should plant ––––––– .

(f) There goes a prove that –––– . So, we must take proper use of time.

(g) We should drink pure water. Since the water of this bottle is not pure, ––––– .

(h) The two brothers are not in good terms. Yesterday when we went to their house, –––––

(i) Air is polluted in many ways. It is high time ––––– .

(j) The martyrs laid down their lives in 1971. They did it so that ––––––

Answer:

(a) Physical exercise keeps us healthy and strong. If you take regular physical exercise, you will be healthy and strong.

(b) They came to you with a view to having a talk , but you scolded them without any reason.

(d) I was not hungry at all. If I had been hungry, I would have taken my meal.

(e) Trees are essential for our existence. So; we should plant more and more trees.

(f) There goes a prove that time and tide wait for none. So, we must take proper use of time.

(g) We should drink pure water. Since the water of this bottle is not pure, we must not drink it.

(h) The two brothers are not in good terms. Yesterday when we went to their house, we found them quarrelling with each other.

(i) Air is polluted in many ways. It is high time we prevented air pollution.

(j) The martyrs laid down their lives in 1971. They did it so that we could get an independent country.

5. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context.

Football is a favourite game in our country. It (a) –––– (arrange) between two teams (b) –––– (contain)eleven players each. The captains of both teams (c) –––– (lead) their groups. This is the most exciting and enjoyable game ever (d) –––– (play) across the world. It (e) –––– (run) for an hour and a half with an interval after half of the time (f) –––– (be) over. Any football tournament (g) –––– (arrange) between two strong teams can be exciting. The result (h) –––– (remain) almost unpredictable till the end because any team might win the other team (i) –––– (score) a goal within seconds. The referee is to see whether rules and order (j) –––– (maintain) by the players.

Answer:

(a) is arranged. (b) containing (c) lead (d) played/been played (e) runs (f) is (g) arranged (h) remains (i) scoring (j) are maintained / is maintained.

6. Read the text and change the sentences as directed.

(a) Pohela Baishakh is undoubtedly the most celebrated festival in Bangladesh. (Complex)

(b) It is the first day of the Bengali year when the city roads get so jam packed. (Simple)

(d) Although I do not like gathering, I enjoy the activities of this day. (Compound)

(e) It is one of the most interesting days of the year. (Positive)

Answer:

(a) There is no doubt that Pohela Baishakh is undoubtedly the most celebrated festival in Bangladesh.

Or, It is Pohela Boishakh which is undoubtedly the most celebrated festival in Bangladesh.

(b) On the first day of the Bengali year, the city roads get so jam packed.

(d) I do not like gathering, but I enjoy the activities of the day.

(e) Very few days of the year are as interesting as it.

7. Change the narrative style by using indirect speeches.

“Where do you come from?” I asked him. “From San Carlos,” he said, and smiled. “I was taking care of animals,” “Oh,” I said, not quite understanding. “Yes,” he said, “I stayed, you see, taking care of animals. I was the last one to leave the town of San Carlos.”

Answer:

I asked him where he came from. He replied that he came from San Carlos and smiled. He added that he had been taking care of animals. He also said that he had been the last one to leave the town of San carlos.

8. Identify the nuclear pronoun references in the following text. Where necessary re-write the sentences so that all pronoun references are clear.

A cook once roasted a duck for its master. He looked so delicious that he could not resist the temptation and ate up one of the drumsticks. When he sat down to eat the meal, he quickly noticed the missing leg. He asked him what had happened to the other leg. The cook told him that it had one leg only. The master said that there was no such thing as a one-legged duck but the cook insisted that every duck had only one leg.

Answer:

A cook once roasted a duck for his master. The roast looked so delicious that the cook could not resist the temptation and ate up one of the drumsticks. When the master sat down to eat the meal, he quickly noticed the missing leg. He asked the cook what had happened to the other leg. The cook told him that the duck had one leg only. The master said that there was no such thing as a one-legged duck but the cook insisted that every duck had only one leg.

9. Read the following text and use modifiers in the blank spaces as directed.

Robindronath Tagore was a (a) –––– (pre-modify the noun) poet of Bengali literature. He was born in a (b) –––– (pre-modify the noun) family at Jarasako, Kolkata. He went to school (c) –––– (post-modify the verb) . He wrote his (d) –––– (pre-modify the noun) verse at the age of eight. At the age of seventeen, he went to London (e) –––– (poste-modify the verb with an infinitive) school there. He was put up in a logging house under the care of a (f) –––– (pre-modify the noun) coach, Mr. Scott. He was luckily (g) –––– (post-modify the adjective with an infinitive) an English family of Mr. Scott. He also visited the House of Parliament (h) –––– (post-modify the verb with an infinitive) Gladstone and John Bright’s debates on Irish rule. He wrote letters to Kolkata (i) –––– (post-modify the verb with a present participle) English society. At this, his family thought that they might lose their son (j) –––– (post-modify the verb). So, he was called back to Kolkata.

Answer:

(a) great / famous (b) renowned (c) early (d) first (e) to study in a (f) professional (g) to find (h) to listen to (i) describing / praising (j) forever

10. Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces as directed.

A lion was drinking water from a brook. (a) –––– a lamb was also drinking from the down stream of the same brook. The lion saw the lamb and decided to devour it. (b) –––– he was thinking about how to accomplish his evil design. (c) –––– he hit upon a plan. (d) –––– the lion complained that the lamb was disturbing him by muddying water. But the lamb said that he was drinking water from down stream. (e) –––– the question of muddying water on his part did not arise here. (f) –––– the lamb argued that it was the lion that was muddying the water for him as he drinking water upstream. (g) –––– the lion retorted that the lamb spoke ill of him a year ago. (h) –––– the lamb said that he was not born a year ago. The lion grew into a rage. (i) –––– he said that perhaps his father spoke ill of him a year ago. (j) –––– the lion had the right to take revenge and kill the lamb.

Answer:

(a) At the same time (b) As a result (c) At last (d) Accordingly (e) So (f) On the contrary (g) Then (h) but (i) then (j) So/ therefore.

11. Read the following passage and then write the synonyms or antonyms of the words as directed below:

Social values underline a set of principles of generally accepted norms and behavior of a society. Our forefathers practiced a good number of social values like simplicity, honesty, sincerity, responsibility, and piety. We have replaced those good aspects with complexity, dishonesty, corruption, conspiracy, faithlessness and envy. Our materialistic attitude has made us self-centered and corrupted. We must get rid of these vices and create awarenessamong all about the negative impacts of our wrong doings. In order to make a better society, we should create awareness among people about the out-come of their misdeeds. We must have distinctive social values once practiced by our forefather. We should give importance to the past moral values to bring peace and harmony in the society and make the world better for living.

(a) Accepted (antonym); (b) sincerity (antonym); (c) responsibility (synonym); (d) complexity (antonym); (e) envy (antonym); (f) vices (antonym); (g) impacts (synonym); (h) importance (synonym); (i) out-come (synonym); (j) awareness (synonym);

Answer:

(a) Accepted (antonym) = unexpected; (b) sincerity (antonym) = insincerity; (c) responsibility (synonym) = accountability/duty; (d) complexity (antonym) = simplicity; (e) envy (antonym) = goodwill; (f) vices (antonym) = goodness; (g) impacts (synonym) = influence; (h) out-come (synonym) = consequence/result; (i) importance (synonym) = significance; (j) awareness (synonym) = consciousness;

12. There are ten errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Re-write the text correcting errors:

A: Whats solar energy?

B: Its one of the renewable energy sources.

A: Why is it called green energy.

B: Well its green energy because it helps us keep the earth green I mean it doesnt emit any pollutant in the atmosphere when we produce and use it.

A: I see then it must be a clear source of energy.

B: Exactly. And thats why its called clean energy.

Answer:

A: What’s solar energy?

B: It’s one of the renewable energy sources.

A: Why is it called green energy?

B: Well, it’s green energy because it helps us keep the earth green. I mean it doesn’t emit any pollutant in the atmosphere when we produce and use it.

A: I see, then it must be a clear source of energy.

B: Exactly. And that’s why it’s called clean energy.

Part B : Composition 40

13. Suppose, you are a student of class XII in ‘X’ college. Your college is in Dhaka. Recently your father has been transferred to Chittagong. But you want to continue your study up to H.S.C. Examonation in Dhaka.

Now write an application to the Principal of your college requesting him to sanction you a seat in the college hostle.

14. Suppose that you are a reporter of a newspaper published from Dhaka. Now you are asked to write a report on the devastating consequences of drug addiction in the context of Bangladesh.

15. Write a paragraph of about 150 words showing importance of learning English.

16. Is our population a prospect or a problem? What do you think? Write at least 200 words on it.

(Comilla Board 2017)

Time – 3 hours

Full Marks – 100

Part A – Grammar

Marks – 60

Fill in the blanks in the following text with articles ( a/an/the) as necessary. Some of the blanks may not require an article. Put a cross (x) in those blanks : – (0.5 × 10 = 5)

In (a) ______ last 25 years (b)______ world has lost one-third of its natural wealth, according to (c)_________ international conservation organization world wild fund. (d)__________ earth’s forest, wetlands, seas and coasts are in (e)________ worse state today than they were before. Forests are cut down. Moreover, they are being burnt indiscriminately resulting in (f)________ increase in carbon-di-oxide and ultimately in (g)_________ water level rising as a consequence of global warming. It is anticipated that (h)________ new century will face (i)_______ overwhelming environmental (j)__________ catastrophe.

Complete the text with suitable prepositions: – (0.5 × 10=5)

We got our freedom (a)_______ the sacrifice of hundreds and thousands of (b)__________ lives. The patriots (c)_______ our land fought (d)________ the oppression of the West Pakistani rulers. Finally, the oppressors were bound to surrender (e)________ our freedom fighters. But a great number (f)________ the sons of the land died (g)_______ the war. Soon (h)_________ the war, the government (i)___________. Bangladesh founded the National Memorial (j)_________ memory of the martyrs.

Complete the sentences with suitable phrase/words given the box : ( 0.5 × 10 = 5)

it is high time	in case	lest	as though	no sooner had
unless	would you mind	have to	used to	as long as

(a) There is a foul smell in the room. ________ opening the windows?

(b) Tomorrow I will be very busy. So, I’ll say goodbye now ______ I don’t see you again.

(c) We ________ educate all and work hard to develop our country.

(d) Nobody likes Abdul Karim at all. He talks ________ he knew everything.

(e) The poor will continue to suffer ________ they are illiterate.

(f) Nobody likes you here _____ you left this place.

(g) He saw the bear coming towards him. SO he climbed up a tree _____ the bear might attack him.

(h) Everybody disliked Rakib. He ______ do many harmful activities.

(i) Time is very important in our life. You cannot prosper in like _______ you make proper use of time.

(j) The students were talking in the class _______ the teacher entered the class than they stopped talking.

Complete the sentences using suitable clauses /phrases : – ( 0.5 × 10 = 5)

(a) He studies medicine so that ______.

(b) Time has its wings. It was five years since we _______.

(c) The poor man knocked at my door. He came to me with a view to _________.

(d) I found a box in the room. The box was too heavy for ________.

(e) I went to the market yesterday. Had you requested me, I _______.

(f) Do not worry about me. I ______ after I have finished my study.

(g) They are very hard working. If the bank gives them a loan on easy terms, they _________.

(h) Unity is strength, united we stand, _______.

(i) We had to walk through a jungle. We saw a snake while we ______.

(j) Everybody will go to the graveyard after death. A graveyard is a place ________.

Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context. (0.5 × 10 = 5)

English (a)_______ (be) the most widely used international language. It (b)________ (learn) to communicate with the foreigners for various purposes such as (c) _______ (maintain) cooperation, co-existence and exchanging business information. There are also certain jobs which (d)________ (require) a good functional knowledge of English. The jobs of a pilot, a postman, a telephone operator, a tour guide, a mechanic, a receptionist of an international hotel, an executive of a multinational firm etc. (e)_______ (be) a few of them. Besides, a student (f)______ (wish) to go for higher studies must learn English because the books on advanced education are mostly (g)________ (write) in English. So, the importance and demand of learning English in our country can in no way, be (h)_______ (ignore). Rather, we should (i)_______ (put) high importance on (j)_________ (learn) English to make room for ourselves in the competitive world.

Read the text and change the sentences as directed: – ( 1 × 5 = 5)

(a) Some essential agricultural inputs are to be ensured to increase our food production. ( Make it active) (b) The farmers who are poor do not get loan on easy terms. ( Make it simple) (c) What a pity! ( Make it Assertive) (d) The farmers do not get the facilities necessary for food production. ( Make it Complex) (e) Unfortunately, they do not get the due price of their products ( Make it Compound)

Change the narrative style by using indirect speeches: – 5

“Have you saved something for the future?” said the richman. ” No,” said the cobbler. ” I am happy with the present and think little about tomorrow.” “No, that would not do,” said the richman. “I like to see you above want. Have this money and keep it.”

Identify the unclear pronoun references in the following paragraph. Where necessary, rewrite the sentences so that all pronoun references are clear: – (1× 5 = 5)

Traveling is a part of education. These means going from place to place. One can enhance knowledge by going from place to place. These gives one the opportunity to see the unseen and know the unknown. Some people are averse to traveling. This limits his vision. However, by traveling to different parts of the world, my knowledge can be enriched.

Read the following text and use modifiers as directed in the blank spaces: – (0.5 × 10 = 5)

A balanced diet is a good mixture of (a)_____ (pre modify the noun) foods. It is essential for us (b)_______ ( post modify the adjective with an infinitive) a healthy life. There are many benefits of eating a (c)_____ (pre modify the noun) diet because it prevents (d)______ (use determiner to premodify the noun) diseases. As a result, we do not get sick (e)________ (post modify the noun with possessive) diet according to our needs. We should not eat the (g)______ (use adjective to premodify the noun) foods for the whole week. We can keep fit (h)______ ( use a participle) a balanced diet. But it is not easy (i)______ (post modify the adjective with an infinitive) a balanced diet. Here (j)_______ (use a determiner) nutritionist can help us.

Use appropriate sentence connector in the blank spaces of the following passage: – (0.5×10=5)

Trees are a vital part of our environment (a)_______, they bear a great impact on the climate. (h)_______ we are not careful about them (c) ______ we destroy trees at random. (d)______, one day the country will bear the consequence of greenhouse effect (e)_______ ours is an agricultural country, our economy depends on it. (f)______, our agriculture is depended on rain. (g)_______, trees play a vital role on our climate. (h)_______ trees keep the soil strong. (i)_______, trees save us from flood (j)______ may other natural calamities.

Read the passage and then write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed below: – (0.5×10=5)

There are many (a) people who have a (b) conservative outlook. Quite (c) early in life they learn to (d) believethat everything in this (e) world was predetermined and (f)all that happen to them was ordained by God. For this belief, the poor generally accept their (g) Poverty and all their sorrows and (h) sufferings without trying much to (i) overcome them. They also have the (j) same sort of attitude towards illness and disease.

(a) people (synonym) (b) conservative (antonym) (c)early(antonym) (d)believe (synonym) (e) world (synonym) (f) all (antonym) (g) poverty ( antonym) (h) sufferings (synonym) (i) overcome (synonym) (j) same (antonym)

There are some errors in the use of punctuations marks in the following text. Re-write the text correcting those errors: – (0.5×10=5)

how is your father rana said mr karim he is very well thank you replied rana i am glad to hear that he is in good health said mr abdul karim.

Part B – Composition

Marks – 40

On behalf of the students of your class write an application to the principal of your college for improving computer lab facilities. 8
Suppose, yo are the reporter of a daily newspaper. Write a report on the observance of the independence day. Give a little to your report. 8
Write a paragraph on drug addiction mentioning its causes and effects on the society. Use 100-150 words. 10
Write a short composition on environment pollution. Write at least 200 words but don’t exceed 250 words. 14