HSC English 2nd Board Questions-2018

HSC Examination 2018 [Dhaka Board; Dinajpur Board; Jashore Board; Sylhet Board]

Part A: Grammar (60 Marks)

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.

Bangladesh is (a) — independent country. We won freedom on (b) — December 16, 1971. This freedom was won as (c) — result of great sacrifice. (d) — great many people laid down their lives for (e) — freedom of the country. (f) — man who loves his country is (g) — patriot. (h) — real patriot loves his country more than his life. Being patriots, we all should try to make (i) — effort for the welfare and (j) — progress of our motherland

2. Complete the text with suitable prepositions.

Trees are very useful (a) — man. They are highly essential (b) — our existence. They protect the rich top soil (c) — getting washed away (d) — rain water and floods. We can see trees being grown along the mountain slopes (e) — the roadsides, (f) — the parks and gardens. They add beauty (g) — our lives. They provide us (h) — food, wood, shade, shelter and so on. They take (i) — carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. So, we should take care (j) — trees.

3. Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words given in the box.

as if have to was born let alone would rather

there had better what if as soon as it

(a) We — pay a visit to Cox’s Bazar than the Sundarbans. We have already visited the Sundarbans.

(b) The storm was raging violently. We got out — it abated.

(c) Fardin is always boastful of his uncles. He talks — they were the most powerful men in the country.

(d) My college is far away from our house. I — walk a long way to go to my college.

(e) Jasim Uddin is a rural poet. He — in 1903 in a village named Tambulkhana in Faridpur.

(f) — is very hot today. Load-shedding is aggravating the situation.

(g) Maruf cannot earn 50 marks — 80 marks. He is a student of average standard.

(h) — are many mango trees around our home. They give us very sweet mangoes.

(i) Faiaz seems to be weak. He — consult an experienced doctor.

(j) — we swim in the river? To swim in the river is a nice experience.

4. Complete the sentences using suitable clauses/phrases.

(a) Industry is the —.

(b) A man cannot succeed in life —.

(c) — of the world are industrious.

(d) The man can maintain a sound health —.

(e) We should not like those persons —.

(f) I always —.

(g) I know the story of an industrious person —.

(h) That man always inspires me —.

(i) I have a poor uncle. He could be rich —.

(j) He has become poor — of his idleness.

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

If all the children of Bangladesh (a) — (go) to school, the country (b) — (get) rid of the curse of illiteracy. To boost up education, the government (c) — (spend) more money. Subsidies must (d) — (give) in the education sector. Teachers (e) — (need) to (f) — (train) for good teaching. The poor students can (g) — (bring) under “Food for Education” programme. We (h) — (take) care that no institution (i) — (close) down due to political clashes. All concerned (j) — (be) conscious about it.

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

(a) Very few insects are as busy as a bee (Comparative). (b) It is known as an industrious creature (Active). (c) It flies from flower to flower and collects honey (Simple). (d) It stores honey in the hive (Passive). (e) In winter, it remains idle but it works hard in spring (Complex). It leads a disciplined life.

7. Change the narrative style by using indirect speeches.

“How much do you want?” said the Mayor. “A thousand guilders,” said the Pied Piper. “All right,” said the Mayor. “We’ll pay you a thousand guilders. When will you set to work?” “Now,” said the Pied Piper.

8.Here is a text with five unclear pronoun references. Rewrite the text making all the pronoun references clear. Underline the areas where you make any changes.

There lived a man in a village which had a great attraction to English. He went to a teacher to learn English well though he was dull-headed. He tried his best to teach him but the man learnt only three English words – yes, no and very good. Though the man did not know the meaning of it, he used them frequently in his conversation. He did not understand that a little learning is a dangerous thing and very soon he would be a victim of it.

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

Television has become the most common and (a) — (pre-modify the noun) source of entertainment in the (b) — (pre-modify the noun) world. A wide range of programs of (c) — (pre-modify the adjective) interest is telecast on (d) — (use quantifier to pre-modify the noun) channels. Almost every middle class and even working class families have a television set today. (e) — (use a noun-adjective to pre-modify the noun) programs are (f) — (pre-modify adjective) entertaining. They can be (g) — (post-modify the adjective) educative too. Courses (h) — (post-modify the noun) by the Open University are shown on BTV. (i) — (pre-modit, noun) channels like the Discovery Channel and the National Geographic Channel telecast highly informative programs. However, watching TV has become (j) — (use an article) addiction.

10. Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of the following passage.

Many people think that money can do everything in life. (a) — it is a must for our life, it is not the thing that necessarily brings happiness. (b) — it is absolutely a psychological matter. The person who is contented with what he gets and (c) — he has is really happy. Money can do something with happiness (d) — it cannot give us happiness. (e) —, we can see that the richest men of our society are not the happiest men. (f) — they lead a life burdened with cares and anxieties (g) — pass sleepless nights. (h) — there are a large number of poor men (i) — are happy and enjoy a sound sleep. (j) — money cannot ensure happiness.

11. Read the passage and then write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed below.

Books are the unique medium through which we contact mighty minds of ages. Books tell us about their feelings what they said and what they did. Books are one of the greatest friends to us. They introduce us to the best humanity. They are reliable records of the history. A book is a valuable living voice. We can know about the thoughts and rituals of past men through books. We should read good books and avoid worthless ones. A good book is a friend of loneliness and a nurse in ailment. We can find real happiness by reading good books.

(a) unique (antonym); (b) mighty (antonym); (c) humanity (synonym); (d) reliable (antonym); (e) valuable (antonym); (f) ritual (synonym); (g) worthless (synonym); (h) loneliness (synonym); (i) ailment (synonym); (f) happiness (antonym).

12. There are ten errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Rewrite the text correcting the errors.

One day while going to college I met an old man who had nothing of his own having seen me he began to cry but could not as he was too weak to cry feeling a great pity for him I wanted to know about him what led him to this miserable condition so I started asking him questions

HSC Examination 2018 [Rajshahi Board; Cumilla Board; Chattogram Board; Barishal Board]

Kha Set – Part A : Grammar (60 Marks)

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

William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 in (a) — village of Stratford-on-Avon in (b) – country of Warwickshire. His father John Shakespeare was (c) — farmer’s son who came to (d) — Stratford about 1531and began to prosper as (e) — trader in corn, wheat, leather and agricultural products. His mother Mary Arden was (f) — daughter of (g) — prosperous farmer, descended from (h) — old family of mixed Anglo-Saxon and Norman blood. It is generally believed that neither (i) — poet’s mother nor his father could read or write. In 1582, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, the daughter of (j) — peasant family. She was eight years older than Shakespeare.

2. Complete the text with suitable prepositions.

Do you have any idea (a) — a cybercafe? It is a place teeming (b) — information. It is a network (c) — all networks. It is a place (d) — computers (e) — which customers can use the Internet and send emails and so on. A cybercafe is closely associated (f) — Internet communication system. A customer sitting (g) — the cafe can communicate (h) — people (i) — the world. In fact, a cybercafe is not prejudicial (j) — our development.

3. Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words given in the box.

would you mind used to let alone it so that

as if as soon as had better would rather what if

(a) He acts — he were rich. So, nobody likes him.

(b) — eating sea-fish? I think you will enjoy a lot.

(c) Aloka can’t afford to buy a cell phone, — a laptop. Actually, she is very poor.

(d) It may rain today. You — leave earlier.

(e) Sometimes, we become speechless remembering our childhood memories. We — swim in the river.

(f) — is many years since we first met. How time does fly!

(g) His mother being sick, he needs to go home — possible.

(h) We — develop our humanity than observe hartal and strike. Let us change our destructive culture.

(i) There started a heavy storm when I was about to go out. — I had been out there?

(j) He took a part-time job — he could earn some money. He was very sincere.

4. Complete the sentences using suitable clauses/phrases.

(a) John is fond of reading. Whenever he goes to the book fạir, —. He has a good collection of books now.

(b) Smoking is detrimental to health. It is high time you—.

(c) The students saw the teacher. No sooner had the teacher entered the classroom than—.

(d) Birds fly in the sky. I wish I —.

(e) My mother was a philanthropist. She loved to live among the poor villagers so that —.

(f) Samia is good at all of her subjects except English. She cannot compete with her classmates because of —.

(g) We had to walk through a jungle. We saw a snake while we —.

(h) I don’t have enough money. Had I been a rich man, —.

(i) Death is inevitable. There is nobody who —.

(j) Boys, I’m going to discuss an important topic today. Be attentive to my lecture, otherwise—.

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

Trees contribute a lot to maintain ecological balance. A month-long tree fair (a) — (begin) in Kurigram stadium recently. It (b) — (organize) by the local administration and the Department of Social Forestation. The fair (c) — (inaugurate) yesterday by the DC of Kurigram. It was also addressed by other speakers who (d) — (emphasize) the need for planting more trees. The chief guest in his speech (e) — (put) importance on planting trees so that we (f) — (save) our environment from other effects of climate change and natural disasters. A huge procession (g) — (parade) through the streets of the town after the inaugural session. Various government and nongovernment organizations (h) — (set) up stalls displaying saplings of different varieties. Cultural functions (i) — (arrange) every night (j) — (inspire) people to plant trees.

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

Bangladeshi developers can build modern robots like Sophia using its software. (a) The humanoid robot, Sophia is one of the newest sensations in the ICT world. (Make it positive) (b) Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met Sophia at the inaugural ceremony of the four day-long digital world expo. (Make it passive) (c) The Hong Kong-based robotics company developed Sophia one and a half years ago. (Make it complex) (d) Wearing a yellow Jamdani top and skirt, the robot came on the stage. (Make it compound) (e) What an enthusiasm the robot generated among the youth! (Make it affirmative)

7. Change the narrative style by using indirect speeches.

“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della. “I buy hair,” said Madame. “Take your hat off and let’s have a sight at the looks of it.” “Twenty dollars,” said Madame, lifting the mass with a practiced hand. “Give it to me quick,” said Della.

8. Identify the unclear pronoun references in the following paragraph. Where necessary, rewrite the sentences so that all pronoun references are clear.

The Egyptians believed that after death, people would go to another world. One thought that in that world, people still would need many things he had on earth. Their kings had many wonderful treasures. They loved and respected them very much. So, they buried them with dead kings.

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

Kazi Nazrul Islam is called the Shelly of Bengali literature. He was a (a) — (pre-modify the noun) “poet. He wrote (b) — (post-modify the verb) in every branch of Bengali literature. Nazrul, (c) — (use an appositive), won the attention of everyone in his early childhood. He wrote ceaselessly until the death of (d) — (use possessive pronoun) poetic flair. He composed his songs (e) — (use an infinitive phrase to post-modify the verb). His songs are (f) — (use an intensifier to premodify the adjective) melodious. He enriched the Bengali literature (g) — (use an adverb to postmodify the verb). His literary works have enriched (h) — (use a noun adjective) literature. He was (i) — (use an article) secular poet. He sang the songs of equality (j) — (use an adverbial phrase).

10. Fill in the blanks with suitable linking words/sentence connectors.

Time and tide wait for none. (a) — no one can stop the onward march of time. (b) —, we should not waste a single moment in vain. (c) — we should make proper use of every single moment of time. (d) — the students should understand the value of time. It is a matter of great regret that some of the students pass their valuable time in Facebook. (e) —, they kill their time. (f) — they cannot prepare their lessons well. (g) —, they always have a poor preparation for their examination. (h) —, they cannot do well in the examination. (i) —, they do not stop wasting time. (j) — they continue to waste their time using Facebook till is too late for them.

11. Read the following passage and then write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed below.

Books are men’s best friends in life. You may have many good friends but you do not find them when you need them. They may not always come to you with sympathy. Some may prove true or some may prove false and do you much harm. But books are always ready to be your side. Some books will make you laugh, some others will give you much pleasure. Again, some books will bring new knowledge and ideas. They are ever friends throughout your life.

(a) friend (antonym); (b) need (antonym); (c) sympathy (synonym); (d) prove (synonym); (e) false (antonym); (f) harm (antonym); (g) laugh (antonym); (h) pleasure (synonym); (i) bring (synonym); (j) idea (synonym).

12. There are ten errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Rewrite the text correcting the errors.

Bindu: do you read newspaper regularly Hema

Hema: Yes I do. What about you

Bindu: To tell you frankly I do not read newspaper regularly.

Hema: Why do not you get enough time

Bindu: I do but I do not like. Moreover I think it is a wastage of time.

Hema: Strange why do you think so

Key

Ka Set : Dhaka Board, Dinajpur Board, Jashore Board, Sylhet Board‑2018

English Second PaperPart A

1.         (a) an (b) x (c) a (d) A (e) the (0 The (g) a (h) A (i) an j) X

2,         (a) to /for (b) for (c) from (d) by (e) by (f) in (g) to (h) with (i) in j) of

3,         (a) would rather (b) as soon as (c) as if (d) have to (e) was born (f) It (g) let alone (h) There (i) had better j) What if

4.         (a) Industry is the key to success.

(b) A man cannot succeed in life without being industrious.

(c)' Most of the living beings of the world are industrious.

(d) The man who is industrious can maintain a sound health.

(e) We should not like those persons who are lazy.

(f) I always try to work hard.

(g) I know the story of an industrious person who lived in our village.

(h) That man always inspires me to work hard.

(i) I have a poor uncle. He could be rich by working hard.

He has become poor as a result of his idleness.

5.         (a) go (b) will get (c) should (d) be given (e) need (fl be trained (g) be brought (h) should take (i) is closed 0) should be

6.         (a) A bee is busier than most other insects.

(b) We know it as an industrious creature.

(c) Flying from flower to flower, it collects honey.

(d) Honey is stored by it in the hive.

(e) . Though it remains idle in winter, it works hard in spring.

7. The Mayor asked the Pied Piper how much he wanted. The Pied Piper replied that he wanted a thousand guilders. The Mayor accepted the proposal and said that they would pay him a thousand guilders. Then he asked the piper when he would set to work. The Pied Piper replied that he would set to work then.               8.  In a village, there lived a man who had a great attraction to English. He went to a teacher in order to learn English well though the marl was dull headed. The teacher tried his best to teach him, but the man learnt only three English words - 'yes', 'no', and 'very good'. Though the man did not know the meaning of those words, he used them frequently in his conversation with others. He did not understand that 'a little learning is a dangerous thing' and very soon he would be a victim of his little learning.

9.         (a) popular (b) present/modern (c) various/ different (d) different/many (e)TV/television (f) really/very (g) highly/very (h) conducted/offered (i) Some j) an

10. (a) Though/Although (b) In fact (c) what (d) but (e) For example (fl Instead (g) and (h) On the other hand (i) who 0) To conclude/So

11. (a) common (b) weak/puny/feeble (c) humankind/ kindness (d) unreliable / undependable (e) valueless/ worthless (fl ceremonial /formal (g) insignificant/useless (h) isolation         solitude (i) illness /sickness 0) sorrow/grief

12. One day, while going to college, I met an old man who had nothing of his own. Having seen me, he began to cry but could not, as he was too weak to cry. Feeling a great pity for him, I wanted to know about him, what led him to this miserable condition. So, I started asking him questions.

Kha Set Rajshahi Board, Cumilla Board, Chattogram Board, BarishalBoard-2018

English Second PaperPart A

1.         (a) a / the (b) the (c) a (d) x (e) a (fl the (g) a (h) an (i) the j) a

2.         (a) about (b) with (c) of (d) with (e) through (f) with (g) in (h) with (i) of/across / throughout 0) to

3.         (a) as if (b) Would you mind (c) let alone (d) had better (e) used to (f) It (g) as soon as (h) would rather (i) What if j) so that

4. (a) Whenever he goes to the book fair, he buys a number of books.

(b) It is high time you stopped smoking.

(c) No sooner had the teacher entered the classroom than the students stood up.

(d) I wish I were a bird.

(e) She loved to live among the poor villagers so that she could help them. She cannot compete with her classmates because of weakness in English.

(g) We saw a snake while we were crossing the jungle.,

(h) Had I been a rich man, I would have helped the flood-affected people.

(i) Death is inevitable. There is nobody who can avoid death.

Be attentive to my lecture, otherwise you will not be able to understand it.

5.         (a) has begun (b) is/has been organised ,(c) was inaugurated (d) emphasized (e) put (f) could save (g) paraded (h) have set (i) are being arranged j) to inspire

6 (a) Very few sensations in the -ICT world are as new as the humanoid robot, Sophia.

(b) Sophia was met by Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the inaugural ceremony of the four-day-long digital world expo.

(c) It was one and a half year ago when the Hong Kong-based robotics company developed Sophia.

(d) The robot wore a yellow Jamdani top and skirt and came on the stage.

(e) The robot generated a great enthusiasm among the youth.

7. Della asked Madame if she (M) would buy her (D) hair. Madame replied that she (M) bought hair. She (M) told her (D) to take her (D) hat off and let them have a sight at the looks of it. Then Madame told her (D) thal they would give her (D) twenty dollars, lifting the mass with a practiced hand. Della told her (M) to give it to her (D) quickly.

8. The Egyptians believed that after death, people would go to another world. They thought that in that world, people still would need many things they had on earth. Their kings had many wonderful treasures. The Egyptians loved and respected their kings very much. So, they buried those treasures with dead kings. ,

9.         (a) rebel (b) profusely/ copiously (c) our National Poet/ the National Poet of Bangladesh (d) his (e) to amuse us/to inspire us (f) very (g) greatly (h) Bangla (i) a 0) all through her literary period          

10. (a) In fact (b) Therefore (c) Instead (d) Particularly (e) Actually ffl As a result (g) Thus (h) Consequently (i) In spite of this 0) On the contrary

11. (a) foe/enemy (b) despise/avoid/have (c) compassion% understanding/ kindness (d) verify / confirm (e) true/real (f) help/benefit (g) cry (h) happiness (i) fetch/carry 0) thought/concept

12. Bindu        Do you read newspaper regularly, Hema?

Hema   Yes, -I do. What about you?

Bindu  To tell you frankly, I do not read newspaper regularly.

Hema   Why? You get enough time.

Bindu  I do, but I do not like. Moreover, I think it is a wastage of time.

Hema   Strange! Why do you think so?