SEBA Class X English HSLC QUESTIONS and Answers

Answer Bank of H.S.L.C.QUESTIONS From 2011 to 2020

 

PROSE SECTION:

 

(Section-A)

 

1. A Letter to God

G.L. Fuentes

 

A. Very Short type questions: Mark: 1

1. Choose the correct answer from the alternative given:

(a) I need a hundred pesos…

(currency of India/Spain/Latin America)                               (HSLC 15)

Answer: currency of Latin America

(b) Send me the rest……, since I need it very much……   (HSLC 16)

(relaxed/remaining part/be buried)

Answer: remaining part.

(c) The house _____ the only one in the entire valley sat on the crest of a low hill.

(wide/whole/flat) (HSLC 17)

Answer: whole.

2. What happened to Lencho’s fields after the hailstorm? (HSLC 15)

Answer: After the hailstorm Lencho’s cornfield was totally destroyed. Not a leaf remained on the trees. Flowers were gone from the plants and the fields became white as if it was covered with salt.

3. Where was Lencho’s house situated? (HSLC 16)

Answer: Lencho’s house was situated on the crest of a low hill.

4. “All through the night, Lencho thought only of this one hope:” What was Lencho’s only one hope? (HSLC 17)

Answer: Lencho’s only one hope was help from God.

5. What type of a man was the postmaster? (HSLC 19)

Answer: The postmaster was a fat , amiable person

6. What was the one hope of Lencho? (HSLC 20)

Answer: The one hope of Lencho was help from God.

7. What did Lencho say to his sons after the hailstorm? (HSLC 20)

Answer: After the hailstorm Lencho told his sons that even a plague of locusts would have left more corn than what was left by the hailstorm. He also said that there was no one to help them and they would go hungry that year.

 

 

 

B. Short type questions: Marks: 2/3

1. “These aren’t raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins.” Why did Lencho consider the raindrops with new coins? (HSLC 15)

Answer: Lencho’s cornfields needed rain for a good harvest which in turn would bring him money and prosperity. So, when the drops of rain began to fall, Lencho was so happy that he considered them as ‘new coins’.

2. “But don’t sent it to me through mail because the post office employees are a bunch of crooks.”

What made Lencho think that the post office employees are a bunch of crooks? (HSLC 16)

Answer: Lencho received less money than he had asked for. He was sure that God could not make a mistake nor could he deny Lencho what he had requested. So, he suspected the post-office employees of having taken a part of his money and called them a bunch of crooks.

3. What did the postmaster do after he had received Lencho’s letter? (HSLC 17, 20)

Answer: The postmaster was impressed by Lencho’s deep belief in God and he decided to help Lencho himself. He collected money from his friends and employees. He himself gave a part of his salary. Then he put the collected money in an envelope and sent it to Lencho.

4. What did Lencho do throughout the morning? What did he see in the north-east? (HSLC 18)

Answer: Lencho had been watching the North-East sky throughout the morning in the hope of rain.

He saw huge mountains of clouds in the North-East.

5. “Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness.” Why? (HSLC 18)

Answer: Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness because the hailstorm had totally destroyed his field of corn. He saw a bleak future ahead. There was no one to help his family and he feared they would go hungry that year.

6. "The only thing the earth needed…." What 'only thing' did the earth need? (HSLC 19)

Answer: The only thing the Earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower.

7. What did Lencho write in his letter to God? (HSLC 19)

Answer: In his first letter to God, Lencho wrote about his helpless condition caused by the hailstorm. He requested God to send him one hundred pesos so that he could sow his field again and live until the crop grew.

In his second letter to God, Lencho made a complaint against the post-office employees. He wrote that of the money he had asked for, only seventy pesos reached him. He requested God not to send the money through the mail because the post-office employees were a bunch of crooks.

Additional Important Questions

 

Very short question answer (1 mark)

 

1. Why did Lencho keep gazing at the sky?

Answer: Lencho kept gazing at the sky because he hopefully wished for rain.

2. How much money did Lencho ask from God?

Answer: Lencho asked one hundred pesos from God in his letter to God.

3. How much money did Lencho receive from God?

Answer: Lencho received only seventy pesos from God.

 

Short question answer (2/3 marks)

 

1. Why do you think Lencho wrote a second letter to God?

Answer: Lencho wrote a second letter to God because he didn’t receive the hundred pesos from God that he asked for in his first letter.

2. What impression do you form of the postmaster after reading the story 'A Letter to God'?

Answer: The postmaster was a kind, friendly, helpful fellow. He helped Lencho with seventy pesos and even wrote a letter on behalf of God in order not to break his faith in God.

3. Why do you think Lencho called the post office employees 'a bunch of crooks' ?

Answer: After receiving the letter from “God” Lencho remained unsatisfied. The fact that he received only a little more than half of the amount he had requested for, made him angry. It was because he had a knowledge that ‘God’ couldn’t make a mistake; hence the money was assumed to be misappropriated by the post office employees for which they were called “a bunch of crooks” by Lencho.

4. Why did Lencho show no surprise on seeing the money?

Answer: Lencho showed no surprise on receiving the money because he had complete faith in God. He believed in God and expected a certain help from him.

5. How are the conflicts between human and nature and human themselves illustrated in the story?

Answer: This story has two conflicts firstly between nature and human where human have no control over nature. In one moment it can make you happy and in the next it can destroy all dreams in a second.

The second conflict is between humAnsthemselves where Lencho has no faith in human but God. He didn't even bother to find out who sent him the money or even if it's possible for God to write a letter. There was no gratitude at all.

6. “Lencho was an ox of a man,working like an animal in the field”-what does the writer mean to say through this statement ?

Answer: Lencho was a hardworking farmer. His only source to earn livelihood was the cornfield.

Therefore he worked hard like an animal with greater intimacy in his field for good harvest. That is why the writer used the statement aforesaid.

7. Read the following paragraph carefully and answer the questions that follows:

            It was during the meal that , just as Lencho had predicted, big drops of rain began to fall. In the north-east huge mountains of clouds could be seen approaching. The air was fresh and sweet. The man went out for no reason than to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body, and when he returned he exclaimed," These aren't raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins. The big drops are ten cent pieces and the little ones are five."

1) What happened during the meal? (1)

Answer: During the meal big drops of rain began to fall.

2) What could one see in the north-east? (1)

Answer: In the north-east one could see huge mountains of clouds approaching.

3). Find word from the passage that meAnsto 'made a forecast'. (1)

Answer: Predicted.

4) What does Lencho call the rain drops? (2)

Answer: Lencho calls the big drops of rain ten cent pieces and the little ones five cent pieces.

 

2.NELSON MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM

 

A.Very Short type questions: Mark:1

1.State whether the following are true or false:

i) Nelson Mandela spent twenty years in prison.

(HSLC 15)

Answer: False.

ii) On the day of inauguration two national anthems were sung.

(HSLC 16)

Answer: True .

iii) On the day of inauguration Mandela was accompanied by his daughter Zenani.

(HSLC 16)

Answer: True

iv)Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as the second Deputy President.

(HSLC 16)

Answer: False

v) The policy of apartheid created lasting peace in Mandela’s Country.

(HSLC 17)

Answer : False

vi) On the day of inauguration Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history.

(HSLC 17, 20)

Answer : True.

vii) On the podium, Mr. de Klerk was first sworn in as first Deputy President.

(HSLC 19)

Answer : False.

viii) Then, Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as second Deputy President.

(HSLC 19)

Answer : False.

ix) On the day of inauguration Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of freedom.

(HSLC 20)

Answer : False.

2. Choose the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence from among the alternatives given in the brackets:

(a) I saw that it was not my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone ….

(enhanced/reduced/withheld)

(HSLC 19)

Answer : reduced .

(b) In life every man has___________ Obligations. (three/twin/many)

(HSLC 19)

Answer : (b) twin obligations .

(c) All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from that profound hurt. (light and vain/abnormal/deep and strong)

(HSLC 20)

Answer : deep and strong .

(d) Mandela’s country is rich in _________________

(forest and lakes/minerals and gems/agriculture)

(HSLC 19)

Answer : (b) minerals and gems.

 

B. Short type questions: Marks: 2/3

1. What does courage mean to Mandela?

(HSLC 15, 17)

Answer : To Mandela , courage was not the absence of fear , but the triumph over it . According to him, a brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.

2. According to Mandela, between love and hate which comes more naturally to human heart?

(HSLC 16)

Answer : According to Mandela , between love and hate love comes more naturally to human heart . Mandela believes no one is born with hatred.

3. What mission would Mandela like to achieve for the future of South Africa and her people on securing the political emancipation?

(HSLC 18)

Answer : On securing the political emancipation , Mandela would like to achieve certain missions for the future of South Africa and her people. Therefore Mandela pledged to liberate the South African people from the continuing bondage of poverty , deprivation , exploitation, suffering , gender and other discrimination.

4.”The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity” what makes Mandela say this?

(HSLC 18)

Answer: Mandela said so because the oppressor , who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred ; he himself is a victim of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He justified it by saying that a man is not free if his freedom is taken away from him. Likewise , if he is taking away someone else’s freedom , he is not truly free.

6. What did Mandela say about the wealth of his country?

(HSLC 19)

Answer: Mandela said that his country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.

7. When did Mandela begin to hunger for freedom?

(HSLC 20)

Answer: By and by , Mandela began to learn that his boyhood freedom was just an illusion. He discovered as a young man that his freedom had already been taken from him and that is when he began to hunger for freedom.

 

Additional Important Questions

A)Very short question answer( 1 marks)

1)Choose the correct answer

a)Greatmen like Oliver Tambos, Waltwe Sisulus, Chief Luthulis were produced as a result of_____________

i) Oppression and hatred for the blacks.

ii) The ‘effect’ of decades of oppression and brutality.

iii) Freedom movement

Ans: The ‘effect’ of decades of oppression and brutality.

b)The author was born with certain freedoms viz.

i)Running

ii)Roasting mealies

iii)Running in the fields, swimming, roasting mealies, riding the bulls etc.

Ans: Running in the fields, swimming, roasting mealies, riding the bulls etc.

2)Say true or false

a) Nelson Mandela had a great respect for a host of great men of characters like Oliver Tambos, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthili’s and so on.

Answer: True

b) In South Africa , during the Whites supremacy, the blacks could fulfil the twin obligations.

Answer: False

c) Nelson Mandela could not enjoy his freedom because his family’s freedom had been curtailed.

Answer: False

3) Choose the appropriate meaning of the italicized words from the choices given in brackets:---

a)...........the ‘transitory’ freedoms.......

(permanent /lasting for a short time/ever)

Ans: Lasting for a short time

b)..........fulfil those obligations according to his own ‘inclinations’ and abilities.

(natural tendencies of behaviour/acquired ability/strong behaviour)

Ans: Natural tendencies of behaviour

d)...............that my boyhood freedom was an ‘illusion’

(reality/ something that appears to be real but is not/dream)

Ans: Something that appears to be real but is not.

4) Answer the following:

1. What is Apartheid?

Ans: Apartheid is a political system that separates people according to their race.

2. What does Mandela say in his address to the nation on his sworn-in ceremony?

Ans: "Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another", Mandela said in his address to the nation on his sworn-in ceremony.

3. Who accompanied Mandela on the inauguration ceremony?

Ans: Mandela's daughter Zenani accompanied him on the inauguration ceremony.

 

B)Short Type Question . Marks: 2/3

1)What did Mandela say about Man’s goodness?

Ans: Mandela said that man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.

2)How was Mandela born as a child?

Ans: Mandela was born free as a child. He was free to run in the fields near his mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through his village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow moving bulls.

3)When did Mandela join the African National Congress?

Ans: Mandela joined the African National Congress when he realized that in his country not only Mandela but the freedom of everyone who looked like him was curtailed.

4)Why did Mandela joined the African National Congress?

Ans: Mandela joined the African National Congress to provide freedom to his people so that they could live their lives with dignity and self respect.

5)What are the twin obligations that every man have in their life?

Ans: The narrator feels that every man has twin obligations----- the first one is to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children and the second one is his obligation to his people, his community and his country.

6)Why could not each man fulfil these twin obligations in South Africa?

Ans: In South Africa the people were discriminated on the basis of their skin colour. Whenever a black man tried to enjoy his social or political rights he was debarred from doing so. He was also punished and isolated. Thus, the black could not fulfil the twin obligations.

7. Why is 10th May 1994 important for South Africa?

Ans: 10th May 1994 is important for South Africa because for the first time a democratic, non racial government was elected and Nelson Mandela became the first black president of the country.

8. Where did the ceremonies took place? What had it been for decades?

Ans: The ceremonies took place at the lovely Sandstone Amphitheatre formed by the Union

Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy.

9. What was born out of the experience of an extra ordinary human disaster?

Ans: Out of the experience of the extra ordinary human disaster, a hope to liberty and equality was born and the Apartheid regime was overthrown.

10. Why did the millitary generals salute Mandela who would have arrested him not so many years ago?

Ans: The millitary generals are obliged to salute the president of the country. Not so long ago they would have put him in prison for he was a rebel. But now he is the president of the new Republic of South Africa.

11. Why was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history on the day of the inauguration?

Ans: On the day of the inauguration, Mandela is overwhelmed with a sense of history because he remembers the hatred apartheid policy has inducted in South Africa. They set up a system of racial domination against the black people of their own land.

 

 

 

12. What did Mandela say about the wealth of his country?

Ans: Mandela thinks the greatest wealth of his country are his people. They are truer and finer than the purest diamonds.

 

C)Comprehension

Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil.

The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non racial government.

On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr.de Klerk was first sworn in as second deputy president. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president. When it was my turn, I pledged to obey and uphold the constitution and to devote myself to the well –being of the Republic and its people.

Questions:

a)How was tenth May?

Ans: Tenth May dawned bright and clear.

b)Where did the ceremonies take place?

Ans: The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Bulidings in Pretoria.

c)What was the ‘inauguration’ for?

Ans: The inauguration was for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic,non racial government.

d)Who was sworn in as second deputy president?

Ans: Mr.de Klerk was sworn in as second deputy president.

e)Who was sworn in as the first deputy president?

Ans: Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as the first deputy president

f)Who accompanied the narrator?

Ans: The narrator was accompanied by his daughter Zenani.

g)Give the meaning of the word ‘besieged’.

Ans: Besieged means “to be surrounded closely by”

 

 

3.GLIMPSES OF INDIA: (B) TEA FROM ASSAM

 

A. Very Short type questions: Mark:1

1. State whether following statements are true or false in the context of the text, Tea From Assam:

(HSLC 18)

i) Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage.

Answer: True

ii) Tea came to Europe only in the eighteenth century and was drunk more as beverage than as medicine.

Answer: False.

2. Choose the correct answer from among the alternatives given and complete the sentence:

a) No one really knows who discovered tea but- (HSLC 18)

i) there are two legends.

ii) there is one legend.

iii) there are many legends.

Answer: there are many legends.

 

B. Short type questions: Marks: 2/3

1. Narrate briefly Rajbir’s remarks on the discovery of tea and the legends that surround it.

(HSLC 15)

Answer: Rajvir described two legends associated with the discovery of tea. The first one is a Chinese Legend and the second one is Indian . The Chinese legend is about a Chinese emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water and gave it a delicious flavor . They were tea leaves and thus the Chinese emperor discovered this refreshing drink .

The Indian legend associated with the discovery of tea is about Bodhidharma , an ancient Budhist ascetic . He cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep.

2. Give a description of Dhekiabari Tea Garden as seen by Pranjal and Rajvir when they were driven through it.

(HSLC 16,19)

Answer: Dhekiabari tea garden was managed by Pranjol’s father, Mr. Boruah. When the car entered the garden Rajvir saw that on both sides of the gravel road there were acre upon acre of tea bushes , all neatly pruned to the same height . Groups of tea pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves as it was the second flush or sprouting period.

3. Give a description of the magnificent view of tea garden seen by Rajvir from the railway train.

(HSLC 17, 20)

Answer: Rajvir saw a magnificent view from the moving train . It was green , green everywhere. He had never seen so much greenery before . He first saw the soft green paddy fields and then a sea of tea bushes as far as the eye could see. In the back ground there were hills with dense forests . Amidst the tiny tea plants there were tall sturdy shade trees. Rajvir saw some “doll-like figures” moving busily amidst the orderly rows of tea bushes . In the distance he could see the factory house from which smoke was coming out.

 

Additional Important Questions

Very Short Question Answer (1 Mark Each)

1. State True or False

a) Pranjol and Rajvir were going to Assam.

Answer: True

b) According to Rajvir, over seventy crores cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.

Answer: False

c) The tea bushes and densely wooded hills presented a dull view.

Answer: False

d) The Chinese emperor always boiled soup before drinking it.

Answer: False

e) Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids to avoid feeling sleepy during meditations.

Answer: True

f) Tea was drunk as a herb in Europe.

Answer: False

g) Mr. Barua was Rajvir’s father.

Answer: False

h) Tea was first tasted in China as far back as 2700 B.C.

Answer: True

 

2) Who wrote the prose piece “Tea from Assam”?

Ans: Arup Kumar Datta wrote the prose piece “Tea from Assam”.

 

3) Who is Rajvir?

Ans: Rajvir, a youngster, is a classmate of Pranjol at school in Delhi.

 

4) Who is Pranjol?

Ans: Pranjol is a youngster from Assam and is Rajvir’s classmate at school in Delhi.

 

5) What is Pranjol’s father?

Ans: Pranjol’s father is the manager of Dhekiabari Tea Garden of Assam.

 

6) Where did Rajvir come in accompaniment with Pranjol?

Ans: Rajvir came to Upper Assam to visit the beautiful tea gardens with Pranjol.

 

7) What did Rajvir and Pranjol sip in the train compartment?

Ans: They sipped hot tea in the train compartment.

 

8) What was read by Pranjol in the train compartment?

Ans: Pranjol read his detective book in the train compartment.

 

9) What presented a magnificent view?

Ans: The green tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see presented a magnificent view.

 

10) What had never been seen by Rajvir before?

Ans: Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before.

 

11) Name the place which amounts to the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world.

Ans: Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world.

 

12) What did the Chinese emperor do before drinking water?

Ans: The Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it.

 

13) Who was Bodhidharma?

Ans: Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic.

 

14) What did Bodhidharma do?

Ans: He did meditation and cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation.

 

15) Who banished Bodhidharma’s sleep?

Ans: His sleep was banished by drinking hot tea.

 

16) When was tea first sipped in China as per Rajvir?

Ans: Tea was first sipped in China as far back as 2700 B.C., according to Rajvir.

 

17) What was tea looked at in Europe?

Ans: In Europe, tea was looked at as a medicine.

 

18) Name the Railway junction where they finally got off.

Ans: They finally got off at the Mariani Junction.

 

19) Who was waiting to receive both of them?

Ans: Pranjol’s parents were waiting to receive both of them.

 

20) Name the tea garden managed by Pranjol’s father.

Ans: The tea garden managed by Pranjol’s father was Dhekiabari Tea Estate.

 

21) What was worn by the tea pluckers?

Ans: The tea pluckers wore plastic aprons.

 

22) What did the tea pluckers pluck?

Ans: The tea pluckers plucked the newly sprouted leaves.

 

23) When was the sprouting period of tea plants?

Ans: The sprouting period of tea plants lasted from May to July.

 

24) Where do the tea pluckers put the tea leaves?

Ans: The tea pluckers put the tea leaves inside the bamboo baskets on their backs.

 

B. Short Type Questions (Marks: 2/3)

 

1) Who was Pranjol? What was Pranjol’s father?

Ans: Pranjol was a youngster from Assam who is Rajvir’s classmate at school in Delhi.

Pranjol’s father was the manager of Dhekiabari Tea Estate in Assam.

 

2) Who was Rajvir? Where did he journey?

Ans: Rajvir, a youngster, was a classmate of Pranjol from Assam at school in Delhi.

Rajvir journeyed to Upper Assam with his friend Pranjol with an aim to view the beautiful tea gardens.

 

3) How was the scenery outside the train?

Ans: As the train moved ahead, Rajvir saw greenery all around. He was amazed to see the soft green paddy fields first and then the green tea bushes. The tea bushes were under sturdy shade trees and doll-like figures were seen busily moving amidst orderly rows of tea bushes. At a distance, a factory billowing smoke from its tall chimneys could also be seen. Overall, the scenery was magnificent.

 

4) Describe the Chinese legend about tea.

Ans: The Chinese legend is about a Chinese emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day, a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water, giving it a delicious flavour. It is said those were tea leaves and thus, the Chinese emperor discovered the refreshing drink.

 

5) What was the Indian legend about tea?

Ans: The Indian legend associated with the discovery of tea is about Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic. He cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. The leaves of these plants, when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.

 

6) What was first drunk in China? State the words that came from Chinese.

Ans: Tea was first drunk in China.

Words such as “tea”, “chai”, and “chini” came from the Chinese language.

 

7) What did Rajvir tell Pranjol more about tea?

Ans: Rajvir told Pranjol that there are many legends associated with the discovery of tea and narrated two such legends — the Chinese legend of the emperor and the Indian legend of Bodhidharma. In both stories, tea was discovered as a refreshing drink that helped banish sleep.

 

8) What did the group of tea pluckers do?

Ans: The groups of tea-pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs and wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

 

9) What did Rajvir and Pranjol see on both sides of the gravel road?

Ans: They saw acre upon acre of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. They also saw groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

 

10) What was told by Pranjol’s father, Mr. Baruah, about the tea bushes?

Ans: When Rajvir saw a trailer load of tea leaves, he asked Mr. Baruah if it was the second flush or sprouting period. Mr. Baruah confirmed it was the sprouting period, which lasted from May to July and yielded the best tea. He was surprised at Rajvir’s correct knowledge.

 

C. Essay Type Questions (Marks: 4/5)

 

1) Elucidate in your words the visit of Rajvir in accompaniment with Pranjol to the estate of Assam.

Ans: The visit of Rajvir with Pranjol to the estate of Assam was an enchanting experience. Rajvir’s visit to Dhekiabari gave him an opportunity to connect his bookish knowledge with the real world of tea plantations. As the train moved, Rajvir saw tea bushes all around and doll-like figures plucking tea leaves. At Mariani Junction, Pranjol’s parents received them and they drove towards Dhekiabari. On the way, they crossed a cattle bridge and entered the estate. On both sides of the gravel road, they saw acres of neatly pruned tea bushes. Groups of pluckers with bamboo baskets and plastic aprons were plucking newly sprouted leaves. They also saw a trailer loaded with tea leaves. Rajvir was very happy to witness the beauty of the tea estate and was eager to learn more about tea.

 

2) Describe the legends associated with tea.

Ans: Rajvir told Pranjol about two legends related to the discovery of tea.

The Chinese legend tells of an emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day, leaves from twigs burning under the pot fell into the water and gave it a delicious flavour. These were tea leaves, and thus tea was discovered.

The Indian legend is about Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic. He cut off his eyelids to stop feeling sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew from his eyelids. The leaves of these plants, when put into hot water and drunk, banished sleep.

 

 

POETRY SECTION: (Section-B)

 

1. A Tiger in the Zoo

Poet: Leslie Norris

 

A. Very Short Type Questions (Marks: 1)

1. Choose the meaning of the underlined words in the following sentences:

(a) He stalks in his vivid stripes. (HSLC 2015)
(glaring / dark / pale)
Ans: Glaring

(b) In his quiet rage. (HSLC 2015, 2017)
(mood / violent anger / walk)
Ans: Violent anger

(c) And stares with his brilliant eyes… (HSLC 2017)
(dull / very bright / angry)
Ans: Very bright

(d) In his quiet rage. (HSLC 2019)
(noisy / silent / worst)
Ans: Silent

(e) At the jungle’s edge. (HSLC 2017)
(border / side / center)
Ans: Border

 

B. Short Type Questions (Marks: 2/3)

1. What would the tiger have been doing if it were in its natural habitat?
(HSLC 2016, 2020)
Ans: If the tiger were in its natural habitat, he would have been lurking in the shadow to hunt plump deer and terrorize villagers at the edge of the jungle.

2. What is a water hole? Why should the tiger be lurking near it?
(HSLC 2018)
Ans: A water hole is a small pond-like source that provides water to wild animals. The tiger should be lurking near it to hunt deer that come to drink water.

 

Additional Important Questions

A. Very Short Type Questions (Marks: 1)

·                  i) He should be snarling around houses.
(walking / making an angry sound / running)
Ans: Making an angry sound

·                  ii) Baring his white fangs...
(legs / claws / teeth)
Ans: Teeth

 

B. Short Type Questions (Marks: 2/3)

1. How does the tiger terrorise the villagers?
Ans: The tiger snarls around houses at the jungle's edge, baring his white fangs and claws, thereby terrorizing the villagers.

2. What does the tiger hear and see from his cage at night?
Ans: The tiger sees the brilliant stars with his bright eyes and hears the sound of patrolling cars.

 

 

2. The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Poet: Ogden Nash

 

A. Very Short Type Questions (Marks: 1)

1. Choose the rhyming words from the given box:

(a) rage, house (HSLC 2016)
Taste, rest, cage, loud, fresh, mouse, vague
Ans: rage – cage, house – mouse

(b) bright, sound (HSLC 2017)
Call, caught, sing, right, around, hat
Ans: bright – right, sound – around

(c) dragon, rage (HSLC 2020)
Grey, wagon, stairs, bears, cage, cries
Ans: dragon – wagon, rage – cage

 

B. Short Type Questions (Marks: 2/3)

1. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? (HSLC 2015)
Ans: Custard cried for a safe cage because, although he looked strong, he was a coward. He feared everything and wanted to be protected.

2. How was Custard the dragon received after he had killed the pirate? (HSLC 2018)
Ans: Custard was warmly received. Belinda hugged him, Mustard licked him, and Ink and Blink danced happily around him.

3. How did Belinda and her pets behave when they saw the pirate climbing the window? (HSLC 2019)
Ans: Belinda turned pale and cried for help, Mustard ran away, Ink hid under the house, and Blink jumped into his mouse hole. Only Custard faced the pirate bravely.

4. Give a description of the fight between Custard and the pirate. (HSLC 2019)
Ans: Custard jumped in front of the pirate and snorted like an engine. The pirate drank liquor and fired two bullets, but they missed. Custard attacked with his tail and finally gobbled the pirate completely.

5. How did Custard the dragon save Belinda from the pirate? (HSLC 2020)
Ans: When the pirate entered, Custard faced him bravely. He attacked like a robin attacking a worm and finally ate up the pirate, saving Belinda.

 

Additional Important Questions

 

A) Very Short Question Answer (1 Mark Each)

Choose the correct alternative:

i) The dragon's mouth was like:
a) chimney
b) mantelpiece
c) fireplace
Ans: Fireplace

 

ii) Belinda and her pets heard a _____ sound
a) nasty
b) sweet
c) buzzing
Ans: Nasty

 

iii) Belinda was as brave as
a) a herd of buffaloes
b) a barrel full of bears
c) a streak of tigers
Ans: A barrel full of bears

 

B) Short Answer Type Questions (Marks: 2/3)

1. What were the names and colours of the pets that Belinda lived with?
Ans: Belinda lived with:

a little black kitten named Ink

a little grey mouse named Blink

a yellow dog named Mustard

and a dragon named Custard

 

SUPPLEMENTARY READER: Section-C

 

1. THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR

– Robert Arthur

A. Long Answer Type Questions (Marks: 5)

 

1. How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room?

Or

Briefly describe how Ausable defeated Max’s scheme to take away the report.

(HSLC 15, 16, 19)

Answer:

Ausable was a secret agent who handled Max cleverly. He created a convincing story about the presence of a balcony. He said that twice in a month someone had entered his room through the balcony. When Max questioned him about it, Ausable replied with irritation that it wasn’t his balcony. His natural reaction made the story believable. He further explained that the balcony belonged to the adjoining room and extended under his window. His calm and confident storytelling convinced Max that there really was a balcony under his window.

 

2. Give a description of Max’s conversation with Ausable.

(HSLC 17)

Answer:

Late one evening, Ausable and Fowler entered Ausable’s hotel room. Max, holding a pistol, was already inside, claiming to have entered with a passkey. He wanted the secret report on missiles.
Ausable responded calmly, creating a false story about a balcony under the window. He told Max that someone had entered through it before, and that the management promised to block it.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Ausable said it was the police he had called for protection. In panic, Max rushed to escape through the supposed balcony and fell. Only a scream was heard. Ausable had tricked him.

 

3. Who is Fowler? Give a description of his meeting with Ausable.

(HSLC 18)

Answer:

Fowler was a young romantic writer curious to meet a secret agent. He expected adventures and excitement. When he met Ausable, he was disappointed at first by Ausable’s ordinary appearance. But the real thrill came when Max appeared with a gun demanding a report. Ausable handled the situation with intelligence, making up a story about a balcony and police.

Max tried to escape through the non-existent balcony and presumably died. Fowler was shocked and impressed, realizing that Ausable’s intelligence made him a true secret agent.

 

4. Between Ausable and Max, who do you think is more intelligent and why?

(HSLC 20)

Answer:

Same as Answer to Question 1.

 

 

 

2. FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET

– H.G. Wells

A. Long Answer Type Questions (Marks: 5)

 

1. Who was Griffin? How did he become invisible? Why did Mrs. Hall find him eccentric?

(HSLC 15)

Answer:

Griffin was a scientist who had discovered how to make the human body invisible. He made himself invisible by swallowing a special drug made from a mixture of chemicals and glass powder.

Mrs. Hall, the owner of the inn at Iping, found Griffin eccentric because of his mysterious behavior and appearance. When she tried to be friendly, he rudely told her that he had come for research and didn’t want to be disturbed.

 

2. Briefly describe the extraordinary behaviour of Mr. Hall’s furniture.

(HSLC 16)

Answer:

Griffin escaped from London and hid in the village of Iping. One morning, Mr. and Mrs. Hall noticed his room was open. Curious, they entered and saw no one. Suddenly, strange things happened—Mrs. Hall felt a sniff near her ear, and a hat flew into her face. A chair rose and pushed both of them out of the room, then slammed and locked the door. These strange incidents were caused by the invisible Griffin, trying to scare them away.

 

3. Give a description of Griffin’s experience in Drury Lane.

(HSLC 17, 20)

Answer:

After robbing the London store, Griffin went to Drury Lane, known for theatrical items. He entered a shop invisibly and found clothes and items to hide his invisible features—like a false nose, bushy whiskers, dark glasses, and bandages.

To avoid being seen while leaving, he attacked the shopkeeper from behind and stole money before escaping.

 

4. Why did Griffin become a homeless wanderer? Why did he slip into the big London store and what did he do there?

(HSLC 18)

Answer:

Griffin became a homeless wanderer after setting fire to his landlord’s house to take revenge. Since he was invisible, he roamed without shelter.

To escape the bitter cold of London winter, he entered a big store for warmth, clothes, and food. He enjoyed the luxury all night, but in the morning, he was discovered and had to flee.

 

5. How and why did Griffin come to the village of Iping? Why does Mrs. Hall find him eccentric?

(HSLC 19)

Answer:

Griffin went to Iping to find a quiet and lonely place to work and become visible again. He chose Iping after his troubles in London, including setting fire to his landlord’s house.

Mrs. Hall found him eccentric because of his strange, wrapped-up appearance and rude behavior. When she tried to be friendly, he dismissed her, saying he was busy with research and wanted no disturbances.

 

GRAMMAR SECTION:
(Section-D)
1.DETERMINER:
1. HSLC - 2011
(a) The painter is a man of ...... words
(few/a few/the few)
Answer: few
(b) ...... honourary secretary gets no salary for holding the post.
(a/an/the)
Answer: An
(c) ...... of the candidate must produce her/his identity card. 
(any/each/every)
Answer: Each
(d) India won the match with ......bit of luck.
(little/a little/the little)
Answer: a little
2. HSLC - 2012
(a) ...... men are free from faults.
(few/a few/the few)
Answer: few
(b) ...... hour has passed since he left us. 
(a/an/the)
Answer: an
(c) ...... of the students will be given a copy of the magazine.
(every/each/any)
Answer: each
(d) Please give me ...... money you have. 
(little/a little/the little)
Answer: the little
3. HSLC - 2013
(a) He will come back within ...... hour.
(a/an/the)
Answer: an
(b) ...... men are free from faults.
(few/a few/the few)
Answer: few
(c) Leap year falls in ...... fourth year.
(any/every/each)
Answer: every
(d) ...... learning is a dangerous thing.
(little/a little/the little)
Answer: a little
4. HSLC - 2014
(a) I gave ...... one rupee note to the beggar. 
(a/an/the)
Answer: a
(b) My father is ...... older than my mother. 
(many/much/more)
Answer: much
(c) I buy ...... books every month.
(few/a few/the few)
Answer: a few
(d) I need ...... money I have.
(little/a little/the little)
Answer: the little
5. HSLC - 2015
(a) Please give me ...... time to finish the work.
Answer: a little
(b) Then I will take you to ..... university.
Answer: the
6. HSLC - 2016
(a) Ramen comes home twice ..... month.
Answer: a
(b) Mr Bell rang ...... bell of alarm and I woke up.
Answer: the
(c) A busy person has ..... time to waste.
Answer: little
(d) Only ...... of the applicants were found suitable.
Answer: a few
7. HSLC - 2017
(a) My brother is ___ NCC cadet.
Answer: an
(b) We found the house without ___ difficulty
Answer: much/any
(c) He has to feed his family with ___money he earns.
Answer: the little
(d) Our Principal is a man of ___ words.
Answer: few
8. HSLC - 2018
(a) ___ rich are not always unkind.
Answer: the
(b) The principal gave the students ___ sound advice.
Answer: much (c) Every school has ___ union of the students
Answer: a (d) Is there ___ coffee left in the pot?
Answer: any
9. HSLC - 2019
(a) My brother had gone ___ hour ago.
Answer: an
(b) A busy man has ___time to waste.
Answer: little
(c) The classes started after ___ bell had rung.
Answer: the
(d) ___ of their property was lost in the flood.
Answer: much
10. HSLC - 2020
(a) They won the match without ___ difficulty.
Answer: much
(b) Reading is ___ useful hobby.
Answer: a
(c) I gave him ___ books I had.
Answer: the few
(d) Kalidasa is ___ Shakespeare of India.
Answer: the
2.PREPOSITION:
1. HSLC - 2011
(a) There was a noise of children ___ play.
(in/on/at)
Answer: at
(b) Her mother is ___ the town council
(in/on/over)
Answer: in
(c) The teacher knows his students ___ name.
(with/by/for)
Answer: by
(d) Babysitter are a boon ___ parents.
(for/upon/to)
Answer: to
2. HSLC - 2012
(a) I met him ___ the street.
(in/at/on)
Answer: on
(b) Please pay attention ___ your studies.
(for/to/on)
Answer: to
(c) He is an authority ___ science.
(of/for/in)
Answer: on
(d) The teacher is in full control ___ the class.
(of/over/in)
Answer: over
3. HSLC - 2014
(a) Happiness consists ___ speaking the truth.
(of/in/for)
Answer: in
(b) One should be honest ___ dealing with fellowmen.
(on/in/at)
Answer: in
(c) She is looking ___ a domestic help.
(to/in/for)
Answer: for
(d) The burden seemed too much ___ him.
(to/for/on)
Answer: to
4. HSLC - 2015
(a) Health is preferable ___ wealth
(than/for/to)
Answer: to
(b) He is angry ___ his naughty sister.
(at/with/upon)
Answer: with
5. HSLC - 2016
(a) The cow lives ___ grass.
(by/from/on)
Answer: on
(b) He lives ___ hand to mouth.
(on/from/by)
Answer: from
(c) He is appointed ___ the post.
(in/to/at)
Answer: to
(d)She is junior ___ me by three years.
(to/from/than)
Answer: to
6. HSLC - 2017
(a) We go to school ___ bus.
(in/with/by)
Answer: by
(b) I am senior ___ your sister.
(than/to/from)
Answer: to
(c) The Principal presided ___ the meeting.
(in/over/at)
Answer: over
(d)She excels ___ dancing.
(at/in/by) Answer: in
7. HSLC - 2018
(a) He always runs ___ money.
(at/for/after)
Answer: after
(b) Flour is made ___ wheat.
(of/from/with)
Answer: from
(c) Write your answers ___ black ink.
(with/by/in)
Answer: in
(d)The cow lives ___ grass.
(on/upon/with)
Answer: on
8. HSLC - 2019
(a) This train is bound __ Delhi. 
(to/upon/for)
Answer: for
(b Assam is rich __ minerals. 
(for/in/about)
Answer: in
(c) I met him __ the street. 
(in/on/upon)
Answer: on
(d) Happiness consists __ speaking the truth.
(of/in/at)
Answer: in
9. HSLC - 2020
(a) They are satisfied ___ your work.
(by/at/with)
Answer: with
(b) Man doesn't live __ bread alone. 
(on/by/at)
Answer: by
(c) Rita excels __ dancing. 
(at/by/in)
Answer: in
(d) He is looking __ a domestic help. 
(to/in/for)
Answer: for
Additional Important Questions
1. I am fond of sweets.
2. I didn't respond to the roll-call.
3. The answer to this question is easy.
4. I appealed to him for help.
5. He is delighted with the result.
6. I am deprived of everything.
7. I am glad at your success.
8. He hinted at the trouble.
9. I have no hope of or for success.
10. The patient is now free from danger.
11. He is the heir to his brother's property.
12. He hesitates at nothing.
13. The book is of no use.
14. This book varies from that book.
15. He is well versed in Sanskrit.
16. I am thankful to you for your help.
17. He is used to such hardships.
18. I shall call at your house sometime.
19. Please call in a doctor.
20. I shall call on you tomorrow.
21. Carry on your work.
22. I am waiting for you.
23. He is worthy of praise.
24. I have talked to him.
25. Don't stare at me.
26. This idea is similar to that.
27. He retired from service.
28. He took revenge on me.
29. He rewarded me with a book.
30. He is qualified for the post.
31. Everybody longs for or after happiness.
32. The boy is loyal to the teacher.
33. Don't judge anything by its appearance.
34. He dedicated the book to his father.
35. He is preparing for the examination.
3.TENSE FORMS:
1. HSLC - 2011
(a) We (know) each other for five years..
Answer: we have known each other for five years.
(b) The other day I (meet) a magician in the market
Answer: the other day I met a magician in the market
2. HSLC - 2012
(a) She said that she (will) help her friend.
Answer: She said that she would help her friend.
(b) The boys (play) in the garden when the tree fell down.
Answer: The boys were playing in the garden when the tree fell down.

3. HSLC - 2013
(a) I wish I (be) a king.
Ans- I wish I were a king.
(b) The boy (sleep), don't disturb him.
Ans- The boy is sleeping, don’t disturb him.
4. HSLC - 2014
(a) She ____ a book when I saw her.
(read)
Ans- She was reading a book when I saw her.
(b)She ____ a teacher since 2002. 
(be)
Ans- She has been a teacher since 2002
5. HSLC - 2015
(a) The bell rang after we (finish) our work.
Ans – The bell rang after we had finished our work.
(b) Please ring me up as soon as he
(come).
Ans- Please ring me up as soon as he comes.
6. HSLC - 2016
(a) It is time we (go) to bed.
Ans- It is time we went to bed.
(b) She behaves as if she (know) everything.
Ans- She behaves as if she knew everything.
7. HSLC - 2017
(a) If it (rain) we shall not go out.
Ans- If it rains we shall not go out.
(b) We (know) each other for the last ten years.
Ans- We have known each other for the last ten years.
8. HSLC - 2018
(a) If I (be) you, I would not have called him again.
Ans- If I were you I would not have called him again.
(b) The Principal is not in his room. He (go) out.
Ans- The principal is not at home . He has gone out.
9. HSLC - 2019
(a) When he came it (be) all over.
Ans- When he came it was all over.
(b) He (stay) here until you return.
Ans- He will stay here until you return.
© They (live) in Delhi for ten Years.
Ans- They have been living in Delhi for ten years.
10. HSLC - 2020
(a) I (go) there before she went.
Ans- I had gone there before she went.
(b) Ten years (pass) since I met you last.
Ans- Ten years have passed since I met you last.
(c) When she came ,I (write) a letter.
Ans-When she came ,I was writing a letter.

4.NARRATION:
1. HSLC - 2011
(a) The mechanic said, "I will repair your car tomorrow".
Ans- The mechanic said that he would repair the car the next day.
(b) The teacher enquired of the pupil if he had done his homework.
Ans- The teacher said to the pupil, “ Have you done your homework?”
2. HSLC - 2012
(a) He said, "Honesty is the best policy".
Ans – He said that honesty is the best policy.
(b) He said that he takes bath in the Brahmaputra every morning.
Ans – He said, “I take bath in the Brahmaputra every morning”
3. HSLC - 2013
(a) She said, "The water is boiling".
Ans- She said that the water was boiling.
(b) Mira said that her mother had been suffering from fever.
Ans- Mira said, “My mother has been suffering from fever.”
4. HSLC - 2014
(a) He told her not to disturb him.
Ans- He said to her, “Don’t disturb me.”
(b) Mother said to me, "Don't tell a lie".
Ans- Mother advised me not to tell a lie.
5. HSLC - 2015
(a) "What a beautiful building!" he said.
Ans- He exclaimed with surprise that the building was very beautiful.
(b) She proposed that we should go for a walk.
Ans- She said, “Let us go for a walk.”
6. HSLC - 2016
(a) "Can you drive a car?" I said to Rahim.
Ans- I asked Rahim if he could drive a car.
(b) The stranger asked me if I could tell him the way to the Post office.
Ans – The stranger said to me, “Can you tell me the way to the post office?’
7. HSLC - 2017
(a) Anita said, "I do not know the boy."
Ans- Anita said that she did not know the boy.
(b) Rahim said that his mother had been suffering from fever.
Ans- Rahim said, “My mother has been suffering from fever.”
8. HSLC - 2018
(a) Rahim said to me, "Do you know the man standing at the gate?"
Ans- Rahim asked me if I knew the man standing at the door.
(b) The young man told me that he had come from Jorhat to work in Guwahati.
Ans –The young man said to me, “I have come from Jorhat to work in Guwahati”

9. HSLC – 2019
(a) She asked me why the teacher had punished me.
Ans- She said to me, “Why has the teacher punished you?”
(b) Anita said to Ravi, “Please lend me your pen.”
Ans- Anita requested Ravi to lend her his pen.
10. HSLC – 2020
(a) Rashid asked me if I knew Rahim.
Ans- Rashid said to me, “Do you know Rahim?”
(b) Mother said to me , “What will you do after the examination?’
Ans- Mother asked me what I would do after the examination.

5.VOICE:
1. HSLC - 2011
(i) The members elected him Secretary.
Ans : He was elected secretary by the members.
(ii) The grandmother looks after the child.
Ans : The child is looked after by the grandmother.
2. HSLC - 2012
(i) Children like sweets.
Ans : Sweets are liked by the children.
(ii) By whom can this be done?
Ans : Who can do this?
3. HSLC - 2014
(i) Accidents are caused by carelessness.
Ans : Carelessness causes accident.
(ii) Who did this work?
Ans : By whom was this work done?
4. HSLC - 2015
(i) We were surprised at his conduct.
Ans : His conduct surprised us.
(ii) Why did your father refuse such an honourable job?
Ans : Why was such an honourable job refused by your father?
5. HSLC - 2016
(i) The Students elected him secretary.
Ans : He was elected secretary by the students.
(ii) The stage was decorated by the students.
Ans: The students decorated the stage.
6. HSLC - 2017
(i) People speak English all over the world.
Ans: English is spoken all over the world.
(ii) America was discovered by Columbus.
Ans: Columbus discovered America.
7. HSLC - 2018
(a) The letters have been posted.
Ans: I have posted the letters.
(b) He did the work alone.
Ans: The work was done alone by him.
8. HSLC - 2019
(a) I have lost my English textbook.
Ans: My English textbook has been lost.
(b) He was punished for his misconduct.
Ans: We punished him for his misconduct.
9. HSLC - 2020
(a) I do not know his brother.
Ans: His brother is not known to me.
(b) English is spoken by many people all over the world.
Ans: Many people speak English all over the world.

6.VOCABULARY:
1. HSLC - 2011
Frame sentences using any one one pair of the following to show their difference in meaning:
(a) Lose : Loose
Answer:
Lose (v) : You will lose marks for your bad handwriting.
Loose (adj) : He likes to wear loose garments.
(b) Rise : Raise
Answer:
Rise (v) : He will rise in life for hard work.
Raise (v) : Raise you hands .
(c) Sight : Site
Answer:
Sight (n) : My grandmother has better sight than grandfather .
Site (n) : A five-star hotel will be built on this site.
2. HSLC - 2012
(a) Eligible : Illegible
Answer:
Eligible : He is eligible for the post .
Illegible : His handwriting is very illegible .
(b) Accept : Except
Answer:
Accept : He will accept the money.
Except : Nobody of the family except Nandita attended the party.
(c) Alter : Altar
Answer:
Altar (n) :They offered flowers at the altar of the martyr (শ্বহীদ)
Alter (v) : Will you alter your plan again ?
3. HSLC - 2013
(a) Diary : Dairy
Answer:
Diary : It is a good habit to keep a diary.
Dairy : He deals in dairy products.
(b) Effect : Affect :
Answer:
Effect : His advice had a great effect on me.
Affect : Smoking will affect your health.
(c) Site : Cite
Answer:
site : They have selected this site for the proposed school.
Cite : He cited a line from the Mahabharata.
4. HSLC - 2014
(a) Principal : Principle
Answer:
Principle : A man of principle is respected by all.
Principal : Mr Dutta is the principal of our college.
(b) Adopt : Adapt
Answer:
Adopt : The childless couple has adopted a child.
Adapt : He could not adapt himself with the new situation .
5. HSLC - 2015
(a) The Brahmaputra has changed its ...... 
(Coarse/Course)
Answer: course
(b) Sankardeva was an ...... scholar.
(eminent/imminent)
Answer: eminent.
6. HSLC - 2016
(a) My warning had no ...... on the boy.
(affect/effect)
Answer: Effect
(b) He ...... to accept the money.
(refused/denied)
Answer: Refused
7. HSLC - 2017
(a) Rose smells ...... 
(sweetly/sweet)
Answer: sweet
(b) Her handwriting is ......
(illegible/eligible)
Answer: illegible
8. HSLC - 2018
(a) Mr. John will come to Guwahati......
(recently/shortly)
Answer: Shortly
(b) Popular criticism has no ....... the politicians. 
(effect/affect)
Answer: Effect
9. HSLC - 2019
(a) She narrated the matter
(shortly/briefly).
Answer: Briefly
(b) Please (listen/hear) to what he
says.
Answer: listen
10. HSLC - 2020
(a) He has a …… shop 
(stationary/stationery).
Answer: stationery
(b) His …. Simplicity charmed us all.
(childlike/childish)
Answer: childlike


7.SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCE:
1. HSLC - 2011
(a) The businessman is a miser. He has donated generously today.
Ans: Though the businessman is a miser, he has donated generously today.
(b) Why are you so late? Tell me.
Ans:- Tell me why you are so late.
2. HSLC - 2012
(a) I speak the truth. I am not afraid of it.
Ans: I am not afraid of speaking the truth.
(b) Walk fast. You will miss the train.
Ans:- Walk fast or you will miss the train.
3. HSLC - 2013
(a) I have some duties. I must perform them.
Ans: I have some duties to perform.
(b) This is my friend. His name is John.
Ans:- This is my friend, whose name is John.
4. HSLC - 2014
(a) The bird was very small. It could not fly.
Ans:- The bird was too small to fly.
(b) He is not intelligent.He is not brave.
Ans:- He is neither intelligent nor brave.
5. HSLC - 2015
(a) I have lost my pen. You gave it to me.
Ans:- I have lost the pen which you gave to me.
(b) Health is very important. It must not be neglected.
Ans:- Health is too important to be neglected.
6. HSLC - 2016
(a) The moon is round. It has been proved.
Ans:- It has been proved that the earth is round.
(b) Where does he live?Do you know it?
Ans:- Do you know where he lives ?
7. HSLC - 2017
(a) Man is mortal. Everybody knows this.
Ans:- Everybody knows that man is mortal.
(b) Walk fast. You will miss the train.
Ans:- Walk fast or you will miss the train. / Walk fast else you will miss the train.
8. HSLC - 2018
(a) The boy is not brave. The boy is not intelligent.
Ans:- The boy is neither brave nor intelligent.
(b) The man created the trouble. The man was arrested.
Ans:- The man who created the trouble was arrested.
OR
The man was arrested for creating the trouble.
9.HSLC - 2019
(a)The earth is round. We can prove it.
Ans:- We can prove that the earth is round.
(b) Where does he live? Do you know it?
Ans:- Do you know where he lives ?
10.HSLC-2020
(a)Where has he gone ? Do you know it ?
Ans:- Do you know where he has gone ?
(b) I finished the work. I was taking rest.
Ans:- Having finished the work, I was taking rest.

8.VERB PHRASES:

1. HSLC 2011
(a) Come about 
(b) Give up 
(c) For good 
(d) Black sheep
Answer:
(a) come about : (সংঘটিত হোৱা) A tragic accident came about at Bengenakhowa crossroads yesterday.
(b) give up :- ( বদঅভ্যাস ত্যাগ কৰা) He is trying to give up smoking. ( H.S.L.C. 2016, 2019)
(c) for good:- (চিৰদিনৰ বাবে) He has left Assam for good.
(d) black sheep:- ( যি ব্যক্তি নিজ পৰিয়ালৰ বাবে সন্মান হানিকৰ, কুলাঙ্গাৰ ) He is a poor shopkeeper but all other members of his family have high salaried jobs. So he is the black sheep of the family.
OR
Mr Bora considers his youngest son a black sheep of his family.
2. HSLC 2012
(a) Nook and corner 
(b) Of late
(c) With a view to 
(d) Look after
Answer:
(a) nook and corner :- (চুকে- কোণে) On the eve of the Magh Bihu bhelaghars are made in every nook and corner of Assam.
(b) of late:- (সম্প্রতি কালছোৱাত) Of late the prices of essential things have gone up.
(c) with a view to:- ( এই উদ্দেশ্যে ) He went to Panbazar with a view to buying a few books.
(d) look after:- ( তত্ত্বাবধান লোৱা ) When we go to work , the old lady looks after our child.
3. HSLC 2013
(a) Null and void 
(b) By dint of
(c) With flying Colours 
(d) All in all
Answer:
(a) null and void:- (অবৈধ ঘোষনা কৰা) This rule has been declared null and void by the Supreme Court.
(b) by dint of:- (কাৰণে, ফলস্বৰূপে) He has got distinction marks in the examination by dint of hard work.
(c) with flying colours:-( সুনাম কৰি) He passed the examination with flying colours.
(d) all in all :- (আটাইতকৈ বেছি গুৰুত্ব পোৱা ব্যক্তি) Their son-in-law is all in all to them.
4. HSLC 2014
(a) Look into 
(b) Call off
(c) Get ride of
Answer:
(a) look into:- (তদন্ত কৰা) The police are looking into the murder case.
(b) call off:- ( প্রত্যাহাৰ কৰা) The workers have called off the strike.
(c) get rid of:- (আতৰি থকা) Always try to get rid of evil company.
5. HSLC 2015
(a) In order to 
(b) All in all 
(c) Now and then 
(d) At large
Answer:
(a) in order to:- (উদ্দেশ্যে) He came here in order to see my ailing grandfather.
(b) now and then:- (মাজে-সময়ে) He comes to our house now and then.
(c) at large :- ( বিস্তৃতভাবে) He talked at large about the new schemes.
6. HSLC 2016
(a) Bring up 
(b) Look for 
(c) Give up 
(d) Look after
Answer:
(a) bring up:- ( লালন পালন কৰা) He was brought up by his uncle.
(b) look for :- (বিচাৰি ফুৰা) He is looking for a job.
7. HSLC 2017
() Give away 
() Far and wide 
() Put out 
() Turn up
Answer:
(a) give away:- ( ভগাই দিয়া) The Principal gave away the prizes among the winners.
(b) far and wide:- ( চৌদিশে) His fame has spread far and wide as a singer.
(c) put out :- (চাকি আদি নুমুৱাই দিয়া) Put out the lamp.
(d) turn up :- ( সাধাৰণতে আহিব বুলি নভবা লোক উপস্থিত হোৱা) An old friend of mine turned up at our house yesterday.
8. HSLC 2018
() Run over, 
() Deal in, 
() Carry out, 
() In order to
Answer:
(a) run over :- ( গাড়ীয়ে চেপা) A speedy car ran over the old man.
(b) deal in :- ( ব্যৱসায় কৰা) He deals in rice. 
( H.S.L.C. 2020)
(c) carry out :- ( দায়িত্ব পালন কৰা) A soldier has to carry out his duties even at the cost of death.
(H.S.L.C. 2020)
9. HSLC-2019
(a) break out :- ( কোনো ঘটনা, মহামাৰী আদি হঠাৎ আৰম্ভ হোৱা) A terrible fire broke out at the market yesterday.
(b) fall out :- (কাজিয়া কৰা) The two men fell out over a plot of land.
10. HSLC-2020
(a) make out :- (বুজি পোৱা) I cannot make out his words.

9.SENTENCE CORRECTION:
1. HSLC 2011
(a) We need some furnitures.
(b) The both parents were present at the function.
(c) When you do your homework?
(d) Please tell me who is your headmaster.
(e) I have visited the zoo last year.
(a) Ans:- We need some furniture.
(b) Ans:- Both the parents were present at the function.
(c) Ans:When do you do your homework ?
(d) Ans:- Please tell me who your headmaster is.
(e) Ans:- I visited the zoo last year.
2. HSLC 2012
(a) He is a MRCP and his brother is a FRCS.
(b) Six miles are a long distancе.
(c) All his kiths and kins are against him.
(d) He is my cousin brother.
(e) I go to school by foot.
(a) Ans:- He is an MRCP and his brother is an FRCS.
(b) Ans:- Six miles is a long distance.
(c) Ans:- All his kith and kin are against him.
(d) Ans:- He is my cousin.
(e) Ans:- I go to school on foot.
3. HSLC 2013
(a) Money isn't the solution for every problem.
(b) This hotel provides fooding and lodging.
(c) Mr. Das deals with tea.
(d) She came back with bag and baggage.
(e) We spent the evening listening music.
(a) Ans:- Money isn't the solution to every problem.
(b)Ans:- This hotel provides food and lodging.
(c)Ans:- Mr Das deals in tea.
(d)Ans:- She came back bag and baggage.
(e)Ans:- We spent the evening listening to music.
4. HSLC 2014
(a) I saw a strange dream last night.
(b) He is a coward person.
(c) His uncle sells second hand furnitures.
(d) The sceneries of Arunachal Pradesh is charming.
(e) She narrated the story shortly.
(a)Ans:- I dreamt a strange dream last night.
(b)Ans:- He is a coward.
(c)Ans:- His uncle sells second hand furniture.
(d)Ans:- The scenery of Arunachal Pradesh is charming
(e)Ans:- She narrated the story briefly.
5. HSLC 2015
(a) I don't know to do it.
(b) It is you who is to to be blamed.
(c) He told me that his brother is writing that letter.
(d) He asked me where do I live.
(a) Ans:- I don't know how to do it
(b) Ans:- It is you who are to be blamed.
(c)Ans:- He told me that his brother was writing that letter.
(d)Ans:- He asked me where I lived.
6. HSLC 2016
(a) The sceneries of Arunachal Pradesh is charming.
(b) I am feeling cold.
(c) Bread and butter make a good breakfast.
(d) The news are true.
(a)Ans:- The scenery of Arunachal Pradesh is charming
(b)Ans:- I feel cold.
(c)Ans:- Bread and butter makes a good breakfast.
(d)Ans:- The news is good.
7. HSLC 2017
(a) Nitu is my cousin sister.
(b) She prefers tea than coffee.
(c) I gave him a few rupees I had.
(d) He is working hardly.
(a)Ans:- Nitu is my cousin.
(b)Ans:- She prefers tea to coffee.
(c)Ans:- I gave him the few rupees I had.
(d)Ans:-He is working hard.
8. HSLC 2018
(a) He took out his shoes.
(b) I do not know who are you.
(c) She said that she will arrive at 6 p.m.
(d) She prefers milk than curd.
(a)Ans:- He took off his shoes.
(b)Ans:- I do not know who you are.
(c)Ans:- She said that she would arrive at 6 pm.
(d)Ans:- She prefers milk to curd.
9. HSLC 2019
(a) It can rain tonight.
(b) the cattle is grazing in the field.
(c) Each of the boys play cricket.
(d) How much money you need?
(e) When you do your homework?
(f) I do not know to do it?
(a)Ans:- It may rain tonight
(b)Ans:- The cattle were grazing in the field.
(c)Ans:- Each of the boys plays cricket.
(d)Ans:- How much money do you need?
(e)Ans: When do you do your homework?
(Ans:- I do not know how to do it.
10. HSLC 2020
(a) Her son-in-laws are rich men.
(b) It is raining since morning.
(c) How you know him?
(d) I and he are brothers.
(e) He is senior than me in age.
(f) I do not know to do it.
(a) Ans:- Her sons-in-law are rich men.
(b) Ans:- It has been raining since moming.
(c)Ans:- How do you know him ?
(d) Ans:- He and I are brothers.
(e)Ans:- He is senior to me in age.
(f)Ans:- I do not know how to do it.
COMPOSITION:
(Section-E)
1.TRANSLATION:
1. HSLC-2011
ললিতা এজনী মেধাবী ছাত্রী।
এবছৰ আগতে তাইৰ মোমায়েকে এখন ইংৰাজী অভিধান তাইক উপহাৰ দিছিল। তেওঁ তাইক কৈছিল "এটা ভাষা শিকাত অভিধান এখন প্রয়োজনীয় আহিলা, নহয় নে?
যদি তুমি নতুন শব্দ এটা পোৱা, অভিধানত শব্দটো চাবা আৰু তাৰ অৰ্থ আৰু ব্যৱহাৰ শিকিবা।
অভিধান কেনেকৈ ব্যৱহাৰ কৰিব লাগে তেওঁ তাইক শিকালে।
উপহাৰটো সঁচাকৈ ললিতাক অনুপ্রাণিত কৰিলে।
তেতিয়াৰে পৰা অভিধানখন পঢ়া কোঠাত তাইৰ সংগী হৈ আছে।
এতিয়া পৰীক্ষাৰ কাৰণে তাই খুউব পঢ়ি আছে।
Ans:- Lalita is a meritorious student.
Her uncle gifted her an English dictionary a year ago.
He said to her, "A dictionary is a necessary material in
learning a language, isn't it?"
If you find a new word, look up the word in a
dictionary and learn its meaning and use.
He taught her how to use a dictionary. The gift really inspired her.
The dictionary has been her companion in her study room since then.
She is studying hard for the examination now.

2. HSLC-2012
(a) সজ নাগৰিকসকল দেশ এখনৰ সম্পদ।
(b) দেশখনৰ উন্নতি তেওঁলোকৰ ওপৰত নিৰ্ভৰ কৰে।
(c) ছাত্র অৱস্থা হ'ল প্ৰস্তুতিৰ সময়।
(d) এই সময়তে ছাত্র-ছাত্রীসকলে সজ অভ্যাসবোৰ অনুশীলন কৰা উচিত।
(e) তেতিয়াহে তেওঁলোক ভৱিষ্যতে সুনাগৰিক হ'ব পাৰিব।
(f) এই ক্ষেত্রত শিক্ষকসকলে ছাত্র ছাত্রীক সহায় কৰিব পাৰে।
(a) Ans:- Good citizens are resources of a country.
(b)Ans:- The development of the country depends on
them.
(c)Ans:- Student life is the time of preparation..
(d) Ans:- During this period students should practise the good habits.
(c) Ans:- Then only they will be able to become good citizens in future.
(f) Ans:- In this regard teachers can help students.
3. HSLC-2013
(a) গছৰ পাতবোৰ সেউজীয়া।
(b) গছে আমাক ফুল, ফল আৰু ছাঁ দিয়ে।
(c) জ্ঞানী লোকে কয়, "এজোপা গছ দহজন পুতেকৰ সমান।"
(d) তুমি গছৰ যতন কৰানে?
(e) পৃথিৱীখন সেউজীয়া কৰি ৰাখিবলৈ আমি গছৰ যতন কৰিবলৈ লাগিব।
(f) গছ আৰু প্ৰাণীবোৰ ইটোৱে সিটোৰ ওপৰত নিৰ্ভৰশীল।
(a) Ans: Leaves are green.
(b) Ans:- Trees give us flowers and shade.
(c) Ans:- Wise people say, "A tree is equal to ten sons."
(d) Ans:- Do you take care of trees?
(e) Ans:- We must take care of trees to make the earth green.
(f) Ans:- Trees and animals depend on each other.
4. HSLC-2014
(a) অসম এখন ধুনীয়া প্রদেশ।
(b) ই ভাৰতবৰ্ষৰ উত্তৰ-পূব প্ৰান্তত অৱস্থিত। (c) শ্রীমন্ত শঙ্কৰদেৱ অসমৰ মহানতম ব্যক্তি। (d) মানুহে সদায় লগৰীয়া মানুহক ভাল পাব লাগে।
(e) তুমি মটৰ গাড়ী চলাব জানানে?
(f) শিক্ষক জনে ৰমেনক কলে, "আলিবাট পাৰ হওঁতে সাৱধান হবা।"
(a) Ans:- Assam is a beautiful province.
(b) Ans:- It is in the north-east of India.
(c) Ans:- Srimanta Sankardev is the greatest person in Assam.
(d) Ans:- People should always love their fellow beings.
(e) Ans:- Do you know how to drive a motor car?
(f) Ans:- The teacher said to Ramen, "Be careful while crossing a road."
5. HSLC-2015
(i) মায়ে মোক সুধিছিল, "সচাঁ কথা কৈছানে?"
(ii) মই সাঁতুৰিব নোৱাৰাৰ নিচিনাই।
(iii) তুমি কেতিয়াবা সিংহ দেখিছানে?
(iv) যিজন মানুহ আজি আমাৰ স্কুললৈ আহিছিল তেখেতক মই চিনি পাওঁ।
(v) মই নহালৈকে তুমি ৰ'বা।
(a) Ans:- Mother said to me, "Are you speaking the truth?"
(b)Ans:- I hardly know how to swim.
(c) Ans:- Have you ever seen a lion?
(d)Ans:- I know the man who came to our house today.
(e)Ans:- You will wait until I return.
6. HSLC-2016
(i) এইখন কিতাপ মোৰ আৰু সেইখন তোমাৰ।
(ii) সোন এবিধ মূল্যবান ধাতু।
(iii) অনুগ্ৰহ কৰি তেওঁক দৰ্জাখন খুলিব কোৱা।
(iv) তেওঁ যেতিয়া আহিছিল মই বাতৰি কাকত পঢ়ি আছিলোঁ।
(v) আলিবাট পাৰ হওঁতে সাবধান হ'বা।
(a)Ans:- This book is mine and that is yours.
(b)Ans:- Gold is a precious metal.
(c)Ans:- Please ask him to open the door.
(d)Ans:- When he came I was reading a newspaper.
(e)Ans:- Be careful while crossing a road.
7. HSLC-2017
(i) পৃথিৱীখন ঘূৰণীয়া।
(ii) তেওঁ লোকক ভিতৰলৈ আহিব দিয়া।
(iii) তুমি নিতৌ কিমান সময় লিখা পড়া কৰা?
(iv) আজি ৰাতি বৰষুণ দিব পাৰে।
(v) বুঢ়া মানুহজনে বৰ লাহে লাহে কথা কয়।
(a)Ans:- The earth is round.
(b)Ans:- Let them come in.
(c)Ans:How much time do you study daily?
(d)Ans:- It may rain tonight.
(e)Ans:- The old man speaks very słowly.
8. HSLC-2018
(a) মীনা যেনেকুৱা বুদ্ধিয়ক, লীলাও তেনেকুৱা।
(b) জোনে ৰাতিহে পোহৰ দিয়ে।
(c) তুমি কালি স্কুললৈ গৈছিলানে?
(d) সি ককায়েকক খুব ভাল পায়।
(e) বিষ্ণুৱে কৈছিল, "এইটো কি সুন্দৰ পুতলা!"
(a)Ans:- Mina is as clever as Lila.
(b)Ans:- The moon shines only at night.
(c)Ans:- Did you go to school yesterday?
(d)Ans:- He loves his elder brother very much.
(e)Ans:-Rintu said, "What a nice doll it is!"
9. HSLC-2019
(a) যদুৱে মোক সুধিছিল, "ৰাজু ইংৰাজীত ভালনে?
(b) দোকমোকালিতে শোৱাৰ পৰা উঠাটো তেওঁৰ অভ্যাস।
(c) মিছা কথা কোৱা উচিত নহয়।
(d) সৌ গছডাল ইমান ওখ!
(e) কিতাপখন টেবুলৰ ওপৰত আছে।
( a)Ans:- Jadu said to me, "Is Raju good at English?"
(b)Ans:- Getting up at dawn is his habit / To get up early in the morning is his habit.
(c)Ans:- A fie should not be told. / We should not tell a lie.
(d)Ans:- How tall that tree is!
(e)Ans:- The book is on the table.
10. HSLC-2020
(a) আকাশত মেঘ নাছিল।
(b) শিক্ষকে কৈছিল, সদায় সচাঁ কথা কবা।
(c) তুমি নদীখন সাঁতুৰি পাৰ হব পাৰিবানে
(d) প্ৰতিজ্ঞা ৰক্ষা কৰিব লাগে।
(e) মৌ মিঠা।
(f) মোক এটা কলম লাগে।
(a) Ans:- There were no clouds in the sky. / There was no cloud in the sky.
(b) Ans:- The teacher said, "Always speak the truth."
(c) Ans:- Can you swim across the river?
(d) Ans:- A promise should be kept. / One should keep one's promise.

(e) Ans:- Honey tastes sweet. / Honey is sweet when it is tasted.
(f) Ans:- I need a pen. / I am in need of a pen.
Additional Important Questions
A)
i. ক'ভিড-১৯ এটা অতিমাৰী।
ii. ক'ভিডৰ প্ৰথমটো ঘটনা চীনৰ মুহান প্ৰদেশত পোৱা গৈছিল।
iii. ক'ভিড এটা ভাইৰাছ জনিত বেমাৰ।
iv. ক'ভিডৰ কোনো নিদিষ্ট দৰব এতিয়ালৈকে উদ্ভাৱন হোৱা নাই।
৮. ২০১৯ চনৰ পৰা এতিয়ালৈকে ক'ভিডে বিশ্বত সংহাৰী ৰূপ ধাৰণ কৰি আছে।
vi. যোৱাবছৰ বহুতো মানুহ ক'ভিডত মৃত্যু হৈছিল।
Ans:
i. COVID-19 is a pandemic
ii. The first case of COVID-19 was found in Wuhan province, China.
iii. COVID is a viral disease
iv. The specific medicine of COVID-19 has ever to be invented.
v. The COVID-19 has been devastating the world since 2019.
vi. Many people died of COVID-19 last year.

B:
i. স্মার্টফ'ন তথ্য-প্রযুক্তিৰ বাবে এক অভিনর অৱদান।
ii. মানুহজনে কৈছিল, "বর্তমান স্মার্টফ'নসমূহ মানৱ জীৱনৰ অভিন্ন অংগ হৈ পৰিছে।"
iii. ৰমেনে যোৱা বছৰ এটা স্মার্টফ'ন কিনিছিল।
iv. ক'ভিডৰ বাবে সি ফ'নটো পড়াত ব্যৱহাৰ কৰি আছে।
v. অতিমাত্রা স্মার্টফ'নৰ ব্যৱহাৰ স্বাস্থ্যৰ পক্ষৰ বাবে হানিকাৰক।
vi. প্রত্যেকে ইয়াক ন্যাযতাপূর্ণভাৱে ব্যৱহাৰ কৰা উচিত।
Ans:
i. Smartphone is an unprecedented gift for Information and Communication Technology.
ii. The man said, "The smartphones have become a part and parcel of human life.
iii. Ramen bought a smartphone last year.
iv. He has been utilizing his phone in studies due to COVID pandemic
v. Excessive usage of smartphone is injurious to health.
vi. Everyone should use it judiciously.
C:
i. কাজিৰঙা অসমৰ প্ৰথমখন ৰাষ্ট্ৰীয় উদ্যান।
ii. কাজিৰঙা এখন ৰাষ্ট্ৰীয় উদ্যান হিচাপে ১৯৭৪ চনত ঘোষণা কৰা হৈছিল।

iii. কাজিৰঙা ৰাষ্ট্ৰীয় উদ্যানৰ লগতে এখন বিশ্ব ঐতিহ্য ক্ষেত্রও।
iv. ছোৱালীজনীয়ে মোক সুধিছিল," তুমি কেতিয়াবা কাজিৰঙালৈ গৈছানে?"
v. মই কলো যে যোৱাবছৰ মই তালৈ গৈছিলোঁ।
vi. কিন্তু যাত্ৰা কৰাৰ আগতেই বৰষুণ দিবলৈ ধৰিছিল।
Ans:
i. Kaziranga is the first national park of Assam
ii. Kaziranga was declared as a national park in 1974.
iii. Kaziranga is not only a national park but also a world heritage site.
iv. The girl asked me, "Have you ever been to Kaziranga?"
v. I said that I went there last year.
vi. But it had started raining before we set out.
OR
SUBSTANCE WRITING:
Give the substance of the following passages:
It is very difficult to get rid of bad habits. So, one should be very careful that one does not form bad habits during the early years of life. idleness is one of such bad habits. Every boy and girl should be diligent. They should avoid idleness like poison. Some of them love to remain in bed long after daybreak and get out of bed most unwillingly. Even after that they waste time over trifles and spend as little time as they can in reading. As a result, they cannot learn much as they should.what is worse, they become so accustomed to such a bad habit that they cannot shake it off- even with their greatest efforts. This bad habit then holds them hard in its coils like a large snake.
Answer: Bad habits are very hard to eliminate from life. So, its formation must be prevented at an early age of life. For that, hard work is necessary. Idleness is such kind of poisonous bad habit, and it must be avoided. Waking up too late is perhaps a sign of such idleness. They like to spend time in fruitless deeds but does not get involved in useful activities like reading etc. Because of which learning process is interrupted. If bad habits become a part of one's life, that person cannot remove it, even if he or she wishes to do it so.
2. Early rising leads to health and happiness. The man who rises late, can have little rest in course of the day. Anyone who lies on bed late is compelled to work till a late hour in the evening. He has to go without the evening exercise which is so necessary for his health. Inspite of all his effort his work will not produce as good results as that of the early riser. The reason for this that he cannot take advantages of the refreshing hours of the morning. Some people say that the quiet hours of midnight is the best time for working. Several great thinkers say that they can write best only when they burn the midnight oil. Yet it is true to say that few men have a clear brain at midnight, when the body needs rest and sleep. Those who work at that time soon ruin their health. Bad health must in the long run have a bad effect on the quality of their work.
Ans: Though working standard is different from man to man, early rising has a lot of benefits in every spheres of life. Anyone who rises and goes to bed late, cann't take advantages of a refreshing life. Though most of the thinkers prefers the midnight for noted creatures but our body requires a specific rest and sleep. Late rising may ruin health and effect on the quality work in future.
3. Among the manifold misfortune that may befall humanity, the loss of the health is one of the severest. All the joys that life can give can not outweight the suffering of the sick. Give the sickman everything and leave him his sufferings, and he will feel that half the world is lost to him.
Lay him on a soft silken couch, he will nevertheless groan sleepless under the pressure his sufferings, while the miserable beggar, blessed with health, sleeps sweetly on the hard ground. Spread his table with dainty dishes and choices drinks and he will thrust back the hand that proffers them and envy the poor man who throughly enjoys his hard crust. Surrounding him with the pomp of kings. Let his chair be a throne, and his crutch a world - swaying sceptre. He will look with contemptuous eyes on marble and gold, and would deem himself happy could he enjoy, even were it under a thatched roof, the health of the meanest of his servants.
Ans: The loss of health is one of the chief misfortune that may be fall humanicy. Due to this misfortune one can not enjoy the beauties of life properly, as while a beggar sleeps sweetly and comfortably on the hard ground. As the poor man enjoys his hard crust, a sickman cannot; instead of it, he will look with contemptous eyes on marble and gold, and would deem himself happy could he enjoy the health of the meanest of his servants.
4. There are books which are really no books at all, and to read which is mere waste of time; while there are others so sad that we cannot read them without great harm. It is no doubt good to be warned against temptations and dangers of life; but anything that familiarizes us with evil is in itself an evil. So also there are others which one can read without being the better of them. By useful literature we do not mean only what will help a man in his business or profession. That is useful no doubt, but by no means the highest use of books. The best books raise us into a region of selfless thought where the troubles and anxieties of the world are almost forgotten.
Ans: There are some books that open the door of evils. Reading such books are sheer waste of time. These useless books harm the readers greatly while useful books help them in their chosen of profession. The best literature provokes the nature of the reader's philanthropy and optimism.
2.ESSAY WRITING:
a) A journey by Bus
(HSLC 15)
Answer:
A Journey by Bus
invited us to visit his house. My father told him over It was the month of April. Our school was closed for five days because of the Bohag Bihu. My father has a close childhood friend in Guwahati. He phone about going to Guwahati during the holidays of Bohag Bihu. We were four in the party-my father, mother and my younger sister, Doly.
It was Sunday after the two days of the Bohag Bihu. We got up very early On that day. Both I and Doly were very excited for a long journey by bus as we had never had a long journey before. My father was also excited to meet his friend after a couple of years. We reached the bus station before due time. My father preferred to make the journey by State Corporation's bus. He had booked four tickets in a few minutes. Then we got into the bus and took our seat I took the window seat to enjoy the passing beauty of nature with tea gardens, hills and rivers. The bus was almost full with passengers, many of whom we knew.
In the meantime, the driver came in and took his usual seat. The condctor rang the bell. The bus stared to move and our long bus journey also started with our thrilling minds at 6 a.m. Familiar Scenes in both sides of the road passed out of sight. In one hour, the bus reached Bokakhat where a few passengers got into the bus.
The day was bright and clear. A gentle breeze was blowing. After an hour, we reached Konhora. We saw Kaziranga National Park, Going along Kaziranga cheered me up. Plants with newly sprouted leaves at both sides of the road added serene beauty to Nature. We saw two rhinos grazing at a little distance from the national highway My younger sister, Doly whistled in glee. Other passengers also enjoyed with my jolly sister..Our bus passed through many tea gardens. That was a very magnificent view. The tea gardens in both sides of the road stretches beyond our sight. Passing along with eye catching scenery, we reached Jakhalabandha where the bus halted for half an hour. Almost all the passengers including us got down the bus for refreshment. We too entered a hotel and had our refreshment. Then, the bus started again to the destination. After passing along many places -Nagaon, Amoni, Sanapur, Jurabat etc. we reached Dispur Last Gate around 1-30 pm where our uncle, my father's bosom friend was waiting for us. As soon as the bus stopped, we got down. My father took the luggage out of the bus and uncle helped him to hold those. Both of them were so happy to meet each other that tears of joy came out. Then he took us his home in his own car,
b) Your favourite Game (HSLC 12)
*Prepare yourself
c) Discipline Answer: Discipline
(HSLC 14)
Introduction: Discipline means the habit of proper training of the mind and character. The word 'discipline' derives from the word 'disciple' that means a learner. So, discipline indicates learning of some rules. In every walk of life, everyone has to obey certain rules. This obedience to rule is called discipline
Its importance in life: Discipline is necessary in every walk of life. It is necessary at home, in school, in office, in the army or is any other union or institutions
We live in society. We can not do whatever we want to do. We are to abide by certain rules. Otherwise we will be in chaos and disorder in the society. If we look family obey the head. If every member does not act according to his will, the family will break down for want of discipline. in our family, there is discipline. The members of the
Its value in the life of a student In student life, discipline has great importance. Students are to obey their parents and teachers. They are to follow the rules of the school. Good education with all round development is impossible without discipline. In the playground the players must maintain discipline to win the game. They must obey their captain's order. Players must bow down to the decisions of the referee or the umpire.
Its importance in the army: In the army, discipline is of the utmost importance. soldiers must obey the command of the superior officers even at the cost of death. They must not protest. They are to do and die. A disciplined army is a great strength of the country.
Its value in public life: In public life, discipline plays a greater role to keep the society in proper order. Discipline ensures peace and prosperity in the society. A government can not run unless there is discipline among the staff.
Conclusion: It seems as if discipline takes away individual freedom. But really speaking,it is not as so. It is not a license to do anything and everything what one likes to do. Discipline is a sound key to success. So, students must be disciplined first to be successful in life.


d) Physical Exercise (HSLC 13, 18)
Answer: Physical Exercise
Introduction: Movement of the various limbs of the body is called physical exercise. It implies exertion of the different parts of the body. It helps us to increase our strength and stamina. It is especially necessary for those who work more with their brain than with their hands. There is a close relationship between the mind and the body. A sound mind in a sound body 'is source of happiness. A person having a sound body gets new vigor and energy in performing his duty. He is always cheerful and gay. Physical exercise helps us to prevent different diseases of the body. To take physical exercise regularly is one of the best means of preserving health.
Its different forms: There are different forms of
physical exercises. Each one is as good as the other. Outdoor games like football, hockey, volleyball, cricket, tennis, kabaddi etc are very fruitful exercises. They bring all the body muscles into play. They keep the body free from any ailments. Walking, riding, running, swimming, rowing etc are also very good for health. Besides all these, jogging is a very popular exercise. 'Yogic asanas' or postures have great value for the body. Some exercises should be taken under the guidance of a physical instructor.
Why it is essential: Physical exercise is very important for smooth and sound running of life. Physical exercise improves our health. It makes our body strong and active. Health is wealth. A person who does not take physical exercise regularly becomes weak in health. Life becomes a burden to him. Many students do not take exercise. They spend all their time in study. As a result limbs of their bodies become weak. They bring ruin to their health and become unfit for hard labour. Even they are unable to pay attention in their studies with a rejuvenated mind.
Rules for physical exercise: There are certain rules for physical exercise Which should be strictly followed. Taking exercises in a wrong way tells upon the health. An open space in the open air is the best place for physical exercises. Early morning or afternoon is the best time for taking physical exercise. We should not do any physical exercise after was full meal. Exercise should always be regular and moderate. Over-exercise is also bad for health.
Conclusion: Now-a-days, physical exercise has been made a subject of school curriculum. We think physical exercise should be made compulsory in our schools. Proper education should be accompanied by physical exercise. It is our duty to keep ourselves healthy and strong through taking regular physical exercise. We can not prosper in life if we do not have a healthy body. So our motto should be 'a sound mind in a sound body'.
e) Your school Library (HSLC 17)
Answer: Our School Library
The word 'library' means a building, room or set of rooms, or organization that has a collection especially of books, magazines or other audio-visual materials for people to read or watch and borrow usually without payment. Learning is a never ending training. It is the voyage of discovering more that encourages us to learn. School libraries play a vital role in education system and are an essential part of school set up. process. It is not limited to classroom lectures and
We are fortunate to have a very good and well setup library in our school. There are five thousand books in our library. The books are kept in many big wooden almirahs having glass panes. Our librarian manages the library. He arranges the books. Besides text books we have books on travels, biographies, history, geography, science etc. in each almirah, Topics of subjects are written to find books easily.

Different subjects and topics have different codes. All the books are arranged subject wise. Each almirah has a catalogue. One almirah has books on teaching and reference books. They are only for teachers. Our Jibrary has a reading room full of tables and chairs. The newspapers, magazines and periodicals are placed on the big tables for the use of students. The walls of the room are decorated with good mottos and paintings. There is A row of photos of different authors, poets who developed their lives for literature and are known at world and Indian level.
All the students visit library as per their classroom visit schedule... Library cards are to be carried to visit library. Our librarian is very helpful in locating and selecting books as per our needs. We allowed to borrow one book at a time and the records for the same are maintained by the librarian. We need to ensure that the books are not damaged by and are returned on time.
The school library is a good way to supply general knowledge to the readers. Students beget studious habits. It provides chance to make best use the leisure time. It gives us day-to-day news of the world. of
No school is complete without a library. ! am, in fact proud of my school library. I have learnt punctuality, regularity, habit of hardworking and moral teachings from books. Library is the source of never ending source of wisdom. So, everyone has regular visit to library.

f) Duties of a student (HSLC 11)
Answer:
Duties of a Student
Introduction: Students of today are the citizens of tomorrow. They are the repository of all that is vital and vigorous in society. They are the vital sources in the social organism. They are the part of a family, a part of a society and in fact part of a country.
Duties of students: Student life is the best season of life to sow seeds of various qualities. In student life, students have many duties to perform properly in due time. Such as-duties to themselves, duties to the family, duties to the society and duties to the humanity etc.
Duties to themselves: The first duty of students is towards themselves. They should try to have good health because one can not do anything great without sound health. So, they should do regular physical exercise in an open space and take healthy diet. They should owe to themselves for character formation. They should cultivate good habits like mixing up with good companions, behaving honestly with everyone, are speaking the truth, respecting elders etc. The good habits that are formed in the student life last throughout the life. So, they should develop decency, us good manners and good behavior towards others. They should pay full attention to their studies, for it is their studies which shall determine their future course of life. They should be industrious, persevering and punctual to become successful in life because all these are the keys to success.
Duties towards the family: besides having duties towards themselves, students have duties to their parents, elders and teachers. Parents who are responsible for their having come into the beautiful, delightful world have a moral claim upon their children. Students should not do anything that tarnishes the image of the family. Next to parents come teachers who shows the students the path of light guiding them to course through the life. Students should always pay sanctified respect to them.

Duties towards society and nation: Man is a social being. Social service in holidays or vacations leads to the liberation of the self which in turn leads to the ennoblement of the soul. Besides this spiritual gain, students can get experience of an education in harmonious social living. They can help in the eradication of social evils like infant marriages, casteism, untouchability etc. During the pandemic condition of flood, students can play an important role in helping the refugees in their camp. In this way, they have various scopes for doing some good towards the society.
Duties to the humanity service to the humanity is the crying need of the time. The whole world is one family. They should try to develop sense of accommodation for the people of all countries without discrimination on the basis of social or political systems of their countries or the faith or religion of their societies.
Conclusion: The student life is the best time
of cultivating good education and good qualities to perform all their duties properly. So, they must try to make an all round improvement of themselves with proper use of every moment To his advantage.
g)Kaziranga National Park (HSLC 15)
Answer:
Introduction: Bio-diversity has always the core role in
keeping our environment safe and useful. Forest wherein, we have a variety of flora and fauna is an integral part of biodiversity. So far as preservation of forest is concerned, we have protected areas like-wildlife sanctuary, bird sanctuary and national parks. In Assam, we have seven national parks at present. Kaziranga is the oldest national park in Assam.
Description: A national park can be described as a
highly protected area under the control of a state or a nation in which wild lives including biotic or abiotic elements are preserved and protected in a methodical way. Kaziranga is designated as a National Park in 1974. A national park is a Prior to that it was designated as various names. In 1905, Kaziranga was declared as Proposed Reserve Forest. It was named Kaziranga Game Sanctuary in 1916. But the was inappropriate as animals were preserved there, so in 1950 it was renamed Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary by P.D. Stracey, the forest conservationist of that time.
Kaziranga is chiefly famous for one horned rhinoceros, the pride of Assam. Kaziranga is gifted with a diversely found flora and fauna. They include : animals like- wild water buffaloes, India wild boar, sambar barking dear, hog deer, leopard, Indian grey mongoose, white browned gibbon; trees like Hoolong , Sal - and so on.
Kaziranga co-exists among the border areas of Golaghat , Karbi Anglong and Nagaon comprising an are af 382 square kilometers. The mighty Brahmaputra runs through the park. When flood occurs, silt falls upon and becomes the reason to have a massive grassland in Kaziranga. It is one of the largest tracts of protected land in the sub-Himalayan belt, and due to the presence of highly diverse and visible species, has been described as a Biodiversity Hotspot.
Keeping the view of bio-diversitical point of view, the UNESCO declared Kaziranga National Park a World Heritage Site in 1985. In 2006, it became a Tiger Reserve. It is one of the top most tourist spot in Assam. Tourists from inside and outside of India, always find a serine beauty as well as a phenomenal view of the flora and fauna
Conclusion : Although Kaziranga is world famous , there are many problems that it's habitants have to face. During the flood, due to lack of high lands many animals lost their lives. Moreover, lack of systematic animal corridors and over-bridges upon NH 715 (esrtwhile NH 37) cause a lot hampers to the wild lives. Hope all these problems can be solved with the help of government and public support.
 

 Prepare Yourself
h) Conservation of Wild Life(HSLC 11)
i) A Visit to a Place of Historical Interest
(HSLC 12)
j) Floods in Assam
(HSLC 13)
k) The Festival You Like Most
(HSLC 14, 16, 19)
l) Television as a Source of Knowledge
(HSLC 16)
m) Science in Everyday Life
(HSLC 17,20)
n) Your Last Day at School
(HSLC 18)
o) Punctuality
(HSLC 19)
p) Your Favourite Hero in History
(HSLC 19)
q) Travelling as a Part of Education
(HSLC 20)

Probable Essay for 2026
My Aim/Ambition in Life
Every Young Student like us has a wish to be like someone else in future. Some of us want to be a singer, some want to be a scientist, some doctor, some engineer, some want to be a teacher etc. Such a man has naturally a purpose in life and is always enthusiastic to realise his ambition. He also makes sustained efforts to fulfill his ambition.
However, ambition should be within one's reach. There is no fun for crying for the moon.
My ambition is to be a great painter. My teachers have always appreciated my paintings and encouraged me to paint. I haveve painted various subjects varying from nature to portraits. My imagination is sharp and sense of colour is good. This has made me a good painter. I realize that the more I paint the better I get it.
A painter creates an imaginary world for himself. I too can create such a world where I can feel comfortable and happy. I hope to evolve my own style of paintings and set an example for the coming generation of painters.
For this purpose I shall have to study courses on Fine Arts in college and university in Assam and outside Assam in future. As a painter I can express my feelings on the canvas. I want to be a painter with a difference. I wish to have my own paintings exhibited at various exhibitions and art galleries abroad. I only want to be remembered as a painter who contributed greatly to the world of art and left behind some great works in behind for the world to appreciate and marvel at.

2.COVID -19 Pandemic
Ans :
Introduction: Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause respiratory illness in humans. They are called “corona” because of crown-like spikes on the surface of the virus. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the common cold are examples of coronaviruses that cause illness in humans. The new strain of coronavirus : COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The virus has since spread to all continents.
Infection of COVID-19: COVID-19 enters our body through the mouth, nose or eyes. The virus travels to the back of the nasal passages and mucous membrane in the back of the throat. It attaches to cells there, begins to multiply and moves into lung tissue. From there, the virus can spread to other body tissues.
Symptoms of COVID-19: The symptoms of COVID-19 are as follows-
Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, Tiredness, Muscle or body aches, Headaches, loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or running nose, vomiting and diarrhea
Symptoms may appear between two and fourteen days after exposure to the virus. Children have similar, but usually milder, symptoms than adults. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk of more serious complication from COVID- 19.
Remedy: There is no specific medicine to be used for COVID-19. The best defense to prevent COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. One may follow the following remedies -
-Washing the hands frequently
-Wear a multilayered cloth facemask.
-Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of viruses from our hands.
-Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing and coughing.
-Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with those who have coughs, colds or are sick. Stay home if you are sick.
-Use hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
-Greet people with a friendly gesture instead of shaking hands.
Conclusion: People should aware of COVID-19. Lockdown is not the only way to overcome the traumatic situation. Impact of COVID-19 is found in degradation of economy, loss of human resources and unemployment as well as in all sectors of human life. COVID is a pandemic and we have to overcome it.

3. OR
STORY WRITING:
a) Write a story using the outline given bellow and give a suitable title to it.

Outline: A house catches fire - people try to put out the fire with buckets of water,sand - they fail - fire spreads - a small boy runs to his friend's house who has a mobile phone - fire brigade arrives - the fire is put out - people praise the boy for presence of mind.
(HSLC 11, 12)
Ans: An Intelligent boy
A house suddenly caught fire in the evening in our village. Neighbour gathered soon and made hue and vry.Some people started to put out the fire with buckets of water and sand,but they fail.every attempt fail,fire was spreading. A small boy was watching the scene.Then he ran to a friend's house who has a phone connection.From there fire brigade was informed ,They arrived and fire was put out.The was praised for his presence of mind and rewarded as he saved the life and property of so many people.

b) Write a story using the outline given bellow and give a suitable title to it.
(HSLC 13)
Outlines: A king distressed - his people - by to teach them a lesson - he had a big stone put in the middle of road one night - next day a merchant pass and go round it - an officer drive in a carriage did the same - a young boy come riding did the same - all cursed the stone and blamed the government for not removing it - then the king had the stone removed - under it, was a iron box mared " FOR THE MAN WHO MOVES AWAY THIS STONE " - inside a purse full of money - the people were ashamed
Answer: The King And his People
A king was very distressed with his people because they also complained about the working of the administration and never tried to solve anything with their efforts. The King wanted to teach them a lesson. He asked his ministers to put a big stone in the middle of road one night. On the very next day, a merchant passed and go round it complaining the working of the administration. An officer drove in a carriage and did the same. A young boy comes riding also did the same. All cursed the stone and blamed the government for not removing it. The complaint reached to the King. The King came forward and had the stone removed by his own. Under it, there was an iron box on which it was marked " FOR THE MAN WHO MOVES AWAY THIS STONE". Inside the box, there was a purse full of money. The people were ashamed and realized their mistake. From that day onwards they also supported the administration in its working. They not just complained but also gave suggestions altogether.

c) The Lion And the Slave (HSLC 14)
Answer: The Lion and the Slave Once there was a slave. He had a cruel master. He used to treat him badly. He used to beat him and starve him. He was so much fed up that he ran away. He went to a forest. There he saw a lion crying with pain. The slave saw that there was a thorn in the lion paw. He removed the thorn. The lion was relieved of his pain
After a few days, the slave was caught by the king’s men he was ordered to put before the hungry lion. People came to see this act of cruelty.
On the fixed day the slave was put in a big cage and hungry lion was let loose. The lion came roaring towards him. Luckily it was the same lion, it recognised him it licked the slave’s feet. All the spectators were surprised. The slave told them the whole story and the master set him free.
Moral: kindness pays.

d) The Intelligent Hare
(HSLC 15)
Answer: The Intelligent Hare
A lion was getting fed up of hunting. He called all animals and passed an order, “Everyday one of you should come by yourself as my prey”. All animals started to obey this order.
It was the hare’s day. The hare was very sad. As he was going to the lion’s den, he came across an old well. He looked into it. It was very deep and dangerous. He made a plan to his mind.
The lion was very angry that no animal had come that day. The hare slowly came towards the lion. The lion roared “Why are you late?” The hare humbly replied, “Oh my way another lion chased me. I got away with much difficulty to give my life to you, Your Majesty”.
The lion was pleased with the hare. But the thought of another lion in the jungle made him angry. The lion roared “Do you know where he lives?” The hare replied “Yes, Sir. Please come with me”.
The hare took the lion to the old well. He said “Sir, that lion lives in this well”. The lion peeped into the well. He mistook his reflection for another lion. He roared and there was an echo. He thought that the other lion was roaring too and jumped into the well. That was the end of the lion.
MORAL : Wisdom can win might.
e) Outline: A hungry fox roaming in search of food - in the forest - found nothing to eat- saw a crow sitting over a tree with a piece of meat- fox got tempted - ask the crow to sing - crow began to sing - piece of meat fell down from her beak - Fow went way taking the piece of meat.
(HSLC 16, 20)
Ans: The Fox and the Crow
A fox was wandering through the forest.He was very hungry and was in search of food. For the whole day he found nothing to eat. Suddenly the fox saw a crow overhead sitting over a tree with a piece of meat in her beak.
Seeing the piece of meat the fox got tempted and wished to have the piece of meat from the crow. He made a plan to deceive the crow. The fox addressed the crow with a friendly manner and told her that she is gifted with a sweet voice, her voice is melodious but unfortunately he hadn't heard her since a long time. Hearing that the crow melted and begun to sing but when she open her mouth the piece of meat she had in her beak fell down. And then the clever fox picked it up and went away happily. The fox was very happy as his plan was successful. And the crow then got the lesson that Do not trust a flatterer.
f) Write a story in about 150 words using the outline given below and add a title to it.
(HSLC 17, 19)
Outline:- A speedy car hit an old man - escaped - the man was injured grievously - people gathered - showed sympathy to the man - spoke about the evils for rush driving - no one bothered to help the man - two school boys arrived - took the injured to the nearest hospital.
Answer:-
Schoolboys saved an old man
It was on the 12th of February 2021. At about 3 P.M an old man was hit by a speedy maruti swift car. The accident took place on the college tiniali, Golaghat. The old man was severally injured and blood was oozing out from his forehead and legs. He had injuries all over the body. The maruti swift escaped leaving the old man groaning on the street.
A crowd of people gathered at the spot. They were heard delivering lectures on the danger of rush driving. Some were heard blaming the driver while others blamed the police. All expressed sympathy to the unfortunate old man but no one came near to lend him a helping hand.
Just then there arrived Bulen and Kapil. They were two school boys returning from school. Coming to the crowd they noticed the un-identified injured old man groaning on the street. The two boys came near the old man, helped him to stand on his legs. Bulen rushed away and hired an Auto-rickshaw and took the old man to Tejpur Civil hospital.
Moral – Lesson of humanity must be learnt
Or
Two Little Boys Save An Old Man
Jogesh, an old man aged seventy five lived in a suburb adjacent to a small town. Every morning, he would go for a morning walk. One day as he was having a morning walk, a speedy car coming from the opposite direction hit him. He was injured and fell on the road. He was suffering badly. A lot of people gathered on the spot but none of them came to his rescue. They only showed sympathy by talking big. They lectured on the evils of rash driving. Two little boys who were passing by that road saw the suffering man. They immediately called an ambulance. The old man was taken to hospital. He recovered from injuries soon. He then visited the two boys and expressed gratitude as they saved his life.
Moral: Presence of mind is a great quality.

g) Write a story in about 150words using the outlines given below and adding a title to it:
(HSLC 18)
Outline: Twelve fools start on a journey – cross a river – count
themselves – each one not counting himself - each time counts
eleven – passerby offers to produce the twelfth man – pays each
fool a blow – counts twelve

Answer: Mystery of Twelfth Fool
There lived an old man in a village. He had twelve sons, but they were very foolish and idle. The old man was very upset and worried. He advised them to get some work. Finally, they decided that they would travel
along the country to find some profitable work. Accordingly, they set out on a journey to hunt some profitable work for them. For many a day, they kept on walking and left behind many villages and cities. One day they reached on the bank of a river. They had to swim across the river in order to go ahead. When they reached the other side, they thought that one of their brothers might be left behind and they should check it. The eldest brother counted but found eleven. He was horrified. Each one of them tried to find their lost brother, but could not. How could it be? Actually, each time they were counting, they were omitting the one who was trying to make the tally. Thus skipped, the counting resulted a total of eleven. Then a passerby saw their trouble and understood their foolishness. He, in order to rescue them, gave a blow to each one of them and thus he made a tally of twelve. The brothers were happy to see their brother back. They, then thanked the stranger and happily restarted their journey.
Moral: A foolish man makes a simple situation a terrible one, whereas the wise make the hardest situation simpler.
Additional Important Questions
1. Outline: A young man applies for a post ... is told 'no vacancy' ... he notices a pin lying near the floor ... picks it up ... proves to be highly careful ... he gets a job.
Ans:
An Honest Job Seeker
Abdul Karim was an MA in English. He was a very honest boy. He was looking for a job desperately but couldn't manage one. One day he visited a big farm in the town with his curriculum vitae. But the manager of the farm told him that there was no vacancy at the moment. He was leaving the office of the farm when he saw a pin lying near the door. He picked it up, cleaned it well and put it back on the table. He then came out of the door. The manager saw what Abdul Karim had done. He was highly satisfied with Abdul's careful nature. He called him back and offered him the post of Supervisor in the farm.
Moral: Honesty is the best policy.

2. Outline: A boy is in a bank - suddenly some robbers raid bank - the boy quietly escapes through a window - unseen by the robbers he informs the police - the robbers are caught.
Ans:
The intelligent boy
Once upon a time a boy went to a bank to withdraw some money from his account. He saw a large number of people standing in front of the cash counter. So, he stood in a corner near a window and watched the activities in the bank for some time. Suddenly he saw five young men with pistols in hand advancing towards the manager and other staff of the bank.
He heard one of the young men ordered the cashier to hand over the cash. Then the boy realized what was going to happen. He quietly slipped out through the window without the robber's knowledge. He went to a nearby Police Station to inform the police. He told to police what he had seen. Finally, the police reached the bank in no time and arrested the robbers.
Moral: Service to humanity is service to God.

4.LETTER WRITING:
a) Letter to Your Friend
(HSLC 11)
Answer:
Bonda
Guwahati-781026
Jul 17, 2025
My dear Roshni,
How are you? I am fine here at my home. My online examination is over and I think I have done well in the examination. How was yours? As the lockdown period over, it is high time to relax and spend time with nature. So, we are planning to go for a picnic to Kaziranga National Park next week. The visit to the park will be pleasurable and a memorable moment for us. Therefore, I would like to invite you to be a part of our joyous journey. We will have fun together. If you are willing then please correspond at the earliest. I am waiting for a positive response from you.
Your loving Friend, Pinky.
b) Letter to an Editor regarding Frequent Load shedding
(HSLC 11, 15)
Answer:
To,
The editor,
The Assam Tribune,
Guwahati
Date:-21st July,2025 Subject:-Frequent load shedding in Bonda Colony
Sir,
Through your esteemed daily I wish to express my grievance on the frequent load shedding in our Model Colony causing a great deal of inconvenience to the residents. There were days in the last fortnight when there were power cuts for eight hours in a single day. It seems that we have been pushed into the dark ages.
The crippling power cuts have affected the students and the ailing the most. Even the water supply has been affected. The long power cuts at night are a security hazard as the area is enveloped in darkness and the residents feel scared to move about on the roads.
We think, the increasing population of the town, poor maintenance of the power generating units, power theft etc. are some of the reasons behind this frequent load shedding.
On behalf of the residents of the Bonda Colony,vit is my sincere request to the concerned authorities that action be taken at the earliest to mitigate the problem.
Yours faithfully
XYZ
Bonda Colony

c) Letter to an Editor regarding Frequent road accident
(HSLC 12)
Answer:
To,
The Editor
The Assam Tribune
Dated: 21st July,2025
Sub: Frequent road accidents in our city.
Sir,
Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authority towards the problem of frequent road accidents in our city. For the last two months the number of road accidents has been tremendously increasing. More than ten persons have died so far and more than thirty have injured in this period according to a media report. So definitely there is an overwhelming sense of fear amongst the residents of the city. The road accidents are mainly caused due to the harsh biking habits of the youth and drink and drive cases. Moreover, the roads are not wide enough to handle the increasing rush of motor vehicles during morning and afternoon hours. The situation cannot be handled by the few numbers of traffic police the city has. So, the police department of motor vehicles should take proper initiative to recruit more traffic police personnel. The roads should be widened. The youth must exercise great control while driving and parents should not hand over a motorbike to an under eighteen boy.
Yours Faithfully
Mr. X
d) Write a letter to your friend asking him/her to join for a picnic.

(HSLC 13)
Answer:
Rangajan
Golaghat-785702
Dec 12, 2020
My dear Neel,
How are you? I am fine here at my home. My online examination is over and I think I have done well in the examination. How was yours? As the lockdown period over, it is high time to relax and spend time with nature. So, we are planning to go for a picnic to Kaziranga National Park next week. The visit to the park will be pleasurable and a memorable moment for us.
Therefore, I would like to invite you to be a part of our joyous journey. We will have fun together. If you are willing then please correspond at the earliest. I am waiting for a positive response from you.
Your loving Friend,
Pinku.

e) Write an application to your Headmaster/Principal praying for a halfholiday, to celebrate the victory of your school team in the inter-school volleyball tournament.
(HSLC 14, 20)
Answer:
To,
The Principal/Headmaster
X High school
Dated: 11th Feb, 2021
Sub: Prayer for a half-holiday.
Sir,
We are glad to inform you that the volleyball team of our school has won the district level Inter School Volley Ball Tournament held on the 7th of this month. The volleyball team wants to celebrate this graceful moment of victory today during afternoon hours.
Therefore I, on behalf of the team request you to kindly grant a half-holiday of the school today. I shall remain grateful for this act of kindness of yours.
Yours Faithfully
Y
Sports Secy.

f) Write a letter to your friend telling him about your daily life
(HSLC 16)
Answer:
Rangajan
Golaghat-785702
Dec 12, 2020
My dear Neel,
How are you? I am fine here. Time is very precious and a good time management skill is the prime ingredient of success. Today, I am going to write about my daily life so as to tell you how I manage my daily life. My daily life begins at 5 O’ clock in the morning with the sound of birds chirping which alarms that another busy day has just started. Soon after I leave my bed, I step out to a nearby open field to have some exercise and to feel the freshness of morning air. Coming back, I have a cup of tea or milk and sit on the study table. Then at 7 O’clock, I start my preparation for school and leave for school at around 8.30 AM. At school, we have a specific routine and life at school goes on in a mechanical way. During break time I have some joyous activities with my friends. By the Afternoon the school is over and I have some time to spare with my neighbourhood friends. Whenever I have any vacations, I like to visit my relatives and go for an outing with my family. As time is more precious than any costly metal, I see to it that in my daily life, even a single moment is not wasted. Please write a few words about yours. Convey my regards to your parents and your brother also.
Your loving Friend,
Pinky.


g) Write a letter to your father/guardian requesting him/her to send you some money that you need to buy a new set of uniforms
(HSLC 17)
Answer:
Jonaki Nagar
Golaghat-785621
Nov 21, 2020
My dear father,
I am glad to let you know that I am fine here in my hostel and my the examination is going on gracefully. Hopefully, everyone is good and fine there at home. I am extremely sorry to inform you that my old set of uniforms has become unworthy of use anymore. The white shirt has faded out and loosened its stitches. The blue trouser has become too short to use. So, I shall need one thousand rupees to replace my old set of uniforms with a new one. Please send me the money at the earliest so that I can get rid of the inconvenience very soon. With love to you, Mother and my brother Karan.
Yours Affectionately
Dhiraj
h) Write a letter to your friend telling me how you will spend your vacation after the examination.
(HSLC 18)
Answer:
Dergaon
Golaghat-785621
Feb 19, 2021
My dear Neel,
How are you? I am fine here. Our examination is going on gracefully and it will be over by Monday next. I will breathe to relax when the examination will finally finish. I have a good plan regarding how I will spend my holidays until the results are declared. After finishing the examination, I will have some outings. I will visit my maternal uncle’s home in Jorhat. I have a cousin named Ramesh. We two will wander about the town with my uncle or aunt. We will visit the Science meuseum, the Kalakshetra, and many other places. However, I will not spend the entire vacation there. I am thinking that after a week’s visit I will return home. Here I will take a computer coaching class, and join a career counseling program. You know, how beneficial they are in the modern competitive career world! Please write a few words about yours. Convey my regards to your parents and your brother also.
Your loving Friend,
Pinky.

i) Letter to an Editor regarding crime against women
(HSLC 19)
Answer:-
To,
The Editor Golaghat
The Assam Tribune, 12-02-2021
Guwahati
Subject: Regarding crime against woman
Sir,
Though your esteemed Daily I beg to express my serious concern and also beg to draw popular attention to the burning topic of increased incidents of crime against women which have made the Indians ashamed and it should be stopped forthwith. The Nirbhaya incidents in Delhi and many other similar incidents have lowered the dignity of the average Indians.
In Assam too violence against women has become a common matter. Many incidents of shameful nature have been reported through Print and Electronic Media. People should make collective effort to stop such violence because women are as worthy citizens as the man folk.
You are requested to publish this letter for public interest and awareness
Yours faithfully
XYZ


Additional Important Questions

1.You are Suresh/ Sukanya of Ward No 10 , Jorhat, Assam. Write a letter to your friend Biki/Bikashita describing your preparation for the upcoming 2022 HSLC examination.
Ans:
Ward No- 10
Jorhat , Assam
6th February, 2022
Dear Suresh/Sukanta (write any one)
No information has been shared from you for a period of time. This may be the reason of your preparation for the forthcoming HSLC examination. Hope your preparation is going on with proper pace.
Although my preparation is enhancing with the motion of time , but it is not up to the mark. Problem arises in the equation of trigonometry as well as in other algebraic solutions. Moreover, periodic tables and several scientific equations of atoms as well as magnetic theory have perplexed me for sometimes. Hope all these hurdle will be overcome before examination. Other subjects' preparation is quite satisfactory.
No more today. Give my regards to your parents.
Reply soon.
Your friend
Biki/Bikashita (write any one)

2. Write a letter to your friend Rajiv/Rajlakhi informing the way how you have spent the lockdown time during COVID-19 period. You are Sanjay/Sanshita of 26 Golaght , Assam.

Ans :
26 Golaght
Assam ,PIN -785626
6th February, 2022
Dear friend Rajiv/Rajlakhi (write any one)
How are you? I am quite well. Hope you are also well by the grace of Almighty.

Today I am going to inform you the ways how I have spent the lockdown time during COVID-19 pandemic. You know that the second wave of Noval Corona virus had swept way during the time from late April to August, 2021.
The disaster management authority of Assam has taken measures like- semi to complete lockdown during that period. Schools were remained closed from 6th May,2021 to mid September, 2022. Consequently, we had to spend the span of five months at home.
During that period I followed a specific routine of studies. I woke up early in the morning and continued my studies from 5 am to 9 am. Aftet that I attended the online classes taken by our teachers. In the afternoon I played the guitar for mental satisfaction abd utilised the time by drawing several scratches of famous personalities.At night , again I continue my study and go yo bed at 10.30 pm.
Give my regards to your parents. Reply as soon as possible.
Your loving friend
Sanjay/Sanshita

5. OR

REPORT WRITING

a) A newspaper reporter was sent to report on a disastrous fire. Below you can see one page of his notebook. Prepare a report for a newspaper using the information given below. Do not add any new information.
(HSLC 11, 17)

Madhupur Bazar destroyed by a huge fire_ Oct 15,2010_ Time 6pm_ A gas cylinder burst in a small hotel _ Fire spread_ The nearest hut caught fire_ The sheds of the bazar on fire_ The fire brigade arrived after 15 minutes_ Nobody injured_ The loss of property significant_ At 6.30pm the fire was brought under control
Answer:
Headline : Devastating fire at Madhupur Bazaar
Madhupur, Oct 15,2010 : A devastating fire that occurred in Madhupur bazaar at 6pm had burnt many shops and had caused considerable loss of several lakhs of rupees. The fire originated when a gas cylinder burst in a small hotel and quickly spread to the nearest hut and surrounded the bazaar. Fire brigade arrived after 15 minutes and put out the fire at about 6.50pm. Nobody was injured.

or

Bazaar Gutted
Madhupur, 15 October:- A devastating fire broke out in the Madhupur bazaar at around 6 p.m. yesterday destroying the bazaar completely. The fire started from the burst of a gas cylinder in a small hotel nearby the bazaar. The fire spread quickly from the hotel to the nearby hut. Soon the shed of the bazaar was on fire and engulfed the entire bazaar. The fire brigade arrived after fifteen minutes and the fire was brought under control at around 6:30pm. Nobody was injured during the incident. However, the fire caused a significant loss of properties.

b) A newspaper reporter was sent to report on a daring bank robbery. You can see a page from his notebook. Prepare a report for a newspaper using the information given below. Do not add any new information.
(HSLC 12)
• Bank robbed
• September 15,2011 – 4.30pm
• State Bank of India, Hengrabari, Guwahati
• 4 persons threatened the bank staff at gun point
• Collected 15 lacs and fled
• Nobody injured
• Police investigation
• No arrest has been made yet
Answer:
Headline : Bank robbery at Guwahati
Guwahati, September 15 : A daring bank robbery took place in the Hengrabari area of Guwahati today, at about 4.30pm. As per reports, 4 persons forced into the Hengrabari branch of SBI, threatened the bank staff, looted Rs 15 lacs and fled away. Nobody was injured. Police investigation is going on. No arrest has been made yet.

Or

Bank Robbed at Gun Point

Guwahati, Sept 16:- State Bank of India, Hengravari Branch, was robbed at gun point by some miscreants at about 4:30 pm yesterday. According to sources, four gunmen whose faces were covered with black clothes entered the bank and threatened the bank staff. They looted all the cash money from the cash counter and fled from the scene by two motorcycles parked outside the bank. About 15 lacs rupees were reported to be taken away from the bank by the miscreants. However, the locker is safe and nobody was injured during the incident. The police was informed of the matter immediately after the incident. Meantime, the police have been investigating the matter. However, no arrest has been made so far.

c) Prepare a newspaper report using the information given below. Do not add any new information.
(HSLC 13)
• Road accident
• Dec 31st, 2012 – 9.30pm
• Ganesguri flyover, Guwahati
• A speeding motorbike knocks down an old man on the road
• The man dies, the biker severely injured
• Policemen and ambulance van arrive, the injured and the dead sent to GMC
Answer:

Headline : One died, one injured in road
accident
Guwahati : Dec 31,2012 : An old man died when a
speeding motorbike knocked him down on the road.
The accident occurred around 9.30 pm, near the
Ganesguri flyover. As per the sources, the biker was
severely injured too. Policemen and ambulance arrived
soon and the injured and the dead were sent to G. M.
C.
Or
One Dies in Road Accident
Guwahati, 31 December:- One person died in a
serious road accident at Ganeshguri flyover at around
9:30p.m. yesterday. According to sources, an old man
was walking along the road while a speeding motorbike
knocked him down from behind at the Ganeshguri
flyover killing him on the spot. The young biker was also
seriously injured in the incident. The policemen and
ambulance van arrived in time and both the dead and
injured were sent to the G.M.C. The condition of the
injured person is critical.
d) Prepare a newspaper report using the
information below. Do not add any new
information. (HSLC 14)
 Celebration of Teachers' Day
 September 5th, 2013 – 10.00 am
 Function organized by the students and
presided over by the Headmaster
 Speakers including students spoke on
the significance
 Students felicitated teachers
 Closing of the function
Answer:
Headline : Teachers’ Day Celebration
Guwahati : Sept 6th, 2013 : Teachers' Day was
celebrated in J. M. S High School yesterday. The
function was organized by the students and presided
over by the Headmaster. In the meeting held in the
school auditorium, students and teachers spoke on the significance of the day. Teachers had been felicitated
by the students. The function ended with the Asom
Sangeet.
e) A flood relief work was done by the students
of your school. Write a report for your local daily
using the information given below. Do not add
any new information. (HSLC 15)
 Date and time of work
 How the place was reached
 Number of students taking part
 Number of people affected
 Relief materials distributed
 Conclusion
Answer:
Headline : Flood relief work by PX High
School
Golaghat : August 10th, 2014 : The students of P. X
High School undertook a flood relief work among the
flood affected people of Dhemaji area in Dergaon
yesterday . The students collected medicine, clothes
and food items. They started the journey at 12.10 pm
and reached the relief camp by 2 pm. A total of eight
students took part in the relief work. The number of
people affected by the severe flood was about 2000.
The students were helped by the local people in
reaching the location and in distribution of the
materials.
f) Write a report for a newspaper on the basis of
the information given below.
(HSLC 16, 19)
 20-11-2015
 Guwahati
 The Guwahati Book Fair commenced
 Opened by the Hon’ble Governor of
Assam
 Publishers from the state and outside
participated
 Nice opening function – large gathering
and good sale expected 
Answer:
Headline : Guwahati Book Fair
Guwahati, Nov 21st 2015 : The annual Guwahati Book
Fair has commenced from yesterday. It was formally
declared opened by the Hon’ble Governor of Assam.
About 350 stalls are set up by publishers from both
the state and outside. Large gathering and good sale is
being expected. The opening function was a nice one
with a number of cultural items.
g) Write a report for a local daily on the
information given below. (HSLC 17)
 5.02.2016
 Guwahati
 Fire in Athgaon area
 One godown gutted
 Fire fighters and local people doused the
fire
 Goods worth several lacs burnt to ashes
Answer:
Headline : Devastating fire at Athgaon area
Guwahati, Feb 2nd, 2016 : A devastating fire broke out
in Athgaon area of Guwahati today. One godown was
completely gutted and goods worth several lacs were
burnt to ashes. Fire fighters and local people worked
bravely and doused the fire nearly after two hours. No
casualty reported.
h) Write a report for a local daily on the basis of
the information given below.
(HSLC 18)
 12.08.2017
 Majuli
 Embankment of the Brahmaputra
breached
 Flood water from Arunachal hills added to
the fury of the flood caused by the breach
 Large areas inundated by the flood water
and several villages and paddy fields
severely affected
 Govt relief not enough for the flood
affected people
 Many organizations came forward to help
the affected people with relief materials
Answer:
Headline : Flood situation worsen in Majuli
Majuli, Aug 12th, 2017 : Flood situation in Majuli has
deteriorated as the embankment of the Brahmaputra
river has been breached. The situation is further
worsen by the flood water from the Arunachal hills.
Large areas have been inundated by the flood water
and several villages and paddy fields are severely
affected. Many organizations have come forward to
help the people with relief materials. Relief materials
provided by the government was not enough.
h) Write a report for a local daily on the basis of
the information given below.
(HSLC 20)
 Guwahati, 16.02.2020
 Annual prize day of your school
 A festive atmosphere in the school
 The Education Minister was the Chief
guest
 He gave away the prizes and gave an
encouraging speech
Answer:
Headline : Annual Prize Day Celebration at
ABS School
Guwahati, Feb 16,2019 : The annual prize distribution
function of A. B. S High School was held today in the
school premises. The Headmaster presided over the
meeting while the Education Minister was the Chief
Guest of the day. The school was surrounded by a
festive atmosphere. The Chief Guest gave an
encouraging speech and also gave away the prizes.

Additional Important Questions
1. Write a report from the following
information-
*COVID-19 vaccination
*Venue- ABC H.S School
*Date- 8th January,2022
*Age group - 15-18
Ans:
COVID-19 Vaccination Drive
Golaghat , 9th Jan,2022: The mega vaccination
programme among school going students under
the age group ranging from 15 to 18 years old
taken by dept of Health and Family Welfare has
taken place at ABC H.S School on 8th January,
2022. The vaccination drive was initiated by P.
Hazarika, GNM , Kushal Konwor Civil Hospital at
11 am.
After successful completion of the
vaccination, Mr. Arup Bania , Principal of ABC H.S
School said , " 361 students out of 381 have bern
vaccinated , among the remaining 20 students 15
are below the standard age mark and 5 students
have taken JE vaccination. They have yet to be
completed the mandatory 28 days after
vaccination." Photo-Id of each of the vaccinated
students has been enrolled in proper format for
records."
The programme was ended with a photo shoot
with a few of the students, nursing staff and school
authority. Before that the school authority had
arranged lunch for the nursing staff.
2. Write a report from the following
information-
*Saraswati puja , 2022 celebration
*KB High School, Dergaon
*Maintainance of COVID protocols
*Students pray the goddess of wisdom
*Prasads were distributed.
Ans:
Celebration of Saraswati Puja
Dergaon, 5th February, 2022: Saraswati Puja is
celebrated with much joy and fervour here today
at KB High School , Dergaon . The Puja holds significance for students, academicians and artists.
Educational institutes organise Puja in honour of
Goddess Saraswati and students ardently
participate in the preparations. From wearing
traditional dresses, offering prayers, preparing
khichdi (a healthy dish made of rice and lentils)
and inviting people to seek the blessings of
Goddess Saraswati, it is no less than an annual
event of great significance.
The spirit of celebrating Saraswati Puja,
however, has been dampened by the COVID
pandemic and rainy weather in this year. Although
no new restrictions have been imposed ahead of
the Puja celebrations, the State health minister
Keshab Mahanta has cautioned the people to
follow the mandatory Covid-19 protocols and
guidelines.
The puja is celebrated among the vaccinated
students of classes ranging from IX to XII. Rhituraj
Gogoi , G.S of the Union Body said ," This time
we have not taken the risk of allowing the
students from lower classes i.e- VI , VII and VIII
due to the spread of COVID-19."
The puja was ended with a prayer to the goddess
of knowledge.
READING COMPREHENSION:
(Started from 2015)
1.Unseen paragraphs with questions for
weightage of 5 marks:
1. Read the following passage carefully and
answer the questions that follows:
(HSLC 15)
The great advantage of early rising is that one
can start one's work long before others. The early
riser has done a large amount of hard work before
other men have got out of bed. Early in the
morning the mind is fresh and no sounds or noise
disturb our attention. The work done at that time
is generally well done. Also one finds time to take
some exercise in the fresh morning air. Exercise
supplies him with a good deal of energy that
enables him to work hard until the evening. By
beginning so early, he knows that he has plenty of time to do his work thoroughly. He does not have
to hurry over any part of his work. He gets to
sleep long before midnight. At that time sleep is
most refreshing. After a night's sound rest, he rise
early next morning in good health ready for the
labour of a new day.
(i) What advantages does an early
riser have over others?
Ans : The great advantage of early
riser has that he can start his work
long before others.
(ii) Why should one take excercise
in the morning and begin one's work
so early?
Ans : One should take exercise in
the morning because it supplies
him with good deal of energy that
enables him to work hard until the
evening. Besides that, by beginning
so early, he knows that he has
plenty of time to do his work
thoroughly.
(iii) What are the uses of going to
sleep long before midnight?
Ans : There are mainly two uses of
going to sleep long before midnight.
One is at that time sleep is most
refreshing. Another one is after a
night's sound rest, he rises early
next morning in good health ready
for the labour of a new day.
2. Read the following passage carefully and
answer the questions that follow:
[HSLC'16, 18]
Paper is one of the most important articles that
we use in our day to day life. If there had been no
paper our civilization would not have progressed
so fast. Great scientists write their thoughts on
paper first and then carry out their experiments.
Great engineers draw their plans on paper first
and then build houses, bridges, dams and so on.
Great thoughts are written on printed on paper
for everyone to read. If there were no paper we
would not have all the good books that are
available in the world. Without paper it would be
difficult for the people of one country to know
about the people of another country.
Questions:
(i) Mention three uses of paper.
Ans : The following are the three uses
of paper :-
1.Great scientists write their
thoughts on paper first and then
carry out their experiments.
2.Great engineers draw their
plans on paper first and then
build houses, bridges, dams and
so on.
3.Great thoughts are written or
printed on paper for everyone
to read.
(ii) Why is paper a most essential
thing for mankind?
Ans : Paper is a most essential thing
for mankind because great thoughts
are written or printed on it. Thus, our
civilization progresses day by day.
(iii) What would have happened if
there were no paper?
Ans : The following three things would
have happened if there were no
paper:-
1. Our civilization would not
Have progressed so fast.
2. We would not have good
books that are available in the
world.
3. It would be difficult for the l
people of one country to know
about the people of another
country.
3.Read the following passage carefully and
answer the questions that follow:
[HSLC'17]
Trees help to support man's life by supplying
the atmosphere with oxygen which is
essential to life. The oxygen in the air is constantly
being used up and turned into carbon-di-oxide
which is the food that plants 'eat'. The leaves of
trees (in fact, of all green plants) absorb this
carbon-di-oxide and with the help of sunlight
breaks it down into carbon and oxygen. The
carbon is used to make starch and the oxygen is
released into the air, so replacing the oxygen used
up by animals. But for this, animals would have
soon die for lack of oxygen.
Starch and other carbon compounds made in
the green leaves of trees (and of other green
plants too) serve as food for animals. The tiny
green cells of plants are wonderful laboratories
which produce all the starch in the world. But for
this service done by plants, all animals would
sooner or later die for lack of food.
Questions
(i) What is the food that the plants
'eat' ? 1
Ans : The food that the plants 'eat' is
Carbon-di-oxide.
(ii) How do the green cells of plants
serve the animals? 2
Ans : The tiny green cells of plants are
wonderful laboratories which produces
all the starch in the world. And these
strach and other carbon compounds
made in the green leaves of trees and
of other green plants too serve as food
for animals.
(iii) How do the leaves of trees break
down carbon-di-oxide into carbon and
oxygen ? 2
Ans :The oxygen in the air is constantly
being used up and turned into carbon
di-oxide which is the food that plants
'eat'. The leaves of trees in fact, of all
green plants absorb this carbon-di
oxide and with the help of sunlight
breaks it down into carbon and oxygen.
4. HSLC 2019
A good book always teaches us something, in fact
many things directly or indirectly if the mind is
willing to learn. Books are the best companion;
they also give us the best society. They help us in
establishing contact with many great men. We
hear what such men said and did; through books
we even see them as if they were alive. As we
read, we share great thoughts with great minds,
we hope and grieve with great men. The scenes in
which they appeared are described for us and as
we turn the pages we come to know what
nobleness is. Books work as agents and help us in
being better than we are. Books should, therefore,
be treated as friends and guides.
i. How can books teach us?
Answer: Books teach us many things directly or
indirectly.
ii. How can one share the great thoughts through
books?
Answer: Great books are the mirrors of the minds of
the great people. So, by reading their books, one can
share great thoughts with great minds. It helps to
experience what great men said and did, by
establishing contact with many great men.
iii. Why should books be treated as friends and
guides?
Answer: Books help people to know what nobleness is.
Books also helps people to improve themselves so that
they can become better than they are. So, books
should be treated as friends and guides.
5. HSLC 2020
Three-fourth of the Earth is covered by the sea
which both separates and unites the various races
of mankind. The sea is the great highway along
which man may travel at his will, the great road
that has no walls or hedges hemming in. Nobody
needs to keep it in good repair with the help of
pickaxe and barrel tar and steamrollers. The sea
appeals to man’s love of the perilous and
unknown, to his love of conquest, his love of
knowledge and his love of gold. The blue waters
call him and bid him fare forth in quest of fresh
fields. Beyond their horizon, he has found danger
and death, glory and gain.
i. How much of our planet is not covered by the
sea?
Answer: One-fourth of our planet is not covered by the
sea.
ii. How does the sea help man?
Answer: Sea separates as well as unites the mankind.
It provides a roadway to different countries free of cost
without any boundary limit. Interestingly, the mankind
has to invest no money to repair or maintain the
seaway.
iii. In what way does the sea appeal to man?
Answer: The sea appeals to man’s love of the perilous
and unknown, to his love of conquest, his love of
knowledge and his love of gold. By conquering the sea,
the mankind can explore fresh fields and even they
can mark a glorious victory.
6. Marco polo is indeed one of the greatest
explorers of all time. It was he who first made a
route across Asia to China and first told
Europeans about the court at Peking. Marco polo
was the first European to describe Burma, Tibet,
and India and tell others of the customs and
manners of the people. He talked to the
Christians living in Abyssinia in Africa and
describes the cold Arctic countries of the white
bear, where people rode on reindeers and in dog
sleds.
i. What did Marco polo first tell Europeans?
Answer: Marco Polo first told Europeans about the
court at Peking.
ii. Where is white bear found?
Answer: The white bear is found in the Arctic
countries.
iii. What did Marco polo describe about the cold
Arctic
countries?
Answer: Marco polo described that white bears were
found in the Arctic countries. Their people rode on
reindeers and in dog
sleds.
iv. Give the noun form of the ‘describe’.
Answer: The noun form of ‘describe’ is description.
v. Chose the correct alternatives ‘Explorer’ means
a. Rider b. Reader c. Discoverer d. founder
Answer: Discoverer
7. It was a fine Sunday morning. Newton was
reading a book at the foot of an apple tree in his
garden. All of a sudden, a ripe apple dropped
down from down from the tree. He picked it up
with great joy. He looked at the fruit, intently
struck with wonder. The fruit had been hanging
from the branch so long, why should if fall as it
did? Could it fall by itself, by its own strength? It
could not do he argued; for was it not a lifeless
thing, having no will of its own? After deep
thought Newton discovered that the cause was
‘Nature Law of Gravitation’ and that the earth is
like a great magnet.
i. What was Newton doing?
Answer: Newton was reading a book at the foot of an
apple tree in his garden.
ii. What did he do with the fallen apple?
Answer: Newton picked up the fallen apple and stared
it with wonder. He thought how a lifeless object could
fall down from
the tree.
iii. What was the cause that he discovered?
Answer: Newton discovered that the cause was
‘Nature Law of Gravitation’ and that the earth is like a
great magnet.
2. Texual Paragraph with questions for the
weightage of 5 marks:
1. In life every man has twin obligations- obligation
to his family, to his parents, to his wife and
children; and he has an obligation to his people, his community, and his country. In a civil and
humane society, each man is able to fulfill those
obligations according to his own inclinations and
abilities. But in a country like South Africa, it was
almost impossible for a man of my birth and
colour to fulfill those obligations. In South Africa, a
man of colour who attempted to live as a human
being was punished and isolated. In South Africa, a
man who tried to fulfill his duty to his people was
inevitably ripped from his family and his home and
was forced to live a life apart, a twilight existence
of secrecy and rebellion. I did not, in the
beginning, choose to place my people above my
family, but in attempting to serve my people, I
found that I was prevented from fulfilling my
obligations as a son, a brother, a father and a
husband.
i. What was done to a man of colour in South
Africa who attempted to live as a human being?
Answer: In South Africa, a man of colour who
attempted to live as a human being was punished and
isolated.
ii. What are the twin obligations that every man
has in life?
Answer: According to Mandela, every man has two
obligations in his life, one to his family, to his parents,
to his wife and children and another to his people, his
community, and his country.
iii. What did the speaker find when he attempted
to serve his people?
Answer: When the speaker attempted to serve his
people, he found that he was prevented from fulfilling
his obligations as a son, a brother, a father and a
husband.
2. “No one really knows who discovered tea but
there are many legends.” “What legends?” “Well,
there is one about the Chinese Emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day a
few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell
into the water giving it a delicious flavor. It is said
they were tea leaves.”
“Tell me another!” scoffed Pranjol. “We have an
Indian legend too, Bodhidharma, an ancient
Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt
sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out
of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put
in hot water and drunk banished sleep.” “Tea was
first drunk in China,” Rajvir added, “as far back as
2700 BC! In fact, words such as tea, ‘Chai’ and
‘Chini’ are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe
only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more
as medicine than as beverage.”
i. How was tea drunk in Europe in the sixteenth
century?
Answer: Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth
century. It was drunk more as medicine than as a
beverage in Europe.
ii. What is the Chinese legend about tea?
Answer: The first legend is called the Chinese legend.
According to this legend regarding discovery of tea that
one of the Chinese emperors always used to drink
water by boiling it. One day a few leaves of the twigs
burning under the pot fell into water. Then the water
gave a delicious flavour. It is said the leaves were tea
leaves.
iii. What is the Indian legend about tea?
Answer: Indian legend tells that once upon a time
there was an ancient Buddhist ascetic named
Bodhidhama in India. He cut off his eyelids because he
felt sleepy during meditations. Then the plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plans when put
into hot water and drunk vanished sleep.
(Others are answered in respective
Lessons)
SOLVED QUESTION PAPER
HSLC(SPECIAL) EXAMINATION 2021
TOTAL MARKS :90 TIME: 3 HOURS
SECTION-A
1.(a)Choose the meaning of the underlined word in the
following sentence from among the alternatives given
in the brackets: 1
It was a magnificent view .
(important/very much attractive/interesting)
Ans: Very much attractive.
(b)State whether the following statements are
True or False: 1+1=2
(i)No one really knows who discovered tea but
there are two legends.
Ans: False.
(ii)No one really knows who discovered tea but
there are many legends.
Ans:True.
(c)Choose the correct answer from among the
alternatives given and complete the sentence given
below: 1
Lencho’s soul was filled with________
(i) tears (ii)sadness (iii)pleasure
ans: (ii)sadness.
2.What did Lencho do throughout the morning?
What did he see in the north east? 1+1=2
Ans : Throughout the morning Lencho had done
nothing else but see the sky towards the north
east sky.
In the north east huge mountains of
clouds could be seen approaching.
3. Where and on what date was the inauguration
ceremony held? 1+1=2
Ans: Inauguration ceremony took place in the
lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the
union buildings in Pretoria.
The ceremony held on 10th May 1994. 
4.Briefly describe Lencho’s house and the things
that could be seen from it. 2
Ans: Lencho’s house was situated on the crest of a
low hill. From that height one could the river and
the field of ripe corn dotted with the flowers.
5.Who according to Mandela, is a brave man? 2
Ans: According to Mandela brave man is not he
who does not feel afraid but he who conquers the
fear.
6. What did Mandela find when he attempted to
serve his people? 2
Ans: When Mandela attempted to serve his
people, he found that he was prevented from
fulfilling his obligations as a son, a brother, a father
and a husband.
7. Why did Lencho think that the post office
employees were a ‘ bunch of crooks’? 2
Ans: Lencho thought that the post office
employees were a ‘ bunch of crooks’ because he
thought the post office employees had taken the
rest of the money that God sent to him. Out of
suspicion he mentioned them as a ‘ bunch of
crooks’.
8.What were the two national anthems sung by
the White and the Blacks on the occasion of the
inauguration ceremonies? 2
Ans: ‘ Nkosi Sikelel iAfrica and ‘Die Stem’ were
the two national anthems sung on the occasion of
the inauguration ceremonies by Whites and
Blacks.
9. What are the Chinese and Indian legends about
tea? Write them briefly. 3
Ans: According to chinese legends there was a
chinese emperor who always boiled water before
drinking it . one day a few leaves of the twigs
burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a
delicious flavour . It was said that they were tea
leaves.
The Indian legend conveys the story of an
Buddhist ascetic Bodhidharma who cut off his
eyelids as he felt sleepy during meditations. Out of
those eyelids ten tea plants grew out . That’s why
leaves of these plants when put in hot water and
drunk banished sleep.
SECTION- B
10. choose the meaning of underlined words from
among the alternatives given in the brackets:
1+1=2
(a)But he is locked in a concrete
cell.(jail/cage/box)
Ans: cage.
(b)He stalks in vivid stripes.(move quickly/remain
idle/moves slowly and quietly)
Ans: Moves slowly and quietly.
11. choose from the bracket the words that
rhyme with the following : 1+1=2
Teeth , mouse
[ breed, underneath, rose ,choose ,house]
Ans: Teeth- Underneath, Mouse- house.
12.Give a brief description of Custard the
Dragon’s attack on the Pirate. 2
Ans: Seeing the Pirate , custard the Dragon
jumped up and made different sounds. He snorted
like an engine . He attacked the Pirate like a robin
at a worm. At last Custard gobbled him up in an
instant.
13.”stalking the length of his cage, ignoring
visitors.” Why do you think, the tiger ignores the
visitors? 2
Ans: The tiger ignores the visitors because he is
locked in a concrete cell. There is a quiet rage in
him.
14.With what does the tiger stare at the stars?
How are the stars to look at? 1+1=2
Ans: The tiger stares at the stars with his brilliant
eyes.
The stars are brilliant to look at.
15.who were the pets of Belinda? How were they
named? 1+1=2
Ans: Belinda lived with four pets in her house.
They were - a black kitten, a grey mouse, a yellow
dog and a dragon .The black kitten was named as
Ink, the grey mouse was named as Blink, the
yellow dag was named as Mustard and the dragon
was called as Custard.
SECTION-C
16.(a)How does Ausable make Max believe
that there is a balcony attached to his
room? 5
Ans: Ausable , the secret agent resides in a French
hotel .He leads Fowler , a young writer to his
room where he encountered by Max , an another
secret agent. He points an automatic pistol and
demands the informations regarding some new
missiles which is supposed to be delivered that
night to Ausable. Ausable asks Max if he has got in
through the window. Max replies that he enters to
his room using a pass key. Ausable convincingly
makes up a story about a balcony attached to his
room just below the window. He says that it is
not his balcony but the next living room of the
appartment. Ausable says that despite of his
request the management of the building has not
blocked it off as he is disturbed many times by it.
That is the second incident of the month that
somebody enters to his room through the
balcony. The fact that Ausable keeps himself calm
and makes up concrete details of the story, such
as the one about the room being part of a larger
setup .Max is convinced and when the knock at
the door repeated, Ausable mentions that police
has come to protect him and the report ,Max tries
to escape through the balcony and perhaps dies as
he has dropped from the sixth floor of the
building.
(b) Briefly describe how Ausable defeated
Max’s scheme to take away the report. 5
Ans : Ausable defeated Max’s scheme to take away
the report on some new missiles through the use
of his presence of mind. Ausable was a clever and
smart secret agent. When he encountered Max in
his room with a gun, he kept himself calm and
handled Max cleverly. He created a story
regarding a balcony . Max also believed that there
was really a balcony just below the window of his
room. Ausable said that he informed the
management to block it off as somebody used to
enter via balcony to his room as it was a part of a
large appartment.
Meanwhile there was a knocking at the
door. Ausable told Max that police had come to
check on him whether everything was alright. If
not answered, police would enter anyway and not hesitate to shoot. Max went to the window to
hide in the balcony.Then the knocking became
louder and to get rid of police Max jumped into
the imaginary balcony and met with a tragic death.
Thus Ausable defeated Max’s scheme to take away
the report.
17. Briefly describe the footprints seen by
the two boy. 5
Ans: After repeated experiments , Griffin had
discovered how to make the human body
transparent. This was a big achievement .
However, he misused his discovery for personal
gains and for hurting others. Thus he can be
termed as a brilliant scientist. But he was not a
noble one . He set fire the house of his landlord
while the landlord tried to eject him out of his
eccentric and irritable nature. After that he took
off his cloths to make himself invisible and to
escape from his landlord. Griffin was completely
invisible until he happened to step in some mud,
which caused him to leave footprints as he walked.
His footprints were seen by two boys , who
followed him as long as the prints were visible.
The boys were astonished to find the fresh muddy
footprints in the steps of the house of mid
London . When they followed the footprints it
became fainter and fainter and descended towards
the streets. Thus the two boys were really
surprised to see the fresh muddy imprints of bare
feet which appeared just before them one after
another and disappeared altogether .
(b) Who was Griffin? How and why did he
become invisible? How did he become a
homeless wanderer? 1+2+2=5
Ans: Griffin was a brilliant scientist who
performed experiments and finally became
invisible himself.
Griffin had carried out experiments
after experiments to prove that the human body
could become invisible. Eventually , he swallowed
certain rare drugs and his body became as
transparent as a sheet of glass. Thus he became
invisible.
In spite of being a brilliant scientist ,
Griffin was a lawless person. His landlord disliked him and tried to eject him. In revenge he set fire
to the house . To get away without being seen , he
had to remove his cloths. Thus Griffin became a
homeless wanderer without cloths, without
money, and quite invisible, until he happened to
step in some mud.
SECTION – D
18.Fill in the gape in the following sentences with
right determiners: 2
(a)_____ Water in this pot is not clean.(b)
only_____ guests attended the function.(c)
Rajanikanta Bordoloi is called______ Scott of
Assam.(d) His brother is _____M.A in English.
Ans: (a) The (b) a few (c) the (d) an.
19. Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions
from among the choices given below. 2
(a) The old man died____ covid -19.(from/of/in)
(b) Death is preferable _____ dishonour.
(than/to/of)
(c) Mina comes_____ a rich family.(of/with/from)
(d) Butter is made _____milk.(of/from/with)
Ans: (a) of (b) to(c) from(d) from.
20.Rewrite the following sentences putting the
verbs in the brackets in their correct tense form:
1+1+1=3
(a) Please call me as soon as the cricket team
(arrive).
Ans: Please call me as soon as the cricket team
arrives.
(b) He (go) to the function yesterday.
Ans: He went to the function yesterday.
(c) The glass ( break) by somebody last evening.
Ans: The glass was broken by somebody last
evening.
21. Change the form of narration of the following
sentences: 1+1=2
(a) The stranger said to Ramen,” How can i go to
the station?”
Ans: The stranger asked Ramen how he could go
to the station.
(b) Ramen answered that he ( the stranger) might
hire a taxi cab that would take him to the station.
Ans: Ramen said,” I may hire a taxi cab that will
take me to the station.”
22. Change the voice of the following sentences :
1+1= 2
(a) Assamese is spoken by the people of Assam.
Ans: The people of Assam speak Assamese.
(b)Did you do this?
Ans: Was this done by you?
23. combine each of the following pairs of
sentences into a single sentence: 1+1=2
(a) Water evaporates when it is heated . Everyone
knows this.
Ans: Everyone knows that water evaporates when
it is heated .
(b)He cannot read. He cannot write.
Ans: He can neither read nor write.
24.Choose the correct alternatives from the
choices given in the brackets and rewrite the
sentences: 1+1=2
(a) She works in a ( dairy/diary) farm.
Ans: Dairy
(b)Milk is a good (food/drink).
Ans: Food.
25. Make sentences to illustrate the meaning of
any two of the following: 1+1=2
Stand by: No one is there to stand by me if
something bad happens.
Make out: I could not make out what he said.
Bring up : He was brought up by his grandmother.
Put out : Don’t put out the lamp.
26. Correct any three of the following sentences :
1+1+1=3
(a) My aim in life is to become doctor.
Ans : My aim in life is to become a doctor.
(b) We cannot look in the dark.
Ans: we cannot see in the dark.
(c) How much money you need?
Ans: How much money do you need?
(d) He has bought this car last year.
Ans: He bought this car last year.
(e) I do not know who are you.
Ans: I do not know who you are.
(f) It can rain tonight.
Ans: It may rain tonight.
SECTION – E
27.Translate into English: 6
(a) অৰুণাচলৰ প্ৰাকৃতিক দৃশ্য মনোৰম।
Ans: The natural scenery of Arunachal is charming.
(b) ইটানগৰ অৰুণাচলৰ ৰাজধানী চহৰ।
Ans: Itanagar is the capital city of Arunachal.
(c) ৰাজীৱ গান্ধী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় অৰুণাচলৰ ৰেনো হিলচত অবস্থিত।
Ans: Rajiv Gandhi university is situated on the Renu hills of Arunachal.
(d) নানা জাতি উপজাতিৰ লোক এইখন প্রদেশত বাস কৰে।
Ans: People of many tribes and communities live in this state.
(e) অৰুণাচলক সূর্য উঠা দেশ বুলি কোৱা হয়।
Ans: Arunachal is called the land of rising sun.
(f) তুমি কেতিয়াবা অৰুণাচললৈ গৈছানে?
Ans: Have you ever gone to Arunachal?
28.(a) Write in about 150 words an essay on any one of the following topics 6
(a) Discipline - its necessity in human life.
(b) Your favourite game
(c) The uses and abuses of social media.
(a) Ans:
Discipline-its necessity in human life:
Introduction: Discipline means acting according to some rules. The word 'discipline' originates from the word disciple'. It is as important as food and water.
At Home: Discipline begins at home. A home is like a battle field if there is no discipline among the members of a family. So there should be discipline in every household so that it run smoothly.
In the educational institutions: There must be discipline among the students and the teachers in schools, colleges, universities etc. No educational institutions can run smoothly without discipline. In the playground: All players must obey the rules of a game with discipline. If a player does not know how to obey, he never knows how to command. A good game is possible only through discipline.
Necessity of discipline in human life: In every walks of our life there must be discipline. Even when we eat, walk, travel, we must be disciplinarian . Members of a society must follow
the rules for their own good . If every member of
the society has his own way the society cannot
prosper . So also the laws and rules made by the
government of a state must be obeyed by its
citizens. Otherwise there is confusion and
disorder in the state .
Conclusion: Thus discipline is so valuable in our
life. It is the root of all other virtues that can
adorn human life.
(b)Ans : My Favourite Game
Introduction : It is said “ all work and no play
makes jack a dull boy”. I am a fan of games and
sports. Now a days the popularity of games and
sports has been increasing. It also makes us
physically and mentally strong.
My favourite game: My favourite game is cricket of
all kinds. I like test cricket , one day cricket and
the new inclusion of T20 cricket.
How cricket is played: Cricket is played in open
field according to some strict rules. A cricket
team consists of eleven players. There is a batting
side and a fielding side which is determined by
toss, which team will bat and which will bowl. The
umpires conduct the match. When the first batting
side set a target, the next team tries to win the
match by scoring what the target is. If they unable
to do so, the opposite team will win the match.
Why cricket is favourite to me: At first cricket is
favourite because its a fair game. Secondly, it is a
game of civilized people. It is called a gentle men’s
game. Thirdly , it has suspense from the first ball
to the last one. Fifthly , batsmen, fielders, bowlers
and wicket keepers can display good game.
Conclusion: Modern cricket is scientific. Many
modifications have been done in the rules of
cricket which has made the game more
interesting.
(C)The uses and abuses of social media.
Ans : Introduction: Social media is a tool that is
becoming quite popular these days because of its
user friendly features. Social media platforms like
Facebook, Instagram, twitter and more are giving people a chance to connect with each other
across distances. In other words , the whole
world is at our fingertips.
Advantages of social media: when we look at the
possible aspect of social media, we find numerous
advantages. The most important being a great
devices for education. All the informations one
requires is just a click away. Some live lectures are
now possible in social media where students can
also take part. As more people are distancing
themselves from newspapers, they are depending
on social media for news . You are always updated
on the latest happenings of the world through it.
Abuses of social media: Despite of having so many
advantages , social media is considered to be one
of the most harmful elements of society. If the
uses of social media is not monitored , it can lead
to grave consequences. Addiction of social media
is quite common amongst the youth. This
addiction hampers with the academic
performances of students. Cyberbullying is also
another thing which affects any person
significantly.
Conclusion : Every rose has its throne . So if
properly used we can be benefited a lot from
social media. But proper monitor of parents is
very much necessary.
28(b) Write a story in about 150 words using the
outline given below. Add a title to it: 6
A dog with a piece of flesh in his mouth___
crosses a river walking on a narrow foot
bridge____ sees his shadow reflected in the
river water____ thinks it to be another
dog____ he feared that the other dog would
take away the piece of flesh____ the dog
barks ___ the piece of flesh drops down into
the water.
Ans : Title : The foolish dog
A dog was very hungry. He walked here and there
looking for food. At last he got a piece of flesh
lying side of the road. He kept the flesh in his
mouth and crossed a river walking on a narrow
footbridge. Suddenly he had seen his shadow
reflected in the river water. He thought that it
would be another dog came to take away the piece of flesh from him. So in order to keep his
piece of flesh he wanted to bark. As the dog
barked , the piece of flesh dropped down into the
water. Finally he lost his piece of flesh and went
away sorrowfully.
29. Write a letter to your father/guardian telling
him how you faced the last examination. 5
Ans :
My dear father, Date......
At the outset please accept my love. I am
quite well and hope you are also safe and sound.
My Pre Board examination is ended last
week and I expect a good result as I have
answered all the questions sincerely .But the
science paper was a little bit tough as I could no
answer two questions up to the mark. Still I can
expect to get 75% marks in that paper. Apart from
that I have not faced much difficulties while
answering the questions. On the day of geography
examination I have completed the paper fifteen
minutes before the final bell. As our HSLC
examination is at hand I have solved the science
paper of Pre Board Examination as a part of my
preparation. Hope in the HSLC Examination I will
do well in all the subjects .
That is all for today. Convey my best
compliments to all of our family members.
To
Address... Your loving son
Sri X
29.(b)Write a report for a local daily on the basis
of the informations given below: 5
(a) Dhubri
(b)10-3-2021
(c) Heavy storm from 2.30 p. m to 3 p. M
(d)Dhubri town and its surrounding areas
badly affected
(e) Hundreds of trees uprooted , electric
wires torn , houses damaged
(f) Property worth crores of rupees
damaged ,no loss of life reported.
Ans:
Headline: Heavy storm affects Dhubri town. 
Dhubri, 10th March: A heavy storm has affected
Dhubri town and its surrounding areas badly
today. The storm starts at about 2.30 p.m and
continues till 3 p.m in the afternoon which has
uprooted many trees , electric wires torn and
damage many houses . The storm is so powerful
that it damages the connectivity system of the
whole town. According to report, It has damaged
properties worth crores of rupees. Yet no loss of
life is reported.
30. Read the following passage and answer the
questions given below it: 5
Newspaper originated in china. A kind of
news sheets were circulated among the
courtiers of China. Since then newspaper
have been flourishing steadily all over the
world. I Europe newspaper started in
Venice . With the spread of printing
technology since the fifteen century, the
number of newspaper began to increase all
over the world. The India Gazette was the
first newspaper published by the then
British government in India. Now a days ,
there are various kinds of newspapers.
Some of them are published daily ,some are
published weekly and even fortnightly.
Newspapers are published in India in both
English and regional languages. However,
the number of daily newspaper is the
largest. In Assam there are both English
and Assamese newspapers printed and
published by different publishers. Among
the English newspapers in Assam the
Assam Tribune is the oldest and the most
widely circulated newspaper.
(i) Since when did newspapers begin to
flourish all over the world? 1
Ans : Since a kind of news sheets were circulated
among the courtiers in china, then newspapers
have been flourishing all over the world.
(ii) What was the first newspaper published in
India and who was its publisher? 1+1=2
Ans : The Indian Gazette was the first newspaper
published in India . It was published by the then
British government in India.
(iii) What are the different types of newspaper
published in Assam? 2
Ans: In Assam there are both English
and Assamese newspaper printed and published by
different publishers. Among the English
newspapers in Assam the Assam Tribune is the
oldest and the most widely circulated newspaper.
(b)Read the following passage and answer the
questions that follow it:
But in the hearts of all who lived in that
solitary house i the middle of the valley,
there was a single hope: help from God.
“Don’t be so upset, even though this seem
like a total loss. Remember, no one dies of
hunger.”
“That’s what they say : no one dies of
hunger.” All through the night, Lencho
thought only of his one hope : the help of
God , whose eyes, as he had been
instructed , see everything , even what is
deep in one’s conscience . Lencho was an ox
of a man , working like an animal in the
fields , but still he knew how to write. The
following Sunday , at daybreak , he began to
write a letter which he himself would carry
to the town and place in the mail. It was
nothing less than a letter to God.
i)Where was the solitary house situated? 1
Ans : The solitary house was situated in the
middle of the valley.
(ii)What had been instructed to Lencho ? What
was his only hope ? 1+1=2
Ans : Lencho had been instructed that God’s eyes
see everything , even what is deep in one’s
conscience.
(iii)What type of a man was Lencho? Was he
literate? 1+1= 2
Ans : Lencho was an ox of a man , working like an
animal in the fields.
Yes, Lencho was literate.

SOLVED MODEL QUESTION PAPER
HSLC 2022
The figures in margin indicate full marks for the
questions
Sec- A
1.a) Choose the appropriate meaning of the
underlined word in the following sentence from
the alternatives given in bracket. 1
......... drapped in a curtain of rain. (enclosed/
covered/ attached)
Ans: Drapped means covered
b) State whether the following statements are true
or false: 1×2=2
i) The smoke trail of Impala jets symbolized the
new South African flag
Ans: True.
ii) Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as first deputy
president.
Ans: False.
2. What did the rain drops resemble? 1
Ans: The rain drops resembled new silver coins.
3.Who wrote the prose piece " Tea from
Assam" ? 1
Ans: Arup Kumar Dutta wrote the prose piece
"Tea from Assam".
4. Why was the postmaster impressed with
Lencho's first letter to God ? 2
Ans: The postmaster was impressed by Lencho's
faith in God. He was amazed to see Lencho's
unsurpassable faith in God; that’s why he started
up a correspondence with God and expected
financial help from Him. The postmaster wished if
he could have the same faith in God.
5. Write the ' twin obligations ' that Mandela
mentions. 2
Ans: Mandela mentions that every man has twin
obligations, they are as followsa)
Obligations to his family, to his parents, to his
wife and children.
b) Obligations to his people, his community, his
country.
6. How is 10th May an ' autumn day ' in South
Africa? 2
Ans: As South Africa is situated in the southern
hemisphere the season Autumn falls there in the months of April, May and June while it is Spring in
the Northern hemisphere. That is why 10th May is
an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa and a ‘spring day’
in our northern countries.
7. How did Mandela describe the system of
government in his country in the first decade of
the twentieth century? 2
Ans: Mandela said that in the first decade of
twentieth century, in his country the whiteskinned
people patched up their differences and
erected a system of racial domination against the
dark- skinned people living on the same nation.
The system they created formed the basis of one
of the harshest, most inhumane, societies the
world had ever known.
8. What is the Chinese legend about the discovery
of tea? 2
Ans: As mentioned in the text book, the Chinese
legend about discovery of tea is that; there was a
Chinese emperor who always boiled water before
drinking it. One day a few leaves of the twigs
burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a
delicious flavour. It is said that they were tea
leaves.
9. Describe the condition of Lencho's field after
the hailstorm? 3
Ans: After the hailstorm, Lencho's field was white
as if covered with salt. Not a leaf remained on the
trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The
flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho
expressed with sadness that perhaps a plague of
locusts would have left more than that. The hail
had left nothing. They would have no corn that
year.
10.Describe the magnificent view as seen by Rajvir
during his train journey from Delhi to Assam. 3
Ans: The magnificent view really impressed Rajvir
a lot. He described that, it was green, green
everywhere. He had never seen so much greenery
before. Soft green paddy fields gave way to tea
bushes. Against the backdrop of densely wooded
hills a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye
could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants there were
tall sturdy shade- trees and amidst the orderly
row of tea bushes there were doll like figures plucking tea leaves. There also a tea factory could
be seen in the distance in the tea estate.
Sec-B
11. Choose from the box given below, the words
that rhyme with the following: 1×2=2
Bright, house
Cage, mouse, caught, right, taste
Ans: Bright ----- right
House --- mouse
12. Choose the meaning of the underlined words
from the brackets 1×2=2
a) And stares with brilliant eyes.... (dull/very
bright/angry)
Ans: Very bright
b) He stalks in his..... (to crawl/ to walk/lying)
Ans: To walk
13. Who composed the poem "The Tale of
Custard the Dragon"? 1
Ans: Ogden Nash composed the poem "The Tale
of Custard the Dragon".
14. What did Ink, Blink and Mustard rudely call
Custard? 1
Ans: Ink, Blink and Mustard rudely called Custard
Percival.
15. How does the tiger terrorize the villagers? 2
Ans: The tiger snarls around the houses at the
jungle's edge. It bares his white fangs and claws.
Thus it terrorizes the villagers.
16. How did Custard face the pirate? 2
Ans: Snorting like an engine, Custard the dragon
jumped up, clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon.
With a clatter and clank and a jangling squirm he
went at the pirate like a robin at a worm. The
pirate fired two bullets but they did not hit
Custard, on the contrary Custard ate him up.
17. Briefly describe the physical appearance of the
dragon. 2
Ans: Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth. He
had spikes on his top, had scales underneath. His
mouth was like a fireplace, his nose was like
chimney and he had daggers like nails on his toes.
Sec- C
18. How does Ausable outwit Max? 5 
Ans: Ausable outwitted Max by making him
believe that there was a balcony in his room by
telling him that once someone else also had
entered the room on the floor below as it was
easy to jump from the next building to the balcony
of his room. He also said that it was easy for any
intruder to steal his important documents because
of the connection of his balcony and the other
building. He said that he thought that someone
might come to steal his super-secret file which
was going to come on that day so he had asked
the police to come and check on him after five
minutes. Meanwhile there was knock at the door.
Ausable told Max that it must be the police and
out of fear and thinking that there was an actual
balcony Max jumped out of the window and so he
died. Ausable had just made up a story of the
balcony and the police at the door but in real
there was no balcony and he had asked the waiter
to get water and not the police.
19." Griffin was a lawless person." Justify it. 5
Ans: Yes, we can say that Griffin was a lawless
person. He didn't follow the law and order of the
country as he thought of having his revenge by
setting out fire in his landlord's property. He
didn't believe in observing law. He discovered
some rare drugs that could make human body
transparent. He misused his discovery. Being
invisible he committed some unsocial activities. He
robbed a shopkeeper of all the money he could
find. In addition to that, he hit him hard from
behind to escape without being seen. He stole the
housekeeping money from the clergyman's desk.
He also attacked Mrs. Hall with his cap and her
furniture when she intruded his room. All these
instances prove that he was a lawless person.
Sec - D
20. Fill in the blanks with the right determiners.
1/2×4=2
a) He gave away______ money he had to the
beggar
Ans: The little
b) Have you _____ book on astrology?
Ans: Any
c) He is ______ older than his wife.
Ans: Much.
d) I am looking for ____ ewe.
Ans: A
21. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition
from among the choices given in brackets:
1/2×6=3
a) The ship was bound ___ India (to/off/for)
Ans: For
b) I cannot agree ___ your proposal. ( to/ with/
at)
Ans: To.
c) I have distaste ___ pop music. (in/ for/ of)
Ans: For.
d) The labourer lived __ hand to mouth. ( of/
from/against)
Ans: From.
e) There is an exception __every rule.( on/ to/ in)
Ans: To.
f) She prefers tea ___ cold drinks. ( for/ than/ to)
Ans: To.
22. Use the correct tense forms of the verbs given
in brackets. 1×2=2
a) It is time you ___ (go) home.
Ans: It is time you went home.
b) When he entered my room I ___ ( write) a
letter.
Ans: When he entered my room I was writing a
letter.
23. Change the form of narration of the following
sentences: 1×2=2
a) Anita says, " I do not know the boy."
Ans: Anita says that she does not know the boy.
b) I said, "I bought the umbrella yesterday."
Ans: I said that I had bought the umbrella the
previous day.
24. Change the voice of the following sentences.
1×2=2
a) He laughed at me.
Ans: I was laughed at by him.
b) What causes an earthquake?
Ans: What is an earthquake caused by?
25. Combine the following pairs of sentences into
a single sentence. 1×2=2
a) What are you making? Let me see.
Ans: Let me see what you are making.
b) He is rich. He is not happy.
Ans: He is rich but not happy.
26. Choose the correct alternatives from the
choices given in the brackets. 1×2=2
a)He ___ his guilt. (confessed / admitted)
Ans: He confessed his guilt
b) The ___ of the temple is very wise.
( parson/person)
Ans: The parson of the temple is very wise.
27. Make sentences to illustrate the meaning of
any two of the following. 1×2=2
Get rid of, call in, look after, all in all
Ans: Get rid of ---- He somehow got rid of his
smoking habit.
Call in ---- Please call in a doctor.
Look after ---- This liitle girl is looked after
by her grandmother.
All in all ---- Rahul is all in all of this
Company.
28. Correct the errors in any three if the
following sentences. 1×3=3
a) The train will leave in time.
Ans: The train will leave on time.
b) They left the hostel with bag and baggage.
Ans: They left the hostel bag and baggage.
c) We need some furnitures.
Ans: We need some furniture.
d) He does not know to ride a bicycle.
Ans: He does not know how to ride a bicycle.
e) I saw a strange dream last night.
Ans: I dreamt a strange dream last night.

SECTION - E
29. Translate into English:
6
(a) কালি ইয়ালৈ অহা ল'ৰাজন মোৰ সহপাঠী।
Ans: The boy who came here yesterday is my
classmate.
( ৮) তুমি কেতিয়াবা ধুমকেতু দেখিছানে?
Ans: Have you ever seen a comet?
(c) মই নহালৈকে তুমি ৰ'বা।
Ans: You will wait until I come.
(d) তেওঁ যেতিয়া আহিছিল মই বাতৰি কাকত পড়ি আছিলো।
Ans: I was reading newspaper when he came.
(e) শিক্ষকে কৈছিল, "ভ্রমণে জ্ঞান বৃদ্ধি কৰে।”
Ans: Teacher said, "Travelling enhances knowledge."
(f) মই এবছৰ ধৰি ৰহিমক দেখা নাই।
Ans: I haven't seen Rahim for an year.

OR
Give the substance of the following
passages:
One evening a blind ass lost his way in a thick
wood. He did not know whether to go right or
left. By good luck an owl was at hand and he
offered to become the donkey's guide. The owl,
who can see well at night, led the donkey safely
back to the road. The donkey felt very grateful to
the owl and thought highly of the owl's power to
show him way. He begged the owl to stay with
him and be his guide during the day. The owl
agreed. As proud as a lord he sat on the donkey's
back and the two friends started on their way. As
the sun rose, the owl began to turn blind. But he
was too proud to give up his new post. "Take
care!" he cried, " if you go to the left you will fall
into a pond." The donkey moved quickly to the
right, fell over a cliff and was killed.
Ans: One evening, a blind ass lost his way in a
dense forest. An owl that can see well at night
showed him the way to reach the roadside. The
donkey being grateful to the owl begged him to
stay with him. Next morning the sun rose and the
owl became blind. But the donkey still followed
the owl as his guide. As a result, the donkey fell
over a cliff and was killed.
30. Answer (a) or (b)
(a) Write in about 150 words an essay on any one
of the following topics 6
a) Benefits of physical exercise
b) The uses and abuses of mobile phones.
c) Covid-19 Pandemic
(a) Ans: See in the Essay Writing Section
(b) Write a story in about 150 words using the
outline given below. Add a title to it: 6
Outlines: A fox saw a vineyard---- wished to
get some ripe grapes---- grapes were
hanging high---the fox could not pluck
them----he said, "grapes are sour."
Ans: THE SOUR GRAPES
One day a fox was wandering at edge of the
forest. He saw vineyard. Ripe vines were hanging
there. The sweet smell and the beautiful colour
made him hungry. He entered the vineyard as he
could not resist his temptation to eat grapes. But
the grapes were hanging so high, beyond the reach
of the fox. He jumped up and up and tried to
reach the grapes but all his effort went in vain. He
failed in all his attempts. He felt despaired and
went out of the vineyard.
While coming out of the vineyard he met another
fox. The latter asked the former fox if the grapes
were tasty. But the former replied that he had not
eaten any grapes as he did not feel hungry and the
grapes were sour.
31. Answer (a) or (b)
(a) Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper
expressing your concern over price rise of
essential commodities. 5
Ans :
To
The Editor
The Assam Tribune
Chandmari, Guwahti-3
10th Feb 2022
Sub: Price hike of essential commodities
Sir,
I shall be highly obliged to you if you kindly
allow me a little space in your esteemed daily to
express my concern over the rapidly increasing
price of essential commodities.
The recent price-hike of essential commodities
has become a headache to most of the people irrespective of any class. It is now almost
impossible for the people to make both ends
meet. Especially it is too much difficult for the
middle class and low income-group of people. The
daily-labourers are the worst sufferers. The price
of rice, vegetable, fish, meat, spices, clothes,
medicines and many other essential things are
going beyond reach. All these have made the life
of common people miserable.
I hope this will find a suitable place in your
newspaper and will draw the prompt attention of
the government to take effective measures to
control such price-hike of essential commodities
as soon as possible.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours faithfully,
A concerned citizen
(b)Write a report for a local daily on the basis of
the informations given below: 5
*COVID-19 vaccination
*Venue- ABC H.S School
*Date- 8th January,2022
*Age group - 15-18
Ans: See in the Additional Questions of Report
Writing
32. (a) Read the following passage and answer the
questions given below it: 5
One day as Odysseus was wandering
outside the camp. He met a stranger, a
wise man who told him that there was an
ancient prophecy concerning Troy, which
said that the city would never be captured
so long and the holy statue of Athene
remained in her temple in the city.
When evening came, Odysseus made up his
mind to try to steal the statue, even though
it was kept in the temple if the goddess in
the very centre of Troy. He dressed as a
beggar, hid a sharp sword under his rags
and taking Diomedes with him he set off
towards Troy.
i) When did Odysseus meet a stranger? 1
Ans: Odysseus met a stranger when he was
wandering outside the camp.
ii) Who told Odysseus about the ancient
prophecy of Troy? 1
Ans: The stranger whom Odysseus met outside
the camp told him about the ancient prophecy of
Troy.
iii) What was the prophecy? 2
Ans: The prophecy was that as long as the statue
of Athene would be there nobody could seize
Tory.
iv) What did Odysseus decide to do? 1
Ans: Odysseus decided to remove the statue from
the temple.
32 (b)Read the following passage and answer the
questions that follow it: 5
The house --- the only one in the entire
valley-- sat on the crest of a low hill. From
this height one could see the river and the
field if ripe corn dotted with the flowers
that always promised a good harvest. The
only thing the earth needed was a
downpour or at least a shower..
Throughout the morning Lencho---- who
knew his fields intimately--- had done
nothing else but see the sky towards the
north-east.
i) Where was Lencho's house? 1
ii) What could one see from that height? 2
iii) What was the only thing the earth needed? 2
Ans: See in the Prose Section