HSC - 2025 English 1st Paper Barishal Board Questions with Answer

04 Set

English First Paper Examination

Subject Code: 1017 Time: 3 hours Full Marks: 100

[N.B. The figures in the right margin indicate full marks.]

Part I — Reading (Marks: 60)

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

Dreams have fascinated philosophers for thousands of years, but only recently have dreams been subjected to empirical research and scientific study. Chances are that you’ve often found yourself puzzling over the content of a dream, or perhaps you’ve wondered why you dream at all.

First, let’s start by answering a basic question: What is a dream? A dream can include any of the images, thoughts, and emotions that are experienced during sleep. Dreams can be extraordinarily vivid or very vague; filled with joyful emotions or frightening images; focused and understandable or unclear and confusing.

Why do we dream? What purpose do dreams serve? While many theories have been proposed about the reason and function of dreams, no consensus has emerged. Considering the time we spend in a dreaming state, the fact that researchers do not yet understand the purpose of dreams may seem baffling. However, it is important to consider that science is still unravelling the exact purpose and function of sleep itself. Some researchers suggest that dreams serve no real purpose, while others believe that dreaming is essential to mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Next, let’s learn more about some of the most prominent dream theories. Consistent with the psychoanalytic perspective, Sigmund Freud’s theory of dreams suggests that dreams are a representation of subconscious desires, thoughts, and motivations. According to Freud, people are driven by aggressive and sexual instincts that are repressed from conscious awareness. While these thoughts are not consciously expressed, they find their way into our awareness via dreams. In his famous book, ‘The Interpretation of Dreams’ (1899), Freud wrote that dreams are “the royal road to the unconscious (this common quote completes the blank, as per context of Freud's quote in the provided text, implied by the dots)... disguised fulfillments of repressed wishes.”

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives: (0.5 x 10 = 5 Marks)

(a) ‘The Interpretation of Dreams’ is a—

(i) biological book (ii) theoretical book (iii) detective book (iv) gothic book

(b) Dreams can be—

(i) understandable (ii) puzzling (iii) vivid (iv) all the three

(c) What does ‘baffling’ mean?

(i) clear (ii) transparent (iii) confusing (iv) surprising

(d) The word ‘cognitive’ is related to—

(i) feeling (ii) watching (iii) mental process (iv) activity

(e) According to Sigmund Freud,—

(i) dreams are a representation of conscious desires (ii) our unexpressed thoughts find their ways through dreams (iii) dreams are undisguised fulfillment of repressed wishes (iv) all the above

(f) What does ‘clutter’ mean?

(i) clear (ii) order (iii) untidiness (iv) mess

(g) What does the word ‘disguised’ mean in the passage?

(i) hidden (ii) real (iii) genuine (iv) fake

(h) ‘Puzzling over the content of a dream’ —what does it imply?

(i) thinking deeply about the subject of dream (ii) thinking deeply about the condition of dream (iii) thinking deeply about the satisfaction of dream (iv) thinking lightly about the subject of dream

(i) Sigmund Freud was a—

(i) physicist (ii) neurotic (iii) psychologist (iv) palmist

(j) We may often find ourselves ____________ during dream.

(i) perplexed (ii) sorry (iii) sad (iv) sadness

B. Answer the following questions: (Marks: as indicated)

(a) What is the theory of Sigmund Freud about dreams? (3 Marks)

(b) How much has science been successful in explaining things? (3 Marks)

(c) What are the benefits of dreams? (3 Marks)

(d) What does the expression ‘disguised fulfillments of repressed wishes’ mean? (3 Marks)

(e) Define dreams in your own language. (3 Marks)

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing information about civic engagement. (One has been done for you): (10 Marks)

In civic engagement, issues of public concern are crucial. Civic engagement includes individual or group activities to protect public interests and change the way the community values itself. For example, if you are protesting against any unjust decision of the local municipality such as raising taxes or an act that might work against people's interest, you are civically engaged and your action is considered a civic engagement. This protest can be done in different ways such as organizing rallies, collecting signatures, making human chains, writing petitions, etc. You can also help control traffic in front of a school, help children to cross the roads, work in a team to clean a park or a sea beach. You can also give some services to elderly people. These are all examples of civic engagement as what you do directly affects the community.

Flow Chart: (1) Issues of public concern are crucial in civic engagement. → 2. → 3. → 4. → 5. → 6.

3. Summarize the following text: (10 Marks)

In a traditional society like ours, little boys and girls are given separate sets of toys. While toys for boys include cars, guns or footballs, girls have to be satisfied with dolls (often Barbie dolls) and doll-houses or miniature cooking utensils. The underlying assumption is that boys are active and full of vigour, but girls are naive and lack the intelligence or energy to match their male counterparts.

This false assumption has been shattered plenty of times in the recent decades as girls began to show their power and women began competing with men in almost all areas of life. It has been conclusively proved wrong most recently by the girls of Kalsindur, a village in a remote area in Dhobaura Upazila in Mymensingh district. The villagers are mostly low-income but hardworking people. Even a few years ago, there was no electricity in the village. But some girls have illuminated the village—both literally and metaphorically with their belief in themselves and their skill in the game of football. The village has emerged now as a footballer factory and a symbol of girl power. And in recognition of their success, the village was provided electricity by the government.

4. Fill in the blanks with the suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary: (0.5 x 10 = 5 Marks)

gentleman	appreciate	proper	realize	offended
keep up	accepted	are	behave	manners
named	virtue

I know sometimes (a)____________ and etiquette seem arbitrary. But at the end of the day, these guidelines (b) ____________ established as a universal set of (c)____________ behaviour so that we can all (d)____________ civilly around each other. Not everyone is going to be (e)____________ if you don’t follow these guidelines. But once you learn these basic table manners, you (f) ____________ that they’re not difficult to (g)______________________________________________________ So why not practice (h)____________ dining etiquette? It certainly isn’t hard to try, and many people will (i) ____________ that you are conscientious enough to behave like a (j) ____________ at the table.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words in each gap: (1 x 10 = 10 Marks)

Modern civilization is the (a)____________ of science. Science has worked (b) ____________ a magician in the world. We can’t do even a (c)____________ day without the help of science. Many quick means (d)____________ communication like telephone, telex, fax, telegram, satellite etc. are (e)____________ greatest wonders of science. Nowadays a message can be sent from one corner of the world to another in the twinkle of (f)____________ eye. Science has brought a revolutionary (g)____________ in various fields. In the field of medical science (h)____________ has got eyes, lame has got legs, deaf has got hearing power, (i)____________ diseases which were incurable in the past are now easily (j)____________.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence: (1 x 10 = 10 Marks)

(i) All the servants were called and interrogated.

(ii) In order to find out the thief, the judge chalked out an intelligent plan.

(iii) Once a gold necklace was lost from a rich man’s house.

(iv) The servants were summoned to the court but they denied having stolen the necklace.

(v) When the servants came to the court the next day, the thief had already cut off an inch of his stick.

(vi) But nobody confessed their guilt.

(vii) So, the owner of the house lodged a complaint in the court.

(viii) The judge found one of the sticks shorter than the others and in this way he could easily catch the thief.

(ix) Naturally, it was suspected that one of the servants had stolen the necklace.

(x) He gave each of the suspects a stick of equal length and said that one of the sticks would increase by an inch the next day.

Part II — Writing (Marks: 40)

7. The pie chart below shows the time allocation of a student’s daily activities. Describe the chart in 150 words. You should highlight and summarize the information in the chart. (15 Marks)

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words: (15 Marks)

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

9. Suppose you have received a birthday gift from your friend. Now, write a letter to your friend thanking him/her for the birthday gift. (10 Marks)

HSC - 2025 English 1st Paper Barishal Board Questions' Answer

Answer Key and Explanations

Part I — Reading

1. A. Multiple Choice Questions

(a) - (ii) theoretical book

(b) - (iv) all the three

(c) - (iii) confusing

(d) - (iii) mental process

(e) - (ii) our unexpressed thoughts find their ways through dreams

(f) - (iv) mess

(g) - (i) hidden

(h) - (i) thinking deeply about the subject of dream

(i) - (iii) psychologist

(j) - (i) perplexed

1. B. Short Answer Questions

(a) According to Sigmund Freud's theory, dreams are a representation of our subconscious desires, thoughts, and motivations. They are the disguised fulfillments of repressed wishes and a way for our unexpressed aggressive and sexual instincts to enter our awareness.

(b) Science has made progress but is still far from explaining everything about dreams. The passage states that researchers do not yet understand the exact purpose of dreams, which is baffling considering the amount of time we spend dreaming. Science is still in the process of unravelling the purpose and function of sleep itself.

(c) Some researchers believe that dreaming is essential to our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It helps in processing thoughts and emotions.

(d) The expression ‘disguised fulfillments of repressed wishes’ means that our dreams allow us to experience the things we secretly want but have suppressed from our conscious thoughts. These desires are hidden or camouflaged in the symbolic stories of our dreams.

(e) A dream is a series of images, thoughts, and emotions that we experience while we are asleep. These experiences can range from being very clear and joyful to vague and frightening.

2. Flow Chart

Issues of public concern are crucial in civic engagement.

→ 2. Includes individual or group activities.

→ Aims to protect public interests.

→ 4. Involves changing community values.

→ 5. Can be done by protesting against unjust decisions.

 → 6. Includes providing services to the community (e.g., helping children, cleaning parks).

3. Summary

Traditional gender roles, often introduced through toys like cars for boys and dolls for girls, are based on the false assumption that girls are less active or capable than boys. This outdated belief has been proven wrong as women now compete with men in all fields. A recent powerful example is the girls of Kalsindur village in Mymensingh. Despite coming from low-income families in a remote area, these girls have become skilled football players through their self-belief, turning their village into a "footballer factory." Their success has brought national recognition and even electricity to their village, making them a symbol of girl power.

4. Fill in the Blanks (with box)

(a) manners

(b) are

(c) accepted

(d) behave

(e) offended

(f) realize

(g) keep up

(h) proper

(i) appreciate

(j) gentleman

5. Fill in the Blanks (without box)

(a) creation / result

(b) like / as

(c) single

(d) of

(e) the

(f) an

(g) change

(h) blind

(i) fatal / deadly

(j) cured / curable

6. Rearrange Sentences

The correct order is: (iii) → (ix) → (i) → (vi) → (vii) → (iv) → (ii) → (x) → (v) → (viii)

Part II — Writing

7. Pie Chart Description

The provided pie chart illustrates the daily time allocation for various activities of a student. The activities shown are sleeping, attending school, studying, recreation, and other miscellaneous tasks.

The largest portion of the day is dedicated to sleeping, which accounts for 33% or one-third of the student's entire day. The second-largest time slot is spent at school, making up 25% or a quarter of the day. This indicates that formal education and rest are the two primary activities.

Interestingly, the time allocated for studying at home and for recreation is exactly equal, with each accounting for 12.5% of the day. This suggests a balanced approach between academic pursuits and leisure. The remaining 17% of the time is categorized under 'Others', which likely includes essential activities such as eating, completing chores, and commuting.

In summary, the chart shows a structured and balanced daily routine where sleep and school dominate, followed by an equal emphasis on self-study and recreation.

8. Story Completion

There was a naughty cowboy who grazed his cows beside a forest. He used to make fun with people crying "Tiger! Tiger!". The villagers would rush to his aid, only to find him laughing at them for being so easily fooled. He played this trick several times, and each time the kind villagers came to help.

However, the villagers grew tired of his lies and became very angry with him. They decided not to pay any more attention to his cries. One day, a tiger really did come out of the forest and attacked his flock of cows. The boy was terrified and shouted "Tiger! Tiger! Help!" at the top of his lungs. He cried for help again and again, but no one from the village came. They all thought he was playing his naughty trick once more. The tiger killed many of his cows and the boy could do nothing but watch in despair. He realized his mistake and understood that liars are not believed even when they tell the truth.

9. Letter to a Friend

15/A, Green Road,

Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205.

23 July 2025

Dear Rohan,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you today with a heart full of joy and gratitude. Thank you so much for the wonderful birthday gift you sent me.

When I received the parcel, I was so excited. The wristwatch you chose for me is absolutely beautiful and stylish. It was exactly what I had been hoping to get for a long time. It looks fantastic on my wrist, and I have been wearing it ever since it arrived. All my family members and friends have appreciated your excellent choice.

This gift is not just a beautiful watch to me; it is a precious symbol of your love and friendship. It will always remind me of you and your thoughtfulness. Thank you again for making my birthday so special.

Please convey my regards to your parents. I hope to see you soon.

Yours lovingly,

Fahim