HSC - 2025 English 2nd Paper Cumilla Board Questions with Answer

04 Set

ENGLISH Second Paper

[According to the Syllabus of 2025]

Subject Code: 108

Time—3 hours

Full marks—100

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

Part A—Grammar

Marks—60

1. Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepositions: Marks 0.5×10=5

Love for motherland is inherent (a) _______________ man. A man who is devoid (b) _______________ love for his motherland is not a true patriot. A genuine patriot loves his motherland (c) _______________ the core of his heart. He dedicates his whole life (d) _______________ the service of his own country. He is prepared to lay (e) _______________ his life for the greatest interest of his motherland. Our freedom fighters are the proud sons of our country. They took pride (f) _______________ fighting for the country (g) _______________ our enemy. They never retreated (h) _______________ the battle field rather swooped (i) _______________ the enemy valiantly. Their sacrifice will end (j) _______________ vain if we fail to build our own country.

2. Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words given in the box: 0.5×10=5

let alone there     what does ...look like

as soon as     has to    what’s ... like

would rather   had better     was born

it       

(a) Rifat is suffering from tooth-ache. He _______________ see a dentist.

(b) Rima _______________ in Indonesia and raised in America and now she has a dual citizenship.

(c) The game is delayed due to rain. It will resume _______________ the rain stops.

(d) In modern times, _______________ has been a great change in the attitude of man regarding superstitious belief.

(e) You look very anxious. And you cannot continue your study any longer. You _______________ take rest.

(f) I like typing. I _______________ use the key-board than write with a pen.

(g) We aren't being able to save the trees, _______________ our forest.

(h) _______________ mother’s love _______________? It is incomparable.

(i) _______________ is unfortunate that many students spoil their time by using facebook.

(j) _______________ the frozen mountain peak _______________? It looks like a white dome.

3. Complete the sentences using suitable clauses/phrases. 0.5×10=5

(a) Your H.S.C Examination is knocking at the door. You have to study attentively so that _______________.

(b) Time flies very fast. Five years have passed since _______________.

(c) I got a scholarship when _______________. Everybody was happy.

(d) I was very busy with my examination. If I _______________, I would have joined your birthday celebration.

(e) A village market is a place where _______________. This place is full of hue and cry.

(f) Their salary is so high. The government should assist him lest _______________.

(g) Early rising gives a man enough free time. Had I been an early riser, _______________.

(h) There is nobody _______________. Hence happiness is a relative term.

(i) I worked hard although _______________.

(j) The crown is a symbol of a king. Uneasy lies the head _______________.

4. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context. 0.5×14=7

A teacher (a) __________ (compare) with an architect. Teachers (b) __________ (call) the architects of a nation. They (c) __________ (play) an important role in order to build a nation. They are used (d) __________ (make) the illiterate people worthy citizens. But the teachers (e) __________ (not hold) high respect in our country. They are habituated to (f) __________ (lead) a humble life in the midst of want. Still they (g) __________ (keep) the light of education (h) __________ (burn) with a view to (i) ________ (remove) the darkness of illiteracy. It is high time we (j) ________ (change) our outlook towards the teachers. In many developed countries teachers (k) _________ (give) high respect. “A most important truth, which we are apt (l) ________ (forget), is that a teacher can never truly teach unless he is still (m) ________ (learn) himself. A lamp can never light another lamp unless it (n) ________ (continue) to burn its own flame,” Tagore said.

5. Change the narrative style by using indirect speeches: 7

“What kind of stories did Aesop tell?” asked Anwar. “Fables”, said Mrs Amin. “Do you know what fables are?” “No,” replied Anwar. “Well,” said Mrs Amin, “Fables are stories with a message or a moral.” “Who is Aesop and where does he live?” asked Anwar. “Aesop entertained people telling stories,” said Mrs Amin.

6. Read the following text and use modifiers as directed in the blank spaces: 0.5×10=5

Long ago there lived (a)__________ (use article to pre-modify the noun) merchant. He used to deal in salt. He had a donkey to carry the load. He used to sell (b)__________ (Use possessive to pre-modify the noun) salt loaded on the donkey. He had to cross a stream (c)__________ (Use an infinitive) to other village. Once his donkey fell (d)__________ (post modify the verb with prepositional phrase) and (e)__________ (Use quantifier to pre-modify the noun) of the salt was dissolved in water. The donkey (f)__________ (Use an adverb to pre-modify the verb) crossed the stream due to the light weight of salt (g)__________ (post modify the verb with prepositional phrase). The donkey was happy. The merchant next day loaded the donkey with a lot of cotton. The donkey once again repeated the (h)__________ (Use adjective to pre-modify the noun) trick. He fell into the stream. (i)__________ (Use a demonstrative to pre-modify the noun) time his load became very heavy. The donkey carried the heavy load. It was very tiring for him to move on. The donkey now realized his mistake. He stopped falling down into (j)__________ (Use determiner to pre-modify the noun) stream. The merchant had taught the donkey a good lesson.

7. Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of the following passage: 0.5×14=7

Unemployment is a great curse. (a)__________ all the countries of the world suffer from the curse. (b)__________ nowhere in the world this problem is so acute as in our country. (c)__________ there are many reasons behind it. (d)__________, our country is industrially backward. (e)__________ our traditional education system is not service-oriented. (f)__________ our students and youths have false sense of dignity. (g)__________ they run after job only. (h)__________ unemployment problem should be removed at any cost. (i)__________ we want to remove it truly, our education system should be changed. (j)__________ more mills and factories should be established. (k)__________ the educated youth should change their attitude to life. (l)__________ they can work in agriculture field, cultivate fish, grow vegetables etc. (m)__________ they can start small business. (n)__________ self employment is a possible solution to this great problem.

8. Read the passage and write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed below: 0.5×14=7

Sincerity is the root of success of all work. One can go a long way if he does a job with sincerity. The great men are sincere because they know that sincerity is the key to success. Those who do not follow the rules of sincerity can never go a long way. Sincerity is the secret of victory. If any work is not done with sincerity, one will never receive desirable output from it. So, we should be sincere in every walk of life.

(a) Sincerity (antonym); (b) success (antonym); (c) job (synonym); (d) great (antonym); (e) because (synonym); (f) know (synonym); (g) key (synonym); (h) follow (antonym); (i) rules (synonym); (j) never (antonym); (k) long (antonym); (l) victory (synonym); (m) desirable (antonym); (n) output (synonym).

9. There are fourteen errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Re-write the text correcting the errors and make capitalization if necessary: 0.5×14=7

Son : Have you finished your cooking mother My time is up if I do not start now I will be again late today.

Mother : I will need only ten minutes more by this time you dress up yourself.

Son : I have already done it now I am waiting for food.

Mother : I am coming my child dont worry I will give you a drop if necessary.

Son : in that case, I have no problem to wait. Please ask your driver to make the car ready.

Mother : Ok. No problent. I myself will drop you at your college.

Son : Thats like a good mother.

Part B—Composition

Marks—40

10. Imagine you are Rifat, a student of ABC college. Now write an application to your Principal to establish a debating club. 10

11. Write a paragraph within 200 words describing the “Importance of Tree Plantation”. 15

12. Write a paragraph on “The Causes and Effects of Road Accident” within 200 words. 15

With Solution:

ENGLISH Second Paper

[According to the Syllabus of 2025]

Subject Code: 108

Time—3 hours

Full marks—100

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

Part A—Grammar

Marks—60

1. Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepositions: Marks 0.5×10=5

Love for motherland is inherent (a) _______________ man. A man who is devoid (b) _______________ love for his motherland is not a true patriot. A genuine patriot loves his motherland (c) _______________ the core of his heart. He dedicates his whole life (d) _______________ the service of his own country. He is prepared to lay (e) _______________ his life for the greatest interest of his motherland. Our freedom fighters are the proud sons of our country. They took pride (f) _______________ fighting for the country (g) _______________ our enemy. They never retreated (h) _______________ the battle field rather swooped (i) _______________ the enemy valiantly. Their sacrifice will end (j) _______________ vain if we fail to build our own country.

Answer:

(a) in

(b) of

(c) from

(d) to

(e) down

(f) in

(g) against

(h) from

(i) on/upon

(j) in

2. Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words given in the box: 0.5×10=5

let alone there     what does ...look like

as soon as     has to    what’s ... like

would rather   had better     was born

it       

(a) Rifat is suffering from tooth-ache. He _______________ see a dentist.

(b) Rima _______________ in Indonesia and raised in America and now she has a dual citizenship.

(c) The game is delayed due to rain. It will resume _______________ the rain stops.

(d) In modern times, _______________ has been a great change in the attitude of man regarding superstitious belief.

(e) You look very anxious. And you cannot continue your study any longer. You _______________ take rest.

(f) I like typing. I _______________ use the key-board than write with a pen.

(g) We aren't being able to save the trees, _______________ our forest.

(h) _______________ mother’s love _______________? It is incomparable.

(i) _______________ is unfortunate that many students spoil their time by using facebook.

(j) _______________ the frozen mountain peak _______________? It looks like a white dome.

Answer:

(a) had better

(b) was born

(c) as soon as

(d) there

(e) have to

(f) would rather

(g) let alone

(h) What’s...like

(i) It

(j) What does...look like

3. Complete the sentences using suitable clauses/phrases. 0.5×10=5

(a) Your H.S.C Examination is knocking at the door. You have to study attentively so that _______________.

(b) Time flies very fast. Five years have passed since _______________.

(c) I got a scholarship when _______________. Everybody was happy.

(d) I was very busy with my examination. If I _______________, I would have joined your birthday celebration.

(e) A village market is a place where _______________. This place is full of hue and cry.

(f) Their salary is so high. The government should assist him lest _______________.

(g) Early rising gives a man enough free time. Had I been an early riser, _______________.

(h) There is nobody _______________. Hence happiness is a relative term.

(i) I worked hard although _______________.

(j) The crown is a symbol of a king. Uneasy lies the head _______________.

Answer:

(a) you can achieve good results

(b) I graduated from college

(c) I was in class ten

(d) had been free

(e) people gather to buy and sell goods

(f) he should/might misuse his income [Note: In the prompt, 'His' should be used instead of 'Their'.]

(g) I would have accomplished more tasks

(h) who is completely happy in this world

(i) the task was easy

(j) that wears a crown

4. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context. 0.5×14=7

A teacher (a) __________ (compare) with an architect. Teachers (b) __________ (call) the architects of a nation. They (c) __________ (play) an important role in order to build a nation. They are used (d) __________ (make) the illiterate people worthy citizens. But the teachers (e) __________ (not hold) high respect in our country. They are habituated to (f) __________ (lead) a humble life in the midst of want. Still they (g) __________ (keep) the light of education (h) __________ (burn) with a view to (i) ________ (remove) the darkness of illiteracy. It is high time we (j) ________ (change) our outlook towards the teachers. In many developed countries teachers (k) _________ (give) high respect. “A most important truth, which we are apt (l) ________ (forget), is that a teacher can never truly teach unless he is still (m) ________ (learn) himself. A lamp can never light another lamp unless it (n) ________ (continue) to burn its own flame,” Tagore said.

Answer:

(a) is compared

(b) are called

(c) play

(d) to making

(e) are not held

(f) leading

(g) keep

(h) burning

(i) removing

(j) changed

(k) are given

(l) to forget

(m) learning

(n) continues

5. Change the narrative style by using indirect speeches: 7

“What kind of stories did Aesop tell?” asked Anwar. “Fables”, said Mrs Amin. “Do you know what fables are?” “No,” replied Anwar. “Well,” said Mrs Amin, “Fables are stories with a message or a moral.” “Who is Aesop and where does he live?” asked Anwar. “Aesop entertained people telling stories,” said Mrs Amin.

Answer:

Anwar asked Mrs. Amin what kind of stories Aesop had told. Mrs. Amin replied that they had been fables and asked if he knew what fables were. Anwar replied in the negative. Mrs. Amin nodded and continued that fables are stories with a message or a moral. Anwar further asked who Aesop was and where he lived. Mrs. Amin replied that Aesop had entertained people by telling those stories.

6. Read the following text and use modifiers as directed in the blank spaces: 0.5×10=5

Long ago there lived (a)__________ (use article to pre-modify the noun) merchant. He used to deal in salt. He had a donkey to carry the load. He used to sell (b)__________ (Use possessive to pre-modify the noun) salt loaded on the donkey. He had to cross a stream (c)__________ (Use an infinitive) to other village. Once his donkey fell (d)__________ (post modify the verb with prepositional phrase) and (e)__________ (Use quantifier to pre-modify the noun) of the salt was dissolved in water. The donkey (f)__________ (Use an adverb to pre-modify the verb) crossed the stream due to the light weight of salt (g)__________ (post modify the verb with prepositional phrase). The donkey was happy. The merchant next day loaded the donkey with a lot of cotton. The donkey once again repeated the (h)__________ (Use adjective to pre-modify the noun) trick. He fell into the stream. (i)__________ (Use a demonstrative to pre-modify the noun) time his load became very heavy. The donkey carried the heavy load. It was very tiring for him to move on. The donkey now realized his mistake. He stopped falling down into (j)__________ (Use determiner to pre-modify the noun) stream. The merchant had taught the donkey a good lesson.

Answer:

(a) a

(b) his

(c) to go

(d) into the river

(e) much

(f) easily

(g) without difficulty

(h) same

(i) This

(j) the

7. Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of the following passage: 0.5×14=7

Unemployment is a great curse. (a)__________ all the countries of the world suffer from the curse. (b)__________ nowhere in the world this problem is so acute as in our country. (c)__________ there are many reasons behind it. (d)__________, our country is industrially backward. (e)__________ our traditional education system is not service-oriented. (f)__________ our students and youths have false sense of dignity. (g)__________ they run after job only. (h)__________ unemployment problem should be removed at any cost. (i)__________ we want to remove it truly, our education system should be changed. (j)__________ more mills and factories should be established. (k)__________ the educated youth should change their attitude to life. (l)__________ they can work in agriculture field, cultivate fish, grow vegetables etc. (m)__________ they can start small business. (n)__________ self employment is a possible solution to this great problem.

Answer:

(a) At present/Now/In fact

(b) But/Truly speaking

(c) Obviously/However/Surely

(d) Firstly

(e) Secondly

(f) Thirdly

(g) So/Therefore

(h) Hence

(i) In fact/Indeed

(j) Additionally

(k) Moreover

(l) Besides

(m) On top of that/Also

(n) Therefore

8. Read the passage and write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed below: 0.5×14=7

Sincerity is the root of success of all work. One can go a long way if he does a job with sincerity. The great men are sincere because they know that sincerity is the key to success. Those who do not follow the rules of sincerity can never go a long way. Sincerity is the secret of victory. If any work is not done with sincerity, one will never receive desirable output from it. So, we should be sincere in every walk of life.

(a) Sincerity (antonym); (b) success (antonym); (c) job (synonym); (d) great (antonym); (e) because (synonym); (f) know (synonym); (g) key (synonym); (h) follow (antonym); (i) rules (synonym); (j) never (antonym); (k) long (antonym); (l) victory (synonym); (m) desirable (antonym); (n) output (synonym).

Answer:

(a) Insincerity

(b) failure

(c) work/task

(d) ordinary/small

(e) as/since

(f) realize/learn/apprehend

(g) way/tool

(h) disobey/ignore

(i) laws/codes

(j) always

(k) short/brief

(l) triumph

(m) undesirable

(n) result/outcome

9. There are fourteen errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Re-write the text correcting the errors and make capitalization if necessary: 0.5×14=7

Son : Have you finished your cooking mother My time is up if I do not start now I will be again late today.

Mother : I will need only ten minutes more by this time you dress up yourself.

Son : I have already done it now I am waiting for food.

Mother : I am coming my child dont worry I will give you a drop if necessary.

Son : in that case, I have no problem to wait. Please ask your driver to make the car ready.

Mother : Ok. No problent. I myself will drop you at your college.

Son : Thats like a good mother.

Answer:

Son: Have you finished your cooking, mother? My time is up. If I do not start now, I will be again late today.

Mother: I will need only ten minutes more. By this time, you dress up yourself.

Son: I have already done it. Now I am waiting for food.

Mother: I am coming, my child. Don't worry. I will give you a drop if necessary.

Son: In that case, I have no problem to wait. Please ask your driver to make the car ready.

Mother: Ok. No problem. I myself will drop you at your college.

Son: That's like a good mother.

Part B—Composition

Marks—40

10. Imagine you are Rifat, a student of ABC college. Now write an application to your Principal to establish a debating club. 10

11. Write a paragraph within 200 words describing the “Importance of Tree Plantation”. 15

12. Write a paragraph on “The Causes and Effects of Road Accident” within 200 words. 15