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

Set-04 ENGLISH First Paper

[According to the syllabus of 2025]

Subject Code: 107 Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

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

Part I—Reading Test (Marks: 60)

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

The act of thinking deeply and calmly about something in a state of heightened awareness is known as meditation. It is an approach to train the mind, similar to the way that fitness is an approach to training the body.

Voltaire explains, "Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in eternal awareness or pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity".

From ancient times, meditation has been a part of some religious traditions as a way of achieving the body's release from worldly cares, and creating inner harmony. Meditation in our time is practiced by people to reduce stress and tension and improve focus. There are trainers who help beginners with some exercises such as improved breathing and progressive relaxation. One of the most common approaches to meditation is concentration.

To develop concentration one needs to focus on a single point. Since focusing the mind is challenging, a beginner might meditate for only a few minutes and then work up to a longer duration.

Meditation releases anxiety and brings a state of calmness. It increases the thinking ability of the human brain so that people have a better control of their emotions. Those who practice meditation can work tirelessly for a longer period of time. Meditation helps improve blood circulation in the brain and other parts of the body. Finally, meditation improves creativity, self-awareness and tolerance.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives: 0.5×10=5

(a) What is meditation good for?

(i) Eyes (ii) Serious thinking (iii) Developing muscles (iv) Relaxation

(b) Meditation is not synonymous with—

i) reflection (ii) contemplation (iii) musing (iv) mediation

(c) When did people begin practicing meditation?

(i) In the last century (ii) Recently (iii) In the ancient period (iv) Middle ages

(d) Meditation can be mastered—

(i) very slowly (ii) by degrees (iii) rashly (iv) in a very deep manner

(e) How does improved blood circulation help a human being?

(i) It develops the mind (ii) It helps all the organs of the body function properly (iii) It prevents pneumonia (iv) It increases thinking ability

(f) Meditation mostly brings about __________ fitness.

(i) psychological (ii) physical (iii) carnal (iv) exercise

(g) The word ‘beginners’ mentioned in the passage refers to—

(i) interns (ii) apprentices (iii) practitioners (iv) seniors

(h) Why do you need to focus on a single point?

(i) To finish meditation early (ii) To do well at your workplace (iii) To develop concentration (iv) To think deeply

(i) Which of the following is not a feature of meditation?

(i) Serene thoughts (ii) Careful thinking (iii) Switching on the mind clock (iv) Merging with the mob

(j) What is the text about?

(i) Contemplation (ii) Negotiation (iii) Mental exercise (iv) Hypnotism

B. Answer the following questions: 3×5=15

(a) What is meditation? How does Voltaire explain meditation?

(b) Why has meditation been a part of some religious traditions since ancient times?

(c) What are the reasons for practicing meditation in our time?

(d) How can you develop concentration?

(e) What happens when you meditate?

2. Read the following passage and make a flow chart showing the major features of St. Martin’s Island. (No. 1 is done for you): 1×5=5

The Island of St. Martin’s is the only coral Island in Bangladesh, located in the north-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal. The roughly flat Island is only about 3.6 metres above sea level. The entire Island can be walked about in 3 hours. The Island is known for its unique natural beauty with white sandy beaches fringed with coconut palms and diverse marine life. Due to the expansion of unregulated tourism, the Island is facing increasing erosion, contamination of surface and ground water, wildlife displacement, and loss of biodiversity. Other threats include cutting of sand dune vegetation for fuel-wood and hotel establishment; degradation of sand dune habitat; the harvesting of turtle eggs; and indiscriminate exploitation of coral resources etc. To address this, the Government has declared some areas of the Island as an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA), prohibiting unauthorized constructions there.

1. Only coral island in Bangladesh → 2. → 3. → 4. → 5. → 6.

3. Write a summary of the following text: 10

We set out on the evening of July 21st. Food was scarce in the village. So Abdul packed a suitcase with two loaves and some tea and tins of milk, cheese and jam. We travelled in intermediate class on a cross-country train, not uncomfortably crowded, through a country of shadowy loveliness. It was a moonlit night of broken soft clouds; the land was mostly under water, with paddy and coconut palms growing from it and a few raised cart-tracks and groups of cottages islanded among clumps of bushes, all reflected among shadows. Here and there was the red glow of a cooking-fire or the lantern of a fisherman's boat in open water. At dawn we reached Sonaimuri, a small canal-side station among wide fields; from there we had eight more miles by country boat, some of it along the canal, some of it across the flooded paddy fields. I was looking forward to that tranquil water journey in the early morning, and tranquil it must have been, for I fell instantly asleep and knew no more till we reached the landing-ghat at Khorshed's father's house, in a blaze of sunlight. It turned out that his letter saying that he was bringing me was still on its way, but they rallied to the crisis and gathered round to make me welcome, though as none of them spoke any English they could only stare and laugh and offer me coconut juice.

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

gentleperson	appreciate	proper	realize	these
offended	keep up	accepted	be	behave
notice	manners

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 are not difficult to (g) __________. So, why not practise (h) __________ etiquette? It certainly isn’t hard to try, and many people will (i) __________ that you are conscientious enough to behave like a proper (j) __________ at the table.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: 1×10=10

Our society is formed of the average middle class. They are the (a) __________ sufferers of day to day soaring prices. (b) __________ class people and big industrialists never bother and suffer (c) __________ to rising prices as their income also increases. But the income of the middle-class person is (d) __________. If their income increases, it is not proportionate to the (e) __________ prices. The result is that they are the (f) __________ of rising prices. But the poor can do nothing. After crying for some days, they try to (g) __________ their budget accordingly. Even the government is unable to (h) __________ rising prices. It is also compelled to increase the rates of commodities under its control to reduce subsidy. The standard of living is also rising high in metros. To increase the (i) __________ of new products, electronic and print media are playing a major role. The purchasing (j) __________ of money has declined. But there is no hope of checking the price hike.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Re-arrange them in a proper sequence: 1×10=10

(i) Everyone frantically searched for the balloon with their name, colliding with each other, pushing around others, and there was utter chaos. (ii) Each one was asked to write his/her name on the balloon using a marker pen and release it. (iii) He then took all the attendees to the room and asked each one to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. (iv) Once a group of 50 people were attending a seminar. (v) He then collected all the balloons and put them in another room. (vi) Within minutes everyone had their own balloon. (vii) The speaker then began, "This is happening in our lives, and our happiness lies in the happiness of other people." (viii) At the end of five minutes, no one could find their own balloon. (ix) He then took all the attendees to the room and asked them to find the balloon with their name within five minutes. (x) The speaker gave a balloon to each attendee.

Part II—Writing Test (Marks: 40)

7. The pie chart below shows the interests of the students of a college in different subjects. Describe the chart highlighting the information given. 15

Subjects of Interest

• English: 30%

• Biology: 25%

• Bangla: 20%

• Physics: 15%

• Higher Math: 10%

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. Give a title to it. 15

Orpi is a student of Munshigonj Primary School. She is in class four. One day, on her way to school, she found a money bag dropped by someone...

9. Suppose you are Topu. One of your friends is infected with dengue fever and is hospitalized. Now, write a letter to your friend showing sympathy. 10

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

Answer Key: English First Paper (Set-04)

Part I—Reading Test

1. A. Multiple Choice Questions

(a) — (iv) Relaxation

(b) — (iv) mediation

(c) — (iii) In the ancient period

(d) — (ii) by degrees

(e) — (ii) It helps all the organs of the body function properly

(f) — (i) psychological

(g) — (ii) apprentices

(h) — (iii) To develop concentration

(i) — (iv) Merging with the mob

(j) — (iii) Mental exercise

1. B. Short Answer Questions

(a) Meditation is the act of thinking deeply and calmly about something in a state of heightened awareness. Voltaire explains it as "the dissolution of thoughts in eternal awareness or pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity."

(b) From ancient times, meditation has been a part of some religious traditions as a way of achieving the body's release from worldly cares and creating inner harmony.

(c) In our time, people practice meditation mainly to reduce stress and tension and to improve their focus and concentration.

(d) According to the passage, one can develop concentration by focusing on a single point. A beginner should start with short durations and gradually work up to longer ones.

(e) When you meditate, it releases anxiety and brings a state of calmness. It increases thinking ability, gives better control over emotions, improves creativity, self-awareness, and tolerance, and helps improve blood circulation.

2. Flow Chart

Only coral island in Bangladesh → 2. Roughly a flat island → 3. Only about 3.6 metres above sea level → 4. Has unique natural beauty with white sandy beaches → 5. Fringed with coconut palms → 6. Has a diverse marine life.

3. Summary

The narrator describes a train journey taken with a companion named Abdul through a beautiful, moonlit, and water-logged countryside in Bangladesh. Due to food scarcity, they packed their own provisions. After the train ride, they had to travel further by a country boat. The narrator found the journey so tranquil that he fell asleep and only woke up upon arriving at their destination, the house of Khorshed's father. Although the family had not received the letter announcing their arrival, they warmly welcomed the narrator with smiles and coconut juice, overcoming the language barrier with their hospitality.

4. Fill in the Blanks (with box)

(a) manners

(b) are

(c) accepted

(d) behave

(e) offended

(f) will realize

(g) keep up

(h) proper

(i) appreciate

(j) gentleperson

5. Fill in the Blanks (without box)

(a) worst

(b) Rich / Upper

(c) due

(d) limited

(e) rising

(f) victims

(g) adjust

(h) control

(i) sales

(j) power

6. Rearrange Sentences

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

Part II—Writing Test

7. Pie Chart Description

The pie chart displays the subject preferences among students of a particular college. The subjects are English, Biology, Bangla, Physics, and Higher Math, shown in percentages.

The most popular subject among the students is English, which is preferred by 30% of the student body. The second most favoured subject is Biology, chosen by a quarter of the students (25%). Together, science subjects (Biology, Physics, and Higher Math) account for a total of 60%, indicating a strong inclination towards the science stream.

Bangla is the third most popular choice, with 20% of students showing interest in it. Physics is preferred by 15% of the students. The least popular subject among the five is Higher Math, which is the choice of only 10% of the students.

In summary, the chart clearly shows that English is the single most preferred subject, and there is a significant overall preference for science-related subjects compared to Bangla among the students of this college.

8. Story Completion

An Honest Girl's Reward

Orpi is a student of Munshigonj Primary School. She is in class four. One day, on her way to school, she found a money bag dropped by someone. She picked it up and saw that it was full of money. Being an honest girl from a family that had taught her good values, she did not think of keeping it for a moment. She knew she had to return it to its rightful owner.

She took the bag straight to her school's headmaster and explained how she had found it. The headmaster praised her honesty. Together, they opened the bag and found a large amount of cash and a visiting card with the owner's name and phone number. The headmaster called the number, and the owner, a wealthy businessman, soon arrived at the school. He was extremely relieved and grateful to get his money back.

Impressed by Orpi's honesty, especially after learning about her family's financial struggles, the businessman decided to reward her. He not only gave her a handsome amount of money but also promised to bear all her educational expenses until she completed her studies. Orpi's honesty had brought a great blessing to her and her family.

9. Letter to a Friend

15/B, Block-C, Halishahar,

Chattogram.

23 July 2025

My dear [Friend's Name],

I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear that you have been infected with dengue fever and are now in the hospital. I am very worried about you and have been praying for your quick recovery ever since I got the news.

Dengue can make one feel very weak, so I hope you are taking complete rest and following the doctor's advice properly. Please make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids like water, juice, and oral saline, as it is very important for recovery. Don't worry too much; you are strong, and I am confident that you will overcome this illness soon. Let me know if you or your family need any kind of help from my side.

I will come to visit you at the hospital as soon as I get permission from your parents. Until then, take care of yourself.

Your loving friend,

Topu