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

Set-02 

ENGLISH First Paper

[According to the Syllabus of 2025]

Subject Code: 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 following text and answer the questions in A and B:

A plate of hot French fries and a huge burger with hot cheese oozing out of it, with a carbonated drink, looks like a treat! This calorie-rich junk food does look mouth-watering but is known to be nutritionally poor. Junk food or fast food has become an increasingly popular food choice. Ideally, junk foods are defined as processed foods with negligible nutrient value and are often high in salt, sugar and fat. But we often confuse fast foods with junk foods. How are they different? Or what is junk food really?

Junk foods are processed foods consisting of high calories, but that is considered only as a broad umbrella. These foods are prepared in a way that they look appealing and are enjoyable, so you are chemically programmed to ask for more. According to Dr. Sunali Sharma, a dietician and nutritionist, “Commercial products including salted snack foods, chewing gum, candy, sugary desserts, fried fast food and sweetened carbonated beverages that have little or no nutritional value but are high in calories, salt and fats may be considered junk foods. Though not all fast foods are junk foods, a great number of them are. For instance, a salad may be fast food, but is definitely not junk food. Some foods like burgers, pizzas and tacos may alternate between junk and healthy categories depending on the ingredients, calories and process of manufacturing.”

Frequent consumption of junk food increases the intake of excess fat, simple carbohydrates and processed sugar which may lead to a higher risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases among other chronic health problems. The resulting obesity may begin clogging up the arteries and lay the basis of an impending heart attack. It has also been suggested that eating junk food affects the brain in the same way as consuming addictive drugs. An addiction to junk food may even result in the rejection of healthier food options like fruits, vegetables, salads etc., leading to further lack of nourishment.

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

(a) The word ‘appealing’ mentioned in the passage means—

(i) charming (ii) shocking (iii) hopeless (iv) disgusting

(b) The phrase ‘clogging up’ refers to —

(i) entering (ii) going (iii) crumbling (iv) blocking

(c) “An addiction to junk food may even result in the rejection of healthier food”—Here the word ‘rejection’ means—

(i) approval (ii) refusal (iii) acceptance (iv) choice

(d) What is the synonym of the word ‘nutrient’?

(i) unhealthy (ii) nourishing (iii) decline (iv) calorie

(e) ‘Cardiovascular diseases’ is related to our —

(i) heart (ii) muscle (iii) neuron (iv) bone

(f) The purpose of the use of cheese is to —

(i) make the burger tasty (ii) make the burger look lucrative (iii) make the burger spicy (iv) make the burger hot

(g) Which of the following is not a junk food?

(i) burger (ii) chewing gum (iii) candy (iv) salad

(h) Which of the following is not true about junk food?

(i) It is full of high calories. (ii) It involves the risk of heart failure. (iii) People may become fat eating junk food. (iv) It has high nutrient value.

(i) The word ‘enjoyable’ is a/an—

(i) pronoun (ii) adjective (iii) adverb (iv) preposition

(j) What does ooze out of a huge burger? (i) cheese (ii) sauce (iii) salt (iv) oil

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

(a) What do you mean by junk food? (b) Why has eating junk food been compared to consuming addictive drugs? (c) What are the common ingredients of junk foods? (d) Why does one want to eat junk foods more? (e) Why is junk food bad for health?

2. Read the passage and make a flow chart showing the functions of education. (No. 1 has been done for you): 1×5=5

Education gives us knowledge and a set of abilities to function meaningfully in life, such as the ability to decide things rationally and make the right choices. As we learn how to read, write and do the basic operations of arithmetic, we gain a degree of self-confidence. We learn to think for ourselves and articulate our thoughts; we pick up skills to communicate with others and manage our affairs as well. Education helps us think independently and make our own opinions. As we know more about the world, we appreciate the good things it offers us but also become critical of the deviations from the values it imparts and the rise of hatred or conflict that follows.

The first thing education does is to give us an awareness about ourselves which leads to the development of our personality. As we begin school, we feel the need to belong to the class and make friends. We then expand our sense of belonging to include the school at large, our community and finally our country. Education thus prepares every child to become an active member of the community and work for its welfare.

1. Ability to decide things rationally → 2. → 3. → 4. → 5. → 6.

3. Summarize the following text: 10

Relationships are of different kinds. Some are familial and intimate, formed by blood and by marriage; some are social, like the ones we have with friends; and some are made in school where we form close bonds with classmates and teachers. Relationships can also be fostered in the workplace, which may quickly change from professional to social. There are relationships also between human beings and animals, between children and their toys that they cannot part with.

All these relationships keep us close to each other and provide us all kinds of support, love and affection. A person who has no family feels the pains of loneliness and isolation. There is no one to laugh or cry with him/her. When we share our joy with someone, it simply redoubles, and when we suffer a loss and someone shares our sorrow, it lessens. Relationships are thus needed for our emotional health.

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

warmth	cut	rise	anticipation	habitats
increase	reckless	severe	imperative	extinct
catastrophe	raise

The destruction of forests and other (a) __________ is causing the (b) __________ of various plants and animals every day. In the last 25 years alone the world has lost one-third of its natural wealth. Forests are being (c) __________ down. Moreover, they are being burnt (d) __________ resulting in an (e) __________ in carbon dioxide and ultimately the water level (f) __________ as a consequence of global (g) __________. It is (h) __________ that the new century will face an overwhelming environmental (i) __________. It is therefore (j) __________ to check the reckless pollution of the environment.

5. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with a suitable word in each gap: 1×10=10

From the moment we are born, we cannot (a) __________ alone. We are always in (b) __________ of the assistance of (c) __________ others around us. We need clothes, which others (d) __________, houses, which others (e) __________, and food, which others (f) __________. We have to earn our livelihood by (g) __________ for others, while they get their livelihood by working for us. As children, we need our parents to be our comforters, and take (h) __________ of us in body and (i) __________. As we grow up, we need the care of others. We cannot exist a day (j) __________ our fellowmen.

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

        I.            And that person was his loving mother.

     II.            His father got angry for this kind of activity.

  III.            He always asked, “Why, why, why.”

  IV.            The boy often undertook some risky adventures.

    V.            He was Thomas Alva Edison.

  VI.            But there was only one person who never felt annoyed with the boy.

VII.            For example, once the boy set his father’s barn on fire only to see how it could burn.

VIII.            Do you know who this boy was?

  IX.            Sometimes it was difficult to satisfy him with answer.

    X.            A young boy of six or seven became the subject of talk in a village.

Part II—Writing (Marks: 40)

7. The graph below shows an increase in the number of overseas students at the universities which usually takes place over a period of time. Describe the graph in 150 words.

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words: 15 Shimul was a schoolgirl whose parents were landless. They were unable to bear her educational expenses. But Shimul was determined...

9. Suppose you are a student of class XI. Now, write a paragraph on 'Foods and Food Habits in Bangladesh'. 10

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

Answer Key: English First Paper (Set-02)

Part I—Reading Test

1. A. Multiple Choice Questions

(a) — (i) charming

(b) — (iv) blocking

(c) — (ii) refusal

(d) — (ii) nourishing

(e) — (i) heart

(f) — (i) make the burger tasty

(g) — (iv) salad

(h) — (iv) It has high nutrient value.

(i) — (ii) adjective

(j) — (i) cheese

1. B. Short Answer Questions

(a) Junk food refers to processed foods that have negligible nutritional value but are high in calories, salt, sugar, and fat.

(b) Eating junk food has been compared to consuming addictive drugs because it affects the brain in a similar way, creating a chemical dependency that makes people crave more and reject healthier food options.

(c) The common ingredients of junk foods are high amounts of salt, sugar, and fats, along with simple carbohydrates and various artificial additives.

(d) One wants to eat more junk food because it is prepared in a way that looks appealing and is enjoyable, chemically programming the brain to ask for more.

(e) Junk food is bad for health because its frequent consumption leads to an increased intake of excess fat, sugar, and carbohydrates, which significantly raises the risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, and other chronic health problems.

2. Flow Chart

Ability to decide things rationally → 2. Ability to make the right choices → 3. Gaining a degree of self-confidence → 4. Learning to think for ourselves → 5. Developing skills to communicate with others → 6. Becoming an active member of the community.

3. Summary

Humans form diverse relationships—familial, social, and professional—which are fundamental to a meaningful life. These connections provide essential support, love, and affection, which are vital for our emotional well-being. Sharing joy with others multiplies it, while sharing sorrow lessens the burden. Consequently, the lack of such relationships can lead to profound loneliness and isolation. To maintain these crucial bonds, qualities like trust, respect, and selflessness are necessary, as conflict and selfishness only lead to misery.

4. Fill in the Blanks (with box)

(a) habitats

(b) extinction

(c) cut

(d) recklessly

(e) increase

(f) rising

(g) warming

(h) anticipated

(i) catastrophe

(j) imperative

5. Fill in the Blanks (without box)

(a) live

(b) need

(c) the

(d) make

(e) build

(f) grow / prepare

(g) working

(h) care

(i) mind

(j) without

6. Rearrange Sentences

Answer:

The correct sequence is one of the following:

·         x → iii → ix → iv → vii → ii → vi → i → viii → v

OR,

·         x → ix → iii → iv → vii → ii → vi → i → viii → v

Part II—Writing

7. Graph Description

The bar graph displays the results of the PSC Examination for a particular school over a five-year period, from 2013 to 2017. The vertical axis represents the pass rate in percentage.

Overall, the graph shows a positive and upward trend in the school's performance, with a minor fluctuation. In 2013, the pass rate was 85%. It saw a slight increase to 88% in 2014 and continued to rise significantly to 92% in 2015. However, there was a small dip in 2016 when the pass rate fell to 90%. The school quickly recovered from this setback, achieving its highest pass rate of 95% in 2017. This indicates a consistent effort by the school to improve its academic standards.

8. Story Completion

Shimul was a schoolgirl whose parents were landless. They were unable to bear her educational expenses. But Shimul was determined to continue her studies. To earn money, she decided to use her skill in sewing. After school, she started taking orders from her neighbors to stitch clothes for them. She worked late into the night, balancing her studies and her work with great difficulty.

Her hard work and determination did not go unnoticed. One day, the headmaster of her school heard about her struggle. He was deeply moved by her resolve. He called a meeting with the other teachers and school committee members. They decided to grant Shimul a full scholarship, waiving all her tuition fees. A local philanthropist, upon hearing her story from the headmaster, also came forward and offered to provide a monthly stipend to cover her other educational expenses like books and stationery. Shimul's determination had not only allowed her to continue her education but also inspired her entire community.

9. Paragraph: 'Foods and Food Habits in Bangladesh'

The foods and food habits of Bangladesh are diverse and rich in flavor, deeply rooted in its culture and geography. The popular proverb "Mache Bhate Bangali" (Bengali by fish and rice) perfectly captures the essence of the nation's diet, with steamed rice being the staple food, typically served with a variety of fish curries, lentils (dal), and vegetables. Bhortas, which are mashed preparations of vegetables, fish, or meat mixed with mustard oil and spices, are another unique and beloved part of a traditional meal. For special occasions and festivals like Eid, rich and aromatic dishes like biryani, korma, and pulao take center stage. Winter is celebrated with a wide array of homemade rice cakes known as 'pitha'. In recent times, urban food habits have evolved, with a growing popularity of fast food and continental cuisine among the youth. However, the heart of Bangladeshi cuisine remains its traditional, flavourful, and lovingly prepared home-cooked meals.