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

Set-02

 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.]

Part I—Reading (Marks: 60)

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

Adolescents constitute a nation's core resource for national renewal and growth. Adolescence is a period in life when transition from childhood to adulthood takes place and behaviours and lifestyles are shaped. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girls’ and boys’ lives. There are 28 million adolescents in Bangladesh; 13.7 million of them are girls and 14.3 million are boys.

The situation of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is characterised by inequality and subordination within the family and society. This inequality leads to widespread practice of child marriage, marginalisation or exclusion from health, education and economic opportunities, and vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse.

In Bangladesh, the legal age of marriage is 18 for girls and 21 for boys. However, 33 percent of adolescent girls are married before the age of 15 and 60 percent become mothers by the age of 19. Research finds that adolescents with a higher level of education and from more affluent families tend to marry at a later age. Boys, however, become ready for marriage only after several years of adolescence and into young adulthood.

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

(a) Which of the following is the correct meaning of 'affluent' used in this passage?

(i) Poor (ii) Comfortable (iii) Wealthy (iv) Frugal

(b) The word 'adolescence' in line 1 can be replaced by -

(i) puberty (ii) adulthood (iii) infancy (iv) maturity

(c) The number of adolescents in Bangladesh is-

(i) 2.8 billion (ii) 28 billion (iii) 2.8 crore (iv) 28 crore

(d) Adolescent girls in Bangladesh experience—

(i) disparity (ii) equality (iii) freedom (iv) comfort and luxury

(e) "...vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse." Here the word 'vulnerability' is a/an—

(i) noun (ii) noun phrase (iii) adjective (iv) adverb

(f) People with education and wealth get their adolescent girls married at a/an—

(i) early age (ii) urgent moment (iii) later age (iv) inconvenient time

(g) Why are adolescents considered a nation's core resource?

(i) On account of their indomitable spirit. (ii) As they are the symbol of energy. (iii) For national renewal and growth. (iv) Because of their loyalty to the nation.

(h) The word ‘constitute’ mentioned in the passage means—

(i) break up (ii) scatter (iii) disperse (iv) comprise

(i) The transition from childhood to adulthood takes place in life—

(i) during childhood (ii) in adolescence (iii) at various stages of growth (iv) during maturity

(j) The word ‘renewal' mentioned in the passage means—

(i) regeneration (ii) destruction (iii) ruin (iv) annihilation

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

(a) What does WHO say about adolescence?

(b) How many adolescents are boys and how many are girls in Bangladesh?

(c) How is the condition of the adolescent girls in Bangladesh?

(d) What is the legal age of marriage for boys and girls in our country?

(e) When do the boys become ready for marriage?

2. Read the following passage and make a flow chart showing the nature and functions of a dream. (one is done for you):  1×5=5

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.

1. Images during sleep → 2. → 3. → 4. → 5. → 6.

3. Write a summary of the following text: 10

Education aims to bring about positive changes in our behaviour. It helps us try to change our lives as well as the society we live in. Education that does not illuminate our minds or does not inspire us to work for the community is not complete at all. Education is not all about getting grades or receiving certificates; we use education to make life better. We are expected to apply the knowledge, skills and values that we learn in a classroom in our engagement with the world that lies outside. And we can do so in many different ways. Let’s have a look at how education works.

Learners’ civic engagement is highly appreciated all over the world. Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life (the public life of the citizens as contrasted with private or personal life) of the community using knowledge, skills, values and motivation. Civic engagement promotes the quality of life in a community by contributing to the improvement of health and wellbeing of the people.

Civically engaged individuals recognize themselves as members of a larger social community and are concerned about civic issues. They consider themselves responsible citizens who take action or raise their voices against injustice, discrimination and other forms of social ills. 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 service to elderly people. These are all examples of civic engagement as what you do directly affects the community.

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: 1×10=10

ability	develop	acquisition	mother	fact
use	communication	natural	aware	spontaneous

Communicative competence refers to the (a) __________ to use language appropriately in various circumstances. There are two ways of (b) __________ communicative competence in a language. The first is (c) __________ which is similar to the way people develop ability in their (d) __________ tongue. It is a subconscious process in which users are not usually aware of the grammatical rules. They are only aware of the (e) __________ that they are (f) __________ the language for (g) __________. It is a (h) __________ process of acquiring a language. Learning, on the other hand, refers to conscious knowledge of a language. Users are (i) __________ of the rules of the language they are using. In non-technical terms, acquisition is picking up a language (j) __________.

5. Fill in the gaps using suitable words: 1×10=10

The food (a) __________ of the young people of our country has changed greatly. Our young people are getting (b) __________ to fast foods and western foods day by day. Today they go to fast food shops and enjoy much, taking (c) __________ such as pizza, burger, soft drinks etc. When fast foods (d) __________ a high level of salt, sugar and fats, then it is called (e) __________ food. It lacks fibre, (f) __________ and minerals. The world is currently facing an obesity epidemic which puts people at the (g) __________ of chronic (h) __________ like heart disease and diabetes. Junk foods (i) __________ to obesity. So, we should be (j) __________ about having fast foods now and then.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order: 1×10=10

(a) The angel took down his request and went away.

(b) His name was Abu Ben Adhem.

(c) Abu then requested him to put his name in the list because he loved mankind and his fellow brothers.

(d) He again appeared the next night and showed Abu that his name was at the top of the list.

(e) The angel was writing the names of persons who loved God.

(f) Once upon a time there was an honest and pious man.

(g) He asked the angel if his name was there.

(h) He was once sleeping peacefully.

(i) In reply, the angel said that his name was not there.

(j) Suddenly he woke up and saw an angel.

Part 2— Guided Writing (Marks: 40)

7. The graph shows "the smartphone users" from 2017 to 2023. Describe the graph in at least 150 words highlighting the information given in the graph. 15 

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

once an ant was very thirsty. He went to a river bank to drink water. When he began to drink water, a wave...... 

9. Suppose you are Mushfiq/Ashia. Write a letter to your pen-friend Tania living in the USA about the celebration of 16th December in your college. 10

HSC - 2025 English 1st Paper Rajshahi Board Questions' Answers

Answer Key: English First Paper (Set-02)

Part I—Reading Test

1. A. Multiple Choice Questions

(a) — (iii) Wealthy

(b) — (i) puberty

(c) — (iii) 2.8 crore

(d) — (i) disparity

(e) — (i) noun

(f) — (iii) later age

(g) — (iii) For national renewal and growth.

(h) — (iv) comprise

(i) — (ii) in adolescence

(j) — (i) regeneration

1. B. Short Answer Questions

(a) According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescence is the period that shapes the future of both girls' and boys' lives.

(b) In Bangladesh, there are 28 million adolescents, of whom 14.3 million are boys and 13.7 million are girls.

(c) The condition of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is characterized by inequality and subordination. This leads to problems like child marriage, exclusion from health and educational opportunities, and vulnerability to violence.

(d) In our country, the legal age of marriage is 18 for girls and 21 for boys.

(e) Boys become ready for marriage only after several years of adolescence and when they have entered young adulthood.

2. Flow Chart

Images during sleep → 2. Thoughts experienced during sleep → 3. Emotions felt during sleep → 4. Can be vivid or vague → 5. Can be joyful or frightening → 6. Essential to mental and emotional well-being.

3. Summary

True education goes beyond grades and certificates; its main purpose is to improve our lives and society by fostering positive changes in our behaviour. This is achieved by applying the knowledge, skills, and values learned in the classroom to the real world through civic engagement. Civic engagement involves working to make a positive difference in the public life of a community. Responsible citizens engage in these activities by addressing public concerns, fighting against social injustice, and protecting public interests. This can be done through various actions, from organized protests like rallies and petitions to direct community services like cleaning a park or helping the elderly.

4. Fill in the Blanks (with box)

(a) ability

(b) developing

(c) acquisition

(d) mother

(e) fact

(f) using

(g) communication

(h) natural

(i) aware

(j) spontaneously

5. Fill in the Blanks (without box)

(a) habit

(b) addicted

(c) foods / items

(d) contain

(e) junk

(f) vitamins

(g) risk

(h) diseases

(i) lead

(j) careful

6. Rearrange Sentences

The correct order is: (f) → (b) → (h) → (j) → (e) → (g) → (i) → (c) → (a) → (d)

Part 2— Guided Writing

7. Graph Description

The bar graph illustrates the growth in the number of smartphone users over a seven-year period, from 2017 to 2023. The vertical axis shows the number of users in millions, while the horizontal axis represents the years.

The graph clearly indicates a consistent and significant increase in smartphone usage throughout the period. In 2017, the number of users was at its lowest point, standing at approximately 40 million. By 2019, this number had risen substantially to 60 million. The upward trend continued, and in 2021, the number of users reached 80 million. The most recent data for 2023 shows the number of smartphone users peaking at 100 million. This represents a 150% increase in users over just six years.

In conclusion, the graph demonstrates the rapid adoption and immense popularity of smartphone technology, showing a steep and uninterrupted growth in its user base from 2017 to 2023.

8.

Once an ant was very thirsty. He went to a river bank to drink water. When he began to drink water, a wave rose and swept him into the current. The tiny ant struggled in the water, crying for help, but his voice was too small to be heard.

Luckily, a dove sitting on a branch of a nearby tree saw the ant in trouble. Feeling pity for the small creature, the dove quickly plucked a large leaf and dropped it into the river near the struggling ant. The ant managed to climb onto the leaf, which acted like a small boat, carrying him safely to the riverbank. "Thank you, kind dove!" the ant chirped. "I will never forget your help."

A few days later, the ant saw a hunter aiming his bow and arrow at the very same dove, who was resting on a branch, unaware of the danger. Remembering the dove's kindness, the ant knew he had to act fast. He crawled up to the hunter's bare foot and gave him a sharp, painful bite. The hunter cried out in pain and missed his shot. The noise startled the dove, who immediately realized the danger and flew away to safety.

Moral: One good turn deserves another. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

9. Letter to a Pen-Friend

15/A, Green Road,

Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205.

23 July 2025

Dear Tania,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. It’s been a while since I last wrote to you. Today, I want to share my experience of celebrating the 16th of December, our Victory Day, at my college. It was a day filled with patriotism and pride.

The celebration began early in the morning. Our principal hoisted the national flag of Bangladesh on the college premises while we all sang the national anthem together. It was a truly moving moment. After that, a discussion meeting was held in our auditorium where our teachers and some guest speakers talked about the significance of the day and the history of our great Liberation War in 1971. Their words filled our hearts with deep respect for the freedom fighters.

Following the discussion, a cultural program was staged. Students performed patriotic songs, recited poems about the war, and presented a short play depicting the bravery of our martyrs. The entire campus was beautifully decorated with flags, festoons, and posters.

It was a day to remember our heroes and to feel proud of being a citizen of an independent country. I wish you could have been here to experience it.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Your loving friend,

Mushfiq