SSC - 2025 English 1st Paper Cumilla Board Questions with Answer

কেয়া ১১৬ ১০৫৭/২০২৫ 03 Set

কুমিল্লা বোর্ড 

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 A-Reading Test Marks-50

Read the passage carefully and answer questions no. 1 and 2:

Humans can neither change the sun's radiation nor the earth's orbit around the sun. But they can control the increase in the amount of greenhouse gases and its effect on the atmosphere. Only during the last hundred years the carbon dioxide concentration has been raised alarmingly in the atmosphere and we humans can be held responsible for this. The main cause of the increase in carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels. Since the end of the 19th century, industrial activities increased rapidly giving rise to many factories. These factories required energy, which was produced through the combustion of coal. Besides coal, other sources of energy such as mineral oil and natural gas were also burned to heat our houses, run cars and airplanes or to produce electricity. Now a days, about 85 million barrels of crude oil are burned daily. Every time a fossil raw material is burned, it releases carbon dioxide into the air. Therefore, it is clear that more and more greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are being generated worldwide by humans. Moreover, we are also strengthening the greenhouse effect by deforestation, which means cutting down trees. Every year enormous area of forests are destroyed by the people to obtain wood and to clear regions for mining and to create pasture. This loss of the forest causes dual problems. Trees that are burned up release large volumes of carbon dioxide gas into the air. On the other hand, as forests absorb a lot of carbon dioxide from the air and deliver oxygen instead, we also destroy an important storehouse of carbon dioxide when we clear forests.

1. Choose the correct answer from the following alternatives: 1×7=7

(a) The word 'combustion' mentioned in the text refers to (i) kindling (ii) burning (iii) consumption (iv) flame

(b) __________ are mainly responsible for greenhouse effect. (i) Wild animals (ii) Plants (iii) Humans (iv) Acquatic Plants

(c) Trees are very useful to the congenial atmosphere because they __________ . (i) absorb greenhouse gases (ii) absorb carbon dioxide (iii) emit carbon dioxide (iv) generate carbon dioxide

(d) __________ is the main cause of increasing carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. (i) Deforestation (ii) The burning of fossil fuels (iii) Destruction of forests (iv) Desertification

(e) What is contextual meaning of the word 'release'? (i) Free (ii) Give away (iii) Discharge (iv) Dismiss

(f) Coal is used for __________ energy. (i) compacting (ii) minimizing (iii) decreasing (iv) generating

(g) The main theme of the passage is to- (i) show how humans are responsible for greenhouse effect (ii) show the importance of tree plantation (iii) show the result of deforestation (iv) show how fossil fuels are being used

2. Answer the following questions: 2×5=10

(a) What is the effect of burning fossil fuels? (b) How can trees help save our environment? (c) When did mills and factories begin to increase? (d) "Human beings are responsible for the greenhouse effect."-Do you agree? Why/Why not? (e) What are the causes lying behind deforestation?

3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text: 1×5=5 

May Day or International Worker's Day is observed on May 1 all over the world today to commemorate the historical struggle and sacrifices of the working people to establish an eight hour workday. It is a public holiday in almost all the countries of the world. Since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and the US, the workers in mills and factories had been working a long shift, fourteen or even more hours a day. On May 1st in 1886, inspired by the trade unions, half of the workers at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight hour workday. Two days later, about 6000 workers brought out a rally addressed by the labour leaders. Suddenly about 200 policemen attacked them with clubs and revolvers. One striker was killed instantly, five or six others were seriously wounded and many others were injured. The events of May 1, 1886 are a reminder that workers will continue to be exploited until they stand up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and better lives.

People all over the world observe May 1, as International Workers' Day to (a) __________ the historical struggle and sacrifice made by the working class people. For their great (b)__________, now the workers can enjoy an eight hour workday. It was a historical struggle (c) __________ the employers and employees. This day reminds that the (d) __________ will be exploited until they raise their (e) __________ for their rights and privileges.

4. Read the following text carefully and answer the questions no. 4 and 5:

William Wordsworth was one of the most influential Romantic poets. He was born on April 7. 1770 at Cockermouth, Lake District of England. When he was eight years old, his mother died and in the same year he was sent to Grainmar School of Hawkshead. Wordsworth's father died five years after his mother's death. His father was a lawyer. As a young man, Wordsworth developed a love of nature, a theme reflected in many of his poems. In 1787, he entered into St. John's College at the University of Cambridge where he studied for four years until he took his B.A Degree. In 1786, two sets of his verses were published and in 1789 he finished writing the 'Evening Walk'. While studying at Cambridge University, he undertook the walking tour in France and Switzerland in 1790 with his friend Robert Jones. In 1795, Wordsworth received a legacy from a close relative and he and his sister Dorothy went to live in Dorset. Two years later, they moved to Somerset, to live near the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who was an admirer of Wordsworth's work. They collaborated on 'Lyrical Ballads', published in 1,798. In 1799, after a visit to Germany with Coleridge. Wordsworth's most famous poem, 'I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" was written at Dove Cottage in 1804. In 1842, he was given a government pension and the following year became a poet laureate. Wordsworth died on 23 April 1850 and was buried in Grasmere Churchyard.

Complete the table below with information from the above passage: 1×5=5

Speciality	A great English romantic poet
Who/What	Event/Activity	Where/Place	Year/When
Willian Wordsworth	was sent to Grammar School	Hawkshead	(i) __________
He	(ii) __________	St. John's College at the University of Cambridge	1791
(iii) __________	undertook the walking tour	France and Switzerland	1790
He	wrote his most famous poem	(iv) __________	1799
He	became a poet laureate		(v) __________

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5. Write a summary of the above passage in your own words. 10

6. Match the parts of sentences given in columns 'A', 'B' and ′C′ to write five complete sentences: 1x5-5

Column A	Column B	Column C
(a) Good manner is	(i) has been given	(i) in every sphere of life.
(b) A man of good manners	(ii) this invaluable virtue	(ii) and is a great virtue.
(c) In all religions, a great importance	(iii) this great virtue	(iii) is an ideal of humanity in all eras.
(d) A person who possesses	(iv) achieves success	(iv) from the early stage of life.
(e) So, all of us should cultivate	(v) the best quality of a human being	(v) to good manners.

7. Rearrange the following sentences into correct order. Only the corresponding numbers of the sentences need to be written: 1×8=8

(a) Returning home from England in 1913, he took over his father's enterprise after his father's death.

(b) He did his B.Sc in Chemistry from Presidency College in 1911.

(c) Sukumar Roy, a famous children's writer was bom in Kolkata in 1887.

(d) He then went to England to study photography and printing technology.

(e) Sukumar Roy passed away in 1923 in Kolkata, India.

(f) His family was originally from Masua in Mymensingh.

(g) He passed the Entrance examination from City School, Kolkata.

(h) His prominent writings are Abol-Tabol, Ha-Ya-Ba-Ra-La, Pagla Dashu and Bahurupi.

Part B-Writing Test Marks-50

8. Answers the following questions to write a paragraph on 'The Importance of Learning English'. 10

(a) What are the benefits of learning English? (b) What will happen if you do not learn English? (c) Why is English globally used? (d) How can you learn English effectively?

9. Read the beginning of a story below. It is not complete. Add at least ten new sentences to complete it. Give a suitable title to it. 10

Once there lived a poor woodcutter in a village near a jungle. He used to cut woods from the forest and sell it in the market, But one day, while cutting wood

10. The graph below shows the percentage of the students choice of reading books from the library of ABC Model High School, Dhaka in the academic session 2023. Now, describe the graph in about 150 words. You should highlight and summarize the information given in the graph. 10

Graph Data: Choice of Reading Books

• Story: 65%

• Poems: 38%

• Science: 62%

• History: 35%

• Journal: 40%

11. Suppose, you are Abid/Abida. You are going to celebrate your birthday next week. Kabir/Kabita is your friend who lives in Cumilla. Now, write an email to invite him/her to attend your birthday party. 10

12. Suppose you are Shipon/Shilpi. Nabil/Nabila is your friend. Both of you have the hobbies. Now, write a dialogue between you and your friend about your favourite.

Part A—Reading Test (Marks—50)

Answer to the Question No. 1

(a) (ii) burning (b) (iii) Humans (c) (iii) absorb carbon dioxide (d) (ii) The burning of fossil fuels (e) (iii) Discharge (f) (iv) generating (g) (i) show how humans are responsible for greenhouse effect

Answer to the Question No. 2

(a) What is the effect of burning fossil fuels? Ans: The effect of burning fossil fuels is very harmful to our atmosphere. According to the passage, every time a fossil fuel is burned, it releases carbon dioxide gas into the air, which is the main cause of the increase in greenhouse gases.

(b) How can trees help save our environment? Ans: Trees can help save our environment in a significant way. The passage states that forests absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide from the air and deliver oxygen instead. By doing so, they act as an important storehouse of carbon dioxide and help to keep our environment clean and balanced.

(c) When did mills and factories begin to increase? Ans: According to the passage, mills and factories began to increase rapidly since the end of the 19th century.

(d) ‘Human beings are responsible for the greenhouse effect’—Do you agree? Why/Why not? Ans: Yes, I agree that human beings are responsible for the greenhouse effect. The passage clearly states that we humans are responsible for the alarming rise in carbon dioxide concentration. This is caused by our activities like burning huge amounts of fossil fuels for factories and transport, and also by deforestation, which destroys the trees that absorb carbon dioxide.

(e) What are the causes lying behind deforestation? Ans: The passage mentions three main causes lying behind deforestation. People destroy forests to obtain wood, to clear regions for mining, and to create pasture for animals.

Answer to the Question No. 3

(a) commemorate (b) sacrifice (c) between (d) workers (e) voices

Answer to the Question No. 4

Who/What	Event/Activity	Where/Place	Year/When
William Wordsworth	was sent to Grammar School	Hawkshead	(i) 1778
He	(ii) took his B.A. degree	St. John's College at the University of Cambridge	1791
(iii) William Wordsworth along with his friend	undertook the walking tour	France and Switzerland	1790
He	wrote his most famous poem	(iv) Dove cottage	1804
He	became a poet laureate	-	(v) 1843

Answer to the Question No. 5

William Wordsworth, one of the most influential Romantic poets of England, was born in 1770. He developed a deep love for nature in his youth, which is reflected in his poetry. After getting his B.A. degree from the University of Cambridge, he collaborated with his friend S.T. Coleridge on the famous 'Lyrical Ballads'. He wrote his most celebrated poem, 'I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud', in 1804. In his later life, he was awarded a government pension and became the poet laureate in 1843. He passed away in 1850.

Answer to the Question No. 6

(a) Good manner is the best quality of a human being and is a great virtue. (b) A man of good manners achieves success in every sphere of life. (c) In all religions, a great importance has been given to good manners. (d) A person who possesses this invaluable virtue is an ideal of humanity in all eras. (e) So, all of us should cultivate this great virtue from the early stage of life.

Answer to the Question No. 7

The correct order of the sentences is: c → f → g → b → d → a → h → e.

Part B—Writing Test (Marks—50)

Answer to the Question No. 8

The Importance of Learning English

English is an international language that is essential for communication in our globalized world. There are numerous benefits of learning English. Firstly, it opens the door to higher education, as most books on science, technology, and other advanced subjects are written in English. Secondly, proficiency in English is crucial for getting a good job, as multinational companies and international organizations require employees who can communicate effectively in English. If we do not learn English, we will lag behind in this competitive world. We will be deprived of higher education and better job opportunities, and we will not be able to communicate with the rest of the world. English is used globally because it is the language of international business, diplomacy, science, and the internet. To learn English effectively, we need to practice all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We should read English books and newspapers, watch English movies, and most importantly, practice speaking English regularly without fearing mistakes.

Answer to the Question No. 9

Honesty is the Best Policy

Once there lived a poor woodcutter in a village near a jungle. He used to cut woods from the forest and sell it in the market. But one day, while cutting wood near a river, his axe slipped from his hands and fell into the deep water. The woodcutter was very sad because the axe was the only means of his livelihood. He sat by the river and started crying. Suddenly, a beautiful fairy appeared before him and asked, "Why are you crying, woodcutter?" The woodcutter told her about his lost axe. The fairy felt pity for him and dived into the water. She came back with a golden axe and asked, "Is this yours?" The honest woodcutter replied, "No, it's not mine." The fairy dived again and brought a silver axe, but the woodcutter refused it as well. Finally, the fairy brought his iron axe. Seeing his own axe, the woodcutter became very happy and said, "Yes, this one is mine!" The fairy was very pleased with his honesty. She gave him his iron axe and also rewarded him with the golden and silver axes. The woodcutter became very rich and lived happily ever after.

Answer to the Question No. 10

Students' Choice of Reading Books

The provided bar graph illustrates the percentage of students' choices for different types of reading books from the library of ABC Model High School in the academic year 2023. The graph displays preferences for four categories: Story Books, Novels, Textbooks, and Others.

From the graph, it is evident that Story Books are the most popular choice among the students, with 40% of them preferring to read this type of book. This indicates a strong interest in fiction and imaginative literature. The second most popular category is 'Others', which accounts for 25% of the students' choices. This category likely includes books on general knowledge, science fiction, magazines, etc. Novels are the third choice, attracting 20% of the student readers. The least popular choice is Textbooks, with only 15% of students opting to read them from the library, which might be because they already own their personal copies.

In conclusion, the graph clearly shows that students at ABC Model High School have a greater interest in reading for pleasure (Story Books and Novels) than for academic purposes (Textbooks).

Answer to the Auestion No. 11

To: kabir_friend@email.com

Subject: Invitation to my birthday party

My dear Kabir,

I hope this email finds you in the best of health and spirits.

You will be very happy to know that my birthday is on next Friday, July 25, 2025. On this occasion, my parents have arranged a small party at our home in the evening. The party will start at 6:00 PM. I am inviting all our close friends to celebrate the day with me.

I would be very happy if you could join us at the party. Your presence will add to my joy and make the celebration even more special. We will have a lot of fun together with music, games, and delicious food.

I will be eagerly waiting for your arrival. Please try to come.

Your loving friend,

Abid

Answer to the Question No. 12

A Dialogue about Favourite Hobby

Shipon: Hello Nabil, good morning. How are you?

Nabil: Good morning, Shipon. I'm fine, thanks. And you?

Shipon: I'm fine too. You are carrying a small spade. Where are you going so early in the morning?

Nabil: I am going to my garden. Gardening is my favourite hobby. I love spending time with my plants.

Shipon: That's great! A garden is indeed a beautiful thing. What kind of plants do you have? Nabil: I have planted many kinds of flower plants like roses, marigolds, and dahlias. I also grow some vegetables. It gives me immense pleasure to see the flowers bloom. What about your hobby, Shipon?

Shipon: My favourite hobby is reading books. Whenever I have free time, I love to read storybooks, novels, and books on travel and science.

Nabil: Reading is an excellent hobby. It enriches our minds and gives us knowledge about so many things.

Shipon: Exactly. Books are our best friends. They take us to different worlds.

Nabil: It's true. Both of our hobbies are very creative and rewarding.

Shipon: You're right. Anyway, I have to go to my reading room now. See you later.

Nabil: Okay, see you. Bye.

Shipon: Bye.