SSC - 2025 English1st Paper Jeshore Board Questions with Answer

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—60

Read the passage and answer the questions 1 and 2

'Heritage' is what we inherit from the past, live with in the present and then pass on to our children or future generation. Our unique source of life and inspiration is our cultural and natural heritage. When we speak of 'World Heritage', it indicates places and sites that we inherited from the past and pass on to the future generation of the entire world.

The 'Shat Gambuj Mosque' in Bagerhat is such a heritage. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. Originally, the historic Mosque City was known as 'Khalifatabad'. It is situated at the outskirts of Bagerhat town, not very far from the dense mangrove forest of the Sundarbans. Khalifatabad was a Muslim colony. It was founded by the Turkish general, a saint warrior Ulugh Khan Jahan in the 15th century. The infrastructure of the city reveals significant technical skills in many mosques as well as early Islamic monuments. Baked bricks were used for the construction of the buildings. The planning of the city was dominated by the tradition of Islamic architecture and the decorations were a combination of Mughal and Turkish architecture.

Khan Jahan built a network of roads, bridges, public buildings and reservoirs to make the city habitable. There were about 360 mosques in the city. Among them the most remarkable is the multi-domed Shat Gombuj Mosque. The mosque is unique in the sense that it has 60 pillars that support the roof, with 77 low height domes. The 4 towers at 4 corners have smaller domes at the top as well. The vast prayer hall has 11 arched doorways on the east and 7 each on the north and south for light and ventilation. It has 7 aisles running along the length of the mosque and 11 deep curves between the slender stone columns. These columns support the curving arches created by the domes. The thickness of the arches is 6 feet and have slightly narrowing hollow and round wall. The west wall in the interior has 11 'Mihrabs' (niche in mosque pointing towards Makkah). These Mihrabs are decorated with stonework and terracotta. The floor of the mosque is made of brick.

Besides being used as a prayer hall, Khan Jahan used the mosque as his court too. Today, it is one of the greatest tourist attractions and one of the best architectural beauties of Bangladesh.

1. Choose the correct answer from the following alternatives: 1x7=7

(a) A Muslim colony founded near the sea-coast in Bagerhat is a ___ place.

(i) barbarous (ii) desolate (iii) crawled (iv) welcoming

(b) The original name of the city of 'Shat Gambuj Mosque' was—

(i) Bagerhat (ii) Sundarbans (iii) Khalifatabad (iv) Khulna

(c) When was the mosque declared as the World Heritage site?

(i) in 1985 (ii) in 1986 (iii) in 1987 (iv) in 1988

(d) The decoration of the mosque represents the mixture of—

(i) Islamic and Mughal architecture (ii) Mughal and Arabic architecture (iii) Mughal and Turkish architecture (iv) Turkish and Arabic architecture

(e) What does 'heritage' imply?

(i) Inherited rights and scenery (ii) Inherited uses of wealth (iii) Inherited places and sites (Correct) (iv) Inherited technical skills

(f) The closest meaning of the word 'outskirts' is—

(i) outer edge (ii) very far (iii) obscure (iv) nearby

(g) What is the main purpose of the author of the text?

(i) To show the heroism of Khan Jahan Ali (ii) To show the infrastructure of Bagerhat town (iii) To represent the Shat Gambuj Mosque (iv) To introduce Khalifatabad with the readers

2. Answer the following questions: 2x5=10

(a) What do you mean by 'World Heritage'?

(b) What did Khan Jahan Ali do to make the city habitable?

(c) What are the things that make the Shat Gambuj Mosque so special?

(d) How was the mosque used?

(e) Where is the Shat Gambuj Mosque located?

3. Read the following passage and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the passage: 1x5=5

Fish population is in serious danger from global warming. Climate change is increasing the water temperature in rivers, lakes and seas. This means there is less food and oxygen available for fish. It also means the fish may not grow fully and may have fewer fish fries. Some fishes will become extinct if temperatures rise even by one or two degrees Celsius.

Climate change increases the pressure on fish population. Fishes are one of the world’s most valuable biological assets. Forty percent of people in the world eat fish as their main source of protein. If we fail to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we will increase the pressure on fish. As a result, people who depend on fish will suffer from hunger and poverty.

It is (a) ______ from the passage that global warming is (b) ______ great threat for fish population. (c) ______ global warming, food production and oxygen (d) ______ in water decreases. As a result, some fishes may be extinct (e) ______.

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

The great men were born in different places of this world but their activities make them familiar and closer to us. Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah was one of those who contributed a lot to Bangla Language and Literature. He was the greatest scholar of Bengal. This great scholar was born on July 10, 1885 at 24 Parganas, in West Bengal, India. He passed his Entrance Examination in 1904 and obtained his BA degree six years later. It took him two years to complete his MA and another two years for his Bachelor of Law degree.

He later joined the University of Dhaka in 1921 as a professor of Sanskrit and Bangla. He was awarded the Doctorate degree from Sorbonne University, Paris in 1928. 'Bangla Shahitter Katha', the well-arranged history of Bangla literature was composed by him. It was published in 1953. This great scholar remained busy with work till he became seriously ill in 1967 and was confined to bed for about two and a half years. Dr. Shahidullah breathed his last on 13 July 1969 in Dhaka. We remember him with great respect and gratitude.

4. Complete the following table with the information from the passage: 1x5=5

Who/What	Event/Activity	When	Where
Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah	was born	in 1885	(i) _____________________
Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah	Passed Entrance Examination	(ii) _______
He	Joined as a professor	in 1921	(iii) ___________________
He	(iv) ___________________	in 1928	Sorbonne University, Paris
(v) _____________________	was published	in 1953

5. Write a summary of the above passage in your own words. 8

6. Match the parts of sentences given in column A, B and C to write five complete sentences: 1x5=5

Column A	Column B	Column C
(a) A freedom fighter is	(i) their valuable lives	(i) soars in that war
(b) But he fights for a noble	(ii) our heroes	(ii) in every country
(c) Freedom fighters sacrifice	(iii) cause that is to	(iii) for the cause of his motherland
(d) The people of Bangladesh	(iv) honored everywhere	(iv) defends his country
(e) We have lost	(v) fought a glorious war	(v) against the Pak Army in 1971

7. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order: 8

(a) The applicants were asked to meet the Sultan one by one.

(b) He wanted to appoint an honest man as a tax collector.

(c) Once there lived a Sultan in a country.

(d) Accordingly, he invited applications and a number of people applied for the job.

(e) All the applicants blushed and refused to dance except one.

(f) They came through a passage where gold coins were kept.

(g) Then he found the desired man.

(h) When they all arrived, the Sultan asked them to dance.

Part B - Writing Test

Marks—40

8. Write a paragraph on 'Traffic Jam' answering the following questions: 10

(a) What is traffic jam? (b) When and where does it take place? (c) What are the sufferings of traffic jam? (d) Why does a traffic jam occur? (e) How can traffic jam be reduced?

9. Read the beginning of the story. Now complete it in your own language. Give a suitable title to it. 10

One day, a boy of class ten was going to school. Suddenly he saw a money bag dropped by someone on the road. He was quite at a loss...

10. The graph below shows the percentage of passed candidates in the SSC Examination in 2014. Describe the graph in about 150 words. You should highlight and summarize the information given in the graph. 10

11. Suppose, you are Swapan/Swapna. You have a friend named Joy/Joya who lives at Shathia, Rajshahi. He/She does not read the newspaper regularly. Now, write a letter to him/her describing the importance of reading newspaper regularly. 10

12. Suppose, you are Noha and your friend is Mahin. Now, write a dialogue between you and your friend about the merits and demerits of using a mobile phone at teenage. 10

Part A—Reading Test (Marks—50)

Answer to the Question No. 1

(a) (iv) welcoming (b) (iii) Khalifatabad (c) (i) in 1985 (d) (iii) Mughal and Turkish architecture (e) (iii) Inherited places and sites (f) (i) outer edge (g) (iii) To represent the Shat Gambuj Mosque

Answer to the Question No. 2

(a) What do you mean by 'World Heritage'?

Ans: According to the passage, 'World Heritage' indicates the places and sites that are inherited from the past and are preserved to be passed on to the future generation of the entire world for their cultural and natural importance.

(b) What did Khan Jahan Ali do to make the city habitable?

Ans: To make the city habitable, Khan Jahan Ali built a network of essential infrastructure, which included roads, bridges, public buildings, and reservoirs for fresh water.

(c) What are the things that make the Shat Gambuj Mosque so special?

Ans: The Shat Gambuj Mosque is special due to its unique architectural features. It has 60 slender stone pillars that support a roof with 77 low-height domes, 11 arched doorways on the east for entry, and 11 mihrabs on the west wall decorated with beautiful stonework and terracotta.

(d) How was the mosque used?

Ans: The mosque was used for multiple purposes. Besides being used as a prayer hall for the Muslim devotees, Khan Jahan Ali also used it as his court for administrative activities.

(e) Where is the Shat Gambuj Mosque located?

Ans: The Shat Gambuj Mosque is located in Bagerhat, Bangladesh. It is situated on the outskirts of Bagerhat town, not very far from the dense mangrove forest of the Sundarbans.

Answer to the Question No. 3

(a) observed/learnt (b) a (c) for (d) supply (e) soon

Answer to the Question No. 4

Who/What	Event/Activity	When	Where
Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah	was born	in 1885	(i) West Bengal, India
Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah	Passed Entrance Examination	(ii) in 1904	-
He	Joined as a professor	in 1921	(iii) the University of Dhaka
He	(iv) was awarded the Doctorate degree	in 1928	Sorbonne University, Paris
(v) Bangla Shahitter Katha	was published	in 1953	-

Answer to the Question No. 5

Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah was one of the greatest scholars of Bengal, known for his vast contributions to Bangla Language and Literature. Born in 1885 in West Bengal, he had a distinguished academic life, earning degrees including a Doctorate from Sorbonne University, Paris. He joined the University of Dhaka as a professor in 1921. He authored 'Bangla Shahitter Katha', a significant and well-arranged history of Bangla literature. This great scholar passed away in Dhaka in 1969 and is remembered with immense respect.

Answer to the Question No. 6

(a) A freedom fighter is honored everywhere in every country. (b) But he fights for a noble cause that is to defend his country. (c) Freedom fighters sacrifice their valuable lives for the cause of their motherland. (d) The people of Bangladesh fought a glorious war against the Pak Army in 1971. (e) We have lost our heroes who fought gloriously in that war. (Note: The sentence parts provided for (e) in the question are grammatically mismatched. The answer is constructed logically.)

Answer to the Question No. 7

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

Part B—Writing Test (Marks—40)

Answer to the Question No. 8

Traffic Jam

A traffic jam is a long line of vehicles on a road that cannot move or can only move very slowly. It is a common and frustrating problem in big cities and towns. In our country, traffic jams usually take place at busy intersections, in narrow streets, and near markets or schools, especially during peak hours in the morning and evening. The sufferings caused by traffic jams are immense. It wastes our valuable time, causes mental and physical stress, and delays students, office workers, and even ambulances carrying patients. The main reasons for traffic jams are the excessive number of vehicles on the roads, narrow roads, violation of traffic rules, and unplanned urbanization. Unlicensed vehicles and illegal parking also contribute significantly to this problem. To reduce traffic jams, several measures can be taken. The government should construct wider roads and flyovers, enforce traffic laws strictly, and decentralize essential services from the capital. Furthermore, raising public awareness and encouraging the use of public transport instead of private cars can also be effective solutions.

Answer to the Question No. 9

The Reward of Honesty

One day, a boy of class ten was going to school. Suddenly he saw a money bag dropped by someone on the road. He was quite at a loss. He picked up the bag and looked around, but the owner was nowhere to be seen. He felt a strong temptation to keep the bag, as he knew it must contain a lot of money. However, his conscience told him that it would be a dishonest act. He remembered the lessons his parents had taught him about honesty. So, he opened the bag to find the owner's identity. Inside, he found a large sum of money and an identity card with an address and phone number. The boy decided to return the bag immediately. He went to the address and found an old man who looked very worried. The boy asked him if he had lost anything. The man described the money bag with tears in his eyes, explaining it was his entire month's pension. When the boy handed him the bag, the man's joy knew no bounds. He was deeply touched by the boy's honesty and offered him a reward. The boy politely refused the reward, saying he had only done his duty. The old man blessed him from the core of his heart.

Answer to the Question No. 10

SSC Examination Pass Rate of Different Boards in 2014

The provided bar graph shows the number of passed candidates in the SSC Examination of 2014 across different education boards in Bangladesh. The boards shown are Dhaka, Rajshahi, Comilla, and others.

According to the graph, Dhaka Board had the highest number of successful candidates, with approximately 95,000 students passing the examination. This indicates that it is the largest board in terms of student numbers. The second-highest number of passed candidates was in the Rajshahi Board, with around 85,000 students achieving success. The Comilla Board showed a slightly lower number, with about 80,000 students passing. The graph also includes a category for 'Other Boards', which collectively had approximately 90,000 passed candidates, placing it as the second-highest category overall.

In summary, the graph clearly indicates that Dhaka Board had the most successful SSC candidates in 2014, followed by Rajshahi and Comilla boards, reflecting the varying sizes and performance of the different education boards in the country.

Answer to the Question No. 11

15 Green Road, Dhaka 25 July, 2025

My dear Joy,

I hope this letter finds you well. Thank you for your last letter. I am writing to you today about a very important topic – the importance of reading newspapers.

You mentioned that you do not read the newspaper regularly, but it is a very good habit that you should develop. A newspaper is a storehouse of knowledge. By reading it daily, you can learn about what is happening not only in our country but all over the world. It keeps us updated on current affairs, politics, science, sports, and culture.

For a student, reading newspapers is especially beneficial. It helps to improve our general knowledge, which is useful for our studies and future exams. Moreover, reading an English newspaper is one of the best ways to enrich your vocabulary and improve your reading and writing skills in English.

I hope you will start reading the newspaper regularly from now on. No more today. Please convey my best regards to your parents.

Your loving friend, Swapan

Answer to the Question No. 12

A Dialogue on the Merits and Demerits of Using a Mobile Phone

Noha: Hello Mahin, how have you been? You seem to be very busy with your new mobile phone.

Mahin: Hi Noha! Yes, my father bought it for me last week. It’s fantastic! I can talk to my friends, play games, and watch videos.

Noha: That’s great. A mobile phone is indeed a wonderful device. It has many merits. We can communicate with anyone instantly, get information from the internet for our studies, and use it for entertainment.

Mahin: Exactly! I used it yesterday to look up a difficult topic for my physics assignment. It was so helpful.

Noha: But Mahin, you should also be aware of its demerits, especially for teenagers like us. Mahin: Demerits? What do you mean?

Noha: Excessive use of mobile phones can be harmful. Spending too much time playing games or on social media can be addictive and can seriously hamper our studies. Mahin: Hmm, you have a point. Sometimes I do lose track of time while using it.

Noha: Not only that, but the radiation from mobile phones can be bad for our health, and staring at the screen for too long can damage our eyes. It can also make us physically inactive.

Mahin: I never thought about these things. You are right. We must be careful.

Noha: Yes. A mobile phone is a useful tool if we use it wisely, but it can be a curse if we become addicted to it. We should use it for our benefit but not let it control our lives. Mahin: Thank you, Noha, for making me aware of this. I will be much more careful from now on.