HSC 2026 All Boards- English Second Paper Question with Answer / HSC English 2nd Paper All Board Questions-2026 / All Boards- HSC 2026 English 2nd Paper Question Set-02

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English Second Paper

(Subject Code: 108)

Part A - Grammar (Marks-60)

01. Fill in the blanks of the following text with articles where necessary. Some of the blanks may not require any article. Put a cross [x] in those blanks: (0.5x10=5) 

Though Bangladesh is struggling to achieve (a) ____ status of a middle income country, it is still beset with many problems. Unemployment problem is one of (b) ____ big challenges in Bangladesh. Hundreds and thousands of highly educated people are unemployed. (c) ____ government job is like (d) ____ golden deer to the educated youth. Nearly one hundred candidates apply for (e) ____ single post. (f) ____ mentioned problem is becoming acute day by day. Some pragmatic steps need to be taken in this regard. Firstly, (g) ____ government should emphasize on technical education. Secondly, (h) ____ educated people should not only run after government jobs. Thirdly, (i) ____ job seekers need to be engaged in self-motivated jobs. We think unemployment problem will be addressed as early as possible to booster (j) ____ overall development of Bangladesh.

02. Compete the text with suitable prepositions: (0.5x10=5) 

It is known to all that smoking is detrimental (a) ____ health. It causes many incurable diseases. There is hardly any easy remedy (b) ____ this disease. People are aware (c) ____ the matter. Yet they stick (d) ____ this bad habit. Smoking is also injurious (e) ____ a non-smoker. Unfortunately the smokers do not think (f) ____ the non-smokers while smoking. As a result, the non-smokers fall an easy victim (g) ____ their whims. (h) ____ some cases, children become the worst sufferers because (i) ____ their parents' whimsical smoking. So the smokers should consider the adverse effect of smoking (j) ____ the non-smokers.

03. Complete the sentences with suitable words/phrases given in the box: (0.5x10=5) 

[ There | was born | It | would rather | had better | feel like ] [ has to | let alone | As soon as | what does ... look like ]

(a) You look exhausted. You ____ take rest to refresh yourself. (b) ____ was a time when every child used to relish home-made food. (c) The man who wears a crown ____ bear the burden of responsibility. (d) Kazi Nazrul Islam is our national poet. He ____ in 1899 in a village named Churulia. (e) Nature assumes a spectacular sight during the spring. The blossom of various flowers and the sweet songs of the cuckoo touch our mind. ____ seems that everything has got a new life. (f) It is raining cats and dogs. So, Imran ____ stay at home than go to university. (g) Salma has never travelled by train, ____ by air. (h) I bought a cane of orange juice. But I ____ having a nice cool glass of lemonade. (i) The examination was going on. The students stopped writing ____ the bell rang. (j) Have you ever seen a kingfisher? ____ a kingfisher ____?

04. Complete the following sentences with suitable clauses/phrases: (0.5x10=5) 

(a) Respect is reciprocal. You cannot expect respect from others unless ____ (b) Women constitute half of the total population of Bangladesh. No progress is possible ____ (c) Time is very precious. So, we should make the best use of time with a view to ____ (d) Corruption is the main hindrance to the development of our country. It is high time ____ (e) Early rising is beneficial to health. Those who rise ____ (f) Illiteracy is regarded as a curse. It retards ____ (g) Trees are very important for our existence. They supply oxygen without which ____ (h) There is a wise saying that united we stand, ____. So, we must be united to protect the dignity of our country. (i) Self-help is the best help. Allah helps those ____ (j) Illiteracy is a curse. If all the children of Bangladesh went to school, ____

05. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context: (0.5x10=5) 

Reading is really like (a) ____ (take) a flight to greater heights in pursuit of knowledge. It is a journey towards enlightment. Even if you have (b) ____ (read) one good book in your life, you (c) ____ (know) what reading (d) ____ (give). It provides you with incomparable pleasure. Read one good book and you will know what the joys of reading (e) ____ (be). Reading (f) ____ (nourish) your mind. It gives you both information and knowledge and teaches you to distinguish between the two. Reading informs you of what (g) ____ (happen) around you, helps you (h) ____ (remain) updated about what (i) ____ (change). It is through reading you understand that knowledge (j) ____ (know) no bounds and the hunger for it is insatiable.

06. Read the text and change the sentence as directed: (1x5=5) 

Man cannot live without water. The other name of water is life. (a) Water is polluted in many ways. (Make it complex). (b) The water which is pure is essential for our survival. (Simple). (c) Men pollute it by throwing wastes in it. (Compound) (d) The farmers of our country use water for cultivation. (Passive voice) (e) It is one of the most important elements for all living beings. (Positive).

Answer to 06: (a) There are many ways in which water is polluted. (b) Pure water is essential for our survival. (c) Men throw wastes in it and pollute it. (d) Water is used for cultivation by the farmers of our country. (e) Very few elements are as important as it for all living beings.

07. Change the form of narrative style by using indirect speeches: (5) 

The traveller said, "Can you tell me the way to the nearest hotel?" "Yes", said the peasant. "Do you want one in which you can spend the night?" "No", replied the traveller. "I only want to have my meal."

08. Identify the unclear pronoun references in the following text where necessary. Re-write the sentences to make the pronoun references clear and underline the changes: (1x5=5) 

Books are the medium through which human beings talk with enlightened minds, the great men of the world. We consider it to be our best friends. It introduces them to the life and the world. Books are the mirrors of past, present and even future. They are having an active voice. We can know about the thoughts and deeds of their ancestors through it.

09. Read the following text and use modifiers in the blank spaces as directed: (0.5x10=5) 

Newspapers play a (a) ____ (pre-modify the noun) role in modern civilization. It publishes news and views of home and abroad. Only (b) ____ (pre-modify the noun) knowledge is not enough in this competitive world. A newspaper helps a man (c) ____ (post-modify the verb with infinitive) his general knowledge. Apart from reading (d) ____ (pre-modify the noun with an adjective) books, one should read newspapers daily. Newspapers help one (e) ____ (use an infinitive phrase) of the world. Students can collect a lot of information (f) ____ (post-modify the noun using a present participle phrase). There are (g) ____ (pre-modify the noun) kinds of newspapers. One should select the newspaper (h) ____ (post-modify the verb). (i) ____ (use a quantifier) newspapers present genuine news. On the other hand, some newspapers present news (j) ____ (use an adverb to post-modify the noun).

10. Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of the following text: (0.5x10=5) 

Trees are a vital part of the environment. (a) ____, they bear a great impact on the climate. (b) ____ we are not careful about them. (c) ____, we destroy trees at random. (d) ____, one day the country will bear the consequences of greenhouse effect. (e) ____ ours is an agricultural country, our economy depends on it. (f) ____ our agriculture is dependent on rain. (g) ____, trees play a vital role on our climate. (h) ____ trees keep the soil strong. (i) ____, trees save us from flood and many other natural calamities. (j) ____.

11. Read the passage and write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed: (0.5x10=5) 

Patriotism means loving one's own country. It is a noble virtue. It removes all sorts of meanness from human mind and makes it broad. Patriotism inspires a man to shed the last drop of blood to defend the freedom and sovereignty of his country. A man without this quality is no better than a beast. A true patriot is honoured by all. His only aim is to promote the welfare of his country and countrymen. (a) noble (antonym); (b) meanness (synonym); (c) broad (antonym); (d) inspire (antonym); (e) defend (synonym); (f) sovereignty (antonym); (g) beast (synonym); (h) honoured (antonym); (i) promote (synonym); (j) welfare (synonym).

12. There are ten errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Re-write the text correcting the errors and use capital letters where necessary: (0.5x10=5) 

Jerry : I can chop some wood today.

Writer: But Ive a boy coming from the orphanage.

Jerry : Im the boy.

Writer: You But youre very small.

Jerry : Size doesnt matter chopping wood. Ive been chopping wood at the orphanage for a long time.

Writer: very well theres the axe. Go ahead and see what you can do.

Part B - Composition (Marks-40)

13. Suppose you are a student of class XII in 'X' college located in Narayangonj. Recently your father has been transferred to Cumilla. But you want to continue your study till H.S.C examination in Narayangonj. Now, write an application to the principal of your college requesting him to sanction you a seat in the college hostel. (8)

14. Suppose you are a reporter of a reputed English daily. Now, write a report on the "Anti-Social activities of the Teen Gangs" of your locality. (8)

15. Write a paragraph showing contrast between "Early Rising and Late Rising" in 150 words. (10)

16. Write a short composition in 200 words on "Moral Degradation". (14)

Key

English Second Paper (Subject Code: 108)

Part A - Grammar (Marks-60)

01. Fill in the blanks of the following text with articles where necessary. Some of the blanks may not require any article. Put a cross [x] in those blanks: (0.5x10=5) Though Bangladesh is struggling to achieve (a) ____ status of a middle income country, it is still beset with many problems. Unemployment problem is one of (b) ____ big challenges in Bangladesh. Hundreds and thousands of highly educated people are unemployed. (c) ____ government job is like (d) ____ golden deer to the educated youth. Nearly one hundred candidates apply for (e) ____ single post. (f) ____ mentioned problem is becoming acute day by day. Some pragmatic steps need to be taken in this regard. Firstly, (g) ____ government should emphasize on technical education. Secondly, (h) ____ educated people should not only run after government jobs. Thirdly, (i) ____ job seekers need to be engaged in self-motivated jobs. We think unemployment problem will be addressed as early as possible to booster (j) ____ overall development of Bangladesh.

Answer to 01: (a) the (b) the (c) A (d) a (e) a (f) The (g) the (h) x/the (i) x/the (j) the

02. Compete the text with suitable prepositions: (0.5x10=5) It is known to all that smoking is detrimental (a) ____ health. It causes many incurable diseases. There is hardly any easy remedy (b) ____ this disease. People are aware (c) ____ the matter. Yet they stick (d) ____ this bad habit. Smoking is also injurious (e) ____ a non-smoker. Unfortunately the smokers do not think (f) ____ the non-smokers while smoking. As a result, the non-smokers fall an easy victim (g) ____ their whims. (h) ____ some cases, children become the worst sufferers because (i) ____ their parents' whimsical smoking. So the smokers should consider the adverse effect of smoking (j) ____ the non-smokers.

Answer to 02: (a) to (b) for (c) of (d) to (e) to (f) of/about (g) to (h) In (i) of (j) on

03. Complete the sentences with suitable words/phrases given in the box: (0.5x10=5) [ There | was born | It | would rather | had better | feel like ] [ has to | let alone | As soon as | what does ... look like ] (a) You look exhausted. You ____ take rest to refresh yourself. (b) ____ was a time when every child used to relish home-made food. (c) The man who wears a crown ____ bear the burden of responsibility. (d) Kazi Nazrul Islam is our national poet. He ____ in 1899 in a village named Churulia. (e) Nature assumes a spectacular sight during the spring. The blossom of various flowers and the sweet songs of the cuckoo touch our mind. ____ seems that everything has got a new life. (f) It is raining cats and dogs. So, Imran ____ stay at home than go to university. (g) Salma has never travelled by train, ____ by air. (h) I bought a cane of orange juice. But I ____ having a nice cool glass of lemonade. (i) The examination was going on. The students stopped writing ____ the bell rang. (j) Have you ever seen a kingfisher? ____ a kingfisher ____?

Answer to 03: (a) had better (b) There (c) has to (d) was born (e) It (f) would rather (g) let alone (h) feel like (i) as soon as (j) What does... look like

04. Complete the following sentences with suitable clauses/phrases: (0.5x10=5) (a) Respect is reciprocal. You cannot expect respect from others unless ____ (b) Women constitute half of the total population of Bangladesh. No progress is possible ____ (c) Time is very precious. So, we should make the best use of time with a view to ____ (d) Corruption is the main hindrance to the development of our country. It is high time ____ (e) Early rising is beneficial to health. Those who rise ____ (f) Illiteracy is regarded as a curse. It retards ____ (g) Trees are very important for our existence. They supply oxygen without which ____ (h) There is a wise saying that united we stand, ____. So, we must be united to protect the dignity of our country. (i) Self-help is the best help. Allah helps those ____ (j) Illiteracy is a curse. If all the children of Bangladesh went to school, ____

Answer to 04: (a) you respect them (b) without their active participation (c) succeeding in life (d) we took strict measures against it / to take strict measures against it (e) early lead a healthy life (f) the overall development of a nation (g) we cannot survive (h) divided we fall (i) who help themselves (j) illiteracy would be eradicated

05. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context: (0.5x10=5) Reading is really like (a) ____ (take) a flight to greater heights in pursuit of knowledge. It is a journey towards enlightment. Even if you have (b) ____ (read) one good book in your life, you (c) ____ (know) what reading (d) ____ (give). It provides you with incomparable pleasure. Read one good book and you will know what the joys of reading (e) ____ (be). Reading (f) ____ (nourish) your mind. It gives you both information and knowledge and teaches you to distinguish between the two. Reading informs you of what (g) ____ (happen) around you, helps you (h) ____ (remain) updated about what (i) ____ (change). It is through reading you understand that knowledge (j) ____ (know) no bounds and the hunger for it is insatiable.

Answer to 05: (a) taking (b) read (c) will know (d) gives (e) are (f) nourishes (g) is happening / happens (h) remain / to remain (i) is changing / changes (j) knows

06. Read the text and change the sentence as directed: (1x5=5) Man cannot live without water. The other name of water is life. (a) Water is polluted in many ways. (Make it complex). (b) The water which is pure is essential for our survival. (Simple). (c) Men pollute it by throwing wastes in it. (Compound) (d) The farmers of our country use water for cultivation. (Passive voice) (e) It is one of the most important elements for all living beings. (Positive).

Answer to 06: (a) There are many ways in which water is polluted. (b) Pure water is essential for our survival. (c) Men throw wastes in it and pollute it. (d) Water is used for cultivation by the farmers of our country. (e) Very few elements are as important as it for all living beings.

07. Change the form of narrative style by using indirect speeches: (5) The traveller said, "Can you tell me the way to the nearest hotel?" "Yes", said the peasant. "Do you want one in which you can spend the night?" "No", replied the traveller. "I only want to have my meal."

Answer to 07: The traveller asked the peasant if he could tell him the way to the nearest hotel. The peasant replied in the affirmative and asked if he (the traveller) wanted one in which he could spend the night. The traveller replied in the negative and said that he only wanted to have his meal.

08. Identify the unclear pronoun references in the following text where necessary. Re-write the sentences to make the pronoun references clear and underline the changes: (1x5=5) Books are the medium through which human beings talk with enlightened minds, the great men of the world. We consider it to be our best friends. It introduces them to the life and the world. Books are the mirrors of past, present and even future. They are having an active voice. We can know about the thoughts and deeds of their ancestors through it.

Answer to 08: Books are the medium through which human beings talk with enlightened minds, the great men of the world. We consider books to be our best friends. They introduce us to life and the world. Books are the mirrors of past, present and even future. They are having an active voice. We can know about the thoughts and deeds of our ancestors through books.

09. Read the following text and use modifiers in the blank spaces as directed: (0.5x10=5) Newspapers play a (a) ____ (pre-modify the noun) role in modern civilization. It publishes news and views of home and abroad. Only (b) ____ (pre-modify the noun) knowledge is not enough in this competitive world. A newspaper helps a man (c) ____ (post-modify the verb with infinitive) his general knowledge. Apart from reading (d) ____ (pre-modify the noun with an adjective) books, one should read newspapers daily. Newspapers help one (e) ____ (use an infinitive phrase) of the world. Students can collect a lot of information (f) ____ (post-modify the noun using a present participle phrase). There are (g) ____ (pre-modify the noun) kinds of newspapers. One should select the newspaper (h) ____ (post-modify the verb). (i) ____ (use a quantifier) newspapers present genuine news. On the other hand, some newspapers present news (j) ____ (use an adverb to post-modify the noun).

Answer to 09: (a) vital (b) bookish (c) to increase / to enrich / to enhance (d) academic (e) to know the facts (f) reading newspapers (g) various / different (h) carefully / wisely (i) Many (j) falsely / incorrectly / partially

10. Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of the following text: (0.5x10=5) Trees are a vital part of the environment. (a) ____, they bear a great impact on the climate. (b) ____ we are not careful about them. (c) ____, we destroy trees at random. (d) ____, one day the country will bear the consequences of greenhouse effect. (e) ____ ours is an agricultural country, our economy depends on it. (f) ____ our agriculture is dependent on rain. (g) ____, trees play a vital role on our climate. (h) ____ trees keep the soil strong. (i) ____, trees save us from flood and many other natural calamities. (j) ____.

Answer to 10: (a) Actually / In fact (b) But / Unfortunately (c) Rather (d) As a result / Consequently / As a consequence (e) As / Because (f) In fact / Actually (g) Moreover / Besides (h) For example (i) Moreover (j) Indeed

11. Read the passage and write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed: (0.5x10=5) Patriotism means loving one's own country. It is a noble virtue. It removes all sorts of meanness from human mind and makes it broad. Patriotism inspires a man to shed the last drop of blood to defend the freedom and sovereignty of his country. A man without this quality is no better than a beast. A true patriot is honoured by all. His only aim is to promote the welfare of his country and countrymen. (a) noble (antonym); (b) meanness (synonym); (c) broad (antonym); (d) inspire (antonym); (e) defend (synonym); (f) sovereignty (antonym); (g) beast (synonym); (h) honoured (antonym); (i) promote (synonym); (j) welfare (synonym).

Answer to 11: (a) noble (antonym): Ignoble (b) meanness (synonym): Narrow-mindedness / Malevolence / Cruelty (c) broad (antonym): Narrow / Limited (d) inspire (antonym): Discourage / Demotivate / Dispirit (e) defend (synonym): Protect / Guard / Shield (f) sovereignty (antonym): Dependence / Subjugation (g) beast (synonym): Monster (h) honoured (antonym): Dishonoured / Disrespected (i) promote (synonym): Advance / Upgrade (j) welfare (synonym): Well-being

12. There are ten errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Re-write the text correcting the errors and use capital letters where necessary: (0.5x10=5) Jerry : I can chop some wood today. Writer: But Ive a boy coming from the orphanage. Jerry : Im the boy. Writer: You But youre very small. Jerry : Size doesnt matter chopping wood. Ive been chopping wood at the orphanage for a long time. Writer: very well theres the axe. Go ahead and see what you can do.

Answer to 12: 

Jerry : I can chop some wood today.

Writer: But I've a boy coming from the orphanage.

Jerry : I'm the boy.

Writer: You? But you're very small.

Jerry : Size doesn't matter chopping wood. I've been chopping wood at the orphanage for a long time.

Writer: Very well. There's the axe. Go ahead and see what you can do

.

13.

23 August 2026

The Principal,

'X' College, Narayanganj.

Subject: Prayer for a seat in the college hostel.

Sir,

With due respect and humble submission, I would like to state that I am a regular student of class XII, Science Group, in your famous college. I have been studying here with good marks, and my attendance in class is almost 100%. My father is a government officer. Recently, he has been transferred from Narayanganj to Cumilla.

Our whole family will shift to Cumilla next week. But my HSC examination is very near. It is the most important exam of my life. I have no relatives or local guardians in Narayanganj to stay with. If I move to Cumilla with my family right now, my studies will be heavily damaged. A new college and a new environment will waste a lot of my valuable time.

Therefore, I urgently need a seat in your college hostel. The college hostel has a strict and quiet environment which is very good for study. If I get a seat there, I can continue my classes regularly and take good preparation for my upcoming final examination.

I, therefore, pray and hope that you would be kind enough to grant me a seat in the college hostel as early as possible and help me to continue my studies.

Yours obediently,

[Your Name]

Class: XII

Group: Science

Roll No: 12

14.Newspaper Report on Teen Gangs

Alarming Rise of Teen Gangs in Narayanganj

Staff Reporter, Narayanganj, 23 August 2026: The people of Narayanganj are very worried and afraid nowadays. The reason is the sudden rise of "teen gangs" in the local areas. Young boys aged between 14 and 18 are forming these dangerous groups. They are doing many bad things and destroying the peace of the society.

These young boys ride motorcycles at very high speeds on the narrow streets. They make loud noises and create fear among the common people. They also stand in front of schools and colleges to tease girls. Because of this, many parents are afraid to send their daughters to school. Besides, these gang members are getting involved in taking drugs and stealing money. Sometimes, different teen gangs fight with each other using sharp weapons just to show their power. Recently, three boys were badly injured in a street fight in the Chashara area.

Local people say that lack of family care and the bad use of smartphones are the main reasons for this big problem. Parents do not know where their boys go after school. When asked, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the local police station said, "We know about this problem. We are increasing police patrols to catch the bad boys." However, only police cannot solve this. Parents must watch their children carefully, and society must come forward to save our young generation.

15.

Early Rising and Late Rising

Early rising means getting up from bed early in the morning, while late rising is the exact opposite. There is a big difference between these two habits. Early rising is a very good and healthy habit. An early riser gets a lot of time to do his daily work. He can walk in the fresh morning air, which makes his body and mind highly active. He has enough time to pray, exercise, and enjoy the beautiful nature. As a result, he can finish his work perfectly without any mental stress. On the other hand, late rising is a very bad habit. A late riser misses the fresh air and the beauty of the morning. Because he gets up late, he has very little time to do his daily work. He always rushes, feels tired, and makes mistakes in his duties. He also suffers from different physical and mental diseases because of laziness. Generally, an early riser becomes successful and happy in life. But a late riser fails to reach his goals. In short, early rising is a blessing, and late rising is a curse. We all should build the habit of getting up early.

16.

Degradation

Moral degradation means the loss of good qualities, values, and character in human beings. It means forgetting what is right and doing what is wrong. Honesty, truthfulness, kindness, and respect for others are our moral values. When people lose these good values, it is called moral degradation. Today, it has become a very big problem in our society.

There are many reasons behind this serious problem. First of all, people today are running blindly after money. They think money is everything in life. They do not care about honesty or rules. Secondly, family ties are becoming weak. Parents are very busy with their jobs and cannot give enough time to teach good things to their children. Thirdly, the bad use of the internet, social media, and mobile phones is destroying the character of young people. Finally, the lack of religious and moral education in schools is a major cause of this downfall.

The effects of moral degradation are very dangerous. Because of this, crimes like murder, stealing, and kidnapping are increasing every day. People are taking bribes and telling lies without feeling guilty. Young boys are taking drugs and losing respect for their parents and teachers. The peaceful environment of the society is completely destroyed. People cannot trust each other anymore.

We must solve this problem as soon as possible to save our nation. Parents must spend quality time with their children and teach them good manners from childhood. Schools and colleges must focus on moral education, not just passing exams. If we can bring back our moral values, our society will be a beautiful, safe, and peaceful place to live in.