HSC English 2nd Paper Exam Strategies

HSC Examination-2027

English 2nd Paper

Test Items and distribution of marks

Total marks                 100

Grammar                      60

Composition                 40

Grammar test items		marks
1	Gap filling activities without clues (for articles)
2	Gap filling activities without clues (for preposition)	5
3	Gap filling with clues ( Special uses : was born, have to/has to, would rather, had better, let alone, what if, as if, as soon as, what’s —- like, what does —- look like, introductory ‘there’ or ‘it’)	5
4	Completing sentences (use of conditionals, phrase, and clause)	5
5	Use of verbs (right form of verbs and subject verb agreement as per context)	5
6	Changing sentences ( change of voice, sentence types, degrees)	5
7	Narrative style (direct to indirect and vice versa)	5
8	Pronoun reference/ pronoun agreement	5
9	Use of modifiers	5
10	Use of sentence connectors	5
11	Use of synonym and antonym	5
12	Punctuation	5

	Composition test items	Marks
13	Formal letter / email	08
14	Report writing	08
15	Paragraphs	10
16	Free writing (200-250 words)	14

Question no-1 Article

Write only the answers

Write the answer in single column downward

Question-2 Preposition- Gap Filling Activities

Strategies:

1. Read the passage very carefully ( 2 times).

2. After writing the answers , examine whether the preposition sounds correct in the given gap .

3. Remember that most of them might be appropriate preposition.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-2”

2. Always write the answers downward.

3. You can write like-

(a)on

(b) to

(c) at

……

Question -3 Gap Filling Activities ( Special of some phrases)

Strategies:

1. At first read the options very carefully.

2. Try to determine which option will fit in the specific gaps

3. One word/phrase is used once only

4. After writing the answers , examine whether the preposition sounds correct in the given gap

5. .Write only the answers

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-3”

2. Write only the answers.

3. Always write the answers downward.

4. You can write like-

(a)have to

(b) what’s it like

(c) let alone

……

Question-4 Completing Sentences

Strategies:

1. Read all sentences from the beginning to the last.

2. Determine the topic or subject matter of the exercise.

3. Complete the sentences using preferably a clause or phrase according to the context.

4. Read the completed sentences again to see whether they make sense or not.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-4”

2. Write the sentence which you are to complete.

3. Underline the portion that you have written.

4. You can write like-

(a) If we drink arsenic polluted water, we are sure to fall sick. (b) Surface water is safe when it is boiled. (c) Pond water is not safe as different types of filthy things are mixed with it.

………….

Question 5 Use of Verbs

Strategies:

1. Read the given text very carefully. (at least 2 times).

2. Determine the tense of the passage and write the appropriate form of the verbs.

3. Write the answers

4. Re-read the passage using the form of the verbs to see whether your words sound reasonable in the context

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-5”

2. Write only the answers.

3. Always write the answers downward.

4. You can write like-

(a) happened

(b) has been being done

(c) will be doing

…

Question 6 Changing Sentence

Strategies:

1.      At first read the sentences carefully and notice the instruction in the bracket.

2.      Sometimes all the sentences are given on the same topic, So your sentences should also match the theme.

3.      Write only the answers.

4.      Don’t get stuck in one question rather move forward and attempt the next question. Later you can come back and write answer of the remaining ones.

How to write answer:

1.      Write “Answer to the Question No-6”

2.      Write only the answers.

3.      You can write like-

(a) Everyone wants to be happy.

(b) …..

(c) …..

… 

………….

❌ What to Avoid:

• Don’t change meaning

• Don’t use wrong structure

• Don’t forget auxiliary

Question- 7 Narrative Style

Strategies:

1. Read the passage very carefully (2 times).

2. Determine the speaker, the person spoken to and tense and person of the given text.

3. Write the answer accordingly.

4. Put the inverted comma according to rule if you are to convert indirect to direct.

5. Read your full answer .

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-5”

2. You can write your answer like this:

Answer: The ticket seller asked the stranger respectfully where he (S) liked to go. The stranger replied that he (S) liked to go to Cox's Bazar. The ticket seller asked the stranger how many tickets he (S) needed. He (S) replied that he (S) would buy five tickets. The ticket seller told him (S) to take those tickets. He (T) added that they would cost three thousand taka.

Question no-8   Pronoun

Write the full paragraph and must underline the changes you have made to the paragraph

Question 9 Modifiers

Strategies:

1. At first read the passage with gaps very carefully.

2. Starting from the beginning read the hints given in the brackets.

3. After writing the answers, read the sentences back to examine whether sentences make sense.

4. Write only the answers.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-9”

2. Write only the answers.

3. You can write like-

(a) begging

(b) to earn

(c) landless

…

Question 10 Sentence Connectors

Strategies:

1. At first read the passage with gaps very carefully.

2. Try to determine the topic and sequence of the actions.

3. You may use one connector twice.

4. After writing the answers, examine whether the connector sounds correct in the given gap

5. Write only the answers.

6. Remember, connectors are easy but confusing.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-10”

2. Write only the answers.

3. You can write like-

(a) In fact

(b) But

(c) Rather

…

Question-11 Synonyms and Antonyms

Strategies:

1. Read the given text very carefully.

2. Observe how the words are used in the text.

3. According to the text try to write the synonyms/antonyms.

4. When synonyms are written the meaning should remain similar. In case of antonyms the meaning might become opposite.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-11”

2. You can write like-

(a)great

(b) easy

(c) necessity

…

Question 12 Punctuation

Strategies:

1. At first read the passage carefully (2 times)

2. Determine whether the given passage is written in direct or indirect speech.

3. If the passage is in direct speech, use the quotation mark accordingly.

4. Rewrite the passage using punctuation marks.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-12”

2. Rewrite only the answers.

You can write like-

“Do not worry about a few mistakes,” said the teacher. “You can learn a lot through your mistakes.” “Do we learn from our mistakes?” asked the boy.

Writing Part

Question 13 Formal Letter/Email (Application)

Strategies:

1. Read the given text very carefully. ( at least 2 times)

2. Underline the key words of the application.

3. Start writing from the beginning of the page.

4. Don’t write overleaf.

5. Always use formal language in application.

6. Use formal tone and academic vocabulary.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-13”

2. Write the application starting from the beginning of the page.

3. You can use small hand writing to accommodate more words.

Question 14 Report Writing

Strategies:

1. Start writing the paragraph from the beginning of the page.

2. Keep reasonable margin in all sides

3. Must write (heading/title)

4.Write your name , place date

5. Write as many words as mentioned in the question( usually 200 words) if number of words is not mentioned write according to your allotment of time.

6. Students usually write paragraph 1-2 pages.

7. Write 2-4 paragraphs

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-14”

2. Write the name of the paragraph keeping equal space on both sides.

3. Write the paragraph

Question 15 Writing Paragraph

Strategies:

1.  Start writing the paragraph from the beginning of the page.

2.  Keep reasonable margin in all sides

3.  Must write the Name of the paragraph (heading/title)

4.  Never write more than one paragraph.

5.  Write as many words as mentioned in the question( usually 200 words) if number of words is not mentioned write according to your allotment of time.

6.  Students usually write paragraph 1-3 pages.

7. Maintain the key writing techniques for paragraph- starter, developer and concluding remark.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-15”

2. Write the name of the paragraph keeping equal space on both sides.

3.  Write the paragraph

Question 16 Writing composition

Strategies:

1.      Start writing the composition from the beginning of the page.

2.      Keep reasonable margin in all sides

3.      Must write the Name of the composition(heading/title)

4.      Write 4-6 paragraphs.

5.      Write as many words as mentioned in the question( usually 250 words)  if number of words is not mentioned write according to your allotment of time.

6.      Maintain the key writing techniques for composition- stater, developer and conclusion.

How to write answer:

1.      Write “Answer to the Question No-16”

2.      Write the name of the paragraph keeping equal space on both sides.

1.      Write the compostion

❌ What to Avoid:

• Don’t write without structure

• Don’t repeat same idea

HSC Examination-2023

English 2nd Paper

Question-1 Preposition- Gap Filling Activities

Strategies:

1. Read the passage very carefully ( 2 times).

2. After writing the answers , examine whether the preposition sounds correct in the given gap .

3. Remember that most of them might be appropriate preposition.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-1”

2. Always write the answers downward.

3. You can write like-

(a)on

(b) to

(c) at

……

Question -2 Gap Filling Activities ( Special of some phrases)

Strategies:

1. At first read the options very carefully.

2. Try to determine which option will fit in the specific gaps

3. One word/phrase is used once only

4. After writing the answers , examine whether the preposition sounds correct in the given gap

5. .Write only the answers

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-2”

2. Write only the answers.

3. Always write the answers downward.

4. You can write like-

(a)have to

(b) what’s it like

(c) let alone

……

Question-3 Completing Sentences

Strategies:

1. Read all sentences from the beginning to the last.

2. Determine the topic or subject matter of the exercise.

3. Complete the sentences using preferably a clause or phrase according to the context.

4. Read the completed sentences again to see whether they make sense or not.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-3”

2. Write the sentence which you are to complete.

3. Underline the portion that you have written.

4. You can write like-

(a) If we drink arsenic polluted water, we are sure to fall sick. (b) Surface water is safe when it is boiled. (c) Pond water is not safe as different types of filthy things are mixed with it.

………….

Question 4 Use of Verbs

Strategies:

1. Read the given text very carefully. (at least 2 times).

2. Determine the tense of the passage and write the appropriate form of the verbs.

3. Write the answers

4. Re-read the passage using the form of the verbs to see whether your words sound reasonable in the context

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-4”

2. Write only the answers.

3. Always write the answers downward.

4. You can write like-

(a) happened

(b) has been being done

(c) will be doing

…

Question- 5 Narrative Style

Strategies:

1. Read the passage very carefully (2 times).

2. Determine the speaker, the person spoken to and tense and person of the given text.

3. Write the answer accordingly.

4. Put the inverted comma according to rule if you are to convert indirect to direct.

5. Read your full answer .

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-5”

2. You can write your answer like this:

Answer: The ticket seller asked the stranger respectfully where he (S) liked to go. The stranger replied that he (S) liked to go to Cox's Bazar. The ticket seller asked the stranger how many tickets he (S) needed. He (S) replied that he (S) would buy five tickets. The ticket seller told him (S) to take those tickets. He (T) added that they would cost three thousand taka.

Question 6 Modifiers

Strategies:

1. At first read the passage with gaps very carefully.

2. Starting from the beginning read the hints given in the brackets.

3. After writing the answers, read the sentences back to examine whether sentences make sense.

4. Write only the answers.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-6”

2. Write only the answers.

3. You can write like-

(a) begging

(b) to earn

(c) landless

…

Question 7 Sentence Connectors

Strategies:

1. At first read the passage with gaps very carefully.

2. Try to determine the topic and sequence of the actions.

3. You may use one connector twice.

4. After writing the answers, examine whether the connector sounds correct in the given gap

5. Write only the answers.

6. Remember, connectors are easy but confusing.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-7”

2. Write only the answers.

3. You can write like-

(a) In fact

(b) But

(c) Rather

…

Question-8 Synonyms and Antonyms

Strategies:

1. Read the given text very carefully.

2. Observe how the words are used in the text.

3. According to the text try to write the synonyms/antonyms.

4. When synonyms are written the meaning should remain similar. In case of antonyms the meaning might become opposite.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-8”

2. You can write like-

(a)great

(b) easy

(c) necessity

…

Question 9 Punctuation

Strategies:

1. At first read the passage carefully (2 times)

2. Determine whether the given passage is written in direct or indirect speech.

3. If the passage is in direct speech, use the quotation mark accordingly.

4. Rewrite the passage using punctuation marks.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-9”

2. Rewrite only the answers.

You can write like-

“Do not worry about a few mistakes,” said the teacher. “You can learn a lot through your mistakes.” “Do we learn from our mistakes?” asked the boy.

Question 10 Formal Letter/Email (Application)

Strategies:

1. Read the given text very carefully. ( at least 2 times)

2. Underline the key words of the application.

3. Start writing from the beginning of the page.

4. Don’t write overleaf.

5. Always use formal language in application.

6. Use formal tone and academic vocabulary.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-10”

2. Write the application starting from the beginning of the page.

3. You can use small hand writing to accommodate more words.

Question 11 Writing Paragraph

Strategies:

1. Start writing the paragraph from the beginning of the page.

2. Keep reasonable margin in all sides

3. Must write the Name of the paragraph (heading/title)

4. Never write more than one paragraph.

5. Write as many words as mentioned in the question( usually 200 words) if number of words is not mentioned write according to your allotment of time.

6. Students usually write paragraph 1-3 pages.

7. Maintain the key writing techniques for paragraph- starter, developer and concluding remark.

How to write answer:

1. Write “Answer to the Question No-11”

2. Write the name of the paragraph keeping equal space on both sides.

3. Write the paragraph

Question 12 Writing Paragraph

Strategies:

8. Start writing the paragraph from the beginning of the page.

9. Keep reasonable margin in all sides

10. Must write the Name of the paragraph (heading/title)

11. Never write more than one paragraph.

12. Write as many words as mentioned in the question( usually 200 words) if number of words is not mentioned write according to your allotment of time.

13. Students usually write paragraph 1-3 pages.

14. Maintain the key writing techniques for paragraph- starter, developer and concluding remark.

How to write answer:

4. Write “Answer to the Question No-12”

5. Write the name of the paragraph keeping equal space on both sides.

6. Write the paragraph