SSC 2026 Mymensing Board English First Paper Question with Answer / SSC English 1st Paper Board Questions-2026 / Mymensing Board- 2026 English 1st Paper Question / ময়মনসিংহ বোর্ড –২০২৬ ইংরেজি ১ম

Fakhruddin Babar
4 days ago
41 min read

[Dear students, the questions are given first. The answers are below. Scroll down to see them. You may use these board questions for practice. Try to answer by yourself first, then check the answers.]

১১৩এক্স রণতুর্য ১৪৩ Set -01

ময়মনসিংহ বোর্ড

ENGLISH FIRST PAPER [According to the Syllabus of 2026]

১০৫২/২০২৬

Subject Code: 1 0 7

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 - 70

Read the following text carefully. Then answer the questions 1, 2 and 3:

Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment. The whispering wind from the river Jamuna makes the fire unsteady. The dancing flames remind Meherjan of the turmoil in her life.

Not long ago Meherjan had everything a family, arable land and cattle. The erosion of the Jamuna gradually consumed all her land property. It finally claimed her only shelter during the last monsoon. It took the river only a day to devour Meher's house, trees, vegetable garden and the bamboo bush. She had a happy family once. Over the years, she lost her husband and her family to diseases that cruel hunger and poverty brought to the family. Now she is the only one left to live on with the loss and the pain. The greedy Jamuna has shattered her dreams and happiness.

There are thousand others waiting to share the same fate like Meherjan. Bangladesh is a land of rivers, some of whose banks overflow or erode during monsoon. Erosion is a harsh reality for the people living along the river banks. During each monsoon many more villages are threatened by the mighty rivers like the Jamuna, the Padma and the Meghna. It is estimated that river erosion makes at least 100,000 people homeless every year in Bangladesh. In fact, river erosion is one of the main dangers caused by climate change. If we can't take prompt actions to adapt to climate change, there will be thousands of more Meherjans in our towns and villages every year.

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

(i) What is the figure related to homeless people in Bangladesh every year? (a) 100,000 (b) 100,00,000 (c) 10,000 (d) 1,000

Answer: (a) 100,000

(ii) What is the purpose of the author of the passage? (a) To explain the importance of river (b) To describe the impact of monsoon (c) To describe the impact of river erosion (d) To describe the fate of a woman

Answer: (c) To describe the impact of river erosion

(iii) _____ has made Meherjan's life miserable. (a) Old age (b) Sickness (c) Frustration (d) River erosion Answer: (d) River erosion

(iv) Once Meherjan was _____. (a) solvent (b) insolvent (c) poor (d) impoverished

Answer: (a) solvent

(v) The word 'consumed' means- (a) spoiled (b) ravaged (c) devoured (d) utilized

Answer: (c) devoured

(vi) There is/are _____ member/members in Meherjan's family. (a) many (b) a few (c) one (d) a large number of

Answer: (c) one

(vii) Meherjan's dreams are _____ by the Jamuna. (a) materialised (b) came true (c) shattered (d) fulfilled

Answer: (c) shattered

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

(a) Where does Meherjan live? Why does she live there?

Answer: Meherjan currently lives in a slum on the Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment. She is forced to live there as a destitute because the cruel erosion of the river Jamuna has completely devoured her home, arable land, and all her property.

(b) What did Meherjan have before the erosion made her destitute?

Answer: Before the devastating river erosion made her destitute, Meherjan had a happy and solvent life. She had a complete family, including a husband, along with her own house, arable land, cattle, a vegetable garden, and a bamboo bush.

(c) What did the river take away from Meherjan within a day?

Answer: Within just a single day, the mighty river Jamuna devoured Meherjan's entire homestead, which included her house, her trees, her vegetable garden, and her bamboo bush.

(d) How do the people living near the big rivers meet the same fate as Meherjan?

Answer: People living near big rivers in Bangladesh meet the same tragic fate as Meherjan because they are constantly threatened by severe river erosion during the monsoon season. Their homes, agricultural lands, and livelihoods are frequently washed away by the mighty rivers, making them instantly homeless and impoverished.

(e) Why should we take prompt actions to adapt to climate change?

Answer: We must take prompt actions to adapt to climate change because it is directly worsening natural disasters like river erosion. If we fail to act quickly, thousands more innocent people in our towns and villages will become helpless and homeless like Meherjan every single year.

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

Meherjan is a typical homeless woman who lives in a slum. Once she had a family, cultivable land and (a) _____. The erosion of the (b) _____ has taken away all her landed property, house, garden and (c) _____. Meherjan has also lost her husband and family to (d) _____. Now she is all alone living (e) _____ the loss and the pain.

Answers: (a) cattle (b) Jamuna (c) shelter (d) diseases (e) with

Read the passage on Alexander Fleming and answer the questions no. 4 and 5:

Alexander Fleming was born in Ayrshire, Scotland on August 6, 1881. He was the third of the four children. He attended a medical school in London and graduated in medicine in 1906. Fleming assisted in battlefield hospitals during the World War I from 1914 to 1918. There he observed many people dying of infection. Once the War was over, Fleming looked for medicine that would heal infection. Then he came back to his laboratory and carried out a lot of experiments to get a cure from infections. At last he was successful in his mission. In 1928 he discovered Penicillin, a drug that is used to kill bacteria. Alexander Fleming died of heart failure in London in 1955.

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

Name of the events	Place	Year/Time	Contribution
Born		(a)
Graduated in medicine	(b)	1906
(c)		from 1914-1918
		In 1928	(d)
Died	London	(e)

Answers(a) in 1881 (b) from London (c) Assisted in battlefield hospitals / World War I (d) discovered Penicillin (e) in 1955 (Note: The source pdf has a typo indicating 1995, but the text explicitly says 1955. Provided 1955 based on the text)

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

Answer: Alexander Fleming, born in Scotland in 1881, was a prominent medical graduate from London. During World War I, while serving in battlefield hospitals, he was deeply moved by soldiers dying from severe infections. This traumatic experience motivated him to relentlessly research a cure. Returning to his laboratory after the war, he conducted numerous experiments and successfully discovered Penicillin in 1928, a groundbreaking antibiotic drug that kills harmful bacteria. His monumental discovery revolutionized medicine before he passed away from heart failure in London in 1955.

6. Match the parts of sentences given in columns 'A', 'B' and 'C' to write five sentences. 1×5=5

Column A	Column B	Column C
(a) Drug	(i) hope left for the	(i) leads a man to death.
(b) When there is no	(ii) of drug is	(ii) in Bangladesh.
(c) The frequent	(iii) is acute	(iii) brain.
(d) The effect	(iv) damages	(iv) very poisonous.
(e) Drug problem	(v) taking of drugs	(v) young people, they get addicted to drug.

Answers:

a + ii + iv: Drug is very poisonous.
b + i + v: When there is no hope left for the young people, they get addicted to drug.
c + v + i: The frequent taking of drugs leads a man to death.
d + iv + iii: The effect of drug damages the brain. (Note: column matching logic adjusted for grammatical sense based on standard board questions)
e + iii + ii: Drug problem is acute in Bangladesh.

7. Put the following parts of the story in correct order to make the whole story. Only the corresponding numbers of the sentences need to be written. 1×8=8

(a) But unfortunately he was defeated in a battle. (b) Alexander, the king of Macedon crossed the Khyber pass and reached India. (c) Then he was taken as a prisoner. (d) He wanted to attack the land of Purus. (e) Then he came to the plain of the Punjab. (f) There ruled a king called Purus. (g) He was brought before Alexander. (h) Purus came forward with his men and arms to defend his land from the attack of Alexander.

Answer: b + e + f + d + h + a + c + g

(Alexander, the king of Macedon crossed the Khyber pass and reached India. -> Then he came to the plain of the Punjab. -> There ruled a king called Purus. -> He wanted to attack the land of Purus. -> Purus came forward with his men and arms to defend his land from the attack of Alexander. -> But unfortunately he was defeated in a battle. -> Then he was taken as a prisoner. -> He was brought before Alexander.) (Note: একাধিক উত্তর সঠিক হওয়া সম্ভব ।।)

8. Answer any five of the following questions from poems in English For Today. 2×5=10

(a) What did the fisherman think about Mary's golden hair in "The Sands of Dee"?

Answer: When the fishermen finally found Mary's drowned body caught in the cruel fishing nets, they tragically mistook her beautiful, floating golden hair for a patch of bright golden seaweed drifting in the cold sea water.

(b) Why does the poet use the same questions again and again in "O Me! O Life!"?

Answer: The poet deliberately repeats the profound questions "O Me! O Life!" to strongly emphasize his deep inner turmoil, intense frustration, and existential crisis regarding the ultimate meaning and purpose of human existence amidst continuous worldly struggles.

(c) Why is a book "a magic box" according to the poem 'Books'?

Answer: According to the poem, a book is considered "a magic box" because, just like magic, opening its pages instantly transports a child’s imagination to wonderful, faraway lands, introducing them to fascinating characters and thrilling adventures without them ever having to leave their room.

(d) How are the two mothers dissimilar from each other in "Two Mothers Remembered"?

Answer: In the poem, the two mothers are fundamentally dissimilar in their situations. One mother is remembered for her active, joyful physical presence and warm, loving embrace, while the other is remembered with profound, lingering sorrow because she passed away prematurely, leaving behind a deep void.

(e) How does the poet portray time as a traveller in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"?

Answer: The poet uniquely portrays time as an old, restless gypsy traveller who is constantly on the move in his caravan. He refuses to stop, settle down, or wait for anyone, completely ignoring all earthly temptations, wealth, or desperate pleas to stay for just one more day.

(f) What does the poet want to say by "The woods are lovely, dark and deep" in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

Answer: Through this iconic line, the poet expresses that the snow-covered woods possess a mysterious, enchanting, and deeply alluring beauty that strongly tempts him to escape from reality, abandon his worldly duties, and stay in that peaceful isolation forever.

(g) Why did the horse shake his harness bells in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

Answer: The horse shook his harness bells because he was highly confused and impatient. He found it very strange and unusual that his master had stopped in the middle of a freezing, dark, isolated wood where there was no farmhouse or shelter nearby.

(h) What does the poet mean by "halls of pleasure" in 'Solitude'?

Answer: By "halls of pleasure," the poet metaphorically refers to places of joy, celebration, luxury, and success in life. The poet implies that people eagerly flock to these places to share your happiness, but they will quickly abandon you when you enter the lonely "halls" of sorrow.

9. Answer any five of the following questions from stories in English For Today. 2×5=10

(a) How did Antonio's life save in "The Merchant of Venice"?

Answer: Antonio's life was miraculously saved by Portia, who cleverly disguised herself as a highly intelligent young lawyer named Balthazar. She used a brilliant legal loophole, arguing that while Shylock was entitled to a pound of flesh, the cruel bond did not allow him to spill a single drop of Antonio's Christian blood, making it practically impossible to execute the contract.

(b) What did the prince of Morocco learn after choosing the gold casket in "The Merchant of Venice"?

Answer: After incorrectly choosing the glittering gold casket, the Prince of Morocco found a terrifying skull and a scroll inside. He learned the harsh, profound lesson that "All that glitters is not gold," meaning that true value lies within, and outward appearances can be highly deceptive and ruinous.

(c) What is the moral of the story "The Purple Jar"?

Answer: The main moral of the story "The Purple Jar" is that children (and adults) must learn to prioritize practical utility and genuine necessity over superficial, attractive appearances. It teaches the importance of making wise, rational choices rather than being blinded by temporary visual charm.

(d) Why did Rosamond think the jar was purple in "The Purple Jar"? Answer: Rosamond foolishly thought the glass jar itself was made of beautiful purple material because it was filled with a brightly colored, dark purple chemical liquid inside the apothecary's shop window. Once the liquid was poured out, she realized with great disappointment that it was just an ordinary, plain, clear glass jar.

(e) How was the atmosphere before the storm began in "The Wheel of Cyclone"?

Answer: Before the devastating cyclone began, the atmosphere was described as unusually still, eerily calm, and oppressively hot. The sky slowly turned a frightening, ominous dark color, and the sudden, complete absence of normal wind created a suffocating tension that hinted at the approaching terrible disaster.

(f) What does Ameen announce one Monday after supper in "Mr. Moti"?

Answer: One Monday after supper, Ameen shockingly announces to his family that he has secretly arranged a marriage for himself with a new, younger woman. This cruel and sudden declaration deeply shatters the domestic peace and breaks his loyal first wife's heart.

(g) Why was Mrs. Mallard whispering "free, free, free!" in "The Story of an Hour"?

Answer: Mrs. Mallard was whispering "free, free, free!" because, after the initial shock of hearing about her husband's tragic death, she suddenly experienced a profound, overwhelming sense of liberation. She realized that she was finally free from the oppressive constraints of her restrictive marriage and could now live her life entirely for herself.

(h) What did Mrs. Mallard's physical appearance suggest about her personality in "The Story of an Hour"?

Answer: Mrs. Mallard was described as young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength. Her physical appearance suggested that she was a deeply sensitive woman who had quietly and passively endured the heavy, suffocating burdens of her marriage, hiding a strong inner desire for personal freedom.

Part B - Writing Test

Marks - 30

10. Read the beginning of a story. Add at least ten new sentences to complete the story. Give a suitable title to it. 15

One day a crow became very thirsty. He flew from place to place in search of water. But he found no water. He continued his search for water...

Answer:

The Thirsty Crow and His Clever Idea

One day a crow became very thirsty. He flew from place to place in search of water. But he found no water. He continued his search for water, feeling extremely weak and exhausted under the scorching summer sun. Just when he was about to give up all hope of surviving, he suddenly spotted a large clay pitcher sitting in a lonely garden.

With a joyful heart, the thirsty crow quickly flew down and perched on the edge of the pitcher. He eagerly looked inside, but to his great disappointment, there was only a very small amount of water at the very bottom. He tried desperately to reach the water with his beak, but the neck of the pitcher was too narrow, and the water level was far too low. He then tried to push the heavy pitcher to tilt it, but he was not strong enough to move it even an inch.

The crow felt incredibly sad, but he did not lose his hope. He looked around the garden and noticed a pile of small, hard pebbles lying nearby. Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck his clever mind. He flew to the pile, picked up a small pebble in his beak, and carefully dropped it into the pitcher.

He repeated this tiring process again and again, dropping pebble after pebble into the narrow vessel. Slowly but surely, the heavy pebbles settled at the bottom, and the water level began to rise higher and higher. After a long time of hard work, the water finally reached the very brim of the pitcher. The clever and patient crow joyfully drank his fill, quenched his burning thirst, and happily flew away into the blue sky.

11. Suppose you are Sumon/Sumona and your friend is Rudro/Rudra. Some people are suffering from dengue fever in your area. Now write a dialogue between you and your friend about dengue fever. 15

Answer:

A Dialogue on the Outbreak of Dengue Fever

Sumon: Hello, Rudro! You look very worried today. Is everything alright?

Rudro: Hi, Sumon. Honestly, no. I am quite tensed. Have you heard about the sudden, alarming outbreak of dengue fever in our local area?

Sumon: Yes, unfortunately, I have. It is becoming a terrible crisis. I heard that several people from our neighboring block have been admitted to the government hospital just this week.

Rudro: Exactly! My uncle is one of them. He has been suffering from a severe high fever, intense joint pain, and extreme weakness for the last three days.

Sumon: Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that, Rudro. Dengue is an incredibly dangerous viral disease. It is carried by the Aedes mosquito, right?

Rudro: Yes, that is correct. And the most terrifying part is that Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the daytime and breed very quickly in clean, stagnant water.

Sumon: That means our own homes and surroundings could be the breeding grounds! We often leave water in flower pots, discarded tires, and open plastic containers without even realizing the danger.

Rudro: You are absolutely right. We must take immediate, strict preventive measures. We cannot just rely on the city corporation to spray insecticides everywhere.

Sumon: I agree completely. We should start a massive awareness campaign in our neighborhood. We need to educate everyone to keep their houses thoroughly clean and completely dry.

Rudro: Yes, and we should strongly advise people to use mosquito nets while sleeping, even during the day, and wear long-sleeved clothes to prevent mosquito bites.

Sumon: Furthermore, if anyone experiences symptoms like sudden high fever, severe headache, or a red skin rash, they should consult a registered doctor immediately instead of taking random medicines.

Rudro: Very true, Sumon. Early detection and proper hydration with saline and fresh fruit juice are extremely crucial for a fast recovery.

Sumon: Let us not waste any more time, Rudro. Let's gather some of our friends tomorrow morning and start cleaning the stagnant water around our local community club.

Rudro: That is an excellent idea, Sumon. Prevention is definitely our best and only weapon against this deadly dengue outbreak. I will see you tomorrow.

Sumon: Take care, Rudro. See you tomorrow.

ছায়াপথ

কুমিল্লা বোর্ড

১১৩

03 Set

ENGLISH

FIRST PAPER

[According to the Syllabus of 2026]

১০৫৭/২০২৬

Subject Code: 1 0 7

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 - 70

Read the following passage carefully. Then answer questions 1, 2 and 3:

Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment. The whispering wind from the river Jamuna makes the fire unsteady. The dancing flames remind Meherjan of the turmoil in her life.

Not long ago Meherjan had everything a family, arable land and cattle. The erosion of Jamuna gradually consumed all her land property. It finally claimed her only shelter during the last monsoon. It took the river only a day to devour Meher's house, trees, vegetable garden and the bamboo bush. She had a happy family once. Over the years, she lost her husband and her family to diseases that cruel hunger and poverty brought to her family. Now, she is the only one left to live on with her loss and the pain. The greedy Jamuna has shattered her dreams and happiness.

There are thousand others waiting to share the same fate like Meherjan. Bangladesh is a land of rivers, some of whose banks overflow or erode during monsoon. Erosion is a harsh reality for the people living along the river banks. During each monsoon many more villages are threatened by the mighty rivers like the Jamuna, the Padma and the Meghna. It is estimated that river erosion makes at least 1,00,000 people homeless every year in Bangladesh. In fact, river erosion is one of the main dangers caused by climate change. If we can't take prompt action to adapt to climate change, there will be thousands of more Meherjans in our towns and villages every year.

1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given after each question. Marks 1x7=7

(a) There is/are _____ In Meherjan's family.

(i) many members

(ii) a few members

(iii) one member

(iv) few member

Answer: (iii) one member

(b) _____ has made Meherjan's life miserable.

(i) old age

(ii) sickness

(iii) frustration

(iv) river erosion

Answer: (iv) river erosion

(c) All her land property _____ gradually by the erosion of Jamuna.

(i) consumed

(ii) was consumed

(iii) consumes

(iv) is consumed

Answer: (ii) was consumed

(d) The people who live by the side of the river lead a very _____ life.

(i) happy

(ii) nice

(iii) anxious

(iv) luxurious

Answer: (iii) anxious

(e) The word 'tremble' mentioned in the passage means _____.

(i) steady

(ii) stable

(iii) throb

(iv) vibrate

Answer: (iv) vibrate

(f) Which is the figure related to the homeless people in Bangladesh every year?

(i) 10,00,000

(ii) 10,000

(iii) 1,000

(iv) 1,00,000

Answer: (iv) 1,00,000

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

(i) To explain the importance of big rivers

(ii) To describe the impact of river erosion

(iii) To depict of impact of the monsoon

(iv) To describe the destiny of a woman

Answer: (ii) To describe the impact of river erosion

2. Answer the following questions in your own words: 2×5=10

(a) What do you know about the early life of Meherjan?

Answer: In her early life, Meherjan had a happy and prosperous family. She possessed arable land, cattle, a house, a vegetable garden, and a bamboo bush before the river Jamuna consumed everything.

(b) What does Meherjan use to make fire for cooking foods?

Answer: Although not explicitly detailed in the provided text beyond making a fire, Meherjan uses fallen leaves, dry straw, and whatever scraps she can gather around the embankment to make a fire for cooking her food.

(c) Why is the phrase 'greedy Jamuna' used to describe the river?

Answer: The phrase 'greedy Jamuna' is used to personify the river as a cruel and insatiable entity that has ruthlessly devoured Meherjan's property, house, and happiness, much like a greedy person who takes away everything.

(d) In which season is the river erosion most likely to occur?

Answer: River erosion is most likely to occur during the monsoon season, as the passage mentions that rivers overflow or erode during this time.

(e) What is the central idea of the passage?

Answer: The central idea of the passage is to highlight the devastating impact of river erosion and climate change on the vulnerable people of Bangladesh, using Meherjan's tragic life as a realistic example.

3. Read the above passage again and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on it: 1×5=5

River erosion is still posing (a) _____ to the lives and properties of thousands of people (b) _____ close to the rivers. They are most (c) _____ the worst victims of river erosion. Each year about one lac people (d) _____ homeless for river erosion in Bangladesh. Meherjan's life is just one (e) _____

Answers: (a) threat / danger (b) residing / living (c) likely / often (d) become (e) example

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions no. 4 and 5:

Bangladesh is blessed with huge inland open water resources. It has numerous rivers, canals, beels, lakes and vast areas of flood plains. Hakaluki Haor is one of the major wetlands of Bangladesh. With a land area of 18,386 hectores, it supports a rich biodiversity and provides direct and indirect livelihood benefits to nearly 1,90,000 people. This haor was declared an ecologically critical area in April 1999 by the Government of Bangladesh. Hakaluki is a complex ecosystem, containing more than 238 interconnecting beels and jalmahals. The haor falls into two administrative districts Maulovibazar and Sylhet. Some 1,90,000 people live in the area surrounding the haor.

The haor is a very important resting place of migratory water-fowls flying in from the north. The interesting species is the Barheaded Goose which is now hardly seen in fresh water wetlands. Hakaluki Haor is known as a good grazing land in winter. The haor had very dense swamp forests in the past, but deforestation and lack of conservation practices have virtually destroyed this unique forest in the last two decades.

4. Complete the table below with information from the above passage. Marks 1×5=5

About Hakaluki Haor

Who/What	Event/activity	Speciality/area	Place/time
Hakaluki Haor	is a major water land	with an area of	in Bangladesh
The haor	was declared	Ecologically critical area
	falls	into two districts	(iii)..........
(iv)	is seen	which is the most interesting, water fowl	in fresh water
The haor	(v)	as good grazing land	in winter

Answers: (i) 18,386 hectares (ii) in April 1999 (iii) Maulovibazar and Sylhet (iv) The Barheaded Goose (v) is known (Note: 'Water' এর পরিবর্তে 'Winter' হবে।)

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

Answer:

Hakaluki Haor, spanning 18,386 hectares across Maulovibazar and Sylhet, is one of Bangladesh's most significant wetlands and a vital inland open water resource. Declared an ecologically critical area in April 1999, this complex ecosystem supports immense biodiversity and sustains the livelihoods of approximately 1,90,000 people. It serves as a crucial winter grazing land and a sanctuary for rare migratory birds like the Barheaded Goose. Unfortunately, over the past two decades, unchecked deforestation and a lack of proper conservation have severely destroyed the unique, dense swamp forests that once flourished in the region.

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

Column A	Column B	Column C
(a) Morality develops the conscience	(i) himself in a proper way and cultivate	(i) which cannot ignore logic and reason
(b) It helps a man guide	(ii) is increasing and we are losing	(ii) and right and wrong
(c) It is such a great natural power	(iii) from our childhood, we shall	(iii) the invaluable virtue of morality
(d) But nowadays moral erosion	(iv) that it grows naturally in human behavior	(iv) fall in every aspect of life
(e) If we do not practise morality	(v) by which man can judge good or bad	(v) all the virtues to become a complete man

Answers:

a + v + ii: Morality develops the conscience by which man can judge good or bad and right and wrong.
b + i + v: It helps a man guide himself in a proper way and cultivate all the virtues to become a complete man.
c + iv + i: It is such a great natural power that it grows naturally in human behavior which cannot ignore logic and reason.
d + ii + iii: But nowadays moral erosion is increasing and we are losing the invaluable virtue of morality.
e + iii + iv: If we do not practise morality from our childhood, we shall fall in every aspect of life.

7. Put the following parts of the story in correct order to make the whole story. Only the corresponding numbers of sentences need to be written. 1×8=8

(a) He earned a lot of money from his dynamite business. (b) This award was named after Alfred Nobel. (c) He was an engineer. (d) Dr. Alfred Nobel was born in 21 October, 1833 at Stockholm, Sweden. (e) So, it was called the Nobel Prize. (f) He invented dynamite after some years of joining his father's company. (Note: Appears as '1' in prompt, corrected to 'f' based on standard sequential flow) (g) This award was also given for setting up peace in the world. (h) He undertook a plan to give an award for encouraging the creative work.

Answer:

d + c + f + a + h + b + e + g

(Dr. Alfred Nobel was born in 21 October, 1833 at Stockholm, Sweden. -> He was an engineer. -> He invented dynamite after some years of joining his father's company. -> He earned a lot of money from his dynamite business. -> He undertook a plan to give an award for encouraging the creative work. -> This award was named after Alfred Nobel. -> So, it was called the Nobel Prize. -> This award was also given for setting up peace in the world.)

8. Answer any five of the following questions from the poems. Marks 2×5=10

(a) How does Whitman view the role of humanity in "O Me! O Life!"?

Answer: Walt Whitman views humanity as an endless, struggling crowd where each individual faces foolishness and despair, yet still possesses a unique purpose and the profound opportunity to contribute their own "verse" to the grand play of life.

(b) What does the phrase "The powerful play goes on" mean in "O Me! O Life!"?

Answer: The phrase is a metaphor indicating that the grand, unstoppable narrative of human history and existence continues despite individual struggles, and everyone has a role to play in it.

(c) What does the poem 'Books' suggest about reading as a mental journey?

Answer: The poem suggests that reading is a powerful mental journey that acts as a magical vessel, transporting the reader's imagination to different times, realms, and experiences without ever leaving their physical location.

(d) What does the poem "Two Mothers Remembered" suggest about patience?

Answer: The poem suggests that a mother's patience is boundless and deeply enduring, highlighting how mothers silently bear immense hardships and make sacrifices to raise their children with unconditional love.

(e) What does the poet suggest about human resilience in "The Sands of Dee"?

Answer: While the poem highlights the tragic fate of Mary and the destructive power of nature, the continuous, echoing call of the fishermen reflects human resilience, showing how communities endure and remember their lost ones.

(f) Why does the poet use the metaphor of a caravan in "Time, You Old Gipsy Man"?

Answer: The poet uses the metaphor of a caravan to depict Time as a restless, wandering gypsy that never permanently halts, emphasizing the fleeting, unstoppable, and ever-moving nature of time.

(g) What is the role of snow in "Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening"?

Answer: The falling snow creates a serene, isolated, and hypnotic atmosphere. It symbolizes the alluring, quiet beauty of nature that tempts the speaker to pause and escape from his worldly duties and obligations.

(h) What does the poet mean by "Be glad and your friends are many" in "Solitude"?

Answer: The poet means that people are naturally drawn to happiness and success. When you are cheerful, you will easily attract companions, but in times of sorrow or difficulty, people tend to abandon you to suffer alone.

9. Answer any five of the following questions from the stories: 2×5=10

(a) How does Sonabhan react to Moti's death in the story "Mr. Moti"?

Answer: Sonabhan is initially deeply heartbroken and devastated by the profound tragedy of Moti's death, experiencing intense grief over the loss of her beloved companion.

(b) What marks a significant change in Sonabhan's routine after Moti's death in the story "Mr. Moti"?

Answer: Following Moti's passing, Sonabhan's routine changes drastically as she has to shoulder new, heavy responsibilities to survive, working harder and managing all household struggles independently.

(c) Who had brought the news of Mr. Brently Mallard's death in "The Story of an Hour"?

Answer: Richard, a close friend of Mr. Brently Mallard, and Josephine, Mrs. Mallard's sister, brought the tragic news of his supposed death in a railroad disaster to Mrs. Mallard.

(d) What does the purple jar symbolize in "The Purple Jar"?

Answer: The purple jar symbolizes superficial beauty, illusion, and impracticality. It serves to teach the protagonist, Rosamond, a moral lesson about valuing true utility over mere outward appearance.

(e) What did Portia emphasize about God's mercy in "The Merchant of Venice"?

Answer: Portia emphasized that mercy is a divine quality, dropping like "gentle rain from heaven." She argued that it blesses both the giver and receiver, and human justice becomes closest to God's when seasoned with mercy.

(f) What was Antonio's primary occupation in "The Merchant of Venice"?

Answer: Antonio was a prominent, wealthy Christian merchant in Venice whose primary occupation involved trading valuable goods across the seas using a fleet of merchant ships.

(g) What was Mrs. Mallard's reaction when he entered the house in "The Story of an Hour"?

Answer: When Mr. Brently Mallard—who was presumed to be dead—suddenly unlocked the front door and entered the house completely unharmed, Mrs. Mallard was profoundly shocked.

(h) Why did Mrs. Mallard die at the end of the story "The Story of an Hour"?

Answer: Mrs. Mallard died of a sudden heart attack, described ironically by doctors as "the joy that kills." In truth, the fatal shock was likely caused by the devastating, abrupt loss of her newly discovered freedom and independence.

Part B - Writing Test

Marks - 30

10. Read the beginning of a story. Add at least ten new sentences to complete the story. Give a suitable title to it. 15

Once there lived a happy cobbler who passed his days in working and singing from morning till night. He had a rich neighbour, a banker, who, one day, said to him, "How much do you earn a year?" The cobbler replied,".

Answer:

The Happy Cobbler and the Rich Banker

Once there lived a happy cobbler who passed his days in working and singing from morning till night. He had a rich neighbour, a banker, who, one day, said to him, "How much do you earn a year?"

The cobbler replied, "I do not know, sir. I only earn enough day by day to feed my family and myself, and that is quite enough to keep me happy." The wealthy banker, who was always stressed about his vast wealth, pitied the poor man's financial state. Desiring to help him, the banker gave the cobbler a bag containing a thousand gold coins, telling him to keep it for times of need.

The cobbler had never seen so much money in his entire life. He took the heavy bag of gold home and buried it secretly in a corner of his house. However, from that day onward, his life changed entirely. He lost his sweet sleep, constantly worrying that thieves might break in and steal his treasure. He even stopped singing his cheerful songs while working, as his mind was preoccupied with protecting the gold.

His peace of mind completely vanished, and he became anxious and miserable. Finally, realizing that the money was the root cause of his unhappiness, he dug up the gold coins. He went straight to the banker's house and returned the money, saying, "Please take back your gold, sir. I would much rather have my songs, my sleep, and my peace of mind than all the wealth in the world." From then on, the cobbler returned to his simple life, singing happily every single day.

11. Education is very important for the development of a nation. Suppose, you are Nadi/Sagor and your friend is Adib/Adiba. Now, write a dialogue between you and your friend about the importance of education in the development of a nation. 15

Answer:

A Dialogue on the Importance of Education

Sagor: Hello, Adib! How are you doing today?

Adib: I am doing great, Sagor. I was just reading an article in the newspaper about the newly proposed education budget of our country.

Sagor: That is an excellent topic. Education is undeniably the most important factor for the development of any nation. What are your thoughts on it?

Adib: I completely agree with you. I believe that education is the backbone of a nation. Without a well-educated population, no country can ever hope to prosper economically or socially.

Sagor: Exactly. Education removes the darkness of ignorance and enlightens the human mind. It teaches people how to distinguish between right and wrong.

Adib: Yes, and it also creates skilled manpower. An educated workforce can utilize modern technology, improve agricultural output, and boost industrial production.

Sagor: Furthermore, education raises awareness about health, sanitation, and population control. Educated citizens are more conscious of their rights and duties towards the state.

Adib: You are absolutely right. Look at the developed countries around the world; their success is deeply rooted in their high literacy rates and advanced educational systems.

Sagor: Unfortunately, a significant portion of our population is still illiterate. They often fall victim to superstitions and cannot contribute effectively to national growth.

Adib: That is why the government and conscious citizens must work together to ensure that every single child gets access to quality education. No one should be left behind.

Sagor: I truly hope our new budget reflects that vision. We need more schools, better training for teachers, and modern facilities.

Adib: Absolutely, Sagor. Only proper education can unlock the true potential of our nation and lead us to a brighter, more prosperous future.

Sagor: Well said, Adib. It was great discussing this crucial issue with you.

Adib: Same here, Sagor. Have a great day ahead!

চট্টগ্রাম বোর্ড

ENGLISH FIRST PAPER

[According to the Syllabus of 2026]

Subject Code: 107 Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

[N.B. Answer all the questions. Figures in the right margin indicate full marks.]

Part A—Reading Test (Marks-70)

Read the passage and answer questions no. 1, 2 and 3:

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. Nowadays, 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 areas of forests are destroyed by 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) "Forests absorb a lot of carbon dioxide from the air." Here 'absorb' means ______

(i) take in (ii) take up (iii) take down (iv) take after

(b) "Crude oil" refers to ______

(i) refined oil (ii) purified oil (iii) unpurified oil (iv) both (i) and (ii)

(i) single (ii) double (iii) triple (iv) quadruple

(d) What does the word 'combustion' mentioned in the passage mean?

(i) Comforting (ii) Burning (iii) Consumption (iv) Concentration

(e) What is not beyond human capacity?

(i) Controlling the emission of greenhouse gases (ii) Controlling the sun's orbit (iii) Controlling the sun's radiation (iv) Controlling the earth's orbit

(f) Greenhouse gases have ______ effects on the environment.

(i) pleasant (ii) smooth (iii) dangerous (iv) positive

(g) Which of the following is an immediate atmospheric consequence of rising carbon dioxide levels as described in the text?

(i) Cooling of the upper atmosphere (ii) Strengthening of the greenhouse effect (iii) Decrease in global energy demand (iv) Expansion of the earth's orbit

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

(a) What are fossil fuels and why do we need them?

(b) Why are trees important for protecting our environment?

(d) How are we strengthening the greenhouse effect?

(e) Do you agree that humans are responsible for greenhouse effect? Give reasons for your answer.

3. Read the above passage again and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information in the passage: (1×5=5)

Each time a kind of non-renewable (a) ______ is burned to run vehicles or heat our (b) ______. The atmosphere receives more (c) ______ gas. This gas slowly stores in the air and traps more heat (d) ______ the earth. Over time, this process weakens the natural (e) ______ that helps to protect the earth from dangerous climate change.

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

Walt Whitman was a poet, essayist, journalist and humanist. He was born on 31 May 1819 in West Hills, Long Island, New York. He grew up in a large family and attended public school until the age of eleven. After leaving school, he worked as a printer's apprentice and later as a teacher and journalist. In 1855, Whitman published the first edition of his most famous poetry collection, 'Leaves of Grass'. Though it received mixed reviews at first, the book became highly influential and was expanded many times throughout his life. During the American Civil War in 1861 Whitman served as a volunteer in Washington DC caring for wounded soldiers. His wartime experiences deeply influenced his later writings. Whitman received widespread recognition during his lifetime and is now considered one of America's greatest poets. In 1873, he suffered a stroke, after which he moved to Camden, New Jersey, where he lived for the rest of his life. Walt Whitman died on 26 March 1892 in Camden and was buried in Harleigh Cemetery.

4. Complete the table below with the information from the above passage: (1×5=5)

Who/What	Event/Activity	Year/When	Place/Where
Walt Whitman	was born	1819	(i) ______
(ii) ______	was published	1855	New York
Walt Whitman	worked as a volunteer	(iii) ______	Washington DC
He	moved after stroke	1873	(iv) ______
He	(v) ______	1892	Camden

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

6. Match the parts of sentences given in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' to write five complete sentences. (1×5=5)

Column A	Column B	Column C
(a) The ground	(i) can fall	(i) by every builder.
(b) Tall buildings	(ii) sits	(ii) when an earthquake happens.
(c) Bangladesh	(iii) need to know	(iii) in a big shake.
(d) Earthquake resistance building codes	(iv) shakes	(iv) what to do during an earthquake.
(e) People	(v) must be followed	(v) on moving tectonic plates.

7. Put the following parts of the story in correct order to make the whole story. Only the corresponding numbers of the sentences need to be written. (1×8=8)

(a) The courtier considered him an ordinary person and did not treat him duly.

(b) Instead of eating, Saadi began putting the food into his pockets, saying his dress deserved it.

(d) The courtier welcomed him warmly and served him delicious food.

(e) Sheikh Saadi was a great Persian poet who led a simple life.

(f) Later, Saadi again stopped at the same house on his return journey but this time he wore a rich dress.

(g) The courtier realized his mistake and apologized for it.

(h) Saadi set out for the palace wearing an ordinary dress and stopped at a courtier's house on the way to spend the night.

8. Answer the following questions from poems (any five out of eight): (2×5=10)

(a) What does the phrase 'useless years' mean in Whitman's poem 'O Me! O Life!'?

(b) Why does Eleanor Farjeon call each book 'a magic box'?

(d) Why does Charles Kingsley call the river 'cruel' and 'hungry' in the poem 'The Sands of Dee'?

(e) Why is time called 'an old gipsy man' in the poem 'Time, You Old Gipsy Man'?

(f) Describe the scenery where the poet Robert Frost stopped in the poem 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening'.

(g) What does the word 'sleep' mean in the line 'And miles to go before I sleep'?

(h) What is the final message of the poem 'Solitude' by Ella Wheeler Wilcox?

9. Answer the following questions from stories (any five out of eight): (2×5=10)

(a) Describe Ameen's character as mentioned in Rahad Abir's story 'Mr. Moti'.

(b) How was the milliner's shop decorated in the story "The Purple Jar"?

(d) 'But I would rather find out the use first.' Who said this in the story 'The Purple Jar'? Why did she say so?

(e) Who was Bassanio? Why was he short of money all the time?

(f) What type of man was Shylock?

(g) How many caskets did Portia's father make? Which casket contained the portrait of Portia?

(h) Who was the wise lawyer that saved Antonio's life? What type of person was she?

Part B—Writing Test (Marks-30)

10. Read the beginning of a story and complete it in your own way: (15)

Motin is a poor farmer living in a village. His wife Dilara is an honest and pious woman. They have old parents and two school going children living with them. So, they had to maintain the family with great difficulty. One day Dilara bought a lottery ticket and kept it in her bag. When the draw took place, she found..

11. Suppose, you are Abir and your friend is Bablu. Bublu was a good student but he is now very inattentive to his study. He is always busy with playing online games on his smart phone. But smart phone has also some beneficial side. Now, write a dialogue between you and your friend Bablu about the uses and abuses of smart phone. (15)

Key ( Answers followed by Questions)

চট্টগ্রাম বোর্ড

ENGLISH FIRST PAPER

[According to the Syllabus of 2026]

Subject Code: 107 Time: 3 hours Full marks: 100

[N.B. Answer all the questions. Figures in the right margin indicate full marks.]

Part A—Reading Test (Marks-70)

Read the passage and answer questions no. 1, 2 and 3:

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

(a) "Forests absorb a lot of carbon dioxide from the air." Here 'absorb' means ______

(i) take in (ii) take up (iii) take down (iv) take after

(b) "Crude oil" refers to ______

(i) refined oil (ii) purified oil (iii) unpurified oil (iv) both (i) and (ii)

(i) single (ii) double (iii) triple (iv) quadruple

(d) What does the word 'combustion' mentioned in the passage mean?

(i) Comforting (ii) Burning (iii) Consumption (iv) Concentration

(e) What is not beyond human capacity?

(i) Controlling the emission of greenhouse gases (ii) Controlling the sun's orbit (iii) Controlling the sun's radiation (iv) Controlling the earth's orbit

(f) Greenhouse gases have ______ effects on the environment.

(i) pleasant (ii) smooth (iii) dangerous (iv) positive

(g) Which of the following is an immediate atmospheric consequence of rising carbon dioxide levels as described in the text?

(i) Cooling of the upper atmosphere (ii) Strengthening of the greenhouse effect (iii) Decrease in global energy demand (iv) Expansion of the earth's orbit

Answer:

1. Choose the correct answer from the following alternatives:

(a) "Forests absorb a lot of carbon dioxide from the air." Here 'absorb' means ______ (i) take in

(b) "Crude oil" refers to ______ (iii) unpurified oil

(c) According to the text, the loss of the forest causes- problems. (ii) double

(d) What does the word 'combustion' mentioned in the passage mean? (ii) Burning

(e) What is not beyond human capacity? (i) Controlling the emission of greenhouse gases

(f) Greenhouse gases have ______ effects on the environment. (iii) dangerous

(g) Which of the following is an immediate atmospheric consequence of rising carbon dioxide levels as described in the text? (ii) Strengthening of the greenhouse effect

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

(a) What are fossil fuels and why do we need them?

(b) Why are trees important for protecting our environment?

(d) How are we strengthening the greenhouse effect?

(e) Do you agree that humans are responsible for greenhouse effect? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer:

(a) What are fossil fuels and why do we need them?

Fossil fuels are natural energy sources like coal, mineral oil, and natural gas. We need them to produce electricity, heat our houses, and run vehicles like cars and airplanes.

(b) Why are trees important for protecting our environment?

Trees are very important because they absorb a huge amount of harmful carbon dioxide gas from the air. In return, they deliver fresh oxygen, which helps keep the environment healthy and balanced.

(c) In what ways can we reduce the rise of greenhouse gases in the air?

We can reduce greenhouse gases by burning fewer fossil fuels like coal and crude oil. We also need to stop deforestation completely and plant more trees to save the environment.

(d) How are we strengthening the greenhouse effect?

We are strengthening the greenhouse effect mainly through rapid deforestation. People are continuously cutting down and burning enormous forest areas to get wood and clear land, which releases massive carbon dioxide into the air.

(e) Do you agree that humans are responsible for greenhouse effect? Give reasons for your answer.

Yes, I fully agree that humans are responsible. During the last hundred years, humans have rapidly increased industrial activities, burned millions of barrels of crude oil daily, and destroyed forests, which directly causes the greenhouse effect.

3. Read the above passage again and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information in the passage: (1×5=5)

Answer: (a) energy (b) houses (c) greenhouse (d) within/surrounding (e) balance

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

4. Complete the table below with the information from the above passage: (1×5=5)

Who/What	Event/Activity	Year/When	Place/Where
Walt Whitman	was born	1819	(i) ______
(ii) ______	was published	1855	New York
Walt Whitman	worked as a volunteer	(iii) ______	Washington DC
He	moved after stroke	1873	(iv) ______
He	(v) ______	1892	Camden

Answer: (i) West Hills, Long Island, New York. (ii) 'Leaves of Grass' (iii) 1861 (iv) Camden, New Jersey (v) died

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

Walt Whitman was a famous American poet, journalist, and humanist born in New York in 1819. He started working at an early age and published his greatest poetry collection, 'Leaves of Grass', in 1855. During the American Civil War, he kindly served as a volunteer to care for wounded soldiers, which deeply inspired his writing. He became highly respected during his lifetime and spent his final years in Camden until his death in 1892.

6. Match the parts of sentences given in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' to write five complete sentences. (1×5=5)

Column A	Column B	Column C
(a) The ground	(i) can fall	(i) by every builder.
(b) Tall buildings	(ii) sits	(ii) when an earthquake happens.
(c) Bangladesh	(iii) need to know	(iii) in a big shake.
(d) Earthquake resistance building codes	(iv) shakes	(iv) what to do during an earthquake.
(e) People	(v) must be followed	(v) on moving tectonic plates.

Answer:

(a + ii + v) The ground sits on moving tectonic plates.

(b + i + iii) Tall buildings can fall in a big shake.

(c + iv + ii) Bangladesh shakes when an earthquake happens.

(d + v + i) Earthquake resistance building codes must be followed by every builder.

(e + iii + iv) People need to know what to do during an earthquake.