Ray and Martin Question Bank
Barlow Girls’ High School (H.S.)
ENGLISH Class IX
Full Marks: Time: 2 Hours
1. Reading Skill (Seen)
A. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
> I was tempted to transfer my habitation to this valley of fruits. I did not, because I still hoped to be rescued by some passing ship on the sea. I did not want to enclose myself in hills and woods. I stayed in view of the sea. Ten months had passed since I had set foot on this island.
Previously I had no lamp after dark. I collected a little tallow and a small clay dish. To this I added a wick. I had thus made myself a lamp.
I now began to seriously consider the circumstance I was reduced to. I decided to describe my state of affairs in writing. I began to keep a journal of everyday's employment. I could not include all particulars because gradually I ran out of ink.
A. Choose the correct answers from the given alternatives: (1×4=4)
(i) He stayed in view of the —
(a) hill (b) sea (c) valley (d) sky
(ii) Crusoe decided to describe his state of affairs in —
(a) recitation (b) writing (c) poetry (d) acting
(iii) Previously he had no lamp —
(a) after the dark (b) after the sunset (c) before sunrise (d) after the dawn
(iv) He was tempted to transfer his habitation to the valley of —
(a) fruits (b) flowers (c) bushes (d) meadows
B. Answer the following questions: (2×2=4)
(i) Why did not Robinson Crusoe transfer his habitation?
(ii) How did he make himself a lamp?
C. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False statements. Give supporting sentences: (1×2=2)
(i) Two hundred ninety days had passed since he had set foot on this island.
Supporting Sentence: __________________________
(ii) Crusoe took no consideration of his state.
Supporting Sentence: __________________________
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2. Reading Skill (Seen – Poem)
> The third ship drove toward the north,
Over the sea, the darkening sea,
But no breath of wind came forth,
And the decks shone frostily.
The northern sky rose high and black
Over the proud unfruitful sea,
East and west the ships came back
Happily or unhappily.
A. Choose the correct answers from the given alternatives: (1×4=4)
(i) The sea was proud and —
(a) cruel (b) unfruitful (c) unfriendly (d) happy
(ii) The decks shone —
(a) clearly (b) brightly (c) darkly (d) frostily
(iii) The sea was —
(a) clear (b) dark (c) beautiful (d) calm
(iv) The third ship drove towards the —
(a) east (b) west (c) north (d) south
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B. Answer the following questions: (2×2=4)
(i) Why is the sea called “proud unfruitful”?
(ii) Why does the poet describe the return of the first ship and second ship as ‘happily’ and ‘unhappily’?
3. Reading Skill (Unseen)
> Kolkata: Trams, a part of Kolkata's transport-scape for 151 years, seem to be on their last leg in the only Indian city where they still run. The state government will tell Calcutta High Court that trams will run only on the Esplanade–Kidderpore route when the PIL on the gradual discontinuation of trams comes up for next hearing.
Asia's oldest tram network would retain only this short heritage joy-ride route, State Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said on Monday.
He said trams were introduced in the city when there were no buses or automobiles. But now, the city has a growing number of cars, though the road space remains only 6%. “Trams cause congestion and we cannot afford to get choked by trams,” he added.
However, lawyer Sulagna Mukherjee, who filed the PIL, stated that the Calcutta High Court had formed a committee for the preservation, maintenance and restoration of the city’s tram network.
A. State whether the following statements are True or False with supporting lines: (2×5=10)
Sl. Statement True/False Supporting Sentence
(i) The division bench formed a committee to abolish trams from Kolkata.
(ii) The name of the Transport Minister is Sulagna Mukherjee.
(iii) The tram ‘Puja Parikrama’ will not be available only in 2024.
(iv) Trams are a part of Kolkata’s transport system and Asia’s oldest tram network.
(v) Tram facilities were started very recently in Kolkata.
B. Answer the following questions: (2×4=8)
(i) Which route of tramline is declared as the ‘heritage route’?
(ii) What was the statement of Mr. Snehasis Chakraborty regarding the cause of abolition of trams?
(iii) What was Calcutta High Court’s decision?
(iv) For how many years were trams available in Kolkata?
C. Suggest a suitable title for the passage. (2)
4. Grammar and Vocabulary
A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions: (1×3=3)
I found a brook ___ pleasant meadows ___ its bank plain, smooth and covered by grass. In a woody part I found melons ___ great abundance, and grape trees.
B. Fill in the blanks with correct forms of the verbs given in brackets: (1×3=3)
He ___ (tell) the Sethji that he ___ (rescue) the cap. The businessman seemed slightly ___ (relieve).
6. Do as directed: (1×6=6)
(i) I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you.
→ [Use noun form of the underlined word]
(ii) Tom said, “Please auntie, don’t pull it out.”
→ [Change the mode of narration]
(iii) He stopped and repeated his questions.
→ [Turn into a simple sentence]
(iv) He came into the room. All rose to their feet.
→ [Join into a complex sentence]
(v) Benaras is one of the holiest places of India.
→ [Change to positive degree]
(vi) Everybody wants to be rich in life.
→ [Turn into an interrogative sentence]
7. Vocabulary (From Passage No. 3): (2×4=8)
Find the words from the passage which mean:
(i) To block : __________
(ii) The act of bringing back something to a proper condition : __________
(iii) The state of being crowded or full of traffic : __________
(iv) To continue to have something : __________
8. Writing Skill (Letter): (10 Marks)
Write a letter to your younger brother who always neglects to learn English, telling him about the great utility of learning English in the present-day education system.
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9. Writing Skill (Paragraph): (10 Marks)
Write a paragraph on “Women Safety” using the following hints:
Hints: Safety of women in India has become a major issue — it requires collective effort — girl child should know about good and bad touch — parents’ role — self-defence classes — government initiative — martial arts in schools.
10. Writing Skill (Process Writing): (10 Marks)
Describe how a sandwich is prepared using the given outlines:
Outlines: Take two slices of bread → heat them → choose a base for the sandwich → add one or two protein foods → add low-fat cheese → toast → ready to eat.
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🏫 Barlow Girls’ High School (H.S.)
ENGLISH (Class VIII)
Full Marks: Time: 2 Hours
1. Reading Skill (Seen Passage)
Read the passage and answer the questions:
> I was tempted to transfer my habitation to this valley of fruits. I did not, because I still hoped to be rescued by some passing ship on the sea. I did not want to enclose myself in hills and woods. I stayed in view of the sea. Ten months had passed since I had set foot on this island.
Previously I had no lamp after dark. I collected a little tallow and a small clay dish. To this I added a wick. I had thus made myself a lamp.
I now began to seriously consider the circumstance I was reduced to. I decided to describe my state of affairs in writing. I began to keep a journal of everyday's employment. I could not include all particulars because gradually I ran out of ink.
A. Choose the correct answers: (1×4=4)
(i) He stayed in view of the —
✅ (b) sea
(ii) Crusoe decided to describe his state of affairs in —
✅ (b) writing
(iii) Previously he had no lamp —
✅ (a) after the dark
(iv) He was tempted to transfer his habitation to the valley of —
✅ (a) fruits
B. Answer the following questions: (2×2=4)
(i) Why did not Robinson Crusoe transfer his habitation?
Ans: Robinson Crusoe did not transfer his habitation because he still hoped to be rescued by some passing ship on the sea.
(ii) How did he make himself a lamp?
Ans: He collected a little tallow and a small clay dish, added a wick to it.Thus he made himself a lamp.
C. True or False with supporting sentences: (1×2=2)
(i) Two hundred ninety days had passed since he had set foot on this island.
✅ False
Supporting Sentence: “Ten months had passed since I had set foot on this island.”
(ii) Crusoe took no consideration of his state.
✅ False
Supporting Sentence: “I now began to seriously consider the circumstance I was reduced to.”
2. Reading Skill (Seen Poem)
The third ship drove toward the north,
Over the sea, the darkening sea,
But no breath of wind came forth,
And the decks shone frostily.
The northern sky rose high and black
Over the proud unfruitful sea,
East and west the ships came back
Happily or unhappily.
A. Choose the correct answers: (1×4=4)
(i) The sea was proud and —
✅ (b) unfruitful
(ii) The decks shone —
✅ (d) frostily
(iii) The sea was —
✅ (b) dark
(iv) The third ship drove towards the —
✅ (c) north
B. Answer the following questions: (2×2=4)
(i) Why is the sea called ‘proud unfruitful’?
Ans : The sea is called “proud unfruitful” because though it looks vast and powerful, it produces nothing useful for human beings.
(ii) Why does the poet describe the return of the first and second ships as ‘happily’ and ‘unhappily’?
Ans : The poet says so because one ship might have returned successfully with good results, while the other might have faced failure or sorrow.
3. Reading Skill (Unseen Passage)
Kolkata: Trams, a part of Kolkata's transport-scape for 151 years, seem to be on their last leg in the only Indian city where they still run. The state government will tell Calcutta High Court that trams will run only on the Esplanade–Kidderpore route when the PIL on the gradual discontinuation of trams comes up for next hearing.
Asia's oldest tram network would retain only this short heritage joy-ride route, State Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said on Monday.
He said trams were introduced in the city when there were no buses or automobiles. But now, the city has a growing number of cars, though the road space remains only 6%. “Trams cause congestion and we cannot afford to get choked by trams,” he added.
However, lawyer Sulagna Mukherjee, who filed the PIL, stated that the Calcutta High Court had formed a committee for the preservation, maintenance and restoration of the city’s tram network.
A. True or False with supporting sentences: (2×5=10)
Sl. Statement True/False Supporting Sentence
(i) The division bench formed a committee to abolish trams from Kolkata.
❌ False “The division bench… formed a committee for the preservation, maintenance and restoration of the city's tram network.”
(ii) The name of the Transport Minister is Sulagna Mukherjee.
❌ False “State Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said on Monday.”
(iii) The tram ‘Puja Parikrama’ will not be available only in 2024. ✅ True “This year… we have decided to discontinue the Tram Puja Parikrama.”
(iv) Trams are a part of Kolkata’s transport system and Asia’s oldest tram network. ✅ True “Trams, a part of Kolkata’s transport-scape… Asia’s oldest tram network.”
(v) Tram facilities were started very recently in Kolkata. ❌ False “Trams… a part of Kolkata’s transport-scape for 151 years.”
B. Answer the following questions: (2×4=8)
(i) Which route of tramline is declared as the ‘heritage route’?
✅ The Esplanade–Kidderpore route is declared as the heritage tram route.
(ii) What was the statement of Mr. Snehasis Chakraborty regarding the cause of abolition of trams?
✅ He said trams cause traffic congestion and the city cannot afford to get choked by them.
(iii) What was Calcutta High Court’s decision?
✅ The Calcutta High Court decided to form a committee for the preservation, maintenance, and restoration of the tram network.
(iv) For how many years were trams available in Kolkata?
✅ For 151 years.
C. Suggest a suitable title for the passage:
✅ “The Decline and Revival Effort of Kolkata Trams”
4. Grammar and Vocabulary
A. Fill in the blanks with articles and prepositions: (1×3=3)
I found a brook in pleasant meadows with its bank plain, smooth and covered by grass. In a woody part I found melons in great abundance, and grape trees.
B. Fill in the blanks with correct forms of the verbs: (1×3=3)
He told the Sethji that he would rescue the cap. The businessman seemed slightly relieved.
6. Do as directed: (1×6=6)
(i) I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you.
Ans: I am that enemy of yours who swore to take revenge on you.
(ii) Tom said, “Please auntie, don’t pull it out.”
Ans: Tom requested his auntie not to pull it out.
(iii) He stopped and repeated his questions.
Ans: He stopped to repeat his questions.
(iv) He came into the room. All rose to their feet.
Ans: When he came into the room, all rose to their feet.
(v) Benaras is one of the holiest places of India.
Ans: Very few places of India are as holy as Benaras.
(vi) Everybody wants to be rich in life.
Ans: Who does not want to be rich in life?
7. Vocabulary (from Passage No. 3) (2×4=8)
(i) To block — choke
(ii) The act of bringing back something — restoration
(iii) The state of being crowded — congestion
(iv) To continue to have something — retain
8. Letter Writing (10 Marks)
Write a letter to your younger brother about the great utility of learning English.
আমাদের letter এর ছক টা লিখবে
I am very sorry to know that you neglect learning English. You should remember that English is a global language. It is the key to higher education, better jobs, and communication with the world. In today’s modern education system, no one can succeed without a good knowledge of English. It helps you to understand books, computers, and even modern technology.
So, dear brother, take my advice and start learning English seriously from now on. You will surely benefit from it in your future life.
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