Dinhata Girls' High School (HS) - Solved Paper

Dinhata Girls' High School (HS)

Subject: English | Reading Skill, Grammar & Writing

1. Reading Skill (Seen)

The bus was soon empty, and I was the last passenger left behind. "I've got my rules," the conductor said to me. He had won his victory, but felt that he would like to justify himself to somebody... "Rules," I said, "are necessary things. Some are hard and fast rules, like the rule of the road... But some are only rules for your guidance... You should mind your rules with a little good will and good temper."

A. Choose the correct answer:

(i) The last passenger of the bus was: Answer: (c) AG Gardiner (ii) The conductor wished the author 'Good night': Answer: (d) in a friendly and pleasant manner.

B. True (T) or False (F) with Supporting Statements:

(i) Hard and fast rules are not flexible. T Supporting Statement: "Some are hard and fast rules, like the rule of the road, which cannot be broken without danger to life and limb." (ii) The conductor violated the rule. F Supporting Statement: "You have kept the rule, but broken its spirit." (iii) The conductor remained as adamant as before to the narrator. F Supporting Statement: "...when I got off the bus he said 'Good night' quite amiably."

C. Answer the following:

(i) How did the author categorise 'rules'? Answer: The author categorised rules into two types: "hard and fast rules" like the rule of the road which must be strictly followed, and "rules for guidance" which should be applied with common sense and good will. (ii) Is there any moral lesson in the text 'All about a Dog'? Answer: Yes, the moral lesson is that rules are meant for the comfort of people and should be observed in spirit rather than just the letter. Guidance should be balanced with empathy and common sense.

2. Poetry Extract (John Clare - Autumn)

Twirling them by the window pane I love the fitful gust that shakes...
The sparrow on the cottage rig, Whose chirp would make believe
That spring was just now flirting by In summer's lap with flowers to lie.

(i) Write the name of the poem and the poet. Answer: The name of the poem is 'Autumn' and the poet is John Clare. (ii) Why did the poet describe the elm-tree as 'mossy'? Answer: The poet described the elm-tree as 'mossy' because it was likely old and damp, leading to the growth of moss on its trunk and branches. (iii) What does the phrase 'flirting by' suggest? Answer: The phrase 'flirting by' suggests a brief, playful, and transitory appearance of spring before it gives way to other seasons.

3. Reading Skill (Unseen)

Gautama Buddha was born in a rich and noble family at Lumbini in the 6th century BC... At last he came to Bodh Gaya and sat under an enormous peepal tree, now known as the 'Bodhi Tree'...

A. Multiple Choice Questions:

(i) Buddha left his family at the age of: Answer: (b) twenty-nine. (ii) Until Buddha was twenty-nine he lived a: Answer: (c) life of luxury and comfort. (iii) Buddha came of a: Answer: (a) noble family.

B. Complete the sentences:

(i) Gautama became discontented because: Answer: he felt that the life he had been living was not a real one. (ii) Leaving his kingdom, he began to lead an ascetic life because: Answer: he wanted to find out the meaning and purpose of being alive. (iii) 'Enlightenment' is: Answer: a kind of vision where he got all the answers to his questions.

4. Grammar and Vocabulary

4. Fill in the blanks (Articles/Prepositions): Answer: Born in 1564 at Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare was destined to be the most famous dramatist and a poet. Besides writing 37 plays , Shakespeare also wrote 154 sonnets. The sonnets are gems in the casket of English poetry.

5. Do as directed:

(i) Your mother found your keys in the garage. (Passive) Answer: Your keys were found in the garage by your mother. (ii) You must read well. You will do bad. (Unless) Answer: Unless you read well, you will do bad. (iii) Honesty is the best policy. (Comparative) Answer: Honesty is better than any other policy. (iv) The reporter made the news public. (Verb form of 'public') Answer: The reporter publicized the news. (v) Pushpak said to him, "Will you share your umbrella with me?" Answer:On a rainy day, Pushpak asked him if he would share his umbrella with him.

6. Phrasal Verbs:

(i) wore: put on (ii) confine: hold in (iii) abandoned: gave up

7. Vocabulary from Unseen:

(i) huge: enormous (ii) one rigidly self-denying: ascetic

Personal Letter Writing (Class 8-10)

নিজের ঠিকানা লিখবে

March 17, 2026

My Dear Ram,

At the beginning of the letter, please take my cordial love. I hope you and your family are (doing well) by the grace of God. I am writing to you today because I have become quite concerned about your recent habit of spending excessive hours on your mobile phone.

While mobile phones are useful, they have many negative aspects when overused. I have noticed you are wasting valuable study hours on your device. This habit not only decreases your concentration on studies but also poses serious health risks, such as eye strain and headaches.

Recent studies even suggest that constant exposure to these screens can lead to sleep disorders and social isolation. Furthermore, using a phone while crossing the road is extremely dangerous and can lead to fatal accidents.

Time and tide wait for none, my friend. I request you to use your time properly and limit your phone usage for your own safety and bright future. I hope you will take my advice in the right spirit.

No more today. Give my regards to your parents and love to your younger sister.

Your loving friend,

[Your Name]

STAMP

To,

Ram Das

C/O - Mr. S. Das

Vill+P.O - Bhara

Dist - Bankura, 722157

Content inspired by PKG ENGLISH STUDY CENTRE

Visit www.pkgway.in

Dinhata Girls' High School (HS) - Question Paper

Dinhata Girls' High School (HS)

Subject: English | Reading Skill (Seen & Unseen)

1. Read the following text and answer the questions given below:

"The bus was soon empty, and I was the last passenger left behind. 'I've got my rules,' the conductor said to me. He had won his victory, but felt that he would like to justify himself to somebody... Rules, I said, are necessary things. Some are hard and fast rules, like the rule of the road, which cannot be broken without danger to life and limb. But some are only rules for your guidance, like that rule about the dogs. You can use your common sense here... He took it very well, and when I got off the bus he said 'Good night' quite amiably."

A. Choose the correct answer from the given alternatives:

(i) The last passenger of the bus was:
(a) Manoj Das, (b) John Clare, (c) AG Gardiner, (d) Mulk Raj Anand.

(ii) The conductor wished the author 'Good night':
(a) in an unpleasant manner, (b) rudely, (c) in an indifferent manner, (d) in a friendly and pleasant manner.

B. Write 'T' for True and 'F' for False. Provide supporting statements:

(i) Hard and fast rules are not flexible.
Supporting statement: _________________________________________________

(ii) The conductor violated the rule.
Supporting statement: _________________________________________________

(iii) The conductor remained as adamant as before to the narrator.
Supporting statement: _________________________________________________

C. Answer the following questions in complete sentences:

(i) How did the author categorise 'rules'?
(ii) Is there any moral lesson in the text 'All about a Dog'? If yes, justify your answer.

2. Read the following extract of the poem and answer the questions:

"Twirling them by the window pane I love the fitful gust that shakes
The casement all day, And from the mossy elm-tree takes
The faded leaves away, With thousand others down the lane...
I love to see the shaking twig Dance till the shut of eve
The sparrow on the cottage rig, Whose chirp would make believe
That spring was just now flirting by In summer's lap with flowers to lie."

(i) Write the name of the poem and the poet.
(ii) Why did the poet describe the elm-tree as 'mossy'?
(iii) What does the phrase 'flirting by' suggest?

3. Reading Skill (Unseen) - Gautama Buddha

Gautama Buddha was born in a rich and noble family at Lumbini in the 6th century BC. At the age of sixteen, he married his beautiful cousin, named Yasodhara... Then he suddenly became discontented as he felt that the life he had been living was not a real one... At last he came to Bodh Gaya and sat under an enormous peepal tree... There he had a kind of vision which is known as 'enlightenment'.

A. Choose the correct answer:

(i) Buddha left his family at the age of: (a) 19, (b) 29, (c) 39, (d) 49.
(ii) Until Buddha was 29, he lived a: (a) spiritual life, (b) life of a vagabond, (c) life of luxury, (d) painful life.
(iii) Buddha came of a: (a) noble, (b) poor, (c) potter's, (d) carpenter's family.

B. Complete the sentences with information from the passage:

(i) Gautama became discontented because ________________________________.
(ii) Leaving his kingdom, Gautama began to lead an ascetic life because __________________.
(iii) 'Enlightenment' is ________________________________.

4. Grammar and Vocabulary

Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions:

Born ____ 1564 at Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare was destined to be ____ most famous dramatist and ____ poet. ____ the casket of writing 37 plays, Shakespeare also wrote 154 sonnets. The sonnets are gems ____ English poetry.

5. Do as directed:

(i) Your mother found your keys in the garage. (Start with 'Your keys...')
(ii) You must read well. You will do bad. (Join using 'unless')
(iii) Honesty is the best policy. (Rewrite using comparative degree)
(iv) The reporter made the news public. (Use verb form of 'public')
(v) Pushpak said to him, "Will you share your umbrella with me?" (Change narration)

6. Replace underlined words with phrasal verbs (List: hold in, put on, ask for, give up):

(i) He wore a white shirt.
(ii) An ailment could confine a patient.
(iii) The man abandoned evil company.

7. Find words from the unseen passage (Q3) meaning:

(i) huge: ________________
(ii) one rigidly self-denying in religious observances: ________________

8. Writing Skill

Write a letter (in about 100 words) to your best friend expressing your grievance over the negative aspects of mobile phones.

PKG WAY

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