HSC Examination 2020
English second Paper
Full marks: 100
Time: 3 hours
[Answer all the questions. Figures in the margin indicate full marks]
Part A: Grammar
1.
Fill in the blanks in the following texts with articles (a/an/the) as
necessary. Some of the blanks may not require an article. Put a cross
(x) in those blanks. 0.5x10=5
In
(a) ---- twenty-first century (b) ---- number of undesirable practices
have emerged as mobile phone usage spreads in to everyday life. In (c)
---- workplace, employers report that many members of their staff use
(d) ---- individually owned mobile phone to socialize during work hours.
It results in (e) ---- loss of productive work time and effort. In
social settings, people comment that they are irritated by (f) ----
intrusion of mobile phone conversations in (g) ---- restaurants,
theatres and other public venues. Another worrying trend is that face to face social interaction seems to have been taken over by (h)----
mobile phone devices. For example, (i) ---- analysis of (j) ---- survey
of 2000 teenagers reveals that 93 percent of to-days youth terminate
relationships by voice mail or text message.
Answers : (a) the (b) a (c) the (d) an (e) x (f) the (g) x (h) the (i) an (j) a
2. Complete the text with suitable prepositions. .5x10=5
Uluru
is located (a) ---- central Australia. The place is also known (b) ----
Ayers Rock (c) ---- honour (d) ---- Sir Henry Ayers, who was a Premier
(e) ---- South Australia (f) ---- 1873. Uluru is listed (g) ---- a World
Heritage Area (h) ---- both its natural and cultural values. It is a sacred place (i) ---- the Aborginal people (j) ---- the area.
Answers : (a) in (b) as (c) in (d) of (e) of (f) in (g) as (h) for (i) to (j) in
3. Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words given in the box. .5x10=5
There
|
What does --- look like
|
let alone
|
as soon as
|
was born
|
have to
|
What’s it like
|
would rather
|
as if
|
had better
|
(a) In England, most school children ---- wear a uniform. Is it the same in Bangladesh?
(b) I ---- take a taxi than walk home. It’s already too late.
(c) We ---- take an umbrella. It may rain.
(d) I can’t remember the title of the book, ---- the details of the story. I read it many years ago.
(e) I don’t like Tamanna’s attitude. She speaks in a way ---- she knew everything. She should show respect to others.
(f) The tennis match restarted ---- the rain had stopped. It was a great relief for the spectators.
(g) ---- living in Hawaiian style? You seem to be very happy with your life in Hawaii.
(h) Baby: Mom, ---- does a ghost ----?
Mon: Sorry dear, no idea. I had never been to any Ghost Island.
(i)
Long ago, ---- lived a mighty warrior, Kubla Khan. He built an amazing
alabaster palace in a deep, dark, and mysterious forest.
(j)
Socrates was a great Greek philosopher. He ---- in 469 BC. He spoke
against the traditional Greek beliefs and so he was sentenced to death
by drinking hemlock.
Answers:
(a) have to (b) would rather (c) had better (d) let alone (e) as if (f)
as soon as (g) What’s it like (h) What does a ghost look like? (i)
There (j) was born.
4. Complete the sentences using suitable clauses/phrases. .5x10=5
(a) Rangamati is very busy now. But don’t worry. If I find any good hotel, --------.
(b) I could not understand the chemistry lesson today. I would understand the lecture better if the teacher --------.
(c) My cousin, Mohua is going to Cox’s Bazar on vacation. If I were she, I ----.
(d) Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change. The climate is getting hotter because of -------.
(e) Whenever I go out for a walk, -------- I know many people don’t like this.
(f) I shall stay here until ---- . I do not want to take any risk.
(g) The shoes were so expensive that ----- . I did not have sufficient money with me.
(h) Her voice was too low for the people at the back to ---- . The organisers should have arranged sound system.
(i) London was a new city for us. We hired a bus so that ------- .
(j) As I’ve already completed my studies, ------- I need money.
Answer : (a) Rangamati is very busy now. But don’t worry. If I find any good hotel, I’ll contact you immediately.
(b) I could not understand the chemistry lesson today. I would understand the lecture better if the teacher explained the points with more examples.
(c) My cousin, Mohua is going to Cox’s Bazar on vacation. If I were she, I would go to Srimongol.
(d) Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change. The climate is getting hotter because of the green house effect.
(e) Whenever I go out for a walk, I take my umbrella with me. I know many people don’t like this.
(f) I shall stay here until you come back. I do not want to take any risk.
(g) The shoes were so expensive that I could not buy them.
(h) Her voice was too low for the people at the back to hear. The organisers should have arranged sound system.
(i) London was a new city for us. We hired a bus so that we could enjoy a hassle free tour round the city.
(j) As I’ve already completed my studies, I’m thinking of applying for a full time position. I need money.
5. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context.
.5x10=5
Mr
Mojumder (a) ---- (be) an english teacher for last 15 years. We are his
students now. Earlier we (b) ---- (have) another teacher, Mr Sarker. We
never (c) ---- (see) him smiling. He (d) ---- (not, explain) anything
to us. We really (e) ---- (feel) bored in his class. However, Mr
Mojumder (j) ---- (change) our class with his nice attitude. Everyday he
(g) ---- (involve) us in pair work and goupwork. We have a presentation
in English on Monday. We (h) ---- (present) survey findings on Tobaco
Consumption. For last few days (i) ---- (work) hard for a smart
presentation. My team (j) ---- (decide) to do power point presentation.
Answer;
(a) has been (b) had (c) saw (d) did not explain (e) felt (f) has
changed (g) involves (h) will present (i) have been working (j) has
decided.
6. Read the text and change the sentences as directed. 1x5=5
Taimur
was one of th greatest conquerors of the world. (a) Once Taimur
attacked the prpvince of a powerful prince. (Make it passive) (b) He
entered the kingdom of the prince and captured a large village. (Make a
question) (c) As soon as the prince heard the news, he came with a large
army. (Make it a negative sentence without changing the meaning) (d)
The village was surrounded from all sides. (Make it active) Taimur was
defeated. (e) Taimur disguised himself as a poor traveller to survive.
(Make it a complex sentence)
Answer; (a) Once the province of a powerful prince was attacked by Taimur.
(b) What did he do when he entered the kingdom of the prince?
(c) No sooner had the prince heard the news than he came with a large army.
(d) Army surrounded the village on all sides.
(e) Taimur disguised himself as a poor traveller sothat he could survive.
7. Change the narrative style by using direct speeches. 05
Don
Quixote asked Sancho to see those thirty huge giants towering over the
plain. He commented that he would do the world a great service if he rid
it of such cruel and greedy monsters as those giants always were.
Wondering Sancho asked what giants he (Don Quixote) was taking about.
Don, his master replied that those were straight before him with the
long outstretched arms. With great respect Sancho replied that the
standing elements ahead were not giants, those were windmills. And the
arms were nothing but the sails which could turn when the wind mills
blew to make the mills go.
Answer:
“See Sancho,” said Don Quixote, “See those thirty huge giants towering
over the plain! I shall do the world a great service if I rid it of such
cruel and greedy monsters as those giants always are.” “What giants?”
asked Sancho staring about him.
“Why, those straight before you, with the long outstretched arms,” his monster replied.
“O Sir,” said Sancho, “those are not giants which are standing up there, but windmills. And their arms are nothing but the sails, which turn round when the wind blows and make the mills go.”
8.
Identify the unclear pronoun references in the following paragraph.
Where necessary, rewrite the sentences so that all pronoun references
are clear. 1x5=5
At
the Writing Centre, you can receive help on any writing assignment. It
can make your writing stronger by discussing it with someone else. This
will lead to a greater understanding of the proper mechanics and style
expected in academic writing. This is an important part of the writing
process, and they spend a good deal of time making sure you understand
the expectations of written assignments. Using it will definitely make
your writing skills stronger, and that will give you greater confidence
for your next assignment.
Answer: At the Writing Centre, one can receive help on any writing assignment. You can make your writing stronger by discussing it with someone else. The discussion will lead to a greater understanding of the proper mechanics and style expected in academic writing. This understanding is an important part of the writing process, and the tutors spend a good deal of time making sure you understand the expectations of written assignments. Using the Writing Centre will definitely make your writing skills stronger, which will give you greater confidence for your next assignment.
9. Read the following text and use modifiers as directed in the blank spaces. .5x10=5
I
experienced a very interesting incident (a) ---- (Post-modify the
verb.) on my way to Dinajpur. My friend Tamalika (b) ---- (Post-modify
the noun with an appositive.) was driving. A crow was crossing the road
but suddenly in the middle of the road it stopped and remained standing.
In a minute Tamalika had to change her course but she didn’t have (c)
---- (Pre-modify the noun.) time and space to do that. Tamalika tried to
turn in the left when the cow too walked (d) ---- (Post-modify the
verb.) back a few steps. To save (e) ---- (Use a demonstrative to
pre-modify the noun.) cow Tamalika had to move n the
right. She lost her control and bumped the car with a (f) ---- (Use a
noun adjective to pre-modify the noun) tree. (g) ---- (Use a
participle to pre-modify the verb.) Tamalika was shocked but she was (h)
---- (Use an intensifier to pre-modify the adjective.)happy (i) ----
(Use an infinitive phrase to post-modify the verb). She patted the (j)
---- (Pre-modify the noun) cow and burst into laughter.
Answer: (There could be many versions of correct answers. The answers given here should be taken only as examples.)
(a) last week (b) a famous athlete (c) enough (d) slowly (e) that (f) jackfruit (g) Seeing the damage in her new car (h) very happy (i) to save the cow (j) naughty.
10. Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of the following passage. 1x5=5
We
earned our independence in nine months. There were many reasons that
made our victory easier. (a) ---- we all were united at one point. (b)
---- it was a question of our survival and dignity. (c) ---- our freedom
fighters were committed. They fought valiantly in the war fields. (d)
---- we had huge international support. (e)
---- the Pakistani soldiers didn’t have any noble reason before them.
They were killers. They were not natives of this country. (f) ---- they
didn’t have sufficient ideas about the communication systems, weather,
or people’s sentiment in this country. (g) ---- they had two superpowers
behind them. (h) ----, these superpowers could do very little directly
for them. (i) ---- only in nine months the Pakistani soldiers had to
accept the worst defeat the world had ever experienced. (j) ---- it can
be said, the war of independence proved that no power can suppress the
desire of the mass people.
Answers: (There could be many versions of correct answers. The answers given here should be taken only as examples.)
(a)
Firstly (b) Besides (c) Moreover (d) Not only that (e) On the other
hand (f) Hence (g) True that (h) However (i) As a result (j) Finally
11. Read the passage and then write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed below.
.5x10=5
My feet failed to find a suitable crevice and I fell. My hands burned red as I slid down the rough rope, and the coarse strip of leather wrapped around my waist, bit in hand. At the top of the cliff face, at the gateway to the Debra Damo Monastery, an Ethiopian Priest sat with his legs jammed up aganist either side of the rock-hewn entrance; wrapped around his mascular arms was the other end of the leather strap that had kept me from crashing down below. Further up still, in the piercing blue sky above the jagged mountain, vultures circled around the 6th century stone church.
(a)
fall (antonym) (b) suitable (antonym) (c) crevice (synonym) (d) rough
(antonym) (e) wrap (antonym) (f) gateway (synonym) (g) entrance
(antonym) (h) strap (synonym) (i) piercing (synonym) (j) jagged
(synonym)
Answers; (There could be many versions of correct answers. The answers given here should be taken only as examples.)
(a) succeed (b) unsuitable (c) crack (d) smooth (e) unwrap (f) entrance (g) departure (h) band (i) sharp (j) pointed
12. There are ten errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Rewrite the text correcting the errors. .5x10=5
Marie: You’re really fit Paul. Do you exercise very much?
Paul: Well I almost always get up early and I lift weight for an hour.
Marie: You’re kidding
Paul: No. And then go swimming.
Marie: Wow How often do you exercise like that?
Paul: About five times a week. What about you?
Marie:
Oh I hardly ever exercise. I usually just watch TV in my free time.
Often my mom says marie darling, dont be a potato couch.
Marie: You’re really fit Paul. Do you exercise very much?
Answer:
Marie: You’re really fit Paul. Do you exercise very much?
Paul: Well, I almost always get up early and I lift weight for an hour.
Marie: You’re kidding!
Paul: No. And then go swimming.
Marie: Wow! How often do you exercise like that?
Paul: About five times a week. What about you?
Marie:
Oh, I hardly ever exercise. I usually just watch TV in my free time.
Often my mom says, “Marie darling, don’t be a potato couch”.
Part B: Composition
13.
You are the Secretary of the Sports Club of your college. Read the
following e-mail sent by a sports dealer and write a reply requesting
him to supply you some sports materials for college.
08
Dear Sir
We are pleased to inform you that Modern Sports Company
has recently produced some sports materials locally. We supply these
materials to the educational institutes around the country as we offer
our products with a good price. Besides, Modern Sports Company ensures its clients to supply the best quality products.
We
here attach the specifications of our products for your further
interest. Please, contact us if you wish to get our products for your
institution.
Sincerely yours
Shahedul Alam
Manager
Modern Sports Company
Panthapath, Dhaka
Answer:
(The answer will vary. However, the answer here is only an example.)
Dear Sir
I
am pleased to place the following order with you in view of the Annual
Sports meet to be held in the first week of August. Kindly send the
goods latest by the 28th of this month. Please also see that the goods
supplied by you are of good quality and in accordance with the
specifications quoted by you earlier.
Serial No. Items with description Quantity
1. Cricket balls 2 dozen
2. Banminton rackets 1 dozen
3. Shuttle cocks (duck feather) 5 boxes
4. Hocky sticks 32
5. Volleyballs 1 dozen
6. Foot balls 1 dozen
7. Badminton nets 1 dozen
The
goods should be neatly packed and the parcel should be addressed to the
Principal of the college. Payment will be made immediately after the
parcel is received.
Yours faithfullay
Shudip Barua
Secretary, Sports Club
Model town College
Srimangal, Sylhet
14.
Suppose you are the district Correspondent of a National English Daily
published from Dhaka. You have just covered a road accident in your
area. Write a news report of about 120 words. Give a title to youe
report. 08
Answer
(The answer will vary. However, the answer here is only an example.)
Three ki8lled in road crashes
GOPALGANJ, June 7:
Three people were killed and 30 others injured when a bus plunged into a
roadside ditch on the Dhaka-Dinajpur Highway at Sirajgonj early
saturday. The deceased were identified as Fouzia Shikder, 60, daughter
of Lal Mia Shikder of Keshabpur in Netrokona district. Khokon Malik, 28,
son of Shobhan Mallik of Bashgram in Kustia district, and Wadud Ali
Mridha, 70, son of Ashik Ali Mridha of Ishwardi in Pabna district.
Locals
said the accident took place in the area around 3:30 am when a
Dinajpur-bound “Tapan Paribahan” bus from Dhaka skidded off into a
roadside ditch, leaving three people killed on the spot and 30 others injured. The injured were rushed to Sirajgonj General Hospital. Being informed, police recovered the bodies and sent those to the same hospital morgue for autopsy.
15.
Write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the types of entertainment
in the rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. Use 150 words.
10
(Answer will vary here and so model answer is not given)
16.
Is freedom of speech necessary in a free society? Give reasons for your
answer. Write at least 200 words but don’t exceed 250 words.
14
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