Madhyamik English 2025 (Solved)

SECTION -A

READING COMPREHENSION (SEEN)

1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

When the family sits down to tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share.
He purrs noisily and rubs himself against the legs of the family members. If there is a guest at
the table, the cat is particularly civil to him because the guest is likely to have the best of what
is offered. Sometimes, instead of giving him something to eat, the guest stoops down and
strokes the cat, and says, “Poor pussy! Poor pussy!” The cat soon tires of that. He puts up his
claw and quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg.

“Ow!” says the guest, “The cat stuck his claws into me!” The delighted family remarks, “Isn’t it
sweet of him? Isn’t he intelligent? He wants you to give him something to eat.”

The guest dares not do what he would like to do—kick the cat out of the window. So, with tears
of rage and pain in his eyes, he affects to be very much amused and sorts out a bit of fish from
his plate and hands it down. The cat gingerly receives it, with a look in his eyes that says,
“Another time, my friend, you won’t be so slow to understand.” He purrs as he retires to a safe
distance from the guest’s boot before eating his food.

A. Choose the correct alternative in the given space to complete the following sentences:

1. The cat is particularly civil to the:

(i) children
(ii) family members
(iii) strangers
(iv) guest of the family

Ans: (iv) guest of the family

2. At tea-time, the cat puts in an appearance to:

(i) see if there is anyone new
(ii) disturb the family members
(iii) get his share of food
(iv) rake the legs of the guest

Ans: (iii) get his share of food

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 3. Sometimes, the guest stoops down and strokes the cat instead of:
(i) offering food
(ii) kicking it
(iii) ignoring it
(iv) having food

Ans: (i) offering food

4. The purring cat rubs himself against the legs of the:

(i) guest of the family
(ii) members of the family
(iii) guest and family members
(iv) people outside the house

Ans: (ii) members of the family

5. With tears of rage and pain in his eyes, the guest affects to be very:
(i) angry
(ii) amused
(iii) honored
(iv) unhappy

Ans: (ii) amused

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:

1. The guest wishes to __________________________________________________.

Ans: kick the cat out of the window.

2. Putting up his claw, the cat_____________________________________________.

Ans: rakes the guest in the leg.

3. The cat retires to a safe distance to _______________________________________.

Ans: avoid the guest’s boot before eating his food.

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 C. State whether the following statements are ‘True’ or ‘False’. Write ‘T’ for ‘True’ and ‘F’
for ‘False’ in the boxes on the right-hand side. Also provide sentences/phrases from the
passage in support of your answers:

1. The guest was amused when the cat raked him in the leg.
False
Supporting sentence: "The guest dares not do what he would like to do—kick the cat
out of the window."
2. The family members were not ashamed of the behavior of the cat.
True
Supporting sentence: "The delighted family remarks, ‘Isn’t it sweet of him? Isn’t he
intelligent?’"

2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way, where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

A. Tick the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) During his journey, the poet's ship will be guided by:
(i) the sail
(ii) the wind
(iii) the star
(iv) the whale
Ans: (iii) the star

(b) “I must go down ...." — this line expresses the poet's:

(i) frustration about sea voyage
(ii) determination to go on sea voyages
(iii) anxiety about hardships of sea voyage

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 (iv) depression for not being able to go on a voyage
Ans: (ii) determination to go on sea voyages

(c)The living creatures mentioned in the poem are:

(i) gulls and whales
(ii) mariners, gulls, and whales
(iii) fellow rovers and whales
(iv) the poet and fellow rovers
Ans: (i) gulls and whales

(d) The poet desires his fellow rover to be in a:

(i) gloomy mood
(ii) pensive mood
(iii) reckless mood
(iv) joyous mood
Ans: (iv) joyous mood

B. Answer the following questions:

1. Why does the poet compare the life of a mariner with the life of gypsies?

Ans: The poet compares the life of a mariner with that of gypsies because both lead a
wandering and adventurous life, moving from place to place with freedom.

2. What does the poet ask for at the end of a voyage?

Ans: The poet asks for a merry conversation with a fellow sailor and a peaceful sleep
with sweet dreams when the journey is over.

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 SECTION A - READING COMPREHENSION (UNSEEN)

3. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

It was back in 1975 that India launched its Crocodile Conservation Project in Odisha’s
Bhitarkanika National Park, the former hunting grounds of kings from the Kanika Princely State.

Today, there are 1811 saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, a vast tract of forest and saltwater
swamp. However, back in 1975, the number of saltwater crocodiles was only 74.

In 1975, barely three years after the passage of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), crocodiles
were very much threatened and on the verge of extinction in India due to indiscriminate killing
for commercial purposes and severe loss of natural habitat.

“The main objective of the Crocodile Conservation Project was to protect the animal’s natural
habitat and revive the population through captive breeding,” said Mr. Sudhakar Kar, Odisha’s
‘Crocodile Man’.

Kar, after his retirement as a senior scientist, has been imparting technical expertise and
methodology on the conservation of these saltwater monsters. He added, “The conservation of
crocodiles is not a passing fact for me but a mission.”

(Adapted from an article published in The Hindu, June 17, 2024.)

A. Tick the right answer:

1. India launched its Crocodile Conservation Project in:

(a) 1978
(b) 2024
(c) 1975
(d) 1974
Ans: (c) 1975

2. Currently, in Bhitarkanika National Park, the number of crocodiles is:

(a) About three thousand
(b) More than two thousand
(c) About two thousand
(d) Less than a thousand
Ans: (c) About two thousand

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 3. The number of crocodiles in India has increased due to:
(a) Forced breeding
(b) Captive breeding
(c) Natural breeding
(d) Segregated breeding
Ans: (b) Captive breeding

4. The year 1972 is significant for wildlife enthusiasts in India because this year:
(a) The Wildlife Protection Act was passed in India
(b) The Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in India
(c) Bhitarkanika was declared a national park by the Indian government
(d) The Crocodile Man of Odisha started working as a senior scientist
Ans: (a) The Wildlife Protection Act was passed in India

5. “Conservation of these saltwater monsters” refers to the conservation of:

(a) Monsters living in saltwater
(b) Wild animals living in Bhitarkanika
(c) Crocodiles living in saltwater
(d) Animals living in saltwater
Ans: (c) Crocodiles living in saltwater

6. An appropriate title for the passage would be:

(a) An endeavour to protect crocodiles
(b) Ways to conserve wild animals of India
(c) 50th year of India’s Crocodile Conservation
(d) The visionary scientist — Mr. Sudhakar Kar
Ans: (a) An endeavour to protect crocodiles

B. Each of the following statements is either ‘True’ or ‘False’. Write ‘T’ for ‘True’ and ‘F’ for
‘False’ in the boxes on the right-hand side. Also, write suitable line(s) or phrase(s) from the
passage in support of your answers. (1+1) × 3 = 6

1. Since 1975, the number of crocodiles in India has decreased drastically.

False

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 Supporting sentence: "Today there are 1811 saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, but
back in 1975, the number was only 74."

2. The Bhitarkanika National Park used to be the hunting grounds of kings from the
Kanika Princely State.
True
Supporting sentence: "Bhitarkanika National Park, the former hunting grounds of kings
from the Kanika Princely State."

3. After retirement, Mr. Sudhakar Kar is no longer associated with crocodile

conservation.
False
Supporting sentence: "Kar, after his retirement as a senior scientist, has been imparting
technical expertise and methodology on the conservation of these saltwater monsters."

C. Answer the following questions:

1. What were the main objectives of the crocodile conservation project?

Ans: The main objectives were to protect the crocodile’s natural habitat and revive their
population through captive breeding.

2. Why were the saltwater crocodiles on the verge of extinction in 1975?

Ans: Due to indiscriminate killing for commercial purposes and severe loss of natural
habitat, saltwater crocodiles were on the verge of extinction in 1975.

3. Who is referred to as Odisha’s ‘Crocodile Man’? Which post did he retire from?

Ans: Mr. Sudhakar Kar is referred to as Odisha’s ‘Crocodile Man.’ He retired as a senior
scientist.

4. How does Mr. Kar contribute to the crocodile conservation project even after his
retirement?

Ans: After retirement, he continues to provide technical expertise and conservation

methodology for the project.

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 SECTION -B

GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY

4. Fill in the blanks with the correct alternatives:

1. It (was drizzling / had been drizzling / is drizzling) continually for hours together from
morning.
Ans: had been drizzling
2. But in the afternoon, the wind (grew up / grows up / growing up).
Ans: grew up
3. Then (comes / came / had come) the storm with a heavy gust.
Ans: came

5. Do as directed:

A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions:

1. Last year we visited Haridwar in summer. We stayed in a hotel by the river. Though the
hotel was a bit expensive, it was very nice.

B. Rewrite as directed:

1. We patched the kite up with a letter. (Change the voice)

Ans: The kite was patched up with a letter by us.

2. Father asked him, “Have you no school today?” (Change into indirect speech)
Ans: Father asked him if he had no school that day.

3. The people were very much stunned. They could not speak in the beginning. (Join into
a simple sentence)
Ans: The people were too stunned to speak in the beginning.

C. Choose the correct phrasal verbs from the list given below to replace the words
underlined. Write the correct phrasal verbs in the boxes on the right-hand side changing the
form where necessary. There is one extra phrasal verb in the list:

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[call up, cut off, call for, cut down]

(i) The officer demanded his explanation for the work. _________

Called for (The officer called for his explanation for the work.)

(ii) We must reduce our daily expenses. _________

Cut down (We must cut down our daily expenses.)

(iii) I cannot remember his name. _________

Call up (I cannot call up his name.)

Call for (চাওয়া/দাবি করা) – ককান া বকছুর প্রনয়াজ িা দাবি করা।

উদাহরণ: The situation calls for immediate action. (পবরবিবি িাৎক্ষবণক পদনক্ষপ দাবি কনর।)

Cut down (কমান া/হ্রাস করা) – ককান া বকছু কমান া িা সংনকাচ করা।

উদাহরণ: We must cut down our daily expenses. (আমানদর দদব ক খরচ কমানি হনি।)

Call up (স্মরণ করা/ডাকা) – মন করা িা কাউনক ক া করা।

উদাহরণ: I cannot call up his name. (আবম িার াম মন করনি পারবছ া।)

6. Given below are the meanings of four words which you will find in the passage in Question
No. 3. Find out the words and write them in the appropriate boxes on the right-hand side:

(i) The natural home or environment of an animal → habitat

(ii) To bring something back to life → revive

(iii) Important assignment or vocation → mission

(iv) Target → aim

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 SECTION -C

WRITING

7. Write a letter to the editor of an English daily complaining about the pollution caused by
fire crackers. (in about 100 words) 10

Your letter should include the following points:

Air and sound pollution- health hazards- suffering of children and aged people.

To,
The Editor,
The Times of India,
Kolkata - 700001

Subject: Pollution caused by firecrackers

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the increasing pollution caused by firecrackers

during celebrations and festivals. The bursting of crackers leads to severe air and noise
pollution, causing health hazards for many, especially children, elderly people, and animals.

The toxic smoke from firecrackers contributes to breathing problems, asthma, and lung
diseases, while the loud noise disturbs the sick and elderly. It also has an adverse effect on the
environment by increasing airborne pollutants.

I urge the authorities to impose strict regulations on the sale and use of firecrackers. Awareness
campaigns should also be conducted to encourage eco-friendly celebrations.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,
Ranjan Ghosh

16, Panchanantala Lane

Howrah - 711312
11 February, 2025

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8. Write a paragraph (within 100 words) about the advantages of morning walk.

You may use the following points: 10

Introduction-easiest form of exercise- early start for the day’s work- increase energy and
prevent weight gain- improve memory- fresh air freshens mind- lower risk of heart disease-
conclusion

Advantages of Morning Walk

A morning walk is one of the easiest and most effective forms of exercise. It refreshes the body
and mind, helping us start the day with energy and positivity. Walking in the fresh morning air
improves lung function, increases stamina, and helps in weight control. Regular morning walks
reduce stress, enhance mental clarity, and lower the risk of heart diseases. It also strengthens
the immune system and keeps lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension in check.
Overall, a morning walk is a simple habit that can lead to a healthy and happy life.

9. Write a newspaper report (in about 100 words) on a dacoity in your area. You may use
the following points: 10

Locality and place of occurrence — date and time — valuables looted — the number of dacoits
— impact — steps taken.

DACOITY IN XYZ COLONY, VALUABLES LOOTED

By Staff Reporter

XYZ, February 10, 2025: A daring dacoity took place in XYZ Colony last night at around 2:00 AM.
A group of six armed dacoits entered a house, threatening the residents with weapons. The
criminals looted cash, gold ornaments, and other valuables worth lakhs of rupees. The
terrified family members were locked in a room while the miscreants carried out their crime.

The police were informed, and an investigation is underway. The local residents are demanding
increased night patrols and stricter security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

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