HSC

HSC

Test Examination- 2014; English : Paper II

Part A : Grammar (40 Marks)

1.     Complete the passage with suitable verbs from the list. Put them in the correct tenses. Use negatives where necessary.

be

pass

bear

think

provide

go

admit

take

The standard of our education is coming down gradually. At present we think of quantity but (a) ________ of quality. Despite (b) _______ H. S. C. Examination, a lot of students can not get themselves (c) _________ into universities. The existing public universities (d) ________ the students due to scarcity of seats. On the other hand, the expenses in private universities (e) ________ by many of the guardians.

2.     Read the following letter and fill in the blanks with appropriate preposition.

Charity is a virtue that elevates human nature. A person should be endowed (a) ________ this virtue. It leads people (b) ________ think favorably of their fellowmen and do them good. Everybody should practice this habit (c) ________ every childhood. The right use of it, Brings happiness (d) ________ earth. It is the form of self-sacrifice (e) _ ________ which society can not exist.

3.     Use articles where necessary. Put a cross (x) where an article is not necessary.

Childhood or boyhood is (a) _________ man’s favorite period. During this period (b) ________ child receives training from its mother. (c) ____ ______ mother’s tender heart always looks to (d) _______ welfare and wellbeing of (e) ________ child. If during this period (f) ________ mother tries to bring (g) ________ child up carefully and according to her (h) ________ best ideas, (i) ________ child is sure to grow its superiors, parents and teachers and love (j) ________ all irrespective of caste, creed and colour.

4.     Make meaningful sentences with the following idioms (any five).

On the verge of, red handed, crying need, let alone, hard and fast, find fault with, on the sly.

5.     Turn the following into indirect speech.

“Where is my son?” said the grocer. “A crow carried your son away, “said the fruit seller. “You liar. How can a crow carry away such a big boy? Just the same was as mice can eat away the balance and weights.” “I am sorry, Take back your balance- and weights. Give back my son.”

6.     Read the following passage and transform the underlined sentences as directed.

(a)  A bus stand is a very busy place (Complex).

(b)  The passengers coming here have no time to talk or to took at others (Complex) When a bus stops at a bus stand, passengers become busy in procuring a seat.

(c)   They push one another to get on the bus. (Passive).

(d)  Ladies find it a very difficult task to get on the bus. (exclamatory).

(e)   Yet a bus stand is a very useful place. (negative)

7.     Fill in the blanks with appropriate tag questions.

a)     Horrah! Rani’s got golden at, _________?

 :   There is severe pain all over my body.

b)    Give me medicine ________?

c)     An ideal student rarely becomes unsueeessful ________?

d)    I did a course last year __________?

e)     Nothing is certain in our life __________?

8.     Complete the following sentences.

a)     Scarcely had he told the story _________.

b)    Had I possessed a vast property _________.

c)     The students started shouting after _________.

d)    Ten years passed since _________.

e)     We love and help one another as if _________.

ANSWER

Part A : Grammar

1.     Right form of verbs

(a) do not think; (b) passing; (c) admitted; (d) cannot provide; (e) cannot be born.

2.     Appropriate prepositions

(a) with; (b) to; (c) from; (d) on; (e) without.

3.     Use of articles

(a) a; (b) a; (c) A; (d) the; (e) the; (f) a; (g) the; (h) x; (i) the; (j) x.

4.     Making sentences with phrases & idioms

On the verge of : The construction of the bridge is on the verge of completion.

Red-handed : The thief was caught red- handed.

Crying need : Controlling the growth of population is a crying need in our country.

Let alone : There is not enough room for ourselves let alone for any guest.

Hard and fast : There is no hard and fast rule in this matter.

Find fault with : He is always busy to find fault with others.

On the sly : The bride was trying to see the bride groom on the sly.

5.     Changing the form of speech

The grocer asked the fruit seller where his son was. The fruit seller replied that a crow had carried away his son. The grocer called him a liar, and asked him how a crow could carry away such a big boy. The fruit seller replied that it happened just in the same way as mice could eat away balance and weights. Expressing sorrow the grocer requested to take back his (fruit seller) balance and weights and also requested to give back his son.

6.     Transformation of sentences

a)     A bus stand is a place which is very busy.

b)    The passengers coming here do not talk or look at others as they have no time.

Or, The passengers who come her have no time to talk or to look at others.

c)     One another is pushed by them to get on the bus.

d)    What a difficult task it is for ladies to get on the bus!

e)     Yet a bus stand is not anything but a very useful place.

7.     Tag questions

a.     Horrah! Rani’s got golden at, hasn’t she?

 :   There is severe pain all over my body.

b.     Give me medicine won’t /will you?

c.      An ideal student rarely becomes unsueeessful does he?

d.     I did a course last year didn’t I?

e.      Nothing is certain in our life is it?

8.     Completing sentences

a.     Scarcely had he told the story when the listeners left the place.

b.     Had I possessed a vast property I would have helped the poor.

c.      The students started shouting after the teacher had left.

d.     Ten years passed since I saw you.

e.      We love and help one another as if we belonged to the same family.