The latest CBSE Sample Papers for Class 8 English with Solutions Set 3 include questions based on the updated syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 8 English Set 3 with Solutions
Time Allowed: 2 1/2 hrs.
Max. March: 60
General Instructions:
- This question paper has been divided into four sections :
- Section A : Reading (16 marks)
- Section B : Writing (12 marks)
- Section C : Grammar (12 marks)
- Section D : Literature (20 marks)
- All the questions are compulsory.
- Marks are indicated against each question.
Section – A : Reading
Question 1.
Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
The culture of nuclear families is in fashion. Parents are often heard complaining about the difficulties in bringing up children these days. Too much of freedom in demand, too much independence; over night parties; excessive extravagance, splurging pocket money; no time for studies and family all this is a common cry of such families. Aren’t parents, themselves, responsible for this pitiful state? The basic need of a growing youth is the family, love, attention and bonding along with moral values. One should not forget that ‘charity begins at home’. Independence and individuality both need to be respected, in order to maintain the sanctity of family.
Children, today are to be handled with tact in order to bridge the ever widening generation gap. Only the reasonable demands need to be fulfilled, as there are too many expenses to be met and top many social obligations to be taken care of by the parents. Our forefathers lived happily in joint families. Children loved to live with their cousins, learnt to adjust within means. There was perfect harmony between the generations. There never existed the concept of old-age homes. There was deep respect for the family elders and love, care and concern for the youngsters. Even the minor family differences were solved amicably.
(i) Who according to the passage, are responsible for pitiful state ?
(a) Children
(b) Parents
(c) Family
(d) Elders
Answer:
(b) Parents
(ii) In which kind of family, children get a friendly atmosphere and they also within means?
(a) Joint family
(b) Nuclear family
(c) Small family
(d) Large family
Answer:
(a) Joint family
(iii) Which word in the passage means ‘Holiness of life?
(a) Sanctity
(b) Reasonable
(c) Harmony
(d) Obligations
Answer:
(a) Sanctity
(iv) The basic need of a growing youth is:
(a) family
(b) love
(c) attention
(d) all of these
Answer:
(d) all of these
(v) Which one of the following statements shows common concerns of a nuclear family?
Statement I: Too much independence,
Statement II: No time for studies and family
(a) Statement I
(b) Statement II
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b)
Question 2.
Look at the poster carefully and answer the questions that follow : 1 × 5 = 5
(i) What is the theme of the picture?
(a) The Values and Advantages of Games and Sports
(b) Good Manners
(c) The Value of Reading Books
(d) The Hazards of Pollution
Answer:
(b) Good Manners
(ii) Which of the following is not a good habit?
(a) Helping old people
(b) Planting trees
(c) Getting up early in the morning
(d) Keeping your classroom dirty
Answer:
(d) Keeping your classroom dirty
(iii) Which kind of words ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ are?
(a) Bad words
(b) Harsh words
(c) Polite words
(d) Difficult words
Answer:
(c) Polite words
(iv) We should wait for our turn by standing ______ in the line.
(a) Quietly
(b) Uneasily
(c) Impatiently
(d) Angrily
Answer:
(a) Quietly
(v) ‘Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, ______ and wise.’
(a) dull
(b) poor
(c) wealthy
(d) foolish
Answer:
(c) wealthy
Question 3.
Read the given poem attentively and answer the questions that follow :
The Blind Beggar
Each morning as I go to school,
If I am not too late,
I stand to watch the beggar man,
beside the temple gate.
He always sits in that same place,
He has nowhere to live.
He sits and clanks his begging bowl.
and cries to all to give.
I must not poke the beggar man,
I must not mock his cry.
He has no friends to keep him good,
and tidy, that is why.
He cannot see the city domes,
And the clear blue sky behind.
He cannot see me stand because
the beggar man is blind.
And though he cannot see.
God loves that poor old beggar man,
As much as he loves me.
Questions:
(i) The poet thinks that he has no _____ to make him feel good
(a) friends
(b) neighbours
(c) parents
(d) Children
Answer:
(a) friends
(ii) The beggar is unable:
(a) to see the city domes
(b) to watch the high blue sky
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of these
Answer:
(c) both (a) and (b)
(iii) According to the poem, the beggar is:
(a) deaf
(b) dumb
(c) blind
(d) none of these
Answer:
(c) blind
(iv) The antonym of friend is:
(a) enemy
(b) neighbour
(c) smile
(d) clever
Answer:
(c) smile
(v) The meaning of mock is:
(a) tease
(b) happy
(e) laugh
(d) run
Answer:
(a) tease
(vi) What does the poet feel ?
Answer:
The poet feels that he should not mock at the beggar.
Section – B : Writing
Question 3.
Your creative club is going to organise an interclass singing competition. Write a notice in about 50 words inviting names of the students who want to Participate in it. Give all necessary details. You are Nitin/Anamika, Creative club, Ahlcon Internation School, Kurushetra. (4)
Answer:
Ahlcon International School
Notice
January 20, 20xx
Inter-class Singing Competition
The creative club announces “Suro ke Maharathi”, an inter-class singing competition for classes VI. VII, VIII on February 21st, 20xx, The theme for the competition is Traditional feel songs. Interested students should register with the Music department. The auditions will be held from 28th January-10th February in the school auditorium. There will be 6 entries from each class. The list of finalists will be put up on the notice board on February 15th, 20xx. For further details, contact the undersigned.
Anamika
Secretary
(Creative Club)
Or
You are Ritesh. Today, you had the following conversation with Manik, a friend of your elder brother:
Ritesh: Hello! Is it 991234509?
Manik: Yes. I’m Manik speaking. What can I do for you?
Ritesh: Well, Manik! I’m Ritesh, you know your brother’s friend.
Manik: Oh, I see. Well, brother is not here now. So how can I help you?
Ritesh: Could you please convey him that he should bring my practical book today in school as I need it in class today.
Manik: Thats fine. I’ll do that.
Answer:
Message
11.11a.m.
January 1, 20XX
Dear Brother,
Ritesh rang up to inform you that, he wants you to bring his practical book to school today. He said it is urgent as he needs it for the practical exam.
Manik
Question 4.
Write an application to your Principal requesting him to allow you to reappear for unit test in English that you missed due to some reason. You are Ajit studying in ABC Public School, Nodia in Class VIII. (4)
Answer:
The Principal
ABC Public School
Noida (UP)
Subject: Request to allow to reappear for unit test in English.
Sir,
1 regret that dueito illness, I missed unit test of English held on Monday. I have appeared in all other unit tests. I am one of the best students in my class. I hope that I will score good marks if given a chance to reappear. Kindly allow me to reappear in the unit test and oblige me.
Thanking you.
Yours obediently
Ajit
VIII B
Or
Write a letter to your friend declining his/her invitation to attend his/her birthday party.
Answer:
B 25 Rajori Garden
Indraprastha
New Delhi
25th November 20xx
Dear Reena,
Thank you very much for inviting me to your birthday party. However, I won’t be able to attend the occasion since I have to attend my cousin’s marriage on the same day as your birthday. My family and I would be leaving for her place today evening itself. I am sure you can understand and forgive me for not being able to make it to your birthday celebration.
I wish you all the happiness on your birthday in advance and wish that your party is a success. I am looking forward to meeting you soon.
Your affectionately,
Riya
Question 5.
Write a paragraph on on any one of the following topics using the hints given below: (4)
Public Park
Hints: green lungs of cities – public place – all kinds of people – mornings and evenings jogging on the paths – Old people and children – lively and refreshing sight – flowers bloom – hawkers and ice vendors
Answer:
Public parks are the green lungs of cities. Every city has many public parks.Without them a city looks like a jungle of concrete and bricks. A public parkis a public place meant for all kinds of people. People visit a public park generally in the mornings and evenings. Many of them can be seen jogging on the paths. Others lie down on green grass. They relax there.
Old people and children can be seen in large numbers. Children go there for fun and frolic. They play games in the open grounds. A public park presents a lively and refreshing sight. There are many flowerbeds. All kinds of flowers bloom there. Every park has traditional neems, oak, peepal trees. In the evening, hawkers and ice vendors have a good business there.
Or
Write a story on ‘Appearances often Mislead’ using the hints given below :
Hints : Peacock was dancing _____ a crane came _____ they started talking _____ Peacock looked at crane’s feathers with hatred _____ crane asked _____ Peacock replied _____ Crane replied _____ Peacock felt ashamed.
Answer:
Appearances of Ten Mislead
Once upon a time a peacock was dancing in a forest unfurling his feathers as it was the first rain of the season. No doubt, he looked admirable felt proud of his feathers. Suddenly, a crane came there. He wished the peacock. They started talking. While talking, the peacock looked at the feathers of the crane with hatred. The crane asked the peacock, “Why are you looking at me like this?” The peacock replied/! am looking at your dull feathers, they have no shine and beauty.
See mine, how attractive they are! Nature has done so much injustice to you-such a strong bird and so dull feathers. It is really a pity”. The crane replied, “Nature has always been fair with every creature. Though, you have beautiful feathers while mine are dull, but I can fly high in the clouds and you can’t do that at all”. The peacock felt ashamed and begged the crane’s pardon.
Section – C : Grammar
Question 6.
Complete the following paragraph with the help of pronouns. (3)
Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like (a) _____ Not only because I’ve never written (b) _____ before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor (c) _____ else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen year-old school girl.
Answer:
(a) me,
(b) anything,
(c) anyone.
Question 7.
Complete each sentence by choosing the correct adjectives. (3)
(i) He saw it with his _____ eyes.
(ii) That was the _____ book I was looking for.
(iii) This will be the _____ gift for your birthday.
Answer:
(i) own
(ii) very
(iii) perfect
Question 8.
Write the appropriate words from the given options to complete the following passages. (3)
One hot day in December, I (a) _____ been standing perfectly still for a few minutes (b) _____ the dry weeds, (c) _____ a slight rustling sound (d) _____ from near my feet, and glancing down. I saw the head (e) _____neck of a large serpent (f) _____ slowly past me. In a moment or two, the flat head was lost to sigh
Answer:
| (a) | (i) has | (ii) have | (iii) had | (iv) am |
| (b) | (i) between | (ii) among | (iii) next | (iv) from |
| (c) | (i) why | (ii) while | (iii) when | (iv) where |
| (d) | (i) come | (ii) came | (iii) will come | (iv) comes |
| (e) | (i) and | (ii) but | (iii) or | (iv) because |
| (f) | (i) crawl | (ii) crawling | (iii) has crawled | (iv) crawls |
Question 9.
Write the antonym for each of the following word.
(i) acquit
(ii) ancient
(iii) bless
Answer:
(i) condemn
(ii) modern
(iii) curse
Section – D : Literature
Question 10.
Read the given passages and answer the questions by choosing the correct option : (1 1/2)
I spotted it in a junk shop in Bridport, a roll-top desk. The man said it was early 19th century, and oak. I had always wanted one, but they were always far too expensive. This one was in a bad condition, the roll-top in several pieces, one leg clumsily mended, scorch marks all down one side. It was going for very little money. I thought I could restore it. It would be a risk, a challenge, but I had to have it. I paid the man and brought it back to my workroom at the back of the garage. I began work on it on Christmas Eve.
Questions:
(i) Name the lesson from which this passage has been taken.
(a) The Best Christmas Present in the World
(b) Glimpses of the Past
(c) The Last Bargain
(d) Geography Lesson
Answer:
(a) The Best Christmas Present in the World
(ii) What did the author spot?
(a) A flat top desk
(b) A carved chair
(c) A chest of drawers
(d) A roll-top desk
Answer:
(d) A roll-top desk
(iii) The condition of the roll-top desk was:
(a) attractive and new
(b) very old and clumsy and in several pieces
(c) flat with several oil marks
(d) none of these
Answer:
(b) very old and clumsy and in several pieces
(iv) Why did the author bring the roll-top desk?
(a) it was beautiful and expensive
(b) he always wanted to buy a roll-top desk and it was reasonally priced
(c) it was light to carry and could be disposed off easily
(d) it was not useful and meaninglessly priced
Answer:
(b) he always wanted to buy a roll-top desk and it was reasonally priced
Question 11.
Read the extract given below and answer the following questions : (1 1/2)
When the jet sprang into the sky,
it was clear why the city
had developed the way it had,
seeing it scaled six inches to the mile.
There seemed an inevitability
about what on ground had looked haphazard,
unplanned and without style
When the jet sprang into the sky.
Questions:
(i) Which word in the stanza means destructive?
(a) developed
(b) haphazard
(c) inevitability
(d) unplanned
Answer:
(b) haphazard
(ii) What on ground’. What does it refer to?
(a) a village
(b) a town
(c) wheat fields
(d) a city
Answer:
(d) a city
(iii) How does the city look?
(a) Unplanned and haphazard
(b) Stylish
(c) Hazy
(d) Full of monuments
Answer:
(a) Unplanned and haphazard
Question 12.
Read the given passages and answer the questions by choosing the correct option : (any three) (3)
In the beginning, when the world was new and the Animals were just beginning to work for Man, there was a Camel, and he lived in the middle of a Howling Desert because he did not want to work. He ate sticks and thorns and prickles, and when anybody spoke to him he said “Humph!” Just “Humph!” and no more. Presently the Horse came to him on Monday morning, with a saddle on his back and said, “Camel, O Camel, come out and trot like the rest of us.” “Humph!” said the Camel, and the Horse went away and told the Man.
(i) Where did the camel live?
(a) Near the desert
(b) In the river sides
(c) Middle of a dark forest
(d) Middle of a howling desert
Answer:
(d) Middle of a howling desert
(ii) What did the camel not want to do?
(a) Dance
(b) Sleep
(c) Work
(d) Eat
Answer:
(c) Work
(iii) What was the reply of camel to everyone?
(a) Trumph
(b) Neigh
(c) Humph
(d) Roar
Answer:
(c) Humph
(iv) Who came to the camel, first of all?
(a) Horse
(b) Dog
(c) Ox
(d) Tiger
Answer:
(a) Horse
Or
Read the given passages and answer the questions by choosing the correct option : (any three)
He sat on a bench on the platform, putting his small bundle down. In all his eleven years, he had never seen so many people, except once a year at the fair in his village. People walked by, bumping into him with their suitcases. A voice announced something on a loudspeaker. Near him a group of people sat on their luggage, looking at a TV hanging from the roof. The noise was terrible, Velu put his head down on his knees, feeling miserable and exhausted. He had run away from his village two days ago. For two days he had eaten nothing but some peanuts and a piece of jaggery. In his bundle he carried a’shirt, a towel and a comb.
(i) How old was Velu?
(a) Ten
(b) Twelve
(c) Fifteen
(d) Eleven
Answer:
(d) Eleven
(ii) Where had he seen so many people before?
(a) Village Station
(b) Village Fair
(c) Circus
(d) Wedding
Answer:
(b) Village Fair
(iii) What did he carry in his small bundle?
(a) A shirt, a towel and a comb
(b) A comb, a t-shirt and pants
(c) Pants, two shirts and money
(d) Food, a shirt and a comb
Answer:
(a) A shirt, a towel and a comb
(iv) What did Velu eat within two days?
(a) A piece of jaggery
(b) Some peanuts
(c) Bread
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer:
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Question 13.
Answer any two of the following questions in about 30 – 40 words : 2 × 3 = 6
(a) How was Meghna fortunate to have survived the Tsunami?
Answer:
Meghna was a years old girl. She was swept away with waves along with her parents and many other people. Meghna held on to a wooden door. She kept on floating for two days in that manner. Fortunately, a wave brought her back to the shore and thus, she was saved.
(b) How did the Britishers make Indian industries weak and cripple?
Answer:
The main motif of the British was to exploit Indian resources. They discouraged handicrafts of India. They removed imports duty for the benefit of industries in Britain. They imposed heavy taxes on the Indian farmers. They also sent many farmers to jail failing to pay their tax arrears. Thus they made the Indians weak as well as poor.
(c) Why does the child compare himself to the bird in a cage?
Answer:
A bird in a cage resembles a creature who is devoid of his liberty and freedom. Similarly, the boy is not free to learn neither from his books nor in his school. For him, his school is like a cage that is the bondage of his wisdom. According to the poet, the school boy does not get chance to widen his horizons into thinkings and intellect.
(d) Why did the speaker turn down the offer of the old man? (The Last Bargain)
Answer:
An old man with his bag of gold wanted to hire the speaker with a lot of money. But the speaker had denied his proposal for the temporary existence of money in one’s life. The speaker is more conscious about the fact that after spending away all the money, he will be bereft of the work again.
Question 14.
Answer any two of the following questions in about 20 – 30 words : 2 × 2 = 4
(a) Depict in a word the Giant’s nursery.
Answer:
The Giant’s garden was very beautiful. It had soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood beautiful flowers like stars and there were twelve peach trees that in the spring time broke out into delicate blossoms of pink and pearl, and in autumn bore rich fruit.
(b) How does Hafeez provide for his customer the sort of structure he needs?
Answer:
Hafeez is good at drawing the design of a house on the spot. He looks at the client’s face and the way he talks to know what his taste would be like. Then he sketches on the spot and gives it to his client in the office.
(c) What befell Princess September’s parrot one day? How did the princess respond to it?
Answer:
One day, Princess September found her parrot lying dead at the bottom of its golden cage. She burst into tears suddenly. She cried so much that the Queen got angry and told her to go to bed without any supper.
Question 15.
Answer any one of the following questions in about 40 – 50 words : 1 x 4 = 4
(a) Who was Chunilal? How is his role in the story?
Answer:
Chunilal had once been Bepin Babu’s schoolmate. He was facing hard times and looking for a job. He called on Bepin with hope to get help. But Bepin even refused to see him. Later Chunilal confirmed Bepin Babu’s visit to Ranchi. He recalled several instances in his support but Bepin was not convinced. A letter from Chunilal gave such a news that Bepin became all right. The news was that Chunilal’s novel had been accepted for publication and he would get a handsome amount.
(b) According to you what is more essential for survival – having the sense of reality or being in imaginary world? Justify your answer with reference of the poem “The Ant and The Cricket”?
Answer:
According to md the most essential thing for survival is the sense of reality and not being in the imaginary world. This has been proven by the due context of the poem ‘‘The Ant and The Cricket”. At first in the poem we get to know about the young cricket who is very much interested in making merry in the pleasant weather of summer. He is not at all inclined towards the storage of provision for the future.
And this unplanned approach made him face the misfortune of starvation and famine in the rough winter season. But on the other hand, the ant which is mostly considered as miser because of his preserving attitude makes it capable of fighting against the starvation and famine in the rough time of winter. Its planning regarding future provisions proves to be the actual sense of reality what helps it to win the struggle for survival.
(c) Investigate the characters of Princess September and her other eight sisters.
Answer:
Princess September was different from her elder sisters. She was sweet-natured and simple-hearted. She cried bitterly when her parrot died. A little bird made her happy with his song. Her sisters were jealous, mean and wicked. They made a plan to rob her of her happiness.
They told her to put the bird in a cage. Their wicked plan worked for a while. The bird stopped singing in captivity. Princess September cared more for the bird’s life than her own happiness. So she let him off. She was duly rewarded for her goodness.