The latest CBSE Sample Papers for Class 8 English with Solutions Set 5 include questions based on the updated syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 8 English Set 5 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 : (5)
Dry fruits are useful in different diseases of the brain muscles and tissues. Almonds have unique properties to remove brain weakness and making it strong. Almond preserves the vitality of the brain, empowers the muscles and destroys diseases originating from nervous and bilious disorders.
Walnut is another dry fruit that possesses wonderful qualities of curing brain weakness. According to Dr. Johnson, almonds, figs, grapes, dates, apples and oranges are rich in phosphoric elements and should be used normally by the brain workers. Phosphorus nourishes the vital tissues of the body. It keeps the mind full of enthusiasm for hard- work.
Dry fruits are loaded with essential oils, proteins, potassium and calcium. These help us to boost our immunity. The presence of anti-oxidants help us to fight infection and illness. Dry fruits and nuts are excellent for weightloss if you eat them moderately.
(i) Dry fruits are of optimum use to the mankind on the point that .
(a) They cure different diseases of the body
(b) They protect us from infectious germs,
(c) They strength our brain.
(d) They preserve out vitality.
Answer:
(a) They cure different diseases of the body
(ii) “The almonds helpful in _____”
(a) Strengthening our muscles.
(b) Preserving our brain tissues.
(c) Strengthing our digestive system.
(d) Destroying diseases due to bilious and nervous diorders.
Answer:
(b) Preserving our brain tissues.
(iii) We can obtain phosphoric element from:
(a) Seasonal fruits
(b) Dry fruits and fresh fruits.
(c) Papayas, almonds and figs.
(d) Almonds, dates, figs, grapes, apples and oranges.
Answer:
(d) Almonds, dates, figs, grapes, apples and oranges.
(iv) Why should the brain workers take fruits having phosphoric elements
(a) They keep the mind fresh and tension tree
(b) they remove brain weakness
(c) They nourish the vital tissues of the body.
(d) They make us sejuvinate our strength.
Answer:
(c) They nourish the vital tissues of the body.
(v) The word “generally” is same as
(a) usually
(b) normally
(c) frequently
(d) ordinarily.
Answer:
(b) normally
Question 2.
Look at the poster carefully and answer the questions that follow : 1 × 5 = 5
(i) What is purpose of this poster?
(a) to create awareness against noise pollution.
(b) to use loudspeakers to check noise pollution.
(c) to put hands on ears on hearing a noise
(d) to prevent people from making noise during the day.
Answer:
(a) to create awareness against noise pollution.
(ii) Which of the following activity is responsible for noise pollution?
(a) high volume of loudspeakers
(b) running factories
(c) vehicles running fast on roads
(d) all these.
Answer:
(d) all these.
(iii) Too much noise may:
(a) make us deaf
(b) increase the speed of our vehicles
(c) incresae our hearing power
(d) increase our energy to work.
Answer:
(a) make us deaf
(iv) We should not blow horns or ring bells near a hospital because :
(a) it may spoil the medicines
(b) it may disturb the resting patients
(c) the doctors may go on strike
(d) none of these.
Answer:
(b) it may disturb the resting patients
(v) To avoid noise pollution we should:
(a) not blow horns unnecessarily
(b) avoid the use of loudspeakers
(c) not use old vehicles that produce screeching sound.
(d) all these
Answer:
(d) all these
Question 3.
Read the given poem attentively and answer the questions that follow : 5
Roger The Dog
Asleep he wheezes at his case.
He only wakes to scratch his fleas.
He hogs the fire, he bakes his head As if it were a loaf of bread.
He’s just a sack of snoring dog.
You can lug him like a log.
You can roll him with your foot,
He’ll stay snoring where he’s put.
I take him out for exercise,
He rolls in cowclap up to his eyes.
He will not race, he will not romp,
He saves his strength for gobble and chomp.
He ‘ll work as hard as you could wish
Emptying his dinner dish.
Then flops flat, and digs down deep,
Like a miner, into sleep.
Questions:
(i) The poem is about a dog who is very :
(a) lazy
(b) Hungry
(c) playful
(d) watchful
Answer:
(a) lazy
(ii) The expression’hog the fire’ means :
(a) sits near the fire
(b) moves away from the fire
(c) plays with the fire
(d) does not let anyone else enjoy the fire
Answer:
(a) sits near the fire
(iii) The lines ‘As if it were a loaf of bread’ and ‘Like a miner, into sleep’ are examples of which of the following poetic devices?
(a) simile
(b) irony
(c) metaphor
(d) personification
Answer:
(c) metaphor
(iv) The dog uses most of his energy in:
(a) playing games
(b) going for walks
(c) rolling around
(d) filling his belly
Answer:
(c) rolling around
(v) The poet compares sleep to:
(a) darkness
(b) forgetfulness
(c) a deep hole
(d) playfulness
Answer:
(c) a deep hole
(vi) Which of the following extracts from the poem is an example of a metaphor?
(a) “He is just a sack”
(b) “Gobble and chomp”
(c) “As if it were a loaf of bread”
(d) “And digs down deep”
Answer:.
(a) “He is just a sack”
Section – B : Writing
Question 3.
Your school is organising a tour to Jaipur (Rajasthan). Write out a notice inviting, students who want to join the tour. You are Rattan/Rajni, the head boy/ head girl of Aurobindo Public School, Jallandhar. Put the notice in the box. 4
Answer:
Aurobindo Public School, Jalandhar
Notice
5th july, 20xx
A Tour to Jaipur
All the students will be pleased to know that our school is organising a tour to Jaipur (Rajasthan) on 25th July. It will be a four-day visit to have complete eye to eye knowledge of different sites of Rajasthan. The touring party will return on 28th July. Interested students from Classses VIII to X may deposit Rs. 2500/- per head to their class teachers by 12th July. The cost will cover boarding, lodging, light-seeing etc. The school bus will be at your service under Sh. S.K. Sen, History Teacher.
Rattan/Rajni
Head Girl/Boy
Or
You are Manoj. Today you had the following conversation with Attresh, a friend of your older brother.
Attresh: Hello! is it 93501556027
Manoj : Yes, I am Manoj speaking. What can I do for you?
Attresh: Well, Manoj! I am Attresh, you know your elder brother’s close friend.
Manoj : Oh, I see. Well, my brother is not here now. So, can I help you ?
Attresh: C ould you please convey him that he should bring my practical booktomorrow in the Chemistry laboratory as I will need it in the class.
Manoj : That’s fine, I’ll do that.
As you are leaving for your school, write a message for your brother in about 50 words.
Answer:
Message
10th April, 20xx
3.30 p.m
Dear Brother
Your friend Attresh had called upon you in the evening. As you are not here, I am leaving a message for you. He has asked you to take his practical book tomorrow in the Chemistry laboratory as he needs it. Please do not forget.
Manoj
Question 4.
You are Keshav/Kartika of VIII class. By chance your mother has become ill and there is none to look after her. Write a request application to your school Principal to sanction you leave for three days. (4)
Answer:
The Principal
Modern High School
Varindaban 13
15th July, 20xx
Sir / Madam,
With utmost request, I beg to pray to sanction me at least three days leave i.e. from 15th July to 17th July. My kind mother has been under an attack of Viral-cum-malarial fever. There is none to look after her. My father has been deputed to Jamnagar by the Government for three months. The doctor has advised her to take complete rest at least for three days. So, I am unable to attend my classes.
Therefore, please grant me leave for three days. I shall be greatly obliged to you. I will complete my homework by getting in touch with km Rachna, who is my next door neighbour.
Thanking you,
Yours Obediently
Keshav / Kartika
Class VIII, Roll No. 10
Or
Write a letter to M/s Jeewan Publishing House, 24 Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 2, about the wrong supply of certain books and request them to send you the correct ones. You are Rupesh / Ruchika of 271 R, Model Town, Gauhati (Assam).
Answer:
271 R, Model Town
Gauhati, Assam 21
May 15„ 20xx
M/s Jeewan Publishing House
24 Ansari Road
Daryaganj, New Delhi – 02
Subject: Supply of wrong text books
Sir,
I have just received your V.P.P and on opening it, I have found wrong textbooks. Kindly see my order of dated May 1st, 2023 and confirm. I ordered to send me three textbooks of Honeybell (NCERT) New edition and five sets of English compacta for VIII. The English Compacta books are blank and have overlapping of lines. Even one textbook ‘Honeybell’ has missing pages.
So, I am returning them to you for replacement. Kindly check and send me the correct books at your earliest. The teachers are daily giving homework from these books.
Thanking you,
Yours Truly,
Rupesh / Ruchika
Question 5.
Write a small paragraph on “Morning Walk – A Bonanza for Life”. You can take ideas from the given hints. (4)
Hints:
early rising a good habit,..keeps us fresh, fit and active,..gives us extra energy to work for the whole day,..tones our body, mind and soul,..improves our stamina, digestion and eye-sight,..quiet atmosphere generates new life,..a free food from nature.
Morning Walk—A Bonanza for Life
Answer:
A morning walk is a good habit and at this time there is a perfect quietness in the atmosphere. The nature showers all her blessings. An early riser generally gets a good benefit from the morning walk. The dew drops on the grass shine like hearts and walking base foot on it, sharpens out appetite and eye-sight. The trees on both the sides of the roads present fresh oxygen that energizes our lungs. It controls our blood pressure and maintains balance jn the body. It tones our mind, body and soul. We get an extra doze of energy through morning walk. It keeps us hale and hearty. It gives activeness and readies us for work for the whole day. It is a priceless bonanza for life. We should make it a regular habit to enjoy morning walk.
Or
You are Vaibhav/Vanita of Government Multi Skilled School, Almora. Your school celebrated the independence day with great enthusiasm. As Head Body/Head Girl of your school, prepare a report for school magazine.
Hints : It has been two hours waiting for the train. Sandhya was getting restless. Suddenly she ……..
Answer:
Independence Day Celebrations
Almora : 16th August, 2024
By Vaibhav, School Head Boy
Our school celebrated the country’s 77th Independence Day on 15th August in school campus. The campus had a fine looking with colourful flags, balloons, buntings and flowers. Mr. C.S. Dhanpat, the city magistrate inaugurated the function. He unfurted the National Flag in the midst of school Principal, staff and students. Then, the National Anthem was sung.
Many students presented miraculous cultural items which were applauded by all. The Principal delivered an encouraging speech. He cited the importance of ‘being free’. Then, the Chief Guest gave a speech on the contribution of youths in nation building. He remembered the innumerable heroes of the country. In the end prizes were distributed to the outstanding students. The function came to a close with tea and sweets.
Section – C : Grammar
Question 6.
Here is a letter with some blank spaces. Complete the letter by writing appropriate prepositions. (3)
Dear Sir
With reference (a) _____ your advertisement (b) _____ The Times of India on 3rd January (c) _____renting a suitable accommodation in the Central Market we are ready to provide a well furnished office (d) _____ rent. It is quite near the Public Park. There is an ample chance (e) _____ enhancing business with the shopkeepers as this office is centrally located. You may visit the premises (f) _____ 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Answer:
(a) to
(b) in
(c) for
(d) for
(e) for
(f) from.
Question 7.
Fill in the blanks with the help of coordinating conjunctions. (3)
(i) This old woman spoke neither French _____ Chinese.
(ii) She tried to learn Chinese _____ it was too difficult.
(iii) Last night, I was very tired _____ I went to sleep.
Answer:
(i) nor
(ii) but
(iii) so
Question 8.
Tick the most suitable modal verb from the ones given in the brackets. (3)
(i) I am so thirsty.,I (could / might) drink two glasses of water.
(ii) You (must/have got to) leave for Chennai now.
(iii) Rajat (may/might) be here now.
(iv) You (must/mustn’t) speak rudely to others.
(v) You (don’t have to/doesn’t have to) waste water.
(vi) I can’t see clearly. I (have to/had to) wear my spectacles. *
Answer:
(i) might
(ii) must
(iii) might
(iv) mustn’t
(v) don’t have to
(vi) have to
Question 9.
Complete each dialogue by choosing the correct answer from the options given below
Priya : Hello Richa, (a) _____ your English assignment ?
Richa : Not yet, (b) _____ it tomorrow.
Priya : Why?
Richa :(c) _____ photocopies of my assignment because there was no electricity in that area.
(a) (i) has you submitted
(ii) have you submitted
(iii) have you submitting
(iv) has you submitting
Answer:
(ii) have you submitted
(b) (i) I will done
(ii) I will doing
(iii) I will did
(iv) I will do
Answer:
(iv) I will do
(c) (i) I could not make
(ii) I could not made
(iii) I cannot make
(iv) I cannot made
Answer:
(i) I could not make
Section – D : Literature
Question 10.
Read the given passages and answer the questions by choosing the correct option : (any three) 1 1/2
The rains have heralded the arrival of some seasonal visitors – a leopard, and several thousand leeches. Yesterday afternoon the leopard lifted a dog from near the servants’ quarter below the school. In the evening it attacked one of Bijju’s cows but fled at the approach of Bijju’s mother, who came screaming imprecations. As for the leeches, I shall soon get used to a little bloodletting every day.
Other new arrivals are the scarlet minivets (the females are yellow), flitting silently among the leaves like brilliant jewels. No matter how leafy the trees, these brightly coloured birds bannot conceal themselves, although, by remaining absolutely silent, they sometimes contrive to go unnoticed. Along come a pair of drongos, unnecessarily aggressive, chasing the minivets away. A tree creeper moves rapidly up the trunk of the oak tree, snapping up insects all the way. Now that the rains are here, there is no dearth of food for the insectivorous birds.
(i) What news does the rain bring?
(a) About the arrival of some seasonal visitors
(b) About the arrival of spring season
(c) About the arrival of monsoon season
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) About the arrival of some seasonal visitors
(ii) What did the leopard do yesterday afternoon?
(a) Lifted a parrot
(b) Lifted a cat
(c) Lifted a dog
(d) Lifted a rabbit
Answer:
(c) Lifted a dog
(iii) What is the colour of female minivets?
(a) Red
(b) Brown
(c) Yellow
(d) Black
Answer:
(c) Yellow
(iv) What is the advantage of rain to insectivorous birds?
(a) They get plenty of food
(b) They love water
(c) They breed in this season
(d) They sleep in this season
Answer:
(a) They get plenty of food
Question 11.
Read the extract given below and answer the following questions: (any 3) 11/2
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
(c) Hazy
(b) Stylish
(d) Full of monuments
Answer:
(a) Unplanned and haphazard
(iv) Who sprang into the sky?
(a) Rocket
(b) Jet
(c) Aeroplane
(d) Helicopter
Answer:
(b) Jet
Question 12.
Read the given passages and answer the questions by choosing the correct option : (any three) (3)
It was a large lovely garden, with soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood beautiful flowers like stars, and there were twelve peach-trees that in the springtime broke out into delicate blossoms of pink and pearl, and in the autumn bore rich fruit. The birds sat on the trees and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to listen to them. “How happy we are here!” they cried to each other. One day the Giant came back. He had been to visit his friend, the Cornish ogre, and had stayed with him for seven years. When he arrived he saw the children playing in the garden.
(i) When did the children go to the Giant’s garden?
(a) Morning
(b) Afternoon
(c) Evening
Answer:
(b) Afternoon
(ii) How many peach trees were there in the garden?
(a) Ten
(b) Twelve
(c) Fifteen
Answer:
(b) Twelve
(iii) For how many years had he been away?
(a) Two
(b) Five
(c) Seven
Answer:
(c) Seven
(iv) How did the beautiful flowers stand over the grass?
(a) Moon
(b) Stars
(c) Sun
Answer:
(b) Stars
Or
Read the given passages and answer the questions by choosing the correct option : (any three)
In the college for architecture, nobody who had got below 80 – 85 per cent was allowed to enter. I had only 50 per cent. I wanted to join the Army. I got my admission letter but my aunt tore it up. Then I decided that I wanted to join the police force. My mother said, “Don’t join the police force, just do your graduation!” So I went to Jaihind College in Bombay. There, I was to either take French or German. Though I had studied French for seven years, I did not know seven words of French. So I took German. Then my German teacher died.
(i) How much percent did HC score in SSC?
(a) 50
(b) 60
(c) 72
(d) 45
Answer:
(a) 50
(ii) What did HC want to join?
(a) The Army
(b) The School
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) The Army
(iii) To which college did HC get admission?
(a) Jaihind College in Bombay
(b) Jaihind College in Delhi
(c) Raihind College in Ranchi
(d) Raihind college in Raipur
Answer:
(a) Jaihind College in Bombay
(iv) Which language was selected by HC for study?
(a) German
(b) French
(c) Hindi
(d) English
Answer:
(a) German
Question 13.
Answer any two of the following questions in about 30-40 words : 2 x 3 = 6
(a) What had happened to Mrs. Macpherson? Describe her condition.
Answer:
Mrs. Macpherson lived alone after her husband (Jim Macpherson) went to join the British army during the First World War. One day her house caught fire. But she was saved by the firemen. From then she had been in a nursing home for treatment. She had grown extremely old and couldn’t walk on herself. And her life got confined to a wheelchair.
(b) What was the young cricket accustomed to do? What made the cricket bold?
Answer:
In the fable “The Ant and The Cricket” in poetic form portrayed the insect cricket as the one who was very much accustomed to singing, dancing and merry-making in the good weather of cheerful summer season.
The cricket’s indulgence in merry-making in the gay season of summer left the cricket without any preservation of food and shelter for the rough time in coming winter. This starvation and famine made the cricket bold.
(c) Give a brief account of how the animate saved themselves when the giant waves hit India and Sri Lanka.
Answer:
Before the great waves moved towards the coast in India and Sri Lanka, the wild and domestic animals foresaw the danger. Elephants ran for higher ground. Dogs refused to go outdoors. Zoo animals rushed into their shelters. This was perhaps the animals possess a sixth sense, which is very sharp and work as warning during disasters. So not many animals lost their lives in 2004 Tsunami while thousands of people were washed away.
(d) Why did the speaker deny the king’s proposal? (The Last Bargain)
Answer:
At the very opening of the poem it has been seen that the speaker is denying the king’s
proposal of hiring him. This is because he believes in no power which can bind him in the shackle of mere bondage. This urgency of freedom in himself led him to deny the king’s proposal.
Question 14.
Answer any two of the following questions in about 20-30 words : 2 x 2 = 4
(a) What does the title of the exercise The Treasure Within’ mean and feature?
Answer:
‘The Treasure Within’ refers to the hidden talent of every child who has his own style
of learning and area of interest. Not every topper in the academics becomes an achiever in life. Every child can achieve greatness in his area of interest.
(b) What made Princess September follow up on her sister’s recommendation?
Answer:
After the death of her lovely parrot; Princess September got the company of a little
song bird. He comforted her with his sweet songs. One day, her sisters advised her to put the bird into a cage lest he should fly. Princess September loved the bird too much to take chances. So, she acted upon their advice.
(c) How did Suraj try to scare away Ranji? Did he get success in his-mission?
Answer:
Suraj tried to scare away Ranji by his strong built and gruff voice. But his effort proved in vain. Ranji, though weaker than Suraj, didn’t feel scared. He came forward bravely and became ready to fight with Suraj. »
Question 15.
Answer any one of the following questions in about 40-50 words : 1 x 4 = 4
(a) How did the British East India Company eventually become the ruler of India? What tactics did they adopt to expand their empire?
Answer:
The British came to India as traders. Their chief motive was to make a fortune. But they needed political power to carry on their trade. They imposed heavy taxes on the peasants. The Indian goods lost their demand because the market was flooded with imported English goods. These goods didn’t have to pay import duty. The British, in this way, ruined the skilled Indians. They dethroned the Indian rulers and took advantage of their rivalries. Slowly and steadily they spread their empire all over India.
(b) Why does the child compare himself to the bird in a cage? How child happiness turn into sorrowness? (The School Boy)
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. The child rose in the fresh and delightful summer morning. He is very happy but his parents force him to go to the school where he spends his time in sorrowness.
(c) Compose a short note on the character of the student in jalebis.
Answer:
The schoolboy in the story Jalebis carries four rupees to school to pay the school fees. He is honest, God fearing and brilliant student. He has won a scholarship also. He has never been punished. He enjoys prestige. He feels shy of standing in the bazaar and eating jalebis. But the coins in his pocket persuade him to go wrong. And he repents his foolishness. He asks for God’s help. He can recite the namaz and some portions from the Quran. His experience, however, teaches him a valuable lesson.