10th-Eng, Half Yearly Exam Sep 2026

 

Half-Yearly Assessment (HYA)

Session 2026-27 | Class – X | Subject – English

Time: 60 Minutes | Total Marks: 40 Marks

Section – A (Reading Skill)

Question 1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (1×10 = 10 Marks)

(i) The preservation of biodiversity is not merely an ecological choice, but a fundamental necessity for human survival. Ecosystems are intricate webs where every organism, from the microscopic bacterium to the massive blue whale, plays a distinct role. When one species goes extinct, it triggers a domino effect that can destabilize an entire environmental system. Human activities, particularly deforestation, industrial pollution, and urban expansion, have accelerated global extinction rates at an unprecedented pace, disrupting these delicate balances.

(ii) Beyond the ethical argument for protecting wildlife, biodiversity provides critical ecosystem services that sustain human life. Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing greenhouse gases and regulating global temperatures. Wetlands filter pollutants from water systems and mitigate the impact of floods. Furthermore, more than half of modern medicinal drugs are derived from natural compounds found in wild plants and marine organisms. The loss of these habitats means losing potential cures for complex diseases before they are even discovered.

(iii) Economic stability is also deeply intertwined with ecological health. Agriculture relies heavily on wild pollinators like bees, bats, and butterflies. Without them, global food security faces a severe threat, leading to crop failures and skyrocketing food prices. Ecotourism serves as a primary source of income for many developing nations, proving that living nature holds greater long-term economic value than extracted resources.

(iv) Addressing this crisis requires a shift from reactive conservation to proactive restoration. True ecological sustainability cannot be achieved through isolated wildlife sanctuaries alone. Governments must integrate sustainable practices into urban planning, subsidies, eco-friendly farming, and strictly enforce anti-poaching laws. Ultimately, protecting the planet's diverse life forms is an investment in securing our own collective future.

Questions & Answers

(i) According to the text, what happens when a single species becomes extinct?

• Answer: (b) It triggers a chain reaction that destabilizes the system.

(ii) Why does the author mention that half of modern medicines are derived from nature?

• Answer: (c) To highlight a practical, health-related benefit of biodiversity.

(iii) Based on Paragraph 3, how does a decline in pollinator populations directly affect humans?

• Answer: (c) It threatens global food security and increases food costs.

(iv) What does the author mean by a shift from "reactive conservation to proactive restoration"?

• Answer: (a) Moving from fixing damage after it happens to actively prevent and rebuilding ecosystems.

(v) Which word from Paragraph 1 means "very complicated or detailed"?

• Answer: (b) Intricate

(vi) State any two human activities mentioned in the passage that accelerate extinction rates.

• Answer: Deforestation, industrial pollution, and urban expansion. (Any two)

(vii) How do wetlands serve as a critical ecosystem service for human settlements?

• Answer: Wetlands filter pollutants from water systems and help mitigate the impact of floods.

(viii) Explain the term "carbon sinks" based on your reading of the text.

• Answer: "Carbon sinks" refer to natural habitats like forests that absorb greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) from the atmosphere and help regulate global temperatures.

(ix) Why is ecotourism considered more valuable than extracting natural resources?

• Answer: Ecotourism provides a continuous, long-term source of income for developing nations while keeping nature alive and intact, unlike extracting resources which destroys ecosystems permanently.

(x) Suggest a suitable title for this passage and justify your choice in one sentence.

• Title: Biodiversity: The Key to Human Survival
• Justification: This title reflects the main idea of the passage, which shows how biodiversity maintains ecosystems, fuels the economy, provides medicine, and ensures human survival.

Section – B (Grammar)

Question 2. Attempt any five of the following questions: (1×5 = 5Marks)

A. Punctuate the following sentence:

(i) kamla says are your parents coming.

• Answer: (d) Kamla says, "Are your parents coming?"

B. Fill with correct form of verb:

(i) Ice ______ (melt) at 0C.

• Answer: (a) melts (General scientific truth)

(ii) The policeman ______ (ask) me where I was going.

• Answer: (c) asked (Past tense consistency)

C. Fill in the blanks with suitable article:

(i) ______ rich should help the poor.

• Answer: (c) The (Used to denote the whole class of rich people)

D. Change the following sentence into Indirect Speech:

(i) John said to me, "I hope to win this prize."

• Answer: (c) John told me that he hoped to win that prize.

E. Fill in the blank with suitable modal:

(i) We ______ obey the rules.

• Answer: (a) must (Expresses compulsion/obligation)

Section – C (Writing Skill)

Question 3. (1× 5 = 5 Marks)

Write a letter to the S.H.O. of your locality complaining about the theft of your car.

To 

The Station House Officer (S.H.O.) 

Police Station, Model Town, Karnal

Date: 7 October 2026

Subject: Report regarding the theft of motor car (No. HR-05-AB-1234)

Respected Sir,

I wish to report the theft of my car from the parking area outside my residence last night.

The vehicle details are as follows:

• Model: Hyundai Creta (White)
• Registration Number: HR-05-AB-1234
• Time of Incident: Between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM

I parked my car outside my gate at 10:30 PM after locking it properly. However, this morning at 6:30 AM, I found it missing. I enquired among neighbors, but no one saw anything suspicious.

I kindly request you to register an FIR and initiate a search to trace my vehicle at the earliest.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully, 

Rahul Sharma House No. 452, 

Sector 13, Karnal Mobile: 98123XXXXX

OR

Story Writing (The Thirsty Crow)

The Thirsty Crow

On a hot summer day, a crow was very thirsty. He flew here and there in search of water, but could not find any. After a long time, he saw a pitcher in a garden. He flew down to it and looked inside. There was some water in the pitcher, but the water level was very low, and his beak could not reach it.

He looked around and saw some small pebbles lying nearby. He got an idea. He picked up the pebbles one by one with his beak and dropped them into the pitcher. Slowly, the water level rose to the top. The crow drank the water happily and flew away.

Moral: Where there is a will, there is a way.

Section – D (Literature)

Question 4. Read the passage/extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (1 × 5 = 5 Marks)

Passage Option 1: His First Flight

"He stepped slowly out to the brink of the ledge, and standing on one leg with the other leg hidden under his wing, he closed one eye, then the other, and pretended to be falling asleep. Still, they took no notice of him. He saw his two brothers and his sister lying on the plateau dozing with their heads sunk into their necks. His father was preening the feathers on his white back. Only his mother was looking at him. She was standing on a little high hump on the plateau, her white breast thrust forward. Now and again, she tore at a piece of fish that lay at her feet and then scrapped each side of her beak on the rock. The sight of the food maddened him. How he loved to tear food that way, scraping his beak now and again to whet it."

(i) What did the seagull pretend?

• Answer: He pretended to be falling asleep on the brink of the ledge.

(ii) What were his two brothers and sister doing?

• Answer: They were lying on the plateau dozing with their heads sunk into their necks.

(iii) What was his father doing?

• Answer: His father was preening the feathers on his white back.

(iv) What maddened him?

• Answer: The sight of the food (his mother tearing a piece of fish) maddened him.

(v) Find a word or a phrase in the passage that means "paid no attention".

• Answer: Took no notice

Passage Option 2: A Tiger in the Zoo

"He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass."

(i) How should the tiger walk through the grass?

• Answer: The tiger should walk silently by sliding through the long grass.

(ii) Why should the tiger lurk in the shadow?

• Answer: To hide himself quietly so that prey cannot spot him while he waits to hunt.

(iii) Who passes near the water hole?

• Answer: Plump (fat) deer pass near the water hole.

(iv) Where should the tiger hide himself?

• Answer: He should hide in the shadows near the water hole.

(v) Which are the rhyming words in this stanza?

• Answer: grass and pass

Question 5. Answer the following question: (1×3 = 3 Marks)

Why did Anne think she could confide more in her diary than in people? (From "Diary of Anne Frank")

• Answer: Anne believed that "paper has more patience than people." She felt that people could be judgmental or uninterested in her innermost feelings, whereas her diary (Kitty) was a non-judgmental, silent listener that would keep all her secrets.

OR

What twin obligations does Mandela mention?

• Answer: Mandela mentions that every man has two main obligations:
  1. Obligation to his family: To his parents, wife, and children.
  2. Obligation to his community and country: To his people, society, and nation.

Question 6. Answer the following question: (1× 6 = 6 Marks)

Why did Lencho write a letter to God? Who received the letter and what did he do?

• Answer:
  • Why Lencho wrote the letter: Lencho's entire corn crop was completely destroyed by a severe hailstorm, leaving his family with no food for the year. Having supreme faith in God, he wrote a letter asking for 100 pesos to sow his field again and support his family until the next harvest.
  • Who received it and what he did: The postman found the letter addressed to God and showed it to the postmaster. The postmaster was moved by Lencho's immense faith. To keep that faith alive, he collected 70 pesos from his employees, friends, and his own salary, put the money in an envelope, and sent it to Lencho with a letter signed "God."

OR

How did Griffin steal money from the clergyman's house? How did he escape from arrest?

• Answer:
  • Stealing Money: Griffin (invisible) entered the clergyman's house early in the morning. Hearing the chink of money from the study, the clergyman and his wife went downstairs. Though they heard the desk open and money being taken, they found the room completely empty when they walked in. Griffin stole the cash silently without being seen.
  • Escaping Arrest: When Constable Jaffers arrived with a warrant to arrest the headless stranger at the inn, Griffin began removing his bandages, glasses, and clothes one by one, becoming increasingly invisible. After becoming fully invisible by taking off all his clothes, he knocked down the constable and bystanders and made a smooth escape.

Question 7. Answer the following question: (1×3 = 3 Marks)

Write the central idea of the poem "Dust of Snow".

• Answer: The central idea of Dust of Snow is that small, seemingly insignificant natural events can bring about a major positive transformation in a person's mood. It highlights that nature has power to heal sadness and save a day from being wasted.

OR

What is the main idea of the poem "The Ball Poem"?

• Answer: The poem reflects on loss, growth, and learning to cope with grief. Through a boy losing his ball, it teaches that material possessions in life are temporary and that every individual must learn the "epistemology of loss"—standing up and moving forward after losing something loved.

Question 8. Answer the following question: (1× 3 = 3 Marks)

Why is Dr. Herriot tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?

• Answer: Dr. Herriot was tempted because Mrs. Pumphrey sent fresh eggs, wine, and brandy daily to enrich Tricki's blood during his recovery. Dr. Herriot and his partners enjoyed lavish breakfasts and dinners consuming these items themselves, making Tricki's stay a happy luxury for the clinic.

OR

Who is the real culprit in the story "A Question of Trust"?

• Answer: The real culprit is the young, charming woman dressed in red who pretended to be the mistress of Shotover Grange. She cleverly manipulated Horace Danby into opening the safe for her without gloves, getting away with all the jewels while leaving Horace to be arrested for the crime.

12th-Eng, Half Yearly Exam Sep 2026

Half-Yearly Assessment — September 2026

Class – 12 | Subject: English Core Time: 90 Minutes | Max. Marks: 40

Section A (Reading Skill)

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct options given. (5 Marks)

Man is a social animal. Like any other animal, he needs food and the basic necessities of life for his existence. Like other living beings, he has biological and physiological needs. He may obtain his food directly from nature or through various means, such as earning, begging, working hard, or even stealing. Until he has satisfied his basic needs, he continues to seek their fulfilment.

However, there is a major difference between an animal and a human being. Nature has endowed man with certain qualities that make him unique. While an animal obtains its food and becomes satisfied and relaxed, a human being strives to fulfil his mental, intellectual, and spiritual needs. God has gifted man a beautiful mind that is extremely creative. This quality enables him to explore new possibilities and express his creativity, making his world more fascinating and remarkable. Hence, the history of art, literature, science, and philosophy reflects his immense desire to evolve and move forward towards the modern society of today. Can a man progress by himself? The answer is no. Man is a part of society, so he cannot progress all alone.

A man has to face many challenges in his life, and life poses many problems on his path to progress. Therefore, as an intellectual being, he should face all these challenges and respect the beautiful creativity of nature and God.

PART I: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

(i) What does man need like other animals? (a) food and basic livelihood (b) biological and physiological needs (c) both (a) and (b) (d) spiritual needs

• Answer: (c) both (a) and (b)

(ii) What does he do to get his food? (a) gets it from nature (b) gets it by working hard (c) gets it by stealing or begging (d) all of the above

• Answer: (d) all of the above

(iii) What should man do to show his respect for nature and God? (a) He should respect nature and God. (b) He should face all the challenges of life. (c) He should say prayers. (d) Both (a) and (b)

• Answer (d) Both (a) and (b)

PART II: OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

(iv) What does man do until he has satisfied his basic needs?

• Answer: Until he has satisfied his basic needs, he continues to seek their fulfilment through various means such as earning, working hard, begging, or stealing.

(v) What is the exclusive quality of man's mind?

• Answer: Man's mind is exceptionally creative, allowing him to explore new possibilities, express creativity, and satisfy his mental, intellectual, and spiritual needs.

2. Read the following passage carefully, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings, and also apply a suitable title. (5 Marks)

Paper wastage is a direct loss of trees. If we continue wasting paper at the same rate, we shall need more and more trees. The use of paper is related to almost all fields of our day-to-day activities. We need a printout for every type of receipt. We need printouts for our notes and for different types of billing. We often insist on writing everything on paper. Usually, it is seen that all such and other printouts are taken on only one side of the page. Even Ph.D. theses are often printed on one side only. Most court decisions are also printed on one side of the paper. Therefore, if both sides of a sheet of paper are used in all the above cases and others, 50% of paper can be saved.

Moreover, paper that has already been used for one document and needs to be kept in the records can be used for another purpose from the other side. One side can be used for one type of assignment and the other side for another. Printouts that are needed only once can be reused for rough work, corrections, or other purposes. Therefore, we must say, "Save Trees, Save Paper, Save Earth."

Title: Save Trees, Save Paper, Save Earth

Notes:

1. Impact of Paper Wastage
   • 1.1 Direct loss of trees
   • 1.2 Increased demand for cutting down trees
2. Everyday Uses of Paper
   • 2.1 Receipts, notes, and billing printouts
   • 2.2 Ph.D. theses and court decisions
3. Methods to Save Paper (Up to 50%)
   • 3.1 Print/write on both sides of sheets
   • 3.2 Reuse single-side printed pages for rough work/corrections
   • 3.3 Use blank side for secondary document records

Key to Abbreviations:

• Doc. – Document
• Prnts. – Printouts
• % – Percentage

Section B — Writing Skills (5 Marks)

3. Attempt any one of the following:

Option 1: Job Application with Bio-data

C/5, Patel Nagar, Udhampur

29 September 2026

The Manager Fine Prints Pvt. Ltd., Sector 18, Jammu

Subject: Application for the post of Accountant

Sir/Madam,

In response to your advertisement in the newspaper for the post of Accountant in your esteemed organization, I hereby offer my candidature for the same. I possess the requisite educational qualifications and work experience. My detailed bio-data is enclosed herewith for your kind consideration.

If given an opportunity, I assure you that I will discharge my duties to the best of my abilities.

Yours faithfully, Arun Bhasin

BIO-DATA

• Name: Arun Bhasin
• Father's Name: Shri R. K. Bhasin
• Address: C/5, Patel Nagar, Udhampur
• Date of Birth: 12th August 1998
• Educational Qualifications:
  • B.Com from Jammu University (78%)
  • M.Com from Jammu University (74%)
• Work Experience: 3 years as Junior Accountant at ABC Enterprises, Jammu
• Languages Known: English, Hindi, Dogri
• Contact No.: 98XXXXXXXX

Option 2: Notice (Inter-House Debate Competition)

======================================================================
                  GOVT. SR. SEC. SCHOOL, BARN
                             NOTICE

29 September 2026                                       

                INTER-HOUSE DEBATE COMPETITION

This is to inform all students that our school is organizing an Inter-House 
Debate Competition as per the details given below:

  • Date  : 5th October 2026
  • Time  : 10:00 AM
  • Venue : School Auditorium
  • Topic : "Digital Technology: A Boon or a Bane?"
  • Classes Eligible: 6th to 12th

Interested students should submit their names to their respective house 
captains or the undersigned by 3rd October 2026.

Mrs. Sunita Mehta
Debate Coordinator
======================================================================

Section C — Grammar (6 Marks)

4. Attempt any six of the following:

(A) Fill in the blanks with suitable articles wherever necessary:

(i) The moon looks beautiful tonight. (ii) I read an interesting book yesterday.

• (b) an

(B) Fill in the blanks with suitable modals by choosing from the given options:

(iii) He works hard so that he may pass. (Note: Standard grammar uses "may" for purpose clauses following "so that"; options provided on paper include "will" or "may") (iv) Could you lend me your pen for a moment?

• (b) Could

(C) Change the narration:

(v) The teacher said to the students, "Complete your homework before coming to class."

• Answer: The teacher instructed (or asked) the students to complete their homework before coming to class.

(D) Change the voice:

(vi) People speak English all over the world.

• Answer: English is spoken all over the world (by people).

(E) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in brackets:

(vii) She was cooking (or had cooked) dinner when I came home. (cook) (viii) He goes to the office every day by car. (go)

• Correct Option: (a) goes

Section D — Literature (14 Marks)

5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (Attempt any one) (1 × 5 = 5 Marks)

Extract Option 1: A Roadside Stand

"The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead, Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts At having the landscape marred with the artless paint Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong Offered for sale wild berries in wooden quarts..."

(i) What did the polished traffic pass by? (a) A village school (b) A deserted house (c) A ruined fort (d) A roadside stand

• Answer: (d) A roadside stand

(ii) How did the passing motorists feel when they looked aside for a moment? (a) Irritated (b) Overjoyed (c) Excited (d) Tense

• Answer: (a) Irritated (out of sorts)

(iii) How did the 'artless paint' affect the landscape? (a) It increased its attraction. (b) It spoiled its beauty. (c) It made it complicated. (d) It added brightness.

• Answer: (b) It spoiled its beauty.

(iv) What was offered for sale there? (a) Wooden quarts (b) Golden squash (c) Silver warts (d) Wild berries

• Answer: (d) Wild berries

(v) Name the poem and the poet.

• Answer:
  • Poem: A Roadside Stand
  • Poet: Robert Frost

Extract Option 2: Lost Spring

"My acquaintance with the barefoot ragpickers leads me to Seemapuri, a place on the periphery of Delhi yet miles away from it, metaphorically. Those who live here are squatters who came from Bangladesh back in 1971. Saheb's family is among them. Seemapuri was then a wilderness. It still is, but is no longer empty. In the structures of mud, with roofs of tin and tarpaulin, devoid of sewage, drainage or running water, live 10,000 ragpickers."

(i) From which chapter have these lines been taken? (a) Deep Water (b) Indigo (c) Lost Spring (d) The Rattrap

Answer: (c) Lost Spring

(ii) Who is the author of these lines? (a) Alphonse Daudet (b) Anees Jung (c) Selma Lagerlöf (d) Pearl S. Buck

Answer: (b) Anees Jung

(iii) Which place is situated on the periphery of Delhi according to the passage? (a) Delhi (b) Dhaka (c) Bangladesh (d) Seemapuri

Answer: (d) Seemapuri

(iv) Where did the squatters come from? (a) Delhi (b) Mumbai (c) Bangladesh (d) Seemapuri

 Answer: (c) Bangladesh

(v) How many ragpickers live in Seemapuri? (a) 5,000 (b) 10,000 (c) 15,000 (d) 20,000

Answer: (b) 10,000

6. Answer the following question in about 100 words: (5 Marks)

Question: Who was the poor peddler? Why did he think that the whole world was a rat trap? (The Rattrap)

Answer: The poor peddler was a vagabond who went around selling small wire rattraps he made himself from gathered scrap materials. Because his business was not profitable, he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery to survive.

One day, while wandering alone, a philosophical thought struck him: the entire world was nothing but a giant rattrap. He realized that land, seas, cities, clothes, food, and shelter were all mere baits set to tempt human beings, just as cheese and pork are used to lure rats into a trap. As soon as someone yielded to temptation and touched the bait, the trap closed in on them, depriving them of their freedom.

11th-Eng, Half Yearly Exam Sep 2026

Half-Yearly Assessment (HYA 2026) 

Class XI English 

Part I & II (Reading & Objective Questions)

Section A: Reading Passage

Politics is an art of negotiation and regulation. Each and every step in politics requires intense thinking. Before taking any action, one must think strategically. The position, ambience, and policies of opponents should be kept in mind. Every game has its own norms, principles, and morality, and every player of that game follows those principles. Politics is also a game of gaining power. However, unlike other games, it has no absolute rules, defined ethical codes, or fixed tracks.

The bare fact of life is that a man cannot get everything he wants. Therefore, he has to sacrifice or surrender something or the other in his life to achieve his goal, whether it is his own principles, personality, or anything else. He has to constantly observe the situation and assess the behaviour of the public before expressing his views.

To become a successful politician, one must be a good mind reader and be willing to sacrifice personal interests. There are many politicians who are very good at their work and have influenced the masses, enabling them to change and guide people for the betterment of society and the nation. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Indira Gandhi have left a permanent impression on the field of politics.

Questions & Answers

PART I: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

(i) What is needed at each and every step in politics?

Answer: (c) intense thinking

(ii) What does every game have?

Answer: (d) all of the above (its own norms, principles, and morality)

(iii) What does politics lack, unlike other games? 

Answer: (d) All of the above (Absolute rules, Ethical codes, Fixed tracks)

PART II: OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

(iv) What should a successful politician keep in mind?

Answer: A successful politician must be a good mind reader and be willing to sacrifice personal interests for public service.

(v) Give a suitable title to the passage.

Answer: The Art of Politics OR The Successful Politician

2: Note-Making & Suitable Title (5 Marks)

Question 2: Read the following passage carefully and make notes on it and also supply a suitable title. 

How you can best improve your English depends on where you live and, particularly, on whether or not you live in an English-speaking community. If you hear English spoken every day and mix freely with English-speaking people, that is, on the whole, an advantage. On the other hand, it can often be confusing to have the whole language poured over you at once. Ideally, a step-by-step course should accompany or lead up to this experience. It will also help a great deal if you can easily get the sort of English books in which you are interested.

To read a lot is essential. Read as many books in English as you can, not as a duty but for pleasure. It is extensive rather than intensive reading that normally helps you become interested in further reading and thereby improves your English.

Some people say that they cannot learn to speak a language better with the help of a book. To believe this is to believe that spoken language and written language are quite different things. This is not so. There is a great deal in common between the two. In learning the patterns and vocabulary of the written form, we are learning, to a considerable extent, those of the spoken form too.

Title: Improving English Language Skills

Notes:

1. Factors Influencing English Improvement
   • 1.1 Environment & community (living in English-speaking area)
   • 1.2 Advantage of hearing spoken English daily
   • 1.3 Step-by-step course structure to avoid confusion
2. Role of Reading
   • 2.1 Read for pleasure, not duty
   • 2.2 Importance of extensive reading over intensive reading
   • 2.3 Builds interest & furthers comprehension
3. Link Between Spoken & Written English
   • 3.1 Common misconception: books don't help spoken language
   • 3.2 Spoken and written language share common patterns
   • 3.3 Learning written vocabulary improves spoken English

Section B — Writing Skills

Question 3 (5 x 1 = 5 Marks)

Option 1: Notice (Lost and Found)

NOTICE
                     LOST AND FOUND OFFICE

Date: 6 October 2026

                      FOUND OFFICE FILE IN METRO

This is to inform the general public that an official office file was found in the Jaipur Metro train (Blue Line) on 5th October 2026 around 4:00 PM. The file contains important official documents inside a blue cover. 

The rightful owner can claim it from the undersigned after providing proper proof of identity and describing the specific contents of the file.

Rupesh / Rupa
79, Modern Colony, Jaipur
Contact: [Phone Number]

Option 2: Application to Librarian

To 

The Librarian 

GGMSS School, 

Jind

Date: 6 October 2026

Subject: Re fine for late return of library books

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am Aarush / Arshita, a student of Class 11th (Roll No. 14) at your school. I had borrowed two books from the school library two weeks ago. Unfortunately, I could not return them on the due date due to sudden severe illness.

I am returning the books today. Owing to my family's financial situation and genuine medical reason, I kindly request you to remit the late fine. I assure you that I will be punctual in returning books in the future.

Thanking you.

Yours obediently, 

Aarush / Arshita 

Class 11th

Option 3: Paragraph on 'Education of the Girl Child in the Country'

Education of the Girl Child in the Country

Educating a girl child is one of the most critical drivers of national progress and social stability. When a female child is educated, an entire family and community prosper. In modern India, empowering women through education enhances economic productivity, reduces child mortality, and breaks the cycle of poverty. Government schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao have significantly boosted female literacy rates and school enrolment. However, challenges like gender discrimination, early marriage, and infrastructural gaps still persist in rural areas. Equal access to quality education for every girl child ensures a more inclusive, progressive, and prosperous society.

Section C — Grammar

Question 4: Attempt any six of the following (6x 1 = 6 Marks)

(i) Many people came to see the fair. 

(ii) She has been living in Delhi since 2020. (since) 

(iii) He returned after an hour.  

(iv) I had finished my work before he came. 

(v) India will make great progress in the coming years. 

(vi) Neither the teacher nor the students were present in the classroom. 

Change the Voice:

(vii) Do not insult your elders.

Answer: (c) Your elders should not be insulted by you.

(viii) Who will win the election?

Answer: (a) By whom will the election be won?

Section D — Literature

Question 5: Read the passage given below and answer the questions (1x 5 = 5 Marks)

Passage A: We're Not Afraid to Die...

The first indication of impending disaster came at about 6 p.m. with an ominous silence. The wind dropped, and the sky immediately grew dark. Then came a growing roar, and an enormous cloud towered aft of the ship. With horror, I realised that it was not a cloud but a wave like no other I had ever seen. It appeared perfectly vertical and almost twice the height of the other waves, with a frightful breaking crest.

Questions

(i) When did they first notice the disaster?

Answer: (b) At 6 p.m.

(ii) What changes did they notice before the disaster occurred?

 Answer: (d) All of the above (Ominous silence, wind dropped, sky grew dark)

(iii) What was the enormous cloud in reality?

Answer: (b) It was a huge wave

(iv) How was the wave described

Answer: (d) All of the above (Almost perfectly vertical, twice the height of other waves, frightful breaking crest)

(v) Find the synonym of "ominous".

Answer: (c) Frightening (or threatening)

Passage B: A Photograph

The cardboard shows me how it was

When the two girl cousin went parking

Each one bilding one of my mother's hands,

And she, the big girl-some talve years or so.

(i) Name the poem from which these lines have been taken.

Answer: (a) A Photograph

(ii) Name the poet of this poem.

Answer: (d) Shirley Toulson

(iii) What were the names of the two girl cousins?

Answer: (a) Dolly and Betty

(iv) What did the girls do at the seashore?

Answer: (c) They went paddling

(v) Who was the "big girl"? 

Answer: (d) The poet's mother

Question 6: Answer in about 100 words (5 Marks)

Option (i): "We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children."

Answer: This famous quote highlighted in The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement's Role shifts our perspective on environmental stewardship. It emphasizes that current generations are not absolute owners of Earth's natural resources but temporary trustees. The planet's resources—forests, fisheries, grasslands, and croplands—are finite and deteriorating rapidly due to human exploitation. Rather than treating nature as an inheritance to consume recklessly, humanity must preserve it intact for future generations. The sustainable development model mandates meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Option (ii): Character sketch of Uncle Khosrove (The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse)

Answer: Uncle Khosrove is a central comic and eccentric character in William Saroyan's story. He is portrayed as a huge man with a powerful head of black hair and a fiery temper. He is notoriously impatient, loud, and easily annoyed. His defining trait is his signature response to any crisis, emergency, or tragedy: "It is no harm; pay no attention to it." Whether his house was on fire or a neighbor lamented over a stolen horse, Khosrove shouted everyone down with the exact same line. Despite his rough exterior and crazy demeanor, he possesses a soft heart and deep nostalgia for his homeland.

Question 7: Short Answer Questions (2x 3 = 6 Marks)

(a) How does Mrs. Fitzgerald plan to deal with the Pearson family? (Mother's Day)

Answer: Mrs. Fitzgerald uses fortune-telling magic to temporarily swap personalities/bodies with Mrs. Pearson so she can assertively discipline Doris, Cyril, and George and make them appreciate Mrs. Pearson's efforts.

(b) What was the name of the woman whom the narrator visited? What was her address? (The Address)

Answer: The woman was Mrs. Dorling. Her address was Number 46, Marconi Street.

(c) What evidence proves that Tut's burial took place in March or April? (Discovering Tut)

Answer: Tut's innermost coffin contained a shroud adorned with garlands of willow, olive leaves, wild celery, lotus petals, and cornflowers, which bloom specifically during March or April in Egypt.

(d) Why did the grandmother go to school with the narrator? (The Portrait of a Lady)

Answer: The grandmother accompanied the narrator to school because the village school was attached to a temple, allowing her to sit inside and read scriptures while he studied.

Question 8: Short Answer Question (3 Marks)

Option 1: Underlying theme of 'Voice of the Rain'

Answer: The poem depicts the cyclical nature of water and rain as a metaphor for eternal creation and renewal. Just as rain rises invisibly from Earth and returns to give life and beauty back to its origin, poetry/art rises from the human soul and returns to enrich humanity.

Option 2: Movement of the Goldfinch in 'The Laburnum Top'

Answer: The Goldfinch's movement is compared to that of a lizard—sleek, alert, and abrupt. This comparison highlights how silently and swiftly the bird enters the thick tree branches to feed her young chicks, instantly transforming the quiet tree into a hub of activity.

9th-Eng, Half Yearly Exam, Sep 2026

 

Half-Yearly Assessment (HYA) 2026–27

Class IX — Subject: English Total Marks: 40

Section-A (Reading Skill)

Q 1: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (1x10 = 10) 

Technology also brings certain challenges. Spending too much time on screens can affect physical health, reduce concentration, and limit face-to-face interactions. Many schools now encourage students to use technology wisely. Digital classrooms, educational apps, and online libraries provide valuable learning opportunities. Teachers can explain difficult concepts using videos and interactive activities, making lessons more interesting. At the same time, students are advised to balance their online activities with outdoor games, reading books, and spending time with family.

Another important aspect of technology is its role in environmental protection. Digital documents reduce the need for paper, helping to save trees. Smart devices can also help monitor energy use and reduce electricity wastage. Scientists use advanced technology to study climate change and develop cleaner sources of energy.

Despite these advantages, people must learn to use technology responsibly. Sharing personal information online without caution can lead to privacy issues. False information spreads quickly on social media, so it is important to verify facts before believing or sharing them. Parents and teachers play a vital role in guiding young people to become responsible digital citizens.

Technology is a powerful tool, but it should support our lives rather than control them. When used with care and discipline, it can improve education, protect the environment, and connect people across the world. The key is to maintain a healthy balance between the digital world and real-life experiences.

(i) What is the main idea of the passage

Answer: (b) Technology should be used wisely and responsibly.

(ii) Digital documents help to...

Answer: (b) save trees

(iii) Spending too much time on screens may...

Answer: (c) affect physical health

(iv) Who helps students become responsible digital citizens?

Answer: (b) Parents and teachers

(v) According to the passage, technology should....

Answer: (c) support our lives

(vi) Mention two benefits of technology in education.

Answer. 

1.Digital classrooms, educational apps, and online libraries provide valuable learning opportunities

2. Teachers can explain difficult concepts using videos and interactive activities to make lessons interesting.

(vii) Why should students balance screen time with other activities?

Answer: Because spending too much time on screens can affect physical health, reduce concentration, and limit face-to-face interactions.

(viii) How does technology help to protect the environment?

Answer: Digital documents reduce the need for paper (saving trees), smart devices help monitor energy use to reduce electricity wastage, and scientists use advanced technology to study climate change and develop cleaner energy sources.

(ix) What precautions should people take while using social media?

Answer: People should avoid sharing personal information online without caution and must verify facts before believing or sharing information.

(x) What is the central message of the passage?

Answer: Technology is a powerful tool that should support our lives rather than control them, requiring a healthy balance between the digital world and real-life experiences.

Section-B (Grammar)

Question 2: Attempt any five questions (1x5 = 5)

A. Use the correct form of the verb:

(i) Water ________ (boil) at 100°C.

Answer: (b) boils

(ii) She ________ (sing) a sweet song.

Answer: (b) sings (or (c) is singing)

B. Punctuate the following sentence:

(i) know hindi english and punjabi

Answer: (a) I know Hindi, English and Punjabi.

C. Use appropriate articles in the following sentence:

(i) Italy is ________ European country.

Answer: (a) a (Note: "European" starts with a consonant sound यू/juː/)

D. Change the following sentence into Indirect speech:

(i) You said, "He is a good student."

Answer: (b) You said that he was a good student.

E. Choose the appropriate conjunction from the given options:

(i) Neither is he a lender ________ borrower be.

Answer: nor

Section-C (Writing Skill)

Question 3 (1x 5 = 5)

Write an application to the Principal of your school requesting him to arrange extra/special classes of English and Mathematics.

To 

The Principal 

Government Senior Secondary School, 

Karnal

Subject: Request for arranging extra classes in English and Mathematics

Respected Sir,

I am writing on behalf of the students of Class IX. We are facing difficulties in completing and revising our syllabus for English and Mathematics prior to the upcoming final examinations.

Therefore, we request you to kindly arrange extra classes for these two subjects after regular school hours. This will greatly help us clear our doubts and prepare thoroughly.

Thanking you.

Yours obediently, 

Students of Class IX

Write a report on Tree Plantation Programme organized in your school last month.

Tree Plantation Drive Organized at School By Student Reporter

Karnal: Our school organized a Tree Plantation Programme last month on the school premises. The main objective was to create awareness among students about environmental protection and green initiatives. The event was inaugurated by the Principal, who planted the first sapling. Students from Classes 6 to 12 actively participated by planting over 100 saplings of neem, ashoka, and gulmohar. The event concluded with a vow by all students to take care of the newly planted trees.

Section-D (Literature)

Question 4: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow (1x5 = 5)

"Margie was scornful. 'School? What's there to write about school? I hate school.' Margie always hated school, but now she hated it more than ever. The mechanical teacher had been giving her test after test in geography, and she had been doing worse and worse until her mother had shaken her head sorrowfully and sent for the County Inspector."

(i) What did Margie hate?

Answer: Margie hated school (and her mechanical teacher).

(ii) What was the real book about?

Answer: The real book was about school as it used to be centuries ago.

(iii) Why did Margie hate her school more than ever?

Answer: Because her mechanical teacher had been giving her continuous tests in geography, and her performance was getting worse each time.

(iv) Who was sent for Margie by her mother?

Answer: The County Inspector was sent for.

(v) Find the word from the passage which means 'full of contempt'.

Answer: scornful

OR (Poetry Stanza)

"Two roads diverged in a yellow 

wood, And sorry I could not travel 

both And be one traveller, long I 

stood And looked down one as far 

as I could To where it bent in the 

undergrowth;"

(i) Name the poem and its poet.

Answer:

Poem: The Road Not Taken

Poet: Robert Frost

(ii) How many diverging roads were there?

Answer: There were two diverging roads.

(iii) Why did the poet feel sorry?

Answer: The poet felt sorry because he was a single traveler and could not travel both roads simultaneously.

(iv) What did he do?

Answer: He stood for a long time looking down one road as far as he could see before making a choice.

(v) How far could he see?

Answer: He could see down the road to the point where it bent into the undergrowth.