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.