Section - A : Reading Comprehension (Seen)
1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
(Excerpt: "Lying in bed, Swami realized with a shudder that it was Monday morning...")
A. Fill in the chart with information from the text: (2×2=4)
Fill in the chart:
| Statement |
Reason |
| a) Mother suggested Swami to stay at home. |
[Reason to be filled] |
| b) [Statement to be filled] |
Swami did not tell the headmaster about his teacher, Samuel. |
a) Reason: Swami cried that he had a headache (or, Swami complained of a headache).
b) Statement: Swami said that even the headmaster is afraid of Samuel. (Or strictly following the chart format where the second column is "Reason", the Question in PDF seems to have swapped the blank. The PDF table says "b) Swami did not tell the headmaster... (Reason)". So, Reason: They say that even the headmaster is afraid of him.)
Correct Table Solution:
a) Reason: Swami had a headache.
b) Statement: Swami felt he could not complain about Samuel / Reason: They say that even the headmaster is afraid of him.
B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: (3×2=6)
a) The teacher will scold Swami if...
b) The headmaster is afraid of Samuel because...
c) Swami's father asked him whether Samuel...
a) he says he had a headache and so is late.
b) he is a very angry man (according to what people say).
c) always scolded the students.
2. Read the poem carefully and answer the following questions:
(Excerpt: "Once I crept in an oakwood I was looking for a stag...")
A. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences: (1×4=4)
i) The old woman was -
a) very smart
b) looking nervous
c) richly dressed
d) unsteady and poorly dressed
Ans: d) unsteady and poorly dressed
ii) When the oak trees are torn, the poet did not
a) promise
b) wrinkle
c) open the eyes
d) blink an eye
Ans: d) blink an eye
iii) The oak trees wanted the poet to make a
a) promise
b) prayer
c) wish
d) contract
Ans: a) promise
iv) The expression "the dream that altered me" signifies
a) the poet was a changed man
b) the poet's feelings for the trees changed
c) the poet started dreaming differently
d) the poet dreamt more of oak trees
Ans: b) the poet's feelings for the trees changed
B. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/phrases in support: (2×2=4)
i) The oak trees told the poet that they were his own family.
Ans: True (T)
S.S: "We are the oak-trees and your own true family."
ii) After coming out of the oak wood, the human heart of the poet remained unchanged.
Ans: False (F)
S.S: "the dream that altered me" / "My heart was a tree"
C. Answer the following question: (2 marks)
What was the promise the poet had to make?
Ans: The poet had to make the promise that whenever he saw an oak tree felled (chopped down), he would plant two oak trees in its place.
3. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (Unseen)
(Excerpt: "Jhalda: A remote settlement at the foothills of the Ayodhya hills in Purulia district...")
A. Write the correct alternative to complete the following sentences: (1×6=6)
1. Distance between Pandri village and Jhalda is-
a) 18 km
b) 20 km
c) 25 km
d) 10 km
Ans: a) 18 km
2. One litre of kerosene costs
a) Rs. 50
b) Rs. 40
c) Rs. 60
d) Rs. 10
Ans: b) Rs. 40
3. Boys of the village usually work in
a) schools
b) factories
c) quarries
d) shops
Ans: c) quarries
4. The head of SSRDPT's solar project is
a) Chaitanya Sangawar
b) Biren Ghatwal
c) Satish Biswas
d) Brijesh Patel
Ans: a) Chaitanya Sangawar
5. To manage home lighting, a water pump and rice hulling machine, villagers will set up-
a) 10 self help groups
b) 5 self help groups
c) one self help groups
d) 3 self help groups
Ans: d) 3 self help groups
6. The solar power will be helpful for-
a) studying after sunset
b) the irrigation purpose
c) both (a) and (b)
d) neither (a) nor (b)
Ans: c) both (a) and (b)
B. State whether the following sentences are True or False. Also pick out suitable lines in support: (2×3=6)
1. Pandri Village never had electricity.
Ans: False (F)
S.S: "...had been linked to the state electricity grid over a decade ago..."
2. The villagers have never undertaken agricultural activities till date.
Ans: False (F)
S.S: "The inhabitants... grow paddy during monsoon for their own consumption."
3. The truckers and masons were unhappy to do the job they undertook.
Ans: True (T)
S.S: "truckers were unwilling... electricians and masons had initially refused..."
C. Answer the following questions: (3×2=6) + (1×2=2)
1. Where is the village Pandri located?
Ans: Pandri village is located around 18 km from Jhalda town, at the foothills of the Ayodhya hills in Purulia district.
2. What was the condition of the villagers of Pandri?
Ans: The villagers collected firewood from the forest for a living and grew paddy during monsoon. Most had no electricity as they could not afford kerosene. Boys often dropped out of school to work in quarries.
3. What was the challenge to SSRDPT and Schneider Electric?
Ans: The challenge was to transport 70 poles, 1.5 km of wire and 72 solar panels in 45°C heat to a remote village, and to overcome the fear of Maoists among the workers.
4. Choose the most appropriate title for the passage:
i) Pandri village: Purulia's Glory.
ii) Bengal leads way with solar village.
iii) Nation's First Decentralized zone.
Ans: iii) Nation's First Decentralized zone.
Section - B : Grammar and Vocabulary
4. Write the correct alternative to fill in the blanks: (1×3=3)
Gandhiji ____ (passed away/had passed away/was passed away) before the narrator ____ (goes/went/had gone) to the Birla House. Gandhiji ____ (has been shot/was being shot/had been shot) on his way to a prayer meeting.
Ans: had passed away, went, had been shot
5. A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions: (1×3=3)
When the bell rang ____ the last period at 4:30, Swami picked ____ his books and ran ____ the headmaster's room. He found the room locked.
Ans: for, up, to
5. B. Do as directed: (1×3=3)
i) "Ow!" says the guest, "The cat stuck his claws into me!" (change into indirect speech)
Ans: The guest exclaims in pain and says that the cat stuck its claws into him.
ii) The teacher was inspecting the home lessons. (change the voice)
Ans: The home lessons were being inspected by the teacher.
iii) Words of Bapuji's death had spread through Delhi like a flame fanned by wind. (split the sentence)
Ans: Words of Bapuji's death had spread through Delhi. It was like a flame fanned by wind.
5. C. Choose the correct phrasal verbs: (1×3=3)
i) Laziness invites misfortune.
ii) 'Satidaha' was abolished in the last century.
iii) One should keep to the rules.
[List: do away with, abide by, carry out, bring forth]
i) brings forth
ii) done away with
iii) abide by
6. Find out the words from the Unseen passage (Q.3): (2×4=8)
i) a frame of parallel metal or wooden bars.
ii) to decide something by talking about it.
iii) a small device that has a particular purpose.
iv) to supply water to land and crops.
i) panel
ii) negotiate
iii) gadget
iv) irrigate
Section - C : Writing
7. Suppose you are the captain of your school. Write a notice for the students of your school to raise funds for the flood victims of Himachal Pradesh. (10 marks)
[Points: Date and time, Venue-reasons for organizing such a programme-products to be donated -last date of submission]
BALICHAK GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL
NOTICE
Appeal for Flood Relief Fund
Date: 25th February, 2026
All the students of our school are hereby informed that our school has decided to organize a fundraising drive to help the devastating flood victims of Himachal Pradesh. The recent floods have caused immense loss of life and property, leaving thousands homeless and in need of urgent assistance.
To extend our helping hand, we are collecting donations in cash and kind. Students are requested to contribute generously. You can donate money, dry food, clothes, medicines, and blankets.
Collection Details:
* Venue: School Common Room
* Time: During school hours (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
* Last Date of Submission: 5th March, 2026
Your small contribution can save a life. Let us come together for this noble cause.
Sd/-
Countersigned by
Headmistress
(Your Name)
School Captain
Balichak Girls' High School
8. Write a biography on Nandalal Bose using the following hints: (10 marks)
[Hints: Introduction-born on December 3, 1882 in Kharagpur, Bihar-Father Purnachandra Bose- mother Kshetramani Devi-moved to Kolkata in 1897-joined presidency college-studied art at Kolkata's school of Art-influenced by murals -- principal of Kala Bhaban, Shantiniketan-awarded Padma Vibhusan -titled Deshikottama-died on April 16, 1966]
Nandalal Bose: The Artist of Modern India
Nandalal Bose was one of the pioneers of modern Indian art and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. He was born on December 3, 1882, in Kharagpur, Bihar. His father was Purnachandra Bose and his mother was Kshetramani Devi. In 1897, his family moved to Kolkata. Nandalal joined Presidency College for his higher studies but his passion lay elsewhere. Later, he studied art at Kolkata's School of Art where he was mentored by Abanindranath Tagore. He was greatly influenced by the murals of Ajanta. Nandalal Bose became the principal of Kala Bhavana (College of Arts) at Shantiniketan in 1922. His contribution to Indian art was immense, and he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 1954. He was also conferred the title of 'Desikottama' by Visva-Bharati University. This legendary artist breathed his last on April 16, 1966, leaving behind a rich legacy of Indian art.
9. Write a letter to your friend who lives in a village about the place you live in. (10 marks)
Balichak, Paschim Medinipur
Date: 25.02.2026
My Dear Riya,
I hope you are doing well. In your last letter, you described the beautiful green fields and open spaces of your village. Today, I want to tell you a little about the place where I live.
I live in a small semi-urban town called Balichak in the district of Paschim Medinipur. It is a busy place with a railway station that connects us to the city. Unlike your village, we have many shops, markets, and schools close by. The roads are always busy with rickshaws and autos. However, it is not as crowded or polluted as big cities like Kolkata. We also have some greenery and ponds, though not as much as you have. Life here is fast-paced, but people are friendly and helpful. During festivals like Durga Puja, the whole town lights up and celebrates together.
I would love for you to visit me during the next vacation so you can see my town yourself.
Take care.
Your loving friend,
Sujata
[Stamp]
To,
Riya Das
Vill - Sonapur,
P.O. - Hatiberia,
Dist - Purba Medinipur