English Sample Question for Class Eight

Annual Summative Assessment-2024

Sample Question

Subject: English, Class: 8

Time: 3 hrs Marks: 100

Part A: Reading

1. Read the following story and answer the questions that follow:

The Wise Merchant and the Golden Grain

Once in a small village in Korea, there lived a wise and kind-hearted merchant named Chulsoo. He was known for his generosity and fairness. Chulsoo had a younger brother named Hyunsoo, who was greedy and selfish. While Chulsoo worked hard to trade goods and help the villagers, Hyunsoo spent his days lounging and scheming how to get rich without effort.

One day, Chulsoo received a rare golden grain from a traveler as a token of appreciation. The traveler told him that the grain had magical powers and would bring prosperity to whoever planted it with good intentions. Chulsoo, being wise, decided to plant the grain in his garden. He took care of it with great dedication, and soon, a magnificent golden tree grew in his garden. The tree bore fruits that turned into gold coins when they ripened. Chulsoo used the wealth to help the poor and improve the village, earning the love and respect of everyone.

When Hyunsoo heard about the golden tree, he became envious. He demanded that Chulsoo should give him the tree, but Chulsoo refused, explaining that the tree only grew because it was nurtured with kindness. Determined to have the tree, Hyunsoo sneaked into the garden one night and dug up the tree to plant it in his own yard. However, the next morning, the tree had withered and died. No matter how hard Hyunsoo tried, the tree wouldn't grow again.

Realizing his mistake, Hyunsoo went to his brother, ashamed and apologetic. "Forgive me, brother," he said, "I was blinded by greed." Chulsoo embraced his brother and said, "Greed destroys, but kindness heals. Let's work together from now on." From that day for, the two brothers lived in harmony, and the village prospered.

A. Choose the best answer from the alternatives: 1x5=5

(i) He was known for his generosity and What is the opposite word of the underlined word?

(a) self-seeking

(b) kind

(d) lavish

(ii) What happened when Chulsoo planted the golden grain?

(a) It

(b) It grew into a golden

(d) It withered and

(iii) How did Hyunsoo react when he heard about the golden tree?

(a) He was happy for his

(b) He ignored

(d) He decided to plant his own

(iv) ‘Realizing his mistake, Hyunsoo went to his brother, ashamed and apologetic.’ What is the closest meaning of the underlined word?

(a) sympathetic

(b) argumentative

(d) disgraceful

(v) What lesson did Hyunsoo learn at the end of the story?

(a) Greed destroys, but kindness

(b) Hard work pays

(d) Family is not

B. Write answers to the following questions 2x5=10

(a) Why was Chulsoo respected by the villagers?

(b) What did the golden tree symbolize in the story?

(d) What did Chulsoo say to his brother when he asked for forgiveness?

(e) How did the relationship between the two brothers change at the end of the story?

2. Read the text about a peaceful morning and answer the questions that follow:

The morning was serene and calm. The first rays of sunlight gently touched the dew-covered grass, making them glisten like tiny diamonds. Birds chirped harmoniously, filling the air with their melodious tunes. A cool breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves softly. The village river, flowing quietly, mirrored the clear blue sky above. People were slowly starting their day, some heading towards the fields while others were opening their shops. The distant sound of a temple bell added a sacred touch to the peaceful atmosphere. Everything seemed in perfect harmony as if nature itself was at peace.

(a) Read the statements and write whether they are true or false. If false, give the correct answer. 1x5=5

(i) The first rays of sunlight made the river sparkle like

(ii) The birds chirped harmoniously, creating a noisy

(iii) The village river mirrored the clear blue sky

(iv) People were rushing to start their

(v) The distant sound of a temple bell added to the chaos of the

b) Read the text again and match the things in column A with their characteristics in column B. 1x5=5

Column A (Things)	Column B (Characteristics)
a) Dew-covered grass	i) Peaceful atmosphere
b) Birds	ii) Tiny diamonds
c) Flowing river	iii) Clear blue sky
d) Temple bell	iv) Melodious tunes
e) Morning	v) Sacred touch

c) Read the text again and write the summary of the text in your own The following points must be mentioned in writing your summary. 5

Focus on main idea
Use of own words
Keep it brief
Maintaining the original meaning

3. Here is a part of the poem ‘Ode to the West Wind’ by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Read it and identify the metaphors used in the poem. Use the following table to complete the activity. 2x5=10

Ode to the West Wind

Percy Bysshe Shelley

Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is:

What if my leaves are falling like its own!

The tumult of thy mighty harmonies

Will take from both a deep, autumnal tone,

Sweet though in sadness. Be thou, Spirit fierce, My spirit!

Be thou me, impetuous one!

Drive my dead thoughts over the universe

Like withered leaves to quicken a new birth!

And, by the incantation of this verse,

Scatter, as from an unextinguished hearth

Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!

Be through my lips to unawakened Earth

The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

Line of the poem	Comparing Person/thing	Metaphor (Compared to)	Reason to use the metaphors

Part B: Grammar– 30 Marks

4. Read the following passage and identify five cohesive devices used in the text, and analyze the purpose of using them in the sentences. Use the table below to complete the activity. 2x5=10

Trees are a vital part of our environment. They have, in fact, great impacts on the climate. But we are not kind and careful about them. Rather, we destroy trees at random. As a result, one day the country will bear the consequences of the greenhouse effect. Since ours is an agricultural country, our economy depends largely on agriculture. Moreover, trees play a vital role in our climate. Besides, trees keep soil strong and protect it. After that, trees save us from floods and many other natural calamities. Furthermore, trees provide us with timber which is of great use, especially in construction works and making furniture. Thus, trees are our best friends.

Cohesive Device	Purpose of using it
1.	a)
2.	b)
3.	c)
4.	d)
5.	e)

5. Complete the following text by using right form of verb. 1x10=10

Self-study is a method of learning where students take charge of their own studying outside of the classroom, without direct supervision. This (a) —— (allow) the student to take control of how, what, when, and where they (b) —— (learn).This method of studying (c) —— (be) preferred by independent learners because they can take learning into their own hands. They (d) —— (assess) what information they need, find the resources to (e) —— (complementing) their learning, and complete their assessments at their own pace. Anyone can (f) —— (incorporate) self-studying in their own learning practice, not just independent learners. Self-studying is also quite useful for anyone who may not have the time to (g) —— (enroll) in formal courses, or cannot travel to institutions for those courses. Self-study helps (h) —— (building) a student’s confidence in learning.(i) —— (Manage) one’s time and priorities helps make self-studying more effective. Students are (j) —— (allow) to be self-motivated and less reliant on teachers to direct how and when they should study. With their autonomy, students learn to plan and become persistent with their studies thoughtfully.

6. Here is a story of Maria. There are some gaps in the story. Now fill in the blanks with appropriate non-finite verbs (Gerund, participles and infinitive). 1x5=5

Maria was determined ______ (to finish/finishing) her project before the deadline. She knew that (to manage/managing) her time well was crucial. After ______ (to plan/planning) her schedule carefully, she began ______ (to work/working) on the most challenging tasks first.

While ______ (to complete/completing) the initial stages, Maria realized she needed some help. She called her friend, Sujon, ______(to ask/asking) for advice. Sujon suggested ______ (to break/breaking) the project into smaller, more manageable parts.

Maria found this advice helpful and decided ______ (to follow/following) it. As she continued ______ (to work/working), she felt more confident. By the end of the day, she was able ______ (to see/seeing) significant progress, which motivated her ______ (to keep/keeping) going.

7. Read the following sentences and identify time adverbials. Then write new sentences using the same adverbial for each. 1x5=5

Yesterday, Rafiq went to the market in the morning to buy fresh vegetables. Every Friday, he visits the market early to avoid the crowds. Last week, he couldn’t go because of the heavy rain, but he made sure to go this week. Later that day, he prepared a special dinner for his family. Next weekend, they plan to visit his grandparents in the village.

Part C: Writing

For questions 8-10 learners should strictly follow the textbook to develop their writing on different issues.

8. A reputed social service organization named Green Friends is willing to appoint some skilled and qualified gardeners for their ongoing project. They want eligible and sensible co-mates with SSC and 2 years of working experience in this field who will facilitate and support all aspects of gardening in the project.

If you think you are a suitable and qualified candidate for this post, write a CV for the job. 10

The following points must be mentioned in your CV.

create a header with contact information
include career objectives
provide educational details
provide your relevant skills
describe your personal information and personal attributes
give 2 references

9. Read the story below. Try to assume the topic of the story. Then complete the activity that follows. 10

In the social system of Bangladesh, children have to depend upon their parents and family members for their well-being. The state cannot ensure completely their basic needs and social security. Children are the most unprotected, vulnerable, and weak segment of society. Child marriage is a perennial problem. Though it’s a global problem it is more alarming for Bangladesh. It is treated as a massive violation of girl’s rights because due to early marriage, they cannot continue or complete their education. Child marriage is such a problem that can pose a threat to the whole society. In most of the cases, girls are victims of child marriage. Due to poverty and illiteracy parents especially in rural areas think economically girls are a burden for the family and to reduce the burden of the family arrange child marriage. As the mental faculties of the children are not mature enough they cannot realize the consequences of child marriage, rely on their parents, family and other relatives and they think that child marriage will be a benefit for them. Parents inspire early marriage from the fear that the amount of dowry will be high with the age of their daughters.

One of the major causes of the rapid increase in population in Bangladesh is early marriage. It has adverse health, intellectual, and psychological impacts and it also causes dropout from school. Marriage in an early age has the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, delivery of low birth weight babies, and maternal and child death. It destroys a girl physically and mentally.

Now, write a paragraph on ‘The cause and effects of early marriage in Bangladesh’ in 150 words.

Here are some thought-provoking questions on early marriage that you may use to write the paragraph.

What are the primary factors of early marriage in Bangladesh?

What are the problems with early marriage?

How does early marriage affect the mental and emotional well-being of young girls?

How to stop early marriage?

10. Suppose you are Ratul. You have been shortlisted in the Creative Writing category of the National Education Week competition this In this case, you will need a forwarding letter. 10

Now write an application/ a letter to the Head Teacher of your school asking for a forwarding letter.

Your writing must include the basic criteria of a formal letter.

নলেজ পার্ক