Regular practice of 8th Standard English Question Paper Kerala Syllabus Set 2 helps students overcome exam fear and perform better.
Kerala Syllabus Class 8 English Model Question Paper Set 2
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Max. Score: 40
Instructions:
- 15 minutes is given as cool off time.
- This time is to be used for reading the question paper.
- You are not supposed to write anything during the cool off time.
- Attempt the questions according to the instructions.
Questions 1-3: Read the excerpt from “A Prescription for Life” by Jerome K. Jerome and answer the questions that follow. (3 × 1 = 3)
My doctor is an old friend of mine. Whenever I feel sick I go to him. He feels my pulse, looks at my tongue and talks about the weather. He does not take any fee from me. I thought I would help him by going to him now. What a doctor wants is practice. If he has me he will get more practice out of me than out of the hundreds of patients that come to him every day. Each of those patients has only one or two diseases. But in me he will get all the diseases, except one.
Question 1.
Why does not the doctor take any fee from the speaker?
Answer:
The doctor does not take any fee from the speaker because the doctor is the speaker’s friend.
Question 2.
What does the doctor to do the speaker when he goes to him?
A. He feels his pulse.
B. He looks at his tongue.
C. He talks about the weather.
D. All of the above.
Answer:
D. All of the above.
Question 3.
Why does the speaker say that if the doctor has him, he will get more practice out of him than out of the hundreds of patients that come to him every day?
Answer:
The speaker says that if the doctor has him, he will get more practice out of him than out of the hundreds of patients that come to him every day because the speaker has all the diseases except one. Each of the patients that come to the doctor may have only one or two diseases.
Questions 4 – 6: Read the following excerpt from “A Tale of Two Gifts” by O. Henry and answer the questions that follow.(3 × 1 = 3)
Della took the money. For the next two hours, she was going from one shop to another, to find a gift for Jim. She found it at last. It was a gold watch chain, very simply made. Its value was in its rich and pure material. Because it was so plain and simple, you knew that it was very valuable. All good things are like this. As soon as she saw it, she knew that Jim must have it. She paid twenty-one dollars for it. And she hurried home with the chain and eighty-seven cents.
Question 4.
Why was Della going from one shop to another?
Answer:
Della was going from one shop to another, to find a gift for Jim, her husband.
Question 5.
What was the gift Della found for Jim?
Answer:
The gift Della found for Jim was a beautiful golden chain for his watch.
Question 6.
The value of the gold watch chain was in:
A. its artful and complicated work.
B. in its rich and pure material.
C. in its cost.
D. None of these.
Answer:
B. in its rich and pure material.
Question 7.
Read the following lines from “The Seven Ages of Man” by William Shakespeare. In these lines the first 4 stages are described. Write a paragraph summarising the ideas contained in the lines, using the hints given below. (1 × 4 = 4)
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms;
And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth.
(Hints: the world is a stage – men and women are actors – 7 stages – first infant, then school boy, third as lover, and the 4th as solider- language – simile – hyperbole – message)
Answer:
All the world’s a stage and all the people are merely actors. They come and play their role and go away. Each person in his time has seven roles to play. At first he is an infant, crying and vomiting in the arms of the nurse. The second stage is as the unwilling and weeping school-boy, with his bags going slowly like a snail to school. The third stage is that of a lover, his heart burning with love and a song for his mistress. The 4th stage is that of a soldier. He takes strange oaths, has a beard, is quick to quarrel and wants to be famous even if it means getting killed in the fight.
The language of the poem is a bit difficult with words like “mewling and puking”. The imagery is beautiful as we get a clear picture of the growth of a person. There are fine similes like “creeping like a snail”, and “sighing like a furnace”, “bearded like the pard”. “Seeking the bubble reputation” is good example of a metaphor. The poem gives a fine message telling us vividly the various roles we play in our lives.
Questions 8-10: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. (3 × 1 = 3)
The Wonders of the Solar System
Our Solar System is a vast and fascinating place, filled with mysteries and wonders. At its centre is the Sun, a massive ball of gas that provides light and warmth to the planets. The Sun is so large that it could fit over a million Earths inside it! Around the Sun orbit eight planets, each unique in its own way. These planets are divided into two groups: the inner planets and the outer planets.
The inner planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are rocky and smaller. They are located closer to the Sun and have solid surfaces. Earth, our home planet, is the only one known to support life, thanks to its atmosphere and the presence of water. Mars, the “Red Planet,” has long fascinated scientists because of its similarities to Earth and the possibility of past life.
The outer planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are much’ larger and are made mostly of gases. Jupiter, the largest planet, is known for its Great Red Spot, a massive storm that has been raging for hundreds of years. Saturn is famous for its beautiful rings made of ice and rock. Uranus and Neptune are often called the “ice giants” because they are made up of water, ammonia, and methane, and have very cold temperatures.
The Solar System is a place of endless wonder, and we are still discovering new things about it. Through space exploration, we continue to learn more about our place in the universe, and each new discovery brings us closer to answering the many questions we have about the cosmos.
Question 8.
How many planets are there in our Solar System, and how are they divided?
Answer:
There are 8 planets in our Solar System, and they divided into two groups – the inner planets and the outer planets.
Question 9.
What makes Earth unique among the planets?
A. It is very big.
B. It has mountains and rivers.
C. It supports life.
D. It goes round the sun.
Answer:
C. It supports life.
Question 10.
Uranus and Neptune are called the “ice giants” because:
A. they are made up of water, ammonia, and methane.
B. they are inner planets.
C. they are very monstrous.
D. they have very cold temperatures.
Choose one from the following answers:
i) A and B are correct.
ii) B and C are correct,
iii) B and D are correct.
iv) A and D are correct
Answer:
iv) A and D are correct
Questions 11-13: Answer either A or B. (3 × 4 = 12)
Question 11.
[A] In “A Long Walk with Granny we saw how the road to Mussoorie was blocked by the landslide. The passengers in the bus had to face a lot of hardships. One of the passengers writes a letter to the Road Transport Authority, Mussoorie requesting them to clear the road. Write the likely letter.
Answer:
10/Nehru Marg
Nain
1 March 2026
The Road Transport Authority
Mussoorie
Dear Sirs,
Subject: Clearing landslide debris from the Nain-Mussoorie Road
The other day I was travelling in a bus to Mussoorie with my daughter who had a serious problem with one of her eyes. We were going there to consult an eye specialist. We were only 10 kilometres away from Mussoorie when we suddenly found the bus coming to a grinding halt. A landslide had occurred and the road was blocked with earth, trees, bushes and rocks. We had to go back to Nain as there was no way get to Mussoorie except on foot. It was a traumatic for the passengers as most of them were going to Mussoorie for important jobs. The more sorrowful fact is that the road is not yet cleared for traffic even after a couple of days.
Please look into the matter and do something fast to remove the debris from the road making it once more traffic-worthy. As there are no other roads to Mussoorie the people of Nain are suffering a lot as they depend on Mussoorie for most of their important needs. Hoping that you will give your immediate attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
Riya Benoy
OR
[B] In the story “Thank You Ma’am” by Langston Hughes, we see Roger being kindly treated by Mrs. Jones. Roger realises his mistake and vows that he will never repeat such a mistake again. He decides to write down his thoughts. Write the thoughts he would have written down.
Answer:
Today is a memorable day for me. I learned the lesson of my life. I will never forget this day and Mrs. Jones who helped me to know the meaning of forgiveness and empathy.
I had this great desire for long. I needed money to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. It was 11 at night and I was walking on the street thinking how to get the money to buy the shoes. Then I saw this lady with a huge purse slung on her shoulders with the strap. I imagined the purse contained money. There was no one around. I ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke. I lost my balance and fell on my back on the sidewalk. The lady turned around and kicked me in my buttocks. She asked me to pick up the purse and hand it over to her.
She grabbed me by the neck and dragged me. I thought she was taking me to the police station. She asked me if I didn’t feel ashamed to snatch somebody’s purse and why I did it. I told her 1 wanted money to buy a pair of blue suede shoes. She asked me why my face was dirty and didn’t anybody at home tell me to wash it. I told her I had nobody in my house.
To my utter surprise she took me her house. She asked me to wash my face. She made me sit down. Then she heated some lima beans and ham she had in the icebox, made the cocoa and set the table. She asked me to eat with her. She did not ask me anything about where I lived, or my people or anything else that would embarrass me. She told me about her job. She made me eat as if I were her son. When we finished eating she gave me ten dollars to buy the blue suede shoes I wanted. She then advised me not to make the mistake of snatching anybody’s purse because shoes got like that can become devilish and they will bum my feet.
I had no words to thank her. I could hardly mutter “Thank you Ma’am” when she closed the door. She has really taught me the meaning of kindness, forgiveness and empathy. I will never in my life do anything like snatching somebody’s purse.
Question 12.
[A] In the story “The Engine Trouble” by R.K. Narayan, we saw the chaos erupted when the narrator attempted to move the road engine. Write a news article reporting the chaos.
Answer:
The municipality was pressing the narrator to take away the road engine from the gymkhana ground. The narrator could not get a road engine driver although he tried his best. The only way was to push the road engine away to a convenient location. The narrator talked to the priest of the local temple and gained his sympathy. He offered the services of the temple elephant.
He also engaged 50 coolies to push the engine from behind. The coolies wanted 8 annas per head. The temple element cost him Rs. 7/- a day and he had to give it a day’s feed. His plan was to take the engine to a field owned by his friend. He also took the service of one Joseph, a dismissed bus driver. He did not know anything about road-rollers, but he could steer it if it was moving. It was a fine sight – The elephant pulling the engine, 50 coolies pushing it from behind and Joseph steering it.
A huge crowd stood around and watched the show. The engine was moving. When the engine came out of the gymkhana, instead of going straight, it began to wobble and zig-zag. The elephant dragged it one way. Joseph steered it without any idea where he was going. The men just pushed it just where they liked. The engine ran straight into the wall of the opposite compound and broke it. The crowd roared with laughter.
The angry elephant trumpeted loudly. It strained and broke the rope and kicked down a further length of the broken wall. The 50 men fled in panic. This created a pandemonium. The owner of the compound slapped the narrator in the face. The police came and took the narrator to the police station.
OR
[B] You have read the screenplay “Village of the Watermills” by Akira Kurosawa. Write a paragraph on the theme, characters and setting and other features of the film.
Answer:
[B]“Village of the Watermills” by Akira Kurosawa’s is a powerful critique of modem life. Its central theme champions a life of harmony with nature, contrasting the spiritual peace of. simplicity against the destructive convenience of technology and excessive progress. The setting is an idyllic, timeless Japanese village nestled by a clean river, powered only by numerous wooden watermills. It has no electricity or machinery.
The villagers rely on natural resources. The main characters are the Young man representing the modem city dwellers and a wise, 103-year-old man who personifies the village’s philosophy, explaining their deliberate choice to forsake modem “convenience” to protect what is “truly good.” A significant feature is the joyous, celebratory funeral procession for a 99-year-old woman, who was the first lover of the old man. It symbolizes the respect of the villagers for a full life cycle and their ultimate acceptance of death as a return to nature.
Question 13.
[A] Look at the picture below. It is related to “The Day My World Changed” by Malala Yousafzai. Malala says: Education is neither Eastern nor Western, it is human.” Why is education a universal right and how can it create a better world? Use the hints given below and write a paragraph about the statement by Malala.
(Hints: Malalabom in Pakistan – attended Khushal school – campaigned for girls’ education – was shot and injured – treated in England – Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 – at 17, the youngest winner – her ideas on education)
Answer:
attended Khushal school. She campaigned for girls’ education. She was shot by terrorists and she was badly injured. She was brought to England where she was well treated and she recovered. She became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 when she was just 17 years old. Education is a universal right and all girls and boys in the world should be educated irrespective of caste, creed, race, sex or religion. Education teaches people to be good, tolerant human beings who will work for the welfare of mankind. They will not have narrow, discriminatory attitudes.
Education is important especially for girls because they are in no way inferior to boys. Roughly half of the population of the world is women. So if we don’t educate women, the world will not make progress. It is education that develops one’s talents and skills. Gone are the days when women were expected to sit at home, doing all the household chores and looking after the children. Men and women are equal and they should have equal opportunities to develop. Society must ensure equal opportunities for women by making them feel confident and giving them the necessary training.
OR
[B] In the story “Thank You Ma’am” by Langston Hughes, we saw how Mrs. Jones’ kindness to Roger made him become an upright person. Write a character sketch of Mrs, Jones, using the hints given below. (Hints: strong and commanding – stops Roger from snatching her purse – kindness and compassion – takes Roger home, feeds him and gives him money to buy his favourite shoes – Roger decides to become an upright person)
Answer:
Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is a large, strong, and commanding woman who works in a beauty-shop. Her physical strength mirrors her inner strength: she is confident, fearless, and capable of handling difficult situations with calm authority. When the boy, Roger, attempts to snatch her purse, she easily stops him and firmly takes charge of the situation.
Despite her toughness, Mrs. Jones is characterized by her deep kindness and compassion. Instead of turning Roger over to the police or punishing him harshly, she brings him to her home, cleans him up, feeds him, and speaks to him with honesty. Her actions reveal a nurturing side she behaves like a mother figure, showing him the care and guidance he lacks.
She believes in second chances and understands that young people sometimes make mistakes out of need or ignorance. Her empathy comes partly from her own past; she hints that she too has done things she is not proud of. This makes her less judgmental and more willing to teach through love rather than fear.
Mrs. Jones is a powerful blend of strength and compassion, a woman who uses discipline, empathy, and trust to guide a misguided boy toward the right path. She is memorable for her generosity, wisdom, and ability to change a life with a simple act of kindness. Her firm but gentle behaviour helps transform Roger into an upright person.
Question 14.
You studied the speech “A Tryst with Destiny” by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. Using the
hints given below, prepare a brief profile of Jawaharlal Nehru. (1 × 4 = 4)
(bom 1889 – educated at Harrow and Cambridge – associate of Gandhiji – PM from 1947-64 – secularism and social justice – great writer – “Discovery of India” – architect of modem India – championed non¬alignment – India famous in the world community – died 1964).
Answer:
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) was a central figure in India’s struggle for independence and the nation’s first Prime Minister. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru emerged as a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, advocating democratic ideals, secularism, and social justice. Educated at Harrow and Cambridge, he combined Western intellectual influences with a deep commitment to India’s cultural heritage.
As Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964, Nehru laid the foundations of modem India through policies emphasizing industrialization, scientific advancement, and state-led economic planning. He championed non-alignment in foreign policy, seeking peaceful cooperation during a polarized Cold War era. Nehru also promoted education, establishing institutions like the IITs and nurturing a scientific temper among citizens. He is called the architect of Modem India.
A prolific writer and visionary statesman, he remains a defining architect of India’s democratic institutions. His most famous book is the “Discovery of India”. His legacy endures in the principles of pluralism and progress that continue to shape the nation’s identity.
Questions 15-17: Read the news headlines and answer the questions that follow. (3 × 1 = 3)
i) US-Russia Peace Plan for Ukraine Needs More Work, Say European Allies at G20 Summit
ii) Ex-Brazilian President Bolsonaro Arrested for breaching flight laws.
iii) COP30 Climate Deal Agreed, Urges Tripling of Funds but Omits Fossil Fuel Phase-Out
iv) Security Fears Rise as Over 300 School children are Kidnapped in Nigeria.
Question 15.
Which of the headlines attracts the most attention by students?
Answer:
The headline that attracts the most attention by students is: Security Fears Rise as Over 300 School children are Kidnapped in Nigeria.
Question 16.
Which is the headline that deals with Climate Change?
Answer:
The headline that deals with Climate Change is: COP30 Climate Deal Agreed, Urges Tripling of Funds but Omits Fossil Fuel Phase-Out.
Question 17.
Bolsonaro was arrested:
A. because he was an ex-President.
B. because he was a Brazilian.
C. because he was flying.
D. because he broke the flight regulations.
Answer:
D. because he broke the flight regulations.
Question 18.
Fill in the blanks using the appropriate forms of the phrasal verbs given in brackets.
The weary traveller had to (i) _____ because his car had (ii) _____ on the side of the road, but he was determined
to (iii) _____ a solution to get back on track.
(figure out, taken aback, break down, put on, slow down, put up with)
Answer:
(i) slow down,
(ii) broken down,
(iii) figure out
Question 19.
Edit the following passage: Errors are in bold. (4 × 1/2 = 2)
Jim had not yet (i) saw his beautiful gift. She (ii) hold it out to him in her open hand. The gold seemed to shine softly as if with her own warm and loving spirit. “Isn’t it perfect, Jim? I (iii) haunted all over town to find it. You’ll have to look at your watch a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how they (iv) looks together.”
Answer:
(i) seen,
(ii) held,
(iii) hunted,
(iv) look
Question 20.
Complete the conversation between Mrs. Jones and Roger. (3 × 1 = 3)
“If I turn you loose, will you run?” asked Mrs. Jones.
“Yes ma’am” said Roger.
“Then I won’t (i) ….. ,” she said.
“I’m very sorry, lady, I’m sorry,” whispered Roger.
“Um-hum! And your face (ii) ….. I got a great mind to wash your fac,e for you. Haven’t you got anybody
home to tell you (iii) …..”
“No ma’am,” said Roger.
Answer:
(i) let you loose,
(ii) is very dirty,
(iii) to wash your face?
