Regular practice of 8th Standard English Question Paper Kerala Syllabus Set 4 helps students overcome exam fear and perform better.
Kerala Syllabus Class 8 English Model Question Paper Set 4
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 long Walk with Granny” by Ruskin Bond and answer the questions that follow. (3 × 1 = 3)
As the bus was well away from the landslide, the passengers got out of the bus. They knew it would take days to clear the road. Most of the passengers decided to return to Nain with the bus. But some bold ones agreed to walk to Mussoorie. Mani asked Granny if they should go back. Granny said it was only 10 miles; and they did that yesterday. So they started climbing a narrow path. When they got to the top of the mountain, they were alone. Granny had brought some pakoras. and buns and peaches. He said they would eat and then proceed. She said she could walk forever. But there should be no rain as the umbrella was leaking.
Question 1.
What did the passengers know?
Answer:
The passengers knew that it would take days to clear the road because of the landslide.
Question 2.
Most of the passengers:
A. cursed their fate.
B. quarrelled with the driver.
C. wanted to protest against the Road Transport Authority.
D. decided to return to Nain with the bus.
Answer:
D. decided to return to Nain with the bus.
Question 3.
Add a question tag: The passengers got out of the bus,?
Answer:
didn’t they?
Questions 4-6: Read the following excerpt from the script of the film “Village of the Watermills sand answer the questions that follow. (3 × 1 = 3)
The procession approaches. Women, children and men move in rhythm. The little children pick flowers from the vases they hold and throw them out. Behind them are the bugle players. Then the girls. They dance beautifully. All are wearing hats. Six men carry a coffin in the middle of the procession. The children sing along. The Old Man, ringing his bell and holding a bunch of flowers in his hand, greets them. As the procession approaches, he joins it. All pass in front of the Young man who curiously watches the procession, smiling. As the coffin approaches, he takes off his hat to show respect.
Question 4.
What do the little children do?
Answer:
The little children pick flowers from the vases they hold and throw them out.
Question 5.
Who takes off his hat to show respect, as the coffin approaches?
Answer:
The Young man takes off his hat to show respect, as the coffin approaches.
Question 6.
As the procession approaches, joins it.
A. the Old man
B. the Young man
C. a bugle player
D. a dancing girl
Answer:
A. the Old man
Question 7.
Read the following lines from the song “Get Together” by The Young bloods and write a paragraph summarising the ideas contained in the lines. (1 × 4 = 4)
Love is but a song we sing
Fear’s the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Though the bird is on the wing
And you may not know why
Come on, people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now
Some may come and some may go
He will surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moment’s sunlight
Fading in the grass
Answer:
“Get Together” is a melodious song by The Youngbloods, an American rock band. The song says that love is but a song we sing. Fear is the way we die. You can make the mountains ring or make the angels cry, though the bird is on the wing and you may not know why. The poem asks the people to come and smile on their brothers. Everybody should get together and try to love one another right now.
Some may come and some may go. We all surely die one day. When the one that left us here returns for us at last, we are but a moment’s sunlight fading in the grass. The song is very melodious with beautiful rhythm. There is a fine metaphor when love is called a song that we sing. The song encourages us to live smilingly as our time is short and we all will die one day.
Questions 8-10: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow. (3 × 1 = 3)
The Incredible Journey of a Seed
Did you know that a tiny seed holds the complete plan for a huge tree? It’s true! Every seed is like a small, self- contained package of life. When a seed falls into the soil and finds the right amount of water, sunlight, and warmth, a magical process begins.
First, the seed absorbs water and swells up. Atiny root pushes down into the ground to anchor the plant and look for more water. Next, a tiny shoot grows upwards, reaching for the sunlight. This is called germination.
Once the shoot breaks through the soil, it becomes a seedling. The seedling uses the energy stored inside the seed until its first leaves grow and can start making its own food through photosynthesis. From this small beginning, and with continuous care, a tall, strong tree can eventually grow, ready to produce new seeds and start the cycle all over again!
Question 8.
When does the process of germination begin?
Answer:
The process of germination begins when the seed finds the right amount of water, sunlight, and warmth.
Question 9.
For a seed to germinate it will need
A. the right amount ofwater
B. warmth
C. attention by people
D. enough manure
Choose one from the following.
i) A and D
ii) B and C
iii) B and D
iv) A and B
Answer:
iv) A and B
Question 10.
In a seedling, photosynthesis is the process of
A. germination
B. making its own food,by the leaves
C. the roots getting into the soil
D. absorbing water
Answer:
B. making its own food by the leaves
Questions 11-13: Answer either A or B. (3 × 4 = 12)
Question 11.
[A] In the story “A Prescription for Life” by Jerome K. Jerome, we see the narrator taking the prescription the doctor gave him to a pharmacist. The pharmacist looks at it and returns it to him saying that he was not running a cooperative store and a family hotel. Attempt the likely diary entry of the pharmacist.
Answer:
A very strange thing happened today. It was around 4 in the afternoon. I was alone in my pharmacy. Then I saw a well-dressed man coming to my pharmacy in a hurry. He looked sad and upset. He had a folded prescription in his hand. He gave it me. I unfolded it and I felt like laughing. This is what was written in the prescription: “A balanced diet, with water every 2 hours. A 10-mile walk every morning.
To bed sharp at 11 o’clock every night. Don’t stuff up your mind with things you don’t understand.” I then told him I was not running a cooperative store and a family hotel. He then asked me if I were not a chemist. In reply I gave the prescription back to him and asked him to read it. When he read it, a smile came to his lips. He said “Thank you” and went away. I’d like to know if he took the doctor’s advice and became better.
OR
[B] Hot seat refers to a situation where a person is expected to answer many tough or embarrassing questions. The person in the hot seat answers questions from a group. Imagine Della, the heroine of the story “”ATale of Two Gifts” by O. Henry is on the hot seat. Ask her 4 relevant questions and her replies to them.
Answer:
• Della, why did you decide to sell your hair?
I decided to sell my hair because I wanted money to buy a golden watch chain for Jim as my Christmas present to him..
• How did you feel without your long, beautiful hair?
I looked a bit strange without my hair, but when I thought of the happiness Jim would get when he saw the watch chain, I felt quite happy.
• Has Jim’s love for you increased because of the sacrifice you made?
Definitely yes. Jim’s love for me has increased because of the sacrifice I made which showed him how much I love him.
• Do you think your decision to sell your hair was right?
I think I was hundred percent right. To me what is important is the happiness of Jim, much more than my hair which will grow again.
Question 12.
[A] In “A Prescription for Life” by Jerome K. Jerome, the prescription given by the doctor says, “A balanced diet, with water every two hours. A10-mile walk every morning. To bed sharp at 11 o’clock every night.” Write a paragraph on the Role of Habits in Shaping Health and Well-being”.
Answer:
In Latin there is a proverb which says “Mens sana in corpore sano”. In English it means “a Healthy mind in a healthy Body”. Habits play a major role in shaping the health and wellbeing of person. There are certain do’s and don’ts that we must follow if we want to be healthy. In the list of the things we ought to the following are the most important:
Have a balanced diet, drink enough water, sleep well, exercise well, avoid spending too much time watching TV or using the computer, laptop or the mobile, read good books, magazines etc., keep your mind filled with good thoughts and be optimistic. The things we must avoid are: eating too much junk food, lack of physical activity, excessive screen time, lack of enough sleep, Using psychedelic drugs or alcohol, self-diagnosis of diseases, self-prescriptions of medicines and being pessimistic.
OR
[B] How does the unexpected twist in the tail-end of the story “A Tale of Two Gifts” by O. Henry emphasise the value of love over material possessions?
Answer:
Jim and Della are a poor couple. But each of them has a very valuable possession. Jim has a watch that he got as a hereditary possession. But he can’t wear it as it does not a suitable chain. Della has beautiful hair. But she can’t display the beauty of her hair because she does not have the necessary combs and ribbons. So as a Christmas present Jim wants to buy combs for Della and Della wants to buy a chain for Jim’s watch.
The unexpected twist in the tail-end of the story emphasises the value of love over material possessions by showing us Jim and Della going to dinner with hearts overflowing with love. They may have lost their precious possessions but they have shown each other that their love is paramount. By selling her hair Della bought the golden watch chain and he bought the combs by selling the watch. The golden watch chain and the combs are too nice to use now. Material possessions are nothing before real love.
Question 13.
[A] Write a character sketch of Jim, the hero of the story “A Tale of Two Gifts” by O. Henry, using the following hints.
(22 years old, small salary, heavy responsibility’ – precious watch – very’ loving – wants to buy expensive combs for Della – sells the watch – proves his love)
Answer:
Jim, the hero of “A Tale of Two Gifts” is a 22 year old young man. He is selfless, responsible, and loving young husband who is deeply burdened by financial hardship. Despite his small salary, he is described as serious but good-natured, and his character is defined by his willingness to sacrifice his most prized possession, a gold watch, to buy his wife Della the perfect Christmas gift, showcasing his profound love and commitment to her happiness. Jim is selfless and loving. He is a responsible husband.
As the main provider, Jim feels the weight of responsibility to support his wife, even with a low salary. His hard work and dedication are evident in his being “never late” for work. He has a sacrificing mind. His action of selling his watch is a testament to his belief that their love and happiness are more valuable than material possessions. He is thoughtful and wise. Although his gift to Della becomes useless after she sells her hair, he doesn’t dwell on the irony. Instead, he sees the situation as a testament to their selfless love and quietly suggests they put their useless gifts away, appreciating th,e sentiment behind them rather than the objects themselves.
OR
[B] Using the hints below, tell the story of “Thank You, Ma’am,” by Langston Hughes, in less than 200 words.
(Hints: Roger wants blue suede shoes – tries to grab the purse Mrs. Jones – strong and practical woman – kicks Roger – takes to her home – face wash – eat together -10 dollars to buy shoes – advice – Roger’s change)
Answer:
Mrs. Luella Jones, a large woman, was walking home late at night. Roger, a boy, attempts to steal her purse. Instead of handing him over to the police, the strong and practical woman hauls him into her home.
Inside her boarding-house room, Mrs. Jones insists Roger wash his face, shares her meal of lima beans and ham with him, and discovers he only wanted money for a pair of blue suede shoes. She reveals that she, too, had once wanted things she couldn’t have, though she stopped short of theft, showing empathy rather than judgment. This act of unexpected kindness and trust moves Roger deeply. He feels ashamed of his actions and a desire to be trustworthy.
At the end of the evening, Mrs. Jones gives Roger ten dollars for the shoes he wanted, and he leaves, profoundly impacted by her generosity and the life lesson she imparted. The boy is unable to express his gratitude beyond a simple “Thank you, Ma’am” as she closes the door, but the story’s focus on second chances and compassion highlights the transformative power of human connection.
Question 14.
You read the poem “The Astronomer” by Rabindranath Tagore. Using the hints given below, write a brief profile ofTagore. (4)
(Hints: 1861 -1941, poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, and painter – Gurudev – Nobel in 1913 for Gitanjali – two national anthems – more than 2000 songs, short stories and famous novels like Gora and Ghare-Baire – Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, renounced British knighthood in 1919 in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre)
Answer:
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, and painter. He reshaped Bengali literature and music, as well as Indian art. He is often referred to as Gurudev.
He was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his poetry collection, Gitanjali (Song Offerings). He composed the national anthems of India {“Jana Gana Mana ”) and Bangladesh (“Amar Shonar Bangla ”). His vast body of work includes over 2,000 songs (Rabindra Sangeet), numerous poems, short stories, novels like “Gora ” and Ghare- Baire (The Home and the World), and plays.
He founded an experimental school in rural West Bengal in 1901, which later grew into the international Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, aiming to blend the best of Indian and Western educational traditions. He advocated for Indian independence from the British Raj. He renounced his British knighthood in 1919 in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
Questions 15-17: Read the news headlines and answer the questions that follow.(3 × 1 = 3)
Nehru dies from a heart attack on 27 May 27, 1964, at age 74.
Subhash Chandra Bose was 48 years old when he is believed to have died in a plane crash on August 18, 1945.
Mahatma Gandhi, 78, shot dead on his way to a prayer meeting at Birla House, on 30 January 1948.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, 75, dies on 15 December 1950, due to a heart attack.
Question 15.
Of the four people, who died when he was not yet 50?
Answer:
Netaji Subhash Chdandra Bose
Question 16.
What caused the death of two leaders?
Answer:
Heart attack
Question 17.
Who among the four leaders was the victim of violence?
A. Subhash Chandra Bose
B. Mahatma Gandhi.
C. Sardar Patel
D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer:
B. Mahatma Gandhi.
Question 18.
Fill in the blanks using appropriate phrasal verbs taken from those given in brackets. (3 × 1 = 3)
After a busy week, Sarah decided to a) …… her apartment. She started by tackling the kitchen, where she had to b) …… some old food that had been sitting in the fridge for a while. After she had finished that, she decided to c) …… her work clothes and put on something more comfortable.
(throw away, hold on, get through, clean up, wind down, make out, take off)
Answer:
a) clean up,
b) throw away,
c) take off
Question 19.
Edit the following passage: Errors are in bold. (4 × 1/2 = 2)
The other thing was Della’s hair. Della knew her hair was more beautiful than any queen’s gold or a) jems. So now Della’s beautiful hair fell around her, shining like a falling b) streem of brown water. It c) reach below her knee. It almost made itself into a dress for her. And then she put it up on her head again, nervously and quickly. Once she stopped for a moment and stood still while a tear or two ran down her d) phase.
Answer:
a) gems,
b) dream,
c) reached,
d) face
Question 20.
Complete the conversation between Mr Student and Teresa.
Mr Student : What do you want?
Teresa : I want you to a) …….
Mr. Student : b) To …….
Teresa : To Boleslav Kashput.
Mr. Student : Who is he?
Teresa : He is my c) …….
Answer:
a) write a letter for me.
b) whom do you want to write?
c) young man/lover/beloved.