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S.S.L.C. MID-TERM EXAMINATION
2026–27
First Language – English (14-E)
Date:
23.09.2026
Time: 10:30 A.M. to 1:45 P.M. Max. Marks: 100
I. Choose the correct alternative
and write the complete answer. 6 × 1 = 6
1.Preethi didn’t go to the office
today, ________.
The appropriate question tag to be added is:
(A)
does she? (B) doesn’t she? (C) did she? (D) didn’t she?
Ans: (d) did she?
2. We have been __________ cricket
since ten years.
Choose the correct form of verb:
(A)
playing (B) play (C) played (D) plays
Ans: (A) playing
3. When he saw her courage, he felt ashamed of his own
__________.
Fill in the blank with a suitable antonym of the word underlined.
(A)
encourage (B) discourage (C) coward (D) diffidence
Ans: (C) coward
4. “Love swells like the Solway.”
The figure of speech used here is:
(A)
Metaphor (B) Personification (C) Alliteration (D) Simile
Ans(D) Simile
5. Drive slowly __________ for
potholes on the road.
The correct phrasal verb to be used in the above blank is:
(A)
look at (B) look out (C) look over (D) look up
Ans: (B) look over
6. __________ the boy is clever, he is
lazy.
The appropriate conjunction to be used in the blank is:
(A)
But (B) And (C) Though (D) Since
Ans: (C) Though
II. Observe
the relationship in the first pair of words and complete the second pair
accordingly. 4 × 1 = 4
7.Momentum : Speed :: Menace :
__________
8.Role : Roll :: Great : __________
9.Dentist : Teeth :: Dermatologist :
__________
10.Beautiful : Beauty :: Discover :
__________
Ans:
7.Momentum : Speed :: Menace : Threat
8.Role : Roll :: Great :Grate
9.Dentist : Teeth :: Dermatologist : Skin
10.Beautiful : Beauty :: Discover : Discovery
III. Rewrite
as directed. 3 × 1 = 3
11. Change the voice of the sentence:
The President called off the meeting.
Ans: The
meeting was called off by the President.
12. Frame a question to get the
underlined words as answer:
Dr. Radhakrishna pursued his education
with his father’s assistance.
Ans: With
whose assistance did Dr. Radhakrishna pursue his education?
13. Rewrite the sentence using “too ... to”:
Life is so beautiful that I cannot
think of ugly things.
Ans: Life
is too beautiful for me to think of ugly things.
IV. Answer
the following questions in a sentence each. 4 × 1 = 4
14. Who made the confession in The Workers’ Paradise?
Ans: The aerial messenger made the
confession before the elders of the Worker’s Paradise.
15. What did Della buy for Jim?
Ans: Della bought a platinum fob chain
for Jim’s gold watch.
16. What is a non-moral action?
Ans: An action done for material
gain, personal comfort or self – interest is called a non-moral action.
17. Why did the female Sarus Crane sit
on the blood-stained feathers?
Ans: The female Sarus Crane sat on
the blood –stained feathers in the hope of hatching them into a chick, unable
to accept the death of her mate.
V. Answer
the following questions in two to three sentences each. 7 × 2 = 14
18. How does the water in the rain-fed
tanks get its colour?
Ans: The water gets its colour from silt or finely divided soil held in suspension. The colour varies according to the nature
of the earth in the catchment area and is most vivid after fresh rainwater
flows into the tank
19. As a
scientist, how was Louis Pasteur unique?
Ans: Louis Pasteur made important discoveries about germs and was able to apply his discoveries in practical
ways. He also helped many people
running various industries in France.
20. How was
the majestic neck humbled by the hunter?
Ans: The majestic neck of the Sarus Crane was shot by the hunter while the
bird was stretching it towards the sun. The hunter then casually picked up the
dead bird, crumpled it like a piece of paper and threw it into his bag.
21. Why
doesn’t the father poet, Abraham Lincoln, want his son to follow the crowd?
Ans: Lincoln does not want his son to follow the crowd because the crowd
may influence him to do what is wrong. He wants his son to listen to everyone but distinguish
truth from falsehood and stand by what he believes is right.
22. What
final message do the last two lines convey in the poem Vachana?
Ans: The last two lines convey that the moving temple of the human body and devotion in the
heart are lasting, while material
temples are subject to destruction. The poet finds strength and consolation in
his devotion to God.
23. Why and
how was Ben left marooned on the island?
Ans: Ben had returned to the island with his shipmates to search for
Captain Flint’s treasure, but they could not find it. His shipmates then left him marooned on the island.
24. How does
Lord Krishna save Arjuna from Karna’s arrow?
Ans: At the crucial moment, Lord Krishna pressed Arjuna’s chariot five fingers deep into the
mud. Thus, Karna’s serpent arrow missed
Arjuna’s head and struck only his helmet.
VI. Rewrite
as directed. 3 × 2 = 6
25. Change the following sentence to
the other two degrees of comparison:
Very few scientists in the world were
as great as Sir C. V. Raman.
Ans:
Comparative Degree: Sir C.V. Raman was greater than most other scientists in
the world.
Superlative
Degree: Sir C.V. Raman was one of the greatest scientists in the world.
26. Combine the following sentences
using:
a)
As soon as
b) No sooner .... than ...
He got angry. He started to beat
her.
Ans: a) As
soon as he got angry, he started to beat her.
b) No sooner did he get angry than he started to beat her.
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27. Change the following sentence to
reported speech:
Satyam said, “Did you attend the
classes yesterday?”
Ans:
Satyam asked me if I had attended the classes the previous day.
VII. Answer
the following questions in five to six sentences each. 6 × 3 = 18
28. What does C. V. Raman say about
rain-fed tanks?
Ans: C. V. Raman says that rain-fed
tanks are a characteristic feature of the Indian countryside. They collect and
store rainwater and provide water for agriculture. He observes that the water
in these tanks often has different colours because of the soil carried into
them by rainwater. The tanks add beauty to the countryside and support the life
of the villages. Raman considers them valuable natural resources that should be
preserved.
29. How did the female Sarus Crane express her agony and
desperation towards her dead male partner?
Ans: The female Sarus Crane expressed
her grief by flying around the place in agony and desperation. After the
hunters left, she came down to the spot where her partner lay dead. She cried
in long and short notes and moved around the dead body. She lovingly picked a
few blood-stained feathers and sat over them as if trying to hatch them. She
forgot to eat and drink because of her sorrow and finally pined away for her
lost mate.
30. According to Basavanna, how does a poor man and rich man
express their devotion to God?
Ans: According to Basavanna, a rich
man can build a temple for Lord Shiva with his wealth. A poor man cannot afford
to build such a temple. Therefore, he makes his own body a temple of God. He
considers his legs as pillars, his body as the shrine and his head as a cupola
of gold. Basavanna thus shows that true devotion does not depend on wealth or
external temples.
31. How did Lochinvar finally win Ellen for himself?
Ans: Lochinvar arrived at Netherby
Hall just before Ellen’s wedding. He cleverly convinced Ellen’s father that he
had come only to attend the wedding and that he was no longer interested in
Ellen. During the dance, Lochinvar danced gracefully with Ellen and quickly won
her affection. When the dance ended, he mounted his horse with Ellen and rode
away with her. Thus, through his courage, cleverness and determination,
Lochinvar won Ellen for himself.
32. How did Parasurama realize that Karna was not a
Brahmana?
Ans: One day, Parasurama was resting
with his head on Karna’s lap. A fierce insect bit Karna on his thigh, causing
severe pain and bleeding. Karna did not move because he feared disturbing his
teacher’s sleep. When Parasurama awoke and saw the wound, he realized that an
ordinary Brahmana could not have endured such pain so patiently. He concluded
that Karna must be a Kshatriya. Karna then confessed the truth about his
identity.
33. Write on Mahatma Gandhi’s comments on action prompted by
motive of happiness in another world.
Ans: According to Mahatma Gandhi, an
action performed merely with the desire to gain happiness in another world is
not truly moral. A person should not perform a good deed because of fear,
reward or personal benefit. A moral action should arise from free will and a
sincere sense of duty. It should be performed because it is right and not
because one expects a reward in the future. Thus, Gandhi emphasizes purity of
motive and selfless action.
OR
What changes were noticed in the movement and attitude of
the girl of the Silent Torrent after the man gave her the painted pitcher?
Ans: After receiving the painted
pitcher, a change gradually came over the girl. When she went to the torrent
the next day, her hurrying feet were a little less hurried. A new sense of
beauty and curiosity seemed to awaken in her. She began to realise that life
could contain things other than work and utility. She became interested in the
beauty of the painted pitcher and in the possibilities of art. Finally, she
followed the man out of the Workers’ Paradise because she saw new possibilities
opening before her.
VIII.
Explain with reference to the context. 5 × 3 = 15
34. “Wait a moment! I shall come with you.”
Ans:
Lesson: The Workers’ Paradise
Author: Rabindranath Tagore
Context: These words are spoken by
the girl of the Silent Torrent. After receiving the beautifully painted
pitcher, she becomes curious about the world beyond the Workers’ Paradise. She
asks the man to wait because she has decided to leave the monotonous life of
the Workers’ Paradise and go with him.
35. “Please God make him think I am still Pretty.”
Ans: Lesson: The Gift of the Magi
Author: O. Henry
Context: Della says these words
after cutting and selling her beautiful hair to buy a Christmas gift for Jim.
She is worried that Jim may no longer find her attractive without her long
hair. She prays that he will still think she is pretty because she loves him
deeply and wants to please him.
36. “If you can cure animals, you can cure my son.”
Ans:
Lesson: "Louis Pasteur,
Conqueror of Disease"
Author: E. H. Carter.
Context :The mother of a young
Alsatian boy said this statement to Louis Pasteur. Pasteur had successfully
discovered a cure and developed immunity for anthrax, a deadly disease
affecting sheep and cows. Around this time, a young boy who was severely bitten
by a mad dog and suffering from rabies was brought to him. Hoping for a
miracle, the desperate mother pleaded with Pasteur using these words, trusting
that his success with animals could save her son's life. Pasteur subsequently
inoculated the boy with weakened rabies germs, and the child recovered.
37. “She circled the sky in movements of grace over his
disgraceful end.”
Ans: Poem: To a Pair of Sarus Cranes
Poet: Manmohan Singh
Context: These lines describe the
female Sarus Crane after the hunter kills her male partner. She circles above
his dead body gracefully, unable to accept his tragic death. The poet contrasts
her graceful movements with the cruel and disgraceful act of the hunter.
38. “There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far.”
Ans: Poem: Lochinvar
Poet: Sir Walter Scott
Context: These words are spoken by
Lochinvar when he arrives at Netherby Hall on the day of Ellen’s wedding. He
tells Ellen’s father that there are many maidens in Scotland more beautiful
than Ellen. However, he cleverly hides his true intention of taking Ellen away
with him.
IX. Quote
from memory. 1 × 4 = 4
39.
I was angry
___________________
______________________________
______________________________
________________
wrath did grow.
Ans:
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe;
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
OR
My legs__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________
ever shall stay.
Ans:
My legs are pillars,
The body the shrine,
The head a cupola of gold.
Listen, O Lord of the meeting
rivers,
Things standing shall fall,
But the moving ever shall stay.
X. Answer
the following questions in seven to eight sentences each. 3 × 4 = 12
40. List the values which the poet
father wants the teacher to teach his son.
(Any eight)
Ans: In Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to His Son’s Teacher,
Lincoln asks the teacher to teach his son several important values.
1.
He should learn that all people are
not honest and just.
2.
He should learn to distinguish
between good and evil.
3.
He should have faith in his own
ideas.
4.
He should be brave enough to stand
by what is right.
5.
He should learn to listen to
everyone but think for himself.
6.
He should learn to accept failure
with courage.
7.
He should enjoy winning but not be
proud of it.
8.
He should be kind and gentle towards
people.
9.
He should learn the value of hard
work and honesty.
10.
He should have patience and courage
to face difficulties.
41. What are the various causes of soil erosion? How can we
prevent it?
Ans: Soil erosion is the removal of
the fertile top layer of soil by water, wind and other factors. Deforestation
is one of the major causes of soil erosion. Overgrazing, excessive cultivation
and improper farming methods also cause erosion. Heavy rainfall, floods and strong winds wash or blow away the soil. Construction activities and cutting down trees further increase soil erosion. We can prevent it by planting more trees and protecting forests. Contour ploughing, terrace farming and planting grass can reduce soil loss. Controlled grazing and proper use of land can also help conserve soil.
OR
Why does Gandhi say that moral act should be done without
compulsion?
Ans: Gandhi says that a moral act
must be done freely and willingly. An action done under force or compulsion cannot be considered truly moral. A person should perform a good action because he feels it is right. He should not act merely because of fear, pressure or the expectation of a
reward. True morality comes from a person’s inner sense of duty and goodness. Even an action done for gaining happiness in another world is not truly moral
if it is motivated by selfish desire. A moral person acts without expecting any
personal benefit. Thus, freedom of choice and purity of motive are essential
for a truly moral action.
42. Explain the experiment conducted by Louis Pasteur to
show the difference between pure and stale air.
Ans:
OR
Why did writer compare Jim and Della’s gift to that of Magi?
Ans:In The Gift of the Magi, Jim and Della loved each other deeply and
wanted to make each other happy. Della sold her beautiful hair to buy a
platinum chain for Jim’s precious watch. Jim sold his watch to buy beautiful
combs for Della’s long hair. Thus, both of them sacrificed their most valuable
possessions for each other. Their gifts became temporarily useless because each
had given up the possession needed to use the gift. However, their sacrifices
showed their selfless and sincere love. The writer therefore compares them to
the Magi, the wise men who brought precious gifts to baby Jesus. He suggests
that their love and sacrifice make them the wisest gift-givers.
XI. Read the
following passage carefully and answer the questions given below. 1 × 4 = 4 (2 + 2)
43. The Egyptians believed that after
people died, they would go to another world. In that world, they thought,
people would still need many of the things they had on earth. Their kings had
many wonderful treasures and these treasures were buried with them.
The kings were not buried in the open ground or in
graveyards, but in great buildings or tombs called pyramids, which were built
out in the deserts. These pyramids which can still be seen today were made of
stone.
Inside there are secret doors which lead to secret passages
and then to a secret chamber. The pyramids were built by slaves. The slaves who
made the secret entrances to the tombs were killed when the work was finished,
so as to make sure that they wouldn’t tell others what they know.
Questions:
a)
What did the Egyptians believe in?
Ans: The Egyptians believed that
after people died, they would go to another world where they would still need
many of the things they had on earth.
b) Why were the slaves who built the secret entrances to the
tombs killed?
Ans: The slaves were killed to make
sure that they would not reveal the secrets of the entrances, passages and
chambers of the tombs to others.
XII. Write
an essay of about 18–20 sentences on any one of the following topics. 1 × 5 = 5
44.a) Protection of environment – Responsibility of citizens.
Ans:The
environment is essential for the survival of all living beings.
It provides us with air, water, food and other natural resources.
Today, the environment is facing serious problems such as pollution,
deforestation and climate change. Every citizen has a responsibility to protect
and preserve nature. We should plant more trees and protect existing forests. We
must avoid cutting trees unnecessarily. We should keep our surroundings clean
and dispose of waste properly. Plastic bags and other single-use plastics
should be avoided as far as possible. We should save water and electricity in
our daily lives.
Using public transport, walking or cycling can help reduce air pollution.
Industries should control harmful emissions and treat waste responsibly.
Citizens should follow environmental laws and encourage others to do the same.
We should protect rivers, lakes and other water bodies from pollution. Wild
animals and birds should also be protected. Schools can create awareness about
environmental conservation among students. Community cleanliness drives and
tree-planting programmes can make a difference. Small responsible actions by
millions of people can bring great change. Therefore, protecting the
environment is not only the duty of the government but also the responsibility
of every citizen.
OR
44. b) Adverse effects of Mass Media
on students.
Ans: Mass media includes television, newspapers,
radio, websites and social media. It provides students with information,
knowledge and educational resources. However, excessive and careless use of
mass media can have negative effects. Students may spend too much time watching
television or using social media. This can reduce the time available for
studies and other useful activities.
Constant use of mobile phones and digital media may disturb concentration.
Students may also become dependent on entertainment and online content.
Some media content can expose young people to violence, unhealthy behaviour or
misleading information. False news and rumours can create confusion among
students. Social media can also lead to unnecessary comparison and distraction.
Excessive screen time may interfere with sleep and physical activity.
Students may neglect reading books, outdoor games and face-to-face
communication. Advertisements can encourage unnecessary consumerism.
Therefore, students should learn to use mass media wisely and responsibly.
They should select reliable and educational sources of information.
Parents and teachers should guide students in developing healthy media habits.
A proper balance between study, recreation, physical activity and media use is
important. Used wisely, mass media can be a useful tool rather than a source of
distraction.
XIII. Write
a letter. 1 × 5 = 5
45. Imagine you are Rakshan / Radhika, studying in
Government High School, Kodagu. Write a letter to the local Road Transport
Authority requesting to have more buses along your school route to help the
students.
Ans:
Rakshan / Radhika
Government High School
Kodagu
23
September 2026
The
Local Road Transport Authority
Kodagu
Subject:
Request for more buses on the school route
Respected
Sir/Madam,
I am a student of Government High School, Kodagu. I am
writing this letter to request you to provide more buses on our school route.
At present, the number of buses is insufficient, especially during school
hours. As a result, many students face difficulty in reaching school on time
and returning home safely. The buses are often overcrowded, causing
inconvenience to students. Therefore, I kindly request you to increase the
number of buses during the morning and afternoon school hours. This will help
students travel safely and comfortably.
I
hope you will consider our request and take the necessary action at the
earliest.
Thanking
you,
Yours
faithfully,
Sd/-
Rakshan / Radhika
OR
Imagine
you are Deeksha / Deekshith, studying in Government High School, Mandya.Write a
letter to your elder brother congratulating him on his winning a gold medal in
the recent State Athletic Meet.
Ans:
Deeksha
/ Deekshith
Government High School
Mandya
23
September 2026
Dear
Brother,
I was very happy to hear that you have won a gold medal in
the recent State Athletic Meet. Heartiest congratulations on your wonderful
achievement! Your hard work, regular practice and determination have brought
you this success. I am very proud of you and your achievement. You have made
our family and school proud. I wish you greater success in all your future
competitions. May you continue to work hard and achieve many more victories.
With
lots of love,
Yours
affectionately,
Sd/-
Deeksha / Deekshith
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