KARNATAKA
SSLC MIDTERM EXAMINATION 2026–27
MODEL QUESTION PAPER: 03
FIRST LANGUAGE
ENGLISH (14-E)
Max. Marks: 100
Time: 3 Hours 15 Min
General Instructions:
- Answer all the questions.
- Follow the instructions given
for each section.
- Figures in the right margin
indicate marks.
- Write the question numbers
correctly.
I.
Choose the correct alternative and write the complete answer. 6 × 1 = 6
1. Choose the correct article:
The girl carried _____ pitcher.
(A) a (B) an (C) the (D) no article
Ans:
(A) a
2. Choose the correct question tag:
Della loved Jim deeply, _____?
(A) did she (B) didn't she (C) does
she (D) wasn't she
Ans:
(B) didn’t she
3. Identify the figure of speech:
“And I water'd it in fears.”
(A) Simile (B) Metaphor (C) Personification (D)
Pun
Ans:
(C) Personification
4. Choose the correct preposition:
The female crane circled _____ the dead male crane.
(A) above (B) into (C) below (D) from
Ans:
(A) above
5. Choose the correct phrasal verb:
The pirates tried to _____ Silver from leadership.
(A) put off (B) take up (C) depose (D)
give in
Ans:
(C) depose
6. Choose the correct form of the verb:
The wine _____ sour by germs.
(A) turns (B) turned (C) is turned (D) turning
Ans:
(C) is turned
II.
Observe the relationship in the first pair and complete the second pair.4×1= 4
7. C. V. Raman : Water :: Gandhi : __________
8.Della : Madame Sofronie :: Karna : __________
9.Vachana :Basavanna :: Lochinvar : __________
10.Treasure Island : Hispaniola :: The
Gift of the Magi : __________
Ans:
7. C. V. Raman : Water :: Gandhi : Moral Action
8.Della : Madame Sofronie :: Karna : Indra
9.Vachana :Basavanna :: Lochinvar : Walter Scott
10.Treasure Island : Hispaniola :: The Gift of the Magi : New York
III.
Rewrite as directed.
3 × 1 = 3
11. Frame a question to get the underlined words as the
answer:
Karna gave away his armour and earrings
to Indra.
Ans:
Whom did Karna give away his armour and earrings to?
12. Change into passive voice:
The hunters killed the male Sarus crane.
Ans:
The male Sarus crane was killed by the hunters.
13. Combine using “not
only … but also”:
Water sustains life. Water supports agriculture.
Ans:
Water not only sustains life but also supports agriculture.
IV.
Answer the following questions in one sentence each. 4 × 1 = 4
14. Who was the wrong man?
Ans:
The wrong man was an artist who had mistakenly been admitted into the
Workers' Paradise, where he did no useful work.
15. What is the main cause of soil erosion?
Ans:
The main cause of soil erosion is the sudden rush of excess water caused by
exceptionally heavy rain.
16. What is the bird's cry compared to in To
a Pair of Sarus Cranes?
Ans:
In To a Pair of Sarus Cranes,
the bird's cry is compared to a proud neck being humbled or a dirty jacket.
(Alternatively, the female's cry is compared to an agonizing, Morse-code-like
distress signal).
17. What does “learn to lose” mean in Abraham
Lincoln's Letter?
Ans:
In Abraham Lincoln's Letter,
"learn to lose" means accepting defeat gracefully and with dignity
rather than feeling bitter or discouraged.
V.
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences each. 7 × 2 = 14
18. How did the wrong man influence the girl of the silent
torrent?
Ans:The
wrong man influenced the girl by his bad behaviour and immoral ideas. He made
her lose her innocence and led her towards the wrong path.
19.
How was the gift Della bought worthy of Jim's watch?
Ans:Della
bought a beautiful platinum chain for Jim’s gold watch. It was simple and
valuable, and its quality made it worthy of Jim’s precious watch.
20.
How does prevention of soil erosion conserve water?
Ans:Preventing
soil erosion helps the soil retain water and increases the absorption of
rainwater. Thus, it reduces water runoff and helps conserve groundwater.
21.
Why did Saint Theresa wish to have a torch in one hand and a vessel of water in
the other?
Ans:Saint
Theresa wished to have a torch in one hand to burn the glories of heaven and a
vessel of water in the other to put out the fires of hell. She wanted to remove
the fear of heaven and hell from people's minds.
22.
How is the end of the female Sarus crane suggested in the poem?
Ans:The
poet suggests that the female Sarus crane dies of grief after the death of her
mate. Her final movements and her mournful cry indicate that she cannot survive
the loss.
23.
Who was Ben Gunn? Why had he been left marooned?
Ans:Ben
Gunn was a former pirate who had been marooned on Treasure Island. His fellow
pirates left him there because he had failed to find the treasure they were
searching for.
24.
Why was Arjuna's mind wavering when Krishna asked him to slay Karna?
Ans:Arjuna's
mind was wavering because Karna was a great warrior and was related to him as
his elder brother, though Arjuna did not know this at the time. He was also
troubled by the thought of killing a brave and worthy opponent.
VI.
Rewrite as directed. 3
× 2 = 6
25. Change the following into reported speech:
Della said to Jim, “I sold my hair to buy you a gift.”
Ans:
Della told Jim that she had sold her hair to buy him a gift.
26. Change into the other two degrees of comparison:
Lochinvar was one of the bravest knights.
Ans:Comparative Degree: Very few knights
were braver than Lochinvar.
Positive Degree: Very few
knights were as brave as Lochinvar.
27. Combine the sentences using “no sooner … than”:
Della saw the combs. She screamed with joy.
Ans:No
sooner did Della see the combs than she screamed with joy.
VII.
Answer the following questions in five or six sentences each. 6 × 3 = 18
28. How does C. V. Raman show that water is the real elixir
of life?
Ans:C.
V. Raman says that water is the most precious gift of nature and the real
elixir of life. It is essential for all living beings and supports agriculture
and human civilization. Rivers, lakes and reservoirs provide water for drinking
and cultivation. The fertility of the soil and the growth of crops depend greatly
on water. He explains that proper conservation and management of water are
necessary for human prosperity. Thus, water is truly the real elixir of life.
29.
Explain Pasteur's contribution to the field of bacteriology.
Ans:Louis
Pasteur made great contributions to the field of bacteriology. He proved that
microorganisms cause fermentation and many diseases. He showed that harmful
germs could be destroyed by heating liquids to a suitable temperature. This
process came to be known as pasteurization. He also developed vaccines
for diseases such as anthrax and rabies. His discoveries laid the foundation
for modern bacteriology and helped save many lives.
30.
What are the principles that make an act moral according to Gandhi?
Ans:According
to Gandhi, an act becomes moral when it is done with a pure intention. A person
should act out of love and concern for others. The act should not be motivated
by selfishness, hatred or fear. One should follow truth and non-violence while
performing an action. A moral act should bring good to others and should be
based on a sense of duty. Thus, purity of motive and selfless service are
important principles of morality.
31.
Why does the poet speak of the Morse code in To a Pair of Sarus Cranes?
Ans:The
poet speaks of the Morse code to describe the sorrowful cries of the female
Sarus crane. Her cries are like messages sent through a Morse code. She
repeatedly calls out for her dead mate in deep anguish. The comparison shows
the intensity of her grief and loneliness. It also suggests that her cries
carry a message of pain that humans can understand. Thus, the Morse code
comparison makes her suffering more vivid.
32.SummariseBasavanna's
opinion and message in the poem Vachana.
Ans:Basavanna
strongly opposes discrimination based on caste, status and social position. He
believes that all human beings are equal before God. He gives importance to
honest work, devotion and good conduct rather than outward rituals. He teaches
people to avoid pride, greed and false religious practices. According to him,
true devotion lies in leading a simple and righteous life. Through the poem,
Basavanna gives the message of equality, devotion and social justice.
33.
What does Karna say to Bhishma about his loyalty to Duryodhana?
Ans:Karna
tells Bhishma that he is deeply loyal to Duryodhana because Duryodhana had
supported and honoured him when others rejected him. He considers Duryodhana
his true friend and benefactor. Therefore, he cannot abandon him even when he
knows that Duryodhana's cause is wrong. Karna is ready to fight and even
sacrifice his life for his friend. He says that he will remain faithful to
Duryodhana until the end. His words show his strong sense of gratitude and
loyalty.
VIII.
Explain with reference to the context. 5 × 3 = 15
34. “No, I shall draw pictures on your pitcher.”
Ans: Lesson: The
Silent Torrent
Author: Ruskin Bond
Context: These words
are spoken by the wrong man to the girl when she asks him to write something on
her pitcher. Instead of writing on the pitcher, the wrong man says that he will
draw pictures on it. His words show his interest in the innocent girl and the
beginning of his influence on her. This incident plays an important role in
changing the girl's life.
35. “Give me your watch. I want to see how it
looks on it.”
Ans:Lesson:The Gift of the Magi
Author: O. Henry
Context: Della says these words to Jim after she has
bought a platinum fob chain for his precious gold watch.Della wants to see how
the chain looks with Jim's watch. However, Jim has sold his watch to buy the
beautiful combs for Della's hair. The situation highlights their deep love,
sacrifice and selflessness.
36. “The future will belong to those who
shall have done the most for suffering humanity.”
Ans:Lesson:Louis Pasteur
Author:E.H. Carter
Context: These words express Pasteur's belief in the
importance of serving suffering humanity through scientific work.Pasteur
believed that people who worked for the welfare of humanity would shape the
future. He devoted his life to scientific research and the prevention of
diseases. His discoveries and vaccines helped save many lives. The quotation
highlights the value of selfless service.
37. “And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.”
Ans:Poem:A Poison Tree
Poet: William Blake
Context: The speaker describes how he secretly
nourished his anger against his enemy instead of expressing it openly.The
speaker hid his anger behind smiles and deceptive behaviour. His suppressed
anger grew like a tree because he continued to feed it. Finally, it produced a
poisonous fruit. The lines convey the harmful effects of concealed anger and
deceit.
38. “Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs
like its tide.”
Ans:Poem:Lochinvar
Poet: Sir Walter Scott
Context: These words describe the changing nature of
love and emotions. The poet compares love with the Solway, whose tide rises and
falls.Love can become strong and powerful like the rising waters of the Solway.
But it can also decrease like the ebbing tide. The comparison beautifully
expresses the changing nature of human feelings.
IX.
Quote from memory. 1
× 4 = 4
39.
The
rich
..............................................................
What shall
..............................................................gold
Ans:
The rich will make temples for Siva.
What shall I , a poor man do?
My legs are pillars, the body the shrine,
The head a cupola of gold.
OR
And
I water'd it in fears,
..............................................................
And I sunned it with smiles,
.....................................................wiles.
Ans:
And I waterd it in fears,
Night
& morning with my tears;
And
I sunned it with smiles,
And
with soft deceitful wiles.
X.
Answer the following questions in seven or eight sentences each. 3 × 4 = 12
40. Abraham Lincoln compares many good values with negative
ones. Give examples from the poem.
Ans:In
the poem Abraham Lincoln's Letter to
His Son's Teacher, Lincoln asks the teacher to teach his son several
important values. He wants his son to learn that a dollar earned is worth more
than five dollars found. He asks the teacher to teach him to lose gracefully
rather than win dishonestly. He should enjoy laughter but also understand that
there is a place for tears. He should learn to be gentle with gentle people and
tough with tough people. Lincoln wants him to learn that failure can teach
valuable lessons. He should also learn to appreciate the value of goodness
rather than merely following the crowd. Thus, Lincoln contrasts positive values
with negative ones to teach his son wisdom and good character.
41. Explain the beauty of the countryside and rain-fed tanks
as described by C. V. Raman.
Ans:C.
V. Raman describes the countryside as beautiful and attractive during the rainy
season. The fields become green and fresh when they receive sufficient
rainfall. Rain-fed tanks add to the beauty of the landscape and provide water
for agriculture. They collect rainwater and help maintain the fertility of the
surrounding land. Raman observes that these tanks are often surrounded by
trees, fields and villages. They are not merely beautiful but also useful to
farmers and rural communities. He points out that water stored in such tanks
supports crops and other forms of life. Thus, the beauty of the countryside is
closely connected with the availability and conservation of water.
OR
Describe Della's sacrifice and Jim's
sacrifice in The Gift of the Magi.
Ans:Della and Jim deeply loved each other and wanted to
give each other a special Christmas gift. Della had only a small amount of
money, so she sold her beautiful long hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim's
gold watch. She sacrificed her most precious possession for her husband. Jim,
meanwhile, sold his valuable gold watch to buy a set of beautiful combs for
Della's hair. Thus, both of them unknowingly sacrificed the very possessions
for which the gifts were meant. Their gifts became useless in a practical
sense, but they revealed their deep love and selflessness. Their sacrifices
show that true love is more valuable than material possessions. Therefore,
Della and Jim are presented as examples of generous and unselfish love.
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42. Describe the experiment conducted by Louis Pasteur to
prove that pure air is different from stale air.
Ans:Louis
Pasteur conducted an experiment to show that pure air is different from stale
air. He prepared two flasks containing a suitable liquid and carefully sealed
them. One flask was exposed to pure air under controlled conditions, while
another was exposed to air containing microorganisms. The liquid in the flask
exposed to contaminated air developed changes caused by microorganisms. The
liquid exposed to pure air remained unchanged for a longer period. Through this
experiment, Pasteur showed that microorganisms present in air could cause
changes in substances. He proved that air itself was not responsible for
fermentation but that living germs carried by air were involved. His experiment
supported the germ theory and became important in the development of
bacteriology.
OR
Explain the difference between a mechanical
act and an intentional act with an example.
Ans:A
mechanical act is an action performed without a conscious intention or purpose.
For example, a person may move his hand automatically without intending to
perform any particular action. An intentional act, on the other hand, is
performed consciously with a definite purpose. For example, helping a person
who is suffering is an intentional act when it is done willingly and with
compassion. The moral value of an act depends greatly on the intention behind
it. An action done with a good intention can be considered morally good.
Therefore, intention distinguishes a moral and deliberate act from a merely
mechanical act.
XI.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. 4 × 1 = 4
A library is a storehouse
of knowledge. It gives students a chance to read beyond their textbooks. A good
library has books, newspapers, magazines and reference materials. Students who
use the library regularly develop the habit of independent learning. They learn
to search for information, compare ideas and read silently with attention. A
library also teaches discipline because readers must handle books carefully and
maintain silence.
43.
(a) What is a library called in the passage?
Ans:
A library is called a storehouse of knowledge.
(b) What habit do students develop by using the library
regularly?
Ans:
Students develop the habit of independent learning.
(c) Mention any two materials found in a good library.
Ans:
Books and newspapers are two materials found in a good library.
(d) Pick out the word from the passage which means “freedom
from dependence”.
Ans:
Independence
XII.
Write an essay on any one of the following. 1
× 5 = 5
44.(a) Importance of Discipline
Ans:Discipline is one
of the most important qualities in a person's life. It means following rules,
maintaining order and doing things at the right time. Discipline helps us
develop good habits and a responsible attitude. A disciplined student attends
school regularly, listens to teachers, completes homework on time and respects
others. Discipline also teaches us punctuality, cleanliness and self-control.
Discipline
is necessary not only in schools but also in families, workplaces and society.
Without discipline, life becomes disorganized and difficult. Great people
achieve success because they follow discipline and work regularly towards their
goals. Discipline helps us use our time properly and avoid bad habits. It also
teaches us to respect rules and understand our duties.
Therefore,
discipline is the key to a successful and peaceful life. Every student should
develop discipline from childhood. A disciplined person can face challenges
confidently and contribute positively to society.
44.
(b) Conservation of Water
Ans:Water is one of
the most valuable natural resources on Earth. All living beings need water to
survive. We use water for drinking, cooking, farming, cleaning and many other
activities. However, increasing population, pollution and careless use of water
are causing water shortages in many places.
Water
conservation means using water carefully and preventing its unnecessary
wastage. We should close taps properly and repair leaking taps and pipes.
Rainwater harvesting should be encouraged in homes, schools and other
buildings. Farmers can use methods such as drip irrigation to reduce the
wastage of water. We should also protect lakes, rivers, ponds and other water
sources from pollution.
Every
person has a responsibility to save water. Small actions taken by many people
can make a great difference. We must remember that water is essential for our
future. Therefore, we should use every drop wisely and protect this precious
resource for future generations.
44.
(c) My Favourite National Leader
Ans:Mahatma Gandhi is
my favourite national leader. He was one of the important leaders of India's
freedom movement. He was born on 2 October 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat. He
believed strongly in truth and non-violence. He encouraged people to fight
against injustice through peaceful methods.Gandhiji led several important
movements during India's struggle for freedom. He inspired ordinary people to
participate in the national movement. He also worked for social equality,
cleanliness, education and the welfare of poor people. His simple lifestyle and
strong principles made him an inspiring figure for millions of people.
Gandhiji
taught that courage does not always mean using force. He believed that truth
and non-violence could bring about positive change. His life continues to
inspire people around the world. I admire him for his commitment to truth,
peace and service. His message of peaceful action remains valuable even today.
XIII.
Write a letter using the information given below. 1 × 5 = 5
45. Imagine that you are Kiran / Kavya, Government High School, Ballari. Write a letter to
your friend describing your visit to a science exhibition.
Ans:
Kiran/
Kavya,
Government
High School,
Ballari.
21 September 2026.
Dear
Ravi,
I
am fine here and hope you are also doing well. I am writing this letter to tell
you about my visit to a science exhibition held in our city last week.
Our
school took us to the exhibition with our teachers. Many schools had displayed
interesting science models and working projects. I saw models related to solar
energy, rainwater harvesting, pollution control, robotics and space science. I
was especially impressed by the working model of a solar-powered house. The
students explained their projects clearly and answered our questions. I learned
many new things and understood how science can be used to solve problems in our
daily life.
It
was an enjoyable and educational experience. I wish you could have joined us.
Yours
lovingly,
Sd/-
Kiran / Kavya
OR
Write a letter to the
Headmaster requesting permission to conduct a cleanliness programme in your
school.
Ans:
From,
Kiran / Kavya,
Government High School,
Ballari.
21
September 2026.
To,
The Headmaster,
Government High School,
Ballari.
Subject:
Request for permission to conduct a cleanliness programme
Respected
Sir/Madam,
I
respectfully request you to permit us to conduct a cleanliness programme in our
school premises. We would like to organize the programme with the help of our
teachers and fellow students.
We
propose to clean the classrooms, corridors, playground and surroundings of the
school. We will also create awareness among students about proper waste
disposal, cleanliness and the importance of keeping our environment clean. The
programme will help students develop a sense of responsibility towards their
school and society.
Therefore,
I kindly request you to grant us permission to conduct the cleanliness
programme on a suitable day.
Thanking
you,
Yours
obediently,
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