DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL - BOPAL, AHMEDABAD

HALF-YEARLY EXAMINATION (2025-26)

CLASS: VII TIME: 3 Hours

SUBJECT: ENGLISH M.M.: 80
DATE:
General Instructions:
(i) The paper is divided into 3 sections -Section -A, Section- B and Section - C.
(ii) All questions are compulsory.
(iii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question. Read them carefull
and follow them.
(iv) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
Section A
1. Read the passage carefully

[Link] was a crisp autumn afternoon when Alex decided to explore the old, overgrown trail behind his grandm
house. The path, shrouded in shadows and tangled vines, seemed to promise adventure. With his backpack
over his shoulder and a flashlight in hand, he set out, eager to discover what lay beyond the familiar confines
grandmother’s backyard.

2. As Alex walked deeper into the forest, the sounds of the outside world gradually faded. The trail becam
defined, and he had to carefully step around large rocks and low-hanging branches. He noticed clus
mushrooms growing like tiny umbrellas and saw the vibrant colours of fall painting the landscape in shades
orange, and gold. The forest felt both mysterious and enchanting, with each step bringing new sights and soun

3. Suddenly, Alex stumbled upon a hidden clearing. At the centre of the clearing lay an old, weathered woode
chest, partially buried under a thick layer of fallen leaves. His heart raced with excitement
as he brushed off the debris and carefully pried open the chest. Inside, he discovered an
assortment of dusty old books, faded maps, and peculiar trinkets. Each item seemed to tell a story of
its own, hinting at a grand adventure from a time long past.

4. Alex’s excitement grew as he examined the objects more closely. The books had intricate designs on
their covers, and the maps were marked with mysterious symbols. The trinkets, though small, had a sense of
antiquity that made Alex imagine the adventures of people who had once owned them. He felt like he had
stepped into a chapter of a forgotten tale, adding a new layer of excitement to his discovery.

5. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the clearing, Alex knew it was time to head
home. The discovery had filled him with a sense of wonder and excitement. He promised himself he
would return to the forest to explore further, eager to uncover more secrets and adventures that might
be hidden within the depths of the woods.
I As per your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions: (6X1=6)

i. Alex used _______ to explore the trail.

a) A compass b) A flashlight
c) A map d) A telescope

ii. Alex found ___________in the clearing.

a) A picnic basket b) An old wooden chest
c) A treehouse d) A campfire

iii. After opening the chest, Alex realized that_______________.

a) everything inside was brand new. b) every item had its own saga to narrate.
c) things had undergone a venturesome journey. d) both b and c

iv. What did Alex plan to do after finding the chest?

a) Tell his friends b) Go home immediately
c) Return to explore more d) Ignore the chest
v. Find the antonym of ‘boredom’from paragraph 4.
vi. Alex felt annoyed when he discovered the chest. True or False

[Link] per your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions in 30-40 words. (2X2=4)
[Link] Alex’s adventure.
ii. Write about the obstacles Alex faces while exploring the trail.

Q2. Read the passage carefully

1. Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous
Region of China, is the highest mountain peak in the world. Standing at an elevation of
8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level, it was first summited by Sir Edmund Hillary of
New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, on May 29, 1953.

2. The mountain was named after Sir George Everest, a British surveyor general of India, but it is
known as “Sagarmatha” in Nepali and “Chomolungma” in Tibetan. Everest is part of the Himalayan
range, which was formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

3. Climbing Mount Everest is a significant challenge due to its extreme altitude, harsh weather conditio
difficult terrain. The “Death Zone” above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) poses severe risks to climbers,
including a lack of oxygen, freezing temperatures, and strong winds. Despite these dangers, Everest
attracts climbers from around the world who seek to reach its summit. Everest’s environment is also
unique, with glaciers and snow covering much of the peak. It plays a crucial role in studying the
effects of climate change, as changes in its glaciers can provide insights into global warming.

4. Mount Everest has two primary climbing seasons each year: pre-monsoon (spring) and post-monsoon
(autumn). The pre-monsoon season, from April to June, is the most popular time for climbers due to
relatively stable weather conditions and a higher chance of reaching the summit before the
onset of the monsoon rains. During this period, climbers must prepare for the “window” of favourable
weather that usually lasts a few days.

5. The post-monsoon season, from September to October, is less common for summiting due to harsher
weather and stronger winds, but some climbers attempt it for various reasons, including fewer crow
cooler temperatures. Despite the season, climbers must carefully plan their expedition and be prepared
for the mountain's unpredictable weather and challenging conditions.

I. As per your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions: (6X1=6)
i. ________ is the elevation of Mount Everest.
a) 7,848 meters b) 8,848 meters
 c) 9,031 meters d) 8,500 meters

ii. The first individuals who went to summit Mount Everest________.

a) Sir George Everest and Tenzing Norgay b) Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
c) Sir Edmund Hillary and George Everest d) Tenzing Norgay and George Everest

iii. The local name for Mount Everest in Nepali________.

a) Chomolungma b) Sagarmatha
c) Everest d) Himalaya

iv.____________ was the most popular time to visit [Link].

a) January to March b) September to December
c) April to May d) April to June

v. Find the synonym of the word ‘altitude’ from para 1.

a) Level b) Elevation
c) Mount d) Sherpa

6. The word ‘reject’ means the same as to engage. True or False.

II. As per your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions in 30-40 words. (2X2=4)
i. Describe the significance of the first successful summit of Mount Everest in 1953.
ii. Explain why climbing Mount Everest is considered a significant challenge.

Section B-Writing and Grammar

3. (a) Write a diary entry about a time you overcame a fear in about 100-120 words. (1x5=5)

Or
Q3 (b) Write a short story with the help of the given outline. Give a suitable title and a moral in 100-
words. (1x5=5)
Girl afraid of public speaking – avoids participation – teacher encourages – girl prepares and speaks –
wins prize – gains confidence.

4(a) Imagine you are Rajan/Rajani a student at Ridgewood Middle School, and you have noticed that the
school library's books are outdated and need updating. You believe that having more modern and diverse
books would greatly benefit the students. Write a letter to the editor of your school newspaper, explaining
the issue and proposing a solution. (100-120 words) (1x5=
Or

4(b) Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper stressing the need for more public libraries in your city to
promote reading habits among students. (100-120 words) (1x5=5

Q5. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb given in brackets: - (2x1=2)
[Link] ______(write) a letter to her friend yesterday.
[Link] ________(plan) a surprise party for Jenny next month.

Q6. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct words from the options given in brackets: - (3x1=3)
[Link] enjoys ______ in the rain. (dance)
ii.I forgot ______ the door before leaving. (lock)
iii. ______ a cup of tea, she sat on the balcony. (make)

Q7. Transform the following sentences: (3x1=3)

i. He does not like coffee. (Affirmative)
[Link] found the book very interesting. (Negative)
[Link] is a brilliant dancer. (Interrogative)

Q8. Change the following sentences into passive voice: (2x1=2)

i. The students completed the project on time.
ii. Submit the report by Friday.
SECTION – C (LITERATURE)

Q9 (a) Read the stanzas given below and answer the questions. (5 )
I know that there isn’t really a ghost,
My brother tells lies to keep the shed for his den;
There isn’t anyone staring or making strange noises
And the spider has been gone from his web
since I don’t know when,
I’ll go into that shed one day soon,
But not just yet...

i. The speaker's attitude towards the ghost in the shed is that ___________(1)
a) He believes in it strongly. b) He is indifferent about it.
c) He knows it isn’t real. d) He is scared of it.

ii. The speaker hesitated to go into the shed right now because _______(1)
a) He is waiting for a spider to return. b) He thinks there might be strange noises.
c) He is not ready to explore it yet. d) He believes his brother’s lies.

iii. The poetic device is used in the line -There isn’t anyone staring or making strange noises. (1)
a) Alliteration b) Simile
c) Metaphor d) Anaphora
iv. State the reason that the speaker gives for believing there is no ghost in the shed. Who was absent from th
shed for an unknown amount of time? (2)

OR
Q9(b) When everybody is talking during the lesson,
The rebel doesn’t say a word
When nobody talks during the lesson,
The rebel creates a disturbance.
When everybody wears a uniform
The rebel dresses in fantastic clothes.

i. When everyone is talking during the lesson, what does the rebel do?
a)They talk louder b) They start shouting
c) They prefer silence d) They complain to the teacher
ii. When majority are quiet and attentive the rebel would ___________.
a) sleep b) start singing
c) disturb others d) all the above
 iii. The word when is continuously being repeated. Which poetic device is it?
a) Metaphor b) Simile c) Personification d) Anaphora
iv. According to you, what impact can a rebel have on our society? Discuss.(2)

Q 10.(a) Read the extract and answer the following questions:

Now in the same village, there lived a wicked old man and his wife, not a bit sensitive and kind, who had
always kicked and scolded all dogs whenever any passed their house. Hearing of their neighbours’ good luck,
they coaxed the dog into their garden and set before him bits of fish and other dainties, hoping he would find
treasure for them. But the dog, being afraid of the cruel pair, would neither eat nor move.

i. The wicked old man and his wife were known for ________________dogs.(1)
a) Feeding them b) Playing with them
c) Kicking and scolding d) Taking care of

ii. The wicked old man and his wife had the hope that the dog would _________(1)
a) Find treasure for them b) Guard their house
c) Play with them d) Follow them around

iii. The reason, the dog refused to eat, or move was _______(1)
a) It was full b) It was afraid of the old man and his wife
c) It was sick d) It was not hungry

iv. Explain why the dog did not eat the food offered by the wicked old man and his wife. (2)
Or
Q110. (b) Read the extract and answer the following questions:
One day, somebody gave him some bananas to eat. Very soon he developed a great liking for bananas.
We used to keep large plates of fruit on the dining table. One day, the bananas disappeared. Next day
also, the bananas disappeared. We became very angry. We thought it was somebody in the house who
had stolen them. But it was Kari! He had stolen the bananas. He had learnt to make his trunk creep in
through the dining-room window to steal the bananas.”
i. What led the narrator and others to become angry?
a) Someone ate their lunch
b) Fruit kept falling from the trees
c) Bananas kept disappearing mysteriously
d) Kari made a mess in the house(1)
ii. Mention the narrator’s first assumption about the missing bananas? (1)
a) The cook had eaten them
b) Kari had stolen them
c) A monkey had entered the house
d) Someone in the house had stolen them
iii. How did Kari manage to steal the bananas? (1)
a) By entering through the front door
b) By using his trunk through the dining-room window
c) By hiding under the table
d) By asking for them loudly
iv. How did Kari’s method of stealing bananas show his intelligence? (2)

Q11. Answer ANY 4 of the following questions in 30-40 words. (4X3=12)

i. In what way did the dog assist the farmer in uncovering the hidden gold?
ii. Write about the author’s perspective on Mr. Gessler’s skills as a bootmaker.
iii. According to the author, who are considered to be the ancestors of the kitten? Do you find this belief
convincing?
iv. Describe the challenge the king presents to Gopal to demonstrate his cleverness.
v. State the reason behind the king's curiosity about the answers to the three questions.

Q12. Answer ANY 4 of the following questions in 30-40 words.

(4X3=12)
i’ Life of an ant is an inspiration to all of us.’ Discuss.
ii. Summarise the daily life of an ant.
iii. Did Kari find pleasure in his morning river bath? Explain why or why not?
iv. State the reason for Abbu Khan’s misunderstanding.
v. Write about the events that unfolded when Golu arrived at the Limpopo River.

13 a) Human life is all about being humble and compassionate.’ Based on the chapter ‘ Ashes That Made T
Bloom. ‘Discuss in about 100-120 words. (6X1=6)

OR
13 b)‘Leading a short life full of freedom is far better than leading a life full of luxuries in captivity. ‘Based o
chapter Chandni.’ Discuss in about 100-120 words. (6X1=6)