END OF YEAR EXAMINATION 2022-2023

SUBJECT: ENGLISH GRADE: VIII TOTAL MARKS: 60

TIME: 2h 15 min
Instructions:
i. Read the questions carefully before attempting.
ii. Write the correct question numbers corresponding to the question.
iii. Solve one section of the paper together before moving on to another section.
____________________________________________________________________________________
SECTION I - LANGUAGE STUDY (10 Marks)

Q1. A1. Do as directed:

(i). Fill in the blanks with the correct article (1)
I broke ______ vase my brother brought.

(ii). Change the sentence to the other degree of comparison without changing its meaning (2)
Rahul is cleverer than any other boy. (convert to a positive degree )

(iii). Change the sentence in the Passive Voice (2)

The rain flooded the camp.

(iv). Use the following adverb in your sentence: Cheerfully (1)

[Link] as Directed:
(i). Change the tense of the following sentence (2)
The boy speaks the truth. (Present Continuous Tense)

(ii). Add the appropriate question tag (1)

I was wrong about this, _____________?

(iii). Correct the error in the following sentence: (1)

Children is playing on the ground in the scorching heat.

SECTION II - SEEN PASSAGE (13 Marks)

Q2. (A) Read the following passage and answer the following questions:
Modern School was a massive cultural shock for me. My previous schools had my kind of people. All the kids
spoke in Hindi. Their parents spoke to my parents in Hindi and wore the kind of clothes my parents wore. The
Modern School kids spoke only in English. They had fancy cars, and expensive watches, hosted crazy house
parties and owned all kinds of things I couldn't imagine. I saw a Mercedes and a Porsche for the first time. I could
never go home and ask my parents for an expensive watch or a PlayStation because I was acutely aware of our
modest means.
'Where the hell have I landed? And who are these people? How do they have so much money?' I often thought to
myself. I felt completely left out at school. I wanted to blend in, but my appearance wouldn't let me, and the fact
that I couldn't speak fluent English didn't help me either.
 My first step was to teach myself how to speak fluent English. Back in those days, the Delhi government
sponsored mobile libraries that did weekly rounds of the city. Whenever the mobile library turned up in our locality,
I would load up on books and devour them. Also, my mother would take me every Sunday to Daryaganj, which
hosted a big used books market. We'd always come back with half a dozen new books. Every free minute I had, I
read ferociously. I was determined to work on my English and my communication skills. I thought reading
extensively was the best way to do that. Since second-hand books were affordable, nothing was going to stop me
from [Link] school was cliquey. In the beginning, I was looked down upon. Some girls ganged up against me
and ragged me for being different. They never included me in any activities. I would go home to my mother and
cry. 'What you lack in money, make up for it in other things,' my mother would say. You might not have all the fancy
things those kids have, but your excellence in academics is your strength, and you should continue to focus on it.

A1.i. Who said to whom: What you lack in money, make up for it in other things (1)
ii. Name the following (1)
a. School her parents wanted to send her
b. The place from which she used to buy second-hand books

A2.i. Arrange the following sentences in a chronological sequence: (1)

a. She saw the kids there had expensive watches and spoke only in English. She saw very fancy cars for the
first time in her life.
b. Sucharita faced a massive cultural shock when she started at Modern School.
c. Sucharita consistently topped the class in Hindi & Sanskrit and, eventually, in English.
d. Every Sunday, Sucharita’s mother would take her to Daryaganj, which hosted big used-book markets, and
they would come back with half a dozen new books.

ii. Why did Sucharita feel left out in Modern School? (2)
iii. How did Sucharita teach herself English? (2)

[Link] a word from the passage that means the same as (2)
a. Very big
b. to do or use something quickly and completely
A4. Describe 2 character traits of Sucharita Tyagi. Give textual evidence to support your answer (2)
A5. Have you felt left out in any situation? Justify your answer. (2)

SECTION III - POEM (11 Marks)

Q3 (A): Read the following poem and do the activities given below (5)
Vocation
Just as it gets dark in the evening and my mother sends me to bed,
I can see through my open window the watchman walking up and
down
The lane is dark and lonely, and the street lamp stands like a giant
with one red eye in its head
The watchman swings his lantern and walks with his shadow at his
side and never once goes to bed in his life
I wish I were a watchman walking the street all night, chasing the
shadows with my lantern
- Rabindranath Tagore
A1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words from the extract. (2)
a. Just as it gets dark in the _________________ and my mother sends me to ____________.
b. I can see through my open _________________ the ______________ walking up and down.
A2. Why is the street light compared to a one-red-eyed giant? (2)
A3. Identify the figures of speech in the following lines from the extract. (1)
“ Just as it gets dark in the evening and my mother sends me to bed,”

Q3 (B): Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points
in paragraph format: (6)

Macavity: The Mystery Cat He’s outwardly respectable. (They say he cheats on
-T.S. Eliot cards.) And his footprints are not found in any file of
Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw— Scotland Yard. And when the larder’s looted, or the
For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law. He’s jewel case is rifled, Or when the milk is missing, or
bafflement by Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s despair: another Peke’s been stifled, Or the greenhouse glass is
For when they reach the scene of the crime—Macavity’s broken, and the trellis past repair— Ay, there’s the
not there! wonder of the thing! Macavity’s not there!

Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity; he’s And when the Foreign Office find a Treaty’s gone
broken every human law; he breaks the law of gravity. His astray, Or the Admiralty lose some plans and drawings,
powers of levitation would make a fakir stare, And when there may be a scrap of paper in the hall or on the stair,
you reach the scene of the crime—Macavity’s not there!
You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the
air— But I tell you once and once again, Macavity’s not But it’s useless to investigate—Macavity’s not there!
there! And when the loss has been disclosed, the Secret
Service say: ‘It must have been Macavity!’—but he’s a
Macavity’s a ginger cat; he’s very tall and thin; You would mile away. You’ll surely find him resting, or a-licking of
know him if you saw him, for his eyes are sunken. His brow his thumbs, Or engaged in doing complicated long
is deeply lined with thought; his head is highly domed; His division sums.
coat is dusty from neglect; his whiskers are uncombed. He
sways his head from side to side, with movements like a Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity. There
snake, And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity. He
wide awake. always has an alibi and one or two to spare: At
whatever time the deed took place—MACAVITY
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity, For he’s a WASN’T THERE! And they say that all the Cats whose
fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity. You may meet wicked deeds are widely known (I might mention
him in a by-street and see him in the square— But when a Mungojerrie, I might mention Griddlebone) Are nothing
crime’s discovered, Macavity’s not there! more than agents for the Cat who all the time Just
controls their operations: the Napoleon of Crime!

B1. Name the poem. (1)

B2. Name the poet. (1)
B3. State the rhyming scheme of the poem. (1)
B4. What is the central idea of the poem? (1)
a. It is bad to commit crimes
b. The police cannot catch criminals
c. Macavity is a mystery cat who cannot be caught
d. Macavity is a tall, thin ginger cat
B5. Which is your favourite line in the poem and why? (2)
 SECTION IV - UNSEEN PASSAGE (11 Marks)
Q4 (A): Read the following passage and do the given activities.

What makes a city smart? The Smart Cities Council promotes four core values:Liveability: Cities that provide
clean, healthy living conditions without pollution and congestion. Workability: Cities that offer energy, connectivity,
and high-quality jobs. Sustainability: Cities that provide services without stealing from future
[Link]: Cities that offer good quality learning opportunities in equal measure.
People today are moving to cities for jobs and a better quality of life. More than half of the world's population now
lives in urban areas, which is supposed to rise to two-thirds by the middle of the century.
Easy access to cheap devices and broadband has connected more than half of the world's population to each
other. We are at the initial stage of being truly transformed into a global village. Add sensors and cameras to this
process, and we have billions of devices sharing data -the so-called Internet of Things. A revolution is transforming
the world of technology, and at the head of it are two concepts: Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. Big Data refers
to the massive amounts of data generated by the Internet and various social networking websites. Artificial
Intelligence makes machines as smart as humans and helps them accomplish tasks without human interference.
Together, these concepts are about to transform our way of life as we know it.

A1.i. What are two concepts at the head of the revolution? (1)
[Link]. State True or False. (1)
a. People are moving to cities for jobs and a better quality of life.
b. One-third of the World’s population lives in urban areas.

A2.i. Complete the following sentences based on the passage: (1)

The council that enlists four values to call a smart one is ______________
ii. Describe the four core values that the Smart Cities Council promotes. (2)
iii How is Technology about to transform our way of life? Give any 1 evidence from the passage. (2)
A3. Find a word from the passage that means the opposite (2)
a. fall
b. Expensive
A4. Describe the kind of smart city in which you would like to live. (2)

SECTION V - WRITING (15 Marks)

Q5. Letter writing (5)
A. Informal letter
You are Soham/ Sunahi Chaudhary residing at 36 Supreme heights, Ramnagar, Pune. Write a letter to your friend
who recently failed their examination. Provide them with motivation and suggest some steps to prepare better for
their next exam.

OR
B. Formal Letter
You are Soham/ Sunahi Chaudhary residing at 36 Supreme heights, Ramnagar, Pune. Write a letter to the Editor of
the newspaper, ‘Lokmat Times’, to highlight the problem of increased stress on students during exam times to score
good marks. Write about the effects of stress on students. Also, suggest some ways to solve this problem.
Q6. Dialogue Writing or Report Writing (Attempt any 1) (5)
A. Dialogue Writing
A dialogue between two friends about their career choices in future.

OR
B. Report Writing
Your class went to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Satara for your yearly class trip. Write a report on your
educational visit to the Tiger Reserve.

Q7. Information Transfer or Paragraph(Attempt any 1) (5)

A. Information transfer
Read the following information and complete the table given below it. Give it a suitable title:
Chandrayaan-2, India's second mission to the Moon, will, for the first time, unravel secrets around the Moon's
South Pole. Chandrayaan-2 is a three-part spacecraft - an orbiter, a lander and a rover. The lander is named
Vikram after Vikram Sarabhai. the founder of the Indian space programme. The rover is named Pragyan, meaning
'wisdom.
Chandrayaan-2 was launched on 22 July atop ISRO's GSLV Mk-III at 2:43 p.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space
Centre at Sriharikota. Performing as expected, the rocket released Chandrayaan-2 in a highly elliptic orbit around
Earth about 17 minutes later. It was released 6.000 km higher than planned. The solar arrays on Chandrayaan-2
developed smoothly as the probe began its journey.
.

Table Information

Name of the mission

Date of Launch:

Centre of launch:

Name of the Rover

Founder of the Indian Space Programme

OR
B. Paragraph writing:
Read the topic, understand it thoroughly and prepare a paragraph on “Role of education in building our future”.
 MY Assessments 2022-23
GRADE: 8th
SUBJECT: English TIME: 2 hours 15 mins TOTAL MARKS: 60
Instructions:-
i. Read the questions carefully before attempting
ii. Write the correct question numbers corresponding to the questions.
iii. All Questions are Compulsory
iv. Solve one section of the paper together before moving on to another section.

SECTION-I Language Study

Q1.A1. Do as directed: [6]
(i) Find out 2 hidden words of minimum 4 letters from “emphasize” (1)
(ii) Complete the word chain of verbs: (1)
Export, T_________ ,__________ ,___________
(iii) Fill in the blank with the correct article: (1)
It takes me ______ hour to go to my office.
(iv) Identify the type of sentence: (1)
Please tell us about the story of the Marathas.
(v) Punctuate the following sentence. (1)
I was born on 9th august in lucknow uttar pradesh.
(vi) Use the given “Adjective” in your own sentence: (1)
Immense:_______

Q1. A2. Do as directed: [6]

(i) Change the following simple sentence to a compound sentence: (2)
(a) Despite his poverty, he is happy.
(b)You must work hard to win the first prize.
(ii) Make meaningful sentences by using the phrases given below: (2)
(a) “Take over” (b) “All ears”
(iii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate noun: (2)
(furniture, job, house, luggage, hair)
(a)George is unemployed. He's looking for a_______.
(b) I don’t have much_______. Just two small bags.

Q1. B. Do as directed: [2]

Solve the following word puzzle:
 SECTION-II - Textual Passages
Q2.A. Read the passage and do the activities carefully: [10]
It is great wearing a mask at school. I don’t have to keep my head down. When I get to my
homeroom, someone is dressed as Darth Sidious. He is talking to two mummies. Who can it be
under that Darth Sidious mask? Of course…Julian! The children are watching the door, waiting
for my Boba Fett costume to walk in, but since I am behind a different mask, I walk into
homeroom, and no one knows it’s me.
I secretly sit down at a different desk than normal. The children are discussing how much the
Darth Sidious mask looks like me in real life. They compare me to a shrunken head and say
they think I look like a horrible orc from Lord of the Rings.
Julian laughs that if he looked like me, he'd wear a hood over his face every day; one of the
mummies says he would kill himself if he looked like me. And it gets worse. Julian asks the
mummy, "Then why do you hang out with him so much?" I listen as the mummy tells Julian he
only hangs out with me because Mr Tushman asked him to. I recognise Mummy’s voice. It is
Jack’s. “The seating plan was made by the Head Teacher, and he follows me around, so what
can I do? I have to spend time with him,” says Jack. Julian's advice to Jack is to ‘ditch’ me.
Under my mask, I am crying. I can’t stand being in that room for another minute. I run out.

A1) State whether the following are true or false: (2)

(i) Under the mask, Auggie was crying. He can’t stand in that room for another minute.
(ii) Auggie was wearing the Boba Fett costume to school.
(iii) Julian laughs that if he looked like me, he'd wear a hood over his face daily.
(iv) The mummy tells Julian he hangs out with Auggie because they are best friends.

A2) Why was August crying under his mask? (2)

A3) Suggest one word from the passage for the following group of words: (2)
(i) something that is extremely bad or unpleasant:
(ii) end a relationship with (someone) in a decisive way:
A4) State whether the following sentence is a Simple, Compound or Complex Sentence: (2)
(i) I walk into homeroom and no one knows it’s me.
(ii) I secretly sit down at a different desk than normal.

A5) If you were in August’s place, what would you do after hearing Jack and Julian talk unkind
words behind your back? (2)

SECTION-III- Poetry
Q3. A. Read the poem and answer the questions carefully: [5]
When the gong sounds ten in the morning, and
I walk to school by our lane, When at four in the afternoon I come back from
Every day I meet the hawker crying, school,
‘‘Bangles, crystal bangles!’’ I can see through the gate that house the gardener
digging the ground.
There is nothing to hurry him on, no He does what he likes with his spade, he soils
road he must take, no place he must go to, no his clothes with dust, and nobody takes him to
time when he must come home. task if he gets baked in the sun or gets wet.
I wish I were a hawker, spending my day on I wish I were a gardener digging away at the
the road, crying, ‘‘Bangles, crystal bangles!’’ garden with nobody to stop me from digging.
A1) Answer the following: (2)
(i) What does the hawker sell?
(ii) At what time does the poet come back from school?

A2) Read the poem and fill in the table: (2)

Time of the Day Location Poet’s Activity Hawker’s Gardener’s
Activities Activities

Morning

Afternoon

A3)Identify the figure of speech used in the following line of the poem: (1)
“the streetlamp stands like a giant with one red eye in its head.”

Q3.B. Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given
points in paragraph format" [6]

A Time to Believe
To believe is to know that To believe is to find the strength
every day is a new beginning: to trust that miracles and courage within us
happen, When it is time to pick up
and dreams really do come true. the pieces and begin again.

To believe is to see angels To believe is to know

dancing among the clouds. we are never alone,
To know the wonder of a stardust That life is a gift,
sky and the wisdom of the man on the moon. and this is our time to cherish it.

To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart, To believe is to know

The innocence of a child’s eyes that wonderful surprises are just
and the beauty of an aging hand, waiting to happen,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love. And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.
If only we believe.’’

– B J Morbitzer

B1. What is the title of the poem? (1)

B2. Who is the author of the poem? (1)
B3. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? (1)
B4. Which among the following is the central idea of the poem? (1)
i) We can achieve anything if we dream big and stay hopeful.
ii) If we believe in ourselves, we can achieve anything.
iii) Miracles happen, and dreams do come true.
B5. Do you think that ‘life is a gift? Why? (2)
 SECTION-IV- Non-Textual Passages
Q4.A. Read the passage and do the activities carefully: [10]
A volcano is a burning mountain with a great hole running deep into the earth. Out of it
comes smoke, gases and stones. The mouth of the opening is called the crater of the
volcano.
Volcanoes are not always burning. Sometimes a volcano will remain quiet for centuries. And
then it will suddenly become active. This is called a volcanic eruption. It can cause a lot of
destruction.
When the eruption takes place, great clouds of ashes, dust, gas and steam rise from the
crater. Loud noises coming from the crater. After some time, white hot molten rock, called
lava, flows down the mountainsides. This may go on for days or weeks.
Then the volcano will ‘go to sleep again for many years. Most volcanoes are found near the
seas. The biggest volcano in the world is Tamu Massif which sits under the Pacific Ocean.

A1. Answer the following questions: (2)

(i)What is a Volcano? (1)
(ii) Which part of the volcano is called the Crater? (1)

A2. State whether the following are true or false: (2)

(i) A volcano is a burning mountain with a great hole running deep into the earth.
(ii) Soft noises come from the crater after the eruption.
(iii) The volcano goes to sleep for a few days.
(iv) The biggest volcano in the world is in the Pacific Ocean.

A3. Write four words from the passage related to the word: (2)
Volcano

A4. Match the following words with their meanings (2)

WORDS MEANINGS

i. Eruption a. Become calm or inactive

ii. Crater b. In liquid form

iii. Molten c. Bursting

iv. Go to sleep d. The mouth or opening of

mountain

A5. What, according to you, could be the effect of a volcanic eruption? (2)

SECTION-V- Writing
Q5. Letter Writing: [5]

You are Karan/Kiran Shirke. staying at B/12, Sai Sadan, Sita Bardi, [Link], [Link] have watched
the movie “Wonder” in school, and now you and your classmates are interested to read the book. Write a
letter to the Publisher of the book, requesting to send 150 copies of the book “Wonder”.

Q6. Write a paragraph of 80-100 words on a given topic: [5]

‘Role of Women in Nation Building’

Q7. Information Transfer: (Any 1) [5]
A) Transform the given paragraph into a web diagram on ‘Why Students Fail’:

The given diagram represents the reasons for the failure of students in studies. These include wasting too
much time playing games and lack of proper study habits. The main and prime concern among small
children is watching TV, and in the case of teenagers, it is watching cinema or films. The students between
the age of 16 to 22 mostly become the victim of bad company due to which their studies get affected.
Nowadays, due to the influence of social media, students do not have time to think about their future,
which leads to low aims; without proper planning, no one can reach the goal. No way will lead us there if
we don't know our destiny. Lack of proper guidance, proper environment and proper motivation also
become a major part of distracting the study mind of the children.

B) Transform the given paragraph into a Fact File using the following points-
Location, Modes of transport, the Best time to visit, Accommodation, and Places to visit;
Speciality

Ooty or Udhagamandalam' is a hill station in Tamil Nadu. The queen of the blue mountains sits in the
central region of the Nilgiri Range at 7,400 feet, 292 km southwest of Bengaluru. The botanical garden,
The Ooty Lake, and Holy Trinity Church are the places which add to the beauty of Ooty. Wenlock downs
are one of the most popular picnic spots in Ooty. Ooty's hotels range from pricey to budget places.
Hotel Surya, Nilgiri Hotel, and Khims are some famous hotels. It is best to visit the place during the
off-season, i.e. March to May, to avoid a large crowd. Coimbatore is the nearest airport; from there,
cabs are available to Ooty. From Coimbatore to Udhagamandalam station, you may travel by rail or
meter gauge. NH 17 Bandipur via Maddur and Mysore will be convenient for those taking the road.
From Bandipur, take the route to Mudumalai reserve to Ooty via Gudalur. Ooty is well known for its
handmade chocolates, aromatic oils, spices and tea.
 End of Year Assessment 2023-24

Subject: English Grade: 8

Total Marks: 60 Time: 2hrs 15mins

Instructions:
i. Read the questions carefully before attempting.
ii. Write the correct question numbers corresponding to the question.
iii. Solve one section of the paper together before moving on to another section.

SECTION I: SEEN PASSAGE (15 Marks)

Q1. A. Read the following passage carefully and complete the activities:
My career got a big boost when I was twenty-one. K.K. Raghava, now my friend and mentor, had exhibited his works
at the same galleries as my mother. He was looking up my mother online when he accidentally found my blog. I was
nineteen when he came over to our house. He went through all my illustrations and was pleased with my work. Since
that day, Raghava has had a huge impact on me. A couple of years later, Raghava called me to tell me he was bringing
Lakshmi Pratury over to meet me. Lakshmi is an exceptionally well-connected person; she brought the TED
conference to India in 2009, which was hosted in Mysore. She is always on the lookout for undiscovered, budding
young talent that she can nurture and showcase to the world. Lakshmi loved my work, gave me an opportunity to
speak at TED and selected me as an INK Fellow. That one meeting with Lakshmi changed my life.
Immediately after my TED talk, my followership on social media exploded. My email was flooded with messages from
strangers. But even though the TED talk was a success, I never once felt as if I had made it or that my job was done. I
knew that this was all part of a long journey. I remember going through the YouTube comments on my TED video.
While there were many positive comments, there were also innumerable trolls. There were a few comments that
really upset me. I sought the counsel of a few people who were used to being in the public eye on how to deal with
online bashing. What they told me surprised and, oddly, comforted me. I learnt that everyone who is a public figure
experiences some amount of trolling. I was not alone.
In 2012, I was in Delhi to attend a friend’s wedding when news of the brutal Delhi gang rape broke. That evening,
people took to the streets of Delhi to protest. When I heard the news, I was so disturbed that I immediately went to
join the protests. While the energy of the protests was truly incredible, there was so much fearmongering in the
media around that time. It felt counterproductive to achieving the change we were seeking in society. I was
constantly bombarded with messages such as, ‘Don’t go out at night, you’ll get raped.’ ‘Don’t attract too much
attention, you’ll get raped.’ ‘Don’t take a bus, don’t walk alone, and don’t walk with a single man.’ I thought to myself
that we don’t need any more fear perpetuated in our society. If anything, we need women reclaiming public spaces
fearlessly. Maybe then the rapes will stop?
A1.1 Answer the following questions (Full sentence answer) (1)
(a) Who brought the TED conference to India in 2009?
(b) Which incident took place when Shilo was in Delhi to attend her friend’s wedding?
A1.2. State whether the following statements are true or false: (1)
(a) According to Shilo, every public figure experiences some level of trolling.
(b) The author's career received a significant boost when she was thirty-one.
A1.3. Arrange the following sentences in a sequence: (1)
(a) Shilo was hurt due to negative comments and spoke to a few public figures.
(b) Lakshmi Pratury gave Shilo a chance to speak at the TED conference.
(c) After Shilo’s TED talk, her followership increased.
(d) K.K. Raghava was very pleased with Shilo’s illustrations.
A2.1. Why did Shilo decide to join the protest hearing about the brutal Delhi gang rape? (2)
A2.2. Write two character traits of Shilo Shiv Suleman, along with the evidence from the passage. (2)

A2.3. How did the author feel after reading the YouTube comments on her TED video, and what was the (2)
effect of seeking counsel from a Public Figure?
A3. Find the words from the passage that mean the same as (2)
(a) Spreading fear (b) Bravely

A4. Do as Directed: (2)

(i) Use the following parts of speech and make a meaningful sentence of your own.
(a) Adverb - Immediately (b) Adjective - Comfortable
A5. Shilo says, "I thought to myself that we don’t need any more fear perpetuated in our society. If anything, (2)
we need women reclaiming public spaces fearlessly." How can we help girls feel confident and safe when
they want to go outside and do things? Answer in 50 words.

SECTION II: POEM (15 Marks)

Q2. A. Read the following poem and do the activities given below 9 Marks
Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw—
For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law.
He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s despair:
For when they reach the scene of crime—Macavity’s not there!
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,
He’s broken every human law; he breaks the law of gravity.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare,
And when you reach the scene of crime—Macavity’s not there!
You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air—
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,
For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.
You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in the square—
But when a crime’s discovered, then Macavity’s not there!
He’s outwardly respectable. (They say he cheats at cards.)
And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s.
A1.1. Which law is Macavity breaking? (1)
A1.2. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? (1)
A2.1. Why does the poet call Macavity the master criminal? Support your answer with 2 evidence. (2)
A3. Identify the figures of speech in the following lines from the extract. (1)
(i) For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.
A4. Do as Directed: (4)
(i) Fill in the blanks with the correct Articles (a / an / the).
She found _______ interesting website. _______ website had many useful resources.

(ii) Identify the verb in the following sentences.

He is flourishing remarkably in his new role as a council member.

(iii) Add a question tag to the following sentence.

Jaya had not arrived when we went to sleep, ___________?

(v) Spot the error in the following sentence and rewrite it.
Maya don't like to eat vegetables.
Q2.B. Write the poetry appreciation of the poem “The Vocation” in a paragraph by answering the following question:
6 marks
VOCATION
When the gong sounds ten in the morning and
I walk to school by our lane,
Every day, I meet the hawker crying,
‘‘Bangles, crystal bangles!’’ Just as it gets dark in the evening, my
mother sends me to bed,
There is nothing to hurry him on, no
I can see through my open window
road he must take, no place he must go to, no
the watchman walking up and down.
time when he must come home.
The lane is dark and lonely, and the streetlamp
I wish I were a hawker, spending my days on
stands like a giant with one red eye in its head.
the road, crying, ‘‘Bangles, crystal bangles!’’
The watchman swings his lantern and walks
with his shadow at his side and never once
When at four in the afternoon I come back from goes to bed in his life.
school, I can see through the gate of that house, I wish I were a watchman walking the street
the gardener digging the ground. all night, chasing the shadows with my lantern.
He does what he likes with his spade,
he soils his clothes with dust, and nobody takes him to task if -Rabindra Nath Tagore
he gets baked in the sun or gets wet.
I wish I were a gardener digging away at the
garden with nobody to stop me from digging.

(1)
 B1. What is the title of the poem?
B2. Who is the poet of the poem? (1)
B3. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? (1)
B4. What is the central idea of the poem? Choose one from below.
Wishing to have a relaxed and free life.
(1)
Wanting to become a Hawker.
Wishing for a simple and satisfying job.
B5. Describe a job you think would be fun to do all day (like the hawker, gardener, or watchman). What (2)
would you like about it? (Answer in 50 words)
SECTION III: UNSEEN PASSAGE (15 Marks)
Q3. A. Read the following unseen passage carefully and complete the activities:
A Brother’s Rice
Long ago, a father divided his land between his two sons, Ming and Chung. The brothers shared the land
equally that had been in the family’s possession for many years. Over time, Ming married and had a family
while Chung remained single. The land produced an ample amount of rice. Each son worked diligently, cutting the
golden stalks, threshing the rice, and spreading it out in the hot sun to dry. A few years passed, and the brothers were
satisfied.
One night as Ming was resting under the stars, he began to think of how fortunate he was to have a wonderful family.
Chung, however, had no one. This caused Ming to worry. “I have my wife and two strong sons, but my brother is all
alone. He has no one to help him harvest the rice. I cannot sleep until I have done something!” Ming got up, collected
two large baskets of rice from his own yard, and carried them over the fields to his brother’s yard. He felt a deep
sense of satisfaction as he left his two baskets of rice outside his brother’s hut. The next morning, Ming nearly fainted
in disbelief. He found two baskets of rice outside his door. He had delivered the exact same amount to his brother the
night before. Ming scratched his head, confused. Perhaps he had not delivered the rice to his brother after all;
perhaps he had only dreamed about doing so. Regardless, he felt he must correct the situation as soon as possible.
That night, Ming again gathered two baskets of rice from his own yard and headed toward his brother’s house. It was
a particularly dark night, and he had trouble finding his way along the shadowy path. About halfway there, he
bumped into someone in the darkness.
“Brother!” said a voice. “It’s you! What brings you out so late tonight?”
“I was worried about you,” answered Ming. “I have my wife and sons to help me, but you have no one. Last night I
thought I had brought you two baskets of rice, but when I awoke, the baskets of rice were back on my doorstep.
Tonight, I am only bringing you what I thought I had delivered last night.”
“Ah, my devoted brother!” laughed Chung. “I, too, was worried, but about you. You have four mouths to feed, and I
have only one. Surely you need a greater ration than I. So last night, I was bringing you two baskets of rice! Like you, I
found the two baskets of rice I thought I had delivered and was confused. I decided to return them to your home
tonight to make things right.”The two brothers embraced and vowed to always let the other know if they were in
need. They returned to their homes, satisfied that each was comfortable with his own portion of rice. Indeed, they
learned that there was truly no need for worry when their hearts acted as one.
A1.1. Answer the following questions (Full sentence answer) (2)
(a) What did the two brothers produce on the land?
(b) Where did Ming deliver two baskets of rice?
A1.2. Fill in the blanks: (1)
(a) One night, Ming was resting _______.
(b) Ming had ____ mouths to feed in his house.
A2.1. Write the full line from the passage which proves that Ming was worried about his brother's (1)
well-being.
A2.2. Why did each of the brothers think that he had to help the other? (2)
A2.3 How are Ming and Chung similar to one another? (2)

A3.1. (i) Find a suitable word from the passage and fill in the blank: (3)
The siblings agreed to share their toys __________ to avoid any arguments.

A3.2. (ii) Match the words with their meanings:

Words Meaning
1. Vow a. surprise/shock
2. Disbelief b. reject
c. Promise

[Link] as Directed: (2)

(i) Convert the tense of the following sentence.
My friend will go to the beach tomorrow. ( Convert into Present Continuous)
(ii) Convert the sentence to passive voice.
The chef is preparing a delicious meal.
A5. Write about a time when you helped someone in need, just like Ming and Chung helped each other. How (2)
did it make you feel?
SECTION IV - WRITING (15 Marks)

Q4. Write a letter on ANY ONE of the topics below (5)

Q4.A. Formal Letter

You are Shreya/Shreyash Verma. staying at B/12, Sai Sadan, Sita Bardi, [Link], Nagpur. Address a letter to the Municipal
Corporation Commissioner highlighting the insufficient number of dustbins in your area. Discuss how this leads to littering
and suggest specific locations where additional bins could be placed to maintain cleanliness.

OR
Q4. B. Informal Letter
"Shilo's biggest source of inspiration was her mother, who gave her the courage to pursue her dreams.” Who is that person in
your life who has supported you / believed in you to do something?
Draft an informal letter to that person describing the ways in which they have enabled and empowered you to express
your gratitude to them.
Q5. Attempt ANY ONE of the topics below (5)

Q5.A. Dialogue Writing

Write a dialogue between two friends in about 80-100 words. They are talking about tips on how to improve their skills in the
English Language.
OR
Q5.B. Essay Writing:
“Plastic Should be Banned for Students and Children.”

Q6. Attempt ANY ONE of the topics below (5)

Q6.A. Information Transfer

Transform the given paragraph into a fact file using the following points:

Location, Modes of transport, the Best time to visit, Accommodation, Places to visit and Speciality

Ooty or Udhagamandalam' is a hill station in Tamil Nadu. The queen of the Blue Mountains sits in the central
region of the Nilgiri Range at 7,400 feet, 292 km southwest of Bengaluru. The botanical garden, The Ooty Lake, and
Holy Trinity Church are the places which add to the beauty of Ooty. Wenlock Downs are one of the most popular
picnic spots in Ooty. Ooty's hotels range from pricey to budget places. Hotel Surya, Nilgiri Hotel, and Khims are
some famous hotels. It is best to visit the place during the off-season, i.e. March to May, to avoid a large crowd.
Coimbatore is the nearest airport; from there, cabs are available to Ooty. From Coimbatore to Udhagamandalam
station, you may travel by rail or meter gauge. NH 17 Bandipur via Maddur and Mysore will be convenient for
those taking the road. From Bandipur, take the route to Mudumalai Reserve to Ooty via Gudalur. Ooty is well
known for its handmade chocolates, aromatic oils, spices and tea.
OR
Q6. B. Paragraph Writing: Write on the below topic using 120-150 words.
"The Impact of Technology on Modern Society"
 Mid-Year Assessment 2023-24

Subject: English Grade: 8th

Total Marks: 60 Time:2hrs 15mins

Name: _________ Date: ________

Instructions:-
i. Read the questions carefully before attempting
ii. Write the correct question numbers corresponding to the questions.
iii. All Questions are compulsory.
iv. Solve one section of the paper together before moving on to another section.

SECTION - I Language Study

Q1.A1. Do as directed: [6]

(i) Find out 2 hidden words of a minimum of 4 letters from the following word:
“triumphant”. (1)
(ii) Complete the word chain of verbs: (1)
Import, T , ,
(iii) Fill in the blank with the correct article: (1)
I will reach home in __________ hour.
(iv) Identify the type of sentence: (1)
Please shut the windows and the doors.
(v) Punctuate the following sentence. (1)
every year india celebrates independence day on 15th august.
(vi) Use the given “Adjective” in your own sentence: (1)
hopeful

Q1. A2. Do as directed: [6]

(i) Change the following simple/complex sentence to a compound sentence: (2)
(a) Despite his poverty, he is happy.
(b) You must work hard to win the first prize.
(ii) Make meaningful sentences by using the phrases given below: (2)
(a) “Take over” (b) “All ears”
(iii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate noun: (2)
(furniture, flock, house, invitation, hair)
(a) A ______of sheep were grazing in the field.
(b) He has sent me an __________and I will go to attend the party.
Q1. A3. Do as directed: [2]
(i) Solve the following crossword puzzle:

SECTION-II - Textual Passages

Q2.A. Read the passage and do the activities carefully: [10]

It is great wearing a mask at school. I don’t have to keep my head down. When I get to my
homeroom, someone is dressed as Darth Sidious. He is talking to two mummies. Who can it be
under that Darth Sidious mask? Of course…Julian! The children are watching the door, waiting for my
Boba Fett costume to walk in, but since I am behind a different mask, I walk into the homeroom, and
no one knows it’s me.

I secretly sit down at a different desk than normal. The children are discussing how much the Darth
Sidious mask looks like me in real life. They compare me to a shrunken head and say they think I
look like a horrible orc from Lord of the Rings.

Julian laughs that if he looked like me, he'd wear a hood over his face every day; one of the
mummies says he would kill himself if he looked like me. And it gets worse. Julian asks the mummy,
"Then why do you hang out with him so much?" I listen as the mummy tells Julian he only hangs out
with me because Mr. Tushman asked him to. I recognise Mummy’s voice. It is Jack’s. “The seating
plan was made by the Head Teacher, and he follows me around, so what can I do? I have to spend
time with him,” says Jack. Julian's advice to Jack is to ‘ditch’ me.

Under my mask, I am crying. I can’t stand being in that room for another minute. I run out.

A1. State whether the following are true or false: (2)

(i) Under the mask, Auggie was crying. He can’t stand in that room for another minute.
(ii) Auggie was wearing the Boba Fett costume to school.
(iii) Julian laughs that if he looked like me, he'd wear a hood over his face daily.
(iv) The mummy tells Julian he hangs out with Auggie because they are best friends.

A2. Why was August crying under his mask? (2)

A3. Suggest one word from the passage for the following group of words: (2)
(i) something that is extremely bad or unpleasant:
(ii) end a relationship with (someone) in a decisive way:

A4. Identify the error and rewrite the given sentence: (2)
(i) Sita could not understands what the teacher was saying.
(ii) Many peoples attended the funeral of the great man.

A5. If you were in August’s place, what would you do after hearing Jack and Julian say
unkind words behind your back? (2)

SECTION-III- Poetry
Q3. A. Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow: [5]

Vocation by Rabindranath Tagore

When the gong sounds ten in the morning and I I wish I were a gardener digging away at the
walk to school by our lane. garden with nobody to stop me from digging.
Every day I meet the hawker crying, 'Bangles,
crystal bangles! ' Just as it gets dark in the evening and my mother
sends me to bed,
There is nothing to hurry him on, there is no road I can see through my open window the watchman
he must take, no place he must go to, no time walking up and down.
when he must come home.
The lane is dark and lonely, and the street-lamp
I wish I were a hawker, spending my day in the stands like a giant with one red eye in its head.
road, crying, 'Bangles, crystal bangles! '
The watchman swings his lantern and walks with
When at four in the afternoon I come back from his shadow at his side, and never once goes to
the school, bed in his life.
I can see through the gate of that house the
gardener digging the ground. I wish I were a watchman walking the streets all
night, chasing the shadows with my lantern.
He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his
clothes with dust, nobody takes him to task if he
gets baked in the sun or gets wet.
A1. Name the following : (2)

(i) There is nothing, there is no road he must take, no place he must go to, no time when he must
come home.
Who is he?
(ii) He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his clothes with dust, nobody takes him to task, if
he gets baked in the sun or gets wet.
Who is he?
(iii) He swings his lantern and walks with his shadow at his side, and never once goes to bed in his life.
Who is he?
(iv) He wishes to be free just like the people he sees.
Who is he?

A2. Complete the following table: (2)

List the items from the poem about what the child must do and what he should not do.

The child must do these things in the poem The child must not do these things in the poem

a. Come home at a fixed time a. Get his clothes dirty

b. b.

c. c.

A3. Identify the figure of speech: (1)

The streetlamp stands like a giant with one red eye in its head.

Q3.B. Write the appreciation of the poem “The Vocation” in a paragraph format using the
following points given: (6)
B1. What is the title of the poem?
B2. Who is the author of the poem?
B3. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
B4. Which among the following is the main idea of the poem?
(i) The child is observing the adults in his life.
(ii)The child longs to live like a hawker, gardener or watchman and considers them as free
or independent.
(iii) The child is choosing a career path for himself.
B5. What do you think would have happened if the poet's wishes had come true?
 SECTION-IV- Non-Textual Passages

Q4.A. Read the passage and do the activities carefully: [10]

A satellite is a moon, planet or machine that orbits a planet or star. For example, Earth is a satellite
because it orbits the sun. Likewise, the moon is a satellite because it orbits Earth. Usually, the word
"satellite" refers to a machine that is launched into space and moves around Earth or another body in
space.

Earth and the moon are examples of natural satellites. Thousands of artificial or man-made satellites
orbit Earth. Some take pictures of the planet that help meteorologists predict weather and track
hurricanes. Some take pictures of other planets, the sun, black holes, dark matter or faraway galaxies.
These pictures help scientists better understand the solar system and universe. Still, other satellites are
used mainly for communications, such as beaming TV signals and phone calls around the world. A
group of more than 20 satellites make up the Global Positioning System or GPS. If you have a GPS
receiver, these satellites can help you figure out your exact location.

The bird's-eye view that satellites have allows them to see large areas of Earth at one time. This ability
means satellites can collect more data more quickly than instruments on the ground. Satellites also can
see into space better than telescopes at Earth's surface. That's because satellites fly above the clouds,
away from the dust and molecules in the atmosphere that can block the view from ground level.

Before satellites, TV signals didn't go very far. TV signals only travel in straight lines. So they would
quickly trail off into space instead of following Earth's curve. Sometimes, mountains or tall buildings
would block them. Phone calls to faraway places were also a problem. Setting up telephone wires over
long distances or underwater is difficult and costs a lot. With satellites, TV signals and phone calls are
sent upward to a satellite. Then, almost instantly, the satellite can send them back down to different
locations on Earth.

Space junk, or space debris, is any piece of machinery or debris left by humans in space. It can refer to
big objects such as dead satellites that have failed or been left in orbit at the end of their mission. It can
also refer to smaller things, like bits of debris or paint flecks that have fallen off a rocket. The effects of
space debris on Earth's environment are about releasing compositional chemicals during re-entry into
the atmosphere. These chemicals weaken ozone and threaten space exploration and future generations.

A1. Answer the following questions: (2)

(i)What is a satellite? (1)
(ii) Which types of satellites orbit Earth? (1)
A2. Why do satellites see into space better than telescopes at Earth's surface? (2)

A3. Write four words from the passage related to the word: (2)
Satellite

A4. Identify the parts of speeches given in the brackets from the following sentences: (2)
(a) A satellite is a moon, planet or machine that orbits a planet or star. (A Verb)
(b) Almost instantly, the satellite can send them back down to different locations on Earth.
(An Adverb)

A5. What, according to you, will happen to Earth if there are so many man-made satellites
in outer space? How can space scientists reduce this problem? (2)

SECTION V- Writing
Q5.A Letter Writing: [5]

You are Soham/Suhani Thakre. staying at B/12, Sai Sadan, Sita Bardi, [Link], Nagpur. You
have watched the movie “Wonder” in school, and now you and your classmates are interested in
reading the book. Write a letter to the Publisher of the book, requesting to send 150 copies of the
book “Wonder”.

Q6.B. Write a paragraph of 80-100 words on a given topic: [5]

‘Education should be free to all.’
 Q7.C. Information Transfer: (Any 1) [5]
I. Convert the given flow chart into a paragraph on ‘Water-cycle’:

.
OR
II. Transform the given paragraph into a Fact File using the following points-

Location, History, the Best time to visit and Places to visit, Speciality, and Biodiversity

Chikkamagaluru is a peaceful, beautiful town with hills, valleys, streams and coffee plantations. It is believed that
Chikkamagaluru was given as a dowry to the younger daughter of Rukmangada, the Chief of the Sakrepatna
kingdom. Chikkamagaluru has taken its name from Chikka magal-uru, which means “Younger Daughter’s Village“.

Karnataka’s coffee industry is in Chikmagaluru, and that makes it even more special. The Coffee seed was
planted here for the first time in India in the Baba Budan Giri hills. Coffee seeds were brought into the region by
Baba Budan, a Muslim saint, after his visit to Arabia in 1670 AD. The beans that were planted by him on the hill
slopes of Chikkamagaluru flourished, and the famous Indian Coffee Industry was born. A walk among the coffee
plantations, especially during the flowering season (March-April), is an experience that every tourist must do to
enjoy the fresh air that is full of the heady coffee fragrance.

The place is also a trekker’s delight due to its rugged mountain trails, numerous hills, valleys and freshwater
streams. It is home to several hills, including the tallest peak of Karnataka, which is the Mullayyanagiri Peak.

Explore the many wildlife sanctuaries, ancient temples and forts near the place. Enjoy the walk through the coffee
plantations or catch a magnificent sunset. Experience the best of the Western Ghats here in Chikkamagaluru.
 End-of-Year Assessment 2024-25

Subject: English Grade: VIII

Total Marks: 80 marks Time: 3 hours

Name: _________ Date: ___________

Instructions:
1.​ Read the questions carefully before attempting.
2.​ Write the correct question numbers corresponding to the answers.
3.​ Complete one section of the paper before moving on to another.

SECTION-I LANGUAGE STUDY

A1. Do as Directed (7)
(i) Fill in the blank with the correct preposition. 1
They went ___ the park for a walk.

(ii) Identify the adverb in the given sentence 1

Rahul quickly finished his homework before dinner.

(iii) Convert the following sentence into Passive voice 1

The chef prepared a delicious meal.

(iv) Add a question tag to the following sentence. 1

Sara hasn’t finished her homework, ___?

(v) Convert the tense of the following sentence. 1x2 = 2

(a)​ They were playing in the park yesterday. (Change into Simple Future)
(b)​ He has completed his work. (Change into Simple Past)

(vi) Change the following sentence into a sentence mentioned in the brackets. 1
The weather is very pleasant. (Change to an exclamatory sentence)

A2. Do as Directed​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (11)

(i) Describe the picture in 5 lines. 1x4 = 4
The paragraph must contain the following:

1. A compound sentence.
2. Two sentences in a Present Continuous Tense.
3. 1 correct use of passive voice
4. The correct use of fullstops and capitalization
punctuation.

(ii) Identify and correct the grammatical errors in the following passage. Rewrite the corrected passage. 1x4 = 4
A children were playing in the garden. They enjoyed their time with a ball. a dog ran towards them and started
barking. Suddenly, they stop and looked on the sky. A bird flew by, and everyone was amazed.

1
 (iii) Use the given adjective in your own sentence. 1
Addicted

(iv) Unscramble each word related to the following theme: The Wizard of Oz. 0.5x4 = 2
1. C G M A I 2. R A V E B
3. O D A N R T O 4. N D K I

SECTION-II SEEN PASSAGES

Q2 (A): Read the following passage and do the activities given below ​ ​ ​ (10)
Every afternoon while at school, I would be terribly upset because I never wanted to leave for home. I loved and enjoyed the
intellectual stimulation of the classroom. To this day, I’m still the same kid who is addicted to learning. I was raised in a
middle-class family in Delhi. Going by the norm I should have been a doctor or engineer. The path to becoming a radio
jockey at age nineteen was never laid out for me.

My mother and father grew up with little means. My mother was the youngest among six siblings and the first in her family
to get a bachelor’s degree. She attended Delhi University, where she was fascinated by the Delhi elite and their lifestyle. So
she decided her firstborn would go to the same school where the Delhi elite sent their children. Even before I was born, it
was decided that I would go to the prestigious Modern School in Delhi. My mother was obsessed with the idea of sending
me there, even though we could not afford it. I changed schools three times; the first two times because my parents moved
to new localities in the city, and the third time when I was in class six when I finally secured admission to Modern School via
a need-based scholarship programme. My mother’s dream was now fulfilled, and she was beyond happy.

I was young and naive. I thought my life would be sorted if I studied at a posh school like Modern School. While the school
was great, my life wasn’t. Life never sorts itself out, you see. You have to play an active role in shaping it.

Modern School was a massive cultural shock for me. My previous schools had my kind of people. All the kids spoke in Hindi.
Their parents spoke to my parents in Hindi and wore the kind of clothes my parents wore. The Modern School kids spoke
only in English. They had fancy cars, expensive watches, hosted crazy house parties and owned all kinds of things that I
couldn’t even dream of. I saw a Mercedes and a Porsche (por·shuh) for the first time in my life. I could never go home and
ask my parents for an expensive watch or a PlayStation because I was acutely aware of our modest means. ‘Where the hell
have I landed? And who are these people? How do they have so much money?’ I often thought to myself. I felt completely
left out at school. I wanted to blend in, but my appearance wouldn’t let me, and the fact that I couldn’t speak fluent English
didn’t help me either.

A1. Make your own sentences using the following phrase/word. 1x2 = 2
(i) Left out (ii) Prestigious

A2. (i) Why was Sucharita upset every afternoon at school? 1x2 = 2
(ii) How was Modern School different from Sucharita’s previous schools? Write two
differences.

A3. How would you describe the character traits of Sucharita Tyagi? Write your answer with textual evidence. 2

2
 A4. Complete the following web. 0.5x4 = 2

A5. Sucharita felt out of place at Modern School because she was not fluent in English and came from a 2
different background. Do you think people treat others differently if they aren't fluent in English or come
from a less wealthy background? Why or why not?

Q2 (B): Read the following passage and do the activities given below ​ ​ ​ (5)
Dorothy lived in the State of Kansas with her Uncle Henry and her Aunt Em. They all lived in a little wooden house in the
middle of the great Kansas prairie. The land was very flat, and there were no trees or other houses nearby. Uncle Henry was
a farmer, and he had built the wooden house himself many years before. The house only had one room. That room was used
for eating and for sleeping in too. There was a little hole under the house that was called the "cyclone cellar". The family hid
in the cellar when the strong winds of a cyclone blew across the prairie.

The hot sun had burnt the paint on the little house. Now the paint on the house was gray. The sun had burnt the land around
the house, too. Everything on the prairie was grey. Uncle Henry and Aunt Em had grey hair and grey, tired faces. Dorothy's
Uncle Henry and Aunt Em were poor, and they had worked very hard all their lives. It was not easy to be a farmer on the
prairie, and Uncle Henry was always very tired. He never smiled, and Aunt Em always looked sad, too.

But Dorothy was always laughing. The girl had a little black dog called Toto. Dorothy played with Toto all day long. But today,
Dorothy and Toto were not playing. Uncle Henry was standing with Dorothy in the doorway of the little house. He was
looking at the grey sky and he was very worried. Then they heard the sound of a strong wind. It was coming from the south.
It whistled and roared. It blew the long grass of the prairie until it was flat.

B1. Fill in the blanks with a suitable word from the passage 0.5x2 = 1
(i) The toast was ___________ because I left it in the toaster for too long.
(ii) She was ____________ about the upcoming exam because she hadn’t studied enough.

B2. Dorothy was very different from her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. Do you agree with this statement? 2
Pick out a line from the text to prove it.

B3. In the passage, Dorothy's family hid in the cyclone cellar when a storm was approaching. How do you 2
usually prepare for challenges or difficult situations? Can you share an example of when you planned ahead
to avoid a problem before it happened?

3
 SECTION-III POETRY
Q3 (A) Read the following poem and do the activities given below​ ​ ​ (5)
Just as it gets dark in the evening and my
When at four in the afternoon mother sends me to bed,
I come back from the school, I can see through my open window
I can see through the gate of that house the watchman walking up and down.
the gardener digging the ground. The lane is dark and lonely,
He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his clothes and the streetlamp
with dust, nobody takes him to task , if he gets baked in the stands like a giant with one red eye in its head.
sun or gets wet.
I wish I were a gardener digging away at the The watchman swings his lantern and walks
garden with nobody to stop me from digging. with his shadow at his side, and never once
goes to bed in his life.
I wish I were a watchman walking the street
all night, chasing the shadows with my lantern.
- Rabindranath Tagore

A1. (i) When does the poet come back from the school? 1x2 = 2
(ii) What does the poet’s mother do when it gets dark in the evening?

A2. (i) Find out and write a line from the passage that proves the following: 1x2 = 2
(i) The watchman does not sleep at night.
(ii) The child sees the gardener getting dirty while working.

A3. Identify and explain the figure of speech used in the following line. 1
I wish I were a watchman walking the street all night.

Q3 (B): Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points in (7)
paragraph format.​

Macavity: The Mystery Cat

Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw—

For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law.
He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s despair:
For when they reach the scene of crime—Macavity’s not there!
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,
He’s broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare,
And when you reach the scene of crime—Macavity’s not there!
You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air—
But I tell you once and once again, Macavity’s not there!
Macavity’s a ginger cat, he’s very tall and thin;

4
 You would know him if you saw him, for his eyes are sunken in.
His brow is deeply lined with thought, his head is highly domed;
His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed.
He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake;
And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake.

-T.S. Eliot

B1. What is the title of the poem? 1

B2. Who is the poet of the poem? 1
B3. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? 1
B4. Identify and explain a figure of speech from the poem. 1
B5. What is the central idea of the poem? Choose one from below. 1
​ Macavity is a cat who is always caught when he commits crimes.
​ Macavity is a mischievous and mysterious cat who can never be caught.
​ Macavity is an ordinary cat who follows all the rules.
​ Macavity is a friendly cat who helps the police solve crimes.
B6. Why do the police and detectives find it difficult to catch Macavity, even though they know he is the culprit?
2

SECTION-IV UNSEEN PASSAGES

Q4 (A): Read the following passage and do the activities given below (10)

Televisions show sounds and pictures. They get data from cables, discs, or over-the-air signals. They turn this data into
sounds and images. People watch news and shows on them. You probably call them TVs. John Baird made the first TV in
1925. It had one colour. It could only show 30 lines. This was just enough room for a face. It didn't work well, but it was a
start.

The first TV station was set up in 1928. It was in New York. Few people had TVs. The broadcasts were not meant to be
watched. They showed a Felix the Cat doll for two hours a day. The doll spun around on a record player. They were
experimenting. It took many years to get it right. By the end of the 1930s, TVs were working well. America got its first taste
at the 1939 World's Fair. This was one of the biggest events ever. There were 200 small, black and white TVs set up around
the fair. The U.S. President gave a speech on TV. The TVs were only five inches big but the people loved it.

They wanted TVs. But World War II was going on during this time. Factories were busy making guns and bombs. When the
war was over, TV spread across the country. By 1948 there were 4 big TV networks in America. They aired their shows from 8
to 11 each night. Local shows were aired at other times. Most of the time, nothing was shown at all. TV was not "always on"
like it is now.

Color TVs came out in 1953. They cost too much money for most. Also, shows were aired in black and white. By 1965, colour
TVs were cheaper. TV stations started airing shows in colour. People had to switch if they wanted to see the shows. Now
most TVs are high-definition. This means that they have many lines on them. This makes the image clear. TVs have come a
long way since Baird's 30-line set. High-definition TVs have 1080 lines. There are state-of-the-art sets called 4K TVs. These
TVs have 3,840 lines. Some people watch TV in 3D. I wonder what they will come up with next.

5
 A1. (i) When did colour TVs come out?
(ii) How many lines does a 4K TV have? 1x2 = 2

A2. (i) Why were the broadcasts in the early days of TV not meant to be watched? 1x2 = 2
(ii) How was the first TV made by John Baird different from modern high-definition TVs?

A3. Match the following words with their meanings: 0.5x4 = 2

1.​ Fair (a) A big change or improvement in something

2.​ Revolution (b) Trying something new to learn or test

3.​ Broadcasts (c) An event where new things are shown

4.​ Experimenting (d) Showing content on TV

A4. 1x2 = 2
(i) Identify the verb in the following sentence:
The doll spun around on a record player.
(ii) Change the following sentence into the tense mentioned in the bracket.
The U.S. President gave a speech on TV. (Past Continuous)

A5. If the television and the internet suddenly disappeared for a week, how do you think it would impact 2
people's daily routines? Would it change how we communicate, learn, and entertain ourselves?

Q4 (B): Read the following passage and do the activities given below​ ​ ​ ​ (10)
It was a bright Sunday morning, and Maya was excited about her day ahead. She had been looking forward to visiting the
zoo with her family for weeks now. As they entered the zoo gates, Maya's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she imagined
seeing all the animals up close.

The first exhibit they visited was the lion enclosure. Maya watched in awe as the majestic lions lounged in the sun, their
golden coats shimmering. She listened intently as the zookeeper explained how lions live and hunt in the wild, feeling a
newfound respect for these powerful creatures.

Next, they strolled over to the monkey exhibit. Maya giggled as she watched the playful monkeys swinging from branch to
branch, their antics entertaining the crowd. She couldn't resist imitating their movements, feeling a sense of joy and
freedom as she let herself go.

As they wandered through the zoo, Maya marvelled at the diversity of animals from around the world. From the graceful
giraffes to the colourful parrots, each species seemed more fascinating than the last. Maya soaked in every moment, feeling
grateful for the opportunity to experience nature's wonders up close.

B1. 0.5x4 = 2
(i) Fill in the blank
(a) Maya was excited to visit the zoo with __________ .
(b) Maya watched in awe as the majestic ______ lounged in the sun.

6
 (c) Maya giggled as she watched the playful ______ swinging from branch to branch.
(d) When Maya felt a sense of ______ and freedom while imitating the monkeys.

B2. (i) How is Maya’s reaction to the lions different from her reaction to the monkeys? 1x2 = 2
(ii) What do you think Maya learned from her visit to the zoo? Provide a reason from the passage to
support your answer.

B3. Write 4 words from the passage related to the word ‘Movement.’ 0.5x4 = 2

B4. (i) Identify the tense used in the sentence: 1x2 = 2

Maya watched in awe as the majestic lions lounged in the sun.

(ii) Choose the correct subject-verb agreement: "The monkeys were ________ from branch to branch."
A) swings B) swung C) swing D) swinging

B5. Do you think animals should be kept in cages for human entertainment, especially when we talk so much 2
about freedom? Provide 2 reasons for your answer.

SECTION-V WRITING
Q5A: Letter Writing (Formal) (5)
You are Kiran/Karan Deshmukh from MG Road, Pune. Many women feel unsafe while travelling at night due to poor street
lighting and lack of patrolling. Write a letter to the City Police Commissioner requesting the best security measures for
women.

OR
Q5B: Letter Writing (Informal) (5)

You are excited to join the upcoming summer school camp next month, but your best friend thinks it's a waste of time and
doesn't want to join. Write a letter convincing your friend, explaining how learning new skills at the camp will help in future
studies and personal growth.

7
Q6 (A): Write a dialogue in 80-100 words on (5)
"Write a conversation between two friends about their hobbies and future careers, including support and excitement for the
future."

OR
Q6 (B): Write an essay on the following topic. (5)

How Technology is Changing Our Lives – Write a paragraph (80-100 words) on the positive and negative effects of
technology on society.

Q7 (A): Transform the given paragraph into a web diagram, including the title. (5)

“The motorcycle has become a vehicle that has many uses not only in the town but in the countryside as well. For one thing, it
saves a lot of time. Even in towns and villages, it is very useful for college students who have to travel long distances instead of
depending on irregular bus services. There are many people in towns and cities who keep motorcycles for their servants to go out
and buy provisions. Workers in cities and even farmers in villages use the motorcycles frequently. This is because the motorcycle
helps to get the work done speedily. Of course, in order to drive a motorcycle a driving license is compulsory. Also, one must use a
helmet and drive carefully to avoid serious accidents.”

OR

Q7 (B): Write a paragraph in 100-150 words on The Importance of reading books. (5)

8
 Mid-Year Assessment 2024-25

Subject: English Grade: VIII

Total Marks: 80 marks Time: 3 hours

Name: _________ Date: ___________

SECTION-I LANGUAGE STUDY

Q1. Do as directed: (18)
(i) Find out 2 hidden words of minimum 4 letters from:
1
‘Adventure’
(ii) Complete the word chain of verbs
1
Build, _________, _________, _________
(iii) Make meaningful sentences by using the phrases given below.
2
(a) get along (b) hold on
(iv) Identify the type of sentence
1
‘Ensure that all the windows are closed before leaving.’
(v) Punctuate/Correct the common errors in the following sentence.
1
can you help me find my book
(vi) Use the given Adjective in your own sentence
1
enormous
(vii) Change the simple sentences to a compound sentence
1
‘He went to the store. He forgot to buy milk.’
(viii) Write 5 lines on ‘My favourite season’
The paragraph must contain the following:
1. 1 compound sentence.
4
2. An exclamatory sentence
3. The correct placement and use of prepositions
4. The correct use of commas.
(ix) Identify and correct the grammatical errors in the following passage.
Rewrite the corrected passage.
‘The cat sat on the mat. it was looking out of the window A bird flew by and caught its attention.
A cat's tail began to twitch with excitement. Suddenly, it jumped off the mat and ran at the door. 4
Everyone in the house laughed at its playful behaviour. They loved watching the cat every day.’

1
(x) Solve the following puzzle

Down:
1] Antonym of Easy
2] Synonym of Strong

Across:
3] Antonym of Sweet 2
2] Synonym of Hurt

SECTION-II SEEN PASSAGES

Q2 (A): Read the following passage and do the activities given below (10)
The first time I(Jack) saw August was a few years ago in front of a neighbourhood ice cream store.
Without meaning to, I made an exclamation, (a noise of surprise) when I glimpsed August's face.
Our babysitter, Veronica, came out to stop us before my little brother, Jamie, said something
embarrassing about Auggie—she guessed he was going to. August didn't hear my exclamation, but
his sister sure did and she gave me a nasty look as they walked away down the footpath.
Jamie and I were confused. We were also curious. My little brother thought that maybe it was
Halloween and asked, "... why is that boy wearing a mask?"
Veronica tried to explain Auggie’s appearance to us, but it was difficult because the reasons are
complicated.
She felt bad for the way we all reacted to the situation, telling the boys, "sometimes you don't have
to be mean to hurt someone".
Ever since that day, I have seen August around the neighbourhood. All the neighbourhood children
know about August. We know his name, but he doesn't know any of ours. That is really sad.

A1] Fill in the blanks with a suitable word from the passage
(a) The boy gave me a ________ look when I told him to sit. 2
(b) After losing the game, he felt __________ because he had worked so hard to win.
A2] Answer the following questions
(a) Why did Jamie think August was wearing a mask? 2
(b) How did Veronica react to Jack and Jamie?
2

2
A3] Use a word/phrase to describe ‘The narrator(Jack)’. Support your answer with evidence from
the passage.
A4] Complete the following table with supporting evidence
Character Character Traits Evidence from Passage

Jamie 2

Veronica

A5] Do you think it was rude for Jamie to ask if August was wearing a mask? Justify. 2

Q2 (B): Read the following passage and do the activities given below (10)
‘My wish is for Vasundhara to become a doctor,’ my father said, lying on his hospital bed just a few months before
he passed away. By then, he was bald, lanky, and physically drained. Cancer and chemotherapy had taken a toll on
him. This was in 1993, and I was seven years old. Even though that memory is now a blur, it is a defining part of my
identity. I was too young to understand what my father was going through when he was battling cancer. All I knew
was that he was going to die soon. My mother fiercely protected my sister and me during this phase. We were too
busy with school, tuition, and homework to comprehend the graveness of it all. My parent's marriage had been an
arranged one. They had a typical Tamil Brahmin wedding. My mother was nineteen when she married; she had me
at twenty and my sister at twenty-three. My father swiftly climbed the corporate ladder as a marketing
professional at Lipton in Chennai. He was making excellent money and had bought a car when he was just
twenty-five. Buying a car was a big deal for working-class people back in those days. My parents had built a
wonderful little life together. My mother worked in a bank. She wanted to quit her job to take care of our children
full-time, but my father, as if he could predict the future, never let her do so. It was when my father began looking
for a house to buy in Chennai that he was diagnosed with cancer. My mother was devastated. Life as she knew it
collapsed. Father’s cancer changed our lives forever. The Regular hospital visits, the medication, and the treatment
costs rapidly changed our financial situation. Hospitalization for a chronic condition can reduce a patient and
family to nothing. I learned this lesson very early on in my life.

B1] Make your own sentences using the following words

2
(a) quit (b) excellent
B2] Answer the following questions:
(a) Why did the mother want to quit her job? (1) 2
(b) How did the father’s diagnosis affect the family financially? (1)
B3] Find out and write a line from the passage which proves the following
2
‘The mother's desire to care for the children was not fulfilled.’

3
B4] Complete the table:
Key Theme Details Evidence from the passage

Parental "My wish is for Vasundhara to become a

Aspirations doctor."

Early Success Father's career achievements

B5] Write your opinion on ‘The need to have a strong support system to realize one’s dream’. 2
SECTION-III POETRY
Q3: Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points in
paragraph format (7)
When at four in the afternoon I come back from the Just as it gets dark in the evening and my
school, mother sends me to bed,
I can see through the gate of that house the gardener I can see through my open window the
digging the ground. watchman walking up and down.

He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his The lane is dark and lonely, and the street-
clothes with dust, and nobody takes him to task if he lamp stands like a giant with one red eye in its head.
gets baked in the sun or gets wet.
The watchman swings his lantern and walks
I wish I were a gardener digging away at the garden with his shadow at his side, and never once
with nobody to stop me from digging. goes to bed in his life.

I wish I were a watchman walking the street all night,

chasing the shadows with my Lantern.

1] What is the title of the poem? 1

2] Who is the author of the poem? 1
3] What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? 1
4] Identify and explain a figure of speech from the poem. 1
5] Which among the following is the central idea of the poem?
(a) The child wants to live like a hawker, gardener, or watchman and considers them as free
or independent. 1
(b) The child is observing the adults.
(c) The child is choosing a career path.

6] What according to you would be the ideal job for the poet? Explain. 2

4
 SECTION-IV UNSEEN PASSAGES
Q4 (A): Read the following passage and do the activities given below (10)
Long ago men spent most of their time looking for food. They ate anything they could find. Some lived mostly on
plants. They ate the fruit, stems, and leaves of some plants and the roots of others. When food was scarce, they
ate the bark of trees. If they were lucky, they would find a bird's nest with eggs. People who lived near the water
ate fish or anything that washed ashore, even rotten whales. Some people also ate insects and small animals like
lizards that were easy to kill.
Later, men learned to make weapons. With weapons, they could kill larger animals for meat. These early people
had big appetites. If they killed an animal, they would drink the blood, eat the meat, and chew the bones. When
they finished the meal, there was nothing left.
At first, men wandered from place to place to find their food. But when they began to grow plants, they stayed in
one place and ate what they could grow. They tamed animals, trained them to work, and killed them for meat. Life
was a little better then, but there was still not much variety in their meals. Day after day people ate the same
foods.
Gradually men began to travel greater distances. The explorers who sailed unknown seas found new lands. And in
these lands, they found new foods and spices and took them back home.

A1] State whether true or false:

(a) Men learned to make weapons after they started growing plants.
(b) Early humans had a varied diet that changed every day. 2
(c) People who lived near water only ate fish.
(d) Explorers found new foods and spices during their travels.
A2] Answer the following questions:
(a) How did the invention of weapons impact early human diets? 2
(b) Why is exploration an important part of expanding human diets?
A3] Write 4 words related to the word ‘meals’ 2
A4] In the phrase "these early people had big appetites," what is the adjective, and what noun
2
does it describe?
A5] What, according to you, might have motivated early humans to learn to make weapons? 2

Q4 (B): Read the following passage and do the activities given below (10)
Once upon a time, a girl called Amelia saved some money to buy an airplane. It was yellow and she called it ‘The
Canary’. Some years later she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. It was a difficult flight.
The plane was disturbed by icy storms and strong winds. All she had as food was a can of tomato juice, which she
sucked through a straw. The flight took almost fifteen hours to reach Northern Ireland in Europe. She landed her
plane in a field full of cows. The farmer there asked, “Have you come far?”. “All the way from America!” she
laughed. Amelia liked to do things that no one had done before, and she loved flying. The next challenge that she
took was to fly around the world. There was very little space left in the plane for her small bag, as she had to carry
a lot of fuel in the remaining space. The flight was going well. She was supposed to land at Howland Island, but she
never got there. Her last transmission/message had her saying that she was running low on fuel and there were
clouds everywhere. Her plane disappeared somewhere above the Pacific Ocean and was never found. Amelia once
said, “Adventure is worthwhile in itself”.

5
B1]
(a) Where did Amelia land her plane after crossing the Atlantic? (1) 2
(b) Where was Amelia supposed to land after her flight around the world? (1)
B2] Find a line from the passage that proves the following
a. Amelia loved a challenge. 2
b. Amelia’s first flight was a difficult one.
B3] Suggest one word from the passage for the following group of words
(a) A can of drink consumed during a flight 2
(b) An experience of excitement and risk
B4] Do as Directed:
(a) Amelia liked to do things that no one had done before. (Identify the Noun) 2
(b) The flight was going well. (identify the Adverb)
B5] If you had the chance to fly around the world like Amelia, what places would you want to
2
visit and why?
SECTION-V WRITING
Q5: Letter Writing (Formal) (5)
You are Riya/Rajesh Mehta, a resident of B/34, River View Colony, Pune. You are concerned about the increase in
plastic waste in your locality and want to propose a cleanliness drive. Write a letter to the Local Community Leader
suggesting the organization of a drive and requesting their support in engaging the residents.

Q6: Write a paragraph of 80-100 words on the given topic (5)

‘Role of Sports in Character Building’
Q7: Convert the following newspaper report to a fact file (5)
Brave Teen Stands Up to Bullying

Pune, September 23, 2024 — In an inspiring act of bravery, 14-year-old Aanya Deshmukh stood up against a group
of bullies at her school, showcasing remarkable courage. The incident took place at St. Xavier’s High School, where
a group of students were bullying a classmate for her appearance. Aanya, who had witnessed the bullying for
several days, decided to intervene.

Without hesitation, she approached the bullies and firmly asked them to stop, speaking confidently despite being
outnumbered. Her actions not only stopped the bullying but also inspired other students to report similar
incidents to the school authorities.

The school principal, Mrs. Mehta, praised Aanya for her bravery, stating, "It takes great courage to stand up for
what's right, especially in the face of adversity." Aanya’s actions have sparked a conversation on promoting
kindness and confidence among students.