Compulsory English: Model Question Sets and Predicted Questions

The English paper is the most regular paper a science student sits: eight questions, the same skills in the same order every year. This chapter sets out the grid, gives two complete model papers with answers, and ends with a ranked list of predicted questions. The prediction rests on one fact only: the grid fixes the question types, and the syllabus fixes the texts. Nothing here is a claim about the coming paper.

19.1 Pattern analysis

• Literature (Q2, Q3) covers all four genres in the book: story, poem, essay and play. Across a few years the board rotates through them, so revise every text, not a favourite few.
• Functional writing (Q5) is nearly always a letter (to the editor, application, complaint), an email, or a CV. Learn the format of each.
• Free writing (Q6) is an essay or a memoir on a social or personal theme.
• Grammar (Q7) draws on the ten grammar units: tags, modals, determiners, agreement, connectives, adjectives and adverbs, reported speech, conditionals, passive, prepositions and tenses.
• Time plan: unseen passage 35 minutes, Q2 and Q3 50 minutes, writing 60 minutes, grammar and vocabulary 20 minutes, revision 15 minutes.

19.2 Model Set 1

Question paper

Q1. Read the passage and answer the questions. (15)

Nepal is a country of rivers. Hundreds of streams begin in the Himalayas and run south to the plains. For centuries villagers have used them to turn water mills, to irrigate rice fields and to carry timber. Today the same rivers produce electricity, and engineers believe they can produce far more. But dams change valleys, and many families have had to leave their homes. The challenge is to use the rivers without destroying the lives that depend on them.

a) Why is Nepal called a country of rivers? (2) b) Name two traditional uses of rivers. (2) c) What do the rivers produce today? (1) d) What problem do dams create? (2) e) Choose the best title. (2) f) What is the meaning of "irrigate" here? (2) g) Explain the challenge in the last sentence in your own words. (4)

Q2. Answer any two. (2 x 5) (a) Why does Mrs Baroda change her mind about Mr Gouvernail? (b) What is the main idea of "Every Morning I Wake"? (c) Why is the old man in "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" treated as a show?

Q3. Answer any two. (2 x 5) (a) Is Rakesh a truly devoted son? (b) What does Russell mean by wisdom? (c) How does "The Bull" make fun of fear of power?

Q4. The table shows the percentage of students choosing subjects: Science 40, Management 30, Humanities 20, Education 10. Write a paragraph. (7)

Q5. Write a letter to the principal asking for a scholarship. (8)

Q6. Write an essay of about 250 words: "Youth and the Nation". (10)

Q7. Grammar. (10) 1. She can sing, _? 2. You smoke here. (prohibited) 3. Neither of them _ ready. 4. "I am busy," he said. (report) 5. If I a bird, I would fly. 6. The letter was written _ Sita. 7. He has lived here _ 2010. 8. Rewrite in passive: They are building a bridge. 9. Join: He was tired. He finished the work. (nevertheless) 10. Choose: She is (more taller / taller) than me.

Q8. Vocabulary. (5) Give a synonym of abundant; an antonym of generous; the meaning of a piece of cake; correct the spelling accomodate; the noun of decide.

Answers to Model Set 1

Q1. a) Hundreds of streams begin in the Himalayas and run south to the plains. b) Turning water mills; irrigating rice fields (carrying timber is also correct). c) Electricity. d) Dams change valleys and families have to leave their homes. e) "Nepal's Rivers: Use and Cost". f) To supply water to land. g) Nepal must use its rivers for power and growth without harming the people whose lives depend on the valleys.

Q2. (a) She expects to dislike the guest, but finds his quiet presence disturbs her, discovers something about herself on the garden bench, and then asks him to stay. (b) The speaker prays for all poor creatures born to die, for the not wholly good or bad people of the town, and for one more day. (c) Villagers turn a miracle into entertainment and pay to stare; when a bigger attraction arrives they lose interest.

Q3. (a) Rakesh serves his father as a doctor but overrules his wishes, so the title is ironic. (b) Wisdom is a sense of proportion, kindness and a wide view of human life, which knowledge alone does not give. (c) The caretakers of the king's dead bull fear punishment, so the play laughs at fear of power and at officials who protect themselves.

Q4. Science is the most popular choice at 40 per cent, followed by Management at 30 per cent. Humanities attracts 20 per cent, and Education is the least chosen at 10 per cent. Together Science and Management account for 70 per cent, which shows that most students prefer technical and business subjects.

Q5. Use the letter format: sender's address and date, then "The Principal", subject line "Request for a scholarship", salutation, three short paragraphs (introduction, reason and marks, request), "Yours obediently", name and class.

Q6. Five paragraphs: introduction; youth as energy and skill; problems of unemployment and migration; how youth can build the nation; conclusion.

Q7. 1. can't she 2. mustn't 3. is 4. He said that he was busy. 5. were / was 6. by 7. since 8. A bridge is being built. 9. He was tired; nevertheless, he finished the work. 10. taller

Q8. plentiful; stingy; something very easy; accommodate; decision.

19.3 Model Set 2

Question paper

Q1. Read the passage and answer the questions. (15)

A library is more than a room of books. For a child it can be the first place where no one asks what you can do, only what you wish to know. Many great scientists have said that their first teacher was a public library. Yet libraries in many towns are closing because people think that everything is on the internet. They forget that the internet gives answers, but a library teaches how to look for them.

a) What can a library be for a child? (2) b) What have many scientists said? (2) c) Why are libraries closing? (2) d) What difference does the writer see between the internet and a library? (3) e) Give a suitable title. (2) f) Give the meaning of "forget" in your own words. (1) g) Write a summary in 40 words. (3)

Q2. Answer any two. (2 x 5) (a) How does Runtu change in "My Old Home"? (b) What does the guide show the tourist in the Lamichhane story? (c) Why is the storm "soft" in "Soft Storm"?

Q3. Answer any two. (2 x 5) (a) Discuss the theme of "The Treasure in the Forest". (b) Why does Nock call marriage an institution? (c) What is the tragedy in "Facing Death"?

Q4. Write a paragraph from this outline: causes of load-shedding; effects on students; solutions. (7)

Q5. Write an email to a friend inviting him to your sister's wedding. (8)

Q6. Write a memoir of about 250 words: "My Most Memorable Journey". (10)

Q7. Grammar. (10) 1. Let's go, _? 2. She be forty; she looks young. (impossible) 3. The number of students _ rising. 4. "Where do you live?" she asked me. (report) 5. Had I known, I you. 6. Passive: Who wrote this poem? 7. She is good _ maths. 8. The girl bag was stolen reported it. 9. I _ when he entered. (read) 10. Fill in: not only clever also kind.

Q8. Vocabulary. (5) Synonym of ancient; antonym of temporary; meaning of once in a blue moon; the adjective of danger; the silent letter in knight.

Answers to Model Set 2

Q1. a) The first place where no one asks what you can do, only what you wish to know. b) That their first teacher was a public library. c) People think everything is on the internet. d) The internet gives answers; a library teaches how to look for them. e) "The Worth of a Library". f) neglect to remember. g) A library is more than books; it lets a child ask freely and teaches how to search. Though people think the internet replaces it, only a library teaches the skill of finding answers.

Q2. (a) In memory Runtu is a lively boy with a silver necklet; on return he is poor, old before his time and calls the narrator "Master", showing the wall of class. (b) He takes the tourist to a farmer's house to show the poverty that praise leaves out. (c) The storm is a violent political time whose violence shows in quiet scenes such as hungry children and a beaten man.

Q3. (a) Greed destroys: the men find the gold but one is poisoned and the other dies beside it. (b) Marriage comes with rules, expectations and helpers already attached, such as law, religion, custom and relatives. (c) A poor innkeeper with three ungrateful daughters sees no hope and forms a terrible plan; the tragedy is poverty and despair.

Q4. Load-shedding is caused by low generation in the dry season and poor distribution. It disturbs study at night and prevents practical work. Solutions are more hydropower, better planning and solar lighting.

Q5. Use email format: To, Subject ("Invitation to my sister's wedding"), "Dear Ramesh", date, place, time, request to come early, "Yours, Sunil".

Q7. 1. shall we 2. can't 3. is 4. She asked me where I lived. 5. would have helped 6. By whom was this poem written? 7. at 8. whose 9. was reading 10. but

Q8. plentiful; permanent; very rarely; dangerous; k.

19.4 Predicted questions

Rank	Question	Why
A	Letter to the editor on a civic problem (waste, traffic, load-shedding)	the functional slot is often a letter
A	Essay on a social theme such as "Migration" or "Social media"	free writing is always an essay or memoir
A	Theme of a short story: "A Devoted Son" or "My Old Home"	stories are frequent long questions
A	Message of a poem: "Every Morning I Wake" or "Soft Storm"	poems are usually short-answer items
B	Describe a chart or table in one paragraph	guided writing
B	Character of Mrs Baroda or Rakesh	character questions
B	Russell on knowledge and wisdom	essays are a rotating genre
B	Compare two texts on one theme (poverty, class, greed)	long answers reward comparison
C	Application with CV for a job	functional writing variant
C	The Bull as satire	play questions

Chapter summary

• Eight questions, 75 marks; the grid never changes.
• Revise all twenty texts; answer literary questions with point, evidence and meaning.
• Learn the letter, email, application and CV formats.
• Use the 35 / 50 / 60 / 20 / 15 minute plan.
• Grammar and vocabulary are 15 easy marks: answer every item.