Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education, Jessore
English 1st Paper
Part A : Reading Test (Marks 50)
Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.
May Day or International Workers Day is observed on May 1 all over the world today to commemorate the historical struggle and sacrifices of the working people to establish an eight-hour workday. It is a public holiday in almost all the countries of the world.
Since the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and the US, the workers in mills and factories had been working a long shift, fourteen or even more hours a day.
On May 1st in 1886, inspired by the trade unions, half of the workers at the McCormic Harvester Company in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight-hour workday. Two days later, a workers rally was held near the McCormic Hervester Company and about 6000 workers joined it. The rally was addressed by the labour leaders. They urged the workers to stand together, to go on with their struggle and not to give in to their bosses. Just at this moment some strike-breakers started leaving the meeting place. The strikers went down the street to bring them back. Suddenly about 200 policemen attacked them with clubs and revolvers. One striker was killed instantly, five or six others were seriously wounded and many of them were badly injured.
The events of May 1, 1886 is a reminder that workers will continue to be exploited until they stand up and speak out to gain better working conditions, better pay and better lives.
1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1´7=7
(a) The word 'historical' means .
(i) a tragedy in history
(ii) historic
(iii) having a history behind
(iv) famous in the history
(b) Where is May Day observed today?
(i) In Chicago (ii) In USA
(iii) In Europe (iv) All over the world
(c) The labour leaders also urged the workers not to .
(i) go back home till demands were met
(ii) report to their working places
(iii) surrender to their bosses
(iv) fight against the authority
(d) What did some strikebreakers do?
(i) Started pelting stones to the leaders
(ii) Started leaving the meeting place
(iii) Started chanting slogan
(iv) Started merry-making
(e) Today May Day is considered as .
(i) a labour day
(ii) a public holiday
(iii) a funny day
(iv) an important day
(f) The word 'suddenly' could be replaced by .
(i) as a rule (ii) on the whole
(iii) in a second (iv) all on a sudden
(g) May Day is observed to honour the of the working people.
(i) the historical struggle and sacrifices
(ii) the historical peace and sacrifices
(iii) the historical fight and sacrifices
(iv) the historical struggle and fight
2. Answer the following questions. 2´5=10
(a) What does May Day commemorate?
(b) How long did the workers have to work a day before the May 1st, 1886?
(c) What did the workers want by struggling against the authority?
(d) What happened when the policemen attacked the strikers?
(e) Why is the event of May 1, 1886 a reminder for the workers?
3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text. 15=5
Fish population is in serious danger from global warming. Climate change is increasing the water temperature in rivers, lakes and seas. This means there is less food and oxygen available for fish. It also means the fish may not grow fully and may have fewer offsprings. Some fishes will become extinct if temperatures rise even by one or two degrees.
Climate change increases the pressure on fish population. Fishes are one of the world’s most valuable biological assets. Forty percent of people in the world eat fish as their main source of protein. If we fail to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we will increase the pressure on fish. As a result, people who depend on fish will suffer from hunger and poverty.
Global warming (a) the rise of temperature of water sources too. This sudden rise in temperature (b) upon the fish population seriously. Increased temperature (c) the amount of oxygen and food of the fish population. Some species of fishes are about to be (d) . If this (e) , people dependent on fish will face hunger and poverty.
4. Read the passage. Then complete the following table with information from the passage. 15=5
Marconi was an Italian inventor. He is well known for inventing radio. He was born at Bologna. Italy on 25 April 1874. His father was an Italian landowner and his mother was from Ireland. Marconi was educated at the technical institute of Livomo and attended the University of Bologna. In 1890, he began experimenting with wireless telegraph. In 1896, he founded Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company in London. In 1898, Marconi successfully transmitted signals across the English Channel. This was the journey of radio and in 1901, he established communication with Newfoundland, America from England. Marconi's system
was adopted by the Royal Navy. During the First World War his wireless telegraph was widely used. He won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1909. He died in 1937.
About Marconi
Who/
What Place Event Year/Time
(Subject) Achievement' Specialty
Lifespan Italy Born (i) .......
Marconi London After experimenting with wireless telegraph for 6 years 1896 (ii).....
He 1909
(iii) ... (iv) .....
He (v) ...... (1901
5. Write a summary of the above passage in your own words. 1´5=5
6. Match the parts of sentences given in column 'A', 'B' and 'C' to write five complete sentences. 1´5=5
Column A Column B Column C
a. Smoking is undoubtedly a bad habit i. so that we can lead i. and consequently suffer greatly
b. Many people not realizing the bad effects of smoking ii. which is harmful not only physically ii. a healthy and happy life
c. According to medical science iii. but also all those who iii. remain beside him
d. Moreover, smoking harms not only the smoker iv. smoking causes various fatal diseases such as cancer iv. but also financially
e. So, we must give up this bad habit v. become chain smokers v. bronchitis, stroke, hypertension etc.
7. Put the following parts of the story in correct order to make the whole story. 1´8=8
(a) He considered the animals the members of his family.
(b) So, he engaged a servant for the purpose.
(c) He had some animals.
(d) Once he fell sick and became weak.
(e) As a result, he could not take care of the animals properly.
(f) He himself used to take proper care of the animals and so his animals were always strong and healthy.
(g) He was really very happy with his animals.
(h) Once there was a farmer.
Part B : Writing Test (Marks 50)
8. Answer the following questions to write a paragraph on “Tree Plantation”. 10
(a) What does a tree do for us?
(b) What is the effect of the loss of trees?
(c) How does it maintain ecological balance?
(d) How can we make the tree plantation programme successful?
(e) What is your suggestion about tree plantation?
9. Read the beginning of a story. And at least ten new sentences to complete the story. 10
Once there lived a poor man. He had a goose. It was a wonderful goose............
10. The graph below shows 'The motorbike selling percentage of different brands' 2016. Describe the graph in 150 words. You should highlight and summarize the information given in the graph. 10
Motorbike selling percentage of deferent brands
11. Suppose, you are Sabbir/Sajuti living at Mirpur, Dhaka Your friend Rahat/Ritu lives in Polashpur, Kustia. Your friend wants to know about the co-curricular activities of your school. Now, write a letter to your friend describing about it. 10
12. Smoking is a very dangerous bad habit. Many people die every year for smoking. Now, write a dialogue between you and your friend about the bad effects of smoking. 10
