KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN (LUCKNOW REGION)

MID TERM EXAM 2023-24

CLASS – VIII
Max. Marks - 60 SUBJECT - ENGLISH Time - 2 Hours 30 Mins

General Instructions -
This question paper is divided into four sections:
Section A Reading 15 Marks
Section B Writing 08 Marks
Section C Grammar07 Marks
Section DLiterature 30 Marks
SECTION A - READING (15 MARKS)
Q 1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow- (1x8=8marks)

I. One of the great values of punctuality is that it gives discipline to life. We have to get up on
time. We have to do things at the appointed time. They entail certain amount of sacrifice. It
dispels laziness and removes our ‘take-it-easy attitude’. A disciplined person always gets
recognition and social acceptance. He is wanted and appreciated. Therefore, punctuality can
make us socially acceptable people.

II. Another significant merit of punctuality is that it provides ample time to do our work
correctly and properly. Doing things hurriedly or haphazardly can have disastrous
consequences. When we do things in time there is every chance that they end up as fine
works.

III. The virtue of punctuality is said to be the key to success. Look at the great world leaders
who have achieved fame and success. Punctuality was their hallmark. They kept their
promises. Punctuality is a virtue that is appreciated by all. Washington once took his
secretary to task for being late. The secretary laid the blame upon his watch. Washington
reported: “Then, Sir either you must get a new watch, or I must get a new secretary.” People
like them are ideals whom we should follow in earnest.

IV. When individuals are not punctual, they cause a lot of inconvenience to others. People have
to wait for them and waste their valuable time. Want of punctuality reveals want of culture
and is discourteous to the person we fail. Unpunctuality invites trouble and worry. History is
full of cases which show that lack of punctuality has caused defeat, loss of kingdom and
golden opportunities. It is said that Napoleon lost the battle of Waterloo in 1815 because
one of his generals came late. Many people lose good opportunities of job or promotion
when they reach late for appointment.

V. All of us are not born with the virtue of punctuality. We have to cultivate it painstakingly.
Only constant vigil and practice can implant this virtue. It calls for great deal of sacrifice. It
calls for courage to root out laziness and the ‘take-it easy attitude’. It demands a disciplined
life. That is why very few individuals have the virtue of punctuality. But, know it for certain
that it is the surest way to success.
Tick one of the correct options given below- (1x4=4 marks)

i. What are the advantages of being punctual?

a) Punctuality destroys the discipline of life.
b) Punctuality entails a lot of sacrifice.
c) Punctuality helps to gain acceptance and recognition.
d) Punctuality teaches us a ‘take it easy’ attitude.
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 ii. What happens when we work punctually?
a) It provides ample time to complete any work on time
b) It can have disastrous effects on any work
c) It makes us sacrifice our well being
d) It makes us late for appointments
iii. Which statement among the following is not mentioned about punctuality in the given
passage?
a) Punctuality is the key to success
b) Punctuality is a virtue that is appreciated by all
c) Punctuality is an inborn habit
d) Punctuality roots out laziness
iv. Identify the best title for the given passage.
a) Punctuality: boon or bane?
b) Punctuality: a definite key to success
c) Punctuality: the road to fame and fortune
d) Punctuality: a step towards making friends
Answer the following questions. (1x4=4marks)
v. How do unpunctual people cause trouble to others?
vi. What does a disciplined person always get?
vii. If you are not disciplined, you will__________________.
viii. We are not born with the virtue of punctuality. Say whether the statement is true or false.
Q 2. Read comic strip carefully and answer the following questions. (1x7=7 marks)

i. What is the name of the boy?

a) Hobbes
b) Rosalyn
c) Calvin
ii. Which part of the day is it?
iii.What does he prepare for breakfast?

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 iv.Does he prepare a good breakfast?
v. When the buy was sick, his mother ____________.
vi.It is hard for him to be ______________.
vii. Find the word, which means: infectious.
SECTION B: WRITING (08 MARKS)
Q 3. Attempt ANY ONE of the following – (4 marks) You are
the cultural secretary of your school, draft a notice in about 50 words inviting the names of the
th
students for quiz competition to be held on 30 September 2023.
OR
You are the Secretary, Music Club of Modern School, Barakhamba Road. Write a notice informing
students about the music carnival being held in your school.
Q 4. Attempt ANY ONE of the following – (4 marks)
Write a meaningful story based on these pictures. Assign a suitable title of the story.
Write the moral of the story.

OR
Given below is an outline of a story in which a disciple is expecting the visit of God. Develop a
complete story on the basis of the input given. Also state the moral of the story.
God’s promise to a disciple to visit her………….. disciple cleans her house and waits for God…………..
poor old lady knocks her door ………….. disciple doesn’t help her ………….. tells her not to waste her
time ………….. next, beggar comes at her door step she doesn’t entertain him either ………….. Finally
a child knocks her door ………….. she sends him away too ………….. dreams of God that night
………….. God tells him that he had come thrice at her door step, but she didn’t bother ………….. lady
disappointed ………….. moral.
SECTION C: GRAMMAR (7 MARKS)
Q 5. Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the verbs in brackets. (1x2=4 marks)
My little sister is very naughty. When she (a) _________(come) back from school yesterday,
she had (b)_________(tear) her dress.
He (c)______(write) a letter to his father yesterday.

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 The gardener is (d)________(water) the plants.
Q 6. Rearrange the following jumbled words into meaningful sentence. (1 Mark)
don’t pay / if you / attention / you might / the wrong train / to the announcement / board
Q 7. Fill in the blanks below using has to/ have to /had to. (1x2=2 marks)
a) I___________ cut my hair every month.
b) We __________ go for swimming lessons last year.
SECTION D: LITERATURE (30MARKS)
Q8. Read the given stanza and answer the questions that follows: (1x4=4 marks)
Says the ant to the
Cricket, “I’ am your servant
and friend.
But we ants never
Borrow we ants never lend.
But tell me, dear cricket,
Did you lay nothing by
When the weather was
warm?’’Quoth the cricket,
“Not I!
(i) What did the cricket do?
(ii) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
(iii) Which season has been described here?
(iv) Write the opposite of ‘borrow’ as given in the passage.
Q9. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below: (1x4=4
marks)
Tilly saw the sea slowly rise, and start to foam, bubble and form whirlpools. She remembered that
she had seen this in class in a video of a tsunami that had hit the Hawaiian island in 1946. Her
geography teacher had shown her class the video, and told them that tsunami can be caused by
earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides.
(i) What did Tilly see?
(ii) What did she remember?
(iii) What is whirlpool?
a) a washing machine brand
b) a powerful circular current of water
c) none of the above
(iv) Tsunami is caused by _____________.
Q 10. Answer any FOUR in 30-40 words. (2x4=8 marks)
(a) What did the author find in a junk shop?
(b) How many people and animals died in Yala National Park?
(c) In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?
(d) Why did the man stare at Bepin Babu in disbelief?
(e) Who was Chunilal? What did he want from Bepin Babu?

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Q 11. Answer any THREE in30-40 words. (2x3=6 marks)
(a) What tasks were assigned to the dog and the ox?
(b) Why had Velu run away from home?
(c) Why is the Giant called selfish?
(d) Why was it still winter in one corner of the garden?
Q 12. Answer any ONE in 80 -100 words. (4 marks )
Narrate the story of the ant and the cricket and what moral does it convey?
OR
Imagine you are Bepin Choudhary. You have received Chunilal’s letter and feel ashamed that you
did not bother to help an old friend down on his luck. Now you want to do something for him. Write
a letter to Chunilal promising to help him soon.
Q 13. Answer any ONE in 80-100 words. (4 marks)
What is child labour? What forced the young boy Velu to do the work of rag picking?
OR
Write a character sketch of ‘The Selfish Giant’.

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