SDM'S ANSWER KEY TO HALF YEARLY LANGUAGE PAPER, 2025, Std. 8, HOLY JESUS SCHOOL, DHANMANDAL

HALF YEARLY LANGUAGE PAPER, 2025, Std. 8, HOLY JESUS SCHOOL, DHANMANDAL (2025-2026) 

Class-VIII English-I paper:                     Full Mark:80

Question 1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

When we enter New York harbour, the first thing we see is the Statue of Liberty. What impresses us the most is its size and magnificence. Have you ever wondered how it came to be there? The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to mark the one-hundred-year anniversary of American Independence. In 1869, Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi began to plan his concept for the monument. Bartholdi chose the look of classic Greek and Roman figures. He envisioned Liberty as a strong and proud figure, one who personified not only the majestic Greek goddesses of the past, but also the working men and women of the present. Finally, in 1884, the work was finished, and Liberty was packed into 214 crates and sent to New York city. Only one problem stood in the way. While the French had raised a lot of funds to build the statue, New York had not secured the funds to build its foundation. It was not until a New York newspaper implored people for donations that money became available. Finally, on 28th October 1886, Americans celebrated the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty.

Questions                                                                                                     (2x5=10)

1. Why was the Statue of Liberty given as a gift to America by France?

2. What is the name of the sculptor of the monument 'the Statue of Liberty'?

3. What did the sculptor imagine the Statue of Liberty to be?

4. How many years did it take to unveil the Statue of Liberty?

5. Trace the word from the passage which means the same as "imagined".

Question 2. Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Tense Form. (1x15=15)

1. The director is ________ (visit) our school tomorrow. (present tense)

2. He ______________ (enjoy) paneer tikka. (present tense)

3. She is ______________ (go) to Maldives next week. (present tense)

4. Bengalis ______________ (celebrate) Durga Puja with great fervour. (present tense)

5. Meenal ______________ (complete) her homework. (present tense)

6. She ______________ (snore) all night. (past tense)

7. I ______________ (wake) early when I was in school. (past tense)

8. Mayank ______________ (play) till 4 in the evening yesterday. (past tense)

9. I ______________ (work) in a company for 10 years. (past tense)

10. My brother ______________ (sleep) when I entered his room. (past tense)

11. The kids ______________ (sing) really well in the annual function. (past tense)

12. The scheme ______________ (launch) next month. (future tense)

13. Sohan ______________ (study) when you reach home. (future tense)

14. I ______________ (consult) a specialist for my eye problem. (future tense)

15. She ______________ (join) sewing classes. (future tense)

Question 3. Choose the Correct Modal to fill in the blanks out of the given options.                                                                                     (1x10=10)                

1. We ______________ respect our elders.

a. can, b. could, c. ought to, d. may

2. ______________ you hand me the stapler?

a. can, b. have, c. ought to, d. might

3. I really ______________ be in the office by 9:00 am.

a. can, b. could, c. might, d. should

4. You ______________ take some extra food along with you.

a. will, b. must, c. would, d. none of these

5. I ______________ make the arrangements for the party tonight.

a. can, b. will, c. may, d. would

6. ______________ I use your mobile to call my mother?

a. can, b. could, c. may, d. all of these

7. We ______________ overcome this situation soon.

a. may, b. would, c. will to, d. can

8. He ______________ not stay out after 11 pm.

a. can, b. may, c. would, d. might

9. You ______________ wait or call again later.

a. will, b. would, c. could, d. have to

10. Max ______________ not drink so much.

a. ought to, b. would, c. will, d. may

Question 4.  Choose the Correct Option.                                            (1x15=15)

1. Here ____ is/are the package of letters.

2. Two weeks ____was/were all the vacation he got.

3. One of the diamonds ____was/were stolen.

4. The vases on the table ____is/are beautiful.

5. A number of videos ____have/has been deleted from the phone.

6. Two hundred rupees ____seem/seems a fair price for 2 bricks of ice cream.

7. Not everyone ____want/wants to learn more and more.

8. Each of the employees____ is/are going to get a trip as a gift.

9. The style and colour of the trouser ____are/is best for you.

10. One of you ____has/have to take the responsibility of the kid.

11. What ____does/do a pair of jeans cost?

12. Nine and nine ____make/makes eighteen.

13. The furniture of the house____ is/are quite impressive.

14. Uma, my childhood friend____ is/are leaving for Delhi next month.

15. Most of my friends ____is/are government employees.

Question 5.  Fill in the Blanks with Non-Finite Verbs.

Instructions: Complete the sentences using an appropriate non-finite verb form (infinitive or ing form).                                                                                    (1x5=5)

1. I can’t wait ______________ (see) you again.

2. She loves ______________ (dance) at parties.

3. He plans ______________ (start) his own business next year.

4. They are interested in ______________ (learn) new languages.

5. I forgot ______________ (call) her yesterday.

Question 6.  Rewrite the following sentences using the structure “too...to”.                                                                                                                                               (1x8=8)

1. He is so short that he cannot be a police officer.

2. He was so tired that he could not walk.

3. His theories are so difficult that I cannot comprehend them.

4. He is so young that he cannot understand a complex theory like this.

5. Your story is so ridiculous that I cannot believe it.

6. Those people are so selfish that they do not deserve any pity.

7. He was so shocked that he could not speak.

8. There are so many boys in the class that one teacher cannot control them.

Question 7. Fill in the Blanks with suitable Abstract Nouns. The adjectives, verbs or nouns given in the brackets should offer clues.             (1x10=10)

1. He is a man of ________(strong).

2. The people in this part of the country live in _____ (poor).

3. __________ to animals is a punishable offence. (cruel)

4. He is on a _________ (pilgrim) to Mecca.

5. I have great ________ (please) to welcome you.

6. _________ (child) is the best period of one's life.

7. _________ (waste) should always be avoided.

8. As a parent, my children's _________ (safe) is of utmost importance to me.

9. As the sun went below the horizon, _________ (dark) enveloped the planet.

10. There is no end to his ______________ (wicked).

Question 8. Write an essay on                                                              (7x1=7)

Topic: Importance of Sports and Games

 or 

Health is Wealth.

Answer Key To:

Question 1

1. The Statue of Liberty was given as a gift from France to America to mark the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence.

2. The sculptor of the Statue of Liberty was Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.

3. The sculptor imagined the Statue of Liberty as a strong and proud figure who represented both the majestic goddesses of the past and the working men and women of the present.

4. It took about 17 years (from 1869 to 1886) to unveil the Statue of Liberty.

5. The word from the passage that means “imagined” is envisioned.

Question 2

1. The director is visiting our school tomorrow.

2. He enjoys paneer tikka.

3. She is going to Maldives next week.

4. Bengalis celebrate Durga Puja with great fervour.

5. Meenal has completed her homework.

6. She snored all night.

7. I used to wake early when I was in school.

8. Mayank played till 4 in the evening yesterday.

9. I worked in a company for 10 years.

10. My brother was sleeping when I entered his room.

11. The kids sang really well in the annual function.

12. The scheme will be launched next month.

13. Sohan will be studying when you reach home.

14. I will consult a specialist for my eye problem.

15. She will join sewing classes.

Question 3

1. We ought to respect our elders.

2. Can you hand me the stapler?

3. I really should be in the office by 9:00 am.

4. You must take some extra food along with you.

5. I will make the arrangements for the party tonight.

6. May I use your mobile to call my mother?

7. We will overcome this situation soon.

8. He must not stay out after 11 pm.

9. You have to wait or call again later.

10. Max ought not to drink so much.

Question 4

1. Here is the package of letters.

2. Two weeks was all the vacation he got.

3. One of the diamonds was stolen.

4. The vases on the table are beautiful.

5. A number of videos have been deleted from the phone.

6. Two hundred rupees seems a fair price for 2 bricks of ice cream.

7. Not everyone wants to learn more and more.

8. Each of the employees is going to get a trip as a gift.

9. The style and colour of the trouser are best for you.

10. One of you has to take the responsibility of the kid.

11. What does a pair of jeans cost?

12. Nine and nine make eighteen.

13. The furniture of the house is quite impressive.

14. Uma, my childhood friend, is leaving for Delhi next month.

15. Most of my friends are government employees.

Question 5

1. I can’t wait to see you again.

2. She loves to dance at parties.

3. He plans to start his own business next year.

4. They are interested in learning new languages.

5. I forgot to call her yesterday.

Question 6

1. He is too short to be a police officer.

2. He was too tired to walk.

3. His theories are too difficult for me to comprehend.

4. He is too young to understand a complex theory like this.

5. Your story is too ridiculous for me to believe.

6. Those people are too selfish to deserve any pity.

7. He was too shocked to speak.

8. There are too many boys in the class to be controlled by one teacher.

Question 7

1. He is a man of strength.

2. The people in this part of the country live in poverty.

3. Cruelty to animals, a punishable offence.

4. He is on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

5. I have great pleasure to welcome you.

6. Childhood is the best period of one’s life.

7. Wastefulness should always be avoided.

8. As a parent, my children’s safety is of utmost importance to me.

9. As the sun went below the horizon, darkness enveloped the planet.

10. There is no end to his wickedness.

Question 8

Essay Topic 1: Importance of Sports and Games

Sports and games play a very important role in our lives. They keep our bodies fit and our minds active. Regular play helps us stay healthy, strong, and full of energy. It also teaches discipline, teamwork, and confidence.

Through sports, we learn to face challenges and work hard to reach our goals. Games teach us fair play, honesty, and respect for others. Whether we win or lose, we gain valuable lessons that help us in life.

Sports also bring people together. They promote friendship and unity among players and even among nations. Outdoor games give us fresh air and physical exercise, while indoor games improve our concentration and quick thinking.

Today, sports are not only a source of fun but also a good career option. Many athletes bring fame and pride to their countries through their achievements.

To conclude, sports and games are essential for our overall development. They help us stay healthy, learn good habits, and prepare for a bright and successful future. Everyone should make sports and games a part of daily life.Or

Essay Topic 2: Health is Wealth

Good health is very important for a happy and successful life. When we are healthy, we can do our work efficiently and enjoy life to the fullest. If we are not healthy, we cannot do our work properly and life becomes difficult.

Importance of Physical Health

Physical health is very important for our overall well-being. We should eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep to stay healthy. A healthy body helps us to fight against diseases and infections.

Importance of Mental Health

Mental health is also very important. We should try to stay positive and manage stress effectively. Talking to friends, family, or a counselor can help us feel better when we are stressed or upset.

Benefits of Good Health

Good health has many benefits. When we are healthy, we can:

1. Perform well in school and other activities

2. Build strong relationships with family and friends

3. Enjoy life and pursue our hobbies

4. Stay focused and productive

Conclusion

To conclude, health is indeed wealth. We should take care of our physical and mental health by eating well, exercising regularly, and managing stress. By doing so, we can lead a happy and fulfilling life.

Compiled by Dr. Shankar D Mishra 

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