Rajuk Uttara Model College

Half Yearly Examination 2026

Class: XI

Time: 3 hours

Subject: English

Marks: 100

[Answer all the questions. Figure in the margin indicate full marks]

Part A: Seen Comprehension (30 Marks)

Read the following passage and answer the question 1 & 2:

Folk music consists of songs and music of a community that are not influenced by any sophisticated musical rules or any standard musical styles. Bangladesh has a heritage of rich folk music which includes both religious and secular songs. ​Folk music may be described as the music of the ancient times that sprang from the heart of a community, based on their natural style of expression uninfluenced by the rules of classical music or modern popular songs. Any arrangement of sound created by the combination of tune, voice and instrument/dance may be described as music. Folk music is the combination of song, tune and dance that originate from the traditional culture of ordinary people (the folk). For example, Baul songs are a combination of tune, music and dance that are associated with the Baul tradition in Bengal.

Folk Music has the following characteristics:

1. It is composed by rural folk on the basis of ancient rules transmitted orally;
2. these ancient rules of music have not been influenced by classical or modern music;
3. folk songs may be sung in groups or individually;
4. no regular practice is required for folk music;
5. it is composed and performed by illiterate or semi-literate people;
6. it is a spontaneous expression of feelings and thoughts in easy language, local dialect, and simple tune;
7. both words and tune are appealing;
8. despite its universal appeal it uses local dialect; it depends upon nature and the rural environment;
9. it is an explicit manifestation of the joys and sorrows of daily life;
10. it uses simple and natural rhythms; and
11. it contains a strong emotive expression of human love and separation.

​In Bangladesh folk music has great variety, with songs composed on culture, festivals, views of life, natural beauty, rivers and rural and riverine life. These songs are also about social inequality and poverty, about the material world and the supernatural. Mystical songs have been composed using the metaphors of rivers and boats. Since the country is basically riverine, the Bhatiyali forms an important genre of folk music. Nature plays a role in providing the content and rhythm of folk music. The folk music of Bangladesh varies from region to region, reflecting changes in the natural environment and the dialects people use. Thus there are the northern Bhawaiya, the eastern Bhatiyali and the southwestern Baul songs.

1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives: \( 1\times5=5 \) 

(a) What is the synonym of the word 'heritage'?

(i) inhabitant (ii) convention (iii) instinct (iv) heir

(b) What is the main theme of the passage?

(i) hiding qualities of folk music

(ii) showing formalities of folk music

(iii) depicting symbols of folk music

(iv) personifying characteristics of folk music

(c) Baul song is the combination of ——

(i) folk, tune and music

(ii) music tune and expression

(iii) tune, music and song

(iv) instrument, theme and music

(d) What do we understand by ‘riverine life’?

(i) Life following the rivers

(ii) Life on rivers

(iii) Life beside river banks

(iv) Life influenced by the rivers.

(e) Folk music —— from the heart of a community.

(i) adds (ii) changse (iii) proceeds (iv) emanates

2. Answer the following questions: \( 2\times5=10 \)

(a) How can we differentiate between folk music and modern music?

(b) How can we define Baul songs?

(c) What are reasons of great variety in folk music?

(d) What does folk music reflect?

(e) Why is folk music universally appealing?

3. Complete the flow chart showing the miracles exhibited by Gazi Pir: 10

According to some myths and legends, Gazi Pir was a Muslim saint who is said to have spread Islam in the parts of Bengal close to the Sunderbans. He was credited with many miracles. For example, he could supposedly [calm] dangerous animals and make them docile. He is usually depicted in paats or scroll paintings riding a fierce-looking Bengal tiger, a snake in his hand, but in no apparent danger. According to some stories, he also fought crocodiles who threatened the people of a region full of canals and creeks, indeed, a kind of watery jungle bordering the Bay of Bengal. Because of his alert and vigilant presence, all predatory animals were said to have been kept within bounds. It was also believed that he enabled villagers to live close to forests and jungles and cultivate their lands. Consequently, people of these regions would pray to him for protection. The story of Gazi Pir has been preserved in folk literature as well as art and has been performed in indigenous theatre. In fact, some Gazir paat scrolls are part of the collection of the British Museum.

1.Credited with many miracles ⇒ 2 ⇒ 3 ⇒ 4 ⇒ 5 ⇒ 6

 

4. Write the summary of the following passage:

Education aims to bring about(পরিবর্তন আনে বুঝাতে) positive(ইতিবাচক) changes in our behavior. It helps us try to change our lives as well as the society we live in. Education that does not illuminate(আলোকিত) our minds or does not inspire us to work for the community is not complete at all(অসম্পূর্ণ). Education is not all about getting grades or receiving certificates– we use education to make life better. We are expected to apply the knowledge, skills and values(মূল্যবোধ) that we learn in a classroom in our engagement with the world that lies(অবস্থিত) outside. And we can do so in many different ways.  Learners’ civic engagement (শিক্ষার্থীদের নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততা) is highly appreciated(প্রশংসিত) all over the world. Civic engagement(নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততা) means working to make a difference in the civic life (the public life of the citizens as contrasted with(বিপরীতে) private or personal life) of the community using knowledge, skills, values and motivation. Civic engagement promotes the quality of life in a community by contributing to the improvement of health and wellbeing(উন্নতিতে) of the people. When civic engagement is a part of an academic programme(শিক্ষামূলক কর্মসূচির), and the learners’ engagement is assessed following a scale, then it is called service learning(পরিষেবা শিক্ষা). It involves the application(প্রয়োগ) of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and then making a complete plan of action. When civic engagement is spontaneous(স্বতঃস্ফূর্ত) but irregular and not a part of any academic programme, it is considered volunteerism(স্বেচ্ছাসেবা).

Part B: Grammar (25 Marks)

5. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context. \( 0.5\times10=5 \) 

Patriotism is a very noble virtue. It (a) — (inspire) a man to do everything just and fair for the well-being and betterment of the country. It (b) — (be) the quality that impels a man to sacrifice his own interest, comfort, pleasure and even his life for the sake of his country. Patriotic zeal (c) — (make) a man dutiful, energetic and enthusiastic. He (d) — (obey) the laws, pays taxes and (e) — (think) for the country. Patriotism (f) — (teach) a man fellow-feeling, fraternity and love and sympathy for the countrymen. A patriot is also (g) — (praise) and (h) — (honour) by his countrymen. An unpatriotic man, on the other hand, is an ignoble person. He is self-centered. He (i) — (engage) all his time in achieving his mean end. He (j) — (cause) harm to the country by his unyielding and reckless activities.

6. Read the text and change the sentences as directed.\( 1\times5=5 \) 

(a) He tried his best to complete the task. (Negative)

(b) Complete your assignment by today. (Complex)

(c) She could not recognize me at that time. (Affirmative)

(d) This was one of the heaviest loads he had ever lifted. (Positive)

(e) Who knows it well? (Voice Change)

7. Change the following narrative style. 5

"Sir," the student said, "May I ask you a question?" "Of course." "I was abset from your class yesterday and could not understand the lesson." "Ok, if you are free after this class, meet me in the teacher's room. I will help you." "Thank you, sir." "You're welcome, my son."

8. Fill in the blanks with correct modifiers as directed in brackets. \( 0.5\times10=5 \) 

The people of Bangladesh are (a) ______ (use intensifier) hospitable. They like (b) ______ (use infinitive phrase to post modify the verb). It is their (c) ______ (pre-modify the noun) part of culture. So, hospitality is a (d) ______ (pre-modify the noun) norm of Bangladeshi people. Although many other things are changing (e) ______ (post-modify the verb), people are still (f) ______ (pre-modify the adjective with an intensifier) polite towards foreigners. They like to welcome the foreigners even if they have not been introduced (g) ______ (use Adverbial to post-modify the verb). It is quite common for Bangladeshis (h) ______ (use infinitive) personal questions about family, job and income for which the foreigners may feel (i) ______ (post-modify the verb). However, it should be understood that (j) ______ (use quantifier to pre-modify the noun) harm is meant by such questions.

9. Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions. \( 0.5\times10=5 \)

Charity begins (a) ______ home. It is a virtue that elevates human nature. A person should be endowed (b) ______ this virtue. It encourages people (c) ______ think favorably (d) ______ their fellowmen and do them good. Everybody should practise this habit (e) ______ the very childhood. The right use (f) ______ it brings happiness (g) ______ earth. It is a form of self-sacrifice (h) ______ which society cannot exist. We should refrain ourselves (i) ______ all evil deeds. We should be contented (j) ______ what we have.

Part C: Vocabulary and Guided Writing (15 Marks)

10. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary. \( 0.5\times10=5 \)

all	follow	answer	use	through	necessity
rise	careful	begin	distribute	have	carefully

Students should be strategic about their examination. It is (a) — for an examinee to (b) — some instructions. He should go (c) — the whole question paper before he (d) — to write. He must make a proper (e) — of his time so that he can (f) — enough time to answer (g) — the questions. He must write his answer (h) —. He should be (i) — about his handwriting. He can (j) — double spacing if his handwriting is tiny or very untidy.

11. Fill in the gaps with suitable words. \( 0.5\times10=5 \)

Civility means polite (a) ______ or modesty. It also (b) ______ courteous manner. It is a great virtue (c) ______ a man. To be well behaved or good natured we need not (d) ______ money. We have to (e) ______ willingness to attain civility. We have to (f) ______ some code of conduct and (g) ______ the norms of etiquette of the society. It (h) ______ from society to society. However, one has to (i) ______ good manner in one’s character from an early age. No expenditure (j) ______ consciousness is required.

12. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in proper sequence. \( 0.5\times10=5 \)

1. They dug the hole, killed the snake and took the necklace.
2. The crow at last thought of a plan to get rid of its enemy.
3. It stole a precious necklace from the Royal Palace and dropped it into the snake's hole after scattering a few rubies here and there.
4. A snake lived in a hole at the foot of a tree.
5. The king became very angry at the loss and sent out men to look for the necklace.
6. High up on its branches was the nest of a crow.
7. In this way, the snake ate up three of the chicks.
8. In course of time, they noticed the scattered rubies near the hole.
9. The crow had four young chicks in its nest.
10. Whenever the crow would leave the nest to bring food for its chicks, the snake would climb and eat one.

Part D: Composition (30 Marks)

13. Write a paragraph on Climate Change. 10

14. Suppose, you are Akash/Nodi. Now, write an email to the Director of Bangla Academy to attend a seminar on language study organized by Bangla Academy. 10

15. Suppose, you are Ratul, a student of RUMC. Now, write a report on the Impact of Facebook on Young Generation. 10