HSC 2026 English 2nd Paper Question & Solution PDF Download
English 2nd Paper
All Board 2026
Full Marks: 100
Time: 3 Hours
Part A-Grammar
Marks-60.
1. Fill in the blanks of the following text with articles where necessary. Some of the blanks may not require any article. Put a cross [x] in those blanks:
Though Bangladesh is struggling to achieve (a) ——— status of a middle income country, it is still beset with many problems. Unemployment problem is one of (b) ——— big challenges in Bangladesh. Hundreds and thousands of highly educated people are unemployed. (c) ——— government job is like (d) ——— golden deer to the educated youth. Nearly one hundred candidates apply for (e) ——— single post. (f) ——— mentioned problem is becoming acute day by day. Some pragmatic steps need to be taken in this regard. Firstly, (g) ——— government should emphasize on technical education. Secondly, (h) ——— educated people should not only run after government jobs. Thirdly, (i) ——— job seekers need to be engaged in self-motivated jobs. We think unemployment problem will be addressed as early as possible to booster (j) ——— overall development of Bangladesh.
Answer: (a) the; (b) the; (c) A; (d) a; (e) a; (f) The; (g) the; (h) x/the; (i) x/the; (j) the
2. Complete the text with suitable prepositions:
It is known to all that smoking is detrimental (a) ——— health. It causes many incurable diseases. There is hardly any easy remedy (b) ——— this disease. People are aware (c) ——— the matter. Yet they stick (d) ——— this bad habit. Smoking is also injurious (e) ——— a non-smoker. Unfortunately the smokers do not think (f) ——— the non-smokers while smoking. As a result, the non-smokers fall an easy victim (g) ——— their whims. (h) ——— some cases, children become the worst sufferers because (i) ——— their parents' whimsical smoking. So the smokers should consider the adverse effect of smoking (j) ——— the non-smokers.
Answer: (a) to; (b) to; (c) of; (d) to; (e) to; (f) of; (g) to; (h) In; (i) of; (j) on
3. Complete the sentences with suitable words/phrases given in the box:
There | was born | It | would rather | had better | feel like | has to | let alone | As soon as | what does..... look like
(a) You look exhausted. You —— take rest to refresh yourself.
(b) -— was a time when every child used to relish home-made food.
(c) The man who wears a crown —— bear the burden of responsibility.
(d) Kazi Nazrul Islam is our national poet. He —— in 1899 in a village named Churulia.
(e) Nature assumes a spectacular sight during the spring. The blossom of various flowers and the sweet songs of the cuckoo touch our mind. ——seems that everything has got a new life.
(f) It is raining cats and dogs. So, Imran —— stay at home than go to university.
(g) Salma has never travelled by train, — by air.
(h) I bought a can of orange juice. But I ——— having a nice cool glass of lemonade.
(i) The examination was going on the students stopped writing —— the bell rang.
(j) Have you ever seen a kingfisher? —— a kingfisher ——?
Answer: (a) had better; (b) There; (c) has to; (d) was born; (e) It; (f) would rather; (g) let alone; (h) feel like; (i) as soon as; (j) What does...look like
4. Complete the following sentences with suitable clauses/phrase:
(a) Respect is reciprocal. You cannot expect respect from others unless ——.
(b) Women constitute half of the total population of Bangladesh. No progress is possible -—.
(c) Time is very precious. So, we should make the best use of time with a view to ——.
(d) Corruption is the main hindrance to the development of our country. It is high time ———.
(e) Early rising is beneficial to health. Those who rise ———.
(f) Illiteracy is regarded as a curse. It retards ——.
(g) Trees are very important for our existence. They supply oxygen without which ———.
(h) There is a wise saying that united we stand, ———. So, we must be united to protect the dignity of our country.
(i) Self-help is the best help. Allah helps those ———.
(j) Illiteracy is a curse. If all the children of Bangladesh went to school, ——.
Answer:
(a) you respect them
(b) their active participation
(c) succeeding in life
(d) we took strict measures against it
(e) early lead a healthy life
(f) the overall development of a nation
(g) we cannot survive
(h) divided we fall
(i) who help themselves
(j) illiteracy would be eradicated.
(a) you respect them
(b) their active participation
(c) succeeding in life
(d) we took strict measures against it
(e) early lead a healthy life
(f) the overall development of a nation
(g) we cannot survive
(h) divided we fall
(i) who help themselves
(j) illiteracy would be eradicated.
5. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context: 0.5×10=5
Reading is really like (a) —— (take) a flight to greater heights in pursuit of knowledge. It is a journey towards enlightenment. Even if you have (b) —— (read) one good book in your life, you (c) —— (know) what reading (d) —— (give). It provides you with incomparable pleasure. Read one good book and you will know what the joys of reading (e) —— (be). Reading (f) —— (nourish) your mind. It gives you both information and knowledge and teaches you to distinguish between the two. Reading informs you of what (g) —— (happen) around you, helps you (h) —— (remain) updated about what (i) —— (change). It is through reading you understand that knowledge (j) —— (know) no bounds and the hunger for it is insatiable.
Answer: (a) taking; (b) read; (c) will know; (d) gives; (e) are; (f) nourishes; (g) is happening/ happens; (h) remain; (i) is changing/ has changed; (j) knows
6. Read the text and change the sentence as directed: 1×5=5
Man cannot live without water. The other name of water is life. (a) Water is polluted in many ways. (Make it complex). (b) The water which is pure is essential for our survival. (Simple). (c) Men pollute it by throwing wastes in it. (Compound) (d) The farmers of our country use water for cultivation. (Passive voice) (e) It is one of the most important elements for all living beings. (Positive).
Answer:
(a) There are many ways in which water is polluted.
(b) Pure water is essential for our survival.
(c) Men throw wastes in it and pollute it.
(d) Water is used for cultivation by the farmers of our country.
(e) Very few elements are as important as it for all living beings.
(a) There are many ways in which water is polluted.
(b) Pure water is essential for our survival.
(c) Men throw wastes in it and pollute it.
(d) Water is used for cultivation by the farmers of our country.
(e) Very few elements are as important as it for all living beings.
7. Change the form of narrative style by using indirect speeches: 5
The traveller said, "Can you tell me the way to the nearest hotel?" "Yes", said the peasant. "Do you want one in which you can spend the night?" "No", replied the traveller. "I only want to have my meal."
Answer: The traveller asked the peasant if he could tell him the way to the nearest hotel. The peasant replied in the affirmative and asked if he (the traveller) wanted one in which he could spend the night. The traveller replied in the negative and said that he only wanted to have his meal.
8. Identify the unclear pronoun references in the following text where necessary. Re-write the sentences to make the pronoun references clear and underline the changes: 1×5=5
Books are the medium through which human beings talk with enlightened minds, the great men of the world. We consider it to be our best friends. It introduces them to the life and the world. Books are the mirrors of past, present and even future. They are having an active voice. We can know about the thoughts and deeds of their ancestors through it.
Answer: Books are the medium through which human beings talk with enlightened minds, the great men of the world. We consider them to be our best friends. They introduce us to life and the world. Books are the mirrors of past, present and even future. They are having an active voice. We can know about the thoughts and deeds of our ancestors through them.
9. Read the following text and use modifiers in the blank spaces as directed: 0.5×10=5
Newspapers play a (a) —— (pre-modify the noun) role in modern civilization. It publishes news and views of home and abroad. Only (b) —— (pre-modify the noun) knowledge is not enough in this competitive world. A newspaper helps a man (c) —— (post-modify the verb with infinitive) his general knowledge. Apart from reading (d) — (pre-modify the noun with an adjective) books, one should read newspapers daily. Newspapers help one (e) — (use an infinitive phrase) of the world. Students can collect a lot of information (f) —— (post-modify the noun using a present participle phrase). There are (g) —— (pre-modify the noun) kinds of newspapers. One should select the newspaper (h) —— (post-modify the verb). (i) —— (use a quantifier) newspapers present genuine news. On the other hand, some newspapers present news (j) —— (use an adverb to post-modify the noun).
Answer: (a) vital; (b) bookish; (c) to increase / to enrich; (d) text / academic; (e) to know the news; (f) relating to various matters; (g) various; (h) carefully; (i) Many; (j) falsely / incorrectly
10. Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of the following text: 0.5×10=5
Trees are a vital part of the environment. (a) ——, they bear a great impact on the climate. (b) — we are not careful about them. (c) ——, we destroy trees at random. (d) ——, one day the country will bear the consequences of greenhouse effect. (e) — ours is an agricultural country, our economy depends on it. (f) —, our agriculture is dependent on rain. (g) ——, trees play a vital role on our climate. (h) —, trees keep the soil strong. (i) ——, trees save us from flood and many other natural calamities (j) ——.
Answer: (a) Actually / In fact; (b) But / Unfortunately; (c) Instead / Rather; (d) As a result / Consequently / As a consequence; (e) Since / As; (f) Hence / Therefore; (g) In addition; (h) Moreover / Also; (i) Again / Furthermore; (j) Lastly / Finally
11. Read the passage and write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed: 0.5×10=5
Patriotism means loving one's own country. It is a noble virtue. It removes all sorts of meanness from human mind and makes it broad. Patriotism inspires a man to shed the last drop of blood to defend the freedom and sovereignty of his country. A man without this quality is no better than a beast. A true patriot is honoured by all. His only aim is to promote the welfare of his country and countrymen.
(a) noble (antonym); (b) meanness (synonym);(c) broad (antonym); (d) inspire (antonym); (e) defend (synonym); (f) sovereignty (antonym); (g) beast (synonym); (h) honoured (antonym); (i) promote (synonym); (j) welfare (synonym).
Answer:
(a) noble (antonym): Ignoble / Baser
(b) meanness (synonym): Narrow-mindedness / Baseness / Cruelty
(c) broad (antonym): Narrow / Limited
(d) inspire (antonym): Discourage / Demotivate / Dispirit
(e) defend (synonym): Protect / Guard / Shield
(f) sovereignty (antonym): Dependency / Subjugation / Bondage
(g) beast (synonym): Animal
(h) honoured (antonym): Dishonoured / Disrespected / Despised
(i) promote (synonym): Advance / Boost
(j) welfare (synonym): Well-being / Prosperity / Benefit
(a) noble (antonym): Ignoble / Baser
(b) meanness (synonym): Narrow-mindedness / Baseness / Cruelty
(c) broad (antonym): Narrow / Limited
(d) inspire (antonym): Discourage / Demotivate / Dispirit
(e) defend (synonym): Protect / Guard / Shield
(f) sovereignty (antonym): Dependency / Subjugation / Bondage
(g) beast (synonym): Animal
(h) honoured (antonym): Dishonoured / Disrespected / Despised
(i) promote (synonym): Advance / Boost
(j) welfare (synonym): Well-being / Prosperity / Benefit
12. There are ten errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Re-write the text correcting the errors and use capital letters where necessary: 0.5×10=5
Jerry: I can chop some wood today.
Writer: But Ive a boy coming from the orphanage.
Jerry: Im the boWriter: You But youre very small.
Jerry: Size doesnt matter chopping wood. Ive been chopping wood at the orphanage for a long time.
Writer: very well theres the axe. Go ahead and see what you can do.
Answer:
Jerry: I can chop some wood today.
Writer: But I've a boy coming from the orphanage.
Jerry: I'm the boy.
Writer: You? But you're very small.
Jerry: Size doesn't matter chopping wood. I've been chopping wood at the orphanage for a long time.
Writer: Very well. There's the axe. Go ahead and see what you can do.
Part B- Composition
Marks-40
- Suppose you are a student of class XII in 'X' college located in Narayanganj. Recently your father has been transferred to Cumilla. But you want to continue your study till H.S.C examination in Narayanganj. Now, write an application to the principal of your college requesting him to sanction you a seat in the college hostel. (8)
- Suppose you are a reporter of a reputed English daily. Now, write a report on the "Anti-Social activities of the Teen Gangs" of your locality. (8)
- Write a paragraph showing contrast between "Early Rising and Late Rising" in 150 words. (10)
- Write a short composition in 200 words on "Moral Degradation". (14)
Adam Masud
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