Class VIII English Annual Examination paper 24-25 English
SECTION A: READING (16 Marks)
Q.1 Passage: The King and his questions
(i) What was the first suggestion given to the king for managing his actions?
Answer: (C) To prepare a timetable and follow it strictly.
(ii) Why did some people believe the king should consult magicians?
Answer: (A) Magicians could predict the future.
(iii) What was the king trying to determine in the passage?
Answer: (A) The right time for actions.
(iv) Why did some people think a council was needed?
Answer: (A) To make decisions on time. (Note: The text says one man cannot decide correctly without help).
(v) Based on the advice of some advisors which option was the king told to avoid?
Answer: (C) Foolish pleasures. (Note: Labeled as ‘G’ in the paper due to a typo).
Q.2 Passage: The Peacock
(i) Which of the following is true about the peacock?
Answer: (B) It is one of the largest and heaviest flying birds.
(ii) Which of the following describes the peacock’s physical characteristics?
Answer: (B) Large body and narrow, long neck.
(iii) Where is the peacock commonly found in India?
Answer: (C) Forests and agricultural areas.
(iv) How many feathers does a peacock typically have?
Answer: (C) Around 200.
(v) What historical use did peacock feathers have?
Answer: (B) They were used for writing by soaking them in ink.
SECTION B: WRITING (12 Marks)
Q.3 Letter Writing (Solution for Option A)
Topic: Write a letter to the Principal inviting a renowned Artist for a Talk.
The Principal,
Summer Public School,
[City Name].
Date: 11th January 2026
Subject: Request to invite an Artist for a talk.
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am Priyanshi, the House Captain of Class VIII. I am writing to request you to invite a famous artist to our school.
Many students are interested in art, but they need guidance. A talk by a professional artist about different art forms will inspire them and help develop their skills. It would be a great learning opportunity for us.
Please consider this request.
Yours obediently,
Priyanshi
(House Captain, Class VIII).
OPTION B: Letter to Cousin (Inviting to Science Fair)
[Your Address]
[City, State]
Date: 11th January 2026
Dear [Cousin’s Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am writing this letter to invite you to the National Science Fair that is being held in my city next week.
I know you love science and experiments. There will be amazing models of robots, space rockets, and new inventions on display. It will be very fun to explore it together. Please come to my house this weekend so we can visit the fair.
Give my regards to Uncle and Aunt.
Your loving cousin,
Kavi.
Q.4 Diary Entry or Story (Solution for Option A – Diary Entry)
Topic: Diary entry about being selected as ‘Student of the Year’.
Date: 11th January 2026
Time: 9:00 PM
Dear Diary,
Today was the happiest day of my life! My teacher told me that I have been selected as the “Student of the Year.” I cannot believe it!
I have worked very hard this year in my studies and sports. It feels great to see that my hard work has paid off. I am so thrilled and excited to receive the award on Annual Day in front of my parents. I will make them proud.
Goodnight,
[Your Name].
OPTION B: Story Writing
Title: The Rotten Apple
Once, a young boy fell into bad company. He lost interest in his studies and began disobeying his parents. His father was very worried and decided to teach him a lesson.
The father brought a basket of fresh, healthy apples. He also placed one rotten apple in the middle of the good ones. He asked his son to keep the basket in his room for a few days.
After a few days, the son checked the basket. He was shocked to see that all the good apples had become rotten just because of that one bad apple.
The father explained, “Just like one rotten apple spoiled the whole basket, one bad friend can spoil your character.” The son understood the message. He promised to mend his ways and focus on his studies again.
Moral: Better alone than in bad company.
SECTION C: GRAMMAR (14 Marks)
Q.5 Prepositions
- (i) There is a beautiful painting (b) On the wall.
- (ii) My grandfather was born (d) in a small village.
- (iii) Hard work is the key (b) to success.
- (iv) [Chocolate Question]: Distribute these chocolates (b) among your friends.
- (iv) [Work Question]: The workers will resume work (d) from tomorrow.
Q.6 Determiners/Articles
- (i) Their building is smaller than ours. (Possessive form).
- (ii) Many fruits were rotten… (Fruits are countable).
- (iii) I went to a college yesterday. (Consonant sound).
- (iv) Each member of the team was called… (Singular noun).
- (v) Are your books these? (Plural).
Q.7 Modal Verbs
- (a) Students must pass an entrance examination… (Necessity).
- (b) Sunny could sing like a pro by the age of one. (Past ability).
- (c) We will go to the school tomorrow… (Future action).
- (d) Would you like to go out for lunch tomorrow? (Polite offer).
Q.8 Editing (Error and Correction)
- (a) Error: got | Correction: get (To get some medicines).
- (b) Error: was | Correction: were (Symptoms were not).
- (c) Error: at | Correction: in (In the morning).
- (d) Error: instructs | Correction: instructed (Had instructed me).
SECTION D: LITERATURE (18 Marks)
Q.9 Extract: This is Jody’s Fawn
(i) Which tracks remained after the night’s rain?
Answer: Only the tracks of cats and buzzards remained.
(ii) The ______ were impatient to return to their business.
Answer: Buzzards.
(iii) Jody was looking for ______?
Answer: The fawn.
Q.10 Extract: The Last Bargain
(i) What was the child playing with?
Answer: (B) Shells.
(ii) How does the child “hire” the speaker?
Answer: (D) With nothing.
(iii) What did the bargain with the child ultimately bring the speaker?
Answer: (B) Freedom (Made him a free man).
Q.11 Short Answer Questions (Any Four)
(i) What was the poet’s last bargain? Why did he call it the best?
Answer: The last bargain was with a child who hired him with “nothing.” He called it the best because it made him a free man, unlike the bargains for money or power which made him a servant.
(ii) What lesson of Geography did the poet learn when he flew above his city?
Answer: He learned that the city looked unplanned on the ground but had a logic from the sky. He saw that people settled near water and valleys, but he also wondered why men hate each other and build walls.
(iii) How did the animals react before the tsunami hit the island?
Answer: The animals sensed the earthquake before humans. Elephants screamed and ran to higher ground, dogs refused to go outside, and flamingos abandoned their low-lying breeding areas to save themselves.
(iv) What were the consequences of the cricket’s behavior during the warm season?
Answer: The cricket sang and danced during the warm summer and did not save any food. As a result, when winter came, he was starving, shivering, and had to beg the ant for help.
(v) What message does the story of the fawn convey?
Answer: The story conveys a message of compassion, kindness, and responsibility towards nature. Jody felt it was his duty to save the fawn because his father had killed the fawn’s mother to save his own life.
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