11th English Half Yearly Paper Question Answer 2025
कक्षा 11वीं अर्द्ध वार्षिक परीक्षा, 2025-26
Class 11th Half Yearly Examination, 2025-26
अंग्रेजी अनिवार्य / ENGLISH COMPULSORY [1102]
Section – A (Reading)
Q.1 Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions – [10×¾=7½]
The most important day I remember in all my life is one on which my teacher Anne Mansfield Sullivan,
came to me. I am filled with wonder when I consider the immeasurable contrast between the two lives
which it connects. It was the third of March 1887, three months before I was seven years old.
On the afternoon of that eventful day, I stood on the porch, dumb, expectant. I guessed vaguely from
my mother’s signs and from the hurrying to and fro in the house that something unusual was about to
happen, so I went to the door and waited on the steps. The afternoon Sun penetrated the mass of
honeysuckle that covered the porch and fell on my upturned face. My fingers lingered almost
unconsciously on the familiar leaves and blossoms which had just come forth to greet the sweet southern
spring. I did not know what the future held of marvel and surprise for me. Anger and bitterness had
preyed upon me continually for weeks and a deep languor had succeeded this passionate struggle.
Questions.
(I) What are the two lives that are being contrasted?
(A) Helen’s and Anne’s
(B) Helen’s and her parents
(C) Before and after her education
(D) Before and after Anne came
(II) What was the similarity in the great ship that groped her way toward the shore and Helen?
(A) Both were directionless
(B) Both were waiting
(C) Both had a long life ahead
(D) Both were sinking
(III) What is honeysuckle?
(A) A type of flower
(B) A type of plant
(C) A type of leaf
(D) A type of honey
(IV) Find from the passage the word similar in meaning to ‘Vast’.
(A) Fake
(B) Emulate
(C) Immeasurable
(D) Real
(V) What was something unusual that was about to happen?
(VI) What about spelling the “doll” delighted Helen?
(VII) When do you think Helen was born?
(VIII) “Seizing the new doll, she dashed it upon the floor”.
What emotion of the child does it reflect?
(IX) What does “a deep languor had succeeded this passionate struggle” mean?
(X) Find from the passage the word which is opposite in meaning to “Vigour”.
Answers (Q.1):
- (I) (D) Before and after Anne came
- (II) (B) Both were waiting
- (III) (B) A type of plant
- (IV) (C) Immeasurable
- (V) Her teacher Anne Mansfield Sullivan was about to arrive.
- (VI) She was delighted to find that the letters spelt into her hand stood for the name of the object (doll) she was holding.
- (VII) If she was nearly seven in March 1887, she was born around June 1880.
- (VIII) It shows anger and frustration.
- (IX) It means that after weeks of strong emotional struggle she became weak and listless.
- (X) The opposite of “vigour” in the passage is languor.
Q.2 Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions – [10×¾=7½]
In the Mahabharat, there is an interesting episode to illustrate the nature of purity. The Pandavas and
Kauravas were Drona’s disciples. They were once summoned by the preceptor Drona for a test. The eldest
of the Pandavas, Yudhisthira was asked to bring one bad person from the society. The eldest of the
Kauravas, Duryodhana was asked to fetch one good person from the same society in Hastinapura. After a
thorough search both the cousins returned empty handed. The pure minded Yudhisthira found everyone to be
pious and pure. The impure mind of Duryodhana found everyone to be evil and impure. As in mind, so the
vision.
Purity of mind makes our vision, words and deed pure. It has also the power to purify people. It promotes
health-bodily and mental. Evil has no place in presence of purity. Nor can it face purity, as darkness
cannot face the sun. It only gets changed into purity. Fools who came to scoff remain to pray in the
presence of purity. Villains who come to harm stand in adoration in the presence of purity. The purity of
body is physical health, of speech is unsullied truth and of heart is unselfish love.
Questions-
(I) What was Yudhisthira asked to fetch from Hastinapura?
(A) Something to offer to his guru
(B) One bad person
(C) One good person
(D) None of these
(II) What was Duryodhana asked to fetch?
(A) Something to eat
(B) One bad person
(C) One good person
(D) None of these
(III) Who becomes votaries of peace in the presence of purity?
(A) Villains
(B) Murderers
(C) Killers
(D) Fools
(IV) Find from the passage the word similar in meaning to the following “Reverence”.
(A) Pious
(B) Adoration
(C) Preceptor
(D) Fetch
(V) Why are we fond of purity?
(VI) What is the purity of body, speech and heart?
(VII) What changes are noticed in villains in the presence of purity?
(VIII) Why did both the cousins return empty handed?
(IX) Why did Drona summon his disciples once?
(X) Find from the passage the word which is opposite in meaning to “Impedes”.
Answers (Q.2):
- (I) (B) One bad person
- (II) (C) One good person
- (III) (A) Villains
- (IV) (B) Adoration
- (V) Because purity makes our vision, words and deeds pure and promotes physical and mental health.
- (VI) Purity of body is physical health; purity of speech is unsullied truth; purity of heart is unselfish love.
- (VII) Villains who come to harm stand in adoration and their attitude changes in the presence of purity.
- (VIII) Yudhisthira found no one completely bad and Duryodhana found no one completely good, so both returned empty handed.
- (IX) Drona summoned them to test their thinking and to show the nature of purity.
- (X) The opposite of “impedes” is promotes.
Section – B (Writing)
Q.3 [4]
Write a task in 100-120 words giving description of an event on “An Educational Tour” based on the hints given below-
(1) An educational tour.
(2) Jodhpur-Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Balsamand Lake, Mandore Garden.
(3) Mumbai – Taj Hotel, Gateway of India, Shree Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Elephanta Caves.
(4) Knowledge and experience.
OR
Write a task in 100-120 words giving description of a process for “Planting A Sapling” on the hints given below-
(1) To plant a sapling.
(II) Dig a hole.
(III) Treat the soil.
(IV) Fix the sapling
(V) Add water
Answer (An Educational Tour):
Last month our school organised an educational tour to Jodhpur and Mumbai. First we went to Jodhpur.
There we visited Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Balsamand Lake and
Mandore Garden. Our teachers told us about their history and importance. After that we went to
Mumbai. We saw the Taj Hotel, the Gateway of India, Shree Siddhi Vinayak Temple and the Elephanta
Caves. We learnt many new things about our country, culture and architecture. The tour gave us both
knowledge and enjoyment and made our studies more interesting.
Answer (Planting A Sapling):
To plant a sapling, we should first choose a healthy plant. Then we dig a hole of proper depth in the
soil. After this we treat the soil by mixing some manure or compost in it so that the plant gets nutrients.
Now we fix the sapling carefully in the hole and keep it straight. We fill the hole again with soil and
press it gently around the roots. Finally, we add enough water to make the soil moist. The sapling must
be watered regularly and protected from animals and strong sunlight.
Q.4 [4]
Write an article on “Be Indian, Buy Indian”, (Around 100-120 words)
OR
Write a report in 100-120 words under heading of “Morning Prayer Session in a School.”
OR
You are Riddhi living in Rajat Vihar, Jaipur. Write a letter to the Collector of your district complaining
about the frequent electricity failure during examination time.
OR
Imagine that you are Dhruv and monitor of your class XI reading in Govt. Senior Secondary School, Nimbali. There are no proper library facilities in the school. Write an application of complaint to your Principal.
Answer (Article – Be Indian, Buy Indian):
Be Indian, Buy Indian
We proudly call ourselves Indians but many of us still prefer foreign goods. We forget that every rupee
spent on Indian products helps our own farmers, workers and industries. Buying Indian goods creates
employment and strengthens our economy. Indian products are suitable for our climate and needs and
are often cheaper and durable. Blind attraction to foreign brands makes us dependent on other
countries. As responsible citizens we should feel proud to use Indian clothes, food items and other
products. Let us take a pledge – “Be Indian, Buy Indian” and support the growth of our nation.
Answer (Letter – frequent electricity failure):
Rajat Vihar, Jaipur
Date: ________
To
The District Collector,
Jaipur (Rajasthan).
Subject: Complaint regarding frequent electricity failure during examination time.
Sir,
I am Riddhi, a resident of Rajat Vihar, Jaipur. I wish to draw your kind attention to the frequent failure
of electricity in our area, especially during the evening hours. This is the most important time for
students to study for their examinations. Because of long and sudden power cuts our preparation is
badly affected. Online classes and tests are also disturbed.
I request you to look into the matter and instruct the concerned department to ensure regular and
uninterrupted power supply during the examination period.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Riddhi
Answer (Application – Library facilities):
To
The Principal,
Govt. Senior Secondary School, Nimbali.
Subject: Complaint regarding poor library facilities.
Sir,
I am Dhruv, monitor of class XI of your school. I wish to bring to your notice that our school library
does not have proper facilities for students. There are very few tables and chairs. Many books are old
and damaged. There are not enough reference books, magazines and newspapers. Students cannot sit
and study comfortably.
I request you to kindly arrange more furniture and add new books, magazines and newspapers so that
students may use the library regularly and improve their knowledge.
Thanking you,
Yours obediently,
Dhruv
Class XI
Section-C (Grammar)
Q.6 Fill in the blanks with correct determiners – [4×¾=3]
(1) Sri Lanka is …….. island. (a/an/the)
(II) There is …. milk so you can’t make tea. (little/A little/the little)
(III) …. the books in the library are worth reading? (Many/Many of)
(IV) She doesn’t have … friend. (some/any)
Answers (Q.6):
- (I) Sri Lanka is an island.
- (II) There is little milk so you can’t make tea.
- (III) Many of the books in the library are worth reading.
- (IV) She doesn’t have any friend.
Q.7 Fill in the blanks by choosing correct form of verbs given in the brackets – [4×¾=3]
(1) An honest man always ….. the truth. (tell/tells)
(II) The baby …. because it is hungry now. (is crying/was crying)
(III) The rain …. when she arrived. (had stopped/has stopped)
(IV) If I …. a bird, I would fly in the sky. (was/were)
Answers (Q.7):
- (I) An honest man always tells the truth.
- (II) The baby is crying because it is hungry now.
- (III) The rain had stopped when she arrived.
- (IV) If I were a bird, I would fly in the sky.
Q.8 Fill in the blanks with suitable modals – [4×¾=3]
(1) Mourad ……….. have bought the horse. (Past inability)
(II) You are ill. You …. take rest. (advice)
(III) I …. do better next time. (promise)
(IV) …. I come in, Sir? (permission)
Answers (Q.8):
- (I) Mourad could not have bought the horse.
- (II) You are ill. You should take rest.
- (III) I will do better next time.
- (IV) May I come in, Sir?
Q.9 Fill in the blanks with correct preposition – [4×¾=3]
(1) Pay attention ….. your studies. (at/to)
(II) Shyam is fond …. sweets. (of/for)
(III) He is looking …. a job. (at/for)
(IV) I bought a pen …. ten rupees. (with/for)
Answers (Q.9):
- (I) Pay attention to your studies.
- (II) Shyam is fond of sweets.
- (III) He is looking for a job.
- (IV) I bought a pen for ten rupees.
Section-D (Text Book)
Q.10 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follows – [6×½=3]
My grandmother and I were good friends. My parents left me with her when they went to live in the city
and we were constantly together. She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school.
She said her morning prayer in monotonous sing song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that
I would listen and get to know it by heart. I listened because I love her voice but never bothered to learn
it. Then she would fetch my wooden slate which she had already washed and plastered with yellow
chalk, a tiny earthen ink-pot and a red-pen, tie them all in the bundle and hand it to me. After a breakfast
of thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it we went to school. She carried several
stale chapattis with her for village dogs.
Questions-
(1) What did he eat in breakfast?
(II) What made the author live with his grandmother in the village?
(III) Why did the author’s grandmother say her morning prayer in a sing-song manner?
(IV) For whom did his grandmother carry stale chapattis with her?
(V) How did the author’s grandmother prepare him for school?
(VI) Find out the words from the passage which mean the following-
(A) continuously
(B) bring
OR
The first indication of impending disaster came at about 6 p.m. with an ominous silence. The wind
dropped and the sky immediately grew dark. Then came a growing roar and an enormous cloud
towered aft of the ship. With horror I realised that it was not a cloud but a wave like no other I had ever
seen. It appeared perfectly vertical and almost twice the height of the other waves with a frightful
breaking crest. The roar increased to a thunder as the stern moved up the face of the wave and for a
moment I thought we might ride over it. But then a tremendous explosion shook the deck. A torrent of
green and white water broke over the ship, my head smashed into the wheel and I was aware of flying
overboard and sinking below the waves. I accepted my approaching death and as I was losing
consciousness…
Questions
(I) What happened before the great disaster?
(II) What kind of wave was it that struck the ship?
(III) How did the wave strike the ship?
(IV) What happened to the writer when the wave struck?
(V) How did the writer feel when he was face to face with death?
(VI) Find out the words from the passage which mean the following
(A) Big
(B) Standing erect
Answers (Q.10 – The Portrait of a Lady):
- (I) Thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it.
- (II) His parents went to live in the city and left him with his grandmother.
- (III) So that he might listen daily and learn the prayer by heart.
- (IV) For the village dogs.
- (V) She woke him up, bathed and dressed him, fetched his slate, ink-pot and red pen, tied them in a bundle and handed them to him.
- (VI) (A) continuously – constantly (B) bring – fetch
Answers (Q.10 – We Are Not Afraid to Die):
- (I) The wind dropped, the sky grew dark and there was an ominous silence.
- (II) An enormous, perfectly vertical wave almost twice the height of other waves.
- (III) The stern moved up the face of the wave and then a torrent of water broke over the ship.
- (IV) His head smashed into the wheel, he was flung overboard and began to sink.
- (V) He accepted his approaching death and felt that the end was near.
- (VI) (A) Big – enormous (B) Standing erect – vertical
Q.11 Attempt Any Three questions and answer – [3×1=3]
(1) Why did the grandmother hate music? (The Portrait of a Lady)
(II) What was the Pharaoh’s curse? (Discovering Tut)
(III) What is the condition of forest in India? (The Ailing Planet)
(IV) What was the purpose of the writer’s voyage? (We Are Not Afraid to Die)
Answers (Q.11 – any three):
- (1) She thought music was for harlots and beggars, not for respectable family people.
- (II) Anyone who disturbed the Pharaoh’s tomb would be punished with death or misfortune.
- (III) Forests in India are shrinking fast and the forest cover is much below the safe limit.
- (IV) To repeat Captain James Cook’s round-the-world voyage and test their courage and sailing skills.
Q.12 Answer these questions in about 50-60 words. (Any Two) [2×3=6]
(1) Discuss the qualities of compassion in the author’s grandmother. (The Portrait of a Lady)
(II) Why was the mummy of Tut in very bad condition? (Discovering Tut)
(III) How are the earth’s principal biological systems being depleted? (The Ailing Planet)
(IV) What do you know about the Valley of Kings? (Discovering Tut)
Sample Answers (Q.12 – any two):
(1) Compassion in the grandmother:
The author’s grandmother was very kind and loving. She took full care of the author in his childhood.
She was also kind to animals and birds. In the village she fed the street dogs with chapattis and in the
city she fed the sparrows every afternoon. She prayed for everyone and never hurt anybody by her
words.
(II) Tut’s mummy:
Tut’s mummy was in a bad condition because it had been disturbed many times. The ancient embalmers
had filled it with heavy resins. Later Howard Carter cut off the limbs to remove the ornaments.
Modern X-rays and scientific tests also damaged it. All this handling made the body very weak and
broken.
(III) Depletion of biological systems:
The earth’s main biological systems – forests, fisheries, grasslands and croplands – are being overused.
Forests are being cut, fish are caught in large numbers, grasslands are overgrazed and croplands are
exhausted by chemicals. Their productivity is decreasing and they can no longer support all life as
before.
(IV) Valley of Kings:
The Valley of Kings is a famous burial place in Egypt where many Pharaohs were buried in rock-cut
tombs. It lies near Luxor on the bank of the Nile. Tutankhamun’s tomb was also found here. The
valley is known for its royal tombs and beautiful wall paintings.
Q.13 Explain Any One of the following stanzas with reference to the context. [1×3=3]
“The cardboard shows me how it was
When the two girls cousins were paddling,
Each one holding one of my mother’s hands
And she the big girl – some twelve years or so.”
OR
“She stokes it full, then flirts out to a branch end.
Showing her barred face identity mask.
Then with eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whispering
She launches away, towards the infinite.”
Sample Explanations (Q.13 – any one):
From “A Photograph”:
The poet is looking at an old cardboard photograph of her mother’s childhood. In the picture her mother
is about twelve years old and is paddling in the sea with her two cousins. Each cousin is holding one of
her mother’s hands. The lines describe a happy holiday moment captured long ago.
From “The Laburnum Top”:
These lines describe the goldfinch on the laburnum tree. She fills the nest with movement and then
flies to the end of a branch. Her striped face looks like a mask. She makes soft, strange sounds and then
suddenly flies away towards the open sky, leaving the tree silent again.
Q.14 Answer Any Two of the following questions – [2×2=4]
(1) What is strange for the poet to tell? (The Voice of the Rain)
(II) What shows that it is the autumn season? (The Laburnum Top)
(III) Explain the phrase “laboured ease of loss”. (A Photograph)
Answers (Q.14 – any two):
- (1) It is strange that the rain replies to the poet and tells its own story in words.
- (II) The laburnum tree is silent, its leaves are yellow and the branches are still. This shows that it is autumn.
- (III) “Laboured ease of loss” means that the poet has tried hard to accept her mother’s death. She seems calm, but the pain of loss is still in her heart.
Q.15 Answer Any One from the following questions in 60-80 words – [1×3=3]
Summarise the ideas contained in the poem “The Voice of the Rain.”
OR
Why is the goldfinch compared to an engine? (The Laburnum Top)
Sample Answers (Q.15 – any one):
(1) The Voice of the Rain – summary:
In the poem “The Voice of the Rain”, the poet asks the rain who it is. The rain replies that it is the
poem of the earth. It rises from the land and sea as vapour, forms clouds and falls again as rain. It gives
life to dry fields and seeds. It also returns to its origin in a purer form. The poet compares it to a song
which returns to the singer after giving pleasure to others.
Goldfinch compared to an engine:
The goldfinch is compared to an engine because she brings life and movement to the silent laburnum
tree. When she arrives, the whole tree starts trembling and chattering like a machine. Her small body
starts the activity of the nest in the same way as an engine starts a machine.
Q.16 Answer Any One from the following questions in about 50 to 60 words – [1×3=3]
Describe the character sketch of Mourad. (The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse)
OR
Justify the title of the play “Mother’s Day”.
Sample Answers (Q.16 – any one):
(1) Mourad:
Mourad is a fun-loving, bold and adventurous boy of the Garoghlanian family. He loves horses and feels
he has a special way with them. He appears crazy but is kind at heart. Though he has taken the horse
without permission, he plans to return it. He cares about his family’s honour and finally does the
honest thing.
Title “Mother’s Day”:
The play shows how a mother, Mrs. Pearson, is overworked and not respected by her family. With the
help of Mrs. Fitzgerald, she makes her husband and children realise her importance. They decide to
help her and change their behaviour. As the whole play is about giving honour and rights to a mother,
the title “Mother’s Day” is very suitable.
Q.17 Answer Any Three from the following questions in about 20-30 words- [3×1=3]
(1) Who is Cyril? (Mother’s Day)
(II) What kind of lady was Mrs. Dorling? (The Address)
(III) Where did they hide the horse and why? (The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse)
(IV) How did Mrs. S become victim of war? (The Address)
Answers (Q.17 – any three):
- (1) Cyril is Mrs. Pearson’s son, a young man who spends most of his time outside with friends and does not value his mother’s hard work.
- (II) Mrs. Dorling is selfish and greedy. She takes Mrs. S’s things “for safety” but later behaves as if they belong to her.
- (III) They hid the horse in a deserted barn at the edge of a vineyard so that no one would see it and they could ride it secretly.
- (IV) Mrs. S had to leave her home because of the war. Her valuable things remained with Mrs. Dorling, so she lost her house and belongings and became a victim of war.
Q.18 Choose the correct alternatives – [3×1=3]
(1) How far did John Byro walk to reach the author’s house?
(A) Eight miles
(B) Ten miles
(C) Five miles
(D) Thirteen miles
(II) How does the narrator describe the living room in “The Address”?
(A) Lavish
(B) Muggy smell
(C) Well-arranged
(D) Pathetic
(III) What metal was the cutlery of Mrs. S’s house made of?
(A) Brass
(B) Stainless steel
(C) Copper
(D) Silver
Answers (Q.18):
- (1) (B) Ten miles
- (II) (B) Muggy smell
- (III) (D) Silver
