MODEL QUARTERLY EXAMINATION – 2026

ENGLISH

Time Allowed : 3.00 Hours Max. Marks : 100

Cumulative · Units 1–4 · theenglish.in practice series

PART – I

Note: (i) Answer all the questions. (ii) Choose the most appropriate answer from the given four alternatives and write the option code and the corresponding answer.14×1=14

Choose the appropriate synonyms for the italicised words.

The mother seagull swooped upwards.a) leapb) rushc) move very quicklyd) ascend
The narrator's grandfather creates chaos.a) angryb) loud noisec) fearfulnessd) music
The attic has always been a favourite place with children.a) dislikedb) praisedc) valuedd) liked

Choose the appropriate antonym for the italicised words.

The young seagull kept calling plaintively.a) joyfullyb) loudlyc) sadlyd) silently
They were the steps of a man walking rapidly around the dining table downstairs.a) swiftlyb) quicklyc) fastd) slowly
It is a 55-foot sailing vessel built indigenous in India.a) spuriouslyb) inbuiltc) importedd) natively

Choose the correct plural form of the word “axis”.a) axisesb) axumc) axesd) axus
Form a derivative by adding the right suffix to the word “improve”.a) -nessb) -lyc) -mentd) -tion
Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation AICTE.a) All India Council for Technology Educationb) All International Council for Technical Educationc) All India Council for Technical Educationd) All India Council for Teaching Education
Complete the sentence with the most appropriate idiom given below.
Ravi forgot his lines during the play and stood on stage ______.a) over the hillb) in hot waterc) at his wit's endd) cold feet
Choose the option which does NOT pair with the word “note” to form a genuine compound word.a) bookb) cyclec) padd) foot
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate preposition.
The children are playing ______ the garden.a) inb) underc) ond) over
Complete the sentence using the most appropriate tense form of the verb given.
By next year, they ______ in this village for a decade. (live)a) liveb) livedc) will have livedd) are living
Choose the appropriate linker from the given alternatives.
She studied very hard ______ she failed the test.a) unlessb) becausec) whend) yet

PART – II (20 Marks)

SECTION – I3×2=6

Answer any THREE of the following questions in a sentence or two.

What prompted the young seagull to fly finally?
Why did Herman and the author slam the doors?
What does the term ‘circumnavigation’ mean?
What did Aditya offer Sanyal?

SECTION – II3×2=6

Read the following set of poetic lines and answer any THREE of the following.

Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
(a) Why do you think the poet is not in a hurry?
(b) What should one not mourn for?
There's a family nobody likes to meet;
They live, it is said, on Complaining Street
(a) Where does the family live?
(b) Why do you think the street is named ‘Complaining Street’?
She's a lioness; don't mess with her.
She'll not spare you if you're a prankster.
(a) How is a woman described here?
(b) Who is a prankster?
A silly young cricket accustomed to sing
Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring.
(a) What was the routine of the cricket?
(b) Name the seasons mentioned here.

SECTION – III3×2=6

Answer any THREE of the following.

Rewrite the following sentence to the other voice:
The students are organizing an English Literary Club Exhibition.
Rewrite into direct speech:
She asked me whether I had completed my homework.
Punctuate the following:
be not so amazed daughter miranda said prospero
Rewrite the following sentence into a complex sentence:
On seeing the teacher, the children stood up.
Rearrange the words in the correct order to make meaningful sentences:
1. always / we / truth / speak / should / the
2. quickly / respond / emergencies / in / must / we

SECTION – IV1×2=2

You are near the school. An old man asks you to direct him to the ATM. Guide him with your directions to reach his destination.

PART – III (50 Marks)

SECTION I (10 Marks)2×5=10

Answer any TWO of the following in utmost ten lines.

Narrate the extensive search operation made by the policemen in the house.
‘Man does change with time’ — What were the various changes that came about in Aditya?
Highlight the factors responsible for the all-women Indian Navy crew to carry out their expedition.
Your parents sometimes behave like the young bird's parents. They may seem cruel and unrelenting. Does it mean that they do not care for you? Explain your views about it with reference to the story.

SECTION II (10 Marks)2×5=10

Answer any TWO of the following in utmost ten lines.

Compare and contrast the attitude of the ant and the cricket.
From the poem ‘The Grumble Family’, what kind of behaviour does the poet want the readers to possess?
Read the following poetic lines and answer the questions given below:
Thus ending, he hastily lifted the wicket,
And out of the door turned the poor little cricket.
Folks call this a fable. I'll warrant it true:
Some crickets have four legs, and some have two.
1. Pick out the rhyming words from the above lines.
2. Write the rhyme scheme of the given lines.
3. Identify the figure of speech employed in the last line of the given stanza.
4. Pick out the alliterating words in the third line.
Paraphrase the following stanza:
The summer of life she's ready to see in spring
She says, “Spring will come again, my dear.
Let me care for the ones who're near.”
She's The Woman – she has no fear!

SECTION III (5 Marks)1×5=5

Answer any ONE of the following.

Rearrange the following sentences in coherent order:
1. Her son did not know the mountain's many paths.
2. He went climbing blindly upward towards the summit.
3. He silently prepared a place of comfort as his last duty to the loved one.
4. He lifted his helpless mother on his painful journey up the mountain.
5. She quietly dropped a handful of twigs every few steps.

SECTION IV (20 Marks)4×5=20

Answer any FOUR of the following.

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
The Emperor was so glad that Mulan had ended the long war, he set aside the rule about being a woman. “Mulan, stay with me in the palace,” he said. “Someone as smart as you would be a fine royal adviser.” Mulan bowed deeply. “You are too kind, Sire,” she said. “But if you please, what I wish most of all is to return home to my family.” “Then at least take these fine gifts,” said the Emperor, “so everyone at your home and village will know how much the Emperor of China thinks of you.” Mulan returned to her village with six fine horses and six fine swords. Everyone cheered that she was safe. The person who had saved China was their very own Mulan!
Questions:
1. Who ended the war?
2. What was the wish of the emperor?
3. What was the wish of Mulan?
4. What were the gifts?
5. How would the villagers be proud?
Prepare an attractive advertisement using the hints given below.
Clothing & Accessories – Men's, Women's & Kids Wear – Latest Trends & Seasonal Collections – Aadi Sale Offers – Flat 30% Off on Select Styles – Buy 2, Get 1 Free – Loyalty Points on Every Purchase – Open Daily 10 AM to 9 PM – Visit Trendz Fashion, Grand Trunk Road, Villupuram.
Imagine that you have parked your bicycle in front of your local post office. You find it missing when you come out of the building. Write a complaint letter to the Inspector of Police regarding this issue.
You are Ezhilan/Kuzhali, Head Boy/Head Girl of your school. Write a notice for the school notice board informing the students about the ‘Fancy Fete’ to be organized on the forthcoming Saturday in your school campus.
Look at the following picture and describe what you think is happening in it in about five sentences.
Make notes or write a summary of the following passage.
Meditation is a timeless technique practiced across many cultures for centuries. It involves focusing the mind, controlling the breath, and maintaining awareness to achieve mental clarity and emotional calmness. Meditation helps reduce anxiety, improve concentration, and foster inner peace. Various styles of meditation, including mindfulness, transcendental, and guided meditation, provide different methods suited to individual preferences and goals. Consistent meditation practice is known to enhance mental health, boost resilience, and support overall well-being.
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences:
1. Wivina is my cousin sister.
2. The scenery of Kashmir Valley are breathtaking.
3. The first satellite was launched by Russians.
4. The trains often are late.
5. The captain, with his crew, were swimming after the shipwreck.

SECTION V1×5=5

Quote from memory.

Not mourning ............... on with cheer.

PART – IV (16 Marks)

Write a paragraph of about 150 words by developing any ONE of the following hints.8

46. a)

Dr. Krishnan – received a peculiar bird – named Zigzag – from his friend Somu – Zigzag was noisy and uncooperative – caused chaos with fruit and nuts – family struggled to handle the noise – Dr. Krishnan took Zigzag to his clinic – transformed it into a calm place – helped patients efficiently – family initially upset – eventually appreciated Zigzag – Dr. Krishnan's wife sold a painting for a good price – agreed to keep Zigzag at home and clinic – Dr. Krishnan acknowledged Zigzag's talent.

Former Duke of Milan – Prospero – lived on island with daughter Miranda – brother Antonio betrayed him – sent them adrift at sea – landed on island – Prospero mastered magic – controlled spirits like Ariel and slave Caliban – raised a storm to shipwreck enemies – King of Naples and Antonio aboard – shipwreck survivors separated – Prospero's daughter saw prince Ferdinand, the first man she had seen – Ferdinand and Miranda fell in love – Prospero tested Ferdinand, made him do hard labour – Ariel helped with magic – Prospero forgave brother and king – restored dukedom – gave daughter to Ferdinand – all reunited – Prospero freed Ariel, ended magic, returned home.

Read the following passage / poem and answer the questions given below.4×2=8

47. a)

Many bear species, like brown bears and black bears, hibernate during winter to survive cold months when food is scarce. Before hibernation, bears eat a lot to build up fat stores, which they rely on for energy while sleeping. During hibernation, their body temperature, heart rate, and breathing slow down significantly. They don't eat, drink, urinate, or defecate for several months. Despite this long sleep, bears can wake up quickly if disturbed. Hibernation helps them conserve energy and survive harsh winters without needing food. When spring arrives, bears emerge from their dens hungry but healthy, ready to find food and regain strength.

Why do bears hibernate during winter?
How do bears prepare before hibernation?
What changes happen to a bear's body during hibernation?
How do bears survive without eating or drinking for months?

b) Read the following poem and answer the questions given below:

The rain is raining all around,
It falls on field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea.
The rain is raining on the roof,
And on the window-pane,
It rains on the old gray tower,
And on the house again.

Where does the rain fall according to the poem?
What objects does the poem mention that the rain falls on?
How does the speaker protect themselves from the rain?
What feeling or image does the poem create about the rain?

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