Table of Contents
HSC English 2nd Paper Question & Solution (Set: 02) — 2026
English | Second Paper | [According to the Syllabus of 2026] | Subject Code: 108
Time: 3 hours | Full marks: 100
পত্র নং: ১৮২ | ১০৩৬/২০২৬
[N.B. The figures in the right margin indicate full marks.]
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 [×] in those blanks: [0.5×10=5]
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) × (i) × (j) the
2. Complete the text with suitable prepositions: [0.5×10=5]
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) for/of (c) of (d) to (e) to (f) of/about (g) to (h) In (i) of (j) on
3. Complete the sentences with suitable words/phrases given in the box: [0.5×10=5]
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 cane 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/phrases: [0.5×10=5]
(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 first
(b) without the active participation of women
(c) making the best use of it
(d) we took strong measures against it
(e) early enjoy sound health
(f) the overall development of a nation
(g) we cannot survive
(h) divided we fall
(i) who help themselves
(j) the literacy rate would increase
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 enlightment. 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 (h) remain (i) is changing (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.
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 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. Books introduce us to the life and the world. Books are the mirrors of past, present and even future. They have a passive voice. We can know about the thoughts and deeds of the great men through books.
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 improve (d) academic (e) to know about the affairs (f) concerning current affairs (g) various (h) carefully (i) Most (j) wrongly
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) Besides (b) But (c) So (d) Consequently (e) As (f) Moreover (g) Also (h) Besides (i) Furthermore (j) too
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) ignoble (b) baseness (c) narrow (d) discourage (e) protect (f) subjugation (g) brute (h) disgraced (i) foster (j) well-being
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 boy
Writer: 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: “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)
13. Suppose you are a student of class XII in ‘X’ college located in Narayangonj. Recently your father has been transferred to Cumilla. But you want to continue your study till H.S.C examination in Narayangonj. Now, write an application to the principal of your college requesting him to sanction you a seat in the college hostel. [8]
Answer:
To
The Principal
X College, Narayangonj.
Subject: Application for a seat in the college hostel.
Sir,
With due respect, I beg to state that I am a student of class XII (Roll No. ___) of your college. Recently, my father has been transferred from Narayangonj to Cumilla on official duty, and my entire family will have to shift there very soon. However, since I am now preparing for my H.S.C examination, I do not wish to disrupt my studies by changing colleges at this crucial stage. Therefore, I have decided to continue my study in this college till the H.S.C examination is over.
Since my family will no longer be staying in Narayangonj, I have no accommodation of my own here. Under the circumstances, I would be highly grateful if you kindly allow me a seat in the college hostel so that I can continue my education without any interruption.
I therefore pray and hope that you would be kind enough to sanction me a seat in the college hostel and oblige thereby.
Yours obediently,
(Your Name)
Class XII, Roll No. ___
14. 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]
Answer:
Anti-Social Activities of Teen Gangs on the Rise
Staff Reporter: In recent times, anti-social activities carried out by teen gangs have become a matter of serious concern in different localities of the city. According to local residents, groups of teenagers, often influenced by social media and peer pressure, have been forming gangs and indulging in activities such as eve-teasing, vandalism, bullying, and even carrying sharp weapons to establish dominance over rival groups.
Local shopkeepers and guardians have reported several incidents of clashes between rival teen gangs, which have created panic among common people, especially during evening hours. Many parents admitted that they remain anxious about their children’s safety and moral upbringing, as these gang activities are gradually normalizing violence among teenagers.
Experts believe that lack of parental supervision, unemployment, addiction to social media, and absence of recreational facilities are the key reasons behind the rise of teen gangs. Law enforcement agencies have assured that they are monitoring the situation and taking necessary action against the culprits. However, sociologists suggest that alongside legal action, family counselling, moral education, and constructive engagement of teenagers in sports and extracurricular activities are essential to curb this growing social menace.
15. Write a paragraph showing contrast between “Early Rising and Late Rising” in 150 words. [10]
Answer: Early rising and late rising represent two completely opposite habits, each having a significant impact on a person’s health, productivity and overall lifestyle. An early riser wakes up before sunrise, enjoys the fresh morning air, and gets ample time to exercise, study, or plan the day ahead. This habit keeps the body active, the mind fresh, and helps a person remain punctual and disciplined throughout life. On the contrary, a late riser wakes up long after sunrise, often feeling lethargic and sluggish for the rest of the day. Late risers usually rush through their morning tasks, which leads to stress, poor concentration, and reduced productivity. While early risers can utilize the calm and quiet hours of the morning for meaningful work, late risers often miss out on this golden opportunity. In short, early rising promotes sound health, discipline and success, whereas late rising is generally associated with laziness, disorganization and a less productive life.
16. Write a short composition in 200 words on “Moral Degradation”. [14]
Answer (Moral Degradation): Moral degradation refers to the gradual decline of ethical values, honesty and good conduct in individuals and society as a whole. It is one of the most alarming social problems of the present age, affecting people of all classes and age groups.
There are several causes behind moral degradation. The lack of proper moral education at home and in institutions, the negative influence of social media, unemployment, poverty, and the blind pursuit of material wealth are some of the major reasons. Excessive addiction to drugs, violent content in films and games, and the erosion of family bonding also contribute significantly to this problem. As a result, corruption, dishonesty, disrespect for elders, eve-teasing, and various forms of crime have become common in society.
The effects of moral degradation are far-reaching. It weakens social harmony, increases crime rates, and hampers the overall development of a nation. A morally degraded society can never achieve sustainable peace and prosperity, no matter how much economic progress it makes.
To overcome this problem, moral education must be incorporated into the curriculum from an early age. Parents, teachers and religious leaders should work together to instil moral values in the younger generation. The media should also play a responsible role in promoting positive values instead of glorifying violence and immorality. If we can ensure proper moral education and a healthy social environment, moral degradation can certainly be checked, paving the way for a better and more humane society.
