ISLAHI SCHOOL AND COLLEGE

Merit Test Exam 2025

Class: Eight , Subject: English 1st Paper
Time: 3:00 Hours Full Marks: 100
Section A: Reading (Total Marks: 70)
Read the text first and then choose the best answer to the following questions from the alternative given. You do not need to
reproduce the whole chunk of the answer. Only the corresponding number of the answers will do.
People's music, also known as folk music, consists of tunes, lyrics, and knowledge passed down orally for generations. Over
time, this music has evolved, closely tied to the way people live. Our agriculture, food, ecology, seasons, and rituals are all
reflected in these songs. Palligiti, Bhaliwali, Jari, sari, Gambhira Giti, Paalagan and the songs of Hasan Raja all embody the
self-expression of the people.
As the landscape changes, the music shifts too. In the hill tracts, you encounter music with the same role but expressed in the
diverse languages of the ethnic communities. The instruments used for folk music are crafted from materials found in the
surroundings-animal skin, bamboo, and calabash are common examples. The sounds they produce are deeply connected to
the land they come from. As people migrate to cities and villages transform, these traditional tunes are slowly fading.
However, folk music still finds its place in mainstream films and music albums.
1. Now choose the correct answer to each question from the alternatives given and write the corresponding number of
the answers in your answer script. 1×7=7
(1) The word 'community' means
(i) a group of people living in the same place having different characteristics in common
( ii) a group of people living in the same place having a particular characteristic in common
( iii) a group of people living in different place having different characteristics in common
( iv) a group of people living in the same place having a peculiar characteristic in common.
(b) Folk songs have
(i) vanished (ii) disappeared (iii) lost their appeal (iv) lasted for a long time
(c) Folk song is related with-
(i) the urban people (ii) the town people (iii) lasted for a long time (iv) the rural people
(d) Who like the folk songs?
(i) Rich people (ii) Religious people (iii) Common people (iv) All people
(e) How is Bangladesh in folk songs?
(i) Poor (ii) Enriched (iii) Empty (iv) Full
(f) The sounds they produce are deeply connected to the-
(i) animal (ii) Land (iii) men (iv) women
(g)Asiya film is the featured of-
(i) Kazi Nazrul song. (ii) Rabindranath song. (jii) Hasan raja song . (iv) Abdul Alim song.
2. Give short answer to the following questions: 2x5 = 10
(a) How are folk songs sung? (b) What are the important folk songs in Bangladesh?
(c) What kinds of instruments are used for the music? (d) What are slowly fading?
(e) Where can we find examples of folk music in popular media?
Read the text and answer questions 3 and 4.
Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from the Bengali word, 'naksha, which means artistic
pattern. It is a kind of traditional craft and is said to be indigenous to Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The art has been
practised in rural Bengal for centuries. The name 'nakshi kantha' became popular after the poet Jasimuddin's poem Nakshi
Kanthar Math' was published in 1929.
Traditional kanthas are made for family use. Old or new cloth and thread are used to make these quilts. Mymensingh,
Jamalpur, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Bogura and Jashore are most famous for this craft. Now it is produced commercially. You can
find them in many expensive handicraft shops in cities. The quilts are now in great demand because of the colourful patterns
and designs embroidered on them
3. Fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text. 1x5=5
Nakshi Kantha is a (a)___ It can be called a unique asset of Bengali (b) ___ It is an art of (c)___ quilt which has been
practised in rural Bengal for hundreds of years. Traditionally Nakshi Kantha is made and used for (d)___ life. But because of
its high demand, now it is (e)___commercially and sold in many expensive handicraft shops in cities.
4. Write the synonym or antonym of the following words as directed. 1×5=5
(a) artistic (synonym) (b) embroidered (synonym) (c) famous (antonym) (d) expensive (antonym) (e) handicraft (antonym)
Read the following text carefully and answer the questions no. 5, 6 and 7.
You have heard the name of S.M. Sultan. His full name is Sheikh Mohammad Sultan. He was a Bangladesh avant-garde
artist. He worked in painting and drawing. He was born in Machimdia village, Narail District, Bangladesh, on 10th August
1923. From his boyhood he showed himself as a future artist. In course of time he was known as a great artist. For his
achievement in fine art he was awarded with the ÕEkushey PadakÕ in 1982; the Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award in
1993. His works are held in several major collections in Bangladesh including the Bangladesh National Museum, the
National Art Gallery; the S.M. Memorial Museum and the Bengal Foundation. He died on 10th October 1994. Though he is
no more among us, his immortal heart is with his [Link] 10th October 1994. Though he is no more among us, his immortal
heart is with his arts.
5. Complete the following table with the information given in the passage. 1×5=5
Who/What Events Where When
S.M. Sultan was born (i)------- on August 10th 1923
He died in Bangladesh (ii) in--------
He awarded the Ekushey Padak in several major collections in Bangladesh
He got Charu Shilpi Sangsad Award in (v)---------
6. Read the passage again and write True or False beside the following statements. Give answers for the false
statements. 1×5=5
(a) S.M Sultan was a world famous artist. (b) He was born in urban area.
(c) For his outstanding achievement in fine arts he was noted world-wide.
(d) His famous works have been kept in museum. (e) He was awarded the Bangla Academy Purashkar.
7. Summarize the above text with your own words. 10
8. Match the part of sentences from columns A and B to make five complete sentences. Column B has one more options than
required. 1×5=5
Column-A Column-B
(a) A king declared a rich prize i. for the competition.
(b) A date was fixed ii. taken before the king.
(c) Applicants were enlisted iii. for the teller of the biggest lie.
(d) They were all iv. taken for execution.
(e) They tried their v. best to tell bigger lies.
vi. serially for the competition.
Rearrange the following sentences in correct order. 1×8=8
(a) The bees came in and settled on the natural one.
(b) The Queen was surprised and went away admiring the king’s wisdom.
(c) She brought with her two garlands of flowers- one natural and the other artificial..
(d) Pondering, he noticed some bees, humming for honey over a withered rose.
(e) Attracted by such reports, she came to test the king.
(f) She placed them before the king to take the natural one.
(g) Solomon was puzzled for a time. He asked the windows to be opened.
(h) Everyone has heard the name of Solomon, the
(i) King of the Jews, who was famous all over the world for his wealth and wisdom. The Queen of Sheba has heard much
about Solomon's court and wisdom.
10. Answer the following questions from the poems of your text book
(any 5 out of 8)
(a) Why does the speaker (Hason Raja) express dissatisfaction with his house?
(b) In the poem 'The field of the embroidered quilt' why does the woman ask to place the quilt on her grave?
(c) Who is mentioned in the song, 'Oh, They say...', and what is notable about him?
(d) In the poem 'A Little Plant' where is the little plant sleeping?
(e) In the poem 'Something Told the Wild Geese' what makes the geese decide to leave?
(f) Do you like the poem 'The Children's Song'? Why?
(g) In the poem 'Green Escape' what does the speaker hear and see in the grass?
(h) In the poem 'Contemplation' what significance does the speaker find in their observations?
Section B: Writing (Total Marks : 30)
11. Read the beginning of the following story and complete it in your own way. Give a suitable title to it.10
Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, fought several battles to regain his country's freedom. But he was defeated each and every
time. Naturally, he was sad. Being defeated, he was thrown away from the
the kingdom…………
[Link] you are Bristi. You wanted to visit a book fair with your parents. There you meet your friend Deepti.
Write a dialogue on the top you had with Deepti about the fair. 10

[Link] a paragraph about Traffic Jam.10