Class 11 English Half Yearly Question Paper 2025 Answer Key (NCERT Based)

Class 11 English Half Yearly Question Paper 2025 Answer Key (NCERT Based)

SECTION – A (Reading Skills)

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing correct options given : (5 Marks)
The beginning of this fun-filled season with the sun hidden behind the grey clouds brings cheer to many of us, waiting eagerly to splash in the rain. Of course, not everything about rain is glamorous. Especially when you think about endless traffic jams, the bad roads dotted with potholes, uncleared garbage and the spate of waterborne diseases. Also, viral infections like colds and coughs make their presence felt.
Most infectious diseases prevalent in the rainy season can be prevented by simply washing our hands regularly. Scrubbing hands regularly with water and soap can prevent us from contracting respiratory and diarrheal diseases. Kids have a lower level of immunity, and hence hand washing becomes a crucial part of their lifestyle. When playing, especially during monsoon season, kids come into contact with germs and can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their nose, eyes or mouth. The Food and Drug Administration states that the human influenza virus can survive on surfaces for up to eight hours, making people susceptible to catching it each time they touch the infected surface. Hence, repeated hand washing is required. To make the best of this rainy season, we should follow some simple guidelines. First of all, if we decide to get wet in the rain we should change into a dry set of clothes at the earliest. Also, we should keep raw food items at bay and wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before use. Moreover, strict kitchen hygiene should be maintained in order to enjoy one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. Also, in order to have a trouble-free rainy season, home-made fresh food should be given preference over the fast food sold in the market.
Questions :
(i) People wait for the rains since they can …………. in it.
(a) splash
(b) has potholed roads
(c) spate of waterborne diseases
(d) endless traffic jams
Answer – (a) splash

(ii) After getting wet in rain, we should put on dry clothes ………….
(a) as late as possible
(b) whenever we like to
(c) as early as possible
(d) when we fall sick
Answer – (c) as early as possible

(iii) Besides maintaining kitchen hygiene, we should ………….. so as to keep us disease free in the rainy season.
(a) avoid raw fruits
(b) enjoy raw fruits
(c) avoid vegetables
(d) consume more fruits and vegetables
Answer – (a) avoid raw fruits

(iv) The passage suggests that small children should wash their hands ………….. in the rainy season since they have lower immunity.
(a) frequently
(b) rarely
(c) after every meal
(d) before every meal
Answer – (a) frequently

(v) The word in the passage which means the same as ‘prone and vulnerable’ is ………….
(a) dotted
(b) susceptible
(c) hygiene
(d) influenza
Answer – (b) susceptible

2. Read the following passage carefully and make notes on it and also supply a suitable title : (4 + 1 = 5 Marks)
A good business letter is one that gets results. The best way to get results is to develop a letter that, in its appearance, style and content, conveys information efficiently. To perform this function, a business letter should be concise, clear and courteous. The business letter must be concise: don’t waste words. Little introduction or preliminary chat is necessary. Get to the point, make the point, and leave it. It is safe to assume that your letter is being read by a very busy person with all kinds of papers to deal with. Re-read and revise your message until the words and sentences you have used are as precise as possible. This takes time, but a necessary part of a good business letter. A short business letter that makes its point quickly has much more impact on a reader than a long-winded, rambling exercise in creative writing. This does not mean that there is no place for style and even, on occasion, humor in the business letter. While it conveys a message in its contents, the letter also provides the reader with an impression of you, its author: the medium is part of the message. The business letter must be clear. You should have a very firm idea of what you want to say, and you should let the reader know it. Use the structure of the letter–the paragraphs, topics, sentences, introduction and conclusion–to guide the reader point by point from your thesis, through your reasoning, to your conclusion. Paragraph often, to break up the page and to lend an air of organization to the letter. Use an accepted business-letter format. Re-read what you have written from the point of view of someone who is seeing it for the first time, and be sure that all explanations are adequate, all information provided (including reference numbers, dates, and other identification). A clear message, clearly delivered, is the essence of business communication.
Answer –

Title : Essentials of a Good Business Letter

Notes :
1. Qualities of a Good Business Letter
1.1 Must get results
1.2 Efficient in appearance, style & content
1.3 Must be concise, clear & courteous
2. Conciseness
2.1 Avoid unnecessary words & chat
2.2 State point directly
2.3 Reader is busy → revise for precision
2.4 Short & to the point letters are effective
3. Style & Impression
3.1 Style & humour allowed sometimes
3.2 Letter reflects writer’s personality
3.3 Medium also conveys message
4. Clarity
4.1 Firm idea of message needed
4.2 Structured paragraphs & sentences
4.3 Clear introduction, body & conclusion
4.4 Use proper business-letter format
4.5 Provide adequate info like dates, ref. numbers
4.6 Re-read to ensure clear communication
Key Abbreviations
• info – information
• ref. – reference

SECTION – B (Writing Skills)

3. You are the Secretary of the English Literary Association of Tagore Memorial School, Patna. Write a notice for the notice-board, inviting names of those who would like to participate in the proposed inter-house debate contest. (5 Marks)
Answer –

SECTION – C (Grammar)

4. Attempt any six of the following : (6 Marks)
(i) Mohan is …………… intelligent boy but he is clever. (Article)
(a) no article
(b) an
(c) the
(d) a
Answer – (b) an

(ii) I always keep ………….. money in my pocket. (Determiner)
(a) any
(b) some
(c) few
(d) much
Answer – (b) some

(iii) How many cups of tea ………….. yesterday? (Verb)
(a) did you drink
(b) do you drink
(c) you have drunk
(d) you were drinking
Answer – (a) did you drink

(iv) Neetu has challenged Rajesh. (Voice)
(a) Rajesh has been challenged by Neetu.
(b) Rajesh had been challenged by Neetu.
(c) Rajesh has being challenged by Neetu.
(d) Rajesh has challenged by Neetu.
Answer – (a) Rajesh has been challenged by Neetu.

(v) If only it …………. would stop hailing. (Modal)
(a) can
(b) must
(c) would
(d) will
Answer – (c) would

(vi) The train stopped ……………. the man got off. (Conjunction)
(a) and
(b) but
(c) or
(d) so
Answer – (a) and

(vii) Irregular work …………… (not bring) success. (Verb)
(a) does not bring
(b) do not bring
(c) not brings
(d) did not brings
Answer – (a) does not bring

(viii) We ………….. (come) back by ten. (Verb)
(a) coming
(b) comes
(c) shall have come
(d) came
Answer – (c) shall have come

SECTION – D (Prose and Poetry)

5. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (5 Marks)
For the first time in human history, we see a transcending concern – the survival not just of the people but of the planet. We have begun to take a holistic view of the very basis of our existence. The environmental problem does not necessarily signal our demise, it is our passport for the future. The emerging new world vision has ushered in the Era of Responsibility. It is a holistic view, an ecological view, seeing the world as an integrated whole rather than a dissociated collection of parts.
Questions :
(i) Name the lesson this extract has been taken from?
(a) The Portrait of a Lady
(b) The Ailing Planet : the Green Movement’s Role
(c) The Adventure
(d) Landscape of the Soul
Answer – (b) The Ailing Planet : the Green Movement’s Role

(ii) What is a growing concern?
(a) Survival of the earth
(b) Holistic view
(c) Passport for the Future
(d) All of the above
Answer – (a) Survival of the earth

(iii) What does the environmental problem show?
(a) Extinction of mankind from the earth
(b) It may affect our future
(c) both (i) & (ii)
(d) None of the above
Answer – (b) It may affect our future

(iv) What has this new world vision given to us?
(a) To see the world as an integrated hole
(b) Dissociated collection of parts
(c) Holistic view
(d) None of the above
Answer – (c) Holistic view

(v) Give the antonym of the word ‘dissociated’?
(a) Association
(b) Associating
(c) Associated
(d) None of the above
Answer – (c) Associated

OR

When did my childhood go?
Was it the time I realized that adults were not
all they seemed to be,
They talked of love and preached of love,
But did not act so lovingly,
Was that the day!
Questions :
(i) Name the poem this stanza has been taken from :
(a) A Photograph
(b) The Voice of the Rain
(c) The Laburnum Top
(d) Childhood
Answer – (d) Childhood

(ii) Name the poet.
(a) Ted Hughes
(b) Walt Whitman
(c) Shirley Toulson
(d) Markus Natten
Answer – (d) Markus Natten

(iii) What has the poet understood about adults?
(a) Adults are always true
(b) Adults are always genuine
(c) Adults pretend to be always good
(d) None of the above
Answer – (c) Adults pretend to be always good

(iv) What does the behaviour of adult reveal?
(a) Love
(b) Goodwill
(c) Hatred
(d) Hypocrisy
Answer – (d) Hypocrisy

(v) Find out the synonyms of ‘Grownup’ and ‘taught’?
(a) Youth, Learnt
(b) Adult, Taught
(c) Childhood, Taught
(d) Adult, Preached
Answer – (d) Adult, Preached

6. What was Gangadharpant’s experience in Azad Maidan? (The Adventure) (6 Marks)
Answer – Gangadharpant’s experience at Azad Maidan in the alternate reality was deeply unpleasant and disturbing. When he arrived there, he saw a public meeting taking place and noticed the presidential chair vacant. Believing he had been invited to preside over the event, he confidently took his seat. However, the crowd did not recognise him and refused to let him speak. Their attitude turned hostile, and even though Gangadharpant tried to explain and reason with them, the audience grew increasingly aggressive. Eventually, the angry crowd stormed the stage and forcibly removed him. This shocking and humiliating incident left a lasting impression on him. After returning to his real world, he resolved never to preside over any public function or address a gathering again. The episode reflects the strange and unsettling nature of the alternate world he experienced.

7. Attempt any three questions : (3 × 2 = 6 Marks)
(i) What was the happiest moment of the day for the grandmother? (The Portrait of a Lady)
Answer – The happiest half-hour of the grandmother’s day was when she fed the sparrows in the afternoon. After finishing her prayers, she sat in the verandah with bits of bread, and hundreds of sparrows flocked around her, even perching on her shoulders and head. Their company filled her with deep peace and joy, making this the most delightful moment of her day.

(ii) What do you understand about the word ‘Pharaoh’? (Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues)
Answer – In the lesson ‘Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues’, the term ‘Pharaoh’ refers to the ancient kings of Egypt. The word literally means ‘Great House’, symbolising the royal palace and authority. Pharaohs, like Tutankhamun, were powerful rulers who were considered divine figures and governed Egypt for centuries as the heads of both the state and religion.

(iii) What was Andrew’s view of marriage? (The Birth)
Answer – Andrew believed that marriage was something good and peaceful. Although he had seen a few unhappy marriages around him, he still felt that marriage could bring love and happiness. But when he thought about Christine, he became confused and worried. His own doubts made him feel unsure, even though he basically trusted and respected the idea of marriage.

(iv) Why was John Byro suffering from loneliness? (Summer of the Beautiful White Horse)
Answer – John Byro was suffering from loneliness because he had lost his horse, which was not only his companion but also very important for his daily work. Being a poor farmer, he depended on the horse for travel and farming tasks. Its theft made him feel empty and sad, and since he lived alone, the loss increased his sense of loneliness.

8. Why does the poet get surprised when he gets an answer from the rain? (The Voice of The Rain) (3 Marks)
Answer – The poet is surprised to get an answer from the rain because it is an inanimate, non-living element and is not expected to speak. He casually asks the rain who it is and is amazed when the rain replies in a human-like voice. This unexpected moment of personification surprises him and reveals the rain’s ‘voice’ as a part of the eternal cycle of nature, where rain rises from the earth, returns to it, and nurtures life.

OR

What can you say about the childhood of the poet’s mother? (A Photograph)
Answer – The poet’s mother had a joyful and innocent childhood, full of carefree moments. The photograph shows her at around twelve years old, happily enjoying a day at the sea with her two younger cousins. They are seen holding hands, smiling and playing, which reflects their close family bond. She is described as ‘the big girl,’ lovingly looking after the younger ones, which adds warmth to the scene and shows the simplicity and happiness of her early life.