Class 8 English Half Yearly Question Paper 2025 Answer Key (NCERT Based)
Instructions :
• All questions are compulsory.
• Questions (1-10) carry 1 mark each.
• Questions (11-12) carry 2 marks each.
• Questions (13-14) carry 3 marks each.
• Questions (15-16) carry 5 marks each.
1. What did the children in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands see when the tsunami struck?
(a) Water receding
(b) A huge wave
(c) Fish stranded on land
(d) All of the above
Answer – (b) A huge wave
2. The camel got his hump because :
(a) He was lazy
(b) He ate too much
(c) He worked too hard
(d) He was born with it
Answer – (a) He was lazy
3. Use the correct form of verb :
The sun …………. in the east.
(a) Rise
(b) Rises
(c) Risen
(d) Rose
Answer – (b) Rises
4. Fill in the blank using the article :
She has …………. inkpot.
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
(d) no article
Answer – (b) an
5. Choose the correct modal auxiliary :
You …………… finish your homework before you go out to play.
(a) can
(b) might
(c) should
(d) could
Answer – (c) should
6. Why was the cricket complaining in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”?
Answer – Because the cricket did not prepare or store food for the winter and is now cold and starving.
7. Who wrote the letter that Connie found? (The Best Christmas Present in the World)
Answer – Jim Macpherson
8. Keeping in mind, “The Last Bargain”, the synonym for the word “contentment” is ………….. (Satisfaction / Ambition)
Answer – Satisfaction
9. What does The School Boy compare himself with?
Answer – He compares himself with a bird in a cage.
10. The Tsunami- The story about Ignesious’s family is from which place?
Answer – Katchall, an island in the Nicobar group of islands.
11. What did Jim Macpherson write in his letter?
Answer – Jim Macpherson wrote to his wife about the Christmas truce between the British and German soldiers, where both sides celebrated Christmas together and shared food and laughter instead of fighting.
12. Describe the cricket’s situation in the poem “The Ant and the Cricket”.
Answer – In ‘The Ant and the Cricket,’ the cricket’s situation is one of desperation, hunger, and cold because he did not prepare for winter. He spent the summer singing and dancing instead of collecting food. Now, with an empty cupboard and no shelter, he is forced to beg the ant for help.
13. Write a short paragraph about a festival celebrated in your community.
Answer – One of the most important festivals celebrated in our community is Diwali, the festival of lights. It marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana. People clean and decorate their homes with diyas, candles, and colourful rangoli. At night, everyone lights lamps, bursts crackers, and shares sweets with family and friends. The festival spreads joy and teaches us that truth and goodness always triumph over evil. Diwali brings a sense of unity, happiness, and hope to all.
OR
You are Meena of class 8, the secretary of the art club in junior school. Write a notice for school notice board regarding art competition in school for grade 6th to 8th students.
Answer –
Junior School Art Club
Date: 28 October 20XX
Subject: Art Competition for Grades 6 to 8
The Art Club of our school is going to organize an Art Competition for students of Grades 6 to 8 on 2nd November 202XX in the School Auditorium. The theme of the competition is “Nature and Environment”.
Interested students can give their names to the undersigned by 30th October 20XX. All participants must bring their own drawing materials. Attractive prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Meena
(Secretary, Art Club)
Class 8
14. How does “How the Camel Got His Hump” explain the origin of the camel’s hump in a humorous way?
Answer – The story “How the Camel Got His Hump” explains the origin of the camel’s hump in a funny and imaginative way. It tells how the camel was lazy and refused to work, always saying “Humph!” to everyone. To teach him a lesson, the Djinn of All Deserts punished the camel by giving him a big hump on his back. The hump allowed him to work longer without eating, making up for the days he had wasted. The story humorously shows that idleness leads to extra burdens, while giving a playful explanation of how the camel got its hump.
15. Discuss the character traits of Velu from “Children at Work” and how they help him survive in the city.
Answer – Velu’s survival in the city reflects his courage, determination, and adaptability in the face of hardship. Though frightened and confused at first, he quickly learns to observe, think, and act wisely. With Jaya’s guidance, Velu overcomes his fear and hunger, finds work as a ragpicker, and begins to understand the realities of city life. His intelligence, resilience, and willingness to learn help him turn his struggle into strength. Despite his difficult circumstances, Velu shows a strong will to live and rebuild his life with dignity.
16. Read the passage below and answer the following questions :
“I heard some confusion downstairs. I got up and saw that my family was awake. It was still dark. I asked what the matter was. My father said that he had heard a strange noise coming from the sea. I went out with my father to see what it was. We could see nothing in the dark, but the sound continued. It was like a low, rumbling thunder, but it was steady and did not stop.”
Questions :
(a) What time of day does the passage suggest the events took place?
Answer – At night or early morning
(b) What did the narrator’s father hear?
Answer – The narrator’s father heard a strange noise coming from the sea .
(c) How did the narrator’s family react to the noise?
Answer – The narrator’s family woke up in confusion and concern.
(d) What did the sound resemble, according to the narrator?
Answer – According to the narrator, the sound resembled a low, rumbling thunder that was steady and did not stop.
(e) What did the narrator and his father do after hearing the noise?
Answer – After hearing the noise, the narrator and his father went out to see what it was.