MOTITHANG HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL

THIMPHU THROMDE
“Every child is inspired to learn and empowered with wisdom to excel in life”
MID TERM EXAMINATIONS, 2018
ENGLISH Paper 1 Reading Time: 15 mins
(Language and Writing) Writing Time: 3 hours
Class: XII Full marks: 100
Date: Saturday 16th June 2018
Name: ……………………………………….. Roll No. … Class & Sec: ………..

(The first fifteen minutes of the examination are for reading the paper only.
Candidates must NOT start writing during this time.)

Instructions:
1. This paper has two sections, Section A for writing and Section B for
Language. Section B is further divided into nature of language and grammar.
2. All the questions are compulsory.
3. The intended marks for each question is given in brackets.
4. You are recommended to spend 2 hours on Section A and 1 hour on Section B.
5. You should begin each answer on a fresh page.

Section A: Writing
Question 1 (30 marks)

Write an original essay of about 450 to 500 words using the features of an
argumentative essay on any ONE of the following topics. (You are reminded that you
will be awarded marks for orderly and correct presentation of material, use of
appropriate style and general accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar.)

a. Social media creates isolation.

b. Are standardized tests an effective way of measuring a student’s ability?
c. The rise in youth problems and juvenile delinquency is mainly due to the lack
of parental guidance and control.
d. Cameras in public places are an invasion of privacy.

Question 2 (30 marks)

Write an original story of about 450 to 500 words. Using a first person narrative, the
emphasis should be on internal conflict and the resolution of that conflict.
You are reminded that in the above task, you will be assessed on language, content
and mechanics. Ensure that your story is not plagiarized or reproduced from other
sources (movies, novels, stories or stories and characters from anime, manga, or
Korean drama).

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 Section B
I. Nature of language (10 marks)
Question 3
Directions: Read the following questions carefully, for each question, choose the
correct answer from the given alternatives and write it in your answer sheet. (1x4)
1. A process in which two separate words join to produce a single form is called
a) Shortening c) Compounding
b) Blending d) Clipping
2. The semantic level of language deals with
a) Sounds c) Gestures
b) Forms d) Meanings
3. One can talk about things that happened in the past and at a distant place.
Which feature of language is this?
a) Arbitrariness c) Specialization
b) Displacement d) Productivity
4. The scientific study of language is called
a) Etymology c) Linguistics
b) Syntax d) Phonetics

Question 4
Direction: Answer the questions given below. (6 marks)

1. What would Jean Piaget say his theory of human language acquisition is called
and how would he explain it to you? (3)
2. Using the communication model, explain how communication takes place. (3)

II. Grammar (30 marks)

Question 5
Direction: Read the following questions carefully, for each question, choose the
correct answer from the given alternatives and write it in your answer sheet. (1x5)
1) She spent the entire afternoon _____ the phone.
a) at c) on
b) in d) with

2) I am no longer interested _____watching Korean drama.

a) in c) at
b) on d) by

3) They usually travel _____ train to India.

a) with c) by
b) on d) at

4) Come and sit ______me.

a) beside c) near to
b) besides d) over

5) Guests need to check ___ of the hotel before 12 pm in order to avoid getting
charged for another day.
a) in c) out
b) outside d) inside

MHSS/Class 12/English I/Midterm 2018 Page 2 of 4

Question 6
Direction: Read the following sentences carefully and then rewrite them as directed.
A similar meaning to that of the original sentence must be maintained.
(1x10)

1) She will say, “I am always right.”

Begin: She…..

2) You are a vegetarian, aren’t you?

Begin: You……….

3) I asked Dorji when he would return the books he borrowed from me.
Begin: “When……

4) I didn’t mean to make you cry.

Use: Intention

5) There is nothing better than an active life.

(Change to interrogative)

6) Dorji sings a song.

Begin: A song….

7) As soon as he started eating, his phone rang.

Begin: Hardly…

8) Besides being an intelligent person Dema is also very hardworking.

Begin: Not only…

9) The child is eating bananas.

Begin: Bananas…..

10) Teachers in schools are women of principles.

(Change to singular)

Question 7
Direction: Read the following questions carefully, for each question, choose the
correct answer from the given alternatives and write it in your answer sheet.
(1x5)
1) Dema arrived at our house out of the blue this morning.
a) Dema was wearing blue this morning.
b) The sky was blue when Dema arrived this morning.
c) Dema was feeling blue this morning.
d) We weren’t expecting Dema to arrive this morning.

2) Dorji said he was over the _____at receiving such an important award.
a) Sun c) Stars
b) Moon d) Rainbow

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 3) If you read between the lines, you will
a) Be able to read a lot quicker. c) Make the story up for yourself.
b) Know what the writer really d) Have more to read.
thinks.
4) You look a little down in the dumps means
a) You are looking great. c) You are looking angry.
b) You are looking down. d) You are looking sad.

5) Dorji said he would leave no stone unturned in his search for a woman to
marry. This means Dorji will
a) look for a woman under the stones.
b) Marry a woman who can carry stones.
c) Marry any woman who accepts him.
d) Try everything to find a woman to marry.

Question 8
Direction: Edit the following sentences and rewrite them correctly in your answer
sheet. Underline the edited part. (1x10)

1. We all have wishes and aspirations and this desires are often the motivation
for our prayers.
2. Often people prays for themselves first, and then for those they love.
3. The student could not attain his classes today, as he was not feeling well.
4. Either Dorji or Dema have a chance to win the reading competition.
5. Dema is one of the well-mannered girl in the class.
6. The demand for skin lightning products are high in the market.
7. I neither write to tell you of my studies, or to ask you for money.
8. I was angry at Wangchuk for being rude.
9. Chewing gum causes you to swallow access air, which can cause abdominal
pain and bloating.
10. Chewing gum can cause a jaw muscle imbalance if you chew on one side
more then the other side.

To Strive, To Seek, To Find, and Not To Yield

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