Class 8 English: Sample Paper - 4 | Sample Papers For Class 8 PDF Download

Time: 3 Hours
​Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

• All questions are compulsory.
• ​Attempt all parts of a question together.
• ​Marks are indicated against each question.

Section A – Reading (20 Marks)

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (10 Marks)

The Himalayas, often referred to as the “abode of snow,” stretch across northern India and several neighboring countries. These mountains are not only a natural wonder but also a lifeline for millions of people. They block the icy winds from Central Asia, attract monsoon clouds, and thus influence the climate of the entire subcontinent. The glaciers of the Himalayas feed perennial rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, which provide water for drinking, farming, and hydroelectric power. The region is also rich in biodiversity, with dense forests and rare species such as the snow leopard and red panda.
Apart from their natural role, the Himalayas have deep cultural and spiritual significance. They are home to sacred shrines, places of meditation, and stories in literature and mythology. At the same time, their towering peaks attract explorers and mountaineers, making them a symbol of courage and endurance. Thus, the Himalayas are not only a geographical feature but also a source of inspiration and sustenance for people across generations.

Multiple Choice Questions: (1 × 4 = 4 Marks)

Q1. How do the Himalayas influence the climate of the subcontinent?
(a) By increasing desert heat
(b) By blocking icy winds and attracting monsoon clouds
(c) By stopping rainfall completely
(d) By lowering the temperature of the oceans

Q2. Which rivers originate from the Himalayan glaciers?
(a) Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra
(b) Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri
(c) Narmada, Tapti, and Mahanadi
(d) Indus, Jhelum, and Ravi

Q3. Which rare species are mentioned as part of Himalayan biodiversity?
(a) Tiger and elephant
(b) Crocodile and dolphin
(c) Snow leopard and red panda
(d) Lion and cheetah

Q4. The Himalayas are described as a symbol of:
(a) Luxury and wealth
(b) Courage and endurance
(c) Fear and destruction
(d) Power and greed

Short Answer Questions: (2 × 3 = 6 Marks)

Q1. Why are the Himalayan rivers called “perennial”?

Q2. Mention two ways in which the Himalayas are important culturally or spiritually.

Q3. In what ways do the Himalayas serve as both a natural lifeline and a source of inspiration?

Read the poem carefully and answer the questions: (10 Marks)

Poem: Upon the peaks where silence lies,
The dawn unveils the painted skies.
A golden light through shadows streams,
Awakening earth from restless dreams.
The river hums its ancient song,
Through valleys deep it winds along.
Each echo tells of time’s embrace,
Of fleeting steps we cannot trace.
And yet within this vast domain,
The human heart still seeks to gain,
A sense of peace, a fleeting sign,
That nature’s truth and ours align.
(a) What role does dawn play in the poem, and how is it described?

(b) How does the poet use the river as a symbol of time?

(c) Identify two poetic devices used in the poem and explain their effect.

(d) What contrast does the poet draw between human life and nature?

(e) Write in your own words the central idea of the poem.

Section B – Writing Skills (20 Marks)

Q1. Notice / Message / Invitation Writing: (5 Marks)
Write a notice for your school notice board about a cleanliness drive OR a message to your friend inviting them to your birthday party.

Q2. Letter / Email Writing: (8 Marks)
Write a formal letter to the principal requesting new books for the school library OR an informal letter to a friend describing your summer holidays.

Q3. Paragraph / Story / Diary Entry: (7 Marks)
Write a short story beginning with:
"It was raining heavily when I stepped out…"
OR
Write a diary entry describing an unforgettable day at school.

Section C – Grammar (20 Marks)

Q1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs: (4 Marks)
(a) She _______ (write) a story yesterday.

​(b) They _______ (wait) for the bus for two hours.

​(c) The sun _______ (rise) in the east.

​(d) I _______ (go) to the park every Sunday.

Q2. Change into reported speech: (4 Marks)
(a) He said, “I will meet you tomorrow.”

(b) She said, “We are going to watch a movie.”

Q3. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions: (4 Marks)
(a) The teacher is proud _______ her students.

​(b) The child hid _______ the curtain.

​(c) The boy is afraid _______ the dark.

​(d) They were sitting _______ the shade of the tree.

Q4. Rewrite the sentences correctly: (4 Marks)
(a) She do not likes dancing.

​(b) The boys was playing in the ground.

​(c) He have gone to the library.

​(d) We goes to school on time.

Q5. Identify the figure of speech: (4 Marks)
(a) The flowers nodded their heads in the breeze.

​(b) Life is a journey with many paths.

Section D – Literature (Poorvi) (20 Marks)

Short Answer Questions (2 Marks each, 5 × 2 = 10 Marks)  (Answer any 5)

Q1. How did cleverness help the main character in The Wit that Won Hearts?

​Q2. What lesson does A Concrete Example teach us about truthfulness?

​Q3. What sacrifice did Major Somnath Sharma make for his country in A Tale of Valour?

Q4. What act of compassion is highlighted in the poem Somebody’s Mother?

Q5. How did Verghese Kurien bring about change in rural India in I Too Had a Dream?

​Q6. What magical power is shown in The Magic Brush of Dreams?

Q7. How does the poem Waiting for the Rain describe the joy of people?

Long Answer Questions (5 Marks each, 2 × 5 = 10 Marks) (Answer any 2)

Q1. Describe how Major Somnath Sharma motivated his men in the Battle of Badgam. What qualities of leadership did he show?

Q2. Write a character sketch of Verghese Kurien based on I Too Had a Dream.

Q3. Explain the theme and message of the poem Somebody’s Mother.