Class 8 English: Sample Paper - 5 | 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)

Passage: In the contemporary world, the management of waste has become a pressing challenge. Recycling, the systematic conversion of discarded materials into reusable forms, is a cornerstone of sustainable environmental practice. Its benefits extend beyond mere waste reduction: it mitigates ecological degradation, conserves scarce natural resources, and significantly reduces energy expenditure. Materials such as paper, metals, plastics, and glass, when appropriately recycled, alleviate the burden on overfilled landfills and curtail the release of toxic substances into ecosystems. Active participation at the individual level—including careful segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, involvement in municipal recycling initiatives, and dissemination of awareness regarding sustainable habits—can amplify the impact of recycling. Ultimately, such collective efforts not only protect the environment but also cultivate a sense of civic responsibility and ecological consciousness among communities.

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

Q1. What is recycling?
(a) Burning waste to generate heat
(b) Converting discarded materials into reusable forms
(c) Burying waste in landfills
(d) Dumping waste in rivers

Q2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of recycling?
(a) Mitigates ecological degradation
(b) Conserves natural resources
(c) Reduces energy expenditure
(d) Increases waste production

Q3. Which materials are specifically mentioned as recyclable in the passage?
(a) Paper, metals, plastics, and glass
(b) Wood, soil, water, and air
(c) Food, clothes, stones, and sand
(d) Sand, clay, metals, and paint

Q4. Recycling requires individual participation in all EXCEPT:
(a) Segregating waste
(b) Supporting municipal recycling initiatives
(c) Spreading awareness about sustainable habits
(d) Building factories

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

Q1. Explain in your own words why recycling is considered a cornerstone of sustainable environmental practice.

Q2. Mention two ways in which individuals can actively contribute to recycling.

Q3. How does collective participation in recycling help society beyond environmental protection?

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

​Poem: The river winds through valleys deep,
Its mirrored surface secrets keep.
Beneath the ripples, fish glide slow,
While reeds and lilies gently grow.
The breeze whispers through the forest trees,
A symphony of nature’s harmonies.
All who behold this tranquil scene
Find solace in the calm serene.

Q1. How does the poet use imagery to convey the beauty and tranquility of the river and its surroundings?

Q2. Identify the creatures and plants mentioned in the poem. How do they contribute to the overall mood of the poem?

Q3. Find a pair of rhyming words from the poem and explain how the rhyme enhances the flow or rhythm.

Q4. Which lines reflect the peacefulness of nature? How does the poet emphasize calm and serenity through language?

Q5. What is the central idea or theme of the poem? How does the poet communicate this through descriptions of nature?

Section B – Writing Skills (20 Marks)

Q1. Notice / Message / Invitation Writing: (5 Marks)
Write a notice for your school notice board about a blood donation camp OR a message to your friend inviting them to your art exhibition.

Q2. Letter / Email Writing: (8 Marks)
Write a formal letter to the principal requesting improvements in the school playground OR an informal letter to a friend describing your weekend trip to a hill station.

Q3. Paragraph / Story / Diary Entry: (7 Marks)
Write a short story beginning with:
*"The moment I opened the mysterious box, I knew something unusual was inside…"
OR
Write a diary entry describing your experience of helping in a community service activity.

Section C – Grammar (20 Marks)

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

​(b) I _______ (study) English for two hours.

​(c) The train _______ (leave) at 6 a.m.

​(d) They _______ (be) very friendly.

Q2. Change the following sentences into reported speech: (4 Marks)
(a) He said, “I am learning to swim.”

​(b) She said, “We will join the debate competition tomorrow.”

Q3. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions: (4 Marks)
(a) He was hiding _______ the cupboard.

​(b) The book is lying _______ the shelf.

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

​(d) She divided the sweets _______ her friends.

Q4. Rewrite the sentences correctly: (4 Marks)
(a) They doesn’t know the answer.

​(b) I goes to school daily.

​(c) She have completed her homework.

(d) We was playing in the garden.

Q5. Identify the figure of speech: (4 Marks)
(a) The clouds wept over the hills.

​(b) His room was a treasure trove of books.

Section D – Literature (Poorvi) (20 Marks)

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

Q1. What lesson about quick thinking is shown when the protagonist in The Wit that Won Hearts solves a tricky problem?

Q2. How does A Concrete Example demonstrate the importance of responsibility in everyday life?

Q3. Describe a moment of sacrifice in A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam.

Q4. How does the poem Somebody’s Mother teach us to show empathy to elderly people?

​Q5. In I Too Had a Dream, what challenges did Verghese Kurien face, and how did he overcome them?

Q6. What role does imagination play in The Magic Brush of Dreams?

Q7. How does the story Magnifying Glass emphasize the importance of observation and attention to detail?

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

Q1. Narrate an incident from A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma that shows his courage and presence of mind, and explain why it is inspiring.

Q2. Write a detailed character sketch of the young detective in The Case of the Fifth Word, highlighting his intelligence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills.

Q3. Discuss the theme and message of the poem Harvest Hymn, and explain how it reflects gratitude towards nature and hard work.