Half Yearly English Set 1 - Class 7 English Poorvi | Quick Revision Study Guide

M.M - 80
Time Allowed - 3 Hours
General Instructions:
All questions are compulsory.
The question paper is divided into three sections:

• Section A: Reading
• Section B: Writing and Grammar
• Section C: Literature

Syllabus of Section C: The half-yearly question paper is framed from the following chapters: The Day the River Spoke, Try Again, Three Days to See, Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle, A Funny Man, Say the Right Thing, My Brother's Great Invention.

Section A: Reading

Q1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
In a serene village cradled by emerald hills and whispering forests, lived Tara, a girl whose curiosity sparkled like the morning dew. Every evening, she wandered to the edge of the village where a gentle stream flowed, its waters once clear as crystal. One twilight, Tara noticed an unusual stillness-no fish darted, no birds sang. The stream seemed to sigh, its ripples forming faint words: "Save me, I'm dying." Puzzled, Tara met an old weaver by the bank, her hands busy with a loom. 
"The stream suffers," the weaver said softly, "because villagers dump waste-plastic bags, food scraps, and oil-into its waters." Tara's heart sank as she saw murky water choked with debris, its surface dull and lifeless. Determined to act, she ran home, her mind racing with ideas. The next day, she gathered her friends, sharing the stream's plea. 
They formed a group to clean the banks, hauling out trash and untangling weeds. Tara spoke to the village elders, explaining how the stream watered their fields, nourished their cattle, and sustained their lives. Moved by her passion, the elders organised awareness meetings, urging everyone to stop polluting. 
Children painted signs to remind villagers to use bins, while adults planted bamboo along the banks to prevent erosion. Weeks later, the stream's waters glimmered again, fish returned, and birds perched nearby. Its ripples seemed to hum a grateful tune. Tara's efforts didn't stop there; she started a club to monitor the stream's health, teaching younger children to care for it. 
The village, once careless, now cherished their lifeline, and Tara's small journal, filled with notes about the stream, became a symbol of hope. The weaver smiled, knowing Tara had given the stream its voice back. (300 words)

(i) What prompted Tara to notice the stream's condition?  (1 mark)

(ii) What did the weaver tell Tara about the stream's plight?  (1 mark)

(iii) Describe what Tara observed about the stream that evening.  (2 marks)

(iv) How did Tara and the villagers help restore the stream, and what was the outcome?  (2 marks)

(v) Why was Tara's heart heavy after seeing the stream?  (1 mark)

(vi) What roles does the stream play in the village's life?  (1 mark)

(vii) How did the stream express its gratitude?  (1 mark)

(viii) Why did the elders organise awareness meetings?  (1 mark)

(ix) Find synonyms for the following words from the passage:  (2 marks)
(a) Request (para 1)
(b) Cloudy (para 1)

Q2. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Animals exhibit extraordinary instincts to protect their young. Elephants form protective circles around their calves during danger, ensuring their safety. Weaver birds meticulously craft nests from grass and twigs, creating secure shelters for their eggs. Penguins regurgitate food to feed their chicks, helping them grow healthy and strong. Male seahorses uniquely carry their babies in pouches until they can swim independently. Wolves teach their pups hunting skills through playful chases, preparing them for survival. Bees communicate food locations through intricate dances, ensuring their colony thrives. These behaviours demonstrate nature's remarkable strategies for nurturing offspring, allowing them to flourish in diverse environments. Such instincts highlight the deep bond animals share with their young, ensuring their survival against numerous challenges. (200 words)
(i) How do elephants protect their calves?  (1 mark)
(a) By teaching them to hunt
(b) By forming protective circles
(c) By building nests
(d) By carrying them in pouches

(ii) What materials do weaver birds use for nests?  (1 mark)
(a) Mud and stones
(b) Grass and twigs
(c) Leaves and sand
(d) Wax and wood

(iii) Why do penguins regurgitate food for their chicks?  (1 mark)
(a) To keep them warm
(b) To help them grow strong
(c) To teach them to fly
(d) To clean them

(iv) Who carries babies in pouches among seahorses?  (1 mark)
(a) Female seahorses
(b) Male seahorses
(c) Both
(d) None

(v) How do wolves prepare their pups for survival?  (1 mark)
(a) By building nests
(b) Through playful chases
(c) By singing
(d) By swimming

(vi) The word 'meticulously' means:  (1 mark)
(a) Carelessly
(b) Carefully
(c) Quickly
(d) Loudly

(vii) The opposite of 'protect' is:  (1 mark)
(a) Harm
(b) Help
(c) Save
(d) Care

(viii) Which word in the passage means 'varied'?  (1 mark)
(a) Extraordinary
(b) Diverse
(c) Intricate
(d) Remarkable

Section B: Writing and Grammar

Q3. You are Riya/Rohan, Cultural Secretary of Green Valley School, Delhi. Write a notice in about 50 words to inform students of classes VI to VIII about an Inter-House Story Writing Competition. Include necessary details. (4 marks)

Q4. Write a letter in about 100-120 words to your friend inviting them to your birthday party. Mention the date, time, and venue. (5 marks)

Q5. Write an article in about 120-140 words on the topic "Importance of Trees in Our Life." (6 marks)

Q6. Change the following sentences to passive voice. (3 marks)

• The teacher explains the lesson.
• The children are playing football.
• Did Ravi clean the room?

Q7. Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs given in brackets. (3 marks)

• I ______ (read) a book now.
• They ______ (visit) the zoo yesterday.
• ______ you ______ (like) to sing?

Q8. Fill in the blanks with suitable conjunctions. (3 marks)

• I stayed home ______ it was raining.
• She studied hard ______ she passed the exam.
• Work fast ______ you will miss the bus.

Q9. Fill in the blanks with suitable adverb forms. (3 marks)

• The dog barked ______ (loud).
• She sings ______ (beautiful).
• He runs ______ (quick).

Q10. Fill in the blanks with suitable articles (a, an, the). (3 marks)

• ______ apple is on the table.
• ______ sun rises in the east.
• She is ______ honest girl.

Section C: Literature

Q11. Answer the following questions briefly in 30-40 words. (2M x 5 = 10 marks)
(i) In The Day the River Spoke, what advice does the river give Jahnavi??
(ii) In the poem Try Again, how does the poet encourage readers to face challenges?
(iii) In Three Days to See, what experiences does the narrator wish to have if she could see?
(iv) In A Funny Man, mention two strange actions of the funny man that amused the poet. 
(v) In Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle, why does Doctor Dolittle decide to treat animals instead of people?

Q12. Answer the following question in 80-100 words. (5 marks)
In Say the Right Thing, explain why it is important to think before speaking. Give examples from the lesson.

Q13. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow. (4 marks)
"I turn away from greed and hate," says the poet.
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) What quality of animals does the poet admire?
(c) Name the poem.
(d) Name the poet.

Q14. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow. (5 marks)
"Keep trying, don't give up," the voice said clear and strong.
(i) Who is the speaker in this line?
(a) A friend
(b) A teacher
(c) A voice
(d) A parent
(ii) What advice is being given?
(iii) From which poem is this line taken?
(iv) What is the theme of the poem?
(v) Name the poet.

Q15. Imagine you are Jahnavi from The Day the River Spoke. Write a diary entry in about 100-120 words describing how you felt when the river encouraged you to go to school. (6 Marks)

You can access the solutions to this Half Yearly here.