CBSE Class 7 Half Yearly English Set 2 2026 PDF Download

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. (12 Marks)
In a tranquil village nestled among rolling meadows and ancient banyan trees, lived Sameer, a boy whose love for stargazing lit up his nights. Each evening, he'd climb a hill to watch the sky, but his heart belonged to the village pond, where he'd skip stones by day. One morning, Sameer noticed the pond's surface dulled by a layer of plastic bags, straws, and oily patches. Frogs no longer croaked, and dragonflies had vanished. The pond seemed to whisper, "I'm suffocating, please help." Troubled, Sameer met an elderly potter shaping clay by the water. "The pond is dying," she said, "from the village's waste." Sameer's chest tightened, seeing fish struggle in the murky water. He learned the pond watered gardens, supported birds, and was a playground for children. Determined to save it, Sameer spoke to the school principal, suggesting a cleanup drive. His classmates joined eagerly, spending days clearing debris and sorting recyclables. The potter shared how the pond's health affected their crops and livestock. Sameer's enthusiasm rallied the villagers; they installed waste bins and held meetings to promote recycling. Children painted murals to raise awareness, while adults planted reeds to filter the water. Weeks later, the pond sparkled, and frogs returned, their croaks like a thank-you song. Sameer formed a club to monitor the pond, teaching others to protect it. The village celebrated with a fair, showcasing crafts and stories about the pond's revival. Sameer's stargazing journal now held plans for keeping the pond alive, a testament to his resolve. The potter smiled, knowing Sameer had saved a treasure. (450 words)

(i) Why did Sameer visit the pond, and what did he notice one morning? (1 mark)

(ii) What did the potter tell Sameer about the pond's condition? (1 mark)

(iii) Describe the state of the pond when Sameer saw it. (2 marks)

(iv) How did Sameer and the villagers restore the pond, and what was the outcome? (2 marks)

(v) Why did Sameer feel troubled by the pond's condition? (1 mark)

(vi) What roles does the pond play in the village? (1 mark)

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

(viii) What did the villagers do to promote recycling? (1 mark)

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

Q2. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. (8 Marks)
Insects demonstrate fascinating survival tactics to protect their young. Ants build intricate underground tunnels to safeguard their larvae from predators. Butterflies lay eggs on specific plants, ensuring caterpillars have food upon hatching. Bees store honey in hives to nourish their young during scarcity. Ladybugs place eggs near aphid colonies, providing instant food for their larvae. Wasps construct paper-like nests to shield their offspring from weather. These behaviors highlight insects' remarkable adaptability, enabling their young to thrive in diverse environments. Such instincts underscore nature's ingenuity in ensuring the survival of even the smallest creatures. (200 words)
(i) Where do ants build tunnels for their larvae? (1 mark)
(a) In trees
(b) Underground
(c) In water
(d) On leaves

(ii) Why do butterflies lay eggs on specific plants? (1 mark)
(a) To hide them
(b) To provide food for caterpillars
(c) To keep them warm
(d) To protect them from rain

(iii) What do bees store to feed their young? (1 mark)
(a) Nectar
(b) Honey
(c) Pollen
(d) Water

(iv) Where do ladybugs place their eggs? (1 mark)
(a) Near aphid colonies
(b) In hives
(c) On tree bark
(d) Under rocks

(v) What do wasps use to build nests? (1 mark)
(a) Mud
(b) Paper-like material
(c) Grass
(d) Wax

(vi) The word 'fascinating' means: (1 mark)
(a) Boring
(b) Interesting
(c) Simple
(d) Dangerous

(vii) The opposite of 'safeguard' is: (1 mark)
(a) Protect
(b) Endanger
(c) Help
(d) Save

(viii) Which word in the passage means 'cleverness'? (1 mark)
(a) Adaptability
(b) Ingenuity
(c) Survival
(d) Instincts

Section B: Writing and Grammar

 (30 Marks)

Q1. You are Priya/Pranav, Sports Secretary of Sunshine School, Mumbai. Write a notice in about 50 words to inform students of classes VI to IX about an Inter-House Badminton Tournament. Include necessary details. (4 marks)

Q2. Write a letter in about 100-120 words to your cousin inviting them to spend the summer holidays with you. Mention activities you plan to do together. (5 marks)

Q3. Write an article in about 120-140 words on the topic "Why We Must Save Water." (6 marks)

Q4. Change the following sentences to passive voice. (3 marks)

• The chef prepares delicious meals.
• The students were drawing pictures.
• Will she finish the project?

Q5. Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verbs given in brackets. (3 marks)

• They ______ (not play) in the park now.
• He ______ (write) a letter when I called him.
• ______ you ______ (see) the new movie yet?

Q6. Fill in the blanks with suitable conjunctions. (3 marks)

• I can't go out ______ I have homework.
• She smiled ______ she was happy.
• Study well ______ you will fail the test.

Q7. Fill in the blanks with suitable adverbs. (3 marks)

• She dances ______ (graceful).
• He answered the question ______ (confident).
• The bird flew ______ (high).

Q8. Fill in the blanks with suitable articles (a, an, the). (3 marks)

• ______ elephant is a strong animal.
• ______ moon shines at night.
• He is ______ honest boy.

Section C: Literature (30 marks)

(i) In the lesson about a river speaking, how does the river highlight human negligence?
(ii) In the poem about persistence, what lesson does the poet teach about facing failures?
(iii) In the lesson about imagining three days of sight, how does the narrator plan to use this time?
(iv) In the poem admiring animals, what qualities does the poet value in them?
(v) In A Funny Man, describe two unusual or funny actions of the funny man that surprised the poet.

Q2. Answer the following question in 80-100 words. (5 marks)
In the lesson Say the Right Thing, explain how choosing the right words helps avoid misunderstandings and builds better relationships. Support your answer with examples from the text.

Q3. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow. (4 marks)
"I turn away from greed and hate," said the poet about animals.

• Who is the speaker?
• What does the speaker admire about animals?
• From which poem is this line taken?
• Name the poet.

Q4. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow. (5 marks)
"My brother says he's made a great invention, a machine to fly to the stars."
(i) Who is the speaker?
(a) A friend
(b) The poet
(c) The brother
(d) A neighbor

(ii) What has the brother made?
(iii) From which lesson is this line taken?
(iv) What is the theme of the lesson?

Q5. Imagine you are Doctor Dolittle from the lesson Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle. Write a diary entry in about 100-120 words describing a day when you treated an animal using your special ability to understand animal language. Use the proper diary entry format. (6 marks)

You can access the solutions to this Half Yearly here.