Half Yearly Class 7 English Set 2 (Solutions) | English Poorvi Class 7 - New NCERT 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)

Ans: Sameer visited the pond to skip stones and noticed it was dulled by waste.

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

Ans: The potter said the pond was dying from the village’s waste.

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

Ans: The pond had plastic bags, straws, oily patches; frogs and dragonflies were gone.

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

Ans: Sameer led a cleanup, villagers installed bins; the pond sparkled with frogs returning.

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

Ans: Sameer was troubled seeing fish struggle in murky water.

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

Ans: The pond waters gardens, supports birds, and is a playground.

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

Ans: Frogs’ croaks were like a thank-you song.

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

Ans: Villagers held meetings to promote recycling.

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

Ans: (a) Choking – Suffocating
(b) Old – Elderly

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

Ans: (b)

(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

Ans: (b)

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

Ans: (b)

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

Ans: (a)

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

Ans: (b)

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

Ans: (b)

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

Ans: (b)

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

Ans: (b)

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)

Ans: SUNSHINE SCHOOL, MUMBAI
NOTICE
12th June 2025
Inter-House Badminton Tournament
Students of classes VI to IX are invited to participate in the Inter-House Badminton Tournament on 25th June 2025 at 9 AM in the school sports complex. Register by 20th June with the undersigned.
Priya/Pranav
Sports Secretary

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)

Ans: Dear Sameer,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to invite you to spend the upcoming summer holidays with me in Delhi from 1st July. We have planned many exciting activities together. We will visit historical places like the Red Fort and India Gate, and also explore museums and parks. In the evenings, we can play cricket with my friends and enjoy homemade ice creams. We are also planning a short trip to a nearby hill station. My parents are eager to meet you and have already started planning your stay. I hope you will accept my invitation and make this summer memorable for both of us.
Yours,
Pranav

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

Ans: Water is one of the most precious resources on Earth, and life is impossible without it. Unfortunately, water is being wasted and polluted every day due to human carelessness. Rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources are drying up, leading to severe water shortages in many parts of the world. Saving water is essential to protect plants, animals, and human life. Simple habits like turning off taps, fixing leaking pipes, using water carefully while bathing, and collecting rainwater can make a big difference. Farmers and industries must also use water responsibly. If we do not conserve water today, future generations will suffer greatly. Therefore, it is our duty to save water and use it wisely so that this valuable resource remains available for a sustainable and healthy future.

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?

Ans:

• Delicious meals are prepared by the chef.
• Pictures were being drawn by the students.
• Will the project be finished by her?

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?

Ans: 

• They are not playing in the park now.
• He was writing a letter when I called him.
• Have you seen 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.

Ans: 

• I can’t go out because I have homework.
• She smiled as she was happy.
• Study well or 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).

Ans: 

• She dances gracefully.
• He answered the question confidently.
• 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.

Ans:

• An elephant is a strong animal.
• The moon shines at night.
• He is an honest boy.

Section C: Literature (30 marks)

Q1. Answer the following questions briefly in 30-40 words. (2M x 5 = 10 marks)

(i) In the lesson about a river speaking, how does the river highlight human negligence?

Ans: The river highlights negligence by showing how pollution harms its ecosystem.

(ii) In the poem about persistence, what lesson does the poet teach about facing failures?

Ans: The poet teaches that persistence overcomes failures, like a spider rebuilding its web.

(iii) In the lesson about imagining three days of sight, how does the narrator plan to use this time?

Ans: The narrator plans to see nature, art, and human kindness.

(iv) In the poem admiring animals, what qualities does the poet value in them?

Ans: The poet values animals’ simplicity and lack of malice.

(v) In A Funny Man, describe two unusual or funny actions of the funny man that surprised the poet.

Ans: The funny man surprised the poet by wearing a shoe on his head and placing his hat upon his feet. He also confused the poet by offering a currant bun and calling it a rose, even though it had a strange smell. These actions were unusual and made the man appear humorous and different from others.

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.

Ans: In Say the Right Thing, the author shows that speaking thoughtfully can prevent unnecessary conflict. Words spoken without thinking may hurt others, even if there is no bad intention. The lesson explains that pausing before speaking and choosing polite, respectful words helps people understand each other better. When characters use the right words, situations become calmer and problems are solved peacefully. The text teaches that kind and careful speech strengthens relationships and creates harmony in everyday life.

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.

Ans: 

• The poet
• The animals’ freedom from greed and hatred
• Animals
• Walt Whitman

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

Ans: (b)

(ii) What has the brother made?

Ans: A machine to fly to the stars

(iii) From which lesson is this line taken?

Ans: My Brother’s Great Invention

(iv) What is the theme of the lesson?

Ans: Imagination and creativity

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)

Ans: Dear Diary,
Today was another rewarding day as an animal doctor. A plough horse was brought to me, troubled because it could not see clearly while working in the fields. After listening carefully in horse language, I understood the real problem. I arranged green spectacles for the horse, which protected its eyes from the sun. The horse was relieved and grateful. Moments like these remind me why I chose to care for animals. Being able to understand their feelings and cure them gives me great happiness and purpose.
Doctor Dolittle