Half Yearly Class 7 English Set 3 (Solutions)

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 (20 Marks)

Q1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. (12 Marks)
In a quaint village cradled by misty hills and blooming orchards, lived Priya, a girl whose curiosity led her to explore every nook of her home. She adored the village spring, where she'd weave flower crowns by its bubbling waters. One dawn, Priya found the spring clouded with plastic cups, wrappers, and chemical runoff, its flow sluggish. No birds drank, and the grass around it wilted. The spring seemed to plead, "I'm fading, save me." Shaken, Priya met a wise beekeeper tending hives nearby. "The spring is poisoned," he said, "by the village's waste." Priya's heart sank, seeing fish gasp in the murky water. The spring irrigated farms, quenched animals, and was the village's heart. Resolved to act, Priya approached the community leader, proposing a restoration plan. Her friends joined, clearing debris and planting grasses to filter runoff. The beekeeper explained how the spring's health sustained their honey and crops. Priya's zeal inspired the village; they banned harmful chemicals and set up recycling stations. Children created songs about the spring, while elders taught sustainable farming. Months later, the spring's waters danced again, and birds returned, their chirps like applause. Priya started a youth council to guard the spring, her flower crowns now symbols of hope. The village held a festival, with dances celebrating the spring's revival. Priya's diary, once filled with sketches, now held vows to protect the spring forever. The beekeeper nodded, proud of her spark. (460 words)
(i) What did Priya do by the spring, and what did she notice one dawn? (1 mark)

Ans: Priya wove flower crowns by the spring and noticed its clouded waters.

(ii) What did the beekeeper tell Priya about the spring's condition? (1 mark)

Ans: The beekeeper said the spring was poisoned by village waste.

(iii) Describe the state of the spring when Priya saw it. (2 marks)

Ans: The spring had plastic cups, wrappers, chemical runoff; birds left, grass wilted.

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

Ans: Priya led a cleanup, villagers banned chemicals, planted grasses; the spring danced again.

(v) Why was Priya shaken by the spring's condition? (1 mark)

Ans: Priya was shaken seeing fish gasp and murky water.

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

Ans: The spring irrigates farms, quenches animals, and is the village's heart.

(vii) How did the spring show its gratitude? (1 mark)

Ans: Birds' chirps were like applause.

(viii) What did the elders teach to support the spring's restoration? (1 mark)

Ans: Elders taught sustainable farming.

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

Ans: (a) Begged - Pleaded
(b) Enthusiasm - Zeal

Q2.  Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. (8 Marks)
Marine animals exhibit clever strategies to nurture their young. Sea turtles bury eggs in sandy beaches, protecting them from predators. Octopuses guard their eggs in hidden dens, fanning them for oxygen. Penguins huddle to keep chicks warm in icy climates. Clownfish lay eggs near anemones, using their sting for defense. Whales migrate to warmer waters, ensuring calves survive. These behaviors showcase marine animals' adaptability, allowing their young to thrive in vast oceans. Such instincts highlight nature's brilliance in sustaining life in challenging aquatic environments. (200 words)

(i) Where do sea turtles lay their eggs? (1 mark)
(a) In water
(b) On sandy beaches
(c) In caves
(d) On rocks

Ans: (b)

(ii) How do octopuses protect their eggs? (1 mark)
(a) By burying them
(b) By guarding them in dens
(c) By hiding them in coral
(d) By carrying them

Ans: (b)

(iii) Why do penguins huddle with their chicks? (1 mark)
(a) To feed them
(b) To keep them warm
(c) To teach them to swim
(d) To protect them from wind

Ans: (b)

(iv) Where do clownfish lay their eggs? (1 mark)
(a) Near anemones
(b) In open water
(c) On seaweed
(d) In sand

Ans: (a)

(v) Why do whales migrate to warmer waters? (1 mark)
(a) To find food
(b) To ensure calves survive
(c) To avoid predators
(d) To mate

Ans: (b)

(vi) The word 'brilliance' means: (1 mark)
(a) Strength
(b) Cleverness
(c) Speed
(d) Beauty

Ans: (b)

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

Ans: (b)

(viii) Which word in the passage means 'difficult'? (1 mark)
(a) Adaptability
(b) Challenging
(c) Vast
(d) Clever

Ans: (b)

Section B: Writing and Grammar (30 Marks)

Q1. You are Anjali/Arjun, Cultural Secretary of Blue Star School, Chennai. Write a notice in about 50 words to inform students of classes VI to X about an Inter-House Debate Competition. Include necessary details. (4 marks)

Ans: BLUE STAR SCHOOL, CHENNAI
NOTICE
15th June 2025
Inter-House Debate Competition
Students of classes VI to X are invited to participate in the Inter-House Debate Competition on 28th June 2025 at 10 AM in the school hall. Topic: "Technology: Boon or Bane." Register by 25th June with the undersigned.
Anjali/Arjun
Cultural Secretary

Q2. Write a letter in about 100-120 words to your friend inviting them to a family picnic. Mention the place, date, and activities planned. (5 marks)

Ans: Dear Priya,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to invite you to join us for a family picnic on 20th June 2025 at Lodhi Gardens, Delhi. We are planning to reach there by 10 a.m. and spend the entire day enjoying nature. We will play outdoor games, go for a short nature walk, and enjoy homemade snacks and lunch together. It will be a refreshing break from our daily routine. Please bring your camera so that we can capture some lovely memories. I really hope you can join us and make the day special.
Yours,
Arjun

Q3. Write an article in about 120-140 words on the topic "The Dangers of Plastic Pollution." (6 marks)

Ans: The Dangers of Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems facing the world today. Large amounts of plastic waste clog rivers, pollute soil, and harm wildlife. Many animals mistake plastic for food, which often leads to injury or death. In oceans, plastic breaks down into tiny particles called microplastics, which enter the food chain and pose risks to human health. Single-use plastics take hundreds of years to decompose, making the problem long-lasting. To reduce plastic pollution, we must avoid disposable plastics, reuse materials, and recycle waste responsibly. Using eco-friendly alternatives and spreading awareness can help protect our environment for future generations.

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

• The artist painted a beautiful portrait.
• The workers are building a bridge.
• Has she written the essay?

Ans: 

• A beautiful portrait was painted by the artist.
• A bridge is being built by the workers.
• Has the essay been written by her?

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

• We ______ (not finish) our homework yet.
• She ______ (dance) when the music stopped.
• ______ they ______ (visit) the museum last week?

Ans: 

• We have not finished our homework yet.
• She was dancing when the music stopped.
• Did they visit the museum last week?

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

• He didn't come ______ he was sick.
• I'll wait here ______ you return.
• Practice daily ______ you won't improve.

Ans: 

• He didn't come because he was sick.
• I'll wait here until you return.
• Practice daily or you won't improve.

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

• She spoke ______ (clear) during the speech.
• The car moved ______ (slow) on the icy road.
• He works ______ (careful) on his project.

Ans: 

• She spoke clearly during the speech.
• The car moved slowly on the icy road.
• He works carefully on his project.

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

• ______ eagle soared above the mountain.
• ______ Earth revolves around the sun.
• She is ______ intelligent student.

Ans: 

• An eagle soared above the mountain.
• The Earth revolves around the sun.
• She is an intelligent student.

Section C: Literature (30 Marks)

Q1. Answer the following questions briefly in 30-40 words. (2M x 5 = 10 marks)
(i) In The Day the River Spoke, what problems does the River highlight that affect nature and people?

Ans: In The Day the River Spoke, the River highlights problems such as neglect of nature, lack of care for education, and how human indifference affects both the natural world and the lives of children like Jahnavi.

(ii) In the poem Try Again, how does the poet convey the importance of perseverance?

Ans: In Try Again, the poet conveys perseverance by showing how repeated effort and refusal to give up eventually lead to success, encouraging readers to keep trying despite failure.

(iii) In Three Days to See, what experiences does the narrator wish to enjoy if given the power of sight?

Ans: In Three Days to See, the narrator wishes to see natural beauty, human faces, everyday life, and works of art, valuing simple experiences that sighted people often overlook.

(iv) In A Funny Man, describe two unconventional actions of the funny man that surprised the poet. 

Ans: The funny man wore a shoe upon his head and hats upon his feet. Additionally, he presented the poet with a currant bun while referring to it as a rose, an action that defied convention.

(v) In Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle, what difficulties does Doctor Dolittle face before becoming successful?

Ans: Doctor Dolittle faces lack of respect from people, financial problems, and criticism, but his ability to understand animals helps him overcome these challenges.

Q2. Answer the following question in 80-100 words. (5 marks)
In My Brother's Great Invention, explain how Anand's creativity and imagination lead to new ideas. Give examples from the lesson.

Ans: In My Brother's Great Invention, Anand's creativity is shown through his constant interest in experimenting with gadgets and inventing new machines. His burglar alarm and time machine reflect his imaginative thinking and curiosity. Although his inventions often create trouble at home, they show his innovative spirit and willingness to think differently. Anand's ideas, even when imperfect, highlight how creativity encourages experimentation, problem-solving, and a scientific attitude, which are essential qualities for innovation.

Q3. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow. (4 marks)
" 'You shouldn't cry,' said the River."
(a) Who is speaking in this line?
(b) To whom is the River speaking?
(c) Name the lesson from which this line is taken.
(d) What is the central message of the lesson?

Ans:

(a) The River is the speaker.
(b) The River is speaking to Jahnavi.
(c) The Day the River Spoke.
(d) The lesson highlights the importance of education, courage, and listening to one's inner voice.

Q4. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow. (5 marks)
"Say the right thing, and hearts will mend."

(i) What is the advice given in this line?
(a) To speak loudly
(b) To speak kindly
(c) To speak quickly
(d) To speak clearly

Ans: (b)

(ii) What is the effect of saying the right thing?

Ans: It mends hearts.

(iii) From which lesson is this line taken?

Ans: Say the Right Thing

(iv) What is the theme of the lesson?

Ans: The power of kind words

Q5.Imagine you are Helen Keller from Three Days to See. Write a diary entry in about 100-120 words describing how you would spend your first day of sight. Follow the proper diary format. (6 marks)

Ans: Dear Diary,
If I were granted sight for just one day, I would begin by watching the sunrise and admiring the colours of the sky. I would look at the faces of my loved ones to understand their expressions and emotions. I would observe trees, flowers, birds, and flowing water, appreciating the beauty of nature. I would also like to visit a museum to see paintings and sculptures I have only imagined through touch. This day would remind me how precious sight is and teach me to value every moment of life.
Yours,
The Narrator