Class 8 English: Sample Paper - 1 | Sample Papers For Class 8 PDF Download

Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions

• All questions are compulsory.
• Read the questions carefully before answering.
• Write neatly and legibly.

Section A – Reading Comprehension (20 Marks)

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (10 Marks)

In a small village called Sundarpur, the river was the lifeline for all the villagers. People used it for drinking water, fishing, irrigation, and even bathing. Over the years, several factories were built near the river, discharging untreated waste into it. Slowly, the water became murky and smelled unpleasant. Fish started dying, crops were affected, and people began suffering from skin diseases and stomach problems. Despite these challenges, many villagers continued to ignore the pollution.
One day, a group of students from the village school decided to take action. They informed the villagers about the dangers of pollution and suggested simple ways to clean the river. They organized meetings, cleaned the banks, planted trees to prevent soil erosion, and encouraged everyone to avoid throwing garbage into the river. They also approached the factory owners and convinced them to treat their waste before releasing it into the river. Slowly, the efforts began to show results. Fish returned, crops grew healthier, and the villagers’ health improved.
The villagers learned a valuable lesson: preserving nature requires cooperation, awareness, and persistence. They realized that every individual has a responsibility towards the environment and that even small efforts, when combined, can bring about significant change. The river, once a source of life, had almost turned into a source of disease, but careful action and teamwork restored it to its former glory. The story of Sundarpur became an example for neighboring villages, inspiring them to take similar measures to protect their rivers and environment.

Multiple Choice Questions: (1 × 4 = 4)

Q1. What caused the river in Sundarpur to become polluted?
(a) Villagers bathing in it
(b) Waste from nearby factories
(c) Heavy rainfall
(d) Excess fishing

Q2. What actions did the students take to clean the river?
(a) Ignored the problem
(b) Organized meetings, cleaned the banks, planted trees, and approached factory owners
(c) Built dams
(d) Went to the city for help

Q3. Why did the villagers’ health improve after the cleanup?
(a) They moved away from the village
(b) The river became cleaner, and fish and crops returned
(c) They started using bottled water
(d) The factories closed permanently

Q4. What lesson does the story teach?
(a) Nature does not need protection
(b) Only governments can solve pollution problems
(c) Cooperation, awareness, and persistence are important to preserve nature
(d) Pollution cannot be reversed

Short Answer Questions: (2 × 3 = 6)

Q1. How did the villagers’ attitude change after the cleanup?

Q2. Why did the students approach the factory owners?

Q3. What message does the story of Sundarpur convey to neighboring villages?

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

The wind is a friend that whispers near,
Telling secrets that I long to hear.
It dances with leaves in playful delight,
And sings soft songs in the quiet night.
The sun may shine, the rain may fall,
But the wind’s soft voice comforts all.
It lifts the kite high in the sky,
And carries dreams that never die.

Reference to Context: (2 × 2 = 4)

Q1. What does the wind do with the leaves?

Q2. How does the wind comfort people?

Interpretation / Understanding Questions: (2 × 3 = 6)

Q1. What does the kite symbolize in the poem?

Q2. What is the overall theme of the poem?

Section B – Writing Skills (20 Marks)

Q1. Notice / Message / Invitation Writing: (5 Marks)
Write a notice for your school notice board about a cleanliness drive 
OR 
Write a message to your friend inviting them to your birthday party.

Q2. Letter / Email Writing: (8 Marks)
Write a formal letter to the principal requesting new books for the school library 
OR 
Write an informal letter to a friend describing your summer holidays.  (Word limit: 80–100 words)

Q3. Paragraph / Story / Diary Entry: (7 Marks)
Write a short story (80–100 words) beginning with: “It was raining heavily when I stepped out…”
OR
Write a diary entry describing an unforgettable day at school.

Section C – Grammar (20 Marks)

Q1. Gap-filling / Editing / Omission: (5 Marks)
(i) She ______ (go) to the market yesterday.

(ii) There ______ (be) many stars in the sky last night.

(iii) I have ______ (a / an) orange for breakfast.

(iv) He ______ (not / like) ice cream.

(v) We ______ (play) football every Sunday.

Q2. Transformation of Sentences: (5 Marks)

(i) She said, “I am happy.” → Change into indirect speech.

(ii) He is too young to drive. → Use “so…that”.

(iii) The teacher said, “Do your homework.” → Change into reported speech.

(iv) I can do it. → Change into negative sentence.

(v) He is clever, but lazy. → Change into two simple sentences.

Q3. Modals / Subject-Verb Agreement / Prepositions / Determiners: (5 Marks)

(i) You ______ (must / might) wear a helmet while riding a bike.

(ii) Neither of the boys ______ (is / are) ready.

(iii) She jumped ______ the river. (into / in)

(iv) I have seen ______ (some / any) movies today.

(v) They will arrive ______ 5 PM. (at / in)

Q4. Vocabulary: (5 Marks)

(i) Synonym of “happy” → ______

(ii) Antonym of “difficult” → ______

(iii) One-word for “a person who writes poems” → ______

(iv) Meaning of the idiom “Break the ice” → ______

Section D – Literature (Poorvi) (20 Marks)

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

Q1. What lesson does The Wit that Won Hearts teach about cleverness and quick thinking?

Q2. How does the story A Concrete Example show the importance of honesty and integrity?

Q3. Describe a key event from A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam.

Q4. What message does the poem Somebody’s Mother convey about kindness?

Q5. How did Verghese Kurien contribute to India’s development in I Too Had a Dream?

Q6. What unusual or magical element is central to The Magic Brush of Dreams?

Q7. How does the poem Waiting for the Rain highlight the relationship between humans and nature?

Q8. What role does curiosity play in Feathered Friend or Magnifying Glass?

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

Q1. Describe the main events and the lesson learned from A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam.

Q2. Write a character sketch of the main character in The Case of the Fifth Word.

Q3. Explain the theme and message of the poem Harvest Hymn.