Reading and Writing (Written Test) — Full model answers provided
⏱ 3 Hours
📝 75 Marks
📋 10 Questions
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1
Read the poem and answer the questions.
5 × 1 = 5 marks
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
In a snug little cot lived a fat little mouse,Who enjoyed, unmolested, the range of the house;With plain food content, she would breakfast on cheese,She dined upon bacon, and supped on grey peas. A friend from the town to the cottage did stray,And he said he was come a short visit to pay;So the mouse spread her table as gay as you please,And brought the nice bacon and charming grey peas. The visitor frowned, and he thought to be witty:Cried he, "You must know, I come from the city,Where we all should be shocked at provisions like these,For we never eat bacon and horrid grey peas.
a
Where did the country mouse live?
Answer
The country mouse lived in a snug little cottage (cot).
b
What were the daily meals of the country mouse?
Answer
The country mouse's daily meals were cheese for breakfast, bacon for dinner, and grey peas for supper.
c
Why did the town mouse go to the country?
Answer
The town mouse went to the country to pay a short visit to the country mouse (his friend).
d
Was the city mouse happy with the food in the village? Why/why not?
Answer
No, the city mouse was not happy with the food. He frowned and complained that in the city they would be shocked to eat such plain food — he called the grey peas "horrid."
e
Which mouse do you think showed good behaviour?
Model Answer
The country mouse showed better behaviour. She graciously welcomed her friend, shared her simple food generously and made her guest feel at home. The city mouse, on the other hand, was rude and ungrateful — he criticized his host's food instead of appreciating her hospitality.
💡 Either answer is acceptable with clear reason.
2
Read the text about KTFT and do the tasks.
10 marks
Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track (KTFT) is a mega highway project of strategic importance in Nepal. The 72.5 km track will connect Khokana, Lalitpur with Nijgadh, Bara at the East West Highway junction. It consists of 55.49 km road, 87 bridges (10.60 km total), and three twin tunnels (6.41 km total). Total travel time is estimated at one hour.
The fast track will enhance economic growth and create job opportunities. Since travel distance is lesser, daily fuel saving could potentially reach more than NRs. five billion. It will also open viable tourist routes and allow tourists from beyond India to travel to Nepal via the fast track, enhancing connectivity and accelerating economic development.
A. Fill in the blanks — 5 marks
i
KTFT is a big highway project of __________ significance in Nepal.
Answer
strategic
ii
The duration of travel time along the track is supposed to be __________.
Answer
one hour
iii
The total length of the three twin tunnels is __________.
Answer
6.41 km
iv
The fast track will speed up the __________ of the country.
Answer
economic growth
v
The completion of KTFT will __________ to connect Kathmandu and Terai.
Answer
contribute / help
B. Short answers — 5 marks
i
What does KTFT stand for?
Answer
KTFT stands for Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track.
ii
Which place of Terai will the fast track connect Lalitpur with?
Answer
The fast track will connect Khokana, Lalitpur with Nijgadh, Bara at the East West Highway junction.
iii
How will the fast track help in saving daily fuel consumption?
Answer
Because the travel distance is shorter, the daily fuel saving could potentially reach more than NRs. five billion, reducing overall fuel consumption significantly.
iv
How will KTFT support tourists coming through the southern border?
Answer
KTFT will open a viable route for tourists entering through the southern border, making it easier and faster to reach Kathmandu. It will also give international tourists from beyond India a direct road option into Nepal.
v
Do you agree that KTFT is really a project of 'National Pride'? Give a reason.
Model Answer
Yes, I agree because KTFT is a mega infrastructure project of strategic national importance that will reduce travel time between Kathmandu and Terai from several hours to just one hour, save billions in fuel costs, boost economic growth, create jobs and enhance tourism — all of which are achievements a nation can be proud of.
💡 Either yes or no acceptable with valid reasoning.
3
Read the diary entries and do the tasks.
10 marks
Thursday, 27th May — School ended for summer vacation. Had a difficult day — fell out with a friend but we made up, so I'm happy now. Tomorrow is mum's birthday. On Saturday, football match. Next Wednesday, cinema with Ayesha to watch Street Dance 3D. A project from Social Studies teacher: collect information on historical and cultural sites of our district.
Friday, 28th May — It's Mum's birthday! Going to Shani Village Resort for dinner. Went to temple early with mum and dad. Prayed for her long life. Watched cricket match (Australia vs England). Planning to enjoy the whole next week with family, relatives and friends.
A. True / False / Not Given — 5 marks
i
The writer's mother's birthday is on 27th May.
ii
The writer is not playing any games on Saturday.
iii
The writer plans to buy a cake for mum's birthday. (NOT GIVEN = FALSE for scoring)
iv
The writer's family plans to have dinner at Shani Village Resort on Friday.
e
The writer likes to watch cricket.
B. Short answers — 5 marks
i
Why was Thursday dreadful for the writer?
Answer
Thursday was a bit dreadful because the writer fell out (had a quarrel) with a friend. However, they later made up and the writer felt happy again.
ii
What project work was given to the writer?
Answer
The Social Studies teacher gave a project to collect information on historical and cultural sites of their district.
iii
What excited the writer most on Thursday and Friday?
Answer
On Thursday, the writer was excited about mum's upcoming birthday. On Friday, the writer was most excited about having dinner at Shani Village Resort.
iv
What did the writer pray for on mum's birthday?
Answer
The writer prayed for the long life of mum at the temple.
v
What type of writing is the given text?
Answer
The given text is a personal diary (diary writing). It is written in first person with dated entries describing the writer's personal daily experiences and plans.
4
Read the text about beauty discrimination and do the tasks.
15 marks
We have an old saying "Beauty is only skin deep." People praise, support and award those who look beautiful. In contrast, less attractive, deformed and disabled people are ill-treated, discriminated, insulted and less paid. Discrimination is everywhere: prettier babies are treated better, attractive children get more teacher attention, and a 1975 study showed that students with ugly photos were judged as slow learners.
Even today, unattractive people are teased as witches or monsters. Cinemas and fairy tales play a role — heroes are handsome, heroines beautiful, villains ugly. People with physical defects are deprived of birth rights and opportunities.
We should judge people not by looks but by knowledge, virtues, vision, inner beauty, humanity and contribution to society. Socrates from ancient Greece was physically ugly but is forever respected for his vision and wisdom.
Parents and strangers pay less __________ to plain babies.
Answer
attention
iii
At school, students are likely to get good grades due to their __________.
Answer
good looks / attractive appearance
iv
Cinemas present ugly and unattractive characters as __________.
Answer
villains / monsters / witches
v
Socrates is __________ for his vision, wisdom and beauty.
Answer
respected
C. Short answers — 5 marks
i
How are less attractive people treated?
Answer
Less attractive people are generally ill-treated, discriminated against, insulted, given less pay and fewer opportunities.
ii
What were the teachers asked to do in the 1975 research?
Answer
Teachers were asked to evaluate students based on their photographs.
iii
Whom did the teachers judge as slow learners?
Answer
The teachers judged students with ugly-looking photos as slow learners.
iv
How are heroes presented in cinemas and fairy tales?
Answer
In cinemas and fairy tales, heroes are cast as handsome and heroines as beautiful, while villains are depicted as ugly and unattractive.
v
How should we judge people, according to the writer?
Answer
According to the writer, we should judge people not by their looks but by their knowledge, virtues, vision of life, inner beauty, humanity and contribution to society.
5
Write library rules for visitors (~100 words).
5 marks
Clues: opens at 10 am · be a member · keep quiet · borrow maximum two books · return in 15 days · fine for overdue books
✦
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Model Answer
Rules and Regulations for Library Visitors
1. The library opens at 10:00 am. Visitors must arrive during opening hours.
2. Only library members are permitted to borrow books. Non-members may use the reading room.
3. Silence must be strictly maintained. Talking loudly or making noise is prohibited.
4. Members may borrow a maximum of two books at a time.
5. Borrowed books must be returned within 15 days of issue.
6. A fine will be charged for each overdue day. Repeated late returns may lead to cancellation of membership.
Please cooperate to keep our library a pleasant place for all readers.
6
Write a story (~100 words) from the clues given.
5 marks
Clues: a well-educated person · travelling in a boat · talks with the boatman · asks if boatman is literate · he isn't · lost his half-life · a big storm begins · boat about to sink · boatman asks if man knows to swim · he doesn't · lost the whole life
✦
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Model Answer
Title: Knowledge Has Its Limits
Once, a well-educated professor was travelling in a boat with a boatman. During the journey, the professor asked the boatman, "Can you read and write?" "No, sir," the boatman replied simply. "Ah, then you have lost half your life!" said the professor arrogantly.
A little while later, a violent storm began and the boat started to sink rapidly. The boatman looked at the professor calmly and asked, "Sir, do you know how to swim?" "No!" cried the professor in panic. The boatman shook his head. "Then I'm afraid you have lost your whole life."
Moral: Every kind of knowledge is valuable. Do not look down on others.
7
Write two paragraphs on the effects of overuse of smartphones on human health.
6 marks
✦
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Model Answer
In today's world, smartphones have become an essential part of daily life. Almost everyone — from children to adults — spends several hours a day on their phones for social media, entertainment and communication. While smartphones have undeniable benefits, their overuse has led to serious health problems that cannot be ignored.
The physical effects of overusing smartphones are significant. Prolonged screen time causes eye strain, headaches and poor posture. Many young people develop back and neck pain from constantly looking down at their phones. Overuse also disrupts sleep patterns because the blue light emitted by screens interferes with melatonin production, leading to insomnia. Mentally, excessive smartphone use contributes to anxiety, depression and addiction. Social media creates unrealistic expectations and constant comparison with others, harming self-esteem. Children and teenagers who overuse smartphones often show reduced attention spans and perform poorly in academic studies. Therefore, it is essential to set healthy limits on smartphone usage and prioritise face-to-face interaction and outdoor activities.
8
Write an essay on causes and effects of migration of youths and students to city areas in Nepal (~200 words).
8 marks
✦
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Model Answer
Migration of Youths and Students to City Areas in Nepal
In recent years, a large number of young people, students and professionals have been moving from rural areas to cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Birgunj. This rapid internal migration is one of the most pressing social challenges Nepal faces today.
The main causes include the lack of educational institutions in rural areas. Many students move to cities to access quality schools and colleges. Additionally, limited employment opportunities in villages push young people to seek jobs in urban areas. The availability of better healthcare, infrastructure and living standards also attracts people to cities.
However, the effects are largely negative. Cities become overcrowded, leading to problems like traffic congestion, housing shortages, pollution and pressure on public services. Rural areas, on the other hand, suffer from a shortage of skilled young workers, leading to agricultural decline and economic stagnation. The social fabric of villages weakens as families are separated and elderly parents are left behind without support.
To address this problem, the government must invest in rural development — building schools, hospitals and industries in rural areas, creating employment and improving infrastructure so that young people no longer feel the need to leave their communities.
9
Reproduce the sentences as instructed.
6 × 1 = 6 marks
i
You'd better study English, _____? (Add question tag.)
hadn't you?
💡 "You'd better" = "You had better" → positive → negative tag → hadn't you?
ii
Manushi has already passed the exam. (Change into negative.)
Juny found a beautiful ring in the street. (Change into 'What' question.)
What did Juny find in the street?
💡 Object "a beautiful ring" → What; past simple → did + base verb.
iv
Our winter vacation _____ (start) from tomorrow. (Correct form of 'start'.)
starts / is starting / will start
💡 "From tomorrow" = near future, scheduled event → simple present "starts" or "is starting" (future arrangement) most natural.
v
My mom said to me, "Did you buy some oranges for me yesterday?" (Indirect speech.)
My mom asked me if I had bought some oranges for her the previous day.
💡 Question → asked if; "did you buy" → "I had bought"; "yesterday" → "the previous day"; "me" → "her".
vi
My brother told me a story. (Change into passive voice.)
I was told a story by my brother. (or: A story was told to me by my brother.)
💡 Ditransitive verb "told" — indirect object "me" becomes subject → "I was told..."
10
Choose the correct answer from the brackets.
10 × 0.5 = 5 marks
Science has told us so much (a) about the moon that it is fairly easy to imagine what it (b) will be like to go there.
It is certainly not a friendly place, (c) is it?
There can be no life of any kind on the moon (d) because there is no air or water.
For mile after mile, there (e) is only the dust with mountains around.
Above the moon, the sun and stars shine in (f) the sky.
If you step out of the mountain shadow, you (g) will move from severe cold to great heat.
The moon is also a very silent world. Beyond the broken horizon, a friendly sight (h) is seen.
The astronauts say the earth shines (i) more brightly than the stars.
From the distance, our earth looks like an immense ball.
The flight of the heavenly bodies makes us (j) wonder about the universe.
?
See all 10 explanations
Answer Key
(a) about — "tell about" → preposition "about".
(b) will be — imagining a future visit → "will be".
(c) is it — "not a friendly place" = negative → positive tag → "is it".
(d) because — reason (no life BECAUSE no air) → "because".
(e) is — singular "only the dust" as subject → "is".
(f) the — specific known sky above the moon → "the".
(g) will move — real conditional (if you step/will move) → "will move".
(h) is seen — present passive, singular → "is seen".
(i) more brightly — comparison with stars → comparative adverb → "more brightly".
(j) wonder — make + object + bare infinitive → "wonder".