ALIM Examination English Second Paper — Question & Solution (2026, Regular)

Subject Code: 239  |  Time: 3 hours  |  Full marks: 100
পত্র নং: ১৯০ | মেঘনা-৪০

[N.B. The figures in the right margin indicate full marks.]

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Part A — Grammar (Marks — 60)

1. Use articles where necessary. Put a cross (×) where an article is not needed: [0.5×10=5]

Mr. Hasan is (a) ___ affluent (b) ___ man now. Through hard work he has managed to turn (c) ___ wheels of fortune. He was (d) ___ unemployed youth of (e) ___ impoverished family. Mr. Hasan, son of Abdul Bari, studied up to class (f) ___ eight. He worked as (g) ___ labourer before he joined (h) ___ training programme of (i) ___ Nator Horticulture (j) ___ centre.

Answer: (a) an   (b) ×   (c) the   (d) an   (e) an   (f) ×   (g) a   (h) the   (i) ×   (j) ×

2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions: [0.5×10=5]

She was a large woman (a) ___ a large purse that had everything (b) ___ it but hammer and nails. It had a long strap, and she carried it slung (c) ___ her shoulder. It was (d) ___ eleven O’clock (e) ___ night, and she was walking alone, when a boy ran (f) ___ behind her and tried (g) ___ snatch her purse. The strap broke (h) ___ the single tug the boy gave it from (i) ___. But the boy’s weight and the weight (j) ___ the purse combined caused him to lose his balance.

Answer: (a) with   (b) in   (c) over/on   (d) about/around   (e) at   (f) up   (g) to   (h) with   (i) behind   (j) of

3. Complete the following sentences with suitable phrases/words given in the box: [0.5×10=5]

(a) Most of the kids are fun-loving. They ___ play than study.
(b) ___ the weather ___ today?
(c) Minara is an examinee. She ___ study a lot to make a good result.
(d) I have been suffering from cold and cough. I cannot speak clearly ___ sing.
(e) ___ seems to be a crowd on the road. Let’s go and see.
(f) Florence Nightingale was a nurse. She ___ in Italy.
(g) ___ a plane flying above ___ from below? It looks like a bird.
(h) It is a cold day. ___ the sun rises, the fog disappears.
(i) ___ is a lack of communication. They don’t understand the problem at all.
(j) We ___ go home. It is getting dark.

Answer: (a) would rather   (b) What’s … like   (c) has to/have to   (d) let alone   (e) There   (f) was born   (g) What does … look like   (h) As soon as   (i) It   (j) had better

4. Complete the following sentences with suitable clauses and phrases: [0.5×10=5]

(a) Morning air is very good for our health. Unless you get up early in the morning ___.
(b) It was long since ___. So, I did not expect that he would recognise me at first glance.
(c) Zamil is one of the best boys in the class. He is not only intelligent ___.
(d) I was not there at that moment. Had I been there ___.
(e) 21 February is a red-letter day in our life because ___. It is our Mother Language Day.
(f) I have to meet the principal. Do you know where ___?
(g) Mr. Tipu is a driver of the chairman. He behaves as if ___.
(h) Our country is beset with many problems. So, we all should come forward with a view to ___.
(i) Shamim’s examination is knocking at the door. He reads attentively lest ___.
(j) Simul wants to work for mankind. He wants to become a doctor so that ___.

Answer:
(a) you cannot enjoy its benefit
(b) we had met last
(c) but also hardworking
(d) I could have helped him
(e) many people sacrificed their lives for our mother tongue on this day
(f) he is
(g) he were the owner of the car
(h) solve them
(i) he should fail
(j) he can serve mankind

5. Fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs: [0.5×10=5]

If all the children of Bangladesh (a) ___ (go) to school, the country (b) ___ (get) rid of the curse of illiteracy. To boost up education, the government (c) ___ (spend) more money. Subsidies must (d) ___ (give) in the education sector. Teachers (e) ___ (need) to (f) ___ (train) for good teaching. The poor students can (g) ___ (bring) under “Food for education” programme. We (h) ___ (take) care that no institution (i) ___ (close) down due to political clashes. All concerned (j) ___ (be) conscious about it.

Answer: (a) go   (b) will get   (c) should spend   (d) be given   (e) need   (f) be trained   (g) be brought   (h) should take   (i) closes   (j) should be

6. Read the following passage and transform the sentences as directed: [1×5=5]

(a) Foyot’s is one of the most expensive restaurants. (Positive)
(b) How time does fly! (Assertive)
(c) Peace and prosperity is not possible without being industrious. (Affirmative)
(d) Jerry had cut an astonishing amount of wood. (Passive)
(e) I went outside the cabin having forgotten him. (Complex)

Answer:
(a) Very few restaurants are as expensive as Foyot’s.
(b) Time flies very fast.
(c) Peace and prosperity is possible only by being industrious.
(d) An astonishing amount of wood had been cut by Jerry.
(e) I went outside the cabin after I had forgotten him.

7. Re-write the following passage into indirect speech: [5]

“I’ll pay for it,” Jerry said. “I broke it. I brought the axe down carelessly.” “But no one hits accurately every time,” the writer told him. “The fault was in the wood of the handle. I’ll see the man from whom I bought it.” He said, “Thank you.”

Answer: Jerry said that he would pay for it, adding that he had broken it and that he had brought the axe down carelessly. The writer told him that no one hit accurately every time. He further said that the fault had been in the wood of the handle and that he would see the man from whom he had bought it. Jerry thanked him.

8. Identify the unclear pronoun references in the following paragraph. Where necessary, re-write the sentences so that all pronoun references are clear: [1×5=5]

Honesty is the best policy. It is honesty who brings happiness in life. Without it none can dream of a great life. These who were great in their life were honest. They work with sincerity, live earnestly and die with honour. His contributions to this world are unforgettable. So, if you want themselves to be honest in life, you should follow the path of honesty.

Answer: Honesty is the best policy. It is honesty that brings happiness in life. Without it none can dream of a great life. Those who were great in their life were honest. They work with sincerity, live earnestly and die with honour. Their contributions to this world are unforgettable. So, if you want others to be honest in life, you should follow the path of honesty.

9. Read the following text and use modifiers as directed in the blank spaces: [0.5×10=5]

Drug addiction among the young generation has become a (a) ___ (pre-modify the noun) concern. Drug is mainly used as medicine (b) ___ (use an infinitive to post modify the verb) diseases and as excess of taking drug for no disease is called drug addiction. It has grasped the young generation (c) ___ (post modify the verb). They take drugs to forget (d) ___ (use possessive to pre-modify the noun) sadness. (e) ___ (pre-modify noun) people take drugs (f) ___ (use adverb to post modify the verb). Drug addiction causes (g) ___ (pre-modify the noun) to human body. (h) ___ (use a participle) them aware, we can remove this curse from our society. All concerned should take initiatives (i) ___ (use an infinitive to post-modify the verb) it. The criminals should be punished with an (j) ___ (pre-modify the noun with adjective) hand.

Answer: (a) serious   (b) to cure   (c) severely   (d) their   (e) Many   (f) secretly   (g) harm   (h) Making   (i) to stop   (j) iron

10. Complete the passage with suitable connectors: [0.5×10=5]

To be a good student is not an easy task. We are sure that it is known to all. In order to become a good student you need to possess some qualities like punctuality, sincerity, honesty. (a) ___ one should attend madrasah, school or college regularly. (b) ___ one should be sincere in preparing lessons. (c) ___, we should speak the truth and keep honesty everywhere. (d) ___, one must be attentive to studies to do well in the exam. (e) ___, one should follow a routine (f) ___ one should lead one’s student life properly. Following routine in a student life brings success, no doubt. (g) ___, one must be active and simple to do the work of commitment. Idleness may be grown and so one should be conscious of avoiding this. (h) ___ one will face down fall. One may fail to do any work (i) ___ time. (j) ___ a student should have patience. An impatient student cannot do well in life.

Answer: (a) Firstly   (b) Secondly   (c) Besides   (d) Furthermore   (e) Also   (f) if   (g) Moreover   (h) Otherwise   (i) in   (j) Above all

11. Read the following passage and then write the synonyms/antonyms of the words as directed below: [0.5×10=5]

Human life is not static but dynamic. A man cannot reach the highest peak of success if he does not participate in extra co-curricular activities. Travelling is also an important part of co-curricular activities. It is travelling which enriches our knowledge, experience and promotes our attitudes. Therefore, travelling provides us with knowledge and practical experience. It can be clearly said that our knowledge can be mobilized by travelling the different corners of the vast globe.

(a) static (antonym);    (b) dynamic (antonym);
(c) highest (synonym);    (d) peak (synonym);
(e) extra (synonym);    (f) promotes (antonym);
(g) attitudes (synonym);    (h) practical (antonym);
(i) mobilized (synonym);    (j) different (antonym).

Answer: (a) dynamic   (b) static   (c) topmost   (d) summit   (e) additional   (f) hinders   (g) outlooks   (h) theoretical   (i) activated   (j) same

12. There are ten errors in the use of punctuation marks and capitalization in the text. Re-write the text correcting the errors: [0.5×10=5]

ibrahim Khalil shamim President KHA madrasah He is a higly respected and benevolent person who rewards students for their excellent academic performance moreover he consistently provides the Principal with constructive guidance to foster a conducive learning environment and to improve the overall quality of education. how nice his plan is do you like him for his responsibility yes sure Of course.

Answer: Ibrahim Khalil Shamim, President, KHA Madrasah. He is a highly respected and benevolent person who rewards students for their excellent academic performance. Moreover, he consistently provides the Principal with constructive guidance to foster a conducive learning environment and to improve the overall quality of education. How nice his plan is! Do you like him for his responsibility? Yes, sure. Of course.

Part B — Composition (Marks — 40)

13. Suppose, you are the students of ABC Madrasah. You are interested to go on a study tour during summer vacation. Because study tour is the best way to enjoy the natural beauties and to increase general knowledge. Now write an application to the Principal of your reputed madrasah asking permission to go on a study tour. [8]

Answer:
To
The Principal
ABC Madrasah.

Subject: Application for permission to go on a study tour.

Sir,
With due respect, we, the students of your madrasah, beg to state that we intend to go on a study tour during the upcoming summer vacation. A study tour is one of the best ways to relax our minds after a long academic session, enjoy the natural beauties of our country, and gain practical knowledge beyond textbooks that broadens our overall understanding of the world.

We have decided, with the consent of our class teachers, to visit a place of natural and historical importance, which we believe will greatly enrich our knowledge and experience. However, we require your kind permission and guidance to organize and undertake this tour smoothly and safely.

We, therefore, pray and hope that you would be kind enough to grant us permission to go on this study tour and oblige thereby.

Yours obediently,
Students of ABC Madrasah

14. Suppose, you are a reporter of a national daily. Now, write a report focusing on different causes of failures in English. [8]

Answer:
Alarming Rate of Failure in English Among Students
Staff Reporter: The rate of failure in English among students at various levels of education has become a growing concern across the country. According to educationists, several factors contribute to this persistent problem.

Firstly, the traditional method of teaching English, which focuses heavily on grammar translation rather than communicative skills, discourages students from developing genuine interest in the language. Secondly, a severe shortage of trained and skilled English teachers, especially in rural areas, has left many students without proper guidance. Thirdly, lack of practice in speaking and listening, combined with an overemphasis on memorising grammatical rules for examinations, prevents students from gaining real proficiency.

Moreover, the absence of a favourable language environment at home and in society, along with excessive dependence on guidebooks and note-books instead of original textbooks, further weakens students’ command over English. Experts suggest that adopting a more practical, communicative approach to teaching, along with regular teacher training programmes and increased use of English in daily academic activities, could significantly reduce the failure rate in this crucial subject.

15. Write a paragraph on “Uses and Abuses of Facebook.” [10]

Answer: Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites in the world today, used by people of all ages to connect with friends and family, share information, and stay updated with current events. It has numerous uses: it helps people maintain relationships across long distances, provides a platform for businesses to advertise and reach customers, allows students to form study groups and share educational resources, and enables social awareness campaigns to spread quickly. However, like every technology, Facebook also has its abuses. Many people, especially the young generation, become addicted to it, wasting valuable time that should be spent on studies or productive work. It is often misused to spread rumours, fake news, and hate speech, which can harm social harmony. Cyberbullying, identity theft, and privacy violations have also become common problems associated with excessive Facebook use. Furthermore, constant exposure to curated, idealized posts can negatively affect users’ mental health, leading to anxiety and low self-esteem. Therefore, while Facebook offers tremendous benefits for communication and information sharing, it must be used with caution, self-discipline and awareness to avoid its harmful effects.

16. Write a composition on “Students and Social Service” (within 250 words). [14]

Answer (Students and Social Service): Social service means voluntary work done for the welfare and betterment of society without any expectation of personal gain. Students, being the most energetic, idealistic and dynamic section of society, can play a vital role in various social service activities.

There are numerous ways students can contribute to society. They can organise or participate in blood donation camps, tree plantation programmes, and cleanliness drives in their localities. During natural disasters like floods, cyclones or epidemics, students can volunteer to distribute relief materials, raise funds, and create awareness among the general people. Students can also teach illiterate people in their neighbourhood, run free coaching for underprivileged children, and take part in campaigns against social evils such as dowry, child marriage, drug addiction and eve-teasing. Furthermore, they can organise seminars and rallies to spread awareness about hygiene, environmental protection, and various government welfare programmes.

Engaging in social service benefits students in multiple ways. It helps them develop leadership qualities, empathy, and a sense of responsibility towards society from an early age. It also strengthens the bond between students and the community, and instils in them the values of selflessness and cooperation, which are essential for building their character.

However, students must ensure that social service activities do not hamper their studies; rather, both should be balanced properly. Educational institutions and guardians should encourage and create opportunities for students to engage in such activities. If students dedicate even a small portion of their time to social service, they can contribute significantly to building a better, more compassionate and progressive society.

Abswer.com — Alim Examination English Second Paper Question & Solution (13 July, 2026, Regular)