NCERT First term practice paper for English 8th class 

Reading Comprehension

Q.1) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

The Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only known planet to support life. Its diameter is approximately 12,742 kilometres, making it the fifth-largest planet in the solar system. The Earth is a rocky planet with a solid outer crust and a molten inner core. Its atmosphere comprises nitrogen, oxygen, and trace amounts of other gases. The Earth's rotation on its axis causes day and night. Its orbit around the Sun causes the seasons. The Earth's axial tilt is responsible for the variation in sunlight received by different parts of the planet throughout the year, resulting in the seasons. The Earth's magnetic field is created by the motion of molten iron in its core and it helps to protect the planet from harmful solar radiation. The Earth is also unique in its abundance of water. It covers approximately 71% of its surface. This water is essential for life and it plays a crucial role in regulating the planet's temperature and climate.

5 marks

Questions:

i. What is the Earth?

ii. How does the Earth's rotation cause day and night?

iii. What is the cause of the seasons on Earth?

iv. What is the Earth's magnetic field and why is it important?

v. What is unique about the Earth's abundance of water?

Q2) Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

Penicillin is one of the most useful drugs invented by man. With its help, we heal wounds caused by bacteria that cannot be otherwise healed. In the beginning, very few people knew of this wonderful discovery or its uses. First scientists and then the ministers of governments were interested in it. The penicillin could save the wounded soldiers, and it was helpful in war, So, they decided to encourage the process of manufacture. Vast factories were set up to prepare it. The lives of hundreds and thousands of soldiers were saved with its help. Many people benefitted from it. Penicillin when introduced into the streams of the human blood, acts as an aid to those parts that are always fighting the deadly germs. It does not have power over every kind of bacteria, but certain kinds of bacteria are destroyed by penicillin in the great majority of cases.

5 marks

Questions:

i. Choose the correct statement.

(a) Penicillin could save the wounded soldiers.

(b) Penicillin could not save the soldiers.

(c) Penicillin was harmful to the soldiers.

(d) Penicillin was discarded by the scientists.

ii. Who was interested in the discovery of Penicillin in the beginning?

(a)Governments

(b)Scientists and Ministers of Governments

(c)Teachers.

(d) Doctors

iii. How was penicillin useful in wars?

iv. How does penicillin act on human blood?

v. Fill in the blank with a suitable word from the passage. (Options are given for help.)

The water level decreases in the ....... in winter. (Streams, drugs, wounds)

Grammar 

7 marks

Q. 3) Fill in the blanks with the proper forms of verbs.

1. I .......(learn) Sanskrit since 2022. (Present perfect continuous tense)
2. Kavya ........(leave) the party before anything interesting happened. (past perfect) 
3. Will you .......(take) part in inter-school debate competition? (Interrogative simple future)
4. We were extremely hungry because we .........(not eat) anything all day. (past perfect) 
5. Anusha....... (do) sketching in her free time. (simple present)
6. She ........ (go) for a morning walk every day. (Simple present tense)
7. Raju ........... (live) here for the last ten years.(present perfect continuous tense)

Q. 4 ) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in active or passive voice.

10 marks

(Each blank carries 1 mark)

Yesterday, we had a special event at school. The teacher __________ (give) a prize to the best student in the assembly. After the prize distribution, a letter __________ (deliver) by the postman to the principal's office. Meanwhile, I __________ (complete) my homework before the next class started. In the art room, a beautiful painting __________ (create) by the famous artist who -------- (invite) to the event. The cleaning staff __________ (clean) the classroom quickly after the students left. During the lunch break, an announcement __________ (make) about a movie to watch by students later in the week. After lunch, the principal __________ (announce) a surprise holiday for tomorrow, which made everyone very happy. At the cafeteria, the food __________ (serve) hot and fresh, and everyone enjoyed their meal. Later, my friend __________ (call) me to share the good news about the holiday. 

Q. 5) Use appropriate modal auxiliaries to fill in the blanks.

8 marks

1. ......(may/can) you have a blessed day!
2. Everyone...... (should/could) follow the rules of the competition 
3. You...... (dare /need ) not consult a physiotherapist for his backache, but he ....... (must/shall) consult a neurosurgeon.
4. How ...... (would/dare) he throw away my things!
5. I ..... (used to/ need to) eat a lot of chocolates when I was a child.
6. He had fractured his leg in the accident. But now he ....... (can/will) walk a little.
7. He __________ swim very well when he was younger. ( can/could)
8. We __________ go to the park if it doesn’t rain today. ( might/shall)

Literature

Q. 6) Read the following passage from your textbook and answer the questions

Every Monday, on his way back from work, Bipin Chowdhury would drop in at New Market to buy books. He had to buy at least five at a time to last him through the week. He lived alone, was not a good mixer, had few friends, and didn't like spending time in idle chat. Those who called in the evening got through their business quickly and left. Those who didn't show signs of leaving would be told around eight o'clock by Bipin Babu that he was under the doctor's orders to have dinner at eight-thirty. After dinner, he would rest for half an hour and then turn in with a book. This was a routine that had persisted unbroken for years.

5 marks

1. Which day would Bipin Chowdhury drop by the New Market to buy books?
2. How many books did Bipin Chowdhury usually buy at a time to last him through the week?
3. What was Bipin Chowdhury's attitude towards socializing or spending time with friends?
4. When did Bipin Babu tell his visitors that he had to have dinner?
5. What did Bipin Chowdhury do after dinner as part of his routine?

Q. 7) Read the stanza from the textbook and answer the questions.

5 marks

Says the ant to the cricket, "I'm your servant and friend, 

But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.
But tell me, dear cricket, did you lay nothing by 

When the weather was warm?" Quoth the cricket, 

"Not I! My heart was so light 

That I sang day and night, 

For all nature looked gay."
"You sang, Sir, you say? 

Go then," says the ant, "and dance the winter away."
Thus ending he hastily lifted the wicket, 

And out of the door turned the poor little cricket. 

Folks call this a fable. 

I'll warrant it true: 

Some crickets have four legs, and some have two.

1. Find in the poem the lines that mean the same as “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” (Shakespeare). (1 mark)
2. What is your opinion of the ant’s principles? (2 marks)
3. The ant tells the cricket to “dance the winter away”. Do you think the word ‘dance’ is appropriate here? If so, why? (2 marks)

Q. 8) Answer the following questions in one sentence each.

5 marks

1. Why is the Giant called selfish?
2. How old was Velu?
3. What made the dog, the horse and the ox very angry?
4. Why did the camel live in the middle of the desert?
5. Why had Velu run away from home?

Q. 9)  Answer the following questions in two to three sentences.

10 marks

1. Describe the first meeting of the little boy and the giant.
2. What made Velu feel miserable when he was sitting on the platform?
3. What, according to the Djinn, was the use of the “humph”?
4. Why did Velu decide to follow the ‘strange’ girl?
5. Why had Velu run away from home?

Creative writing section

Diary entry

Q. 10) Write a diary entry describing your experience of visiting a new place during the school holidays. Mention how you felt about the place, the people you met, and any memorable incident.

5 marks

Or

Imagine you had a challenging day at school. Write a diary entry expressing your thoughts and feelings about the difficulties you faced and how you plan to overcome them.

Notice Writing

5 marks

Q. 11) Your school is organizing an inter-house debate competition. As the Cultural Secretary, write a notice informing students about the date, time, venue, and guidelines for participation.

Or

Write a notice for the school notice board informing students about a lost and found item. You are the Head Boy/Girl, and a student has lost their science project. Mention details like where and when it was found and whom to contact to collect it.

Informal Letter

5 marks

Q. 12) Write a letter to your cousin describing the fun you had at a recent family celebration. Share details about the food, games, and time spent with relatives.

Or

Write a letter to your friend inviting them to spend the summer holidays with you. Mention what you have planned for their visit and how excited you are to spend time together.

Story Writing

5 marks

Q. 13) Write a short story beginning with the line, "It was a dark and stormy night, and I was alone at home when suddenly…"

Or 

Complete the following story: "Raj was walking home from school when he noticed a small, mysterious box lying by the roadside. Curious, he picked it up and…"