NBSE Class 8 Question Paper 2019 Grammer and Composition

Total number of printed pages: 3 NB-E/GC/1

2019
CLASS-VIII
GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION

Total marks: 80 Time: 3 hours
General instructions:
i) Approximately 27 minutes is allotted to read the question paper and revise the answers
ii) The question paper consists of 15 questions. All questions are compulsory.
iii) Internal choice has been provided in some questions.
iv) Marks allocated to every question are indicated against it.
N.B: Check that all pages of the question paper are complete as indicated on the top left side.

SECTION A (GRAMMAR)

1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given: 10x1=10

a. Many poets have compared death __________ sleep.
i. with ii. to iii. from iv. at
b. There is a close relation __________ poverty and crime.
i. about ii. of iii. between iv. over
c. The table is made __________ wood.
i. for ii. of iii. by iv. at
d. I borrowed money __________ one of my friends.
i. from ii. in iii. to iv. of
e. Television has a strong influence __________ people.
i. on ii. of iii. by iv. about
f. You must apologise __________ you will be punished.
i. and ii. when iii. that iv. or
g. I purchased all the medicines __________ the doctor has prescribed.
i. that ii. who iii. what iv. how
h. We must work __________ we fail.
i. for ii. lest iii. because iv. that
i. Do not talk __________ you are eating.
i. where ii. when iii. what iv. while
j. It is uncertain __________ he will come.
i. wherever ii. whatever iii. what iv. whether

2. Rewrite the sentences as directed: 10x1=10

a. I wrote a letter _____ my friend, last night. (Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition)
b. She is free _____ pain now. (Fill in the blank with appropriate preposition)
c. Show me how to do it. (Underline the Phrase)
d. They rested when evening came. (Underline the Adverb Phrase)
e. He has lost the book that I had given him. (State whether the sentence is Simple, Compound or
Complex)
f. He lives on what little he begs. (Underline the Noun Clause)
g. This is the house that my father built. (Underline the Adjective Clause)
h. Tell me the school __________ (Fill in the blank with Adjective Clause)

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i. He makes friends wherever he goes. (Identify what kind of Adverb Clause the underlined sentence
is)
j. Make hay while the sun shines (Underline the Adverb Clause)

3. Correct the error in the given sentence with the correct prepositions: 2x1=2
Polar bears are born in land, but spend most of the time into the sea.

4. Underline the prepositions in the sentence given below: 2x1=2
He applied to the Principal for 7 days leave.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate preposition: 2x1=2

a. That restaurant is famous ______ its ice cream.
b. He is in competition ______ ten other players.

6. Underline the sentences as directed in the brackets: 2x1=2

a. I visit the library whenever I am free. (Underline the Clause)
b. Somebody knocked at my door. (Underline the Phrase)

7. State whether the given sentences are Simple, Compound or Complex sentence: 2x1=2

a. She stood first in the class.
b. A guest is unwelcome when he stays too long.

8. Change the voice as directed in the brackets: 5x1=5

a. She helps the poor. (Change to Passive Voice)
b. The child was not cared for. (Change to Active Voice)
c. Were the students doing these exercises? (Change to Passive Voice)
d. Gifts have been received by them. (Change to Active Voice)
e. Someone stole my bicycle last night. (Change to Passive Voice)

9. Fill in the blanks using the appropriate tense form of the verb: 5x1=5

Our team has ______ (win) the match against Rising Stars. We are excited. It was a ______
(thrill) match and could have been anyone’s game as till the last minute we were one-all. I was _____
(cheer) my teammates right till the end. To _______ (play) a game with a team that has its morale down
_____ (do, not) make sense.

SECTION B (COMPOSITION)

10. Read the passage and answer the questions given below:
The dog family
The dog is the only domesticated member of the canine family though now and then someone
tames a wolf, fox or coyote as a pet. All members of the dog family are descendents of a wolf-like
animal which lived about 15 million years ago. From this distant ancestor, the true dogs gradually
developed. But nobody knows the exact ancestor of the modern domestic dog.
Several wild dogs look and behave like domestic dogs. The dingo or wild dog of Australia is one
of this. It is possible that the dingo was a tamed dog brought to Australia long ago which then ran
wild.

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Dogs were the first animals tamed by humans- perhaps 20000 years ago. Tamed dogs were
brought from Asia to the New World 5000 or more years ago. Dogs were first used for hunting.

a. What are the different animals mentioned in the passage that were tamed as pets other than the
dogs? 1
b. What was the first animal tamed by humans? 1
c. Which dog is considered the wild dog of Australia? 1
d. From where were dogs brought to the New World? 1
e. What were dogs first used for? 1

11. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:
Crocodile on the loose!
I went out walking with my crocodile,
When he slipped out from his collar.
I yelled, ‘Come back!’
but he just ran and didn’t hear me holler.
I chased him down the sidewalk,
And through the play ground, too.
I almost caught him at the slide,
but he pulled a-switch-a roo!
just when I thought I could run no more,
he came right back to me.
for my crocodile can be a little crazy,
but in the end he loves me! (Mrs. Prejna)
a. With whom did the poet take a walk? 1
b. What did he do? 1
c. Where did the poet chase him? 2
d. Why did he come back to the poet? 1

12.You are the school captain of St. Anthony’s School, Mumbai. Your school is organising an inter-class
drawing and painting competition for class 5 to 8. Write a notice in about 50 words inviting the students
to participate. Give all necessary details. 5
13. Write a paragraph in about 80-100 words on any one of the following topics: 5
a. Your hobby b. Good manners
14. You are James, write a letter to your friend describing the various activities in your school. 10
15. Write an essay in about 100-150 words on any one of the given topics: 10
a.. My favourite person.
b. Going to school on a rainy day
c. Advantages and disadvantages of a mobile phone.

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