HSC English Second Paper 2026 Board Question and Answer (Set 02, Subject Code 108)

This is a complete HSC English 2nd paper board question 2026 Full Solution (Set 02, Subject Code 108, Time 3 hours, Full Marks 100). Each original question from the board paper is given first, followed immediately by the answer, so students can study both side by side.

Part A — Grammar (60 Marks)

Question 1: Articles

Question: Fill in the blanks of the following text with articles where necessary. Some of the blanks may not require any article. Put a cross [×] in those blanks: (0.5×10=5)

Though Bangladesh is struggling to achieve (a) ―― status of a middle income country, it is still beset with many problems. Unemployment problem is one of (b) ―― big challenges in Bangladesh. Hundreds and thousands of highly educated people are unemployed. (c) ―― government job is like (d) ―― golden deer to the educated youth. Nearly one hundred candidates apply for (e) ―― single post. (f) ―― mentioned problem is becoming acute day by day. Some pragmatic steps need to be taken in this regard. Firstly, (g) ―― government should emphasize on technical education. Secondly, (h) ―― educated people should not only run after government jobs. Thirdly, (i) ―― job seekers need to be engaged in self-motivated jobs. We think unemployment problem will be addressed as early as possible to booster (j) ―― overall development of Bangladesh.

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

Question 2: Prepositions

Question: Complete the text with suitable prepositions: (0.5×10=5)

It is known to all that smoking is detrimental (a) ―― health. It causes many incurable diseases. There is hardly any easy remedy (b) ―― this disease. People are aware (c) ―― the matter. Yet they stick (d) ―― this bad habit. Smoking is also injurious (e) ―― a non-smoker. Unfortunately the smokers do not think (f) ―― the non-smokers while smoking. As a result, the non-smokers fall an easy victim (g) ―― their whims. (h) ―― some cases, children become the worst sufferers because (i) ―― their parents’ whimsical smoking. So the smokers should consider the adverse effect of smoking (j) ―― the non-smokers.

Answer: (a) to (b) for (c) of (d) to (e) to (f) of (g) to (h) In (i) of (j) on

Question 3: Complete Sentences with Words/Phrases from the Box

Question: Complete the sentences with suitable words/phrases given in the box: (0.5×10=5)

Box: There, was born, It, would rather, had better, feel like, has to, let alone, As soon as, what does ….. look like

(a) You look exhausted. You ―― take rest to refresh yourself. (b) ―― was a time when every child used to relish home-made food. (c) The man who wears a crown ―― bear the burden of responsibility. (d) Kazi Nazrul Islam is our national poet. He ―― in 1899 in a village named Churulia. (e) Nature assumes a spectacular sight during the spring. The blossom of various flowers and the sweet songs of the cuckoo touch our mind. ―― seems that everything has got a new life. (f) It is raining cats and dogs. So, Imran ―― stay at home than go to university. (g) Salma has never travelled by train, ―― by air. (h) I bought a cane of orange juice. But I ―― having a nice cool glass of lemonade. (i) The examination was going on the students stopped writing ―― the bell rang. (j) Have you ever seen a kingfisher? ―― a kingfisher ――?

Answer: (a) had better — You had better take rest to refresh yourself. (b) There — There was a time when every child used to relish home-made food. (c) has to — The man who wears a crown has to bear the burden of responsibility. (d) was born — He was born in 1899 in a village named Churulia. (e) It — It seems that everything has got a new life. (f) would rather — Imran would rather stay at home than go to university. (g) let alone — Salma has never travelled by train, let alone by air. (h) feel like — But I feel like having a nice cool glass of lemonade. (i) As soon as — The students stopped writing as soon as the bell rang. (j) what does … look like — What does a kingfisher look like?

Question 4: Complete Sentences with Suitable Clauses/Phrases

Question: Complete the following sentences with suitable clauses/phrases: (0.5×10=5)

(a) Respect is reciprocal. You cannot expect respect from others unless ――. (b) Women constitute half of the total population of Bangladesh. No progress is possible ――. (c) Time is very precious. So, we should make the best use of time with a view to ――. (d) Corruption is the main hindrance to the development of our country. It is high time ――. (e) Early rising is beneficial to health. Those who rise ――. (f) Illiteracy is regarded as a curse. It retards ――. (g) Trees are very important for our existence. They supply oxygen without which ――. (h) There is a wise saying that united we stand, ――. So, we must be united to protect the dignity of our country. (i) Self-help is the best help. Allah helps those ――. (j) Illiteracy is a curse. If all the children of Bangladesh went to school, ――.

Answer: (a) unless you respect others first (b) without the active participation of women (c) achieving success in life (Grammar note: “with a view to” is always followed by a gerund — V+ing — never a bare infinitive, so “to + verb+ing” is required here.) (d) we took strong action against corruption (e) early enjoy sound health throughout their lives (f) the overall progress of a nation (g) no living being could survive on earth (h) divided we fall (i) who help themselves (j) illiteracy would be eradicated from the country

(Note: These are model answers. Any grammatically correct clause/phrase that fits the meaning will also be accepted by examiners.)

Question 5: Correct Form of Verbs

Question: Read the text and fill in the gaps with the correct form of verbs as per subject and context: (0.5×10=5)

Reading is really like (a) ―― (take) a flight to greater heights in pursuit of knowledge. It is a journey towards enlightenment. Even if you have (b) ―― (read) one good book in your life, you (c) ―― (know) what reading (d) ―― (give). It provides you with incomparable pleasure. Read one good book and you will know what the joys of reading (e) ―― (be). Reading (f) ―― (nourish) your mind. It gives you both information and knowledge and teaches you to distinguish between the two. Reading informs you of what (g) ―― (happen) around you, helps you (h) ―― (remain) updated about what (i) ―― (change). It is through reading you understand that knowledge (j) ―― (know) no bounds and the hunger for it is insatiable.

Answer: (a) taking (b) read (c) will know (d) gives (e) are (f) nourishes (g) happens (h) remain (i) changes (j) knows

Question 6: Sentence Transformation

Question: Read the text and change the sentence as directed: (1×5=5)

Man cannot live without water. The other name of water is life. (a) Water is polluted in many ways. (Make it complex). (b) The water which is pure is essential for our survival. (Simple). (c) Men pollute it by throwing wastes in it. (Compound) (d) The farmers of our country use water for cultivation. (Passive voice) (e) It is one of the most important elements for all living beings. (Positive).

Answer: (a) Complex: Though water is another name for life, it is polluted in many ways. (b) Simple: Pure water is essential for our survival. (c) Compound: Men throw wastes into it and thus pollute it. (d) Passive: Water is used for cultivation by the farmers of our country. (e) Positive: Very few elements are as important as it for all living beings.

Question 7: Narrative Style (Indirect Speech)

Question: Change the form of narrative style by using indirect speeches: (5)

The traveller said, “Can you tell me the way to the nearest hotel?” “Yes”, said the peasant, “Do you want one in which you can spend the night?” “No”, replied the traveller. “I only want to have my meal.”

Answer: The traveller asked the peasant if he could tell him the way to the nearest hotel. The peasant replied in the affirmative and asked him if he wanted one in which he could spend the night. The traveller replied in the negative and said that he only wanted to have his meal.

Question 8: Unclear Pronoun References

Question: Identify the unclear pronoun references in the following text where necessary. Re-write the sentences to make the pronoun references clear and underline the changes: (1×5=5)

Answer: This question carries 5 marks (1×5=5), which means the examiner expects exactly 5 unclear pronoun references to be identified and corrected. Here they are, one by one, with the reasoning a checker looks for:Books are the medium through which human beings talk with enlightened minds, the great men of the world. We consider it to be our best friends. It introduces them to the life and the world. Books are the mirrors of past, present and even future. They are having an active voice. We can know about the thoughts and deeds of their ancestors through it.

Fully corrected paragraph (changes underlined):

Here is the corrected passage with only the five required changes underlined (as expected in HSC Board exams):

Books are the medium through which human beings talk with enlightened minds, the great men of the world. We consider books to be our best friends. Books introduce them to the life and the world. Books are the mirrors of past, present and even future. Books have an active voice. We can know about the thoughts and deeds of our ancestors through books.

Question 9: Modifiers

Question: Read the following text and use modifiers in the blank spaces as directed: (0.5×10=5)

Newspapers play a (a) ―― (pre-modify the noun) role in modern civilization. It publishes news and views of home and abroad. Only (b) ―― (pre-modify the noun) knowledge is not enough in this competitive world. A newspaper helps a man (c) ―― (post-modify the verb with infinitive) his general knowledge. Apart from reading (d) ―― (pre-modify the noun with an adjective) books, one should read newspapers daily. Newspapers help one (e) ―― (use an infinitive phrase) of the world. Students can collect a lot of information (f) ―― (post-modify the noun using a present participle phrase). There are (g) ―― (pre-modify the noun) kinds of newspapers. One should select the newspaper (h) ―― (post-modify the verb). (i) ―― (use a quantifier) newspapers present genuine news. On the other hand, some newspapers present news (j) ―― (use an adverb to post-modify the noun).

Answer: (a) vital — a vital role (b) bookish — Only bookish knowledge (c) to increase — helps a man to increase his general knowledge (d) interesting — reading interesting books (e) to know — Newspapers help one to know about the affairs of the world (f) dealing with current affairs — a lot of information dealing with current affairs (g) various — various kinds of newspapers (h) carefully — should select the newspaper carefully (i) Many — Many newspapers present genuine news (j) online — some newspapers present news online

(Note: Modifier exercises accept more than one correct word/phrase. Any pre-modifier, post-modifier, infinitive, participle phrase, or adverb that grammatically fits the given instruction will also be marked correct.)

Question 10: Sentence Connectors

Question: Use appropriate sentence connectors in the blank spaces of the following text: (0.5×10=5)

Trees are a vital part of the environment. (a) ――, they bear a great impact on the climate. (b) ―― we are not careful about them. (c) ――, we destroy trees at random. (d) ――, one day the country will bear the consequences of greenhouse effect. (e) ―― ours is an agricultural country, our economy depends on it. (f) ――, our agriculture is dependent on rain. (g) ――, trees play a vital role on our climate. (h) ――, trees keep the soil strong. (i) ――, trees save us from flood and many other natural calamities. (j) ――.

Answer: (a) Besides (b) But (c) As a result (d) If this continues (e) As (f) Moreover (g) Also (h) In addition (i) Furthermore (j) Therefore, we should plant more trees and protect the existing ones.

Question 11: Synonyms and Antonyms

Question: Read the passage and write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed: (0.5×10=5)

Patriotism means loving one’s own country. It is a noble virtue. It removes all sorts of meanness from human mind and makes it broad. Patriotism inspires a man to shed the last drop of blood to defend the freedom and sovereignty of his country. A man without this quality is no better than a beast. A true patriot is honoured by all. His only aim is to promote the welfare of his country and countrymen.

(a) noble (antonym); (b) meanness (synonym); (c) broad (antonym); (d) inspire (antonym); (e) defend (synonym); (f) sovereignty (antonym); (g) beast (synonym); (h) honoured (antonym); (i) promote (synonym); (j) welfare (synonym).

Answer: (a) ignoble (b) baseness (c) narrow (d) discourage (e) protect (f) subjugation (g) brute (h) dishonoured (i) foster (j) well-being

Question 12: Punctuation Correction

Question: There are ten errors in the use of punctuation marks in the following text. Re-write the text correcting the errors and use capital letters where necessary: (0.5×10=5)

Jerry: I can chop some wood today. Writer: But Ive a boy coming from the orphanage. Jerry: Im the boy Writer: You But youre very small. Jerry: Size doesnt matter chopping wood. Ive been chopping wood at the orphanage for a long time. Writer: very well theres the axe. Go ahead and see what you can do.

Answer (Corrected Text):

Jerry: I can chop some wood today. Writer: But I’ve a boy coming from the orphanage. Jerry: I’m the boy. Writer: But you’re very small. Jerry: Size doesn’t matter chopping wood. I’ve been chopping wood at the orphanage for a long time. Writer: Very well, there’s the axe. Go ahead and see what you can do.

Part B — Composition (40 Marks)

Question 13: Application for a Hostel Seat

Question: Suppose you are a student of class XII in ‘X’ college located in Narayanganj. Recently your father has been transferred to Cumilla. But you want to continue your study till H.S.C examination in Narayanganj. Now, write an application to the principal of your college requesting him to sanction you a seat in the college hostel. (8)

Answer:

Date: [Write today’s date here]

To The Principal X College, Narayanganj

Subject: Application for a seat in the college hostel.

Sir,

I beg most respectfully to state that I am a student of class XII (Science/Arts/Commerce) of your college, bearing roll no. ―――. My father has recently been transferred to Cumilla in connection with his job. As a result, my whole family is going to shift to Cumilla very soon.

However, I do not wish to change my college in the middle of my HSC course, since it would disturb my studies and preparation for the upcoming HSC examination. I am, therefore, in urgent need of a safe and suitable place to stay in Narayanganj so that I can continue my study without any interruption.

Under the circumstances, I earnestly request you to be kind enough to sanction me a seat in the college hostel. I shall remain grateful to you for this act of kindness.

Yours obediently, ――――――― Class: XII, Roll: ――― X College, Narayanganj

Question 14: Newspaper Report

Question: Suppose you are a reporter of a reputed English daily. Now, write a report on the “Anti-Social activities of the Teen Gangs” of your locality. (8)

Answer:

Teen Gangs Turning Into a Growing Menace in the Locality

Staff Correspondent: The anti-social activities of teen gangs have become a matter of serious concern in this locality in recent times. A visit to the area reveals that groups of teenagers, mostly aged between 13 and 19, have formed several informal gangs that indulge in various disruptive and sometimes criminal activities.

Local residents complain that these teen gang members often gather at street corners, parks, and empty lots during evening hours, where they engage in eve-teasing, bullying younger children, vandalizing public property, and, in some cases, drug abuse. Several shopkeepers reported incidents of extortion and intimidation by these groups. Parents in the area expressed deep concern, saying that peer pressure, lack of parental supervision, unemployment, and the unregulated influence of social media are pushing many teenagers towards such gangs.

Law enforcement officials admitted that the number of complaints regarding teen gang activities has increased over the past year, and they have started conducting regular patrols in the identified hotspots. Educationists and social workers have urged for greater parental involvement, community awareness programs, and recreational facilities for teenagers to keep them engaged in productive activities.

Unless timely and coordinated measures are taken by the family, school, and local administration, this trend of teen gang activities may pose a serious threat to the peace and security of the locality in the near future.

Question 15: Paragraph — Early Rising and Late Rising

Question: Write a paragraph showing contrast between “Early Rising and Late Rising” in 150 words. (10)

Answer:

Early Rising and Late Rising

Early rising and late rising represent two completely different lifestyles with contrasting effects on a person’s health, productivity, and character. Early rising means waking up before or soon after sunrise, while late rising means getting out of bed well after the morning has advanced. An early riser enjoys the fresh, pollution-free morning air, has enough time for exercise, study, and planning the day ahead, and generally develops habits of discipline and punctuality. On the other hand, a late riser often wakes up in a hurry, misses the calm of the morning, and starts the day in a rushed and disorganized manner. Early risers are usually more energetic, healthier, and more successful in both academic and professional life, since they make the best use of daylight hours. Late risers, however, tend to be less productive, often suffer from lethargy, and may struggle to complete their daily tasks on time. In short, while early rising builds a healthy and disciplined life, late rising leads to an unhealthy and disorganized one.

Question 16: Composition — Moral Degradation

Question: Write a short composition in 200 words on “Moral Degradation”. (14)

Answer:

Moral Degradation

Moral degradation refers to the gradual decline of ethical values, honesty, and good conduct in individuals and society. It is one of the most alarming problems of the present age, affecting people across all classes and age groups.

Several factors contribute to moral degradation. The blind pursuit of wealth and material success often pushes people to abandon honesty and fairness. The breakdown of family bonding, lack of proper moral and religious education, and the negative influence of media and unrestricted internet use have also weakened the moral foundation of the younger generation. Political dishonesty, corruption in public offices, and the absence of accountability further encourage unethical behaviour throughout society.

The consequences of moral degradation are far-reaching. It leads to a rise in corruption, crime, family breakdown, and a general erosion of trust within society. When moral values decline, social harmony and mutual respect among people also suffer greatly.

To combat moral degradation, moral and religious education must be strengthened from the family level and in educational institutions. Parents, teachers, and religious leaders should work together to instil ethical values in children from an early age. The media should also play a responsible role by promoting positive and value-based content.

If timely steps are not taken to address moral degradation, its consequences will continue to threaten the stability and progress of society as a whole.