The common link of friendship was snapped.

I would have taken fifty farthings.

We should also realize that a continuous stream of men and women endowed with the spirit of service.

The other Indian boxers also performed exceptionally.

The staff looked so prosperous and unsympathetic.

Society has got a right to expect an adequate return from you.

Form a new word by adding a suitable suffix to the root word ‘moral’.

Choose the word that can be added after ‘show’ to form a compound word.

Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation GDP.

Form a new word by adding a suitable prefix to the root word ‘audible’.

Replace the underlined word with a phrasal verb:

Come what may, I will Support you.

Choose the right meaning of the idiomatic expression:

That was a nice pickle to be in.

A doctrine that advocates equal rights for women is

Choose the meaning of the idiom, “alarm bells ringing”.

Replace the phrasal verb with a suitable single word:

The manager promised to look into when we pointed out an error.

Fill in the blank with the appropriate determiner:

The teacher had ____ idea about the problem.

Add a suitable question tag:

They can substantially reduce the cost of mobility and congestion, ____?

Fill in the blank with a suitable preposition:

We strolled ____ the river.

“Ornithology” is the study of

Fill in the blank with a suitable option:

I have a friend ____ cat is annoying.

“They used to laugh with their hearts And laugh with their eyes”:

(a) Who does the word ‘they’ refer to?

(b) Explain “Laugh with their eyes”.

(a) ‘They’ refers to people in the past — those who lived before the speaker’s generation, when human relationships were genuine and heartfelt.

(b) “Laugh with their eyes” means their laughter was genuine and came from the heart. Their eyes reflected true joy, not the cold, artificial smiles of modern people.

“Well, ego it might be pleased enough But zealous athletes play so rough”…

(a) Why are athletes rough during play?

(b) Pick out the rhyming words.

(a) Athletes are rough because they are zealous — driven by ego and the desire for victory. They ignore the feelings of fellow players and resort to injuring opponents to win.

(b) Rhyming words: enough — rough.

“Most of all, I want to relearn How to laugh”

(a) Why does the poet want to relearn how to laugh?

(b) Whom does the poet want to relearn from?

(a) The poet wants to relearn how to laugh because his laughter has become artificial. His laugh now only shows his teeth “like a snake’s bare fangs” — there is no genuine warmth in it.

(b) The poet wants to relearn from his son, who represents childhood innocence and sincerity.

“When officialdom demands, Is there a doctor in the stands?”

(a) Why are doctors called from stands by the sponsors?

(b) Why does the poet make such an observation?

(a) Doctors are called from the stands by sponsors when a player is fatally wounded — with a cracked wrist or snapped knee — during rough boxing matches.

(b) The poet makes this observation to satirise the brutality of competitive sports and to justify why he prefers to remain a spectator rather than participate.

“Defeat we repel, courage our fort”;

(a) How do we react to defeat?

(b) What is considered as our stronghold?

(a) We repel defeat — we do not accept defeat; we fight against it.

(b) Courage is considered our stronghold (fort).

“Comes at the last, and with a little pin Bores through his castle wall, and farewell king!”

(a) How is the castle pierced?

(b) Pick out the words in alliteration.

(a) The castle is pierced by a little pin — a subtle metaphor for death, which eventually conquers even the mightiest king.

(b) Alliteration: “Bores through his castle wall” (repetition of the ‘b’ sound).

Report the following dialogue:

Satish: Do you know that Chandar arrives tomorrow?

Hari: No, when did his holidays begin?

Satish: Last Week.

Satish asked Hari if he knew that Chandar arrived the next day. Hari replied that he did not, and asked when his holidays had begun. Satish said that they had begun the previous week.

Having resigned his job, he started a company of his own.

(Rewrite as a Complex Sentence)

After he had resigned his job, he started a company of his own.

Hussain and Victor were too young to work in the industry.

(Rewrite as a Compound Sentence)

Hussain and Victor were too young, so they could not work in the industry.

Obey the rules. Otherwise you will be fined.

(Combine using “If”)

If you do not obey the rules, you will be fined.

Explain with reference to context:

“..show me how I used to laugh and smile”

Reference: These lines are from Gabriel Okara’s poem “Once Upon a Time”.

Context: The father is addressing his son, expressing his longing to return to the innocence he has lost.

Explanation: The poet asks his son to teach him how to laugh and smile as he did in childhood. His life in the mirror “shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs” — his smile has become artificial. He wants to unlearn the hypocritical ways of adults and reclaim the genuine laughter of youth.

Explain with reference to context:

“Honour is a property, common to all : In dignity and pride no one need to be poor”

Reference: These lines are from Prof. V.C. Kulothungan’s poem “Everest is Not the Only Peak”.

Context: The poet asserts the inherent worth and dignity of every human being.

Explanation: Honour is not the exclusive possession of the wealthy or powerful; it belongs to everyone. Those who live with dignity and pride are never truly poor. The poem emphasises that self-respect and a dignified life are the true measures of richness.

Explain with reference to context:

“I live with bread like you, feel want, Taste grief, need friends.”

Reference: These lines are from William Shakespeare’s “The Hollow Crown” (from Richard II).

Context: The king reflects on the common humanity he shares with his subjects.

Explanation: The king acknowledges that despite his royal status, he shares the same basic human needs as everyone else — he eats bread, experiences want, feels grief, and needs friends. Death is the great equaliser that strips away all earthly pomp and power.

What was the happiest time of the day for grandmother?

The happiest time of the day for the grandmother was the afternoon, when she sat in the verandah feeding sparrows. Hundreds of sparrows would gather around her, and this ritual gave her immense joy and a sense of purpose. [Prose Unit 1 — “The Portrait of a Lady”]

Why did the narrator visit Christie’s?

The narrator visited Christie’s (an auction house) to watch the process of auctioning. His friend persuaded him to visit the sale room. He went there purely as a spectator out of curiosity, but ended up getting trapped in a “tight corner” when he impulsively made a bid he could not afford.

In what ways have Universities improved the society?

Universities have improved society by imparting education, fostering critical thinking, and training individuals for leadership roles. They serve as centres of learning that produce competent professionals, promote research, and cultivate the values of service and responsibility. They help individuals rise above ignorance and contribute to the nation’s progress. [Prose Unit 5 — “The Convocation Address”]

Describe Mary Kom’s personal experiences during her first International Championship match from the time of selection to winning the medal.

After the Bangkok tournament, Mary Kom was selected to represent India in the 48 kg category at the AIBA World Women’s Boxing Championship in Pennsylvania, USA (November–December 2001).

Her father could manage only ₹2,000 for her trip, far short of the expenses for America. She was worried and upset.

Her friend Onler approached some students and elders, and met two MPs to seek help. Arrangements were made for her travel and stay.

Despite the odds, Mary Kom competed and won a silver medal in her first international championship.

This experience taught her the value of perseverance and support from well-wishers.

Narrate the circumstances that led to the narrator getting into a tight corner, by his own folly.

The narrator (E.V. Lucas) visited Christie’s auction house out of curiosity.

He made low bids for many paintings just for fun, and each time someone else bid higher, so he escaped.

A picture was put up with a starting bid of 4,000 guineas. Impulsively, the narrator said “and fifty” — bidding 4,050 guineas.

No one raised the bid further. The auctioneer’s hammer fell, and the picture was sold to him.

The narrator panicked — he had only 63 pounds in his bank account and could not possibly pay thousands of guineas.

A stroke of luck: a gentleman who had bid 4,000 guineas offered him 50 guineas to give up his claim. The narrator’s guile demanded 100 guineas, which the gentleman paid.

Thus, he escaped the tight corner through his own cunning — a victory of wit over folly.

The poet does not wish to exchange places with the athletes. How does he justify his views?

The poet Ogden Nash declares he is “glad as glad can be” that he is not an athlete.

He admires athletes’ talents but does not envy them: “You’d think my ego it would please / To swap positions with one of these”.

Reason 1: Athletes play rough. They “maim each other as they romp” — cracking wrists and snapping knees.

Reason 2: They “do not ever in their dealings / Consider one another’s feelings” — they are callous and insensitive.

Reason 3: The poet’s “limp and bashful spirit” feeds on others’ heroism. His prudence wins over ego.

He is content to be a spectator, ready to drink or eat with athletes — but never compete with them.

In what way is every hillock similar to Everest?

From Prof. V.C. Kulothungan’s poem “Everest is Not the Only Peak”.

Everest symbolises great achievement; hillock symbolises smaller achievements.

The poet says: “Everest is not the only peak, / Every hillock has a summit to boast!”.

Every hillock, though small, has a summit — a point of achievement. Similarly, every person’s modest accomplishment deserves recognition.

The poem emphasises that we should bless and praise all deserving ones, not just those who reach the highest peaks.

“Our pride springs from the way we live” — dignity and honour matter more than the height of the peak.

Write a paragraph from the hints:

The narrator went to the photographer – photographer looked grave – remarked he didn’t like the face – the narrator angry – called on Saturday – the photographer made changes – photograph looked different – narrator was frustrated.

The narrator went to a photographer to have his photograph taken. The photographer looked grave and remarked that he didn’t like the narrator’s face. This made the narrator angry. He was asked to call on Saturday. When he returned, the photographer made many changes — tilting the face, adjusting the expression. When the photograph was finally developed, it looked completely different from what the narrator wanted. He was left frustrated and disappointed. The story satirises the artificiality of professional photography and the way identity can be manipulated.

Write a paragraph from the hints:

A dentist’s clinic – tensed patients – one woman – showed photographs – Joe – first patient – dentist arrived – nurse took – hammer – large pair of pliers – loud screech – patients left – one by one – Joe’s wife wept – dentist located the key – Joe tells – woman with photographs – called in – all others had left.

A dentist’s clinic was full of tensed patients. One woman showed photographs to distract herself. Joe was the first patient. When the dentist arrived, the nurse brought a hammer and a large pair of pliers. A loud screech was heard. Patients began leaving one by one. Joe’s wife wept outside. Eventually, the dentist located the key — Joe had swallowed a key. Joe told the woman with the photographs to come in, but by then all others had left. The play uses dark comedy to explore fear and anxiety.

Write a summary (or) make notes of the following passage on forest fires.

~55% of India’s forest area (mostly deciduous) is fire-prone.

Annual loss: ₹440 crores.

State-wise range: 33% to over 90%.

Natural fires occur, but major source is anthropogenic.

Shifting cultivation, controlled burning, deforestation, firewood burning.

Mostly April to June (summer months).

Varies by state, forest type, climate, monsoon delay.

Ecological: biodiversity loss, timber loss, forest degradation, water catchment damage.

Climatic: carbon sink depletion, lower water table, global warming, ozone depletion.

Economic: loss of agricultural production.

Write a letter to the Editor of a Newspaper on the dangerous effects of rash driving.

The Editor

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the authorities and the public to the dangerous effects of rash driving. Every day, we witness vehicles speeding through residential areas, ignoring traffic signals, and endangering pedestrians. Rash driving causes fatal accidents, leaves families shattered, and creates a climate of fear on our roads. Young drivers, in particular, treat roads as racing tracks. I urge the traffic police to take strict action against offenders and conduct awareness campaigns. Schools and colleges must also educate students about road safety.

Yours faithfully,

Write a letter to the Commissioner of the Corporation Complaining about the sanitary conditions of the streets in your locality.

The Commissioner

I wish to bring to your kind notice the deplorable sanitary conditions of the streets in our locality. Garbage is left uncollected for days, causing a foul smell and breeding mosquitoes. Drains are clogged, and stagnant water has become a serious health hazard. Residents, especially children and the elderly, are falling ill. Despite repeated complaints, no action has been taken. I request you to direct the sanitary department to clean the streets regularly, clear the drains, and place adequate dustbins. Prompt action will save our locality from a health emergency.

Yours faithfully,

Read the following sentences, spot the error in them and correct them.

Fill in the blanks as instructed.

Read the following passage and answer the questions in your own words.

(Spider passage)

Why are spiders not considered insects?

Spiders are not considered insects because they belong to a group called ‘arachnids’ and differ from insects — they have eight legs, eight eyes, no wings, and only two body parts.

What is the most fascinating aspect of spiders?

The most fascinating aspect of spiders is the web they spin.

Describe the special features of tarantulas.

The large tarantula eats birds and can live for as long as fifteen years.

How does the silk in the spider’s abdomen change into a solid state?

The silk is secreted in abdominal glands, forced through tiny holes from spinning organs, and comes out as a liquid which becomes solid on contact with air.

Pick out a word that is equivalent to ‘produced’.

A word equivalent to ‘produced’ is ‘secreted’.

Write a paragraph on ‘The person whom I admire the most’ in about 150 words.

The person I admire most is my mother. She is the embodiment of sacrifice, strength, and unconditional love. Every day, she wakes before dawn to prepare meals, manages the household, and still finds time to help me with my studies. She never complains, even when she is tired. Her patience inspires me to remain calm in difficult situations. She taught me the value of honesty and hard work by example, not just by words. When I failed in an examination once, she did not scold me; instead, she encouraged me to try again. Her faith in me gave me confidence. She is not famous, but she is my hero. I admire her because she lives for others and finds joy in giving. I hope to become a person of such quiet strength and kindness one day.

📌 Note on Syllabus Alignment: All answers are prepared with reference to the Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi Plus One English textbook, covering Units 1–6: The Portrait of a Lady, Once Upon a Time, The Queen of Boxing, Confessions of a Born Spectator, Tight Corners, Everest is Not the Only Peak, The First Patient, With the Photographer, The Convocation Address, and The Hollow Crown.

Plus One English – 2021 May HSE I • Question & Answer Key