PT1 ENGLISH SAMPLE PAPER

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KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN
PERIODIC TEST – 1 (SAMPLE PAPER & ANSWER KEY)
CLASS: VII | SUBJECT: ENGLISH (POORVI) | MAX MARKS: 40 | TIME: 1.5 HOURS
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PART 1: SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER
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BLUEPRINT & MARKS DISTRIBUTION:
- Section A: Reading Comprehension (7 Marks)
- Section B: Writing Skills (6 Marks)
- Section C: Grammar & Textual Grammar (7 Marks)
- Section D: Literature (20 Marks)
Total Marks: 40 Marks

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SECTION A: READING COMPREHENSION (7 Marks)
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Q1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Nature has given us five wonderful senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. 
Most of us take these gifts for granted. We rarely pause to admire the golden sunrise, 
the chirping of birds early in the morning, or the cool sensation of a breeze 
against our skin. Helen Keller, who lost both her sight and hearing at a very young age, 
believed that if everyone were struck blind and deaf for a few days, it would make 
them appreciate their senses much more. 

Listening carefully to nature teaches us patience and observation. A flowing river 
tells us to keep moving forward despite hurdles, while rustling leaves remind us that 
change is continuous. By opening our eyes and hearts, we can discover endless beauty 
in our daily lives.

(A) Answer the following questions in 1–2 sentences: (1 x 3 = 3 Marks)
1. What are the five senses given to us by nature?
2. What did Helen Keller believe would happen if people temporarily lost their sight and hearing?
3. What lesson does a flowing river teach us?

(B) Choose the correct option: (1 x 2 = 2 Marks)
1. The word "hurdles" in paragraph 2 means:
   (a) Flowers
   (b) Obstacles / Difficulties
   (c) Smooth paths
   (d) Riverbanks

2. According to the text, rustling leaves remind us that:
   (a) Morning has arrived
   (b) Nature is quiet
   (c) Change is continuous
   (d) We should stop moving

(C) Complete the given statement: (1 x 1 = 1 Mark)
1. Most people take the gifts of nature for granted because ____________.

(D) State True or False: (1 x 1 = 1 Mark)
1. Listening carefully to nature teaches us patience and observation.


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SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS (6 Marks)
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Q2. Attempt ANY ONE of the following writing tasks: (6 Marks)

OPTION A: Descriptive Paragraph
Write a descriptive paragraph in about 80–100 words describing a serene spot in nature 
(such as a riverbank, a park, or a hilltop) that you like to visit. 
Include details about:
- What the place looks, sounds, and feels like.
- Why you enjoy spending time there.
- How it makes you feel refreshed.

OR

OPTION B: Informal Letter
You are Rohan / Riya living in a KV hostel. Write a letter to your friend in about 
80–100 words encouraging them not to give up on their dream of learning a new skill 
(like painting or swimming), taking inspiration from the poem 'Try Again'.


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SECTION C: GRAMMAR & TEXTUAL GRAMMAR (7 Marks)
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Q3. Do as directed:

(A) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb given in brackets 
    (Simple Past / Past Continuous): (1 x 2 = 2 Marks)
1. Jahnavi ____________ (sit) by the riverbank when she heard a voice.
2. The little girl ____________ (try) again until she succeeded.

(B) Identify the Abstract Noun in the sentence: (1 x 1 = 1 Mark)
1. Helen Keller valued friendship and kindness above all else.

(C) Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions (in / at / on / by): (1 x 2 = 2 Marks)
1. She loves to sit ____________ the riverbank in the evening.
2. The author woke up early ____________ dawn to enjoy the quietness.

(D) Combine or prefix/suffix transformations: (1 x 2 = 2 Marks)
1. Add a suffix to the word 'Courage' to make an adjective: ____________
2. Add a prefix to the word 'Patient' to form its antonym: ____________


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SECTION D: LITERATURE (20 Marks)
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Q4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions: (1 x 4 = 4 Marks)

"If at first you don't succeed,
Try again;
Then your courage should appear;
For if you will persevere,
You will conquer, never fear,
Try again."

1. Who is the speaker encouraging in these lines?
2. What quality does the word 'persevere' mean?
   (a) Giving up quickly
   (b) Continuing effort despite difficulties
   (c) Running away from work
   (d) Sleeping continuously
3. What will happen if you keep trying without fear?
4. Write the rhyming word for 'appear' from the stanza.

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Q5. Answer ANY THREE of the following questions in 20–30 words each: (2 x 3 = 6 Marks)

1. What was Jahnavi’s dream in 'The Day the River Spoke', and why was it so important to her?
2. How did the river encourage Jahnavi to overcome her fear of going to school?
3. What does Helen Keller wish to see on her first day if given sight for three days?
4. According to the poem 'Try Again', why should we not feel ashamed if we fail to win a race?

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Q6. Answer ANY TWO of the following questions in 40–50 words each: (3 x 2 = 6 Marks)

1. How does Helen Keller want those with eyesight to make full use of their senses? What advice does she offer?
2. Describe how the conversation between Jahnavi and the River helps her gain confidence.

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Q7. Value-Based / Long Answer Question (Attempt ANY ONE): (4 Marks)

1. "Failure is only a stepping stone to success." Elaborate on this statement with reference to the message of the poem 'Try Again'.
2. In 'Three Days to See', Helen Keller shows deep gratitude for things ordinary people ignore. How can we practice gratitude in our daily lives?


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PART 2: ANSWER KEY & MARKING SCHEME
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SECTION A: READING COMPREHENSION (7 Marks)

Q1.
(A) Short Answers: (1 Mark each)
1. The five senses are sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
2. Helen Keller believed that if people temporarily lost their sight and hearing, it would make them appreciate their senses much more instead of taking them for granted.
3. A flowing river teaches us patience, observation, and to keep moving forward despite hurdles.

(B) Multiple Choice Questions: (1 Mark each)
1. (b) Obstacles / Difficulties
2. (c) Change is continuous

(C) Complete the Statement: (1 Mark)
1. ...they take these gifts for granted / rarely pause to observe and admire the beauty around them.

(D) True / False: (1 Mark)
1. True


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SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS (6 Marks)

Q2. Format & Content Marking Scheme:
- Format (Heading/Salutation, Layout): 1 Mark
- Content & Relevance: 3 Marks
- Fluency, Vocabulary & Grammar: 2 Marks

SAMPLE SOLUTION — OPTION A (Descriptive Paragraph):
"A Peaceful Corner in Nature"
Near my house lies a small, quiet park with a winding river stream passing beside it. Whenever I feel tired or overwhelmed, I sit under the giant Banyan tree on the grassy bank. The air here smells fresh with the scent of wet earth and wild grass. I love listening to the gentle gush of the river water flowing over smooth pebbles and the soft chirping of sparrows in the morning. Watching the sparkling water dance under the sunlight brings an overwhelming sense of calm. Spending just fifteen minutes in this serene spot clears my mind and fills me with fresh energy and peace.

SAMPLE SOLUTION — OPTION B (Informal Letter):
KV Hostel, Room No. 12
Bhopal
25th July 2026

Dear Aarav,

I hope you are doing well. In your last letter, you mentioned that you felt disappointed because you couldn’t learn swimming as quickly as others. I wanted to write to you today to encourage you not to give up.

Recently, we read a wonderful poem in English class called 'Try Again'. It reminds us that making mistakes or taking time is a normal part of learning. Courage isn't about succeeding on the first attempt—it is about persevering when things get tough. If you keep practicing without fear, you will surely master it soon.

Keep your chin up and give it another try!

Yours lovingly,
Rohan


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SECTION C: GRAMMAR & TEXTUAL GRAMMAR (7 Marks)

Q3.
(A) Tenses: (1 Mark each)
1. Jahnavi was sitting by the riverbank when she heard a voice.
2. The little girl tried again until she succeeded.

(B) Abstract Noun: (1 Mark)
1. Friendship / Kindness (Either or both are correct)

(C) Prepositions: (1 Mark each)
1. She loves to sit by (or on) the riverbank in the evening.
2. The author woke up early at dawn to enjoy the quietness.

(D) Suffix / Prefix Transformations: (1 Mark each)
1. Courageous
2. Impatient


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SECTION D: LITERATURE (20 Marks)

Q4. Extract-Based Questions: (1 Mark each)
1. The speaker/poet is encouraging anyone who faces initial failure or defeat.
2. (b) Continuing effort despite difficulties
3. You will overcome your obstacles and conquer/achieve your goal ("You will conquer, never fear").
4. fear (or persevere)

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Q5. Short Answer Questions: (2 Marks each)
1. Jahnavi dreamed of going to school and learning to read and write. It was important to her because she wanted to understand the world, break free from limitations, and discover new things.
2. The river talked to Jahnavi about its continuous journey towards the ocean, reminding her that progress requires courage and movement. It encouraged her to speak to her family and take the step toward school.
3. On her first day, Helen Keller wanted to see her devoted teacher, Anne Sullivan Macy, along with the faces of her dear friends who showed her kindness and made her life meaningful.
4. According to the poem, failing a race is not shameful if we put in our best effort. The real defeat is giving up; as long as we try again, we keep our dignity.

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Q6. Medium Answer Questions: (3 Marks each)
1. Helen Keller advises those who can see to use their eyes as if tomorrow they would be stricken blind. She wants people to pay attention to details—the colors, shapes, and expressions of people around them—and truly appreciate the gift of sight rather than skimming over things passively.
2. The river acts as a wise mentor to Jahnavi. By sharing its own story of flowing endlessly through rocks and obstacles to reach its goal, the river helps Jahnavi realize that her desire to study is natural and worth fighting for. This gives her the inner strength to confront her fears and voice her ambition.

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Q7. Value-Based / Long Answer Questions: (4 Marks)

Answer 1:
The poem 'Try Again' by W.E. Hickson conveys that failure is not a permanent endpoint, but an essential step on the path to success. When we try something new, initial attempts often fall short. However, each attempt teaches us valuable lessons about what works and what doesn't. 

Perseverance builds character and resilience. If we view failure as a disgrace or a reason to quit, we deny ourselves the opportunity to grow. By maintaining patience and trying once more, our courage appears and our skill improves. Thus, every failed attempt is simply a stepping stone bringing us closer to final victory.

Answer 2:
In 'Three Days to See', Helen Keller highlights how people with intact senses often move through life without noticing the wonder in everyday details. Despite being deaf and blind, she finds immense joy in tactile experiences—feeling the symmetry of a leaf or the texture of a flower petal.

We can practice gratitude in our daily lives by slowing down and observing our surroundings actively. Instead of taking our sight, hearing, and health for granted, we should pause each day to appreciate small gifts—such as a warm meal, a clear sky, or a conversation with loved ones. True gratitude lies in being fully present and mindful of the beauty in our everyday world.
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