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Let’s learn Passage Narration Exercise HSC English!
1. “How much do you want?” said the Mayor. “A thousand guilders”, said the pied piper. “All right”, said the Mayor. “We’ll pay you a thousand guilders. When will you set to work?” “Now”, Said the pied piper.
Answer: The mayor asked the pied piper how much he wanted. The pied piper replied that he wanted thousand guilders. The mayor agreed and said that they would pay him a thousand guilders. He also asked him when he would set out to work. The pied piper replied that he would set to work then.
2. “Will you buy my hair?” asked Della. “I buy hair,” said Madame. “Take your hat off and let’s have a sight at the looks of it.” “Twenty dollars,” said Madame, lifting the mass with a practiced hand. “Give it to me quick,” said Della.
Answer: Della asked madame if she would buy her hair. in reply, madame told her that she bought hair and told her to take her hat off and proposed that they should have a sight at the looks of it. Lifting the mass with a practiced hand, madame wanted to give her twenty dollars. Della told her to give it to her quickly.
3. “Follow my example,” she said as we shook hands, “and never eat more than one thing for luncheon.” “I’ll do better than that,” I retorted. “I’ll eat nothing for dinner tonight.” “Humorist”, she cried gaily, jumping into a cab.
Answer: As we shook hands, she advised me to follow her example and never to eat more than one thing for luncheon. Then I retorted that I would do better than that. I added that I would eat nothing for dinner that night. Jumping into a cab, she cried gaily and called me a humorist.
Passage Narration Exercise for HSC English
4. “Whose picture is it?” I asked. “A little girl’s of course,” said Grandmother. “Can’t you tell?” “Yes, but do you know the girl?” “Yes, I knew her”, said Granny “but she was a very wicked girl and I shouldn’t tell you about her.”
Answer: I asked grandmother whose picture it was. In reply, grandmother told me that of course it was a little girl’s picture and asked me if I could tell about it. I replied in the affirmative and asked her if she knew the girl. The grandmother replied in the affirmative and said that she had known her. Then she added that she had been a very wicked girl. She further added that she shouldn’t tell me about her.
5. The teacher asked the students if they had heard the name of Aesop. The students respectfully replied that they had not and asked the teacher who he had been. The teacher advised them to listen to his lecture attentively and they would be able to know about him. He also exclaimed with wonder that his fables were very interesting and instructive.
Answer: “Have you heard the name of Aesop?” asked the teacher. “No, sir, who he was?” “Listen to my lecture attentively and then you will be able to know about him. How interesting and instructive his fables are!” said the teacher.
6.“Have you saved something for the future?” said the rich man. “No,” said the cobber. “I am happy with the present and think little about tomorrow.” “No, that would not do,” said the rich man. “I like to see you above want. Have this money and keep it.”
Answer: The rich man asked the cobbler if he had saved something for the future. The cobbler replied in the negative and said that he was happy with the present and thought little about the next day. The rich man disagreed with the cobbler and said that it would not do. He added that he liked to see him above want. Then he told him to have the money and keep it.
7. The witness told the international crimes tribunal that he had suddenly heard a gunshot and gone towards the door. He added that he had seen many Al-Badr men the members of the Pakistani army on his house premises. The judge asked him if he had recognized some of the Al-Badr men. The witness answered that he could recognize one Hamid in his village who had brought the members of the Pakistani army to the village.
Answer: “I suddenly heard a gunshot and went towards the door. I saw many Al Badr men and the members of the Pakistani army on my house premises,” the witness said to the international crimes tribunal. “Did you recognize some of Al Badr men?” said the judge. “I can recognize one Hamid in my village who brought the members of the Pakistani army to the village,” said the witness.
8. “Why are you crying? Do you have any problem?” asked the passer-by. “I am crying because I have none to look after me”, said the street child. “Are you hungry?” “Yes, I am, “ said the boy.
Answer: The passer-by asked the street child why he was crying. He also asked the boy if he had any problem. The street child replied that he was crying because he had none to look after him. The passer-by again asked the boy if he was hungry. The boy replied in the affirmative and said that he was hungry.
9.“Please give me your English grammar book,” said Fahim. “I cannot give it,” said Arman. “I have to take it with me in the class.” “I shall return the book before the class starts,” said Fahim. “Take it,” said Arman. “Thanks,” said Fahim.
Answer: Fahim requested Arman to give him his English grammar book. Arman said that he could not give it. He also said that he had to take it with him in the class. Fahim said that he would return the book before the class started. Then Arman told Fahim to take it. Fahim thanked him.
10. He said to me, “I am very sorry to trouble you, but I shall be much obliged if you kindly lend me your dictionary.” “I shall be very glad to be of service to you, and you are welcome to any of my books that you think of use to you,” said I.
Answer: He told me that he was very sorry to trouble me but he added that he would be much obliged if I kindly lend him the dictionary. I said that I would be very glad to be of service to him and added that he was welcome to any of my books that he thought of use to him.
HSC Narration Board Question
11.“Where do you come from?” I asked him. “From San Carlos,” he said and smiled. “I was taking care of animals.” “Oh,” I said, not quite understanding. “Yes,” he said, “I said, not quite understanding. “Yes,” he said, “I stayed, you see, taking care of animals. I was the last one to leave the town of San Carlos.”
Answer: I asked him where he came from. he replied with a smile that he came from San Carlos. He added that he had been taking care of animals. not quite understanding I said that it might be. He assured me that he had stayed and taking care of animals. He added that he had been the last one to leave the town of San Carlos.
12.“Have you cut your nails short?” The teacher said to Maruf. “No. I’ve forgotten, Sir,” said Maruf. “That’s very bad. You must be more careful about neatness and cleanliness. By doing so, you can prevent diarrhea and some other diseases too,” said the teacher.
Answer: The teacher asked Maruf if he had cut his nails short. Maruf respectfully replied in the negative and added that he had forgotten. Then the teacher said that it was very bad and added that he had to be more careful about neatness and cleanliness. He further said that he could prevent diarrhea and some other diseases too by doing so.
13. I told the rickshaw puller that he had carried me a long way. Then I asked him how much I should pay him. I further asked him if fifty takas would do. He replied that “Anything was all right.” he said.
Answer: I said to the rickshaw-puller, “you have carried me a long way. How much shall I pay you? Will fifty taka do?” Anything is alright, he said.
14. One day Hazrat Omar (R) became shocked to see the sufferings of a woman and said, “Where do you live?” The woman said, “I live in a poor hut south end to this town. I’m hungry but there is no food in my house. Will you give me something to eat?” Hazrat Omar (R) said, “Go back home. I’m coming with food and money for you.”
Answer: One day Hazrat Omar became shocked to see the sufferings of a woman. so he asked the woman where she lived. The woman replied that she lived in a poor hut south end to that town. She also added that she was hungry but there was no food in her house. The woman then asked Hazarat Omar if he would give her something to eat. Hazarat Omar told her to go back home. He also told her that he was coming with food and money for her.
15.“Why are your children crying, my daughter?” said the Caliph. “They have been starving,” said the woman. “Have you none else in the world?” “My husband died some months ago. He left them neither money nor any property. So, they are in great distress. They have to starve sometimes.” “Oh! Let me see, how I can help you?” said the Caliph.
Answer: Addressing the woman as his daughter, the caliph asked her why her children were crying. The woman replied that they had been starving. The caliph again asked the woman if she had none else in the world. The woman replied that her husband died some months ago. She added that he had left them neither money nor any property and so they were in great distress. she further added that they had to starve sometimes. Feeling pity the caliph told the woman to let him see how he could help her.
16. Once I asked a little girl what her mother’s name was. She replied that she could remember her mother’s name, but she would not tell me that. She added that she did not tell her mother’s name to anyone whom she did not know. I exclaimed with admiration that she was a very clever girl.
Answer: Once I said to a little girl, “What is your mother’s name? ” She said, “I can remember my mother’s name but I will not tell you that. I don’t tell my mother’s name to anyone whom I don’t know.” I said, “What a clever girl you are!”
17.“Do you know Bangladesh Open University offers an English self-learning course?” Sejan said to Shawan. “Yes, I have heard it from my father who works as a tutor of the course. It is a six-month course known as CELP,” said Shawan.
Answer: Sejan asked Shawan if he knew Bangladesh open university offered an English self-learning course. Shawan replied in the affirmative and said that he had heard it from his father who worked as a tutor of the course. he added that it was a six-month course known as CELP.
18. The Mayor asked the piper if he had killed the mice. The piper admitted having killed the mice and told him (M) to give him the money he (M) had promised. The Mayor exclaimed with wonder that he was very funny. Then he told him (P) him to take only fifty.
Answer: “Have you killed the mice?” said the mayor. “Yes, I have,” said the piper. “Give me the money you have promised.” “How funny you are!” said the mayor. “Take only fifty.”
19. I faintly asked the person spoken to if he/she was still hungry. He/ she denied that he/she was hungry and added that he/she did not eat luncheon. He/she further added that he/she had a cup of coffee in the morning and then dinner, but he/she never ate more than one thing for luncheon. He/she further added that he/she had been speaking for me. I responded to his/her speech.
Answer: “Are you still hungry?” I asked faintly. “Oh, no, I‘m not hungry, you see, I don’t eat luncheon. I have a cup of coffee in the morning and then dinner, but I never eat more than one thing for luncheon. I was speaking for you.” “Oh, I see.”
20.“Why are you putting the foods in your pocket, sir? Why don’t you eat?” asked the nobleman. “I’m doing the right thing. My dress deserves these rich dishes.” Replied Sheikh Saadi. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you mean to say,” said the nobleman.
Answer: The nobleman respectfully asked Sheikh Saadi why he was putting the foods in his pocket and why he didn’t eat. Sheikh Saadi replied that he was doing the right thing as his dress deserved those rich dishes. The nobleman made an apology and told him that he didn’t understand what he meant to say.
Passage Narration Exercise with Answers for HSC
21. Zayed asked Robi if he (R) had any dreams. He further asked him what his (R) dream was. Robi admitted having a dream. He added that he (R) liked to have a plate full of rice. At this Zayed got surprised. Then with an affectionate note in his voice, he told him (R) that he (Z) would make his (R) dream come true.
Answer: “Do you have any dreams? “What is your dream?” said Zayed. “Yes, I have a dream,” said Robi. “I like to have a plate of full rice.” Zayed got surprised. “I will make your dream come true,” Zayed said with an affectionate note in his voice.
22.“She likes white gloves,” he said. “Do you think I can get them for a dollar?” “I think so, “I said. “Do you know her size?” He said, “I think her hands are bigger than yours.”
Answer: He told me that she liked white gloves. He also asked me if I thought he could get them for a dollar. I replied that I thought so and asked him if he knew her size. He replied that he thought her hands were bigger than mine.
23. The librarian asked Rubel how he (L) could help him (R). Rubel replied that he wanted to have a library card. At this, the librarian asked him if he had his identity card. Rubel replied in the affirmative and said that it was there and asked him how many books he could borrow at a time. The librarian replied that he (R) could borrow three books at a time. Then Rubel thanked him.
Answer: “How can I help you?” said the librarian. “I want to have a library card.” said rubel. “Have you got your identity card?” “Yes, here it is. How many books can I borrow at a time?” “You can borrow three books at a time.” “Thank you.”
24.“Porter, you may go,” said the mistress of the house laughing. “You have gained your freedom.” “By the Almighty,” he replied, “I will not leave this house until I have heard the stories of my companions.
Answer: The mistress of the house told the porter laughing that he might go. She added that he had gained his freedom. Swearing by the almighty the porter replied that he would not leave that house until he had heard the stories of his companions.
25. Shouting to the monkey the two rats told him to stop and added that he was eating all their bread. The monkey said that he was doing his best, but he had told them that it was very difficult. Then the rats asked him to give them that little piece. At this, the monkey told them that that was his piece and asked them if he had not labored a lot for them. At this, the rats exclaimed with repentance that they were very foolish in believing him.
Answer: “Stop! you are eating all our bread.” shouted the two rats. “I’m doing my best but I have told you that it’s very difficult,” said the monkey. “Give us that little piece,” said the rats. “This is my piece. Haven’t I labored a lot for you?” replied the monkey? “How foolish we are believing you!” said the rats.
26. “Have you cut your hair off?” asked Jim. “cut it off and sold it,” said Della. “Don’t you like me just as well, anyhow? I’m me without my hair, aren’t I?”
Answer: Jim asked Della if she had cut her hair off. Della replied that she had cut it off and sold it and asked him if he didn’t like her just as well, anyhow. she added that she was she without her hair and asked him if she was not.
27. The ticket seller asked the stranger respectfully where he (S) liked to go. The stranger replied that he wanted to go to Chattogram. The ticket seller again asked him how many tickets he (S) needed. The stranger replied that he (S) needed five tickets. Then the ticket seller said that there were the tickets and they would cost two thousand takas.
Answer: “Where do you like to go, sir?” asked the ticket seller. “I want to go to Chattogram,” said the stranger. “How many tickets do you need?” the stranger replied, “Five tickets.” “Here are the tickets. They will cost two thousand takas,” said the ticket seller.
28. “Have you seen your mother, Jerry?” “I see her every summer. She sends for me.” I wanted to cry out, “Why are you not with her? How can she let you go away again?” He said, “She comes up here from Mannville whenever she can. She does not have a job now.”
Answer: I asked Jerry if he had seen his mother. Jerry replied that he saw her every summer. He added that she sent for him. I wanted to cry out and asked him why he was not with her and how she could let him go away again. Jerry replied that she went up there from Manville whenever she could. He added that she did not have a job then.
29. “You look a little bit like my mother,” he said, “especially in the dark by the fire.” “But you were only four Jerry when you came here. You have remembered how she looked all these years?” “My mother lives in Mannville,” he said.
Answer: Jerry told the person spoken to that she looked a little bit like his mother, especially in the dark by the fire. But he told him that he had been only four when he went there and asked him if he had remembered how she had looked all those years. In reply, jerry told her that his mother lived in Manville.
30. The beggar asked the housewife if she could give him some food for two days. The housewife asked him why he didn’t work. She also told him that he could earn his own food. At this, the beggar said swearing by God that he was disabled and so he couldn’t work.
Answer: The beggar said, “will you give me some food to eat? I have been without food for two days.” The housewife said, “why don’t you work? You can earn your own food.” “By God,” said the beggar, “I am disabled. I can’t work.”
Passage Narration Exercise for HSC
31.“You look a little bit like my mother,” he said. “But you were only four, Jerry. When you came here? Do you remember her face all these years?” “My mother lives in Mannville.” “Have you seen her lately?” I said.
32. The teacher asked Mina if she had done her English lesson that day. Mina respectfully replied in the affirmative and said with dissatisfaction that she had not understood one grammatical point. The teacher told Mina not to worry. He also assured her that he would help her understand it. Mina respectfully thanked her teacher.
33. The teacher asked the boy if he thought that honesty is the best policy. The boy respectfully replied in the affirmative and said that he thought so. The teacher then advised/suggested him to learn to be honest from his (S) boyhood. The boy thanked the teacher respectfully. Then the teacher wished that Allah might grant him (S) a long life.
34. The writer said to Jerry, “Your roller-skates look very nice. Who has bought them for you?” “My mother.” “Is she alive?” “Yes, she lives in Mannville.”
35. The old man affectionately told his sons that a great treasure lay hidden in the estate he was about to leave them. The old man replied that he was about to tell them but they had to dig for that.
HSC Narration Practice
36. The traveler said to the peasant, “Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” The peasant said, “Yes, I can. Do you want one in which you can spend the night?” “I do not wish to stay there, but I only want a meal.”
37. Rahim said to Hamid, ‘How are you? I went to your hostel yesterday but did not find you. Where did you go?’ ‘I went to the station,’ said Hamid, ‘I had to receive my maternal uncle there.’
38.“Take the fan,” said Edna, offering a fan to him. “Oh, no! Thank you. It does no good. You have to stop fanning some time and feel all the more uncomfortable afterward.”
39. He said, “I can chop some wood today.” I said, “But I have a boy coming from the orphanage.” “I’m the boy.” “You? But you’re small.” “Size doesn’t matter chopping wood,” he said.
40.“Oh, my Lord, please do not kill the child,” said the woman. “let her have him.” The king said, “Now everything is clear to me.” Pointing to the woman, he said to the servant, “Give her the child. She is the mother of the baby.”
41.The teacher asked the student if he had heard the name of Aesop. The student respectfully replied in the negative and asked him who he had been. In reply, the teacher advised him to read the lesson attentively and said that thus he would be able to know about him. He also exclaimed with joy that his fables are very interesting and instructive.
42.Being astonished Jim asked Della if she had cut her hair off. Della replied that she had cut it off and sold it. Then she inquired of him if he didn’t like her just as well anyhow. She again inquired of him if she was not herself without her hair.
43. Della asked Madame whether she (M) would buy her (D) hair. In reply, the Madame told her (D) that she would buy hair and asked her (D) to take her (D) hat off and proposed to her that they should have a sight at the looks of it. Then she offered Della twenty dollars for her hair. Della told her to give it to her (D) quickly.
