Class 10 English Madhesh Province 2081
Complete Solution with Answer Key | SEE 2081 (2025)
Welcome to the complete solution for Class 10 Compulsory English Madhesh Province 2081 (SEE 2025). This guide provides detailed answers for all sections including poem comprehension, reading passages, grammar exercises, and writing tasks to help you prepare for the SEE examination.
Table of Contents: Class 10 English Madhesh Province 2081
- Section 1: Poem – The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
- Section 2: Reading – Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track (KTFT)
- Section 3: Reading – A Personal Diary
- Section 4: Reading – Beauty is Only Skin Deep
- Section 5: Rules and Regulations for Library Visitors
- Section 6: Story Writing – The Scholar and the Boatman
- Section 7: Effects of Overuse of Smartphones on Human Health
- Section 8: Essay – Causes and Effects of Urban Migration in Nepal
- Section 9: Grammar
- Section 10: Cloze Test
1. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow. [5×1=5]
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
In a snug little cot lived a fat little mouse.
Who enjoyed, unmolested, the range of the house;
With plain food content, she would breakfast on cheese,
She dined upon bacon, and supped on grey peas.
A friend from the town to the cottage did stray,
And he said he was come a short visit to pay;
So the mouse spread her table as gay as you please,
And brought the nice bacon and charming grey peas.
The visitor frowned, and he thought to be witty:
Cried he, “You must know, I come from the city,
Where we all should be shocked at provisions like these,
For we never eat bacon and horrid grey peas.”
(a) Where did the country mouse live?
Answer:
The country mouse lived in a snug/comfortable little cot.
Explanation: The poem opens with “In a snug little cot lived a fat little mouse” — a cot refers to a small, cozy cottage in the countryside.
(b) What were the daily meals of the country mouse?
Answer:
The daily meals of the country mouse were cheese, bacon, and grey peas.
Explanation: “She would breakfast on cheese, / She dined upon bacon, and supped on grey peas” — these three foods made up her three daily meals.
(c) Why did the town mouse go to the country?
Answer:
The town mouse went to the country to pay a short visit to the country mouse.
Explanation: “A friend from the town to the cottage did stray, / And he said he was come a short visit to pay.”
(d) Was the city mouse happy with the food in the village? Why, why not?
Answer:
No, the city mouse was not happy with the food in the village because he did not like the simple food — bacon and grey peas. He considered such provisions shocking for a city dweller like himself.
Explanation: “The visitor frowned” and he said “we never eat bacon and horrid grey peas” — showing his disapproval of the country food.
(e) Which mouse do you think has showed good behaviour?
Answer:
I think the country mouse has shown good behaviour. She warmly welcomed her city friend, generously spread her table, and offered the best food she had — without any arrogance. In contrast, the city mouse was rude and ungrateful, criticizing the simple meal instead of appreciating the hospitality.
2. Read the following text and do the tasks that follow. [10]
An infrastructure of national pride, Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track (KTFT) is a mega highway project of strategic importance in Nepal. The 72.5 km long fast track will connect Khokana, Lalitpur with Nijgadh, Bara at the East West Highway junction. The project consists of road with the total length of 55.49 km, 87 bridges with the total length of 10.60 km, and three twin tunnels with the total length of 6.41 km. The total travel time is estimated as one hour.
Benefits
The fast track will enhance the country’s economic growth and create job opportunities as well. There are so many benefits from KTFT which are the blessings that bring prosperity and progress. Here are several potential benefits that KTFT will bring to our nation.
A. Accelerate the country’s economic growth
The construction of KTFT contributes to connect Kathmandu and Terai closer. Since the travel distance is lesser in KTFT, the daily fuel saving could potentially reach more than NRs. five billion. This proximity is sure to have several positive implications on the economic growth of our country.
KTFT – enhanced connectivity can open up a viable option to tourists that come to Nepal through the southern border. At the same time, many of the tourists beyond India will also have options to travel to Nepal via fast track.
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct information from the text. [5×1=5]
(i) KTFT is a big highway project of …….. significance in Nepal.
Answer: KTFT is a big highway project of strategic significance in Nepal.
The text states it is “a mega highway project of strategic importance in Nepal.”
(ii) The duration of travel time along the track is supposed to be ……..
Answer: The duration of travel time along the track is supposed to be an/one hour.
“The total travel time is estimated as one hour.”
(iii) The total length of the three twin tunnels is ……..
Answer: The total length of the three twin tunnels is 6.41 km.
“three twin tunnels with the total length of 6.41 km.”
(iv) The fast track will speed up the …….. of the country.
Answer: The fast track will speed up the economic growth of the country.
“The fast track will enhance the country’s economic growth.”
(v) The completion of KTFT will …….. to connect Kathmandu and Terai.
Answer: The completion of KTFT will contribute to connect Kathmandu and Terai.
“The construction of KTFT contributes to connect Kathmandu and Terai closer.”
B. Answer the following questions. [5×1=5]
(i) What does KTFT stand for?
Answer:
KTFT stands for Kathmandu-Terai/Madhesh Fast Track.
(ii) Which place of Terai will the fast track connect Lalitpur with?
Answer:
The fast track will connect Lalitpur with Nijgadh, Bara at the East West Highway junction.
(iii) How will the fast track help in saving the daily fuel consumption?
Answer:
The fast track will help in saving daily fuel consumption by lessening the travel distance. Since the travel distance is shorter in KTFT, the daily fuel saving could potentially reach more than NRs. five billion.
(iv) How will KTFT support tourists coming through the southern border?
Answer:
KTFT’s enhanced connectivity will open up a viable travel option for tourists that come to Nepal through the southern border, making it easier for them to reach Kathmandu and other destinations.
(v) Do you agree that ‘KTFT’ is really a project of ‘National Pride’?
Answer:
Yes, I agree that KTFT is truly a project of National Pride because it is a mega highway project of strategic importance that will accelerate Nepal’s economic growth, save billions in fuel costs, boost tourism, connect Kathmandu with Terai more efficiently, and create numerous job opportunities for the Nepali people.
3. Read the following text and do the tasks that follow. [10]
Thursday, 27th May
Today school ended for summer vacation. I had a bit dreadful day because I fell out with my friend for a bit but now we are friends, so I am a happy human. Tomorrow it is mum’s birthday. I am so excited as we might go out to dinner.
On Saturday, I am playing a football match. On Wednesday next week, perhaps I may go to cinema with Ayesha to watch Street Dance 3D. I have heard it is good. Another day next week, I might go to my cousin’s house for sleep over. Another thing, we have got a project work from our Social Studies teacher. We’ve been told to collect information on historical and cultural sites of our district. So we are going to request our parents to drop us at the stops next weekends. I think we, the whole class are going together. How interesting!
Friday, 28th May
It’s Mum’s birthday! We are going to Shani Village Resort to have dinner. I can’t tell you how old she is. I am afraid but I can tell you she doesn’t look her age. Today, I went to temple early with Mum and dad. We prayed for the long life of mum. The whole day I was excited and thinking of dining at a restaurant. Late afternoon, I watched cricket match between Australia and England. The whole next week, I am planning to enjoy a lot with my family, relatives and friends. Right now, I am excited at the thought of delicious dinner after sometime. Mum’s calling me. Sorry diary, see you tomorrow.
A. Write ‘TRUE’, ‘FALSE’ or ‘NOT GIVEN’. [5×1=5]
(i) The writer’s mother’s birthday is on 27th May.
Answer: FALSE
The diary entry on Thursday 27th May states “Tomorrow it is mum’s birthday” — so mum’s birthday is on 28th May (Friday).
(ii) The writer is not playing any games on Saturday.
Answer: FALSE
“On Saturday, I am playing a football match.” — The writer is playing football on Saturday.
(iii) The writer plans to buy a cake for mum’s birthday.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
There is no mention anywhere in the text of buying a cake for mum’s birthday.
(iv) The writer’s family plans to have dinner at Shani Village Resort on Friday.
Answer: TRUE
“We are going to Shani Village Resort to have dinner.” — written in the Friday, 28th May entry.
(v) The writer likes to watch cricket.
Answer: TRUE
“Late afternoon, I watched cricket match between Australia and England.” — showing the writer’s interest in cricket.
B. Answer the following questions. [5×1=5]
(i) Why was ‘Thursday’ dreadful for the writer?
Answer:
Thursday was dreadful for the writer because the writer fell out/quarreled with his/her friend.
(ii) What project work was given to the writer?
Answer:
The writer was given a project work to collect information on historical and cultural sites of their district.
(iii) What excited the writer most on Thursday and Friday?
Answer:
On Thursday, the writer was excited about the possibility of going out to dinner for mum’s birthday. On Friday, the writer was most excited about the thought of having a delicious dinner at Shani Village Resort to celebrate mum’s birthday.
(iv) What did the writer pray for on mum’s birthday?
Answer:
The writer prayed for the long life of mum on her birthday.
(v) What type of writing is the given text?
Answer:
The given text is an example of a diary/personal diary writing.
4. Read the following text and do the tasks that follow. [15]
We have an old saying ‘Beauty is only skin deep’. People generally praise, support and award those who look beautiful and attractive. In contrast, the less attractive, shorter, deformed and disable people are generally ill-treated, discriminated, insulted, less paid, less graded, etc. People with deformities, scars and other physical defects are deprived of good jobs, considerable pay and handsome opportunities. Discrimination is everywhere for all-aged people. Prettier babies are treated better than plain or ugly looking ones. Not only strangers, even the parents love, kiss, talk and play more with their cute babies but give less attention to the plain babies. At schools, attractive children are likely to draw more attention of the teachers and get higher grades on their achievement tests. The reason may be that their good looks win praise, attention and encouragement from teachers. In a 1975 study, teachers were asked to evaluate some students based on their photos. It was found that the students with ugly looks were judged to be slow learners while the others with pretty photo were considered to be smart.
Conventionally people believe that people with good looks are smart. Even these days, outwardly unattractive and ugly people are teased and addressed as witches or monsters in many places. The cinemas and fairy tales seem to have been playing crucial roles in cultivating this kind of attitude. In such stories, the heroes are cast handsome and the heroines beautiful while the villains are ugly and unattractive. People with physical defects, disability, deformities, etc. are often discriminated. They are less privileged and deprived of their birth rights and opportunities and they have to face insult, discrimination, segregation, humiliation and harsh treatment.
We should judge human fellows not on the basis of how they look but on the ground of their knowledge, virtues, vision of life, inner beauty, humanity and their contribution to society. We can take the example of Socrates from the ancient Greece. He was physically very ugly. However, he is always respected for his vision, wisdom and beauty.
A. Match the meanings in ‘Column A’ with the correct words from the text in ‘Column B’. One word does not have a match. [5×1=5]
| Column A (Meaning) | Column B (Words) | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| (i) People who are disfigured and ugly |
(a) considerable (b) monsters (c) virtues (d) privileged (e) deformed (f) discrimination |
(e) deformed |
| (ii) great in amount, size and importance | (a) considerable | |
| (iii) treating somebody in a less fair way | (f) discrimination | |
| (iv) people who are large, unattractive or ugly | (b) monsters | |
| (v) behaviour that show high moral standards | (c) virtues |
Note: The word (d) privileged does not have a match in Column A.
B. Fill in the blanks with the correct information from the text. [5×1=5]
(i) Ugly people are …….. of good jobs.
Answer: Ugly people are deprived of good jobs.
“People with deformities, scars and other physical defects are deprived of good jobs.”
(ii) Parents and strangers pay less …….. to the plain babies.
Answer: Parents and strangers pay less attention to the plain babies.
“give less attention to the plain babies.”
(iii) At school, students are likely to get good grades due to their ……..
Answer: At school, students are likely to get good grades due to their good looks.
“attractive children are likely to draw more attention of the teachers and get higher grades… their good looks win praise.”
(iv) Cinemas present ugly and unattractive characters as ……..
Answer: Cinemas present ugly and unattractive characters as villains.
“the villains are ugly and unattractive.”
(v) Socrates is …….. for his vision, wisdom and beauty.
Answer: Socrates is respected for his vision, wisdom and beauty.
“he is always respected for his vision, wisdom and beauty.”
C. Answer the following questions. [5×1=5]
(i) How are less attractive people treated?
Answer:
Less attractive people are generally ill-treated, discriminated, insulted, less paid, and less graded. They are also deprived of good jobs, considerable pay, and handsome opportunities.
(ii) What were the teachers asked to do in the research?
Answer:
In the 1975 study, teachers were asked to evaluate some students based on their photos.
(iii) Whom did the teachers judge as slow learners?
Answer:
The teachers judged students with ugly looks as slow learners.
(iv) How are heroes presented in cinemas and fairy tales?
Answer:
In cinemas and fairy tales, heroes are presented as handsome and heroines are presented as beautiful, while the villains are shown as ugly and unattractive.
(v) How should we judge people, according to the writer?
Answer:
According to the writer, we should judge people not on the basis of how they look but on the ground of their knowledge, virtues, vision of life, inner beauty, humanity, and their contribution to society.
5. Write a set of rules and regulations for the visitors of a library. [5]
Write it in about 100 words using the following clues: opens at 10 am …….. be a member …….. keep quiet …….. borrow maximum two books at a time …….. return in 15 days …….. fine for overdue books
Rules and Regulations for Library Visitors
Welcome to the Public Library. To ensure a peaceful and productive environment for everyone, all visitors are requested to strictly adhere to the following rules and regulations:
- The library opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM on all working days.
- You must be a registered member to borrow reading materials from the library.
- Visitors must keep quiet and maintain strict silence inside the study halls.
- Members can borrow a maximum of two books at a time.
- All borrowed books must be returned within 15 days of issuance.
- A fine will be charged for any overdue books returned after the deadline.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Official Marking Scheme Rubric (5 Marks):
- 3 Marks (Content): Effectively stated and strongly supported content by fully addressing the prompt.
- 1 Mark (Vocabulary, Layout & Organization): Varied vocabulary, coherent sentence structures, and linking words.
- 1 Mark (Grammar & Mechanics): Rare grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
6. Write a readable story in about 100 words with the help of the following clues. [5]
“a well-educated person …….. travelling in a boat …….. talks with the boatman …….. asks him if he is literate …….. he isn’t …….. lost his half-life …….. a big storm begins …….. boat about to sink …….. the boatman asks if the man knows to swim …….. he doesn’t …….. ‘lost the whole life'”
The Scholar and the Boatman
Once, a well-educated scholar was travelling across a wide river in a small boat. Feeling arrogant about his knowledge, he struck up a conversation with the humble boatman and asked him if he was literate. When the boatman innocently replied that he couldn’t read or write, the scholar mocked him, saying, “You have lost half your life in ignorance!” Suddenly, the sky grew dark, and a big storm began. The fierce waves crashed, and the boat was about to sink. The boatman turned to the terrified scholar and asked if he knew how to swim. The scholar trembled and said he didn’t. The boatman sighed, “Then you have lost your whole life!”
Official Marking Scheme Rubric (5 Marks):
- 3 Marks (Content): Effectively stated and strongly supported content by fully addressing the prompt.
- 1 Mark (Vocabulary, Layout & Organization): Varied vocabulary, coherent sentence structures, and linking words.
- 1 Mark (Grammar & Mechanics): Rare grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
7. There is a growing trend of using smartphones by people these days. Write two paragraphs expressing your views on the effects of overuse of smartphones on human health. [6]
Effects of Smartphone Overuse on Human Health
The modern era has witnessed an unprecedented rise in the use of smartphones, transforming them into an indispensable part of our daily lives. While they offer immense convenience, the growing trend of overusing these devices has severe implications for human health. Physically, prolonged screen time leads to significant eye strain, commonly known as computer vision syndrome, resulting in dry eyes and blurred vision. Furthermore, the constant downward posture adopted while texting or scrolling through social media contributes to chronic neck and back pain. The blue light emitted by smartphone screens also interferes with the body’s natural production of melatonin, leading to severe sleep deprivation and insomnia.
Beyond the physical ailments, the psychological impacts of smartphone addiction are equally alarming. Excessive use is closely linked to increased levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, often triggered by the constant need for validation on social media platforms and the fear of missing out (FOMO). People are becoming increasingly isolated in the real world, prioritizing virtual interactions over face-to-face communication, which degrades their social skills and emotional well-being. To safeguard our overall health, it is crucial to establish healthy boundaries and practice digital detoxing regularly.
Official Marking Scheme Rubric (6 Marks):
- 3 Marks (Content): Effectively stated and strongly supported content by fully addressing the prompt.
- 2 Marks (Vocabulary, Layout & Organization): Varied vocabulary, coherent sentence structures, and linking words with appropriate format.
- 1 Mark (Grammar & Mechanics): Rare grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
8. A large number of youths, students and professionals are migrating to the city areas in Nepal. Write an essay in about 200 words on the causes and effects of this trend. [8]
The Trend of Urban Migration in Nepal: Causes and Effects
In recent years, Nepal has experienced a massive wave of internal migration, with a large number of youths, students, and professionals leaving their rural homes to settle in city areas like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. This demographic shift is driven by several compelling causes and has profound effects on both urban and rural landscapes.
The primary catalyst for this migration is the pursuit of better opportunities. Cities serve as the hub for quality education, advanced healthcare facilities, and diverse employment prospects that are starkly absent in rural villages. Students flock to urban centers to enroll in prestigious colleges, while professionals migrate seeking better-paying jobs and career growth. Additionally, the modern amenities and improved infrastructure available in cities offer a higher standard of living, making urban life highly attractive to the younger generation.
However, this growing trend brings significant consequences. In urban areas, the rapid influx of people leads to severe overpopulation, straining existing infrastructure. It results in housing shortages, increased pollution, traffic congestion, and a rise in unemployment as competition for jobs intensifies. Conversely, rural areas suffer from a massive “brain drain” and a shortage of an active workforce. Villages are left with the elderly and young children, causing agricultural lands to remain barren and local development to stagnate.
In conclusion, while urban migration is a natural search for a better life, balanced regional development is urgently required to mitigate its negative effects.
Official Marking Scheme Rubric (8 Marks):
- 5 Marks (Content): Effectively stated and strongly supported content by fully addressing the prompt.
- 2 Marks (Vocabulary, Layout & Organization): Varied vocabulary, coherent sentence structures, and linking words with appropriate format.
- 1 Mark (Grammar & Mechanics): Rare grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
9. Reproduce the following sentences as indicated in the brackets. [6×1=6]
(i) You’d better study English, ……..? (Add a correct tag question.)
Answer:
You’d better study English, hadn’t you?
Rule: “You’d better” (= You had better) is a semi-modal. Since it contains “had”, the tag question uses “hadn’t you?”
(ii) Manushi has already passed the exam. (Change into negative.)
Answer:
Manushi hasn’t passed the exam yet.
Rule: In negative, “already” changes to “yet” and “has” becomes “hasn’t”. The adverb “yet” moves to the end of the sentence.
(iii) Juny found a beautiful ring in the street. (Change into ‘What’ question.)
Answer:
What did Juny find in the street?
Rule: “What” replaces the object “a beautiful ring”. The auxiliary “did” is placed before the subject, and the main verb returns to base form “find”.
(iv) Our winter vacation …….. (start) from tomorrow. (Use the correct form of the verb ‘start’.)
Answer:
Our winter vacation starts from tomorrow.
Rule: A scheduled/timetabled future event uses the Simple Present tense. “Our winter vacation” is a third-person singular subject, so the verb takes “-s”: starts.
(v) My mom said to me, “Did you buy some oranges for me yesterday?” (Change into indirect speech.)
Answer:
My mom asked me if I had bought some oranges for her the previous day / the day before.
Rule: Reported question → use “asked … if/whether”. Past Simple “did buy” → Past Perfect “had bought”. “you” → “I”, “me” → “her”, “yesterday” → “the previous day / the day before”.
(vi) My brother told me a story. (Change into passive voice.)
Answer:
I was told a story by my brother.
Alternative: “A story was told to me by my brother.” — Both are correct. With ditransitive verbs, the indirect object (me) or the direct object (a story) can become the subject of the passive sentence.
10. Choose and copy the correct answer from the alternatives given in the brackets. (Rewriting the text is not compulsory.) [10×0.5=5]
Science has told us so much (a)…..(on/ about/ to/ at) the moon that it is fairly easy to imagine what it (b)……(was/ will be/ had been/ has been) like to go there. It is certainly not a friendly place, (c)……(isn’t it/ is it/ does it/ doesn’t it)? There can be no life of any kind on the moon (d)……(because/ therefore/ although/ because of) there is no air or water. For mile after mile, there (e)……(are/ has/ is/ was) only the dust with mountains around. Above the moon, the sun and stars shine in (f)……(a/ an/ the/ no article) sky. If you step out of the mountain shadow, you (g)……(move/ will move/ would move/ would have moved) from severe cold to great heat. The moon is also a very silent world, for sound waves can only travel through air. But beyond the broken horizon, a friendly sight (h)……(is seen/ be seen/ was seen/ has been seen). The astronauts say the earth shines (i)……(brightly/ as brightly as/ more brightly/ most brightly) than the stars. From the distance, our earth looks like an immense ball, clouded blue and green, and brown. The light of the heavenly bodies makes us (j)……(to wonder/ wonder/ wondered/ will wonder) about the universe.
Answers with Explanations:
(a) about
“Tell us so much about” — the correct collocation is “know/tell about something”.
(b) will be
Imagining a future possibility — “what it will be like to go there” uses future simple.
(c) isn’t it?
Positive statement “It is certainly not a friendly place” → Wait, this is a negative statement in meaning but positive in structure (It is…), so the tag is “isn’t it?”
(d) because
“Because” introduces a reason clause followed by a subject + verb: “because there is no air or water.”
(e) is
“There is only the dust” — uncountable noun “dust” takes singular verb “is”.
(f) the
“in the sky” — definite article “the” is used because the sky is a unique/specific reference.
(g) will move
First conditional: “If you step out (present simple), you will move (future simple)”.
(h) is seen
Present simple passive — the sight can be seen currently/generally: “a friendly sight is seen”.
(i) more brightly
Comparative adverb + “than the stars” — “shines more brightly than the stars”.
(j) wonder
“Makes us + bare infinitive” — causative verb “make” is followed by the bare infinitive (without “to”).
Completed Text with Correct Answers:
Science has told us so much about the moon that it is fairly easy to imagine what it will be like to go there. It is certainly not a friendly place, isn’t it? There can be no life of any kind on the moon because there is no air or water. For mile after mile, there is only the dust with mountains around. Above the moon, the sun and stars shine in the sky. If you step out of the mountain shadow, you will move from severe cold to great heat. The moon is also a very silent world, for sound waves can only travel through air. But beyond the broken horizon, a friendly sight is seen. The astronauts say the earth shines more brightly than the stars. From the distance, our earth looks like an immense ball, clouded blue and green, and brown. The light of the heavenly bodies makes us wonder about the universe.