HSC English 2nd Paper: Special Use of Words and Phrases (All Board Questions 2025 with Answers)
Table of Contents
HSC ENGLISH 2ND PAPER • 2025
SPECIAL USE OF
WORDS & PHRASES
Board Questions with Answers
HSC English Grammar • Practice & Revision
Special Use of Some Phrases – HSC 2025
This article presents the board-wise Special Use of Words/Phrases exercises and answer keys for HSC 2025. Each board contains questions followed by its direct answer key.
Important: The supplied Word document labels these exercises as Question 2. The title text mentions Question No. 3, so verify the question number against the official board paper before publishing.
1. 🟩 Dhaka Board 2025
| let alone | have to | it | was born | as soon as |
| there | what does... look like | had better | what’s... like | would rather |
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words from the box.
(a) You ___________ not touch the crocodile.
(b) She has never boiled an egg, ___________ cooked a meal.
(c) He will go to the shop ___________ the rain stops.
(d) I don’t need a lift. I ___________ walk.
(e) They ___________ solve these problems soon.
(f) The house was dirty. ___________ was John who cleaned it.
(g) ___________ goes a proverb that morning shows the day.
(h) ___________ an alligator ___________?
(i) He ___________ of German parents.
(j) ___________ the journey ___________?
Answer Key:
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) | had better |
| (b) | let alone |
| (c) | as soon as |
| (d) | would rather |
| (e) | have to |
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (f) | It |
| (g) | there |
| (h) | What does... look like |
| (i) | was born |
| (j) | what’s... like |
2. 🟩 Barishal Board 2025
| there | what does... look like | would rather | as soon as | let alone |
| had better | what’s ... like | have to | was born |
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words from the box. (0.5 × 10 = 5)
(a) We ___________ hospitalize him soon to save his life.
(b) ___________ is only early in the morning when we get fresh air.
(c) He ___________ in Bangladesh but he was raised in America.
(d) My father is very rigid. He ___________ die than accept my proposal.
(e) Kamrul: ___________ the university admission test ___________? Ans: It’s not easy. It’s really hard and competitive.
(f) I ___________ take a loan from a bank before starting the business.
(g) ___________ is a historical place in our country.
(h) Teacher: Learners, ___________ the map of Bangladesh ___________? Students: It looks a bit strange.
(i) His mentality is so mean. He doesn't deserve to be my enemy, ___________ my friend.
(j) He repaid the loan ___________ he made some profit from the business.
Answer Key:
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) | have to |
| (b) | It |
| (c) | was born |
| (d) | would rather |
| (e) | What’s... like |
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (f) | had better |
| (g) | there |
| (h) | what does... look like |
| (i) | let alone |
| (j) | as soon as |
3. 🟩 Chattogram Board 2025
| There | It | have to | was born | what... like |
| would rather | as soon as | let alone | had better | what does... look like |
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words from the box.
(a) The baby was crying. It stopped crying ___________ it saw its mother.
(b) Rana, don't miss the programme. It will start at 10. If ___________ is any change, I will inform you.
(c) ___________ is a good idea to walk in the morning. It refreshes both the body and mind.
(d) I had an appointment at 4 p.m. I ___________ start now.
(e) She wanted to celebrate her birthday. She ___________ decorate her room.
(f) I have not yet seen the body. ___________ the newborn baby ___________?
(g) ___________ it ___________ swimming in the river? It seems very heroic to me.
(h) He is very rude. He does not behave well with his parents, ___________ others.
(i) Munshi Abdur Rouf ___________ on 1 May 1943 in Faridpur district.
(j) She is very reserved. She ___________ remain silent than say a word.
Answer Key:
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) | as soon as |
| (b) | there |
| (c) | It |
| (d) | had better |
| (e) | have to |
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (f) | What does... look like |
| (g) | what... like |
| (h) | let alone |
| (i) | was born |
| (j) | would rather |
4. 🟩 Cumilla Board 2025
| let alone | there | what does... look like | as soon as | has to |
| what’s ... like | would rather | had better | was born | it |
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words from the box.
(a) Rifat is suffering from toothache. He ___________ see a dentist.
(b) Rima ___________ in Indonesia and raised in America.
(c) The game will resume ___________ the rain stops.
(d) In modern times, ___________ has been a great change in the attitude of man.
(e) You look very anxious. You ___________ take rest.
(f) I like typing. I ___________ use the keyboard than write with a pen.
(g) We aren't able to save the trees, ___________ our forest.
(h) ___________ mother’s love ___________? It is incomparable.
(i) ___________ is unfortunate that many students waste time on Facebook.
(j) ___________ the frozen mountain peak ___________? It looks like a white dome.
Answer Key:
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) | had better |
| (b) | was born |
| (c) | as soon as |
| (d) | there |
| (e) | has to |
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (f) | would rather |
| (g) | let alone |
| (h) | what’s ... like |
| (i) | it |
| (j) | what does... look like |
5. 🟩 Dinajpur Board 2025
| had better | it | have to / has to | what does... look like | let alone |
| would rather | there | as soon as | what’s ... like | was born |
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words from the box.
(a) Our spring is charming. ___________ seems that everything has got new life.
(b) ___________ the weather ___________ today?
(c) Don’t disturb me. You ___________ leave me alone.
(d) The poor man ___________ starve than beg.
(e) ___________ exists no life on Mars.
(f) Baby: Mom, ___________ an owl ___________?
(g) Sir Walter Scott ___________ in 1771.
(h) Everybody ___________ pay the bill in time.
(i) ___________ we reached the station, the train started.
(j) He did not even see a hill, ___________ a mountain.
Answer Key:
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) | It |
| (b) | What’s ... like |
| (c) | had better |
| (d) | would rather |
| (e) | There |
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (f) | what does... look like |
| (g) | was born |
| (h) | has to |
| (i) | As soon as |
| (j) | let alone |
6. 🟩 Mymensingh Board 2025
| there | as soon as | what does... look like | have to | let alone |
| was born | would rather | what's... like | it | had better |
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words from the box.
(a) Truth is sometimes bitter. You ___________ not ask me the truth.
(b) I cannot tolerate such insult. I ___________ leave this place.
(c) Steve Jobs ___________ into a humble family.
(d) The audience leaves the spot ___________ Nambi finishes.
(e) He can’t finish a single chapter, ___________ the whole book.
(f) ___________ are many challenges in life.
(g) Mountaineering seems exciting. ___________ it ___________ standing on the peak?
(h) ___________ is important to remember that success needs patience.
(i) I ___________ finish this project by tomorrow.
(j) I’ve never seen a snow leopard. ___________ it really ___________?
Answer Key:
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) | had better |
| (b) | would rather |
| (c) | was born |
| (d) | as soon as |
| (e) | let alone |
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (f) | There |
| (g) | what's... like |
| (h) | It |
| (i) | have to |
| (j) | what does... look like |
7. 🟩 Rajshahi Board 2025
| what does... look like | would rather | was born | it | let alone |
| have to | there | what's ... like | had better | as soon as |
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words from the box.
(a) A.K. Fazlul Haq ___________ in Barishal.
(b) The thief ran away ___________ we saw him.
(c) He cannot afford food, ___________ a rickshaw.
(d) A brave warrior ___________ die than yield.
(e) You ___________ apply for a stipend.
(f) A farmer ___________ work hard every day.
(g) ___________ your principal ___________?
(h) ___________ is unfortunate that many students waste time.
(i) Now we get instant information, but ___________ was a time we had to wait for letters.
(j) Son: Dad, ___________ an alien ___________?
Answer Key:
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) | was born |
| (b) | as soon as |
| (c) | let alone |
| (d) | would rather |
| (e) | had better |
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (f) | have to |
| (g) | what's ... like |
| (h) | it |
| (i) | there |
| (j) | what does... look like |
8. 🟩 Sylhet Board 2025
| was born | as soon as | would rather | had better | what's ... like |
| there | what does... look like | have to | let alone | it |
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words from the box.
(a) Students ___________ practise good manners.
(b) You look exhausted. You ___________ take rest.
(c) He hasn’t got 1st dose, ___________ booster dose.
(d) During spring, ___________ seems that everything has got a new life.
(e) Rodela: ___________ the frozen peak ___________?
(f) Kazi Nazrul ___________ in Churulia.
(g) We should start our journey ___________ possible.
(h) ___________ your family ___________?
(i) I ___________ remain silent than quarrel.
(j) ___________ was a time people travelled on foot.
Answer Key:
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) | have to |
| (b) | had better |
| (c) | let alone |
| (d) | It |
| (e) | What does... look like |
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (f) | was born |
| (g) | as soon as |
| (h) | what's ... like |
| (i) | would rather |
| (j) | there |
9. 🟩 Jashore Board 2025
| had better | there | would rather | no sooner had | was born |
| let alone | would you mind | what does... look like | enough | it |
Complete the sentences with suitable phrases/words from the box.
(a) He cannot buy a pen, ___________ a box of pens.
(b) ___________ we reached the station than the train started.
(c) During spring, ___________ seems that everything has got a new life.
(d) Baby: Mom, ___________ an owl ___________?
(e) Don’t disturb me, you ___________ leave me alone.
(f) The poor man ___________ starve than beg.
(g) ___________ exists no life on Mars.
(h) ___________ taking tea with me?
(i) Sir Walter Scott ___________ in 1771.
(j) He was meritorious ___________ to understand English literature.
Answer Key:
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (a) | let alone |
| (b) | No sooner had |
| (c) | It |
| (d) | what does... look like |
| (e) | had better |
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (f) | would rather |
| (g) | There |
| (h) | Would you mind |
| (i) | was born |
| (j) | enough |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is meant by Special Use of Words/Phrases?
It means using particular words or phrases in suitable sentence structures to express a specific meaning.
It means using particular words or phrases in suitable sentence structures to express a specific meaning.
2. Which question number is shown in the source document?
The supplied Word document labels these exercises as Question 2. Check the question number against the official question paper before publishing.
The supplied Word document labels these exercises as Question 2. Check the question number against the official question paper before publishing.
3. How should I prepare this topic?
Learn the meaning and structure of each phrase, then practise completing sentences from context.
Learn the meaning and structure of each phrase, then practise completing sentences from context.
4. What does “had better” express?
It is commonly used to give advice or say that an action is advisable.
It is commonly used to give advice or say that an action is advisable.
5. What does “would rather” express?
It expresses preference between alternatives.
It expresses preference between alternatives.
6. How is “let alone” used?
It adds a more difficult or less likely example to emphasize the previous statement.
It adds a more difficult or less likely example to emphasize the previous statement.
7. What does “as soon as” mean?
It means “immediately after” or “the moment that” and connects two closely timed actions.
It means “immediately after” or “the moment that” and connects two closely timed actions.
8. When do we use “was born”?
Use “was born” to state a person's birth, usually followed by a time or place.
Use “was born” to state a person's birth, usually followed by a time or place.
9. What is the difference between “What does … look like?” and “What’s … like?”
“What does … look like?” asks about appearance; “What’s … like?” asks about general qualities or characteristics.
“What does … look like?” asks about appearance; “What’s … like?” asks about general qualities or characteristics.
10. Are the options and answers on this page taken from the supplied file?
Yes. The board-wise option boxes, questions and answer keys have been transcribed from the supplied Word document.
Yes. The board-wise option boxes, questions and answer keys have been transcribed from the supplied Word document.
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