CREST English Olympiad Class 7 Previous Year Paper

Q.1

Fill in the blank with the correct conjunction:

Mary drank a lot of water _______ she could not have the juice.

Q.2

Read the passage and answer the question:

In desert regions, you can find a plant called the cactus. These plants typically grow in hot, dry environments. Unlike most plants, cacti do not have traditional leaves — instead, they have spines (modified leaves) that protrude from their stems. These spines help reduce water loss and protect the plant from herbivores.

Cacti come in many shapes and sizes: some are small and round, others tall like columns or pillars. Some grow as tree-like structures or shrubs, while others spread along the ground. The flowers that bloom on cacti are often large and vibrant — and most open at night. This timing attracts nocturnal pollinators such as bats and moths, which carry pollen from one cactus to another.

Most cacti are native to North and South America, though some species are also found in North Africa, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka.

Since cacti lack broad leaves, they minimise water loss through transpiration. Water inside plant tissues can evaporate into vapour — a process that, in arid environments, would quickly dehydrate the plant. To combat this, many cacti have a waxy outer coating that seals in moisture. Additionally, some species can absorb water directly from fog — a crucial adaptation in areas where rainfall is scarce.

What is the definite shape of a cactus?

Q.3

Read the sentence and identify the tone of the author:

I can play the guitar.

Q.4

Fill in the blank using the most appropriate pronoun:

The assignment ________ he wrote was submitted late.

Q.5

Choose a word similar to the given word in bold from the given set of options:

She draws spiritual 'sustenance' from reading religious scriptures daily.

Q.6

Identify the correct adverb in the sentence from the options:

He works hard for the championships.

Q.7

Higher education as
P: a proper sense of responsibility
Q: third level education
R: in managerial roles
S: aims to develop
The proper sequence of the sentence should be:

Q.8

Choose the correct verb form or tense from the options to complete the statement:

The young lady jumped off the bus while it _______ .

Q.9

Complete the analogy:

A flute is to an instrument as a ______ is to ______

Q.10

Read the passage and answer the question:

Mr. Chang must realise that the Prime Minister was addressing the entire nation — not just intellectuals. In his hour-long speech, the PM spoke on topics he believed would resonate with the public and inspire them to act on his appeals. On this front, he scored a perfect hundred.

The PM strongly criticised the societal tendency to be lenient with male children compared to female children. I am optimistic this message will strike a chord with parents across the board, encouraging them to teach their sons to behave responsibly. Every other issue he raised directly impacts the general public, and the PM clearly sought positive action from citizens.

Regarding internal security, defence, and space — what direct contribution could ordinary citizens make if the PM had detailed his plans in these areas? There is little the public can do directly in the fields of defence and space. However, on internal security, the PM indirectly addressed the issue by urging all sections of society to reject all forms of violence, including communal strife. Most internal security challenges would be resolved if communities lived together in peace and harmony. As for defence and space, the PM has — and will continue to — engage directly with experts and stakeholders in those sectors, which he has done very effectively so far. Moreover, revealing strategic plans in critical areas like defence carries significant risk.

The PM felt that the people could not contribute directly to which sectors?