AIOU 386 Past Paper Spring 2025

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ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY

Level: Intermediate

Semester: Spring 2025

Course Code: Compulsory English-1 (386)

Maximum Marks: 100

Time Allowed: 03 Hours

Pass Marks: 40

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Note: Attempt any Five Questions. Each Question Carries Equal Marks.

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Q1. Describe the daily routine of Cricketer Babar Azam based on the following information. Write in complete sentences and include details from the chart below.

6:00 AM - Wake up and freshen up
7:00 AM - Have breakfast
8:00 AM - Goes to the National Cricket Academy
2:00 PM - Return home and relax
3:00 PM - Watches TV
5:00 PM - Plays cricket in Gaddafi stadium
7:00 PM - Meets with friends
8:00 PM - Takes dinner
9:00 PM - Reads a book
10:00 PM - Goes to bed ▶

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Babar Azam is a famous Pakistani cricketer who follows a simple and disciplined daily routine. His routine helps him stay healthy, active, and focused on his game. He manages his time well and balances practice, rest, and personal activities throughout the day.

Babar Azam starts his day early in the morning at 6:00 AM. He wakes up and freshens himself by washing his face and getting ready for the day. Waking up early helps him feel fresh and energetic. At 7:00 AM, he has his breakfast. His breakfast is healthy and nutritious so that his body gets enough energy for the day. At 8:00 AM, he goes to the National Cricket Academy. There, he practices cricket and works hard to improve his skills. He focuses on batting, fitness, and fielding during his practice time.

After completing his practice, Babar Azam returns home at 2:00 PM. He relaxes and takes some rest to recover from his hard training. Rest is important for his body and mind. At 3:00 PM, he watches TV. Watching TV helps him relax and enjoy some free time after a busy morning.

In the evening at 5:00 PM, Babar Azam goes to Gaddafi Stadium to play cricket. He practices with other players and sometimes plays matches. This helps him stay active and confident. At 7:00 PM, he meets his friends. Spending time with friends makes him feel happy and relaxed.

At 8:00 PM, Babar Azam takes his dinner. His dinner is healthy and balanced to keep him strong and fit. At 9:00 PM, he reads a book. Reading helps him gain knowledge and relax his mind. Finally, at 10:00 PM, he goes to bed. Sleeping on time helps him wake up fresh and ready for the next day.

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Q2. Imagine you are introducing your favourite footballer to your friend. Write a brief introduction of the footballer that includes the following details:
i. His full name.
ii. His age.
iii. Where he was born.
iv. Where he currently lives.
v. His educational background.
vi. His international FIFA ranking.
vii. His marital status.
viii. His famous support other than the football ▶

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Let me introduce my favourite footballer to you. His full name is Lionel Andrés Messi. He is 38 years old. He was born in Rosario, Argentina, and he currently lives in Miami, United States, where he plays professional football.

Lionel Messi completed his early schooling in Rosario, Argentina. Later, he moved to Spain at a young age to join La Masia, the famous football academy of FC Barcelona, where he received professional training along with basic education.

At the international level, Messi has always been ranked among the top footballers in the world by FIFA and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history. He has represented Argentina in many international tournaments and won major titles.

Messi is married to Antonela Roccuzzo, and they have three children. Besides football, he is also famous for his charity work. He runs the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports education and healthcare for underprivileged children. Because of his talent, discipline, and kindness, Lionel Messi is admired all over the world.

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Q3. Write a dialogue between two neighbours who meet for the first time. In your dialogue, include appropriate greetings, introductions, and polite expressions. Use formal or informal language as per the situation. Make sure to include at least the following:
i. Introducing themselves and others.
ii. Asking and answering questions about each other's name, origin, and occupation.
iii. Using polite greetings and farewells.
iv. Expressing gratitude and making small talk. (e.g., about the weather, hobbies, etc.) ▶

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Ali: Good morning! I think we haven’t met before. I’m Ali. I just moved into the house next door.

Sara: Good morning! Nice to meet you, Ali. I’m Sara. Welcome to the neighborhood.

Ali: Thank you very much. This area seems very peaceful. How long have you been living here?

Sara: You’re welcome. I’ve been living here for about five years. Where are you originally from?

Ali: I’m from Lahore. I recently moved here because of my job. What about you?

Sara: I’m originally from Islamabad, but I’ve been settled here for a long time now. What do you do for a living?

Ali: I work as a software engineer at a private company. And you?

Sara: I’m a school teacher. I teach English to secondary classes.

Ali: That’s great. Teachers play a very important role in society.

Sara: Thank you. That’s very kind of you. By the way, the weather is quite pleasant today, isn’t it?

Ali: Yes, it is. I really enjoy this kind of weather. In my free time, I like going for evening walks. What do you like to do?

Sara: I enjoy reading books and gardening. It helps me relax after a busy day.

Ali: That sounds nice. I’m glad to have such a friendly neighbor.

Sara: Same here. If you need any help, please feel free to ask.

Ali: Thank you. I really appreciate it. It was nice meeting you.

Sara: Nice meeting you too, Ali. Have a great day.

Ali: You too. Goodbye!

Sara: Goodbye!

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Q4. Suppose you have won a prestigious film award. Write a passage and express your amazing feelings by using some of the expressions given below: I am delighted, I am so happy, simply splendid, terrific, fantastic, it's beautiful, it's a pleasure. ▶

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Winning this prestigious film award has filled my heart with joy and excitement. I am delighted to receive such an honour, and I am so happy that my hard work has been recognized. Standing on the stage and holding the award feels simply splendid. The applause, the lights, and the love from the audience are terrific and truly unforgettable. This moment is fantastic, and it feels like a dream come true. The award itself is beautiful, and it reminds me of all the effort and passion that went into this journey. It’s a pleasure to share this success with my family, my team, and everyone who supported me along the way.

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Q5. Read the passage and answer the following questions. Many people in Pakistan still prefer shopping at traditional markets instead of modern shopping malls. Traditional markets offer a personal connection, where shopkeepers know their customers and often allow bargaining. On the other hand, malls provide a clean, air-conditioned environment and branded products, but they are usually more expensive. As cities grow and lifestyles change, some believe malls will replace markets, while others argue that traditional markets will always be part of Pakistani culture. However, some younger people now prefer online shopping over both malls and markets. They say it saves time, offers more variety, and is convenient. But online shopping also comes with problems like receiving poor-quality items or delays in delivery. As technology continues to grow, the way people shop is also changing, raising the question of what shopping will look like in the future.

Q1. In what ways do traditional markets offer benefits that malls and online shopping cannot?
Q2. What challenges might arise if traditional markets disappear in the future?
Q3. How does online shopping reflect the changing lifestyles and values of the younger generation in Pakistan?
Q4. Compare and contrast the three shopping methods (markets, malls, online). Which one do you think is the most suitable for the majority of Pakistanis, and why?
Q5. What do you think shopping in Pakistan will look like 10 years from now? Give reasons for your prediction. ▶

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Q1. In what ways do traditional markets offer benefits that malls and online shopping cannot?
Traditional markets offer a personal connection between shopkeepers and customers. Shopkeepers often know their customers by name and understand their needs. Bargaining is also possible, which helps customers buy goods at lower prices. These markets reflect local culture and provide a social experience that malls and online shopping cannot offer.

Q2. What challenges might arise if traditional markets disappear in the future?
If traditional markets disappear, many small shopkeepers may lose their source of income. Local culture and traditions linked with these markets may also be lost. People who depend on affordable goods and bargaining may face financial difficulties, and social interaction in communities may decrease.

Q3. How does online shopping reflect the changing lifestyles and values of the younger generation in Pakistan?
Online shopping reflects that younger people value convenience, time-saving, and variety. They prefer quick and easy ways to shop using technology. This shows that their lifestyles are becoming more fast-paced and digital compared to older generations.

Q4. Compare and contrast the three shopping methods (markets, malls, online). Which one do you think is the most suitable for the majority of Pakistanis, and why?
Traditional markets are affordable and personal but may lack comfort. Malls are clean and comfortable but are expensive. Online shopping is convenient and offers variety but has risks like poor quality and delivery delays. Traditional markets are most suitable for the majority of Pakistanis because they are affordable and meet the needs of people from all income levels.

Q5. What do you think shopping in Pakistan will look like 10 years from now? Give reasons for your prediction.
In the next 10 years, shopping in Pakistan will likely be a mix of traditional markets, malls, and online shopping. Online shopping will grow due to better technology and internet access, but traditional markets will still exist because of cultural values and affordability.

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Q6. Convert the following imperative sentences into the formal request sentences.
1. Close the door.
2. Help me with this assignment.
3. Bring me a glass of water.
4. Wait here for a few minutes.
5. Turn off the lights before you leave.
6. Call me when you reach home.
7. Send me the report by evening.
8. Clean the whiteboard.
9. Open the window, please.
10. Take your seat quickly. ▶

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1. Close the door.
Could you please close the door?

2. Help me with this assignment.
Would you kindly help me with this assignment?

3. Bring me a glass of water.
Could you please bring me a glass of water?

4. Wait here for a few minutes.
Would you mind waiting here for a few minutes?

5. Turn off the lights before you leave.
Could you please turn off the lights before you leave?

6. Call me when you reach home.
Would you please call me when you reach home?

7. Send me the report by evening.
Could you kindly send me the report by evening?

8. Clean the whiteboard.
Would you please clean the whiteboard?

9. Open the window, please.
Could you please open the window?

10. Take your seat quickly.
Would you kindly take your seat quickly?

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Q7. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate linkers from the list provided below. Linkers: because, but, since, such as, while, although, therefore, however, so, and

1. I have to leave early, ____________ I have an important meeting to attend.

2. He is very hardworking, ____________ he doesn't always have time to relax.

3. I didn't enjoy the movie, ____________ it was too long and boring.

4. I like various types of music, ____________ pop, jazz, and classical.

5. He didn't pass the driving test, ____________ he didn't study enough.

6. The weather was terrible, ____________ we decided to stay indoors.

7. She loves hiking, ____________ she doesn't have much time to go hiking.

8. He missed his train, ____________ he was late for the appointment.

9. We will go to the park tomorrow, ____________ the weather is nice.

10. ____________ I was tired, I stayed up late to finish my work.

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1. I have to leave early, because I have an important meeting to attend.

2. He is very hardworking, but he doesn't always have time to relax.

3. I didn't enjoy the movie, because it was too long and boring.

4. I like various types of music, such as pop, jazz, and classical.

5. He didn't pass the driving test, because he didn't study enough.

6. The weather was terrible, so we decided to stay indoors.

7. She loves hiking, but she doesn't have much time to go hiking.

8. He missed his train, therefore he was late for the appointment.

9. We will go to the park tomorrow, if the weather is nice.

10. Although I was tired, I stayed up late to finish my work.

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Q8. Write a dialogue between two friends discussing the trip to Islamabad. Ensure that each response includes at least one expression of agreement or disagreement from the list below:
(I agree with you, I don't think so, You are absolutely right, I'm not sure about that, I see your point, but..., I couldn't agree more, I disagree with you, That's not true, I agree, to some extent, I'm afraid I don't agree) ▶

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Aisha: Hey Omar! Are you excited about our trip to Islamabad next week?

Omar: Absolutely! I think Islamabad is the most beautiful city in Pakistan. I couldn’t agree more.

Aisha: Yes, the scenery there is amazing. The Margalla Hills are just breathtaking. I agree with you.

Omar: We should definitely visit Faisal Mosque. It’s one of the best landmarks in the city.

Aisha: I see your point, but I think Daman-e-Koh offers a better view of the whole city. Don’t you think so?

Omar: I’m not sure about that. I believe Faisal Mosque has more historical significance.

Aisha: True, but visiting both places would be ideal. You are absolutely right about the mosque.

Omar: Yes, and we should also try some local food at Saidpur Village. The restaurants there are excellent.

Aisha: I agree, to some extent. It will be fun, but I hope it’s not too crowded when we go.

Omar: I don’t think so. If we go early in the morning, we can avoid the crowds.

Aisha: That sounds like a good plan. I couldn’t agree more!

Omar: Great! It’s going to be an amazing trip!

Aisha: Definitely! I can’t wait to explore Islamabad with you.

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