Time allowed : 3 hours
Maximum Marks : 70
SECTION-A
(READING) 20
Question 1.
Read the passage given below: [8]
Kausani is situated at a height of 6,075 feet in the Central Himalayas. It is an unusually attractive little town. It covers just about 5.2 sq. kms. It lies to the north of Almora in Uttarakhand’s picturesque Kumaon region. Kausani provides the 300-km wide breathtaking view of the Himalayas. It is the most striking aspect of this place. Snow-capped peaks are spread in a stately row. They stare at you in silvery white majesty. The most famous peak on view in Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain in India. It is situated at a height of 25,645 feet and 36 miles away as the crow files. The other famous peaks on view are Chaukhamba (23,420 feet) and Trishul (23,360 feet). Then there are also Nilkanth, Nanda Ghunti, Nandighat and Nandakot. On a clear day, the blue of the sky makes a splendid background to these peaks. At sunrise and at sunset, when the colour changes to a golden orange, the scene gets etched in your memory.
When Gandhiji visited this place in 1929, its scenic beauty held him spellbound. He named it the ‘Switzerland of India’. He prolonged his two-day stay to fourteen days, making time to write a book, ‘Anasakti Yoga’. The place where he was staying was originally a guest-house of the tea estate. It was renamed ‘Anashakti Ashram’ after the book.
Kausani in the birthplace of Sumitranandan Pant, India’s poet laureate. Its natural surroundings inspired many of his poems. Its tea gardens mingle with dense pine forests and fruit orchards. The area is also host to many fairs and religious ceremonies. If Uttaranchal is the abode of gods, Kausani is God’s own backyard. There is no traffic, no one is in a hurry. If serenity could be put on a canvas, the picture would resemble Kausani.
On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions : [1 × 8 = 8]
(a) Where is Kausani situated ?
(b) What is the most striking aspect of Kausani?
(c) Which is the most famous peak on view from Kausani ?
(d) How did Kausani influence Sumitranandan Pant ?
(e) When does the view of peaks become so memorable ?
(f) How can we say that Gandhiji was greatly charmed by the natural beauty of Kausani ?
(g) What makes Kausani a calm and quiet place ?
(h) Why, do you think, is Kausani known as’ God’s own backyard’?
Answer:
(a) Kausani is situated at a height of 6,075 feet in the Central Himalayas. It lies to the north of Almora in Uttarakhand’s picturesque Kumaon region.
(b) Kausani provides the 300-km wide breathtaking view of the Himalayas.
(c) The most famous peak of view is Nanda Devi, the second highest Mountain in India
(d) Kausani’s natural surroundings inspired many of Sumitranandan Pant’s poems.
(e) On a clear day, the blue sky makes a splendid background to these peaks. At sunrise and at sunset when the colour changes to golden yellow, the peaks become memorable.
(f) Gandhiji named Kausani the ‘Switzerland of India’. He prolonged his two-day stay to fourteen days, making time to write a book ‘Anashakti Yoga’.
(g) There is no traffic, no one is in a hurry. If serenity could be put on a canvas, the picture would resemble Kasauni.
(h) It has breathtaking natural beauty. It is also host to many fairs and religious ceremonies.
Question 2.
Read the passage given below: [12]
I rested for a moment at the door of Anand Bhawan, on Market Road, where coffee- drinkers and tiffin-eaters sat still at their tables, uttering low moans on seeing me. I wanted to assure them, “Don’t mind me, you hugging the cash box-you are a coward, afraid even to breathe. Go on, count the cash, if that is your pleasure. I just want to watch, that’s all. If my tail trails down to the street, if I am blocking your threshold, it is because, I’m told, I’m eleven feet tip to tail. I can’t help it. I’m not out to kill—I’m too full. I found a green pasture full of food on my way. I won’t attack until I feel hungry again. Tigers attack only when they feel hungry, unlike human beings who slaughter one another without purpose or hunger.”
To the great delight of children, schools were being hurriedly closed. Children of all ages and sizes were running helter-skelter, screaming joyously, “No school, no school, Tiger, tiger!” They were shouting and laughing and even enjoying being scared. They seemed to welcome me. I felt like joining them. So I bounded away from the restaurant door. I walked along with them, at which they cried, “The tiger is coming to eat us; let us get back to school!”
I followed them through their school gate while they ran up and shut themselves in the school hall securely. I climbed up the steps of the school, saw an open door at the far end of a veranda, and walked in. It happened to be the headmaster’s room. I noticed a very dignified man jumping on the table and heaving himself up into an attic. I walked in and flung myself on the cool floor, having a special liking for cool stone floors.
As I drowsed, I was aware of cautious steps and hushed voices all around. I was in no mood to bother about anything. All I wanted was a little moment of sleep; the daylight was very bright.
On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions : [2 × 4 = 8]
(a) How did the diners at Anand Bhawan react on seeing the tiger ?
(b) When do tigers attack ? In this context, how are human beings different from tigers ?
(c) Why were children happy and even enjoying being scared ?
(d) What did the headmaster do on seeing the tiger ? What did the tiger like to do in the headmaster’s office ?
(e) Identify the word which means the same as ‘hugging’. (Para 1) [1 × 4 = 4]
(i) counting
(ii) hiding
(iii) rubbing
(iv) holding tightly in the arms
(f) Identify the word which means the same as ‘delight’. (Para 2)
(i) pleasure
(ii) fear
(iii) sorrow
(iv) nervousness
(g) Identify the meaning of the word, ‘bounded’ , (Para 2)
(i) walked
(ii) jumped forward
(iii) walked with happy steps
(iv) ran lazily
(h) Identify the word which means the same as ‘dignified’. (Para 3)
(i) tall
(ii) honourable
(iii) terrified
(iv) tired
Answer:
(a) The diners sat still at their tables, and uttered low moans on seeing the tiger.
(b) Tigers do not attack unless they are hungry Human beings on the other hand, slaughter one another without purpose or hunger.
(c) Children were happy as schools were hurriedly closed. They enjoyed being scared crying that the tiger was coming to eat them.
(d) The headmaster jumped on the table and heaved himself up into an attic. The tiger flung himself on the cool floor as he had a special liking for cool stone floors.
Answer:
(e) holding tightly in the arms.
(f) pleasure
(g) jumped forward
(h) honourable.
SECTION – B
(WRITING AND GRAMMAR) 25
Question 3.
Recently a serious quarrel took place in a colony in Delhi due to the use of loudspeakers at a public place and caused disharmony among the people. Write a letter in 100 -120 words to the Editor of The Hindustan Times expressing your concern over the unpleasant incident, highlighting the fact that the loudspeakers cause noise pollution and discord, suggesting that the unauthorised use of loudspeakers at public places should be banned. You are Anjana/Arjun, F-112 Kailash Colony, Delhi. [5]
OR
Heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir caused floods, landslides, house collapses and heavy loss of life and property. Write an article in 100 -120 words on ‘Floods – Causes and Prevention’. You are Anita/Aman.
Answer:
F-112, Kailash Colony Delhi
Aug, 29 20XX.
The Editor,
The Hindustan Times,
New Delhi
Sub : Use of loudspeakers in public places.
Sir,
Through the esteemed columns of your newspaper, I would like to highlight on a matter of serious concern — the increasing use of loudspeakers in public places.
Only yesterday due to the use of the loudspeaker in a jagran in Karol Bagh there were severe protests from the other communities. This led to communal tension and the police had to be called in. These loudspeakers disturb our peace, cause noise pollution and discord. Elderly people are not able to sleep and students find it difficult to concentrate on their studies.
It is time that the government should impose a ban on loudspeakers and even if used, there should be a time limit. I hope that the concerned authority will look into it immediately.
Your truly,
Anjana /Arjun.
OR
FLOODS – CAUSES & PREVENTION
By Aman/Anita
Nature’s fury strikes at the most unlikely places and the unlikeliest time. It really is a mystery and catches people unaware, even at times when they are sleeping.
Jammu and Kashmir had the record rainfall this year. Being a mountainous region the effect was very extensive. There was flooding and sudden landslides. People were caught unaware. Houses collapsed with the effect and people were left homeless. The few relief camps did not have enough facilities for the growing number of homeless people. The most affected are the elderly and the children. Rescue missions were organized. The Air force and the navy swing into action. They rescued many people who were buried in the debris.
The causes for this catastrophic were manifold. Such drastic weather changes occured due to of global warming and massive deforestation which is the result of urbanization. Construction over water bodies and commercialization were also reasons which could be attributed.
To control this situation. More trees should be planted. Encroachment of river beds, illegal mining must he banned. More flood warning systems must be put in place. Flow of water must be controlled from dams.
Question 4.
Ultimately I won it as I was determined to achieve my goal.” The closing of the story is given above. You can start your own story but you cannot change the end. Write the story in 150 – 200 words. [1 × 10 = 10]
Hints : humble family background — no guidance or support — ambition — difficulties — didn’t given up — long struggle pave the way for success OR
Complete a story in 150 – 200 words from the outline given below :
Birds lived — a forest — one year hot and dry — the king bird suggested to migrate — a greedy sparrow noticed carts with baskets of grain — the sparrow dashed to eat — but warned her friends not to go — owner might kill them — birds scared — the greedy sparrow enjoyed her meal — owner spread a net — was caught.
Answer:
HARD WORK YIELDS RICH DIVIDENDS
I belonged to a humble background having been born in a poor family. The facilities that my parents provided were minimal. We barely had enough to eat.
My parents worked very hard. They were common labourers. On some days they did not have enough work. They were common daily wage workers. On some days my mother would go hungry after feeding all of us.
I had an ambition to be an athlete. There were no gyms or racing tracks in my little village. I used to run in the fields, trying to beat all my friends.
My parents were not very supportive. They believed that I was fostering a wrong ambition. They did not have enough money to support me.
However, I found a godfather in my PT teacher. He encouraged me and also enrolled me in a training camp. I had to travel 20 miles to reach there but I did not get worried, with gradual hard work and perseverance I managed to get a chance to represent my state and afterwards my country in the Asian Games.
I won a bronze medal which delighted my coaches and teachers. I won it as I was determined to achieve my goal. My hard work had paid off.
MORAL: Hard work yields rich dividends
OR
GREED IS A CURSE
In a forest lived a family of sparrows. They had a glorious time and a lot of harmony in their house. The weather was beautiful, the rains were seasonal and they had enough to feed themselves with.
However, one year became particularly hot and dry. The sparrow began to starve. They had no food to eat. Some of the little sparrows even starved to death.
The king bird suggested that they should migrate to a better forest. All the sparrows concurred with the idea.
One of the sparrows noticed carts with baskets of grains.This sparrow felt too lazy to fly as she felt the food was fiercely available. The sparrow dashed to eat the grain. However she disallowed her friends saying that the owner might kill them. She was too selfish and enjoyed the meal all alone. The observant owner spread a net and caught the sparrow. Moral: Greed Leads to Death.
Question 5.
Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones that follow : [1 × 3 = 3]
There are ways and ways (a) ___ tackling a problem. But governments all over the world (b) ___ only one system (c) ___ is : the carrot-and-stick
one.
(a)
(i) in
(ii) of
(iii) from
(iv) on
(b)
(i) prefer
(ii) prefers
(iii) preferred
(iv) preferring
(c)
(i) who
(ii) which
(iii) what
(iv) whose
Answer:
(a) of
(b) prefer
(c) which
Question 6.
The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line against which a blank has been given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as given in the example. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied. [1 × 4 = 4]
Answer:
Question 7.
Rearrange the following words and phrases into meaningful sentences [1 × 3 = 3]
One has been done for you as an example.
Example:
person / physically / a / was / Kitty / handicapped/
Kitty was a physically handicapped person.
(a) sat up / wheel chair / in a / battery driven / every evening, / she
(b) drove / an / she / her wheel chair / to / apple orchard
(c) very happy / with apples / the trees / she was / to see / laden /
Answer:
(a) She sat up in a battery driven wheel chair every evening.
(b) She drove her wheel chair to an apple orchard.
(c) She was very happy to see the trees laden with apples.
SECTION – C
(LITERATURE/TEXTBOOKS AND LONG READING TEXT) 25
Question 8.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [1 × 3 = 3]
When I got to New Mullion, my eager expectations of a sweet and simple country village were severely disappointed. Its streets were rivers of mud, with rows of wooden shops, either painted a sour brown, or bare of any paint at all.
(a) Who is T ?
(b) Why was T disappointed ?
(c) What does the word, ‘expectations’ mean ?
OR
“Never shall a young man, Thrown into despair By those great honey-coloured Ramparts at your ear,”
(a) Who is the speaker of these lines ? Who is he speaking to ?
(b) What does the young man mean by ‘honey-coloured ramparts’ ?
(c) What does the word ‘despair’ mean ?
Answer:
(a) In this context ‘I’ refers to the author Sinclair Lewis who is a young lawyer.
(b) The young lawyer eagerly expected to see a simple and sweet country village. He was however severely disappointed to see. Its streets were rivers of mud, rows of wooden shops, either painted a sour brown, or bare of any paint which was an unpleasant sight.
(c) The word ‘expectations’ in this context means hope that something good will happen, hope.
Question 9.
Answer the following questions in 30 – 40 words each: [2 × 4 = 8]
(a) Why did the Buddha choose Banaras to preach his first sermon ?
(b) Why didn’t Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink ? What does it tell you about her?
(c) Why was Matilda in a hurry to go to her house after the ball ?
(d) What filled Bholi, a dumb cow, with a new ’ hope?
Answer:
(a) Banaras is a most holy dipping places on the River Ganges, which is usually crowded with pilgrims who come to get a dip thus getting rid of their sorrows and sufferings. Buddha’s aim was to lessen the suffering of human
(b) Valli had accumulated only sixty paise, which was the cost of her bus ride between her village and the nearest town and did not haW enough money to spend at the stall. This shows that Valli was a firm and decisive little girl.
(c) Mr. and Mme Loisel had gone to a ball that was attended by the most famous people of the society. Unlike the other rich ladies in their elegant wrap, Mr. Loisel covered Matilda with a modest wrap which was not befitting those belonging to the upper class society and that clashed severely with her elegant costume. Matilda wished to hurry away in order to go unnoticed by the other women who were wrapping themselves in rich furs.
(d) As a child because of her looks Bholi was always shunned and ignored. She faced a tough childhood and was extremely anxious and timid. Bholi’s teacher’s soft and soothing voice coupled with her encouraging words filled Bholi with new hope. The teacher’s faith in Bholi helped her grow.
Question 10.
Answer the following question in 80-100 words: [1 × 4 = 4]
Through ‘The Sermon at Benares’, the Buddha preached that death is inevitable and we need to overcome the suffering and pain that follows. Based on your reading of the lesson, write how one should cope with the death of a loved one.
OR
Chekov has used humour and exaggeration in the play to comment on courtship, in his times. Illustrate with examples from the lesson, ‘The Proposal.’ Also mention the values, you think, any healthy relationship requires.
Answer:
Everything we need to achieve has to undergo pain and suffering. We must let go of grief and sorrow and even the fear of death to step out into the world to achieve something. World is afflicted with death and decay nothing is spared and no one can avoid it. If we fear or grieve over the death of our loved one it will not lessen our sorrow nor will the person come back to life in fact we will end up spoiling our own health instead peace of mind.
Surrendering selfishness and leading a virtuous life is the safest option.
OR
The Proposal is one of Anton Chekhov’s famous plays where he uses humor and exaggeration in the play to provide a commentary on courtship in his times. Chekov, has used several stereotypes that help play their part beautifully in the play. Lomov, Natalya “the shrew’, Chubukov “the hypocrite father” all help in adding humor to the play. Lomov uses exaggerated actions that, sometimes exceeds the limits of common sense like, Lomov gulping down water, putting his hand to the heart or running to the door and staggering out.
Another interesting aspect of this storytelling is how the story progresses from cordiality to the hurling of insults as seen when Lomov called Chubukov ‘a swindle’ and Chubukov promptly calling Lomov an ‘intriguer’. The elements of exaggeration and absurdity set the tone of ridicule, which mars the elements of love and romance that is intended in the play. The playwright through this pay ironically emphasizes the courtesy, sincerity, love and mutual understanding are the keys to a healthy relationship.
Question 11.
Answer the following in 150 – 200 words : [1 × 10 = 10]
What was Mr. Otto Frank’s major contribution to the world ?
Anne describes herself as a Tittle bundle of contradictions’. Why ? Explain in your own words.**
OR
How did Helen benefit when Dr. Graham Bell accompanied her to the World Fair ?**
OR
How did Helen display her passion for Radcliffe College ?**
Set-II
Note : All questions except the following questions have been already asked in the previous sets.
SECTION-B
(WRITING AND GRAMMAR) 25
Question 5.
Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones that follow: [1 × 3 = 3]
Kalari is a traditional art practised (a) ___ Kerala. Though claims of its heavenly origin (b) ___ disputable, foreign travellers have
mentioned Kalari being practised in Kerala in as early as the 13th century, (c) ___ makes it the oldest martial art to be in existence.
(a)
(i) at
(ii) from
(iii) into
(iv) in
(b)
(i) is
(ii) being
(iii) are
(iv) have
(c)
(i) who
(ii) which
(iii) this
(iv) it
Answer:
(a) in
(b) are
(c) which
Question 6.
The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line against which a blank has been given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as given in the example. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied. [1 × 4 = 4]
Answer:
Question 7.
Rearrange the following words and phrases into meaningful sentences [1 × 3 = 3]
One has been done for you as an example.
Example:
Sudha Chandran. / a national icon / famous dancer, / a / is / for the disabled /
Sudha Chandran, a famous dancer, is a national icon for the disabled.
(a) an accident / had lost / in / her right leg / she/
(b) the handicap/but/stop/couldn’t/her/again / from dancing /
(c) hard/ to realise / struggled / her dream / she/
Answer:
(a) She had lost her right leg in an accident
(b) But the handicap could not stop her from dancing again.
(c) She struggled hard to realize her dream.
SECTION – C
(LITERATURE/TEXTBOOKS AND LONG READING TEXT) 25
Question 8.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow : [1 × 3 = 3]
He said to Ramlal, “As a revenue official you are the representative of the government in the village and so you must set and example to the villagers. You must send your daughters to school.”
(a) Who is ‘he’ ?
(b) Why example does he want Ramlal to set ?
(c) What does the word, ‘revenue’ mean ?
OR
long-cramped boughs shuffling under the
roof
like newly discharged patients
half-dazed, moving
to the clinic doors.
(a) What does the poet compare the branches to ?
(b) Name the figure of speech used in these lines.
(c) What does the word ‘shuffling’ mean ?
Answer:
(a) ‘He’ refers to the Tehsildar Sahib.
(b) He wanted Ramlal to be a model in giving girl’s good education.
(c) The money that a government receives from taxes.
OR
(a) He compares the branches to dazed newly discharged patients moving out of the clinic.
(b) Simile is used in these lines as boughs are compared the patients.
(c) Moving repeatedly from one position to another.
Question 9.
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each: [2 × 4 = 8]
(a) Why did Kisa Gotami go from house to house ?
(b) What compulsive habits had Mijbil developed ?
(c) Why was Matilda always unhappy ?
(d) How could the lawyer have avoided being taken for a ride ?
Answer:
(a) Kisa Gotami had only son, and he died so in her grief, she carried the dead child to all her neighbours, asking them for medicine.
(b) When Mijbil walked on the London streets he developed certain compulsive habits and the writer had to pamper those desires. Opposite to the writer, house there was a primary school, along whose frontage was a low wall, some two feet high. On his way home, Mig would tug the writer to the wall, jump into it and gallop the full length of its thirty yards. This distracted the pupils and staff of the school.
(c) Matilda was always unhappy because she was bom in a family of clerks. She married a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education. She was tired of the poverty of her life and felt that she was bom for all delicacies and luxuries.
(d) The lawyer could have avoided being taken for a ride. If the lawyer had been a little careful, thoughtful he should have taken the search. He could have cross-checked Bill’s information before trusting him.
Set-III
Note : All questions except the following questions have been already asked in the previous sets.
SECTION – B
(WRITING AND GRAMMAR) 25
Question 5.
Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones that follow: [1 × 3 = 3]
The reason for Kalari being (a) ___ then a mere martial art can be attributed to the fact that Brahmins practised it. Their influence (b) ___ Kalari impart an all-round training (c) ___ the mind and body of the student to make him a complete man.
(a)
(i) many
(ii) much
(iii) more
(iv) most
(b)
(i) have made
(ii) is making
(iii) will make
(iv) has made
(c)
(i) in
(ii) to
(iii) for
(iv) on
Answer:
(a) more
(b) has made
(c) for
Question 6.
The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line against which a blank has been given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as given in the example. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied. [1 × 4 = 4]
Answer:
Question 7.
Rearrange the following words and phrases into meaningful sentences [1 × 3 = 3]
One has been done for you as an example.
Example:
our health / is / clean / important / water / very / for/
Clean water is very important for our health.
(a) should / containers / water / clean / always be /
(b) always / keep / we / them / covered / should
(c) our / keep / clean / sources / water / should / we /of
Answer:
(a) Water containers should always be clean.
(b) We should always keep them covered.
(c) We should keep our sources of water clean.
SECTION – C
(LITERATURE/TEXTBOOKS AND LONG READING TEXT) 25
Question 8.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [1 × 3 = 3]
When I casually mentioned this to a friend, he as casually replied that I had better get one in the Tigris marshes, for there they were as common as mosquitoes, and were often tamed by Arabs.
(a) What did the author, Maxwell mention casually to his friend ?
(b) Where could Maxwell easily get his pet and why ?
(c) What does the word ‘casually’ mean ?
OR
She was even bathed and oil was rubbed into her dry and matted hair. Only then did she begin to believe that she was being taken to a place better than her home.
(a) Who is ‘she’ ?
(b) Where was she being taken to ?
(c) What does the word ‘matted’ mean ?
Answer:
(a) Maxwell casually mentioned to his friend that he wanted to keep an otter as a pet. He thought that Camusfearna, ringed by water, would be an ideal place to get on other.
(b) Maxwell could easily get his pet in the Tigrib marshes. Olters there were as common as mosquitoes and were often tamed by Arabs.
(c) just by chance — accidentally, thoughtlessly
OR
(a) She refers to Bholi, Ramlal’s youngest daughter.
(b) She was being taken to the village girls, primary school to be given an education.
(c) entangled.
Question 9.
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each: [2 × 4 = 8]
(a) Why does the conductor call Valli, ‘Madam’ ?
(b) What proves Kodavu people’s Arab descent ?
(c) Why is the lawyer sent to New Mullion ?
(d) What does Think-Tank infer on listening to the nursery rhyme, ‘Hey diddle diddle’ ?
Answer:
(a) The conductor called Valli ‘Madam’ as he was impressed by her self-confidence. Even though she was just eight, she was travelling all alone in the bus, Moreover, Valli claimed
that she had paid the full fare i.e. thirty paise.
(b) The theory of Arab origin draws support from the dress worn by the Kadagus. They wear a long, black coat with an embroidered waist — belt. Known as kuppia, it resembles the Kuffia, worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
(c) The lawyer was sent to New Mullion to serve summons on a man called Oliver Lutkins who lived 40 miles away in the country. He was needed as a witness in a law case as he had ignored all their letters.
(d) After hearing ‘Hey, diddle diddle’, Tauk infers that the earthlings have reached a very high level of civilization. They have taught their domesticated animals musical culture and space techniques. Even their dogs have a sense of humour. At that moment they may be launching an interplanetary attack of millions of cows.
