Class X English (1-129) PDF
Class X English (1-129) PDF
Class X English (1-129) PDF
Class X
One Paper 3 Hrs. Marks : 100
3. Letter Writing - One letter based on provided verbal stimulus and context 8 marks
Type of letter : Informal : Personal such as to family and friends
Formal : Letter of complaints, enquiries, requests, applications.
4. Writing a short paragraph on a given outline / topic in about 60 words 4 marks
5. Composition : A short writing task based on a verbal and / visual stimulus. (diagram, picture, graph,
map, chart, table, flow chart etc.) Maximum words 80 8 marks
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SECTION D : TEXT BOOKS (45 Marks)
Poetry
14. One extract from a poem from the prescribed reader followed by two or three questions to test the
local and global comprehension of the set text. 4 Marks.
15. Two out of three short answer type questions on interpretation of themes and ideas contained in
the poems to be answered in 30-40 words each. 6 Marks
Foot Prints without Feet - NCERT Supplementary Reader for Class X 15 Marks
16. One out of two questions from Supplementary Reader to interpret, evaluate and analyse character,
plot or situations occuring in the lessons to be answered in about 100 words. 8 Marks
17. One out of two short answer type questions of interpretative and evaluative nature based on lessons
to be answered in 30-40 words. 4 Marks.
18. One out of two short answer type questions based on factual aspects of the lessons to be answered
in 20-30 words. 3 Marks
Prescribed Books
1. First Flight - Textbook for Class X Published by NCERT
2. Foot Prints without Feet - Supplementary Reader for Class X Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi
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IMPORTANT
This Question Bank is prepared keeping in view the CBSE Examination 2009 and its pattern
matches the examination pattern in letter and spirit. It is important to note that the question
nos. (as per the examination paper) are given in the beginning of the context and the same
type of questions will be asked in the same order. This will certainly help the students
practise on the examination pattern. Moreover, Hots (Higher order Thinking skills) questions
are marked with aesterics*
BEST OF LUCK FOR EXAMS!
Section A -(Reading)
Two unseen passages of total 500 words (200 words + 300 words) with a variety of questions. The
passages will be factual, discursive and literary in nature.
The questions are meant to test your comprehension ability and understanding. Full credit is given
for the correct value point/points and you should try to give the relevant value point without adding
extra matter.
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Q.1.
Instructions :- Read carefully the passages given below and answer the questions that follow. All
passages given in this section are about 200 words carrying 8 marks each.
Passage -1
Education is not an end, but a means to an end. In other words, we do not educate children only
for the purpose of educating them; our purpose is to fit them for life. As soon as we realise this fact,
we will understand that it is very important to choose a system of education which will really
prepare children for life. It is not enough first to choose the first system of education one finds, or to
continue with one’s system of education ;without examining it to see whether it, infact, is suitable or
not.
In many modern countriles, it has for sometime been fashionable to think that, by free education for
all, whether rich or poor, clever or stupid - one can solve all the problems of society and build a
perfect nation. But we can already see that free education; for all is not enough. We find in such
countries a far larger number of people, with University degrees than there are jobs for them to fill.
Because of their degrees, they refuse to do what they think low work, and infact work with the
hands which is thought to be dirty - and shameful in such countries. But we have only to think a
moment to understand that the work of a completely uneducated farmer is far more important than
that of a professor; we can live without education but we die if we have no food. In countries where
there are no servants because everyone is ashamed of doing such work, the professors have to
waste much of their time doing manual housework.
Infact when we say that all fo us must be educated to fit us for life, it means that we must be
educated in such a way that, firstly each of us can do whatever job is suited to his brain, aptitude
and ability. Secondly, that we can realise that all jobs are necessary to society, and that it is very
bad to be ashamed of one’s works, or to scorn someone else. Only such a type of education can
be called valuable to society.
Questions
i) What should we keep in mind when we choose a system of education? 1
ii) Why do people refuse to do what they think low work? 2
iii) What is the definition of free education for modern countries? 1
iv) ‘An uneducated farmer’s work is more important than a professor’s work’. Do you agree?
Why/ why not? 2
v) ‘Education is valuable to society’. Frame a question on this statement. 1
vi Choose a word from the passage which is a synonym to ‘Contempt’. 1
Passage - 2
Jockeying generally involves three areas and as such Jockeys are called a Video Jockey (VJ),
Radio Jockey (RJ) and Disc Jockey (DJ). With radio finding its voice again, if you are over 18, with
a strong command of language, pleasant voice and love for music, being a Radio Jockey (RJ) is a
new career option open to you.
A friendly and interesting voice is a necessary attribute, but not an all sufficient one. The RJ must
be able to research his own script and break it into interesting modules. Humour is the lifeline of
radio chatting; the RJ cannot afford to compromise on that. In most cases a radio jockey has a
talking time of just six minutes in a programme spread over an hour. The challenge, therefore, is to
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find something witty to say and then say it clearly and directly in a manner that will leave a mark.
For the entire duration of your slot you have to juggle between talking to the audience playing the
songs, cuing in the advertisements at predefined intervals, and entertaining requests (if it is a dial
in show).
This profession also demands that you continuously innovate with your scripts and make your
delivery as creative as possible. Voice modulation and correct inflection of emotions are very
important. An RJ must get the feel of the medium and link his conversation to the music. He must
have the general knowledge of the music he plays and not just having a leaning to one genre. Pop,
hip hop, the blues, rock or classical - he should know and enjoy them all. The job not only involves
glamour and fun but also requires a lot of hard work. The aspiring RJs must listen to radio regularly
to understand what it takes to make a good show.
Questions
(i) What basic qualities should a person possess to be a radio jockey? 2
(ii) Why has humour been called the lifeline of radio chatting? 2
(iii) Why is radio jockeying a challenging task? 2
(iv) How can an RJ make his script creative and innovative? 1
(v) Which word from the passage means the same as :- “introduce new methods or ideas” 1
Passage -3
Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 every year to honour St.Valentine. The association of
St.Valaentine’s Day with love and courtship rose from coincidence of the date with the Roman
festival of Lupercalia. The festival is believed to have been in honour of Faunus, the Roman God of
flocks and fertility. Also known as Lupercus, he was worshipped in a temple on Palatine Hill, and
the festival was celebrated on February 14. The festival survived until the 5th century A.D.
The Christian church ended the feast of Lupercalia, transforming it into the feast of St. Valentine.
The name St. Valentine is given to two legendary Christian martyrs whose feasts were formerly
observed on February 14. One was a Roman priest martyred in 269 A.D. The second was a
Bishop of Terni martyred in Rome. In 1969, the feast day was dropped from the Vatican calendar.
The great popularity of greeting cards, however, began in 19th Century England and America with
cheap, efficient,colour printing methods and low postage rates. By the 1880s there were hundreds
of varieties of mass-printed Christmas, New Year’s and Valentine cards. But it was Esther Howland,
a 19-year-old American girl, who turned it into a global event.
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1828, she was the youngest of three children. She recognised
the potential in mass-producing Valentine’s Day cards, when she received a fancy card from her
father’s friend. She felt she could make a better one. She designed her first card and showed it to
her father, who was impressed. He encouraged her to make more cards.
She sent several cards to her brother, when he went on a sales trip to New York. Much to her
surprise, he returned with more than $5000 in orders. Faced with the huge order, she asked her
three best friends to help her. A Valentine assembly line was born at the Howland home. Esther
placed her first a in the local paper, The Daily Spy on February 5, 1850. Business grew rapidly and
in 1879, The New England Valentine Company was born. She rented a building and moved the
business. She published 31 pages of verse in a small book called The New England Valentine Co.’s
Verse Book for 1879, and this book allowed the customer to choose the verse for the card.
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Questions
(i) When is the Valentine’s Day celebrated and to honour whom? 1
(ii) What are the two emotions associated with the Valentine’s Day? 2
(iii) What were the two factors that contributed to the great popularity of greeting cards? 2
(iv) What ‘potential’ did Esther Howland recognise? 1
(v) How could a customer choose a verse for the card? 1
(vi) Write the synonym of ‘attractive’ from the passage? 1
Passage - 4
The ‘generation gap’ is not a new phenomenon. In every generation, the old men are found shaking
their heads about the good old days when young people knew better and showed due reverence to
age and tradition. The generation gap is actually the difference between the high spirits and impatience
of youth on one hand and the caution and prudence of old age on the other. Young people are
always full of vigour, life and energy; they are adventurous, bold, even reckless and are always
willing to take risks. Caution; prudence, calm reflection, careful calculation before taking any plunge,
etc are not part of their mental make up. Infact young people laugh at elders who habitually think
calmly and profoundly before taking a decision and calculate the perils, if any, that may arise there
of. The young and the old will always disagree because their basic approach to life is different and
their was thoughts are like parallel lines, seemingly always converse. While the young are always
ready for fresh adventures they are often confronted by elders who warn them against the risks
they can face.
Neil Armstrong who was the first human to land on the moon said, “One small step for a man but
one giant leap for mankind.” Such major leaps would not have been possible if the youth did not
have an adventurous spirit. “No pain, no gain” is a well known saying. The old would perhaps
impress “Let us not have anything more, we have enough”. But is that reason enough to prevent
the young from experimenting?
Questions
(i) What do the old people talk about good old days? 1
(ii) What is the old age contrasted with? Give an example. 2
(iii) “The thoughts of the old and the young are like parallel lines”. Explain 2
(iv) Which characteristic of the youth lead to major discoveries? 1
(v) Pick out words from the passage which mean the same as:- 2
(a) acting with or showing care for future.
(b) situation of immediate danger.
Passage - 5 (8 Marks)
All that could be seen on the station platform at Chainpur was a cloud of confetii. Brigthly coloured
paper flags danced above bamboo sticks, held by hundreds of excited childen who had come to
meet the Jeevan Rekha Express. Then, in a thin monsoon drizzle, the train emerged around the
corner, the brass band stuck up and children clapped, mesmerised, as the carriages, painted with
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rows of red, yellow and blue daisies, slid into the sliding.
Minutes later, while officials exchanged greetings and garlands, a carriage door opened and the
children clambered on to the train. Still clutching their flags, they peered cautionsly at the three
shiny red operating tables, the dials and the anaesthetic machines which had replaced the rows of
seats.
The Jeevan Rekha or Lifeline Express, is reportedly the world’s first hospital train, bringing surgical
care for the first time to hundreds of remote rural villages.
I joined the train at Kalahari, a tiny coalmining village in a forested area of southern water and
electricity supply, although it has its own water filtering machine and a generator to take over during
power shortages. The two roomed station building had also to function as a calliper workshop,
diagonstic centre, registration area and accommodation for relatives and patients.
Operations have been confined to three areas; orthopaedic surgery for polio, cataract and middle
ear operations. Callipers, spectacles and hearing aids are also fitted and eventually the project will
be integrated with an immunisation and health education programme.
Questions :
a) What purpose does Lifeline Express serve? What is the other name given to it? 2
b) How did the children welcome the train? 1
c) What can one find in place of passenger seats in the train? 1
d) What function does the station building perform? 2
e) Find words from the passage which mean the same as : 2
i) fascinated;
ii) holding something tightly.
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Answer Key
Passage - 1
(i) the one which prepares people for life.
(ii) because of more degrees than jobs.
(iii) all irrespective of mutual levels/ can solve all problems.
(iv) can live without education/die without food.
(v) Which type of education can be called valuable to society?
(vi) scorn
Passage - 2
(i) command over language, pleasant voice and love for music.
(ii) to make his programme interesting
(iii) he has to do different things at a time - talking, playing music, entertain requests.
(iv) by having a good knowledge of different genres of music.
(v) innovate
Passage - 3
(i) 14th February - St. Valentine
(ii) love/courtship
(iii) efficient colour printing methods - low postage rates
(iv) mass production of Valentine’s Day cards
(v) from the book published by Esther
(vi) fancy
Passage - 4
(i) young people showed respect to elders
(ii) high spirit and impatience of youth
(iii) young and the old - their thinking can not be same
(iv) adventurous nature
(v) (a) prudence (b) peril
Passage- 5
a) provide surgical care to people living in far off villages; Jeevan Rekha.
b) Hundreds of children welcomed the train with coloured paper flags.
c) Operating tables, dials and anaesthetic machines.
d) as calliper workshop, diagnostic centre, registration area and accommodation for relatives
and patients.
e) i) mesmerised, ii) clutching
(8) X-English
Passage - 6
It is not essential that development must always affect the ecosystems and environment adversely.
Development is possible without causing such damages. Such development is generally referred
to as ‘sustainable development’. It means that the development can be sustained for long. It would
not be short lived. Sustainable development is possible only if the development is in agreement to
the health of the ecosystems and it is without much adverse effect on the environment. It is not
possible that development is attained and there is no adverse effect whatsoever on the ecosystems
and environment. But, if the adverse effects are within reasonable limits which can be repaired and
replenished by the ecosystems and environment on their own, such development will be long living
and can be termed as ‘sustainable’. For example, forest ecosytem is a resource. We can remove
wood, timber, various other produce from the forest without putting the future of the forest under
threat. The forest will replenish such removal of materials in natural way. So, such use or development
of forest products can be termed ‘sustainable development’. If we harvest more than what the
forest exosystem can replenish or replace naturally, the existence of the forest exosystem will
come under threat.
(i) What is sustainable development? 1
(ii) When is it possible? 2
(iii) Upto what extent are the adverse effects permissible in sustainable development? 2
(iv) Name some o;f the things we get from the forest. 1
(v) Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as 2
(a) unpleasant and negative
(b) possibility of danger and disaster
Passage - 7
The French Scientist Marie Curie became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize - one of the
greatest honours in the world. What’s more, she was the first person ever to win the prize twice.
Marie Curie was born in Poland. She moved to France and studied at the greatest University
Known; as the Sorbonne. She was one of the best students there. She worked very hard - often
late into the night, sometimes eating little more than bread, butter and tea.
She married Pierrie Curie after completing her Science and Maths degree. Pierrie was also a
scientist and the two worked together. Another scientist named Henri Bequerel, had already
discovered certain types of materials which sent out tiny ‘bullets of energy all the time. Marie Curie
called this action ‘radioactivity’ Marie Curie studied radio activity and discovered two new elements
that were radioactive - Polonium and Radium. Over the years, Marie Curie’s discoveries about
radioactivity have proved extremely important in many ways. Radioactivity helps doctors identify
and treat diseases. A major form of power generation based on nuclear energy has been developed,
a process involving radioactivity.
Marie Curie’s entilre life was spent working for science. She fell ill and eventually died because of
working so closely with radiactive materials. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1903 for her
work on radioactivity and in 1911 for discovering radium.
Questions
(i) Which sentence in the passage tells us that Marie Curie was one of the best and hard-
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working students in the University? 1
(ii) Why was Marie Curie awarded Nobel Prize twice? Give details 2
(iii) How are Marie Curie’s discoveries about radioactivity helpful for doctors? 1
(iv) Name the radioactivity elements discovered by Marie Curie. 1
(v) Write the opposite of ‘important’ using a prefix. 1
(vi) “Marie Curie’s death was unfortunate” Frame a question on this statement. 2
Passage - 8
Advertisements have become a part of our lives. We cannot live without them, they attack us from
all sides. Step out of the house and they stare at you from all corners, promoting products from
needles to CDs, from cricket bats to gold watches. At home, TV programmes are interrupted every
five minutes to tell us which toothpaste we should use, what kind of salt is good for us or even
which toy we should give to a new-born baby. So many goods are displayed, so many temptations
are presented that the poor consumer does not know what to buy or reject.
Advertisements are a help because they tell us about a new product. Without them, one would not
know what advance has been made in any field. We will not be able to learn about the merits of a
new product. It can be anything, a new medicine, a new book, a new - school, a new hospital -----
- the list is endless. Advertisements also lead to competition and better products come in to the
market.
As long as the competition is healthy, it is good. But advertisements have become cut throat. See
the Cola wars. The competition between Coca Cola and Pepsi has made them spend crores on
advertisement. Film stars are roped in to make the products popular. Huge hoardings can also
prove dangerous for drivers.
Some advertisements are in bad taste too. And some of them are so attractively packaged that
they persuade people to buy things which they do not need. For example, we buy things at annual
sales first because they are cheap.
Questions
(i) ‘Advertisements are unavoidable for us’. Frame a question on this statement. 2
(ii) How are advertisements beneficial for us? 2
(iii) Choose a word from the passage which means the same as a large board used to display
advertisements’. 1
(iv) ‘Advertisements have a negative impact on people’ . Why? 2
(v) Do you agree that advertisements have become cut-throat? 1
Passage - 9
Butterflies are important as plant pollinators and as food for other animals (birds, mammals, spiders,
and other insects). There are approximately 28,000 species of butterflies. Butterflies are in the
order of insects called lepidoptera which is derived from the Latin word “Lepido” which means
scale + “ptera” which means wing. Butterflies use their vision and scent glands to attract and find
mates. Different species emit different attractive odours called pheromones. These odours may be
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detected from one to two km away. Butterflies range in size from a tiny 1/8 inch to a huge almost 12
inches. At night or during bad weather, butterflies will usually hang from the undersides of leaves,
or crawl into crevices between rocks or other objects, and sleep.
Millions of shingle - like , overlapping scales give butterfly and moth wings their colours. Each scale
is a single colour, most of which are produced by pigments. When we handle butterflies and moths,
the “dust” that comes off is composed of these minute scales. Butterfly wings are otherwise actually
transparent. Butterflies and insects have their skeletons on the outside of their bodies, called the
transparent. Butterflies and insects have their skeletons on the outside of their bodies, called the
exoskeleton. This protects the insect and keeps water inside their bodies so they don’t dry out.
Antarctica is the only continent in which no Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) have been found.
The butterfly was a symbol of immortality during ancient times. They believed butterflies represented
the souls of the dead. Possibly they believed this because butterflies flocked around flowers that
were used to decorate the graves. During the middle ages, many people in Europe believed in
witches. It was thought that the witches took the form of the Butterfly to gain entrance to people’s
homes to steal butter and milk.
Questions
1. Find the origin of the word ‘Butterfly’ from the passage ? 1
2. What is the ‘dust’ that comes off from the wings of a butterfly or a moth ? 2
3. From the passage find out any one old belief about the butterflies. 2
4. Are butterflies found all over the earth ? Give evidence from the passage. 1
5. Find the words from the passage which mean the same as following :- 2
(i) a strong smell
(ii) to get something from something else
PASSAGE - 10
Urban birds have taken to singing at night because it is too noisy for their melodies to be heard
during the daytime, researchers claim.
A study of robins in and around Sheffield, U.K. has found that birds nesting in areas that are noisy
by day were more likely to sing at night than birds in quieter neighbourhoods. The researchers
believe the birds have adopted the times at which they sing to be heard above the din of the city.
The report adds to growing evidence that birds are altering their behaviour to cope with modern life.
Last year, scientists revealed that city dwelling great fits had developed a high pitched staccato
song to attract their mates while their country cousins adopted a slower and longer twitter. The
same year, another group found that American robins began their dawn chorus earlier in areas with
lots of street lamps and other artificial lighting.
In the latest study, researchers at sheffield University recorded sound levels at 121 sites across
the city and beyond between April and June in 2005 & 2006. They heard robins singing during the
day at 67 sites and active at night at 18.
Analysis showed that in areas where robins sing at night, the noise levels during the day were 10
decibels louder than at other sites, equivalent to a doubling in volume. At one site, where daytime
traffic raised sound levels to 69 decibels, the researchers discovered a single robin that sang only
at night.
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The study appeared in the journal Biology Letters.
“This shows that there are subtle effects of urbanisation, and that birds are adapting their behaviours
to overcome some of these problems.” said Richard Fuller at Sheffield University.
Questions
1. Why have urban birds left singing at day time ? 1
2. What do you know about the Robins near Sheffield, U.K. ? 1
3. Complete the sentence : 1
Birds are altering their behaviour.......................
4. What made the birds alter and adapt their behaviour ? 1
5. Should human beings be blamed for altering the behaviour of Robins ? Why ? 2
6. Find the words from the passage that mean 2
(a) published (b) depicts
Passage - 11
A poor farmer died leaving only three things for his two sons - a mango tree, a blanket and a cow.
The elder brother was very greedy and he made a rule to share these things between them. As per
the rule the upper part of the mango tree and the back part of the cow belonged to him. The blanket
belonged to him in the night and to the yonger brother during the day.
The younger brother had to water the mango tree every day as the lower part belonged to him. The
fruits were taken by the elder brother. As the front part of the cow belonged to the younger brother
he used to feed the cow. The elder brother used the milk as the owner of the back part. The elder
brother used to sleep comfortably in the night with the blanket.
After a few days the younger brother understood the injustice and he decided to play a trick.
One day the elder brother was plucking a few mangoes. The younger brother took an axe and
started cutting the tree. On enquiry he told his brother that the lower part belonged to him and he
was free to do anything. When the elder brother started milking the cow, the younger brother hit the
cow’s head with a stick. The cow kicked the elder brother. During the day the younger brother kept
the blanket in water also.
The elder brother understood his mistake and agreed to share the things equally.
Questions :
(i) What did the sons get from their father ? 1
(ii) What did the elder brother do? What aspect of his nature did the elder brother show by doing
this ? 2
(iii) Why did the younger brother realize about the injustice after a few days ? 2
(iv) The younger brother accepted the rule at first because he ........................ 1
(v) Why did the cow hit the elder brother ? 1
(vi) Choose a suitable title for the above passage. 1
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Passage - 12
Read the following carefully and answer the questions :
One day a little Indian girl was shut up in a room alone for a whole day because she would not learn
English. The child was Sarojini, who later on, as Sarojini Naidu became one of the most distinguished
poets in the very language she had refused to learn.
Sarojini, like the rest of her family, was educated in her early years under her father’s own care. Her
father wanted her to become a great mathematician or scientist, but she did not like doing sums or
conducting experiments. She loved to dream and write poems. She wrote her first poem when she
was hardly eleven. At the age of thirteen she wrote a long poem in the manner of the famous
English poets. In this way she began her poetic career.
After passing the matriculation examination in India, and before she was fifteen, she went to England
for higher education. It was during her stay in London that she met Sir Edmund Gosse, a distinguished
man of letters of the time. He was very impressed by her knowledge, intelligence and learning.
When he came to know from her that she wrote English verse, he asked her to show him some of
her poems. On reading her poems, he was surprised to find that they were written in almost faultless
English but was disappointed that they had nothing of the east in them. They were all about English
sight, and this day onwards, she devoted herself to writing verses about India.
Questions :
a) The first paragraph gives us two facets of Sarojini Naidu’s life. What are they? 2
b) Why could Sarojini fulfil wishes of her father? 2
c) How did she show her literary taste at an early age? 1
d) What did Sir Edumund Gosse advise her? 1
e) Make nouns of the following words :- 2
i) Educate ii) Disappoint.
Passage - 1
The teenage years are the most difficult period of one’s life. It is the period when the kids are
growing up. They are discovering that the world is not rosy as pictured in the story books, movies
or television serial. They become aware of the so called “hypocritical” world around them. The
tensions are great, problems are many and answers and solutions are few, hence a clash of
values. Thus they often feel bewildered and lonely.
Experts in human development classify the teenage years as the “social” stage. It is that time when
young people learn to get along with others - first with those of their own gender, then the members
of the opposite sex. But some children, don’t mix with others because they haven’t learnt to fit in
with their age group. Or they are therribly self conscious about their appearance or abilities. Some
young people felt loved and accepted as children but encounter much more difficulty in their teenage
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years. The reason is that they are finding themselves and are declaring their own independence.
They consider they no longer need the advice and preaching of those around. Meanwhile, even
though you are sure that you can make it in life, mom and dad don’t seem to agree. They want to
supervise your every decision. They are ready to pass judgements and you feel frustrated and
tense. Some children feel unwanted and lonely when parents get divorced. The teenager caught in
the middle often blames himself when the facilities of his life are cut away setting him desperate.
Unable to unerstand his feelings, he soon withdraws into himself. His other friends from happy
homes can’t relate to his sorrow. Shyness, a feeling of being clumsy, ugly, unpopular, a broken
relationship are some of the aspects which cause tension in a teenager’s life.
Finally, instead of lamenting, “It’s the end of the world”, the teenager can definitely lessen the
tensions by adopting a positive approach to life. This can be achieved by being optimistic, making
good friends, gaining self confidence, plunging into activites like sports, etiquette classes, music,
talking to counsellors, pursuing short term courses etc, in short, taking stock of oneself and setting
a goal.
Questions :
(i) Why is there a clash of values in teenage? 2
(ii) Mention any two reasons that create tension in a teenager’s life. 2
(iii) How can a teenager minimise his tension? Mention any two ways. 2
(iv) Frame two questions based on the underlined part of the passage. 2
(v) In the passage, the sentence ‘It’s the end of the worlds’. means 1
(a) It’s the edge of the world.
(b) It’s evening time.
(c) The worst has happened.
(d) The best has happened.
(vi) The writer calls the teenage a social stage. Why? 1
(vii) Pick out words from the passage which mean the same as 2
(a) puzzled and confused
(b) hopeful and confident
Passage - 2
When my maternal uncle was alive, his only son quietly made plans to settle in Germany with his
wife. Without informing his father or sister he bought tickets and sold all movable things at home.A
week before he left, everyone was informed of his plans. People criticised him for abandoning his
father. The married daughter who was settled in Bhopal, shifted to Delhi to look after her father. A
year later the father was admitted to a private hospital and died. The son came from Germany, paid
the bills and performed all the death ceremonies.
People now said that after all he had come all the way so he was not a bad son. No word about how
he had neglected his father or how his sister had to disrupt her personal life to take care of old Dad.
This is what life teaches every daughter. That our society values a son more because he has the
religious sanction to perform death ceremonies and grant them liberation - (mukti). A daughter may
have given them love, care, sensitivity, time, service, but the son gets preference because he
carries forward the family name and performs shraadh. He may be uncaring, arrogant and indifferent
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but for parents a son is their treasure.
Two years back in our neighbourhood a man died without leaving a will. His only son sold the
bungalow and took away his sick mother without informing his three sisters who then approached
the courts for a share of the property. Is this the family structure we boast of to the world? Where
does love and laughter vanish when siblings become adults? Are we right in blaming a newly wed
for poisoning a son’s brain? Love for a daughter has to come from within. Saints repeatedly clarify
that death ceremonies need not be performed only by one’s own son. And what guarantee is there
that a son will perform the shraadh? If parents do not reciprocate a daughter’s love, won’t Heaven,
which claims to be just and fair, reproach them for their insensitivity?
Questions :
(i) Why did people criticise the son? 1
(ii) The girl shifted from Bhopal to Delhi. Why? 1
(iii) People changed their views about the son later on. Why? Do you agree with their views? 2
(iv) The parents consider their son as a treasure because : 1
(a) He is uncaring and arrogant.
(b) He goes abroad to earn money
(c) He sells the property
(d) He carries forward the family name.
(v) Daughters are the gifts for the parents. Do you agree? Give reason. 2
(vi) Find words from the passage which mean same as - 1
(a) leave permanently (b) disappear suddenly
(vii) Do you think that society is insensitive to a daughter’s love for her parents? Give an example.
2
(viii) Frame two questions based on the underlined part of the passage. 2
Passage - 3
In the spring of 1616, Francis Beaumont and William Shakespeare died within a few weeks of each
other. Beaumont became the first dramatist to be honoured with burial in the national shrine of
Westminister Abbey. Shakespeare was laid to rest in the provincial obscurity of his native stratford
- upon - Avon.
We now think of Shakespeare as a unique genius, but these two very different burials are a reminder
that in his own time, though widely admired, he was but one of the constellation of theatrical stars.
How is it, then that in the 18th and 19th centuries Shakespeare’s fame outstripped that of all his
peers? In the same year that Beaumont and Shakespears died, Ben Jonson became the first
English dramatist to publish a collected edition of his own plays. Seven years later, Shakespeare’s
fellow actors John Hemings and Henry Condell followed with their folio-sized collection of William
Shakespeare’s Comedies Histories and Tragedies, published according to the true original copies.
Whereas Jonson’s works got only a single reprint after his death, Shakespeare’s Folio got reprinted
three times before the end of the century. Later on, Dryden and his contemporaries took considerable
liberties in polishing and “improving” Shakespeare’s plays for performance. According to the law of
poetic justice, wholly innocent characters should not be allowed to die : Nahum Tate therefore
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rewrote. King Lear (1681) with a happy ending in which Cordelia marries Edgar.
It is universally acknowledged that Shakespeare’s gift of poetic invention surpassed that of any
writer before or since Shakespeare endures because, with each new turn of history, a new dimension
of his work opens up before us. His plays will always strike a resonance with the times.
Early in 1934, when the French Socialist government was close to collapse, a new translation of
Coriolanus was staged in Paris. The production was perceived as an attack on democratic institutions.
Later on, the same play was staged in the The Maly Theatre Company in Stalin’s Moscow which
sought to demonstrate that Coriolanus was an “enemy of people” and therefore Shakespeare was
a true socialist. But he was neither an absolutist nor a democrat, but the fact is that he continues to
live through his work four centuries after his death.
Questions :
(i) How was Francis Beaumont honoured? 1
(ii) Give one example to show that Shakespeare was more famous than his peers. 1
(iii) Why was the play ‘King Lear’ written again? 2
(iv) Why does Shakespeare still live? 2
(v) How was the play Coriolanus perceived in Paris and Moscow? 2
(vi) In his own time Shakespeare was thought to be
(a) a unique genius
(b) an absolutist
(c) one of the constellation of theatrical artists
(d) a democrat
(vii) Frame a question based on the underlined part of the passage 1
(viii) Pick out words from the passage which mean the same as :- 2
(a) regarded with respect.
(b) to be greater and better than.
Passage - 4
Decision making is a very vital part of our lives. This is because what we are today is largely a
result of the decisions we took in the past. Similarly, whatever happens tomorrow will be a result of
the decisions we take in the present.
It is not possible to reverse the wrong decisions taken in the past but it is possible to train ourselves
into becoming a good decision-maker for the future. If we don’t we’ll end up doing what we’ve
always done and thus get what we’ve always got philosoper Walter Kaufman has called this
Decidophobia.
All sorts of decisions big or small, relevant or irrelevant, conscious or unconscious punctuate our
lives. Sometimes, we don’t even realise we are taking a decision. Those who avoid taking a decision
leave everything to chance and float along life with a ‘what will be, will be attitude’.
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To enhance our decision-making, we must, first of all, gather as much information as possible
about the issue before we make our decision. We might be heading for a failure if our decisions are
based on half-baked information.
If you have a set of guiding principles for your life, decision-making becomes a lot easier. For
example, if you have value integrity and honesty and consider them to be of vital importance, you
will never waver.
Sometimes decisions are very difficult to make especially when the odds seem to be against us. In
this case, giving ourselves a little time to decide wouldn’t be a bad idea at all. Circumstances may
change with time and then it may be easier to see which action is more preferable to the others.
Being clear about your goals can facilitate decision making of we know exactly where we want to
be or what we want to do in the next five years or even ten, we will decide to undertake actions
which will lead us to our goals. so outline your short and long term goals in black and white.
Action is a vital consequence of decision making. It is the necessary follow-up. Only when we act,
will we get a feedback of whether our decision has been correct or not and then we can proceed in
a more focused way. So, it is essential to move from the world of thought to the arena of action.
Questions :
a) What determines the course of our life? 1
b) People suffering from Decidophobea are unable to shape their lives. Why? 2
c) Choose the correct answer for the following statement :-
The first step towards decision making would be to :-
i) leave everything to chance.
ii) gather maximum information
iii) depend on other’s decisions
iv) only talk it amongst our friends.
d) What makes it easy to take decisions? 2
e) Frame two questions based on the underlined part of the passage. 2
f) How can we proceed in a focused way? 2
g) Find words from the passage which mean the same as - 2
i) to make possible or easier.
ii) return of information about a product.
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Answer Key
Passage - 1
(i) problems are many but solutions are few.
(ii) shyness, being unpopular
(iii) making friends/being optimistic
(iv) (a) What kind of world is depicted in the story books, movies or television serials?
(b) What do they become aware of?
(v) the worst has happened.
(vi) It is the time when they learn to get along with others.
(vii) (a) bewildered (b) optimistic.
Passage - 2
(i) Quietly moved to Germany.
(ii) To look after her parents.
(iii) Performed ceremonies/paid bills.
(iv) Carries forward the family name.
(v) They are loving, caring, sensitive, affectionate.
(vi) (a) abandon (b) vanish
(vii) Yes, daughter is not allowed to perform shraad.
(viii) (a) What did the son do after the death of his father?
(b) Why did his sisters approach the courts?
Passage - 3
(i) burial in the national shrine of West minister Abbey.
(ii) Shakespeare’s collection of works - reprinted thrice.
(iii) to give it a happy ending.,
(iv) his works are in tune with times.
(v) as an attack on diplomatic institutions as enemy of people.
(vi) (c) one of the constellation of theatrical stars.
(vii) Where was Shakespeare buried?
(viii) (a) admired (b) surpassed.
Passage - 4
a) decision making
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b) they are not trained to be good decision makers.
c) gather maximum information
d) if we have a set of guiding principle if we value integrity and honesty.
e) i) What can facilitate decision making?
ii) How can we reach our goals?
f) When we act upon our decissions and get a feedback of our decision.
g) i) facilitate
ii) feedback
Passage - 5
In each plane, men peered anxiously over their guns into the darkness. This was the time when
enemy fighter planes might attack. One of the air-gunners was Nick-Alkemade. He was a rear-
gunner and he sat in the rear-gun seat - a small bubble at the very tail of the plane. It was so small
that, before climbing in. Nick had taken off his parachute and left it in another part of the plane. He
felt more comfortable without it.
Suddenly the sky lit up and the air was full of exploding sheels. Hundreds of anti-aircraft guns had
opened fire. There was a terrible explosion, and the whole aircraft shook as if a giant’s hand had
seized it. The middle part of the plane burst into flames and Nick heard the captain shout, ‘We’re on
fire ! Jump !’
At first Nick could not get out of his seat. The seat belt was stuck. After struggling with all his
strength for several moments, he forced it open. He looked for his parchute but it was already
burning. He had to make a crucial decision; he could stay in the plane and be burnt to death or he
could jump without a parachute and be smashed to death on the ground, after falling 6000 meters.He
jumped.
The cold air hit him and he could not breathe. At this height the air is too thin to breathe properly. As
Nick began to lose consciousness, he thought. ‘So this is what it is like to die.’ Then he remembered
no more. When he woke up sometime, later, he could not believe that he was alive. Slowly he
looked up he saw a large fir tree. Its branches had broken his fall, and the pile of snow had completed
his soft landing.
When he got to his feet, he found that his back and one leg hurt, but he was able to walk. He made
his way to a German farm, and soon he was a prisoner, in a hospital bed. At first the German did not
believe his story. They thought he was a spy. Later, however, they found the crashed plane and his
partly burnt parachute with his name and number on it. They were so impressed that they gave him
a certificate to prove that he really had jumped five-and-a-half kilometers without a parachute.
Questions :
(i) Why did Nick have to take off his parachute? 2
(ii) What cricual decision did Nick have to make, after his plane caught fire? 1
(iii) Frame two questions based on the underlined part of the passage. 2
(iv) Find out two things that helped to save Nick’s life even after falling from 6000 meters. 2
(v) At first the Germans did not believe Nick’s story. Who did they think he was? What made
them change their opinion? 2
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(vi) Nick’s jump without the parachute shows that he was 1
(a) thoughtless
(b) daring
(c) unwise
(d) scared
(vii) Find words from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(a) very bad (b) very important
Passage - 6
What makes you cry? What is crying? Sounds like a dumb question,right? But in about sixty
interviews taken, virtually everyone first said something like “Gee, I never really thought about ---
--------------” And neither had the scientific community until just recently.
Tears are shed at the best of times and the worst of times. But mostly the worst of times. But mostly
the worst. We do occasionally cry for joy sometimes mixed with relief. But we more often cry in
grief, rage,pity and rejection. We feel it’s good to let out our feelings to be able to express vulnerability.
So, we figure it’s healthy that men are feeling more comfortable about crying when they are sad or
touched.
Those of us who find crying a natural response to hurt still try to supress tears in public places or
in front of a frightened child or a boss. Working women often have to deal with men who mistakenly
assume they will cry if crossed or encountered. Crocodile tears aside, women have almost always
granted crying its psychological benefits. What none of us ever expected was that crying would
turn out to be good for the body as well as good for the soul.
William.H.Frey, a biochemist believes that shedding tears rids the body of toxic chemicals produced
under emotional stress. Although too early for conclusive results, comparison of tears shed in
emotion and in response to eye irritants suggests that emotional tears do contain chemicals known
to be associated with emotional stress. Frey believes that sad or depressed who cannot function
may be experiencing a metabolic imbalance due to toxins produced by their distress.
Another indication that crying is a necessary excretory; function comes from Dr.Hans Selye, the
former director of the institute of Experimental Medicine and Surgery. He says, “We are just beginning
to see that many common diseases are largely due to errors in our adaptive response to stress,
rather than by direct damage by germs, poisons or other external agents. And weeping, when we
have cause is essential. The voices that follow demonstrate that crying like all our other forms of
expression bears a very personal stamp.
Questions
(i) Name two situations when we cry. 1
(ii) What are the benefilts we get from crying? (any two) 2
(iii) What is the opinion of William H. Frey on shedding tears? 2
(iv) What does the phrase ‘crocodile tears’ imply? 1
(v) What do men mistakenly assume about women? 2
(vi) Frame two questions based on the underlined part of the passage. 2
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(vii) Many common diseases are caused due to - 1
(a) direct damage by germs
(b) poisons
(c) other external agents
(d) errors in our adaptive response to stress.
Passage - 7
Man’s urge to communicate with his associates brought about speech and writing. But it was only
when man developed an aesthetic sense and sought for beauty and rhythm and dynamisms in the
hand written words that a whole new field, began to emerge. The art of calligraphy which imparts
beauty and rhythm into the written words, offers endless possibillities to render handwriting into a
thing of beauty and consequently often adds a new dimension to the expression.
The word ‘Calligraphy’ is a composite adaptation of two Greek words Kallos (beauty) and graphein
(to write). It is primarily an art and perhaps one of the most intimate, spontaneous and personal
expression. There is really no standard yardstick to measure or compare the different calligraphic
works. It is so unique that a personal style begins to form with all those who practise it seriously.
And it is these characteristic features that did to the uniqueness and perhaps suggest something
different for everyone. Like any other form of art, calligraphy too has always been influenced by the
cultures and traditions of a certain age. Although the basic forms of letters remain the same, the
approach to render them has constantly altered, matching the moods of people and time.
Whatever the mood and time, in calligraphy the layout or the composition is very important. So
much so that celebrated calligraphers consider the style and the quality of lettering to be playing
only a second fiddle. The composition should be balanced and ought to have a visual rhythm. The
most successful calligraphic works are those that have a dynamic movement - as though the
calligrapher has put a few drops of his life blood into his writing. This is where calligraphy turns
creative and the calligrapher becomes an artist who, through his pen;, puts life into writings and
makes it appear really living. At this stage, the letter forms like the notes of music, becomes for him
tangible figures through which he expresses some of his feelings and emotions. Like any other
activity good calligraphy is the creation of a concentrated mind, a trained hand and a feeling heart.
Our feeling for Calligraphy and our future in it has nothing to do wilth the nature of jobs we do, nor
with how history treats our art form. Whether it is a museum treasure, a piece of printed ephemesa,
an informal note or a single, beautifully written character, it is the same for us. We celebrate and
appreciate each other for what we do with such humble tools as pens --------- brushes and a few
drops of hearthood in our ink.
Questions
(i) What purpose do speech and writing serve? 1
(ii) What is the necessity of developing the art of calligraphy? 2
(iii) In what ways is a calligrqapher an artist? 2
(iv) Mention two important components of a good calligraphy? 2
(v) Frame two questions on the basis of underlined portion of the passage. 2
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(vi) Successful callilgraphy represents :- 1
(a) personal expressions
(b) feelings and emotions
(c) dynamic movement
(d) good health
(vii) Find words/phrases from the passage which mean the same as :- 2
(a) being the only one of its kind (b) happening naturally
Passage - 8
A chocolate tree may sound like something made up in a book or film, but chocolate really does
come from trees. A tree called the ‘cacoa’ is the source of all cocoa powder and chocolate.
Cocoa trees grow only in warm areas that get a lot of rain. The trees grow long fruit called ‘pods’ that
range in colour from bright yellow to deep purple. Inside the pods are rows of seeds called cocoa
‘beans’. Each is about the size and shape of a big fingernail. It is from these cocoa beans that we
get one of the world favourite foods i.e. chocolate.
A lot of things have to be done to the beans before they form into chocolate. After the cocoa beans
are taken out of the pods, they are left in a damp place for a few days. The beans turn into a rich
colour and begin to smell like chocolate. Then they are dried and cleaned. Next the beans are
shipped to chocolate factories all over the world. There they are roasted and ground into a paste.
This paste contains a fatty yellow liquid ‘cocoa-butter’. To make dry coca powder, you have to
remove all the cocoa butter.
The chocolate is still not ready to eat though cocoa beans are not naturally sweet. Infact the paste
is very bitter. So, a lot of sugar must be mixed in it. Milk may be added too. The chocolate is then
poured into moulds to harden into chocolate bars. Now it is finally ready to eat.
Chocolate is liked by all irrespective of child or adult. Children are very fond of eating chocolates
Now-a-days differents types of edible pro;ducts mixed with chocolate powder are available in the
market. Some of them are chocolate ice-cream, chocolate coffee, chocolate tea and chocolate
milk.
Questions :
(i) What is the main source of the chocolate? 1
(ii) Frame two questions based on the underlined part of the passage. 2
(iii) What are ‘pods’? 1
(iv) How is cocoa obtained? 2
(v) Why is sugar added to cocoa powder paste? 1
(vi) ‘Chocolate is liked by all’. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. 2
(vii) Cocoa butter has to be removed from cocoa paste. 1
(a) to make cocoa powder dry. (b) to make cocoa sweet
(c) to clean it (d) to roast and ground it
(22) X-English
viii) Pick out words from the passage which mean - 2
i) Wet surface.
ii) having sharp taste.
Passage - 9
Walter Hudson, who died at Hempstead, New York, aged 46, was once listed in the Guinness Book
of World Records as the haviest man on earth.
About 183 cm tall and 274 cm around, with cherubic features set off by pigtails braided in the
cherokee style, he long devoted himself to the pleasures of the table. He was born at Brooklyn in
1945 and, as he recalled, “began gorging at the age of six. At 15 he was so obese that his legs
collapsed underneath him and he was confined to bed.
Hudson’s eating habits were fuelled by food brought in by members of his family. He would generally
start his day with a breakfast of two pounds of bacon, 32 sausages, a dozen eggs, a loaf of bread,
jam and coffee.
When not eating and sleeping, he would watch television. listen to tapes and read the Bible. Hudson,
though, was advised against sitting up for longer than five minutes because of the risk of being
smothered by flab, the only exercise he engaged in was when he attended to his ablutions; it took
him an hour to negotiate the six yards to the bathroom from his bedroom. Then in 1987, he found
himself wedged in the doorway.
Dock Gregory, a comedian who masterminded the slim safe Diet scheme placed Hudson on 1,200
calorie - a - day diet of raw fruit and orange juice. For exercise he was advised to lie in bed waving
his arms about like a conductor.
Hudson soon lost some four inches off his knees and within three months had shed 178 kg. It
began to look as if he might fulfil such ambitions as visiting his mother’s grave, riding on the New
York subway, driving into the country and even flying to a clinic in a Bahamas.
But it was not to be. At the time of his death, of an apparent heart attack, Hudson reportedly
weighed 508 kg. Rescue workers had to cut a large hole in the wall of his bedroom to remove the
body. He was unmarried.
Questions :
a) How did Walter Hudson’s name enter the Guineess Book of World Record? 1
b) Who do you think was responsible for his food habits.? 1
c) Why couldn’t Hudson sit up for long hours? 1
d) What difficulty did he face while going to the bathroom? 1
e) Frame two questions based on the underlined part of the passage. 2
f) What would Walter Hudson like to do if he lost weight? 2
g) Choose the correct alternative for the statement given below : 1
Walter Hudson died of -
a) an accident
ii) heart attack
iii) starvation
iv) falling from the stairs.
h) Find words from the passage which mean the same as :- 3
i) eating greedly
ii) very fat
iii) suffocated by weight.
(23) X-English
Section B - (Writing) Marks 20
Sender’s Address
Date -------------
Receiver’s Designation
Receiver’s Address
Salutation (Sir/Madam/Dear Sir, etc)
Sender’s Address
Date ----------------
(24) X-English
Q.3. LETTER WRITING
FORMAL LETTERS
1. You have recently read the news about a child falling in the open manhole. There are many such
manholes in your locality which are left open. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, MCD,
Delhi drawing his attention to the dangers that these manholes can cause and request him to get
them cleaned and closed so that there is no risk of anyone falling into them. You are Rachit/Rachna
lilving at A2/236, Paschim Vihar, Delhi.
2. Recently you observed that a number of trees have been cut to spread the metro rail network in
different parts of the city. You are shocked to see this. The trees which used to give shade on the
roads have been callously cut. Write a letter to the Editor of a local daily drawing the attention of the
authorities to this problem. Instead of cutting those trees, they could be implanted somewhere else.
You are Sonal/Sony living at 75, Pragati Apartments.
3. Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper drawing the attention of the people to inculcate safe road
habits among the vehicle drivers so that they reach their destination safe and sound. You can write
a letter under the heading ‘Drive Sate, Arrive Safe’. You are Raman/Ramona living at 23/75, Moti
Nagar,Delhi.
4. Recently you read an advertisment in the newspaper about the hobby - classes organised during
the vacation. As Radhika/Rohan, write a letter in reponse to the advertisement seeking information
about the duration, timings of class, fee structure and procedure of admission. Write the letter to the
head of the institution. The advertisement is given below :-
Modern Institute is
organising Hobby Classes
(Dance/Vocal Music/ Painting/
Self Grooming/ Cookery)
COME AND JOIN - MAKE BEST OF
YOUR VACATIONS
Principal, Modern Institute
A-5, ROHINI, SECTOR-8, NEW DELHI
5. Despite Government’s ban on employing children (under 14) in various jobs like that of domestic
help, factory workers at dhabas and restaurants, you find that small children are still being used/
employed for their jobs. You feel sorry for their miserable condition and want the Govt. authorities to
take strict action against those who employ small children. Write a letter to the Editor of a local daily
drawing the attention of the authorities to this problem. You are Ankur/Ankita, a resident of 24-C,
New Multan Nagar, Delhi.
6. You bought a Samsung refrigerator, 320 litre a month ago. It has been giving you persistent problems.
It does not keep the things cool for a long time. The compressor also makes sound sometimes.
Write a letter to M/S VP Appliances Karol Bagh, complaining about the refrigerator. Ask for its
replacement. You are Pawan, living at 52, Vikas Kunj/ Vikas Puri, New Delhi.
7. You are a student of class X. All the students of your class need guidance regarding the choice of
subject in class XI. Many of you are not able to make up your mind. Write a letter to the Principal of
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your school requesting him to arrange a lecture by a career counsellor to guide the students.
8. You are Tarun/ Taruna, studying in class X of Aryan Public school. Paschim Vihar, New Delhi. Metro
rail has become a very popular, comfortable and convenient mode of transport in your city. You
also want to have the experience. Write an application to the Principal of your school requesting
him to arrange a metro ride for the students of your class.
9. Computers have become the need of the day. Computers have captured all fields of life so knowledge
of computers is essential for all especially for the students. Write an application to the Principal of
your school to introduce, computers as a compulsory subject for secondary classes considering
its importance.
10. Daily newspapers are flooded with tragic incidents of Blue Line Bus service. The negligence on the
part of the Blue Line drivers is common on Delhi roads. Write a letter to the Minister of Transport,
Delhi Govt. to take effective steps to check the number of accidents and killings. You are Mihir/
Mihira, a resident of 10, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi.
11. We read several incidents of murder and robbery in the city, especially of senior citizens. They
don’t feel safe and secure in these circumstances. You are Rajni/Rajat living at 17A, Surajmal
Vihar, Delhi Write a letter to the Editor, The Hindu, telling him to highlight the above issues.
12. You are Rohan/Rohini, studying in class X of Progressive Public School, Vasant Vihar, Delhi. As a
regular practice of the departments, the textbooks are not available in the market in time. As a
result, the students have to face many problems and a lot of time is wasted. Write an application to
the Principal of your school requesting him to open a Book Bank in the school to help the students.
13. You have read and heard the news about how the animals are caught and captured to be taken to
the circus. They are treated brutally and are kept hungry for days for training. You feel very sorry at
the plight of these poor animals. Write a letter to the Chairman, Animal Welfare Association, New
Delhi drawing his attention to the cruelty to the animals.
14. You are Karun/Karuna, living at 225, Rohtas Nagar, Delhi. Your streets and roads experience water
logging during the Monsoon season, As a result of it, the people of your area find it difficult to lead
normal life and this adds on to their problems. Write a letter to the commissioner of MCD, Delhi to
take necessary steps to control the water logging and help the residents.
15. You are Kangan/Kangana, living at 701, Vaishali Enclave, New Delhi. You want to pursue your
career in Fashion Designing course. Write a letter to the Director of Regal Fashion Designing
Institute, Connaught Place, New Delhi, asking the course details like - fee, duration, various streams
etc.
16. Last Night, their was a marriage in your neighbourhood. The procession was very late and the
orchestra kept on playing loudly even after mid night. It was a nuisance to all especially to students,
old people, patients and infants. It is a common practice in the area. Write a letter to Editor of a Daily
Journal about the problems. You are Kamal/Kamini a resident of 88A, Hari Nagar, Delhi.
Informal Letters
1. You have been provided with a Computer Aided Learning Lab (CAL) in your school. It is a well
equipped lab with a big TV and a computer with lessons on all your subjects. All the students of
your school are very happy with the lab and they look forward to the CAL period. Learning has
become more interesting and fun. Write a letter to your uncle telling him about the benefits of CAL
lab in your school. You are Pulkit/Punita living at 52, Mall Apartments, Delhi.
2. You have recently watched the movie Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix with your family. You
found the movie full of adventure and thrill. Write a letter to your friend sharing your experience,
telling him about your excitement before going to the movie and the fun you had while watching it.
Also write about the impact it had on your mind. You are Raj/Ritu living at 175, Sector 6, R.K.Puram,
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Delhi.
3. Your school participated in the Science fair held at Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya, Paschim
Vihar. Your model based on the utilisation of Solar Energy was declared first at the Central Level.
You received a cash prize of Rs.1000/- and a certificate of appreciation from the Director of Education.
Write a letter to your father sharing your happiness on receiving the first prize and your experience
in preparing the model with the help of your science teachers.
4. Your friend Sagar/Sagarika has won scholarship in National Talent Search Examination in class X.
You are happy for your friend that his/her hard work and dedication has paid off. Write a letter
congratulating him and express your happiness and good wishes. You are Anil/Vandana living at
B4/216 Paschim Vihar, Delhi.
5. You have been provided with Social Science lab in your school. All the students of your school are
very happy to see the models of dams, solar system, 3-D maps, lifesize wall posters of leaders,
etc. All these have proved very informative and helpful in learning. Write a letter to your friend telling
him about the Social Science lab and its uses. You are Rajiv/Rajni living at 22/1 Block B, Janak
Puri.
6. You went on an excursion with your school to Shimla, Chail, Chandigarh, Amritsar and Wagha
Border. It was a very exciting and enriching trip, also very adventurous as you went for trekking
and hiking. It was your first trip with your friends. Write a letter to your grandmother narrating your
experiences. You are Sandeep/Pooja living at 216/5 Rajouri Garden, Delhi.
7. You son/daughter spends a lot of time sitting in front of computer, playing computer games, surfing
the net and chatting. You think that he/she is wasting his/ her precious time which should be devoted
to studies. This is also very harmful for his/her health as the child does not indulge in any physical
activity. Wrilte a letter to him/her advising him/her to give up this addiction to computers and take
care of his/her studies and health.
8. Write a letter to your younger brother Aman advising him to inculcate the habit of reading newspaper
everyday as the newspapers are very informative and entertaining loaded with short stories, poems,
puzzles, comic strips alongwith supplements on various topics like health, movie, eatables, fashion
career option, etc. You are Kapil/ Reena living at 23/5, Model Town, Part I, Delhi.
9. Write a letter to your younger brother giving him tips on healthy eating habits as you have come to
know that he has developed a taste for fast/junk food like burgers and pizzas along with cold
drinks. You are worried that this may lead to obesity and health problem. Advise him to take a
balanced & nutrituous diet and return to healthy food only.
10. You are Gagan/Neetu staying at Room No.32, Nilgiri Hostel, Hamdard Public School, Sangam
Vihar, Delhi. Write a letter to your father wishing him on Father’s Day. Express your feelings and
love telling him what he means to you in your life. Thank him for it and also express your appreciation
for all that he does for you.
11. You have come to know that your son rides his bike very fast and at times is very reckless on the
road. He also doesn’t wear helmet while driving. You are very concerned about his safety. Write a
letter to your son advising him to follow all traffic rules and always wear the helmet for his safety.
You are P.L.Soni living at 35, Tara Apartments, Haus Khas, New Delhi.
12. The Residents Welfare Association of your colony is organising fun fair in the central park of your
colony. There will be different stalls of eatables, toys, books, etc. There is going to be a lot of fun and
frolic for two days. Write a letter to your friend Ankit/Ankita inviting him/her to join the fair.
13. Now a days it is found that reading habit among youngsters is decreasing. The main reasons
behind it are their interest in T.V. watching, playing computer games, sending messages through
mobiles and enjoying pop music. You are Vineet/Vineeta, resident of 107, Greetanjali Enclave,
Delhi. You are very much worried about your younger brother, Varun, who is staying in a hostel at
Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Write a letter to your younger brother advising him to develop reading
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habits and its importance in learning process.
14. You are Anuarg Basu, Living at 27, Dadar, Mumbai. Write a letter to your friend, Prem living at 550,
Agra congratulating him on the selection of Taj Mahal as one of the Seven Wonders of World by
World Wide Poll recently.
15. You are Sumit/Sunita of B-Block, Janak Puri, New Delhi. Some of your friends have recently joined
gym in your block. You are also very much interested in joining the same as you are very much
concerned about you health. Write a letter to your father seeking permission to join the gym and
send Rs.500 as entry fee.
16. You are Gaurav/Geeta, a student of X of DAV Public School, Pitam Pura, New Delhi. Your school
celebrated its Annual Day in a high spirit. The Education Minister was invited as the Chief Guest.
Many students were given prizes for their meritorious achievements. Write a letter to your friend
describing the celebration of Annual Day of your school.
17. You are Ashok/Annu living at B-69,Ramesh Nagar, New Delhi. You have been invited to a picnic by
your friend. Unluckily you are unable to join the same as you have an appointment with the doctor.
Write a letter to your friend expressing your inability to join it.
18. You are Ramesh/Rajni a resident of A-20 Pitam Pura,New Delhi.Your grandfather has gifted you a
scooty on his retirement. Write a letter to your grandfather expressing you thanks and feelings for
him.
1. On the basis of the following Visual/ Verbal stimulus, write a paragraph of about 150 words
on Prevention of Fire ;
FIRE ACCIDENTS
CLAIMED THOUSANDS
OF LIVES LAST YEAR
Together we can stop this.
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2. The following is a verbal input given about river water pollution. Write a paragraph about
125 words on the topic - Water Pollution : Reasons & Prevention.
Don’t throw plastic bags, flower petals, chemicals and garbage into
the Yamuna as it is the lifeline of Delhi
Practise the art of cleanliness by adopting the following :-
Do’s
Use degradable plastic bags only.
Keep Yamuna clean
Don’ts
Don’t throw plastic bags into Yamuna river
Don’t throw the plastic bags carelessly. They could block all drains.
Q.3. On the basis of following verbal input and the visual, write a short paragraph of about 125 words on
the topic ‘How to keep your city clean’.
Points -
A survey points out - no dustbins in public places - city roads badly littered - stray animals -
garbage lying - no proper drainage system - no greenery.
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Q.4. On the basis of given picture write a paragraph of about 150 words on the topic child labour in the
capital.
Q.5. With the help of the given picture and verbal input write a paragraph of about 150 words on ‘Rising
Prices’.
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Q.6. The flow chart given below gives us some tips to stay healthy. Write a paragraph of about
150 words on ‘How to Stay Healthy’ using the points in the flow chart given below:
Q.7. The table given below gives the idea to the consumer to differentiate between natural and
synthetic milk. Study the table and write a paragraph of 150 words on the characteristics of
natural milk and synthetic milk higlighting the hazards of synthetic milk.
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Q.8. The Map given below shows the weather conditions in the major cities of India. Study the map
(Max/Min Temp weather forecast) and write a paragraph of 150 words based on the comparative
study of the weather conditions is these cities.
Q.9. On the basis of the given flow chart write a paragraph of 150 words on ‘How to cope up with the
stress of examination’.
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Q.10. On the basis of the visual and verbal inputs given below write an article for your school magazine on
the topic : Girls : An Asset and No Longer a Burden.
. Equal participation in social life
. Important tool of developoment.
Q.11. A study says that children are sleeping less than eight hours because of school pressure, internet
and television. Using the hints given below write an article of about 125-150 words for your school
magazine.
Loss of sleep - growing pressure of studies - spending more time watching TV - Internet surfing -
suffering day time body aches - feeling sleepy during day - affecting growth and development of
children.
Q.12. Using the hints given below write a speech in 125-150 words to be delivered during morning
assembly.
Environmental Disasters - Earthquakes - storms - cyclones - waiting to happen - global warming -
deforestation - increasing vehicles - misuse of energy - role of human beings - save electricity,
water, petrol - plant more trees.
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Q.5.
TOPIC :
SHORT WRITING TASK : REPORT/NOTICE/ WRITING INSTRUCTIONS/ PARAGRAPH
Ques. No. Word Limit Content Expression Total
5 50-60 02 02 04
Words Marks Marks Marks
NOTICE WRITING
1. A cultural exchange programme is going to be held in your school. Students and teachers from
various states are going to present different items in this programme. Write a notice inviting names
for the preparation of different activities to be presented by the students of your school. Mention
date, time and venue. You are Raman/Remanika, Secretary cultural club of ABC Public School. Put
your notice in a box.
2. A Book Week is going to be held in your school next month. Write a notice for the students mentioning
date, time and venue. Also mention various activities like reading books and presenting reviews
that would take place. You are Amit/Amita of Govt. Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Adarsh Nagar, Delhi.
3. You are Manav/Mallika of RPVV Paschim Vihar, Delhi. The City Traffic Police are organising a
Traffic Awareness camp in your school in which the students will be made aware of the rules and
regulations to be followed while driving, crossing roads and boarding buses. Draft a notice in 50
words inviting students to participate in the camp. Put your notice in a box.
4. You are Ritu/Raman studying in class X in Govt.Model School, Preet Vihar. You lost your wrist
watch while playing in the playground during the lunch break. Draft a notice for the school notice
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board mentioning the details of your watch and offering a suitable reward for the finder.
5. You are Mamta/Mohit a class X student of SKV, Vikas Puri, New Delhi. Your school has planned to
bring out a school magazine for the current session. Being a student editor, write a notice to be put
on the school notice board inviting articles such as poem, essays riddles jokes, etc.
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ITEM SHEET
Section -C
GRAMMAR (Total Marks 15)
Question Nos. 6- 9
Unit Items
1. Editing
2. Omission
3. Correct form of words/ Verbs
4. Sentence Completion
5. Rearranging words/ phrases into sentences
6. Voice
7. Dialogue Completion
8. Narration
(Full marks will be allotted for correct answers)
The grammar syllabus includes the following areas for teaching.
1. Use of non-finites
2. Sentence connectors : as, since, while, then, just because, until.
3. Clauses with what, where and how.
4. Past Tense
5. Modals : can, could, may, must, might.
Note : All other areas covered in class IX will also be included in class X.
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Topic 1 - Editing (Total Marks -4)
1. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line against which a blank is
given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet as given below against the
correct blank number. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied.
(1) A lot of people is involved is are
with nature conservation take a) ________________
care for the plants and animals b) ________________
which share the planet. Until the
beginning of a 20th century people c) ________________
thought we can conserve nature d) ________________
by looking for individual e) ________________
species, by put wild animals f) ________________
in zoos, or plants into botanical g) ________________
gardens. Now we understand that we
need for conserve whole habitats, h) ________________
the places where these plants and
animals live.
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and spreading Indian commerce
and culture. Waterways is the c) ________________
cheaper means of transport. They are d) ________________
the most suitable to carrying heavy e) ________________
and bulky goods. Its a fuel efficient f) ________________
and environment friendly mode of
transport. India had inland g) ________________
navigation waterways of 14500 km of h) ________________
length.
7. Many cases of food poisoning are resulted are resulted/result
from contamination of food after it had a) ________________
been brought home. Bacteria grows more quicker b) ________________
in warm conditions, so food should be store c) ________________
in a cool place. A freezer maintain sub zero d) ________________
temperature which bacteria cannot reproduce. e) ________________
Refrigerators are not keep food as cold as f) ________________
this. However, it is still safer for store food g) ________________
in a refrigerator rather than leave h) ________________
it out in the open.
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Promettheus is said to be stolen fire a) ________________
from heaven. He brought it down from b) ________________
earth for human use. Fire is a spirit c) ________________
of the sun. It is the purer of all elements d) ________________
on earth. It clear darkness which is e) ________________
the region of any evil spirit. It is f) ________________
always move up wards. It is g) ________________
compassionate when control, but h) ________________
merciless in destruction when out of control.
10. There are only one natural satellite are is
the Moon But their are many man a) ________________
made or artificial satellites revolve b) ________________
around the earth. Aryabhatta, IRS - IB
and INSAT 2A is some India c) ________________
artificial satellite. They are d) ________________
more than 300 km away with the e) ________________
earth. At this height the earth gravity f) ________________
and atmosphere does not affect them g) ________________
Artificial satellite are of most kinds. h) ________________
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was falling downwards. His opened up h) ________________
and he started soaring high.
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fills mind with noble thoughts g) ________________
and heart tender feelings. h) ________________
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8. The postmaster surprised to see. postmaster was surprised
the letter addressed God. He decided a) ________________
to answer letter to preserve the b) ________________
writer’s faith God. However, having c) ________________
opened it, he discovered that to do
so, he needed only goodwill, d) ________________
ink paper but also a large e) ________________
sum of money was needed f) ________________
by the poor farmer crop was g) ________________
destroyed by a hailstorm. There
wasn’t one except God who could h) _________ ------------
help him.
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Topic 3 Correct Form of Verbs/ Words
Total Marks - 4
Q. The underlined words in the following passage have been used inappropriately. Replace them with
their appropriate forms. Write your answer in your answer sheet with correct number. Do not copy
the whole passage. (½×8 =4marks)
1. Some years ago, a three-wheeled electric car was (a) launch by Hindustan Electric Company.
Although it was a (b) revolution vehicle, it was a (c) commerce disaster. The company did very little
research but believed the product would be (d) success. The car did not have very (e) power
engine, so it was not very fast. As a result it did not (f) appealed to adults. The car was not (g) suited
for children either. The company had to stop the production after (h) lose millions of rupees.
2. Dear Mr.Banerjee,
Thank you for your letter (a) offer to help build an auditorium for our school. You will be happy to (b)
learnt that the parents of our school have suggested to approach their (c) associate for funds. It is
an idea worth (d) pursue and we (e) proposal to hold a meeting on the 15th of this month. I should
very much like you to attend the meeting as I want to (f) introduction you to the parents and I hope
to use your (g) kindly offer as a (h) motivate factor for others.
3. Tea is (a) grow in distant plantations and made available to (b) consume through a vast network
(c) employ hundreds of workers. Consider further machinery (d) require for sugar mills. The (e)
produce of this machinery involves a long chain of (f) processed. The same (g) argue holds good
with regard to the supply of milk. How (h) agitate we are if the milk van is late in the morning - may
be because its tyre has burst on the way!
4. Proper food is the basic (a) require of health. Health does not mean (b) absent of disease, it rather
means presence of energy and (c) vital. Most of the food we eat daily does not contain essential
nutrients needed for the (d) preserve of health and prevention of diseases. There are (e) variety
kinds of foods. (f) Protect foods are needed both by (g) health and sick. Energy (h) give foods are
needed by those engaged in hard physical labour.
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energy.In this process, oxygen is used and carbon dioxide is (d) (production). Blood brings carbon
dioxide to our lungs and transfers it to the air (e) (presence) there. Moreover, it (f)_ (absorption)
oxygen from the (g) (inhale) air. With every (h) (breathe), oxygen enters our body and carbon
dioxide leaves our body.
9. Martin Luther King’s (a) (contribute) to our history as an (b) (outstand) leader (c) (begin) when he
came to the (d) (assist) of Rosa Parks, a seamstress who (e) (refuse) to give up her seat on a bus
to a white passenger. In those days American blacks were (f) (confine) to positions of second
class citizenship by restrictive laws and customs. To (g) (break) these laws and customs would
mean subjugation and (h) (humiliate) by the police and the legal system.
10. India and tea are so (a) (interwine) together that life without the brew is unimaginable. Tea (b) (enter)
our life only in the mid-nineteenth century when the British started (c) (plant) in Assam and Darjeeling.
In the beginning though Indians (d) (shun) the drink as they thought it was a poison that led to
umpteen (e) (disease) Ironically tea (f) (colonise) Britain where it (g) (become) a part of their social
diary and also led to the (h) (establish) of numerous tea houses.
Topic - 4
Sentence Completion (Clauses)
Complete the following sentences using he clauses given in the box.
because it contains
which can provide
that milk is beneficial
Dieticians are of the opinion (a) ______ for children (b) _____ calcium, protein and vitamin A. But
after the age of ten there are other food (c) _____ all these nutrients.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (a) ______ has become very popular among school
kids. J.K. Rowling (b) ______ of the “Harry Potter” series is ready with the seventh and final book.
The story of the bespectacled boy came into Rowling’s mind (c) ______ of a train travel.
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3. Which supplies him with;
when the mind is fresh;
the good start it gives us
The great benefit of early rising is (a) _____ in out day’s work. In the early morning (b) ________
and there are few distractions, the work done is generally well done. The early riser also finds time
to take some exercise in fresh morning air (c) _______ a fund of energy that will last until the
evening.
4. What causes right or left handedness;
that has not been explained;
why some of us are left handed.
The question (a)______ is nearly as much of a mystery today as it was when Thomas Carlyle, the
well known English writer first addressed it in 1871. The question (b) _______ is interesting as a
matter of curiosity. It is hard to think of another behavioural difference (c) _______ satisfactority till
now.
For children there is no greater instrument of education than the conversation (a) ___________ (b)
_______, a greater part of their character is derived from their parents. They do not live by bread
alone, but by every word (c) ______ .
The song of many birds (a) ______ seems beautiful to us. We do not know (b) _________ although
we like to believe that they do. (c) ________ we will never know because they have no means of
telling us.
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Nobody knows (a) ______ but we all need to. There are no rules about (b) _____ but the average
adult sleeps for 7 hours 20 minutes. Babies need sleep between 14 and 18 hours everyday whereas
the elderly need less than they did (c) _______ but often take a nap during the day.
At a time (a) ________ to power vehicles is making environmentalists angry, an alternative source
of fuel - the bio diesel - has emerged as a useful solution. The fuel is nothing but used vegetable oil,
(b) ___________ . It has made a Vehicle called the Veggie Van run more than 16,000 km across the
United States. Vegetable oil from various restaurants was all (c) _________ along the entire journey.
My grandmother always went with me to school (a) ___________. The priest taught us alphabet
and the morning prayer. My grandmother sat inside reading scriptures. (b) ________ we would
walk back together. The village dogs for (c) _________ would meet us at the temple door.
Helpage India supports projects (a) _________ to remain independent at centres (b) _____________.
The agency says (c) ________ a number of projects such as rehabilitation and income generating
schemes for the welfare of the old people.
TOPIC - 5
Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences. The first one
has been done as an example.
3. a) light up / in every home / good / the lamp / books / magazines / and / of / knowledge
b) the veil / darkness / and lift / of hatred / they / dispel
c) ‘The year of Books” / are / we / this / celebrating / year.
d) to enlighten / is / the occasion / this / nation / our / entire
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8. a) went to / I / the / railway station / my / receive / friend / last Sunday / to
b) an hour / late / by / the train / half / was
c) towards / walked / booking window / I / the
d) there / the scene / I / very much / enjoyed
TOPIC - 6
ACTIVE & PASSIVE VOICE
1. Change the voice in the following sentences :-
1. The woman was preparing supper.
2. Lencho needed a hundred pesos in order to sow his field again.
3. Storm destroyed his cornfield.
4. The postmaster collected money from his employees and sent it to Lencho.
5. A crow shook down the dust of snow on him.
6. We didn’t clean the room.
7. Did Mumtaz see this film?
8. Sita was not washing the clothes.
9. He doesn’t tell a lie.
10. Does she admire me?
11. The culprit had told the truth.
12. Please help me.
13. Do not hate the poor.
14. Whom are you calling?
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2. Read the news headilines given below and complete the sentences that follow :-
1. Constable killed by colleague’s bullet
Yesterday, a constable ________ (kill) by his colleague who shot at him.
2. DMRC plans to manage rush at Rajiv Chowk during peak hours.
Recently, it _______ (plan) by DMRC to manage rush at Rajiv Chowk during peak hours.
3. Three Indians killed in Iraq, say families
Three Indians _______ (Kill) in Iraq last week.
4. Student shot dead in AMU campus
A student _____ ____(shoot) dead in AMU Campus yesterday.
5. Police to reopen missing Japanese student case soon.
The missing student case ________ (reopen) by Police soon.
6. Here’s what RBI just allowed you to do.
Here’s what _________ just ______(allow) to do by RBI.
7. Final decision of PF rates to be taken next month.
Final decision of PF rates ________ (take) next month.
8. Ten school children hurt in accident.
10 school children _______ (hurt) in an accident yesterday.
9. 4 held for shop looting spree
Four people ______ (hold) for looting shops.
10. Serious doubts raised by air force officers about the effectiveness of the Akash missile system.
Serious doubts _______ (raise) by air-force officers about the effectiveness of the Akash.
3. (i) Below you can see of instructions for using a pipette to measure a required amount of
water. Complete the following paragraph.
a) Take a pipette and dip the nozzle into water in a vessel.
b) Suck out the air through the other end.
c) When the water rises to the mark on the pipette, cover its upper end and take the
pipette out.
d) Then empty the water in the pipette into beaker.
A pipette is taken and the nozzle is dipped into water in a vessel. The air (a) ______________
through the other end. When the water rises to the mark on the pipette, its upper end (b)
_________ and the pipette (c) _______. Then the water in the pipette (d) _______ into a
beaker.
ii) Below you can see a set of instructions for planting a sapling. Imagine that you have
completed this task. Complete the paragraph given below.
a) Select a patch of land and take a little manure and a spade.
b) Dig the earth with the spade.
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c) Mix manure in the soil manually.
d) Put a few drops of Aldrin to keep off the white ants.
A patch of land (a) ________ and a little manure and space are also taken. The earth (b)
_______ with the spade. The manure is then (c) _________ in the soil manually. A few drops
of Aldrin (d) ________ to keep off the white ants.
iii) Below you can see a set of instructions for kneading dough. Complete the following
paragraph. which describes how dough is kneaded.
a) Take 1 ½ cups of flour ½ tsps salt, and ½ cup water.
b) Mix flour and salt in the mixing bowl, slowly stir in the water and knead the mixture till it
feels soft.
c) Store unused dough in an air-tight container in the fridge.
d) Flatten dough with the palm of your hand on rolling pin.
The required flour sand salt are mixed in the mixing bowl. Then water is (a) ________ and the
mixture is (b) ________ for a few minutes, If the mixture breaks while kneading, your hands can be
(c) ________ water before you continue. The unused dough can (d)-______ in the refrigerator in an
air - tight container. The dough (e) _______ with the palm of your hand or a rolling pin.
iv) Below you can see a set of instructions for “How to polish shoes?”, Complete the following
paragraph which describes it.
a) Spread an old newspaper on the floor.
b) Remove the dirt from the shoes using a cloth.
c) Apply shoes polish evenly with a shoe brush. Leave the shoes in the sun for a while.
d) Brush the shoes vigorously to work up the shine.
e) Finally close the polish container and place it and shoebrush in the shoe rack.
First of all, an old newspaper is spread on the floor. Next a cotton cloth (a) _______ to remove the
dirt from the shoes. Then (b) _______ with a shoe brush. Then (b)________ with a shoe brush and
the pair (c) _______ in the sun for a while. The shoes (d) _______ vigorously to work up the shine.
You have a sparking pair of shoes. Once the process is over the polish container is closed and the
shoe brush and container are placed in the shoerack.
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TOPIC - 7
Dialogue Completion
1. Read the following conversation and complete the dialogue.
Vaibhav : May I talk to Saurabh Gupta? I am his brother from Jaipur.
Manish : (a) _____________________________
Vaibhar : Can you give him a message?
Manish : (b) _____________________________?
Vaibhav : I am reaching Delhi tonight by Puja Express for some important official work. He should
meet me at Nizamuddin.
Manish : I will tell him so. (c) ______________________________?
Vaibhav : Please tell him to confirm train timings.
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Neera : It’s good to see you after so long (c) _______________?
Madhuri : Yeah, we shall plan to come to Assam during vacation.
7. Interviewer : We have gone through your certificates. Your qualification (a) _____________.
Candidate : Thank you, Sir.
Interviewer : Well, when (b) __________________?
Candidate : I can join as soon as I get my appointment letter.
Interviewer : We shall send you the appointment letter by next week. You can join by 15th November.
Candidate : Thank you, Sir. I’ll definitely (c)_________________ .
TOPIC - 8 Narration
Read the following conversation and complete the paragraphs gievn below :-
At the clinic, the doctor asked the patient (a) ___________. The patient replied that (b) __________.
The doctor again asked (c) _______________ heavy weight. The patient replied positively saying
(d) _______________.
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In the classroom the teacher asked the students (a) ___________ . The student respectively replied
(b) _____________ parent. The teacher further asked (c) _____________ a leave application. The
student expressed his (d) _________ .
On the way Sunita asked Anita (a) _______ Anita replied (b) ___________________ . Then Sunita
again asked (c) _______ over. Anita replied (d) __________ .
In the school Rohit asked a new student (a) _________- . He replied that (b) _________ Rohit
further asked him (c) __________ school. Mohit replied (d) _____________ .
Ex. 7. Librarian : Why did you not deposit library book yesterday?
Student : I forgot to bring, Madam.
Librarian : Bring and submit by tomorrow.
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Ex. 8 Rakesh : Where will you spend your autumn break this year?
Rashmi : I am going to Goa with my family.
Rakesh : Have you been to Goa earlier?
Rashmi : Yes, last year.
During the recess period Rakesh asked Rashmi (a) ______________ year. She replied that (b)
____________ family. Then Rakesh further asked (c) __________ Goa earlier, Rashmi replied in
positive and (d) _____________ .
Ex. 9 Manager : How much time will you take to finish the work today?
Clerk : I need two more hours for it. Sir.
Manager : Finish the same at the earliest possible.
In the office the manager enquired of the clerk how (a) ________________ . The clerk respectfully
replied (b) _____________ for it. The manager ordered him (c) ______________ at the earliest
possible .
At a shop. the fruit seller asked a child (a) __________ . The child replied (b) ______________ too
much. At this the fruit seller told him (c) _______________ for health. Then the child told (d)
______________ very much.
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ANSWERS
TOPIC - 1 EDITING
1. a) take -taking b) for - of
c) a - the d) Can - could
e) for - after f) put - putting
g) into - in h) for - to
2. a) that - who b) of - in
c) their - his d) become - becoming
e) follow - followed f) Nanak - Nanak’s
g) fix - fixed h) for - to
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7. a) had - has b) quicker - quickly
c) store - stored d) maintain - maintains
e) which - where f) are - do
g) for - to h)` then - than
9. a) be - have b) from - to
c) a - the d) purer - purest
e) clear - clears f) any - an
g) move - moving h) control - controlled
ANSWER
TOPIC - 2 OMISSION
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e) rich enough to f) if we remain
g) honest to present h) never have to
ANSWERS
TOPIC : 3
CORRECT FORM OF VERBS / WORDS
1. a) launched b) revolutionary
c) commercial d) successful
e) powerful f) appeal
g) suitable h) losing
2. a) offering b) learn
c) association d) pursuing
e) propose f) introduce
g) kind h) motivating
3. a) grown b) consumers
c) employing d) required
e) production f) processes
g) arguement h) agitated
4. a) requirement b) absence
c) vitality d) preservation
e) various f) Protective
g) healthy h) giving
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5. a) cycling b) deserted
c) silence d) lay
e) entered f) had told
g) was haunted h) shiver
6. a) effective b) education
c) preparation d) followed
e) possess f) presentation
g) presented h) thoroughly
7. a) greatest b) born
c) wooden d) used
e) during f) making
g) shifted h) comfortable.
8. a) different b) food
c) generate d) produced
e) present f) absorbs
g) inhaled h) breath
9. a) contrubution b) outstanding
c) began d) assistance
e) refused f) confined
g) break h) humiliation
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ANSWERS
TOPIC - 4
SENTENCE COMPLETION
Expected Answers
1 a) that milk is beneficial
b) because it contains
c) which can provide
7. a) why we sleep
b) how much sleep is necessary
c) when they were young
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8. a) when the use of fossil fuels
b) which has been tested.
c) that was used.
ANSWERS
TOPIC - 5
SOLUTION TO JUMBLED WORDS
1. a) One can finish one’s work early and go for a walk
b) It keeps us fresh and healthy
c) Early to bed is also a good habit.
3. a) Good books and magazines light up the lamp of knowledge in every home.
b) They dispel darkness and lift the veil of hatred.
c) This year we are celebrating “The Year of Books”.
d) This is the occasion to enlighten our entire nation.
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c) People rub themselves with an oil to keep them away.
d) The latest device for mosquito eradication is a machine call the ‘zapper’.
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ANSWERS
TOPIC : 6
ANSWERS TO EXERCISES ON VOICE
Q.1 1) Supper was being prepared by the woman.
2) A hundred pesos were needed by Lencho to sow his fields again.
3) His cornfield was destroyed by storm.
4) Money was collected from his employees and was sent to Lencho by the postmaster
5) The dust of snow was shaken down on him by a crow.
6) The room was not cleaned by us.
7) Was this film seen by Mumtaz?
8) The clothes were not being washed by Sita.
9) A lie is not told by him.
10) Am I admired by her?
11) The truth had been told by the culprit.
12) You are requested to help me.
13) Let the poor not be hated.
14) Who is being called by you ?
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iii) a) stirred b) kneaded
c) moistened with d) be stored
f) is flattened
iv) a) is used
b) shoe polish is applied evenly
c) is left
d) are brushed
EXPECTED ANSWERS
TOPIC - 7 : DIALOGUE COMPLETION
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6. a) what do you want to buy
b) give you the change
c) very nice of you. / very kind of you
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ANSWERS
TOPIC - 8
SOLUTIONS TO NARRATION
Ex.1 a) what his problem was
b) he had severe pain on the left shoulder
c) if he had lifted some
d) that he had
Ex. 5 a) The stranger asked the policeman if he could tell him the way to New Delhi railway station
b) The policeman told him to go straight and then take right turn.
c) He further asked how far it was from there.
d) The policeman replied that it was about 2 to 3 kms.
Ex. 6. a) The mother asked the child if he had finished his home work.
b) The child replied in negative and told her that he had not finished his home work so far.
c) Then the mother again asked how much time he required then.
d) The child replied that he required just half an hour.
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Ex. 7. a) The librarian asked student why he had not deposited library books the previous day.
b) The student respectfully replied that he had forgotten to bring the book.
c) Then the librarian ordered him to bring and submit them by the next day.
Ex. 9. a) much time he would take to finish the work that day.
b) that he needed two more hours
c) to finish the same
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SECTION - D
LITERATURE
Total marks 40
Prose 20 marks (Q. Nos. - 10 & 11)
2. “What faith! I wish I had the faith of the man who wrote this letter. Starting up a correspondenc with
God!”. So in order not to shake the writer’s faith in God, the postmaster came up with an idea :
answer the letter.
Question :
1) Who is the ‘man’ referred to in the above passage. (1)
2) Whom did he write the letter to? (1)
3) What does it tell you about his character? (1)
4) What did the postmaster decide to do?
5) Find a word in the passage which means to communicate through letters. (1)
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On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium Mr. Klerk
was first sworn in as second deputy president. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy
president when it was my turn. I pledged to obey and uphold the constitution and to devote myself
to the well being of the Republic and its people.
Questions
1) What ceremony is being talked about here? (1)
2) ‘Pretoria had been the seat of white supremacy’ What does it mean? (1)
3) Why has the gathering been called rainbow gathering? (1)
4) Which post was the speaker elected for? (1)
5) What is an amphitheatre? (1)
2. In life, every man has twin obligations - obligations to his family, to his wife and children; and he has
an obligation to his people, his community, his country. In a civil and humane society each man is
able to fulfil those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. But in a country like
South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated.
In South Africa, a man who tried to fulfil his duty to his people was inevitably ripped from his family
and his home and was forced to live a life apart a twilight existence and rebellion.
Questions
1) Who is the speaker of above lines ? (1)
2) What twin obligations are mentioned here? (1)
3) What can one do in a civil and humane society? (1)
4) How were the blacks treated when they tried to be natural human beings? (1)
5) Give the noun forms of - (1)
i) fuifil, ii)
isolated
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4) Find the words in the passage which mean the same as the following (1)
i) to eat quickly (ii) loud noise
2. His father was preening the feathers on his white back. Only his mother was looking at him. She
was standing on a little high hump on the plateau, her white breast thrust forward. Now and again,
she tore at a piece of fish that lay at her and then scrapped each side of her beak on the rock. The
sight of the food maddened him. How he loved to tear food that way, scrapping his beak now and
again to whet it.
1. Where was his father? (1)
2. Was his mother eating? Why was she tearing fish and scrapping her beak ? (2)
3. ‘The sight of food maddened him’ Why? (1)
4. Which words in the passage mean the following (1)
i) smoothing feathers with beak.
ii) to sharpen
2. There was nothing there. The black aeroplane was gone. I could not see it anywhere. I landed and
was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota near the control tower. I went and asked.a woman
in the control centre where I was and who the other pilot was. I wanted to say “Thank You”. She
looked at me very strangely, and then laughed. “Another aeroplane? Up there in this storm? No
other aeroplanes were flying tonight. Yours was the only one I could see on the readar”.
1. Why did he look for the black aeroplane.? (1)
2. Why did he go straight to the control centre? (1)
3. The woman in the control centre looked at him strangely. Why? (1)
4. What circumstances did he find himself in ? (1)
5. Word ‘strangely’ has ‘ly’ as a suffix. Write two more words using suffix ‘ly’. (1)
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Chapter - 4 (II) — From The Diary of Anne Frank
1. Half the class is making bets. G.N. and I laugh ourselves silly at the two boys behind us, C.N. and
Jacques, who have staked their entire holiday savings on their bet. From morning to night it’s
“You’re going to pass”, “No, I’m nit”, “Yes, you are”, and my angry outbursts can’t calm them down.
If you ask me, there are so many dummies that about a quarter of class should be kept back, but
teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on earth.
1. “Half the class is making bets”. What was the topic of the bet? (1)
2. Who did the narrator and her friend laugh at? Why? (2)
3. What opinion did she have of her class mates? (1)
4. Find words in the passage which mean the opposite of : (1)
i) that can be foretold
ii) excited
2. Mr. Keesing took the joke the right way. He read the poem to the class, adding his own comments,
and to several other classes as well. Since then I’ve been allowed to talk and haven’t been assigned
any extra homework. On the contrary, Mr. Keesing’s always making jokes these days.
1. Who did Anne write about in the poem? (1)
2. Did Mr. Keesing like Ann’s poem? Give evidence from the passage. (2)
3. How did the poem help Anne? (1)
4. Find words from the passage which mean the same as following. (1)
i) Opposite in nature
ii) to allot a task.
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2. Peggy was not really cruel. She protected small children from bullies. And she cried for hours if she
saw an animal mistreated. If anybody had said to her, “Don’t you think that is a cruel way to treat
Wanda?” She would have been very surprised. Cruel? Why did the girl say she had hundred
dresses? Anybody could tell that was a lie. Why did she want to lie? And she wasn’t just an
ordinary person, else why did she have a name like that? Anyway, they never made her cry.
1. What kind of girl was Peggy? (1)
2. What lie had Wanda told ? (1)
3. How was Wanda not an ordinary person? (1)
4. What did Peggy think of her treatment to Wanda? (1)
5. Pick out the word from the passage which means the same as ‘persons who use their strength
and power to frighten other people’. (1)
3. The first period was a study period. Maddie tried to prepare her lessons, but she could not put her
mind on her work. She had a very sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach. True she had not
enjoyed listening Peggy ask Wanda how many dresses she had in her closet, but she had said
nothing. She had stood by silently, and that was just as bad as what Peggy had done, Worse. She
was a coward. Atleast Peggy hadn’t considered they were being mean but she, Maddie, had thought
they were doing wrong. She could put herself in Wanda’s shoes.
1. Why couldn’t Maddie concentrate in her work? (1)
2. What had Peggy asked Wanda about? (1)
3. Why did Maddie consider herself a coward? (1)
4. Did Peggy think that they mistreated Wanda? Why? (1)
5. Pick out the word which means the opposite of ‘brave’ (1)
4. On Saturday Maddie spent the afternoon with Peggy. They were writing a letter to Wanda Petronski.
It was just a friendly letter telling about the contest and telling she had won. They told her how pretty
her drawings were. And they asked her where she was living and if she liked her new teacher -
They had meant to say they were sorry but it ended up with then just writing a friendly letter, the
kind they would have written to any good friend., and they signed it with lots of X’s for love. They
mailed the letter of Boggins Height, writing ‘Please Forward” on the envelope.
1. Whom did the girls write the letter to? (1)
2. What did they want to tell her about? (1)
3. Why did they write ‘Please Forward’ on the envelope? (1)
4. What else did they want to write about but they didn’t? (1)
5. The word ‘friendly’ takes the suffix ‘ly’. Write two more words ending with suffix ‘ly’. (1)
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CHAPTER - 7 — GLIMPSES OF INDIA
Part -1 A Baker from Goa
1. Our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days,
the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but
the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake
the loaves. Those age old, time tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been
extinguished. The thud and juggle of the traditional baker’s bamboo heralding his arrival in the
morning can still be heard in some places. May be the father is not alive but the son still carries on
the family profession.
Questions :
a) What do the elders think about their past? (1)
b) Which place in India is the author talking about? (1)
c) What tells us that bread making is still popular there? (1)
d) What marks the arrival of the baker in the morning? (1)
e) Trace the word which means ‘announcing’. (1)
2. The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded
on some wall in pencil. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the olden days. The baker and
his family never starved. He, his servant and his family always looked happy and prosperous.
Their physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit like physical
appearance is easily compared to a baker.
a) By whom was the business of baking started in Goa? (1)
b) How were the accounts maintained? (1)
c) What is the author’s view about the profession of baking? (1)
d) What physical characteristic about the bakers is given here? (1)
e) Pick out a phrase that means ‘pleasantly fat body’ (1)
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4. Coorg homes have a tradition of hospitality and they are more than willing to recount numerous
tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated in
Indian Army and the first Chief of the Indian Army General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now
Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.
a) What is the basic nature of the people of Coorg? (1)
b) What tells you that the people of Coorg are brave? (1)
c) Who was General Cariappa? (1)
d) What is peculiar about the people of Coorg? (1)
e) Find a word from the passage meaning ‘bravery’? (1)
(76) X-English
i) came out
ii) made up of exactly similar parts.
2. When I returned, there was an appalling spectacle. There was complete silence from the box, but
from its airholes and chinks arounds the lid, blood had trickled and dried. I whipped off the lock and
tore open the lid, and Mij, exhausted and blood spattered, whimpered and caught at my leg. He had
torn the living of the box to shreds; when I removed the last of it so that there were no cutting edges
left, it was just ten minutes until the time of the flight, I put the miserable Mij back into the box,
holding down the lid with my hand.
a) What shocking scene did the author see? (1)
b) Where did the author have to fly? (1)
c) What did Mij try to do? (1)
d) How did the author carry him finally? (1)
e) Pick words from the passage which mean the following :- (1)
i) Very tired
ii) Crying in pain
2. “Never mind”, she said, “I can get on by myself. You don’t have to help me”. The conductor was jolly
sort, fond of joking, “Oh please don’t be angry with me, my fine madam.” he said. “Here, have a seat
right up there in front”. Everybody move aside please - make way for Madam”.
(77) X-English
Questions :
a) Who is ‘she’ in the above passage ? (1)
b) What was she travelling in? Where was she going? (1)
c) What sort of a man was the conductor? (1)
d) How did he treat the girl? (1)
e) Find a phrase in the above passage which means ‘to allow someone to go.. (1)
3. Her first journey - what careful, painstaking elaborate plans she had to make for it! She had thriftily
saved what ever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys,
balloons and the like and finally she had saved a total of sixty paise. How difficult it had been,
particularly that day at the village fair, but she had resolutely stifled a strong desire to ride the merry
- go - round, even though she had the money.
a) Whom does ‘her’ refer to in the passage? (1)
b) What had she planned for? (1)
c) How did she save money? (1)
d) What temptation did she resist at the village fair? (1)
e) Which words in the passage mean - (1)
i) spend money carefully
ii) controlled with determination
4. “Yes, you’re right,” her mother said. “So many things in our midst and in the world outside. How can
we possibly know about everything? And even we do know about something, we often can’t
understand it completely, can we?
“Oh yes!” breathed Valli
“What?” asked her mother.
“What that you say?”
“Oh, said Valli,” I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our
knowledge”.
Questions :
a) Who was Valli’s mother talking to when she reached her house ? (1)
b) What was she discussing about? (1)
c) What had happened without the knowledge of the mother? (1)
d) Which words in the passage mean the same as : (1)
i) probably
ii) among us
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CHAPTER - 10 — THE SERMON AT BENARES
Read the passage given below and answer the question that fallow :
1. These sights so moved him that he at once became a beggar and went out into the world to seek
enlightenment concerning the sorrows he had witnessed. He wandered for seven years and finally
sat down under a fig tree, where he vowed to stay until enlightement came. Enlightened after seven
days, he renamed the tree the Bo Tree (Tree of wisdom) and began to teach and to share his new
understandings. At that point he became known as (the Buddha the Awakened or the Enlightened).
The Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares.
Questions :
1) Who became a beggar? What made him do so? (2)
2) How did Buddha get his name? (1)
3) Where did he give his first sermon? (1)
4) Find a word from the passage which means the same as the following (1)
i) to pledge (ii) to give moral teachings.
2. Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless, and sat down at the wayside watching the lights of the
city, as they flickered up and were extinguished again. At last the darkness of the night reigned
everywhere. And she considered the fate of men, that their lives flicker up and are extinguished
again. And she thought to herself “how selfish am I in my grief! Death is common to all; yet in this
valley of desolation there is a path that leads him to immortality who has surrendered all selfishness”.
Questions :
1) Why did Kisa Gotami become weary and hopeless? (1)
2) What did she compare the fate of men with ? (1)
3) What realization of life did Kisa have sitting at the wayside? (1)
4) Who can become immortal? (1)
5) Find the words from the passage which mean the same as : (1)
i) Very tired
ii) deep sorrow.
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SECTION - D
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (Ques No. 12)
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Ch. 5 & 6 THE HUNDRED DRESSES (PART I & II)
Q.1. How is Wanda seen as different from other girls? How do the other girls treat her?
Q.2 Give a brief character sketch of Maddie.
Q.3 What important decision did Maddie take? Why did she have to think hard to do so?
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SECTION - D (Q.No. 13)
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Ch. 5. THE HUNDRED DRESSES-I
Q.1. Why was Peggy the most popular girl in the school ?
Q.2. Why did Maddie wish Peggy to stop teasing Wanda Petronski ?
Q.3. Who did Maddie think would win the drawing contest ? Why ? Who won the contest ?
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Ch. 9. MADAM RIDES THE BUS
(a) How was Valli’s bus journey an induction into the mystery of life and death ?
(b) Describe Valli’s experiences with her co-passengers.
(c) What fascinated Valli to go on a bus ride ?
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POETRY
Q. No. Word Limit Total Marks
14 One or two sentences. 4 marks.
Comprehension Stanzas
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow :
1. Dust of Snow
1. The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued
(a) Name the poem and the poet 1
(b) Where was the crow sitting ? What did he do ? 1
(c) How has the poet’s mood changed ? 1
(d) Which line in the stanza shows that the poet had been disappointed ? 1
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Is also great
And would suffice
(a) How will the world end twice ? 1
(b) What does the ice represent ? 1
(c) What is the rhyme scheme of the stanza ? 1
(d) What view of the world does the poet represent in these lines ? 1
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(a) Name the poem and the poet. 1
(b) How will you identify the Asian Lion in jungles ? 2
(c) How does the poet describe the lion ?
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(a) Why is the boy sad ? 1
(b) Where is the boy staring? 1
(c) Why doesn’t the poet offer to buy him another ball ? 1
(d) What does ‘first responsibility’ refer to ? 1
VI Amanda !
1. Don’t bite your nails, Amanda !
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda !
Stop that slouching and sit up straight.
Amanda !
(a) Who do you think is the speaker of these lines ? 1
(b) What advices are being given to Amanda ? 2
(c) How old do you think Amanda is ? 1
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3. (I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair!)
(a) Who was Rapunzel ? 1
(b) Why does the speaker want to be Rapunzel ? 1
(c) Why wouldn’t she let down her bright hair ? 2
VII ANIMALS
1. I think I could turn and live with animals, they are
so placid and self contain’d
I stand and look at them long and long.
(a) Name the poem and the poet. 1
(b) Who does the poet not want to live with ? 1
(c) What does the poet say about animals ? 1
(d) What shows that he loves animals ? 1
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(b) Why has the forest been said to be empty ? 1
(c) What things did not happen when the forest was empty ? 1
(d) What is the poet’s hope ? 1
IX FOG
The fog comes
on little cat feet
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
And then moves on.
(a) What is the fog compared to ? 1
(b) What is common between fog and the cat ? 2
(c) Which places does the fog visit ? 1
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2. Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound
And Mustard growled, and they all looked around
Meowch ! cried Ink and ooh ! cried Belinda,
For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.
(a) What nasty sound did they hear ? 1
(b) Who are Mustard and Ink ? 1
(c) What does the word ‘winda’ mean? Why do you think the poet has written this word this way? 2
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That only God, my dear.
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair”
(a) Whom did the poet hear ? 1
(b) What had the man found ? 1
(c) What did he tell the girl ? 1
(d) What idea does the poet want to convey ? 1
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SECTION - D (POETRY)
Q. No. 15
Marking
DUST OF SNOW :
Q.1. ‘Has given my heart a change of mood.’ What made the poet change his mood ?
Q.2. ‘The way a crow shook down on me, the dust of snow, from a hemlock tree.’ How does the
poet react to crow and hemlock tree ?
ANIMALS
Q.1. ‘They do not sweat and whine about their condition.’ Mention three things that humans do and
animals don’t.
Q.2. ‘I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self contained.’ Why does the
poet prefer animals to human ?
THE TREES
Q.1. ‘The trees inside are moving out into the forest’. Where are the trees in the poem ?
Q.2. ‘Like newly discharged patients, half dazed moving to clinic doors.’ What does the poet compare
the branches of trees with ?
Q.3. ‘No sun bury its feet in shadow.’ What could the poet mean by sun’s feet ?
FOG
Q.1. ‘The Fog comes on little cat feet. Why does the poet compare the fog with a cat ?
Q.2. ‘It sits looking over harbour and city.’ What does it refer to ? What is it compared to ?
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Supplementary Reader : Footprints without Feet
Ques No. Word Limit Content Expression Total Marks
16 100 words 8 marks 5 mark 2×3=6
Long Ques.
Answer the following in about 100 words (8 marks)
1. A Triumph of Surgery
1. “Too much pampering spoils the children’. How is it proved in the lesson ‘A Triumph of Surgery.’?
2. What helped Tricki improve his condition - Whether by keeping him in the surgery or on
medicines ? Write your views with reference to the lesson. ‘A Triumph of Surgery.’
4. A Question of Trust
1. Write a character sketch of Horace Danby.
2. Whom do you sympathise with - Horace Danby or lady in Red ? Give reasons to support
your answer.
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7. The Necklace
1. What do you know about Mr. Loisel ?
2. How could M’me Loisel have saved her life from ruinning ?
9. Bholi
1. What was the role of the teacher in transforming Bholi from an innocent village girl to a bold
and confident person ?
2. How did education help Bholi to save her life from being a victim of social injustice ?
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Supplementary Reader
Q. 17 Answer the following in about 30-40 words. (one out out of two)
Ques. No. Word Limit Content Expression Total
17 30-40 words 3 marks 1 marks 4
1. A Triumph of Surgery
1. Why was it a temptation to keep Tricki as a permanent guest in surgery ?
2. According to Mr. Pumphery, ‘It was a timumph of surgery’. Was any surgery performed on
Tricki ? Give reasons to justify your answer.
4. A Question of Trust
1. Why was Horace Danby caught by the police even though he was not the real culprit ?
2. Why did Horace Danby feel bad when he was caught by the police ?
7. The Necklace
1. Wy was Matilda unhappy and disappointed ?
2. What did the Loisels do to repay the loan ?
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8. The Hack - Driver
1. Why did the young lawyer wish to return to New Mullion ?
2. “Lutkin’s neighbours were anxious to meet the young lawyer’. Why ?
9. Bholi
1. What were the reasons for Ram Lal to get Bholi married to Bishambhar Nath ?
2. What were Bholi’s future plans after her marriage was broken off ?
Supplementary Reader
Answer the following in about 20-30 words (3 marks)
1. A Triumph of Surgery
1. What happened to Tricki ?
2. What advice did Mr. Harriot give Mrs. Pumphery for treating Tricki ?
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4. A Question of Trust
1. What would Horace Danby do before robbing a place ?
2. What made Horace Danby believe that the lady thief was the mistress of the house ?
7. ‘The Necklace’
1. What sort of a person was M’me Loisel ?
2. Who was M’me Forestier and how did she help Matilda ?
9. Bholi
1. Why was Bholi sent to school ?
2. Why did she find her teacher different from the people at home ?
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PRACTICE PAPER — 1
ENGLISH
(Language and Literature)
Time : 3 Hours M.M. : 100
General Instructions :
(1) This paper is divided into four sections - A, B, C, D
(2) All questions are compulsory.
(3) Marks are indicated against each question.
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2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follows : 12
Mother’s Day - How it all began (300 words)
Now-a days, Mother’s Day celebrations are held throughout the word though they may not fall at
the same time. The way of celebrating may also differ but the purpose is the same. It is to honour-
the mother and to feel and cherish the beautiful bonds we share with her. It would be interesting to
fin out how the idea of Mother’s Day firs took root and who was its orginator.
The first celebrations were held in spring in ancient Greece, by paying tribute to Rhea, the ‘Mother
of God’s. During the 17th cenury, England honoured mothers by celebrating ‘Gathering Sunday’ on
the fourth Sunday of Leut. In the United States Julia Ward Home suggested the idea in 1872 and
perceived Mothers Day as being dedicated to peace.
But it was Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia who brought about official observance of Mother’s Day. She
wanted this day to be a holiday and launched a campaign for it. This she did in memory of her
mother who died in 1905 and who had in the late 19th century, tried to establish ‘Mother’s Friendship
Days’ as a way to heal the scars of Civil War.
In 1907, Jarvis held a ceremony in Grafton West Virginia, to honour her mother. The proceedings
toucher her so greatly that she began a massivwe campaign to adopt a formal holiday for honouring
mothers in 1910, West Virginia became the first state to recognise Mother’s Day. A year later,
nearly every state officially marked the day. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed
Mother’s Day as a national holiday to be held on the second Sunday of May.
But all her efforts to make Mother’s Day full of sentiment and love proved futile when she found that
the holiday had been commercialised. Her accomplishment turned bitter for her. He fought against
the commercialization of this day, she filed a law suit to stop a 1923 Mother Day. She was even
arrested for disturbing the peace at a War Mother Convention when women sold white Carnations.
White Carnations was her symbol for mothers, helping her to raise money. She never intended this
day to be one for profit making and hat was exactly what it had become. Jarvis was never a mother
herself. She spent her material fortune trying to stop the commercialization of the holiday she
founded.
Questions :
a) How were mothers honoured in Ancient Greece ? 1
b) Why did Anna Jarvis of Philiadephia want Mother’s Day to be an official Holiday ? 2
c) What efforts did she make for this day to be declared a holiday ? What was the result of her
efforts ? 2
d) Why did her task turn bitter ? What did she do to stop it ? 2
e) Frame two questions based in the underlined part of the passage : 2
f) Which of the following options is correct ?
The first state to recognise Mother’s Day was : 1
(i) England
(ii) Ancient Greece
(iii) West Virginia
(iv) Unied States
g) Find the words from the passage which mean the same as - 2
(i) huge (ii) useless
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SECTION (B) WRITING (20 MARKS)
3. You visited ‘Big Bazaar’ with your friends last Sunday. You saw various features like escalators,
shops, food-stalls, games etc. there. Write a paragraph in not more than 50-60 words about your
visit to Big -Bazaar. 4
or
Mango Festival is celebrated in Delhi every year. You also happened to visit this festival this year.
Write a paragraph in about 60 words. Explaining the varieties of mangoes, competition of
mango-eating, venue and other attractions.
4. Private buses are out of roads these days due to strike by bus operators. The students face
difficulty in going to school. Being a student of Lovely School, Karol Bagh, Delhi, write an application
to the Principal for arranging transport for students. You are Bharat / Bharti, living at 25/6 Seva
Nagar, Delhi. 8
or
You are Sharat/Shruti, a resident of 2572, Rohini, Delhi. You participated in “The ‘On the spot’
Painting competition” held at India Gate lawns and won first Prize. Write a letter to your aunt, living
in Mumbai expressing your joyful feelings.
5. A new ‘Cyber Cafe’ has been opened recently in your locality. Write a paragraph in not more than
125 -150 words on it. Mention about the inauguration ceremony, chief guest, no of computers, other
facilities and how it is beneficial to you.
or
“All Evening shows are IPL now” Write an article for your school magazine in 125-150 words on the
topic “Cricket Fever Grips the World.” given in the following visual input :-
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Section - C (Grammar)
6. The following paragraph has not been edited There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect
word and your correction in your answer sheet as given below. The first correction has been done
as an example. 4
The nation are celebrating the 150th are is
Anniversary of a first war of (i) ..........................
Independence. Because you study (ii) ..........................
history, you came across this (iii) ..........................
glittering chapter at India’s (iv) ..........................
past period when people of this nations (v) ..........................
revolt against the British Rule. This (vi) ..........................
create awareness among the (vii) ..........................
People at India to fight for their freedom (viii) ..........................
7. The underlined words in the following passage have been used inappropriately. Replace them with
their appropriate forms. Write your answer in the answer sheet with correct number. Do not copy
the whole passage. 4
People are seldom aware that their (a) comfort living depends upon the work of several thousands
of persons. Take for example, tea, which is grown in distant (b) plant and made available to
consumers through a vast network employing hundreds of workers. Consider further the (c) machine
required for sugar mills. The (d) produce of this machinery involves a long chain of processes in
which thousands of workers are (e) employ The same (f) argue holds good with regards to the
supply of milk. How (g) agitate we are if the milk van is late in the morning - may be because its tyre
has burst on the way. This may be due to its poor (h) maintain or bad conditions of roads.
8. Read the following conversation and complete the paragraph given below : 4
Shopkeeper : What do you want to buy ?
Customer : 2 kg. sugar and 5 kg. rice.
Shopkeeper : Please wait for five minutes only.
Customer : That’s fine. I don’t mind waiting.
Shopkeeper : That’s very nice of you.
At a shop in the market, the shopkeeper asked a customer (a) ____________________. The
customer replied (b) ____________________. Then the shopkeeper requested him to wait for five
minutes only. The customer said that (c) ____________________. The shopkeeper felt happy and
said (d) ____________________
9. Re-arrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences, The first one has been
done as an example. 3
Ex. : Every year / is / Republic Day / on / 26th of Jan./ celebrated /
Ans. Republic Day is celebrated on 26th of January every year.
(a) from / the people / addresses / the / Prime Minister / Red Fort / the
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(b) through / the states / all / almost / something / demonstrate / tableaus / their
(c) The parade / a number of / gather / India Gate / to / people / watch / at.
SECTION D (Prose)
10. Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
‘Paper has more patience than people’ I thought of this saying on one of those days when I was
feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored and listless,
wondering whether to stay in or go out. I finally stayed where I was brooding; yes, paper does have
more patience, and since I’m not planning to let anyone else read this stiff-backed notebook grandly
referred to as a ‘diary’ unless I should ever find a real friend, it ‘probably won’t make a bit of difference.
1. Name the chapter from which these lines are taken. 1
2. Why does she say : ‘Paper has more patience’ ? 1
3. Why is the speaker depressed ? 1
4. Whom does she make her real friend ? 1
5. Give two words ending with the suffix ‘less’. 1
11. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
She was never going to stand by and say nothing again : If she ever heard anybody picking on
someone because they were funny looking or because they had strange names, she’d speak up.
Even if it meant losing Peggy’s friendship, she had no way of making things right with Wanda, but
from now on she would never make anybody else that unhappy again.
1. Who is ‘she’ in the above passage ? 1
2. What decision did she take and why ? 2
3. What was she ready to sacrifice ? 1
4. Pick out the phrase from passage which means ‘treating someone unkindly’ 1
13. Answer only two of the following in 30-40 words each. 2×3=6
1. What does Chubukov at first suspect Lomov has come for ? Do you think he is sincere when
he calls him his son ?
2. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back ?
3. What is the story about Kodavu people’s descent ?
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14. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follow : 4
What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,
What, what is he to do ? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over - there it is in the water !
1. Name the poem and the poet. 1
2. ‘I saw it go’. What does it refer to ? 1
3. How does the boy feel after losing the ball ? 1
4. Find words from the stanza which mean the same as 1
(i) happily (ii) jumping
15. Answer only two of the following on the basis on the line given. 2×3=6
1. ‘He should be snarling around houses’. Who is ‘he’ in these lines ? Where is he ?
2. ‘I would not intrude on him’. Why would the poet not intrude ?
3. ‘Belinda paled and she cried Help, Help’. Why did Belinda cry for help ? Who came to help her?
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Practice Paper - I
(Expected Answers / Hints)
SECTION - A (READING)
1. a. Can be used as whole been, soy sprouts or processed as a variety of food items.
b. Making candles and bio-diesel.
c. Low in saturated fats and cholestrol free.
d. (i) Soy protein reduces risk of coronary heart disease.
(ii) Soaked, ground, strained
e. Doesn’t contain loctose, can be drunk by those who are allergic milk.
f. Versatile
SECTION - B (WRITING)
3. Your feelings at the big bazaar - such as joy, happiness, thrill, surprise, amazement etc. to see
escalators, food items, games, shop etc.
or
When and where - inauguration, organisers - varieties of mangoes, mango eating competition -
how did you feel.
4. Private buses - not complying with the traffic rules - rash driving - negligence - Delhi - Govt’s ban -
strict check on them - Request to the Principal.
or
Participation in On the Spot Painting Competition - when and where - Happiness in winning the first
prize. Expression of feelings to aunt.
5. New cyber cafe with modern facilities computer various facilities/ benefits.
or
Involvement of celebrities in forming cricket team / cricket - influenced both young and old people
glued to TV sets in the evening.
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SECTION-C (GRAMMAR)
6. Editing : incorrect correct
(i) a the
(ii) because as
(iii) came come
(iv) at in
(v) nations nation
(vi) revolt revolted
(vii) create created
(viii) at of
7. (a) comfortable (b) plantation (c) machinery (d) production (e) employed (f) argument (g) agitated
(h) maintenance
8. (a) what he wanted to buy (b) that he wanted to buy 2 kg. sugar and 5 kg rice. (c) that was fine and
he didn’t mind waiting. (d) that was very nice of him.
9. (a) The Prime Minister addresses the people from the Red Fort
(b) Almost all the states demonstrate something through their tableaus.
(c) A number of people gather at India Gate to watch the parade.
POETRY
14. (1) John Berryman, The Ball Poem
(2) Ball
(3) sad, helplessness
(4) (i) merrily (ii) bouncing.
15. (1) ‘He’ is the tiger, roaming freely in the jungle, terrorising the villagers, enjoying his freedom.
(2) because he wants the boy to learn to bear the losses in life.
(3) afraid to see a pirate, wicked, could kill her. Custard, the dragon came for her help.
16. Interpretation very important - meaning of words or sentences depends upon our own interpretation
as in case of Think-Tank. Think-Tank’s interpretation of rhymes in the book ‘Mother Goose’ in a
complete verbal manner - does not go into the depth of the words and the context - mistress marry
- His interpretation Earthings combined agriculture and mining - silver crops and explosion.
or
Horace Danby, an honest thief - would rob only once a year - to buy rare and expensive books -
would study about the place before robbing it - his ideal : should have trust and honour among
thieves - A thief not to be cheated by another thief.
Supplementary Reader
17. Short questions - 30-40 words (4 marks)
(i) To reduce fatty food like chocolate cakes etc. - to increase the amount of exercise or (ii) Yes
called him by his name in his room-knew about his movements.
18. Short Questions 20-30 words (3 marks)
(i) Chair became alive - it ran after Mrs. Hall - Springing into the air and charging straight at her
- hat on the bedpost leapt up and dashed into her face - she suspected Griffin.
or
Matilda - a great success at the ‘Ball’. Elegant - gracious - smiling and full of joy - centre of attraction
for men - wanted to dance to with her; admired by all.
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Practice Paper II
Section A : Reading
Time : 3 Hrs. M.M. 100
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 8
DANGER OF IDLENESS
Idleness is a great vice and a great danger. It is the father of all evils. There is a proverb which says
that, “An idle man’s brain is the devil’s workshop.” This is very true. Having nothing to do, the idle
man turns his attention to sin. A life of idleness is a life of sin. It brings with it misery and want. It is
the root of all evils.
We sometimes think it would be nice if we had no work to do. We envy the rich who do not have to
work for a living and have holidays from January to December. We wish to be like them in our life-
styles too. But we should realise that if the rich had really been idle they may not have become rich.
Again, an idle boy grows up to be an idle man. He makes no progress in life. He loses out on some
of the best chances in his life simply because of his idleness.
The story of the hare and the tortoise is to the point. The hare who was proud of his speed was
beaten by the slow-moving tortoise, simply because one idled away most of the race sleeping
while the other one kept working hard.
It is improper for a youth to be idle. It eats away all his energies. It is a foolish person who says, “I
have nothing to do.” There are so many things to do in the world. There are so many problems
waiting to be solved. What can be more noble than trying to solve them ?
People who do not have to work for their livelihood are less fortunate than those who have to earn
their living. The former will soon become discontented and miserable while the latter will always
enjoy health, peace and happiness. Only an honest worker can enjoy respect and dignity.
Questions :
(a) Life of idleness is a life of sin. Why ? 1
(b) Why are the people who do not work for their livelihood less fortunate ? 2
(c) Complete the sentence : 1
The father of all evils is ____________________
(d) An idle man makes no progress in life. Give reason. 1
(e) Do you agree that the rich need not work for a living? Give evidence from the passage. 2
(f) Find the words from the passage which mean the same as -
(i) jealous (ii) having good luck
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 8
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A Life for all seasons
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly.
So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance
away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer,and the youngest
son in the autumn. When they returned, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The ‘winter” son said that the tree was ugly, bent and twisted. The “spring” son said no, it was
covered with green buds and full fo promise. The “summer” son disagreed; he said it was laden with
blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever
seen. The “autumn” son disagreed with all them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life
and fulfilment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all correct, because they had
each seen but one season in the tree’s life.
In the same fashion, we cannot judge a person in a single encounter. To understand a person, one
has to know his philosophy, his views, his behaviour towards fellow beings, towards the environment.
Both with him and with ourselves, don’t let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. The
same person may behave pleasingly in different circumstances, as we ourselves do when life is
going well for us. So let us try to be mutually tolerant.
Don’t our actions and behaviour depend on the circumstances ? We weep when we are sad, laugh
when we are happy, curse when we are disappointed and shout when we are angry. However, a
mature person remains steadfast in views and behaviour. That’s why sages advise us not to judge
life or each other by one difficult season. persevere through the difficult patches, and better times
are sure to come some time. If winter comes, can spring be far behind ?
Questions :
(a) Why did the father send his sons on a quest ? 2
(b) How did the first son describe the tree ? 1
(c) Why did the views of the sons vary about the pear tree ? 2
(d) How do we react to happiness and disappointment ? 2
(e) Find words from the passage which mean same as 1
(i) in search of (ii) hang downwards
(f) What message does the passage convey in the end ? 1
(g) Which of the following options is correct ? 1
‘our actions and behaviour depend on’
(a) circumstances
(b) the behaviour of others
(c) our happiness
(d) our sorrows
(h) Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
SECTION-C (GRAMMAR)
6. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word that
comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet. Ensure that the word that
forms your answer is underlined as shown :-
Even education not free from side e.g. education is not
effects. The pocket calculator is prime (a) ____________________
example how the low cost of micro- (b) ____________________
electronics dramatically reduce the cost (c) ____________________
of a device influence its widespread (d) ____________________
use. Undoubtedly, are a tremendous (e) ____________________
boon to everyone who has calculate (f) ____________________
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yet, in time, we rely too much on (g) ____________________
them and forget how to perform simple (h) ____________________
skills of arithmatic.
7. Below you can read a set for instructions or making sandwiches. Complete the paragraph that
follows which describes how sandwiches are made. 1×4=4
Crumble 100 gm. cheese with a fork, chop one onion and one capsicum finely. Peel and grate half
a cucumber. Add tomato ketchup, salt and pepper to taste. Mix and spread on bread. Cut the bread
in a desired shape and serve with finely shredded cabbage.
First of all cheese is crumbled with a fork. Onion and capsicum (a) ________________. Cucumber
(b) ____________________. Salt, pepper and tomato ketchup (c) ____________________ mixture
which is spread on the bread. The bread (d) ____________________ shape and served with finely
shredded cabbage.
8. In the passage given below some words have been used inappropriately. Replace the underlined
words with their appropriate forms. ½×8=4
To commemorate the ‘Vanmahotsava Day’ a grand (a) celebrate; Each one Plant one function was
(b) organise on the 10th Nov. 2006. The Chief Minister (c) inaugurate the function by (d) plant a
sapling. The Principal and the staff members followed the (e) plant activity of nearly one hundred
trees, Later on, a variety of (f) entertain programmes was (g) stages It was a (h) memory day for
the school.
9. Rearrange the following jumbled words into meaningful sentences. The first one has been done :-
1×3=3
eg. friend / have / didn’t / any / Wanda
Wanda didn’t have any friends.
(a) School / she / came / went / alone / home / alone / to / and.
(b) always / she / blue / wore / dress / faded.
(c) her / all / made / classmates / of / fun / her
11. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
The baker made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘Jhang jhung’ sound of his specially made
bamboo staff. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the
ground. He would greet the lady of the house with ‘Good Morning’ and then place his basket on the
vertical bamboo. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be
delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would climb a bench or the parapet and peep
into the basket some how. I can still recall the typical fragrance of the children.
Question :
(a) Which place is famous for baking breads ? 1
(b) Who introduced baking bread there ? 1
(c) How was the entry of the baker musical ? 1
(d) Which bread were the children fond of ? 1
(e) Trace words which mean the same : 1
(i) an expression of disapproval
(ii) scent
13. Answer any two of the following in 30-40 words each. 2×2=4
(a) What ideals does Nelson Mandela set out of for the future of South Africa ?
(b) Why was the young seagull afraid to fly ? What compelled him to fly finally ?
(c) Why do you think Kisa Gotami goes from house to house when her son dies ? Does she get
anything ? Why not ?
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14. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follow :
But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars.
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.
(a) Name the poem and poet. 1
(b) Where is the tiger ? 1
(c) Why does the tiger ignore visitors ? 1
(d) Find a word from the stanza that means : avoiding 1
15. Answer any two of the following questions briefly on the basis of the line given. 2×3=6
(1) ‘But I can get a hair dye / and such colour there’. What colour is the woman’s hair ? Why does
she want to change it ?
(2) ‘The forest that was empty all these nights / will be full of trees by morning’. - What are the
three things that happen in the treeless forest ?
(3) ‘Or if sometime when roaming round A noble wild beast greets you’? Which beast is referred
to here ? How can one identify it according to the poet ?
Supplementary Reader
16. What did his mother Richard Ebright like to do in his childhood ? How did his mother help him in
making him a scientist ? Write your answer in 100 words. 8
or
Write a character sketch of Oliver Lutkins in about 100 words.
17. Write your answer in about 30-40 words : Bholi found her teacher different from people at home.
How ? 4
or
What lies did Hari Singh tell Anil and why ?
18. How is the rhyme ‘Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall’ interpreted by Think-Tank ? Answer in 20-30
words.
or
Why did Jean (Mme Forestier) not recognise her friend, Matilda ? Write in 20-30 words. 3
(114) X-English
Sample Paper - II
Answer Key
Section-A (Reading)
Q.1. Unseen Comprehension passage.
(a) Brings with misery and want.
(b) They are miscontented and miserable.
(c) Idleness.
(d) Loses out some of the best chances in life simply due to his idleness.
(e) No because if they had been idle, they may not have become rich.
(f) (i) envy (ii) fortunate
Q.2. Unseen Comprehension passage
(a) Wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly.
(b) The tree was ugly, bent and twisted.
(c) They had seen only one season in the tree’s life.
(d) Not to judge life by one difficult season-persevere through difficult times.
(e) (a) quest (b) droop.
(f) Life has both happiness and sorrows.
(g) (i) circumstances
(h) (i) Can we judge a person in a single encounter?
(ii) How can we judge a person?
Section-B (Writing)
Q.3. Internet As A Source of Information
(a) Current events - Information and knowledge about different subjects and topics-biographics of
great personalities - vocabulary building - means of communication - catchy.
Or
(b) Good Manners Are Infectious - Good words/deeds spread - make others also good-nice
behaviour of one person makes the other person also behave micely - spread good-feelings-turn
the society chearful.
Q.4. Child abuse - examples/in stances-ban child labour - suggestions.
Or
Reasons for getting less marks - how does a bad company affect a person? - advice to concentrate
in studies and avoid bad company.
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Q.5. How would I use My Supernatural powers.
(Answer according to the imagination of students.)
Or
How to Tackle with Auto drivers who harass people.
Inform traffic police on duty - full up complaint card - can e-mail - call helpline - can send written
complaint to DCP (traffic) - can send SMS.
Section-C (Grammar)
Q.6. Omission
(a) is a prime
(b) example of how
(c) electronics can dramatically
(d) device and influence
(e) undoubtedly they are
(f) has to calculate
(g) time, will we
(h) perform the simple
Q.7. (a) are chopped finely
(b) is peeled and grated
(c) are added in the
` (d) is cut in a desired.
Q.8. (a) celebration
(b) organised
(c) inaugurated
(d) planting
(e) plantation
(f) entertainment
(g) staged
(h) memorable.
Q.9. (a) She went to school and came home alone.
(b) She always wore a faded - blue dress.
(c) All her classmates made fun of her.
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Section - D (Text Book)
Q.10. Comprehension passage-Prose
(a)‘Nelson Mandela - A Long walk- To freedom’
(b) Inauguration Day of the new democratic non - racial Govt.
(c) Suffered from the system of Apartheid.
(d) Because the freedom was the result of the efforts of all the Black.
(e) Wrought.
Q.11. Comprehension passage.
(a) crop
(b) portuguese
(c) due to the ‘Jhang Jhung’ sound of the baker’s bamboo stuff.
(d) bread bangles and sweet bread of special make.
(e) (i) rebuke
(ii) fragrance.
Q.12. Long answer type questions
Young seagull - left alone on the ledge - afraid to fly - mother, father rebuked him - mother brought
fish in her beak - stopped at a distance - young seagull - hungry - dived at fish - started flying.
Or
Valli’s strong desire - to ride on a bus - gathered information about bus fare, distance, time etc. -
saved money for fare - finally boarded the bus - very happy - saw a cow laying dead - felt sad and
depressed.
Q.13. (a) Liberate people from poverty, suffering, gender - discrimination.
(b) Young seagull - wings would not support him - hunger compelled him to fly.
(c) To collect mustard seeds - no, could not find a single house where nobody had died.
Q.14. (a) ‘A Tiger in The Zoo’
(b) In the cage.
(c) He wants to come out and enjoy freedom
(d) snoring
Q.15 (a) Golden colour - so that young men love her for herself and not her hair.
(b) No place for birds could sit no insects can hide. No place for the sun to spread its rays.
(c) Tiger is referred to here - if we see stripes on yellow skin and if he eats us.
Q.16. Long answer
Richard Ebright - liked to collect things since his childhood - his mother’s encouragement - took
him to trips - brought telescopes, cameras and other equipments.
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Or
Oliver Lutkin - clever - dishonest - befooled the young lawyer.
Q.17. Bholi’s teacher - kind, caring, soft spoken - cared for Bholi - taught her to read and write - built up
her personality.
Or
Hari Singh lied about his name - knew cooking - to impress Anil - to get a job.
Q.18. Humpty Dumpty - a large brain - plan to invade Mars.
Or
Matilda looked old - pale - worn-out dress.
(118) X-English
CBSE Examination Paper 2008
English
(Language and Literature)
Time allowed : 3 hours] [Maximum marks : 100
General Instructions :
a. This paper consists of four sections.
Section A - Reading 20 marks
Section B - Writing 20 marks
Section C - Grammar 15 marks
Section D - Text Books 45 marks
b. All questions are compulsory.
c. Marks are indicated against each question.
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(b) What is the most striking aspect of Kausani? 1
(c) Which is the most famous peak on view from Kausani? What is so significant about this peak?2
(d) When does the view of peaks become most memorable? 1
(e) How can we say that Gandhiji was greatly charmed by the natural beauty of Kausani? Give
two reasons. 2
(f) What are its tea gardens found mixed with? 1
1.2. Find the word/phrase in the passage which means the same as the following : (3 marks)
(i) hill’s sharp tops (para 2) 1
(ii) extended (para 3) 1
(iii) home/dwelling (para 4) 1
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (8 marks)
A gentleman was repeatedly picking up starfish along a beach in Mexico. He was throwing them
into the sea. When asked why he was doing so; he said, “I am throwing these starfish back into the
ocean because they came in wilth the high tide and now the tide has receded, they will die here,
stranded.” “But there must be thousands on every beach. You can’t possibly make a difference”,
asked the other man. The man smiled, lifted yet another starfish and as he threw it back into the
sea, said, “made a difference to that one.”
The story shows that it is not the big things only that really count in life. In fact all great people build
their character by doing small day-to-day good actions. Gandhiji, once, was standing in the open
compartment door of a speeding train. He was lost in his thoughts when one of his ‘chappals’
slipped from his foot and fell down. The moment he realized it was gone, he dropped the other one
too. On being asked why he did so he replied, “One chappal is of no use to me, nor to him who finds
the dropped one. So he might as well have the full pair.” This incident shows that nothing was too
insignificant for Gandhiji.
(a) What was the gentleman doing with the starfish at the shore? Why? 2
(b) Did he make any difference? What was that? 2
(c) What did Gandhiji do when he realized that one of his ‘chappals’ fell down from his foot? 1
(d) What explanation did he offer for his act? 2
(e) What does it show about Gandhiji’s attitude? 1
Section - B (Writing)
3. You are Ishita/Mudit, living at B-123,Bank Colony, New Delhi. You have come to know that your
friend, Varsha is not happy in her new school. Write a letter advising her to keep patience, devote
time to studies and make new friends. (8marks)
Or
A lot of garbage is thrown on the main road near the bus stop outside your colony causing bad
smell. It becomes worse when it rains. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, asking him to
take urgent action in the matter. You are Shobhit/Shobhna of 15, Ramesh Nagar, Delhi.
4. A number of festivals are celebrated in different parts of India in a variety of ways. Write an article,
in not more than 80 words, on ‘India, a Country of Festivals’.
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Or
Crime is reported to be increasing especially in Delhi. This is a reflection on the law and order
situation. You want to create awareness about it. Using the hints given below write a paragraph in
not more than 80 words.
Murders - kidnappings - crime against the old - crime against women - theft of vehicles - police
force not sufficient in proportion to population
5. Your school organised a Social Science Exhibition displaying several models and charts related to
the evolution of man, means of transport and communication, art, dances of India, etc. Write a
report in about 60 words for your school magazine. You are Piyush/Priyanka, Head Boy/Head Girl
of your school. (4 marks)
Or
Blood donation camp was organized by Tarun Mitra Mandal symbolising their concern for society.
Describing the features of the camp, the number of blood donors, etc., write a report in about 60
words. You are Manoj, Secretary of the Mandal.
Section - C (Grammar)
6. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along
with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet.
Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined as shown : (4 marks)
‘Appu Ghar is oldest and one e.g is the oldest
of most popular amusement (a)..................................
parks Delhi. It has different (b)..................................
types rides including water-based (c)..................................
one. There is maximum (d)..................................
crowd weekends. Located in Pragati (e)..................................
Maidan, it is right the heart (f)..................................
of the capital is easily reachable (g)..................................
even the Metro train. (h)..................................
7. Read the following passage and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words given in brackets.
Correctly number and write the answer in your answer sheet. (4 marks)
A mini bus (a) -------------------- (carry) school children (b) ------------------ (overturn) in East Delhi on
Monday killing a teacher and (c) ------------ (serious) injuring several students. Some children (d) -
---------------- (suffer) injuries on their faces and the condition of two girls (e) ------------------- (be)
critical. The injured (f) ------------------ (admit) to various hospitals. The police said that the mini bus
(g) ------------------- (carry) twenty five students when the incident (h) ------------ (take) place.
8. Read the dialogue and complete the passage given below. Write the correct answer in your answer
sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence :
Rajeev : Where are you going?
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Pradeep : I am going to the airport.
Rajeev : Why are you going there?
Pradeep : My mother is to arrive from U.S.A. at 7.30 a.m.
Rajeev asked Pradeep (a) ---------------------------------------- Pradeep
replied (b) -------------------------------------------------------------------
Rajeev further inquired (c) -------------------------- . Pradeep told him
(d) ------------------------------------ from U.S.A. at 7.30 a.m.
9. Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The
first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember
to number the answer correctly. (3 marks)
Example :
of/ Assam / north-east / situated in / India / is / the
Assam is situated in north -east of India.
(1) big rivers / and / thick / It / blue hills / forests / has
(2) Assam / flows / through / Brahmaputra / The great
(3) there / many / live / animals / wild
(122) X-English
(a) Why does Anne say that the poem was beautiful? 1
(b) How did Mr. Keesing react to it? 1
(c) What changes came in Mr. Kessing’s behaviour towards Anne after he had read the poem? 2
(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘given a particular job to somebody’? 1
12. Answer the following question in about 80 words : (6 marks)
Which two obligations, according to Nelson Mandela, does every man have in life? How could a
man not fulfil these obligations in a country like South Africa?
Or
Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm?
13. Answer the following question in 30-40 words : (4 marks)
Why does lvan Lomov come to meet Stepan Chubukov? What does Chubukov think he has come
for? How do you know?
Or
What did the letter from Wanda’s father say?
14. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in
your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly. (4 marks)
Belinda paled, and she cried Help ! Help !
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the househole,
And little mouse Blink strategically mousehole.
(a) Why did Belinda cry for help? 1
(b) Who are Mustard and Ink? 1
(c) What did they do? 1
(d) Where did the mouse slip away? 1
Or
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of the day I had rued.
(a) What type of mood the poet was in? 1
(b) What does the poet say has changed his mood? 1
(c) What was the result? 1
(d) What is the rhyme scheme in the stanza? 1
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15. Answer any two of the following questions in 30-40 words each on the basis of the lines given
below : (6 marks)
(a) Stalking the length of his cage, Ignoring visitors.
What is the tiger doing? Why is he ignoring the visitors?
(b) ---------- a mermaid, drifting blissfully
Who is Amanda? What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
(c) ---------- on sun bury its feet in shadow ---------
What does the poet mean by the sun’s feet? What picture do these words create in mind?
16. Answer the following question in about 100 words : (8 marks)
“Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Do you agree? Give a reasoned answer.
Or
Mr. Herriot, a veterinary surgeon is tactful as well as full of common sense. Do you agree? Justify
your answer giving instances from the story you have read.
17. Answer the following question in 30-40 words : (4 marks)
How did Bholi react when her father caught her by the hand to take her to school? Why?
Or
“But there was one thing I could do - collect things.” What collection did Elbright make? When did he
start making collection?
18. Answer the following question in 20-30 words : (3 marks)
Why did Matilda’s husband go out into the cold night minutes after returning from the ball? Was he
successful in his purpose?
Or
Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Books’?
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CBSE Question Paper - 2008
MARKING SCHEME / ANSWER HINTS
English Language and Literature
Section A - (Reading)
1.1 (a) North of Almora/ in Uttrakhand/ in Kumaon, in central Himalayas
(b) 300 Km wide breathtaking veiw of the Himalayas.
(c) Nanda Devi, second highest mountain in India.
(d) At sunrise and at sunset
(e) - named it ‘The Switzerland of India’. - extended his two-day stay to fourteen days.
(f) Dense pine forests, fruit orchards
1.2. (a) peaks
(b) prolonged
(c) abode
Q.2. (a) - picking up and throwing them into the sea.
- to save them from dying
(b) Yes/made a difference to the life of the starfish, was saved.
(c) - dropped down the other chappal too
(d) - one chappal was of no use to him nor to the person who finds the other one. At least one of
them will get a full pair.
(e) - nothing was too insignificant for him.
Section B - (Writing)
Q.3. Letter writing
Marking : Layout : 2 marks
Content : 3 marks
Expression : 3 marks
(Note : No mark is to be awarded if the content is not given.)
- adjustment in new environment takes time - devote time to studies - make new friends - good
people always there - keep patience - things will work out.
Or
- garbage dumped near bus stop - near colony - foul smell - stinks when it rains - difficult to wait for
or board bus - need urgent action - suggested actions.
(125) X-English
Q4. Article/ Paragraph (8 marks)
Marking : Format (Title) : 1 mark
Content : 4 marks
Expression : 3 marks
Article - India a great country - great diversity variety of festivals (religious, cultural, regional) -
variety of mode of celebration - any other relevant point.
Or
Paragraph - Value points are provided in the question paper itself.
Q.5. Report Writing (4 marks)
Marking : Format (Headline/ dateline, reporter) : 1 mark
Content : 2 marks
Expression : 1mark
Value points are provided in the question paper itself.
Section C - (Grammar)
Q.6. Marking : 1/2 mark for each correct answer
(a) of the most
(b) parks in/of Delhi
(c) types of rides
(d) is the maximum
(e) crowd on/during weekends
(f) right at the
(g) capital and is
(h) even by the
Q.7. Marking: 1/2 marks for each correct answer
(a) carrying
(b) overturned
(c) seriously
(d) suffered
(e) was
(f) were admitted
(g) was carrying
(h) took.
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Q.8. Marking: 1 mark for each blank
(a) where he was going.
(b) that he was going to the airport
(c) why he was going there
(d) that his mother was to arrive.
Q.9. Marking: 1 mark for each blank
(a) It has blue hills, thick forests and big rivers.
(b) The great Brahmaputra flows through Assam.
(c) Many wild animals live there.
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- saw the pilot waving his hand asking to follow - followed - came out of clouds - saw runway -
landed safely
- mysterious disappearance of strange plane.
13. Marking : Content : 2 Marks, Expression : 2 marks
- Comes to ask the hand of Chumbukov’s daughter, Natalya Stepanovna in marriage.
- thinks Ivan has come to borrow money
- Says it aside and also says he would not give him any.
- Wanda will not come to school any more - moving to big city - there no more Holler Pollak - no
one will make fun of name - plenty of funny names in big city.
14. Marking : 1 mark for each value point.
(a) was afraid of the pirate.
(b) mustard - her dog; ink - her cat
(c) dog fled; cat ran downwards.
(d) to a mousehole.
or
(a) sad/unhappy/sorrowful mood
(b) dust of snow
(c) saved him from further depression
(d) abab
15. Marking : Content : 2 marks, expression : 1 mark
(a) walking inside the cage from one end to the other.
- is restless inside the cage, therefore helpless, indifferent and ignoring.
(b) - Amanda is a child
- could just relax and enjoy her freedom in the sea.
(c) - the rays of the sun.
- a treeless forest with no shade, sunrays are spread all around.
16. Marking : Content : 5 Marks,
Expression : 3 marks
brilliant scientist, invented a rare drug could become invisible - misused his discovery - not for
benefit of mankind - sets fire to landlord’s house - robs a London store - hits a shopkeeper and robs
him - steals clergyman’s money - hits people and policeman at the bar.
or
Yes the Dr. was tactful as well as full of common sense - knows from common sense-why Tricki
seriously ill.
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- pampered by rich mistress : beds, toys, cushions, coats etc.
- overfed : given cream cakes, chocolates, cod liver oil, bowl of horlicks etc.
Is tactful - tries to sound severe in his advice - tactful in getting Tricky out of the house - suggested
hospitalisation - to be kept under observation tactfully consumed wine, eggs etc. sent for Tricki.
17. Marking : content : 2 marks, expression : 2 marks
was frightened - did not know what a school was like.
- remembered - old cow Laxmi - turned out of the house and sold - shouted ‘no, no in terror -
pulled her hand away from her father’s grip.
or
- couldn’t play football or baseball collected butterflies - also collected rocks, fossils and coins.
- started collecting in kindergarten
18. Marking : context : 2 marks
Expression : 1 mark
- Matilda had lost her friend’s borrowed necklace - husband went in search of it. No. he could
not find it anywhere.
or
- books about everything - taught people how, when, where and why of everything.
- illustrated, educated, punctuated and even decorated.
(129) X-English