Session Ending Exam, 2021-22
Class-XI
Subject -English
Max. Marks 40 Max. Time 90 Minutes
General Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. Marks of questions are indicated against each.
Part A: Reading
1. Read the passage given below.
1. The youth is a dynamo, an ocean, an inexhaustible reservoir of energy. But this energy cannot be kept caged in prison. Its basic nature is to flow, to express itself. The youth energy on the basis of the nature of its expression can be divided into four categories.
2. The vast majority of the youth today is with the establishment, whose formula of life is learn, earn, burn and enjoy. It means learn to operate the modern devices and employ them to earn the maximum amount of wealth to the point of burning the natural resources of the earth, as well as yourself out, and then enjoy your own funeral. This category of youth is intelligent, skilful and hardworking but it lacks insight and foresight. They are self-indulgent and any sense of moral code of conduct is alien to their nature. Neither are they able to see in depth, to find out whether there is a deeper meaning and purpose to their human life, nor have they the capacity to look beyond the tips of their nose to find out the consequences of their way and approach, where it is leading them to. They are the ends into themselves and enjoyment is the motto of their life.
3. The second category of youth in nature and approach is the same but as it is less privileged and less qualified and skilled; it has lesser opportunities for earning and enjoying. Such youth may be incited to be against the establishment. This opposition takes various forms. When it is well-organised and systemic it may take the form of political opposition and even go to the extent of expressing itself in unjust ways. When the opposition is not so intense and organised, it remains contended with giving verbal expression to its resentment periodically. The youth of the above two categories need to be shown the right path to positively channelise their energy.
4. The third section of youth is a sober and thoughtful class of people, which objectively observes and studies the phenomenon of development of the world. These youths find that man in his insatiable thirst for consumption has become blind and lost the sense of distinction between milk and blood. Today man in his mad rush for exploitation is sucking the blood of Mother Earth; leading to their destruction and is thereby digging his own grave. This responsible category of young people is looking for an alternative mode of development based on co-operation between man and man. This development based on mutual love, friendship and harmony is not only sustainable but leading to endless prosperity mutually. To bring about his natural revolution from death-movement to life-movement is the aim of this group.
5. The fourth and most vital group of youth which is going to steer humanity into the third millennium and act as the pioneer for the future development of planetary life is engaged in evolving a new way of life and releasing a new principle of global consciousness through a fundamental research in the science of life. The science of life is a new branch of knowledge which takes the whole man into account without dividing him into subjective and objective halves of spirituality and physicality and does not treat him either as a refined (thinking) animal or an ethereal entity, having its base in some other non-physical world. It rather, recognises man as a basic unit of conscious life which has got immense, practically inexhaustible, possibilities and potentialities for evolution, development and growth. As per the Vedic formula, man is the micro-cosmos and his fullest flowering and enfoldment
lies in his identification with the cosmos.
1.1. On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any eight of the following questions:
(a) Whom does the author call irrepressible source of energy?
(b) Which trait is missing in the youth that is dexterous with the modern devices?
(c) Which category of youth supports the view that man’s growth lies in his identification with
cosmos?
(d) What are the characteristics of the third category of youth?
(e) Which two categories of youth need to be shown the right path to help them channelise their
energy?
(f) Where does man’s fullest flowering and enfoldment lie as per the Vedic formula?
(g) How do the dissatisfied youths express themselves?
(h) In how many categories can youth energy be divided?
(i) Which word in the passage means same as ‘important’?
2. Read the passage given below:
India enters the year leading to 73rd anniversary of the Republic and 75th year of Independence, it is propitious to hail the Parliament as the fulcrum of the Republic upholding the principles and ideals of the Constitution including Unity, Integrity, and Sovereignty. It resonates with the spirit of Article 1 of the Constitution that proclaims “India that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.” The Parliament, over the years, has successfully upheld unity amidst diversity and has strengthened democracy in the country.
As we introspect and assess its achievements and failures, it is worthwhile to remember the words of former British Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden in 1954, “…the Indian venture is not a pale imitation of our practice at home, but a magnified and multiplied reproduction on a scale we have never dreamt of. If it succeeds, its influence on Asia is incalculable for good. Whatever the outcome, we must honour those who attempted it…”
When India liberated herself from the yoke of colonialism after the epic freedom struggle, the
challenge before the nation was how to put in place a system of governance taking into account the vastness of the country and its corresponding economic, social, cultural, and linguistic plurality and diversity and socio-economic backwardness. Many who subscribed to the imperatives of economic and educational advancement as the prerequisite of a liberal democratic edifice expressed their apprehension if the Westminster model, borrowed from abroad, would be efficient if applied on the native soil. But sooner than later, the teeming millions of the electorate who were otherwise illiterate and uneducated proved the prophecies of doom wrong by their robust and earthy common-sense. Nothing more can prove better the resilience of the pulsating democratic and parliamentary polity than the regular and periodic elections to the representative institutions from the Panchayat to the Parliament, the vibrant press, the civil society, and the vigilant judiciary.
(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary-minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it.
(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words.
Part – B: Advanced Writing Skills & Grammar
2. Prepare a poster advising people not to take alcoholic drinks illustrating the danger of consuming Alcohol. Your illustration should be in conformity with the theme provided to you.
OR
Tourism Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh has launched an ambitious plan to develop
adventure sports and eco-tourism activities in the state. Prepare a suitable poster for display at
important public places /publication in newspapers.
3. J.P. University, Bokaro City offers a correspondence course leading to a Diploma in Waste
Management after plus two. You are Pradeep/Pramila. Write to the Director. Correspondence Course, J.P. University for the brochure and prospectus and enquiring about the job opportunities after completing this course.
OR
ONLINE SMART CLASSES ARE THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION STYLE”. Write a debate either for or against the motion. (150 – 200 words)
4. Fill the gap with the appropriate word from the options given. Attempt any four of the following:
i) I intend to _____ to my boss about my salary.’
a) tell
b) speak
c) talk
d) both b and c are correct
ii) The committee _________ arrived at a unanimous decision.
a) has
b) have
c) can
d) could
iii) Choose the correct statement:
a) He sweared that he had not stolen the bag.
b) He swore that he had not stolen the bag.
c) He was swearing that he had not stolen the bag.
d) He swears that he had not stolen the bag.
iv) Choose from the four alternatives the one having correct order of words.
(A) Ensured (C) He (E) Justice
(B) Impartial (D) Very (F) Being
a) FAECDB
c) DBEFCA
b) FBCADE
d) FDBCAE
V) Rearrange these parts, which are labelled P, Q, R, S to produce the correct sentence.
a) SRQP
b) PRSQ
c) QPRS
d) RPSQ
Section C (Literature)
5. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:
a) When did my childhood go?
Was it when I found my mind was really mine.
To use whichever way I choose,
Producing thoughts that were not those of other people,
But my own, and mine alone
Was that the day!
i) What does the line ‘my mind was really mine’ imply?
ii) Which day does the speaker talk of?
iii) Name the poem and the poet.
b) “No generation has a freehold on this earth. All we have is a life tenancy — with a full repairing lease”. In the words of Mr Lester Brown, “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children.”
i) “No generation has a freehold on this earth. All we have is a life tenancy — with a full repairing lease” Who speaks this and what does he/she intend to say?
ii) What responsibility does Mr. Lester Brown want to give to the present generation?
iii) What does the word ‘freehold’ mean?
6. Answer any three of the following questions:
a) How does the rain become the voice of the earth?
b) ‘Forests precede mankind, deserts follow’. Explain this statement.
c) ‘Mr Braun was speechless for a few moments’ Why?
d) What final advice does Mrs Fitzgerald give to Mrs. Pearson after the changing back of personalities and why?
7. What picture of Andrew Manson do you form after reading ‘Birth’?
OR
Compare and contrast the characters of Crocker Harris and Frank in the play ‘Browning Version’