Class XI - English Sample Paper - 2 - Practice for Everyone

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ENGLISH (CORE)

Time allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

i. 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.

ii. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.

iii. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct question number in your answer sheet to indicate the option/s being attempted

SECTION – A

READING SKILLS

1. Read the passage given below.

(1) The choices we make on a daily basis- wearing a seatbelt, lifting heavy objects correctly or purposely staying out of any dangerous situation-can either ensure our safety or bring about potentially harmful circumstances. You and I need to make a decision that we are going to get our lives in order. Exercising self-control, self-discipline and establishing boundaries and borders in our lives are some of the most important. things we can do. A life without discipline is one that’s filled with carelessness. We can. think it’s kind of exciting to live life on the edge. We like the image of “Yeah! That’s me! Living on the edge! Woo-hoo!” It’s become a popular way to look at life. But if you see, even highways have lines, which provide margins for our safety while we’re driving. If we go over one side, we’ll go into the ditch. If we cross over the line in the middle, we could get killed. And we like those lines because they help to keep us safe. Sometimes we don’t even realize how lines help to keep us safe. I’m not proud of this, but for the first 20 years of my life at work, I ignored my limits. I felt horrible, physically, most of the time. I used to tell myself “I know I have limits and that I’ve reached them, but I’m going to ignore them and see if or how long I can get by with it I ran to doctors, trying to make myself feel better through pills, vitamins, natural stuff and anything I could get my hands on. Some of the doctors would tell me, “It’s just stress.” That just made me mad. I thought stress meant you don’t like what you do or can’t handle life, and I love what I do. But I kept pushing myself, traveling, doing speaking engagements and so on-simply exhausting myself. Finally, I understood I was living an unsustainable life and needed to make some changes in my outlook and lifestyle. You and I don’t have to be like everyone else or keep up with anyone else. Each of us needs to be exactly the way we are, and we don’t have to apologize for it. We’re not all alike and we need to find a comfort zone in which we can enjoy our lives instead of making ourselves sick with an overload of stress and pressure.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

(A) Which of the characteristics are apt about the writer in the following context:

“I know I have limits and that I’ve reached them, but I’m going to ignore them and see if or how long I can get by with it.”?

(i) negligent

(ii) indecisive

(iii) spontaneous

(iv) reckless

(v) purposeless

(vi) patient

(a) (ii) and (v)

(b) (iii) and (vi)

(d) (ii) and (iii)

View Answer

Ans. (c) (i) and (iv)

Explanation: The characteristics that are apt about the writer in the following context “I know I have limits and that I’ve reached them, but I’m going to ignore them and see if or how long I can get by with it.” are negligent and reckless.

(B) The reason why living on the edge has become popular, is because of the _________

View Answer

Ans. Constant need for something different.

(a) certainly be dangerous

(b) be fairly dangerous

(d) seldom be dangerous

View Answer

Ans. (c) be possibly dangerous.

Explanation: The phrase “potentially harmful circumstances” refers to circumstances that can be possibly dangerous.

(D) Choose the option that correctly states the two meanings of ‘outlook’, as used in the passage.

(i) A person’s evaluation of life

(ii) A person’s experiences in life

(iii) A person’s point of view towards life

(iv) A person’s regrets in life

(v) A person’s general attitude to life

(a) (i) and (iv)

(b) (ii) and (iii)

(d) (iv) and (v)

View Answer

Ans. (c) (iii) and (v)

Explanation: ‘Outlook’ means (III) A person’s point of view towards life and (V) A person’s general attitude to life according to the passage.

(E) Choose the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from the given quotes.

(i) It’s all about quality of life and finding a happy balance between work and friends.

(ii) To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

(iii) Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.

(iv) Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.

(a) Option (i)

(b) Option (ii)

(d) Option (iv)

View Answer

Ans. (d) Option (iv)

Explanation: ‘Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create!’ captures the central idea of the passage.

(F) The author explains the importance of discipline and boundaries in our lives using the example of _________

View Answer

Ans. Lines on the highway.

(G) The author attempts to ____________ the readers through this write-up.

View Answer

Ans. Offer advice to.

(H) What is the message conveyed in the last paragraph of the passage?

(a) Love what you do.

(b) Love yourself to love others.

(d) Be yourself

View Answer

Ans. (d) Be yourself

Explanation: The message conveyed in the last paragraph of the passage is to be yourself.

(I) Which of the following will be the most

appropriate title for the passage?

(a) Much too soon

(b) Enough is enough

(d) Have enough to do?

View Answer

Ans. (c) How much is too much?

Explanation: The most appropriate title for the passage is ‘How much is too much?”

(J) The author uses colloquial words such as “YEAH!” and “Woo-hoo!”. Which of the following is NOT a colloquial word?

(a) hooked

(b) guy

(d) stress

View Answer

Ans. (d) stress

Explanation: Stress is not a colloquial word.

2. Read the passage given below.

(1) Education in India is primarily provided by public schools (controlled and funded by the government at three levels: central state and local) and private schools. Under various articles of the Indian Constitution, free and compulsory education is provided as a fundamental right to children aged 6 to 14. The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools in India is 7:5.

(2) India has made progress in increasing the attainment rate of primary education. In 2011, approximately 75% of the population, aged between 7 and 10 years, was literate. In the 2011 Census, about 73% of the population was literate, with 81% for males and 65% for females. National Statistical Commission surveyed literacy to be 77.7% in 2017-18, 84.7% for males and 70.3% for females. This compares to 1981 when the respective rates were 41%, 53% and 29% In 1951, the rates were 18%, 27% and 9%. India’s improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to its economic development. Much of the progress, especially in higher education and scientific research, has been credited to various public institutions.

(3) At the primary and secondary level, India has a large private school system complementing the government-run schools, with 29% of students receiving private education in the 6 to 14 age group. Certain post-secondary technical schools are also private. The private education market in India had a revenue of US $450 million in 2008 but is projected to be a US $40 billion market.

(4) As per the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2012, 96.5% of all rural children between the ages of 6-14 were enrolled in school. This is the fourth annual survey to report enrollment above 96%. India has maintained an average enrolment ratio of 95% for students in this age group from the year 2007 to 2014. As an outcome, the number of students in the age group 6-14 who are not enrolled in school, has come down to 2.8% in the year academic year 2018 (ASER 2018). Another report from 2013 stated that there were 229 million students enrolled in different accredited urban and rural schools of India, from Class I to XII, representing an increase of 23 lakh students over 2002 total enrolment, and a 19% increase in girl’s enrolment.

(5) While quantitatively India is inching closer to universal education, the quality of its education has been questioned particularly in its government-run school system. While more than 95 per cent of children attend primary school just 40 per cent of Indian adolescents attend secondary school (Grades 9-12). Since 2000, the World Bank has committed over $2 billion to education in India. Some of the reasons for the poor quality include the absence of around 25% of teachers every day. The states of India have introduced tests and education assessment systems to identify and improve such schools.

(6) Although there are private schools in India, they are highly regulated in terms of what they can teach, in what form they can operate (must be a non-profit to run any accredited educational institution) and all the other aspects of the operation. Hence, the differentiation between government schools and private schools can be misleading.

(7) In January 2019, India had over 900 universities and 40,000 colleges. In India’s higher education system, a significant number of seats are reserved under affirmative action policies for the historically disadvantaged Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. In universities, colleges, and similar institutions affiliated with the federal government, there is a maximum of 50% of reservations applicable to these disadvantaged groups, at the state level it can vary. Maharashtra had 73% reservations in 2014, which is the highest percentage of reservations in India.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY EIGHT of the following questions.

(A) The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools in India is ___________

View Answer

Ans. 7:5.

(B) Pick the option that lists the statements that are NOT TRUE according to the passage.

(I) India’s improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to its economic development.

(II) At the primary and secondary levels, India has a large private school system.

(III) Report from 2013 stated that there were 329 million students enrolled in different accredited urban and rural schools of India.

(IV) Maharashtra had 33% reservations in 2014, which is the lowest percentage of reservations in India.

Options:

(a) (III) and (IV)

(b) (II) and (IV)

(d) (I) and (III)

View Answer

Ans. (a) (III) and (IV)

Explanation: Following statements are correct according to the passage:

(1) Report from 2013 stated that there were 329 million students enrolled in different accredited urban and rural schools of India.

(2) Maharashtra had 33% reservations in 2014, which is the lowest percentage of reservations in India.

View Answer

Ans. Economic development.

(D) Based on the statistical data in the passage, which option represents the correct graphical representation of enrolment rate in primary and secondary schools?

(a) Image 1

(b) Image 2

(d) Image 4

View Answer

Ans. (b) Image 2

Explanation: Image 2 represents the correct graphical representation of enrolment rate in primary and secondary schools.

(E) According to the table, what was the literacy rate of females in the year 2011?

View Answer

Ans. According to the table, 65% was the literacy rate of females in the year 2011.

(F) Based on the statistical data in the passage, choose the option that lists the statements that are TRUE with respect to the education policy.

(I) Enrolment in secondary schools was 69%.

(II) National Education Budget passed by the ministry was 3.1%.

(III) The literacy rate, of female was 69.5% in 2011.

(IV) As per the 2011 census, the total literacy rate was 82.2%.

(a) (I) and (IV)

(b) (II) and (IV)

(d) (I) and (III)

View Answer

Ans. (a) (I) and (IV)

Explanation: Based on the statistical data in the passage, the following statements are TRUE with respect to the education policy:

(I) Enrolment in secondary schools was 69%.

(IV) As per the 2011 census, the total literacy rate was 82.2%.

(G) Mark the state of India with the highest percentage of reservations in college and universities.

View Answer

Ans. Maharashtra has the highest percentage of reservations in college and universities.

(H) Arrange the given sentences in the sequence in which they appeared in the passage.

(I) In universities, colleges and similar institutions, there is a maximum of 50% of reservations applicable to the disadvantaged group.

(II) Certain post-secondary technical schools are also private.

(III) The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools is 7:5.

(IV) While more than 95% of children attend primary schools, just 40% of adolescents attend secondary schools.

Options:

(a) (I), (II), (IV), (III)

(b) (IV), (I). (II), (III)

(d) (III), (I), (IV), (II)

View Answer

Ans. (c) (III), (I), (IV), (I)

Explanation: Following is the correct sequence:

(III) The approximate ratio of public schools to private schools is 7:5.

(II) Certain post-secondary schools are also private.

(IV) While more than 95% of children attend primary schools, just 40% of adolescents attend secondary schools.

(I) In universities, colleges and similar institutions, there is a maximum of 50% of reservations applicable to the disadvantaged group.

(I) Which word in the 1 passage means the same as ‘Registered’ (Paragraph 4)?

(a) Survey

(b) Accredited

(d) Representing

View Answer

Ans. (c) enrolled

Explanation: Registered means enrolled.

(J) One of the reasons for the poor quality of government-run schools in India is ___________

View Answer

Ans. Absence of around 25% teachers every day.

3. Read the passage given below.

(1) Flexibility and mobility are essential not only to reduce the risk of injuries but to generally

feel better. Living a nine to five desk life can be demanding on health and wellness. Here is how you can keep the most common problems at bay.

(2) Even if you are not exercising you need to make sure that you maintain correct posture and sit at your desk in the right way. It is important that your chair is placed correctly and your legs are not left hanging. Proper alignment ensures that your neck and back are not strained. Exercises and abdominal crunches two to three times a week can strengthen the core. It will help take the pressure off your back and will make it easier to maintain good posture. Chairs with a back that support your upper back are preferable for those who work long hours in front of screens.

(3) Constant typing, writing reports, and answering e-mails can exert your wrists leading to long-term damage. The frequency of your use and how you position your wrists at your keyboard can be a reason. The telltale signs of exertion would be a tingling sensation or numbness. One should not ignore initial signs. Make sure that you rest your wrist at regular intervals. To relieve tension quickly fold your hands in a NAMASTE in front of your chest with elbows moving out and lower your hands till you feel a good stretch in your wrists. Also rotating your fists inside and outside provides much relief to strained wrists.

(4) Since those who work on desks spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, they are at a risk of straining their eyes. This may also lead to dry eyes and fatigue. Poor eyesight is the result of continued and improper exposure to screens. Keeping the computer screen at an optimal distance helps a lot in minimising strain to eyes. The screen shouldn’t be too close or too far. To ease eye strain, use good lighting and make it a point to look at a distance away from your screen every twenty to thirty minutes.

(A) On the basis of your reading of the passage make notes on it, using headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary- minimum 4) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it.

View Answer

Ans. Health and Wellness for Desk users

1. Correct posture

1.1 Place chair correctly for neck and back

1.2 Don’t hang legs

1.3 Exercises & abd. crunches

1.4 Choose chairs with support from upper back

2. Mait. wrist flexibility

2.1 Wrong pos. can cause wrist damage, cause tingling

2.2 Relax wrists regularly in Namaste position and stretch

2.3 Rotate wrists inside and outside.

3. Pre. eye strain

3.1 Eye strain can cause dry eyes and fatigue

3.2 Keep comp. screen at an optimal distance to prevent poor eyesight

3.3 Use good lighting

3.4 Look at a distant spot every 20-30 minutes.

Abbreviation Word

Abd. Abdominal

Mait. Maintaining

Pos. position

Pre. Preventing

Comp. computer

(B) Write a summary of the above passage in about 50 words.

View Answer

Ans. Desk users are at risk of losing flexibility, mobility, and wellness due to long working hours. Good selection of office chairs and proper posture are essential for neck and back health. Damage to the wrists can be prevented by exercising them frequently. Eyes too are at a risk due to looking at the computer screen for long. Optimal distance from the screen will prevent fatigue, dry eyes and poor vision. Good lighting is essential One should look away from the screen every 20-30 minutes.

SECTION-B

GRAMMAR

4. Attempt ANY SEVEN of the following questions.

(A) Fill in the blanks in the conversation with meaningful clauses.

Dear son,

I am well. Hope you are taking good care of yourself. You must lock the doors properly at night (i) _______ there have been some thefts in the neighbourhood.

You are alone (ii) _______ so you must be careful. There is no need to be afraid (iii) _________ you can depend on our neighbours for help. I shall come back (iv) ________ the work in hand is finished. I miss you and am looking forward to being with you.

Yours affectionately,

Dad

View Answer

Ans. (i) because

(ii) and

(iii) because

(iv) when

(B) Rearrange the following jumbled words to make meaningful sentences.

(i) occupy/history/in/of /India/ honoured / Rajputs / the/ the /an/ place

View Answer

Ans. The Rajputs occupy an honoured place in the history of India.

(ii) war-like / patriotic / proud / and / were/they/people

View Answer

Ans. They were proud, patriotic and war-like people.

(iii) lay / honour / their / would / they / down / lives/their / uphold / to

View Answer

Ans. They would lay down their lives to uphold their honour.

(iv) baking/powder / dough / with / flour /make/butter / eggs / and /soft.

View Answer

Ans. Butter, eggs and baking powder with flour make soft dough.

CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS

5. Attempt ANY ONE from (A) and (B) given below.

(A) You want to let out a house. Prepare an advertisement to this effect for publication in a newspaper giving the location of the building, nature of accommodation, rent expected, etc.

View Answer

Ans.

(B) You are AP Raman of 22/14 Arabi Tank Lane, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Your grandmother, Chennamo is missing from your home for the last 5 days. Draft a suitable advertisement with all details to be published in a local daily in the classified column.

View Answer

Ans.

6. Attempt ANY ONE from (A) and (B) given below.

(A) Design a poster in not more than 50 words for your school library on the value of books and good reading habits. You may use slogans.

View Answer

Ans.

(B) As the President of Leo Club of Temple Town, prepare a poster on behalf of Lions Club and Leo Club for ‘Diwali Mela’ to be held at Nehru Stadium, mentioning some of the attractions.

View Answer

Ans.

7. Attempt ANY ONE from (A) and (B) given below.

(A) In order to promote reading habits in the students, your school has organised a Library Week. You are Ranjan/Reena. You have to speak in the morning assembly and inform the students about the week-long programme. You have noted the following points:

– days and dates

– new arrivals displayed

– exhibition of books by some publishers famous authors, I poets to visit and

– interact with students

– quizzes and competitions

– more facilities in the library

– new teenage magazines

Write your speech in 120-150 words.

View Answer

Ans. Respected Principal, -Vice-Principal, teachers, and friends!

It gives me great pleasure to speak to you about the Library Week that our school has organised from 2nd to 9th September this year. This week is slightly different from the others. Here we have to shift the focus to mental attainment. The aim of celebrating this week is to inculcate reading habits among students. Reading, you know, makes a man perfect. So new arrivals in the reference section such as the encyclopedia and dictionaries as well as general books will be displayed. The National Book Trust and Oxford University Press are putting up an exhibition. We have invited Dr. Kailash Vajpayee to inaugurate the exhibition. He will autograph the books and interact with students. Other authors like Khushwant Singh and Ruskin Bond will also pay us a visit. During the week, a quiz competition will be organised. The Reading section will have more new magazines for teenagers’ interest.

I appeal to all of you to spend as much free time in the library as you can.

Thank you.

(B) You have to speak in your school’s morning assembly on ‘The Ideal Indian’. Draft your speech based on the visual given below and your own ideas in 150-200 words. You are Shrishti/Sunil of class XI.

View Answer

Ans. Good morning, respected Principal Sir,

Teachers and my dear friends. Today, 1, Shrishti of class XI will give my vision of ‘The Ideal Indian!

I have always dreamed of India to be a great country which will be a role model for other countries of the world. It will be a place where everybody is honest, trustworthy, caring and respectful so that the common man lives his life without any fear and has access to all the basic amenities required to lead a happy and comfortable life.

Principles of basic education and employment will be followed here so that every citizen is both educated and employed. The Indian of my dreams will execute his responsibilities first and then only assert his rights. This will lead to a society where law and order will be maintained and people with good deeds will be appreciated, whereas the wrongdoers will be punished. This will in turn lead to an inspiring and empowering feeling in the minds of the citizens. Moral values, culture and heritage will be preserved here and passed onto future generations. That is the India I dream of. The ideal Indian will try to shun all malpractices and help the government in furthering the causes of national integration and maintenance of law and order.

Thank you.

8. Attempt ANY ONE from (A) and (B) given below.

(A) Some people feel that electronic media (TV news) will bring about the end of print media (newspapers). What are your views on the issue? Write a debate in 120-150 words

• use of visuals on TV

• authentic and fast

• not enough news for 24-hour telecast

• may fabricate news

• become repetitive and dull

• even scandals become news

• print media- time tested

• analysed, verified news

• editorial comments

• cater to all interests

View Answer

Ans. Respected Chairperson, honourable judges, and my dear friends, I stand here today to speak against the motion, ‘Electronic media will bring about the end of print media. We will keep on buying newspapers, that’s for sure. I feel that it is absurd to think that there will only be online newspapers rather than a variety of options in the future. Though I read e-newspaper every day, I do not feel satisfied till I have read a hard copy of a newspaper.

In fact, there are many like me. It is nice to read updated news but even that can be a problem. Often the reliability of the news is not checked and rumours get printed. Sometimes, reading online can also be a problem. I remember how I was reading an interesting novel on the train, on my iPad and because I hadn’t charged it, the battery ran out. It was so irritating because I had reached almost the end and also because it was a mystery novel. A book with me made my day, though earlier I was cribbing because it felt too heavy for a one-day Journey.

One of the things that drives technological changes, such as the proposition that newspapers will go online is not so much our ability to enforce that change as technologists, but our desire as consumers. to see it happen. I’m neutral on whether I read my stuff on a digital machine such as a Kindle or an iPad, online or pre-downloaded, or whether I read it on paper. But there are people who want the choice and there is a generation that doesn’t want to adopt the digital newspaper. There are people for whom, because of the upfront cost of tablet technology, the idea of the digital newspaper will never be right.

It’s not really a question of the so-called authority of paper over online journalism. But the real issue is what the consumer wants. In the past, despite the leading-edge technology available, the public rejected laserdisc, minidisc and digital audio tape. People just didn’t want it, and I think that is what will happen with this question. We’ve had newspapers for a long time and they aren’t going away in the near future.

Thank you

(B) “A career counsellor (not you, yourself) is the best person to guide you in the choice of a career.” Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion.

View Answer

Ans. Respected Jury members, dear teachers, friends and worthy opponents.

There is no denying the truth that once we finish our school, we are faced with – what next? A student at the threshold of a new start has parents, teachers and friends as guides and each one speaks from his/her own perspective.

It is at this juncture that a career counsellor can help students to sail through the turbulent times. He/ She is the best person. to guide you and help you decide your career based on your aptitude, skills, performance and personality.

I would like to bring home the point that human talent and potential is tremendous and can’t be measured as such. Each individual has his/her strengths and weaknesses. It is here that the career counsellor comes into the picture. He/She identifies that unique quality and guides one to know the different career paths, the pros and cons of each. The students can make an informed choice. Thus I would say that with the help of career counsellors, students end up choosing the best profession well suited to their needs. They perform well and ultimately succeed in life.

Thank You

SECTION – C

LITERATURE

9. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.

The Laburnum top is silent, quite still

In the afternoon yellow September sunlight,

A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.

(A) What does ‘Laburnum top’ mean here?

(a) It means the top part of any tree

(b) It means the top part of the Laburnum tree

(d) It does not mean anything

View Answer

Ans. (b) It means the top part of the Laburnum tree

Explanation: The poem has been named ‘The Laburnum Top’ because the top of the Laburnum tree has been described in detail in the poem. It is on the top of the Laburnum tree that the nest of the goldfinch is located and where all the activity takes place when the goldfinch visits the nest.

(B) What has happened to the tree?

View Answer

Ans. The poem is about the laburnum tree which is still and silent and losing its leaves. It bursts into life when a goldfinch comes to feed her chicks. After her departure, the tree becomes empty and silent again.

(a) Quiet

(b) Quite

(d) Silent

View Answer

Ans. (d) Silent

Explanation: The antonym of noisy is silent.

When did my childhood go?

Was it the day I ceased to be eleven,

Was it the time I realised that Hell and Heaven,

Could not be found in Geography,

And therefore could not be

Was that the day!

(A) At what age does the poet think he lost his childhood?

(a) After he crossed the age of eleven

(b) After he crossed the age of twelve

(d) After he crossed the age of nine

View Answer

Ans. (a) After he crossed the age of eleven

Explanation: After the poet crossed the age of eleven, he thought that he had lost his childhood.

(B) What did the poet realise?

(a) That hell and heaven are geographical places

(b) That hell and heaven are one and the same thing

(d) That hell and heaven are located on the Earth itself

View Answer

Ans. (c) That hell and heaven are not any geographical places

Explanation: When the poet crossed the age of eleven years, he realised that he had lost his childhood and had developed a mind of his own. The poet concluded that Hell and Heaven were imaginary places because Geography books contain names of places, but there is no mention of places like Hell or Heaven in these books.

View Answer

Ans. Ceased

10. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.

She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

(A) What does the narrator mean by ‘Silver locks’?

View Answer

Ans. “Silver locks” is the term used for the grandmother’s grey hair when the author was describing her beauty. “Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, pale, puckered face…” means that her grey hair used to frame her face in an untidy manner.

(B) Which figure of speech has been used in ‘Pale puckered face’?

(a) Simile

(b) Metaphor

(d) Zeugma

View Answer

Ans. (b) Metaphor

Explanation: The figure of speech used in ‘Pale puckered face’ is metaphor.

(a) Unhearable

(b) Unsounded

(d) All of these

View Answer

Ans. (a) Unhearable

Explanation: The antonym of audible is unhearable.

A flawless half-moon floated in a perfect blue. sky on the morning we said our goodbyes. Extended banks of cloud like long French loaves glowed pink as the sun emerged to splash the distant mountain tops with a rose-tinted blush. Now that we were leaving Ravu, Lhamo said she wanted to give me a farewell present. One evening I’d told her through Daniel that I was heading towards Mount Kailash to complete the kora, and she’d said that I ought to get some warmer clothes.

(A) Identify the figure of speech used in the phrase ‘banks of cloud like long French loaves’.

View Answer

Ans. The figure of speech used in these lines is ‘Simile. The poet uses the expression “ashen like that of a corpse” to compare the face of her aging mother to that of a corpse. Such a comparison between two different entities used to make a description more vivid is called a simile. Another example of a simile is the phrase ‘as clever as a fox’

(B) Which of the following objects could be seen in the sky on that day

(I) Moon

(II) Sun

(III) Bread

(IV) Trees

(V) Clouds

(VI) Mountains

Options:

(a) (I), (II) and (III)

(b) (I). (II), (V) and (VI)

(d) (II), (III) and (VI)

View Answer

Ans. (b) (I), (II), (V) and (VI)

Explanation: Moon, Sun, clouds and mountains could be seen in the sky on that day.

(I) Author was going to Mount Kailash to complete kora

(II) Author did not have any warm clothes

(III) I can assume that Lhamo did not understand any word of the author

(IV) Mountains must have been capped with snow

(V) Moon and Sun both were visible in the sky

(VI) Daniel was the translator for the author

Options:

(a) F-(I), (V), (VI) and O-(II), (III), (IV)

(b) F-(I), (II), (IV) and O-(III), (V)

(d) F-(IV), (V) and O-(I), (II), (III)

View Answer

Ans. (a) F-(I), (V), (VI) and O-(II), (III). (IV)

Explanation: (I) Author was going to Mount Kailash to complete kora

(V) Moon and Sun both were visible in the sky

(VI) Daniel was the translator for the author are facts and

(II) Author did not have any warm clothes

(III) I can assume that Lhamo did not understand any word of the author

(IV) Mountains must have been capped with snow are opinions.

11. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.

I was home for a few days and it struck me immediately that something or other about the rooms had changed. I missed various things. My mother was surprised I should have noticed so quickly. Then she told me about Mrs. Dorling. I had never heard of her but apparently she was an old acquaintance of my mother, whom she hadn’t seen for years. She had suddenly turned up and renewed their contact. Since then she had come regularly.

(A) The author’s mother was taken aback 1 because __________

View Answer

Ans. Her daughter quickly noticed the changes at the house.

(B) Based on the above extract, classify the following as facts or opinion.

(I) Author was a keen observer

(II) Author should have known Mrs Dorling

(III) Probably the mother was living alone in her house

(IV) Mother was in need of some acquaintances

(V) Author was not living with her mother

Options:

(a) F-(1), (V) and O-(II), (III), (IV)

(b) F-(I), (II), (IV) and O-(III), (V)

(d) F-(IV), (V) and O-(I), (II), (III)

View Answer

Ans. (a) F-(I), (V) and O-(II), (III),(V)

Explanation: (I) Author was a keen observer

(V) Author was not living with her mother are facts and

(II) Author should have known Mrs. Dorling

(III) Probably the mother was living alone in her house

(IV) Mother was in need of some acquaintances are opinions.

(I) She was a new friend of mother

(II) She was an old acquaintance of mother

(III) Mother had not met her for many years

(IV) She had always remained in contact with mother

(V) Recently she had started coming to mother regularly

Options:

(a) (I), (II), (III)

(b) (II), (III), (V)

(d) (1), (III), (V)

View Answer

Ans. (b) (II), (III), (V)

Explanation: (II) She was an old acquaintance of mother

(III) Mother had not met her for many years

(V) Recently she had started coming to mother regularly are correct about Mrs Dorling.

(D) A phrase ‘she was an old acquaintance’ has been used in the extract. Which of the following expressions does not convey the same meaning?

(a) She was an old buddy

(b) She was an old friend

(d) She was an old lady

View Answer

Ans. (d) She was an old lady

Explanation: She was an old acquaintance means that she was an old lady.

Andrew, abruptly recalled from the contemplation of his own affairs, told Morgan to wait. He went into the house for his bag, then together they set out for Number 12, Blaina Terrace. The night air was cool and deep with quiet mystery. Usually so perceptive, Andrew now felt dull and listless. He had no premonition that this night call would prove unusual, still less that it would influence his whole future in Blaenelly.

(A) Why did Andrew tell Morgan to wait?

(a) He was worried about his own affairs

(b) He wanted to establish his superiority

(d) None of the above

View Answer

Ans. (c) He wanted to collect his bags

Explanation: They were expecting their first child. Two women were already at Susan’s Bedside-Susan’s old mother and a midwife. Andrew decided to wait till the work was completed.

(B) Based on the above extract, classify the following as facts or opinions

(I) Probably Andrew was used to night calls

(II) I think initially, Andrew was engrossed in his own thoughts

(III) Andrew had to collect bags from the house. I think, it was a must

(IV) Andrew was usually dull and listless

(V) Andrew was aware of the consequence of his visit

(a) F-(I), (II), (III) and O-(IV), (V)

(b) F-(I), (III) and O-(II), (IV), (V)

(d) F-(III), (IV), (V) and O-(I), (II)

View Answer

Ans. (b) F-(I), (III) and O-(II), (IV), (V)

Explanation: (I) Probably Andrew was used to night calls and

(III) Andrew had to collect bags from the house. I think, it was a must are facts and

(II) I think initially, Andrew was engrossed in his own thoughts

(IV) Andrew was usually dull and listless

(V) Andrew was aware of the consequence of his visit are opinions.

(a) Perceptive

(b) Dull

(d) b and c

View Answer

Ans. (d) b and c

Explanation: Andrew was dull and listless while he was walking with Morgan.

(D) How is the night air described?

View Answer

Ans. The night air was cool and deep with quiet mystery. Usually so perceptive, Andrew now felt dull and listless.

12. Attempt ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words.

(A) ‘That is, assuming that in this world, there existed someone called Rajendra Deshpande! Why does Professor Gaitonde feel so?

View Answer

Ans. Professor Gaitonde had gone through a strange and harrowing experience. He had been literally transported into an alternative universe. In the alternative world the reality was very different. History had altered its course. Now back into the real world Professor Gaitonde, as a historian, felt he would go to a big library and browse through history books and would return to Pune and have a long talk with Rajendra Deshpande, to help him understand what had happened. After the queer happening. he was unsure about the reality and wondered if Rajendra Deshpande existed.

“When he finally reached the mummy, though, he ran into trouble.” Why was it so?

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Ans. When Carter tried to raise the mummy out of the coffin, he could not. The ritual resins had hardened, cementing Tut’s body to the bottom of his solid gold coffin. No amount of force could pull it out.

(B) How did the narrator get back to the ship after having been thrown into the sea?

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Ans. After the narrator felt he was losing consciousness, his head suddenly popped out of the water. A few metres away, he saw Wavewalker, nearly overturned. Then, a wave threw it upright. He grabbed the guardrails and sailed through the air into Wavewalker’s main boom. The waves tossed him onto the deck like a rag doll.

The root cause of the generation gap presented in the poem lies in the fact that it is only the father talking to his son rather than hearing or understanding him. Explain.

View Answer

Ans. One of the reasons of the generation gap is absence of understanding and communication. Here in this poem we hear only the father’s point of view. We do not hear anything from the son’s side. The root cause of the generation gap has been lack of sharing of interests or not paying attention to the childs, emotional needs, when he is growing up. The child should be allowed to express his opinions freely and adults should not behave like dictators.

13. Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in about 40-50 words.

(A) How did the people of the kingdom react to their melon king?

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Ans. The people of the kingdom were content with their melon king. They found no reason to criticize him as long as he left them in ‘Peace and Liberty. In that kingdom, the philosophy of Taissez faire’ (refusal to interfere). seemed to be well established.

(B) What does the writer suggest by beginning the story with the following words, “One day back there in the good old days…”?

View Answer

Ans. The beginning of the story is suggestive of the fact that the episode that is going to be narrated is not one from the recent past. On the contrary, it is something that happened years back. The words ‘good old days, suggest that the times in the past were better than what they are at present.

He had also come to do the kora. Norbu had been writing academic papers about the Kailash kora and its importance in various works of Buddhist literature for many years, but he had never actually done it himself. He was relieved to form a team with another academician. This apart, Norbu, wasn’t really a practising Buddhist, though he was a Tibetan. He suggested that they hire some yaks to carry their luggage, as he had no intention of prostrating himself all round the mountain.

14. Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in about 120-150 words.

(A) Meeting Norbu came as an immense relief to the narrator. Why?

(B) Rain is an eternal process benefiting mankind. Contrast it with human life which is short lived on this Earth. Should we disturb these eternal elements of nature?

View Answer

Ans. The poem The Voice of the Rain’ beautifully shows the continued process of rain which sounds like music to human ears, as it fulfils our needs.

It is an ever going process which sustains human life and provides us with food, pure air and green cover. On the other hand, human lives are mortal. We come on this Earth for a short period and then depart without leaving any mark on this planet. Moreover human beings, for their greed and selfish motives, indulge in destructive activities which may disturb these eternal processes of nature.

We must learn a lesson from nature. If we want peaceful co-existence, we need not disturb the balance of nature, otherwise the whole. of humanity will be in danger. We must learn a lesson from such eternal processes and do something good for humanity at large.

15. Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in about 120-150 words.

(A) Mrs Fitzgerald’s effort does not go in vain, as the family changes for the better. Justify.

View Answer

Ans. Mrs Pearson has a selfish and a thoughtless family, who is insensitive to the feelings of the mother. But after the staged trick, and when Mrs Fitzgerald leaves, the three-George, Doris, and Cyril look anxiously at Mrs Pearson, who smiles. They are much relieved, and smile back at her. Mrs Pearson tells them that since they have decided to stay at home, they would have a nice family game of rummy and then the children could get the supper ready while she talked with their father. All of them agree. Mrs Pearson wishes Mrs Fitzgerald goodbye and the family surrounds Mrs Pearson, implying a happy ending. It looks as if Mrs Fitzgerald’s effort is rewarded and they seem eager to appease the real Mrs Pearson.

(B) Andrew’s visit to the Morgan’s gave him pleasure and satisfaction that he had not achieved earlier. Justify.

View Answer

Ans. At half past three, after an hour’s difficult. struggle, the child was born lifeless. Andrew. attempted to revive the mother who lay collapsed and almost pulse-less. He injected the medicine and struggled to restore the lifeless Susan Morgan, and after a few minutes of intense effort, her heartbeat became steady.

Andrew then turned his attention to the lifeless baby. He inferred the condition was caused by lack of oxygen in the baby’s blood. He initiated the artificially induced method of respiration. Pouring cold water into one basin and warm, into the other, he rushed the child from one basin to the next, for fifteen minutes.

Class XI – English Sample Paper – 2