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[Time Allowed: 3 Hours] [Maximum Marks: 80]General Instructions:
(i) The Question Paper contains THREE sections – READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
(ii) Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION – A READING SKILLS (22 Marks)
1. Read the following text.
1. A dominance and hierarchy exists for everything, including space. A dominant animal controls the space around it. Even in grooming, hierarchy is reflected. Grooming is simply a cleaning mechanism, and it is highly effective, as one can see by comparing lions and baboons. Although lions are clean animals, the backs of their necks, where they cannot reach to clean, are thick with ticks, whereas the baboon’s hair is totally free of them as the inferior baboons clean the dominant one’s neck.
2. This ‘dominant hierarchy’ is a form of animal social structure in which a linear or nearly linear ranking exists, with each animal dominant over those below it and submissive to those above it. In most of the cases this hierarchy is relatively stable from day to day. Direct conflict is rare as the weaker animal itself steps aside when it sees the dominant or much stronger around in its path. These submissive displays and their calming effect on the dominant animal evolve because they avoid or prevent fighting as it may result in unnecessary injury to a social group dependent on one another for their welfare.
3. Japanese monkeys were intensely studied during the 1940s. Their discipline was surprising. In the morning, the group would set out from its sleeping sites to a feeding station established by Japanese zoologists. They walked always in the same order, the young males frolicking on ahead and at the sides, the dominant male walking in the centre, together with the females and the infants.
4. The meek ones lagged behind in submission. They fed always in similar order of ranks: the dominant monkeys first, then the others in descending gradation of status. And, while resting, the dominant males surrounded by females and infants, occupied the most attractive area in the middle of the feeding station, where no subordinates were allowed to encroach.
5. There is no mistaking a dominant male monkey. These are superbly muscled monkeys. Their hair is sleek and carefully groomed, their walk calm, assured and majestic. They move in an apparent disregard of lesser monkeys, who scatter at their approach. For to obstruct the path of a dominant male or even to venture, too near to him is an act of defiance, and monkeys learn from young that such a challenge will draw a heavy punishment.
6. The animal behaviour has always fascinated humans and extends back millions of years, perhaps even to times before the ancestors of the species became human in the modern sense. It was the demand as they need to observe the distinctive traits of animals before hunting them or domesticating them for personal or professional use.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(a) Select the option that conveys the behaviour among monkeys as studied in the 1940s,
(i) Their discipline had conditioned them to walk to the feeding station established by Japanese zoologists.
(ii) The young monkeys were allowed to frolic about while the bulk of them followed a social order.
(iii) Their discipline was impeccable as they walked in a hierarchical order.
(iv) The dominant male occupied the centre and the females and infants walked at his side.
View AnswerAns. (iii) Their discipline was impeccable as they walked in a hierarchical order.
(b) Which of the following statements is relevant to the contents of paragraph 1?
(i) There is a dominance that exists in the hierarchical structure of all animals.
(ii) The dominance of lions in the wild predominate the hierarchical wild structure.
(iii) Baboons clean themselves hierarchically.
(iv) Predominance of ticks in animals is an example of their hierarchical status.
View AnswerAns. (i) There is a dominance that exists in the hierarchical structure of all animals.
(c) State evidence from the text in about 40 words to support the view that the writer’s writing style is descriptive.
View AnswerAns. The writer’s writing style is descriptive because he has discussed all the details in a descriptive manner. He has tried to discuss how a dominant animal controls the space around it and how grooming is a cleaning mechanism.
(d) Complete the sentence appropriately with a characteristic or its description.
Dominant hierarchy exists in every sphere of animal life including _____________.
View AnswerAns. the space that an animal occupies in the group.
(e) Select a word that is similar in meaning to ‘submissive.”
(i) frolicking
(ii) yielding
(iii) relative
(iv) domesticating
View AnswerAns. (ii) yielding
(f) Explain, in about 40 words, what has been the finding about the dominant animals’ behaviour towards the weaker ones.
View AnswerAns. Even though the weaker animal avoids conflict, the dominant animals too, avoid conflict with the weaker ones so as to avoid unnecessary injury towards a social group that is dependent on each other for their common welfare.
(g) In the line, “Even in grooming, hierarchy is reflected”. What does ‘hierarchy’ mean here?
View AnswerAns. ranking, social stratum
(h) How does the following line impact the reader?
“A dominance and hierarchy exists for everything, including space?”
View AnswerAns. The dominant hierarchy is a linear structure among animals with each animal dominating over animals below it and subservient to animals above it in the hierarchical social structure.
(i) Read the following five options (1) -(5) given below:
(1) Male monkeys- well muscled creature
(2) Male monkeys-carefully groomed
(3) Male monkeys- not much attractive
(4) Male monkeys-dependent on others
(5) Male monkeys- senior in ranking order
Identify the option that correctly corresponds with the passage.
(i) Only (1)
(ii) (1) and (2)
(iii) (3) and (4)
(iv) (4) and (5)
2. Read the following text.
1 The Yerkes-Dodson law is a simple model of the relationship between performance and stress. It was created in 1908 by psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dodson.
It says that stress and performance are positively correlated, but only up to a certain point, after which more stress reduces performance.
We like to procrastinate a bit on big projects or tasks. The deadline pressure gets us into a focused state, but if we procrastinate too much, the pressure becomes overwhelming and our performance suffers.
2 There are effectively three states of stress to be aware of:
Low Stress: This state is necessary for recovery, but it is generally not conducive to performance. Working on important tasks while in this state is not ideal.
Optimal Stress: It is the “goldilocks” level-just right. When you are in this state, you are well- positioned to work on important tasks,
High Stress: This is typically where we see a biological fight-or-flight’ response. It may lead to a complete shutdown from system overload. Working on important tasks while in this state is not ideal.
As you think about optimising your own performance; mapping your curve is an important first step. For a week, log your levels of stress while completing various activities through an average day, and then log your relative performance. Create a mental map of your curve; develop an awareness of where you are on the curve at any point in time.
3 When working on important tasks, leverage this awareness to spend more time in an optimal stress state and less time in a low or high-stress state.
While the three general states are the same for everyone, the absolute levels of stress that place you into a state can be different. Lewis Hamilton is capable of performing at an optimal level under much higher relative stress than an average knowledge worker.
There are genetic factors at play, but you can also train yourself to handle and manage stress more efficiently.
Example: Get into a cold shower or ice bath and see if you can focus on a mental task and perform (math, reciting a poem, etc.) for a fixed period of time.
This type of training may slow the decay in your performance-enabling you to perform in a wider variety of situations.
Learning to manage stress is the first step. Learning to wield it as a weapon in your personal arsenal is the next step.
Answer the following questions, based on given passage.
(a) Infer whether the researchers of the study, in the given passage, have aimed to prove an effective relationship between a person’s capacity to perform when under stress, directly or indirectly?
Answer in about 40 words.
(b) Focusing on which the 1908 study attempts to explain a connection between levels of stress and performance?
(i) The three states of stress and reason of their effect.
(ii) Lessons gained from the instances shared.
(iii) Relationship of procrastination and stress.
(iv) Managing your mental and physical faculties.
View AnswerAns. (i) The three states of stress and reason of their effect.
(c) What is the reason for including a simple model of Yerkes-Dodson law (1908)?
View AnswerAns. The reason for including a simple model of Yerkes – Dodson law (1908) is to find out if different stress levels have varied levels of performance or not.
(d) Who is the best person explained in the text?
(i) Jaypee can learn to perform according to her stress level.
(ii) Leena can train herself to perform accordingly under particular level of stress.
(iii) Rajat already knows how to perform accordingly under particular level of stress.
View AnswerAns. (ii) Leena can train herself to perform accordingly under particular level of stress.
(e) Which of the following options displays the key to create a mental map of your curve- development as an objective?
(i) To optimize the performance under all factors leading to stress.
(ii) To ensure that procrastination does not seep in.
(iii) To check the factors that result in low performance.
(iv) How to curb genetic factors.
View AnswerAns. (i) To optimize the performance under all factors leading to stress.
(f) What could be the best conclusion one can conclude from the text?
View AnswerAns. The best conclusion can be concluded from the text is that it makes a clear point for learning to use stress as a weapon for optimal performance.
(g) Complete the sentence appropriately.
One can also train oneself to handle and manage stress efficiently if _____________
View AnswerAns. there are genetic factors at play
(h) State TRUE or FALSE.
In the context of “Optimal Stress” in table, the performance of a person refers to lack of procrastination, anxiety and laziness.
View AnswerAns. True
SECTION B: CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS – (18 Marks)
Note: All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purpose.
3. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words.
A. Delhi Public School has recently created a New Science lab for science students of classes XI and XII. As Pranay Chadha, the President of the School Science Club, draft a notice for the school notice board, informing students about usage and importance of science in our day-to- day life. Urge them to contribute to the endeavour.
View AnswerAns.
21 September 20XX
DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, NEW DELHI
NOTICE
NEW SCIENCE LAB
This is to inform all the students of classes XI and XII that a drive is being organised for the importance and usage of science in day-to-day life on 30 September 20XX during the school hours in the Science lab. Participants may prepare working models and projects to display it effectively. Interested students may give their names to the undersigned latest by 28 September 20XX.
Pranay Chadha
(President)
OR
B. You are Secretary of Gymkhana Club, Madurai. Write a notice in not more than 50 words informing the members to attend an extraordinary meeting of the governing body. Include details like date, time, venue, etc. and sign as Pranab/Pranali.
View AnswerAns.
5 October 20XX
GYMKHANA CLUB, MADURAI
NOTICE
EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF GOVERNING BODY
All members of the governing body of the club are hereby informed to attend an extraordinary meeting to discuss the revision of the club’s policy for defaulter members for long outstand- ing dues. The members are requested to attend the meeting without fail. The details of the meeting are as follows:
Date: 10 October 20XX
Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Venue: Club Conference Room
Pranab/Pranali
Secretary
4. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words.
A. The Literary Club of your school is putting up the play Waiting for Godot’. As Secretary of the club, draft an invitation inviting the famous writer Sudesh Gupta to be the guest of honour at the function. Write the invitation in not more than 50 words. You are Govind/Gauri.
View AnswerAns.
ABC School, Delhi
Mr Sudesh Gupta
XYZ Lane
Delhi
22 November 20XX
Respected Sir
The Literary Club of our school is putting up the play ‘Waiting for Godot’ on 30 November 20XX in our school auditorium from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. On behalf of the club, I would like to extend a cordial invitation to you to be the guest of honour at the function. It would be our privilege if you consent to grace this occasion with your esteemed presence.
Govind/Gauri
Secretary
(Literary Club)
OR
B. As the principal of a reputed school, you have been invited to inaugurate a Book Exhibition in your neighbourhood. But you have to attend a meeting with the governing body of the school on the same day at same timing. Draft a reply to the invitation expressing your inability to attendthe function. You are Somya Chaturvedi.
View AnswerAns.
The Principal
ABC School
Dwarka, New Delhi
Date: 15 September 20XX
Subject: Inability to attend the invitation
I would like to express my gratitude to the Book Club for inviting me to inaugurate the first edition of the Book Exhibition. But I regret my inability to attend the function due to a prior commitment. I have to attend a meeting with the governing body of our school on the same day at same timing for which the inauguration is scheduled.
Thanking you
Yours
Somya Chaturvedi
Principal
5. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words.
A. You are Prem/Parul living at B-94 Fort Road, Jammu. You have read the advertisement in the newspaper and wish to apply for the position advertised. Write an application in 120-150 words along with your resume, expressing your interest in the advertised post.
Ans.
B-94, Fort Road
Jammu
5 February 20XX
The Managing Director (ICI)
B-12
Barakhamba Road
New Delhi
Dear Sir
Subject: Application for the post of Accounts Officer
This is in response to your advertisement in The Times of India dated 31st January 20XX. I wish to apply for the same as I have the requisite qualifications and experience. My resume is enclosed herewith for your kind perusal and consideration. I can assure you that if selected, I shall prove to be an asset to your company.
Yours faithfully
Prem
Resume
Name : Prem Chopra
Father’s Name : Shlok Chopra
Mother’s Name : Sheela Chopra
Date of Birth : 10th April 1995
Sex : Male
Marital Status : Married
Permanent Address : B-94, Fort Road, Jammu
Email Address : prem1995@gmail.com
Educational Qualifications : Class-X-CBSE, 2010-80% Class-XII- CBSE, 2012-85% (Commerce) B.com. (Hons), Kalinga University, Jammu – 2015 – 75%
Languages Known : Hindi and English
Work Experience : 5 Years in Alcove Chemical Industries, New Delhi as an accountant
Reference : Ranvir Mehta, Kicharge, Accounts Division, Alcove Chemical Industries, New Delhi.
OR
B. You have realized the necessity of education and financial independence of women for their family, society and in turn for the nation. Write a letter to the editor of Hindustan Times highlighting your ideas on the importance of education of women leading to a better status for them. Use the given cues along with your own ideas to compose this letter. You are Rahul/ Ravina, a concerned city resident.
Ans.
706 A, Mall Road
Delhi
15 July 20XX
The Editor
Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Dear Sir
Subject: Necessity of women’s education in India
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to highlight the burning issue of women’s education scenario today in India, leading to their status in the family, society and the nation as a whole.
It is unfortunate that women in India are not well-educated, especially rural women have remained illiterate for ages. Despite literacy campaigns in the villages, the female children’s education is neglected due to parents’ lackadaisical attitude towards them.
It is also a matter of deep concern that a women’s complete dependence on her husband or sons for financial needs makes her a slave in the family. Secondly, the reason for the poor status of women in society is that sometimes the parents want to get rid of the burden of the daughter by getting her married underage.
In view of the necessity of women’s education and financial independence, the concerned authorities need to look into the matter seriously.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Rahul
6. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words.
A. You are Parul/Pankaj of class-XII-A. Having a fair skin complexion is an obsession in our society. Demand for fair brides in matrimonial columns and sale of fairness creams are evidence enough. Write an article for your school magazine, sharing your views on ‘Beautiful minds are better than a fair complexion’. Use the given cues along with your own ideas to compose this article.
Ans.
Beautiful minds are better than a fair complexion
by Parul
If we look at the tantalizing matrimonial columns in the leading dailies, we observe great demand for fair brides and ads for sale of fairness creams. It implies to have a fair complexion is an obsession in our society.
However, a major premise is beautiful mind is better than a fair complexion. Firstly, we will see how our people, especially women folks, are influenced by the west. They tend to follow western culture and enrich facial beauty. But, virtually, this facial make-up is only skin deep and represents. only external beauty of a person instead of internal. It is absolutely temporary. It only gives us sensual pleasure. A fair complexioned person may or may not possess a beautiful mind. It all depends on his/her thoughts, deeds and behavior that reveal what his/her persona is. Beauty of mind is internal and eternal, leading to a pretty mind, a pretty heart and a beautiful soul. These qualities change one’s attitude to life and add to make for a social behaviour. Those who possess these qualities and do beautiful deeds, such as Helen Keller, Vivekananda, BT Washington, etc. beauty lies not on the face but in the heart. Thus, a beautiful mind is much better than a fair complexion.
OR
B. A major bus accident left several people seriously injured at Nicholas Road, Chennai. Luckily no life was lost. As Roshan, Staff Reporter, collect the information from the eyewitnesses and send a report to any esteemed newspaper to publish it. Support your ideas with outline cues given below, to craft your report.
Ans.
Bus Accident
Roshan – Staff Reporter
The Nungambakkam Times
Chennai: 10 July 20XX. A major bus accident took place yesterday at Nicholas Road, Chennai at about 10:00 pm. It resulted in serious injuries to almost twelve of the twenty-five passengers who were in the bus. Luckily, there was no loss of life, but several people were seriously injured and admitted in City Hospital. An eyewitness accounts how the high speeding bus overturned when it took a sharp turn in an attempt to avert a collision with a truck that was coming in the wrong direction.
The authorities have arrested the truck driver for his negligence. The bus driver could not be taken into custody for overspeeding as he is admitted in hospital with grievous injuries. The state government has announced a compensation of 25000 for those seriously injured and 10000 for those whose injuries are not very serious. A state-level injury has also been ordered into the accident.
SECTION C: LITERATURE
7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. What I want should not be
confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with
death.
(Keeping Quiet)
(a) Which of the following qualities is best represented in the given extract?
(i) Ambitious
(ii) Futuristic
(iii) Concerned
(iv) Hypocritical
View AnswerAns. (ii) Futuristic
(b) State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE, with reference to the extract.
The repetition of the letter ‘w’ in ‘we were’ depicts alliteration.
View AnswerAns. True
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
People should not misunderstand the poet’s suggestion of ________________
View AnswerAns. total inactivity
(d) ___________ is the phrase which suggests that the poet does not talk about ‘total inactivity’ related to no action in life which means end of life.
View AnswerAns. no truck with death
(e) If this poem is not written in free verse, which word would rhyme with line 5.
Ans. breath
(f) Select the option that is NOT true about the tone of the poet in the above lines?
(i) Aggressive
(ii) Suggestive
(iii) Didactic
(iv) Informative
View AnswerAns. (i) Aggressive
OR
B. Driving from my parent’s
home to Cochin last Friday
moming, I saw my mother,
beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that
of a corpse and realised with
pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away, and
looked out at young trees sprinting, (My Mother at Sixty-six)
(a) What is the speaker’s emotional state when she’s looking at her mother?
(i) Anxiety for her loved ones
(ii) Anger for her loved ones
(iii) Feeling of indifference for her loved ones
(iv) Anxiety and concern for her loved ones
View AnswerAns. (iv) Anxiety and concern for her loved ones
(b) What does the phrase ‘young trees sprinting’ indicate?
View AnswerAns. The phrase ‘young trees sprinting’ indicates agility.
(c) Select the option that WILL NOT complete the sentence appropriately.
The theme of the poem is ___________, which is the law of nature.
(i) aging
(ii) aspirations of young generation
(iii) fear of losing a loved one
(iv) life is eternal
View AnswerAns. (ii) aspirations of young generation
(d) State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
The poem is written in a single sentence punctuated by commas, which highlights the stream of consciousness effect where one thought leads to another.
View AnswerAns. True
(e) What message does the phrase ‘ashen like that of a corpse’ highlight?
View AnswerAns. The phrase ‘ashen like that of a corpse’ highlights the pale and lifeless face of the poet’s mother. It looks like a corpse, meaning lifeless body of a human being. She is dozing and lost to herself.
(f) Complete the sentence.
The poem does not follow any rhyming scheme, thus, it has been written in _______
View AnswerAns. free verse
8. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. Shuddering at the sight of the gun, the dewan cried out, “Your Majesty! I am not a tiger!” “Which idiot would call you a tiger?”
“No, and I’m not a gun!”
“You are neither tiger nor gun. Dewan saheb, I summoned you here for a different purpose. I have decided to get married.”
The dewan began to babble even more. “Your Majesty, I have two wives already. If I marry you…” “Don’t talk nonsense! Why should I marry you? What I want is a tiger…”
“Your Majesty! Please think it over. Your ancestors were married to the sword. If you like, marry the gun. A Tiger King is more than enough for this state. It doesn’t need a Tiger Queen as well!”
(The Tiger King)
(a) What confusion does exist between the two characters as per the extract?
View AnswerAns. The king expressed his desire to get married to a princess from a nearby kingdom whereas, Dewan thought that the king wanted to marry him.
(b) Which of the following best summarises King’s attitude towards his kingdom?
(i) Self before everything else.
(ii) King is all powerful and can do on his will.
(iii) Absolute power is most important.
(iv) King is the supreme.
View AnswerAns. (i) Self before everything else.
(c) Dewan said “Your Majesty, I have two wives already” because ____________
View AnswerAns. Dewan misunderstands King’s statement and thinks that the king asked him to marry.
(d) Comment on the writing style of The Tiger King.
View AnswerAns. In ‘The Tiger King’, the writer used a writing style that is satirical and conversational, yet has a narrative style. Generally, satire has a comedic and humourous undertone. It gives us some insight into how we look at society and mocks the ideals portrayed within them.
OR
B. MR LAMB: You could lock yourself up in a room and never leave it. There was a man who did that. He was afraid, you see. Of everything. Everything in this world. A bus might run him over, or a man might breathe deadly germs onto him, or a donkey might kick him to death, or lightning might strike him down, or he might love a girl and the girl would leave him, and he might slip on a banana skin and fall and people who saw him would laugh their heads off. So he went into this room, and locked the door, and got into his bed, and stayed there. (On the Face of It)
(a) Complete the sentence appropriately with reference to the extract.
The speaker refers to the uncertainty of life because ____________
View AnswerAns. nothing is predictable in this world.
(b) Which intolerable situation is best described in the given extract?
(i) The situation when people laughed at him.
(ii) The situation when people abused him.
(iii) The situation when people passed sarcastic remarks on him.
(iv) None of these
View AnswerAns. (i) The situation when people laughed at him.
(c) Why does the speaker refer to the example of a man who locked himself in the room?
View AnswerAns. The speaker refers to the example of a man who locked himself in the room because he wants to convince Derry that one should not be scared of any happening.
(d) What was Mr Lamb doing by giving such example to him?
View AnswerAns. Mr Lamb was trying to motivate him to face the situations of his life bravely without being guilty.
9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. I used every way I knew to overcome this fear, but it held me firmly in its grip. Finally, one October, I decided to get an instructor and learn to swim. I went to a pool and practiced five days a week, an hour each day. The instructor put a belt around me. A rope attached to the belt went through a pulley that ran on an overhead cable. He held on to the end of the rope, and we went back and forth, back and forth across the pool, hour after hour, day after day, week after week. On each trip across the pool a bit of the panic seized me. Each time the instructor relaxed his hold on the rope and I went under, some of the old terror returned and my legs froze. It was three months before the tension began to slack. Then he taught me to put my face under water and exhale, and to raise my nose and inhale. I repeated the exercise hundreds of times. Bit by bit I shed part of the panic that seized me when my head went under water. (Deep Water)
(a) Identify the textual clue that allows the reader to infer that the narrator is keen to be free from his fear.
View AnswerAns. The textual clue that allows the reader to infer that the narrator is keen to be free from his fear is ‘I knew to overcome this fear’.
(b) What does the narrator talk about in the given extract?
(i) He wanted to overcome his fears.
(ii) He never wanted to swim beyond the pool.
(iii) He lost his zeal to swim with time.
(iv) His efforts were half-hearted.
View AnswerAns. (i) He wanted to overcome his fears.
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The writer uses the phrase ‘bit by bit’ to refer to the regular and gradual efforts put in by him as _____________.
View AnswerAns. it was taking time to relieve himself of his deep fear.
(d) What kind of act was the hiring of the instructor?
View AnswerAns. The hiring of the instructor was a well-thought act.
(e) What does the phrase ‘I used every way I knew’ refer to?
View AnswerAns. The phrase ‘I used every way I knew’ refers to ‘combat his fear of water’.
(f) Which of the following options best suggests the central idea of the extract?
(i) The anxiety of a swimmer
(ii) To overcome the fear of water
(iii) The importance of swimming
(iv) The importance of a swimmer
View AnswerAns. (ii) To overcome the fear of water
OR
B. Months passed. Shukla was sitting on his haunches at the appointed spot in Calcutta when Gandhi arrived; he waited till Gandhi was free. Then the two of them boarded a train for the city of Patna in Bihar. There Shukla led him to the house of a lawyer named Rajendra Prasad who later became President of the Congress party and of India. Rajendra Prasad was out of town, but the servants knew Shukla as a poor yeoman who pestered their master to help the indigo sharecroppers. So, they let him stay on the grounds with his companion, Gandhi, whom they took to be another peasant. But Gandhi was not permitted to draw water from the well lest some drops from his bucket pollute the entire source; how did they know that he was not an untouchable?
(Indigo)
(a) What is the most likely reason for Gandhi to agree to come along with Shukla?
View AnswerAns. The most likely reason for Gandhi to agree to come along with Shukla is he was waiting for months to meet Gandhi.
(b) The line ‘Gandhi was allowed to stay but was not allowed to use the well,’ can be best
classified as:
(i) A fact
(ii) An opinion
(iii) A theme
(iv) A plot point
View AnswerAns. (i) A fact
(c) Explain any one inference that can be drawn from the line, “To say that Shukla was a resolute man will not be an extravagant claim.”
View AnswerAns. The given line infers that evidently, Rajkumar Shukla was a ‘resolute’ who took Gandhi to Champaran, to champion the cause of the poor sharecroppers. He followed Gandhi and waited long for him at the appointed spot in Calcutta to take Gandhi with him.
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears evidence to the fact that Rajkumar Shukla was a resolute.
View AnswerAns. Months passed. Shukla was sitting on his haunches at the appointed spot in Calcutta when Gandhi arrived; he waited till Gandhi was free.
(e) Based on the context provided in the extract, select the most likely option what was Gandhi not permitted by the servants to do?
(i) To sit on the chair
(ii) To stay on the ground
(iii) To draw water from the well
(iv) To come inside the house along with Shukla
View AnswerAns. (iii) To draw water from the well
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word.
The author’s views on the character of Shukla, in the extract, can best be described as statements based on ______________.
View AnswerAns. facts
10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words.
(a) What can be inferred from the chapter The Rattrap where the people are craving for human company and dealing with loneliness?
View AnswerAns. Man is called a social being and that has been truly reflected in this lesson. The old crofter living in a gray cottage welcomes the rattrap seller because he was all alone and wanted some companionship. Edla and her father insisted on the tramp staying at their manor for Christmas as they wanted someone for the festival.
(b) “Importance of freedom or education is understood only when it is felt with intensity.” What can you conclude from the given statement? (The Last Lesson)
View AnswerAns. Franz as a child felt that freedom was not going to school. When he realized that real freedom was to study and be proud of one’s legacy, language and nationality then understood the real importance. People always forget to value these important aspects.
(c) The author Ashokamitran has literary inclinations from the account in the lesson, ‘Poets and Pancakes’. Give some evidences from the text.
View AnswerAns. Ashokamitran was entrusted with the job of maintaining newspaper clippings of movies and other articles. Though to others, he appeared to be doing nothing. Also, there prevailed an intellectual environment to some extent because the poets and script writers used to hang out there in the mess that served coffee any time of the day. The author actually read essay ‘The God who Failed’ to know more about the poet Stephen Spender. All these are evidences that he had some literary taste.
(d) With fear and ache inside her heart and words of assurance on lips and smile on the face, the poet presents two opposite and contrasting experiences. Why does the poet put on a smile? (My Mother at Sixty-six)
View AnswerAns. The ‘wan’, ‘pale’, face of the poet’s mother at sixty-six brings an image of death and decay. It brings that old familiar ache and fear of separation back. She composes herself and tries to look normal. She utters the words of assonance that they will meet again soon. She tries to hide her ache and fear by smiling continuously.
(e) The events in the lesson, ‘Indigo’ illustrate Gandhi’s method of working. Identify some instances of this method and link them to his ideas of satyagraha and non-violence.
View AnswerAns. Gandhi’s politics was intermingled with the day-to-day problems of the millions of Indians. He opposed unjust laws. He was ready to court arrest for breaking such laws and going to jail. The famous Dandi March to break the ‘salt law’ is another instance. The resistance and disobedience was peaceful and a fight for truth and justice. This was linked directly to his ideas of satyagraha and non-violence.
(f) Some sort of terror seized Douglas as he went down the water with a yellow glow. How could he feel that he was still alive? (Deep Water)
View AnswerAns. When Douglas went down the water with a yellow glow it was a nightmarish experience for him. His legs were almost paralysed, his lungs were aching and his head was throbbing. He felt the thumping of his heart and the pounding in his head and these made him realize that he was still alive.
11. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words.
(a) The manner of the Tiger King’s death is a matter of extraordinary interest. Comment.
View AnswerAns. The Tiger King was proclaimed to die of a tiger so he killed a hundred tigers to prove the proclamation wrong. But, in fact, it was a wooden tiger which caused his death. He had bought a wooden toy tiger for his son and as he was playing with it, one of its slivers pierced his hand which later on got infected. The infection spread in the entire arm and the Maharaja died while under going surgery. Thus, his death is a matter of extraordinary interest.
(b) ‘It’s important to be a good human being than being a professional or a true patriot.’ Elaborate with reference to the character of Sadao in ‘The Enemy’.
View AnswerAns. Sadao is a perfect example of a good human. He was a thorough professional, dedicated Japanese and a par excellence human. He could have easily handed over the Prisoner of War but his humanity refrained him from doing so. Though he hated Americans yet as a doctor he was over and above all the factors.
(c) Answer the question in the context of the following lines from ‘On the Face of It’.
‘Inclusive education’ is a step to bring the people with deformities into the mainstream so as to build up their confidence and morale.
To what extent do you consider the importance of ‘inclusive education”?
View AnswerAns. Inclusive education is a step to bring the people with deformity into the mainstream. It is a step to imbibe confidence in those who have deformities. It enhances self-esteem of such people and provides an environment where they can grow into a complete human being and feel confident and independent.
12. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
A. Imagine you are roadside people, the people discussed in Robert Frost’s ‘A Roadside Stand’. What advice might you offer to Aunt Jennifer, in the context of her exploitation, as displayed in the given lines-
When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on a prancing, proud and unafraid.
Pen down your advice to her in a paragraph.
You may begin like this:
Since time immemorial, women have been regarded as the weaker sex.
View AnswerAns. Since time immemorial, women have been regarded as the weaker sex and have been given secondary or subordinate positions. Even today, when women constitute almost half of the world population, and a considerable part of the workforce, cases of gender inequality and women exploitation are common.
It is the need of the hour to empower women to reduce gender differences and to stop this exploitation. The first step towards this is to educate her so that they can be made aware of their rights and privileges. Teaching job skills and providing employment opportunities will also serve to empower women as it gives them economic independence.
Women should be allowed to express their opinion in public and at home. This will help in building self-esteem and confidence. Gender sensitization at home, educational institutions, workplace, etc. will bring about woman empowerment in the true sense.
OR
B. The characters in prose sections, Mukesh in The Lost Spring and Sophie in Going Places are two different kinds of daydreamers. One is who fulfilled his dreams in real and the other is one who always lives in imaginary dreams. The daydreaming can affect our lives positively as well as negatively. Compare this with reference to these two prescribed text.
You may begin like this: As each coin has two faces…
View AnswerAns. As each coin has two faces, daydreaming can also be real or unreal. On one side daydreaming can boost creativity within us, motivate us and make us more effective in our day-to-day life. However, some daydreamers are also proven to lead to stress, remove motivation and create unrealistic expectations.
Mukesh in The Lost Spring belonged to a family of bangle makers in Firozabad, had a daydream to become a car mechanic. He fulfilled his dreams by hard work and honesty. However, Sophie in Going Places also lives in a dreamy world which has distant relation with the harsh realities of life. She dreams of big and beautiful things beyond her reach or her means. She is neither practical nor realistic. Due to this nature, she can never ever succeed in her goals of unrealistic imagination. Therefore, we should think real, act real. One could survive in realism. Realism leads to positive imagination.
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
A. Both Sam and Charley experienced the presence of the third level at Grand Central Station. Instead of coming out from this illusion, Sam, being a psychiatrist got trap in this illusion. It is a story about time travel.
Imagine yourself to be Sam, and express your thoughts whether the third level exist or not.
View AnswerAns. The story The Third Level is the most concise and entertaining story about time travel. Charley, in the story, was a nervous person. Stamp collection was his hobby. Though he was young, he feared to live in this war-ridden world. He wanted to go to a peaceful and idyllic place. Later he went to the past. But his wife, Louisa, denied to believe in him and asked him to consult a psychiatrist.
Sam was a psychiatrist, and a friend of Charley. When Charley fantasised about the Third Level at Grand Central Station, he visited Sam for consultation. Sam declared it merely a ‘temporary refuge’ from his tension. He called it waking-dream-wish-fulfillment. But slowly he himself got trapped in this imaginary world. He talked to many psychic patients daily, who told him about their woes and worries. It had made Sam’s life a burdened one. He also started trying to find sojourn. He wanted to escape from the life which had become woeful after listening to the afflictions of the patients suffering from mental diseases.
OR
B. Dr Sadao and his wife, despite every possibility of being caught, save the life of the American prisoner and finally let him escape. Nothing is bigger than patriotism, but there is one sentiment that is above all.
As the American Prisoner, create a diary entry, discussing the value that was displayed by Dr Sadao and his wife.
View AnswerAns.
Monday, 24th June
Time: 10:00 pm
Dear Diary,
Patriotism is undoubtedly important but humanity is above patriotism. Dr Sadao and his wife knew that the Americans were their enemies and that if they let me (American Prisoner) stay, they could land into trouble. Notwithstanding this possibility, they gave me shelter in their house and treated my wounds. Hana washed my wounds when her maid refused. Dr Sadao operated upon me. However, he proved himself loyal to his nation by informing the General about me. When the General’s private assassins failed to turn up, Sadao arranged for my escape. He handled the situation quite diplomatically. He conveyed a message through his noble gesture that nothing is greater than humanity. They saved my life – me!
An American Prisoner