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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. In India, the performing arts are closely associated with every aspect of people’s lives. Dance, music and song are associated with the occupation of people such as harvesting, sowing, fishing. grinding of grain as also with celebrating the seasons or describing nature such as animals, birds and flowers.
2. Bihu dance, a seasonal festival celebrated by the farmers in Assam, centres around the agricultural activity of the region. Rows of dancers move backwards and forwards showing the transplanting of paddy and the harvesting of rice. Simple rhythms, body movements in perfect synchronisation and the costumes add to the beauty of the dance.
3. The Wangala dance is performed by women who create formations of circles and semi-circles dancing to rhythm which is provided on large horizontal drums played by men.
4. In the Chang Lo dance of Nagaland, men and women gather together in community tribal dances that strengthen the bonds of relationships. The movements of the dance begin with a slow pace gradually becoming faster to the beat of drums. The dancers create formations of circles and semi-circles, all of them following the same steps.
5. The origin of the martial dance of Manipur is associated with the myth of creation. Most of the practitioners of martial arts learn and perform with both spear and sword.
6. The Bhutia is a community in Sikkim having their distinct culture, religion, tradition, custom and language. Their dance is called Shabdo, the brisk movement of feet. Their songs describe the natural beauty of the land, holy lakes, sacred caves, serene monasteries, and rich flora and fauna.
7. Chu Faat or Lepcha dance also belongs to Sikkim. The literary meaning of Chu Faat is the worship of snowy range. This age-old folk dance is performed in the honour of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain. Carrying butter lamps and green bamboo leaves, the dancers perform this dance to the accompaniment of songs.
8. Chakri, the most popular group song form of Kashmir’s folk music, is sung to the accompaniment of the nout (geger), ruhab, sarangi and tumbaknaer–an earthen pot with a high neck.
9. Nati is a common name given to many types of dances performed in Himachal Pradesh. During the Dussehra festival which is very popular in Himachal Pradesh, the temple deities are taken out in procession in Kulu with gods accompanied by dancers and musicians.
10. The Bhangra dance of Punjab is performed after harvesting to celebrate the fruit of their labour and hard work. Vigorous movements and simple acrobatics are accompanied by the drum beat.
11. In the Munda tribal dance of Jharkhand, the Munda women form a chain by linking arms around one another’s waists and move in unison to the beat of the drums played by the Munda men.
12. In India there are three types of Chhau dances practised in Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(a) Select the option that describes the movements of Wangala dance.
(i) Formation of circles within semi-circles, while dancing.
(ii) Formation of semi-circles and then making larger circles all to the rhythm of the Wangala drum.
(iii) Formation of circles and semi-circles all to the beat of large horizontal drums.
(iv) Formation of horizontal lines all to the beat of circular and semi-circular drums.
View AnswerAns. (ii) Formation of semi-circles and then making larger circles all to the rhythm of the Wangala drum.
(b) Which of the following statements is relevant to the context?
The Indian lifestyle is contextualised around ____________
(i) dance, music and song for all seasons
(ii) the occupations of people, their celebrations and their descriptions of nature
(iii) the occupations during festivals and for describing their natures
(iv) the occupations of dancing, singing and celebrating on every opportunity
View AnswerAns. (ii) the occupations of people, their celebrations and their descriptions of nature
(c) State how the dances of the Lepchas and the Bhutias differ from those of the northeast of India in about 40 words.
View AnswerAns. These dances in general speak about the beauties of nature, particularly the snowy ranges, lakes, rivers sacred caves, serene monasteries, and are performed using products of their land such as butter.
(d) Complete the sentence appropriately with a characteristic or its description.
The subject matter of the passage indicates ______________
View AnswerAns. dance as a way of bonding, celebrating harvests and praising the bounties of nature
(e) Select the option that is similar in meaning to ‘vigorous.’
(i) feeble
(ii) robust
(iii) accompaniment
(iv) popular
View AnswerAns. (ii) robust
(f) State how the Manipur dance differs from other dance forms of this region.
View AnswerAns. The Manipur dances are martial dances associated with the myth of creation, while the dance forms of the Nagas and Wangala dancers attempt to build stronger bondings of friendship.
(g) In the line, “In India, the performing art are closely associated with every aspect of people’s lives.” What does ‘aspect’ mean here?
View AnswerAns. facet
(h) How does the following, impact the reader?
“Bihu dance, a seasonal festival celebrated by the farmers in Assam, centres around the agricultural activity of the region.”
View AnswerAns. The movements of Bihu dancing include standing in rows and moving backwards and forwards to emulate paddy planting and harvesting, while synchronising their body movements and their costumes.
(i) Read the five options (1) – (5) given below.
(1) Performing arts-associated with every aspect of people’s lives
(2) Performing arts- not a good thing
(3) Dance- a way of bonding
(4) Dance-not related to movement
(5) Dance- only materialistic
Identify the option that corresponds with the above passage.
(i) (1) and (2)
(ii) (1) and (3)
(iii) (4) and (5)
(iv) (3) and (4)
View AnswerAns. (ii) (1) and (3)
2. Read the following text.
1. Global Hunger Index (GHI) measures and ranks countries on a hunger index at the global, regional, and national levels, but not at the sub-national level. In common parlance, hunger and nutrition are two different things. Hunger is associated with food scarcity and starvation. It produces images of emaciated people holding empty food bowls. GHI uses childhood mortality and nutrition indicators for its findings.
2. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of grain and the largest producer of milk, and the per capita intake of grain, vegetables and milk has increased manifold according to FAO It is, therefore, contentious and unacceptable to club India (rank 107) with countries facing serious food shortages, which is what GHI has done. There is no denying that in India, nutrition, particularly child nutrition, continues to be a problem. Unlike the GHI, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) does a good job of providing comparative state-level data, including the main pointers that determine health and nutrition.
3. NFHS provides estimates of underweight, (low weight for age), stunting (low height for age) and wasting (low weight for height). These conditions affect preschool children disproportionately and compromise a child’s physical and mental development while also increasing the vulnerability to infections. Moreover, undernourished mothers (attributable to social and cultural practices,) give birth to low-birth-weight babies that remain susceptible to infections, transporting their handicaps into childhood and adolescence.
4. The first child nutrition challenge relates to breastfeeding. NFHS says that only 42 per cent of infants are breastfed within one hour of birth, which is the recommended norm. The second issue relates to prolonging breastfeeding well beyond the recommended six months and giving food lacking in nutritional diversity. It is worrisome that states like Bihar, UP and Jharkhand have fallen from their own levels five years ago.
5. Almost one dozen nutrition programmes have been under implementation since 1975. Several more have been added of late, but most beneficiaries of these food distribution programmes are kids attending anganwadis or schools, adolescents, and pregnant and lactating mothers. This must continue but new borns, infants, and toddlers need attention too. The jury is divided on the causes and solutions. Some recommend focus on sanitation and hygiene, some on using BMI, and others propagate avoiding a disproportionate focus on body measurements; and instead, engaging with actual diet. (384 words)
Answer the following questions, based on given passage.
(a) Justify the writer’s claim that lack of good nutrition in India is a challenge but a bigger challenge is child nutrition. Answer in about 40 words.
View AnswerAns. Lack of good nutrition in India is a challenge but a bigger challenge is child nutrition because that affects young children disproportionately and compromises their physical and mental development while making them vulnerable to infections.
(b) India’s rank on the Global Hunger Index has an inherent irony because it does not match the conclusive evidence gathered by the FAO. Which of the following options should not be on the list?
(i) India is the world’s largest producer of milk.
(ii) India is the world’s largest producer of grain.
(iii) India is the world’s largest consumer of grain.
(iv) India is the world’s largest consumer of vegetables.
View AnswerAns. (iv) India is the world’s largest consumer of vegetables.
(c) In India the journey of infants on the road to malnutrition begins well before birth and continues thereafter. What evidence does the author refer to with post-birth nutrition?
View AnswerAns. Only 42 per cent of infants are breastfed within one hour of birth and continue to be breastfed even after six months when they should be moving to solid food.
(d) Despite a plethora of government sponsored schemes to ensure nutrition in the last 27 years, the benefits of food distribution schemes have not reached preschool children. What is the biggest roadblock in this?
(i) Focus is not on sanitation and hygiene.
(ii) There is a disproportionate focus on body measurements.
(iii) There is hardly any focus on actual diet.
(iv) Only pregnant and lactating mothers and anganwadi kids get the benefits.
View AnswerAns. (iv) Only pregnant and lactating mothers and anganwadi kids get the benefits.
(e) Choose the option that is the perfect antonym of the word ‘contentious’, as used in paragraph two.
(i) challenging
(ii) provocative
(iii) agreeable
(iv) belligerent
View AnswerAns. (iii) agreeable
(f) NFHS has clearly established that the problems of wasting, stunting and being underweight in preschool children owe their origin to social and cultural practices rather than the non-availability of food. Based on your understanding of paragraph three, justify or refute the statement.
View AnswerAns. The statement is true because undernourished mothers (due to social and cultural practices) give birth to low-birth-weight babies that remain susceptible to infections, and carry their handicaps into childhood and adolescence.
(g) Complete the sentence appropriately.
Some of the states in India are virtually on the brink of an epidemic of ___________ in young children.
View AnswerAns. malnutrition
(h) State TRUE or FALSE.
Findings by NFHS are based on comparative state-level data.
View AnswerAns. False
SECTION B: CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS
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. Mira International Senior Secondary School follows the maxim-Charity Begins at Home’. So, it wishes to organise its annual school fete for the benefit of flood victims in Bihar. All the proceeds from the sale of tickets, food and games, etc. will be deposited in the CM’s Relief Fund. Draft a notice in about 50 words for the annual school event reflecting this noble purpose in your draft. Sign off as Himanshi Soni, Activity Coordinator of the school.
View AnswerAns.
OR
B. The Old Students’ Association of your college had recently decided to call a formal meeting of its executive committee with the objective of finalizing the programme for its much-awaited Annual Alumni Meet. As the secretary of the Old Students’ Association of St. Margaret College of Engineering, write a notice in about 50 words sharing the details to organize the upcoming event. You are Neha Malhotra.
View AnswerAns.
4. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words.
A. You are a student of Sacred Heart Convent School, McLeod Ganj. The school is holding its Annual Function at 5:00 pm on 5th September 20XX. The Education Minister of the state has consented to be the Chief Guest. Design an invitation card to be sent to the parents and other invites. Do not exceed 50 words.
View AnswerAns.
OR
B. You are Nancy/Raghav. You have come out successful in the class-XII examination. You have decided to have a party for your friends. Draft an invitation in about 50 words giving details of the venue, time and date.
View AnswerAns.
5. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words.
A. You are Arun Shinde, BE (Electrical) from Nagpur University. Your saw the given advertisement in the newspaper and wish to apply for the position advertised. Write a letter to Cosmos Ltd., along with your bio-data expressing your interest in the advertised post.
Cosmos Ltd.
PURCHASE OFFICER
Wanted
For Electrical Company
Opportunity for aspiring Electrical Engineer
WHO DO WE NEED?
Fresher, Experienced, both welcome
Required: Degree/Diploma in Electrical Engineering
Skills: ability to do work independently, computer literate, and ability to multi-task
Please send your resumes to – The Managing Director, Cosmos Ltd., 72 E, Industrial Area, Andheri East, Mumbai – 400093
View AnswerAns.
OR
B. You are Shyam Singh, an assistant professor at Netaji Subhash University, Kolkata. Outside your college, there is a river which is polluted by the locals. You want to organize a rally to make people aware of the issue. Write a letter to the editor highlighting the need for awareness among people and to motivate people to join the rally.
• For awareness
→ general public/educational institutions
→ how? – in person/social media
• Dire consequences-self and others.
• Adherence
→fines and penalties
View AnswerAns.
6. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words.
A. Our performance in Rio Olympics has told us that we do not pay enough attention to athletics and outdoor games. It is time we change our attitude. Sports should be an important part of the school’s daily routine. Use the given cues along with your own ideas to compose an article on ‘Importance of Outdoor Games’. You are Suraj/Sreeja.
• computerisation – affects the youth
• new generation – glue to mobile and television screen
• outdoor games – more neglected
• talent to improve performance in international arena
View AnswerAns.
Importance of Outdoor Games
By Thomas
The impact of computerization is severely affecting the youth today. Sports and games that were only outdoor have now become primarily virtual, and boys and girls are literally glued to the screens of their monitor sets playing computer games.
What is, however, worrying is the poor performance of our athletes, swimmers, footballers, bikers, car racers or basketball players to name a few. Outdoor games are very much neglected at home and given little importance in most school curriculums. Physical exercises through sports and games not only tone and maintain our bodies but relax our mind too, thus, warding off several diseases at an early age and on the contrary, increases the resistance to innumerable ailments.
The body of a young person not only remains flexible but also acquires toughness that keeps him comfortable even at old age too. Even the septuagenarians abroad play badminton, table tennis or trek to maintain their health. Local clubs, state and national level coaching camps, state and national level coaching camps need to create better ambience, give encouragement and pool in government commitments to discover and nurture sports, talents to improve our performance in the international arena for sports.
OR
B. You witnessed a programme performed by differently-abled persons on Zee TV. You were very much impressed by their performance and were emotionally touched. Highlighting their talent, the reaction of the judges to their performance, etc. prepare a report for your school magazine. You are Gopal/Gauri, Student Editor of the magazine. Support your ideas with outline cues given below.
• On which day? Who organised? Purpose of the programme
• Activities that took place – who attended?
• How were differently-abled people encouraged?
View AnswerAns.
A Special Programme on Zee TV
by Gauri, Student Editor
On the occasion of Independence Day, Zee TV organized a special programme in which differently-abled persons performed in front of a live audience and were also watched by millions of people across the globe. They displayed their talent in the fields of music and dance. Their performances left the judges, the audience and the viewers enthralled. I am sure it also touched the hearts of many.
An outstanding sequence, in which wheelchair-bound boys and girls performed ‘Bharatnatyam’, left the audience spellbound and got a standing ovation from the judges.
It was most touching to see these children performing with such perfection despite their handicaps and their zest and enthusiasm added an extra touch to their performance. I strongly feel more such shows should be telecast so that more disabled children get an opportunity to showcase their talent. This will give them self-confidence that in spite of their disabilities they too are very much a part of our society.
SECTION C: LITERATURE
7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
[A Thing of Beauty](a) Which of the following rhyming schemes is best represented in the given extract?
(i) abababc
(ii) aabbc
(iii) abcabc
(iv) abcd
View AnswerAns. (ii) aabbc
(b) State whether the following statement in TRUE or FALSE, with reference to the extract. The sight of lovely and beautiful things will live on in our memories for the rest of our lives.
View AnswerAns. True
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The beautiful things can provide us extreme happiness and ____________
View AnswerAns. delight
(d) The literary device used in the phrase ‘pass into nothingness’ is ___________
View AnswerAns. Metaphor
(e) Based on the poem rhyme scheme, evident in lines 2-5, of the given extract, which word would rhyme with line 1?
Ans. ever
(f) Select the option that is NOT true about the lack of punctuation at the end of the lines given in the extract.
(i) Creates a sense of continuity and flow that connects the line with the second line.
(ii) Encourages the reader to continue reading seamlessly without any pause.
(iii) Creates a sense of anticipation and expectation for the reader.
(iv) Encourages a revisit to the ideas in the preceding lines.
View AnswerAns. (iii) Creates a sense of anticipation and expectation for the reader.
OR
B. It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
To live in villages, next to the theatre and the store,
Where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore,
While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.
[A Roadside Stand](a) Choose the option that displays the correct poetic device with the correct examples based on the given extract.
(i) greedy good-doers : metaphor
(ii) soothe them out of their wits: metaphor
(iii) beneficent beasts of prey: oxymoron
(iv) all these pitiful kin: imagery
View AnswerAns. (iii) beneficent beasts of prey: oxymoron
(b) Mention three words used by the poet in the extract that make the reader question the motives of the benefactors and the good-doers.
View AnswerAns. The words – ‘enforcing’, calculated’ and ‘teaching’ used by the poet show that the benefactors and the good-doers have questionable motives.
(c) Select the option that WILL NOT complete the sentence appropriately.
These facilities have been provided by _____________ with the real objective of __________
(i) the government; sharing good things with its poor citizens
(ii) the opposition parties; not showing keen interest in the poor people
(iii) social activists, not ensuring social equality
(iv) the government; keeping the poor distracted from the real issues.
View AnswerAns. (i) the government; sharing good things with its poor citizens
(d) State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
The poetic device used in the line ‘these pitiful kin’ is the same as ‘greedy good-doers!”
View AnswerAns. False
(e) What is the tone of the poet in the line, ‘gathered in to live in villages, next to the theatre and the store’ indicate?
View AnswerAns. The poet with his sarcastic tone indicates the poor people who are gathered in to live in villages, next to the theatre and the store but in reality, they were living in vulnerable situations.
(f) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The poor have been ‘gathered into live in villages next to the theatre and the store.’ This shows that _____________.
View AnswerAns. the move is at best illusory.
8. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. MR LAMB: Rubbish? Look, boy, look…. what do you see?
DERRY: Just….grass and stuff. Weeds.
MR LAMB: Some call them weeds. If you like, then…. a weed garden, that. There’s fruit and there are flowers, and trees and herbs. All sorts. But over there…. weeds. I grow weeds there. Why is one green, growing plant called a weed and another flower’? Where’s the difference? It’s all life…. growing. Same as you and me.
DERRY: We’re not the same.
MR LAMB: I’m old. You’re young. You’ve got a burned face, I’ve got a tin leg. Not important. You’re standing there…. I’m sitting here. Where’s the difference?
[On The Face of It](a) Why does Mr Lamb draw Derry’s attention and stress on ‘looking?
Ans. Mr. lamb wants Derry to open his eyes and appreciate the beauty of the world around him.
(b) What are the fundamental differences between Derry’s and Mr Lamb’s understanding of the world and life? These are:
(i) Derry: introvert; Mr Lamb: extrovert
(ii) Derry: nervous; Mr Lamb: domineering
(iii) Derry: self-pity; Mr Lamb: accepting
(iv) Derry: unseeing: Mr Lamb: appreciative
View AnswerAns. (iv) Derry: unseeing: Mr Lamb: appreciative
(c) How is Derry’s tone when he says, “We’re not the same?” ____________
View AnswerAns. depressed
(d) Why does Mr Lamb emphasise the importance of weeds? What is the idea behind it?
View AnswerAns. Just like flowers and weeds are all plants similarly, whole and disabled humans are all living beings of same species, i.e., people. It all depends on the perception of the onlooker.
OR
B. I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit. Since the day I was taken from my mother I had suffered extreme indignities. People had stared at me. I had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet. And now my long hair was shingled like a coward’s! In my anguish, I moaned for my mother, but no one came to comfort me. Not a soul reasoned quietly with me, as my own mother used to do; for now, I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder.
[Memories of Childhood](a) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The act of cutting the author’s hair was both a transformative and traumatic moment for Zitkala-Sa because ____________
View AnswerAns. it made her feel like an animal in a herd with no identity of her own.
(b) The author sums up the agonising experience of cutting of her braids in the words-Then I lost my spirit.”
Which of the options below explains this statement perfectly well as described in the extract?
(i) Her shingled hair made her feel like a coward.
(ii) She felt that she had lost her identity.
(iii) It was an act of extreme indignity.
(iv) She lost her resolve and determination to fight.
View AnswerAns. (iv) She lost her resolve and determination to fight.
(c) Zitkala-Sa mentions for now I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder.’ What is meant by this statement?
View AnswerAns. The given statement means that they had to forego their individuality and identity.
(d) Which figure of speech exists in the statement- ‘I had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet”?
View AnswerAns. simile
9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. They thought he would demand repayment in full of the money which they had illegally and deceitfully extorted from the sharecroppers. He asked only 50 per cent. “There he seemed adamant,” writes Reverend J. Z. Hodge, a British missionary in Champaran who observed the entire episode at close range. “Thinking probably that he would not give way, the representative of the planters offered to refund to the extent of 25 per cent, and to his amazement Mr. Gandhi took him at his word, thus breaking the deadlock.” This settlement was adopted unanimously by the commission.
[Indigo](a) From the given extract, justify that the decision to agree for a 25% compensatory amount was not a unilateral decision.
View AnswerAns. The decision to agree for a 25% compensatory amount was not a unilateral decision as this settlement was adopted unanimously by the commission.
(b) Why was Gandhi adamant in asking for 50% in repayment of the money that the landowners owed to the sharecropper?
(i) He knew that the planters had the means to repay.
(ii) The sharecroppers would not settle for any less.
(iii) His own team of lawyers did not allow him to agree to a lesser amount.
(iv) Reverend Hodge had prevailed upon him.
View AnswerAns. (i) He knew that the planters had the means to repay.
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
Gandhi knew that he would not get an agreement on the demand for 50% repayment because ___________
View AnswerAns. he knew that the landlords will resort to bargaining and negotiation.
(d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that the claim regarding the compensation amount to be paid to the planters by the landlords cannot be corroborated.
View AnswerAns. The claim regarding the compensation amount to be paid to the planters by the landlords was that the representatives of the sharecroppers wanted the peasants to pay 15% only.
(e) What does the expression ‘take someone at his word’ mean?
View AnswerAns. to take someone’s statement at his/her face value.
(f) Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?
(i) The importance of British rule
(ii) The breaking of deadlock
(iii) The rigidity of British rule
(iv) The anxiety of Gandhiji
View AnswerAns. (ii) The breaking of deadlock
OR
B. Then, from one thing to another, M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it was the most beautiful language in the world—the clearest, the most logical; that we must guard it among us and never forget it, because when a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison. Then he opened a grammar book and read us our lesson. I was amazed to see how well I understood it. All he said seemed so easy, so easy! I think too, that I had never listened so carefully, and that he had never explained everything with so much patience. It seemed as if the poor man wanted to give us all he knew before going away, and to put it all into our heads at one stroke. (The Last Lesson)
(a) What advice of M. Hamel shows that he was a patriot indulging in sentimental exaggeration?
View AnswerAns. M. Hamel’s advice that they must guard their mother tongue amongst themselves and never forget it shows that the man was a patriot indulging in sentimental exaggeration.
(b) The line, ‘The French language is the most logical and the most logical language in the world,’ can be classified as:
(i) a fact
(ii) an opinion
(iii) a perception
(iv) a theme
View AnswerAns. (i) a fact
(c) Explain any one possible inference that can be drawn from the line, “M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it was the most beautiful language in the world the clearest, the most logical; and we must guard it among us and never forget it.”
View AnswerAns. It can be inferred that French was the most beautiful language in the world. It was the clearest and the most logical language. M. Hamel asked the students to guard it among them and never forget it.
(d) Identify the lines from the given extract which tell us that it is the last time M. Hamel was teaching his students French.
View AnswerAns. The lines are, “All he said seemed so easy, so easy! I think too, that I had never listened so carefully, and that he had never explained everything with so much patience. It seemed as if the poor man wanted to give us all he knew before going away, and to put it all into our heads at one stroke.”
(e) Franz, who had been quite slow in learning his own native language, suddenly finds it ‘so easy’. Which of these options does not corroborate and match the explanation of the given statement?
(i) Franz was more attentive and receptive that day.
(ii) M. Hamel was more patient in explaining the concepts.
(iii) M. Hamel had put all the knowledge into their heads at one stroke.
(iv) Franz also realized the value of learning his native Language.
View AnswerAns. (iii) M. Hamel had put all the knowledge into their heads at one stroke.
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word.
A language gives a cultural and national ____________ to the people and moulds their perceptions.
View AnswerAns. identity
10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words.
(a) “You realize the true value of a thing only on losing it.” Comment on this statement in the light of the story, ‘The Last Lesson’.
View AnswerAns. M. Hamel was considered as a strict disciplinarian and the classes or the work given by him were not taken seriously. After he was ordered to leave the country, villagers realized the importance of his contribution to the society.
(b) What does Gandhi refer to as a ‘conflict of duties’?
(Indigo)
View AnswerAns. Gandhi refers to the conflict between his duty to obey the law and his duty towards the people of India who were suffering. This was a “conflict of duties”. He had disregarded the order to leave not for want of respect for lawful authority but in obedience to the voice of conscience.
(c) What does the expression ‘polished traffic’ refer to? What does it reveal about city people?
(A Roadside Stand)
View AnswerAns. The expression ‘polished traffic’ refers to the cars and other vehicles that pass by the new shed at the edge of the road. It reveals that the city people are in a hurry and have little time to spare for the people living in the countryside. They are focused on their own lives and goals and do not help the poor country people who are in dire need of a little extra earning to better their life.
(d) Why did the ironmaster compare Edla to a parson?
(The Rattrap)
View AnswerAns. The ironmaster compared Edla to a parson because she preached to him just like one when she told him to let the vagabond stay in the house even though he was not an acquaintance. She reinforced the Christian value of celebrating Christmas by helping others. She didn’t want to chase away a human being whom they had asked to come and to whom they had promised Christmas cheer.
(e) What handicap did Douglas suffer from? How did he overcome that?
(Deep Water)
View AnswerAns. Douglas suffered from a fear of water, which he had developed after a traumatic experience in a pool. This deprived him of the basic joys of life. He overcame this fear by gradually exposing himself to water with the help of an instructor who taught him how to swim. He eventually conquered his fear and swam in various places to challenge himself and overcome his fear completely.
(f) What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at Gemini Studios?
(Poets and Pancakes)
View AnswerAns. The Englishman’s speech was peppered with words like ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy’ and the Gemini family had no political interests, so they were dazed and sat like a silent audience. Also, the Englishman’s accent was difficult to understand, because of which all communication was a colossal failure. He was basically a poet and that made no sense to the people whose life centered around a film studio, pancake and success and failure of movies at the box-office.
11. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words.
(a) Mention any two unforeseen hurdles the tiger king encountered in the fulfilment of his mission. How did he overcome them? (The Tiger King)
View AnswerAns. The tiger population in Pratibandapuram had become extinct. So, Tiger King got married to the daughter of the neighbouring kingdom which has the largest tiger population. His refusing permission to a high ranking British officer to hunt tigers in Pratibandapuram or even be photographed with a dead tiger put his kingdom at stake, but he pacified the Durai by sending some fifty expensive diamond rings to his wife for which he emptied the royal treasury.
(b) How did Charley often get lost on the Grand Central Station? (The Third Level)
View AnswerAns. The Grand Central Station was growing like a tree pushing out endless corridors, doorways, and stairs like roots. It had intricate and tangled pathways. The network of passages was so complicated that instead of reaching his destination, one did tend to move up and down to look for entries and exits. So, Charley often got lost on this station.
(c) What is it that draws Derry towards Mr Lamb in spite of himself? (On the Face of It)
View AnswerAns. Mr Lamb is the epitome of wisdom, a motivator and a patient listener. He holds a positive attitude to life. On seeing Derry, he neither asks anything about his face nor does he look disgusted; rather he makes Derry feel comfortable with his burnt face. He instills confidence in Derry. He wants him to understand the world and see the difference by watching and listening. Due to these qualities, Derry is drawn towards Lamb.
12. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
A. Today we are suffering from many types of pollution, noise pollution being one of them. We meditate. We visit hill stations. We go to temples. And we do all this in the quest of peace which is nowhere but within us. The need is to remain silent and still for some time.
After reading the above lines and the poem, ‘Keeping Quiet’, write an article in about 120-150 words on ‘Keep Quiet and Be at Peace’ for your school newsletter.
View AnswerAns.
Keep Quiet and Be at Peace
By XYZ
The world we inhabit today is characterized by arguments, disputes and unnecessary debates that result in a lot of noise, which may often be unpleasant or irritating. The rat race for success, the non-stop activity and the incessant rush has made our lives full of anxiety and misery. All this leaves us so disturbed that we all want to escape it and search for ways and means to achieve peace of mind.
For this, we often resort to meditation. We visit temples, go to hill stations, seeking mental relaxation. However, the peace that we so keenly search for outside us is to be actually found inside us. We can achieve peace within by stopping all activities and noise for a while. The consequent silence and inactivity will produce calmness. We do not need to go anywhere, we rather have to visit our own inner selves. Such introspection will certainly help us discover the peace within us.
OR
B. Aunt Jennifer is the representative of exploited women in her society. She succumbs to tortures and ordeals. In the wake of the twenty first century, we boast of development but exploitation of women still exist. Thus, there is a need to women empowerment. Draft your answer in paragraph form on the same.
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 inequality in our society and to stop this exploitation. The first step towards women empowerment is to educate women so that they can be made aware of their rights and privileges. Teaching job skills and providing employment opportunities 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 women empowerment in the true sense.
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
A. ‘The Enemy’, a story set in Japan at the time of Second World War raises high moral questions about ethics in the times of war. According to you, what is more important – a man’s primary responsibility as a human being or an overriding, irrational hatred of humans from enemy country?
As a responsible citizen of the country write a diary entry mentioning the conflict of interests that Dr Sadao faced. Support your response with reference to the story.
You may begin this way.
Dr Sadao Hoki, faced conflict of interests between loyalty to his country and devotion to his profession …………..
View AnswerAns.
Tuesday, 22nd August 20XX
10:00 pm
Dear Diary,
I, Dr Sadao Hoki, faced conflict of interests between loyalty to my country and devotion to my profession when an unconscious, dying American Prisoner of War was washed ashore in front of my house. Japan was at war with America and harbouring an enemy would be treason. My rational mind told me to throw the man back into the sea but my conscience and high medical ethics made me instinctively seek the man’s wound, staunched the bleeding, brought him into the house and operated on him. I left no stone unturned to nurse him back to health but I clearly intended to hand him over to the army once he was healed. As a Japanese, I had no desire to save an enemy’s life but as a doctor I ignored servants’ defiance and the risk to my reputation and family. The story showed how ideals of humanity and innate goodness of a human being triumphed over narrow patriotism.
Dr Sadao
OR
B. Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa belonged to the marginalized communities. They both face discrimination in their childhoods. What are the similarities in the lives of the two though they belong to different cultures?
Draft a diary entry and write your experiences faced by the two and their responses to these experiences.
View AnswerAns.
Tuesday, 22nd August 20XX
10:00 pm Dear Diary,
Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa belonged to the marginalized communities. But we as readers could very well note despise, racial discrimination and unhealthy treatment towards the humanity in general and the women, in particular. There are two episodes in which the first account relates to an American Indian woman who became the victim of racial discrimination. She was admitted to a school where native Indians did not get dignity. Accordingly, she was forced by the whites to follow their traditions and traits. Simons, the girl, was dragged out to shingle out her long hair. She cried, struggled and resisted but ultimately she felt like one of the merry animals driven by a herder.
In the same way, Bama – a Tamil Dalit girl, was very much upset to experience the curse of untouchability. The elders of her community had to bow before the upper caste. They had to work hard for them. They did not get respect. Thus, both the girls had two different cultures. They struggled hard and worked against the exploitation, depression, untouchability and racial discrimination. In the end, their recognition, their voices against the social evils triumphed.