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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
1. Read the following text.
1. Very often, we do not take the first step towards a good cause because we say to ourselves, “The task is so big. What can I do alone?” So nothing gets done. There is much talk about environmental protection, air pollution and saving our forests. Do we really care? If we do, here are a few things we can do to make our surroundings more pleasant.
2. It is good to adopt a two-uses-attitude! By putting an article to a second use, we are giving it a longer lease of life and using up less raw material from nature. One of the worst things we do is the abuse of paper. The clean sides of envelopes can be used to write small notes, lists and reminders around the house. The more paper we use, the more trees will have to be cut down. For the same reason, we should avoid the use of paper napkins or paper plates. Cloth napkins are just as good, for they can be washed and used over and over again.
3. Another area which needs the most urgent attention is effective garbage disposal. People who are conscious about it follow rules and laws strictly. As a result, their neighbourhoods are clean and beautiful. Similarly, each one of us can contribute to a cleaner environment. All kitchen waste should be collected separately. Those of you who have green fingers can turn this into valuable manure. Dig a pit and put the kitchen waste into it. When the pit is a little over half full, cover it up with mud. Let nature do the rest. Within three or six months, we will have a good garden manure. It can also be done as a community project by digging a large pit in the colony. Do take help of all the members, for nothing succeeds like co-operation.
4. A lot of people don’t care about the environment because they don’t understand the adverse effect that society has on it. It is important to convince people to care about the environment. The first step would be to convince people to change by providing simple alternative solutions and ways of doing things. The internet is a powerful tool and a group on social media of like- minded people can be formed. People can share environmental stories and issues, as well as pool in solutions and alternatives to educate one another. With the current state that our planet is in, it is imperative that people actively care about the environment and most importantly toact now.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(a) Select the option that classifies the reason for not taking first step towards a good cause.
(i) Because we feel that the task is too big and we cannot do anything alone.
(ii) Because we feel that nothing gets done anyhow.
(iii) Because we feel that we are not responsible for that task.
(iv) Because we feel that it is not our work to fulfill the task.
View AnswerAns. (i) Because we feel that the task is too big and we cannot do anything alone.
(b) What is the significance of two-uses attitude in the given extract?
(i) Putting an article to a second person.
(ii) Putting an article to a second use giving it a longer lease of life.
(iii) Putting less material from nature.
(iv) Putting the task apart itself.
View AnswerAns. (ii) Putting an article to a second use giving it a longer lease of life.
(c) Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words, to support the view that the writer’s writing style is descriptive in nature.
View AnswerAns. The writer gives the description to make our surroundings more pleasant. Concern about abuse of paper is also there. The writer asks us not to destroy even a small piece of paper. He also discusses the place to be “Clean and Green”.
(d) Complete the sentence appropriately with a characteristic or description.
The internet is a _____________ and a group on social media of like-minded people can be formed.
View AnswerAns. powerful tool
(e) Select the option that is similar in meaning to the word ‘succeeds’.
(i) triumph
(ii) lost
(iii) happy
(iv) sad
View AnswerAns. (i) triumph
(f) Explain in about 40 words, what procedure should one adopt for kitchen?
View AnswerAns. All the kitchen wastes should be collected separately. Those who have green fingers can turn the kitchen waste into manure. They can dig a pit and put kitchen waste into it. Then when it is half full, put some mud over it and let nature do the rest.
(g) In the line, “…a lot of people don’t care about the environment because they don’t understand the adverse effect that society has on it.” What does the word ‘adverse’ mean here?
View AnswerAns. unfavourable
(h) How does the following impact the reader?
“There is much talk about environmental protection, air pollution and saving our forests’.
View AnswerAns. The given line creates a sense of irresponsibility towards nature. Nobody cares about nature by heart. If we do, here are a few things we can do to make our surroundings more pleasant.
(i) Read the five options (1) – (5) given below.
(1) More paper-less cutting of trees
(2) Ineffective garbage disposal
(3) Internet- a powerless tool
(4) Adopt a two-uses attitude
(5) Make unpleasant surrounding
Identify the option that DOES/DO corresponds with the passage.
(i) (1) and (2)
(ii) Only (4)
(iii) (3) and (4)
(iv) Only (5)
View AnswerAns. (ii) Only (4)
2. Read the following text.
1. Our history makes it evident that the Indian Plastics Industry made a vigorous beginning in 1957 but it took more than 30 years for it to pervade Indian lifestyles. In 1979, ‘the market for plastics’ was just being seeded by the state-owned Indian Petro-Chemicals and it was only in 1994 that plastic soft drink bottles became a visible source of annoyance.
2. In the same year, people in other cities were concerned about the state of public sanitation and also urged regulatory bodies to ban the production, distribution and use of plastic bags. However, the challenge was greater than it appeared at first.
3. The massive generation of plastic waste in India is due to rapid urbanisation, spread of retail chains, plastic packaging from grocery to food and vegetable products, to consumer items and cosmetics. The projected high growth rates of GDP and continuing rapid urbanisation suggest that India’s trajectory of plastic consumption and plastic waste is likely to increase.
Global plastics production, 1950 to 2020
Annual global polymer resin and fiber production (plastic production), in Data measured in metric tonnes per year.
4. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report of 2018, India stands among few other countries like France, Mongolia and several African countries that have initiated total or partial national-level bans on plastics in their jurisdictions. On World Environment Day in 2018, India vowed to phase out single-use plastics by 2022, which gave a much needed impetus to bring this change.
5. In this context, thereafter ten states (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu) are currently sending their collected waste to cement plants for co-processing, twelve other states/UTs are using plastic waste for polymer bitumen road construction and still four other states are using the plastic waste for waste-to-energy plants and oil production. A world of greater possibilities has now opened up to initiate appropriate and concrete actions to build up the necessary institutions and systems before oceans turn, irreversibly into a thin soup of plastic.
6. However there is no one single masterstroke to counter the challenges witnessed by the staggering plastic waste management in the country. The time is now to formulate robust and inclusive National Action Plans and while doing so, the country will establish greater transparency to combat the plastic jeopardy in a more sustainable and holistic way.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(a) Infer what does our history make evident, as mentioned in paragraph 1. Answer in 40 words.
View AnswerAns. The Indian history makes it quite evident that the Indian Plastics Industry made a vigorous beginning in 1957 but it took more than 30 years for it to pervade Indian lifestyles. In due course of time, it made its place in every household.
(b) Why do people demand a ban on plastics?
(i) Because people are concerned about public sanitation.
(ii) Because of personal interests.
(iii) Because of rapid decrease in plastic bottles.
(iv) Because of political pressure.
View AnswerAns. (i) Because people are concerned about public sanitation.
(c) What can one conclude about the production of plastics in 2019? Answer with reference to the graph given in the extract.
View AnswerAns. It can be concluded with the production of plastics in 2019 that India’s trajectory of plastic production was increasing.
(d) Identify the user who did not accept the ban of plastic bottles in India.
(i) Shivam – I am drinking soft drink in plastic bottle as it is cheaper than tin can.
(ii) Sunaina – I am buying a soft drink tin can as plastic bottles after use create foul smell.
(iii) Harpreet – I love soft drinks, therefore, I am buying a tin can.
View AnswerAns. (i) Shivam – I am drinking soft drink in plastic bottle as it is cheaper than tin can.
(e) Which of the following is an example that is currently sending its collected waste to cement plants for co-processing, as per the extract?
(i) Andhra Pradesh
(ii) Delhi
(iii) Madurai
(iv) Goa
View AnswerAns. (i) Andhra Pradesh
(f) What step must be taken to combat the challenges of plastic waste management?
View AnswerAns. Ten states of India are sending their plastic collected waste to cement plants for co-processing, 12 other states are using plastic waste for polymer bitumen road construction and others are using it for waste to energy plants and oil production.
(g) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The time is now to formulate robust and inclusive National Action Plans to combat the plastic jeopardy in a ____________
View AnswerAns. more sustainable and holistic way
(h) State TRUE or FALSE.
The projected growth rates of GDP and continuing rapid urbanisation suggest that India’s trajectory of plastic consumption is likely to decrease tremendously.
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. RJ Public School is located in Central Government employees residential colony. Cultural Society of the school has decided to organize a fancy dress show on 25 January in which each participant will wear the dress particular to higher region. The aim is to show the cultural diversity of India. As Secretary, write a notice in about 50 words inviting the names of those who want to participate.
View AnswerAns.
RJ PUBLIC SCHOOL NOTICE
5 January 20XX
Fancy Dress Show
The Cultural Society of our school is organizing a fancy dress show on 25 January 20XX in which each participant has to wear the dress particular to his/her region. The aim of the show is to depict the cultural diversity of India. Those interested to participate are hereby informed to give in their names to the undersigned latest by 12 January 20XX.
XYZ
Secretary
Cultural Society
OR
B. You are Health Secretary, Students Council, Citizens Public School, Ram Bagh, Varanasi. The Council had decided to start a week-long cleanliness drive around the school from 2nd October. Draft a notice in about 50 words asking the Class XII students to enroll for the drive.
View AnswerAns.
CITIZENS’ PUBLIC SCHOOL, RAM BAGH
NOTICE
22 September 20XX
Cleanliness Drive
The Students Council has decided to start a week-long cleanliness drive around the school from 2 to 9 October 20XX. Students of Class XII are hereby requested to enroll for this drive. All interested volunteers are requested to give in their names to the undersigned latest by 24 September 20XX.
Health Secretary
Students Council
4. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words.
A. You are Somya/Samyak, Cultural Secretary of Delhi Public School, Delhi. Your school is going to organize a one-act play competition in the school auditorium. You are required to invite any famous theatre artist to grace the occasion. Draft a formal invitation for the invited person in about 50 words.
View AnswerAns.
The Principal, Staff and Teachers of Delhi Public School, Delhi
Take immense pleasure in inviting
Mr Raj Thakre
To grace the one-act play competition
In the School Auditorium
On Tuesday, 13 November 20XX
From 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 in the noon
Awaiting a favourable response from your end.
RSVP
Somya
Cultural Secretary
Contact No.: 98132XXXXX
(Delhi Public School, Delhi)
OR
B. You are Dr Bhalla. You have received an invitation from the Director, Health Services, Haryana, who has invited leading medical practitioners of the state to attend a workshop on ‘Child Care’ on 20 May 20XX at 10 a.m. in Civil Hospital, Ambala. Draft a formal reply in about 50 words accepting the invitation.
View AnswerAns.
Director
Health Services
Haryana
Dr Bhalla has a great pleasure in receiving the invitation from the Director, Health Services, Haryana to attend a workshop on ‘Child Care’ on 20 May 20XX at 10 a.m. in Civil Hospital, Ambala. He has confirmed his presence with thanks.
Dr Bhalla
15 May 20XX
5. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words.
A. You are Mohan/Mohini living at Tilak Nagar, Delhi. You saw the given advertisement in the newspaper and wish to apply for the post of Marketing Manager in a reputed firm in Delhi. Write a letter to the Public Relations Officer, ‘Chantac Enterprises’, Delhi along with your bio-data, expressing your interest in the advertised post.
CHANTAC ENTERPRISES
MARKETING MANAGER
Wanted
For Marketing Purposes
WHO DO WE NEED?
Fresher’s, Experienced, both welcome
Required: Degree/Diploma in Marketing
Skills: Good communication skills, have the capacity to convince clients, proper knowledge of computer
Please send your resumes to: Chantac Enterprises, B-170, Pusha Road, New Delhi Latest by: 30 July 20XX
View AnswerAns.
16, Tilak Nagar
Delhi
22 December, 20XX
Public Relations Officer
Chantac Enterprises
Delhi
Respected Sir
Subject: Application for the post of Marketing Manager in your firm
In response to your advertisement published in Hindustan Times dated 10 July 20XX, I wish to offer my services as one of the candidates.
I fulfill the conditions laid down in your advertisement. Enclosed herewith is the bio-data for your reference.
Hoping for a favourable response.
Yours faithfully
Mohan
(Mohan)
OR
B. When cricket teams go abroad, the members are allowed to take their wives, even friends along with them. Does this fact distract them or help them focus on their game in a better way? If it is good, why don’t we allow our athletes to enjoy the same privilege? Write a letter to the editor of a National Daily, giving your views on the issue. You are Navtej/Navita, M-114, Mount Kailash, Kanpur.
View AnswerAns.
M-114, Mount Kailash
Kanpur
10 May 20XX
The Editor
The Times of India
Bahadurshah Zafar Road
New Delhi-110002
Dear Sir
Subject: Cricketers with privilege
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards the privileges given to cricketers. Recently it has come into the news that the cricketers have been allowed to tour abroad along with their wives and friends too. Most of the people opine that it is a good move as it gives much emotional support to the players. It will help in concentrating on their games and also for the betterment of their performance. The question arises, ‘Is it a wise move to reinstate this ruling?’ This move has two facets.
Firstly, it might prove instrumental in their performance. Without tension of families, they can concentrate on their games. Secondly, it might divert their attention. In this case, they can’t concentrate on their performance, hence it deteriorates. If it is good, then athletes must enjoy the same privilege. Because they also represent their country and bring laurels to it. Whatever is best in the interest of the game, that should be done. Then only our players can compete at
international level.
Thanking you
Yours
Navtej
(Navtej)
6. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words.
A. Today, taking selfies has become a rage and is a global phenomenon. It has cost us several lives and also immortalized several moments. Draft an article taking help from the given verbal cues for a national daily on the trend of taking selfies and its impact on people. You are Saif/Sonam.
• Taking selfies- passion among youth
• transformed social culture
• left people in a disastrous state
• risky locations.
• doing dangerous stunts-more risky
View AnswerAns.
Trend of Taking Selfies and its Impact
by Saif
Today, we are living in a modern world. Everyone wants to be with trend and taking selfies is one of them. The culture of taking selfies has become a rage and is a global phenomenon. It has transformed our social culture and is commonly understood to be a photograph that has been taken by oneself. Every day, people present their ‘selves’ through ‘selfie’ and video whatever they eat, wherever they go, or whatever they do. This has reached to the level of obsession which has left numerous people in a disastrous state after losing their loved ones as a consequence. People are neglecting their own safety in order to update their social identity on social media platforms. We have numerous examples of selfie deaths, with most deaths occurring at risky locations as from a height, more in waterbodies or on railway tracks. The craze to get more likes and praises has made people not to hesitate in taking risks of life. Just for a selfie, they do dangerous stunts, e.g. hang out of running trains, jump from heights and reach in dangerous zones.
It is high time to create awareness about this and prevent our youth from destroying their future.
OR
B. A massive fire due to short circuiting gutted 50 old shops in the congested area of Sadar Bazaar in Delhi leading to loss of life and property. As a reporter with ‘The Deccan’, draft a report for the newspaper.
• incident that took place
• how much loss incurred?
• how much time did it take to douse?
• who saw the sparks?
• what were severely affected?
• what was the exact cause?
View AnswerAns.
50 Shops Gutted in Fire at Sadar Bazaar
Staff Reporter – The Deccan
22 December 20XX, New Delhi: 50 shops were gutted in a massive fire that broke out at Sadar Bazaar in Central Delhi on Saturday night. Though no casualty was reported but property worth about ₹4 crore was destroyed. According to the Delhi Fire Service, “A call was received at the fire control room at 9:50 p.m. In all, 27 fire tenders were pressed into service. It took more than two hours to douse the flame completely, said a DFS official. The blaze spread from the garment store to a jewellery shop and then to 50 old shops in the area. Two businessmen who were passing along the street had seen the sparks but before they could inform the shop owner, the garments hanging outside had caught the fire. It immediately spread to the neighbouring shops.
The exact cause of fire has not been ascertained yet. According to the police, prima facie it appeared that the fire started due to an electric short circuiting in the garment shop.
SECTION C: LITERATURE
7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool,
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of uncle’s wedding band,
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
(Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers)
(a) Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?
(i) The hopeful and positive bent of mind of Aunt Jennifer
(ii) The oppressed and frightened bent of mind of Aunt Jennifer
(iii) The intelligent bent of mind of Aunt Jennifer
(iv) The creative bend of mind of Aunt Jennifer
View AnswerAns. (ii) The oppressed and frightened bent of mind of Aunt Jennifer
(b) State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE, with reference to the extract.
Aunt Jennifer is very happy with wedding band.
View AnswerAns. False
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
Aunt Jennifer is suffering at the ___________
View AnswerAns. oppressive hands of the patriarchal society
(d) The ivory needle used to embroider is __________________ the difficulty in using it.
View AnswerAns. in sharp contrast to
(e) Based on the poem rhyme scheme, evident in lines 2-4, of the given extract, which word would rhyme with line 1?
Ans. cool
(f) Select the option that is an example of alliteration?
(i) The massive weight of uncle’s wedding
(ii) The ivory needle hard to pull
(iii) Finger fluttering the wool
(iv) Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer
View AnswerAns. (iii) Finger fluttering the wool
OR
B. 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) What is the tone of poet in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet”?
(i) terrific
(ii) aggressive
(iii) frightened
(iv) calm and tranquil
View AnswerAns. (iv) calm and tranquil
(b) What does the phrase ‘single-minded’ mean?
View AnswerAns. Having one purpose only
(c) Select the word that WILL NOT complete the sentence appropriately.
The poet wants silence and _______________
(i) stillness.
(ii) calmness
(iii) tranquillity
(iv) commotion
View AnswerAns. (iv) commotion
(d) State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
The poetic device used in the line, ‘perhaps a huge silence’ is the same as used in the line ‘put that thought away”.
View AnswerAns. False
(e) What does ‘keeping our lives moving’ suggest?
View AnswerAns. It suggests busy in the rat race.
(f) Complete the sentence appropriately.
Pablo Neruda stresses upon being quiet and harmless to the _______________
View AnswerAns. human beings, animals and environment
8. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. MR LAMB: And that’s all true, and you know it.
DERRY: It won’t make my face change. Do you know, one day, a woman went by me in the street -I was at a bus stop – and she was with another woman, and she looked at me, and she said… whispered…only I heard her…she said, “Look at that, that’s a terrible thing. That’s a face only a mother could love.”
MR LAMB: So you believe everything you hear, then?
DERRY: It was cruel.
[On the Face of It](a) List the playwright’s purpose of using ellipses (…) in this extract.
View AnswerAns. The playwright’s purpose of using ellipses (…) in this extract is to indicate a pause in the middle of a line of a dialogue. This also indicates that the speaker stopped talking momentarily.
(b) Select the option that best describes the reason for using the word ‘cruel’ in conversation.
(i) He feels hurt and pained by the comments of the people on his face.
(ii) He feels overheard comments are cruel.
(iii) He wants to say so.
(iv) He was not aware of the people’s cruelty.
View AnswerAns. (i) He feels hurt and pained by the comments of the people on his face.
(c) The people treated Derry because they made
View AnswerAns. fun of his half burnt face
(d) Who called Derry ‘a terrible thing’?
View AnswerAns. A woman at the bus stop called Derry a terrible thing.
OR
B. Now, I don’t know why this should have happened to me. I’m just an ordinary guy named Charley, thirty-one years old, and I was wearing a tan gabardine suit and a straw hat with a fancy band; I passed a dozen men who looked just like me. And I wasn’t trying to escape from anything; I just wanted to get home to Louisa, my wife.
[The Third Level](a) Complete the sentence appropriately.
This incident took place while he was ______________
View AnswerAns. returning late from work
(b) What did Charley want?
(i) He wanted to live in the third world.
(ii) He wanted to lead a normal life with his wife.
(iii) He wanted to lead a stress-free life.
(iv) He did not want anything.
View AnswerAns. (ii) He wanted to lead a normal life with his wife.
(c) Why did Charley not want to escape anything?
View AnswerAns. Charley was not trying to escape because Sam had told him that he was trying to escape the stress.
(d) What is the writing style of the narrator?
View AnswerAns. The writing style of the narrator is narrative.
9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. And in dark hutments, next to lines of flames of flickering oil lamps, sit boys and girls with their fathers and mothers, welding pieces of coloured glass into circles of bangles. Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark than to the light outside. That is why they often end up losing their eyesight before they become adults.
Savita, a young girl in a drab pink dress, sits alongside an elderly woman, soldering pieces of glass. As her hands move mechanically like the tongs of a machine, I wonder if she knows the sanctity of the bangles she helps make. It symbolizes an Indian woman’s suhaag, auspiciousness in marriage. It will dawn on her suddenly one day when her head is draped with a red veil, her hands dyed red with henna, and red bangles rolled onto her wrists. She will then become a bride.
(Lost Spring)
(a) List any two details about the boys and girls of bangle making industries.
View AnswerAns. (1) Their condition is very miserable.
(2) They lose their eyesight before becoming adults.
(b) What does bangle symbolise?
(i) Indian woman’s suhaag
(ii) Auspiciousness in marriage
(iii) Both (i) and (ii)
(iv) The tyranny of women
View AnswerAns. (ii) Auspiciousness in marriage
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately.
Savita sits alongside an elderly woman __________________
View AnswerAns. soldering pieces of glass
(d) Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that Sabita, a young girl is also engage in ancestral profession.
View AnswerAns. Sabita is engaged in ancestral profession because she also soldiers pieces of glass and her hands move mechanically like the tongs of a mechanic.
(e) What does ‘their eyes’ over here refer to?
View AnswerAns. ‘Their eyes’ over here refer to bangle makers.
(f) Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?
(i) The fears of bangle makers
(ii) The importance of bangle makers
(iii) The rigidity of bangle makers
(iv) The miserable condition of bangle makers
View AnswerAns. (iv) The miserable condition of bangle makers
OR
B. “The man was evidently used to sleeping with one eye open. He jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened. “My name is Edla Willmansson,” said the young girl. “My father came home and said that you wanted to sleep here in the forge tonight, and then I asked permission to come and bring you home to us. I am so sorry, Captain, that you are having such a hard time.” She looked a him compassionately, with her heavy eyes, and then she noticed that the man was afraid. “Either he has stolen something or else he has escaped from jail”, she thought, and added quickly, “Y may be sure, Captain, that you will be allowed to leave us just as freely as you came.”
(The Rattrap)
(a) What did the man evidently used to?
View AnswerAns. The man was evidently used to sleeping with one eye open.
(b) The line, “Either he has stolen something or else he has escaped from jail” can be beg
classified as
(i) a truth
(ii) an opinion
(ii) an assumption
(iv) a plot point
View AnswerAns. (ii) an assumption
(c) Explain any one inference that can be drawn from the line, “Either he has stolen some thing or else he has escaped from jail.”
View AnswerAns. The man was frightened and evidently sleeping with one eye open. Edla noticed that he was looking like he has stolen something or else he has escaped from jail.
(d) Identify the line from the text that bears evidence to the fact that Edla felt that the man was frightened.
View AnswerAns. She looked at him passionately with her heavy eyes, and then she noticed that the man was afraid.
(e) Which is the most likely reason Edla calling him captain?
(i) He was looking like captain.
(ii) He was mistaken as a captain.
(iii) He was looking alike thief.
(iv) He had escaped from jail.
View AnswerAns. (ii) He was mistaken as a captain.
(f) Complete the sentence with ONE word.
Edla had two doubts about the man-one is that he was a thief and another is that he had escaped from _______________
View AnswerAns. jail
10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words.
(a) What are the kinds of wars mentioned in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’?
View AnswerAns. In ‘Keeping Quiet’ the poet mentions green wars, i.e. wars that man is waging against nature hence, causing environmental degradation. Wars with gas and fire or using harmful biological and nuclear weapons cause maximum destruction to life and property. War with fire refers to the conventional mode of combat.
(b) When did the narrator develop his fear of water in the story ‘Deep Water’?
View AnswerAns. Douglas first became afraid of water when he was three years old and had gone to the California beach with his father. He went under a wave for a few seconds though he was not in any kind of danger, yet he developed a fear of water.
(c) What impression do the things of beauty make on us? Is it temporary or permanent?
(A Thing of Beauty)
View AnswerAns. A thing of beauty gives us eternal and everlasting happiness and leaves an indelible impression on our mind that we are able to relive the wonderful feeling we get from it each time we think about it. It never fades into nothingness and its loveliness increases with each passing moment.
(d) What do the poet’s parting words to her mother signify?
(My Mother at Sixty-six)
View AnswerAns. The poet’s parting words of assurance and her smile provide a stark contrast to the old familiar fear of childhood. Her words and smiles are a deliberate attempt to hide her real feelings. She is trying to hide her fear about her mother’s frail and deteriorating health which might separate her from her mother.
(e) How did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true identity?
(The Rattrap)
View AnswerAns. The peddler defended himself against not having revealed his true identity by arguing that he had never said that he was a captain or the old comrade of the ironmaster. In fact, he had repeatedly declined the invitation to spend the Christmas at the manor.
(f) “The battle of Champaran is won.” When and why did Gandhiji utter these words? (Indigo) [Reference: They thought, amongst themselves, that Gandhi was totally a stranger, and yet be was prepared to go to prison for the sake of the peasants, if they on the other hand, being not only residents of the adjoining districts but also who claimed to have served these peasants, should go home, it would be shameful desertion.”] View Answer
Ans. Gandhiji uttered these words when he was able to win the lawyer’s trust. The lawyers told Gandhiji that they were able to follow him into the jail. This support made Gandhiji extremely happy and confident. This confidence led him to exclaim the words, “The battle of Champaran is won.”
11. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions in about 40-50 words.
(a) Why was the old general not in favour of Dr Sadao’s being arrested?
(The Enemy)
View AnswerAns. The old general was not in favour of Dr Sadao’s being arrested because of his own selfish interest. Due to which he was also sparing the Amerian soldier. He knew that Dr Sadao was indispensable to him and thus, did not want to be arrested.
(b) Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Why?
(The Third Level)
[Reference: Modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war worry and all the rest of it, and that I just want to escape. Everybody I know wants to escape, but they don’t wander into any third level at grand central station.] View AnswerAns. Life is full of insecurities, fears and worries, and time travel is man’s way of escaping from it. Occasionally, man seeks escape into the world of fantasy and his nostalgic memories – the happier times of the past. Yes, the third level was Charley’s medium of escape from the mad rat race of modern times.
(c) Why was ‘Akademik Shokalskiy heading towards Antarctica?
(A Journey to the End of the Earth)
View AnswerAns. ‘Akademik Shokalskiy’, a Russian vessel was heading towards Antarctica with a troop of 52 people, to study and research the history of humankind under the guidance of Canadian Geoff Green.
12. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
A. The prose sections – ‘Lost Spring’ and ‘Going Places’ – bring out the different versions of aspirations and dreams of the youth and the pain of unfulfilled promises and shattered dreams. Imagine yourself to be a motivational speaker who has to address high school children. Write this address in about 120-150 words elaborating on occurrences from the two texts to inspire audience and to convince them about the importance of realistic dreams over unrealistic ones.
View AnswerAns.
Good morning teachers, principal and my dear friends!
The story, ‘Going Places’, describes the aspirations and dreams of the youth and the pain of unfilled promises and shattered dreams. It deals with the complexities of human relationships along with the adolescent fantasizing and hero worship. Sophie’s wish and fantasy come out of the drudgery of belonging to the lower strata of society and to go places’ in her fantasies. It is a good thing to dream, but these should be realistic.
Merely fantasizing and daydreaming will cause disillusionment. Unless one is hardworking and persevering, mere dreams will only lead to disappointment. However, Mukesh, in the ‘Lost Spring’, had a daydream to become a car mechanic. He fulfilled his dreams by hard work and honesty. His dream was real and thus, fulfilled with great satisfaction.
OR
B. “It is his karma, his destiny.”
The prose section ‘Lost Spring’ includes this comment said by Mukesh’s grandmother. In ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’, destiny of common housewife is discussed.
Imagine yourself Mohini/Manoj. Write an article in about 120-150 words elaborating on occurrences from the two texts to inspire your audience and to convince them about the importance of creating their own destiny through hard work.
View AnswerAns.
Importance of Creating Own Destiny
by Mohini
Do you believe in destiny? Or you believe in creating your destiny for yourself? The people who have the fire of desire in their hearts create their own destiny. One will face hardships throughout his path, but only they will reach the destination who have the courage to fulfil their dreams. History and even the society we live in are replete with examples of such people who fought their humble and pathetic conditions and emerged as winners. In ‘Lost Spring’, Mukesh was determined to change his profession from being a bangle maker to a car mechanic, and he fulfilled his dreams through hard work.
In ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ too, destiny of common housewife in a normative patriarchal household is discussed. Her death will not change her status and the same will be reflected by her creations. Her activities were always surrounded by the difficult situation of married life. However, the tigers which symbolize the accomplishment of her aspired and cherished existence will remain in the same posture. Therefore, she has immortalized her wishes and aspirations which may find wings when the breeze of humanity, not of patriarchy, blows and the situation is conducive to understanding the position of a woman with respect.
Therefore, we should not forget that where there is a will, there is a way.
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
A. How did the prediction of chief astrologer come true, though the Tiger King or Maharaja had killed the hundred tigers? Write a short paragraph with reference to the lesson “The Tiger King”.
View AnswerAns. On the third birthday of Maharaja’s son, he wanted to buy a present from the toy shop. He bought a wooden tiger which was poorly carved by an unskilled carpenter. It had a rough surface with tiny slivers of wood standing up like quills all over it. One day, his arm got infected from that toy tiger. In four days, it developed into a suppurating sore and spread all over the arm. The king died while being operated upon.
The king’s death is ironical but not surprising. Having ‘killed’ the hundredth tiger, the king is thrilled for he has fulfilled his vow and disproved the prediction of the royal astrologer. He is now at ease for he thinks he cannot die of a tiger’s attack. No wonder, he orders the ‘dead’ tiger to be taken in a procession through the town and gets a tomb erected over it. All this while he does not know that the hundredth victim was not killed by him and the king is unaware of it. Again, it is ironical that a king who has killed hundred tigers and is bold and fearless dies of a mere sliver on the body of a wooden tiger. Thus, ironically, death does come to him from a tiger.
OR
B. In the lesson, Memories of Childhood’, we have read the two different accounts based on two distant cultures. However, there lies the commonality of theme in both of them. Instead of letting it pull them down, they both found a way to overcome it in their own way. You wish to include a cameo of both in your upcoming blog post.
(A cameo is a short description that neatly encapsulates someone or something)
As a part of the research, compare and contrast the experiences faced by the two and their responses to these experiences, in about 120-150 words. (Clue: include similarities and differences in the discrimination they faced – their feelings – determination to overcome – success)
View AnswerAns. The autobiographical accounts included in the lesson “Memories of Childhood” are by two women from socially marginalised sections in two distant cultures of the world. One highlights the evil practice of racial prejudice while the other talks about the hierarchical Indian caste system and untouchability. The first part traces how the author, a Native American, was victimized at the hands of the European staff of her boarding school. The second account gives a picture of the hardships and humiliations faced by the Indian ‘Dalits’ from the eyes of a third standard student. Although they are set in different cultures, both the stories share a similar theme. They show the sufferings and oppression faced by their respective communities. The practice of social stratification is rebuked by both the authors. Zitkala-Sa’s hair was “shingled” at the behest of Europeans who considered themselves superior to the Native American. On the other hand, Bama witnessed untouchability being practiced openly where people from lower castes’ were considered impious and were not even allowed to touch the people from the uppercastes. From a very young age, both Zitkala-Sa and Bama start protesting and resisting in their own ways.