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Class 11 - English Core

Sample Paper - 01 (2024-25)

Maximum Marks: 80
Time Allowed: : 3 hours

General Instructions:

Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :

i. This question paper has 15 questions. All questions are compulsory.

ii. This question paper contains three sections - Section A : Reading Skills, Section B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
and Section C : Literature.
iii. Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct question number and part thereof in your
answer sheet.
iv. Separate instructions are given with each question/part, wherever necessary.
v. Adhere to the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (26 marks)

1. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
1. The role friends play in our lives has become significantly greater now than at any other time in our history. Today
many of us live and work great distances from where we were born or have grown up & are separated from our
original families. The pain we feel when we are away from our families can be significant.
2. The happiness of the individual relies on friendships that form a necessary human connection. It is perfectly normal
to need and want friends and depression is more prevalent among those who lack friends. They lack the intimacy and
richness friends can bring into our lives. Frequently friends reflect similar values to us. Yet these values are often
different from the ones we grew up with; they are the values we created for ourselves in our adult lives.
3. Communication skills are fundamental in all friendships. The more friends and acquaintances one has, the greater are
one’s communication skills. Some call these, people skills.
4. Like watering a plant, we grow our friendships (and all our relationships) by nurturing them. Friendships need the
same attention as other relationships if they are to continue. These relationships can be delightfully non-judgmental,
supportive, understanding, and fun-filled.
5. Sometimes a friendship can bring out the positive side that you never show in any other relationship. This may be
because the pressure of playing a 'role' (daughter, partner, or child) is removed. With a friend, you are to be yourself
and free to change. Of course, you are free to do this in all other relationships as well but in friendships, you get to
have lots of rehearsals and discussions about changes as you experience them. It is an unconditional experience
where you receive as much as you give. You can explain yourself to a friend openly without the fear of hurting a
family member. How do friendships grow? The answer is simple. By revealing yourself; being attentive;
remembering what is most important to your friend and asking them about it; put yourself in their position; showing
empathy; seeing the world through the eyes of your friend, you will understand the value of friendship. All this
means learning to accept a person from a completely different family to your own or perhaps someone from a
completely different cultural background. This is why we have learned tolerance. In turn, we gain tolerance and
acceptance for our own differences.
6. Friendships are made by being considerate which means all the communication skills come into play: active listening
skills, questioning skills, negotiation skills, reflecting content skills, reflecting emotion skills and editing yourself.

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7. Friendships offer a great opportunity to learn about yourself because a friend can reflect back to you ‘how you come
across in the world’. They also allow you to practice skills in dealing with 'personal boundaries' by looking after
yourself as well as your friend. They help you develop resilience in relation to the wider society that would be
beyond your family.
i. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option.
Friends play a more significant role today than ever before because ________.
i. In the modern world, people need someone to talk to
ii. People are distanced from families
iii. Pain caused by separation from families can be cured by friends
iv. Having friends is the only way to go ahead in life
ii. Comment on the writer’s reference to friendship as essential human need in paragraph two.
iii. List the two ways how friendship is different from other relationship.
(Clue: Think about the limitations of friendship)
iv. Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘distance’, from words used in paragraph five.
i. Empathy
ii. Background
iii. Tolerance
iv. Rehearsal
v. Which communication skills help in building friendships?
i. Active listening skills
ii. Negotiation skills
iii. Reflecting emotion
iv. All of these
vi. Friendships offer a great opportunity to learn about yourself. Based on your understanding of paragraph seven,
state how friends help in reflecting yourself.
vii. How does friendship brings out a positive side of you?
viii. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate inference, with respect to the following:
We gain tolerance in our lives by ________.​​
ix. How do friendships grow as suggested in paragraph five?
i. By revealing yourself
ii. By being attentive
iii. By showing empathy
iv. All of these
x. Select the most suitable title for the above passage.
i. Friendship - A unique relationship
ii. Family and Friends
iii. Significance of Friends
iv. Role of Friendship
2. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
India's SDG Scores
India has crossed the halfway mark in achieving the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 and to
be achieved by 2030, according to the SDG India Index released on Friday by think tank NITI Aayog and the UN Here

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are the 10 best-performing states and Union territories according to the index.

1. Himachal pradesh. kerala and Tamil Nadu have emceed as the front runners in the race to achieve key sustainable
development goals (SDG) like removal of poverty inequality. while Assam, Bihor and Uttar Pradesh are the laggards
in ranking of states.
2. According to the SDG India Index, the nation as a whole has a store of 57 , showing the country has reached a little
beyond the halfway mark in meeting the sustainable development goals adopted by India and 192 other nations in
2015. The index covers 13 of the 17 sustainable development goals, including healthcare, gender equality. clean
anergy. infrastructure, education, peace and building strong, accountable institution.
3. For goals, including climate action and sustainable use of marine resources, were left out because of lack of data at
the state level. Kerala's overall top rank (69) is attributed to its strong performance in providing good heolth.
reducing hunger, achieving gender equality and providing quality education. The rank shows the distance each state
has to cover to reach 100 - the point at which it fully meets the sustainable development goal
4. Himachal Pradesh ranks high with a similar overall score in providing clean water and sanitation, reducing
inequalities and preserving the mountain ecosystem. Tamil Nadu has a score of 66. Among Union territories,
Chandigarh takes the lead with a score of 68 on account of its track record in providing clean water and sanitation.
Performance in providing quality education has also helped Chandigarh achieve high score.
5. Tamil Nadu topped the states in poverty reduction, while Kerala topped in providing quality education, closely
followed by Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.
6. Kerala and Tamil Nadu also topped in facilitating good health and well-being. Gender equality, however, is an area
all states and the nation as a whole need to improve upon. The toppers in gender equality. Sikkim and Union
territories . Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Chandigarh, have crossed the hallway mark in reaching the goals.
7. The scores represent the current status of achievement in meeting the goals.
i. The other remaining goals left out from SDG India Index because:
a. of lack of data of the state level
b. they have already crossed halfway mark in reaching the goals
c. countries have not taken care of the remaining goals
d. those goals have not yet officially accepted by the componies
ii. Among Union Territories ________ tokes the lead with a score of 68 on account of its track record in providing
clean water and sanitation.
iii. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
According to the survey, ________ topped in providing quality education.

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a. Kerala
b. Tamil Nadu
c. Chandigarh
d. Andhra Pradesh
iv. How many sustainable goals does index cover?
v. What do 100 points mean as per SDG Index?
a. It means the index has covered 13 goals including healthcare, gender equality clean energy. infrastructure,
education, peace and building strong. accountable institutions.
b. It means the point at which it fully meets the sustainable development goal.
c. It means the removal of poverty and equality.
d. It means India has reached a little beyond the halfway mark to meet sustainable development goals.
vi. Which state has the least SDG score according to the graph?
vii. The SDG score represents the current status of achievements by the states in meeting the goals. True/false.
viii. Which state ranks the best in total SDG scores?
3. Read the following passage carefully: (8)
I. Research has shown that the human mind can process words at the rate of about 500 per minute, whereas a speaker
speaks at the rate of about 150 words a minute. The difference between the two at 350 is quite large.
II. So a speaker must make every effort to retain the attention of the audience and the listener should also be careful not
to let his mind wander. Good communication calls for good listening skills. A good speaker must necessarily be a
good listener.
III. Listening starts with hearing but goes beyond. Hearing, in other words, is necessary, but is not a sufficient condition
for listening, Listening involves hearing with attention. Listening is a process that calls for concentration. While
listening, one should also be observant. In other words, listening has to do with the ears, as well as with the eyes and
the mind. Listening is to be understood as the total process that involves hearing with attention, being observant and
making interpretations. Good communication is essentially an interactive process. It calls for participation and
involvement. It is quite often a dialogue rather than a monologue. It is necessary to make it abundantly clear that one
is interested in knowing what the other person has to say.
IV. Good listening is an art that can be cultivated. It relates to skills that can be developed. A good listener knows the art
of getting much more than what the speaker is trying to convey. He knows how to prompt, persuade but not to cut off
or interrupt what the other person has to say. At times the speaker may or may not be coherent, articulate and well-
organized in his thoughts and expressions. He may have it in his mind and yet he may fail to marshal the right words
while communicating his thought. Nevertheless, a good listener puts him at ease, helps him articulate and facilitates
him to get across the message that he wants to convey. For listening to be effective, it is also necessary that barriers to
listening are removed. Such barriers can be both physical and psychological. Physical barriers generally relate to a
hindrance to proper hearing whereas psychological barriers are more fundamental and relate to the interpretation and
evaluation of the speaker and the message.
Questions: (5+3 =8)
i. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use
recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Give an appropriate title.
ii. Write a summary of the above passage in about 80 words.
Section B : Grammar (7 Marks)
4. Answer any SEVEN of the following questions:
1. He told me that he ________ (watch) the movie. (Fill tense correctly)
2. He ________ (want) to become an IAS officer. (Fill tense correctly)
3. The girl ___________ is wearing the red dress is my sister. (who/what/which/where)
4. I love my country ________ I was born. (who/what/which/where)

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5. The words are too difficult to understand. (use so ... that)
6. He has a car and a motorcycle too. (use as well as)
7. passed/the/Ram/test. (reorder correctly)
8. market/Tesla/excellent/ an/has/global (reorder correctly)
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Section - B Creative Writing Skills (16 Marks)
5. You are General Manager of Ivory Software Solutions, Agra Cantt, Agra. You need a software engineer for your
organisation. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in ‘The Times of India’ under the
classified columns.

OR

You have lost an expensive watch probably in the market. Write an advertisement for the ‘Lost and Found’ column of a
local newspaper giving all the relevant details. Offer a reward also. Write the advertisement in about 50 words. You are
Gopal/Gopa, Manav Road, Kanpur.
6. Design a poster to increase awareness among the youth about blindness and the importance of donating eyes.

OR

Draft a poster on behalf of Delhi Police against terrorism.

7. Your PGT English Ms Geetha is a short story writer also. ‘Sky is not Far’ is a collection of her latest short stories. This
book has won a national award. Write a speech in 150-200 words you will deliver in her honour in the morning
assembly.

OR

Mobile phone of today is no longer a mere means of communication. Music lovers are so glued to it that they don’t pay
attention even to the traffic while crossing the roads. This leads to accidents, sometimes even fatal ones. Write a speech
in 150-200 words to be delivered in the morning assembly advising the students to be careful in the use of this otherwise
very useful gadget. Imagine you are Principal of your school.
8. ‘Private cars should be banned in the congested commercial areas of the cities.’ Write a debate in 150- 200 words either
for or against the motion.

OR

‘The Internet cannot replace a classroom teacher’. Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion.
Section C : Literature (31 Marks)
9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Father and son, we both must live
On the same globe and the same land,
He speaks: I cannot understand
Myself, why anger grows from grief.
We each put out an empty hand,
Longing for something to forgive.
i. What does the phrase ‘an empty hand’ signify?
ii. What do both the father and the son long for?

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iii. What couldn't the father understand?
2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
(For the song, issuing from its birthplace, after fulfilment, wandering
Reck’d or unreck’d, duly with love returns.)
i. Why have these words been put in brackets?
ii. What is meant by song here?
iii. What is the birthplace of the song?
10. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
These shaggy monsters, blacker than the darkest night, usually wore bright red collars and barked furiously with
massive jaws. They were completely fearless of our vehicle, shooting straight into our path, causing Tsetan to brake
and swerve. The dog would make chase for a hundred metres or so before easing off, having seen us off the property.
It wasn’t difficult to understand why ferocious Tibetan mastiffs became popular in China’s imperial courts as hunting
dogs, brought along the Silk Road in ancient times as tribute from Tibet. By now we could see snow-capped
mountains gathering on the horizon. We entered a valley where the river was wide and mostly clogged with ice,
brilliant white and glinting in the sunshine. The trail hugged its bank, twisting with the meanders as we gradually
gained height and the valley sides closed in.
i. How did the Tibetan mastiffs react when they encountered the protagonist's vehicle?
ii. What can be inferred about the behaviour and characteristics of Tibetan Mastiffs?
iii. Identify the line from the passage that provides evidence of the Tibetan mastiffs' historical significance and their
connection to China's imperial courts.
2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
When I decided to go abroad for further studies, I was sure my grandmother would be upset. I would be away for five
years, and at her age one could never tell. But my grandmother could. She was not even sentimental. She came to
leave me at the railway station but did not talk or show any emotion. Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in
prayer. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary. Silently she kissed my forehead, and when I left I
cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact between us. But that was not so. After five
years I came back home and was met by her at the station. She did not look a day older. She still had no time for
words, and while she clasped me in her arms I could hear her reciting her prayers. Even on the first day of my arrival,
her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes.
i. What were the frivolous rebukes the grandmother directed towards her sparrows upon the narrator's return?
ii. How did the grandmother's actions demonstrate her love and connection with the narrator despite their long
absence?
iii. Pick evidence from the passage that suggests the grandmother had a deep and enduring connection with prayer.
11. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
Still kneeling, Andrew stared at the child with a haggard frown. The whiteness meant only one thing: asphyxia,
pallida, and his mind, unnaturally tense, raced back to a case he once had seen in the Samaritan, to the treatment that
had been used. Instantly he was on his feet.
"Get me hot water and cold water," he threw out to the nurse. "And basins too. Quick! Quick!" "But, Doctor-" she
faltered, her eyes on the pallid body of the child.
i. What instructions did Andrew give to the nurse? How did the doctor try to revive the child?
ii. When the doctor instructed the nurse why did she hesitantly say, "But, Doctor-" in the extract provided? This is
so, because she ________.
a. was sure about the treatment.
b. thought the efforts were useless.

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c. did not trust the doctor.
d. was in utter amazement.
iii. The analogy of whiteness of the child is an appropriate analogy for a case in Samaritan because ________.
iv. Give one reason why the medical condition mentioned in the extract can be considered true in the case.
2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
That year we lived at the edge of town, on Walnut Avenue. Behind our house was the country: vineyards, orchards,
irrigation ditches, and country roads. In less than three minutes we were on Olive Avenue, and then the horse began
to trot. The air was new and lovely to breathe. The feel of the horse running was wonderful. My cousin Mourad who
was considered one of the craziest members of our family began to sing. I mean, he began to roar.
i. Complete the sentence appropriately.
The phrase " he began to roar" suggests that ________.
ii. List ant two sensory details present in the extract.
iii. Identify a line from the extract that supports the fact that the narrator and his cousin resided in a rural area.
iv. What is the central idea of this extract?
A. A boy's joyful ride with his cousin
B. A boy's dark secret
C. A boy's school picnic
D. A boy's narrow escape from a fatal accident
12. Answer the questions from either (a) or (b) in 40-50 words:
1. i. How Scientific intervention is necessary to unearth buried mysteries?
ii. How is the tree transformed during the birds visit? Write the line that shows this transformation.
2. i. When do you think, Mary and the narrator feel the end was near? Why did they feel so? Answer in the
context of We are Not Afraid to Die.
ii. Why does the poet suspect science in connection with his losing his childhood? Answer in context of
Childhood.
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words
1. What was the outcome of the interview between Mrs. Dorling and the narrator? Answer in the context of The
Address.
2. How did Mrs. Pearson react when Cyril said that he worked eight hours a day?
14. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
1. What did the professor do in the Town Hall Library? Answer in the context of the plot, The Adventure.
2. Its silence silences, writes Shirley Toulson. The loss of her mother has silenced her. Do you think that this attitude of
the poet is the right attitude to live life? Why/ Why not?
15. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
1. How does a melon become the ruler of the state? Why are the people happy with him?
2. This play (Mothers Day), written in the 1950s, is a humorous and satirical depiction of the status of the mother in the
family.
What are the issues it raises?

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Class 11 - English Core

Sample Paper - 01 (2024-25)

Solution

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (26 marks)

1. i. (iii) Pain caused by separation from families can be cured by friends
ii. i. The happiness of individuals relies on their friendships
ii. Depression is more prevalent among people with fewer friends
iii. Friends bring in the intimacy and richness of values in life (any two points)
iii. These relationships can be delightfully non-judgmental, supportive, understanding, and fun-filled. (any two
points)
iv. (i) Empathy
v. (i) Active listening skills
vi. Friendships offer a great opportunity to learn about yourself because a friend can reflect back to you ‘how you
come across in the world’. They also allow you to practice skills in dealing with 'personal boundaries' by
looking after yourself as well as your friend. They help you develop resilience in relation to the wider society
that would be beyond your family.
vii. There is no pressure of playing a 'role' (daughter, partner, or child) in friendship. With a friend, you are to be
yourself and free to change.
viii. accepting people’s differences
ix. (iii) All of these
By revealing yourself; being attentive; remembering what is most important to your friend and asking them
about it; put yourself in their position; showing empathy; seeing the world through the eyes of your friend, you
will understand the value of friendship.
x. (i) Friendship - A unique relationship
2. i. (a) of lack of data of the state level
ii. Chandigarh
iii. (a) Kerala
iv. 13
v. (b) It means the point at which it fully meets the sustainable development goal.
vi. Magarasgtra
vii. True
viii. Himachal Pradesh
3. i. TITLE: Art of Listening A. NOTES:
I. Research
i. human mind processes 500 wpm.
ii. speaker speaks 150 wpm.
iii. difference between the 2
II. A good speaker/Good commun./listng.
i. must retain attention of audience
ii. stop not to let mind wander
iii. must be a good listener
III. Listng. skills
i. hearing with attention
ii. being observant

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iii. making interpts.
iv. concentration
v. participation
IV. Traits of good listng.
i. gets much more from speaker
ii. knows how to prompt and persuade
iii. puts speaker at ease
iv. helps him articulate
v. facilities speaker to convey thoughts.
V. Barriers to good listng.
i. barriers - phy./psy.
ii. phy.-hindrance to hearing
iii. psy.-interpts. & evaluation
Key to Abbreviations
wpm. : word per minute
commun. : communication
listng. : Listening
interpts. : interpretations
phy. : Physical
psy. : psychological
ii. SUMMARY:
Human mind processes 500 word per minutes but a speaker speaks 150 words. It reveals the co-relation between
listening and speaking skills. As you listen so shall you speak. Listening and speaking are the two sides of same coin.
Speaker should draw the attention of the listener. Listening skills require hearing with attention, being observant,
making interpretations and being concentrate. Good listening is an art when we restore faith in speaker and remove
physical and psychological barriers.
Section B : Grammar (7 Marks)
4. Answer any SEVEN of the following questions:
1. had watched
2. wants
3. who
4. where
5. The words are so difficult that they cannot be understood.
6. He has a car as well as a motorcycle.
7. Ram passed the test.
8. Tesla has an excellent global market.
Section - B Creative Writing Skills (16 Marks)
SITUATION VACANT Ivory Software Solutions requires a software engineer for their office at Mall Road, Agra.
The candidate should be B.E.(Computer Science) with at least two years of experience of Java programming in a
prestigious software company. Knowledge of C++, HTML would be an added advantage. Salary commensurates with
experience. Apply within 10 days along with a detailed resume to
The General Manager
Ivory Software Solutions
Agra Cantt
5. E-mail: lvoryss@gmail com, +91-97865XXXXX

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OR

LOST AND FOUND Lost a Titan watch with black dial and white leather strap, on Bus Route No.107 on 10th March,
20XX around 11 00 AM. Anyone who finds it please contact Gopal, 4 Manav Road, Kanpur. 98743XXXXX. Finder
will be suitably rewarded.

Donate Eyes & Live Long

even after you are no more
Remember
EYE DONATION

is
BOON TO THE SIGHTLESS

checks potential Blindness

but
hinders development
Blindness is a curse
YOUR TIMELY ACTION CAN HELP COUNTLESS PEOPLE
DONATE EYES.
Help the blind to see the beauty of nature
and
experience the colours of joy.
Contact
Times Eye Bank
Gujarat
6. Contact number: 98765-98765

OR

LET US FIGHT TERROR

Do's and Don'ts

Do not touch unidentified objects.

Do not befriend strangers.
In case of suspicion, inform police at 100.
Insist on identification documents of strangers.

Be Alert Be Vigilant Be Safe

Call 100 for Help
Issued in Public Interest by
Delhi Police (WITH YOU FOR YOU ALWAYS)

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7. Sky Is Not Far “Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” said Terry Pratchett.
Good morning everyone. Honourable Principal Sir, dear staff members and students, I feel honoured today to stand
before you all to share the achievements of one of the talented teachers of our school, Ms Geetha.
All of you will be extremely thrilled and happy to know that Ms. Geetha’s short story collection titled, ‘Sky is not Far’
has recently won her a national award.
Not many of you know, but both her parents were in the Civil Services, and she spent her childhood in Kolkata, Mumbai
and Delhi, attending as many as six schools along the way! She wrote proficiently at intervals while studying English
Literature at Hindu College, Delhi, and completed her post-graduation from the University of Delhi. Although marriage
brought a break in her writing career, she never stopped, but actually started pursuing a teaching career which gave her
ample time to write.
Her recent short story collection, ‘Sky is not Far’ describes the achievements of Indian women with beauty, humour,
dignity and honour. The women of our nation today are excelling in various fields. She has depicted these women in a
manner of which we all feel proud of, and her stories remind us of the great potential that Indian women have. We all are
very proud of Ms. Geetha and feel greatly honoured to have her as a teacher and team member in our school.
May her writing journey continue to flourish and win her more accolades in the future! Congratulations Ms. Geetha!
Thank you!

OR

Don’t Let the Mobile Kill You! Good morning everyone. Dear teachers, staff members and students, today, I want to
advise you to be careful in using your mobile phones, particularly when using headphones or earphones with them.
You might feel silly to think about how a small device such as the mobile phone can kill you. Using such a useful device
at the wrong time or wrong place can sometimes lead to disastrous accidents. You might have read in the newspapers last
week about the pedestrian who was mowed down by a truck in the city, because he was listening to music on the
headphones connected to his mobile handset while crossing the road. He was so absorbed by the music that he did not
look on both the sides while crossing and also did not hear the horn of the truck. Similarly, a young man was killed by a
train while crossing the tracks, as his headphones shut out the sound and whistle of the approaching train.
I by no means have any intention to scare you all. But what do we learn from these accidents? We learn the simple and
easy-to-understand fact that never use mobile phones, especially with earphones or headphones, when crossing any road,
railway line or during regular traffic and driving.
I hope all of you will ensure your own safety in this regard by being careful in the use of this otherwise very useful
gadget and spread this word of advice to others too.
Thank you!

8. For the Motion Respected judges, honorable opponents and friends,

I will speak for the motion, “Private cars should be banned in the congested commercial areas of the cities.’’
The commercial areas of the cities are prone to traffic jams during working hours. This causes problems like incidents of
road rage, increase of pollution due to vehicle exhausts, wastage of precious time and congestion etc. Thus, I am in
favour of private cars being banned from entering such areas.
Most private cars emit carbon dioxide, various nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from their exhausts as they run on
petrol or diesel. These emissions, besides being hazardous to human health, contribute to global warming also. The
continuous honking in these areas due to the jams leads to noise pollution. Vehicles of traders as well as their customers
occupy the limited parking space in such areas, leading to illicit parking also. This leads to further traffic jams. If private
cars are banned from entering commercial complexes, their lands can be put to better use e.g. opening more shops or
food outlets for visitors etc.
Thank you!

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Against the Motion
Respected judges, honorable opponents and friends,
I will speak against the motion, “Private cars should be banned in the congested commercial areas of the cities"
Our public transport system in cities is not efficient enough to satisfy the needs of the daily commuters in the cities.
Freedom of travelling is inhibited when one is at the mercy of public vehicles. Public vehicles have their stops fixed
and times of arrival and departure scheduled in way that may not meet the needs of all the commuters. Thus, I am not in
favour of banning private cars from entering the congested commercial areas.
Moreover, if traders and their customers use taxis or autos, it will become a very costly affair. Therefore, trade and
business will suffer. Retail prices will increase, causing difficulties for the common man.
Thus, both business and the economy will be adversely affected due to such a measure, which we cannot afford. So
government should think over some other strategy to overcome the problem of pollution like odd-even rule, which was
tried earlier with limited success.
Thus, our economy will blossom and environmental pollution can be contained without putting a ban on cars being plied
in congested commercial areas.
Thank you!

OR

For the Motion Good morning everyone! Respected judges, worthy opponents and the esteemed audience,
Today, I Karuna of class XII, stand before you all to speak in favour of the motion, "The Internet cannot replace a
classroom teacher".
The classrooms today differ from the classrooms a decade ago in multitudinous ways. The influx of technology has
opened doors, expanded minds and changed the world. However, no matter how advanced and beneficial the technology
has got, it can never replace a classroom teacher. There is no denying to the fact that the internet can solve a bulk of
problems and provide students all the necessary answers along with illustrations. However, it cannot replace a classroom
teacher as it is devoid of any kind of emotion, which is very much required during teaching. A teacher simply does not
impart knowledge or information. A teacher leads, guides, facilitates and mentors a student. He understands the emotions
and sentiments of the students. He realises the positive as well as the negative feelings of the students.
A teacher faces all types of students with different mental abilities while teaching. He, thus, adjusts his teaching
methodology according to them. He helps the weaker students to bloom and motivates his students accordingly. The
internet cannot solve all the queries but a teacher can and that too in person. Teachers help the students to remain alert
and active in the classroom during teaching, whereas a machine can never do so. Internet would never care about how
much concentration, focus and attention the student is learning with. Besides, it can never beat the knowledge of human
beings. In addition, it’s not necessary that all the information provided by internet is genuine. Have you ever
wondered where all the information or knowledge on the internet has come from? It is only we humans who have fed it
into the computers.
In conclusion, I would like to say that a machine can never replace a living and breathing knowledgeable person.
Thank you!

Against the Motion

Good morning everyone! Respected judges, worthy opponents and the esteemed audience,
Today, I Karuna of class XII, stand before you all to speak against the motion, "The Internet cannot replace a classroom
teacher".
The classrooms today differ from the classrooms a decade ago in multitudinous ways. These days, a modern classroom is
defined by technology. Teachers, administrators, parents and students have been told time and again that it is technology
alone through which we can sharpen our education system. True personalised tech-infused learning is the future of
education. In today’s age, the old school method of books and notes is no longer beneficial. Teachers have to keep

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themselves updated with today’s trends and have to equip themselves with the latest technology.
There is constant pressure on teachers and administrators today to implement technology in classroom. In order to fully
engage the students and make them learn, a teacher will have to come out of his comfort zone and explore new ways of
teaching through the internet. The internet has immense potential to upgrade today’s educational system. There may
come a time soon when the role of a teacher in the classroom will considerably be diminished by the internet-based
learning environment .
In near future, the teacher will not be able to function without internet and technology. The teacher will have to become a
facilitator of imparting trustworthy information from electronic sources. The teachers today need to strike a balance and
empower themselves through technology so as to prevent themselves from getting replaced altogether by the internet.
Thank you!

Section C : Literature (31 Marks)

9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
1. i. The Phrase ‘an empty hand’ signifies that neither the father nor the son gained anything from their present state of
estrangement. It signified the failure of the two to understand each other.
ii. They were longing to forgive each other and start afresh.
iii. The father failed to understand the desires, dreams and aspirations of his son and he couldn't comprehend the
reason for his anger and grief.
2. i. These words are the poet's own comment on what the rain has said, so they have been put in brackets.
ii. It means the poet’s own song or music of the soul.
iii. The heart or the soul is the birthplace of song.
10. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
1. i. The Tibetan mastiffs barked furiously with massive jaws and ran aggressively toward the vehicle, causing the
driver to brake and swerve.
ii. From the passage, it can be inferred that Tibetan Mastiffs were formidable and imposing creatures. They were
described as "shaggy monsters" that were "blacker than the darkest night" and had "massive jaws."
iii. The line that provides evidence of the Tibetan mastiffs' historical significance and their connection to China's
imperial courts is: "It wasn’t difficult to understand why ferocious Tibetan mastiffs became popular in China’s
imperial courts as hunting dogs, brought along the Silk Road in ancient times as tribute from Tibet.
2. i. The "frivolous rebukes" were light-hearted scolding or playful admonishments the grandmother gave to her
sparrows while feeding them, showing her affectionate and caring nature even in her interactions with the birds.
ii. The grandmother's silent gestures of prayer, the kiss on the narrator's forehead, and her continued devotion upon
their return showed her enduring love and connection, transcending words or physical presence.
iii. The evidence from the passage that suggests the grandmother had a deep and enduring connection with prayer is:
"Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in prayer." This description illustrates that the grandmother was
deeply engrossed in her prayers, both with her lips and her thoughts.
11. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
1. i. Andrew asked the nurse to bring hot and cold water. He plunged the baby into hot and cold water and rubbed its
chest with a towel. Though the nurse lost hope, Andrew continued the process, and the baby revived.
ii. (b) thought the efforts were useless
iii. Andrew had witnessed a similar case in Samaritan which was a case of oxygen deprivation. He quickly tried to
recall its mode of treatment.
iv. Asphyxia pallida is a rare medical condition that occurs in babies due to complexities during birth. In this, the
patient collapses due to suffocation or unconscious condition caused by lack of oxygen and excess carbon dioxide
in the blood, accompanied by paleness of the skin, weak pulse, and loss of reflexes. The newborn was showing a
similar symptom. Therefore, it can be considered true in the context of the given case.
2. i. The phrase " he began to roar" suggests that he sang very loudly and cheerfully.

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ii. Two sensory details present in the extract are:
I. Sense of smell - The air was new and lovely to breathe.
II. Sense of touch - The feel of the horse running was wonderful
iii. A line from the extract that supports the fact that the narrator and his cousin resided in a rural area is, " Behind
our house was the country: vineyards, orchards, irrigation ditches, and country roads."
iv. (A) A boy's joyful ride with his cousin
12. Answer the questions from either (a) or (b) in 40-50 words:
1. i. If you think history has any relevance in our life, we must get at the truth. There are so many mysteries
which remain unsolved. For example, we know very little about the Indus valley civilization. The seals
remain un-deciphered. This needs scientific investigation. Without scientific intervention they will remain in
the dark.
ii. The tree suddenly starts trembling and moving as if a machine has started up. This is due to the arrival of the
goldfinch in her nest in order to feed her young ones. The young ones start their chitterings. There is a
tremor of wings. The line that shows the transformation is 'a machine starts up, of chitterings, and a tremor
of wings, and trillings-the whole tree trembles and thrills.
2. i. On the evening of 5 January 1977, Mary and narrator felt that the end was very near. They sat together
holdings hands. The movement of the ship brought in more and more water through the broken planks.
ii. The poet blames science for his losing his childhood. As a child, he had strong belief in God and Heaven, all
that he had learnt in his catechism/moral training classes but when he attended school, teachers told him that
Heaven was not found in Geography so he concluded that Heaven and God were just lies.
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words
1. The interview was a flop as far as the narrator was concerned. Mrs. Dorling refused to see her and talk to her in spite
of the narrator's repeated requests.
2. Cyril again asked for tea, telling Mrs. Pearson that he had been working for an eight-hour workday. Mrs. Pearson
responded by highlighting that she's also finished her eight hours and henceforth will adhere to a forty-hour
workweek, with weekends designated as her two days off.
14. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
1. The professor visited the Town Hall building in which the library of the Asiatic Society was located. He found the
five books on history that he had written. Ongoing through the fifth volume, he found that there was no change in
the events till the death of Aurangzeb. On reading the description of the battle of Panipat he noticed that the result of
the battle was written differently from what he knew. Aadali was defeated by the Maratha army led by Sadashivrao
Bhau and his nephew Vishwasrao. It established the supremacy of the Marathas. The remaining history of India was
altered too for in the parallel world India never went under British rule ​. The Marathas restricted the expansion of
the East India Company. Professor Gaitonde left the library when it closed in the evening but before that, he tore the
pages of the history book from the other world, which vividly described how Vishwasrao escaped death and put the
pages in his pocket.
2. There is no doubt that Shirley Toulson has given a very touching tribute to her mother by remembering her through
her verses. It is apparent that she is very much nostalgic and is grieving at the loss of her mother. Though she says
that over the years she has adjusted to her mother’s absence, the circumstances have surely filled her with silence and
a deep void.
We cannot deny that it hurts very much to lose someone, but the attitude shown by the poet at the end is not the right
way to live your life. Life will keep going on even if we stop to lament our loss.
Loss is universal. It is the law of nature. We cannot let ourselves get depressed because of this. It is also
understandable that we grieve. However, grieving to the point of hampering the normal functioning of our lives is not
acceptable.
15. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.

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1. The king who never applied his own brain went by what others said. When the people demanded somebody to be
hanged, the king had to pay a heavy price for his foolishness. He himself was taken to the gallows. According to the
state custom, the new ruler was to be chosen by the first person who passed by the city gates. That day an idiot
happened to pass by the gates who said “Melon” to any question which people asked him. And the ministers
followed the custom mindlessly. They brought a melon and crowned it as their new ruler. The people raised no
objection. They only wanted to live in peace and liberty. They accepted the melon king who followed the policy of
non-interference in whatever the people did.
2. Mother's Day is a comical satire. The story is a simple one, yet it strongly condemns the position of women in
society. Our mothers and wives work hard daily, turning our houses into homes. They do not receive any wages for
their work, nor do they get the weekends to themselves. They work all day long tirelessly, satisfying everyone's needs
and demands round the clock. Little do we realize the hard work they put in to make it all perfect. We take them for
granted and never appreciate them or stop by to drop a word of 'thanks'. The story very clearly states that our mothers
and wives have equal right to relax, enjoy their lives, and deserve acknowledgement and appreciation for their work.
They sacrifice their whole lives building ours. Husbands stay busy at work and kids are occupied in their own lives.
Amidst all these, women lose themselves trying to contain our world.

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