HOLIDAY ASSIGNMENT

English Core (301)

Class XI (2025-26)
SECTION A : READING SKILLS (26 marks)
1. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: [10]
Read the passage given below:
1. As a form of expression, graffiti is famously characterized by outlaw values;
the creation and display of graffiti countered societal rules and was considered
by some as vandalism. Not only was it symbolic of rebel values but was also
linked to destruction of property. These links between graffiti culture and
rebellion were age-old and some say, were popularized by hip-hop culture.
2. Imagine waking up one morning, to see your walls smeared with black paint
names, symbols, messages. The most interesting bit is that these wall artists
were never caught red-handed. It was all done stealthily. It was almost as
though people were marking their territory using painted symbols and slogans.
The change was creeping in. Mobile numbers and captivating phrases gradually
became marketing tools for free advertising. Catchy phrases tickled the
curiosity and calls were made to those numbers.

3. Over a period of time, there was a shift in perception. Blank walls beckoned
invitingly and artists saw whitewashed walls as an opportunity to display their
work in free and open settings. The city became one large canvas; the illegal
 'gang activity' became an art form on display in walking galleries. Graffiti was
gradually being replaced and the stigma of illegality was being dropped. There
was a move to embrace rather than condemn.
4. The colours, shapes, and subjects became cultural themes. What was once
rebellious expression is artistic talent at its vibrant best, rich in images of
plants, animals and unspoiled landscapes. The painted walls encouraged by
residents and governments have created their own ecosystem a reconciliation of
nature with man-made forces.
5. The monotony and uniformity of urban life is today infused with human vitality
and beauty. Cities speak proudly about the painted walls and clamour to be the
first to preserve culture and history through these. Graphic displays of social
awareness issues effectively and economically reach out to the common man.
Silent art speaks volumes. Be it hygiene, conservation, education, or rights and
duties the message is conveyed in an animated, colourful manner without being
an imposition.

(i) Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option.

Graffiti in the earlier years was

a) considered a valuable legacy. b) supported by society.

c) an expression of rebellion. d) done by prominent artists.

(ii) Comment on the writer's statement, It was all done stealthily.

(iii) List two reasons why graffiti was not popular among people.

(iv) Select the word from para 2 of the passage that conveys the opposite of boring.

(v) The writer would agree with all of the following EXCEPT:

a) Graffiti became popular as a b) Wall art was an age-old

marketing tool. tradition.

c) Graffiti art was a paid d) People were curious by what

activity. was scribbled on walls.

(vi) Which word from the following most nearly means reconciliation with reference to
the given context? (para 4)

a) cease fire b) combination

 c) reunion d) resolution

(vii) Why does the writer say that the stigma of illegality was dropped?

(viii) Complete the following sentence with reference to the passage:

The city became one large canvas because .

(ix) The passage states a shift in attitude. Identify the best option that indicates this
shift.

a) dislike to acceptance b) rejection to dismissal

c) imposition to acceptance d) confusion to clarity

(x) List two ways in which wall art is beneficial to society.

2. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: [8]

1. Millions of tons of small waste from plastic bags, bottles and clothes in the
world's ocean present a serious threat to human health and marine environment.
This is a warming issued by the U.N. in a report on the most dangerous
environmental problem facing the world today. Global plastic production has
increased considerably in years nearly by 38%.
2. A poor waste management means when we have finished with our takeaways
contains cigarette butts and party balloons, they are worn down into trillions of
even small particles by the waves. Therefore, there is a growing presence of
these micro plastic the world's oceans.
3. It was estimated in 2010 that millions of tons of plastic was washed into the
season have since shown up in the stomachs of whales, plankton and other
marine life. Richard Thompson, professor of marine biology said that in
laboratory experiments the proof that micro plastic an cause harm to organisms.
4. More than a quarter of all fish now contained plastic, according to a recent study
why analysed the guts of fish sold in California. Scientist fear that chemical sin
plastician also chemicals which attach themselves to plastic in natural
environment could each poisoning and many disorders in marine lie if consumed
in huge quantities.
5. Even human could be adversely affected by the plastic. People could even be
brething in plastic micro-particles suspended in the air with the risk of harmful
effect on the lungs similar to air fumes.
 6. Volunteers around the world collect trash and tally up what they find on the fall
in Ocean's Conservancy's Annual International Coastal Cleanup. The result item-
by-item, location-by-location Ocean Trash Index provides the only snapshot of
marine debris littering coasts and waterways around the world, according to
Ocean Conservancy.

7. Boyance Slat, a Dutch student has developed a technology that could sift
dangerous plastic particle out of the ocean and sell them for profit or re-cycling.
Richard Thompson recommended that people avoid using products with micro
beads and to make sure they dispose of all plastic products in a appropriate way
by, if possible.

(i) Select the option that is true for the two statements given below.
(1) More than a quarter of all fish now have plastics present in them.
(2) Millions of tons of plastic waste is present in the world's oceans.
a. (1) is the result of (2)
b. (1) is the reason for (2)
c. Both (1) and (2) are true
d. (1) contradicts (2)

(ii) According to the passage, Richard Thompson is a .

(iii) provides the only snapshot of marine debris littering coasts and
waterways.

(iv) Through what does the cigarette butts and party balloons worn down into smaller
particles?

(v) We can find out that more than a quarter of all fish contained plastics in them by:
 a. the stark warming issued by the UN in a report on the most dangerous
environmental problems facing the world today.
b. collecting trash and tallying up what they find each day.
c. laboratory experiments performed by Richard Thompson a profession marine
biology.
d. analysing the fish sold in California.

(vi) Choose the correct set of statement which is NOT TRUE.

(I) Plastic could have similar effects like car fumes.
(II) Chemicals which attach themselves to plastic in natural environment could
cause poisoning in marine life.
(III) Humans will never be adversely affected by the plastic.
(IV) In 2001, Millions of tons of plastic was washed into the sea.
(V) There is a growing presence of micro plastics in the world's oceans.
a. (II), (V)
b. (I), (V)
c. (I), (II)
d. (III), (IV)

(vii) What amount of paper bags in the index are diffused into the oceans?

(viii) Fill in the blank with with the correct option.

There are beverage cans found in the index.
a. 337,865
b. 339,875
c. 339,445
d. 333,347

3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: [8]
It is surprising that sometimes we don't listen to what people say to us. We hear
them, but we don't listen to them. I was curious to know how hearing is different
from listening. I had thought both were synonyms, but gradually, I realised there is
a big difference between the two words.
Hearing is a physical phenomenon. Whenever somebody speaks, the sound waves
generated reach you, and you definitely hear whatever is said to you. However,
even if you hear something, it doesn't always mean that you actually understand
 whatever is being said. Paying attention to whatever you hear means you are really
listening. Consciously using your mind to understand whatever is being said is
listening.
Diving deeper, I found that listening is not only hearing with attention but is much
more than that. Listening is hearing with full attention and applying our mind. Most
of the time, we listen to someone, but our minds are full of needless chatter and
there doesn't seem to be enough space to accommodate what is being spoken.
We come with a lot of prejudices and preconceived notions about the speaker or the
subject on which he is talking. We pretend to listen to the speaker, but deep inside,
we sit in judgment and are dying to pronounce right or wrong, true or false, yes or
no. Sometimes, we even come prepared with a negative mindset of proving the
speaker wrong. Even if the speaker says nothing harmful, we are ready to pounce
on him with our own version of things.
What we should ideally do is listen first with full awareness. Once we have done
that, we can decide whether we want to make a judgment or not. Once we do that,
communication will be perfect and our interpersonal relationship will become so
much better. Listening well doesn't mean one has to say the right thing at the right
moment. In fact, sometimes if words are left unspoken, there is a feeling of tension
and negativity. Therefore, it is better to speak out your mind but do so with
awareness after listening to the speaker with full concentration.
Let's look at this in another way. When you really listen, you imbibe not only what
is being spoken, but you also understand what is not spoken as well. Most of the
time we don't really listen even to people who really matter to us. That's how
misunderstandings grow among families, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using
headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary-
minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title
to it.
1. Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words.

Section B : Grammar (7 Marks)

4. Answer any SEVEN of the following questions: [7]

(i) Did you (recite) the poem yesterday? (Fill tense correctly) [1]

(ii) We are (wait) for you. (Fill tense correctly) [1]

 (iii) The driver called me I left my bag in the cab. [1]
(where/when/whose/which)

(iv) It was 10 p.m. the thief entered the house. [1]

(where/when/whose/which)

(v) Has he been living in Meerut since 2006? (Affirmative sentence) [1]

(vi) Babu is faster than any other boy in the class. (use superlative degree) [1]

(vii) Snow/way/he/home/back/the/made/his/through (reorder correctly) [1]

(viii) on/Rikta/Saturday/came. (reorder correctly) [1]

Section - B Creative Writing Skills (16 Marks)

5. You are Mohan/Mohini, General Manager of PK Industries, Hyderabad. You need [3]
an Accountant for your company. Draft in not more than 50 words an advertisement
to be published in ‘The Hindu’ in classified columns.

OR
You are Ratan/Rani, General Manager of Hotel Green Park, Lucknow. You need a
receptionist for your hotel. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be
published in ‘Hindustan Times’, Lucknow, calling for applications.

6. You are a fitness trainer in a health club. Design a poster in not more than 50 [3]
words, to emphasise the importance of exercise in maintaining mental and physical
fitness. You are Prem/Priya.

OR
As an educationist, you have noticed that the present generation has lost the habit of
reading. Design a poster in not more than 50 words highlighting the importance of
reading and the value of books.