ENGLISH – 1 : TEST 4

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Maximum Marks: 80 Time : 2 hours

Question 1

Write a composition (300 - 350 words) on any one of the following:

(a) Write an original short story in which a doctor and a teenager play an important role.

(b) “English should be the sole medium of education in all Indian schools.”
Give your views for or against this statement.

(c) You made a recent visit to a fair held in your town/city. Describe the sights, sounds, and
mood of the people around you. How did you enjoy your visit, and what were your
feelings once you moved out of the venue?

(d) You are the class prefect. One day, while the teacher was not in the classroom, two of
your classmates got into a serious argument that later worsened into a physical fight.
Describe what happened, mentioning the cause and the effect. How did you help solve
the problem, and what did you learn from the experience?

(e) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it
suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may
take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection.
Question 2
Select any one of the following:

a) You recently went on a river trip with your family, during which your boat unfortunately
turned over and there was no immediate help available. Write a letter to your friend
narrating the incident. Explain how you responded to the situation and reflect on the
lessons you learnt from the experience.

b) You recently ordered a book from a reputed online platform but received the wrong item
in the shipment. Write a letter to the Customer Service Manager of the company
requesting a replacement or refund. Mention the issues caused by this mistake and
suggest some measures to prevent such errors in the future.

Question 3
(a) You are the President of the Events Club of your school. A thanksgiving programme is
being organized in honour of a senior teacher who is retiring this year. Draft a notice
informing students about the event and inviting those interested to participate in various
segments of the programme.

(b) Draft an e-mail to the Head of the Audio-Visual Club requesting sound and lighting
support for the thanksgiving event. Suggest some unique ideas to ensure the success of the
programme.

Question 4

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

As I hurried past the town hall, I noticed a crowd gathered around the bulletin board. For a
moment, I was tempted to stop—surely another dreadful order from Berlin. But the thought of
being late again made me dash on. I feared M. Hamel's reproach, his scathing sarcasm that could
pierce sharper than any ruler.

When I finally reached the school, I was out of breath, heart pounding like a drumbeat of guilt.
To my surprise, the classroom was strangely quiet. No chatter, no sound of desks scraping, not
even the usual buzz of spelling recitations. Through the window, I saw the villagers—old
Hauser, the former mayor, and several others—seated quietly at the back of the room.

M. Hamel, dressed in his fine green coat, frilled shirt, and embroidered black silk cap, the attire
he reserved for inspections or prize ceremonies, looked at me not with anger but with a gaze so
gentle it made my cheeks burn. He said, “Go to your seat, little Franz. We were about to begin.”

I sat down, utterly confused.

He began, “My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you. The order has come from Berlin
to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine... The new master arrives tomorrow.
Today is your last French lesson.”

A silence, thick and unforgiving, fell upon the room. The weight of those words kept me in
compunction. Crestfallen I was!

“Why, I hardly know how to write!” I whispered to myself. “And I’ll never learn again...?”

For the first time, I listened—truly listened. Every word he spoke felt sacred. I watched the worn
lines on his face, the quiver in his voice, and I knew: it was not merely a lesson in grammar. It
was a farewell to a part of ourselves.

And suddenly, I understood the depth of M. Hamel’s words: “When people are enslaved, as long
as they hold fast to their language, they hold the key to their prison.” Those words echoed in my
mind like the toll of a distant bell—resonant, sorrowful, and true.

(i) For each word given below, choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from
the options provided: [2]

1. Reproach
 (a) Rebuke (b) Scorn (c) Disdain (d) Loathe

2. Compunction
(a) Bitterness (b) Anguish (c) Resentment (d) Remorse

(ii) Which word in the passage is the opposite of ‘callous’? [1]

(a) Quiet (b) Dreadful (c) Resonant (d) Gentle

(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.

(a) What aspects of M. Hamel’s personality stand out in this final lesson? [2]

(b) What special change in M. Hamel’s appearance did the narrator notice that day?
Why do you think he made that change? [2]

(c) Quote one sentence from the passage that suggests that the narrator was indifferent to the
learning of French. [1]
(d) “It was a farewell to a part of ourselves.”
What ‘part’ of themselves is being referred to?
Why did the narrator describe it as a ‘farewell’? [2]

(e) “When people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language, they hold the key
to their prison.”
Explain the metaphor with reference to the context. [2]

(iv) In about 50 words, describe the series of events that took place from the moment the
narrator hurried to school until he sat down and the last lesson began. [8]
Question 5

(i) In the following passage, fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the
word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage, but write in correct serial order the
word or phrase appropriate to the blank space.

By the time the exam schedule (1) _____ (hang) on the notice board, most students were
already anxious. Mrs. Roy, the principal, said, “It’s high time we (2) _____ (recognise)
the flaws in this year’s exam system.” She insisted that the exam coordinator (3) _____
(take) full responsibility for the confusion caused due to a timetable conflict last month.

Earlier that week, the school drama club had performed a play about justice where a
character (4)____ (hang) on stage — an event that left a strong impression on everyone.
Meanwhile, the teachers (5)_____(rehearse) their lesson plans, unaware of the
complaints piling up. One teacher told me she (6) _____ (have) similar issues with
scheduling the year before, but felt ignored. “(7) _____ (stay) late again to prepare?”
asked one teacher, “I’d prefer to have a normal day. Were Roy (8)____(see) the stress
everyone was under, she would surely reconsider the current plans.” “Huh, but we know
how callous of a scoundrel she is!”

(ii) Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word.

(a) The dog worried ___ the bone.

(b) He wishes to cash in ____ animal rearing.
(c) The thief made ___ with our money.
(d) He lost the ring___ the sand.
(e) I was leaning __ the pillar.
(f) Do not go ___ external appearances.
(g) It’s 7 p.m. ___ my watch.
(h) She scoffed ___ my appearance.

(iii) Join the following sentences without using and, but, or so.

1. It was a cold day. I remained at home.

(a) It was a cold day, therefore I remained at home.

(b) Being a cold day, I remained at home.
 (c) Having been a cold day, I remained at home.
(d) I remained at home, for it being a cold day.

2. Keep your tools away. You may fall on them

(a) Keep your tools away lest you may fall on them
(b) Keep our tools away lest you should fall on them.
(c) Keep your tools away, nevertheless you may fall on them.
(d) Keep your tools away, nevertheless you should fall on them.

3. The boy was late. Sir did not punish him.

(a) Despite being late, Sir did not punish the boy.
(b) Although being late, Sir did not punish the boy.
(c) Although the boy was late, yet he was not punished by Sir.
(d) Despite being late, the boy was not punished by Sir.

4. The girl was petrified. She spoke boldly.

(a) Petrified as she was, the girl spoke boldly.

(b) Although being petrified, the girl spoke boldly.
(c) As the girl was petrified, she spoke boldly.
(d) In spite of the girl having been petrified, she spoke boldly.

(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following as per instructions.

1. He cared only about his own gains

(Begin with: He cared…)

(a) He cared about nothing but his own gains

(b) He cared just about his own gains.
(c) No cared about nothing, but only about his own gains.
(d) He cared about his own gains, and nothing else.

2. Only he survived.
(Begin with: All...)

(a) All died, but he survived.

(b) All died, leaving him survived.
(c) All, but he, died.
(d) All died, however he survived.

3. He was left with his father’s big plot.

(Use ‘inherited’.)
 (a) He inherited a big plot given by his father.
(b) He inherited a big plot of his father.
(c) He inherited a big plot by his father.
(d) He inherited a big plot from his father.

4. He said to Rohan, “Please help me.”

(Begin with: ‘He requested…’)

(a) He requested to Rohan to help him.

(b) He requested that Rohan help him.
(c) He requested Rohan that he helped him.
(d) He requested Rohan for help.

5. I hope he does his homework.

(Use ‘would rather’.)

(a) I would rather love him doing his homework.

(b) I would rather he do his homework.
(c) He would rather hope that he does his homework.
(d) He would rather he does his homework.

6. His mother looked at him lovingly

(Begin: He was…)

(a) He was looked at by his mother lovingly.

(b) He was looked by his mother lovingly.
(c) He was looked lovingly by his mother.
(d) He was lovingly looked by his mother.

7. Sugar tastes sweet

(Use passive voice.)

(a) Sugar is sweet by taste.

(b) Sugar is sweet in taste.
(c) Sugar is sweet when tasted.
(d) Sugar is sweet at taste.

8. He is too fast not to win the race.

(Begin: He is so fast..)

(a) He is so fast that he can win the race.

(b) He is so fast that he may win the race.
 (c) He is so fast that he cannot but win the race.
(d) He is so fast that he will probably win the race.

🔹 (i) Vocabulary [2 Marks Total: 1 + 1]

Q. No. Word Correct Option Marks

1 Reproach (a) Rebuke 1

2 Compunction (d) Remorse 1

🔹 (ii) Antonym [1 Mark]

Question: Which word in the passage is the opposite of ‘callous’?

Correct Answer: (d) Gentle
✅ Award 1 mark for correct option. No partial marks.

🔹 (iii) Short Answer Questions [9 Marks Total]

Each 2-mark answer is marked as follows:

 1 mark for each accurate content point

 +1 mark overall for expression and grammar
👉 Deduct 0.5–1 mark for vague, grammatically incorrect, or non-textual answers.

Q (a): Aspects of M. Hamel’s personality [2 Marks]

✅ Key Pointers (Any 2):

 Patriotic and emotionally invested

 Gentle and composed, not angry even when Franz was late
 Committed teacher, gave final lesson with full sincerity
 Poignantly sorrowful, voice quivering
Q (b): Change in appearance + Reason [2 Marks]

✅ Key Pointers:

 Change Observed: Wore green coat, frilled shirt, black silk cap
 Why: Reserved for special occasions → Signified the importance of his last lesson

Q (c): Indifference to learning French [1 Mark]

✅ Quoted Sentence:

“Why, I hardly know how to write!” I whispered to myself.

📝 Award only if the quote is exact or closely paraphrased without distortion.

Q (d): Meaning of "farewell to a part of ourselves" [2 Marks]

✅ Key Pointers:

 ‘Part’ refers to: Their French language and cultural identity

 ‘Farewell’ because: German would now be taught; loss of linguistic heritage

Q (e): Language as a key to freedom – Explain metaphor [2 Marks]

✅ Key Pointers:

 Language preserves identity even when people are politically enslaved

 ‘Key to their prison’: Cultural and emotional freedom through mother tongue

🔹 (iv) Precis-Type Summary [8 Marks]

✅ Marking Scheme:
Component Marks

6 Unique Content Points 6

Grammar & Organisation 2

 Component Marks

Total 8

🔸 Content Point Suggestions (1 mark each):

1. Franz hurried past town hall; tempted to stop at bulletin board

2. Feared M. Hamel’s scathing sarcasm if late
3. Surprised at unusual silence in class
4. Noticed villagers seated at the back
5. M. Hamel wore ceremonial attire reserved for special days
6. Announced it was the last French lesson due to Berlin’s order

🔸 Grammar & Expression (2 marks):

 Award full 2 marks for well-structured, cohesive summary in chronological order,

grammatically sound.
 Deduct 0.5–1 mark for:
o Disjointed sentences
o Lack of logical sequencing
o Overuse of personal opinion or distortion of passage

Key Pointers Embedded:

1. Franz ignored bulletin crowd

2. Feared reproach for being late
3. Silence and decorum in class
4. Villagers’ solemn presence
5. Hamel’s special attire
6. Declaration of last French lesson due to Berlin’s order

Franz ignored the bulletin crow

fearing M. Hamel’s harsh reproach
he reached school breathless and
stunned by silence and orderliness
villagers sat solemnly at the back
M. Hamel wore ceremonial clothes
and greeted Franz gently with
a heavy heart, then declared
it was their final lesson.
ordered by Berlin to teach
German