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NO. 1 EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
www.educatorsresource.in ENGLISH
LITERATURE AND
LANGUAGE
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Maximum Marks: 80.0 Time Allowed: 180
General Instructions:
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :

i. This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.

ii. The question paper contains THREE sections -
Section - A : Reading Skills
Section - B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section - C : Literature Text Book
iii. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Chapter Name - Paragraph Based Question Subjective Question Total

Reading - Discursive Passage - 1 (10.0) - 1 (10.0)

Reading - Case Based Passage - 1 (10.0) - 1 (10.0)

(12 Grouped Questions) 1 (10.0) - - 1 (10.0)

Grammar - Subject Verb Concord
Grammar - Tenses
Grammar - Modals
Grammar - Editing
Grammar - Determiners
Grammar - Reported speech

(2 Grouped Questions) 1 (5.0) - - 1 (5.0)

Moments The Beggar
Beehive The Snake and the Mirror

(2 Grouped Questions) 1 (5.0) - - 1 (5.0)

Beehive Poem The Road Not Taken
Beehive Poem A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal

(5 Grouped Questions) 1 (12.0) - - 1 (12.0)

Beehive Poem A Legend of the Northland
Beehive Kathmandu
Beehive My Childhood
Beehive Poem Rain on the Roof
Beehive A Truly Beautiful Mind

(3 Grouped Questions) 1 (6.0) - - 1 (6.0)

Moments The Last Leaf
Moments A House is Not a Home
Moments Iswaran the Storyteller

(2 Grouped Questions) 1 (6.0) - - 1 (6.0)

Beehive The Sound of Music
Beehive Reach for the Top

(2 Grouped Questions) 1 (6.0) - - 1 (6.0)

Moments In the Kingdom of Fools
Moments The Lost Child

(1 Internal Choice) - - 1 (5.0) 1 (5.0)

Writing - Descriptive Paragraph
Chapter Name - Paragraph Based Question Subjective Question Total

Writing - Descriptive Paragraph

(1 Internal Choice) - - 1 (5.0) 1 (5.0)

Writing - Short Story
Writing - Diary Entry

11 (80.0)
Total
Series ARSP/01
Roll No. Set ~ 1
Q.P Code 15/1/1
Candidates must write the Q.P Code
on the title page of the answer-book.

 Please check that this question paper contains 08 printed pages.

 Q.P. Code given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written
on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.
 Please check that this question paper contains 11 questions.
 Please write down the serial number of the question in the answer-book
before attempting it.
 15 Minute times has been allotted to read this question paper. The question
paper will be distributed at 10:15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m to 10.30 a.m, the students
will read the question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer –
book during this period.

ENGLISH(LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE )

Time allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :
1. This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
2. The question paper contains THREE sections -
Section - A : Reading Skills
Section - B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section - C : Literature Text Book
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section A Reading
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : [10]
1. Maggie is a golden doodle. However, she turned out to be more golden than a doodle. She
has lots of energy, is very loving, a people pleaser, soft and she loves every minute of life. But
when she was small, we called her "The Demon". She lived to jump on me, bite me, and steal
anything. My goal had been to get a dog that would keep me walking every day. But more
than that, I am in a period of my life where I was looking for a way to give back. Seeing
Maggie's loving personality and high energy, I realized that Maggie needed a job and I
needed to volunteer, and if we worked together, we could both have that. But the little
"demon" needed to be tamed! After going through beginner and intermediate obedience at
Canine Academy, I knew that Maggie would benefit from the Off-Leash program and that
would help her get ready to become a therapy dog so that she could be busy and I could give
back.
2. She is home from the Academy now, and what a great dog she is! She loved her training and
did very well at Canine Academy. Walks that used to be difficult because, at 75 lbs, her
pulling on the leash was hard on me, are now a pleasure. We walk twice every day and she
has many friends in the neighbourhood, that have watched her grow from an unruly puppy
to a beautiful companion, thanks to the Canine Academy. We train every day and she loves
to attend the weekly training sessions that the Off-Leash graduates take part in. Lisa and her
trainers gave Maggie the tools she needed to be an absolutely wonderful dog. Now we work
together to fine tune those tools and everyone that knew her before is quite impressed by
how well-behaved she is now. My life is so much better with Maggie in it, but part of that is
thanks to the wonderful people at the Canine Academy and the great work they do with
dogs. If I ever add to my dog family, we will surely be calling them again!

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

 I. In paragraph 1, what does the phrase ‘Maggie needed a job and I needed to volunteer’
emphasise? (1 Mark)
II. Complete the following with the correct option from the two given. (1 Mark)
The writer describes Maggie as a "demon" when she was small because ________.
(a) she was mischievous, energetic, and hard to manage.
(b) she refused to participate in obedience training at first. (paragraph 1)
III. Support the writer’s idea that Maggie has significantly improved after her training at the
Canine Academy. (paragraph 2) (2 Marks)
IV. Select the option that best reflects the concept of ‘giving back’ as described in the passage.
(paragraph 1) (1 Mark)
V. State whether the following statement is True or False. (paragraph 2) (1 Mark)
Maggie has become well-behaved and enjoys weekly training sessions after completing her Off-
Leash program.
VI. The writer mentions ‘Maggie needed a job’ in paragraph 1. Which of the following activities
best represents a potential “job” for Maggie? (1 Mark)
(a) Participating in advanced obedience competitions.
(b) Becoming a therapy dog to help people in need.
(c) Guarding the house and protecting the property.
(d) Playing fetch daily as her primary activity.
VII. List any two ways the Canine Academy helped improve Maggie’s behaviour. (paragraph 2) (2
Marks)
VIII. Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given. (paragraph 2) (1 Mark)
In the phrase ‘fine tune those tools’, the word ‘tools’ refers to ________.
(a) The specific commands and techniques learned in training.
(b) The leashes, collars, and physical equipment used during walks.
(c) The toys used to keep Maggie active and entertained.
(d) The tricks Maggie learned to impress her neighbours.
2. Read the following passage: [10]
1. In today's contemporary online shopping landscape, a perfect storm of choice engulfs
consumers. Research consistently indicates that individuals presented with a limited
selection tend to make more confident and efficient decisions compared to those confronted
with overwhelming choices.
2. Consequently, assisting consumers in navigating the vast expanse of options available online
has evolved into a thriving industry on a global scale. Many brands and retailers now employ
marketing strategies revolving around the aspects given in the table below:

Aspect Description

Industry Helping consumers decide what to buy online.

Marketing
Selecting, differentiation and discovery.
tools

Data Digital advertising, cataloging people by gender, income level, personal

utilization interests and more.
 Retail Algorithms, influencers and ad tech.
Assistance

Challenge Choice fatigue due to the overwhelming volume of consumer choices.

Lifestyle influencers on Instagram providing aspirational content and

Solution
product recommendations.

3. For a relatively new breed of consumer product startups, a different approach emerges
entirely. Rather than attempting to navigate the existing sea of products, these companies
claim to revolutionize conventional consumer choices. Some brands offer limited, functional,
mid-priced products, instilling customer confidence and breaking the cycle of consumerism.
4. The global product abundance could be more equitable. Unfortunately, creators often
prioritize wealthier consumers.
5. For startups promising accessible simplicity, their very structure may eventually lead them
back to an overwhelming array of choices. Most of these companies rely on hundreds of
millions of dollars in venture capital funding, and their inventors typically expect rapid
growth.
(Adapted for academic usage)
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:
i. What does the use of the phrase 'a perfect storm of choice', by the writer, in paragraph 1, tell
us about their feelings? (1 Mark)
(A) The consumers are elated
(B) The consumers are confused
(C) The consumers are confident
(D) The consumers are decisive
ii. Identify the word in paragraph 2, that indicates that the writer feels assisting consumers has
become a profitable industry. (1 Mark)
iii. Based on the aspects mentioned in the table, mention the marketing approach that is
primarily concerned with understanding consumers based on various factors. (1 Mark)
iv. Complete the following analogy approximately, based on your understanding of the table: (1
Mark)
Cataloging people by gender, income level, personal interests etc. is to Data utilization as
Algorithms, influencers, and ad tech are to ________.
v. Which aspect in the table pertains to presenting consumers with carefully selected choices to
assist decision-making? (1 Mark)
(A) Challenge
(B) Data utilization
(C) Marketing trends
(D) Retail assistance
vi. Based on your understanding, fill the blank with the appropriate option from those given in
brackets: (1 Mark)
The solution to combat choice fatigue to ________ (follow/employ/recommend) lifestyle
influencers on Instagram who provide self-improving content and product references.
 vii. Complete the sentence suitably: (1 Mark)
The different approach to revolutionise consumer choices is to ________.
viii. Complete the following with a suitable reason: (1 Mark)
The writer believes that the global product abundance cannot be equitable because ________.
ix. In the context of the last paragraph though the startups promise simplicity of access, what
are the drawbacks of such a structure? (2 Mark)
Section B Grammar
3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed [10]
(a) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given [1]
portion of a letter:
Such posters ________ (impact) youngsters negatively and can be hazardous to their self-
esteem.
(b) Identify the error and supply the correction, for the following: [1]

Delhi Government
COVID-19 FAMILY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME
An assistance of ₹50,000/- will be given to all family living in Delhi on each death of
any family member due to COVID-19, whether or not they were earning members.

Use the given format for your response.

error correction

(c) Report the dialogue between Lata and Usha, by completing the sentence: [1]
Lata: What activity did you enjoy the most in the summer camp?
Usha: I enjoyed the art and craft class.
Lata asked Usha what activity did she enjoy the most in the summer camp. Usha replied
that she ________.
(d) Uncle Sam was looking for a pen to fill his form in the bank. The assistant from the help [1]
desk asked the following question to Uncle Sam. Report the assistant's question.
Are you looking for something?
(e) Although ______ species of fox are reddish in color, ________ Arctic fox is often pure [1]
white.

a) a great amount of/an b) many/the

c) any/the d) most/the
(f) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following [1]
line, from a news report:
A doctor and his two children died in the fire accident that took place in Tamil Nadu's
Tirupati district on Sunday.

Option no. Error Correction

A died dies

B the a

C took takes
 D in at
(g) Now that they have raised the prices at the gym, I ________ going there or I'll have [1]
difficulty paying it.

a) had stopped b) had better stop

c) Should stop d) used to stop

(h) Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option: [1]
Heena ________ from fever since last Sunday.

a) suffered b) has been suffering

c) suffer d) will suffer

(i) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete a blog on ‘Success & [1]
Failure’.
Enjoy when you cannot do it and endure when you ________ do it.

a) should b) must

c) could d) might
(j) Complete the line from a self-awareness song, by filling the blank with the correct [1]
option.
"But cheerly still: and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that ________ his fellow men."
A. loved
B. love
C. will love
D. loves

(k) Although every student in my class ________ the schedule, one of my students always [1]
________ late to the class.

a) knows, comes b) knows, coming

c) know, comes d) know, come

(l) The police ________ to have been called by the thieves themselves to the wrong address [1]
at the same time of the robbery.

a) are supposed b) was supposed

c) supposed d) is supposed
Section B Writing
4. Write a short paragraph on the following personality: Mahatma Gandhi - The Father of the Nation [5]
OR
Write a paragraph on Swachha Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Campaign.
5. You along with your friends went river rafting in Rishikesh. Write a Diary Entry describing your [5]
experience.
OR
Complete the story given below by using the clues provided :
 The parent-teacher meeting was scheduled for tomorrow – scared of informing them – had been
scolded for missing school – no way out – cooked a story …

Section C Literature
6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. [5]
(a) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: [5]
Next he saw the pseudo-teacher seat himself on a log and become lost in thought with
his red cheeks resting on his fists. The woman flung down an axe at his feet, spat
angrily, and, judging from the expression of her lips, began to scold him. The beggar
irresolutely pulled a billet of wood towards him, set it up between his feet, and tapped it
feebly with the axe. The billet wavered and fell down. The beggar again pulled it to him,
blew on his freezing hands, and tapped it with his axe cautiously, as if afraid of hitting
his overshoe or of cutting off his finger; the stick of wood again fell to the ground.
i. Which of the following is NOT a description of the beggar's actions in the story? (1)
A. The beggar becomes lost in thought with his red cheeks resting on his fists.
B. The beggar pulls a billet of wood towards him and sets it up between his feet.
C. The beggar taps the billet of wood with the axe cautiously.
D. The beggar angrily flung axe at women’s feet and scolded the woman.
ii. How does the beggar attempt to chop wood, and what does his approach reveal
about his skill and confidence in doing the task? (2)
iii. Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds
to the extract: (1)
a. The beggar skillfully and confidently chopped the wood, impressing the woman
with his efficiency.
b. The beggar struggled to cut the wood properly, displaying hesitancy and caution
in his actions.
c. The beggar refused to help the woman with the wood, leading to an argument
between them.
iv. As the advocate Sergei, observing this scene from a distance, what assumptions
could you make about the beggar's woodworking abilities and the interaction with
the woman? (1)
(b) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. [5]
I took off my black coat, white shirt and not-so-white vest and hung them up. I opened
the two windows in the room. It was an outer room with one wall facing the open yard.
It had a tiled roof with long supporting gables that rested on the beam over the wall.
There was no ceiling. There was regular traffic of rats to and from the beam. I made my
bed and pulled it close to the wall. I lay down but I could not sleep. I got up and went
out to the veranda for a little air, but the wind god seemed to have taken time off. I
went back into the room and sat down on the chair. I opened the box beneath the table
and took out a book, the Materia Medica. I opened it at the table on which stood the
lamp and a large mirror; a small comb lay beside the mirror.
a. What item from the room does the narrator NOT interact/engage with during this
passage? (1)
 a. The lamp
b. The mirror
c. The book (Materia Medica)
d. The veranda
b. Why does the narrator describe the wind god as having "taken time off" when he
goes out to the veranda for air? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
c. If an actor were to enact this extract, what aspects of his performance should he pay
attention to while modulating his voice to convey the character's feelings and
surroundings effectively? (1)
d. Which phrase would correctly substitute 'made my bed', in the given sentence from
the extract.
I made my bed and pulled it close to the wall. (1)
7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. [5]
(a) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. [5]
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves, no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
a. 'Both' refers to ________. (1)
b. What is the centric idea of the given stanza? (1)
c. What is the emotion that the poet expresses in the given lines? (1)
i. remorse
ii. anger
iii. content
iv. sorrow
d. Why does the poet doubt his coming back? Explain in 40 words. (2)
(b) Read the extract and answer the questions that follow. [5]
A slumber did my spirit seal-
I had no human fears.
She scented a thing that could not feel
The touch of earthly years.
No notion has she now, no force-
She neither hears nor sees,
Rolled round in earth’s diurnal course
With rocks and stones and trees
a. ________ composed the poem. (1)
b. What does ‘the slumber’ refer to in the first line? (1)
c. What can she "not feel"? Explain in 40 words. (2)
d. What is the rhyming meter implemented by the poet? (1)
i. abdc abdc
ii. abcd abcd
 iii. abab cdcd
iv. free verse

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words [12]
(a) Why does the world remember Einstein as a world citizen? [3]
(b) Is the poet, Coates Kinney, able to enjoy the rain or he reminisces at the lost time? [3]
(c) What was the task of the narrator's family during the annual Shri Rama Kalyanam [3]
ceremony?
(d) What did the saffron-clad Westerners want? [3]
(e) Why was Saint Peter annoyed with the little woman? [3]
9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. [6]
(a) Why was Johnsy’s condition worrisome according to the doctor? [3]
(b) What did the narrator get from his new schoolmates? Write your answer in the context [3]
of A House is Not a Home.
(c) What havoc did the elephant created in the school ground? [3]
10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words [6]
(a) Ustad Bismillah Khan's life is a perfect example of the rich cultural heritage of India. A [6]
devout Muslim like him had no qualms about playing Shehnai every morning at the
Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Elucidate it in about 100-120 words.
(b) Write a brief character sketch of Santosh Yadav. [6]
11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. [6]
(a) What was foolish about the king’s trial of the merchant? [6]
(b) Describe the journey made by the child to the fair? Write your answer in the context of [6]
The Lost Child.
 Section A Reading
1. I. The phrase ‘Maggie needed a job and I needed to volunteer’ emphasises the writer's desire to find a
meaningful way to give back to the community by channeling Maggie’s energy into a productive
activity like becoming a therapy dog.
II. (a) She was mischievous, energetic, and hard to manage.
III. The writer supports this idea by explaining:
a. Maggie no longer pulls on the leash, making walks a pleasure.
b. Her improved behaviour is noticed and appreciated by neighbours who saw her grow from an
unruly puppy into a well-behaved companion.
IV. The concept of ‘giving back’ as described in the passage is best reflected by working together with
Maggie to help others through volunteer activities like therapy dog work.
V. True. Maggie has become well-behaved and enjoys weekly training sessions after completing her Off-
Leash program.
VI. (b) Becoming a therapy dog to help people in need.
VII. Two ways the Canine Academy helped improve Maggie’s behaviour:
1. Teaching her obedience skills that make daily walks manageable and enjoyable.
2. Providing her with tools through training, which continue to be fine-tuned during weekly sessions.
VIII. (a) The specific commands and techniques learned in training.
2. i. (B) The consumers are confused
ii. Thriving
iii. Data utilization
iv. Retail Assistance
v. (C) Marketing Trends
vi. follow
vii. offer limited, functional, mid- priced products/instil customer confidence / break the cycle of
consumerism
viii. creators often prioritise wealthier consumers
ix. Overwhelming array of choices
Depends on venture capital funding
Expectation of rapid growth
Section B Grammar
3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed
(a) impact
(b) error correction
all every
(c) had enjoyed the art and craft class.
(d) The assistant asked if Uncle Sam was looking for something.
(e) (d) most/the
Explanation:
most/the
(f) (B) the - a
(g) (c) Should stop
Explanation:
Should stop
(h) (b) has been suffering
Explanation:
Heena has been suffering from fever since last Sunday.
 (i) (b) must
Explanation:
must
(j) D. loves
The sentence is in a dialogue form, i.e., in direct speech and the situation depicts the present
state.
(k) (a) knows, comes
Explanation:
knows, comes
(l) (a) are supposed
Explanation:
are supposed
Section B Writing
4. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (known as Mahatma Gandhi) was not only a great politician but also a
great social and religious leader. He declared that the highest form of service of the great mother was
social service. He gave the message of peace to the whole world and believed in humanity. He loved his
countrymen very much. So, the nation called him Bapu-the Father of the Nation.
Gandhiji's main principles were truth and non-violence. He believed in universal brotherhood and love.
He was of the opinion that if we had conflict with Englishmen, let us not hate the Englishmen because
both Englishmen and Indians are offspring of the same Divinity. He respected all religions equally
because he said essence of all religions is Truth. He advocated universal brotherhood over and above
wavering loyalties to nations and religions. On January 30, 1948, he was shot dead by Nathu Ram
Vinayak Godse in a prayer assembly at Birla House, Delhi.
OR
Swachha Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Campaign
Cleanliness is most important for physical well-being and a healthy environment. It is essential for
everyone to learn about cleanliness, hygiene, sanitation and the various diseases that are caused due to
poor hygienic conditions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his nationwide cleanliness campaign,
the Swachha Bharat Abhiyan or Clean India Campaign from the Valmiki Basti on 2nd October 2014.
Addressing the nation at the launch, Modi asked 1.25 billion people to join the ‘ Swachha Bharat
Abhiyan’ and promote it to everyone. Modi himself swept a pavement at Valmiki Basti, a colony of
sanitary workers. Launching the campaign, Modi reminded the people that cleanliness is not only the
responsibility of the Safai Kamgars but also the responsibility of 1.25 billion Indians. The Prime Minister
showed his deep concern at mothers and daughters going in the open to relieve themselves.
Constructing toilets in schools and villages, particularly for girls and women, would be the top priority
for the government. The Prime Minister also pledged to people saying, I would not litter and won’t allow
anyone to do so. Cleanliness is next to godliness
5. Friday
28 June 20XX
8:00 p.m.

Dear Diary,
Today was an exhilarating day as I went river rafting in Rishikesh with my friends. the experience was
nothing short of thrilling and unforgettable. We started early in the morning and reached the starting
point of the rafting adventure. The water was cold, and the rapids were challenging, but we were all
excited to take on the adventure. As we boarded the raft and set off on the roaring river, adrenaline
coursed through my veins.
Navigating the rapids, we faced twists and turns that tested our teamwork and coordination. With each
surge of water, we paddled with all our might, laughing and shouting with excitement. We laughed,
screamed, and cheered as we made our way down the river.
The scenic beauty surrounding us was breathtaking, with towering cliffs and lush greenery lining the
riverbanks. The cool spray of water on my face and the rush of wind in my hair added to the sense of
adventure. As we reached the end of our journey, I felt a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie
 with my friends. The experience of river rafting in Rishikesh was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
that I will cherish forever.
I am so tired that I am dozing while writing this. Good night!
Naren
OR
A NIGHTMARE
It was Friday morning and I was dreading the next twenty-four hours already. The next day was
Saturday-the day scheduled for Parent-Teacher Meeting. I didn’t have the nerve to tell my mother. On
Wednesday, I had to take an algebra test which I had missed earlier. I sat for the test but it didn’t go too
well. I was distracted because I was excited about the drama auditions which were to take place that
very afternoon. I was very good at dramatics as I loved to act in front of many people. It was my dream
to reach the pinnacle in this field. That night, my friends and I were discussing the auditions and didn’t
realize that it was already past midnight. I couldn’t wake up in time for school on Thursday morning and
because I missed the bus, I also missed school. My parents reprimanded me sternly for being so
careless. On Friday, I received my evaluated test. I scored slightly below average and the teacher scolded
me severely. I was afraid of what awaited me. So, I decided to cook up a story. My mother asked me on
Friday evening about the Parent-Teacher Meeting. I told her that only the students who failed in their
subjects needed to bring their parents. My mother wasn’t convinced. She turned up anyway and came
to school for the Parents-Teacher Meeting. She got to know about my marks and I was scolded twice –
once by my teacher and once by my parents. It was the horrible day of my life. But after this, I swore to
myself to work hard in future.
Section C Literature
6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
(a) i. (D) The beggar angrily flung axe at women’s feet and scolded the woman.
ii. The beggar attempts to chop wood by pulling a billet towards him and tapping it with an axe.
However, his actions are hesitant, and he handles the axe cautiously, as if afraid of injuring
himself or damaging his footwear. This suggests a lack of skill and confidence in performing
the task.
iii. (b) The beggar struggled to cut the wood properly, displaying hesitancy and caution in his
actions.
iv. From a distance, I could assume that the beggar lacks woodworking skills, struggles with the
task, and experiences tension in his interaction with the woman.
(b) a. (iv) The veranda
Explanation: In the provided passage, the narrator mentions various interactions with items
in the room, such as removing clothing, opening windows, making the bed, sitting on a chair,
and opening a box to take out a book. However, there is no mention of the narrator
interacting directly with the veranda. Therefore, the correct answer is (iv).
b. The narrator described the wind God as having "taken time off" to convey a sense of
disappointment or frustration because he expected to find a refreshing breeze in the
veranda, but it was unusually still, leaving him unsatisfied with the lack of fresh air.
c. The actor should focus on conveying a sense of discomfort, restlessness, and the grim living
conditions in his tone while modulating his voice for this extract.
d. arranged my bed/ prepared my bed/ straightened my bed.
7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
(a) a. the two roads that lay in front of the poet.
b. The poet craftily focused on the fact that in real life once we choose an option we ought to
move ahead with that option and we never get a chance to come back. So, the entire stanza
revolves around the fear of missing out on opportunities.
c. (i) remorse
d. The poet harboured uncertainty about his return, as he was aware that embarking upon his
selected path would eventually guide him towards different crossroads. This would take him
to a distance so great from the initial road that a return would be unattainable.
(b) a. William Wordsworth
 b. In the first line of the poem, slumber refers to deep sleep.
c. She does not feel the earthly time and earthly years have become timeless for her. She could
not feel the touch of the time spent on this earth now for she was dead. The poet highlighted
the fact that his beloved has now become a non-living thing that cannot feel the touch of
anything on the earth.
d. (iii) abab cdcd
8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words
(a) Einstein was really worried about the nuclear development which was taking place in different
part of the world. When his words fell flat, he himself got involved in politics and started
campaigning for peace and democracy. For his selfless contribution, the world remembers him
as a world citizen.
(b) The general atmosphere of the poem is very somber. There is darkness all around but rain
compensates it with the spirit of peace for the lonely night at hand. The rain provides him with
sound effects to get lost in the reminisce. The poet realizes how much joy and pleasure of sleep
he can attain when his head presses against his pillow.
(c) Whenever the Shri Seetha Rama Kalyanam ceremony used to take place, APJ’s family participated
in it by arranging boats for transporting the idols from the temple to the pond located near their
house. They used to make a special platform on the boats on which the statue of Ram and
Seetha were placed and transported from the temple to the marriage site which was in the
middle of a pond named Rama Tirtha.
(d) The saffron-clad Westerners wanted to go inside the temple of Pashupatinath. But the
policeman stopped them. He did not let them go inside the temple because he was not
convinced that they were Hindus. To get inside the temple, the westerners had to prove
themselves to be Hindus. The entrance was only for Hindus in the temple.
(e) Saint Peter was annoyed with the little woman because he was upset at the utter lack of human
kindness in her. She had a large store of cakes but was so greedy that she would not part even
with the thinnest one. She did not have the heart to feed a Saint who was feeling faint with
hunger and fatigue.
9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words.
(a) Johnsy’s condition was worrisome according to the doctor because she had not shown any signs
of improvement despite good treatment. No medicines could help her in that negative state of
mind as she had lost her will to live.
(b) At school the narrator found everyone acting strangely. They seemed to be pushing him towards
the gym where a big table had been piled up with all kinds of things. His schoolmates had heard
about the fire and had taken up a collection. They had bought for him school supplies, books,
notebooks and even all kinds of clothes- jeans, tops and sweatsuits. The narrator was deeply
touched by their sympathy.
(c) The elephant broke through the brick wall of the school. It pulled out the football goalpost. It
tore down the volleyball net. It kicked and flattened the drum kept for water. It uprooted the
shrubs. Iswaran grabbed a cane from the hands of one of the teachers. He hit the elephant hard
on its third toenail. The elephant collapsed.

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words
(a) Ustad Bismillah Khan's life projected a perfect example of the rich cultural heritage of India.
When he was just five years old, he used to visit the Bihariji temple and sing Bhojpuri 'Chaita'.
During his childhood, Bismillah used to accompany his maternal uncle, Ali Bux, to the Vishnu
temple of Benaras, where his uncle was employed to play Shehnai. He practiced for hours on the
banks of the river Ganga. The holy waters of Ganga inspired and helped him to improvise his
music. Thus, he was a living legend of national integration and intercultural harmony. His
acceptance of differences of opinion among people and his sense of freedom, and cooperation
were praiseworthy. He was a living testimony of appreciation and mutual respect.
(b) Santosh was born in the Joniyawas village in Haryana. She was the only sister of five brothers.
The girl was given the name Santosh, which means contentment. She began living life on her
own terms from the start. Where other girls wore traditional Indian dresses, Santosh preferred
 shorts. Santosh did not yield to the traditions. In opposition to her family, she enrolled herself in
a school in Delhi. She politely informed them of her plans to earn money by working part-time to
pay her school fees. This shows that she was a determined child. She developed a love for
mountaineering. She saved money and enrolled herself in a course of mountaineering. She
scaled Mt. Everest twice. This is the achievement of her heroic character. She threatened her
parents that she would never marry if she would not get a proper education.
11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words.
(a) While the thief was carrying on the burglary in the merchant's house the damaged, weak wall fell
over his head and lead to his death. The thief’s brother brought his petition to the king
demanding justice. He blamed the merchant whose house it was to be the culprit. The foolish
king agreed to give him justice. He called the merchant to trial. The helpless merchant blamed
the bricklayer who built the wall who in turn blamed the dancing girl for distracting him with her
jingling anklets. The dancing girl was summoned and she blamed the jeweller who made her
walk up and down the street. The jeweller escaped by placing the blame on a rich merchant
whose jewellery he had been making. The rich merchant turned out to be the merchant’s father
and so the king blamed him for the thief’s death and ordered his execution. Despite the
application of logic, this judgement of the king was very foolish.
(b) The boy accompanied his parents to the spring fair. On his way, he saw many people clad in
colourful clothes and heading towards the fair. Some were riding horses and some took the road
to reach there and some took the bullock carts. He saw many shops lined on the way, filled with
toys, eatables and other items that attracted his eyes and he wanted to buy everything.
Occasionally, he would stop and lag behind his parents. He also saw a mustard field on his way
and followed the dragonflies and butterflies with his gaze and tried to catch them the moment
they sat still. A shower of young flowers fell upon the child as he entered the grove, and he
began to gather the raining petals in his hands.
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