ACHYUTA PUBLIC SCHOOL

Senior Secondary School Affiliated to CBSE, Delhi

Dindigul
Std : XI HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION (2020 - 21) Marks: 80
Date : 11.12.2020 ENGLISH Time : 3 Hours

PART – A (40 Marks)

Q. 1. Reading the following passage carefully: 10 Marks

1. We live in an age of wonders and miracles. It has been called the ‘Age of Science’, and different
aspects of our life that were changed in the preceding centuries have been attributed to science.
This is completely true, but it is only one side of the coin. The flip side is that as we have advanced
more and more in the field of technology, something fundamental to humanity has been left
behind. Values such as empathy and concern for our fellow-human beings are gradually being
eroded due to the onslaught of our ever-evolving lifestyles, aided by the marvels of technological
advancements.
2. Take the example of the Internet. On one hand, access to information and knowledge at the click of
a button is a veritable boon to everyone (especially students) and this has made our lives much
simpler. On the other hand, it has severely limited actual contact with teachers, friends and elders.
Thus, the learning that a person gains is incomplete as he or she cannot easily take the advice that
another person can give on the basis of knowledge and practical experience that is at his or her
disposal.
3. Today, a small child can access and navigate the Internet with an ease that still astounds those
from the older generation. But what is even more astounding is the neglect of the basic human
traits of friendship, society, relationships and family value. Owing to all the technological
advancements and the gadgets available today, children often miss out on the most enriching
childhood experiences such as playing outdoor games with friends, which apart from being
immensely enjoyable and physically exhilarating, also develops traits such as teamwork and
discipline at an early age.
4. But now when the concept of friends is gradually being limited to virtual friends on social
networking sites, one shudders to think of the implications for the personality development of a
child because the time spent with computers or mobile phones for entertainment can never really
substitute for the holistic benefits of outdoor play. Such examples can be found aplenty.
5. Now if we compare the hustle and bustle of modern city life and the peace and calm of a rustic
village life, we can see that in cities, life is a race with a variety of factors. It is a race that everyone
tries their level best to win, but nobody actually wins as it never ends.
6. As for me I think this age of rapid development has created at least as many problems as it has
solved, if not more. The reason is that the basic goal of life, which should be the pursuit of
happiness has now been replaced by the pursuit of money. Money and happiness are considered
analogous in our present society, but they actually are not so. In this mindless pursuit of money,
nobody ahs time now to appreciate the beauty of life, which consists not of multi-billion dollar
skyscrapers, but a simple act of kindness to someone in a time of need.
7. So there is an urgent need to stop for a moment and think about where we are actually heading-is it
development or destruction? Do we have to wait until people have grown so much apart from each
other that we cannot see the suffering of our own species due to our mindless greed, or can we still
mend our ways?
8. To answer this question, I will take the help of that most magnificent of human feelings- hope. I
sincerely wish that we, as the most intelligent species on earth, would take our fair share of
responsibility and sincerely think about the path we should follow. Though mankind will possibly
last for long time thanks to its determination and sheer ingenuity, we have to make sure we do not
lose our humanity somewhere along way.
On the basis of your understanding o f the passage answer the following questions by choosing
the most appropriate option. (1 x 6 = 6)
1.1.According to passage it is like one side of the coin to say that life has changed owing to science
as
a. Age of science has bought wonders and miracles.
b. Different aspects of life have changed due to science.
c. There is another side of the coin to look at.
d. This side of coin is true and sufficient to look at
1.2.Which of the following is not true about the Internet?
a. It’s an easy access to information and knowledge.
b. It has made our lives simpler.
c. It has limited actual contact with teachers and friends.
d. It can easily give advice based on personal experience.
1.3.Internet hampers the holistic growth of a child by
a. Encouraging human traits of friendship, society and family.
b. Enriching childhood experiences of outdoor games.
c. Providing virtual friends and gadgets.
d. Developing team work and discipline.
 1.4.According to the passage the true happiness lies in
a. Simple act of kindness.
b. Rapid development.
c. Multi-billion dollar skyscrapers.
d. Pursuit of money.
1.5.The word ‘veritable’ in para 2 means:
a. Actual b) Big c) Latest d) Perfect
1.6.Antonym of holistic is
a. Agonistic
b. Individualistic
c. Optimistic
d. Pessimistic
2. Answer the following questions as briefly as possible. (3 x 1 = 3)
2.1. Mention the values which are being lost due to technological advancement?
2.2.What does older generation wonder about?
2.3.What does the writer warn us against?
2.4.Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as: (2 x ½ = 1)
(i) Trembles (para 4)
(ii) Similar (para 6)
Phase 2
Q. 2. Reading the following passage carefully
1. We are what we eat. The type of food we eat has both immediate and long-term effects on us, at
all the three levels the body, the mind and the spirit. Food which is tamasik (i.e. stale or leftover)
in nature is bound to generate stress as it tends to upset the normal functioning of the human
body. Fresheners should be avoided. Taking piping hot tea/milk or steaming hot food, whenever
available, must be preferred. Excessive use of condiments also disturbs one’s usually calm
attitude. Further, it is a mistaken belief that smoking or drinking, even in moderation, relieves
stress. Simple meals with one or two food items, rather than too many lavish dishes, are
advisable. Also, vegetarian diet is preferable. Although it is customary to serve fruits with food
items, it is not right thing to do. This is because different kinds of digestive secretions are
produced by the stomach for variant food items. Mixing up too many varieties of food items at
one meal creates problems for the digestive system. In fact, any one type of fruit, preferable
taken in the morning is better.
2. On an average, we eat almost three or four times the quantity of food than we actually need. A
lot of body’s energy is used up for digesting the excess food. It is said that after a particular level
of food intake, the ‘food actually eats one up’.
3. It is always good to eat a little less than your ‘full-stomach’ capacity. Besides, never eat food
unless you are really hungry. To have dinner at 8 or 9 pm after a heavy snack around 5 or 6 pm
in the evening is asking for trouble. In fact, skipping meal is always good if the stomach is upset.
There are varying views on the benefits of fasting, but we will not discuss them here. However,
giving a break to one’s stomach, at least once a week, by having only fruit or milk, etc. May be
worth trying.
4. While a little bit of water taken with meals is all right, drinking 30 to 60 ml of water with food is
not advisable. Water, taken an hour or so before or after meals, is good for digestion. One’s diet
must be balances with all the required nutrients for a healthy living.
5. Also remember, excess of everything is bad. Related to the problem of stress, excessive intake of
salt is definitely out. Too much of sugar, fried food and chillies are not good either. Over-
indulgence and excessive craving for a particular taste/type of food generates rajasik (aggressive)
or at worst, tamasik (dull) tendencies. An even more important aspect of the relationship between
food and stress lies not so much in what or how much we eat but how the food is taken. For
example, food eaten in great hurry or in a state of anger or any other negative state mind is bound
to induce stress. How the food is served is also very important. Not only the presentation,
cutlery, crockery, etc. play a role, the love and affection with which the food is served is also
significant. Finding faults with food while it is being eaten is the worst habit. It is better not to
eat the food you do not like, rather than finding faults with it.
6. It is good to have regular food habits. Workaholics who do not find time to eat food at proper
meal times invite stomach ulcers. One must try to enjoy one’s food, and therefore, eating at the
so-called lunch/dinner meetings is highly inadvisable. Every morsel of food should be enjoyed
with a totally peaceful state of mind. Food and discussions should not be mixed. There are
accepted ways to ‘charge’ the food we eat. Prayer is perhaps ‘the best method for energizing the
food and it will do some definite additional good at no extra cost.
1. On the basis of your reading of the passage select the most appropriate answer from the
given options. (1 x 4 = 4)
1.1.Tamasik food influences a person by
a. Generating stress.
b. Making a person energetic.
c. Generating large amount of energy.
d. Making a person bold.
1.2.Generally what incorrect belief people practise at the table?
a. Smoking helps to digest.
b. Smoking or drinking even in moderation relieves stress.
c. Pickles add to taste.
 d. Condiments help to enhance appetite.
1.3.The writer says that the “food actually eats one up” because the
a. Digestive system takes too much time.
b. Excessive intake of food takes a lot of body’s energy to digest it.
c. Food sustains the boby.
d. Person becomes healthy.
1.4.Rajasik tendencies are generated due to:
a. Over indulgence of fried food.
b. Too much use of spicy food.
c. Over indulgence and excessive craving for a particular taste.
d. Excess of everything
2. Answer the following questions as briefly as possible. (4 x 1 = 4)
2.1.What is one simple effective way to give energy to food?
2.2.Where does the root cause of stress generated by food lie in?
2.3.What is the relationship between food and stress?
2.4.Give two reasons that add to stress.
Grammar

3. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option given below: (4 marks)
Pampore, a small town a) _____________ the banks of the river Jhelum, near Srinagar, is the main
centre b) _________ saffron cultivation in India. The best saffron c) __________ from Spain,
which is the world’s largest producer. Saffron, the d) __________ spice in the world, is known as
“Kesar”.
a) I) in ii) on iii) from iv) between
b) I) for ii) from iii) in iv) to
c) I) is coming ii) will come iii) comes iv) came
d) I) much expensive ii) more expensive iii) most expensive iv) expensive
4. Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences (4 marks)
1. P: Japan is
Q: at present
R: blow of a tsunami
S: reeling under the
a) PQRS b) PQSR c) RSQP d) RSPQ
2. P: by youngsters
Q: healthy home cooked
R: is no longer cherished
S: food
 a) QSPR b) PSQR c) SQPR d) QSRP
3. P: Spiders don’t
Q: get caught
R: own webs
S: in their
a) PQRS b) PQSR c) PRSQ d) PSRQ
4. P: causes
Q: mental agony
R: a deep
S: physical impairment
a) SPQR b) SPRQ c) RQPS d) RQSP
Literature Section (14 marks)
5. Read the extract given below and answer the following questions (3 X 1 = 3)
The cardboard shows me how it was when the two girl cousins went paddling each one holding
one of my mother’s hands and she the big girl – some twelve years or so.
1) What does the word ‘cardboard’ suggest?
2) Why were the two cousins holding on to poet’s mother’s hand?
3) What feelings are aroused in these lines?
6. Read the following prose extract and answer the questions given below (Any 2) (3 X 2 = 6)
1. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her
stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her
pale, puckered face and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer
1) Why did she hobble about in the house?
2) What are “silver locks” which scattered untidily over her face?
3) Why did the grandma keep one hand on her waist?
2. For the longest time, Mary and I – a 37 year old businessman had dreamt of sailing in the wake of
the famous explorer and for the past 10 years we had spent all our leisure time honing our sea
faring skills in British waters.
Our boat Wave walker, a 23 metre, 30 ton wooden-hulled beauty, had been professionally
built, and we had spend months fitting it out and testing it in the roughest weather we
could find.
1) What did the narrator plan for?
2) How did he spend his leisure time?
3) Explain the meaning of “honing our seafaring skills”
3. Every family has a crazy streak in it somewhere, and my cousin Mourad was considered the
natural descendant of the crazy streak in our tribe. Before him was our uncle Khosrove an
 enormous man with a powerful head of black hair and the largest moustache in the San Joaquin
Valley, a man so furious in temper, so irritable, so impatient that he stopped anyone from talking
by roaring.
1) Who is mentioned as “crazy” in the passage?
2) How is uncle Khosrove described?
3) How does the narrator explain that their tribe was very poor?
7. Answer the following questions. (Any 5) (5 x 1 = 5)
1. How does the Author describe his grandfather?
2. What was the daily routine of the grandmother in the village?
3. Describe the boat wave walker
4. Where did the narrator want to go? Why?
5. The poet talks about a particular cardboard, How is it special to her?
6. What has the camera captured?
Part - B (40 marks)
Reading Section

Note Making
1. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
1. Humour is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle,
or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy.
Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humour and laughter strengthen your
immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of
stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.
2. The ability to laugh, play, and have fun with others not only makes life more enjoyable but also
helps you solve problems, connect with others, and be more creative. People who incorporate
humour and play into their daily lives find that it renews them and all of their relationships.
3. Life brings challenges that can either get the best of you or become playthings for your
imagination. When you “become the problem” and take yourself too seriously, it can be hard to
think outside the box and find new solutions. But when you play with the problem, you can often
transform it into an opportunity for creative learning.
4. Playing with problems seems to some naturally to children. When they are confused or afraid, they
make their problems into a game, giving them a sense of control and an opportunity to experiment
with new solutions. Interacting with others in playful ways helps you retain this creative ability.
5. Here are two examples of people who took everyday problems and turned them around through
laughter and play:
6. Raman, a student, was excited to finally have time to devote to golf, his favourite sport. But the
more he played, the less he enjoyed himself. Although his game had improved dramatically, he got
 angry with himself over every mistake. Raman wisely realized that his golfing buddies affected his
attitude, so he stopped playing with people who took the game too seriously when he played with
‘friends who focused more on having fun than on their scores, he was less critical of himself. Now
golfing was as enjoyable as Raman hoped it would be. He scored better without working harder.
And the brighter outlook he was getting from his companions and the game spread to other parts of
his life, including his work.
7. Richa worked at home designing greeting cards, a job she used to love but now felt it had become
routine. Two little girls who loved to draw and paint lived next door. Eventually, Richa invited the
girls in to play with all the art supplies she had. At first, she just watched, but in time she joined in.
Laughing, colouring, and playing pretend with the little girls transformed Richa’s life. Not only did
playing with them end her loneliness and mild boredom, it sparked her imagination and helped her
artwork flourish. Best of all, it rekindled the playfulness and spark in Richa’s relationship with her
family.
8. As laughter, humour, and play become an integrated part of your life, your creativity will flourish
and new discoveries for playing with friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur
to you daily. Humour takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more
relaxed, positive, creative, joyful, and balanced perspective.
a. On the basis of your reading the passage make notes, using recognisable abbreviations
wherever necessary. Use a format you consider suitable, supply a suitable title.
(5 marks)
b. Make a short summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3 marks)
Writing Section (16 marks)
1. You are Malti / Mohit, Secretary Health club, Delhi Public School Kanpur, You find that after
lunch break the school playground and corridors are littered with wrappers, papers/polythene
bags, etc.. Write a notice in about 50 words advising students to refrain from doing so. (3 marks)
2. Design a poster urging the people to donate Blood (3 marks)
3. You are Seema / Sandeep of 25A, Vasanth Vihar, Delhi. Write a letter to the Manager of Onida
Company complaining about the mobile phone which is not functioning well and the voice is not
clearly audible. (5 marks)
4. In order to ensure success, health, hygiene, happiness and longevity on this planet. We need to
develop an attitude of positive thinking. It is a tool in our hands to enjoy a rewarding life. You
are Ankur/ Anamika of Noida Public School, Noida. Write a speech to be delivered in the
morning assembly of your school on the advantages of developing a positive attitude. (5 marks)
 Literature Section (16 marks)

6. Answer the following questions (Any 2) (2 x 2 = 4)

1) Give a pen-picture of narrator’s grandfather as he appeared in the portrait
2) What did the priest teach at the Village School?
3) What was the first indication of the impending disaster?
4) When was the photo taken? Whom does it show?
7. Answer the following questions(Any 1) (1 x 2 = 2)
1) What are the unique traits of Garogh lanian tribe?
2) Give a short description of the narrator’s Uncle Khosrove?

8. Answer the following questions in 120 – 150 words( Any 1) (5 x 1 = 5)

1) Draw a character sketch of Khuswanth Singh’s grandmother as portrayed by him in the
lesson “The Portrait of a Lady”.
2) Describe the boat “Wave walker” which set soil from Plymouth, England in July 1976 for
going round the world.
3) What are the three stages described by Shirley Toulson in the poem, “A Photograph”?
Explain
9. Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words( Any 1) (5 x 1 = 5)
1) Comment on the role of Aram, the narrator in the story.
2) Did the boys return the horse because they were conscious – stricken or
because they were afraid?