DPS – MODERN INDIAN SCHOOL, DOHA - QATAR

FIRST PRE BOARD EXAMINATION (2023-24)

CLASS-X
Subject: ENGLISH (Code No. 184) Date:
26.11.2023
Time allowed: 3 Hours Maximum
Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. Marks are indicated against each question.
3. Check that this question paper contains 18 printed pages
only.
4. Check that this question paper contains 11 questions
only.
5. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING,
GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
6. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each
part
7. Write the complete answer, along with option number, for
MCQ questions.

SECTION A: READING SKILLS (20 marks)

1. Read the following passage carefully.

1. The modern classroom has taken several steps forward in its

evolution of the learning environment in the past 25 years. Many
of the benefits that we have seen in this setting are due to the
introduction of new technology options for students. Instead of
having a single computer for a class to use or a laboratory
environment for the entire school placed in one room, we can now
help students learn at their table or desk with items issued to
them directly. Thus, there are quite a lot of advantages of having
technology in classrooms.

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2. Technology helps children stay motivated during the learning
process. Most students don’t like to go to school if they feel like
they are wasting their time. When there is technology allowed in
the classroom, then teachers have an opportunity to let children
work at a pace which suits them the best without disturbing
others. They can look up additional information about a subject
they are learning about that day, play educational games that
reinforce the lesson, or work on advanced material using a
program.
3. Because many of today’s technology options allow students to
see how well they are doing compared to the average of all users,
it gives them a chance to push harder for themselves and their
education. Many of the programs that encourage learning also
issue rewards or award certificates, which helps to make the
lessons fun as well.
4. Technology encourages more communication between
teachers and parents. When there is technology in the classroom,
then there are more opportunities for parents and teachers to
connect with each other. Using a blog for the classroom can help
parents get to see what their children are learning each day. Apps
and software options allow teachers to instantly report on a
child’s behaviour to let parents know in real-time what is
happening throughout the day. There are options for chat boxes,
instant messaging, and other forms of communication as well.
5. Let’s not forget about email here either. Since the 1990s when
this technology option came into the classroom, it created more
reliability in messaging between teachers and parents should
there be a need to talk.
6. Technology also creates new ways to learn for today’s student.
There are three critical forms of intelligence that we see in
children today: emotional, creative, and instructional. The
traditional classroom environment, which typically encourages
lecture-based lessons, focuses more on the latter option.
Standardized tests and similar ranking tools do the same. When

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children have access to technology today, then those who excel
outside of the standard learning setup can still achieve their full
potential.
7. Technology allows children to embrace their curiosity in
multiple ways. They can try new things without embarrassment
because their tech access gives them a level of anonymity. This
process allows children to work, through trial-and error if they
wish, to see if a different strategy helps them to learn more
effectively.
8. It even encourages students to stay engaged with their
learning environment. Children get bored very easily when they
feel like they already know what is being taught in their
classroom. Some children will transform into mentors or leaders in
this situation to help their fellow students, but there are many
more who disengage because they lack stimulation. By
introducing technology to the classroom, there are fewer places
where repetitive learning must take place. Teachers can introduce
new subjects, try new techniques, or use different projects to
encourage ongoing learning, which creates more overall
engagement.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the
questions given below.
i. Most children don’t like to go to school if:
1
a) they don’t understand what is being taught in class.
b) they feel like they are wasting their time.
c) they find class too boring.
d) they can get away with it.
ii. What is the advantage of having a technology that allows
students to see how well they are doing compared to the average
of other students? 1
iii. Based on your reading of the text, what are the TWO ways
through which technology helps children stay motivated during
the learning process? 2
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iv. Select the option that correctly lists the answer to the given
question. 1
Which three critical forms of intelligence do we see in children
today?
I. motivational
II. creative
III. instructional
IV. competitive
V emotional
a) I, II and III
b) II, III and IV
c) II, III and V
d) I, IV and V
v. Mention any TWO methods through which technology
encourages more communication between teachers and parents.
2
vi. Which of the following do the standardized tests focus on?
1
a) emotional form of intelligence
b) creative form of intelligence
c) instructional form of intelligence
d) motivational form of intelligence
vii. Infer one reason for the following, based on information in
Para. 7. 1
Children can try new things with the help of technology without
embarrassment.
viii. Which of the following methods enables children to use
technology to find out more effective alternate approaches to
studies? 1
a) hard work and diligence
b) trial and error method
c) advanced software programs
d) strategies and lessons

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2. Read the following text carefully:
1. In the year ended December 2016, 3.5 million overseas visitors
arrived in New Zealand. But how many visitors are in New
Zealand on any given day of the year? The question has practical
importance. Visitors to New Zealand create demand for goods and
services, including transportation, accommodation, and tourist
activities. They also have an impact on local infrastructure.
Knowing how many visitors are in New Zealand on any given day
might be important for civil defence or flu pandemic planning.
2. The following data explores the seasonal fluctuations of visitors
to New Zealand and New Zealand residents travelling overseas.
This is based on short-term trips - those travelling for less than 12
months.
• In 2016, the number of overseas visitors in New Zealand ranged
from 112,000 on 31 August to 354,000 on 29 December.
• In contrast, in 2016 the number of New Zealand residents
temporarily overseas ranged from 72,000 on 1 March to 235,000
on 29 December.
• In both cases, the late December peak reflects an upsurge in
travellers visiting friends and family, as well as an upsurge in
those visiting for holidays.
3. There are strong seasonal patterns in visitor numbers (see
figure below). In recent years the number of visitors in New
Zealand peaked in the week of 27 December to 2 January. The
peak day was 29 December in 2011-13 and 2016, and 28
December in 2014 and 2015.

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4. At that peak in 2016, the number of overseas visitors in New
Zealand was 354,000. This compares with a peak of 191,000 in
2000. Since 2000, the number of visitors in New Zealand has
increased across every day of the year, but more during the
summer months (December to March).
5. The number of visitors in New Zealand tends to be at its lowest
in late August, early September, and mid-June. On 31 August
2016, there were an estimated 112,000 overseas visitors in New
Zealand. This is 242,000 less than the peak reached on 29
December.
6. The seasonality of visitor numbers presents challenges to the
tourism sector. These challenges include:
• Managing the peak summer influx of visitors
• Marketing New Zealand as a destination at other times of
the year, in order to spread visitor numbers throughout the
year.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the
questions given below.
i. Which of the following is not a demand that is created in New
Zealand because of the visitors coming to the country?
1
a) health
b) accommodation
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 c) transport
d) goods
ii. State TWO reasons for the following sentence:
2
It is good to have an understanding of how many visitors are
in New Zealand on any given day.
iii. The number of overseas visitors increases in New Zealand at a
certain time of the year. This time is usually:
1
a) from mid-June to late September.
b) from December to March.
c) during the late August.
d) during the early September
iv. The peak day of the number of overseas visitors in New
Zealand in the year 2015 was:
1
a) 28 December
b) 31 December
c) 30 December
d) 29 December
v. Complete the following analogy correctly with a word from
paragraph 5:
house: roof :: mountain : _____
1
vi. The peak of overseas visitors and the temporary leaving of
residents in the country in the late December reflects:
1
I. an upsurge of people getting temporarily stuck because of
bad weather.
II. an upsurge in travellers visiting friends and family.
III. an upsurge in travellers just passing through the country
to go to some other destination.
IV. an upsurge of people visiting for holidays.

a) I and II
b) I and III

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 c) II and III
d) II and IV
vii. List any 2 challenges faced by the tourism sector because of
the seasonality of the number of visitors.
2
1. __________
2. __________
viii. The number of visitors in New Zealand on 31 August is _____
less than the visitors on the peak day in the year 2016.
1
a) 354,000
b) 235,000
c) 242,000
d) 191,000

SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR (20 marks)

GRAMMAR

3. Complete ANY TEN of the following twelve tasks as

directed. 10

i. Complete the given portion of a conversation by filling in the

blank with the correct modal verb given in the bracket:

Patient: Doctor, May I know why I _______ (would, should,

could, might) get medicines from this particular shop.
Doctor: This is the only shop which can guarantee good
medicines.
ii. Read the given sentence from an article. Identify the error and
supply the correction in the sentence.

Thousands of innocent young life are mercilessly crushed during

their budding state by the cruel effects of various drugs.
Use the given format for your response.

error correction

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iii. Rewrite your father’s question using reported speech.

"Do you want to go to Switzerland?"

iv. Read the dialogue between a teacher and a student and
complete the reporting of the given dialogue.

Teacher: How have you done your papers?

Anu: Quite well. I hope to get distinction.
Teacher asked Anu _________________. Anu joyfully replied
that it was quite well and she hoped to get distinction.

v. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the

given idea.

Carbon is an essential element found in all living beings. Plants

and animals get _____ (these, some, this, those) element from
carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere.

vi. Identify the error and supply correction for the given sentence:

The group of students are taking the exams, but none of them
have studied enough.
Use the given format for your response.
error correction

vii. Identify the error and supplies correction for the given
sentence announcing the end-of-year sales promotion of a store.

Myntra today launch a new campaign to promote the biggest

and the most awaited fashion sale of the country, Myntra's
‘End of Season Sale!’

Option No. error correction

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 A launch launched
B a the
C of in
D promoting
promote

viii. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank with the
correct option given below:

He refused to go till we __________ (assure) him of help.

A. assured
B. has assured
C. got assured
D. had assured

ix. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to report the
dialogue between a father and his son.

Father: How are you getting on with your studies?

Son: I am doing fine. I have stood third in the class.

Father asked his son ____________ . The son replied that he was
doing fine and added that he had stood third in the class.

a. how are you getting on with your studies

b. how you are getting on with your studies
c. how he was getting on with his studies
d. how was he getting on with his studies

x. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the

news report.

“We ______________ (prepared) for this day ever since I became

the captain,” Rohit Sharma labelled the World Cup final as the
biggest moment of his career.

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 A. had been prepared
B. prepared
C. were prepared
D. have been preparing

xi. Complete the following sentence from an itinerary of a great

personality by filling the blank with the correct option.

In anticipation of the upcoming week, wherein numerous

destinations are on the itinerary, he, with meticulous planning,
_____________ (success) toured five different countries by the end
of his adventurous journey.

A. successfully
B. has successfully
C. will have successfully
D. had successfully

xii. Select the option that identifies the error and supply the
correction in the following sentence.

The dolphin, along with the orca, are swimming together in the
ocean.
Use the given format for your response.
error correction

WRITING
4.A. As Vaishali Nathani of 214, Indrayani Apartments, Vaishali
Street, Daipur, you believe that forming Ecology clubs and
appointing Eco-minders in your city can aid in the preservation
and conservation of nature.

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Write a letter to the MLA of your city area, in about 120 words,
suggesting the need to form such clubs. Share their importance
and implications. Recommend the involvement of resident
volunteers for implementation of eco-club activities that nurture
and protect the local ecosystem. 5

OR

4.B. You are Aditya/Aditi of 13, Dilshad Garden, Delhi and you
happen to see a news item in the newspaper about the popularity
of Indian handicrafts abroad. But you are unhappy about the lack
of recognition given to the artisans by the Government. Write a
letter to the editor of a national daily about the difficulties they
face and the steps to be taken to solve their problems. Using the
information given below and your own ideas, write the letter in
not more than 120 words. 5

5.A. The first Child Education Summit was a platform for students
to voice their thoughts about the current curriculum and
workload, and its effect on students. On the basis of the given pie
chart, which summarises the data about the various types of
pressures the students undergo, write an analytical paragraph in
not more than 120 words, analysing the factors that contribute to
the students’ struggles and pressures. 5

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 OR

5.B. Read an excerpt from an article below:

5

Harmful Effects of Watching TV

TV has now become an essential and important part of our daily

life. It is a very useful tool in this age of information. But its
harmful effects cannot be overlooked. Continuous viewing of TV
affects the eyesight of children. TV should be viewed from a
distance. But usually children don't take care. The result is
obvious. It affects the eyesight if proper distance is not
maintained. This negligence is clear in many children wearing
spectacles.

Write a paragraph in about 120 words analysing the arguments

surrounding the effects of watching TV. You can think about what
alternative explanations might weaken the given conclusion and
include rationale/evidence that would strengthen/counter the
given argument.

You may begin like this:

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I believe watching TV has more advantages than disadvantages/I
believe watching TV causes more problems than having benefits.

You may end like this:

For these reasons, I believe that watching TV is more beneficial

than harmful /I believe that watching TV is more harmful than
beneficial.

SECTION D: Literature Textbook and Supplementary

Reading Text (40 marks)

6. Read the two given extracts and answer the questions for ANY
ONE of the two.

A. Mr. Keesing had a good laugh at my arguments, but when I

proceeded to talk my way through the next lesson he assigned
me a second essay. This time it was supposed to be on ‘An
Incorrigible Chatterbox’. I handed it in, and Mr. Keesing had
nothing to complain about for two whole lessons. However, during
the third lesson he’d finally had enough.
“Anne Frank, as punishment for talking in class, write an essay
entitled “Quack, Quack, Quack.” Said Mistress Chatterbox.

i The argument that made Mr. Keesing laugh was:

1
(a) talking was a birth right
(b) talking was a fundamental right
(c) talking was a trend
(d) talking was a student’s trait
ii The topic of the second essay was:
1
(a) A Chatterbox
(b) An Incorrigible Chatterbox
(c) “Quack, Quack, Quack.” Said Mistress Chatterbox.

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 (d) An Insecure Chatterbox
iii. The word ‘incorrigible’ means:
1
(a) that can’t be fooled
(b) that can’t be judged
(c) that can’t be corrected
(d) that can’t be made
iv. List out ANY TWO character traits of Anne according to the
passage. 2
B. “Ramlal stood rooted to the ground, his head bowed low with
the weight of grief and shame.
The flames of the sacred fire slowly died down. Everyone was
gone. Ramlal turned to Bholi and said, “But what about you, no
one will ever marry you now. What shall we do with you?”
And Sulekha said in a voice that was calm and steady. “Don’t you
worry, Pitaji! In your old age I will serve you and Mother and I will
teach in the same school where I learnt so much. Isn’t that right,
Ma’am?”
The teacher had all along stood in a corner, watching the drama.
“Yes, Bholi, of course,” she replied. And in her smiling eyes was
the light of a deep satisfaction that an artist feels when
contemplating the completion of her masterpiece.”
i. Ramlal stood rooted to the ground because he
1
a) was moved by what he heard.
b) was influenced by Bholi’s words
c) was in a state of shock.
d) was in an immovable position.

ii. Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the
beginning. But only in the last but one paragraph of the story is
Bholi called Sulekha again. Why do you think she is called Sulekha
at that point in the story? 2

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iii. Pick the sentence that brings out the meaning of
‘contemplating’ as used in the extract.
1
a) Contemplating about sharing my belongings with someone is
definitely tough.
b) She took some time to respond as she was contemplating
what to say.
c) I was contemplating my reflection in the mirror and was
speechless.
d) She was contemplating through the pages of the document
that was with her.
iv. Pick the option that correctly matches Column A with Column
B. 1

Column A Column B

I. Bholi i. independent and confident

II. Ramlal ii. burden less and free

III. Teacher iii. sense of contentment and

accomplishment

----- iv. embarrassed and anxious

a) I-ii; II-iv; III-iii

b) I-i; II-iv; III-iii
c) I-iii; II-ii; III-i
d) I-iii; II-iii; III-iv

7. Read the two given extracts and answer the questions for ANY
ONE of the two.

A. If strolling forth, a beast you view,

Whose hide with spots is peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
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 You’ll know it is the Leopard.
Twi’ll do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again.

i. Choose the option which is closest to the meaning of the given

extract. 1
1. The leopard stalks on silent paws.
With deadly armour of fangs and claws.
He lies in his tree perch throughout the day.
Sleeping and resting the hours away.
2. A spotted leopard in a banyan tree,
kept his yellow carnivore-ic eyes on me.
I knew better than to move fast or try to flee.
His eyes narrowed, but I refused to see.
How fast that cat was chasing after me.
If I can just get to that tall tall......
3. His claws and paws will make you forget,
If you’re in a dream or reality,
And you’ll feel clawed and pawed. I bet,
The peppered pounce a certainty.
This a beast that runs and strikes fast,
If you’re caught you sure won’t last.
4. The leopard and the lion chose to become friends,
For they were all proud of claws on their paws,
They each glorified one another for their mighty,
Ability to live on meat of other fauna throughout a year,
They each admired one another for running speed,
They each remained firm and loyal to one rule;
Lions don’t eat leopards neither leopards eat lions.

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4

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ii. Given below are four examples of activities that Jasmeet does.
Choose the option that correctly demonstrates ‘strolling’.
1
(a) Jasmeet runs with a great speed after being chased by a
dog.
(b) Jasmeet walks in the garden, relaxing while listening to
his favourite song.
(c) Jasmeet skids sharply on the icy skate rink.
(d) Jasmeet rushes to switch off the water pump in the
backyard.
iii. Write any TWO features of the leopard described in the
extract. 2
iv. Apart from repetition, what is the poetic device used in the line
“he’ll only lep and lep again”? Justify its use in the stanza by the
poet. 1

7.B. And no one buys a ball back. Money is external.

He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
The epistemology of loss, how to stand up
Knowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up.
i. What is epistemology?
1
(a) The philosophical theory of knowledge
(b) The philosophical theory of work
(c) The philosophical theory of behaviours
(d) None of these
ii. What is the poet’s advice to the boy about the loss of his ball?
2

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iii. Alliteration is the literary device used in ‘No one buys a ball
back’. Identify its use in the line and explain what it is.
1
v. Why does the poet say ‘Money is external’?
1
(a) He means that money can buy everything
(b) He means that money can’t buy everything
(c) He means that money can buy everything except balls
(d) None of these

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words

each.

4x3=12
i. Explain the different conflicts illustrated in the lesson ‘A
letter to God.’
ii. What message does the poet give through the poem “The
Tale of Custard the Dragon”?
iii. Why did Pranjol’s father say that Rajvir had done his
homework before visiting Assam?
iv. How according to Robert Frost, can extreme emotions
hasten the end of the world with respect to ‘Fire and Ice’?
v. To seek peace, one has to draw out the arrow of
lamentation, complaint and grief. State two values projected
through the statement.

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words

each. 2x3=6

i. Griffin was his own enemy. What typical traits of his

character led to his downfall?
ii. Why did Noodle say that the sandwiches are actually
communication devices in “The Book That Saved the Earth”?

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iii. What transformation do we see in Bholi after she goes to
school?

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120

words. 1x6=6

A. How does Nelson Mandela differentiate between the first and

last decades of the twentieth century? Why was he
overwhelmed with a sense of history on the 10th May 1994?
OR
B. Characterization and the plot contribute to the humour in
the play ‘The Proposal’. Substantiate this statement with
examples from the play.

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120

words. 1x6=6

A. ‘Failure is the stepping stone to success.’ Elucidate with

reference to the scientist Richard Ebright.

OR

B. ‘Matilda was exceptionally pretty but was never contented in

life.’
In view of the given statement, draw a character sketch of
Mme. Loisel.

……………….

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 DPS – MODERN INDIAN SCHOOL, DOHA - QATAR
FIRST PREBOARD EXAMINATION (2023-24)
CLASS-X
Subject: ENGLISH (Code No. 184) Date:
26.11.2023
Time allowed: 3 Hours Maximum
Marks: 80
ANSWER KEY
1. i. b)they feel like they are wasting their time.
ii. It gives them a chance to push harder for themselves and their
education.
iii. play educational games that reinforce the lesson – work on
advanced material using a program
iv. c) II, III and V
v. Using a blog for the classroom can help parents get to see what
their children are learning each day. Apps and software options
allow teachers to instantly report on a child’s behaviour to let
parents know in real-time what is happening throughout the day.
vi. c) instructional form of intelligence
vii. because their tech access gives them a level of anonymity
viii. b) trial and error method
2. i. a) health
ii. Visitors to New Zealand create demand for goods and services,
including transportation, accommodation, and tourist activities.
They also have an impact on local infrastructure. Knowing how
many visitors are in New Zealand on any given day might be
important for civil defence or flu pandemic planning. [ANY TWO]
iii. b)from December to March.
iv. a) 28 December
v. peak
vi. d) II and IV
vii. - Managing the peak summer influx of visitors
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-Marketing New Zealand as a destination at other times of the
year, in order to spread visitor numbers throughout the year
viii. c) 242,000
3. [Award 1 mark for correct answer and 0 mark for
wrong/partially correct answer]
i. Should
ii. Life lives
iii. My father asked me if I wanted to go to Switzerland.
iv. how she had done her papers
v. this
vi. are is
vii. A) launch launched
viii. D) had assured
ix. C) how he was getting on with his studies
x. D) have been preparing
xi. C) will have successfully
xii. are is
4. A. & B
Format – 1 [full credit if all aspects included. Partial credit (½
mark) if one-two aspects are missing. No credit if more than two
aspects are missing]
Content -2 [½ mark for each content point area addressed]
Organisation of ideas -1 [effective style, orderly sequence,
paragraphed structure and formal tone and vocabulary]
Accuracy 1 [Spelling, punctuation and grammar]
5 A & B: Analytical paragraph writing should NOT be confused
with Descriptive paragraph writing.
Content -2 Four trends/ points included & well-developed with
sustained clarity
Organisation of ideas -2 [effective style, orderly sequence, single
paragraph structure, formal tone and functional vocabulary]
Accuracy 1 [Spelling, punctuation and grammar]
6. A. i. (d) talking was a student’s trait
ii. (b) An Incorrigible Chatterbox
iii. (c) that can’t be corrected
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iv. Anne was talkative, patient, creative, original, fun-loving, etc.
6.B. i. c) was in a state of shock .
ii. Sulekha was called Bholi because everyone considered her to
be a backward child and a simpleton. The name Bholi thus
symbolises her under confidence and ignorance. After mentioning
her real name at the beginning of the story, the author mentions
it again only in the second-last paragraph. This is a deliberate
attempt on the part of the author to show that Sulekha has finally
attained her true identity by literally throwing aside the veil that
hid her personality.
iii. b) She took some time to respond as she was contemplating
what to say.
iv. b) I-i; II-iv; III-iii

7.A. i. c) option 3
ii. (b) Jasmeet walks in the garden, relaxing while listening to his
favourite song.
iii. Leopard is a beast of prey with spots all over the body. It leaps
on people and kills them mercilessly.
iv. Poetic licence is used here. It is used by the poet to create
similarity between ‘lep’ and ‘leopard’.

7.B. i. (a) The philosophical theory of knowledge

ii. To stand up again after forgetting that ball – not to cry over the
things lost in life – learn the epistemology of loss that it is a reality
to lose things in life but we must recover from the loss as soon as
possible.
iii. Alliteration in ‘buys a ball back’ – repetition of the same
consonant sound in consecutive words.
iv. (b) He means that money can’t buy everything

8.i. “A Letter to God” written by G.L Fluentes, illustrates two

important conflicts we encounter in our lives. The ancient conflict
between nature and humans is depicted when the crops are
destroyed by hailstones despite the conscious efforts of Lencho,

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the central character of the lesson to protect his family.
Unfortunately, God does not give him the desired results which
eventually gives rise to another conflict between humans. When
Lencho was devastated and turns to God for help, the post office
employees try to help him whole heartedly by fulfilling part of his
demands but he got angry as the desired results were not seen
and ironically we see him calling them ‘a bunch of crooks.’ Here a
conflict is generated between post office employees and Lencho
ie, between humans and humans.
ii. The message of the poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon is
that every human on earth has his own capabilities and the way
of his living. We should never judge him and discriminate against
him because of the way he looks or thinks. Moreover who should
never believe those who boast about their abilities and appreciate
themselves. The true character of a person is seen in adversities.
In the poem, all the animals boast about themselves while
Custard remains a coward and always demands for a ‘nice safe
cage’. However, in front of the pirate, they show no bravery but
run for their lives. Custard, on the other hand, fights the pirate
bravely and kills him and thus protects them.

iii. Rajvir was very excited about visiting the tea garden and thus,
he studied a lot about it before visiting the tea garden. His
comment regarding the second flush which lasts from May to July
and yields the best tea made Pranjol’s father say that Rajvir had
already done his homework before visiting Assam.

iv. Robert Frost in “Fire and Ice’, gives us a warning that

uncontrolled emotions will bring an end to the world. According to
him, ‘Fire’ symbolises desire and ‘Ice’ symbolises hatred. Desire
is a kind of intense love or ‘want’ that makes people greedy. This
kind of desire can lead people to destruction. Frost’s poem speaks
on the issue of greed, corrupting people and even society. The
power of hate, which is symbolised by ice is just as great as
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desire. While desire consumes quickly, hate produces slow yet
restrained devastation. It can linger in people’s mind for lifetime.
Thus extreme emotions are dangerous and hasten the end of the
world.

v. According to Buddha, neither can lamentation bring someone’s

near and dear ones back to life, nor can they stop one’s death.
Lamenting will only inflict pain to one’s body and make himself
sick and pale. One has to learn that death is inevitable and the
world is afflicted with death and decay. Hence he teaches us to
accept the fact and move on in life.

9.i. Griffin's character traits such as arrogance, greed, isolation,

paranoia, lack of empathy, and lack of foresight- all contributed to
his downfall. Griffin was extremely intelligent but a lawless
person. He wanted to be invisible but his invention was utilized for
his vested interest. He being short tempered had severe
consequences not only for himself but also for the people around
him. The story serves as a warning against the dangers of
unchecked ambition and the importance of considering the
impact of our actions on others and society.

ii. Noodle’s claim that he has seen surveyor films of those

sandwiches and noticed that the Earthlings didn’t eat them but
used them as some sort of communication devices. However, all
these information was put across as a trifling piece of information
without hurting Think-Tank’s ego.

iii. Bholi, who was neither intelligent nor beautiful was considered
a simpleton. After going to school, the teacher has transformed
Bholi into a confident person who could read, write and speak
clearly. Moreover the teacher’s soft and soothing voice touched
her. Her affection, appreciation and encouragement helped her
overcome her low morale. She learned to stand up for herself and
finally transformed into Sulekha from Bholi.

10.A. Nelson Mandela, in his autobiography, reminisces about the

difference in the first and the last decade of the 20th century. In
the first decade of the 20th century, the whites erected a system
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of racial discrimination against the blacks. They set up the most
inhumane system of apartheid where the blacks were denied the
fundamental right of freedom. The last decade of the twentieth
century witnessed a system which overturned and the policy of
apartheid was uprooted from the land and a new non-racial
democratic government was installed to ensure equal rights and
freedom to all the people of South Africa. He was overwhelmed
with a sense of history on 10th May 1994 as it was the
inauguration of a democratic non-racial government and was
mindful of all the struggles that they had to go through to achieve
this day and also pays tribute to all the leaders who had
contributed for this achievement.

B. All the characters in the play are argumentative, full of pride

and possessive. The plot of the play also contribute to the same.
Unquestionably, ‘The Proposal’ is a ‘farce’, a comedy that involves
buffoonery and crude characterization. The marriage proposal,
supposed to be a romantic one, turns out to be humorous,
because the way Natalya and Lomov indulge in arguments over
petty issues like ownership of Oxen meadows and the superiority
of the dogs. They are always ready to argue for petty things. The
way Chubukov addresses Lomov as ‘my angel’, ‘my darling’, ‘my
precious’ etc and his description of Lomov in his formal get-up is
funny and evokes laughter in the readers. Lomov’s unstable
physical condition makes him appear comical and funny. It is true
to an extent that people usually give more importance to the
unimportant issues forgetting their priorities. Just like how Lomov
came to propose Natalya but due to their argument that matter
was left unaddressed. On the contrary, when Natalya comes to
know of Lomov’s proposal, she desperately wants him back and
becomes hysterical ‘Bring him back!’ which is really funny. Thus
we see the crude characterization, awful dialogues,
argumentative nature of the characters forgetting the ‘proposal’
all make the play humorous.

11.A. Richard Ebright was a curious child and had a bright mind.
When he was in the seventh grade, he participated in a county

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science fair and lost it. His entry was slides of frog tissues, shown
under a microscope. He felt really sad when he just sat there and
others won many prizes. That was the time of self-motivation. A
sense of real Science entered him and he realized that winners
had to try to do real experiments and not just a simple neat
display. The competitive spirit started entering him and he
thought of conducting experiments. Next year his experiment on
Viceroys copying Monarchs came first in the zoology division and
overall third. A year later, he found out an unknown insect
hormone which led him to his new theory on the life of cells. From
Ebright’s story, it is sufficiently clear that defeat is the stepping
stone to success. Not winning anything at the science fair
encouraged him greatly to conduct experiments.

B. Matilda was exceptionally pretty. By virtue of her good looks,

she felt that she was born for all delicacies and luxuries. She
wished to be admired and loved and to be married to some rich or
renowned person. But she was unlucky that she was born into a
family of clerks. Since she had no dowry, she agreed to marry a
petty clerk. She was always grumbling. The poverty-stricken life
tortured her. She dreamt of lavish parties and rich dresses and
jewels. She was always in a fancy world of extravaganza. Her
dreamy, ambitious and vain nature pushed her into trouble. She
paid a heavy price for her foolish desires. She borrowed a
necklace to wear at a ball. Even though she was intoxicated with
joy and success, the loss of necklace ruined her physically as well
as financially. From a beauty queen, she became a crude, hard
shabby woman of a poor family. But she was brave and honest.
She worked hard ungrudgingly to pay off her loan which is a
message that we should always be contented with what we have
in life.

………………

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