ENGLISH LANG. and LIT.

(184)
PRACTICE PAPER – 4
1. Read the passage given below
It is rare to find someone with good technical and communication skills. You can get far
ahead of your colleagues if you combine the two early in your career. People will judge,
evaluate, promote or block you based on your communication skills. Since habits form by
repeating both good and bad forms of communication, learn to observe great communicators
and adopt their styles and traits-in written and verbal forms. The art of listening and learning
from each and every interaction, is another secret recipe. Develop the subconscious habit of
listening to yourself as you speak and know when to pause.
Learning what not to say is probably more important than learning what to say. As your
career develops, you will realise that the wise speak less. Speak when you have value to add,
else refrain. Poorly constructed emails with grammatical errors are acceptable between
friends, but they should be seriously avoided while communicating formally with your
seniors. Avoid any communication in an emotional state when you might say things you will
regret later. One unnecessary word uttered at the wrong time or place can ruin a relationship,
career or even your life. Such is the power of words. If such a thing happens, you should
immediately apologise, else it may haunt you for life.
Another problem to overcome is speaking too fast. Since our minds work faster than our
speech, we are inclined to speak fast. This does not necessarily mean that the person hearing
it will get it any faster. On the contrary, it is always the reverse. So slow down, and think
before you speak. "When I get ready to speak to people." Abraham Lincoln said, "I spend
two-thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one-third thinking what I want to
say." Adding humour and wit is also essential. But realise that not all jokes are funny and
observe certain boundaries. Never say anything that could offend. Remember you are not a
comedian who must offend as many people as you can to be witty.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(i) What idea does the author suggest in order to excel in life? (Paragraph 1) 1
(a) To get expertise in technical communication
(b) To avoid speaking too fast
(c) To integrate good technical and communication skill
(d) To be amusing while addressing a formal gathering

(b) Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the following: 1

Adding humour and wit is also essential.(Paragraph 3)

It suggests that:
(a) it's important to incorporate some humour while you speak
(b) it's imperative to reflect wit when you address the gathering
(c) the speakers should be subconscious when they are to address the gathering
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(iii) Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 2. 1
Opinion Reason
If such a thing happens, you should
immediately apologise, else it may haunt
you for life.

(iv) State 1 factor how you can be way ahead from your friends in your career. 1

(v) Based on your reading of the text, list two ways how to form good habits. (0) 2

(vi) Why should you be careful when you tend to be humorous? 2

(vii) What restriction has been imposed by the author when you are in an emotional state?
(Paragraph 2) 1
(a) To make tall claims (b) To make promises
(c) To shed tears (d) To avoid any communication

(viii) Select the correct option to complete the sentence given below. 1
The closing statement of the passage sounds damn _____________________________
(a) cautioning (b) reprimanding (c) upbraiding (d) chiding

II.Read the passage given below:

Women all over the world in general and Indian women in particular have been facing
different problems. A recent report titled 'Women and Children in India and a nearly
simultaneous report on 'Indian Women-their Health and Economic Productivity highlight the
international importance given to the problems of the Indian women.
Unfortunately, both the reports fail to either convey a fresh understanding of the issues or to
suggest innovative and workable approaches for women's development. The former is
because the reports restrict themselves to old statistics. We are told, for example, that the ratio
of women to men remains below its natural level and that it is related to other parameters,
such as the level of literacy and the availability of primary health care.
The failure to suggest a fresh approach is less understandable given that a variety of
approaches to women's development has been tried out all over the world. In India, the state
has made a strong political and economic commitment to women. In 1990, the National
Commitment to Women was established. In 1969, two major policy documents were released.
Ever since the sixth Five-year plan, there has been a special section on socio-economic
programmes for women. Poverty alleviation programmes have a 30% target for women.
Special programmes like development of women and children in rural areas have also been
started. These government and other approaches have had mixed results. For example, certain
organisation's approach of using bank credit to organise self-employed women has worked
well. So did women's literacy programmes in Kerala. On the other hand, some of the
legislated reforms like dowry prohibition have not worked well. The issue of whether women
should be identified as separate participator in the development process is also not free from
controversy. In this context, it is disappointing to read in one of the reports that one of the
government's targets for 1991-95 ought to be to foster "an ethos of caring in the community
not to let a child go to bed hungry, be subjected to a preventable disease or remain without
learning opportunity-this could not mark the beginning of a social process towards a more
humane order". Is the report saying that Indians do not love their children, as a matter of
cultural practice? Both the reports are likely to be highly influential on opinion leaders and
policy makers. It is very unfortunate that these reports have become superficial and do not
delve sufficiently deep into the real problems.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(i) Which of the following would correctly reflect the tone of the author to the two reports
mentioned in the first paragraph? 1
(a) Biased (b) Critical (c) Neutral (d) Praiseful
(ii) Which of the following is FALSE, according to the passage? 1
1. The problem of women in general is attracting attention of the world.
2. Indian people do not love their children as much as they should.
3. Right from independence, women have been receiving special attention for development.
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) Only 3 (d) Only 2 and 3
(iii) Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 2. 1
Opinion Reason
Best experienced rather than described

(iv) Based on your reading of the passage, list two reasons why the writer says, "Women as
participator in the development process is also not free from controversy." (Paragraph 3) 2

(v) Why does the ratio of women to men remain below its natural level? (Paragraph 2) 2

(vi) The writer says, "Poverty alleviation programmes have a 30% target for women."
(Paragraph 3) 1
Select the correct option from the following that displays the meaning of 'poverty alleviation'.
(a) poverty that doesn't exist (b) poverty eradication
(c) poverty appreciation (d) both (b) & (c)

(vii) Supply 1 objective for the following: 1

In 1990, the National Commitment to Women was established.
(viii) Which of the following is not put forward by the author of the passage as a defect of the
report? 1
(a) The reports highlight the problems of Indian women
(b) The reports contain outdated statistical data
(c) The reports have not suggested any new measures
(d) Some of the suggestions in the reports are superficial.
SECTION – B(GRAMMAR AND CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS)
III. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. 10

(i) The ACC ____________ the date of examination to recruit soldiers and train them to
become commissioned officers in the Indian Army.
(a) will announce (b) has announced (c) to be announced (d) announcing

(ii) Read the conversation between Amit and Shlok. Complete the sentence by reporting
Shlok's statement correctly.
Amit Are you going to Delhi today?
Shlok: No, I am coming with Devendra. He will start day after tomorrow.

Amit rang up Shlok and asked whether he was going to Delhi the following day. In response
to this, Shlok replied _____________________________.

(iii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from the speech of the
school President.
I _________________________ admit, the trek which we thought would be a boring and
exhausting experience was one of the most enjoyable experiences we have had this term.
(a) must (b) should (c) need (d) would

(v) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line,
from a news report:
Every inhabitant of planet Earth depend on water for their survival and their day-to-day
activities.
Option no. error correction
(a) their there
(b) depend depends
(c) every each
(d) and or

(v) Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option.
If you move around hoping your problems they won't.

(a) will solve (b) will solved (c) will have solved (d) will be solved

(vi) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given
portion of a letter:
Subject: Electricity problem in the locality
Please __________ (publish) an article in your esteemed daily, so that the authorities should
focus on that and take any action against the situation. So that we will be free from the
current worst condition of the electricity breakdown.

(vii) Report the dialogue between Aman and a confectioner, by completing Aman's sentence:
Confectioner: How may I help you, child?
Aman : I am looking for an eggless cake for my granny's birthday.
The confectioner on noticing a small child Aman, asked him affectionately _____________.
In response to the question of the confectioner, Aman replied that he was looking for an
eggless cake for his granny's birthday.

(viii) Identify the error in the given sentence, from an e-magazine report and supply the
correction.
In the last decade, conservationists and academics have turned his attention to studying the
best ways to install these natural features in the North.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

(ix) The class teacher shared some information, with Prakriti, about the Open House Report
class teacher's question.
Why were your parents absent, yesterday?

(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the slogan by the local
counselor of your ward.

_____ we afford to survive without trees? Think twice.

(a) Can (b) Should (c) Will (d) May

(xi) Select the correct option to complete the conversation between Abhigyan and Anmol.

Abhigyan: Anmol, why did you not attend the Biology class yesterday?
Anmol: Actually, I was practising for my Physics test.
Abhigyan asked ___________. Anmol replied that he had been practicing for his Physics
test, actually.

(a) Anmol why he has not attended the Biology class last day.
(b) Anmol that why he has not attended the Biology class last day.
(c) Anmol why he had not attended the Biology class last day.
(d) Anmol why he has not attended the Biology class yesterday.

(xii) Identify the error spotted from a local newspaper and supply the correction required:
Its all part of an effort to find ways to protect coastal communities and make space for
wildlife.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

(Creative Writing Skills)

IV.
(A) You are Arnave Athiya, a resident of Surya Nagar Colony, Vadodara, Gujarat. You
noticed that the curb on wearing masks has been lifted but even then, we, as sincere citizen
need to be responsible and wear masks religiously.
Write a letter to the editor of The Gujarat Times, drawing attention towards the same. Explain
how such acts impact the health of the community and requesting immediate intervention and
strict action against the violators. 5
OR
(B) Whenever a child is restless, they are given to play a video on mobile phone. Children
also use it as bait and they refuse to eat. In no time, your child becomes obsessed with
screens. Mobile phones have become a common fad these days.
Write a letter to the editor requesting to publish an article voicing your opinion and concern
that the children are being physically inactive while sitting over time with a mobile phone.
Assign yourself as Nidhi Kamat, Vasant Kunj Lane, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. 5

V.

(A) Habits take time to develop. It doesn't happen overnight. When you find yourself
engaging in an unhealthy habit, stop as quickly as possible as it leads to obesity. Analyse the
given statement and write a paragraph with the help of points mentioned below 5
 Reinforce your new, healthy habits and be patient with yourself.
 Eat only when you're truly hungry.
 Plan meals ahead of time
OR
(B) Homelessness is not a condition unknown to children in India. Situations like natural
disasters and conflicts render many homeless or force them to live in unsafe housing
conditions. Living on the streets or in urban slum dwellings, lack of basic facilities and
unhygienic living conditions become a way of life. 5
In view of the above remarks, write a paragraph analysing the mentioned points given below.

 Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances

 Orphaned and Abandoned Child
 Migrant Children
 Child Labour
 Child Trafficking
 Child Suffering from Abuse

SECTION – C (LITERATURE TEXTBOOKS)

VI. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given,
(A) The moon was coming up in the east, behind me, and stars were shining in the cleat sky
above me. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. I was happy to be alone high up above the
sleeping countryside. I was flying my old Dakota aeroplane over France hack to England. I
was dreaming of my holiday and looking forward to being with my family, I looked at my
watch at one thirty in the morning. I should call Paris Control soon. I thought. As looked
down past the nose of the aeroplane, I saw the lights of a big city in front of me.

(i)Why did the pilot think of calling Paris Control? 2

(ii) Which direction do you think the pilot was heading to? 1

(iii) Fill in the blank with ONE WORD only. 1

The thought of the coming holiday and the time the pilot would spend with his family made
him ____________________________________.

(iv) "I saw the lights of a big city in front of me. What is the light the pilot is referring to? 1
(a) Lights and bulbs of the city (b) Lights of the high rise
(c) Lights of the runway (d) Both (a) and (b)
OR
(B) Natalya: Excuse my interrupting you. You say, "my Oxen Meadows". But are they yours?
Lomov: Yes, mine.
Natalya: What are you talking about? Oxen Meadows are ours, not yours!
Lomov: No, mine, honoured Natalya Stepanova.
Natalya: Well, I never knew that before. How do you make that out?
Lomov: How? I'm speaking of those Oxen Meadows which are wedged in between your
birchwoods and the Burnt Marsh.
Natalya Yes, yes... they're ours.
Lomov: No, you're mistaken, honoured Natalya Stepanova, they're mine.
Natalya: Just think. Ivan Vassilevitch! How long have they been yours?

(i) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the extract. 1
restricted: proscribed:: respected: __________________

(ii) "How long have they been yours? What is 'they referred to here? 1

(iii) Who does the Oxen Meadows actually belong to? 1

(a) Lomov (b) Chubukov (c) Natalya (d) Can't be determined

(iv) What justification did Lomov give to Natalya and Chubukov to prove that he is the
rightful owner of Meadows? 2

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

(A) All night the roots work

to disengage themselves from the cracks
 in the veranda floor.
The leaves strain toward the glass
small twigs stiff with exertion
long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof
like newly discharged patients
half-dazed, moving
to the clinic doors. (The Trees)

(i)The poet has used "The Trees' signifying their effort, by giving them symbolic meanings
different from their literal meanings. Identify the poetic device used here. 1

(ii) It appears that the leaves of the trees strive hard to put immense pressure on the glass
window, so that __________________________. 1

(a) it could exhibit its vigour

(b) they could break it and go outside
(c) it could heave a sigh of relief
(d) none of these

(iii) Select the most suitable option to complete the sentence that the extract demonstrates.1
The small twigs have become very hard due to applying so much pressure_____________.
(a) to free themselves
(b) to show their solidarity
(c) to scare the conventional set up of the society
(d) to reunite with the lost boughs and twigs

(iv) How does the use of imagery impact this extract? 2

OR
(B) Never shall a young man
thrown into despair
By those great honey coloured
Ramparts at your ear
Love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair

(i) 'Never shall a young man' reminds us of ________________. (Hint: when the structure of
a sentence is changed by the poet to create rhyme) 1

(a) Metaphor (b) Hyperbole (c) Inversion (d) Oxymoron

(ii) What makes the young men fall in love with her, according to the stanza? 1

(iii) What does love you for yourself alone and not your yellow hair mean? 2
(iv) Select the sentence in which the word 'love' is used in the similar manner as line 5 of the
stanza. 1
(a) The love of his life is be loyal to his beloved.
(b) Love thy country and respect your countrymen.
(c) Love has always been treacherous to me.
(d) Love knows no boundary, no country, no caste.

VIII. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each. (4×3=12)
(i) “Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run. How do you think this statement work for the
young seagull?

(ii) Discuss what Frost wants to convey through the poem 'Fire and Ice',

(iii) Valli's venture to the town brings an alarm to the parents. Elucidate.

(iv) Give the character sketch of the dragon.

(v) Chubukov's attempt to appease Lomov is no strange in context with today's scenario
where marriage of Indian daughters is concerned. Comment.

IX. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. (2×3=6)
(i) Do you think Mrs Pumphrey's overindulgence would not let Tricky lead a healthy
lifestyle? Give reason for your answer.

(ii) Fowler was disappointed to see Ausable. Validate the statement.

(iii) All might have been well, had Griffin woken up on time in the store. Elucidate the
statement.

X. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (1×6=6)

(i) Imagine that you met Rajvir and discussed with him more about tea plantation. Develop
the conversation.
OR
(ii) One should understand that human beings are mortal and no one can escape death.
Revelations made by Lord Buddha teach us so.
Share two key opinions from what you learnt from the lesson "The Sermon at Benares'.

XI. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (1×6=6)
(i) Hari Singh's change of heart surprised everyone and a seasoned thief like Hari Singh was
forced to change his ways. Show your acquaintance with the statement analysing the chapter
'A Question of Trust'.
OR
(ii) Hari Singh (A Thief's Story) and the lady (A Question of Trust) in red were alike. Validate
the statement by giving valid reasons.