HBSE Class 12th English Solved Question Paper 2019

HBSE Class 12th English Solved Question Paper 2019

HBSE Class 12 English Previous Year Question Paper with Answer. HBSE Board Solved Question Paper Class 12 English 2019. HBSE 12th Question Paper Download 2019. HBSE Class 12 English Paper Solution 2019. Haryana Board Class 12th English Question Paper 2019 Pdf Download with Answer.

SET-A

(Reading Skills)

1. Read the following Passages given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) New Year is the time for resolution. Mentally, at least most of us could compile formidable lists of ‘do’s and don’ts’. The same old favourites recur year in and year out with monotonous regularity. We resolve to get-up early each morning, eat healthy food, exercise, be nice to people we don’t like and find more time for our parents. Past experience has taught us that certain accomplishments are beyond attainment. If we remain deep rooted liars, it is only because we have so often experienced the frustration that results from failure. Most of us fail in our efforts, at self-improvement because our schemes are too ambitious and we never have time to carry them out. We also ‘make the fundamental error of announcing our resolution to everybody so that we look even more foolish when we slip back into our bad old ways. Aware of these pitfalls, this year I attempted to keep my resolutions to myself. I limited myself to two modest ambitions, to do physical exercise every morning and to read more in the evening. An overnight party on New Year’s Eve provided me with a good excuse for not carrying out either of these new resolutions on the first day of the year, but on the second, I applied myself diligently to the task. The daily exercise lasted only eleven minutes and I proposed to do them early in the morning before anyone had got up. The self-discipline required to drag myself out of bed eleven minutes earlier than usual was considerable. Nevertheless, I managed to creep down into the living room for two days before anyone found me out. After jumping about on the carpet and twisting the human frame into uncomfortable positions, I sat down at the breakfast table in an exhausted condition. It was this that betrayed me. The next morning the whole family trooped in to watch the performance. That was really unsettling but I fended off the taunts and jibes of the whole family good-humouredly and soon everybody got used to the idea. However, my enthusiasm waned. The time I spent at exercises gradually diminished. Little by little the eleven minutes fell to zero. By January 10th, I was back to where I had started from. I argued that if I spent less time exhausting myself at exercises in the morning, I would keep my mind fresh for reading when I got home from work. Resisting the hypnotising effect of television, I sat, in my room for a few evenings with my eyes glued to a book. One night, however, feeling cold and lonely, I went downstairs and sat in front of the television pretending to read. That proved to be my undoing, for I soon got back to the old bad habit of dozing off in front of the screen. I still haven’t given up my resolution to do more reading. In fact, I have just bought a book entitled ‘How to Read a Thousand Words a Minute’. Perhaps it will solve my problem, but I just have not had time to read it.

Questions :

(i) What were the writer’s two resolutions ?

(a) Physical exercise in the morning

(b) Read more in the evening

(d) Not to make more resolutions

Ans. (c) Both (a) and (b)

(ii) How much time did the daily exercise last initially ?

(a) 10 minutes

(b) 11 minutes

(d) 8 minutes

Ans. (b) 11 minutes

(iii) How many days did the narrator continue his resolution ?

(a) 8 days

(b) 9 days

(d) 7 days

Ans. (b) 9 days

(iv) Which book did the narrator buy ?

(a) How to read a thousand words a minute

(b) How to be a good reader

(d) The importance of exercising

Ans. (a) How to read a thousand words a minute

(B) Many of us believe that ‘small’ means ‘insignificant’. We believe that small actions and choices do not have much impact on our lives. We think that it is only the big things, the big actions and the big decisions that really count. But when you look at the lives of all great people, you will see that they built their character through small decisions, small choices and small actions that they performed every day. They transformed their lives through a step-bystep or day-by-day approach. They nurtured and nourished their good habits and chipped away at their bad habits, one step at a time. It was their small day-to-day decisions that added up to make tremendous difference in the long run. Indeed, in matters of personal growth and character building, there is no such thing as an overnight success.

Growth always occurs through a sequential series of stages. There is an organic process to growth. When we look at children growing up, we can see this process at work; the child first learns to crawl, then to stand and walk, and finally to run. The same is true in the natural world. The soil must first be tilled, and then the seed must be sowed. Next, it must be nurtured with enough water and sunlight, and only then will it grow, bear fruit and finally ripen and be ready to eat.

Gandhi understood this organic process and used this universal law of nature to his benefit. Gandhi grew in small ways, in his day-to-day affairs. He did not wake up one day and find himself to be the “Mahatama”. In fact, there was nothing much in his early life that showed signs of greatness. But from his mid-twenties onwards, he deliberately and consistently attempted to change himself, reform himself and grow in some small way every day. Day-by-day, hour-by-hour, he risked failure, experimented and learnt from mistakes. In small and large situations alike, he took up rather than avoid responsibility. People have always marvelled at the effortless way in which Gandhi could accomplish the most difficult tasks. He displayed great deal of self-mastery and discipline that was amazing. These things did not come easily to him. Years of practice and disciplined training went into making his successes possible. Very few saw his struggles, fears, doubts and anxieties, or his inner efforts to overcome them. They saw the victory, but not the struggle. This is a common factor in the lives of all great people: they exercised their freedoms and choices in small ways that made great impact on their lives and their environment. Each of their small decisions and actions, added up to have a profound impact in the long run. By understanding this principle, we can move forward, with confidence, in the direction of our dreams. Often when our “ideal goal” looks too far from us, we become easily discouraged, disheartened and pessimistic. However, when we choose to grow in small ways, taking small steps one at a time, performing it becomes easy.

Questions :

(i) The main idea in the first paragraph is that :

(a) Big things, big actions and big decisions make a person great

(b) Small actions and decisions are important in one’s life

(d) Personal changes are not important

Ans. (b) Small actions and decisions are important in one’s life

(ii) What does the writer mean by saying ‘chipped away at their bad habits’ ?

(a) Steadily gave up bad habits

(b) Slowly produced bad habits

(d) Did not like bad habits

Ans. (a) Steadily gave up bad habits

(iii) Which of the following statements is true in the context of the third paragraph ?

(a) Gandhi became great overnight

(b) Gandhi showed signs of greatness in childhood itself

(d) Gandhi never made mistakes

Ans. (c) Every day Gandhi made efforts to change himself in some small way

(iv) What is done by great people to transform their lives ?

(a) They approach life on a day-by-day basis

(b) They build character in small ways

(d) All of these

Ans. (b) They build character in small ways

2. Read the following Passage carefully and make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Supply an appropriate title also :

The small village of Somnathpur contains an extraordinary temple, built around 1268 A.D. by the Hoyasalas of Karnataka – one of the most prolific temple-builders. Belur and Helebid are among their better-known works. ‘While these suffered during the invasions of the 14th century, the Somnathpur temple stands more or less intact in near-original condition. This small temple captivates the beauty and vitality of its detailed sculpture, covering almost every inch of the walls, pillars and even ceilings. It has three shikharas and stands on a star-shaped, raised platform with 24 edges. The outer walls have a profusion of detailed carvings: the entire surface run over by carved plaques of stone. There were vertical panels covered by exquisite figures of gods and goddesses with many incarnations being depicted. There were nymphs too, some carrying an ear of maize – a symbol of plenty and prosperity. The elaborate ornamentation, the very characteristic of Hoyasala sculptures, was a remarkable feature. On closer look – and it is worth it – the series of friezes on the outer walls revealed intricately carved caparisoned (covered decorative cloth) elephants, charging horsemen, stylized flowers, warriors, musicians, crocodiles, and swans. The temple was actually commissioned by Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath (he named the village after himself), the minister of the Hoyasala king, Narasimha, the third. The temple was built to house three versions of Krishna. The inner center of the temple was the Kalyana Mandapa. Leading from here ‘were three corridors each ending in a shrine, one for each kind of Krishna – Venugopala, Janardana and Prasanna Keshava, though only two remain in their original form. In the, darkness of the sanctum sanctorum, I tried to discern the different images. The temple’s sculptural perfection is amazing and it includes the doors of the temple and the three elegantly carved towers.

Ans.

Note Making :

Title : Temple of Somnathpur

Notes on the passage :

1. Temple : the beauty and vitality

1.1 Detailed sculpture – covering walls, pillars, ceilings

1.1.1 Series of friezes on outer walls

1.1.2 intricately carved elephants

1.1.3 charging horsemen

1.1.4 stylized flowers

1.1.5 warriors, musicians, crocodile and swans

1.2 three shikharas – stands *shaped, raised platform – 24 edges

1.3. the outer walls – detailed carvings

1.4 the entire surface – carved plaques of stone

1.5 vertical panels covered by exq. fig.

2. Representaion of Hinduism

2.1 incarnations

2.2 many deities

3. Temple in the History

3.1 comsnd. Soma Dandanayaka or Somnath

3.2 the inner centre of the temple – kalyana mandapa

3.3 three corridors ending in a shrine

Key to Abbreviations

* → star

Exq → exquisite

Fig → figures

Comsnd → commissioned

(Grammar)

3. Attempt any two from each sub-part :

(a) Change the form of Narration :

(i) “I have read a new novel by R. K. Narayan”, said Monika.

Ans. Monika said that she had read a new novel by R. K. Narayan.

(ii) “Do you wish to open an account ?” the manager asked the customer.

Ans. The manager asked the customer whether he wished to open an account.

(iii) “Bravo! Well done!”, he said.

Ans. He applauded him saying that he had done well/very well.

(b) Supply Articles wherever necessary :

(i) We buy ……….. oil by the litre.

Ans. x

(ii) ………. great Shakespeare committed grammatical errors.

Ans. The

(iii) ………. rich should help the poor.

Ans. The

(i) She expects that her son ………. return. (may/can)

Ans. may

(ii) She advised that I ………… curtail expenditure. (should/can)

Ans. should

(iii) She ……….. not have left alone as it was raining heavily. (can/must)

Ans. must

(d) Change the Voice :

(i) He encourages me.

Ans. I am encouraged by him.

(ii) Please come soon.

Ans. You are requested to come soon.

(iii) It is impossible to do.

Ans. It is impossible to be done.

(e) Use the correct form of Verbs given in the brackets :

(i) More men than one ………. absent today. (was/were)

Ans. were

(ii) Neither of the two boys ………. done it. (has/have)

Ans. has

(iii) What evidence …………. these acts ? (is/are)

Ans. are

4. Attempt any two of the following :

(a) The Residents’ Welfare Association, Model Town, Narnaul is organising a ‘Diwali Fete’ in the locality. As the President of the Association, draft a notice in not more than 50 words informing the residents about the same. Give other essential detail too.

Ans.

Residents Welfare Association

27/04/22 NOTICE

CELEBRATIONS!

This is to inform the residents that a Diwali fate is been organised by the association at Model Town, Rohtak. All the residents are welcome. The participants can submit there names to the president.

TIMINGS – 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

VENUE – PLAYGROUND

For further details contact the undersigned.

(president of association)

(b) You are Rama/Radha, General Manager of Hotel Grand, Rohtak. You need a receptionist for your hotel. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in “The Tribune”, giving all the relevant details.

Ans.

SITUATION VACANT! RECEPTIONIST!

The Hotel Grand in Rohtak needs a receptionist on an urgent basis. The applicant must be well-spoken and proficient in both English and Hindi. Knowledge of Microsoft Word and a fast typing speed is required. The candidate must have at least three years of experience in a similar position in a reputable organisation. Eligible candidates should provide a detailed C.V. to the undersigned by March 20th, 2021.

Rama/Radha

General Manager

Hotel Grand, Sheela Bye Pass

Rohtak-252545

Ans.

Go Green. Protect Water. Save Earth.

To prevent the Earth from air pollution,

To reduce global warming,

To save human beings and every living thing from famine and drought,

To protect the shelter of wild animals,

To increase oxygen levels,

To avoid flooding and soil erosion,

To preserve soil, air and water,

To maintain balance in the ecosystem,

Let’s stop massive deforestation. Let’s begin to plant saplings and grow trees. Let’s create an Eco-friendly environment for future generations.

5. Attempt any one of the following :

(a) You are Bhavan/Bhavika. As an active member of the Mountaineering Club of your school, you had participated in a summer camp organised by the Indian Mountaineering Association. Write a report on the camp and its activities for your school newsletter in about 150-200 words.

Ans.

Just like various other schools that give utmost care and attention to the overall development of their students, my school also conducts summer camps to further this. Various teachers from our school volunteer to help organize the summer camp to make it an extremely memorable experience for everyone. I have enrolled for many of these camps in the last few years.

During these camps, we are given a huge bunch of activities to choose from. Every year different themes are used for the summer camp activities. During one of these camps, the theme of the camp was ‘Culture’. We were taught about various cultures in depth and were also equipped with practical knowledge about those cultures such as their music, cuisine, lifestyle and endless such aspects.

We as students were made to brainstorm on the customs and traditions of various cultures. At the end of the camp we were asked to share what we learnt with everyone. This was a really interesting activity as we got to listen to everybody’s perspective about the importance of the camp. Our teachers also came up and shared their views on the importance of such camps and the positive impact they have on our young minds.

This camp was a memorable experience for all of us as at the end of it, we took home many important skills and lessons. This camp not only taught us about various cultures and their lifestyles but along with this we learnt to work efficiently as a part of a team.

(b) Write a paragraph of about 100 words on “Importance of Yoga”.

Ans.

Importance of Yoga

The art of practicing yoga helps in controlling an individual’s mind, body and soul. It brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve a peaceful body and mind; it helps manage stress and anxiety and keeps you relaxing. It also helps in increasing flexibility, muscle strength and body tone. It improves respiration, energy and vitality. Practicing yoga might seem like just stretching, but it can do much more for your body from the way you feel, look and move.

Yoga asanas build strength, flexibility and confidence. Regular practice of yoga can help lose weight, relieve stress, improve immunity and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

6. You are Kazim/Kumud of 148, Raj Nagar, Jhajjar. You are awaiting your class XII results. Meanwhile, you would like to do a short-term course on etiquette development. Write a letter to The Director, Personal Care, Rohtak enquiring about the course detail. (125-150 words)

Ans.

Date : 11th June 2022

Kazim Sharma

Plot no 148

Raj Nagar Jhajjar

To,

The director of

Personal Care

Rohtak enquiring

440014.

Subject : Application to request for admission in etiquette classes

Respected sir,

I’m Kazim Sharma from Jhajjar. Recently I have given my HSC exams. And the result are around the clock. Results can be released at any moment. But as my parents are going to admit me in a hostel for my notorious behaviour.

I need to learn some manners and etiquette to build up my personality. I need to present myself in a better way so that people should look at me as a man of few words and high standards .

I don’t have any information about your class timings and fee structure. So I humbly request you to get me aquainted with it. If you permit we can converse through phone call. So kindly give me your phone number.

I have a few thoughts regarding etiquette :-

Nothing is less important than which fork you use. Etiquette is the science of living. It embraces everything. It is honor. It’s embrace.

etiquette means behaving yourself a little better than is absolutely essential. Hope you will consider my humble plead and request.

Your faithful

(your name )

email = [email protected]

[A : Main Reader (Prose)]

7. Read the Passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) I started for school very late that morning and was in great dread of a scolding, especially because M. Hamel had said that he would question us on participles, and I did not know the first word about them. For a moment I thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. It was so warm, so bright! The birds were chirping at the edge of the woods; and in the open field back of the sawmill the Prussian soldiers were drilling. It was all much more tempting than the rule for participles, but I had the strength to resist, and hurried off to school.

Questions :

(i) Name the chapter from which this passage has been taken :

(a) The Last Lesson

(b) Lost Spring

(d) The Rattrap

Ans. (a) The Last Lesson

(ii) Who does ‘I’ refer to these lines ?

(a) M. Hamel

(b) Franz

(d) None of the above

Ans. (b) Franz

(iii) M. Hamel was going to ask the questions on :

(a) gerunds

(b) infinitives

(d) tenses

Ans. (c) participles

(iv) What was the narrator full of ?

(a) fear

(b) pain

(d) all of the above

Ans. (a) fear

(v) Who was M. Hamel ?

(a) the narrator’s neighbour

(b) the narrator’s father

(d) the narrator’s friend

Ans. (c) the narrator’s teacher

(B) The makeup room had the look of a hair-cutting salon with lights at all angles around half a dozen large mirrors. They were all incandescent lights, so you can imagine the fiery misery of those subjected to makeup. The makeup department was first headed by a Bengali who became too big for the studio and left. He was succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was assisted by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the usual local Tamils. All this shows that there was a great deal of national integration long before A.I.R and Doordarshan began broadcasting programmes on national integration.

Questions :

(i) Name the chapter from which this passage has been taken :

(a) indigo

(b) Poets and Pancakes

(d) Going Places

Ans. (b) Poets and Pancakes

(ii) How did the makeup room look ?

(a) like a hair-cutting saloon

(b) like a junk-shop

(d) neither (a) nor (b)

Ans. (a) like a hair-cutting saloon

(iii) Of the following who headed the makeup department first of all ?

(a) A Maharashtrian

(b) A Tamil

(d) All of the above

Ans. (c) A Bengali

(iv) The makeup room presented a picture of :

(a) Social discrimination

(b) The rich and the poor

(d) None of the above

Ans. (c) National Ilintegration

(v) Which of the following contributed to National Integration ?

(a) All India Radio (A.I.R.)

(b) Doordarshan

(d) None of the above

Ans. (c) Both (a) and (b)

8. Answer any one of the following :

How do you estimate M. Hamel as a man with a ruler and as a man with a gesture ?

Ans. The question is taken from the story ‘The Last Lesson’ written by the writer ‘Alphonse Daudet’. The story is about the French teacher M. Hamel who is teaching to elders of the village for 40 years. M. Hamel was a very devoted, dedicated and a strict man of discipline in his school. He kept the “terrible” ruler under his arm and one could hear its rapping in the street. He always maintained decorum and discipline in the class. On the last day he came out by wearing his fine Sunday dress that he used to wear on specific ceremonial occasions. That day school looked quite solemn and strange and there was no commotion of any sort. Even the distinguished personalities had assembled there to pay their deepest reverence to the teacher for his forty years of meritorious service. While addressing all he spoke: “My children, this is the last lesson of French”. He was deeply pained at the order from Berlin which stated the ban of teaching French. In this respect he detailed the importance and love of one’s own language. He was highly respected by all. He loved France and French language from the inner most core of his heart.

Being a dedicated and a patriot, he taught the grammar lesson with complete depth that was followed by all. He had the courage to hear every lesson to the last. But he pointed out that he was sorry that the people of Alsace had never been serious about learning. He was overwhelmed with deep emotions and looked at everything keenly so as to fix them in his mind. The hall, garden and the love of area was breathing his heart heavily. While speaking his voice choked and he wrote in a chalk, ‘Viva La France’. With the gesture of his hands he dismissed the school.

How did Douglas develop an aversion to water ?

Ans. From the very beginning, Douglas was much eager to learn swimming. When he was three or four years old, his father took him to the beach in California. He was standing in the surf. A strong wave knocked him down and he was buried in water. His breath was gone. He was much frightened but his father was holding him. Even then, the boy was much terrified by the destructive force of the wave. He developed an aversion to water.

Next time, when he was ten or eleven years old he resolved to learn swimming. He went to the Y.M.C.A. pool at Yakima. He was sitting there alone waiting for others to come. A big muscular boy addressed him ‘Skinny’ and asked him to be ducked. He tossed up Douglas and threw him into the deep end of the pool. He went down to the bottom and got panicky. This experience further strengthened the terror and fear of water in his mind and personality.

9. Answer any five of the following :

(i) How was M. Hamel’s class different the day Franz went late to school ?

Ans. There was a pindrop silence in the school. When Franz entered the classroom, M. Hamel asked him politely to take his seat. He was in his prized dress. Franz was utmost astonished to see the village old people sitting on the back benches. They seemed shocked, sad and troubled. There were the former Mayor, the former postmaster and several others. They were pained to know about teaching the German in the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine.

(ii) How is Mukesh’s attitude to his situation different from that of his family ?

Ans. Unlike his family members, and others of his community, he has dared to dream. His grandmother’s words about the unbreakable lineage represent the attitude they have towards their situation in life. They believe that it is their destiny to toil as bangle makers. But Mukesh dreams of a better and safer career.

(iii) Why did Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire ?

Ans. Douglas went to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire to test whether he still had any fear of water. After his vigorous swimming practice he was still not very sure if his terror for water had left him. So he wanted to try out his swimming skills at Lake Wentworth.

(iv) Why didn’t the stranger tell the ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof ?

Ans. The peddler was mistaken by the ironmaster to be an old acquaintance from the regiment. He assumed that the ironmaster would hand him a few kronor and therefore made no attempts to deny the reference being made. He replies by saying that things had gone downhill for him. However, when the ironmaster said that he should not have resigned and suggested that “Nils Olof ”, accompany him to the manor, he flatly refused to do so, for fear of being recognised.

(v) Why did Gandhiji go to Lucknow in December 1916 ? Who met him there and why ?

Ans. In December 1916, Gandhi had gone to attend the annual convention of the Indian National Congress in Lucknow. There came Raj Kumar Shukla, a poor share-cropper from Champaran to complain Gandhi about the injustice of the landlords in Bihar. At his vehement insistence, Gandhi went there and saw the poor peasants in pitiable and terrified conditions. This episode made home in Gandhi and he decided that the British must quit India.

(vi) Why did Sophie wish to become an actress ?

Ans. Sophie dreams to have a boutique of her own. It will be the most amazing shop the city has ever seen. She says that she will buy a boutique if ever she comes into money. She does not mind becoming an actress to run a boutique as a side business. Since she has no money or experience, it is called a ‘dream’ and not a ‘plan’.

(vii) What was the autograph riddle ? Could it be solved ?

Ans. On first meeting Danny Casey at Royces’ window, Sophie asked his autograph for little Derek. But neither had paper nor a pen. In the second real meeting at the Royce’s the same riddle stood unsolved-the autograph couldn’t by signed-neither had a pen.

[B : Main Reader (Poetry)]

10. Read the Stanza given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) Driving from my parent’s home to

Cochin last Friday morning,

I saw my mother, beside me,

doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that

of a corpse and realised with pain

that she was as old as she looked but soon

put that thought away, and looked out at young

Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling

out of their homes, ….

Questions :

(i) Name the poem and poet.

Ans. Poem- My Mother at Sixty-Six

Poet- Kamala Das

(ii) Where was the poet going to and with whom ?

Ans. The poetess was going from her parent’s home to the Cochin airport. She was accompanied by her mother who was sixty-six years old.

(iii) What did the daughter notice inside the car ?

Ans. She noticed her mother looking pale and dull and as lifeless as a dead body. She was dozing and her mouth was open.

(iv) In what state is the mother now ?

Ans. She is dozing open mouthed and with a pale face.

(B) The stunted, unlucky heir

Of twisted bones, reciting a father’s gnarled disease,

His lesson, from his desk. At the back of the dim class

One un-noted, sweet and young.

Questions :

(i) Name the poem and poet.

Ans. Poem- An elementary School Classroom in a Slum

Poet- Stephen Spender

(ii) Who is the unlucky heir ?

Ans. The boy with stunted growth is the unlucky heir.

(iii) What will he inherit ?

Ans. The boy will inherit his father’s disease of twisted bones.

(iv) Who is sitting at the back of the dim class ?

Ans. A sweet and young boy, unnoted, is sitting at the back of the dim class.

11. Answer any two of the following :

(i) Compare the world inside the car and outside the car.

Ans. The pale and faded face of the poet’s mother looks lifeless like a corpse. Her dozing with mouth wide open suggests passivity, decay and death. Outside the car, the poet watches young trees speeding past them. They seem to be running fast or sprinting. Happy children are moving out of their homes cheerfully. They present an image of life, dynamism and activity.

(ii) Do you think the poet, Pablo Neruda advocates total inactivity and death ? Why/Why not ?

Ans. No, the poet does not advocate total inactivity and death. In fact, he says “What I want should not be confused with total inactivity”. He describes people walking peacefully, doing nothing. He wants us to introspect, which can happen only when one is alive and conscious. He wants people to live but just take a moment of silence and be conscious of themselves and their actions.

(iii) List the things that cause suffering and pain. (A Thing of Beauty)

Ans. Jealousy, despondence, lack of human qualities, gloomy days, unhealthy and evil ways give birth to may troubles. They cause suffering and pain by depressing our spirits.

(Supplementary Reader)

12. Answer any one of the following :

When did the Tiger King stand in danger of losing his kingdom ? How was he able to avert the danger ?

Ans. The tiger king prevented a British officer from fulfilling his desire, the Maharaja stood in danger of losing his kingdom itself. Once, a high-ranking British officer, who was very fond of hunting tigers, visited Pratibandhapuram. He expressed his wish to hunt tigers in Pratibandhapuram. But, Maharaj refused permission. The British officer’s secretary sent word to the Maharaja through the dewan that he only wanted a photograph with the dead tiger. The Maharaja could do the actual killing. But the Maharaja would not agree even to this proposal. He thought that if he relented now, he would be in a difficult situation if the other British officers turned up for tiger hunts. So, in order to please the British Officer

And retain his kingdom he had to gift expensive diamond rings worth three lakh rupees to the lady of the British officer.

“If all the Japanese were like you, there wouldn’t have been a war” said Tom. Justify his statement.

Ans. After the prisoner recovers he comments,”I guess if all the Japs were like you there wouldn’t have been a war”. He says so because despite knowing the fact that the injured man was an American prisoner of war, Dr. Sadao did not forget about his responsibilities as a doctor first.

He treated the prisoner and nursed him back to a healthy self even when he knew that he could be detained for doing so. His servants had left his side but he did not fear being detained because for him humanity and professional ethics were of much more value than his own self.

The prisoner praises his efforts and says that if all the people could be like him, so human, there would be no war at all.

13. Answer any three of the following :

(i) Why did the Maharaja decide to get married ?

Ans. The Maharaja had killed seventy tigers in the forests of Pratibandapuram and they had become extinct. He had still to kill thirty more tigers. So the Maharaja decided to marry a girl from a royal family who lived in an estate that had a lot of tigers. His wish was fulfilled and he married accordingly.

(ii) How did Roger Skunk pay the wizard ?

Ans. The Wizard demanded seven pennies but Roger was equipped with only four pennies. The Wizard suggested him to go to the end of the lane where he would find a magic well. By having three rounds, Roger Skunk was able to find three pennies. He gave these pennies to the Wizard. The Wizard took the money and became happy. He made Roger Skunk smell like roses.

(iii) How does Mr. Lamb try to remove the baseless fears of Derry ?

Ans. Derry’s conversation with Mr. Lamb has a great effect on Derry. He realizes that he should not confine himself. Rather he should come out in the world. He should see the world, face it and emerge as a winner. Now he wants to live, he wants to forget about his ugly face, and makes his own wishes and his priorities. His life is more important than the views of other people about his face and life.

(iv) Who do you think has outwitted the other – Evans or the Governor ? How ?

Ans.

Evans was almost rearrested by the Governor in the hotel. He was handcuffed and made to sit in a prison van. But the people sitting inside the van were the close friends of Evans. They opened his handcuff on Evans’ instructions. They took the van towards Newsbury and Evans had his final escape. Thus Evans outwitted the Governor by dadging him at every step.

SET-B

(Reading Skills)

1. Read the following Passages given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) I had submitted an article ‘Reforming our education system’ recently wherein the need for our educational system to shift its focus from insisting upon remembering to emphasizing or understanding was stressed upon. This article brought back the memory of an interesting conversation between my daughter and myself in the recent times wherein I had learnt that Economics and Physics were a few of the most difficult subjects for her as she had to mug up the answers. Though I offered to help her out with the immediate problem on hand, I learnt subsequently that many a time it pays to mug up the answer properly because the teachers find it easier to evaluate that way. It seems, the more deviation there is from the way the sentences are framed in the textbook, the more risk one runs of losing marks on that count many a time. This reminded me of a training session I had attended at work wherein we were required to carry out an exercise of joining the dots that were drawn in rows of three without lifting the pen and without crossing the trodden path more than once Though the exercise seemed quite simple, almost 95 percent of us failed to achieve he required result, no matter how hard we tried. The instructor then informed us cheerily that it happened all the time, because the dots that appeared to fit into a box like formation do not allow us to think out of the box. That was when I realised that all of us carry these imaginary boxes in our minds. Thanks to our stereotyped upbringing that forces our thinking to conform to a set pattern. “What is the harm in conforming as long as it is towards setting up a good practice ? someone might want to ask. Perhaps, no harm done to others but to the person being confined to “think by rote” may mean being deprived of rising to the heights he/she is capable of rising to, even without the person being aware of the same. If we instil too much fear of failure in the children right from the young age, the urge to conform and play safe starts stifling the creative urge which dares to explore, err and explore again. As we know, most of the great inventions were initially considered to be most outrageous and highly impractical. It is because the persons inventing the same were not bothered about being ridiculed and were brave enough to think of the unthinkable that these inventions came into being. For many children, studies are the most boring aspect of their lives. Learning, instead of fun is being considered the most mundane and avoidable activity. Thanks to the propagators of an educational system which is more information oriented than knowledge oriented. Too much of syllabus, too many students per teacher, lack of enough hands-on exercises, teaching as a routine with the aim of completing the syllabus in time rather than with the goal of imparting knowledge, the curriculum more often than not designed keeping in view the most intelligent student rather than the average student are important factors in this regard. Peer pressure, high expectations of the parents in an extremely competitive environment, the multitude of distractions in an era of technological revolution are adding further to the burden on the young minds. For a change, can we have some English/Hindi poems ickle, tickle and pickle the young minds and send them on a wild goose chase for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow ? Can we have lessons in History that make the child feel proud of his heritage instead of asking him to mug up the years of the events ? Can the physics and chemistry lessons be taught more in the laboratories than in the classrooms ? Can a system be devised so as to make the educational excursions compulsory for schools so that visits to historical/botanical places are ensured without fail ? Can the educational institutes start off inter school projects on the Internet, the way the schools abroad do, so as to encourage the child to explore on her own and sum up her findings in the form of a report ? Finally, can we make the wonder of the childhood last and get carried forward into the adulthood instead of forcing pre-mature adulthood on children ? I, for one, have realised that it is worth doing so, hence I have asked my child to go ahead by choosing to write the answers on her own, in her own language by giving vent to her most fanciful imagination !

Questions :

(i) What were the difficult subjects for the narrator’s daughter ?

(a) Biology and Chemistry

(b) Economics and Physics

(d) History and Maths

Ans. (b) Economics and Physics

(ii) Why does it pay to mug up answers ?

(a) Because teachers find it easy to evaluate

(b) Because students find it easy to write

(d) Because students find it easy to remember

Ans. (a) Because teachers find it easy to evaluate

(iii) What stifles the creative urge in children ?

(a) The urge to be always right

(b) The urge to do well in everything

(d) The urge to take risks

Ans. (c) The urge to conform and play safe

(iv) Learning is now being considered …………

(a) an interesting activity

(b) a mundane and avoidable activity

(d) an interesting but avoidable activity

Ans. (b) a mundane and avoidable activity

(B) From the moment a baby first opens its eyes, it is learning. Sight and sensation spark off a learning process which will determine in large measure the sort of person it will become. Language stands head and shoulders over all other tools as an instrument of learning. It is language that gives man his lead in intelligence over all the other creatures. No other creature can assemble a list of ideas, consider them, draw conclusions and then explain his reasoning. Man can do all this because he possesses language. And if thought depends on language, clearly the quality of an individual’s thought will depend on that person’s language rudimentary or sophisticated, precise or approximate, stereotyped or original. Very young babies are soothed by human voice uttering comforting words close to them. This essentially emotional response provides early evidence that feeling is an important component of language learning. Children learn to use language in interaction with other human beings and this learning proceeds best against a background of affectionate feedback from the person who is closest to them. This is seen to perfection in the interaction between parent and a baby: eyes locked together, the adult almost physically drawing ‘verbal’ response from the baby, both engulfed by that unique experience of intimate and joyful ‘connecting’, which sets the pattern of the relationship between two people. Thus, long before they can speak, children are involved in a two-way process of communication, which is steadily building a foundation on which their later use of language will be based. Constantly surrounded by language, they are unconsciously building structures in their minds into which their speech and reading will later fit grammatical constructions, tense sequences and so on. The forms of these structures will depend on the amount and complexity of speech they hear. Fortunate are those children who listen to articulate adults, expressing ideas and defending opinions. They will know, long before they can contribute themselves and understand that relationships are forged through this process of speaking and listening; that warmth and humour have a place in the process, as have all other human emotions. Using books is the most important means of ensuring a child’s adequate language development. None of us can endlessly initiate and maintain speech with very small children; we run out of ideas or just get plain sick of it. Their lives are confined to a limited circle and they do not have enough experience to provide raw material for constant verbal interaction. Parents and children who share books share the same frame of reference. Incidents in everyday life constantly remind one or the other of a situation, a character, an action, from a jointly enjoyed book, with all the generation of warmth and well-being that is attendant upon such sharing. All too often, there is a breakdown of communication between parents and children when the problems of adolescence arise. In most cases, this is most acute when the give and take of shared opinion and ideas has not been constantly practised throughout childhood. Books can play a major role in the establishment of this verbal give and take, because they are rooted in language. Young children’s understanding greatly outruns their capacity for expression as their speech strains to encompass their awareness, to represent reality as they see it. Shades of meaning which may be quite unavailable to the child of limited verbal experience are startlingly talked to toddler. All the wonderful modifying words – later, nearly, tomorrow, almost, wait, half, lend, begin to steer the child away from the simple extremes of “Yes” and “No” towards the adult word of compromise; from the child’s black and white world to the subtle shades and tints of the real world. The range of imaginative experience opened up by books expands the inevitably limited horizons of children’s surroundings and allows them to make joyful, intrigued, awestruck acquaintance with countless people, animals, objects and ideas in their first years of life, to their incalculable advantage. Books also open children to new points of view besides their own as they unconsciously put themselves into other people’s places – ‘if that could happen to him, it could happen to me.’ This imaginative selfawareness brings apprehensions and fears as well as heightened hopes and joys. In books, children can experience language which is subtle, resourceful, exhilarating and harmonious; languages which provide the human ear (and understanding) with a pointed and precise pleasure, the searing illuminating impact of good and true words.

Questions :

(i) What is an important component of language learning ?

(a) Feeling

(b) Linguistics

(d) Environment

Ans. (a) Feeling

(ii) What are the things that a baby can do that enable it to learn about the world around it ?

(a) See and hear

(b) Sense and analyse

(d) See, hear and sense

Ans. (b) Sense and analyse

(iii) Why do books help in establishment of verbal give-and take ?

(a) Because they help in interaction with others

(b) Because they are rooted in language

(d) Because they have varied topics

Ans. (b) Because they are rooted in language

(iv) How do books help children see things from other’s point of view ?

(a) Books help in imaginative self-awareness

(b) Books have beautiful cover

(d) Books create awareness about various topics

Ans. (a) Books help in imaginative self-awareness

2. Read the following Passage carefully and make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Supply an appropriate title also :

It’s 10 pm and the research paper is due the next morning. Sam types frantically. Two weeks ago, it seemed that there was plenty of time to get the paper done. Last week, the final of a soccer match on TV made it hard to study. Now it’s crunch time. Looking at the clock, Sam wonders, “Why do I keep doing this to myself ? Why haven’t I learned not to put things off until the last minute ?” The word procrastination comes from the Latin term ‘Procrastinatus’. It means to put forward until tomorrow. Standard dictionary definitions all include the idea of postponement or delay. Steel, a psychologist who has reviewed hundreds of studies on the subject, states that to procrastinate is “to voluntarily delay an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse-off for the delay”. Another expert, Dr. Joseph R. Ferrari (2005), distinguishes between people who tend to put things off and “chronic” or “real” procrastinators for whom this is their life and who might even need therapy. Ferrari categorizes procrastinators into three types: (a) stimulation types that get a thrill from beating a deadline, (b) avoiders put off doing things that might make others think badly of them, and (c) decisional procrastinators postpone making a decision until they have enough information to avoid making a wrong choice. Chronic procrastinators tend to have a low self-esteem and focus on the past more than the future. The Discounted Expectancy Theory illustrates with a student like Sam who puts off writing a paper. When the deadline is far off, the rewards for socializing now are greater than those for finishing a task not due until later. As the deadline looms, the rewards or consequences for finishing the paper become more important. Tice and Baumeister (1997) found that procrastinators on the average got lower grades and had higher levels of stress and illness. Chu and Choi (2005) however, say that not all procrastinators are lazy and undisciplined. “Passive procrastinators” are more stressed, less efficient. “Active procrastinators prefer to work under pressure” and “if something unexpectedly comes up, they will knowingly switch gears and engage in new tasks they perceive as more urgent.”

Ans.

Note Making :

Title : Procrastination

Notes of the passage :

Introtn of proctn

1.1 Origin – Latin

1.2 Meaning – Put fwd. till tomorrow – Idea of postponement or delay

1.3 Steel (psychologist) – voluntary delay – despite expecting to be worse-off Categortn

2.1 Dr. Joseph R. Ferrari

2.1.1 Simtn types – thrill from beating a deadline

2.1.2 Avoiders – avoid things that make others think badly of them

2.1.3 Decisional – postpone making a decsn (until enough information)

2.1.4 Real procs – way of life (might need therapy)

2.1.5 Chronic procs

2.1.5.1 Low self-esteem

2.1.5.2 Focus on past

2.2 Tice and Baumeister

2.2.1 Procs got lower grades

2.2.2 Higher levels of stress and illness

2.3 Chu and Choi

2.3.1 Passive Procs – stressed, less efficient

2.3.2 Active procs – prefer to work under pressure, knowingly engage in new tasks (more urgent)

Key to Abbreviations

Introtn → Introduction

Fwd → Forward

Categortn → Categorisation

Simtn → Simulation

Decsn → Decision

Procs → Procrastinators

Proctn → Procrastination

(Grammar)

3. Attempt any two from each sub-part :

(a) Change the form of Narration :

(i) The girl said, “I shall do it.”

Ans. The girl said that she would do it.

(ii) “Where does the Principal live ?” a parent asked the peon.

Ans. A parent asked the peon where the Principal lived.

(iii) “I posted the letter” said the boy.

Ans. The boy said that he had posted the letter.

(b) Supply Articles wherever necessary :

(i) There is ………… swimming pool in our area.

Ans. a

(ii) Air is important for ……….. life to exist.

Ans. x

(iii) Mr. Rao is …………. Director of the Institute.

Ans. the

(i) If we request her, she …………. give a lift. (must/might)

Ans. might

(ii) ……….. you work hard you will pass. (should/can)

Ans. Should

(iii) I am sure the Principal ………… be in his room. (might/must)

Ans. must

(d) Change the Voice :

(i) I would like someone to help me.

Ans. I would like to be helped.

(ii) I don’t know the answer.

Ans. The answer is not known to me.

(iii) Don’t stay here.

Ans. You are ordered not to stay here.

(e) Use the correct form of Verbs given in the brackets :

(i) The director as well as the dancers ………… honoured. (was/were)

Ans. was

(ii) Four miles ………… not a long distance. (is/are)

Ans. is

(iii) Time and tide ……….. for none. (wait/waits)

Ans. wait

4. Attempt any two of the following :

(a) Avni/Ankit, a student of class XII has found a wallet in the school playground. In addition to cash, it contains some receipts. Write a notice for the school notice board inviting the rightful owner to claim it after giving detail of the wallet and its contents.

Ans.

K.N.P Public School

8th March 2022

NOTICE

Lost Wallet Found

I have found a lost wallet in the school playground yesterday after the school ended. The wallet seems like it’s of a male. It is brown leather wallet which consisted a sum of 300 rupees in it. There is a business card of a general manager of a construction company. The wallet is medium sized.

The rightful owner may come to me during the lunch break and I’ll hand it over to them only if I were sure it belongs to them.

A student of Class- XII

Avni

(b) You are Ramesh/Ramana, the owner of an independent house in D – Block, Sector 4, Sonipat. You plan to sell it off. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in “The Tribune”, giving all the relevant details.

Ans.

On sale ‘Pink Villa’ at Sonipat. Owner going abroad. The house has four bedroom, dining, swimming pool, kitchen, gym, clubhouse, parking and other necessary things. 24 hour power and water supply are available. Also, the house is situated in green area. Excepted price not below ₹ 45 lacs. Interested persons contact : Ramesh , D – block , sector – 4 , phone number – 2466599

Ans.

Cyber Safety means protecting data, networks, programs and other information from unauthorized or unattended access, destruction or change. In today’s world, Cyber Safety is very important because of some security threats and cyber-attacks. For data protection, many companies develop software. This software protects the data. Cyber Safety is important because not only it helps to secure information but also our system from virus attack. After the U.S.A. and China, India has the highest number of internet users.

5. Attempt any one of the following :

(a) You are Gagan/Geeta of K. M. Public School Rohtak. You are the Sports Captain of your school. The annual sports were conducted last month. Write a report of the event for your school magazine in 150-200 words.

Ans.

K. M. Public School

Shila By Pass Road

Rohtak

Annual Sports Program

The annual sports program of K. M. Public School has been conducted last month. Our president hon’ble Droupadi Murmu has been invited as the chief guest. She inaugurated our newly built science lab. Cheif guest and the dignitaries were welcomed by Gagan of class 12, the sports captain of our school. The program began sharply at the scheduled time of 10 am and completed at 1 pm.

Prizes were distributed to the winners and the entire program concluded with a Thanksgiving speech given by Kavya of class 12 the school pupil leader.

Gagan

Sports Captain

(b) Write a paragraph of about 100 words on ‘Discrimination of Women’.

Ans.

Women’s empowerment begins with the act of considering women equal to men. The whole of feminist ideology revolves around the concept of establishing equality of all sexes. Discrimination against women has been so imminent in our society that we often fail to notice the subtle and latent forms of sexism.

Women’s empowerment can only be brought about when women are made aware of their rights. Most girls grow up to believe that they are inferior to boys and, thus, surrender before the regressive and patriarchal structure of the society. Young girls must be taught that they are no less than boys and can achieve anything if they are determined to do so.

Education is a key prospect of this movement. Following this, the Government of India has passed the Right To Education Act by which every child below the age of 14 is entitled to free and compulsory education.

6. You are Suneel/Sunita, the head boy/girl of Raman Public School, Jind. An excursion has been planned from your school to Shimla. Write a letter to The Secretary, Youth Hostel, Shimla requesting him to provide accommodation for 15 girls and 20 boys for five days. (125-150 words)

Ans.

Date : 13th June 2022

Suneel (head boy)

Raman Public School

Jind

To,

The secretary of

Youth hostel Shimla

171001

Subject : Sincere request to make accommodation facilities available for 15 girls and 20 boys

Respected sir ,

I master sunil bhatia being the head boy of school take this opportunity to write a letter to you with permission of our headmaster. The motto of my letter is to request for accommodation facilities. We being the students of class 10th have written our ssc exams last week. As you know we worked day and night with blood ,sweat and tears to prepare for exams.

Now after our exams are over we have decided to plan a trip with one of our teachers. This shows that we stand in unity. 15 girls and 20 boys have enrolled their name for this trip. We were confused about deciding the location of trip. But then we choose shimla. Shimla also known as Simla is the capital and largest city of indian state of Himachal Pradesh. We decided this location certainly because of heat and temperature in mumbai. It’s almost boiling outside at a temperature of 45 degree. So we decided to visit a chill and a cool place. Thus we came to this conclusion. I know your facilities are up to the mark and beyond standard that will suit us. So please keep 35 rooms booked for us. During our departure pls keep the total amount of accommodation and facilities available so that we can pay it easily.

I hope with your help this journey will be a cake walk . kindly accept this humble request. As we students have our last vacations to enjoy our life to fullest possible.

Your sincerely

(your name )

email = [email protected]

[A : Main Reader (Prose)]

7. Read the Passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) This gang of nationally integrated makeup men could turn any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster with the help of truck-loads of pancake and a number of other locally made potions and lotions. Those were the days of mainly indoor shooting and only five percent of the film was shot outdoors. I suppose the sets and studio lights needed the girls and boys to be made to look ugly in order to look presentable in the movie.

Questions :

(i) Name the author of the chapter from which this passage has been taken :

(a) Louis Fisher

(b) Asokamitran

(d) A. R. Barton

Ans. (b) Asokamitran

(ii) What could makeup men do ?

(a) change the appearance of a person

(b) cheat any person

(d) all of the above

Ans. (a) change the appearance of a person

(iii) What is used by makeup men ?

(a) pancakes

(b) potions

(d) all of the above

Ans. (d) all of the above

(iv) What type of shooting was done mostly in those days ?

(a) indoor

(b) outdoor

(d) neither (a) nor (b)

Ans. (a) indoor

(v) In those days only ……….. films were shot outdoors.

(a) 1%

(b) 5%

(d) 20%

Ans. (b) 5%

(B) On Saturday they made their weekly pilgrimage to watch United. Sophie and her father and little Derek went down near the goal – Geoff, as always, went with his mates higher up. United won two-nil and Casey drove in the second goal, a blend of innocence and Irish genius, going round the two big defenders on the edge of the penalty area, with her father screaming for him to pass, and beating the hesitant goalkeeper from a dozen yards. Sophie glowed with pride. Afterwards Geoff was ecstatic.

Questions :

(i) Who went on weekly pilgrimage ?

(a) Sophie

(b) Sophie’s younger brother, Derek

(d) All of the above

Ans. (d) All of the above

(ii) Where did Sophie’s family go every Saturday ?

(a) Picnic

(b) Theatre

(d) All of the above

Ans. (c) Pilgrimage

(iii) Casey was a ………..

(a) Football player

(b) Hockey player

(d) Chess player

Ans. (a) Football player

(iv) Casey belonged to ……….

(a) England

(b) ireland

(d) Poland

Ans. (b) ireland

(v) How does the author describe Casey’s second goal ?

(a) A blend of innocence

(b) irish genius

(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Ans. (c) Both (a) and (b)

8. Answer any one of the following :

The bangle makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles and make everyone happy but they live and die in squalor. Elaborate.

Ans. The houses of the bangle sellers are located in stinking lanes choked with garbage. Their homes are like hovels with crumbling walls, wobbly doors and without windows. They are crowded with families of humans and animals like the ancient days. The impoverished bangle sellers are not in a position to send their sons to school except teaching them the art of bangle making. The workers usually go blind with the dust from polishing the glass of bangles. The bangle makers of Firozabad make beautiful bangles of all colours. They make everyone happy. But they are ill fated to live and die in squalor. Their women have no light in their eyes. They never eat one full meal ever in their life. The hard work breaks their backs. They are ever afraid of the police if they form cooperatives. Those who give cheer to others are lotted to live in gloom.

OR Edna is a better judge of character than her father. Justify.

Ans. Edla proved to be much more persuasive than her father in dealing with the peddler. His gentle behavior and kind treatment managed to, effect a monumental change in the latter. Although Edla had misgivings, she convinced her father to let the peddler stay and revelled in the opportunity to actually help a poor, hungry, homeless man, who was always chased away by everyone. She wanted him to enjoy a day of peace and partake in the Christmas festivities. She was kind, sympathetic and friendly with the stranger, taking hold of his hand and leading him to the dinner table, thus, making him a part of her family, at least for a day. It was this act of kindness that helped the peddler change himself. Besides, before leaving, he left a Christmas present for her and signed it as Captain Von Stahle. So she proved that Edla is better judge of character than her father.

9. Answer any five of the following :

(i) How does M. Hamel pay a tribute to the French language ?

Ans. In the short story ‘The Last Lesson,’ the French teacher, M. Hamel, paid tribute to the French language by calling it the most beautiful, clearest and logical language in the entire world. He asked his students to guard their native tongue among themselves and never to forget their mother tongue.

Lastly, he wrote the French phrase ‘Vive La France” on the blackboard which translates as “Long Live France.”

(ii) What could be some of the reasons for the migration of people from villages to cities ?

Ans. There are many factors that cause migration of people from villages to cities. Some villagers voluntarily move to the cities in search for jobs and better civic and health facilities, etc. Others are forced to migrate when natural disasters like flood, storm, drought, famine, etc. destroy their houses and properties. History has records of large scale migrations caused by wars. Also, many villagers who are better off than others manage to send their children to study in the cities.

(iii) Which factors led Douglas to decide in favour of Y.M.C.A. pool ?

Ans. The Y.M.C.A. pool was safe. It was only two to three feet deep at the shallow end. It was nine feet deep at the other. Moreover, the drop was gradual. The Yakima River was treacherous and had drowned many. So, he decided in favour of the Y.M.C.A. pool.

(iv) Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler ?

Ans. As soon as Edla opened the package of the gift, the contents came into view. She found a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter addressed to her. The peddler wanted to be nice in return as she had been so nice to him all day long. He did not want her to be embarrassed at the Christmas season by a thief.

(v) How was Gandhi treated at Rajendra Prasad’s house ?

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi’s humble and simple attire made the servants of Rajendra Prasad’s house mistake him as another poor peasant. He was not allowed to draw water from the well because the servants believed he was an untouchable and even a few drops of water from his bucket could pollute the entire well.

(vi) What was the special fascination of the teenager Sophie ?

Ans. The unknown outlying districts of her city unknown places beyond her country, and the world of places where she had never been were great attraction for Sophie. She wished to know about exotic interesting people, and brother’s affections. She hoped to go there with her brother Geoff.

(vii) What did Sophie tell Geoff about Danny Casey ?

Ans. Danny Casey was a young Irish player of the United first squad. Sophie told Geoff of meeting Danny Casey at Royce’s window. It surprised him and he wanted to know the truth. She told about Danny Casey’s gentle green eyes. She talked with him first and asked for an autograph. But neither had a pen nor paper. So he promised to do it next week, if she cared.

[B : Main Reader (Poetry)]

10. Read the Stanza given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) Unless, governor, inspector, visitor,

This map becomes their window and these windows

That shut upon their lives like catacombs,

Break O break open till they break the town

Questions :

(i) Name the poem and poet.

Ans. Poem- An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum

Poet- Stephen Spender

(ii) What is meant by ‘this map’ ?

Ans. It is a map of the world which is hung on the wall of the classroom.

(iii) What are ‘these windows’ which the poet talks of ?

Ans. They are the classroom windows from where the children could see only a narrow street and the dull sky.

(iv) What have been referred to as ‘catacombs’ ?

Ans. The little narrow homes of the slumdwellers are referred to as catacombs.

(B) Perhaps the Earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

and later proves to be alive.

Now I’ll count up to twelve

and you keep quiet and I will go.

Questions :

(i) Name the poem and poet.

Ans. Poem- Keeping Quiet

Poet- Pablo Neruda

(ii) What and how can the Earth teach us ?

Ans. The Earth can teach us how life emerges from the remains or ashes of the dead. It also teaches us the art of preserving and resurrecting life on Earth. At times, the Earth seems to be dead on the surface. But beneath this dormant surface, there is an amazing life, which goes on to prove that there can be life under apparent stillness.

(iii) Explain, ‘you keep quiet and I will go’.

Ans. Pablo Neruda implores mankind to keep quiet and experience the ecstatic moments of silence. This meditation and introspection helps rejuvenate and create a new’ trend of thoughts and brings changes in thought process for the better. After having achieved his intentions, the poet quietly departs to leave man to meditate, introspect and revel in that very exotic moment.”

(iv) What poetic device is used in the 1st line here ?

Ans. Personification as ‘Earth’ is depicted like an instructor to us.

11. Answer any two of the following :

(i) How does the poem, ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’, portray the children ?

Ans. An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum is a beautifully penned down poem by Stephen Spender that exposes the glaring gaps and marginalisation that occurs ever so often in our societies. Spender is publicly a scrupulous objector and a socialist. The poet aims to portray the conditions of the youngsters residing in the slum. The poet compares the conditions of the “haves” (Privileged children) and the “have-nots ‘(Underprivileged children of slum).

(ii) Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a lasting impression on us ?

Ans. We must agree with the version that the things of beauty make a lasting impression on us. In the very beginning, John Keats makes it very clear that a thing of beauty is a joy for ever. It is a permanent source of joy. Instead of going into nothingness it goes on surpassing. It leaves an indelible impression on our minds. It removes sadness and brings happiness to our depressed spirits.

(iii) Why do you think Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering through her wool’ in the second stanza ? Why is she finding the needle so hard to pull ?

Ans. Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering through her wool’ because she is an old lady on whom age has taken its toll. The fluttering of Aunt Jennifer’s fingers also signifies her oppressed mental condition which makes it difficult for her to even pull an ivory needle while embroidering.

(Supplementary Reader)

12. Answer any one of the following :

Giving a bribe is an evil practice. How did the Tiger King bribe the British Officer to save his kingdom ? How do you view this act of his ?

Ans. The Tiger King dispatched a telegram to a famous British company of jewellers in Calcutta to send samples of expensive diamond rings of different designs. Some fifty rings arrived and the king sent the entire lot to the British officer’s wife. The king and his minister had expected that the duraisani would choose one or two rings and send the rest back. However, it turned out that the duraisani had kept the entire lot and replied with a thank you note for the gifts. In two days, a bill for three lakh rupees came from the British jewellers, which the Maharaja was happy to pay because he had managed to retain his kingdom. This act of the king sheds light on the deplorable practice of bribery that perpetuates the vicious cycle of corruption, especially considering the fact that the king had personal interests to protect rather than the welfare of his kingdom.

OR Why does Jo want that the wizard should hit the mommy ? Does her stand reflect a child’s perspective on life ? What is your choice ?

Ans. Jo wanted the Wizard to hit the mommy on her head with an umbrella because she believed Roger’s mother hadn’t done the correct thing by forcing the Wizard to make Roger smell bad again. And that is why she should be punished.

Jo was a small girl who did not understand the meaning of being real or the importance of keeping one’s uniqueness. She sought to have a hunky-dory finish to her story.

However, life doesn’t always have happy endings and sometimes things do not work according to our choice. So, according to me, Jack did the right thing to not change the end of the story.

13. Answer any three of the following :

(i) Why was the girl tied to a chair in Memories of Childhood ?

Ans. Zitkala Sa tells about her first day in school. She had long hair. According to the culture of the whites they wanted to cut her long hair. But she refused to obey their decision. She was dragged out and tied fast with a chair for cutting her hair. She resisted but all in vain.

(ii) What did Dr. Sadao do to help Tom escape to freedom ?

Ans. Dr Sadao knew that the wounded American sailor Tom could be arrested any time. So he decided to help him in escaping. He decided to give his private boat with food and clothes in it. He could row it to a little island not far from the coast. Nobody lived there. In this way, he could escape to freedom.

(iii) How was Jo affected by Jack’s story-telling ?

Ans. Jo was affected by Jack’s story telling as she developed a sense of inquisitiveness. She would question her father on various points based on her understandings. She developed a sense of thinking and understanding things according to her own perapective. She also became a good listner.

(iv) What clues did the answer sheet of Evans provide to the Governor ?

Ans. There was a photocopied sheet hidden in the German question paper. It was very cleverly pasted on the last blank sheet of the question paper. It had instructions written in German. It read: “Follow the plan. The vital point in time is three minutes before the end of the examination.” It was also instructed not to hit the parson hard, he is a minister and not to over do the Scot accent etc. It had also instruction to move towards the Headington round about and then to make way to Newsbury. The Governor coded it for Newsbury and the hunt for Evans started.

SET-C

(Reading Skills)

1. Read the following Passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) For four days, I walked through the narrow lanes of the old city, enjoying the romance of being in a city where history still lives – in its cobblestone streets and people riding asses, carrying vine leaves and palm as they once did during the time of Christ. This is Jerusalem, home to the sacred sites of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. This is the place that houses the church of the Holy Sepulchre, the place where Jesus was finally laid to rest. This is also the site of Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Built by the Roman Emperor Constantine at the site of an earlier temple to Aphrodite, it is the most venerated Christian shrine in the world. And justifiably so. Here, within the church, are the last five stations of the cross, the 10th station where Jesus was stripped of his clothes, the 11th where he was nailed to the cross, the 12th where he died on the cross, the 13th where the body was removed from the cross, and the 14th, his tomb. For all this weighty tradition, the approach and entrance to the church is nondescript. You have to ask for directions. Even to the devout Christian pilgrims walking along the Via Dolorosa – the Way of Sorrows – first nine stations look clueless. Then a courtyard appears, hemmed in by other buildings and a doorway to one side. This leads to a vast area of huge stone architecture. Immediately inside the entrance, is your first stop. It’s the stone of anointing: this is the place, according to Greek tradition, where Christ was removed from the cross. The Roman Catholics, however, believe it to be the spot where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial by Joseph. What happened next ? Jesus was buried. He was taken to a place outside the city of Jerusalem where other graves existed and there, he was buried in a cave. However, all that is long gone, destroyed by continued attacks and rebuilding; what remains is the massive – and impressive – Rotunda (a round building with a dome) that Emperor Constantine built. Under this, and right in the centre of the Rotunda, is the structure that contains the Holy Sepulchre. “How do you know that this is Jesus’ tomb ?” I asked one of the pilgrims standing next to me. He was clueless, more interested, like the rest of them, in the novelty of it all and in photographing it, than in its history or tradition. At the start of the first century, the place was a disused quarry outside the city walls. According to the gospels, Jesus’ crucifixion occurred ‘at a place outside the city walls with graves nearby … ‘ … Archaeologists have discovered tombs from that era, so the site is compatible with the biblical period. The structure at the site is a marble tomb built over the original burial chamber. It has two rooms, and you enter four at a time into the first of these, the Chapel of the Angel. Here the angel is supposed to have sat on a stone to recount Christ’s resurrection. A low door made of white marble, partly worn away by pilgrims’ hands, leads to a smaller chamber inside. This is the ‘room of the tomb’, the place where Jesus was buried. We entered in single file. On my right was a large marble slab that covered the original rock bench on which the body of Jesus was laid. A woman knelt and prayed. Her eyes were wet with tears. She pressed her face against the slab to hide them, but it only made it worse.

Questions :

(i) How does Jerusalem still retain the charm of ancient era ?

(a) There are narrow lanes

(b) Roads are paved with cobblestones

(d) All of the above

Ans. (d) All of the above

(ii) Holy Sepulchre is sacred to __

(a) Christianity

(b) islam

(d) Both (a) and (c)

Ans. (b) islam

(iii) Why does one have to constantly ask for directions to the church ?

(a) Its lanes are narrow

(b) Entrance to the church is nondescript

(d) Everyone is lost in enjoying the romance of the place

Ans. (b) Entrance to the church is nondescript

(iv) Where was Jesus buried ?

(a) In a cave

(b) At a place outside the city

(d) Both (a) and (b)

Ans. (d) Both (a) and (b)

(B) Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so much grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and time turning him into an immortal personality. He along with his kingdom became a synonym for valour, sacrifice and patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput kingdom even before Maharana Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of their nobles and subjects, had established such traditions in the kingdom, as augmented their magnificence despite the hurdles of having a smaller area under their command and less population. There did come a few thorny occasions when the flag of the kingdom seemed sliding down. Their flag once again heaved high in the sky thanks to the gallantry and brilliance of the people of Mewar. The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the rulers were competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued for 1500 years since its establishment, right from the reign of Bappa Rawal. In fact, only 60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga drove the kingdom to the pinnacle of fame. His reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two generations before him, Rana Kumbha had given a new stature to the kingdom through victories and developmental work. During his reign, literature and art also progressed extraordinarily. Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with reverence even today. The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of high quality work of art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome of a long-standing tradition sustained by several generations. The life of the people of Mewar have been peaceful and prosperous during the long span of time; otherwise such extraordinary accomplishment in these fields would not have been possible. This is reflected in their art and literature as well as their loving nature. They compensate for lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant nature. The ambience of Mewar remains lovely thanks to the cheerful and liberal character of its people. One may observe astonishing pieces of workmanship not only in the forts and palaces of Mewar but also in public utility buildings. Ruins of many structures which are still standing tall in their grandeur are testimony to the fact that Mewar was not only the land of the brave but also a seat of art and culture. Amidst aggression and bloodshed, literature and art flourished and creative pursuits of literature and artists did not suffer. Imagine, how glorious the period must have been when the Vijaya Stambha which is the sample of our great ancient architecture even today, was constructed. In the same fort, Kirti Stambha is standing high, reflecting how liberal the then administration was which allowed people from other communities and kingdoms to come and carry out construction work. It is useless to indulge in the debate whether the Vijay Stambha was constructed first or the Kirti Stambha. The fact is that both the capitals are standing side by side and reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar. The cycle of time does not remain the same. Whereas the reign of Rana Sanga was crucial in raising the kingdom to the acme of glory, it also proved to be his nemesis. History took a turn. The fortune of Mewar – the land of the brave, started waning. Rana tried to save the day with his acumen which was running against the stream and the glorious traditions for sometime.

Questions :

(i) Maharana Pratap became immortal because :

(a) he ruled Mewar for 25 years

(b) he added a lot of grandeur to Mewar

(d) both (b) and (c)

Ans. (d) both (b) and (c)

(ii) Difficulties in the way of Mewar were :

(a) lack of cooperation of the nobility

(b) ancient traditions of the kingdom

(d) the poverty of the subjects

Ans. (c) its small area and small population

(iii) During thorny occasions :

(a) The flag of Mewar seemed to be lowered

(b) The people of Mewar showed gallantry

(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Ans. (c) Both (a) and (b)

(iv) Mewar was lucky because :

(a) Most of its people were competent

(b) Most of its rulers were competent

(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Ans. (c) Both (a) and (b)

2. Read the following Passage carefully and make notes on it using headings and sub headings. Supply an appropriate title also :

Whether work should be placed among the causes of happiness or among the causes of unhappiness may perhaps be regarded as a doubtful question. There is certainly much work which is exceedingly irksome, and an excess of work is always very painful. However, work is not, to most people, more painful than idleness. There are, in work, all grades; from more relief of tedium up to the profoundest delights, according to the nature of the work and the abilities of the worker. Most of the work that most people have to do is not interesting in itself, but even that work has certain great advantages. To begin with, it fills a good many hour of the day without the need of deciding what one shall do. Most people, when they are left free to fill their own time according to their own choice, are at a loss to think of anything sufficiently pleasant to be worth doing. And whatever they decide on, they are troubled by the feeling that something else would have been more pleasant here. To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization and at present very few people have reached this level. Moreover, the exercise of choice is tiresome in itself. Except, to people with unusual initiative, it is positively agreeable to be told what to do at each hour of the day, provided the orders are not too unpleasant. Most of the idle rich suffer unspeakable boredom. At times they may find relief by hunting big game in Africa or by flying around the world, but the number of such sensations is limited, especially after youth is past. Accordingly, the more intelligent rich men work nearly as hard as if they were poor. Work, therefore is desirable, first and foremost as a preventive of boredom, although uninteresting work is as boring as having nothing to do. With this advantage of work, another associated advantage is that it makes holidays much more delicious when they come. Provided that a man does not have to work so hard as to impair his vigour, he is likely to find far more zest than an idle man would possibly find. The second advantage of most paid work and some of unpaid work is that it gives chances of success and opportunities for ambition. In most work, success is measured by income and while our capitalistic society continues, this is inevitable. However dull work too, becomes bearable, if it is a means of building up a reputation. Continuity of purpose is one of the most essential ingredients of happiness and that comes chiefly through work.

Ans.

Note Making :

Title : Joys of Working

Notes of the passage :

Can cause happiness

(i) Nature of wrk.

(ii) Abilities of wrk.

Can cause unhappiness

(i) Irksome wrk.

(ii) Excess wrk. – painful

Uninteresting wrk.-↑ Advntgs.

(a) Fills hrs of day

Choosing-tiresome & trblsm.

(a) Ppl- ↑ Initiative-fine

(b) No pleasant orders-fine

Idle rich-Bored

(a) Relief

(i) Hunting in Africa

(ii) Flying arnd. d world

Work-desirable

(a) Prevents boredom

(b) Enj. holidays ↑

(d) Fulfil ambition

(e) Monetary benefits

(f) ↑ Reputation

(g) Gives a purpose in life

(h) Essential for happiness

Key to Abbreviation

Wrk → Work

Advntgs. → Advantages

Trblsm → Troublesome

Ppl → People

D → The

Enj. → Enjoy

↑- → Increase

(Grammar)

3. Attempt any two from each sub-part :

(a) Change the form of Narration :

(i) “Lie down, Mohan”, the father said to his son.

Ans. The father asked his son Mohan to lie down.

(ii) “What shall I tell him, Mummy ?” the child asked.

Ans. The child asked his/her mummy what he/she should tell him.

(iii) He said, “I do Yogasanas daily.”

Ans. He said that he does yogasanas daily.

(b) Supply Articles wherever necessary :

(i) ……… sky has no limits.

Ans. The

(ii) He is admitted to ……… hospital.

Ans. x

(iii) This ring is made of ………. gold.

Ans. x

(i) ……….. our king live long! (May/Will)

Ans. May

(ii) Make haste lest you ……….. get late. (will/should)

Ans. should

(iii) My friend did not help me though he ………… have helped. (could/will)

Ans. could

(d) Change the Voice :

(i) There is nothing to lose.

Ans. There is nothing to be lost.

(ii) Shall I eat the fruit ?

Ans. Will the fruit be eaten by me ?

(iii) The fruit tastes sweet.

Ans. The fruit is sweet when (it is) tasted.

(e) Use the correct form of Verb given in the brackets :

(i) I or he ………… to be rewarded. (am/is)

Ans. is

(ii) Many an accident ………….. recently taken place. (has/have)

Ans. has

(iii) No student and no teacher ………… present. (was/were)

Ans. was

4. Attempt any two of the following :

(a) On the occasion of World Book Day, the school has decided to organise a Book Fair. Vishaka/Vishnu, the secretary of the Book Club, wants to call a meeting of the office bearers of the club to discuss the arrangements for the fair. Write a notice in not more than 50 words.

Ans. Do Self.

(b) You are Sudha/Sudhir of Model Town, Sonipat. You wish to purchase some property in Hisar. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in “The Tribune”, giving all the relevant details.

Ans. Do Self.

5. Attempt any one of the following :

(a) You are Ankit/Ankita. You participated in a career counselling programme organised by ‘Careers’. You had the opportunity of listening to professionals from various fields like food technology, Biometric Sciences, nanotechnology, media management etc. Write a report of the programme in about 150-200 words for ‘Employment Avenues.’

Ans.

Dream Careers , a famous Career recruitment agency in Delhi organized career counselling program to graduates. The two day program was aimed at introducing various courses to freshers as well as professionals. I and my classmates attended this program. I was initially confused about what field to choose after my degree, Dream Careers showed so many options. Many new courses like Nanotechnology for beginners, Media management , Digital consultation , Communication strategist , blockchain expert and biometric scientist were introduced. Experts from respective fields briefly explained the main contents about these careers. They were very helpful , cleared our doubts. The session was worth attending. We had a nice time talking to some experts who shared their success stories with us. As a graduate in English I am planning to pursue Media Management. We also got to meet freshers like us from various colleges. My friend has chosen Food Technology. This program cleared our doubts and filled courage.

(b) Write a paragraph of about 100 words on ‘Freedom of Speech’.

Ans.

Freedom of speech allows the people of our country to express themselves, and share their ideas, views and opinions openly. As a result, the public and the media can comment on any political activity and also express their dissent towards anything they think is not appropriate. Various other countries too provide freedom of speech to their citizens but they have certain limitations. Different countries have different restrictions on their freedom of speech. Some countries also do not allow this fundamental right at all and the best example being North Korea. There, the media or the public are not allowed to speak against the government. It becomes a punishable offence to criticize the government or the ministers or the political parties.

6. You are interested in taking The British Council library membership in Delhi. Write a letter to The Head Librarian asking for the details and the required procedure. You are Preetam/Priya.

Ans.

Preetam

113/B Rajaji Colony

Delhi

Date: 18/01/2022

The Head Librarian,

British Council Library,

Delhi

Subject : Expressing the idea of receiving a membership card

Sir,

I am a good reader and I read daily the esteemed columns in the newspaper. I am a student and I am much interested in reading books as I go to the library to read and take books home by placing entry I wish to take a membership card so it will be easy to take my needed books as easily.

A library is said to the treasure of a place as will emit several good spirits who read books continuously. I am here to request you to reveal the procedures for being a member of the British library New Delhi. I also ask you to respond to this letter as soon as possible so I can complete the procedures and be a member.

Thank you

Preetam

[A : Main Reader (Prose)]

7. Read the Passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) I heard M. Hamel say to me, “I won’t scold you, little Franz; you must feel bad enough. See how it is! Every day we have said to ourselves, ‘Bah! I’ve plenty of time. I’ll learn it tomorrow.’ And now you see where we’ve come out. Ah, that’s the great trouble with Alsace; she puts off learning till tomorrow. Now those fellows out there will have the right to say to you, ‘How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak nor write your own language ?’ But you are not the worst, poor little Franz. We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with.”

Questions :

(i) Name the chapter from which this passage has been taken :

(a) The Last Lesson

(b) Lost Spring

(d) The Rattrap

Ans. (a) The Last Lesson

(ii) Who does ‘I’ refer to in these lines ?

(a) M. Hamel

(b) Alphonse Daudet

(d) None of the above

Ans. (d) None of the above

(iii) Who would not scold Franz ?

(a) His father

(b) His mother

(d) None of the above

Ans. (c) M. Hamel

(iv) What is the trouble with Alsace ?

(a) she is putting off learning till tomorrow

(b) she is leaving the city till tomorrow

(d) none of the above

Ans. (a) she is putting off learning till tomorrow

(v) Which language does M. Hamel teach ?

(a) English

(b) German

(d) Hindi

Ans. (c) French

(B) Gandhi decided to go first to Muzzafarpur, which was en route to Champaran, to obtain more complete information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting. He accordingly sent a telegram to Professor J. B. Kripalani, of the Arts College in Muzzafarpur, whom he had seen at Tagore’s Shantiniketan school. The train arrived at midnight, 15 April, 1917. Kripalani was waiting at the station with a large body of students. Gandhi stayed there for two days in the home of Professor Malkani, a teacher in a government school. “It was an extraordinary thing in those days,” Gandhi commented, “for a government professor to harbour a man like me”. In smaller localities, the Indians were afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home-rule.

Questions :

(i) Where did Gandhiji decide to go first ?

(a) Sevagram

(b) Lucknow

(d) Muzzafarpur

Ans. (d) Muzzafarpur

(ii) Why did Gandhiji decide to stay there briefly ?

(a) to meet old friends

(b) to meet the sharecroppers

(d) to find the official version

Ans. (c) to obtain complete information

(iii) Whom had Gandhiji informed telegraphically ?

(a) Professor J. B. Kriplani

(b) Rajendra Prasad

(d) Brij Kishor Babu

Ans. (a) Professor J. B. Kriplani

(iv) When did Gandhiji’s train arrive there ?

(a) at noon

(b) at midnight

(d) at sunrise

Ans. (b) at midnight

(v) Who were waiting at the station with Kriplani ji ?

(a) Sharecroppers

(b) Home-rule supporters

(d) College students

Ans. (d) College students

8. Answer any one of the following :

Write a character sketch of Franz.

Ans. Franz was a student in one of the schools in the districts of Alsace. Having a poor family set up, the boy was often asked to work in some mill for earning some money. But the family could not pay due attention towards his education, so the boy loved outside environment and wanted to enjoy it. In the school too, he often loved to work in the garden. He became fond of shirking from work and used to put off his learning as well as home task. But he was much scared of his teacher M. Hamel.

In addition to this, the boy had an acute sense of understanding, feeling, recognition and respect. Entering the school, he sensed unusualness and calmness there. He was much surprised at this and was rather troubled to know that his teacher was leaving them because of an order from Berlin had banned the teaching of French. During the writing period, he noticed sad expressions over the face of M. Hamel. When the teacher taught a lesson in grammar, it left an indelible impression on the boy. He felt that the teacher was going to pour everything in their minds. Then the teacher wrote on the blackboard ‘Long Live France’. The boy was deeply moved and he recognised his teacher for his worth. Thus Franz had all the senses of head and heart.

The Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhiji’s life. Elucidate.

Ans. One Raj Kumar Shukla from Champaran, on the annual meeting of Indian National Congress, apprised Gandhiji about the appalling condition of share-croppers there. Gandhiji reached there and came to know that the large estates were owned by the Englishmen and the Indians worked as their tenant farmers and they had to pay 15% of their land. After the investigations by Gandhi and the lawyers into the grievances of the farmers, it was decided by the Britishers that 25% of the money would be refunded. The farmers learnt that they had their rights and they became courageous. Within a few years the landlords relinquished their claims over the estates and the farmers became the owners.

Gandhi saw their social, economic and cultural backwardness of the area. He appointed volunteers to teach the villagers. Kasturba Gandhi taught the Ashram rules and personal cleanliness and community sanitation. He got a doctor to volunteer his services for six months to improve the health conditions of the people.

They realised the value of self-reliance. The lawyers helped the peasants in their cases. Women gave Gandhi whole hearted support and the countrymen embarked in the national freedom movement. It became a turning point in the career of Gandhiji.

9. Answer any five of the following :

(i) “What a thunderclap these words were to me!” Which were the words that shocked and surprised little Franz ?

Ans. Franz was shocked when M. Hamel told the students about the order from Berlin and that it was their last French lesson. He forgot about his teacher’s ruler and crankiness. He developed a fondness for M. Hamel at the troubling idea of being separated from him forever. He understood the pain and agony his teacher was undergoing. And, he became more sympathetic towards his teacher.

(ii) Would you agree that promises made to poor children are poorly kept ? Why do you think this happens in the incidents narrated in the text ?

Ans. No, the promises made to the poor are usually not kept. The author asks Saheb if he would join her school if she starts one to which he agrees. However, when they meet again after a few days, the writer feels embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant. However, she is not the only one who makes a promise she cannot keep. Poor children are used to a world where they are denied basic facilities and many promises made to them are broken.

(iii) Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle ?

Ans. The peddler signed himself as Captain von Stable because Edla had treated him like a captain. He also mentioned that had he not declared himself as a captain, he would have been part of the rattrap.

(iv) Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap ?

Ans. One day the peddler was moving round selling his rattraps. He suddenly thought that the whole world about him was nothing but a rattrap. Its land, cities, and villages existed only to set baits for the people. It offered riches, joys, shelter, food, heat and clothing etc. as the rattrap offered cheese and pork for the rats.

(v) How could Gandhi persuade the lawyers to follow him into jail ?

Ans. Gandhi asked the lawyers what they would do if he was sentenced to prison. They said that they had come to advise him. If he went to jail, they would go home. Then Gandhi asked them about the injustice to the sharecroppers. The lawyers held consultations. They came to the conclusion that it would be shameful desertion if they went home. So, they told Gandhi that they were ready to follow him into jail.

(vi) Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey ?

Ans. No, Sophie did not really meet Danny Casey. She was very fascinated by the young Irish footballer. She imagined his coming. She sat in the park, waiting for Casey and knowing that he would not come.

(vii) What happened when Sophie and her family went to watch the match on Saturday ?

Ans. The only occasion when Sophie got to see Danny Casey in person was when the family went to watch United on Saturday. Sophie, her father and little Derek went down near the goal. Geoff went with his mates higher up. United won two-nil. Her idol Casey drove in the second goal. She saw the Irish genius going round two big defenders on the edge of penalty area. He beat the hesitant goal keeper from a dozen yards. Sophie glowed with pride. She was very happy.

[B : Main Reader (Poetry)]

10. Read the Stanza given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) Fishermen in the cold sea

would not harm whales

and the man gathering salt

would look at his hurt hands.

Questions :

(i) Name the poem and poet.

Ans. Poem- Keeping Quiet

Poet- Pablo Neruda

(ii) What are ‘fishermen’ symbolic of ?

Ans. ‘Fishermen’ symbolise those people who have been indiscriminately exploiting nature and Mother Earth for their own vested interests.

(iii) What message does the poet seem to give in these lines ?

Ans. The message that Neruda wishes to convey is that the desire of man for more and more progress and advancement has done more destruction than development. Man seems to have no concern or care for his brethren.

(iv) What image does Neruda portray in the last lines ?

Ans. The image that Neruda seems to create in the last lines is one of incessant suffering. In order to make life more comfortable, he pays no heed to the sufferings he has undergone. The men, who gather salt do not look at their hurt palms because they are more busy making life more comfortable for themselves and for their families.

(B) Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to blind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days

Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways.

Made for our searching

Questions :

(i) Name the poem and poet.

Ans. Poem- A Thing of Beauty

Poet- John Keats

(ii) Explain : ‘Wreathing a flowery band to bind us to earth’.

Ans. Keats feels that every morning we weave a beautiful string of flowers or memories which help us to support ourselves and motivates us to live our life to the fullest instead of burdening our lives with pain and suffering.

(iii) Why is there an ‘inhuman dearth of noble natures’ ?

Ans. In these days, there are few people who are noble in character and who rise above petty differences by being magnanimous and generous. There is a dearth of such noble souls on our earth; as man is selfish and self-centered.

(iv) What are ‘unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways’ ?

Ans. The unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways refer to the trials and tribulations of life, the selfish and jealous methods we adopt to achieve our goals.

11. Answer any two of the following :

(i) What does the poet want for the children of the slums ?

Ans. The poet has a keen desire that these slum children should break the bonds of living in a slum area. They should not remain dejected, depressed and isolated from the rest of the civilized world. So he urges the governors, teachers, inspectors, invigilators and visitors to come forward and educate the slum children. They should be taken to the horizons of the blue sky so that they can progress and cope with the other world. Through education their lives can be made to change.

(ii) What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits ? How is it removed ?

Ans. John Keats says that pain and suffering are a part of life. These bring us sadness and despondence. But still, we can find hope. The hope and motivation come from nature and remove the pall of despondence from our spirits. The beautiful sights give us inspiration to continue the journey of life.

(iii) Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her own character ? What might the poet be suggesting, through this difference ?

Ans. The tigers created by Aunt Jennifer are said to be prancing and they move fearlessly without fearing the men beneath the tree. On the other hand, Aunt Jennifer lives in fear at home and is dominated by her husband. The poet suggests that Aunt Jennifer consciously created these tigers to be so different from her own character. The tigers are symbols of strength, courage and fearlessness. So through these tigers, Aunt Jennifer finds a way to lead a different life that is away from her reach. She channels her desire to be free and fearless through the majestic tigers that she embroiders.

(Supplementary Reader)

12. Answer any one of the following :

Why did Sadao Hoki go to America ? Narrate his experiences there.

Ans. Dr. Sadao Hoki was a skilled surgeon and scientist who was working on his discovery to ‘render the wounds clean’. Dr. Sadao was brought up by his father who was a staunch Japanese. His chief concern was Dr. Sadao’s education. He was sent to America at the age of twenty-two to learn all that could be learnt of surgery and medicine. He returned at the age of thirty and by that time had become famous not only as a surgeon but also as a scientist. Dr. Sadao had a tough time adjusting in America as he remembered that Americans were full of prejudice. It had been bitter for him to live there. He had an ignorant and dirty old woman as his landlady. The best thing in America had been to meet Hana, his wife, at one of his professor’s house who was a dull man and his wife, a silly talkative woman. Her experience in America had not been so good as he had to adjust a lot there, being a Japanese.

The lesson, ‘On the Face of It’, is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense of alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Explain.

Ans. The lesson ‘On The Face of It’ aptly depicts the loneliness and sense of alienation experienced by Derry and Mr Lamb on account of disability. The actual pain and inconvenience caused by the disabilities is often much less than the sense of alienation felt by the disabled person. Derry suffered from severe negative complexes because of his burnt face. He became a pessimistic loner who indulged in self-pity and was always suspicious of the intention of others. His anger and frustration made him withdrawn and an introvert. Mr. Lamb, on the other hand, was inwardly a loner who craved for company and acceptance. Though outwardly he was always jovial, outgoing and optimistic, he was an extremely sensitive person. Not only their physical disabilities caused pain and suffering to their body, but also to their mind and soul.

13. Answer any three of the following :

(i) What does the chief Astrologer tell to be the cause of Maharaja’s death ?

Ans. The chief astrologer had predicted that a tiger would cause the Maharaja’s death and that he should be particularly wary of the hundredth tiger. So the Maharaja set out on a tiger hunt and was rather anxious to kill the hundredth tiger who could be the cause of his death.

(ii) Was Dr. Sadao arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy ?

Ans. It was the time when Japan was at war with America. It was against the laws to shelter an enemy as Dr. Sadao had sheltered an enemy soldier but he can’t be arrested and punished for harbouring the enemy. It would not happen since his servants did not disclose the secret to the police. Even Dr. Sadao had told every thing to the old General but he went on sleeping over the matter. He was not at all in a mood to lose the precious services of an expert surgeon.

(iii) Why does Mr. Lamb leave his gate always open ?

Ans. Mr. Lamb keeps the gate open because he is always ready to accept visitors in his house. He lives alone in such a big house. He always needs a companion, he does not want anyone to turn away from his house after watching the doors closed and locked. He wants to be in touch with the outer world. He wants people to come to him and spend their time in his garden so that he can also see life breathing around him.

(iv) How did Zitkala-Sa try to prevent the shingling of her hair ?

Ans. When Zitkala Sa knew that the authorities were cutting her hair, she decided to struggle. She escaped quietly upstairs and entered into a dim large room duly covered with curtains. She hid herself under a bed. In the hall her name was being called time and again but she did not come out. All started making her deep search. After all they found her hidden under a bed. They dragged her out and tied her to the chair. She opposed, cried, argued and went on shaking her head but they cut off her thick braids.

SET-D

(Reading Skills)

1. Read the following Passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) We often make all things around us the way we want them. Even during our pilgrimages, we have begun to look for whatever makes our heart happy, gives comfort to our body and peace to the mind. It is as if external solutions will fulfil our needs, and we do not want to make any special efforts even in our spiritual search. Our mind is resourceful – it works to find shortcuts in simple and easy ways. Even pilgrimages have been converted into tourism opportunities. Instead, we must awaken our conscience and souls and understand the truth. Let us not tamper with either our own nature or that of the Supreme. All our cleverness is rendered ineffective when nature does a dance of destruction. Its fury can and will wash away all imperfections. Indian culture, based on Vedic treatises, assists in human evolution, but we are now using our entire energy in distorting these traditions according to our convenience instead of making efforts to make ourselves worthy of them. The irony is that humans are not even aware of the complacent attitude they have allowed themselves to sink to. Nature is everyone’s Amma and her fierce blows will sooner or later corner us and force us to understand this truth. Earlier, pilgrimages to places of spiritual significance were rituals that were undertaken when people became free from their worldly duties. Even now some seekers take up this pious religious journey as a path to peace and knowledge. Anyone travelling with this attitude feels and travels with only a few essential items that his body can carry. Pilgrims traditionally travelled light, on foot, eating light, dried chickpeas and fruits, or whatever was available. Pilgrims of olden days did not feel the need to stay in special AC bedrooms, or travel by luxury cars or indulge themselves with delicious food and savouries. Pilgrims traditionally moved ahead, creating a feeling of belonging towards all, conveying a message of brotherhood among all they came across whether in small caves, ashrams or local settlements. They received the blessings and congregations of yogis and mahatmas in return while conducting the dharma of their pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is like penance or sadhana to stay near nature and to experience a feeling of oneness with it, to keep the body healthy and fulfilled with the amount of food, while seeking freedom from attachments and yet remaining happy while staying away from relatives and associates. This is how a pilgrimage should be rather than making it like a picnic by taking a large group along and living in comfort, packing in entertainment, and tampering with environment. What is worse is giving a boost to the ego of having had a special darshan. Now alms are distributed, charity done while they brag about their spiritual experiences! We must embark on our spiritual journey by first understanding the grace and significance of a pilgrimage and following it up with the prescribed rules and rituals – this is what translates into the ultimate and beautiful medium of spiritual evolution. There is no justification for tampering with nature. A pilgrimage is symbolic of contemplation and meditation and acceptance, and is a metaphor for the constant growth or movement and love for nature that we should hold in our hearts. This is the truth!

Questions :

(i) How can a pilgrim keep his body healthy ?

(a) By travelling light

(b) By eating small amounts of food

(d) Both (a) and (b)

Ans. (d) Both (a) and (b)

(ii) How do we satisfy our ego ?

(a) By having a special darshan

(b) By distributing alms

(d) Both (a) and (c)

Ans. (a) By having a special darshan

(iii) Who is referred to as ‘everyone’s Amma’ in this passage ?

(a) Humans

(b) Animals

(d) insects

Ans. (c) Nature

(iv) What have been converted into tourism opportunities ?

(a) Pilgrimages

(b) Temples

(d) Churches

Ans. (a) Pilgrimages

(B) I’ve always held the belief that rationale or logic has no place in faith. If you have faith in the Supreme then you must also accept that you are not out there to defend your faith based on any scientific evidence. Those who don’t share your belief have an equal right to their opinion. What matters is your personal stand. If you feel peaceful and joyous, if you feel inspired to do good deeds by having your faith, then by all means keep it, there’s no reason to abandon it. Einstein once got a letter asking if he believed in the Supreme. Einstein sent a telegram in response stating, “I believe in Spinoza’s idea of the Supreme who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in someone who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human beings.” In case you are not familiar, Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) was a Dutch philosopher (yes, not just brilliant engineers, they have philosophers too). An unorthodox and independent thinker, his views were revolutionary at the time. His philosophy is thought-provoking. So, where does that leave us in regards to faith ? To me, faith is a sentiment, it’s an emotion. Just like you fall in love and you surrender in love and you find yourself willing to do anything for the person you love, same is with faith. Faith is love When you have faith, you let go off your worries of the future, you let go of your guilt of the past, because you have surrendered to the divine will. You remain committed to a life of goodness and action. But you also recognize that there are other bigger forces, of immense scale, in play in the grand scheme of things and it’ll do you much good to play along. You gain this courage, zest and zeal to work hard, to excel, to serve. Life looks beautiful and everything looks priceless then, because it truly is. Even our suffering is priceless. It gives you strength, it makes you reflect on you. It is priceless because you appreciate life more, it brings you closer to you, the real you. Don’t limit yourself by asking petty things from the Supreme. Trust the immensity of nature. Faith does not mean all your dreams will come true, it simply means you look upon everything that’s granted to you as a blessing. Just focus on your deeds, and before long, you’ll be filled beyond measure. Accepting the transient nature of this world, and its eternal impermanence, is the definitive path to inner peace. Either live in complete surrender or exercise total control. If your boat is neither anchored nor guided, it’ll just drift then. It’ll drift in the direction of your thoughts, desires and emotions. Here today, there tomorrow. Cosmic intelligence is infinitely more subtle, smart, organized and selfless than individual intelligence. Anchor your ship if you are tired of rowing. Have faith.

Questions :

(i) Faith :

(a) does not depend on rationale and logic

(b) is a personal stand

(d) all of the above

Ans. (a) does not depend on rationale and logic

(ii) ‘Here today, there tomorrow’ refers to :

(a) our thoughts

(b) our emotions

(d) all of the above

Ans. (d) all of the above

(iii) Baruch Spinoza was :

(a) a Spanish writer

(b) a Dutch philosopher

(d) an African engineer

Ans. (b) a Dutch philosopher

(iv) Who believes in Spinoza’s idea of the Supreme ?

(a) Albert Einstein

(b) Thomas Alva Edison

(d) Sir Isaac Newton

Ans. (a) Albert Einstein

2. Read the following Passage carefully and make notes on it using headings and sub headings. Supply an appropriate title also :

It is surprising that sometimes we don’t listen to what people say to us. We hear them, but we don’t listen to them. I was curious to know how hearing is different from listening. I had thought both were synonyms, but gradually, I realised there is a big difference between the two words. Hearing is a physical phenomenon. Whenever somebody speaks, the sound waves generated reach you, and you definitely hear whatever is said to you. However, even if you hear something, it doesn’t always mean that you actually understand whatever is being said. Paying attention to whatever you hear means you are really listening. Consciously using your mind to understand whatever is being said is listening. Diving deeper, I found that listening is not only hearing with attention, but is much more than that. Listening is hearing with full attention, and applying our mind. Most of the time, we listen to someone, but our minds are full of needless chatter and there doesn’t seem to be enough space to accommodate what is being spoken. We come with a lot of prejudices and preconceived notions about the speaker or the subject on which he is talking. We pretend to listen to the speaker, but deep inside, we sit in judgement and are dying to pronounce right or wrong, true or false, yes or no, Sometimes, we even come prepared with a negative mindset of proving the speaker – wrong. Even if the speaker says nothing harmful, we are ready to pounce on him with our own version of things. What we should ideally do is listen first with full awareness. Once we have done that, we can decide whether we want to make a judgement or not. Once we do that, communication will be perfect and our interpersonal relationship will become so much better. Listening well doesn’t mean one has to say the right thing at the right moment. In fact, sometimes if words are left unspoken, there is a feeling of tension and negativity. Therefore, it is better to speak out your mind, but do so with awareness after listening to the speaker with full concentration. Let’s look at this in another way. When you really listen, you imbibe not only what is being spoken, but you also understand what is not spoken as well. Most of the time we don’t really listen even to people who really matter to us. That’s how misunderstandings grow among families, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters.

Ans.

Note Making :

Title : The Art of Listening

Notes of the passage :

Diff. btwn. hearing & listening

(a) Hearing-phy

(i) Speak-sound waves generated rch.

(ii) Undrstnd’g. not necessary

(b) Listening-pay’g attntn. to what is heard

(i) Conscious

Barriers to listening

(a) Prejudices & Preconceived notions

(b) Judging listener/words listened

Ideal listener

(a) Listens with awareness

(b) Does not judge b4hand

Importance of listening

(a) Perfect communication

(b) Imp. interpersonal relationship

(d) Understand unspoken words

Key to Abbreviations

Diff → Difference

Btwn → Between

Phy. → Generated

Rch → Reach

U → You

Understand’g → Understanding

Pay’g → Paying

Attntn → Attention

–ve → Negative

B4hand → Beforehand

Imp. → Important

Undrstnd – Understand

& → And

(Grammar)

3. Attempt any two from each sub-part :

(a) Change the form of Narration :

(i) “Go out and play for some time” said the mother to her son.

Ans. The mother asked her son to go out and play for some time.

(ii) “What a ghastly accident!” the passer-by said.

Ans. The passer-by exclaimed that it was a very ghastly accident.

(iii) The teacher said, “Oil floats on water.”

Ans. The teacher said that oil floats on water.

(b) Supply Articles wherever necessary :

(i) ………. girl in jeans is my neighbour.

Ans. The

(ii) Martha goes to ……… church every Sunday.

Ans. x

(iii) Shakespeare is ………. Kalidasa of England.

Ans. the

(i) He went there so that he ………. borrow money. (can/might)

Ans. might

(ii) ……….. you please help my son ? (Could/Might)

Ans. Could

(iii) I ……….. not go outside now. (dare/ought to)

Ans. dare

(d) Change the Voice :

(i) Ganesh lifted the cat.

Ans. The cat was lifted by Ganesh.

(ii) Do the work.

Ans. Let the work be done/by him/her.

(iii) Then they put it on the table.

Ans. Then it was put on the table.

(e) Use the correct form of Verb given in the brackets :

(i) ……….. I or her to be rewarded ? (am/is)

Ans. Am

(ii) Five times ten ……….. fifty. (is/are)

Ans. is

(iii) A pair of spectacles ……….. broken. (is/are)

Ans. is

4. Attempt any two of the following :

(a) You are Pranali Khanna, a Secretary of Board of School Education, of your State. Write a notice in not more than 50 words informing various schools about the Teachers’ Training Program across the country. Include all the relevant details.

Ans.

From

Pranali Khanna

Secretary of CBSE

The various committees on the board have felt the need for the training to the teachers. Therefore, many agencies have been set up by the committee and the board. I am instructed to inform that the board has taken initiatives to conduct training programs.

One can avail training at a nominal cost. The information on the agencies and the training areas are available on the official website. The schools are advised to ensure that the teachers are trained according to the program. For further queries, please write to me.

(b) You are Mahima/Mahesh. You plan to sell your two-wheeler. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in “The Tribune”, giving all the relevant details.

Ans.

MOTORCYCLE FOR SALE!

A well-kept Honda motorcycle is available for purchase. Black in colour with power brakes, highly maintained, manufactured in 2021. Motorcycle insurance is valid until December 2023. Interested buyers should contact the signatories for additional information.

Mahesh

Ans. Do Self.

5. Attempt any one of the following :

(a) You are Tapan/Tripti, a student of Modern Public School, Kalka. Students of two schools from Germany visited your school as a part of a cultural exchange programme. Students of your school put up a cultural programme to welcome them. Write a report on the programme for your school magazine in 150-200 words.

Ans. Do Self.

(b) Write a paragraph of about 100 words on “I am Eighteen”.

Ans.

I’m 18 years old. That should indicate that I am an adolescent, yet the term “teenager” should be more natural for someone that old. This stage is meant to be emotionally turbulent, awkward socially, and generally unfulfilling. The subtle wonder of my current situation is that it allows me to rock two boats at once.

I’m learning to love, which is one of this phase’s bright points. I am gaining the ability to love everyone and everything around me. The fact that I love humans the greatest does not imply that I do not love other things or beings. I adore humans in all of their variety, with all of their many emotions and life circumstances, as well as in their indistinguishability as a species endowed with the capacity for love and thought. Finding a piece of ourselves in others while still being able to relate and appreciate differences is an amazing ability.

I have also loved on a more intimate level. I am familiar with what partnerships are, how they feel, and many of the promises and insecurities they bring. I have liked and experienced the high of sharing another person’s happiness.

I have experienced joy, happiness, celebration, and sadness in a variety of shades, but I haven’t really understood them. I have also made several mistakes that have negatively impacted both my life and the people I have loved. All I can say is that adolescence is neither as underestimated nor as highly valued as has been suggested.

6. You are Reena/Rohit. Even after repeated complaints, nothing has been done to address the problem of open potholes in your locality. Write a letter to The Municipal Commissioner, Karnal, requesting him to address the issue at the earliest.

Ans.

345, 5th Avenue

Karnal

22 April, 2022

The Municipal Commissioner

Karnal

Dear sir,

Subject: Covering of an open manhole in 5th Avenue

Through this letter, I would like to draw your attention towards the problem of an open manhole near Diamond park in 5th Avenue. Just adjacent to the park is the manhole which leads to the main drain of this area. About a couple of months back, the drains were opened by the sanitation workers to be unclogged and cleaned. The manhole was also opened for same. After the procedure, the sanitation workers did not close the manhole and went away. It has been two months now and the manhole can’t be ignored.

All the children of our neighborhood play in diamond park which is just next to the manhole and therefore the chances of accidental falls into the manhole can’t be ruled out.

I would like to request you to kindly order an immediate covering of the manhole so that the safety of the children as well as that of residents is ensured.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Rohit

[A : Main Reader (Prose)]

7. Read the Passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) One dark evening as he was trudging along the road he caught sight of a little gray cottage by the roadside, and he knocked on the door to ask shelter for the night. Nor was he refused. Instead of the sour faces which ordinarily met him, the owner, who was an old man without wife or child, was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. Immediately he put the porridge pot on the fire and gave him supper; then he carved off such a big slice from his tobacco roll that it was enough both for the stranger’s pipe and his own. Finally he got out an old pack of cards and played ‘mjölis’ with his guest until bedtime.

Questions :

(i) Name the chapter from which this passage has been taken :

(a) The Last Lesson

(b) Lost Spring

(d) The Rattrap

Ans. (d) The Rattrap

(ii) Name the writer of this passage :

(a) Alphonse Daudet

(b) Anees Jung

(d) Selma Lagerlof

Ans. (d) Selma Lagerlof

(iii) What did the vagabond see one dark evening ?

(a) a little gray cottage

(b) an old woman

(d) all of the above

Ans. (a) a little gray cottage

(iv) Who was the owner of the cottage ?

(a) an old woman

(b) an old man

(d) the author himself

Ans. (b) an old man

(v) Who were these two men ?

(a) The old man and his guest

(b) The old man and his son

(d) The old man and his father

Ans. (a) The old man and his guest

(B) When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram, in central India, he said, “I will tell you how it happened that I decided to urge the departure of the British. It was in 1917.” He had gone to the December, 1916 annual convention of the Indian National Congress party in Lucknow. There were 2,301 delegates and many visitors. During the proceedings, Gandhi recounted, “a peasant came up to me looking like any other peasant in India, poor and emaciated, and said, I am Rajkumar Shukla. I am from Champaran, and I want you to come to my district’!” Gandhi had never heard of the place. It was in the foothills of the towering Himalayas, near the kingdom of Nepal.

Questions :

(i) Where was Gandhiji’s ashram situated ?

(a) Champaran

(b) Sevagram

(d) New Delhi

Ans. (b) Sevagram

(ii) Where was the ashram of Gandhiji situated ?

(a) Central India

(b) Northern India

(d) Eastern India

Ans. (a) Central India

(iii) When was the annual convention of the Congress Party held ?

(a) 1942

(b) 1917

(d) 1919

(iv) What was the name of the peasant ?

(a) J. B. Kriplani

(b) Malkani

(d) Rajkumar Shukla

Ans. (d) Rajkumar Shukla

(v) Rajkumar Shukla was :

(a) poor

(b) emaciated

(d) neither (a) nor (b)

Ans. (c) both (a) and (b)

8. Answer any one of the following :

Do you agree with the way Sophie tries to fulfil her dreams ?

Ans. I fully agree with the observation. Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind, she is a hero-worshipper. The Irish prodigy is her hero. She imagines her meeting with him. Her day-dreaming makes her sad and despondent. The idea that Casey will not come at all is quite painful to her. Thus, her dreams and disappointments are products of her mind only. They have nothing to do with reality.

Sophie’s dreams of her future life are far removed from her reality. She dreams of owning a boutique, of becoming an actress but the fact was that she was earmarked for the biscuit factory. Sophie drifts into a world of fantasy and wants to live her dreams by stepping out of her middle-class status.

What did the writer see when Mukesh took her to his home ?

Ans. The writer realised that it was a slum area. The lanes were stinking and were choked with garbage. The homes looked like hovels. Their walls were crumbling. The doors were wobbly, with no windows. The homes were crowded with humans and animals living together. Mukesh’s home looked like a half-built shack. In one of its parts, a firewood stove had a large vessel on it. A frail young woman cooked the evening meal. She was the wife of Mukesh’s elder brother. As Mukesh’s father came in, she brought her veil closer to her face. The old man was a poor bangle maker. Even after long years of hard labour, he had been unable to renovate his house. He was unable to send his two sons to school. Mukesh’s grandmother was also there. Her husband had become blind with dust from the polishing of glass bangles.

9. Answer any five of the following :

(i) Who did M. Hamel blame for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz ?

Ans. M. Hamel blamed the parents for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz because they wanted them to work to earn some money instead of focusing on education. M. Hamel also blamed himself for his negligence in his teaching. He made the boys work in his garden which made them miss their lessons and whenever he wished to go fishing, he gave them a holiday.

(ii) Mention any two long term consequences of the drowning incident on Douglas.

Ans. The two long term consequences of the drowning incident on Douglas are that the dread of water would keep him away from water bodes and he could not enjoy water-related activities.

(iii) Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler ?

Ans. The crofter was a lonely fellow who lived on his own in a little gray cottage by the roadside. He had no wife or children, and craved company and friends. So, one day when the peddler turned up at his doorstep, he was happy to find someone to talk to, to be relieved of his boredom and monotony. This is the reason he was so talkative and friendly with the peddler.

(iv) Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster ?

Ans. The peddler was passing a very hard time. He looked alarmed and troubled. He had come there to pass the night so he could not accompany him to his home for Christmas. He had thirty kroner which he had stolen from the cottage of the old crofter. Going to the manor house would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. The peddler thought that the invitation was perhaps a bait for him and he did not want to be caught in. So he declined the invitation.

(v) How did Gandhiji express his inability to accompany Rajkumar Shukla ?

Ans. Gandhiji did not agree to proceed to Champaran with Raj Kumar Shukla immediately because he had an appointment in Cawnpore (Kanpur). He was also committed to going to other parts of India. He could not miss these already fixed appointments.

(vi) Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey ?

Ans. No, Geoff doesn’t believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey. First, he looks round in disbelief and says, “It can’t be true”. Again he says, “I don’t believe it.” Sophie then narrates how Danny Casey came and stood beside her. Geoff asks her, “What does he look like?” So, he doesn’t seem to be convinced that Sophie met Danny Casey.

(vii) What were Sophie’s dreams about her future ?

Ans. Sophie’s dreams of her future life are far removed from her reality. She dreams of owning a boutique, of becoming an actress but the fact was that she was earmarked for the biscuit factory. Sophie drifts into a world of fantasy and wants to live her dreams by stepping out of her middle-class status.

[B : Main Reader (Poetry)]

10. Read the Stanza given below and answer the questions that follow :

(A) For once on the face of the Earth

let’s not speak in any language,

let’s stop for one second,

and not move our arms so much.

Questions :

(i) Name the poem and poet.

Ans. Poem- Keeping Quiet

Poet- Pablo Neruda

(ii) Why does the poet want us to keep quiet ?

Ans. The poet wants us to keep quiet so that we can take stock of our mindless activities and do self-analysis for mental relaxation and save mankind from its imminent doom.

(iii) What does he want us to do for one second ?

Ans. He wants us to keep quiet and not speak and not move our arms. We should stop all activities and do nothing i.e. no speech and no activity.

(iv) What does he mean by ‘not move our arms’ ?

Ans. ‘Not move our arms’ means no movement and no activity and not to harm others. There should be no wars and no violence.

(B) Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool

Find even the ivory needle hard to pull

The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band

Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.

Questions :

(i) Name the poem and poet.

Ans. Poem- Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Poet- Adrienne Rich

(ii) What does the first line of this stanza tell about Aunt Jennifer ?

Ans. Aunt Jennifer feels so nervous, fearful and terrified of her male counterpart that even while weaving the tapestry, her hands shake and flutter. She is a victim of gender oppression at the hands of her husband.

(iii) Why is it so hard for her to pull the ivory needle ?

Ans. She finds it very hard to pull a light weight ivory needle because while she is creating her work of art, which is a creation of her desires and feelings, she feels fearful of her husband. She finds it hard to pull, more because of mental suppression and not because of physical weakness.

(iv) Explain, ‘massive weight of uncle’s wedding band’.

Ans. This expression is symbolic of male authority and power. Patriarchy seems to bind the woman physically as well as mentally. The wedding band was a burden for her as she was not getting enough freedom to express herself because of domestic responsibilities and restrictions put on her as a woman.

11. Answer any two of the following :

(i) Justify the title of the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’.

Ans. This is written by Kamala Das. It explains about the complexity of human relationships and several fears we have as humans,such as fear and loss of separation. As she approaches airport of Cochin, her mother accompanies her. The travel made her realize that her mother is aging makes her upset. She gets a fear of separation from her mother, which she also faced during her childhood. It is well written with all emotions.

(ii) Why does the poet urge us to keep quiet ?

Ans. The poet wants us to keep quiet because this moment of quietness will give us the time to meditate and introspect upon the kind of turmoil we have created on earth through our ill-actions. Too much activity and rush has only brought misfortunes to mankind, so it is better to be quiet and still.

(iii) Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer ? What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt Jennifer ?

Ans. Yes, the character of Aunt Jennifer wins our sympathy as a reader. Her ordeals and sufferings move the reader. Even the speaker in the poem shows sympathy and pity towards her. The speaker says that even after Aunt Jennifer’s death, she will be terrified of her husband and the ordeals of her marriage.

(Supplementary Reader)

12. Answer any one of the following :

How did Tiger King meet his end ?

Ans. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram had killed one hundred tigers. Tigers dominated his life since birth. Therefore, he was known as the Tiger King. The astrologers had predicted that he would be the Champion of Champions but the tiger would be the cause of his death. As soon as he took the reins of his throne, at the age of twenty,he killed a tiger. The astrologer warned him to be careful from the hundredth tiger. In ten years he killed seventy tigers and his native forest became extinct with tigers.

The Maharaja married a royal girl from a state with a large tiger population. Whenever he visited his father-in-law’s kingdom, he would kill five or six tigers every time. The place became extinct with tigers when he had killed ninety nine tigers. The Diwan arranged for the hundredth tiger. The king fired at it but failed to kill it. It only fainted. The king thought that he had killed it. Later, the hunter killed it.

The king purchased a wooded tiger to offer to his son as birthday present. Its sliver pierced the Maharaja’s right hand. It is ironical that infection spread and the king died. Thus the prediction came true.

How was the ‘injured’ McLerry able to befool the prison officers ?

Ans. The Injured man that is McLeery was indeed Evans himself, and he acted to be McLeery. He put up an act where he poured down pigs blood as his blood, With a other hand he got his handkerchief and held it to his draining head, to give the feeling that he was really harmed and dying. during this, he had the option to hide his face from the eyes of the prisoners. He claimed to be in such an excess of agony that he could barely express a coherent word. Along these lines, he disguised his voice and had to avoid the officials. The second he heard the idea of getting an ambulance, he suggested that they call the police. He offered them his assistance in following Evans. This was important for his arrangement in which every one of the officials got tricked in his plan. Therefore he became successful in fooling the prisoners that injured man was actually McLeery and not him whereas it was vice versa and hence he escaped.

13. Answer any three of the following :

(i) What was the unforeseen hurdle that brought the Maharaja’s tiger hunt to a halt ?

Ans. The Tiger King’s tiger-hunts continued to be highly successful within ten years. He was able to kill seventy tigers. Then an unforeseen hurdle brought his mission to a halt. The tiger population became extinct in the forests of Pratibandapuram. No one knew if they practised birth control or committed harakiri. It brought tiger hunts to a halt.

(ii) In what condition did Dr. Sadao find the American soldier at the seashore ?

Ans. Dr. Sadao found the American soldier in a wounded condition at the seashore. He was very weak and pale, had a bullet stuck in his wound and his back was stained with blood. He was almost at the verge of death.

(iii) How does Evans escape from the jail ?

Ans. He was handcuffed and made to sit in a prison van. But the people sitting inside the van were the close friends of Evans. They opened his handcuff on Evans’ instructions. They took the van towards Newsbury and Evans had his final escape. Thus Evans outwitted the Governor by dadging him at every step.

(iv) How was Zitkala-Sa’s hair cut ?

Ans. Zitkala-Sa’s hair was cut even after her resistance and strong opposition. It was all in vain since her stiff resistance was met with equally stiff efforts. She was tied to a chair and amidst her loud disapproval, her hair was cut.

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