Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 English with Solutions Set 3 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 English Set 3 with Solutions
Time : 3 hours
Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions:
- The Question paper is divided into three sections: Section A: Reading 26 marks, Section B: Writing Skills and Grammar 23 marks, Section C: Literature 31 marks.
- All questions are compulsory.
- You may attempt any section at a time.
- Allquestions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.
Section-A
Reading (26 marks)
Question 1.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (10 marks)
1. The New Year is a time for resolutions. 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 earlier each morning, eat less, find more time to play with the children, do a thousand and one jobs about the house, be nice to people we don’t like, drive carefully and take the dog for a walk every day. 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.
2. 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 every evening. An all-night 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 assiduously to the task.
3. 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 upsetting but I fended off the taunts and jibes of the family good humorously 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 10th January, 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 hypnotizing 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 haven’t had time to read it.
A. On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option. (1 X 6 = 6)
1.1. According to the writer, past experience of resolutions has taught us
(a) frustration results from failure.
(b) certain accomplishments are beyond attainment.
(c) New Year is a time for resolutions.
(d) failures are a part of life.
Answer:
(b) certain accomplishments are beyond attainment.
1.2. Most of us fail in our efforts at self-improvement because
(a) our schemes are too ambitious.
(b) we never have time to carry them out.
(c) we announce our resolution to everybody.
(d) All of these.
Answer:
(b) we never have time to carry them out.
1.3. It is a basic mistake to announce our resolution because
(a) we have no excuse to revert back to our earlier life.
(b) we can’t be nice to people we don’t like.
(c) we look more foolish when we slip back to our old ways.
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) we look more foolish when we slip back to our old ways.
1.4. The writer did not carry out his resolutions on New Year’s Day because
(a) he had attended an all-night party.
(b) he was glued to the TV.
(c) the exercise was only for eleven minutes.
(d) everyone was awake and watching him.
Answer:
(a) he had attended an all-night party.
1.5. The writer thought of keeping his mind fresh by _________.
(a) watching TV
(b) exercising for eleven minutes.
(c) reading.
(d) finding that much more time to play with children.
Answer:
(c) reading.
1.6. The word which similar in meaning to ‘decrease’ is _________.
(a) formidable
(b) monotonous
(c) attainment
(d) diminish
Answer:
(d) diminish
B. Answer the following questions : (Do any 4) (1 x 4 = 4)
2.1. The New Year is a time for_________.
Answer:
resolutions
2.2. Past experience has taught us certain accomplishments are beyond _________.
Answer:
attainment
2.3. I limited myself to two modest _________.
Answer:
ambitions
2.4. The self-discipline required to drag myself out of bed eleven minutes earlier than usual was _________.
Answer:
considerable
2.5. ‘The next morning the whole family trooped in to watch the _________.
Answer:
performance
2.6. I still haven’t given up my _________ to do more reading.
Answer:
resolution
Question 2.
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. (1 x 8 = 8)
1. Delhi tried very hard but it wasn’t enough. In the run-up to D-Day, the sound of firecrackers had not been heard. The Supreme Court ban on sales had made procuring them difficult, but many people, including school children, had resolved to buck tradition for clean air. And till 7 pm on Diwali, most neighbourhoods were quiet. Around that time the first sound of firecrackers going off was heard, and gradually it rose to a crescendo. But it was nowhere near the blitzkrieg of the past, not even half of that. And well before midnight, it was all over.
2. The bad news broke at dawn. It was a visibly smoggy morning. Air pollution levels had peaked to “severe” on Diwali night and remained dangerously high till Friday afternoon as reflected in the real-time monitoring data of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
3. The CPCB, however, pointed out a silver lining. It said the air quality index (AQI) this year was better than the ones on Diwali in the past two years in spite of hostile meteorological conditions. On Diwali last year (October 30,2016), the average AQI for the city was in the “severe” category at 426 while the year before that (November 11, 2015), it had been in the “very poor” category at 327. This time, it was marginally lower at 326.
4. There are so many factors impacting air quality – from the speed and direction of the wind to burning of crop stubble in neighbouring states – that it is difficult to definitively identify the main culprit. What, however, has to be acknowledged is that at least a majority of people have the will to stick to what may appear to be unpalatable decisions for better quality of life.
5. The data, however, is making informed observers worry-particularly the massive peaks in PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 (fine, respirable pollution particles) and PM 10 (coarse pollution particles) levels on Thursday night after 10 pm. Delhi peaked to 656 micrograms per cubic metres around midnight.
6. However, the data also shows that in spite of unfavourable meteorological conditions, the air quality on Diwali this year was better than last year. It had not been so good in the two days preceding Diwali due to intrusion of humid air from the south-east coupled with prevailing calm wind conditions. The average mixing height (the height to which smoke or air will rise, mix and disperse) recorded on October 18 and 19 were 547 metres and 481 metres, respectively, according to CPCB. It should be at least 1000 metres for proper dispersal.
On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the best of the given choices.
Question 1.
In the run-up to D-Day, the sound of firecrackers had not been heard because the _________.
(A) Supreme Court banned the sales of firecrackers.
(B) children resolved to back tradition for clean air.
(C) neighbourhoods did not like the sound of firecrackers.
(D) cnildren were afraid of the sound of firecrackers.
Answer:
(A) Supreme Court banned the sales of firecrackers.
Explanation: In the run-up to D-Day, the sound of firecrackers had not been heard. The Supreme Court ban on sales had made procuring them difficult
Question 2.
The ‘bad news’ that broke at dawn was that _________.
(A) there was smog in the sky.
(B) the air pollution levels were dangerously high.
(C) CPCB released real time figures that were alarming.
(D) All of the above.
Answer:
(D) All of the above.
Explanation: The bad news broke at dawn. It was a visibly smoggy morning. Air pollution levels had peaked to “severe” on Diwali night and remained dangerously high till Friday afternoon as reflected in the real-time monitoring data of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
Question 3.
The AQI levels after Diwali this year were
(A) the same as in other years.
(B) higher than other years.
(C) lower than other years.
(D) could not be ascertained
Answer:
(C) lower than other years.
Explanation: The CPCB, however, pointed out a silver lining. It said the air quality index (AQI) this year was better than the ones on Diwali in the past two years in spite of hostile meteorological conditions.
Question 4.
There will be no air pollution if
(A) school children do not burst crackers on Diwali.
(B) there is a strong wind on Diwali night.
(C) if the motor vehicles do not run on Diwali.
(D) None of the above.
Answer:
(D) None of the above.
Explanation: It is difficult to definitively identify the main culprit. What, however, has to be acknowledged is that at least a majority of people have the will to stick to what may appear to be unpalatable decisions for better quality of life.
Question 5.
‘Crescendo’ in para 1 means
(A) to happen successfully
(B) an increase in intensity
(C) better quality of life
(D) metrological conditions
Answer:
(B) an increase in intensity
Question 6.
‘unpalatable’ in para 4 means
(A) 6,000 metres for proper dispersal
(B) feeling happy
(C) dispersal
(D) not pleasant
Answer:
(D) not pleasant
Question 7.
The massive peaks in PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 and PM 10 (coarse pollution particles) on the Diwali day made the observers worried.
(A) True
(B) False
(C) Maybe
(D) Don’t know
Answer:
(A) True
Question 8.
Despite the Supreme Court ban on the sale of firecrackers, many people including school children were adamant to burst firecrackers on the Diwali Day.
(A) True
(B) False
(C) Maybe
(D) Don’t know
Answer:
(B) False
Commonly Made Errors:
- While answering questions related to Unseen Passages/Comprehensions, most students do not read the passages properly. Reading the passages properly is very essential.
- Students need to keep in mind that the answers should be brief, relevant and be in their own words, while following the words in the passages carefully.
- While answering, the students should verify the spellings of the difficult words from the passages themselves, if they are not sure of them in the first place.
- Before answering multiple-choice questions, students should read the questions thoroughly and then the given options. Some options can be tricky and need careful attention.
- Lastly, before moving on to the next question and just before the final submission of the answer-script, revise the answers carefully. This will help you to find out and eliminate any errors that you have overlooked earlier.
Answering Tips:
- The passages should be read silently and with full concentration.
- Grasping the context of the passages is important.
- New or difficult words should be deciphered in the context of their use in the passages.
- Answers should be in complete sentences.
- All answers should be written sequentially.
- If a student cannot answer a question, or a part of a question, then it is unwise to continue spending time on it. It is advisable to leave the question for the time being, answer the rest of the questions and then go back to the unanswered question.
- While answering an unseen passage or comprehension, you might be aware of the source as you might have read it earlier. In that case, please do not get carried away in writing things beyond the scope of the passage. That will not fetch you extra marks. Please stick to the passage!
- All spellings and answers related to seen/unseen passages or comprehensions are found within the scope of the passages; so, it is important to concentrate in them.
- Lastly, there is no need to panic. Answering questions correctly is more important than answering all questions. So, adequate time should be given to answer each question properly.
Question 3.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. The tests of life are its plus factors. Overcoming illness and suffering is a plus factor for it moulds character. Steel is iron plus fire, soil is rock plus heat. So, lets include the plus factor in our lives.
2. Sometimes the plus factor is more readily seen by the simple hearted. Myers tells the story of a mother who brought into her home – as a companion to her own son- a little boy who happened to have a hunch back. She had warned her son to be careful, not to refer to his disability.
The boys were playing and after a few minutes she overheard her son say to his companion ” Do you know what you have got on your back ?” The little boy was embarrassed, but before he could reply, his playmate continued” It is the box in which your wings are, and some day God is going to cut it open and then you will fly away and be an angel.”
3. Often it takes a third eye or a change in focus, to see the plus factor. Walking along the corridors of a hospital recently where patients were struggling with fear of pain and tests, I was perturbed. What gave me a fresh perspective were the sayings put up everywhere, intended to uplift. One saying made me conscious of the beauty of the universe in the midst of pain, suffering and struggle. The other saying assured me that God was with me when I was in deep water and that no troubles would overwhelm me.
4. The import of those sayings also made me aware of the nectar springs that flow into people’s lives when they touch rock bottom or are lonely or guilt ridden. The nectar springs make recovery possible, and they bring peace and patience in the midst of negative forces.
5. The forces of death and destruction are not so much physical as they are psychic and psychological. When malice, hatred and hard-heartedness prevail, they get channelised as forces of destruction. Where openness, peace and good-heartedness prevail, the forces of life gush forth to regenerate hope and joy.
The life force is triumphant when love overcomes fear. Both fear and love are deep mysteries, but the effect of love is to build, whereas fear tends to destroy. Love is generally the plus factor that helps build character. It creates bonds and its reach is infinite.
6. It is true there is no shortage of destructive elements – forces and people who seek to destroy others and, in the process, destroy themselves but at the same time there are signs of love and life everywhere that are constantly enabling us to overcome setbacks. So let’s look at gloom and doom – let us seek positivity and happiness. For it is when you seek that you will find what is waiting to be discovered.
(a) On the basis of your reading the passage, make notes using recognisable abbreviations wherever necessary. Use a format you consider suitable, supply a suitable title. (5 marks)
Answer:
(a) THE TESTS OF LIFE THE PLUS FACTORS
1. Necessity of the Tests of Life :
- Illness & suffering mould charctr.
- Simple hearted-view disability pstvly.
2. Change in focus
- Sayings in hospital:
- Awaken to the beauty of universe amidst paint suffering
- Makes us realize the presence of God
- Give strength to overcome obstacles,
- Bring peace
3. Forces of Destruction :
- Not physical but psychic & psychlgcal.
- Malice, hatred & hard-heartedness
4. Forces of Life :
- Regenerate hope & joy
- Overcome fear, build charter
| Key to Abbreviations | ||
| S. No. | Abbreviation | Word |
| 1 | Charctr | Charctr |
| 2 | Pstvly | Pstvly |
| 3 | Psychlgcal | Psychlgcal |
| 4 | & | and |
(b) Make a short summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3 marks)
Answer:
Summary
The tests of life like illness and suffering build character. The simple-hearted view disability as signs of hope and the presence of God. Even in the midst of suffering, there is God. A change in focus is required. The sayings in hospital awaken the belief that amongst pain and suffering, the universe is still beautiful and God is present which gives us strength to overcome obstacles. This brings hope, peace and joy. The forces of destruction can be overcome by the power of love and good-heartedness.
Commonly Made Errors:
- The most commonly made mistakes include not reading the passage thoroughly and not paying attention to details. This leads to unclear understanding of the context.
- The next big mistake is not noting the ‘key-words’ in the passage. Identification of key-words is important to decide the main thrust of the passage and bring out the summary.
- While substituting words for phrases and clauses, the appropriate form of the word should be used. For example, if the substitution requires the adjectival form of a word, then using the noun or the verb form can be fatal.
- Punctuations are very important in summarisation or precis writing. They should be used prudently. Spellings and grammar should be checked for during the note-making stage so that no corrections need be implemented during the summary or precis writing.
- While providing a Title for the summary/precis, students should relate it to the context of the passage. Too much emphasis on making it catchy might lead to making the blunder of it being not related to the context.
Answering Tips:
- While answering questions related to Note-making and Summary (Precis Writing), it is important to read the passages properly and grasp their meanings. If need be, the passage should be read and re-read a number of times to ensure that every part of it is clear to the student.
- Next, it is important to underline the important points in the passage. With practice, this can be done at the same time as the passage is being read.
- The underlined portions should be summed up as separate bulleted points.
- Thereafter, the students should read the bulleted points so that they are sure that those points are adequate in providing the gist of the passage. There should not be any ambiguity or lack of clarity in meaning anywhere. While summarizing the bullets, one should be mindful to shorten the sentences as much as possible by substituting clauses and phrases with words conveying similar meanings.
- Beginners are also advised to calculate the average number of words written by them in each line and then to calculate the number of lines required to write the precis or summary based on the average words per line. The average word-limit per sentence should be between five to ten words.
- Students are advised to draw columns with pencil such that the total number of cells in the table so formed exactly match the maximum permissible words in the summary. Then they should write one per cell to achieve the maximum word limit.
- Lastly, students should ensure correctness of spellings, contextual use of substituting words and grammatical correctness.
Section – B
Writing Skills and Grammar (23 marks)
Question 4.
Your neighbour’s daughter is missing. Draft an advertisement providing the necessary details in not more than 50 words. (3 marks)
OR
You want to launch a tuition centre for classes from class X to XII. Draft a classified advertisement with all relevant details.
Answer:
MISSING
GIRL MISSING, Priyanka Khanna, 12 years, 4’3″ tall, fair, slim built, wearing black t-shirt and blue jeans. Missing since 2.2.2xxx from M. G. Road, Gurgaon. Speaks Hindi and English. Informers will be suitably re¬warded. Inform M. G. Road Police Station #98765432
Commonly Made Errors:
- Spellings and grammar errors lead to communication of incorrect messages.
- While trying to make the title catchy, students end up stitching together words used in the wrong context and thereby making up a meaningless title.
- Also, spellings are tweaked sometimes to emphasise upon an idea or to attract the attention of the reader. However, often students fail to achieve the desired effect and end up simply making a spelling mistake!
Answering Tips:
- While preparing an advertisement, it is important to keep in mind the requirement: whether the advertisement should be a Classified or a Display Advertisement. The message should be prepared accordingly. w’ The word-limit of 50 should be strictly adhered to.
- Next, it is important to design the advertisement properly. So, one needs to experiment with the font size, style and colour, as well as the layout.
- The language and approach should be direct yet attract the attention of the targeted readers.
- Lastly, students should ensure correctness of spellings, contextual use of substituting words and grammatical correctness. The Contact address as well as the email ids and phone numbers should be accurate.
OR
TUITION CENTRE
Excellent coaching available for English, Science and Maths for students of class X to XII, digital class facility, experienced faculty, problem-solving sessions, regular tests, affordable fees. For more details, contact SD classes 969xxxxxx or send email at kpexcellent.org.in
Question 5.
Draft a poster on ‘Road Safety’. (3 marks)
OR
Prepare a poster on behalf of an NGO to be placed in various parts of the city urging the people to save trees.
Answer:
Question 6.
‘Brain drain is not a bane for a developing country like India’. Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion. (5 marks)
OR
‘The Internet cannot replace a classroom teacher’. Write a debate in about 150-200 words either for or against the motion.
Answer:
Yours sincerely
Shivam
Brain drain is not a bane for a developing country like India
Good morning everyone ! I am standing before you to speak against the motion, ‘Brain drain is not a bane for a developing country like India’.
I feel that brain drain is a barrier to the country’s development. Talented and skilled people migrate to other countries for better salary and better lifestyle which they are deprived of in India. I am not saying that it s the fault of those people who abandon India to shift somewhere else. They do this because they don’t get satisfactory facilities in India. But what has made India so- the political system, the black money, corruption, the reasons can be many.
Well ! Who is going to take the responsibility for this ? Of course, we, the YOUNG INDIANS. We get an education in our country and then spend all that knowledge in some foreign country! Is it not a betrayal of our motherland ?
Our country is the second largest producer of doctors, engineers and scientists. Having so much of potential, India is still under-developed! Isn’t it the duty of every Indian to shoulder the responsibility of making it a developed country?
The youth of India needs to bring about a change in the system. If the system is transparent, then India will develop. If India develops, then its people will get their requirements fulfilled and if their requirements are fulfilled, then there will be no reason for brain drain.
Just think : If our home gets littered, are we going to leave it and settle in our neighbour’s house? No, right? We will clean it up and continue living there. India is our home. If it’s dirty, then every single Indian needs to clean it up, instead of moving out.
Thank you.
OR
The Internet cannot replace a classroom teacher
Good Morning everyone ! I am Amrita and I am in favour of the motion. ‘The Internet cannot replace a classroom teacher’.
How does one bridge the gap between the chalk and blackboard, and the computer and Internet? While teachers, Principals, counsellors and even parents admit that it would be a futile exercise to ignore technology in the classroom, there is a very real fear that it will be misused by easily distracted students who have got to understand the pitfalls of the internet.
According to a survey, instead of raising the standard of learning, computers were actually negating the healthy development of young students.
But with technology and social media, the educational landscape has changed dramatically over the last decade; and the classrooms are filled with students who were born with a smartphone in their hands. By the time they enter kindergarten, words like ‘Apps’, ‘MP3’ etc., are part of their lexicon. But even the latest gadgets and the best internet websites, however, cannot replace a good teacher.
Children today lead complicated lives ruled by technology. Instead of adding to the information overload, it is the teacher’s job to simplify the lesson plan. Children today need to be in touch with the real world, and the school teacher is the person who can draw the lines and decide how much is too much.
It’s all about moderation. If the educator fails to engage with his or her students, no amount of technology will help. The teacher’s job then is to break down information into bite-sized pieces and ensure that their children have understood the covered topic. This can even be achieved with the aid of a simple blackboard and chalk.
Thank you.
Question 7.
You have to deliver a speech in the Morning Assembly on the topic ‘The increasing rate of crime in today’s society’. Write the speech in about 150 words. (5 marks)
Answer:
The increasing rate of crime in today’s society
Respected Principal, honourable teachers and my dear friends. Today, I, Shivam Bhardwaj of Class XI, stand in front of you to share my views on the increase in crime rate and the measures we should take to curb it. Friends, human society is gradually but surely being criminalised. Everyday the newspaper reports ghastly murders, sensational robberies, rapes, thefts and kidnapping. Naturally, the graph of crimes in today’s society is sharply on the rise.
Living has become quite risky, unpleasant and unsafe. Women and old people are the worst sufferers. Our cities have become the dens of smugglers and criminals. The capital of India, New Delhi has earned a rare notoriety in this respect. It is not only political capital but also the crime capital of India. Growing unemployment and lack of motivation among the educated young men have drawn many of them to the world of crimes.
Thefts and way-laying are no more the monopoly of illiterate ruffians. Graduates in jeans are now the active members of the crime world. The new wave of consumerism has added only fuel to the fire. Craze for foreign goods, cars, bikes, dresses and cosmetics has fuelled their ambitions. They need fast money to fulfill their never dying desires.
There are no shortcuts to reduce the growing crime rate in society. Of course, it is the duty of the police to maintain law and order in public. Efficient and impartial functioning of the police can help in curbing the crime rate in society. But the health of society depends on many other factors. The army of unemployed young men is swelling. Naked materialism and consumerism have overpowered their minds and morals. Moral education in schools can be quite helpful in bringing down the crime rate effectively.
Thank you.
Commonly Made Errors:
- Spellings and grammatical errors need to be avoided.
- The suitable title for the report should be brief and relevant.
Answering Tips:
- While writing a report, it is important to keep in mind that the content should be brief and precise. The reader should not take much time to read and grasp the meaning of the Report.
- The word-limits should be strictly adhered to.
- Next, it is important to follow the structure of the Report thoroughly.
- The language and approach should be direct yet in the Passive Voice.
- Lastly, students should ensure correctness of spellings, contextual use of substituting words and grammatical correctness. The Contact address as well as the email ids and phone numbers should be accurate.
Question 8.
Read the following paragraphs and fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs from the options given. (Do any 4) (1 x 4 = 4)
Driving (i) ……………… big fun. However, obedience to traffic rules (ii) ……………… it more enjoyable and safer. While driving, it must be (iii) ……………… that you are responsible for yourself as well as the life of other road users. With alarming rise in the number of road mishaps, the need for road safety (iv) ……………… a lot of importance across the globe. By practicing a few golden rules, you (v) ……………… a responsible citizen who believes in safe driving and the safety of others.
(i) (a) is (b) was (c) will be (d) being
(ii) (a) makes (b) made (c) will make (d) make
(iii) (a) remembers (b) remembered (c) was remembered (d) will remember
(iv) (a) gains (b) has gained (c) gained (d) will be gained
(v) (a) become (b) becomes (c) became (d) will become
Answer:
(i) (a) is
(ii) (a) makes
(iii) (b) remembered
(iv) (b) has gained
(v) (d) will become
Question 9.
Rearrange the following words or phrases to make meaningful sentences: (1 x 3 = 3)
(a) to / her / first / Sudha / stand / hard / class / is / studying” in
Answer:
Sudha is studying hard to stand first in her class.
(b) healthy / takes / keep / himself / everyday / exercise / Kamal / to
Answer:
Kamal takes exercise everyday to keep himself healthy.
(c) he / stepped out / had / hardly / it / began / when / to rain
Answer:
Hardly had he stepped out when it began to rain.
Section – C
Literature (31 marks)
Question 10.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: (1 x 3 = 3)
She launches away, towards the infinite
And the laburnum subsides to empty.
(a) Who is ‘she’ in the poem?
(i) She is a small girl.
(ii) She is a nightingale.
(iii) She is a cuckoo.
(iv) She is a goldfinch.
Answer:
(iv) She is a goldfinch.
(b) What does ‘subsides to empty’ mean?
(i) All its leaves have shed.
(ii) No body lives on the tree.
(iii) There is silence alter the goldfinch has left.
(iv) None of the above
Answer:
(iii) There is silence alter the goldfinch has left.
(c) What does ‘towards infinite’ mean?
Answer:
‘Towards infinite’ means towards the sky.
OR
Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d,
altogether changed, and yet the same,
(a) What is ‘vaguely form’d’?
(i) Rain
(ii) Water
(iii) Clouds
(iv) None of the above
Answer:
(iii) Clouds
(b) Identify the poem?
(i) Voice of the cloud
(ii) Pbem of the rain
(iii) Fbem of the earth
(iv) Voice of the rain
Answer:
(iv) Voice of the rain
(c) Name the poet
Answer:
Walt Whitman
Question 11.
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. (1 x 3 = 3)
A. The new pharaoh promoted the worship of the Aten, the sun disk, changed his name to Akhenaten, or ‘servant of the Aten,’ and moved the religious capital from the old city of Thebes to the new city of Akhetaten, known now as Amama.
Question 1.
Who was the ‘new pharaoh’?
(A) Amenhotep IV
(B) AmenhotepDI
(C) Tutankhaten
(D) Smenkhkare
Answer:
(A) Amenhotep IV
Question 2.
Which major god was attacked by file ‘new pharaoh’?
(A) Aten
(B) Amun
(C) Amama
(D) Olympus
Answer:
(B) Amun
Question 3.
Which natural force did Aten represent?
(A) Wind
(B) Water
(C) Sun
(D) Mountain
Answer:
(C) Sun
OR
B. He was staring at the platform as if mesmerised. There was a table and a chair but the latter was unoccupied. The presidential chair unoccupied! The sight stirred him to the depths. Like a piece of iron attracted to a magnet, he swiftly moved towards the chair The speaker stopped in mid-sentence, too shocked to continue. But the audience soon found voice.
Question 1.
Where was this platform?
(A) Victory House
(B) Independent Ground
(C) Azad Maidan
(D) Public Library
Answer:
(C) Azad Maidan
Question 2.
What surprised ‘him’ the most?
(A) The presidential chair was unoccupied.
(B) There was only one chair and one table.
(C) A crowd of people gathered for a rally.
(D) Many people coming and going while the lecture was in progress.
Answer:
(A) The presidential chair was unoccupied.
Question 3.
Why did the audience react aggressively at ‘his’ arrival?
(A) They didn’t seem to be in mood of listening to an outsider.
(B) They didn’t seem to be in mood of listening to a historian.
(C) They seemed to be in mood of listening only to the chairperson.
(D) They didn’t seem to be in mood of listening to the chairperson.
Answer:
(D) They didn’t seem to be in mood of listening to the chairperson.
Question 12.
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
A. ‘O King, you do not realise
The bricks were made of the wrong size’
‘Summon the masons!’ said the King.
The masons stood there quivering.
Question 1.
The speaker of the first two lines is/are _________.
(A) workmen
(B) masons
(C) King
(D) chief builder
Answer:
(A) workmen
Question 2.
The masons were summoned because _________.
(A) they had stopped the way of the King.
(B) they had made the bricks of the wrong size.
(C) they had changed the plan.
(D) None of these
Answer:
(B) they had made the bricks of the wrong size.
Question 3.
The word ‘quivering’ means _________.
(A) crying
(B) shouting
(C) trembling
(D) shrieking
Answer:
(C) trembling
Question 4.
Name the poem from which the extract has been taken?
(A) A Photograph
(B) The Tale of Melon City
(C) The Melon’s Tale
(D) Silk Road
Answer:
(B) The Tale of Melon City
OR
B. He walked the horse quietly to the barn of a deserted vineyard which at one time had been the pride of a farmer named Fetvajian. There were some oats and dry alfalfa in the barn. We began walking home.
Question 1.
Who is ‘he’ here?
(A) Aram
(B) Mourad
(C) Zorab
(D) Saroyan
Answer:
(B) Mourad
Question 2.
What did they do with the horse in the deserted vineyard?
(A) Killed it
(B) Set it free
(C) Hid it
(D) Rode it
Answer:
(C) Hid it
Question 3.
What time of the day the incident took place?
(A) Morning
(B) Noon
(C) Evening
(D) Night
Answer:
(B) Noon
Question 4.
Who was the real owner of the beautiful white horse?
(A) Byro
(B) Zorab
(C) Mourad
(D) Khosrove
Answer:
(A) Byro
Commonly Made Errors:
- The most commonly made errors pertain to grammar and spellings
- The second most commonly made errors pertain to the wrong perception and expression of the poetic devices. One must first explain what a poetic device is, such as simile, metaphor, allusion and so on, and then explain their usage in the context of the poem.
Answering Tips:
- Read the poem thoroughly-more than once, if necessary-to grasp the gist of each stanza
- Do not rely on paraphrases
- Note the use of words and expressions
- Find out the context of the poem
- Try to understand meanings of words in context. Remember, poetic meaning of a word may be different from the actual meaning. Also, sometimes certain words may undergo such poetic modifications for the sake of rhythm, which is not generally seen in prose.
Question 13.
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words each. (3 x 3 = 9 marks)
(a) Highlight the character traits of Khushwant Singh’s grandmother as portrayed in ‘The Portrait of a Lady’.
OR
What did the author notice in the vast open plains after leaving Ravu ?
(b) Which do you think is the most important step toward adulthood ? Why ?
OR
How can you infer that the father wishes his son to remain at home with him?
(c) “Don’t fret mother, I’ll not run away.” Why do you think Andrew says so? |A|T|
OR
(f) How did the workmen escape being hanged?
Answer:
(a) Khushwant Singh’s grandmother has been portrayed as a very old religious lady, short statured, fat and slightly bent. Her face was wrinkled and she was always dressed in spotless white clothes. Her lips were always moving in a silent prayer while telling the beads of her rosary. She went to the temple and read the scriptures.
The grandmother, a kind lady, used to feed dogs in the village and the sparrows in the city. She had a great affection for her grandson. She looked after him in the village. But she could not adjust herself to the western way of life, Science and English education. She hated music and was distressed to know that there was no teaching about God and holy books at Khushwant’s new English school. On the whole, she was a nice, kind hearted and religious lady.
OR
These vast open plains had only dry pastures. A few gazelles could be seen nibbling the grass. When the plains grew stonier than grass, he saw a great head of wild asses.
(b) Having an independent mind free from any outside influence is the most important step towards adulthood. That is why, the poet mentions it as the third and the final step. Other steps like being rational or learning hypocrisy show an outside influence while this step shows an internal awakening which is the chief quality of human and separates them from other animals.
OR
The father finds the son’s interests quite different. He is home bound, whereas the son is on the look out for fresh avenues. He aspires for a world of his own. The father wants him to return home even if he undergoes losses by extravagant ventures. He is willing to make up with him if he agrees to live with him.
(c) Mrs. Morgan’s mother offered to make a cup of tea for the doctor. The experienced woman realized that there must be a period of waiting. She was afraid that the doctor would leave the case saying that he would return later.
OR
When the chief of builders blamed the workmen for the incident, the King stopped the proceedings of hanging for a while. Then he decided to have all the workmen hanged. The workmen argued that the size of the bricks was wrong. The King decided to hang the masons instead. Thus, the workmen escaped being hanged.
Question 14.
Answer any one of the following questions in about 120-150 words: (6 marks)
The methods of inquiry of history, science and philosophy are similar. Discuss with reference to the story ‘The Adventure’.
OR
“He was the last of his family line.” What do you learn about Tut’s dynasty from the extract ‘Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues’?
Answer:
If we have to speak in favour, we can say that the method of inquiry of history, science and philosophy are similar.
All these three branches of knowledge look upon the facts and, on their basis, draw their conclusions. The type of facts is not the same. History is interested in the lives of old kings and queens. Philosophy depends upon thought and religion while the science is concerned with the facts of nature. If we have to speak against, we can say that methods of inquiry of history, science and philosophy are poles apart. History enquires into the life of society.
It particularly concerns itself with important events like some great war, some great inspiration, some well-known crisis, etc. For this purpose, a historian reads old books, A philosopher learns about the working of mind and soul. He does not bother about the facts but the mind that creates those facts. A scientist’s quality is not to take anything for granted. He raises new questions and tries to find their answers by experiments. (6)
OR
Tut s grandfather, Amenhotep HI was a powerful Pharaoh who ruled for almost four decades at the height of the dynasty’s golden age. His son Amenhotep IV promoted the worship of the Aten, the sun disk. He changed his name to Akhenaten or ‘servant of the Aten. ‘ He moved his religious capital from the old city Thebes to the new city of Akhenaten.
He further shocked the country by attacking Amun, a major God, breaking his images and closing his temples. Thus, the wacky King started one of the strongest periods in the history of ancient Egypt. After Akhenaten’s death a mysterious ruler named Smenkhare appeared briefly and departed without leaving any sign. Then a very young Tutankhaten took the throne. He is widely known today as King Tut. The boy King soon changed his name to Tutankhamun ‘living image of Amun’.
He supervised the restoration of the old ways. Tutankhamun ruled for about nine years and then died unexpectedly. The details of his passing away are not available. The modern world has speculated about what happened to him. How did he die and how old was he at the time of his death are two unanswered questions.
Question 15.
Answer the question in about 120-150 words:
Compare and contrast uncle Khosrove and cousin Mourad.
OR
How did the narrator come to know about Mrs. Dorling and the address where she lived?
Answer:
Uncle Khosrove and cousin Mourad have one very important point in common-their craziness. Mourad was considered the natural descendant of uncle Khosrove in this respect. They both are dominating in nature. Both use pet words and phrases and roar aloud to quieten the hearer. While uncle Khosrove says, “It is no harm, pay no attention to it.” Mourad boasts, “I have a way with birds/dogs/farmers.”
Khosrove shouts at his son Aram, the barber and farmer John Byro. The narrator is a patient listener to Mourad’s assertions. They are different in their age and physical build up. Uncle Khosrove, a middle-aged person, is an enormous man with a powerful head of black hair and very large moustache. Mourad is an athletic young chap of thirteen. Khosrove is irritable, impatient and furious in temper. Mourad is reasonable in conversation.
OR
Years ago, during the first half of the war, the narrator went home for a few days to see her mother. After staying there, a couple of days she noticed that something or other about the rooms had changed. She missed various things. Then her mother told her about Mrs. Dorling. She was an old acquaintance of her mother who had suddenly turned up after many years. Now, she came regularly and took something home with her every time she came.
She suggested that she could save her precious belongings by storing them at her place. Mother told her address, number 46, Marconi Street. The narrator asked her mother if she had agreed with her that she should keep everything. Her mother did not like that. She thought it would be an insult to do so. She was worried about the risk. Mrs. Dorling faced carrying a full suitcase or bag.
Commonly Made Errors:
- The most commonly made errors pertain to grammar and spellings
- The second most commonly made errors pertain to the wrong interpretation of the plot-structure and the character sketches.
- Mixing up the names of the different places, i.e., mentioning the wrong place in the context of the wrong event.
Answering Tips:
- Read the poem thoroughly-more than once, if necessary-to grasp the gist
- Do not rely on paraphrases
- Note the character traits of both the major and the minor characters
- Find out the context of the story. This will help to understand the sub-themes
- Focus on the narrative style of the story.