CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 English Set 6 with Solutions

Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 English with Solutions Set 6 are designed as per the revised syllabus.

CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 English Set 6 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 passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (10 marks)
1. The world’s first book-less library has been set up in the state of Texas in the United States. Unlike the rows upon rows of books that are found in a conventional library anywhere in the world, at the book-less library, there are high-tech gadgets that have replaced the books as found in other libraries.

2. The borrowers of books from this high-tech book-less library have a different set of rules to follow when borrowing books. Instead of taking home books for reading, the members of the library, who are registered residents of the south Texas country of Buxar, can now access their choice of reading matter from e-readers. Also, instead of having to pay a fee for membership of the library and for borrowing books and other facilities, the members can borrow reading matter from the book less library for free.

3. The services of this library have found favour with its readers is clearly visible from the growing readership numbers at this library. Since its start in September, the country’s 1.7 million residents have been able to check out and take home the machines for reading purposes and accessing the catalogue.

They are also able to use their own devices to check out and access the catalogue of the library. This Biblio-Tech of 1.5 million books, currently has 600 e-readers, 200 pre-loaded enhanced e-readers for children and 48 computer stations for use by its readers. In addition, there are 10 laptops, and 40 tablets available in the premises, for use by the readers.

4. Not satisfied with simply providing e-reading services, the Biblio-Tech has created a list of higher ambitions for itself. The most prominent of these include their ambition to give up the country’s necessary tools ‘to thrive as citizens of the 21st century’. For them, a well-connected citizen of this country is one who strives for enhancing his education and literacy and promoting ‘reading as a recreation’.

5. As part of reader services at the Biblio-Tech, its Special Project Coordinator, Laura Cole comments that the library authorities wanted to create the best and the most cost effective way of providing library services. This was especially suitable for the Texas country’s residents as the population here is geographically distanced from existing services. In fact there has never been a book store or library in this area. “Geography does not matter if your library is in the clouds,” adds Laura Cole, referring to the ‘cloud’ system where the books of the library are stored online.

6. Answering queries about readers’ concerns that library users may feel put off by technology, Cole is proud to concur that her staff is willing to dedicate their time to help readers and visitors who find it difficult to handle the system on their own. Hence, readers do not feel intimidated by the gadgetry and feel empowered to be able to access this novel system of procuring reading matter.

7. Even replacement costs for damages and breakdowns have been factored into the working system of the library. Thus, readers are not turned away from the library doors simply because the system is not functioning on any particular day. To prevent thefts from depleting their stocks, the devices are geared in such a way that users cannot access its internet once they leave the premises of the library. [KVS Guwahati 2016 Region]

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions given below.
Question 1.
The borrowers in a high-tech library have to follow:
(A) a different set of rules.
(B) the same set of rules.
(C) absolutely no rules.
(D) rules of their own making.
Answer:
(A) a different set of rules.

Question 2.
The book-less library is located in:
(A) the Texas country of Biblio-Tech
(B) the Texas country of Buxar
(C) the city of middle USA
(D) Washington D.C., USA
Answer:
(B) the Texas country of Buxar

Question 3.
The amount of reading material available at the Biblio-Tech library is:
(A) 600 books.
(B) 1.5 million books.
(C) 1.7 million books.
(D) None of the above
Answer:
(B) 1.5 million books.

Question 4.
The book-less library is highly suitable for this country because:
(A) the public library is not functioning well.
(B) the people here are avid readers.
(C) there is plenty of reading matter in this library.
(D) it is geographically distanced from existing library services.
Answer:
(D) it is geographically distanced from existing library services.

Question 5.
The cloud system refers to:
(A) the sky with black clouds.
(B) the bright sky with clouds.
(C) system where books are stored online.
(D) None of the above
Answer:
(C) system where books are stored online.

Question 6.
‘To thrive’ in para 4 means:
(A) to prosper.
(B) to live happily.
(C) to serve duties.
(D) All the above
Answer:
(A) to prosper.

Question 7.
Who is Laura Cole?
(A) The librarian at Biblio-Tech
(B) The Special Project Coordinator at Biblio-Tech
(C) A well-connected citizen
(D) All of the above
Answer:
(B) The Special Project Coordinator at Biblio-Tech

Question 8.
Find the word in the passage that mean:
full of power (para 6)
Answer:
empowered

Question 9.
How does Biblio-Tech ensure that there is no theft of its books:
(A) It has devised its gadgets in such a way that they cannot access internet once outside its premises.
(B) It has hired the best CCTV cameras to keep a lookout.
(C) It has factored replacement costs for damages and breakdowns into the working system of the library.
(D) It has a dedicated staff that helps readers and visitors who cann handle the system on their own.
Answer:
(A) It has devised its gadgets in such a way that they cannot access internet once outside its premises.

Question 10.
What shows that Biblio-Tech has gained popularity?
(A) There is no theft at the library.
(B) The library has become world famous.
(C) Everyone in Texas comes to the library.
(D) There is an increase in readership.
Answer:
(D) There is an increase in readership.

Question 11.
How is the bookless library different from conventional libraries?
(A) There are millions of books in the book-less library.
(B) There are rows upon rows of books.
(C) Readers feel intimidated by the gadgets.
(D) Readers have to pay membership fees.
Answer:
(A) There are millions of books in the book-less library.

Question 2.
Read the passage carefully and then answer the following questions. (8 x 1 = 8 marks)
MY FIRST-EVER ROLLERCOASTER RIDE
I have come to a theme park to meet rollercoaster enthusiast Jay Murray, to find out what makes these rides so popular. Jay estimates he has been on 700 rides in the past 10 years, and is surprised that I have never been on one. He says that one of the attractions of these rides is that you feel out of control, but safe. Jay really wanted to emphasise the importance of safety. “All rides are tested for 1,000 hours before they open to the public,” he said.

“They also do a test run on every ride each morning, and there’s a thorough annual inspection too.”

Rollercoasters first appeared in 17th-century Russia. These were sloping structures up to 15 metres high, built of wood, with a layer of ice on the surface which people would slide down. Rollercoasters with wheeled sledges were developed soon afterwards. Later, in Pennsylvania, in the USA, a train that had been used to deliver coal was converted to carry passengers on day trips.

This gave a man called LaMarcus Thompson the idea to open a park with pleasure rides at Coney Island, New York. A school teacher by profession, he had the eye of a designer, and the mind of a businessman. In just three weeks, he raised enough money from the rides to pay for the cost of building the park.

By 1888, Thompson had built nearly 50 rollercoasters around the USA and Europe. He introduced new technologies such as cables to prill trains uphill, but it was another man, John Miller, who came up with a design for an underfriction wheel, which kept trains firmly attached to the rails. This meant that they could go faster and on steeper tracks, without falling off. This invention appeared in 1912.

Name of ride Country Height Total cost Maximum speed Tower of Terror Australia 115 metres A $16 million 161 kilometres per hour Formula Rossa United Arab Emirates 52 metres £19.5 million 240 kilometres per hour Steel Dragon Japan 97 metres US $52 million 153 kilometres per hour

However, there are limits to the physical forces that a person can tolerate on a ride. People can cope more easily with the positive vertical – the feeling of being pressed into their seat – than the negative vertical, which pushes them out of it. Interestingly, Jay points out that the desire to make rollercoaster rides higher and faster is slowly being replaced by a trend towards more complex rides, which offer a more lasting experience. Jay explains: “A world-famous ride such as Kingda Ka (in the USA) is over in less than ten seconds.

Although such a ride is thrilling, and gives you a rush of adrenaline, there is an alternative. You can try a ride like Helix (in Sweden), which lasts for two minutes – it’s my number one at the moment.” All the same, Jay was eager for me to experience ‘air time’ – the moment when you reach the top and hang, weightless, before plunging down the other side. And when I finally did, I had to admit that it was fantastic!
Question 1.
How do theme parks make sure each ride is safe every day?
(A) daily inspection
(B) open ride
(C) by test run
(D) None of these
Answer:
(C) by test run
Explanation: Jay really wanted to emphasise the importance of safety. “All rides are tested for 1,000 hours before they open to the public,” he said. “They also do a test run on every ride each morning, and there’s a thorough annual inspection too.”

Question 2.
What were the earliest rollercoasters covered in?
(A) layers of ice
(B) dust
(C) wood
(D) coal
Answer:
(A) layers of ice
Explanation: Rollercoasters first appeared in 17th-century Russia. These were sloping structures up to 15 metres high, built of wood, with a layer of ice on the surface which people would slide down.

Question 3.
What did the railway in Pennsylvania originally transport?
(A) wood
(B) coal
(C) both (A) and (B)
(D) rollercoasters
Answer:
(B) coal
Explanation: Later, in Pennsylvania, in the USA, a train that had been used to deliver coal was converted to carry passengers on day trips.

Question 4.
What was the occupation of the man who first designed the rides at Coney Island?
(A) business
(B) engineer
(C) designer
(D) teacher
Answer:
(D) teacher
Explanation: LaMarcus, a school teacher by profession, had the eye of a designer, and the mind of a businessman.

Question 5.
What was the name of the device which was invented in 1912?
(A) cable
(B) Tower of Terror
(C) Under-friction wheel
(D) Steel Dragon
Answer:
(C) Under-friction wheel
Explanation: John Miller came up with a design for an under-friction wheel, which kept trains firmly attached to the rails.

Question 6.
According to the table, how tall is Tower of Terror:
(A) 115 meters
(B) 110 meters
(C) 75 meters
(D) 100 meters
Answer:
(A) 115 meters
Explanation: It is clear from the given table.

Question 7.
Which term refers to the force that pushes you into your seat while on a ride?
(A) Physical force
(B) positive vertical
(C) negative vertical
(D) None of these
Answer:
(B) positive vertical
Explanation: People can cope more easily with the positive vertical – the feeling of being pressed into their seat – than the negative vertical, which pushes them out of it.

Question 8.
Which feature makes Jay Muray believe that rollercoaster rides will change in the future?
(A) thrilling
(B) weightless
(C) more complex
(D) simple
Answer:
(C) more complex
Explanation: Jay points out that the desire to make rollercoaster rides higher and faster is slowly being replaced by a trend towards more complex rides, which offer a more lasting experience.

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. How you can best improve your English depends on where you live and particularly on whether you live in an English speaking community or not. If you hear English speaking everyday and mix freely with English speaking people, that is on the whole an advantage. On the other hand, it is often confusing to have the whole language poured over you at once. Ideally, a step-by-step course should accompany or lead up to this experience. It will also help a great deal if you can easily get the sort of English books in which you are interested.

2. To read a lot is essential. It is stupid not to venture outside the examination ‘set books’ or the ‘text books’ you have chosen for intensive study. Read as many books in English as you can, not as a duty but for pleasure. Do not choose the most difficult books you find with the idea of listening and learning as many new words as possible. Choose what is likely to interest you and be sure in advance that it is not too hard, you should not have to be constantly looking up new words in the dictionary, as that deadens interest and checks real learning.

Look up a word here and there, but as a general policy try to push ahead, guessing what words mean from the context. It is extensive and not intensive reading that normally helps you to get interested in extra reading and thereby improves your English.

You should enjoy the feeling which extensive reading gives, of having some command over the language. As you read you will become more and more familiar with words and sentence patterns you already know, understanding them better and better as you meet them in more and more contexts, some of which may differ only slightly from others.

3. Some people say that we can learn to speak a language better with the help of a book. To believe this is to believe that the spoken language and the written language are quite different things. There is a very great deal common between the two. In learning the patterns and vocabulary of the written form, we are learning to a considerable extent of the spoken form too. We are, in fact, learning the language and not merely the one form of language.
(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) How To Improve English Language Skill
1. Necessary steps:

Living in an Eng. speaking community.
Mixing with Eng. speaking people.
Getting Eng. books of interest.
Reading books for pleasure.

2. Need for a general policy:

Reading a lot
Need for extensive reading
Listing and learning new words
Adopting real learning

3. Views on learning a lang:

Command of a lang.
Words and sent, pattern learning.
Spoken and written lang. are two diff. things.

Key to Abbreviations
S. No.	Abbreviation	Word
1	Eng.	english
2	Lang.	language
3	Diff.	different
4	Sent	sentence

(b) Make a short summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3 marks)
Answer:
Summary:
Improving English depends on the area where a person lives. If a person lives in an area where English is spoken every day, he gets to learn the language easily. Reading English books for pleasure also helps a person in improving his/ her language. But while selecting books for reading, it must be taken care that the books are not difficult otherwise the interest will be lost and learning will also become difficult. One must realise that spoken and written language go hand in hand. So, one must acquire the skill of learning both the written as well as the spoken form.

Section – B
Writing Skills and Grammar (23 marks)

Question 4.
Ajay/Anjali Arora wishes to let out a portion of his/her built house. Draft an advertisement for publication in” To Let” column of HT, giving all the necessary details. (3 marks)
OR
You want to sell your newly built flat. Draft a suitable advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in the classified columns of the ‘The Assam Tribune’ giving all necessary details. You are Niranjan of Nabin Nagar, Guwahati. Word Limit – 50 words.
Answer:
TO-LET:
Available on rent, a newly constructed first floor, 3BHK flat in Vikas Nagar. Good location, airy rooms attached bathrooms, individual parking, 24×7 security and power back up. Near Shopping complex, schools, metro station, central parks, etc. Interested persons may contact: Ajay Arora (Mob. 921xxxxxxx).

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.
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
FLAT FOR SALE
Available a newly built 3 BHK flat, 900 sq. feet, 3rd floor, East facing, semi furnished with CCTV Camera and parking facilities, original documents, reasonable price. For more details contact Niranjan, 87, Nabin Nager, Guwahati.

Commonly Made Errors:

Missing out one or more of the value points.
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 making a poster, it is important to keep in mind what it is all about and whether the created poster gets across the idea clearly or not.
Next, it is important to design the poster properly. So, one needs to experiment with the font size, style and colour, as well as the layout.
Venue, date and time should be mentioned in such a manner that they do not escape peoples’ attention.
Lastly, students should ensure correctness of spellings, contextual use of substituting words and grammatical correctness.

Question 5.
As the manager of ‘Excellent Coaching Centre’ run by you, prepare a poster calling the attention of students desirous of attending IIT, CPMT coaching to join your coaching centre. (6 marks)
OR
Tourism Department, Government of Uttaranchal has launched an ambitious plan to develop adventure sports and eco-tourism activities in the state. Prepare a suitable poster for display at important public places/ publication in newspapers.
Answer:

Question 6.
Although students have been using cell phones consistently in their daily lives for almost a decade, schools continue to resist allowing the devices into the classroom. Schools generally grapple with new technologies, but cell phones’ reputation as a nuisance and a distraction has been hard to dislodge. Using information given below, prepare a debate in about 120-150 words in favour of or against the topic ‘Cell phones should be allowed in schools’. (6 marks)
OR
We have seen that vegetarian diet helps in making our immunity stronger. Write your view in favour or against ‘Everyone should become vegetarian’.
Answer:
Cell Phones Should Be Allowed In Schools
Good morning everyone, I, XYZ of class XI, would like to express my views against the topic in today’s debate. The topic of the debate is ‘ cell phones should be allowed in schools’.

Cellphones today have become such a necessity in everyone’s lives that whether cellphones should be allowed at school has become a very hot topic of debate. Although there are quite a few advantages of bringing cellphones to school, the disadvantages of doing so surely outweigh them.

Allowing cellphones to school would be equivalent to giving an open invitation to distraction. This is because with so many activities in a single gadget, students are bound to be tempted to indulge in them, hence deviating them from the main

objective of coming to school. Their concentration towards studies would deteriorate as they would be busy fiddling with their cellphones. They won’t prefer studying seriously as they will be carefree because of their cellphones being a potential tool for cheating. Being innocent because of their mental age, they can easily become victims of faster cyberbullying.

Not only this, with a cellphone in everyone’s hands, there would naturally be unhealthy competition to see who has got the latest model and the hottest brand. This would only increase the worries and expenditure of parents as every student would pester their parents to buy them new cellphones. Also it would make students, with the not so latest cellphones, be a victim of inferiority complex. Worse still, it may also create a barrier or ‘cellphone-fuelled class difference’ between students as cellphones models and brands are now considered a status symbol.

The afore mentioned points establish the fact that the reasons for not allowing cellphones in schools are based on clear reservations and not on flimsy grounds, hence cellphones should not be allowed at schools.
Thank you
OR
Everyone should become vegetarian Good morning jury. To start with the words of George Bernard Shaw, ‘Animals are my friends and I don’t eat my friends.”

Vegetarianism used to be an unusual lifestyle choice. Today it is becoming more common and accepted by mainstream society. While there are many reasons for choosing a vegetarian diet, the most important are health reasons, environmental and economic reasons, and above all, ethical reasons.

Health reasons alone are sufficient grounds for becoming a vegetarian. Research has shown that we do not require meat in our diets and it is actually healthier to avoid meat. Meat is high in saturated fats which are known to cause clogged arteries. Cultures that consume less meat than North America have much lower cholesterol and lower rates of heart disease. For example, Japan used to have a lower incidence of heart disease, as well as cancer, before meat consumption increased.

There is also reason to believe that humans have naturally evolved to be herbivores, rather than carnivores. Human teeth resemble the teeth of other herbivores, and human intestinal tracts are long, unlike the short intestine found in carnivores. What is natural is usually healthier, and people who become vegetarians frequently report a feeling of increased energy and well-being. My opponents say that vegetarian diets are devoid of the proteins and fats. I totally disagree and say that there are nuts, soya and milk products that contain protein and that is sufficient for our body.

With all my points favouring the topic, I feel that all the non-vegetarians will change their stand.

Commonly Made Errors:

Students do not use expressions usually used in debates.
They mix up arguments for and against.
They do not support argument with data or more information.
They write debate in very formal style.

Answering Tips:

Total agreement or disagreement with the topic should be expressed forcefully and clearly.
Use argumentative style and logical reasoning.
Back up arguments with relevant information.

Use powerful expressions like:

I’d like to argue
In my opinion
May I ask? etc.
Refer to your opponent’s view/views
Stick to your view point (-) either in favour or against

Question 7.
Recently, Agra Administration launched a campaign against use of plastic bags. Write a speech to be delivered in your morning assembly on the topic, ‘Say no to plastics’ in about 150-200 words. You can take the help of figure. (6 marks)

Answer:
Say no to plastics
Respected Principal, teachers and my fellow students, good morning to all. Today, I, XYZ of class XI, am going to present my views on the topic, Say No to Plastics.

Everyone today is quite aware of the non- biodegradable nature of the plastics or polythene bags. People find them very convenient so they are used in abundance. But everyone should realise the negative impact that they are having on our environment. They are causing havoc to it. It is an essential duty of each and every citizen of the country to make the environment clean and a healthy place to live in.

Keeping pace with the prime motive, the foremost duty of everyone is to say ‘no’ to these bags. Everyone must be made aware of the hazardous ill-effects of polythene bags in polluting our environment. The use of these polythene or plastics should be discontinued permanently. Instead of plastic bags, cloth bags or jute bags should be used. Using paper bags or cardboard boxes, where possible, is the best option. It is a must to save our environment from being contaminated further.
Thank you

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)
Once there was a king. He (i) ……………. for his benevolence. Everyday he (ii) ……………. the hungry and (iii) ……………. the poor before he (iv) ……………. his food. He (v) ……………. so for many years. He (vi) ……………. by his subjects. [6 x 1/2 = 3]
(i) (a) know (b) knew (c) is known (d) was known
(ii) (a) feed (b) feeds (c) fed (d) will feed
(iii) (a) clothes (b) clothed (c) will clothe (d) was clothed
(iv) (a) takes (b) took (c) will take (d) was taken
(v) (a) did (b) does (c) will do (d) do not do
(vi) (a) love (b) loved (c) loves (d) was loved
Answer:
(i) (d) was known
(ii) (c) fed
(iii) (b) clothed
(iv) (b) took
(v) (a) did
(vi) (d) was loved

Question 9.
Choose the correct option and rearrange the following words or phrases to make meaningful sentences. (1 x 3 = 3)
(i) on / my bicycle / to / go /1 used to / my school
(A) I used to go to my school on my bicycle.
(B) I used to go to my bicycle on my school.
(C) I used to go on my bicycle on my school.
(D) To my school, I used to go on my bicycle.
Answer:
(A) I used to go to my school on my bicycle.

(ii) boy / each / was punished / of the class / yesterday
(A) Each boy was punished yesterday of the class.
(B) Yesterday each of the boy class was punished.
(C) Each boy of the class was punished yesterday.
(D) Boy of the class each was punished yesterday.
Answer:
(C) Each boy of the class was punished yesterday.

(iii) how / you had / at the interview / done / us / let / know
(A) Let us know how you had done at the interview.
(B) Let how you had done us know at the interview.
(C) Let know us how you had done at the interview.
(D) Let at the interview know us how you had done.
Answer:
(A) Let us know how you had done at the interview.

Section – C
Literature (31 marks)

Question 10.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: (1 x 3 = 3)
Then sleek as a lizard and alert and abrupt,
She enters the thickness and a machine starts up
(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:
(i) She is a small girl.

(b) Which figure of speech is used in ‘sleek as a lizard’?
(i) Alliteration
(ii) Transferred Epithet
(iii) Personification
(iv) Simile
Answer:
(iii) Personification

(c) Where does she enter?
Answer:
thickness and a machine starts up
OR
I know nothing of him,
so try to build up a relationship
from how he was when small.
(a) Who knows nothing about the other?
(i) The father about the son
(ii) The mother about the son
(iii) The son about the father
(iv) The grandfather about the grandson
Answer:
(i) The father about the son

(b) Why is there a need to build up the relationship?
(i) Due to misunderstanding
(ii) Due to communication gap
(iii) Due to lack of tolerance
(iv) All of the above
Answer:
(iv) All of the above

Question 11.
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. (1 x 3 = 3)
A. Eventually the substitute fans worked well enough to finish the procedure. After checking that no data had been lost, the technicians turned Tut over to the workmen, who carried him back to his tomb. Less than three hours after he was removed from his coffin, the pharaoh again rested in peace where the funerary priests had laid him so long ago.
Question 1.
What was ‘the procedure’?
(A) Removing Tut’s body
(B) CT scan of Tut’s mummy
(C) Photo shoot of Tut
(D) Funeral of Tut
Answer:
(B) CT scan of Tut’s mummy

Question 2.
Why could the main fan not be used?
(A) Sand in cooler
(B) Electricity failure
(C) Short-circuit
(D) Traditional approach
Answer:
(A) Sand in cooler

Question 3.
Who supervised ‘the procedure’?
(A) ZahiHawass
(B) Howard Carter
(C) Ray Johnson
(D) Osiris
Answer:
(A) ZahiHawass
OR
B. Their victory in the battle was not only a great morale booster to the Marathas, but it also established their supremacy in northern India. The East India Company, which had been watching these developments from the sidelines, got the message and temporarily shelved its expansionist programme.

From the Peshwas, the immediate result was an increase in the influence of Bhausaheb and Vishwasrao who eventually succeeded his father in 1780 AD. The trouble-maker, Dadasaheb, was relegated to the background and he eventually retired from state politics.

To its dismay, the East India Company met its match in the new Maratha ruler, Vishwasrao. He and his brother, Madhavrao, combined political acumen with valour and systematically expanded their influence all over India. The Company was reduced to pockets of influence near Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, just like its European rivals, the Portuguese and the French.
Question 1.
What was the effect of the battle?
(A) Victory of British and establishment of their supremacy in Northern India.
(B) Victory of Marathas and establishment of their supremacy in Northern India.
(C) Victory of East India company and establishment of their supremacy over Marathas.
(D) Victory of Marathas and establishment of their supremacy in Southern India.
Answer:
(B) Victory of Marathas and establishment of their supremacy in Northern India.

Question 2.
How did this change in situation affect the British/East India Company?
(A) They remained restricted to the pockets of influence near Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.
(B) They remained restricted to the pockets of influence near Bombay.
(C) They remained restricted to the pockets of influence near Calcutta and Madras.
(D) They remained restricted to the pockets of influence near Bombay and Madras.
Answer:
(A) They remained restricted to the pockets of influence near Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.

Question 3.
Which word in the given extract means the same as: ‘give less important place/rank’.
(A) Retired
(B) Acumen
(C) Relegated
(D) Shelved
Answer:
(C) Relegated

Question 12.
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. (1 x 4 = 4)
A. Mum-you’ll have to iron my yellow silk. I must wear it tonight. [She now sees what is happening, and is astounded.] What are you doing? [She moves down left centre.
Question 1.
Who is the speaker?
(A) Mrs. Pearson
(B) Mrs. Fitzgerald
(C) Doris
(D) Cyril
Answer:
(C) Doris

Question 2.
What was the other person doing ?
(A) Drinking
(B) Smoking
(C) Sleeping
(D) Eating
Answer:
(A) Drinking

Question 3.
Why was the other person behaving abnormally?
(A) Had become indifferent to others
(B) Had become careless
(C) Had got her personality switched
(D) Had got plastic surgery done
Answer:
(C) Had got her personality switched

Question 4.
What did the speaker think had happened to the mother?
(A) Hit her head with something
(B) Had been transformed by magic
(C) Was just pretending to teach them a lesson
(D) had lost her memory
Answer:
(A) Hit her head with something
OR
B. The episode he had witnessed at Cardiff station still obsessed him morbidly. He thought of Bramwell, foolishly devoted to a woman who deceived him sordidly, of Edward Page, bound to the shrewish Blodwen, of Denny, living unhappily, apart from his wife. His reason told him that all these marriages were dismal failures. It was a conclusion which, in his present state, made him wince.
Question 1.
From which story have these lines been taken?
(A) The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse
(B) Mother’s Day
(C) Birth
(D) The Address
Answer:
(C) Birth

Question 2.
Who of these is not a central character of the story?
(A) Susan
(B) Cyril
(C) Joe
(D) Andrew
Answer:
(C) Joe

Question 3.
Who is ‘he’ here?
(A) Joe Morgan
(B) Andrew
(C) Christine Donald
(D) A. J. Cronin
Answer:
(B) Andrew

Question 4.
What did ‘he’ wish to consider marriage as?
(A) An exasperated state
(B) An idealistic state
(C) An advantageous state
(D) An idyllic state
Answer:
(D) An idyllic state

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) How had King Tut been lavished with royals when he was buried?
OR
The narrator’s grandmother looked like ‘the winter landscape in the mountains’. Comment
(b) Explain about the poetess’ mother from ‘A Photograph’?
OR
What is the father’s problem in the poem ‘Father to Son’ ?
(c) What was the reaction of the woman with a broad back when the narrator said, “I am Mrs. S’s daughter”?
OR
Who was Joe Morgan? Why had he been waiting for Dr. Andrew Manson?
Answer:
(a) King Tut had been lavished with glittering goods. These were precious collars, necklaces, bracelets, rings, amulets, a ceremonial apron, sandals, sheaths, etc. All these things including the coffin were made of pure gold. It was believed that he would take them with him in his journey beyond after death.
OR
The grandmother always wore spotless white clothes. Her locks of hair also looked silver white. Her spotless white dress and silver white hair made her look like the snowy mountains in winter. It is also because she exuberated peace and tranquillity like the mountains.

(b) The poetess’s mother was a big girl at the age of twelve. She had a sweet face and enjoyed swimming as well as wading in sea water with her cousins. Years later she would have laughed at the clothes they had put on for the sea holiday.
OR
Father’s problem is that he does not understand his son. Though, he has lived with his son in the same house for years, he feels that he knows nothing of him.

(c) Mrs. Dorling held her hand on the door as if she wanted to prevent it opening any further. Her face showed no sign of recognition. She kept staring at the narrator without uttering a word.
OR
Joe Morgan was a driller in Blaenelly, a mining town. He was a big, strong and heavy middle aged person. Joe and his wife Susan, who had been married for nearly twenty years and were expecting their first child. Joe was waiting for the doctor to help Susan in the delivery of the child.

Question 14.
Answer any one of the following questions in about 120-150 words: (6 marks)
Everyone on board did contribute to save Wavewalker. Justify.
OR
Describe the author’s journey from the top of the pass to his stay at Hor.
Answer:
Coming out of a challenging assignment can be done only if every member of team works for his or her best cause. Same happened when Wavewalker which was struck hard with a huge wave in the Southern Indian Ocean. The narrator was thrown out by giant wave but he managed to get back to Wavewalker and started rescue work.

While he was trying to block water from pouring in. Mary, his wife, took over to wheel and steered the ship bravely without getting panicked about safety of her children. Larry Vigil and Herbert Seigler worked hard and continued pumping out water till all leaking gaps were plugged, repaired or covered.

Little Jonathan and Suzanne who were on upper bank also got injured but they did not create any panic. Rather they bore isolation and pain in such a manner that their parents and other two sailors had no problem ensuring best efforts of all on board to save the Wavewalker.
OR
The top of the pass was at 5,515 metres. It was marked by a cairn of rocks. The author, along with the two other persons, took a turn round ‘the cairn in a clockwise direction’ as it was the tradition. The author was suffering from severe headache at high altitude.

Now, the car careered down to the other side of the pass. He was glad that his headache had now disappeared. At about 2 p.m. they stopped for lunch. Then they started again and by late afternoon reached the small town of Hor. Here, Daniel parted company. He went back to Lhasa in a truck that was going there.

Tsetan decided to repair his punctured tyres here. So, he sent the author to a cafe to pass about half an hour. Hor did attract the author. Though, he sat on the shore of the sacred lake Manasarovar, it was dirty and full of refuse. When Tsetan came back, the author started on his journey again.

Question 15.
Answer the question in about 120-150 words: (6 marks)
What is the main idea of the play ‘Mother’s Day’? Has it been brought out effectively by the writer? Discuss.
OR
How did the King of Melon City fall into a difficult situation?
Answer:
The theme of the play is the status of women in their own household. The housewife serves the members of her family with complete devotion, sincerity and love. However, she is never given the regard, attention or thanks due to her. Her leniency and eagerness to please everyone reduces her to the rank of unpaid domestic servant in her own house.

Instead of being politely requested for a favour, she is ordered to do it. She gets no thanks in return. The theme is worked out by the portrayal of the Pearson family. Mrs. Pearson is the harassed mother. Her daughter Doris, son Cyril and husband George take her services for granted and have become thoughtless and selfish. The interchange of the personalities and the harsh treatment meted out to them by the personality of Mrs. Fitzgerald (in body of Mrs. Pearson) who reforms them and they obey the mother willingly.

OR
The King of Melon City proclaimed to construct an arch, spanning the main thoroughfare. Soon, the arch was constructed. One day the King was riding down the thoroughfare. His Crown struck against the arch and fell off. The King felt dishonoured and decided to hang the chief of builders.

The chief of builders put the blame on the labourers. The King decided to hang all the labourers. The labourers found fault with the size of the bricks. The King summoned the masons but they lay the blame on the architect.

The King ordered to hang the architect. The architect reminded the King that he had made certain amendments to the plans when they were shown to him. The King found himself in a difficult situation as the architect held him responsible for the mishap. He was utterly confused. Being a just and placid King, he could not deny the charge.

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 story 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.