CLASS XI ENGLISH TIME: 3 HOURS MAX MARKS – 80

SECTION — A (READING SKILLS) (26 Marks)

Q1. Read the following passage carefully.
1. Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all branches of learning. They can
solve the most complex mathematical problems or put thousand unrelated data in order. These
machines can be put to varied uses. For instance, they can provide information on the best way to
prevent traffic accidents. They work accurately and at high speed.
2. They save research workers' years of hard work. This whole process by which machines can be
used to work for us has been called 'automation'. In future automation may enable human beings to
enjoy more leisure than they do today. The coming of automation is bound to have important social
consequences.
3. Some years ago, an expert on automation, Sir Leon Bagrit pointed out that it was a mistake to
believe that these machines could think. There is no possibility that human beings will be controlled
by machines. Though computers are capable of learning from their mistakes and improving on their
performances, they need detailed instructions from human beings to be able to operate. They can
never lead independent lives or rule the world by taking decisions of their own.
4. Sir Leon said that in future, computers would be developed which would be small enough to be
carried in one's pocket. Ordinary people would then be able to use them to obtain valuable
information. Computers could be plugged into a wireless network and can be used like radios. For
instance, people, going on holiday, could be informed about weather conditions. Car drivers can be
given an alternative route, when there is a traffic jam. It will also be possible to make tiny translating
machines. This will enable people, who do not share a common language, to talk to each other without
any difficulty or to read foreign publications.
5. It is impossible to assess the importance of a machine of this sort, for many international
misunderstandings are caused simply due to our failure to understand each other. Computers will
also be used in ordinary public hospitals. By providing a machine with a patient’s systems, a doctor
will be able to diagnose the nature of his illness. Similarly, machines could be used to keep a check
on a patient's health record and bring it up to date. Doctors will, therefore, have immediate access to
great many facts which will help them in their work. Book-keepers and accountants too could be
relieved of dull clerical work. For the tedious task of compiling and checking lists of figures could be
done entirely by machines. Computers are the most efficient servant man has ever had and there is
no limit to the way they can be used to improve our lives.
1.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing
the best of the given choices. 10X1=10M
(a) Write out the correct option:
(i) There is no possibility that human beings can be on their own with no need of machines.
(ii) Human beings are likely to be controlled by machines one day.
(iii) There is no possibility that human beings will ever be controlled by machines.
(iv) Machines can replace humans
(b) Choose the most appropriate option pertaining to the above passage.
(i) Computers can solve only certain mathematical problems.
(ii) Computers can’t solve any mathematical problems.
(iii) Computers can solve the most complex mathematical problems.
(iv) Computers can solve only simple mathematical problems.
(c) Computers can be used
(i) to find treatment for the patient’s illness.
(ii) to prescribe a medicine for the patient.
(iii) to diagnose the nature of patient's illness.
(iv) to keep the patient in good mood.
(d) Many international misunderstandings are caused due to our failure to understand
(i) ourselves. (ii) other nations. (iii) our friends. (iv) each other
(e) The antonym of the word 'complicated' is
(i) difficult (ii) simple (iii) easy (iv) strange
(f) The verb form of the word ‘alternative’ is
(i) alternate (ii) alter (iii) late (iv) elate
1.2 Answer the following.
(a) Sir Leon Bagrit said that in future, _________ would be developed which would be small enough
to be carried in one's pocket.
(b) Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all branches of learning.
[True / False]
1.3 Find the synonyms of the following words from the passage.
(a) results (para 2) (b) monotonous (para 5)
Q2. Read the passage given below.
1. In a reflection of the changing socio-economic dynamics, the report on ‘Women and Men in India
2020’ shows that while share of male and female workers in agriculture has shown a steady decline
from 1987-88 till 2018 -19, there is an increasing trend for both in trade, hotel and restaurant sectors.
2. The report released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation draws upon
available nationally representative data sources to give an insight into the gender dynamics and shifts
across sectors ranging from employment, education, health and decision making.
3. The report also dedicates a chapter to the impediments in the way of empowerment.
4. In the chapter on education, data from NSS 75th round (2017-18) shows that among ever enrolled
persons on the age group 3 -35 years, 30.2% of females were not pursuing education due to domestic
activities. In case of men, 36.9% of ever enrolled males in the 3-35 years’ age group were not attending
education due to engagement in economic activities.
5. Among the never enrolled persons of 3-35 years age group, 13.6% females and 14.9% males were
never enrolled in education due to financial constraints, whereas 11.7% females and 1.5% males were
never enrolled due to their engagement in domestic activities.
6. As far as employment goes, in the chapter on employment a data sheet on the broad-based
industrywise classification of workers presents data from NSS 43rd round in 1987 -88 to Periodic
Labour Force Participation 2018 -19 to indicate the trends. In agriculture in rural India, it turns out
that in 1987 -88 share of women workers was 84.7% which as per PLF survey 2018 -19 is 73.2%.
The share of male workers in agriculture was 74.5% in 1987 -88 and was recorded at 55% in 2018 -
19. On the other hand, the percentage of men in trade, hotels and restaurants grew from 5.1% in
1987 — 88 to 9.2 % in rural areas in 2018 -19. In urban areas the percentage rose from 21.5% to
24.5%.
7. In case of women workers too there is an increase from 2.1% to 4% in rural and 9.8% to 13% in
urban areas.
8. The labour force survey 2018 -19 data is cited in the report to highlight that on the whole, results
indicate that in the rural sector, the worker - population ratio (WPR) was 19.0 for females and 52.1
for males. In urban sector, the ratio is 14.5 for females and 52.7 for males. As per PLF survey (2018-
19), 59.6 female and 57.4 % male workers were self - employed in rural areas. In urban sector, 54.7
% females and 47.2% males were regular wage / salaried employees.
2.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing
the best of the given choices. 8X1=8M
(a) The report mentioned in the passage covers information about
i) population migration and work ii) education and work in rural and urban areas
iii) industry and agriculture iv) impediments in education
(b) Look at the chart in the report. The trend that is clearly visible is
i) that men and women in 2018 -19 work in cities in larger numbers than in 1987
ii) that women have given up agriculture and have taken up more glamorous jobs like working in
restaurants and hotels in 2020
iii) men like to work in cities
iv) women have become educated and do not wish to live in villages in 2020
(c) The movement of men and women towards towards urban areas is
i) good for economy
ii) bad for villages
iii) a change brought about by changing circumstances
iv) not likely to affect the village economy
(d) that 59% of women and 57.4 % of men are self-employed in rural areas can mean
i) that the village economy is strong enough to support its population
ii) that village arts and products are doing well in the market
iii) a sign of backwardness
iv) a sign of lack of education
(e) In the villages men and women of 3 to 35 years of age did not even get enrolled in school
because
i) of social dictates ii) of family circumstances
iii) of laziness iv) they have to work at home or in fields to earn money
(f) For preparing this report data for employment has been collected from
i) NSS 75th round (2017 -18) ii) NSS 43rd round (1987 — 88)
iii) Periodic labour force participation (2018 -19) iv) (i) and (iii) above
(g) The changing trends in the workforce could mean
i) that agriculture cannot support the rural population
ii) that rural men and women are seeking better life for themselves in the cities
iii) that social taboos and restrictions are easing
iv) that in time the cities will have a sizeable rural population
(h) ‘Decline’ in para 1 does not mean
i) increase ii) flourish iii) both (i) and (ii) iv) ebb
3. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
1. In Delhi where 80% of the people are pedestrians in some stage of their commuting, least attention
is paid in pedestrian paths. Delhi’s sidewalks are too narrow, very poorly maintained and full of
potholes, poles, junction boxes and dangerous electrical installation, not to speak of the garbage
dumps that stink and stare at the pedestrian. Ashram Chowk is a good case in point where thousands
of pedestrian change direction from the Mathura Road radial to the Ring Road.
2. A flyover facilitates the automobiles, while the pedestrian is orphaned by the investment hungry
authorities. One corner of the Ashram Chowk has a ridiculous imitation wood sculpture with an
apology of a fountain and across the same Chowk you have the open-mouthed massive garbage dump
right on the pedestrian path in full exhibition for the benefit of the public. These symbols of poor taste
and abject apathy are then connected by narrow dangerous and often waterlogged footpaths for the
helpless pedestrian to negotiate. In the night street lighting in the central median light up the
carriageway for cars and leave the pedestrian areas in darkness.
3. Delhi’s citizens leave and want to get to their destination as fast they can. No one wants to linger
on the road, no leisure walks; no one looks a stranger in the eye. It is on the pedestrian path that
citizen encounters head on the poor public management and the excuse called multiplicity of
authorities. One agency makes the road, another digs it up to lay cables, third one comes after months
to clear up the mess and the cycle of unaccountability goes on. Meanwhile crores are spent in
repairing the carriageway for vehicles and in construction of the flyovers without a care for the
pedestrian below. Solution offered is to make an expensive underpass or an ugly foot over bridge,
ostensibly for facilitating the pedestrian, while in reality they only facilitate the car to move faster at
the expense of the pedestrian. Take Kashmiri gate, ITO, Ashram Chowk, AIIMS. or Dhaula Kuan, at
all these important, at pedestrian crossover points the story is the same. They have pulled the
sidewalk from the pedestrian’s feet.
4. In modern cities across the world, the pedestrian is king. The floor of the city is designed and
maintained as an inclusive environment, helping the physically challenged, the old and the infirm
children and the ordinary citizens to move joyful across the city. Delhi aspires to be world class city.
Hopefully the authorities would look once again at the floor of Delhi. The pleasure of strolling on the
road is deeply connected to our sense of citizenship and sense of belonging. Pride in the city grows
only on a well-designed floor of the city.
a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make-notes on it using headings and
subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (4-5) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply
a title to it. 5M
b) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 50 words using the notes made. 3M

SECTION — B (Grammar & Creative Writing Skills) - (23 Marks)

Answer any seven questions from Q4, Q5 and Q6. 7x1=7M
Q4. Rewrite using the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.
There (i)_____(be) a great rush at the counter yesterday. I (ii) ______ (want) to get a ticket for the
movie. It (iii)________(be) the first day of the release. The manager suddenly (iv) _________ (appear) on
the scene and announced that the show had been cancelled for reasons beyond control.
Q5. Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences:
v) extremely/a/grief/it/is/that /matter/unkindly/animals/are/of / exploited.
vi) killed/they are/beaten/chained/and/mercilessly/trained.
Q6. Rewrite the following sentences into reported speech.
vii) He said to me, “What are you doing?”
viii) She said to me, “Do you like chocolates?”
Q7. You are Suresh Patel, a resident of 25, Amar society, sector 19, Gandhinagar. You wish to sell
your car bought just three years ago. Draft an advertisement providing necessary detail for the ‘For
Sale’ section of the newspaper in not more than 50 words. (3m)
OR
Mr. Rahul Shah, Resident of 125, Akash colony, Gandhinagar, wants to give his newly bought flat
near Gift city on rent. Draft a classified advertisement in not more than 50 words.
Q8. Design a poster in not more than 50 words for your school library on the value of books and good
reading habits. You may use slogans. (3m)
OR
You are the Manager of ‘Excellent Coaching Centre.’ Prepare a poster in not more than 50 words
calling the attention of students desirous of appearing for Medical & Engineering entrance coaching
to join your tuition centre.
Q9. You are Arjun / Fiola student of XII studying in R. K. High School, Maninagar, Ahmedabad. You
have participated in an inter-house Elocution Competition. The topic of the competition is “India of
My Dream”. Prepare the speech in 120 to 150 words. (5m)
OR
You are Anuj /Amita, the captain of ‘Health and Well-being’ Club of your school. You have been asked
to deliver to speech on the topic ‘Importance of Sleep for Good Health’. Write the same in 120 to 150
words.
Q10. ‘Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career.’ Write a debate either for
or against the motion in 120 — 150 words. You are Anil / Anita. (5m)
OR
Climate change disaster is the next pandemic on our hands.’ Write a debate either for or against the
motion in 120 — 150 words. You are Indu / Indresh.

SECTION — C (Literature Textbook & Supplementary Reading Text) (31 Marks)

Q11. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:

A) The Laburnum Top is silent, quite still
In the afternoon yellow September sunlight,
A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.
i) Identify the correct combination of the (given) poem and the poet.
a) Ted Hughes: The Voice of the Rain b) Walt Whitman: The Laburnum Top
c) Ted Hughes: The Laburnum Top d) Shirley Toulson: Childhood
ii) Mary said: Close your cluttered closet. Identify the similar figure of speech in the above extract
used by Mary.
a) Repetition b) Metaphor c) Alliteration d)Onomatopoeia
iii) Which of the following is not a part of the dominant ‘yellow’ colour in the poem?
a) Goldfinch’s face b) The tree and its leaves
c) The bird’s feathers d) The sunlight
OR
B) Where did my childhood go?
It went to some forgotten place,
That’s hidden in an infant’s face,
That’s all I know
i) Where does the poet think childhood can be found?
a) Infant’s face b) Mother’s lap c) Childhood alleys d) Forgotten place
ii) Through the given lines of the poem, the poet wants to convey that ________
a) Growing up involves maturity and logical thinking
b) Imaginary places do not actually exist in the world
c) Double-faced behaviour of the people in society
d) Innocence of childhood disappears as one grows up
iii) The tone of the poet in the given poem is
a) Contented b) Remorseful c) Jovial d) Happy
Q12. Read the given extract carefully and choose the correct options for the answers.3X1=3M
A) The first indication of impending disaster came at about 6 p.m., with an ominous silence. The
wind dropped, and the sky immediately grew dark. Then came a growing roar, and an enormous
cloud towered aft of the ship. With horror, I realised that it was not a cloud, but a wave like no
other I had ever seen. It appeared perfectly vertical and almost twice the height of the other waves,
with a frightful breaking crest.
i) Which word in the extract mean forthcoming?
a) ominous b) growing c) roaring d) impending
ii) What is the wind dropped?
a) wind slipped out the hands of author b) wind started coming from below the ship
c) wind fell down d) speed of wind greatly reduced
iii) Why the sky had become dark?
a) lights of the ship were switched off b) a wave was approaching ship
c) a cloud was approaching ship d) night was approaching
OR
B) A FLAWLESS half-moon floated in a perfect blue sky on the morning we said our goodbyes.
Extended banks of cloud like long French loaves glowed pink as the Sun emerged to splash the distant
mountain tops with a rose-tinted blush. Now that we were leaving Ravu, Lhamo said she wanted to
give me a farewell present. One evening I’d told her through Daniel that I was heading towards Mount
Kailash to complete the kora, and she’d said that I ought to get some warmer clothes. After ducking
back into her tent, she emerged carrying one of the long-sleeved sheepskin coats that all the men
wore.
i) The author was heading towards which place?
a) Mount Everest b) None of these
c) Mount Kailash d) K2
ii) Which of the following figure of speech has been used in the line banks of cloud like long French
loaves?
a) Alliteration b) Metaphor
c) Oxymoron d) Simile
iii) Which of the following facts can be inferred from the above extract?
a) Lhamo didn’t try to understand author
b) Daniel was the translator of the author
c) Daniel was the translator of the author and Moon and Sun were both visible in the sky
d) Moon and Sun were both visible in the sky
Q13. Read the given extract carefully and choose the correct options for the answers.4X1=4M
A) CYRIL: [moving to the table; annoyed] Why not?
MRS. PEARSON: [coolly] I couldn’t bother.
CYRIL: Feeling off-colour or something?
MRS. PEARSON: Never felt better in my life.
CYRIL: [aggressively] What’s the idea then?
MRS. PEARSON: Just a change.
CYRIL: [briskly] Well, snap out of it, Ma-and get cracking. Haven’t too much time.
i) What can you say about Cyril from the given lines?
a) He is dumb and acts superior in front of his mother b) He takes his mother for granted
c) He is arrogant and egoistic d) He always disrespects his mother
ii) The phrase feeling off colour means
a) feeling sleepy b) feeling tired
c) feeling ill d) feeling lazy
iii) Why does Cyril act aggressive?
a) Because he was getting late b) Because his mother had not made tea for him
c) Because his mother was behaving strangely d) Because his mother insulted him
iv) The change referred to Cyril is a change in the way she is treated by the neighbour. (True/False)
OR
B) At the corner of the road I looked up at the name-plate. Marconi Street, it said. I had been at
Number 46. The address was correct. But now I didn’t want to remember it any more. I wouldn’t go
back there because the objects that are linked in your memory with the familiar life of former times
instantly lose their value when, severed from them, you see them again in strange surroundings.
i) Where was the name plate of Marconi Street put up?
a) at the far end of the road b) at the edge of the road
c) at the front of the house d) at the corner of the road
ii) How did author convince herself that she had come at the right address?
a) she had looked at the name of the street
b) she had looked at the number of the house
c) she had looked at the number of the house and name of the street
d) she had looked at the colour of the house
iii) Why did she not want to remember the address?
a) number of the house was already displayed b) she did not want to go there again
c) name of the street was already displayed d) she had a poor memory
iv) Why did author not want to go back there again?
a) she noticed her own thing there b) her own things had lost their importance for her
c) her former life was still in her memory d) the surrounding was unfamiliar
Q14. Answer any two of the following questions in 40 — 50 words. 2X3=6M
A) Behind the apparent simplicity, the poem hides a deep meaning. What exactly does the poem
convey to the reader? (The Voice of the Rain)
OR
How can you say that the photograph was taken on a windy day?
B) Describe in brief how the grandmother spent half-an-hour with the sparrows. How did she feel
then? Answer in the context of The Portrait of a Lady.
OR
How can you infer that the father wishes his son to remain at home with him? {Father to Son}
Q15. Answer any one of the following questions in 40 — 50 words. 1X3=3M
What was the outcome of the interview between Mrs. Dorling and the narrator? Answer in the
context of The Address.
OR
The wisest man said that the arch must be hanged. Then how did the arch escape the punishment?
Answer in the context of The Tale of Melon City.
Q16. Answer any one of the following questions in 120 — 150 words. 1X6=6M
The reaction of the crew and children gives us an insight into the human mind and how it can help
us to survive any disaster. Discuss.
OR
What does the poetess compare her mother’s laughter to and why? Answer in the context of A
Photograph.
Q17. Answer any one of the following questions in 120 — 150 words.1X6=6M
You will probably agree that the story, The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse, does not have
breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what in your opinion makes it interesting?
OR
For doctors, the duty towards the patients is foremost, irrespective of their own personal affairs.
Discuss with reference to the chapter, Birth.