SECTION A: READING SKILLS (20 Marks)

Q1. Read the passage given below.

(10)
1. The modern classroom has taken several steps forward in its evolution of the
learning environment in the past 25 years. Many of the benefits that we have seen in
this setting are due to the introduction of new technology options for students.
Instead of having a single computer for a class to use or a laboratory environment for
the entire school placed in one room, we can now help students learn at their table or
desk with items issued to them directly. Thus, there are quite a lot of advantages to
having technology in classrooms.
2. Technology helps children to stay motivated during the learning process. Most
students don’t like to go to school if they feel like they are wasting their time. When
there is technology allowed in the classroom, then teachers have an opportunity to let
children work at a pace which suits them the best without disturbing others. They can
look up additional information about a subject they are learning about that day, play
educational games that reinforce the lesson, or work on advanced material using a
program.
3. Because many of today’s technology options allow students to see how well they are
doing compared to the average of all users, it gives them a chance to push harder for
themselves and their education. Many of the programs that encourage learning also
issue rewards or award certificates, which helps to make the lessons fun as well.
4. Technology encourages more communication between teachers and parents. When
there is technology in the classroom, then there are more opportunities for parents
and teachers to connect with each other. Using a blog for the classroom can help
parents get to see what their children are learning each day. Apps and software
options allow teachers to instantly report on a child’s behaviour to let parents know in
real-time what is happening throughout the day. There are options for chat boxes,
instant messaging, and other forms of communication as well.
5. Let’s not forget about email here either. Since the 1990s when this technology option
came into the classroom, it created more reliability in messaging between teachers
and parents should there be a need to talk.
6. Technology also creates new ways to learn for today’s student. There are three
critical forms of intelligence that we see in children today: emotional, creative, and
instructional. The traditional classroom environment, which typically encourages
lecture-based lessons, focuses more on the latter option. Standardized tests and
similar ranking tools do the same. When children have access to technology today,
then those who excel outside of the standard learning setup can still achieve their full
potential.
7. Technology allows children to embrace their curiosity in multiple ways. They can try
new things without embarrassment because their tech access gives them a level of
anonymity. This process allows children to work, through trial-and error if they wish,
to see if a different strategy helps them to learn more effectively.
8. It even encourages students to stay engaged with their learning environment.
Children get bored very easily when they feel like they already know what is being
taught in their classroom. Some children will transform into mentors or leaders in this
situation to help their fellow students, but there are many more who disengage
because they lack stimulation. By introducing technology to the classroom, there are
fewer places where repetitive learning must take place. Teachers can introduce new
subjects, try new techniques, or use different projects to encourage ongoing learning,
which creates more overall engagement.

1.1 Based on the understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

(i) Most children don’t like to go to school if

(a) they don’t understand what is being taught in the class.
(b) they feel like they are wasting their time.
(c) they find class too boring.
(d) they can get away with it.

(ii) Supply one advantage of having a technology that allows students to see how well
they are doing compared to the average of other students.it gives them a chance
to push harder for themselves and their education

(iii) Select the appropriate option to fill in the blank.

Technology allows children to embrace their _______________ in multiple ways.

(a) intelligence (b) hard work (c) curiosity (d) passion

(iv) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.

Technology creates new ways to learn for today’s students.

(v) Based on your reading of the text, list two ways through which technology helps
children to stay motivated during the learning process.
1. ____play educational games to reinforce the lesson_____
2. ____work on advanced material using a program___

(vi) The three critical forms of intelligence we see in children today are:

I II III IV V

motivational creative instructional competitive emotional

(a) I, II and III (b) II, III and IV (c) II, III and V (d) I, IV and V

(vii) Who is a mentor?

(a) someone who gives someone help and advice related to something
 (b) someone who leads someone to become a better person
(c) someone who helps someone in their time of need
(d) someone who provides a better learning standard

(viii) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in paragraph 7.
Children can try new things with the help of technology without embarrassment.
It gives them alevel of anonymity

(ix) State one method through which technology encourages more communication
between teachers and parents.apps and software options that allow teachers to
instantly report on a child’s behaviour

(x) Technology helps children to see if a different strategy helps them to learn more
effectively through
(a) hard work and diligence (b) trial and error method
(c) advanced software programs (d) strategies and lessons

Q2. Read the passage given below.

(10)
1. People in only 12 out of 35 States (figures are for undivided Andhra Pradesh) and
Union Territories (UTs) had overwhelmingly chosen Hindi as their first choice for
communication. Among the rest, while a few chose Hindi as their second or third
language of communication, a majority of them chose English, according to the 2011
language Census. About 43.63% of the total population said their mother tongue was
Hindi.
2. Which Indian States are primarily Hindi-speaking according to the language Census?
3. The 2011 Census data shows that most Indian States, apart from a handful of States
in northern and central India, do not primarily speak Hindi but have adopted the
language as a secondary language. Most southern and north-eastern States are not
Hindi-speaking and have adopted English as their secondary language. The given
map shows the State-wise percentage of people who stated that Hindi was their first,
second or third choice of language. Most of the 12 States and UTs that chose Hindi as
their first choice were located in northern and central India — over 96% of the
population in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh speak Hindi.
4. The share of Hindi-speaking people in Gujarat is significantly lower than most States.
The southern and north-eastern States, apart from Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim,
have the lowest proportion of Hindi-speaking population, among all States.
2.1 Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

(i) About how much percentage of population said that their mother tongue was
Hindi?43.63

(ii) Which states have adopted English as their secondary language of

communication?

I II III IV

Southern States Northern States North-Eastern States Central States

(a) I and II (b) I and III (c) III and IV (d) I, II and III

(iii) Name any two states or union territories that chose Hindi as their first language of
communication.
1. ______uttarakhand_____________
2. ______uttar pradesh_____________

(iv) Hindi speaking population in Arunachal Pradesh is

(a) lowest among the north-eastern and southern states.
(b) higher than other north-eastern states.
(c) lowest among the north-eastern states.
(d) higher than other north-eastern and southern states.
(v) Which state has a lower share of Hindi speaking people than any other state?
(a) Gujarat (b) Tamil Nadu (c) Kerala (d) West Bengal

(vi) People of most states and union territories located in northern and central India
 (a) speak their own mother tongue rather than English or Hindi to communicate.
(b) speak English as their first language of communication.
(c) chose Hindi as their first choice of language for communication.
(d) are divided in the usage of English and Hindi in their daily life for
communication.

(vii) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.

Over 96% of population in Southern India speaks Hindi as their first language of
communication.

(viii) According to 2011 census data, most Indian states, apart from a handful of
states in northern and central India,
(a) primarily speak Hindi and the rest have adopted it as a secondary language
(b) primarily speak Hindi
(c) have adopted English as a secondary language
(d) do not primarily speak Hindi but have adopted it as a secondary language.

(ix) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word from paragraph 1
mnemonics : memory :: phonetics : _____speech___
(Clue: Just like mnemonics deals with memory, similarly phonetics deals with
……..)

(x) According to the map, which state has the highest percentage of Hindi speaking
population in India?uttar pradesh

SECTION B – GRAMMAR (10 Marks)

Q3. Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions.
(10)
(i) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence.

If only he _____ us truth in the first place, things would not have gone wrong.
(a) has told (b) would have told (c) had told (d) should
have told

(ii) Read the conversation between Prateek and Raghav and complete the narration
that follows.

Prateek: I don’t feel well today.

Raghav: What can I help you, Sir?
Prateek: Can you take me to the doctor?
Raghav: Yes, Sir.

Prateek told Raghav that he did not feel well that day. Raghav asked respectfully
what he could help him. Prateek asked Raghav if he could take him to the doctor.
Prateek replied in the affirmative.
 (iii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line.

If I dyed my hair green, everybody _____ laugh at me.

(a) would (b) should (c) may (d) can

(iv) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the
following line:

As far as climate change is concerned, South Asia is one of a world’s most

sensitive areas.

Option No. Error Correction

(a) change Changes

(b) is was

(c) most Many

(d) a the

(v) Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank with the correct option.
As he was crossing the road, a car _____ him down.
(a) was knocking (b) had knocked (c) knocked (d) would have
knocked

(vi) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket.
The woman in the pool __swims___ (swim) well.

(vii) Report the dialogue between Mannu and Annu, by completing the narration.

Mannu: Where are you going?

Annu: I am going to the market. Do you want anything?

Mannu asked Annu where she was going. Annu replied that she was going to the
market and she further asked ___if she wanted anything__________.

(viii) Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction.

I met her by chance then I gone to get some Medicine which Sister Amy used to
give.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction
 gone went

(ix) Transform the following direct speech into reported speech.

I said to him, “Where have you lost the pen I brought for you yesterday?
I asked him where he had lost the pen i had bought for him the previous day

(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the sentence.

I remember my promise. I _____ help you in the hour of your need.

(a) can (b) would (c) will (d) might

(xi) Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between a
teacher and a student.

Biology Teacher: I instructed you to draw the diagram of bacteria. Why did you
submit a blank sheet?
Sameer: Sir, I had drawn the diagram of bacteria, but you can’t see it because it is
not visible to the naked eye.

The biology teacher had instructed Sameer to draw the diagram of a bacterial cell
and asked him why he had submitted a blank sheet. Sameer respectfully answered
that he had drawn the diagram but ______________.

(a) he can’t see it because it is not visible to the naked eye.

(b) he couldn’t see it because it is not visible to the naked eye.
(c) he could see it because it is visible to the naked eye.
(d) he could not be seen it because it is not visible to the naked eye.

(xii) Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction.

There are a little countries in the world where the population is not growing fast.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

A little A few

SECTION B – CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (10 Marks)

Q4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
(5)
A. You are Apoorva / Arpit. You bought a refrigerator from Ganesh Electronics and
Electricals. Gandhi Marg, Nagpur. It does not function properly. Write a letter to
 the Sales Manager of the shop, complaining about the defect and asking for
immediate replacement or repair, as necessary.
OR
B. You are Parvati/Praveen, Store In-Charge of Aman Stores, 32/54, Ravi Nagar, Delhi.
Your school requires school bags and accessories in bulk for the commencement
of the new session. Write a letter of enquiry to the Sales Manager, Duckback
Industries Ltd. 13/4, Maharajpur, Delhi enquiring about the details of goods
manufactured.
Q5. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
(5)
A. Given below is a newspaper report on the state of cancer prevailing in India. You
have been asked to write an analytical paragraph on ‘Cancer – a silent killer’.
Taking information from the report given below together with your own ideas,
write this paragraph in about 100-120 words.

"In India, cities are more cancer-prone than rural areas. In the early 1990's, we
expected one out of 10-15 urban Indians to get cancer in their life -time, that is
every second or third family would have to face this disease. This is partly due to
high levels of benzene in the air and also that the metros are exposed to high
levels of pesticides in their foods. In order to check the steady growth of cancer in
the country, the Government shall have to give priority to preventive action. At the
same time measures to undertake improvement in facilities for the treatment of
cancer shall have to be adopted."
OR
B. Study the given line graph carefully and summarise it into a paragraph of
100-120words.

SECTION C – LITERATURE (40 Marks)

Q6. Attempt ANY ONE of the extracts given below.
(5)
A. Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol, just as a
party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show
how important a baker can be for a village. The lady of the house must prepare
sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter's engagement. Cakes and bolinhas
are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence of the
baker's furnace in the village is absolutely essential.

(Glimpses of India)

(i) In Goan village, what is meaningless without the sweet bread 'bol'?
(a) Birthday parties (b) Holi celebration
(c) Wedding gifts (d) All the occasions

(ii) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.

Cakes and bolinhas are compulsorily prepared during Christmas in Goa.

(iii) Find the word in the extract which means 'celebration meal'.
(a) Charm (b) Occasion (c) Engagement (d) Feast

(iv) What is a must for a lady of Goa on the occasion of her daughter's engagement?
(a) She must prepare sandwiches. (b) She must dean the house
(c) She must feed seven children (d) She must purchase any gold item

(v) What makes the presence of a baker’s furnace in a Goan village indispensable?
They carry the old age tradition of baking breads in huge quantities in the
furnaces present in goan villages

B. How foolish people are when they own valuable things, Horace thought. A
magazine article had described this house, giving a plan of all the rooms and a
picture of this room. The writer had even mentioned that the painting hid a safe!
But Horace found that the flowers were hindering him in his work. He buried his
face in his handkerchief. Then he heard a voice say from the doorway. "What is it?
A cold or hay fever?" Before he could think, Horace said, "Hay fever," and found
himself sneezing again. The voice went on, "You can cure it with a special
treatment, you know, if you find out just what plant gives you the disease. I think
you'd better see a doctor, if you're serious about your work. I heard you from the
top of the house just now."
(A Question of Trust)

(i) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in extract:
Horace was sneezing.hay fever

(ii) Which magazine could have published the article mentioned in the given extract?
 (a) Paws & Claws (b) Outdoors & Landscaping
(c) Interiors (d) The Investor

(iii) Choose the image that correctly describes the location of the safe, based on the
given extract.

(1) (2) (3)

(4)

(a) Option (1) (b) Option (2) (c) Option (3) (d) Option (4)

(iv) In the line - Before he could think, Horace said, "Hay fever," the response was
(a) rehearsed (b) spontaneous and natural
(c) hesitant (d) rapid and hostile

(v) Write a line from the extract that can be considered an example of sarcasm.

Q7. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.

(5)
A. But I can get a hair-dye
And set such colour there,
Brown, or black, or carrot,
That young men in despair
May love me for myself alone
And not my yellow hair.
(For Anne
Gregory)

(i) Given below are the taglines of four hypothetical brands. Choose the correct
option that fits the best with the first three lines of the given stanza.
1. LITELIFE
Food that makes you light.
2. GET SET
My home. My gym.
 3. LOOKBOOK
No game over, get makeover.
4. PLANET FOOD
Eat! Eat! Eat! Repeat!

(a) Option 1 (b) Option 2 (c) Option 3 (d) Option 4

(ii) The form of the given stanza is a part of

(a) an agreement. (b) a disapproval. (c) an engagement. (d) an argument.

(iii) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in the passage:
Anne says that she can change her hair colour.

(iv) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.

The speaker wants to change her hair colour so that it may appeal to young men.

(v) Choose the product that best shows what Anne would invest in, to ensure that
young men love her for herself and not her hair.

(a) Option 1 (b) Option 2 (c) Option 3 (d)

Option 4

B. The way a crow

Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
(Dust of
snow)

(i) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word from the extract.
eider : duck :: cedar : __tree________
(Clue: Just like an eidar is a type of duck, cedar is a type of ………)

(ii) Which literary device has been used throughout the poem?
(a) Simile (b) Personification (c) Alliteration (d) Enjambment

(iii) Where is the poet sitting in the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?

(a) under a laburnum tree (b) under a hemlock tree
(c) under a neem tree (d) under a peepal tree
 (iv) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.
Hemlock tree is a poisonous tree with white flowers.true

(v) What does the crow shake down on the poet?

(a) fine particles of dust (b) fine particles of snow
(c) fine particles of dew drops (d) fine leaves from the tree

Q8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each.
(4x3=12)
(i) Nelson Mandela speaks of twin obligations. What are they?
(Nelson Mandela: A Long Walk to
Freedom)
(ii) What does Anne write in the diary about herself and her sister?
(From the Diary of Anne Frank)
(iii) How did Buddha teach Kisa Gotami the truth of life?
(The Sermon at Benaras)
(iv) How did Belinda, Ink, Blink and Mustard react on seeing the pirate?
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
(v) The tigers in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ has some obvious limitations, describe
them in contrast to its natural habitat.

Q9. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each.
(2x3=6)
(i) Why did Hari Singh think that Anil’s job was queer?
(The Thief’s story)
(ii) Why did Horace Danby feel sure of his success in that year’s robbery?
(A Question of Trust)

(iii) Which character traits of Bholi have had an everlasting impression on you? Why?
(Bholi)

Q9. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.

(1x6=6)
(i) How does Amanda tackle the nagging nature of her parents? Explain with
examples from the poem ‘Amanda!’. What values does it portray about Amanda?
OR
(ii) Rajvir felt too excited on reaching Assam while Pranjol showed least interest in
his excitement. What could be the reason behind this? Do you think it is
appropriate on Pranjol’s part to react like this? Justify your answer with reason.
(Glimpses of India)

Q10. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.

(1x6=6)
(i) “Oh I will, Mr Herriot. I’m sure you are right, but it is so difficult, so very difficult.”
 Above statement easily shows that Mrs Pumphrey is a very loving and caring
mistress for Tricki. Explain the truth with instances from the story ‘A Triumph of
Surgery’.
OR
(ii) “A lawless scientist is a curse to society.”
Discuss with reference to the story ‘Footprints Without Feet’.