Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 English with Solutions Set 5 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 11 English Set 5 with Solutions
Time Allowed : 3 hours
Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions :
- The Question paper is divided into three sections:
Section A: Reading (26 – marks)
Section B: Grammar and Creative Writing Skills 23 marks (23 – marks)
Section C: Literature (31 marks) - All questions are compulsory.
- You may attempt any section at a time.
- All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.
Section – A (26 marks)
(Reading Skills)
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (10)
1. There are times when everyone has to face grief. When someone dear to oneself dies, one is left in a state in which shock and grief overcome the ordinary life. One is left in a situation when one feels there is nothing one can do. Grief and mourning are not always associated with only death. It also happens with other types of losses. It could be the loss of one’s job, loss of one’s house or the loss of a close friend or a partner.
2. The best people who are able to cope with these are those, who come from cultures that have strict, formal and intensive mourning rituals. In India, we have diverse rituals which nowadays are being discarded. But these help in the crisis. The near and dear ones come to share the grief and apply balm with their words of solace. In mourning, it is an essential part of coming to terms with loss.
There comes a time when one has to give up one’s grief and rejoin the mainstream of life. Mourning in itself passes through these phases. Firstly, it is in the nature of shock and disbelief. A feeling of numbness over takes. The brain is not in a position to accept, it so happens that one expects the arrival of a loss thinking that nothing will change and he will be with the lost one. In second phase, one realises the truth that the loss has actually happened, and was not a dream. It is now that one feels the pain. Now one recollects the old moments and the memory of guilt creeps in.
3. Here, the affected person displays odd behaviour and has difficulty in eating and is unable to sleep. One may remain in this stage for weeks, months and sometimes for years. In the next phase, reflection from pain and negative feelings creep in. This leads to the positive side.
Now one feels one must make alternative arrangements or replacements. Here, one is ready to cope with the situation. One knows that one cannot recover what he or she has lost but is conscious of the future accepting the loss and is ready for the alternative.
4. On passing through all the stages of grief, it seems that time has passed like a river under the bridge. This shows that mourning has been successful. One cannot forget the loss but comes to terms with reality.
5. Grieve with the person who is bereaved. This shows that you too value the mourning person. This gives a helping support and the bereaved person starts believing you. Your support to the bereaved should not stop after a few days. It may be needed for months. Assure the affected person that the feelings of grief will diminish and will not be the same always.
6. You will see, there comes a time when he or she has to be distracted from grief. Take him or her out for an outing especially away from the current situation. If he or she agrees, take the opportunity and let him or her join the leisurely ventures.
7. It is therefore, the duty of close relatives and friends to take the bereaved out of the depressing climate and give a fresh air of life and happy thoughts.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions given below. (1×10= 10)
Question 1.
In the last phase of grief
(A) there is a relief from pain and negative feelings.
(B) there is till pain and grief.
(C) the person is ready to cope with the situations, ready to face reality.
(D) Both (A) and (C)
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The last phase of grief is the phase of reflection and acceptance. In this phase, the person begins to come to terms with the reality of the loss and to start rebuilding their life. There is still some pain and grief, but it is not as overwhelming as it was in the earlier phases.
Question 2.
One must grieve with the person who is bereaved to show:
(A) that you too value the mourned person.
(B) that you can distract him/her.
(C) you understand what your duty is.
(D) you are his/her well wisher.
Answer:
Option (A) is correct.
Explanation: Grieving with the person who is bereaved shows that you understand what they are going through and that you care about them. It also helps to create a sense of community and support around the person who is grieving.
Question 3.
The person in grief displays:
(A) sleeplessness.
(B) enjoys eating.
(C) difficulty in eating.
(D) Both (A) and (C)
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: People who are grieving often experience sleeplessness and difficulty eating. This is because grief is a very stressful experience and it can take a toll on the body.
Question 4.
What can be done lo distract himìher from grief?
(A) eat good food
(B) sleep for long hours
(C) go for an outing
(D) talk loudly
Answer:
Option (C) is correct.
Explanation: Going for an outing can help to distract someone who is grieving from their pain. It can also help them to connect with the world around them and to start to rebuild their life.
Question 5.
The duty of close relatives and friends is to:
(A) help the bereaved financially.
(B) create difficulty for the bereaved.
(C) take the bereaved out of difficulty.
(D) mourn with the bereaved.
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The duty of close relatives and friends is to mourn with the bereaved. This means being there for them, listening to them, and supporting them through their grief. It also means helping them to take care of themselves and to start to rebuild their life.
Question 6.
The best people who are able to cope with loss and grief are:
(A) Those who are helped by their doctors
(B) Those who have a lot of relatives
(C) Those who come from cultures that have strict, formal and intensive mourning rituals
(D) Those who come from the Indian background.
Answer:
Option (C) is correct.
Explanation: People who come from cultures that have strict, formal, and intensive mourning rituals are often better able to cope with loss and grief. This is because these rituals provide a framework for people to express their grief and to start to heal.
Question 7.
Which words in the passage mean the same as the following?
(i) overcome (Para 2)
(ii) shows (Para 3)
Answer:
(i) overtakes
(ii) displays
Question 8.
According to the passage, all of these are reasons for grief, except:
(A) loss of a job
(B) loss of one’s house
(C) loss of a close friend or a partner
(D) loss of confidence
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The passage only mentions death, loss of job, loss of house, and loss of a close friend or partner as reasons for grief. Loss of confidence is not mentioned.
Question 9.
When does mourning become successful?
(A) When you go for an outing
(B) When you have come to terms with reality
(C) When you have negative thoughts
(D) When someone supports you
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: Mourning becomes successful when the person has come to terms with the reality of the loss and has started to rebuild their life. This is a gradual process, and it takes time.
Question 10.
What does the phrase apply baIm mean in context of the passage?
(A) apply ointment on the injury
(B) apply liquid to the burn
(C) show anger or disrespect
(D) speak softly and consolingly
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The phrase “apply balm” means to speak softly and consolingly to someone who is grieving. It is a way of showing that you care about them and that you are there for them.
2. Look at the graph showing the changes in the population of some wild animals and answer the questions that follow. (1×8=8)
It is surprising that the population of bears is increasing in spite of the dangerous changes in the global climate. Many attribute it to the captive breeding programmes conducted in many countries. On the other hand, it is sad to notice that dolphins have almost become extinct.
Much of it is due to the extensive water pollution especially in areas that are their natural habitats. Unlike whales, who are able to change their habitat and venture into deeper parts of the oceans, dolphins are unable to adapt to changing habitats at short notices. No wonder, the whale population has seen many ups and downs over the last few years.
Question 1.
The given diagram can be described as:
(A) A simple line graph
(B) A vertical line graph
(C) A straight line graph
(D) A multiple line graph
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: It is clear from the given figure.
Question 2.
How many years are covered in the graph?
(A) Four
(B) Five
(C) Six
(D) Seven
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: 2017 to 2022
Question 3
What can you say about the population of bears?
(A) It was the lowest in 2017 and highest in 2019.
(B) It has been increasing at the rate of 40 points per year.
(C) It will rise more in the year 2020—2021 than in the year 2021-2022.
(D) It was almost equal to the population of whales in the year 2019.
Answer:
Option (A) is correct.
Explanation: It was the lowest in 2017 and highest in 2019.
Question 4
Based on the graph, which of these statements is definitely false about dolphins?
(A) Their population has been steadily declining in the last few years.
(B) They have sadly become extinct now.
(C) They have a lower rate of survival than whales.
(D) They are dying out very fast.
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: It is sad to notice that dolphins have almost become extinct.
Question 5.
The whales are:
(A) More in population than the bears.
(B) Less in population than the dolphins.
(C) Equal in population compared to both bears and dolphins.
(D) Almost equal in population in 2017 and 2022.
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The population is almost equal to 80.
Question 6.
Why are whales not extinct yet?
(A) Because they are too big to be harmed
(B) Because they move to deeper oceans in times of danger
(C) Because their population keeps fluctuating as per the climatic changes
(D) Because they are able to fight for themselves unlike dolphins
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: Whales are able to change their habitat and venture in deeper parts of the oceans.
Question 7.
What is common between the three animals?
(A) They are all land animals.
(B) They are all water animals.
(C) They are all mammals.
(D) They are all about to become extinct.
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: They are all water animals.
Question 8.
Which animal population has fluctuated over the last few years?
(A) Bears
(B) Dolphins
(C) Whales
(D) All of these.
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The population of all three animals – bears, dolphins, and whales – has fluctuated over the last few years.
3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. When Lal Bahadur Shastri took over charge as the Prime Minister of the most populous democracy in the world in June, 1964, he started with many initial disadvantages. The most obvious one was that he had stepped into the shoes of a colossus like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who, in spite of the fact that his policies were not always popular, commanded the spontaneous affection of the masses of India and was also a front-ranking world statesman.
Another handicap from which Mr. Shastri suffered was that even though he had been active in the political life of the country for nearly four decades, he had never visited any foreign country and was, therefore, not a well-known figure in important world capitals.
In addition, he succeeded to the Prime Minister ship of the country at a time when it was plagued by many serious problems, the foremost among which were rising prices and food shortage. Fissiparous tendencies were in evidence not only in the ranks of the ruling party (accentuated after the passing away of Pt. Nehru) but also in several parts of the country like Nagaland, Punjab and Kashmir.
Memories of the humiliation suffered by India at the hands of Chinese were still fresh in the popular mind and the nation was passing through a crisis of confidence. It appeared that the people’s faith in the country’s future had been badly shaken.
Because of the military and political reverses it had suffered, India’s international prestige had gone very low and its relations with its neighbours were not of the best. This was the India which Mr. Shastri inherited from his illustrious predecessor and he was in many aspects the exact opposite of the latter.
A simple Indian rustic had been asked to step into the shoes of a world citizen. A modest, self-effacing man who had hitherto been content to operate from the wings had been pushed on to the centre of the stage to replace a glamorous popular hero who had the aura of long-established leadership about him.
The problems he was expected to grapple with were enough to break the back of the most tenacious and determined man but Mr. Shastri weathered the storm with his abundant rugged commonsense and almost impartible calmness.
(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)
(b) Make a short summary of the passage in about 50 words. (3)
Answer:
(a) Lal Bahadur Shastri
1. As Prime Minister
1.1. Took charge after Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
1.2. In June 1964.
2. Faced many disadvantages :
2.1. Stepped into the shoes of colossus like Pt. Nehru.
2.2. Had never visited any foreign, country.
2.3. Not a well-known fig. in world capitals.
3. Indian situation:
3.1. Facing food shortage
3.2. Rising prices
3.3. Fissiparous tendencies in various states
3.4. Nation passing crisis of confidence
3.5. Internal prestige low
4. Expectation from Lai Bahadur Shastri:
4.1. To replace a glamorous pplr hero
4.2. To grapple with the problems
| Key to Abbreviation | ||
| S.No | Abbreviation | Word |
| 1. | forgn | foreign |
| 2. | fig. | figure |
| 3. | Int’nal | International |
| 4. | pplr | popular |
(b) Summary
Lai Bahadur Shastri took charge as the Prime Minister of India after Pandit Jawahar Lai Nehru in 1964. It was not a very easy situation. He had stepped into the shoes of a colossus and popular leader like Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru. He was not a well known figure in world capitals nor he had visited any foreign countries.
The Indian situation was also not good. It was plagued with many serious problems like food shortage, rising prices, low prestige in international arena, etc. The nation was passing through a crisis of confidence. People’s faith in the country’s future had been broken.
It was a difficult situation to be faced by Lal Bahadur Shastri but people expected that he would be able to grapple with ail the problems. Lai Bahadur Shastri weathered the storm with his commonsense and calmness and came out successfully to overcome these problems.
Section – B (23 marks)
(Grammar and Creative Writing Skills)
Grammar [7 Marks]
4. Fill in blanks with the appropriate option given below. (Do any 4)
The newspaper recently (i) ……………… a report of a man in search of his newly born twin. The babies were missing at hospital where his wife (ii) …………….. birth to them. The hospital authorities claimed that the babies (iii) …………….. but they refused to hand over (iv) …………….. bodies. Now, the unfortunate father (v)…………….. a complaint with the police. (1×4=4)
(i) (a) carries (b) is carrying (c) will be carried (d) carried
(ii) (a) has given (b) had given (c) will be given (d) giving
(iii) (a) to die (b) has died (c) is dying (d) had died
(iv) (a) theirs (b) her (c) his (d) their
(v) (a) to lodge (b) is lodging (c) has lodged (d) lodges
Answer:
(a) (iv) carried (ii) had given (iv) had died (iv) refused (iii) has lodged
5. Combine the following pairs of sentences into one complex sentence: (1×3=3)
(a) Do not eat too much. You will be ill.
(b) He will be late. That is certain.
(c) He was quite tired. He could scarcely stand.
Answer:
(a) Do not eat too much lest you should be ill.
Explanation: In this sentence, “lest” is used as a conjunction meaning “for fear that” or “in case.” It introduces the consequence or outcome that the speaker wants to avoid, which is becoming ill due to eating too much
(b) That he will be late is certain.
Explanation: In this sentence, we have a noun clause “That he will be late” serving as the subject of the sentence. The main verb “is” connects the subject to the predicate adjective “certain,” which describes the certainty of the statement.
(c) He was so tired that he could scarcely stand.
Explanation: In this sentence, the phrase “so tired” introduces the level of tiredness, indicating a high degree of exhaustion. The conjunction “that” is used to introduce the result or consequence of the extreme tiredness, which is “he could scarcely stand.” The sentence shows a cause-and-effect relationship, emphasizing the severity of his tiredness, leading to his difficulty in standing.
Creative Writing Skills [16 Marks]
Question 6.
You are the owner of Star Travels, providing package for Mauritius. Draft an advertisement including all necessary details. (3)
Answer:
Creative Writing Skills
Travel And Tours
Attractive package available for Mauritius. Three nights, four days. Breakfast and dinner, stay at 3-star hotel, sight-seeing included. 9,999 per person. Special discount for early bookings. Contact Star Travels, 935XXXXXXX
OR
You are Saran Gupta. You wish to let out your flat that is situated in the hub of Bangalore. Draft an advertisement for a well circulated daily giving necessary details. ( 50 words).
Answer:
TO-LET
Available in the hub of Bangalore, a 3 BHK flat on rent, fully furnished, modular kitchen, East facing, 24 X 7 electricity and water facility, round the clock security, lift facility. Rent negotiable. Interested persons may contact : Saran Gupta at 7346xxxxx.
Question 7.
Your school is going to organise a Diwali Mela. Design a poster to inform the students about it. (50 words) (3)
Answer:
OR
Draft a poster on ‘Grow More Trees’
Answer:
Question 8.
There was a time when children could be seen playing outdoor games like Hide and Seek, Football, etc. But now-a-days they are very much pre-occupied with chatting on mobiles, surfing the internet and watching TV Outdoor games are very necessary as they keep one physically fit. Write a speech to be delivered in the morning assembly on ‘Games are very necessary for holistic growth’ in about 120—150 words. (5)
Answer:
Games are Very Necessary for Holistic Growth
Good morning respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends. Today, I, Arpita Mittal of class Xi-B, stand before you to present my views on ‘Games are very necessary for holistic growth.’ Holistic growth focuses on the fullest development of the student, encouraging students to become the very best or finest that they can be and enabling them to experience all they can from life and reach their goals.
Physical activity is vital to the holistic development of young people, fostering their like Hide and Seek, Football, Cricket, etc. But now children rather love to stay indoors stuck with their internet, TV and mobiles which do not keep them physically fit.
Outdoor games or activities is a vital avenue for young people to learn and develop life skills. Physical, education and sports have strong influence on inclusion and community building, character-building, delinquency, etc. So I would strongly suggest that games are very necessary for holistic growth and for an overall development.
Thank you.
OR
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 120—150 words.
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.
Question 9.
The Government has banned the use of animals in the laboratories for the purpose of dissection. Write a debate in about 120—150 words either for or against this decision. (5)
Answer:
The Government has banned the dissection of animals in laboratories
Good morning everyone, I am Navtej and I am going to speak in favour of the motion ‘Animal testing should be banned’.
In our laboratories, animals are dissected, despite the fact that their dissection is cruel and unpleasant. It is absolutely unethical. At the same time, it teaches children to abuse animals. On one hand, organisations like PETA are fighting for the protection from cruelty on these speechless beings, and on the other hand, they are being killed mercilessly in the name of experiments. It is not only cruel but also unwise to use them for this purpose.
Before reaching the laboratories, the animals are stockpiled on the top of one another. Then they are shipped in crowded containers without any regulation of temperature. No food or water is provided to them. Then they die in such condition due to starvation.
In such a situation, it is not difficult to imagine that these piled animals create negative impact on biodiversity. They’ll definitely spread disease. Can you think the drugs that pass tests, alone, will be safe? Definitely not: Moreover, killing them disturbs ecological balance. Therefore, it is wise to replace animal dissection by the use of virtual labs and models.
Thank you.
OR
The policy of ‘No detention till class VIII’ is not in the interest of students. Write a debate in 120-150 words either in favour or against the motion.
Answer:
The Policy of ‘No detention till class VIII’ is not in the interest of Students
Honourable Chairperson, respected judges and my dear friends. Today, I am standing before you to express my arguments against the viewpoint that the policy of no detention till class VIII is not in the interest of students. Perhaps, the main culprits behind all this propaganda are the ones who want to cash in on this idea by making the students to go for more and more tuition classes.
The fact is that education is not a thing that should be bound up in the trap of examination, where students are made to sit for exams all the time in order to get the tag of ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’. As one of my friends presented his point that such a policy of no detention is making students careless, I’d like to tell my dear friend that it is better to be careless rather than to adopt unfair means to pass the exams – as we read about such incidents in the newspapers every day.
The tension of exams is making students mentally sick. I am afraid that the period/time that should be used in gaining pure knowledge without any pressure of detention may be lost in the tension about failing exams. There is also another advantage of this ‘no detention policy’ that more and more students without any such fear of failure will attend the school with full enthusiasm and will make themselves ready automatically for the period of maturity. There they will benefit from their feelings of confidence and eagerness to go ahead, without any tension of passing or failing that will lead them towards a healthy and bright future.
Thank you.
Section – C (31 marks)
(Literature)
Question 10.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: (1×3 = 3)
A. And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my own origin, and make pure and beautify it;
Question 1.
Who ‘give back life’ in the poem?
(A) Earth
(B) Living Organisms
(C) Poet
(D) Rain
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The poem is about the cycle of life and death, and how the rain is constantly giving back life to the Earth.
Question 2.
What is the origin of ‘I’ in the poem?
(A) Pond
(B) Rivers
(C) Oceans
(D) All of the above
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The origin of the “I” in the poem is the water. The water is found in ponds, rivers, and oceans. It is the source of all life on Earth. The water evaporates from the Earth, rises into the atmosphere, cools and condenses, and then falls back to the Earth as rain. The rain then nourishes the plants and animals, which then die and return their nutrients to the Earth. This cycle of life and death is what keeps the Earth alive.
Question 3.
Who is ‘ it’ in the above lines?
Answer:
‘It is referred to the earth.
Explanation: The Earth is being purified and beautified by the rain. The rain washes away the dirt and pollutants from the Earth, and it also helps to oxygenate the soil. This makes the Earth cleaner and more beautiful.
OR
B. When did my childhood go?
Was it the time I realised that adults were not
All they seemed to be,
Question 1.
How do adults behave according to the poet?
(A) Adults around him practice what they preached.
(B) Adults around him did not practice what they preached.
(C) Adults around him were totally indifferent.
(D) Adults around him are not understandable.
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: Because they often say one thing and do another. For example, the poet says that adults “talk about love but they don’t know how to show it.” This shows that adults can be dishonest and misleading.
Question 2.
The poet found adults
(A) Unpredictable
(B) Vulnerable
(C) Hypocrite
(D) All of these
Answer:
Option (D) is correct
Explanation: Unpredictable because they often do not do what they say they are going to do. For example, the poet says that adults promised things they never meant to keep. This would have made the poet feel confused and betrayed. Vulnerable because they can be easily hurt by the words and actions of others.
For example, the poet says that adults “cry when they’re sad’ and “get scared when they’re alone.” This shows that adults are not as strong and invincible as they might seem. Hypocrite because they often say one thing and do another. For example, the poet says that adults “talk about love but they don’t know how to show it.” This shows that adults can be dishonest and misleading.
Question 3.
Name the poet.
Answer:
Markus Natten
Explanation: The poet is Markus Natten. A Norwegian poet and author. He is best known for his poetry about childhood and loss.
Question 11.
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. (1×3=3)
A. “The mummy is in very bad condition because of what Carter did in the 1920s,” said Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, as he leaned over the body for a long first look.
Question 1.
Who was Carter?
(A) American scientist
(B) British archaeologist
(C) Egyptian historian
(D) Former Secretary General of Supreme Council of Antiquities
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: Howard Carter was a British archaeologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. He was a leading figure in Egyptology and is considered one of the most important archaeologists of the 20th century.
Question 2.
What did Carter do in 1920s?
(A) Revived King Tut
(B) Discovered King Tut’s tomb
(C) Wrote a book on King Tut
(D) Stole antiquities from King Tut’s tomb
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: In 1922, Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. The tomb was filled with a vast treasure trove of artifacts, including gold jewelry, furniture, and weapons. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb was one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.
Question 3.
Which of these was found in King Tut’s tomb?
(A) Razor
(B) Smartphone
(C) Audio player
(D) Temple
Answer:
Option (A) is correct.
Explanation: A razor was found in King Tut’s tomb. It was made of bronze and had a handle that was decorated with gold and lapis lazuli. The razor was used by Tutankhamun to shave his face.
OR
B. He thanked the girl politely and came out. It was characteristic of him not to worry about where he would stay. His main concern was to make his way to the library of the Asiatic Society to solve the riddle of history. Grabbing a quick lunch at a restaurant, he made his way to the Town Hall. Yes, to his relief, the Town Hall was there and it did house the library. He entered the reading room and asked for a list of history books including his own.
Question 1.
Who is ‘he’ here and who is the ‘girl’ he thanked?
(A) ‘He’ here is Rajendra Deshpande. The ‘girl’ he thanked is the Indian receptionist at Forbes Building.
(B) ‘He’ here is Professor Gangadharpant Gaitonde. The ‘girl’ he thanked is the Indian receptionist at Times Square Building.
(C) ‘He’ prime here is Rajendra Deshpande. The ‘girl’ he thanked is the English receptionist at Times Square Building.
(D) ‘He’ here is Professor Gangadharpant Gaitonde. The ‘girl’ he thanked is the English receptionist at Forbes Building.
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The passage mentions that Professor Gangadharpant Gaitonde was looking for the library of the Asiatic Society. He thanked the girl politely and came out of Forbes Building. This suggests that the girl was the receptionist at Forbes Building.
Question 2.
What was his main concern?
(A) His main concern was to make his way to the Library of European Society to solve the riddle of history
(B) His main concern was to make his way to the library of Asiatic Society to solve the riddle of history.
(C) His main concern was to make his way to the library of Indian Society to solve the riddle of history.
(D) His main concern was to make his way to the library of African Society to solve the riddle of history.
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: The passage states that the manes main concern was to make his way to the library of Asiatic Society to solve the riddle of history. This is evident from the line “His main concern was to make his way to the library of the Asiatic Societ to solve the riddle of history.”
Question 3.
What does it show about the subject through his characteristic trait mentioned here?
(A) That instead of his personal worth, he cared more about his physical comforts.
(B) That he cared more about his physical comforts only.
(C) That instead of his personal physical comforts, he cared more about his worth.
(D) That instead of his personal physical comforts, he cared more about others’ thoughts.
Answer:
Option (C) is correct.
Explanation: Worried about where he would stay. This shows that he cared more about his worth than his physical comforts. He was focused on solving the riddle of history, and he was not going to let anything get in his way.
Question 12.
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. (1×4=4)
A. No doubt about it at all. Who’s the better for being spoilt – grown man, lad or girl ? Nobody. You think it does ’em good when you run after them all the time, take their orders as if you were the servant in the house, stay at home every night while they go out enjoying themselves? Never in all your life. It’s the ruin of them as well as you. Husbands, sons, daughters should be taking notice of wives an’ mothers, not giving ’em orders an’ treating ’em like dirt. An don’t tell me you don’t know what I mean, for I know more than you’ve told me.
Question 1.
Who spoke these words?
(A) Mrs. Pearson
(B) Mrs. Fitzgerald
(C) Doris
(D) Cyril
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: The passage states that Mrs. Fitzgerald spoke these words. This is evident from the line “No doubt about it at all. Who’s the better for being spoilt-grown man, lad or girl ? Nobody. You think it ’em good when you run after them all the time, take their orders as if you were the servant in the house, stay at home every night while they go out enjoying themselves?
Never in all your life. It’s the ruin of ’em as well as you. Husbands, sons, daughters should be taking notice of wives an’ mothers, not giving ’em orders an’ treating ’em like dirt. An’ don’t tell me you don’t know what I mean, for I know more than you’ve told me.”
Question 2.
What was other person’s complaint against her family members?
(A) They did not let her overeat.
(B) They were too emotional.
(C) They thought with their hearts.
(D) They were thoughtless and selfish.
Answer:
Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: The passage states that the other person’s complaint against her family members was that they were thoughtless and selfish. This is evident from the line “They think with their hearts and not with their heads. They think that I am their servant and that they can order me around as they please. They never think about how I feel or what I want.”
Question 3.
What did the speaker want the other person to do?
(A) To tell the family to respect her
(B) To tell the family to take her for a vacation
(C) To tell the family to take her to a museum
(D) To tell the family to pay her dues on time
Answer:
Option (A) is correct.
Explanation: The speaker wanted the other person to tell the family to respect her. This is evident from the line “You should tell your family to respect you more. They should not treat you like a servant. You are their mother and you deserve to be treated with respect.”
Question 4.
What did the other person reply to this?
(A) She had given an advertisement for this.
(B) She had dropped a hint about this.
(C) She had already started looking for another job.
(D) She had openly confronted everyone.
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: The other person replied to this with honesty. She told Mrs. Fitzgerald that she had already started looking for another job. This is evident from the line “I have already started looking for another job. I cannot live like this anymore. I need to be treated with respect.”
OR
B. His face, heated with his own exertions, chilled suddenly. He hesitated, torn between his desire to attempt to resuscitate the child, and his obligation towards the mother, who was herself in a desperate state. The dilemma was so urgent he did not solve it consciously.
Question 1.
Why was the situation so tense?
(A) The mother had died.
(B) The child was born lifeless.
(C) The doctor was too confused.
(D) None of these
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: The situation was so tense because the child was born lifeless. The doctor was torn between his desire to attempt to resuscitate the child, and his obligation towards the mother, who was herself in a desperate state. The dilemma was so urgent that he did not solve it consciously.
Question 2.
How many lives did the doctor save that night?
(A) One
(B) Two
(C) Three
(D) Four
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: The doctor saved two lives that night. He first attended to the mother, who was in a desperate state. He then attended to the child, who was born lifeless. The doctor was able to resuscitate the child, and both the mother and child survived.
Question 3.
Whom did the doctor first attend to?
(A) Mother
(B) Child
(C) Midwife
(D) Father
Answer:
Option (A) is correct.
Explanation: The doctor first attended to the mother. The mother was in a desperate state, and the doctor needed to stabilize her before he could attend to the child.
Question 4.
What was the name of the mother?
(A) Joe
(B) Susan
(C) Christine
(D) Edward Page
Answer:
Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: The excerpt is from text Birth which is a story about Andrew Manson, a newly graduated medical practitioner, is helping Joe and Susan bring their child into the world.
Question 13.
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words each. (3×2=6)
(a) Describe the conversation between Professor Gaitonde and Khan Sahib about the place they had to go.
OR
Why did the author take the short cut in spite of high mountain passes?
Answer:
It was at Sarhad that Khan Sahib told Gaitonde that the British Raj began from that place. He asked the professor where he was going. As for himself, he was going to Peshawar. For this purpose, Khan Sahib will go from Bombay to Delhi, then to Lahore and then Peshawar.
OR
The short cut would take them south west, almost directly towards Mount Kailash. Crossing high mountains passes posed breathing problems. Absence of snow meant a fairly good ride.
(b) How does the laburnum tree appear in September?
OR
What do you learn about the poetess’ mother from ‘A Photograph’?
Answer:
In the afternoon of September sunlight, the laburnum top appears silent and quite still. A few leaves of the tree are turning yellow. All the seeds of the tree have fallen.
OR
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.
Question 14.
Answer any one of the following questions in 40-50 words each. (3×1=3)
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:
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 20 years and were expecting their first child. Joe was waiting for the doctor to help Susan in the delivery of the child.
Question 15.
Answer any one of the following questions in about 120-150 words: (6×1=6)
What damage did ‘Wavewalker’ suffer as a result of bad weather?
Answer:
Mighty waves struck ‘Wavewalker’. The decks were smashed. Water was gushing in through holes and openings. The whole starboard side had bulged inwards. Clothes, crockery, charts, tins and toys moved round noisily in deep water. Their hand pumps got blocked up with the debris floating around the cabins. The electric pump, short circuited. Water level rose high. The two spare hand pumps had been wrenched overboard.
Waves had also swept off the forestry soil, jib, dinghies and main anchor. There was tremendous leak somewhere below the water line. The boat’s main rib frames were smashed down to the kneel. A whole section of the starboard bull was being held up by a few cupboard partitions only. The hull of the ship had been damaged so badly that the pressure of rigging could simply pull the damaged section of the hull apart. ‘Wavewalker’ was so damaged that it could not hold together long enough to reach Australia.
OR
Describe how the common bond of friendship was broken when the narrator’s parents called them in the city.
Answer:
The narrator’s grandmother was a true picture of love, affection and care. She had all those virtues which grandmothers generally have for their grandsons. She was highly religious but a conservative lady. The grandmother presented a picture of peace and contentment. Her spotless white dress and her silver white hair gave her spiritual beauty. The grandmother was not physically very attractive. She had deep love and affection for her grandson.
She got him ready for school. She accompanied him to his school and came back home with him. She was a very religious lady. She was always telling the beads of her rosary. She had compassion even for animals and birds. She fed the village dogs. She took to feeding the sparrows in the city. But the grandmother was a conservative lady. She didn’t like the English language and Science. She hated music. She associated music with prostitutes and beggars.
Question 16.
Answer any one of the following questions in about 120-150 words: (6×1=6)
Compare and contrast uncle Khosrove and cousin Mourad.
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
Describe the narrator’s second visit to Mrs. Dorling’s house.
Answer:
The narrator’s first visit to Mrs. Dorling’s house was in vain. She decided to try for a second time. This time a girl of about fifteen opened the door to her. Her mother was not at home. The narrator said that she would wait for her. Following the girl along the passage, the narrator saw their old fashioned iron candle-holder hanging next to a mirror. The girl made her sit in the living room and went inside.
The narrator was horrified to find herself in a room she knew and did not know. She found herself in the midst of familiar things which she longed to see again but which oppressed her in the strange atmosphere. She dared not look around her.
The woollen table cloth, the cups, the white tea-pot, the spoons, the pewter plate, everything was full of memories of her former life. Suddenly the objects linked with her former life lost their value in strange surroundings. They too appeared strange to her. She no longer had desire to possess them. She got up, walked to the door and came out of the house.