SECTION A- READING
20 MARKS
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 marks)
Kausani is situated at a height of 6,075 feet in the Central Himalayas. It is an unusually attractive little town. It covers just about 5.2 sq km. It lies north of Almora in Uttrakhand’s picturesque Kumaon region. Kausani provides the 300 – km wide breathtaking view of the Himalayas. It is the most striking aspect of this place. Snow capped peaks are spread in a stately row. They stare at you in silvery white majesty. The most famous peak on view is Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain in India. It is situated at a height of 25,645 feet and 36 miles away as the crow flies. The other famous peak on view are Choukhamba (23,420 feet and Trishul (23,360 ft.).
Then Nilkanth, Nandaghunti, Nandaghat and Nandakot. On a clear day, the blue of the sky makes a splendid background to these peaks. At sunrise and sunset, when the colour changes to a golden orange, the scene gets etched in your memory.
When Gandhi ji visited this place in 1929, its scenic beauty held him spellbound. He named it the ‘Switzerland of India’. He prolonged his two-day stay to fourteen days, making time to write a book, ‘Anashakti Yoga’. The place where he was staying was originally a guesthouse of the tea estate. It was renamed “Anashakti Ashram” after the book.
Kausani is the birth place of Sumitranandan Pant, India’s poet laureate. Its natural
surrounding inspired many of his poems. Its tea gardens mingle with dense pine forest and fruit orchards. The area is also host to many fairs and religious ceremonies. If Uttranchal is the abode of Gods, Kausani is God’s own backyard. There is no traffic, no one is in a hurry. If serenity could be put on a canvas, the picture would resemble kasauni
1.1. Answer the following questions briefly: (9 marks)
(a) Where is Kausani situated? (2)
(b) What is the most striking aspect of Kausani? (1)
(c) Which is the most famous peak on view from Kausani? What is so significant about this peak? (2)
(d) When does the view of peaks become most memorable? (1)
(e) How can we say the Gandhi ji was greatly charmed by the natural beauty of Kausani? Give two reasons. (2)
(f) What are its tea gardens found mixed with? (1)
1.2 Find the word/phrase in the passage which means the same as the following : (3 marks)
(i) hill’s sharp tops para 2 (1)
(ii) extended para 3 (1)
(iii) home/dwelling para 4 (1)
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (8 marks)
Sabrimala is in the Western Ghats and is named after Sabari,-the tribal woman mentioned in the Ramayana, who attained salvations after her meeting with Ram. Sabarimala is believed to be the abode of lord Ayappa and is visited by about one crore pilgrims every year. For 41 days devotees follow a controlled life style. They eat only vegetarian food, refrain from consuming alcohol or tobacco, and follow personal cleanliness and celibacy. Pilgrims wear only black clothes and don’t shave. Irrespective of caste, creed, social status or religious belief, anyone can worship at the temple. All pilgrims are referred to as ‘swami’ during the pilgrimage. Offerings to Ayyappa are tied in a bag with compartments known as irumudi. This contains a ghee-filled coconut, betel leaves and nuts, and incense sticks. Pilgrims carry the offerings on their heads throughout the arduous journey chanting the slogan’ swamiye saranam Ayyappa’ which means ‘oh Ayappa; I seek refuse in you’. The 18 steps to the temple represent the 18 puranas. Close to the temple’s entrance, there is a temple to a Muslim disciple. Vavar Swamy while those of two tribal chiefs, kadutha swamy and karuppa swamy, are positioned on either side of the steps.
a. How did the pilgrim centre Sabrimala get its name? (1)
b. What is the controlled life style followed by the pilgrims.(1)
c. What is the significance of ‘irumudi’? (1)
d. Why does the writer call the journey arduous? (1)
e. Write any two special features of the pilgrimage (2)
f. Find out the words from the passage which mean the same as the following: (2)
i. House
ii. A place of worship
SECTION B - WRITING 20 MARKS
3. Your cousin is a brilliant student but he is not keeping good health because he avoids homemade food and is very fond of eating outside. Write a letter telling him/her about the harmful effects of junk food and advising him/her how to maintain good health in not more than 100 words. You are Arpil/Arpita of C-8 Lawrence Road, Delhi. (6)
OR
Write a letter to the Principal of your school requesting him/her to introduce inter-house activities like quiz programmes, debates, recitation, essay-writing, painting and sports explaining how it may be beneficial for all-round development of their personality. You are Vineet/Vineeta, the head boy/girl of New Modern School, Amritsar. (6)
4. One of the water taps near your classroom drips continuously. As a result, a lot of water is wasted. Write an application to the Principal of your school requesting her/ him to take immediate action in getting the drip repaired. You are Sandhya/ Shubhojeet Awasthi of St. John’s School, Chakeri, Kanpur. Do not exceed 100 words.
Or
Your school is proposing to take the students to Goa. You are Rajat/ Rajni Dave of Kendriya Vidyalaya,Pune. Write a letter to the Manager, Youth Hostel, Panaji, Goa requesting him to provide accommodation to your group for two days. Do not exceed 100 words. (6 marks)
5.. Children like to spend their pocket money on their favourite food items like chips, kurkures, hot dog, pizza and cold drinks. But they don’t know that these things cause harm to their health. Write a paragraph describing the harmful effects of fast and junk food. Mention the health and other related problems caused by it in about 150 words. (8)
Or
You have to take part in a debate on the theme ‘Examinations affect Teaching and Learning in schools’ Write down your arguments in favour or against the motion in about 125 to 150 words (8)
SECTION C GRAMMAR 15 Marks
7. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet. Ensure that the word
that forms your answer is underlined as shown.
(½x8=4 marks)
English is useful language. The people is a useful
who speak English today make the a)
largest speech community the world. b)
A speech community is similar other c)
kinds communities. The people who d)
form speech community share a common e)
language. Often they live side side as f)
they in a neighbourhood, a village or a city. g)
More often form the whole country. h)
8. The following passage is an extract from an article about an insectivorous plant called sundew but some of the words have to be filled in the blanks. Complete the paragraph by writing ONE suitable word in
each blank. Correctly number and write the answer in your answer sheet.
(½x8=4 marks)
The sundews (a) __________________________ about 90 to 100 species of mainly perennial herbs. Found
worldwide, (b) ___________________ are among the most common of insectivorous plants. (c) ___________
small white, pink, or purple flowers grow alone or in one-sided clusters. The leaves form small rosettes (d)
_________________ the ground in bog areas; the upper surface of (e) _________________ leaf is covered
with prominent, gland-tipped, green to reddish hairs. The glands excrete a clear, sticky fluid (f) ___________
clings to them like dewdrops; the name sundew is (g) __________________ from these drops,
as they are not dried up by the sunlight. If a small insect alights on the leaf or brushes past it, it is (h)
_______________________ fast by the sticky hairs, which curve inward and press the victim down onto the surface of the blade, where it is digested
9.Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly. (3x1=3)
Example:
a/virtue/is/god-gifted/selflessness
Selflessness is a god-gifted virtue.
(a) puts/man/his/a/aside/selfless/self
(b) thinks/others/for/he/others/and/for/works
(c) seeks/he/his/of others/happiness/in the happiness
8. The underlined words in the following passage have been used inappropriately. Replace them with their appropriate forms. Write your answer in your answer sheet with correct number. Do not copy the whole passage (1/2x8=4)
Bananas are often known for soft texture and (a) smooth. It reduces our (b) acid and reduces (c) irritate by coating the lining of the stomach. This unique (d) tropic fruit is (e) extreme high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat high blood (f) press. A drug administration allowed the banana industry to make (g) office claims for the fruit’s ability to (h) reduction the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
SECTION D LITERATURE (45 Marks)
11. Read the extract given below and answer the following questions. Write the answers in your answer sheets in one or two lines only. Remember to number the answers correctly. (5 marks)
With a satisfied expression he regarded the field of ripe corn with its flowers, draped in a curtain of rain. But suddenly a strong wind began to blow and along with the rain very large hailstones began to fall. These truly did resemble new silver coins. The boys, exposing themselves to the rain, ran out to collect the frozen pearls. “It’s really getting bad now,” exclaimed the man, “I hope it passes quickly.” It did not pass quickly. For an hour the hail rained on the house, the garden, the hillside, the cornfield, on the whole valley. (97 words)
a) Why did Lencho look satisfied? (1)
b) What happened all at once? (1)
c) What did Lencho hope for? (1)
d) What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped? Why? (½ +½)
e) Which words in the passage mean: (½ +½)
i) covered with
ii)to look like
10. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (5 marks)
Mark! While relatives are looking on and lamenting deeply, one by one mortals are carried off, like an ox that is led to the slaughter. So the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore, the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world.
Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater and his body will suffer. He will make himself sick and pale, yet the dead are not saved by his lamentation. He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind; he who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow and be blessed.”
a. Why did Buddha give this sermon to Kisa Gotami? (1)
b. What fact of life did Buddha convey to Kisa Gotami in this sermon? (2)
c. Who can obtain peace of mind in this world? (1)
d. Find out the words from the passage which mean the same as following: (1)
i. killing of animals etc.
ii. feeling sorry/sorrowful
12. Answer the following question in about 80-100 words: (6)
Imagine you are the air hostess of the flight on which Maxwell flew with his otter. Narrate the events on board the plane.
Or
Give the character sketch of Natalya in about 100 words.
13. Answer any two of the following questions in 30-40 words each (2x3)
a. Why was Mr. Keesing annoyed with Anne?
b. What is the Indian legend regarding the tea leaves?
c. How was Mij to be transported to England?
14. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in your answer sheet in one or two sentences:
The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon.
He fired two bullets but they didn’t hit,
And custard gobbled him every bit.
a. Name any two pets of Belinda and their pet names. (2)
b. What did the pirate do when he gaped at Belinda’s dragon? (1)
c. How did the pirate meet his end? (1)
Or
Some say the world will end in fire some say in ice.
From what I have tasted of desire I hold with those who favour fire.
a. What do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? (2)
b. What is the rhyming scheme of this stanza? (1)
c. Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire? (1)
Q15. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.
a) While entering the class room why did Peggy and Maddie stop?
OR
What did Maddie realise on reaching home?
b)What is the role of the seagulls family in training him?
or
How did the young seagull make his first flight?
c)Why were the two national anthems sung?
or
What twin obligations does Mandela mention?
16.Mr. Herriot, a veterinary surgeon is tactful as well as full of common sense. Do you agree? Justify your answer giving instances from the story you have read. (3 marks)
17. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words: (4 marks)
1. How did a tendency to show off become a curse for Matilda?
Or
What role did the non-existent balcony play in the story “The Midnight Visitor’?
Q 18. Answer the following question in about 20 to 30words: (3 x2)
a) Why did Bholi look at Bishamber with cold contempt?
b) How did Griffin enjoy himself at the big london store?
Q19.What story did Ausable frame about calling the police ? (2)
20 MARKS
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 marks)
Kausani is situated at a height of 6,075 feet in the Central Himalayas. It is an unusually attractive little town. It covers just about 5.2 sq km. It lies north of Almora in Uttrakhand’s picturesque Kumaon region. Kausani provides the 300 – km wide breathtaking view of the Himalayas. It is the most striking aspect of this place. Snow capped peaks are spread in a stately row. They stare at you in silvery white majesty. The most famous peak on view is Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain in India. It is situated at a height of 25,645 feet and 36 miles away as the crow flies. The other famous peak on view are Choukhamba (23,420 feet and Trishul (23,360 ft.).
Then Nilkanth, Nandaghunti, Nandaghat and Nandakot. On a clear day, the blue of the sky makes a splendid background to these peaks. At sunrise and sunset, when the colour changes to a golden orange, the scene gets etched in your memory.
When Gandhi ji visited this place in 1929, its scenic beauty held him spellbound. He named it the ‘Switzerland of India’. He prolonged his two-day stay to fourteen days, making time to write a book, ‘Anashakti Yoga’. The place where he was staying was originally a guesthouse of the tea estate. It was renamed “Anashakti Ashram” after the book.
Kausani is the birth place of Sumitranandan Pant, India’s poet laureate. Its natural
surrounding inspired many of his poems. Its tea gardens mingle with dense pine forest and fruit orchards. The area is also host to many fairs and religious ceremonies. If Uttranchal is the abode of Gods, Kausani is God’s own backyard. There is no traffic, no one is in a hurry. If serenity could be put on a canvas, the picture would resemble kasauni
1.1. Answer the following questions briefly: (9 marks)
(a) Where is Kausani situated? (2)
(b) What is the most striking aspect of Kausani? (1)
(c) Which is the most famous peak on view from Kausani? What is so significant about this peak? (2)
(d) When does the view of peaks become most memorable? (1)
(e) How can we say the Gandhi ji was greatly charmed by the natural beauty of Kausani? Give two reasons. (2)
(f) What are its tea gardens found mixed with? (1)
1.2 Find the word/phrase in the passage which means the same as the following : (3 marks)
(i) hill’s sharp tops para 2 (1)
(ii) extended para 3 (1)
(iii) home/dwelling para 4 (1)
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (8 marks)
Sabrimala is in the Western Ghats and is named after Sabari,-the tribal woman mentioned in the Ramayana, who attained salvations after her meeting with Ram. Sabarimala is believed to be the abode of lord Ayappa and is visited by about one crore pilgrims every year. For 41 days devotees follow a controlled life style. They eat only vegetarian food, refrain from consuming alcohol or tobacco, and follow personal cleanliness and celibacy. Pilgrims wear only black clothes and don’t shave. Irrespective of caste, creed, social status or religious belief, anyone can worship at the temple. All pilgrims are referred to as ‘swami’ during the pilgrimage. Offerings to Ayyappa are tied in a bag with compartments known as irumudi. This contains a ghee-filled coconut, betel leaves and nuts, and incense sticks. Pilgrims carry the offerings on their heads throughout the arduous journey chanting the slogan’ swamiye saranam Ayyappa’ which means ‘oh Ayappa; I seek refuse in you’. The 18 steps to the temple represent the 18 puranas. Close to the temple’s entrance, there is a temple to a Muslim disciple. Vavar Swamy while those of two tribal chiefs, kadutha swamy and karuppa swamy, are positioned on either side of the steps.
a. How did the pilgrim centre Sabrimala get its name? (1)
b. What is the controlled life style followed by the pilgrims.(1)
c. What is the significance of ‘irumudi’? (1)
d. Why does the writer call the journey arduous? (1)
e. Write any two special features of the pilgrimage (2)
f. Find out the words from the passage which mean the same as the following: (2)
i. House
ii. A place of worship
SECTION B - WRITING 20 MARKS
3. Your cousin is a brilliant student but he is not keeping good health because he avoids homemade food and is very fond of eating outside. Write a letter telling him/her about the harmful effects of junk food and advising him/her how to maintain good health in not more than 100 words. You are Arpil/Arpita of C-8 Lawrence Road, Delhi. (6)
OR
Write a letter to the Principal of your school requesting him/her to introduce inter-house activities like quiz programmes, debates, recitation, essay-writing, painting and sports explaining how it may be beneficial for all-round development of their personality. You are Vineet/Vineeta, the head boy/girl of New Modern School, Amritsar. (6)
4. One of the water taps near your classroom drips continuously. As a result, a lot of water is wasted. Write an application to the Principal of your school requesting her/ him to take immediate action in getting the drip repaired. You are Sandhya/ Shubhojeet Awasthi of St. John’s School, Chakeri, Kanpur. Do not exceed 100 words.
Or
Your school is proposing to take the students to Goa. You are Rajat/ Rajni Dave of Kendriya Vidyalaya,Pune. Write a letter to the Manager, Youth Hostel, Panaji, Goa requesting him to provide accommodation to your group for two days. Do not exceed 100 words. (6 marks)
5.. Children like to spend their pocket money on their favourite food items like chips, kurkures, hot dog, pizza and cold drinks. But they don’t know that these things cause harm to their health. Write a paragraph describing the harmful effects of fast and junk food. Mention the health and other related problems caused by it in about 150 words. (8)
Or
You have to take part in a debate on the theme ‘Examinations affect Teaching and Learning in schools’ Write down your arguments in favour or against the motion in about 125 to 150 words (8)
SECTION C GRAMMAR 15 Marks
7. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet. Ensure that the word
that forms your answer is underlined as shown.
(½x8=4 marks)
English is useful language. The people is a useful
who speak English today make the a)
largest speech community the world. b)
A speech community is similar other c)
kinds communities. The people who d)
form speech community share a common e)
language. Often they live side side as f)
they in a neighbourhood, a village or a city. g)
More often form the whole country. h)
8. The following passage is an extract from an article about an insectivorous plant called sundew but some of the words have to be filled in the blanks. Complete the paragraph by writing ONE suitable word in
each blank. Correctly number and write the answer in your answer sheet.
(½x8=4 marks)
The sundews (a) __________________________ about 90 to 100 species of mainly perennial herbs. Found
worldwide, (b) ___________________ are among the most common of insectivorous plants. (c) ___________
small white, pink, or purple flowers grow alone or in one-sided clusters. The leaves form small rosettes (d)
_________________ the ground in bog areas; the upper surface of (e) _________________ leaf is covered
with prominent, gland-tipped, green to reddish hairs. The glands excrete a clear, sticky fluid (f) ___________
clings to them like dewdrops; the name sundew is (g) __________________ from these drops,
as they are not dried up by the sunlight. If a small insect alights on the leaf or brushes past it, it is (h)
_______________________ fast by the sticky hairs, which curve inward and press the victim down onto the surface of the blade, where it is digested
9.Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly. (3x1=3)
Example:
a/virtue/is/god-gifted/selflessness
Selflessness is a god-gifted virtue.
(a) puts/man/his/a/aside/selfless/self
(b) thinks/others/for/he/others/and/for/works
(c) seeks/he/his/of others/happiness/in the happiness
8. The underlined words in the following passage have been used inappropriately. Replace them with their appropriate forms. Write your answer in your answer sheet with correct number. Do not copy the whole passage (1/2x8=4)
Bananas are often known for soft texture and (a) smooth. It reduces our (b) acid and reduces (c) irritate by coating the lining of the stomach. This unique (d) tropic fruit is (e) extreme high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat high blood (f) press. A drug administration allowed the banana industry to make (g) office claims for the fruit’s ability to (h) reduction the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
SECTION D LITERATURE (45 Marks)
11. Read the extract given below and answer the following questions. Write the answers in your answer sheets in one or two lines only. Remember to number the answers correctly. (5 marks)
With a satisfied expression he regarded the field of ripe corn with its flowers, draped in a curtain of rain. But suddenly a strong wind began to blow and along with the rain very large hailstones began to fall. These truly did resemble new silver coins. The boys, exposing themselves to the rain, ran out to collect the frozen pearls. “It’s really getting bad now,” exclaimed the man, “I hope it passes quickly.” It did not pass quickly. For an hour the hail rained on the house, the garden, the hillside, the cornfield, on the whole valley. (97 words)
a) Why did Lencho look satisfied? (1)
b) What happened all at once? (1)
c) What did Lencho hope for? (1)
d) What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped? Why? (½ +½)
e) Which words in the passage mean: (½ +½)
i) covered with
ii)to look like
10. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (5 marks)
Mark! While relatives are looking on and lamenting deeply, one by one mortals are carried off, like an ox that is led to the slaughter. So the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore, the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world.
Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater and his body will suffer. He will make himself sick and pale, yet the dead are not saved by his lamentation. He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind; he who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow and be blessed.”
a. Why did Buddha give this sermon to Kisa Gotami? (1)
b. What fact of life did Buddha convey to Kisa Gotami in this sermon? (2)
c. Who can obtain peace of mind in this world? (1)
d. Find out the words from the passage which mean the same as following: (1)
i. killing of animals etc.
ii. feeling sorry/sorrowful
12. Answer the following question in about 80-100 words: (6)
Imagine you are the air hostess of the flight on which Maxwell flew with his otter. Narrate the events on board the plane.
Or
Give the character sketch of Natalya in about 100 words.
13. Answer any two of the following questions in 30-40 words each (2x3)
a. Why was Mr. Keesing annoyed with Anne?
b. What is the Indian legend regarding the tea leaves?
c. How was Mij to be transported to England?
14. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in your answer sheet in one or two sentences:
The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon.
He fired two bullets but they didn’t hit,
And custard gobbled him every bit.
a. Name any two pets of Belinda and their pet names. (2)
b. What did the pirate do when he gaped at Belinda’s dragon? (1)
c. How did the pirate meet his end? (1)
Or
Some say the world will end in fire some say in ice.
From what I have tasted of desire I hold with those who favour fire.
a. What do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? (2)
b. What is the rhyming scheme of this stanza? (1)
c. Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire? (1)
Q15. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.
a) While entering the class room why did Peggy and Maddie stop?
OR
What did Maddie realise on reaching home?
b)What is the role of the seagulls family in training him?
or
How did the young seagull make his first flight?
c)Why were the two national anthems sung?
or
What twin obligations does Mandela mention?
16.Mr. Herriot, a veterinary surgeon is tactful as well as full of common sense. Do you agree? Justify your answer giving instances from the story you have read. (3 marks)
17. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words: (4 marks)
1. How did a tendency to show off become a curse for Matilda?
Or
What role did the non-existent balcony play in the story “The Midnight Visitor’?
Q 18. Answer the following question in about 20 to 30words: (3 x2)
a) Why did Bholi look at Bishamber with cold contempt?
b) How did Griffin enjoy himself at the big london store?
Q19.What story did Ausable frame about calling the police ? (2)
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