SECTION-A
READING SKILLS (20 M)
1.
Read
the following text. (10 M)
1.
Mountains
have always been held in great awe by mankind. They have been a challenge to
humans. Those brave among us have always wanted to conquer them. You see, the
more incredible the mountains, the greater the thrill — a challenge to the
bravery of the human race. Climbing mountains is an experience that is hard to
put into words. You are in a beautiful environment and when you reach the top,
you feel incredible. But you also have to climb down, which is when most
accidents happen — people are tired, it gets dark, it’s harder. So, mountain
climbing is undoubtedly one of the most popular adventure sports along with
being challenging and risky for the climber.
2.
Without
any perceived risk, there can’t be a feeling that any significant challenge has
been surmounted. Fair, but we have to bear in mind that mountaineering is not a
sport that can be embraced without preparation. The enthusiasts must develop in
themselves the spirit of adventure, willingness to undertake hardships and
risks, extraordinary powers of perseverance, endurance and keenness of purpose
before climbing a mountain. They should also know how to handle the
mountaineering equipment. Then comes the penance of the rigorous training. This
could very well be the lifeline up there. It helps inculcate and hone survival
instincts that allow the climber to negotiate perilous situations. There are
numerous institutes in India and abroad that offer such training.
3.
Mountain
climbers are unanimous in agreeing that the unpredictable weather is what they
fear the most. There may be sunshine one moment and a snowstorm the other .At
higher altitudes, snow is a regular feature and being decisive about setting up
camps or proceeding further is crucial. The icy sheets after ice storms make
walking treacherous, while the powdery snow makes a mountaineer sink deep into
the snow. Up there, where the intention is to embrace Nature’s wonder, one
realises that it cannot be done without facing its formidable glory. A true
mountaineer may challenge the mountain, yet is always respectful to the
powerful forces of nature.
4.
Summiting
mountains carries its own health risks such as oxygen and altitude sickness
problems, frost bites, swelling of hands and feet, fluid collection in brain or
lungs and exhaustion. Yet, the gratification mountaineers feel from mastering
something that is so frightening, urges them to undertake these endeavours. We
may think that the mountaineers are fearless, experts say, ‘Not at all. It’s
fear that keeps them so intrigued with such arduous journeys.’ Impulse and
brazenness can be deadly foes. In the words of the Indian mountaineer,
Bachendri Pal: “The biggest risk - is to not take the risk at all. Remember
that…”.
Based
on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions:
(i)
Why does the writer say that “mountains inspire awe in humans”?
(a) They present us with
opportunities for exciting sports.
(b) They evoke the wish in us
to master them.
(c) They inspire in us deeds
of valour.
(d) They represent peace and
calm to us.
(ii)
Based on your reading of the text, list 2 reasons why the writer says that
“mountaineering is not a sport that can be embraced without preparation.”
(Paragraph 2)
(a)
…………………………………………………..
(b)
…………………………………………………..
(iii)
What connect does the writer draw out between unpredictable weather and setting
up of camps? (Paragraph 3)
(iv)
Supply one point to justify the following:
While
mountain climbing, an impulsive mountaineer is either disaster-prone or as good
as dead.
(v)
Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 1.
Opinion Reason
Best
experienced rather than described
(vi)
Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the
following:
So,
Mountain climbing is undoubtedly one of the most popular adventure sports
(Paragraph 1).
(a)
Doubt (b) Caution (c) Conviction (d) Denial
(vii)
The writer says, “A true mountaineer is respectful to the forces of nature, up
in the mountains.”
Select
the reason the mountaineer is respectful to the forces of nature, up in the
mountains.
(a)
survival (b) experience (c) tradition (d) directive
(viii)
Evaluate the INAPPROPRIATE reason for the feeling of exhilaration on reaching a
summit, that the mountain-climbers experience.
(a)
Achievement of a seemingly impossible feat
(b)
Spectacular panoramic view
(c)
Application of the inculcated survival instincts
(d)
Opportunity to use sophisticated mountaineering equipment
2.
Read the following text.
1.
The
North-East of India is a melting pot of variegated cultural mosaic of people
and races, an ethnic tapestry of many hues and shades. Yet, these states are
lesser explored as compared to the rest of the country. The new generations of
travellers who are ‘money rich and time poor’ are increasingly looking for
unique experiences — a phenomenon being called the emergence of the ‘experience
economy.’
new
and growing breed of tourists, the North-East with its variety and uniqueness
holds immense attraction.
2.
A
study conducted in 2020 by Dr. Sherap Bhutia, revealed that the foreign tourist
arrival in the North-East increased from 37,380 persons in 2005 to 118,552 in
2014. The overall growth rate of tourist (both domestic and foreign) in the
North-East was as high as 26.44% during 2005-06. A high and positive growth of
12.53% was registered in foreign tourist visits to North-East States of India
during 2012 from 2011, which further rose to register a growth of 27.93% during
2013 from 2012. Foreign tourist arrivals in the North-East witnessed a growth
of 39.77% during 2014 from 2013, according to data provided from the Ministry
of Tourism, Government of India.
3.
The
study recommendations for tourism planners included the need to concentrate on
some key areas like enhancement of tourist facilities, tourism financing, focus
on community involvement and others for the formulation of a sustainable
tourism strategy in the North-East States of India.
On
the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions that
follow:
(i) Infer one reason for the following, based on
information in paragraph 1:
The
rate of tourism in the North-East of India puzzles tourism officials.
ii. Select the appropriate option to fill in the
blanks:
From
paragraph 1, we can infer that the ________ and ________ of the North-Eastern
states aid attracting the ‘money rich and time poor’ tourists.
(1)
distinctiveness (2) conventionality (3) diversity (4) uniformity (5) modernity
Options:
(a)
(1) and (3) (b) (2) and (4) (c) (2) and (5) (d) (1) and (4)
iii.Complete
the following analogy correctly with a word/phrase from paragraph 1:
aroma
: cooking :: __________ : painting
(Clue:
Just like aroma is integral to cooking, similarly ____ is/are integral to
painting.)
iv.
Select the correct option to complete the following sentence:
Travellers
advocating the ‘experience economy’ seek a holiday package with (Paragraph 1)
(a)
grand facilities, expensive hotels and excellent services to pamper them.
(b)
a wholesome experience within the budget they have planned for
(c)
places and cities to buy things from and opportunities spend money.
(d)
cost-effective services, affordable accommodation and many days of touring.
v.Select
the chart that appropriately represents the trend of foreign tourist travels in
the North-East, from 2011–2014, as per paragraph 2.
(There
are four graphs shown labeled (1), (2), (3), and (4).)
Options:
(a)
Option (1) (b) Option (2) (c)
Option (3) (d) Option
(4)
vi.
Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option.
The
study of tourist travel statistics in the North-East, from 2005 to 2014 showed
______ results.
(a)
expected (b) encouraging (c)
inconsistent (d)
questionable
vii.
List any 2 examples of ‘tourist facilities’ as referred to, in Paragraph 3.
viii.
List any 2 reasons why the researchers recommend that the formulation of a
tourism strategy in the North-Eastern states of India be sustainable.
SECTION-B
GRAMMAR
AND WRITING SKILLS (20 MARKS)
3.
Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. (10M)
Fill
in the correct form of verb to complete the passage meaningfully.
i.
In California, you _______ have a driver’s license to drive a car.
(a)
has to (b)
must (✔️) (c) don’t have to (d)
must not
ii.
While you are driving, you _______ listen to the radio. It’s not necessary.
(a)
doesn’t have to (b) must (c)
don’t have to (✔️) (d) must not
iii.
If you plan to take a long trip in the car, you _______ get a full tank of gas,
or you might run out of gas!
(a)
should (✔️) (b) don’t have to has to (c) must not (d)
don’t have to
iv.
The sentence that demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement is:
(a)
“The group of students are studying for their exams.” (✔️)
(b)
“Neither the teacher nor the student is attending the meeting.”
(c)
“The dog and the cat was playing in the yard.”
(d)
“Each of the books have a different cover.”
v.
Nobody in the class _______ (has, have) the answer.
✔️ has
vi.
Each of the girls _______ (observe, observes) all the regulations.
✔️ observes
Fill
in the blanks with the most appropriate option:
vii.
Umesh _______ very fast when the traffic police tried to stop him.
(a)
was driving (✔️)
(b)
driving
(c)
drives
(d)
None of the above
viii.
She _______ her daughter to school before she goes to work.
(a)
taking (b) takes (✔️) (c) has taken (d) took
ix.
The old Neem tree which _______ in our compound for fifty years suddenly
crashed to the ground last night.
(a)
had stood (b) has stood (✔️) (c) is standing (d) stands
x.
Identify the error in the given sentence, from a school magazine report and
supply the correction.
In
order to balancing the sentiments of the Eagles and the Hawks, the Student
Council suggested a rematch between the teams.
Error Correction
balancing to balance
xi.
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option:
Respected
sir I ________ out of town next Friday and Saturday. Kindly grant me leave for
these two days.
(a)
won’t be (b) am (c) am going (d)
will be (✔️)
xii.
Doctor, I am not feeling well, ________ you please issue me a medical
certificate?
(a)
would (b) could (✔️)
(c) must (d) should
WRITING (10M)
4
Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. (5M)
A.
You are Shailendra Rawat,
Principal of St. Thomas School, Hathras. You have come across an advertisement
of a company that makes table tennis courts. You have to write a letter to the
Manager of Tennis Estate enquiring about their services and other discounts.
OR
B. You are Vaijanthi / Vijay from Prakasham Nagar,
Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Write
a letter to Book Haven Store, requesting home delivery of the books, stationery
and art materials you had ordered telephonically. Share the reason for being
unable to pick up the goods in person. Confirm your address details and a
convenient time slot.
SECTION
: C - LITERATURE (40 marks)
6.
Read the given extracts and answer the question for ANY ONE of the two, given.
(5 Marks)
A.
He
felt certain that his wings would never support him; so he bent his head and
ran away back to the little hole under the ledge where he slept at night. Even
when each of his brothers and his little sister, whose wings were far shorter
than his own, ran to the brink, flapped their wings, and flew away, he failed
to muster up courage to take that plunge which appeared to him so desperate.
Based
on your understanding of the extract, answer the following questions:
(i)
Choose the option that represents the young seagull:
(images
labeled (a), (b), (c), (d))
(ii)
The phrase ‘bent his head’ is used to denote ___________.
(iii)
‘He felt certain that his wings would never support him.’ His wings would never
support him while ___________.
(iv)
How has the author portrayed the young seagull’s fear and hesitation? Briefly
evaluate in 40–50 words on the basis of the extract.
OR
B.
Let
me put it more clearly, since no one will believe that a thirteen-year-old girl
is completely alone in the world. And I’m not. I have loving parents and a
sixteen-year-old sister and there are about thirty people I can call friends. I
have a family, loving aunts and a good home. No, on the surface I seem to have
everything, except my one true friend. All I think about when I’m with friends
is having a good time. I can’t bring myself to talk about anything but ordinary
everyday things.
Based
on your understanding of the extract, answer the following questions:
(i)
Why does Anne feel the following?
“…No
one will believe that a thirteen-year-old girl is completely alone in the
world.”
(1
Mark)
(ii)
Select the most appropriate option for (1) and (2).
(1)
“…on the surface I seem to have everything, except my one true friend.”
(2)
Anne doesn’t truly connect with anyone.
(a)
(1) is true and (2) is false. (b)
(2) is the opposite of (1)
(c)
(1) furthers the meaning of (2) (d) Both (1) and (2) cannot be
inferred from the extract.
(iii)
State whether the statement is True or False.
Anne
has a dissatisfied tone in the extract. (1 Mark)
(iv)
According to Anne, what change would a ‘true friend’ bring into her life?
Elaborate in about 40 words with reference to the extract. (2 Marks)
7.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
(5
Marks)
A.
He
stalks in his vivid stripes
The
few steps of his cage,
On
pads of velvet quiet,
In
his quiet rage.
He
should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding
through long grass
Near
the water hole
Where
plump deer pass.
Based
on your understanding of the extract, answer the following questions:
(i)
Which of these activities is mentioned in the extract as something the tiger
should do in the jungle?
(a)
Roar at visitors (b) Stare at
people (c) Wait for his prey (d) Drink clean water
(ii)
Why does the poet describe the cage as having ‘few steps’? (1 mark)
(iii)
The contrast indicated in the given extract is between _______. (1 mark)
(iv)
Irony refers to a situation in which things turn out opposite from what is
expected.
To
what end does the poet use irony in the poem? Explain in about 40 words with
reference to the extract. (2 marks)
OR
B.
Money is external.
He
is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
The
epistemology of loss, how to stand up
Knowing
what every man must one day know
And
most know many days, how to stand up.
Based
on your understanding of the extract, answer the following questions:
(i)
The poet says money is external. What does it mean in this extract? (1 mark)
(ii)
The boy is learning how to stand up. This means that he is learning to be
_______ in the face of difficulties.
(a)
patient (b) resilient (c) defensive (d) judgemental
(iii)
Has the poet used the phrase ‘how to stand up’ in a literal or metaphorical
manner? Analyse and write your answer in around 40 words. (2 marks)
(iv)
According to the poet, we mostly learn about loss from _______. (1 mark)
8.
Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words.
(4
× 3 = 12 marks)
(i)
‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ advocates the necessity for civilization
to grow. Substantiate your answer with valid responses from the lesson.
(ii)
Validate the given statement with reference to baby seagull’s fear.
‘Fear
doesn’t exist anywhere else other than one’s mind.’
(iii)
‘Coorg is a tourist’s delight.’ Justify.
(iv)
“If he roars at you as you’re dyin’ you’ll know it is the Asian Lion…”
Comment
on the irony of the quote from the poem How to Tell Wild Animals.
(v)
Write the sum and substance of the poem The Ball Poem.
9.
Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words.
(2
× 3 = 6M)
(i)
At the end of the story, we realise that Anil knew about the incident of the
previous night, yet he chose to overlook such a breach of trust. Explain.
(ii)
State one likely reason the writer of The Midnight Visitor chose to
characterise Ausable as short and fat.
(iii)
“The most successful people work smart not hard.” Justify the quote with
reference to A Question of Trust.
10.A.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words
(1
× 6 = 6M)
Read
the extracts given below and critically examine the difference in the nature of
the governments of South Africa.
(i)
In the first decade of the twentieth century, a few years after the bitter
Anglo-Boer war and before my own birth, the white-skinned people of South
Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination
against the dark-skinned people of their own land.
(ii)
Now, in the last decade of the twentieth century, and my own eighth decade as a
man, that system had been overturned forever and replaced by one that
recognised the rights and freedom of all people, regardless of the colour of
their skin.
OR
Critically
examine the natural beauty found in Coorg and Assam as described in two
travelogues “Coorg” and “Tea from Assam”.
B.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words
(1
× 6 = 6M)
Read
the following quote by Abraham Lincoln:
“The
people when rightly and fully trusted will return the trust.”
Justify
the quote given above in the case of Anil and Hari Singh in The Thief’s Story.
OR
Honour
among thieves is considered a popular code.
Examine
A Question of Trust as a story woven around this code.
Would
you also like a clean combined PDF of all these OCR texts? I can quickly make
one if you want!
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