SECTION - A (READING)

(A). Read the passage given below: (12 marks)

1. One of the world’s great educators, who looked up to a child as

an individual and a very special human being, was Maria
Montessori. She gave the very young children the stimulating
kindergarten, where children grew in an atmosphere of freedom
and confidence.
2. Maria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle near Ancona, Italy, in
1870. As a little girl, she was a dull student, unable to grasp and
retain what her teacher taught her. At the age of 10, she suddenly
changed. Besides her heightened interest in religion, she felt she
had a long way to go.
3. Maria began topping her class, and her parents felt that she
should become a teacher. But she was determined to become an
engineer. At the age of 14, she attended a technical school for
boys. After a year she took up biology and decided to study
medicine. In spite of a strong opposition from her father, she went
ahead with. medicine.
4. Maria became the first Italian woman to receive a medical
degree after she graduated from the University of Rome in 1896.
After getting her degree, she joined the university’s psychiatric
clinic. As a part of her duty, she had to visit the city’s mental
asylum, where disabled children were housed with the insane.
She watched the children shriek, stretching their hands out, with
an urge to reach out or to touch something. Maria felt they
needed a normal and friendlier environment and a contact with
the world. She worked out ways by which she could help the
disabled children. Dr. Bacelli opened an experimental state school
for disabled children with Dr. Maria Montessori as its head. Maria
spent long hours, almost 12 hours of the day with children,
observing them and finding out what could really help them. After
two years of hard work, her students took the normal state school
examination. And, her children proved that they were not
hopeless cases. In fact, many did almost as well as other normal
children.
5. Later, Maria was appointed professor of anthropology at the
university. After seven years, she took up another important
mission of her life. . She started a kindergarten for the poor,
normal children. She first taught them to become tidy, learn self-
discipline and then taught them to read and write. In her
colourful, stimulating kindergarten, she provided them with
innovative learning objects, like cutout letters of sandpaper,
coloured blocks and musical bells with different notes. Many more
such innovations made her system of education stimulating, and
even inspired the educationists. (424 words)

(A.1) On the basis of your reading of the above passage,

complete the following sentences. Write the answers in your
answer sheet against the correct blank number. (4 x 1 =4 marks)

1. As a child Maria was _____________________ student.

2. The disabled children were housed .in _____________________
3. The children needed ____________________ environment.
4. The disabled children’s success in _____________ proved that
they were as capable as the normal children.

(A.2) State any two things that Maria’s innovative Kindergarten

provided the children with: (2 x 1 =2 marks)

(A.3) Maria’s two main areas of interest were: (2 x 1 =2 marks)

(A.4) Find a word in the passage, which means the same as the
following words/phrases. Write the answers in your answer sheet
against the correct blank number. (4 x 1 =4 marks)

1. That makes somebody more alert and active (Para 1)

2. Comprehend/understand fully (Para 2)
3. Desire (Para 4)
4. A strongly felt aim (Para 5)

SECTION B – WRITING

(B.1). You are Radhika/ Rajesh of National Public School,

Bilaspur. Being inchargeof the cultural committee of your school,
you are given a letter by your Principal about an Inter school
Cultural Fiesta your school has to take part in. Write a notice, in
not more than 50 words, including relevant details from the
letter, asking students to appear for selection. (5 marks)
To,
The Principal,
National Public School, Bilaspur.
Madam,
Our school is conducting a cultural fiesta on the 26thof this month.
The events for competition include music, dance and skit. We
would appreciate if the students of your prestigious institution
participate and make our show a grand success. Attractive prizes
will be awarded to the Winners.
Thank you very much,
Yours faithfully,
Padmini Sundaram
Principal
Hill Mount School, Bilaspur.
(B.2) Ganesh writes a letter to his father, given below. Later
he decides to send the telegram.
Read the letter and draft the telegram. (5 Marks)

21, Gandhi Street

Burhanpur
June 28, 2004
Dear Father
I hope this letter finds you in the best of the health. I have to
inform you that the engagement of cousin Vijay is fixed for July 9
in Mumbai. Uncle wanted you to attend the same. Mother says
that you can reach Mumbai on the same date right from your tour.
We will leave for Mumbai on July 8 night and will be staying at
Hotel maharani at Dadar.
You can make your schedule accordingly.
See you at Mumbai.

With regards
Your loving son
Ganesh.

OR
(B.3). You are Mr. Rajeev Reddy, owner of a diary farm at
Kumarapalayam. Recently one of your cows died because of
eating a polythene bag which got stuck in its food pipe. Write a
letter to the editor regarding the nuisance caused by polythene
bags and requesting the authorities to ban the use of polythene
bags in not more than 150 words. (10 MARKS)

SECTION - C (GRAMMAR)

(C.1.) Fill in the blanks using only one word in each blank. The
first one has been done as an example. Write your answers in the
answer sheet against the correct blank number. (8 x 1/2 = 4
marks)

It is fun living near the seaside. One can go to (a) ____________

beach (b) _________________ a picnic. Sailing in boats and water
surfing (c) ____________________ two activities (d) __________ young
people really enjoy. The sunrise (e) _____________ the sunset make
beautiful sights. Those (f) ____________ have seen the sunrise say
that (g) __________ is a heavenly sight and a marvellous
experience. Even the sunset (h)__________________ worth watching.

(C.2) Read the following conversation between Raghav and

Ravi and complete the passage below it Write the correct answers
in the answer sheet against the correct blank number. (4 x 1 = 4
marks)

Raghav : Ravi, Varun and I are going to watch the cricket match
tomorrow. Would you like to join us?
Raw : I would love to but I ha to take my father s permission first
Raghav : You must let me know by this evening because I have to
arrange for the passes.
Ravi : I will do so.
Raghav informed Ravi that Varun and he were going to watch the
cricket match the next day. He asked Ravi (a) _______________. Ravi
replied (b) ____________ permission first. Raghav told him
(c)_________________for the passes. Ravi said (d) _____________ so.
 SECTION - D (LITERATURE)

(D.1) In the play ‘Julius Caesar’, the citizens prove to be fickle

minded. Justify the statement and give examples in support of
your answer. Write your answer in 75-100 words. (5 marks)

(D.2) Read the extract given below and answer the questions
that follow Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two
lines only Number the answers correctly.

SECOND GHOST: I see a vacant seat in the chimney corner, and a

crutch without an owner, carefully preserved.

1. Who is the Second Ghost addressing? (1)

2. Why is the seat vacant? (1)
3. What does the phrase ‘carefully preserved’ indicate? (1)
4. The scene changed the addressee’s attitude. Give two
evidences that prove the change. (2)