MGM Sanskar Higher Secondary School

(Science & Commerce)

STD : - XII (Science & Commerce) Exam: I Term Date: 14 /10/2020

SUB : -English
Time: -3 Hours Marks:-50

Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory
2. Separate instructions are given with each section, and question, where ever necessary. Please read
these instructions carefully and follow them.

Section A
Q1. Read the passage and answer the questions given below

The eight-and-a-half-hour-long day inside the hide was as fruitful as the Jambha tree standing tall on the
edge of Umbarzara. Before wrapping up my day at this natural waterhole, I took entries of the avifauna in
my field notes. Since I was alone, I rushed to Pitezari village where I was stationed. I camouflaged the hide,
took my essentials, came out of the hide and stretched out to my heart’s content. I lifted my camera bag and
took the familiar trail to Pitezari. Negotiating the webbed leaves of Teakwood and Moha trees, trying to
make minimal sound, I was treading cautiously among the woods. Walking alone in a jungle needs more
alertness than walking with a companion. I was alone here like a fox. Following the trail silently, watching
with wide-open eyes, my ears were grasping a variety of sounds just when a familiar sound stunned
me...‘Khyak! Khyak! KhyakoSS Khyak!’ It was a Langur alarm call.
The leader of the gang of Langurs was sitting on the tall tree making alarm calls out of fear for life. Rest of
the Langur brigade continued raising the alarm calls. The network of alarm calls was expanding its range
as the petrified Langurs speeded to the trees near and far and secured their places on treetops.
All this upheaval was created by only one animal’s presence-a Leopard. Many animals make alarm calls
when they see a predator- Tiger or Leopard nearby. The Langur is most reliable when it comes to finding
clues about the presence of the apex predators in the jungle. The mighty elusive Leopard of Umbarzara
was out of its lair. He was on the prowl. The stealthily moving figure in spotted gold-black cloak was spied
by these Langurs. Even the small ones from the legion of Langurs were giving alarm calls.
‘Chyak! Chyak!’ I stayed put. Gauged the leader Langur’s target sight and scanned the area visually. Took
some steps. Stopped again. A fresh scat was lying before me on the trail. The bluish-purple flies were
hovering over it. I was sure that the Leopard was somewhere near. The distant alarm call of four-horned
antelope was adding to the chaos. I barely walked around 15 metres and stopped. I had apparently
entered the sanctum sanctorum of a miracle called Leopard. But the big cat was not visible. It is an
elusive animal. The surroundings were reminding me that I was all alone time and again. As I moved
forward on the trail to Pitezari, the fading alarm calls were still heard in the
background. I could tell instinctively that the Leopard had moved away.

A1 . Describe the writer’s process of wrapping up for the day before leaving for Pitezari village (2)
A2.List down the clues apart from Langur’s alarm calls that made the writer aware of the Leopard’s
presence. (2)

A3.Guess the meaning of the following: (2)

1. Upheaval
2. Predator
A4 .Choose appropriate phrases/expressions from the extract given in the brackets & fill the blanks
appropriately. (2)
(Stay put, time & again, to one’s heart’s content)
1. I was on diet for some days but today i am going to eat_____.
2. Every mother scolds her children________ for the overuse of the mobile phone.

A5. Imagine you are lost in a jungle & are in a similar situation as the writer. What thoughts could cross
your mind in such a terrifying situation? (2)
 A6 . Do as directed. 2)

1. The surrounding were reminding me.

(Begin the sentence with the word “I”)
2. I was alone here like a fox.
(Identify & explain the figure of speech)

Q2 . Read the passage and answer the questions given below.

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?

Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
Did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend who came
along?
Or a churlish sort of “Howdy” and then vanish in the throng?
Were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the
way,
Or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the days that’s slipping
fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look
ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God
would say,
You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did
today?

A1. Identify the sentence of interrogative in the first stanza. (2)

A2. Discuss the rhyme scheme of 3rd stanza. (2)
A3. Describe the various ways you use to greet your elder. (2)
A4. Compose 4-5 lines on your own on ‘Good deeds’. (2)
Section B
( Written communication)
Q3(A). Letter writing. (4)
1. Write a letter to the editor focusing on the problem of shortage in water supply in your locality.
Or
2. Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper highlighting the road mishap problems in your area.

(B) Write a short tourist leaflet about any Historical place you like, take the help of the following points:
(4)
1. How to go there?
2. Where to stay there ?
3. What to see there ?
4. Any speciality of the place.
Or
You are a staff reporter of a national daily, you were asked to cover a district science exhibition. Mentioning all
relevant details , write a news report.

(C) Write on any one of the following items as directed: (4)

1. Read the passage & write its summary.
Communication is a part of our everyday life. We greet one another, smile or frown, depending on our moods.
Animals,too,communicate,much to our surprise. Just like us, interaction among animals can be both verbal or
non verbal.Singing is one way in which animals can interact with one another. Male blackbirds often use their
melodious songs to catch the attention of the femaThese songs are usually rich in notes variation, encoding
various kinds of messages. songs are also used to warn and keep off other blackbirds from their territory ,
usually a place where they dwell and reproduce.
Large mammals in the oceans sing too , according to adventurous sailors . enormous whales groan and grunt
while smaller dolphins and porpoises produce pings, whistles and clicks.These sounds are surprisingly received
by other mates as far as several hundreds kilometers away.

or
2. Develop a ‘Mind- Mapping’ frame to show the benefits of games and sports to the students. You can take the
help of the following points in order to develop each of them into further branches:
(Fitness & stamina, Team spirit & sportsmanship, Group behaviour, Killers instinct, will to win.)

Q4.A. Prepare a questionnaire of about 8 to 10 questions to interview a housewife. (4)

B. As the incharge of the Annual social gathering of your institute, prepare a vote of thanks for the event in
about 100 words. (4)
Q5. Change the sentence from Active to Passive voice. (4)
1. The doctor gave the patient some medicine.
2. Shreya posted the letter.

Q6. Do as directed (6)

1. He was born on the 14th of november.
( Frame Wh question to get the underlined part of the sentence as the answer)
1. The scorpion bitten the woman.
(Identify the subject & predicate.)
2. I was ____ my regular walk through the forest _______ 9 am.
(Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.)