KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN कें द्रीय विद्यालय संगठन

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN

अध्ययन सामग्री
STUDY MATERIAL
CLASS XII
ENGLISH CORE
CODE NO: 301
2019-20

चंडीगढ़ संभाग
CHANDIGARH REGION
SUBJECT ENRICHMENT MATERIAL CLASS XII

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Chief Patron: Sh. Santosh Kumar Mall, IAS
Commissioner, KVS

Co-Patron: Dr. P. Devakumar

Deputy Commissioner
KVS RO Chandigarh

Patrons: 1) Ms. T Rukmani

Assistant Commissioner
KVS RO, Chandigarh

2) Sh. Som Dutt

Assistant Commissioner
KVS RO, Chandigarh

Co-Ordinaton: Sh. P L Dhiman

Principal, K. V. No. 4, Mamun Cant., Pathankot

Contribution: 1. Ms.Divay Jyoti Mahajan, PGT English, K.V.1, Pathankot

2. Mr.Narender Singh, PGT English, K.V.1, Pathankot
3. Mr. Rajesh Kumar Dogra, PGT English, K.V.2, Pathankot
4. Mr. Ajay Verma, PGT English, K.V.2, Pathankot
5. Ms.Rashmi Dhiman, PGT English, K.V.3, Pathankot
6. Ms. Sukhdeep Kaur Bal, PGT English, K.V.1 Amritsar
7. Mr. Rampal Singh Rajput, PGT English, K .V. Sec 4 Chd
8. Mr. Sandeep Kumar, PGT English, K.V. 4, Bathinda
9. Ms. Anita Bhalla, PGT English, K.V. 5, Bathinda
10. Ms. Neetu, PGT English, KV 3 BRD, Chandigarh

Compilation:

1. Ms.Divay Jyoti Mahajan, PGT English, K.V.1, AFS, Pathankot

2. Mr. Ajay Verma, PGT English, K.V.2, Army Area, Pathankot
3. Ms. Rashmi Dhiman, PGT English, K.V.3, Mamun Cant., Pathankot

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 Salient features of this Study Material
 This study material is in the form of Question Bank comprising of solved Question
Papers as per latest guidelines issued by CBSE.

 It is a collection of a number of easy and challenging questions

 It contains guidelines, hints and solutions for really challenging questions and
topics.

 It contains a number of fresh/new questions (solved), which shall increase the

confidence level of the students when they will solve them as per CBSE guidelines.

 Such kind of questions shall draw the attention of both the students and the
teachers, and will help all of us in achieving the aim of 100% result with healthy PI.

“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.”

ALL THE BEST TO OUR DEAR STUDENTS…..

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CONTENTS PAGE
NO
SECTION-A 12-29
READING COMPREHENSION
COMPREHENSION
NOTE MAKING
SECTION-B 30- 73
WRITTING SKILLS
NOTICES
ADVERTISMENT
POSTER MAKING
FORMAL INVITATIONS AND REPLIES
LETTER WRITING
ARTICLE WRITING
REPORT WRITING
DEBATE WRITING
SPEECH WRITING
SECTION-C 73-162
LITERATURE TEXT BOOK (FLAMINGO) :
POETRY SECTION : MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX
AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM IN A SLUM
KEEPING QUIET
A THING OF BEAUTY
A ROADSIDE STAND
AUNT JENNIFER'S TIGERS

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PROSE: THE LAST LESSON
LOST- SPRING
DEEP WATER
THE RATTRAP
INDIGO
POETS AND PANCAKES
THE INTERVIEW
GOING PLACES
SUPPLMENTARY READER ( VISTAS):
THE THIRD LEVEL
THE TIGER KING
JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH
THE ENEMY
SHOULD WIZARD HIT MOMMY
ON THE FACE OF IT
EVANS TRIES AN 'O' LEVEL
MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPERS (SOLVED) 163-292

ENGLISH CORE (CODE NO. 301)

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 CLASS – XII 2019-20

SECTION A

READING COMPREHENSION 20 Marks

Section A will have two passages.

A. One unseen passage with a variety of Objective Type Questions, including Multiple Choice
questions and Short Answer Questions to test comprehension, interpretation and inference.
Vocabulary such as word formation and inference of meaning will also be tested.

The total length of the passages will be between 800 - 900 words. Five Multiple Choice type
question and Seven Objective Type Questions (total 12 Marks) shall be asked from this passage.
The passage will include one of the following:

a) Factual passages, e.g., instructions, descriptions, reports.

b) Descriptive passages involving opinion, e.g., argumentative, persuasive or interpretative text.

c) Literary passages, e.g., extract from fiction, drama, poetry, essay or biography.
B.The second passage will be of 400-500 words . Note-making and Abstraction will be assessed.

i. Note making (4 Marks )

ii. Summary (4 Marks).
SECTION B

WRITING SKILLS 30 Marks

a. Advertisements and notices, designing or drafting posters, writing formal and informal
invitations and replies. One question out of the two Short Answer Questions– 4 Marks b. Letters
based on verbal / visual input.- One question out of the two Long Answer Questions to be
answered in 120-150 words:6 Marks

Letter types include

• Business or official letters (for making enquiries, registering complaints, asking for and giving
information, placing orders and sending replies)
• Letters to the editor (giving suggestions or opinion on issues of public interest) Application for a
job

c. Two compositions based on visual and/or verbal Input may be descriptive or argumentative in
nature such as an article/a debate/ a speech or a report- Two Very
Long Answer Questions containing internal choice, to be answered in 150-200 words.
(10x2=20 Marks)

SECTION C

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 Literature Textbooks 30 Marks
I. Eight Objective Type Questions – 4 from one poetry and 4 from one prose extract to test
comprehension and appreciation. (8x1=8 Marks)

II. Five out of Seven Short Answer Questions based on prose / drama / poetry from both texts
(5x2=10 Marks)

III. One out of two Long Answer Questions to be answered in 120-150 words to test global
comprehension and extrapolation beyond the texts. (6marks) (Flamingo)

IV. One out of two Long Answer Questions to be answered in 120-150 words to test global
comprehension along with analysis and extrapolation. (6marks) (Vistas)

Prescribed Books
1. Flamingo: English Reader published by National Council of Education Research and Training, New
Delhi

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 Question Paper Design 2019-20

English CORE XII (Code No. 301)

Marks-80+20=100
Typology Testing Objective Short Short Long Very Long Total
Competencies Type Answer Answer Answer Answer mark
Question Questio Question Question Question s
including ns (4 marks 120-150 150-200
MCQs(1 (2 each) words (6 words
mark marks marks (HOTS) (10
each) each) each) marks
each)
Comprehension Conceptual
understanding,
decoding, Analyzing,
MCQ = 5
inferring, interpreting,
appreciating, literary, Objective
Type - 2 - - 20
conventions and
Questions
vocabulary,
=7
summarizing and
using appropriate
format/s
Writing Skills Reasoning,
appropriacy of style
and tone, using
appropriate format
- - 1 1 2 30
and fluency,
inference, analysis,
evaluation and
creativity
Literature Recalling, reasoning, 8
Textbooks and appreciating literary Objective
Supplementary convention, inference, Type
Reading Text analysis, creativity Questions
with fluency (4 from1 5 - 2 - 30
prose and
4 from 1
poetry
extract)
1x20=20 2x5=10 4x3=12 6x3=18 10x2=20 80
TOTAL
Assessment of
Listening and
- - - - - 20
Speaking Skills

GRAND TOTAL - - - - - 100

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TIPS TO SCORE WELL IN ENGLISH

As a student of Class XII, you must be wondering how to score better in English in the fast
approaching Board Examinations. How to Prepare for Exam is a big question that you always
ask yourself. Here are some tips that may help you. Many of you may be working hard and
getting good marks and some of you may not be working hard but still manage to get high
marks in exams. Others may be wondering how it happens? Also there will be a few of you
who study well but still are not able to score well in exams. Don’t worry; there are some
very simple tips to follow which will help you achieve success. These tips will tell you 'How
to prepare for Exams”.

STEPS

1. READ-Spend about 30 minutes reading at home every day. You will be amazed by
the number of new words you can learn and use these words to improve writing
skills.

2. ASK QUESTIONS! - Nothing pleases an English teacher more than a question about
the topic at hand. If you don’t know, then ask! Do not hesitate.

3. STAY FOR EXTRA HELP AFTER SCHOOL – If you want to improve in English (ex. Prose,
poetry, writing skill), then ask the teacher for extra help. He/she will like to help you
after class.

4. Make sure to practice the reading and comprehension skills at a regular basis. Every
week solve one unseen passage and one passage for note making. After solving
request your teacher to evaluate. The passage can be picked up from the News
papers. Speaking Tree from “Times of India”, Editors column from other News
Papers.

5. Practice minimum two writing skills every week and get it evaluated from your
teacher. Improvise as per the teachers suggestions.

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6. GO ABOVE AND BEYOND YOUR TEACHER’S EXPECTATIONS – The topics given for the
articles should be written in more words than expected. Write and practice the
issues which attract common mans attention.

7. Talk to your teacher after class about something that was discussed in the class that
you thought was interesting or confusing. This will clarify the issue in your mind as
the teacher would explain again.

8. If the practice of writing on a regular basis is done keeping in mind the marking
criteria, better scores in final exams will be ensured.

9. Participate in the class discussions on the lessons. Support your opinions with quotes
from the lesson.

10. Try to relate the lessons in your text books with current events. (if possible)

11. Read the classic literature, such as The Scarlet Letter, To Kill a Mocking Bird and
Gone with the Wind.

12. Attend your English class with interest. Pay attention and you will definitely learn
something of value and interest in every class.

13. Do miss the valuable study materials, question papers given to be solved by the
teacher. Solve them meticulously and get them evaluated.

14. While studying make short notes. Notes should be brief so that you can revise the lesson
with these notes. You can refer back to the portion in the text book if needed.

There is no short cut to success. WORK HARD and success will be yours.

If you work hard as a student the remaining life will be comfortable. But if you have
enjoyed life as a student then get ready to face hard life ahead.

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 SECTION-A READING COMPREHENSION (20 Marks)

STRATEGIES FOR ATTEMPTING COMPREHENSION

1- Read the title.
2- Quickly skim through the questions. This will help you to predict what the
passage/ poem is about. It will help you to read and understand its contents with
more clarity and will keep your mind focused on its theme.
3- Focus on the question that tests vocabulary skills. Read the antonym/synonym
given. Look at the numbers of the paragraphs. Write each word against its
respective paragraph. This gives you a ready reference and helps you to identify
the word in the passage / para while reading.
4- While reading do the following:
a. Underline the content words
b. Underline the possible answers of the given questions. It will help you to identify
the answers faster.
c. Encircle the words that are answers for the vocabulary. Normally a noun for
noun, a verb for a verb and an adverb for an adverb etc.
5- Answer the questions -
a. The underlined content will help you to find the answer.
b. If confused between two words:
i. Choose the word of the same part of speech / form ii. Read the sentence
with the word in the question in place of the ones you are choosing from the
passage.
6- Additional tips:
a. Write clearly and neatly.
b. Keep in mind the marks allotted to each question.
c. Do not leave any question unanswered.

PASSAGE 1 (SOLVED)
1. India has never subscribed to the doctrine of militarism and war in her history.
Here war was never treated as an ideal. It was only tolerated as unavoidable and
inevitable, and all attempts were made to check it and bring it under control. In
spite of the frequency of wars in ancient India, in spite of highly developed military
organization, techniques of war and imperialism and in spite of the open
justification of war as national policy, the heart of India loved pacifisms as an ideal
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capable of realization. India’s symbolic role was that of a peacemaker and it
sincerely pinned its faith on the principle of “Live and let live”. At least
philosophically, India’s intelligence supported the cause of peace not only in
national affairs but in international affairs also. All the great seers of the yore
visualized the unity of life, permeating all beings, animate or inanimate, which ruled
out killing and suicidal wars.

2. This doctrine of philosophical pacifisms was practiced by ancient Aryans is, no

doubt, a question of controversial nature. Certainly, the great Indian teachers and
savants stuck to this doctrine tenaciously and in their personal life they translated it
into practice and preached it to masses and even to princes of military classes.

3. Another culture of those times, the existence of which has been proved by the
excavations of Mohan- jo- Daro, also enunciated the doctrine of pacificism and
friendship to all. Strangely enough, the Indus Valley civilization has revealed no
fortification and very few weapons.

4. Ahimsa or the doctrine of non-violence in thought, speech and action assumed a

gigantic importance in the Buddhist and Jain period. By a constant practice of this
virtue, man becomes unassailable by even wild beasts, who forgot their ferocity the
moment they entered the circumference of his magnetic influence. The monks and
nuns of these churches were apostles of peace, who reached every nook and corner
of the world and delivered the message of love to war-weary humanity. The
greatest votary was the royal monk Ashoka, who in reality was responsible for
transforming Ahimsa as an act of personal virtue, to Ahimsa as an act of nation.
Many a historian recounting the causes of the downfall of the Mauryas, hold the
pacific policy of Ashoka which had eschewed the aggressive militarism of his
predecessors, responsible for an early decay of the military strength of the state
and its consequent disintegration, leading to the rise of Sungas, Kanvas and
Andhras. But, in reality the fault lies with the weak successors of Ashoka, who could
not wield the weapon of non-violence with a skill and efficiency which required the

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 strength of a spiritual giant like Ashoka. They failed due to their subjective
weakness: Pacifism itself was no cause of their failure.

5. Besides the foregoing philosophical and religious school of thought, even many
political authorities gave their unqualified support to the cause of pacifisms. They
recognized the right of rivals to exist, not mainly as enemies, but as collaborators in
the building of a civilization operation. Thus, for centuries, in the pre-Mauryan
India, scores of small independent republics existed and flourished without coming
in clash with each other.

6. With regard to Kautilya, the much maligned militarist and the so called
Machiavelli of India, he thinks that the object of diplomacy is to avoid war.

7. The Mahabharata observes in the connection, “A wise man should be content

with what can be obtained by the expedients of conciliation, gift and dissention.” It
denounces the warring world of men by comparing it to a dog-kennel. “First there
comes the wagging of tails, then turning of one round to other, then the show of
teeth, then the roaring and then comes the commencement of the fights. It is the
same with men; there is no difference whatever. Yajnavalkya adds: “War is the last
expedient to be used when all others have failed.” Likewise, Sri Krishna who’s
Bhagwad-Gita has been styled by some as “a song of the battle”, should not be
considered out and out militarist. When all the three expedients were exhausted,
then alone the fourth was resorted to.

8. All possible avenues of peace such as negotiation, conciliation through

conference, meditation and so on, were explored before the war was resorted to.
This proves that the heart of ancient India was
sound and it longed for peace, although war also was not treated as an anathema,
which was to be avoided as far as possible.
(Extract from ‘Culture India-Pacifism has been the Ideal’ by Sri
Indra)

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1.1 On the basis of the above passage, answer any five of the questions given below
by choosing the most appropriate option: (1X5=5)

(i) The heart of India loved

a) a highly developed military organization

b) techniques of wars and imperialism
c) loans
d) pacifism

(ii) Principle of “Live and let live” means

a) imperialism
b) militarism
c) frequency of wars among nations
d) role of peacemakers

(iii) Aryans preached and practiced this to the masses

a) non-violence
b) freedom of speech and action
c) philosophical pacifisms
d) practice of military organization

(iv) Mahabharata compares the warring world with

a) Wise men
b) Dog kennel
c) song of the battle
d) militarist

(v) Unearthing Mohan-jo–Daro reinforced the following of Pacifism

a) there was no fortification and very few weapons
b) they delivered the message of love
c) they were apostles of peace
d) thinks that the object of diplomacy is to avoid war

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 (vi) Give another word for ‘reconciliation’
a) dissension
b) disagreement
c) agreement
d) disharmony
1.2 Answer the following questions briefly: (1X5=5)

(i) How was war treated in India?

(ii) Describe India’s preparedness for war in spite of their belief in Pacifism.
(iii) How did the Aryans practice the Doctrine of Pacifism?
(iv) What is Ahimsa?
(v) What is the meaning of co-existence with rivals?

1.3 Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to the
following:
(1X2=2)

1. express in definite and clear terms (para 3)

2. defensive wall (para3)

SOLUTIONS
ANS 1

1.1 Correct Option:

(i) d - Pacifism 1

(ii) d - Role of peacemakers1

(iii) c - Philosophical Pacifism1

(iv) b - Dog kennel 1

(v) a - as there was no fortification and very few weapons 1

(vi) c- agreement

1.2 Answer the following questions briefly

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1. The war was never treated as an Ideal in India, it was only tolerated as unavoidable

and inevitable / all attempts were made to check it and control it. 1

2. highly developed military organization/ techniques of war and imperialism/ the

open justification of war as national policy 1

3. The doctrine of philosophical Pacifism was practiced by ancient Aryans. The great

Indian teachers and savants stuck to this doctrine tenaciously, practiced and

Preached it to masses and royals. 1

4. Ahimsa is the doctrine of non-violence in thought, speech and action / it is an act

of personal virtue. 1

5. The right of the rivals to exist, not mainly as enemies but as collaborators in the

building of our civilization operation / co-existence without coming in clash with

each other. 1

1.3 Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to

the following:

a enunciated 1

b fortification 1

PASSAGE 2 (SOLVED)

1. How often have you heard people remark: “I’m not like the rest; I’m different. “How
often do people make this assessment of themselves in varied context? To some
extent it is true; all of us are unique, different from each other. It is heartening to
know that no two snowflakes are alike and all fingerprints are unique. Indeed, very
few things in Nature are exactly alike; each cloud, each flower, tree, every leaf, and
even water molecules are different from each other. Certainly, Nature never meant
humans to be clones of each other. Our DNA, circumstances of birth, culture,
upbringing, influences and exposure- all ensure each individual has striking
differences from another.
2. But we ignore that reality and pour ourselves into readily available casts. We model
ourselves on available leads, become part of groups, and lose our individual
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 identities. Looking around for affirmations and approvals, we end up as clones of
each other. Drowning the voice of our individual drummer, we march to tunes that
have the stamp of social approval.
3. And yet the niggling voice within sometimes asserts itself, and we declare we are
different. Of course, we are. Each one of us is. But do we really appreciate or even
understand our own differentiators? Do we work upon and display these to our
advantage? “If you only read the books that everyone is reading, you can only think
what everyone else is thinking”, says Haruki Murakami in Norwegian Woods. True.
And similarly, if you only do what everyone else is doing, wear what others are
wearing, echo opinions and reflect attitudes you encounter elsewhere – you can
only be one of many!
4. If you wish to lead a life less ordinary, it is important to create your differentiator
and nurture it. Just like a differentiator helps grow or kill a business, a differentiator
for an individual gives him that competitive edge over others. This is what will make
you stand out, be the one who is selected from amongst many, the cynosure of all
eyes in a crowded room. Your differentiator is what gives you your individual
identity, the one thing that will make you stand out in a sea of ‘others’.
5. To identify your differentiators, focus on understanding and accepting yourself as
you are, without wanting to be someone or something else. This will help you
naturally gravitate towards things that enhance and add value to you. You will learn
to develop skills and use these to your best advantage without looking around for
guidance or waiting for a sign. You will develop your own individual personalities as
well as style statements.
6. It is important to develop your signature style, be it in personality traits, attitude or
style statement. It could be the pursuit of a hobby that lifts you above the rest, or a
philosophy or outlook you display. Step out of boxes you have been taught to grow
up within and explore possibilities beyond. Consciously attempt to do things in your
own unique way. Certain traits become the hallmark of a profession. Bureaucrats
will be pompous; politicians will be smoothly devious; journalists will be intrusive;
clerks irritable, scientists will be absent-minded; lawyers, argumentative, and
doctors harried! But really, must you? Some are smart enough to consciously step
away from adopting the traits associated with a group or a profession; they develop
their own differentiators and attitudes. These are the ones instantly marked as
‘different’.
7. But different from what? It is very easy to be different if difference alone is the
agenda. Wear strange clothes, walk in a strange manner, be rude amongst, polite
people and take on an anti-social stance. You are different! However, being
subversive or an object of ridicule is not the point. Nor is the idea to stand out for
the heck of it. Your differentiator has to be real and true to you, as you understand
yourself. Then alone is it enticing and exciting.
8. Remember, in order to be effective, the differentiator has to define you and your
agenda, not be the agenda itself. That will give you a cutting edge over others and
distinguish you from the rest of the world.

1.1. On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer each of the questions
with the help of the options that follow: (1×5=5)
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 (a) Human beings are different from each because …………………………
(i) Nature never meant us to be clones
(ii) We are made like snowflakes
(iii) We follow different professions
(iv) Our DNA is wired at birth
(b) Despite being different from one another …………………...
(i) We pour ourselves into a readily available cast,
(ii) Fight for our rights
(iii) We become individual drummers
(iv) We go to nature for support
(c) The work written by Haruki Murakami is …………………….
(i) What everyone else is thinking
(ii) Norwegian woods
(iii) Woods are Norwegian
(iv) Reflect attitudes you encounter
(d) One can know ones differentiator by………………..
(i) Accepting originality
(ii) Imitating others
(iii) Taking tuition
(iv) Practicing Meditation
(e) Your true differentiator is ……………………..
(i) Wearing clothes similar to what others are wearing
(ii) Take an anti-special stance
(iii) Be true and understand yourself
(iv) Be enticing and attractive
(f) To be termed as ‘different’
(i) Wear smart clothes
(ii) Develop personal differentiators
(iii) Walk in a strange manner
(iv) Be rude amongst polite

1.2. Answer the following questions briefly: (1×5=5)

(i)What gives individuals their striking differences?
(ii)What steps do we take to drown our differences?
(iii)What are the advantages of accepting ourselves as we are?
(iv)What are differentiators?
(v)How can one be an effective personality?

1.3 Pick out a word from the passage which means the same as the following:
(1×3=3)

(i) Encouraging (para 1)

(ii) Self- important (para 6)
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 SOLUTIONS

1.1. (a) (i) (b) (i) (c) (ii) (d) (i) (e) (iii) (f) (ii) (5 marks)
1.2. (i) DNA, circumstances of birth, culture, upbringing, influences and exposure – all ensure
each individual has striking differences from another.
(ii) we model ourselves on available leads, become part of groups, and lose our individual
identities.
(iii) By accepting ourselves as what we are, we will gravitate towards things that enhance
our value. We must stop looking around for affirmations and approvals.
(iv) Differentiators are certain traits that mark a certain group or profession.
(v) Step out of boxes you have been taught to grow up within, and explore possibilities
beyond. Consciously attempt to do things in your own unique way.

(1x5=5 marks)

1.3. (i) Heartening (ii) pompous (1x2=2marks)

PASSAGE – 3 (FOR PRACTICE)

1. Among the natural resources which can be called upon in national plans for
development, possibly the most important is human labour. Since the English
language suffers from a certain weakness in its ability to describe groups composed
of both male and female members, this is usually described as "manpower".
2. Without a productive labour force, including effective leadership and intelligent
middle management, no amount of foreign assistance or of natural wealth can
ensure successful development and modernization.
3. The manpower for development during the next quarter century will come from
the world's present population of infants, children and adolescents. But we are not
sure that they will be equal to task. Will they have the health, the education, the
skills, the socio-cultural attitudes essential for the responsibilities of development?
4. For far too many of them the answer is no. The reason is basic. A child's most
critical years, with regard to physical, intellectual, social, and emotional
development, are those before he reaches five years of age. During those critical
formative years he is cared for almost exclusively by his mother and in many parts
of the world the mother may not have the capacity to raise a superior child. She is
incapable of doing so by reason of her own poor health, her ignorance and her lack
of status and recognition of social and legal rights, of economic party of
independence. One essential factor has been overlooked and ignored. The
forgotten factor is the role of women. Development will be handicapped as long as
women remain second class citizen, uneducated without any voice in family or
community, decisions without legal or economic status, married when they are still
20
 practically children, and henceforth producing one baby after another, often to see
half of them die before they are of school age.
5. We can enhance development by improving 'women power', by giving women
the opportunity to develop themselves. Statistics show that the average family size
increases in inverse ratio to the mother's years of education- is lowest among
college graduates, highest among those with only primary school training, or no
education. Malnutrition is most frequent in large families, and increases in
frequency with each additional sibling. The principle seems established that an
educated mother has healthier and more intelligent children, and that is related to
the fact that she has fewer children. The tendency of educated, upper class
mothers to have fewer children operates even without access to contraceptive
services.
6. The educational level of women is significant also because it has a direct
influence upon their chances of employment, and the number of employed women
in country's total labour force has a direct bearing on both the gross national
product and disposable income of the individual family. Disposable income,
especially in the hands of women, influences food purchasing and therefore the
nutritional status of the family. The fact that the additional income derives from
the paid employment of women provides a logical incentive to restrict the size of
the family.
QUESTIONS:
A. Choose the most appropriate option:
(a) Among the natural resources which can be called upon in national plans for
development……………..
(i) The most important is certainly human labour.
(ii) The most important is possibly human labour.
(iii) The least developed is certainly human labour.
(iv) The least developed is undoubtedly human labour.
(b) Without a productive labour force, including effective leadership and
intelligent middle management……………..
(i) No productive work is possible.
(ii) Entrepreneurs will incur heavy losses.
(iii) Economic development will not keep pace with national movements.
(iv) No amount of foreign assistance or of natural wealth can ensure
successfuldevelopment and modernization.
(c)Development will be handicapped as long as women remain…..
(i) second class citizen
(ii) third class citizen
(iii) first class citizen
(iv) fourth class citizen
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 (d) Disposable income in the hands of women strengthen
(i) Family bond
(ii) Nutritional status of the family
(iii) Spiritual status of the family
(iv) None of these
(e)Development will be enhanced by:
(i) Improving Women Power
(ii) Creating Job Opportunities
(iii) Respecting Elders
(iv) Decreasing Malnutrition
(f) Benefit of disposable income in the hands of woman is:
(i) Money is spent lavishly
(ii) Influences food purchasing and family nutrition
(iii) Employment is created
(iv) Budget is controlled

B. Answer the following questions briefly:

(a) What will be the source of the manpower development during the next
quarter century?
(b) During which period is the child growth maximum?
(c)Why can't the first teacher of a child be effective in many parts of the world?
(d) What will happen to development if the womenfolk is neglected?
(e)What is the difference between an educated mother and an illiterate mother?(f)
How can we accelerate the rate of progress?
C. Find words in the passage similar in meaning as:
(a) Increase (Para 5)
(b) Important(Para 6)

NOTE MAKING AND SUMMARISATION

STRATEGIES FOR ATTEMPTING NOTE MAKING

1. Read the passage thoroughly.

2. Find the title/Heading of the passage (Read the first/last paragraph for the title).
3. Underline the main points and supporting details.
4. Find out the chief division of the passage and use them for Main-headings.
5. Find the sub-headings and write them under the Main- headings.
6. Circle the longer words or those often repeated words and abbreviate them.

22
7. Organise the information systematically.

*NOTE:
1. Do not write in complete sentences; use words/phrases only.
2. Underline the HEADING and SUB-HEADING.
3. How to form Abbreviations:
(a) Capitalized Initial Letters: eg: W.H.O, L.I.C
(b) The first few letters and the last few letters of the word: eg:
Advertisement-advt., government-govt.
(c) Taking first and last letters of the words: -eg. Reading-rdng. Education-edn
(d) Contractions of word-: eg: will not -won't; do not -don't
4. Universally recognised symbols used-eg: viz.-namely; eg.-for example
5. Make a box for writing key to the abbreviations. (Use atleast-4 abbreviations.)
6. Put the complete word and its abbreviation made in the box.
SUMMARISING
1. Use the NOTES made to draft the summary.
2. Join the points and make them into complete sentences.
3. Write short sentences.
4. Join the sentences using words like-and; not only; but also; such that; more over
5. Follow the word limit. (80 words.)

Marking Scheme:

Note Making
Title and Abbreviation/Symbols (with key) - any four
1 Mark
Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper indentation and notes) 2
marks

Summary
The summary should include all the important points given in the notes.
Content 2 marks Expression 1 mark
Format :

Title This is just an Indicator Do not use words Main

Heading and Sub Heading
23
A Main heading____________
(a)sub heading __________________ Key to abbreviations :
(b)sub heading __________________
1. wrtg. = writing
(c)sub-heading __________________
(i)sub sub heading ______________ 2. U.K. = United Kingdom
(ii)______________ 3.______ = ____________
B Main heading ____________ 4.______ = ____________
(a)_sub heading __________________ 5.______ = ____________
(b)sub heading ___________________
(c)sub_heading ___________________

SUMMARISING: (80 Words)

Students are required to write a paragraph using the main points listed in the notes.
Complete sentences are used. They are logically and cohesively linked together with the
help of suitable linkers. Do not use abbreviations and symbols.

Passages for Note Making

PASSAGE-1(SOLVED)

The work of the heart can never be interrupted. The heart’s job is to keep oxygen-rich
blood flowing through the body. All the body’s cells need a constant supply of oxygen,
especially those in the brain. The brain cells live only four to five minutes after their
oxygen in cut off, and death comes to entire body.
The heart is a specialized muscle that serves as a pump. This pump is divided into four
chambers connected by tiny doors called valves. The chambers work to keep the blood
flowing round the body in a circle.
At the end of each circuit, veins carry the blood to right atrium, the first of the four
chambers. Its oxygen has been used up and it is on its way back to lung to pick up a
fresh supply and to give up the carbon dioxide it has accumulated. From the right atrium
the blood flows through the tricuspid valve into the second chamber, the right ventricle.
The right ventricle contracts when it is filled, pushing the blood through the pulmonary
artery, which leads to lungs. In the lungs blood gives up its carbon dioxide and picks up
fresh oxygen. Then it travels to the third chamber, left atrium. When this chamber is

24
filled it forces the blood through the mitral valve to left ventricle. From here it is pushed
into a big blood vessel called aorta and sent round the body by way of arteries.
Heart diseases can result from damage to heart muscle, the values or the peacemaker. If
the muscle is damaged, the heart is unable to pump properly. If the valves are damaged,
blood cannot flow normally and easily from one chamber to another, and if the
peacemaker is defective, the contractions of the chamber will become un-coordinated.
Until the twentieth century, few doctors dared to touch the heart. In 1953, all this
changed. After twenty years of work, Dr. John Gibbon of USA had developed a machine
that could take over temporarily from the heart and lungs. Blood could be routed
through the machine, bypassing the heart so that surgeons could work inside it and see
what they were doing. The era of open heart surgery had begun. In the operating
theater, it gives surgeons the chance to repair or replace a defective heart. Many
patients have had plastic valve inserted in their hearts when their own valve was faulty.
Many people are being kept alive with tiny battery-operated pacemakers; none of these
repairs could have been made without the heart-lung machine. But valuable as it is to
the surgeons, the heart-lung machine has certain limitations. It can be used only for a
few hours at a time because its pumping gradually damages the blood cells.
a. On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes in points only, using
recognisable abbreviations wherever necessary. Supply a suitable title.
b. Write a summary of the above passage in about 80 words.
(4+4=8 marks)

ANSWER
Note-Making
Title:- Heart ( Any other suitable title )

Notes:-
1 Function of Heart
)
a) vital for living
(i) never stop wrkg.
b) supplies oxygen rich blood to diff. parts of the body.

25
2 Structure of the heart
)
a) div. 4 chambers connected by valves
b) blood purified in the lungs.
c) arteries carry pure blood to diff. Part of the body.
3 Heart disease – cause
)
a) weak muscles
b) defective valves
c) defective pace maker
4 Hist. of open heart Surgery.
)
a) 1953 – Dr. Gibbon inv. Heart lung machine
b) blood could pass through the machine
c) enabled open heart surgery
d) Limitation
(i) can be used only for a few hrs. at a time.
(ii damages flood cells
Key to Abbreviations
Sr No Abbreviation Words Abbreviated
Used
1 Diff. Different
2 Inv. Invented
3 div. Division
4 wrkg. Working
5 Hist. History
6 Hrs. hours

Summary/Abstraction:-
HEART

The heart is a vital organ of the body, which never stop working. It supplies oxygen rich blood to all
parts of the body. It is divided into four chambers inter connected by valves. Blood is purified in the
lungs and arteries carry it to different parts of the body. Heart disease has various cause such as
weak muscles defective valves or a defective pace maker. The era of open-heart surgery began in
1953 when Dr. Gibbon developed the heart lung machine. Replacement of valves and other areas
of a damaged heart is now possible.

PASSAGE 2 (Partially Solved)

How you can best improve your English depends on where you live and particularly on
whether or not you live in an English speaking community. If you hear English spoken
every day and mix freely with English speaking people, that is on the whole, an
advantage. On the other hand it is often confusing to have the whole language, poured
over you at once. Ideally, a step-by-step course should accompany or lead up to this

26
experience. It will also help a great deal if you can easily get the sort of English books in
which you are interested.

To read a lot is essential. It is stupid not to venture outside the examination ‘set books’
or the textbooks you have chosen for intensive study. Read as many books in English as
you can, not as a duty but for pleasure. Do not choose the most difficult book you find,
with the idea of listening and learning as many words as possible: choose what is likely
to interest you and be sure in advance that it is not too hard. You should not have to be
constantly looking up new words in the dictionary, for that deadens interest and checks
real learning. Look up a word here and there, but as a general policy try to push ahead,
guessing what words mean from the context. It is extensive and not intensive reading
that normally helps you get interested in extra-reading and thereby improves your
English. You should enjoy the feeling which extensive reading gives of having some
command for language. As you read you will become more and more familiar with
words and sentences patterns you already know, understanding them better and better
as you meet them in more and more contexts, some of which may differ only slightly
from others.

Some people say that we cannot learn to speak a language better with the help of a
book. To believe this is to believe that the spoken language and the written language are
quite different things. This is not so,. There is a very great deal in common between the
two. In learning the patterns and vocabulary of the written form, we are learning to a
considerable extent those of the spoken form too. We are, in fact, learning the language
and not merely one form of the language.
1. On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes in points only, using
recognisable abbreviations wherever necessary. Supply a suitable title. (4 M)
2. Write a summary of the above passage in about 80 words. (4 M)

SOLUTIONS
Title: Learning/improving English
1. Methods of impr’g English.
1.1 English spkg environ.
1.2 ___________________________
1.3 ___________________________
2. Reading interesting bks. In English.

27
 2.1 ___________________________
2.2 ___________________________
2.3 guessing meaning of new words.
2.4. __________________________
3. Creating interest in extra reading.
3.1 __________________________
3.2 words and sentence patterns.
4. Similarity b/w spoken and written English
4.1 reading improves spoken lang.
4.2____________________________
4.3 ____________________________

Key to abbreviations:
Impr’g - improving
____________
____________
___________
____________
____________

Summary:
To improve English it is essential to live and mix freely in an English speaking
environment. Graded exposure to English and access to a range of interesting books can
create interest and enrich vocabulary.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

PASSAGE 3 (For Practice)

There is nothing more frustrating than when you sit down at your table to study with
the most sincere of intensions and instead of being able to finish the task at hand you
find your thoughts wandering. However, there are certain techniques that you can use
to enhance your concentration. “Your concentration level depends on a number of
factors,” says Samuel Ghosh, a social counsellor. “In order to develop your
concentration span, it is necessary to examine various facets of your physical and
internal environment,” she adds.

To begin with one should attempt to create the physical environment that is
conducive to focused thought. Whether it is the radio, TV or your noisy neighbours
28
identify the factors that make it difficult for you to focus. For instance, if you live in a
very noisy neighbourhood, you could try to plan your study hours in a nearby library.
She disagrees with the notion that people can concentrate or study in an environment
with distractions like a loud television, blaring music etc. “If you are distracted when
you are attempting to focus, your attention and retention powers do not work at
optimum levels,” cautions Ghosh. “Not more than two of your senses should be
activated at the same time,” she adds. What that means is that music that sets your
feet tapping is not the ideal accompaniment to your books.

Also do not place your study table or desk in front of a window. “While there is no
cure for a mind that wants to wander, one should try and provide as little stimulus as
possible. Looking out of a window when you are trying to concentrate will invariably
send your mind on a tangent,” says Ghosh.

The second important thing, she says, is to establish goals for oneself instead of
setting a general target and then trying to accomplish what you can in a haphazard
fashion. It is very important to decide what you have to finish in a given span of
time. The human mind recognises fixed goals and targets and appreciates
schedules more than random thoughts. Once your thoughts and goals are in line, a
focused system will follow.

She recommends that you divide your schedule into study and recreation hours.
When your study, choose a mix of subjects that you enjoy and dislike and save the
former for the last so that you have something to look forward to. For instance, if you
enjoy verbal skill tests more than mathematical problems, then finish Maths first. Not
only will you find yourself working harder, you will have a sense of achievement when
you wind up.

Try not to sit for more than 40 minutes at a stretch. Take a very short break to make
a cup of tea or listen to a song and sit down again. Under no circumstances, should
one sit for more than one and a half hours. Short breaks build your concentration
and refresh your mind. However, be careful not to overdo the relaxation. It may
have undesired effects.

More than anything else do not get disheartened. Concentration is merely a matter
of disciplining the mind. It comes with practice and patience and does not take
very long to become a habit for life.
a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it, using headings
& Sub headings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary (minimum 4).
Use a format you consider suitable. Supply an appropriate title to it. (4 M)
b) Write a summary of the above passage in 80 words, also suggest a suitable title. (4
M)

29
 SECTION-B

ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS (30 Marks)

QUESTION -3
THIS QUESTION INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING SHORT COMPOSITIONS:
1. NOTICE
2. ADVERTISEMENTS – CLASSIFIED AND COMMERCIAL

3. POSTERS
4. INVITATIONS AND REPLIES
1. Notice (4 Marks / 50 Words)

A Notice is a written or a printed information or news announcement. Notices are either

displayed at prominent places or published in newspapers/magazines. It is meant only
for a select group. Since a notice contains a formal announcement or information, its
tone and style is formal and factual. Its language should be simple and formal. A notice
is always brief and to the point.

Remember, Circulars are also written like notices, but unlike notices, they carry more
than one message, and they are circulated through a messenger.

IMPORTANT TIPS TO BE FOLLOWED WHILE WRITING NOTICES:

• Adhere to the specified word limit of 50 words.
• Write the word NOTICE at the top.
• Name and place of the school, organization or office issuing the notice should be
mentioned.
• Give an appropriate heading.
• Write the date of issuing the notice.

30
 • Clearly mention the target group (for whom the notice is to be displayed).
• Purpose of the notice.
• Mention all the relevant details (date, venue, time).
• Mention whom to contact for extra information.
• Signature, name and designation of the person issuing the notice.
• Put the notice in a box.

Format of a Notice
A NOTICE IS ALWAYS WRITTEN IN A BOX
NOTICE

NAME OF THE INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION/OFFICE , PLACE

SUITABLE HEADING

29 AUG.,2019

Content Target group-for whom the notice is. Date, time, venue and
all important details and any extra information that is
needed. (Body of the Notice 50 words )

Signature

(NAME)

Designation

Marking Scheme of Notice

Format : Title (Notice/Heading/Place/Date/Signature with name and
Designation) (1 mark)
Content : (a) where?
(b) When?
(c) Target group
(d) Agenda
(All within 50 words) (2 marks)
Expression : Coherence, spellings and grammatical accuracy. (1 marks)

31
Solved Example-1

Imagine you are a member of RED CROSS Blood Bank Society, Bangalore. You have been asked by the

President of the society, Mr. Manish Nair to organize a Blood Donation Camp. Write a notice in 50

words urging the people to come in large numbers for this

noble cause. (5 marks)

RED CROSS BLOOD BANK SOCIETY,BANGALORE
NOTICE
DONATE BLOOD AND SAVE LIVES!

th
29 AUG., 2019
th
A State Level function to observe voluntary Blood Donation Day is being organized on 5
th
and 6 SEPT.,2019 at Red Cross Blood Bank Society Office, M.G. Road, Bangalore. It starts at
8 a.m. and will continue till 5 p.m. both days. All are requested to volunteer and donate
blood and save the lives of the needy people.

Manish
(MANISH NAIR)
PRESIDENT,RED CROSS BLOOD BANK SOCIETY

Solved Example-2

Your school (Amar Vidyalaya), Bangalore is organizing a cultural evening to collect funds
for the slum children. The Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University has consented to be the
Chief Guest on the occasion. Draft a notice in this connection to be displayed on your
school notice board. Imagine you are the Rakesh Tilak ,Cultural Secretary of your school.
(Word limit: 50 words)

32
 AMAR VIDYALAYA , BANGALORE
NOTICE
CULTURAL EVENING FOR A CHARITY
st
1 JULY 2019

The school is organizing a Cultural Evening to collect funds for the slum children in the
th
neighborhood, on 10 July 2019 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the school playground. Dr.
S.M.Rao Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University has consented to be the Chief Guest on
the occasion. All are invited and requested to give wide publicity to the event. For
more details contact the undersigned.
Rakesh Tilak
(RAKESH TILAK)
Cultural Secretary

NOTICES FOR PRACTICE

1- As the Secretary of the Science Club of your school, write a notice in about 50 words
informing students of an inter class science quiz.
2- You are Abhinav/Alka. You have planned a 2-week course to be arranged to help the
children of your housing society called “Renaissance Housing Society” at Mysore
acquire Spoken English Skills. As the Secretary of the Society , prepare a notice for
the Society’s notice board stating the objective of the course ,giving necessary
details of the course and requesting the children of the society to join the course.
(Word limit : 50 words)
3- Your school, Adarsh Vidyalaya, Solan, is organising a lecture by the famous writer Vikram Seth
on the occasion of ‘Literacy Week’ being celebrated in your school. Write a notice
informing students about the lecture. Invent necessary details.

4- Draft a suitable notice for your School Notice Board giving details of the inauguration
of the Literary Association activities in your school. You are Deepak/Deepaika,
Secretary, School Literary Association. Your School is called Modern Senior
Secondary School, Belgaum.
5- Your school has just completed 25 years of its meritorious service to society. The
Students’ Council of your school has decided to celebrate its Silver Jubilee. As
President of the Council, write a notice in not more than 50 words, for the
33
 students of your school, informing them about the Council’s decision and
seeking their co-operation for the success of the proposed Silver Jubilee
Celebrations.
6- You are Sanjay / Sangeeta. As President of the Excursion Club you have organized an
excursion to Katmandu (Nepal) during the summer vacation for the senior
students of your school. Write a notice in about 50 words informing the students
about the proposed excursion.
QUESTION -3
Advertisements: (4 Marks /50 Words)

An ADVERTISEMENT is a kind of public notice asking for or offering services or buying

and selling property, goods etc., or providing information about missing persons, pets
etc.
There are two kinds of advertisements:
1- Classified
2- Commercial
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
You will come across classified advertisements in the columns of newspapers and
magazines. The important features of a Classified Advertisements are--
* No blocks, no design and language to be factual.
* Simple and formal and to the point
* Comprehensive; yet must leave out no important matter.
* Never be too lengthy (confine to the word limit)
Marking Scheme
Format Suitable Heading/Classification) 1 Mark
Content relevance 2 Marks
Expression (Grammatical Accuracy, Spellings Suitable Style- 1 Marks
IMPORTANT TIPS TO BE FOLLOWED
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
(a) Classified Advertisements
• Clearly state the category at the top-e.g.-For Sale, To Let etc.
• Give all necessary details in points using commas.
• Give contact address, name, and telephone number.
• Put the matter in a box.

34
Kinds of Classified Advertisements
I. Situation Vacant/Wanted
2. Lost and found
3. Sale and purchase
4. Accommodation wanted
5. Educational
6. Placement services
7. Matrimonial
8. To-Let
9. Tuitions
10. Packers and Movers
11. Kennel
12 Travels and Tours

35
36
FURTHER SAMPLES OF CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
SAMPLE—1
Question 1-You are Personal Assistant to G.M., ABC Metal Tools Company, Mumbai. Your
General Manager has asked you to draft a Classified advertisement for a local daily for the post
of two engineers. Draft the advertisement in not more than 50 words.

SITUATION VACANT
Required two well qualified Mechanical Engineers with a maximum experience of five
years. Remuneration commensurate with the performance and output of the candidate.
Send the Curriculum Vitae within seven days to the Personnel Manager, ABC Metal
Tools Company, 7, Vashist Complex Sikanderpur , Malad East, Mumbai, along with
necessary certificates and references within a week.
Ph-26090003,26093330
SAMPLE—2
Question 2-You are Anurag/Aparna of 110,Swasthya Vihar , New Delhi .You wish to let
out a portion of your newly built house. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50
words for publication in the “To-Let” column of The Hindustan Times, giving all
necessary details .

TO LET
Available 1500 sq.ft. ground floor of a newly built house in Swasthya Vihar with two
spacious bedrooms, attached bathrooms, drawing-cum-dining room, kitchen and
interiors. Rent expected-Rs. 7000/-. Interested persons may please contact—
Anurag/Aparna ,
110 Swasthya Vihar , New Delhi.Phone-27439543

37
NECESSARY INFORMATION
SITUATION VACANT LOST AND FOUND
 Specify the post and number of vacancies  Begin with LOST/FOUND
 Qualities of the person required  Description of the article
 Name of the company (optional)  When and where the article was
 Age and sex of the candidate Lost/Found
 Pay scale and perks  Reward for finding it
 Mode of applying  Contact address and phone number
 Contact address and phone number
TO-LET KENNEL
 Type Of accommodation, No. of  Breed of dog
rooms/floor  Age
 Whether it’s independent or an apartment  Colour
 Rent expected  Training
 Type Of tenant required-Bank  Price expected
employee/small family  Contact address and phone number
 Whom and when to contact
 Contact address/phone number
VEHICLES FOR SALE PACKERS AND MOVERS
 Make : Maruti/Hyundai Santro etc.  Specify the services
 Give reason why you should be given
 Model/colour/accessories/year of
a chance
manufacture/mileage  Area of work
 Condition  Whom to contact
 Contact address and phone number
 Ownership details
 Price expected
 Contact address/phone number
PROPERTY FOR SALE Travels and Tours
Plot for sale  Name of the agency
 Location-where it is  Destinations and durations
 Area : in sq. meters/yards  Details of the package
 Name of the development authority  Discounts if any
 Price expected  Contact address and phone number
 Contact address/phone number

38
TUTIONS HOUSE/FLAT FOR SALE
Classes and subjects Type of accommodation, No. of rooms/floor
Special qualities of the tutor Whether it’s independent or an apartment
Qualifications and experience of the tutor Price expected/negotiable
Previous results of his/her students Location-where it is
Contact address/phone number Area : in sq. meters/yards
Name of the development authority
Whom and when to contact
Contact address/phone number

COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENT
COMMERCIAL OR DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENTS
• They are designed for commercial purposes.
• Require more space, hence are costly. Must be attractive as they with visuals,
catchy phrases and slogans.

MAIN FEATURES:
• Must be attractive-with a catchy caption, heading or sub-headings.
• Figurative language. (alliteration and metaphors especially)
• Proportionate spacing of fonts with different sizes.
• Usually attractive with catchy slogans, punch lines, witty Expressions, pictures or
sketches.
• Special offers or discount, if any.
• Details of the product or event given in a clear, precise way.
• Give name, contact number and address of the advertiser.
• Present the matter in a box.

Commercial Advertisements-Sample 1

Draft attractive Commercial Advertisement inviting customers to a leading resort called ‘FORT
RESORT AND FARMS’ to organize weddings, parties and other events.

39
SAMPLE—2

A HEAVENLY PLACE

FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES AND EVENTS

WELCOME TO FORT RESORT AND FARMS!!!

LARGEST VENUE AROUND CHANDIGARH

SPREAD OVER 12 ACRES

BREATHTAKING BACKDROP! MORE THAN 500 TREES
COMPLEMENTED BY WATERFALLS AND FOUNTAINS!!
*****************************************************

FORT RESORT IS AN IDEAL LOCATION TO CELEBRATE

MARRIAGES—PARTIES—ANNIVERSERIES AND VARIOUS OTHER

EVENTS

ISSUED BY : FORT RESORT HOTELS

i. SHAHEED BHAGATH SINGH MARG

ii. CHANDIGARH --56

CALL US AT – 060-5467834/568/769

40
Draft an advertisement on behalf of Department of West Bengal highlighting the
beauty of Dargeeling, Digha Sunderbans and Dooars known for their green hills, sea

shore, tea-gardens and Royal Bengal Tigers.

WEST BENGAL—YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY PACKAGE

Darjeeling the “Queen of the Hills” Digha , the resort by the sea
Sunderbans-with Royal Bengal Tiger Dooars with its rolling verdant
tea-gardens
West Bengal packs in the richest natural variety within its small periphery. To this
ultimate destination the Tourism Development of West Bengal adds excellent facilities!
Reach out to this splendor today

GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL

For details contact: Tourism Department, Government of West Bengal. @. Brabourne
th
Road 4 floor,Kolkata-700001 , West Bengal
Phone-091-033-2225/4723/24/25

Note- You can use Match Stick figures and rough sketches for illustration. Do not spend
much time on illustration. Written language and expressions will only help you score
better.
Exercise for Practice (Advertisement)
1- M/s Blue Towers, a readymade jeans company is launching their 2011 range of

jeans for men and women. Prepare a beautiful advertisement.

2- M/s Leather Shoes have brought a new range of formal shoes for men. Prepare a

suitable advertisement for the range.

3- M/s Metro Shirts have introduced their new summer range of men’s shirts and
T-shirts. Prepare an attractive advertisement for the range.

41
4- M/s Pen India has brought out a new gel pen in many colors. Prepare an eye catching
advertisement for the pen, giving all relevant details.

5- Draft an advertisement announcing the launch of special health drink by Health Care
Private Ltd., highlighting its nutritive value.

6- You are working for an advertising agency. Draft an attractive advertisement for the
company called Modern Machines which is launching washing machines. (Word
limit: 50 words)

7- You have recently started a Yoga Centre for school children. Draft an advertisement to be
published in a local daily about it, giving all relevant details.

8- You want to dispose off your car, as you are going abroad. You are Harish of No. 10,
Kailash Ganj and Lucknow. Draft an advertisement to be published in the daily,
‘The Hindustan times’, under classified Columns.

9- You have recently started a Centre for Personality Development for school children.
Draft an advertisement to be published in a local daily about it , giving all
relevant details.

10- You are Manisha. You have started hobby classes for children of 6 to 12 years. Prepare a
suitable advertisement giving all the required details.. (50 words)

11- You are Mohan of Raja ki Mandi, Agra. You want a dance teacher for your younger
sister. Write an advertisement to be published in the classified columns of a local
paper. (50 words)

12- You propose to sell your flat as you are going abroad. Draft an advertisement to be
published in the classified columns of ‘The Times of India’, New Delhi. (50 words)

13- You have a commercial flat suitable for an office/bank. You wish to rent it out. Draft
an advertisement to be published in ‘The Times of India’, New Delhi under the
classified columns.

14- You are Ashoka/Ashita of Sitapur, Lucknow. You have got a foreign assignment and
would be going abroad soon. You have a color television set and a

42
 refrigerator to sell. Draft a suitable advertisement to be displayed on the housing
society notice board. (50 words)

15- You have recently constructed a house with all the facilities in a posh area. You have
decided to give it on rent. Draft a suitable advertisement for the ‘To-Let’ column
of a local daily. Invent all the necessary details, including a contact address. (50
words)

Posters: (4 Marks -50 Words)

A POSTER is a large notice announcing or advertising something. It generally creates
social awareness about any problem or needs .It also conveys a social message in an eye
catching way.
It must capture the reader’s attention and motivate him/her to read on.
Main Features of a Poster:
Layout: A creative title in the form of a slogan or rhyming words for
example :- Speed thrills but kills, Pollution needs a Solution,
Green is Clean
• You can use Match Stick figures for illustration.
• Proper spacing and proportionate headings and illustrations.
• Date, time and venue must be mentioned in case of an event.
• A poster displays a message, or an appeal to create awareness.
• The content should be organized in an appropriate style.
• Use appropriate expressions and correct language.
• Theme should be clear.

• The poster should be creative and related to the content and theme
should not be vague.

• Do not spend much time on illustration. Written language and

expressions will only help you score better.
• Name of the issuing authority or the organizers is a must.

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Making scheme
format 1
Content 2 Marks, Expression - 1 Marks

SAMPLE POSTER—1

Question-On behalf of Department of Environment, Bangalore Administration, draft a

Poster on the detrimental consequences of burning leaves and garbage upon the
environment and also issuing a warning of the punishment to those indulging in the
same.

SAVE ENVIRONMENT! GENERATE PROSPERITY!

SAVE ENVIRONMENT

DON’T BURN DRY LEAVES OR GARBAGE

Emits toxic and harmful fumes!
It increases suspended particle matter (SPM) in the air and pollutes it!
Produces carbon-di-oxide causing greenhouse effect!
Disturbs the natural climate of the planet.
Leads to cough, eye irritation and respiratory disorders!
Municipal Corporation Bangalore has banned the burning of leaves and garbage.
Any Violation depending on the scale is punishable with imprisonment for a term extending to five
years and fine up to one lakh rupees
ISSUED IN PUBLIC INTEREST DEPARTMENT
OF ENVIRONMENT : BANGALORE
ADMINISTRATION
SAVE ENVIRONMENT! GENERATE PROSPERITY!

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SAMPLE POSTER-2

The Citizens’ Awareness Forum of your city has decided to launch a campaign against
the use of drugs. You are asked to get posters prepared. Design an attractive and
effective poster against the use of drugs.

Don’t be late
SAY IT JUST TODAY
DRUG ADDICTION
Brings
ENDLESS MISERY AND RUIN

BE FIRM
ACT NOW
IT IS NOW OR NEVER
DRUGS MAY THRILL!
BUT THEY SURELY KILL!
EASY TO GET IN!
DIFFICULT TO GET OUT!

Issued by
CITIZENS AWARENESS FORUM , PUNE

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46
POSTERS FOR PRACTICE

1- Recent rains have caused havoc in some parts of our country. You are Surya, a
member of the social service organization, SEVA MANDIR, Bangalore. Draft a
poster requesting people to help the rain and flood affected families physically
and economically.

2- A ‘Check Vehicular Pollution’ campaign is being organized in your city. Draft a poster
to be used in the campaign.

3- Water is precious and each one of us must stop wastage. Prepare a poster in not
more than 50 words, for creating that awareness.

4- Draft a poster announcing a ‘Book Week’ being organized by the Cultural Society,
Ahmedabad.

5- Your school is planning a campaign in support of eye donation to mobilize the

students and society. Design a poster to be displayed in different areas of the
locality surrounding your school highlighting the need for eye donation and eye
banks.

6- Prepare a poster to bring about awareness against the hazards of reckless use of
plastics.

4. Invitations and Replies: (50 Words 4 Marks)

No man is an island. Man is a social animal. We need to be with people. This is the
reason why solitary confinement is the worst form of punishment one can experience.
So, we celebrate many occasions together. To invite someone for an occasion we use
the written form-INVITATION.

Invitations are generally printed cards through which we invite our guests on some
auspicious occasion like wedding, birthday, wedding anniversary, house warming,
inauguration of a shop/factory etc.

Invitations are of two types: (a) Formal (b) Informal. They can be printed on cards or can
be drafted in the form of letters.

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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

An invitation is complete information. It answers the questions: who, whom, when,

where, what time and for what. The important components of an invitation therefore
are:-
o The occasion
o Name(s) of the invitee(s)
o Name(s) of the host(s)
o Date, time and venue

o Name(s) of the chief guest or special invitees , in case of an official

invitation

FORMAT OF FORMAL INVITATIONS

In case of formal invitations, each of the following is written in a separate line with fonts
of varying sizes.
• Names of the hosts
• Names of the invitee (in case of a formal letter of invitation))
• Formal phrase of invitation , for example :-
Request the pleasure of your benign presence/company.
Seek your auspicious presence.
Solicit your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion
• The date, time and venue of the event.
• The occasion/reason of the invitation.
A-CHARACTERISTICS OF FORMAL INVITATIONS

1- Meant for a lot of invitees

• These are written in the third person.

• In case a VIP is invited as the chief guest the name of the VIP must appear
prominently.

• Name of the invitee is not to be included. The addressee’s address is to

48
 be written only on the envelope.

• Simple Present Tense is to be used.

• The date of writing is not to be given.

• There is no signature of the host.

• The abbreviation RSVP (French : repondez s’il vous plait ) i.e. ‘please
reply’ is written below on the left with name(s) , address and phone
number of the host(s)

• Put the invitation into a box

• Do not exceed 50 words

2- Meant for an individual (a formal letter of invitation)

• Include the name of the invitee

• These are to be written on run-on lines. The sentence is not broken

into different words/phrases.

• Other details are similar to the mass-scale invitations

EXAMPLES OF FORMAL INVITATIONS

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1. Your father, Mr. Raj Kumar Gupta , residing at K-18 ,13 Cross Malleswaram,
Bangalore wants to celebrate the success of your brother Rohith’s clearing the IIT-JEE
Entrance Examination and securing admission in IIT Powai ,Mumbai. He wants you to
draft a formal invitation for him on his behalf. Draft the invitation for him in not more
than 50 words.

49
 Mrs. And Mr. Raj Kumar Gupta

Seek your auspicious presence at the

Grand Celebration Party

of their son Rohit’s successfully passing the IIT-

JEE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

at

8.00 p.m.

On
st
1 July , 2019

at

UTSAV BANQUET HALL

84-Dr. Raj Kumar, Road, Rajaji Nagar

Bangalore-55

Compliments from Friends and Relatives

RSVP
th
k-18, 13 Cross ,Malleswaram

2712001/9732966964

50
2. Your school, Bal Peeth, Bellary is planning to organize the Annual Sports Day in the
school premises. Draft an invitation in not more than 50 words giving all the essential
details.

The Principal ,Staff and Students of

Bal Peeth , Bellary

request the pleasure of your company on

ANNUAL SPORTS DAY

th
at 5.00 p.m. on Monday , the 4 July ,2019

at the school grounds

Air Marshal S.K.Sinha , AVSM,

has kindly consented to be the CHIEF GUEST

Smt. Radha Sinha

has graciously agreed to give away the prizes

RSVP

2354679

(You are requested to be seated by 4.30 p.,m.)

51
FORMAL INVITATION-LETTER FORMAT

Kamala Nehru School

Cantonment

Bangalore

July 10, 2019

Mr. K.J. Singh

DCP

Police Lines

Bangalore

Invitation---Annual Day Function

Sir,

It gives us immense pleasure to inform you that we are celebrating our school’s Annual
Day function on July 10, 2019 at 5.30 p.m. in the Activity Hall of the school. We shall
consider it a great honor if you could grace the occasion and preside over the function
as the Chief Guest and give away the prizes.

Yours faithfully

Sd/-

Principal

52
B-WRITING INFORMAL INVITATIONS
Informal:-

* Written in a letter form, in informal format. Such letters are very persuasive in
nature
* Written in the first person
* Salutation is ‘dear + name’
* Complimentary close ‘yours sincerely’
* Date of writing the invitation is given
* The sender’s address appears on the left hand side
* Various tenses used to suit the sense.
Value Points:
Format - 1 Mark

Content Relevance - name of the person(s) who is inviting; the invitee, date, day, chief,
guest place Occasion etc. - 2 marks
Expression - Grammatical accuracy, Language - 1 marks

REPLIES
Replies - Accepting or Declining

Formal - follow a set formula

- formal words — kind invitation’, ‘great pleasure’, ‘regret’ etc.

- Use the third person (‘they’) instead of first person (‘I’, we’)
- The address of the writer and the date to be written.

Informal - Accepting and declining

- Like an ordinary letter

- do not use any formal expressions but use informal words
and expressions
-use the first person (‘I’, ‘We’)

53
SOLVED EXAMPLES

• Look at the following series of invitations (formal & informal) and their replies. The
occasion is the same but the style is different.

1. FORMAL INVITATION

Mrs. Malathi & Mr. Venkatesh

request the pleasure of your company at dinner

On the occasion of their

th
50 Wedding Anniversary

th
At 8 p.m. on Tuesday ,12 July 2019

at

Hotel LEELA PALACE, Bangalore

RSVP: 12,Margosa Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore

Phone-080-23564543

54
FORMAL REGRET

th
7 July 2019

Mrs. And Mr. Naidu thank Mrs. And Mr. Venkatesh for the invitation for dinner on the
th
occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary on 12 July, 2019 at Hotel Leela Palace.

However, they express their inability to be present on the occasion due to a prior
engagement.

Best wishes,
Naidus

FORMAL ACCEPTANCE

th
7 July 2019

Mrs. and Mr. Naidu were pleased to receive the invitation for dinner on the occasion of
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the 50 Wedding Anniversary of Mrs. and Mr. Venkatesh, and confirm their
participation in the function.

Best wishes

Naidus

55
EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE

1. Your school is organizing the prestigious KVS National Level Social Science
Exhibition in its premises. Draft an invitation in not more than 50 words giving all
essential details.
2. You are Dharma raj, son of Ramesh Patnaik, Bannerghatta , Bangalore. Your
father wants you to draft a formal invitation to be sent on the occasion of your
sister, Sheela’s marriage. Prepare the invitation.
3. You are Mohan/Molly. You have been invited by Rotary Club to act as one of the judges
for an Elocution Competition for students of classes XI and XII. But due to a previous
engagement you cannot accept this invitation. Write a formal reply to the President of
the Club regretting your inability to accept the invitation.
4. You are Aakash/Varsha. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your
friend’s sister during the summer vacation. Respond to the invitation informally
accepting it.
5. You have opened a restaurant in Uppal Road, Hyderabad. Draft an invitation for
the inauguration of the same, specifying the chief guest and other important
details like date, time and venue. Do not exceed 50 words.
6. Your school is organizing a Book Fair on its sprawling play-ground. Draft an
invitation giving all the details including the chief guest.

5. LETTER WRITING (6 MARKS)

The most common form of written communication is the letter. Letters should have a
format that goes with the latest conventions.
Letter types include
 Informal Letters-These are letters written to close associates.
 Formal Letters include-
(a) business or official letters (for making enquiries, registering
complaints, asking for and giving information, placing orders and sending
replies;
(b) Letters to the editor (giving suggestions on an issue);
(c) Application for a job.
MARKING SCHEME OF LETTER WRITING
Format- 1 marks.
Proper Layout – Sender’s address, Date, Receiver’s address, Subject, Salutation,

Complimentary close.
56
Content-3 marks
• Relevant ideas to be presented in a coherent way.
• Use connectors appropriately, indent the paragraphs.
• There should be minimum three paragraphs.

Expression-2 marks.
• Grammatical accuracy, spellings- 1 Marks.
• Coherence, relevance of ideas and style- 1 Marks.
Important points to remember while drafting letters:
• Write the letter in the full block format (i.e. to the left)
• State your reason for writing in the first paragraph and stay on track.

• Always include specifics that will help ease the recipient’s task. For instance, if
you are writing to a bank, mention your account number.

• If you refer to other correspondence, quote date of the letter/s reference

numbers, file numbers, order numbers, cheque number with date. Include
copies whenever possible.
• Gently and respectfully direct the recipient’s course of action.

• It may be strongly worded but always be courteous and use polite language and
pleasant tone.
• Self introduction should be avoided.
• Informal expressions, greetings or contracted forms of words should not be used.
• The language should be simple, straight forward and to the point.
• Leave a line/ additional space between paragraphs since no indentation is followed.
• Open punctuation to be followed. ( No punctuation marks to be used)
• Do not mix up the old format and new format.
• In letters to the editor – Do not ask the editor to solve the problems.

• In job application letters Curriculum-vitae (CV) /Bio-data/ Resume/ should be written. It

should not be included in the body of the letter but after the complimentary close as
enclosure.
• In the Letter to the Editor use ‘yours truly’ as the complimentary close.

57
FORMAT OF THE LETTER

58
 Devi Enclave
Sender's Raj Ram Marg

Address. Bangalore-21

Address of the
The Director/Mr/Mrs
Addressee Global Enterprises,
th
8 cross, Victoria Layout,
Bangalore
Date
14/April/20XX

Salutation
Sir,
Subject
……………………

Content
Introduction Conclusion

Body

Signatory Yours faithfully

Rohan Mathur

59
Sample Letters
You are Sidhi/ Sanjay of U-03 G Block Kasturi Nagar Mysore-37.Write a letter to the Director NGO Bird

Links Society, Bangalore expressing your concern about the decrease in the number of the birds in Delhi.
House No- U/03

G Block

Kasturi Nagar

Mysore -37

30 June 20XX

The Director

NGO Bird Links Society

Bangalore

Karnataka

Sir

Diminishing number of birds

With deep regret I wish to bring to your kind notice about the decrease in the population of birds in
Mysore. Mysore is known to have more than 500 species of birds but many of them are on the verge of
extinction.

According to the reports from the recent seminar held on Conservation of Birds, there was a time, when a
number of birds would flock to the banks of river Kaveri, Bandipur wild life sanctuary and forested canopy
in Mysore. These numbers have come crashing down in the recent years.

The main reasons are rampant construction of buildings, bridges and flyovers, cutting of forests and of
course environmental pollution. Many species have become endangered. It is time the people of Mysore
were made aware of this grave situation by conducting seminars and workshops.

The locals should be given incentives for preserving the birds. Sanction for the construction of buildings,
malls, bridges and so on should be given only after proper evaluation of the environmental impact of
those constructions over the life of species there. Let’s not forget that birds are an important link in the
food chain.

I request the government, environmentalists and the society to show their concern before it is too late.

Yours faithfully

(Sidhi Sharma)

60
Sample Letter No-2

You are Suresh/Sarika Jain of No-20 Jawahar Nagar,Jaipur. Two months ago you bought
a desert cooler from M/s Cool Home Coolers Jaipur. Now you discover that it is not
working properly. Write a letter to the Manager Customer Care complaining about the
malfunctioning of the unit and asking them to repair and if needed to replace it against
warranty.

20 Jawahar Nagar
Jaipur

24 June 20XX

M/s Cool Home Cooler

Jaipur

Sir
Complaint about the desert cooler
Refer Cash Memo No DC-98765 dated 17.4.20XX

I wish to bring it to your notice that I purchased a ‘Cooler Home’ desert cooler from you on 17 April,
20XX (Vide Cash Memo No DC-98765, dated 17.04.20XX). The cooler did function well in the
beginning for one and a half months and then it has started giving problems. The problems are -
water leakage, heavy noise while working and high consumption of power.

I, therefore, request you to get the set repaired by a technician. In case it is irreparable, kindly
replace it with a new one as it carries a warranty period of three years.

Yours faithfully
Suresh

61
Sample Letter No- 3

You are Isha/Ishan, the secretary of the Students’ Forum of Sahrudaya Vidyalaya, Indranagar.

You have planned an excursion to Jog falls during the summer vacation. Write a letter to the

General Manager, Southern Railway, for reservation of a bogie for 60 students from Bangalore

to Shimoga and back, supplying all necessary information.

Secretary
Sahrudaya Vidyalaya
Indranagar.

01 Mar 20XX

The General Manager

Southern Railways
Bangalore

Request for the reservation of a Bogie for 60 students

Sir

A group of 60 students of class XI of this school has planned to visit Jog Falls during the summer vacation. They will be
th
accompanied by three teachers and two attendants. They plan to leave Bangalore on 15
th
May by Jeevan Express and return by the same train from Shimoga on 25 May.

Kindly confirm whether a bogie can be reserved for the above mentioned dates. We would also like to
know the estimated fare so that we can make necessary arrangements at our end.

The List of the members of the tour party is enclosed in the prescribed proforma. We

request you to send the detail at the earliest to enable us to plan in advance.

Yours faithfully
Isha
Secretary

62
Sample letter No. 4

You are Satish/Sonali, the student prefect in charge of the school library. You have been
asked to place an order for children’s story books (10 – 13 years). Write a letter to
M.S.Book Depot Ramnagar, Bikaner placing an order for the books. Invent the necessary
details.

St. Mary’s Convent

Jabalpur

th
15 July, 20…

M/s M.S. Book Depot

Ramnagar
Bikaner

Sir

Supply of children’s story books

The school has decided to purchase story books for children between the age group of
10 and 13 years. The books mentioned below may please be sent by V.P.P. within 10
days from the date of receipt of this letter.

S.No Name of the book Author Quantity

1 Stories from the Panchatantra A.S. Rawal 5
2 Tales from the Arabian Nights S.E. Paces 10
3 The adventures of Tom Sawyer S.E. Paces 10
4 Tales from Shakespeare Charles & Mary Lamb 10

We request you to give 20 % discount on the printed prices. We assure you to pay the
VPP charges at the time of delivery of books.

Yours faithfully
Satish
(SATISH) School
Prefect
St.Mary’s Convent

63
QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE
1. You are Manas/ Manasi at the Press Apartments of Sunder Nagar, Bihar. The main road
leading to this colony has three man holes causing frequent accidents at night. There are no
street lights on the main road. Write a letter to the Editor of the Times of India drawing
attention of the government to this problem of the residents.

2. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily inviting the attention of the authorities towards
the increasing Environmental pollution in your city.

3. You are Vishal / Veena, a student of class XII of 10, Green Park, New Delhi is interested in learning
languages. You come across an advertisement in The Times of India issued by The Institute of Foreign
languages, New Delhi about the certificate course in Japanese offered by them. You decide to write a
letter to the Director of the Institute seeking more information about the course duration, working
hours, fee structure, etc. Write the letter.

4. As Mr. R. Singh, Head of the Department of Chemistry, Cambridge High School, Pune, you had
placed an order with Messrs. Scientific Equipments, Dadar, Mumbai for test tubes and jar for the
lab. When the parcel was received you observed that markings on the test tubes were not clear
and some of the jars were damaged. Write a letter of complaint seeking immediate
replacement.

5. You are the Manager of Fitness Club of Gandhi Road, Ernakulam. Write a letter to Messrs. Pioneer
Sports Co, Kochi, placing an order for a minimum of 4 fitness equipments with details.

6. You are Rama/Raman, a member of Parent-Teacher Association of Little Valley Senior Secondary
School, Shillong. Write a letter to the Principal of the school asking him to introduce vocational stream in
the school providing facility of teaching such subjects as computers, insurance etc. so that the students
may not needlessly continue academic studies.

7. Write a letter to the Corporation authorities of South Chennai to complain about the general
unsustainable growth of building activities in South Chennai with poor parking and other civic
amenities to support it. Urge them to plan with a long-term view.

8. The photocopier of your office which was purchased recently has a problem with the toner settings. It
th
is still in the guarantee period. As Purchase Manager of Talent Search, 15 Cross, J.P. Nagar, Mysore,
write to the manufacturer seeking replacement of the defective part.
9. Write a letter to the librarian of the District Library in your town asking for details regarding
membership. Also ask about the timings and rules and regulations of the library.

10. You are Apoorva/Asha, Industrial colony, Ambattur, Chennai. You came across an advertisement for
the post of Senior Executive, Accounts in Solace Medical Equipments, Chennai unit. Write a letter to the
advertiser applying for the job. Also give your detailed resume.

64
. ARTICLE WRITING

Writing an article is an art. The dictionary defines an article as a piece of writing about a
particular subject in a newspaper or magazine. An article is an expression of one’s
thought on an issue or a subject logically and coherently written in meaningful
paragraphs.

POINTS TO REMEMBER
• Give a title that catches the attention of the reader.
• Begin with a striking opening sentence which addresses the readers and gets
them interested in the topic.
• Present a strong argument for your ideas supporting it with evidences or
elaboration.
• Use linking devices (however, therefore, although, even though, in order to…) to
make the composition appear a whole.
• Introduce a new point at the beginning of an each paragraph that follows, to
strengthen your ideas.
• Develop your ideas as much as you can to make them interesting and
substantial.
• Conclude with your strongest point.
• Use passive voice, humor, emotive language, rhetorical questions to provide a
specific effect.

Split up of marks

Total marks: 10

Format (title + writer’s name): 1mark

Content (logical organization, relevance): 4 marks

Expression (Accuracy – 2 ½ + fluency – 2 ½ ): 5 marks

SAMPLE ARTICLE

You are Vikranth / Vinitha, a freelance writer much concerned about the discriminatory
treatment of women in the Indian society. Write an article in 150 – 200 words throwing light
on this problem and giving suggestions for putting an end to it.
(10 marks)

65
DISCRIMINATION OF WOMEN

It is a pity that in a country where women are said to be worshipped, there is a widespread
discrimination of them even before they are born. Certain brutal practices like the female
feticide throw light on our attitude. The girl child is considered to be a liability and doesn’t
enjoy the privileges of a boy. She is denied the advantage of proper education. The dowry
system haunts parents and the harassment she is subjected to at the in-laws often force her
to commit suicide.

Even in enlightened homes, the woman has to live her life under surveillance, if not in
strict ‘purdah’. Working women are physically and verbally abused, denied
opportunities of growth and subjected to discrimination.

Education can empower women to fight for their rights. It is also the responsibility of
the educated society to work for the cause of women. Let she not be worshipped but let
her live a wholesome life.
Vikranth

Questions for practice

1. Write an article in about 200 words for your school magazine on ‘Films and their
influence on school-going children’. You are Manpreeth / Manjula, a student of
class XII A.
2. You are Rohit / Kamal. You attended a seminar on Yoga, a way of life. Write an
article in about 150 – 200 words on the contribution of yoga in leading a healthy
and peaceful life.
3. In today’s world, letter-writing has lost its charm. People and the youth in particular rely
more on mobiles and computers to communicate. Write an article on the present trend
in about 150 to 200 words. You are Kiran / Karthik.
4. Recently you visited your ancestral home in a village in Gujarat. You were elated
and strongly felt the necessity to hold on to the roots of our modern life, which
lie in our villages. Write an article for your school magazine. You are Chetna /
Chirag, Cultural Secretary of your school.
5. With rising number of people in almost all the big cities of the country, the rate
of crime has also increased proportionately. The police needs to be trained in
new methodology of combating the crime besides changing the mindset. Write
an article in 150 – 200 words on the role of police in maintaining law and order
in the metropolitan cities. You are Ravi/ Ravina.

66
6. The invention of mobile phone h it can be a blessing but if misused it can prove to be
a curse. Write an article in about 150 – 200 words on this invention. You are
Karthik / Karishma.

7. Presently the prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing causing much

hardship to the common man. Write an article in 150 -200 words expressing your
views and suggesting measures to curb this problem.

8. It is really a Do or Die struggle when we talk about environmental concerns. As an active

member of the Green Club of your school write an article in about 150
– 200 words on your concerns and the need for change in our attitude and practices.

9. Computer and video games have become popular with children today. Outdoor games
seem to have no place in their life anymore. You are Sakthi/ Sathish. You enjoyed
playing hide-n-seek with your cousins in a small town. You found it so refreshing that
you decide to write an article on the joys of playing outdoor games for the school
magazine. Write it in about 200 words.

10. Children between 13 and 19 years of age are neither too young nor too mature.
Today these children feel that the pressures of the competitive world they live in
have made their lives less exciting.
Write an article in 150-200 words expressing your views. You are Manish / Manisha.

REPORT WRITING

A report is a brief account of an event that has already taken place. A Report helps in
recording events of importance that occurs in our day to day life. A report attempts to
present the first hand information of an incident or event. A report of an event presents
a record of events that took place. A report on an event includes one’s ideas, opinions
and impressions on the event.

67
POINTS TO REMEMBER
• Mention the place, date, time and other relevant facts about the event.
• Include information collected from people around or affected by the event.
• Write the name of the reporter.
• Provide a suitable title/heading.
• Write in past tense.
• Write in reported speech and use passive form of expression.
• Develop ideas (causes, reasons, consequences, opinions) logically.
• Write in a less formal and more descriptive manner while writing a report for a
school magazine.
• Present your ideas and impressions to make the report interesting.
Split up of marks

Total marks: 10

Format (title + writer’s name): 1mark

Content (logical organization, relevance): 4 marks

Expression (Accuracy – 2 ½ + fluency – 2 ½ ): 5 marks

SOLVED REPORT

You are Roshan /Roshini, Secretary of Cultural club, Hyderabad Public School,
Hyderabad. A Seminar was organized on the need to save environment. As a member of
N.G.C. (National Green Corps), write a report, in 100 – 125 words for your school
magazine. (6 marks)

TOWARDS A GREENER ENVIRONMENT

The cultural club of our school in association with National Green Corps organized many
activities during the year 2019 for the cause of greener environment in and around the
school. A seminar in the month of February was held for students on the need to save
environment. In April, the Vanamahotsav week was observed, which was inaugurated
with a tree plantation drive. 500 saplings were planted in the colonies in and around the
school.
Several inter-house competitions including poster-making and drawing were
conducted which witnessed a huge participation. Students volunteered to clean
the surroundings. Pamphlets were distributed among the public to promote
cleanliness and hygiene.

68
 A rally was organized in September to create awareness among the public to stop
the use of plastic bags and to replace it with eco-friendly products. The various
purposeful activities conducted during the year were well received and were to a
great extent effective in creating awareness among the people.

Roshni

Secretary, Cultural Club

Questions for Practice

1. You are Brinda/ Bharath. You worked as a volunteer in the Literacy campaign
organized in your city. Write a report for the school magazine in about 125 words on the
effectiveness of the programme highlighting the methods used and the role played by
government and non government agencies.

2. Your school observed Library week. As a head boy/ head girl of your school write a
report on it to be published in your school magazine (125 words)
3. You are Poorva / Partha, Cultural Secretary of your school, D.B. Senior Secondary
School, Ambur. A week-long Music and Dance festival was organised by your school.
Write a report in about 125 words for your school magazine.

4. The Debating Society of your school has recently held a workshop on ‘Continuous and
Comprehensive Evaluation’ (CCE) introduced for the students for class X in all schools. The
students discussed the assessment made by the school on the basis of their participation in
various activities and the system of grading. Write a report in 100 – 125 words for your school
magazine. You are Parveen / Payal , Secretary of the Society.

5. You visited a Job Fair organized by Ability Foundation at Chennai recently. You were
impressed to see that nearly 55 companies from various sectors such as Information
Technology, Telecommunication, and Electronics etc. offered jobs to the final year students of
colleges. As a reporter of ‘The Deccan Times’ Chennai prepare a report in
100 -125 words. You are Peeyush / Priya.

6. You are Anand / Anandi, a Times of India correspondent. You attended the inaugural
function of Tamilnad Hospital, Chennai. Mentioning the specialties of the hospital, the
number of beds, all available facilities etc. and details about the ceremony, write a
report in 100 - 125 words for your newspaper.

7. You witnessed a programme performed by differently abled persons on Zee TV. You were
very much impressed by their performance and were emotionally touched.

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Highlighting their talent, reaction of the judges to their performance etc., prepare a
report in 100 – 125 words for your school magazine. You are Govind/ Gayathri.

8. You are Latha / Lalith of Gurgaon. You attended the inaugural ceremony of the newly
opened vocational stream and hobby classes at the secondary school level in Paras
Public School, Gurgaon. Draft a report in 100 – 125 words to be published in ‘Gurgaon
Times’. Invent other details.

9. The Readers’ Club of your school visited schools for the less privileged to encourage and
promote reading habits. Besides donating books, the members also distributed books collected
from individuals and organizations. Write a report in 100 – 125 words about your campaign and
its success. You are Anush / Anu, the Club Secretary.

10. You are Sushma / Swaraj of L.M. Jain School, Ajmer. As Secretary of Co curricular
Activities club, you visited a slum area in your city where the people suffered a great loss
of life and property in a massive fire. The students of your school rendered their services
and material help to the victims. Write a report in 100 – 125 words for your school
magazine.

WRITING A SPEECH

A SPEECH is a formal talk that a person delivers to an audience. It must have the
capacity to keep the audience spellbound with proper choice of words, expressions and
examples. At the same time care should be taken not to deviate from the main subject.
You must keep in mind that it is a speech and you need to begin the draft with
addressing your audience. The conclusion should be with a sentence thanking your
audience for their patient listening.

Writing a speech needn’t be a nail biting experience!

Before you go further you need to know-

WHO you are writing your speech for (the audience)

WHAT your speech is going to be about (its topic)—the main points in order of
importance with supporting research.

Follow the system of CODER for writing your speech

C- Collect the ideas.
O-Organize them in a logical manner
D-Develop the points into paragraphs
E-Edit the speech
R-Revise and rewrite it

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Brainstorm to start planning your speech

On a piece of paper write these headings with enough space between them for notes:

• WHO
• WHAT
• HOW
• WHEN
• WHERE
• WHO is this speech for?
• WHAT am I going to tell them that are relevant and interesting?
• HOW long is the speech expected to be?
• WHERE is the speech going to happen? (Hall, outdoors, stadium, morning
assembly…)

NOTE – It is important to note that the written speech should consist of small sentences
having not more than 10 to 12 words in a sentence.

OK. You’ve got all the notes ready; so let’s mix and match and re-write until the outline is clear.
After you’ve completed this part of planning your speech you’ll be ready to do any RESEARCH
required and then you’re on to the task of WRITING your speech.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Greet your audience and introduce the topic you are speaking on.
The introduction part of the speech is the most important part. It is this part which
decides the fate of the speech.
Do not give a separate title for the speech. Keep in mind as already stated the occasion
of the speech and the nature of the audience.

The introduction should not be very lengthy. The main topic should be taken up
as quickly as possible. Use concrete terms and tangible examples. Avoid abstract phrases which are
quite vague. Use simple and familiar language.
The effects, such as raising one’s voice, giving stress to certain words,
pausing for a short time etc. can be represented in a written speech by using such techniques as
increasing the size of the letters of the sentence to be stressed, or using all capitals for a
particular word to be emphasized, leaving a few dots (….) after a question to indicate a pause.
The conclusion plays a very important role in the success of a speech. Here we should
remember Shakespeare’s advice that brevity is the soul of wit. Give your own conclusion on
the topic in a telling manner.
A powerful quotation or lines from a beautiful poem which can summarize your view
point can also be used.

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 Marking scheme is the same as for the article.

Total marks: 10

Format (title + writer’s name): 1mark

Content (logical organization, relevance): 4 marks

Expression (Accuracy – 2 ½ + fluency – 2 ½ ): 5 marks

Say/Write ‘Thank you’ at the end of your speech.

A SAMPLE SPEECH

You are a student volunteer of National Literacy Mission (NLM) wing of your school involved in
the Adult Literacy Campaign: “Each one, Teach One”. Write out the speech you would be
delivering at each place of your visit. Do not exceed 200 words.

ANSWER:

Dear Friends

Good morning to you all

We have all assembled here for a noble cause—a mission to eradicate illiteracy. It is the
dream of the National Literacy Mission to educate all the Indians. We would work together
for an India where EACH PERSON IS LITERATE. Most of the learners are adults who have a
rich experience of life. Therefore, the learning strategies that will be adopted in our
programme will be exploratory and interactive. We have to teach as well as learn. We must
keep in mind certain important factors……… their experience, wisdom and maturity while
discussing any topic. We should encourage them to talk and express their views in a frank
and fair manner.

We should always keep in mind the OBJECTIVES set for the adult illiterates. We have to make
them literates. Inculcate in them a love for reading, writing and arithmetic. Let them do simple
calculations and exult at the right calculations. Health awareness and job related problems are
the next in order. IT IS ONLY AFTER A STRONG BRIDGE OF CONFIDENCE IS BUILT that we would
be able to create in them awareness about civil rights, duties, privileges and obligations. When
they become confident of their powers, we must create in them social awareness. Issues like
environmental pollution, population control and employment generation can then be
discussed…..In short let’s all resolve to make sincere efforts to achieve these goals.

Thank you.

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 DEBATE
The purpose of making a debate/ speech is to convey information orally to a large
gathering of people strongly and convincingly.
FORMAT Includes the topic (For/Against) SALUTATION, greeting the chief guest and
fellow speakers or listeners.
-Begin with "Honourable Chairperson, judges, teachers and my dear friends, I stand
before you to express my views for/against the motion on the topic……." CONTENT:
Express your views about the topic .
-Compare, contrast and sum up highlighting your viewpoint.
-use LANGUAGE that is persuasive and powerful using the expressions like-I vehemently
disapprove of, I strongly feel, in my opinion, may I ask…..etc.

Solved example( DEBATE):

BRAIN DRAIN IS NOT ABANE FOR DEVELOPING COUNTY LIKE INDIA
(AGAINST)
Honorable Judges, my worthy opponents and dear students,
Today I, Abha of class XII, will speak against the motion," "Brain drain is not bane for a
developing country like India."
I would like to draw the attention of my worthy opponents to the fact that India is a
developing nation and a lot of money is spent on the education and paid as subsidies to
the students of Engineering and Medical but it is ironical that these students after
completion of their studies instead of serving their Motherland go away to foreign
countries to earn more money. This is indeed a great national loss because the expense
incurred on their education comes from the taxes submitted by the common people.
The present statistical data reveals the fact the number of students leaving the country
and going abroad has nearly doubled. I'm sure and confident that my honorable
opponents will do some souls searching!
Those in favour of the motion have highlighted the view that brain drain has brought
prestige to the Nation, I strongly disagree, in my opinion brain drain is a great loss of
talent of our Nation .Had these talented Engineers Doctors stayed behind the people of
our Motherland would have benefitted immensely, the day would not be far when she
would once again be called the "Golden Bird".
The drifting away of the intelligent people has left our country poor and benefitted
another country. To conclude I would once again firmly say that Brain drain is a bane for
a developing country like India.
Thank you.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS:
Q1. "Brain drain is not bane for a developing country like India." Write a debate in 150-
200 words either for or against the motion.

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Q2. You are Shobha/ Suresh of Springsdale Senior Secondary School, Green Park, Delhi.
You have been chosen to participate in a debate on "Women's Safety in
Contemporary Time". It is an Inter-state debate contest arranged in an auditorium.
You have to write the debate in 150-200 words.
Q3. In a debate competition mention your views in favour or against the topic"Can you
change your personality?"(Word limit-150-200 words)
Q4. You are Mahindra/Madhumati of Delhi Public School, Gomtinagar, Lucknow. Your
school has hosted a debate competition on "Increasing incidents of ill-treatment
meted out to the aged in metro cities."(Word limit 150-200 Words)
Q5. An inter-school debate is arranged on the topic Globalisation its positive and
negative impacts. You are Harsh/Harshita of St.Xavier's School, Bangalore. You are
selected to participate in the said contest. Write a debate on the same. (Word
limit-150-200 words.)

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Questions for practice:

Q.1.-Water is very precious. Some scientists even go to the extent of saying that the Third
World War may be fought on the issue of water. Write a speech in 150-200 words
expressing your views to be delivered in the morning assembly in your school.

Q.2.-“To use the latest technology the right way, is in the hands of the youth today.”
Write a speech 150-200 words discouraging the misuse of technological products like
cell phones, computers etc and highlighting the need to use them to promote harmony
and goodwill in the society.

Q.3.-“Our Good Earth”, an environmental awareness magazine has launched a

marathon 'Clean Your City’ campaign. As an active participant write a speech to be read
out in the morning assembly urging students to participate in the campaign in 150-200
words.

Q.4.-As a concerned citizen, you are worried about the harmful effects of the insanitary
conditions in your town. Write a short speech on the necessity of sanitation, to be given
at the morning assembly in your school.

LITERATURE SECTION (30 MARKS)

FLAMINGO (POETRY)

MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX by KAMALA DAS

Summary:

• The poets driving from her parents home to Cochin by car, her mother by her
side—sleeping –open mouthed very pale, colorless and frail-like a dead body
indicating that her end was near.

• The poet looks at her and feels intense pain and agony to realize that soon death
will cast her mother from her.

• Tries to divert her mind, looks outside at the young trees and happy children
bursting out of their homes in a playful mood (a contrasting image)

• After the security check at the airport looked again at her mother’s face—pale
and cold.

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 • “Familiar ache-My childhood fear” –the poet has always had a very intimate and
close relationship with her mother and she has always felt the fear of being
separated from her mother hence it is familiar.

• The poet reassures her mother that they will meet again

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
SOLVED

1. “Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday

Morning, I saw my mother, beside me,

doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like
that

Of a corpse and realized with

pain that she thought away.”

a) Where was the poet coming from? Where was she going?

The poet had gone to her parents’ home to visit them. She was now going to
Cochin airport.

b) How does the poet describe her mother?

The poet describes her mother as old, pale, cold and senile. As she dozed off beside
her, the mother looked almost like a corpse, for her face was colorless and seemed
to have lost the fervor of life.

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d) Who does ‘she’ refer to in the last line? What thoughts had she driven away?

‘She’ here refers to the poet. The thought of her mother’s approaching death which
she wanted to put it away.

2. “and looked but soon

Put that thought away, and looked out at

young trees sprinting, the merry children
spilling

Out of their homes”

a) What was the poet ‘looking’ at? What did she notice?

The poet was looking at her mother. She noticed the mother’s ashen and almost
lifeless face distraught with pain.

b) What thought did she try to drive away?

She tried to drive away the thought of her mother’s approaching death.

c) Why did the poet start ’looking out’? What does her gesture suggest?

The poet started looking out of the window because she wanted to drive away the
pain and agony she experienced on seeing her aged mother. She wanted to drive
away her helplessness in the wake of her mother’s ageing and approaching death.

d) What did the poet see from the window of the car?

The poet saw young trees running past her car and merry children sprinting out of
their homes to play.

e) What did the images of ‘young trees’ and ‘merry children’ symbolize?

Trees and children symbolize the spring of life, its strength, vigour and happiness
which contrasts with the lifelessness and helplessness that sets in with age.

UNSOLVED

3. “ but after the airport’s

security check, standing a few yards

away, I looked again at her, wan, pale
as a late winter’s moon”
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a) Where was the poet standing?

b) Who does ‘her’ here to? How did she look like?

c) Why does the narrator ‘look at her again’?

d) Explain: ’wan, pale as a late winter’s moon’.

4. “ and felt that old

familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,

but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,

all I did was smile and smile and
smile.”

a) What ‘familiar ache’ did the poet feel?

b) What could have been the poet’s childhood fears?

c) Did the poet share her thoughts with her mother?

d) Why do you think, the poet did not share her thoughts with her mother?

e) Why did the poet only ‘smile’?

QUESTION AND ANSWERS

SOLVED
1. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?

When the poet looks at her mother’s face she found that it had become pale and
withered. She realized that her mother was at the edge of her life and her end was
near. The thought that her mother would be soon separated form her caused
unbearable pain and ache in the poet’s heart.

2 What does the poet do to shrug off the painful thought of her mother’s approaching
end?

To get rid of painful thought her mother‘s nearing the poet looked out to seethe
sprinting tree and the happy children, bursting out of their house.

3. Why does the poet draw the image of sprinting trees and merry children?

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 Sprinting trees and merry children bursting out from the doors suggest fresh life and
warm energy. The poet draws this image to strikes a scene of contrast with the pale,
dull and withered face of the mother. Here the curtain is falling and the life coming to
an end and there the curtain is rising and fresh life is beginning and bubbling with
energy and vitality.

UNSOLVED
4. Why have the trees been described as sprinting?

5. Why has the mother been compared to the late winter’s moon?

6. What is the ‘familiar ache’?

7. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?

AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM IN A SLUM –BY STEPHEN

SPENDER GIST OF THE POEM

• In this poem the poet focuses on the theme of social injustice and inequalities.

• He presents the pathetic and miserable picture of the elementary classroom in a

slum.
• These children have pale and lifeless faces.

• They are like rootless weeds which are uncared and unwanted with their
disorderly hair torn around their faces.

• They are depressed and oppressed with the burdens of life and keep their heads
down. They have stunted growth.

• They inherit the diseases of their father.

• Some of them do have dreams. A sweet young boy is sitting at the back of the
dim classroom. He is dreaming of a squirrel’s game in the trees and probably
other interesting things.

• The walls are dirty and creamy and on them are hung the donations given by the
rich and also Shakespeare’s portrait.

• A civilized dome found in the cities and Tyrolese valleys with beautiful flowers
are also put up.
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 • The map on the wall shows the children, the beautiful world outside; but for
these children of the slum it is meaningless.

• The children studying in these schools do not have the means to go and explore
the world. For them what they see through their classroom windows, the narrow
street and the lead sky is the world.

• Shakespeare is wicked for them as he has written only about the rich, beautiful
world tempting them to steal.

• The map is of no interest to them because it does not reflect the world they live
in-cramped and dark lanes.

• Their lives start in darkness and ends in utter darkness.

• They are undernourished and their poverty has distorted their vision as they
spend their whole time in foggy slums.

• The poet feels that the map which shows beautiful and exotic places should be
replaced with slums as it is not the world they live in.

• Unless the governor inspector and visitor play a vital role in bringing about a
change, their lives will remain in dark.

• The slum children will be able to peep through the window only when the gap
between the two worlds is bridged.

• They should break the barriers till they come out of the dirty surroundings and
their world should be extended into the green fields, golden sands and bright
world.

• They should have the freedom of expression and their outlook be broadened.

• For, only the educated and learned people can create history whose language
has strength and power.

COMPREHENSION PASSAGES
SOLVED

1. “Unless, governor, inspector, visitor,

This map becomes their window and these

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windows That shut upon their lives like catacombs.”

(a) Why does the poet invoke ‘governor, ‘inspector’ and ‘visitor’?

The poet invokes the ‘governor, ‘inspector’ and ‘visitor’ because they are the
powerful people who can bring about a drastic change in the miserable lives of the
slum children. They can remove the social injustice and class inequalities.

(b) What does ‘this map’ refer to? How can it become ‘their window’?

This map refers to the beautiful world of the rich. Their window refers to holes and
the stinking slums of the unfortunate children of the slum. This can become their
window only when the difference between the two worlds is abridged.

(c) What have ‘these windows’ done to their lives?

These windows have cramped their lives, stunted their physical and mental growth
shutting them inside filthy and dingy holes.

(d) What do you understand by catacombs?

Catacombs are long underground graves. Here they stand for the dirty slums which
block their progress.

(e) Which literary device has been used? Explain.

Simile has been used to describe the oppressive effect of the surroundings on their
pathetic lives. The simile is: ‘these windows that shut upon their lives
likecatacombs.’

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
SOLVED

Answer the following in 30-40 words.

1. What is the theme of the poem?

This poem deals with the theme of social injustice and class inequalities. The poet
presents it by talking of two different and incompatible worlds. The world of the rich
and the civilized has nothing to do with the world of the narrow lanes and cramped
holes. This gap can be bridged by the authorities.

2. So blot their maps with slums as big as doom’. What does the poet want to convey?
The poet is angry at the social equalities in the world. There are two worlds – the dirty
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 slums and the prosperous and the beautiful world of the rich. The poet wants the map
of the world should also have blots of slums as big as the ‘doom’. In reality he wants
the gap to be reduced.

3. ‘History is theirs whose language is the sun’. Explain.

This statement means that those who have the power and confidence in speech to
influence others create history. One can make a mark only if one can outshine
others. Education only can give them power and strength like the sun which will
bring about a change in the lives of the people.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

B. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

”Surely, Shakespeare is wicked, the map a bad

example, With ships and sun and love tempting them
to steal-For lives that turn in their cramped holes

From fog to endless nights.”

i) Name the poem and the poet

ii) Why has Shakespeare been described as

wicked?
iii) Why is the map a bad example?

iv) What tempts them to steal?

v) How do the children continue to live?

vi) Explain: ‘From fog to endless night.’

C. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

“The stunted, unlucky heir

Of twisted bones, reciting a father gnarled disease

His lesson from his desk. At the back of the dim
class

One unnoted , sweet and young. His eyes live in a

dream Of squirrels game, in tree room, other than
this.”

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a) Who is being referred to in the first two lines?

b) Explain ‘father’s gnarled disease’.

c) Who sit at the back of the class? How is he different from others?

d) Explain his eyes live in a dream?

e) What is the comparison drawn with squirrels game?

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What is that these children inherit from their parents? What does it signify?

2. How has the poet described the colour of the wall and why?

3. The poet presents two different worlds. What are they?

4. What picture of the slum children does the poet draw?

5. Where does the poet see hope and relief?

6. What does the poet mean by saying, ‘Let their tongue run naked into books’?

7. Describe some poetic devices used in the poem. Give examples.

8. Explain ‘Open handed map, awarding the world its world’.

------------------------------------------------------------------

KEEPING QUIET - BY PABLO NERUDA

GIST OF THE POEM

• The poet talks about the need of silence and quiet introspection and the
importance of quietude and calmness. He also talks about creating a feeling of
mutual understanding among human beings.

• The poet asks us to keep still and count up to twelve. He also asks us to sit still.
For a moment we should not speak any language. We should not move our arms
so much.

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• It will be a moment of complete silence without rush or worry. This would be an
exotic moment.

• Then a sudden strangeness will prevail which we will all enjoy. It will be bliss.

• The fisherman would not harm the whales on the cold sea. Even the man
gathering salt would stop working and look at his hurt hands and reflect at the
pain and harm his strenuous task has caused him.

• All kinds of wars must be stopped at once. The green wars against the
environment, wars with poisonous gases, firearms, must be stopped at once.

• People who are all the time preparing for wars leaving no survivors behind ought
to find time to wear clothes and walk around with their brothers strengthening
the message of peace and brotherhood.

• At the same time the poet cautions not to confuse stillness with total inactivity.
Life is an ongoing process and should not be associated with death. It is to be
lived with positive attitude.

• He does not want us to ruminate over death.

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 • But he feels that if for once we do not focus ourselves single-mindedly to keep
our lives moving but do some introspection or spend some time in silence doing
nothing, we can understand ourselves better and escape from the threatening
calls of death.

• The earth can teach us a lesson how everything comes to a dead end and comes
to life again.

• In the same manner a quiet introspection can bring all evil thoughts to an end
and bring in a new life of peace and tranquility.

• Now the poet will count up to twelve and they should keep quiet and he will go.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT

SOLVED QUESTIONS

1. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

“Fishermen in the cold sea

Would not harm whales
And the m an gathering salt
Would look at his hurt hands.”

a) What is ‘fisherman’ symbolic of?

The fisherman symbolizes man’s indiscriminate exploitation of nature for his vested
interests.

b) What will happen when fishermen do not harm whales?

The whales will be no longer on the verge of extinction.

c) What has happened to the man gathering salt? What must he do?

The man gathering salt has injured his hands. He must take care of his hurt hands.

d) What would happen in this moment of silence?

He will become conscious of the harm causing to others and to themselves.

e) What image does the poet create in the last line?

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 He creates the image of incessant suffering. In his effort to add comforts to his life he

has paid no heed to the pain that caused him.

2. Read the stanza and answer the questions that follows:

” Perhaps the earth can teach us

As when everything seems

dead And later prove to be
alive Now I’ll count up to
twelve
And you keep quiet and I will go.”

a) Who can teach us? The

earth can teach us.
b) What does earth teach us?

The Earth can teach us how new life emerges from the ashes of the dead remains.
Likewise quiet introspection will enable us to live a life of peace and tranquility.

c) Why does the speaker count up to twelve?

It is a part of an exercise in meditation. All distractions and digressions are washed

away and man is in a moment of bliss.

d) Explain-‘you keep quiet and I will go’?

The poet wants all to keep quiet and experience the moment of peace. He will go
and pass on the message to another group of people.

Short Answer Questions

SOLVED
1. Why does Pablo Naruda urge us to keep still?

Stillness is necessary for reflection and quiet introspection. We can hear the voice of
our conscience and thus withdraw ourselves from undesirable actions.

2. ’Under the apparent stillness there is life’. Justify.

The poet does not want to equate stillness with total inactivity. Under the apparent
stillness there is life. We can learn it from the earth when everything seems dead, the
earth still remains alive. The life on earth goes on under the apparent stillness.

3. Why do men become sad? How can this sadness be overcome?

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 Men fail to understand themselves. They are always threatening themselves with
death. When they do not understand themselves they become sad. A long silence
might interrupt this sadness and make them good.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

C. “What I want should not be confused

With total inactivity

Life is what it is about

I want no truck with death.”

1. Name the poem and the poet?

2. What is the desire of the poet?

3. What does ‘total inactivity’ imply?

4. Why does the poet say that he does not want his wish to be confused with total
inactivity?

5. Explain-‘I want no truck with death’.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. Why shouldn’t we speak any language and move our arms so much?

2. How does the poet distinguish ‘stillness’ from ‘total inactivity’? Explain.

3. “I want no truck with death.” Explain.

4. What are the various wars mentioned? What is the result of these wars?

5. What would be the result of quietude?

A THING OF BEAUTY By JOHN KEATS

GIST OF THE LESSON
• The Poet, John Keats says that beautiful things will never become ‘nothing’ as
they will continue to hold us in their spell and sooth our soul.

• Every beautiful thing is like a band that ties us to this earth as it makes us want
to live and enjoy these things of beauty.

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 • And these things of beauty, according to the poet, are the things that give hope
to human beings and make them want to live, in spite of all the sorrow, ill-health
and unpleasant experiences that we face on earth.

• Some of the beautiful things on this earth that have such an effect on us are the
sun, the moon, trees, streams, flowers, forests, beautiful monuments that we
have erected for the dead, all the lovely tales that we have heard or read.

• Finally he compares all these beautiful things to immortal drink or nectar given
to us by gods or gifts of God. Thus he states his firm belief in the Divine.
REFRENCE TO THE CONTEXT
SOLVED QUESTIONS

1. “Such the sun, the moon,

Trees old and young, sprouting a shady

boon For simple sheep; and such are
daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear

rills That for themselves a cooling covert make
‘gainst the hot season.”

a. What proves a blessing for the sheep?

Trees, young and old provide a green covering which proves to be a blessing for the
sheep.

(b) Where do daffodils bloom?

Daffodils bloom among the green surroundings.

(c) What prove to be pleasant shelters in summer?

The small streams with clear water prove to be cooling, pleasant shelters in summer.

(d) Name the objects of beauty referred to here.

(e) The sun, the moon, trees, daffodils and streams of clear water are the objects of
beauty mentioned here what according to Keats are the things that cause suffering
and pain?

Answer: The poet says that a scarcity of good-natured people or in other words the
wicked people outnumber the good people. And the source of all our sorrows is either
88
ill-health or another human being.

(f) What makes human beings love life in spite of all the suffering?

Answer: The poet says that the beautiful things on earth lifts the pall off our spirits and
make life worth living. Each beautiful thing is like a link that forms a chain or wreath that
binds us to this earth.
(g) Why does the poet say ‘mighty dead’?

Answer: Monuments are erected in memory of people who were mighty or great when
they lived. Physically mighty as in mighty warriors or mentally might as in great poets,
writers or philosophers. Their tombs provide inspiration for the living through their
beauty just as their works continue to do.

Questions for practice:

1. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases, it will
never

Pass into nothingness; but will

keep a bower quiet for us, and a
sleep

full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet

breathing Therefore, on every morrow, are we
wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth.”

a. What is the special virtue of a beautiful thing?

b. How does it bless us?

c. Explain the expression “A bower quiet for us”.

d. What do we do everyday?

2. “the mid forest brake,

rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose

blooms; and such too is the grandeur of the
dooms who have imagined for the mighty
dead;
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 All lovely tales that we have heard or
read; An endless fountain of immortal
drink, Pouring unto us from the heaven’s
brink.”

a. What do you mean by ‘brake’? Where does it grow? What makes it all the
more beautiful?

b. What do you mean by ‘the grandeur of the dooms’?

c. “All lovely tales that we have heard or read” Explain

d. What is the source of the beauty of nature? What is its effect on us?

3. “Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

from our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon, trees
old, and young, sprouting a shady boon for simple
sheep; and such are daffodils

with green world they live in; and clear rills that for
themselves a cooling covert make ‘gainst the hot
season; the mid forest brake Rich with a sprinkling of
fair musk-rose blooms”

a. What removes the pall from our dark spirits?

b. What sprouts a shady boon for sheep and how?

c. How do ‘daffodils’ and rills enrich the environment?

d. What makes the mid-forest brake rich?

Short answer Questions

1. How do we wreathe a flowery band?

2. Why do human beings suffer or what depresses the human soul?

3. What does Keats mean by the ‘grandeur of doom’?

4. Mention 4 things of beauty listed in the poem?

5. How do we bind ourselves to the earth every morning?

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 6. Why and how is ‘grandeur’ associated with the mighty dead?

7. What is the source of the ‘endless fountain’ and what is its effect?

8. What is the message of the poem?

A ROADSIDE STAND
-ROBERT FROST

SUMMARY IN POINTS-
 Roadside stand by Robert Frost is concerned with human tragedies and fears. He
focuses on the rural-urban divide and presents the lives of the poor deprived
people with pitiless clarity and with the deepest sympathy and humanity.
 The dwellers of the little house by the roadside put up a little shed in front of
their house as they wanted to earn a little extra-money but not for making their
living.
 The rural people wish to feel some real money that supports the commerce of
the cities.
 The shed was painted artlessly and stood out which made the passers-by
irritated at having the beauty of the landscape spoilt.
 The traffic flowed ceaselessly or if ever they stopped, they felt out of sorts on
seeing ‘N’ and ‘S’ written as their mirror images.
 The Stand sold wild berries and golden squash for sale.
 The owners of the shed felt cross when nobody wanted to buy anything.
 The poet feels that the implications of the unstated facts are more pathetic.
 The government announces schemes to allure such people and house them in
villages that are near to the theatre and the store, to reap benefits for their own
selfish needs.
 And the social workers and politicians enforce their decisions by alluring them
and destroy their ability to earn their living, thus stripping them of all dignity and
their voice.
 The poet is overcome with pain at the thought of the people waiting in vain for
the vehicles. If ever any vehicle stops, it will be to ask for directions, take a u-
turn, and enquire about the price or to ask if they sell gas.
 But the country people have never felt the extra-money in their hands and they
complain about it.

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  The poet wonders if it wouldn’t be better if they were put out of their agony at
one stroke but then wonders if someone offers the same solution to his pain,
how he would feel. Killing is not the solution to the problem.

SOLVED QUESTIONS:-

Refrence to the context: 4 marks

1. It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread
but for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports
the flower of cities from sinking and withering faint.

a. Why does the peasant not want friend?

Ans: the poet stresses that the peasant does not want bread or the basic
aminities of life but a source of alternate income, apart from his trade.

b. what does the peasant yearn for?

Ans: some of the city money to sustain him better, and liberate him from his
hand-to-mouth existence.
c. explain: ‘flower of cities’
ans: this is a metaphor. Just as flowers are kept from withering with extra care
and nurturing, similarly, extra cash flow helps cities to bloom and nourish.

d. how does money sustain cities?

Ans: money in the cities, always in excess, brings luxurious benefits.

2) The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,

Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint.

a. Explain the poetic device in ‘ the polished traffic’.

Ans: it is a transferred epithet that depicts the sophisticated, urban city
Dwellers.
b. Why are their minds ahead?
Ans: the urban rich have their minds preoccupied with their own lives and its
related problems.
Short answer type: 2 marks- 30-40 words

1. Have you ever stopped at a roadside stand? What have you observed there?
Answer: The poet believes that when we encounter a beautiful thing, even for a small
moment, the pleasure remains with us forever. It leaves a lasting impression that
inspires us to live life with hope and optimism.

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 3. The city folk who drove through the countryside hardly paid any heed to the
roadside stand or to the people who ran it. If at all they did, it was to complain.
Which lines bring this out? What was their complaint about?
Answer: “The polished traffic passed with a mind ahead,
Or if ever aside a moment, then out of sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and S turned wrong”
According to the city folk, these stalls with inartistic signboards blemish the
scenic beauty of the landscape.

Long answer type: 6 marks – 120-150 words

3. What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?
Answer: The rural folks pleaded pathetically for some customers to stop by and buy
some of their
goods. City folks used to pass by on this road and hence the rural folk set up the
roadside
stand to attract their attention and sell their goods.
4. The government and other social service agencies appear to help the poor rural
people, but actually do them no good. Pick out the words and phrases that the poet
uses to show their double standards.
Answer: The poet criticizes the double standards of the government and other social
service agencies who promise to improve the standard of living of the poor farmers and
show them the rosy side of life. Yet, when the time comes to deliver their promise, they
either forget them or fulfill them keeping in view their own benefits. The poet calls them
“greedy good-doers” and “beneficent beasts of prey”, who “swarm over their lives”. The
poet says that these greedy people make calculated and well thought-out shrewd
moves, to which the innocent, unaware farmers fall prey. These humble and simple
farmers are robbed of their peace of mind by these clever people. The poet says,
“…..enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.”
5. What is the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘vain’?
Answer: The poet thinks that the persons who are running the roadside stand, suffer
from a childish longing. They are always expecting customers and waiting for their
prospective customers. They keep their windows open to attract them. They become
sad when no one turns up. They are always waiting to hear the squeal of brakes, the
sound of a stopping car. But all their efforts go in vain.

FOR PRACTICE:
Refrence to the context: 4 marks
1. "It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
Are to be bought out and mercifully gathered in
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 To live in villages, next to the theatre and the stone,
Where greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey
Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them to sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way".
A. What is in the news?

B. Which word in the verse means the same as ‘generous’ in the above lines?
C. Who is going to exploit the rural people and how?

D. How will the greedy good-doers soothe the rural poor out of their wits?

E. Who is referred to as beasts of prey and why?

2. The little old house was out with a little new shed
In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,
A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,
a. Where had the little new shed been put and why?
b. What imagery does the first line create?
c. What is the poetic device used in the third line?
QUESTIONS:
Short answer type: 2 marks
1. What was the plea of the folk who had put up the roadside stand?
2. The government and the other social service agencies appear to help the poor
rural people, but actually do them no good. How do we know that?

Long answer type: 6 marks – 120-150 words

3. What is the ‘ childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘vain’?
4. Which lines tell us about the insufferable pain that the poet feels at the thought
of the plight of the rural poor?

5. Why does the poet refer to the roadside stand as pathetic?

6. What does the poet wish he could do for these people? Why does he change his
mind?

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 AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS By ADRIENNE RICH

SUMMARY OF THE POEM:

• The poet is a feminist and she addresses the difficulties of a married woman.

• She spends good amount of time in embroidering panel of tigers prancing across
the screen.

• The tigers are fearless creatures pacing elegantly and majestically. They
symbolize the spirit of freedom. Aunt is a victim of male chauvinism (male
domination).

• Aunt Jennifer is so oppressed and terrified that she finds it hard to pull the
needle.

• The “weight of Uncle’s wedding band “expresses how victimized and oppressed
she is. It implies that aunt Jennifer has to work hard to meet his expectation.

• She spends her life in fear but she embroiders on the panel the fearless tigers to
express her secret longing for a life of freedom and confidence.

• Even her death does not end the problem and torture which a married woman
experiences..

SOLVED QUESTIONS

1.”Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a

screen, Bright topaz denizens of a world of
green. They do not fear the men beneath the
tree: They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.”

a) What does the expression ‘Aunt Jennifer’s tigers imply?

Aunt Jennifer was embroidering a panel of prancing tigers. The poet refers to the
tigers as Aunt Jennifer’s tigers because they are her creation, her work of art.

b) What does prancing tigers symbolize?

Prancing tigers are a symbol of the spirit of freedom within Aunt Jennifer which
remains subdued. They also symbolize her fear of her male counterpart.

c) Why are they referred to as ‘denizens of a world of green’?

The tigers are the dwellers of the green forest so they are referred to as
denizens.
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d) What qualities of the ‘tigers’ are highlighted here?

Fearlessness and ferocity of the tigers are highlighted here. Aunt Jennifer’s
nervousness and timidity are in sharp contrast to wild ferocity of the tigers who are
not afraid of hunting men. Unlike Aunt Jennifer, the tigers fear nothing.

e) Explain; “They pace in sleek chivalric certainty”.

The movement of the tigers are sleek, stealthy, sure, majestic and elegant. They are sure
of their purpose. Gallant and confident, they move ahead fearlessly undeterred by any
obstacles or hindrances.

2.”Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her

wool Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.

The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding

band Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s
hand.”

a) Why do Aunt Jennifer’s fingers flutter through her wool?

Aunt Jennifer lives in constant fear of her husband. She feels so nervous and terrified
that her hands shake and flutter when she sits down to knit.

b) Why does she find it hard to pull the ivory needle?

Due to constant fear that she confronts has become a nervous wreck. She finds it
difficult to pull the ivory needle through the tapestry more because of mental
suppression than because of physical weakness.

c) Explain: ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’.

The expression is symbolic of male authority and power. Matrimony binds the woman
physically as well as mentally. Likewise Aunt Jennifer is trapped in gender oppression
and feels herself burdened by the authority of her husband.

d) How is Aunt Jennifer affected by the ‘weight of matrimony’?

Aunt Jennifer cannot do things freely, she tries to come up to the expectation of her
husband, she seems to have lost her identity. The freedom that she dreams of through
her art is itself symbolic of her oppressed self

3.”When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will

lie Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered
by. The tigers in the panel that she made
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Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.”

a) What is Aunt Jennifer’s death symbolic of?

Aunt Jennifer’s death is symbolic of her complete submission to her suppression.

b) Explain: “terrified hands”.

Aunt Jennifer is terrified by her dominating husband and hence her hands are shivering.

c) What does ‘ringed with ordeals’ imply?

Aunt Jennifer has been so victimized in her life that even after death she remains
trapped in the struggles of the spirit. Though we do not know what terrors Aunt Jennifer
had to live with relatives did, we find her a victim of gender injustice and oppression.

d) Is the society in any way affected by Aunt Jennifer’s death?

Since the society is male dominated, it shows no concern for Aunt’s suffering, even her
death. The loss of her freedom is her individual loss. The society is not affected by it and
the state of women still remains the same.

e) Explain: “the tigers in the panel….will go on prancing, proud and unafraid”.

The expression is symbolic of the dispassionate and unconcerned attitude of the male
towards the desire for freedom among women. Even after her death, the social milieu
remains unaffected, arrogant and ferocious.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How do the tigers made by Aunt Jennifer look like?

The tigers, made by Aunt Jennifer on the screen, are jumping and playing about without
any fear of the men beneath the tree. They walk in elegance and style displaying the
spirit of courage, fearlessness, strength and confidence.

2. What do the tigers made by the Aunt symbolize?

The tigers made by Aunt Jennifer symbolize the spirit of courage, strength and
fearlessness Aunt Jennifer, a victim of male oppression, expresses her crushed feelings
in the form of art. So, the tigers are symbolic of the fear of male domination with which
Aunt Jennifer suffers.

3. Why do you think Aunt Jennifer’s hands are fluttering through her wool? Why is she
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4. finding the needle so hard to pull?

Aunt Jennifer is victimized by the overbearing and dominant nature of her husband. Her
life has become a torture due to her suppression by her atrocious husband. The fear of
her authoritative husband has gone so deep into her being that she seems to have lost
all strength and energy. Thus her hands shake and flutter so much that she is not even
able to pull the needle through the tapestry.

5. What do you understand by “massive weight of uncle’s wedding band”?

Generally ‘wedding band’ is a symbol of joy and happiness. But in case of Aunt Jennifer,
it has become a symbol of torture and oppression. Her relationship with her
authoritative husband has become a painful burden to carry. Her ‘wedding band’ has
brought her a world of pain, misery and torture. She has lost her freedom and entered a
world of humiliation and oppression.

5. Explain ’her terrified hands will lie, still ringed with the ordeals she was mastered by’.
These lines convey Aunt’s complete submission to the oppressive authority of her
husband. The fear of her husband has gone so deep into her being that even death
cannot liberate her from the chains of her mental suppression. Memories of her
husband’s tortures and atrocities which bent her into a humiliating slavery will continue
to haunt her even after her death.

6. Explain ‘The tigers in the panel------------proud and unafraid.’

Here the tigers symbolize the unquestioned authority of man enjoyed by him over his
woman counterpart. The lines suggest the dispassionate and unconcerned attitude of
the male towards the desire for freedom among women. Here, Aunt Jennifer tries to
find an escape in her art but ends up portraying an image of her own suppression. While
woman can never free herself from the oppressive authority of her male counterpart,
the male, on the other hand will go on enjoying his authoritative arrogance and ferocity
without any fear of regrets.
QUESTIONS FOR PRACTISE.
1. What traits of tigers do Aunt Jennifer’s tigers reveal?
2. What do you mean by the certainty that the tiger’s possess?
3. What will happen to Aunt Jennifer’s tigers when she is dead?
4. How are the tigers different from her?
5. What picture of male chauvinism do we find in the poem?
6. In the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’, what is the contrast between the reality of
her life and her imagination?

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 FLAMINGO (PROSE)

THE LAST LESSON by Alphonse Daudet–

GIST OF THE LESSON

• Franz is afraid of going to school as he has not learnt participles.

• He wants to enjoy beauty of nature. The bright sunshine, the birds chirruping in
the woods, Prussian soldiers drilling but resisted.

• Bulletin board: all bad news, lost battles, the drafts and orders of the
commanding officers: wondered what it could be now

• The changes he noticed in the school.

- Instead of noisy classrooms everything was as quiet as Sunday morning

- The teacher does not scold him and told him very kindly to go to his seat

- The teacher dressed in his Sunday best.

- Villagers occupying the last benches- To pay tribute to M. Hamel for his 40
yrs of sincere service and also to express their solidarity with France.

• M. Hamel making the announcement that that would be the last French lesson;
realizes that, that was what was put up on the bulletin board.

• Franz realizes that he does not know his own mother tongue

• Regretted why he had not taken his lessons seriously.

• Also realizes the reason why teacher was dressed in his Sunday best and villagers
sitting at the back.

• M. Hamel realizes that all three, he himself, the children and the parents are to
be blamed for losing respect and regard for the mother tongue.

• Always keep the mother tongue close to your heart as it is the key to the prison
of slavery.

• Atmosphere in class: teacher teaching sincerely and patiently, students and

others studying with utmost sincerity.

• Franz wonders sarcastically if Prussians could force pigeons to coo in German.

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 • M. Hamel overcome with emotions could not speak and wrote on the black
board “Long Live France”.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT:

SOLVED:
1. Then, as I hurried by as fast as I could go, the blacksmith, Watcher, who was
there, with his apprentice, reading the bulletin, called after me, “don’t go so fast,
bub; you’ll get to your school in plenty of time!”
a. Who is ‘I’ here?
Ans: Franz
b. Why was ‘I’ in a hurry?
Ans: because he was getting late to school.
c. Who was reading the bulletin?
Ans: the blacksmith with his apprentice was reading the bulletin.
d. Why did the blacksmith call after him?
Ans: the blacksmith was making fun of him because he was getting late to
school. He commented in a sarcastic way.

UNSOLVED:

Poor man! It was in honor of this last lesson that he had put on his fine
Sunday clothes, and now I understood why the old men of the village were
sitting there in the back of the room. It was because they were sorry, too,
that they had not gone to school more. It was their way of thanking our
master for his forty years of faithful service and of showing their respect for
the country that was theirs no more.
a. Who is referred as ‘poor man’ here?
b. Why had he put on fine Sunday clothes?
c. Why were the village people sitting at the back of the room?
d. For how many years did M Hamel teach French in the school?

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 SOLVED QUESTIONS:

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. What was the narrator’s greatest fear as he moved towards the school?

Franz had started late for school and thus was afraid of being scolded . His fear gripped
him further for he was also unprepared. He had not learnt his lesson regarding the rules
of participles and thus dreaded the teacher’s anger.

2. What was more tempting to Franz rather than going to school?

The weather was pleasant, warm and bright. The chirruping birds were inviting him, the
soldiers drilling in the field were also outdoors and Franz was not prepared with
participles.

3. What was the news which was put up on the bulletin board?

For the last two years all bad news – the lost battles, the orders of the commanding
officer was displayed on the notice board. That day, the news that only German would
be taught in school of Alsace and Lorraine was displayed on the notice-board which
made the crowd gather there to read the news.

4. What was so unusual about the school on that day?

Usually there would be a great bustle of opening and closing of the desk, lesson
repeated loudly and the teacher’s ruler rapping on the table but that day was very calm
and quiet like Sunday morning. The back benches which were usually empty were
occupied by the village people and M. Hamel wore his special dress and was pacing up
and down with a ruler under his arm.

5. Why were the villagers seated on the back benches?

All the village elders were seated on the back benches as a tribute to the teacher who
had put in 40 years of sincere service. It was also their way of expressing regret for not
learning their mother tongue when they had the chance. They were also expressing
their patriotism and solidarity with France

6. Franz didn’t learn French whom did M. Hamel blame?

M. Hamel didn’t blame Franz for not learning but his parents who were not anxious to
have him learn. Instead they wanted him to work on a farm or at the mill to earn
money.

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Even M. Hamel was also to be blamed for sending him to water the flowers instead of
learning and when he wanted to go fishing he declared holiday.

7. What did M. Hamel say about French language?

He said that it is the most beautiful language in the world- the clearest, the most logical.
He requested them to guard it so that they can be united and fight back for their
freedom.

8. What happened when the church clock struck 12?

The moment the church clock struck 12 the Prussian army came to take over and M.
Hamel stood up, wanted to tell something but his voice was chocked. He gathered his
strength and wrote on the black board as large as he could – ‘Vive La France’ and
dismissed the school.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Justify the title of the story “The Last Lesson”.

Value Points

People always feel there is plenty of time to learn—so also in Alsace—now no time—
parents not keen—preferred children , work in farms, mill—Franz looked opportunity to
escape school—never serious—receive orders from Berlin—people realize importance
of their language—attend the last lesson by M. Hamel.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why did Franz not want to go to school?

2. Why didn’t M. Hamel punish Franz even though he was late?

3. Mention the three changes that Franz noticed in the school?

4. What announcement did M. Hamel make and what was its impact?

5. What do you think was written on the bulletin board?

6. Why did M. Hamel say about knowing one’s language is a key to prison?

7. Whom did Mr. Hamel blame for not learning the French?

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8. What changes have taken place in the school in the last forty years?

9. What did he mean by “Viva La France”?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Write a note on the character of M. Hamel as a teacher?

2. Do you think the story touches upon the brutalities of war? Comment.

3. What thunderbolt did the narrator receive on reaching the school? How was he
affected by it?

4. At the end of the last lesson M. Hamel wrote, ‘Viva La France’ on the board in bold
letters. Why do you think he wrote that and how did he expect the people of Alsace –
Lorraine to keep their identity intact?

LOST SPRING

LOST SPRING By Anees Jung

GIST OF THE LESSON

• The author examines and analyses the impoverished conditions and traditions that
condemn children to a life of exploitation these children are denied an education
and forced into hardships early in their lives.

• The writer encounters Saheb - a rag picker whose parents have left behind the life
of poverty in Dhaka to earn a living in Delhi.

• His family like many other families of rag pickers lives in Seemapuri. They do not
have other identification other than a ration card.

• The children do not go to school and they are excited at the prospect of finding a
coin or even a ten rupee note for rummaging in the garbage.

• It is the only way of earning the life they live in impoverished conditions but are
resigned to their fate.

• The writer is pained to see Saheb, a rag picker whose name means the ruler of
earth, lose the spark of childhood and roams barefooted with his friends.

• From morning to noon the author encounters him in a tea stall and is paid Rs. 800
He sadly realizes that he is no longer his own master and this loss of identity
weighs heavily on his tender shoulders.
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 • The author then tells about another victim, Mukesh who wants to be a motor
mechanic.

• Hailing from Firozabad, the centre of India’s bangle making and glass blowing
industry, he has always worked in the glass making industry.

• His family like the others there do not know that it is illegal for children to work in
such close proximity to furnaces, in such high temperatures.

• They are exposed to various health hazards like losing their eyesight as they work
in abysmal conditions, in dark and dingy cells.

• Mukesh’s father is blind as were his father and grandfather before him.

• They lead a hand to mouth existence as they are caught in the vicious web of the
money lenders, middlemen, police and the traditions

• So burdened are the bangle makers of Firozabad that they have lost their ability to
dream unlike Mukesh who dreams of driving a car.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT:

SOLVED:-
1. Wherever they find food, they pitch their tents that become transit homes.
Children grow up in them, becoming partners in survival. And survival in
Seemapuri means rag-picking. Through the years, it has acquired the proportions
of a fine art.
a. Who are ‘they’ here?
Ans: children who are rag-pickers.
b. What do they do when they find food?
Ans: they pitch their tents that become transit homes.
c. What does survival mean in Seemapuri?
Ans: survival means rag-picking.
d. What has acquired the proportion of fine art?
Ans: rag-picking.

UNSOLVED:-

“I will learn to drive a car,” he answers, looking straight into my eyes. His
dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets that fills his town
Firozabad, famous for its bangles. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged
in making bangles. It is the centre of India’s glass -blowing industry where
families have spent generations working around furnaces, welding glass,
making bangles for all the women in the land it seems.
a. Who is ‘I’ here?
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 b. Why does he want to drive a car?
c. What is Firozabad famous for?
d. Why is Firozabad the centre of India’s glass -blowing industry?

SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What does Saheb do for living? Why?

Saheb is a rag picker. His family has left the life of poverty behind in Dhaka in to pursue
their dream of finding a better life. The children like him have no access to Education
and are forced into rag picking

2. “Saheb is no longer his own master”, says the writer. What does she mean?

The writer means that having accepted the job with the tea-stall, Saheb has lost the
independence that he enjoyed as a rag picker, even though he was poor. Although he
will now be able to supplement the family income, it will be at the cost of his freedom,
which is difficult, binding and unfair for someone so young.

3. Why did people migrate from the village in Dhaka to

Delhi ? Better education, job opportunities and living conditions.

4. What trade does the family of Mukesh follow? Why does the writer feel that it
will be difficult for Mukesh to break away from this tradition?

Engaged in bangle making-difficult to break away from this trade. He belongs to the
caste of bangle makers His family is caught in the web of sohukars, the middlemen,
policemen, politicians and bureaucrats, from which there is no escape.

5. What does garbage symbolize for the adults and children?

Adults –means of earning a livelihood.

Children –wrapped in wonder, magical

LONG ANSWER QUESTION

1. ‘Lost Spring’, is a sad commentary on the political system of our country that
condemns thousands of people to a life of abject poverty. Comment.

Saheb, optimistic and enthusiastic—prospect of finding gold in garbage—likes going to

school but no opportunity—freedom and joy of childhood to burdens of job at tea-stall.
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Mukesh, born at Firozabad (bangle maker)—works under inhuman condition—dark
room, hot furnaces—caught in web of poverty—vicious circle of sahukars, policemen,
politicians, bureaucrats and moneylenders—resigned to fate—unaware of child labour
act—stifiled initiation and hope—lose eyesight before becoming adults.
2. What is Saheb looking for in the garbage dumps? Where is he and where has he
come from?
Ans. Saheb is looking for some silver coins or currency notes. It is as valuable as gold
for him. He is in Seemapuri and had come from Bangladesh.
3. Is Saheb happy working at the Tea stall? How do you know?
Ans. Saheb is not happy working at the Tea stall. He is no longer his master and that
relaxed look on his face is also lost. The steel canister seems heavier than the plastic bag
that he would carry so lightly over his shoulder. As the canister belongs to the man who
owned the Tea stall. He had lost his independence and he was bound by time to lead a
life of servility.
4. Mention the Hazards of working in the glass bangles industry.
Ans. It usually employs small children. It is illegal to employ very young children. The
work in the glass furnaces with high temperature. The dingy cells, where they work are
without air and light. Their eyes are more adjusted to the dark, they often end up losing
their eye sight before they become adults.
QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

a. Describe Seemapuri.

b. Where has Saheb come from and why?

c. Describe the living conditions of bangle makers?

d. “Promises made to poor children are never kept. “Explain with examples
from the lesson.

e. Mention the hazards of working in the bangle industry.

f. Do you think Mukesh will realize his dream of becoming a car mechanic?

g. ‘His dreams loom like a mirage’. Whose dreams are being referred to and
why are they compared to a mirage?

h. ‘Together they have imposed the baggage on the child that he cannot put
down.’ Who do ‘they’ refer to? What is the ‘baggage’ and why can the child
not get rid of it?

i. What was Saheb’s full name? How is it ironical?

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 LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Like all children of his age, Saheb also had many hopes and dreams. Do you
think children like Saheb are able to fulfil their dreams?

2. Politicians exploit all people and situations to their own benefit. Comment,
keeping in views the situation of refugees in Seemapuri.

3. Saheb wants to blossom and bloom but is nipped in the bud. Elaborate.

4. ‘Saheb and Mukesh are brothers in penury and suffering.’ Discuss.

DEEP WATER BY WILLIAM

DOUGLAS
THEME

In this essay William O. Douglas talks about his fear of water and how he finally
overcomes it by his courage, determination, handwork, strong will power, perseverance
and the desire to learn. If these are practiced we can definitely achieve success in all our
endeavors.

GIST OF THE LESSON-

• William O. Douglas had a desire to learn swimming since childhood.

• At the age of three or four, he was knocked down and buried by a wave at a
beach in California.

• He developed a great aversion to water.

• At the age of ten or eleven he decided to learn to swim with water wings at the
Y.M.C.A pool since it was safe at the shallow end.

• A misadventure:- while sitting alone and waiting for others to come at the
Y.M.C.A pool, a big boy came and threw Douglas into deep end of the pool.

• Douglas swallowed water and went straight down to the bottom of the pool.

• While going down he planned to make a big jump upwards but came up slowly.

• Stark terror seized him.

• Tried to shout but could not……

• As he went down the pool second time, he tried to jump upwards but it was a
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 waste of energy.

• Terror held him deeper and deeper.

• During the third trial he sucked water instead of air.

• Light was going out and there was no more panic.

• So he ceased all efforts and he became unconscious.

• He crossed to oblivion.

• When revived he found himself vomiting beside the pool.

• He was in grip of fear of water and it deprived him of the joys of canoeing,
boating swimming and fishing.

• Hired an instructor to learn swimming.

• The instructor taught him swimming piece by piece.

• He went to different lakes to swim and found tiny vestiges of fear still gripped
him.

• He challenged the fear and swam.

• Swimming up and down the Warm Lake he finally overcame his fear of water.

• He realized that in death there is peace and there is terror only in fear of death.

• Will to live is stronger than fear of death.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT:

SOLVED:
1. The next I remember I was lying on my stomach beside the pool, vomiting. The
chap that threw me in was saying, “ but I was only fooling.” Someone said,
“The kid nearly died. Be all right now. Lets carry him to the locker room.”
Several hours later, I walked home. I was weak and trembling. I shook and
cried when I lay on my bed.
a. Where was the author lying?
Ans: on his stomach beside the pool.
b. Why was the author vomiting?
Ans:… because he got drowned inside the pool.
c. Where was the author carried to?

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 Ans: the locker room.
d. Describe the condition of the author?
Ans: he was weak and trembling with fear.

UNSOLVED:

1. With that he picked me up and tossed me into the deep end. I landed in
a sitting position, swallowed water, and went at once to the bottom. I
was frightened, but not yet frightened out of my wits. On the way down
I planned: when my feet hit the bottom, I would make a big jump, come
to the surface, lie flat on it, and paddle to the edge of the pool.
a. Who is ‘he’ here?
b. In which position did he land?
c. Was he frightened?
d. What did he plan?

SOLVED QUESTIONS:

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1.Why was the YMCA pool considered safer when compared to the Yakima River?
Yakima River was very deep, treacherous and there were many cases of drowning but
the YMCA pool only two or three feet deep at the shallow end: and while it was nine
feet at the deep end. So YMCA pool was considered safer when compared to the Yakima
River.

2. When did his aversion to water begin?

His aversion to water began when he was 3 -4 years old when his father took him to
California beach. There the waves knocked him down swept over him.

3. What was the misadventure that happened one day?

William Douglas had just learnt swimming. One day, an eighteen year old big bruiser
picked him up and tossed him into the nine feet deep end of the YMCA pool. He hit the
water surface in a sitting position. He swallowed water and went at once to the bottom.
He nearly died in this misadventure.

4. What strategy did he remember as he went down the

water? To hit the bottom and spring/jump upwards, bob to the
surface –like a cork and come out.

5. What effect did the drowning in the YMCA pool have on the Douglas?
-weak and trembling

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- haunting fear

- deprived of the joy of canoeing, boating and swimming.

6. What method did he adopt to overcome terror?

- Rigorous training (breathing moving of legs ,etc )

- went to lake Wentworth and swam for two miles.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How did the misadventure in YMCA pool affect Douglas? How did he overcome
it?

-was ten or eleven decided-learn-swim

-an older boy pushed –almost drowned
-haunting fear gripped him

-could not enjoy any water sports

-finally decided to hire an instructor

-seven months –instructor –made a

swimmer -released the instructor

-vestiges remained -swam

in Lake Wentworth
-challenged the terror
-swam across Warm lake
-shouted with joy-conquered the fear of water

-there is terror only in the fear of death and peace in death.

- the will to live became stronger.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why did mother warn Douglas against River Yakima?

2. What impact did the incident at California beach have on him?

3. What made him decide that the instructor’s role in teaching him swimming was
over?
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4. Why did Douglas go to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire? How did he make
his terror flee?

5. What larger meaning did the experience have on him?

6. How did he interpret Roosevelt’s saying?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What is the ‘misadventure’ that William Douglas speaks about? What were the
series of emotions fears experienced when he was thrown into the pool? What plans
did he make to come to the surface?

2. How did the instructor build a swimmer out of Douglas?

3. Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and his
conquering of it? What larger meaning does he draw from his experience?

4. Comment on the appropriateness of the title.

INDIGO by Louis Fischer

GIST OF THE LESSON

• Raj Kumar Shukla- A poor sharecropper from Champaran wishing to meet

Gandhiji.

• Raj Kumar Shukla – illiterate but resolute, hence followed Gandhiji to Lucknow,
Cawnpore, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Patna, Muzzafarpur and then Camparan.

• Servants at Rajendra Prasad’s residence thought Gandhiji to be an untouchable.

• Gandhiji considered as an untouchable because of simple living style and

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• wearing, due to the company of Raj Kumar Shukla.

• Decided to go to Muzzafarpur first to get detailed information about Champaran

sharecropper.

• Sent telegram to J B Kriplani& stayed in Prof Malkani’s home –a government

servant.

• Indians afraid of showing sympathy to the supporters of home rule.

• The news of Gandhiji’s arrival spread –sharecroppers gathered in large number

to meet their champion.

• Gandhiji chided the Muzzafarpur lawyer for taking high fee.

• Champaran district was divided into estate owned by English people, Indians
only tenant farmers.

• Landlords compelled tenants to plant 15% of their land with indigo and
surrender their entire harvest as rent.

• In the meantime Germany had developed synthetic indigo –British landlords

freed the Indian farmers from the 15% arrangement but asked them to pay
compensation.

• Many signed, some resisted engaged lawyers, landlords hired thugs.

• Gandhiji reached Champaran –visited the secretary of the British landlord

association to get the facts but denied as he was an outsider.

• Gandhiji went to the British Official Commissioner who asked him to leave
Tirhut , Gandhiji disobeyed, went to Motihari the capital of Champaran where a
vast multitude greeted him, continued his investigations.

• Visited maltreated villagers, stopped by the police superintendent but disobeyed

the order.

• Motihari black with peasants spontaneous demonstrations, Gandhiji released

without bail Civil Disobedience triumphed.

• Gandhiji agreed to 25% refund by the landowners, it symbolised the surrender of

the prestige.

• Gandhiji worked hard towards social economic reforms, elevated their distress
aided by his wife, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parikh.
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 • Gandhiji taught a lesson of self reliance by not seeking help of an English man
Mr. Andrews.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT:

SOLVED:
1. Gandhi decided to go first to Muzaffarpur, which was en route to Champaran, to
obtain more complete information about conditions that Shukla was capable of
imparting. He accordingly sent a telegram to Professor J B Kriplani, of the arts
college in Muzaffarpur, whom he had seen at Tagore’s Shantiniketanschool.
a. Why did Gandhi go to Muzaffarpur?
Ans: to collect more information about the issue addressed by
RajkumarShukla.
b. Whom did he contact in Muzaffarpur?
Ans: He sent a telegram to Professor J B Kriplani, of the arts college in
Muzaffarpur.
c. Where did Gandhi first meet J B Kriplani?
Ans: at Tagore’s Shantiniketan school.
d. How did he travel to Muzaffarpur?
Ans: in a train.

UNSOLVED:

2. Sharecroppers from Champaran began began arriving on foot and by

conveyance to see their champion. Muzaffarpur lawyers called on Gandhi to
brief him; they frequently represented peasant groups in court; they told him
about their cases and reported the size of their fee.
a. Who is ‘ champion’ in the above lines?
b. How did sharecroppers arrivemuzaffarpur?
c. Who are ‘they’ here?
d. Where were the peasant groups represented?
SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Who is RajkumarShukla? Give a pen sketch of him.

--Rajkumar is a sharecropper from Champaran. He was poor and emaciated.

2. Describe the efforts made by Shukla for bringing Gandhiji to Champaran.

---He is very resolute. He followed Gandhiji to Cawnpore, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Patna

and then to Champaran.

3. What strategy Gandhiji followed in removing the problems of sharecroppers?

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----Gandhiji discussed the problems with lawyers. He disregarded British order of
eviction. He insisted peasants to removed their fear

4. Why did Gandhiji feel that it was useless for the peasants to go to law courts?

----The peasants are crushed and fear stricken. The lawyers charged high fee.

5. Why did the British landlords free the sharecropper from growing Indigo? What did
they want instead?

----The British came to know that synthetic indigo was developed in Germany and the
15% of land was released and in return the peasants were asked to pay compensation
for release from the agreement.

6. Why did Gandhiji agree for the 25% refund by the British landlords?

----Gandhiji agreed for 25% refund because the amount was not important but the
landlord’s prestige was surrendered.

7. Describe the social economic reforms introduced by Gandhiji in Champaran

villages?

------Gandhiji opened primary schools in six villages. He also engaged a

doctor. 8. What was the important lesson taught by Gandhiji to his disciples ?

-----Gandhiji taught rules of personal hygiene and cleanliness. He also taught the -
Champarans to win freedom independently without any support of British.

LONG ANSWER QUESTION

1. Why did Gandiji consider freedom from fear more important than legal injustice for
the poor peasants of Champaran?

Value Points

British ruthless exploitation—farmers fight through lawyers—battles were inconclusive

—terror-stricken—Gandhiji’s declaration—no need of law court –overcome terror—be
bold and courageous.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What made Gandhiji urge the departure of the British?

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2. Give a brief account of the reception that Gandhiji got in Mothihar.

3. What made Mahatma Gandhi declare ‘the battle of Champaran is won’?

4. How did Gandhi Ji keep a distant watch on the Ashram?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why did Gandhiji’s casual visit to Champaran get extended to over a year?

2. How did civil disobedience triumph?

3. What idea do you form about the Britishers from the chapter “Indigo”?

4. How did the peasants learn courage?

The Rat Trap by Selma Lagerlof

GIST OF THE LESSON

• The peddler was a vagabond who sold rattraps with a little thievery on the side
to make both ends meet. Had no worldly possession to call his own, not even a
name.

• It amused him to think of the world as a rattrap and all the material possessions as
bait as the world, he felt was never kind to him. Moreover, he prided himself in the
fact that he was out of it.

• Takes shelter at a crofter’s cottage. The crofter welcomed him, gave him diner,
shared his pipe, played mjolis with him also confided in him about his income and
showed him where he put it.

• Next morning, the Peddler steals the money and takes the back roads to keep away
from people and gets lost in the jungle at night. While he wanders in the forest he
realizes that he has also got caught in the rattrap and that the money was the bait.

• Finally reaches Ramsjo ironworks, where he takes shelter for the night. The
blacksmith and his assistant ignore him but the master mistakes him to be an old
acquaintance and invites him home. Though the Peddler does not correct the
ironmaster, hoping to get some money out of him, he declines his invitation.

• The ironmaster then sends his daughter who persuades him to go home with her.
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 She notices his uncouth appearance and thinks that either he has stolen something
or he has escaped from jail.

• The Peddler is scrubbed, bathed, given a haircut, a shave and a suit of old clothes of
the ironmaster. In the morning light, the iron master realizes he is mistaken and that
he is not the Captain. He wants to call the Sheriff. The peddler is agitated and breaks
out that the world is rattrap and he too is sure to be caught in it. The ironmaster is
amused but orders him out. The compassionate Edla convinces her father that he
should spend the Christmas day with him.

• The Peddler spends the whole of Christmas Eve eating and sleeping. The next day at
church, Edla and her father come to know that the Peddler is a thief who stole thirty
kroners from the poor crofter.

• -Back home, they found a letter addressed to Edla, signed as Captain Von Stahl and a
rattrap as a gift from the crofter. In the rattrap were the three ten kroner notes of
the crofter.

REFERENCE TO CONTEXT.

SOLVED
He had naturally been thinking of his rattraps. When suddenly he was struck by the
idea that the whole world about him – the whole world with its land and seas, its
cities and villages- was nothing but a big rattrap. It had never existed for any
purpose than to set baits for people.

A. Who is ‘he’ here?

Ans The peddler.

B. What was ‘he’ thinking?

Ans. He was thinking about his rattraps.

C. What idea was struck to him suddenly?

Ans. That the whole world with its land and seas, its cities and villages is
nothing but a rattrap.

D. according to him what is the purpose of the world?

Ans. World being a rattrap, it traps people by offering things that attract us.

UNSOLVED

He walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood, and finally he
realised that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at
once he record his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. Now his own turn had
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 come. He had left himself befooled by a bait and had been caught.

A. Who is ‘he’ here?

B. What was he doing in the woods?

C. What did he realize than?

D. ‘Now his own turn had come’ explain?

SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUSTIONS

1. Why did the Peddler choose to go through the forest?

After stealing the thirty kroners from the crofter, the Peddler knew that he would be
caught and put in prison if he continued to walk by the man road. So he chose the back
roads that went through the forest.

2. Why did the Peddler not reveal his true identity when the ironmaster mistakes
him to be the Captain?

The Peddler thought that the ironmaster might take pity on him give him some money if
he thought he was an old acquaintance. So he keeps quiet and allows the iron master to
presume he was the captain.

3. Why did it please the tramp to compare the world to a rattrap?

The world was not very kind to the tramp and so it gave him great pleasure to think of it
as a rattrap.

4. Why did the tramp sign the letter as Captain Von Stahl?

The tramp, though illiterate and a thief, found himself raised to a captain through Edla’s
kindness and compassion. He got a chance to redeem himself and hence he signs the
letter as Captain Von Stahl.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Both the Crofter and EdlaWillmanson were kind and hospitable to the Tramp. But he
repays crofters Kindness by stealing his money while Edla is able to transform him to a
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better human being. Why?

Value Points:

Crofter very hospitable. Welcomes him with a smile - gives him supper and shares his
tobacco. Tells him about income-shows him the money - very trusting and friendly.
Stealing a way of life for the tramp-no twinge of conscience while stealing-But later he
realizes that he who prided himself in not being caught in the rattrap was caught in it by
stealing – feels depressed.

Edla’s kindness and hospitality awakens his conscience-Realises that there is a way out
of the trap- Returns the money through Edla- His redemption –gift to Edla.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE:

1. “The world was a rattrap and the peddler himself became a victim of it”.
Elucidate.

2. The rattrap exemplifies the truth that essential goodness of human can be
awakened through understanding and love. Discuss

3. The story focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others.
Explain. \

4. What made the peddler finally change his ways?

5. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?

6. Do you think the title, ‘The Rattrap’ is appropriate? Give examples from the text
in support of your view.

POETS AND PANCAKES

- ASOKAMITRAN

SUMMARY OF THE LESSON

In this lesson, Asokamitran talks about Gemini Studios and all that helps
in keeping it in the spotlight. He starts by making a mention about
‘Pancakes’, the famous make-up brand which Gemini Studios ordered in
truckloads.
He then talks about the plight of actors and actresses who have to bear
too many lights on their face while getting ready in the make-up room.
The make-up department, according to him, used heaps of make-up to
turn them into ugly-looking creatures.
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 Shockingly, he talks about the office boy of the make-up department
whose task is to slap paint onto the faces of players at the time of crowd-
shooting. He was a poet and had joined the Studio in the hope of
becoming an actor, screenwriter, director or a lyricst.
In those days, the author used to work inside a cubicle and had the task
of collecting newspaper cuttings which, according to others was
insignificant. Thus, office boy would come in time again, to bother  him
with his complaints.
He was well-convinced that the reason behind his misery was Subbu. He
thought Subbu had an advantage because he was born a Brahmin. Subbu
was a resourceful man whose loyalty made him stand out.
He was tailor-made for films and it was difficult to imagine film-making
without him. He was very welcoming and was known for his hospitality.
Just like many others at the Gemini Studios, he also did poetry. He
worked for the story department which also consisted of a lawyer. People
generally called  him the opposite of a legal practitioner.
He was a logical and neutral man amidst a room full of dreamers.
Asokamitran then describes how Gemini Studios got a chance to host a
group of international performers called Moral Rearmament Army.
Though the plots and messages were not complex, their sets and
costumes were near to perfection so much so that for many years, Tamil
plays displayed sunset and sunrise in a way inherited from ‘Jotham
Valley’.
Then another guest, Stephen Spender comes to visit Gemini Studios.
People had hardly  heard of him and they couldn’t even connect with him
due to linguistic barriers.
It was not until a few years later that Asokamitran saw his name in a
book and realised who he actually was.

STANZAS FOR COMPREHENSION:

SOLVED:

EXTRACTS
1.’In a moment I felt a dark chamber o my mind lit up by a hazy illumination.’

a.Who said this?

Ans.The writer said this
b.what was the dark chamber?
Ans. The dark chamber was Stephen Spender’s speech
c.What did light up the darkness?
Ans.When writer came to know that Spender was the editor of the Encounter. He
understood that speech was all about stories and poems.
d.’ illumination’ means _________.
Ans. Lighting.
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2. ’He is not a poet he is an editor, that’s why the boss ids giving him a big reception.’

a.Who is ‘he’ here?

b.Why was ‘he’ invited to the Gemini Studios ?
c.Who is the ‘Boss’ referred to in the extract?
d.Was ‘he’ able to make his visit meaningful? Explain.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

SOLVED:
1.What does the writer mean by ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up’?
A1. By ‘the fiery misery’ of those subjected to make-up, the writer is trying to throw
light upon the difficulties actors and actresses have to face because of half a dozen
mirrors surrounded with large light bulbs. The bulbs generated a lot of heat and were
definitely not a pleasure for the eyes.

2. What work did the ‘office boy’ do in the Gemini Studios? Why did he join the studios?
Why was he disappointed?
A2. The ‘office boy’ had the duty of slapping paints on the faces of players at the time of
crowd-shooting. He joined Gemini Studios with a dream of becoming a first-rate actor,
screen-writer or producer.

3. Why did the author appear to be doing nothing at the studios?

A3. The author’s job was to cut and collect newspaper clippings or sometimes even
writing them by hand. This was easier and lesser in comparison to what others were
doing at the Studio.

4. Why was the office boy frustrated? Who did he show his anger on?
A4. The office boy was frustrated because he thought his literary talent was going
wasted in a room full of barbers and make-up artists. He somehow managed to deviate
his anger on Subbu
5. List some abilities of Subbu.
A5. Subbu, as a man of many qualities, had the ability to look cheerful at all times, was
an excellent actor who could portray his roles in several ways, was an accomplished
poet, and loved anyone he met.
UNSOLVED:
1. Why was the legal adviser referred to as the opposite by others?
2. Did the people at Gemini Studios have any particular political affiliations?
3. Why was the Moral Rearmament Army welcomed at the Studios?
4. What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people at
Gemini Studios?
5. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred to as unexplained mystery?
6. How did the author discover who the English visitor to the studios was?
7. What does The God that Failed refer to?
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8. Why was KothamangalamSubbu considered No. 2 in Gemini Studios?
9. How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the
audience at Gemini Studios?
10. What do you understand about the author’s literary inclinations from the account?

ANSWER KEY
.
A1. The legal adviser was referred to as the opposite by others because he once
resorted to blackmailing an actress by recording her while she was throwing tantrums
on the set. This is not considered to be legal, thus he was usually called the opposite.
A2. No, although they dressed up in Khadi, they did not have the slightest political
affiliations. 
A3. Frank Buchman's Moral Re-Armament army was welcomed at the studio mainly
because of their political association. The MRA came as a welcome change to their
monotonous days at the studio.
 A4. The British accent of the Englishman caused lack of communication between him
and the people at Gemini Studios.
A5. The Englishman's visit to the Gemini Studios is referred to as anunexplained mystery
because no one could decipher his identity, whether he was a poet or an editor. Besides,
when he spoke, no one at the studio understood what he intended to say as his accent
was beyond their comprehension.
A6. Before investing money in participating in a short story contest organized by an
English periodical- The Encounter, the author did a research on the magazine. He went
to the British Council Library where, while going through an issue of that periodical, he
discovered that its editor was Stephen Spender, the poet that had once visited the
studio.
A7. The God that Failed refers to a collection of essays by six authors who wrote about
their journey into Communism, one of them being Stephen Spender.
A8. KothamangalamSubbu was succesful in securing the place closest to The Boss by
means of flattery. He was not brilliant but a rather cheerful person and loyal to The
Boss. He offered solutions whenever The Boss was in a fix. Thus, the staff considered
him No.2 in Gemini Studios.
A9. The English poet was addressing the Tamil audience at Gemini Studios in English
with a typical provincial accent. He was talking about the thrills and travails of an English
poet to a dazed and silent audience. This was the incongruity because his audience
could not understand him at all.
A10. The writer was a prose-writer. He wanted to send a short story for the short story
contest organised by a British periodical by the name 'The Encounter'.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1.What is the example of national integration that the author refers to?
2.Pick out instances of gentle humor that make the lesson interesting .
3. Describe the visit of Stephen Spender to Gemini Studios.

ANSWER KEY
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A1. At first, a Bengali was the head of the make-up studio but then he outgrew Gemini
Studios and left it for better opportunities. After him, it was supervised by a
Maharashtrian who was assisted by a DharwarKannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras Indian
Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the usual local Tamils. The fact that people from
different cultures worked together puts forward the post-independence national
integration scenario. It shows that people were united way before All India Radio and
Doordarshan raised the concept.
A2. The author portrays the make-up artists and the usage of the pancakes in an
interesting way. Even the caricature of Subbu is hilarious. The way he tries to help his
principal is quite amusing. The episode of the legal adviser that inadvertently causes the
end of an actress’s career is yet another example. The frustration of the office boy, the
superficial praising of Gandhi, hatred of Communism and the ‘mystery’ surrounding
Stephen Spender are some of the instances where the author has incorporated gentle
humour.
A3. The staff of the Hindu was taking keen interest. A whole shooting was cleared to
welcome the visitors. He was a poet from England but none had heard about him.
The boss read a long speech in the honour of the visitor though he knew not much
about him .The poet poke but he could not reach the audience .His accent could not be
understood still the boss welcomed the poet out of brotherly feelings. The audience as
well as the speaker felt baffled.
The visit proved to be a quite disaster. Everybody wandered why an English poet had
visited a film studio .None could give any logical reason for that. This way the visit of
Stephen Spender remained an unexplained mystery.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. How does the author describe the Gemini Studio and its staff?
2. What light does ‘POETS AND PANCAKES’ throw on versatility of Subbu?
3. How could moral rearmament army find a warm host in the Gemini Studios?

THE INTERVIEW
- CHRISTOPHER SILVESTER

SUMMARY OF THE LESSON:

The lesson begins with the introduction to interview as a commonplace of journalism
since its invention, which was a little over 130 years ago. According to the author, it is
not very surprising that people have very distinct opinions about the usage of interview.
Some think of it in its highest form whereas some people can’t stand being interviewed.
An interview leaves a lasting impression and according to an old saying, when
perceptions are made about a certain person, the original identity of his soul gets
stolen. Famous celebrities, writers and artists have been heard criticising interviews.
Rudyard Kipling’s wife wrote in her diary how their day in Boston was ruined by two
reporters. Kipling considers interviewing an assault, a crime that should attract
punishment. He believes that a respectable man would never ask or give an interview.
122
There is an excerpt from the interview between Mukund (from The Hindu newspaper)
and Umberto Eco, a professor at the University of Bologna in Italy who had already
acquired a formidable reputation as a scholar for his ideas on semiotics (the study of
signs), literary interpretation, and medieval aesthetics before he turned to writing
fiction. The interview revolves around the success of his novel, The Name of the Rose
whose more than ten million copies were sold in the market. The interviewer begins by
asking him how Umberto manages to do so many different things to which he replies by
saying that he is doing the same thing. He further justifies and mentions that his books
about children talk about peace and non-violence which in the end, reflect his interest in
philosophy. Umberto identifies himself as an academic scholar who attends academic
conferences during the week and writes novels on Sundays. It doesn’t bother him that
he is identified by others as a novelist and not a scholar, because he knows that it is
difficult to reach millions of people with scholarly work. He believes there are empty
spaces in one’s life, just like there are empty spaces in atoms and the Universe. He calls
them interstices and most of his productive work is done during that time. Talking about
his novel, he mentions that it is not an easy-read. It has a detective aspect to it along
with metaphysics, theology and medieval history. Also, he believes that had the novel
been written ten years earlier or later, it would have not seen such a huge success. Thus,
the reason for its success still remains a mystery.  
 
1 . What are the views of writers like V.S Naipaul and Lewis Carroll on interviews?
2. Why does Eco say that ‘at that point at the age of 22, I understood scholarly books
should be written the way I had’. Describe his way.

Q.3 Do you think Umberto Eco likes to be interviewd ? Give reason for your opinion.
Q4. The Name of The Rose deals with medieval history. Was it responsible for the novel
“ success?

Q 5 What is distinctive about Eco academic writing style?

Q6 .How can the importance of interview be justified in modern journalism?

Q7. What are some of the positive points about an interview? 'Umberto Eco's written
output is staggeringly large and wide-ranging? How?

LONG ANS. TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1.Why do some celebrities despise interview? Are they justified? comment.
Q 2 What made the American publisher think that the novel , 'The Name of the
Rose' won't sell in America ? What actually happened ? What was the secret
of its success ?

Q3How does Umberto Eco pursue his philosophical and academic interests? How does
he make use of 'interstices' ?What are the distinguishing features of his non-fictional
style?
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ANSWERS

Ans 1 –despised interviews

-considerd interviews immoral-an assault
- disparaging effect on personalities
- encroachment on their privacy

ANS 2.
When Padmanabhan asks him about his writing style, Eco speaks of the first
Doctoral dissertation that he had written at the age of 22. Not knowing how to write
it he had just narrated the story of his research with his trials and errors. His professors
approval had made him stick to this style.

ANS 3 - Yes
- gave detailed and exhaustive replies
- being Italian citizen gave interview to an Italian
-likes to reach majority

Ans 4. -success did not depend merely on one factor

-other novels dealt with medieval history didn”nt gain much success
-success depend more on the timing of its publication, narrative style and
Detective yarn
-delves in to metaphysics and theology also

Ans 5 Writes in the form of stories

-personal quality
Wrote books for children on non –violence and peace
Informal and playful style of writing

Ans6. The interview is the most serviceable medium of communication today. It has
become a commonplace of journalism. We can know about celebrities through
interview.

Ans7. Umberto Eco is a versatile Genius, a prolific writer. He has written on wide
ranging subjects such as literary fiction, academic texts, essays children's books and
newspaper articles. He has 5 novels and 40 non-fiction works to his credit.

- LONG ANWER TYPE QUESTIONS ANSWERS

Ans. 1

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 Feel unwanted intrusion in their lives.
According to Naipaul people are wounded and lose a part of themselves.
Lewis Carol is horrified by the name of interviewer.
Kipling terms it immoral, criminal.
H.G. Wells refers it as an ordeal.
- To an extent justified - being victims

Ans 2
the publisher thought that 'The Name of the Rose' is a
- serous novel, dealing with mystery, metaphysics,
- theology and medieval history
- - according to him people don't like difficult reading
- experiences
- - America is a country where nobody has a cathedral or
- studies Latin
- - the readers will not be able to relate to the novel
- What actually happened
- - Initially only 3000 copies were published and Umberto
- Eco was paid an advance for only 3000 copies. In the
- end it sold two or three million copies in the US alone
- and between 10 and 15 million all over the world
- - proved the publisher's assumption wrong
- - it become the best seller
Secret of success
- - printed and published at an appropriate time / the secret
- of its success is a mystery / narrative style of writing / an
- informal approach / playful and personal qualities / a
- serious novel dealing with detective yarn mixed with
- metaphysics, theology and medieval history
Ans 3
Umberto Eco has many philosophical interests. He pursues them through his academic
works and novels. Even his books for children are about non-violence and peace. They
are the same bunch of ethical and philosophical interests. Eco has written more than
40 scholarly non-fictional works. Among them is a seminal work on semiotics. He
prefers to be called an academician. He participates in academic conferences and not
in the meetings of pen clubs and writers. He identifies himself with the academic
community. He declares that he is a university professor who writes novels on
Sundays.
Umberto Eco shares a secret with the interviewer. He thinks that if we eliminate the
empty spaces from the universe the world will shrink. It will become as big as a fist.

125
Similarly we have a lot of empty spaces or interstices in our lives. He works in these
empty spaces and uses them to his advantage.
Umberto Eco has evolved a distinct non-fictional style. It is different from the regular
academic style which is usually 'depersonalised and often dry and boring.'
Padmanabhan finds a certain playful and personal quality about his scholarly work. Eco
admits that his essays have a narrative aspect. This narrative style of his scholarly works
was fully developed later on in his novels

GOING PLACES by A.R.BARTON

GIST OF THE LESSON

• The lesson explores the theme of adolescent fantasies and hero worship.

• Sophie and Jansie are both in the last year of high school and both knew that
they were destined to work in the biscuit factory as they belong to a working
class family.

• Yet, Sophie, always dreams of big and beautiful things, glamour and glory.

• Her ambitions are not rooted in reality i.e., have no relation with the harsh
realities of life.

• In contrast is Jansie, Sophie’s friend, a realistic and practical girl.

• Sophie lives in male-dominated family where her mother was only a shadow.
The men were football fans and the conversations around the dinner table
were about Danny Casey, their Hero.

• Sophie wants some attention from her father and brother and telling them
that she met Casey, was her way of drawing their attention towards her.

• But she carries her fantasies too far when she starts to live them.

REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT

SOLVED
He was kneeling on the floor in the next room tinkering with a part of his motorcycle
oversome newspaper spread on the carpet. He was three years out of school, an
apprentice mechanic, travelling to his work each day to the far side of the city.
A. Who is ‘he’ here?
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 Ans. He is Geoff, Sophie’s brother.

B. What was he doing in the next room?

Ans. He was kneeling on the floor on the next room tinkering with a part of his
motorcycle over some newspaper spread on the carpet.

C. For how long had Geoff been out of school?

Ans. For three years.

D. what was Geoff’s profession?

Ans. Geoff was an apprentice mechanic, travelling to his work each day to the far side
of the city.

UNSOLVED
And she was jealous of his silence. When he wasn’t speaking it was as though he was
away somewhere, out there in the world in those places she had never been.
A. Who is ‘she’ here?
B. Whom was she jealous of?
C. What was the reason of her jealousy?
D. What did Sophie feel about her brother when he does not speak?

SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What does Sophie dream of doing after she passes out of school? Why do you
call it a dream, and not a plan?

Sophie dreams of big and beautiful things, glamour and glory. She is not practical in her
thinking and has no concrete plans to make her dreams real.

2. Compare and contrast the characters of Sophie and Jansie. Sophie was a
dreamer. She was not ready to accept the fact that she would be working in a
biscuit factory after her high school. But the tragedy was that she carries her
fantasies too far when she started living in them, whereas her friend Jansie was
practical and down-to-earth. She firmly anchored her friend Sophie to reality
whenever she spoke of her dreams.

3. Sophie is a typical adolescent hero-worshipper who carries her fantasizing too

far .Comment.

Yes, Sophie is a typical adolescent who worships Danny Casey, the football star.
She fantasizes about meeting him and taking his autograph which is quite normal
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 for an adolescent. But she crosses the border of normalcy when she tell her

family that she actually met him and that he wants to take her on a date. And
then she actually goes to the place and literally waits for him to appear which is
abnormal.

LONG ANSWER QUESTION

1. Sophie has no touch with reality; Janise’s feet are, however, firmly planted on
the ground. Discuss.

Value Points:

Both school going girls and intimate friends – both belong to lower middle class
family – but different from each other. Different approach to life - one a
romantic, habitual dreamer and an escapist.Sophie dreams of things beyond her
reach – Jansie has a practical approach to life - discourages her friend’s wild
dreams – gossipy.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. “Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind “.justify this
statement.

2. Describe Sophie’s meeting with Danny Casey.

3. What was Sophie’s father’s reaction when Geoff told him about Sophie meeting
Casey?

4. When did Sophie actually see Danny Casey?

5. Why was Sophie jealous of Geoff’s silence?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her
perspective, what did he symbolize?

2. Give a brief character sketch of Sophie’s father. What kind of a relationship did
they share?

3. The story “Going Places” draws a beautiful contrast between ‘fact’ and ‘fiction’.
Comment.
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 THE INTERVIEW
- CHRISTOPHER SILVESTER

SUMMARY OF THE LESSON:

The lesson begins with the introduction to interview as a commonplace of journalism

since its invention, which was a little over 130 years ago. According to the author, it is
not very surprising that people have very distinct opinions about the usage of interview.
Some think of it in its highest form whereas some people can’t stand being interviewed.
An interview leaves a lasting impression and according to an old saying, when
perceptions are made about a certain person, the original identity of his soul gets
stolen. Famous celebrities, writers and artists have been heard criticising interviews.
Rudyard Kipling’s wife wrote in her diary how their day in Boston was ruined by two
reporters. Kipling considers interviewing an assault, a crime that should attract
punishment. He believes that a respectable man would never ask or give an interview.
There is an excerpt from the interview between Mukund (from The Hindu newspaper)
and Umberto Eco, a professor at the University of Bologna in Italy who had already
acquired a formidable reputation as a scholar for his ideas on semiotics (the study of
signs), literary interpretation, and medieval aesthetics before he turned to writing
fiction. The interview revolves around the success of his novel, The Name of the Rose
whose more than ten million copies were sold in the market. The interviewer begins by
asking him how Umberto manages to do so many different things to which he replies by
saying that he is doing the same thing. He further justifies and mentions that his books
about children talk about peace and non-violence which in the end, reflect his interest in
philosophy. Umberto identifies himself as an academic scholar who attends academic
conferences during the week and writes novels on Sundays. It doesn’t bother him that
he is identified by others as a novelist and not a scholar, because he knows that it is
difficult to reach millions of people with scholarly work. He believes there are empty
spaces in one’s life, just like there are empty spaces in atoms and the Universe. He calls
them interstices and most of his productive work is done during that time. Talking about
his novel, he mentions that it is not an easy-read. It has a detective aspect to it along
with metaphysics, theology and medieval history. Also, he believes that had the novel
been written ten years earlier or later, it would have not seen such a huge success. Thus,
the reason for its success still remains a mystery.  

REFRENCE TO THE CONTEXT:

SOLVED:

Rudyard Kipling expressed an even more condemnatory attitude towards the

interviewer. His wife, Caroline, writes in her diary for 14 Oct 1892 that their day was
‘Wrecked by two reporters from Boston’. She reports her husband as saying to the
129
reporters, “Why do I refuse to be interviewed? Because it is immoral!”

A. What was the attitude of Rudyard Kipling towards the interviewer?

Ans. He expressed a condemnatory attitude towards the interviewer.

B. What happened on 14 Oct 1892?

Ans. Rudyard Kipling and his wife’s day was wrecked by two reporters from Boston.

C. Where were the two reporters from?

Ans. Boston.

D. Why did Rudyard Kipling refused to be interviewed?

Ans. Because he considered it to be immoral.

UNSOLVED

This is why my essays always have a narrative aspect. And this is why probably I
started writing narratives (novels) so late- at the age of fifty, more or less. I remember
that my friend Roland Barthes was always frustrated that he was an essayist and not a
novelist. He wanted to do creative writing one day or another, but he died before he
could do so.

A. Why did his essays have a narrative aspect?

B. When did Umberto Uno start writing novels?
C. Why was his friend Roland Barthes always frustrated?
D. What did his friend want to do?

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

SOLVED:
1. Write down the opinions that disfavour the cause of the interview?
Ans: Some believe that in its highest forms, the interview is a valuable source of truth.
In practice, it is nothing but a simple art. It is like stealing one’s soul. People hate the
interview and call it as an unwarranted intrusion into their lives.
2. How does V.S. Naipaul feel about interview?
Ans: He vehemently condemns the cause of the interview. He believes that it is more
than loosing something from our body. He says that through interviews many would
lose a part of our self. In reality it is horrific for the interviewing candidate.
3. How do the other authors opine about the interview?
Ans: Many authors do not favour the interview. H.C. Wells in an interview in 1894
referred to “the interviewing ordeal”. But he remained a frequent interviewee. Saul
Bellow once agreed for an interview but he regarded it as being like thumb prints on hid
windpipe.
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4. Why did Emberto Eco start writing novels at the age of 50, more or less?
Ans: Umberto Eco was basically an academician. He was pursuing scholarly pursuits
through academic writings. He wrote about forty non-fictional writings. He himself says
that ‘ he became a novelist by accident’. Perhaps that was the reason he started writing
novels so late.
UNSOLVED:
1. Justify the title ‘The Interview’.
2. What secret does Umberto Eco point out to MukundPadmanabhan about an
interview?
3. what is the position of the interviewer during the interview?
4. Do you think Umberto Eco likes being interviewed? Give a reasoned answer.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

SOLVED:
1. What is the reason for the huge success of the novel, The Name of the Rose?
A. The novel, The Name of the Rose is a hard-read, differentiating it from other novels. It
is a detective narrative that contains metaphysics, theology and medieval history. Thus,
it targeted the audience that is not interested in an easy reading experience, probably
not all the time. However, the success of the novel still remains a mystery. According to
Umberto, had the novel been written ten years earlier or later, it would have not
attracted the same proportion of audience.
2. How does Eco find the time to write so much?
A. Eco is a university professor who attends academic conferences all week. He finds so
much time to write in the empty spaces that we all have in our lives, just like the
structure of atoms and Universe. He terms these empty spaces as ‘interstices’. If he is
waiting for someone coming to his house via the escalator, he would use that time to
write an essay rather than sit idle. Therefore, he considers himself a scholar who writes
novels on Sundays.
3. "Interviews an unwarranted intrusion in the lives of others". Elucidate with
reference to The Interview.
Ans. Value points:-
Interviews are common feature in Journalism – Most celebrities consider them as an
unnecessary intrusion in their lives – "a horror of the interview", "an ordeal",
"thumbprints on windpipe"- interview is a supremely serviceable medium of
communication- the most vivid impression of our contemporaries -the interviewer holds
a position of unprecedented power and influence.
UNSOLVED:
1. How does Umberto Eco pursue his philosophical and academic interests? How does
he make use of ‘interstices’? how has he developed a non-fictional style?
2. Did Umberto Eco consider himself a novelist first or an academic scholar?
3. “Interview is like the thumbprints on the windpipe.” Explain.

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4. what picture do you form of Umberto Eco after reading the extract of the interview of
Eco that was taken by MukundPadmanabhan?

VISTAS

THE THIRD LEVEL

- JACK FINNEY
SUMMARY OF THE LESSON:
SUMMARY OF THE LESSON
 The Third Level’ is a story that weaves together a psychological journey of the
narrator into past, present and moves towards future.
 Charley- 31 year old, an American narrates his unusual experience of having
been to the third level.
 He discovers brass spittoons, flickering gas lights, everyone dressed, like 1890’s
with old fashioned beards, side burns, fancy moustaches, engine with funnel
shaped stack, newspaper.
 The World, few ticket windows etc in the third level.
 Charley goes to get the ticket for Galesburg - Illinois- Wonderful town, big
houses, huge lawns, plenty of trees, people with lots of leisure time and
surprises when the clerk says that it is not currency and he will be put behind the
bars.
 Wife worried -takes him to his Psychiatrist friend.
 He refuses to believe -says it a waking wish dream fulfillment as he could not
face the modern world which is full of fear, insecurity, war, worry, stamp
collection a refuge from reality.
 Charley desperate to go to Galesburg & so exchanges new for old currency. But
could never find the third level.
 Sam’s disappearance has something to do with Galesburg as he was fond of the
place.
 One day while going through his stamp collection, he finds an envelope,
containing a letter of July 18, 1894 written by Sam, who is living at Galesburg,
assertions the Third level.
 Charley finds that Sam had bought old currency worth eight hundred dollars.
 Sam was Charley’s psychiatrist.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

SOLVED:

132
1. Was the Third level a medium of escape for Charley? Why/Why not?
Ans. Yes, Charlie was engulfed in the trials and tribulations of life so he created the third
level himself to seek refuge in it. It eased his tensions and pressures and provided him a
platform to relax.
2. Why is Grand Central compared to a tree?
Ans. Grand Central was compared to a tree because it was pushing out new corridors
and staircases like roots. There may be a tunnel under the city up to Times Square and
another to Central Park. Nobody knows about them. For many people it has been a exit,
a way of escape through the years. So it is possible that it may have the tunnel Charlie
got into.
3. How did Charlie realize that he had reached the third level?
Ans. Charlie saw brass spittoons, flickering gas lights, everyone dressed like in the1890’s
with mutton sleeves side burns and moustaches. The engine was with a funnel shaped
stack. The newspaper was dated June 11 1894.There were fewer ticket windows. This
made him realize that he was on the third level.
4. Why did he wish to escape to Galesburg?
Ans.He wished to escape to Galesburg because it was a wonderful town with big
houses, huge lawns, plenty of trees. The summer evenings were twice as long and
people had lots of leisure time to sit out on the lawns. It was a peaceful world.
UNSOLVED:
1. What is First Day Cover?
2.What is referred to as ‘the obvious step’?
3. What does the third level refer to?
4. Do you see an intersection of time and space in the story?

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

SOLVED:
1. Do you think that the third level was a medium of escape for Charley? Elaborate.
Ans.Value Points:
-Harsh reality—too oppressive at times-Stress, strain, fierce competition, fear of failure
causes insecurity-Charley declares -ordinary guy-but not able to cope with the modern
world -Wish to visit Galesburg of 1890 -old frame houses, huge lawns, beautiful trees
-People sitting on lawns relaxed-calm and peaceful--Exchanging new currency for old
currency, Roping in his wife and Sam into his third world, saying that Sam also bought
old currency, the letter from Sam in his first day cover are all his figment of imagination.-
It was a medium of escape - could not face the challenges -modern world.
2. ‘ The Third Level’ explores an intersection of time and space. Discuss.
Ans. Value points:
-gives a new dimension through his protagonist, Charley.- point where the past and
the present meet-charlie experiences the third level-he discovers that the things were
different and realises that he is back in 1894.-he wanted to be there-buys two tickets
to Galesberg- Sam also wants to escape to this place-later Sam withdraws all his
savings and exchanges it for 1894 currency-hence reaches a quiet and peaceful past-
thus the happiness of all the three characters revolve around the third level.

133
UNSOLVED:
1. Discuss the importance of Sam’s letter to Charley.
2. Charley wanted to go home quickly but he reached the third level. How did he get
there?
3. How was the third level like? How did Charley know he had bumped into the past?

THE TIGER KING BY KALKI

GIST OF THE LESSON

• The Maharaja Sir Jilani Jung JungBhadur was called “Tiger King”.

• When he was just 10 days old he asked intelligent questions to the astrologers
and was told that he would be killed by a tiger. He uttered “Let tigers beware!”

• No other miracle took place, the child grew like any other Royal child drinking
white cow’s milk, taught by an English tutor, looked after by an English nanny
and watched English films.

• When he was 20, he was crowned as king. It was then the prediction of his death
by the tiger reached the Maharaja’s ear and he in turn to safe guard himself

killed a tiger and being thrilled he told the astrologer who replied that he can kill
99 tigers but should be careful with the 100th.

• From then on he started killing tiger and none was allowed to hunt tigers. A high-
ranking British officer visited the state that was fond of hunting tiger and his wish
was declined.

• The officer requested for getting a photograph with a tiger killed by Maharaja
and this request was rejected.

• So to please the officer’s wife he sent 50 diamond rings expecting that she would
take 1 or 2 instead she kept all the rings costing 3 lakh rupees and sent ‘thanks’
to the Maharaja. But his state was secured.

• In 10 years he killed 70 tiger and didn’t find any in Pratibandapuram so he

decided to marry a girl from royal state which had more tigers to complete his
target.

• Whenever he visited his in-laws he killed 5-6 tigers. So he killed 99 tigers and was
feverishly anxious to kill the 100th but couldn’t find.

• News about the presence of a tiger near a village proved disappointing.

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 • Now the Dewan was warned of his danger so he visited ‘People’s Park in Madras’
and brought an old tiger and placed it in the forest and informed the Maharaja.

• The Maharaja took great care and shot the tiger and left the place with great
triumph.

• The bullet did not hit the tiger but out of fear the tiger had collapsed. Now the
staff killed the tiger and brought it in grand procession.

• It was the 3rd birthday of the Maharaja’s son and he wanted to buy a present
from the toyshop. He bought a wooden tiger which was poorly carved.

• While the Maharaja was playing with the prince a tiny sliver of the wooden tiger
pierced his right hand which later on caused his death. Thus the hundredth tiger
takes his final revenge upon the “Tiger King”.

Question and Answer:

1. What was the miracle that took place in the royal palace?

When the Maharaja was a 10 day old infant spoke and asked intelligent questions about
his death. After knowing that he would be killed by a tiger he uttered saying “Let tigers
beware.”

2. How was the Tiger King brought up?

As a child the Tiger King was brought up by an English nanny and tutored in English by
an Englishman. He was given the milk of an English cow. Like many other Indian crown
princes he watched only English movies.

3. What did the State astrologer say he would do ‘if the hundredth tiger were also
killed’?

The State astrologer was so sure of his prediction that he announced that he would cut

off his ceremonial tuft, crop his hair short and become an insurance agent in case the
king was able to kill the 100th tiger, too. He was sure that the Maharaja’s death would be
caused by the 100th tiger.

4. What did the high-ranking British officer wish to do? Was his wish fulfilled?

The high-ranking British officer wanted to kill a tiger. When he was denied the
permission for hunting, he sent a word to the king that he would be happy if he was
allowed to get photographed with the dead body of a tiger killed by the king. However,
135
his wish remained unfulfilled.

5. How did the Maharaja manage to save his throne?

The Maharaja had annoyed the visiting senior British officer over the issue of tiger-
hunting and ‘stood in danger of losing his kingdom itself’. So, the Maharaja and the
Dewan decided to placate and pacify the officer through bribe by sending gifts of
expensive diamond rings to the ‘duraisani”, the wife of the British officer. Thus he
managed to save his throne.

6. How did the ‘duraisani’ behave on receiving the gifts?

Some fifty samples of expensive diamond rings were sent to the duraisani and it was
expected that she would select on or two and return the rest. But the lady proved to be
greedy as she retained all of them and merely sent a letter of thanks.

7. Why did the Maharaja’s tiger killing mission come to a sudden still?

Within ten years Maharaja’s tiger hunting had resulted in the killing of seventy tigers.
However his tiger killing mission came to a sudden standstill because the tiger
population became extinct in the forest of Pratibandapuram.

8. Why did the Maharaja suddenly decide to marry? Whom did he wish to marry?

The Maharaja suddenly decided to marry because firstly, he was of marriageable age
and secondly, he wanted to kill thirty more tigers in his father-in-law’s state in order to
complete the tally of hundred tigers .For this reason he wished to marry a girl in the
royal family of a state with a large tiger population.

9. Why did Maharaja order the dewan to double the tax?

The Maharaja called the dewan and ordered him to immediately double the tax of the
villagers who had informed him of a tiger in the forest because despite his best efforts
he was unable to locate the beast. This infuriated the Maharaja.

10. What did the Maharaja buy as a birthday gift for his son?

The Maharaja wished to give his son a very special gift on his birthday and he bought a
wooden toy tiger as a perfect birthday gift for his son.

11. How did the king’s arm become seriously infected?

The king’s arm had got infected from a prick caused by one of the slivers on the wooden
tiger. In one day, the infection got flared in the Maharaja’s right hand and in four days it
developed into a suppurating sore which spread all over the arm. Though he was
136
operated yet he died.

Long answer type question

1. How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironical about his death?

The wooden toy tiger the king had got as a birthday present for his son had been carved
by an unskilled carpenter. It had a rough surface with tiny slivers of wood standing up
like quills all over it. One of those slivers pierced the Maharaja’s right hand and although
the king pulled it, his arm got infected. In four days, it developed into a suppurating sore
and spread all over the arm. The king died while being operated upon.

The king’s death is ironical but not surprising for the reader who is, in fact, looking
forward to it. Having ‘killed’ the 100 th tiger, the king is jubilant for he has fulfilled his vow
and disproved the prediction of the royal astrologer. He is now at ease for he thinks he
cannot die of a tiger’s attack. No wonder, he orders the ‘dead’ tiger to be taken in a
procession through the town and gets a tomb erected over it. All this while he does not
know that the 100th victim was not killed by him but by other hunters. That is indeed

quite ironical. Death is lurking around him and the king is unaware of it. Again, it is
ironical that a king who has killed 100 tigers and is bold and fearless dies of a mere
‘sliver’ on the body of a wooden tiger. Thus, ironically death does come to him from a
tiger.
Unsolved Question

1. How did the Maharaja kill the hundredth tiger?

2. The title of the Maharaja reflected grandeur but his death was an anticlimax. Justify.

3. How did the Tiger King meet his end? What is ironical about his death?

4. What idea do you form about the ruling Indian class during the pre-partition days
from the king’s encounter with shopkeeper?

5. What idea do you form about the married life of the king?

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH

- TISHANI DOSHI

SUMMARY OF THE LESSON:

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  The writer TishaniDoshi was part of a programme called ‘Students on Ice’ and
was taken to Antarctica. She shares her experiences and impressions.
 The aim of the expedition was to take high school children to Antarctica, thereby
providing them with a unique educational opportunity to see first hand the
effect of human activities on environment so that these youngsters, when the
time comes to act, will take correct decisions regarding conservation of the
environment.
 Antarctica is the right place to study about the changes in the environment and
its impact on humanity as a whole.
 Antarctica holds the secrets of how earth came to be in its present form. It gives
us an insight into how the present landforms came into existence, why certain
animal species became extinct.
 Complete absence of human beings has preserved the carbon records intact.
 Lack of bio-diversity in Antarctica makes it possible to study the effect of small
changes in the environment on animal life and environment.
 It was a humbling experience for the author and she feel that we need to
address environmental issues immediately, if mankind is to survive.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

1. What were Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the ‘Students
on Ice’ expedition?
Ans. Children are more receptive and ready to absorb, learn and most importantly act.
Unlike the elderly people who are at the end of their productive life, children can
giveback to society substantially and practice what they learn and experience. Most
importantly, they can take correct decisions and act when the time comes and save the
environment.
2. How does the writer realize that the threat of global warming is very real?
Ans. The writer visits Antarctica and sees for herself the glaciers retreating and ice
shelves collapsing. She sees with naked eyes the effect on the food chain when a singled
celled phytoplankton is removed from food chain. That’s when she realizes that threat
of global warming is real.
3. What revelation did the author have on her visit to Antarctica?
Ans. The writer on her visit to Antarctica noticed the beauty of balance in play on our
planet and realizes that everything in the world is inter-connected.
4. ‘The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.’ How is the study of this
region useful to us?
Answer: The study of this region of Antarctica gives us insight into the world’s geological
history. It gives an idea, how the earth was like, before it drifted into continents and
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countries. It shows how slight changes in the climate can change the shape of the
region. It gives the explanation how the climatic conditions of the earth were not
favourable for life before and how slowly rising temperature made earth a place to
sustain life. All secrets are embedded in the layers of ice in the form of half million year
old carbon records.
UNSOLVED:
1. What is phytoplankton? What is their importance?
2. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the Students
on Ice expedition?
3. Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the earth’s present, past and
future?
4. ‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves.’ What
is the relevance of this statement in the context of the Antarctic environment?

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

SOLVED:
1. ‘The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.’ How is the study of this
region useful to us?
Answer: The study of this region of Antarctica gives us insight into the world’s geological
history. It gives an idea, how the earth was like, before it drifted into continents and
countries. It shows how slight changes in the climate can change the shape of the
region. It gives the explanation how the climatic conditions of the earth were not
favourable for life before and how slowly rising temperature made earth a place to
sustain life. All secrets are embedded in the layers of ice in the form of half million year
old carbon records.
2.“Take care of small things and the big things will take care of themselves”. What is
the relevance of this statement in context of the Antarctic Environment?
Ans. Suggested Value Points:- The Statement- greatly relevant in the context of
Antarctic Environment - only place not strained by man - remains pristine - carbon
records preserved in its folds - simple eco system - lack of bio-diversity - perfect place to
study how small changes can have big repercussions - example of phytoplankton - how
it uses sun’s energy to synthesize food - process of photosynthesis - Depletion of ozone
layer effects phytoplankton - life of small marine animals - in turn the food of large
animals - Global warming effect all animals and plants on earth - evident in Antarctica.
UNSOLVED:
1. What is the significance of the title, ‘ Journey to the End of the Earth’?
2. Describe the impact of Entartica on the author.
3. What do we know about the geological history of Gondwana? How did the
Antartica become cold and barren?
4. what was ‘AkademicShokalskiy’? where was it headed and why?

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 THE ENEMY BY PEARL S BUCK

GIST OF THE LESSON:

• Dr.Sadao, a Japanese surgeon finds a wounded American soldier on the

beach near his house.

• He is unable to throw him back though he was his enemy as he was a doctor
and his first duty was to save a life.

• Hana, his wife, though initially reluctant because it was dangerous for all
including the children to keep the enemy in the house, joins her husband in
operating and nursing the enemy soldier back to health, even though the
servants desert the house.

• Hana assists Dr.Sadao in operating the soldier in spite of her physical

discomfort and hesitation.

• Though it was war time and all hands were needed at the front, the General
did not send Sadao with the troops as he is an expert surgeon and the
General needed him.

• Sadao tells him about the enemy soldier but he does not take any action as
he is self-absorbed and forgets his promise that he would send his private
assassins to kill the enemy and remove his body.

• Taking advantage of the general’s self-absorption Sadao decides to save the

soldiers life. After the soldier is out of danger Dr.Sadao helps him to escape
from his house to safety.

SOLVED QUESTIONS:
SHORTANSWER QUESTIONS
1 Why did the General overlook the matter of the enemy soldier?

The General had an attack and according to Dr.Sadao he could not survive the second
attack. So if Dr.Sadao was arrested, no other doctor was capable of performing the
operation. So for furthering his selfish needs he overlooked the matter and promises to
send his assassins. But he was so self-absorbed, he forgot about it.

2. Why was Dr.Sadao not sent with the troops?

The General thought that Dr.Sadao is indispensable to his life and can save anyone as he
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is very skilled. He also does not trust anyone except Dr.Sadao. So he was not sent with
troops.

3. How was the plan of the prisoner’s escape executed in the story?

The prisoner was successful in his escape only because of the right guidance and help
from Dr.Sadao. He provided him his boat, gave his food, made him wear Japanese cloths
and also helped him in comfortable sail to a nearby island.

4. Why did the servants leave Dr.Sadao’s house?

They were not in favour of keeping the American prisoner hidden in the house. They
also did not want Dr.Sadao to save his life as he was the enemy. Also, if the police come
to know of it, all their lives would be in danger. So they left the house.

5. Who was the white man whom Dr.Sadao and Hana found?

The white man was an American soldier as evident from his clothes. They guess that he
was a prisoner of war from his cap that said ‘Navy Seals’

6. ‘‘But Sadao searching the spot of black in the twilight sea that night,
had his reward’’. What was the reward?

The “reward” was the escape of the enemy. Dr.Sadao searched the spot of black in the
twilight sea that night to see if the man was still there but there was no light. Obviously
the man had gone. The escape of the prisoner was his reward.

7 What message does “The Enemy” give?

This is a great lesson in humanism. Dr.Sadao by nursing his country’s enemy proves true
to his professional ethics.

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 SHOULD WIZARD HIT MOMMY? By JOHN UPDIKE

Gist of the Lesson

• The chapter captures a very sensitive reaction of a small girl to an important

aspect of the story that her father narrates to her.

• The story reveals the worldview of a little child to a difficult moral question that
shows her mental or psychological richness.

• Jo is a little girl of four years. She is engaged in a story session with her father.

• Jack, the father used to tell her a story every evening and especially for Saturday

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How did Dr.Sadao rise above narrow prejudices of race & country to human being in
need?

Suggested Answer / Value Points

Dr.Sadao- a renowned Japanese surgeon- believed in professional loyalty & human

kindness- saw an American wounded soldier in a terrible condition on beach in front of
his house-took him his house with the help of his wife Hana-successfully removed the
bullet-nursed him back to his life-thus rose above racialism.

As a patriot, reported the prisoner’s presence at his house to the Army General. The
general decided to have him killed-he grew vestless to see him & finally decided to help
him to escape form his house-gave him boats & instructed him how he could safely
escape.

2. Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in
the circumstances?

Suggested Answer / Value Points

It is the best possible option-general had promised him that he would get the soldier
quietly killed through his private assassins-but he forgot to get rid of- Dr.Sadao could do
nothing-he wanted to get rid of the wounded soldier-as the servants had left the house-
and news could be spread-so he devised his own plan to get the soldier off to the nearby
island-managed his boat for the soldier and instructed him. The white soldier took leave
of him and followed his instruction and managed to escape safely. Thus all this proves
that that was the only way out for Dr.Sadao to the problem.

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3. There are moments in life when we have to make hard choice between our role as
private individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty. Discuss with reference
to the Enemy.

Suggested Answer / Value Points-

Dr.Sadao encounters with the dilemma-to live as private individual whose and moral
ethical responsibility is to save the soldier. So as a doctor and as an individual his first
job is to save the man-takes ethical responsibility, he risks his life, fame and social
status- takes him to his house and makes efforts to save him.

But his other side-sense of patriotism and nationalism also involves a report to police,
takes the general in confidence, and plans to get the enemy soldier killed but later on
helps the soldier in escaping. Thus Dr.Sadao’s personality is displayed as patriotic citizen.
naps.

• Jo feels herself involved with the characters and the happenings.

• The story always had an animal with a problem. The old owl advises him to visit
the wizard who would solve the problem.

• Skunk’s problem- he smelt bad, visited the wizard who changed it to the smell of
roses.

• Skunk’s mother was unhappy with it and took him back to the wizard. She hit the
wizard and asked him to restore the original smell. She wanted her son to keep
his identity of a skunk and wanted his friends to accept him for himself. So the
wizard changes him back to smell like a skunk.

• After hearing the story of Roger Skunk Jo was not happy with the ending.

• She wants her father to change the ending. She wants the wizard to hit the
mother back and let Roger be which her father was not ready to do to establish
his authority. This raises a difficult moral question whether parents possess the
right to impose their will on their children.

• Her father finds it difficult to answer her question.

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 SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. How did the wizard help Roger Skunk?

The wizard was moved by Roger Skunk’s story. On finding his magic wand - chanted
some magic words & granted that Roger should smell like roses.

2. How did Roger Skunk’s Mommy react when he went home smelling of roses?

Roger Skunk began to smell like roses. Mommy asked about the smell - Roger Skunk
replied that the wizard had made him smell like that mother did not like that and asked
Roger to come with her.

3. How did the Skunk’s mother get him his old smell back?

Mother was furious to learn about the wizard who changed the original smell. She
immediately visited the wizard and hit him on his head and asked him to restore the
original smell

4. Who is Jo? How has she changed in the past two years? How did Jo behave in ‘reality
phase’?

Jo is Jack’s 4 year old daughter. She was no more a patient listener. She did not take
things for granted and tried to see things in her own way.

5. How does Jo want the story to end and why?

Jo understood Roger Skunk’s need to enjoy the company of his friends; therefore
wanted that the wizard should take Roger’s sid LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Why an adult’s perspective of life is different from that of a child’s as given in the
story?

Suggested Value points

An adult’s perceptive on life is always different - maturity of a person becomes his

barometer to judge right & wrong. For him/her everything that occurs has a message. In
the story, Jack at no level accepts Jo’s worldview that wizard should hit Mommy.

On the other hand - a child’s perceptive is limited to his activities - child’s perceptive
completely different - they love ‘action’ more than thought - so does Jo in the story - she
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would delight in hearing the story of Roger Skunk’s Mommy being hit by the wizard.
QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION

1. What different queries does the Secretary of the Examinations Board make from the
Governor before conducting the examination for Evans and why?

2. Who do you think made a call regarding a correction in the question paper? What did
it really want to convey?

3. Who is Carter? What does the Governor want him to go and why?

4. How did the Governor manage to reach Evans in the hotel?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What is Jack’s way of telling stories? Why is it appealing?

2. What does Jack want to convey through the story of Roger Skunk?

3. How is Jack’s childhood interwoven in the story of the stinky skunk?

4. How does Jack assert his authority as a father over his daughter?

5. What part of the story did Jack himself enjoy the most? Why?

‘ON THE FACE OF IT’ BY SUSAN HILL

GIST OF THE LESSON

• The play depicts beautifully yet grimly the sad world of the physically impaired.

• It is not the actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment that

trouble a disabled man but the attitude of the people around him.

• Two physically impaired people, Mr. Lamb with a tin leg and Derry with a burnt
face, strike a band of friendship.

• Derry is described as a young boy shy, withdrawn and defiant.

• People tell him inspiring stories to console him, no one will ever kiss him except
his mother that too on the other side of his face

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 • Mentions about a woman telling that only a mother can love such a face.

• Mr. Lamb revives the almost dead feelings of Derry towards life.

• He motivates him to think positively about life, changes his mind set about
people and things.

• How a man locked himself as he was scared-a picture fell off the wall and got
killed.

• Everything appears to be the same but is different- Ex. of bees. And weeds

• The gate of the garden is always open.

• Derry is inspired and promises to come back.

Derry’s mother stops him but he is adamant saying if he does not go now it
would be never.

• When he comes back he sees lamb lying on the ground

• It is ironical that when he searches a new foothold to live happily, he finds Mr.
Lamb dead.

• In this way the play depicts the heart rendering life of physically disabled people
with their loneliness, aloofness and alienation.

• But at the same time it is almost a true account of the people who don’t let a
person live happily.

SHORT QUESTIONS

Q1. Who is Derry? What self-opinion does he

hold?Suggested Answer / Value Points-

Derek, also called Derry was a young boy of 14. He was a quiet, shy and defiant boy. One
side of his face was totally burnt by acid. He was a victim of inferiority complex.

Q2. How does Lamb try to remove the baseless fears of

Derry?Suggested Answer / Value Points-

Mr. Lamb influences Derry by his optimistic philosophy. He advised him not to give
attention on other’s comments, try to be internally pure and strong and eliminate the
negativity of life.
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Q3. What did Derry’s mothers think of
Mr.Lamb? OR

Why did Derry’s mother stop him, going to Mr.

Lamb?Suggested Answer / Value Points-

Derry’s mother does not hold a good opinion about Mr. Lamb. She has heard many
things about the old man, therefore stops Derry to visit Mr. Lamb.

Q4. Why does Derry go back to Mr. Lamb in the end?

Suggested Answer / Value Points-

Actually Mr. Lamb has taught Derry, the most important lesson of life. He advises him
not to care about the comments made by others. He now no longer cares about his
burned face or looks. He is more concerned what he thinks and feels what he wants to
hear and see. He knows if does not go back, he will never go back. Therefore he returns
back.

Q6. Comment on the moral value of the play?

Suggested Answer / Value Points-

The moral of the play is very loud and clear. The physically disabled should focus on the
brighter side of life and not to brood over the shortcomings. The society should accept
them as they are and expand their social interactions .in this way they can fight out the
loneliness, depression and disappointment.

Q7. Mr. Lamb says to Derry; ‘it’s all relative, beauty and the beast’, what essentially
does he mean by that?
Suggested Answer / Value Points-

Mr. Lamb tells Derry that it all depends upon people’s individual perceptions. A thing is
a beauty for one while that beauty may be a beast for others.
EXTRA QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. What is the attitude of Mr. Lamb to the small boy who comes to the garden?

2.”I’m not afraid. People are afraid of me,” says Derry. What do people think on seeing
his face? How do they react then?

3. Why does Lamb’s argument fail to console Derry?

4. What makes Derry think that the old man is always alone and
miserable? What does he tell the old man?

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5. What argument does Derry give to convince his mother why he wants to go the old
man’s garden?

6. Comment on the ending of the play.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q1. The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much
less than the sense of alienation felt by the person with disabilities. What is the kind
of behavior that the person expects from others?

Suggested Answer / Value Points-

Actual pain or inconvenience caused by physical impairment is often less than the sense
of alienation felt by the person with disabilities

– Physical disabilities

– caused pain once in life time

– But after it this physical disability – set chain for other actions – caused mental agony

-called Lamely lamb, mothers were afraid of sending the children because of his tin
leg. -Derry -burnt face –everyone pities him-only a mother could love that face

-Both Mr. Lamb and Derry have been the victims of verbal atrocities
– -Mr. Lamb takes comments lightly –
-But Derry does not have the attitude like Mr. Lamb –
-Attitude of the people needs to be changed

-Do not want sympathy but accept them as they are

-Wounds get healed –but bitter comments never forgotten leaves a scar

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. What is the theme of the play? How has it been worked out?
2. Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Lamb and Derry.

3. What is the bond that unites old Mr. Lamb and Derry the young boy? How does the
old man inspire the small boy?

4. Comment on the appropriateness of the title.

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 EVANS TRIES AN O-LEVEL BY COLIN DEXTER

GIST OF THE LESSON

• Evans a kleptomaniac was imprisoned thrice and all the time escaped from the
prison. Now he was in the prison for the 4 th time and all of a sudden developed
curiosity to appear in O-level German Examination which also was an effort to
break the prison.

• The Governor takes utmost care to see that he would not be fooled. Every care
was taken to make Evans prepare for the exam.

• He was tutored by a German tutor for 6 months. The day before the exam the
tutor wishes good luck but makes it clear that he had hardly any ‘chance of
getting through.’ But Evans gives an ironical twist to the tutor’s observation by
saying “I may surprise everybody.”

• On the day of the exam Jackson and Stephens visited Evans cell and took away
everything that may help him injure himself. Evans was insisted to take away the
hat but he refused saying that it was lucky charm.

• Evans cell was bugged so that the Governor could himself listen to each and
every conversation in the cell. The invigilator Rev. S. McLeery too was searched
and left him to complete the task. Stephen sitting outside the cell every now and
then peeped into the cell.

• The exam went on smoothly. Stephen escorted the invigilator to the main gate
and took a look into Evans cell and found the invigilator (actually Evans)
wounded, informed the Governor. The latter was to be hospitalized but
informed that he was alright and asked them to follow Evans. Thus he escaped
the prison.

• When the invigilator was not found in the hospital they went to the residence of
Rev. S. McLeery only to find him ’bound and gagged in his study in Broad Street”.
He has been there, since 8.15 a.m. Now everything was clear to the Governor.

• Evan escaped the prison the 4th time. But by taking the hint from the question
paper the Governor reached the hotel where Evans was and captured him and
came to know how he planned his escape and said that his game was over. Evans
surrenders himself to the Governor.

• The Governor tells Evan they would meet soon.

• The moment they are rid of the Governor, the so called prison officer-a friend of
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 Evans-unlocks the handcuffs and asks the driver to move fast and Evans tells him
to turn to Newbury. Evans, thus, has the last laugh.

SOLVED QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What kind of a person was Evans?

Evans was a ‘Kleptomaniac’ and had broken jail thrice. He was a master planner and was
very sociable. He knew how to keep intimate contacts with people. In the words of the
Governor, he was a pleasant sort of chap with no record of violence.

2. Do you think Evans’ statement, ‘I may surprise everybody,” has some special
significance?

Evans seems to be telling his teacher that he may surprise everybody by doing well in
the exam, but in reality it is a forewarning that he is going to jolt everybody by his
master-minded perfect escape-plan.

3. Who were the two visitors Evans received in the morning of the day of his exam?

The two visitors --Mr. Jackson, the senior prison officer of the prison’s D Wing-- man
called Stephens, who had been only recently recruited.

4. What made Evans clip his hair short?

Evans’ escape prison-- duplicate McLeery (invigilate during the O-level German exam)
had short hair. In order to give a practical shape to their plan Evans’ hair had to look like
McLeery’s, hence Evans clipped them short.

5. Why did the Governor instruct Jackson to search McLeery?

The Governor asked Jackson to search McLeery, the invigilator, just in case he has
brought something unwittingly which might prove to be a weapon that Evans could use
and try escaping from prison.

6 .Why did Evans drape a blanket round his shoulder? What did Stephens think about it?
In between intervals of Stephens’ peeping into the cell, Evans was changing into the
Parson’s dress to look like McLeery. So, in order to conceal his effort to keep them in
place, Evans draped a blanket round his shoulder. Stephens was misled into believing
that Evans was feeling cold.

7. In spite of strict vigilance, how did Evans’ friend manage to give the material for
disguise in the cell?
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Despite all vigilance, Evans’ friend disguised as McLeery, the invigilator, managed to
smuggle the disguised material into the cell. He came wearing two parson’s dresses with
black fronts and collars. Apart from it he also brought an extra pair of spectacles. All this
was passed on to Evans when Stephens’ vigilant eyes were away from the peep-hole.

LONG ANSWER QUESTION

1. What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of the examination?

Since Evans had already escaped from the jail on three earlier occasions, there was
always a lurking fear that he might make another attempt to escape. Therefore all
possible precautions were taken to see that the O-level German examination arranged
in the prison did not provide him with any means of escape. The Governor personally
monitored all security arrangements and heavily guarded the Recreation Block from
where he expected the prisoner to make another break. Evans cell was thoroughly
checked by Jackson to ward off the possibility of the presence of an incriminating
material which might hamper the smooth conduct of the examination. His nail-scissors,
nail-file and razor were taken away; and to keep a strict watch on the activities of the
cell during the examination, the Governor got it bugged. A police officer Stephens was
posted to keep a constant vigil on his activities. The invigilator, too was frisked to make
sure that he carried no objectionable material with him.

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What different queries does the Secretary of the Examinations Board make from the
Governor before conducting the examination for Evans and why?

2. Who do you think made a call regarding a correction in the question paper? What did
it really want to convey?

3. Who is Carter? What does the Governor want him to go and why?

4. How did the Governor manage to reach Evans in the hotel?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. What impression do you form of ‘Evans the Break’?

2. Comment on the ending of the play ‘Evan Tries An O-Level.

151
3. How far do you agree with the observation: “He was just another good-for-a-giggle,
gullible governor that was all”?

4. Do you think the title ‘Evans Tries an O-Level’ is appropriate? Give reasons in support
of your answer.

MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD by ZITKALA-SA AND BAMA

GIST OF THE LESSON

PART –I

- The first part deals with the account of Simmons, An American Indian, who
fought against the prejudices of the society against American Indians.

- She describes her experiences on her first day at the Carlisle Indian School.

- The customs and rules of the place were strange and new to her.

- She was forced to wear clothes that were considered undignified in her
culture
- At breakfast, she was embarrassed as she did not know the routine of the
place.

- When she comes to know that they were planning to cut her hair, she
protests by hiding under the bed, even though she knew it was futile. In her
culture, it was the cowards whose hair was shingled.

- She felt like an animal driven by a herder.

PART – II

- The second part is an excerpt from the autobiography ‘Karukku’ by Bama – a

Tamil Dalit.

- She was in her third grade when she becomes aware of the indignities that
the lower caste people face.

- She happens to see an elderly person from her community abase himself in
front of a higher caste person as he was not supposed to touch the food that
he was ordered to fetch for the landlord.

- Later, her brother explains to her that the incident was not at all funny as she
initially thought, but very pathetic. The people from the lower caste were
treated as untouchables.
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 - She was deeply saddened and decided to study hard to overcome
discrimination.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS WITH SAMPLE ANSWERS

1. What were the indignities that the new girls were subjected to at Carlisle Indian
School?

The girls were scrutinized thoroughly and supervised by a grey-haired woman. They
were made to wear tight fitting immodest clothes and stiff shoes. During breakfast a
systematic and regimental discipline was observed. The girls with long hair had to get
them shingled and they had to submit to the authorities who were strong, unfeeling and
cruel.

2. On learning that her long hair would be cut the author decided to struggle first.
What does this tell us about the author?

The author knows that she could never prevail against the authorities, yet she struggles
against the injustice. Her mother had told her that only cowards had their hair shingled
and she firmly believed that she was not one. To prove her point as well as raise her
voice against the indignity, she struggles.

3. Why did Bama take half hour to an hour to cover the distance to her home that
would normally take only ten minutes?

Bama would dawdle along, watching all the entertaining novelties and oddities in the
streets. She would gaze at the shops and the bazaar enjoying the street scenes and so
she would take at least an hour to reach home.

4. What was the incident that made Bama laugh as well as feel so provoked and
angry?

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Bama saw an elderly man of her street carrying a packet of ‘Vadais’ by the strings and
walking gingerly, holding the parcel away from his body. Bama found his manner of
carrying the parcel very funny. But her brother explains to her the higher caste people
believed that if the lower caste people touched the parcel it would be polluted. That’s
why the elder was carrying it in that manner. This provokes and angers Bama.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. Had Bama not been guided properly by her elder brother regarding
untouchability, she would have grown up into a complex-torn woman. Do you
agree? Justify.

Value points:

Annan an understanding and considerate elder brother – guides her properly – explains
the social stigma of untouchability – Elder carrying Vadai not comical but pathetic –
victim of social prejudice – Bama angry and provoked – Frustration might have lead to
open and futile revolt – Timely advice of Annan guides her in right direction – He believe
that people of their community should study and outshine others to earn respect of
society. Bama follows his timely advice and grows up to be a balanced and well
respected individual of the society.

Short Answer Questions for Practice:

1. Zitkala-Sa’s friend Judewin tells her that it is better to submit to authority. What
kind of a person do you think Judewin was?

2. Why did Zitkala-Sa start crying in the dining hall?

3. Why does the author feel ‘Spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost freedom, all
was useless’?

4. ‘Now I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder!’ Explain.

5. When and how did Bama come to know of the discrimination faced by the
marginalized people?

Long Answer questions for Practice:

1. Bama’s brother’s right advice at the right time helped her progress in academics
thereby throwing away the chain of untouchability of which dalits like her are
victims of. Justify with reference to ‘Memories of Childhood’

2. Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa are victims of discrimination that is practiced in the
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 society. What kind of experience did both of them go through?

3. What are the similarities in the lives of Bama and Zitkal though they belong to
different countries?

4. Describe how Zitkala tried in vain to save her hair from being
cut. Why did she want to save her hair?

SAMPLE PAPER NO 1
CLASS XII ENGLISH CORE
MM 80
TIME 3 HRS
SECTION A (READING COMPREHENSION) (20MARKS)
Q1. READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW:
12 MARKS
1. Sometimes I wonder why parents and elders interfere in the affairs of their children.
It cannot be denied that parents wish their children well, but sometimes their excess of
concern seems more like bondage than affection. Why do parents want to impose their
opinions on their boys and girls? These children have their own likes and dislikes; they
are capable of making decisions for themselves. If a child likes the color blue, why is the
color red imposed on him? If a child wants to drink cola, why is he forced to drink tea
instead? If a child wants to pursue arts and humanities as his main field of study, why he
is compelled to study Science and Mathematics? If the child refuses to offer the subjects
that are the choice of his parents, he is called disobedient. If he is forced to bend to the
will of his ambitious parents and offers subjects which he dislikes and then fails to pass
the examination, he is rebuked and treated harshly. I don’t understand why this failure
is the fault of the child. It is not his fault but rather is the fault of his over-ambitious
parents who want to see all their children be doctors or engineers. This fault on the part
of the parents sometimes ruins the life of the child and the parents are left with regrets.
2. Parents and family elders are responsible for making their children liars. When
children become teenagers, there are certain things they want to keep confidential,
which they don’t want to discuss with their parents. There are certain friends, places
and affairs which they don’t want to talk about in front of their parents and they don’t
like to continuously be asked questions, like: “Where did you go? Why did you go there?
Which friend did you meet? What did he say? What did you say? Where does he live?
What did you eat? Why did you eat that? Was it good?” When teenagers, both boys and
girls, are bombarded with such questions, they will lie and answer harshly. In this way,
our children develop the habit of telling lies. Now who is responsible for making these
children liars? Sometimes when teenagers are unable to give proper answers to the
baseless questions asked by their parents, they are rebuked and after a number of such
rebukes, some children revolt against their parents.
3. Sometimes parents themselves create a ridiculous situation and find that they are
unable to argue with their intelligent children. Once, a child was rebuked by his father
saying that he got less marks than he should have on his test. The child immediately
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replied: “I know I didn’t get top marks in the class, but do you think you get the highest
salary in your office?” Hearing this, the father was speechless. Parents should have full
faith and confidence in their children. It is said that when the foot measurement of a
father and son becomes the same, the father should treat his child like a friend.
Unnecessary questions should not be asked at this stage. “Don’t ask questions, don’t
hear lies” is a famous saying.
4. The period between the teen years and adulthood is called adolescence. In
educational ethics these years are called the “stormy age”. At this age, the attitude of
the child fluctuates greatly. A child who appears to be rebelling against his parents at
this age may prove to be very obedient in years to come. At this age a child wants to fly
like a bird; he wants to live in the land of fantasy which may not have any basis in
reality. He sets different goals and aims at often unobtainable targets. He wants to
conquer the world. He looks for shortcuts to success. Sometimes family elders, parents,
peer groups, teachers, and society at large fail to understand this changed attitude of
the child and they all seem to unite to spoil the child’s career by making bitter
comments and asking baseless questions. The child has excess energy at this stage of life
and if his elders fail to understand his mental conflicts, this surplus energy can be used
destructively. If parents or society are unable to understand the mental state of a child,
then perhaps the child should be taken to a trained counselor. At this age, sensual
excitement is at its peak and various methods are adopted by teenagers to satisfy their
excitement, and many of these are generally wrong and sometimes dangerous. The
attraction to the opposite gender increases. It is at this point that parents and teachers
should make children aware of the realities of life in a friendly way.
5. In a nutshell, teenagers should be regarded as “young men and women”. They have
their likes and dislikes and they have self-esteem and dignity which should be respected.
They should be given certain responsibilities to make them realize their importance in
the family. They should not be asked baseless and silly questions. They should be fully
trusted and be allowed to live an independent but disciplined life.
1.1 On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions
by choosing the most appropriate option: (1X5=5marks)
1. ‘The child has excess energy at this stage of life’. Which stage is being referred?
a) Childhood
b) Adolescence
c) Manhood
d) Old age
2.The parents who inflict their desires on children and want to make them doctors and
engineers, prohibiting them to choose the career of their choice, are called :
a) Intelligent
b) Over-ambitious
c) Flamboyant
d) Unrealistic
3. In paragraph 3, ‘salary’ has been compared to the:
a) Marks
b) Status
c) Love
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d) both ‘a’ & ‘b’
4) Which of the following is not a characteristic of adolescence
a) They live in a world of fantasy
b) They are rebelling
c) They set realistic and obtainable goals for themselves
d) They look for shortcuts to succeed
5) Which of the following should not be done to the teenagers?
a) They should not be asked baseless and silly questions
b) They should be given responsibilities to make them realise their importance
c) Their likes and dislikes should be respected
d) They should be regarded as small children.

1.2On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.
(1X5=5 marks)
1. How do the parents impose their opinions on their grown up children? (1 mark)
2. When do the parents brand the child as disobedient? (1 mark)
3. How do the parents make their children liars? (1 mark)
4. When should the child be taken to the trained counselor? (1 mark)
5. How should teenagers be treated? (1 mark)

1.3 Find the words from the passage which mean the same as: (1X2=2 marks)
a. enforce (paragraph 1) (1 mark)
b. mutiny (paragraph 2)(1 mark)

Q2. Read the following passage carefully. (8 Marks)

1 Physical education which is commonly part of the curriculum at school level includes
training in the development and care of the human body and maintaining physical
fitness. Physical education is also about sharpening overall cognitive abilities and motor
skills via athletics, exercise and various other physical activities like martial arts and
dance.
2 Physical education promotes the importance of inclusion of a regular fitness activity in
the routine. This helps the students to maintain their fitness, develop their muscular
strength, increase their stamina and thus stretch their physical abilities to an optimum
level. Physical fitness helps them to inculcate the importance of maintaining a healthy
body, which in turn keeps them happy and energized.
3 Participating in sports, be it team sports or dual and individual sports, leads to a major
boost in self-confidence. The ability to go on the field and perform instils a sense of self-
confidence, which is very important for the development of a person’s character. Every
victory achieved on the field, helps to boost a person’s self-confidence. Moreover, the
ability to accept defeat on the field and yet believe in your capabilities brings a sense of
positive attitude as well.
4 Physical education classes are about participating in the physical fitness and recreation
activities, but they are also about learning the overall aspects of physical health. For
example, in today’s world the problems of obesity, or anaemia and bulimia are common
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amongst teenagers. Physical education provides an excellent opportunity for teachers to
promote the benefits of healthy and nutritious food and warn against the ill effects of
junk food. Promoting sound eating practices and guidelines for nutrition are some of the
very valuable lessons that can be taught through physical education classes at school
level.
5 Participation in team sports and even dual sports helps to imbibe a sense of team
spirit amongst the students. While participating in team sports, the children have to
function as an entire team, and hence they learn how to organize themselves and
function together. This process of team building hones a person’s overall
communication skills and the ability to get along with different people.
6 Participation in sports and physical education activities helps to sharpen the reflexes
of the students. It also brings order and discipline to the body movements and helps in
development of a sound body posture. The hand-eye coordination improves as well.
7 Physical education classes also include lessons about the importance of personal
hygiene and importance of cleanliness. Thus, these classes help the students to know
the important hygiene practices that must be practised in order to maintain health and
wellness throughout life.
8 Physical education classes help to enhance the overall cognitive abilities of the
students, since they get a knowledge of the different kinds of sports and physical
activities that they participate in. For example, a person who is participating in a specific
type of martial arts class, will also gain knowledge of the origins of the martial arts, and
the other practices and historical significance associated with it.
2.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage make notes on it using
headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary-
minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to
it. (4marks)
2.2 Write a summary of the above passage in about 100 words. (4marks)

SECTION – B (Advanced Writing Skills) (30 marks)

Q3. Draft a poster for your library on ‘Value of Books and Reading’. You may use visual
(s) to make it meaningful. (word limit - 50 words)
OR
As the Principal of Hindu Vidyapeeth, Sonepat, design a formal invitation card to be
sent to the parents and invitees at the Annual Day fete of school to be held on 27 th
November 2019. The H. R. D. Minister has consented to be the chief guest (Word limit
50 words.) (4 marks)
Q4. You are Megha / Maya of class XII of St. Peter School, Pitampura, Delhi. Write a
letter to the Manager of Book World, RK Puram, New Delhi inquiring about the
availability of few books you need for your school library. Write as secretary of your
school library.(120-150 WORDS)
OR
You are Rohit / Yasmin, a resident of 10, Civil lines, Saharanpur. During your college
life, you participated in various curricular and co-curricular activities with meritorious
performance. Write an application to the Principal of your college, i.e. Gurunanak
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College, Ambala requesting him to issue you a testimonial including the details of your
performance. (120-150 WORDS) (6 marks)

Q5. “What people read is what people believe”. You are concerned about the ongoing
controversy regarding media’s role in sensationalizing news, moulding public opinion
and moral policing. Write an article emphasizing the responsibility of media. You are
Nayna Batra / Naresh Sharma. (word limit : 150-200)
OR
Inspired by Indian Prime Minister’s ‘Clean India’ campaign, your school launched a
similar type of drive to keep your city clean. You along with your mentors went to the
nearby colony and cleaned the entire area. You got appreciations and full support
from the local authorities and your campaign became a success story. Write a report,
on the cleanliness campaign undertaken by your school, for the publication in your
school magazine. (word limit : 150-200) (10 marks)

Q6. Spurt of violence, previously unknown in Indian Schools, made it incumbent on

the educationists to introduce value education in schools whereas few intellectuals
feel that values can never be taught but are acquired from the surroundings and the
society where one lives. Write a debate, against the motion ‘Schools should impart
Value Education’ in 150-200 words.
OR
In the recent years it has been observed that few power hungry politicians make fake
promises to innocent masses and through wrong means come into power. After
getting the throne they misuse the power. They torture and humiliate the ingenuous
workers, favour and promote the corrupt and corruption. Write a speech, in 150 - 200
words. (10 marks)
SECTION C (LITERATURE) (30MARKS)
Q7. (a) READ THE FOLLOWING EXTRACT AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW:
(1X4=4MARKS)
--------------on their slag heap, these children
Wear skins peeped through by bones and spectacles of steel
With mended glass, like bottle bits on stones.
All of their space and time is foggy slum.
So blot their maps with slums as big as doom.

(a) What does the poet mean by 'slag heap'? 1

(b) How has the poet brought out the pathetic condition of the children? 1
(c) How can we bring about a change in their lives? 1
(d) Which figure of speech is used in the last line? 1

Q7 (b) READ THE FOLLOWING EXTRACT AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW
BRIEFLY (1X4=4MARKS)
“It is his ‘karam’, his destiny....Can a god-given lineage be broken?”
a) Who is the speaker of these lines?

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 b) Who does ‘his’ refer to in the above statement?
c) What ‘god-given lineage’ has been talked of?
d) What does the above statement tell us about the condition of the speaker as
well as the one talked of?

Q8. Answer any five of the following briefly (2-3lines) (5x2=10marks)

a) Bring out the irony in the name of Sahib- e -Alam.
b) ‘Garbage to them is gold’. Bring out the significance of the statement.
c) Why hasn’t Firozabad changed with time?
d) How did the Maharaja manage to retain his throne?
e) Why didn’t the shopkeeper quote the real price of the wooden tiger?
f) Why and on what condition did the Maharaja wish to get married?
g) How did the wooden tiger lead to the death of the Maharaja?

Q9 .Bring out the element of humour, satire and irony in the story “The Tiger King.”
(120-150 WORDS)
OR
Write the character sketch of ‘Dewan’. (120-150 WORDS) (6MARKS)
Q10. Mukesh is not like the others. His dreams loom like a mirage amidst the dust of
streets that fill his town Firozabad‟. Justify the statement in the light of contrast in the
mindsets of Mukesh and the people of Firozabad. (120-150 WORDS)
OR
“Little has moved with time,it seems, in Firozabad.” Describe the circumstances that
condemn the bangle makers to a life of abject poverty. Elaborate (120-150
WORDS) (6MARKS)

ANSWER KEY of SAMPLE PAPER 1

Q1.
1.1
1) a
2) b
3) a
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4) c
5) d
1.2
1) If a child likes the color blue, the color red is imposed on him/ If a child wants to drink
cola, he is forced to drink tea instead/ If a child wants to pursue arts and humanities as
his main field of study, he is compelled to study Science and Mathematics (any one)
2) If the child refuses agree to the choice of his parents, he is called disobedient.
3)By asking unnecessary questions
4) . If parents or society are unable to understand the mental state of a child, then
perhaps the child should be taken to a trained counselor.
5. , teenagers should be regarded as “young men and women”. They have their likes and
dislikes and they have self-esteem and dignity which should be respected.
1.3
a) impose
b) revolt
Q2.
A) Distribution of Marks
Title 1 mark
Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper indentation and notes)
2marks
Abbreviations / Symbols (with key) – any four. 1 mark
Suggested Notes:
Title: Physical Education / Importance of Physical Education/ Any other suitable title
1. Phy. Ed. - part of curriculum
1.1 development and care of human body
1.2 sharpens cognitive abilities and motor skills
1.3 maintains physical fitness
2. Benefits / Advantages
2.1enhances physical abilities
2.1.1 maintains personal hygiene and cleanliness
2.1.2 develops muscular strengths
2.1.3 increases stamina
2.2 Character Building
2.2.1 boost in self-confidence
2.2.2 ability to accept defeat
2.2.3 positive attitude
2.2.4 belief in one’s capabilities
2.3 Other Benefits
2.3.1 overcomes obesity, anaemia, bulimia
2.3.2 warns against ill effects of junk food
2.3.3 promotes sound eating habits
2.3.4 hones comm. Skills
2.3.5 sharpens reflexes
3. Participation in team sports
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 3.1 inculcates team spirit
3.2 learn to work together, to be organized & cooperative
4. Other lessons learnt
4.1 imp. of personal hygiene
4.2 maintaining health and wellness
4.3 knowledge of diff. sports
4.4 origin & historical significance of games
Suggested Abbreviations:
Phy. Physical
Ed. Education
imp. Importance
comm. Communication
diff. different
& and

B. Summary The summary should include all the important points given in the
notes.
Content 2 marks
Expression 2 marks

3. POSTER 4 Marks
Format must include caption and issuing authority 1 Mark
Content 2 Marks
Expression 1 Mark

Invitation formal
Format : The format should include: Receiver’s address, Date, Sender’s address,
Salutation, Closing 1 Mark
Content 2 Marks
Expression 1 Mark

4. Letter
4. Letter/ Job Application
Format 1 mark
Content 3 Marks
Expression 2 Mark

5. Article
Format (title and writer’s name) 1 mark
Content 4 marks
Expression 5 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]
162
 OR
Report
Format Heading and Writer’s name (as mentioned in the question) 1 mark
Content 4 marks
Expression 5 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]
6. Speech/ Debate
Format: Opening address and Closing 1 mark
Content: 4 marks
Expression 5 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [2 ½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]

7 (A)
. a) slag heap refers to the waste material of the slums or the wasted bodies of the slum
children
b) by describing their impoverished and filthy bodies and living conditions
c) by helping them improving their lot by taking them out of those slums
d)metaphor

7 (B)
a)Mukesh’s grandmother
b) Her husband or mukesh’s grandfather
c)bangle making
d) extreme poverty and fatalism
8
a)Sahib e Alam means the lord of the universe but Sahib was actually a poor ragpicker
b)garbage is the source of their livelihood and at the same time tapping the imagination
of those children as it is full of mysteries
c)because for years same profession and poverty prevails in each and every household
d)by gifting expensive gifts of gold and diamond rings to the British officer’s wife.
e)because he was afraid that by quoting a low price for the king’s choice he could land
himself in trouble.
f)wanted to marry a girl from some kingdom having a good population of tigers as there
remained none in his kingdom to complete the count of hundred tiger hunts
g)a splinter from the crudely finished toy pierced into maharaja’s hand triggering a
serious infection which ultimately took the life of the maharaja
9
Kalki colours the story 'The Tiger King' with different shades of humour, irony and satire.
He wants to bring the point across that man goes on killing wild animals due to his
whims and sport. He satirizes the irrational behaviour of the Tiger King and his mission
to kill hundred tigers because he had been told that his ' death will come from tiger'.
Ironically, his death comes from tiger, but a wooden toy tiger that he bought for his son.

163
Similarly, many instances evoke humour which include his asking question, as a ten
day's infant to the astrologer about his death, his marrying for sake of getting more
tigers to kill as his state was devoid of tigers. Despite being a king, his sole aim is to kill
hundred tigers and due to that he even risks his kingdom suggesting the British officer to
hunt a boar, a deer or even a mosquito. His gift of diamond rings and British officer's
wife's greed present humour in the story.
OR
Charactersketch of Deewan
The Dewan is a senior courtier but, in reality, holds no authority. He is very scared of the
Tiger King and survives at his mercy. Though he is sensible and experienced but is never
listened to or given any respect by the king. His practical knowledge helped the king to
save his kingdom. When the tiger king refused the British officer to hunt the tiger, it was
Dewan’s idea of gifting diamond rings to his wife to save the kingdom from the wrath of
the British officer.
 Dewan’s efforts to locate and present the hundredth tiger are very comical. When he
got an ultimatum from the King, he brought an old tiger from the circus and placed it in
the forest. The Tiger King shoots this tiger and gets the satisfaction of killing the
hundredth tiger. Though at times, Dewan appears to be foolish, he is practical enough to
save himself.

10
-Firozabad- dominated by bangle industry, most families engaged in making bangles,
work around furnaces, physically and mentally hazardous but no one dares to do
anything else
- Mukesh - aspires to be a mechanic, unlike his peers, dares to dream, determined to
walk to a garage and learn to drive, his passion would help him break away from
tradition and achieve his goal.
Or
Acute poverty ,meagre earning,mind numbing toil leave them shattered and exhausted.
Stigma of caste-hence destined for banglemaking.
Outside forces exploit them.
No leadership.
Poverty is the cry in each house
No schooling for their children.

164
 SAMPLE PAPER NO. 2
ENGLISH (CORE) CLASS XII
TIME ALLOWED :3 HOURS.                Maximum marks: 80

Section A : READING (20 MARKS)

Q1 Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the
appropriate options.  (12marks)
It's not cool to be fat but that has not prevented an obesity epidemic from occurring
among Africa's youth. Childhood obesity increased from 5%in 1964 to about 13%in
1994. Today it is about 20% and still rising. Children on an average spend up to 5 to 6
hours a day involved in secondary activities like watching television, using computer,
playing video games which is partly to be blamed for this escalating rate. Perhaps it
would not matter if they were sufficiently active other times but most of the time they
are not. This life style is a big cause for setting children in danger zone of getting
affected by obesity related problems.

To make matters worse children are bombarded with TV ads from fast food chains and
other purveyors of high fat high sugar meals and snacks. Camouflaged as healthy snacks
or propagating fast food for fast life, these ads promise such miraculous results in short
span of time that not only adults but children are also attracted towards them. Passion
for perfect body shape and physique propagated by media's so called fashion icons is
another reason to be carried away by these ads. These highly effective advertising
campaigns combined with a physically inactive lifestyle, have produced a generation of
kids who are at risk for obesity associated medical conditions. Obesity has become a
common phenomena among children. We are getting obese generation with adverse
health effects.

The major health effect is the early development of type 2 diabetes, particularly in
children with a family history of the disease. In recent data this disease is being
reported even in families of no diabetic history which is surprising and can be credited
to fast food lifestyle. Doctors are reporting surge in young adolescents developing type
2 diabetes which can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, Kidney disease, stroke,
limb amputation and blindness. This data is surprising rather shocking. People who
develop diabetes in adolescence face a diminished quality of life and shortened life span
particularly if the disease progresses untreated. It's a scary prospect for our children but
in many cases obesity and diabetes are preventable if detected and treated in time.
However, unfortunately, in most cases they go undetected and thus untreated.
Diabetes as we all know is a silent killer and our future generations are at high risk of
being in the clutches of this monster.

When children are spending most of their free time sitting in front of television and
computers, they are not outside running and jumping or engaging in team sports that
would keep their weight down. As their weight goes on increasing they are prone to
health risks particularly risk of obese related diseases. Parents need to set a limit on the
165
time their children are engaged in passive activities like watching TV and playing video
games.Parental involvement is a major motivating factor that can bring positive results.
Pediatricians recommend restricting children to one to two hours per day on TV and
computer though older children may need additional time for learning activities. Their
sedentary learning time need to be compensated with physical activity time. They need
to be more involved in games. Parents who are self aware can bring tremendous change
in eating habits of their children and the amount of time they spend glued to TV and
computers.

Parent involvement remains the most important thing in our children's healthy diet as
they are in any case first teachers of their children as far as food habits are concerned. If
they follow a healthy lifestyle, children naturally pick up good habits. Programs to
educate parents about nutrition are essential to bring awareness among children. Fast
food should be consumed only in moderation. Caregivers who are often busy and
harried must avoid the temptation to whisk their kids into fast food restaurants to pick
up fast food for dinner at homes. This gives wrong message to life style habits of
children. Changing eating habits and lifestyle is not easy but the health benefit for our
children is a wonderful payoff for parents willing to take the task. So parents should not
lag behind in playing their role as motivators to their children. They need to participate
in this task with awareness and enthusiasm.
It is high time that a war may be launched against unhealthy food regimen and
sedentary lifestyle habits and our children should be our first target to be freed from
this web. Parents need to be actively involved in this.
Good food habits consciously adopted by parents are far more impactful than preaching
through seminars and lectures to children. If we are serious about the health of our
future generation and fighting obesity epidemic we need to take the responsibility of
adopting healthy lifestyle ourselves.

1.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage complete the following statement by
choosing the correct options.       (1X6= 6)

I) One of the major reasons behind obesity is……………

a. Sedentary Lifestyle
b. Eating fast foods
c. Playing indoor games
d. Studying
ii) early development of type 2 diabetes is normally found in children with
a. Sedentary Lifestyle
b. Strict parents
c. Voracious appetite
d. A family history of diabetes

iii) the most important factor to improve our children's diet……

a. Parental involvement
b. Not watching TV advertisements
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c. Not having fast food
d. All of the above

iv)  Adolescents who develop diabetes may have………. if not treated promptly
a. Poor quality of life
b. Reduced span of life
c. Both a and b
d. Neither a and b.

v)  The word……… in para 1 means ‘inactive’

a. Watching
b. Sedentary
c. Escalating
d. Sitting

vi) The word……… in  para 3 means ‘poorer’

a. Untreated
b. Shortened
c. Threat
d. Diminished.

1.2 On the basis of reading of your passage answer the following questions of complete
the following briefly.   (1X6= 6).
1. How is advertisement responsible for obesity associated medical problem?
2. How is diabetes affecting adolescents?
3. What can type 2 Diabetes lead to?
4. What should parents do in order to keep children's weight in check?
5. ‘lethargic’ is the synonym of ……..in the  second paragraph?
6. The word………... in the last paragraph means ‘within limits.’

4. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. (8)
5. We often make all things around us the way we want them. Even during our
pilgrimages we have begin to look for whatever makes our heart happy, gives
comfort to our body and peace to the mind. It is as if external solutions will fulfill
our needs and we do not want to make any special efforts even in our spiritual
search. Our mind is resource full- it works to find shortcuts in simple and easy
ways.
6. Even pilgrimages have been converted into tourism opportunities. Instead we
must awaken our conscience and souls and understand the truth. Letters not
tamper even with our own nature or that of the Supreme.
7. All our cleverness is rendered ineffective when nature does a dance of
destruction. It's very can and will wash away all imperfections. Indian culture
based on vedic treatises assists in human evolution but we are now using our
entire energy in distorting these traditions according to our convenience instead
of making efforts to make ourselves worthy of them.
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 8. The irony is that humans are not even aware of the complacent attitude they
have allowed themselves to sink to. Nature is everyone's amma and her fierce
blows will sooner or later corner us and force us to understand this truth. Earlier
pilgrimages is to places of spiritual significance were rituals that were
undertaken when people became free from their worldly duties. Even now some
seekers take up the spice religious journey as a path to peace and knowledge.
Anyone travelling with this attitude feels and travels with only a few essential
items that is body can carry. Pilgrims traditionally travelled light, on foot, eating
light, dried chickpeas and fruits or whatever was available. Pilgrims of olden days
did not feel the need to stay in special AC bedrooms or travel by luxury cars for
indulge themselves with delicious food and savouries.
9. Pilgrims traditionally moved ahead creating a feeling of belonging towards all
conveying a message of brotherhood among all they came across weather in
small caves aashram a local settlements. They received the blessings and
congregations of yogii's and mahatma in return while conducting the Dharma of
the pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is like penance or sadhna to stay near nature and to
experience a feeling of oneness with it to keep the body healthy and full filled
with the amount of food while seeking freedom from attachments and yet
remaining happy while staying away from relatives and associates.
10. This is how a pilgrimage should be rather than making it like a picnic by taking a
large group along and living in comfort packing in entertainment and tempering
with environment. What is worse is giving a boost to the ego of having had a
special darshan. Now alms are distributed, Charity done while they brag about
this feature experiences.
11. We must embark on our spiritual journey by first understanding the grace and
significance of a pilgrimage and following it up with the prescribed rules and
rituals. this is what translate into the ultimate and beautiful medium of spiritual
evolution. There is no justification for tampering with nature. A pilgrimage is
symbolic of contemplation and meditation and acceptance and is a metaphor for
the constant growth or movement and love for nature that we should hold in our
hearts.

 
a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using
headings and subheadings. Use recognisable abbreviations wherever
necessary. (4)

b) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes
made and also suggest a suitable title. (4)

Section B Writing ( 30 marks)

168
Q 3.   You are Asmit / Asmita, Head Boy/Head Girl of 'The Indian School'. Write a Notice
for your   school notice Board asking the students to participate in the Science exhibition
to be held in your school. Invent necessary details 
OR
  Design a poster to increase awareness among youth about blindness and the̳
Importance of donating eyes‘.                                 (4 Marks)                            
 
Q.4  You are Krishan/Kiran studying at Hindustan School, Chennai. The road leading to
your school is full of potholes causing a lot of congestion. Students and parents are
often caught in a traffic jam. In spite of several representations to the concerned
authorities of the Chennai Corporation, nothing has been done to improve the
condition. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner of Chennai, requesting him to
take necessary action to solve the problem at the earliest. Also offer your suggestions
for improvement. (within 125-150 words)    (6marks)
Or

 Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper drawing the attention of the concerned
authorities towards the problem of price inflation and the increase in the cost of
commodities for daily use. (Within 125-150 words)        (6 Marks) 

Q 5  Your school is celebrating ‗Anti - Corruption Day‘. Write a speech in 150- 200  
words on the topic ‗Minimization of Human Wants is the only way to cleanse society
of all kinds of corruption.‘ You are Avni / Anuj of class XI.                         
OR
 You are Neeraj/Neerja, Staff Reporter of The Times of India. You have recently
witnessed the grand inaugural    programme of the Indian Premier League-6 (IPL-6) at
Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. Write a report on the event to be published in your
newspaper. (Within 100-120 words)       ( 10 marks)

Q 6 Some people feel that electronic media ( TV news )will bring about the end of print
media (newspapers). What are your views on the issue? Write a debate in 150 to 200
words either for or against this view. You are Rakesh/ Seema. 
Or
Women feel unsafe on the road, at their place of work and even at home. There is an
urgent need to change the male mindset in its attitude towards women. Write an article
on how to make women feel safe in about 150 to 200 words.(10)

Section C Literature (30 marks)

Q 7 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow (1X4= 4marks)

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness, but will keep
169
 A bower quiet for us, and sleep
Full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing.

(i) Name the poem and the poet of these lines.

(ii) How is a thing of beauty  a joy forever?
(iii) What do you understand by 'bower’?
(iv) What kind of sleep does it provide?   (1X4=4)

Q 8 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow (1X4= 4marks)
As he walked along with the money in his pocket he felt quite pleased with his
smartness. He realised, of course, that at first he dared not continue on the public
highway but must turn off the road, into the woods. During the first hours this caused
him no difficulty. Later in the day it became worse, for it was a big and confusing forest
which he had gotten into. He tried, to be sure, to walk in a definite direction, but the
paths twisted back and forth so strangely! He walked and walked without coming to the
end of the wood, and finally he realised that he had only been walking around in the
same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the
rattrap.

1. What smartness the peddler had done?

2. What made him recall his thoughts about the world and rat trap?
3. Why he thought he should avoid public highway?
4. How did the peddler realised that he had lost his way?

Q9 Answer any five of the following questions in 30 to 40 words ( 5x2=10)

a) Why did the ironmaster thought that Edla  should be sent to forge to bring back
the vagabond ?

b) How can we say that Dr Sadao's  father was a traditional and conventional man?

c) Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a

lasting impression on us?
d) How did Hana help Dr sadao?
e) Why did peddler sign himself as captain Von Stahle?
f) Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with peddler?
g) What dilemma did Sadao face about the young White man?

Q10 What is the message of the story Rat trap ?

Or
The character of ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways in the
story rat trap. Do you agree? (6 marks)

170
Q11 Do you think Dr sadao's final decision was the best possible one in the
circumstances he was facing?
Or
What was the reaction of servants in doctors without house when he decided to give
shelter to an enemy in the house.( 6 marks )

--------

SAMPLE PAPER 2 Answer Key and Value Points

1.1 Answer each of the questions given below by choosing the most appropriate
option.    (5X1=5)
(i) -d.    
(ii)-d
(iii)-b
(iv)- b
(v)-d

1.2 Answer the following questions briefly:.  (1X6=6)

(i) before he reaches five years of age.
(ii) the manpower development during the next quarter century you come from the
world's present population of infants children and adolescents.
(iii) the first teacher remains in affected because of ignorance,poor health, lack of
respect and recognition.
(iv) there will be no growth and everything will stagnate.
(v) the rate of progress we be accelerated by educating the womenfolk.
(vi) the fact that the additional income derived from the paid employment of women
provides a logical incentive to restrict the size of the

1.1 Q 2 Ans.
abbreviations
1.

Section C Literature

Q 7 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow (1X4= 4marks)

Ans (i ) poem A thing of beauty Poet John Keats

171
Ans (ii) A thing of beauty is joy forever because its experience soothes us even after it is
gone.

Ans (iii ) Bower means a shady place under the tree.

 
Ans ( iv) It provides a sleep full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing

Q 8 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow (1X4= 4marks)
Ans 1. The peddler had done the smartness of stealing the crofter's money.

Ans 2. The fact that he had been walking around in same part of the forest made him
realise that he had got trapped in to the bait of stealing the crofter's money.
 
Ans 3. He thought of avoiding public highway because he had the fear that Police might
catch him.

Ans 4 When the peddler walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood he
realised  that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest and he had
lost his way.

Q9 Answer any five of the following questions in 30 to 40 words ( 5x2=10)

a) Why did the ironmaster thought that Edla should be sent to forge to bring back
the vagabond?

Ans:  The ironmaster thought that Edla should be sent to forge to bring back the
vagabond because peddler, whom he had thought to be his old friend had refused
his invitation to come to his home. So, hoping that the vagabond would accept his
daughter's invitation he sent his daughter to bring the vagabond home since she
had that virtue of kindness and persuasion.

b) How can we say that Dr Sadao's  father was a traditional and conventional man?

Ans Dr Sadao was a true patriot and took immense pride in Japanese culture and
tradition. He did not want to upset his father, so  he married Hana only after
confirming that she was a Japanese. This suggests that Sadao's father was a very
traditional and conventional man.

c) Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do they make a

lasting impression on us?

 Ans. A thing of beauty makes a lasting impression on us because it is a joy

forever. It makes a lasting impression on that never fades and never passes into
nothingness. It removes the pall of sadness that covers a dark spirits.

172
 d) How did Hana help Dr sadao?

Ans 4 Hana helped Dr Sadao when he was operating upon the soldier and she
nursed  and washed the prisoner herself when the servants refused to do so. She
stood by her husband in all his decisions.

e) Why did peddler sign himself as captain Von Stahle?

Ans The peddler signed himself as captain because Edla had been rather nice to
him and she  treated him with honour that was due to a captain. He got the
opportunity to raise himself and rise above the petty temptations of the world.
So he signed himself as captain.

f) Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with peddler?

Ans: The crofter was so talkative and friendly with peddler because he was
lonely. He lived alone in his cottage without a wife and child or any companion
so he was extremely happy to get the peddler's company.

g) What dilemma did Sadao face about the young White man?
Ans: Sadao  faced the dilemma of treating the white young man as he was an
American soldier and Sadao was Japanese. Sadao was caught in dilemma of
patriotism and being a good human being.

Q 10 What is the message of the story Rat trap ?

 Ans The message conveyed is that all human beings are prone to fall into trap of gaining
material benefits from wrong ways. They have an inbuilt tendency to redeem
themselves. Essential goodness in a human being can be awakened through
understanding,love and kindness. This theme is developed with metaphor of rattrap.
The peddler in story calls the world a big rattrap. He has a negative view about the
world that material benefits like riches and joys, shelter and food and clothing are
temptations that allure  a person to fall into rattrap of the world exactly as the bait of
cheese and attract a rat to fall into the rat trap. Once someone takes debate the world
closes in on him and then everything is lost. Tempted by 30 corners the peddler falls
into the rattrap himself and feels pathetic. The kind, sympathetic,loving and generous
treatment given by Edla helps him get free from rat trap of the world.  

Or
The character of ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways in the
story rat trap. Do you agree?
Ans The ironmaster is a man of power who wished to ship the best iron in the world
from his forge. He mistakenly took peddler to be his old comrade. On the other hand
Edla his daughter sensed something wrong on her very first meeting with the tramp.
However on disclosure of his true identity the reaction of both was quite different. The
iron master felt indignant and cheated while on the other hand his daughter was full of
173
kindness and wanted to keep the tramp home and treat him well for Christmas.she had
more faith in him than her father and was able to appreciate the fact that he had
probably never felt so secure in his life.

Q 11 Do you think Dr sadao's final decision was the best possible one in the
circumstances he was facing?
Ans:  When Dr sadao found the injured soldier he didn't have the idea that he would be
one healing him and taking his care at his home. But later he faced many problems. His
servants refused to wash the soldiers and even refuse to work at his home. Trapped in
the dilemma he reluctantly informed the General and wanted to get away with the
American soldier. When the doctor felt that soldier was recovered enough he decided to
make him escape and he plant his escape himself. This was the best possible thing he
could do in the circumstances he was facing. In this way he could serve both his Nation
and humanity.
Or
What was the the reaction of servants in doctors without house when he decided to
give shelter to an enemy in the house.
Ans The servants in Dr sadao house house revolted openly when he decided to shelter
the enemy in his house. They did not even entered American soldiers' room and did not
want to stay in the same house where the enemy was lodged.  Yummi refused to clean
the soldier. The gardener was upset that doctor sadao had not let the young man bleed
and die. The cook was the most contemptuous of the fact that their master was so
proud of his skill to save life that he saved any person's life even though he was there
enemy.Finally all servants left Dr sadao house house together.

-----

174
 SAMPLE PAPER NO 3(2019-20)
ENGLISH CORE(CODE-301)
CLASS XII
Time Allowed: 3Hrs Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. This paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C. All the sections are
compulsory.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever
necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION – A
READING: 20 Marks

Q1. Read the passage given below:

12
9. How often have you heard people remark: “I’m not like the rest; I’m
different. “How often do people make this assessment of themselves in
varied context? To some extent it is true; all of us are unique, different from
each other. It is heartening to know that no two snowflakes are alike and all
fingerprints are unique. Indeed, very few things in Nature are exactly alike;
each cloud, each flower, tree, every leaf, and even water molecules are
different from each other. Certainly, Nature never meant humans to be
clones of each other. Our DNA, circumstances of birth, culture, upbringing,
influences and exposure- all ensure each individual has striking differences
from another.
10. But we ignore that reality and pour ourselves into readily available casts. We
model ourselves on available leads, become part of groups, and lose our
individual identities. Looking around for affirmations and approvals, we end
up as clones of each other. Drowning the voice of our individual drummer,
we march to tunes that have the stamp of social approval.
11. And yet the niggling voice within sometimes asserts itself, and we declare we
are different. Of course, we are. Each one of us is. But do we really
appreciate or even understand our own differentiators? Do we work upon
175
 and display these to our advantage? “If you only read the books that
everyone is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking”, says
Haruki Murakami in Norwegian Woods. True. And similarly, if you only do
what everyone else is doing, wear what others are wearing, echo opinions
and reflect attitudes you encounter elsewhere – you can only be one of
many!
12. If you wish to lead a life less ordinary, it is important to create your
differentiator and nurture it. Just like a differentiator helps grow or kill a
business, a differentiator for an individual gives him that competitive edge
over others. This is what will make you stand out, be the one who is selected
from amongst many, the cynosure of all eyes in a crowded room. Your
differentiator is what gives you your individual identity, the one thing that
will make you stand out in a sea of ‘others’.
13. To identify your differentiators, focus on understanding and accepting
yourself as you are, without wanting to be someone or something else. This
will help you naturally gravitate towards things that enhance and add value
to you. You will learn to develop skills and use these to your best advantage
without looking around for guidance or waiting for a sign. You will develop
your own individual personalities as well as style statements.
14. It is important to develop your signature style, be it in personality traits,
attitude or style statement. It could be the pursuit of a hobby that lifts you
above the rest, or a philosophy or outlook you display. Step out of boxes you
have been taught to grow up within and explore possibilities beyond.
Consciously attempt to do things in your own unique way. Certain traits
become the hallmark of a profession. Bureaucrats will be pompous;
politicians will be smoothly devious; journalists will be intrusive; clerks
irritable, scientists will be absent-minded; lawyers, argumentative, and
doctors harried! But really, must you? Some are smart enough to consciously
step away from adopting the traits associated with a group or a profession;
they develop their own differentiators and attitudes. These are the ones
instantly marked as ‘different’.
15. But different from what? It is very easy to be different if difference alone is
the agenda. Wear strange clothes, walk in a strange manner, be rude
amongst, polite people and take on an anti-social stance. You are different!
However, being subversive or an object of ridicule is not the point. Nor is the
idea to stand out for the heck of it. Your differentiator has to be real and true
to you, as you understand yourself. Then alone is it enticing and exciting.

176
 16. Remember, in order to be effective, the differentiator has to define you and
your agenda, not be the agenda itself. That will give you a cutting edge over
others and distinguish you from the rest of the world.

1.3. On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer any five of the
questions given below with the help of the options that follow:
(1×5=5)
(g) Human beings are different from each because …………………………
(v) Nature never meant us to be clones
(vi) We are made like snowflakes
(vii) We follow different professions
(viii) Our DNA is wired at birth
(h) Despite being different from one another …………………...
(v) We pour ourselves into a readily available cast,
(vi) Fight for our rights
(vii) We become individual drummers
(viii) We go to nature for support
(i) The work written by Haruki Murakami is …………………….
(v) What everyone else is thinking
(vi) Norwegian woods
(vii) Woods are Norwegian
(viii) Reflect attitudes you encounter
(j) One can know ones differentiator by………………..
(v) Accepting originality
(vi) Imitating others
(vii) Taking tuition
(viii) Practicing Meditation
(k) Your true differentiator is ……………………..
(v) Wearing clothes similar to what others are wearing
(vi) Take an anti-special stance
(vii) Be true and understand yourself
(viii) Be enticing and attractive

(l) ‘Signature Style’ refers to…………

(i) Something unique
(ii) Something similar
(iii) Something dangerous
(iv) Something naughty

177
 1.4. Answer the following questions briefly: (1×5=5)
(i)What gives individuals their striking differences?
(ii)What steps do we take to drown our differences?
(iii)What are the advantages of accepting ourselves as we are?
(iv)What are differentiators?
(v)How can one be an effective personality?

1.3 Pick out a word from the passage which means the same as the following:
(1×2=2)

(iii) Encouraging (para 1)

(iv) Self- important (para 6)

Q.2 Read the passage and answer the questions given below: (8)
1. It seems that there is never enough time in the day. But, since we all get the same 24
hours, why is it that some people achieve so much more with their time than others?
The answer lies in good time management. “Time management” refers to the way that
you organize and plan how long you spend on specific activities. Good time
management requires an important shift in focus from activities to results: being busy
isn’t the same as being effective. (Ironically, the opposite is often closer to the truth.)
Spending your day in a frenzy of activity often achieves less, because you’re dividing
your attention between so many different tasks. Good time management lets you work
smarter – not harder – so you get more done in less time.
2. It may seem counter-intuitive to dedicate precious time to learning about time
management, instead of using it to get on with your work, but the benefits are
enormous. It improves productivity and efficiency. Your reputation as a professional
grows. The stress levels dip and a world of opportunities opens up for you. Your career
advances and important goals are reached.
3. Failing to manage your time effectively can have some very undesirable
consequences. Deadlines are missed and the work flow is not only inefficient but of poor
quality. It dents your reputation as a professional and your career is in in danger of
being stalled. As a result your stress level shoots up.
4. Everyday interruptions at work can be a key barrier to managing your time effectively
and, ultimately, can be a barrier to your success. Think back to your last workday, and
consider for a minute the many interruptions that occurred. There may have been
phone calls, emails, hall way conversations, colleagues stopping by your office, or
anything else that unexpectedly demanded your attention and, in doing so, distracted
you from the task at-hand. Because your day only has so many hours in it, a handful of
small interruptions can rob you of the time you need to achieve your goals and be
successful in your work and life. More than this, they can break your focus, meaning
that you have to spend time re-engaging with the thought processes needed to
successfully complete complex work. The key to controlling interruptions is to know

178
what they are and whether they are necessary, and to plan for them in your daily
schedule.

a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using
headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations. 4
b) Write a summary of the passage in about 100 words. 4

SECTION: B
WRITING SKILLS: 30 Marks
Q3. You are the Principal of ABC Public School, Kochi. Write a notice in not more
than 50 words informing that admissions for the New Session likely to begin in
March. (4 Marks)
OR
Draft a suitable advertisement to be published in a local newspaper for the vacant
post of PA/Stenographer on behalf of the Manager of Wipro Company, Chennai.
Invent necessary details. (50 Words)
Q4. You are Meghan/Maya of class XII of St. Peter School, Pitampura, Delhi. Write a
letter to the Manager of Book World, RK Puram, New Delhi inquiring about the
availability of few books you need for your school library. Write as secretary of
your school library. 120-150 words (6M)
Or
You are Buavik/Bhawna of Class XII of Tejas International School, Vijay Nagar,
Bulandshaher. Write a letter to the Manager of the Sports Store, Meerut,
complaining about a defective sports watch you purchased from their store. Write
as a Sports Secretary of your school. 120-150 words (6M)

Q5. You are Vikranth / Vinitha, a freelance writer much concerned about the
discriminatory treatment of women in the Indian society. Write an article in 150 –
200 words throwing light on this problem and giving suggestions for putting an end
to it. (10 marks)
Or
Write separate debates in 150 words both for and against the motion. The topic of
the debate is “The Right to Education Act is a Realistic and Achievable Goal that
will change the Face of Education in India”. You are Rahul/Harshita.
Q6. You are a student volunteer of National Literacy Mission (NLM) wing of your
school involved in the Adult Literacy Campaign: “Each one, Teach One”. Write out
the speech you would be delivering at each place of your visit. Do not exceed 200
words. (10 Marks)

Or
Write a news report on a road accident you witnessed.

SECTION C (LITERATURE TEXT BOOKS) 30 MARKS`1

179
 Q 7.1 Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow briefly:
(1X4=4)

…and such are daffodils

With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
`Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
(a)How do ‘daffodils’ and ‘rills’ enrich the environment?
(b)What makes the mid forest brake rich?
(c)Find words in the passage which mean: (i) small streams (ii) shelter of thickets
(d)Cooling covert is a (i) simile (ii) metaphor (iii) personification (iv) alliteration

Q.7.2 Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
(1X4=4)
“He won’t believe you – though he’d like to”
(a) Who speaks these words and to whom?
(b) About whom are these words spoken?
(c) In what context are these words spoken?
(d) Name the lesson from which this line has been taken?
Q8. Answer any five of the following questions in 30 – 40 words each : (2 x 5=10)
(a) Did the rattrap maker expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter?
(b) What made the man think that he had fallen into a rat trap?
(c) Why did Dr Sadao treat the American solider even though, it was an unpatriotic act on his
part?
(d) Why did the General spare the American soldier?
(e) In what context does Hana remember the cruel nature of General Takima?
(f) What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink and why does
he call its drink immortal?
(g) What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it
removed?

Q9. Answer the following questions in 120 -150 words:

The peddler thinks that the whole world is a rat trap. This view of life is true only of himself and of
no one else in the story. Comment. Answer in about 120-150 words.                                   
Or
 Describe the peddler?

180
Q10.  : Dr Sadao faced a dilemma. Should he use his surgical skills to save the life of a
wounded person or hand an escaped American POW over to the Japanese police?
How did he resolve this clash of values?
or
Question 2 : Dr Sadao was a patriotic Japanese as well as a dedicated surgeon. How
could he honour both the values?
END OF THE PAPER

MARKING SCHEME SAMPLE PAPER 3 (2019-20)

ENGLISH CORE
CLASS XII
SECTION A
READING: 20 MARKS
1.3. (a) (i) (b) (i) (c) (ii) (d) (i) (e) (iii) (f) (i) (5 marks)
1.4. (i) DNA, circumstances of birth, culture, upbringing, influences and exposure – all
ensure each individual has striking differences from another.
(ii) We model ourselves on available leads, become part of groups, and lose our
individual identities.
(iii) By accepting ourselves as what we are, we will gravitate towards things that
enhance our value. We must stop looking around for affirmations and approvals.
(iv) Differentiators are certain traits that mark a certain group or profession.
(v) Step out of boxes you have been taught to grow up within, and explore
possibilities beyond. Consciously attempt to do things in your own unique way.
(1x5=5 Marks)
1.5. (i) Heartening (ii) pompous (1x2=2 marks)

2.1Suggested Notes: (4 Marks)

Title: Good Time Management or any other relevant title.
I Time mang’nt refers to
1.1 spending time on specific work
1.2 in organized and planned way
1.3 shift of focus from activities to results
1.4 working smartly
1.5 getting more done in less time
II Benefits of time management
1.1 improves productivity n efficiency
181
 1.2 professional reputation grows
1.3 stress level drops
1.4 world of opp. opens up
1.5 career advances & imp goals are reached

III. Bad time management results in

3.1 missing deadlines
3.2 poor quality of work n inefficiency
3.3 denting one’s reputa’n
3.4 stagnation in career
IV Key barriers in time management
4.1phone calls, emails, hallway conversations
4.2 sudden things that demand your attention
V Interruptions can rob you of
5.1 time to achieve your goals
5.2break your focus
VI Key to control interruptions
6.1 to be able to identify what they are
6.2 establish if they are necessary
6.3 plan for such interruptions

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS:
1. Mang’nt = management
2. Opp. = opportunities
3. & = and
4. Imp= important
5. Reputa’n = reputation
2.2 The summary should include all the important points given in the notes. (4 marks)
Content 3 marks
Expression 1 mark

SECTION B
WRITING SKILLS: 30 Marks

A3.
ABC Public School, Kochi
ADMISSION NOTICE
10 February 2020

The admission for the new session shall begin from the first week of March. The
prospectus and admission forms can be purchased from the school office from
15th March to 29th March 2020. The last date for the submission of the duly
filled forms is 30th March 2020.

182
 Principal

Format:1 mark
Content: 2 marks
Expression: 1 mark

OR
SITUATION VACANT
Wanted/ Required a smart, confident, dynamic, and efficient P.A./ stenographer for a leading
company. Only fresh graduates with excellent command over English and computer
operating, age 25-30 years, typing speed 40 wpm, short hand 100 wpm. Preference to those
who have creativity and innovative ideas for planning. Handsome salary with perks. Apply
with detailed C.V./Resume within seven days to the Manager Wipro, Chennai, 4100270

A4. St. Peter’s School

Pitampura

10 October 2019

The Manager
Book World
RK Puram, New Delhi
Sub.: Inquiry regarding availability of required books

Sir
We need some books for our school library. I wish to inquire if those books are
available at your prestigious store.
We would like to purchase two copies of each of the following books :
1. English Class XII
2. Math Class XII
3. Physics Class XII
4.History Class XII
5. Economics Class XII
6. Chemistry Class XII

Kindly reply as soon as possible at the above-mentioned address. Also, please send the
latest catalogue mentioning new arrivals and discounts extended.
Thank you

Yours sincerely
Meghan Chandra
183
(Secretary, School Library, Class XII)

Format :1 mark (1. sender’s address, 2. date, 3. receiver’s address, 4. subject

heading, 5. salutation, 6. complimentary close.)
Content :3 marks
Expression :2 marks (Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [1]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [1])

Or

Tejas International School

Vijay Nagar
Bulandshahar

10 October 2019

The Manager Sports Store

Meerut

Sub.: Defective stop watches purchased on 04 October 2019

Sir

I am writing this to express my extreme displeasure at the quality of the watches I

purchased from your store.
As soon as I reached the school and opened the packet, I realized that two of the four
watches I had purchased were not working. The third one has started giving trouble
since yesterday. The button to stop is quite stiff. Obviously, I am deeply disappointed at
this purchase. Our school’s sport meet is on the Oct 04 ,2019 wherein these watches are
needed urgently.
I was not able to check those watches properly on the day of purchase as I was in hurry.
But the salesman had advised me to buy them and I had trusted him.
I do hope that you would show me some consideration and either repair or replace
these stop watches.

Thank you
Yours sincerely
Bhawna
(Sports Secretary)

A5. Format :1-mark Heading and Writer's Name

Content: 4 marks
184
 Expression :5 marks Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN

By Vikranth

It is a pity that in a country where women are said to be worshipped, there is a

widespread discrimination of them even before they are born. Certain brutal practices
like the female feticide throw light on our attitude. The girl child is a liability and doesn’t
enjoy the privileges of a boy. She is denied the advantage of proper education. The
dowry system haunts parents and the harassment she is subjected to at the in-laws
often force her to commit suicide.

Even in enlightened homes, the woman must live her life under surveillance, if not in
strict ‘purdah’. Working women are physically and verbally abused, denied
opportunities of growth and subjected to discrimination.

Education can empower women to fight for their rights. It is also the responsibility of
the educated society to work for the cause of women. Let she not be worshipped but let
her live a wholesome life.
Or
Answer: For the Motion

Worthy chairperson, secretary and dear students

Today I, Rahul, stand before you to speak for the motion on ‘the right to education Act
(RTE)is a realistic and achievable goal that will change the face of education in India’.

I submit that the RTE makes it obligatory on the state to guarantee the right to
education and ensure compulsory admission, attendance and completion of elementary
education by every child of 6-14years. I feel very strongly that the three basic goals of
RTE will greatly benefit the children coming from poor and marginalized families. These
are

(a) Bringing poor children to school,

(b) Ensuring that all schools meet specified norms, and
(c) Ensuring that all children receive quality schooling.

In my opinion, education and literacy are the keys to many problems faced by the
people. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that today the condition on the
education front is not like what it was when India got get independence.
Seeing all this, I strongly feel that, with the passage of time, RTE will change the face of
India
185
Thank you!

Against the Motion

Worthy chairperson, secretary and dear students

Today I, Harshita, stand before you to speak against the motion ‘the right to education
in a realistic and achievable goal that will change the face of education in India’. There is
no denying the fact that our country has taken some very bold strides in spreading
education. But we must go along to fully change the face of education in our country.

I would like to draw your attention to the wide gap between what is shown to us
through various media and data what is the ground reality. We still see dropouts from
school searching for trinkets in heaps of garbage. There are villages where there are no
school, no teachers and nothing worth the name called ‘a school’.

I don’t think RTE will succeed in its mission unless we change our work culture and
recognize the reality behind facts and figures. I, therefore oppose the motion.

Thank you
A6. MARKING SCHME
Format (opening address and conclusion) :1 mark
Content: 4 marks
Expression: grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [2½ ] coherence
and relevance of ideas and style [2½]

Dear Friends
Good morning to you all
We have all assembled here for a noble cause—a mission to eradicate illiteracy. It is the
dream of the National Literacy Mission to educate all the Indians. We would work
together for an India where EACH PERSON IS LITERATE. Most of the learners are adults
who have a rich experience of life. Therefore, the learning strategies that will be
adopted in our programme will be exploratory and interactive. We should teach as well
as learn. We must keep in mind certain crucial factors……… their experience, wisdom
and maturity while discussing any topic. We should encourage them to talk and express
their views in a frank and fair manner.

We should always keep in mind the OBJECTIVES set for the adult illiterates. We must
make them literates. Inculcate in them a love for reading, writing and arithmetic. Let
them do simple calculations and exult at the right calculations. Health awareness and
job-related problems are the next in order. IT IS ONLY
AFTER A STRONG BRIDGE OF CONFIDENCE IS BUILT that we would be able to create in
them awareness about civil rights, duties, privileges and obligations.
186
When they become confident of their powers, we must create in them social awareness.
Issues like environmental pollution, population control and employment generation can
then be discussed. In short let’s all resolve to make sincere efforts to achieve these
goals.
Thank you.
Or
MARKING SCHME
FORMAT:1-mark Headline and Reporter's Name
Content: 4 marks
Expression :5 marks Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]

24 Killed in Road Accident

(Report By- Jaya Prakash)

Agra, October 10. Twenty-four people were killed in a tragic road accident involving a
truck and Tata Sumo at Najafgarh, a village 14 km from here.
The ill-fated Tata Sumo was carrying a marriage party from Delhi to Mathura. The truck
carrying industrial goods to NOIDA collided head-on with Tata Sumo killing twelve of
them on the spot. The injured were immediately rushed to Dr, RML Hospital where
eight succumbed to injuries.
The Police have registered a case against the truck driver and they are on a man hunt.

SECTION C
LITERATURE TEXT BOOKS: 30 Marks
7.1 a) The daffodils bloom and are surrounded by the green world. The clear stream
and of water create a cooling shelter for themselves against the heat of the sun.
b) The beautiful musk-roses help to make the beautiful forest rich in beauty.
c) (i) clear ‘rills’ (ii) covert
d) alliteration
7.2 a) Geoff says these words to Sophie.
b) About their father
c) He reacted sharply to her account of meeting Danny Casey. Geoff said he met her
in the Arcade. Their father said she was going to put herself into a load of
troubles. Sophie asked Geoff to confirm that it was true. It was then that Geoff
uttered these words.
d) Going Places
8. a)  The peddler was surprised at the kind of hospitality that he received at the
crofter’s home. He was invited inside with a smile and he was made to feel quite
welcome instead of the usual hostile and sour faces that he met. He was served hot
porridge for supper and the crofter shared his pipe tobacco with him. They also played a
game of moulds. Thus the tramp was treated well by the crofter.
b) After stealing the money from the crofter, the tramp turned into the forest. He
wanted to avoid walking on the road. Confused and disoriented by the trees in the
187
forest and the narrow twisting paths, he realized that he was lost. Tired and cold, he lay
down in despair feeling that the forest had transformed into a rattrap. He felt guilty as if
he was caught by the bait
c) : Dr Sadao treated the American prisoner of war because as a doctor, he was trained
to save lives. He could not have let the injured soldier die even though he was his
natural enemy ,as that would have been against his professional ethics.
d) : The General spared the American soldier because he was a selfish man. He thought
of nothing but his own life. He needed Sadao for his operation and he forgot about his
promise in his pain.
e) : Answer : Hana remembered General Takima who at home used to beat his wife
cruelly. She inferred that if he was so cruel with his wife, he would be extremely cruel
with American prisoners.

f) Keats considers nature’s beauty as an endless fountain of immortal drink. He calls this
drink immortal as the pleasure and delight given by it never passes into
nothingness. It only increases with time.
g) John Keats says that pain and suffering are a part of life. These bring us sadness
and despondence. But still, we can find hope. The hope and motivation come from
nature and remove the pall of despondence from our spirits. The beautiful sights
give us inspiration to continue the journey of life.

Ans9 . The peddler doesn’t think kindly of the world and its people. For him, the world is a big rattrap
to trap the people in. The luxuries of the world are the baits that tempt the people to get trapped.
The world has been very unkind to him. So it gives him great pleasure to think ill of it. Ironically, he
finds himself trapped like a rat when he steals the thirty kronor of the credulous crofter.
Subsequently, it leads him to Edla’s home where he receives nothing except kindness. It is true that
this bitter view of the world is his own subjective one. In fact, the world has no dearth of genuinely
kind people like the crofter, Edla and even the ironmaster. All treat him kindly. Edla believes in
compassion and Christian values and eventually touches the goodness in him and helped him see the
world in a positive light.
or
Ans. The peddler was poor and wore shabby ragged clothes. His cheeks were sunken and hunger
shone in his eyes. He was tall, with a long grey beard and a bunch of rattraps dangling on his chest.
Answer 9 : Dr Sadao gives priority to his professional ethics over his patriotism and uses
his surgical skills to save the life of a wounded man even though he belonged to the
enemy’s camp. He rises above narrow prejudices and realises his duty as a doctor. The
surgeon in him instinctively inspires him to operate upon the dying soldier and save his
life. But he is also a responsible and patriotic citizen of his country so he decides to
inform a senior Japanese Army General about the prisoner’s presence in his house and
even agrees to have him killed by the General’s assasins. He even spends three restless
nights waiting for the assassins to carry out their job. But the assassins do not arrive. In
this way, Dr. Sadao is able to resolve the clash of his values and appease his conscience
of having done his duty as a responsible citizen of his country.
OR
Answer  : Dr Sadao was indeed a patriotic Japanese as well as a dedicated surgeon. An
American run away prisoner in a badly wounded condition is washed ashore on
188
Japanese doctor Sadao’s doorstep. The doctor is initially a little hesistant to save the
prisoner’s life when the discovers the latter’s real identity. But being a dedicated
surgeon he decides to treat the enemy soldier. He is able to save the prisoner’s life but
being a patriotic Japanese he informs a senior Japanese Army General about the
prisoner’s presence in his house and even agrees to have him killed by the General’s
assassins. He waits for the assassins to carry out their job but when they do not arrive,
he gives the prisoner his boat and helps him to escape safely thus honouring both the
values that he was a patriotic Japanese as well as a dedicated surgeon.

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN ,CHANDIGARH REGION

SAMPLE PAPER NO 4 2019-20
ENGLISH CORE
CLASSXII
MM: 80 TIME: 3
HOURS
General Instructions:
1. This paper is divided into three sections: A, B & C. (A-20 marks, B-30 marks, C- 30
marks)
2. All the sections are compulsory.
3. Read the instructions very carefully given with each section and question and
follow them faithfully.
4. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
SECTION A READING (20 Marks)

Q.1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
(12marks)

1. Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so
much grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and
time turning him into an immortal personality. He along with his kingdom became a
synonym for valour, sacrifice and patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput kingdom
even before Maharana Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the
cooperation of their nobles and subjects, had established such traditions in the
kingdom, as augmented their magnificence despite the hurdles of having a smaller area
under their command and less population. There did come a few thorny occasions when
the flag of the kingdom seemed sliding down. Their flag once again heaved high in the
sky thanks to the gallantry and brilliance of the people of Mewar.

189
2. The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the
rulers were competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost
continued for 1500 years since its establishment, right from the reign of Bappa Rawal. In
fact only 60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga drove the kingdom to the
pinnacle of fame. His reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two
generations before him Rana Kumbha had given a new stature to the kingdom through
victories and developmental work. During his reign, literature and art also progressed
extraordinarily. Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with
reverence even today The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of
high quality work of art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome of a
longstanding tradition sustained by several generations.
3. The life of the people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous during the
long span of time; otherwise such extraordinary accomplishment in these fields would
not have been possible. This is reflected in their art and literature as well as their loving
nature. They compensate for lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant
nature. The ambience of Mewar remains lovely thanks to the cheerful and liberal
character of its people.
4. One may observe astonishing pieces of workmanship not only in the forts and palaces
of Mewar but also in public utility buildings. Ruins of many structures which are still
standing tall in their grandeur are testimony to the fact that Mewar was not only the
land of the brave but also a seat of art and culture. Amidst aggression and bloodshed,
literature and art flourished and creative pursuits of literature and artists did not suffer.
Imagine, how glorious the period must have been when the Vijaya Stambha which is the
sample of our great ancient architecture even today, was constructed. In the same fort,
Kirti Stambha is standing high, reflecting how liberal the then administration was which
allowed people from .other communities and kingdoms to come and carry out
construction work. It is useless to indulge in the debate whether the Vijaya Stambha was
constructed first or the Kirti Stambha.The fact is that both the capitals are standing side
by side and reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.
5. The cycle of time does not remain the same Whereas the reign of Rana Sanga was
crucial in raising the kingdom to the acme of glory, it also proved to be his nemesis.
History took a turn. The fortune of Mewar – the land of the brave, started waning. Rana
tried to save the day with his acumen which was running against the stream and the
glorious traditions for some time.

1.1 Answer the following questions by choosing the right option: (6 marks)

1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer each of the
questions
given below with the help of options that follow: 1X6=6 Marks

(a) Maharana Pratap became immortal because:

190
(i) he ruled Mewar for 25 years.
(ii) he added a lot of grandeur to Mewar.
(iii) of his valour, sacrifice and patriotism.
(iv) both (ii) and (iii)
(b) Difficulties in the way of Mewar were:
(i) lack of cooperation of the nobility.
(ii) ancient traditions of the kingdom.
(iii) its small area and small population.
(iv) the poverty of the subjects.
(c) During thorny occasions:
(i) the flag of Mewar seemed to be lowered.
(ii) the flag of Mewar was hoisted high.
(iii) the people of Mewar showed gallantry.
(iv) most of the rulers heaved a sigh of relief.
(d) Mewar was lucky because:
(i) all of its rulers were competent.
(ii) most of its people were competent.
(iii) most of its rulers were competent.
(iv) only a few of its people were incompetent.
(e) Who is the earliest king of Mewar mentioned in the passage?
i) Rana Kumbha
ii) Bappa Rawal
iii) Maharana Pratap
iv) Rana sangha

1.2 Answer the following questions briefly (1-2 lines) (4marks)

a) What does the writer find worth admiration in the people of Mewar?
b) How could art and literature flourish in Mewar?
c) How did the rulers show that they cared for their subjects?
d) What does the erection of Vijaya Stambha and Kirti Stambha in the same fort
signify?
e) What was Rana Kumbha's contribution to the glory of Mewar?

1.3. Find the words from the passage which mean the same as the following:
(2marks)

(i) Surprising (para 4)

(ii) Evidence (para 4)

191
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (8
Marks)
1. There is nothing more frustrating than when you sit down at your table to study
with the most sincere of intensions and instead of being able to finish the task at
hand you find your thoughts wandering. However, there are certain techniques
that you can use to enhance your concentration. “Your concentration level
depends on a number of factors,” says Samuel Ghosh, a social counsellor. “In
order to develop your concentration span, it is necessary to examine various
facets of your physical and internal environment,” she adds.
2. To begin with one should attempt to create the physical environment that is
conducive to focused thought. Whether it is the radio, TV or your noisy
neighbours, identify the factors that makes it difficult for you to focus. For
instance, if you live in a very noisy neighbourhood, you could try to plan your
study hours in a nearby library. She disagrees with the notion that people can
concentrate or study in an environment with distractions like a loud television,
blaring music etc. “If you are distracted when you are attempting to focus, your
attention and retention powers do not work at optimum levels,” cautions Ghosh.
“Not more than two of your senses should be activated at the same time,” she
adds. What that means is that music that sets your feet tapping is not the ideal
accompaniment to your books.
3. Also do not place your study table or desk in front of a window. “While there is
no cure for a mind that wants to wander, one should try and provide as little
stimulus as possible. Looking out of a window when you are trying to
concentrate will invariably send your mind on a tangent,” says Ghosh.
4. The second important thing, she says, is to establish goals for oneself instead of
setting a general target and then trying to accomplish what you can in a
haphazard fashion. It is very important to decide what you have to finish in a
given span of time. The human mind recognises fixed goals and targets and
appreciates schedules more than random thoughts. Once your thoughts and
goals are in line, a focused system will follow.
5. She recommends that you divide your schedule into study and recreation hours.
When your study, choose a mix of subjects that you enjoy and dislike and save
the former for the last so that you have something to look forward to. For
instance, if you enjoy verbal skill tests more than mathematical problems, then
finish Maths first. Not only will you find yourself working harder, you will have a
sense of achievement when you wind up.
6. Try not to sit for more than 40 minutes at a stretch. Take a very short break to
make a cup of tea or listen to a song and sit down again. Under no
circumstances, should one sit for more than one and a half hours. Short breaks
build your concentration and refresh your mind. However, be careful not to
overdo the relaxation. It may have undesired effects.
7. More than anything else, do not get disheartened. Concentration is merely a
matter of disciplining the mind. It comes with practice and patience and does not
take very long to become a habit for life.

192
2.1 On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it, using
recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Supply a suitable title. (4marks)
2.2 Make a summary of the above passage in about 80 words.
(4marks)

SECTION B – WRITING (30 Marks)

Q 3. After the rains, cases of dengue, Chikungunya etc. are on the rise in your city. As
Principal, Sunshine Public School Manu Vihar, you have decided to allow your students
to wear full sleeve shirts and trousers in the school for a period of one month. Write the
notice in about 50 words. (4 Marks) OR
Your school is organizing a Public Awareness Exhibition. In connection with it, prepare a
poster to bring home the importance of conservation of electricity. Your school is A.K.
Public School, Green Park, Delhi. (4 Marks)

Q.4 You are living in a village along a national highway. The state roadways bus does
not stop near your village. Write a letter in 125-150 words to the General Manager,
State Roadways requesting a bus stop for your village. Give all the reasons why you
need a bus stop there. You are Omar/Amna, Gopalpur, Dist. Ramnagar.
(6marks)
OR

Read the following advertisement and write an application in response to it. You are
Joseph/ Preeti living at110, Patel Nagar, Ghaziabad. Applications are invited for the post
of a Nursery teacher/PRT in Y.K. International School, Ghaziabad, UP. The candidate
must have a minimum experience of 3 years of teaching at the primary and pre-primary
level. The applicant must have a pleasant and energetic personality. She/he should be
creative and adaptable. Attractive salary. Interested candidates should apply to the
Principal with a detailed resume. (Within 125-150 words)
(6 Marks)

Q 5 .On Teacher’s Day, your Principal has asked you to deliver a speech in the morning
assembly on ‘The role of a teacher in society’. Write your speech in 150 – 200 words.
You are Navtej/Navita.
OR(10 Marks)
More industrial production means availability of more goods, better life style , lower
prices, more jobs, etc. However, a higher standard of living can be achieved only at a
cost — depletion of raw materials and air and water pollution. Write a debate in 150 –
200 words either for or against the motion — ‘Standard of living can be raised, but only
at a great cost’. You are Navtej/Navita. (10 Marks)
Q.6. On the occasion of “Teachers Day” the Honourable PM of India had an interactive
session with students from all over the country through satellite link. Your school also
made special arrangements for the students to view the telecast. Write a REPORT in

193
about150-200 words for your school magazine giving details of the talk and its impact
on you. You are Akshay/ Akshita of Bright land Public School. (10 Marks)
OR

Students of class XII, not only do they prepare for Board examination but also for
entrance examinations. For the sake of preparation they have to divide their time
between the two. How to manage their time, caught between the two goals, becomes a
problem for them. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ‘How should a student
manage his time ?’ You are Navtej/Navita
(10Marks)

Literature section (30. Marks)

Q7 A. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (1X4=4)

And such too is the grandeur of the dooms

We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink
(a) Name the poem and the poet of these lines
(b) Explain: “the grandeur of the dooms”.
(c) What is lovelier than “all lovely tales we have heard or read”?
(d) What is the source of the “endless fountain of immortal drink”?

B Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (1X4=4)
“We must simply tell them that we intend to give him to the police — as indeed we
must, Sadao. We must think of the children and your position.
1)Who is the speaker of the above lines?
2)Who are ‘them’ in the above statement? Specify them.
3)Whom are they talking of giving to the police?
4)What could happen if ‘he’ was not given to the police?

Q 8Answer any five of the following questions.(50 words)

( 5X2=10)

1. Why was Dr Sadao not sent abroad with the troops?

2. How did Sadao and Hana come to know him as an American?
3. Who was the owner of Ramsjo iron Mills? Why did he visit the Mills at night?
4. How did the crofter treat the man with the rattrap? What does it indicate about
him?
5. What memories did Dr. Sadao have of his landlady in America?
6. Who are ‘mighty dead’ In the poem ‘ A Thing of Beauty’?
7. Mention the things of beauty as mentioned by John Keats.
194
Q9.How does “idea of whole world being a rattrap” strikes the mind of Peddler?( 120-
150 WORDS) (6marks)
OR
How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? What makes human beings love life in spite of
troubles and sufferings? (120-150 WORDS)

Q 10. Hatred for enemy is a natural outcome of war. How did doctor Sadao rise himself
above narrow prejudices? (120-150 WORDS
OR
Good human values are far above any other value system. How did Dr Sadao succeed as
a doctor as well as a patriot? (120-150 WORDS) (6marks)

**** End of the Paper ****

MARKING SCHEME SAMPLE PAPER NO 4 2019-20

ENGLISH CORE
CLASSXII

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION A-READING -20Marks

Q1. (12 MARKS)

Ans 1.1
a) ii) he added a lot of grandeur to Mewar.
b) iii) its small area and small population.
c) i) the flag of Mewar seemed to be lowered.
d) iii) most of its rulers were competent.
e) ii) Bappa Rawal is the earliest king of Mewar as mentioned in the passage.
Ans 1.2
a) According to the writer, the loving and pleasant nature of the people of Mewar is
worth
admiration.
b) Amidst aggression and bloodshed, art and literature flourished in Mewar, as it
was the
land of the brave.
c) The rulers showed that they cared for their subjects by allowing people from
other
communities and kingdoms to come and carry out construction work.
d) The erection of Vijaya Stambha and Kirti Stambha in the same fort signify the
closeness between the king and the subjects of Mewar.
e) Rana Kumba gave new stature to the kingdom through victories and
development work
195
1.3(i) Astonishing
(ii)Testimony

Q2.8 marks

2.1 (a) NOTE MAKING Distribution of Marks Title: 1 mark Abbreviations / Symbols
(with /without key) – any four: 1 mark Content (minimum 4 headings and sub-headings,
with proper indentation and notes): 2marks If a student has attempted only summary or
only notes, due credit should be given. 1 mark allotted for the title be given if a student
has written the title. Content must be divided into heading and sub headings . Any title,
main points and sub points may be accepted if they are indicative of the candidate’s
understanding of the given passage, and the notes include the main points, with
suitable and recognizable abbreviations. Complete sentences not to be accepted as
notes. (In such cases ½ –1mark may be deducted from marks awarded to content)
Numbering of points may be indicated in different ways, as long as a consistent pattern
is followed.

Title:- CONCENTRATION ( Any other suitable title ) 1 Mark

Notes:- 2 marks
1 Reason for Frustration

1.1find your thoughts wandering

1.2 incomplete work
1.3 lack of con’trn
2 Techniques to Enhance Concentration.

2.1to examine various facets of environment

2.1.1 physical
2.1.2 in’tnl
2.2 attempt to create conducive env’mt
2.2.1 to focused thought
2.2.2 identify the factors that hinder to focus
2.3 activate only two senses at a time –avoid placing study table in front
of
window .
2.4 establish goals for oneself
2.5 human mind recognises
2.5.1study and recreation hours
2.5.2choose mix of subjects

2.6) try not to sit for more than 40 minutes at a stretch

3 Benefits of Breaks
3.1 build your concentration

196
 3.2 Refresh your mind

2.1.1.1.1.1

1 mark Key to abbreviations

a) Con’trn – Concentration
b) In’tnl - Internal
c) Env’mt – Environment
d) R’ctn - Reaction

Summary 4 marks
The summary should include all the important points given in the notes.

SECTION B- WRITING SKILL(-30 Marks )

Q.3 4 marks
NOTICE
Format The format should include: ISSUING AUTHORITY/ NAME OF THE INSTITUTION,
the word “NOTICE”, HEADING, DATE, and WRITER‟S NAME WITH DESIGNATION. The
candidate should not be penalized if he/she has used capital letters for writing a notice
within or without a box 1
Content 2
Expression 1 OR
POSTER MAKING
Format: 1 mark
Content :2 marks
Expression : grammatical accuracy, spellings: 1 mark Suggested value points :  purpose/
objective  persuasive language-use of slogan/emotional appeal/catchy phrases/jingles
 simple cartoon or caricature  issuing authority (Due credit should be given for the
Q.4 6marks
[Note: -No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given. Credit should be given to
the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas. Use of both the traditional and the
new format is permitted. However, mixing up of the two is NOT acceptable. Word Limit:
120- 150 words.] Format :1 mark (1. sender’s address, 2. date, 3. receiver’s address, 4.
subject heading, 5.salutation, 6. complimentary close.)
Content :3 marks
Expression :2 marks (Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [1]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [1])
Suggested Value points

E-11, Gopalpur

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Dist. Ramnagar
Uttarakhand
9 March 2017
General Manager
State Roadways
Uttarakhand
Dear Sir
Subject: Request to set up a bus stop in our village
With reference to the above mentioned subject, I would like to draw your attention
towards
the requirement of a bus stop. I am a resident of Gopalpur and there is no bus stop in
our village. The setting up of a bus stop will facilitate all the people in the village as it will
make going to school possible for children and reaching office for adults. It will also give
us access to the government hospital for the patients who cannot be treated in the
village hospital. I humbly request you to look into the matter and take the necessary
actions.
Yours sincerely
Amna

OR
Application for job
(covering letter-reference to the advertisement—conveying suitability for job—biodata
—as enclosed including short profile, educational & professional qualifications and
experience)

Q.5 SPEECH 10 marks

Format (opening address and conclusion): 1 mark
Content :4 marks
Expression: 5 marks Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½] Word Limit: 150- 200 words
Suggested Value Points
(THE ROLE OF A TEACHER IN SOCIETY)
– role / place of teacher in society - past
– present day role of teachers
– complex role - educator / facilitator
– builder of nation
– according to ancient literature Guru held in high esteem
– teacher transforms child into thinking, responsible, useful citizen
– teacher plays significant role in shaping individuals, thus shaping society
(any other relevant point

OR
DEBATE
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 Format :1 mark - topic introduction, addressing the audience, mention for /against the
motion , 'Thank you' at the end
Content: 4 marks - total agreement or disagreement – relevant information addressing
the issue, current situation, reasons in favour or against, possible suggestions
Expression :5 marks Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [2½ ]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½] Word Limit: 150- 200 words
STANDARD OF LIVING CAN BE RAISED, BUT ONLY AT A GREAT COST)
Note: Student’s view to be expressed either for or against the topic
For:
increase in industrial production:
– more quality goods
– better life
– lower prices
– more jobs
Against:
– depletion of raw material
– air / water pollution
– responsibility to keep earth safe and healthy for future generations
(any other relevant details)

Q.6. REPORT WRITING 10 marks

Format :1 mark Headline and Reporter's Name
Content: 4 marks
Expression :5 marks Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½] Word Limit: 150- 200 words
OPTION I (An Inspiring Talk/ any other relevant heading)
Suggested Value Points
– Message for students
– impact on you
– detailed description of the interaction
 motivation,
 difficulties,
 how they were overcome,
 sense of achievement, satisfaction

– any other relevant detail

OR
ARTICLE WRITING
Format :1 mark Heading and Writer' name
Content:4 marks
Expression :5 marks Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½] Word Limit: 150- 200 words Suggested
value points:
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(HOW SHOULD A STUDENT MANAGE HIS TIME? / any other
suitable heading )
– managing time a long term goal for Board and competitive exam
– proper division of syllabus according to available time
– fixing realistic achievable goals and implementation
– not compromising on sleep / physical activities
– giving both exams equal importance
(any other relevant points)

SECTION D –LITERARY TEXT BOOKS-30Marks

Q 7 8 marks
[This question has been designed to test the students’ understanding of the text and
their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the questions based on the given
stanza. In other words, it attempts to test their reading comprehension ONLY.] Value
points:

A 1 (a) Poem- A Thing of Beauty. John Keats

(b) The magnificence that we imagine for our mighty dead forefathers on the
doomsday.
(c) The beauty of daffodils, rills and musk rose is more enchanting than all lovely
stories that we have heard or read.
(d) The endless fountain of nectar (immortal drink) pours into us from the heavenly
bliss of nature.

Q7 B
1 Hana
2 Servants
3 Tom
4 They will be arrested/considered traitors/defamed

Q8 .10 marks
Short answer type questions ( Answer any Five) Questions are to be answered in 30-40
words. Distribution of marks: Content: 1 marks Expression:1mark (deduct ½ mark for
two or more grammatical/spelling mistakes)
Value points

1 He was not sent abroad for two reasons. He had perfected a discovery which would
render wounds entirely clean. Moreover, the General was in some sort of danger and
might have needed an operation and Dr Sadao was the most skilled doctor available.
2 . They examined his battered cap closely and realized that he was a sailor from an
American warship. The words `U.S Navy’ was written on the cap in almost faint lettering.
They realized that he was an escaped prisoner of war.
3. Ironmaster was the owner of the mill. Had ambition to ship out good iron. Had come
to inspect Mills at night.
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4 The crofter , a retired workman, lives isolated, happy to see the peddler, shares his
meal, plays mjolis with him, confides about his earning. Generous, kind hearted and
clear hearted.
5. Dr. Sadao recalled –his land lady ,fat, dirty and old –agreed to keep him as a tenant-
her house miserable-had taken care of him when he was sick.
6. Patriots/freedom fighters/ those who sacrifice their life for a good cause
7. this things/objects of nature which gives us experience that is peaceful-Sun ,Moon,
Tress -young and old, daffodils, sheep

Q 9 6 marks

[These questions have been set to test the students' understanding of the text and their
ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the issues raised therein. Hence no
particular answer can be accepted as the only correct answer. All presentations may be
accepted as equally correct provided they have been duly supported by the facts drawn
from the text. The important thing is that the student should be able to justify his or her
viewpoint.] Distribution of marks: Content:3 marks Expression: 3 marks Grammatical
accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [1½] Coherence and relevance of ideas and
style [1½]

Value points
Peddler sells small rattrap .struck the idea of whole world being a rattrap. World full of
riches and joys. Anyone tempted to touch the bait it wrapped him and brought
everything to an end.
Or
A thing of beauty is a joy forever as its loveliness increases through recollection and
contemplation. It is a perennial source of pleasure that ensures good health and quiet
breathing; that brings relief in our painful existence.  In spite of troubles and sufferings
human beings love life because there are some beautiful things that move away the
gloom from the depressed minds. The beautiful things in nature like the moon, the sun,
the trees, the ferns and the daffodils bring happiness and reduce human’s sufferings. 
Q10 6 marks
Value points
In war time ,enemy hatred is a natural outcome-Dr. Sadao rose above narrow prejudices
– behaved in an exemplary manner – he saw the enemy soldier – set aside petty issues
and let humanity come to the fore – he not only treated the soldier but also helped
him escape.

Or
Fate put Sadao in a trying situation—to uphold his duty to his country or prove his
professional loyalty. With his intelligence and dedication, he managed to prove that he
could uphold both. Dr Sadao had given a new lease of life to the American prisoner of
war. He didn’t want to throw him into the jaws of death again. He asked the young
soldier to take his private boat at night. He should row in the cover of darkness to a
little-deserted island nearby. The young American could live there until he saw a Korean
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fishing boat pass by. Food, bottled water and two quilts were put inside the boat. If the
food ran out, he could signal two flashes.
 He had apprised the General of his harbouring the enemy at his home. The General
chose to overlook it. But we shouldn’t forget that Sadao was a doctor. And for a doctor
saving a dying man is the foremost priority. It doesn’t matter if the dying man is an
enemy.

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN ( RO CHANDIGARH)

SAMPLE PAPER NO 5
CLASS XII ENGLISH (Core)

Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 80

General Instructions :
(i) This paper is divided into three sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.
(ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary.
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them.
(iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
(iv) You may attempt any section at a time.
SECTION A — (Reading)
VEGETATION
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. That large animals require luxuriant vegetation has been a general assumption that
has passed from one work to another, but I do not hesitate to say that it is completely
false and that it has vitiated the reasoning of geologists on some points of great interest
in the ancient history of the world. The prejudice has probably been derived from India,
and the Indian islands, where troops of elephants, noble forests, and impenetrable
jungles, are associated together in everyone’s mind. If, however, we refer to any work of
travels through the southern parts of Africa, we shall find allusions in almost every page
either to the desert character of the country or to the numbers of large animals
inhabiting it. The same thing is rendered evident by the many engravings, which have
been published of various parts of the interior.
2. Dr Andrew Smith, who has lately succeeded in passing the Tropic of Capricorn,
informs me that, taking into consideration the whole of the southern part of Africa,
202
there can be no doubt of its being a sterile country. On the southern coasts, there are
some fine forests, but with these exceptions, the traveller may pass for days together
through open plains, covered by poor and scanty vegetation. Now, if we look to the
animals inhabiting these wide plains, we shall find their numbers extraordinarily great,
and their bulk immense.
3. It may be supposed that although the species are numerous, the individuals of each
kind are few. By the kindness of Dr Smith, I am enabled to show that the case is very
different. He informs me, that in lat. 24′, in one day’s march with the bullock-wagons, he
saw, without wandering to any great distance on either side, between one hundred and
one hundred and fifty rhinoceroses – the same day he saw several herds of giraffes,
amounting together to nearly a hundred.
4. At the distance of a little more than one-hour’s march from their place of
encampment on the previous night, his party actually killed at one spot eight
hippopotamuses and saw many more. In this same river, there were likewise crocodiles.
Of course, it was a case quite extraordinary, to see so many great animals crowded
together, but it evidently proves that they must exist in great numbers. Dr Smith
describes the country passed through that day, as ‘being thinly covered with grass, and
bushes about four feet high and still more thinly with mimosa-trees.’
5. Besides these large animals, anyone the least acquainted with the natural history of
the Cape has read of the herds of antelopes, which can be compared only with the
flocks of migratory birds. The numbers indeed of the lion, panther, and hyena, and the
multitude of birds of prey, plainly speak of the abundance of the smaller quadrupeds:
one evening seven lions were counted at the same time prowling round Dr Smith’s
encampment. As this able naturalist remarked to me, the carnage each day in Southern
Africa must indeed be terrific! I confess it is truly surprising how such a number of
animals can find support in a country producing so little food.
6. The larger quadrupeds no doubt roam over wide tracts in search of it; and their food
chiefly consists of Underwood, which probably contains much nutriment in a small bulk.
Dr Smith also informs me that the vegetation has a rapid growth; no sooner is a part
consumed, than its place is supplied by a fresh stock. There can be no doubt, however,
that our ideas respecting the apparent amount of food necessary for the support of
large quadrupeds are much exaggerated. The belief that where large quadrupeds exist,
the vegetation must necessarily be luxuriant is the more remarkable because the
converse is far from true.
7. Mr Burchell observed to me that when entering Brazil, nothing struck him more
forcibly than the splendour of the South American vegetation contrasted with that of
South Africa, together with the absence of all large quadrupeds. In his Travels, he has
suggested that the comparison of the respective weights (if there were sufficient data)
of an equal number of the largest herbivorous quadrupeds of each country would be
extremely curious. If we take on the one side, the elephants hippopotamus, giraffe,
boscaffer, elan, five species of rhinoceros; and on the American side, two tapirs, the
guanaco, three deer, the vicuna, peccari, capybara (after which we must choose from
the monkeys to complete the number), and then place these two groups alongside each
other it is not easy to conceive ranks more disproportionate in size.

203
8. After the above facts, we are compelled to conclude, against the anterior probability
that among the Mammalia there exists no close relation between the bulk of the
species, and the quantity of the vegetation, in the countries, which they inhabit.
Adapted from: Voyage of the Beagle, Charles Darwin (1890)
 1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer each of the
questions given below with the help of options that follow:
(a) the author is primarily concerned with
(i) discussing the relationship between the size of mammals and the nature of
vegetation in their habitat
(ii) contrasting ecological conditions in India and Africa
(iii) proving that large animals can do without food
 (iv) describing the sizes of animals in the different parts of the world
(b) According to the author the prejudice has led to (para1)
(i) errors in the reasoning of the biologists
(ii) false ideas about animals in Africa
 (iii) incorrect assumptions on the part of geologists
(iv) doubts in his mind
 (c) The flights of migratory birds (para 5) are mentioned to
 (i) describe an aspect of the fauna of South Africa
(ii) illustrate a possible source of food for the large carnivores
 (iii) contrast with the habits of the antelopes
(iv) suggest the size of antelope herds
 (d) Darwin quotes Burchell’s observations in order to
(i) counter a popular misconception
(ii) describe a region of great splendour
 (iii) prove a hypothesis
(iv) illustrate a well-known phenomenon
(e) Chose word from the para 7, which is antonym of ‘simplicity’:
(i) disproportionate
(ii) splendour
(iii) quadrupeds
(iv) curious
1.2 Answer the following questions briefly in your own words:
a. What was the prejudice that had affected the reasoning of the geologists?
b. Why does Dr Smith regard Africa as a sterile country?
c. What is the ‘carnage’ referred to by Dr Smith?
d. What does Darwin refer to when he remarks, ‘if there were sufficient data’?
e. What does the author conclude from the observations of Dr Smith and Dr
Burchell?
1.3 Find words from the passage, which mean the same as each of the following:
a. dense (para 1)
b. barren (para 2)

2. . Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (8 marks)

204
It is worth saying something about the social position of beggars, for when one has
consorted with them, and found that they are ordinary human beings, one cannot help
being struck by the curious attitude that society takes towards them. People seem to
feel that there is some essential difference between beggars and ordinary "working"
men. They are a race apart--outcasts, like criminals and prostitutes. Working men
"work," beggars do not "work"; they are parasites, worthless in their very nature. It is
taken for granted that a beggar does not "earn" his living, as a bricklayer or a literary
critic "earns" his. He is a mere social excrescence, tolerated because we live in a humane
age, but essentially despicable.

Yet if one looks closely one sees that there is no essential difference between a beggar's
livelihood and that of numberless respectable people. Beggars do not work, it is said;
but, then, what is work? An accountant works by adding up figures. A beggar works by
standing out of doors in all weathers and getting varicose veins, chronic bronchitis, etc.
It is a trade like any other; quite useless, of course--but, then, many reputable trades are
quite useless. And as a social type a beggar compares well with scores of others. He is
honest compared with the sellers of most patent medicines, high-minded compared
with a Sunday newspaper proprietor, amiable compared with a hire-purchase tout--in
short, a parasite, but a fairly harmless parasite. He seldom extracts more than a bare
living from the community, and, what should justify him according to our ethical ideas,
he pays for it over and over in suffering. I do not think there is anything about a beggar
that sets him in a different class from other people, or gives most modern men the right
to despise him. Then the question arises, Why are beggars despised?--for they are
despised, universally. I believe it is for the simple reason that they fail to earn a decent
living. In practice nobody cares whether work is useful or useless, productive or
parasitic; the sole thing demanded is that it shall be profitable.

In all the modem talk about energy, efficiency, social service and the rest of it, what
meaning is there except "Get money, get it legally, and get a lot of it"? Money has
become the grand test of virtue. By this test beggars fail, and for this they are despised.
If one could earn even ten pounds a week at begging, it would become a respectable
profession immediately. A beggar, looked at realistically, is simply a businessman,
getting his living, like other businessmen, in the way that comes to hand. He has not,
more than most modern people, sold his honor; he has merely made the mistake of
choosing a trade at which it is impossible to grow rich.
by George Orwell (1933)
a) On the basis of your reading of the passage, make notes on it using
recognisable abbreviations wherever necessary (Min 4) use a suitable format.
Supply an appropriate title. 4
b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. 4
SECTION B — (Advanced Writing Skills) 30
3. Mr. Virendra Sehwag, who was to deliver a talk to help the cricket players to do
well in the game is not able to come on the given day. Write a notice in about 50

205
words informing the students about the new date on which he is coming. You are
Gopal/Garima, Secretary Sports Club, Uday School, Green Park, Kanpur. 4 marks
OR
Your old friend, Suresh Upreti has invited you to join him on his 10th marriage
anniversary. Unfortunately, you are not able to attend the function. Write a reply to
the invitation in about 50 words expressing your inability to be present on the
occasion. You are Gitika/Ganesh, 10, Pandit Nagar, Nashik.

4. You are Rodrigues/Maria, Bursar of Sea View Senior Secondary School, Vasco da
Gama. Your school needs to formulate and submit an evacuation plan by the end of
the month. You are clueless about how this is to be done. You write a letter in 120 –
150 words to the State Disaster Management Authority, Goa asking them for advice
and help on how to formulate a disaster evacuation drill for 1500 students. 6 marks
OR
The Gandhi Foundation is recruiting graduates for an intensive leadership-training
programme during the summer, in villages across India. You are Anjana/Benji from
21, Ratnapur Village, Bilaspur. You are very excited to see the advertisement and
decide to apply for the same. Draft a letter in 120 – 150 words applying for the
advertised programme. Include a biodata showing how suitable you are for the
training.

5. Air pollution in our cities is increasing alarmingly. According to environmentalists,

vehicles are one of the major contributors to air pollution. They recommend use of
public transport by private vehicle owners. People in general are willing to switch
over from private to public transport if there is a good system in place. Write an
article in 150 – 200 words on the topic, ‘Importance of an efficient public transport
system’. You are Raghu/Ragini. 10 marks
OR
It is true that water will become a scarce commodity in the near future. We are
notorious for wasting water. We waste water during weddings. We waste water at
our homes and also at our schools. Write a speech in 150 – 200 words on the topic,
‘Water is precious; use it wisely’ to be delivered in the school morning assembly.
You are Govind/Govindi.

6. The eminent psychologist, Dr. Madhumita was invited by your school authorities
to speak to the students on the topic, ‘How to maintain robust mental health’. She
delivered a lively speech without using any medical technical terms. After the
lecture the students asked many questions especially about how to cope with stress
during examinations. Dr. Madhumita addressed their concerns very patiently and
206
 gave them some very useful tips. Write a report in 150 – 200 words for your school
magazine describing the session with the psychologist. You are Noor/Hilal Head-
girl/Head-boy, National School, Sonepat. 10
OR
The Nilgiris Senior Secondary School is holding an interschool debate on the topic,
‘School bullies are a menace; they should be expelled’. You will be participating
from your school in the debate. Write your debate in 150 – 200 words choosing a
stand for or against the motion.

SECTION-D (TEXT BOOK)

Ques. 7. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
A) ……….but soon
put that thought away and
looked out at young
trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes…………… (1x4=4 marks)
(a) Which thought did the poet put away?
(b) What do the ‘sprinting trees’ signify?
(c) What are “the merry children spilling out of their homes”, symbolic of?
(d) Why does the poet make use of the images of ‘young trees sprinting’ and ‘merry
children spilling’?
B) How it must have broken his heart to leave it all, poor man; to hear his sister moving
about in the room above, packing their trunks! For they must leave the country the next
day.
a) Who are they here? (4 marks)
b) Why is “His” heartbroken?
c) Why do they have to leave the country?
d) Who is packing the trunks?
Ques. 8 Answer any FIVE of the following questions in 30-40 words:
a) Who did M Hamel blame for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like
Franz?
b) What were Kamala Das, fears as a child? Why do they surface when she is
going to the airport?
c) How did M Hamel say farewell to his students and the people of the town?
d) Why does Charley feel that Grand Central is growing like a tree?
e) How does Charley describe himself?
f) What is a first day cover?
g) Describe Galesburg, as it existed in the year 1894?

QUES. 9 Answer any one of the following questions in 120-150 words:

“It was so warm, so bright ........... birds were chirping ...... The Prussian soldiers were
drilling ............ It was all much more tempting”. In the present scenario / times there
are more distractions (malls, i-pads, facebook etc). The will to resist is the only solution.
Explain with reference to the lesson ‘The Last Lesson’.
207
 OR
Mr. Hamel becomes an honest role model for the students on the day of the last
lesson. How does a teacher play a constructive role in the life of the students in the
present times.

QUES. 10 Answer any one of the following questions in 120-150 words:

Elaborate the theme of the story ‘The Third Level’.
OR
 Imagination is a ‘temporary refuge from reality’ Explain with reference to the story ‘The
Third Level’.

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN ( RO CHANDIGARH)

CLASS XII ENGLISH
SAMPLE PAPER NO 5 MARKING SCHEME
SECTION A READING (20)
Ans. 1
1.1 (a) (i);              (b) (iii);
(c) (iv);             (d) (i) (e) (ii)
1.2 (a) The prejudice that affected geologists was their tendency to associate large
animals with lush vegetation. It probably arose from the case of India where this was
the case.
 b) During his travels across the southern half of Africa, Dr Smith noted that though
there were some forests along the coast, the entire interior of the continent was
covered by plains with scanty vegetation. This made him view it as a sterile country.
(c) The carnage referred to by Dr Smith is the amount of food that would have to be
hunted to sustain a large number of carnivorous animals he had seen in southern Africa.
 (d) He is talking about the possibility of comparing the weights of herbivores found in
South America and in South Africa. However, such data was not available.
(e) He came to the conclusion that there is actually no direct relation between the
number of animals, and the quantity of vegetation in an area, as had been believed
earlier.
 1.3 (i) impenetrable/luxuriant           (ii) sterile

208
Ques 2. If a student has attempted only summary or only notes due credit should be
given
A title given anywhere 1 mark to be allotted
Minimum 3 main headings and maximum 6
The notes provided below are just guidelines. Any other title, heading or subheading can
be
accepted if they are indicative of the student’s understanding of the passage. Notes
must include main points and abbreviations. Complete sentences should not be
accepted as notes.
NOTE MAKING
Distribution of marks
Abbreviations/symbols with /without key-any four [1 mark
Title [1 mark
Content [3 marks
Suggested Notes
Title: Why despise Beggars ? (or any other title)
1.—Pub. Opinion on beggars KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS
1.1—very diff. from ‘working’ men 1. Pub---- public
1.2—likened to criminals & prostitutes 2. &-- and
1.3—do not ‘work’ 3. b/w--- between
1.4—Social Excrescence, despicable 4. B’coz--- because
2-- Diff. b/w beggar & others 5. Mist. --- mistake
2.1—Accountant Works with figures
2.2—beggars stand in bad weather
2.3—Beggar exposed to varicose veins, chronic bronchitis
2.4—more honest, harmless
3—Why despise ?
3.1—B’coz. fail to earn decent living
3.2—don’t earn lot of money
3.3--Never sells his honour
3.4—Only mist. Chose a trade where can’t grow rich

Summary
The summary should include all the points given in the notes.
Content [ 2 marks
Expression [ 1 mark
( above 90 words deduct ½ mark)

QUES 3 NOTICE 4 Marks

Format- The format should include: Name of the organization / Name of the institution,
the word “NOTICE”, Heading, Date, and Writer’s Name with designation.
1 Mark Content
2 Marks Expression
1 Mark Title: Change in programme / Any other appropriate title
209
Suggested Value Points  Change of date of talk by Virendra Sehwag  Previous schedule
 Reason for change due to unavailability  Details of the changed programme  Any
other relevant detail
Or –
QUES 3 REPLY TO INVITATION 4 Marks
Format 1 Mark ---- The format should include: Sender’s address, Date, Salutation,
Closing
Content- 2 Marks , Expression - 1 Mark ,
Suggested Value Points :  Expressing gratitude for the invitation to marriage
anniversary  Extending wishes on the occasion  Regret about inability to attend 
Reason
QUES 4 LETTER WRITING [NOTE: No marks are to be awarded if only the format is
given. Credit should be given for the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas. ] 6
Marks
Format 1 mark. (1. Sender’s address, 2. Date, 3. Receiver’s address, 4.
Subject/Heading, 5. Salutation, 6. Closing)
Content 3 Marks (Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style) 2 Marks

Suggested Value Points:  Introduction

 Need for submission of evacuation plan
 Expressing inability to work out
 Seeking advice on how to formulate disaster evacuation drill
 Request for prompt reply
 Any other relevant point(s)
Or
Application for Job
Suggested Value Points:  Reference to the advertisement (optional)  Post applied for 
Suitability for the post  Request for the response  Any other relevant detail [Note:
Resume/ Biodata can be part of the letter or written separately]
Format of Resume: Name, DOB, Address, Contact details, Educational & Professional
Qualification, Experience, References, Signature with date

Q5,Q6 ARTICLE / SPEECH / DEBATE 10 Marks Format 1 Mark Content 4 Marks

Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2 ½] Coherence
and relevance of ideas and style [2 ½] 5 Mar

QUES.5 ARTICLE Title: Efficient Public Transport System

Suggested Value Points:  Introduction: Reason for poor air quality, need to switch over
to public transport, better public transport system required, provides safety,
accountability, low cost options, encourages community feeling
 Economical, safe and energy efficient
 Contributes to healthier environment, improves air quality
 Reduces fuel consumption
 Expands business development and work opportunity
210
 Safe and efficient evacuation in emergency situations
 Reduces traffic congestion
 Increases mobility and connectivity
 Conclusion
Any other relevant point(s)

SPEECH Suggested value points:

 Salutation
 Need for water conservation
 Consequences of water scarcity
 Judicious use of water
 Ways to save water for the future generation
 Water conservation, rain water harvesting, recycling, water channelization and
purification for use
 Conclusion

(Any other relevant information)

QUES6. REPORT 10 Marks Format: Title, Reporter’s name 1 Mark Content 4

Marks Expression Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2 ½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2 ½] 5 Marks Report on the
Session on how to maintain robust mental health

Suggested Value Points:

 What - name of the session and topic of the day
 When - day , date, time
 Where – Venue
 Target audience – students, teachers and parents
 Highlights - Resource person, Tips given on how to cope with stress more specifically
during exams: physical fitness, systematic study plan, revision, Yoga, meditation,
recreation, message conveyed etc
 Audience interaction
Any other relevant details

Or
QUES. 6 DEBATE Note:
- No title is required. - In case a candidate gives a title, no mark to be awarded to it and
if a candidate does NOT give a title, no mark to be deducted, either
Suggested Value Points:
For the motion :  Tarnish school’s image
 Cause indiscipline
 Threat to other students  Spread fear and anxiety in school
 Lead to physiological disorder  Vandalism
Against The motion  Matured and professional dealing with bullies
 Psychological guidance and counselling
211
 Sympathetic, empathetic and corrective attitude
 Juvenile delinquents need to be given chance and inspired to go positively
 They too have a right to learn  Need of understanding the causes of their behavioural
disorders
 Help them enter the mainstream
Any other relevant points
Ans 7. A
(a) The poet put away the thought of the-distressing reality of her mother getting old
and of her impending death.
(b) The ‘sprinting trees’ signify time that has passed at a fast pace.
(c) The merry children epitomise bubbly youth. They represent the exuberance and
liveliness of young age
(d) The poet makes use of these images to emphasise the contrast between old age
and youth.
B. a) M. Hamel and his sister
b) M. Hamel’s heart is broken as he has to leave the country the next day.
c) … because the Prussian soldiers had announced that in the districts of Alsace and
Lorraine, German would be taught instead of French and M. Hamel was a French
teacher.
d) M. Hamel’s sister.
Answer 8:
a)  M Hamel blamed himself for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz.
He himself was not quite regular and took leave whenever he needed it, which
reflected on the behaviour and studies of the students. He also blamed their
parents for not taking interest in their education.
b)  As a child Kamala Das was insecure about losing her mother just as all young
children often are. The same feelings are evoked inside her while she is on the way
to the airport, as she sees her mother’s pale face, which is a sign of her old age and
impending death.
c)  At the end of his ‘Last Lesson’,. M Hamel stood up to say farewell to his students
and the people of the town. He tried to speak, but overwhelming emotion choked
his voice. He then wrote as large as he could on the blackboard ‘Vive La France’;
then he dismissed the class with a gesture with his hand.
d) Charley had been on the station for long
=  But each time he bumped into new doorways, stairs and corridors
= Once had entered a long tunnel and came out near Roosevelt hotel.
e) Charley describes himself as just an ordinary guy, thirty-one years old. He wore a
tan gabardine suit and a straw hat with a fancy band. He was just like other men he
passed on the road and he was not trying to escape from anything.
f) When a new stamp is issued, stamp collectors buy some and use them to mail
envelopes to themselves on the very first day of sale; and the postmark proves the
date. They’re never opened; they just put blank paper in the envelope. The
envelope is called a first-day cover.

212
 g) Galesburg was a wonderful town with big old frame houses, huge lawns, and
tremendous trees whose branches met overhead and roofed over the streets. In
1894, summer evenings were twice as long, and people sat on their lawns, the men
smoking.
Ans. 9 Value Points: i. Helps in evading distractions. ii. Provides focus to life‟s aim. iii.
Strength of character. iv. Nurturing the will to resist by guidance and counselling.
OR
Value Points: i. Friend, philosopher and guide. ii. Strength of character. iii. Motivates. iv.
Model behaviour. v. Use of modern- technology in education.
Ans. 10 Value Points- The story primarily focuses on the atrocities of the modern world
– full of insecurity, stress, fear, war & hatred – one feels caged – by modern
advancement – leads to tension and worries – leading people to look for means of an
escape. In the story Charlie – creates the third level to seek refuge – cases his pressure –
provide sweet power to relax.
OR
Value points:
 Believed it was a waking dream, perhaps wish fulfilment.
 Felt that like many man in the modern world Charley too was unhappy.
 Modern world is full of trials and tribulations, worries and insecurities.
 Felt Charley wanted to escape this world.
 People indulge in some sort of hobby to escape the stark harsh realities.
 Even stamp collecting was a kind of temporary escape.
 Charley refuted his contention- said people do not wander about due to stress.
 Besides his grandfather had also collected stamps in the good old peaceful days
of eighteen-nineties and did not need to escape as life was quite stress free in
those days.

SAMPLE PAPER NO 6
CLASS XII
SUBJECT---ENGLISH (CORE)
SESSION 2019-20

Time allowed: 3 Hrs Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:
1. This paper is divided into three sections:A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever
necessary. Read theseinstructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

213
 Section A Reading 20 Marks
Q1. Read the passage given below. 12
1. We sit in the last row, bumped about but free of stares. The bus rolls out of the
dull crossroads of the city, and we are soon in the open countryside, with fields
of sunflowers as far as the eye can see, their heads all facing us. Where there is
no water, the land reverts to a desert. While still on level ground we see in the
distance the tall range of the Mount Bogda, abrupt like a shining prism laid
horizontally on the desert surface. It is over 5,000 metres high, and the peaks are
under permanent snow, in powerful contrast to the flat desert all around.
Heaven Lake lies part of the way up this range, about 2,000 metres above sea-
level, at the foot of one of the higher snow-peaks.
2. As the bus climbs, the sky, brilliant before, grows overcast. I have brought
nothing warm to wear: it is all down at the hotel in Urumqi. Rain begins to fall.
The man behind me is eating overpoweringly smelly goat's cheese. The bus
window leaks inhospitably but reveals a beautiful view. We have passed quickly
from desert through arable land to pasture, and the ground is now green with
grass, the slopes dark with pine. A few cattle drink at a clear stream flowing past
moss-covered stones; it is a Constable landscape. The stream changes into a
white torrent, and as we climb higher I wish more and more that I had brought
with me something warmer than the pair of shorts that have served me so well
in the desert. The stream (which, we are told, rises in Heaven Lake) disappears,
and we continue our slow ascent. About noon, we arrive at Heaven Lake, and
look for a place to stay at the foot, which is the resort area. We get a room in a
small cottage, and I am happy to note that there are thick quilts on the beds.
3. Standing outside the cottage we survey our surroundings. Heaven Lake is long,
sardine-shaped and fed by snowmelt from a stream at its head. The lake is an
intense blue, surrounded on all sides by green mountain walls, dotted with
distant sheep. At the head of the lake, beyond the delta of the inflowing stream,
is a massive snow-capped peak which dominates the vista; it is part of a series of
peaks that culminate, a little out of view, in Mount Bogda itself.
4. For those who live in the resort there is a small mess-hall by the shore. We eat
here sometimes, and sometimes buy food from the vendors outside, who sell
kabab and naan until the last buses leave. The kababs, cooked on skewers over
charcoal braziers, are particularly good; highly spiced and well-done. Horse's milk
is available too from the local Kazakh herdsmen, but I decline this. I am so
affected by the cold that Mr. Cao, the relaxed young man who runs the mess,
lends me a spare pair of trousers, several sizes too large but more than
comfortable. Once I am warm again, I feel a pre-dinner spurt of energy — dinner
will be long in coming — and I ask him whether the lake is good for swimming in.
5. "Swimming?" Mr. Cao says. "You aren't thinking of swimming, are you?"
6. "I thought I might," I confess. "What's the water like?"
7. He doesn't answer me immediately, turning instead to examine some receipts
with exaggerated interest. Mr. Cao, with great off-handedness, addresses the air.
"People are often drowned here," he says. After a pause, he continues. "When
214
 was the last one?" This question is directed at the cook, who is preparing a tray
of mantou (squat white steamed bread rolls), and who now appears, wiping his
doughy hand across his forehead. "Was it the Beijing athlete?" asks Mr. Cao.
1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, complete the
statements given below with the help of options that follow.
(a) One benefit of sitting in the last row of the bus was that_____________.
(i) the narrator enjoyed the bumps. (ii) no one stared at him.
(iii) he could see the sunflowers. (iv) he avoided the dullness of the city.
(b). The narrator was travelling to______________.
(i) Mount Bogda (iii) a 2000-metre high snow peak
(ii) Heaven Lake (iv) Urumqi
(c) On reaching the destination, the narrator felt relieved because_______.
(i) he had got away from the desert. (ii) a difficult journey had come to an end.
(iii) he could watch the snow peak. (iv) there were thick quilts on the bed.
(d) Mount Bogda is compared to ___________.
(i) a horizontal desert surface (iii) a Constable landscape
(ii) a shining prism (iv) the overcast sky
(e) As the bus climbed higher and higher, the author wished that__________.
(i) he hadn't made the journey (ii) they reached the hotel soon
(iii) he had brought something warmer. (iv) he could go to sleep. 5*1=5
1.2 Answer the following.
(a) Which two things in the bus made the narrator uncomfortable?
(b)Why did he regret as the bus climbed higher?
(c) Why did he like to buy food from outside?
(d)What is ironic about the pair of trousers lent by Mr Cao?
(e) Why did Mr Cao not like the narrator to swim in the lake?.5*1=5
1.3 Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following.
(a) a sudden increase (para 4)
(b) sellers (para 4) (2*1=2 marks)
Q2. Read the passage given below. 8Marks
Getting enough sleep is as important as taking time out to relax. A good night's
sleep is essential for preserving the health of your brain and gives you the best
chance to meet the coming day with a razor sharp mind. An average person
needs about six to eight hour sleep a night—although it is also true that you
need slightly less than this, as you grow older—another advantage of aging
stress and sleep deprivation often feed on each other, since stress tends to make
it harder for you to fall asleep at night and sleep deprivation in itself causes
stress. Eventually, too little sleep can dramatically interfere with the
performance of your memory—something you obviously want to prevent. If you
are not getting enough sleep, try going to bed 30 to 60 minutes earlier than your
normal bed time for a few days. Lie down on the bed and try to relax by
dissociating yourself from your daily routine work. This is normally enough to
catch up on any sleep deprivation.
If, however, you suffer from insomnia you should seek the advice of your doctor.
The chances are it is already affecting your ability to remember and recall
215
 information—and if you are struggling to improve your memory scores, this
could be at the root of your problem. Prolonged periods of insufficient sleep can
deplete your immune system, make you more accident prone and even cause
depression—this can also reinforce a more negative outlook on life, which can
contribute to your stress burden. The good news is that your memory and mood
should automatically improve once you improve your sleep patterns. Tackle your
sleep issues and everything else should fall into place.
Because stress management is so essential to maximize your brain power, if you
are not in the habit of setting aside time to relax, make it a priority to do so. Even
a minute or two of deep breathing can start to work wonders. Often the best
ideas and memories can come to you when you are in a state of relaxation as it is
during these moments that your brain stores, processes and plays with the
information it has received.
Meditation has long been part of religious and spiritual life, specially in Asia.
Today, more and more people are adopting it in Western countries also, for its
value in developing peace of mind and lowering stress. There is some evidence
that regular meditation can have real sleep gain and health benefits particularly
in terms of protecting your brain against aging.
2.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on
it using headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations
(wherever necessary—minimum four) and a format you consider
suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it. 4 marks
2.2 Write a summary of the above passage in about 80 words. 4 marks
Section B Writing -----------30 Marks
3. You are a member of people for Ethical Treatment of Animal (PETA). You have
observed how cruel and inhuman people are towards the mute animals. You
want to educate people to be compassionate to animals. Draft an eye-catching
poster in about 50 words to be displayed in a public area.
Or
You are Karambir, S/o Raghubir Singh of Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi. Your father
wants you to draft an informal invitation to be sent to your aunt (Father's Sister)
on the occasion of your sister Sunita Singh's wedding. Prepare the invitation. (50
words) 4 marks
4. You are the librarian of Paul Mathew Public School, Karampura, New Delhi. Write
a letter to Nidaan Publishers, 26, Church Road, Daryaganj, placing an order for 6
English books that you need urgently for your library. Sign yourself as
Vaibhav/Veera.
Or
You are disturbed on seeing the growing tendency to drink among the youth
these days. You decide to write a letter to the Editor 'The Hindustan Times' on
the evils of drinking. You are Mahi/ Mahim. 6 marks

5. "Save the Earth", an environment awareness magazine, has launched 'Clean Your
City' campaign. As an active participant, write a speech in 150-200 words to be

216
 delivered in the morning assembly urging the students to participate in the
campaign. You are Saheli/Sarthak.
Or
Write a debate for or against the topic "Old Age Homes are Ideal institutions for
any Society". (Word limit: 150-200) 10 marks

6. The main aim of education should be to inculcate moral values in children apart
from equipping them with life skills to survive in the competitive world but little
effort is being made in this direction. Write an article in 150-200 words for your
school magazine on the topic 'Declining Moral Values Among Today's Children'.
Or
You are Sangeeta/Parvathi of APJ School, Noida. Your school is hosting a debate
competition on "Is TV essential for mass education?" Write the debate in 150-
200 words either for or against the motion. 10

SECTION: C
TEXT BOOKS------------30 Marks
7A Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: 4
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read:
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
a) Name the poem and the poet.
b) Who does “the mighty dead” refer to?
c) What is the “endless fountain” that the poet imagines?
d) Explain the figure of speech used in the third line of the stanza.4 marks

7B Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow
The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge
and tobacco. The guest was informed at once that in days of prosperity his
host had been a crofter at the Ramsjo Ironworks and had worked at the
land. Now that he was no longer able to do day labour, it was his cow which
supported him.
a) Who is the old man?
b) Who is the guest?
c) Why does the guest visit him?
d) What did the host do in his old days? 4 marks
8 Answer any five of the following in about 30 –40 words each10
a)- Why was Sadao not sent with the troops?
b) Why did Sadao seek help of his wife to treat the wounded soldier?
c) How did the servants react on having the US soldier home?
d)-How did the peddler interpret the kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter?

217
 e)-Why did the iron master speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
f)-Why did Elda plead with her father not to send the vagabond away?

9 Answer the following in about 120-150 words

The story The Rattrap proves that with the right motivation the human beings possess
the innate tendency to redeem themselves from their dishonest ways. Discuss
Or

The story The Rattrap exemplifies the notion that the emotional need of human beings
has a direct bearing on their behaviour. Elucidate. 6 marks
Or

10 Answer the following in about 120-150 words

Do you think Dr. Sadao’s final decision was the best possible one in the circumstances?
Why/Why not? Elucidate with reference to the story.
Or

Good human values are far above any other value system .How did Dr.Sadao succeed as
a doctor as well as a patriot? 6marks

MARKING SCHEME OF SAMPLE PAPER NO 6

SESSION 2019-20
SECTION A: READING [20 MARKS]

1.1NOTE: No marks should be deducted for mistakes in usage grammar, spelling or word
limit. Full marks may be awarded if a student has been able to identify the core ideas.

ANS1.1
(a) (ii) no one stared at him. (b) (i) Mount Bogda/ (ii) Heaven Lake
(c) (iv) there were thick quilts on the bed. (d) (ii) a shining prism
(e) (iii) that he had brought something warmer.
1.2 (a)The bumpy ride and the man eating overpoweringly smelly goat cheese ,the
leaking windows
b)He wished he had brought something warmer than a pair of shorts
c)He found the highly cooked Kababs on skewers good andwell done
d)The pair of trousers were too large in size to be comfortable
e)Because many people had drowned there
218
1.3 (a) spurt (b) vendors
Q 2 (a) Note making 4 marks
Title – 1 mark
Subtitles with notes and proper indentation – 2 marks
Abbreviations ( at least four) – 1 mark
Deduct 1 mark if the notes are written in complete sentences.
Notes should be with deleted
(i) Examples
(ii) Quotations
(iii) Data

Ans2. (a) Problems of sleep deprivation

I. Lack of a good night's sleep
(a) affects our health and mind
(b) is a problem of aging stress
(c) causes mental problem
(d) intrfrs with performance of our memory
II. Good memory and mood
(a) need good sleep
(b) can improve your immune system
(c) help to have your +ve outlook on life
(d) can save you from insomnia
III. Regular meditation
(a) has health benefits
(b) brings about good sleep
(c) helps reducing stress
(d) empowers your religus and sprtl life
Key to Abbreviations
intrfrs

+ve

religus

sprtl

Title: Meditation Cures Stress and Insomnia

219
(b) Summary
Stress and sleep deprivation is a major problem for sound health and sound
mind. So, it interferes with the performance of our memory and immune system.
It also reinforces our negative outlook and bad mood. So, our best ideas and
memories can come to us only if we have good sleep and stress free life. In fact,
stress management can maximize our brain power. Hence, the hour of need is to
practise meditation in order to solve the issue of stress and sleep deprivation.
Above all, meditation is a bliss to gain health benefits and religious and spiritual
life.
Ans3Poster making 4 marks
1 mark for format – format means box, issued by, heading etc.
2marks for content and1 for expression

Expression means
 Appropriate sequencing and style of language.
 Creativity in terms of content and designing
 No grammatical and spelling errors.

BE KIND! BE SENSITIVE!

LIVE AND LET LIVE!

ANIMALS ARE OUR BEST FRIENDS
1. Adopt pets
2. Don't Tease or Kill them
3. Avoid the THREE H'S
 NO HITTING
 NO HURTING
 NO HUNTING

4. Join Animal Welfare Organizations.

5. Maintain Ecological Balance: They need us as much as we need THEM!
Issued by:People for Ethical Treatment of Animals

(Issued by : People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Rajinder Nagar
New Delhi
15th April 20XX
Dear Aunt
You will be glad to know that Sunita's marriage has been fixed for 10 May 20XX.
The boy is a software engineer based in the United States.

220
 On behalf of my parents and myself, I invite you to join us on the auspicious
occasion. Looking forward to your participation and early arrival.
Yours sincerely
Karambir

LETTER WRITING
[Note: - No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given. Credit
should be given to the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas.
]
Format 1 mark
(1. sender’s address, 2. date, 3. receiver’s address, 4. subject
heading,5. salutation, 6. complimentary close.)
Content 2 marks
Expression 3 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [1.5]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [1.5]
Suggested value points:

(LETTER PLACING AN ORDER)

– information to be given: item to be ordered, brand name, model no.,
quantity
– requirements : discount, mode of payment, delivery date
 Attachments like DD etc
Ans.4 Paul Mathew School
ABC Roads, Plot No. 12
Karampura
Delhi 1100XX
10 April 20XX
The Manager
Nidaan Publishers
26, Church Road
Daryaganj, New Delhi 1100XX
Dear Sir
Subject: Placing an order for English books
I would like to place an order for the following English and grammar books for
classes XI and XII.
Sr. No. Books Quantity
1 Flamingo 20
2 Vistas 20
3 Hornbill 15
4 Snapshots 15
5 Grammar (Wren & Martin) 10
6 Grammar (ML Tickoo) 10

221
 The money will be paid by cheque on delivery. Also please let us know the
discount if any. Kindly ensure the good quality of printing and binding . send the
books within ten days as these are urgently required. If the order is not
executed within the stipulad time ,it shall stand cancelled.
Yours truly
Vaibhav (Librarian
Or

B 456
Grand Avenue Road
Faridabad XXXXXX
25 April 20XX
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
KG Marg
New Delhi 1100XX
Dear Sir
Subject: Evils of Drinking
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the
attention of people to the evils of drinking among the youth of the country. It is
fast becoming a disturbing trend. Drinking is an addiction and a curse. It is the
root cause of domestic fights and ruins families. Under the influence of alcohol, a
man loses his sense of reason and becomes a beast. Rapes and murders have
been committed under its influence and drunken driving is one of the main
causes of road accidents in India.
Besides, its adverse effects on the health are not unknown. It damages the liver,
kidney, brain and heart and for the drunkard, as also for the people around him
life becomes a living hell. I shall be highly obliged if my views get published and
make the youth aware of this social evil. I feel that the schools and colleges
should hold regular events/activities to enlighten the students on this issue.
Yours faithfully
Mahi Rajan

ANS5
Speech for morning assembly
Format 1 mark
Content 4 marks
Expression 5 marks

Ans. 5 Good Morning. Respected Principal, teachers and dear friends. Today I am here
to speak on the topic 'Clean Your City'.
We all know that global warming, poor waste management, ozone depletion and
pollution are the main causes of environmental degradation. But what is our
222
contribution to reducing this or reversing the process? If we do not take heed of
the warning signals, there is no other planet Earth for us to live in.
We should begin from home. I do find it amusing and paradoxical that we
Indians are extremely particular about personal hygiene but care little about civic
hygiene. We have heard the quote "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" umpteen
times but strangely we apply this to our homes only. Let us remind ourselves
that keeping our surroundings clean is not our choice but our moral duty.
Keeping our environment clean goes a long way in keeping us healthy too. Piles
of garbage, stagnant water, debris—all are breeding grounds for diseases. Some
may say that the government is to be blamed for this, but it is as much our fault
as it is theirs. It is time we changed our attitude and paid attention to things that
matter to all of us. I would also request you all to pledge to join the "Clean Your
City campaign", an initiative started by Save the Earth magazine. Time for change
is now!

Or
Old Age Homes are the Ideal Institutions for any Society
For the motion: Honourable judges, teachers and dear friends. I stand before you
to express my views for the motion. Times have changed and with this
everything has undergone transformation. I do want to pose a few questions
before validating my topic. Did we have technology fifty years back? Were our
parents in possession of modern gadgets as today we have? Was the economy
this liberal? The answer to all these questions is 'NO'.
So, dear friends, as with other things, the younger generation is hardpressed for
time, meeting the deadlines, living in a competitive world and in this if one feels
that old age homes are ideal for the old—what is wrong? There are very good
organizations who pledge to take care of the elderly as best as they can.
These homes supply a number of needs, the most vital at this stage is security —
financial, physical and medical. The old meet new people, play games together,
interact and create their own new world! At home, with children at work or far
away, they are a vulnerable lot.
I feel that the old age homes serve as the second home at an age when they
need a lot of attention. More and more old people are moving to these homes. I
would like to stress that the children need to visit them often to give them the
feeling that they are there for them. In the end, old age homes are the ideal
place to give the elderly shelter, security and a life of peace in the dusk of their
life.
Against the motion: Honourable judges, teachers and dear friends. I stand
before you to express my views against the motion.
I just now had the opportunity to listen to my opponent's views which make me
wonder on how the rapid change in the scenario has led to degradation of moral
values. Now it is my turn to throw a few questions at my audience and at fellow
opponents. Do we have shortage of time to tend to all other things in the world
223
 but not look after the needs of our parents? Are we working all twenty-four
hours? Shouldn't providing security and comfort at this twilight stage be our
paramount responsibility towards the elderly?
No, I don't think that old age homes are the ideal place for any society. Their
own homes are! What do these homes offer except the company and that too of
the same old people all around. To send the old and the elderly away from their
own homes to these dreary places from the homes which they built over the
years of toil and sacrifice. How ironical that their own homes become alien to
them and old age homes become ideal! By what logic can we justify this?
Dear friends, I conclude by saying home is where we are!
Old age homes are a Western concept. Let's keep it at bay!

Ans. 6 Declining Moral Values Among Today's Children

by Sana (12A)
Today's children lack self-discipline and moral values. What is more disturbing is
that these children are the future of our country. Tomorrow they will be at the
helm of affairs. Who is to be blamed for erosion of values among the young
children? The school, parents, education system, lifestyle, technology. I'm afraid
all are to be blamed.
Education is a systematic attempt to learning and a good education is
inconceivable if it fails to inculcate values essential for good life and social well-
being.
School education plays a major role in shaping the personality of a child on all
fronts—physical, emotional, psychological and intellectual. Even students
belonging to cultured and refined families ignore moral values if the school
education and environment is not conducive. But not much is being done at the
school level to build a sound base for strong moral values. For this, the
curriculum needs an overhauling. The teachers need to be cautious as role
models and parents too have a role to play. Together, they can help a child
become a good human being with a strong moral base in short an asset to the
country.
Or
For the Motion
Good morning honourable judges, respected teachers and dear friends.
I will express my views on the topic: "Is TV essential for mass education"? I am
speaking for the motion. TV is an excellent medium for mass education. It helps
us to keep an eye on everything from a distance. It is an important media for
advertisement in addition to recreation it provides to the young and the old
alike. Drama, cinema and many important events on it are works watching. In
fact, TV has brought the whole world inside our drawing rooms. So, has TV not
made people more social and more prone to relax? Of course, TV has given the
world a new dimension in every sphere of our daily life. I believe TV channels
have become more learner-friendly in today's technological revolution.

224
 Channels like Ekalaby a is very useful to the viewers. So, you can conceive that
the TV is definitely an essential resource of mass communication from the point
of its visualization of academic data on TV channel.
Thank you
Against the Motion
Good morning honourable judges, respected audience and dear friends. I will
speak against the motion. "Is TV essential for mass education?" TV serials create
a social disturbance. It may be good for older and self-centred people, but what
about its effects on the children? They are always tempted to spend valuable
study hours while TV programme is on. Moreover, it leaves a great influence on
the young minds. Besides, some TV programmes are not always good for
entertaining the whole family. However, there are many ways to entertain
ourselves. We do not need TV for this. Spreading education through TV is not
sensible at least in India, where 70% of the population live below the poverty
line.
Just imagine, friends. Driven primarily by ad sponsors and corporate lobbying,
the news watch on TV is little better than tabloid journalism. You can understand
that the TV channels are inflicted with interest-driven propaganda. So, through
TV shows, you cannot get to the meant of any real story. Hence, it is not
essential for mass education.

Ans7

a—A Thing of Beauty,John Keats

b Those martyrswho have died bravely for a cause
c-They will always be remembered for their noble deeds. They have left behind
legacy for us to enjoy.
d-Metaphor,imagery,hyperbole

Ans8
Content 1mark,Expression ---1 mark

a—because he was perfecting a discovery whichwould render the wounds

entirely clean ,was treating the sick general who might need his services at any
time

b the man was deeply wounded, needed operation, Sadao needed assistance
for anaesthesia, could not call anyone to keep the presence of US soldier secret
cThey did not like master’s act of bringing him home.Yumi refused to
wash,thought master would be in trouble,ultimately left the house
d-The paddler was given warm hospitality by the crofter, was given food
shelter,tobacco company and recreation, was treated kindly but he betrayed the
trust reposed in him by stealing the crofter’s money
e The ironmaster mistook him him to be his old acquaintance Nils Olof who was
a captain and resigned from the regiment. The ironmaster thought that he was
225
 going through bad days and wanted to help him moreover it was the christmas
eve So he invited him
f—Edla beingkind by nature empathized with the poor paddler and understood
how difficult his life had been in his poverty and loneliness ,moreover it was
Christmas eve and wanted to extend Christmas cheer and goodness to him

Ans9
Content -- 3 marks ,Expression ---3 marks

The Rattap captures the basic goodness in a human being in the face of material

temptations. In the story, the peddler, a vagabond, used to either sell rattraps

made of wire or beg or steal. He had been very badly treated by the world and

never received any kindness. Even when the crofter offered him hospitality, and

bestowed confidence in him, he was not able to realize its worth. He betrayed

his trust and stole the crofter's money. But the inner goodness of the peddler is

evoked by the warm, gentle and kind treatment given to him by Edla.Despite

knowing the reality,she treated him with respect and kindness with no selfish

motives. She was empathetic and wanted to give him some comfort. This

transformed the tramp into conscientious human being and the essential

goodness in him surfaced.

or.

Ans. No doubt it is the emotional needs of the human beings that have a direct
bearing on their behaviour. In fact our emotions govern our actions and
behaviour. In the story, all the characters depict the same. The peddler's
behaviour is all due to the atrocities he had faced in his life. He is treated badly.
Starvation and homelessness have made him emotionally very weak and
negative. As a result, when the tramp sees the money of the crofter, he steals it.
Similarly, the crofter being lonely with no wife or children, welcomes the peddler
and becomes overfriendly with him and, as a result, is cheated. Even the
ironmaster lives a lonely life. consequently, he invites the peddler to his house,
mistaking him for his old friend. Finally, it is Edla's emotional generosity to serve
and make someone happy on Christmas. Her Kindness and empathy make her to
226
 treat the tramp with respect and kindness which brings out the goodness in the
peddler.
Ans.10 Dr.Sadao saves the life of an American war prisoner as his professional and
humanitarian duty. But he was very loyal to his country too. He told the General
about the white man and the General promised to send his private assassins to
kill him. But due to his self-absorption in his illness, the General forgot to send
them. Thus, finally, Dr.Sadao decided to help the American soldier escape from
there. He gave him a boat, flashlight, food and water and asked him to go to a
nearby unguarded island. He could look for a Korean boat and escape.
This could be the best solution in the prevailing circumstances. Dr.Sadao was in
danger of being caught for harboring a POW. In that case, he would be
questioned for the reason to give the enemy a shelter in his house. So in order to
save his reputation and the life of the white man, there could be no better way
thant what Dr.Sadao had decided
Q.10 Ans. Dr.Sadao was an intelligent and a committed doctor, very adept in
surgical skills and was an efficient scientist too. The story 'The Enemy' portrays Dr.Sadao
as true to his profession as it was his primary duty to help a wounded person without
caring for his identity. When torn between loyalty towards his country and his duty as a
doctor to save life, he chose humanity over patriotism. At the same time, he was not
shown as lacking national loyalty. After saving the American soldier, he wrote a report
about the whole matter but did not send it to the police chief, instead he disclosed
everything boldly to the General. These are the instances in the story that project
Dr.Sadao's humanitarian considerations, his surgical expertise and patriotism. He
showed that good human values are far above any other value system

SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER NO 7

ENGLISH CORE (301)
CLASS XII
Time allowed:3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. This paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C. All the sections are
compulsory.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever
necessary.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION – A READING: 20 Mark

1. Read the passage given below:
1. Seelampur, a suburb of northeastern Delhi, is the morgue of India's ongoing telecom
revolution. Scores of single-room asbestos-roofed establishments amid perfunctory
227
footpaths are home to deceased mobile phones, discarded computer peripherals,
unwanted electronic game boxes, vestigial tablets and almost any imaginable material
contraption that involves a circuit board.
2. Aslam Nawaz, 27, a resident who has “not known anywhere other than Seelampur”
manages one of these establishments. There’s barely space to stand and the laughter of
children can be heard from the backyard. There are three children who work in a sort of
ragtag assembly line. Chinar, 12, sifts motherboards to check which ones are ‘good’ or
can be refurbished. Ashraf and Praveen, 16 and 15, respectively, sit nearby and
submerge the electronic boards in nitric acid to separate gold, copper and other
precious metals. As a prelude to the acid bath, the boys also break the circuit board with
their bare hands.
3. The proper way to do this is to use thick gloves and protective masks but the boys are
“veterans”, according to Nawaz. “We do use the safety gear when required, but this is
our life. I started out this way too and yes, there are accidents sometimes. But tell me
What job doesn't involve risk”, he asks, matter- of- factly.
4. In nearly two decades, Seelampur has risen to become one of the country’s most
thriving electronic waste markets with about 50,000 people here estimated to be
making a livelihood out of electronic waste. The average worker stands to earn rupees
500 – 1,000 per day, with women and children being paid less than men.
5. Earlier this year, the United Nations reported a startling statistics: the world
generated 44.7 million tonnes of electronic waste in 2016. India's contribution to this
was a significant 2 million tonnes. India is one of the fastest growing markets for
electronics, and demand is projected to reach $400 billion dollars by 2020 - and India's
contribution to electronic waste is expected to touch 5 million tonnes by the same year.
6. New laws mandate that electronic goods be broken down and dismantled
responsibly, and in the formal sector. However, electronic graveyards like Seelampur
continue to hold strong as a responsible for close to 80% of the electronic goods that
are reprocessed. The sheer number of recyclers and unregulated dismantling practices
mean that they can refurbish at lower prices than the organised recyclers. The central
pollution control board found in an inspection this year that several registered recyclers
were not complying with safety practices and didn’t possess the required equipment.
7. The detrimental effects of e-waste on human health and environment is well-
trodden ground. The heavy metals present in e-waste are known to cause neurological
and skin diseases, genetic defects and cancer in workers who handle them. Metals such
as lead, mercury and cadmium can cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous
systems and affect brain development in children, as well as harm the circulatory
system, kidneys and reproductive system. Gopal Bhandu, another resident of
Seelampur, who deals in refurbished electronics, says that most workers in the region's
electronic waste industry are aware of the harmful effects of the trade. "Many children
have breathing trouble; some have various skin ailments. But what choices do we have",
he asks. Source: The Hindu
1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions
given below by choosing the most appropriate option: 1X5 =5
a)Seelampur is the hub of:
i) White Revolution
228
 ii) Telecom Revolution
iii) E-Commerce Revolution
iv) Electrical Revolution
b) As a prelude to the acid bath, what do the boys break with their bare hands:
i) Mother Board
ii) Key Board
iii) Electronic Board
iv) Circuit Board
c) According to the United nations report, how much electronic waste did the
world generate in 2016:
i) 44.7 million tonnes
ii) 5 million tonnes
iii) 400 million tonnes
iv) 2 million tonnes
d) The new laws do not mandate electronic goods to be
i) broken down responsibly
ii) dismantled responsibly
iii) complied with safety practices
iv) not complied with safety practices.
e) Aslam Nawaz, 27, manages one of “these” establishments. “These” in this
statement refers to:
i) single-room asbestos-roofed establishments.
ii) double-room asbestos-roofed establishments.
iii) four-room asbestos-roofed establishments.
iv) multiple -room asbestos-roofed establishment.
1.2 Answer the following questions briefly: 1X5=5
a) How are gold, copper removed from mother boards from electronic devices?
b) What precautions one needs to take while dealing with electronic waste?
c) What is the significance of Seelampur in India?
d) What are the health hazards faced by the workers dealing with e-waste?
e) Which is the World’s fastest growing market for electronics?
1.3 Tick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to the
following: 1X2
a) a person having a very long experience of a particular job or activity. (Para 3 &
4)
b) growing or prospering. (Para 4)

2 Read the passage given below:

Tea is one of the most refreshing and popular beverages across the world, and
India is the world's largest consumer of tea and also the largest producer and exporter,
although so little is known about the wide scope for careers in the tea industry.
Tea is a semi- agricultural product made from drying and processing the leaves
of the tea plant. The quality of tea depends on its flavour, and so tea- tasting is a highly
specialised area of work. Tea tasters have to develop a fine sense of distinction between
the taste and aroma of different teas.
229
 Tea tasting involves looking at the brightness (blackish or brownish), colour (like
coppery or deep red), strength and body of the tea, and flavour, to be able to distinguish
teas according to their type, specific region and quality, and to examine the evenness,
colour or brightness of dry /infused leafs to know the strength and body of the tea.
Most tea companies employ tea tasters for ensuring quality standards, and preparing
blends.
There are some diploma and certificate training programmes which offer the
basic scientific knowledge and tea testing techniques for tea tasting, which requires a
basic educational background of Class XII from any stream.
However, graduates with any degree are normally preferred by employers and
possibly one in Agricultural Science or a BSc, in Botany, Food Sciences, Horticulture or
allied fields so that you have a better understanding of the procedures behind tea
production and processing of tea leaves. The duration of the courses ranges from 3
months to 1 year and includes some practical training at a tea estate, auction house, tea
brokerage firms and marketing companies. There are also courses in tea management
which include modules on tea tasting.
Most tea tasting courses concentrate on training you to identify the type of tea,
and grade its quality by an understanding of the colour, brightness, the density and the
texture or strength of the beverage. By the end of the training your palate will be
proficient enough to register even minute differences.
Tea tasters work in the tea gardens, or with tree trading companies or buying
houses in the marketing and blending departments, tea auctions and with tea brokerage
firms. At the tea estates and factories tea tasters advise growers on the commercial
factors like taste, economic viability for tea development.
There are also jobs in Tea Plantations and Associations and positions on the Tea
Board of India where you can be employed as research personnel and tea consultants.
Tea tasters are also required to attend national and international tea auctions, studying
marketing and blending techniques, and marketing trends. India’s 170-year-old tea
industry while struggling with climate changes factors and increasing costs still makes
India the second largest tea producer and the world's fourth largest exporter of tea
offering direct employment to 1.2 million people. Source: The
Tribune

(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using
headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever
necessary- minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an
appropriate title to it. 4

(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. 4

SECTION B
WRITING SKILLS: 30 MARKS

230
3 You are the CEO of a Software Startup. You need a lady receptionist for your IT city
Mohali office. Write an advertisement for the Situation Vacant column of a local daily.
4
OR
On behalf of the Principal of your school draft a formal invitation to be sent to the
parents on the occasion of Plogging Run –the 2nd October 2019. Invent other necessary
details.
4. With the rising vehicle accidents there is a great loss of precious human lives.
The injury and the fatalities of the victim become unbearable to the family. Write a
letter to the editor of a National Daily expressing your concern so that necessary steps
are taken by the authorities concerned. You are Gaurav/Garima (120-150 words) 6
OR
You are Nikhil/Neha, the Prefect of the school library. You have been asked to write a
letter to place an order of novels and short story books to develop the reading habit of
the students. Write a letter to M/s Orient Longman , Connaught Place , New Delhi
placing an order for the books. Invent the necessary details.
5. Use of plastics has severely damaged the living organisms. It has also caused
pollution affecting millions of lives. Write an article for a National Daily on “ Say No to
Plastics”. You are Pal/ Payal ( 150-200 words). 10
OR
You are AdityaJandial, the newly elected Head Boy of KV Sector 47, Chandigarh. Write a
report for the school magazine about the Students’ Council Investiture Ceremony held
recently in your school. (Word limit: 150-200)

6.It is being seen that the water is wasted. The rivers are polluted indiscriminately.
Going by this pace of wastage will certainly cost the mankind an unbearable loss. As
Ravish/ Rita write a speech on “ Water Conservation” to be delivered in the morning
assembly. 10
OR
“Should the Elections be State funded?” Write a debate in 150-200 words. You are
Rohit/ Rhea.

231
 SECTION : C
LITERATURE: TEXT BOOKS
7.Read the extract given below and briefly answer the questions that follow: 1x4=4
(A) ‘It is in the news that all these pitiful kin
are to be brought out and mercifully gathered in
to live in villages, next to the theatre and the store
where they won’t have to think for themselves anymore’
1 Who are called the “pitiful kin”?
2 What was in the news that bothered the poet?
3 Where would these “pitiful kin” sent?
4 What is the rhyme scheme of the above stanza?
b) ‘It was an extraordinary thing in those days for a government professor to
harbour a man like me’ 1x4= 4
1. Who is the speaker of the above sentence?
2. What is the name of the government professor who harboured the
speaker?
3. Why did the government professor harbour the speaker?
4. Why was it an extraordinary thing?
8. Answer any five of the following questions in 30-40 words each: 2x5= 10
a) How did the woodland creatures react to the skunk’s new smell?
b) Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 percent refund to the farmers?

c) Who called Gandhiji an ‘outsider’ and why?

232
 d) Father has felt empty after two years of storytelling to Jo. What idea do you form
about Jack’s skill in the art of storytelling?
e) How did Jo want the story to end and why?
f) Who are called the “greedy good-doers” and why?
g) What was the farmer’s complaint against the rich city people?
9. Answer the following question in 120-150 words:
How did Gandhiji succeed in getting justice for the indigo sharecroppers?
OR
How was Champaran a turning point in Gandhiji’s life?
10. Answer the following question in 120-150 words:
6
At the end of the storytelling session why does Jack consider himself ‘caught in an ugly
middle position’?
OR
An adult’s perspective is different from that of a child. Why? Answer with reference to
the story ‘Should Wizard Hit Mommy’.

SAMPLE PAPER NO 7 ENGLISH CORE (301)

MARKING SCHEME
1.1
a) ii) Telecom Revolution
b) iv) Circuit Board
c) i) 44.7 million tonnes
d) iv) do not comply with safety practices.
e) i) single-room asbestos-roofed establishments.
1.2 a) by submerging the electronic boards in nitric acid / by giving acid bath.
b)use thick gloves and protective masks
c) Seelampur is the morgue of India's ongoing telecom revolution / home to
deceased mobile phones, discarded computer peripherals, unwanted electronic game
boxes, vestigial tablets and almost any imaginable material contraption that involves a
circuit board / home to electronic waste / home of reprocessing e-waste / close to 80%
of the electronic goods are reprocessed. (accept any other valid answer)
d) cause neurological and skin diseases, genetic defects and cancer in workers /
affect brain development in children, as well as harm the circulatory system, kidneys
and reproductive system / many children have breathing trouble, some have various
skin ailments. (any two).
e) India is one of the fastest growing markets for electronics.
1.3 a) veteran
b) thriving

2 TITLE: TEA TASTER– AS A CAREER OPTION /TEA- A REFRESHING BEVERAGE (1)

NOTES (2 )

233
 1. Tea and India
1.1 largest consumer
1.2 Largest producer
1.3 Largest exporter
1.4 Semi- agricultural product
1.5 Good scope of carrier
2. Making of Tea
2.1 Drawing and processing the leaves
2.2 Quality depends on flavour

3. Tasting of Tea involves

3.1 Looking at brightness; blackish or brownish
3.2 Colour
3.3 Flavour
3.4 Examine evenness of dry leaves

4. Qualifications to become a Tea Taster

4.1 Diploma after class 12 from any stream
4.2 Pref. to grads. in
4.2.1. Agricultural science
4.2.2. B.Sc in botany, food science

4.3 training lasts from 3 months to 1 year

5. Job description – Tea Taster
5.1 works in tea gardens
5.2 tea trading co.
5.3 marketing and branding dept.
5.4 Research personnel &tea consultant
6. Current situation
6.1 struggling with climate change
6.2 Increasing cost
6.3Employing 1.2 million people
Key to Abbreviations (1)
Sl No Word Abbreviation

1 Preference Pref

2 Graduates Grads

3 Company Co.

4 Department Dept

SUMMARY: India as one of the largest producer and exporter of tea provides career
options in tea industry. A semi –agricultural product, it is made from drying and
234
processing of tea leaves. Tea tasting involves looking at brightness, colour, flavour and
examining evenness of the dry leaves. A diploma after 12 th from any stream or
graduates in Botany, Agricultural, or allied fields are preferred. A tea taster works in tea
gardens, trading, marketing, and brokerage firms or Tea Board as researcher or tea
consultant. Even with climate change and increasing costs Indian tea industry is
employing 1.2 million people. 4
3.
SITUATION VACANT
Wanted competent and experienced lady receptionist. A Graduate with 05 years of experience in
a reputed firm will be preferred. Salary and perks best in the industry. Applications to reach to
The Personnel Manager , Roxy Software, Mohali by 25 November.

The Principal, Staff and Students

of
ABC Vidyalaya, Chandigarh
have the pleasure to invite
Mr&MrsRajenderVerma
on the occasion of Plogging Run
the Wednesday of 02 October 2019 at 8.00 a.m.on the
campus of the Vidyalaya
Air CmdeJaswinderSandhu, Chairman VMC
has kindly consented to be the
Chief Guest
for the event
RSVP
Principal
Ph:0172-282675

#142
Aman City
Mohali

12 Oct 20xx

The Editor
The Tribune
Chandigarh

Subject: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Sir

235
 I wish to bring to your kind notice, my grave concern, on the frequent motor
vehicle accidents taking place in Mohali. It is certainly because of increase in
motorisation causing road traffic injuries and fatalities.
To my utter surprise, the people are seen flouting the traffic rules blatantly. It
appears that the driver is negligent and has nonchalant attitude towards the law of the
land. Rash driving, over-speeding and non-observance of the traffic rules have become
the order of the day leading to accidents even on deserted roads. It is also shocking to
see that the accidents do take place at the crossroads and at signal light points too
which reflect of the sheer negligence of the user. All these have not only endangered
the life of many but also have embittered it.
I would, therefore, like to stress on stringent punishment for the offenders who
cause injury or death. Besides that, financial penalties and punitive action as per the
law be enforced on them because the financial loss, emotional and social trauma
caused to a family on losing a bread winner, or any other family member, or
incapacitation of the victim cannot be quantified.
I request you to be kind enough to publish my concern in your esteemed daily so
as to draw the attention of the authorities concerned.

Yours truly

Gaurav
OR
XYZ School
Bangalore

12 Oct 20xx

M/s Orient Longman

Connaught Place
New Delhi

Subject: Placing order for novels and short story books

Sir
The school wishes to purchase novels and short story books. Appended below are
details of the books required which may please be sent by Registered Parcel.
Sl No Name of the Book Author Quantity
1 The Palace of Illusions Chitra Banerjee Devikaruni 02
2 The White Tiger AravindaAdiga 04
3 The Vintage Sardar Khushwant Singh 04
4 The Greatest short stories Leo Tolstoy 03
of Leo Tolstoy

It is requested that a discount of 20% as admissible on the printed price be given

for effecting the payment on purchase of the above mentioned books.

236
Yours truly
Nikhil
SAY NO TO PLASTICS
-Pal
Plastic is a scourge that is polluting cities in alarming proportions .As you open
the gate of your home to go out , you will probably step over used plastic bags, empty
biscuit wrappers or even empty pan masala pouches, strewn everywhere from the
street. All over the street, in the drains and on the pavements there are discarded
plastic packets and bottles, used packaging and numerous packets with wasted food
from the surrounding eateries.
The reason why plastic is an environmental hazard is because it is one of the few
modern chemical materials that is not biodegradable. Polythylene, polyvinyl
chloride, and polystyrene are the composition base in the manufacture of plastics.
Because of these properties they are used blatantly for disposable goods and for
packaging materials. We can say that they are non- biodegradable items which stay in
our ecosystem destructing the bio-diversity. They mix with the soil and do not let water
pass through them making the land infertile. Thousands of whales and turtles are killed
by eating plastic bags mistaking it as a jellyfish.
We all need to do something and that too unhesitatingly. Say No to Plastics and
save the environment. Therefore, the need of the hour is to carry cotton or jute bags
before going for shopping which will reduce the use of plastic bags. Government has
come out with banning of single use of plastics and the very law need to be enforced in
the strictest sense before it is too late, annihilating we all. Let’s live and let live.
OR
Investiture Ceremony: Students’ Council
The new office-bearers of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sector 47, Chandigarh were sworn
in at a solemn ceremony on 20 Sep 20XX. Air Cmde J Sandhu, the Air Officer
Commanding and Chairman VMC, presided over the function as the Chief Guest. A
guard of honour was presented by the Vidyalaya band. This was followed by a prayer
dance by the students of Dance Club. Sixty-five students, who were appointed as the
school leaders, as well as the class monitors and prefects,  were given badges by the
Chief Guest. Taking the oath of duty and secrecy, the students pledged to uphold the
dignity and tradition of the Vidyalaya. The Head Boy in his address outlined his priorities
for maintaining discipline in the Vidyalaya. The Principal in her keynote speech
emphasized the significance and responsibilities of the students’ council. The Charter of
duties of the Students’ Council was also read out by the Principal. She exhorted all the
office bearers to uphold their duties and responsibilities. The Principal urged the office
bearers to maintain a character above board. Finally,the Head Girl proposed vote of
thanks.

AdityaJandial
Head Boy

237
 6. Good morning everyone. Respected Principal, Teachers and my dear friends,
today I, Ravish, would like to speak on the topic Water Conservation. As
we all know thatWater is the basic requirement of our body and this life. You
know that water is also named as ‘life’ because of being important element for
all the living beings. Nothing can survive without water on the earth. We all are
well aware that three-fourth part of the earth is water however only 2% of the
water is usable for us. We are living in the time when we need to save clean
water and use it according to our
use only. It pains me to inform you all that people at many places in India are facing a
huge water scarcity. Places in India like Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat are facing
water scarcity where women and girls of the houses cover a long distance on bare foot
to just get a pot of water. So, how do we tackle this issue?
We need to adopt different methods to save water to deal with the water scarcity. We
should not allow the tap remain loose after use. Rain water harvesting is one of the
another effective and suitable methods among save water techniques. Afforestation is
also best method as it reduces the surface runoff and recharges the ground water. Let
us remember that water is known as the elixir of life, so we should save it to save life on
the earth.

“Save water, only then water will save you”.

Thank you

OR

Esteemed judges and my fellow participants. Today I, Rohit, am here to speak for the
motion “ Should the Elections be State funded?”

State funding of elections is that ghost that cannot fructify but refuses to fade
away. With the largest democracy in the world, the issue is quite a challenge to put
some people into elective public office through public expenditure. However, there are
two aspects to the financing of the democratic process: the financing of elections from
the panchayat level to Parliament, and the funding of political parties that is not
election-specific but is a continual exercise.

State funding means that government gives funds to political parties or

candidates for contesting elections. Its main purpose is to make it unnecessary for
contestants to take money from powerful moneyed interests so that they can remain
clean.
 Now the question arises, Why is the public funding good? It is because the Political
parties and candidates need money for their electoral campaigns, to keep contacts with
their constituencies, to prepare policy decisions and to pay professional staff. Public

238
funding can limit the influence of interested money and thereby help curb corruption. It
can also help transparency in party.
In societies where many citizens are under or just above the poverty line, they cannot
be expected to donate large amounts of money to political parties or candidates. If
parties and candidates receive at least a basic amount of money fromthe State the
country could have a functioning multi-party system without people having to give up
their scarce resources.

Therefore ,to root out inequality in democratic election process the state funding will
act as a steward and provide an opportunity vis-a -vis a person with money power.
 7 (a)
1) The pitiable villagers are called the pitiful kin.
2) The news that the villagers would be deprived of their lands bothered the
poet.
3) These pitiful kin would be asked to live in villages near theatre and the store.
4) The rhyme scheme of the given stanza is “aabb”

7 b)
1)Gandhiji is the speaker.
2) Professor Malkani harboured Gandhiji.
3) Gandhiji was a stranger in Champaranso,he needed help of local literate
people in knowing the details of problems of the sharecroppers and professor
Malkani was a sympathiser of freedom struggle leaders.
4) It would have put their government job in risk if they had shown sympathy for
Gandhiji who was a leading leader of freedom struggle.

8. a) The woodland creatures found Roger Skunk’s new smell quite pleasant. They
played many games with him and gathered around him. Roger Skunk was very
happy to be accepted by the other animals.

b) because he intended to defeat the landlords

-According to Gandhiji, refund was less important than the fact that the
landlords had been obliged to surrender part of their money and with it, part of
their prestige.

c) The Secretary of the British Landlord Association called Gandhiji an ‘outsider’

because Gandhiji was asking for details about Champaran sharecroppers’ case
which the Secretary didn’t want to share.
d) It would be wrong to say that Jack is a bad storyteller. Infact with all his sound
effects and gestures he is quite effective in the art. His only problem is that his
stories lack variety and he ends up telling the same old stories again and again
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 with slight variations here and there. He feels empty because he has been telling
stories for over two years now and has been short of ideas.
e) Jo was happy that Roger Skunk had got a pleasant smell instead of the awful
original smell. She wanted the story to end happily. She wanted the wizard to
take revenge on the mother by hitting her. It shows that she and understand the
need of Skunk to be accepted by peers.
f) The ‘greedy good-doers’ are the people who pretend to be benefactors of
these pitiful villagers. But in real, they are the beasts of prey. They wanted to
occupy the land of the villagers coaxing them with a promise to provide a good
and cheerful life.
g) The farmer complains that the city people were rich bereft of mercy. They
were mean and did not spend money to buy the poor farmer’s product. They did
not even stop at the stand and look at the produce which was kept for sale

9. These questions have been set to test the students’ understanding of the text
and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the issues raised therein.
Hence no particular answer can be accepted as the only correct answer. All
presentations may be accepted as equally correct provided they have been duly
supported by the facts drawn from the text. The important thing is that the
student should be able to justify his or her viewpoint.
Content: 3 marks
Expression: 3 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings. (1 ½)
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style. (1 ½)
Value Points:
 Gandhiji stayed at Muzzafarpur where he met the lawyers and concluded
that fighting through courts was not going to solve the problem of the
poor sharecroppers of Chamaparan.
 He declared that the real relief for them was to be free from fear. With
this intention, he arrived in Chamaparan and contacted the Secretary of
the British Landlord’s association. The Secretary refused to provide him
any information.
 After this, Gandhiji met the Commissioner of the Tirhut division who
served a notice on him to immediately leave Tirhut. Gandhii accepted the
notice by signing it and wrote on it that he would not obey the order.
 He was even willing to court arrest for the cause of the peasants.
 After four rounds of talks with the Governor, an official commission of
enquiry was set up in which Gandhiji was made the sole representative of
the peasants.
 Through this commission Gandhiji succeeded in getting 25% of the
compensation for the poor sharecroppers from the British landlords.
 The peasants realised that they have rights and defenders. They learnt courage.
OR

VALUE POINTS
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Champaran incident was a turning point in Gandhiji’slife.It brought economic and
political solution to peasants’ problems. The episode compelled Britishers to surrender
part of their money and prestige. He was able to infuse self-reliance among Indians. He
united all sections of society- lawyers and literate people to back up the cause of poor
peasants in Champaran. He through his non – violent protests conveyed to British
authority that they could not order him in his own country. The success of Champaran
case gave Gandhiji confidence that they can attain freedom from colonial rulers. He
launched freedom movement throughout the country.

10. Jack ended the story with the Mommy hitting the wizard and the wizard changing
the smell of roses to the smell of skunk. Jo did not like the end and wanted Mommy to
be hit back. Jack is upset with his daughter questioning the parental authority. Leaving
an agitated daughter Jack comes down to help his pregnant wife with painting
furniture.She even complaints about having taken so long in telling the story and
putting Jo to sleep. His mood has been spoilt as he has neither been able to put his
daughter to sleep nor has he been able to make Jo understand why parents are always
right. He does not wish to help the wife. He does not know how to deal with the
generation gap.

OR
VALUE POINTS:Jo is subjected to a ritual of bedtime story
Each story has a slight variation of basic tale.
Various characters bear the name of Roger.
Roger Skunk smelled very bad, nobody wanted to play with him.
Roger Skunk went to the wizard’s house as advised by an old owl.
Wizard changed his bad smell into the smell of roses.
Skunk’s mother got angry and hit the wizard
Jo did not like the end of the story
Jo wanted the wizard to hit the mother as she didn’t care for her son’s feelings and hit
the wizard for no reason.
However, Jack also didn’t want to change the end because he wanted Jo to understand
that parents are the well-wisher of their children and whatever decision they take for
their children are always right.
The world of children is full of innocence and they want acceptance of peers whereas
the adults are mature and practical.

SAMPLE PAPER NO 8
ENGLISH CORE
Time- 3 hrs. M.M-80
The question paper is divided into three sections.
Section A : Reading 20 Marks
Section B : Advanced Writing Skills 30 Marks
Section C : Literature, Text Books & Long Reading Texts 30 Marks
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Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. You may attempt any section at a time.
3. All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.

SECTION- A (READING (Marks: 20)

1. Read the passage given below : 12M

1. Suspense was over when my high school results finally came out. But I was
upset. I hadn’t done as well as I had expected. My father tried to console me.
“Why are you worried ? You have done very well, my dear.” “No, I haven’t,
Baba,” I protested, controlling my tears, and wondering if I had disappointed
him. “It doesn’t really matter,” he assured me. “Do you know what I got when I
finished high school ?” I looked into Baba’s face and waited for the answer to
his own question. “You know,” he told me. “I’ve never told you this. I got just a
third division. But, look at me, I’ve done quite well.” Baba got a third division !
I was almost in shock, but the thought of my having done a lot better than that
made me realize that I had no reason to complain. I certainly felt better !
“Everything is under control !” said Baba, smiling. That was his favourite
phrase. Posted in Kolkata, my father was then a senior official in the Indian
Railway Service, and an expert in goods traffic operations. He was soon to
become a director with the Railway Board. By the time he retired in 1981, he
was general manager of the Central Railways. By the time Baba passed away in
November 2000, his name had found place in several hearts as well. He was
open, easy to know, and full of life. We were extremely close, but I had so
much more to learn about him from many things I came to know after his death.
2. In September 2000, he was in hospital for treatment of cancer and given just
two months to live. When he found out, his reaction was an extremely rational
one. He asked me to fetch files from his cupboard, so that he could explain the
details of my mother’s pension. He also dictated his will from his hospital bed.
“Everything is under control !” After Baba’s death, Satish, our old family
retainer, was inconsolable. We tried to cheer him up. “Your Baba had scolded
me only once in all these years !” he cried. Satish pointed to the watch on his
left hand. “I had been coming late for work and everyone in the family was
complaining about it,” said Satish. “Then, one day, your Baba gave me this
watch and told me, ‘now that you have a watch, you can’t be late.’” That was
the scolding Satish received. On the fourth day after Baba’s death, my sister
and I had to perform a ceremony. Since several relatives were expected, we
decided to order lunch from a caterer in our locality, reputed for his home
cooked food. But, when we went to pay the owner, we got a surprise. He
refused to accept any money ! “When I wanted to start my catering business, it

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was your father who lent me money,” he told us. It seems Baba never asked for
it back. Now, after four or five years, the caterer wanted to repay that debt.
Of course, we made him accept the full payment for the fine food and service.
‘It was Baba’s gift and it ought to remain so,’ I told him.
3. Some days later, there was yet another piece of information as we were
preparing for the main ceremony. Vikram, my brother drove me to the local
market. On recognizing our car, the parking assistant, in his twenties, came
running towards us and asked why he had not seen its owner for long. We had
to break the news to him and to our utter surprise, he started crying. We were
really surprised by this reaction from a stranger – until the man told us that
Baba used to pay his daughter’s school fees and buy her books. It seems, it was
on my father’s advice that he’d even started sending the child to school. More
than three years after Baba’s death, as we were looking into Baba’s personal
things, we came across an old file with Baba’s certificates and I found among
them, his high school diploma from 1937, the one he’d told me about 30 years
earlier, about the third division that had made no difference in his life or career.
It had made me see beyond mere marks and first classes as the main road to
success. But there was one more fact. Baba had actually got a first division, a
rare achievement in his day. Today, years after his passing, when I think of
Baba, I see a man who was able to sympathise with others so easily and touch
their lives in such a special way.
1.1. On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following
questions by choosing the most appropriate options : 1 × 5 = 5
(a) Why was the narrator in tears when her school results came out ?
(i) She did better than she expected.
(ii) She did not do as expected.
(iii) Her Baba had not done well.
(iv) Her Baba had done better than her.
(b) On knowing the result, how did the narrator’s father react ?
(i) He scolded her.
(ii) He beat her.
(iii) He consoled her.
(iv) He made fun of her.

(c) Why did the narrator say that she had nothing to complain ?
(i) She had done better than her father.
(ii) She had done as well as her father.
(iii) She had topped in her school.
(iv) She had not worked hard at all.
(d) Choose the option that is not correct :
(i) Baba was a senior official in the Indian Railway Service.
(ii) Baba was to become a director with the Railway Board.
(iii) Baba was the general manager of the Central Railways.
(iv) Baba had got a third division in high school.
(e) What was the story that Baba had invented on the day the narrator’s
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results were published ?
i) that he had got a third division in high school
ii)That he had got a first divison
iii)That he had paid her tution fee
iv)That he had topped in his school

1.2 Answer the following : 1 × 5 = 5m

(a) Why did the narrator’s sick father want her to fetch files from his cupboard ?
(b) Why did Baba buy Satish a watch ?
(c) Why did the caterer not want to take money from the narrator ?
(d) Why were the narrator and her brother surprised on meeting the parking
assistant ?
(e) Today years after his passing away what has the narrator realized about
her Baba ?
1.3 Find words from the passage that mean the same as the following : 1 × 2 = 2
(i) tension / anxiety (para 1)
(ii) servant (para 2)
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 8
Although stupidity is commonly defined as ‘a lack of normal intelligence’,
stupid behaviour is not the behaviour of a person lacking in intelligence but the
behaviour of a person not using good judgment or sense. In fact, stupidity comes
from the Latin word that means ‘senseless’. Therefore, stupidity can be defined as the
behaviour of a person of normal intelligence who acts in a particular situation as if he or
she isn’t very bright. Stupidity exists at three levels of seriousness.
First is the simple, relatively harmless level. Behaviour at this level is often
amusing. It is humorous when someone places the food from a fast food restaurant on
the roof of the car while unlocking the door and then drives away with the food still on
the roof. We call this absent-minded. The person’s good sense or intelligence was
temporarily absent. At this level, other than passing inconvenience or embarrassment,
no one is injured by the stupid behaviour. The next type-serious stupidity – is more
dangerous. Practical jokes such as putting sugar in the salt shakers are at this level. The
intention is humorous, but there is a chance of harm. Irresponsible advice given to
others is also serious stupidity. An
example is the person who plays psychiatrist on the basis of an introductory
psychology course or doing a TV program on psychiatry. The intention may be to
help, but if the victim really needs psychiatric help an amateur will only worsen the
situation. Even worse is the third kind of stupidity. Kind people, who would never injure
another living being, stupidly throw away a box of six-week-old kittens along a
country road. Lacking the heart to kill the poor things, they sentence them to almost
certain death from wild animals, infections exposure or the wheels of a passing
vehicle. Yet they are able to tell themselves that they will find nice homes’ or
‘animals can get along in the wild’. Another example of this kind of stupidity is the
successful local businessman who tries to have as many office affairs as he can get

244
away with. He risks the loss of his business and his home. He fails to see that what he is
doing is wrong. His is the true moral stupidity of a person not willing to think
about the results of his actions or take responsibility for them. The common defence
of a person guilty of stupidity is – ‘But I didn’t think---’This, however, is an
inadequate excuse, especially when serious or harmful stupidity is involved.
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using
headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations, wherever
necessary. 4
(b) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes
made and also suggest a suitable title. 4

Section -B: Advanced writing Skills (30)

Q4. The cultural Club of Samidha Public school, Ambala is organising a Talent Hunt Day.
The eminent dancer and choreographer Prabhu Deva will be the guest of honour. You
are Vimal / Priyanshi, secretary of the Cultural Club. Draft a notice in not more than 50
words informing the students about the event.
4 marks
OR
For the World Organ Day, design an appealing poster to spread awareness about the
importance and need to donate organs.

Q5. You are Yashvir/Soumya, an M.B.A., living at K-476, VigyanVihar, Chandigarh. You
read an advertisement in a national daily for 'Sales Assistants'. You decide to apply.
Write the application to the manager Trance India Limited R-Block Noida Delhi. Attach
your detailed resume. 6 marks

OR
Inspite of the sincere efforts by traffic police and various non-governmental
organizations(NGOs), underage driving has registered an alarming rise. You are
amit/Amita living at N-44, RadhaVihar, Jaipur.Write a letter to the editor of a national
daily highlighting the issue and suggesting feasible solutions to the problem of underage
driving(120 words)

Q6. Gyma and fitness centres are a big craze among the people, especially the
teenagers. But majority of them are not well -equipped and have no trained trainers.
Consequently the cases of joint pain, backache etc. have become quite common. you
are Sanjeev/Amita of class XII B. Write an article on 'Gyms : A Health Hazard' for your
school magazine(150-200) 10 marks
OR
Today, media -electronic as well as print is flooded with advertisements. Useless
commodities and superstitions are being promoted through glamorous exaggerated
advertisements. You are Vijay/ Vijayta. Write an article for your school magazine on the
topic 'Beware of Advertisements'.(150-200 words)

245
Q7. The growing crime graph and involvement of youth in crimes is a cause of concern.
You feel that value-based education is the only remedy to make the society crime. You
are Vidut /Vidushi, of class XII C . Write a speech for the school morning assembly on the
topic' Importance of Values'. (150-200 words) 10 marks
OR
Many people are of the opinion that social networking sites like Whats App, facebook
etc. strengthen social bonds. On the other hand many believe that these sights are
making people introvert and selfish. Write a debate in 150-200 words supporting the
motion' Social websites: A Threat to Society!'. You are Anjuman/Faisal of XII A.

LITERATURE SECTION 30 Marks

Q.7. Read the following lines carefully and answer the questions: 2x4=8 M

(i) “Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday Morning,

I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed,
her face ashen like that Of a corpse and realized with pain
That she thought away.”
a) Where was the poet coming from? Where was she going?
b) How does the poet describe her mother?
c) Who does ‘she’ refer to in the last line? What thoughts had she driven away?
(d) Name the poem and poet.
(ii) “I want to drive a car”
(a) Who wants to drive a car?
(b) What does he do?
(c) What makes his city famous for?
(d) How is his attitude different from that of his family?
Q.8. Answer the questions briefly: (Any Five) 2x5=10 M
(i) Why was Franz unwilling to go to school?
(ii) What problems were the Champaran indigo Sharecroppers facing?
(iii) Why did Sophie dream of having a boutique after leaving school?
(iv) What caused the death of the Maharaja?
(v) Describe the wizard’s room.
(vi) How do the tigers made by Aunt Jennifer look like?
(vii) Why and how did Douglas develop an aversion to water?

Q.9. Answer the following questions in length: 6M

246
(i) Do you think that one act of kindness can really change a person’s view of the world?
Discuss.
Or
Sophie’s dreams and disappointments are all in her mind . What was her extent of
fantasizing as a teenager?
10 Dr Sadao’s instinctive affinity transcends national and cultural prejudices and
barriers. Discuss.
Or
The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much less
than the sense of alienation felt by the person with disabilities. What is the kind of
behavior that the person expects from others? 6M
=====================================================

MARKING SCHEME
SECTION A: READING
COMPREHENSION PASSAGE
NOTE: No mark(s) should be deducted for mistakes in usage and
grammar, spelling, or word limit. Full marks may be awarded if a
student has been able to identify the core ideas. If a student literally
lifts a portion of the given passage as an answer to a question, no mark(s)
to be deducted for this as long as it is relevant.
(a) (ii) She did not do as expected. 1M
(b) (iii) He consoled her. 1M
(c) (i) She had done better than her father.1M
(d) (iv) Baba had got a third division in high school.1M
e)( i) that he had got a third division 1m
1.2(a) – so that he could explain details of mother’s pension / he had cancer
with 2 months to live
1 mark
( (b) – so that he was not late for work
1 mark
(c) – father had lent him money to start his catering business / felt
grateful to the narrator for what Baba had done for him
1 mark
(d) – he started crying on learning of the father’s death / came to know
that father had been helping his daughter by paying for her school
fee and books
1 mark
(e) – he had been a sympathetic man / had been able to touch people’s
lives in a special way
1 mark

1.3 (i) suspense / upset 1M

(ii) retainer 1M

247
2. Note
 If a student has attempted only summary or only notes, due
credit should be given.
 1 mark allotted for the title be given, even if a student has
written the title either in Q2(A) or Q2(B).
 Content must be divided into headings and sub-headings.
The notes provided below are only guidelines. Any other title, main
points and sub-points may be accepted if they are indicative of the
candidate’s understanding of the given passage, and the notes include
the main points, with suitable and recognizable abbreviations.
Complete sentences are not to be accepted as notes.
Numbering of points may be indicated in different ways, as long as a
consistent pattern is followed.
(a) NOTE MAKING
Distribution of Marks
Abbreviations / Symbols (with /without key) – any four 1M
Title 1M
Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper
indentation and notes)
2 marks
SuggestedNotes
NOTE:
Accept the notes and summary in the third person.
Also accept them written in the first person provided the format is
correct and content is covered properly.
Title: Facts about Stupid Behaviour / Stupidity / any other
relevant title
1 Definition
1.1 common def.
1.1.1 lack of normal int.
1.1.2 behaviour without good judgement / sense
1.2 author’s def.
1.2.1 behaviour of normal int. not acting brightly
1.2.2 has 3 levels
2 Levels of Stupidity
2.1 1st level
2.1.1 simple
2.1.2 harmless
2.1.3 often amusing
2.1.4 absentmindedness
2.1.5 no one injured
2.2 2nd level
2.2.1 more dangerous
2.2.2 intention humorous but chance of harm
2.3 3rd level
248
 2.3.1 worst
2.3.2 moral stupidity
2.3.3 unwilling to take responsibility
(b) Summary
The summary should include all the important points given in the
notes. 4M

4. Format- (1 mark)
Name of the Institution
Notice, Title, Date, Writers Name and Designation.
Content (2marks) , Expression (1mark)
Suggested value points Any relevant details
What- Talent Hunt, When- October (Date), Where-School Auditorium, For whom-
Students
OR
Highlight Topic- Organ Donation/Pledge Organs.
Create awareness through slogans.
5. Letter Writing.
Format-(1mark) Sender"s address, date, Receiver's address,
Subject, Heading, Salutation, Complimentary close.
Content . (3marks)
Expression. (2marks)
Job Application (covering letter).
Mention the source of advertisement and date. A short introduction. Why applying
for the post. X factor if any.
C.V 1) Acadaemic qualification.
2)Job experience.
3)Professional qualification if any.
OR

Suggested value points.

Problem.:Teenagers thirst for speed. Wish to go hi-tech. Adventure seekers.
Solution. Parents, guardians to take initiative. Teenagers to be enrolled in driver
education program. Road safety awareness camps in school and colleges. School
teachers to hold regular discussions regarding knowledge of traffic rules. Organize
quiz contests to instil driving at right age, to avoid mishaps. Interactive sessions with
traffic police.
6. ARTICLE WRITING.
Format- (heading and writer"s name) (1mark)
Content- (4marks)
Expression- (5marks)
Suggested value points
Gain calories after one stops going to the gym.
Body pains occur if one does not go to the gym regularly.
Muscle strength affected in long run and lead to muscle tear.
249
 A decline in cardiovascular fitness if one takes a break of few week from the
gym.
Introduced to an artificial life where six pack abs become a craze among boys
and a size zero figure for girls.
Natural exercise the best remedy . Natural food and not health supplements to
be adopted.
Think of other ways of relaxing and exercising like Cycling, Swimming, Jogging.
OR
Advertisements use false or misleading statements.
Misrepresentation of the product which may affect consumers negatively.
Cosmetic and weight loss commercials are examples of negative advertising.
Manipulation of measurement units like hard drives used in computers.
Oversized packaging in case of food items. Look of the product can be deceptive.
Example Fast Food like Burgers/Pizza etc.
Solution.
Awareness regarding product purchases.
Whether meets the permitted standards.
Consumer laws.
7. SPEECH
Format - opening address and conclusion (1mark)
Content - (4marks)
Expression - (5marks)
Suggested Value Points.
Values important as they do grow and develop.
Values help in decision making.
Individual values reflect how you show up in life viz creativity, enthisiasm,
humility.
Values help us relate with people viz trust, caring, generosity.
In an organization while at work teamwork, strategic planning helps.
Values help us show our concern for society, environment.
How to develop values.
Role of the teacherand parents.
Values can be taught as good behaviour and bad behaviour.
Reading, watching good TV programmes, movies and even some toys become
models of ideals.
Reading Folk tales can help children in seeing qualities that are admirable.
OR
DEBATE
Format (opening address and conclusion) (1mark)
Content (4 marks)
Expression (5 marks)
Value points (suggested)
Social networking has changed the way we interact with friends and others.
Twitter, youtube, facebook, foursquare play a significant role but also pose a
high risk.
250
 Sites also attact other element who wish to learn about you.
Hackers can hack into your account and stalk.
People can post unpalatable information on you tube and resort to blackmail.
Hackers and spammers can create online communities for conducting recruitment to
terrorist groups. E.g. ISIS
- Building awareness through educational classes about security issues
- Using antivirus tools
- Provide suitable security tools so that personalized information is not ferreted
out
- Enable users to remove their accounts easily when needed

LITERATURE SECTION 30 M
Q.7. General Instruction: This section is meant to test the students familiarity with the
appreciation of the set texts and written expression. However if the expression prevents
clear communication upto ½ mark may be deducted in each question.

Objective: To identify the correct answer on the basis of inference, interpretation or

comprehension.
To test local understanding of the text.
Marking:- 1 mark each for correct answer.

Ans (a) The poet had gone to her parents’ home to visit them. She was now going to
Cochin airport.
(b) The poet describes her mother as old, pale, cold and senile. As she dozed off beside
her, the mother looked almost like a corpse, for her face was colorless and seemed to
have lost the fervor of life.
(c) ‘She’ here refers to the poet. The thought of her mother’s approaching death which
she wanted to put it away.
(d) ‘My mother at sixty six’ by Kamala Das
(ii) (a) Ans Mukesh
(b) He is a bangle maker.
(c) Firozabad
(d) Mukesh’s whole family knows how to make bangles only. But Mukesh wants to be a
motor mechanic.
Q.8. Ans- Question & answers:- 10 marks
Objective:- To test ability to infer and evaluate.
To test local and global understanding of text. Any five.
Marking:- 2 marks each for correct answer.
1 m content+ 1 m fluency/expression
(i) Ans- Because he didn’t complete his home work—the rules of Participles.
M Hamel would ask questions today.
(ii)Ans- The Champaran indigo sharecroppers were the vicitms of injustice of the
landloard system in Bihar. Most of the arable land in Champaran belonged to English
251
Landlords who compelled their Indian tenants to plant indigo in 15% of their holdings.
They demanded the entire harvest as rent and thereby increased their poverty and
miseries.
(iii) Sophie was struck by the glamorous world like most adolescents are. The glamour of
fashion is beyond the reach of middle class girl like Sophie. So she dreams of having a
boutique, for it is the most likely place visited by celebrities and brings good money
likely place visited by celebrities and brings good money also.
(iv) The prophecy of the chief astrologer came true. A toy-wooden tiger-the hundredth
tiger killed the Maharaja. The silver quill on the wooden tiger pierced his hand when he
was playing with it on the crown prince’s third birthday. It caused a suppurating sore
that spread all over the arm. He was operated but died.
(v) The wizard’s room is a white house over the crick. Inside it are all magic things all
jumbled together in a big dusty heap as the wizard did not have any cleaning lady.
(vi) The tigers, made by Aunt Jennifer on the screen, are jumping and playing about
without any fear of the men beneath the tree. They walk in elegance and style
displaying the spirit of courage, fearlessness, strength and confidence.
(vii) When he was three or four years old ,his father took him for a picnic to California
beach. Suddenly a huge wave knocked him down , swept over him and terrorized him
Q.9. Ans Value based questions Question & answer :- 6 marks
Objective:- To test extrapolation, understanding and appreciation of text.
To test ability to infer, evaluate the characters, theme or plot.
Marking:- Content (3), and expression (3M)

(i) Value points:

 Yes I do agree that one act of kindness can really change a person’s view of the
world.
 This has been exemplified in the chapter by the man selling rattraps.
 In the beginning of the chapter the man is dejected and disillusioned because he
could not live a contented life in spite of his doing work to make his living.
 He had no positive experiences about life and considered the whole world with
its lands and seas, its cities and villages to be a big rattrap.
 The ironmaster’s daughter treats him with respect and shows compassion and
understanding towards his condition.
 She does not force herself upon him but tries to persuade him to spend
Christmas eve with them.
 He reposes trust in her due to her friendliness.
 Later she persuades her father not to send the man away when his identity is
revealed as they had invited him and promised him Christmas cheer.
 She also tells him that he is welcome again next year if he wishes so.
 This brings about a change in the man and he is reformed.
OR
Value Points.
 Sophie-poor, mediocre family
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  Aspires to have a boutique; but no means, no resources
 Could become manage or an actress
 She is a day dreamer
 Wants to see the vast would
 Father does not permit
 Dreams of meeting Danny Casey
 Imagines meeting him in the arcade
 Extent of fantasy-feels she has really met him
 Tells her brother who doesn’t believe her
 Father feels it is another of her wild stories.
 She goes again to meet Danny but he doesn’t come.
 Imagines meeting him again in the arcade

10 Value points

 As a young boy he obeyed his father and honoured the fact that his education
was his father’s chief concern.
 Sadao was skilful Japanese surgeon who lived in Japan during World War II.
 Together with his wife Hana, and the servants, Sadao had a comfortable life.
 Earlier, he had several years in the United states during medical school.
 While in the United States, Sadao experienced cultural prejudice and bias first
hand. Even though he did have a positive experience including that of a teacher
and landlady Americans did.

 Is a dutiful son, an excellent husband and a thorough professional- believes that

it is a “cardinal sin” on part of a surgeon not to know the human body
completely
 Faces a dilemma whether to help the POW or to assert loyalty to the country and
finally gives in to the call of humanity.
 His instinctive affinity transcends cultural and national prejudices and barriers.
OR

 Actual pain or inconvenience caused by physical impairment is often less than
the sense of alienation felt by the person with disabilities
 Physical disabilities
 Caused pain once in life time
 But this physical disability - set chain for other actions - caused mental agony-
 Called Lamely lamb, mothers were afraid of sending their children because of
his tin leg.
 Derry - burnt face - everyone pities him-only a mother could love that face.
 Both Mr. Lamb and Derry have been the victims of verbal atrocities.
 Mr. Lamb takes comments lightly.
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  But Derry does not have the attitude like Mr. Lamb.
 Attitude of the people needs to be changed.
 They do not want sympathy but we need to accept them as they are.
 Wounds get healed - but bitter comments are never forgotten.It leaves an
indelible scar.

SAMPLE PAPER 9
SUBJECT: ENGLISH CORE 2019-20
CLASS: XII
TIME: 3HRS. M.M. : 80
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
(1) This paper is divided into three sections: A,B and C. All the sections are
compulsory.
SECTION A- READING- 20 MARKS
SECTION B- WRITING SKILLS- 30 MARKS
SECTION C- LITERATURE & LONG READING TEXT- 30 MARKS
(2) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever
necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
(3) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION A- READING

Q1. Read the given poem and answer the questions that follow:
THE MAN HE KILLED
“Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have sat us down to wet
Right many a nipperkins!

“but ranged as infantry,

And staring face to face,
I shot at him as he at me
And killed him in his place.
“I shot him dead because----
Because he was my foe,
Just so: My foe of course he was:
That’s clear enough: although
“he thought he’d list, perhaps,
254
Off-hand like--- just as I---was out of work--- had sold his trap---
No other reason why.
“yes: quaint and curious war is !
You shoot a fellow down you’d treat if met where any bar is,
Or help to half- a- crown”.

Q2.1Read the poem carefully and choose the most appropriate options from those
given below
(5x1=5)
a. The two men in the poem are:
I. Two enemies
II. Two mercenary soldiers and joined army for money
III. Both had once been friends
IV. Two strangers who had met at an inn
b. “ we should have sat us down to wet” means
I. We would have taken a bath together
II. We would swim together
III. We would have enjoyed a drink together
IV. We would have drenched in rain
c. The two men met
I. In an inn
II. In a battle field
III. In a bar
IV. In a market to sell his trap
d. The poet shot him dead because
I. he was an enemy
II. he didn’t like him
III. they had a dispute over something
IV. for no reason
e. What is the theme of the poem?
I. beauty of nature
II. lost love
III. war
IV. hatred

Q2.2 Answer the following questions in brief :

(5x1=5 marks)
a. Why did the speaker kill the other man?
b. Why did the two men join the army?
c. Why are wars quaint and curious?
d. Was he really convinced that the other man was his enemy?Why/ Why not?
255
 e. Who killed whom?

2.3. Find the words from the poem which mean the same as following:
(2X1=2)
a. A measure for liquor(not in use now)
b. Odd, strange

Q2. Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
1. Sports have long been hailed as means to unite different nations, to spread the
spirit of friendship among them and cement the delicate relationship that often
exists between neighbouring countries. Yes, indeed, sports is a link that can
effect unshakeable bonds among nations. It can rise above party politics and
national affiliations and really disseminate the concept of universal brotherhood
throughout the world.
2. It is strange, however, that such high hopes do not come to pass in reality. Very
often sports arenas are miniature battlefields. And the soldiers who strut about
with unalloyed pride as members of a particular army are the players and the
spectators . the spectators and through them the representative nations work
themselves into a frenzy over these contests and seriously believe that superior
performance in the game and athletics gives them the stamp of a super- power.
We have seen even contests of an international stature such as the Olympic
Games marred by internecine feuds and orgies of violence.
3. Why, then, has this novel activity turned into one of hatred and jealousy? The
answer lies in the phrase “the rise of nationalism”. Earlier on, sports and games
used to be played on the village green and no feeling of local patriotism or
loyalty was moved. It was fun and exercise that the players deserved from
dissipating their excess energy on the playfield. Later on, many rich nations
promoted games in a big way and financed the competing sides. Games started
attracting vast crowds who could very easily be excited and would, then indulge
in mob fury. The combating nations considered a victory or a defeat in the sports
field the decisive factor that nations considered a victory or a defeat in the
sports field, the decisive factor that would affect their prestige. In a bid to save
their name they would stop to any act.
4. As a result, unethical practices have crept into the sports arena. The” warring
nations easily fall prey to unscrupulous means. The actors of this drama, the
athletes and other players, who are also loaded with gifts in cash and kind,
indulge in devious ways and malpractices as their only motto is “to win
somehow”. The lure of money and power has, thus, corrupted sports at all
levels.

256
 Q2.1(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes using
headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations, wherever necessary.
( 4 marks)
Q2.1(b) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes
made and also suggest a suitable title. (4
marks)

SECTION B (ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS) 30

Q.3 New Era College, Gwalior, is about to enter its new academic session. As the
Principal, you are concerned about the issue of ragging both inside and outside
college premises. Draft an anti-ragging notice to be put up on the college notice
board, sensitizing students about the issue and asking them to report any
misbehavior in this regard to the authorities. (Word Limit: 50) 4
OR
Design a poster on importance of books and motivate students to read books. You
are the President of the Reading Club of your school. (Word Limit: 50)
4

Q.4 The Prime Minister of India’s initiative to turn Gandhi Jayanti into a Cleanliness Day
was welcomed by one and all. Many celebrities also became part of this drive.
Write a letter to the editor of the Hindustan Times, New Delhi, appreciating this
drive and reflecting on the need to maintain clean surroundings and thereby a
clean nation. (Word Limit: 100-125) 6 marks
OR
You are Pawan Junelia, staying at R-535, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi. Two months
back you bought a Telephone Answering System with Facsimile from the
Electronic World, 33, Daryaganj, New Delhi, with a warranty of 2 years. Now you
discover that the machine doesn’t record the callers message and the screen also
remains blank. Write a letter of complaint requesting for replacement, if needed.
(Word Limit: 100-125) 6

Q.5 You have been selected to speak in an Inter-school Debate Competition. The topic is
‘Technology Can Never Replace Teachers’. Write your debate for the motion in
150-200 words. 10
Or
You are Rakhee/Rakesh and you feel disturbed at the growing violence among
children. Write a speech on Growing Violence among Children suggesting
measures to curb the problem. (Word limit: 150-200).
10

Q.6 In the mad rush of today’s fast paced life, we often forget to enjoy the simple
pleasures of life like reading a good book, going out for a walk in the nearby park,
a simple conversation with an old friend or just watching a good movie with
family. Write an article titled- ‘The Simple Pleasures of Life ‘as Riya/Rakhsit,
expressing your views on the topic. (Word limit: 150-200) 10

257
 Or
You were travelling by Konark Express from Chennai to Bhubaneshwar. In the two
hours, 3 bogies of the train got derailed and the train came to a grinding half when it
was nearing Bhubaneshwar. All the passengers were awakened from their slumber to
realize that their lives were in danger. Co-passengers from other bogies of the train
came to their rescue. Draft a report on 150-200 words for Anand Bazzar Patrika,
Bhubaneshwar. You are Priyanka/Pritham travelling in an unaffected compartment of
the same train. 10

LITERATURE SECTION- 30
QNO7. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
A)“If we were not so single-minded 
about keeping our lives moving, 
and for once could do nothing, 
perhaps a huge silence 
might interrupt this sadness 
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death
(a) Whom does ‘we’ refer to in the above lines?
(b) Why does the poet want us to ‘do nothing’ for once?
(c) What is the‘sadness’that the poet refers to in the poem?
(d) How can a huge silence do good to us?\
)Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
From the beginning however, I had an aversion to the water when I was in it. This
started when I was three or four years old and father took me to the beach in
California. He and I stood together in the surf. I hung on to him, yet the waves
knocked me down ans swept over me. I was buried in water. My breath was gone. I
was frightened. Father laughed, but there was terror in my heart at the overpowering
force of the waves.

(a) Who is ‘I’ here?

(b) When did the aversion to water start?
(c) Where did his father take him?
(a) Why was the author frightened?
QNO 8.Answer ANY FIVE of the following questions in 30-40 words.
Q1- What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
 Q2- Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
Q3-What deep meaning did his experience at the YMCA swimming pool have
forDouglas?
Q4- How did Douglas‘ introduction to the YMCA pool revive his childhood fear of water?
258
Q5. What are the reasons of success of the ‘Students on Ice’ programme?
Q6. How did Antarctica amaze the writer when she first saw it?
Q7. What misadventure did Douglas experience at the YMCA swimming pool?
Q.NO 9 ―I crossed to oblivion, and the curtain of life fell.‖ What was the
incidentwhich nearly killed Douglas and developed in him a strong aversion to water.?
6 marks
OR

Desire, determination and diligence lead to success. Explain the value of these
qualities in the light of Douglas‘ experience in Deep Water‘.

Q10. .How does the geological phenomenon help us to know about the history of
mankind ? 6 marks
OR
What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students on Ice Expedition?

Answer key OF SAMPLE PAPER NO 9

ANS. 1. A.(a) i. the two enemies 5x1=5

V. (b) iii. We would have enjoyed a drink together

(c) ii. In battle field

(d) i. he was an enemy
(e) iii. war

2.2 (a) because they were enemies and fighting for their own countries.
(b) they needed work
(c)because people kill each other for no reason and don’t know each other
personally.
( d) he killed him as he was fighting for his country but later regretted it
(e) poet killed his enemy
2.3. (1)nipperkin
(2)quaint
2x1=2
ANS.2.-NOTE-No mark(s) should be deducted for mistakes in usage and grammar,
spelling, or word limit. Full marks may be awarded if a student has been able to identify
the core idea . if a student literally lifts a portion of the given passage as an answer to a
question, no mark(s) to be deducted for this as long as it is relevant.
2

259
ANS.3.1.- NOTE- MAKING
NOTE: -If a student has attempted only summary or only notes, due credit should be
given .
- 1 mark allotted for the title be given if a student has written the title either in
Q3(a) OR
Q3(b) part
-minimum 3 main headings and 3 subheadings to form content
DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS:
Title:
1mark.
Content :
3 mark
Abbreviations: (min.4) with or without key-
1 mark
SUGGESTED NOTES- The notes provided below are merely guidelines. Any other title,
main point and sub points should b accepted if they are indicative of candidates’
understanding of the given passage. Complete sentences not to be accepted as notes (In
such cases ½ - 1 mark can be deducted from marks allotted for content). Numbering in
points can be indicated in different ways, and these should be accepted as long as
consistent pattern is followed.

SECTION B (ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS) 30

1. NOTICE -4
Format- 1( name of the school, date, notice, heading and name and designation of the
issuing authority)
Content -2 (ragging strictly prohibited, appealing not to indulge in such cases, asking to
inform the authority if ragging is observed and other details)
Expression- 1(grammatical accuracy, spellings and arrangement of thoughts)
Or
POSTER-4
Format-title and name of Issuing Authority-1
Content-(importance of books, use of slogans , information of inculcating reading
habits , visuals etc ) -2
Expression –(creativity, grammatical accuracy and spellings)-1
2. Letter to the Editor-6
Format -1(sender’s address, date, receiver’s details, subject, salutation and closing)
Content-3
Expression- 2 (coherence of thoughts, use of appropriate words and style-1
and grammatical accuracy and spellings-1)
Value points-(introducing the topic, Gandhiji’s efforts to maintain cleanliness,
Importance of the cleanliness day, celebrities’ contribution and appealing common,

260
 people to inculcate cleanliness as an inherent value to make the surrounding neat and
clean etc.)
or
Format -1(sender’s address, date, receiver’s details, subject, reference, salutation and
closing)
Content-3
Expression- 2(coherence of thoughts, use of appropriate words and
style -1 and grammatical accuracy and spellings-1)
Value points-
purchase of the telephone answering machine- details
after some time its malfunctioning and troubles caused due to its defects
asking to replace it against the warranty card etc.
5. speech/debate-10
Format- 1(beginning and concluding lines with an appropriate heading)
Expression-5 (coherence of thoughts, use of appropriate words and style -2.5
and grammatical accuracy and spellings-2.5)
Content- 4
Value points— for
Teacher’s role as a guide, an anchor, a philosopher, a second parent, as a friend
etc. besides being a treasure of knowledge- transaction skills-care and
observation of learning- working hard to uplift the students-understanding and
sensitive- vigilant and disciplinarian – a role model etc. But technology provides
only information and lacks all these merits . Thus it can never replace the teacher
Or
Against- technology as the most updated form- full of recent information- can
bring any information just with a finger touch- accompanied with audio and
visual aids-
Never tires or grows old-no negative emotion influence- outdated tools and
methods can be replaced with new technology- avoids monotony and makes the
learning interesting and highly informative- easy accessible etc

6. Article- 10
Format- 1(beginning and concluding lines with an appropriate heading)
Expression-5 (coherence of thoughts, use of appropriate words and style -2.5
and grammatical accuracy and spellings-2.5)
Content- 4
Value points- life is all about happiness-but modern life has become hectic and
stressful- lack of work –life balance, high ambition, cut throat competition, high
expectations as the biggest factors of causing unhappiness
261
 Return back to old happiness of simple life- enjoy leisure time- spend time with
family- spend time with family members- play with children and pets-be social
and indulge in chitchat- keep away from technology for a while- enjoy small
pleasures etc.
Or
Format- 1( appropriate heading, date, place, name of the reporter and the
journal)
Expression-5 (coherence of thoughts, use of appropriate words and style -2.5
and grammatical accuracy and spellings-2.5)
Content- 4
Value points-
- What ,when, where
- how it happened
- causes of the derailing
- casualties and rescue
- compensation
-concluding lines

LITERATURE
Q7 A.(a) ‘We’ refers to the human beings, who are always thinking about their own
progress and advancement.
(b) The poet wants us to ‘do nothing’ for once so that our mind can be at peace and we
are able to introspect and analyse our own actions.
(c) The poet refers to the ‘sadness’ which arises due to the fact that people fail to
understand themselves. They have no time to introspect about their actions and their
consequences.
(d) A huge silence can do good to us because we are able to achieve peace in this
silence. It helps us in analysing ourselves and our actions, interrupting the sadness of
threatening ourselves with death.
B. a.The author, William Douglas.
b. At the age of three of four
c. To the beach in California
d. Because he was swept over by the waves while surfing with his father.
Q8. 1 A1-If we count upto twelve and keep still, it will give us some time to analyze our
deeds. It will allow us some moments to think about the result of our activities. People
in the world are involved in wars and are also damaging the environment in order to
achieve their aims. Unfortunately this is taking all of us toward our own end. So, we
need to think in order to achieve peace and harmony.
A2- No, the poet doesn’t advocate total inactivity and death. He clarifies this in his poem
that he wants all the people to just stop for a while in order to analyze their activities

262
and their consequences. He wants human beings not to support war and damage to the
environment.

Ans. 3. The experience at the YMCA pool had a deep meaning for Douglas. As he had
experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror that the fear of it can produce,
he learnt the will to live in great intensity.

Ans4. Douglas‘ introduction to YMCA pool revived his childhood fear of water as , when
hehad not yet learnt swimming, he was thrown into the pool‘s deep end by a bully and
sank to the bottom despite his best efforts.

Ans5. It is so impossible to go near the South Pole and remain unaffected. When you
visibly see glaciers retreating and ice shelves collapsing, you begin to realize that the
threat of global warming is real.

Ans6. It is perhaps the coldest, and the driest continent. The writer felt wonderstruck by
its immensity, its isolation, its uninterrupted blue horizon. She was amazed as to how
there was a time when India and Antarctica were part of the same landmass.

Ans7. As the timid Douglas sat alone at the side of the YMCA swimming pool waiting for
other people to come, a big boy, probably eighteen years old came there. He asked
Douglas whether he would like to be ducked. Saying this, he picked up Douglas and
tossed him into the deep end of the pool. Douglas landed inside the pool in a sitting
position, swallowed. water and went at once to the bottom of the pool. Though Douglas
was extremely frightened he had his wits intact so on his way down he started to plan.
He decided that when his feet would hit the bottom he would make a big jump, come to
the surface, lie flat on it and then paddle to the edge of the pool.

ANSWER

Answer 9: The incident which nearly killed Douglas occurred when he was ten or eleven
years old. He had decided to learn swimming at the YMCA pool, and thus get rid of his
fear of water. One morning, when he was alone at the pool, waiting for others, a big
bully of a boy tossed him into the deep end of the pool. Though he had planned a
strategy to save himself as he went down, his plan did not work. Thrice he struggled
hard to come to the surface, but failed each time. He was frightened and got almost
drowned in the pool, lost his consciousness and felt that he would die. Though he was
ultimately saved, this misadventure developed in him a strong aversion to water.

OR

Answer 9: When his feet hit the bottom of the pool, Douglas summoned up all his
strength and made a great spring upwards thinking he would bob to the surface like a
cork. But when nothing like that happened, Douglas tried to yell but no sound came out.
Now a great force was pulling him under. He was paralysed under water, stiff and rigid
with fear. Then in the midst of the terror came a touch of reason that he should
remember to jump when he hit the bottom. As soon as he felt the tiles under him he
263
reached out his toes towards them and jumped again with all his strength. Yet again the
jump did not make any difference. The water was still around him. Stark terror took an
even deeper hold on him and he shook and trembled with fright. He could not move his
arms and legs. He tried to call for help but nothing happened. Finally he ceased all his
efforts and decided to relax as blackness swept over his brain.

Ans 10 Geological phenomena gives one an insight into why and how the present
landforms came into being. About six hundred and fifty million years ago , there existed
a giant southern supercontinent Gondwana.It thrived for 500 million years and finally it
broke into separate countries as they exist today.
By visiting Antarctica we can know from where we have come from and where we are
heading .It also helps us understand the importance of Cordilleran folds and pre-
Cambrian Granite shields ,ozone and carbon and also about the evolution and
extinction. . Its ice cores hold more than half –million-year old carbon records which are
useful for the study of past.
OR
Ans: A visit to Antarctica makes it quite clear and there one can see the ice shelves
melting. ‘Students on Ice’ is a programme headed by Canadian Geoff Green. He aims at
organizing this programme by taking high school students to the ends of the world. He
thinks it most essential to provide the students with inspiring educational opportunities
to know more about the Antarctica. Through this they will generate a new
understanding and respect for our planet. Earlier Geoff Green had organized
programme with celebrities and rich people which gave him back only in a limited way.
Since the students are young minds and full of adventurous activities they can learn, act
and absorb much by visiting the Antarctica. They can see through their own eyes
glaciers retreating and ice-shelves collapsing. They can realize the future dangers,
catastrophic effect of climatic changes and the global warming. The Antarctica provides
the young students a perfect place to study the varied changes occurring in the
environment. These little changes can have significant consequences. The students can
see those grasses of the sea that flourish, nourish and sustain the entire Southern
Ocean’s food chain. Thus the programme provides a lively study of changes and the
realities going on the Antarctica.

Class XII
English Core (301)
Sample Question Paper No. 10
2019-20
Time allowed: 3 hrs. Max. Marks:
80
General Instructions:
1. This paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C.
2. All the sections are compulsory.

264
 3. Read the instructions very carefully given with each section and question and follow
them faithfully. 4. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the
questions.
SECTION-A (READING) (20)
Q1. Read the passage and on the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the
questions given below:
12
1. India has never subscribed to the doctrine of militarism and war in her history. Here
war was never treated as an ideal. It was only tolerated as unavoidable and inevitable,
and all attempts were made to check it and bring it under control. In spite of the
frequency of wars in ancient India, in spite of highly developed military organization,
techniques of war and imperialism and in spite of the open justification of war as
national policy, the heart of India loved pacifisms as an ideal capable of realization.
India’s symbolic role was that of a peacemaker and it sincerely pinned its faith on the
principle of ‘Live and let live’. At least philosophically, India’s intelligence supported the
cause of peace not only in national affairs but in international affairs also. All the great
seers of the yore visualized the unity of life, permeating all beings, animate or
inanimate, which ruled out killing and suicidal wars.
2. This doctrine of philosophical pacifisms was practiced by ancient Aryans is, no doubt,
a question of controversial nature. Certainly, the great Indian teachers and savants stuck
to this doctrine tenaciously and in their personal life they translated it into practice and
preached it to masses and even to princes of military classes.
3. Another culture of those times, the existence of which has been proved by the
excavations of Mohanjo-Daro, also enunciated the doctrine of pacificism and friendship
to all. Strangely enough, the Indus Valley civilization has revealed no fortification and
very few weapons.
4. Ahimsa or the doctrine of non-violence in thought, speech and action assumed a
gigantic importance in the Buddhist and Jain period. By a constant practice of this virtue,
man becomes unassailable by even wild beasts, who forgot their ferocity the moment
they entered the circumference of his magnetic influence. The monks and nuns of these
churches were apostles of peace, who reached every nook and corner of the world and
delivered the message of love to war-weary humanity. The greatest votary was the royal
monk Ashoka, who in reality was responsible for transforming Ahimsa as an act of
personal virtue, to Ahimsa as an act of national virtue. 2
5. Many a historian recounting the causes of the downfall of the Mauryas, hold the
pacific policy of Ashoka which had eschewed the aggressive militarism of his
predecessors, responsible for an early decay of the military strength of the state and its
consequent disintegration, leading to the rise of Sungas, Kanvas and Andhras. But, in
reality the fault lies with the weak successors of Ashoka, who could not wield the
weapon of non-violence with a skill and efficiency which required the strength of a
spiritual giant like Ashoka. They failed due to their subjective weakness: Pacifism itself
was no cause of their failure.
6. Besides the foregoing philosophical and religious school of thought, even many
political authorities gave their unqualified support to the cause of pacifisms. They
recognized the right of rivals to exist, not mainly as enemies, but as collaborators in the
265
building of a civilization operation. Thus, for centuries, in the pre-Mauryan India, scores
of small independent republics existed and flourished without coming in clash with each
other.
7. With regard to Kautilya, the much maligned militarist and the so called Machiavelli of
India, He thinks that the object of diplomacy is to avoid war.
8. The Mahabharata observes in the connection, “A wise man should be content with
what can be obtained by the expedients of conciliation, gift and dissention.” It
denounces the warring world of men by comparing it to a dog-kennel. “First there
comes the wagging of tails, then turning of one round to other, then the show of teeth,
then the roaring and then comes the commencement of the fights. It is the same with
men; there is no difference whatever.” Yajnavalkya adds: “War is the last expedient to
be used when all others have failed.” Likewise, Sri Krishna who’s Bhagwad-Gita has been
styled by some as “a song of the battle”, should not be considered out and out militarist.
When all the three expedients were exhausted, then alone the fourth was resorted to.
9. All possible avenues of peace such as negotiation, conciliation through conference,
meditation and so on, were explored before the war was resorted to. This proves that
the heart of ancient India was sound and it longed for peace, although war also was not
treated as an anathema, which was to be avoided as far as possible.
(Words– 837) (Extract from ‘Culture India-Pacifism has been the Ideal’ by Sri Indra)
1.1 Answer each of the questions given below by choosing the most appropriate option:
(1X5=5)
(i) The heart of India loved ____ a) a highly developed military organization
b) techniques of wars and imperialism c) loans d)
pacifism
(ii) Principle of ‘Live and let live’means a) imperialism b)
militarism c) frequency of wars among nations
d) role of peace makers
(iii) Aryans preached and practiced this to the masses
a) non-violence b) freedom of speech
and action c) philosophical pacifisms d) practice
of military organization
(iv) Mahabharata compares the warring world with
a) wise men b) dog kennel c) song of the battle
d) militarist
(v) Unearthing Mohan-jo–Daro reinforced the following of Pacifism
a) there was no fortification and very few weapons b) they delivered the
message of love c) they were apostles of peace d) thinks that the
object of diplomacy is to avoid war
1.2 Answer the following questions briefly:
(1X5=5)
(i) How was war treated in India?
(ii) Describe India’s preparedness for war in spite of their belief in Pacifism.
(iii) How did the Aryans practice the Doctrine of Pacifism?
(iv) What is Ahimsa?
(v) What is the meaning of co-existence with rivals?
266
1.3 Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to the
following: (1X2=2)
(i) express in definite and clear terms (para 3 )
(ii) the beginning (para 8)
Q 2. Read the passage and answer the questions given below:
(8)
1. There is a clear dichotomy between Jayashankar Prasad’s daily life and the one that
found expression in his literature. In his literary formulations, Prasad advocated an
escape- frompersonality ideal and categorically stated: “An artist’s art, and not his
person, is the touchstone to assess his work . . . it is only after losing his personality that
he emerges in his art as an artist”.
2. In Prasad’s works – his poems, short stories, novels, dramas etc. – what emerges is
life as shaped in the writer’s inner self by his emotions, fancies, dreams, reveries . . . His
writings are a record not of outer reality, but of the artist’s inner world. As such, of a
proper appreciation and understanding of his works more emphasis needs to be placed
on the working of his mind, than the events of his dayto-day life.
3. Prasad was born in a renowned family of Varansi. His grand-father Shiv RatanSahu, a
dealer in high quality perfumed tobacco (snuff). Besides being an astute businessman,
he was endowed with a marked cultural taste. His home was the meeting place of the
local poets, singers, artists, scholars and men of religion. Prasad’s father Devi Prasad
Sahu carried forward this high tradition of family. Prasad, therefore, had a chance to
study the various phases of human nature in the light of the business traditions, artistic
taste and religious background of his family.
4. When the business had somewhat recovered, Prasad planned the publication of a
literary journal. Prasad started the “Indu”. The inaugural number appeared in July 1909.
By this time Prasad’s notions of literature had crystalized into a credo. In the first issue
of Indu, he proclaimed, “Literature has no fixed aim; it is not slave to rules; it is free and
all-embracing genius, gives birth to genuine literature which is subservient to none.
Whatever in the world is true and beautiful is its subject matter. By the dealing with the
True and Beautiful it establishes the one and affects the full flowering of the others. Its
force can be measured by the degree of pleasure it gives to the reader’s mind as also by
criticism which is free of all prejudice”. The words sound like the manifesto of
romanticism in literature.
5. Even while recognising the social relevance of literature, Prasad insisted, “The poet is
a creator . . . he is not conditioned by his milieu; rather it is he who moulds it and gives it
a new shape; he conjures up a new world of beauty where the reader for the time
being, becomes oblivious of the outer world and passes his time in an eternal spring
garden where golden lotuses blossom and the air is thick and pollen”. Thus, the chief
aim of literature according to Prasad is to give joy to the reader and to create a state of
bliss in him. Later under the impact of Shaivadvaitism, this faith of Prasad got further
strengthened. (word length- 490) (Extract from ‘Jayashankar Prasad- His mind and Art’
by Dr. Nagendra)
2.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using
headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary-

267
minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it.
(4)
2.2 Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words.
(4)
SECTION: B (ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS) 30
Q.3 You are Simar / Smriti of Lotus International School, Jodhpur. Your school is
organizing a workshop on ‘Prevention of Drug Abuse’ in the coming week. Prepare a
poster with complete information for the students of class X-XII.
(4)
OR
You are Simar / Smriti of Lotus International School, Jodhpur.Your school has decided to
contribute in controlling traffic near your school and requires the names of volunteers
from IX to XII. Write a notice to be displayed on the notice board. (50 words)
(4)
Q.4 Public demonstration causes a lot of disturbance in daily routine of common man.
You almost missed your important entrance examination as people blocked the
highway. As Tarun / Taruna, a student aspiring to be a doctor, write a letter to the Editor
of The Times of India highlighting the need to discourage such demonstrations and
disturbance by public on highways which cause a great loss of time and opportunity for
many. (120-150 words) (6)
OR
You are Tarun / Taruna who bought a new Luminous Inverter for your home from R.K.
Electronics, Noida but found many functional problems as the charging is not done
properly and battery water is getting leaked. Write a letter of complaint to the
proprietor to take care of the same. (120-150 words) (6)
Q.5 You are Mukul / Mahima of Alps Public School. Your school has organized a debate
on ‘Social Media and It’s Effects’ and you will be participating from your school. Prepare
your views against or in favour of the motion. (150-200 words)
(10)
OR
As Mukul / Mahima of Alps Public School, write a speech to be delivered in school
assembly highlighting the importance of cleanliness suggesting that the state of
cleanliness reflects the character of its citizens. (150-200 words)
(10)
Q.6 By 2050, India will be amongst the countries which will face acute water shortage.
You are highly alarmed and terrified of the future world without water. So, write an
article on ‘Save water- are we doing enough?’ for the local daily in 150-200 words.
(10)
OR
You are Karan / Kirti of L.M. Memorial Public School, Dwarka. Your school has adopted a
village as a social responsibility. Students are being taken to teach the children of that
village on a regular basis. Write a report, for your school magazine, on the various other
programmes organized there in 150-200 words.
(10)
SECTION: C (LITERATURE: TEXT BOOKS and LONG READING TEXT) 30
268
Q7(a) Read the following extract and answer the following questions briefly: (1X4=4)
Most of them wore khadi and worshipped Gandhiji but beyond that they had not the
faintest appreciation for political thought of any kind. Naturally, they were all averse to
the term ‘Communism’.

(i) Who are them?

(ii) What was the role of the poets in the Gemini Studios?

(iii) Why did they wear khadi and worship Gandhiji?

(iv) Why were they averse to communism?

Q7 (b) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (1X4=4)
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green
They do not fear the men beneath the tree,
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty

(a) How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers described?

(b) Why are they described as denizens of a world of green?
(c) Why are they not afraid of the men?
(d) What are her tigers symbolic of?

Q9. Answer any five the following questions in 30-40 words: (2X5=10)
(1) What is the weight that lies heavy on Aunt Jennifer’s hand? How is it associated with
her husband?
(2) Subbu was charitable and improvident, yet he had enemies. Why?
(3)What does ‘The God That Failed’ refer to?
(4) ‘Because if I don’t go back there, I’ll never go back anywhere in the world’ says Derry
to his mother. How do these words reflect Derry’s state of mind? How does he come to
feel this way?
(5) “It ate my face up. It ate me up,” says Deny to Mr. Lamb. What is this a reference to
and how does the play bear out the latter part of the statement ?
(6) How does Derry interpret the fairy story ‘Beauty and the Beast’? What does he feel
about himself?
(7) Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her own
character? What might the poet be suggesting through this difference?

Q 10. Answer Any One of the following questions in 120-150 words: (6)
(i)The writer has used humor and satire effectively in Poets and Pancakes.Discuss
. OR
(ii) What does Asokamitran’s lesson ‘Poet and Pancakes’ deal with?

269
Q11. Answer Any One of the following questions in about 120-150 words: (6)
Both Derry and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is the responsibility of society
to understand and support people with infirmities so that they do not suffer from a
sense of alienation. As a responsible citizen, what you would do to bring about a change
in the lives of such people.
. . OR
(ii) Optimism in one’s attitude helps deal with all the challenges in life. Prove the
statement by referring to the character Mr. Lamb from the chapter ‘On the Face of It’.

Class: XII English Core-(301)

Marking SchemeOF SAMPLE PAPER NO 10
Time allowed: 3 Hrs Maximum Marks: 80
SECTION A (READING) 20
Q 1.On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer the questions
given below, 1x5 = 5 1.1 Answer each of the questions given below by choosing the
most appropriate option:
(i) d. Pacifism
(ii) d. Role of peacemakers.
(iii) c. Philosophical Pacifism.
(iv) b. Dog kennel.
(v) a. as there was no fortification and very few weapons
1.2 Answer the following questions briefly
1. The war was never treated as an Ideal in India, it was only tolerated as unavoidable and
inevitable/all attempts were made to check it and control it.
2. highly developed military organization/ techniques of war and imperialism/ the open
justification of war as national policy
3. The doctrine of philosophical Pacifism was practiced by ancient Aryans. The great Indian
teachers and savants stuck to this doctrine tenaciously, practiced and preached it to masses
and royals.
4. Ahimsa is the doctrine of non-violence in thought, speech and action / it is an act of
personal virtue.
5. The right of the rivals to exist, not mainly as enemies but as collaborators in the building
of our civilization operation / co-existence without coming in clash with each other.
1.3 Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to the
following:
a. enunciated
b. commencement

Q 2. Note
 If a student has attempted only summary or only notes, due credit should be given.
 1 mark allotted for the title to be given, even if a student has written the title either in
Q2(a) or Q2(b).

270
  Content must be divided into headings and subheadings. The notes provided below are
only guidelines. Another title, main points and subpoints may be accepted if they are
indicative of the candidate‟s understanding of the given passage, and the notes include the
main points, with suitable and recognizable abbreviations. Complete sentences are not to
be accepted as notes. Numbering of points may be indicated in different ways, as long as a
consistent pattern is followed.

a) NOTEMAKING
Distribution of Marks 4
Title
1
Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper indentation and notes)
2
Abbreviations /Symbols (with/without key)–any four
1
NOTE: Accept the notes and summary in the third person
Suggested Notes:
Title: Jayashankar Prasad- His life (any other suitable title)
1.Hisexp.n in lit.:
1.1 an escape
1.2 lose your personality
1.3 record of writer‟s inner world
1.4 more emph.z on mind than body
2. personal life :
2.1 renowned family of Varansi
2.2 home- meeting place of the local poets, singers
2.3 grand-father- an astute businessman Suggested Abbreviations:
2.4 had a chance to study phases of human nature Lit. – literature
3. started the “Indu”:
3.1 in July 1909 Emph.z – emphasize
3.2 proclaimed Exp.n – expression
a) Lit. has no fixed aim Embra‟g - embracing
b) is free and all embra‟g genius
c) gives birth to genuine lit.

4. social relevance of literature

4.1 poet is a creator
4.2 moulds it
4.3 conjures up a new world of beauty
4.4 becomes oblivious of the outer world
5. chief aim of literature
5.1 give joy to the reader
5.2 create a state of bliss
271
 b) Summary- The summary should include all the important points given in the notes.
Content 2
Expression 2
SECTIONB: WRITING SKILLS (30)
NOTE: The objective of the section on Writing Skills is to test a candidate’s writing
ability. Hence, expression assumes as much importance as the content of the answer.
Q 3.POSTER MAKING
Format: Title and Name of Issuing Authority 1
Content: 2
Expression and Creativity: grammatical accuracy, spellings 1
VALUE POINTS: WORKSHOP ON PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE
time, date and venue of the event
effects of drugs
speaker
visuals
OR
NOTICE
1
Format:The format should include: ISSUING AUTHORITY/ NAME OF THE INSTITUTION,
the word “NOTICE”, HEADING, DATE, and WRITER’S NAME WITH DESIGNATION. The
candidate should not be penalized if he/she has used capital letters for writing a notice
within or without a box. 1
Content
2 Expression
1 Heading: [Any other relevant title]
Suggested value points: –
Eligible for which classes – Time, date, Area (Location)
– Appeal - last date for submitting
names
Q 4. Note: - No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given.
Credit should be given to the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas.
Use of both the traditional and the new format is permitted. However, mixing up of the
two is NOT acceptable.
Format :
(1. Sender’s address, 2. date, 3. Receiver’s address, 4.Subject, 5.salutation, 6. Closing.)
(1)
Content
(3)
Expression :
(2)
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings (1)
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style (1)
Value Points:
Letter to the Editor :

272
INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO PUBLIC DUE TO PROTEST & DEMONSTRATION –
Introduction –
What is the complaint about
Loss of Public property, time and missing of important assignments, effect on
EMERGENCY services.
-urge the concerned deptt. to take action

OR
LETTER OF COMPLAINT
PROBLEMS / FAULTS IN NEW INVERTER
Suggested value points: –
Introduction
– What is the complaint about
– List the problems in the inverter
– Ask for redressal of complaint
Q 5. DEBATE / SPEECH
10
Format (opening address and conclusion) 1
Content 4
Expression: 5
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]
DEBATE: SOCIAL MEDIA AND ITS EFFECTS
Suggested Value Points
FOR
● Connectivity
● Updated Information
● Helps in creating awareness
● Helps in bonding
AGAINST
● Social Nuisance
● Fake news & Information
● Wrong mob mentality
● Wastage of time
OR
SPEECH: IMPORTANCE OF CLEANLINESS
Suggested value points:
• Importance of Cleanliness – School, home & Surroundings
• Present status
• Prevents diseases
• Need to practice?
• Reflects the character of the nation
• Benefits of Cleanliness
• Conclusion
Q 6. ARTICLE 10
273
Format
1
Heading and Writer's Name
Content
4
Expression :
5 Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]
SAVE WATER – ARE WE DOING ENOUGH?
Suggested value points:
Introduction
mention briefly the status of the issue
Topic analysis
• discuss why saving water is Important.
• describe how this deficit will affect people and humankind. Conclusion
• suggest what can be done to save water for the future.
OR
REPORT
Format :
1 Headline and Reporter's Name
Content
4
Expression : 5
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE ADOPTED VILLAGE
Suggested value points:
A Report should answer the questions:
• what - name of event and occasion
• where
• when -date and time
Activities (Teaching & Social Work) held
A comment on the quality of the activities organized

SECTION: C (LITERATURE: TEXT BOOKS) 30

Q 7.(a,b) have been designed to test the students understanding of the text and their
ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the questions based on the given stanza. In
other words, it attempts to test their reading comprehension ONLY.
4
Q 7 (a)

274
a) Them stands for different people who worked in Gemini studios
1
b) Every one ofthem did different jobs like writing stories,doing make ups ,keeping
records etc. to make Gemini studios a successful production house
1
c) They wore khadi and worshipped Gandhiji because they appreciated Ghandian
thoughts and respected him. 1
d) They were averse to communism because they considered communist to be man
without God and he spreads unrest and violence
1

Q 7 (b)
. (a) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers have been described as golden yellow incolour. They prance
fearlessly across a screen in sleek chivalric certainty.
1
(b) They have been called as denizens of a world of green because they are the natives
of dense green forests
1
(c) They are not afraid of men because they are brave, strong, fearless and full of
confidence.1

(d) Her tigers are symbolic of Aunt Jennifer’s desire for freedom. They are also symbols
of strength and self-confidence
1

Q 8. Short answer type questions (Answer any Five) Questions are to be answered in
30-40 words.
( 5x2=10)
Distribution of marks:
Content 1
Expression: 1
(deduct ½ mark for two or more grammatical / spelling mistakes)
1) The weight that lies heavy on Aunt Jennifer’s hand is the wedding band, which
symbolises the weight of her married life. Probably, the weight has burdened her so
much that she feels subjugated. Aunt Jennifer had a troubled married life with a
dominating and oppressive husband

2) Subbu’s good qualities were overlooked as his desire to please the boss, the key to
his success, made him seem like a sycophant. His non critical attitude was misconstrued
as cleverness. So he had enemies, as the office boy, who blamed him for their failures

3) ‘The God That Failed’ is a book of six essays by six eminent men of letters that
describe their journey to communism and disillusioned return. Stephen Spender was
one of the authors.

275
4) Ans. These words show that Derry’s state of mind has been changed. Motivated and
inspired by Mr Lamb has become confident and bold to accept and face the world in
spite of his infirmity. He was no more pessimist and has started taking life as a
challenge.
5) Derry’s face is burnt with acid-scarred and disfigured. He is pitied by others. In fact,
the acid ate up his face. It also disfigured his personality. This led him to a sense of self-
pity and withdrawal. He was not able to face the people and their unkind and insensitive
remarks.
6) The story about the inner beauty being more important than the outer appearance
has often been narrated to Deny. The beast in the story changed into a handsome
prince. Derry feels his situation will never change. No one kissed him, not even his
mother. She only kissed him on the other side of the face.
7. Aunt Jennifer is a weak and terrified person who, all through her life, was suppressed
by the constraints of marriage. The animals that she is creating in her panel are very
different, as they are chivalric and do not fear men. They are a symbol of strength,
fierceness and beauty. They represent Aunt Jennifer’s suppressed desire to become
bold and fearless, and free from oppression. The poet wants to emphasise the spirit and
desire for freedom which is innate in all human beings.
.
NOTE: Q 9 and 10 [These questions have been set to test the students’ understanding of
the text and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the issues raised therein.
Hence no particular answer can be accepted as the only correct answer. All
presentations may be accepted as equally correct provided they have been duly
supported by the facts drawn from the text. The important thing is that the student
should be able to justify his or her viewpoint.]
Distribution of marks:
Content:
3
Expression:
3
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [1½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [1½]
Suggested Value points:
Q 9-Author uses gentle human and mild satire.
• He has a chatty style which quickly changes from one thought to the other.
• Makes fun of the make-up applied to the artists which changes a decent person into
a monster.
• Sets required the actors to look ugly so that they look presentable in the movie.
• Characters of the office boy, Subbu No. 2 and the legal adviser has many subtle
touches of humor.
• Purpose of the visits of Moral Re-Armament Army and the English Poet baffles
everyone.
• Baffled reaction of the staff Gemini studio arouses humor.
• Satire is also directed towards people who are against communism and would do
anything to oppose it
276
 OR
The author, Asokamitran recounts his years spent at the Gemini studios. Gemini Studios
was set up in the year 1940 in Chennai and grew into one of the most influential film
producing organizations of India in the early years of the Indian film making industry.
The studios of film production has never confined its activities within the four walls of
the studios but it also gives a fine glimpse of outside world as well.
The production department has two prominent divisions – the make up department and
the story department. In the make up room there had a team of workers from chief
make-up man to the office boy who stopped the crowd players with lotions and
pancakes. Pancakes were used by the actors and actress. Pancake was the popular
brand name there. There was a strict hierarchy of make up man.
The story department had its significant contribution. There was a legal advisor duly
accompanied with an assembly of poets and writers. They were engaged in creating
story, songs, social and other work. In those days, it was mainly indoor shooting. The
Boss had a strict vigil at every aspect. He was assisted by KothamanglamSubbu, who was
an indispensable person for the studios. Beside this, the Gemini Studios had become the
favourite haunt of the poet and other visitors because of its decent mess that served
coffee till the late at night. The studios hosted the visit of Moral Re-Armament Army and
a poet-cum-editor Stephen Spender. The MRA was a counter movement to international
communism but the people at the studios were averse in this ideology. The visit of
Spender also became an unexplained mystery for all.
Q 10.–Ans. Both Deny and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is only due to the
insensitive attitude of the society that they feel so alienated and lonely. Derry, a boy of
fourteen years, always either gets pity or uncharitable remarks from others and Mr
Lamb also seeks to get some company. In fact, we as educated members of society need
to come forward to make these people realise that they are also needed and significant
for us. We have to change our attitude towards such people and realise that just one
deformity cannot diminish the other virtues of a person. Actually, these people are very
sensitive and feel dejected. We have to give them love and comfort and show our faith
in them by providing them with equal opportunities and responsibilities.

OR
Derry- physically handicap(burnt face), knows he is different, has poor selfesteem, feel
victimized Mr. Lamb- physically handicap(does not have one leg) but has positive
attitude, he is understanding, friendly towards people, provides confidence to Derry: -
example of bees/weeds in the garden/man afraid of death/beauty and the beast etc.
/children calling him Lamey Lamb/on curtains in house/attitude of ‘waiting, watching,
listening’

277
 SAMPLE PAPER NO 11
CLASS XII
(ENGLISH CORE)

Time allowed: 3 Hours Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

(i)This paper is divided into three sections: A, B, and C. All the sections are compulsory.

(ii)Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever
necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
(iii)Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION – A 20 Marks

( READING)
1. Read the passage given below 12

1. The first written public examinations were introduced over 2,000 years ago with the
establishment of the imperial examination system in 606 AD in China. By the middle of
the 19th century, competitive examinations had been introduced in Britain and India
to select government officials. Public examination in schools have a shorter; but still
considerable, history.

2. At present, the examination system in India in characterised by heterogeneity. They

differ in their vintage, organisational design, financial stability,
autonomy, organisational culture and credibility. For instance, the National Institute
of Open Schooling is unique in conducting exams through the distance mode; the
278
Indian School Certificate Examination confines itself to only private schools; and the
West Bengal Board of Madrasa Education is for Islamic educational institutions only. In
a situation where public funds are involved, the equity, efficiency and transparency of
this expenditure need to be assessed to ensure that the taxpayers’ money is being
spent with due care and concern. The Amrik Singh report (1997) on reorganising
boards wondered, “Can there also be a system whereby it becomes possible to grade
and categorise the boards in respect of how efficiently and honestly examination are
organised?”
3. To do so, a set of parameters were chosen to measure effectiveness,
quit, transparency and economic efficiency of the functioning of these organisations.
These include indicators like cost incurred per students, fee charged per student,
number of examinees per employee and number of affiliated schools per employee.
An analysis was made of the boards chosen on the basis of these parameters. The
functioning of a total of 20 boards was analysed in terms of 18 performance indicators
in 2005.
4. The data collected from the states shows that most boards have an
operating surplus. However, the boards seem to be more sensitive to the needs of
the disabled. All of them have some special provisions for such candidates. While
these provisions vary widely in scope, most provide for a longer duration of
examination, concessions in the examination of languages. The CBSE, along with the
Maharashtra board, seem to fare the best.
5. Another important measure of effectiveness of the functioning of the boards is the
time taken for declaration of examination results. It was found that this ranged from a
mere 26 days in the case of Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board in
2005 to 48 days for class X in neighbouring Maharashtra. The Supreme Court has
recently issued directions that results should be declared within 45 days from the end
of examinations. In 2005, 10 of the 20 boards, which provided this information, could
not declare results within 45 days.
6. The reason for such a wide variation in performance in such a vital parameter  was
the processes utilised. Boards, which have adopted a centralised system of
279
assessment in comparison to the earlier system of sending answer sheets to
examiners, have an obvious edge. Similarly many boards have outsourced the work of
compilation of results faster and used technology extensively. These boards are also
able to declare results. In addition, agencies, which have consciously designed
question papers with a high proportion of multiple choice responses, do not need
much time for evaluation. In fact, the Karnataka board has 60 percent of all the
questions as objective type.

1.1 On the basis of your understanding of this passage answer the following questions
with the help of the given options
1x5=5

a) The first written public examinations were introduced in

i) Russia
ii) China
iii) America
iv) France
b) According to the Supreme Court the results should be declared within
i) 55 days
ii) 45 days
iii) 65 days
iv) 75 days

c) According to the passage what is not true about the disabled children?
i) All boards seem to be more sensitive to the needs of the disabled
ii) But they vary in their provisions for these children
iii) CBSE’s provisions are found unfair in this regard
iv) None here
d) Madrasa Education is for ;
i) Hindus
280
ii) Muslims
iii) Christians
iv) Buddhists
e) Find out the words which mean the same as the following
- Diverse in nature and character (para 2)
i) Organizational
ii) Heterogeneity
iii) Autonomy
iv) Assessed
1.2 On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following:
1X5=5

(a) How have the Chinese played an important role in enhancing the education
system? 
(b) Mention any four distinguishing features of examination in India? 
(c)What are the basic parameters to measure effectiveness in functioning of an
organization? 
(d) What parameters were chosen to measure effectiveness of the organisations?
(e) What efforts are being made by different Boards to declare the results at the
earliest? 

1.3 Pick out the words/ phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to the
following
(a) antique (para 2)
(b)essential (para 6)
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
8
We very often hear of the problem of unemployment in this country. It is discussed in
parliament, State Assemblies, Public Platforms and newspaper. Many people got no

281
job to earn a living. But they must get in and how to get it is the problem is the
problem.
The problem of unemployment is a serious problem in our country. If millions of
people are without any jobs, its effect is very bad. A man without any employment is a
burden of others. If he has got to maintain a family, the situation is worse. Such
unemployed persons are reduced to poverty. It demoralizes them and they are forced
to do undesirable things. They may commit crimes. They may create troubles and
spread discontent. In fact, they are a source of danger to society and the state.
The causes of unemployment are mainly the rapid growth of population, the
prevailing system and under- development of industry and trade. The population of
India is growing very rapidly. It is very difficult to get jobs for all who are in need of it.
The British Government had introduced a system of education in this country for
carrying on administration only. It is being continued in free India also with very slight
changes. The system of education prepares most young men to be clerks. But neither
the Government nor private firms can absorb all the educated unemployed persons in
their offices for clerical work. Industry and trade have not yet properly developed.
Cottage industries in the villages have been ruined owing to the establishment of large
mills and factories in towns. Consequently, many artisans have been thrown out of
employment. There has been great pressure on agricultural land because of the
growth of population, many cultivators have got no land for cultivation. All these are
mainly responsible for this acute problem of unemployment.
The acute problem of unemployment is a cause of unrest in the country. So the
Government is seriously thinking over the matter and trying to find out a remedy. The
remedy is to find out work for the people. The Government has undertaken five-year
plans for the material prosperity of the country. For carrying out these plans many
mills and factories have been set up both by the Government and by industrialists.
Many new offices have been started. Many educated young men are being absorbed
in offices as clerks and in mills and factories as skilled workers. Uneducated and
unskilled men are being absorbed in mills and factories as labourers. Our government
is also encouraging the revival of cottage industries in the villages.
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This will help many villagers to earn a living. Our Government is also trying to develop
agriculture. But as yet, our Government has not been able to cope up with the
situation fully. The number of unemployed persons is far greater. So our Government
should establish a large number of large and small technical and vocational institutions
in the country. Only a limited number of bright young men should try to get higher
education in the universities. Most young men try to enter technical or vocational
institutions. After coming out of these, they may find jobs in mills and factories and
commercial firms. For this, of course, more mills and factories must be set up
throughout the country. Unskilled labourers should be taught various traits in
technical institutes. They may find jobs in mills and factories as skilled labourers. They
may also set up cottage industries in their villages. Government will have to help them
with money to start their work. It is heartening to find that our Government has
already taken some steps in this direction. Nationalized banks are now giving lump
sumloan to intending young persons under self employment scheme.
2.1 On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using
headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations, wherever necessary.
4

2.2 Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes
made and also suggest a suitable title.
4

SECTION – B

(Writing Section) 30 marks

Q.3 You need to sell your old washing machine. Draft an advertisement in not more
than 50 words giving all the details. You are Arun/Aruna.
4
OR
Child labour is a curse of our society. As a fine arts student design a poster in about 50
words to create awareness of the ill effects of child labour.

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Q.4 You are Riya / Rahul, 12, Raja Road, Kanpur. You had ordered Vidya Books
Centre, 13B SchemeDelhi for the supply of two books. You wanted to give them as a
gift to a friend of yours. On receiving them you were disappointed to find that the
books were damaged. Write a complaint letter in 120-150 words to the
Manager, about your problem. 6

OR

You saw an advertisement in a National News paper last week. It said that Compro
India Ltd. needed some engineers for software development. Write a letter to the
Chief of the recruitment cell applying for the post mentioned in 120-150 words. You
are Sweety/ Sohan, 48 New Housing Scheme, Pune. Attach also your Resume.

Q.5 It is said that values are the essence of life. Write an article in 150-200 words on
the importance of values in our life. You are Suresh / Shobha.
10

OR

"ONLINE SMART CLASSES ARE THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION STYLE". Write a debate
either for or against the motion. (150 - 200 words).
10

Q.6 The Prime Minister’s “Man Ki Baat” which was recently telecast was focussed on
the problems of farmers. Inspired by this, you, the principal of a reputed school decide
to address the students of your school about “The Modern Techniques of Farming.
Write your speech in 150-200 words.
10

OR

Independence Day was celebrated in your school. District Magistrate, Ms. InduBala
Sharma was the Chief Guest. Write a report on the function in 150-200 words
describing all the activities that took place. You are Head boy/Head girl.
10
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 SECTION C

LITERATURE (30)
Q.7 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
4
7.1 Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering thorough her wool
Find even the Ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand
i) Why are aunt’s fingers fluttering?
ii) What does the wedding band symbolize?
iii) What do you gather about the aunt from this extract?
iv) What does she weave on the panel board?

7.2. Read the following prose extract and answer the questions that follow.
4
‘There was a greatdeal ofnational integration long before A.I.R. and Doordarshan
began

Programmes on national integration’

1. Name the lesson.
 2.How was the Gemini studio a symbol of national integration?
3.Whereare the people working?
 4.Who was the head of this place?

Q.9. Answer any five of the following questions in 30 – 40 wordseach: 2x5=10

(a) What caused the lack of communication between the Englishman and the people
at Gemini Studios?

(b) The author has used gentle humour to point out human foibles. Pick out instances
of this to show how this serves to make the piece interesting.

(c)What do the tigers embroider by Aunt Jennifer on the panel signify?

(d)In what sense is the friendship between Mr Lamb and Derry fruitful?

(e) What is the bond that unites the two – Mr Lamb, the old man, and Derry, the
young boy?
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 (f) How did Derry’s handicap damage his life?

Q,10Answer the following in 120 – 150 words :

How does the author describe the incongruity of an English poet addressing the
audience at Gemini Studios?
6

OR

What are the ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by? Why is it significant that the
poet uses the word ‘ringed’? What are the meanings of the word `ringed’ in the
poem? 6

Q.11 Answer the following in 120-150 words :

How did Mr.Lamb try to give courage and confidence to Derry?

6

OR

Both Derry and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is the responsibility of
society to understand and support people with infirmities. So that they do not suffer
from a sense of alienation. As a responsible citizen, write in 100-150 words what you
would do to bring about a change in the lives of such people.
6
Class: XII English Core-(301)
Marking Scheme OF SAMPLE PAPER NO 11
Time allowed: 3 Hrs Maximum Marks: 80
SECTION A (READING) 20
Q 1.On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer the questions
given below, 1x5 = 5 1.1 Answer each of the questions given below by choosing the
most appropriate option:
(i) d. Pacifism
(ii) d. Role of peacemakers.
(iii) c. Philosophical Pacifism.
(iv) b. Dog kennel.
(v) a. as there was no fortification and very few weapons
1.2 Answer the following questions briefly
1. The war was never treated as an Ideal in India, it was only tolerated as unavoidable and
inevitable/all attempts were made to check it and control it.
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 2. highly developed military organization/ techniques of war and imperialism/ the open
justification of war as national policy
3. The doctrine of philosophical Pacifism was practiced by ancient Aryans. The great Indian
teachers and savants stuck to this doctrine tenaciously, practiced and preached it to masses
and royals.
4. Ahimsa is the doctrine of non-violence in thought, speech and action / it is an act of
personal virtue.
5. The right of the rivals to exist, not mainly as enemies but as collaborators in the building
of our civilization operation / co-existence without coming in clash with each other.
1.3 Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to the
following:
a. enunciated
b. commencement

Q 2. Note
 If a student has attempted only summary or only notes, due credit should be given.
 1 mark allotted for the title to be given, even if a student has written the title either in
Q2(a) or Q2(b).
 Content must be divided into headings and subheadings. The notes provided below are
only guidelines. Another title, main points and subpoints may be accepted if they are
indicative of the candidate‟s understanding of the given passage, and the notes include the
main points, with suitable and recognizable abbreviations. Complete sentences are not to
be accepted as notes. Numbering of points may be indicated in different ways, as long as a
consistent pattern is followed.

a) NOTEMAKING
Distribution of Marks 4
Title
1
Content (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper indentation and notes)
2
Abbreviations /Symbols (with/without key)–any four
1
NOTE: Accept the notes and summary in the third person
Suggested Notes:
Title: Jayashankar Prasad- His life (any other suitable title)
1.Hisexp.n in lit.:
1.1 an escape
1.2 lose your personality
1.3 record of writer‟s inner world
1.4 more emph.z on mind than body
2. personal life :

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 2.1 renowned family of Varansi
2.2 home- meeting place of the local poets, singers
2.3 grand-father- an astute businessman Suggested Abbreviations:
2.4 had a chance to study phases of human nature Lit. – literature
3. started the “Indu”:
3.1 in July 1909 Emph.z – emphasize
3.2 proclaimed Exp.n – expression
a) Lit. has no fixed aim Embra‟g - embracing
b) is free and all embra‟g genius
c) gives birth to genuine lit.

4. social relevance of literature

4.1 poet is a creator
4.2 moulds it
4.3 conjures up a new world of beauty
4.4 becomes oblivious of the outer world
5. chief aim of literature
5.1 give joy to the reader
5.2 create a state of bliss
b) Summary- The summary should include all the important points given in the notes.
Content 2
Expression 2
SECTIONB: WRITING SKILLS (30)
NOTE: The objective of the section on Writing Skills is to test a candidate’s writing
ability. Hence, expression assumes as much importance as the content of the answer.
Q 3.POSTER MAKING
Format: Title and Name of Issuing Authority 1
Content: 2
Expression and Creativity: grammatical accuracy, spellings 1
VALUE POINTS: WORKSHOP ON PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE
time, date and venue of the event
effects of drugs
speaker
visuals
OR
NOTICE
1
Format:The format should include: ISSUING AUTHORITY/ NAME OF THE INSTITUTION,
the word “NOTICE”, HEADING, DATE, and WRITER’S NAME WITH DESIGNATION. The
candidate should not be penalized if he/she has used capital letters for writing a notice
within or without a box. 1
Content
2 Expression
1 Heading: [Any other relevant title]
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Suggested value points: –
Eligible for which classes – Time, date, Area (Location)
– Appeal - last date for submitting
names
Q 4. Note: - No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given.
Credit should be given to the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas.
Use of both the traditional and the new format is permitted. However, mixing up of the
two is NOT acceptable.
Format :
(1. Sender’s address, 2. date, 3. Receiver’s address, 4.Subject, 5.salutation, 6. Closing.)
(1)
Content
(3)
Expression :
(2)
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings (1)
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style (1)
Value Points:
Letter to the Editor :
INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO PUBLIC DUE TO PROTEST & DEMONSTRATION –
Introduction –
What is the complaint about
Loss of Public property, time and missing of important assignments, effect on
EMERGENCY services.
-urge the concerned deptt. to take action

OR
LETTER OF COMPLAINT
PROBLEMS / FAULTS IN NEW INVERTER
Suggested value points: –
Introduction
– What is the complaint about
– List the problems in the inverter
– Ask for redressal of complaint
Q 5. DEBATE / SPEECH
10
Format (opening address and conclusion) 1
Content 4
Expression: 5
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]
DEBATE: SOCIAL MEDIA AND ITS EFFECTS
Suggested Value Points
FOR
● Connectivity
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 ● Updated Information
● Helps in creating awareness
● Helps in bonding
AGAINST
● Social Nuisance
● Fake news & Information
● Wrong mob mentality
● Wastage of time
OR
SPEECH: IMPORTANCE OF CLEANLINESS
Suggested value points:
• Importance of Cleanliness – School, home & Surroundings
• Present status
• Prevents diseases
• Need to practice?
• Reflects the character of the nation
• Benefits of Cleanliness
• Conclusion
Q 6. ARTICLE 10
Format
1
Heading and Writer's Name
Content
4
Expression :
5 Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]
SAVE WATER – ARE WE DOING ENOUGH?
Suggested value points:
Introduction
mention briefly the status of the issue
Topic analysis
• discuss why saving water is Important.
• describe how this deficit will affect people and humankind. Conclusion
• suggest what can be done to save water for the future.
OR
REPORT
Format :
1 Headline and Reporter's Name
Content
4
Expression : 5
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE ADOPTED VILLAGE
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Suggested value points:
A Report should answer the questions:
• what - name of event and occasion
• where
• when -date and time
Activities (Teaching & Social Work) held
A comment on the quality of the activities organized

SECTION: C (LITERATURE: TEXT BOOKS) 30

Q 7.(a,b) have been designed to test the students understanding of the text and their
ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the questions based on the given stanza. In
other words, it attempts to test their reading comprehension ONLY.
4
Q 7 (a)
a) Them stands for different people who worked in Gemini studios
1
b) Every one ofthem did different jobs like writing stories,doing make ups ,keeping
records etc. to make Gemini studios a successful production house
1
c) They wore khadi and worshipped Gandhiji because they appreciated Ghandian
thoughts and respected him. 1
d) They were averse to communism because they considered communist to be man
without God and he spreads unrest and violence
1

Q 7 (b)
. (a) Aunt Jennifer’s tigers have been described as golden yellow incolour. They prance
fearlessly across a screen in sleek chivalric certainty.
1
(b) They have been called as denizens of a world of green because they are the natives
of dense green forests
1
(c) They are not afraid of men because they are brave, strong, fearless and full of
confidence.1

(d) Her tigers are symbolic of Aunt Jennifer’s desire for freedom. They are also symbols
of strength and self-confidence
1

Q 8. Short answer type questions (Answer any Five) Questions are to be answered in
30-40 words. ( 5x2=10)
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Distribution of marks:
Content 1
Expression: 1
(deduct ½ mark for two or more grammatical / spelling mistakes)
1) The weight that lies heavy on Aunt Jennifer’s hand is the wedding band, which
symbolises the weight of her married life. Probably, the weight has burdened her so
much that she feels subjugated. Aunt Jennifer had a troubled married life with a
dominating and oppressive husband

2) Subbu’s good qualities were overlooked as his desire to please the boss, the key to
his success, made him seem like a sycophant. His non critical attitude was misconstrued
as cleverness. So he had enemies, as the office boy, who blamed him for their failures

3) ‘The God That Failed’ is a book of six essays by six eminent men of letters that
describe their journey to communism and disillusioned return. Stephen Spender was
one of the authors.

4) Ans. These words show that Derry’s state of mind has been changed. Motivated and
inspired by Mr Lamb has become confident and bold to accept and face the world in
spite of his infirmity. He was no more pessimist and has started taking life as a
challenge.
5) Derry’s face is burnt with acid-scarred and disfigured. He is pitied by others. In fact,
the acid ate up his face. It also disfigured his personality. This led him to a sense of self-
pity and withdrawal. He was not able to face the people and their unkind and insensitive
remarks.
6) The story about the inner beauty being more important than the outer appearance
has often been narrated to Deny. The beast in the story changed into a handsome
prince. Derry feels his situation will never change. No one kissed him, not even his
mother. She only kissed him on the other side of the face.
7. Aunt Jennifer is a weak and terrified person who, all through her life, was suppressed
by the constraints of marriage. The animals that she is creating in her panel are very
different, as they are chivalric and do not fear men. They are a symbol of strength,
fierceness and beauty. They represent Aunt Jennifer’s suppressed desire to become
bold and fearless, and free from oppression. The poet wants to emphasise the spirit and
desire for freedom which is innate in all human beings.
.
NOTE: Q 9 and 10 [These questions have been set to test the students’ understanding of
the text and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the issues raised therein.
Hence no particular answer can be accepted as the only correct answer. All
presentations may be accepted as equally correct provided they have been duly
supported by the facts drawn from the text. The important thing is that the student
should be able to justify his or her viewpoint.]
Distribution of marks:
Content: 3
Expression: 3
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Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [1½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [1½]

Suggested Value points:

Q 9-Author uses gentle human and mild satire.

• He has a chatty style which quickly changes from one thought to the other.
• Makes fun of the make-up applied to the artists which changes a decent person into a
monster.
• Sets required the actors to look ugly so that they look presentable in the movie.
• Characters of the office boy, Subbu No. 2 and the legal adviser has many subtle
touches of humor.
• Purpose of the visits of Moral Re-Armament Army and the English Poet baffles
everyone.
• Baffled reaction of the staff Gemini studio arouses humor.
• Satire is also directed towards people who are against communism and would do
anything to oppose it
OR
The author, Asokamitran recounts his years spent at the Gemini studios. Gemini Studios
was set up in the year 1940 in Chennai and grew into one of the most influential film
producing organizations of India in the early years of the Indian film making industry.
The studios of film production has never confined its activities within the four walls of
the studios but it also gives a fine glimpse of outside world as well.
The production department has two prominent divisions – the makeup department and
the story department. In the makeup room there had a team of workers from chief
make-up man to the office boy who stopped the crowd players with lotions and
pancakes. Pancakes were used by the actors and actress. Pancake was the popular
brand name there. There was a strict hierarchy of makeup man.
The story department had its significant contribution. There was a legal advisor duly
accompanied with an assembly of poets and writers. They were engaged in creating
story, songs, social and other work. In those days, it was mainly indoor shooting. The
Boss had a strict vigil at every aspect. He was assisted by KothamanglamSubbu, who was
an indispensable person for the studios. Beside this, the Gemini Studios had become the
favourite haunt of the poet and other visitors because of its decent mess that served
coffee till the late at night. The studios hosted the visit of Moral Re-Armament Army and
a poet-cum-editor Stephen Spender. The MRA was a counter movement to international
communism but the people at the studios were averse in this ideology. The visit of
Spender also became an unexplained mystery for all.
Q 10.–Ans. Both Deny and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is only due to the
insensitive attitude of the society that they feel so alienated and lonely. Derry, a boy of
fourteen years, always either gets pity or uncharitable remarks from others and Mr
Lamb also seeks to get some company. In fact, we as educated members of society need
to come forward to make these people realise that they are also needed and significant
for us. We have to change our attitude towards such people and realise that just one
deformity cannot diminish the other virtues of a person. Actually, these people are very
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sensitive and feel dejected. We have to give them love and comfort and show our faith
in them by providing them with equal opportunities and responsibilities.

OR
Derry- physically handicap(burnt face), knows he is different, has poor selfesteem, feel
victimized Mr. Lamb- physically handicap(does not have one leg) but has positive
attitude, he is understanding, friendly towards people, provides confidence to Derry: -
example of bees/weeds in the garden/man afraid of death/beauty and the beast etc.
/children calling him Lamey Lamb/on curtains in house/attitude of ‘waiting, watching,
listening’

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