Kendriya Vidyalaya NHPC, Banbasa SET - I

I Term Examination Class – XI Subject – English Core Time: 90 Minutes M.M. 40

1. General Instructions: Best of Luck Children. Attempt all questions as per instructions given.
This question Paper contains three sections.
2. Section a- Reading has 9 + 6 = 15questions, attempt a total of 8+5=13 questions as per your choice.Total marks
13x 1= 13 marks.
3. Section B – Writing Skills and Grammar has 3+5+4= 12 questions = 12 marks.
4. Section C- Literature has(Hornbill and Snap Shots) 15 questions = 15 marks.
5. ALL questions carry equal marks.
READING
1. Read the passage given below.
Covid 19, Corona Virus has given rise to a global pandemic that has destabilized most institutional settings. While
we live in times when humankind possesses the most advanced science and technology, a Virus invisible to the
naked eye has massively disrupted our lives, economies, healthcare and education systems worldwide.
Given the corona virus’s current situation, some households have also had time to introspect on gender roles and
stereotypes. For instance, women are expected to carry out households chorus like cooking, cleaning and looking
after the family. With men sharing households chorus responsibilities during the lockdown period, it gives hope
that they will realise the burden that women have been bearing and will continue sharing such responsibilities.
This tough period also gave people some time to reflect on the importance of keeping themselves fit. With
sufficient time in hand, people started investing their time learning new ways to exercise. Those who never
exercised before, giving excuses of busy lives, too developed some new habits of Yoga, Pranayam and exercises
during the lockdown period. These new habits and people’s increased focus on their health, wellness and
immunity will surely change the way we lead our lives even in future.
The nature too healed itself during the lockdown period. Restricted human movement led to better air quality,
cleaner water bodies and joyful wildlife movements. The human beings, we hope, reflected during this time, how
some of their unconscious activities cause disruption in nature and worked out ways to adopt environmental-
friendly options for their activities in future.
This situation also affected the education sector to a great extent. It has forced us to shift us from offline to online
mode of teaching –learning process, almost immediately without prior preparation. Is it giving us a peek into the
reality ahead? Technology enabled teaching is definitely the future we are looking towards, but it is important to
identify key challengers for students and teachers in the current scenario. Once identified, academic leadership
and the Government can address these through innovations in the focused areas to minimize the effect of
pandemic on the education of the students.
The current scenario has also affected our economies to the extent wherein many businessmen had to bear heavy
losses in their business. The Government and individuals need to take actions to mitigate risk and minimize
transmission while maintaining social and economic activities. However, relaxed control measures, declining risks
perception and the understandable desire to return to normalcy have led to reduced protective, close-contact
settings, where the virus spreads really fast.It is our responsibility that we take all necessary precautions through
mask-wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene as part of daily life. It is highly important to make this new
behavior part of our everyday habits. Travelling to new places, casual café visits with a large bunch of friends,
spending our weekends in shopping, window – shopping and casual strolls, large gatherings in birthday parties and
other celebrations; will require some modifications and patients to fit into ‘’New Normal”keeping all the safety
norms in mind.We are sure that regular communication from authorities, improved understanding of individual
responsibility and subsequently, a greater willingness to adopt infection prevention practices can be a stepping
stone to a ‘ new future’.
On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any eight of the following questions by choosing the correct
option.
i. The outbreak of COVID-19 is called a pandemic because 1
a. it has spread across the globe b. it has spread across India
c. it is invisible to naked eye d. it has disrupted many institutional settings
ii. Which of the following has not led to reduced protective behaviours amongst people? 1
a. relaxed control measures b. declining risk perception
c. physical distancing d. understandable desire to return to normalcy
iii. The phrase ‘stepping stone’ refers to 1
a. stones and pebbles lying on the road b. something used as a way to progress
c. the destination of our journey d. blocks and problems in your path
iv. Which of the following statement is not true in the context of the passage? 1
a. people started introspecting on gender roles and stereotypes
b. people started realizing the importance of keeping themselves fit
c. there was a boom in the economy d. School started following technology- enabled online teaching
v. Pick the option showing the correct use of the ‘ disrupt’ 1
a. he is a popular leader so many union members disrupt his decision
b. climate change could disrupt the agricultural economy
c. she wants to improve her relationship with her brother so she attempted to disrupt with him
d. it is important to him to disrupt the odds in his favour if he wants to be successful in his plan
vi. ‘New Normal’ would include 1
1. frequent visits to small eateries with a large bunch of friends
2. attending large gathering in small auditoriums
3. hand hygiene as part of daily routine
4. casual visits to market for window shopping
5. wearing masks
a. 2 and 3 b. 1 and 4 c. 1 and 2 d. 3 and 5
vii. A positive change was seen in nature during lockdown period in terms of cleaner air and water bodies
because-------- 1
a. there was less human movement due to lockdown b. the virus helped in cleaning air and water
c. the Government made extra efforts to clean air and water d. people got together to clean water bodies
viii. Choose the option that correctly reflects the change in gender roles during the pandemic. 1
a. 5o% males and 50% females b. 62.5% males and 37.5% females
c. 62.5% females and 37.5% males d. 75% males and 25%females
ix. choose the option that is true. People, who never exercised before, started exercising during the lockdown
period because---- 1
a. they had sufficient time in hand
b. exercise was the only way to treat people from the corona virus
c. people learnt new ways to exercise their body
d. people understood the importance of health and wellness in the face of the pandemic
2. Read the passage given below.
1. Would you like a job where you work long hours, are not eligible for any leave and there is no chance of
promotion? What’s more, there is no pay day because you won’t get any salary.
2. Don’t be shocked. Mothers across the world do this thankless job without complaining.The households tasks
done by women are neither acknowledged as work, nor do they get paid for them.
3. According to a 2011 the organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) study, the average
Indian women spent nearly six hours a day doing unpaid work. Economists believe that though it is unpaid, the
household work done by homemakers constitutes economic activities and should be included in the national
income. By ignoring it, we underestimate women’s contribution to the economy.
4. ManushiChillar’s answer in the final round of the Miss World pageant has briefly brought it into the limelight.
When she said mothers deserve the highest salary, Chillar did not put a number to the economic value of a
mother.
All In A Day’s Work
What housewives do and what is worth
Task What it entails Value(Per Month)
Day care for two kids Taking care of kids for 12-14 hours during the day Rs. 12000
Personalised cooking Taking into account the preferences of 3-4 people Rs. 6000
Housekeeping Supervising laundering house cleaning by maids Rs. 3000
&servants.
Budgeting & accounting Keeping record of expenses, purchases and allocating Rs. 4000
funds.
Nursing for kids,elderly Attending to elderly family members, kids when sick. Rs. 6000
Tutor Teaching kids and helping with homework, projects Rs. 6000
Driver Talking kids, other family members around town. Rs. 8000
Total Rs. 45000

5. Amother wears several hats during the day, but let’s start with a day care for kids. The average day care charges
in a metro are $ 6000 per child. Then comes personalized cooking for stubborn teenagers and fussy elders. Instead
of 1-2 dishes in a day, the typical housewife is cooking 2-3 dishes per meal. Apaid personalized cooking service
would cost $ 6000 for a family of four members. Even with households helps around, to do the laundry and
sweeping, a homemaker has to supervise the process. She also has to oversee repairs and ensure everything is in
working order. Try hiring a housekeeper instead and you will have to pay at least $ 3000 a month.
6. Besides these menial tasks, a housewife is also the family’s finance minister, burdened with managing the
household budget. She keeps the record of all households purchases and ensures that no bill remains unpaid. This
budgeting and accounting job would cost you another $ 4000. Attending elderly family members and kids when
they are sick is part of a homemaker’s routine, chargeable $ 6000 otherwise. She is also the driver who ferries kids
to tuitions, parties and shopping malls and the errand girl who buys groceries and other stuff for the households.
Once back, she is the tutor who helps them with homework and School projects.That amounts around $6000
saved on tutor and $8000 saved on a driver. All these task’s worth sums up to $ 45000 a month.
7. Working women have it even worse. After a grueling day at work, the ‘’ second shift ‘’ begins at home. It doesn’t
matter whether you are a clerk in bank or head a multinational.
On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any five of the following questions by choosing the correct
option.
i. According to the passage, why mother’s job is undesirable 1
a. as mother’s job is highly responsible one b. as mothers become too bossy
c. as it is taken for granted despite hard work involved d. as it is too easy to earn respect
ii. Pick the option that lists statements that are not true according to a 2011,the organization for economic
cooperation and development (OECD) STUDY. 1
1. The average Indian women spent nearly six hours a day doing unpaid work.
2. The household work done by homemakers does not constitute economic activity
3. The household work should be included in the national income.
4. We are underestimating women’s contribution to the economy by ignoring it.
a. 1 and 2 b. 3 and 4 c. 2 and 3 d. 1 and 4
iii. The word ‘stubborn’, means the same as 1
a. flexible b. docile c. obstinate d. compliant
iv. ‘’ A mother wears several hats during the day.’’ The idea of wearing several hats, is mainly a reference to--- 1
a. fondness of women for accessories b. women preference for keeping their head covered
c. women likeness towards collecting many hats d. handling many jobs or roles at a time
v. In the final round of the Miss world pageant ManushiChillar said that mothers deserve the highest salary. Pick
the option that lists the reason that why Chillar did not put a number to the economic value of a mother: 1
a. her mother was already earning high b. she felt Rs. 45000 would be too less to admit
c. nothing can repay the hard work a mother puts d. she could not calculate the right amount
vi. According to the table, which option correctly displays 1

Section B: Creative Writing Skills and Grammar

Direction (Q. Nos. 3-5) the notice given below is incomplete. Choose the option that completes the notice
appropriately.

R. K. Public School, Delhi

NOTICE
13 May, 2021
----------- 3 --------------
All the students are hereby informed that a singing
competition is going to be organised in the School as
per the details given below. This selection is for the
students to perform at zonal level.

Date :5 July, 2021

Time : 11 AM
Venue : School Auditorium

-------------- 4 -----------------

Ashwin / Amrita

--------------- 5 ----------------

3 .( a) talent competition ( b) important information (c) singing competition (d) invite for
participation 1
4. (a) interested students may send their entries to participate by 2 July,2021 to the undersigned
(b) for further details contact your class teacher
© interested students can reach the venue at any time of the day
(d) send your entries for selection to your class teacher
5. (a) School secretary (b) In-charge, cultural club (c) In-charge, club (d) Leave blank 1
Directions (Q. Nos. 6-10) the letter given below is incomplete. Choose the option that completes the letter
appropriately.
Delhi International School
Rohini, Delhi
7 July, 2020
------------ 6 ---------------
M/s Pioneer Sports Company
New Delhi – 110002
Subject: ------------ 7 -------------------
Sir,
---------------- 8 --------------- regarding sports goods and discounts, our School has decided to go forward and order
the following sports goods from you:
S. NO. Name of the Items Quantity
1 Footballs 10
2 Volleyball and nets 10
3 Badminton rackets 15
4 Cricket kits including balls 12
5 Rings 5
All the items should be of good quality. Items should be delivered in School before 1 pm on any working day.
Please send the bill after deducting maximum discount as applicable for educational institutes.
--------------- 9---------------
Neha /Naresh
-------------- 10 ---------------
6. a. The Manager b. The owner c. Mr. XYZ D. XYZ, The Manger 1
7. a. Sports Goods Order b. Placing order for sports items 1
c. Sports items needed urgently d. Ordering of sports goods
8. a. With references to your advertisements b. This is to inform you that 1
C.This is with reference to our previous correspondence d. We would like to place an order
9. a. yours friendly b. yours dearly c. yours only d. Yours truly 1
10. a. School name b. Enclosure c. Position of the writer d. Leave blank 1
OR
Directions (Q. No. 6 – 10) the speech given below is incomplete. Choose the option that completes the speech
appropriately.
-----------6------------- a very good morning to all of you. Today Iam here to present my views on the topic ‘Underage
Driving is a road to disaster. For School students, it is fun and fashion to zip on high powered motor bike to School.
For their status conscious parents, it is a matter of pride. But little -------------7------- that it is a tragedy waiting to
happen.
A few days ago, two boys were returning from their classes with another friend on a two-wheeler. They lost
control and ------------ 8 ----------- into a lamp post nearby. The two boys died on the spot, while their friend was
battling for life in the hospital.
Youngster from wealthy families often takes out their parent’s car for a drive. A visit to any of the popular urban
Schools would reveal that almost 90% of the senior students use two-wheelers to commute to School. Children of
this age are restless, impatient and have a shorter atte4ntion span. Courtesy to their hormones, they drive fast,
rash and honk widely. They are unable to control the speeding vehicle in case of emergencies and --------------- 9
------------- accidents.
Checking of driving license should be done stringently. It’s time for parents, students, institutions and traffic
department to realise that unrestricted underage driving by School students is a road to disaster.
---------------- 10 ---------------
6. a. Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends b. Hello everyone 1
c. Dear friends d. I would to like to say
7. a. of them realise b. do they realise c. do not realise d. Both b and c 1
8. a. hit b. collided c. rammed d. packed 1
9. a. it leads to b. results in c. the consequence is d. all of these 1
10. a. Thank you b. conclude with a quote 1
c. taking leave d. none of these
11. Choose the correct option to fill in the blanks in the given sentence.
i. Saga Dawa is an important festival for the Mahayana Buddhists as it------------- the three most important phases
of Gautama Buddha – his birth , his enlightenment and his attaining nirvana. 1
a. celebrates b. is celebrated c. celebrating d. was celebrated
ii. Prachi -------------- work hard as one week is left for her CA Final examination. 1
a. should b. will c. has to d. maqy
iii. You must ------------- for longer hours as it will make your voice grow stronger 1
a. practicing b. will practice c. to practice d. practice
iv. Do you have ----------- postcard? Yes, I have 1
a. any, one b. any, none c. any, some d. some, some
OR
Transform the given sentences
i. The children played in the park throughout the evening. (Past perfect continuous tense) 1
a. The children played in the park throughout the evening
b. the children have been playing in the park throughout the evening
c. the children had played in the park throughout the evening
d. the children had been playing in the park throughout the evening
ii. The manager shall be on leave.( present perfect tense) 1
a. the manager is on a leave
b. the manager has been on leave
c. the manager had been on leave
d. the manager was on leave
iii. The parcel has been delivered. (Future indefinite tense ) 1
a. the parcel had been delivered
b. the parcel was delivered
c. the parcel will be delivered
d. the parcel would have been delivered
iv. Many would like to have your job. (Determiners) 1
a. much would like to have your job
b. plenty of people would like to have your job
c. your job is liked by some
d. fewer of people would like to have your job

Section C : Literature

12. Answer the questions based on any one of the following extracts given below :
No, we were certain she had always been as we had known her. Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown
older and had stayed at the same age for twenty years. She could never have been pretty; but she was always
beautiful. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop
and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face
and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the
mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.
(i) Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. 1
Statement 1 : The author’s love for his grandmother is visible in him finding spiritual beauty in her.
Statement 2 : The grandmother appreciated the narrator’s feeling for her.
a. statement 1 is true but statement 2 is false
b. statement 1 is false but statement 2 is true
c. both statement 1 and statement 2 cannot be inferred from the passage
d. both statement 1 and statement 2 can be inferred from the passage
(ii) Choose the option that describes the appearance of the narrator’s grandmother. 1

(iii) Which of the following sentences use the word 'puckered' correctly? 1
Suddenly, someone yells in the distance, “PUCKER UP!”
A common problem with this method is getting the pucker over the hole.
You can try to pucker up to look cute, but don't overdo it.
Tension must be correct and must not pucker.
(iv) The phrase 'telling her beads’ can mean 1
1. Moving
2. Praying
3. Hymning
4. Reminding
5. Repeating
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4 (d) 4 and 5
Or
What more would a CT scan reveal of Tut than the X-ray? And could it answer two of the biggest questions still
lingering about him - how did he die and how old was he at the time of his death?

King Tut's demise was a big event, even by royal standards. He was the last of his family's line and his funeral was
the death rattle of a dynasty. But the particulars of his passing away and its aftermath are unclear.

(i) Look at the statements given below. Choose the option that correctly identifies which statements are fact and
which are opinion. (1)
1. King Tut's mummified tomb has been of enormous significance in understanding the ancient Egyptian’s life.
2. The presence of CT was more important to understand and proof that the powerful king was murdered.
3. King Tut must have been killed for the immense power his ancestors possessed.
4. King Tut's tomb reciprocates the mystery revolving around him.
(a) Fact-(1) and (4): Opinion - (2) and (3)
(b) Fact-(2) and (3): Opinion - (1) and (4)
(c) Fact-(1) and (2): Opinion-(3) and (4)
(d) Fact-(2) and (4); Opinion -(1) and (3)
(ii) The tone of the author in the given lines is full of (1)
(a) Excitement (b) Wonder
(c) Eagerness (d) Elation

(iii) Which fact opposes the author's statement that 'What more would a CT scan reveal of Tut than the X-ray'?
(1)
(a) CT scan showed a clear image of how Tut looked.
(b) CT scan could tell us he was a teen when he died.
(c) CT scan showed that his breast bone and ribs were missing.
(d) Ct scan was first performed to see its significance in archeology.
(iv) 'Death rattle' is a concept generally associated with (1)
(a) wars (b) revolutions
(c) protests (d) peace
13. Answer the questions based on any one of the following extracts given below.
The cardboard shows me how it was When the two girl cousins went paddling, Each one holding one of my
mother's hands,
And she the big girl - some twelve years or so.
All three stood still to smile through their hair
At the uncle with the camera. A sweet face,
My mother's, that was before I was born.
(i) Choose the option that does NOT reflect what the cardboard represent in the poem. (1)
(a) The poet's mother's memory of her childhood
(b) The poet's memory of her mother
(c) The creative expression of the poet's mother
(d) The poet's mother's childhood joy
(ii) Based on the poem, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1 : The poem had come across the cardboard accidently.
Statement 2 : The poet is filled with bitter sweet memories after seeing the photo. (1)
a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.
d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
(iii) Which of the following is TRUE about the cardboard? (1)
(a) It reflects how moments of mortal life can be made immortal.
(b) It reflects the simplicity of the times of the poet's mother's childhood.
(c) It fills the poet with the thoughts of transience of life.
(d) Both (a) and (c)
(iv) Who are on both sides of her mother? (1)
(a) Cousins, Betty and Dolly
(b) Parents
(c) Cousins, Dolly and Adam
(d) Friends
 Or

She stokes it full, then flirts out to a branch-end

Showing her barred face identity mask
Then with eerie delicate whistle-chirrup whisperings
She launches away, towards the infinite
And the Laburnum subsides to empty.
Choose the option that applies correctly to the two statements given below. (1)

Assertion She fulfills the circle of silence and passivity of the Laburnum top.
Reason She is symbolic of the circular nature of everything in existence.
(a) Assertion can be inferred but the Reason cannot be inferred.
(b) Assertion cannot be inferred but the Reason can be inferred.
(c) Both Assertion and Reason can be inferred.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason cannot be inferred.

(ii) The 'eerie delicate whistle' indicates (1)

(a) Gentleness (b) Cautiousness
(c) the atmosphere (d) the sound made by the bird
(iii) What does the phrase "her barred face identity mask" means? (1)
(a) Because she was brown in colour
(b) Due to her dark coloured yellow body
(c) Bird's face became her identity
(d) None of the above
(iv) The word 'it' here refers to (1)
(a) the yellow leaves of the tree
(b) the seeds present in the tree
(c) the engine hidden in the tree
(d) her family hidden in the tree

14. Answer any seven of the following questions by choosing the correct answer.
(i) Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. (1)
Statement 1 : The narrator knew from the very start that their ship would not be able to survive the Southern
ocean.
Statement 2 : The narrator's decision to hire two crew men shows good leadership.
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
(c ) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.

(ii) Which of the following is TRUE for Chinese painting? (1)

(a) It is a blend of the inner and the external reality.
(b) Its meaning depends on the artist's intention
(c) It is more spiritual.
(d) All of the above

(iii) Why did the boys return the white horse to its owner? (1)
(a) Because they were conscience stricken
(b) Because they were afraid
(c) Because they found it difficult to hide the horse
(d) Because they were accused of theft
(iv) 'I have a way with a horse.' Mourad repeats such statement many times for different living beings. Pick out
the option that reflects 'the way'. (1)
(a) Love and care
(b) Simple and honest
(c) Mature and complicated
(d) Understanding and love
(v) How did Mrs. Dorling treat the author when the author visited her? (1)
(a) Warm and welcoming
(b) Cold and inhospitable
(c) Overjoyed
(d) Disgusted and angry
(vi) What was the protagonist's feelings as she entered the living-room? (1)
(a) Thrilled
(b) Emotional
(c) Nervous
(d) Horrified

(vii) Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. (1)
Statement 1 : Shyama is the name of the narrator as well as Ranga's son.
Statement 2 : Ranga will never be aware of Shyama's plan of getting Ranga married to Ratna.
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
(c ) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are false.
(viii) "Don't forget, I developed on the hints you had given me." What does the line suggest? (1)
(a) Narrator tutored Shastri for what to tell
(b) Everything that Shastri told was based on his predictions
(c) Shastri and the narrator used such tricks to get people married
(d) All of the above
 Answer Key ( English Core )

Reading Comprehension
Passage i
i-a
ii-c
iii-b
iv-c
v-b
vi-d
vii-a
viii-a
ix-d
Passage ii
i-c
ii-b
iii-b
iv-c
v-d
vi-b

Section B writing and grammar

3-c
4-a
5-b
6-a
7-b
8-c
9-d
10-c
OR
6-a
7-b
8-c
9-d
10-a

11- i-a ii-c iii-d iv-c

OR
i-d ii-b iii-c iv-b

Section C Literature
12 - i-a ii-b iii- c iv-b
OR
i-a ii-b iii-c iv –a
13 - i-c ii-b iii-d iv-a
OR
i-b ii-b iii-c iv-d
14- i-b ii-c iii-a iv-b v-b vi-c vii-a viii-a