Delhi Private School Dubai

SA-1 Sample Paper

English
Answer KEY
Grade VII Max. Mark-50
Time: 80 minutes
____________________________________________________________________________________
Section A

Reading Comprehension (12 Marks)

Q1. Read the poem and answer the following questions: (6 marks)

Whenever I see Gas balloons go up

I wonder where we’d end up
If we’re balloons.
Would we go far away to some unknown destiny?
Or will it be carefully decided goal.
We would work our way to?

Balloons! How much they’re

like human beings-
so different from each other
in colours, shapes, design and sizes
Some live long and some don’t.

Just like us some find

A pair of loving hands and some don’t
They get lost, burst or destroyed

Like we do at times
They rub cheeks affectionately
Occasionally you can hear
them whisper secrets
As only friend will.

And once in a while, in the chill

of the night, or mist of dawn
you may find one tear
flowing down silently.

1. Bring out the resemblance between man and balloons.

Both are in different size, shape, fate is unknown etc.

2. Do you agree with poet’s way of comparing our lives to balloons? Why or why not?
Any answer is acceptable with valid explanation.

3. Through a simple idea of balloon the poet is conveying a deep message. What is that message?
Life is uncertain, enjoy and cherish until life is there.

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 4. Which line from the poem is used to describe the rustling sound of balloon?
They rub cheeks affectionately.

5. Which is the word closest to ‘fate’ in meaning?

Destiny

6. Identify any poetic device from the poem. Give an example.

Any relevant answer:

Personification – them whisper secrets

Simile – they’re like human beings
Alliteration- live long

Q2. Read the following passage and answer the questions: (6 marks)

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to leave the house building
business and live a more leisurely life with his family. He would miss the pay cheque, but he needed to retire.
The employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a
personal favour. The carpenter said ‘yes’, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He
resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior material. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work, his employer handed over the key of the house to the carpenter—
“This is your house, my gift to you.”

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it
all so differently! Now he had to live in a poorly built house.

So it is with us.

We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we
realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a
wall. Someone once said, your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the “house” you will live
in tomorrow. Therefore, build wisely!

1. What plans did the elderly carpenter speak about to his employer?
2. What favor did his employer ask from the carpenter?
3. How did the employer surprise the carpenter?
4. Why did the surprise become a reason of ‘shame’ for the carpenter?
5. Which word in the first paragraph means the same as ‘art of skill of a workman’?
6. Give the ANTONYM of the word ‘proud’.

Answers:-
1.    The carpenter told his employer of his plans to retire from his house building business and
live a leisurely life with his family.
2.    The employer asked if he could build just one more house as a favour.
3.    The employer handed over the keys of the new house to the carpenter.
4.    As the carpenter resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior material.
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 5.    workmanship.
6. SHAME

SECTION B- Writing Skills (10 Marks)

Q3. You are Ramesh/Ritu a resident of Dubai and a parent of two school going kids. You read an article
where KHDA stated that from October all students will return to campus for learning. Write a letter to the
Editor of Khaleej Times expressing your concern over the health and safety of your kids. Also suggest some
measures that can be taken into consideration to make this transition from online to campus smooth and
hassle free for everyone. (5 marks)
{Hints- children are not vaccinated, weak immunity, risk of catching infections, parents should have a
choice, safety precautions to be taken by school, schools and parents need to work hand in hand}

Max Marks – 4
Content – 2
Format – 1
Language, Fluency, Vocabulary – 1

Q4. You are Bharti/Bhushan, Head Boy/Head Girl of your School. Draft a notice in not more than 50 words
inviting students, parents and staff members to join “COVID VACCINATION CAMP” to be held in the
school premises during the school hours. (5
marks)

Max. Marks – 4
Content – 2
Format & Box – 1
Language, Fluency, Vocabulary – 1

SECTION C- Grammar (8 Marks)

Q5. Fill in the blank with suitable preposition: (3 marks)
The new laptop fell _________(from/for) my sister’s hands and broke into pieces.

Q6. Fill in the blank with appropriate conjunction:

_______ (Whether/Though) he was late for work, he decided to help the old lady cross the road.

Q7. Fill in the blanks with appropriate verb:

Sara and her mother ______ (was/were) in the prison together.

Q8. Identify the given sentences as Simple, Compound or Complex sentences. (3 marks)

a. While she was watching the movie, she ironed all the clothes. Complex
b. Shimla is a favorite tourist destination among all the hill stations. Simple
c. Ramesh has a car, but he doesn’t have a license. Compound

Q9. Change the following sentences from direct speech to indirect speech: (2 marks)
a. The boss said to the employees, "There will be no promotions this year due to low sales."
The boss told his employees that there would be no promotions that year due to low sales.
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 b. I told my friend, “Raghu can’t join for his birthday party as he is sick.”
I told my friend that Raghu couldn’t join for his birthday party as he was sick.

SECTION D- Literature (20 Marks)

Q10. Read the extracts carefully and answer ANY 1 from EACH box: (1x3=3 marks)
(1x4=4 marks); Total = 7
marks
1. ‘On a lone winter evening when the frost,
Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills.’

a. Name the poem and the poet.

On the Grasshopper and the cricket by John Keats
b. Why is the background so silent?
It is a winter evening.
c. How has the season been described and what is special about this time?
Very cold, silent all around, cricket breaks the silence.

2. ‘Perched at an elevation of 1500 meters this tiny hill station is the capital city of the beautiful
state of Meghalaya.

a. What is the name of the capital city? What other name is this city also referred to as?
Shillong, Scotland of the East.
b. How did the city get its official name?
The name ‘Shillong’ was adopted due to the village’s location below Shillong peak.
c. Describe any two features special to this city.
Any relevant answer (Football, Rock N Roll music, Shillong’s Chamber Choir, Tribes (Khasi, Garos
Jaintias), Soulmate, Lou Majaw’s Bob Dylan’s birthday concert every year o 24 th of May, Mawlynnong –
Asia’s cleanest village, Mawsynram – the wettest place on Earth.

3. ‘I lie down in the shadow

No longer the light of my
Dream before me,
Above me.
Only the thick wall.’

a. Identify the poem.

As I Grew Older
b. What do you infer from the word ‘shadow’ in context of the poem?
It refers to the shadow cast by the wall. As it stands between the speaker and the sun (dream), it
shadows the space where the speaker is situated.
c. Describe the poet’s feelings from these lines.
He emphasizes the hopelessness of the speaker.
d. What does the ‘wall’ symbolise?

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 The ‘wall’ symbolises racial discrimination by society, poverty, lack of education (illiteracy), norms
and social habits.

4. ‘I did not excel in my first ever match for my club, which a host of my colony friends came to
watch, I was out for a golden duck’.

a. Identify the name of the lesson and the author.

Learning the Game, Sachin Tendulkar
b. What did the author mean by ‘golden duck’?
When a batsman is declared out after the first ball bowled to him.
c. In which game did the author finally score and when?
Sachin finally scored in the third match, a single run after seven deliveries.
d. Why did it matter to the author that he was out for a golden duck in the presence of his colony
friends?
He was the star batsman of the colony and it was embarrassing for him to lose in front of his friends.

Q11. Answer ANY 3 of the following questions in about 30 to 40 words. (3X2=6

marks)

1. What was the final incident in the story ‘Learning the Game’, that made Sachin a better person?
2. Do you think that the poem ‘As I Grew Older’ is only about racism? What other kinds of “walls” might
prevent someone from achieving his dream?
3. Discuss the common features between the grasshopper and the cricket, from the poem ‘On the
Grasshopper and the Cricket.’
4. Why did Swaminathan object to the name MCC that Rajam suggested?
5. Analyse and discuss the role of Shillong in promoting music.

Answers:
1. Achrekar sir scolded Sachin for agreeing to add six extra runs to his debut school match score of
24 runs. This lesson taught Sachin that the sport should be played with honesty and integrity.
2. Racism is one of the patterns of lack of dreams achieving. There are different types of walls that
may hinder people’s dream such as poverty, lack of education (illiteracy), norms and social
habits.
3. Both the grasshopper and the cricket are the representative voices of nature’s music or poetry.
Both offer a soothing effect to the extremities of climate. The grasshopper’s song balances the
extreme heat during the summer by providing music that is comforting and pleasing. The cricket
does the same during winter.
4. Swaminathan objected to the name MCC because it was the name of another famous cricket
team and he felt that they would be in great trouble for using the same name. He also felt that the
name was ordinary and boring.
5. Shillong was part of the 1730 guitar ensemble for the Guinness book of World Records for the
Bob Dylan’s song ‘Knocking on Heaven’s door’ lead by Lou Majaw in 2007. Soulmate, blues
band was the first to represent India at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2007.
Along with rock n roll you will find metal, hip-hop and jazz music being played at any little café
in Shillong.

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 Q12. Answer ANY 1 of the following question in 120 words. (4 marks)

You recently auditioned for a part in a school play but did not get the main role however was asked to help
backstage. With reference to the theme of the poem ‘Be the Best at Whatever You Are’. Write a diary entry
about it, mentioning how you must not lose heart.

Value points – Format, evidences from the poem, self-reflection.

Answer:

Jane Doe
Dubai, UAE

Dear Diary,

Today was an eventful day at school. I was so excited that I will grab the main role in today’s audtion
of ‘XYZ’ play. When my turn came, I confidently went on stage and said my lines. Ms ABC, our
drama teacher, however called out my name as one of the backstage helpers for props and lights. I
was so upset. Some lines from my favourite poem ‘Be the Best at Whatever You Are’ kicked my
mind. The poet mentions ‘We can’t all be captains, we got to be crew’. This line guides me to see the
big picture of my problem. Not all of us can be the main character, some have to be the helping
hands to be a part of the play. In the poem he also says that ‘It isn’t by size that you win or fail’. So
what if I did not get the main part, this play will have the best props and lighting anyone has ever
seen.

Jane

OR
'Achrekar was a sincere coach'. Substantiate. Give evidence from the lesson ‘Learning the Game’ to
support your answer.

Answer:
Achrekar was a cricket coach at Shardashram in Mumbai. He ran summer camps. He selected the
players after watching them closely. He agreed to let Sachin join his summer camp. He identified the
potential of Sachin. He gave rigorous practice in the morning and evening. Sachin impressed Sir by
his batting. Sir recommended the changing of school. Sachin moved to Shardashram which had all
the facilities. Achrekar was kind and a very strict coach too. He never accepted the excuses. He also
punished Sachin on one occassion. He was angry with Sachin bunked his evening practice. He
advised him not to play insane games with other boys. He was a strict disciplinarian. Sir made
Sachin a great cricketer.

Max. marks – 4.5

Green Bulb – 4 or 4.5
Amber Bulb – 3 or 3.5
Value points – word limit, textual evidence, organization of ideas, opinion.

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 Q13. Read Book: Answer ANY 1 in about 6-8 sentences: (3 marks)

 How do Clovis and Finn complement each other? What life lessons did Maia learn from them?

Answer:

Clovis (real name Jimmy Bates). He is a child actor who loses his part in the play ‘Little Lord
Fauntleroy’ He takes Finn’s place and goes to England and there becomes heir to Westwood is
reunited with his foster mother. Finn on the other hand hates England and wants to live in Brazil, find
his mother’s tribe, the Xanti and be an Indian doctor. Maia learns from both her friends that whatever
challenges comes into your life you need to overcome it no matter what. In Clovis’s case it was going to
England to reunite with his foster mother, by pretending to be the long lost heir of Westwood and in
Finn’s case it was searching for the Xanti tribe in a boat, ‘Arabella’ that he built.

Value points – Character sketch of Clovis and Finn, Maia’s reflection of them

OR

After arriving in Brazil, are Maia's expectations met? Which ones are? Which are not? Why?

Answer:
After arriving in Brazil, Maia’s expectations of her new home, the Carters and especially the twins
were disappointing. They turned out to be very mean and very greedy creating their own little
England in the middle of the Amazon. She was very unhappy in their home. Her expectations of the
Amazon that she had read out in her school were more than satisfying. The vastness of the place, the
Indians, the forest itself and her sense of freedom that she felt by the end of the story all speak about
her happiness. Her expectations of Miss Minton and her friends Clovis and Finn, the former only
looked stern, they helped her at all times, in the Carter house as well in the Amazon.

Max. Marks – 3

Value points – Maia’s disappointed of Carters, happiness with the Amazon and the people especially Miss
Minton and her friends Clovis and Finn.

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