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Class 09 - Communicative English (101)

Sample Paper - 01 (2023-24)

Maximum Marks: 80
Time Allowed: : 3 hours

General Instructions:

1. 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.

2. The Question Paper contains FOUR sections-READING SKILLS, WRITING SKILLS, GRAMMAR and LITERATURE
TEXTBOOK.
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (20 marks)

1. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
1. Today, Monday, Wanda Petronski was not in her seat. But nobody, not even Peggy and Madeline, the girls who
started all the fun, noticed her absence. Usually Wanda sat in the seat next to the last seat in the last row in Room
Thirteen. She sat in the corner of the room where the rough boys who did not make good marks sat, the corner of the
room where there was most scuffling of feet, most roars of laughter when anything funny was said, and most mud
and dirt on the floor.
2. Wanda did not sit there because she was rough and noisy. On the contrary, she was very quiet and rarely said
anything at all. And nobody had ever heard her laugh out loud. Sometimes she twisted her mouth into a crooked sort
of smile, but that was all.
3. Nobody knew exactly why Wanda sat in that seat, unless it was because she came all the way from Boggins Heights
and her feet were usually caked with dry mud. But no one really thought much about Wanda Petronski, once she sat
in the corner of the room.
4. The time when they thought about Wanda was outside of school hours - at noon-time when they were coming back to
school or in the morning early before school began, when groups of two or three, or even more, would be talking and
laughing on their way to the school yard. Then, sometimes, they waited for Wanda - to have fun with her. The next
day, Tuesday, Wanda was not in school, either. And nobody noticed her absence again. But on Wednesday, Peggy and
Maddie, who sat down front with other children who got good marks and who didn’t track in a whole lot of mud, did
notice that Wanda wasn’t there.
i. Was Wanda Petronski in her seat?
ii. Did her friends notice Wanda’s absence?
iii. Where did Wanda usually sit in the room?
iv. Describe that particular corner where Wanda used to sit in the class.
v. How were her feet when she came all the way from Boggins Heights?
vi. Did Wanda sit there because she was rough and noisy? (Yes/No)
vii. ________ and ________ were the first to notice that Wanda was not in the class.
viii. Wanda had a ________ smile.
a) frightening
b) pretty
c) crooked

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d) broad
ix. According to the passage, all the students sat in:
a) Room Thirteen
b) The garden
c) Thirteen Rooms
d) Room Twelve
x. Which word in the passage means the same as slightly bent?
a) Crooked
b) Scuffling
c) Started
d) None of these
2. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
Nothing spells extravagance like silk does. Producing silk is a lengthy process and demands close attention. First, quality
feed for silkworms needs to be cultivated. Then the worms need to be carefully hand-reared in controlled environmental
conditions till the pupae spin the silk cocoons. The silk is extracted by human hand and then woven into fabric.
India's southern region specialises in the production of rich silk yarns that are used in combination with other yarns that
are then transformed into awe-inspiring fabrics. India prides itself as the only country that produces all types of natural
silk, made from various types of silk-spinning worms. Mulberry, tussar, eri and munga are special to India. The silk yarn
of south India is recognised as authentic and elegant not only in the country, but globally. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu are among the leading states producing silk yarn in India. South India is the leading silk-producing area
of the country, and is also known for its famous silk-weaving enclaves like Kanchipuram, Dharmavaram and Arni. The
traditional handloom silk always scores over the power loom ones in the richness of their textures and design, in their
individuality, character and classic beauty. Handloom weaving remains a symbol of the versatility and creativity of living
craft. Today, Indian silks, especially the handloom product remains the most beautiful and cherished product in the world
over.
It is estimated that almost 85 per cent of the price of silk in the market goes back to communities that are engaged in
sericulture and silk industry as the entire families are involved in production rather than one breadwinner.
It plays a huge role in the upliftment of communities from poverty to prosperity. If the consumption of silk increases, the
entire village tends to prosper. The final part of silk production is the weaving of the fabric which is considered more of
an art than an act. These communities depend solely on weaving silk for their livelihood and the distinct regions have
developed their own character of weaving silk to establish indelible identities for themselves.
Silk has been intermingled with the life and culture of the Indians. Though India is producing all the varieties of silk, i.e.,
dress materials, scarves/stoles, readymade garments, etc., the silk sarees are unique. The saree is almost synonymous
with the word silk. It has been the traditional costume of Indian women since time immemorial. There are innumerable
references in Indian literature about this draped garment and the style of wearing differs from time to time, region to
region and people to people. The silk sarees of India are among the excellent living examples of the craftsmanship of the
weavers of the country. Though India has earned a predominant position in the world with rising silk demand, it still lags
behind China in silk production. India contributes around 15 per cent of the world’s total silk production while China
contributes more than 80 per cent of global production. In India, the cost of imported silk yarn is approximately ₹ 4,500
per kg while domestic yarn is sold between ₹ 3,500 and ₹ 3,800 per kg.
i. How does the silk production help in the upliftment of communities?
a) The entire families are involved in production.
b) All of the above
c) The entire village tends to prosper.
d) Almost 85% of the price of silk in the market goes back to communities.
ii. What is the traditional costume of the Indian women?

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a) Both scarves and kurta
b) scarves
c) Kurta
d) saree
iii. Which is the final part of silk-production?
a) silk extraction
b) the weaving of the fabric
c) textures and designs
d) silk-weaving
iv. Find the word from the passage which means the same as use up.
a) remains
b) consumption
c) indelible
d) materials
v. What is the cost of imported silk yam in India?
a) ₹ 4500 per kg
b) ₹ 3500 per kg
c) ₹ 3800 per kg
d) None of these
vi. What is the first step in silk production?
vii. How are the worms taken care of?
viii. Which is the most famous silk?
ix. Name a few famous South Indian silk-producing centres.
x. Name the three states leading in the production of silk yarn in India?
SECTION B : WRITING SKILLS (24 marks)
3. You are Nikhil Goyal of Class IX. You have found a watch in the school playground. Write a notice for the school notice
board inviting its rightful owner to claim the watch after furnishing necessary details about it.
4. Complete the dialogue given below. Write your answers against the correct blank numbers.
Rajnish: I want to go to Gurgaon. Would you tell me (a) ________?
Govind: You should go by Metro (b) ________.
Rajnish: I do not know (c) ________.
Govind: Take a (d) ________.
Rajnish: I am so (e) ________.
5. You were taken by your school to visit a place of historical interest Write a letter to your classmate who was unable to go
on the trip telling him/her about the trip. Why it was important and what you gained from the experience?

OR

The increasing use of TV viewing, video games, mobile phone games, is a source of distraction. Children prefer these
over reading novels or story books which offer a world of beauty and imagination. Write a letter in about 150-200 words
to your younger brother/sister telling him/her about the necessity of reading books rather than viewing TV/games, as you
have re-discovered this in your hostel. You are Aman/Anita, staying at Room No. 115, Gyan Hostel, Indore.
6. Write a descriptive paragraph on ‘My Best Friend’ in words based on the following cues.
Input: name - where he lives - parents/family - nature - qualities - habits - behaviour towards others - your feeling about
him.

OR

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'Career Fair’ was organised this year as well in your school. As many as 30 Institutes had put up their stalls. Some of the
participants included NIFT, NID, IIPM, and Computer Academy, etc. The school had invited career counsellors as well.
Write a description.
SECTION C : GRAMMAR (10 marks)
7. Complete the tasks, as directed.
1. Fill in the blanks (a)-(c) with the appropriate option from those in the brackets.
Kabir, (a) ________ (a/one/the) famous saint, was neither a Muslim nor a Hindu. He (b) ________ (is/has been/was)
a 'fakir' (c) ________ (who/which and) preached love, peace and brotherhood to mankind.
2. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the
correction in the space provided against the correct blank number:
Error Correction
Inactivity is the greater cause of overweight these days. (a) ________ ________

People physical activity (b) ________ ________

had decreased these days. The main (c) ________ ________

reason is there are many labour saving devices. (d) ________ ________
3. Do as directed.
i. Rearrange the following jumbled words/phrases in the given dialogue to create a meaningful sentence.
Only those who work hard get glory and success in life. Nothing great can be achieved without effort. A
student can never come out with flying colours unless he has worked hard throughout the year.
service/the/of mankind/God/the service/of/is
ii. Read the conversation given below. Based on your reading, fill in the blanks appropriately.
Sameer: Neha, why do you keep on wasting time in useless pursuits?
Neha: It’s not a useless job, I am trying to make a angel with this waste material.
Sameer: What is the need to do all this, when you have so many important things to do?
Neha: I am making a angel to bless my family.
Sameer asked Neha why she kept on wasting time in useless pursuits Neha told Sameer that it was not a
useless job and that (a) ________. Sameer asked what was the need to do all those things when she had so
many important things to do To which Neha replied (b) ________.
SECTION D : LITERATURE TEXTBOOK (26 marks)
8. Read the given excerpts and answer the questions briefly, for ANY TWO excerpts, of the three, given.
1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
Behold her, single in the field,
Yon solitary Highland lass!
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!
a. Which region does the solitary reaper belong to?
b. What was the girl doing?
c. What does the poet suggest?
d. Name the poet who wrote this poem.
2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions/complete the sentences that follow:
"Nobody thinks about anything else round here now. You see, they pay so well. The manager is offering a thousand
francs for a real beggar who has had nothing to eat for two days."
a. Who is the speaker of these lines?
b. What proposal does she make to the listener?
c. Who are they here?

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3. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
A few weeks ago, worded as if in special tribute to Duke, an order came through from the chemical company’s
headquarters: "... therefore, to advance our objectives step by step, Charles Hooper is appointed Assistant National
Sales Manager."
a. Who paid a special tribute to Duke?
b. What does the expression advance objectives step by step mean?
c. Who helped Hooper the most?
d. Who was Duke?
9. Answer ANY SIX of the following seven questions in about 30- 40 words each
1. How did the poet pave the way for cavities, caps and decay?
2. How do the expressions bicker down, hurry down, slip between ridges, chatter, chatter help in creating the image
of the young river? (The Brook)
3. In the poem Song of the Rain how does rain help in establishing a bond between the field and the cloud?
4. What did Harold ask his father to do for him? What for?
5. John is a hypocrite. Substantiate this statement. Do you agree?
6. What did the narrator and his friend Trower see when they were returning from the canteen?
Answer to the context of the chapter The Man Who Knew Too Much.
7. Why did Persome feel scared when she saw the convict in the house?
10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 120 words
1. As the convict write a letter to the Bishop thanking him profusely to have brought a change in him from a beast to a
true human being. Assure him that you'll always follow the path of righteousness in life.
2. What made the grandmother so much interested in the serial of Kashi Yatre that appeared in the weekly Karmaveera?
What happened when the narrator went to attend a wedding in the neighbouring village?
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Class 09 - Communicative English (101)

Sample Paper - 01 (2023-24)

Solution

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (20 marks)

1. i. No, Wanda Petronski was not in her seat.
ii. No, even Wanda’s friends Peggy and Madeline didn’t notice Wanda’s absence in the class.
iii. Wanda usually sat in the next to the last seat in the last row in Room Thirteen.
iv. Only rough boys sat there scuffling their feet and making the floor muddy and dirty.
v. When she came all the way from Boggins Heights her feet were usually caked with dry mud.
vi. No
vii. 1. Peggy, Maddie
viii. (c) crooked
Explanation: crooked
ix. (a) Room Thirteen
Explanation: Room Thirteen
x. (a) Crooked
Explanation: Crooked
2. i. (d) Almost 85% of the price of silk in the market goes back to communities.
Explanation: The silk sold becomes a source of income for the communities. This helps in getting them out of
poverty.
ii. (d) saree
Explanation: Saree is the traditional costume of Indian women. It is draped in different ways.
iii. (b) the weaving of the fabric
Explanation: Weaving the threads into fabric is the final part of silk production.
iv. (b) consumption
Explanation: Consumption means using up a resource.
v. (a) ₹ 4500 per kg
Explanation: Imported silk yearn is 4500 rupees and domestic silk yarn is 3500 to 3800 rupees.
vi. The first step in silk production is the cultivation of quality feed for the silkworms.
vii. The worms are reared in controlled environmental conditions.
viii. The traditional handloom silk is the most famous silk.
ix. A few famous South Indian silk-producing centers are Kanchipuram, Dharmavaram and Arni.
x. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are the three states leading in the production of silk yarn in India.
SECTION B : WRITING SKILLS (24 marks)
ABC SCHOOL, SURAT 10 Nov. 20XX
NOTICE
FOUND! FOUND! FOUND!
Found a gent’s wristwatch in the school playground today, i.e., 10 Nov. 20XX at 8.30 a.m. The genuine owner of the
watch can claim it back from the undersigned after giving necessary details about the watch and identification marks if
any.
NIkhil Goyal
XII A
3. Roll No. 22

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4. a. how I can go there
b. which starts horn Mehrauli
c. how to reach Mehrauli
d. bus which will drop you at Mehrauli
e. thankful to you
5. Govind Nagar
Agra
2nd July 20XX
Dear Govind
I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. It is now over a week since you had been ill. How is your
health now? Do not worry about studies, for nothing much has happened since last week It was last Sunday when our
class teacher took us to Fatehpur Sikri, a town perched atop a rocky ridge just 28 kilometers from Agra. The one and
half-hour drive in school bus was very entertaining, as we all sang and danced to the amusement of our teachers.
While on our way, the guide Mr. Salim informed that Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569. This was in
gratitude to the sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti, who prophesied that Akbar would soon have an heir to the throne. As a
mark of faith, he named the new city Fatehpur Sikri. The first enclosure of the palace was a vast courtyard called the
Diwan-e-Aam, where the emperor attended the common people. Beyond this was a huge second enclosure, the Diwan-e-
Khas, or the hall of private audience. Towards the east was Jodhabai's palace. It was the largest of all the palaces in the
complex with traditional Hindu and Islamic carvings on the walls. Besides these monuments, there was the Mariam's
palace, Panch Mahal and Buland Darwaza.
The city and the palaces were marvellous and the beauty of it was quite appreciable. I wish you were also here, to visit
such a beautiful city and know about powerful emperors like Akbar.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Give my regards to Uncle and Aunty.
Yours affectionately
Rajnish

OR

Room No. 115

Gyan Hostel
Indore
28th July, 2023

Dear Ravi/Reema
I hope everything is fine at your end. In this letter, I'm going to tell you about a brand-new discovery I made while
staying at a hostel. It is true that reading books is much more important than watching TV or playing video games. I
previously discovered that TV, video games, and mobile phone games gave us a lot of amusement. But as I become
older, I realise that they only offer momentary entertainment. We believe that reading quality literature is more essential
than pursuing higher education. Books are a priceless source of education, enduring enjoyment, and sweet solace
because they help us imagine and create beautiful and wonderful worlds.
We don't necessarily become philosophers, but we do learn things by reading books. It is crucial for leading a fulfilling
life. The value of life that may be found by reading excellent books makes TV, video games, and mobile phone games
seem inconsequential. So books make excellent instructors. With time, the view they provide gets richer and richer.
Books cannot pretend to be false. They are one's closest pals and are consistently modern and daring. Strong men have
traditionally been avid readers.
So I suggest you limit your time spent watching TV and playing video games. Read good literature instead and savour
the worlds they create. I'm hoping they'll bring you a lot of joy.

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With best wishes
Yours affectionately
Aman/Anita
6. My Best Friend: The popular saying ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’ fits my friend, Anil. I am lucky to have such a
sincere and true friend. He is my neighbour and classmate, too. He has qualities of head and heart. He is intelligent and
always stands first in the class. He always helps me and other students in studies and in other affairs. His father is a
professor and mother, a religious, homely lady. He is kind, obedient, polite, well-behaved and helpful. So, all love him.
His dress is never dirty or untidy. He has great regard and respect for teachers and elders and love for youngers. I am
really proud of my friend.

OR

Career Fair is an annual feature in our school. This event provides a platform for students upward of class-9 to meet
career experts from various fields to know about the options available to them. Experts from medical, engineering,
fashion, design, architecture and many other fields were invited. Also .career guidance was provided by counsellors such
as Mr. Chawla, Ms. Prema.
Bookstalls and eatables were other attractions. The event was open to parents as well. Parents got to interact with experts
and collect information regarding various options. The fair was open to students of classes 9-12.
SECTION C : GRAMMAR (10 marks)
7. Complete the tasks, as directed.
1. (a) the (b) was (c) who

2. Error Correction
(a) greater greatest
(b) People People's

(c) had have

(d) is being
3. Do as directed.
i. The service of mankind is the service of God.
ii. (a) she was trying to make a angel with that waste material, (b) that she was making it to bless her family.
SECTION D : LITERATURE TEXTBOOK (26 marks)
8. Read the given excerpts and answer the questions briefly, for ANY TWO excerpts, of the three, given.
1. a. The girl belongs to the mountainous highland region of Scotland.
b. The girl was reaping and singing by herself in the field.
c. The poet suggests the passers-by either to stand silently and listen to her song or leave the place silently.
d. This poem has been written by William Wordsworth.
2. a. The Maid
b. The Maid proposes to the listener to take up a role in a film in order to supplement her dwindling income.
c. 'They' refer to the director and the manager of the film.
3. a. Charles Hooper’s company paid a special tribute to Duke.
b. Moving towards your goal step by step.
c. His pet dog named Duke helped Hooper the most advance his objectives step by step.
d. Duke was the name of Hooper’s obedient dog.
9. Answer ANY SIX of the following seven questions in about 30- 40 words each
1. The poet neglected her teeth during her childhood. She used to chew toffees, lick lollies and eat sweets of all kinds.
She didn’t realise that these habits would lead to tooth ailments. Thus, by not giving proper care on time, she paved

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the way for cavities, caps and decays.
2. All the expressions suggest energy, enthusiasm, frivolous behaviour that can be associated with a young person-
always quarrelling, talking, hurrying, taking shortcuts etc.
3. The poet says that fields and the clouds are lovers. The fields are needy and the clouds are bursting with moisture, the
rain acts as a messenger of mercy for them. It quenches the thirst of the fields and cures the ailment of the clouds by
relieving them of the moisture.
4. Harold asked his father to give him a picture of himself boxing. He could swank that like anything. His fellow
students had been swanking Jimmy Wilde’s snapshot. They would be let down by Harold’s displaying his dad’s
photograph of boxing. This had a magical effect on Bramble. He got ready to go to the White Hart for training for his
boxing bout next Monday for his sake.
5. Yes, John does come across as a hypocrite. He criticises and mocks the stories of best-sellers calling them
melodramatic and unrealistic. In real life, he behaves like the hero of a best-seller, chasing his girl, across various
towns and stations, and proposes to her despite her royal connections.
6. When the narrator and his friend Trower were returning from the canteen, they saw the Professor sermonising there.
Three cooks were standing against the wall. In his monotonous tone, Quelch was expressing his resentment and
protest at the way they peeled potatoes. In his opinion, it was quite unscientific and unhygienic to peel potatoes in
such a way. He wanted to draw their attention to the sheer waste of vitamin values. The narrator and his friend fled as
they couldn’t stand the sermons of the Professor anymore.
7. Persome felt scared when she saw the convict as she did not expect to find a convict in her home, and also because
the convict held a knife and threatened her.
10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 120 words
1. 1527, Charles de Gaulle Road
Paris
14th December, 20_ _
Reverend Father
I feel overwhelmed with emotions of respect and love amounting to worship for you while writing this letter. I am
sure that if you had not been there I don’t know if I could have seen this day. I lack words to express my deepest and
sincerest respect to you.
The prison authorities treated me like a beast. See my ‘crime’ as they called it! I stole to get food. But I was made to
suffer like an animal. Even my name was taken off and a number was given. Truly, but for you, I would have died a
beast.
I found a messiah in you. You provided me with food and a place to stay for the night after I brandished a knife. I
took your silver candlesticks even back then. You lied when you said I was brought back to you with those silver
candlesticks. You became my friend and kept the cops away from me. You truly did miracles for me by showing
sympathy, pity, empathy, compassion, etc. You prevented my soul from going to hell. When you finally blessed me, I
was unable to control my excitement. You made me into the guy I am today.
I shall always cherish you as an angel in human form. I shall never deviate from the path of righteousness. May you
live long!
With warm regards
Your son

2. The story of Triveni’s novel Kashi Yatre dealt with a religious theme relating to an old lady. She wanted to visit Kashi
or Varanasi and worship Lord Vishweshwara there. It, for Hindus, was the ultimate punya. But she couldn’t go there.
Instead, she gave all her savings to an orphan girl who couldn’t marry her heart-throb due to poverty. The
grandmother identified herself with the old lady of the novel as both had a similar outlook and similar sentiments.
Then their psychologies and social levels were almost the same. The grandmother's character totally synced in with

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the novel's character which interested her even more.
When the narrator went to a neighbouring village to attend a wedding she remained there for a week. In her absence,
weekly Karmaveera arrived and the grandmother wanted to know the story of the serial. But she couldn’t read as she
was illiterate. This made her feel the worth and value of being literate. When the narrator came she wept before her
and urged her (the narrator) to teach her the Kannada alphabet.
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