Std; x MARKS:100

Sub; English TIME: 2 HRS

Read the passage given below. 10M

(1) Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting to do it again
was the last thing on your mind?

(2) If your answer is yes, then you should understand that you are not a robot. Unlike robots, we
human beings have feelings, emotions, and dreams. We are all meant to grow despite our
circumstances and limitations. Flourishing and trying to make our dreams come true feels great
when life goes our way. But what happens when it does not? What happens when you fail
despite all your hard work? Do you stay down and accept defeat or do you get up again? If you
tend to persevere and keep going, you have what experts call ‘gritʼ.

(3) Falling down or failing is one of the most agonising, embarrassing, and scary human
experiences. But it is also one of the most educational, empowering, and essential parts of living a
successful and fulfilling life. Did you know that perseverance (grit) is one of the seven qualities
that has been described as the key to personal success and betterment in society? The other six
are curiosity, gratitude, optimism, self-control, social intelligence, and zest. Thomas Edison is an
example of grit for trying more than 1,000 times to invent the light bulb. If you are reading this
with the lights on in your room, you will realise the importance of his success. When asked why
he kept going despite hundreds of failures, he merely stated that they had not been failures, they
were hundreds of attempts toward creating the light bulb. This statement not only revealed his
grit but also his optimism for looking at the bright side.

(4) Grit can be learnt to help you become more successful. One of the techniques that help is
mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice that makes an individual stay in the moment by bringing
awareness of his or her experience without judgement. This practice has been used to quieten
the noise of fears and doubts. Through this simple practice of mindfulness, individuals have the
ability to stop the self-sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, despair, and frustration.

(5) What did you do to overcome the negative and self-sabotaging feelings of failure? Reflect on
what you did, and try to use those same powerful resources to help you today.
Moral: Learn from your Mistakes
Source: CBSE Sample Paper

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the
twelve that follow: 1 × 10 = 10

UNSEEN PASSAGE WITH MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS |

UNSEEN PASSAGE WITH MCQ
(A) The reason why you are not a robot is that:
(a) You fail miserably at tasks
(b) Failure and success can affect your emotions
(c) You work hard
(d) You have limitations
(B) Choose the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from the
given quotes.
“A person
“Failure should be our who never
“What is the point of teacher, not our made a
being alive if you “Mistakes are undertaker. Failure is mistake never
donʼt at least try to the portals of delay, not defeat. It is a tried anything
do something discovery.” temporary detour, not new.”
remarkable?” (2) a dead end.” (4)
(1) —James (3) —Albert
—John Green Joyce —Denis Waitley Einstein
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)

(C) What is the tone of the following context: “Falling down or failing is one of the
most… educational, empowering, and essential parts of living a successful and
fulfilling life.”?
(a) Humorous
(b) Optimistic
(c) Horrifying
(d) Solemn

(D) Which of the following is relevant to the title of the passage?

(a) Dreams Always Come True
(b) Failure and Grit Go Hand in Hand
(c) Humans vs Robots
(d) Falling Down and Getting Up
(E) ……………… was created after many attempts.
(a) electricity
(b) light bulb
(c) current
(d) tube light
(F) Which of the following sentences makes the correct use of “grit”, as used in the
passage?
(a) Get rid of that grit in your shoes.
(b) She had a bit of grit in her eye.
(c) The road had been covered with grit.
(d) Her grit never made her give up.
(G) To develop perseverance one must:
(a) become more aware
(b) work hard
(c) be in the moment and be aware without judgement
(d) seek guidance
UNSEEN PASSAGE WITH MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS |
UNSEEN PASSAGE WITH MCQS
(H) How does mindfulness help?
(a) It creates awareness
(b) It quietens the noise of fears and doubts
(c) It helps one become successful
(d) It helps develop focus
(I) What do you understand from this line, “Falling down or failing is one of the most
agonising, embarrassing, and scary human experiences.”?
(a) Falling down makes us angry.
(b) Failure can deeply affect our emotions
(c) Stay positive and be optimistic
(d) Self-control is empowering
(J) Choose the option that correctly states the meaning of ‘social intelligenceʼ as
implied in the passage:
(a) Knowing others
(b) Knowing oneself and others
(c) Knowing oneself
(d) Knowing oneʼs surroundings
(K) The importance of perseverance and optimism for a successful and fulfilling life is
explained using the example of?
(a) Thomas Edison
(b) Flourishing
(c) Grit
(d) Limitations
(L) What is the message conveyed in the last paragraph of the passage?
(a) Always aim for the best
(b) Live life king size
(c) Through mindfulness we can overcome the negative impact of failure
(d) Social intelligence is crucial for a successful life

I. Read the passage given below: 10M

(1) “Who doesnʼt know how to cook rice? Cooking rice hardly takes time,” said my father. So, I challenged myself.
I switched from news to You Tube and typed, “How to cook rice?” I took one and a half cups of rice. Since I didnʼt
haveaccess to a rice cooker, I put the rice in a big pot. Firstly, the rice has to be washed to get rid of dust and starch. I
thought I wonʼt be able to drain the rice and that it will fall out of the pot. I observed the chef as I swirled the rice
around and
used my dexterous hands to drain it, not once, not twice, but three times. I looked down at the sink and saw less than
50 grains that made their way out of the pot. Suffice to say, I was up to the mark.
(2) The video stated that the key to perfect rice is equal amount of rice and water. I have heard that professionals
donʼt need to measure everything; they just know what the right amount is. But as this was my first time in the kitchen,
I decided to experiment by not measuring the water needed for boiling the rice. I wanted the rice to be firm when bitten,
just like pasta. I donʼt enjoy the texture of mushy rice. It has to have that chutzpah; it has to resist my biting power just
for a bit before disintegrating.
(3) After what seemed like 10 minutes, all the water disappeared. I went in to give it a good stir. To my surprise,
some of the rice got stuck to the pot. I tried to scrape it off but to no avail. At the same time, there was a burning smell
coming from it. I quickly turned the stove off. “What have you done to the kitchen?” My mother shouted while
comingtowards the kitchen. I managed to ward her off.
(4) Finally, when the time came to taste my creation, I was surprised! It wasnʼt bad at all. The rice had the desired
consistency. Sure, a little more salt wouldʼve been better, but I just added that while eating. The experience was fairly
rewarding and memorable. It taught me a new sense of respect for those who cook food on a regular basis at home or
are engaged in gourmet creations professionally. (SQP 2020-21)
Based on your understanding of the above passage, answer of the questions given below by choosing the most appropriate
option: (1×10=10)

1. Fatherʼs question to the narrator,

about knowing how to cook rice,
4. The narrator says that he has
was intended to
(A) criticize the narratorʼs lack of abilities. dexterous hands. He would have had
(B) make the process sound simple. a problem had it been the opposite.
(C) encourage the narrator to take up NOT BEING dexterous means, being .
cooking.
(A)
(D) showcase his own expertise in cooking
rice.

2. “I switched from news to You

Tube …” Pick the option in which
the meaning of ‘switch(ed)ʼ is NOT
the same as it is in the passage.
(A) He switched on the radio to listen to the
news while having dinner.
(B) “Forget these diet supplements and
switch to yoga, if you want a true sense
of well-being.”
(C) Mom switched to reading fiction recently
because she was bored with cook-books.
(D) The company will switch the trucks to
other routes to bring down city pollution.

3. Based on your understanding of the

passage, choose the option that lists
the correct sequence of the process.
1. Use water to wash the rice.
2. Repeat the process three times.
3. Drain the water off.
4. Put rice in a utensil.
5. Swirl the rice around in water.
(A) 4,2,1,3,5 (B) 1,3,2,5,4

(C) 4,1,5,3,2 (D) 5,1,2,4,3

 uncomfortable (B) clumsy
(C) unclear (D) clueless

5. Which option represents the

correct ratio ofwater to rice for
cooking ‘perfect riceʼ?

(1) (2)

(3) (4)

(A) Image 1 (B) Image 2

(C) Image 3 (D) Image 4

According to the passage, the fact that the

narrator risked experimentation, on his
maiden attempt in the kitchen, shows that
he was .

(B) conscientious (B) nervous

(C) presumptuous (D) courteous

6. Pick the option showing the

CORRECT use of the word
‘chutzpahʼ.
(A) It is the courtʼs duty to dispense
chutzpah to everyone irrespective of
caste or creed.
(B) The speaker may not have much of
a stage presence, but youʼve got to
admit sheʼs got chutzpah.
(C) I could crack the code easily which
proved me to be a chutzpah and I was
the only one who could do so.
(D) After his fatherʼs demise, the daughter
took over the familyʼs chutzpah to
saveit from disaster.
 7. Pick the option that correctly states what DID NOT happen after the
writer checked on the rice.
(A) Turning the stove off
(B) Being taken aback at the condition of rice
(C) Forgetting to scrape the stuck rice
(D) Smelling the delicious aroma of cookedrice

8. Pick the option that correctly lists the final feelings of the writer with
reference to the cooking experience.
1. frustrating 2. amusing

3. satisfying 4. disillusioning

5. exacting 6. enlightening

(A) 1 and 4 (B) 2 and 5

(C) 3 and 6 (D) 1 and 3

9. The narratorʼs creation was

(A) almost perfect to taste.
(B) way off from what he wanted.
(C) overly seasoned.
(D) quite distasteful.
4. 10 The narratorʼs creation was
(A) almost perfect to taste.
(B) way off from what he wanted.
(C) overly seasoned.
quite distasteful

I. MCQ ON MIJBIL 25X1=25

Q1- Who is the author of “Mijbil the Otter”?

A) Gavin Maxwell
B) Roald Dahl
C) Paulo Coehlo
D) Arup Kumar Dutta
Q2- Early in the new year of 1956 Maxwell travelled to ____
A) London
B) Southern Iraq
C) India
D) None of the Above

Q3- Where does the author live?

A) London
B) Southern Iraq
C) India
D) None of the Above

Q4- What ‘experimentʼ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be

suitable for?A) to pet a dog
B) to pet an otter
C) both of them
D) none of the Above

Q5- How many days later did the authorʼs mail arrive?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 5
D) 7

Q6- The otter was brought to the author by _____.

A) his friend
B) two Arabs
C) hotel staff
D) non of the above

Q7- What is the meaning of apathy?

A) absence of interest
B) the ability to understand and share the feelings of another
C) unfriendly
D) rude

Q8- What is wasted and provoking when left static? (according to the otter)
A) sand
B) tea
C) juice
D) water

Q9- In the beginning, the Otter was _____.

A) friendly
B) hostile
C) aloof and indifferent
D) sad

Q10- How did the airline wanted him to carry Mijbil?

A) In a separate compartment
B) In a box
C) In his bag
D) None of the above

Q11- What is the meaning of “an appalling spectacle”?

A) a safe space
B) a funny scene
C) a mysterious situation
D) a shocking scene

Q12- Why did the driver drive through the streets of Basra like a ricochetting
bullet?
A) author was late for his flight
B) Mijbil had hurt himself
C) someone was after the driver
D) All of the above

Q13- What did Mij do to the box?

A) made it wet
B) tore the lining of the box
C) overturned it
D) All of the above

Q14- Maxwell called the _____ “the very queen of her kind”.
A) airhostess
B) driver
C) Mijbil
D) Pilot

Q15- What do you mean by “compulsive habits”?

A) destructive habits
B) good habits
C) addictive habits
D) habits impossible to control

Q16- What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?
A) baby seal
B) squirrel
C) a hippo
D) All of the above

Q17- What kept Mij engaged when they shifted to London?

A) Ping-pong game
B) the children
C) the author
D) All of the above
Q18- Why were Otters known as Maxwell Otters?
A) they were found by Maxwell
B) they are fount at a place called Maxwell
C) Its the species name in science
D) None of the Above

Q19- Where did the Arabs keep the otter?

A) in a box
B) in a bag
C) in a sack
D) in the pocket

Q20- When the auther saw the otter for the first time, it resembled a ___
A) dog
B) dragon
C) cat
D) seal

Q21- What was the name given to the otter?

A) Major
B) Mijbil
C) Mad
D) Majhis

Q22- What were Mijbilʼs favourite toys?

A) Stones
B) Marbles
C) Soft toys
D) Newspaper

Q23- What did the woman in the aeroplane think that the otter was?
A) a dog
 B) an otter
C) a rat
D) a seal

Q24- In the Tigris marshes otters were as common as ____.

A) bees
B) lizards
C) rodents
D) mosquitoes

Q25- What had trickled out of the box?

A) juice
B) blood
C) water
D) paint

MCQs Based on the Extract 10x1=10

Extract 1:

For the first twenty-four hours, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and
indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible. The second night
Mijbil came onto my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until
the servant brought tea in the morning, and during the day, he began to lose his apathy and
take a keen, much too keen, interest in his surroundings. I made a body belt for him and took
him on a lead to the bathroom, where for half an hour, he went wild with joy in the water,
plunging and rolling in it, shooting up and down the length of the bathtub underwater, and
making enough slosh and splash for a hippo.

Q1) “Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent…”

From the actions of the given set of friends, choose the person whose behaviour is likely to
resemble Mijbilʼs.
a) Akanksha rudely tells her best friend to stop calling.

b) Piyush was amicable since the day he walked into his new classroom.

c) Rishabh became nasty as soon as he started earning money.

d) Urvashi was distant for a while after losing her grandmother.

Q2) The words “slosh and splash” are examples of the onomatopoeic words that go together
phonetically-resembling the sound that they describe.

Choose the option that DOES NOT fit the given description.

a) hip hop

b) bow wow

c) tick tock

d) pitter patter

Q3) Select the option that correctly puts the following events in the correct order.

1. Maxwell planned to take Mijbil to the bathroom.

2. Mijbil slept at a significant distance from Maxwellʼs bed.

3. Mijbil immensely enjoyed playing in the water.

4. Mijbil slept in a much closer vicinity of the author as opposed to the previous night.

a) 1, 3, 4, 2

b) 3, 1, 2, 4

c) 2, 4, 1, 3

d) 4, 3, 1, 2

Q4) Choose the option that correctly describes a body belt in the given context as explained
by the four people given below.
a) A body belt is a device specially made for swimmers and scuba divers, which helps them
breathe underwater.

b) Body belts basically resemble waist belts and keep our body upright, in a standing position.

c) Body belts are used for restraining while doing certain activities in order to prevent hurt.

d) A body belt is an accessory used by bodybuilders for weight training as a measure against
muscle and bone injuries.

Q5) Select the option that best describes the final action of the otter based on the given
passage.

a) Option (1)

b) Option (2)

c) Option (3)

d) Option (4)

Extract 2:

When I returned, there was an appalling spectacle. There was complete silence from the box,
but from its airholes and chinks around the lid, blood had trickled and dried. I whipped off the
lock and tore open the lid, and Mij, exhausted and blood-spattered, whimpered and caught at
my leg. He had torn the lining of the box to shreds; when I removed the last of it so that there
were no cutting edges left, it was just ten minutes until the time of the flight, and the airport
was five miles distant. I put the miserable Mij back into the box, holding down the lid with my
hand. I sat in the back of the car with the box beside me as the driver tore through the streets
of Basra like a ricocheting bullet.
Q6) Choose the speaker that uses the phrase ‘appalling spectacleʼ correctly.

Speaker 1 – We got back home to see that our pet dog had eaten kheer my mother had kept
out of the fridge. Indeed, an appalling spectacle.

Speaking 2 – We got back home and witnessed that our cousin had dressed our pet dog in his
t-shirt. Have to admit that it was an appalling spectacle.

Speaker 3 – We got back home to see our pet dog sitting with a mangled rat. It was an
appalling spectacle.

Speaking 4 – We got back home from the airport and observed our pet dog sound asleep on
the rug. What an appalling spectacle!

a) Speaker 1

b) Speaker 2

c) Speaker 3

d) Speaker 4

Q7) Choose the option that is closest in resemblance to the boxʼs condition in which Mij was
kept.

a) Option (1)

b) Option (2)

c) Option (3)
d) Option (4)

Q8) Select the option that DOES NOT state the possible reason for Maxwellʼs cutting the box
edges off.

a) Mij could have injured himself further.

b) It could have made the place untidy.

c) Mij could have accidentally swallowed the torn pieces

d) It could have obstructed the shutting of the lid.

Q9) “whipped off” is an example of a phrasal verb, i.e. a combination of a verb and a
preposition. Choose the option that DOES NOT fit the given definition.

Q10) Choose the option that correctly states Maxwellʼs likely feelings in the situation below.

“… I put the miserable Mij back into the box, holding down the lid with my hand.”

(1) anxious

(2) disappointed

(3) terrified
(4) guilty

(5) insulted

a) 1 and 5

b) 2 and 3

c) 1 and 4

d) 3 and 5

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS. 15X1=15

Extract 1:

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbour and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

i) Choose the option with qualities of the cat that Carl Sandburg applies to the fog.

1) Cats are independent animals, they donʼt follow the rules, and they slip and slide in and out
of our lives as they like.

2) Cats are distrustful of strangers and can be jealous and moody.

3) Cats are stealthy, moving in slow motion at times, and they appear to be moving in a
mysterious fashion.

4) Cats often communicate with a combination of distinctive sounds and body language.

5) Cats like to move on at their own pace, and before you know it, theyʼve disappeared.
a) Only 1

b) 2, 3 and 4

c) 1,3 and 5

d) Only 4

ii) Which one/s of the following applies to the given lines?

a) 1 and 4

b) 2 and 3

c) Only 1

d) Only 3

iii) Pick the option that includes an image of the cat on its haunches.
a. Option (1)

b. Option (2)

c. Option (3)

d. Option (4)

iv) Choose the option that DOES NOT list the movement of the fog.

a. Option (1)

b. Option (2)

c. Option (3)
d. Option (4)

v) The poet has used short lines to compose the given poem. Choose the option that lists
the most appropriate explanation for the same.

a. By keeping the lines short, the poet keeps the liberty to step away from the rule, traditional
form, logic, or fact in order to produce a desired effect.

b. By keeping the lines short, the poet wants the reader to omit some parts of a sentence,
which gives the reader a chance to fill in the gaps while reading it out.

c. By keeping the lines short, the poet wants to introduce ambiguity or contradiction into an
otherwise straightforward sentence.

d. By keeping the lines short, the poet is controlling the pace to make the reader slow down,
thereby reflecting the slow rolling in of the fog.

-6 Name the poet of the poem “Fog”.

A) Carl Sandburg
B) Robert Frost
C) Carolyn Wells
D) Walt Whitman

Q7- What has the poet compared the fog with?

A) dog
B) cat
C) woman
D) none of the above

Q8- Where does the fog arrive?

A) city
B) harbour
C) village
D) both 1 and 2

Q9- How does the fog arrive and depart?

A) by announcing its arrival
B) silently
C) loudly
D) both1 and 3

Q10- What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

A) ababab
B) aababa
C) aabaab
D) no rhyme scheme

Q11- What has been personified in the poem?

A) fog
B) city
C) cat
D) harbour

Q12- The feet of the fog are like __ feet.

A) cat
B) lion
C) tiger
D) dog

Q13- What does the fog do while it looks over the city and the harbour?
A) sits
B) moves
C) stands
D) dances
Q14- After sitting, the fog ___
A) Disappears
B) sits there only
C) moves on
D) gets dense

Q15- What is the rhyme scheme of the poem ‘Fogʼ?

A) aabbccdd
B) abcd
C) aabc aabc
D) no rhyme scheme

III.MCQ ON BHOI 30X1=30

Q1- Who is the author of the story “Bholi”?
A) KA Abbas
B) Mark Twain
C) Guy De Maupassant
D) Sinclair Lewis

Q2- What do you mean by the word “simpleton”?

A) simple
B) foolish
C) basic
D) none of the above

Q3- What was Bholiʼs real name?

A) Sulekha
B) Sudekha
C) Champa
D) Chamla

Q4- How many siblings did Bholi have?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 4
D) 6

Q5- Who was her father?

A) Village Numberdar
B) Village Sarpanch
C) Village Tehsildar
D) none of the above

Q6- What damaged some part of her brain?

A) falling off a cot
B) falling off the stairs
C) falling off a verandah
D) small-pox

Q7- What happened when she was two years old?

A) falling off a cot
B) falling off the stairs
C) falling off a verandah
D) small-pox

Q8- At what age did she begin to speak?

A)2
B) 5
C) 4
D) 1

Q9- Why did she talk very little?

A) she stammered
B) other kids mimicked her and made fun of her
C) she was an introvert
D) none of the above

Q10- How is the situation of the house described?

A) poor
B) miserable
C) prosperous
D) fine

Q11- What was the purpose of the Tehsildarʼs village visit?

A) to inaugrate a girlʼs school
B) to address complaints of the village
C) to meet the people of the village
D) none of the above

Q12- What did the Tehsildar ask Ramlal to do?

A) drop him back to the city
B) have dinner with him
C) send his daughters to school
D) none of the above

Q13- How did Ramlalʼs wife react about sending her girls to school?
A) she laughed
B) she got angry
C) no reaction
D) she cried

Q14- Why did she suggest they send Bholi to school?

A) there was little chance of her getting married
B) her husband couldnʼt disobey Tehsildarʼs orders
C) she took it to teachers at school to worry about her
D) all of the above
Q15- What was Bholiʼs first reaction on hearing that she was going to school?
A) she cried with tears of joy
B) she cried with fear
C) she screamed
D) she was excited

Q16- What did it take for Bholi to believe she was being taken to a place better
than home?
A) clean dress
B) hair oiling
C) a bath
D) all of the above

Q17- Why did the girls laugh at Bholi?

A) at her dress
B) at her looks
C) at her stammering
D) all of the above

Q18- Who comforted Bholi?

A) her friends
B) her father
C) her mother
D) her teacher

Q19- Whose paintings did she see in the classroom wall?

A) cow
B) goat
C) parrot
D) all of the above
Q20- How did she leave school on the first day?
A) sad
B) with a ray of hope for new life
C) depressed that sheʼll stay where she is
D) none of the above

Q21- Who was Lakshmi?

A) Bholiʼs friend
B) Bholiʼs classmate
C) Bholiʼs sister
D) Bholiʼs cow

Q22- Why did Bholiʼs parents accept Bishamberʼs marriage proposal?

A) he has a big shop
B) he has a house
C) he has good bank balance
D) all of the above

Q23- What according to you, was wrong in Bishamber marrying Bholi?

A) his age
B) his limbs
C) another village
D) all of the above

Q24- What is the meaning of the word “envious”?

A) jealous
B) looking down on someone
C) hatred
D) none of the above

Q25- How did he react on seeing Bholiʼs face?

A) asked for compensation
B) got frightened
C) both of these
D) none of the above

Q26- What was in her eyes when the veil was pulled down the second time?
A) hate
B) fear
C) contempt
D) none of the above

Q27- How does she describe her prospective husband?

A) mean
B) greedy
C) coward
D) all of the above

Q28- What did he demand as dowry?

A) money
B) refrigerator
C) television
D) all of the above

Q29- Who is referred to as the “artist” in the lesson?

A) Bholiʼs friend
B) Bholi
C) Bholiʼs cow
D) Bholiʼs teacher

Q30- Who is the artistʼs work of art?

A) Bholiʼs friend
B) Bholi
C) Bholiʼs cow
D) Bholiʼs teacher