TECHNO INDIA GROUP PUBLIC SCHOOL, HOOGHLY HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION SUBJECT: ENGLISH CORE SESSION: 2022 - 2023 CLASS: XI TIME: 3 Hours General Instructions: 1. The Question paper Contains 3 sections : READING, GRAMMAR, WRITING & LITERATURE. 2._ Attempt Questions based on specific instructions for each part. SECTION - A [READING] 1) Read the given passage : (Para 1) In the days gone by, heroes emerged when wars broke out and messiahs appeared when decadence overtook societies. Through the centuries, adversities have inspired people to rise to the occasion and display special skills which have earned them the label of a leader. (Para 2) The driving force behind a leader's actions and behaviour is his instinct. It guides silently, telling him what to do, which way to go and how to develop skills that can enable him to overcome any challenge that life proposes. Abraham Lincoln failed in almost all his endeavours through his life. And yet his instinct urged him to keep trying, finally culminating in earning him the highest ‘seat of political leadership in America. (Para 3) So what is instinct? Is it genetic, or is it cultivated? Instinct is what drives a newborn into sensing that he {s hungry or cold, making him cry for help. {Para 4) It can be best described as a compass of objective observation, although born with It, we tend to lose touch with our instinct as we grow older. (Para 5) If everybody is born with this sense, why Is it that some people become leaders and others don't? Pirstly, external circumstances greatly dictate our evolution. All people who are deprived of opportunities to develop their latent abilities, fall to grow into leaders, (Para 6) The second reason relates to internal attitude. There are many people who, despite being blessed with all the right opportunities, still fail. This Is because they are Insensitive to their own instincts, ignoring all the signals that can enable them to act appropriately. Listening is a critical sail thet needs to be evolved over time, While our earlier experiences enable us to list and put evaivated choices, itis eventually our instinct that helps us in determining which one to go for. At such umes, people who are tuned in to their instincts, are more likely to make the right decisions then thove who are not Instinct Is like a psychometer, When a leader gives his team an emotionally charged speech \n the attempt to motivate them into action, he can invariably tell even before he has completed it, whether or not he has succeeded. In fact, right through the process of speaking, he is constantly madulating his behaviour. (Para 7) Leadership is 4 quest for doing the right things, a quest that Is Initiated not for fulfilling one’s own selfish needs hut for the greater good of all concerned. On the basis of your understanding answor the follawing questions [10«1=10) §) When are leaders born? 18) Whst is the role of instinct?, t ill) Instinct can be best described as a compass of objective observation. This statement means that instinct, a) gives us the right direction b) tells us not to be subjective €) teaches us how to observe 4) guides us in our observations of people. iv) was greatly helped in achieving his goals by his instinct. ¥) Finda word from paragraph 6 which means the same as adjusting and changing. vi) The word having the meaning opposite to terminated in para 7 is vii) Deliberate whether the following statements are true or false: a) Leadership is a quest for fulfilling one’s selfish needs. b) Listening is a critical skill that needs to be evolved over time. vili) a) Find a word which means the same as ‘fall to a lower level in morals, ethics, etc.’ (para 1) b) Find a word which means the same as ‘attempts’. (Para 2) 2) Read the given passage: (Para 1) The present generation is well updated in the use of internet and computers. The rapid development in computer technology and increase in accessibility of the internet for academic Purposes has changed the face of education for everyone associated with it Let's look at the data arising out of a recent survey that was done to ascertain the time spent on utilization of the computer and internet. (Para 2) At present, many schools and universities have been implementing internet - based learning, as it supplements the conventional teaching methods. The internet provides a wide variety of references and information to academics as well as scientific researchers. ‘Students often turn to it to do their academic assignments and projects. (Para 3) However, research on the Net is very different from traditional library research, and the differences can cause problems, The Net is a tremendous resource, but it must be used carefully and critically. (Para 4) According to a 2018 Academic Student e-book Experience Survey, conducted by L's research department and sponsored by EBSCO, when reading for pleasure, almost 74% of respondents said they preferred print books for leisure whereas, 45% of respondents chose e- books rather than the printed versions, for research or assignments. (Para 5) When asked what e-book features make them a favourite for research, the respondents were clear. Having page numbers to use in citations, topped the list (75%); followed by the ability to resize text to fit a device's screen (67% ); the ability to bookmark pages, highlight text, or take 2notes for later reference (60%); downloading the entire e-book (57%); and allowing content to be transferred between devices (43%) were the varied responses. On the basis of your understanding answer the following questions :- [8x1=8) i) According to the passage, one of the reasons for the recent transformation of education |s, ii) Pick the option that lists statements that are NOT TRUE according to the passage. 1) Internet - based education can only complement familiar methods of education. 2) Net - based learning will replace face - to - face education. 3) The resources that the net provides are a danger to the education system. 4) Thé current times has seen rise in the convenience of using the internet for academic purposes. a) 1&2 ) 2&3 b) 3&4 d) 1&4 iii) Find words from paragraph 3 which mean the same as - a) incredible, b) long established. iv) Based on the given graphical representation of data in the passage, choose the option that lists the statements that are TRUE with respect to the usage of email. 1) The everyday usage of email is more than the everyday usage of computer for personal use. . 2) About 18% people use email once a week. 3) There are a smaller number of email users using it 2 - 3 times a week than the ones using itonce a month. 4) Less than 5% of people never use the email. a) land3 c) land2 b) 2and4 d) 3and4 v) Find a word from Para 2 which is the antonym of ‘unique’. vi) Arrange the given e-book features preferred for research from the least favourite to the most favourite, from the following - / + a) downloading the entire e-book +c) highlighting text b) choosing page numbers in citations -d) resizing text to fit screen vii) As per your understanding of the passage, state whether the following statement is true or false. i abet u More than 50% of the respondents stated sos Ati Re ee wooks for leisure redding. 3) Read the given passage : (Para 1) Conversation is indeed the most easily teachable of all arts. All you need to do in order to becomea good conversationalist {sto find a subject that interests you and your listeners. There are, for example, numberless hobbies to talk about. But the important thing is that you must talk about other fellow’s hobby rather than your own, Therein lies the secret of your popularity. Talk to your friends about the things that interest them, and you will get a reputation for good fellowship, charming wit, and a brilliant mind. There is nothing that pleases people so much as your interest in their interest. (Para 2) It is just as important to know what subjects to avoid and what subjects to select for good conversation. If you don’t want to be set down as a wet blanket or a bore, be careful to avoid Jeasant subjects. Avoid talking about yourself, unless you are asked to do so People are certain unpleas — 3. The only one interested in their own problems not in yours. Sickness or death bores everybody. The only Who willingly listens to such talk is the doctor, but he gets paid for it. it (Para 3) To be a good conversationalist you must know not only what to say, but how also to say il Be mentally quick and witty. But don't hurt others with your wit. Finally try to avoid mannerism in your conversation: Don't bite your s or click your tongue, or roll your eyes or use your hands excessively as you speak. (Para 4) Don't be like that Frenchman who said, "How can | talk if you hold my hand?” i) Make notes on the contents of above paragraph at least 4, using abbreviations. Supply a suitable title also, : [5] ii) Make a summary of the passage. [3) SECTION - B [GRAMMAR & WRITING] 4) Grammar (71 1) Gap filling :- [3*1=3] The art of cooking was perfected in ancient India. When People were eating raw meat the world over, Indians __(a)__prepare hundreds of food items from one single commodity. Even today we know that we___{a) prepare many items from milk alone Attention £a) be paid to the proper nourishment of our milch cattle. i) Doas directed :- [4x1=4] a) You must take the responsibility. (Change to negative using ‘but’) b) Samuel blamed his friend for the trouble. (Rewrite using the Noun form of blamed’) ©) By this next year Diya will be attending her university classes, (Rewrite using future perfect tense) 4) The soldiers who were victorious were honoured by the president. (Rewrite as a simple sentence) 5) Creative Writing Skill’s [16] ') You are AL Bhagat of C - 108 Shakti Nagar, Delhi. You are a chartered Accountant. Draft an advertisement for “The Times of India’ seeking a job (full time / part time) [3] ii) Prepare a poster on behalf of the local police advertisin, g the public to be wary of pickpockets in buses and bag snatches on the roads. Suggest the precautions to be taken, [3] li) Advertisements exercise alot of influence on the common man, They have invaded man’s life through media. You have to speak on “The Effects of Advertisements on Consumers’ in the morning assembly. Write your speech in 120 - 150 words. You are Saha / Suresh of class XI - B. (5) rite a debate (For / Against) on to be delivered on account of Children’s Day [5] iv) Peer pressure is useful for the development of an individual. Wi the topic - ‘Is Peer Pressure Beneficial or Not?” celebration in your school. (120 - 150 words) SECTION - C [LITERATURE] 6) Reference to Context : . (10x1=10) 1) The Laburnum top is silent, quite still In the afternoon yellow September sunlight, A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen [3x1=3]a) What is the significance of the colour ‘yellow’? b) How has the poet described the laburnum top? c) Explain the poetic device used in the first line of the context? ii) My parents left me with her when they went to live in the city and we were constantly together. She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing - song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that I would listen and get to know it by heart. | listened because I loved her voice but never bothered to learn it. [3*1=3] a) Why did the author listen to her prayers? b) What kind of relationship was there between the author and his grandmother? ©) Give another word for ‘Sing - song’. iii) Read the given extract and choose the correct option: [4x1=4] "Perhaps I was mistaken, | thought, perhaps it isn’t her. | had seen her only once, fleetingly, and that was years ago. It was most probable that | had rung the wrong bell. The woman let go of the door and stepped to the side. She was wearing my mother’s green knitted cardigan. The wooden buttons were rather pale from washing. She saw that I was looking at the cardigan and half hid herself again behind the door. But I knew now that I was right.’ i) Which of the following doubts did the author have about the lady of the house? v1. The author had made a mistake. .2-Tt was probably not the lady she was looking for. «3. The author was not wearing a red cardigan. ‘4, The author could not recognize the face of the lady. 5. The author forgot to carry the proof of the address. <6. The author had reached the wrong house. a) 1,2,3and5 4) 1,2,4and6 b) 2,3,5 and 6 d) Only 1and3 Based on the above extract, please classify the following as facts or opinion. 1. Author was mistaken initially 0 2. Author had seen the lady years ago F 3. The cardigan was knitted by the mother of the author 0 4. Later, the author was sure that she had come at the right address. ¢ 5. At first, the author thought that she had rung the wrong bell, a) F-1,5 and0-2,3,4 ©) F-1,4,5and0-2,3 -b) F-1,2,4.and0-3,5 4) F~4,5and0-1,2,3 iit) “But I knew now that | was right.” What was the narrator right about? a) that she will get all her belongings back. b) that she had come to the right person. ) that she is still remembered by the lady. 4) that her belongings were taken care of. iv) Identify the sentence that ‘pale’ wan uses the word ‘pale’ the same way as it has been used in the a) British culture survived even within the Roman pale.- b) The general public will believe the genuine article rather than the pale imitation. ©) That catastrophe pales into insignificance when compared with an influenza pandemic. 4) In appearance he was pale and careworn, and looked as though he had been very ill” 7) Two short answer type questions out of four, to be answered In 40 - SO words. [3x2=6] A) What is the meaning of the line ‘Both wry with labored ease of loss’. li) “her barred face tdentify mask” - Explain the phrase along with the literary device used in the line. iii) “the waves were gigantic” - Justify the fear of the author. iv) What startling fact was revealed by a professor of anatomy about King Tut? 8) One short answer type question out of two tobe answered in 40-50 words: (3x1=3] {) Describe Mrs. Dorling, 4i) Compare and contrast the characters of the two cousins Aram and Mourad. 9) One long answer type question out of two to be answered in 120 - 150 words :- [1x6=6] i) The poem ‘The Laburnum Top’ is a beautiful poem in which the poet has used the Laburnum ‘Tree and gold finches as a symbol of life and its fluctuations - Elucidate. ii) The account of Gordon Cook can be said to be a saga of resilience on one hand and AR William's account a saga of life and death on the other hand - Justify. 10) One long answer type question out of two to be answered in 120 - 150 words :- [1x6=6] {) The play, ‘Mother's Day’ is a humorous and satirical depiction of the status of mother in the family - Elucidate. {i) The futility of holding material possessions is very well reflected through the life of Mrs. Dorling and her family - Support with reasons, {2