1. Read the following text.

1. Social media feeds can quickly convince you that everyone’s life is more interesting
than yours is. On Instagram few months ago, I saw water-skiing in Maui, hiking in
Yosemite and swimming with wild pigs in the Bahamas. Impulsively, I started googling
flights to new places, imagining adventures. Then I ordered food from the place I eat
every week and ... felt bad about not trying somewhere new.

2. This ‘fear of missing out’, or FOMO, is rooted in a common tic: Evolutionarily, we are
disposed to find novel experiences more exciting and attention-grabbing than repeat
experiences. That’s our fight-or-flight psychology at work. Because our brains can’t
process all the stimuli around us, so we pay attention to potentially new things more
intently. What’s more, words such as ‘repetition’ tend to be associated with more
negative emotions than words like ‘novelty’. “Classic research shows that when we
think about upcoming experiences, we think about variety,” says Michael Norton, PhD.
“If I ask you right now to select a yoghurt for each day next week, you will pick your
favourite flavour—say, blueberry—a few times, but you will mix in some strawberry
and peach. Because who wants to eat that much blueberry yoghurt? Over the longer
term, though, as the original experience fades in time and memory, repetition can
become more pleasurable.”

3. He adds, “We are simply more boring than we would like to admit.” Yet because few
of us have the time or money to regularly indulge in new experiences, we feel bad
about our lives’ monotony.

4. Recent research about repeat and novel experiences in the Journal of Personality and
Social Psychology suggests that we ought to reconsider those negative feelings. Many
of us happily listen to our favourite song on repeat or rewatch favourite movies and TV
shows. “There’s a general belief that if you want to seem like an interesting, cultured
person, the best thing you can do is to showcase that you are open to new
experiences. That may be true, but I think we take for granted the other value of really
digging deep into one domain.”
 5. O’Brien and his team exposed all participants to the same stimulus, including museum
visits, movies, and video games, to test this hypothesis. The researchers found that
participants said that repeating experiences were often far more enjoyable than they
had predicted across the board.

6. There is joy in repetition partly because every human mind wanders. Consequently,
we miss a substantial part of every experience.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i Give two reasons we are more interested in new experiences. 2

ii Which two antonyms best summarise the passage? 1

A. New versus old

B. Repetition versus novelty
C. Common versus uncommon
D. Fear versus adventure

iii What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph (2)? Rationalise your 2
response in about 40 words.

If I ask you right now to select a yoghurt for each day next week, you will pick your
favourite flavour—say, blueberry—a few times, but you will mix in some strawberry
and peach. Because who wants to eat that much blueberry yoghurt?

iv What qualities are ‘cultured people’ (para 4) generally thought to have? 1

v State True or False. 1

‘There is joy in repetition partly because every human mind wanders.’ The inference
by the author proves the hypothesis given below correct.
Hypothesis: Revisiting and repeating certain activities or experiences allows
individuals to focus and engage with something familiar, which can be comforting and
help maintain their attention and presence.

vi. Find a word from paragraph 2, which means ‘inclined towards a particular activity or 1
mood’.
A. dispose
B. novel
 C. attention-grabbing
D. potentially

vii. ‘Recent research about repeat and novel experiences in the Journal of Personality 1
and Social Psychology suggests that we ought to reconsider those negative feelings.’
Which negative feelings is the author mentioning in the extract?
viii. Give an example of our fight-or-flight response, as stated by the author. 1

2. Read the following text. 10

(1) A new dimension of women in politics emerged in recent years all over the world.
More and more women have now been entering into politics. Conventional politics
reflected male concerns and hence women were notably absent in politics.

Welfare policies had been constructed, and reinforced women’s traditional position as
(2)
wives and mothers. Women have struggled over issues affecting them, especially their
rights to property and vote in the 19th century.

In India, reform movements before and after Independence has helped the women to
(3) gain some power in politics also. After Independence they have achieved an
unprecedented political break-through with the reservation of seats for them in
panchayats and other public bodies.

It is heartening to note that Indian women were among the earliest to get their political
rights (right to vote) without any political movement like in The United States and
many Western countries. They were among the foremost to take active part in politics
(4)
even in Pre-Independence times.

Indian women have a distinction to become UNO Secretary (Vijay Laxmi Pandit),
Prime Minister (Indira Gandhi), Chief Minister (Sucheta Kripalani, Jayalalitha, Uma
Bharti, Mayawati and Vasundhara Raje) and even President (Pratibha Patil).
(5)

A recent study was conducted to understand the status of women in politics

across the world. The graph below proves that even in the 21st century, the
status of women is not equal to that of men when it comes to occupying high
(6) positions in various occupations:
 Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. The passage informs that 'women were notably absent in politics’ since the beginning 1
of time. State any 1 one reason for this, given in the extract.

ii. Choose an appropriate title for the passage. 1

A. Gender struggles
B. Gender equality
C. Women in politics.
D. Employment opportunities for women.

iii. Substitute the word 'reinforced’ with ONE WORD similar in meaning, in the following 1
sentence from paragraph 2:
Welfare policies had been constructed, and reinforced women's traditional position as
wives and mothers.

iv. Justify the following, in about 40 words, with two facts from the passage. 2
Women have struggled over issues affecting them, especially their rights to property
and vote in the 19th century.

v. Fil the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your 1
understanding of paragraph 3.
 The statement that Indian women have achieved an unprecedented political break-
through after Independence is a/an _____________ (fact/ opinion) because it is a/an
____________ (subjective judgement/ objective detail).

vi. In the given sentence taken from paragraph 3, select the option that correctly replaces 1
the underlined word, with its most likely synonym.
After Independence they have achieved an unprecedented political break-through with
the reservation of seats for them in panchayats and other public bodies.
A. unparalleled
B. conventional
C. customary
D. familiar

vii. What is the difference between the involvement of women in politics in India and the 2
other Western Countries?

viii. Based on the graph given above, compare and contrast the representation of women 1
in National Parliament between Western Countries and Asia.

1. Read the following text. 10

(1) Watching is meditation. What you watch is irrelevant. You can watch the trees, you can watch
the clouds, you can watch children playing around. Watching is meditation. What you watch is
not the point; the object is not the point. The quality of observation, the quality of being aware
and alert – that's what meditation is. Remember one thing; meditation means awareness.
Whatsoever you do with awareness is meditation. Action is not the question, but the quality
that you bring to your action is.

Walking can be a meditation if you walk alert. Listening to the birds can be a meditation if you
(2) listen with awareness. Just listening to the inner voice of your mind can be meditation if you
remain alert and watchful.

The first step in awareness is to be very watchful of your body. Slowly, one becomes alert
(3) about each gesture, each movement. And as you become aware, a miracle starts happening;
your body becomes more relaxed, your body becomes more attuned. A deep peace starts
prevailing, a subtle music pulsates in your body.
 Then, start becoming aware of your thoughts. You will be surprised what goes on inside you.
(4) If you write down whatsoever is going on in your mind and ten minutes later, read it–you will
see a mad mind inside! You will not believe that this is what is going on inside you. Because
we are not aware, this whole madness goes on running like an undercurrent. It affects
whatsoever you are doing, it affects everything. So this madman has to be changed.

(5)
The miracle of awareness is that you need not do anything except just become aware. The
very phenomenon of watching it changes it. Slowly the madman disappears, slowly the
thoughts start falling into a certain pattern; their chaos is no more, they become more of
cosmos. Now they are not running in different directions, they are not riding different horses.

For the first time, there is an accord, which helps immensely to work on the third step – that is
(6) becoming aware of your feelings, emotions, moods. Once you are aware of all these three,
they all become joined into one phenomenon. And when all these three are one, functioning
together perfectly, humming together, you can feel the music of all the three; they have
become an orchestra.

Then the fourth happens. It is a gift from the whole, it is reward for those who have done
(7)
these three. It is the ultimate awareness that makes one awakened. One becomes aware of
one's awareness- that is the fourth. The body knows pleasure, the mind knows happiness, the
heart knows joy, the fourth knows bliss. Bliss is the goal of sannyas, of being a seeker, and
awareness is the path towards it.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i Infer ONE likely purpose of the writer’s choice to repeat the phrase ‘watching is 1
meditation’ in paragraph 1.
ii What is the primary relationship between paragraphs 1 and 2 in the passage? 1
A. Cause and Effect
B. Problem and Solution
C. Comparison and Contrast
D. Concept and Exemplification
iii Explain the metaphor used to describe the state of the body when awareness 2
deepens, in 30-40 words. (Ref: paragraph 3)
iv Quote the textual evidence from paragraph 4, that supports the following opinion. 1
Mental chaos is an unnoticed and continuous operation within our minds.
v State whether TRUE or FALSE. (Ref: paragraph 5) 1
 The author suggests a shift from the scattered nature of thoughts to a cohesive,
harmonious mental state; as awareness grows.
vi. E. Explain, in 30-40 words, the analogy of orchestra. (Ref: paragraph 6) 2

vii. Complete the analogy correctly, by filling the blanks with words from paragraph 7. 1
body : _______ :: awkening : _______
viii. The whole journey of watching follows a particular order. Arrange the following options 1
in their correct order.
1. Awareness of thoughts.
2. Awareness of moods.
3. Awareness of one's awareness.
4. Awareness of the body.

A. iv, iii, ii, i

B. iv, ii, i, iii
C. iv, i, ii, iii
D. i, iii, ii, iv

2. Read the following text. 10

(1) The recent defeat in England, I am told, has eroded Indian cricket's huge fan base. TRPs
have also slipped. To be honest, I don't think it's a bad thing. It will draw attention to other
sports in which India can excel if we were not so obsessed with what was once the
gentleman's game. In fact, cricket is closer to entertainment today than sport. No wonder our
cricketers are listed among the top entertainers and highest tax payers. They are the new
celebrities. That's the stature cricket enjoys. It's unreal and comes from dwarfing all other
sports, which is not just unfair but wrong for a nation of our size and talent.

There are many other sports which could do with encouragement. Hockey is an example. For
those who are too young to know, India won 11 medals for hockey in 12 Olympic Games,
(2) including 6 successive Gold Medals between 1928 and 1956 and 8 in all, a record yet to be
equalled by any other nation. There was Dhyan Chand, the greatest hockey player in history.
He played in 3 Olympics. India won the Gold in all 3.

We must also remember that Vishwanathan Anand, a Grandmaster at 18 and World Chess
Champion at 30 is still ranked among the 5 greatest players of all time. Our boxers, shooters,
athletes, wrestlers, golfers, even our football players can do with more attention. Wilson
(3)
Jones was World Billiards Champion twice. Pankaj Advani, five times. Abhinav Bindra, the
 shooter, was the first Indian to win an individual Olympic Gold in 2008 in Beijing. Now we
have Saina, Sindhu, (Badminton) Neeraj, (Javeline) Hima, (Athletics) Deepa (Gymnastics) to
name a few. They are all amazing achievers. What they need is nurturance.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. The authors view towards cricket can be described as: 1

A. Critical
B. Amicable
C. Condemning
D. Acceptance

ii. How does the author view the decline in TRPs (Television Rating Points) following the 1
defeat in England? (Ref: paragraph 1)
iii. Provide reasons from the passage, supporting the author's call for greater 2
encouragement and support for athletes in disciplines other than cricket. Answer in 40
words.

iv. What is the author's primary argument regarding India's sporting landscape? 1

A. Cricket should remain the primary focus for the nation's sporting success.
B. Other sports should receive more attention and nurturing alongside cricket.
C. India's sporting achievements are solely dependent on cricket.
D. Cricket should be completely overshadowed by other sports in India.
 Fill the blank appropriately, to complete the sentence.
v. 1
One advantage of including sports viewership in the article is that
________________________.
vi. Identify a word to replace the underlined phrase appropriately. (Ref: paragraph 1) 1

The pressure towards uniformity threatens to gradually destroy local traditions.

vii. What critique does the author make about the overwhelming focus on cricket in India 2
and its implication on nation’s sporting potential? Explain in 40 words. (Ref: paragraph
1)
viii. State whether TRUE or FALSE. 1

The author believes that the recognition of cricketers as top entertainers and high
taxpayers contributes positively to India's sports diversity.
1. Read the following text. 10

You, I and AI: Is AI a danger to humanity?

(1) We may forget that we humans create technology. AI, by itself, is not looking to
destroy humanity. From paper to telegraph, from steam engines to computers, human
beings have always feared new technology. We have always treated it as the 'other'.
Yet, we know from history that we have always embraced technology eventually, to
make our life better and easier. There's no reason to believe that our future with AI will
be any different. What we fail to acknowledge in all the raging rhetoric about AI gods
and war machines in the media today is that we are beguiled by the idea of evolution.
If we sought to create tools of propaganda and change, and ended up using paper
widely back in the day; today we seek a life beyond the material, we seek answers to
'what next' for humankind.

AI is a natural step in the evolution of humankind. With every passing day, we are
(2) witnessing the rise of AI in health and medicine. It was recently reported that we can
predict heart diseases with machine learning, and the self-healing electronic skin lets
amputees sense temperature on prosthetic limbs. Health care and medicine become
affordable and accessible with AI taking centre in telemedicine and quick diagnosis.
Water and energy networks become accessible and widely usable when AI can
mediate the use of different sources. We don't need humans to physically go to, and
service at remote locations.
 Like any other technology, AI is at a nascent stage and is being shaped by innovators
across the world. AI will not be one thing; there will be many kinds of AI and many

(3) kinds of species augmented by AI. We'll be witness to both the beauty and the
dangers of what a few are creating. That is why it is more important now than ever
before, to get more people to participate in the building and shaping of AI. Inclusive AI
will mean that more of the society will be able to enjoy its benefits and participate in
shaping the future. Technology inherently does not have agency. Its interaction with
us and the life we give it, gives it agency.

Today, we have control and can shape AI in its early stages. We need to wrap our
heads around with what this means to us and the responsibility with which it comes.
How do we make it fail-safe? Do we hard code backups/kill switches for situations that
(4) have gone bad?

We forget that we are the creators of technology. AI, by itself, is not looking to destroy
humanity. We can't wash our hands off it and question whether AI can destroy
humanity, as though we have nothing to do with it. Whether we use AI to augment
ourselves, create a new species, or use it to destroy lives. What we have built is
(5)
entirely in our hands-at least for now.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i Infer ONE likely purpose for the writer’s choice of the title. 1

ii According to the passage, what fundamental human desire drives the quest for 1
AI development? (Ref: paragraph 1)
iii How does AI's role in telemedicine and quick diagnosis affect traditional healthcare 2
practices? Explain in 40 words (Ref: paragraph 2)
iv State whether True or False. (Ref: paragraph 3) 1
The contextual meaning of ‘nascent’, in paragraph 3, is well formed and developed
stage.
v What is the primary theme of paragraphs 4 and 5 in the passage? 1
A. Problem and Solution
B. Control and Accountability
C. Comparison and Contrast
D. Cause and Effect
vi. Analyse the author's tone to convey the balance between optimism and caution 2
regarding AI's impact on humanity. How does this duality shape the reader's
perception of AI? Answer in 40 words
vii. Complete the analogy correctly, by filling the blanks with words from paragraph 2. 1
Health care : _______ :: Energy networks : Efficient
viii. According to the author, the emergence of artificial intelligence means: 1
i. Birth of dangerous creatures.
ii. Going beyond space and time.
iii. Solutions to complex problems.
iv. A new responsibility to harness it.

A. Statements i and ii are true.

B. Statements ii and iii are true.
C. Statements iii and iv are true.
D. All statements are true.
2. Read the following text. 10

(1) Fifty-three percent of Indians are connected to the internet every waking hour which is
higher than the global average of 51 percent, a new international study has found. The
continuous online connectivity is becoming a phenomenon in India with 53 percent
respondents in the country saying they are connected to the internet "every waking
hour," said the study conducted by a leading global management consulting firm.

"That is higher than 51 per cent global average, 36 per cent in China and 39 per cent
in Japan," said the study titled 'Connected Consumers Are Not Created Equal: A
(2) Global Perspective.' The study covered 10 countries involving 10,000 respondents in
July this year.

The results of the study found that continuous connectivity is having a big impact on
online retail in the country with social networks becoming a major influencing factor.
"97 per cent of the respondents from India said they have a Facebook account with 77
(3)
per cent saying they logged in to the social network daily," said the study. According to
the study, there are three key motivations for Indian people to be continuously
connected to internet.

First is interpersonal connection in which 94 per cent of respondents said that

connecting with other people is a key motivation for going online. This factor is the
highest among Indian respondents. The second factor, according to the study, is self-
(4) expression which is sharing opinions with others through the internet. The study says
this factor is particularly strong in emerging markets and places where offline self-
expression is limited.

The third motivation is access to services or products and making purchases online.
On this front, 92 per cent of the Indian respondents said they go online to access
services or for shopping.

(5)

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. What tone does the author convey regarding the impact of continuous online 1
connectivity in India?
A. Optimistic and celebratory
B. Neutral and factual
C. Critical and cautionary
D. Humorous and light-hearted
ii. Describe the term "every waking hour" in the context of the study's findings. (Ref: 1
paragraph 1)
iii. How might the findings of this study impact businesses and industries in India, 2
particularly in the context of online retail and consumer behaviour? Answer in 40
words.

iv. How does the author likely view the motivations identified for Indians to be 1
continuously connected to the internet?

A. With scepticism, considering them trivial reasons

 B. As culturally ingrained necessities for societal progress
C. With concern, indicating potential negative implications
D. As progressive signs of technological advancement

v Support the hypothesis with a relevant finding from the given study.
1

Hypothesis Research finding

Females tend to prioritize and engage
more in direct communication to sustain
interpersonal relationships.

vi. Identify a word to replace the underlined phrase appropriately. (Ref: paragraph 1) 1

The sudden increase in demand for sustainable products is an occurrence that reflects
a growing awareness of environmental issues among consumers.
vii. How might the data on usage patterns among male and female smartphone users 2
influence the design and market strategies for smartphone manufacturers? Explain in
40 words
viii. State whether TRUE or FALSE. 1

The study indicates that individuals in developing economies value societal dialogue
as a means to navigate social, cultural and technological changes.