Section A Reading

1. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Organic food is very popular these days. It can also be very
expensive. Some organic food costs twice as much as non-
organic food. Parents of young children and even some pet
owners, will pay high prices for organic food if they think it is
healthier. But many others think organic food is just a waste of
money.
2. There is one main difference between organic and non-organic
food. Organic farms do not use agricultural chemicals such as
pesticides that stop insects from damaging crops. In many
countries, foods that claim to be organic must have special
labels that guarantee they're grown organically.
3. Some people think organic also means 'locally grown' and
originally it was indeed true. But over a period of time organic
farming has become a big business, with many organic foods
now being grown by large agricultural companies that sell their
products far from where they're grown. Processed food made
with organic ingredients has also become more popular. At first,
only small companies produced these products. But as
demand overtook supply, big food companies that had been
selling non-organic products for many years also began selling
organic products.
4. Is organic food safer and more nutritious? This is an important
part of the debate. Many farmers and consumers believe it is
safer and more nutritious. They think agricultural chemicals can
cause serious illnesses such as cancer, but there isn't much
evidence proving this is true. However, recent studies have
shown that eating organically-grown produce reduces your
chances of developing heart diseases. Many doctors think it is
more important to stop dangerous bacteria from contaminating
foods. These bacteria can contaminate both organic and non-
organic fruits and vegetables, and doctors recommend washing
produce carefully before eating it. Meat, fish and chicken can
also become contaminated so washing your hands before
handling these foods is also very important.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the

questions given below: (10)

i. People are willing to pay high prices for organic food

because (1)
a. it is not easily available.
 b. it helps in weight loss.
c. it is produced by small companies.
d. it does not contain agricultural chemicals.
ii. Select the option that displays what the writer projects with
reference to the following: (1)
Is organic food safer and more nutritious? This is an important
part of the debate.

a. denial
b. confirmation
c. caution
d. acceptance
iii. The writer contrasts organic food to non-organic food. State
one point of comparison between the two. (2)
iv. Based on your reading of the text, list two benefits of eating
organic food. (2)
v. Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 3. (1)

Opinion Reason

Big food companies have started

selling organic food products

vi. What connect does the writer draw between contamination of

food and washing hands? (1)
vii. The writer says that people believe that it is safer and more
nutritious to eat organic food. Select the reason for his
sceptical view. (1)

a. the price decides the popularity

b. there is no confirmed evidence
c. it is tastier
d. it is marketed by big food companies
viii. Supply one point to justify the following: Some people think
organic also means 'locally grown'. (1)

2. Read the following passage carefully:

1. Rotation of crops is a universal phenomenon which is practised
by most of the farmers of the tropical and temperate countries.
The main objective of rotation of crops is to obtain higher
agricultural returns on the one hand, and to maintain the soil
fertility on the other.
2. In other words, the rotation of crops helps in making agriculture
more sustainable. The importance of crop rotation is more in
 the areas where farmers grow two, or more than two crops in
the same field in a year. Irrigation facilities have also been
appreciably developed in the country during the last three
decades. The availability of water to the arable land has helped
in the intensification of agriculture.
3. In the areas such as Punjab and Haryana, where the Green
Revolution is a big success, one soil exhaustive crop (rice) is
followed by another soil exhaustive crop (wheat).
Subsequently, the field vacated by wheat is devoted to either
rice or maize or cotton. Thus, in one year, the farmers are
harvesting three soil exhaustive crops from the same field.
Such a rotation of crops may fetch more income to the farmers,
but depletes the soil fertility at a faster pace.
4. A number of field studies were conducted to assess the
traditional crop rotation pattern. One such field study about the
changes in the rotation of crops was conducted in the village
Banhera (Tanda), Haridwar district. The main rotation of crops
of the village is shown in the table below.

Traditional Rotation of Crops (1960-65) in

Banhera (Tanda)
Rabi No. of
Zaid
(mid- days
Kharif (mid-June (April
Year October land
to mid-October) to
to mid- left
June)
April) fallow

1960 Millet/fodder/rice Gram Fallow 90

1961 Fallow Wheat Fallow 210

1962 Millet/fodder/rice Gram Fallow 90

1963 Fallow Wheat Fallow 210

Millet mixed with

1964 Gram Fallow 90
urad/fodder/rice

1965 Fallow Wheat Fallow 210

5. Answer the following questions, based on the above

passage: (10)
i. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those
given in brackets, based on your understanding of para
 2. (1)
One of the reasons that there has been an intensification
of agriculture in the country is the development of
irrigation facilities is a/an _________ (fact/opinion)
because it is a/an _________ (subjective
judgement/objective detail).
ii. Based on your understanding of paras 1 and 2, state
whether the following statement is true or false. (1)
If proper irrigation facility is provided, higher agricultural
returns can be obtained by making crop rotation more
sustainable.
iii. Justify the following in about 40 words.
Crop rotation may fetch more income to the farmers, but
depletes the soil fertility at a faster pace. (2)
iv. Based on the table, mention the years when the land was
left fallow for maximum number of days. (1)
v. The study conducted in village Banhera (Tanda) reflects
that during the years 1960 to 1965, from April to June,
the land was left fallow or uncultivated throughout. State
any one inference that can be drawn from this. (1)
vi. Select the option that correctly states the significance of
crop rotation as given below: (1)
1. Crop rotation is done to obtain higher agricultural
returns.
2. Higher agricultural returns can be obtained by
harvesting soil exhaustive crops.
3. Crop rotation demands that land should be left
fallow for a few months to increase the fertility of
soil.
4. Better irrigation facility to the arable land has
helped in the intensification of agriculture.
5. If crops to be harvested are chosen wisely, crop
rotation can help in maintaining fertility of soil.

Options:

A. (1), (2) and (4)

B. (1) only
C. (3) and (5)
D. (1) and (5)

vii. Crop rotation is helping in making agriculture more

sustainable. Mention one benefit and one drawback of
crop rotation. (Answer in about 40 words) (2)
 viii. Which of the following is the main takeaway from the
study mentioned in the passage? (1)

A. The study needs to include more valid data to

support the practice of crop rotation.
B. Crop rotation is a sustainable practice that can
transform the agricultural sector.
C. The impact of crop rotation on been thoroughly
explained.
D. Crop rotation is independent of the type of crops
harvested and availability of water for irrigation.

Section B Grammar

3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed

1. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the
bracket, for the given portion of a letter:
To ensure that this project gains strength, schools may
________ (organize) puppet shows and street plays.
2. Identify the error and supply the correction, for the following:

FOCUS TB

Towards a TB free world

Our focus is to provide a comprehensive

diagnostic support for affordable rates to battle
TB.

Thyrocare

3. Use the given format for your response.

error correction

4. Read the conversation between a doctor and his patient.

Complete the sentence by reporting the patient’s reply
correctly.
Doctor: How do you feel now? Did you take the medicines
regularly?
Patient: Better. Yes, I took the medicines on time.
The doctor, while trying to figure out his patient’s ailment,
asked about his well-being and whether he had taken his
 medicines on time, to which, the patient affirmed that he felt
better and that ________.
5. The instructor asked Raghav the following question during his
training. Report the instructor’s question.
Have you ever worked with groups from abroad?
6. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the
slogan.
________ ONLY WEAPON TO FIGHT INJUSTICE IS
EDUCATION

a) THIS

b) A

c) AN

d) THE

7. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the
correction for the following line, from a news report:
Education play an important role in building an individual’s
identity and personality.

Option no. Error Correction

A play plays

B an the

C in for

D an a

8. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line on
a save the environment poster:
Keep the environment clean. Do not litter.
You ________ follow rules.

a) will

b) should

c) may

d) must
9. During the summer months, the monastery ________ very
busy, for it is visited by thousands of people who ________ the
pass in cars.

a) has been, cross

b) is, cross

c) is, crossed

d) was, crossed

10. Students ________ allowed to manage the bookstore

soon.

a) were to be

b) need to be

c) should have been

d) will be

11. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in
the bracket:
The teacher ________ (complete) the preparations for the
function before the term ended.
12. The boy who won the two medals ________ a friend of
mine.

a) is

b) have

c) are

d) had

13. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given
line:
Bread and butter ________ my favourite breakfast.

a) am
 b) are

c) is

d) has been

Section B Writing

4. Write a descriptive paragraph on ‘The Annual Day of Your

School’/‘The Prize Distribution’ in about the following cues:
Input: preparations - on the Annual Day - arrangements - who was
chief guest - welcome of guests - annual report by Principal - cultural
prog. - prize distribution - speech by chief guest - a light refreshment
- your feeling about function.

OR

The city of Delhi, capital of India, is a wonderful amalgamation of

tradition and modernity. With places like Red Fort and Jama Masjid
on one hand, India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan on the other hand,
it is a city worth visiting. You happened to go around the city last
month. Write a description.

5. Write a Diary Entry about your experience of a concert which you

attended.

OR

Complete the following story in 150 - 200 words using the beginning
given below:
Shalini had gone on a holiday for a month and when she returned
and opened the door, she was surprised to find ________.

Section C Literature

1. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of
the two, given.
1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that
follow:
“It is winter,” answered the swallow, “and the snow will soon be
here. In Egypt the sun is warm on the green palm trees, and
the crocodiles lie in the mud and look lazily about them.” “In the
square below,” said the Happy Prince, “there stands a little
matchgirl. She has let her matches fall in the gutter, and they
 are all spoiled. Her father will beat her if she does not bring
home some money, and she is crying. She has no shoes or
stockings, and her little head is bare. Pluck out my other eye,
and give it to her, and her father will not beat her.” “I will stay
with you one night longer,” said the swallow, “but I cannot pluck
out your eye. You would be quite blind then.” “Swallow,
Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “do as I command
you.” So he plucked out the Prince’s other eye, and darted
down with it. He swooped past the matchgirl, and slipped the
jewel into the palm of her hand. “What a lovely bit of glass!”
cried the little girl; and she ran home, laughing. Then the
swallow came back to the Prince. “You are blind now,” he said,
“so I will stay with you always.”
i. Which of the following is NOT a reason the swallow gave
for staying with the Happy Prince? (1)
A. The approaching winter and the warmth of Egypt.
B. The pitiful plight of the little matchgirl in the square.
C. The Happy Prince's request to pluck out his eye for
the matchgirl.
D. The Happy Prince's blindness after losing both
eyes.
ii. . Why did the Happy Prince ask the swallow to pluck out
his other eye, and what was the swallow's initial
response? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
iii. Read the following descriptions (a) - (c) and identify
which one correctly corresponds to the extract: (1)

a. The swallow refused to stay with the Happy Prince.

b. The swallow plucked out the Happy Prince's eye
and gave it to a matchgirl.
c. The matchgirl had a father who was very kind to
her.

iv. As the matchgirl's father, how would you react and

respond if your daughter were unable to sell any
matchsticks and returned home without earning any
money? (1)
2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that
follow:
Margie was disappointed. She had been hoping they would
take the teacher away altogether. They had once taken
Tommy's teacher away for nearly a month because the history
sector had blanked out completely. So she said to Tommy,
"Why would anyone write about school?"
 i. State one inference about Tommy's teacher from the
given context: "They had taken away Tommy's teacher
away for nearly a month". (1)
ii. State True or False (1)
None of the reasons (a)-(d) below, can be applied to the
question - Why was Margie disappointed?

a. She had not prepared her lesson.

b. She had failed in her test.
c. She wanted to go out and have fun.
d. She hated going to school.

iii. Margie says, Why would anyone write about school?

Elaborate Margie's dislike for school in about 40 words,
with reference to the extract. (2)
iv. Which phrase or word would correctly substitute '
blanked out', in the given sentence from the extract? (1)
history sector had blanked out completely.
2. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of
the two, given.
1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions
that follow.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear the lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavement grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

a. At present the poet is most probably in (1)

i. a city
ii. a boat
iii. a lake
iv. an island
b. Where does the poet want to go and why? (2)
c. The low sound is made by ________. (1)
d. It is clear that ‘Alliteration’ is the poetic device used in the
second line of the extract because ________. (1)

2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions

that follow.
Away, away in the Northland,
Where the hours of the day are few,
And the nights are so long in winter
That they cannot sleep them through;
 a. In which geographical region is the setting described in
the stanza? (1)
i. The Southland
ii. The Eastland
iii. The Westland
iv. The Northland
b. What does the stanza suggest about the length of days
and nights in the Northland during winter? (1)
c. How does the poet's choice of words and imagery
contribute to the atmosphere and mood conveyed in the
stanza? (2)
d. ________ is the possible symbolic meaning of the long
winter nights in the context of the poem. (1)

3. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50

words
1. How does the author describe the fight that breaks out between
the two monkeys around the temple of Pashupatinath?
2. How does the poet prove that there are no foreign countries?
3. Why did A.P.J. Abdul Kalam call his childhood a secure
childhood?
4. How did the doctor react to the snake’s presence?
5. How does a tree become strong? Write your answer in the
context of the poem 'On Killing a Tree'.
4. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50
words.
1. Why did Sue become worried when Johnsy fell ill?
2. How did Olga treat Lushkoff in the beginning? Why did she do
this?
3. What happened when the child entered the grove and what
was his reaction? Write your answer in the context of The Lost
Child.
5. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120
words
1. How does Kezia begin to see her father as a human being who
needs her sympathy?
2. Where did Gerrard live? Why was it a suitable place for the
intruder’s plan?
6. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120
words.
1. How can you say that Toto was a mischievous pet? Write your
answer in the context of The Adventures of Toto.
2. What actions of the schoolmates change the author’s
understanding of life and people, and comfort him emotionally?
How does his loneliness vanish and how does he start
participating in life?