General Instructions :

( i ) This paper is divided into four Sections – A, B, C and D.

( ii ) All questions are compulsory.

( iii ) Marks are indicated against each question.

SECTION – A (Reading) 20 marks

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (8 marks)

I was seven years old. I had lived at the same place for all of my life, but we were moving. We were moving from the farm with all of its animals, with its memories of searching for chicken eggs, and with the black and white cows that had to be milked each day. We were going from the place of scrub pines, of pastures, of irrigation ditches to an unknown, unknowable place, far, far away. We had worked hard to get ready. Finally, dad piled all of us into the car. As we began to drive away, I looked out of the rear window of the car. As I looked back, I saw my dog, and my cats. I could not see my horse. I asked my father what would happen to these pets. All that dad could tell me was that they had to remain there, that they could not come with us.

There was no explanation—merely the declaration that we must go. I was bitterly disappointed, so disappointed that this memory is still seared into me, forty-three years later. Why could my father not change this?

I could not understand then, but I do now. But I still do not understand why there was no explanation. (200 words)

1.1. Answer the following questions briefly (5 marks)

1. What chores did the young child have to perform at the farm? (1)

2. What was his regret about moving away from the farm? (1)

3. What explanation did he seek from his dad? (1)

4. Why did the child find his father’s reply unsatisfactory? (1)

5. What were the child’s feelings as he left the farm? Why? (1)

1.2. Find words/ phrases from the passage which mean the same as the following.

(3 marks)

(a) Back

(b) Announcement; assertion

(c) Burnt permanently on the writer’s memories

2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (6 marks)

A tiny uninhabited island, one of the 1,190 that constitute the republic of Maldives, disappeared into the sea, raising speculation among scientists about onset of global warming. The islands constituting the Maldives rise barely two to four metres above the sea level. Various scientific studies had identified the Maldives and Bangladesh as the most prone to flooding due to predicted rise in sea level caused by one or two degree Celsius increase in the earth’s temperature. The Maldives case has aroused considerable curiosity among scientists due to the predicted vulnerability of the islands to minute changes in the global weather system.

Further, the Maldives already face serious environmental degradation, mainly because of high population density on the few inhabited islands. The Maldives capital Male is an extreme case, with a population density of more than 30,000 people per sq. km.

2.1. Answer the following questions briefly

a) What was the calamity that befell one of the islands that constitute Maldives? (1)

b) What conclusion did the scientists draw from the calamity? (1)

c) Why are these islands prone to flooding?(2)

d) What is the other problem, besides vulnerability to sea, faced by the Maldives? Why? (2)

3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (6 marks)

While students look forward to summer vacations to let off steam, looking after them or taking them on a holiday is a tough task. As more and more couples are taking to work seriously and opting out of the joint family fold, children’s recreation options during vacations are limited to just television or comics. Sending a kid to a summer camp or a crèche during vacations, a phenomenon unheard of till a decade ago, has become an unavoidable circumstance today.

These summer camps are conducted over a short period of four to five weeks involving interesting and fun-filled activities. A whole new world is opened up for the child, who can have a taste of adventure or sports or he can be a part of a personality development camp. Camps offer four to five weeks of interesting and fun-filled activities and artistic pursuits. Parents can pick and choose the camp they think is most suited to their child.

3.1. Answer the following questions briefly:

(a) Why do students look forward to summer holidays? (1)

(b) Why do parents find looking after children during summers a tough job? (2)

(c) What is the duration of summer camps? (1)

(d) What are the activities parents can choose from at summer camps? (2)

SECTION B

WRITING 20 marks

4. You are Keerti/ Krishna of 56, Indirapuram, Bangalore. You bought a new ‘VIP’ Washing Machine from M/s Rama Electronics, Commercial Street, Bangalore last week. Now you find that the machine makes an unbearable noise and the rotor tears delicate fabrics. Write a letter to the dealer complaining about the same and requesting him to change the machine as early as possible. Do not exceed 100 words.

Or

You are Avinash/ Aasha. Write a letter to your elder brother who is in a hostel about the well being of the family. Do not exceed 100 words.

(6 marks)

5. Read the passage given below:

Courtallam in Tirunelveli district, is a favorite tourist resort. The town is the proud host of nine beautiful waterfalls. Courtallam is situated at an elevation of about 550 feet on the southern arm of a deep bay in the Western Ghats . The water of the different falls originates from Sitraru, which is one among the many small rivers flowing in the Courtallam hills.

Courtallam is also a pilgrim centre. The Arulmigu Thirukkutralanathar temple dedicated to Lord Siva is situated here. This ancient temple is said to be constructed in the 7th century A.D. and contains inscriptions of Chola and Pandya dynasties.

Another small temple called Chitra Sabha is dedicated to Lord Nataraja, being one of the five sabhas where Lord Natraja performed the cosmic dance.

Courtallam besides being an ideal tourist spot is also an excellent health resort. The water of Courtallam possesses medicinal properties as it passes through the forest of herbs in the hills before it descends into the town. A special medical team of the East India Company found that the water possessed rare rejuvenating and reinvigorating qualities. (181 words)

5.1 On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it in points only, using headings and sub-headings. Also use recognizable abbreviations, wherever necessary. Supply a suitable title to it.

(4 marks)

5.2. Write a summary of the above passage in about 50 words. (4 marks)

6. More and more TV advertisements are aimed at children. A recent study states “Today seven out of 10 commercials have kids in them and everyone accepts that children are strong influencers in the decision-making process.” In other words, the power of the young in the marketplace has made them an important target for ad-spends. Write a paragraph in about 80 words on the role of children in advertisements.

(6 marks)

Or

The given graph throws light on the reasons on India’s poor performance in the Athens Olympics. As Rama/ Raju, write a paragraph in not more than 80 words on India’s poor performance at Olympics. Give suggestions on how India can perform better.

(6 marks)

SECTION C

GRAMMAR 15 marks

7. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the lines. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet as given below. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied.

(½x6=3 marks)

Although their is no direct evidence that their….there

salt is a cause of highly blood pressure or a)

‘hypertension’, there were studies which b)

indicate that reducing salt intake lower c)

blood pressure. Some scientist are also d)

concern that excessive use of salt may e)

caused asthma and kidney disease. f)

8. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as shown. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined.

(½ X 6= 3 marks)

The need blood can arise from need for blood

many reasons. times blood is a) ……………………

needed to replace was lost b) …………………….

or to build up resistance advance. c) ………………….

One or two litres new blood d) ……………..

transfusion into veins means e) …………….

a new life a patient! f) …………….

9. Read the comic strip given below and complete the passage that follows. Write the correct answer in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence.

(5 marks)

Veronica told her friend Jones that (a) ______________________________________ . and that(b) _____________________________________. Jones assured her that (c) ________________ _________________________________. Veronica at that point reminded the boys of the last time she had tried. She said that (d) ______________________________________________________. At that point Archie assured her that the sleeves were just right and told her to (e) ______________________ _______________________________________________________________________ .

10. Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly.

(4X 1=4 marks)

Example:

to Kutch/ flamingoes / legends/ tell/ are /you/ no ordinary/ will/ visitors/ that.

Legends will tell you that flamingoes are no ordinary visitors to Kutch.

1. were/ King Lakho/ honoured/ the guests/ they/ of.

2. forbidden/ flamingoes/ he/ the/ had/ hunting/ of.

3. Kutch/ they/ the world/ came/ various parts/ to breed / to/ every year/ from/ of.

4. believed in/people of India/the sacredness of/have traditionally/wild life.

SECTION D

LITERATURE 45 marks

11. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in your answer sheets in one or two lines only. Remember to number the answers correctly.

(5 marks)

Today we are trying to free India. That is a great thing. But even greater is the cause of humanity itself. And because we feel that our struggle is a part of the great human struggle to end suffering and misery, we can rejoice that we are doing our little bit to help the progress of the world. How wonderful it is to see men and women, boys and girls, smilingly going ahead in India’s cause and not caring about the suffering! Well may they smile and be glad, for the joy of serving in a great cause is theirs; and to those who are fortunate comes the joy of sacrifice also.

a) In what way is the author serving the motherland? (1)

b) What is even greater than the work he is engaged in? (1)

c) Why does he rejoice in what he is doing? (1)

d) Why does the writer find the work done by the people for India’s cause wonderful? (1)

e) Find words from the passage that mean the opposite of: (½ + ½ )

i) pleasure

ii) regress

12. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in your answer sheets in one or two lines only. Remember to number the answers correctly.

(5 marks)

A straggling, uninspiring little town, Amarkantak is not invaded by commerce as most other religious places  are. Shanty shops crowd narrow lanes, selling religious souvenirs, flowers and temple offerings. Many stalls display piles of stones smoothed out by the Narmada into Shivaling shapes, for it is said that people who worship these will have their wishes fulfilled.

a) Why does the author refer to Amarkantak as a straggling, uninspiring town?

b) What do the shops look like and what do they sell?

c) How do Shivalings take shape?

d) What is the belief linked to these stones?

e) Find wordsfrom the passage that mean the same as:

i) Sprawling and unplanned

ii) Structure made from pieces of wood, metal or cardboard 

13. How do you know that people consider Narmada a holy river? Justify your answer in about 80 words.

(6 marks)

Or

What were the circumstances that led the elephants to raid the village? Write your answer in not more than 80 words.

(6 marks)

14. How did Daredevil Dan escape from the two Runners? (4 marks)

Your answer should not exceed 40 words

Or

Give a brief character sketch of Dare Devil Dan.

15. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in your answer sheets in one or two lines only. Remember to number the answers correctly.

(3 marks)

Nothing will die;

All things will change

Thro eternity

Tis the world’s winter

Autumn and summer

Are gone long ago;

a) Name the four seasons mentioned in the poem. (1)

b) How do things appear in winter? (1)

c) Who is the ‘new comer’ who will change things? (1)

Or

His eye was on the Inchcape float,

Quoth he, “My men, put out the boat,

And row me to the Inchcape rock

And I’ll plague the priest of Aberbrothok”

a) Who is “his” in these lines? What was he looking at on the Inchcape Rock? (½ +½)

b) Who were his ‘men’? What did he want them to do? (½ +½)

c) What did he want to do? (1)

16. When does the sea appear to be a hungry dog? Why? Answer in 30- 40 words.

Or

How does the poet convey the power of the wind? Answer in 30- 40 words. (3 marks)

17. What does the poet believe about Nature in the poem ‘Nothing Will Die’? (2 marks)

18. Why does the poet need to be taught to listen?

Or

Who does the poet address in “Teach Me to Listen”? What does he ask for? (2 marks)

19. What makes you think Max was a careless, foolish fellow? Discuss in about 100 words.

Or

Give a brief character sketch of Tricki. (7 marks)

20. Why was Hari Singh grateful to Anil? (2 marks)

21. How often did Horace Danby rob every year? What did he do with the loot?

OR

Why did the master scold the crowd when they referred to the tiger as a brute? (2 marks)

22. How did Griffin become invisible? (2 marks)

23. Why was Matilda unhappy?

OR

Why could the narrator not find Lutkins? (2 marks)