MODEL QUESTION PAPER - ENGLISH
Full Marks: 90 | Time: 3:15 hrs
Section - A: Reading Comprehension (Seen)
1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Some days after the funeral, a special train took Gandhiji's ashes to Allahabad. The compartment was decked with flowers. People on the train sang 'bhajans'. People did not weep anymore for they could feel Gandhiji's presence amid the flowers and the songs. At every station sorrowful crowds filled the platform. Amid song and prayer the train reached Allahabad. The ashes were immersed in the Ganges where a huge crowd had gathered at the bank. Afterwards we all went back to Delhi.
Back in Delhi, I felt at sea. I had not directly walked with Gandhiji, gone to prison at his call or made any sacrifice for my country. My sisters and I, and other young people like me, had been merely onlookers. But still I felt at sea. I felt I had grown up within a magic circle. With Bapu's passing away, I felt the magic circle had vanished, leaving me unprotected.
With an effort I roused myself. I asked myself—had Bapu lived and died for nothing? How could I so easily lose courage when he was no longer there? My values were not so weak. Millions of people would have been ordinary folk but for Bapu. He brought them out of indifference and awakened them to one another's suffering. What if now Bapu is gone? We were still there, young, strong and proud to bear his banner before us.
Bapu had passed away but his India would continue to live in his children.
A. Write the correct alternative to complete the following sentences: (1x5=5)
- Gandhiji's ashes were taken to Allahabad-
Options: (i) on the day of the cremation, (ii) some days after the cremation, (iii) the day after the cremation, (iv) within a few days after the cremation.
Answer: (ii) some days after the cremation - The narrator feels the magic circle had vanished with-
Options: (i) her father's death, (ii) the deplorable condition of the nation, (iii) Bapu's demise, (iv) the immersion of Bapu's ashes.
Answer: (iii) Bapu's demise - The train reached Allahabad amid-
Options: (i) tears, (ii) songs, (iii) prayer, (iv) song and prayer.
Answer: (iv) song and prayer - After Gandhiji's death people felt-
Options: (i) angry, (ii) confused, (iii) delighted, (iv) annoyed.
Answer: (ii) confused (indicated by the phrase "felt at sea") - The author in the procession was merely-
Options: (i) an organiser, (ii) a spectator, (iii) a showman, (iv) an active participant.
Answer: (ii) a spectator (indicated by the word "onlookers")
B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: (1x3=3)
- People did not weep anymore for they could feel Gandhiji's presence amid the flowers and the songs.
- Bapu had breathed his last but his India would continue to live in his children.
- Millions of people would have been ordinary folk but for Bapu.
C. State whether the following statements are 'True' or 'False'. Write 'T' for 'True' and 'F' for 'False'. Also provide sentences/phrases from the passage in support of your answers: (2x2=4)
-
(i) The platform was filled with grief-stricken people at every station.
Answer: True (T)
Supporting Statement: "At every station sorrowful crowds filled the platform." -
(ii) Bapu fetched common people out of negligence.
Answer: True (T)
Supporting Statement: "He brought them out of indifference and awakened them to one another's suffering."
2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:
The mountain and the squirrel Had a quarrel: And the former called the latter "Little Prig." Bun replied, "You are doubtless very big; But all sorts of things and weather Must be taken in together, To make up a year And a sphere. And I think it no disgrace To occupy my place. If I'm not so large as you, You are not so small as I, And not half so spry. I'll not deny you make A very pretty squirrel track; Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If I cannot carry forests on my back, Neither can you crack a nut."
A. Tick the correct alternative to complete the following sentences: (1x4=4)
- Bun has no doubt that the mountain is-
Options: (i) kind, (ii) big, (iii) small, (iv) noble.
Answer: (ii) big - All sorts of things and weather make up a-
Options: (i) sphere and mountain, (ii) year and a sphere, (iii) mountain and a squirrel, (iv) pretty squirrel track.
Answer: (ii) year and a sphere - The squirrel is-
Options: (i) sad, (ii) hungry, (iii) spry, (iv) angry.
Answer: (iii) spry - Unlike the squirrel the mountain can-
Options: (i) carry forests on its back, (ii) crack a nut, (iii) move about happily, (iv) make a sphere.
Answer: (i) carry forests on its back
B. Answer the following questions: (2x2=4)
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(i) What moral does the poem 'Fable' convey?
Answer: The poem conveys the moral that every living or non-living thing in this world, regardless of its size, has a specific and important role to play. No one is superior or inferior, as "talents differ" and everything is put together wisely to maintain the balance of the universe. -
(ii) What is no disgrace to the squirrel?
Answer: The squirrel believes that it is no disgrace to occupy his own place in the world. He understands that even though he is small, his existence is meaningful and necessary to make up a year and a sphere.
Section - A: Reading Comprehension (Unseen)
3. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Madurai, 4 Feb: A fire broke out in the premises of the renowned Meenakshi Temple here on Friday night affecting Vasantharayar Mandapam, an ancient hall, and reducing 40 shops to ashes.
The blaze was put out in the early hours of Saturday and devotees were allowed to offer morning prayers. The Shree Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of the oldest in the country, attracts thousands of devotees. "The hall with 1000 pillars, which houses the temple and museum, has not suffered any damage", District Collector Veera Raghava Rao, who supervised the fire-fighting operations, told the reporters. He added that a special team was formed to look into the impact of the fire on the temple.
"There were no casualties", the Collector said, "A preliminary probe revealed that the fire broke out late on Friday night because of an electrical short-circuit in one of the shops situated near the 1000-pillar-hall."
"About 40 shops, selling puja articles and toys, were gutted in the fire and steps were being taken to clear the area of smoke", police said.
"The sculptures in the hall were saved", said the temple authorities.
A. Tick the right answer: (1x6=6)
- The fire was extinguished on -
(i) Friday night, (ii) Saturday morning, (iii) Saturday evening, (iv) Friday morning.
Answer: (ii) Saturday morning - The shops that were reduced to ashes sold -
(i) puja articles and toys, (ii) electrical goods, (iii) fire crackers, (iv) machine parts.
Answer: (i) puja articles and toys - The temple museum is located -
(i) in the ancient hall that is badly damaged, (ii) outside the temple, (iii) inside the 1000-pillar-hall, (iv) inside the palace.
Answer: (iii) inside the 1000-pillar-hall - The Shree Meenakshi Amman Temple attracts -
(i) hundreds of devotees, (ii) thousands of devotees, (iii) only a few devotees, (iv) no devotees.
Answer: (ii) thousands of devotees - The fire might have been caused due to -
(i) religious disputes, (ii) the burning of candles, (iii) the electrical short-circuit, (iv) a sabotage.
Answer: (iii) the electrical short-circuit - The source of the short-circuit was -
(i) one of the shops, (ii) 1000-pillar-hall, (iii) Vasantharayar Mandapam, (iv) 2000-pillar-hall.
Answer: (i) one of the shops
B. Each of the following statements is either 'True' or 'False'. Write 'T' for 'True' and 'F' for 'False'. Also write suitable line(s) or phrase(s) from the passage in support of your answer: (1+1)x3=6
-
(i) No devotees could offer morning prayers on Saturday.
Answer: False (F)
Supporting Statement: "The blaze was put out in the early hours of Saturday and devotees were allowed to offer morning prayers." -
(ii) Meenakshi Temple is the oldest temple in the country.
Answer: False (F)
Supporting Statement: "The Shree Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of the oldest in the country..." -
(iii) No death or injury has occurred.
Answer: True (T)
Supporting Statement: "'There were no casualties', the Collector said..."
C. Answer the following questions: (2x4=8)
- Who was Veera Raghava Rao?
Veera Raghava Rao was the District Collector who supervised the fire-fighting operations at the temple. - What happened to the 40 shops situated near the 1000-pillar-hall?
The 40 shops, which sold puja articles and toys, were gutted in the fire and reduced to ashes. - What suffered no damage in this mishap?
The hall with 1000 pillars, which houses the temple and museum, suffered no damage. The sculptures in the hall were also saved. - What did the investigation tell about the cause of the fire?
A preliminary probe revealed that the fire broke out due to an electrical short-circuit in one of the shops situated near the 1000-pillar-hall.
Section - B: Grammar and Vocabulary
4. Choose the correct alternatives to fill in the blanks: (1x3=3)
Socrates was arrested (arrests / was arrested / arrested) and accused of denying (denied / denying / deny) the gods and of corrupting the young men of the city. This was (is / was / had been) not true, although it seemed so to the ignorant people.
5. Do as directed:
A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions: (1x3=3)The people on the platform were much amused at the plight of the businessman.
B. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given in brackets: (1x3=3)- "What will become of me now?" He said to himself. [Change into indirect speech]
He asked himself what would become of him then. - Who was driving the car? [Change the voice]
By whom was the car being driven? - He refolded the paper and replaced it into the pocket. [Turn into a simple sentence]
Refolding the paper, he replaced it into the pocket.
[List: pass away, keep away, hold back, make off]
- The robbers escaped with the ornaments. → made off
- The old man died in his sleep. → passed away
- You must not hide anything from the police. → hold back
6. Given below are the meanings of four words which you will find in the passage in Question No 3. Find out the words: (2x4=8)
- Reputed → renowned
- Investigation → probe
- Effect → impact
- A place where old historical things are exhibited → museum
Section - C: Writing
7. Write a paragraph (within 150 words) on 'Student life and Mobile Phones'.
8. Write a dialogue between two friends on the importance of reading newspaper.
Rahul: Hi Amit! I noticed you were reading the newspaper in the library today. Do you read it every day?
Amit: Hello Rahul! Yes, I make it a point to read the newspaper daily. Don't you?
Rahul: Not really. I usually just rely on social media or TV for news. Is reading the paper really that important?
Amit: Absolutely! Newspapers give us detailed and verified information about national and international events. Social media is often filled with fake news and rumors.
Rahul: That’s true. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s real online.
Amit: Exactly. Plus, reading the newspaper improves our vocabulary, grammar, and overall reading skills. The editorial pages provide excellent insights into current social and economic issues.
Rahul: I never thought about it that way. It sounds like a great habit for competitive exams too.
Amit: It is! You should start reading it. Just spend 20 minutes a day on it initially.
Rahul: Thanks for the advice, Amit. I will definitely start reading the newspaper from tomorrow.
9. Write a story using the following hints:
[Hints: A lion, old and weak - unable to hunt - pretends to be ill - many animals visit him alone - get killed - fox comes to see him - find footprints only going into the cave - leaves the place.]
The Clever Fox and the Wicked Lion
Once upon a time there lived a ferocious lion in a dense forest. As years passed, he grew old, weak, and frail. Unable to hunt for his food anymore, he realized he would soon starve to death if he didn't use his brain.
He devised a wicked plan. He went inside his dark cave and spread the rumor that he was severely ill and on his deathbed. Hearing this, the animals of the forest felt pity for their king. One by one, they visited the cave to pay their respects and check on his health. However, the cunning lion pounced on the innocent animals as soon as they entered, making them an easy meal.
One day, it was the turn of a clever fox to visit the king. The fox, known for his sharp mind, approached the cave cautiously. Standing at the entrance, he carefully examined the ground. He noticed numerous footprints pointing towards the cave, but to his alarm, not a single footprint pointed outward.
Realizing the lion's deceitful trap, the fox shouted from outside, "Your Majesty, I hope you get well soon, but I cannot enter. I see many footprints going in, but none coming out!" Saying this, the clever fox quickly left the place, saving his own life.
Moral: Look before you leap. / Presence of mind saves one from danger.
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