1

संदे श

विद्यालयी विक्षा में िैवक्षक उत्कृ ष्टता प्राप्त करना के न्द्रीय विद्यालय संगठन की सिोच्च
िरीयता है । हमारे विद्यार्थी, विक्षक एिं िैवक्षक नेतत्ृ व कताावनरं तर उन्नवत हे तप्र
ु यासरत रहतेहैं।
राष्टरीय विक्षा नीवत 2020 के संदर्ा में योग्यता आधाररत अवधगम एिं मल ू ्ांकन संबन्धित उद्दे श ्ों
को प्राप्त करना तर्था सीबीएसई के वदिा वनदेिों का पालन, ितामान में इस प्रयास को और र्ी
चनु ौतीपर ू ा् बनाता है ।

के न्द्रीय विद्यालय संगठन के पांचों आंचलिक लशक्षा एवं प्रलशक्षण संस्थान द्वारा संकवलत यह
‘विद्यार्थी सहायक सामग्री’ इसी वदिा में एक आिश्क कदम है । यह सहायक सामग्री कक्षा 9 से 12 के
विद्यावर्थायों के वलए सर्ी महत्वपर
ू ा् विषयों पर तैयार की गयी है । के न्द्रीय विद्यालय संगठन की
‘विद्यार्थी सहायक सामग्री’ अपनी गुर्ित्ता एिं परीक्षा संबंधी सामग्री-संकलन की वििेषज्ञता के वलए जानी
जाती है और अन्य विक्षर् संस्थान र्ी इसका उपयोग परीक्षा संबंधी पठन सामग्री की तरह करते रहे हैं ।
िुर-् आिा एिं विश्वास है वक यह सहायक सामग्री विद्यावर्थायों की सहयोगी बनकर सतत मागादिान करते
हुए उन्हें सफलता के लक्ष्य तक पहुंचाएगी ।

िुरा् कांक्षा सवहत ।

लनलि पांडे

आयक्
ु त, के न्द्रीय विद्यालय संगठन

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CONTENT DEVELOPMENT TEAM
SL NAME OF TEACHER NAME OF KV
1 Mrs. Jeanie R. Zoremsiami KV Aizawl
2 Mrs Gayatri Mitra KV Panisagar
3 Mr Subhransu Mitra KV Tura
4 Ms Manashi Datta KV NIT Silchar
5 Mrs Jhuma Nath KV Silchar
6 Mrs Rashmi Saxena KV Nehu Shillong
7 Mr. Dheeraj Kumar Pandey KV Umroi Cantt.
8 Mrs Nobomita Roy KV AFS Kumbhirgram
9 Mr Suranjan Sen KV Bagafa
10 Mr Satish Kasabe KV MU Aizawl
11 Mr Sanasam Gagarin Singh KV Karimganj
12 Mrs Kalyani Chowdhury KV Masimpur
13 Mrs Raka Chakraborty KV Kunjaban
14 Mrs Shobhra Dhar KV Kunjaban

EDITORIAL TEAM
SL NAME OF TEACHER NAME OF KV
1 Mrs Raka Chakraborty KV Kunjaban
2 Mrs Shobhra Dhar KV Kunjaban

COMPILED BY:
1. Mr Raghvendra, PGT CS
2. Mr Mrinal Debnath, PGT CS
3. Mr Ranjit Debnath, Computer Instructor
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Sl. No. Content Page No.

1 Curriculum 05-07

2 Learning Outcomes For English 08-09

3 Test Paper Design 10-11

4 Reading Comprehension Passages (Descriptive) 12-38

5 Reading Comprehension Passages (Case Based) 13-52

6 Notice Writing 53-55

7 Invitations and Replies 56-59

8 Letter to the Editor 60-61

9 Job Application 62-65

10 Report Writing 66-69

11 Article Writing 70-73

12 Flamingo 74-81

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ENGLISH CORE CODE NO. 301
CLASS – XII
Section A 22 Marks

Reading Skills
I Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage (12+10 = 22 Marks) 1. One unseen
passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and vocabulary. The
passage may be factual, descriptive or literary.
2. One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data,
charts etc.to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation.
Note: The combined word limit for both the passages will be 600-750. Multiple Choice
Questions / Objective Type Questions and Short Answer Type Questions (to be answered
in 40-50 words) will be asked.

Section B 18 Marks Creative Writing Skills

3. Notice, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. (4 Marks:
Format :1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar: 1). 4. Formal/Informal
Invitation and Reply, up to 50 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered.
(4 Marks: Format: 1 / Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar :1). 5. Letters based
on verbal/visual input, to be answered in approximately 120-150 words. Letter types
include application for a job with bio data or resume. Letters to the editor (giving
suggestions or opinion on issues of public interest). One out of the two given questions to
be answered.
(5 Marks: Format: 1 / Organisation of Ideas: 1/Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and
Grammar :1).
6. Article/ Report Writing, descriptive and analytical in nature, based on verbal inputs, to
be answered in 120-150 words. One out of the two given questions to be answered. (5
Marks: Format: 1 /Organisation of Ideas: 1/Content: 2 / Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar
:1).

Section C 40 Marks
Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text This
section will have variety of assessment items including Multiple Choice Questions, Objective
Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions and Long Answer Type Questions to assess
comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation and extrapolation beyond the text.

7. One Poetry extract out of two, from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension,
interpretation, analysis, inference and appreciation. (6x1=6 Marks)
8. One Prose extract out of two, from the book Vistas, to assess comprehension,
interpretation, analysis, evaluation and appreciation. (4x1=4 Marks)
9. One prose extract out of two from the book Flamingo, to assess comprehension,
interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation. (6x1=6Marks)
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10. Short answer type questions (from Prose and Poetry from the book Flamingo), to be
answered in 40-50 words each. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical
thinking. Five questions out of the six given, are to be answered. (5x2=10 Marks) 11. Short
answer type questions, from Prose (Vistas), to be answered in 40- 50 words each.
Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. Any two out of three
questions to be done. (2x2=4 Marks)
12. One Long answer type question, from Prose/Poetry (Flamingo), to be answered in 120
150 words. Questions can be based on incident / theme / passage / extract / event as
reference points to assess extrapolation beyond and across the text. The question will elicit
analytical and evaluative response from the student. Any one out of two questions to be
done. (1x5=5 Marks)
13. One Long answer type question, based on the chapters from the book Vistas, to be
answered in 120-150 words, to assess global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the
text. Questions to provide analytical and evaluative responses using incidents, events,
themes, as reference points. Any one out of two questions to be done. (1x5=5 Marks)

Prescribed Books
1. Flamingo: English Reader published by National Council of Education Research and
Training, New Delhi (Prose)
• The Last Lesson Lost Spring Deep Water
• The Rattrap
• Indigo
• Poets and Pancakes
• The Interview
• Going Places
(Poetry)
• My Mother at Sixty-Six
• Keeping Quiet
 • A Thing of Beauty
• A Roadside Stand
• Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
2. Vistas: Supplementary Reader published by National Council of Education Research and
Training, New Delhi
• The Third Level
• The Tiger King
• Journey to the End of the Earth
• The Enemy
• On the Face of It Memories of Childhood
• The Cutting of My Long Hair
• We Too are Human Beings
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Assessment of Listening Skills - 05 marks.
Assessment of Speaking Skills - 05 Marks
Project Work - 10 Marks

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Question Paper Design Code No. 301
2024-25
English CORE XII
Section Competencies Total
marks
Reading Skills Conceptual understanding, decoding, 22
Analyzing, inferring, interpreting,
appreciating, literary, conventions and
vocabulary,
summarizing and using appropriate format/s.

Creative Writing Conceptual Understanding, application of 18

Sills rules, Analysis, Reasoning, appropriacy
of style and tone, using appropriate
format and fluency, inference, analysis,
evaluation and creativity

Literature Text Recalling, reasoning, critical thinking, 40

Book and appreciating literary convention,
Supplementary inference, analysis, creativity with
Reading Text fluency.
 TOTAL 80

Internal Assessment of Listening and Speaking 10

Assessment Skills • Listening 5+5
• Speaking

Project Work 10

GRAND TOTAL 100

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CLASS 12 LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR ENGLISH

Following learning outcomes for the senior secondary stage developed by the National
Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) state important knowledge,
skills and dispositions students need to attain at the end of an academic year in classes
11 and 12 in the context of learning English.

(1) Reads silently with comprehension and to identify the complexity of ideas in an
argumentative text; and relates learning with personal, social experiences in writing and
speech.

(2) Recites poems, identifies literary devices, and linguistic features, and sings songs with
voice modulation, expression, and appropriate body language.

(3) Writes creatively using imagination, fantasy and myths, proverbs quote etc., focuses
on the features of genres of literature (fiction and nonfiction etc.)

(4) Writes and narrates, anecdotes, e.g., on celebration of festival, cultural fest in
school etc. with appropriate multilingual vocabulary, proverbs grammar, sense
and feelings.

(5) Writes reports based on survey conducted e.g., on preparedness of the school for
dealing with fire, earthquake, drinking water arrangements, cleanliness etc. Speaks on
the suggestions based on the reports.

(6) Listens with concentration/makes notes, on online platform, and follows

the etiquettes of meetings/discussions e.g., taking turns, listening to others
without interrupting etc.

(7) Develops tools, questionnaires, interview questions for collecting data or to execute
interdisciplinary projects stating the purpose, plan, resources, method, findings; draws
maps, diagrams, charts, tables for analysing information and preparing reports.

(8) Creates cartoons, brief accounts with humour, wit and satire. Shares and enjoys jokes
with peers without hurting the sentiments of particular community, gender etc.

(9) Writes summaries with titles and subtitles on national, international news, editorials;
political, economic and sports etc.
(10) Writes formal letters/ applications/ requests, resume etc.: seeking information
regarding admission, courses, fees etc. with clarity and precision; and informal letters
to friends, relatives using appropriate vocabulary, expressions etc.

(11) Speaks/ reads text with phonological awareness for ensuring comprehensibility. (e.g in
the case of silent letters.)

(12) Solves grammar exercises with or without context following the definition and rule of
the grammatical item.

(13) Converses using short phrases in c, e.g. you seem... Looks like you’ve… had a good
day… You seem a bit tired what do you think? ...How does that sound? ...That sounds great
(Oh) never mind.

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(14) Uses ICT for browsing information, reading and writing e.g., develops PPT for
presentations, short films with audio on nature, natural resources, art & craft
monuments, peace, value, drug abuse, gender, environment, livelihoods of people,
children in difficult circumstances etc. in collaboration with peers.

(15) Frames questions for interviews with community members, school staff, and others on
issues e.g., health, education and other specific related areas. Converses with farmers,
labourers, house helps etc. about their life/ problems etc. and provides help by sharing
important government policies, schemes etc. (as read in other subject areas and
newspapers).
(16) Speaks on issues related to gender, and transgender with logic, evidence and without any
prejudice.
(17) Reads literature from different parts of the world, gives an opinion on the characters,
events, traditions and cultural norms of societies; writes with logic, evidence etc. about
Indian knowledge, traditions, and practices.

(18) Reads autobiographies and biographies of literary figures, statesmen and other
personalities and makes diary entries.

(19) Reads and understands literature depicting, natural calamities, pandemics etc. in
terms of medical, geographical contexts, terminology etc.; speaks on scientific facts,
and economic issues in simple words using examples from everyday life.

(20) Actively participates; raises queries, notes down contact details etc. during career
counselling sessions, speaks with clarity, if in need, to the counsellor.

(21) Writes notices, posters, speech etc. on bullying, ragging and cybercrime; develops
multilingual charts, posters on healthy food etc. for school canteen, farewell parties etc.

(22) Peer reviews assignments, reports etc. with developed parameters and
without any bias. (23) Makes journal entries for self-assessment.
(24) Practices yoga, listens to spiritual music for pleasure and mental health and
shares experiences in speech and writing.

(25) Share with peers (who are in need) resources, e.g., books, pen drives, stationery, ICT
device etc. with humility.

(26) Collaborates with peers for organizing programmes for elderly, disadvantaged, girl child
 etc.
(27) Visits library for reading, preparing notes, references writing book reviews, etc.;
forms book clubs taking guidance from teachers, seniors etc.

(28) Prepares manifesto for school and class election, uses fair means and environment
friendly ways during the election.

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TEST PAPER DESIGN
Test Paper Design Marks distribution

Reading Comprehension 20

Creative Writing Skills 20

Literature Textbooks and Supplementary Reading Text 40

Total 80

Blue-Print
English Core -XII
Maximum Marks- 80
Typology Section Testing Objective Short Short Long Total
Competen Type Answer Answer Answer marks
cie s Questio Questio Questio Questio
ns, ns (2 ns (4 n word
MCQs, Marks marks limit
Very each) each) 120-
Short Word 150
Answer limit 40- (5
Type 50 marks
(1 Mark each)
each)
Comprehen Reading Conceptual 3×2=6 12+1
sio n I. Unseen understandi 6x1=6 Short 0
Passage ng , (Descripti answer = 22
(Factual, decoding, ve questio
descriptive or analysing, passage) ns
literary) inferring, 6x1=6 from
2. Case-Based interpretin (Case Descri
Unseen g, Based pti ve
(Factual) appreciati Passage) Passage
Passage ng literary
conventio 2×2 =4
ns and Short
vocabulary, answer
summarisi questio
ng and ns
using from
appropriate Case
format/s. Based
Passage

10
Creative Short Conceptua 2x4 = 8 2x5= 18
Writing Compositi l (Short 10
Skills on 3. understan writing (Writi
Notice din g, task) ng
5. 4.Formal/In applicati (01 out skills)
for mal on of of (01 out
Invitation rules, 02 of 02
and Reply analysis, Notices, letters,
Long reasoning, 01 out 01 out
Compositi appropria of 02 of 02
on Letter cy of Invitati Article/
to the style and on s/ Report)
Editor/ tone,
Job Application using
appropriat
e format
and

Report/ Article fluency, Replies) (Word

inference, (50 limit
analysis, words 120 –
evaluation each) 150
and words)
creativity.
Literature Recalling, (6x1=6 5X2=10 1x5=5 40
Textbooks reasoning, (One 05 out One out
and appreciati Poetry of 06 of two
Suppleme ng extract questio questi
nta ry literary out of ns on s
Reading conventio two from from
Text n, from the Prose Prose
inference, book and and
(Flamingo analysis, ‘Flamin Poetry Poetry
and and go ’) – Flami
Vistas) creativity 4x1=4 Flamingo ng o
with fluency (One
Prose 2x2=4
extract 02 out 1x5=5
out of of 03 One out
two questio of two
from the ns questio
book Vistas n
‘Vistas’) s from
6x1=6 Prose
(One Vistas
prose
extract
out of
two
from the
book
‘Flamin
go’ )

TOTAL 38 14 8 20 80

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READING COMPREHENSION
PASSAGE 1
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12 M 1)
The modern classroom has taken several steps forward in its evolution of the
learning environment in the past 25 years. Many of the benefits that we have seen in
this setting are due to the introduction of new technology options for students.
Instead of having a single computer for a class to use or a laboratory environment
for the entire school placed in one room, we can now help students learn at their
table or desk with items issued to them directly. Thus, there are quite a lot of
advantages of having technology in their classrooms.

2) Technology helps children to stay motivated during the learning process. Most students
don’t like to go to school if they feel like they are wasting time. When there is
technology allowed in the classroom, then teachers have an opportunity to let children
work at a pace which suits them the best without disturbing others. They can look up
additional information about a subject they are learning about that day, play
educational games that reinforce the lesson, or work on advanced material using a
program.
3) Because many of today’s technology options allow students to see how well they are
doing compared to the average of all users, it gives them a chance to push harder for
themselves and their education. Many of the programs that encourage learning also
issue rewards or award certificates, which helps to make the lessons fun as well.

4) Technology encourages more communication between teachers and parents. When

there is technology in the classroom, then there are more opportunities for parents and
teachers to connect to each other. Using a blog for the classroom can help parents get
to see what their children are learning each day. Apps and software options allow
teachers to instantly report on a child’s behavior to let parents know in real-time what
is happening throughout the day. There are options for chat boxes, instant messaging,
and other forms of communication as well.

5) Let’s not forget about email here either. Since the 1990s when this technology option
came into the classroom, it created more reliability in messaging between teachers and
parents should there be a need to talk.

6) Technology also creates new ways to learn for today’s students. There are three
critical forms of intelligence that we see in children today: emotional, creative, and
instructional. The traditional classroom environment, which typically encourages
lecture based lessons, focuses more on the latter option. Standardized tests and
similar ranking tools do the same. When children have access to technology today,
then those who excel outside of the standard learning setup can still achieve their full
potential.

7) Technology allows children to embrace their curiosity in multiple ways. They can try
new things without embarrassment because their tech access gives them a level of
anonymity. This process allows children to work, through trial and error if they wish,
to see if a different strategy helps them to learn more effectively.

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8) It even encourages students to stay engaged with their learning environment. Children
get bored very easily when they feel like they already know what is being taught in
their classroom. Some children will transform into mentors or leaders in this situation
to help their fellow students, but there are many more who disengage because they
lack stimulation. By introducing technology to
the classroom, there are fewer places where repetitive learning must take place.
Teachers can introduce new subjects, try new techniques, or use different projects
to encourage ongoing learning, which creates more overall engagement.

Q.1). Technology allows children to embrace their ___________ in

multiple ways. (1) i) intelligence
ii) hard work
iii) curiosity
iv) passion

Q.2. Which of the following is not a method through which technology encourages
more communication between teachers and parents? (1) i) Apps and software options
that allow teachers to instantly report on a child’s behaviour. ii) Usage of a blog for the
classroom to help parents get to see what their children are learning each day.
iii) Communication options such as chat boxes, instant messaging, and other forms of
communication.
iv) Software programs that allow parents to access the child’s tech and keep a check on
their usage.

Q.3. Which of the following is not something that technology helps a student with in
education? (1) i) Technology creates new ways to learn for today’s student. ii)
Technology encourages more communication between parents and students. iii)
Technology helps children to stay motivated during the learning process. iv) Technology
encourages students to stay engaged with their learning environment.

Q.4. Which of the following is not a way through which technology help children to stay
motivated during the learning process? (1)
i) play educational games that enforce a lesson
ii) work on advanced material using a program
iii) look up additional information about a subject they are learning about
iv) allow them to work on a lesson beyond their curriculum

Q.5. Learning to support others regardless of your current situation to finish their tasks,
complete a project and support them can help you cultivate great relationship with your
classmates. This is a display of ____________ intelligence. (2)
i) social
ii) instructional
iii) creative
iv) emotional

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Q.6. Who is a mentor? (1)
i) someone who gives someone help and advice related to something
ii) someone who leads someone to become a better person
iii) someone who help someone in their time of need
iv) someone who provides a better learning standard

Q.7. What is the advantage of having a technology that allows students to see how
well they are doing compared to the average of other students? (1)
i) it gives them an opportunity to learn from other students
ii) it tells how much more hard work is needed to achieve a goal
iii) it motivates them to seek help where needed to reach the level of others
iv) it gives them a chance to push harder for themselves and their education

Q.8. Choose an option that makes the correct use of ‘stimulation’ as used in the passage,
to fill in the space. (2)
i) Babies who sleep with their parents receive much more _________ than babies who
sleep in a cot.
ii) It was known that ___________ made the heart to increase its oxygen consumption.
iii) Near the boundary, the electrical ____________ spreading enough to evoke both
movements.
iv) She has a low threshold of boredom and needs the constant _____________ of
physical activity.

Q. 9. Fill in the blank using the appropriate option:- (1)

The teacher devotes one session to Cooperative Learning because it is one of the most
widely researched of __________________ processes and there is considerable evidence
that it contributes to gains in student learning.
a) Creative
b) Emotional
c) Instructional
d) social

Q.10. Choose an option that is clearly a synonym of the word ‘engaged’. (1)
i) immerse
ii) surrender
iii) release
iv) disrupt

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PASSAGE 2
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
1) What were once upon a time seen in millions throughout the country, are today seen
only in certain pockets of India? House sparrows. Why so? Conclusively, there have
been no studies to identify the exact cause behind the sudden decrease in their
numbers, but studies conducted in Jharkhand, India have pegged the decrease in
sparrow count to be an alarming 80%. And lest you may assume, this is not limited to
India alone!
2) There are a variety of reasons behind the declining sparrow count; with some pointing
fingers at the architecture of modern houses which leaves little space for nesting sites.
Add to it the decrease in shrub vegetation areas as well and the result is drastic loss in
habitat. Excessive use of pesticides in agriculture is another cause, as it causes a
decrease in reproductive efficiency of the sparrows by infecting their egg sheaths and
its diet, since the chief diet of the sparrows is seeds, cereals and insects which in turn
are direct victims of pesticide usage.
3) Sparrows are known to be sedentary birds that usually do not prefer undertaking long
flights. However, with the advent of mobile telephony and the corresponding
erection of mobile towers any and everywhere has made the sparrows an unwitting
prey to technology. Mobile towers are known to emit radiation in the frequency of
900 to 1800 MHz which not only harms the thin chick skull and sparrow eggs, but
also confuses and disorients the sparrow’s navigational skills. Sparrows are rarely, or
rather never found in areas having mobile towers.
4) The Nature Forever Society (NFS) was founded by an Indian conservationist
Mohammed Dilawar. He started his work helping the house sparrows in Nasik.
 Emphasizing the crying need to conserve house sparrows, Dilawar said, “ The
indifference caused by the lack of emotional connect has pushed these birds to the
edge of extinction.”
5) The NFS started an international initiative to celebrate World Sparrow Day. This was
first celebrated on 20 March 2010. After that, every year this day was celebrated all
over the world to raise awareness about house sparrows and other common birds
affected by the environment. In 2012, the sparrow was adopted as the state bird of
Delhi.
Q.1) Based on the passage above, match column A with column B. there is one extra
statement in column B. (1)
Column A Column B

Paragraph nos. Central idea

1 i) Predatory tech

2 ii) A resourceful enterprise

3 iii) Recognizing the need

4 iv) A cause for concern

5 v) Purposeful Technocrats

vi) The grounds for the problem

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a) 1.iv, 2.vi, 3.i, 4.v, 5.ii
b) 1.iii), 2.ii, 3.iv), 4.v, 5.i
c) 1.iii, 2.ii, 3.vi, 4.iv, 5.i
d) 1.iv, 2.vi, 3.i, 4.iii, 5.ii

Q.2) Match the following collective nouns with the animals and then tick the correct option.
(1)
1234

i) murder ii) clowder iii) caravan iv) school

a) 1.i, 2.ii, 3.iii, 4.iv

b) 1.i, 2.ii, 3.iv, 4.iii
c) 1.iv, 2.ii, 3.i, 4.iii
d) 1.iv, 2.iii, 3.ii, 4.i

Q.3 Choose the option that completes the given paragraph by correctly using five of the
seven phrases from the text:- (2)
i) crying need,
ii) here today, gone tomorrow,
iii) pegged the decrease,
iv) an unwitting prey,
 v) the advent of,
vi) certain pockets,
vii) lack of emotional connect.
The small artisans and crafts- persons of India have been_____________ to
industrialization. There are _________ in most regional communities that have, for
generations, relied solely on weaving, handicrafts, etc. as a primary source of income. So,
it is safe to say that there is a ___________ to now support these artisans especially, in
the face of a ready availability of machine- made products, imported items, and a general
___________ with our own culture. If things continue this way, the future truly looks
bleak for our local artisans – they could well be ____________.

a) vi, vii, ii, i, v

b) iv, vi, i, vii, ii
c) iii, vii, i, vi, ii
d) i, vi, ii, vii, iv

Q.4. Based on your reading of the passage, complete this sparrow’s plea for survival. (2)
Help please humans!
As you know, we don’t like travelling long distances, but we have to because there’s been a loss of habitat
due to a) decrease in _________, and b) loss of _______. Moreover, c) _______ has made it difficult for us
to find food. We request you to make d) ________ for us to stay safe and also put out e) ______ so that we
don’t go hungry and thirsty.
Record your answers_ a) to e) against the correct question no. on your sheet.

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Q.5. The text states that the World Sparrow Day is celebrated all over the world
i) because ___________________________________
ii) in order to _______________________________. (1)

Q.6. The following is today’s Delhite’s response to the fact that the sparrow was adopted as the
state bird of Delhi as far back as 2012.
Rearrange the following words to make sense of the response. (1)
DELHI’S STATE BIRD,/A RARE SPECIES/THAT DESPITE/ IS TODAY, / BEING/ IT IS/ IN
THE/ THE HOUSE SPARROW/ IRONICAL, / CAPITAL

Q.7. Complete the following statement by choosing the correct option. (1)
Mohammad Dilawar is a conservationist. Such a person is one who
a) manages natural habitats including parks, forests and rangelands.
b) Favours traditional views and values.
c) Is driven by a set of over- arching beliefs and ideologies.
d) Advocates for the protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife.
Q.8. Choose the option that is NOT true according to the text. (1)
a) Sparrows rarely undertake long flights.
b) The house sparrow is the state bird of Delhi.
c) Sparrows are often found perching on mobile towers.
 d) Sparrows are now visible only in some pockets in the country.

Q.9. List the possible reasons for the decline in the sparrow population. (1)
a) ___________________________________________
b) ___________________________________________

Q.10.Pesticides infect the egg sheaths of the sparrows. Based on your understanding of what a
‘sheath’ is, choose an option which lists the illustration/ image that uses a sheath. (1) i ii iii iv

a) Image i)
b) Image ii)
c) Image iii)
d) Image iv)

17
PASSAGE 3
Read the text carefully and answer the questions:-
1. Ghost nets aren’t supernatural, but they are legitimately scary. A ghost net is a fishing net that’s
been lost or abandoned in the ocean. They are one particularly appalling part of the global ghost
fishing problem, which includes fishing gear abandoned in the water. Any net or line left in the
ocean can pose a threat to marine life. Just because a net is no longer used by fishers doesn’t mean
it stops working. These nets continue to trap everything in their path, presenting a major problem
for the health of our oceans and marine life.

2. Ghost nets entangle sea turtles, dolphins and porpoises, birds, sharks, seals and more, apart from
catching fish. The nets keep animals from moving freely, cause injuries and keep mammals and
birds from rising to the surface for air. Since hundreds of animals can be caught in a single net,
this threat is monumental. The ghost nets harm coral reefs too- breaking corals, exposing them to
disease and even blocking the reefs from needed sunlight.

3. Ghost nets are also a major contributor to the ocean plastics’ crisis. Most modern nets are made of
nylon or other plastic compounds that can last for centuries. According to a 2018 study in
Scientific Reports, ghost nets make up at least 46 percent of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Those abandoned fishing lines and nets that do breakdown never go away; they just become
smaller pieces of plastic. Marine animals mistake this micro plastic for food and eat it, which can
harm internal organs, keep them from eating and expose them to toxic chemicals.

4. Exorcising ghost nets from our oceans will require commitment, cooperation and innovation. Many
groups are working to remove ghost nets from the sea and are collaborating with local fishers and
governments around the world to identify target areas and remove as many nets as possible. In
2015, a single World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)- led mission in the Baltic Sea hauled up
268 tons of nets, ropes and other materials.

5. To stop these nets becoming ghosts in the first place, conservation organizations advocate of
fishing gear that can be traced to its owner so anyone dumping nets can be fined and refundable
deposits on nets to encourage returning or recycling rather than littering. Tools like sonar
reflectors that can make ghost nets easier to find and working with small scale fisheries to
 develop more sustainable fishing gear and practices are other suggestions. It is only by attacking
this problem from all sides, together with conservation partners, fishers and supporters, can we
banish ghost nets and protect our oceans. (437 words)

1) Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option. (1)

Ghost nets have been named so because they _________________________.
a.) cause much harm to the marine life.
b.) are functional though not in use by the fishers.
c.) are not owned by anyone.
d.) act as a snare for all animals in oceans.

2) Comment on the writer’s reference to the ghost nets in paragraph one, as a health problem for the
oceans. (2)

18
3) List the two ways being entangled in a ghost net is likely to impact a walrus.(Think about the type
of animal a walrus is) (2)

4) Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘negligible’, from words used in paragraph 2. (1) a)
Unimpressive
b) Monumental
c) Exposing
d) Threat.

5) The writer would agree with the given statements based on paragraph 3, EXCEPT: (1) a) Most
ghost nets take a few years to completely disintegrate.
b) Ghost nets contribute to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
c) Most ghost nets provide nutrition to marine animals upon disintegration.
d) Ghost nets can curtail freedom of marine animals.

6) Some records share that fishing nets used to be made of common rope using natural fibres, prior to
the 1960s. Based on your understanding of paragraph three, list one major advantage that these
had over the fishing nets being used in present times. (1)

7) Why is it fair to say that commitment and innovation have to go hand-in- hand to rid the oceans of
ghost nets? (1)

8) Complete the given sentence with an appropriate inference, with respect to the following: (1) The
writer quotes the example of the WWF- led mission in the Baltic Sea (paragraph 4), in order to
__________________________

9) How can the solutions, suggested in paragraph five, best be described? (1)
a) Practical
b) Presentable
c) Popular
 d) Prejudiced

10) Select the most suitable title for the above passage: (1)
a) The Scary Side of Ghost Nets
b) Ghost Nets- A Result of Human Dominance
c) Ghost Nets- A Menace to Marine Life
d) Ways to Tackle the Problem of Ghost Nets

19
PASSAGE 4

Read the text carefully and answer the questions:-

1. My dad and I both started playing tennis at the same time in 1967. Though i was small for my age, I
was fast on my feet and seemed to have an instinct for where my opponent would hit his next shot.
At the age of nine, I put on my white shorts and shirt and started playing in tennis tournaments
around the New York area. By the time I was 12, I was No. 7 in the country in the under 12
category. When I was 16, I won my first national singles title. Then, in 1977, as a chubby faced 18
year old with brown ringlets and a red headband, I came out of nowhere to reach the semi-finals at
Wimbledon. Though I wouldn’t told a soul back then, that’s when I realized I had the potential to
be the best tennis player in the world.

2. I worked my way up the ranks and by 1979, I was world No.3, hunting down Jimmy Connors and
Bjorn Borg. I was winning a lot and I loved it- loved being the lone gun fighter. I won the US
Open in both ’79 and ’80. Then, more and more, the problem became that almost everybody was
somebody I shouldn’t lose to. There was so much pressure to win in the early rounds of the
tournaments and make it to the finals. To conquer the pressure, I tried building defenses that almost
nothing (and nobody) could get through.

3. But behind my defenses were some very dark places. There was always a devil inside me that I had
to fight against. And that devil was fear of failure. Eventually I had made it to the finals at
Wimbledon that year, earning the rematch I’d badly wanted with Borg. Though I had beaten the
great, smooth Swede in last year’s US Open, Borg had won Wimbledon an incredible five times in
a row, including against me. I got off to a sluggish start. I was tight, over impressed with the
occasion. Borg won the first set, 6-4. As I loosened up, the match turned into a dog fight. I won a
tie breaker in the second set, and the third set was going in that direction too. Underneath my
nerves and my certainty that I had to play every point to my utmost, a strange idea was starting to
materialize. He’s not quite as hungry as last year. This match is mine to take, if I can take it. After
that, I knew in my bones that I was going to win, and I did. The final score was 4-6, 7-6, 7- 6, 6-4.
When I beat Borg at the US Open a few months later, I officially replaced him as World No. 1. I
had thought that No. 2 was a pretty big deal. But No.1 was a very strange place indeed the peak of
the mountain, the icy winds blowing around my head. For four years I was the biggest winner in
men’s tennis.

1. Choose the most appropriate option: (4x1=4)

According to the passage, at what age, do you think, the narrator started playing tennis? a) At the
age of 9
b) At the age of 11
c) At the age of 12
d) At the age of 8

2. The narrator won the match because of his _________

a) Skills
b) Determination
c) Consistent practice
d) All of the above
20
3. The top position is called a very strange place because ________
a) Of high expectations of the spectators
b) Rivals
c) Happiness of leading others
d) None of the above

4. Answer the following questions briefly: (6x1=6)

a) What two distinctive qualities did the author possess at a tender age?
b) What did he realize when he reached the Wimbledon semi- finals?
c) Why did the Devil ‘fear of failure’ trouble him?
d) What helped McEnroe to win the match against Borg?
e) Do you think McEnroe loved being No.1 tennis player?
f) Discuss the attributes of John McEnroe briefly.

5. Find words in the passage similar in meaning as: (2x1=2)

a) Hidden qualities
b) Impossible to believe

PASSAGE 5
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
1. Introducing Jonathan, the world’s oldest animal on land at 191 years old. Born circa1832- five
years prior to the coronation of Queen Victoria- Jonathan the tortoise is due to turn 191 years in
2023. That makes him the oldest known land animal alive today. This puts him just one year away
from the title of oldest chelonian ever, currently held by Tu’iMalila, a radiated tortoise that reached
at least 192 years old. She was owned by the royal family of Tonga between 1777 and 1965, and
had been presented to them by British Explorer Captain James Cook during his third- and final
Pacific voyage (1776-80).
2. In his lifetime, Jonathan has lived through two world wars, the Russian revolution, eight
monarchs on the British throne and 39 U.S. Presidents. His estimated year of birth also predates
the release of the Penny Black, the first postage stamp (1840), the building of the first skyscraper
(1885) and the completion of the Eiffel Tower (1887)- the tallest iron structure. Other human
milestones to have taken place in his long life include the first photograph of a person (1838) and
the first powered flight (1903). Now the oldest animal in the world- among terrestrial animals-
Jonathan has outlived the oldest person ever by about 65 years. The greatest authenticated age for
a human is a ‘mere’ 122 years 144 days, achieved by Jeanne Calment (1875- 1997) from France.
3. Although originating from Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, Jonathan has resided on the remote
island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic since 1882. St Helena is perhaps best known for being the
final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte- who was exiled here after his defeat at the Battle of
Waterloo in 1815. The banished Emperor and Jonathan would never have met, though, as the
former died more than six decades prior to the arrival of this record breaking reptile. When
Jonathan was brought to St Helena, he was already fully grown. 4. Based on known data for this
species, that would indicate he was about 50 years of age at the time (hence his estimated birth
year of 1832 to make him the longest lived animal on land). Jonathan was gifted to the
then-governor of the overseas British territory, William Grey- Wilson (in office 1890-97), and he
has lived in the governor’s residence ever since. Jonathan’s home is the manicured lawns of
‘plantation’, a Georgian mansion built by the East India Company in 1791-92. Today he shares the
grounds with three other giant tortoises: David, Emma and Fred.
( Source: Created by Shivani Mehta, Delhi)

21
1. The writer of this piece seems to be: (1)
a) Archaeologist
b) Travel writer
c) Zoologist
d) Philanthropist

2. Match the columns with the word meanings: (2)

Word Meaning

a) Coronation i) Trimmed

b) Monarch ii) Bestowal of a crown

c) Authenticated iii) Hereditary sovereign

d) Manicured iv) Verified

3) Who am I?
With the help of the clues given, identify the person/animal/ place being talked about: (5)
a) The longest lived tortoise owned by a royal family:
b) I have lived to see 39 US Presidents:
c) This island is best known to be the resting place of a French Emperor:
d) A Georgian Mansion built by the East India Company:
e) A tiny island in the Indian Ocean, the birth place of Jonathan:

4. Fill in the blanks to complete the human milestone table: (2)

Year Human Achievement

1840

First skyscraper

1878

First powered flight

5) Complete the notes made by Sasha to help her talk about Jonathan in class: (2)
THE BICENTENNIAL
1. Claim to fame
1.1 is 191 years old
 1.2 __________
1.3 _______________
1.4 _________________
2. Origin and present home
2.1 _________________
2.2 At present resides in St Helena
2.3 _______________________

22
PASSAGE 6

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 Marks)

Every day, we put our trust in computing technology in the financial networks that drive the global
economy, the aircraft control systems that guide thousands of flights safely to their destinations,
the computers that store our documents at work and at home. Yet most people still do not count on
computing the way they rely on electricity or the telephone. Individuals and businesses alike are
concerned about the privacy, security and availability of their data, about upgrading their hardware,
about how new applications might affect their systems. Until these concerns are addressed,
computing‘s potential to enrich our daily lives will not be fully realized

Right now, we are only scratching the surface of what computing technology can do. Already,
networks of smart, connected devices make it possible for us to do business, communicate, learn
and be entertained using everything from full featured PCs to smart, handheld devices. And in the
years ahead, a combination of inexpensive microchips and smart software will weave computing
into almost every part of our lives. The advance of computing technology has in many ways,
tracked the growth of electric power more than a century ago. Manufacturing companies were
among the first to use electricity, mostly to improve the productivity. However, in the home, it
remained a novel luxury. Many people were reluctant to use the new electrical appliances, unsure
of their safety and reliability. By the 1930s, however, technology advanced industry safety
initiatives and gradual public acceptance led to a rapid increase in electricity use in many
countries- the technology was still not fully trustworthy, but it was safe and reliable enough.

Today, the developed world takes electricity for granted. For computers to be taken for granted they
must always be available wherever and whenever people need them, they must reliably protect
personal information from misuse, give people control over how their data is used and they must
be unfailingly secure. We call this concept Trustworthy Computing.

Making Trustworthy Computing a reality is both an immediate challenge and a long-term research
goal. Trustworthy Computing technology is far more advanced and used in vastly different ways
than, it was in the mid-20th century. Yet the way we build computers and the way we largely design
software and services around those computers, has not really changed much.

Answer the following by choosing the correct option:

1. The examples of computing technology that are put to everyday use do not include:

(1) a) Financial network that drive the local economy

b) The aircraft control systems that guide thousands of flights safely
c) The computers that store our documents at work and at home
d) None of the above

2. What can possibly follow the last line of the passage? (1)
 a) Changes that need to be made to make Trustworthy Computing a reality

b) Apologies for the state of affairs and details of research activities that are on

c) The legal hurdles that have, to be overcome to enable wider connectivity

d) None of the above

23
3. The writer draws an analogy between public acceptance of computing technology and (1)

a) industry initiatives

b) manufacturing companies

c) electric power

d) all of the above

4. The author uses the word ‘weave’ in the passage to imply ___________________ (2)

5. What made people apprehensive about using new electrical appliances? (2)

6. How according to the author, can the concept of Trustworthy Computing be made a reality? (2)
7. Trustworthy Computing does not include (1)
a) availability of computers anytime and anywhere
b) securing personal information from misuse
c) controlling usage of others data
d) reliably protecting personal information

8. The word ‘REALIZED’ in the passage, means the same as (1)

a) not wanting
b) accomplished
c) unwilling
d) trustworthy

9. Which of the following comments, is applicable to trustworthy computing in the present scenario?
(1)
A. The key goal of trust worthy computing isn’t to make computing
so safe and reliable that people simply take it for granted.

B. Trust takes years to build, seconds to break and forever to repair

C. Trust comes by earning it and not by expecting it

 D. The continued increase in deceptive tactics is striking…. The
number of computers impacted as a result of deceptive tactics has
more than tripled.

24
PASSAGE 7
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 Marks) A
conservation problem is equally important as that of soil erosion is to loss of soil fertility. Most
agriculture was originally supported by the natural fertility of the soil; and, in areas in which soils
were deep and rich in minerals, farming could be carried on for many years without the return of
any nutrients to the soil other than those supplied through the natural breakdown of plant and
animal wastes. In river basins, such as that of the Nile, annual flooding deposited a rich layer of
silt over the soil, thus restoring its fertility. In areas of active volcanism, such as Hawaii, soil
fertility has been renewed by the periodic deposition of volcanic ash. In other areas, however,
natural fertility has been quickly exhausted. This is true of most forest soils, particularly those in
the humid tropics. Because continued cropping in such areas caused a rapid decline in fertility and
therefore in crop yields, fertility could be restored only by abandoning the areas and allowing the
natural vegetation to return. Over a period of time, the soil surface would be rejuvenated by parent
materials, new circulation channels would form deep in the soil, and the deposition of forest debris
would restore minerals to the top soil. Primitive agriculture in such forests was of shifting nature:
areas were cleared of trees and the woody material burned to add ash to the soil; after a few years
of farming, the plots would be abandoned and new sites cleared. As long as populations were
sparse in relation to the area of forestland, such agriculture methods did little harm. They could
not, however, support dense populations or produce large quantities of surplus food.

Starting with the most easily depleted soils, which were also the easiest to farm, the practice of
using various fertilizers was developed. The earliest fertilizers were organic manures, but later,
larger yields were obtained by adding balanced combinations of those nutrients (e.g. Potassium,
nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium) that crop plants require in greatest quantity. Because high
yields are essential, most modern agriculture depends upon the continued addition of chemical
fertilizers to the soil. Usually, these substances are added in mineral form, but nitrogen is often
added as urea, an organic compound.

Early in agricultural history, it was found that the practice of growing the same crop, year after year
in a particular plot of ground not only caused undesirable changes in the physical structure of the
soil but also drained the soil of its nutrients. The practice of crop rotation was discovered to be a
useful way to maintain the condition of the soil and also to prevent the build- up of those insects
and other plant pests that are attracted
to a particular kind of crop. In rotation systems, a grain crop is grown in the first year, followed by
a leafy vegetable crop in the second year, and the third usually contains legumes as they can restore
nitrogen to the soil through the action of the bacteria that live in nodules of their roots.

In irrigation agriculture, in which water is brought in, to supply the needs of the crops in an area
with insufficient rainfall, a particular soil management problem that develops is the salinization of
the surface soil. This most commonly results from inadequate drainage of the irrigated land;
because the water cannot flow freely, it evaporates and the salts dissolved in the water are left on
the surface of the soil. Even though the water does not contain a large concentration of dissolved
salts, the accumulation over the years can be significant enough to make the soil unsuitable for
crop production. Effective drainage solves the problem; in many cases, drainage canals must be
constructed and drainage tiles must be laid beneath the surface of the soil. Drainage also requires
the availability of an excess of water to flush the salts from the surface of the soil. In certain heavy
soils with poor drainage, this problem can be quite severe, for example large areas of formerly
irrigated land in the Indus Basin, in the Tigris Euphrates region, in the Nile Basin, and in the
Western United States, have been seriously damaged by salinization.

25
1. Natural fertility exhausts most quickly in ------ (1)
(a) river valley lands.
(b) humid tropical forest lands.
(c) volcanic areas.
(d) river basins.

2. The areas most prone to heavy salinization are: _________________ (2)

3. How is crop rotation helpful? (2)

4. Which of the statements is/are not true. (1)
i) Volcanic ash maintains soil fertility.
ii) Annual flooding decreases soil fertility
iii) In forest soils of humid tropics, the fertility decreases with time.
iv) Growing different crops always increases soil fertility. 5. The
best possible solution for salinization is; (1)
a) shifting agriculture
b) crop rotation
c) drainage system which is effective
d) adding manure and fertilizers to the land
6. The best and natural way of supplying Nitrogen to the crop is by: (1)
a) adding urea
b) adding chemical fertilizers
c) planting a pasture crop or legumes
d) adding organic manures
7. Fertility of soil can be restored by (1)
a) abandoning the areas and allowing the natural vegetation to return
b) rejuvenating the soil surface
c) forming new channels deep into the soil
d) all of these

8. Why was primitive agriculture less harmful? (2)

9. The word ‘rejuvenated’ in the passage means: (1)

a) new energy or vigour
b) full of praise
c) accumulated
d) re-organized
 26
PASSAGE 8

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 Marks)

Comfortably enclosed in his Rome hotel room, the tourist switches on the console by his bed, and
dons a special helmet like headset. He had to drop Paris from his tour programme- but that is no
problem. He is about to “take” a personalized tour of the city, walking under the arcade Triomphe,
travelling up by lift to the top of the Eiffel Tower and even boating past Notre Dame on the Seine.
If the fancy takes him, he can even zoom over the cathedral as if in a helicopter. Half an hour later,
he emerges from his helmet-back into the real world of his hotel room.

On board a hunter-killer submarine, the sonar operator is on red alert. An unidentified frigate has
been detected and is closing in. The operator, again wearing special helmet-mounted display
(HMD) and “tactile feedback gloves”, operates the sonar system, tracks the target, and computes a
“firing solution” for his weapon- torpedo. He can also “pull up” his periscope and peer over the
surface at the vessel closing in. His target “destroyed”, the operator removes the helmet, gloves
and returns to the peaceful surroundings of the sub. There is no enemy anywhere around, indeed
no alert of any kind.

The two scenarios-all of them based on fact- are only a few examples where users have been
transported to the new seamless wonder world of virtual reality (VR)-one of the hottest, most
ubiquitous chunk of computer technology. Two seemingly divergent interests- the military and
entertainment industries have been the most enthusiastic devotees of VR- both for very sensible
reasons. Using suitable computer hardware, both are able to put together systems where the user
can enter a 3-dimensional space, where he can be tricked into believing he is someplace else, and
where his eyes, hands-his very brain seems to interact with a new virtual world.

The applications are endless-limited only by one‘s imagination. Today teleconferencing - linking
up individuals in different countries by TV has become old hat. The “in” thing will be
“televirtuality”, where participants on different continents can be brought together and will seem to
hover in mid air in the same room. It will allow two distant parties, for example to edit a document
projected in the air, in front of them, make successive corrections which both can see in real time
and to append their signatures to it.

The Virtual Reality Team of Nottingham University, England, has exploited this new technological
toy for a worthy educational task. Over 150 kids in townall physically challenged spastics- being
trained to associated hand signs with familiar objects, now have the thrill of actually “handling”,
even playing with such objects as balls, balloons and other toys.

27
The entertainment industry has been quick to gallop into the VR arena. Pierce Brosnan and Jennny
Wright appeared in a landmark film, “The Lawnmower Man”, where the audience was made to
share their experience as they entered a virtual world. Plenty of special effects wizardry was
expended in the process.

These products for the geeky minded will inevitably proliferate, but this does not diminish the
more serious applications. And none are more serious than defence technologists in the least half a
dozen countries, for whom VR spells quantum jump in the realism of simulation. The cost of
weapon systems and munitions has soared so rapidly that any simulator based on costly and
hitherto esoteric technology like VR will always be cost effective.

Not surprisingly, the U.S. Congress has recently approved $500 millions in the military research
budget for projects, in just two fields- massively parallel programming and VR. And all three
service wings have been swift to draw up plans to exploit the technology. Advanced technology
submarine warfare displays for the navy; visually coupled aircraft systems simulators for the Air
Force and for the Army, VR backed trainers, where the operator can fire a surface-to-air missile or
drive a main battle tank across rough terrain in the teeth of enemy fire.

Perhaps it will now be time enough to worry over something that is already bothering the medical
profession in the west: going where no man has gone before, software and hardware-wise may be
fine: what happens to the “wetware” – the human brain-and are there any long term damages to the
human user if he douses himself regularly in the unreal pleasures of VR?

1. What according to the author is the “in” thing about televirtuality? (2)

2. Virtual Reality is useful in training the spastic children in (1)

a) touching, feeling and playing with the toys
b) learning to read and write
c) helps them not to forget that they are spastics
d) none of the above

3. Virtual Reality is a blessing to the defence technologists because (1)

a) it helps in training the defence personnel
b) it‘s cheaper and safe
c) it is non destructive
d) all the above

28
4. Man had not yet completely explored (1)
a) software
b) hardware
c) wetware
d) all of the above

5. Read the passage carefully and choose the incorrect statement(s) (1)

i. Virtual Reality applications are unlimited

ii. Tele Virtuality helps in bringing people closer physically in real time. iii.

Virtual Reality is a trick played on people making them believe it’s all true.

iv. Medical professionals have proved that the human brain would be damaged with the use of
Virtual Reality

a) i, iii and iv b) ii and iv c) i and iii d) i, ii and iv

6. What may be the possible damages caused to the ‘wetware’ if one douses in the pleasures of
VR? (2)

7. “The military and entertainment industries have been the most enthusiastic devotees of VR
both for very sensible reasons”. How? (2)

8. The word ‘ubiquitous’ in the passage means (1)

a) omnipotent

b) omniscient

c) omnipresent

d) chronologica

9. Entertainment industry has been using Virtual Reality for (1)

a) special effects

b) 3D effects

c) magic and wizardry

d) all the above

29
PASSAGE 9

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 Marks)

Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantelpiece and his hypodermic syringe
from its neat morocco case. With his long, white, nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle,
 and rolled back his left shirt-cuff. For some little time his eyes rested thoughtfully upon the sinewy
forearm and wrist all dotted and scarred with innumerable puncture-marks. Finally he thrust the
sharp point home, pressed down the tiny piston, and sank back into the velvet-lined armchair with
a long sigh of satisfaction.

Three times a day for many months I had witnessed this performance, but custom had not
reconciled my mind to it. On the contrary, from day to day I had become more irritable at the sight,
and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to
protest. Again and again I had registered a vow that I should deliver my soul upon the subject, but
there was that in the cool, nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with
whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty. His great powers, his masterly
manner, and the experience which I had had of his many extraordinary qualities, all made me
diffident and backward in crossing him.
Yet upon that afternoon, whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch, or the
additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner, I suddenly felt that I
could hold out no longer. “Which is it to-day?” I asked,”-morphine or cocaine?”

He raised his eyes languidly from the old black letter volume which he had opened. “It is
cocaine”, he said,— “a seven-per-cent solution. Would you are to try it?

“No, indeed,” I answered, brusquely. “My constitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet. I
cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon it.” He smiled at my vehemence. “Perhaps you are
right, Watson,” he said. “I suppose that its influence is physically a bad one. I find it, however, so
transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the mind that its secondary action is a matter of small
moment.”

“But consider!” I said, earnestly. “Count the cost! Your brain may, as you say, be roused and
excited, but it is a pathological and morbid process, which involves increased tissue-change and
may at last leave a permanent weakness. Surely the game is hardly worth the candle. Why should
you, for a mere passing pleasure, risk the loss of those great powers with which you have been
endowed? Remember that I speak not only as one comrade to another, but as a medical man to one
for whose constitution he is to some extent answerable.”

He did not seem offended. “My mind,” he said, “rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me
work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own
proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants.”

Source: The Sign of the Four

1. What could be the cause of “innumerable puncture marks” on Holmes‘forearm? (1) a) He was
suffering from a disease
b) He had a tattoo on his arm
c) He was injecting a drug daily
d) Nothing is clearly mentioned

30
2. What do you understand about the narrator‘s response to what he saw for many months? (1)
a ) he was not interested
b) he was annoyed
c) he was pleased
d) he was confused
3. What can we understand about the personality of the narrator‘s companion? He was (1)
a) arousing wonder & respect

b) easy going

c) quarrelsome

d) fun loving

4. ‘The game is hardly worth the candle‘means (1)

a) do not play games with a candle

b) the risk is more than the pleasure

c) I agree with our view

d) Cocaine is costlier than a candle

5. What is the profession of Watson? (1)

a) Writer

b) detective

c) engineer

d) doctor

6. Why did Watson refuse to take cocaine? (2)

7. What is ‘a pathological and morbid process’ according to Watson? How does it affect human
brain? (2)

8. How does Sherlock Holmes react to Watson’s advice? (2)

9. Match the words in column A with their meanings in column B given blow: (1)

A Conscience

B Vehemence

C Nonchalance

D Diffidence

31

B
1 Forceful expression

2 Lack of confidence
 3 Knowing good and bad

4 Cool indifference

PASSAGE 10

Q.5. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 Marks)

Speaking of the best diets, we must first distinguish between the earlier food consumption habits of
India and the way these have changed now. We should actually celebrate how our food
consumption habits used to be – India‘s dietary patterns have shown that food was connected to
the local eco system. It was ecologically diverse – every part of India celebrated its biodiversity
through its food culture. The traditional Indian food habit was possibly the most bio diverse diet of
the world. Of course, other diets were similar before they were turned into monoculture diets
where everyone eats, rice, wheat and a hamburger. But Indian diets were truly remarkable in how
they optimized biodiversity and local ecologies. Individual health, local foods and seasonal
factors all came together in our diet. This was intuitive in terms of what works for you because of
the environment in which you live. And it was intuitive about your local ecology and the plants and
foods grown around you.

The indigenous Indian diet understood that food, built into your day-to-day lives, is one of the most
powerful forms of medicine we have. But these systems of belief and practice were disrupted by
force of the market. From being a medicine which strengthened us, food has become a marketable
commodity now. What you eat at home or learn from your local cuisine is changing because now
you are designing your diet based on aspiration, based on what others eat, on what is supposed to
be modern and what is easily available – this transmutation is happening because of the power of
markets, food companies and food commodification.

Once you were taught about hot foods, cold foods and foods you must eat seasonally. Now, of
course, there is nothing called a season because you can get the same food across the whole year.
But there was a scientific reason to eat something in a particular season – this was for the goodness
food gave you at that time of year. You don‘t eat dry fruits in summer, for instance. These are
traditionally eaten in winter because of the warmth they give you in colder months.

This science of food, interwoven into the art of diet, is something we grew up with. But we are
discounting such indigenous knowledge now because of the signals we get from the outside world,
which teaches you that food must be packaged, it must look good (even though it may not be good
for you) and it must be addictive.

Food has also come to mean overindulgence – the meat industry now produces unbelievable
amounts and does so using a number of chemicals and destroying vast forests. Further, people are
now eating so much meat, it is seriously damaging their health. Both our bodies and our
environment need us to return to indigenous diets and plant base choices, which are much healthier
for us. These will empower us to feed more people from a less degraded earth.

Source – Times of India, 09 Jan 2021

32
1. Food consumption habits in India over the years (1)
a) have changed for the better
b) have changed for the worse
c) have changed without any impact
d) have changed very little
2. The one important feature of food consumption habits in the past was that they (1)

a) were consistent with biodiversity

b) were cheap but not nutritious

c) included many processed food items

d) had a high meat content

3. Which of the following features is absent in Indian diets? (1)

a) individual factors

b) local foods

c) seasonal factors
d) high consumption of processed foods

4. Original indigenous Indian diet had (1)

a) a delicious taste

b) fried items

c) a medicinal effect

d)mostly boiled items

5. One major factor that considerably changed the food consumption habits is (1) a) scientific

development

b) force of market

c) western influence

d) change of public taste

6. What is the significance of ‘The Indigenous Indian Diet’? (2)

7. How does India celebrate its biodiversity through its food culture? (2)

33
8. “Food has become a marketable commodity now.” Do you agree? Why /Why not? (2)

9. Effect of seasons on our food consumption habits is nullified as (1)

a) climatic pattern has been disturbed

b) most items are available throughout the year
c) good rains produce good crops
d) drought conditions prevail in some parts

ANSWER KEY

PASSAGE 1

Q.1. Ans: iii) curiosity

Q.2. Ans: iv) Software program that allow parents to access the child’s tech and keep a check on
their usage
Q.3. Ans: ii) Technology encourages more communication between parents and students.
Q.4. Ans: iv) allow them to work on a lesson beyond their curriculum
Q.5. Ans: iv) emotional
Q.6. Ans: i) someone who give someone help or advice related to something Q.7. Ans: iv) it
gives them a chance to push harder for themselves and their education Q.8. Ans: iv) She has a
low threshold of boredom and need the constant ________ of physical activity.
Q.9. Ans: Instructional
Q10. Ans: i) immerse

PASSAGE 2
Q.1. Ans: d) 1.iv, 2.vi, 3.i, 4.iii, 5.ii
Q.2. Ans : (d) 1.iv, 2.iii, 3.ii, 4.i
Q.3. Ans: b) iv, vi, i, vii, ii
Q.4 Ans: a)shrub vegetation, b) nesting sites, c) use of pesticides, d) initiative, e) provision
Q.5. Ans: i) it is the need of the hour and
ii) to raise awareness about house sparrows and other common birds affected by the environment.
Q.6. Ans: It is ironical, that despite the house sparrow being Delhi’s state bird is today, a rare
species in the capital.
Q.7. d) Advocates for the protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife.
Q.8. Ans: c) Sparrows are often found perching on mobile towers
Q.9. Ans: a) the advent of mobile telephony and the corresponding erection of mobile towers any
and everywhere.
b) Excessive use of pesticides in agriculture.
Q.10. Ans: (d) image iv

34
PASSAGE 3
1) C) are not owned by anyone
2) The ghost nets are the reason the marine life is frequently sick. If not addressed, this ‘health
issue’ would soon be chronic.
3) i) entangle and cause injuries.
ii) entangle and prevent resurfacing, leading to death by drowning.
4) B) monumental
5) C) Most ghost nets provide nutrition to marine animals upon disintegration. 6) Used to be
bio-degradable/ easily disintegrated, as compared to artificial fibre nets that do not disintegrate.
7) Commitment – This task will require perseverance/ a long time to accomplish Innovation
Creative ideas and strategies would be needed to address this problem
8) Draw attention to the magnitude of the problem
Indicate that governments need to collaborate with such groups for addressing the problem of
ghost nets (Any 1 or similar)
9) A). practical
10) C) Ghost Nets- A Menace to Marine Life

PASSAGE 4
1. d) at the age of 8
2. b) determination
3. c) none of the above
4. a) fast on his feet, instinct for where the rival would hit his next shot.
b) he realized that he had the potential to be the best tennis player in the world.
c) the fear of defeat was what troubled him.

d) His assessment of his opponent that he was not quite as hungry as last year helped him to win
the match.
e) he worked his utmost to be the no. 1, but he felt it like the peak of a mountain with icy wind
blowing around his head.
f) he was a great tennis player. He was hardworking, determined and optimistic. He had the art of
overcoming pressure.
5) a) potential
b) incredible

35
PASSAGE 5
1. C. Zoologist
2. a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i
3. a. Tu’iMalila
b. Jonathan
c. St Helena
d. Plantation
e. Seychelles
4. 1840- Penny Black, First Postage Stamp
1885- the first skyscraper
1878- first incandescent light bulb
 1903- first powered flight
5) 1.2 one year away from the title of oldest Chelonoian
1.3 has lived through two world wars
1.4 outlived the oldest person by 65 years
2.1 originating from Seychelles
2.3 home is a Georgian Mansion

PASSAGE 6
1. a) Financial network that drive the local economy (1)
2. a) Changes that need to be made to make Trustworthy Computing a reality (1)
3. c) electric power (1)
4. a smooth blend of technology with our daily lives. (2)
5. Many people were reluctant to use the new electrical appliances, unsure of their safety and
reliability. (2)
6. Trustworthy computing can be made a reality when computers can be taken for granted, they
must always be available wherever and whenever people need them, they must reliably protect
personal information from misuse, give people control over how their data is used and they must
be unfailingly secure.(2)
7. d) reliably protecting personal information (1)
8. b) accomplished (1)
9. D. The continued increase in deceptive tactics is striking…. The number of computers
impacted as a result of deceptive tactics has more than tripled (1)

36
PASSAGE 7
1. (b) humid tropical forest lands. (1)
2. (d) poor drainage system in heavy soils. (1)
3. ii) preserve soil condition iii) desalinize the soil iv) destroy pests (2)
4. d) ii and iv (1)
5. c) drainage system which is effective (1)
6. d) adding organic manures (1)
7. abandoning the areas and allowing the natural vegetation to return. (2)
8. Primitive agriculture in such forests was of shifting nature: areas were cleared of trees and the
woody material burned to add ash to the soil; after a few years of farming, the plots would be
abandoned and new sites cleared. As long as populations were sparse in relation to the area of
forestland, such agriculture methods did little harm. (2)
9. a) new energy or vigour (1)

PASSAGE 8

1. Today teleconferencing - linking up individuals in different countries by TV has become old hat.
The “in” thing will be “televirtuality”, where participants on different continents can be brought
together and will seem to hover in mid air in the same room. (2)
2. a) touching, feeling and playing with the toys (1)
3. d) all the above (1)
4. c) wetware (1)
5. b) ii and iv (1)
6. “wetware” – the human brain-and are there any long term damages to the human user if he
douses himself regularly in the unreal pleasures of VR. (2)
7. Two seemingly divergent interests- the military and entertainment industries have been the most
enthusiastic devotees of VR- both for very sensible reasons. Using suitable computer hardware,
both are able to put together systems where the user can enter a 3-dimensional space.(2) 8. c)
omnipresent (1)
9. d) all the above (1)

PASSAGE 9

1. c) He was injecting a drug daily

2. b) he was annoyed
3. a) arousing wonder & respect
37
4. b) the risk is more than the pleasure
5. d) doctor
6. As he was not in the best of health
7. One’s brain may be roused and excited, but it is a pathological and morbid process, which
involves increased tissue-change and may at last leave a permanent weakness. 8. He admits that its
influence is physically a bad one and adds,” Give me problems, give me work, give me the most
abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can
dispense then with artificial stimulants.”
9. A-3 B – 1 C – 4 D – 2

PASSAGE 10
1.b) have changed for the worse
2.a) were consistent with biodiversity
3.d) high consumption of processed foods
4.c) a medicinal effect
5.b) force of market
6. The indigenous Indian diet understood that food, built into your day-to-day lives, is one of the
most powerful forms of medicine we have.
7. Every part of India celebrated its biodiversity through its food culture. The traditional Indian
food habit was possibly the most bio diverse diet of the world. Indian diets were truly remarkable
in how they optimized biodiversity and local ecologies. Individual health, local foods and seasonal
factors all came together in our diet.
8. Yes. From being a medicine which strengthened us, food has become a marketable commodity
now. What you eat at home or learn from your local cuisine is changing because now you are
designing your
diet based on aspiration, based on what others eat, on what is supposed to be modern and what is
easily available. The outside world teaches us that food must be packaged, it must look good and it
must be addictive.
9. b) most items are available throughout the year.

38
CASE BASED PASSAGES
PASSAGE 1 (Solved)

I. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

(1)The Royal Bengal Tiger is the largest, fiercest, and most powerful member of the Big Cat
family in India. Royal Bengal Tigers, also known as Indian Tiger and Bengal Tiger, constitute
a large population of the tiger family in the world. It is the National Animal of India and is
found mostly in India, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Burma.
(2) The biological name of this Big Cat is Panthera Tigris, which comes under the Felidae
family under the Mammalia category.
(3) No two Bengal tigers look alike! Every Bengal Tiger has a unique stripe pattern. Their
colour ranges from yellow to light orange, with stripes from dark brown to black. Some of the
Bengal Tigers are white in colour. The tail is orange in colour with black rings. Unlike the
other white tigers that have blue eyes, Bengal tigers have yellow irises. They live for 10 to 15
years. (4) Being fierce in nature, Royal Bengal Tigers are not very friendly in nature and live a
 solitary life, except in the winters when they can be seen in a group of 3 or 4. Bengal tigers are
fast runners and good swimmers. Tigers attack their prey in a stealth mode. They are usually
spotted in swamps, mangroves, and grasslands.
(5) Royal Bengal Tigers have very sharp memories; they never forget the faces. Their memory
is sharper than that of humans and other animals.
(6) We can find the largest population of Royal Bengal Tigers in India. As per the latest tiger
census report for 2017, there are 3,786 Royal Bengal tigers in India. India has more than 75%
of the total tiger population in the world. Along with India, neighbouring countries to India
hold a somewhat decent population of the Royal Bengal Tiger in the world. The latest census
of the tigers in India and neighbouring countries is shown in the table.

S.No Name of Country Minimum Maximum

1 Bangladesh 300 460

2 Bhutan 80 460

3 China 30 35

4 India 2500 3800

5 Nepal 150 250

39
(7) To know about the latest tiger population is always the government’s concern, as they want to
save this majestic animal from getting extinct. India has lost 97% of its Royal Bengal Tiger
population in the last century. The main reasons are hunting, poaching, urbanization, habitat loss and
illegal wildlife trade. Poaching means to illegally trade the tiger made products like tiger skins, tiger
made jewellery, etc. These skin and jewellery are sold for millions in the international market.
Poaching has reduced the number of tigers to just 3,800 from 1,00,000 in the starting of the 20th
century. (Bigcatsindia.com)

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions.

i. The Royal Bengal Tigers called the largest, fiercest, and powerful members of the Big Cat family,
because----
---- (1)

a) they have the largest population among all big cats

b) they have unique stripe patterns
c) of their size, strength, and aggressive nature
d) they are the national animal of India

ii. What distinguishes Bengal Tigers' appearance from other tigers? (1) a) their white
coloration with blue eyes
b) yellow irises and a unique stripe pattern
c) The black tail with orange rings
 d) the smaller body size compared to other tigers

iii. From the given pictorial representation, choose the option that correctly states the approximate
percentage of total tigers in the world which are found in
India. (1)
iv. What are the reasons for reduction in the population of the Tigers? (2)
v. In which habitats are Royal Bengal Tigers typically found? (1)

vi. Which pair of countries has approximately same number of maximum tigers? (1)

(A) Nepal and Bangladesh

(B) Bhutan and Bangladesh
(C) China and Nepal
(D) Bangladesh and India

vii. What is the significance of tiger conservation efforts in India? (2)

viii. State TRUE or FALSE: (1)

The Royal Bengal Tiger population in India has increased significantly over the last century.

40
PASSAGE 2

II. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow
Rural India faces serious shortages of power, water, health facilities, roads, etc. these are
known and recognised. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is
barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The
backbone of the rural economy is agriculture which also provides sustenance to over half the
country's population. The green revolution of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific
work in various agricultural research Institutions. While some fault the green revolution for
excessive exploitation of water and land resources through the overuse of fertilizers, it did
bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country. In rural India
today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and technology (which
derives from science and manifests itself in physical form). The scope to apply technology to
both farm and nonfarm activities in rural areas is huge, as are the potential benefits.

In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are on demonstration farms, where science and
technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce the power consumption of pumps
are vital unfortunately; their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or largely
subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize water use through technology or
otherwise water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land), given the water
rates. Post harvest technologies for processing and adding value could greatly enhance rural
employment and incomes, but at present the deployment of technology is marginal. Cold
storage and cold chains for transportation to market are of great importance for many
agricultural products particularly, fruits and vegetables but are non-existent. These are clearly
technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all the farmer, the end
 consumer and the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding
back investments. Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as
domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost. In a
decentralized manner. However this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with
emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies.

Reliable and low cost means of transporting goods and people are an essential need for rural
areas. The bullock cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely, technology
can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution. Information related to commodity
prices, agricultural practices, weather etc. is crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide
these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology however the challenge of ensuring
connectivity remains. Thus there is a pressing need for technology as current economic growth
though skewed and iniquitous has created an economically attractive market in rural India.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions.

i. How can we infer that regulatory and structural barriers hinder the deployment of technology in
rural India? (2)

ii. Why are technologies that reduce power consumption of pumps not widely used in rural India?
(1) a) Lack of knowledge about their existence
b) High cost of implementation
c) Limited availability of technology in rural areas
d) Free or subsidized agricultural power

41
iii. State ONE potential benefits of applying technology to both farm and nonfarm activities in rural
areas? (1)

iv. What is the main challenge in providing information to farmers through mobile phones in rural
India? (1)

a) Lack of mobile phone technology

b) High cost of mobile phones
c) Regulatory and structural barriers
d) Limited access to
commodity prices

v. What is one technology that is currently non-existent in rural India but is of great importance for
transporting agricultural products? (1) (a) Cold storage and cold chains
(b) Mobile phones for information dissemination
(c) Power-saving pumps for irrigation
(d) Tractor-trailers for transportation

vi. Why is reliable and low-cost power crucial for rural areas in India? (Any two reasons) (2) vii. It is
challenging to provide information to farmers through mobile phones in rural India because -

(1)
viii. STATE TRUE OR FALSE: (1)
Postharvest technologies for processing and adding value are currently deployed extensively in rural
India, enhancing rural employment and incomes.

PASSAGE 3
III. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

1.The idea that coffee is bad for the heart pops up periodically. It was found that regularly
drinking very strong coffee could sharply increase cholesterol levels. Researchers even isolated
fatlike chemicals, cafestol and kahweol, responsible for the rise.
2. It turned out that the European brewing method—boiling water sits on the coffee grounds
for several minutes before straining – produces high concentrations of cafestol and kahweol.
By contrast, the filter and percolation methods remove all but a trace of these chemicals.
Moreover, the studies involved large amounts of coffee—five to six cups a day. Moderate
coffee drinkers down only two cups. Research has also shown that regular, moderate coffee
drinking does not dangerously raise blood pressure. And studies have failed to substantiate
fears that coffee might trigger abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) in healthy people.

3.“For heart disease, I think the issue is closed,” says Meir Stampfer, an epidemiologist at
Harvard who has studied many aspects of coffee and health. “Coffee drinking at reasonable
levels is unrelated to heart risk.”

4. Evidence suggests that coffee may help fend off Parkinson’s disease. A 30-year study of
8000 Japanese- American men found that avid coffee drinkers had one-fifth the risk of those
who didn’t drink the brew.

42
5. Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital, USA, found indirect evidence that Caffeine the
habit forming stimulant in coffee – may actually combat Parkinson’s disease. The caffeine
seemed to protect mice brain cells from depletion of the nerve chemical dopamine – the
problem underlying Parkinson’s disease in humans. However, these are preliminary findings;
human studies have- not consistently supported caffeine’s protective role.

6. The studies on coffee and cancer have focussed on three organs – which is reassuring. You
may remember a brief coffee scare in the early 1980s when a single study linked coffee with
pancreatic cancer. A false alarm: Many studies since then have shown that the association is
either extremely weak or non-existent.

7. If there’s a connection between coffee and bladder cancer, it may apply just to coffee
junkies. A reanalysis of ten European studies found an increased risk only among people who
drank ten or more cups a day. And studies show that coffee seems to have no adverse
influence on the risk of colon cancer.

8. Caffeine is such a powerful stimulant that the International Olympic Committee and the
National Collegiate Athletic Association set limits on how much can remain in the blood
during competition. In addition to boosting physical endurance, caffeine increases alertness
and improves mood. The buzz may come at a price, though. People who drink more than
they’re used to may become restless and unable to sleep. Moreover, it’s possible to become
physically dependent on caffeine within days.

9. The question now arises: how much to drink? Those with heartburn and anxiety may want to
see if cutting back coffee improves their condition. For most people, however, there’s virtually
no risk in consuming up to three normal cups a day. Harvard’s Stampfer tries to keep his coffee
drinking irregular enough to avoid habituation: “That way, I can get a buzz when I feel like
it.”(cbsetuts.com)
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions:

i. What can be inferred from the passage about the relationship between coffee drinking
and heart disease risk? (2)

ii. According to the passage, which disease did avid coffee drinkers have a lower risk of?
(1) a) Parkinson's disease
b) Heart disease
c) Pancreatic cancer
d) Bladder cancer

iii. What is the potential health risks associated with drinking very strong coffee? (1)

iv. What do studies suggest about the effect of moderate coffee drinking on blood pressure? (1)
a) It dangerously raises blood pressure.
b) It has no effect on blood pressure.
c) It lowers blood pressure.
d) It varies depending on the individual.

43
v. What does the 30-year study of Japanese-American men suggest about coffee and Parkinson's
disease? (1) a) Coffee drinkers have a higher risk of Parkinson's disease.
b) Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of Parkinson's disease.
c) Coffee has no effect on the risk of Parkinson's disease.
d) The study did not provide conclusive results.

vi. How does the European brewing method differ from the filter and percolation methods in
terms of cafestol and kahweol content? (2)

vii. Meir Stampfer, an epidemiologist at Harvard opines that . (1)

viii. STATE TRUE OR FALSE: (1)

The International Olympic Committee and the National Collegiate Athletic Association have set
limits on caffeine consumption due to its potential performance-enhancing effects.

CASE – BASED PASSAGES: (UNSOLVED)

PASSAGE 4

I. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Over the last decade, there has been a tremendous shift in the way Indians have been
purchasing and consuming food. Moreover, these trends are quickly moulding the dietary
patterns and food habits of a large number of Indians. This can be attributed to intersecting
demographic and socio-economic drivers such as rising population, urbanisation, increasing
disposable income, changing lifestyles, cross-cultural influences and heightened exposure to
social media platforms.
 With an expected population growth of 273 million in the next twenty years, India is poised to
be home to 1.64 billion people. Middle class households, which drive close to 75% of
consumer spending, are expected to increase from the current 50% to 80% by 2030. The
average Indian household spent 33.2% of the total household budget on food in 2005. This is
expected to reach 35.3% in 2025.

Growing wages, leading to more disposable income, are enabling Indians to afford more than
basic staples. Traditionally a carb-loving country, India has been leaning more towards meat
and protein-rich diets. In fact, meat and poultry is projected to account for 30.7% of the total
food spending by 2025, with bread, rich and cereals accounting for 23.8% and fruits
accounting for 16% by 2025, meat, poultry and fruits will constitute nearly 50% of the total
spending on food. This number was at 20% in 2005.
Put in terms of calorie intake, Indian diets are transitioning from staple foods, such as coarse
cereals, to vegetable- and animal – based proteins. They are projected to further diversify
nutritionally and include healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants in their diet. This apparent when
one looks at India’s average per capita daily protein consumption. Though India is still below
the world average, the protein intake has increased from the 55.3 grams to 63 grams over the

44
last 15 years.
The adoption of online grocery delivery due to increased focus on health aspects and reliance
on in - home cooking has increased, with the growth skewed more towards fresh food items.
The Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of fresh food has grown by 144% during the first half
of 2020, while staples and Fast- moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) have shown 85% and 62%
growth, respectively.
Indian consumers are more mindful of what they eat now. Apart from localized palette
preferences, Indian consumers are also considering health quotient of what is on their plates,
their sourcing, as well as their impact on the environment. (Adapted excerpt from Future of
Food: Innovation in managing demand and supply disruptions, by Deloitte and CII)

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions.

i. How has Indian diets transitioned in terms of protein consumption? (2)
ii. How has India's average per capita daily protein consumption changed over the last 15 years?
(1)
iii. What kind of diversification in eating habits is expected in the near future? (1)

iv. What factors do the Indian consumers consider when it comes to their food choices? (1)
a) Only localized palette preferences
b) Only health quotient
c) Only sourcing
d) Health quotient, sourcing, and impact on the environment

v. What is one of the main drivers contributing to the shift in food consumption patterns in
India? (1)
a) Rising population
 b) Decreasing disposable income
c) Decreasing urbanization
d) Decreasing exposure to social media platforms

vi. What percentage of consumer spending in India is driven by middle-class households, and how
is it expected to change by 2030? (2)

vii. Cite one reason behind the shift in Indian dietary pattern. (1)

viii. State TRUE or FALSE: (1)

Indian consumers are only considering their localized palette preferences when it comes to their
food choices.

45
PASSAGE 5 (Unsolved)

II. Read the passage given below. (10 Marks)

a. The future of food is unequivocally digital, and the future of digital is inevitably AI (Artificial
Intelligence), research from IT FOR Change had noted in a 2019 paper discussing new
technologies in agriculture.
b. The country, which already accounts for 18% of the global population, has the pressure of
feeding that many mouths. According to PMSTIAC, “AI expenditure in India is projected to
grow with a CAGR of 39% during 2019-2025 to touch $11.781 million by 2025.
c. The Centre puts the value of the Indian Agri-tech market at an estimated $204 million. Prof. A.K
Sood, Principal Advisor to the Government, told TOI: “Private and public institutions must
collaborate.”
d. Output yield estimates and price forecasts will help farmers obtain maximum profits. AI sensors
can detect weed affected areas to precisely spray herbicides preventing their over and under-use. e.
Predictive insights such as timing for sowing for maximum productivity can help farmers reduce
impact by weather. Early warnings for droughts in multiple vernacular languages can be done.
f. AI- driven robots can be used to harvest huge volumes faster; be trained on data for specific crop
variety; weather conditions & location, taking into consideration by products to reduce wastage. g.
Pointing out that AI cloud computing, satellite imagery and advanced analytics have created an
ecosystem for smart Agriculture, Manoranjan Mohanty, Scientist G/advisor to the government
said, “Agriculture AI applications can communicate dates, fertilization based on soil tests, seed
treatment, diagnose pest/soil defects and nutrient deficiency etc.”
h. Despite all the merits, Risk-aversion and resistance to change, lack of trust in technology and
insufficient support of universities and academics in digital agriculture are some of the challenges
of an AI Rollout. Data rights regime, lack of enforcement of data regulations, transparency too
needs upgrade. Language barrier, high illiteracy rates, lack of awareness regarding return on
investment in AI systems, lack of formal/ informal education in data engineering and
infrastructure, are some of the other challenges. Poor internet connectivity, limited access to
cloud-hosted data, erratic electric supply are some of the connectivity issues hampering this
revolution.(www.timesof india.com)

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions.

i. Does the following statement agree with the information given in bar graph? How? (2)

Estimates show that by 2030, demand for pulses, cereals, rice, eggs, fruits vegetables and milk
will be more than twice of what it was in 2000.

ii. “Agriculture AI applications can communicate dates,…” (para-7) (1) By ‘dates’,

Monaoranjan Mohanty here means the right time of . (A) rains

(B) sowing of seeds

(C) using the Internet

(d) soil-treatment
46
iii. “India assumes significant importance in terms of acreage of key food-grains…” (1)
On the positive side, we can conclude from the above observation that:

A. India has huge potential for production of food grains

B. India’s production of food-grains is grossly low
C. India has self-sufficiency in food-grains
D. None of the above

iv. 1. “0.9% of large farmers cultivate 9% of the land.” (1) 2. 86% of the farmers are small
who cultivate 47% of the arable land

On the basis of the above two statistics, it’s clear that:

A. Most of the farmers in India are rich and afluent
B. Many farmers are poor with small land holdings
C. Many farmers use AI technology
D. Some farmers exploit other farmers

v. Mention a good use of AI sensors. (1) vi. How can AI can help reduce the wastage of crops? (2)

vii. Harvesting of crops can be done faster with the help of: (1) A. Data Engineering
B. High speed internet
C. AI-driven robots
D. Right use of pesticides

viii.“Risk-aversion and resistance to change” (para-8) in the passage means, farmers are: (1)
A. Afraid of losing their crops
B. Unwilling to obtain higher crop yields
C. Scared of investing money in new technology
D. Happy earning benefits through traditional methods of farming

PASSAGE 6 (Unsolved)
I. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Human Development Index (HDI) is an index that measures the key dimensions of human
development in any country, city or state. The HDI was created to emphasise that people and
their capabilities should be the ultimate criteria for assessing the development of a country, not
economic growth alone. The human Development Index (HDI) is a summary measure of
average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being
knowledgeable and having a decent standard of living.
The health dimension is assessed by life expectancy at birth, the education dimension is
measured by mean of years of schooling for adults aged 25 years and more, and expected years
of schooling for children of school entering age. The standard of living dimensions is measured
by gross national income per capita.

47
The HDI simplifies and captures only part of what human development entails. It does not
reflect on inequalities, poverty, human security, empowerment, etc.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development
network, which works for change and connects countries to scientific and technical knowledge,
experience and resources to help people enjoy a better quality of life. Every year, the UNDP
publishes a Human Development Report where it compares the different countries based on the
general health, education and per capita income among the citizens.
Let’s take a look at the UNDP Human Development Report of 2019 and see how India fared
compared to its neighbouring countries.
Country Gross National Life Mean Schooling HDI
Income per Expectancy Years of People Rank
capita (2018) at Birth Aged 25 and (2017)
(2018 Above (2018)

India 6,829 69.4 6.5 129

Pakistan 5,190 67.1 5.2 151
Sri Lanka 11,611 76.8 11.1 72
Banglade 4,057 72.3 6.1 136
sh Nepal 2,748 70.5 4.9 148
Myanmar 5,764 66.9 5.0 146

Data of Human Development, 2019 of South Asian Countries

For a country with so many resources and a well-prospering economy, the level of human
development is quite low. In 2013, India’s Human Development Index value was 0.552, lying
in the medium human development category. Over time, India has demonstrated promising
signs of improvement. Between 1980 to 2013, India’s HDI value went up from 0.345 to 0.552,
an increase of 61% and an average annual increase of 1.5%. This means that the country is
taking the right steps to tackle poor human development, but it is a very slow rate.

For a country with so many resources and a well-prospering economy, the level of human
development is quite low. In 2013, India’s Human Development Index value was 0.552, lying
in the medium human development category. Over time, India has demonstrated promising
signs of improvement. Between 1980 to 2013, India’s HDI value went up from 0.345 to 0.552,
 an increase of 61% and an average annual increase of 1.5%. This means that the country is
taking the right steps to tackle poor human development, but it is a very slow rate.
India’s Human development Indices

This graph shows how India’s HDI has improved over time, along with how the individual
component indices have as well. It is encouraging to see that India has consistently been
improving in all areas of human development. Health by far is India’s greatest strength, while
levels of education and income are lagging
behind quite largely. This means that the government needs to direct its attention towards
improving levels of individuals income and education more profoundly due to their low
quantities. (United Nations Human Development Reports: https://hdr.undp.org/data
center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)

48
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions.

(i) What can be inferred of India's increase in HDI from 1980 to 2013? (2)

(ii) Which of the following statements is supported by the information provided? (1)
a) The HDI only considers economic growth as a measure of human development. b)
India's HDI value in 2013 was higher than the global average.
c) India has shown consistent improvement in its human development over time.
d) The UNDP's Human Development Report focuses solely on education.

(iii) Why the HDI is considered a summary measure of human development and not a
comprehensive indicator. (1)

(iv) Which aspect is NOT reflected by the HDI? (1)

a) Inequalities.
b) Poverty.
c) Human security.
d) Empowerment.

(v) Based on the information provided, which country category did India fall into in 2013?
(1) a) Very high human development.
b) High human development.
c)Medium human development.

d) Low human development.

(vi) Explain the role of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in promoting
human

(vii) India's HDI value increased by an average of 1.5% per year during the period 1980 to
2013, indicating that __________________________________________________. (1)

(viii) The HDI reflects inequalities, poverty, human security, and empowerment. (1)
 49
PASSAGE-7 (Unsolved)

IV. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

(1) Andy Dehart is a shark expert and TV presenter who lives in the United States of America. He
has had a lifelong interest in sharks and is always trying to look for ways to educate the public
about them. Many people think that sharks have little or no intelligence, but Andy points out that
recent study have shown that many shark species possess powerful problem-solving abilities and
social skills. “Sharks do not want to attack humans,” he asserts. “There is no shark species that
eats humans as part of its regular diet. In most shark attack cases, the shark leaves after realising
that it has mistakenly bitten a human and not its intended prey.”

(2) In Andy’s opinion, all shark fishing should be stopped until the shark populations have had
time to grow gain. We then need to do a better job of managing the fishing of sharks. However,
even if the direct fishing of sharks is stopped, many will still be killed when they are caught up in
the nets of boats fishing for other species of fish.
(3)When Andy was a boy, his father worked for a national oceanic organisation, and Andy
travelled with him all over the Caribbean. He grew up by the coast and he has been connected
with the sea for as long as he can remember. He also lived near one of the best aquariums in
America. Andy then went on to build a career working with sharks in an aquarium
environment. More recently, he has been involved with television and the making of
programmes about the sharks.
4) Andy and his wife had their first child two years ago. They were amused and amazed to see
to what extent their work with animals has proved to be useful in bringing up their daughter.
They know how to observe her behaviour and teach her how to do things by rewarding her.
(5) Andy loves sharks and is very passionate about their survival and protection. He feels
extremely lucky to have had opportunities working at the National Aquarium and the television
station which presents the Nature Channel. He never wastes a moment in either place that
could be spent educating people about sharks. He does admit that it is probably not possible
for everyone to love sharks as he does. However, he does hope to persuade people personally
or through the media, to respect sharks and the critical role they play in our environment. His
main objective is to keep spreading awareness that sharks are not dangerous man-eaters but
essential creatures in our oceans, as they provide ecological balance and help to control other
species. (Practiceforeveryone.com)

Based on your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions given below:

i. How can we infer that sharks can be intelligent? (Answer in about 40 words) (2) ii. How
did Andy’s work help him and his wife when bringing up their daughter? (1)

(A) They knew how to teach her things by rewarding her.

(B) They taught her by reprimanding her.
(C) They taught her to observe behaviour of others.
(D) Connection of animals to the daughter’s keenness

iii. Why does Andy believe that Sharks only attack humans by mistake? (2)

50
iv. Even after the ascending trend, in which year the number of sharks
caught show maximum variation? (1)

(A)1990-2000 (B) 1970-1980

(C) 1980-1990 (D) 1960-197

v. How does Andy hope to educate people about sharks? (1)

vi. Complete the sentence appropriately: (1)

Sharks are indispensable creatures because .

vii. Which word in Para 5 means the opposite of ‘safe’? (1)

(A)Critical (B) Objective
(C) Balance (D) None of these

viii. How does Andy hope to educate people about sharks? (1)
(A)Through his work at the National Aquarium.
(B)Through the media.
(C)Through the Nature Channel.
(D)All of these.

ANSWERS: Passage 1

i. c) Because of their size, strength, and aggressive nature

ii. b) They have yellow irises and a unique stripe pattern
iii. Option (C) is correct. Explanation: Mentioned in Para 6, more than 75%. iv. The main
reason is hunting, poaching, urbanization, habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade.
v. Royal Bengal Tigers are usually spotted in swamps, mangroves, and grasslands
vi. Option (B) is correct
vii. India has the largest population of Royal Bengal Tigers in the world, and the Indian
government is actively involved in tiger conservation to protect the species from extinction.
viii. False

ANSWERS: Passage 2

i. Regulatory and structural barriers can create obstacles for technology investments in rural
India, making it difficult to introduce innovations such as cold storage and cold chains, reliable
power solutions, and improved transportation systems. These barriers may include complex
bureaucratic procedures, lack of supportive policies, and infrastructure limitations.

ii. d) Free or subsidized agricultural power

51
iii. Some potential benefits include: increased crop yields, enhanced rural employment and
incomes, improved postharvest processing and value addition, efficient transportation, and
access to crucial information for farmers. (Any one)

iv. c) Regulatory and structural barriers

v. a) Cold storage and cold chains

vi. Reliable and low-cost power is essential for rural areas in India as it supports both agricultural
activities and domestic needs. It enables efficient irrigation, mechanization of farm operations,
access to modern amenities, and overall development of rural communities.

vii. Network coverage is very limited.

viii. FALSE

ANSWERS: Passage 3

i. The passage states that coffee drinking at reasonable levels is unrelated to heart risk,
according to Meir Stampfer, an epidemiologist at Harvard who has studied coffee and health.
However, it should be noted that this conclusion is based on the studies involving large
amounts of coffee (five to six cups a day), and moderate coffee drinkers (two cups) were not
found to have increased heart disease risk.

ii. a) Parkinson's disease

iii. Drinking very strong coffee can sharply increase cholesterol levels due to the presence of
cafestol and kahweol, which are fat-like chemicals. It can also lead to restlessness, sleep
disturbances, and physical dependence on caffeine.

iv. b) It has no effect on blood pressure.

v. b) Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of Parkinson's disease.

vi. The European brewing method, which involves boiling water sitting on coffee grounds for
several minutes before straining, produces high concentrations of cafestol and kahweol. In
contrast, the filter and percolation methods remove most of these chemicals, leaving only a
trace amount.

vii. Coffee drinking at reasonable levels is unrelated to heart risk.

viii. True

52
NOTICE WRITING (4 MARKS)

A notice is a formal means of communication. The purpose of a notice is to announce or display

information to a specific group of people. Notices are generally meant to be pinned up on specific
display boards whether in schools or in public places. Notices issued by the government appear in
newspapers.

Format: A notice should be written in the following format:

• the name of the organisation issuing the notice
• the title ‘NOTICE’
• a heading to introduce the subject of the notice
• the date
• the body of the notice
• the writer’s signature, name (in block letters) and designation
Name of organisation/office issuing the notice
Date Notice
Heading

Body of the Notice

Signature
Name
Designation

Points to remember:

• A well-written notice must inform the readers about the 5 Ws:

— What is going to happen, (that is, the event)
— Where it will take place
— When it will take place (that is, the date and time)
— Who can apply or is eligible for it
— Whom to contact or apply to (that is, the issuing authority)
• Only the most important points should be written.
• A.O.D. – that is, any other detail given in the question.
• One is free to add any relevant information not included in the question.
• The sentences should be short and grammatically accurate.
They should be in the passive voice as far as possible.
• The notice should be presented within a box.
• The word limit for a notice is 40–50 words (only the words in the body of the notice are
counted). • Information given in a notice must be clear and should not cause any
misunderstanding or confusion. • A notice must be catchy and appealing – it should attract the
reader’s attention at once.
 • Increase the visual appeal of your notice by using bold letters, catchy slogans, striking words and
phrases, etc.
• Standard abbreviations are allowed.

53
Sample notices:
1. The Residents’ Welfare Association, Green Park is organising a ‘Holi Fiesta’ in the locality. As the
president of the association, draft a notice in not more than 50 words informing the residents about
the same. Give other essential details too.
Residents’ Welfare Association
Notice
10 Jan 2023
Holi Fiesta
The Residents’ Welfare Association is organising a Holi bash in the colony as
per the following details:
Date : 17 February 2023
Time : 9 am to 5 pm
Venue : Green Park Club
The residents are requested to come along with their families and friends and add
colour to the rejoicings.

Ravi Kumar
President,
RWA

2. On the occasion of National Science and Technology Day, the school has decided to organise a
Science Fair. Vikram, the secretary of the Science Society, wants to call a meeting of the office
bearers of the society to discuss the arrangements for the fair. Write a notice is not more than 50
words.
Delhi Public School, New Delhi
Notice
29 October 2023
Meeting of Science Society
On the occasion of National Science and Technology Day, the school has decided
to organise a fair. All office bearers are requested to attend a meeting in the School
Library on 30 October 2023 at 10 am to discuss the arrangements for the fair.

Vikram Singh

(Secretary, Science Society)

54
3. You are Parthasarthy Mishra, the Head Boy of St John’s High School, Dalhousie. You have been
asked to write a notice regarding a sports kit bag found on the school playground. Write the notice in
not more than 50 words. Invent necessary details.
 St John’s High School, Dalhousie
Notice
29 October 2023
Found – A Sports Kit Bag
A sports kit bag was found on the playground on 28 October during the recess period.
Anyone who has misplaced a grey sports bag with huge pockets can collect it from the
undersigned within two days, that is, by 31 October 2023.

Parthasarthy Mishra
(Head Boy

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE:

Q.1.You are Simar / Smriti of Lotus International School, Jodhpur. Your school has decided to
contribute in controlling traffic near your school and requires the names of volunteers from IX to
XII. Write a notice to be displayed on the notice board. (50 words)

Q.2.You are Rachael/Rueben, President of the Wellness Cell of your school. You decide to organise
a workshop, to raise awareness of the importance of mental health. This workshop would be
conducted by the school counsellor. Write a notice in about 50 words, informing the students of
class XI-XII about the workshop.

Q.3. You are Joseph Mathew, the President of the school book club. The club is organising a drive
for promoting reuse of study materials and books. Draft a notice in about 50 words, for the school
notice board, addressing students of classes X-XII, informing them about this drive and urging
them to contribute to the endeavour. Mention how the donated books would benefit a charitable
cause.

Q.4. As the House Captain of A.B.M Public School, Telangana, draft a notice in not more than 50
words for the school notice board, informing House members from X-XII about the change in topic
and submission dates for Round 1 of ‘Discovery’ - the upcoming Inter House Research-based
Paper Presentation Competition. Do not forget to issue an apology for the above. You are Kruthika
Reddy.

Q.5. Maruti Public School will be conducting an online course on news reading during the summer
vacations for students of Class XI and XII. In this course, students will learn to understand news
reports, build the habit of reading the news regularly, and will have a chance to interact with well
known journalists. As Ritwik Sen, Editor of the school magazine, draft a notice in about 50 words
for the school notice board, urging students to sign up. Mention any other relevant details required
for the notice.

Q.6.The Teen Well-Being Association of your society, Eco Tech World, Sector 13, Chandigarh,
will be holding free yoga classes on Sunday mornings, in the common hall. As a member of the
association, draft a notice in about 50 words informing the young residents. Mention any other
relevant details required for the notice.
Q.7.You are the Anuj/Anu, Secretary of Saket Kunj, Saket, Navi Mumbai, Resident Welfare
Association. Write a notice in 50 words to be circulated to all the residents informing them that
there will be no water supply in your colony for two days due to necessary repair and maintenance
work. Mention dates, and the timings that tankers will be available in the R.W.A. premises.
55
Invitation and Replies
Invitations are of two kinds:
• Formal ➝ Invitation card/letter ➝ In a fixed format
• Informal ➝ A letter or a note ➝ Free handwriting

To invite someone for an occasion, we use the written form Invitation.

Invitations are generally printed cards through which we invite our guests on some auspicious occasions
like wedding, birthday, wedding anniversary, house warming, the inauguration of a shop/factory, etc.

Format of Formal Invitations:

In case of formal invitations, each of the following is written in a separate line with fonts of varying sizes. •
Names of the hosts
• Name of the invitee (in case of a formal letter of invitation)
• Formal phrase of invitation, for example:
Request the pleasure your benign presence/company Seek your auspicious presence Solicit your gracious
presence on the auspicious occasion
• Date, time and venue of the event
• Occasion/ reason of the invitation.

Characteristics of Formal Invitations:

1. Meant for a lot of invitees:

• These are written in the third person

• In case a VIP is invited as the chief guest,
the name of the VIP must appear prominently. •
Name of the invitee is not to be included. The addressee’s address is to be written only on the
envelope.
• Simple present tense is to be used.
• The date of writing is not to be given.
• There is no signature of the host.
• The abbreviation RSVP (French: repondez silvers plait) i.e. ‘Please reply’ is written below on the left
side with name(s), address and phone number of the host(s).
• Put the invitation into a box.
• Do not exceed 50 words.

♦ Sample Invitations
1. Formal Invitation (4marks)
. Formal Invitation – (4marks)
Meant for an individual (a formal letter of invitation)
• Include the name of the invitee.
• These are to be written on run-on lines. The sentence is not broken into different words/phrases. •
Other details are similar to the mass-scale invitations.

56
(a) Formal Replies of Acceptance: 4 Marks

Main characteristics:
• Acknowledge the invitation.
• Express thanks in third person.
• Mention acceptance/regret.
• Specify the reason for refusal.
• Be brief and specific.
• Be formal in tone and treatment.
• Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).

Sample Question:

You are Dr Stanzin, a certified Art Therapist from Leh. You have been invited by G.D. Public School,
Jammu, to conduct a seminar for students on ‘Art Therapy the Way Forward’. This seminar is to
introduce students to the usefulness of art in dealing with personal and social problems. Write a reply,
in about 50 words, accepting the invitation.
• Dr Stanzin
• 117-K Block
• B.N. Marg, Leh
• 27 December, 20XX
• The Principal
• G.D. Public School
• Jammu

• Subject: Acceptance of the Invitation to a seminar on ‘ Art Therapy The Way Forward’

• Dear Madam,
• It is certainly a matter of great honor for me to be invited to conduct a seminar for students
on ‘Art Therapy The Way Forward’. I shall be delighted to address the gathering and discuss
the usefulness of art in dealing with personal and social problems and listening from you in
return. It’ll be kind if I am provided with transported for the occasion.

• Yours truly,

• Dr Stanzin

57
Formal Replies expressing inability: 4 Marks
Mr and Mrs Somesh Basu wish to thank Mr & Mrs Suresh Pradhan for extending an
invitation to the birthday celebrations of their son Akshay at their residence 1235,
Vivekananda Marg, Belur on 20 March, 20XX and wish the young boy many happy returns
of the day but regret their inability to be present personally on account of some previous
engagements.
Somesh Basu
16 March, 20XX
 C-5, GK-I,
New Delhi
15 July, 20XX
Mrs & Mr Navin Jain thank Mrs & Mr G.L. Bansal for the invitation to the inauguration of
their showroom ‘Regalia’ on Sunday, the 20th July 20XX, at 11 a.m. at B-12, Rohini, Delhi.
However, they express their inability to be present on the occasion due to a prior
commitments. Jains

Informal Invitation (4marks)

Main Characteristics:
Informal invitations follow the pattern of ordinary personal letters. These letters are written to
relatives, friends and acquaintances.
1. These letters are first/second person presentations.
2. Personal feelings and emotions find an expression.
3. The writer’s address is given in the usual place.
4. The salutation is usually “Dear’ plus “Name’.
5. The date of writing is given, but the year is generally omitted.
6. The style and tone are relaxed and informal.
7. Different tenses are used as the sense demands.
8. The complimentary close is: Tours sincerely’.

Informal Reply Confirming Acceptance: 4 Marks

217 MIG Flats
Surya Vihar, New Delhi
15 March, 20XX
Dear Shuchi
I have received your invitation for your birthday party on 25 March, 20XX at 5 p.m. at
Hotel Janpath. I am extremely happy to know that all our old friends are likely to be there.
I would like to confirm my participation.
Looking forward to the momentous occasion.
With love.
Manoj/Mini

58
Informal invitation (Expressing inability) 4 Marks

Questions for Practice

1. You were invited by the local unit of Boogie Woogie, a talent search organisation, to make a
selection of the local teams for participation in the zonal competition and performance at the
national level. But you are not in a position to do so because you have met with an accident.
 Write a letter to the convener regretting your inability to honour the request explaining to him
your position. You are Arun/Aruna Joglekar.

2. You have received an invitation to attend the prize giving ceremony on the occasion of the
Regional Social Sciences Exhibition. Write a letter to the Secretary of the ‘The World View’ (the
organiser of the exhibition) informing him about your inability to attend. Give three reasons.

3. You were invited by a friend of yours to spend some days at his farmhouse in Manali during the
summer vacation. Respond to his invitation.

4. Write an informal reply to your pen-friend in the U.K assuring her of all help and guidance dining
her planned forthcoming visit to India.

5. You are Shirish. You have been selected as pilot officer in IAF. You want to celebrate: the
occasion by hosting a grand party to your selected friends. Send an informal invitation to your
intimate friend Madhu to join you on this occasion.

6. Your sister Nivedita is going to marry Akhilesh (S/o Mr & Mrs SM. Joshi, Nainital) Your father
Mr K.S. Bhardwaj has planned to hold the wedding at Hotel Kunal, New Delhi on 25 May 20XX
at 8 p.m. Write a formal invitation on behalf of Mr & Mrs K.S. Bhardwaj inviting guests to the
auspicious occasion. Give other details. Do not exceed 50 words.

59
Letter to the Editor

A Letter to Editor may be written to the editor of a newspaper or a magazine. It is written to

highlight a social issue or problem. It can also be written in order to get it published in the said
medium. As it is a formal letter, the format has to be followed strictly. Only formal language can
be used i.e. abbreviations and slang language should be avoided.

The format of a letter to editor of a Newspaper is as follows –

1. Sender’s address: The address and contact details of the sender are written here. Include an
 email and phone number, if required or if mentioned in the question.

2. Date: The date is written below the sender’s address after Leaving one space or line.

3. Receiving Editor’s address: The address of the recipient of the mail i.e. the editor is written
here.

4. Subject of the letter: The main purpose of the letterforms the subject. It must be written in one
line. It must convey the matter for which the letter is written.

5. Salutation (Sir / Respected sir / Madam)

6. Body: The matter of the letter is written here. It is divided into 3 paragraphs as follows –
Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself and the purpose of writing the letter in brief. Paragraph 2:
Give detail of the matter.
Paragraph 3: Conclude by mentioning what you expect from the editor. (For example, you may
want him to highlight the issue in his newspaper/magazine).

7. Complimentary Closing

8. Sender’s name, signature, and designation (if any)

60
You are Bharat/Bharti of Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi. You are disturbed to
see the youth wasting their precious time in operating mobile phones. Write a letter to the
Editor of The Times Newspaper, highlighting increasing technological addiction among the
youth.

24D, Block 4
Defence Society
New Delhi
24th June 20xx
The Editor
The Times
New Delhi

Subject: An appeal against rising tech addiction among the youth

Sir,
 With great admiration and belief in the columns of your newspaper, I seek to bring to your kind
notice the fast-growing menace of tech addiction and resultant health scares among the youth of
our country. Today, we are able to enjoy some of the most convenient gadgets to have ever existed,
which offer far more information and sources of entertainment than any other. As a result, the
upcoming generation has been becoming increasingly information-heavy. The number of hours an
average person spends in gaining new information, whether wanted or unwanted, is fast
increasing, with a screen in front of our eyes showing us new wonders every minute. And on top
of that, the wonders are as per choice and preferences. All this temptation often leads young
children to spend much more time on these gadgets than what’s healthy. And even though we may
not realise it instantly, it levies a huge load of tiredness on our brains and eyes, often leading to
inexplicable stress and irritability.
Hence, through the pages of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to appeal to the youth
worldwide to maintain a balance of all spheres of life to fully enjoy it.
Thanking you in anticipation
Yours sincerely,
ABC

61
Job Application

Employment application means the letter written for getting a job. It is the primary means
of introducing the job seeker to the employer. Through the job application, job seeker offers
his or her labor and service for a return. Therefore, the application for employment acts as a
personal advertisement. Job application contains appeal for the job along with the job
seeker’s personal data like name, address, qualification, and experience.

�� A job Application consists of two parts- the covering letter (appeal) and the bio-data/CV.

�� Cover letter

�� The format for the covering letter is similar to the format of a Formal

letter. It goes on like-

�� SENDER’s ADDRESS- The sender’s address is usually put on the top left-hand corner.

�� DATE- The sender’s address is followed by the date just below it. This is the date on which
the letter is being written. It is to be written in expanded form.

�� RECEIVER’s ADDRESS- Make sure you write the official title/name/position etc of
the receiver, as the first line of the address.

�� SUBJECT- Then we sum up the purpose of writing the letter in one line. This helps the
receiver focus on the subject of the letter in one glance. It is important to underline the subject.

�� SALUTATIONS- The general greetings used in formal letters are “Sir” or “Madam”.

�� BODY- This is the main content of the letter. It is either divided into three paragraphs or
two paragraphs if the letter is briefer. The tone of the content should be formal. Do not use any
flowery language. Another point to keep in mind is that the letter should be concise and to the
point. And always be respectful and considerate in your language.

�� PARAGRAPH 1- Begin the body of the letter by mentioning the source (from where you got
to know about the job) of information about the job (e.g., newspaper) along with the day, date
and advertisement number. Also mention the post you wish to apply for.

�� PARAGRAPH 2- Here, you are supposed to offer your candidature by briefing about your
qualifications, achievements, previous experiences and your strengths. In other words, this
paragraph should be an answer to the question: ‘How are you the perfect candidate for the job?’.

�� Keep in mind that it should be to the point and clear. You should not sound boastful.

�� PARAGRAPH 3- In this part of the body, you are supposed to make a reference to the
photograph (passport-sized), Bio-data or curriculum vitae and other detailed documents that you
have enclosed. You can also appeal for a one-on-one interview.

�� End the body on a promising note, e.g., Looking forward to your positive response.

62
COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE- At the end of your letter, we write a complimentary closing. The
words “Yours Faithfully” or “Yours Sincerely” are used. SIGNATURE- Here finally you sign
your name. And then write your name in block letters beneath the signature. This is how the
recipient will know who is sending the letter. (NOTE- Mention the name given in the question
paper. Do not mention your personal details.)

What do you mean by Bio-Data?

�� Bio data refers to a person’s life, experience and achievements. It should be

representative of all your personal and professional details in a specified format. It is
generally divided into four parts:
�� Personal Details
�� Qualifications
�� Experience
�� References
�� The Biodata or CV is generally divided into four parts as follows-
�� Personal Details
�� Qualifications
�� Experience
�� References
�� It goes like-

�� BIO-DATA (HEADING)
 �� NAME
�� FATHER’s NAME
�� DATE OF BIRTH – In expanded form
�� ADDRESS
�� AGE
�� CONTACT NO.
�� EMAIL ID
�� NATIONALITY-Indian
�� MARITAL STATUS
�� Qualifications must be written in tabular form with the above mentioned heads.
�� WORK EXPERIENCE- It should be written from latest to the oldest along with the
duration. �� REFERENCES- One or two references can be given of the persons under whom
the job seeker has worked.
�� DATE PLACE SIGNATURE
NOTE: The resume can be a part of the letter or as an enclosure

63
Sample Question

Q.1 Bal Vidya Public School, Bhilai, urgently requires a post-graduate teacher to teach
political science for which they have placed an advertisement in The Bhilai Express. You are
Sanjay/Sanjana Sharma from 21, Vasant Marg, Bhilai. Draft a letter including a CV, applying
for the advertised post.

21, Vasant Marg

Bhilai

01 March, 20XX

The Principal
Bal Vidya Public School
Bhilai

Subject- Application for the post of a post-graduate teacher

Sir/Madam

In response to your advertisement in The Bhilai Express, dated February 25, 20XX for the post of
a political science teacher in your renowned school, I wish to offer my candidature. I have 3 years
 of experience of teaching and I have produced meritorious students in my current school. I am
proficient in Hindi and English equally with the knowledge of operating all the modern gadgets. I
will prove an asset for your Vidyalaya. I am available for the interview on any day of your
convenience. If given a chance to serve you, I assure you that I shall work with utmost sincerity
and dedication up to your satisfaction.
I am enclosing a copy of my bio-data for your perusal and kind consideration.

Thank you

Yours faithfully
Sanjay/Sanjana Sharma

64
Bio Data
NAME- Sanjay/Sanjana Sharma
FATHER’s NAME- Mithun Sharma
DATE OF BIRTH- 25 July, 1984
ADDRESS- 21, Vasant Marg, Bhilai
PHONE-98100XXXXX
E-MAIL- sanjsharma@gmail.com
MARITAL STATUS- single
AGE- 28 years
NATIONALITY- Indian

Academic Qualification:
NAME OF NAME OF NAME OF THE YEAR PERCENTAGE
THE THE INSTITUTION OF
EXAMINATI BOARD/ PASSIN
ON UNIVERSIT G
Y

Secondary C.B.S.E. K.V. Umroi Cantt 2005 85

Sr. Secondary C.B.S.E. K.V. Umroi Cantt 2008 90

Graduation Delhi University Hansraj College 2011 68

Post Graduation Delhi University Hansraj College 2013 70

B.ed Delhi University Hansraj College 2015 79

�� NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REFERENCES

i) Mr. Vijay Mathur, Principal
D.A.V. School, Gurudwara Rd., Delhi
ii) Mr. Satish Ohri
Head of Commerce Department
Punjab University, Chandigarh
Date: 1 March 2020

Place: Paresh Nagar Ranchi

Signature

65
REPORT WRITING

What is Report Writing?

A report is a factual description of an event, incident happened, programme conducted It is a

systematic and well-organized presentation of facts and findings. A report is written for a clear
purpose and for a particular audience.
Types of Reports

• For Newspaper
• For Magazine
Points to Remember

• Be brief and to the point.

• Report an event in the order in which things happened.
• Stick on to the word limit.
• Use formal language

• Avoid jargons.
• Must use uniform verb tense, preferably past tense.

Format

• HEADLINE OF TITLE: Catchy and brief

• BYLINE: A Sub Headline/Name, rank, position etc. of the person writing the report (it can
also come at the end.)
• OPENING PARAGRAPH: A brief mention of what happened, where, how and the most
prominent consequence/effect along with the day, date and time when it took place. • DETAILS:
Paragraph 2 & 3 give details of the event being reported. Eye witness account (along with some
quotes) is also included. In case of accidents, loss of life and property is listed, cause of the
accident is concluded, police action and rescue operation, damage control exercise are detailed.
Compensation and help announced by government is mentioned.
• CONCLUSION: A remark as to how the event had an impact on people.
Tips for report writing:
1. Write short and simple sentences.

2. Focus on the objective.

3. Use every day English.

4. Plan well before you start writing

5. Use a clear layout

66
Sample Report

Q1. You are Ashima/Akshit. The Women Empowerment Organisation (WEO) in collaboration
with Child and Women Care Society (CWCS), celebrated The Women Empowerment Day
recently in Community centre, Pocket B, Rohini. As the city correspondent, write a report in 120-
150 words for the city magazine, The Today.

Ans.

Women‘s Empowerment Day Observed

- By Ashima, Staff Reporter

New Delhi, March 3: The Women Empowerment Organisation (WEO) in association with Child
and Women Care Society (CWCS), both NGOs, observed the Women Empowerment Day at
Community
center, Pocket B, Rohini today. The main purpose was to create awareness about women’s rights
and to empower women.

As many as fifty members of the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) formed by WEO and CWCS in the
area participated in the programme. The programme began with a welcome dance by the
renowned dancer, Shobha Advait and was followed by a talk by WEO members.

Ms. Aradhna Srivastava, District Magistrate, Rohini, stressed upon the importance of education
for girls. She also gave details about the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (Education for All), an initiative
by the Government under which students are given books free of cost. Ms. Radhika, the Director
of WEO gave a speech detailing the various free classes organized by the society to teach young
girls painting and soft toy making, which could be developed for self-employment. She also made
the audience aware about the need for women safety and the various free defense classes
organized by the organization.

Dr. Aniket, State Coordinator, CWCS, made the gathering aware of the importance of observing
Women‗s Day and informed the women about various governmental schemes to help and
empower them. Later, a play named ‘Narishakti’ was staged. The participants expressed their
gratitude to the organizers as they were now better informed.
 67
Q2. A major bus mishap which left several people seriously injured took place at Nicholas Road,
Nungambakkam, Chennai. Luckily no life was lost. Collect the information from the
eyewitnesses and send a report in 100-125 words to ‘The Nungambakkam Times’. You are
Vinod/Vinodhini, a reporter.

Answer:

Bus Mishap

-by Vinod, Staff Reporter

Chennai, 14th Feb. 20xx: A major bus mishap took place at Nicholas Road in Nungambakkam,
Chennai yesterday at about 10 a.m.

It resulted in serious injuries to almost twelve of the twenty-five passengers who were on board
the bus. Luckily though, there was no loss of life. An eyewitness accounts how the high speeding
bus overturned when it took a sharp turn in an attempt to avert a collision with a truck that was
coming in the wrong direction.

The authorities have arrested the truck driver for his negligence. The bus driver could not be
taken into custody for overspeeding as he is admitted in hospital with grievous injuries.

The state government has announced a compensation of? 25,000 for those seriously injured and
‘10,000 for those whose injurious are not very serious. A state-level inquiry has also been ordered
into the mishap.

Q3. Cultural Society Sunshine Public School, Nellore organised an adult literacy camp in its
neighbourhood. Write a report in 120 – 150 words on the camp for your school newsletter. You
are P.V. Sunitha, Secretary. Use the following clues: no. of volunteers – hours spent in teaching –
location of the class – chairs, blackboards – no. of people attending the camp – benefit.

Answer:

ADULT LITERACY CAMP

-BY P. V. SUNITHA, SECRETARY

An adult literacy camp was organised by Cultural Society Sunshine Public School, Nellore in
the school neighbourhood yesterday extending educational options to those adults, who have
lost the opportunity and have crossed the age of formal education. The activities of the camp
were carried out by the cultural society of the school and there were a total of 25 volunteers.

The camp began with the welcome speech for the chief guest, Mrs. Kavita Naik, a renowned
social worker. 400 people were a part of the camp. They were divided into different groups in
accordance with their competencies. They were taught the basics for being able to read and
write. Free books and stationery is being provided for quality education. All the arrangements
including desks and blackboard were done in advance. Apart from the educational needs,
 special care was devoted to hygiene and sanitation. They were taught basics of cleanliness like
68
types of wastes and their management. Refreshments were also provided to the participants.
The immense enthusiasm and zeal in the people to learn iwas the main driving factor.

The chief guest distributed the certificates of participation among the volunteers. The camp
ended on a positive note. There was an atmosphere of learning and growing together.

Q4. MMD School, Nashik, recently organized a science symposium on the topic: ‘Effect of
pollution on quality of life’. You are Amit/Amita Raazdan, editor of the school magazine.
Write a report on the event for your school magazine. (120 – 150 words)

Answer:

Science Symposium

-by Amita Raazdan

A symposium was organized on 1 January 2021 in the MMD schoo, Nashikl on the topic
“Effect of Pollution on Quality of Life”. All the science students were a part of the elucidative
program.

The event started with the felicitation of the guest speakers. Thereafter, the participants were
espoused by Sh. Suraj Prakash. He acquainted them with the objectives and goals of the
workshop. The resource person Dr. Hari Om Gupta reflected his profound knowledge on the
topic and highlighted how important it is to curb the menace of pollution.
An exalting demonstration of the effects of pollution on our lives galvanized the engrossed
participants. After the lunch break Dr. K.K. Arora, Resource Person, exhibited the possible
steps that can be undertaken at the personal level to reduce pollution. It was followed by
another session on the basic concept behind pollution reduction which triggered the young
minds into thinking innovative ways.

An interactive concourse ignited the inquisitiveness of participants. They have committed

themselves completely to bring about a change in the situation.

The informative workshop culminated with a vote of thanks proposed by the head of the
science department.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. You are Aniket/Ankita. You participated in a career counselling programme organized by

Dream Careers. You had the opportunity of listening to professionals from various fields like
Food technology, Biometric Sciences, nanotechnology, media management etc. Write a report
of the programme in 120-150 words
2. You are Tapan/Tripti, a student of H.P Public School. Students of two schools from Germany
Visited your school as part of a cultural exchange programme. Students of your school put up
a Cultural show to welcome them. Write a report in the programme for your school magazine
in 120-150 words.
3. You are Radha/Ramesh. As part of E-learning promotion drive, your school was invited to Visit
.The New Learning – E-learning‗, a prominent E-learning company. Write a report on the Visit
for your school magazine in 120-150 words.
4. You are Asma, the Head girl of Queens Public School, Delhi. Recently your school hosted the
 Regional level CBSE Quiz competition. Write a report of this event for your school newsletter
in about 120-150 words.
69
ARTICLE WRITING:

An article is an expression of one’s thought on an issue or a subject logically and coherently

written in meaningful paragraphs.
♦ Points to Remember:
• Give a title that catches the attention of the reader.
• Begin with a striking opening sentence which addresses the readers and gets them interested in
the topic.
• Present a strong argument for your ideas supporting it with evidence or elaboration. • Use
linking devices (‘however’, ‘therefore’, ‘although’, ‘even though’, ‘in order to’) to make the
composition appear a whole.
• Introduce a new point at the beginning of each paragraph that follows to strengthen your ideas.
• Develop your ideas as much as you can to make them interesting and substantial. • Conclude
with your strongest point.
• Use passive voice, humour, emotive language, rhetorical questions to provide a specific effect.
Split-up of marks:
♦ Marks will be awarded for:
• Format (Title + Writer’s name)
• Content (logical organization, relevance)
• Expression (Accuracy + Fluency)

ARTICLES FOR SCHOOL MAGAZINE

SOLVED QUESTIONS

Question 1:
Last week as you were coming back from school you happened to see a huge plastic bag full of
leftovers of food being flung into the middle of the road from a speeding car. You wondered
how people can be so devoid of civic sense. Write an article in 125-150 words on why we lack
civic sense and how civic sense can be inculcated in children at a very young age. You are
Shiva/Shamini.

Lack of Civic Sense

—Shamini

In the society, people of different types and different opinions live. They do not think for the
betterment of the society. They only think about themselves. They have become selfish and
narrow in their thought. In India, people hardly follow any rules. They have no respect for
public property. On railway platform, they do not follow any instructions. They spit anywhere
or at any place. They do not care for what they are doing. They even throw away the
polythenes, water bottle etc. on the platform. They lack civic sense. Inculcating a civic sense is
the need of hour. Parents must inculcate civic sense among children at an early age. The values
of cleanliness, discipline and tolerance must be inculcated among them. Parents must encourage
their children to keep their surroundings clean. All these things must be taught at an early age.
They are the future of the nation and they must take the responsibility of a responsible citizen.

70
Question 2:
You are Varshini. This year your school arranged a special cultural programme on the theme
‘Service and Sacrifice’ in commemoration of the International Year of Volunteers. Write an
article about this cultural programme for your school magazine in about 200 words.

Answer:

Service and Sacrifice

(by Varshini)
‘Service before self’, keeping this motto in mind, ABC School, Vikaspuri organised a cultural
programme in commemoration of the International Year of Volunteers. The programme
commenced with a prayer service followed by a special presentation by the Scouts and Guides
Cell of the school. The one-hour dance drama, ‘Service and Sacrifice’ depicted beautifully how
volunteers and cadets from the NCC deal with exigencies, risking their own lives.
In a heart-wrenching situation, a few people buried under the debris of a shattered building were
rescued by the volunteers, who, unmindful of their own wounds and injuries, spared no efforts
in saving their lives.
In another situation, the panic-stricken people trapped on the twenty-second floor of a sky
scraper, were saved by the fire personnel. These and many more. The special light and sound
effects and realistic sets added great colour to the programme. The expressions showing tense
moments, hustle-bustle, anxiety and panic were brought out beautifully by the young and
talented cadets of the school.
The audience sat spellbound as they were greatly touched by the pathos created by different
traumatic situations coupled with the noble sacrifice of the volunteers. They gave a standing
ovation to the participants reflecting their pleasure and appreciation. Eminent journalists were
the special guests. Speaking on the occasion, they expressed
immense satisfaction and pleasure at witnessing such a meaningful programme. Congratulating
the participants on their brilliant performance, she cited many more examples from her life
highlighting the importance of duty before self. Finally, Dr B.P. Singhal, the Principal proposed
the vote of thanks. The evening became a memorable event for everybody.

Question 3:
Owning a car has become a status symbol these days. However, increase in the number of cars
has added to various types of pollution and other problems. Write an article in not more than
200 words highlighting the urgent need for reducing these man made problems, giving suitable
suggestions. You are Vinod/Vidhi.
Answer:
Reducing Pollution
(by Vinod)
Delhi has become one of the most polluted cities in the country closely followed by Kolkata,
Chennai and Mumbai. This is because of the millions of vehicles that ply on the roads of Delhi.

71
Owning a car has become a status symbol. As a result the number of cars on the roads has
become manifold. This has resulted in numerous problems. The primary one is of traffic
congestion, traffic snarls and traffic-jams. Driving on the roads of Delhi has become a
nightmare and a health hazard.

Vehicles emit fumes and poisonous gases which is a serious health hazard. Delhi has witnessed
an increasing number of deaths among young children due to respiratory diseases caused
presumably due to pollution. Man-made traffic hazards are creating havoc for the populace. The
number of fatal accidents has also increased alarmingly. The Delhi Government has taken
measures to bring down the pollution level such as use of CNG buses and auto rickshaws. The
need of the hour is to support the government with public cooperation. Carpools should become
the norm rather than the exception. Improved public transport system, use of lead free fuel and
catalytic 1 converters will go a long way in easing the situation and creating a healthy city.
Every open space should be covered with green trees to create lungs in the city and help in
bringing back its glory.

Question 4:
You have been awarded a prize for doing the best social service under ‘Each one, teach one’
project. Write an article for a monthly magazine in not more than 200 words on ‘The Role of
Students in Removing Illiteracy’.
Answer:

The Role of Students in Removing Illiteracy

-Ravi Bhargav

Illiteracy is a blot on the fair name of democracy in India. Although we have been celebrating
golden jubilee of Independence, most of the people living in the villages and slums are unable to
decipher what the leaders are talking about. The reason is obvious—they are illiterate. They
can’t read or write. Poverty, ignorance, and lack of
opportunities have deprived them of the fruits of literacy and knowledge. All know that
education makes a man enlightened and perfect and helps him to prosper physically,
economically and spiritually. It broadens our outlook by interaction with the masterminds and
the geniuses of the age. Illiteracy is a real handicap in the progress of a democratic society.
Politicians and middlemen take advantage of these simple people by misguiding them with false
promises and rosy pictures. Illiteracy is the main cause of their exploitation at the hands of
those who are better off.
Students can play an effective role in removing the curse of illiteracy. They can organise classes
in groups by following the motto: ‘Each one, teach one’. By sparing an hour a day, they can take
the lamp of knowledge and literacy to the darkest nook and comer of the country. Their efforts
must be supported by the government and non-government agencies. Follow-up programmes are
essential. We must initiate a continuous campaign against illiteracy.

Question 5:

72
Advertisements have become a big business. They are promoted by celebrities drawn from
various fields like films, sports, etc., leaving their influence on all people specially the young.
Write an article in 150-200 words on ‘The Impact of Advertisements on the younger
generation’. Answer:

Impact of Advertisements on the Younger Generation

-Shubh Grewal
The advertisement industry has a tremendous impact on the younger generation. As citizens of
the modern world, advertisements have become a part of the daily lives of youngsters and they
have got used to being bombarded with numerous advertisements over the course of the day.

Advertisements have become so common for them that they often do not even realize that they
are hearing or viewing them. So they have a pervasive influence on the youth. In the ever
expanding world of consumerism and advertising, companies are constantly looking for new
ways to sell their products to the youngsters by making their commercials and campaigns more
memorable, to leave an impact on their minds. The younger generation has become their prime
target because they have more spending power than ever before and increased avenues at their
disposal. Therefore companies spend enormous amounts of money to rope in popular film stars,
cricketers, musicians etc. to endorse their products.
This helps to ensure popularity and early brand loyalty. In the last decade many superbrands
have looked towards new and outrageous ways to capture young audiences through appealing
campaigns as these youngsters are cognitively and psychologically quite defenceless against
advertisements. Clearly, advertisements represent ‘big business’ and has a significant effect on
young people who need to be educated about the effects of advertising, that is, media literacy.
This will prove to be helpful in mitigating the harmful effects of advertising on youngsters.

Questions for practice

1. The present-day youth are greatly stressed due to cut-throat competition and consumerist
culture. Write an article in 150-200 words on the causes of the stress on the modem generation
suggesting suitable solutions.
2. As compared to the older generation the youth of today are greatly inclined to pursue
adventurous activities either for money or for
fun. There is a latest craze for joining reality shows, rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering etc.
Write an article in 150-200 words on which life you would prefer— safe or adventurous. 3.
Compulsory value-based education is the only remedy for inculcating values among the future
citizens of the country. This will also help in the prevention of crime in the country. Write an
article in 150-200 words on the need of compulsory value-based education. 4. Corruption has
become the order of the day. It has entered all walks of life. Write an article for your school
magazine in 150-200 words on ‘The Role of Youth in combating corruption’. You are
Vijay/Vineeta.
5. India is said to be a young country and is emerging as a global power. The youth is getting
increasingly concerned about the problems of corruption, environment, pollution, misuse of
natural resources, etc. Write an article in 150-200 words on your vision of India in 2040.

73
FLAMINGO

THE LAST LESSON - ALPHONSE DAUDET

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alphonse Daudet was born in Nimes on May 13, 1840. He is considered one of the most iconic
names of French literature, and all his novels have their roots in his life experiences, from which
he would only at times break away for sudden incursions into the realms of fantasy.

Following the sudden financial ruin of his father in 1857, the young, impoverished Daudet was
forced to seek work in a school at Alès, in the south of France, where he spent six unhappy
months, later described in his semi-autobiographical novel Le Petit Chose (“The Little Thing”).
In his unhappiness, he joined his equally poor brother in Paris and tried to support himself by
writing.

During the Franco-German War, Daudet fled from Paris. His novel Les Aventures prodigieuses
de Tartarin de Tarascon (1872) (“The Prodigious Adventures of Tartarin de Tarascon”) was
initially not well received, but its hero was later widely celebrated as a humorous and
adventurous caricature. His next novel, Fromont jeune et Risler aîné (1874) (“Fromont the
Younger and Risler the Elder”), won an award from the French Academy, and for a few years,
Daudet enjoyed prosperity and fame.

In his last years, Daudet suffered from an agonizing illness of the spinal cord, which he
painstakingly described in La Doulou (“In the Land of Pain”), posthumously published in 1930.
He died suddenly in Paris on December 16, 1897.

INTRODUCTION

‘The last lesson ‘stresses on the importance of education and the necessity to respect and learn
one's own language. This story draws our attention to the unfair practice of linguistic
chauvinism. It refers to an unreasonable pride in one's own language while disregarding all the
other languages as inferior.

BACKGROUND OF THE STORY

The story, ‘The Last Lesson’ has been set in the background of the Franco-Prussian war that was
fought in 1870- 71 between Prussia and France. The Prussians captured the districts of Alsace
and Lorraine. New orders were issued according to which German language was to be taught in
place of French in these two districts.

SUMMARY OF THE STORY

The narration of this story is by a French boy, Franz. Franz is a lazy boy. However, in spite of
his laziness, Franz likes to play and is of a sensitive nature. Furthermore, Franz hates his teacher
M. Hamel in his school and has no interest in studying French.

An order has come from Berlin after taking over the districts of Alsace and Lorraine in France
that the German language rather than the French should be taught in the schools there.

74
Furthermore, it is the school French teacher M. Hamel’s last day. This teacher has been working
there for forty years. Moreover, the teacher has feelings of patriotism. He is also full of nostalgia
and grief. The village men also attend his ‘last lesson’ so as to honour and respect him. The
village is regretting and is sad that they didn’t learn their mother tongue in their childhood.

Franz receives a big shock when he learns that this is his last lesson in French. He is shocked
because he does not know French. Furthermore, on learning about the last lesson, a sudden
interest arises in him for learning French. Moreover, he pays careful attention and learns
everything taught on this last day.

Instantly, he develops a liking for the teacher M. Hamel. His feelings of hatred for him suddenly
came to an end. Moreover, Franz develops respect for the hard work and sincerity of his teacher.
Franz is sad and ashamed for being unable to recite his lesson.
Hamel explains that they all are at fault for lacking eagerness to learn. Furthermore, he also
includes himself in this fault. He blames himself for lack of sincerity in teaching them.

There is a reflection of his patriotism in his praise for the French language. He says that the
French language is the most logical and beautiful language in the world. It seems that M. Hamel
got emotional on this occasion. Furthermore, he asks the class to guard their language. He says
that being close to one’s language is a way to escape the clutches of slavery. This language will
assist them in attaining freedom from the Germans. The people realize the significance of their
mother tongue. Moreover, they feel the reason for their defeat is illiteracy.

Franz feels that it is impossible to remove one’s language from a person. This is because it is
something that is natural to a person. This means that no matter how hard the opposition may
try, they will fail to remove one’s language.

MAIN POINTS
The story covers the times when French districts of Alsace and Lorraine were taken over by
Prussia. The language German was imposed on French people. People were deeply shattered.
They realized what they had lost.

Franz notices the changes around him and in the school:

❖ It was a bright day; birds were chirping and the Prussian soldiers were drilling
❖ A crowd was gathered around the bulletin board

❖ School was unusually quiet- No sound of desks opening

✧ No Sound of lessons repeated
✧ No Sound of rapping of teacher‘s ruler
❖ Mr. Hamel didn‘t scold him
❖ Mr. Hamel was wearing his Sunday dress -green coat, frilled shirt and black silk hat ❖ The
backbenches were occupied by the adults of the village-Hauser, postmaster and others ❖ Mr.
Hamel announced about that being the last lesson in French

75
Franz’s reaction to the last lesson in French:

❖ He was shocked.
❖ He realized his deficiency in the language and wished that he had not wasted his time. ❖
He repented wasting his time in fruitless activities (chasing bird‘s eggs, sliding on the saar) ❖
He appreciated the efforts of Mr. Hamel and accepted him with all his faults ❖ He suddenly
wanted to impress Mr. Hamel with his knowledge in French ❖ He understood why the
villagers had come to the school
❖ To thank the Master for his services • To show solidarity for the country that no longer was
theirs
❖ To express their repentance for not attending school and making themselves proficient in
their language
❖ Mr. Hamel laments and reflects upon the reasons for the students’ deficiency in the language
❖ The Germans will laugh at their inability to speak their language
❖ This is all because of their habit of postponing learning to tomorrow
❖ It‘s too late to make amends that is there is no time to make up for the lost time
❖ They are all to blame for the situation • Parents preferred sending them to work at farms than
to school
❖ He himself sent them to water the plants whenever he wanted to go fishing, he declared a
holiday.

Theme
❖ The story beautifully highlights the human tendency to postpone learning of things for one
feels that there is plenty of time to do so. One never knows when the doomsday will dawn and
bring an end to all our plans, hopes and aspirations.
❖ The natives of Alsace realize their folly of not giving importance to the study of French in
their school days. So, they become victims of Linguistic Chauvinism with the acquisition of
their districts by Prussia.
❖ The story also brings to light the brutality of war which makes man insensitive to human
feelings and sentiments.

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS:

1. Reading the bulletin, called after me, ―Don‘t go so fast, bub; you‘ll get to your school in
plenty of time! ‘‘I thought he was making fun of me and reached M. Hamel‘s little garden all
out of breath.

A. Who was reading the bulletin & with whom?

(i) M. Hamel with his pupils
(ii) Mr. Hauser with the former postmaster
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(iii) Mr. Watcher with his apprentice
(iv) Franz alone

B. Identify the tone in which the speaker said the words, ― “Don‘t go so fast, bub; you‘ll get to
your school in plenty of time!”?
(i) sarcastic
(ii) humorous
(iii) depressive
(iv) cheerful

C. Choose the most appropriate option with reference to the following statements

Statement 1. The speaker was out of breath when he reached M Hamel‘s garden.
Statement 2. He was being chased by a ferocious dog.
(i) Both the statements are true
(ii) Statement 1 is true, statement 2 is wrong
(iii) Neither of the statements is true
(iv) Statement 1 is wrong, statement 2 is right

D. The speaker was in a hurry to ….

(i) read the bulletin board
(ii) to escape from a ferocious dog
(iii) to water the garden of his teacher, M Hamel
(iv) to reach his school

2. Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street,
the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, with our hands over our
ears to understand better, and the teacher‘s great ruler rapping on the table. But now it was all
so still! I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk without being seen; but, of course,
that day everything had to be as quiet as Sunday morning. Through the window I saw my
classmates, already in their places, and M. Hamel walking up and down up and down with his
terrible iron ruler under his arm.

A. Which of the following sounds could be heard at Franz‘s school usually?

1) banging of desks
2) voices of students
3) tapping on wood
4) screams of students
5) swishing of rulers
6) rustle of paper

(a) (1), (2), & (3)

(b) (4), (5) & (6)
(c) (1), (3) & (5)
(d) (2), (5) & (6)

B. Choose another word that means ‘bustle’ and ‘commotion‘.

a. tranquility
b. serenity
c. mess
d. furore

C. How did Franz usually slip into class?

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a. By using magical powers
b. By hiding his face behind his satchel
c. By sneaking in through the window exploiting the noisy confusion
d. By taking advantage of his teacher‘s carelessness

D. Why does Franz call M. Hamel‘s iron ruler ‘terrible’?

a. The iron ruler was gigantic and sharp.
b. Franz was used to seeing the iron ruler.
c. The ruler was used as a drilling tool.
d. Franz might have been at the receiving end of it.

3. M. Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it was the most beautiful
language in the world — the clearest, the most logical; that we must guard it among us and
never forget it, because when a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language
it is as if they had the key to their prison. Then he opened a grammar book and read us our
lesson. I was amazed to see how well I understood it. All he said seemed so easy, so easy!

A. Which of the following can be attributed to M. Hamel‘s declaration about the French
language?
a. subject expertise
b. nostalgic pride
c. factual accuracy
d. patriotic magnification

B. Read the quotes given below. Choose the option that might best describe M. Hamel‘s
viewpoint
(i) Those who know nothing of foreign languages know nothing of their own-– Johann
Wolfgang von Goethe 92 88
(ii) Language is the road map It tells you where people come from and where they are going. –
Rita Mae Brown
(iii) A poor man is like a foreigner in his own country- Ali Ibn Abi Talib (iv) The greatest
propaganda in the world is our mother tongue, that is what learn as children, and which we
learn –unconsciously. That shapes our perceptions for life. – Marshal McLuhan

(a) Option (i)

(b) Option (ii)
(c) Option (iii)
(d) Option (iv)

C. “I was amazed to see how well I understood it.” Select the option that does NOT explain
why Franz found the grammar lesson ― “easy”.
a. Franz was paying careful attention in class this time.
b. M. Hamel was being extremely patient and calm in his teaching.
c. Franz was inspired and had found a new meaning and purpose to learning
d. Franz had realized that French was the clearest and most logical language

D. Franz was able to understand the grammar lesson easily because he was -
a. Receptive.
b. Appreciative.
c. Introspective.
d. Competitive

4. After the grammar, we had a lesson in writing. That day M. Hamel had new copies for us,
written in a beautiful round hand-France, Alsace, France, Alsace. They looked like little flags
flooded everywhere in the school-room, hung from the rod at the top of our desks. You ought to
have seen how everyone set to work, and how quiet it was! The only sound was the scratching of
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the pens over the paper. Once some beetles flew in but nobody paid any attention to them not
even the littlest ones, who worked right on tracing their fish-hooks, as if that was French, too.
On the roof the pigeons cooed very low, and I thought to myself, “Will they make them sing in
German, even the pigeons.”

A. Why does the author compare the copies of writing to flags?

1) Because they were colourful and large.
2) Because they were in the colours of the French flag.
3) Because they were hung on the rod above the desks.
4) Because flag is an aspect of a nation‘s identity.
 (a) (1) & (3)
(b) (2) & (3)
(c) (2) & (4)
(d) (3) & (4)

B. Why did M. Hamel give the writing exercise ‘France, Alsace, France, Alsace‘?
1) to instill feelings of patriotism towards France.
2) to create a sense of unity and harmony
3) to make sure students know where they are from 4) to make them proud of belonging to Prussia

(a) (1) & (4)

(b) (2) & (3)
(c) (1) & (3)
(d) (2) & (4)

C. Which of the following French letters show what ‘a fish hook ‘is?
Çâéü
(a) (b) (c) (d)

D. “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” Who is referred to as ‘they’ here?
a. the French government
b. the Prussian government
c. the village elders
d. the school students

SHORT ANS. TYPE QUESTIONS-SOLVED (40-50 WORDS.)

1. Why according to you, was little Franz afraid of being scolded?

Ans. Franz was afraid of being scolded that day because he had not prepared his lesson on
participles which Mr. Hamel was going to test that day. Secondly, he had reached the school
very late that morning.

2. What three things in school surprised Franz the most that day?
Ans. Franz was surprised to note that the school was unusually calm and quiet as Sunday
morning. Mr. Hamel wore his beautiful occasional dress and thirdly the village elders sat quietly
like school children on the back benches that usually remained empty.

3. What used to be the usual scene at Franz's school?

Ans. Usually, when the school began, there would be great hustle and bustle, opening and
closing of desks, lessons repeated loudly in unison, teacher's ruler rapping on the table. The
noise could be heard even out in the street.

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4. How was the learning of the boys like Franz neglected in Alsace?
Ans. The people of Alsace would put off learning till tomorrow. Parents put their children to
work on a farm or at mills in order to have more money. Mr. Hamel got his flowers watered or
gave them a holiday.

5. Those who were in class, suddenly realised the importance of French language. Why did this
happen?
Ans. Mr. Hamel called French language as the most beautiful, the most logical and the clearest
language in the world. He said that their language was the key to their prison. Then the people
realised the importance of French language.

SHORT ANS. TYPE QUESTIONS-UNSOLVED. 40-50 WORDS.

1. Franz was very late for school that morning. What was he tempted to do on being late?
2. Why were even the villagers present in the school room on the last lesson morning? 3.
What was put up on the town hall bulletin board on the morning of 'The Last lesson'? 4.
How did the opinion of Franz about his teacher change?

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS-SOLVED. 120-150 WORDS

1. What in your opinion, is the main theme of the story 'The Last Lesson'? Do you think it has a
universal appeal?
Ans. The main theme of the story is linguistic chauvinism of the proud conquerors who show an
excessive or prejudiced support for their own language. It also shows the pain that is inflicted on
the people of a territory conquered by them by taking away the right to study or speak their own
language and make them prisoners in their own land of birth. The story also highlights the
attitudes of the students and teachers to learning and teaching. The story theme has a universal
appeal even though the story is located in a particular village of Alsace in France which had
passed into Prussian hands. Taking away mother tongue from the people is the harshest
punishment

2. Describe the feelings, emotions and behaviour of Mr. Hamel on the day of 'Last Lesson'.
Ans.
❖ Mr. Hamel in the dress for ceremonial occasions.
❖ Talked of the French language as a proud French man.
❖ Explained everything with great patience grammar, writing, lesson in History.
❖ Sat motionless in the chair fixing everything around in his mind.
❖ Thought of leaving next day made him sad, chocked, his voice became emotional. ❖
Mustered courage and wrote "Vive La France!" leaning sadly against the wall dismissed the
Class with a gesture

3. What Order had come from Berlin that day? How did it effect the life at school?
Ans.
❖ The order was - only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
❖ Had far reaching effect on the life at school.
❖ Mr. Hamel teaching French for the last forty years would deliver his last lesson that day. The
teacher dressed in his best clothes.
❖ Old villagers quietly sitting at the back of class room.

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