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 Series ARSP/13 Set ~ 13
Roll No. Q.P Code 15/13/13
Candidates must write the Q.P Code
on the title page of the answer-book.

 Please check that this question paper contains 08 printed pages.

 Q.P. Code given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written
on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.
 Please check that this question paper contains 15 questions.
 Please write down the serial number of the question in the answer-book
before attempting it.
 15 Minute times has been allotted to read this question paper. The question
paper will be distributed at 10:15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m to 10.30 a.m, the students
will read the question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer –
book during this period.

ENGLISH CORE

Time allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:
Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :

1. This question paper has 15 questions. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains three sections -

Section A : Reading Skills,

Section B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills

Section C : Literature.

3. Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct question number and part
thereof in your answer sheet.

4. Separate instructions are given with each question/part, wherever necessary.

5. Adhere to the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (26 marks)

1. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: [10]
Read the passage given below:
1. As a form of expression, graffiti is famously characterized by outlaw values; the creation and display of
graffiti countered societal rules and was considered by some as vandalism. Not only was it symbolic of
rebel values but was also linked to destruction of property. These links between graffiti culture and rebellion
were age-old and some say, were popularized by hip-hop culture.
2. Imagine waking up one morning, to see your walls smeared with black paint names, symbols, messages.
The most interesting bit is that these wall artists were never caught red-handed. It was all done stealthily. It
was almost as though people were marking their territory using painted symbols and slogans. The change
was creeping in. Mobile numbers and captivating phrases gradually became marketing tools for free
advertising. Catchy phrases tickled the curiosity and calls were made to those numbers.
3. Over a period of time, there was a shift in perception. Blank walls beckoned invitingly and artists saw
whitewashed walls as an opportunity to display their work in free and open settings. The city became one
large canvas; the illegal 'gang activity' became an art form on display in walking galleries. Graffiti was
gradually being replaced and the stigma of illegality was being dropped. There was a move to embrace
rather than condemn.
4. The colours, shapes, and subjects became cultural themes. What was once rebellious expression is artistic
talent at its vibrant best, rich in images of plants, animals and unspoiled landscapes. The painted walls
 encouraged by residents and governments have created their own ecosystem a reconciliation of nature with
man-made forces.
5. The monotony and uniformity of urban life is today infused with human vitality and beauty. Cities speak
proudly about the painted walls and clamour to be the first to preserve culture and history through these.
Graphic displays of social awareness issues effectively and economically reach out to the common man.
Silent art speaks volumes. Be it hygiene, conservation, education, or rights and duties the message is
conveyed in an animated, colourful manner without being an imposition.
(a) Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option.
Graffiti in the earlier years was

a) considered a valuable legacy. b) supported by society.

c) an expression of rebellion. d) done by prominent artists.

(b) Comment on the writer's statement, It was all done stealthily.
(c) List two reasons why graffiti was not popular among people.
(d) Select the word from para 2 of the passage that conveys the opposite of boring.
(e) The writer would agree with all of the following EXCEPT:

a) Graffiti became popular as a marketing b) Wall art was an age-old tradition.

tool.

c) Graffiti art was a paid activity. d) People were curious by what was
scribbled on walls.
(f) Which word from the following most nearly means reconciliation with reference to the given context?
(para 4)

a) cease fire b) combination

c) reunion d) resolution
(g) Why does the writer say that the stigma of illegality was dropped?
(h) Complete the following sentence with reference to the passage:
The city became one large canvas because ________.
(i) The passage states a shift in attitude. Identify the best option that indicates this shift.

a) dislike to acceptance b) rejection to dismissal

c) imposition to acceptance d) confusion to clarity

(j) List two ways in which wall art is beneficial to society.
2. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: [8]
1. The North-East of India is a melting pot of variegated cultural mosaic of people and races, an ethnic tapestry
of many hues and shades. Yet, these states are lesser explored as compared to the rest of the country. The
new generations of travellers who are ‘money rich and time poor’ are increasingly looking for unique
experiences - a phenomenon being called the emergence of the ‘experience economy’. For this new and
growing breed of tourists, the North-East with its variety and uniqueness holds immense attraction.
2. A study conducted in 2020 by Dr. Sherap Bhutia, revealed that the foreign tourist arrival in the North-East
increased from 37,380 persons in 2005 to 118,552 in 2014. The overall growth rate of tourist (both domestic
and foreign) in the North-East was as high as 26.44% during 2005-06. A high and positive growth of 12.53%
 was registered in foreign tourist visits to North-East States of India during 2012 from 2011, which further
rose to register a growth of 27.93% during 2013 from 2012. Foreign tourist arrivals in the North-East
witnessed a growth of 39.77% during 2014 from 2013, according to data provided from the Ministry of
Tourism, Government of India.
3. The study recommendations for tourism planners included the need to concentrate on some key areas like
enhancement of tourist facilities, tourism financing, focus on community involvement and others for the
formulation of a sustainable tourism strategy in the North-East States of India.
(a) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in paragraph 1.
The rate of tourism in the North-East of India puzzles tourism officials
(b) Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks.
From paragraph 1, we can infer that the ________ and ________ of the North-Eastern states aid attracting
the ‘money rich and time poor’ tourists.
i. distinctiveness
ii. conventionality
iii. diversity
iv. uniformity
v. modernity
A. i & iii
B. ii & iv
C. ii & v
D. i & iv
(c) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/ phrase from paragraph 1:
aroma : cooking :: ________ : painting
(Clue: Just like aroma is integral to cooking, similarly ________ is/are integral to painting)
(d) Select the correct option to complete the following sentence:
Travellers advocating the ‘experience economy’ seek a holiday package with (Paragraph 1)
A. grand facilities, expensive hotels and excellent services to pamper them.
B. a wholesome experience within the budget they have planned for.
C. places and cities to buy things from and opportunities spend money.
D. cost-effective services, affordable accommodation and many days of touring.
(e) Select the chart that appropriately represents the trend of foreign tourist travels in the North-East, from
2011-2014, as per paragraph 2.

A. Option 1
B. Option 2
C. Option 3
D. Option 4
(f) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option.
 The study of tourist travel statistics in the North-East, from 2005 to 2014 showed ________ results.
A. expected
B. encouraging
C. inconsistent
D. questionable
(g) Substitute the word ‘witnessed’ with ONE WORD similar in meaning, in the following, sentence from
paragraph 2:
Foreign tourist arrivals in the North-East witnessed a growth of...
(h) List any 2 examples of tourist facilities as referred to, in Paragraph 3.
3. Read the following passage carefully: [8]
Following the onset of industrialisation and the sustained urban growth of large population centres, the buildup
of waste in the cities has caused a rapid deterioration in levels of sanitation and the general quality of urban life.
The streets are gradually becoming choked with filth due to the lack of waste clearance regulations. So keeping
cities clean is essential for keeping the residents healthy. Our health depends not just on personal hygiene and
nutrition, but critically also on how clean we keep our cities and our surroundings. The spread of dengue and
chikungunya is intimately linked to the deteriorating state of public health conditions in our cities.
Waste management is the complete process of handling, processing, transporting, storage, recycling and disposal
of human, industrial and environmental waste. Waste management is a global phenomenon, but its ramifications
are more prominent in developing countries.
The good news is that waste management to keep cities clean is now getting attention through the "Swachh
Bharat Mission" in our country. However, much of the attention begins and stops with the brooms and the
dustbins, extending at most to the collection and transportation of the mixed waste to some distant or not so
distant place, preferably out of sight.
The challenge of processing and treating the different streams of solid waste and safe disposal of the residuals in
scientific landfills have received much less attention in municipal solid waste management than is expected from
a health point of view. Weak institutions, chronic under-resourcing and rapid urbanization are major challenges
to the waste management in a developing country like India.
One of the problems is that instead of focusing on waste management for health, we have got sidetracked into
‘‘waste for energy’’. If only we were to begin by not mixing the biodegradable component of solid waste (close
to 60 percent of the total) in our cities with the dry waste, and instead using this stream of waste for composting
and producing a gas called methane.
Waste collection and disposal methods vary widely among different countries and regions. For example,
curbside collection is the most common method of disposal in most European countries, Canada, New Zealand
and many other parts of the developed world in which waste is collected at regular intervals by specialised
trucks. Domestic waste collection services are often provided by the local government authorities, or by private
companies for industrial and commercial waste. Some areas, especially those in less developed countries, do not
have formal waste-collection systems.
In major areas of our country, city compost from biodegradable waste provides an alternative to farmyard
manure (like cow-dung). It provides an opportunity to simultaneously clean up our cities and help improve
agricultural productivity and quality of the soil. Organic manure or compost plays a very important role as a
supplement to chemical fertilisers in enriching the nutrient-deficient soils. City compost can be the new player in
the field.
 Benefits of compost to the farm are well-known. The water holding capacity of the soil which uses compost
helps in drought-proofing, and the requirement of less water per crop is a welcomed feature for a water-stressed
future. By making the soil porous, use of compost also make roots stronger and resistant to pests and decay.
Farmers using compost, therefore, need less quantity of pesticides. There is also an evidence to show,that
horticulture crops grown with compost have better flavour, size, colour and shelf-life.
City compost has the additional advantage of being weed-free, unlike farmyard manure which brings with it the
seeds of undigested grasses and requires a substantial additional labour cost for weeding as the crops grow. City
compost is also rich in organic carbon, and our soils are short in this. Farmers clearly recognize the value of city
compost. If city waste was composted before making it available to the farmers for applying to the soil, cities
would be cleaned up and the fields around them would be much more productive.
Quite apart from cleaning up the cities of biodegradable waste, this would be a major and sustainable
contribution to improving the health of our soil without further damage by excessive chemical inputs. What a
marvellous change from waste to health!
The good news is that some states are regularly laying plastic roads. Plastic roads will not only withstand future
monsoon damage but will also solve a city’s problem of disposal of non-recyclable plastic. It is clear that if the
mountains of waste from our cities were to be recycled into road construction material, it would tackle the
problem of managing waste while freeing up scarce land.
The government should initiate awareness campaigns and advertisements informing people about the adverse
effects of excess waste. New and advanced technology should be used for the disposal of waste. Maximum
recycling and reuse of the waste should be encouraged. Waste management is the call of the hour.
1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings.
Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary-minimum four) and a format you consider suitable.
Also supply an appropriate title to it.
2. Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words.
Section B : Grammar (7 Marks)
4. Answer any SEVEN of the following questions: [7]
(a) He _______ (go) out five minutes ago.(Fill tense correctly) [1]
(b) We are _______ (wait) for you. (Fill tense correctly) [1]
(c) __________ air conditioner do you find the most effective? (where/when/whose/which) [1]
(d) He bought a new motorcycle ___________ is black in colour. (who/what/which/where) [1]
(e) The words are too difficult to understand. (use so ... that) [1]
(f) We will not admit children under ten. (Passive voice) [1]
(g) is/fragrance/sandalwood/and/for/medicinal/properties/volued/its (reorder correctly) [1]
(h) was/the/them/house/broken/restored/by. (reorder correctly) [1]
Section - B Creative Writing Skills (16 Marks)
5. You have lost an expensive watch probably in the market. Write an advertisement for the ‘Lost and Found’ [3]
column of a local newspaper giving all the relevant details. Offer a reward also. Write the advertisement in about
50 words. You are Gopal/Gopa, Manav Road, Kanpur.
OR
You are Personnel Manager of Green Bio-Products Ltd. Sector 18, Industrial Area, Faridabad. You need efficient
P.A./stenographer for your office. Write an advertisement for the Situation Vacant column of a local daily.
6. Prepare a graceful poster for the Inter-School Poetic Recitation contest that the Hindi Sahitya Sabha of your [3]
 school is organizing to celebrate the birthday of Munshi Prem Chand.
OR
Design a poster for your School Fete. You may use slogans. Do not exceed 50 words.
7. You are Priya/Piyush. You are a member of the Environment Club of your school. After visiting many places [5]
you have realized that it is the need of the hour to protect the environment. You decide to create awareness
among the students. Write a speech in 150- 200 words on Environmental protection to be delivered in the
morning assembly.
OR
Every year there are floods or droughts in the country. Victims suffer a lot. The government does a lot to help the
people, but it is not enough. Society also must do its bit. Write a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in the
school morning assembly describing how the students can also help by collecting clothes, money and medicines from
their neighbourhoods. You are Arun/Aruna.
8. Write a debate in 150 - 200 words either for or against the motion: Chance plays a great role in the success of [5]
a businessman.
OR
‘The policy of reservation of seats for admission to the professional courses is good for the deprived sections of
society.’ Write a debate in 150-200 words either for or against the motion.
Section C : Literature (31 Marks)
9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. [3]
(a) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [3]
When did my childhood go?
Was it when I found my mind was really mine,
To use whichever way I choose,
Producing thoughts that were not those of other people
But my own, and mine alone
Was that the day!
i. When does the poet think he lost his childhood?
ii. What has the poet found about his mind?
iii. How can he use his mind?
(b) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [3]
Some twenty-thirty years later She'd laugh at the snapshot.
"See Betty And Dolly", she'd say,
"And look how they Dressed us for the beach".
The sea holiday Was her past, mine is her laughter.
Both wry With the labored ease of loss.
i. Find out word from the extract which means disappointed.
ii. Identify the poetic device used in the last line.
iii. Explain the phrase both wry with laboured ease of loss.
10. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. [3]
(a) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: [3]
In his defence, Carter really had little choice. If he hadn’t cut the mummy free, thieves most certainly
would have circumvented the guards and ripped it apart to remove the gold. In Tut’s time the royals
 were fabulously wealthy, and they thought - or hoped - they could take their riches with them. For his
journey to the great beyond, King Tut was lavished with glittering goods: precious collars, inlaid
necklaces and bracelets, rings, amulets, a ceremonial apron, sandals, sheaths for his fingers and toes,
and the now iconic inner coffin and mask - all of pure gold. To separate Tut from his adornments,
Carter’s men removed the mummy’s head and severed nearly every major joint. Once they had
finished, they reassembled the remains on a layer of sand in a wooden box with padding that
concealed the damage, the bed where Tut now rests.
i. How did Carter's team hide the damage caused by removing King Tut's adornments?
ii. Who was Howard Carter? What did he find?
iii. Pick evidence from the extract that suggests why Carter felt it was necessary to cut the mummy
and separate it from its adornments.
(b) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: [3]
The first leg of our planned three-year, 105,000 kilometre journey passed pleasantly as we sailed
down the west coast of Africa to Cape Town. There, before heading east, we took on two crewmen -
American Larry Vigil and Swiss Herb Seigler - to help us tackle one of the world’s roughest seas, the
southern Indian Ocean. On our second day out of Cape Town, we began to encounter strong gales.
i. List any two sensory details present in this extract.
ii. Pick out the evidence from the extract that helps one infer that the narrator had prior experience
with sailing and dealing with strong gales in the past.
iii. How long did the strong gales persist after they encountered them?
11. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. [4]
(a) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: [4]
CYRIL: [moving to the table; protesting] Now-look. When I asked you this morning, you promised.
You said you’d have to look through ‘em first in case there was any mending.
MRS PEARSON: Yes - well now I’ve decided I don’t like mending.
CYRIL: That’s a nice way to talk - what would happen if we all talked like that?
MRS PEARSON: You all do talk like that. If there’s something at home you don’t want to do, you
don’t do it. If it’s something at your work, you get the Union to bar it. Now all that’s happened is that
I’ve joined the movement.
CYRIL: [staggered] I don’t get this, Mum. What’s going on?
i. Complete the sentence appropriately.
The ‘movement’ which Mrs Pearson means when she says, ‘I’ve joined the movement’, is
________.
ii. In the given extract, what emotion was NOT felt by Cryril when he says, " You said you’d have to
look through ‘em first in case there was any mending"?
a. Irritated
b. Disgruntled
c. Annoyed
d. Offended
iii. Which changed trait of Mrs Pearson can be noticed in her temperament here in this extract?
iv. How is the line, "what would happen if we all talked like that", an example of contrast?
(b) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: [4]
 I looked up. The girl put cups ready on the tea-table. She had a broad back. Just like her mother. She
poured tea from a white pot. All it had was a gold border on the lid. I remembered. She opened a box
and took some spoons out.
That's a nice box. I heard my own voice. It was a strange voice. As though each sound was different
in this room.
Oh you know about them? She had turned round and brought me my tea. She laughed. My mother
says it is antique. We've got lots more. She pointed round the room. See for yourself.
i. What does the narrator find unusual about her own voice in the room?
a. It sounded like a familiar voice.
b. It had a strange and different quality.
c. It was too loud and jarring.
d. It echoed in the empty room.
ii. Complete the sentence appropriately.
The phrase "I remembered" suggests ________________________.
iii. How did the narrator feel on seeing the tea cups and box?
iv. Which line in the extract supports that the girl who opened the door resembled Mrs Dorling?
12. Answer the questions from either (a) or (b) in 40-50 words: [6]
(a) i. Why, do you think was the author perturbed at the loud hiss emitted by the car? (Silk Road) [3]
ii. Does the poem Father to Son talk of an exclusively personal experience or is it fairly [3]
universal?
(b) i. What was Gangadhar’s experience when he reached a small station Sarhad? (The Adventure) [3]
ii. How does the Laburnum tree appear in September? [3]
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words [3]
(a) How did Andrew assess that night’s work? [3]
(b) What was the result of the King’s thoughtless order? [3]
14. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. [6]
(a) Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their feelings for [6]
each other change? Answer in the context of The Portrait of a lady.
(b) There is a parallel, drawn between rain and music. Which words indicate this? Explain the similarity [6]
between the two. (The Voice of the Rain)
15. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. [6]
(a) One day back there in the good old days, when I was nine and the world was full of every [6]
imaginable kind of magnificence, and life was still a delightful and mysterious dream... The story
begins in a mood of nostalgia. Can you narrate some incident from your childhood that might make
an interesting story? (The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse)
(b) Have you come back? said the woman. I thought that no one had come back. Does this statement [6]
give some clues about the story? If yes, what is it? (The Address)