Sample Paper with Solution, Latest Pattern, 80 Marks

SAMPLE PAPER – 1

Time Allowed : 3 hours                                                                                                          M.M. : 80

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

1.      This paper is divided into three sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.

2.   Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.

3.      Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION – A

(READING)                                                                                                                                                  (Marks : 20)

1.         Read the passage given below:

1.   Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so much grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and time turning him into an immortal personality. He along with his kingdom became a synonym for valour, sacrifice and patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput kingdom even before Maharana Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of their nobels and subjects had established such traditions in the kingdom, as augmented their magnificence despite the hurdles of having a smaller area under their command and less population. There did come a few thorny occasions when the flag of the kingdom seemed sliding down. Their flag once again heaved high in the sky thanks to the gallantry and brilliance of the people of Mewar.

2.   The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the rulers were competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued for 1500 years since its establishment, right from the reign of Bappa Rawal. In fact only 60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga drove the kingdom to the pinnacle of fame. His reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two generations before him, Rana Kumbha had given a new stature to the kingdom through victories and developmental work. During his reign, literature and art also progressed extraordinarily. Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with reverence even today. The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of high quality work of art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome of a longstanding tradition sustained by several generations.

3.   The life of the people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous during the long span of time; otherwise such extraordinary accomplishment in these fields would not have been possible. This is reflected in their art and literature as well as their loving nature. They compensate for lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant nature. The ambience of Mewar remains lovely thanks to the cheerful and liberal character of its people.

4.   One may observe astonishing pieces of workmanship not only in the forts and palaces of Mewar but also in public utility buildings. Ruins of many structures which are still standing tall in their grandeur are testimony to the fact that Mewar was not only the land of brave but also a seat of art and culture. Amidst aggression and bloodshed, literature and art flourished and creative pursuits of literature and artists did not suffer. Imagine, how glorious the period must have been when the Vijaya Stambha which is the sample of our great ancient architecture even today, was constructed. In the same fort, Kirti Stambha is standing high, reflecting how liberal the then administration was which allowed people from other communities and kingdom to come and carry out construction work. It is useless to indulge in the debate whether the Vijay Stambha was constructed first or the Kirti Stambha. The fact is that both the capitals are standing side by side and reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.

5.   The cycle of time does not remain the same. Whereas the reign of Rana Sanga was crucial in raising the kingdom to the acme of glory, it also proved to be his nemesis. History took a turn. The fortune of Mewar- the land of the brave, started waning. Rana tried to save the day with his acumen which was running against the stream and the glorious traditions for sometime.

A.     On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer each of the questions given below with the help of the options that follow:                                        (1*4=4)       

   

(a)        Maharana Pratap became 1immortal because:

(i)         he ruled Mewar for 25 years

(ii)        he added a lot of grandeur to Mewar

(iii)       of his valour, sacrifice and patriotism

(iv)       both (ii) and (iii)

(b)       Difficulties in the way of Mewar were:

(i)         lack of cooperation of the nobility

(ii)        ancient traditions of the kingdom

(iii)       its small area and small population

(iv)       the poverty of the subjects

(c)        During thorny occasions :

(i)         the flag of Mewar seemed to be lowered

(ii)        the flag of Mewar was hoisted high

(iii)       the people of Mewar showed gallantry

(iv)       most of the rulers heaved a sigh of relief

(d)       Mewar was lucky because:

(i)         all of its rulers were competent

(ii)        most of its people were competent

(iii)       most of its rulers were competent

(iv)       only a few of its people were incompetent

B.        Answer the following questions briefly:

(e)        Who is the earliest King of Mewar mentioned in the passage?

(f)        What was Rana Kumbha’s contribution to the glory of Mewar?

(g)        What does the writer find worth admiration in the people of Mewar?

(h)       How could art and literature flourish in Mewar?

(i)         How did the rulers show that they cared for their subjects?

(j)        What does the erection of Vijaya Stambha and Kirti Stambha in the same fort signify?

C.        Find words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following:

(i)         surprising (para 4)

(ii)        evidence (para 4)

SOLUTION

A.

(a)        iv         (b)       iii         (c)        i           (d)       iii

B.

(e)        Bappa Rawal was the earliest king of Mewar.

(f)       During his reign literature and art progressed extraordinarily.Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with reverence even today.

(g)        Their gallantry and brilliance.

(h)       Because of a longstanding tradition sustained by several generations.

(i)         Accomplishment in the field of arts and literature.

(j)        The proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.

C.        (i)         astonishing      (ii)        testimony

2.         Read the passage given below:                                                                                              (8)

People tend to amass possessions, sometimes without being aware of doing so. They can have a delightful surprise when they find something useful which they did not know they owned. Those who never have to change house become indiscriminate collectors or what can only be described as clutter. They leave unwanted objects in drawers, cupboards and attics for years in the belief that they may one day need them. Old people also accumulate belongings for two other reasons, lack of physical and mental energy, and sentiment. Things owned for a long time are full of associations with the past, perhaps with the relatives who are dead, and so they gradually acquire a sentimental value.

Some things are collected deliberately in an attempt to avoid wastage. Among these are string and brown paper, kept by thrifty people when a parcel has been opened. Collecting small items can be a mania. A lady cuts out from newspapers sketches of model clothes that she would like to buy if she had money. As she is not rich, the chances are that she will never be able to afford such purchases. It is a harmless habit, but it litters up her desk.

Collecting as a serious hobby is quite different and has many advantages. It provides relaxation for leisure hours, as just looking at one’s treasure is always a joy. One doesn’t have to go out for amusement as the collection is housed at home. Whatever it consists of - stamps, records, first editions of books, china- there is always something to do in connection with it, from finding the right place for the latest addition to verifying facts in reference books. This hobby educates one not only in the chosen subjects, but also in general matters which have bearing on it.

There are other benefits also. One gets to meet like-minded collectors to get advice, compare notes, exchange articles, to show off one’s latest find etc. So one’s circle of friends grows. Soon the hobby leads to travelling, perhaps a meeting in another town, possibly a trip abroad in search of a rare specimen, for collectors are not confined to one country. Over the years one may well become an authority on one’s hobby and will probably be asked to give informal talks to little gatherings and then, if successful, to larger audiences.

(a)      On the basis of your understanding of the above passage make notes on it, using headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary- minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it.                                                                                                                                               (5)

(b)       Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words.                                                           (3)

SOLUTION

Title :  Collecting

1.         Tendency to amass

1.1       Without being aware, surprise at finding useful

1.2       not change house, indiscriminate collectors, clutter

1.3       old people acc. belongings, lack of physical and mental energy

1.4       long time, senti. value

2.         Deliberate collection

2.1       To avoid wastage

2.2       Mania

2.3       Harmless bt litters

3.         Collecting as a serious hobby

3.1       Many advnts.

3.1.1    Provides relaxation, joy amusement

3.1.2    Educates not only in chosen sub. but also in general matters

4.         Other benefits

4.1       Meet like-minded collectors, get advice, compare notes, exchange articles

4.2       Friend circle grows, leads to travelling

4.3       Authority on one’s hobby, informal talks, larger audiences

Key to abbreviation

1.         acc.                  -           accumulate

2.         senti.                -           sentimental

3.         bt                     -           but

4.         advnts.            -           advantages

5.         sub.                 -           subject

SECTION : B

(WRITING SKILLS)                                                                                                                               (Marks : 30)

4.         You are Karan Kumar/ Karuna Bajaj, a leading lawyer practising in Surat. You want to buy an independent house at City Light Road to be used as office-cum-residence. Draft an advertisement in about 50 words for the classified columns of a local newspaper. You can be contacted at 45645678.                                                                                              (4)

                                                                                                                                                     

WANTED           A leading lawyer practising in Surat wants to hire a house, 1500 sq.ft. area, to be used as office-cum-residence, should have proper ventilation and spacious parking, east facing, minimum period- 2 yrs., proper water facility. Affordable rent- 25000 p.m. Contact : Karan Kumar, Mob: 45645678

OR

On 30^th November your school is going to hold its annual sports day. You want Mr. Dhanraj Pillai, a noted hockey player to give away the prizes to the budding sportspersons of the school.Write a formal invitation in about 50 words requesting him to grace the occasion. You are Karuna/ Karan, Sports Secretary, Sunrise Global School, Agra.(4)

The Principal & Staff of Sunrise Public School request the pleasure of your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion of Annual Sports Day at school premises, on 10 December, at 10 a.m. R.S.V.P.                                                                      With Best Wishes Gautam Kumar Principal

5.         SAF Public School, Chandigarh is planning to take a group of 40 senior students to Shimla on an excursion during the summer vacation. Mr. Mohandas the teacher incharge of ‘Excursions and Field Trips’ writes a letter to JJ Tours & Travels, Chandigarh asking them to organize the tour. Write a letter giving details of preference such as dates of journey, transport, accommodation etc.                                                   (6)

            SAF Public School

            Chandigarh

            1 March, 20**

The Manager

            JJ Tours & Travels

            Chandigarh

            Subject: To arrange excursion & field trips.

            Sir

            With reference to the subject cited above, I would like to state that SAF Public School is planning an excursion and field trips for 3 days for the senior students of the school in the month of May to Srinagar. We prefer to leave on 20^th May and to return on 23^rd May.

            As the Incharge of this trip I would like you to arrange third a.c. train tickets for twenty people. The names and details of the candidates will be sent through Whatsapp, once you approve of this plan. We would like to accommodate ourselves in at least a three star hotel with proper facilities with proper amenities. The availability of easy conveyance will be the preference for the location of the hotel. The per head charge should not exceed 3000/- including food.

            So let us know what offer you have for this trip. The priority is comfortable and safe trip and stay.

            Looking forward to your reply.

            Yours sincerely

            Mohan Das

            Incharge- Excursion & Field Trips

OR

            You are Navneet of 65, P.H. Road, Mangalore. Recently you bought a mobile phone from the “The Phone Point”, 83 Mount Road, Mangalore. The phone instrument developed a problem within a month of purchase. Write a letter to the dealer giving details of the nature of the problem and asking him/her to rectify the defect or replace the set.         (6)

            65, P.H. Road

            Mangalore

            1^st March 20**

            The Phone Point

            83, Mount Road

            Mangalore

            Subject: Problem with the mobile phone.

            Sir

            With reference to the subject cited above I would like to state that I, Navneet purchased a mobile phone, Lenovo P 70 from your shop last month vide bill no. 2131 but within a month it has developed a lot of problems. It hangs a lot and automatically shuts down. Most of the times the contact manager doesn’t respond so it takes a lot of time to call somebody. No downloading is possible as it always shows ‘out of space’. I am now fed up with all these problems. I even called you once but I didn’t get any satisfactory answer.

            Therefore, I request to you to either rectify the problem or replace this piece with a new one so that I can have a hassle free use.

            The Phone Point enjoys a good reputation in the market and I would highly appreciate if you look into the matter at your earliest and do the needful.

            Looking forward to your response.

            Yours sincerely

            Navneet

6.         Teenager is commonly perceived as the most joyful period of an individual’slife. Vidya who represents the teenagers of today feels that the pressure of the competitive world they live in has made teen years less exciting and expresses her ideas in an article entitled, ‘On Being a Teenager’ for the ‘Youth Times’. Write the article in 150-200 words.                                                                                                                                     (10)

ON BEING A TEENAGER

                                                                                                                        By- Vidya

            Teenage is supposed to be the great period of one’s life. It is the age when a child undergoes a transition from childhood to adulthood – physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. He enjoys taking decisions for himself, can have new friends and can do most of the things on his own. At home he plays a pampered child of his parents and outside home he plays being mature.

            Some years ago this period was supposed to be the most wonderful part of one’s life; something which one looked forward to flaunting one’s style, ability and power. But today the situations have changed to a great extent. Teenage is no more a wonderland; in stead it is full of tensions, competitions, expectations and burdens.  A teenager today is not at all carefree rather he seems to be careworn. The games that a teenager used to play some years back seems to have extincted and replaced by virtual and brainy games. The teenagers running, jumping, shouting, galloping etc. now seem to be a part of some fairy tale.

            Teenagers are now more adults thinking how to win and defeat rather than thinking what to play and enjoy. They are burdened with heavy bags, assignments, projects etc. They are so much burdened that the learning activities which are meant to stimulate creativity in them have become mere imitationary tasks.

            Today parents’ expectations are very high and the innocent children have to bear the brunt of it. What the parents should do is to take the pressure off the child but instead they load the children with the burden of their expectations and ambitions which crush the creativity of the children making them mere rote learners.

OR

            Every activity that man indulges in creates waste of some kind. Some of the waste can be recycled or reused. In fact the need of the hour is to conserve the earth’s resources in all possible ways. Write an article on the topic “Conservation, Need of the Hour’ in 150- 200 words. You are Brinda, a keen environmentalist.                                                       (10)

CONSERVATION, NEED OF THE HOUR

                                                                                                                        By-Brinda

            The beauty and genius of a work of art may be reconceived though its first material impression may be destroyed; a vanished harmony may yet again inspire the composer but can this be applied to the human race … the earth … our environment?

            Man is supposed to be the best creation of God and nature has an equal standing. The early man lived in close relation with nature. His needs were modicum and nature could satisfy his needs but gradually his ambitions and desires grew and he started exploiting nature upsetting its ecological balance which has led to catastrophic dimensions. Today it’s clear that man’s needs have increasingly become exorbitant and in this 21^st century we are looking forward to a bleak future or perhaps no future at all. You may call it morbid but truth hits hard.

            At the rate man is depleting the earth’s natural resources without any consideration of replenishment, he may be in the process of puncturing his own lungs.

            The obliteration of our natural environment is not a historical accident; it is not only the consequence of our advancement and development but the consequence of our exploitation and dominance also.

            But as it goes, “Hope springs eternal in human breast,” our race still has hope. Conservation can be a solution to this problem. It can work out only if all the countries come together and put in their expertise to solve the problem.

            Conservation is an exigency. If we have to survive, it is mandatory that everyone works towards conservation. We have a limited supply of resources and so we must use them judiciously.

7.         Brain drain is not a bane for a developing country like India. Write a debate in (150- 200 words) either for or against the motion.                                                                             (10)

                
         Respected Chairperson, members of the jury and my dear friends, I am going to express my views for the motion, “Brain drain is not a bane for a developing country like India.” I firmly believe that brain drain is not a bane for a developing country like India.

Brain drain has been quite a debated issue in India in the recent past with technically educated and skilled people going abroad in search of better salary and lifestyle due to lack of opportunities or expected dignity in their own native land.

            We have often expressed our anger and annoyance on such mass exodus feeling that instead of serving our country they are serving other countrymen; that they are unpatriotic. But my dear friends, in my view it is not unpatriotic not even a loss to the country. On the contrary, I take it as brain gain. Instead of getting frustrated in their own country with low salary and the job which is not worth them it is much better to go and settle somewhere where they feel their urges are met.

            In most of such cases I have found that people come back to their own country and settle for the rest part of their life. If it is so how can they be called unpatriotic? On the contrary, I take them to be more patriotic as they make the other countrymen accept the talent of India and it is because of these talented and skilled individuals that the countries regard India as a country of skilled workforce. Such people when come back to India, their skill and money both become of use to India.

            So to conclude, I repeat my firm belief that brain drain is not a bane for a developing country like India.

OR

            Write a speech in 150-200 words on the topic, ‘Discipline shapes the future of a student.’It is to be delivered in the morning assembly.You are Karuna/Karan.                                                                                                                                                  (10)

            Respected principal sir, teachers and my dear friends, I, Karan, am going to deliver a speech on discipline.

            Today in the modern age the students are lagging behind because of the lack of discipline. It is not fair as the students of today will become the policy makers of tomorrow. It is the student life during which character is formed. Discipline is the most fundamental of qualities that shape a student. Discipline means self-control; Discipline means the tendency to act most appropriately on all occasions without trespassing the rules of propriety.

            The lack of discipline among the students is one of the chief problems of the day. This is because they have not been disciplined in their families and the classroom. The social atmosphere is so full of pernicious influences that they affect their tender, impressionable minds.

            In today’s times when there is cut-throat competition, self-discipline is the key to success. It is not a key one can buy from the market; it is a rare quality which one has to inculcate, nurture and cherish from early childhood. Through self-discipline comes concentration which in turn helps a student to scale newer heights of academic excellence. Temptations are always there but those who learn the subtle art of self-discipline, nothing can prevent them from attaining their goals in life.

            It is said the people of a nation are its wealth. Discipline and hard work make us complete human beings. So let us take a vow that we’ll be disciplined and responsible and will take India ahead.

            Thank You.

SECTION : C

LITERATURE: TEXT BOOKS AND LONG READING TEXT                              (MARKS: 30)

8.         Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:                                (4)

           
            Now we will count to twelve

            and we will all keep still.

            For once on the face of this Earth

            Let’s not speak in any language,

            Let’s stop for one second,

            And not move our arms so much.

(a)        What is the significance of the number ‘twelve’?                                                                   (1)

(b)       Which two activities does the poet want us to stop?                                                                (1)

(c)        What does the poet mean by ‘let’s not speak in any language’?                                              (1)

(d)       Describe the pun on the word, ‘arms’                                                                                       (1)

SOLUTION

(a)        The number ‘twelve’ has been used because there are twelve numbers on the dial of a watch; we divide the time of a day into two twelves and moreover, there are twelve months in a year.

(b)        The poet wants us to stop conversation and stop fighting.

(c)        The poet wants us to be silent because only silence can allow us to indulge in quiet introspection.

(d)       The poet has used the word ‘arms’ in the sense of weapons i.e. he wants us to avoid fighting.

OR

            … I saw my mother,

            beside me,

            doze, open mouthed, her face

            ashen like that

            of a corpse and realized with pain …

(a)        Who is ‘I’?                                                                                                                               (1)

(b)       What did ‘I’ realize with pain?                                                                                                 (1)

(c)        Why was the realization painful?                                                                                             (1)

(d)       Identify and name the figure of speech used in these lines                                                      (1)

SOLUTION

(a)        ‘I’ is the poet, Kamala Das.

(b)       The poet realized with pain that her mother had really got very old as she had once thought   and feared about her.

(c)       The realization was painful because it brought forth sad thoughts in her mind which she had   already pondered over.

(d)       The poet has used simile in ‘ashen like that of a corpse.’

9.          Read the following extract carefully and answer the following questions :             (4*1=4)
   
           In those days I worked in a cubicle, two whole sides of which were French windows (I didn't know that time they were called French windows). Seeing me sitting at my desk tearing up newspapers day in and day out, most people thought, I was doing next to nothing. It is likely that the boss thought likewise too. So anyone who felt I should be given some education would barge into my cubicle and deliver an extended lecture. The boy in the makeup department had decided I should be enlightened on how great literary talent was being allowed to go waste in a department fit only for barbers and perverts. Soon I was praying for crowd-shooting all the time.

a.         What does a "French Window" mean?

b.         Who is the "I" in the paragraph?

c.          Write the meaning of "barge into"?

d.          Why would he pray for crowd shooting all the time?

SOLUTION

a.          A pair of big glass doors which you go through into a garden or onto a balcony.

b.          'I' is the author Asokmitran. 

c.           Abruptly or rudely interrupt.

d.           Because nothing short of it could save him from the epics of "make-up boy."

10.         Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each:                        (5*2=10)

(a)      What does the reference to chappals in ‘Lost Spring’ tell us about the economic condition of the rag pickers?

(b)       What do we learn about the crofter’s nature from the story, ‘The Rattrap’?

(c)       How is Shakespeare wicked and map a bad example for the children of the school in the slum?

(d)      What picture of male chauvinism (tyranny) do we find in the poem, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’?

(e)        How did the Governor, Oxford Prison describe Evans to the Secretary Examination Board?

(f)        At the dining table why did Zitkala-Sa begin to cry when others started eating?

SOLUTION

(a)        The reference to chappals tells us that the rag-pickers of Seemapuri were extremely poor. They didn’t have enough money to purchase chappals for them and even in extreme heat they walked barefoot.

(b)        The crofter was a very kind person and easily believed anybody. The peddler was a total stranger to him still he treated him very nicely and not only that but he shared his confidences also with him.

(c)        Shakespeare is wicked because Shakespeare’s works are symbolic of material comforts and luxury so going through his works which include the description of royal people, kindle desires in the hearts of the poor children which ultimately tempts them to adopt wrong ways. In the same way the map is also an example of material comfort distracting the children from the right path.

(d)       It shows that males dominate and oppress females. Their whole life goes in meekly following their husbands and dutifully observing wedded responsibilities. Their desires are curbed and they lead a helpless life without any certainty and pride.

11.       Answer the following questions in 120- 150 words:                                                  (6*2=12)

Every teenager has a hero/ heroine to admire. So many times they become role models for them. What is wrong if Sophie fantasizes about Danny Casey and is ambitious in life?

OR

            Our native language is part of our culture and we are proud of it. How does the presence of village elders in the classroom and Mr. Hamel’s last lesson show their love for French?

Ans.     It is quite natural for the teenagers to have dreams and think of fulfilling them so there is nothing wrong if Sophie fantasizes about Danny Casey and is ambitious in life. But the problem is in the process of dreaming people detach themselves with reality. One should always be on the real grounds and base one’s aspirations on logics rather than baseless dreams because otherwise one will have to suffer pangs of depression. In Sophie’s case the same problem was there. In dreaming of her future and Daney Cassey, she lost her connection with reality which landed her into utter dismay.

12.       Answer the following questions in 120- 150 words:                                                 (6*2 =12)

Both Derry and Lamb are victims of physical impairment, but much more painful for them is feeling of loneliness. Comment.

OR

            How did Jack end the Roger Skunk’s story? How and why Jo want to change it?

Ans.     Derry is a boy of fourteen and one side of his face is burnt by acid, and Mr. Lamb is a lame person. They are able to bear the pain of physical impairment but the pain caused by alienation and the special behaviour of people is really very hard to bear, especially to a boy like Derry. Such people also expect an equal standing and good behaviour from others but when they are alienated and not respected by others, they are dismayed and develop a negative attitude towards the society. Such treatments hurt them and stimulate them to take wrong steps. The society should develop an understanding towards such people as they are also a part of society.