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
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 30th 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
20th May and to return on 23rd 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
1st
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 21st 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.
