SECTION A

Reading Skills 20 marks

1. Read the following passage carefully : 10

(1) The words probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics may sound like
variations of the same thing, but what a difference a prefix makes.
The first is a category of health-promoting microbes. The latter two
groups are types of beneficial molecules. But all three biotics are
critical for supporting the community of microscopic organisms that
live in the gastrointestinal tract, known as the gut microbiome. With
both beneficial and harmful bacteria living in the human body, these
diet-related factors the biotics help tip the balance in the
positive direction. It is important to understand their differences, as

even as they work together.

(2) Despite their importance for the gut microbiome, the health benefits
of these biotics , which are present in certain foods or result from
their metabolism, extend beyond the digestive tract. A growing body
of scientific evidence has linked prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics,
with improvements in metabolic diseases including obesity and
cholesterol abnormalities depressive symptoms and poor sleep
quality, among many other conditions.

(3) Besides promoting general gut health, consuming food rich in

probiotics can improve irritable bowel syndrome and
antibiotic-related diarrhea, prevent travel
vitamins and increase nutrient absorption, and decrease the risk of
common infections. In fact, when consumed regularly, probiotics have
been found to reduce the occurrence of upper respiratory tract
infections (like the common cold).

(4) Many different types of beneficial bacteria are considered probiotics.

The most common ones include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, of
match what it is

Gregor Reid. Many different types of beneficial bacteria are

considered probiotics.

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 (5) Some foods, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchee, and fermented soybeans
and kombucha naturally contain probiotics. But h
get complicated: not all fermented foods or yogurts contain probiotics,
Reid says. As a consumer, a good starting point is to look for the

if specific strains of

(6) Simply put, prebiotics are sources of food for those beneficial microbes
the probiotics. They are typically a form of carbohydrate or fiber
to digest. As a result, they move
through the digestive tract to the intestine, where beneficial bacteria
(probiotics) can feast on them.

(7) When you consume foods that are rich in probiotics and prebiotics,
the microbes in your gut consume the undigestible prebiotic fiber and
produce bioactive compounds called postbiotics. They are ultimately
the endgame that we want they affect how our gut operates and
keeps the good bacteria there and the bad bacteria out.

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :

(i)
attitude towards probiotics ? 1
(A) Probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics are variations of the
same thing, with just a difference of a prefix.
(B) All fermented foods or yogurts naturally contain probiotics.
(C) All three biotics are equally important to support microscopic
organisms that live in the gut microbiome.
(D) Only probiotics are important as they can improve irritable
bowel syndrome and antibiotic-related diarrhea.

(ii)
beyond the digestive tract. Rationalise your response in about
40 words. 2

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 (iii) Complete the sentence appropriately. 1
To get the right probiotic and to match
requirement, it is important to see the label for __________.

(iv) The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other.
From the sets (A) (E) below, identify two sets of antonyms. 1
(A) increase and decrease
(B) probiotic and postbiotic
(C) beneficial and harmful
(D) feast and fermented
(E) consuming and digestive
(v) Complete the sentence appropriately. 1
The author wants to stress the fact that there is not just one type
of beneficial bacteria considered as probiotic, in fact, some
probiotics have _________.
(vi) Based on the reading of the passage, examine in about 40 words,
the importance of prebiotics for the human gut and how they are
related to probiotics. 2
(vii) As a consumer, if you want to pick a probiotic product, what is the
most important thing to keep in mind ?
Pick the best answer. 1
(A) Any fermented product that contains probiotics.
(B) Checking the label for specific strains of bacteria.
(C) oti grocery store are
safe to pick.
(D) .

(viii) ir importance for the gut microbiome, the health

, which are present in certain foods or
result from t 1
As per this statement from the passage, how relevant are the
biotics for humans ? Pick the best answer.
(A) Their relevance has been proven by scientific evidence.
(B) Not very relevant as more study is needed.
(C) Their relevance cannot be generalised for everyone.
(D) Only probiotics are relevant for humans.

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2. Read the following passage carefully : 10

(1) After more than two years of

hospitality industry is now cautiously hopeful. Tourism constituted

2019. But the sector was severely hit in India like in other
countries in the past two years.

(2) Indians are now travelling with a vengeance , as

the phenomenon is called. And many, experts say, now prefer to
travel within the country instead of flying to more expensive
destinations abroad. The industry is also benefitting from new trends
borne of the pandemic such as micro-holidays and workcations.

(3) According to a survey, 51 percent of Indian travellers believed that

international travel remained an important means of expanding their
horizons and connecting with other cultures. Over two years, the
survey said, Indian travellers are now dreaming about their next
international trip and more than 70 percent of Indians are excited
about being able to travel internationally.

(4) There has also been an increase in the number of students going
abroad to study. The increasing desire to study overseas is credited to
the pent- -year duration. This has
got further pronounced because of growing aspirations and
affordability among the middle-class students from Tier II and
Tier III cities.

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 The table below shows foreign travel by Indians for different purposes
from 2019 to 2022.

Purpose 2019 2020 2021 2022

Business 14·7 L 2·6 L 1·2 L 4·6 L
Job 25·2 L 7·1 L 8·3 L 21·4 L
Residency 89·5 L 28·9 L 34·6 L 72·5 L
Education 5·8 L 2·6 L 4·4 L 6·5 L
Tourists 63·8 L 13·1 L 12·8 L 30·8 L
Visit 42·1 L 10·1 L 15·1 L 40·9 L
Medical 1,448 390 545 1,253
Pilgrimage 8·8 L 1·1 L 4,139 4·6 L
Others 2·6 L 54,775 58,767 1·6 L
Total 2·5 Crore 66·2 L 77·2 L 1·8 Crore

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :

(i) Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your

understanding of paragraphs 1 and 2. 1

We can say that the situation when people were travelling with
a vengeance is comparable to people going out to dine in hordes,
because _________________.

(ii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given
in brackets, based on your understanding of paragraph 1. 1

The statement that,

GDP and generated around 100 million jobs in 2019 , is a/an
____________ (fact/opinion) because it is a/an ____________
(subjective judgement/objective detail).

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 (iii) Justify the following in about 40 words. 2
After being cooped up inside their houses for more than two
years, Indians are now excited about being able to travel
internationally.

(iv) Based on the given table, for which purpose did Indian foreign
travel increase in 2022 as compared to 2019 ? 1

(v) benefitting from new trends borne of the

pandemic such as micro-holidays and workca Which
1

(vi) As per the given table, for which purpose did maximum number
of Indians undertake foreign travel in 2019 and in 2022 ?
State any one inference that can be drawn from this. 1

(vii) Why are students today choosing to go abroad to study ?

(Answer in about 40 words.) 2

(viii) Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study
mentioned in the passage ? 1

(A) International travel remains an important means of

expanding the horizons and connecting with other
cultures.

(B) Though travel, both domestic and international, has

picked up, it has yet to reach its previous levels.

(C) Indians are excited about being able to travel

internationally.

(D) The study needs to include experts from Tourism

Department to offer any recommendations for further
research.

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 SECTION B
Grammar and Creative Writing Skills 20 marks

Grammar

3. Complete any ten of the following twelve tasks, as directed. 10 1=10

(i) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the
brackets, for the given portion of a letter. 1

Thank you for exceeding company expectations and __________

(inspire) your team with your spectacular work ethic.

(ii) Read the given sentence from a movie review article.

Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence. 1

sequences.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

(iii) Akshat and Niharika had a conversation about the felicitation of

Aksha 1

What will you be wearing for tomorrow s function ?

(iv) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the
disclaimer given before a documentary film. 1

The film has been created by taking creative liberties and

dramatizing the events __________ (about/for/on) cinematic
expressions.
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 (v) Identify the error and supply the correction for the given sentence
from a comment posted by an admirer of a reporter. 1
The report was well document, so no one could claim that it was

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

(vi) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the
correct option. 1
Now that many employees have shown high productivity working
from home, will their bosses hereafter __________ them to take
working vacations ?
(A) expecting (B) expected
(C) have expected (D) expect

(vii) Read the dialogue between Karan and his teacher regarding his
absence from school. 1
Teacher : Karan, why were you absent yesterday ?
Karan : Yesterday I had cold and fever, sir.
beforehand.
Teacher : . Take care of your health.
Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above
dialogue.
The teacher asked Karan ___________________.
Karan replied that he had cold and fever the previous day and
the teacher beforehand. The teacher
advised him to take care of his health.
(A) why did he remain absent the previous day
(B) why he had been absent the previous day
(C) the reason he was absent
(D) why was he absent yesterday

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 (viii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the
correction for the opening line, from a Terms and Conditions
document. 1
Though all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the
content on this website, the same could not be construed as a
statement of law or used for any legal purposes.

Option No. Error Correction

(A) efforts effort
(B) ensure ensuring
(C) could should
(D) of for

(ix) Report the following dialogue between a hawker and his customer,
by completing the sentence. 1
Hawker : Do you want any tomatoes ?
Customer : Yes, indeed! Although they are a bit expensive, I like
to add tomatoes to my diet.
The hawker asked the customer whether she wanted any
tomatoes. The customer answered in the affirmative and
explained that _______________.

(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the
part of the grievance posted by a citizen on a social media
platform. 1

Crossing this stretch at any time of the day is a challenge. Even

during afternoons, there ____________ ice cream vendors on the
road with people crowding around their carts.
(A) were
(B) are
(C) have been
(D) would be

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 (xi) Complete the line from a Save the Planet song, by filling in the
blank with the correct option. 1

To save the planet for me and you

E is for environment, keep it clean
If we ___________ together, we ll make the best team.
(A) will be standing (B) stand
(C) had stood (D) are standing
(xii) Identify the error and supply the correction for the following note
in a smart . 1
When the watch is connected to the mobile phone, the watch may
automatically calibrate and synchronize with the time of the
mobile phone.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

Creative Writing Skills

Note : All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for
assessment purpose.

4. Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below : 5

(a) The problem of open manholes and drains in your locality is posing
a threat to the lives of people. As a young citizen, who cares about
the upkeep of the locality and safety of the residents, write a letter
to the editor of a local daily, in about 120 words, expressing your
concern at the situation and suggesting measures to resolve the
problem and drawing attention of the concerned authorities.
You are Sam/Karen of 67, Mist Apartments, Gagan Vihar, Akash
Nagar.
OR
(b) As Rohini Monga / Rohan Monga, of 43 Jai Apartments, Neerbagh,
you feel that there should be a dedicated space in the community
park for the senior citizens of the society, where they can gather.
Write a letter to the RWA of your society in about 120 words,
suggesting spaces in the park and emphasizing the importance of
creating such a space.

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5. Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below : 5

(a) The detailed global millets production data from different

countries is depicted in the pie chart given below. Analyze this
chart and write an analytical paragraph in about 120 words, by
selecting features that support your analysis and suggesting
possible reasons for the variation in production by different
countries.

Global Millet Production Statistics (FAO 2018)

For Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q. No. 5 (a) :

ortance of Tree
Planta . Using your own ideas and the information given
below, write the paragraph in about 120 words. 5
One of the best activities make planet greener, healthier to
develop biodiversity ensure supply of oxygen for coming
generations add to natural beauty NGOs can be involved for
plantation drive.
OR
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 (b) There are many benefits of healthy eating for adults as well as
children. The following charts reflect the same. Based on the
information given in the charts, write an analytical paragraph in
about 120 words, assessing the importance of healthy eating for
adults as well as children.

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 For the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q. No. 5 (b) :
Based on the given information, write an analytical paragraph in about
120 words, assessing the importance of healthy eating for both adults and
children.
Adults Children
longer life, healthy weight keeps them healthy and strong
keeps skin, teeth, eyes healthy strengthens bones
supports muscles supports muscles
boosts immunity boosts immunity
strengthens bones supports brain development
helps digestive system
supports healthy pregnancies
and breastfeeding
SECTION C
Literature 40 marks
6. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the
given two, (a) or (b) : 5
(a) We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge
ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of
poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.
Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will
again experience the oppression of one by another.
The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.
Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!
(Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom)
(i) State any one inference about Nelson Mandela from the given
context : 1

(ii) State True or False : 1

ntends to mean
well-being and welfare of only black people in South Africa.
(iii)
about 40 words with reference to the extract. 2
(iv) Which phrase would correctly the
given sentence from the extract. 1
The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.
OR

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 (b) The expected call came within a few days. Mrs. Pumphrey was
distraught. Tricki would eat nothing. Refused even his favourite
dishes; and besides he had bouts of vomiting. He spent all his time

anything.

I had made my plans in advance. The only way was to get Tricki out
of the house for a period. I suggested that he be hospitalised for about
a fortnight to be kept under observation.
(A Triumph of Surgery)
(i) Which of the following is not a reason why Mr. Herriot thinks
Tricki needs to be taken out of the house for a period ? 1

(A) He wanted to keep Tricki away from Mrs. Pumphrey.

(B) He wanted to keep Tricki under observation.

(C) He wanted to do an experiment on Tricki.

(D) He wanted to improve Tricki health.

(ii) What was the main reason for Mrs. Pumphrey to be

distraught ? Answer in about 40 words. 2

(iii) State True or False : 1

When Mr. Her
what he actually means is, he had already seen this trauma
coming for Tricki.

(iv) Which of the following best describes Mrs. Pumphrey ? 1

(A) unkind and inconsiderate

(B) impractical but compassionate

(C) anxious and ambitious

(D) fearful but confident

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7. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the
given two, (a) or (b) : 5

(a) In a world of possessions. People will take

Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is external.
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,

The epistemology of loss, how to stand up

Knowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up.
(The Ball Poem)

(i) Fill in the blank with one word. 1

will take balls, Balls will be lost
________.

(ii) The poet says that money is external. What inference can be
drawn from this statement ?
Answer in about 40 words. 2

(iii)
towards material possessions ? 1
(A) indifferent
(B) emotional
(C) casual
(D) respectful

(iv) 1

OR

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 (b)
Remember your acne, Amanda!

Amanda!
(I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
life in a tower is tranquil and rare;)
(Amanda)
(i) What is the central idea of the poem as reflected in the lines
above ?
Answer in about 40 words. 2

(ii) Complete the sentence with the appropriate option. 1

,
__________.
(A) loving (B) relaxed
(C) authoritative (D) thoughtful

(iii) Identify any one poetic device used in the above extract. 1

(iv) For what reason does Amanda imagine herself to be Rapunzel ? 1

8. Answer any four of the following five questions in 40 50 words

each : 4 3=12
(i) Maxwell decides to keep an otter as a pet. Elucidate with reference
to the fact that owning a pet is a life of commitment.
(Mijbil the Otter)
(ii) ad. How does
Ogden Nash create humour and entertainment in the poem ?
(iii)
characters and plot.
(iv) The author says During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be
our friend, companion and guide. Elaborate.
(Glimpses of India)
(v) Do you think you can love a person for his/her inner beauty alone
and not care about the physical appearance ?

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9. Answer any two of the following three questions in 40 50 words each : 2 3=6
(i) One should never judge a book by its cover. Explain with reference
to Ausable and how he outwits Max with his presence of mind.
(The Midnight Visitor)
(ii) c
(A Question of Trust)
(iii) How can one say that Ebright s curiosity / inquisitiveness drove him
to become a scientist ?
(The Making of a Scientist)

10. Answer any one of the following two questions in 100 120 words : 6
(a) You have been asked to present an evaluation of the approaches of
both, the Baby Seagull and the Pilot who was lost in the clouds,
towards achieving their dreams of conquering the skies.
Write this presentation draft including your insights, comparing the
approaches of both.
You may begin this way : One acknowledges that both, the Seagull
and the Pilot, wanted to ........................ however, ........................ .
(Reference : Two Stories About Flying)

OR

(b) You have been chosen to address the school assembly, to speak on
the epistemology of loss and the resilience of the human spirit
during times of crisis. Prepare the speech draft, with reference to

You may begin this way :

Good morning everyone.
Today, re that offer a
powerful insight into how to deal with loss and the resilience of the
human spirit required during times of crisis.
You may end this way :
........................ . Thank you.

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11. Answer any one of the following two questions in 100 120 words : 6

(a) Imagine that Bholi writes a diary entry, exploring the themes of
, in the context of her own
experiences.
Write this dairy entry, as Bholi.

OR

(b) A character arc is the transformation or development of a character

throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes
as a result of his/her experiences, challenges and interactions with
other characters.

In light of the above information, trace the character arc of Griffin in

H.G. Wells Footprints without Feet .

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