SUBJECT : ENGLISH CORE TERM-I EXAMINATION MAX MARKS : 80

DATE : GRADE : XII DURATION : 3 Hrs

NAME:_______________________________ SECTION:_____ ROLL NO.:_____

General Instructions: 1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and
LITERATURE.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (22 marks)

Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages
Q.1. Read the following text. 12 M
Arthur lay in his cabin, still trying to piece together the events of the last few hours. He had watched his home
planet of Earth be demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass, been saved by his friend Ford, and then
whisked away on a ship that was powered by an “infinite improbability drive.” It was all too much for him.

Just then, Ford stuck his head around the door.

“Hey, Earthman,” he said, “come and have a look at this.”
Arthur stumbled after him down a corridor and into the ship’s control room. He gazed in amazement at the banks of
controls and flashing lights. In the centre of the room was a large console covered in buttons and switches, and in
the middle of the console was a small, white mouse.

“What’s that?” asked Arthur.

“That’s the ship’s computer,” said Ford.
Arthur stared at the mouse. “That’s a computer?” he said.
“Yup,” said Ford. “Five-dimensional, biologically-based, super intelligent, and in the form of a white lab mouse.
Pretty neat, huh?”

“I don’t know,” said Arthur. “I don’t think I really understand anything anymore. Why is a mouse the ship’s
computer?”

“It’s a long story,” said Ford. “But the short version is that the mice built the Earth as a giant computer to figure out
the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. Then they ran out of money and had to destroy it to
make way for a hyperspace bypass. So now they’re using the Heart of Gold to finish the calculation.”

Arthur was about to say something, but at that moment the ship’s intercom crackled to life.
“Good evening, Heart of Gold,” said a smooth, computerised voice. “This is Eddie, your shipboard computer. I’m
feeling a bit depressed today. Would you like me to sing you a song?”
“Oh, not again,” groaned Ford.

“Eddie, would you mind shutting up?” said Arthur.

Arthur sighed and leaned back against the console, trying to make sense of everything. But as he closed his eyes, he
heard a voice inside his head.
“Hello?” it said.
Arthur jumped, startled. “Who’s there?” he said.
“It’s me,” said the voice. “Marvin.”
“Marvin?” said Arthur. “Who’s Marvin?”
“The Paranoid Android,” said the voice.

Arthur looked around, but he didn’t see anyone. “Where are you?” he said.
“I’m down here,” said the voice.
Arthur looked down and saw a small, metal figure shuffling across the floor. It was about three feet tall, with a
round head and a body that looked like it had been cobbled together from spare parts. Its eyes were a dull red, and
its voice was a monotone.
“I’ve been waiting for someone to talk to me for over two million years,” said Marvin.
-Adapted – An excerpt from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams / 444 words

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. Select the option that classifies Arthur’s confusion about drastic events such as the destruction of his 1
home planet and the introduction of new technologies, correctly.

a) Routine and boredom b) Adventure and excitement

c) Loss and change d) Calm and relaxation

ii. Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words to support the view that the writer’s writing style is 2
descriptive and humorous.

iii What is the significance of the white lab mouse in the control room of the Heart of Gold spaceship? 1
a). It is the captain of the ship b). It serves as the ship’s computer
c). It is a pet of the crew d). It is used for scientific experiments

iv. Explain, in about 40 words, why the name “The Paranoid Android” is considered ironic. 2

v. Complete the sentence appropriately with a characteristic or its description. 1

Based on the information given in the excerpt, one can infer that the mice who built the Earth are
____________.

vi. Select the option that is similar in meaning to Ford’s expression , “Pretty neat, huh?”. 1
a). Easy, isn’t it? b) Could be worse, no?
c) Impressive, yes? d) Too difficult for you?

vii. In the line, “…a body that looked like it had been cobbled together from spare parts…”, what 1
comparison does the word “cobbled” refer to?

viii How does the following impact the reader, even though they know Marvin is just an android? 2
“I’ve been waiting for someone to talk to me for over two million years,” said Marvin.
Answer in about 40 words.

ix Read the five headlines (a) -(e), given below: 1

1. HUMANITY’S JOURNEY WITNESSED BY A DEPRESSED ROBOT

2. HITCHHIKING THROUGH SPACE: A COMICAL TAKE ON THE END OF THE WORLD
3. NEW STUDY FINDS ALIENS LIVING AMONG US
4. GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGY WILL SOON ENABLE TIME TRAVEL
5 INTERGALACTIC TRAVEL VIA NEW INFINITE IMPROBABILITY DRIVE

Identify the option that displays the headline/s that DOES/ DO NOT correspond with occurrences in
the passage.
a). Only (1) b) (2) (3) and (4) c). Only (5) d). (1) and (5)
Q.2 Read the following text. 10

1. When plastic waste is burnt, a complex weave of toxic chemicals is released. Breaking down Poly
Vinyl Chloride, (PVC) is used for packaging, toys and coating electrical wires. It produces
dioxin, an organochlorine which belongs to the family of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). A
recent Dioxin Assessment Report brought out by the United States Environment Protection
Agency (USEPA) says the risk of getting cancer from dioxin is ten times higher than reported by
the agency in 1994.

Yet the Delhi government is giving the green signal to a gasification project which will convert
2. garbage into energy without removing plastic waste. Former transport minister Rajendra Gupta,
the promoter of this project, says this is not necessary. He claims no air pollution will be caused
and that the ash produced can be used as manure. An earlier waste-to-energy project set-up in
Timarpur failed. The new one, built with Australian assistance, will cost 200 crore. It will
generate 25 megawatts of power and gobble 1,000 tonnes of garbage every day.

“Technologies like gasification are a form of incineration,” says Madhumita Dutta, central
3. coordinator with Toxics Link, New Delhi. Incineration merely transfers hazardous waste from a
solid form to air, water and ash, she points out. Toxins produced during incineration include acidic
gases, heavy metals as well as dioxins and furans. “The ‘manure’ will be hazardous and a
problem to dispose,” says Dutta.

Municipal solid waste contains a mix of plastics. Breaking down this waste emits hydrochloric
4. acid which attacks the respiratory system, skin and eyes, resulting in coughing, vomiting and
nausea. Polyethylene generates volatile compounds like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, both
suspected carcinogenic. Breathing styrene from polystyrene can cause leukaemia. Polyurethane
is associated with asthma. Dioxin released by PVC is a powerful hormone disruptor and causes
birth defects and reproductive problems. There is no threshold dose to prevent it and our bodies
have no defence against it.

5. “Even the best run incinerators in the world have to deal with stringent norms, apart from
contaminated filters and ash, making them hugely expensive to operate,” says Dutta. In Germany,
air pollution devices accounted for two-thirds the cost of incineration. Despite such efforts, the
European Dioxin Inventory noted that the input of dioxin into the atmosphere was the highest
from incineration.

How has the global plastic waste disposal method changed over time? In the chart, we see the
6. share of global plastic waste that is discarded, recycled or incinerated from 1980 through to 2015.
Prior to 1980, recycling and incineration of plastic was negligible; 100 percent was therefore
discarded. From 1980 for incineration and 1990 for recycling, rates increased on average by about
0.7 percent per year. In 2015, an estimated 55 percent of global plastic waste was discarded, 25
percent was incinerated and 20 percent recycled.
 7.

“India does not have the facility to test dioxin and the cost of setting one up is prohibitively
expensive,” says Dutta. Besides, Indian garbage has a low calorific content of about 800 cal/kg,
since it has high moisture and requires additional fuel to burn. Toxics link calculates that the
electricity generated from such technology will cost between 5-7 per unit, which is six times
higher than conventional energy. India has chosen a dioxin preventive route and burning of
chlorinated plastics is prohibited under Municipal Solid Waste and Biomedical Rules. Nearly 80
percent of Indian garbage is recyclable or compostable. Resident associations, the informal sector
and the municipal corporation can make Delhi’s garbage disappear in a sustainable manner.
“Instead, the government promotes the end of pipeline solutions,” says Dutta.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. Which statements are NOT TRUE according to the passage? 1

1. India has adopted a preventive measure under which burning of chlorinated plastics is prohibited.
2. USEPA says that the risk of getting cancer from dioxin is hundred times higher than reported by
the agency in 1994.
3. Incineration merely transfers hazardous waste from a solid form to air, water and ash.
4. Hydrochloric acid attacks the digestive system, nose and eyes which results in diabetes and
nausea.

a) 2 and 4 b)1 and 3 c)3 and 4 d)1 and 2

ii. Garbage can be converted into energy by ................... (Complete the Sentence) 1

iii. Based on the graphical chart in the passage, choose the option that correctly states the ratio between 1
discarded waste to recycled global plastic waste in 2015.

a) option 1 b) option 2 c) option 3 d) option 4

iv. How has the method of global plastic waste disposal evolved from 1980 to 2015? 1

a) The share of discarded plastic waste remained constant while recycling and incineration rates
fluctuated significantly.
b) There was a gradual decrease in the share of discarded plastic waste, with a corresponding
increase in
 recycling and incineration rates.
c) Recycling rates have consistently decreased while incineration rates remained negligible.
d) The share of discarded plastic waste increased, while recycling and incineration rates both
decreased.

v. Based on the given graphical representation of data in the passage, choose the option that lists the 1
statements that are TRUE.
1. In the year 2015, the incinerated plastic waste disposal was 80%.
2. In the year 1980, share of discarded plastic waste was 100%.
3. Discarded plastic waste was 60% in the year 2010.
4. Recycled plastic waste in the year 2000 was less than 70%.

a) 1 and 3 b) 2 and 3 c) 1 and 4 d) 3 and 4

vi. Which of the following best describes the challenges and strategies regarding waste management in 1
India as mentioned in paragraph 7 ?

a)India has extensive facilities for testing dioxin, making waste management cost-effective.
b)Indian garbage has high calorific content, making it suitable for energy generation through
incineration.
c)India has chosen to prevent dioxin emissions by prohibiting the burning of chlorinated plastics and
focusing on recycling and composting.
d)The government of India primarily supports sustainable waste management practices led by
resident associations and the informal sector.

vii. Arrange the sentences in the order in which they occurred year wise. 1

1. From 1980, rates increased on average by about 0.7 percent per year for incineration.
2. 20 percent waste was recycled in 2015.
3. Prior to 1980, recycling and incineration of plastic was negligible.
4. In 2015, an estimated 55 percent of global plastic waste was discarded.

a) 2, 1, 4, 3 b)4, 2, 3, 1 c)1, 3, 4, 2 d)3, 1, 4, 2

viii. Based on the passage provided, here is a competency-based assertion-reasoning question: 1

Question:
Assertion (A): India has chosen a dioxin preventive route and burning of chlorinated plastics is
prohibited under Municipal Solid Waste and Biomedical Rules.
Reason (R): Indian garbage has a low calorific content and high moisture, making it expensive and
inefficient to incinerate.

Choose the correct option:

a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of
Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
e)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.

ix. Considering the hazards associated with incineration technologies like gasification as described by 2
Madhumita Dutta, what are the key health and environmental risks, and why might alternative waste
management strategies be necessary?
 SECTION B : CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (18 marks)
Note : All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purpose .

Q.3. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 4

A. You are Anusha Raj, the President of the Social Science club in your school. Your club is
organising a visit to a local handloom centre. Draft a notice in about 50 words, for the school
notice board, addressing students of classes X-XII, informing them about this event and
encouraging them to participate in it and buy handloom goods. Mention how the visit can boost
the morale of the local weavers.

OR

B. As the President of the school photography club, draft a notice in not more than 50 words for the
school notice board, informing the students of classes X-XII about the theme of the upcoming
photography competition. Mention when and how students can submit their entries. You are
Dhruv Prasad.

Q.4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 4

A. You are Amrutha Sudhan, a famous Indian entrepreneur. You have received an invitation from the
Director, the Givinity Foundation, Telangana, to be a speaker at an international conference titled
‘Responsible Leadership and Community Empowerment’ that will be conducted on 05 August,
2023 at 3 p.m. in Hampshire Plaza, Hyderabad. Respond to accept the invitation in about 50
words.

OR

B. Your mother, Pamir Roy, is going to set up an indoor plant store in Matrix mall, Guwahati,
Assam. Draft an invitation in about 50 words, which she can use to invite her friends and family to
the inaugural event of the business that will take place in the mall.

Q.5. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a group of developmental disabilities that can affect a
person’s ability to communicate and interact socially. It is reported that every 1 in 100 children
below 10 years has
autism in India. You
are Thara George, a
speech therapist
experienced in
treating children
with special needs.
From your
experience, you feel
that Indian parents
in general tend to
keep such children
away from the normal social structure and are hesitant to get the needed professional help. Write a
letter to the editor of a national daily in about 120-150 words, helping the parents to understand
strengths of autistic children and encouraging them to help the children reach their full potential by
seeking speech therapy. Use the given cues along with your own ideas to compose this letter.

B. You are Thara George, an experienced speech therapist working in a reputed private hospital in
Ernakulam, Kerala. You saw the given advertisement in the newspaper and wish to apply for the
position advertised.
 Write a letter to PK Neurosciences Research Institute Pvt Ltd along with your bio-data, expressing
your interest in the position vacant.

Q.6 Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. A study revealed that the lives of up to 59% of

people who suffered from an injury could have
been saved if the victims had been given some
type of simple first aid. As a columnist for a
health magazine, draft an article in about 120-
150 words, on the importance of the general
public having basic lifesaving skills. Discuss the
advantages of first aid knowledge and encourage
people to acquire the needed training for it.
Support your ideas with the cues given.

OR

B. Globally, the lack of basic first aid knowledge was found to be endangering many lives. A free
one-day course to teach people basic first aid was organised by ‘Lend a hand’, an NGO in Calicut,
Kerala as a
part of the
World First-
Aid Day,
2022. You
were asked to
cover this
event as the

correspondent of a local daily. Write a report covering this event in about 120-150 words. Support
your ideas with outline cues given below, to craft your newspaper report.

SECTION C : LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT (40 marks)

Q.7 Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 6M

A. “Those who prepare green wars,

wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
 and walk about with their
brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
What I want should not be
confused
with total inactivity.” (Flamingo-Keeping Quiet)

i. Which of these uses the same poetic device as used in the third line of the extract? 1
a) The boy ran at lightning speed. b)The little joys of life are necessary.
c)The absence of his presence was felt. d)The hooter buzzed when the shooter shot.

ii. From the extract, identify the line or phrase that suggests the following: 1
Humans are involved in the exploitation of natural resources.

iii. iii Based on the extract, which of these best describes the poet? 1
(i) prudent (ii) spiritual (iii) visionary (iv) methodical

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

iv. Complete the sentence appropriately in no more than TWO words. 1

When the poet says that people who participate in wars 'would put on clean clothes' he means that
they should ______.

v. Based on the extract, select the correct option with reference to (1) and (2). 1
(1) Not every win is a triumph. (2) Self reflection is crucial to evolution.

a) (1) is the result of (2) b) Both (1) and (2) are true
c) Both (1) and (2) are false d) (1) is a hypothesis based on (2)

vi. Which of these is an appropriate title for the extract? 1

a) Standing in Solitude b). Looking for Prosperity
c) The Desire for Renewal d) The Road to Uncertainty

OR

B. “Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,

Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.” (Flamingo-A Thing of Beauty)

i. Based on the extract, complete the following analogy: 1

have heard: alliteration :: ...................................: oxymoron

ii. Which of these best indicates the phrase 'mid forest brake'? 1
a). hidden pond b). mass of shrubs c). canopy of trees d). sparkling stream

iii. According to the extract, which of these bring joy to human life? 1
(i) shady trees (ii) delightful drinks (iii) fragrant flowers
(iv) changing seasons (v) enchanting stories

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

iv. Complete the given sentence appropriately.

When the poet mentions 'an endless fountain of immortal drink', he refers to__________
v. Based on the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. 1
(1) Beautiful things are blessings from the divine. (2) Beauty is an outcome of imagination.

a) Only (1) can be inferred from the extract.

b) Only (2) can be inferred from the extract.
c) Both (1) and (2) can be inferred from the extract.
d) Neither (1) nor (2) can be inferred from the extract.

vi. Which of these best describes the tone of the poet in the given extract? 1
a). Nostalgic b). Generous c). Passionate d). contemplative

Q.8. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 4M

A. “The dewan himself drove the car straight to the forest where the Maharaja was hunting. When
they reached the forest the tiger launched its satyagraha and refused to get out of the car. The
dewan was thoroughly exhausted in his efforts to haul the beast out of the car and push it down to
the ground. On the following day, the same old tiger wandered into the Maharaja’s presence and
stood as if in humble supplication, “Master, what do you command of me?’’ It was with boundless
joy that the Maharaja took careful aim at the beast. The tiger fell in a crumpled heap. (Vistas - The
Tiger King)

i. According to the extract, how is the author's portrayal of the tiger different from real life? 1

ii. Which of these best describes the Maharaja and the Dewan, based on the extract? 1
a) Dewan: gullible; Maharaja: narcissistic b) Dewan: conscientious; Maharaja: cruel
c) Dewan: submissive; Maharaja: perceptive d) Dewan: unremarkable; Maharaja:
unrealistic

iii. Which of these can be best used as a title for this extract? 1
a). The Big Cat b) The Shrewd King c) The Tiger's Legacy d) The Perils of Kingship

iv. In one sentence, explain what the author means when he says that 'the tiger launched its Satyagrah.’ 1

OR

B. “You lose all earthly sense of perspective and time here. The visual scale ranges from the
microscopic to the mighty: midges and mites to blue whales and icebergs as big as countries (the
largest recorded was the size of Belgium). Days go on and on and on in surreal 24-hour austral
summer light, and a ubiquitous silence, interrupted only by the occasional avalanche or calving ice
sheet, consecrates the place. It’s an immersion that will force you to place yourself in the context of
the earth’s geological history. And for humans, the prognosis isn’t good.” (Journey to the Centre
of the Earth)

i. The ‘visual scale’ refers to 1

a) a measuring device b) range of things one can see
c) visionary’s belief d) the magnitude of preparation

ii. Four people give a reason for the author’s feeling while travelling. 1
Choose the option that correctly summarises it based on your understanding of the extract.

Person 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4

I think the author is According to me, she is As far as I can judge, In my opinion, she is
being paranoid about bewildered by the travel Tishani is being amazed by the grandeur
leaving her hometown. duration. hypocritical because she of the icy region.
is comparing the two
places.
 a) Person 1 b) Person 2 c) Person 3 d) Person 4

iii. iii Select the option that correctly fits the category of ‘microscopic to the mighty’ out of the ones 1
given below.
1. trace of a skin cell: trace of a bird’s egg 2. a grain of rice: field of wheat
3. a scoop of ice cream: an ice-cream cone 4. a drop of water: Pacific Ocean

a) 1, 2 b) 3, 4 c) 1, 3 d) 2, 4

iv. iv Choose the option listing the elements that influence one to think of earth’s physicality. 1
1. breakage of an iceberg from a glacier 2. midges and mites
3. a regular seen avalanche 4. summer light in the Southern hemisphere

a) 1, 2 b) 3, 4 c) 1, 4 d) 2, 3

Q.9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 6M

A. “No one can imagine how sad and monotonous life can appear to such a vagabond, who plods
along the road, left to his own meditations. But one day this man had fallen into a line of thought,
which really seemed to him entertaining. He had naturally been thinking of his rattraps when
suddenly he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him — the whole world with its
lands and seas, its cities and villages — was nothing but a big rattrap. It had never existed for any
other purpose than to set baits for people.” (Flamingo - The Rattrap)

i. According to the extract, which of these words best describes the man? 1
a) reflective b) impulsive c) indifferent d) simpleminded

ii. Rewrite the given sentence after replacing the underlined phrase with its synonym. 1
It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people.

iii. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given 1
below.
(1) The world offers living beings a life full of pleasure.
(2) However, only compassionate people can enjoy those pleasures.

a) (2) has been caused by (1)

b) (2) is a hypothesis based on (1)
c) (1) cannot be inferred from the extract but (2) can be
d) (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot be

iv. In one sentence, rationalise the given statement. 1

It is challenging for others to be able to understand the despair of a vagabond's life.

v. Replace the underlined word with its antonym from the extract. 1
The man who thought that the world was a rattrap lived a life that was interesting.

vi. The mood of the extract can be best described as __________. 1

a) cautious b) malicious c) melancholic d) apprehensive

OR,

B. “My breath was gone. I was frightened. Father laughed, but there was terror in my heart at the
overpowering force of the waves. My introduction to the [Link]., swimming pool revived unpleasant
memories and stirred childish fears. But in a little while I gathered confidence. I paddled with my
new water wings, watching the other boys and trying to learn by aping them. I did this two or three
 times on different days and was just beginning to feel at ease in the water when the misadventure
happened.” (Flamingo - Deep Waters)

i. Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. 1
Statement 1: The author’s father laughed to mock his son’s inability to swim.
Statement 2: The author wanted to swim just to prove to his father that he can swim.

a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.

b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.
c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot be inferred.
d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be inferred.

ii. “My introduction to the [Link]. swimming pool revived unpleasant memories and stirred childish 1
fears.” It can be inferred that this was a clear case of`-

a) suppression b) oppression c) depression d) repression

iii. The misadventure that took place right after the author felt comfortable was that 1

a) the author slipped and fell into the swimming pool.

b) a bully tossed him into the pool for the sake of fun.
c) his coach forgot to teach him how to handle deep water.
d) his father couldn’t help him from drowning into the water.

iv. Choose the option that describes the equipment used by the author while learning to swim. 1

a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4

v. Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below. 1
Statement 1: The author tried his best to jump out of water.
Statement 2: After a while, the author was not anxious in water.

a) If Statement 1 is the cause, Statement 2 is the effect.

b) If Statement 1 is the effect, Statement 2 is the cause.
c) Both the statements are the effects of a common cause.
d) Both the statements are the effects of independent causes.

vi. Choose the quote that DOES NOT resonate with the central idea of the chapter. 1
 a) Option 1 b) Option 2 c) Option 3 d) Option 4

Q.10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following in about 40-50 words each. 10M

i. “We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with”, said M. Hamel. Comment. (The Last Lesson)

ii. In Deep Water, which qualities of the swimming instructor played a role in helping Douglas overcome his
fear? (Deep Water)

iii. If the Christmas spirit is about selflessness, forgiveness and becoming ‘better’ versions of ourselves amongst
other things, Edla Willmansson is the epitome of this spirit. Justify with two points of evidence from The
Rattrap.

iv. State any two characteristics that can be inferred about the people from the countryside in - The Roadside
Stand.

v. Artists, singers and musicians have a different perception of beauty as compared to people who are in other
professions. Comment. (A Thing of Beauty)

vi. Give two reasons why, according to Pablo Neruda, is ‘keeping quiet’ is essential to attaining a better, more
peaceful world. (Keeping Quiet)

Q.11. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. 4M
i. The servants of Sadao and Hana reflect a particular mindset of the general public in society towards the
thinking and broad-minded human beings. Elaborate with the help of the story “The Enemy”.
ii. “The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry and stress. What are the ways in which we attempt
to overcome them? (The Third Level)
iii. [Link] sort of hunt did the Maharaja offer to organise for the high-ranking British officer? What trait of the
officer does it reveal? (The Tiger King)
Q.12. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 120-150 words 5M
i. How does the story, ‘Lost Spring’ highlight the apathy of society and those in power to end the vicious cycle
of poverty? Support your answer with textual evidence. (The Lost Spring)
ii. Imagine you are the poet’s friend. Write a dialogue exchange between yourself and the poet where the latter
confides in you about her fears and asks for your advice. What would your advice be to face her fears, to
ignore them or something else? (My Mother at Sixty-Six)
Q.13. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words. 5M
i. Good values are far above any other value system. Justify the statement in reference to Dr Sadao who
succeeded as a doctor as well as a patriot? (The Enemy)
ii. On returning home, Tishani Doshi writes her thoughts reflecting on how her decision to enrol for the
Students on Ice programme has been the single most important decision of her life that has completely
transformed her. Imagine yourself to be Tishani and express these thoughts.
You may begin like this:

I can’t thank my stars enough for having cashed in on the opportunity of……….. (Journey to the End of the
World)