Term-I Examination (2024-25)

Class – XI
Time – 3 hours SUBJECT- ENGLISH M.M.-80
General Instructions:
1. The Question paper is divided into three sections: Section A: Reading 26 marks, Section B: Writing Skills and Grammar 23
marks, Section C: Literature 31 marks.
2. All questions are compulsory.
3. You may attempt any section at a time.
4. All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.
Section-A (26 Marks)
Q.1 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (10)
1. The New Year is a time for resolutions. Mentally, at least, most of us could compile formidable lists of do’s, and don’ts. The same old
favorites recur year in and year out with monotonous regularity. We resolve to get up earlier each morning, eat less, find more time to play with
the children, do a thousand and one jobs about the house, be nice to people we don’t like, drive carefully and take the dog f or a walk every day.
Past experience has taught us that certain accomplishments are beyond attainment. If we remain deep-rooted liars, it is only because we have so
often experienced the frustration that results from failure.
2. Most of us fail in our efforts at self-improvement because our schemes are too ambitious and we never have time to carry them out. We also
make the fundamental error of announcing our resolution to everybody so that we look even more foolish when we slip back into our bad old
ways. Aware of these pitfalls, this year I attempted to keep my resolutions to my self.I limited my self to two modest ambitions: to do physical
exercise every morning and to read more every evening. An all-night party on New Year’s Eve provided me with a good excuse for not
carrying out either of these new resolutions on the first day of the year, but on the second, I applied myself assiduously to the task.
3. The daily exercise lasted only eleven minutes and I proposed to do them early in the morning before anyone had got up. The self-discipline
required to drag myself out of bed eleven minutes earlier than usual was considerable. Nevertheless, I managed to creep down into the living-room
for two days before anyone found me out. After jumping about on the carpet and twisting the human frame into uncomfortable positions, I sat
down at the breakfast table in an exhausted condition. It was this that betrayed me. The next morning the whole family trooped in to watch the
performance. That was really upsetting but I fended off the taunts and jibes of the family good humorously and soon everybody got used to the
idea. However, my enthusiasm waned, the time I spent at exercises gradually diminished. Little by little the eleven minutes fell to zero. By 10th
January, I was back to where I had started from. I argued that if I spent less time exhausting myself at exercises in the mor ning I would keep my
mind fresh for reading when I got home from work. Resisting the hypnotizing effect of television, I sat in my room for a few evenings with my
eyes glued to a book. One night, however, feeling cold and lonely, I went downstairs and sat in front of the television pretending to read. That
proved to be my undoing, for I soon got back to the old bad habit of dozing off in front of the screen. I still haven’t given up my resolution to do
more reading. In fact, I have just bought a book entitled ‘How to read a Thousand Words a Minute’. Perhaps it will solve my problem, but I just
haven’t had time to read it.
A. On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option. (1 X 6 =6)
1.1. According to the writer, past experience of resolutions has taught us
(a) frustration results from failure. (b) certain accomplishments are beyond attainment.
(c) New Year is a time for resolutions. (d) failures are a part of life.
1.2. Most of us fail in our efforts at self-improvement because
(a) our schemes are too ambitious. (b) we never have time to carry them out.
(c) we announce our resolution to everybody. (d) All of these.
1.3. It is a basic mistake to announce our resolution because
(a) we have no excuse to revert back to our earlier life. (b) we can’t be nice to people we don’t like.
(c) we look more foolish when we slip back to our old ways. (d) None of these
1.4. The writer did not carry out his resolutions on New Year’s Day because
(a) he had attended an all-night party. (b) he was glued to the TV.
(c) the exercise was only for eleven minutes. (d) everyone was awake and watching him.
1.5. The writer thought of keeping his mind fresh by _________.
(a) watching TV (b) exercising for eleven minutes.
(c) reading. (d) finding that much more time to play with children.
1.6. The word which similar in meaning to ‘decrease’ is _________.
(a) formidable (b) monotonous
(c) attainment (d) diminish
B. Answer the following questions : ( any 4) (1X4=4)
2.1. The New Year is a time for_________.
2.2. Past experience has taught us certain accomplishments are beyond _________.
2.3. I limited myself to two modest _________.
2.4. The self-discipline required to drag myself out of bed eleven minutes earlier than usual was _________.
2.5. ‘The next morning the whole family trooped in to watch the _________.
2.6. I still haven’t given up my _________ to do more reading.

Q 2.Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. (1 x 8 = 8)

1. Delhi tried very hard but it wasn’t enough. In the run-up to D-Day, the sound of firecrackers had not been heard. The Supreme Court ban on
sales had made procuring them difficult, but many people, including school children, had resolved to buck tradition for clean air. And till 7 pm on
Diwali, most neighbor hoods were quiet. Around that time the first sound of firecrackers going off was heard, and gradually it rose to a crescendo.
But it was nowhere near the blitzkrieg of the past, not even half of that. And well before midnight, it was all over.

2. The bad news broke at dawn. It was a visibly smoggy morning. Air pollution levels had peaked to “severe” on Diwali night and remained
dangerously high till Friday afternoon as reflected in the real-time monitoring data of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi
Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
3. The CPCB, however, pointed out a silver lining. It said the air quality index (AQI) this year was better than the ones on Diwali in the past
two years in spite of hostile meteorological conditions. On Diwali last year (October 30,2016), the average AQI for the city was in the
“severe” category at 426 while the year before that (November 11, 2015), it had been in the “very poor” category at 327. This time, it was
marginally lower at 326.
4. There are so many factors impacting air quality – from the speed and direction of the wind to burning of crop stubble in neigh boring
states – that it is difficult to definitively identify the main culprit. What, however, has to be acknowledged is that at least a majo rity of
people have the will to stick to what may appear to be unpalatable decisions for better quality of life.
5. The data, however, is making informed observers worry-particularly the massive peaks in PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 (fine, respirable
pollution particles) and PM 10 (coarse pollution particles) levels on Thursday night after 10 pm. Delhi peaked to 656 microgr ams per cubic
meters around midnight.
6. However, the data also shows that in spite of unfavorable meteorological conditions, the air quality on Diwali this year was better than
last year. It had not been so good in the two days preceding Diwali due to intrusion of humid air from the south-east coupled with prevailing
calm wind conditions. The average mixing height (the height to which smoke or air will rise, mix and disperse) recorded on Oc tober 18 and
19 were 547 meters and 481 meters, respectively, according to CPCB. It should be at least 1000 meters for proper dispersal.
On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the best of the given choices.
Q1.In the run-up to D-Day, the sound of firecrackers had not been heard because the _________.
(A) Supreme Court banned the sales of firecrackers. (B) Children resolved to back tradition for clean air.
(C) Neighbor hoods did not like the sound of firecrackers. (D) Children were afraid of the sound of firecrackers.
Q2.The ‘bad news’ that broke at dawn was that _________.
(A) There was smog in the sky. (B) The air pollution levels were dangerously high.
(C) CPCB released real time figures that were alarming. (D) All of the above.
Q3. The AQI levels after Diwali this year were
(A) The same as in other years. (B) Higher than other years.
(C) Lower than other years. (D) Could not be ascertained
Q4.There will be no air pollution if
(A) School children do not burst crackers on Diwali. (B) There is a strong wind on Diwali night.
(C) If the motor vehicles do not run on Diwali. (D) None of the above.
Q5.‘Crescendo’ in para 1 means
(A) To happen successfully (B) An increase in intensity
(C) Better quality of life (D) Metrological conditions
Q6.‘unpalatable’ in para 4 means
(A) 6,000 meters for proper dispersal (B) Feeling happy
(C) Dispersal (D) Not pleasant
Q7.The massive peaks in PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 and PM 10 (coarse pollution particles) on the Diwali day made the observers worried.
(A) True (B) False
(C) Maybe (D) Don’t know
Q8.Despite the Supreme Court ban on the sale of firecrackers, many people including school children were adamant to burst firecr ackers on
the Diwali Day.
(A) True (B) False
(C) Maybe (D) Don’t know

Question 3.Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. The tests of life are its plus factors. Overcoming illness and suffering is a plus factor for it molds character. Steel is iron plus fire, soil is
rock plus heat. So, lets include the plus factor in our lives.
2. Sometimes the plus factor is more readily seen by the simple hearted. Myers tells the story of a mother who brought into h er home – as a
companion to her own son- a little boy who happened to have a hunch back. She had warned her son to be careful, not to refer to his disability.
The boys were playing and after a few minutes she overheard her son say to his companion ” Do you know what you have got on your back
?” The little boy was embarrassed, but before he could reply, his playmate continued” It is the box in which your wings are, and some day
God is going to cut it open and then you will fly away and be an angel.”
3. Often it takes a third eye or a change in focus, to see the plus factor. Walking along the corridors of a hospital recentl y where patients
were struggling with fear of pain and tests, I was perturbed. What gave me a fresh perspective were the sayings put up everywhere, intended
to uplift. One saying made me conscious of the beauty of the universe in the midst of pain, suffering and struggle. The other saying assured
me that God was with me when I was in deep water and that no troubles would overwhelm me.
4. The import of those sayings also made me aware of the nectar springs that flow into people’s lives when they touch rock bottom or are
lonely or guilt ridden. The nectar springs make recovery possible, and they bring peace and patience in the midst of negative forces.
5. The forces of death and destruction are not so much physical as they are psychic and psychological. When malice, hatred an d hard-
heartedness prevail, they get channelized as forces of destruction. Where openness, peace and good-heartedness prevail, the forces of life
gush forth to regenerate hope and joy.
The life force is triumphant when love overcomes fear. Both fear and love are deep mysteries, but the effect of love is to bu ild, whereas fear
tends to destroy. Love is generally the plus factor that helps build character. It creates bonds and its reach is infinite.
6. It is true there is no shortage of destructive elements – forces and people who seek to destroy others and, in the process, destroy
themselves but at the same time there are signs of love and life everywhere that are constantly enabling us to overcome setba cks. So let’s
look at gloom and doom – let us seek positivity and happiness. For it is when you seek that you will find what is waiting to be discovered.
(a) On the basis of your reading the passage, make notes using recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Use a format you consider
suitable, supply a suitable title. (5 marks)
(a) The Tests of Life The Plus Factors
1. Necessity of the Tests of Life :
2. Change in focus
3. Forces of Destruction :
4. Forces of Life :
 Key to Abbreviations
S. No. Abbreviation Word
1 Charctr Charctr
2 Pstvly Pstvly
3 Psychlgcal Psychlgcal
4 & and

(b) Make a short summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3 marks)

Section – B
Writing Skills and Grammar (23 marks)

Question 4.Your neigh bour’s daughter is missing. Draft an advertisement providing the necessary details in not more than 50 words. (3 marks)

OR
You want to launch a tuition center for classes from class X to XII. Draft a classified advertisement with all relevant details.
Question 5.Draft a poster on ‘Road Safety’. (3 marks)
OR
Prepare a poster on behalf of an NGO to be placed in various parts of the city urging the people to save trees.
Question 6.‘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.
OR

‘The Internet cannot replace a classroom teacher’. Write a debate in about 150-200 words either for or against the motion. (5 marks)
Question 7.You have to deliver a speech in the Morning Assembly on the topic ‘The increasing rate of crime in today’s society’. Write th e
speech in about 150 words. (5 marks)

Question 8.Read the following paragraphs and fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs from the options given. (Do any 4) (1 x 4 = 4)
Driving (i) ……………… big fun. However, obedience to traffic rules (ii) ……………… it more enjoyable and safer. While
driving, it must be (iii) ……………… that you are responsible for yourself as well as the life of other road users. With alarming
rise in the number of road mishaps, the need for road safety (iv) ……………… a lot of importance across the globe. By practicing a
few golden rules, you (v) ……………… a responsible citizen who believes in safe driving and the safety of others.
(i) (a) is (b) was (c) will be (d) being
(ii) (a) makes (b) made (c) will make (d) make
(iii) (a) remembers (b) remembered (c) was remembered (d) will remember
(iv) (a) gains (b) has gained (c) gained (d) will be gained
(v) (a) become (b) becomes (c) became (d) will become

Q 9.Rearrange the following words or phrases to make meaningful sentences: (1 x 3 = 3)

(a) to / her / first / Sudha / stand / hard / class / is / studying” in
(b) healthy / takes / keep / himself / everyday / exercise / Kamal / to
(c) he / stepped out / had / hardly / it / began / when / to rain

Section – C
Literature (31 marks)

Q10.Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: (1 x 3 = 3)
She launches away, towards the infinite And the laburnum subsides to empty.
(a) Who is ‘she’ in the poem?
(i) She is a small girl. (ii) She is a nightingale.
(iii) She is a cuckoo. (iv) She is a goldfinch.
(b) What does ‘subsides to empty’ mean?
(i) All its leaves have shed. (ii) No body lives on the tree.
(iii) There is silence alter the goldfinch has left. (iv) None of the above
(c) What does ‘towards infinite’ mean?

OR
Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d,
altogether changed, and yet the same,
(a) What is ‘vaguely form’d’?
(i) Rain (ii) Water
(iii) Clouds (iv) None of the above
(b) Identify the poem?
(i) Voice of the cloud (ii) Pbem of the rain
(iii) Fbem of the earth (iv) Voice of the rain
(c) Name the poet
Q11.Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. (1 x 3 = 3)
A. The new pharaoh promoted the worship of the Aten, the sun disk, changed his name to Akhenaten, or ‘servant of the Aten,’ and moved
the religious capital from the old city of Thebes to the new city of Akhetaten, known now as Amama.
Q1.Who was the ‘new pharaoh’?
(A) Amenhotep IV (B) Amenhotep DI
(C) Tutankhaten (D) Smenkhkare
Q 2.Which major god was attacked by file ‘new pharaoh’?
(A) Aten (B) Amun
(C) Amama (D) Olympus
Q 3.Which natural force did Aten represent?
(A) Wind (B) Water
(C) Sun (D) Mountain
OR
B. He was staring at the platform as if mesmerized. There was a table and a chair but the latter was unoccupied. The presidential chair
unoccupied! The sight stirred him to the depths. Like a piece of iron attracted to a magnet, he swiftly moved towards the cha ir The speaker
stopped in mid-sentence, too shocked to continue. But the audience soon found voice.

Q 1.Where was this platform?

(A) Victory House (B) Independent Ground
(C) Azad Maidan (D) Public Library

Q2.What surprised ‘him’ the most?

(A) The presidential chair was unoccupied. (B) There was only one chair and one table.
(C) A crowd of people gathered for a rally. (D) Many people coming and going while the lecture was in progress.

Q3.Why did the audience react aggressively at ‘his’ arrival?

(A) They didn’t seem to be in mood of listening to an outsider.
(B) They didn’t seem to be in mood of listening to a historian.
(C) They seemed to be in mood of listening only to the chairperson.
(D) They didn’t seem to be in mood of listening to the chairperson.

Q 12.Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
A. ‘O King, you do not realise
The bricks were made of the wrong size’
‘Summon the masons!’ said the King.
The masons stood there quivering.
Q1.The speaker of the first two lines is/are _________.
(A) workmen (B) masons
(C) King (D) chief builder
Q2.The masons were summoned because _________.
(A) they had stopped the way of the King. (B) they had made the bricks of the wrong size.
(C) they had changed the plan. (D) None of these
Q3.The word ‘quivering’ means _________.
(A) crying (B) shouting
(C) trembling (D) shrieking
Q4.Name the poem from which the extract has been taken?
(A) A Photograph (B) The Tale of Melon City
(C) The Melon’s Tale (D) Silk Road
OR
B. He walked the horse quietly to the barn of a deserted vineyard which at one time had been the pride of a farmer named Fetva jian. There were
some oats and dry alfalfa in the barn. We began walking home.
Q1.Who is ‘he’ here?
(A) Aram (B) Mourad
(C) Zorab (D) Saroyan
Q2.What did they do with the horse in the deserted vineyard?
(A) Killed it (B) Set it free
(C) Hid it (D) Rode it
Q3.What time of the day the incident took place?
(A) Morning (B) Noon
(C) Evening (D) Night
Q4.Who was the real owner of the beautiful white horse?
(A) Byro (B) Zorab
(C) Mourad (D) Khosrove

Q13.Answer the following questions in 40-50 words each. (3 x 3 = 9)

(a) Highlight the character traits of Khushwant Singh’s grandmother as portrayed in ‘The Portrait of a Lady’.
OR
What did the author notice in the vast open plains after leaving Ravu ?
(b) Which do you think is the most important step toward adulthood ? Why ?
OR
How can you infer that the father wishes his son to remain at home with him?
(c) “Don’t fret mother, I’ll not run away.” Why do you think Andrew says so? |A|T|
Q14.Answer any one of the following questions in about 120-150 words: (6 marks)
The methods of inquiry of history, science and philosophy are similar. Discuss with reference to the story ‘The Adventure’.
OR
“He was the last of his family line.” What do you learn about Tut’s dynasty from the extract ‘Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues’? It
particularly concerns itself with important events like some great war, some great inspiration, some well-known crisis, etc. For this purpose,
a historian reads old books, A philosopher learns about the working of mind and soul. He does not bother about the facts but the mind that
creates those facts. A scientist’s quality is not to take anything for granted. He raises new questions and tries to find the ir answers by
experiments. (6)
OR
Tut s grandfather, Amenhotep HI was a powerful Pharaoh who ruled for almost four decades at the height of the dynasty’s golden age. His
son Amenhotep IV promoted the worship of the Aten, the sun disk. He changed his name to Akhenaten or ‘servant of the Aten. ‘ He moved
his religious capital from the old city Thebes to the new city of Akhenaten.

Q15.Answer the question in about 120-150 words:

Compare and contrast uncle Khosrove and cousin Mourad.
OR
How did the narrator come to know about Mrs. Dorling and the address where she lived?
Commonly Made Errors:
● The most commonly made errors pertain to grammar and spellings
● The second most commonly made errors pertain to the wrong interpretation of the plot-structure and the character sketches.
● Mixing up the names of the different places, i.e., mentioning the wrong place in the context of the wrong event.
Answering Tips:
● Read the poem thoroughly-more than once, if necessary-to grasp the gist
● Do not rely on paraphrases
● Note the character traits of both the major and the minor characters
● Find out the context of the story. This will help to understand the sub-themes
● Focus on the narrative style of the story.