Roll No.

________________ Code : 8201718E1-T2(M)

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Class : VIII this question paper
contains 16 questions
english (course-a) and 8 printed pages.
(Term - II)
Time Allowed : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 100
General Instructions :
1. This paper consists of 4 sections : A, B, C & D.
2. Attempt all questions.
3. Ensure that questions of each section are answered together.
4. Read each question carefully and follow the given instructions.
5. All the answers must be correctly numbered.
6. Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each question.
7. Do not write anything on the question paper.

section - a (Reading) (20 Marks)

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow : 10
(a) If you want to leave foot prints on the sands of time, you must know
how to live, suffer and die for your convictions. In one word, you should
be fearless till death for the vindication of truth. All great and good men,
whom the mass of humanity worship now, were fearless. They did not
hand down fear to succeeding generations.
(b) Jesus Christ was fearless, having a strong will power. The executors
have been forgotten; the executed is still hailed and praised in songs after
a thousand years. Gandhiji was fearless. He instilled the need of
fearlessness in the minds of young and old.

(c) Mentally dwarfed, spiritually bankrupt and intellectually empty men

have lived and died like ants. Nobody notices them. But people who stand

for a cause and are fearless in the midst of bullets and tortures are the salt

of the earth. They always conquer. It is only when a man is willing to

suffer and die for a cause that he will live eternally in the minds of men.

Those who do not know how to live will die unwept, unsung and

unhonoured. They come and go away without being noticed by others.
Fearlessness, however is not stoning the houses, burning the trains,

looting the banks or killing the common man. The individual who thinks
must convert the mob into a disciplined group of dedicated people who
must chisel in their minds the words we live and we die as men!
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 (d) Instill in everybody the seeds of courage, ambition and determination
and then, with Tagore they will sing, "Where the mind is without fear and
the head is held high ............".
(e) Fear is the root of all evils, Change the mental attitude and life becomes
pleasant.
1.1. After reading the above passage answer the following questions :- 6
(a) What is common between all great men?
(b) Name two great men who are still remembered for their
fearlessness.
(c) What are intellectually empty men compared to?
(d) What type of men live in the minds of people for ever?
(e) What is the root cause of all evils?
(f) How can our life become pleasant?
1.2. Find words from the passage which have the same meaning as :- 2
(a) Welcomed / Greeted ______________ (Para - b)
(b) Win / dominate ______________ (Para - c)
1.3. Find words from the passage which are opposits of :- 2
(a) Weak ______________ (Para - b)
(b) Full ______________ (Para - c)
2. Read the following poem carefully : 5
WHY ?
I know a curious little boy.
He's always asking Why;
Why this, why that, why then, why now,
Why not, why, why, why, why?
He wants to know why wood should float,
When lead and marbles sink?
When stars should shine and winds should blow,
And why we eat and drink?
He wants to know why fish have gills,
And why we cannot fly?
Why stream comes from the kettle spout,
And rain falls from the sky?
Some of his whys are not too hard
To answer, if you'll try;
But others - no one ever yet
Has found the reason why.
Fill in the blanks with one suitable word :
The poet introduces us to a very (a) _________ little boy who is always
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 asking (b) _________. He wants to know why this, why that, why then,
why now, why not. For (c) _________, he wants to know why wood
floats, when lead and marbles sink, why stars shine, and winds blow, why
we are (d) _________ and thirsty, why fish have gills, why we cannot fly, etc.
The poet says that some of his questions can be (e) _________ if one tries
but others are not easy to answer.
3. Read the following passage 5
Have A GOOD LAUGH!
Experts often refer to exercise, a balanced diet and plenty of rest as the three
essential factors for good health in the stressful society in which we live.
According to leading doctors, laughter is also extremely important to our general
well being. When we laugh, energy is pumped around the body and it perks
up the whole system. Our stress levels are reduced, which means laughter has
a calming effect on us.
More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that laughter releases chemicals into the
body. These chemicals are natural pain suppressants and they affect the immune
system, helping to speed up healing processes and activating hormones which
kill disease cells. In fact, in 1991, the first free Laughter Clinic was set up in
Britain so that patients could have fun, which would help them to get better
more quickly.
According to one doctor, laughter is a total body experience in which all the
major systems of the body, such as muscles, nerves, heart, brain and digestion,
participate fully, so laughter is almost equivalent to a form of exercise. However,
it is important to bear in mind that we are talking about laughter as opposed to
just a smile, in other words, "a belly laugh" says Howard Kent of the Yoga for
Health Association.
So how are we to fill our lives with merriment? Every happy home should have
a laughter library of joke books, classic cartoon books, collections of humorous
quotations and audio cassettes of our favourite comedians, comedy videos, fun
board games, comic plays, novels and amusing biographies.
Answer the following questions :
(a) What are the three most important factors for good health? 1
(b) What happens when laughter pumps energy around the body? 1
(c) Why do laughter clinic patients get better faster? 1
(d) What is laughter similar to? How? 1
(e) Find the synonyms of : 1
(i) a large quantity (Para 1)
(ii) funny / entertaining (Para 4)

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 SECTION - B (writing) (20 Marks)
4. Given below is a profile of Mr. Sharma, the school canteen assistant. Write a
short bio-sketch of Mr. Sharma. The clues enclosed in the box might help you
with the exercise.
• Age – 45 years old
• Bespectacled
• Education – high school dropout
• Brews the best tea – a big hit with visitors
• Stature and build – lean and of medium build
• A pleasant personality
• Profound beliefs – to him work is worship
• Believes in dignity of labour
OR 4
Read the following telephonic conversation
Caller : Is it 25283879?
Akshay : Yes, May I know who is calling?
Caller : May I speak to Rita please?
Akshay : She is not here at the moment. Any message?
Caller : The Kitty party scheduled for today has been postponed
due to a mishap in the family. The members will meet on
the 18th next month at the same place. Inconvenience is
regretted.
Akshay : I will convey the message.
Akshay has to go to Delhi. He leaves the message for his sister Rita. Write the
message for Rita in not more than 50 words.
5. Upon being judged the best athlete in this year's Athletic Meet, your sports
teacher has asked you to write a speech on "The Importance of Sports in
Student's Life". Use the hints given below :
• Sports – a necessary part of a student's life
• Contribute to physical fitness
• Teach healthy competitiveness
• Teach sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, determination
• Overall personality development
• Can be developed into a career
OR 8
You are Madhur / Meena. You saw a short film on television about the
tremendous increase in the rate at which we are cutting trees to fulfill our needs.
The film highlighted that if the deforestation continues, very shortly we will not

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 be left with trees on earth. Using your own ideas and the ideas from the film,
write an article on – 'The Importance of afforestation and maintaining a green
cover in the country to prevent pollution and global warming.' (100 words)
6. Buses are often overcrowded. As a concerned citizen of your city, write a letter
to the editor of a national daily about your concern for the commuters and your
suggestions for streamlining the transportation system in about 120 words. 8

You can use the clues given below along with your own ideas -
– Poor bus service, causes lots of problems for the commuters
– Buses can overturn due to excessive load.
– Awareness should be created among people
– Transport authorities and Traffic Police should monitor the situation

SECTION - C (grammar) (25 Marks)

7. Read the notes given below and complete the following paragraph by writing
suitable words or phrases in each blank. Do not add any new information. 4
SOUTH ZONE JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL MATCHES
Dates : March, 9th to 12th, 2018
Registration : At school auditorium with authenticated previous school records.
Prize Distribution : March 12
Selection of participants : Depends on
(i) Previous record
(ii) Present performance
South zone volleyball matches will (a) _________ from 9th to 12th March 2018.
Those interested can (b) _________ at school auditorium. The selection will
(c) _________ and (d) _________ of the candidates. The prize distribution will
be held on 12th March 2018.
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8. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line against
which a blank is given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in the
space provided. ½×8=4
Incorrect C o r re c t
The purpose in prayer is to awaken (a) _______ _______
the divinity in the depth of ours heart. (b) _______ _______
Man's need for prayer is as greater as his (c) _______ _______
need for bread. As food was necessary (d) _______ _______
for the body, prayer is necessary for a (e) _______ _______
soul. True prayers never goes unanswered. (f) _______ _______
Then the mind is full of prayerful thoughts (g) _______ _______
Somethings in the world seems good. (h) _______ _______
9. Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences : 1×4=4
(a) friends / I / my / were / grandmother / and / good
(b) left me / in the city / my parents / with her / when they / went / to live
(c) morning / wake / used to / up / the / in / she / me
(d) she did that / the prayers / in order / me learn / to make
10. Fill in the blanks with correct linkers : 1×4=4
(a) I must keep working hard __________ (so / since / until) I achieve my
goal.
(b) They suggested me to go back home __________ (as / so / so that) I was
not feeling well.
(c) She was hungry __________ (and / but / because) she could not find any
food joint near by.
(d) __________ (however / since / although) he was a deserving candidate,
he did not win the election.
11. Given below are some notes to prepare a cake. Use them to complete the
paragraph that follows. Use the underlined verbs in the passive voice. 4
PREPARATION OF A CAKE
• cream the butter and sugar until it gets fluffy
• add the eggs gradually
• add flour, baking powder and milk powder
• add vanilla extract with milk and mix well
• pour into the baking dish greased and lined with baking paper
• bake at 1800C for about 25 minutes
To make a delicious cake first of all, butter and sugar are to be creamed
until it gets fluffy. Then (a) __________ gradually. Flour, baking powder and

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 milk powder are added after that. Vanilla extract (b) __________ with milk
and mixed well for particular flavour. Baking dish is greased and added with
baking paper and the material (c) __________. The material (d) __________.
12. Do as directed
A. Fill with appropriate modal : 2
1. You __________ borrow my pen if you want to.
2. He __________ to serve his old parents.
B. Fill in with correct form of verbs : 2
1. The passenger had __________ (Pull) the chain.
2. Water __________ (Boil) at 100 degrees.
C. Punctuate the following : 1
1. Where are you going he asked

SECTION -D (literature) (35 Marks)

13. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
"In faith and hope the world will disagree,
But all mankind's concern is charity."
(a) Name the poem and the poet. 1
(b) What does 'faith' refer to? 1
(c) What will the world disagree on? 1
(d) What is the main concern of mankind and why? 2
OR
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow :
Land of our Birth, our faith, our pride,
For whose dear sake our fathers died,
Oh, Motherland, we pledge to thee
Head, heart and hand through years to be
(a) Name the poem and the poet of the above extract? 2
(b) Why does the poet call his motherland 'Land of .... faith .... pride'.....? 1
(c) What do the words 'head', 'heart' and 'hand' in the line 4 refer to? 2
14. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow : 5
"I agree with you now, of course, she is not a good cook but she works hard."
(a) Name the speaker and the person addressed to. 2
(b) Who isn't a good cook? 1
(c) What is the speaker's state of mind? 1
(d) Why has the speaker changed his mind? 1
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15. Answer the following questions in 30 to 40 words each. 18+2=20
(a) How does the narrator introduce himself in the story, 'The Case of the
Sharp Eyed Jeweller'?
(b) What was Annie's reaction when she came to know that Mr. Hill had lost
his job? (A Bad Dream)
(c) How did Baldev's son get implicated in a false case of dacoity? (The
Undeserved Reward)
(d) The poetess has compared the bangles of the Indian Bride to her
laughter as well as her tears. Why? (Bangle Sellers)
(e) What does the poet mean by 'an undefiled heritage' in the poem
'The Children's Song'?
(f) Why did Margie hate her school so much? (The Fun They Had)
(g) In order to lead a successful life, a man has to tread a balanced way.
Comment? (Couplets) (Value - Based)
16. Imagine you are Mr. Hill. Your unpleasant conversation with your colleagues
awakens your conscience and your attitude towards Annie changes. Write a
diary entry expressing your feelings for her before and after your meeting with
the visitors. (Word limit 80-90 words) 5
OR
Suppose you are the narrator, (The Undeserved Reward). You are overcome
with a feeling of guilt after Baldev and his son leave your house. Write a letter
to Baldev expressing your guilt over accepting the honour that you did not
deserve. (Word limit 80-90 words)

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