English Language & Literature 2013 [Delhi]: Set 1

Read the passage given below and complete the sentences that follow by choosing the most appropriate options:      5

The tree is worshipped as the earth mother in tribal India. It provides food, air, occupation, materials for housing, fodder for animals and fuel. Without the trees there is neither soil nor water. There is nothing to prevent the soil from being washed away; there is nothing to prevent the water from evaporating. In the great tribal Tegions of India which are home  to the Bhils, the Santhals, the Nagas, the Bishnois, whenever a child is born a tree is planted tn the child’s name. It forges a relationship between  child and tree closer than the one between child and family. Naturally so because that tree is specially the child’s own. The trees are all slow growing. By the time the child reaches adolescence, his tree has just come into fruit. It starts its life as provider to the tribal and the tribal’s life as guardian of the tree.

 

Nearly three hundred years ago, men and women of the Bishnoi tribe died in an attempt to stop the felling of trees. The Bishnoi  faith  prohibits  the cutting of green trees. It demands absolute protection  of  the  ‘Khejri,’ the shade and fodder tree of the area. As a result, their lands are still fertile, while all around them fields have been reclaimed by the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.

 

(a)  The tribals worship trees because trees provide them with....

(i)   food and occupation

(ii)  materials for housing

(iii) fodder and fuel

(iv) all of the  above

 

(b) The common practice adopted by the tribals at the time of a child’s birth is ……………. .

(i) To plant a tree in the child’s name

(ii) to name the child after a tree

(iii) to perform the rites under a tree

(iv) to arrange a feast in a forest

 

(c) The advantage of the custom is that a mutual bond develops between ………………..when

the child becomes an adult.

(i) The land and the tree

(ii) The adolescent and the tree

(iii) The soil and the water

(iv) All of the above

 

(d) The land of the Bishnois hasn’t become a desert because……………. .

(i) Trees cannot grow in a desert

(ii) The Bishnois have planted trees on their land

(iii) They died in an attempt to stop the cutting down of trees

(iv) All of the above

 

(e) The word in the passage which means the same as ‘areas/regions’ is ………………. .

(i) Desert

(ii) fodder

(iii) soil

(iv) tracts

Read the passage given below and complete the sentences that follow by choosing the most appropriate options:  5

In the year 1507 AD, the Portuguese sailors landing on the shores of the island of Mauritius discovered a strange looking bird. It was large and stubby, and could not fly.

It had a hooked black beak, short yellow legs, grey-blue plumage, and a tuft of pale coloured feathers for its tail. Since this bird had never seen humans before, it was very friendly and trusting, In fact, the sailors mistook its gentle nature for stupidity, and called it ‘Dodo,’ which meant simpleton in Portuguese.

The dodo was an easy source of fresh meat for the Portuguese – and later, the Dutch who came to the island is 1598 – because it could be easily captured due to its friendliness. Dodos were killed in large numbers by the new inhabitants of the island.

These that survived men had to face new enemies like dogs and pigs that were introduced by these inhabitants. The dodo had no natural enemies on the island, but these new animals, together with man, hastened its extinction. By the year 1681, the last dodo had died, and today, the term ‘as dead as dodo,’ means something that has disappeared entirely from the face of the Earth.

 

(a) In 1507 AD the Portuguese sailors discovered a bird which was ………………….

(i) Strange looking

(ii) Large and stubby

(iii) Could not fly

(iv) All of the above

 

(b) They mistook the bird for being foolish because it was……………….

(i) Unable to fly

(ii) Friendly and trusting

(iii) Had never seen humans before

(iv) Was an easy source of fresh meat

 

(c) The new enemies referred to in the passage are ……………… .

(i) Dogs and pigs

(ii) The Dutch

(iii) The Portuguese

(iv) All of the above

(d) Dodos were wiped out from the face of the earth by ……………… .

(i) Their natural enemies

(ii) The sailors

(iii) Both men and the new animals

(iv) All of the above

(e) The word in the passage which means the same as ‘destruction’ is ……………………. .

(i) Strange

(ii) Tuft

(iii) Extinction

(iv) Plumage

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 5

A 92-year-old lady who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock with perfect make-up, even though she is blind, moved to an old age home. Her husband recently passed away making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby she smiled sweetly when she was told her room was ready. She was provided a visual description of her tiny room.

“I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

“But ….. but Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room,” said the attendant. “That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide. I have already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I can spend the day in bed, recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that don’t work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as Ian alive I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away, just for this time in my life.” The attendant was greatly touched by the elderly

woman’s sense of cheer and boundless enthusiasm.

(a) Why did the old woman move to an old age home?

(b) How did she react when the attendant gave description of the room she had to in?

(c) What resolution was she used to making when she woke up every morning?

(d) What does the story tell about the old woman?

(e) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘without limit’?

Read the poem given below and answer the questions that follow: 5

I Had a Dove

I had a dove, and the sweet dove died,

And I have thought it died of grieving:

O, what could it grieve for? Its feet were tied

With a silken thread of my own hand’s weaving.

Sweet little red feet! Why should you die?

Why should you leave me, sweet bird, why?

You liv’d alone on the forest-tree

Why, pretty thing, could you not live with me?

I kiss’d you oft, and gave you white peas;

Why not live sweetly as in the green trees?

                                John Keats

(a) How did the dove die?

(b) What were the dove’s feet tied with?

(c) What does the expression; “sweet red feet” refer to?

(d) How did the poet take care of the dove?

(e) Which word in the poem means the same as ‘intense sorrow’?

When you think about your city you feel proud of its historical monuments, museums, Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Metro, Delhi Haat, shopping malls, and beautiful parks. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor of a national daily expressing your views on ‘Delhi-the City of My Dreams.’ You are Akshay / Akshita living at 121, Lake View Colony, Delhi. (5)

 

OR

Your hostel room-mate has recently gone to his hometown being urgently called by his parents. Write a letter in 120-150 words informing him about the postponement of periodical tests. Don’t forget to mention that the course will remain the same. You are Atul, Room No 10, Kaveri Hostel, Delhi Senior Secondary School, Delhi.

A nation is what its teachers are. It is they who prepare the future leaders of a country. Write an article in 120-150 words on ‘The role and ideal teacher is expected to play.’ (5)

You are Abha / Abhinav. You may take the help from the following notes:

· Knowledgeable and hardworking

· Sets examples by his/her punctuality, honesty and integrity

· Instills values among students

· Teaches them about civic and democratic values

· Plays role model

OR

Yoga is complete science. It not only helps the body but also the mind and the spirit. Many serious diseases can be cured by right breathing techniques. Its benefits are now acknowledged all over the world. Write a speech in 120-150 words on ‘The importance of yoga for the students’ to be delivered in the morning assembly of your school. You are Kanta / Kamal.

The youth of today can be seen talking on cellphones for hours together in buses, on roads, in schools and colleges, thus wasting their precious time, neglecting studies and sometimes even risking their lives due to accidents. Write a debate in 120-150 words either for or against the topic, ‘The use of mobile phone is more a disadvantage than an advantage.’ (5)

Independence Day was celebrated in your school in which the Director of Education was invited as the Chief Guest. Being the Head Boy/Head Girl of the school write a report in 120-150 words highlighting the inauguration ceremony, flag hoisting, cultural programmes, the message given by the Chief Guest etc. you are a student of class X of Gandhi Sr. Sec. School, Delhi. (5)

OR

Develop the following outlines into a story in 120-150 words.

goose – lays a golden egg every day – greedy master – not satisfied – intends to become rich overnight – decides to get all the gold – kill the goose – find no gold – repents his folly – weeps and curses – greed ruins him

Read the passage given below. Fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate words from the given options. (3)

No matter how old you are, drink at least a glass of milk everyday (a)…………. you want to sharpen (b)…………………. mental skills. A new study has claimed that drinking (c)………………….. glass of milk daily not only boosts one’s intake of much needed nutrients, but it also positively impacts one’s brain power.

(a) (i) that (ii) if (iii) then (iv) how

(b) (i) her (ii) his (iii) my (iv) your

(c) (i) a (ii) and (iii) an (iv) the

Read the following conversation and complete the dialogue by choosing the correct alternatives from those given below: (3)

Seema: (a)……………………………….?

Nandish: My lucky charm is my ‘Karha’ (an iron ring).

Seema: (b)………………………………..?

Nandish: I have been wearing it since childhood. It’s my grandfather’s ‘Karha.’ I believe

when I am wearing it his blessings are with me.

Seema: (c)………………………………..?

Nandish: No, I am not superstitious. I don’t believe in fasting and going to a particular

place of worship. I just believe in Karma.

(a) (i) What your lucky charm is

(ii) What was your luck charm

(iii) What is your lucky charm

(iv) What lucky charm is yours

 

(b) (i) Since when have you been wearing it

(ii) Since when are you wearing it

(iii) Since when you have been wearing it

(iv) Since when you are wearing it

 

(c) (i) You are not superstitious

(ii) You are superstitious

(iii) You have been superstitious

(iv) Are you not superstitious