Time: 3 Hours

Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

1. This paper is divided into two parts: A and B. All questions are compulsory.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary.
Read these instructions very carefully and follow them.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

Part-A
Multiple Choice Questions (40 Marks)

Reading (20 Marks)

Question 1.
Read the passage given below. (10 Marks)
1. “Why does humanity need Superman?”, wrote Lois Lane, the reporter from the
Superman series. It’s a very relevant question in our context too. Why do we need
superheroes? We are all enchanted by the action sequences in superhero movies, and
also by how the superhero can always save the day – and with good reasons.

2. If you’re trying to guess what it is, you can forget about powers like super-strength,
laser vision, or – our personal favourite – the ability to consume any type of matter in
the universe. The underlying reason we’re so enamoured of them is quite possibly the
best superhero power – the way they can inspire and motivate us. From the smallest
boy and girl wonders, to the oldest Captains – each superhero has had their own lesson
to impart unto all of us.

3. Whether it’s Batman saving Gotham city, Superman saving humanity, or our very
own Krissh saving his fellow countrymen – we need superheroes because they give us
the hope and strength we need to fight the injustice we encounter today. It’s like Batman
once said, “Sometimes the truth isn’t good enough. Sometimes people deserve more.
Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.”

4. Yes, it’s true that we need faith today, when we know a lot tends to go wrong,
whether it is with regard to terrorism, or growing crime – people need the hope and
strength they get from superheroes. That’s why we need superheroes, because of how
they give us a sense of right, which helps us fight the injustice happening around us. It
was best summarised by Superman when he said that “There is a superhero in all of us,
we just need the courage to put on the cape,” and by Batman in the Dark Knight, when
he said that “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the
villain.”
5. So, every time we choose to see a superhero movie, it gives us a nudge to fight the
unjust with our own ideas or capabilities. Every child and adult that watches superhero
movies will be motivated to rise above the injustice happening in the real world. It’s not
just about the power, but also the principle.

6. You and I can also be a superhero just by helping our neighbours, and by standing
against what is wrong. Whether the situation is political or apolitical, injustice can be
fought with thoughts of righteousness and courage.

7. From the day we are bom, we are told that power corrupts, and absolute power
corrupts absolutely, but superheroes fan our subconscious desire for greatness. They
also teach us that the greatest power is the integrity that keeps us from going down the
wrong path. None of us will ever leap a tall building in a single bound, change the
course of a mighty river, or bend steel with our bare hands but we can always return
that lost wallet with its contents intact, tell the truth when it matters, stand our ground
when it’s easier to walk away and unto others as we would want them to do unto us.

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the
twelve that follow. (10 × 1 = 10)
(i) Despite our age and status in life, few enigmatic qualities endear us to superheroes.
Select the correct options from below:
1. Give our subconscious a desire for greatness
2. Have a lesson to bestow
3. Inspire and motivate us
4. Hive us hope to fight the bad
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer:
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(ii) Identify the sentence where the word “bestow” has been used incorrectly.
(a) He was ever ready to take blame on himself and bestow praise on others.
(b) During the ceremony, the Prime Minister will bestow medals of honor to the brave
soldiers who rescued their comrades.
(c) The king will bestow a title and land to the man who saved the princess.
(d) If you want to avoid a misunderstanding, I bestow you to consider your words before
speaking.
Answer:
(d) If you want to avoid a misunderstanding, I bestow you to consider your words before
speaking.
(iii) “There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape.” By
this, Superman is implying that:
(a) the cape is heavy and not everyone can bear it
(b) we all have special powers
(c) the ability to fight the unjust with our own ideas or capabilities is present in all of us
(d) society needs superheroes
Answer:
(c) the ability to fight the unjust with our own ideas or capabilities is present in all of us

(iv) According to the writer, how can a common man become a superhero?
1. Bend steel, change the course of rivers
2. Stand up against injustice, return that wallet intact
3. Help around the neighbourhood
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
Answer:
(b) 2 and 3

(v) A superpower common to all superheroes that endears them to us is:

(a) the ability to strategise.
(b) the ability to remain calm in the face of danger.
(c) the capability to motivate and inspire humans.
(d) the capability to lend a helping hand to humans.
Answer:
(c) the capability to motivate and inspire humans.

(vi) Choose the option that suits best as the title for the passage.
(a) Humans are superheroes
(b) Humanity needs Superheroes
(c) Superheroes are vital to humans’ lives
(d) Humans should help each other
Answer:
(b) Humanity needs Superheroes

(vii) What are the two things we need to fight injustice today?
(a) Superpower and superhero
(b) Truth and faith
(c) Hope and strength
(d) Hope and confidence
Answer:
(c) Hope and strength
(viii) Select the option that makes the correct use of “righteousness”, as used in the
passage, to fill in the blank space.
(a) Both sides in the dispute adopted a tone of moral ……………….
(b) The newspaper reports are a ……………………. of gossip.
(c) She was confused about obligation and ……………………
(d) Cultural contexts bring ………………… in international relations.
Answer:
(a) Both sides in the dispute adopted a tone of moral ……………….

(ix) The author attempts to …………….. the readers to fight the unjust.
(a) motivate
(b) nudge
(c) rebuke
(d) put
Answer:
(b) nudge

(x) Pick the character which is not being used by the author.
(a) Batman
(b) Superman
(c) Spiderman
(d) Krissh
Answer:
(c) Spiderman

(xi) What is the central idea of the passage?

(a) Fight the injustice
(b) Superheroes are necessary
(c) Help your neighbours
(d) Save humanity
Answer:
(a) Fight the injustice

(xii) What are the two meanings of “encounter” as used in the passage?
1. Experience something unpleasant
2. To experience something unexpected
3. To affect something
4. To cover with a thin layer
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2and 3
Answer:
(a) 1 and 2
Question 2.
Read the passage given below. (10 Marks)
A Survey Report
A total of 246 bird species were recorded during the Winter Bird Count 2019, a slight
increase from last year’s count of 241. A team of over loo birds in 15 teams set out
across different parts of the territory and the National Capital Region and logged a
number of important and rare sightings in the region.

Of the 246 species recorded this year, over 100 were winter migrants. This year’s
species sighting tally was less than the 252 recorded in 2017. The birding teams
covered areas like the riverine belt of the Yamuna, including Okhla sanctuary and
Wazirabad, wetlands of Gautam Buddha Nagar, including Surajpur and Dhanauri, the
wetlands around Gurgoan, among them Sultanpur and Basai, Najafgarh drain up to
Dhasna barrage, the Aravali belt towards Mangar Bani and the neighbouring districts of
Sonipat and Jhajjar.

Kanwar B Singh, coordinator of the count, described the overall diversity recorded as
good with some important sightings. Singh said the similar species count of the past few
years signified that most wetlands were faring fairly well. “This annual event gives us a
good idea of the nature of the regional birdlife, helps collect essential data on bird
diversity in the region and boosts support for the environment and nature conservation,
while popularising bird-watching as a healthy pastime,” said Singh.

The white-crowned penduline-tit – a tiny wintering bird – was spotted by Pradyumna

Vidwansa in Chandu village near Gurgaon after a gap of several years. Arvind Yadav,
whose team sighted a Eurasian skylark at Mandothi in Jhajjar, Haryana, informed that
this was a rare sighting in Haryana and NCR. “Both the Eurasian skylark and the white
crowned penduline-tit have been recorded for only the third time in this region,” he said.

The birders said a few hundred greater flamingo are currently at the Najafgarh jheel.
However, this number is fewer than the arrivals in the last few years. Among the rare or
uncommon waders reported by birders were the dunlin, jack snipe and Eurasian curlew.
The enumerators also revealed the raptor count was higher this year when compared
with the recording of the last few years.

“Various teams reported resident and wintering raptors, including crested serpent eagle,
booted eagle, imperial eagle, steppe eagle, tawny eagle, greater and Indian spotted
eagles, long-legged and common buzzards, marsh Harrier, Eurasian sparrow hawk,
osprey, common kestrel and red-necked laggar and peregrine falcons,” said Singh. “In
addition, a black eagle, which is a magnificent forest eagle that is rarely seen around
Delhi, was once again reported last Sunday by the team led by Tapas Misra and
Tanweer Alam.”

The count in the forested areas of the Aravallis including Mangar Bani, returned species
like the white-bellied drongo, sirkeer malkoha and cinerous tit. Meanwhile, the birding
team noted the presence of Brook’s leaf warbler, Siberian stonechat, common kestrel
and Isabelline shrike in NCR’s woodlands and grasslands.
(Source: Times of India)

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the
twelve that follow. (10 × 1 = 10)
(i) How many bird species were recorded as winter migrants this year?
(a) 246
(6)241
(c) 100
(d) over 500
Answer:
(c) 100

(ii) How many species of birds were recorded during the winter bird count in 2018?
(a) 246
(b) 241
(c) 412
(d) 252
Answer:
(b) 241

(iii) Which of the following areas was/were covered in survey by the birding teams?
(a) Wetlands of Gautam Buddha Nagar
(b) Surajpur
(c) Wetlands around Gurgaon
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

(iv) Which of the following subgroups of birds have been reported in the news articles?
(a) Waders but not raptors
(b) Both waders and raptors
(c) Neither waders nor raptors
(d) Raptors but not waders
Answer:
(b) Both waders and raptors

(v) According to Kanwar B Singh, what was the situation of most of the wetlands?
(a) Excellent
(b) Bad
(c) Good
(d) Very good
Answer:
(c) Good

(vi) Conducting events such as bird counting are crucial as these help in:
(a) reporting exclusively on the number of waders in different parts of Delhi and NCR
(b) reporting exclusively on the number of raptors in different parts of Delhi and NCR
(c) collecting essential data on bird diversity and to conserve nature
(d) identifying the place where most number of bird species are spotted
Answer:
(c) collecting essential data on bird diversity and to conserve nature

(vii) For the last few years, the number of flamingoes is:
(a) increasing
(b) decreasing
(c) the same
(d) getting bigger
Answer:
(b) decreasing
(viii) Read the statements given below:
1. Spotted and counted birds at different spots in Delhi-NCR
2. Spotted rare birds in rural areas also
3. Did a phase wise count of the birds over a period of two winter months
4. Also spotted migrant birds
5. Were focusing only on wetlands and riverine belt
Which of the combination of statements hold true for the teams engaged with the winter
bird count?
(a) 2, 4 and 5
(b) 1,2 and 4
(c) 1, 4 and 5
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer:
(b) 1,2 and 4

(ix) Which among the following birds were reported as rare waders?
(a) Eurasian curlew
(b) Dunlin
(c) Jack snipe
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

(x) Based on your understand of the passage, choose the option that lists the birds of
prey.
1. Common kestrel, peregrine falcons, Eurasian sparrow hawk
2. Flamingo, parrot, pigeon, nightingale
3. Serpent eagle, long-legged buzzards, osprey
4. Woodpecker, heron, tailorbird, peafowl, black drongo
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 3
Answer:
(d) 1 and 3

(xi) Which of the statements related to the number and variety of species of birds being
spotted is true?
(a) The number of species being sighted by the birders has increased gradually over the
past three years and there have been rare sightings too.
(b) The number of species being sighted by the birders has decreased gradually over
the past three years and there have not been any rare sightings.
(c) The number of species being sighted by the birders has increased gradually over the
past three years and there have not been any rare sightings.
(d) There hasn’t been any specific trend in terms of number of species being sighted by
the birders over the past three years but there have been rare sightings in the latest
winter bird count.
Answer:
(d) There hasn’t been any specific trend in terms of number of species being sighted by
the birders over the past three years but there have been rare sightings in the latest
winter bird count.

(xii) Which of these birds are rare in NCR’?

(a) White-crowned penduline-tit
(b) Eurasian skylark
(c) Eagle
(d) Falcon
Answer:
(b) Eurasian skylark

Literature (10 Marks)

Question 3.
Read the extracts given below and attempt any one by answering the questions that
follow. (5 × 1 = 5)
A. Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days I had been pleasantly
besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before
the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international
leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone
amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the
seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of rainbow gathering of different
colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial
government,

(i) Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to
the given extract.
1. On 10th May, Nelson Mandela sworn in as the first black Head of State, South Africa.
2. Before 10th May, the seat of President was occupied by the white.
3. A few international leaders came for the inauguration ceremony on 10th May.
4. ‘Bright and clear day’ refers to 10th May.
5. Anti-racist came to power without any hard struggle.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 5
(d) 4 and 5
Answer:
(c) 3 and 5

(ii) Who among the following is the narrator of this extract?

(a) The white president of South Africa
(b) The black president of South Africa
(c) The president of United States of America
(d) A common man of South Africa
Answer:
(b) The black president of South Africa

(iii) Which word does ‘besieged’ NOT correspond to?

(a) Surrounded
(b) Crowd
(c) Requested
(d) Swarm
Answer:
(c) Requested

(iv) Pick the option that correctly classifies the facts (F) and opinions/s (O) of the
students.

(a) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
(b) F – 2, 3 and O – 3, 4
(c) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(d) F – 3, 4 and O – 1,2
Answer:
(c) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4

(v) The ceremony took place in a building made of:

(a) marble
(b) sandstone
(c) bricks
(d) wood
Answer:
(b) sandstone

B. “Ga, ga, ga,” he cried begging her to bring him some food. “Gaw-col-ah,” she
screamed back derisively. But he kept calling plaintively, and after a minute or so he
uttered a joyful scream. His mother had picked up a piece of the fish and was flying
across to him with it. He leaned out eagerly, tapping the rock with his feet, trying to get
nearer to her as she flew across. But when she was just opposite to him, she halted, her
wings motionless, the piece of fish in her beak almost within reach of his beak.

(i) The young seagull cried begging his mother to bring him:
(a) some good news
(b) some support
(c) some leaves
(d) some food
Answer:
(d) some food

(ii) His mother had picked up:

(a) a twig
(b) a piece of nut
(c) a piece of fish
(d) a piece of straw
Answer:
(c) a piece of fish

(iii) What made the young seagull scream in joy?

(a) Option (1)

(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer:
(b) Option (2)

(iv) Why did the seagull’s mother halt?

(a) She wanted the seagull to dive for the food
(b) She was in pain
(c) She saw a hunter
(d) She wanted the seagull to move back
Answer:
(a) She wanted the seagull to dive for the food

(v) The extract uses the phrase, ‘besieged by dignitaries’. Which of the following
expressions is incorrect with respect to the word ‘dignitaries’ ?

(a) Option (1)

(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer:
(c) Option (3)

Question 4.
Read the extracts given below and attempt any one by answering the questions that
follow. (5× 1 = 5)
A. Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink
and the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.

Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,

And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes.
(i) Belinda considered every pet animal to be brave except:
(a) kitten
(b) mouse
(c) dog
(d) dragon
Answer:
(d) dragon
(ii) What is the rhyme scheme of the given stanzas?
(a) abcb; bcbc
(b) abed; abed
(c) abbe; abbe
(d) aab ;ccdd
Answer:
(d) aab ;ccdd

(iii) Which part of dragon was compared to a fire place?

(a) Eyes
(b) Mouth
(c) Nose
(d) Ears
Answer:
(b) Mouth

(iv) The word that DOES NOT indicate the bravery of the dragon is
(a) courage
(b) fearlessness
(c) weakling
(d) boldness
Answer:
(c) weakling

(v) The dragon had scales which were bony plates to protect his:
(a) mouth
(b) felt
(c) nose
(d) skin
Answer:
(d) skin

B. Did you finish your homework, Amanda?

Did you tidy your room, Amanda?
I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!

(I am an orphan, roaming the street.

I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)
(i) Here, Amanada’s mother is inquiring Amanda whether she has:
(a) bathed or not
(b) had lunch or not
(c) trimmed her nails or not
(d) done her homework or not
Answer:
(d) done her homework or not

(ii) The second stanza is given in brackets to show that:

(a) the speaker is very sad
(b) the speaker does want to face her mother
(c) the speaker is different than the other stanza
(d) the speaker wants to live secretly
Answer:
(c) the speaker is different than the other stanza

(iii) What is the rhyme scheme of the given stanzas?

(a) aaa; bbb
(b) abc; abc
(c) abb; cdd
(cl) aab; cdd
Answer:
(a) aaa; bbb

(iv) At this point of time, Amanda imagines herself to be:

(a) a mermaid
(b) a princess
(c) an orphan
(d) a queen
Answer:
(c) an orphan

(v) Amanda wants to play in:

(a) a clean park
(b) a clean field
(c) a garden
(d) dust with her bare feet
Answer:
(d) dust with her bare feet

Grammar (10 Marks)

Question 5.
Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks to complete the note about India  – a
great nation. (3 × 1 = 3)
Freedom (i) ………………. in India. Unity in diversity is the hallmark of this country.
India (ii) …………… a country in her long history. She is a giver, not a taker. She (iii)
…………….. the concept of zero to the world and several other things. Undoubtedly the
list is endless and
unparalleled.
(i) (a) was worshipped
(b) is worshipped
(c) has worshipped
(d) will worship
Answer:
(b) is worshipped

(ii) (a) never invaded

(b) have never invaded
(c) has never invaded
(d) will never invade
Answer:
(c) has never invaded

(iii) (a) will give

(b) was given
(C) given
(d) gave
Answer:
(d) gave

Question 6.
Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks to complete Praveen’s narration. (3 x 1
=3)

I found Ashok sad. ‘When I (i) ……………… standing with scooty, he (ii) …………… he
was planning to learn scooty. I was surprised and made enquiry how he could learn
driving that way. Immediately he silenced my by saying that (iii) …………….. the first
step of learning. He
further added that in fact, driving needs planning and practice.
(i) (a) said to him about why
(b) asked him why he was
(c) explained why he was
(d) told him about why
Answer:
(b) asked him why he was

(ii) (a) questioned that

(b) refused that
(e) suggested that
(d) replied that
Answer:
(d) replied that

(iii) (a) this was

(b) this is
(c) it has been
(d) this may be
Answer:
(a) this was

Question 7.
Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct options for any four of the six sentences given
below. (4 × 1=4)
(i) My father is very busy these days. But he ……………….. find some time for you.
(a) might
(b) has to
(c) must
(d) will
Answer:
(c) must

(ii) My friends as well as I …………….. students of Laxmi Bai College.

(a) have
(b) is
(c) was
(d) were
Answer:
(d) were

(iii) ……………….. the husband and wife are elected to the Assembly.
(a) Every
(b) Both
(c) All
(d) Each
Answer:
(b) Both
(iv) I am very badly in need of a job. I ………………… if you grant me the favour.
(a) shall obliged
(b) shall be obliging
(c) shall be highly oblige
(d) shall be highly obliged
Answer:
(d) shall be highly obliged

(v) On coming back to the city I shall inform you so that you ……………. resume
delivering the
paper regularly.
(a) will
(b) may
(c) can
(d) should
Answer:
(b) may

(vi) He was badly beaten by the ruffian. He lay unconscious for ……………… hour and
………………… half.
(a) a, an
(b) the, a
(c) an, a
(d) much, a
Answer:
(c) an, a

Part-B – Subjective Questions (40 Marks)

Writing (10 Marks)

Question 8.
Attempt any one of the following in 100-120 words. (5 Marks)
A.You are Sujal/Sujata of Pragya Public School, Nagal, Punjab who had arranged a trip
for fifty students of Nanital in summer vacations for ten days with ‘Mount Travels and
Tourism’. The arrangements done by the travel agency were far below standard. The
accommodation and food facilities were inferior in quality. Write a letter of complaint to
the director of the agency to stop duping tourists with false promises as it tarnishes the
image of locals. (100-120 words)
Answer:
Pragya Public School
Nagal, Punjab
23rd November, 20x x
The Director
Mount Travels and Tourism
Nagal, Punjab
Sub: Inferior quality of food and accommodation
Sir
I am constrained to express my displeasure and resentment at inferior arrangements
made during our tour to Nanital in summer vacations. Our tour was for ten days and
arrangement made by your agency was below standard. When we came back home,
most of the students fell ill and now they are unable to attend classes. During our
negotiation for tour, following promises were made:
(a) Stay in good hotels (b) Food at a good restaurant
As the above promises were not fulfilled, we stayed in a lodge and were forced to eat
local food. Consequently most of the students fell ill.
Certainly we are cheated by your agency. You are requested that you should not dupe
local people because it tarnishes our image.

Yours sincerely
Sujal

B. India is a highly populated country. People lack in maintaining proper sanitation and
hygiene as a result they suffer from various diseases. India has a serious sanitation
challenge; around 60 per cent of the world’s open defecation takes place in India. Poor
sanitation causes health hazards including diarrhoea, particularly in children under 5
years of age, malnutrition and deficiencies in physical development and cognitive ability.
You are Nitish/Nikita, head boy/girl of Anand Public School, Jaipur. Write a letter to the
editor of a national daily, highlighting the problem and suggesting practical ways to
ensure public sanitation and the right to dignity and privacy. (100¬120 words)
Answer:
Anand Public School
Jaipur
5th October, 20xx
The Editor
Rajasthan Patrika
Jaipur
Sub: Need for public sanitation .
Sir
Through the column of your esteemed daily I want to highlight the serious problem of
sanitation. Everybody knows that India is a highly populated country. The people have
no proper sanitation and hygiene facilities. Around 60 per cent of the world’s open
defecation takes place in India. As a result, people suffer from various diseases.
Diarrhoea, among various health hazards, is very common among the children of below
five years of age. Poor sanitation also causes deficiencies in physical development and
cognitive ability among people.
The government and the concerned authorities must take steps in this regard. They
should put the public sanitation facilities at important places of villages, towns and cities.
Besides, people should be made aware of diseases caused by open defecation.
Sanitation should become our right to ensure dignity and privacy.

Yours faithfully
Nitish Head Boy

Question 9.
Attempt any one of the following in 100-120 words. (5 Marks)
A. A comparative study took place to find the number of working men and women in
India. Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words and compare where relevant.
Answer:
The bar chart indicates a comparative study between the number of working men and
women in India since 2010 to 2020.
Initially, in the year 2010, the number of working women was low at 6000 which was
comparatively less than the number of working men. However, in 2015, sharp rise can
be seen in the number of working women and men.
Surprisingly, the year 2020 shows a significant change in the data and shows equal
number of working men and women in the country.
Therefore, it is clear that there is no discrimination between the number of working men
and women in India.

B. See the line graph given below. Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words and
compare where relevant. This informs you about dropouts over forty years from college.
Answer:
The given bar chart shows men and women dropped out over forty years from college.
There could be various reasons to that. Between 1957 and 1997, the change was
significant for male category. 20% of men dropped out from college while women who
dropped out where at 40% in the year 1957.

Between 1967 and 1977, things almost turned opposite. 30% of men dropped out in
1967 while 30% of women dropped out in 1977 which was less than 1967. Almost 50%
of men dropped out from college in 1987 while the dropping rate for women declined at
30% in the last part, the dropout rate of men and women parallel against each other.

Literature (30 Marks) 

Question 10.
Answer any two questions in 20-30 words each, from (A) and (B) respectively. (4 × 2 =
8)
A. (any two) (2×2 = 4)
(i) Why does Anne feel that writing in a diary is really a strange experience?
Answer:
It must be remembered that Anne Frank was just a thirteen-year-old girl. She was in the
hiding and cut off from the larger world. She was hesitant that no one would be
interested in the musings of a young girl. She had never written anything before. So, it
was naturally a strange experience for her.

(ii) What is the general rule of this ‘world of possessions’? Why is money ‘external’?
Answer:
Getting and losing is a natural cycle. Many more boys before him bought and lost their
balls. This process will go on forever. However, no amount of money can buy back the
same ball that has been lost forever. Money is external and has its own limitation.
Wealth can’t compensate such emotional losses such as the loss of one’s childhood
days.
(iii) What was the next problem after Valli had enough money?
Answer:
After she had saved enough money, Valli had her next problem. It was how to slip out of
the house without her mother’s knowledge. She solved this problem easily. Every day
after lunch her mother would nap from about one to four or so. She could easily venture
out on her mission.

B. (any two) (2×2 = 4)

(i) What impression did the narrator (the lawyer) form of Bill when he met him for the
first time?
Answer:
The narrator found the delivery man at the station as the only ‘agreeable sight’ in Ne
Mullion. The man called himself Bill and he was a hack driver. He was about forty. He
looked red-faced and cheerful. He looked thick in the middle. His working clothes were
dirty and worn out. His manners were pleasant and friendly. The narrator was happy to
meet such a man.

(ii) Why and where did Richard Ebright send the tagged butterflies?
Answer:
At the end of the book, The Travels of Monarch X, readers were invited to help study
monarch butterflies’ migration. They were asked to tag butterflies for research by Dr
Urquhart. Soon, Richard Ebright was attaching light adhesive tags to the wings of
monarch butterflies. He used to send them to Dr Urquhart for his research work.

(iii) Was Bishamber a suitable bridegroom for Bholi? Give your opinion.
Answer:
No, Bishamber was not at all a suitable match for Bholi. No doubt, he was rich. He had
a big shop, a house of his own and thousands of rupees in the bank. But he was mean,
greedy and a worthless man. When he came to know of the pock-marks on Bholi’s face,
he demanded a dowry of 5000 rupees to marry her. Even the turban of Ramlal at his
feet couldn’t melt his heart. Bholi did the right thing to reject him.

Question 11.
Answer any two questions in 40-50 words each, from (A) and (B) respectively. (4 × 3 =
12)
A. (any two) (2 × 3 = 6)
(i) Why would you not agree with Lencho calling them ‘a bunch of crooks’?
(ii) Who invites the comment – “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
(iii) What do you think was the speaker’s attitude towards Amanda?

B. (any two) (2 ×3 = 6)
(i) Hari Singh is both a thief and a human being. Explain.
(ii) Bholi’s heart was overflowing with a ‘new hope and a new life’. What does the
phrase ‘the new hope and the new life’ mean?
(iii) How did Mr Loisel meet the demand of a suitable costume for his wife for going to
the ball?

Question 12.
Answer any one of the following in 100-120 words. (5 Marks)
A. Simple moment proves to be very significant and saves rest of the day of the poet
from being wasted. Explain on the basis of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’.

B. Why was the whole class ‘quaking in its boots’? Why were teachers the most
unpredictable creatures on earth?

Question 13.
Answer any one of the following in 100-120 words. (5 Marks)
A. Mrs Pumphrey thought that her dog’s recovery was a triumph of surgery. Elaborate.

B. People should always try to live within their means. Aspiration have no limits but one
should never forget the ground realities. Elaborate on the basis of the chapter, “The
Necklace”.