Section A- Reading: 26 Marks

I. Read the passage given:

1. I was born on 30th of November, 1835, in the almost invisible village of Florida, Monroe
County, Missouri. I suppose Florida had less than three hundred inhabitants. It had two
streets, each a couple of hundred yards long; the rest of the avenues mere lanes, with rail
fences and cornfields on either side. Both the streets and the lanes were paved with the
same material-tough black mud in wet times, deep dust in dry.
2. Most of the houses were of logs-all of them, indeed, except three or four; these latter
were frame ones. There were none of brick, and none of stone. There was a log church,
with a puncheon floor and slab benches. A puncheon floor is made of logs whose upper
surfaces have been chipped flat with the adz. The cracks between the logs were not filled;
there was no carpet; consequently, if you dropped anything smaller than a peach, it was
likely to go through. The church was perched upon short sections of logs, which elevated
it two or three feet from the ground. Hogs slept under there, and whenever the dogs got
after them during services, the minister had to wait till the disturbance was over. In
winter there was always a refreshing breeze up through the puncheon floor; in summer
there were fleas enough for all.
3. A slab bench is made of the outside cut of a saw-log, with the bark side down; it is
supported on four sticks driven into auger holes at the ends; it has no back and no
cushions. The church was twilighted with yellow tallow candles in tin sconces hung
against the walls. Week days, the church was a schoolhouse.
4. There were two stores in the village. My uncle, John A. Quarles, was proprietor of one of
them. It was a very small establishment, with a few rolls of "bit" calicoes on half a dozen
shelves; a few barrels of salt mackerel, coffee, and New Orleans sugar behind the
counter; stacks of brooms, shovels, axes, hoes, rakes, and such things here and there; a lot
of cheap hats, bonnets, and tinware strung on strings and suspended from the walls; and
at the other end of the room was another counter with bags of shot on it, a cheese or two,
and a keg of powder; in front of it a row of nail kegs and a few pigs of lead, and behind it
a barrel or two of New Orleans molasses and native corn whisky on top. If a boy bought
five or ten cents' worth of anything, he was entitled to half a handful of sugar from the
barrel; if a woman bought a few yards of calico she was entitled to a spool of thread in
addition to the usual gratis "trimmin's"; if a man bought a trifle, he was at liberty to draw
and swallow as big a drink of whisky as he wanted.
5. Everything was cheap: apples, peaches, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, and corn, ten cents
a bushel; chickens, ten cents apiece; butter, six cents a pound; eggs, three cents a dozen;
coffee and sugar, five cents a pound; whisky, ten cents a gallon. I do not know how prices
are out there in interior Missouri now, but I know what they are here in Hartford,
Connecticut. To wit: apples, three dollars a bushel; peaches, five dollars; Irish potatoes
(choice Bermudas), five dollars; chickens, a dollar to a dollar and a half apiece, according
to weight; butter, forty-five to sixty cents a pound.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions given below. [1x10=10]
(a) Complete the sentence by choosing the appropriate ending Both the streets and lanes of
Florida in 1835 were paved with _________________ .
(i) tough black tar in wet times and dry black tar in dry times
(ii) tough coats of tar in wetter places and dry pack mud in drier places
(iii) tough black mud in wet times and dry dust in dry times
(iv) toughening of black mud for wet days and dry dust sprayed for dry days
(b) Comment on the economic condition of people from the description of their homes.
(c) List two unique aspects of the church building.

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 (d) Select the word in the text that is the opposite of 'elevated.
(i) Powered (iii) Demeaned
(ii) Deflated (iv) Demented
e) With which statement given below would the writer not agree?
(i) Hogs would sometimes enter the church when the service was ongoing and the
minister would stop to let them out.
(ii) Dogs would get after the hogs during the service and the minister would have to stop
till the ruckus subsided.
(iii) The hogs resided with the dogs below the church level.
(iv) The minister's dogs would get after the hog owners during the service and make the
minister stop his service.
(f) Based on your understanding, why do you think there was no separate schoolhouse and
lessons were held in church during weekdays?
(g) What were the bonus items for purchases made by customers?
(i) Women buying calico. (iii) Men who bought a trifle.
(ii) Boy spending five to ten cents. (iv) None of the above
(h) Complete the sentence with the appropriate inference with respect to the following.
"Prices were cheap I do not know how prices are out there in interior Missouri now."
(i) How can the conditions described in the passage be described?
(i) meagre (iii) basic
(ii) self-sufficient (iv) poverty-stricken
(j)Select the most appropriate title for the passage from the list below.
(i) Historical Price Index by Mark Twain (iii)Life in Nineteenth-Century America
(ii) Mark Twain's autobiography (iv) Mark Twain's Florida Days

II. Read the passage given:

1. There are few swimming pools in the city and the ones which are either too small or too
overcrowded to allow you to swim several laps at a stretch, undisturbed.
2. Still, a workout in the pool on a hot summer day is preferable to a jog or long walk.
Experts have devised several exercises which can be performed in any kind of pool. The
added bonus is that many of these exercises can be performed by non-swimmers. They
are especially beneficial to people with arthritis and for patients who have been advised
physiotherapy.
3. As with any form of activity, never overstrain. Alternate intense activity with rest—that
is, exercise in the water till you are breathless, then slow down to recover your breath.
4. To strengthen hip and leg muscles, hold on to the sides of the pool. Keep your body
afloat with the legs straight behind you. Now move your legs up and down, like scissors
like beginners who are learning to swim. Do this for a minute, then rest and repeat
5. Finally, move on to your back and repeat the exercise.
6. Swimmers can move into the deep and keep afloat by paddling or moving the legs in a
circular fashion, like cycling This builds up the leg muscles, besides it has several aerobic
benefits for the heart
7. For an upper body workout, stand till the water comes up to the shoulder level. Stretch
arms sideways and make small circular motions inside the water. Do these at least 10
times clockwise and anti-clockwise. Then repeat the process again and again.
8. Imitating the crawl stroke, you can extend one arm forward, the other back, rhythmically.
Wind-mill both arms alternately through the water, till you can begin to feel the exertion.
Rest a while, then repeat the exercises.
9. To improve breathing, stand fully submerged in water. Extend arms in front of you, with
palms facing down and parallel to the floor. In one movement, poll hands downwards

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 towards your thighs, even as you kick off the floor and rise up to the top. Take a deep
breath as soon as the head is out of the water
10. For exercises in the water to be beneficial, attempt them at least five times a week.
11. Experts suggest that an activity like swimming must be done continuously for at least 10
to 30 minutes to be beneficial
12. Swimming has several benefits, which makes it score over other forms of physical
activity. Since the body has to be kept straight while swimming it strengthens the muscles
of the spinal cord, thereby improving posture. This activity not only cools you off
physically but soothes the mind as well. Doctors recommend it to kill stress Swimming
also improves blood circulation not only because of the physical exertion involved, but
also because of the water pressure. This pressure stimulates the heart to pump blood.
13. Experts say that swimming for a little over half a kilometer per hour could burn some 200
calories for an average-sized person. A heavier person, who has to exert more, naturally
burns up more calories.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions given below. [1x8=8]
(a) State whether the following information is in accordance with the text or not or does not exist in the
text.
The few swimming pools are too small and overcrowded but workouts in them can be done by even non
swimmers.
(b)Do you think this passage is meant to encourage people to take on a daily exercise routine? Support
your answer with materials from the text.
(c) Select the option that tries to make the passage inclusive.
(i) It chooses exercises that can be done by non-swimmers.
(ii) Every part of the body is exercised in the pool.
(iii) All the exercises are interconnected with swimming strokes.
(iv) It is more on exercising than on swimming.
(d) Elaborate on this statement by choosing from the options given below.
For an upper body workout _____________ .
(e) Select the option for exercises to be beneficial.
(i) Do them thrice a week.
(ii) Do them continuously in the water.
(iii) Do them five times a week for thirty minutes per day.
(iv) Do them for thirty minutes continuously.
(f) Complete the sentence with the best option.
Swimming half a kilometre daily can ________________ .

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 (i) burn 200 kilo for a fat person
(ii) burn 200 kilo for an average person
(iii) burn 200 kilo for every person
(iv) burn 200 kilo for no person
(g) Give one reason why swimmers too need to exercise in the water.
(h) Write one word for the following sentence.
Moving leg muscles in a circular way in water.

III. Read the passage given and answer the following questions: (8M)

1. I remember my childhood as being generally happy and can recall experiencing some of the
most carefree times of my life. But I can also remember, even more vividly, moments of being
deeply frightened. As a child, I was truly terrified of the dark and getting lost. These fears were
very real and caused me some extremely uncomfortable moments.
2. May be it was the strange way things looked and sounded in my familiar room at night that
scared me so much. There was never total darkness, but a street light or passing car lights made
clothes hung over a chair take on the shape of an unknown beast. Out of the corner of my eye, I
saw curtains move when there was no breeze. A tiny creak in the floor would sound a hundred
times louder than in the daylight and my imagination would take over, creating burglars and
monsters. Darkness always made me feel helpless. My heart would pound and I would lie very
still so that ‘the enemy’ wouldn’t discover me.
3. Another childhood fear of mine was that I would get lost, especially on the way home from
school. Every morning, I got on the school bus right near my home-that was no problem. After
school, though, when all the buses were lined up along the curve, I was terrified that I would
get on the wrong one and be taken to some unfamiliar neighborhood. I would scan the bus for
the faces of my friends, make sure that the bus driver was the same one that had been there in
the morning, and even then, ask the others over and over again to be sure I was in the right bus.
On school or family trips to an amusement park or a museum, I wouldn’t let the leaders out of
my sight. And of course, I was never very adventurous when it came to taking walks or hikes
because I would go only where I was sure I would never get lost.
4. Perhaps, one of the worst fears I had as a child was that of not being liked or accepted by
others. First of all, I was quite shy. Secondly, I worried constantly about my looks, thinking
people wouldn’t like me because I was too fat or wore braces. I tried to wear ‘the right clothes’
and had intense arguments with my mother over the importance of wearing flats instead of
saddled shoes to school. Being popular was very important to me then and the fear of not being
liked was a powerful one.
5. One of the processes of evolving from a child to an adult is being able to recognize and
overcome our fears. I have learnt that darkness does not have to take on a life of its own, that
others can help me when I am lost and that friendliness and sincerity will encourage people to
like me. Understanding the things that scared us as children helps to cope with our lives as
adults.
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes using headings and
subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. (5)
(b) Make a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes made
and also suggest a suitable title. (3)

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 Section B- Creative Writing Skills and Grammar : 23 Marks

IV. Creative Writing Skills:

1. (A) You are Ram/Rajani. Draft a classified advertisement, in not more than 50 words, to be
published in India Times for the sale of a used motor car giving all the necessary details.
You can be contacted at 12345679..
(3)
2. (A) You are Shuhal/Shujila the school captain at Holy Heart school, Vasant Nagar Lucknow.
Your school is organizing a two-day fete and blood donation camp. Prepare a poster for the
same, including all essential details.in about 50 words. (3)
3. (A) You are Anshu/Anita. You have secured 95 per cent marks in English. Your English
teacher has persuaded you to share the secret of your success with your schoolmates. You
decide to deliver a speech ‘English is an extremely scoring subject’ in the morning
assembly. Write the speech in about 150-200 words.
. (5)
4.(A)“Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career.” Write a debate
either for or against the motion. (150 – 200 words). (5)

V. Grammar:

1. Fill in the blanks choosing the most appropriate options from the one given below. Write the
answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. [1x3=3]
Marita read the newspaper sitting (a)……………….. the library. She read about a woman (b)
………………….. had climbed Mt. Everest. Marita said, ” Maybe, one day I c)………………
climb it too.’’
(a) (i) the (ii) in (iii) along (iv) on
(b) (i) which (ii) whose (iii) who (iv) she
(c) (i) is (ii) was (iii) are (iv) shall
2. Rearrange the jumbled words into meaningful sentence. [1x4=4]
(a) society / is / discipline / of / foundation / the /very/
(b) great /importance / one of the / essentials/ of/ life / it is / in all/ spheres / and is/ of / of life/
(c) it life / become / without / miserable / at home / will/
(d) obey / a soldier / or / the orders / a child, / a student / must/

Section C- Literature: 31 Marks

VI. Read the given extracts to attempt the questions with reference to context. [1x3=3]
1.A Silence surrounds us. I would have
Him prodigal, returning to
His father’s house, the home he knew,
Rather than see him make and move
His world. I would forgive him too,
Shaping from sorrow a new love..
(i) What is the poet’s painful realization?
(ii) What does he long for?
(iii) What compromise is the poet ready to make with his son?

2. Read the given extracts to attempt the questions with reference to context [1x4=4]
2.A “As he gazed at the still form a shiver of horror passed over Andrew. After all that he had promised! His
face, heated with his own exertions, chilled suddenly. He hesitated, torn between his desire to attempt to
resuscitate the child, and his obligation towards the mother, who was herself in a desperate state. The dilemma

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was so urgent he did not solve it consciously. Blindly, instinctively, he gave the child to the nurse and turned
his attention to Susan Morgan who now lay collapsed, almost pulseless, and not yet out of the ether, upon her
side.."
a) How was the child born?
1) Lively 3) Lame
2) Lifeless 4) Blind
b) What does the word 'Resuscitate' mean?
1) To revive 3) To clean
2) To bathe 4) To stamp
c) Which ugly middle position was Manson caught in?
i) Whether to save the child or not
ii) Whether to save the mother or not
iii) Whether to pay attention to child or to mother
iv) Whether to pay attention to family or mother

d) What had Dr. Manson promised to the Morgans?

i) Safe delivery of the child and mother
ii) Less amount to be charged for delivery
iii) No admission charges for the baby
iv) That he would not be able to save the mother

3. Read the given extracts to attempt the questions with reference to context [1x3=3]

3.A. “Carter really had little choice. If he hadn't cut the mummy free, thieves most certainly
would have circumvented the guards and ripped it apart to remove the gold. In Tut's time the
royals were fabulously wealthy, and they thought or hoped they could take their riches with
them. For his journey to the great beyond, King Tut was lavished with glittering goods:
precious collars, inlaid necklaces and bracelets, rings, amulets, a ceremonial apron, sandals,
sheaths for his fingers and toes, and the now iconic inner coffin and mask all of pure gold.
To separate Tut from his adornments, Carter's men removed the mummy's head and severed
nearly every major joint. Once they had finished, they reassembled the remains on a layer of
sand in a wooden box with padding that concealed the damage, the bed where Tut now
rests.”
a) What made Carter cut the mummy free?
1) For he was afraid of authorities
2) For he was afraid of thieves
3) For he was afraid of the government
4) All of these
b) What did the royals of Egypt think in ancient time?
1) That they could spend their riches posthumously
2) That they could take their riches with them posthumously
3) That they could save their riches posthumously
4) All of these
c) How did Carter's men remove the gold from the mummy?
1) By hardening the resins 3) By chiseling the body
2) By softening the resins 4) None of these

VII. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each.
[2x3=6]

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 i. Mention Three reasons Why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started attending the
city school. (3)
ii. How did Suzanne remain a strong girl in the disastrous situation? (3)
iii. What was the impact of the East India Company in the other reality? (3)

VIII. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 40-50 words each.
[1x3=3]
i. Why did Mrs. S’s daughter leave the house without taking her things?
ii. What is laissez faire?
IX. Answer the following in about 120-150 words. [1x6=6]
i. Who was Norbu? How did the narrator get courage after meeting Norbu? (6)

X. Answer the following in about 120-150 words. [1x6=6]

i. How did Mrs Fitzgerald help Mrs Pearson to realise her value in the family ? (6)