HS FIRST YEAR PRE-ANNUAL EXAMINATION 2024-2025

ENGLISH

Full Marks : 90
Pass Marks : 27

Time : Three hours

The figures in the margin indicate full marks

for the questions

Q. Nos, 1, 2 [Section-A (Reading)] 20

Q. Nos. 3, 4 & 5 [Section-B (Writing)] 20
Q. Nos, 6, 7 & 8 [Section-C (Grammar)] 10
Q. Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 [Section-D (Textual Questions)] 40
 SECTION - A
(Reading)

1. Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow :

1. The word 'depressed' in common usage means sad, frustrated, fed up, bored and
pessimistic. The mood of a depressed person is much lower at his or her best
moments than that of a normal person at his or her worst. Depression is a state
of mind. It is a mental disorder characterised by a lowering of the individual's
validity, his/her mood, desires, hopes, aspirations and of his/her self-esteem.

2. Depression arising out of environmental factors is called reactive depression;

depression arising out of biochemical changes in the brain is called endogenous
depression. If depression is mild or moderate and if the individual is in touch
with his/her surroundings, it is known as neurotic depression. if the individual
is severely disturbed and is not able to comprehend what is happening around,
such a state is called psychotic depression.

3. Old age is one of the stages of human development, where a person is likely to
attain wisdom, maturity, social and economic stability with social recognition
and emotional fulfilment. Generally, societies show great respect and
consideration for the aged. In ancient times old people were considered as the
guiding stars in Indian families because they were symbols of tradition, respect
wisdom and experience. In primitive, ancient and medieval cultures, old
persons had a recognised social role. They were of great value because could
impart knowledge and skill to youngsters. The old people were considered as
repositories of wisdom and traditions and were not perceived as a burden on
others.

4. At present, social structures and values are undergoing a transformation from

tradition to modern. There is a rapid stride in urbanization and industrialisation
leading to the breaking up of joint families and property. This has weakened the
 social position and status of the aged in the family. Changes in the institutions
of marriage and family have diminished the control of parents over their
children. Children have come to view the aged as a useless and non productive
entity. The ultimate result is that the very integrity of the family with the
elderly forming an integral part of it is being uprooted. Thus the elderly have
ended up losing much of their earlier authority, respect and prestige within the
Indian family system. These changes generally bring about depression in old
people.

Questions:

A. (i) What does the word 'depressed' mean in common usage ? 1

(ii) What is 'reactive depression' ? 1
(iii) What is 'endogenous depression' ? 1
(iv) Why were old people considered to be of great value in earlier societies ? 1
(v) What was the status of old people in ancient India ? 1
(vi) What are the factors responsible for disintegration of the joint family system ? 1
(vii) Mention two change in our society that has caused depression in old people ? 2

B. Pick out words in the passage that mean the following: 2

(i) liveliness and energy.

(ii) a place where things are stored.

2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

1. Flexibility and mobility are essential not only to reduce the risk of injuries but
to generally feel better. Living a nine to five desk life can be demanding on
health and wellness. Here is how you can keep the most common problems at
bay.

2. Even if you are not exercising you need to make sure that you maintain correct
posture and sit at your desk in the right way. It is important that your chair is
placed correctly and your legs are not left hanging Proper alignment ensures
that your neck and back are not strained. Exercises and abdominal crunches
two to three times a week can strengthen the core. It will help take the pressure
 off your back and will make it easier to maintain good posture Chairs with a
back that support your upper back are preferable for those who work long
hours in front of screens

3. Constant typing, writing reports, and answering e-mails can exert your wrists
leading to long-term damage. The frequency of your use and how you position
your wrists at your keyboard can be a reason. The telltale signs of exertion
would be a tingling sensation or numbness. One should not ignore initial signs
Make sure that you rest your wrist at regular intervals. To relieve tension
quickly fold your hands in a NAMASTE in front of your chest with elbows
moving out and lower your hands till you feel a good stretch in your wrists.
Also rotating your fists inside and outside provides much relief to strained
wrists.

4. Since those who work on desks spend a lot of time looking at a computer
screen, they are at a risk of dat straining their eyes. This may also lead to dry
eyes and fatigue. Poor eyesight is the result of continued and improper
exposure to screens. Keeping the computer screen at an optimal distance helps
a lot in minimising strain to eyes The screen shouldn't be too close or too far.
To ease eye strain use good lighting and make it a point to look at a distance
away from your screen every twenty to thirty minutes

Questions:

A. On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it, using
recognizable abbreviations whenever necessary. Add a suitable title to it. 5

B. Make summary of the above passage in about 80 words. 3

SECTION - B
(Writing)

3. You are arranging a picnic to Kaziranga next Sunday. Describe your preparations to
your classmates in about 100 words. 6

Or
Write an article for school/college magazine on “Importance of Traffic Rules”. 6

4. Your School has recently celebrated the 400 Birth Anniversary of Lachit Barphukan
at the school. Prepare an report on it to publish in the school Magazine (word Limit
100 to 125 words) 6

Or

Write a speech to be delivered in the morning assembly of your school/college on the

topic "Books are our best companions.” 6

5. You are Ranjit/Ranjita, You have seen an advertisement in a newspaper for a post of
Computer Assistant at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup Metro. Write
an application with your detailed biodata, to the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup
Metro in response to the advertisement for the post. 8

Or

Write a letter to the Editor of a local English Daily drawing attention of the authorities
concerned to the nuisance of loudspeakers in your area. 8

SECTION - C
(Grammar)

6. (a) Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners (any two): ½×2=1

(i) We have very _____ information. (few/little)

(ii) _____ European tourist met me yesterday. (a/an)
(iii) John is strong _____ to walk. (very/enough/much)
(iv) I saw the accident with my _____ eyes. (his/her/own)

(b) Rewrite the following sentences with the correct form of the verb given in brackets
(any two): ½×2=1

(i) English (speak) all over the world.

(ii) If it (rain), we will not go.
(iii) I wish I (listen) to my parent's advice.
(iv) I (study) in this college for the last two years.

(c) Fill in the blanks with appropriate modal auxiliaries (the sense of the sentence is
indicated in the bracket) (any two): ½×2=1

(i) We _____ play football. (ability)

(ii) When I was young, I _____ run faster. (ability)
(iii) _____ I come in ? (permission)
(iv) All candidates ______ bring their admit cards on the day of the examination.
(compulsion)

(d) Correct the following (any two) : ½×2=1

(i) The sceneries of Arunachal Pradesh is charming.

(ii) Bread and butter make a good breakfast.
(iii) The cattles were grazing in the field.
(iv) The both parents were present at the function.

7. (a) Complete the following piece of conversation by choosing the correct

alternative from the brackets : 2

(i) She said to me, "_____ (why/where) are you late ?" I replied, "I' m not late. It's
10:30 _____ (in/by) my watch.

Or

(ii) I said to John, " ______ (How/What) is your business going at this moment ?"
Johan replied, "Shall we meet later tonight to discuss it over ______ ?" (lunch/dinner)

(b) Rewrite the following sentences as directed (any two): 1×2=2

(i) Silver is not as valuable as gold. (change into comparative degree)

(ii) Unless you work hard, you will fail. (make it compound sentence)
(iii) I know his name. (make it complex sentence)
(iv) The boy is so poor that he can not buy his textbook. (make it affirmative)

8. Rearrange the words in the following to form meaningful sentences (any two):
1×2=2

(i) crowded/railway platform/last Sunday/the/was/unusually.

(ii) vendors/carrying/were at/sweet smelling/flowers/the/platform.
(iii) the train/how/they/we wondered/would/get/on.
(iv) but/the train/carefully/they/boarded/very.

SECTION - D
(Textual Questions)

9. Read any one of the stanzas given below and answer the questions that follow :

(a) Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and the bottomless sea, Upward to
heaven, whence, vaguely form'd, altogether changed, and yet the same,
I descend to lave the droughts, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,

(i) Who is the speaker here ? 1

(ii) From where does the speaker rise ? 1
(iii) What is meant by altogether changed, and yet the same ? 1
(iv) What are 'atomies' ? 1
(v) How does the speaker go up and come down again on droughts, atomies and
dust-layers ? 4

Or

(b) 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) Who are the 'us' here ? 1
(ii) What surround them ? 1
(iii) What is the meaning of 'prodigal' ? 1
(iv) Who is supposed to return to his father's house, after being prodigal ? 1
(v) In what context, is the speaker talking about forgiveness and new love ? 4

10. Answer any three of the following questions: 2×3=6

(a) How is the cyclic movement of rain brought out in the poem, 'The Voice of the
Rain' ?
(b) What, according to the poem, childhood, is involved in the process of growing up
?
(c) How is the father's helplessness brought out in the poem, Father to Son ?
(d) The three stanzas of the poem 'A Photograph' depict three different phases. What
are they ?
(e) What is the poet's feeling towards childhood in the poem 'Childhood' ?
(f) Does the poem 'Father to Son' talk of an exclusively personal experience or is it
fairly universal ? Give a reasoned reply.

11. Answer any five of the following questions: 2×5=10

(a) Why have the sparrows refused to eat the crumbs of the bread on the death of the
author's grandmother ?
(b) What are 'Yang' and 'Yin' ?
(c) How are the Earth's principal biological systems useful to us ?
(d) What role industry has to play in the new Era of Responsibility ?
(e) What is the difference between the Game Sanctuaries of Africa and India ?
(f) "You have a great treasure there". What treasure is Verrier Elwin referring to and
what is his suggestion about the treasure ?
(g) Explain the concept of 'shanshui'.
(h) Mention three ways in which the author's grandmother spent her days after he
grew up.
(i) What are the different ways in which we come to know that the author's
grandmother was a deeply religious person ?
12. (a) "The earth's vital signs reveal a patient in declining health" Elucidate. 6

Or

(a) Give a description of the author's grandmother after your reading of "The Portrait
of a Lady." 6

13. (a) Comment on the influence of the English language and way of life on Indian
society as reflected in the story "Ranga's Marriage." 6

Or

(b) "The school system often curbs individual talents". Discuss the statement in the
light of your reading of "Albert Einstein at school." 6

14. Answer any two of the following in brief : 2×2=4

(a) What was the Mathematics teacher Koch's opinion about Albert's mathematical
knowledge.
(b) Describe the quality of mangoes of Hosahalli village.
(c) What is highlighted as the basic difference between the idea of learning as
advocated by Elsa and Albert during their short conversation ?
(d) What were Ranga's views on marriage ?

● AHSEC 2015
● AHSEC 2017
● AHSEC 2018
● AHSEC 2019
● AHSEC 2022