Sample Question Paper

( English Communicative)

SECTION–A (READING : 20 MARKS)

1. Read the passage given below carefully:

It is customary for the British monarch to ride a gilded horse-drawn ornamental carriage for the opening
of the parliament. This year the Queen rode a brand-new Australian built carriage, made to
commemorate her diamond jubilee. The coach, an exact copy of the earlier one, contains nearly a
thousand years of British history in its various parts.

The State Coach is only the second new horse-drawn carriage to be built in more than a hundred years.
The crafting of this coach took ten years to complete. It contains wood from King Henry Ws flags the
Mary Rose. The ship had sunk in 1545. Some more of the wood for the carriage has come from the very
apple tree which had inspired the scientist Issac Newton to discover the theory of gravity. The gilded
portions of the carriage have been made from 400 books of gold leaf.

Apart from these fabulous components for building the carriage, the State Coach is also constructed with
parts of ships and metal from some of the greatest battles that England has won. The crown on the top
of the carriage has been carved from the oak that was used to build the HMS Victory, Admiral Lord
Nelson’s flagship. In fact, it was this historic ship that in 1805, won the Battle of Trafalgar for England.
From the famous Battle of Waterloo, in which England had defeated Napoleon’s force, is a lead musket
ball. This piece of metal, from the casting of the Victoria Cross, has also been built into the cdadv. The
Victoria Cross incidentally was given during the Second World War as the highest award of military
honour, and not just to British soldiers but to many soldiers of the Commonwealth, including India.

To make it a modern vehicle, the coach is fitted with six hydraulic stabilizers cover in a gold leaf, to
ensure a smooth ride for the royal passengers. There are also electrically operated windows and heaters,
as 21st century inclusions.

Answer any eight of the following questions on the basis of the passage you have read:

1.When does the British monarch ride in a horse-drawn coach?

2.What was unique about this year’s ride?

3. Give two details about the coach.

4.What two historic sources have been tapped for its wood?

5.How have its gilded portions been crafted?

6.How is the State Coach linked with Admiral Nelson?

7.Where has the historic metallic component of the coach been sourced from?

8.What are the modern components of the carriage?

9.Why did the queen ride a brand–new Australian built carriage?

[1×8=8 marks]

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

In a new finding climate change has now become a national issue in America as a recent study has
deduced that warning induced drought in the Middle East is leading to increased conflicts over food and
water leading to its consequences on America and the world. The accelerating rate of climate change
poses a severe risk to national security and acts as a catalyst for global political conflict. This is the
conclusion drawn up by US experts, according to a government report. At the US Centre for Naval
Analyses, the Military Advisory Board found that climate change had induced drought in the Middle East
and Africa. The lack of food and water was affecting the populations of these countries to take recourse
to extreme measures. It was escalating long standing ethnic tensions into violent clashes in the affected
countries. In addition, the report predicted that an increase in catastrophic weather conditions
worldwide will create more demand for American troops even as flooding and extreme weather, could
damage naval ports and military bases.

According to official findings, the report signaled that it would influence American foreign policy as well.
The report visualizes situations caused by the massive dislocation or massive drying up of the waters of
the Nile, or of the major rivers of India and China. Pentagon officials also feel that the report would
affect military policy of their country as climate change is having an impact on national security, whether
by increasing global instability or by opening up the Arctic, or by increasing seal level and storm surge
close to coastal installations. This is the first major study of draw the link between climate change and
national security. Thus American leaders are delivering major speeches wherein they are linking up
climate change iskiies with that of national security. Thus American leaders are delivering major
speeches wherein they are linking up climate change iskiies with that or national security. New
regulations would also be put in place to cut pollution from coal fired power options.
The report follows a recent string of scientific studies that warn that the effects of climate change are
already occurring and that more floods, droughts, extreme storms, food and water shortages, and
damage to infrastructure will occur in the future. There is thus a link in some quarters between rising sea
waters and terrorism. These effects are stress multipliers that will aggravate stressors abroad, such as
poverty, environmental degradation, political instability and social tensions.

A. Answer any four of the following questions in about 30–40 words each: [2×4 = 8 marks]

1.What is the latest finding regarding climate change?

2.How was the lack of food and water affecting countries in the Middle East and Africa?

3.What is unique about the latest report on climate change?

4.What do recent scientific studies indicate?

5.What will aggravate the stressors?

B. Complete any two of the following sentences with appropriate words phrases. [1×2 = 2
marks]

1.New regulations would also be put in place to.

2.The report visualizes situation caused by the massive dislocation or massive drying up of.

3.The Military Advisory Board, found that climate change had induced in Middle East, and Africa.

C. Attempt any two of the following. Find out the words that mean the same as under. [1×2 = 2
marks]

1.forecasted (para 1)

2.huge (para 2)

3.make worse (para 2)

SECTION–B (WRITING SKILLS AND GRAMMAR : 30 MARKS)

3.Write a letter to a tour and tourism company to enquire about the tour packages and
discounts (100–120 words).

OR
Video games, internet, cell phones and other hightech gear are first part of growing up in a
digital world. But parents are concerned about the amount of time their children spend with
these and worry that it might be distracting and cramping academic and social development.

Write a letter in 100–120 words to the editor of a national daily expressing your concerns and
offering solutions to this problem. You are Aruna/Shubh, 112 Model Town, Delhi.

[8 Marks]

4.Complete the story in about 200–250 words with the help of outlines given. Give a suitable
title to the story.

Two leading female singers ... on the same stage ... professional rivals ... one sings food
stomping rustic songs ... other one, old time numbers ... audience charged ... enjoy different
numbers ... arrival of the dignitary ... Only five minutes time permitted for the artists ...
tension brews ... supporters take sides ... pandemonium ... minister whisked off by his
security ... both artists left silent ... audience boo concert.

OR

The Girls’ Scouts had won the Badge of Honour at the International Girl’s Scout Meet in
Helsinki, Norway. Instead of a trophy, the prize for being the best scout team was the
opportunity to camp out for a night at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Mughal Garden, Delhi for one
night and that day had arrived...

[10 marks]

5.Fill in any four of the following blanks choosing the most appropriate options from the ones
given below. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers.
For most people outer ceremonies present (a) ----------------- religion constitute (b) --------------
real religion. However rituals are neither necessary (c) ------------------ demanded. They are
neither binding nor (d) ------------------ lasting value according to some saints and will never (e)
------------------ indispensable.

(a)

(I)in

(II)on

(III)at

(IV)into

(b)

(I)a

(II)the

(III)an

(IV)is

(c)

(I)not

(II)nor

(III)neither

(IV)no

(d)

(I)at

(II)to

(III)for

(IV)of
(e)

(I)is

(II)am

(III)be

(IV)are

[1×4 =4 marks]

6. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the error
and the correction of any four sentences of the given paragraph. One has been done for you.

Incorrect Correct

In the Investment world, it is saying that small saying said

(a)stocks of today, are big stocks of their future. ___________ __________

(b)The natural progression is for a small stockings ___________ __________

(c)to growing to become mid-stock and then ___________ __________

(d)a large one. In India, company with a market ___________ __________

(e)capitalisation of less then ₹ 500 crore could as small stock. ___________ __________

[1×4 =4 marks]

7.Rearrange any four of the following word clusters to make meaningful sentences.

(a)converse with / in / you / at / any / moment / a / private / library / Socrates on Shakespeare /can /
(b)the hand / your / library / should be / as well as / accessible / to / to the eye / and /

(c)one of / that of reading / known to is / greatest / the / pleasures / man

(d)a / rich with / variety / adventure and wisdom / the / world of books / has / of

(e)own / you / book / convenience / can / enjoy / a / at / your.

[1×4 = 4 marks]

SECTION–C

(LITERATURE AND LONG READING TEXT : 30 MARKS)

8.Answer the following extract based questions.

“Now I am a lake.

A woman bends over me,

Searching my reaches for what she really is”

(I)Who is the ‘I’ in the above line?

(II)Which figure of speech is used in the above line?

(III)Why does the speaker call itself a lake?

(IV)What is the woman searching for in the depth of the lake?

OR

“What can be avoided

Whose end is proposed by the mighty Gods.”

(I)Who makes the above comment?

(II)To whom is the speaker talking?

(III)Discuss the context of the above remark?

(IV)Do you believe that the speaker’s belief is justified in the end? How?

[1×4=4 marks]

9.Answer any four of the following questions in 30–40 words each:

(I)What had Calpurnia seen in her dream?

(II)What genre of stories does Jenkins want the narrator to write? Why?

(III)How does the poet react after hitting the snake?

(IV)What for was the Patol Babu wanted by the film production company? Why did Nishikanto Babu
suggest his name?

(V)When one of the boys said, ‘We are not complaining, sir, to the author what do you learn of their
character?

10.Answer the following questions in about 100–120 words:

The poem the Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a story in the poetic poem form. Elucidate.

OR

Do you agree with the statement that Patol Babu is a practical man who comes to terms with
whatever life has to offer? Give reasons for your answer.

[8 marks]
11.Answer the following questions based on the prescribed novel text for extended reading in about
200–250 words.

The Diary of a Young Girl

Explain in detail about the shortage of food in the Annexe.

or

Give a character sketch of Mr Van Daan.

OR

The Story of My Life

Compare and contrast Helen’s description of city life and country life.

or

Draw a character sketch of Mr. Hutton.

[10 marks]