Page 1
(Class – VIII : ENGLISH)
Time: 2 hr 30 min. Max Marks: 80
Section A (Reading)
A1 Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Qawwals, it is said, have the ethereal quality of touching the heart and soul of people
across cultures, religions and race. However, these ambassadors of universal
brotherhood and divine love are fighting their own personal battle against the crass
exploitations of qawwali as an art form.
In a world of remixes and „filmi qawaalis?, this spiritual singing form is dying its own
slow death. One of the few remaining bastions where this art is flourishing is the
tomb of the famous 14
th
century saint Nizamuddin Auliya. A place where this singing
style originated has become the only refuge for the peddlers of this art form.
“It is not just an art form, it is a concept which played a big part in bringing the
country?s two major communities together. The genesis of qawwali took place by the
intermingling of Hindu culture, local dialects and Islamic concepts,” says Ghulam
Hussain Nizami, explaining the origin of qawwali.
“The word qawwali is actually derived from the word „qoul? or dictum. A qawwal is
actually a person who sings the dictums of the prophet and the praises of the Lord.
The compositions of qawwali are musical interpretations of religion and bring forth
the deep spirituality of the people,” Nizami explains.
For most of these qawwals, the only source of income is the money gifted by people
who visit the tomb of Nizamudin Auliya. In order to survive, many of these singers
have turned their backs on practising this art in its true form.
“I have been singing from the age of five. Generations of my family have practiced
this art. However, most of the qawwals that I have seen are living their lives in abject
poverty. There is no government help nor does the waqf help us,” said Hamsar
Hayat, who has now taken up singing bhajans in mandirs to supplement his income.
Even though the origins of qawwali are in India, Pakistani qawwals seem to have a
headstart over their Indian counterparts. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Ali Khan,
Sabri brothers have garnered considerable fame and fortune throughout the world.
A1.1 State whether the following statements are true or false:- (2)
(i) Nizamuddin Auliya is a famous 14
th
century qawwal.
(ii) Qawwali is an art form that synthesizes Hindu culture and Islamic
concepts.
Page 2
(Class – VIII : ENGLISH)
Time: 2 hr 30 min. Max Marks: 80
Section A (Reading)
A1 Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Qawwals, it is said, have the ethereal quality of touching the heart and soul of people
across cultures, religions and race. However, these ambassadors of universal
brotherhood and divine love are fighting their own personal battle against the crass
exploitations of qawwali as an art form.
In a world of remixes and „filmi qawaalis?, this spiritual singing form is dying its own
slow death. One of the few remaining bastions where this art is flourishing is the
tomb of the famous 14
th
century saint Nizamuddin Auliya. A place where this singing
style originated has become the only refuge for the peddlers of this art form.
“It is not just an art form, it is a concept which played a big part in bringing the
country?s two major communities together. The genesis of qawwali took place by the
intermingling of Hindu culture, local dialects and Islamic concepts,” says Ghulam
Hussain Nizami, explaining the origin of qawwali.
“The word qawwali is actually derived from the word „qoul? or dictum. A qawwal is
actually a person who sings the dictums of the prophet and the praises of the Lord.
The compositions of qawwali are musical interpretations of religion and bring forth
the deep spirituality of the people,” Nizami explains.
For most of these qawwals, the only source of income is the money gifted by people
who visit the tomb of Nizamudin Auliya. In order to survive, many of these singers
have turned their backs on practising this art in its true form.
“I have been singing from the age of five. Generations of my family have practiced
this art. However, most of the qawwals that I have seen are living their lives in abject
poverty. There is no government help nor does the waqf help us,” said Hamsar
Hayat, who has now taken up singing bhajans in mandirs to supplement his income.
Even though the origins of qawwali are in India, Pakistani qawwals seem to have a
headstart over their Indian counterparts. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Ali Khan,
Sabri brothers have garnered considerable fame and fortune throughout the world.
A1.1 State whether the following statements are true or false:- (2)
(i) Nizamuddin Auliya is a famous 14
th
century qawwal.
(ii) Qawwali is an art form that synthesizes Hindu culture and Islamic
concepts.
A1.2 Complete the following sentences suitably:- (5)
(i) Qawwals are considered to be messengers of ____________________
(ii) This spiritual singing form is dying a slow death because
______________
(iii) Most qawwals live a life of abject poverty as _______________________
(iv) The tomb of Saint Nizamuddin Auliya is _________________________
(v) In order to survive, most qawwals are ___________________________
A1.3 Fill in the blanks with one word only:- (3)
Qawaalis have played a _____________ role in bringing the Hindu and
Muslim communities together. They have an _____________ quality that
touches the hearts of people, but the growing trend of remixes and music
videos is leading to the ___________ of this art form. Though the qawwali
____________ in India, Pakistani qawwals have gained more ____________
and ____________ in recent times.
A1.4 Find a word in the passage that means the following: (2)
(i) shelter (ii) origin or development of something
A2. Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The Two Roads
There was a path
Deep in the woods.
Once it forked-
The bad, the good.
I choose to take
The left-hand path,
I did not know,
I had no map.
Now this road that I travel
Is dirty and battered.
It?s littered with dreams
That are broken and tattered.
Paved with wrong doings
And dotted with hearts
That were taken from people
And just torn apart.
Pain and regret
Are common here.
Wherever you turn,
They?re always near.
I want to cross
To the other path,
And leave behind
This painful wrath.
I thought I was forever
Doomed to walk.
And all the gates
Were tightly locked.
But as I continued,
Page 3
(Class – VIII : ENGLISH)
Time: 2 hr 30 min. Max Marks: 80
Section A (Reading)
A1 Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Qawwals, it is said, have the ethereal quality of touching the heart and soul of people
across cultures, religions and race. However, these ambassadors of universal
brotherhood and divine love are fighting their own personal battle against the crass
exploitations of qawwali as an art form.
In a world of remixes and „filmi qawaalis?, this spiritual singing form is dying its own
slow death. One of the few remaining bastions where this art is flourishing is the
tomb of the famous 14
th
century saint Nizamuddin Auliya. A place where this singing
style originated has become the only refuge for the peddlers of this art form.
“It is not just an art form, it is a concept which played a big part in bringing the
country?s two major communities together. The genesis of qawwali took place by the
intermingling of Hindu culture, local dialects and Islamic concepts,” says Ghulam
Hussain Nizami, explaining the origin of qawwali.
“The word qawwali is actually derived from the word „qoul? or dictum. A qawwal is
actually a person who sings the dictums of the prophet and the praises of the Lord.
The compositions of qawwali are musical interpretations of religion and bring forth
the deep spirituality of the people,” Nizami explains.
For most of these qawwals, the only source of income is the money gifted by people
who visit the tomb of Nizamudin Auliya. In order to survive, many of these singers
have turned their backs on practising this art in its true form.
“I have been singing from the age of five. Generations of my family have practiced
this art. However, most of the qawwals that I have seen are living their lives in abject
poverty. There is no government help nor does the waqf help us,” said Hamsar
Hayat, who has now taken up singing bhajans in mandirs to supplement his income.
Even though the origins of qawwali are in India, Pakistani qawwals seem to have a
headstart over their Indian counterparts. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Ali Khan,
Sabri brothers have garnered considerable fame and fortune throughout the world.
A1.1 State whether the following statements are true or false:- (2)
(i) Nizamuddin Auliya is a famous 14
th
century qawwal.
(ii) Qawwali is an art form that synthesizes Hindu culture and Islamic
concepts.
A1.2 Complete the following sentences suitably:- (5)
(i) Qawwals are considered to be messengers of ____________________
(ii) This spiritual singing form is dying a slow death because
______________
(iii) Most qawwals live a life of abject poverty as _______________________
(iv) The tomb of Saint Nizamuddin Auliya is _________________________
(v) In order to survive, most qawwals are ___________________________
A1.3 Fill in the blanks with one word only:- (3)
Qawaalis have played a _____________ role in bringing the Hindu and
Muslim communities together. They have an _____________ quality that
touches the hearts of people, but the growing trend of remixes and music
videos is leading to the ___________ of this art form. Though the qawwali
____________ in India, Pakistani qawwals have gained more ____________
and ____________ in recent times.
A1.4 Find a word in the passage that means the following: (2)
(i) shelter (ii) origin or development of something
A2. Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The Two Roads
There was a path
Deep in the woods.
Once it forked-
The bad, the good.
I choose to take
The left-hand path,
I did not know,
I had no map.
Now this road that I travel
Is dirty and battered.
It?s littered with dreams
That are broken and tattered.
Paved with wrong doings
And dotted with hearts
That were taken from people
And just torn apart.
Pain and regret
Are common here.
Wherever you turn,
They?re always near.
I want to cross
To the other path,
And leave behind
This painful wrath.
I thought I was forever
Doomed to walk.
And all the gates
Were tightly locked.
But as I continued,
A footbridge I could see.
A bridge of Hope
Called out to me.
Slowly I crossed
To the path of good.
Finally I was on the path
On which I thought I should.
Now hidden deep
Within the woods.
The one that forked,
Paths bad and good.
I once was wrong,
But now I?m right.
And before me
Glows a guiding light.
-By Whitney Welch
A2.1 Tick the most appropriate choice: (5)
(i) The path in the woods once forked
(a) in two different directions
(b) into bad and good
(c) into left and right
(d) into two unknown paths
(ii) The road that the poet travelled was littered with
(a) sweet dreams
(b) bitter sweet dreams
(c) shattered dreams
(d) cherished dreams
(iii) Pains and regret
(a) are rarely found here
(b) have no place here
(c) are frequently found here
(d) are not found here
(iv) The poet wanted to across to the other path
(a) as it was easier
(b) as the first one was more difficult
(c) as the first one was more painful
(d) as the new one was more rewarding
(v) Finally, the poet slowly crossed to
(a) the more rewarding path
(b) the path of good
(c) the easier path
(d) the more frequented path
Page 4
(Class – VIII : ENGLISH)
Time: 2 hr 30 min. Max Marks: 80
Section A (Reading)
A1 Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Qawwals, it is said, have the ethereal quality of touching the heart and soul of people
across cultures, religions and race. However, these ambassadors of universal
brotherhood and divine love are fighting their own personal battle against the crass
exploitations of qawwali as an art form.
In a world of remixes and „filmi qawaalis?, this spiritual singing form is dying its own
slow death. One of the few remaining bastions where this art is flourishing is the
tomb of the famous 14
th
century saint Nizamuddin Auliya. A place where this singing
style originated has become the only refuge for the peddlers of this art form.
“It is not just an art form, it is a concept which played a big part in bringing the
country?s two major communities together. The genesis of qawwali took place by the
intermingling of Hindu culture, local dialects and Islamic concepts,” says Ghulam
Hussain Nizami, explaining the origin of qawwali.
“The word qawwali is actually derived from the word „qoul? or dictum. A qawwal is
actually a person who sings the dictums of the prophet and the praises of the Lord.
The compositions of qawwali are musical interpretations of religion and bring forth
the deep spirituality of the people,” Nizami explains.
For most of these qawwals, the only source of income is the money gifted by people
who visit the tomb of Nizamudin Auliya. In order to survive, many of these singers
have turned their backs on practising this art in its true form.
“I have been singing from the age of five. Generations of my family have practiced
this art. However, most of the qawwals that I have seen are living their lives in abject
poverty. There is no government help nor does the waqf help us,” said Hamsar
Hayat, who has now taken up singing bhajans in mandirs to supplement his income.
Even though the origins of qawwali are in India, Pakistani qawwals seem to have a
headstart over their Indian counterparts. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Ali Khan,
Sabri brothers have garnered considerable fame and fortune throughout the world.
A1.1 State whether the following statements are true or false:- (2)
(i) Nizamuddin Auliya is a famous 14
th
century qawwal.
(ii) Qawwali is an art form that synthesizes Hindu culture and Islamic
concepts.
A1.2 Complete the following sentences suitably:- (5)
(i) Qawwals are considered to be messengers of ____________________
(ii) This spiritual singing form is dying a slow death because
______________
(iii) Most qawwals live a life of abject poverty as _______________________
(iv) The tomb of Saint Nizamuddin Auliya is _________________________
(v) In order to survive, most qawwals are ___________________________
A1.3 Fill in the blanks with one word only:- (3)
Qawaalis have played a _____________ role in bringing the Hindu and
Muslim communities together. They have an _____________ quality that
touches the hearts of people, but the growing trend of remixes and music
videos is leading to the ___________ of this art form. Though the qawwali
____________ in India, Pakistani qawwals have gained more ____________
and ____________ in recent times.
A1.4 Find a word in the passage that means the following: (2)
(i) shelter (ii) origin or development of something
A2. Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The Two Roads
There was a path
Deep in the woods.
Once it forked-
The bad, the good.
I choose to take
The left-hand path,
I did not know,
I had no map.
Now this road that I travel
Is dirty and battered.
It?s littered with dreams
That are broken and tattered.
Paved with wrong doings
And dotted with hearts
That were taken from people
And just torn apart.
Pain and regret
Are common here.
Wherever you turn,
They?re always near.
I want to cross
To the other path,
And leave behind
This painful wrath.
I thought I was forever
Doomed to walk.
And all the gates
Were tightly locked.
But as I continued,
A footbridge I could see.
A bridge of Hope
Called out to me.
Slowly I crossed
To the path of good.
Finally I was on the path
On which I thought I should.
Now hidden deep
Within the woods.
The one that forked,
Paths bad and good.
I once was wrong,
But now I?m right.
And before me
Glows a guiding light.
-By Whitney Welch
A2.1 Tick the most appropriate choice: (5)
(i) The path in the woods once forked
(a) in two different directions
(b) into bad and good
(c) into left and right
(d) into two unknown paths
(ii) The road that the poet travelled was littered with
(a) sweet dreams
(b) bitter sweet dreams
(c) shattered dreams
(d) cherished dreams
(iii) Pains and regret
(a) are rarely found here
(b) have no place here
(c) are frequently found here
(d) are not found here
(iv) The poet wanted to across to the other path
(a) as it was easier
(b) as the first one was more difficult
(c) as the first one was more painful
(d) as the new one was more rewarding
(v) Finally, the poet slowly crossed to
(a) the more rewarding path
(b) the path of good
(c) the easier path
(d) the more frequented path
A2.2 Complete the following statements suitably:- (2)
(i) The first path chosen by the poet was dirty because _________________
(ii) The poem is about ____________________________________________
A2.3 Pick out the words from the poem which mean the same as:- (1)
(i) extreme anger.
(ii) hit repeatedly with hard blows.
Section B (Writing)
B.1 Write a letter to the editor of your local daily expressing your concern at
the frequent breakdown of electricity and water supply in your area. (8)
B.2 It was the happiest day of your life when the Principal of your school
informed you and your parents that you have topped the list of successful
candidates in your zone. Then started the endless ringing of telephone
bells. Congratulatory messages started pouring in. Write a diary entry in
about 100 words about how you felt on that day. (5)
B.3 Complete the following proverbs:- (2)
(i) _______________________ shadow.
(ii) A friend?s ___________________.
B.4 State the meanings of the following proverbs:- (2)
(i) Hatred is as blind as love.
(ii) The die is cast.
B.5 Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate words from the ones given
in the box: (3)
sonnets kith and kin verbose
notorious sixes and sevens solace
(i) The ____________ gangster was arrested after a long chase by the police.
(ii) The whole place was in ______________ after the thorough search by the
police.
Page 5
(Class – VIII : ENGLISH)
Time: 2 hr 30 min. Max Marks: 80
Section A (Reading)
A1 Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Qawwals, it is said, have the ethereal quality of touching the heart and soul of people
across cultures, religions and race. However, these ambassadors of universal
brotherhood and divine love are fighting their own personal battle against the crass
exploitations of qawwali as an art form.
In a world of remixes and „filmi qawaalis?, this spiritual singing form is dying its own
slow death. One of the few remaining bastions where this art is flourishing is the
tomb of the famous 14
th
century saint Nizamuddin Auliya. A place where this singing
style originated has become the only refuge for the peddlers of this art form.
“It is not just an art form, it is a concept which played a big part in bringing the
country?s two major communities together. The genesis of qawwali took place by the
intermingling of Hindu culture, local dialects and Islamic concepts,” says Ghulam
Hussain Nizami, explaining the origin of qawwali.
“The word qawwali is actually derived from the word „qoul? or dictum. A qawwal is
actually a person who sings the dictums of the prophet and the praises of the Lord.
The compositions of qawwali are musical interpretations of religion and bring forth
the deep spirituality of the people,” Nizami explains.
For most of these qawwals, the only source of income is the money gifted by people
who visit the tomb of Nizamudin Auliya. In order to survive, many of these singers
have turned their backs on practising this art in its true form.
“I have been singing from the age of five. Generations of my family have practiced
this art. However, most of the qawwals that I have seen are living their lives in abject
poverty. There is no government help nor does the waqf help us,” said Hamsar
Hayat, who has now taken up singing bhajans in mandirs to supplement his income.
Even though the origins of qawwali are in India, Pakistani qawwals seem to have a
headstart over their Indian counterparts. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Ali Khan,
Sabri brothers have garnered considerable fame and fortune throughout the world.
A1.1 State whether the following statements are true or false:- (2)
(i) Nizamuddin Auliya is a famous 14
th
century qawwal.
(ii) Qawwali is an art form that synthesizes Hindu culture and Islamic
concepts.
A1.2 Complete the following sentences suitably:- (5)
(i) Qawwals are considered to be messengers of ____________________
(ii) This spiritual singing form is dying a slow death because
______________
(iii) Most qawwals live a life of abject poverty as _______________________
(iv) The tomb of Saint Nizamuddin Auliya is _________________________
(v) In order to survive, most qawwals are ___________________________
A1.3 Fill in the blanks with one word only:- (3)
Qawaalis have played a _____________ role in bringing the Hindu and
Muslim communities together. They have an _____________ quality that
touches the hearts of people, but the growing trend of remixes and music
videos is leading to the ___________ of this art form. Though the qawwali
____________ in India, Pakistani qawwals have gained more ____________
and ____________ in recent times.
A1.4 Find a word in the passage that means the following: (2)
(i) shelter (ii) origin or development of something
A2. Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The Two Roads
There was a path
Deep in the woods.
Once it forked-
The bad, the good.
I choose to take
The left-hand path,
I did not know,
I had no map.
Now this road that I travel
Is dirty and battered.
It?s littered with dreams
That are broken and tattered.
Paved with wrong doings
And dotted with hearts
That were taken from people
And just torn apart.
Pain and regret
Are common here.
Wherever you turn,
They?re always near.
I want to cross
To the other path,
And leave behind
This painful wrath.
I thought I was forever
Doomed to walk.
And all the gates
Were tightly locked.
But as I continued,
A footbridge I could see.
A bridge of Hope
Called out to me.
Slowly I crossed
To the path of good.
Finally I was on the path
On which I thought I should.
Now hidden deep
Within the woods.
The one that forked,
Paths bad and good.
I once was wrong,
But now I?m right.
And before me
Glows a guiding light.
-By Whitney Welch
A2.1 Tick the most appropriate choice: (5)
(i) The path in the woods once forked
(a) in two different directions
(b) into bad and good
(c) into left and right
(d) into two unknown paths
(ii) The road that the poet travelled was littered with
(a) sweet dreams
(b) bitter sweet dreams
(c) shattered dreams
(d) cherished dreams
(iii) Pains and regret
(a) are rarely found here
(b) have no place here
(c) are frequently found here
(d) are not found here
(iv) The poet wanted to across to the other path
(a) as it was easier
(b) as the first one was more difficult
(c) as the first one was more painful
(d) as the new one was more rewarding
(v) Finally, the poet slowly crossed to
(a) the more rewarding path
(b) the path of good
(c) the easier path
(d) the more frequented path
A2.2 Complete the following statements suitably:- (2)
(i) The first path chosen by the poet was dirty because _________________
(ii) The poem is about ____________________________________________
A2.3 Pick out the words from the poem which mean the same as:- (1)
(i) extreme anger.
(ii) hit repeatedly with hard blows.
Section B (Writing)
B.1 Write a letter to the editor of your local daily expressing your concern at
the frequent breakdown of electricity and water supply in your area. (8)
B.2 It was the happiest day of your life when the Principal of your school
informed you and your parents that you have topped the list of successful
candidates in your zone. Then started the endless ringing of telephone
bells. Congratulatory messages started pouring in. Write a diary entry in
about 100 words about how you felt on that day. (5)
B.3 Complete the following proverbs:- (2)
(i) _______________________ shadow.
(ii) A friend?s ___________________.
B.4 State the meanings of the following proverbs:- (2)
(i) Hatred is as blind as love.
(ii) The die is cast.
B.5 Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate words from the ones given
in the box: (3)
sonnets kith and kin verbose
notorious sixes and sevens solace
(i) The ____________ gangster was arrested after a long chase by the police.
(ii) The whole place was in ______________ after the thorough search by the
police.
(iii) Shakespeare is famous for his plays and _____________.
(iv) I tried my best to give ___________ to my friend when she lost her
grandfather.
(v) All the ___________ of the bride and groom were present for the wedding
ceremony.
(vi) His style of writing is extremely ____________.
Section-C (Grammar)
C1. Change the following into indirect speech: (5)
(i) Pankaj says, “I did not lose my temper.”
(ii) The shopkeeper said to me, “We received these goods only two days ago.”
(iii) Aditya said to me, “Your painting will win you the first prize.”
(iv) The teacher said, “Keep quiet, children. Do not disturb me while I am
checking your notebooks.”
(v) I said to Supriya, “Let us spend this evening playing a game of tennis.”
C2. Identify the types of sentences as Simple, Compound and Complex: (4)
(i) Each of these stories embodies a profound truth.
(ii) The sun rose and the fog disappeared.
(iii) My father is happy because I have done well in the examination.
(iv) Either he is mad, or he feigns madness.
C3. Do as directed: (7)
(i) I would have loved to play chess with you. I have an appointment with my
doctor. (Join the sentences using a suitable conjunction)
(ii) The principal introduced the Chief guest to the audience. (Change the voice)
(iii) Doctors say all schools ________ install an R.O system for purifying water.
(Use a „modal?)
(iv) She locked all the doors. She went to bed. (Join the sentences using a
participle)
(v) Will you remember __________ some xerox copies of my passport. (get) (Fill
in the blanks using the „ing? form or the „to?- infinitive form of the verb given in
the brackets)
(vi) Cricket and music ___________ my two weaknesses (is/ are) (Choose the
correct option)
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