Ques 1: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
The morning of 6th August, 1945 in Hiroshima, Japan did not begin in any exceptional way; the people had no idea that they were about to be apart of one of the most significant mornings in all of history. At 8:15 am, the United States of America (USA) forces dropped the first atomic bomb, ironically called, when one considers the enormity of the bomb's significance, the "Little Boy". Three days later, the USA dropped a second bomb, nicknamed the "Fat Man" on Nagasaki. Historically, the use of the atomic bombs is seen as a decision that the United States made during WWII in order to end the war with Japan. Regardless of the motivation for using the bombs, they left a heavy death toll. The bombing of Hiroshima not only changed the physical and emotional health and culture of the Japanese people, but also changed the world. The population in Japan in October 1940 was 73,114,308; in November 1945 the population was 71,998,104. Japan was visibly a thriving country that was hit very hard by the bombing. In 1945, most people in the United States thought that it was absolutely necessary to bomb Japan. They thought that the bombings put an end to the war and save countless lives. On the other hand, some felt that Japan's situation in 1945 was already "catastrophically hopeless," and prior to the bombing, Japanese leaders were preparing to surrender in the summer of 1945. It has even been suggested that the United States had decoded Japan's messages, and were aware of the impending surrender, thus making the horrors unleashed on Hiroshima completely unnecessary. Lastly, and most disturbingly, the bomb may have been dropped because of President Truman's desire to intimidate the USSR. It is unlikely that we will know the complete truth of why the bomb was dropped, but what is distressingly clear, are the effects of the bomb. The bombings crippled the nation of Japan for many years. After the bombings, any humans that survived the initial blast were suffering from radiation exposure.
(a) Answer the following questions.
(i) What was the name of the second bomb dropped by USA in Japan?
(ii) Why was the day an exception in Japan?
(iii) What was the impact after the bombing of Hiroshima?
(iv) Why was the bomb dropped?
(v) Who was the US President at that time?
(vi) What was ironical about the first atomic bomb?
(vii) When did the Hiroshima tragedy take place?
(viii) What was the time gap between the two bombings?
Ans: (i) The second bomb dropped by USA in Japan was "Fat Man" on Nagasaki.
(ii) It was an exceptional day because USA dropped the first atomic bomb in Japan.
(iii) The bombing of Hiroshima not only changed the physical and emotional health of the Japanese but it also changed the world..
(iv) The bomb was dropped to put an end to the war with Japan.
(v) Truman was the US President at that time.
(vi) The first bomb was ironically called the 'Little Boy' when one considers the enormity of the bomb's significance in causing destruction.
(vii) It took place in the morning of 6th August, 1945.
(viii) There was a gap of three days between the two bombings.
Ques 2: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
Consumerism is economically manifested in the chronic purchasing of new goods and services, with little attention to their true need, durability, product origin or the environmental consequences of manufacture and disposal. Consumerism is driven by huge sums spent on advertising designed to create both a desire to follow trends, and the resultant personal self-reward system based on acquisition. Materialism is one of the end results of consumerism. Consumerism interferes with the workings of society by replacing the normal common-sense desire for an adequate supply of life's necessities, community life, a stable family and healthy relationships with an artificial ongoing and insatiable quest for things and the money to buy them with little regard for the true utility of what is bought. An intended consequence of this, promoted by those who profit from consumerism, is to accelerate the discarding of the old, either because of lack of durability or a change in fashion. It is an often stated catechism that the economy would improve if people just bought more things, bought more cars and spent more money. Financial resources better spent on Social Capital such as education, nutrition, housing, etc are spent on products of dubious value and little social return. In addition, the purchaser is robbed by the high price of new things, the cost of the credit to buy them, and the less obvious expenses such as, in the case of automobiles, increased registration, insurance, repair and maintenance costs. Consumerism is defined as the process of buying and using the goods and services. It is a belief that it is good for a society or an individual to buy and use a large quantity of goods.
(a) Answer the following questions.
(i) What is consumerism?
(ii) What is the disadvantage of consumerism?
(iii) What is the objective of advertisements?
(iv) What is materialism?
(b) Answer the following questions.
(i) What is the meaning of the word "manifested"?
(ii) Give the synonym of "manufacture".
(iii) Give the antonym of the word "adequate".
(iv) Pick out a word from the passage that means 'not real'.
Ans: (a) (i) Consumerism is chronic purchasing of new goods even when they are not required to cater to the needs. It is a process of buying goods.
(ii) The disadvantage of consumerism is to buy goods just to meet one's desire with money even when they are not bought as a necessary item.
(iii) Advertisements give birth to desires to buy commodities of the latest fashion and also act as a self-reward system on the rate of acquisition of the goods.
(iv) Materialism is one of the end results of consumerism.
(b) (i) It means created.
(ii) The synonym is production.
(iii) The antonym is inadequate.
(iv) The word is "artificial".
Ques 3: You have recently participated in a 'Robot Making' event organized in your school. You enjoyed the experience. Write your feelings in a diary in 100-120 words.
Or
You are Akshita/Akshat. Write an article/or the school magazine on the topic, "The World Should Turn Vegetarian' in about 100-120 words.
Ans: 20th March, 20XX Monday 11:00 p.m. Pear Diary Today it was a great day as I enjoyed the 'Robot Making' competition, organized by the science department- of our school. Participants from as many as thirty schools in the city took part in this event. As a member of the Robotic Club I and my classmates represented my school in this activity. All the students were given the basic tools and units. Each group consisted of four members. It was a duration of two hours given for assembling the robot together. We together placed John, our robot which could play music, do basic household activities like washing vessels and preparing breakfast. Our robot got the third prize. The Chief Quest for the competition was a Professor of Robotics.
Or
The World Should Turn Vegetarian By Akshita Gupta We all are aware of the diseases which have come to humans from the animals due to eating them. Swine flu is one of the most commonly known disease in present day and is a best example of it. By eating vegetarian food, we not only enjoy health benefits, but also prevent animal killing. In India, we talk about the benefits of vegetarianism through our puranas and holy teachings. Pure vegetarian food has natural qualities and it also tastes good. It is healthy, contains low calories and has less risk of diseases. Let us all join together and turn the world into a new religion i.e., vegetarianism.
Ques 4: Write a short story in 150 - 200 words using the following hints.
Rama holds out a piece of bread to a dog - the dog jumps forward to take it - Rama hits him with a stick - a man watching all this called the boy - offers him a rupee coin.
Ans: Once upon a time there lived a small and poor boy whose name was Rama. Rama loved to play tricks with animals. One day, Rama held out a piece of bread to a dog. The dog jumped forward to take it but failed. The dog barked and ran after Rama for the bread. Rama ultimately threw the bread but the bread fell on the river water and Rama hit the dog with a stick. A middle aged man was crossing the road when he watched Rama's mischiefs. He called Rama. He asked Rama - "Why do you hit the dog?" Rama just laughed. The man offered the boy a rupee coin. He advised Rama not to hurt the street dogs. He also asked Rama to buy another piece of bread and to play with the dog. Rama bought another fresh piece of bread. He lifted the dog in his arms and fed it the bread. Rama was then a changed boy.
Ques 5: Read the following paragraph and fill in the blank with one correct word.
(a) ......... writing with ink. He fell on
(b) ......... ladder. There are
(c) ......... categories of writing.
Ans: (a) prefer
(b) the
(c) many
Ques 6: In the following passage one word is missing. A '/'is provided. Write the correct word in the space provided,
(a) The government / the best engineers on the job. .........
(b) He is very anxious / his success in the competition..........
(c) Avail yourself / this opportunity..........
(d) / burnt child dreads the fire. .........
Ans: (a) employed
(b) about
(c) of
(d) A
Ques 7: Rearrange the following words/phrases into meaningful sentences. The first one has been don't for you as an example.
backbone of/is the/institution/education/every/library Library is the backbone of every educational institution.
(i) books on/there are/different/plenty of/subjects
(ii) cater to/the books/the taste/of students/ and need
(iii) plays/in improvising/the librarian/an important part/reading habit
Ans: (i) There are plenty of books on different subjects.
(ii) The books cater to the taste and need of students.
(iii) The librarian plays an important part" in improvising reading habit.
Ques 8: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
"Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back"
(i) Whom does T refer to?
(ii) What does the poet know?
(iii) What is the doubt the poet is referring to?
Or
''I was vain: the loud waves lash'd the shore Return or aid preventing, The water wild went o'er his child, And he was left lamenting".
(i) Who is "he" here?
(ii) What does "water wild" symbolize?
(iii) What does "lamenting" mean?
Ans: (i) The word T refers to the poet Robert Frost.
(ii) -The poet knows that a way leads to its own direction.
(iii) The poet doubted whether he could even come back to the first one.
Or
(i) The word "he" here refers to Lord Ullin.
(ii) The "water wild" suggests the surging waves of the turbulent sea under the storm.
(iii) The word means bemoaning.
Ques 9: Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each.
(i) Why did the grandmother cry on the author's return from the wedding?
(ii) What assumptions does the poet make about the theme of the reaper's song?
(iii) What offer did the maid give to Juliette?
(iv) In what sense was Hooper a favored young man?
Ans: (i) The grandmother was crying on the author's return because she expressed her regret over her helplessness and inability to read the story of the novel 'Kashi Yatre'. She waited eagerly for author's return. She wanted to learn the alphabet.
(ii) The poet guessed on the theme of the reaper's song that it might be on some past event of natural pain or a loss of close ones in the war. The plaintive song made the poet draw such assumptions.
(iii) The maid shared an information with Juliette that there had been a vacancy for a cook to work in the film with an offer of eight hundred francs. But Juliette did not exhibit interest in the offer.
(iv) Hooper was a favoured young man in his company as a tall, handsome Zone Sales Manager. He enjoyed playing in the university football team. Life was going smoothly for him. He had everything he aspired in his life.
Ques 10: What values do you learn from the grandmother in the story 'How I Taught my Grandmother to Read'? Explain in 80-100 words.
Or
'Only if the destination is known, the journey appears to be enchanting and worth discussing'. Discuss with reference to the poem 'The Road Not Taken' in 80-100 words.
Ans: The grandmother in 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' displays qualities of a true student. She gets disgusted by the fact that she cannot read without help and thus decides to learn. She is an epitome of hard work and determination. Day in and day out she practices to learn. She doesn't let the handicap win over her. Her will is so strong that she achieves her target in the stipulated time. Finally, as a mark of respect, she touches the feet of her granddaughter. Every student should aspire to be like her.
Or
The poem The Road Not Taken' is a poem about the choices one makes in life. It tells about a man who comes to a fork in the road he is travelling upon. The poet feels sorry that he cannot travel both the paths as he has to choose the direction he wishes to take in life. The poet is confused about the choice he makes. He is not sure of what will wait for him at the end of the journey when he would have to accept the natural consequences of his choice which is already done.
Ques 11:Answer any one of the following questions in about 150-200 words.
How did Gulliver thwart the Blefuscudians' intended invasion against the Lilliputians? (Gulliver's Travels)
Or
Give a character sketch of Flimnap. (Gulliver's Travels)
How do the old buildings along the banks of the Thames at Kingston remind the narrator of certain historical facts? (Three Men in a Boat)
Or
'Harris and uncle Podger are the two sides of the same coin'. Justify. (Three Men in a Boat)
Ans: Gulliver's Travels The emperor of Blefuscu attacked Lilliput with a fleet of fifty ships. Gulliver watched them for a while and also measured the depth of the water. Gulliver arranged for fifty hooks and fifty icon cables. Twisting these cables together he bent their ends into hook like shapes and securedly tied cables to fifty, such hooked bars. When this man-mountain attacked beneath the water, the sea men panicked and ran for their lives. Gulliver then fixed the hooks into the prows of the ships and tied all the cables together. The soldiers of Blefuscu rained arrows at him continuously. But Gulliver's spectacles worked as a protection for his eyes. He cut the cables that fastened the anchors with his knife and took the whole fleet towards the royal port of Lilliput. The Blefuscu were confused in fear to see Gulliver's unusual size. The emperor of Lilliput was very pleased and awarded him with the title of Nardac after the victory.
Or
Flimnap was the lord high treasurer of Lilliput who harboured a feeling of hatred and enmity against Gulliver. He often looked at Gulliver with a sour expression as if it was difficult for him to contain or conceal his suppressed hatred against Gulliver. Outwardly, he tried to appear more friendly than he usually was. Flimnap had complained to the king of how Gulliver was costing the state treasury exorbitantly. He was successful in manipulating the king against Gulliver to conspire and place the conditions of impeachment officially against Gulliver. He influenced Skyresh to join the conspiracy. He blamed Gulliver of having relation with his wife and utilised this made up issue to stimulate the conspiracy. As a character, Flimnap was a satire on the machineries to acquire and enjoy power. So he was successful in insisting the emperor to take the first possible opportunity to throw Gulliver out. The rumour resulted in a lot of animosity and Flimnap easily aggravated the situation against Gulliver. Flimnap could easily turn the wheel in his favour. Three Men in a Boat The narrator gives an account on the past glory of Kingston or Kyningestun as it was called once. As he crosses the river, Thames, he recalls the historical glory in the fact that great Caesar had once crossed the river Thames when his army men had put up their camps on the sloping highlands. He also ponders on Elizabeth, the Queen of England who had stopped at a number of places and was fond of pubs and public places. Many of the old houses still speak of Kingston's glory when it was a royal territory with nobles and courtiers to live in red brick houses. The narrator remembers that the glory of the Saxon period ended with the end of the rule of the Saxon-kings which had eclipsed the greatness of Kingston. Hampton court became the hub of royal activities during the reign of the Tudor and streat kings. The narrator with a mind of an observer, also got reminded of the cherished moments of the past when King Edway from the old palaces had once left the noisy celebration of his coronation with his beloved Queen Eligiva to enjoy the moonlight for a few moments. These reflections historically capture the narrator while moving along Kingston.
Or
Harris always reminded the narrator of his poor uncle Podger. They readily involved others in actually having the task done. Once uncle Podger undertook the job of hanging a picture on the wall when he came out very clumsy and inefficient in the entire deal. All the members of the family stood in attendance when Podger tried to stick a nail in the wall. He struggled hard to hang the picture and even dropped it down. He had tried to save the glass when he cut himself, Harris too like uncle Podger wanted to take the credit of doing something which he actually did not do. When the three friends decided to make a list for things to be carried for the trip, Harris instead of doing the work himself, only asked the narrator to bring him a piece of paper and he also asked George to get him the catalogue of grocery. He also wanted somebody to give him the required pencil. Thus Harris, without virtually doing anything pretended to take upon himself the burden of the whole task. Thus Harris and uncle Podger resembled each other and were identical in the context of their responses.
