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HALF YEARLY EXAM (2017-18)CLASS-XENGLISH (SET-A)Time: 3 hrs M.M.80Instructions:The question paper is divided into three sections.Section A : Reading 20 marksSection B : Writing and Grammar 30 marksSection C : Literature 30 marksAttempt all questions.Mention the correct question no. against your answers. ________________________________________________________________________________Section – A (Reading: 20 Marks)Q1.Read the following passage carefully (8)In his book, Time Management for Entrepreneurs, business coach and consultant Dan Kennedy describes the one habit you should adopt-and stick to without fail-if you want to be successful. I’m sure there are exceptions somewhere, but so far, in 35-plus years of taking note of this, everybody I’ve met and got to know who devoutly adheres to this discipline becomes exceptionally successful and everybody I’ve met and got to know who ignores this discipline fails. Is it possible that this one discipline alone is so powerful that it literally determines success or failure? The discipline I’m talking about is punctuality-being where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there, as promised, without exception, without excuse, every time, all the time. I cannot tell you how important I believe this is. But I’ll tell you some of the reasons why I believe in its indescribably great importance. First of all, being punctual gives you the right-the positioning-to expect and demand that others treat your time with the utmost respect. You cannot reasonably hope to have others treat your time with respect if you show little or no respect for theirs. So if you’re not punctual, you have no leverage, no moral authority. But the punctual person gains that advantage over staff, associates, vendors, clients, everybody. It is my conviction that a person, who cannot keep appointments on time, cannot keep scheduled commitments or cannot stick to a schedule, cannot be trusted in other ways either. There is a link between respect for others’ time and respect for others’ opinions, property, rights, agreements and contracts. A person reveals a great deal about himself by his punctuality or lack of punctuality. As a general rule of thumb, I use this as a means of determining whether or not I want to do business with someone. And, when I violate this, as I occasionally foolishly do, I always get burned.1.1On the basis of your reading, fill in the blanks with appropriate words/phrases. (1*8=8) Dan Kennedy has emphasised on the habit of being ______________ in his book.The author defines punctuality as being __________________________ without excuse.Punctuality gives you right to demand _______________________________.A punctual person develops good relations with_______________________.Lack of punctuality leads to ________________________ and moral authority.According to the author those who can’t keep appointments can’t _______________The author always suffers loss when _________________________________The one thing that the author occasionally foolishly does is ____________________.Q2. Read the passage carefully:What is intelligence? And how can one be intelligent all the time? One has to understand the basic fact that intelligence and intellect are at two opposite poles. A person who is an intellectual would have all the knowledge of the world but won’t know how to give it shape. Knowledge burdens the individual if he does not have the intelligence to express it. Intelligence is an integral part of the individual which finds fulfilment in expression. An intellectual who is burdened by excessive knowledge can never flow with intelligence. Intelligence demands that an individual be sensitive of his acts, thoughts and emotions. It also demands that the individual be inquisitive about the working of life and of one’s own mind. Intelligence implies that the individual be supple and flow along with life’s source, so as to be one with the sublime realities of love, bliss and peace. Intelligence is the basic knowledge of life which is transformed into knowing. The transformation process between knowledge and knowing requires the individual to be inquisitive, sensitive and observant. To do all this, the individual has to be in the present. This being in the present brings the individual back to harmony. Only meditation helps the individual to be in the present moment. He can then observe his own thoughts and actions. Once he is able to observe his own thoughts and actions, he can see his repressions, motivations and prejudices. This sets into motion the wheel of intelligence, which dispels ignorance behind thoughts, actions and emotions. Intelligence strengthens the integration and harmony of the individual. Strength to act intelligently according to the situation helps in obliterating thought processes which perpetuate fear, remorse and conflict within. This conscious understanding of one’s fear, remorse and conflict opens the doors of intelligence so that we can first understand and then transcend them. Otherwise, we remain in a state of ignorance. The art of understanding is what suffuses us with wisdom. And the art of understanding oneself provides strength. The art of being wise and strong is intelligence. Without this basic intelligence, an individual is tapped within himself manifesting inner conflicts, hatred and ignorance in the external world. Meditation also helps a person understand what others are trapped in. Once they handle the situation, the doors of intelligence and compassion are further opened. Without basic understanding about oneself, compassion can never flower. Without compassion, all intelligence is ignorance. Meditation, therefore, provides the necessary strength to surrender to oneself and be with oneself. And this being with oneself without remorse, guilt or fear makes one intelligent and capable of acting rightly. 2.1Answer the following questions briefly: (30-40words) (2*4=8)Explain the difference between an intellectual person and an intelligent person.Mention any two traits of intelligent people.What is the importance of the present moment according to the author?What should one do to overcome fear and remorse?2.2 Find the word from the passage that is opposite in meaning to the words given below (1*2=2) a) relieved (para-2) b) insufficient (para-2)2.3 Answer the following questions: (20-30words) (1*2=2)(a) How can intelligence become ignorance?(b) How meditation helps in being compassionate?Section – B Writing and Grammar (30 marks)Q3. You are Manvi Sinha living in Delhi. You recently read about Right to Education Act in India. However, education in rural India is still a mirage. Write a letter to the Editor of a prominent newspaper highlighting the importance of spreading education in the rural parts of India and how this can be achieved. You can use ideas from MCB Unit Education. (100-120 words) (8)Q4. Write a story in about 200-250 words using the following beginning. (10marks)Mr. Jaitly lived in a posh residential complex. The residential complex had a big park in the centre with many trees and plants. People went there for walk and yoga. Children also played different games and enjoyed swings. Once when he returned from a month long vacation he found that there were rumours that a ghost haunted the park ……….......................................… ............……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Q5. Read the following passage. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. Write the answer in your answer sheet against correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole passage. (1*4=4)Hurricanes are storms (a) ___________________are capable of annihilating coastal areas and (b) _____________ massive death tolls. Hurricanes are enormous heat engines that generate energy (c) ____________ a staggering scale. A hurricane’s high winds are also destructive and there is a possibility that they (d) ____________spawn tornadoes.Q6. Read the passage carefully. One word is missing in each line. Write the omitted word with the ‘word before ’and the ‘word after’ in your answer-sheets.(1 x 4 = 4)word beforemissing wordword afterAurangzeb holds special uncoveted place among _________ a) ________ ________India’s reviled kings. Even the border in Pakistan too _________ b) ________ ________many endorse the vision an evil Aurangzeb. People hold _________ c) ________ ________him responsible South Asia’s modern woes and singularly _________ d) ________ ________ responsible for the downfall of the Mughals.Q7. Rearrange these words / phrases to make meaningful sentences: (1*4=4)a) paintings /form an/and /the temple architecture/ the sculptures / of / essential part.b) and an /the architecture/ engineering marvel/ is both / an artistic masterpiece/ in some temples.c) is / situated in / the Konark temple / dedicated to / north –eastern corner of Puri / the Sun God.d) experience / the / was / visiting / a / Konark temple / wonderfulSection – C Literature and Long Reading Text (30marks)Q8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.(1*4=4)When wasteful war shall statues overturn,And broils root out the work of masonry,Nor Mars his swords nor war’s quick fire shall burnThe living record of your memory.a) Whom are these line addressed to?b) Which ‘work of masonry’ is being referred to in these lines?c) Do you think the poet is boastful in these lines? Give a reasoned answer.d) Why has been the war’s ‘fire’ described as ‘quick’ ? OR“They sneaked into your room like a thief in the night and stole them after you were dead.”a) Who sneaked into the room?b) What did they ‘steal’?c) Why does the speaker compare them to a thief?d) Why is the speaker spiteful?Q9. Answer the following questions (30- 40 words each ) :(2*4=8)What important lesson did Ali learn after Miriam went away?“ Won’t you go in ?” the nurse murmured. Why did the narrator refuse to go in?“Loona Bimberton epitomized vanity and jealousy.” Justify the statement with evidence from the story, Mrs Packletide’s tiger.What tragic flaw in the nightingale’s character pushed her to death?Q10. Answer any one of the following questions in about 100-20 words . (8)“Family relationships should be firmly grounded on the basis of love, commitment and faith. Falsehood, hypocrisy and greed shatter our closest relationships.” Elaborate on the statement with reference to the play The Dear Departed.OR “The harsh reality of the world is that the na?ve and gullible suffer at the hands of the crafty and opportunist people.” Elaborate on the statement with reference to The Frog and the NightingaleQ11. Answer any one of the following questions in about 200-250 words. (10marks)Miss Sullivan brought a new ray of hope in Helen’s Life. Comment.ORHelen’s illness brought about a terrible change in her life and behaviour as a child. Comment. HALF YEARLY EXAM (2017-18)CLASS-XENGLISH (SET-B)Time: 3 hrs M.M.80Instructions:The question paper is divided into three sections.Section A : Reading 20 marksSection B : Writing and Grammar 30 marksSection C : Literature 30 marksAttempt all questions.Mention the correct question no. against your answers. ________________________________________________________________________________Section – A Reading (20marks )Q1.Read the following passage carefully (8)1 The Canadian Rocky Mountains or the Canadian Rockies are breathtakingly beautiful mountains and a precious ecosystem with a wealth of wildlife, lush forests including a large variety of flora, ice-capped peaks, and among the most picturesque landscapes you will see in the world. Glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, limestone caves, canyons and fossils of marine animals are part of this splendid landscape.?2 The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks are a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to the UNESCO, this province has outstanding physical features “Classic illustrations of glacial geological processes including ice fields, remnant valley glaciers, canyons and exceptional examples of erosion and deposition - are found throughout the area. The Burgess Shale Cambrian and nearby Precambrian sites contain important information about the earth’s evolution.”?3 For all these reasons, these mountains are also great for activities like hiking, fishing, trekking, mountaineering, skiing, camping, and sightseeing. This presents a challenge to the authorities because these beautiful mountains and valuable ecosystem could be likely target for commercial and economic exploitation.?4 So, how is this challenge being met? The Rockies are divided into many national parks. This means these are protected areas with many controls in place regarding what can be done within the area whether by commercial organisations, other groups or the private visitor. This World Heritage label also implies many responsibilities for protection and special care.?5 For example, there is the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site where four national parks are part of this site Banff, which is the most popular and visited; Jasper; Kootenay: and Yoho. Besides, there are three British Columbia Provincial Parks -Hamber Provincial Park, the Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park and Mount Robson Provincial Park. These parks are known for their scenic splendour and together receive millions of visitors annually.?6 The idea is to encourage tourism and allow visitors to enjoy the spectacular Rockies but to ensure that it is done in harmony with the environment. Many hotels exhort their guests to help them in being environment-friendly by asking them not to waste water or electricity. Some of them provide guestroom amenity containers which are biodegradable. At some resorts you will see environmental reminder tips in the rooms.?7 There is a strong civic consciousness ingrained within the citizens so that the environment is preserved.?1.1On the basis of your reading, answer the following questions briefly: (1*8=8) (a) What make Canadian Rockies a precious ecosystem?(b) Why are the Canadian Rockies a World Heritage Site?(c) Who all get attracted to these Rockies?(d) Why do the Rockies present a challenge to the authorities?(e) How does dividing the area into National Parks help?(f) How does the National Park status help preserve this ecosystem?(g) Mention any two ways in which the hotels promote environment consciousness. (h) Why is it important to develop civic consciousness among the people?Q2. Read the passage carefully:1 Frankness may be among the most overrated of virtues! And here’s why. Because unrestricted and unfiltered frankness is a recipe for breaking relationships, even the closest ones. Such frankness is understandable, acceptable and even ‘cute’ only in children under the age of five.?2 Thinking before one speaks and using restraint are hallmarks of growing maturity and preparation for life. Learning to put a filter between thought and spoken word (and, even more importantly, written word) is an important life skill. Think is a popular acronym for True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind. This would do wonderfully well as a filter in our minds.?3 It is good to speak what’s true, but only along with the other attributes in the acronym, particularly the last one, kindness. In the righteous glow of speaking what we see as the truth, we often forget to be kind. We blurt out ‘truths’ even when it is totally unhelpful and unnecessary to do so, let alone inspiring! Too often, such truth-telling is destructive rather than noble. Only those who do not care about the consequences can afford the luxury of ‘speaking their minds’ whenever and wherever they please. When relationships are at stake, it is essential to choose the time, place and words appropriately when imparting unpleasant truths. And even then, only when absolutely necessary and with the utmost kindness.?4 Speaking without forethought can be even more dangerous in other circumstances, for example, when someone has entrusted us with a secret. A sign of maturity is the ability to keep a secret. Very young children are incapable of understanding the concept of a secret. To them, every piece of information is interesting, new and meant to be shared as we grow older, we all learn how to keep a secret, but too often we keep only our own secrets and not those that other confide in us. We may blurt out something a friend told us in confidence, perhaps carelessly but often to appear important in other people’s estimation. It gives us a sense of power to know something that friends don’t, and it requires conscious effort to keep the information ourselves. 5. But this is the real test of an important life skill: self-restraint. Revealing a friend’s secret is equivalent to betrayal of the friendship. Indeed, the consequences may well spread way beyond the friendship alone. It may lead to gossip spreading like a forest fire, destroying peace of mind and even lives.6. Words have power to hurt or heal. They are not mere tools for tweeting and messaging. Before the tongue speaks, before the fingers fly over the keyboard, it is important to pause and apply the THINK acronym filter. Is this True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind?7. Of course it is important to communicate. But it is far more important to be considerate and compassionate. Speaking well is a skill: speaking kindly is a life skill.2.1Answer the following questions briefly: (30-40words) (2*4=8)(a) How much of frankness is acceptable?(b) What does the term ‘put a filter’ mean in this context?(c) According to the writer what is the best way to reveal ‘the truth’?(d) What is self restraint and how is it important for maintaining healthy relationship with friends?2.2 Find the word from the passage which means the same as the following: (1*2=2) a) say something without careful consideration (para-3) b) an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word.(para-6)2.3 Answer the following questions: (20-30words) (1*2=2)(a) What are the hallmarks of growing maturity?(b) How is ‘speaking kindly’ a life skill?Section – B Writing and Grammar ( 30 marks)Q3. You are Anuj Dewan living in Kanpur. Recently you attended a seminar on energy conservation and use of renewable resources of energy. You were really impressed and think that energy conservation is the need of the hour for a sustainable future. Write a letter to the Editor of a prominent newspaper highlighting the importance of use of renewable sources of energy. You can use ideas from MCB Unit Science. (100-120words) (8 marks)Q4. Write a story in about 200-250 words using the following beginning. (10marks)Aman had an exam that morning. He was already late. He was caught in a traffic jam. He knew he wouldn’t be allowed to enter the examination hall late. He alighted from his car and told the driver he would rather go on foot. He started running towards his school………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Q5. Read the following passage. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. Write the answer in your answer sheet against correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole passage. (1*4=4)A fairly large earthquake may cause no tsunami at all, a)___________ a small earthquake may trigger a very large, destructive one. Scientists believe that b)__________ is not so much the strength of an earthquake, but c) _______________ type, that may trigger tsunamis. An earthquake in which tectonic plates abruptly shift vertically is more d)________ to cause a tsunami than lateral movement of the earth.Q6. Read the passage carefully. One word is missing in each line. Write the omitted word with the ‘word before ’and the ‘word after’ in your answer-sheets.(1*4=4)word beforemissing wordword afterLife in all glory and spirit of adventure, is meant_________ a) ________ _______to be enjoyed and explored to fullest; something_________ b) ________ _______ that working professionals today seem to forgotten._________ c) ________ _______The stress of busy life can be a lot taxing than one can _________ d) ________ _______possibly imagine.Q7. Rearrange these words / phrases to make meaningful sentences: (1*4=4)a) on Earth / centuries ago/scientists/ that / life began/ think/about / twenty million b) animals/of evolution / endless process/ and/the plants/ we see/ are the products/around/us /of /an /whichc) by their environment/all the animals /and /are moulded/ are products/of their habitatd) leading / by / encroachment / human / is / to / habitat / loss of Section – C Literature and Long Reading Text (30marks)Q8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.(1*4=4)And the ticket office grossCrashed, and she grew more moroseFor her ears were now addicted To applause quite unrestricteda) Why had ‘she’ become sulky and ill tempered?b) Why did the ticket office gross crashed?c) Could she manage to handle this crisis successfully? Give a reasoned answer.d) Explain “ applause quite unrestricted” OR“Well, I shall make a new will , leaving all my bits of things to whomever I’m living with when I die.”a) What prompted him to make a new will?b) Whom did he decide to live with?c) How did his daughters react immediately after he made this statement?d) Did he finally make a wise decision? Give a reasoned answer.Q9. Answer the following questions (30- 40 words each) :(2*4=8)“ That day he couldn’t contain his impatience.” Why couldn’t Ali contain his impatience that day?Why did Nicola glance at his brother in vexation when he asked the narrator to drop them to Poleta?“ Mrs.Packletide was pardonably annoyed at the discovery” What ‘discovery’ annoyed her?Describe how monuments and statues brave the ravages of time?Q10. Answer any one of the following questions in about 100-20 words . (8 marks)“Strength of character and optimism can take one out of the oceans of troubles. The one who never gives up wins the game of life” Elaborate on the statement with reference to the story The Two Gentlemen of Verona.OR“Vanity is a vice that can only bring trouble and downfall.” Elaborate on the statement with reference to Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger.Q11. Answer any one of the following questions in about 200-250 words. (10marks)Helen’s father , Arthur Keller and mother Kate did their best to help little Helen. Comment.ORSummer of 1887 brought joy and confidence in the life of Helen. Comment ................
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