Q1 Read the passage given below

1. Ladakh has always experienced seasonal water scarcity according to Morous November a co-author of
the study. Nusser cold Glacier. Hub. Water scarcity issues are frequent and annual phenomena in Ladakh
because of the complete dependence on irrigated agriculture from meltwater, especially from the
glaciers. Since the glaciers reside at a much higher altitude than the villages, the meltwater from these
water sources comes quite late in the year. And so there's a regular problem of severe water scarcity
every year in those months when sowing of the cultivated plants starts that is in earth springs.

2. Climate change has increased water shortages in mountains region-worldwide Artificial glaciers help
to alleviate seasonal Water shortages by storing meltwater from winter months in ice structures at an
altitude lower than the natural glaciers and higher than the cultivated fields. There are several types of
artificial glaciers. Due to their lower altitude, these stores of ice melt earlier than the natural glaciers.
providing irrigation just in time for the start of the agricultural season.

3. Constructed ice reservoirs, along with water management systems have long been in Ladakh's
technological repertoire. According to Nusser's chapter on Ethnic and Cultural Dimensions of
Knowledge. Ladakh has a long history of water harvesting and community management of water
resources. This history includes tanks for storing meltwater colled zings as well as an official called
Chudpon who ensures equitable distribution of water. The Regional Environmental changes study
further mentions the tradition of "snow harvesting" which involves building small barrier walls.

4. Since then, four types of modem ice reservoirs have been developed, as identified by Nusser and his
coauthors. Bosin structures stores ice similarly to how traditional zings store water. While zings are
generally built around the same level as fields basins for ice storage are located at altitudes higher than
cultivated fields, so that water can freeze. The advantage of ice basins over zings, and the advantage of
ice reservoirs over water reservoirs, is that evaporation is minimized and so, more water is retained.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. 1x10

(i)Select the option that is true for the two statements given below.

(1) Ladakh has always experienced water scarcity.

(2) Climate change has increased water shortages in mountain-region worldwide.

a. (1) is the result of (2)

b. (1) is the reason for (2)

c. Both (1) and (2) are true

d. (1) contradicts (2)

(ii) What has increased water shortages in mountain regions worldwide?

(iii) Why are the basins for ice-storage located at altitudes higher than the cultivated fields? '

(iv)Zings are generally built around the same level as.

' Choose the correct option.

(1) fields

(2) roads

(3) canals (

4) underground water

(5) wells

a. 1, 3, 5

b. 3 and 5

c. 2 and 4

d. only 1

(v) Zings are generally built to retain the ice. The underlined phrase means to ________ the ice.

(vi) ________ has always been experienced by Ladakh.

(vii) The amount of water in the months of to ________ is in surplus.

(viii) There is no irrigation in the month of February as per the given chart. (True/false)

(ix) Artificial glaciers help to:

a. manage water systems

b. alleviate seasonal water shortages

c. irrigate agriculture from meltwater

d. build small barrier walls

(x) What does Ladakh use as a technological repertoire?

Q2. Read the passage given below. 10

1. It is rare to find someone with good technical and communication skills. You can get far ahead of your
colleagues if you combine the two early in your career. People will judge, evaluate, promote or block
you based on your communication skills. Since habits form by repeating both good and bad forms of
communication, learn to observe great communicators and adopt their styles and traits—in written and
verbal forms. The art of listening and learning from each and every interaction, is another secret recipe.
Develop the subconscious habit of listening to yourself as you speak and know when to pause.

2. Learning what not to say is probably more important than learning what to say. As your career
develops, you will realise that the wise speak less. Speak when you have value to add, else refrain.
Poorly constructed emails with grammatical errors are acceptable between friends, but they should be
seriously avoided while communicating formally with your seniors. Avoid any communication in an
emotional state when you might say things you will regret later. One unnecessary word uttered at the
wrong time or place can ruin a relationship, career or even your life. Such is the power of words. If such
a thing happens, you should immediately apologise, else it may haunt you for life.

3. Another problem to overcome is speaking too fast. Since our minds work faster than our speech, we
are inclined to speak fast. This does not necessarily mean that the person hearing it will get it any faster.
On the contrary, it is always the reverse. So slow down, and think before you speak. “When I get ready
to speak to people,” Abraham Lincoln said, “I spend two-thirds of the time thinking what they want to
hear and one-third thinking what I want to say.” Adding humour and wit is also essential. But realise that
not all jokes are funny and observe certain boundaries. Never say anything that could offend.
Remember you are not a comedian who must offend as many people as you can to be witty.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

i. What does the author prefer more over what to say? (Paragraph 2)

(a) To listen to the best orators

(b) To listen to political leaders

(c) To learn formal communication

(d) To prefer what not to say

ii. What idea does the author suggest in order to excel in life? (Paragraph 1)

(a) To get expertise in technical communication

(b) To avoid speaking too fast

(c) To integrate good technical and communication skill

(d) To be amusing while addressing a formal gathering

iii. Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the following: Adding
humour and wit is also essential. (Paragraph 3)

It suggests that :
(a) it’s important to incorporate some humour while you speak

(b) it’s imperative to reflect wit when you address the gathering

(c) the speakers should be subconscious when they are to address the gathering

(d) Both (a) and (b)

iv. State True or False

One unnecessary word uttered at the wrong time or place can ruin a relationship, career or even your
life.

v. State 1 factor how you can be way ahead from your friends in your career.

vi. Based on your reading of the text, list two ways how to form good habits.

vii. Why should you be careful when you tend to be humorous?

viii. What restriction has been imposed by the author when you are in an emotional state? (Pargragph 2)
(a) To make tall claims

(b) To make promises

(c) To shed tears

(d) To avoid any communication

ix. Supply 1 point to justify the following: Speak when you have value to add, else refrain.

x. Select the correct option to complete the sentence given below.

The closing statement of the passage sounds damn _____.

(a) cautioning

(b) reprimanding

(c) upbraiding

(d) chiding

SECTION B –GRAMMAR

Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions.

i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the magazine article.
The thief and the eye-witness _____.
 (a) has escaped (b) has been escaping (c) was escaping (d) have escaped

ii. Read the conversation between Rohit and Amal and complete the narration that follows
: Rohit : I’m really looking forward to the class picnic tomorrow.
Amal : Yes, after a long time we will be meeting all our friends and teachers.
When Rohit said that he was looking forward to their class picnic, Amal affirmed that
_____.

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line to complete an online
update. During the college days, I _____ beat them all in the race!
(a) could (b) should (c) can (d) might

iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following
line, from self-help book:
Goals provides direction to our behaviour and guide our actions and thoughts.
Option No. Error Correction
(a) provides provide
(b) behaviour behaviours
(c) to for
(d) guide guides

v. Complete the notice by filling in the blank with the correct option:
The swimming pool _____ at 6 a.m. daily.
(a) open (b) is opening (c) opened (d) opens

vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket.
The forecast _____ (mention) a quiet start to the day with a spell of rain to come later
on in the afternoon.

vii. Report the dialogue between two friends, by completing the sentence:
Susan : Do you have any story books to read, Dorothy?
Dorothy : I prefer watching movies in my free time.
In response to the question about story books, Dorothy says that _____.

viii. Identify the error in the given sentence from an article and supply the correction.
Overeating is one of the more wonderful practices among those who think that they can
afford it.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

ix. Rohit shared some information with Ankit, about a movie. Report Ankit’s question.
Is the movie enjoyable?
 x. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence.
It was a long day. You _____ be hungry.
(a) must (b) might (c) need to (d) should

xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Abraham
and his brother John.
Abraham : (humming) By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept at the memory of
Zion,.....
John : What are you singing , Abraham ?
Abraham : Dear me , don’t you know its Psalm number 137?
John : If one priest found it difficult, then I’ll keep asking, till you know about it!
While Abraham was singing, John asked him what he was singing. Abraham, surprised,
asked John if he did not know that it was Psalm number 137. John exclaimed good-
humouredly that if a priest found it difficult then _____.
(a) he would kept asking till he know about it.
(b) he would keep asking till he knew about it.
(c) he would be keeping to ask until he came to know about it.
(d) None of the above

xii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction.
There are so much ways of entertainment in life.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

Section B: Writing

Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.

Q4. A (i) The recent increase in crimes against people of the North-East, especially in the cities, has
highlighted the growing problem faced by the community. Fear of violence continues to worry them.
Write a letter to the Editor of Times of India expressing your concern over the recent death of a young
student resulting from a racial comment against people from North-East. Suggest what steps the
government should take to solve this problem. You are Aanchal/Aryan, a resident of A-12, East of
Kailash, N. Delhi.

Or

(i) You are Neeraj. You are a Sales Manager of DBM School, Gwalior. You need educational
toys and play equipment for kindergarten students. For this, you searched google Maps
as below and found that Kirti Nagar, New Delhi is one of the best markets for
 educational toys. After discussing over a call, you have selected Quality Toys company to
place your order. Write a letter to the Manager, Quality Toys, Kirti Nagar, Delhi placing
an order.

B. (i) A survey was conducted in the National Capital in over twenty schools about the different activities
that interest the children in the age group of 13 years to 15 years. Write a paragraph in not more than
120 words analysing the following information.

OR

(ii) A group of enterprising young adults conducted a survey on reopening of educational

institutions in the National Capital. Write a paragraph in about 120 words analysing the
listed responses.

SECTION C - LITERATURE

Q5. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.

A. I had forgotten about them in the excitement of the theft. Whole sentences, I knew,
could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees. It was a simple matter to steal
- and sometimes just as simple to be caught. But to be a really big man, a clever and
respected man, was something else. I should go back to Anil, I told myself if only to learn
to read and write.

i. Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word ‘matter’ as used in the
extract.
(a) Please phone me back - it’s a matter of some importance.
(b) Baking a cake isn’t difficult - it’s just a matter of following the recipe.
(c) Being arrested by the police is no laughing matter.
(d) Matter is of three types.

ii. Complete the following analogy by selecting the suitable word from the extract : joyful :
gloomy :: boredom : _____.
(Clue : Just like jouyful is opposite of gloomy similarly boredom is opposite of...)

iii. Select the option that displays the reason why Hari Singh wanted to return the money
initially, even though he had forgotten about the sentences.
(a) Anil was a genuine man.
(b) Anil was intelligent enough to catch Hari, whatsoever.
(c) Hari was scared.
(d) Hari pitied Anil as he usually he had no money himself.
 iv. According to the extract, what did Hari mean by “a really big man”?
1. Learned
2. Bulky
3. Erudite
4. Muscular
5. Powerful

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 5
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 4 and 5

v. The author uses em-dash in the given extract. List any way in which it benefits the writer.

OR

“It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the meaning of courage. Time and again, I have
seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea. I have seen men stand up to attacks and
torture without breaking showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that
courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel
afraid, but he who conquers that fear” [5]

i. What makes Mandela learn the meaning of courage. Which one of the following factors are not
considered?

1. Knowing the definition of courage

2. Struggles of his comrades

3. show of strength and resilience

4. Defying imagination

(a) option 1 only

(b) option 2 only

(c) option 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) option 4 only

ii. What inspired Mandela to take up the struggle according to the extract given?
iii. Fill in the blank with ONE WORD only. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the
_____ over.”

iv. What according to the Mandela is a must to claim victory of fear?

(a) Knowing the meaning of fear

(b) To succumb to fear

(c) Absence of fear

(d) Defiance of imagination

v. Select the option that correctly captures the application of the word ‘resilience’ as used in the 4th line
of the extract.

(a) Most people in the small village grow their own vegetables, their resilience to drought and food
shortage is much higher.

(b) The rescue workers showed remarkable resilience in dealing with the difficult conditions.

(c) Research has shown that resilience is pretty common

(d) People tend to demonstrate resilience more often than you think.

Q6 Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.

A. The way a crow Shook down on me

The dust of snow From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart A change of mood

And saved some part of a day I had rued

i. Complete the sentence appropriately.

It is clear that Metaphor is the poetic device used for ‘the dust of snow _____’ because
_____. (Clue : explain how Metaphor applies here)

ii. The poet has used a poetic device in the given lines. What effect does she wish to create
by its use? And saved some part
(a) emphasis
(b) comparison
 (c) rhythm
(d) lyrical and emotive effect

ii. State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.

Crow and hemlock tree bring positivity to poet’s life.

iii. Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the extract.
The idea that has been reflected ‘Little things in life can bring positivity beyond any belief’ is
_____.
(a) unnatural
(b) scary
(c) optimistic
(d) legendary

v. How does the use of synecdoche impact this extract?

(a) It helps the reader to relate better.

(b) It simplifies the meaning.

(c) It reflects a change in mood, which actually represented his entire personality.

(d) It makes the lines lyrical.

OR

B. Some say the world will end in fire

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favour fire.

And would suffice.

i. Which literary device has been used in ‘I hold with those who favour fire’?

(a) Simile

(b) Assonance

(c) Alliteration

(d) Enjambment

ii. How many predictions does the poet make for the ending of the world?
iii. What does ‘Fire’ symbolise according to the poet?

(a) Desire

(b) Avarice

(c) Greed

(d) All of these

iv. State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE:

People think that the world is a beautiful place to live in.

v. What is the poet’s opinion about the world?

(a) The poet feels that a man should fulfil all his desires.

(b) He think that we should control our growing desires.

(c) He feels that we should live life to the full.

(d) He says that one should live the life of an ascetic.

Q. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each.

a. Explain the symbols used in the poem “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost.

b. What were the destruction caused by the hailstorm?

c. Young seagull tried to fly but he could not. Why was he afraid to fly ?

d. Why should the tiger snarl around houses at the edge of the forest?

e. What is ‘dust of snow’? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood
changed?

Q Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each.

a. What made Hari Singh go back to Anil’s house?

b. Why did Mrs Pumphrey suffer in the absence of Tricki?

c. How did Hari Singh know that Anil had forgiven him?

Q. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.

a. “The message conveyed in the chapter Letter to God deals with unflinching faith in one and all.
Lencho has faltering faith that leads to anger and discontentment, On the other hand the pilot of the
Black Aeroplane has undeniable faith in that unknown pilot and he is saved from the crisis. If you had to
use the message with reference to both the chapters how will you elaborate it? Also, how it is relevant
to both.

b. The most important message is that ‘there is freedom when you conquer fear, and fear should not be
allowed to cripple one’s faculty and thinking ability. Prepare a set of dialogues between two students
based on His First Flight and Black Aeroplane. You may begin like this : Student 1 : I am totally impressed
by the role of baby gull’s parents in His First Flight. Student 2 : I find The Black Aeroplane more inspiring
_____.

Q. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.

a. “There is no greater evil than the pampering of some one.” Analyze this quote with reference to ‘The
Triumph of Surgery’.

b. “Be assured that if you knew all, you would pardon all.” Analyse in detail with reference to the
character of Anil in the story ‘The Thief’s Story’.