CBSE Board Question Paper 2017

ENGLISH (Core) SET 1

Time allowed : 3 hours                                                                                        Maximum Marks : 100

General Instructions :

(i) This paper is divided into three sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.
(ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
(iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
(iv) Please check that this question paper contains 15 printed pages.
(v)  Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.
(vi)  Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions.

(vii) Please write down the Serial Number of the question before attempting it.
(viii)15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the students will read the question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this period.

SECTION A — (Reading) 30

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :                    12

1 We sit in the last row, bumped about but free of stares. The bus rolls out of the dull crossroads of the city, and we are soon in open countryside, with fields of sunflowers as far as the eye can see, their
heads all facing us. Where there is no water, the land reverts to desert. While still on level ground, we see in the distance the tall range of the Mount Bogda, abrupt like a shining prism laid horizontally on the desert surface. It is over 5,000 metres high, and the peaks are under permanent snow, in powerful contrast to the flat desert all around. Heaven Lake lies part of the way up this range, about 2,000 metres above sea-level, at the foot of one of the higher snow-peaks.
2 As the bus climbs, the sky, brilliant before, grows overcast. I have brought nothing warm to wear: it is all down at the hotel in Urumqi. Rain begins to fall. The man behind me is eating overpoweringly
smelly goats‖ cheese. The bus window leaks inhospitably but reveals a beautiful view. We have passed quickly from desert through arable land to pasture, and the ground is now green with grass, the slopes dark with pine. A few cattle drink at a clear stream flowing past moss-covered stones; it is a Constable landscape. The stream changes into a white torrent, and as we climb higher I wish more and more that I had brought with me something warmer than the pair of shorts that have served me so well in the desert. The stream (which, we are told, rises in Heaven Lake) disappears, and we continue our slow ascent. About noon, we arrive at Heaven Lake, and look for a place to stay at the foot, which is the resort area. We get a room in a small cottage, and I am happy to note that there are thick quilts on the beds.

3 Standing outside the cottage we survey our surroundings. Heaven Lake is long, sardine-shaped and fed by snowmelt from a stream at its head. The lake is an intense blue, surrounded on all sides by green mountain walls, dotted with distant sheep. At the head of the lake, beyond the delta of the inflowing stream, is a massive snow-capped peak which dominates the vista; it is part of a series of peaks that culminate, a little out of view, in Mount Bogda itself.

4 For those who live in the resort, there is a small mess-hall by the shore. We eat here sometimes, and sometimes buy food from the vendors outside, who sell kabab and naan until the last buses leave.
The kababs, cooked on skewers over charcoal braziers, are particularly good; highly spiced and well-done. Horse‖s milk is available too from the local Kazakh herdsmen, but I decline this. I am so affected by the cold that Mr. Cao, the relaxed young man who runs the mess, lends me a spare pair of trousers, several sizes too large but more than comfortable. Once I am warm again, I feel a pre-dinner spurt of energy — dinner will be long in coming — and I ask him whether the lake is good for swimming in.

5 "Swimming ?" Mr. Cao says. "You aren‖t thinking of swimming, are you ?"

6 "I thought I might," I confess. "What's the water like ?"

7 He doesn‖t answer me immediately, turning instead to examine some receipts with exaggerated interest. Mr. Cao, with great off-handedness, addresses the air. "People are often drowned here," he says. After a pause, he continues. "When was the last one ?" This question is directed at the cook, who is preparing a tray of mantou (squat, white steamed bread rolls), and who now appears, wiping his doughy hand across his forehead. "Was it the Beijing athlete ?" asks Mr. Cao.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage complete the statements given below with the help of the options that follow : 1x4=4
(a) One benefit of sitting in the last row of the bus was that
(i) the narrator enjoyed the bumps.
(ii) no one stared at him.
(iii) he could see the sunflowers.
(iv) he avoided the dullness of the city.

(b) The narrator was travelling to
(i) Mount Bogda.
(ii) Heaven Lake.
(iii) a 2,000-metre high snow-peak.
(iv) Urumqi.

(c) On reaching the destination the narrator felt relieved because
(i) he had got away from the desert.
(ii) a difficult journey had come to an end.
(iii) he could watch the snow-peak.
(iv) there were thick quilts on the beds.

(d) Mount Bogda is compared to
(i) a horizontal desert surface.
(ii) a shining prism.
(iii) a Constable landscape.
(iv) the overcast sky.

Answer the questions given below briefly :                                             1x6=6
(a) Which two things in the bus made the narrator feel uncomfortable ?
(f) What made the scene look like a Constable landscape ?
(g) What did he regret as the bus climbed higher ?
(h) Why did the narrator like to buy food from outside ?
(i) What is ironic about the pair of trousers lent by Mr. Cao ?
(j) Why did Mr. Cao not like the narrator to swim in the lake ?
(k) Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following : 1x2=2
(i) sellers (Para 4)
(ii) increased (Para 7)

2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 10

1 Thackeray reached Kittur along with a small British army force and a few of his officers. He thought that the very presence of the British on the outskirts of Kittur would terrorise the rulers and people of Kittur, and that they would lay down their arms. He was quite confident that he would be able to crush the revolt in no time. He ordered that tents be erected on the eastern side for the fighting
forces, and a little away on the western slopes tents be put up for the family members of the officers who had accompanied them. During the afternoon and evening of 20th October, the British soldiers were busy making arrangements for these camps.

2 On the 21st morning, Thackeray sent his political assistants to Kittur fort to obtain a written assurance from all the important officers of Kittur rendering them answerable for the security of the
treasury of Kittur. They, accordingly, met Sardar Gurusiddappa and other officers of Kittur and asked them to comply with the orders of Thackeray. They did not know that the people were in a defiant
mood. The commanders of Kittur dismissed the agent‖s orders as no documents could be signed without sanction from Rani Chennamma.

3 Thackeray was enraged and sent for the commander of the Horse Artillery, which was about 100 strong, and ordered him to rush his artillery into the Fort and capture the commanders of the Desai‖s army. When the Horse Artillery stormed into the fort,  Sardar Gurusiddappa, who had kept his men on full alert, promptly commanded his men to repel and chase them away. The Kittur
forces made a bold front and overpowered the British soldiers.

4 In the meanwhile, the Desai‖s guards had shut the gates of the fort and the British Horse Artillery men, being completely overrun and routed, had to get out through the escape window. Rani‖s soldiers
chased them out of the fort, killing a few of them until they retreated to their camps on the outskirts.

5 A few of the British had found refuge in some private residences, while some were hiding in their tents. The Kittur soldiers captured about forty persons and brought them to the palace. These included
twelve children and a few women from the British officers‖ camp. When they were brought in the presence of the Rani, she ordered the soldiers to be imprisoned. For the women and children she had only gentleness, and admonished her soldiers for taking them into custody. At her orders, these women and children were taken inside the palace and given food and shelter. Rani came down from her throne, patted the children lovingly and told them that no harm would come to them.

6 She, then, sent word through a messenger to Thackeray that the British women and children were safe and could be taken back any time. Seeing this noble gesture of the Rani, he was moved. He
wanted to meet this gracious lady and talk to her. He even thought of trying to persuade her to enter into an agreement with the British to stop all hostilities in lieu of an inam (prize) of eleven villages. His offer was dismissed with a gesture of contempt. She had no wish to meet Thackeray. That night she called Sardar Gurusiddappa and other leading Sardars, and after discussing all the issues came to
the conclusion that there was no point in meeting Thackeray who had come with an army to threaten Kittur into submission to British sovereignty.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, complete the statements given below with the help of the options that follow : 1x2=2

(a) Thackeray was a/an
(i) British tourist.
(ii) army officer.
(iii) advisor to the Rani of Kittur.
(iv) treasury officer.

(b) British women and children came to Kittur to
(i) visit Kittur.
(ii) enjoy life in tents.
(iii) stay in the palace.
(iv) give company to the army officers.


Answer the following questions briefly : 1x6=6

(a) Why did Thackeray come to Kittur ?
(b) Why did Kittur officials refuse to give the desired assurance to
Thackeray ?
(c) What happened to the Horse Artillery ?
(d) How do we know that the Rani was a noble soul ?
(e) How, in your opinion, would the British women have felt after meeting the Rani ?
(f) Why did the Rani refuse to meet Thackeray ?
(g) Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following : 12=2
(i) aggressive/refusing to obey (Para 2)
(ii) entered forcibly (Para 3)

3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 8

The most alarming of man‖s assaults upon the environment is the contamination of air, earth, rivers and sea with lethal materials. This pollution is for the most part irrevocable; the chain of evil it initiates is for the most part irreversible. In this contamination of the environment, chemicals are the sinister partners of radiation in changing the very nature of the world; radiation released through nuclear explosions into the air, comes to the earth in rain, lodges into the soil, enters the grass or corn,
or wheat grown there and reaches the bones of a human being, there to remain until his death. Similarly, chemicals sprayed on crops lie long in soil, entering living organisms, passing from one to another in a chain of poisoning and death. Or they pass by underground streams until they emerge and combine into new forms that kill vegetation, sicken cattle, and harm those who drink from once pure wells. It took hundreds of millions of years to produce the life that now inhabits the earth and reach a state of adjustment and balance with its surroundings. The environment contains elements that are hostile as well as supporting. Even within the light of the sun, there are short-wave radiations with power to injure. Given time, life has adjusted and a balance reached. For time is the essential ingredient, but in the modern world there is no time.

The rapidity of change and the speed with which new situations are created follow the heedless pace of man rather than the deliberate pace of nature. Radiation is no longer the bombardment of cosmic rays; it is now the unnatural creation of man‖s tampering with the atom. The chemicals to which life is asked to make adjustments are no longer merely calcium and silica and copper and all the rest of the minerals washed out of the rocks and carried in the rivers to the sea; they are the synthetic creations of man‖s inventive mind, brewed in his laboratories, and having no counterparts in nature.

(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use recognisable abbreviations (wherever necessary — minimum four) and a format
you consider suitable.                                                                         5
(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words.                    3

SECTION B — (Writing Skills) 30

4. Your friend, P.V. Sathish, has invited you to attend the wedding of his sister, Jaya. You find that you have an important paper of pre-board examination on the day of the wedding. Thus you cannot attend the event. Write in about 50 words a formal reply to the invitation expressing your regret. You are Puneet/Puneeta Vij, M-114, Fort Road, Chennai.                                                                    4

OR

You are Vikram/Sonia, an electronics engineer who has recently returned from the U.S. and looking for a suitable job in the IT industry. Draft an advertisement in about 50 words for the Situations Wanted column of a national newspaper. Your contact number is 9193010203.

5. Mountview Public School, Kalka is run by an NGO to give quality education to the children of the deprived sections of society. The Principal of the school feels that blackboards in the classrooms need to be replaced. She decides to ask the chairperson of the NGO named 'Education for All' for funds. Write her letter in 120 – 150 words. Her name is Shweta Pandit.                                                6

OR

National Book Trust organised a week-long book fair at Anna Grounds, Chennai. You visited the fair and bought a few books. You were pleased with the arrangements, enthusiasm of the visitors and the fact that books have not yet lost their relevance in the world of the Internet. Write a letter in 120 – 150 words to the editor of a local newspaper to express your feelings. You are Lalit/Latha, 112, Mount Road, Chennai.

6. Every teenager has a dream to achieve something in life. What they are going to become tomorrow depends on what our youth dream today. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on ―What I want to be in life‖. You are Simranjit/Smita.                                                                                                 10

OR

History Society of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Krishna Nagar sent a group of students to visit a place of historical interest. You, Anant/Anita, were its leader. Write a report in 150 – 200 words for the school newsletter on the tour, describing the place, its history, how you reached there and all that you have learnt.

7. Holi is a festival of colours. It expresses pure and simple joy. Sometimes we start throwing coloured water and that too on strangers. As the Head boy / girl of your school write a speech in 150 – 200 words that you will deliver in the morning assembly of your school, describing why Holi is
played and how it should be played.                                                                                           10

OR

"It is cruel to put stray dogs to sleep." Write a debate in 150 – 200 words either for or against the motion.

SECTION C — (Literature : Textbooks and Long Reading Text) 40

8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow : 1x4=4

At back of the dim class
One unnoted, sweet and young. His eyes live in a dream,
Of squirrel‖s game, in tree room, other than this.

(a) Why is the class dim ?
(b) How is the young child different from others ?
(c) What is he doing ?
(d) What is a tree room ?

OR

Aunt Jennifer‖s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle‖s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer‖s hand.

(a) What is Aunt Jennifer doing with her wool ?
(b) Why does she find it difficult to pull her ivory needle ?
(c) What does ―wedding band‖ stand for ?
(d) Describe the irony in the third line.


9. Answer any four of the following questions in 30 – 40 words each :                             3x4=12

(a) Why were some elderly persons occupying the back benches that day ? (The Last Lesson)
(b) Why did Jansie discourage Sophie from having dreams ?
(c) Having looked at her mother, why does Kamala Das look at the young children ?
(d) How would keeping quiet affect life in and around the sea ?
(e) Why did the Maharaja decide to get married ?
(f) What is mother Skunk‖s role in the story ?

10. Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words :                                                  6
"For the children it is wrapped in wonder, for the elders it is a means of survival.‖‖ What kind of life do the rag-pickers of Seemapuri lead ?

OR

The peddler believed that the whole world is a rattrap. How did he himself get caught in the same ?

11. Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words :                                                 6

In India, the so-called lower castes have been treated cruelly for a long time. Who advised Bama to fight against this prejudice, when and how ?

OR

To choose between professional loyalty and patriotism was a dilemma for Dr. Sadao. How did he succeed in betraying neither ?

12. Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words :                                                6

Attempt a character sketch of Dr. Kemp as a law-abiding citizen.

OR

Lammeter sisters have money but not class or education. What do you think about them ?

13. Attempt the following question in 120 – 150 words :                                               6

Why and how did Griffin burglarise the vicarage ?

OR

How did Silas' treatment of Sally Oates affect his life at Raveloe ?

Sample of Enquiry letter for Class XI

Business Letters (Letter of Enquiry)

Sample Letter No. 1

Q. You are the librarian of ABC Public School, Noida. You want to purchase some text and reference books for the school library. Write a letter to M/S Saraswati Publication House, Agra enquiring all necessary details.    (6 marks)

Answer :

ABC Public School
Noida

24 October 2017

The Manager
M/S Saraswati Publication House
Agra

Sub : Enquiry for library books

Sir
With reference to above, I would like to inform you that our school wants to purchase some text and reference books for the school library. I would be highly obliged if you kindly send us the following information to initiate the purchase process:

1. List of Text and reference books (Class IX-XII)
2. Price list
3. Transportation charge, if any
4. Delivery time
5. Mode of payment (DD/Cheque, NEFT/RTGS)
6. Discount if any
7. Any other terms and conditions

Please provide us the above information at the earliest.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully
Librarian

Syllabus for Half Yearly Exam (Tentative) for Class XI

2017-18

Section A- Reading  (20 marks)

i) Unseen Passage - 12 marks

ii) Note making - 8 marks

Section B- Writing & Grammar (30 marks)

i) Notice/Poster - 4 marks

ii) Letter to Editor/ Business Letters - 6 marks     

iii) Article/Speech/Debate - 10 marks

iv) Grammar - 10 marks

      a)  Editing & Omission

      b) Jumbled words 

      c) Correct tense

      d) Sentence correction

      e) Modals

      f) Determiners

 Section C- Text Books (30 marks)

 A. Hornbill

  i)   A Photograph

  ii) The Voice of the Rain

 iii) The Portrait of a lady

 iv) We're not afraid to die.....

  v) Discovering Tut

B. Snapshots

  i)  The summer of the Beautiful White Horse

  ii) The Address

 iii) Ranga's Address

C. Novel (The Canterville Ghost)

 i) upto Chapter 4 

Questions : 

   Extract from poetry - 3 marks     (Hornbill)

   Short Questions - 3x3= 9 marks (Hornbill & Snapshots)

   Long questions - 6x1 = 06 marks (Hornbill & Snapshots)

   Questions from Novel = 6x2=12 marks (The Canterville Ghost)

Writing Letters with Examples for Class XI

Letter Writing (Business Letters)

Important points to remember while drafting letters:

• Write the letter in the full block format (i.e. to the left)

• State your reason for writing in the first paragraph and stay on track.

• Always include specifics that will help ease the recipient’s task. For instance, if you arewriting to a bank, mention your account number.

• If you refer to other correspondence, quote date of the letter/s reference numbers,

• file numbers, order numbers, cheque number with date. Include copies whenever possible.

· Gently and respectfully direct the recipient’s course of action.

· It may be strongly worded but always be courteous and use polite language and pleasant tone.

· Self introduction should be avoided.

· Informal expressions, greetings or contracted forms of words should not be used.

· The language should be simple, straight forward and to the point.

· Leave a line/ additional space between paragraphs since no indentation is followed.

· Open punctuation to be followed.( No punctuation marks to be used)

· Do not mix up the old format and new format.

· In letters to the editor – Do not ask the editor to solve the problems.

· In job application letters Curriculum-vitae (CV) /Bio-data/ Resume/ should be written. It should not beincluded in the body of the letter but after the complimentary close as enclosure.

· In the Letter to the Editor use ‘yours truly’ as the complimentary close.

FORMAT OF A LETTER

1. Sender's Address :                                                  Devi Enclave

Raj Ram Marg

Bangalore-21

(Space)

2. Date :                                                                      14 April 20XX

(Space)

3. Receiver’s Address :                                               The Director/Mr/Mrs

Global Enterprises,

8th cross, Victoria Layout,

Bangalore

(Space)

4. Subject :                                                                  …………………………………………….

(Space)

5.Salutation :                                                              Sir

6. Body of the letter /Content :                                  Introduction

                                                                                   Main Body/Details/Explanations

                                                                                   Conclusion

(Space)

7. Signatory :                                                              Yours faithfully

RohanMathur

Sample Letter

Q. You are Sidhi/ Sanjay of U-03 G Block Kasturi Nagar Mysore-37.Write a letter to the Director, NGO Bird Links Society, Bangalore expressing your concern about the decrease in the number ofthe birds in Delhi.

House No- U/03

G Block Kasturi Nagar

Mysore -37

30 June 2011

The Director

NGO Bird Links Society

Bangalore

Karnataka

Sub: Diminishing number of birds: Need for Immediate Concern

Sir

I wish to bring to your kind notice my growing concern about rapid decrease in the population ofbirds in Mysore. Mysore is known to have more than 500 species of birds but many of them are onthe verge of extinction.

According to the reports from the recent seminar held on Conservation of Birds, there was a time,when a number of birds would flock to the banks of river Kaveri, Bandipur wild life sanctuary andforested canopy in Mysore. These numbers have come crashing down in the recent years.The main reasons are rampant construction of buildings, bridges and flyovers, filling of swamps,mangroves water bodies , cutting of forests and of course, oather ways of environmental pollution.

Many species have become endangered and the thousands of migratory birds flocking in seasons ,which was a feast to our eyes, have left this place to more healthy places. It is time the people ofMysore were made aware of this grave situation by conducting seminars and workshops and thepolicy makers and administrator thought over the engulfing problem and found solutions.

The locals should be given incentives for preserving the habitats of birds. Sanction for theconstruction of buildings, malls, bridges ands so on should be given only after proper evaluationof the environmental impact of those constructions over the life of species there. Let’s not forgetthat birds are an important link in the food chain.

I request the government, environmentalists and the society to show their concern before it is toolate.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully

(Sidhi Sharma)

 Sample Letter No-2

You are Suresh/Sarika Jain of No-20 JawaharNagar,Jaipur. Two months ago you bought a desert cooler from M/s Cool Home Coolers Jaipur. Now you discover that it is not working properly. Write a letter to the Manager Customer Care complaining about the malfunctioning of the unit and asking them to repair and if needed to replace it against warranty.

20 Jawahar Nagar

Jaipur

24 June 2011

M/s Cool Home Cooler

20 Nehru Marg

Jaipur

Sub : Complaint about the malfunctioning of desert cooler

Reference : Cash Memo No DC-98765 dated 17.4.2011

Sir

I wish to bring it to your notice that I purchased a ‘Cooler Home’ desert cooler from you on 17 April, 2011 (Vide Cash Memo No DC-98765, dated 17.04.2011). The cooler did function well in the beginning for one and a half months and then it has started giving problems. The problems are - water leakage, heavy noise while working and high consumption of power.

Kindly take immediate step to either repair the cooler or replace it as the cooler is still under warranty period.

Yours faithfully

Suresh

(SURESH SINGH)

Sample Letter No- 3

You are Isha/Ishan, the secretary of the Students’ Forum of Sahrudaya Vidyalaya, Indranagar. You have planned an excursion to Jog falls during the summer vacation. Write a letter to the General Manager, Southern Railway, for reservation of a bogie for 60 students from Bangalore toShimoga and back, supplying all necessary information.

Secretary

Sahrudaya Vidyalaya

Indranagar.

01 Mar 2012

The General Manager

Southern Railways

Bangalore

Sub: Request for the reservation of a Bogie for 60 students

Sir

A group of 60 students of class XI of this school has planned to visit Jog Falls during the summer vacation. They will be accompanied by three teachers and two attendants. They plan to leave Bangalore on 15th May by Jeevan Express and return by the same train from Shimoga on 25^th May. Kindly confirm whether a bogie can be reserved for the above mentioned dates. We would also like to know the estimated fare so that we can make necessary arrangements at our end.

The List of the members of the tour party is enclosed in the prescribed proforma. Kindly provide the eligible students’ concession.We request you to send the detail at the earliest @ sahrudayavidyalayaind@gmail.com/ @2852456 to enable us to plan in advance.

Yours faithfully

Isha

Secretary

Sample letter No. 4

You are Satish/Sonali, the student prefect in charge of the school library. You have been asked by

your Principal to write a letter to place an order for children’s story books (10 – 13 years). Write a

letter to M.S.Book Depot Ramnagar, Bikaner placing an order for the books. Invent the

necessary details.

St. Mary’s Convent

Jabalpur

15th July, 20…

M/s M.S. Book Depot

Ramnagar

Bikaner

Sub: Placing Order for Children’s Story Books

Sir

The school has decided to purchase story books for children between the age group of 10 and 13

years. The books mentioned below may please be sent by V.P.P. within 10 days from the date of

receipt of this letter.

S.No     Name of the book                               Author                     Quantity

1          Stories from the Panchatantra           A.S. Rawal                        5

2          Tales from the Arabian Nights          S.E. Paces                         10

3          The adventures of Tom Sawyer        S.E. Paces                         10

4          Tales from Shakespeare                    Charles & Mary Lamb     10

We request you to give 20 % discount on the printed prices. We assure you to pay the VPP

charges at the time of delivery of books.

Yours faithfully

Ram Kumar

(RAM KUMAR)

PRINCIPAL

QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

1. You are Manas/ Manasi at the Press Apartments of Sunder Nagar, Bihar. The main road leading to this colony has three man holes causing frequent accidents at night. There are no street lights on the main road. Write a letter to the Editor of the Times of India drawing attention of the government to this problem of the residents.

2. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily inviting the attention of the authorities towards the increasing Environmental pollution in your city.

3. You are Vishal / Veena, a student of class XII of 10, Green Park, New Delhi is interested in learning languages. You come across an advertisement in The Times of India issued by The Institute of Foreign languages, New Delhi about the certificate course in Japanese offered by them. You decide to write a letter to the Director of the Institute seeking more information about the course duration, working hours, fee structure, etc. Write the letter.

4. As Mr. R. Singh, Head of the Department of Chemistry, Cambridge High School, Pune, you had placed an order with Messrs. Scientific Equipments, Dadar, Mumbai for test tubes and jar for the lab. When the parcel was received you observed that markings on the test tubes were not clear and some of the jars were damaged. Write a letter of complaint seeking immediate replacement.

5. You are the Manager of Fitness Club of Gandhi Road, Ernakulam. Write a letter to Messrs. Pioneer Sports Co, Kochi, placing an order for a minimum of 4 fitness equipments with details.

6. You are Rama/Raman, a member of Parent-Teacher Association of Little Valley Senior Secondary School, Shillong. Write a letter to the Principal of the school asking him to introduce vocational stream in the school providing facility of teaching such subjects as computers, insurance etc. so that the students may not needlessly continue academic studies.

7. Write a letter to the Corporation authorities of South Chennai to complain about the general unsustainable growth of building activities in South Chennai with poor parking and other civic amenities to support it. Urge them to plan with a long-term view.

8. The photocopier of your office which was purchased recently has a problem with the toner settings. It is still in the guarantee period. As Purchase Manager of Talent Search, 15th Cross, J.P. Nagar, Mysore, write to the manufacturer seeking replacement of the defective part.

9. Write a letter to the librarian of the District Library in your town asking for details regarding membership. Also ask about the timings and rules and regulations of the library.

Example of a simple poster

For Class XI - Solved Questions answers of The Canterville Ghost

Long Reading Text - Novel - 12 Marks

With a view to inculcate the habit of reading among the students, CBSE has introduced compulsory reading of a Long Reading Text - Novel in the English Core Course and will be evaluated in both
Formative and Summative Assessments.

The long reading text prescribed for class XI is:
1. The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde (unabridged version 1906 Edition)

or

2. Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington 2000 Edition

KVS has recommended “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde to be followed in all KVs for uniformity.

There will be two long answer questions on the theme, plot, character and incidents from the prescribed Novel.

Question 12: Long Answer Question (Approximately 150 Words) 06 Marks
Question 13: Long Answer Question (Approximately 130 Words) 06 Marks

1. ‘Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Canterville Ghost’ is written in such a way that the story, in spite of being about a ghost, does not scare the readers, instead it makes them laugh.’ Comment.

Answer: ‘The Centerville Ghost’ does not scare readers, instead it makes them laugh.
Despite the attempts made by Sir Simon who is the ghost in the story to appear in the most scary guises, the family refuses to be frightened, and Sir Simon feels increasingly helpless and humiliated. When Mrs. Otis notices a mysterious red mark on the floor, she simply replies that she does “not at all care for blood stains in the sitting room.” When Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, informs Mrs. Otis that the blood stain is indeed evidence of the ghost and cannot be removed, Washington Otis, the eldest son, suggests that the stain be removed with Pinkerton’s Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent: A quick fix, like the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator, and a practical way of dealing with the problem.

The most humorous character in the story is undoubtedly the ghost himself, Sir Simon, who goes about his duties with theatrical elegance and talent. He assumes a series of dramatic roles in his failed attempts to impress and terrify the Otises, making it easy to imagine him as a comical character in a stage play. The ghost has the ability to change forms, so he taps into his range of tricks. He takes the role of ghostly apparitions such as a Headless Earl, a Strangled Babe, the Blood-Sucker of Bexley Moor, Jonas the Graveless, Suicide’s Skeleton, and the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn, all having succeeded in horrifying previous castle residents over the centuries. But none of them works with these Americans. Sir Simon schemes, but even as his costumes become increasingly ghostly, his antics do nothing to scare his house guests, and the Otises succeed in failing him every time. He falls victim to trip wires, pea shooters, butter-slides, and falling buckets of water. In a particularly comical scene, he is frightened by the sight of a “ghost,” rigged up by the mischievous twins.

In this way, ‘The Centerville Ghost’, makes the readers laugh all the way instead of making them squeeze in horror.

2-: The Canterville Ghost is study in contrast. Justify the statement.

Ans. The story of The Canterville Ghost is the embodiment of contrasts. The story begins with the plot where American Characters wish to settle down in European context. The story provides insights into the worlds of European conservatism & American rationalism. Mr. Otis is a representative character of American culture who wants to believe only in the present, mirroring a practical, pragmatic and capitalist point of view in every sphere of life. On the other hand, Lord Canterville and Mrs. Umney belong to the European culture and they are determined to safeguard their traditions and customs faithfully without verifying the authenticity and practical value of it. The writer has used gentle humour to point out the human foibles that make human beings superstitious, blind follower of culture and narrow minded.

In the present story, the writer wants to show the contrast and difference between the two cultures in their way of thinking as well in their way of life. Virginia establishes empathy with the ghost and the ghost narrates his tragedy of isolated life that keeps his past alive and haunted. She has held a composite dialogue with the ghost. As a result, the ghost repents of his misdeed. It contrasts with the behaviour of the rest of the family members. The author satirizes American capitalism and superior complexity and he makes fun of British puritanism and traditionalism.

Member of the Otis family always laughs at the eccentric nature of the ghost without taking into account the miserable condition of the ghost. They do not respect and try to study the value of the British tradition. It shows their conceit.

3. Virginia holds a composite dialogue to bring two cultures together. Justify it. (Value based question).

Ans. VALUE POINTS:
-She represents the positive view of young generation.
-Believes in dialogue to understand other’s problem.
-Established empathy with the person (the ghost) who always remained in the past; escapes from the reality,
-Restores faith in the ghost through interaction
-Made the ghost realize his misdeed.
-Conduit between two culture – way of life
-Cross cultural understanding
-Mouth piece of the writer
-Aspiration of the new generation to be inclusive.
-Doesn’t neglect the traditions of Europe, respects them try to understand.

4. The Canterville Ghost mirrors the mindset of a middle class family. Discuss it.

Ans. VALUE POINTS :
-Otis family – showing off their modernism, fearlessness, superior complexity, American Capitalism
-Prefer material things to traditional values
-The Ghost – egoism, way to repent on his misdeed, male domination, sticking to tradition without any sense
-Sir Simon murdered his wife because she was not a good cook, nor could do repair work.

5. Describe the universal message of the story. (Value based question)

Ans. VALUE POINTS
-Cross cultural understanding
-Excessive belief in tradition and customs make the person superstitious and blind follower
-Traditions keep the past alive
-The Ghost is the imagination of bankrupt mind
-Through composite dialogue – solve any problem
-Modern outlook and challenging nature , pragmatism always challenge the nonsense customs and rituals
-Egoism of capitalism and puritanism of Europe - conflict

Question 13: Long Answer Question (Approximately 130 Words) 06 Marks

1. How does the writer justify that the place is haunted?

Ans. The Canterville Ghost is well designed and imaginative product of a creative mind of Oscar Wilde. The Canterville Ghost is not just a suspense story of ghost but also it is the great example to give a universal message through word woven.
The following are the examples, incidents and action that may prove that the place has been haunted.
The Ghost has been seen by many a person and there was a man who can be trusted by one and all witnessed the appearance of the ghost. He was nothing but the Rector of the Parish, the Rev. Augustus Dampier. Secondly the grandmother of Lord canteville felt unconscious when two skeleton hands were placed on her shoulder. Moreover, Lady Canterville often had very little sleep at night. Mrs. Umney always found blood stains on the carpet.
The rankling of the chain heard by Mr. Otis, one who did not believe in the superstitiousness. The disappearance of Virginia made the Otis family confirmed about the presence of the Ghost. These are the examples described by the writer to justify that the place is haunted.

2. Do you think that The Canterville Ghost is just a ghost story? Justify.

Ans. VALUE POINTS
-Yes /No
-Ghost stories get us to the world of horror
-Makes the readers curious, excited, anxious
-Main themes would be – death, horror, witch, evils, traditional prophecies
-It is a story with a difference. The writer used the Ghost as an image to weave a plot of cross culture understanding. The ghost is not horrible. He didn’t succeed to terrify the Otis family. He also wanted to leave the place
-He confessed his misdeeds, wants to terrify only not to murder anybody
-He himself was frightened by the twins; his miserable condition makes the story humorous.

3. How did the Ghost himself get rid of his stereo type role?

Ans. VALUE POINTS
-Became dejected as nobody fears him
-Made no appearance
-The ghost confides in Virginia
-The Ghost seeks help from Virginia
-He requested Virginia to weep for him as a result he got salvation. Prayed for him
-He was repentant
-God has forgiven him because of Virginia

4. What are the attempts made by the Ghost to terrorize the Otis family?

Ans. VALUE POINTS
-The persistent blood stains
-Strangely there was thunder and lightning – at their arrival
-The sound of clanking metal
-The ghost with burning – red eyes
-Emitting a ghostly green light
-Extinguishing the candle, giving out frightening sounds of demoniac laughter

5. Describe the behavior of each character in the story with the Ghost.

Ans. VALUE POINTS
-Mr. Otis – challenged the existence of the ghost, to prove his modernism
-Mrs. Otis – cool minded ordered Umney to clean up the floor
-Virginia – restored faith in him, provides platform to express his inner heart, establishes empathy and helps him to get rid of this victimization.
-The Twins – made a fun of him, first who dared to frighten the Ghost, made the Ghost realize his mistakes and shortcoming, made him belittled.
-Washington – wanted to remove the blood stains practically, with Pinkerton’s champion stain Remover, shows his indifferent attitude towards the existence of the ghost.

Questions for Practice (The Canterville Ghost)

Q. 1. It was the ghost who was haunted by the American family. Explain the statement indicating instances from the novel.
Q. 2. The Canterville Ghost presents more instances of belied expectations and terrors than that of frightening incidents usually incorporated in ghost novels. Discuss.
Q. 3. Describe the character of Virginia in the novel.
Q. 4. The activities of the ghost are at the same time horrifying and amusing. Support the statement with help from relevant instances from the novel.
Q. 5. State your views on Duke of Cheshire and Virginia’s relationship in the novel.
Q. 6. Why did the American Republican Minister, Mr. Otis purchase the Canterville Chase despite knowing it to be haunted?
Q. 7. Mention the plans made by the ghost to frighten the Otis family.
Q. 8. Write a detailed note on the tricks played by the twin on the ghost.
Q. 9. If given an option, which part of the novel would you like to change or modify and why?
Q. 10. Explain the role played by supernatural elements apart from the ghost in the novel.
Q. 11. The ghost and Mr. Otis’s family presented a cultural clash between English and the United States. Explain.
Q. 12. How did the ghost help Virginia ‘to see the significance of life and death, and why love is stranger than both’?

Marking Scheme/Answer Keys of 1st Pre Board 2013-14

Marking scheme

1st Pre Board Exam 2013-14 (Tinsukia Region)

Sub: English (301)     Class XII

General Instructions:

1.      Evaluation is to be done as per instructions provided in the Marking Scheme only.

2.      The Marking Scheme provides suggested value points and not the complete answers.

3.      If a student literally lifts a portion of the given passage / extract from the question paper as an answer to a question, no mark(s) to be deducted on this count as long as it is relevant and indicative of the desired understanding on the part of the student [reference questions: Q1 under Section A (reading) and Q7 under Section C (text books)].

4.      In attempting Q1 and Q7 the examinees need not to be unnecessarily penalized for their language errors as these questions have been designed to test students’ ability to comprehend the given passage.

5.      Where questions have been designed to test the writing skills of students, the expression (grammatical accuracy, appropriate use of words, style, spelling, organization and presentation of relevant matter in a coherent and logical way) assumes as much importance as the content.

6.      Identify major mistakes and shortcomings before awarding marks.

7.      A slash (/) in the Marking Scheme indicates alternative answers(s) to a question. If a student writes an answer which is not given in the Marking Scheme but which seems to be equally acceptable, marks must be awarded.

8.      If a child has attempted an extra-question, then the answer deserving more marks should be retained and the other answer be scored out.

9.      Wherever the word limit is given; no marks should be deducted for exceeding it. However, due credit should be given for precise answers.

10.  If a student, in response to a short-answer-type question, writes a single word / phrase answer which constitutes the core of the answer; it must be accepted and awarded marks.

Q No	Sec	Expected  Answers-Value points	Marks
		Section A ( Reading)
Q.1:	I a)	Human body is made of trillions of tiny living things-called cells.    210 different kinds of cells   different shape, size and  job.   same types of cells usually work together in groups-called tissues.   More cells can be made when the cells split-form more cells that are just like the parents.	2 M
	I b)	nerve cells called neurons carry signals - messages that tell the body to move.   brain has about 100 billion neurons-connections between neurons are synapses. Each neuron has between 1,000 and 10,000 synapses.   one quadrillion synapses in brain and 1 billion neurons in spinal cord are inter connected to send signals from brain all the way down to back.	2 M
	I c)	red blood cells carry oxygen through body.   pick up carbon dioxide (CO2)   Blood also helps body stay warm- conversely, blood cools off brain because it gets very hot.   white blood cells help body fight sickness.   T–cells fight viruses - T–cells work with B–cells to fight off the disease cells.   they tell brain to give body a fever- not to allow disease cells to grow-many diseases cannot grow when the body is hot.   some white cells eat disease cells.	2M
	I d)	liver cells or hepatocytes check the blood.   check blood sugars , clean poisons from body.    make substances that help blood to clot, or stick together.   clean alcohol from  body	2M
	I e)	Muscle that digest food	1 M
	II (i)	Signals	1M
	II (ii)	Eliminate	1M
	II (iii)	Store	1M
Q.2:	a)	Distribution of marks:   Title       :1 mark   Content : 3 marks (minimum 3 headings and sub-headings, with proper indentation and notes)   Abbreviations / Symbols (with /without key) – any four : 1 mark   Complete sentences should not be accepted as notes. If the student does so ½ mark may be deducted from the total.	5M
	b)	The Summary should include all the important points given in the notes within the prescribed word limit. 3 Marks may be awarded with the following considerations  in view: Content       :     2 Marks     Expression :      1 Mark	3 M
		Section B ( Writing)
Q.3:	1st Option (Notice) Or 2nd Option (Formal Invitation)	Distribution of marks: Format        :    1 Marks   Format should include NOTICE/ Name of Institute/ Date/ Heading/ Writer’s name and designation. Notice should be in a box. Content       :    2 Marks Expression  :    2 Marks Suggested Value points:    Appropriate Heading    Use of formal language (In third person- e.g. the undersigned, all the students etc. Not to use I, You, We )    Use of passive voice (All the students are informed...)    Purpose of  writing the Notice    Different information given on the celebration.. etc. Distribution of marks: Format       : 1 Mark   To use format of formal invitation   Should include a well defined lay out, centralized text, venue, date, time-details   & RSVP   Should be in a box Content      : 2 Marks Expression : 2 Marks Suggested Value points:   Use of formal language (Third person must be used)   Who is inviting whom   What is the occasion   Day, date, time and venue   RSVP	5M Or 5M
Q.4:	1st Option (News Paper Report) Or, 2nd Option (Report for Magazine)	Distribution of marks: Format         : 1 Mark (Title or Heading , Date & Place  and name of the Reporter) Content        : 4 Marks Suggested Value points:   What was organized & by whom   Where , when and why   What events were there   Who participated   Opening Ceremony   Details of the events in sequence   Selection for National Level   Closing Ceremony Expression   : 5 Marks   Grammatical accuracy and spellings      : 2 ½ Marks   Coherence, relevance of ideas and style : 2 ½ Marks Distribution of marks: Format      : 1 Mark (Title and Name of the Reporter) Content    : 4 Marks Suggested Value points:   What was organized and by whom   Where , when and why   What items were presented in the cultural show (Classical, Indian Folk etc)   Including a few Pakistani cultural items   Resolution taken   Success of the show Expression: 5 Marks   Grammatical accuracy and spellings      : 2 ½ Marks   Coherence, relevance of ideas and style : 2 ½ Marks	10 M Or 10 M
Q.5:	1st Option (Letter to the Editor) Or 2nd Option (Letter making Inquiry)	Distribution of marks: Format / layout: 2 Mark    To adhere to Blocked format (Not to Mix blocked and indented formats)    Sender’s address    Date    Addressee’s address    Salutation    Subject    Content of the letter    Complementary close Content: 4 Marks Suggested Value points:   Formal and polite language   Details (if possible with proper data) of the schools without facilities   Pathetic condition of the students   Role of school authority   drawing the attention of the concerned authorities   Request to adopt effective measures   Some suitable suggestions Expression: 4 Marks    Grammatical accuracy and spellings : 2 Marks    Coherence, relevance of ideas and style: 2 Marks Distribution of marks: Format / layout: 2 Mark    To adhere to Blocked format (Not to Mix blocked and indented formats)    Sender’s address    Date    Addressee’s address    Salutation    Subject    Content of the letter    Complementary close Content: 4 Marks Suggested Value points:    Asking about holiday package to Malaysia and Singapore    Making inquiry on terms and conditions for package tours    Mentioning dates and duration of the trip    No of persons for the trip    Inquiring about boarding and lodging charges    mode of payment    discount, if any Expression: 4 Marks   Grammatical accuracy and spellings : 2 Marks   Coherence, relevance of ideas and style: 2 Marks	10 M Or 10 M
Q.6:	1st Option (Article) Or 2nd Option (Speech)	Distribution of marks: Format        : 1 Mark (Title and writer’s  name) Content       : 4 Marks Suggested Value points:   Man Vs Nature   Variety of Natural objects tempting to enjoy the beauty   Joy of Living in the Nature   hustle and bustle of the city   calmness and serenity of rural environment   Comments/ suggestions Expression    : 5 Marks § Grammatical accuracy and spellings : 2 ½ § Coherence, relevance of ideas and style : 2 ½ Distribution of marks: Format         : 1 Mark (Title and writer’s  name) Content      : 4 Marks Suggested Value points: §  Introduction of Corruption §  Today’s society is gripped by corruption §  Different ways to fight with this menace §  Role of the students §  Comments/ Suggestions Expression     : 5 Marks §  Grammatical accuracy and spellings : 2 ½ §  Coherence, relevance of ideas and style : 2 ½	10 M Or 10 M
		Section C (Text Books)
Q.7:	1st Option Or , 2nd option	(i)        Poem: Keeping Quiet Poet: Pablo Neruda	1M
		(ii)      –with gas and with fire	1M
		(iii)    –victory with no survivor	1M
		(iv)    –to put on clean cloths/sitting in shade with brothers/doing nothing (any two)	1M
		Or	Or
		(i)     –her ordeals/ all her painful experiences; ringed with even after her death	1M
		(ii)   –to be surrounded by/ not to be free from slavish routines/ not to be out of her sufferings	1M
		(iii) –as a revolt against the  customs / to express her rebellious spirits / to satisfy her oppressed  mind	1M
		(iv)    –will go on prancing, proud and unafraid	1M
Q.8: (any Two)	(i)	her love, compassion and assurance to her mother to meet again   one optimistic feeling-she may not lose her mother so soon	2M
	(ii)	of  never understanding ourselves   of  threatening ourselves with death	2M
	(iii)	beautiful things bring joy and peace   help to drive out all troubles and sufferings by moving away the pall from our dark spirits	2M
Q.9: (any Six)	a)	most beautiful language in the world   clearest, most logical   to guard it, never forget it   key to their prison	2M
	b)	around 20,000 children work in glass furnaces with very hot temperatures   they work in dingy cells without air and light   they often lose the brightness of their eyes	2M
	c)	went to beach in California with father at three or four years   buried in water, breath gone and frightened   it ruined his fishing trips   couldn’t enjoy canoeing, boating and swimming	2M
	d)	for Gandhiji amount of refund was less important   more important was:  landlords were compelled to surrender part of their money  and their prestige	2M
	e)	gave him a boat with food and extra clothing   sent to a nearby island   instructed to catch a Korean fishing boat	2M
	f)	one of Mr Lamb’s legs got blown off in the war   Derry got acid on one side of his face and it burned it all away	2M
	g)	her hair was cut short   lost her spirits after hearing the scissors gnaw off her thick braids   moaned for her mother	2M
Q.10:	1st Option (Flamingo) Or 2nd Option (Vistas)	(Content   3        Expression 2)   helped peasants to get out of the bond of Indigo sharecropping   to educate them-appealed for teachers   Madhav Desai and Narhari Parikh, two young disciples of Gandhiji, came with their wives   several disciples came from Bombay, Poona and other distant parts   Devdas, Gandhiji’s youngest son and Kasturbai Gandhi arrived   primary schools were opened in six villages   Kasturbai taught Ashram rules on personal cleanliness and community sanitation   a doctor volunteered his services for six months   medicines available: castor oil, quinine and sulphur ointment   all health problems were solved with these medicines only   Kasturbai talked to women to get rid of their filthy conditions   from Champaran Gandhiji kept a long distance watch on Ashram   sent regular instructions by mail and asked for financial accounts   Gandhiji taught self-reliance and instilled courage in them Or (Content   3        Expression 2) Conceit of those in power:   the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram  had a long list of titles after his name to mean his greatness   questioned the prediction of astrologers as an infant   was brought up in English style   started killing tigers in self-defence   banned tiger hunting by others   even had the danger of losing his throne by refusing a high ranking British officer   sent expensive diamond rings to his wife to save his kingdom   married a princess from a state with large tiger population when tigers became extinct in his kingdom    tigers became extinct again, could not get 100th tiger    announced rewards for finders on the contrary many officials lost their jobs    Dewan brought the 100th tiger from Madras People’s park    Maharaja’s bullet missed, another hunter killed him   Finally was killed by a toy tiger (any four/ five points in italics) Dramatic irony:   Astrologers’ prediction   Marrying the princess   Killing the 100th tiger   Killed by a toy tigers   Expert comment of the doctors (Any two/three points)	5 M  Or 5 M
Q.11:	1st Option Or 2nd option	(Content   3        Expression 2)   Love to humanity is love to God   Fellow feeling is a lifeline of humanity    Reform weak personalities and society   Bring out best in man    Value education – need of the hour    Understanding oneself   Brings about positive changes    Achievement of self esteem    Helps in regaining confidence    Enhances personality   Gives birth to diversity Or (Content   3        Expression 2)    teaches one to respect and love others    refines basic instincts / passions    provides opportunities to realize, acknowledge and appreciate other’s    potential / talent    will be able to adopt the best from various cultures / people    lack of education made the servants very superstitious	5 M  Or    5 M
Q.12:	Long Reading Text-Novel Hound of Baskervilles	Hounds of Baskerville is a classical detective story   It unfolds the mystery of Sir Charles’ death   Theme is based on mystery, danger and murder   Theme is based on the never ending conflict between good and evil   Evil is shown to be stronger in the hours of darkness   Holmes and Watson used their observing and intuitive skills   Mysterious happenings, like the moaning of a woman in the night, create tension in the novel   Unexplained noises like that of hounds compound the mystery and horror   Place and atmosphere add to thrilling aspects   Menacing weather, fog, dangerous bog etc add to the chilling atmosphere   Evil is ultimately punished and virtue is rewarded	8 M
Q.13:	Long Reading Text-Novel Hound of Baskervilles	Sir Henry Baskerville is the natural heir of Baskerville’s estate after Sir Charles   Small, alert, dark eyed man of 30.   Sturdily built, weather beaten appearance but a gentleman   Followed good philanthropic works done by his uncle   Treated Barrymores kindly   Unable to sense the conspiracy of Stapleton   He was saved by the timely intervention of Holmes and Watson	7 M