2020
ENGLISH
FULL MARKS- 90
PASS MARKS- 27
TIME- 3 HOURS
The
figures in the margin indicate full marks for the question
SECTION – A
1. (a) Choose the meaning of the
underlined word in the following sentence from among the
alternatives given in the
brackets : 1
All of us will spend many years ,
if not generations , recovering from that profound hurt .
( light and vain/ abnormal / deep
and strong )
Ans : deep and strong .
(b) State whether the following
statements are True or False : 1+1=2
( Reference : Nelson Mandela :
Long Walk to Freedom )
(i) On the day of inauguration ,
Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of freedom .
Ans : False .
(ii) On the day of inauguration ,
Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history .
Ans : True .
(c) Choose the correct answer
from among the alternative given and complete the sentence given below : 1
Mandela's country is rich
_________
(a) in forests and lakes
(b) in minerals and gems
(c) in agriculture
Ans : (b) in minerals and gems .
2. What was the one hope of
Lencho ? 1
Ans : The one hope of Lencho was
help from God.
3. What was a Kuffia ? Who wears
it ? 1+1
Kuffia is a traditional dress that resembles Kuppia. It is made of a long coat that is black in colour and has beautiful embroidery of different patterns on the waist belts of the dresses.
Kuffia is worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
(Reference from: www. unacademy.com)
4. When did Mandela begin to
hunger for freedom? 2
Ans : It was only when Mandela began to learn that
his boyhood freedom was an illusion and when discovered as a young man that his
freedom had already been taken from him, then Mandela began to hunger for
freedom.
5. What did Lencho say to his
sons after the hailstorm ? 1
Ans : After the hailstorm, Lencho
advised his sons not to be so upset. He told them that even though that seems
like a total loss, they should remember that no one dies of hunger.
6. Give a description of the
magnificent view of a tea garden seen by Rajvir from the railway train. 3
Ans : ‘A magnificent view’ presented the beautiful scenery of the tea gardens and
the greenery scenery which was seen from near at large. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills,
a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny
tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes
busily moved doll like figures.
These
were the magnificent
view of a tea garden seen by Rajvir from the railway train.
7. What did Valli see on her way
that made her laugh ? 2
During
the bus journey of Valli, a young cow, tail high in the air, was running very fast, right in the
middle of the road, right in front of the bus. When the driver sounded his horn
loudly again and again, the more frightened the animal became and the faster it
galloped — always right in front of the bus.
This was very funny to
Valli on her way that made her laugh.
8. What does the writer say about
the Coorg Regiment ? 2
Answer:
The writer says that the Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi.
9. What did the postmaster do
after he had received Lencho's letter ?
2
Ans : After the
postmaster had received Lencho's letter, at first, the postmaster readied to
answer the letter by goodwill, ink and paper. But, when he knew about the
matter of a hundred pesos, then he collected seventy pesos from his employees,
several friends and part of his salary. At last, he had given the money to
Lencho by a letter and through the postman.
10. Why did Valli find the old
woman who sat beside her in the bus '' absolutely repulsive '' ?
Valli found the woman absolutely repulsive because she had big holes in her ear lobes, and ugly earrings in them. And also, she could smell the betel nut the woman was chewing and see the betel juice that was threatening to spill over her lips at any moment. According to Valli, nobody could be sociable with such a person.
SECTION
– B
11. Choose from the box given
below the words that rhyme with the following : 1x2=2
dragon , rage
grey, wagon, stairs, bears, cage,
cries
Ans :
dragon - wagon
rage – cage
12. Choose the meaning of the
underlined words from the alternatives given in the brackets : 1x2=2
(a) ............. they are so placid
and self-contained .
1
( irritated / trouble some /
unruffled )
Ans : placid - unruffled
(b) ............... not one is demanted
with the mania ..........
( mad / dishonest / displeased )
Ans : demanted - mad
13. Is Amanda a student ? how do
you know ? 1+1=2
We can infer she is a student through several
clues in the poem. The speaker (likely her mother) specifically asks, "Did you finish your
homework, Amanda?”; homework is a task specifically assigned to students. The
speaker also asks, "Did
you tidy your room, Amanda?" and mentions cleaning her shoes, which
are typical routines for a child attending school; a student.
(*This answer is prepared, some supporting from Gemini AI)
14. What would the tiger have
done if he were in his natural habitat , the forest ? 2
Ans : If the tiger were in his
natural habitat, the forest then the tiger would be lurking in shadow near the
water hole and sliding through the long grass. He would be snarling around the
houses of the jungle’s edge. Also, he would be terrorising the village through
baring his white fangs and his claws.
15. What is harbour and how is it
related to fog ? 2
16. How did Custard the Dragon
save Belinda from the pirate ? 2
Ans : Custard faced the pirate boldly. He jumped up, snorted like
an engine and clashed his tails like irons in a dungeon. Then, making a
clattering and clanking sound and squirming, he attacked the pirate like a
robin at a worm. At that time, the
pirate gaped at Custard. He drank some wine from the bottle in his pocket. He
fired two bullets, but the bullets did not hit Custard. At last, the Dragon
gobbled the pirate and he was died. Thus,
Custard had saved Belinda and other pets from the Pirate.
SECTION
– C
17. (a) Between Ausable and Max ,
who do you think is more intelligent and why ?
5
Ans : Between
Ausable and Max, I think, Ausable is more intelligent than Max. Because, by the
techniques and actings of Ausable, Max had to die finally.
Ausable got rid
Max by telling the two false informations. One was the balcony. Ausable informed that someone entered his
room in the month and that was the second time, Max entered his room through
the balcony. Other false information was
the police. When someone (Henry, a waiter) knocked at his door then Ausable
informed Max that that was the police whom he expected to come to give some
extra protection for the report and to seek everything was alright or not. Through
these intelligent presences of mind, Ausable technically killed Max. Max is
less intelligent than Ausable. Because/As, he could not catch the technique of
Ausable and finally jumped from the building and died.
OR
(b) Who is Horace Danby ? What
type of man is he ?
Horace Danby was a 50-year-old unmarried man who ran a successful business making locks. He was assisted by two helpers and was generally considered a good, honest, and respectable citizen. However, he had a secret: he was a thief who robbed one safe every year to fund his expensive hobby of buying rare and costly books.
Horace Danby was a unique character who didn't fit the typical image of a "criminal." His personality can be described through these traits:
Meticulous Planner: He was extremely organized. Before robbing the safe at Shotover Grange, he studied the house for two weeks, learning the wiring, the paths, and even the name of the dog (Sherry).
A "Refined" Thief: He wasn't a career criminal motivated by greed. He robbed only once a year and targeted wealthy people. He stole specifically to buy high-quality books, showing he had sophisticated tastes.
Trusting and Naive: Despite his careful planning, he was easily tricked. His belief in "honor among thieves" made him trust a young woman dressed in red, simply because she acted with the confidence of the mistress of the house.
Physically Vulnerable: He suffered from hay fever, a detail that eventually led to his downfall. The scent of flowers at the crime scene made him sneeze, which was a recurring obstacle during his burglary.
Summary: Horace was "good and respectable—but not completely honest." He represents the irony of a man who makes locks to keep others out, yet finds himself outsmarted and locked away in prison.
(*Answer from Gemini)
18. (a) Describe Griffin's
experience in Drury Lane .
Ans : After had
escaped from the big London store, he went to Drury Lane, the centre of the
theatre world. He went to the theatrical company for/regarding not only clothes
but also some empty space to stay.
Then, he found a suitable shop
soon. He went upstairs and came out a little wearing bandages round his
forehead. Also, he put on/worn dark glasses, false nose, big bushy
side-whiskers and a large hat.
To escape without being seen, he
callously/insensitively attacked the shopkeeper from behind. After that, he
robbed him of all the money he could find. After the shopkeeper had robbed,
Griffin went to the Village of Iping by a train to get away from crowded London
OR
(b) Who is Bill ? How did he befool the young lawyer ?
Answer:
Who is Bill?
Bill is actually Oliver Lutkins, the very man the young lawyer has come
to New Mullion to serve a summons. He is a cunning, talkative, and cheerful
hack driver who uses his friendly "Bill" persona to hide his true
identity.
How He Befooled the Lawyer:
Lutkins
(as Bill) used the following tactics to trick the lawyer:
·
Immediate Capture:
He
met the lawyer at the station and offered his help before the lawyer could ask
anyone else about Lutkins.
·
Gatekeeping:
He
insisted on entering every shop first to "search" for Lutkins, which
allowed him to whisper to the shopkeepers and ensure they kept his secret.
·
The "Lutkins" Myth:
He
described Lutkins as a clever, dishonest man who was hard to catch, making the
lawyer rely entirely on "Bill’s" local knowledge.
·
The Final Act:
He
took the lawyer to his own mother's farm, where they performed a staged search,
making the lawyer believe they had narrowly missed Lutkins.
By
the end of the day, the lawyer left town without the summons, having paid Bill
for a carriage ride to find himself.
(*This answer
is prepared supporting through GEMINI AI)
SECTION – D
19. Fill in the blanks
in the following sentences with the right determiners :
(a) They won the match
without ________ difficulty .
Answer: They won the
match without much difficulty.
(b) Reading is ____
useful hobby.
Answer: Reading is a useful hobby.
(c) I gave him ______
books I had.
Answer: I gave him the few books I had .
(d) Kalidas is
________ Shakespeare of India .
Answer: Kalidas is the Shakespeare
of India .
20. Fill in the gaps
with the correct preposition from among the choices given in the
brackets:
(a) They are satisfied
______ your works. ( by / at / with )
Answer: They are
satisfied at your works.
(b) Man does not live
_____ bread alone. ( on / by / with )
Answer: Man does not
live by bread alone.
(c) Rita excels _____
dancing . ( at / by /in )
Answer: Rita excels in dancing.
(d) He is looking ____
a domestic help . ( to / in/ for )
Ans : He is looking for a domestic help.
21. Rewrite the
following sentences putting the verbs in brackets in their correct tense form:
(a) I (go) there
before she went.
Answer: (a) I had gone there before she went.
(b) Ten years (pass)
since I met you last.
Answer: Ten years have passed since I met you last.
(c) When she came I (
write ) a letter .
Answer: When she came
I was writing a
letter.
22. Change the
narration of the following:
(a) Rashid asked me if
I knew Rahim.
Answer: Rashid said to
me, "Do you know Rahim?"
(b) Mother said to me
, " What will you do after the examination ?"
Answer: (b) Mother
asked me what I would do after the examination.
23. Change the voice
of the following:
(a) I do not know his
brother.
Answer: His brother is
not known to me.
(b) English is spoken
by many people all over the world.
Answer: Many people speak
English all over the world.
24. Combine each of
the following pairs of sentences into a single sentence.
(a) Where has he gone?
Do you know it ?
Answer: Do you know
where he has gone?
(b) I finished the work.
I was taking rest.
Answer: Having
finished the work, I was taking rest.
25. Choose the correct
alternative from the choices in the brackets and write out the sentences :
(a) The tiger is a
beast of (pray / prey)
Answer: The tiger is a
beast of prey.
(b) This medicine will
(relief / relieve) you of your pain.
Answer: This medicine
will relieve you of your pain.
26. Make sentences to
illustrate the meaning of any two of the following :
make out , give away ,
deal in , carry out
Answer:
Make out (বুজি পোৱা)- I cannot make out
what you say.
Give away: He gave away the
little money he had to the beggar.
Deal in: She deals in
coffee.
Carry out: She carried
out my order.
27. Correct any three
of the following sentences :
(a) Her son-in-laws
are rich men.
Answer: Her
sons-in-law are rich men.
(b) It is raining
since morning.
Answer: It has been
raining since morning.
(c) How you know him?
Answer: How do you
know him?
(d) I and he are
brothers.
Answer: He and I are
brothers.
(e) He is senior than
me in age.
Answer: He is senior
to me in age.
(f) I do not know to do it.
Answer: I do not know
how to do it.
SECTION – E
28. Translate into
English (any one group of the following) :
Assamese:
১। আকাশত মেঘ
নাছিল ।
Answer: There was no cloud in the sky.
২। শিক্ষকজনে
কৈছিল, “সদায় সঁচা কথা কবা ।”
Answer: The teacher said, “Always speak the truth.”
৩। তুমি নৈখন
সাঁতুৰি পাৰ হ’ব পাৰিবানে?
Answer: Can you swim across the river?
৪। প্রতিজ্ঞা
ৰক্ষা কৰিব লাগে ।
Answer: Promises must be kept.
৫। মৌ খাবলৈ মিঠা
।
Answer: Honey tastes sweet.
৬। মোৰ এটা কলমৰ
প্রয়োজন ।
Answer: I need a pen.
29.Write an essay, in about 150 words, on any one
of the following topics: 6
(a) Science in everyday life.
(b) Travelling as a part of Education.
Answer:
(a) Science in everyday life.
Science in every day life/Effects of
Science/Importance of Science
Introduction:
Science is a systematic knowledge. It depends upon truth
and logic. At present time, it is used as a best friend by human being.
Gifts of science in daily life:
Without
science, today’s human being does not live entirely/wholly. Science provides a
most comfortable, easiest and happiest life for everyone in every work.
Science for villages or villagers:
Most of the villages are depended on farming. On this
regard, science provides water supplies’ facility, chemicals for the corn
fields and so on. Now a days, all the villagers are also facilited at different
kinds like electricity, tv, mobile, and many others.
Science for Urban or Town Areas:
Only science makes the urban or town areas as urban or town.
In town areas, most of the works has been done directly by science with the use
of machines, technologies, computers, cars, and any other else.
Bad or Negative Effects of science:
Science makes men lazier, tired full and amazement life
where men cannot do anything without science. Also, science makes the
pollutions like air, sound etc. Besides, for the atom bomb, firearms,
computers, mobiles and some others, many criminal works or crimes are happening
in this world.
Conclusion:
In this world, science is used both positively and
negatively. But, we should always care and use in our positive manners or
works. Then only, science makes us happiest and most wonderful life with no
harms and no problems.
(b) Travelling as a part of
Education.
Answer:
Travelling as a part of
Education.
(collected from https://evirtualguru.com/ )
A couple of years ago, Indian Railways introduced. “The Palace on Wheels” –a
super-deluxe train in which the compartments are like five star hotel rooms or
a palace chamber. Tourists, mostly foreigners are carried to number of
historical places in Rajasthan and the carried to number of historical places
in Rajasthan and the guides show them the historic sites. It is a wonderful way
of educating people about the historical past of India.
Travel is education in history, geography, culture, customs and languages. If
we were to take a trip, what types of management skills would we need? Firstly,
we learn about the art of preparation and packing. It is really an art to
manage things. We must decide about the most necessary articles to carry. First
aid kit, survival kit having important tools, clothes, entertainment items and
small hand bags are some of the bare necessities. Since transportation of
luggage is scarce and costly, it is better to carry items which are easily
portable.
Travel with a
group gives lessons in human interaction and teamwork. Members of a group can
share jobs according to their individual capacities and training. Some people
are experts in arranging tickets and transport, others in map-reading and yet
others in acting as interpreters and translators in regions where a different
languages is spoken.
OR:
2020:
Write a story in about 150 words using the outlines given below. Add a title to it. 6
A hungry fox sees a crow with a piece of meat – wanted to get the piece – praises the crow - asks the crow to sing – the crow sings – the piece of meat falls down from its beak – the fox picks it up and runs away.
or:
2016
Write a story in about 150 words using the outline given below and add a title to it. 6
A hungry fox sees a crow with a piece of meat – wishes to have the piece of meat – praises the crow – asks the crow to sing – the crow sings – the piece of meat falls down from her beak – the fox picks it up and runs away.
or:
A
hungry fox sees a crow with a piece of meat / bread – wishes to have / take the
piece of meat / bread – hits upon a plan – praises the crow – sweet voice –
persuades to sing – piece of bread falls – the fox takes it up – goes away.
Or,
A hungry fox – sees a crow with a piece of meat – wishes to have it – praises
the crow – asks the crow to sing – the crow sings – the piece of meat falls
down – the fox picks it up and walks away.
Ans : Title
: The
Cunning Fox and the Stupid Crow
One day, a hungry fox
was wandering in search of food. It hadn’t eaten anything since the past three
days. Suddenly, it caught sight of a crow with piece of bread/meat in its beak. It wished
to have / take the piece of bread/meat. It hit upon a plan.
It praised the crow saying that it had a sweet voice. It persuaded the crow to
sing a song. As soon as the crow opened its beak to sing, the piece of bread/meat fell down on the
ground. The fox took/picked it up and went/walked away merrily.
Moral
: Never believe a stranger fully.
30. Answer
either (a) or (b): 5
(a) Suppose
you are the General Secretary of the Students’ Union of your school. Write an
application to the Principal / Headmaster requesting him to grant a half
holiday on the occasion of the Kati Bihu Festival.
Answer:
To,
Date-
16-02-2020
The Principal / Headmaster,
of X Higher Secondary/High School
Sub: Prayer for a half holiday
Sir,
I most respectfully
and happily state to you that I and the other students are being readied to
celebrate the Kati Bihu Festival today. We have to go to the market for buying
the candle and earthen lamp mat.
We have to plant a bamboo in the field to
light earthen lamp mat its foot. We are going to ready the akash – banti
or the sky lamp hanging from a tall bamboo. Also, some other works have to do
today.
So, I hereby humbly
request you to declare a half-holiday that we will celebrate the occasion of the Kali Bihu Festival. A Prompt reply will be
appreciated/expected.
Yours
faithfully
Y
General Secretary of the Students’ Union
30.(b)
Write a report for a local daily on the basis of the information given below.
(i)
Guwahati; 16-2-2020
(ii)
Annual prize day of your school.
(iii) A
festive atmosphere in the school.
(iv)
The Education Minister was the Chief-guest.
(v) The
gave away the prizes and gave an encouraging speech.
Or:
Write a
report on a cultural function held in your school/college
(i) Date and time of the function
(ii) Principal presided
(iii)Programme- song, recitation, dance etc
(iv) President’s speech
(v) Closing of the function
Ans-
A
colourful cultural function held
Reported
by Y, general secretary of X high school
X high school, 16 Feb,2017:
Today, a colorful function was organized/held
in the auditorium of our school for our annual college week. The function
started/began at 9 A.M. with the Mahapurusha Sankardev’s bargeet. The honourble
principal of our school presided over/inaugurated the function. Many
cheerful/pleasant/colourfully programmes participated by all the student of
our school. At first, a famous one act play ‘Save the largest river island’ performed. And after that
Bhupendra Sangreet, Bihu Song and modern songs were sung by some students. One
of the wonderful recitation of Debakanta Barua’s ‘Sagar Dekhisa’ was also
performed. Some other students also joined the dance programme of modern and
classical. Other programmes like arts, debate competition, sport writing
competition etc were also added the function. The principal/headmaster
delivered his presidential speech after the many extraordinary programmes had
performed. He encouraged the students and advised to bright/glowing/shine in
every field of study, dance, song, sport, craft and so on/so forth. Then the
general secretary also gave his thanks to all the students for supporting the
programme. Finally/at last the function came to an end with singing the
national anthem ‘Janaganamana’ and closed the function.
31. (a) Read the following passage and answer the questions that
follow :
Three-fourth
of the Earth is covered by the sea which both separates and unites the various
races of mankind. The sea is the great highway along which man may travel at
his will, the great road that has now walls or hedges hemming it in. Nobody
needs to keep it in good repair with the help of pickaxe and barrels of tar and
steamrollers. The sea appeals to man’s love of the perilous and the unknown, to
his love of conquest, his love of knowledge and his love of gold. Its blue
waters call to him and bid him fare forth in quest of fresh fields. Beyond
their horizon he has found danger and death, glory and gain.
(i) How much of our planet is not
covered by the sea? 1
Answer: One-fourth of our planet is not
covered by the sea.
(ii) How does the sea help man? 2
Answer: The Sea is the great highway along which man
may travel at his will, the great road that has now walls or hedges hemming it
in. Nobody needs to keep it in good repair with the help of pickaxe and barrels
of tar and steamrollers.
(iii) In what way does the sea appeal to
man? 2
Answer: The Sea appeals to man’s love of the perilous
and the unknown, to his love of conquest, his love of knowledge and his love of
gold. Its blue waters call to him and bid him fare forth in quest of fresh
fields.
(b) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that
follow: 1+2+2=5
The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of
Coorg. Mahaseer – a large freshwater fish – abound in these waters. Kingsishers
dive for their catch while squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for
the mischief of enjoying the splash and ripple effect in the clear water.
Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts.
The most laid-back
individuals become converts to the life of high energy adventure with river
rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock-climbing and mountain biking. Numerous walking
trails in this region are a favourite with trekkers.
(i) From where does the river Kaveri obtain its water? 1
(ii) How do the various birds and beasts enjoy in the stream of
Kaveri? 2
(iii) Name the various sports favourite with the visitors to this place. 2
The
various sports favourite with the visitors to this place or Coorg are- river
rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock-climbing and mountain biking. Numerous
walking trails in this region are also a favourite with
trekkers.
The End