2019
ENGLISH
FULL
MARKS: 100
PASS
MARKS: 30
Time:
Three hours
The
figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions.
(FOR
THE CANDIDATES OF OLD & NEW SYLLABUSES)
SECTION
A
(Reading
Skills: 10 Marks)
1.
Read the following passage carefully:
It
is a disturbing fact that today many different kinds of wild animals throughout
the world are in danger of extinction. The reasons for this are many and
varied, but we must largely blame pollution, pesticides, the disturbance of the
animals’ natural environment and man’s greed and thoughtlessness.
Industry
has grown enormously, and it has become common practice for factories to
dispose of waste matter in streams and rivers, causing great loss of river
life. Modern agricultural methods include the use of pesticides which
effectively control insects classified as pests, but which also destroy many
that are not. An increase in population has meant more building and with it the
destruction of much of the countryside that provides habitat for wild animals.
To satisfy man’s selfish desires the polar bear in North America is under
threat, hunted by sportsmen; in Borneo and Sumatra the orang-utan had become
part of a smuggling racket; in South America the chinchilla is almost extinct
because its fur is in demand; whales are massacred world-wide for the oil and
the food they yield. These are only a few of the species under threat.
But
the problem is receiving world-wide recognition, and some action is being
taken. To name a few examples--- sewage pollution in the river themes has been
greatly reduced; a ban on trading in some furs has been agreed; and
organizations like Friends of the Earth do valuable work in this deserving
cause.
On
the basis of your reading of the passage answer the following questions:
(a)Cite
the reasons as to why some species of wild animals are on the verge of
extinction. 2
Answer:
Pollution, pesticides, the disturbance of the animals’ natural environment,
man’s greed and thoughtlessness etc are some of the reasons. For these, some
species of wild animals are on the verge of extinction.
(b)What
has brought about the destruction of much of the countryside? 1
Answer:
Increasing of population has brought about the destruction of much of the
countryside.
(c)Why
are the polar bear and the whales under threat? 2
Answer:
The polar bears are hunted by the sportsmen to satisfy man’s selfish desires
and the whales are massacred for the oil and the food they yield. For these
reasons, the polar bear and the whales are under threat.
(d)Which
animal is hunted for its fur? 1
Answer:
The chinchilla is hunted for its fur.
(e)Mention
the ways in which life is currently helped. 2
Answer:
Now a days, sewage pollution in the river Thames has been greatly reduced; a
ban on trading in some furs has been agreed; and some organization like friends
of the Earth do valuable ways in which wild life is currently helped.
(f)
Give the adjective form of ‘habitat’. 1
Answer:
The adjective form of ‘habitat’ is ‘habitable’, means suitable place to live.
(g)
Find a word in the passage which means “a great slaughter”.
Answer:
‘massacred’ - “a great slaughter”.
SECTION
B
(Advanced
Writing Skills: 25 Marks)
2. Water is precious and we
should stop its wastage. Prepare a poster in not more than 50 words urging people
to employ various methods of rain water harvesting in their own localities.
Answer:
SAVE EACH DROP OF WATER
REMEMBER:
WITHOUT WATER, THERE WOULD BE NO
BEWARE:
*** MOST OF THE WELLS HAVE GONE DRY
*** WATER-TABLE GOING DOWN EVERYDAY
*** SCARCITY OF WATER FELT
IN EVERY TOWN
*** ACUTE WASTE SHORTAGE
AHEAD
***
DON’T WASTE WATER SAVE EVERY DROP!
AWARENESS:
v TAKE
v NEVER LEAVE TAPS OPEN
v USE WATER PROPERLY AS MUSH
AS YOU NEED
v STORE RAIN WATER
SCIENTIFICALLY
USE WATER IN PLANTS
IN HARVESTING IN
YOUR AREA
· “WASTEFUL
OR:
2019: Write a classified advertisement for
the ‘Lost and Found column of a local newspaper stating the loss of your cell
phone while traveling in the local bus. You are Anwesha/Abhilash
|
Answer: LOST! LOST! LOST! Date: 05-02-2015 I had lost my black leather
handbag/suitcase/my cell or mobile phone while I was traveling in ASTC Bus
from Digboi to Tinisukia on 4th of February, 2020. I hereby
inform to everyone that my entire important documents or files were availed
on it. So, if someone gets it or will get it then please send it immediately
to my address or call me on-0123456789. I shall give the person with a
special gift and gratitude for future. My Address:- Name: Anwesha/Abhilash Bora, Resident of 16, Gopinath Bordoloi
Nagar,Tinisukia,780101, Contact No-0123456789 |
3. Your school has recently celebrated “Tree
Plantation Week” organizing a number of inter-school competitions highlighting
the ecological balance. As the Secretary of the Eco Club of your school,
prepare a report in 100-125 words, suitable to be published in your school
magazine. You are Nilim/Nilima.
Answer:
ABC Higher Secondary School
“Tree Plantation
Week”
Date: 15-02-2019
-By Nilim/Nilima., the Secretary of the Eco Club
The students and the teachers of ‘ABC Higher Secondary
School’ organized the ‘Tree Plantation Week’ with enrichment and conquest. The
chief minister and the education minister were present as chief guest on that
occasion. The chief minister planted a tree and inaugurated the ceremony. The
chief minister, the education minister, the principal and some other teachers
gave their valuable speeches for the Environment and the trees’ plantation and
its value as well as importance. Some students of class 12 performed the drama
“To Save mother earth, Plant More Trees’. Some inter-school competitions like
singing, recitation and dancing on ‘Nature & Trees’ were performed by the
students which gave the message of save the nature & the earth. The
painting competition on ‘The natural scenery’ and ‘beautiful environment’ were
also participated by the students. Besides the programmes, the students were
given an activity to ‘Cultivate Seeds and Nurture the plants/some trees’ in the
school campus with some prizes. An exhibition of showcase the nurtured various
tree plants were showed by the students. Overall, the occasion was a great
success with everybody’s praise and promised for ‘Nurture the trees and the
earth’. Finally, the programme was ended with national anthem
‘Jana Gana Mana Adhi’.
OR:
Your District Administration has celebrated
Silpi Divas at the District Library auditorium recently. Prepare a report on it
in 100-125 words to be published in “The Assam Tribune”.
Answer:
‘Silpi Divas Celebrated”
Reported by Staff/Press Reporter of Assam Tribune
Place: District Library Auditorium, Guwahti
Date: 17 January, 2019
Like the other places of Assam, our District
Administration has celebrated ‘Silpi Divas’ at the District Library auditorium
today. With singing the ‘Jilika Pakhira’ of ‘Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala’ ,
he inaugurated the programme. He and
some other guests gave some valuable speeches on ‘Jyoti Prasad Agarwala’ and
his contribution to Assam; ‘Jyoti Sangeet’, Assamese Film and so on. After
that, the programme/competition of ‘Jyoti Sangeet’ were performed by some
students and faculties. The First Assamese Drama ‘Joymati’ of Jyotiprasad was
performed on the stage. The essay and lecture competition on ‘The Life of Jyoti
Prasad’ were organized. The painting competition of ‘Jyoti Prasad Agarwala’ was
also included. Moreover, the dance competition on ‘Jyoti Sangeet’ was added
with the programme. Finally, Zubin Garg, Mahendra Hazarika, Bipin Chawdang and
some other famous singers performed some ‘Jyoti Sangeets’ and ended the
programme.
4. 2014 & 2015: You are Arunabh/Mandira,
station Road, Nalbari. You have seen an advertisement for the post of Receptionist /Sales Executive in a Multi-National
Company in Bangalore. Write a formal application for the post in response to
the advertisement.
or: 2019: You are Asha/Amrit. You have seen
an advertisement for the post of a Sales Executive in a reputed company. Write
an application, along with your detailed resume, to the Regional Director of
the company in response to the advertisement applying for the post.
(Note: This job application is a sample of
any Job related application. In the other questions, you should only change the
title, but others details will remain same)
Answer: Aunabh/Mandira
Station
Road,Nalbari
February 19,
2018
To
Director of the Multi-National Company,
Bangalore
Subject:
Request for appointment as a receptionist/Sales Executive /Any job or
business related post
Respected
Sir,
(if you get any advertisement write first like---This is response
to your advertisement published in Assam Tribune or other papers of January
17,2017 inviting application for the post of a receptionist/Sales Executive or mention other post, I wish to apply for
the same. I wish to state that I am a graduate/Master Degree in Commerce
Stream. Presently, I am unemployed and wish to serve asa receptionist/Sales
Executive/other post and possess the requisite experience and qualifications to
suit your requirement. I would require about a week’s time to join if selected
by you.
I passed MB.A. Degree in 2015. I am a dynamic young
man/girl of pleasant manners and good personality. I possess wonderful
communication skills. I have reasonable command over above mention the subject.
I have a diploma in computer also. I want to apply for the post of a
receptionist/Sales Executive. In
addition to working, I take keen interest in extracurricular activities also.
I enclose here a brief bio-data
of myself to enable you to assess my suitability for the post. I have no doubt
that my qualification and experience will make me a suitable candidate for the
job. I can assure you that I shall leave no stone unturned to prove my worth if
you selected or given a chance to serve. I am sure that I shall prove to be an
asset for your prestigious institution. I hope for a favourable response.
Yours faithfully
Arunabh/Mandira
Enclose: Bio-data
BIO-DATA
Name- Arunabh/Mandira Bora
Father Name- Hiranya Bora
Date of birth- 20th July, 1979
Gender- male/female
Marital Status- Unmarried
Permanent Address-
Vill-
Station
Road P.o- Y
P. S.- z Dist- Nalbari,
Pin-123456 State- Assam
Contact No: 0123456789
Email Id-podmeswarbora@gmail.com
Present Address- Same as Permanent Address
Education qualification-
M.Com. in Management and Financial Accounting or Marketing Management from
‘Guwahati
University’
Extra Qualification-
MCA from IGNOU and MBA
from “Aimfill International”, Guwahati
Experience- 5 Years Experience as
receptionist/Sales Executive in ABC Company, Guwahati
Language Known- Assamese, English and Hindi
Hobbies- Reading and writing.
Declaration
I hereby declare that above mention are true
and right. If you find any mistake in mention above, then my candidature is cancelled
by you without any proper information to me.
OR:
You are Aruna/Arun living in Amolapatty,
Sivasagar. Write a letter to the Editor of “The Sentinel” drawing the attention
of the concerned authority to the poor condition
of water supply in your locality.
Answer:
To
The
Editor
Of The
Sentinel / The Assam Tribune / Any Paper
Sub: Solve the poor condition of water supply in our locality
Respected
Sir,
I would like to draw the attention of
Government officials and concerned authorities to highlight about the poor condition of water supply in our locality or Amolapatty,
Sivasagar.
There are several problems that are faced by the
locals/publics for the improper water supply. We, the entire students are also
facing the problems for the lack of the proper water supply. In the morning,
some water is supplied, but it is not sufficient for us. Also, sometimes or
someday, the water supply is blanked out completely. These days, we have no
other option except buying the water. We requested and informed the water supply
department and the authority but they have not taken any further steps to solve
the problems.
So, I hereby request to you that kindly give a little
space in your newspaper for draw the attention to the concerned authorities or
Government for The poor condition of water supply in
our locality or in Amolapatty, Sivasagar.
Yours
faithfully/truly
Mohan/Anjali
in Amolapatty,
Sivasagar
To
‘SENTINEL
OFFICE’/Assam Tribune
Guwahati-781032
SECTION
C
(Grammar:
20 Marks)
5. Change the form of the narration in
the following sentences: 2 x 2 =4
(a) Reena said to the boy, “what’s the matter? Why are you crying? Be cheerful.”
Answer: Reena asked the boy what the matter was and why he was crying. She advised him to be cheerful.
(b)The customer inquired if he could get a garden roller in that shop. The assistant respectfully replied that he would get it in the hardware department.
Answer: The customer said, “Can I get a garden roller in this shop?” The assistant said, “Sir, you will get it in the hardware department.”
6. Change the voice of any three of the
following sentences: 3 x 1 = 3
(a) Drive the car slowly.
Answer: Let the car be driven slowly.
(b) I am writing a letter now.
Answer: A letter is being written by me now.
(c) We should not encourage indiscipline.
Answer: Indiscipline should not be encouraged by us.
(d) Who wrote the Ramayana?
Answer: By whom was the Ramayana written?
(e) Promises should be kept.
Answer: We/You should keep promises.
(f) He will be forgotten in a few years.
Answer: Someone/Everyone will forget him in a few years.
7. Rewrite any five of the following
sentences using the verbs given in brackets in their correct tense forms: 5 x 1 = 5
(a) I met him while (go) to his office.
Answer: I met him while going to his office.
(b)They (live) in this place since 1970.
Answer: They have been living in this place since 1970.
(c) The train (leave) before I reached the station.
Answer: The train had left before I reached the station.
(d) I wish I (be) a bird!
Answer: I wish I were a bird!
(e) Your letter (reach) me yesterday.
Answer: Your letter reached me yesterday.
(f) He (make) a doll now.
Answer: He is making a doll now.
8. Rewrite any four of the following
sentences filling in the blanks with appropriate prepositions: 4 x 1 = 4
(a)What is the time…………your watch now?
Answer: What is the time by your watch now?
(b)The students of this college have free access………the Principal.
Answer: The students of this college have free access to the Principal.
(c) You should take proper care……your books.
Answer: You should take proper care of your books.
(d) A sage has no desire………material wealth.
Answer: A sage has no desire for material wealth.
(e)India is rich……..minerals.
Answer: India is rich in minerals.
(f) He is very particular………his health.
Answer: He is very particular about his health.
(g) I did that without any malice……..you.
Answer: I did that without any malice with you.
9. Rewrite any four of the sentences as
directed: 4 x 1 =4
(Not in the syllabus of 2021)
SECTION
D
(Text
books: 45 Marks)
10. Read one of the following extracts
and answer the questions that follow:
(a)
Therefore,
on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite
of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of
nobles natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all
the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made
for our searching: yes, in spite of ail,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
from
our dark spirits.
(i)Why do we do every day? 1
Answer: We are wreathing/making a flowery
band to bind us to the beauties of the natural earth every day.
(ii)What removes the pall from our dark
spirits ? 1
Answer: Some shape of beauty removes the pall
from our dark spirits.
(iii)What is the message expressed in
these lines? 2
Answer: These lines express that some shape of beauty makes human beings love
life in spite of troubles and sufferings. It moves away the entire dark spirits
and the sorrows of the gloomy days by the loveliness of beauty.
OR:
“Driving from my parent’s
home to Cochin last Friday
morning, I saw my mother,
beside me
doze,
open mouthed her face
ashen
like that of a corpse………….”
Questions:
(i)Where
was the poet driving to ? 1
Answer:
The poet was driving from her parent’s home to Cochin airport.
(ii)
What did she notice when her mother sat beside her? 1
Answer:
When her mother sat beside her then she noticed that she was dozing/ sleeping
lightly. Her mouth was open and her face looked ashen/pale like a corpse/dead
body.
(iii)Find
words from the passage that mean ‘sleep lightly’ and ‘dead body’. 1
Answer:
sleep lightly--- doze, and dead body—corpse
(iv)
Why was her mother’s face like that of a corpse? 1
Answer:
Her mother’s face was ashen, pale, dull and totally colourless, so it was like
that of a corpse.
11. Answer any three of the following
questions in 30-40 words: 3 x 2
= 6
(i)How did the travelers on the highways react to
the roadside stand ?
( Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(ii) What, according to Keats, makes human beings
love life in spite of all its problems and miseries?
Answer: According to Keats, some shape of beauty makes human beings love life in
spite of all its problems and miseries. It moves away the entire dark spirits and the sorrows
of the gloomy days by the loveliness of beauty.
(iii) Why quietness would be an exotic moment for
the speaker in ‘Keeping Quiet’?
Answer:
Quietness
would be an exotic moment for the speaker in ‘Keeping Quiet’. Because,
quietness would be an ‘exotic
moment’ which is a moment of keeping still without rush and without engines
along with the other works. Also, it would all be together in a sudden
strangeness.
(iv) What is Pablo Neruda’s opinion about different
kinds of wars?
Answer: Pablo Neruda’s opinion about different kinds
of wars is that the men who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire
and the wars where there would no survivors to victory, these men should put on
clean clothes and walk with their brother in the shade and at that time they
should not do anything or any work.
(v) What is the significance of the parting words of
the speaker and her smile in ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’?
Answer: The parting words of the poet “See you soon, Amma” signify an assurance
of life and a promise of meeting again shortly. Along with this, her smile
signifies the overcome of the ache and childhood fear that inside her heart.
12.
Answer any five of the following questions: 5
x 1 = 5
(a)
What is the river mentioned in
“The last Lesson”?
Answer: The river mentioned in “the last
lesson” is Saar.
(b) Where does Saheb originally hail from ?
Answer: Saheb originally hails from Dhaka,
Bangladesh.
(c) Which country had developed synthetic
indigo?
Answer:
Germany had developed synthetic indigo.
(d) Where did Gandhi stay in Muzzafarpur?
Answer:
Gandhi stayed in Muzzafarpur for two days in the home of Professor Malkani, a
teacher in a government school.
(e)
Who is Darek? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(f)
What did Sophie dream of? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(g)
Name of the book from which “Memories of a Chota Sahib” is taken.
13. Answer any five in 30-40 words: 5 x 2 = 10
(a)What words did M. Hamel write on the
blackboard before dismissing the last class? What did they mean?
Answer: M.
Hamel wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard before dismissing the last
class. They meant that Franch might long live.
(b) What would Franz love to do on that
sunny morning instead of going to school?
Answer:
Franz loved to enjoy the birds chirping at the edge of the woods that sunny
morning instead of going to school. He also loved to see the Prussian soldiers
drilling in the open field back of the sawmill.
(c)
What is the actual name of Saheb? What does it signify ?
Answer:
The actual name of Saheb is “Saheb-e-Alam. It signifies the lord of the
universe.
(d) How was a
solution to the problem of indigo share-croppers of Champaran found?
Answer: Gandhiji had to appear in the court
for the sharecroppers for helping them and disobey the order of leaving
Champaran. By the supports of lawyers and spontaneous demonstration of thousands
of peasants, Gandhi was released and interviewed with Sir Edward Gait, the
Lieutenant-Governor for the case. After the settlement, an official commission
appointed and made inquiry on it. By the various evidents, it was proved that
the landlord took the money illegally and deceitfully. So, the landlord had to
refund 25 percent to the sharecroppers.
Thus,
Gandhi helped the sharecroppers to get an honourable settlement
(e) Why didn’t Sophie want Jansie to know about her story
with Danny? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(f) Give a brief description of the Peacock Island.
(Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(g)What is a marboat and how is it operated?
(Not in the syllabus of 2021)
14.Answer any one of the following
questions in 80-100 words: 1 x 5 = 5
(a)Describe the character of Sophie’s father and the
role played by him in the story “Going Places”.
(Not in the syllabus of 2021)
OR
(b) Describe
the exploitation of the indigo sharecroppers by the English landlords. How did
Gandhi help them to get an honourable settlement?
or: What was the long-term contract
between the English landlords and the sharecroppers of Champaran? Why did the
sharecroppers protest against this agreement and how?
or: What was the sharecropping
arrangement drawn up between the landlords and the peasants after developing of
synthetic indigo?
Answer: Most of
the arable land in the Champaran district was divided into large estates owned
by Englishmen and worked by Indian tenants. The chief commercial crop was
indigo. The landlords compelled all tenants to plant three twentieths or 15 per
cent of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as
rent. This was done by long-term contract.
When Germany had developed synthetic
indigo thereupon the landlords obtained agreements from the sharecroppers to
pay them compensation for being released from the 15 per cent arrangement.
Gandhi reached at that moment in
Champaran. He visited the secretary of the British landlord’s association and
also met British official commissioner of the Tirhut division on regarding the
problems of sharecroppers. He had to appear in the court for the sharecroppers
for helping them and disobey the order of leaving Champaran. By the supports of
lawyers and spontaneous demonstration of thousands of peasants, Gandhi was
released and interviewed with Sir Edward Gait, the Lieutenant-Governor for the
case. After the settlement, an official commission appointed and made inquiry
on it. By the various evident, it was proved that the landlord took the money
illegally and deceitfully. So, the landlord had to refund 25 percent to the
sharecroppers.
Thus, Gandhi helped the
sharecroppers to get an honourable settlement.
15. Answer any one of the following
questions in 125-150 words: 1 x
7 = 7
(a)Write a
character-sketch of Dr. Sadao Hoki as depicted in “The Enemy”.
Answer: In the
story, “The Enemy”, Dr. Sadao is the main hero and protagonist. Dr. Sadao was a
Japanese surgeon. He went to America and studied medicine from there. He was
simple, sober and kind hearted person. His wife named Hana, a caring, loving
and sympathetic woman. He met her at a party which was held for foreign students
at an American professor’s house.
One day, Dr. Sadao and Hana found a
wounded soldier or prisoner on the sea-shore. The prisoner or soldier was an
American and their enemy for their country. So, at first, they thought of
putting the soldier or prisoner back into the sea. But, they carried him to
their house. Dr. Sadao and Hana looked after him and took an operation. After
some days of treatment, he was cured and became fully conscious.
Later, Dr. Sadao managed a boat and
other essential goods to escape for the soldier or prisoner and finally he
escaped successfully. But, Dr. Sadao falsely informed to the General that he
was escaped.
Thus, Dr. Sadao played role of a
kind-hearted person and a fine doctor who had done his work as a human being in
“The Enemy”.
OR
(b) ‘Though both Mr. Lamb and Derry
suffer from a physical disability, their attitude to life is very different.”
Justify the relevance of this statement
with reference to the story, “On the Face of it”.
Answer: Though both Mr. Lamb and Derry suffer from a
physical disability, but their attitude to life is different.
Derry’s one side of his face is burnt.
Once, he got acid all down that side of his face. Then, it burned all away and
ate his face up. So, Derry feels that everyone is afraid of him at seeing his
face. So, he always wants to away from the people and lives alone.
But, Mr. Lamb is
totally different attitude to life from Derry. Mr. Lamb perceives things in
positive manner. According to him, everybody has got two arms, two legs, two
eyes and two ears, also has got a tongue and a brain. So, he or she can get on
the way which she or he wants like all the rest in their life. Besides, Mr.
Lamb looks at the beauty of the heart not the body. (147 words)
16. Answer any four of the following
questions in 30-40 words: 4 x 2 = 8
(a) What did the Maharaja decide to do when he
remembered the astroler’s prediction? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(b) Who was Hana? What did she notice coming out of
the mist ?
Answer: Hana was the wife of Dr. Sadao who was a very
caring, loving and sympathetic woman. Dr. Sadao met her at a party which was held for foreign students at an
American professor’s house.
Hana and Sadao saw something black come out of the mists. It turned out to be a man, as if flung up out of the ocean, staggering a few steps, his
body outlined against the mist and arms above his head. Hana and Dr. Sadao noticed something black come out of mist, which they later came to know was a man (the prisoner or the soldier).
(c) How did Derry
get his face burnt?
Answer:
Derry’s one side of his face was burnt. Once, he got acid all down that side of
his face. Then, it burned it all away and ate his face up. So, people are
afraid of and disdain for his face.
(d) Why was Zitkala Sa in tears
on the first day in the land of apples? (Not in the syllabus of 2021)
(e)
What is the meaning of ‘Domahi’ ? What do people usually have for lunch on that
day?
Ans:-
The meaning of domahi is the junction of two months.
The
people take the lunch on the day of Domahi and samkranti day or uruka is not
rice but chira, pitha, curd, mah – karai, takeli pitha, sunga
pitha and so on.
(f) How is the delicacy ‘Sunga-pitha’ prepared?
Answer: “Sunga – saul”, another name of ‘Sunga pitha’,
is made from the sticky bora rice steamed in a bamboo tube. When it
is done, the sticky roll is made into pieces and eaten mixed with milk and
gur. In upper Assam, there seems to be a preference for fried pithas.
THE END