SECTION -A
READING COMPREHENSION (SEEN)
1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
When the family sits down to tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share. He purrs noisily and rubs himself against the legs of the family members. If there is a guest at the table the cat is particularly civil to him, because the guest is likely to have the best of what is offered. Sometimes. instead of giving him something to eat, the guest stoops down and strokes the cat. and says, “Poor pussy “. The cat soon tires of that. He puts up his claw and quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg. “Ow !” says the guest, “The cat stuck his claws into me !”. The delighted family remarks, “Isn’t it sweet of him ? Isn’t he intelligent ? He wants you to give him Something to eat”
The guest dares not do what he would like to do – kick the cat out of the window. So, with tears of rage and pain in his eyes, he affects to be very much amused, and sorts out a bit of fish from his plate and hands it down. The cat gingerly receives it, with a look in his eyes that says, “Another time, my friend, you won’t be so slow to understand.” He purrs as he retires to a safe distance from the guest’s boot before eating his food.
A. Write the correct alternative in the given space to complete the following sentences : 1×5=5
(a) The cat is particularly civil to the
(i) children
(ii) family members
(iii) strangers
(iv) guest of the family
Ans:
(b) At tea-time the cat puts in an appearance to
(i) see if there is anyone new
(ii) disturb the family members
(ii) get his share of food
(iv) rake the legs of the guest
Ans:
(c) Sometimes, the guest stoops down and strokes the cat instead of
(i) offering food
(ii) kicking it
(ii) ignoring it
(iv) having food
Ans :
(d) The purring cat rubs himself against the legs of the
(i) guest of the family
(ii) members of the family
(iii) guest and family members
(iv) people outside the house
(e) With tears of rage and pain in eyes, the guest affects to be very much
(i) angry
(ii) amused
(iii) honoured
(iv) unhappy
Ans:
B. Complete the information from the following sentences with text :1×3=3
(i) The guest wishes to___________________
(i) Putting up his claw the cat _______________________
(ii) The cat retires to a safe distance to___________
C. State whether the following statements are True’ or False’. Write ‘T’ for True’ and F’ for ‘False’ in the boxes on the right-hand side. Also provide sentences/phrases from the passage in support of your answers :2×2=4
(i) The guest was amused when the cat raked him in
the leg.
Supporting sentence:
(ii) The family members were not ashamed of the behaviour of the cat.
Supporting sentence :
2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky.
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all lask is a windy day with the white clouds flying
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again,to the vagrant gypsy life
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knite
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
A. Tick the correct alternative to complete the following sentences: 1×4=4
(a) During his journey the poet’s ship will be guided by
(i) the sail
(ii) the wind
(ii) the star
(iv) the whale
(b) “I must go down …” this line expresses the poet’s
(i) frustration about sea voyage
(ii) determination to go on sea voyages
(iii) anxiety about hardships of sea voyage
(iv) depression for not being able to go on a voyage
(c)The living creatures mentioned inthe poem are-
(i) gulls and whales
(ii) mariners, gulls and whales
(ii) fellow rovers and whales
(iv) the poet and fellow rovers
(d) The poet desires his fellow rover to be in a
(i) agloomy mood
(ii) pensive mood
(iii) reckless mood
(iv) joyous mood
B. Answer the following questions: 2×2=4
(i) Why does the poet compare the life of a mariner with the life of gypsies ?
Ans:
(ii) What does the poet ask for at the end of a voyage ?
Ans:
READING COMPREHENSION (UNSEEN)
3. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
It was back in 1975 that India launched its Crocodile Conservation Project in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park. the former hunting grounds of kings trom the Kanika princely state.
Today there are 1811 saltwater crocodiles in Bhitarkanika, a vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp, but back in 1975 the number of saltwater crocodiles was only 74. In 1975, barely three years after the passage of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, crocodiles were very much threatened and were on the verge of extinction in India due to indiscriminate killing for commercial purposes and severe loss of natural habitat. “The main objective of the crocodile conservation project was to protect the animal’s natural habitat and revive the population through captive breeding” said Mr. Sudhakar Kar, Odisha’s Crocodile Man’.
Kar, after his retirement as senior scientist, has been imparting technical expertise and methodology on the conservation of these saltwater monsters. He added, “the conservation of crocodiles is not a passing fact for me but a mission,” [Adapted from an article putblished in The Hindu dated 1 7th June 2024]
A. Tick the right answer : 1×6=6
(i) India launched its Crocodile Conservation Project in
(a) 1978
(b) 2024
(c) 1975
(d) 1974
(ii) Currently in Bhitarkanika National Park the number of crocodiles is
(a) About three thousand
(b) More than two thousand
(c) About two thousand
(d) Less than thousand
(iii) The number of crocodiles in India has increased due to
(a) Forced breeding
(b) Captive breeding
(c) Natural breeding
(d) Segregated breeding
(iv) The year 1972 is significant for wild life enthusiasts in India because this year
(a)The Wild Life Protection Act was passed in India
(b) The Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in India
(c) Bhitarkanika was declared a national park by Indian government
(d) TheCrocodile Man of Odisha started working as a senior scientist
(V) Conservation of these saltwater monsters” refers to conservation of
(a) Monsters living in Bhitarkanika
(b) Wild animals living in saltwater
(c) Crocodiles living in saltwater
(d) Animals living in saltwater
(vi)An appropriate title for the passage would be
(a) An endeavour to protect crocodiles
(b)Ways to conserve wild animals of India
(c) 50th year of India’s Crocodile Conservation
(d) The visionary scientist- Mr. Sudhakar Kar
B. Each of the following statements is either ‘True’ or ‘False’. Write T’ for ‘True’ and F for ‘False’ in the boxes on the right-hand side. Also write suitable line(s) or phrase(s) from the passage in support of your answers : (1+1)x3=6
(i) Since 1975 the number of crocodiles in India has decreased drastically.
Supporting sentence:
(ii) The Bhitarkanika National Park used to be the hunting grounds of kings from Kanika Princely states.
Supporting sentence:
(iii) After retirement Mr. Sudhakar Kar is no longer associated with crocodile Conservation.
Supporting sentence :
C. Answer the following questions : 2×4=8
(i) What were the main objectives of the crocodile Conservation project ?
Ans :
(ii) Why were the saltwater crocodiles on the verge of extinction in 1975?
Ans:
(ii) Who is referred to as Odisha’s ‘Crocodile Man’ ? Which post did he retire from ?
Ans:
(iv) How does Mr. Kar contribute to the conservation project even after his retirement ?
Ans:
SECTION B
GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY
4. Write the correct alternatives to fill in the blanks : 1×3=3
It ____ (was drizzling/had been drizzling/is drizzling) continually for hours together from morning. But in the
afternoon, the wind______ (grew up/grows up/growing up). Then______(comes/came/had come) the storm with heavy gust.
5. Do asdirected:
A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions : 1×3=3
Last year we visited Haridwar____ summer. We stayed in a hotel _____the river. Though____hotel was a bit expensive it was very nice.
B. (i) We patched the kite up with a letter. (Change the voice) 1×3=3
Ans :
(ii) Father asked him, “Have you no school today ?”
(Change into indirect speech)
Ans:
(iii) The people were very much stunned. They could not speak in thebeginning. (Join the sentences into a simple sentence)
Ans :
C. Choose the correct phrasal verbs from the list given below to replace the words underlined. Write the correct phrasal verbs in the boxes on the right-hand side changing the form where necessary. There is one extra phrasal verb in the list : 1×3=3
(i) The officer demanded his explanation for the
work.
(ii) We must reduce our daily expenses.
(iii) I cannot remember his name.
[callup, cut off, call for, cut down]
6. Given below are the meanings of four words which you will find in the passage in Question No. 3. Find out the words and write them in the appropriate boxes on the right-hand side: 2×4=8
(i) the natural home or environment of an animal
(i) to bring something back to life
(ii) important assignment or vocation
(iv) target
SECTION -C
WRITING
7. Write a letter to the editor of an English daily complaining about the pollution caused by fire crackers. (in about 100 words) Your letter should include the following points:
Air and sound pollution -health hazards -suffering of children and aged people.
8. Write a paragraph (within 100 words) about the advantages of morning walk. You may use the following points:
Introduction-easiest fom ofexercise-early start for the day’s work- energy and prevent weight gain-improve memory – fresh water freshens mind-lower risk of heart disease – conclusion.
9. Write a newspaper report (in about 100 words) on a dacoity in your area. You may use the following points :
Locality and place of occurrence- date and time- valuables looted -the number of dacoits- impact- steps taken.
