Set 1
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
On Dec. 26, 2004 nature shocked us. It was a black day for the world. Nature blinded us by unleashing the demon named as Tsunami, which came to life through a gigantic earthquake in the Indian Ocean. It affected countries from Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia to India, Bangladesh, Maldives and even France, Kenya and Somalia. The worst in four decades, it battered an endless coastline of south and south-east Asia, with the toll nearing some 2,00,000 of which some 11,500 deaths are in India alone. The word 'Tsunami' comes from the Japanese words 'Tsu' (harbour) and 'Nami' (wave). About 80% of all tsunamis occurred in the Pacific Ocean and Japan has suffered many times.
Tsunamis could be better described as a wave train, or series of waves caused in a sea or ocean by submarine earthquakes. These killer waves of the nature which occurred on the fateful Sunday, could be generated when the water was disturbed by the uplift or subsidence of the sea flour. Cape Lopakta in Siberia, witnessed the highest tsunami ever recorded, in 1737. The wave rose 210 ft. above sea level. Another demoniac tsunami wave more than seven stories tall, engulfed whole villages along Sanriku, Japan in 1896 drowning almost 26,000 people. We can only pray to Mother Nature not to show this cruelty to us.
Questions:
(a) Why is Dec. 26, 2004 a black day for the world? 2
(b) What does Tsunami mean? 2
(c) What happened in 1737? 2
(d) Can anything be done about Tsunami? 1
(e) Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘troubled’. 1
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
The Parliament House has seen more than just speeches and legislations since it was inaugurated in 1927. The Central Hall was where Indian Independence was actually realised with the transfer of power. And it was from this magnificently-domed hall Jawaharlal Nehru made his 'tryst with destiny' speech on the night of August 14-15.
Parliament House was also the site of Bhagat Singh's 'propagandist' bomb attack at what was then the Central Assembly Hall. No, it wasn't the present Central Hall, which was then a library, but one of the two Houses. On April 8, 1929 Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt tossed two bombs onto the corridors of the assembly just when the Viceroy's proclamation enacting two bills-Public Safety and Trade Disputes-was to be made despite a majority of the members being opposed to them. No one was hurt as the bombs were deliberately thrown away from people.
The duo shouted lnquilab Zindabad and showered the hall with red leaflets that began with a quote from French anarchist Auguste Valiant. "It takes a loud voice to make the deaf hear." The action seemed to have been inspired by Valiant's symbolic gesture of throwing a small bomb into the Chamber of Deputies to highlight the plight of the people in 1893.
As with other aspects of Bhagat Singh's life, myths abound over his association with Delhi. What can be said with a degree of certainty is that in September 1928, the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army was born in the ruins of Ferozeshah Kotla (and not at the site of the present Shaheed Park outside Kotla) Among those present were Bhagat Singh and Ajoy Ghosh, future general secretary of CPI.
Another place linked in popular imagination with Bhagat Singh is the old Viceregal Lodge, What is now the DU vice-chancellor's office. The tale goes thus: After their arrest at Parliament House, Bhagat Singh and his associate were kept in the wine-cellar of the lodge. There are even popular accounts of him being made to sleep over ice slabs here. But all this, says historian Shahid Amin, is pure imagination.
"A trial of 14 persons charged with conspiracy to commit murder and with other arms and explosives offences did start in the main block of the Old Viceregal Lodge on April 15,1931. But that was three weeks after Bhagat Singh had been hanged (on March 23. 1931" he says.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) When was the Parliament inaugurated? 2
(b) What was the name of Nehru's first speech? Where was it made? 2
(c) Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(d) Where were Bhagat Singh and his associates kept after their arrest? 2
2.2 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(a) Secret Plan by a group to do something unlawful.
(b) A widely held but false belief.
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the opposite of the following: 2
(a) Favoured
(b) Facts
Set 2
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
Sabarimala is in the Western Ghats and is named after Sabari, the tribal woman mentioned in the Ramayan, who attained salvation after her meeting with Ram. Sabrimala is believed to be the abode of Lord Ayyappa and is visited by about one crore pilgrims every year. For 41 days, devotees follow a controlled lifestyle. They eat only vegetarian food; refrain from consuming alcohol or tobacco and follow personal cleanliness and celibacy.
Pilgrims wear only black clothes and don't shave irrespective of caste, creed, social status
or religious belief, anyone can worship at the temple. All pilgrims are referred to as 'swamy' during the pilgrimage. Offerings to Ayyappa are tied in a bag with two compartments, known as irumudi. This contains a ghee-filled coconut, puffed and beaten rice, camphor, betel leaves and nuts, and incense sticks. Pilgrims carry the offerings on their heads throughout the arduous journey chanting the slogan Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa, which means, 'Oh Ayyappa ; I seek refuge in you'. The 18 steps to the temple represent the 18 Puranas. Close to the temple's entrance, there is a temple to a Muslim disciple, Vavar Swamy, while those of two tribal Chiefs, Kadutha Swamy and Karuppa Swamy, are positioned on either side of the steps..
Questions:
(a) How did the pilgrim centre Sabarimala get its name? 2
(b) What ritual preparation do the pilgrims follow? 2
(c) What is irumudi and what does it contain? 2
(d) What do the 18 steps to the temple represent? 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
Built by the British after the 1857 uprising the Army barracks inside the Red Fort are an eyesore. They were, however, witness to one of the most crucial events of the final phase of the independence struggle. The historic trials of the captured soldiers of Netaji Subhash Bose's Indian National Army (INA) were held here in 1945.
The INA trials began at Red Fort in November 1945. But much before the trials began, the fate of the INA prisoners had captured popular imagination. In August 1945, Jawaharlal Nehru issued a demand for leniency. Soon there was a groundswell of popular support for the INA detainees. Senior INA officers such as Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sahgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon became potent symbols of India’s struggle for Independence.
Celebrated lawyers represented the prisoners. Bhulabhai Desai, Tej Bahadur Sapru, K.N. Katju and Nehru himself appeared in court at barrack no. B 4 where the trials were being held. The Congress set up a Central INA Fund Committee where people donated generously. When the trial was on, Delhi was in ferment. Pamphlets were circulated and posters threatening death to "20 English dogs" for every INA prisoner were pasted all over Delhi.
Now, the barracks stand empty and in dire need of repairs. Some of them will soon be used to house one of the country's biggest museums. Said an official from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) "Plans are underway for a grand museum at the British barracks that have such a strong element of history attached to them."
According to the ASI, two barracks used to imprison Khan, Sahgal, Dhillon and hundreds of' INA soldiers are now being maintained as a memorial. This was originally a guardroom constructed by the British army in 1916.
The ASI took over these barracks from Indian Army in 1993 for conservation and preservation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Quit India Movement. The uniforms worn by INA soldiers, photographs of Netaji and other items are on display. In one of the galleries, materials found during excavations carried out by the ASI inside the fort in 1995 as well as photographs can be viewed.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) What is the historical importance of the army barracks inside the Red Fort? 2
(b) What did Nehru do for the INA prisoners? 2
(c) Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(d) What has been done by the ASI to preserve the place where the INA soldiers were kept by the Britishers? 2
2.2 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(a) Luck
(b) Digging
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage which mean the opposite of the following: 2
(a) Full
(b) Freed
Set 3
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
Much like the myth about the Abominable Snowman, that is believed to make appearances from its habitat on the icy Himalayan slopes, there has grown a legend all over America around an elusive, shy, hairy beast. The sighting of this denizen of the Pacific mode, compelled people form a picture in the mind of an uncouth, gorilla-like creature wandering through the thick vegetation. As if to add credibility to such guesses about the being, there have been several accounts from eye witnesses, who have "identified tracks, heard piercing cries and seen the tree branches broken off too high to be snapped by a human".
But Bigfoot, which has so long offered a fertile field for extensive search and serious effort towards locating and proving its existence, is suddenly turning into a total farce-probably a colossal practical joke! The latest development suggesting a big hoax, has struck at the very roots of a legend that has gone into popular culture. Like a bolt from the blue the news has emerged from the final confessions of Ray Wallace who died in November 2002 at the age of 84 in Washington. Facts presented by his family reveal that Wallace was a lifelong practical joker who enjoyed every bit of the fun generated out of his indulgences in unusual acts of humour.
Questions:
(a) Who is the abominable Snowman believed to be? 1
(b) What picture of this gorilla like creature did the Americans form? 2
(c) How was the presence of this creature proved? 2
(d) What is the practical joke played by Ray Wallace? 2
(e) Explain "fertile field for extensive search". 1
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
As you walk through the meandering Ballimaran Street in Old Delhi, chances are you would go past Sharif Manzil without noticing it. Today it's just another decrepit structure standing cheek-by-jowl with other houses all adding up to a congested mass of concrete. But Sharif Manzil is an address that dates back 267 years. Said to have been constructed in 1740, a year after Nadir Shah sacked Delhi, It's one of the oldest and most illustrious havelis of Delhi.
Built by the royal physicians of the Mughals who came to India during Babur's rule, the haveli was home to Hakim Ajmal Khan, a scion of the family and Delhi's best known Unani practitioner--he was known to charge Rs 1,000 per day for outstation calls, but would treat his patients free of charge if they came to him. Ajmal Khan (1863-1927) dominated political life in the Delhi of the early 1900s. He had a unique double to his name, having been elected president of both Indian National Congress and Muslim League (in those days, it wasn't too odd for nationalistic Muslims to wear both hats).
Ajmal Khan was a friend and ally of Gandhi and stood for Hindu-Muslim unity. As an illustrious citizen of Delhi, he often acted as a bridge between the British government and the people of the city. However, during periods of political tension-like the Rowlatt Satyagraha of 1919--Ajmal Khan sided with the citizens. One of his lasting contributions to the city is as an institution-builder. He set up the Jamia Millia University and the Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College, among others.
Sharif Manzil fell on bad times after 1947 when Ajmal Khan's grandson shifted to Pakistan. Today the sprawling complex houses a guest house and a market which is partly occupied by Afghan traders.
Other Old Delhi havelies also came to be associated with the national movement. There was the palatial Darus Salaam (Abode of Peace) where M A Ansari lived. Its current address is 1, Ansari Road in Daryaganj. Ansari was an England-educated doctor and an eminent Congressman who became president of the party. The Ansaris would often host Gandhi when he visited Delhi and the house was a hub of Congress politics. Other prominent 'political havelis', like the one owned by Motilal Nehru haven't stood the test of time.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) What is the present condition of Sharif Manzil in Old Delhi? 2
(b) What is the historical background of this building? 2
(c) Who was Ajmal Khan? What role did he play during the British period? 2
(d) What is the historical background of 1, Ansari Road? 2
2.2 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(a) Busy
(b) Related to king family
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the opposite of: 2
(a) Strong
(b) Temporary
Set 4
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
The shape of a creeper depends on the support it gets. Similarly, the personality of a child largely depends upon his or her parental support, love, care and guidance.
A child cannot grow well without the strong support of an inspiring and caring adult. In parent-child relationship, there should be no inhibitions, no forcing of ideas and attitudes and no communication gap. If such a gap exists in this relationship then it is bound to lead to all sorts of misunderstandings and complications. Parents should be like sheltering trees where their children can seek refuge. Different issues which affect the children should be discussed, thrashed and then the children should be given the last say. Gone are the days of awe and fear imposed on them. They should be treated in a friendly manner so that they can share the good and bad experiences of their day to day life.
Childhood experiences are lasting and they affect the development of the whole personality in a positive way. Children might be lost in the labyrinth of life if proper guidance is not given to them or parents don't understand their feelings, ambitions and aspirations. Not only does a child learn by the conscious efforts of the parents but he or she also learns from the responses that are deliberately planned or consciously taught by them. The learning that takes place in a child largely depends upon the parents-child interaction. So more and more interaction and friendly treatment should form the basis of parents-child relationship.
Questions:
(a) What factors determine the personality of a child? 2
(b) What should be the role of parents towards their children? 2
(c) Why should the children be treated in a friendly manner? 2
(d) What is the contribution of childhood experiences in the development of a child? ' 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life at Birla House at 5 Tees January Marg. It was here, in the evening of January 30, that Bapu emerged from a meeting with Sardar Patel and was walking to his daily prayer meeting when his life was snuffed out by an assassin's bullets. The building was acquired by the government in 1971 and is now called Gandhi Smriti.
But there are other places in the city where Bapu lived during his long political life. One such place is the Harijan Colony at Mandir Marg where he lived from April 1946 to June 1947. Ganni, a resident of the colony, isn't sure how old he is, but he remembers Gandhi as someone who taught his people not to stoop while sweeping the floor, which led them to start using the long broomstick.
The colony, now Valmiki Sadan, still retains the austere aura that Gandhiji championed. "The government has come up with numerous offers to make a memorial in the room where he stayed, but the Valmiki Samaj has declined. Gandhiii himself turned down an offer from Seth Birla when he offered to renovate this room for him." said Maharaj Krishna Vidyarthi, who takes care of the Valmiki temple next door.
Valmiki Sadan is actually an NDMC colony, which now houses third and fourth generations of the initial inhabitants who had lived with Gandhi. "He used to come armed with his stick in the afternoons asking us to disperse and let him sleep. We used to wonder why this old man won't let us play in peace," says 76-year-old Sukha Ram, president of Valmiki Samaj. Gandhi also lived for a while at Harijan Sevak Sangh in north Delhi and in the early part of his career, he stayed with prominent citizens of the city.
Questions:
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) Where did Gandhiji spend his last days? 2
(b) What did Gandhiji teach people while living in the Harijan Basti ? 2
(c) Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(d) What is the present condition of Valmiki Sadan ? 2
2.2 Pick out the words/phrases from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(i) Taken out
(ii) A political murderer
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the opposite of the following: 2
(i) Disappeared
(ii) Accepted
Set 5
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
Sri Lanka wants to reintroduce English as a medium of study for senior students to make them more presentable for employment, but a shortage of qualified lecturers has forced them to first teach teachers the language. "We can't find lecturers to teach in English, so it will take us some time to introduce it as a medium of study." said Prof. Lakshman Jayatilake of the National Education Commission, which advises the government on Education policy.
He said English was introduced this year for science medium advanced level students in 25 per cent of the country's schools, which was possible because there were sufficiently qualified teachers who studied the language for their degrees. The problem is with the Arts teachers because they have done their entire education in Sinhalese or Tamil and so they have to teach English themselves, Jayatilake said.
In the late 1950s, Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike changed the medium of study to the mother tongue as part of his 'Sinhala only' policy. Ironically, nearly half a century later his daughter President Chandrika Kumaratunga has realised the folly in the system and brought about a change in education policy. A poor English standard amongst Sri Lankan graduates is a major reason for their unemployment and the country's private sector has for long demanded the reintroduction of English.
Questions:
(a) What does Sri Lanka want for senior students? 2
(b) What did the Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike do in the late 1950s? 2
(c) What did Chandrika Kumaratunga realise? 2
(d) What is the major reason for unemployment amongst Sri Lankan graduates? 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
Marriage is no more a distant dream for girls from the poor and underprivileged sections of society, with the Department of Social Welfare coming to their rescue with a slew of projects that provide financial assistance.
These projects have helped millions of poor families to get their daughters married without falling into debt to usurious moneylenders.
A pioneering project in the country, this scheme occupies pride of place among all schemes implemented by the Social Welfare Department more so as it stipulates a minimum educational qualification for the beneficiaries.
The department, at present, implements five schemes to provide assistance for the marriage or remarriage of girls of poor families in the 18 to 30 age group.
Subsequent improvements have been made on some of the schemes that have been in existence for several years now, keeping in tune with the times. As pointed out by Chief Minister M. Karu:nanidhi in his 2007-08 budget speech, "The government has revived the Moovalur Ammaiyar Memorial Marriage Assistance Scheme by providing financial assistance for marriage without distinguishing between the beneficiaries on the basis of caste or creed. The quantum of assistance has also been increased from Rs.10.000 to Rs,15,000. This year 46,000 women have benefited from the scheme. In the coming financial year 50,000 women will benefit. A sum of Rs.75 crore has been provided for the purpose." The Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme, for example, provides an assistance of Rs.15,000 if the annual income of the girl's family is less than Rs.12,000. Only one girl from each family can benefit from the scheme, and she should have studied up to Standard X (Standard V for members of Scheduled Tribes). Under the E.V.R. Maniammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme for daughters of poor widows assistance of Rs.10,000 is given if the girl's family income is less than Rs.12,000 a year.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) Why is marriage no more a dream for the poor in the state? 2
(b) Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(c) What changes have been made in Moovalur Memorial Marriage Assistance Scheme? 2
(d) What are the salient features of the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme? 2
2.2 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(i) Poor
(ii) One after another
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the opposite of the following: 2
(i) Decreased
(ii) Near
Set 6
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
It took about 3,00,000 years for early man to learn how to grow crops. This invention of agriculture was the beginning of new civilization. As long as water was available there was no limit to his territory. This knowledge made important changes in his life. He no longer remained a nomad and rested with settled life. He began to tame some animals and created vast pastures for them to feed. The dog looked after the sheep. The sheep provided meat and skin for winter wear. Goats provided milk. Oxen helped him in his agricultural work. He extended his domestic and social activities. He constructed houses for safety. Settled life led him to varieties of economic activities. Twigs were used for making baskets. Covered with clay, the baskets could be used for storing grain. Forests provided the base for new economy. There was no desperate struggle against nature. Humanity was evolving with a new direction. The discovery of the wheel at this time made his new task easier. Mixed with cattle power it helped him in extending economic activities to far off places. Bazars were created. They gradually became places of celebration and for exchanging goods. Settled agriculture brought peace to humanity. (200 words)
Questions:
(a) How much time did it take for early man to learn how to grow crops? 1
(b) How did water help him? 1
(c) What was the most important change that took place in man's life due to the invention of agriculture? 2
(d) Which animals did he tame and how did they help him? 2
(e) How did the invention of the wheel help him? 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
Those tracking Blues singing in Delhi would remember Joe Santana. The gifted saxophonist, who played at the Oberoi in New Delhi in the 80s, once commented, 'I might love my Blues, but at times I have to play 'happy birthday to you' too’. As much as his remark pointed to the state of Western musicians in the city then, it also represented a good hotel singer's litheness - to send a guest home happy.'
With five- star hotels being the only respected platform for bands and solo singers, mostly doing Western music, not just Santana or an odd Vijay Benedict but bigger names like Usha Uthup, Sharon Prabhakar or, say, Anamika or Johnny Cash, etc., used it to take up music as a job. All have sung for their super, all have played to the whims of a pesky guest with the smile of a professional. Why ? They got a chance to earn through doing what they enjoyed the most.
Times have changed, but hotel singing has remained a platform for a struggling musician. From across India, musicians have been steadily pouring into the Capital to make it as hotel singers.
With Bollywood music getting peppier and Bhangra Pop widening its base, many a ghazal singer or a Jazz musician now not only has to still sing "Happy birthday to you" but has to genres too on diners' demand.
The price for such a platform can range from singing to an empty restaurant to being told to lower one's volume, to even complaints over requests not being met.
Take Sudershan Kumar. Primarily a ghazal singer, he often drifts off to a Rafi number and at times, to the latest Bollywood hit, at Baluchi restaurant in Inter Continental The Grand ‘because the requests say so'.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) Who is Joe Santana? What did he remark at hotel Oberoi in 80s? 2
(b) Why do most of the new singers sing in hotels? 2
(c) Why have the struggling musician been touring into the capital? 2
(d) What are the limitations of singing in a hotel or restaurant? Why do the singers compromise? 2
2.2 Give the meanings of 4
(a) Litheness
(b) Pesky
(c) Steadily
(d) Genres
Set 7
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow 8
The great advantage of early rising is the good start it gives us in our day's work. The early riser has done a large amount of hard work before other men have got out of bed. In the early morning the mind is fresh, and there are few sounds or other distractions, so that the work done at that time is generally well-done. In many cases the early riser also finds time to take some exercise in fresh morning air, and this exercise supplies him with a fund of energy that will last until the evening. By beginning so early he knows that he has plenty of time to do thoroughly all the work he can be expected to do, and is not tempted to hurry over any part of it. All his work being finished in' good time, he has a long interval of rest in the evening before the timely hour when he goes to bed. He gets to sleep several hours before midnight, at the time when sleep is most refreshing and after a sound night's rest rises early next morning in good health and spirits for the labour of the next day.
Questions:
(a) How does early rising affect one's day's work? 1
(b) Why is the work done in the early hours generally well-done? 2
(c) Why has an early riser no need to hurry over his day's work? 2
(d) How can one find ample time for rest in the evening? 1
(e) Find from the passage words that mean the same as the following: 2
(i) things that prevent one from concentrating on something
(ii) completely and with great attention to each detail.
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 12
Every year, a large number of Siberian cranes come to the bird sanctuary at Bharatpur. Year after year, in the beginning of winter these birds cover thousands of miles from Siberia in the north of Russia to come to Bharatpur, and then, as winter ends, they once again return to their original habitat, without making any mistake in the direction they have to take in their long flights. It is surprising how these birds find their way over such long distances, especially when vast stretches of land happen to be covered with clouds so that familiar landmarks, which could have guided them, are not even visible. The same phenomenon has been observed in other parts of the world as well. By way of experiment, light metal rings with specific information are put on the legs of some migratory birds, and it is observed that they keep returning to the winter sanctuary year, after year without fail. Pigeons are well known for finding their way back home in spite of all odds. At one time, it was believed that they could find their way with the help of familiar landmarks which they had seen and remembered. In an experiment, some pigeons were carried to a considerable distance in cages covered with black cloth so that they could not see anything on the way. However, when they were released, they still managed to come back to the place from where they had been taken away in covered cages. To check whether the pigeons remembered the direction of movement even when they could not see anything, another experiment was undertaken. To confuse their sense of direction, some pigeons were carried in an aeroplane and then released. Many of them still managed to return home on their own.
Questions:
(a) When do the Siberian cranes come to the Bharatpur sanctuary? 1
(b) What is their original habitat and when do they return there? 2
(c) How was it known that the same cranes returned to Bharatpur year after year? 2
(d) Form two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(e) Which of the following options \s correct? 1
Migratory pigeons can't
(i) see anything on the way.
(ii) remember familiar landmarks.
(iii) fly long distances. .
(iv) live at one place all the time.
(f) How do you think migratory birds manage to reach the same place year after year? 1
(g) Migratory birds are birds that 1
(i) live in groups.
(ii) can fly long distances.
(iii) move from one place to another according to season.
(iv) come to the Bharatpur sanctuary every year.
(h) Find in the passage words that mean: 2
(i) astonishing
(ii) noticed.
Set 8
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 8
Fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, managers and foremen, politicians, artists and others, all these in one way or another, are teachers. Their methods will vary as widely as their jobs and characters. For this reason, we can point out only a few general principles to make their teaching more effective.
The first is clarity. Whatever we are teaching, we must make it clear. Make it as firm as stone and as bright as sunlight. Not to ourselves -- that is easy. Make it clear to the people we are teaching - that is difficult. The second is patience. Anything worth learning takes time to learn, and time to teach. It is a mistake often made by many of us to think that our audiences have thought deeply about their problems and are only a few steps behind us in any discussion. Real teaching is not simply handing out information. It is an actual change of the pupil's mind. The third principle is responsibility. People are easily influenced for good or evil, when their teacher speaks with authority. As teachers, we must see that our ideas are not misunderstood by those whom we are trying to teach.
(a) What does this passage say about the methods of teaching? 1
(b) What is and what is not real teaching? 2
(c) What is meant by the principle of responsibility in teaching? 1
(d) Which two other general principles are considered necessary for effective teaching? 2
(e) Find from the passage the noun form of the words given below. 2
(i) clear
(ii) patient
(iii) discuss
(iv) inform.
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 12
We know that day and night are caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis, so that for part of the time a place on the globe faces towards the sun and for the rest of the time it is turned away from it.
To early people, a day meant the span of time between sunrise to sunset. We still use the word in this way to distinguish it from the period of darkness that we call night. But as civilization developed, it became necessary to identify days more accurately and to work out when they began and ended.
The ancient Greeks measured their day from sunset to sunset. The Romans, unlike the Greeks, measured their day from midnight to midnight. Most modern countries use this Roman method.
Before mechanical clocks were invented, people divided the day and night into 12 hours each, but this method proved impractical because the length of the day differed with the seasons. The invention of the clock helped in developing a system of measuring time that is now used almost everywhere. Under this system, the day lasts for 24 hours from midnight to midnight. Although we no longer divide the day and night into 12 hours each, we still use two periods of 12 hours each. These equal halves are distinguished by the abbreviations a.m. for the period from 12 midnight to 12 noon, and p.m. for the period from 12 noon to 12 midnight. Other ways of splitting up the day include the division into morning (from midnight to noon), afternoon (from noon to dusk) and night (from dusk to midnight). A variable period, called the evening, falls between about 5 p.m. and the end of twilight. It is the period after sunset when the sun is only just below the horizon.
Questions:
(a) How are day and night caused? 1
(b) Form two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(c) Dividing the day and night into 12 hours each is impractical because........... 2
(d) How many hours make a day in the modern system? 1
(e) How was the invention of the clock helpful? 1
(f) The abbreviation a.m. stands for 2
(i) at morning.
(ii) after morning.
(iii) at midday.
(iv) in the morning, before midday.
(g) Which part of the day is usually referred to as the evening? 1
(h) Find in the passage words that mean: 2
(i) know the difference
(ii) evolving.
Set 9
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
In the Zodiac, white is the colour of Mercury, ruler of Gemini and Virgo, it's the colour the aura sees when it looks at the energy sweeping in from Neptune, an energy not necessarily originating from within this solar system. So white can be used to call other energies from beyond………
It represents ultimate good and the power of God. A person who projects an aura of white is a powerful and good soul, who has returned to earth on a mission.
White also represents peace and freedom. Two of the most popular peace symbols are the white dove and the truce flag. In religious symbolism white is a symbol of light. It signifies purity, joy and glory. Feng shui practitioners say white in your surroundings can heal stress. High fever, pain, negativity and mental confusion but it can aggravate colds and chills, poor circulation, isolation and loneliness, inactivity and lack of energy. A white room can be contemplative and creative. It can help you think clearly and without limitations though too much of white could bring about stagnation in your life. White is linked to metal and brings with it qualities of leadership and creativity. It is also believed to have strong links with children. .
(a) What is the colour of Mercury? 1
(b) What does it represent? 1
(c) What is the purpose of life of a person with white aura? 2
(d) How does white colour affect surroundings according to feng shui? 2
(e) What qualities of human beings does 'white' bring out? 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
The Yarra, the predominant river in Victoria, is a river of many colours--a bright green running through forests, a clear blue running through the sparsely populated but fine-looking suburbs, silver and glass reflecting off the sky-scrapers in Melbourne City and a muddy green in poor visibility. .
Victoria's capital, Melbourne, can be explored in a pretty short time, as our ambitious film directors try (and sometimes even succeed) to fit it all into five-minute song sequences. But the true beauty of Victoria lies in its countryside, in its mountains and hills and hidden reservoirs. In its glens and gullies, in its lakes and rivers and the wildlife that abounds in its concealed conservation areas. Oh a vineyard! And strawberry farms. And in its burgeoning cherry and apple trees just waiting to be picked. And not to mention its astounding coastline.
The Dandenong and Brisbane ranges loom just outside of Melbourne. There are numerous. forest parks and beautiful walks up the mountains that make the exercise a pleasure. These mountains are called the Australian Blue Mountains as the vegetation is primarily contributed by the various trees of the Eucalyptus genera, locally referred to as gum trees. There is a heady smell of eucalyptus in the air, heightened on tree covered, canopied walks after a fresh bout of rain.
As the southern coastline of Victoria is covered with hills, there is not a frame that has the deep blue of the sea without the verdant green of the elevated forests. There are various vantage points along the coast which offer both the spectacular view of the bay and the city skyline, one of which is Arthur's Seat on the Mornington peninsula. There are beautiful gardens sculpted and landscaped in the clearing pockets of the forests. In some gardens, tall hedges have grown into complex mazes, where the adventurous try to find the centre of the maze and exit safely.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) Describe the river yatra in your words. 2
(b) Where does the true beauty of Melbourne lie? 2
(c) What makes the water on Mountains more beautiful? 2
(d) What makes the gardens and coast line beautiful in Melbourn? 2
2.2 Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 1
2.3 Pick out the adjectives from the passage that describe the natural beauty of the city. (Any two) 1
2.4 Make the noun from the following words: 2
(a) Sculpted
(b) explore
Set 10
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 8
Habit of idleness once firmly fixed cannot be suddenly thrown off. The man who has wasted the precious hours of life's seed-time finds that he cannot really harvest in life's autumn. Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone for ever. In the long list of excuses for the neglect of duty, there is none which drops oftener from men's lips and which is founded more on self-delusion than the want of leisure. People are always cheating themselves with the idea that they would do this or that desirable thing if only they had time. It is thus that the lazy and the selfish excuse themselves from the thousands of things which conscience dictates to be done. Remember that the men who have done the most for their own and for general good are not the wealthy, leisurely people who have abundance of time to themselves and nothing to do. They are the men who are in ceaseless activity from January to December. You may rely on them in their fullest season with ten times more assurance than on the idle man.
(a) What is peculiar about the habit of idleness? 1
(b) What is 'life's seed-time' and what is 'life's autumn’? 2
(c) What is the difference between lost time and lost health or wealth? 2
(d) How do people often cheat themselves? 1
(e) Find from the' passage the noun form of the words given below and write them. 2
(i) know
(ii) delude
(iii) abundant
(iv) active.
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 12
Pollution is the fouling of the environment - land, water and air - by waste, smoke, chemicals and other harmful substances. The most serious pollution occurs where there are large cities and many factories. Every industrial country faces the problem of waste. As factories produce new goods for people to buy, old ones are thrown out with the household rubbish. Burning this refuse pollutes the air, dumping it in rivers and seas pollute the water, and rubbish tips are unpleasant and take up much-needed space. Getting rid of plastics is particularly difficult. Wood and paper decay after some time through the action of bacteria. But plastics never decay. The more we throwaway, the more litter is produced.
The world's oceans have been used as 'dustbins', with millions of tones of, rubbish being dumped into sea every year, harming marine life. If too much untreated sewage is poured into seas, lakes and rivers from sewers, the water can no longer dilute it. All the oxygen in the water is used up, and the fish die. The bacteria which normally break down the sewage into harmless substances also die; only harmful bacteria which do not need air remain, and these cause disease.
Smoke from factory chimneys and exhaust gases from motor vehicles pollute the air. Chemicals in the air combine with moisture to make acids which eat away stone and brick, and so damage buildings. Carbon monoxide gas and substances called hydrocarbons given out by the engines of cars, lorries and buses can damage people's health. Ridding our world of pollution is an unimaginably big task.
(a) What is meant by environment? 1
(b) Name any three factors that lead to pollution. 2
(c) What is the problem faced by industrial countries? 2
(d) What is the special problem related with the rubbish of plastics? 1
(e) What is it that kills the fish in the polluted waters? 2
(f) Which of the following options is correct? 1 Untreated sewage kills
(i) harmful bacteria.
{ii) harmless bacteria.
(iii) both harmful and harmless bacteria.
(iv) neither harmful nor harmless bacteria.
(g) How are the exhaust gases harmful for us? 1
(h) Find in the words form the passage that mean: 2
(i) waste material
(ii) underground pipe that carries waste matter from human bodies, factories, etc
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
On Dec. 26, 2004 nature shocked us. It was a black day for the world. Nature blinded us by unleashing the demon named as Tsunami, which came to life through a gigantic earthquake in the Indian Ocean. It affected countries from Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia to India, Bangladesh, Maldives and even France, Kenya and Somalia. The worst in four decades, it battered an endless coastline of south and south-east Asia, with the toll nearing some 2,00,000 of which some 11,500 deaths are in India alone. The word 'Tsunami' comes from the Japanese words 'Tsu' (harbour) and 'Nami' (wave). About 80% of all tsunamis occurred in the Pacific Ocean and Japan has suffered many times.
Tsunamis could be better described as a wave train, or series of waves caused in a sea or ocean by submarine earthquakes. These killer waves of the nature which occurred on the fateful Sunday, could be generated when the water was disturbed by the uplift or subsidence of the sea flour. Cape Lopakta in Siberia, witnessed the highest tsunami ever recorded, in 1737. The wave rose 210 ft. above sea level. Another demoniac tsunami wave more than seven stories tall, engulfed whole villages along Sanriku, Japan in 1896 drowning almost 26,000 people. We can only pray to Mother Nature not to show this cruelty to us.
Questions:
(a) Why is Dec. 26, 2004 a black day for the world? 2
(b) What does Tsunami mean? 2
(c) What happened in 1737? 2
(d) Can anything be done about Tsunami? 1
(e) Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘troubled’. 1
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
The Parliament House has seen more than just speeches and legislations since it was inaugurated in 1927. The Central Hall was where Indian Independence was actually realised with the transfer of power. And it was from this magnificently-domed hall Jawaharlal Nehru made his 'tryst with destiny' speech on the night of August 14-15.
Parliament House was also the site of Bhagat Singh's 'propagandist' bomb attack at what was then the Central Assembly Hall. No, it wasn't the present Central Hall, which was then a library, but one of the two Houses. On April 8, 1929 Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt tossed two bombs onto the corridors of the assembly just when the Viceroy's proclamation enacting two bills-Public Safety and Trade Disputes-was to be made despite a majority of the members being opposed to them. No one was hurt as the bombs were deliberately thrown away from people.
The duo shouted lnquilab Zindabad and showered the hall with red leaflets that began with a quote from French anarchist Auguste Valiant. "It takes a loud voice to make the deaf hear." The action seemed to have been inspired by Valiant's symbolic gesture of throwing a small bomb into the Chamber of Deputies to highlight the plight of the people in 1893.
As with other aspects of Bhagat Singh's life, myths abound over his association with Delhi. What can be said with a degree of certainty is that in September 1928, the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army was born in the ruins of Ferozeshah Kotla (and not at the site of the present Shaheed Park outside Kotla) Among those present were Bhagat Singh and Ajoy Ghosh, future general secretary of CPI.
Another place linked in popular imagination with Bhagat Singh is the old Viceregal Lodge, What is now the DU vice-chancellor's office. The tale goes thus: After their arrest at Parliament House, Bhagat Singh and his associate were kept in the wine-cellar of the lodge. There are even popular accounts of him being made to sleep over ice slabs here. But all this, says historian Shahid Amin, is pure imagination.
"A trial of 14 persons charged with conspiracy to commit murder and with other arms and explosives offences did start in the main block of the Old Viceregal Lodge on April 15,1931. But that was three weeks after Bhagat Singh had been hanged (on March 23. 1931" he says.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) When was the Parliament inaugurated? 2
(b) What was the name of Nehru's first speech? Where was it made? 2
(c) Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(d) Where were Bhagat Singh and his associates kept after their arrest? 2
2.2 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(a) Secret Plan by a group to do something unlawful.
(b) A widely held but false belief.
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the opposite of the following: 2
(a) Favoured
(b) Facts
Set 2
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
Sabarimala is in the Western Ghats and is named after Sabari, the tribal woman mentioned in the Ramayan, who attained salvation after her meeting with Ram. Sabrimala is believed to be the abode of Lord Ayyappa and is visited by about one crore pilgrims every year. For 41 days, devotees follow a controlled lifestyle. They eat only vegetarian food; refrain from consuming alcohol or tobacco and follow personal cleanliness and celibacy.
Pilgrims wear only black clothes and don't shave irrespective of caste, creed, social status
or religious belief, anyone can worship at the temple. All pilgrims are referred to as 'swamy' during the pilgrimage. Offerings to Ayyappa are tied in a bag with two compartments, known as irumudi. This contains a ghee-filled coconut, puffed and beaten rice, camphor, betel leaves and nuts, and incense sticks. Pilgrims carry the offerings on their heads throughout the arduous journey chanting the slogan Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa, which means, 'Oh Ayyappa ; I seek refuge in you'. The 18 steps to the temple represent the 18 Puranas. Close to the temple's entrance, there is a temple to a Muslim disciple, Vavar Swamy, while those of two tribal Chiefs, Kadutha Swamy and Karuppa Swamy, are positioned on either side of the steps..
Questions:
(a) How did the pilgrim centre Sabarimala get its name? 2
(b) What ritual preparation do the pilgrims follow? 2
(c) What is irumudi and what does it contain? 2
(d) What do the 18 steps to the temple represent? 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
Built by the British after the 1857 uprising the Army barracks inside the Red Fort are an eyesore. They were, however, witness to one of the most crucial events of the final phase of the independence struggle. The historic trials of the captured soldiers of Netaji Subhash Bose's Indian National Army (INA) were held here in 1945.
The INA trials began at Red Fort in November 1945. But much before the trials began, the fate of the INA prisoners had captured popular imagination. In August 1945, Jawaharlal Nehru issued a demand for leniency. Soon there was a groundswell of popular support for the INA detainees. Senior INA officers such as Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sahgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon became potent symbols of India’s struggle for Independence.
Celebrated lawyers represented the prisoners. Bhulabhai Desai, Tej Bahadur Sapru, K.N. Katju and Nehru himself appeared in court at barrack no. B 4 where the trials were being held. The Congress set up a Central INA Fund Committee where people donated generously. When the trial was on, Delhi was in ferment. Pamphlets were circulated and posters threatening death to "20 English dogs" for every INA prisoner were pasted all over Delhi.
Now, the barracks stand empty and in dire need of repairs. Some of them will soon be used to house one of the country's biggest museums. Said an official from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) "Plans are underway for a grand museum at the British barracks that have such a strong element of history attached to them."
According to the ASI, two barracks used to imprison Khan, Sahgal, Dhillon and hundreds of' INA soldiers are now being maintained as a memorial. This was originally a guardroom constructed by the British army in 1916.
The ASI took over these barracks from Indian Army in 1993 for conservation and preservation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Quit India Movement. The uniforms worn by INA soldiers, photographs of Netaji and other items are on display. In one of the galleries, materials found during excavations carried out by the ASI inside the fort in 1995 as well as photographs can be viewed.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) What is the historical importance of the army barracks inside the Red Fort? 2
(b) What did Nehru do for the INA prisoners? 2
(c) Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(d) What has been done by the ASI to preserve the place where the INA soldiers were kept by the Britishers? 2
2.2 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(a) Luck
(b) Digging
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage which mean the opposite of the following: 2
(a) Full
(b) Freed
Set 3
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
Much like the myth about the Abominable Snowman, that is believed to make appearances from its habitat on the icy Himalayan slopes, there has grown a legend all over America around an elusive, shy, hairy beast. The sighting of this denizen of the Pacific mode, compelled people form a picture in the mind of an uncouth, gorilla-like creature wandering through the thick vegetation. As if to add credibility to such guesses about the being, there have been several accounts from eye witnesses, who have "identified tracks, heard piercing cries and seen the tree branches broken off too high to be snapped by a human".
But Bigfoot, which has so long offered a fertile field for extensive search and serious effort towards locating and proving its existence, is suddenly turning into a total farce-probably a colossal practical joke! The latest development suggesting a big hoax, has struck at the very roots of a legend that has gone into popular culture. Like a bolt from the blue the news has emerged from the final confessions of Ray Wallace who died in November 2002 at the age of 84 in Washington. Facts presented by his family reveal that Wallace was a lifelong practical joker who enjoyed every bit of the fun generated out of his indulgences in unusual acts of humour.
Questions:
(a) Who is the abominable Snowman believed to be? 1
(b) What picture of this gorilla like creature did the Americans form? 2
(c) How was the presence of this creature proved? 2
(d) What is the practical joke played by Ray Wallace? 2
(e) Explain "fertile field for extensive search". 1
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
As you walk through the meandering Ballimaran Street in Old Delhi, chances are you would go past Sharif Manzil without noticing it. Today it's just another decrepit structure standing cheek-by-jowl with other houses all adding up to a congested mass of concrete. But Sharif Manzil is an address that dates back 267 years. Said to have been constructed in 1740, a year after Nadir Shah sacked Delhi, It's one of the oldest and most illustrious havelis of Delhi.
Built by the royal physicians of the Mughals who came to India during Babur's rule, the haveli was home to Hakim Ajmal Khan, a scion of the family and Delhi's best known Unani practitioner--he was known to charge Rs 1,000 per day for outstation calls, but would treat his patients free of charge if they came to him. Ajmal Khan (1863-1927) dominated political life in the Delhi of the early 1900s. He had a unique double to his name, having been elected president of both Indian National Congress and Muslim League (in those days, it wasn't too odd for nationalistic Muslims to wear both hats).
Ajmal Khan was a friend and ally of Gandhi and stood for Hindu-Muslim unity. As an illustrious citizen of Delhi, he often acted as a bridge between the British government and the people of the city. However, during periods of political tension-like the Rowlatt Satyagraha of 1919--Ajmal Khan sided with the citizens. One of his lasting contributions to the city is as an institution-builder. He set up the Jamia Millia University and the Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College, among others.
Sharif Manzil fell on bad times after 1947 when Ajmal Khan's grandson shifted to Pakistan. Today the sprawling complex houses a guest house and a market which is partly occupied by Afghan traders.
Other Old Delhi havelies also came to be associated with the national movement. There was the palatial Darus Salaam (Abode of Peace) where M A Ansari lived. Its current address is 1, Ansari Road in Daryaganj. Ansari was an England-educated doctor and an eminent Congressman who became president of the party. The Ansaris would often host Gandhi when he visited Delhi and the house was a hub of Congress politics. Other prominent 'political havelis', like the one owned by Motilal Nehru haven't stood the test of time.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) What is the present condition of Sharif Manzil in Old Delhi? 2
(b) What is the historical background of this building? 2
(c) Who was Ajmal Khan? What role did he play during the British period? 2
(d) What is the historical background of 1, Ansari Road? 2
2.2 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(a) Busy
(b) Related to king family
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the opposite of: 2
(a) Strong
(b) Temporary
Set 4
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
The shape of a creeper depends on the support it gets. Similarly, the personality of a child largely depends upon his or her parental support, love, care and guidance.
A child cannot grow well without the strong support of an inspiring and caring adult. In parent-child relationship, there should be no inhibitions, no forcing of ideas and attitudes and no communication gap. If such a gap exists in this relationship then it is bound to lead to all sorts of misunderstandings and complications. Parents should be like sheltering trees where their children can seek refuge. Different issues which affect the children should be discussed, thrashed and then the children should be given the last say. Gone are the days of awe and fear imposed on them. They should be treated in a friendly manner so that they can share the good and bad experiences of their day to day life.
Childhood experiences are lasting and they affect the development of the whole personality in a positive way. Children might be lost in the labyrinth of life if proper guidance is not given to them or parents don't understand their feelings, ambitions and aspirations. Not only does a child learn by the conscious efforts of the parents but he or she also learns from the responses that are deliberately planned or consciously taught by them. The learning that takes place in a child largely depends upon the parents-child interaction. So more and more interaction and friendly treatment should form the basis of parents-child relationship.
Questions:
(a) What factors determine the personality of a child? 2
(b) What should be the role of parents towards their children? 2
(c) Why should the children be treated in a friendly manner? 2
(d) What is the contribution of childhood experiences in the development of a child? ' 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life at Birla House at 5 Tees January Marg. It was here, in the evening of January 30, that Bapu emerged from a meeting with Sardar Patel and was walking to his daily prayer meeting when his life was snuffed out by an assassin's bullets. The building was acquired by the government in 1971 and is now called Gandhi Smriti.
But there are other places in the city where Bapu lived during his long political life. One such place is the Harijan Colony at Mandir Marg where he lived from April 1946 to June 1947. Ganni, a resident of the colony, isn't sure how old he is, but he remembers Gandhi as someone who taught his people not to stoop while sweeping the floor, which led them to start using the long broomstick.
The colony, now Valmiki Sadan, still retains the austere aura that Gandhiji championed. "The government has come up with numerous offers to make a memorial in the room where he stayed, but the Valmiki Samaj has declined. Gandhiii himself turned down an offer from Seth Birla when he offered to renovate this room for him." said Maharaj Krishna Vidyarthi, who takes care of the Valmiki temple next door.
Valmiki Sadan is actually an NDMC colony, which now houses third and fourth generations of the initial inhabitants who had lived with Gandhi. "He used to come armed with his stick in the afternoons asking us to disperse and let him sleep. We used to wonder why this old man won't let us play in peace," says 76-year-old Sukha Ram, president of Valmiki Samaj. Gandhi also lived for a while at Harijan Sevak Sangh in north Delhi and in the early part of his career, he stayed with prominent citizens of the city.
Questions:
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) Where did Gandhiji spend his last days? 2
(b) What did Gandhiji teach people while living in the Harijan Basti ? 2
(c) Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(d) What is the present condition of Valmiki Sadan ? 2
2.2 Pick out the words/phrases from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(i) Taken out
(ii) A political murderer
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the opposite of the following: 2
(i) Disappeared
(ii) Accepted
Set 5
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
Sri Lanka wants to reintroduce English as a medium of study for senior students to make them more presentable for employment, but a shortage of qualified lecturers has forced them to first teach teachers the language. "We can't find lecturers to teach in English, so it will take us some time to introduce it as a medium of study." said Prof. Lakshman Jayatilake of the National Education Commission, which advises the government on Education policy.
He said English was introduced this year for science medium advanced level students in 25 per cent of the country's schools, which was possible because there were sufficiently qualified teachers who studied the language for their degrees. The problem is with the Arts teachers because they have done their entire education in Sinhalese or Tamil and so they have to teach English themselves, Jayatilake said.
In the late 1950s, Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike changed the medium of study to the mother tongue as part of his 'Sinhala only' policy. Ironically, nearly half a century later his daughter President Chandrika Kumaratunga has realised the folly in the system and brought about a change in education policy. A poor English standard amongst Sri Lankan graduates is a major reason for their unemployment and the country's private sector has for long demanded the reintroduction of English.
Questions:
(a) What does Sri Lanka want for senior students? 2
(b) What did the Prime Minister Solomon Bandaranaike do in the late 1950s? 2
(c) What did Chandrika Kumaratunga realise? 2
(d) What is the major reason for unemployment amongst Sri Lankan graduates? 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
Marriage is no more a distant dream for girls from the poor and underprivileged sections of society, with the Department of Social Welfare coming to their rescue with a slew of projects that provide financial assistance.
These projects have helped millions of poor families to get their daughters married without falling into debt to usurious moneylenders.
A pioneering project in the country, this scheme occupies pride of place among all schemes implemented by the Social Welfare Department more so as it stipulates a minimum educational qualification for the beneficiaries.
The department, at present, implements five schemes to provide assistance for the marriage or remarriage of girls of poor families in the 18 to 30 age group.
Subsequent improvements have been made on some of the schemes that have been in existence for several years now, keeping in tune with the times. As pointed out by Chief Minister M. Karu:nanidhi in his 2007-08 budget speech, "The government has revived the Moovalur Ammaiyar Memorial Marriage Assistance Scheme by providing financial assistance for marriage without distinguishing between the beneficiaries on the basis of caste or creed. The quantum of assistance has also been increased from Rs.10.000 to Rs,15,000. This year 46,000 women have benefited from the scheme. In the coming financial year 50,000 women will benefit. A sum of Rs.75 crore has been provided for the purpose." The Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme, for example, provides an assistance of Rs.15,000 if the annual income of the girl's family is less than Rs.12,000. Only one girl from each family can benefit from the scheme, and she should have studied up to Standard X (Standard V for members of Scheduled Tribes). Under the E.V.R. Maniammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme for daughters of poor widows assistance of Rs.10,000 is given if the girl's family income is less than Rs.12,000 a year.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) Why is marriage no more a dream for the poor in the state? 2
(b) Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(c) What changes have been made in Moovalur Memorial Marriage Assistance Scheme? 2
(d) What are the salient features of the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme? 2
2.2 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the same as : 2
(i) Poor
(ii) One after another
2.3 Pick out the words from the passage that mean the opposite of the following: 2
(i) Decreased
(ii) Near
Set 6
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
It took about 3,00,000 years for early man to learn how to grow crops. This invention of agriculture was the beginning of new civilization. As long as water was available there was no limit to his territory. This knowledge made important changes in his life. He no longer remained a nomad and rested with settled life. He began to tame some animals and created vast pastures for them to feed. The dog looked after the sheep. The sheep provided meat and skin for winter wear. Goats provided milk. Oxen helped him in his agricultural work. He extended his domestic and social activities. He constructed houses for safety. Settled life led him to varieties of economic activities. Twigs were used for making baskets. Covered with clay, the baskets could be used for storing grain. Forests provided the base for new economy. There was no desperate struggle against nature. Humanity was evolving with a new direction. The discovery of the wheel at this time made his new task easier. Mixed with cattle power it helped him in extending economic activities to far off places. Bazars were created. They gradually became places of celebration and for exchanging goods. Settled agriculture brought peace to humanity. (200 words)
Questions:
(a) How much time did it take for early man to learn how to grow crops? 1
(b) How did water help him? 1
(c) What was the most important change that took place in man's life due to the invention of agriculture? 2
(d) Which animals did he tame and how did they help him? 2
(e) How did the invention of the wheel help him? 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
Those tracking Blues singing in Delhi would remember Joe Santana. The gifted saxophonist, who played at the Oberoi in New Delhi in the 80s, once commented, 'I might love my Blues, but at times I have to play 'happy birthday to you' too’. As much as his remark pointed to the state of Western musicians in the city then, it also represented a good hotel singer's litheness - to send a guest home happy.'
With five- star hotels being the only respected platform for bands and solo singers, mostly doing Western music, not just Santana or an odd Vijay Benedict but bigger names like Usha Uthup, Sharon Prabhakar or, say, Anamika or Johnny Cash, etc., used it to take up music as a job. All have sung for their super, all have played to the whims of a pesky guest with the smile of a professional. Why ? They got a chance to earn through doing what they enjoyed the most.
Times have changed, but hotel singing has remained a platform for a struggling musician. From across India, musicians have been steadily pouring into the Capital to make it as hotel singers.
With Bollywood music getting peppier and Bhangra Pop widening its base, many a ghazal singer or a Jazz musician now not only has to still sing "Happy birthday to you" but has to genres too on diners' demand.
The price for such a platform can range from singing to an empty restaurant to being told to lower one's volume, to even complaints over requests not being met.
Take Sudershan Kumar. Primarily a ghazal singer, he often drifts off to a Rafi number and at times, to the latest Bollywood hit, at Baluchi restaurant in Inter Continental The Grand ‘because the requests say so'.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) Who is Joe Santana? What did he remark at hotel Oberoi in 80s? 2
(b) Why do most of the new singers sing in hotels? 2
(c) Why have the struggling musician been touring into the capital? 2
(d) What are the limitations of singing in a hotel or restaurant? Why do the singers compromise? 2
2.2 Give the meanings of 4
(a) Litheness
(b) Pesky
(c) Steadily
(d) Genres
Set 7
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow 8
The great advantage of early rising is the good start it gives us in our day's work. The early riser has done a large amount of hard work before other men have got out of bed. In the early morning the mind is fresh, and there are few sounds or other distractions, so that the work done at that time is generally well-done. In many cases the early riser also finds time to take some exercise in fresh morning air, and this exercise supplies him with a fund of energy that will last until the evening. By beginning so early he knows that he has plenty of time to do thoroughly all the work he can be expected to do, and is not tempted to hurry over any part of it. All his work being finished in' good time, he has a long interval of rest in the evening before the timely hour when he goes to bed. He gets to sleep several hours before midnight, at the time when sleep is most refreshing and after a sound night's rest rises early next morning in good health and spirits for the labour of the next day.
Questions:
(a) How does early rising affect one's day's work? 1
(b) Why is the work done in the early hours generally well-done? 2
(c) Why has an early riser no need to hurry over his day's work? 2
(d) How can one find ample time for rest in the evening? 1
(e) Find from the passage words that mean the same as the following: 2
(i) things that prevent one from concentrating on something
(ii) completely and with great attention to each detail.
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 12
Every year, a large number of Siberian cranes come to the bird sanctuary at Bharatpur. Year after year, in the beginning of winter these birds cover thousands of miles from Siberia in the north of Russia to come to Bharatpur, and then, as winter ends, they once again return to their original habitat, without making any mistake in the direction they have to take in their long flights. It is surprising how these birds find their way over such long distances, especially when vast stretches of land happen to be covered with clouds so that familiar landmarks, which could have guided them, are not even visible. The same phenomenon has been observed in other parts of the world as well. By way of experiment, light metal rings with specific information are put on the legs of some migratory birds, and it is observed that they keep returning to the winter sanctuary year, after year without fail. Pigeons are well known for finding their way back home in spite of all odds. At one time, it was believed that they could find their way with the help of familiar landmarks which they had seen and remembered. In an experiment, some pigeons were carried to a considerable distance in cages covered with black cloth so that they could not see anything on the way. However, when they were released, they still managed to come back to the place from where they had been taken away in covered cages. To check whether the pigeons remembered the direction of movement even when they could not see anything, another experiment was undertaken. To confuse their sense of direction, some pigeons were carried in an aeroplane and then released. Many of them still managed to return home on their own.
Questions:
(a) When do the Siberian cranes come to the Bharatpur sanctuary? 1
(b) What is their original habitat and when do they return there? 2
(c) How was it known that the same cranes returned to Bharatpur year after year? 2
(d) Form two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(e) Which of the following options \s correct? 1
Migratory pigeons can't
(i) see anything on the way.
(ii) remember familiar landmarks.
(iii) fly long distances. .
(iv) live at one place all the time.
(f) How do you think migratory birds manage to reach the same place year after year? 1
(g) Migratory birds are birds that 1
(i) live in groups.
(ii) can fly long distances.
(iii) move from one place to another according to season.
(iv) come to the Bharatpur sanctuary every year.
(h) Find in the passage words that mean: 2
(i) astonishing
(ii) noticed.
Set 8
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 8
Fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, managers and foremen, politicians, artists and others, all these in one way or another, are teachers. Their methods will vary as widely as their jobs and characters. For this reason, we can point out only a few general principles to make their teaching more effective.
The first is clarity. Whatever we are teaching, we must make it clear. Make it as firm as stone and as bright as sunlight. Not to ourselves -- that is easy. Make it clear to the people we are teaching - that is difficult. The second is patience. Anything worth learning takes time to learn, and time to teach. It is a mistake often made by many of us to think that our audiences have thought deeply about their problems and are only a few steps behind us in any discussion. Real teaching is not simply handing out information. It is an actual change of the pupil's mind. The third principle is responsibility. People are easily influenced for good or evil, when their teacher speaks with authority. As teachers, we must see that our ideas are not misunderstood by those whom we are trying to teach.
(a) What does this passage say about the methods of teaching? 1
(b) What is and what is not real teaching? 2
(c) What is meant by the principle of responsibility in teaching? 1
(d) Which two other general principles are considered necessary for effective teaching? 2
(e) Find from the passage the noun form of the words given below. 2
(i) clear
(ii) patient
(iii) discuss
(iv) inform.
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 12
We know that day and night are caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis, so that for part of the time a place on the globe faces towards the sun and for the rest of the time it is turned away from it.
To early people, a day meant the span of time between sunrise to sunset. We still use the word in this way to distinguish it from the period of darkness that we call night. But as civilization developed, it became necessary to identify days more accurately and to work out when they began and ended.
The ancient Greeks measured their day from sunset to sunset. The Romans, unlike the Greeks, measured their day from midnight to midnight. Most modern countries use this Roman method.
Before mechanical clocks were invented, people divided the day and night into 12 hours each, but this method proved impractical because the length of the day differed with the seasons. The invention of the clock helped in developing a system of measuring time that is now used almost everywhere. Under this system, the day lasts for 24 hours from midnight to midnight. Although we no longer divide the day and night into 12 hours each, we still use two periods of 12 hours each. These equal halves are distinguished by the abbreviations a.m. for the period from 12 midnight to 12 noon, and p.m. for the period from 12 noon to 12 midnight. Other ways of splitting up the day include the division into morning (from midnight to noon), afternoon (from noon to dusk) and night (from dusk to midnight). A variable period, called the evening, falls between about 5 p.m. and the end of twilight. It is the period after sunset when the sun is only just below the horizon.
Questions:
(a) How are day and night caused? 1
(b) Form two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 2
(c) Dividing the day and night into 12 hours each is impractical because........... 2
(d) How many hours make a day in the modern system? 1
(e) How was the invention of the clock helpful? 1
(f) The abbreviation a.m. stands for 2
(i) at morning.
(ii) after morning.
(iii) at midday.
(iv) in the morning, before midday.
(g) Which part of the day is usually referred to as the evening? 1
(h) Find in the passage words that mean: 2
(i) know the difference
(ii) evolving.
Set 9
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 8
In the Zodiac, white is the colour of Mercury, ruler of Gemini and Virgo, it's the colour the aura sees when it looks at the energy sweeping in from Neptune, an energy not necessarily originating from within this solar system. So white can be used to call other energies from beyond………
It represents ultimate good and the power of God. A person who projects an aura of white is a powerful and good soul, who has returned to earth on a mission.
White also represents peace and freedom. Two of the most popular peace symbols are the white dove and the truce flag. In religious symbolism white is a symbol of light. It signifies purity, joy and glory. Feng shui practitioners say white in your surroundings can heal stress. High fever, pain, negativity and mental confusion but it can aggravate colds and chills, poor circulation, isolation and loneliness, inactivity and lack of energy. A white room can be contemplative and creative. It can help you think clearly and without limitations though too much of white could bring about stagnation in your life. White is linked to metal and brings with it qualities of leadership and creativity. It is also believed to have strong links with children. .
(a) What is the colour of Mercury? 1
(b) What does it represent? 1
(c) What is the purpose of life of a person with white aura? 2
(d) How does white colour affect surroundings according to feng shui? 2
(e) What qualities of human beings does 'white' bring out? 2
2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 12
The Yarra, the predominant river in Victoria, is a river of many colours--a bright green running through forests, a clear blue running through the sparsely populated but fine-looking suburbs, silver and glass reflecting off the sky-scrapers in Melbourne City and a muddy green in poor visibility. .
Victoria's capital, Melbourne, can be explored in a pretty short time, as our ambitious film directors try (and sometimes even succeed) to fit it all into five-minute song sequences. But the true beauty of Victoria lies in its countryside, in its mountains and hills and hidden reservoirs. In its glens and gullies, in its lakes and rivers and the wildlife that abounds in its concealed conservation areas. Oh a vineyard! And strawberry farms. And in its burgeoning cherry and apple trees just waiting to be picked. And not to mention its astounding coastline.
The Dandenong and Brisbane ranges loom just outside of Melbourne. There are numerous. forest parks and beautiful walks up the mountains that make the exercise a pleasure. These mountains are called the Australian Blue Mountains as the vegetation is primarily contributed by the various trees of the Eucalyptus genera, locally referred to as gum trees. There is a heady smell of eucalyptus in the air, heightened on tree covered, canopied walks after a fresh bout of rain.
As the southern coastline of Victoria is covered with hills, there is not a frame that has the deep blue of the sea without the verdant green of the elevated forests. There are various vantage points along the coast which offer both the spectacular view of the bay and the city skyline, one of which is Arthur's Seat on the Mornington peninsula. There are beautiful gardens sculpted and landscaped in the clearing pockets of the forests. In some gardens, tall hedges have grown into complex mazes, where the adventurous try to find the centre of the maze and exit safely.
2.1 Answer the following questions:
(a) Describe the river yatra in your words. 2
(b) Where does the true beauty of Melbourne lie? 2
(c) What makes the water on Mountains more beautiful? 2
(d) What makes the gardens and coast line beautiful in Melbourn? 2
2.2 Frame two questions on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. 1
2.3 Pick out the adjectives from the passage that describe the natural beauty of the city. (Any two) 1
2.4 Make the noun from the following words: 2
(a) Sculpted
(b) explore
Set 10
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 8
Habit of idleness once firmly fixed cannot be suddenly thrown off. The man who has wasted the precious hours of life's seed-time finds that he cannot really harvest in life's autumn. Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone for ever. In the long list of excuses for the neglect of duty, there is none which drops oftener from men's lips and which is founded more on self-delusion than the want of leisure. People are always cheating themselves with the idea that they would do this or that desirable thing if only they had time. It is thus that the lazy and the selfish excuse themselves from the thousands of things which conscience dictates to be done. Remember that the men who have done the most for their own and for general good are not the wealthy, leisurely people who have abundance of time to themselves and nothing to do. They are the men who are in ceaseless activity from January to December. You may rely on them in their fullest season with ten times more assurance than on the idle man.
(a) What is peculiar about the habit of idleness? 1
(b) What is 'life's seed-time' and what is 'life's autumn’? 2
(c) What is the difference between lost time and lost health or wealth? 2
(d) How do people often cheat themselves? 1
(e) Find from the' passage the noun form of the words given below and write them. 2
(i) know
(ii) delude
(iii) abundant
(iv) active.
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 12
Pollution is the fouling of the environment - land, water and air - by waste, smoke, chemicals and other harmful substances. The most serious pollution occurs where there are large cities and many factories. Every industrial country faces the problem of waste. As factories produce new goods for people to buy, old ones are thrown out with the household rubbish. Burning this refuse pollutes the air, dumping it in rivers and seas pollute the water, and rubbish tips are unpleasant and take up much-needed space. Getting rid of plastics is particularly difficult. Wood and paper decay after some time through the action of bacteria. But plastics never decay. The more we throwaway, the more litter is produced.
The world's oceans have been used as 'dustbins', with millions of tones of, rubbish being dumped into sea every year, harming marine life. If too much untreated sewage is poured into seas, lakes and rivers from sewers, the water can no longer dilute it. All the oxygen in the water is used up, and the fish die. The bacteria which normally break down the sewage into harmless substances also die; only harmful bacteria which do not need air remain, and these cause disease.
Smoke from factory chimneys and exhaust gases from motor vehicles pollute the air. Chemicals in the air combine with moisture to make acids which eat away stone and brick, and so damage buildings. Carbon monoxide gas and substances called hydrocarbons given out by the engines of cars, lorries and buses can damage people's health. Ridding our world of pollution is an unimaginably big task.
(a) What is meant by environment? 1
(b) Name any three factors that lead to pollution. 2
(c) What is the problem faced by industrial countries? 2
(d) What is the special problem related with the rubbish of plastics? 1
(e) What is it that kills the fish in the polluted waters? 2
(f) Which of the following options is correct? 1 Untreated sewage kills
(i) harmful bacteria.
{ii) harmless bacteria.
(iii) both harmful and harmless bacteria.
(iv) neither harmful nor harmless bacteria.
(g) How are the exhaust gases harmful for us? 1
(h) Find in the words form the passage that mean: 2
(i) waste material
(ii) underground pipe that carries waste matter from human bodies, factories, etc