Q. I.

Today, as citizens of free India, we cherish both our democracy and our secularism. We cannot imagine living in a country where we could not elect our representatives to govern us, and where, whatever our caste, creed or sex, we did not have the right to freedom of speech, and freedom of worship and equality before the law. No system of government is perfect, but democracy is the best we know because it recognises the dignity of man and gives people ample opportunities to become strong and self reliant. Nor can we imagine our government discriminating among its citizens on religious ground, for many religions flourish here and together they add to our rich national heritage. In the modern world, nations cannot be founded on religion. Today, religion is the private and scared concern of individuals, not of governments.

Freedom is not a gift. It is an achievement. Like anything of value it has to be safeguarded. There is no guarantee that a people will always remain free. And the threat to freedom does not always come from outside. More often it comes from within. History shows us that lack of unity is a bigger danger to freedom than any outside threat. Its greatest safeguard is united country.

1)

What does this passage convey?

2)

a)

What should every Indian cherish?

b)

What is the religion today?

3)

a)

What is the advantage of many religions?

b)

What does the history tell us?

4)

How can freedom be safeguarded?

5)

Write the adjective form of:

a)

religion;

b)

secularism.

6)

No system of government is perfect. (Rewrite as affirmative)

7)

What does the writer say about secular democracy?

Q. II.

To repeat all the incidents of a man’s life does not give a true account of the man. What sort of a man was Rabindranath Tagore? He was tall and handsome well-built and strong with gentle and glowing eyes and a voice deep and melodious. He had a sparkling sense of humour and was full of wit, at such moments his whole face would light up. On the other hand, when he was immersed in writing he seemed to be living in another world. No one dared to come near him, except his faithful servant.

But his books, his songs, his paintings were not everything. He wished to make the very act of living a work of art. And art was for him a vision of beauty of love, of truth.

His intense love for his people is evident not only in his writing but in every activity in his life. He not only opened new horizons but sought and cherished the old and beautiful ceremonies, decorations, costumes, literature, art and music of our country.

There was no pretence about him. He only said and did what he sincerely believed, and he believed with all his life in the power of the God.

1)

What does the extract tell you about?

2)

i)

When would Tagore’s face be illuminated?

ii)

What kind of life did Tagore desire?

3)

i)

What does the writer tell you about Tagore’s personality?

ii)

What shows that Tagore was humble?

4)

What shows that Tagore had a great love for truth?

5)

Write from the passage one word similar in meaning:

i)

had courage

ii)

sweet voice

6)

He opened new horizons. He cherished the art and music of the country. (Join using a Present Participle)

7)

What did Tagore contribute to Indian literature?

Q. III

Barbara O’Neal an Ex-student of the Washington School, had the honour of addressing the graduating class of June 1951 of her school. In her inaugural address she said, "After the graduation day, your carefree days will be over. You will remember what the school has taught. It has not only taught the basic fundamentals and skills to mould the students but something much greater the principle of democracy and freedom. This principle of democracy is not found in any text books, but acquired in everyday’s life in school.

The word "democracy" signifies here a sense of brotherhood. There are students of different race, colour, creed with no discrimination in the school. Here the principle of brotherhood is practised without a second thought. This school is the best example of democracy based on human equality and brotherhood. A Negro elected as the President of the students body on his merits and nobody had any objection about his colour, race and creed.

The principle of brotherhood is God’s gift to us. After graduation some students go for higher education, some go into business and other join the army. Wherever they are, one should not forget the principle of democracy taught in the school. They must never get involved in a group which practice discrimination on grounds of race, colour or creed; so that we may live in a peaceful world.

So after graduation, the students should cherish the ideal of unity and brotherhood imbibed during the three final years. They must bear in mind that democracy is on trial and that they are the jury.

1)

What does the passage reveal to us?

2)

i)

Whom did Barbara address?

ii)

What memories would the students have of the school, on graduation?

3)

i)

How was brotherhood practised in school?

ii)

How can a student help to change the world?

4)

Why do you think a Negro was elected?

5)

Explain the meaning of the phrase ‘to bear in mind’.

6)

He would be a good President. (Add a question tag)

7)

What challenge awaits the students as future citizens?

SECTION - B

Q. IV.

A)

A youngster at school, more grave than the rest,

Had once his integrity put to the test:

His comrades had plotted an orchard to rob,

And asked him to come and assist in the job,

He was very much shocked, and answered---‘Oh, no;

What, rob our poor neighbour, his orchard’s his bread;

Then think of his children, for they must be fed’,

"You speak very fine, and you look very grave,

But apples we want, and apples we’ll have;

If you will go with us, we will give you a share,

If not, you shall have neither apple nor pear,

They spoke, and Tom pondered---I see they will go;

Poor man! What a pity to injure him so,

Poor man! I would save him his fruits if I could,

But staying behind will do him no good.

If this matter depended alone upon me,

His apples might hang till they dropped from the tree,

But since they will take them; I think I’ll go too,

He will lose none by me, though I get a few."

1)

What is this extract about?

2)

Write any two rhyming words from this extract.

3)

i)

Who was right, the boy or his friends? Why?

ii)

How did the boy’s friends try to tempt him?

4)

Do you think the boys reaction was right? Why?

5)

How does the boy justify his action?

B)

Home they brought her warrior dead

She nor swooned, nor uttered a cry

All her maidens, watching, said,

‘She must weep or she will die’.

Then they praised him; soft and low

Call’d him worthy to be loved,

Truest friend and noblest for,

Yet she neither spoke nor moved.

Stole a maiden from her place,

Lightly to the warrior slept,

Took the face-cloth from the face,

Yet she neither moved nor wept.

Rose a nurse of ninety years,

Set his child upon her knee

Like summer tempest came her tears---

‘Sweet my child, I live for thee’.

1)

i)

Who was brought home?

ii)

What was the reaction of the wife?

2)

Name and explain the figure of speech from the following line:

Truest friend and noblest for.

3)

i)

What did the maiden’s do to make the wife weep?

ii)

How did the wife react when the dead warrior’s face cloth was removed?

4)

Why do you think the lady cried on seeing her child?

SECTION - C

Q. V.

1)

The heavens declare the glory of God. (Change the Voice)

2)

Birbal was the cleverest man. (Use the Comparative degree)

3)

God will remember the cry of the humble. (Make it Negative)

4)

The beauties of nature are beyond description. (Rewrite as an Interrogative Sentence)

5)

Ah, how impressive it is! (Rewrite as an Assertive Sentence)

6)

7)

Vijay Merchant said, "Cricket has given me fame." (Change into Indirect Narration)

8)

I had excelled consistently in both sports and academics. (Rewrite using ‘not only…… but also’)

9)

JRD recognised that manpower was the basis of development. (Identify the clause and state their relation)

10)

Neem protects sugarcane and wheat very well. Nothing happens to those who eat them. (Rewrite using ‘so……that’)

SECTION - D

Q. VI.

1)

Write a letter to your friend describing the celebration of Annual Social Day in your School.

Write a letter to the Mayor of your city, requesting him to have a multi-purpose stadium in order to promote various welfare activities for the youth.

2)

Your class has visited an institute for the disabled children. Prepare a report in about twenty sentences.

Prepare a report of the Republic Day celebration in your school, in about twenty sentences.

Q. VII.

A)

i)

Home sweet home!

ii)

Importance of sports and games in Education.

iii)

An Autobiography of an old text book.

iv)

India after 50 years of Independence.

B)

i)

My Neighbours.

ii)

An evening in the public park along with my friends.

iii)

An incident of dowry death.

iv)

……and that is why I shall never watch horror movies late at night. Write a story leading to this ending. Give it a suitable title.