Teaching Text Book For Class XII

WELCOME TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING FOR CLASS: XII
IMPORTANT POINTS FOR EFFECTIVE LANGAUAGE TEACHING
JUSTIFICATION FOR TITLE OF BOOK “FLAMINGOES”
Ø 1. Flamingoes live together and in harmony. The bird also reflects harmonious blend of many elements.
Ø 2. These various elements would teach to live harmonious and social life.
Ø 3. Flamingoes rake up mud to find their sustenance similarly the book encourages student to rake up facts and information to quench their thirst for knowledge.
Ø 4. Flamingoes fly with stretched neck and legs. The book also allows children to stretch their imagination, horizon of knowledge.

MAIN POINTS TO REMEMBER FOR TEACHING THE BOOK
Ø ) Discourage Rot Learning – Children to be participants rather than just listeners
Ø 2) Maintain sharp distance between different subject areas
Ø 3) To encourage child centred education – Teacher is only a facilitator
Ø 4) To encourage children to reflect on their learning.
Ø 5. To pursue imagination activities and questioning.
Ø 6. To provide time, space and freedom to generate knowledge.
Ø 7. To give high priority and opportunity for contemplation and wording, discussion in small groups.
Ø 8. To make them aware of socio-political issues that they may confront outside the school.
Ø 9. To provide opportunity to develop language skills. Each lesson has to have specific skills
LAST LESSON
Ø TEACHING AIDS- MAP OF EUROPE.
WORLD WAR- I
PICTURE OF THREE CORNER HAT.
PRE- TEACHING PREPARATION
Ø 1. History of Franco- Prussian War and its consequences.
Ø 2. Meaning of “VIVA LE FRANCE” Etc.
Ø Language Activity : 1) Etymology of words
2) Past Perfect
LOST SPRING

Ø PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE-
Ø A. 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war - condition and reason for it.
Ø Language Activity: Hyperbole Metaphor and simile. Note very title is suggestive of metaphor.
Ø 1. Aspirations of urchin’s life like wanting to wear shoes, liking tennis game which is beyond their reach.
Ø 2. Misery of bangle makers- loosing eye sight before becoming adults.
Ø 3. Irony of old women- There is a widow makes bangles for “SUHAG TO OTHER WOMEN”.
DEEP WATER
Ø 1. Knowledge to be acquired :
Ø (A) Techniques of swimming (B) Various methods of fishing like bass fishing, touts© Difference between canoeing, boating yachting (D) various kinds of style in swimming (E) Various water sports.
Ø LANGUAGE SKILL- Narration in first person
Rattrap
Ø . Knowledge about Iron Foundry.
Ø 2. Life of Rag picker, petty thief and waga bond.
Ø 3. Seeing the whole world as a rattrap.
Ø 4. Understanding the human nature with love and affection.
Ø LANGUAGE SKILL- Regional expression.

INDIGO
A V AIDS- Map of India.
Knowledge of Indian freedom movement.
Importance of personal hygiene.
Methods of Gandhi from time to time.
LANGUAGE SKILLS-A. Legal Jargons B Direct and reported speech C Usage of common to separate sub-ordinate clause.

POET AND PANCAKES
Ø 1. Life of Robert Clive.
Ø 2. Information about actress mentioned.
Ø 3. City map of Chennai.
Ø 4. French windows.
Ø 5. Romantic poets.
Ø 6. Difference in making films in olden days and films of present days.
Ø 7. Connection between poetry & films
Ø 8. Films as social reformers.
Ø Language activity : (1) Rambling Style (2) Effortless change from person to person / characteristics (3) Humour and satire
THE INTERVIEW
OBJECT: Interview as communicative guide
Specific objective: Understanding of vital points of personal interview 2. Specific area of information
AV Aids: film Nayak- Interview between Anil Kapoor and Ambresh Puri Interview of America Presidential candidate3. Interview published in India today And Aaj Tak.
Language Activity; (1) Use of linkers – Pronouns, Repetitions & wh-words: Their importance in interviews and emphasizing a point.
ACTIVITIES
Ø 1. Writing from one writing genera to another- Interview to story, Interview to report and vice versa
Ø 2. Students to interview eminent people- eliciting information.
Ø 3. Idea to understand (a) Semiotics (b) Interstices (c) elevator
Ø 4. Why narrative forms are better vehicles.
Ø 5. How misconceptions can take place due to limited information- as Mr. Eco was mistaken only as novelist and not as academician.
Ø 6. Success of some films is mysterious – as in the case of “The Name of rose “by Mr.U.Eco.
GOING TO PLACES
Language Activities-
(A) Metaphorical expression including the title.
(B). Colloquial and slang usage
(C). Usage of present participle.
Concept of hero worship and above.

Sub Theme
Ø !. Aspirations of teenagers leaving school
Ø 2. Their achievement and failure
Ø 3. Success and failure as part of game and essential component of life.
Pre teaching knowledge requirement about English Premier Foot ball League and names of leading clubs.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ø The last lesson- Etymology of words
Ø 2. Lost spring- Figures of speech- Hyperbole, Metaphor and simile note that.
Ø 3. Deep water: Narration in 1st person.
Ø 4. Rat Trap: Regional expressions.
Ø 5. Indigo: Legal Jargons- Direct and reported speech. Usage of common to special subordinate class.
Ø 6. Poets and Pancakes: Rambling style- Effectives change from person to person humour and satire.
MY MOTHER AT SIXTY FIVE
Ø 1. Realism in poem
Ø 2. Pain of bring up the children- Pain of loosing the mother.
Ø 3. Parting smile signifying reassurance of care at old age.
Ø 4. Sprinting Trees move at rapid pace in opposite direction when people travel in a vehicle. Children are compared to sprinting trees as they in opposite direction due to generation gap- Metaphorical.
AN ELEMENTRY SCHOOL CLASSROOM IN SLUM
Ø Teacher Aid- 1. Map of Europe 2. Picture of inside of Pyramid tombs
Ø Rootless weeds- Children are called so because they have no roots of proper culture and education and are social wastes.
Ø Sour cream wall- Because of old paint emit a bad smell and taste.
Ø “Awarding world its world”- people of world can locate place in the world map.
Ø Things to note. Contrast, fantasy and dreams.
KEEPING QUITE
Ø 1. Count till 12 and keep quite may help us to introspect and to think and build lofty aims.
Ø 2. The poet does not advocate inactivity and death .On the other hand he yearns for peace through silence.
Ø 3. The sadness referred is sadness caused by destructive activity like war. It is also caused by lack of realization and refusal to tolerate other man's folly.
Ø 4. Earth is the symbol of nature- She goes round silently yet carrying on her task. This signifies that there can be life under silence.
Ø Point to note: Iambic pentameter.
A THING OF BEAUITY
Ø Things to note:
Ø A Verbal picture created by the poet.
Ø B Rhyme scheme
Ø C Powerful yet contrasting ideas just opposite to enhance ideas.

ROAD SIDE
Ø Points in support of pitiable condition:
Ø 1) Condition of shop: a).Pathetically Pled”
Ø (b)Faint drawing and withering paint.
Ø 2) condition of People : People move to place near theatre and store with childish longing to fulfil their needs
Ø 3. Condition of shop Keeper :( a) No one purchased much from the shop leaving in present. (b) Battered spirit.
Ø Contrast : Withering paint – polished traffic
Ø Complaint of people 1. Road stand marring the landscape with its improper signs and letters.
Ø Criticism 1. The party in power promises much but does nothing.
Ø 2. social organization pose of showing benefits which results in sleepless night
Ø Personal longing of poet- To have power to alleviate the poverty of the people with one structure
Ø Poetic beauty in rhyme scheme and constant running of the same idea except last para.
ANUNT JENNIFER’S TIGER
Ø 1. Tigher thinks that it is endowed with old chivalric attitude of valour honour and respect for women.
Ø Irony on thinking of husbands.
Ø Massive weight of wedding bond
Ø Terrified hands still ringed with ordeals.
Ø She may die but her tiger will survive.
THE THIRD LEVEL
Ø PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE.
Ø A. Pre world war situation.
Ø B. Life after 1st world war.
Ø C. About the author and his writing.
TEACHING AID:
A. Map of world war.
B. Photo of central station.
THEME OF THE LESSON.
Ø 1.” Waking dream wish fulfilment”.
Ø 2. Medium of escape.
Ø 3. Interweave fantasy and reality.
Ø 4. Irony: The psychiatrist also joins his patient in the world of fantasy and escapism.
THE TIGER KING
Ø Previous knowledge:
Ø A. Life style of ancient Indian kings.
Ø B. Present tiger population and past.
Ø Theme of the lesson:
Ø 1. Belief on astrology.
Ø 2. No respect for tiger.
Ø 3. Ready to take risk for personal life.
Ø 4. Satire and humour

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH
Ø PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:
Ø 1. Resources of Antarctica.
Ø 2. History of Antarctica.
Ø 3. Knowledge of Earth formation.
Ø TEACHING AID:
Ø 1. Map of Antarctica.
Ø 2. Photo of Antarctica.
Ø 3. Ship used for the journey.

Theme of lesson
Ø Journey to the coldest place in the world.
Ø How the continent was formed.
Ø Purpose for the study tour.
Ø Place to go as it gives knowledge for earth’s past, present and future.
Ø Effects of climate change.
Ø Life in the coldest place of the world.
THE ENEMY
Ø PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:
Ø World War II.
Ø Condition of war prisoners.
Ø TEACHING AID:
Ø 1. Map of Japan.
Ø 2. Photo of prisoners of war.
Ø Theme of the lesson:
Ø Japan’s war with America
Ø Attitude of a doctor.
Ø Duty of the doctor.

SHOULD WIZARD HIT MOMMY?
Fathers love for his daughter.
Effect of Racial segregation
Dream of an ideal world.
Hatred has no place in an idealist world.
Moral value varies for those of elders.
Child lives in a dream world.
ON THE FACE OF IT
Ø 1. Effect of Inferiority complex.
Ø 2. Built positive attitude in children.
Ø 3. Right way to judge the people.
Ø 4. Self confident in one self.
EVANS TRIES AN O-LEVEL.
Ø Previous knowledge:
Ø 1. Life in a prison.
Ø Attitude of jail authority.
Ø Teaching Aid:
Ø 1. Photo of any jail.
Theme of the lesson.
1. Character of Evans.
2. Attitude of the Jailor.

MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD.
Ø Previous knowledge:
Ø 1. Childhood memories of any people.
Ø 2. Condition of women writers.
Ø Teaching Aid: Photo of any women writer.
Ø Theme of the lesson.
Ø 1. Evils of untouchability.
Ø 2. Inhuman attitude of the people.
Ø 3. Plight of women writers.
Ø 4. Education gives dignity and Respect.

Question Bank

Question Bank for the Average and the Bright Children

Reading (20 marks)
Unseen Passages for Exercise
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
Writing (20 marks)
Letter Writing

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1. Your friend Abhinav lives in Bangalore. An International Book Fair is going on in your city. Write a letter inviting him to come and stay with you and visit the Book fair. Your are Pulkit/ Nikita living at A-405, Vijay Laxmi Apartments, Lajpat Nagar, Delhi.

2. You are Tarun / Shikha living at D-503, Ganesh Nagar, Delhi. There is a lot of garbage lying on the main road just near the bus stand. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner of Delhi complaining against this nuisance.

3. Your father has sent a beautiful gift on your birthday from New York. Write a letter to him expressing your feelings of love and admiration for him. You are Sapna / Mudit, living at D-30, Saraswati Kunj, Chennai.

4. There is a lack of clean toilets in your brother's school. Write a letter to the Principal, Evergreen Senior Secondary School, Daryaganj, New Delhi complaining about this most essential problem. You are Karan / Divya living at F-311, Ekta Colony, Delhi.

5. You went on a holiday to Mount Abu with your family during the winter break. Write a letter to your friend, Shweta at Jaipur sharing with her how you enjoyed your tour. You are Umang / Lovish, living at A-H, Gobind Vihar, Delhi.

6. There is no proper arrangement of clean drinking water in the school of your younger sister. Write a letter to the Principal of Summer Spring Girls School, Vinod Garden, Delhi complaining about this most urgent problem. You are Sarthak / Aaradhna living at A-14, Sun City, Delhi.

7. You are Mudit, living at 213, Nirman Colony, Delhi. There is no shade at the bus stand in your colony, causing hardships to people in bad weather. Write a letter to the Chairman, Delhi Transport Corporation, requesting him to make necessary arrangements.

8. You are Manoj, living in Room No. 14 of Triveni Boys Hostel, Venkateshwara College, Sonepat. You cannot be with your parents on the Mother's Day. Write a letter to your mother informing her about your inability to join them.

9. During summer vacations, children stick to the television most of the time. Write a letter to the Director Doordarshan suggesting new programmes you would like to have for children. You are Surinder Mohan, 41, Brij Vihar Colony, Dwarka.

10. Anita has come to know that her friend Savita is not happy in her new school. Write a letter advising her to keep patience, devote time to studies and make new friends. Your address is F-35, Alaknanda Apartments, Mayur Colony, Bangalore:

11. You are Nihar / Niharika Sharma living at 154, G Block, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi. You participated in the Police Week organised by the Traffic Police recently. Write a letter to your father informing him of all that you did during the week.

12. A newly constructed railway underbridge has been opened for the public recently. During early rains it has become a pool of water. Write a letter to the Commissioner M.C.D. inviting his urgent attention to this problem. You are Nikhil / Nikita Sharma living at 26, Sukh Vihar, Delhi.

13. You are Amrish living at G-213. Adarsh Colony, Mathura Road, New Delhi. A number of vehicles are parked for CNG filling on Ring Road, causing traffic jam. Write a letter to the Traffic Commissioner complaining about this problem.
14. Your fnend, Kunal, is fond of reading good books. Write a letter to him inviting him to visit the Book Fair which is going to be held in your city in December. You are Rajiv Mittal, living at II-15, Ballabh Colony, New Delhi.

15. You are Mudit. living at 131, West Block, Nirman Vihar, New Delhi. You have noticed that begging and vending takes place at traffic intersections. Write a letter to the Commissioner, Traffic Police complaining against this practice.

16. Your married sister, Rachna lives at Mussoorie. You like this place very much. Write a letter to your sister informing her about your plan to visit her during your Autumn Break in the last week of September. You are Deepti, living at 150. 1st Floor. Dilshad Apartments. Delhi.

17. You are Ramola, living at 126. Shantanagar Complex. Delhi. There is no bus stop within a radius of two kilometers in your locality. Write a letter to the Editor, National Daily, drawing attention of the State Government to this problem.

18. Your friend, Utkarsh has been living abroad for several years. Write a letter to him describing some of the recent changes in your city. You are Alok living at B-a. Mansarovar Park, Nehru Nagar. Delhi. (Word limit: 120 words)

19. You are Sukesh / Suman living at 1B-64, Mayur Colony, Delhi. Your friend from Calcutta has invited you to visit him/her after your examinations are over. Write a letter to him / her, expressing your inability.

20. You are interested in learning fashion technology through a correspondence course. Write a letter to the Principal of Fashion Institute of Correspondence, C.R. Das Road, Nasik, inquiring about the details of fee and duration of the course, etc. While writing, imagine yourself to be Sangeet / Sangeeta Jain who is living at 15, Sangeet Bhawan, Janakpuri.
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21. Write an application to the Principal of your school, apologising for being absent from the school without tendering any application for leave. As your name has been struck off the rolls, request the principal to re-admit you. You are Kamal, 51, BL Block, Phase II, Ashok Vihar, Delhi.

22. Your friend Parikh has passed the Secondary Examination with a high percentage of marks. Write a letter to him congratulating him on his success. Also ask him about his future plans. You are Ankur, staying at B-1I15 Janakpuri, New Delhi.

23. You are Ashok Kalra 62-A, Kamla Nagar, Delhi. Your friend AnshuI, at Chandigarh, has invited you to his brother's marriage. You can't attend the function. Write a letter expressing regret for your inability to attend the marriage. Give reasons for your inability.

24. You are Pankaj / Priyanka, living in the students' hostel of Cambridge Mission School. Write a letter to your brother, telling him about an interesting weekend that you spent at a friend's house.

25. You are Alok / Akriti, living at 15, Mansarovar Garden in Delhi. Write a letter to the Police Commissioner, complaining about the rising incidents of chain snatching and pick pocketing in your area.

26. You are Ramesh / Raveena living at 131/5, Lawrence Road, Railway Colony, Delhi. Write a letter to your father, posted in Baroda, telling him of your plan to attend a National Service Camp for three weeks during the summer vacation.
27. You are Navodit / Neeta living at 15, Sweet Valley Apartments, Noida. Write a letter to the Editor of the 'Navchetna Times', S.M. Road, Delhi, about the misuse and poor maintenance of the public park in your area.

28. You are Pramod living at F-72, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi. Write a letter to the Chairman of D.T.C. requesting him to provide the facility of a special bus service in the morning for school going children of your locality.

29. You are Ashutosh, a resident of 6/132, Court Road, Civil Lines, Kolkata. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper telling how you organised a tree plantation programme in your school.

30. Write a letter to M/s. H.M.T. Corporation, Chandigarh, complaining that the wrist watch you recently bought from them does not function properly and ask for replacement. You are Deepti / Deepak Gupta of 450, Sector 20, Chandigarh. .

31. Write a letter to the Editor of a local daily complaining against the school-bus drivers who drive rashly and also about overcrowding of buses, causing risk to the lives of innocent school children. You are Dipti / Deepak from C-4C, Janakpuri, New Delhi.

32. You are Sanjay, living at 9 'A' Block, Ashok Nagar, New Delhi. Write a letter to the Police Commissioner requesting him to take effective steps to provide security to old people and women folk of your area.

33. You are Vivek, a resident of E-96, Temple Road, New City, Calcutta. Write a letter to your friend inviting him to spend a Sunday with your family.

34. You are Vinay, living at 239, Ansari Road, Delhi. Write a letter to the Director of Health Services, New Delhi suggesting the setting up of a dispensary in your area. (Expected words: 100)

35. You are Ankur, a resident of 195, Vasant Vihar, Indore. Write a letter to your friend telling him how you celebrated the 50th anniversary of India's Independence in your school. (Expected words: 100)

36. You are Tarun, living at 2590, Sohan Ganj, Subzi Mandi, Delhi. Write a letter to the Editor of The Hindustan Times drawing his attention to the poor voltage problem in your area. (Expected words: 100)

37. You are Dinesh, a resident of E-239, Yamuna Vihar, Bombay. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper, telling him how you organised a cleanliness campaign in your colony. (Expected words: 100)

38. You are Gautum, resident of 215, Pratap Estate, Raghubirpura, Delhi. Write a letter to a property dealer, asking him to get you a three-bedroom house on rent in the Janakpuri area. (Expected words: 100)

39. You are Rishab, living at 239, Model Town, Panipat. Write a letter to your friend explaining why you could not attend his sister's marriage ceremony and also explain to him about your inability to inform him earlier. (Expected words: 100)

40. You are Sumit Arora, living at 315, 'F' Block, Happy Gardens, New Colony, Delhi. This is a residential colony but has become virtually a thoroughfare for fast running vehicles. Write a letter to the Chief Engineer. M.C.D., Delhi to construct speed barkers in the colony.
41. You are Rajat Mittal of Sarvodaya Academy Senior Secondary School. Vikas Nagar, Delhi. You do not have the facility of computers in your school. Stressing the need of computer literacy in the modern age. Write a letter to the Principal of your school, requesting him to provide this facility to the students of the school.

42. You are Pankaj, a resident of 1O, Prashant Vihar, New Delhi. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, Delhi, requesting him to visit your locality which is not being cleaned and wherein roads are in miserable condition.

43. You are Tarun, living at C-4, Janakpuri, New Delhi. You had ordered one dozen electronic toys, out of which some had been damaged during postal delivery. Write a letter requesting M/S Toyland and Co., Nai Sarak, Delhi to replace the damaged toys immediately.

44. You are Sharad Aggarwal, studying in Anupam Shiksha Kendra, Baraut. There is an irregular supply of electricity in your town. Write a letter to the Principal requesting him to arrange for a generator in the school.

45. You are Sachin. You live at 115, Chetna Apartments, Mayur Colony, New Delhi. You and your friends had subscribed to two magazines a few months ago. While they are regularly getting the magazines you are not receiving it. Write a letter to the Postmaster requesting him to see that your mail is delivered to you regularly.

46. You are Gaurav Bansal, studying in Sucheta Bal Mandir, Chandigarh. Your classroom is on the third floor where you do not get sufficient supply of drinking water. Write a letter to the Principal of your school requesting him to get a booster pump installed.

47. You are Ranjan Mishra, living at D-203, Esplanade Road, Delhi. The footpaths of this place are being occupied by cycle dealers and transporters. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, Delhi requesting him to get the footpath cleared.

48. You are Prakash Singh, studying in Rao Hari Singh Memorial School, Hissar. The building of your school is so old that cement plaster has fallen down from several places in the walls. Write a letter to the Principal of your school requesting him for the repairs.

49. You are Rohit Bajaj, living at A-1O, MIG Flats, Gurgaon. Many telephones of your area are dead for the last three months in spite of several complaints. Write a letter to the Area Manager, Telephone Nigam Ltd., requesting him to get the fault repaired.


50. Your uncle has presented a book to you on your birthday. It is on the art of living. Pointing out the usefulness of the book in real life, write a letter in about 100 words, thanking your uncle for sending such a gift. You are Navin / Nalini, living at 250, Rajdhani Enclave, Baroda.

51. Your brother / sister Puneet / Nita is studying in class X in Manisha Academy, Surat. You have come to know that in the school library, the copies of the book containing the Question Bank in English are insufficient. Your brother / sister has not been able to get the book. Write a letter in about 100 words to the Principal of the school requesting him/her to get more books for the library to meet the demands of the students. You are Vinod/Sarita, living at F-31, Gandhi Colony, Surat. .

52. You are Rachna / Rajan, living in the hostel of Kings Sr. Sec. School, Meerut. Stating about your activities, including your adjustment with other hostel inmates, food you get and how you feel about this life, write a letter to your father in about 100 words.

53. You are Madhuri / Manohar Singh living in 131, Noor Nivas, Mayur Vihar, Phase I, Delhi. Your colony is facing menace of monkeys for the last six months. Drawing attention towards the disturbance in day to day life, write a letter in about 100 words to the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, requesting him to take the required steps to solve this problem, as early as possible.

54. You are Lalita / Lalit, living at 56, New Friends Colony, New Delhi. When you go to school, you find a number of cows moving aimlessly here and there causing problems to all the passers-by. Stating the problem faced by the people, write a letter in about 100 words, to the Police Commissioner requesting him to make proper arrangement for their shelter.

55. You are Preeti / Prateek Mittal, living at 3244, Sarita Colony, Delhi-32. Your friend Sheetu / Naren has gone to Mumbai as her / his father has been transferred. Recollecting the sweet remembrances of old times, write a letter to him in about 100 words inviting her / him to stay with you during the vacation. Also mention the programmes you have planned of her / his liking.

56. You are Anju / Anuj Grover, living at 146, Rohtas Nagar, Delhi-91. Your colony is facing the problem of stray dogs. Even the movements of its residents have become restricted especially in the evenings. Stating the difficulties, write a letter in about 100 words to the Municipal authority of your city, to tackle this problem in an effective manner.

Paragraph / Speech / Article Writing

1. Your friend Ankit in your class sometimes leaves the school early as he has to help his mother manage the vegetable shop. Many times he has been punished by the class teacher for leaving the school early. But he says that he is earning while studying. Do you agree with him? Write in about 150 words your views on the topic.

2. Recently, your younger brother Amit has started using abusive language at home and with his friends. You have tried to explain to him that by using bad language you lose your own respect, but he does not listen to it and says that he does it because others too use bad language. Write in about 125-150 words explaining to him the pros and cons of using decent good language.

3. Your younger sister Sunita is fond of soft drinks. Not only does she waste her pocket money on these things but also she has been harming her health as she does not eat food. Write in about 150 words your opinion on the use of soft drinks. Bring out the harmful effects along with the suggestions.

4. Your friend Ishaan has been wasting a lot of time watching TV instead of reading books other than textbooks. Write a paragraph in about 150 words explaining the benefits of reading books and not watching the TV beyond a certain time. You can also add the harmful effects of watching TV in excess.

5. Recently your friend was punished for using mobile phone in the school. Some of your friends resented the punishment, others agreed with the school authorities. Write in about 125-150 words bringing out the use and abuse of mobile phones in the school.

6. A debate has been organised in your school on the topic 'Term' end examinations should be abolished. Write your views for and against the topic in about 125-150 words.

7. Your father has arranged for a lot of gifts to be given to your elder sister in her marriage. You feel that these gifts are like giving dowry to your sister. Write your views on the topic bringing out the use and abuse of this custom. Your answer should not exceed 150 words.

8. After passing class X, you have to decide your choice of subjects that you would like to study and pursue, but your school does not have the facility of providing subjects that you would like to opt. Write your views on the subject expressing that there should not be any limitation on the choice of subjects which a student might like to pursue. You can also voice your opinion on the 'streams' offered by your school. Word limit: 150 words.

9. Recently you have observed that many young boys and, girls wear clothes, in the name of being ‘fashionable’, which do not suit them, nor do they look good and decent in them. Write in about 150 words your views on dressing well and good without looking ugly and uncouth thereby being 'fashionable' and 'hap'.

11. Your friend left his home two days ago and came to your house as his father had admonished him for not studying for his exam. Your friend was angry and had talked back to his father. Write a paragraph in about 150 words explaining to your friend that his action of leaving the home was not appropriate and that at times if the elders in the house are strict they should be politely obeyed.

12. You are Radhika / Radhey. You are a member of Eco. Club. You enjoy looking after the plants but on Monday, you could not enjoy your hobby as it was very hot. Write a paragraph in about 50-60 words on the topic 'A Hot Summer Day.

13. You are Sapna / Swapnit. Your younger brother / sister has asked you to advise him / her about how to prepare for secondary school exams. Write a paragraph on the topic 'Preparing for the Secondary School Exams'.
14. Recently you went to your cousin's house at a hill station. You were excited to enjoy the natural surroundings and beautiful scenery there. Write a paragraph about 'Your Visit to a Hill Station.'

Report / Pictorial Description / factual Description

1. You are Secretary of the Science Club of your school. You have to read out the details of the activities of your club at the Annual Function. Write a brief report in about 50-60 words.

2. You were an eye-witness of the recent train accident between the Sealdah Express and the Golden Temple Express. Write a report in 50-60 words, mentioning the loss of lives, the scene of rescue work by the neighbouring villagers.

3. You are Puneet, studying in class X. Your attended a NCC / NSS camp recently. Mentioning the date, the number of participants and other important details, write a report in about 50-60 words for your school magazine.

4. You are a newspaper reporter. Writer a report in about 50-60 words on an accident to which you are an eye-witness.

5. You are Ramesh, studying in class X. You participated in a State-level debate on World Population Day held in your school. Mentioning the date, the topic of the debate, number of participants and other important details, write a report in about 50-60 words for your school magazine.

6. Recently your school orgainsed a Literacy Camp. Write in about 50-60 words what the students and teachers did on this occasion.

7. The Principal of your school invited a well-known social worker to address the students on Moral Education in the Prayer Assembly of your School. You attended his lecture. He gave some practical demonstration on Yoga. Write a report in about 50-60 words for your school magazine. You are Pulkit, studying in class X, the Happy Springs School, Poona.

8. You visited 13th book fair at Pragati Maidan recently. It was an exhibition. There were books related to different subjects and age groups. Write a report on your visit in about 50-60 words.

9. You were watching a film in Uphaar cinema hall. Suddenly there was a stampede at the exit gates as the hall was full of smoke and fire. Write a report in about 50-60 words.

10. You were shopping in the busy market of Connaught Place. Suddenly there was a powerful bomb blast in which 10 persons died and 50 were injured. Write a report on the incident in 50-60 words.

11. You went to a departmental store to buy some provisions. Suddenly four gunmen entered the building and looted the cashier. Write a report on the robbery in 50-60 words.

12. You went for boating at a lake in Japanese park. You saw some merrymaker jumping on and off a boat. Suddenly, the boat overturned and the passengers started drowning. Describe the steps you and others took to help the victims of this drowning tragedy in 50-­60 words.

13. You were standing on the roof of you house. Children were flying kites. Suddenly you noticed a boy in the neighoured falling off the roof. Write a report on the incident.

14. You were an eyewitness to a building being demolished by the D.N.A. authorities. Write a report on the incident in about 50-60 words.

15. Last month there was a theft in your neighbourhood. Describe in about 50-60 words what you saw and did at the time.

16. Give an eyewitness account of the International Trade Fair held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi in about 50-60 words.

17. Last Sunday, you enjoyed a picnic with some of your friends. Give its brief description in about 50-60 words.

18. Describe an eyewitness account of the inter-class tournament of your school in about 50-60 words.

19. Give an eyewitness account of a quarrel between two ladies over the children in about 50-60 words.

20. You are a press reporter. You visited a site of a railway accident. Write a report in about 50-60 words describing the situations at the site of accident. 24. As a press reporter, describe a scene at a polling booth in about 50-60 words. 25. You are Rohit Gupta of Ramjas Pubhc School, Pusa Road, New Delhi.

21. Your school hoisted an Inter-Home Dramatics Competition. The plays were self-written, themes were based on social issues and they were in English. Write a report in 50-60 words for your school magazine giving details of presentation and the results.

22. Your younger brother had to take part in an "On the Spot Painting Competition" at Bal Bhawan, New Delhi. You took him to the place and watched the activities there. Write in about 50-60 words what you saw there.

23. As a press reporter, you visited the site of recent fire destruction in a J.J. cluster. Describer it in about 50-60 words.

24. Once you saved a girl's life when she got bumt on Diwali. Write a report on how you saved the girl in 50-60 words to be submitted to your school principal.

25. Give an eyewitness account of a pickpocket being caught red-handed in a bus in 50-60 words.

26. Do you remember a day without water? Write a report about how people had suffered on a day without water in 50-60 words.

27. You are a reporter with 'The Hindustan Times' in Gujarat. Write a report about the 'Earthquake' /A Trial of Destruction which took place in Ahmedabad in about 50-60 words.

28. You attended the inauguration ceremony of the World Trade Fair 2007. It was inaugurated by the President of India. Write a report in not more than 50-60 words.

29. Last week, you attended a seminar on 'The Importance of Blood Donation', organised by the Red Cross Society of India. Write a report in not more than 50-60 words.

30. Your school recently conducted a charity show in aid of the earthquake-affected people of Gujarat. Write a brief report on the same in not more than 50-60 words.

31. You are a reporter with the Hindustan Times in New Delhi. Write a report in 50-60 words about a road accident involving a bus and a Maruti Car in which a number of people were injured.

32. A few months ago the Principal of your school got retired. On this occasion, a farewell function was held in his honour. Report the event in about 50-60 words.

33. You visited a circus show last Sunday. The circus people displayed some unusual feats. Write a report of your visit in about 50-60 words.

34. Your locality experiences regular power-cuts in New Delhi. Write a report of your misery in about 50-60 words.


Grammar (15 marks)
Set 1
1 The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the lines against which a blank is given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet as given below against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied.
Example (1/2 x8=4)
Once an poor woman, who had e.g. an – a
lost his only son, came to Budha and (a)
prayed to him to bringing her (b)
dead son back in life. Budha (c)
said that there is only one medicine (d)
that can given back her son’s life. (e)
She asked him who it was. Budha (f)
told her that she will bring (g)
a handful off mustard seeds from a (h)
house where death had not taken place.
The woman then understood the message given by Budha.

2. Read the dialogue and complete the passage given below. Write the correct answer in your answer-sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence (4)
Deepti: Why do you look so sad?
Rohit: I have lost my wrist watch.
Deepti: Where did you lose it?
Rohit: Somewhere in the school playground.
Deepti asked Rohit (a)_________________________.Rohit told her (b)____________________. Deepti wanted to know (c)____________________. Rohit said that he (d)___________________ somewhere in the school playground.

3. The underlined words in the following passage have been used inappropriately. Replace them with their appropriate forms. Write your answers in your answer sheet with correct number Do not copy the whole passage (1/2x8=4)
Newspapers sell because of news and (a) editor coverage but they get more revenue from (b) advertise. News cost money, advertisements fetch money. The (c) economical of modern newspaper is such that it cannot run by just (d) sell news; it has to (e) dependent on advertisements. The economics of newspaper publishing requires both (f) subscribe who can afford to buy newspapers and businessmen who can advertise in it. The (g) grow of the press depends on both. Therefore, in newspaper (h) manage neither aspect can be neglected.

4. Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly. (3x1=3)
Example:
a/virtue/is/god-gifted/selflessness
Selflessness is a god-gifted virtue.
(a) puts/man/his/a/aside/selfless/self
(b) thinks/others/for/he/others/and/for/works
(c) seeks/he/his/of others/happiness/in the happiness
Set 2
In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined as shown. (1\2 x8=4)
Example
It is a matter common experience e.g. matter of common
that new born babies cry lot during (a)
the first month. But as the baby (b)
starts growing there is a marked (c)
decline in this practice. And the time (d)
he is two years old habit is almost gone (e)
In fact crying the baby’s first sound (f)
Message. Most mothers are to distinguish (g)
Between cries indicating hunger, anger pain (h)
Below you can see a set of instructions for getting a book issued from the library. Read these instructions and complete the passage given below: (1x4=4)
(a) Select the required book from the shelves
(b) Give the book along with the library ticket at the counter.
(c) The librarian mentions the date of return on the book.
(d) Show the book to the checker at the gate.

For getting a book issued from the library, first of all the required book (a)____________from the library shelves. Then it (b)__________________along with the library ticket at the counter. The date of return (c)____________________by the librarian in the book. While leaving the library the book (d)________________to the checker at the gate.

The underlined words in the following passage have been used inappropriately. Replace them with their appropriate forms. Write your answer in your answer sheet with correct number. Do not copy the whole passage (1/2x8=4)
Bananas are often known for soft texture and (a) smooth. It reduces our (b) acid and reduces (c) irritate by coating the lining of the stomach. This unique (d) tropic fruit is (e) extreme high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat high blood (f) press. A drug administration allowed the banana industry to make (g) office claims for the fruit’s ability to (h) reduction the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly. (3x1=3)
Example
Amusement/are/a source of/to/sleep walkers/other people
Sleep walkers are a source of amusement to other people.

a. for/sleep walkers/anxiety/a source of/but/are/their families
b. incidents/to prevent/not easy/are/sleep walking
c. result/and sometimes/in accidents/they
Set 3
In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined as shown.
½ x 8 = 4 marks
Nowadays most the children e.g. most of the
get an opportunity go on school trips. (a)
They will jump the chance (b)
to be away home for a (c)
week two. Some children, specially those (d)
leaving home for first time very much (e)
miss parents. Home sickness (j)
is often caused something minor such as not (g)
liking food or changed routine. (h)
Read the following passage and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words given in brackets. Correctly number and write the answers in your answer sheet.
½ x 8 = 4 marks
The tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh (a) ------------ (happen) on 13th April, 1919 when about 25,000 people (b) ----------- (assemble) to hear their leaders. The British General, Dyer (c) --------------- (block) all the exits and (d) ------------ (order) his soldiers (e) ------------ (open) fire at the peaceful (j) ---------- (gather). A large number of men, women and children (g) ----------- (kill) and wounded. This brutality (h) ------------ (make) the peo­ple more determined to achieve their goal of independence.
3. Read the dialogue and complete the passage given below. Write the correct answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence.
4 marks
Sumit : I am surprised to see you here in Delhi. When did you come?
Mohan: I came here yesterday. I have been offered a job here.
Sumit told Mohan (a) ------------------------- in Delhi and asked (b) ---------------------------. Mohan replied (c) -------------------------. He added (d) -----------------------------------
4. Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to, form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly. 3 marks

Example:
the / gifts / young ones / give / elders / festivals / on
Elders give the young ones gifts on festivals.

(a) its / school/15th of January / the / on / celebrated / annual day
(b) sweets / all / yesterday / were given / the students
(c) plays / games / his computer / younger brother / my / on

Set 4
The underlined words in the following passage have been used inappropriately. Replace them with their appropriate forms. Write your answers in the answer sheet with correct number. (4 marks)
Yesterday when Mridula (a) reaching her home late in the evening, she saw that many of her friends had gathered there. She was (b) surprise to see some photographers also. As (c) sooner as she stepped in, all of (d) they shouted together: "Hearty (e) congratulate !" She was baffled as she did not remember what she had done to deserve (f) them compliments. Her father then disclosed to her that she had been (g) selection for the (h) nation hockey team.

The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the indicated lines. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet as given below against the correct blank number. (4 marks)
Most of the time of youth boys and e.g. youth ~ young
girls are spent in front of the mirror. (a)
They want to decorate himself in such (b)
a way that everyone feels attract towards them. (c)
In their desire to looking modern they go (d)
crazy after new fashions. They dressing themselves (e)
in the last styles. With every change in fashion (f)
their hair-style also changing. I hate these (g)
modern clowns. Nobody will evaluate you from (h)
yours clothes.
Below you can see a set of instructions for gardening. Read these instructions and complete the passage given below. (4 marks)
1. Choose a site for your garden that has good soil and light.
2. Dig the soil to make it loose, so that air can get into it.
3. Add manure to the soil.
4. Rake the soil to make it fine'.
5. Feed: .water and weed regularly.

First of all, a site having good soil and light was chosen for the garden. Then the soil (a)………air could get into it. Manure (b) …………. and then (c)………………Feeding, watering and weeding (d)………………………
Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. (3 marks)
Example: is it / that / attract / so many / to it /about prayers / people / what
What is it about prayers that attract so many people to it?
(a) Offer / peace / of hope land / of mind / a lot / prayers,
(b) Anything / the faith / they have / to believe / can / that / happen / you
(c) has / to / she / wear / an / uniform / school / to go / to
Set 5

The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the lines. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet as given below. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied: ½ x6 = 3 marks
Many tourists visit Rajasthan e.g. visit - visited
last month. They enjoy the (a) -----------------
trip and praised a beauty of (b) -----------------
nature. A lake palace charmed (c)-----------------
them the victory tomb fascinate (d) ----------------
them. They showed their happy. (e) ----------------
Thus, they see and appreciated the beauty of (f) ----------------
Rajasthan.
Read the following dialogue given below and complete the passage that follows. Write the correct answer in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence. 5 marks
Shan : Would you give me Rs. 500 today?
Mother: Only yesterday you took Rs. 500 from me. No. I will not give you money today. You should not be so lavish in spending money. Go and ask daddy.
Shan : I don't want to ask him for money.
Shan asked his mother if she (a) ---------------------------. Mother replied that only (b) ---------------------------------. She expressed her inability to give him money that day and continued (c) ---------------------. He should (d) ------------------. Shan answered that he (e) --------------------------------
Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answer correctly. 2 marks
Example: I / taking / love / tea
I love taking tea.
(a) taught / I / daughter / how to / tea / my / prepare.
(b) asked / I / add / to / boiling water / her / to / milk.
(c) I/ her / then / sugar / tea leaves / to / add / and / asked.
(d) was / to / ready / tea / drink.
In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as shown. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined. ½x6 = 3 marks
Foods have energy, how this energy transformed to e.g., energy is transformed
human energy entirely depends how we process (a) .........................
the food before We eat it. (b)
For example, nuts very high in plant energy (c)
If we eat raw they lead (d)
to high level of human energy, (e) but if we roast them we lose a large part this energy and if we fry (f) we completely kill them.
Complete the following paragraph by using appropriate words: 2 marks
Rishi, my sister, Ritu and I walking past a dilapidated bungalow……….. had been locked for years and ………..falling apart. Suddenly Ritu froze. She …………… staring at a closed window on……………………..first floor of the building.
Set 6

The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the indicated lines. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the word that you have edited. (4 marks)
When a diamond find in the earth e.g. find -- is found
its outside appear is rather dull. (a) …………………….
Then skilful hands makes it into (b) …………………….
a sparkled gem. Most diamonds (c) …………………….
are saw into two, and (d) ……………………..
every half is shaped and cut into (e) ………………………
the round diamond. Then little faces (f)………………………..
or facets is cut into the diamond. The (g)……………………..
average diamond is cutting into 58 facets. (h)…………………..
Read the dialogue and complete the passage given below. Write the answer in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence. (4 marks)
Alok : Where are you going, Mohan?
Mohan : I am going to Dr. Smith's house.
Alok : Are you inviting his son, John, to your house?
Mohan : Yes, I am.
Alok asked Mohan (a) ………………………………. Mohan replied that (b)....................... house. Alok again asked Mohan (c)……………… to his house. Mohan replied (d)………………………………………
The underlined words in the following passage have been used inappropriately. Replace them with their appropriate forms. Write your answers in the answer sheet with the correct number. Do not copy the whole passage. (4 marks)
No country can achieve (a) develop without educating her women. The (b) educate of women is as (c) importance as that of men. It can even be said that (d) educate women is of greater (e) important. If we educate a woman, we educate a family. An (f) educate woman can perform her duties with greater (g) efficient. She can run her family in a better manner, and can help her children in (h) ~ education.
Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly. (3 marks)
Example: extremely dry / are places / that are / deserts
Deserts are places that are extremely dry.
(a) deserts / for / like Sahara / remain / years / dry
(b) burning hot / the day / such deserts / are / during
(c) the same / freezing cold / deserts are / at night
Set 7
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb given in the bracket: 2 marks
Yesterday a senior officer of the police ……………..(hold) a meeting with the residents of the area and…………… (discuss) security measures. He ----------- (suggest) some measures if taken ……………………….(can) make their houses more secure.
2. Rearrange the following words to form meaningful sentences:................. 3marks
(i) me / the sense / it gives / of freedom / enjoy / I
(ii) and / it / pleases / of / responsibilities / me / be to / duties / rid
(iii) odd / people / I / movement / who / amuse / me / meet / for / a
In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word alongwith the, word that comes after it in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined: 3 marks

A new bird sanctuary has constructed (a)----------------------- .
near the sarovar, 20 Kms. from here on the
Agra, Delhi road. Spread over-403 hectares.
The sanctuary been developed as (b) --------------------
a home for large number of local and (c)---------------------
migratory birds.
To attract tourists, a children's park near (d) -------------------
entrance to the
sanctuary and an interpretation centre (e) -------------------
would developed.
The complex will also a library of exhibits. (f) -------------------
(i) Complete the dialogue given below: 3 marks
Policeman : Where ---------------------------?
Ramu : I am coming from my office.
Policeman : Where-------------- ?
Ramu : I work in House No. 130.
Policeman: But, why-------------- late?
Ramu : Today there was a party in the house.
Policeman : O.K. you may go.

(ii) Fill in the blanks with suitable preposition: 2marks
He has agreed ---------my request. I shall meet him --------- the evening. I can not tell you anything ----------- then. You should wait -------------........................................... few hours more.
(iii) Complete the following with suitable clause: 2 marks
(i) Work hard -------------------------------------------------------.
(ii)She wanted to know ------------------------------------------.
Set 8
In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined as shown.
½ x 8 = 4 marks
A Lake Park has been developed DDA e.g. developed by DDA
in East Delhi. It covers area of about (a)
69 hectares. It attracts large number (b)
of migratory birds. It is famous its (c)
many varieties native trees. A good (d)
walking track is popular fitness (e)
lovers who live this area. Here one (f)
can enjoy boating facilities as well nature (g)
walks the beautiful green surroundings. (h)

Read the following passage and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words given in brackets. Correctly number and write the answer in your answer sheet.
½ x 8 = 4 marks
A three-storey building (a)…………………..(fall) down in the centre of the town last night (b)………………… (kill) six of a family on the spot. About sixteen persons (c)……………………………. (sleep) there. When the tragic incident (d)…………………………. (take) place a two-and-a-half year old son of the same family luckily (e) ……………….(survive) the accident. According to a police official the building (f) …………………..(rent out) to factory workers. Efforts (g)…………………………..(make)(h)…………………. (save) the rest of the people.
Read the following conversation between Ritu and Reena and complete the passage be­ low it. Write the correct answer in your answer sheet against the correct blank number.
1 x 4 = 4 marks
Ritu : Do you know that the school trip to Mussoorie has been cancelled?
Reena : No, I didn't know that. Why has the trip been cancelled?
Ritu : Our school principal is a little worried about our safety.
Reena : It has been raining heavily during the past four weeks. Our principal feels that a landslide could occur in that area. .

Ritu met Reena and asked her (a)…………………. cancelled. Reena replied that she didn’t know that. She asked Ritu (b)…………………….. Ritu told her that (c) …………………... Reena asked her why she was worried. Ritu told her (d) ………………………during the past four weeks and their principal felt that a landslide could occur in that area.

Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sen­tences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly.
3 x 1 = 3 marks
Example:
jungle / in / lost / the / boys / their way / the
The boys lost their way in the jungle.

1. Monday / aching / have been / since / feet / my
2. minutes / at a stretch / we / walk / should / thirty / for
3. great care / should / with / dog owners / their pets / treat
Set 9

In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing i word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your' answer sheet. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined as shown. ½ x 8 = 4 marks
Nowadays most the children e.g. most of the
get an opportunity go on school trips. (a) -------------
They will jump the chance (b) -------------
to be away home for a (c )-------------
week two. Some children, specially those (d) -------------
leaving home for first time very much (e)-------------
miss parents. Home sickness (f) -------------
is often caused something minor such as not (g) ------------
liking food or changed routine. (h) ------------

Read the following passage and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words given! in brackets. Correctly number and write the answers in your answer sheet. ½ x 8 = 4 marks
The tragedy of Jallianwala Bagh (a)……………………(happen) on 13th April, 1919 when, about 25,000 people (b) …………………(assemble) to hear their leaders. The British General Dyer (c)………………………….. (block) all the exits and (d)……………………………(order) his soldiers (e)………………………………(open) fire at the peaceful (f)………………………..(gather). A large number of men, women and children (g)……………………..(kill) and (h)…………………….(wound) This brutality (i)…………………………. (make) the people more determined to achieve their goal of independence.
Read the dialogue and complete the passage given below. Write the correct answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence. 4 marks
Sumit : I am surprised to see you here in Delhi. When did you come?
Mohan: I came here yesterday. I have been offered a job here.
Sumit told Mohan (a)………………………… in Delhi and asked (b)……………………………………Mohan replied (c)……………………………….. . He added (d)………………………………………

Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to, form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly. 3 marks
Example:
the / gifts / young ones / give / elders / festivals / on
Elders give the young ones gifts on festivals.

(a) its / school/15th of January / the / on / celebrated / annual day
(b) sweets / all / yesterday / were given / the students
(c) plays / games / his computer / younger brother / my / on

Set 10

In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as shown. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined as shown. ½ x 6 = 3 marks
The great advantage early rising is advantage of early rising
the good start it gives us our day's (a)
work. The early riser has done large (b)
amount of hard work before others
have got out beds. In the morning (c)
the mind is fresh. So the work done
that time is generally well done. In (d)
many cases the early rises also
finds time take some exercises (e)
in the fresh morning air this (f)
exercise supplies to him a fund of energy.

Look at the notes on Ashoka given below. Then use the information to complete the paragraph by writing suitable words and phrases in each space. Do not add any new information. The first one has been done as an example. Write your answers in the answer sheet against the correct blank number. ½ x 4 = 2 marks
Ashoka
. Ashoka - son of Bindusara-greatest Maurya ruler.
. Major war - Kalinga.
. People killed, perished, taken prisoners.
. Gruesome massacre-sufferings-Hindus and Budhists remorse. Resolved not fight-adopted policy of cultural conquest.
. Victory of Dharma-foremost victory.

Ashoka, the son of Bindusara, was the greatest of Maurya rulers. After his accession to the throne, Ashoka (a)…………….the Kalinga war. Millions of people (b)………………………...Many perished and many more millions were taken prisoners. The king was moved not only by the gruesome massacre in this war but also (c)……………… The Kailnga was caused Ashoka great grief and remorse. So he abandoned the policy of physical occupation (d)………………..He considered victory of Dharma to be the foremost victory.

Given below is a set of instructions for using a thermometer to measure the body temperature. Imagine you have completed this procedure. Complete the following paragraph reporting what you have done. One is done for you: ½ x 8 = 4 marks
. Take a thermometer and wash it in fresh and cold water,
. Shake it to bring the mercury to the level of 96.4°F.
. Put the thermometer into patient's mouth under his tongue.
. Keep it for one to two minutes.
. Take it out of the mouth and read the temperature.
. Wash the thermometer and keep it back into its holder.
A thermometer was taken and (a)……………………… water. It (b)……………………….. to the level of 96.40 F. The thermometer (c).......................... patient's mouth under his tongue and (d)………………… Then it (e)…………………… and the temperature (f)……..............................The thermometer (g) …………………………and (h)………….............................................. in its holder.
4. Do as directed
(i) Combine the following sentences as directed. 2marks
(a) He did not know Urdu.
He did not know English (use ‘neither nor’)
(b) He will not pass.
He does not work hard. (use 'unless')

(ii) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb given in the bracket: 2 marks
(a) Last week I................................. (buy) a car.
(b) She............. .................. (read) this book for last two days.
(c) They...................... (finish) their work before I (reach) there.

(iii) Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet. Remember to number the answers correctly.
1x2=2 marks
Exmaple ;
the / gifts / young ones / on / give / elders / festivals
Elders give the young ones gifts on festivals.

(a) truck / was hit / a / by / yesterday / a / student
(b)Rakshabandhan / a / the Prime Minister / on / school girl / a rakhi / to / presented
English Reader
Textual Comprehension (Prose)
Set 1
1 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
"These aren't raindrops falling from the sky they are new coins. The big drops are ten cent pieces and the little ones are fives" With a satisfied expression he regarded the field of ripe corn with its flowers, draped in a curtain of rain. But suddenly a strong wind began to blow and along with the rain very large hailstones began to fall. These truly did resemble new silver coins. The boys, exposing themselves to the rain, ran out to collect the frozen pearls.
"It's really getting bad now", exclaimed the man. "I hope it passes quickly." It did not pass quickly. For an hour the hail rained on the house, the garden, the hillside, the cornfield, on the whole valley. The field was white, as if covered with salt. Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho's soul was filled with sadness.
QUESTIONS :
1. 'With a satisfied expression he regarded the field of ripe corn'. Who regarded the field with satisfaction and why? 1
2. What resembled truly new silver coins? How did the speaker react to them? 1
3. 'It did not pass quickly'. How did it affect the corn? 1
4. How did Lencho feel? Why? 1
5. Give the meaning of the following words: 1
(i) draped (ii) resemble.
ANSWERS:
1. Lencho regarded the field with a satisfied expression. He was pleased because the crops needed a little rain urgently and it had begun to rain.
2. The hailstones resembled silver coins. Lencho was concerned because they could damage the corn.
3. The hailstorm did not pass quickly. It continued for an hour. It destroyed the corn completely.
4. Lencho's soul was filled with sadness because all his labour and hope was lost. He feared that his family would have to starve that year.
5. draped = wrapped.
resemble = look like.
Set 2
2 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people. All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from that profound hurt. But the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended effect, and that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes of our time-men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again. Perhaps it requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.
Questions
(a) What is that 'profound hurt’? 1
(b) What was the other 'effect' of decades of oppression? 1
(c) How does the author look at the persons mentioned here? 1
(d) How does he look at his own people? 1
(e) Find a word from the passage which means 'large-heartedness'. 1
Answers
(a) It is the 'wound' caused by the policy of apartheid
(b) It produced great men of character like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulus, ChiefLuthulis etc.
(c) He looks at them as men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity.
(d) He looks at them as finer and truer than the diamonds of his own country.
(e) 'generosity'.
Set 3

3. Read the given extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.
I was flying my old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England. I was dreaming of my holiday and looking forward to being with my family. I looked at my watch: one thirty in the morning. I should call Paris Control soon I thought.
As I looked down past the nose of the aeroplane, I saw the lights of a big city in front of me. I switched on the radio and said, “Paris Control; Dakota DS 088 here. Can you hear me? I'm on my way to England. Over." The voice from the radio answered me immediately "Ds 088. I can hear you."
Questions
(a) Who is 'I’ in these lines? 1
(b) Where was he flying? 1
(c) What was the name of his aeroplane? 1
(d) Where was his family? 1
(e) Use 'dreaming of’ in a sentence of your own. 1


Set 4
4. Read the given extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.
My father, the most adorable father I've ever seen, didn't marry my mother until he was thirty-six and she was twenty-five. My sister Margot was born in Frankfurt in German in 1926. I was born on 12th June 1929. I lived in Frankfurt until I was four. My father emigrated to Holland in 1933. My mother, Edith Hollander Frank, went with him to Holland in September, while Margot and I were sent to Aachen to stay with our grandmother. Margot went to Holland in December, and I followed in February, when I was plunked down on the table as a birthday present for Margot I started right away at the Montessori nursery school. I stayed there until I was six, at which time I started in the first form. In the sixth form my teacher was Mrs. Kuperus, the headmistress. At the end of the year we were both in tears as we said a heart breaking farewell.
QUESTIONS I
1. What was the name of the writer's mother? When did the writer's father marry her? 1
2. When was the writer born? Why were Margot and the writer sent to Aachen? 2
3. Why does the writer say, "It was a birthday present for Margot?" 1
4. Find words in the passage that mean: 1
(a) went back to another country to settle permanently
(b) put down in a casual way.
ANSWERS
1. The name of the writer's mother was Edith Hollander Frank. The writer's father was thirty-six when he married his wife who was twenty-five years old at that time.
2. The writer was born on 12th June 1929. The writer and her sister were sent to Aachen to stay with their grandmother because their parents had migrated to Holland.
3. Margot went to Holland in December. The writer went to Holland in February on Margot's birthday. So she calls herself a birthday present for Margot.
4. (a) emigrated (b) plunked.


Set 5
5. Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow each:
'Paper has more patience than people. I thought of this saying on one of those days when I was feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out. I finally stayed where I was, brooding. Yes, paper does have more patience, and since I'm not planning to let anyone else read this stiff-backed notebook grandly referred to as a 'diary', unless I should ever find a real friend, it probably won't make a bit of difference.
Questions
(a) When did Anne think of saying ‘one of those days’? l
(b) Why- do you think, did Anne feel depressed? 1
(c) How does paper have more patience than people? 1
(d) When would Anne allow anyone to read her ‘diary’? 1
(e) Find the word from the passage which means the same as 'brooding'. 1
Set 6

Read the given extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Tears blurred her eyes and she gazed for a long time at the picture. Then hastily she rubbed her eyes and studied it intently. The colours in the dress were so vivid that she had scarcely noticed the face and head of the drawing. But it looked like her, Maddie! It really looked like her own mouth. Why it really looked like her own self! Wanda had really drawn this for her. Excitedly, she ran over to Peggy's.
(a) Why was 'she' sad as she looked at the picture? 1
(b) What was the most characteristic feature of the picture which could not be noticed earlier?1
(c) Why did Maddie want to see Peggy's picture? 1
(d) What made Maddie realise her mistake? 1
(e) Find out the words which are similar to the following 1 (i) carefully
(ii) hardly
Set 7
Read the given extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The minute they entered the classroom, they stopped short and gasped. There were drawings allover the room, on every ledge and windowsill, dazzling colours and brilliant, lavish designs, all drawn on great sheets of wrapping paper. There must have been a hundred of them, all lined up. These must be the drawings for the contest. They were! Everybody stopped and whistled or murmured admiringly.
As soon as the class had assembled, Miss Mason announced the winners. Jack Beggles had won for the boys, she said and his design for an outboard motor was on exhibition in Room Twelve, along with the sketches by all the other boys.
Questions
(a) Why did they stop short and gasp? 1
(b) How did they react to the drawings? 1
(c) Who won the contest meant for girls? 1
(d) Why did Maddie think that Peggy would win the drawing contest for girls? 1
(e) Find a word from the passage which means 'very grand'. 1
Answers
(a) They stopped short and gasped because of the beautiful drawings.
(b) They reacted to the drawings by whistling or murmuring admiringly.
(c) Wanda won the contest meant for girls. .
(d) Maddie thought so because Peggy drew beautiful drawings. She had won contests earlier also.
(e) 'lavish'.
Set 8
8. Read the given extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Those age-old time-tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker's bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places. Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession. These bakers are, even today, known as pader in Goa.
(a) Why do the elders talk about the good old Portuguese days? 1
(b) Name three stages of baking. 2
(c) How does the baker herald his arrival? 1
(de) Find out the words from the passage which mean the same as the following: 1 (i) disappeared
(ii) announcing
Set 9
Read the given extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:
An hour later the car veered sharply off the main road. They crossed a cattle-bridge and entered Dhekiabari Tea Estate. On both sides of the gravel-road were acre upon acre of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. groups of tea - pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.
Pranjol's father slowed down to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves, to pass. "This is the second-flush or sprouting period, isn't it, Mr Barua?" Rajvir asked. "It lasts from May to July and yields the best tea."
"You seem to have done you homework before coming," Pranjol's father said in surprise.
Questions:
(a) Where is Dhekiabari Tea Estate? 1
(b) How are the women pluckers different from the other workers in the farms? 1
(c) When should the tea leaves be plucked to have the best tea? 1
(d) What home work has been done by Rajvir ? 1
(e) Find out the words which mean 1
(i) to move at a great speed
(ii) new leaves
Set 10
Read the given extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Two days later, Mijbil escaped from my bedroom as I entered it, and I turned to see his tail disappearing round the bend of the corridor that led to the bathroom. By the time I got there he was up on the end of the bathtub and fumbling at the chromium taps with his paws. I watched, amazed; in less than a minute he had turned the tap far enough to produce a trickle of water, and after a moment or two achieved the full flow. (He had been lucky to turn the tap the right way; on later occasions he would sometimes screw it up still tighter, chittering with irritation and disappointment at the tap's failure to cooperate.)
QUESTIONS:
1. Where did Mijbil go from the bedroom? 1
2. What was he trying to do when the author reached there? 1
3. Was he able to achieve what he wanted? 1
4. What happened when he failed? 1
5. Find words in the passage that mean: 1
(i) annoyance, anger (ii) thin flow.
ANSWERS:
1. Mijbil hurried to the bathroom.
2. He was trying to turn the taps on the get water into the bathtub.
3. Yes, he was able to turn the tap on. First he could produce a trickle, but after a minu~
he was able to achieve full flow.
4. On occasions when he failed he chittered with irritation and disappointment.
5. (i) irritation (ii) trickle.


Set 11
11. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
There was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was eight years old and very curious about things. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening in the street outside. There were no playmates of her own age on her street, and this was about all she had to do.
But for Valli, standing at the front door was every bit as enjoyable as any of the elaborate games other children plaed. Watching the street gave her many new unusual experiences.
Questions:
(a) Who was Valli? How old was she? 1
(b) What was her favourite pastime? 1
(c) Why did Valli not play the games of other children? 1
(d) Find in the passage words that mean: 2
(i) eager to know or learn
(ii) thing done regularly for enjoyment rather
Set 12
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

The Buddha answered: "I want a handful of mustard-seed." And when the girl in her joy promised to procure it, the Buddha added: "The mustard-seed must be taken from a house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend."
Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said: "Here is mustard-seed; take it !" But when she asked, "Did a son or daughter, a father or mother, die in your family?" they answered her: "Alas! The living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief." And there was no house but some beloved one had died in it.
Questions:
1. What did the Buddha ask the girl to do? 1
2. Why did Gotami go from house to house? 1
3. What question did Gotami ask at each house? 1
4. How did the people react to Gotami's question? 1
5. Find in the passage words that mean: 1
(i) obtain something with effort
(ii) father or mother.

Answers
1. He asked her to bring him a handful of mustard-seed, but it had to be from a house where no one had ever died.
2. She wanted to have a handful of mustard-seed as desired by the Buddha.
3. Size asked if any near or dear one had died in that family.
4. People said that they had few living but the dead were many. They asked her not to remind them of their deepest grief
5. (i) procure (ij) parent.


English Reader
Long Questions (Prose)
Why did Lencho write a letter to God?
Why did the postmaster think to answer the letter? How did he call it?
How did Lencho react to postmaster’s help?
Write a character sketch of Lencho.
Why does the postmaster send the money to Lencho?
Why does he sign the letter as ‘God’?
“I wish I had the faith of the man.” Describe Lencho’s character in the light of this statement.
Lencho, a hardworking farmer, faces ruin. He turns to God in distress .Give example to prove that he had a tremendous faith in God.
Describe the character of Lencho in the light of his faith and attitude towards God and man.
What kind of people were the post office employees? Was Lencho justified in calling them ‘a bunch of crooks?’
What made Lencho write a letter to God?
What did Lencho write in his letter to God? Who received his letter and what did he do?
Why did Lencho seek the help of God? How far did he succeed?
The postmaster helped Lencho but received abuses in return .Where had the postmaster gone wrong? What would you do in his place?
“But don’t send it to me through the mail, because the post office employees are a bunch of crooks. Lencho.” Why did Lencho say so? What is your impression of the post office employees?
How did the hailstones affect Lencho’s field? What was Lencho’s only hope?
How was Lencho’s crop destroyed? How did he ask God for help?
How did the post office employees help Lencho? How did Lencho react to their help?
What was a letter to God about? Did it succeed in its purpose?
“God” wrote Lencho “if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year.” Did God help him? How?
How does Nelson Mandela describe the scene of the inauguration?
On 10 May 1994 South Africa’s newly democratic government swore in. Where and how did the ceremony take place?
What does the author think of the black people who fought for the country’s political independence?
What does Nelson Mandela say about courage love and hate?
What two obligations is the author talking about? What does he feel of them?
How did the author feel for freedom as a boy and as a student?
What are Mandela’s views about freedom, the oppressor and the oppressed?
Describe the thought of the author on this auspicious day in the history of South Africa.
What did the author think of freedom when he was young? What did he think of the future?
What changes did come in the author’s mind for his own people?
What is the author’s view about the black people? What does he promise to do?
As Mandela grew up, meanings of freedom gradually changed for him. Discuss how his concept for the freedom developed?
What are the twin obligations Mandela speaks of? Why could he not fulfill these obligations?
Give the brief description of the oath taking ceremony of Nelson Mandela?
What were the major sufferings that blacks of South Africa faced at the hands of white people?
How did the hunger for freedom change the life of Nelson Mandela?
Give the character sketch of Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela talks a lot about freedom. What kind of freedom is he talking about?
According to Nelson Mandela What are the real virtues of a human being?
How does Nelson Mandela pay tribute to the black people? Who sacrificed their lives for attaining freedom for their country?
What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy and as a student? How does he contrast these “Transitory Freedoms” with basic and honorable freedom?
What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all the African patriots” who had gone before him?
How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with the age and experience?
What were the May 10 ceremonies about? Where did they take place?
What does Mandela refers to as ‘an extra ordinary human disaster’? What does he mean by so glorious a human achievement?
What does Mandela say about the policy of apartheid?
How does Mandela draw a parallel between the oppressors and oppressed?
Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Describe how the young seagull made his maiden flight.
Describe how the young seagull landed on the surface of the water. How was he welcomed by the member of his family?
Why was the young seagull left alone on the ledge by the members of his family?
Do you think hunger was the only faced motivation which made the young seagull fly his maiden flight?
Compare and contrast the young seagull in the beginning and at the end of the lesson.
Describe the methods used by the seagull family to help the young seagull to overcome his fear and fly?
How can his first flight be freedom from fear for the seagull? How is freedom form fear a suitable title?
How did the mother make the young seagull come out of his fear and teach him the art of flying?
Imagine you are the mother seagull and describe the first flight of the young seagull. Write the answer as the mother of the seagull.
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first step?
The sight of the food maddened him .What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
“They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly”. Why did the seagull’s fathers and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
“I’ll take the risk” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?
Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane in to the storm?
The author asks a question at the end. “Who was the pilot on the black aeroplane?” Guess the answer to this question.
Do you agree that this story is a mystery? Justify?
Was it the imagination of the pilot of Dakota plane or a Supreme power which helped the first pilot’s landing safely? Give reasons for year answer.
Imagine you are the pilot of the Dakota plane. Now describe the mystery of the black aeroplane and its pilot in your own words.
Why the black aeroplane is called strange?
What was the author thinking of and looking forward to while flying his Dakota in the clear sky ? What happened then?
Why did the author think that he ought to go back to Paris? What did he decide to do?
How did the author come out safely from the black cloud?
What happened to the second aeroplane? Why couldn’t the author thank its pilot?
Describe the experience of the author while flying into these black clouds.
What did the author do after he landed on the runway safely?
Explain why the young seagull couldn’t fly. How was he able to fly in the end?
What did the young seagull see while flying?
How did the young seagull land on the green water? What was the scene around?
What was the moral behind the young seagull’s flight?
How far the story of flying of an aeroplane in the dark clouds is full of suspense and mystery?
Paper has more patience then people .Elucidate.
Give a brief sketch of Anne’s life.
Why did Mr. Kissing punish Anne? What was the punishment?
How did Mr Kissing finally stop punishing Anne?
How do you asses Anne’s character?
Was Anne an intelligent girl? Give instances in support of your answer.
How can you say that Anne was a lonely but mature and intelligent girl?
How does Anne prove through the writing in her diary that she was an intelligent girl and had a sense of humour too?
What made Anne keep a diary?
Why did entire class quake in its boats? How does Anne describe it?
Give the character sketch of Anne highlighting her intelligence and talkativeness?
Do you think Mr. Kissing was justified in punishing Anne? Support your answer from the text?
Write a diary entry about a memorable day when you were punished /awarded by your teacher?
What makes you feel that though Anne talked too much in her class, she was an introvert child who felt very lonely?
What do you think about the talent of Anne for writing essay, which she wrote convincingly, when punished by the teacher?
Give the character sketch of Wanda.
Give the character sketch of Maddie.
96. Why did the girls make fun of Wanda? Was it justified to make fun of a harmless quite girl?
What made Maddie feel uncomfortable when Peggy made fun of Wanda? Is she friendly with Peggy?
Imagine yourself as Maddie and write a note to Peggy telling her to be friend with Wanda and not to make fun of her?
You are disturbed to know that the girls make fun of Wanda.You decide to speak about this tendency of making fun of the students if they are weak, ugly or poor .Write your speech in about 150 words .
How is Wanda seen as different by the other girls? How do they treat her?
Why does Maddie standby and not do any thing? How is she different from Peggy?
102. What does Ms. Mason think of Wanda’s drawing? What do the children think of them?
Where did Wanda usually sit in her class room? What kind of place was it? Why?
What kinds of girls were Peggy and Maddie? What did they do to Wanda?
How did Peggy make fun of Wanda? How did Wanda react to that?
Why didn’t Wanda reply to their letter? What does it tell of her?
How is the title ‘The Hundred Dresses’ most appropriate?
108. What was the effect of the letter of Wanda’s father on Ms. Mason? How did Maddie react to it?
What did Peggy & Maddie speak about when they went to Wanda’s house?
110. What did Madidie think of Wanda after she & Peggy had written a letter to Wanda and no reply came? What did she decide to do to make things better?
111. What did Maddie & Peggy write in the letter to Wanda? What happened to it ? Hoe did Maddie behave even though Peggy had begun to forget the whole business?
112. When did Wanda write a letter to Ms. Mason ? What did she write about ? Do you think she forgave Maddie & Peggy for what they had done to her? How do you know?
113. How did Maddie & Peggy find Wanda’s drawing which she had given to them? What where their reactions?
How did Ms. Mason react to the letter of Wanda’s father?
Why did Peggy and Maddie go to Wanda’s house? What did they see there?
How did Wanda give a befitting reply to Peggy’s and Maddie’s insult of her?
Why did Wanda give those drawings of her to Peggy and Wanda?
118. “The letter written by Wanda’s father touched the heart of the teacher and the students alike.” Justify the statement in about 125 words?
119. Why does Maddie get tense after reading the letter of Wanda’s father?
Give the character sketch of Peggy.
121. Compare and contrast the characteristics of Maddie and Peggy .Who come out to be a better human being? How?
How Wanda did win the hearts of her class mates in the end of the story?
123. Why do you think Wanda’s family moved to a different city? Do you think life there was going to be different for their family?
124. Peggy says, “I never thought she had the sense to know we were making fun of her anyway. I thought she was …………………. .” Why did Peggy believe that Wanda was dumb? Did she change her opinions later?
125. Why do you think Wanda gave Maddie and Peggy the drawing of the dresses? Why are they surprised?
126. How does the author remember the traditional bakers of Goa? Why did he wait for the baker when he was a child?
How did the baker, known as Pader, announce his arrival?
128. What did the baker wear in those days? How did he look? What did the author estimate from his appearance?
Where is Coorg or Kodagu situated? How does it look?
What does the author say about the people of Coorg called Kodavus?
How is Coorg a place worth visiting?
What is the origin of tea as given in the chapter? How did it become a world beverage?
133. What did Rajveer see outside excitedly when he traveled to Assam in a train with Pranjol?
Describe the journey of Rajveer and Pranjol to the tea state of Assam.
How did the traditional bakers of Goa sell their bread?
What important role does a baker play in the life of a village?
Describe the dress & personality of a baker.
Describe the process of bread baking and selling in the village.
139. Why were the children fascinated towards a baker? How did they show their eagerness to see him and rush to him?
Write a letter to your friend describing the life style of a baker.
An important role is played by the baker in the life of the villagers .Discuss.
How is the life of the baker very interesting?
Justify the title of the lesson Baker form Goa?
144. How did the baker make his presence in the morning? What role did the baker play in the childhood of the narrator?
Where is Coorg located?
Why is Coorg called the land of rolling hills?
What is Kodagu? Why is it famous for?
What is the most suitable weather for the visitors? Why?
What is the origin of the people of the Coorg?
What is the story regarding the origin of these people of Coorg as Greek?
What is Kuppia? How does it make the kinds close to Arabs?
Why are the Kodavus permitted to carry fire arms without a license?
Who is general Kariappa?
How do different animals get their share of food and pleasure in Coorg?
How does Coorg convert an inactive person into an adventures one?
Describe the beautiful view of Assam as seen by the two boys?
What is the beginning of tea grown in India? Highlight the two legends associated with it.
Compare & Contrast the characters of Pranjol and Rajbir.
Give the character sketch of Rajbir.
160. When did the author decide to have pet otter than a pet dog? How did he get one? How did he carry it to England?
161. How does the author describe the otter when he sees him for the first time? How does he find the otter in the beginning?
162. How did Mij behave when the author took him to the bathroom? How did he start passing his time thereafter?
What happened with Mij just before the flight to Paris? What did Mij do on the aeroplane?
How did Mij pass his time in London with the author? What became his favorite game?
165. What question about the otter did the author face when he took him for a walk in the London streets? To which question did he award the highest score?
What problem did the author face with his otter just before the flight?
How did the author take the Otter to his country?
How did the author’s Otter become a star attraction in London?
How did the otter pass its time in the author’s home in London?
170. Mijbil was a fun loving, intelligent and friendly animal. Do you agree? Elaborate your answer.
Describe Mijbil, the otter in your own words.
What are the amusing scenes of the otter in the lesson?
Justify the appropriateness of the title Mijbil the Otter.
How did Maxwell get the otter? Why was the otter named Maxwell’s otter?
Can you say that the Otter became friendly very soon? If yes, then how?
176. What happened when Maxwell opened the box on the plane? Why does Maxwell say, “The airhostess was the very queen of her kind”?
177. What things does Mij do which tell us that he is an intelligent, friendly and fun-loving anima wlho needs love?
Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?
Write the character sketch of Valli.
In what way was the cow an image of both life and death?
181. How did Valli react to the advice of two elderly passengers in the bus? Do you approve of her behavior?
What inspired Valli to have a side on a bus? How did she manage to have it?
How did Valli behave like a lady?
The conductor was a jolly sort fond of joking. Justify this statement from the text.
What was Valli’s strong desire? What did she do to fulfill it?
Describe what happened when Valli signaled for the bus to stop to let her in?
Describe what interested Valli more while she was riding on the bus?
What scene did Valli see on way back home that made her very serious?
Describe what Valli learnt something serious about life on her journey back home?
How did Valli interact with different passenger in the bus?
What lessons did Valli learn about life while traveling in the bus?
Find the instances from the text that Valli was a mature girl and ahead of her age?
193. You are Valli. On your return journey the scene of dead cow changed your mood .You are very upset .Make a diary expressing your feelings.
Describe Valli’s journey to the city in your own words.
Valli’s journey to the city is also her induction into the mystery of life and death. Elaborate.
Give a brief character sketch of the bus conductor.
197. You had a wish which was fulfilled but you learned the dark side of the life. Also write a letter to your friend telling her about your good and bad experience while riding the bus to the city. You are Valli. Your friend as Dhavan who live at 36/90 Karampura, Motibag, Raipur.
How did Gautam Buddha gain enlightenment?
Why did Kisa Gautmi come to Buddha? What did Buddha ask to do?
Why did Gautmi fail to get a handful of mustard seeds? What did she learn?
Sum up the preaching of Buddha about the life and death.
202. What truth of life does Gautam Buddha give out in his first sermon? What moral teaching does he preach about the truth or suffering of life?
203. Describe the life of Gautam Buddha as given in this chapter. How did he attain enlightenment?
Describe the meeting between Kisa Gautmi and Buddha.
How did Kisa Gautmi learn an important lesson of life through Gautam Buddha?
Give the character sketch of Kisa Gautmi.
How did Gautam Buddha teach Gautami that life is full of pains and sorrow for all?
Who was Gautam Buddha? How did he attain salvation?
Justify the title of the lesson Sermon at Benares.
What is the greatest sorrow of the people?
211. When her son dies Kisa Gautmi goes from house to house. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?
212. What does Kisa Gautmi understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what Budha wanted her to understand.
213. Why do you think Kisa Gautmi understood this only the second time? In what way did Buddha change her understanding?
214. How you do usually understand the idea of selfishness? Do you agree with Kisa Gautmi that she is being selfish in her grief?
English Reader
Short Questions (Drama)
The Proposal
Write a note on the title of the play ‘The Proposal’.
Who is Lomov? Why does he come to Chubukov’s house?
What does Chubukov point out about the Guess, dog of Lomov?
How do Lomov and Chubukov abuse each other during their quarrel over the Oxen Meadows?
How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov has come to make a proposal?
Why does Chubukov curse himself being the father of a grown-up girl?
What is the point of the second quarrel between Natalya and Lomov?
Why did Lomov visit Chubukov? What does Chubukov suspect?
What request did Lomov make to Chubukov?
Why did Chubukov thank Lomov for proposing to his daughter?
Why was Chubukov sure that Natalaya would give her consent for the proposal?
Why did Lomov fight with Natalaya?
What is the ailment that Lomov is suffering from?
Whose dog turns out to be the superior? How?
How does Chubukov appreciate ‘Squeezer’?
Give in brief the character sketch of Lomov.
Though Chubukov calls Natalaya a lovesick cat and feels that she will give her consent for the marriage, she quarrels with Lomov. Do you think that she is really in love with Lomov? Why? Why not?
What for does Lomov go to Chubukov’s house? How does he go and behave? How is he received by Chubukov? How does Chubokov react?
Describe the arguments between Lomov and Natalya and Chubokov over the ownership of oxen meadows.
Describe the verbal fight that started between Lomov and Natalya after the ownership of oxen meadows.
Describe how Lomov and Natalya and Chubokov insist that their dogs are better.
Describe the verbal fight between Lomov and Natalya and Chubokov over their respective dogs.
“The proposal is a great comedy and full of great humor .Explain the statement.
How do various character add to the humour as given in the play.
What finally brings Lomov and Natalya together? How?
What does Chubokov point out about the dog of Lomov?
How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov has come to make a proposal?
Why did Lomov visit Chubokov? What does Chubokov suspect?


English Reader
Textual Comprehension (Poetry)
Set 1
Read the following stanza and answer briefly the questions that follow:
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree.
Questions
(a). What has the crow done to amuse the poet? 1
(b) What is the contrast referred here? 1
(c) Why has the poet mentioned the 'crow'? 1
(d) How much did the dust of snow affect the poet? 1
Set 2
Read the following stanza and answer briefly the questions that follow:
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Questions
1. How can the world 'perish twice', according to the poet? 1
2. What does the poet equate hate with - fire or ice ? 1
3. How, according to the poet, is ice also great? " 2
Answers
1. Accol'ding to the poet, the world can perish by fire and also by ice. Thus it can perish twice - once by fire and then by ice.
2. The poet equates hate with ice. He feels that hatred chills all springs of delicate feelings in man's heart. It turns man's heart into dead and hard ice.
3. The poet feels that the ice of hatred is as powerful as the fire of desire to bring a complete end of this world.
Set 3
Read the following stanza and answer briefly the questions that follow:
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle's edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!
Questions
1. Why do you think he should be snarling around houses? 1
2. What does he do while moving at the jungle's edge? 1
3. How do the villagers feel and why? 1
Answers
1. He is snarling around to get at some domestic animal for his food.
2. He shows his white fangs and his claws as he growls and moves along the jungle's edge.
3. The villagers feel terrified because they can hear the tiger snarling around their houses.
Set 4
Read the following stanza and answer briefly the questions that follow:
He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.
Questions
1. Who does 'He' in these lines refer to ? 1
2. What last voice does he hear at night? 1
3. What does he stare at ? Can you tell why? 2
Answers
1. The word' He' here refers to a tiger that has been locked in a zoo.
2. He hears the noise of patrolling cars.
3. He stares at the bright stars. Perhaps he is trying to ask heaven why he has been imprisoned in a cage.
Set 5
Read the following stanza and answer briefly the questions that follow:
Or if some time when roaming round,
A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground,
Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn
The Bengal Tiger to discern.
Questions
(a) How does the noble beast greet the person roaming around? 1
(b) How can one differentiate a Bengal Tiger from other animals? 1
(c) Why does the poet use the term 'noble' and 'wild' for the tiger? 1
(d) What is the rhyming scheme of this stanza? 1
Set 6
Read the following stanza and answer briefly the questions that follow:
Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The Crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyenas thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they're Crocodiles.
Questions
(a) Why would a novice get confused in distinguishing wild animals? 1
(b) How would you distinguish a hyena from a crocodile? 1
(c) What are the other distinguishing features of a hyena and a crocodile? 1
(d) What is the humour in the above lines? 1
Set 7
Read the following stanza and answer briefly the questions that follow:
Don't eat that chocolate, Amanda!
Remember your acne, Amanda!
Will you please look at me when I'm speaking to you,
Amanda!
(I am Rapunzel, I have not a care;
life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I'll certainly never let down my bright hair!)
Questions:
1. What is Amanda asked to do ? 1
2. Is Amanda Rapunzel ? If not, why does she say so ? 2
3. Why will she never let down her bright hair? 1
Answers:
1. Amanda is told to be careful about her acne, and to look the speaker in the face when she is spoken to ?
2. No, Amanda is not Rapunzel. She wishes she were Rapenzal. Then she would be alone and free. No one would tell her not to eat chocolate, or remind her of her acne.
3. Rapunzel lived in the tower and let down her hair so that her lover could climb up to her. Then she escaped with her lover. Amanda does not wish to leave the lonely tower So she would not let down her hair.
Set 8
Read the given extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:
What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,
What, what is he to do? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over - there it is in the water!
No use to say '0 there are other balls':
Questions
1. Name the poem and the poet. 2
2. What does the word 'it' refer to? 1
3. Where has it gone? 1
Answers
1. The name of the poem is 'The Ball Poem'. The name of the poet is John Berryman.
2. The word' it' refers to the ball with which the boy was playing.
3. It has gone into the water of the sea.
Set 9
Read the given extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:
An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy
As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down
All his young days into the harbour where
His ball went. I would not intrude on him,
A dime, another ball, is worthless.
Questions
1. What was the reaction of the boy at the loss of his ball ? 2
2. Where was the boy staring down? 1
3. Why did the poet not offer the boy a dime to buy another ball ? 1
Set 10
Read the stanzas given below and answer the questions that follow:
They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,
Questions:
(a) Who are 'they' mentioned here? 1
(b) Why do they not weep for their sins? 1
(c) What are the things that the poet hates in human beings? 2
Set 11
Read the stanzas given below and answer the questions that follow:
Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with
the mania of owning things,
Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that
lived thousands of years ago,
Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.
Questions:
(a) Who does the poet refer to as 'Not one'? 1
(b) Who do you think is demented with the mania of owning things? 1
(c) How does the poet appreciate the social system of animals? 1
(d) Explain: 'The mania of owning things'. 1
Set 12
Read the stanzas given below and answer the questions that follow:
I sit inside, doors open to the veranda writing long letters
in which I scarcely mention the departure of the forest from the house.
The night is fresh, the whole moon shines in a sky still open
the smell of leaves and lichen
still reaches like a voice into the rooms.
Questions
1. Name the poem and the poet. 2
2. Where is the poet sitting? 1
3. What is the poet doing? 1
Answers
1 The name of the poem is ‘'The Trees'. The name of the poet is Adrienne Rich.
2. The poet is sitting inside the house.
3. She is writing long letters.
Set 13
Read the stanzas given below and answer the questions that follow:
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city on silent haunches
anq then moves on.
Questions
1. Name the poem and the poet. 2
2. What is the fog compared to? 1
3. How does the fog come? 1
Answers
1. The name of the poem is 'Fog'. The name of the poet is Carl Sandburg.
2. The fog is compared to a cat.
3. It comes without making any noise.
Set 14
Read the stanzas given below and answer the questions that follow:
Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
Questions
1. Where did Belinda live? 1
2. Name the different pets she had. 2
3. Which of the pet was called a coward? 1
Answers
1. Belinda lived in a little white house.
2. Her pets included Ink, Blink, Mustard and Custard.
3. It was the dragon Custard that was called a coward.


English Reader
Short Questions (Poetry)
What happened after the crow shook down? What is the significance of the crow?
Why does the poet think that he has saved some part of the day?
Why does the poet favour with the people who favour fire?
How is ice sufficient for destruction according to the poet?
For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for?
Why should the tiger be lurking in shadow?
“Though he strong, he is behind the bars”. Why is the tiger behind the bars?
How would you distinguish a hyena from a crocodile?
How does the poet suggest that you can identify the lion and the tiger? When can you do so according to him?
What does “In the world of possessions” mean?
What does the poet say the boy is learning from the loss of the ball?
What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
What does Amanda yearn for? What does the poem tell you about Amanda?
Do you think Amanda is sulking and moody? How?
They (animals) don’t sweat and whine about their condition. Why can’t they do so?
Mention three things that human do and animals don’t.
What are the ‘tokens’ that the poet says he may have dropped long ago and which the animals have kept for him?
What is the significance of ‘roots work here’? Why do they work all night?
Why does the poet not mention the departure of the forest?
Why does the poet emphasize the breaking of the glass? Is he terrified or happy?
What does Sandberg think the fog is like?
How does the fog come?
Who are the characters in the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’?
Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called ‘cowardly dragon’?
“Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful………”. Why?
Do you find ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ to be a serious or a light hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
The poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is in a ballad form. What is a ballad? Explain in brief.


Supplementary Reader
Long Questions
1. Griffin was rather a lawless person. Give examples to prove this statement.
2. Assess Griffin as an eccentric scientist?
Griffin was not a true scientist as he misused his scientific discovery. Discuss
A Lawless scientist is a curse to the society? Discuss this statement in the light of the lesson you have read.
Confessing one’s mistake needs courage. Explain this statement in context with the lesson the ‘Necklace’?
Describe how Ausable outwitted Max.
Give a Character sketch of Ausable.
Write character sketch of the thief?
How did Anil earn his livelihood? What made the narrator state it was difficult to rob Anil?
Describe in about 100 words how Mr. Herriot ‘Cured’ Tricki’s illness?
How is Mrs. Pumphrey responsible for Tricki’s ailment?
Describe how the young and pretty lady tricked Horace Danby?
Give a character sketch of Horace Danby?
Describe the arrival of Griffin in the village of Iping in the winter season?
Describe the scene which took place when Mr. Jeffars, the constable tries to arrest a man without head.
Give the Character sketch of Matilda.
Narrate an interesting incident from the story The Hack Driver when the lawyer was taken on ride.
Describe how the narrator was befooled by Oliver Lutkins himself.
How did Lutkins himself deceive the narrator?
Give Character sketch of Lutkins?
Love and encouragement make the impossible possible. Explain this statement in context to Bholi and her education?
Dowry is a negation of girl’s dignity. Explain it.
Describe the changes that came in Bholi because of her education.
Describe the wedding scene of Bholi’s marriage.
Give character Sketch of Bholi.
Griffin was not a true scientist as he misused his scientific discovery. Illustrate this point by giving two incidents from the story?
Why did Matilda weep for days from despair and disappointment whenever she visited her rich friend?
What did the horse driver tell the narrator about Lutkin’s mother?
Write a character sketch of Sulekha?
Why did the tiger feel restless? Where did he wish to go?
What changes came into the life of the Loisels after they had replaced Jeanne’s necklace?
Mention instances from the text that prove that Loisel was a simple man who loved his wife?
‘I think I know a cure for you. “What was Dr. Herriot’s cure for Tricki?
How did the scientist look when he came to the Inn? Give example to show that he was a man of irritable temper?
How did the people at law firm receive the narrator? Why was he sent back to New Mullion?
How did Griffin’s invisibility come to his help whenever he found himself in trouble?
In the beginning of the story Fowler was disappointed with Ausable. Do you think his feelings changed towards the end?
How did the scientist look when he came to the inn? Give example to show that he was a man of irritable temper?
What could have happened if Matilda had confessed to her friend that she had lost the necklace?
How did Ausable use ‘The Knock at the door in his favour? What light does it throw on his character?
The narrator and the hack driver drove around together to find Lutkins. Which places they visit?
What impression do you form of Hari Singh after reading the lesson ‘The thief’s Story?
Describe the scene which took place after the arrival of Mr. Jeffers, the constable, in the story ‘‘Foot Prints without Feet?”
‘Bholi’s whole personality underwent a complete transformation towards the end of the story. Explain
‘Our pampering is not only bad for humans but also for animals.’ Prove this statement in the light of the lesson ‘A Triumph of surgery.
Describe the young lawyer’s first encounter with the hack driver.
What curious episode took place in clergy man’s house/ study?
Why did the lawyer find Bill’s Country wisdom very refreshing’?
What were Horace Danby’s plans for his latest robbery?
How could you asses Griffin as a scientist?
“Her Heart was throbbing with a new hope and a new life”. Who brought about this change in Bholi and how?
‘Trust and comparison can reform a person’. Justify this statement in the light of the lesson the thief’s story.
Appearances are deceptive’ Justify this statement in the light of the lesson ‘The Hack driver.’
Who do you think is the real culprit in the story ‘A Question of Trust ‘?
What evidence do you get of Tricki’s affluent living from the text?
How did Griffin’s invisibility come to his help whenever he found himself in trouble? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Why did Matilda weep for days from despair and disappointment whenever she visited her rich friend?
What was Horace Donby’s plan of action to rob the house at Shotover Grange?
On what condition did Bishambhar refuse to marry Bholi? What was Bholi’s reaction to this condition?
How did the teacher encourage Bholi on her first day in School?
What impression do you form of the young lawyer after reading the lesson ‘The Hack Driver’?
Why was Mr. Herriot worried about Tricki?
Bholi’s whole personality underwent a complete transformation towards the end of the story. Explain.
What was Horace’s reaction when he realized that he was not alone in the house he had come to rob?
What is the twist at the end of the story in the Necklace?
Mrs. Pumpery said “This is the triumph of Surgery.’ Did she know what Tricki’s ailment was?
Describe the young lawyer’s first encounter with the hack driver.
Griffin indeed made a great discovery yet we do not sympathize with him, why?
“Richard Ebright had all the ingredients required in the making of a scientist.” Discuss.
Give a brief character sketch of Richard Ebright.
“Without the support and motivation of his mother Richard would not have been a successful scientist”. Do you agree? Elaborate.
Give a character sketch of Richard Ebright’s mother.
‘Failure is a step towards success.’ How did a failure in the first competition help Ebright in becoming a successful scientist?
“Where there is a will, there is a way.” Ebright had a will to become a scientist but did no have enough resources. How did his will and curiosity help him in becoming a successful scientist?
What science projects did Ebright undertake in his 8th and 9th grade at school
Which research did Ebright begin in his second year in high school? Which new theory did it lead to?
How did Ebright get the idea for his new theory about cell life? How important was it and how will it be useful for humanity?
Justify the title of the play ‘The Book That Saved the Earth’.
Compare and contrast the characters of Think Tank and Noodle.
How did the Think tank interpret the rhymes of the book ‘Mother Goose’?
How did the people on the earth help the Martian people? How did it help the people on both the planets?
What guesses do Think Tank and Noodle make about the books found on earth?
What meaning do Think Tank and others take out of the nursery rhyme ‘Hey diddle……spoon’ which is a code for him?
What meaning do Think Tank and others take out of the nursery rhyme ‘Humpty dumpty……again’ what for does he order and why?
How according to Hstorian, did one dusty old book of nursery rhymes save the world from a Martian invasion?
What according to Historian, was done between Mars and Earth after Think Tank ran away from Mars?

Supplementary Reader
Short Questions

How did Max meet his end?
What was someone expected to bring to Ausable’s room?
How did Ausable get rid of Max?
What did Ausable tell Max about the balcony? Why?
Why did Ausable say to Fowler, “You are disappointed?”
How was Ausable a different kind of Secret agent as he does not fit the description of any secret agent?
Who was Fowler? What made him see Ausable?
What does the thief say about the reactions of the different types of people when they were robbed?
What was Anil’s job? What did he usually do with the money he earned?
Why did the thief smile without any effort towards the end of the story?
What made Hari Singh (the thief) come back to Anil?
How did the thief persuade Anil to employ him?
What was Hari Singh’s daily routine at Anil’s House?
What prompted Hari Singh to steal Anil’s money?
How did the thief win the heart of Anil?
“Stealing is easier than returning a thing stolen”? Do you think this is true in context with ‘The thief’s story’?
Horace Danby was a very successful thief. What went wrong when he attempted to rob Shotover Grange?
What was Tricki’s ailment?
Describe the parting scene between Tricki & Mrs. Pumphrey’s House hold?
“I think I know a cure for you “. What was the cure?
Who was Tricki? How was he pampered?
What was Dr. Herriot’s suggestion about Tricki?
Why did Mrs. Pumphrey swoon?
What was Tricki’s condition when Dr. Herriot carried him in his car to the hospital?
Why was it a temptation to keep Tricki as a permanent guest?
Why did Mrs. Pumphery say, “This is a Triumph of surgery?” Did she know what Tricki’s ailment was?
The house-hold dogs at the surgery rejected Tricki as an uninteresting object. Why?
Why is Horace Donby described as good & respectable but not completely honest?
Why did Horace Danby rob every year?
Was he a typical thief? If so, Why?
Describe how Horace Danby planned his work?
How did Horace Danby’s hay fever cause his failure in his robbery?
Do you think that the young lady was smarter than Horace Danby?
What was Horace Danby’s hobby and how did he persue it?
Horace gets angry when someone talks about ‘the honour of thieves.’ Why?
Who is really culprit in this story-- the lady or Horace? How?
How did Griffin escape from London store?
Mr. Griffin entered the shop of the theatrical company. What did he do there?
The Landlord’s wife was convinced that Griffin was an eccentric scientist? What made her think of Griffin in these terms?
What was the curious episode that took place in the clergy man’s house?
What happened to the constable?
Why were the two boys in London surprised & fascinated?
Why were the landlord & his wife surprised to see the scientist’s door wide open?
Mention two extraordinary things that happened in the room.
Why did the people suspect Griffin for the burglary?
How did Matilada get jewels to wear in the ball?
What spoiled the pleasure of Mrs. Loisel?
What changes came into the life of the Loisel after borrowing money?
How did Jenny recognize her friend?
How was Mrs. Matilda Loisel a mistake of destiny?
Why was the narrator happy to go to new Mullion?
Why did the lawyer find the site at the station agreeable?
How did the hack driver sketch the character of Luckiness?
The narrator and the hack driver went around together to find Lutkins. What couldn’t they find him?
Who was the hack driver? What really hurt the feelings of narrator?
What does the narrator describe as a pretty disrespectful treatment?
Why do you think were the neighbors anxious to meet the lawyer?
Why did Sulekha stammer?
Why was Ramlal worried about Bholi and not about his other children?
What was Ramlal’s wife reaction when he talked about sending his daughter to school?
Bholi’s heart was throbbing with a new hope and a new life. What was the new hope and new life?
Why did Bholi’s marriage to Bishambar not take place?
Did she enjoy her first day of school? What made her happy on this worry day?
In what way did Bholi find her teacher different from her parents or the people at home?
What changes did come about in Ramlal’s Village?
How did Ebright’s mother help him on a human level? Why?
How did Ebright show the signs that he would do amazing things when he would grow up?
Why did Ebright soon loose interest in tagging butterflies?
Why was Ebright’s participation in a country science fair in his seventh grade sad for him? What did he learn from this?
What made Ebright continue his advanced experiments on the monarch pupa?
How did Ebright get an answer to one of Biology puzzles: how the cell can ‘read’ the blueprint of DNA?
When did Ebright start collecting things? What did he collect and do fast?
How did Ebright’s mother encourage him to do those things?
What did Ebright do to make the tagging of butterflies successful?
What did Ebright do for his eighth grade project?
What did Ebright do that led to his new theory on the life of cells?
What was the outcome of Ebright’s project on the gold spots?
What are other interests of Ebright?
How did Ebright’s mother help him in learning?
What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist ?
How can one become a scientist, an economist, or a historian?
What was Ebright’s achievement? What has it been compared to?
What did Ebright collect as a child? Why?
What book opened the world of science to Ebright? What was the book about?
Why did Ebrigt decide to raise a flock of butterflies?
Why did Ebright lose interest in tagging butterflies?
Why do Viceroys try to look like monarchs?
Who was Richard A Weiherer? How did Ebright admire him?
Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Books’?
What guesses were made by Think Tank about the books found on earth?
Who was Think Tank? What did he plan?
Who is Noodle? What does Think Tank order him to do?
Why does Think Tank want a mirror? Why does he ask it?
What do Iota and Oop think about the place (library) they are in?
What does Noodle think a book is for? How does he know?
Why does think Tank want Omega to open and watch a big colourful book?
What are Think Tank’s fears? What does he decide?
How does Noodle call that the ‘sandwiches’ are some sort of communication device? How does Think tank react to it?
How do Think Tank and Noodle advise the space probe to the earth to decode what is given in the ‘sandwiches’?
What according to Historian happened in 2014? Why?
What reply do Lt. Iota and Sergeant Oop give about the book to Think Tank?
Where does Think Tank plan to go as he tells Noodle?


Summary of the Lessons
English Reader
A Letter to God
Lencho, an ox of a man, a hard working farmer had an unshakable, undaunted faith in God which remains alive till the end of the story. The hailstorm destroyed his total crops. He turns towards god for help as he is omniscient. He knows what’s within one’s blossom. He writes a letter to God demanding hundred pesos and mails it in the letterbox. The letter reaches into the hands of the postmaster. He went through it and expressed his surprise. He plans to respond the letter but responding it demands other than pen and paper, that is, money. He collected the money from various sources and putting it in an envelope handed over to Lencho on the following Sunday. Lencho was fiercely angry when he counted the money. All together 30 pesos were missing. He knows God could not make mistake neither could He deny him. The amount must have been misappropriated by the post office employees who were a bunch of crooks. The employees were shocked. This proves that Lencho had unshakable faith in God.

His First Flight
Bravery and cowardice are the relative terms. One is coward as long as fear encompasses him / her. In this story the young seagull poses to be a coward incarnate. His other three elder brothers and sister had already flown. The entire family member boosted him to fly, but he couldn’t. One day he mustered up his courage to fly but all went in vain, and for the same, he was harshly punished by his parents. He was left all alone on the ledge starving for 24 hours. He wouldn’t dare to fly. He cried with hunger. Mother took final decision to put before him bait. And lo! It worked; he dived for a scrap of fish. Mother was high up in the sky and he was in the open air falling down and down. He opened his wings and found himself flying. This was the way he was taught to make his first flight. Hence, we can say parental encouragement and discipline play a great role in shaping the destiny of the young children.

The Black Aeroplane
The lesson “Black Aeroplane” depicts vividly the mystery and suspense. It seems incredible sometimes to the scientific world, on the other hand, we can’t deny the existence of such happenings. A pilot of old Dacota aeroplane was flying in the midnight over the sky of Paris. He wanted to reach England so that he could join his family at the time of breakfast. But unfortunately he was passing through mountainous black clouds. He dared to it willingly. As he was in the turmoil of black clouds, all his system failed to work. He couldn’t communicate any body. Suddenly he noticed a black aeroplane in front of him. The pilot of the plane instructed him to follow. He followed. He followed like a child but in the mean time his fuel tank was getting exhausted .Suddenly he noticed a row of light on the ground. It was the runway. He landed down and straight forward went to the control room. He enquired about the other aeroplane. But he was dumb struck when he came to know that there was no aeroplane noticed on the radar that night. Many questions remained unanswered, mysterious and unsolved.

From the Diary of Anne Frank
A young girl of 13 years wanted to have a very intimate and bosom friend but she couldn’t make one. And hence she turned to make her diary, Kitty, her true friend. Because she feels a paper has more patience than people. She writes every bit of her happenings truthfully which posthumously became one of the most important literary properties to the civilized world.
She describes in her diary the days of her early childhood. When she was in class 5th, she had been punished by Mr. Kissing, her Mathematics teacher, for her being talkative. She was asked to write an essay on ‘Chatterbox’ but couldn’t stop over talking. She was punished for the second time to write an essay on ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’ with all her arguments. She wrote and submitted it to the teacher. But she didn’t stop the same. She was punished for the third time on the same topic and she submitted her essay in poetic form which described three young ducklings being bitten to death by the father duck because they quacked too much. This moved Mr. Kissing and hence forth she was allowed to talk with no more punishment.
Hence, we find a very intimate and deliberate description of her personal feelings in the pages of her diary.

The Sermon at Benares
Sermon is a religious talk delivered by any prophet or Saint. Here we have the journey of Goutam Buddha from prince hood to his saintly life. He left the palace at the age of 25, after seeing the sufferings of the world, to seek enlightenment. He wandered for seven years, here and there, and under a peepal tree at Bodhgaya he got it. His first sermon was delivered at Benaras as it was considered to be the holiest place because of the river Ganga. He thought that he who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, complaint and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow has become composed, and will obtain peace of mind; he who has overcome all will be free from sorrow and be blessed.

II
Kisa Gautami
Kisa Gautami was grieving over the death of her son. She moved from door to door and at last came to Buddha. She made him a humble request to make her son alive. Buddha said he would do but he asked a handful of mustard seeds. He further commanded it must be taken from a house where no one had lost a child, husband, parent or friend.
She went from house to house but was unable to find one where nobody had died. She was tired and hopeless and sat down at the wayside watching the light of the city as they flickered up. And she realised that these lives flicker up for some time and are extinguished again. This way she was taught that the lives of mortals in this world are troubled and brief and there is no means by which one can avoid deaths. As all earthen vessels made by the potter are being broken, so is the life of mortals. Death is inevitable.

Madam Rides the Bus
This is a sensitive story of an eight year old girl’s first bus journey into the world outside her village .The girl Valli, at a very tender age, tries to understand the mystery of life and death. The outside world for Valli is charming and fascinating but mysterious. She longs to experience it by herself. The talks of the village people about the town added fuel to the fire. She decides to go to the town all by herself without anybody’s support. She asked the bus conductor to take her to the town .She herself paid her fare. She wanted to devour everything with her eyes. She saw the canal, palm tree, grass land, distant mountain and the blue sky. She also saw great stretch of green field as far as the eye could see. She was overjoyed when she saw a cow running with her raised tail on the road ahead of the bus. While returning she noticed that the body of the same cow was crushed and bled. She was moved from within. Perhaps she was trying to understand the meaning of life and death in her own terms. She returned home in time. None of the family members could know her adventurous journey.

Mijbil the Otter
Owning a pet is a life time commitment involving considerable responsibility. Maxwell after the death of his dog decided not to keep the dog as the pet rather something else. He gets an opportunity to bring an otter which he named as Mijbil from Basra in Iraq. The lesson tells us about a great concern of a human being to the animals. The otter was a kind of unknown animal to the author. When it came first to him it looked like a small dragon. In the beginning, Mijbil showed no interest in Maxwell but later on he lost his apathy and started showing interest in him. He enjoyed the water in the bathroom, small toys of the room and other small articles in his surrounding. Thus it was a kind of animal which has great understanding of the humans.

Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela, the first Black president of South Africa, after more than 3 centuries of white rule, celebrated very vividly the grand ceremony of the first democratic non-racial government .Being sworn in, he said radiantly that “Never, never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another”. He pays homage to the freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo. They were men of uncommon courage, wisdom and generosity. He regards the death of thousands of people who sacrificed their lives for the cause of courage. It is not the absence of fear but the victory over it. No man is born with harassment rather love which comes natural to the human heart. He says every man has his duties to his family, to the community and to his country to perform honestly.

The Hundred Dresses
This story is a sensitive account of a young poor girl who is judged by her dress. Wanda Petoskey is a young polish girl who goes to school with other American children in an American town. These other children see Wanda as different in many ways i.e. her dress, social status & her wealth. Maddie and Peggy, two of her classmates, very often make fun of her by asking “how many dresses you have, Wanda?” Wanda used to reply every time almost mechanically that she had hundred dresses. There was once an art completion. Wanda painted hundred dresses – all of different colors. She was adjudged as the first in that competition but unfortunately the Petronskis were not available to receive the same as they and left the town and steered somewhere else because of their social discrimination.
Later on, the children of the class realised their mistake for what they had done and vowed never to repeat that again.
We usually judge people around us by their wealth and possessions. It may be by their social status too. But they are not of enduring value. These things are immaterial. We should judge the people by their human qualities and behaviors.

A Baker from Goa
This lesson is a pen portrait of a traditional Goan village beaker that still has unimportant place in his vicinity. Goa is the place which has the varied culture of French, English and Portuguese. Here in this lesson the description of a village hacker reminds us of the Old Portuguese days.
The beaker comes with the jhang - jhang sound—a sound of his bamboo stuff. His one hand supports the basket of his head and the other hand the bamboo on the ground. The baker places the basket and the imploring children surround him to look into the basket what verities of eatables he carries. They buy the loves and even eat without brushing.
The sells are so importantly intertwined with the social custom with Goan people that their presence is inevitable. Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread called “bol”. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for festival. Their peculiar dress is known as “kabai” as they themselves are known as “pader”. They have a joyful life as they earn profitably well. Their plum physique is the testimony to this.

Supplementary
A Trimph of Surgery
Too much pampering to any body spoils the life. Mrs. Pamphery, the mistress of Tricki, a pet dog, shows affection to such an extent that she fell ill. She gives him morning breakfast, lunch, evening snakes and dinner. He was given supplementary diet too like egg, malt, chocolate horlicks etc. He had a comfortable life with all luxurious things. These all made Tricki hugely fat. He refused to do exercise and, hence, he falls severely ill. He starts vomiting and refuses to take food. His mistress immediately calls Mr. Hariot, the vet. The doctor examined and suggested Mrs. Pamphrey to take Tricki to the hospital for Surgery. Tricki was now to be taken to the hospital. The parting scene between them was unbearable. In the hospital Tricky was never operated nor given any medicinal treatment only his diet was regulated and physical exercise was given Tricki gets all right again. This shows that over pampering hampers once heath as well as the progress of life.

The Thief’s Story

It is no denying a fact that love and compassion brings miraculous changes in one’s life. The same happens with Hari Singh, a young boy of 15 years, so called thief, who arrives at the house of Anil, a young writer, in need of a service. He was engaged on a loose trial. Every month Hari Singh needed to change his master and his own name because after stealing the money he feared being coughed. In the very bringing, the truth of Hari Singh was revealed. Yet Anil showed his sympathy and allowed Hari Singh to continue. He even started hiding one rupee every day from the grocery items he was given to purchase. Anil knew it. Yet he allowed him to stay. Even he started teaching him alphabet and Hari Singh showed interest in learning it.
One night Hari Singh couldn’t resist his temptation of stealing the money when he saw the crisp currency notes being kept under the mattress where Anil slept. In the mid night he woke up, stole the money and ran away straight to the railway station to catch the train to Lucknow. When he reached to the station, the train to Lucknow was crawling away. Had he wanted, he could have caught the train easily. But he didn’t do so. Fear of being questioned at the railway station brought him outside. And now he thinks to return back to Anil. On the way back, he got wet and the money too. On returning, he kept the money from where he had taken. Next morning Anil woke him up and gave him a fifty rupees note and asked smilingly to continue his lesson. He smiles at Anil in his most appealing way. This indicates Anil had forgiven him.

The Midnight Visitor
Ausable, a secret spy, a fat man, not looking handsome, was extraordinarily intelligent in the business of espionage. Fowler a young writer gets disappointed to see him. But soon his idea changes when he comes to know the truth.
A secret paper on Russian missile was to arrive in the room of Ausable. Many spies had risked their lives to take it. Here is another spy, Max, who was already present in his room. When Ausable and Fowler entered, Max commanded them to surrender. Ausable did not lose his self control and kept his poise. Immediately he made a cock and bull story. He talked to Fowler. He tolled him he would complain against the manager for not removing balcony of his room as it was vulnerable. People used to enter in his room that way. ‘Had had come through the some way?’, Ausable asked him. He replied he entered through the pass- key. He informed Max about the arrived of the police at any time. And then there was a knock at the gate. Ausable asked Max to hide himself on the Bolcony otherwise there was the danger of being caught in the hands of police. He jumped to the balcony outside. Out of his sheer intelligence & extraordinary matchless wit, he got rid of his apponent Max.

A Question of Trust
Horace Danby was an about 50 years old unmarried man. He was a meticulous planner and a very clever thief. Having rare taste of reading expensive book, he robs a house once a year only to meet the demand of his queer habit, e.g., reading the book. Before he robs a house, he plans in detail and then works out on his business.
He entered at Shortover grange to break open the safe and take away the jewelry. Never in his life had his planning gone wrong. But this time he confronted with the lady of the house. She threatened him to inform the police about the robbery, but excuse might be granted if he broke open the safe and handed over the jewelry to the lady of the house. He did as commanded but without wearing globes.
He promised never to repeat the same again. But he was arrested within few days on the question of breaking open the safe. He then only understood the lady, who pretend to be the owner of the house, was non else than other thief. He gets angry when somebody talks about the honour among thieves. He is now in the jail. But because of his reading habit and good behavior he has been made the assistance librarian in the prison. He often thinks of the charming clever young lady, who was in the same profession as he was, who tricked him.


Foot Print without Feet
A lawless scientist who misuses his scientific discovery is a curse to the society. Griffin, a lawless scientist, discovered a rare drug by swallowing which one can become invisible by throwing out the garments one after another. He sets fire to the house where he lived when the rent was demanded. He enters into the London Store, wears clothes, eats meat, and drinks wine. He robs the theatrical company in the Drury Lane and knocked the cashier down callously and stole the money. In the village of Iping, in the winter season, Griffin arrives having unusual appearance. This sets all tongues wagging. When inquired, he revealed the truth by saying that an accident had caused that and the purpose of arriving to the village is solitude. People of the village considered him to be an eccentric scientist. He robbed off a clergy man’s house and attacked Mrs. Hall, the land lady, when the rent was demanded. He knocked down Mr. Jeffers, the constable, unconscious too, when he tried to catch him hold. The whole episode of this story proves that Griffin was a lawless eccentric scientist who misused was scientific discovery.

The Necklace
A pretty young lady Matilda considers herself to be the most unfortunate lady born in a poor family. She was married to a clerk who was not too rich. She used to dream to be the centre of attraction of the young people. She receives a chance to fulfill her dreams when her husband brings an invitation. She cursed her fate for not availing the opportunity because of her poverty. She knew she could not buy the costly dress and the costly ornaments. But her wish was materialized when her husband offered to buy a costly dress and suggested to borrow a necklace from her friend, Mrs. Forestier. She did accordingly and her dream came true. She danced for the whole night and really remained the centre of attraction. It seemed misfortune was waiting for her. When she returned her home, she found she had lost her borrowed necklace. She tried hard to search that out but failed. She had to return back the necklace to her friend. They sold their entire property and borrowed 18 thousand Francs. She returned back the necklace but lived a life of sheer scarcity for nearly 10 years. One day she met her friend Mrs. Forestier and told the truth about the necklace. She was stunned. She told her that the necklace cost merely 5 hundred Francs worth an imitation.
This story helps us understand truly “cut your coat according to your cloth”.

Hack Driver
Mr. Lutkins, a wise, clever, crafty and generous man in his business, proves himself to be the most intelligent befooler. After becoming an assistant clerk in a magnificent law firm, the narrator was sent to New Mullion to serve summons on Lutkinns.
He was happy to go there as it was only 40 miles away form the town. He found New Mullion dirty but meeting with an interesting man made his job rather easy. It was non else but Lutkins himself. He posed before him as Bill or Magnuson and offered him to hire his hack at two dollar an hour to search Mr Lutkins. Then they both started searching out Lutkins. He told him lies after lies that Lutkins was set at different places. He took the narrator to places like Fritz’s, Gaustaff’s, Barber’s shop and his own house at the end. He easily deceived the narrator by asking him to stay in the cart itself. But how could the narrator find Mr. Lutkins when he himself was taking part in searching out the wanted man.
Thus, very smartly Mr. Lutkins befooled the narrator. In his second visit only he came to know about the truth, and realized how smartly he had been befooled, when he was sent with a man who knew Lutkins.

Bholi
The story of Bholi is the narration of a simpleton, harmless dumb cow and a neglected child changed into a confident and bold grown up girl who knows to react. And all these changes occurred due to the compassionate behaviour of her teacher and her self dedication to acquire education.
Bholi was actually Sulekha. Among her four sisters and a brother she remained almost neglected by everyone. She didn’t get even the parental affection. Besides that, falling from the cot and the attack of small pox left their permanent imprints on her speaking due to head injury and the pock mark on her face. Her face was disfigured by the pock mark and she stammered too. Hence, she was neither wise nor beautiful.
But her education changed her life and she become more confident and bold. She stopped stammering. She was able to differentiate between good and bad. It was now time for Bholi to be married. Bishamber Nath, a grocer, got ready to marry her. But he was a mean, greedy, contemptible old man of 50 years who demanded dowry of Rs 5000 to marry her. When the appointed time of marriage arrived, she refused to marry that most disgusted man and expressed her wish to serve her parents in their old age. Thus, we can say it is the education that is a capable of bringing change in one’s life.

The Book That Served the Earth
This drama narrates the scientific advancement nearly four centuries before in which the habitats of the Mars plan to invade the earth and destroy it. Think Tank, the sergeant of the Martian army, sends his space craft on the earth with Captain Omega and Iota. They are hiding in a library. They saw nearly 2000 books kept in the shelf. Since they had not seen books, they wondered what they were. Think Tank guessed these books to be the sandwiches and commanded to eat.
He was reported then that they were too hard to be chewed up. They considered these books as communication devices. They thought them to be the eye communication. Then they read “The Mistress Merry” the nursery rhyme. Think Tank infers that the earthlings grow metals like silver. They also grow explosives and metals. So the books may be explosive too. And they read out another poem “Hey diddle diddle ------- spoon”. They explained this poem was very ferocious. They understood that the earthlings have taught their domesticated animals musical culture and space techniques. Even their dogs have a sense of humour. They feared interplanetary attack of millions of cows. Then they came across another poem “Humpty dumpy ------- again”. This poem alarmed Think Tank about the risk of his own life as they meant that they planed to capture the Mars control and Think Tank. Hence, they all decided to leave the earth and the Mars and go a hundred millions miles away from there. That shows one dusty old book of nursery rhyme saved the world from the Martian invasion.

The Making of a Scientist
With sincere observation, continuous experiments, faithful dedication and reliable testing with sharp mind, even the young ones can start their journey to the first rate scientist. Mother’s dedicated incessant help and encouragement and a book namely “The Travels of Monarch X” prove to be the blessings in Richards’s Ebright’s life. This book opened the wide world of experiments to the queries of the young child. Mother’s encouragement and help, teacher’s guidance and inner enthusiasm led this young child to prove himself later to be a first rate scientist. In the beginning, he started his journey with collecting all the species of butterflies on the call of a doctor Frederick of Toronto university, Canada. Ebright started tagging the butterflies but he was soon fade up with this.
Later on, he himself took a project to find out the cause of a viral disease that killed all monarch caterpillars. His experiment won the prize. The next year, science project was on testing the theory that viceroy butterflies copied Monarch’s. The result came out that they did this to save themselves from the birds. This project was placed first in the zoology division in the country science fare. His next project was based on “what is the purpose of twelve gold spots on monarch’s wings?” People thought the spots were just ornamental. But he proved that spots produced hormone. It was necessary for the butterfly’s development. This time he got the third place for zoology in the international science and engineering fare. Later on, he experimented on the DNA structure of cell with the same curiosity and gave a new theory. And that is one of the ingredients in the making of a scientist. To be the same, one must start with a first rate mind, add curiosity, and mix in the will to win for the right reasons.