SECTION 'B' : POETRY
Q4. (A) Read the following poem and answer the questions given below: (4 marks)
We used to think seven generations ahead
Now we have become selfish
Only thinking about me, myself and I
Only thinking in the present, not learning from the past.
We used to stroll barefoot through the overgrown grass,
Its morning dew tickling our feet
Now we step outside onto the rugged concrete
No more natural than the over processed food we eat
We used to walk down the snow sprinkled trail,
Maybe catch a glimpse of a bobcat, playing eye tricks with its tail
Now there is only one type of bobcat we see
The one that is fur free, clearing the pavement of all debris
We used to walk through a footpath in a forest of pine
The smell intoxicating our lungs and mind
Now the only smell to be found comes from plastic trees.
Swaying on my rear – view mirror, labelled pine breeze
we used to watch the valley play hide and seek
Shadowed by the mountain's immeasurable peak
considered the largest think known to man.
Questions:
1. Why does the poet say that we have become selfish?
Ans. The poet says so, because now we have become selfish and we are thinking only about us and ourselves.
2. Complete the statement by choosing the best alternative.
The poet used to stroll barefoot because.
i. he had no footwear
ii. he wanted to enjoy morning walk over green grass.
iii. there were concrete roads everywhere.
Answer. The poet used to stroll barefoot because – he wanted to enjoy morning walk over green grass.
3. What was the largest thing known to man?
Answer: Shadowed by the mountain's immeasurable peak was considered the largest thing known to man.
4. 'Only thinking in the present, not learning form the past'
(Find out the figure of speech)
Answer: Antithesis: Two opposite ideas are placed side by side for poetic effect.
Q4. (B) Read the following stanzas and answer the questions given below: (4 marks)
My father told the tenants to leave
Who lived on the houses surrounding our house on the hill
One by one the structures were demolished
Only our own house remained and the trees
Trees are sacred my grandmother used to say
Felling them is a crime but he massacred them all
The sheoga, the oudumber, the neem were all cut down
But the huge banyan tree stood like a problem
Whose roots lay deeper than all our lives
My father ordered it to be removed
The banyan tree was three times all as our house
Its trunk had a circumference of fifty feet
Its scraggly aerial roots fell to the ground
From thirty feet or more so, first they cut the branches
Sawing them off for seven days and the heap was huge
Insects and birds began to leave the tree
And then they came to its massive trunk
Fifty men with axes chopped and chopped
The great tree revealed its rings of two hundred years
We watched in terror and fascination this slaughter
As a raw mythology revealed to us its age
Soon afterwards we left Baroda for Bombay
Where there was no tree except the one
Which grows and seethes in one`s dreams, its aerial roots
Looking for ground to strike.
Questions:
1. Why were the tenants asked to leave their houses?
Answers: The tenants asked to leave their houses because they lived in the houses surrounding poet's house on the hill and these houses were demolished.
2. What did the poet's grandmother use to say about trees?
Answer: Poet's grandmother used to say that trees are sacred.
3. What did the poet's father do with the trees?
Answer: The poet's father has ordered to remove the banyan tree which was huge and created a huge problem.
4. Why was the banyan tree a problem?
Answer: The huge banyan tree stood like a big problem because its root lay deeper than all their lives.
Section C: Rapid reading and composition
Q5.A. Rewrite the extract imagining yourself as the little daisy. ( 4 marks)
Shortly after this a girl came into the garden, with a large sharp knife. She went to the tulips and began cutting them off, one after another. “Ugh!” sighed the daisy, “that is terrible; now they are done for.”
The girl carried the tulips away. The daisy was glad that it was outside, and only a small flower—it felt very grateful. At sunset it folded its petals, and fell asleep, and dreamt all night of the sun and the little bird.
On the following morning, when the flower once more stretched forth its tender petals, like little arms, towards the air and light, the daisy recognised the bird’s voice, but what it sang sounded so sad. Indeed the poor bird had good reason to be sad, for it had been caught and put into a cage close by the open window. It sang of the happy days when it could merrily fly about, of fresh green corn in the fields, and of the time when it could soar almost up to the clouds. The poor lark was most unhappy as a prisoner in a cage. The little daisy would have liked so much to help it, but what could be done? Indeed, that was very difficult for such a small flower to find out. It entirely forgot how beautiful everything around it was, how warmly the sun was shining, and how splendidly white its own petals were. It could only think of the poor captive bird, for which it could do nothing. Then two little boys came out of the garden; one of them had a large sharp knife, like that with which the girl had cut the tulips. They came straight towards the little daisy, which could not understand what they wanted.
Answer:
Shortly after I came into the garden, with a large sharp knife. I went to the tulips and began cutting them off, one after another. I sighed," Ugh! that was terrible, then they were done for."
I carried the tulips away. I was glad that that was outside, and only a small flower – it felt very grateful. At sunset that folded its petals, and fell asleep, and dreamt all night of the sun and the little bird.
On next morning, when the flower once more stretched forth its tender petals, like little arms, towards the air and light, the daisy recognized the bird's voice, but what it sang sounded so sad. Indeed the poor bird had good reasons to be sad, for it had been caught and put into a cage close by the open window. It sang of the happy days when it was merrily fly about, of fresh green corn in the fields, and of the time when it could soar almost up to the clouds. The poor lark was most unhappy as a prisoner in a cage. I would have like so much to help it, but what could be done? Indeed, that was very difficult for such a small flower to find out. It entirely forgot how beautiful everything around it was, how warmly the sun was shining, and how splendidly white its palatals were. It could only think of the poor captive bird, for which it could do nothing. Then two little boys came out of the garden, one of them had a large sharp knife, like that with which I had cut the tulips. They came towards me, I could not understand what they wanted..
Q5. B. convert the extract into a dialogue between the writer and his mother. (4 Marks)
"No more skeleton, " I remarked to my mother in the office, two or three days later.
"How disappointing," she said. "And the one we found is not only dead, it's buried. Why don't you join a cricket team?"
"Snooker is more exciting. Tirloki is teaching me."
Someone was standing int he doorway. An elderly woman, very fluffy, very pink. Her cheeks were pink, her dress was pink, her hair was bunched up and white. She was straight out of Agatha Christie.
"Miss Marple!" I exclaimed.
"May I come in?" asked the pink lady.
"Please come in," said my mother. "Do sit down. Do you require a room?"
"Not today, thank you. I'm staying with Padre Dutt. He insisted on putting me up. But I may want a room for day or two – just for old times' sake."
"You've stayed her before."
Answer:
Following is the conversation between Writer and his mother after two or three days.
Writer: No more skeleton.
Mom: How disappointing, and the one we found is not only dead, it's buried. Why don't you join a cricket team?
Writer: Snooker is more exciting. Tirloki is teaching me.
[Suddenly someone was standing in the doorway. An elderly woman, very fluffy, very pink. Her cheeks were pink, her dress was pink, her hair was bunched up and white. She was straight out of Agatha Christie}
Writer: Miss Marple!
[When the pink lady asked permission to come inside the room]
Mom: Please come in.
[After she came in]
Mom: Do sit down. Do you require a room?"
[The pink lady replied that Not on that day she need a room and she is staying with Padre Dutt. But she also told that she want a room for day or two – just for old times' sake. ]
Writer: You've stayed here before.
Convert the extract into a continuous write up.
OR
2. Add a paragraph of your own at the beginning of the extract of about 120 words.
Yes, there was a skeleton in the cupboard, and although I never saw it, I played a small part in the events that followed its discovery. I was fifteen that year, and I was back in my boarding school in Simla after spending the long winter holidays in Dehradun. My mother was still managing the old Green's hotel in Dehra - a hotel that was soon to disappear and become part of Dehra's unrecorded history. It was called Green's not because it purported to the spread of any greenery (its neglected garden was chocked with lantana), but because it had been started by an Englishman, Mr Green, back in 1920, just after the Great War had ended in Europe. Mr Green had died at the outset of the Second World War. He had just sold the hotel and was on his way back to England when the ship on which he was traveling was torpedoed by a German submarine. Mr Green went down with the ship.
The hotel had already been in decline, and the new owner, a Sikh businessman from Ludhiana, had done his best to keep it going. But post-War and post-Independence, Dehra was going through a lean period. My stepfather's motor workshop was also going through a lean period - a crisis, in fact - and my mother was glad to take the job of running the small hotel while he took a job in Delhi.
(B) Read the following passage and prepare a factfile, taking into account at least five points.
One of the most popular gateways from Mumbai and Pune is Lonavala, a beautiful hill station located in the Western Ghats and is about 106 kms from Mumbai. Lonavala is also called a the jewel in the Sahayadri range. As monsoon rains come tumbling down the Sahayadri hills, the hill station shows its best colour green. Lonavala derived its name from the Sanskrit word ‘Lonavli’, which means ‘city surrounded by caves’. The region around Lonavala was once a popular Buddhist centre. The picturesque view of the Sahayadri range is one of the many highlights tat Lonavala has to offer. With its lush surroundings and peaceful environment, Lonavala is an ideal gateway from Mumbai’s concrete jungle and an ideal place for trekking. A leisurely walk along the waterfalls and other beautiful spots is what keeps most travellers busy in Lonavala. There are number of places around Lonavala to visit. The lakes around Lonavala worth visiting include Tungarli and Bhushi. Khandala, just five kilometres away, is another exciting hill resort that can be visited from Lonavala. Lonavala is a year round destination, however most people prefer to visit the hill station druing Sumer and the Monsoon. The nearest airport to Lonavala is Pune, which is about 64 kilometres from Lonavala. Lonavala lies on the main railway line between Pune and Mumbai and hence the train is one the most convenient ways to reach Lonavala. Lonavala is well connected by road and lies on the Mumbai – Pune highway.
Answers:
Fact file on Lonavala
Location : Western Ghats 106 kms from Mumbai.
Distance from Important Places : 64 km from Pune.
Modes of Transport : Roadways and railways.
Uniqueness : Lush greenery all around and peaceful environment.
Best time of the year to visit : all year round, especially in summer and in monsoon.
What to see : Khandala, lakes, waterfalls
Anything special : Picturesque view of the Sahayadri range.
(OR)
Read the following headlines of news items. Choose ONE of them and write the date line, into and short containing paragraph. (4)
MASKED MEN SHOOT BANK MANAGER
MASKED MEN SHOOT BANK MANAGER
Mumbai, February, 21
By a Staff Reporter,
In a daring daylight robbery, three masked men entered the Indian Bank, Mahim branch on Monday at 10 a.m. When the manager refused to cooperate, he was fired at chest from a N – 38 revolver and was seriously injured. The three masked escaped in a waiting Red Maruti Van with a loot of 5 lakhs.
The Bank Manager Mr. Anbu Selvan, was rushed to Sion Hospital. He had sustained two bullet wounds on his chest. Doctors have reported that his conditions were critical. When contacted Mr. Ragavan, commissioner of Police said that certain important clues have been inspected which would definitely lead to the arrest of the bank robbers.
(OR)
HEAVY RAINS DISTURBED NORMAL LIFE
HEAVY RAINS DISTURBED NORMAL LIFE
Mumbai, February, 21
By a Staff Reporter,
Heavy, rains which continued for the third day in Mumbai, brought all normal life to a stand still. The Central part of the city was the worst affected with the water level rising above 3 feet in some areas.
Most of the main roads were completely flooded. In many areas the electric poles had fallen down and thus the whole city faced darkness. The situation may improve by tomorrow. The Spokesman of B.E.S.T. said that, “All the city buses were cancelled, which leads to a major problem for a common man”
(C) Write a tourist leaflet of a place of your interest keeping in mind the following. (4)a. Name of Placeb. Conveyancec. Distance from Mumbai.d. Climatee. Things to do
Ans.
OOTY
Introduction: Ooty is the queen of Hill with beautiful lakes, rivers, scenery, etc. It is situated in the heart of Tamil Nadu.
i. How to go there: Ooty is well connected with rest of India. One can go to Chennai by the way of Plane, Bus
or Train:
Plane: Daily two flights namely IA – 550 and IA – 330 from Mumbai to Ooty are available.
Bus: The State Transport Bus Services and many other private Bus Services are available from Mumbai to Ooty.
Train: There are many trains available which can take you to Ooty. The most convenient is “Mumbai – Ooty Express”
ii. Where to Stay: Accommodation is no problem in Ooty. The Government tourist Hotels and other Big and
Small hotels are available to suit ever one’s budget.
iii. When to Visit: June to October is the best time of the year to visit Ooty.
iv. What to See: The climate and scenery of Ooty is mind – blowing. It is a well planned hill station with huge roads, parks, theatres, and gardens, there are many interesting places to see like Bull Temple, Lord Ganesh Temple, Dolphin Nose, Flower Garden, Lord Murugan Temple, Palatial Buildings, etc,.
v. Shopping: Shopping in Ooty is fun. One can buy very traditional and well as modern things from Ooty. Ooty is very famous for woollen clothes.
vi. Anything Special As far as food is concerned Ooty is famous for Black tea, Idli, Vada, Sambar, Masala dosa, Idli fry, Prawns fry, Mugal Briyani, etc. The people are very culture oriented and highly intelligent. They give more importance to their education.
(OR)
Write a speech to be delivered among your class mates, regarding blood donation.
BLOOD DONATION
Dear friends, we have one life let us make our one life more meaningful by donating blood. Blood donation is the mother of all donations. Blood donation directly gives life to another human being. It is not only saves one individual but also the entire family of that individual. A person can donate blood thrice in a year. The donated blood will be thoroughly checked and stored up in a secured form. For donating blood a person must have a weight of at least 45 kg.
Many people have misunderstandings about bold donation. They feel by donating blood they will fall sick. But it is not like so, the donated blood will automatically regenerate by our body itself within four to five hours after donating the blood. A person will be prohibited from donating blood if he drank alcohol during the last six hours.
So friends, let us put our hands together and make a promise to donate blood at least once in a year.
Q7. (A) Prepare counterview for the following views: (4 MARKS)
Views
- Villages have much lesser pollution and more greenery, hence cooler climate.
- Village life is slow, monotonous and non - trendy.
- Better medical facilities and educational facilities are being offered in villages.
- Villages offer man the sight of natural landscapes and sceneries.
- Villages remain stagnant(stable) over a period of time.
Answer:
Counterviews
- City life is a fast changing life, adaptable and trendy.
- City life offers a person more opportunities for growth and development.
- Man can make rapid progress in a city.
- Social life and entertainment is better and wider.
- In a city there are better medical and educational facilities.
(B) Prepare a set of ten questions they you would ask the winner of the overall championship at the state level. (3 MARKS)
The following questions forms part of the interview with the student who had won the Overall Championship at the State Level Cricket Tournament.
1. How do you feel on receiving such a Championship?
2. Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.
3. How long has your career in the cricket been?
4. Who do you attribute your success to?
5. Who has inspired you to take up cricket?
6. What were the reactions of your family to this championship?
7. Who else do you think deserved such a championship?
8. To what extent were your colleagues helpful in your success story?
9. What is your plan for the future or your dream?
10. What message would you like to give upcoming generation?