(SET-I)

Time allowed : 3 Hours

M.M. : 100

General Instructions :

(i) The Paper is divided into two sections : A and B, both the sections are compulsory.

(ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully.

(iii) Do not exceed the prescribed limit while answering the questions. Marks will be deducted if this limit is crossed.

SECTION 'A'

So great is our passion for doing things for ourselves, that we are becoming increasingly less dependent on specialized labour. No one can plead ignorance of a subject any longer, for there are countless do it yourself publications. Armed with the right tools and materials, newly-weds gaily embark on the task to decorating their own homes. Men of all ages spend hours of their leisure time installing their own fireplaces, laying - out their own gardens; building garages and making furniture. Some really keen enthusiasts go so far as to make their own record players and radio transmitters. Shops cater for the do-it yourself craze not only by running special advisory services for novices, but by offering consumers bits and pieces which they can assemble at home. such things provide an excellent outlet for pent up creative energy, but unfortunately not all of us are born handymen.

Wives tend to believe that their husbands are infinitely resourceful and versatile. Even husbands who can hardly drive a nail in straight are supposed to be born electricians, carpenters, plumbers and mechanics. when lights fuse, furniture gets rickety, pipes get clogged, or vacuum cleaners fail to operate, wives automatically assume that their husbands will somehow put things right. The worst thing about the do-it yourself game is that sometimes, husbands live under the delusion that they can do anything even when they have been repeatedly proved wrong. It is a question of pride as much as anything else.

Last spring, my wife suggested that I call in a man to look at our lawn-mower. It had broken down the previous summer, and though I promised to repair it, I had never got round to it, I would hear of the suggestion and said that I would fix it myself. One Saturday afternoon I hauled the machine into the garden and had a close look at it. As far as I could see, it only needed a minor adjustment : a turn of a screw here, a little tightening up there, a drop of oil and it would be as good as new. Inevitably, the repair job was not quite so simple. The mower firmly refused to mow, so I decided to dismantle it. The garden was soon littered with chunks of metal which had once made up a lawnmower. But I was extremely pleased with myself. I had traced the cause of the trouble. One of the links in the chain that drives the wheels had snapped.

After buying a new chain I was faced with the insurmountable task of putting the confusing jigsaw puzzle together again. I was not surprised to find that the machine still refused to work after I had reassembled it, for the simple reason that I was left with several curiously shaped bits of metal which did not seem to fit anywhere. I gave up in despair. the weeks passed and the grass grew. when my wife nagged me to do something about it, I told her that either I would have to buy a new mower or let the grass grow. Needless to say that our house is now surrounded by a jungle. Buried somewhere in deep grass there is a rusting lawnmower which which I have promised to repair one day.

Why do people not rely on specialised labour so much nowadays, according to the writer? (1)

How do business organizations encourage people to do things for themselves ? (2)

Why do husbands think that they can do anything even when proved otherwise ? (1)

'Do-it-yourself' craze has its own advantage. What is that ? (1)

Select appropriate expression from the given options to convey the writer's message. Do-it-yourself activities are good to pursue because : (3)

they always provide an excellent outlet for creative energy. /font>

they help husbands feel important in the eyes of their wives.

they are making people less dependent on specialised labour.

Find words in the passage which convey the similar meaning as the following :(3)

(a) carried

(b) zealous

(c) break

In democratic countries any efforts to restrict the freedom of the Press are rightly condemned. However, this freedom can be easily abused. Stories about people often attract far more public attention than political events. Though we may enjoy reading about the lives of others, it is extremely doubtful whether we would equally enjoy reading about ourselves. Acting on the contention that facts are sacred, reporters can cause untold suffering to individuals by publishing details about their private lives. Newspapers exert such tremendous influence that they can not only bring about major changes to the lives of ordinary people but can even overthrow a government.

The story of a poor family that acquired fame and fortune over - night, dramatically illustrates the power of the press. The family lives in aberdeen, a small town of 25,000 inhabitants in South Dakota. As the parents had five children, life was perpetual struggle against poverty. They were expecting their sixth child and were faced with even more pressing economic problems. IF they had only one more child the fact would have passed unnoticed. The would have continued to struggle against economic odds and would have lived in obscurity. But they suddenly became the parents to quintuplets. four girls and a boy, an event which radically changed their lives. The day after the birth of the five children, an aeroplane arrived in Aberdeen bringing sixty reporters and photographers. The news was of national importance, for the couple had become the parents of the only quintuplets in America.

Their rise to fame was swift. Television, cameras and newspapers carried the news to everyone in the country. Newspapers and magazines offered the family huge sums for the exclusive rights to publish photographs. gifts poured in not only from unknown people, but from baby food and soap manufacturers who wished to advertise their products. The old farmhouse the family lived in was to be replaced by a new $ 100,000 home. Reporters kept pressing for interviews so lawyers had to be employed to act as the spokesmen of the family at press conferences. the event brought serious changes to the town itself. Plans were announced to build a huge new highway, as Aberdeen was now likely to attract thousands of tourists. Signposts erected on the outskirts of the town directed tourists not to Aberdeen, but to 'Quint-city U.S.A.' The local authorities discussed the possibility of erecting a 'quint museum' to satisfy the curiosity of the public and to protect the family from inquisitive tourists. while the five babies were still quietly sleeping in oxygen tents in a hospital nursery, their parents were paying the price for fame. It would never again be possible for them to lead normal lives. They had become victims of commercialisation, for their names had acquired a market value. The town itself received so much attention that almost every one of the inhabitants was affected to a greater or less degree.

On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it, using recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Use a format you consider suitable. Supply a suitable title. (5)

Write a summary of the above passage in about 80 words. (3)

Your school has just completed 25 years of its meritorious service to society. The Students' Council of your school has decided to celebrate its silver Jubilee. As President of the Council write a notice in not more than 50 words for the students of your school, informing them about the Council's decision and seeking their cooperation for the success of the proposed silver jubilee celebrations. (5)

You are Anurag/ Aparna of 110, Swastha Vihar, New Delhi and wish to let out a portion of your newly built house. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words for publication in the 'To Let' column of The Hindustan Times, giving all necessary details like location, type of accommodation to be rented out, rent expected, contact address, including telephone number etc. (5)

You are Abhinav/ Akanksha working as a news correspondent for 'The Indian Express' at Mumbai. You were invited by the organizers to cover the much awaited programme of Popstar Michael Jackson in Mumbai. Write a report on this historic event giving necessary details in not more than 100 words for the benefit of the fans of Michael Jackson.

OR

You are Rohit/ Rashi of vivekananda Sr. Secondary School of Bangalore. your school has recently conducted a charity show in aid of the flood affected people of Andhra. as cultural Secretary of the Students' Council of your school write a brief report in not more than 100 words on this activity of the school for publication in 'The Hindu'. (5)

Naveen Chaudhri of 105, Baily road, Patna bought a HP Desk Jet 200 Printer from the Computer Centre. the sole dealer of Hewlett Packard at Ranchi, for use with his newly acquired personal computer, a month ago. Now he finds that the print quality is poor and the ink nozzles of the print cartridge get frequently clogged. the printer has been given one year warranty against any technical fault. Now write a letter as Naveen Chaudhri to the dealer complaining about the same and requesting him to attend to it. ( Word limit 200) (10)

or

Your sister has just passed the All India Secondary School Examination of CBSE. She is keen on joining some institute which may help her in her personality development. She consults her language teacher on the subject who advises her to join. the Centre for Creativity and Development for this purpose. Now write a letter to the Director of the Centre, seeking necessary information about her admission of their 8 week summer course in leadership. (10)

The other day you went to a local Public School for admission of your nephew to their K.g. Class. On contacting the Admission Incharge of the school, you were shocked to learn that the admission test was merely a formality. The admission was to be granted not based on the merit of the child but on the parent's capacity to pay a fat capitation fee to the school. You felt extremely upset over this educational evil. You decide to write an article on this exploitation of parents by some of the private schools to be published in The Times of India. Your article should not exceed 200 words. (10)

OR

Sonali is disturbed to see that despite the governmental legislation against dowry, cases of bride-burning are on the increase as per the newspaper reporting. she being a social worker decides to write an article on the need for eradicating this social evil so as to reduce the ever increasing divorce cases in the country. Write the article in not more than 200 words for publication in The Hindu. (10)

To him, all life was sacred, even if it was a serpent or scorpion or centipede. whenever he saw one he quickly shoved it away lest we kill it. He picked up wasps we battered with our badminton rackets and tended their damaged wings. Sometimes, he got stung. If never seemed to shake his faith.

(a) Who is 'he' referred to above ? (1)

(b) What did he think of all life on this earth ? (1)

(c) What does this passage tell you about the man referred to herein ? Mention 3 qualities. (3)

(d) Why did he push away a serpent or scorpion when sighted? Give two reasons. (2)

(e) What light does this passage throw on the nature of the speaker and his group members ? (2)

Why did Cassius not ring up his white " millionaire sponsors" ? Give two reasons. (2)

Tailor Patch was a great success as Captain Patch at Madder. Give two reasons for his popularity. (2)

What made the blind man realise that he had been recognised ?

Why does Charlie fail to attract Nancy in spite of his passionate love for her ?

"Tell me," went on Gafur, "how can I keep you alive in this dreadful year ? ... You have no strength left in your body - nobody wants you." What does this uttering suggest to you about Gafur's love for Mahesh? (Expected word limit 150 words). (10)

or

Write a note in about 150 words on Miss Stubbs' character, citing suitable examples from the story in support of your assessment. (10)

Which is the most dramatic moment in the whole story in 'The Judgement of Paris'. Justify your selection (Expected word limit 150 words.) (10)

or

"Life is usually difficult in a refugee camp." Write in about 150 words how it affected Mikali physically and mentally. (10)