(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'

Read the following passage and answer the question that follow :

The Scandinavian countries are much admired all over the world for their enlightened social policies. Sweden has evolved on excellent system for protecting the individual citizen from high-handed or incompetent public officers. The system has worked so well that it has been adopted in other countries like Denmark, Norway, Finland, and New Zealand. Even countries with large populations are now seriously considering imitating the Swedish.

The Swedish were the first to recognize that public officials like civil servants, police officers, health inspectors or tax collectors can make mistakes or act over-zealously in the belief that they are serving the public. As long ago as 1809, the Swedish Parliament introduced a scheme to safeguard the interest of the individual. a parliamentary committee representing all political parties appoints a person who is suitably qualified to investigate private grievances against the State. the official title of the person is "Justice ombudsman,' but Swedes commonly refer to him as the 'J.O.' or 'Ombudsman'.

The Ombudsman is not subject to political pressure. He investigates complaints large and small that come to him from all levels of society. As complains must be made in writing, the Ombudsman receives an average of 1200 letters a year. He has eight lawyer assistants to help him, and he examines every single letter in detail. There is nothing secretive about the Ombudsman's work, for his correspondence is open to public inspection. If a citizen's complaint is justified, the Ombudsman will act on his behalf. the action he takes varies according to the nature of the complaint. He may gently reprimand an official or even suggest to parliament that a law be altered. The following case is a typical example of the Ombudsman's work.

A foreigner living in a Swedish village wrote to the Ombudsman complaining that he had been ill-treated by the police, simply because he was a foreigner. The Ombudsman immediately wrote to the Chief of Police in the district asking him to send a record of the case. there was nothing in the record to show that the foreigner's complaint,[;aomt was justified and the chief of police stoutly denied the accusation. It was impossible for the Ombudsman to take action on the complaint, but when he received a similar complaint from another foreigner in the same village, he immediately sent one of his lawyers to investigate. The lawyer ascertained that a policeman had indeed dealt roughly with foreigners on several occasions. The fact that the policeman was prejudiced against foreigners could not be recorded in the official files. It was only possible for the Ombudsman to find this out by sending one of his representatives to check the facts on the spot. The policeman in question was severaly reprimanded and was informed that if any further complaints were received against him, he would be prosecuted. the Ombudsman's prompt action in the matter at once put an end to an unpleasant practice which might have gone unnoticed.

(i) Why did Sweden introduce the institution of Ombudsman ? (1)

(ii) How is an Ombudsman chosen in Sweden ? (2)

(iii) How does the Ombudsman deal with the complaints ? (2)

(iv) How can the public find out about the Ombudsman's work ? (1)

(v) What action does the Ombudsman take, if a complaint is justified ? (1)

(vi) How did is the swedish institution of 'Ombudsman' ? (1)

Select the appropriate sentence - ending from the following given options :

The Ombudsman is not subject to political pressure because

(i) he is empowered to take action against any public official

(ii) he derives his strength from his appointment by the parliament

(iii) he is assisted in his work by a good number of qualified lawyers.

Find words in the above passage which convey a similar meaning as the following :

(i) oppressive

(ii) protect

(iii) biased

(a) (i) Sweden introduced the institution of Ombudsman because they wanted to protect the individual citizen from the high-handed or incompetent public officers.

(ii) First a parliamentary committee representing all political parties is constituted. This committee appoints a person as Ombudsman, who is suitably qualified to investigate private grievances against the state.

(iii) The Ombudsman receives the complaints from the people. He has eight lawyers as his assistants to help him. He examines every single case in detail by sending one office assistant to investigate the complaint.

(iv) There is nothing secretive about the Ombudsman's work. His correspondence is open to public inspection.

(v) The action Ombudsman takes varies according to the nature of the complaint. He may gently reprimand an official or even suggest to Parliament that a law be altered.

(vi) The Swedish institution of Ombudsman was introduced in 1809. Thus, it is nearly 190 years old.

(b) The Ombudsman is not subject to political pressure because he derives his strength from his appointment by the Parliament.

(c)

(I) high-handed

(ii) safe guard

(iii) prejudiced.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :

The Great Wall of China is said to be one structure built by man on earth which would be visible to observers on the moon. It covers a distance of 1,500 miles as the crow flies. From the Liaotung Peninsula Westward to the last fortress in Central Asia, it crosses the Northern province of China.

In the eastern section its height varies from 15 to 30 feet, and its width from about 25 feet at the bottom to 15 feet at the top, where there is pathway wide enough for six horse-men to ride side by side protected by parapets. when the wall was first built it had about 25,000 towers each 40 feet square and 40 feet high projecting from it every few hundred years, with holes from which the defenders old shoot at attackers. there are also many watch towers on the enemy side, outside the wall on hilltops or passes. these and the towers of the wall were used for signaling with smoke or flags by day and with fire by night.

The great Emperor Shih Huang Ti joined three earlier frontier walls to form a great wall to act as a boundary between China and the North, and keep out the feared nomads of the Mongolian Steppes. The wall was designed to strengthen the nation's defenses. Later it became in Ming times, a substitute for a strong army and state.

Construction was started in about 221 B.c. and the structure was practically complete when Shih Huang Ti died in 210 B.C. The man who did most in carrying out the Emperor's plans was general Ming Tien, who in 221 B.C. led an expedition against the Tartars and drove them back from the Yellwo River into the steppes, and set his men to work on building the wall. They were later joined by thousands of convicts. Year in year out, in icy winds and snowstorms in winter, and in duststorms in summer, the work went on, and so many men died that the Wall was sometimes called the longest cemetery in the world. The core of the Wall is earth and stone, faced with brick, and set in a stone foundation. In hilly places, the design was altered : two parallel ditches were dug out of the rock, 25 feet apart and great blocks of stone were laid in the trenches to a height of several feet. Along each side of these stones, baked bricks about two feet long were laid at right angles to the face of the Wall, joined together with a white mortar so hard that no nail could be driven into it.

Emperor Wu Ti (140 - 86 B.c.) resumed work on the Wall and extended it to its greatest length. The emperors of the Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1386 - 1644) carried out more work on the Wall repairing its whole length and establishing new Wall west of the Yellow River. The Wall which now exists nearly all dates from the Ming Dynasty, but many of the foundations are nearly 2,000 years old.

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it, using headings and sub-headings. Also use recogniable abbreviations wherever necessary (minimum 4). Use a format you consider suitable. Supply a suitable title to it. (5)

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

(I) Length - 1500 miles (from Liaotung penin)

(ii) Height - 15 to 30 feet. Width - 25ft at the bottom - 15 at the top.

(iii) Towers & watch towers ready to defend.

(II) Original Construction

(iii) Construction started in 221 BC.

(iv) In 221 BC expedition led by General Ming Tien against the tartars.

(III) Alterations in the designs :

(i) Made of earth, stone, faced with brick

(ii) Use of mortars

(iii) Wall called the longest cemetry in the world due to many deaths and delays.

(iv) Further Construction :

(i) Work resumed by Emperor Wu Ti.

(ii) New walls established - west of the yellow river.

(iii) Foundation nearly 2000 years old.

The great wall of china is 1500 miles long, 15 to 30 feet in height, 25 to 155 feet in width, 25 feet at bottom and 15 feet top with 25,000 towers and watch towers to defend. The original construction i.e., joining of three earlier walls into one as a boundary was started by the Emperor Shih Hung Ti. Later on, general Ming Tien led the expedition in 221 BC against the Tartars and built the wall from the yellow river into the stepes. Many alterations were made with earth, stones etc. Due to deaths and delays, it was named the longest cemetry in the world. Resumption of work by Emperor Wu Ti. Foundations nearly 2000 years old.

(a) You are Rohit/ Rashi. As the Secretary of the Cultural Club of your school, you have organized a Cultural evening as a thanks giving prorgramme on the last day of your school. Write a notice for your school notice - board, giving necessary information about this event in not more than 50 words. (5)

(b) Design a poster in not more than 50 words for your school library on the value of books and good reading habits. You may use slogans.

SCHOOL NOTICE BOARD

X.Y.Z. SCHOOL

CULTURAL CLUB

Attention All Students

The Cultural Club of the school has decided to organise a cultural evening as a thanks giving programme on March 10, 1998 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

The programme will be as follows :

1. Speeches by students of Std. XII

2. Folk Dances and Songs

3. Dance Drama by ex-students.

Interested students should give their names to the undersigned latest by 5th March.

Rohit/ Rashi

Date : ........... Secretary

(Cultural Club)

BOOKS ARE 'UNFAILING FRIENDS OF MAN'

They Entertain, Inform, Educate,

Amuse, Make us laugh.

They are :

" A Friend in Need

A Friend in Deed"

So Read Books :

Come to the Library

"Reading Maketh a Full Man"

It keeps you fully absorbed

Saves You from Evil Thought

Otherwise

"An empty brain is"

The Devil's workshop :

Be Careful.

You are Anirudh/ Aisha Vivekananda Memorial Sr. Secondary School, Calcutta. recently, you had the honour of having participated as a contingent leader of your school team in the Republic Day parade in Delhi, in which your school was adjudged as the best participating team. Write a report in not more than 100 words about this memorable event for publication in your school magazine. (5)

or

You are Anjali/ Amitabh of Jai Bharti Sr. Secondary School, Agra. Your school had the unique privilege of having been invited to witness the Dance Drama, 'Bharat Jaag Utah' in the Red fort, Delhi on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary on India's Independence. Write a report to be read out at the morning assembly of your school. The report should not exceed 100 words.

A MEMORABLE EVENT

(A Report by Anirudh/ Aisha)

VIVEKANANDA MEMORIAL SCHOOL

March 20th, It is a matter of great pride and pleasure that our school contingent that took part in the Republic Day Parade in Delhi has been adjudged as the best participating school team. In fact, we did our best in expressing through our actions and performing the various challenges our country is facing now a days. In our pageant, we depicted the efforts for national integration and unity. that is the best solution for all of our economic, social and political problems. The different items that we presented through dances and music representing various communities of India, clearly depicted that "Bharat Jaag Utha" (Marking the Great Indian Awakening). Even accompanying music, as designed by our music teacher was sweet and appealing. At the end of the programme, we received a great applause from the audience, by our President, VIP's and even foreign dignitaries. We were sure that our show was appealing and impressive. We hope to do better in future.

Aisha

Contingent Leader

Rajat Chaurasia of 62, Jai Prakash Narayan Nagar, Patna bought a 'VIP' colour T.v. set from M/s Better Deals, Ganga Road, Patna. After a month he finds that the sound is not clear and the colours fade away every now and then. Write a letter as Rajat / Raveena Chaurasia to the dealer complaining about the same adn requesting him to change the set at the earliest. ( word limit : 200 words). (10)

OR

You are a social worker. You are upset as some good schools are exploiting the parents at the time of admission by taking capitation fee in the name of donation or building fund. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily highlighting this corrupt practice. sign the letter as Rahul/ Rakhi. (word limit : 200 words).

62, Jai Prakash

Narayan Nagar,

Patna.

24th March, 1998

The Manager,

Better Deals,

Ganga Road,

Patna.

Sub. : Defective T.V. Set.

Sir,

I purchased a 'VIP' Colour T.V. Set from your reputed stores on 20th February, 1998. It worked for about a fortnight or so and now the trouble with sound and colours has started. The sound is mostly disturbed, volume also increases suddenly and the colours keep changing every now and then. I am forced to think that I have been taken for a ride by the company. I paid out of my pocket for entertainment at home but to no avail.

I therefore, request you to kindly replace the set or send a mechanic to rectify the faults.

The details are

VIP Colour T.V. Set

Receipt No. - CA 2450

Warranty No. 2 PZH - 246

Waiting for a speedy action.

Thanking you,

Yours truly,

xyz

The other day you went with your friends to a Russian circus, famous for its extraordinary animal shows. Though you went there to enjoy yourself you returned home highly disturbed. You felt miserable at the cruel ways and methods used at the circus to make the animals perform antics and dangerous feats. You decide to write an article against the institution of circus for publication in a newspaper. Write the article in not more than 200 words. (10)

You are Sangeeta/ Sohil. You have been selected to represent your school in an All India Debate Competition organized by the National Children's Club, Delhi. The topic for the debate is "In the opinion of this House Minimization of Human Wants is the only way to Cleanse Society of all kinds of Corruption.' Write a speech in not more than 200 words for or against the motion, giving arguments for your stand.

CRUELTY AGAINST WILD ANIMALS

Insects, birds, animals and human beings are all loving creation of God. They are all living beings. Even plants are living things and prosper freely in sun-shine, fresh air, rain and clean environment. Animals, wild, dangerous and even ferocious are all wealth of Nature. They must be treated well, must be provided free atmosphere. For that purpose and with that view, our Government has started a number of National Parks and Sanctuaries to protect the wild - life. To treat them cruelty and use violent methods to make them dance to your tune is inhuman. The other day I went to see the Royal Russian Circus. It was a sight shocking to me to see how cruelty they treated the Lions, the Tigers, the Horses and the elephants. I returned home highly disturbed. I am of the opinion that circus show should be banned by law. In this way these poor animals will have their natural freedom and will be free from the cruelty of man. I still remember how obstinate young Tiger was lashed and beaten by The Ring Master.

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

But in this world it is not only futile for the small to appeal to authority, it is dangerous as well. Fortunately, the tiny voice seldom reaches big ears or who knows what might happen ? When Gafur returned home from the landlord's and quietly lay down, his face and eyes were swollen. The chief cause of so much suffering was Mahesh.

Why does the writer feel that it is useless and dangerous for the small to appeal to authority ? (2)

What do you think had happened to Gafur at the landlord's house ? (2)

Why does the writer blame Mahesh for the sufferings of Gafur ? (2)

Select words from the above passage which convey similar meanings as the following : (3)

(a) ineffectual (b) very small (c) rarely.

The writer feels that it is useless and dangerous for the small to appeal to authority because the authority will never tolerate your freedom of speech. It requires your blind submission.

Gafur at the landlord's house was humiliated and beaten by the landlord's men. It was because he said he was not a slave to the landlord.

It was because Mahesh had strayed into the garden of the landlord. It was eating banana leaf, when the landlord's youngest daughter tried to drive him away, Mahesh injured her.

(iv) (a) futile (b) tiny (c) seldom.

What did Henry do with the money he inherited from a distant relative ?(2)

Fatimah was not upset when she left her country forever. Why ? (2)

Why was Indrani Debi worried about the discovery of a new comet by her husband ? (2)

What was the extent of the damage to life and property caused by the atomic explosion ? (2)

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

Both Mr. Patch and Miss Straw got the kind of spouse they had been looking for. why ? (2)

Why does Charlie fail to win over Nancy inspite of his intense love for her ? (2)

Why did Gunga Ram give the Kala Nag milk every day ? (2)

After getting the legacy. Henri Deplis became a little extravagant. He spent his money in paying wind bills and other Sundry expenses.

First Fatimah was in love with Najab who too loved her Secondly she was going to be engaged to some one known for his slurred speech and stammer.

Indrani Debi suspected that the discovery of the new Comet by her husband might bring ill luck to the family so, she was much worried. She arranged for a Yagna to counter the ill effects of evil spirits.

Four and seven-tenths square miles of Hiroshima were devastated. Eight per cent of the city's buildings were damaged or destroyed. In a settlement of, at that time a quarter of a million inhabitants three-fifths were casualties major or minor.

Cassius did not ring up his white "millionaire sponsors" because :

(i) He did not want to get their help to get a humburgur and

(ii) He wanted that the medal to mean that he owned himself. And to call, seemed to him, to be exchanging one owner for the other.

Both Captain Patch and Miss Straw fell in Love and got married. It was then that the secret was out. Both were exposed Captain Patch told her that he was Mr. Patch who did needle work. She said that she was a housemaid.

Charlier, the coin-diver, visited the room of Nancy. He tried to impress her but failed to attract her because :

(a) he was poor.

(b) Secondly, he was not properly dressed.

Gunga Ram gave the Kala Nag milk every day so that it should not harm any member of the family. Further to him all life was sacred. He was devotee to lord Vishnu who is Preserver of all life.

Imagine yourself to be the closest friend of Miss Stubbs who has just passed away. The society of Lovers of Pets has invited you to say a few words about Miss Stubbs. what details of her character would you highlight while talking to them ? While a note about it in 150 words. (10)

OR

Mrs. Packletide's tiger is indeed a humorous story. Saki, the author employs several techniques to bring in the element of humour. Mention three incidents in the story you find most humorous and the reasons for calling them humorous ? (Expected word limit : 150) (10)

Mrs. Packletide Tiger is a humorous story from the beginning to the end Mrs. Packletide \'s motive for killing the tiger is preposterous as it had become a prestige issue. None of them wanted to face the reality. the pettiness and hunger for publicity of the characters evoke laughter. The publicity achieved by the two arch rivals surpassed their achieivements is quite funny as compared to their dubione talents. also the way in which the villagers Connine with the theory that the tiger had indeed died by Mrs. Packletide's shot so as to earn the promised thousand rupees. Last but not the lest Louisa's naming the cottage 'Les fauves' and growing tiger- Iillies as a constant reminder of her victory over her arch rival are some of the incidents of humour.

Imagine yourself to be an eye-witness of the sinking of the Titanic. Describe in about 150 words how the Titanic, called 'unsinkable' and 'queen of the seas' sank into the sea. (10)

OR

"The hungry victims could not eat anything." What were some of the aftermaths of the atom bomb (Expected word limit : 150).(10)

The tragic sinking of the titanic the queen of the sea has left an indelible mark on the memory of the human race as the worst ever sea disaster in the history of mankind. It was the biggest and safest vessel ever built by man. This masterpiece during its maiden voyage to America struck against an iceberg and was destroyed within a few hours on 15th April, 1912. All the life boats were put into action. Even then there were hundreds of passengers on board. Immediately S.O.s. signals were tapped. distress rockets were sent up in the sky. all passengers showed great courage. A wave of water rushed as high as the bridge. The ship became the playground of the sea before she sank. The titanic sank at about 2.10 a.m. The mighty steel frame of the ship broke, women and children could be saned. The bandsmen continued to console the passengers by singing hymns. the captain and the crew displayed examplary courage which stirred the very souls of men. The sea became thick with heads and bodies. It was a tragic sight and will be remembered in maritime history as one of the worst disasters.

or

The aftermath of atomisation is not fully charted, even by scientists. Many who were not charted or shattered, who have been out of the immediate reach of the bomb explosion, and the blast that spread over a circle with a radius of a couple of miles, were stricken down secretly in one way or another. At such heat, aftermath can be expected to be extensive. The white blood count fell with in a month from the normal 5000, 7000 to 3000 surface wounds grazes, abrasions, scratohes close and for no reason, re-open. Hair suddenly starts falling and a minor burns may take months to heat. Fever, accompanied by an almost dysentery like diarrhoes sends temperatures rocketing up as high as 106⁰ F. then, neary a month later, comes bleeding usually from gums; a drop in the white blood count, a drop in the red blood count.