(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 carefully and answer the questions that follow :

People travelling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land, sea, or air. Hardly anyone can positively enjoy sitting in a train for more than a few hours. Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy. It is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey. Reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep. During the day, sleep comes in snatches. At night when you really wish to go to sleep, you rarely manage to do so. If you are lucky enough to get a couchette, you spend half the night staring at the small blue light in the ceiling, or fumbling to find your passport when you cross a frontier. Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted.

Aeroplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and even hardened travellers are intimidated by them. They also have the grave disadvantage of being the most expensive form of transport. But nothing can match them for speed and comfort. travelling at a height of 30,000 feet, far above the clouds, and at over 500 miles an hour is an exhilarating experience. you do not have to devise ways of taking your mind off the journey, for an aeroplane gets you to your destination rapidly. for a few hours, you settle back in a deep arm-chair to enjoy the flight. The real escapist can watch a free film show and sip a hot or cold drink on some services. But even when such refreshments are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied. an aeroplane offers you an unusual breathtaking view of the world. You soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys. You really see the shape of the land. If the landscape is hidden from view, you can enjoy the extraordinary sight of unbroken clouds, plains that stretch out for miles before you, while the sun shines brilliantly in a clear sky. The journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping. However, you decide to spend your time, one thing is certain : You will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled. You will not have to spend the next few days recovering from a long and arduous journey.

Answer the following questions briefly in your own words as far as possible :

Why is it difficult to read on a train in long distance journeys ? Give two reasons. (2)

What are the two disadvantages of travelling by sea ?(2)

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

(i) pieces (ii) feel around (iii) causing excitement (1,1,1)

(2) the noise of the wheels lulls you to sleep.

(1) seasick and (2) seas journeys take long time.

(1) most dangerous, and (2) very expensive.

(1) speed and comfort, and (2) a thrilling experience.

He hates long distance car journeys because it makes impossible to read. Car journeys are unpleasant because of narrow and bumpy roads.

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

How you can best improve your English depends on where you live and particularly on whether or not you live in an English speaking community. If you hear English spoken every day and mix freely with English speaking people, that is on the whole an advantage. On the other hand, it is often confusing to have the whole language, poured over you at once. Ideally, a step-by-step course should accompany or lead up to this experience. It will also help a great deal if you can easily get the sort of English books in which you are interested.

some people say that we cannot learn to speak a language better with the help of a book. To believe this is to believe that the spoken language and the written language are quite different things. this is not so. There is a very great deal in common between the two. In learning the patterns and vocabulary of the written form we are learning to a considerable extent those of the spoken form too. we are, in fact, learning the language and not merely one form of the language.

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

(iii) in a community not speaking English

(iii) laboured learning confuses

(vii) Understand meaning in contexts

(ii) patterns and vocabulary learning helps speaking

If you wish to improve your English better live amongst English speaking communities, freely mix with them. Crammed learning hardly improves. Reading and reading for pleasure alone helps you improve your English. Read books other than your course books. Read for pleasure not for punishment. Never choose difficult books. Choose easy books. Never feel disturbed at words which you do not no. Never rush to see their meaning in the dictionary. Try to guess their meaning in the context. Read extensively and you will improve your English. If you read sentence patterns and come across vocabulary in actual use you will gradually improve your written and spoken English.

(a) You are Ravi/ Rachna. As President of the Cultural Form of your school you have organised an inter-school orchestra competition the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of your school. write a notice in about 50 words, informing the students of your school about this competition. (5)

OR

(b) You are Aakash/ Varsha. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your friend's sister during summer vacation. Respond to the invitation, regretting your inability to attend it. (5)

CULTURAL FORUM

ABC SCHOOL, PANIPAT

DATE :

NOTICE

The Cultural Forum is going to organise an interschool orchestra competition under the aegis of the silver Jubilee celebrations of the school on Monday, the 3rd April, 1999 in the school auditorium.

President

You are Mudit/ Munasi working as a newspaper reporter for the Times of India. Yesterday, you were invited to attend a press conference convened by the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs on the proposed changes in the Constitution of India to provide a stable government to the country. Write a report for publication in your paper in not more than 100 words, covering the government's proposals. (5)

OR

You are Ravindra/ Ravina working for the Sunday magazine. Last week, you attended a seminar on 'The Importance of Blood Donation,' organised by the All India Medical Institute, Delhi. Write a report of the seminar in not more than 100 words for publication in the magazine you represent. (5)

NEED FOR A STABLE GOVT.

Report by Mudit TOI Reporter

The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shri P.R. Kumarmangalm underscored the importance of changes in the constitution in order to form a stable government at the centre. He felt that the days of single party rule at the centre are over and that we are moving towards a federal or coalition phase. If changes in the constitution to suit the needs of time are not incorporated on time, the country will have to bear the burden of frequent mid term polls. the proposed constitutional amendments provide for a national government for full five years on the basis of their number of seats and a common minimum programme.

You are Nikhil/ Nisha staying at 53, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Last summer, you bought a colour television from the 'Clear Vision' of Hyderabad, with a warranty of 2 years. Now you discover that the picture gets blurred every now and then. Even the sound has become defective. Write a letter to the dealer complaining about the problem and requesting him to get the defect rectified. Also request him to replace it, if needed against the warranty that goes with it. (Word limit : 200) (10)

OR

You are Anita/ Gautam staying at the 'Ankur apartments,' Mayur Vihar, Delhi. There is no bus-stop within the radius of 2 Km. from the apartments, causing a lot of inconvenience to the residents. Write a letter to the editor of The Times of India drawing attention of the government to this problem of the residents for rectification. ( Word limit : 200) (10)

Mayur Vihar,

Delhi - 110 092.

DATE : -------

The Editor,

The Times of India,

New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

Reg. : Need for Bus Routes

Ankur Apartments is a big colony having 2000 dwelling units besides a shopping complex and various state govt. offices. The residents from this locality commute to and from Delhi as a routine.

xyz

While going to your school in the morning you noticed hundreds of men and women getting collected and queuing up before the vegetable booth of your locality. On inquiring you were told that they were waiting to buy 2-kgs. of onion on their ration cards, which were otherwise available at a very high price in the open market. In anguish you decide to write an article for publication in a national daily, suggesting ways and means to overcome this problem and avert its recurrence in future. ( Words limit : 200) (10)

OR

This year children of many schools in Delhi took a vow not to use crackers and other fire-works on the occasion of Deepawali to reduce air and noise pollution and also to register their protest against the child labour involved in this industry. The next day, almost all the national dailies published this news with great appreciation for this unique gesture on the part of the children. Getting motivated by this news, write an article on 'Role of Children in Curbing Black-Marketing and Criminalization in Politics' for publication in The Educational Times. ( Word limit : 200 words)(10)

ONIONS BRING TEARS

by : AAKANKSHA JHA

Onions has disappeared from the market within days. Stinking and rotten onions are selling for rupees fifty a kilogram. People - the onion addicts - fear it as scourge. Those that Love to have it fly and flee in fear. there are rumours. The onion has been exported. The onion has been hoarded. the onion crop has been damaged. there are hundred and one explanations. The buyer is bewildered. A thing so cheap and so readily used to prepare any sabzi is so rare. It has become winged, gone out of sights into the high skies.

Section 'C'

(Text Books)

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Kala Nag surveyed the scene with his bloodshot eyes. His forked tongue darted in and out excitedly. He spat furiously and then made a bid for freedom. He fell out of the tin on to the floor with a loud plop. His back was broken in several places and he dragged himself up once again with his hood outspread to face another danger.

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

(a) throw rapidly

(c) view

(i) He was furious after his release from the tin.

(ii) He surveyed the scene with bloodshot eyes. His tongue moved in and out fast. He spat furiously.

(iv) (a) dart (b) plop (c) survey

Why was Cassius proud of his millionaire sponsors ? Give two reasons. (2)

Why did the titanic look "fascinating" just before slipping into the sea ?(2)

What are the incidental expenses that Mrs. Packletide refers to ?(2)

Why does Charlie fail to attract Nancy in spite of his passionate love for her ? (2)

Why does the author refer to Miss Stubbs' little room as 'her world for so many years'? (2)

Brouette had a soft feeling for both Robichon and Quinquart. Who did she finally decide to marry and why ? (2)

What happened to life and property after the atom - bomb was dropped ? (2)

He was proud of his millionaire sponsors who gave him right kind of moral support and ethical environment in addition to money.

The Titanic was a grand wreck. The stars brightly shone in the sky. The ship lights were burning. It was all dazzle, fearfully dazzling. Soon the lights went off and a black shadow covered the ship.

The incidental expenses refer to the hush money (680 dollars) which the lady has to pay to Miss Mebbin so that she keeps shut.

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

(a) he was poor.

This refers to Miss Stubbs' physical shagginess and financial leanness. She has been laid up as an invalid for year in her little room waiting to die. She dies in peace when told that all animals have souls like men.

Mikali had to carry on his back his infant brother who kept on weeping day in and day out. He could not keep him away, so he could not work to earn anything.

Robichon and Quinquart were great comedians. They loved Brouette, a beautiful actress. She declared that she would marry the one that was the better actor. It was later decided that the people of Parish shall be the judge. The two lovers decided that they will separately play a tragic role to prove their parts.

Four and seven tenth square miles of Hiroshima were ruined 8 % buildings of Hiroshima were fully or partially damaged. Millions became homeless. There were thousands of deaths and casualities.

Imagine yourself to be Gafur, the character in the story Drought by Sarat Chand Chatterjee Being persecuted by the village Zamindar you decide to leave the village. Justify your decision of leaving the village in about 150 words. (10)

OR

'Both Mr. Patch and Miss Straw got the kind of spouse they had been looking for.' Point out relevant traits of their personality to justify this remark. (Word limit : 150) (10)

I am Gafur, the poor Muslim waver of Kashipur, A Hindu dominated village. The village has been starved for three successive droughts. I could rarely sustain myself, my motherless child Amina and my bull Mahesh. There was no water, no food and no stray. Death danced in our face. The bull often strayed into others' fields but I managed to keep it. Every day I was asked by the landlord to take care of Mahesh. Once there was no water. Amina brought a pitcher which the bull broke. I came and asked for water. I flew into a rage when I found no water. I slapped my daughter and killed Mahesh. soon I realised my sin. The Hindus will skin and flay me because I have killed a sacred animal. I left at midnight with Amina the village like a sacred dog for safety at Fulbere. The village and its people did not belong to me. I was lonely and I left lonely like a thief.

'A Man Who Had No eyes is a story of two totally different outlooks on life.' Cite relevant instances from the story to justify this remark. (Word limit : 150) (10)

OR

Fatima's parents wanted her to marry a man whom she despised. Do you think it was proper on the part of her parents to arrange such a marriage ? Give at least three reasons in support of your view. (Word limit : 150) (10)

Parsons and Markwardt are two different personalities. Each offers a slice of life. They were colleagues in C workship at Westbury. Markwardt, the villain pretends to be innocent. He behaves as if Parsons were the villain. He lives his life on charities. Both were blinded in the explosion. Markwardt chose to live on alms. He is shaggy, greasy and grisly, Parsons worked hard, took life in its stride and rose great heights. Markwardt remains a crook and hypocrite, always grousing and grudging. Parsons is cheerful and pleasant. He buys a lighter from Markwardt for 2 dollars to help his sometime colleague. We admire Parsons for this practical attitude to life. We denounce Markwardt for his villainy and hypocrisy.