Answer Key
(Questions 1 - 8 : Answer any 4 questions. Each carries 1 score.) (4 x 1 = 4)
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. The garlands wither on your brow; Then boost no more your mighty deeds ! Upon Death’s purple altar now See how the victor-victim bleeds.
1. Write the name of the poem from which these lines are taken.
2. Name the poet.
3. What does ‘Death’s purple altar’ refer to ?
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow : It is not surprising that this astonishingly vital man, full of self confidence and an unusual kind of power, standing for equality and freedom for each individual fascinated the masses of India and attracted them like a magnet.
5. Who is the ‘man’ mentioned in this passage ?
6. What kind of unusual power does he have ?
7. Pick out a word from the above lines which means ‘full of energy’.
8. From which lesson is this passage taken ? Who is the author ?
Answers
1. Death the Leveller
2. James Shirley
3. As the color purple symbolizes power, the purple altar refers to the invincibility of death.(Death itself, grave, etc. are also correct)
4. Personification (Death) and Oxymoron (Victor-victim)
5. Mahatma Gandhi
6. He had the unusual power to fascinate the masses of India and attract them like a magnet.
7. Vital
8. And then Gandhi Came, Jawaharlal Nehru
(Questions 9 - 12 : Answer any 2 in about 30 words. Each carries 2 scores.) (2 x 2 = 4)
9. Imagine the words that the mother of the young sea gull could use to motivate him to fly. Write 2 sentences for the mother.
You may begin in this way :
You should really .......
You ought to .......
10. Choose the correct alternative from the brackets and fill in the blanks :
(a) Eight miles _____ not a short distance (is, are)
(b) Cycling is a good exercise. _____ it helps you save money. (However, Moreover)
11. APJ Abdul Kalam enjoyed interacting with students. If you had a chance to ask questions to Dr. Kalam what would you ask him ? Write 2 questions.
Ans: Click here for sample Answer
12. Change the following conversation into reported speech.
Greta : I thought you could make real peaches.
Dad : No, you have to go to the store for those.
Answers
9. You should really believe in yourself. / You ought to overcome your fear.
10. a) is b) Moreover
11. Sample Answer
12. Greta said that she had thought he/one could make real peaches. Her dad replied in the negative and added that she/one had to go to the store for those. (Learn how to change sentences into reported speech here)
(Questions 13 - 20 : Answer any 4 questions in 60 words. Each carries 4 scores.) (4 x 4 = 16)
13. Write a character sketch of ‘Maggie’ in the story ‘The Price of Flowers’.
Ans: Sample Answer
14. The details of Stephan Hawking’s life and achievements are given below. Read carefully and prepare a profile of the great scientist.
Born : 8th January, 1942
School Education : St. Alban’s School, Westfordshire
College Education : Oxford University, Cambridge University.
Career : Theoretical Physicist
Book : A Brief History of Time
Awards & Honours : Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009)
: BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award (2015)
: Pride of Britain Award 2016
Died : March 14, 2018 (aged 76) 14.
Ans: Sample answer
15. Comment on the bravery shown by the crew and the band as the Titanic Sank.
Ans. The Wreck of the Titanic by Benjamin Peck Keith is a poem that glorifies the bravery and valour of the captain and crew of the Titanic on its maiden journey. On the fateful night when it struck the huge iceberg, Captain Smith, the brave commander of the ship never thought for a moment to save himself. He stood on the bridge and called out to the crew to be brave and be true the values of their nation. The band played till the last moment even when they were sure that they would die. They answered the captain's call to ‘be British’ and made their country proud.
16. An online debate on the topic ‘Digital classes are superior to regular Education’ is being organized for your class. Write 4 arguments either favouring or opposing this idea.
Ans.
Supporting points
i) Digital classes can make better use of multimedia content to put across the idea.
ii) Digital classes can be viewed at one's own pace by pausing and going back if necessary.
Opposing points
i) Digital classes lack the human touch.
ii) Student engagement and classroom interaction are missing in digital classes.
17. Imagine you are a lady reporter allowed to report the rituals of the women on the Island of Kadavu. Draft a live – TV report.
Ans. I am standing on the beautiful beach of the island of Kadavu. Behind me you can see that the maidens of the village of Namuana have assembled. They are preparing themselves for a famous ritual called 'turtle calling'. These girls will shortly start singing a strange chant and it is believed that giant turtles will rise one by one to the surface to listen to the song. There are many tourists as well, assembled here to watch these events. We hope to give you more updates on the events as and when they happen. With camera person Arya Rana, this is Suneeti Bhatt reporting for NDTV.
18. Maggie in the story ‘Price of flowers’ says to Mr. Gupta. ‘I want work that will make me use my head, brain work’ What kind of a job do you want ? How will you achieve it ? Write a short paragraph.
Ans:
In the story 'The Price of Flowers' Maggie tells Mr Gupta that she does not like her job as a typist. It is a mechanical job which does not require much intelligence. She actually knows that she has greater potential and wants to switch to a job that will give her greater satisfaction.
I believe in the dignity of labour, which is a philosophy that all jobs are to be respected equally. Whether it involves physical work or mental labour all jobs deserve respect. Having said that, it is also important to identify a person's potential and set career goals accordingly.
I believe that I have a talent at making decisions quickly and efficiently. I think this will be helpful in a managerial job. I am interested in businesses also. So I think I can do well if I pursue an MBA and become the CEO of a company.
To reach that goal I have to work hard and work consistently. Choosing the right course and right college is also important. I have complete faith in my abilities and with God's grace I am sure I will be able to realise my dream.
19. The passage given below contains a few errors. Edit the passage. In the end, our society need to grow. Growing up means understanding that there is no perfect answers. We haven’t created a perfect society of earth and won’t has one in cyberspace either.
Ans. needs to grow / there are no perfect / on earth / won't have
20. ‘Then, he completely forgot that he had not always, been able to fly and commenced to dive and soar, shrinking shrilly.” The young sea gull goes through a wide range of emotions and feelings before and after his first flight. Write a paragraph on the various feelings that he experienced before and after his first flight.
Ans:
In the beginning of the story we see the young seagull sitting on the ledge, afraid to fly. He was not confident that his wings would be strong enough to carry him. He found it difficult to take the first step. His brothers and sister had already flown away. He was terribly hungry. The motivation and encouragement of his family members did not help him to make him fly. Finally he was able to fly because of the intervention of his mother.
Once he was able to fly, he uttered a joyous scream. He even forgot that he was once afraid to fly. He enjoyed his flight diving, soaring and shrieking shrilly. His successful flight made him confident.
(Questions 21 - 28 : Answer any 4 questions, each in about 70 to 80 words. Each carries 5 scores.) (4 x 5 = 20)
21. Gupta, on returning to India, narrates his experience of meeting Maggie and her family in London, to his friends. Write the narration for Mr. Gupta.
Ans. I had a memorable experience when I was in London. I happened to meet a teen-aged girl in a vegetarian restaurant. We became friends and I learned more about her family .. (fill the details here)... When I was about to leave Britain, she came to meet me and gave me a shilling and told me to buy flowers for her brothers grave. I was so touched that I found it difficult to control my tears.
22. Deeds speak louder than words. Good deeds will be remembered forever. Justify this statement.
Ans. Refer to "Death the Leveller"
23. A.J. Cronin returns home after his voyage in Ranagangi. He later makes a courtesy call to Hassan. Write the telephone conversations.
Cronin : Hello, can I talk to Mr Hasan please?
Hasan : Speaking...
Cronin : Hi Hasan, this is Cronin, the doctor of the ship Ranaganji.
Hasan : Hello doctor, It is a pleasant surprise.
Cronin : I remember those days we spent together on the ship as if it was yesterday.
Hasan : How can we forget that doctor?
Cronin: I had written a letter to the shipping company about all the things that happened during that voyage.
Hasan : Really?
Cronin : They called me yesterday and said that they were going to give you a promotion.
Hasan : It is so kind of you. But I never wanted such rewards. I did only my duty.
Cronin : I know you well Hasan. It is your greatness that you are able to speak like that. Anyway, I will call you later. A little busy with my consultations. Bye.
Hasan : Bye doctor.
24. As we stood together, I saw that the Serang’s cheeks were wet with tears. What trait of Hassan is highlighted in this line ? Attempt a character sketch of Hassan.
Ans. Sample Answer
25. ‘To sleep’ by William Wordsworth describes the poet’s difficulty in falling asleep. How does he describe his experience of a sleepless night ? Write a short essay.
Ans. Sample Answer. You may omit the last paragraph.
26. The UN has declared Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s birthday, October 15th, as
World Student’s day. Prepare a write-up to be published in the UNESCO
journal on the topic ‘Dr. Kalam’s call to the youth to become a unique
you’.
Ans. Use ideas from this link to write the answer.
27. At the end of the voyage of Ranagangi the captain of the ship calls a meeting to Honour Hassan. As the chief guest Hassan talks about the difficulties that they had successfully overcome. Draft the script of the speech.
Ans. Respected Captain, dignitaries and colleagues, ....
28. Given below is a flow-chart for COVID-19 testing based on symptoms. Prepare a report.
Ans:
Covid 19 - Best Practice
Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by corona virus. Most people infected with this virus will only experience mild to moderate symptoms and will recover within a week or two. But in people with other medical conditions, it can have serious impact. So everyone should try to prevent the spread of the disease.
Those who have symptoms like fever, throat pain or body pain should stay at home and test for covid-19 as soon as possible. They should not get into contact with others till the results come. If the test confirms covid-19, they should go into isolation and advice those who came in close contact to go into quarantine. If the test turns out to be negative, they should continue to stay at home till the symptoms are gone. But the close contacts need not go into quarantine. Following these guidelines strictly is the best way to prevent and slow down transmission.
(Questions 29 - 32 : Answer any 2 in about 100 words. Each carries 6 scores.) (2 × 6 = 12)
29. Suraj Venjaramoodu, the cine actor bagged the State award for the best actor in 2020 for his role in the movie ‘Android Kunjappan’. You get the chance to interview him. Prepare 6 questions for the interview.
Ans. Use these hints
i) Congratulations on winning the State Award. How do you feel when you think about yourself as the best actor of 2020?
ii) How was your experience in acting the role of the old man in "Android Kunjappan"? Was it difficult?
iii) Do you think that this recognition was long overdue?
iv) What can you tell us about the message of the film?
v) Do you think cinema can change society?
vi) Tell me about your next project.
vii) What message or tips would you like to give to the youth who want to make a career in films?
30. The Lockdown has confined us to our homes. But it is important to be physically fit and active. Write a magazine article on the topic, ‘The Importance of Physical Exercise for Good health’.
Ans.
Importance of Pysical Exercise
Good health is a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity. Health is a resource for everyday life, not the object of living, and is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities. Staying active is one of the best ways to keep our bodies healthy. It can also improve your overall well-being and quality of life.
There is a famous quote by George Bernard Shaw saying "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." Without regular activity, your body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function properly. Exercise increases muscle strength, which in turn increases your ability to do other physical activities.
There is a famous quote by George Bernard Shaw saying "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." Without regular activity, your body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function properly. Exercise increases muscle strength, which in turn increases your ability to do other physical activities.
Exercise can also help one to keep the doctor away. It lowers blood pressure, controls bad cholesterol, improves blood flow, and control weight gain. Studies have proved that regular exercise can boost the immune system of the body.
Regular physical activity can relieve stress, anxiety, depression and anger. We feel good when we exercise. So it is a mood lifter without any side effects. When we exercise our heart rate increases and this helps in improving the blood flow to the brain. Our breathing rate also increases while exercising and thus more oxygen reaches the brain. This naturally helps improve brain functions.
Even though we know about the advantages, we often fail to do the required amount of exercise regularly. By selecting a workout that we enjoy, we can overcome some hurdles. Diversifying the exercise routine can take away some boredom. Setting up a goal and strictly following it is essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being happy in life.
31. Your younger brother is at your aunts house. Write a letter to him giving him tips on growing up to become a good man. You may refer to the ideas from the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling.
32. “I feel ashamed to face Mrs. Clifford. So I wrote a letter to them, announcing my departure and bidding them good-bye.” These are Gupta’s words, in the story ‘The Price of Flowers’. Write an e-mail that Gupta would have written to Mrs. Clifford.
Ans:
To: margaretclifford@gmail.com
Sub: Goodbye from Gupta
Dear Mrs Clifford
It is with great agony that I write this to you. I was very sorry to learn about the sad demise of your beloved son. I know that my words will not be enough to comfort you, but please accept my sincere condolence.
I wanted to come to your house and meet you personally, but frankly I am ashamed to do so. I gave you a false hope and deceived you by telling you the lie that Frank was keeping fine. I apologize for my fault.
I am leaving for India tonight. I have to join the Civil Service next week. Once I reach there, I will surely visit your son's grave and pay my respects. I will always cherish the memory of the the time we spent together while I was here. I will keep you and Maggie always in my heart.
Hope to meet you the next time I visit London.
Yours sincerely,
Gupta.
(Questions 33 - 38 : Answer any 3 in 120 words. Each carries 8 scores.) (3 × 8 = 24)
33. You visited a hill station during your Summer holidays. Write a travel essay to be published in your school magazine about the place you visited. [Hints : Description of the place, Journey there and back, climate, historical importance, special attractions etc.]
Ans. Write a travel essay like "The Trip of Le Horla". Write like this sample answer.
34. Almost all children have access to phones and internet in present times. But these sometimes do more harm than good. Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper on the ‘Advantages and disadvantages of Internet use by children’.
Ans. Write your answer following these guidelines
35. ‘The Sacred turtles of Kadavu’ describes the story of two women who had been attacked by outsiders. Do you think women in our society too face similar problems. Draft the script of the speech you will deliver in your school assembly on women’s day, on the topic “Problem’s faced by women in our society”.
Ans. Use these hints and use these ideas.
36. Kerala has faced many disasters like floods, landslides, and epidemics in recent times. However we have always overcome the crisis successfully. Write an article to be published in the newspaper on the topic ‘Be prepared to face any disaster’.
Ans. Sample Answer
37. A seminar is to be conducted in your class on the topic. ‘The relevance of Gandhian values in the present time’. You are one of the participants. Write the paper for the seminar.
Ans. Argue that Gandhian values are timeless and so they are still relevant. Use these ideas.
38. Read the following poem and write an appreciation :
Success is counted sweetest
By those who never succeed
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple host
Who took the flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of victory
As he defeated dying –
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear
- Emily Dickinson
Ans. Use these hints.
Sample Answer:
Emily Dickinson's poem argues that success is valued most by those who fail. The desire for success will be the strongest in people who lack it. This is a paradox because the more you have success, the less likely that you appreciate it.
The poet compares the sweetness of success with the sweetness of nectar. When you have too much of it you almost dislike it. Nectar will be valued only by those who have not had nectar, at least recently. This means that the less you have success, the more intensely you desire it.
The poet brings in battle imagery to clarify her point. When a dying soldier on the battlefield listens to the celebrations of the victorious army, he understands the value of victory more than anybody else. We can even generalize and say that one can be aware of the real value of things only in their absence.
The poem is divided into three stanzas of four lines each. Every second and fourth lines rhyme. The poem is written in a simple language. The poet uses alliteration and assonance to create an auditory effect. The poem is highly philosophical and exhibits the poet's deep awareness about the complicated truths of human life.
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