BANGALORE SAHODAYA SCHOOLS COMPLEX ASSOCIATION
PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION (2023-2024)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
SET 1 ANSWER KEY
I. READING COMPREHENSION
a) Concentration is what differentiates men from animals
b) The heavier the luggage- the higher the penalty.
c) Substantiation
d) The trouble with the concentration is that we do not control the mind, it controls us.
When someone speaks to us well upon a subject we like, it becomes easy for our mind
to concentrate upon what that person is saying.
e) When we hear beautiful music, our minds become fastened upon it and we cannot take
them away. Those who concentrate their minds on classical music do not like common
music, and vice-versa.
f) Music in which the notes follow each other in rapid succession holds the mind readily.
A child loves lively music because the rapidity of the notes gives the mind no chance
to wander. A man who likes common music dislikes classical music because it is more
complicated and requires a greater degree of concentration to follow it.
g) Connected
h) Something outside of ourselves, as it were, draws the mind into it and holds it as long
as it chooses.
II. READING COMPREHENSION
a) visiting art museums, using libraries and historic site visitation
b) 75 or more year-olds
c) Historical sites are valuable because they provide a tangible link to the past, allowing
us to better understand our nation's history and cultural heritage. These sites are
physical reminders of the people, events, and ideas that have shaped our society, and
they offer a glimpse into what life was like in the past.
d) 2016
e) True
f) Realization , obtaining , achievement, Fulfilment
g) 11 percentage
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h) who finished their studies with a high school diploma.
i) decline
III. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. (1X10=10)
GRAMMAR
i. Will be lying
ii. Rishabh suggested us to have a walk by the river.
iii. shouldn’t be eating
iv. of---- to
v. are willing/were willing
vi. Rishi asked Ali if he could type that entire project by next morning.
vii. Must
viii. The Guitar ------- a Guitar
ix. will bring
x. if could pay him in cash
xi. paint
xii. Little
IV. LETTER WRITING
Format – 1 [full credit if all aspects included. Partial credit (½ mark) if one-two aspects
are missing. No credit if more than two aspects are missing]
Content -2 [ ½ mark for each content point area addressed - suggestion, importance,
implication, recommendation]
Organisation of ideas -1 [effective style, orderly sequence, paragraphed structure and
formal tone and vocabulary] Accuracy 1
V. ANALYTICAL PARAGRAPH WRITING
Content -2
Organisation of ideas -2
Accuracy 1
NOTE FOR GIVEN DESCRIPTORS
---Dedicated marks at a level are to be awarded only if ALL descriptors match. If one or
more descriptors do not match, the marks are awarded at a level lower.
CONTENT – 2 marks
All points included– Well-developed with sustained clarity
11⁄2 marks — Almost all points incorporated
—Reasonably well-developed
1 mark — Some points incorporated
—Fair attempt at developing ideas with some impact on the clarity of response
1⁄2 mark — Most of the points of the given task not incorporated
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— Limited awareness of task development
ORGANISATION OF IDEAS -2 marks
— Highly effective style capable of conveying the ideas convincingly
— Carefully structured content within organised single paragraph, presented cohesively.
— Highly effective register (formal tone and vocabulary), relevant and appropriate
sentences for conveying the
ideas precisely and effectively.
1 1⁄2 marks — Frequent clarity of expression most of the time.
— Ideas are generally well sequenced and related to the given topic maintaining overall
cohesion of
ideas. The range of vocabulary is mostly relevant and conveys the overall meaning and
the purpose of the
writing.
1 mark — Inconsistent style, expression sometimes awkward.
— Sequencing of ideas is somewhat clear and related to the given topic attempting to
maintain a
general overall cohesion. The range of vocabulary is limited but manages to convey the
overall meaning and the
purpose of the writing.
1⁄2 mark — Expression unclear.
— Poor sequencing of ideas but ideas related to the given topic in a disjointed manner
exhibiting a lack of coherence of ideas. Very limited vocabulary or copying from the
question.
ACCURACY
1 mark — Spelling, punctuation, and grammar consistently/largely accurate, with
occasional
minor errors, that do not impede communication.
1⁄2 mark — Spelling, punctuation, and grammar display some errors spread across,
causing minor impediments
to the message communicated.
No credit Frequent errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar, impeding
communication.
VI. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given:
A.
i. 3 and 4
ii. The use of salt to describe the field gives the impression that the hailstorm was so
severe that it had completely destroyed the crops and left the field barren and lifeless.
The colour white associated with salt gives a sense of emptiness and desolation, which
fits with the overall tone of the story.
iii. Harm done to the field was worse than one done by the locusts.
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iv. He expressed his sadness about what had happened.
B.
i. Possible Answers- Wet, damp, mouldy, smelly
ii. Option 1 & 4
iii. People have preconceived notions about others. Fowler’s unrealistic expectations- felt
disappointed after meeting Ausable.
iv. Ausable had acquired the French accent over twenty years ago
VII. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given:
5
A.
i. 1, 2
ii. 2 personification small twigs stiff with exertion
simile like newly discharged patients
iii. Option iv
iv. The poet compares the trees with newly discharged patients who look half-dazed
(half-slept)- going towards the door are weak. - have been struggling since long -They
could not grow, did not get proper nutrition.
B.
v. Conclusive
vi. 1 & 3
vii. The poet says “I will not intrude on him” because he wants the boy to learn the
meaning of loss on his own. The boy was trying to understand his first responsibility
as he had lost something, which could not be brought back.
viii. Option 4
VIII. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words.
(4x3=12)
(Content-1 ; Organisation -1 ; ½ mark to be deducted for Accuracy from the overall credit of a
response, if error density is high -more than a total of 2 spellings and/or grammatical errors)
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i. Chubukov was overjoyed to know that Lomov wanted to propose to his daughter,
Natalya. He thanked him for taking this decision. He was happy as Natalya had passed
the marriage age. In fact, he was sure that Natalya would agree.
ii. God's love is selfless. He loves you for who you are and not for any external
beauty. Human beings love the external beauty and not our internal feelings.
iii. The animals, along with Belinda, laughed at him, rudely called him Percival and asked
the dragon his age.
iv. The beautiful land of Coorg is full of evergreen forest, spices and coffee plantations. This
place is inherited by Martial men and women. Coffee estates and colonial bungalows
stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners.
v. The futile search of Kisa Gotami made her realize that sorrows are a part of life and one
can attain peace only by acceptance. She was selfish in her grief and human life is just
like lamps.
IX. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words.
(2x3=6)
(Content-1 ; Organisation -1 ; ½ mark to be deducted for Accuracy from the overall credit of a
response, if error density is high -more than a total of 2 spellings and/or grammatical errors)
i. According to Hari Singh, different people react differently upon being robbed. The
greedy man displays fear, the rich man shows anger, and the poor man shows acceptance.
However, a trusting man like Anil would be sad due to the loss of trust.
ii. When Ramlal caught Bholi by the hand to take her to school, she was frightened. She did
not know what a school was like. She was reminded of their cow, Lakshmi and thought
that her father was turning her out of the house. She shouted in terror and pulled her hand
away from her father's grip.
iii. According to Horace Danby, rich people often become careless. In case of the Shotover
Grange ,the owners provided a brief sketch of their house and even said that the painting
in their living room hid a safe.
X. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (1x6=6)
Content 3
Expression 2
Accuracy 1
A. The set of dialogue must include
Amanda- feels her mother is nagging and controlling- she wants to mould Amanda in her
way- the child retreats in her world of imagination- wants freedom and silence.
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Anne- Anne has a better relation with her father- Cannot connect much with her peers.-
Feels a need for a friend to open up and discuss her problems- can advice Amanda to
maintain a diary
B. –fear delimits us, stops us from reaching our potential- we miss out on opportunities and
experiences that enrich us
-His First flight- overcame fear for himself- the seagull overcame his fear- due to hunger-
went on to discover joy of freedom-now has fulfilling life.
-Nelson Mandela- overcame fear for other- meaning of courage- to triumph over fear-
gave him a mission and purpose to change not just his but the lives of the other.
XI. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (1x6=6)
Content 3
Expression 2
Accuracy 1
A. - loving, caring, supporting and hardworking.
-gives Mathilde the four hundred francs for her dress.
-tries to comfort her
- does whatever is possible in his means.
- After losing the necklace, spent the whole day retracing their steps and enquiring,
even offers a reward
-gives the eighteen hundred franc, his inheritance.
- hardworking nature as he does extra work to repay the loan.
B. - Ebright’s hobby was collecting things.
- fascinated by butterflies so he started collecting butterflies in kindergarten.
- also collected rocks, fossils and coins.
- had collected twenty-five species of butterflies by second grade.
- this hobby led him to research and discover many things.
- fascination of butterflies led to his success in county and international fairs.
- Thus, hobby played a major role in what he achieved in his life.
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