I.

Reading comprehension
i. (b) they feel like they are wasting their time.
ii. It gives them a chance to push harder for themselves and their
education.
iii. (c) curiosity
iv. TRUE
v. 1. Play educational games that reinforce a lesson. 2. Work on
advanced material using a program
vi. (c) II, III and V
vii. (a) someone who gives someone help and advice related to
something
viii. Because their tech access gives them a level of anonymity.
ix. Apps and software options that allow teachers to instantly report
on a child’s behaviour.
x. (b) trial and error method.

II Reading comprehension

i. The North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone

ii. (c) plastics
iii. : (d) Texas
iv. China
v. (d) factory waste disposal
vi. False
vii. (d) gyres
viii.Unrecoverable
ix. (a) known
x. the millions of tons of mismanaged waste dumped in the
oceans each year
the chemical pollution of the waters.

3. Grammar
i. d. has won
ii. b. call
iii. am distressed
iv. had – have
v. b. he was just watching
vi. are – is
vii. c. must
viii. that she would like to but did not think she would be selected.
ix. exciting - excited
x Sameer asked /enquired how she had felt when she had been
donating blood.
xi. b. has been studying
xii. that he had been inspired by his /her grandfather who had been
a renowned dancer.

4. A. Enquiry letter
Or
B. Letter to MLA

5. Analytical para ( A or B )

V. Extract Questions:
1. Any one:
5
A.
i. b. Bholi shouted infear and pulled her hand away
ii. c. She was dressed in a decent manner for the interview.
iii. b. Ramlal worries about the school’s atmosphere.
iv. c. Optimistic and hopeful
v. d. She would be taken care of
or
B.
i. c. DEATH AFTERALL IS THE COMMON EXPECTATION FROM
BIRTH, NEITHER HEROES NOR COWARDS CAN ESCAPE IT – Ellis
Petters
ii. c. It’s a part of life and one can overcome pain by understanding that
suffering is universal
iii. Lamentation: grief :: celebration : Joy/happiness
iv. a. Metaphor
v. c. Insight
2. Any one 1x6 =6
A.
i. c. to contrast it with the depression of the boy
ii. a. an on-looker observing
iii. a. Personification
iv. d. option 4
v. d. is thinking to himself
or
B.
i. a. fire
ii. a. suffice
iii. a. desire & d. greed - a & d
iv. a. Ice would serve the purpose well
v. d. greed

VI. Any four : 4x3=12

i. What role does persistence play in Mandela’s life?

ii. Compare anyone compulsive human habit with respect to

the otter’s compulsive habit mentioned in the text?
Mijbil's compulsive habit of running along the low wall is akin to
human compulsive behaviours, like individuals who feel the need
to touch a specific object or repeat certain actions, providing a
sense of comfort or security, even if it seems irrational to others.

iii. Compare and contrast what Anne from the poem 'Anne
Gregory' would look for in a life partner as compared to
 Natalya from 'The Proposal'. Justify your answer with one
example from each of the texts.
Anne and Natalya have very differing views on what they would
look for in a life partner; while Anne is looking for true love, it
would seem like Natalya is looking for social mobility and
security.
Anne would look for a life partner who is sincere and not
superficial. would colour her hair such that she could find
someone to love her for who she was rather than how she looked
Natalya does not seem to truly love or feel affection for Lomov;
seems to constantly argue with Lomov about who owns a piece
of land or whose dog is better but still agrees to marry him,
seems to primarily agree to get married for economic reasons.
iv. Explain how the setting of a story or a poem can enhance
its plot with reference to 'Dust of Snow' and 'Tea from
Assam'.
Setting sets the tone and mood of any piece of writing. The poem
talks about healing amidst nature. When we experience good
weather, it uplifts our mood and we are calmer and in a more
relaxed state of mind. In the story, the arrival at Assam sets the
tone for the rest of the story. How Rajvir feels, reacts to things, is
excited and overwhelmed, are influenced by his natural
surroundings.
In Dust of Snow, a crow accidentally sprinkles some snow from
the hemlock tree on the poet. The snow immediately changes his
mood for the better. He feels happier and starts appreciating
nature more because it helps him see life beyond his own
insignificant troubles. Crows and hemlock trees are both viewed
as inauspicious. But the poet is able to show them in positive
light because his perception has changed. The natural setting of
the poem makes even a crystal of snow have a big impact on the
poet.
v. How does the poet use contrasting imagery to depict amanda's
different imaginations?
Amanda, the central theme is majorly focused on Control and
Freedom. The figures of Amanda, who represents the longing for
freedom, and her mother, who represents instructional control over
freedom, highlights the contrasts. ‘Amanda’ is the narrative of a
little girl whose parents continually regulate and advise her to do
one thing or the other. Amanda’s freedom is limited by any type of
instruction or intervention. The poet also focuses on elements of
raising children and how parents will go to any length to ensure
that their child is well educated.
Mermaid in solitude, Orphan let free to do what he/she wants,
Rapunzel being in isolation enjoying her freedom.
 VII. Answer any two: 2x3 = 6

i. Describe briefly how the Martians reach upon the correct

application of the book.
Martians arrived at the library during the invasion of Earth. They’d never
seen books before. They had no idea where they were or what the items
in the various racks were. They initially mistook them for sandwiches and
attempted to eat them. They then misinterpreted sandwiches as some
sort of communication device. Later, they recognised them as eye
communication rather than ear communication, and realized that they
needed to take vitamins to understand all of these codes.
ii. What ground breaking discovery did Richard Ebright
make about cells and their interaction with DNA?
Richard Ebright analysed the chemical structure of the hormones.
From the X-ray images of the chemical structure, he found
out how cells read the blueprint of their DNA. This ground-
breaking discovery is considered Ebright's greatest contribution
to the field of molecular biology. Ebright’s exploration of insect
hormones and his research on photos provided a crucial answer
to a longstanding biological puzzle—how cells possess the ability
to “read” the instructions encoded in their DNA.

iii. ‘Stereotypes are often misleading.’ Elaborate on the

given quote in the context of ‘The Midnight Visitor’.
In "The Midnight Visitor," the quote holds true as Fowler's
preconceived stereotypes about secret agents clash with the
reality of Ausable's appearance and methods. Ausable defies the
typical spy image by being overweight and employing
unexpected tactics, illustrating that assumptions based on
stereotypes can be far from accurate.

VIII. Answer any one: 1x6 = 6

i. ‘When one door of happiness closes, another opens;

but often we look so long at the closed door that we
do not see the one which has opened for us.” –
Hellen Keller
Comment with reference to Lencho in the story, ‘ A
Letter to God’
Helen Keller's disability could definitely be called "a closed
door to happiness" and she faced more difficulties than
others. However, instead of being trapped by the door, she
turned back to face the open window. Despite all the bad
things that happened to her, she coped with the difficulties
 she encountered and lived her life to the fullest. Don't
blindly maximize the problem and make yourself feel
anxious, try to focus on something else. Instead of focusing
on what you've lost, think about what you have.
Lencho was an optimist, so when his crops were completely
destroyed by the hailstorm, he became worried about his
family. But he believed that God would help him in this
difficult situation. God who could send him money to fulfil
his needs. But due to his firm faith in God, he requested
Him to send him hundred pesos. Being lucky, he got a good
response from the postmaster.
or
ii. The author describes the things that Valli sees from
an eight-year-old’s point of view. Can you find
evidence from the text for this statement?

Yes, for example when the author says, she was fascinated by the bus and
watching the bus filled with a new set of people every time was a source
of unending joy for her. When the author gives the description of the bus,
he stresses on the color and looks of the new bus like silver because a
child is attracted to color. The seats were soft and luxurious. The
description that the author gives when Valli looks outside the bus is also
typical of an eight-year-old. The blue sky and acres and acres of
greenfield, show the enthusiasm of a child. A cow running in front of the
bus fascinated Valli. On the other hand, the sight of a dead cow made her
cry and she did not look outside the window on her return journey. This
also accurately describes the behavior of an eight-year-old child.

These are the evidences from the text for this statement:
(i) The most fascinating thing for her was the bus.
(ii) She travelled between her village and the nearest town.
(iii) Valli devoured everything with her eyes.
(iv) It was all so wonderful for her!
(v) She was very happy to see the canal, palm trees, grasslands, distant
mountains and the blue sky.
(vi) Struck dumb with wonder.
(vii) Valli gaped at everything.

IX. Answer any one: 1x6 = 6

i. The narrative functions as a cautionary tale, warning
readers about the consequences of overfeeding and lack
of exercise. Comment.
 ii. Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story,
that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her
to be? If so, at what point did you realize this, and why?

Yes, one does begin to suspect before the end of the story that the lady
was not the person Horace Danby took her to be. She was unusually calm
on seeing Horace. This seemed strange enough. When she did not call the
police and instead asked Horace to break open the safe and take out all
the jewels from it. It seemed suspicious. Moreover, it also seemed unlikely
that she would forget the code to open the safe. Therefore, it was evident
before the story ended that the lady was not the person Horace had taken
her to be.