SET A ANSWER KEY

PASSAGE 1
i. Facebook's introduction of a new feature called Timeline prompted the young man to
reconsider his decision to stay on Facebook.

ii. (b) It revealed older posts that were previously hidden, making them easily accessible to
others.

iii. The young man justifies his discomfort with Facebook's new Timeline feature by stating that
it digs up his past and puts it on display for everyone, and that he's not comfortable with that.

iv. (b) They are concerned about privacy and feel that Facebook reduces friendships to shallow
interactions.

v. False. The business analyst believes that Facebook reduces friendships to superficial
interactions.

vi. (B) Facebook stores user data, allowing users to reactivate their accounts easily.

vii. Two reasons why some people decide to quit Facebook are: (1) concerns about privacy, and
(2) feeling that Facebook reduces friendships to superficial interactions.

viii. (C) Leaving Facebook due to concerns about privacy or the superficiality of interactions.

PASSAGE 2

i. (B) They absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

ii. (A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the
assertion.

iii. Agricultural Expansion

iv. Two major services provided by forests mentioned in the passage are: (1) carbon storage, and
(2) oxygen production.

v. 31%

vi. Methods mentioned in the passage to combat deforestation include: (1) reforestation projects,
(2) stricter logging regulations, and (3) promoting sustainable farming practices.

vii. Forests help regulate the water cycle by preventing soil erosion and maintaining the balance
of water in the environment.

viii. Scientists believe forest conservation is important because forests provide essential services
such as carbon storage, oxygen production, and habitat for countless species.

ix. Continued deforestation is a serious concern because it could result in severe environmental
consequences, including the loss of biodiversity, increased carbon emissions, and disruption of
the global climate.
GRAMMAR
i. (b) were sleeping

ii. Harry asked the cobbler if he could polish his shoes. The cobbler replied affirmatively and
said that he would take 10 rupees for each shoe.

iii. (d) should

iv. (c) that those

v. (a) had already left

vi. is

vii. The Doctor advised the patient that he should take that medicine every day. The patient
further asked whether he should take it before dinner or after dinner. The doctor replied
negatively and then said that he should take it after breakfast.

viii. Error: Behind each successful film, there is a lengthy creative process.
Correction: Behind every successful film, there is a lengthy creative process.

ix. The principal asked Anuj why he hadn't attended the flag hoisting ceremony.

x. Error: The German force lost no time in retreat lest they might be cut off and surrounded.
Correction: The German force lost no time in retreating lest they might be cut off and
surrounded.

xi. (c) she did not want anything.

xii. Error: Have you got some proof that he committed the crime?
Correction: Do you have any proof that he committed the crime?

WRITING

4) Letter writing

3 marks for content 2 marks for expression, grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and
spellings mark – cohesion via connecting ideas, logical progression & coherence through
relevance of ideas.

5) Analytical Paragraph Writing

3 marks for content. 2 marks for expression, grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and
spellings mark – cohesion via connecting ideas, logical progression & coherence through
relevance of idea and style.

6. Read the given extracts and answer ANY ONE of the two questions given below

(a) i. (c) Descriptive, focusing on scenery and atmosphere

ii. A colonial bungalow refers to a type of house or building style that was introduced by
European colonizers in India, typically characterized by a single-story structure with a sloping
roof and a large veranda.

iii. The given line suggests that Coorg experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season,
which may deter tourists from visiting during that time.

iv. The best time to visit Coorg is from September to March, when the weather is perfect with
occasional showers, making it an ideal time to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place.

(b) i. (c) Both (a) and (b)

ii. The speaker of the above lines is Natalya, a landowner. These lines throw light on Natalya's
character as being possessive and argumentative about her family's land. Her words are likely to
provoke a reaction from Stephen, the person she is addressing.

iii. The peasants got accustomed to using the meadows for forty years.

iv. His aunt's grandmother gave the meadows for the temporary and free use of Stephen's
grandfather's peasants.

7. (a) i. The outcome of the clash between Custard and the pirate was that Custard bravely fought
the pirate.

ii. The use of the words "trickled down" and "mouseholed" to describe the reactions of Belinda's
pets is significant because it shows how they are trying to escape or hide from the pirate. The
word "trickled down" implies a slow and steady movement, while "mouseholed" implies a quick
and hidden escape. This word choice contributes to the overall situation in the poem by
highlighting the contrast between the bravery of Custard and the cowardice of the other pets.

iii. (d) 2143

iv. The poet's use of language in these lines is vivid and imaginative. The use of onomatopoeic
words like "snorting", "clatter", and "jangling" creates a sense of energy and action. The similes,
such as "like an engine" and "like a robin at a worm", add to the vividness of the description. The
poet's language is also playful and humorous, with a sense of excitement and adventure.

(b) i. The language used in this poem challenges traditional ideas of what poetry should be by
using simple, conversational language and a loose, informal structure. This creates a sense of
spontaneity and immediacy.

ii. The lack of punctuation after the first line creates a sense of urgency and flow, while the dash
in the last line adds a sense of excitement and emphasis. This contributes to the overall mood and
tone of the poem, which is playful and energetic.

iii. (a) create a sense of rhythm in these lines.

iv. The repetitive sounds used in the given lines of the poem are "Merrily" and "Merrily". The
purpose of these repetitive sounds is to create a sense of rhythm and emphasize the carefree and
joyful nature of the ball's movement.
8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words.
i. No, Amanda's mother is not a nagging mother. She is a caring and concerned mother who
wants Amanda to be more cheerful and responsive.

ii. Anne justified being a chatterbox in her essay by saying that she talks a lot because she is
trying to make up for her lack of social interaction and friendships.

iii. The tiger in the cage walks "behind the bars of his cage with silent, padded paws."

iv. After achieving political emancipation, Mandela wants to work towards achieving economic
emancipation for the black people in South Africa.

v. When Mij came back to Maxwell's seat, he jumped onto Maxwell's lap and nudged his chest
with his head, seeking attention and affection.

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words.

i. No, Mr. Loisel did not have an enjoyable evening at the ball. He was worried about his wife's
lost necklace and was anxious to leave the party.

ii. Think-Tank interprets the library found by his crew on Earth as a food storage facility. He
asks Omega to eat a book to test his hypothesis that the books are edible.

iii. The police arrested Horace Danby because they found the stolen jewels in his possession, and
he had a suspicious explanation for having them.

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words.
i. Valli, the protagonist of the story "Madam Rides the Bus", is a young girl who exhibits
remarkable maturity and practicality beyond her years. Here's a character sketch of her
personality:

- Determined and goal-oriented: Valli is determined to ride the bus to town, and she works hard
to save money for the fare.
- Resourceful and independent: Valli takes initiative and finds ways to earn money,
demonstrating her resourcefulness and independence.
- Imaginative and curious: Valli has a vivid imagination and is curious about the world beyond
her village.
- Responsible and thoughtful: Valli thinks about her family's needs and is responsible in her
actions.

Overall, Valli's character shows that she is a mature and practical person who is capable of
making decisions and taking care of herself.

ii. The poetess, in the poem "The Trees", is deeply attached to the trees and feels a sense of
pain and loss when they are cut down. After their departure, the poetess suggests that:

- The trees will be replaced by concrete and steel structures, symbolizing the destruction of
nature and the loss of beauty.
- The memory of the trees will linger, and the poetess will continue to feel a sense of loss and
longing.
- The departure of the trees will also symbolize the passing of time and the impermanence of
things.

11.Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words.

i. Mrs. Pumphrey's treatment of Tricki is indeed excessive and pampering. She feeds him rich
and unhealthy foods, such as cream cakes and chocolates, which lead to his obesity and health
problems. She also talks to him in a babyish tone and dresses him up in ridiculous costumes,
treating him more like a human child than a dog. This overindulgence and lack of discipline
ultimately lead to Tricki's health issues and the need for veterinary intervention.

ii. After Hari Singh stole the money, the following sequence of events took place:
- Hari Singh was overcome with remorse and guilt for stealing the money.
- He tried to justify his actions to himself, but ultimately realized that he had done something
wrong.
- He decided to return the money to its rightful owner.
- When he returned the money, he was met with anger and hostility by the owner, who had been
searching for him.
- Despite the owner's anger, Hari Singh felt a sense of relief and redemption for returning the
money.
As a thief, Hari Singh is impulsive and reckless, acting on his desires without considering the
consequences. However, as a human being, he shows a sense of morality and conscience, feeling
guilty for his actions and taking steps to make amends. This complexity makes him a more
nuanced and relatable character.