PRE-MID TERM (SEP-2024)
English Language and Literature (184)
Name: ____________________________ Marks: 40
Grade: IX _________ Date: __________
Roll No: __________________ Duration: 1hr
10mins
Section-A (Reading Comprehension)
I. Read the story carefully, then complete the tasks that follow: (10×1=10)
We often come across situations and incidents, which appear quite contradictory to the known laws of
Nature, creating doubts about the impartiality of divine justice. For instance, an honest, duty-conscious, morally
elevated person is often seen caught in adversities in one form or the other, or is suddenly struck with a great
misfortune in life as though he/she were being punished by God for a great sin. On the other hand, we find
persons engaged in worst types of corrupt practices living in peace and prosperity. An idler wins a jackpot or
inherits a fortune from unexpected quarters, whereas a hard-working intelligent person is found suffering
endlessly for want of basic necessities. One person achieves great success with little effort, whereas another
does not succeed in spite of his best efforts. Such phenomena are popularly ascribed
to the role of fate.
Unprecedented natural calamities like famine, epidemics, tornadoes and floods, damage by lightning and
earthquakes and untimely death are also commonly attributed to the will of God and called predestined. Such
unexpected happenings as financial loss, accidents, sudden mental/physical disability and physical separation
from a dear one are also attributed to fate.
Such unexpected adversities are rare, but they do occur in life. At times, they leave such deep imprints
on the psyche, that it is not possible to ignore them. Those who are not familiar with the mysteries of divine
justice become very much perplexed by such experiences and form prejudiced opinions, which, in some form or
the other, hinder their mental and spiritual progress. Many become resentful towards God, blame and abuse
Him for favouritism and injustice. A few even become atheists, considering the futility of worshipping God who
does not respond to prayer in distress, despite their prolonged adherence to religiosity. Then there is a class of
devotees who serve the saints and worship deities in expectation of some material gains. However, if they are
visited with some failure, unfavourable circumstances, or mishap coincidentally, their adoration changes to
contempt of disbelief.
There are quite a few believers in this world who correlate people, places and things with good and bad
luck. Such superstitions have caused extreme miseries to innocent persons. The root cause for such irrational
behaviour is the belief that whatever come to pass is predestined by God and the beings created by Him have
absolutely no role in shaping their own destiny. Quite a few persons in this world forsake their responsibility in
the mistaken belief that the gain and loss being predestined, there is no necessity of personal effort.
Based on your reading answer any five questions from the six given below:
(a) What is a mistaken belief? 1
(b) When do we doubt about the impartiality of divine justice? 1
(c) Give an example of phenomena ascribed to the role of fate. 1
(d) How is an intelligent person sometimes seen living? 1
(e) Name a few natural calamities? 1
(f) In which category is financial loss put? 1
(g) Find out words from the passage which mean: 3
i. to say something was written by or belonged to somebody.
ii. to make it more difficult for somebody to do.
iii. confused.
(h) Define ‘Atheist’ 1
Section-B (Writing & Grammar)
II. Answer the following. (5×2=10)
1. The Computer Hub, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi has advertised a discount of 20% on all types of
computers and related hardware. You are Rahul, owner of Softpoint Innovations, 110- 111, Nehru
Place, New Delhi. Place an order for suitable items for your company.
2. Your school organised a grand celebration on the occasion of Teachers’ Day. Describe it.
III. Choose the appropriate verb forms. (3×1=3)
1. Neither Penny nor Amy ____ went to work. (has/have)
2. The Olympics ____ held every four years. (is/are)
3. The people ___ lived without electricity for many years. (has/have)
IV. Identify the given sentences as Active / Passive (3×1=3)
1. Bucky is helped by Steve.
2. The man dropped his axe into the river.
3. The bird was shot by the naughty boy.
V. Change the given sentences into Indirect. (3×1=3)
1. John said, ‘I am trying to find a new job.’
2. The girl said, ‘I want something to eat.’
3. The man said, ‘You can leave now.’
Section-C (Literature)
VI. Answer the following Extract Based questions. (3×1=3)
When the humid shadows hover
Over all the starry spheres
And the melancholy darkness
Gently weeps in rainy tears,
What a bliss to press the pillow
Of a cottage-chamber bed
And lie listening to the patter
Of the soft rain overhead!
(a) What does ‘humid shadow’ mean here?
(c) Explain ‘melancholy darkness’.
(d) Identify and give an example from the above extract for ‘Onomatopoeia’.
VII. Answer any TWO of the following questions in short. (2×2=4)
1. Why was Kezia afraid of her father?
2. Who are the “darling dreamers” referred to by the poet?
3. Why did Einstein hate school?
VIII. Answer any ONE of the following questions in detail. (1×4=4)
1. Einstein wrote two letters to President Roosevelt and to the United Nations. Did his letters have the
desired impact? Justify your answer.
2. “Iswaran is a fascinating storyteller”. Discuss.
