CONCEPT AND GUIDANCE

Smt. Rashmi Mahesh V, I.A.S

Chief Secretary of the Government,
Department of School Education and Literacy
Dr. Trilok Chandra K.V, Sri Gopalakrishna H N
I.A.S, Commissioner, Director, DSERT
Government of Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy Bangalore
Department of School Education and Literacy Co-operation by DIET

Dr. Ashok Kamath Mentor

Principal (in-charge) Mr. Chandra Naik
DIET Udupi
DIET, Udupi Lecturer, DIET Udupi
Co-ordinator

Smt. Radha P
Lesson Based Assessment Material Senior Assistant Director
DSERT, Bangalore
2025-2026 Resource Team

Mr. Shankranarayana
Mithyantha Mr. Narayan Marati Mr. Prashanth Shetty
Mr. Ganesh
Assistant Teacher Govt Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher
ENGLISH Assistant Teacher Govt
Govt. High School Govt. High School
Second Language PU College Kundapura PU College Kundapura
Chittur Shettibettu

Ms. Prathima Nayak

Govt. High School Mr. Yashwanth
Mr. Ganapathi Ms. Usha Naik
Volakadu Govt PU College
KPS Brahmavara KPS Brahmavara
Kambadakone

Ms. Roopa
Mr. Uday Kumar
Govt. High School Mr. Prakash Shetty Ms. Supreetha K
Govt PU College
Manoor KPS Bidkalkatte KPS Kokkarne
10 Navunda
Mr. Suresh
Tenth Standard Mr. Keshav Naik Mr. Prakash Poojari Mr. Guruprasad
Govt. High School
Govt PU College Govt PU College Govt. High School
Vakwadi
Uppunda Hebri Shivapura.
Cynthia Pereira
Mr. Shashidhar Shetty Mr. Jayaram Shetty
Govt. High School Mr. Manohar
Govt. High School Govt. High School
Thekkatte KPS Vandse
Avarse Kucchur
Guide and Reviewer
Department of State Educational Research and Training
Banashankari 3rd Stage, Bangalore- 560085 Mrs. Vardhini M S
GHS, Sadahalli,
Devanahalli Taluk
Bangalore Rural District

1 2
 CONTENT Question Paper Design
UNIT-WISE QUESTIONS
Weightage to Cognitive Level
Sl.
Unit Prose & Poem Learning points to be Focussed Page No.
No. Weightage to Objectives Marks Percentage (%)
Homophones, Reading a dialogue, Language 5 – 13 1 Remembering 08 10
A Hero
1 Unit 1 Function - Accepting and Refusing
Grandma Climbs a Tree 2 Comprehension 32 40
Invitations, Adverbials
Words of Movement, Language Function - 14 - 22 3 Expression 36 45
There’s a Girl by the
Expressing Sympathy, Reading Picture , Sub + 4 Appreciation 04 5
2 Unit 2 Tracks!
Verb Agreement (Concord) , Idioms, Letter Total 80 100
Quality of Mercy
writing
Gentleman of Rio en 'If' Clause, Language Function - Seeking 23 – 32
3 Unit 3 Medio Opinion, Skimming and Scanning Weightage to Content
I am the Land
Phrases, Articles / Determiners, Linkers, 33 – 40 Objectives Marks
Dr. B R Ambedkar
4 Unit 4 Language Function - Expressing Gratitude, 1 Prose 25
The Song of India
Reading Poem, Syllabication 2 Poetry 20
The Concert Finite and Non-finite, Language Function- 41 – 50
5 Unit 5 3 Supplementary Reader 05
Jazz Poem Two Narrating
Describing Words, Synonyms, Types of 51 – 61 4 Grammar and Vocabulary 08
The Discovery
6 Unit 6 Sentences, Language Function - Seeking 5 Comprehension and Composition 10
Ballad of the Tempest
Permission Total 100
Using prefixes to form appropriate words, 62 – 71
Colours of Silence Future Time Expressions, Language Function
7 Unit 7
The Blind Boy - Seeking Information, Comprehending a Weightage to Types of Questions
Passage, Profile writing
Unit 8 Science and Hope of Collocation, Reported Speech, Language 72 – 78 Types of Questions No of questions
Survival Function - Persuading, Editing
8 1 Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark) 4
Off to Outer Space
Tomorrow Morning 2 Very Short Answer (1 Mark) 12
9 SR 1 Narayanpur Incident Comprehending the text 79 3 Short Answer - 1 (2 Mark) 8
10 SR 2 On Top of the World Comprehending the text 80 4 Short Answer - 2 (3 Marks) 9
A Great Martyr Ever 81-82
11 SR 3 Comprehending the text 5 Long Answer - 1 (4 Marks) 4
Cherished
12 SR 4 The Bird of Happiness Comprehending the text 83 6 Long Answer - 2 (5 Marks) 1
Total 38

Weightage to Difficulty Level

Difficulty Level Percentage (%)

1 Easy 30
2 Average 50
3 Difficult 20
Total 100

3 4
 UNIT 1 vi) Swami: Father, we are admitting elders in our cricket club. Please join our club.
PROSE 1 - A HERO Father: We’ll see about that later.
I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions. Only one of them is correct. Choose (A) Giving direction (B) offering help (C) accepting invitation (D) refusing invitation
the correct alternative and write the complete answer along with its letter of alphabet. vii) Inspector: Swami, come and join the police when you are grown up.
1. Choose the appropriate question tag and fill in the blanks: (Comprehension/ Easy) Swami: Certainly yes, sir.
i) Something has bitten me, ________? (A) accepting invitation (B) giving invitation (C) refusing invitation (D) disagreeing politely
(A) haven’t it (B) hasn’t it (C) aren’t it (D) don't it
ii) It was a frightful proposition for Swami, ______? 5. Fill in the blank with appropriate tense form of the verb given in the brackets:
(A) didn’t it (B) hadn’t it (C) wasn't it (D) don’t it i) Swami's father _____ (sit) gloomily gazing at the newspaper on the lap.(Comprehension/ Easy)
ii) When he _______ [be + sleep] was sleeping in the office Swami saw a night mare.
2. Read the conversation and fill in the blanks with the correct if clause, from the given alternatives: (Comprehension/ Average)
(Comprehension/ Average) 6. Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition: (Comprehension/ Average)
i) Ravi: Did you get the bus? i) Congratulations were showered ________ Swami.
Ganesh: Oh! I didn't ii) Swami listened to the conversations ________ under the blanket.
Ravi: If I had started early, I __________ got the bus
(A) wouldn’t have (B) would (C) would have (D) will have 7. Fill in the blank with a suitable linker: (Comprehension/ Average)
ii) Swami's Father: Have you taught him the importance of courage? i) Swami argued with his father ______ it was useless.
Swami's Mother: No. He is a small boy. ii) Swami caught the burglar ______ congratulations showered on him.
Swami's Father: If you had taught him courage, he ______ slept in the office that night.
(A) wouldn’t have (B) would (C) would have (D) will have 8. Fill in the blanks choosing the appropriate words given in brackets: (Comprehension/ Average)
3. Read the conversation and choose the correct infinitive: (Comprehension/ Easy) i) Swami saw something was moving _______ . [their / there]
i) Swami's father ordered Swami to sleep in the office that night. ii) Father made Swami to sleep ______ (alone / a loan) in his office.
(A) to sleep (B) ordered (C) ordered to (D) sleep iii) Ravi told a ________ .(storey/story)
ii) Swami's granny used to tell him a story every night before he slept. iv) Leela_____ (red/read) the letter yesterday.
(A) tell (B) to tell (C) used to (D) slept v) Kusuma wanted to ______ (buy/by) a set of pens.
4. Read the given conversation and choose the language function for the underlined sentences: vi) He paid the bus _______ .(fair/fare)
(Comprehension/ Average) vii) The lad was on the tree till ________ people came and killed the tiger.(sum/ some)
i) Suma : Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the library? viii) Swami mumbled __________. (weekly/ weakly)
Veena: Sure, just follow this street and turn left at the next corner. ix) Swami spoke with a _________ deal of enthusiasm about cricket.( great/ grate)
Suma: Thank you. x) We are buying brand ________ bats and balls. ( knew/ new)
(A) asking direction (B) giving direction (C) giving advice (D) seeking advice xi) Mr. Lokesh is the ___________ of our college.( principle/ principal) (Apr 2021)
ii) Teacher: Students, open your book to page 25
Students: Okay teacher, we are ready 9. Combine the word in Column A with its collocative word in column B. ( Remember/ Easy)
Teacher: I want all of you to read the first paragraph silently. (Remembering / Easy)
(A) making a request (B) giving instructions (C) giving suggestion (D) giving information A B
iii) Kiran: Could you please pass me the salt? i) frightful (bench, work, proposition, duty)
Arun: Certainly. Here you go ii) time (table, chair, gloomily, floor)
Kiran: Thank you. iii) lay ( attention, emphasis, notice, order ) (Apr 2021)
(A) advising (B) suggesting (C) requesting (D) ordering
iv) Sudha: Hello Radha! Why are you standing here? 10. Give one word for the following: (Remembering / Easy)
Radha : Hello! I’m waiting for the bus. I’ve to go to the market. i) a small creatures of spider family with a poisonous sting
Sudha: Come, I will drop you. I’m going that way. (April 2022) ii) a frightening dream
(A) requesting (B) seeking direction (C) offering help (D) agreeing
v) Archana : Good morning Deepa. 11. Write the number of syllables for each of the following words: (Remembering / Easy)
Deepa : Very good morning. What can I do for you? i) night, lad, walking, horror
Archana : If you don’t mind, could I use your pen? ii) returning, safer, desperately, speak
Deepa : It’s a pleasure. You can.
(A) Giving direction (B) offering help (C) Seeking permission (D) Expressing agreement 12. Write the correct form of the word given in the brackets: (Comprehension/ Average)

5 6
 i) He saw the _______ (develop) of the city. 33. Why do you think his head master called Swami, a true scout? (Exp / Avg)
ii) They should be given good ________. (educate) 34. How did Swami react when his father challenged him to sleep alone in the office room? (June 2017)
13. Frame a question to get the underlined word as answer. (Expression/ Average) (Exp / Avg)
i) The teachers congratulated Swami, by patting the back 35. What thoughts came to Swami’s mind when his father made him to sleep in the office room? (Comp /
ii) He came to the office, to sleep alone. Avg)
36. Which place in the room was safe, compact and reassuring, according to Swami? (Comp / Avg)
14. Change the following sentences into passive voice: (Expression/ Average) 37. What made Swami’s father, cook and the servant rush up to the office room? (June 2015) (Comp / Avg)
i) Swami caught the burglar 38. Who do you think was wiser, Swami or his father? Justify your preference. (Exp / Diff)
ii) Granny was telling a story
V. Answer the following in 6-8 sentences.
15. Change the following sentence into other two degrees of comparison: (Expression/ Average) 39. A report about a boy in the newspaper was an unexpected event in Swami’s life. Justify. (Comp / Avg)
i) Swami was the cleverest boy in the class. OR
ii) Seema is the tallest girl in the family. How did Swami become a hero over night? (June 2016, June 2019)
OR
16. Change the following sentences into reported speech: (Expression/ Difficult) How was Swami successful in fulfilling the intention of his father to prove his courage? (April 2019)
i) Swami said to his father, "Your office room is dusty"( use reported verb complained) 40. What desperate attempts did Swami make to escape from his father? (Comp / Avg)
ii) Burglar cried, "Something has bitten me ". 41. Describe/ Narrate Swami’s dreadful experience when he was lying under the bench. (Comp / Avg)
(April 2016, April 2022, June 2022)
III. The following paragraph has two errors. Edit the paragraph and rewrite it in the answer booklet. VI. Read the extracts and answer the questions given below.
Clues are given. (Expression/ Average) 42. “I think he must have been a very strong and grown-up person, not a boy at all. How could a boy fight a
tiger?” (Comp/ Avg)
17. i) Congratulations showered on Swami the next day. His classmates look at him on respect. a) Who is the speaker?
a) Verb to be corrected. b) Preposition to be corrected b) What does the speaker mean by this statement?
ii) Swami hurried got up and spread his bed under the bench, but crouched there. c) What do you understand about the speaker?
a) Adverbial mistake to be corrected b) Conjunction to be corrected. 43. “Leave alone strength, can you prove that you have courage?” (Comp/ Avg)
iii) Swami’s father sat gloomy gazing to the newspaper on his lap. a) Who posed this challenge?
a) Adverbial mistake to be corrected b) Preposition to be corrected. b) How did the speaker want the ‘you’ to prove his courage?
c) What was the view of the speaker regarding courage?
IV. Answer the following in 2 or 3 sentences each: 44. “From the first of the next month, I’ll sleep alone father.” (March 2024-1) (Comp/ Avg)
18. Swami’s father drew his attention to a report in the newspaper. What was the report about? (Comp/ Avg) a) Who wanted to sleep alone?
19. What was Swami’s comment on the newspaper report? How did his view differ from that of his father? b) Why did he request his father to allow him to sleep alone from the first of next month?
(Comp/ Avg) c) What reply did the speaker get?
20. What desperate attempts did Swami make to escape from his father? (Comp/ Avg) 45. “You must sleep alone hereafter.” ( 2024- Model 1) (Comp/ Avg)
21. Why do you think Swami looked at his granny and his mother while following his father to the office a) Who did he usually sleep with?
room? (Exp / Diff) b) Where was Swami asked to sleep?
22. There was absolute silence in the room. In spite of it, some noises reached Swami’s ears. What were c) Why did Swami’s father want him to sleep alone?
they? (Rem/ Easy) 46. "Why do you disturb him" ? (Comp/ Avg)
23. As night advanced, Swami felt that something terrible would happen to him. What would it be? How a) Who do you think is the speaker of the statement?
would it happen? (Comp/ Avg) b) Who was disturbing him?
24. Why did Swami feel that his father’s proposition was frightful? (Comp/ Easy) c) Why did the speaker make the statement?
25. How was Swami honoured by his classmates, teacher and the headmaster? (Comp/ Easy) 47. " There may be scorpions behind your law books” (Comp/ Easy)
26. Why were congratulations showered on Swami? (April 2024 -1 ) (Comp/ Easy) a) Who said these words?
27. Why did Swami’s father want Swami to sleep alone in the office room? (April 2017) (Comp/ Avg) b) When did the speaker say so?
28. What habit was disgraceful according to Swami‘s father? (April 2015) (Comp/ Easy) c) What made him say so?
29. Why did Swami feel relieved at the end? (Comp/ Avg) 48. “I’ll make you the laughing stock of your school.” (March 2023 ) (Comp/ Avg)
30. Do you think Swami really wanted to join the police? lf not, what did he want to be? (Exp / Avg) a) Who is the 'you' referred to here?
31. Why did Swami say that there were scorpions behind the law books? (Comp/ Avg) b) Who wanted to make him the laughing stock of his school?
32. How were Swami's opinion different from that of his father's view on courage? (Comp / Diff) c) Why did speaker say so?

7 8
49. ”Aiyo! Something has bitten me.” (Comp/ Easy) c) Why did his heart beat faster?
a) Who cried “Aiyo! Something has bitten me,”? 61. “How could a boy fight a tiger?” (September 2023) (Comp/ Avg)
b) What caused him to make an agonized cry? a) Who asked this question ?
c) When did he make the agonizing cry? b) When did the speaker ask this ?
50. Why don't you join the police when you are grown up? (April 2018, June 2018) (Comp/ Avg) c) Who else, according to the speaker, could fight a tiger ?
a) Who gave this suggestion?
b) Why did he give the suggestion? VII. 62. Given below is a profile. Write a paragraph using the clues given below. (Expression/ Average)
c) Did Swami really interest to join police? What did listener want to become? i) Name : R. K Narayan.
51. “Can I have a lamp burning in the room?” (Comp/ Easy) Birth : 10 October 1906, Madras
a) Who wanted a lamp? Education : Maharaja College, Mysore
b) Why did he want a lamp in the room? Spouse : Rajam
c) Whom did he ask for a lamp? Father : R V Krishnaswami Iyer
52. “Tell her so and don’t look at me.” (Comp/ Diff) Profession : English Novelist
a) Who does ‘her’ refer to? Books : Malgudi Days, Tiger for Malgudi, The Guide, Swami and his Friends
b) Who should tell ‘her’ and what?
c) What reply did the speaker get? ii) Name : Mr. Raghavendra
53. “He wished that the tiger had not spared the boy.” (Comp/ Avg) Profession : Education Officer
a) Who is the ‘he’? Education : BSc M.Ed.
b) When did the speaker feel so? Age : 55 years
c)Why did he wish so? Height and weight : 5 Feet 4 Inches feet, 55 Kgs
54. “You are in the second form and I don’t like the way you are being brought up.”(April 2021) Family : One son, Engineer and one daughter, Studying MBBS
(Comp/ Avg) Reason for his : helpful, best gardener
a) Who is ‘I’ here? popularity
b) Who was studying in the second form? Hobbies : gardening, bee-keeping, coin collection
c) When did the speaker say this?
55. “Our captain has asked me to tell you.” (Comp/ Avg) VIII. 63. Develop the story using the clues given below: (Expression/ Difficult)
a) Who is the ‘me’?
b) What has the captain asked him to tell? i) Three friends- two geese, a tortoise—decide to migrate—food, water—geese fly—tortoise can’t—devise
c) When did the speaker say so? a way—carry tortoise—hold stick—with their beaks—tortoise not to speak—held the middle of the
56. “He knew his father’s tenacity at such moments.” (Comp/ Avg) stick—children clap—tortoise angry—burst out-- fell
a) Who does ‘he’ refer to? ii). Tortoise and hare—argument—race—settle the argument—race started—hare ran fast—slept—tortoise
b) When did the speaker feel so? –slowly reached—won the race.
c) What does ‘tenacity’ mean in the context?
57. "He didn't have a wink of sleep the whole of last night" (Comp/ Avg) IX. 64. Study the picture below. Write a description of what the picture suggests to you in a
a) Who is the speaker? paragraph: (Expression/ Difficult)
b) When was the statement made?
c) Why do you think he didn't have a wink of sleep the previous night? i)
58. "You let him sleep where he likes, you needn't risk his life again" (Comp/ Avg)
a) Who is the speaker?
b) What risk was the speaker talking about?
c) When was the statement made?
59. “All right molly-coddle and spoil him as much as you like.” (Comp/ Avg)
a) Who does ‘you’ refer to?
b) How according to the speaker, was he being spoiled?
c) What does ‘molly-coddle’ mean in the context?
60. “As the night advanced and the silence deepened, his heart beat faster.” (September 2021) (Comp/ Avg)
a) Who does ‘his’ refer to?
b) Where was he?

9 10
 POEM 1: GRANDMA CLIMBS A TREE
ii)
I. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each:

1. The poet, Ruskin Bond does not call his grandmother ‘childish’. What else was she, according to
him?
Why does he consider her to be so?
OR
Why does the poet call his grandmother a genius?
2. How do you say that grandma had been in the habit of climbing trees for a very long period?
Justify this by quoting the lines from the poem.
3. What did the neighbours advise Ruskin Bond’s grandma? How did she respond to them?
X. 65. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows: (Comprehension / Avg) 4. Others feared that the granny would fall from a tree one day or the other. Did this happen? Or did
something else happen?
i) Lal Bahadur Shastry was born on 2nd October 1904 at Mughal Sarai. His parents were Sharada Prasad and 5. What did the doctor recommend grandma? What was the reaction of the kids to this advice?
Dulari Devi. As a boy, Lal Bahadur was a brave and kind boy. He was short and thin, but full of courage and 6. ‘My dad knew his duties’. What did the speaker think his father’s duty was?
vitality. Once, he and his uncle went for a stroll. It was getting dark. An old man, selling mangoes, saw them. 7. Both the poet and his father were considerate towards Grandma. Substantiate the statement.
He said “It is getting dark. I sell a hundred of these for one anna.” Lal Bahadur and his uncle agreed to buy 8. How did grandma feel while she was resting in bed?
the mangoes. The vendor started counting fruits. When he reached 50, he asked him to stop. He gave the 9. What qualities of grandma do you appreciate? (April 2015)
vendor one anna.
Later, his uncle asked Lal Bahadur why he had done so. Lal Bahadur replied, “A hundred mangoes for II. Answer the following questions in 5 - 6 sentences each: (3 mk )
one anna is too cheap. Therefore, I gave him an anna, instead of half an anna.” This shows how kind, Lal
Bahadur was. 10. How did grandma fulfil her wish in the poem ‘Grandma Climbs a tree”? (April 2025 - 1)
a) What kind of a boy was Lal Bahadur?
b) Why did the vendor sell all his mangoes for one anna? III. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
11. “Ever since childhood, she’d had this gift for being happier in a tree than in a lift;”
ii) The Abacus is the earliest form of mechanical computer, invented more than 5000 years ago, probably in ( Comprehension / Average)
China. It consists of a wooden frame with coloured beads that can be moved on parallel rods. Calculations a) Who does ‘she’ refer to?
are made by moving beads up and down. The Abacus is still being used in the far East of Russia. A skilled b) What was the gift she had?
operator can make calculations at least as quickly as a pocket calculator. As recently in 1983, more than two c) Where was she happier?
million of these instruments were being produced each year, in Japan. There, they are known as ‘Sorobans’. 12. “Well, I’ll grow disgracefully, I can do it better.” ( Comprehension / Average)
a) How is Abacus useful? a) Who said this to whom?
b) Why wooden beads are used in Abacus? b) What was disgraceful?
c) Why did the speaker say so?
XI. 66. Answer each of the following questions in a paragraph of 8-10 sentences. 13. “But it was feared by all that one day she’d have terrible fall. The outcome was different.”
(Comprehension / Average) a) Who does ‘all’ refer to ?
Narrate how a coward boy Swami became a hero overnight. b) Why did they fear that she’d have a terrible fall?
c) What was the different outcome?
XII. 67. Write an essay on the following: (Expression / Difficult) 14. “I strongly recommend her, a quiet week in bed.”
a) Global Warming b) Social Media a) Who is the 'I' referred to here?
b) Why was this recommendation given?
XIII. 68. Letter Writing (Expression / Average) c)What was the response to the recommendation?
Write a letter using the information given below : 15. “For her, it was like a brief season in hell.”
Imagine you are Suhas/ Saritha studying in 10th std, Government High School, Narayanapura. a) What was ‘like a brief season in hell’?
Write a letter to the municipal officer to provide drinking water facility in your locality b) Why was it like in hell for her ?
OR c) What would be like heaven to her?
Write a letter to your cousin Janaki inviting her to attend your brother’s birthday.

11 12
 PROSE 2 : THERE IS A GIRL BY THE TRACKS
IV. Answer the following questions in about 8-10 sentences each:
I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions. Only one of them is correct. Choose the
16. Summarize in your own words the substance of the poem “Grandma Climbs a tree”.(April 2016, June correct alternative and write the complete answer along with its letter of alphabet.
2023) 1. Choose the appropriate question tag and fill in the blanks: (Comprehension/ Easy)
17. Ruskin Bond’s grandmother had an unusual habit of climbing trees. How was she successful in
fulfilling her desire to live in a tree house? i) He could play, ________
OR (A)can he? (B) could he? (C) couldn’t he? (D) can’t he ?
Describe in your own words how the poet Ruskin Bond’s grandma was genius and how she upheld her ii) I cannot do it, ________
right to reside in a tree? (April 2018) (A) can I? (B) can’ t I? (C) Do I? (D) don’t I?
OR
“The poet’s grandmother had a zeal for climbing trees.” Substantiate. (April 2024 Exam 2) 2. Read the conversation and fill in the blanks with the correct if clause choosing from the given
OR alternatives: (Comprehension/ Average)
According to the poet Ruskin Bond, his grandmother was ‘unique’. Write a paragraph to support this i) Student: Sorry madam. I have dropped the glass
statement. (April 2017) Teacher: If you had handled it carefully, it _________ broken.
OR (A) would have (B) wouldn’t have (C) would (D) will
“My grandmother was a genius,” says the poet. Justify your answer. (June 2016, April 2022, March ii) Akash: Anand, I am going to picnic tomorrow. Will you come?
2023) OR Anand: Thank you for inviting me. If you had told me earlier, I ________ joined you.
The poet appreciates his grandmother’s extraordinary behaviour very much. Justify (June 2017) (A) would have (B) wouldn’t have (C) would (D) will
OR
The behaviour of Ruskin Bond’s grandmother is unusual. Explain. (June 2018) 3. Read the conversation and choose the correct infinitive. (Comprehension/ Easy)
OR
Ruskin Bond’s grandmother had an unusual habit of climbing trees. How was she successful in i) Roma Talreja jammed between other women, was trying to find some space.
fulfilling her desire to live in a tree house? (April 2019) (A) jammed (B) trying to (C) was trying (D) to find
OR ii) Baleshwar was trying to hold the blood-covered woman.
Write in your own words how passionate the poet’s grandma was in climbing (June 2019) (A) was trying (B) trying to (C) to hold (D) covered
OR
Why do you think that Ruskin Bond’s grandmother was a grown-up woman with childish habits and 4. Read the given conversation and choose the language function for the underlined sentences : (
desires? Substantiate. (June 2020) Comprehension/ Average)

18. Both the poet and his father were considerate towards grandmother. Substantiate this statement with i) Traffic Police: Take the girl to Airoli, there’s a hospital there.
textual support. (April 2020, June 2022) Baleshwar: No .There is a closer place I know of.
(A) asking direction (B) giving suggestion (C) giving an order (D) making a request
ii) Baleshwar: How are you now?
Roma: Feeling better now. Thank you for saving my life . I am really grateful to you.
(A) making a request (B) giving instructions (C) expressing gratitude (D) giving information.
iii) Shalini: Hi Roma, how are you now? We’re sorry to hear about the accident.
Roma : Feeling better now. Thank you very much for visiting me.
(A) expressing anger (B) showing sympathy. (C) expressing gratitude (D) expressing humour
iv) Baleshwar: Good morning, Roma , how are you today?
Roma: A lot better Baleshwar. I can’t even imagine what would have happened if you had not come to
my help.
Baleshwar: I feel it’s our duty to help others in need. I really feel sorry about the accident.
(A) seeking permission (B) showing sympathy. (C) showing disrespect (D) expressing disagreement.
v) Dinesh: Hi Roma, how is your health right now.
Roma: I am fine. It was all God’s grace that I survived. I am very grateful to Baleshwar for saving my
life.
Dinesh: Yes. He is a real hero.

13 14
 (A) showing sympathy (B) showing respect. (C) expressing gratitude. (D) expressing surprise vii) quickly seize something in a rude or eager way
viii)run or travel somewhere in a great hurry
II. Do as directed
11. Write the number of syllables for each of the following words: (Remember/ Average)
5. Fill in the blank with appropriate form of the verb given in brackets.: (Comprehension/ Average) i) even, telling, different, story
i) Each of the boys________ (has/have) done his homework. ii) over, very, road, gingerly
ii) Time and Tide never _______ (wait/ waits) for none.
iii) Neither the motorists nor the pedestrians _______ (were/ was) ready to help Baleshwar. 12.Write the correct form of the word given in the brackets: (Comprehension / Average)
iv)Baleshwar ______ (run/runs) back to the place Roma had fallen. i) Baleshwar pulled the train's red _________ (emerge) chain.
v) Baleshwar Mishra _____(has /have) a very different story. ii) The __________ (manage) decided to give bonus to the employees.
vi)Baleshwar disagreed to take Roma to Airoli as it ______ (was/were) 10 kilometres way.
vii) According to Baleshwar, the people of Mumbai _______ (is/are) afraid of getting trapped. 13.Frame a question to get the underlined word as answer. (Expression/ Average)
viii) The tempo truck driver _______ (help / helps ) Baleshwar to take Roma to the hospital. i) The dog was crying for food.
ii) Sheela got a first rank by working hard.
6. Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition: (Comprehension/ Average)
14. Change the following sentences into passive voice: (Expression/ Average)
i) Ten minutes later they arrived_______ a small hospital. i) Baleshwar saved Roma.
ii) Baleshwar was a lanky youngster ________Mirzapur. ii) Gopi is preparing tea.

7. Fill in the blank with a suitable linker. (Comprehension/ Average) 15.Change the following sentence into other two degrees of comparison. (Expression/ Difficult)
i) Baleshwar was quicker than any other commuter in the train.
i) I argued with him ______ it was useless. ii) The truck driver was the most helpful man.
ii) Baleshwar was a youngster ________ saved Roma.
16. Change the following sentences into reported speech: (Expression/ Difficult)
8. Fill in the blanks choosing the appropriate words given in brackets.
i) Come __________ and get the sweets. (here/hear) i) Baleshwar said, “My sister is injured”.
ii) The __________ (sea/see) shore is full of tourists. ii) Baleshwar said to Dinesh " Your sister Roma has fallen off a train".( Use reported verb
‘informed’)
9. Combine the word in Column A with its collocative word in column B. ( Remember/ Easy)
A B III. The following paragraph has two errors. Edit the paragraph and rewrite it in the answer booklet.
i) hang (around, fan, dress, down pace) Clues are given. (Expression / Average)
ii) call (ear, phone, centre, door ) 17. i) Her hands reached the steel railing above, so finding only air, Roma was thrown out of the coach.
iii) knocked ( bell, senseless, hammer, kettle) a) Preposition to be corrected b) Conjunction to be corrected
iv) heart hammering ( hand ,brain, chest, body) ii) Baleshwar went and grabbed the train’s red emergency chain and pulled it down frantic.
v) burst of (flowers, fountain, sleep, pain) (Mar 2025-1)
vi) treading (water, liquid, home, goal) a) Adverbial mistake to be corrected b) Spelling mistake to be corrected
vii) lose (happiness, song, hope, silence) IV Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each:
viii) wrap up (the day, the perfume, a cloud, one’s memory) 18. What was regular about the scene in the most populated metropolis in India? (Comp/ Avg)
ix) bled ( to harmony, to death, to bliss, to paradise) 19. Having boarded the train, what was Roma looking forward to?
x) take ( a drip, a look, a shine, a bloom) 20. Why did Roma panic?
21. Why had Roma fallen by the tracks? (June 2018) (Comp/ Avg)
10. Give one word for the following: ( Remember/ Easy) 22. Why do you think Baleshwar jumped off the moving train? (Exp/ Avg)
i) moved unsteadily 23. Baleshwar jumped off the slow-moving train and risked his life to save a stranger. What does it
ii) the man that a woman is engaged to reveal?
iii) one who travels to workplace daily 24. Why was there no help in sight when Baleshwar found Roma by the tracks?
iv) a quick sudden clutch or attempt to seize 25. Why wasn’t there any response from Roma when Baleshwar asked Roma, “Behenji aap theekhai?”
v) push someone roughly (Comp/ Avg)
vi) manage to get into or through a narrow or restricted space 26. How did the tempo truck driver help Baleshwar? (April 2018) (Comp/ Avg)

15 16
 27. Why couldn’t Baleshwar thank the tempo truck driver? (Comp/ Avg) c) Why did he say so?
28. Why did Baleshwar not agree to take Roma to Airoli? (Comp/ Avg) 47. “There is a closer place I know of.” (April 2016)
29. Write briefly the personal details of Baleshwar. (Comp/ Avg) a) Who is the speaker of the above statement?
30. Write the personal details of Roma Talreja. (Comp/ Avg) b) Why did he choose that place?
31. How can you say that Baleshwar had good memory? (Exp/ Avg) c)What happened after going to that place?
32.Why were the people of Mumbai afraid, according to Baleshwar? (March 2025 -1) (Comp/ Avg) 48. “Whom can I call?”, he asked quickly, fearing that she would black out once more. (2017 April, 2025
OR exam 2)
Why did nobody (people of Mumbai) volunteer to help Roma? a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
33. The doctor at the Divine Multi speciality hospital admitted Roma without any formalities. What b) What did the listener answer?
made him do so? c) What do you mean by ‘black out’ here?
34.Why did Baleshwar revisit the spot where Roma had fallen? (April 2020) (Comp/ Avg) 49. “Chacha can I borrow your mobile? “(June 2016)
35.What values can we learn from the lesson, “There is a girl by the tracks”? (September 2020) a) Who made this request?
(App/Diff) b) Who does ‘chacha’ refer to?
c) Why did he ask for the mobile?
V. Answer the following in 6-8 sentences. 50.” I think it is astonishing that a stranger would jump off a train and risk his life for me.” (2022 June)
36. How do you say that Baleshwar was kind enough to save Roma’s life? (2024 - 1, 2,3) (Exp/ Avg) a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
37. Describe the role played by the tempo truck driver in saving Roma’s life. (Comp/ Avg) b) Who was a stranger to the speaker?
38. Why was Roma grateful to Baleshwar? (Comp/ Avg) c) How did the stranger help the speaker?
39. How did Baleshwar manage to take the girl to Divine Multi- Specialty hospital? (2015 April) 51.” I am new to Mumbai, but I’ve noticed that people here are afraid.” (March 2023)
a) Who made this statement?
VI. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: (Comp/ Avg) b) When did the speaker notice this?
40. There is a girl by the track.” c) According to the speaker, why were the people of Mumbi afraid?
a) Who said the above words? 52.” I am new to Mumbai, but I’ve noticed that people here are afraid.” (June 2017)
b) Who does the ‘girl’ refer to? a) Who was new to Mumbai?
c) When was this said? b) Why did he come to Mumbai?
41. “Let’s go and help her.” c) What made him feel that the people of Mumbai were afraid?
a) Who is the speaker of the above words?
b) Who does ‘her ‘refer to? VII. 53. Given below is a profile. Write a paragraph using the clues given below: (Expression/ Average)
c) Why did they want to help her?
42. “I hope I’m not too late.” i) Name : Roma Talreja.
a) Who said the above words? Age : 21 years
b) When did the speaker say so Height and Weight : Five foot two, 50 Kilo
c) What was he not too late for? Education : B Com`
43.“Behenji aap theek hai?” (April2022) Job : Call centre executive
a) Who said the above words? State : Maharashtra
b) Who does ‘behenji’ refer to?
c) Was there any response from her? Why? ii) Name : Mr. Baleshwar Mishra
44. “Please help me take her to a hospital.” (April2019) Age : 20 years
a) Name the speaker of the above lines. Education : High school drop out
b) Who did he request to help him? Height and weight : lanky youngster
c) What was the response? Job : still searching
45. But all he could think of was saving a stranger’s life. State: Mirzapur U. P.
a) Who does ‘he’ refer to? Hobbies : watching movies
b) Who was the stranger? Reason for popularity : Saved Roma’s life
c)What had happened to the stranger?
46. “Take the girl to Airoli.”
a) Who said the above words?
b) Who did he give this suggestion to?

17 18
VIII. 54 Develop the story using the clues given below: ( Expression / Difficult) XI. 58. Write an essay on any one of the following: (Expression / Difficult)
Two notorious thieves- on the lookout for a prey- consider themselves very clever -enter a rich man’s
house-find the safe open – happy at their unexpected luck- pile up everything, gold, silver and money a) Air pollution
– lights come on- man with a gun appears- the thieves tried to escape- but in vain –the man calls the b) Mobile Phones
police.
XII. 54. Write a letter using the information given below: (Expression / Average)
IX. 55. Study the picture given below: ( Expression / Difficult)
i) Imagine you are Akash/ Akshatha studying in 10th std, Government Pre University College Thekkatte. Write
Write a description or an account of what the picture suggests to you in a paragraph. a letter to your headmaster requesting him to help your friend to pay the school fees as he/she is poor.

ii) Imagine you are Preetham/ Preethi, studying in X std, GHS, Gundmi. Write a letter to the forest officer, to
provide 100 saplings to celebrate the ‘Environmental day’ on June 5th under Eco club activities in your
School.

iii) Imagine you are Amith/ Arathi Studying in X Std of G H S, Bangalore. Write a letter to your headmaster
requesting him/her to issue your transfer certificate.

X. 56. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (Comprehension/ Average)

i) A balanced diet provides the body with the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to function
optimally. It includes a variety of foods from all food groups, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
lean proteins, and healthy fats. Eating a balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight, support energy
levels, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. A well-nourished body and mind can improve overall
well-being and quality of life.
a) What is one benefit of having a balanced diet?
b) What types of foods should be included in a balanced diet?

ii) Discipline is the key to success in all areas of life. It is the practice of adhering to a set of rules or code
of conduct, which helps individuals achieve their goals and lead a more organized life. Discipline is
essential for personal growth, as it enables individuals to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and
develop good habits. In schools, discipline helps students focus on their studies, respect their teachers,
and achieve academic excellence. In the workplace, discipline is crucial for meeting deadlines, following
protocols, and delivering quality work.
a) What is discipline, and why is it important?
b) How does discipline benefit individuals in their personal and professional lives?

XII. Answer the following question in about 8-10 questions:

57. What qualities of Baleshwar do you like the most? (Appreciation/ Difficult)
OR
“Love and compassion are the true religions to me” says Dalai Lama. Justify this statement with
reference to the lesson ‘There is a girl by the tracks.’ (Appreciation/ Difficult)

19 20
 POEM 2 :QUALITY OF MERCY V. Quote from Memory: ( Four lines) ( Remembering/ Easy)

I. Answer the following questions in 2 or 3 sentences. i. It is enthroned ……………………….

1) Mercy is compared to gentle from heaven. How is this comparison apt? ………………………………………… ( March 2024-1)
2) The speaker compares the power of the king with the power of mercy, saying that mercy is mightiest …………………………………………
of mightiest. How does she justify this? …………………………seasons justice.
3) The speaker says that mercy is twice blessed? What does he mean by this?
OR ii. The quality ………………………….
How do you interpret the poet’s interpretation of mercy as twice blessed? …………………………………………
4) Sceptre shows the force of temporal power. In contrast what or whose quality does …………………………………………
mercy stand for? ……………………………….that takes.
5) The poem quality of mercy has fourteen lines. But it is not a sonnet. Justify the statement.

II. Read the following extracts and answer the questions.

6. “It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath, it is twice blest”
a) What is compared to gentle rain from heaven?
b) Which is twice blest?
c)Why does the speaker feel it is twice blest?
7. His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
a) What is Sceptre?
b) How does the sceptre show the temporal poet?
c) In contrast, what quality does mercy stand for?
8. “Its mightiest in the mightiest”
a) Who is mighty?
b) How it is mighty?
c) What did the speaker compare with power of the king?
9. It is an attribute to God himself
a) What is attribute to God here ?
b) What is the quality of God?
c) What does ‘it’ refer?
10. It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes
a) How does it bless the one who gives?
b) How does it bless the one who takes?
c) What does ‘it’ refer?
11. Mercy is above the sceptred sway.
a) What is sceptre?
b) How is mercy above the sceptred sway?
c) Which is above the sceptre sway?

III. Answer the following question in about 8-10 questions :

12. Write the summary of the poem “Quality of Mercy”

IV. Identify the figure of speech in the following lines of the poem:
i) “It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven”
ii) “It blesseth him that gives and him that takes”
iii) “And earthly power doth then show likest God’s”

21 22
 4. Read the given conversation and choose the language function for the underlined sentences:
PROSE 3: GENTLEMAN OF RIO EN MEDIO (Comprehension/ Average)
i) Manju : Do you have an extra pen ?
I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions. Only one of them is correct. Choose Ramu : Why ?
the correct alternative and write the complete answer along with its letter of alphabet. Manju : Will you lend me your pen?
Ramu : sure
1. Choose the appropriate question tag and fill in the blanks: (Comprehension/ Easy) (A) Order (B) suggestion (C) request (D)advice
i)The old man hung his head for a moment in thought ,_________? ii) Don Anselmo: It is the price. I don’t need a cent more. Do you agree with the price?
(A) haven’t he (B) didn’t he (C) hasn’t he (D) isn’t he Story Teller: Yes. We have.
ii)They had replastered the old house ,_________? (A) Order (B) suggestion (C) asking opinion (D) advice
(A) didn’t they (B) hadn’t they? (C) haven’t they (D) don’t they iii) Paul : Good evening, Sir.
Doctor : Very good evening. What can I do for you ?
2. Read the conversation and fill in the blanks with the correct ‘if clause’ choosing from the given Paul : I have a severe burning sensation in my chest. What do you think I must do now?
alternatives: (Comprehension/ Average) Doctor :You will have to give up smoking.
i) Rohini: John, did you bring your camera? (A) Seeking opinion (B) giving information (C) conveying wishes (D) giving instruction
John: Oh! Sorry. iv) Veena : Excuse me, may I use your pen?
Rohini: It's Ok. Samhitha: Yes , by all means.
John: If I had brought my camera, we _________ taken some photographs. (A) Seeking permission (B) Offering help (C) Seeking information (D) Seeking help
(A) wouldn’t have (B) would (C) would have (D) will have v) Anil: Could you drop me at the railway station ?
ii) Chitra: You missed the train, didn't you? Rahul: Yes, of course.
Saina: Yes. I went to the railway station at 10.30.a.m. But the train had left at 10.15 a.m. Anil: Thank you very much.
Chitra: If you had gone to the station at 10 a.m. you ________ missed the train. Rahul: You are welcome.
(A) wouldn’t have (B) would (C) would have (D) will have (A) Expressing sympathy (B) Expressing gratitude (C) Offering help (D)Seeking help
iii) Mala: Kala, you told me on the other day that you would buy a diamond necklace. Did you buy it?
Kala: No Mala, I didn't buy it. My mother told me she would give some money. If my mother had II. Do as directed
given me money I ________ bought it.
(A) will have (B) would (C) would have (D) would not have 5. Fill in the blank with appropriate tense form of the verb given in the brackets.
iv) Vinutha: Hello Susheela, you're a bit down today. i) Don Anselmo _______ (sign) the sale deed after the negotiation for twelve hundred dollars.
Susheela: Yes Vinutha. We've lost the cricket match by just two runs. ii)When they ______ (be + speak)) to, they only laughed and talked back good naturedly in Spanish.
Vinutha: If your team had selected one more fast bowler, your team _______ won the match.
(A) would have (B) shall have (C) will have (D) wouldn't have 6. Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition: (Comprehension/ Average)
v) Reporter: Sir, what made you choose arts as your career? i)The little creek ran ______ his land.
Satish: I was left with no other choice. If I had not lost the power of hearing, I _____ become an artist. ii) The day of the sale he came _______ the office.
(A) would have (B) will have (C) wouldn't have (D) would
vi) Narrator: : Why did you not agree to take extra money? 7. Fill in the blank with a suitable linker. (Comprehension/ Average)
Anselmo: If the land belonged to me, I __________agreed to take extra money. i) I argued with him _______ it was useless.
A) wouldn't have (B) would have (C) shouldn't have (D) will have ii) I sold them my property _________ I knew they were good people.

3. Read the conversation and choose the correct infinitive. (Comprehension/ Easy) 8. Fill in the blanks choosing the appropriate words given in brackets.
i) The Old man: (seeming to be hurt) Friend, I don't like to have you speak to me in that manner. Very i) It took a __________week, weak] to arrange another meeting.
sorry. ii) The __________ (former, farmer) stopped his work and went home.
Story Teller: (Apologetically) Excuse me please. I never meant to hurt you. If I did, I'm terribly sorry.
What do you think you would do? 9 .Combine the word in Column A with its collocative word in column B. (Remember/ Easy)
(A) to hurt (B) think (C) would (D) do A B
ii) Ashok : Did you miss bus? i) innumerable [kin, trees, birds, hand]
Akshay : Yes, I went to meet my friend ii) shake [legs, ears, branches, hand]
(A) to meet (B) went (C) miss (D) did

23 24
10.Give one word for the following. (Remember/ Easy) 24. Why did the old man Don Anselmo refuse to take extra money? [March 2023]
i) A piece of land in which fruit trees are grown. 25. What makes you feel that the American friends were truthful people?
ii) A very large farm. 26. Why did the storyteller say that the Americans were buena gente?
27. What makes you think that Don Anselmo was a man of principles? [June 2016] [April 2020]
11. Pick out the word which has only two syllables. (Remember/ Easy) 28.What made the Americans complain against the children of Rio en Medio? [April 2018]
i) ago, school, general, good 29. Don Anselmo had concern for the children of Rio en Medio. Explain briefly. [April 2016]
ii) table, little, plan, kilo OR
Don Anselmo was passionate about his land and the children of Rio en Medio. Support this statement
12.Write the correct form of the word given in the brackets: (Comprehension / Avg) with your answer. [April 2017] [April 2019]
i) My grandmother told me an ________ (interest) story. 30. Why was the storyteller unable to convince the old man? [April 2017]
ii) There was a great deal of ________ [converse] about rain and his family. 31. How was the problem of ownership resolved by the Americans?
32. Why did the Americans want to buy Don Anselmo’s land?
13. Frame a question to get the underlined word as answer. (Expression/ Average) OR
i) Don Anselmo removed his hat and gloves, slowly and carefully. What features of Don Anselmo’s property attracted the Americans to buy it? [June 2023]
ii) One day they came back to the office to complain. 33. Don Anselmo was a generous man. Justify.
OR
14. Read the conversation and change the underlined sentence into passive voice. (Expression/ Average) What makes you think that Don Anselmo was a man of principles? [June 2017] [May 2025-2]
i) Seema: Where are all the children?
Nisha: They are flying kites. V. Answer the following in 6-8 sentences.
ii) Author: Sir, I request you. 34. Don Anselmo had some peculiar manners when he visited his friends. Explain.
Don Anselmo: I sold the trees. Don’t ask. Please 35. Don Anselmo and the Americans were generous in their own ways. Explain.
36. Don Anselmo’s reaction to the offer of more money was not expected. Justify this statement.
15. Change the following sentence into other two degrees of comparison. (Expression/ Difficult)
i) Seema is the tallest girl in our class. VI. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: (Comprehension/ Average)
ii) Don Anselmo was the most generous person in the village.
37. “It took months of negotiation to come to an understanding with the old man. He was in no hurry.”
16.Read the following conversations and change the underlined sentences into reported speech: a) Who is the old man here?
(Expression/ Difficult) b) What was the negotiation about?
i) Raju : Are you working in this company? (Use reported verb questioned/ asked) c) Why do you think it took months for him, to come to an understanding?
Rakesh : Yes, I am. I joined this company last year.
ii) Latha : What are you doing? 38. “We have made a discovery”
Nikhitha : I am completing my maths homework (Use reported verb replied) a) Who does the word ‘We’ refer to here?
b) What did they discover?
III. The following paragraph has two errors. Edit the paragraph and rewrite it in the answer booklet. c) What was the result of the discovery?
Clues are given. (Expression/ Average)
17. i) It took most of the following winter to buy the trees, individual, from the descendents of Don Anselmo 39. “These Americans are Buena gente”
in the valley of Rio en Medio a) Who said these words?
a) Spelling to be corrected. b)Adverbal mistake to be corrected b) Whom was it said to?
ii) There was nothing we could do. Legal we owned the trees and the old man had been so generous, c) What is the meaning of ‘buena gente’ in the context?
refusing what amounted to a fortune for him.
a) Conjunction to be corrected. b) Adverbal mistake to be corrected 40. “I knew they were good people but I did not sell the trees in the orchard.”
IV. Answer the following questions in two - three sentences each: a) Who is the ‘I’ here ? [2024 April]
18. Describe the property of Don Anselmo. b) Who were the good people ?
19. Explain briefly the appearance and manners of Don Anselmo. c) Why didn’t he sell the trees ?
20. How did Don Anselmo greet the guests who had been waiting for him?
21. What did the Americans discover after the survey? 41. “I do not like to have you speak to me in that manner”
22. The storyteller offered the old man almost double what he had quoted earlier. Why? a) Who made this statement ?
23. What was the reaction of the old man to the storyteller’s offer? b) Who does ‘You’ refer to?

25 26
 c) What is the mood of the speaker? ii) A hungry dog — stand by a meat shop — butcher offers a meat piece — took in the mouth — ran over a
bridge — looked below — water — saw another dog — reflection — barked — meat fell in water —
42. “I have agreed to sell my house and land for twelve hundred dollars and that is the price?” disappointed — moral.
a) Who does the word ‘I’ refer to here?
b) Whom was it said to? IX. 49. Study the picture given below. Write a description or an account of what the picture suggests
c) What does this statement tell about the speaker? to you in a paragraph. ( Expression / Difficult)

43. “He signed the deed and took the money but refused to take more than the amount agreed upon.” i)
[September 2020]
a) Who does ‘he’ refer to ?
b) How much money did he take ?
c) Why did he refuse to take more amount ?

44. “I did not sell them the trees in the Orchard. The trees in that orchard are not mine.”
[March 2025] [June 2017]
a) Who said these words?
b) Who does ‘them’ refer to? ii)
c) Why didn’t he sell the trees in the orchard?

45. “The trees in that Orchard are not mine”. [June 2024]
a) Who was the speaker?
b) According to the speaker, who did the trees belong to?
c) When did the speaker make the statement?

46. “I argued with him but it was useless”. [April 2018]

a) Who argued with him? X. 50. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:
b) Who does ‘him’ refer to? i) One fine sunny day in winter, a grasshopper was basking in the warm sun. But he was very hungry
c) What was the outcome? as he had not eaten anything the previous night. So, he looked about to find something to soothe his
hunger. Suddenly, he saw few ants carrying grains into their hole. He went up to the ants and asked
VII. 47. Given below is the profile. Write a paragraph using the clues given below. humbly. “Can you, please, spare few grains for me? I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. So, I
(Expression/ Average) am almost starving to death. One of the ants asked the grasshopper, “What were you doing the whole
i) Name : Rabindranath Tagore summer? Why didn’t you store up the food for the winter season”? The grasshopper replied, I spent
Known in Bengal as : Gurudeva all the summer singing songs and that’s why I couldn’t store anything”. The ant chuckled out a smile
Birth : 7th May, 1861 and remarked, “then dance the winter away”. The grasshopper pulled a long face and walked away.
Parents : Debendranath Tagore and Sarala Devi a) Why was the grasshopper starving?
Occupation : Writer, painter, Singer b) How does the ant prove the statement ‘Work is worship’?
Notable works : Gitanjali, Jana Gana Mana, Rabindra Sangeet, Amara Sonar Bangla etc. Questions for practice:
Award : Nobel Prize for literature in 1913 a) In the story, who was busy?
Death : 7th August, 1941 b) What was the grasshopper doing during Summer?
c) Which line suggests that it was Summer?
VIII. 48. Develop the story using the clues given below: ( Expression / Difficult) d) Why were the ants carrying grains to their hole?
e) The grasshopper believed in living a happy life. Pick the phrase/s that suggests this idea.
i) A poor woodcutter — cutting wood — tree on a river bank — axe fell into the river — goddess — golden f) Give a suitable title to this story.
axe — refused — silver axe — refused — wooden axe — happily accepted — goddess gave golden and
silver axes — blessing — moral. ii) A small crowd had gathered around the entrance to the park. His curiosity aroused, Robert crossed the
road to see what was happening. He found that the center of attraction was an old man with a performing
monkey. The monkey’s tricks, he soon discovered, were in no way remarkable. So, after throwing a few

27 28
 pennies in the dirty hat which the man had placed on the pavement, Robert moved off, along with other XII. 53. Write an essay on any one of the following : (Expression / Difficult)
members of the crowd.
At this point the man suddenly let out a loud cry. Everyone turned to see what had happened. The man a) Save trees, save earth b) Smart phones
was bending over his monkey, which now lay quite still on the pavement. He picked up the apparently
lifeless body and holding it close to him, began to weep. A young man stepped forward from the crowd XIII. 54. Write a letter using the information given below :
and taking some money from his pocket, dropped it into the hat. Robert and several other people did Imagine you are Shashank/Shamita, X std, studying in Govt. High School Vidyanagar, Udupi.
likewise, until the pennies in the hat were covered with silver coins. Meanwhile the man continued to Write a letter to your father about your progress in studies.
hold the dead monkey in his arms and seemed to take no notice of what was going on about him. OR
A few months later, Robert came across the old man, again in another part of the city. The man had a Write a letter to the Manager, K.S.R.T.C, requesting him to provide more buses to your village.
monkey, bought no doubt, with the money the crowd had given him. It did not, however, seem any better
at its tricks than the previous one. Robert was pleased to see that the old man was still able to earn a
living, though on this occasion, having partly paid for the monkey out of his own pocket, he did not feel
inclined to throw any money into the hat.
But the performance was not yet over. Once again, the old man let out a loud cry. Once again, the monkey
lay still on the pavement. The man picked up the “dead” monkey and clutching it in his arms began to
weep. The same young man stepped forward and threw some money into the hat. Again, the crowd
followed suit, except Robert. Smiling to himself, he went on his way, amazed at the man’s audacity.
a. Why did the old man begin to weep?
b. What wise thing did Robert do after he watched the monkey’s tricks for the second time?

iii) Good habits are always beneficial for life. Some habits like timely meals, doing physical exercises,
running and jogging keep one’s body and mind in good condition. Yoga and prayer help man to lead a
happy and contented life. They help man to have perfect coordination between body and mind. Besides
good habits, our body requires good food, fresh air, clean water, sleep and rest. Doctors tell us that some
matters work against good health. Smoking, eating too much, irregular habits such as eating at odd times,
going to bed very late and not doing one’s work at regular hours. One should follow good habits to lead
a happy life.
a. How do exercises like running and jogging help us?
b. What are the good habits mentioned in the above passage?

iv) Tom brown was a peddler who went from village to village. His goods were carried on the back of his
ass. Tom was lame and used limp along holding on the tail of his ass. Thai tail was thus of a great help
to him in walking. One day in winter, there was a great snow storm. Tom and his ass lost their way and
tumbled together in a deep pit. The ass got out of the pit making his way through the dense masses of
snow but his master being lame, could not do so. Tom was hidden in the snow and would soon have lost
his life. The ass forced away through the snow back again into the pit and stood there. So his master
could get a good grip of his tail. So, Tom was pulled out. There was a light in the distance. Holding fast
the tail of his ass, Tom managed to reach a cottage and put up there for the night where he was looked
after by the cottagers.
a. What is the general idea of the people about the ass?
b. Why did Tom hold on the tail of his ass while walking?

XI. Answer the following questions in about 8-10 sentences: (Comprehension/ Average)
51. Why did the author's argument with Don Anselmo turn useless?
52. “I did not sell the trees because I could not, they are not mine”. How did the old man support this
statement?

29 30
 POEM 3 : I AM THE LAND and in any place. He had planted trees on either side of the roads; he had dug wells by the roadside; he
I. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each: had built rest houses for both men and animals. He was respected by everyone.
a) How did Ashoka usually spend his time?
1. ‘I wait’ is repeated five times in the poem. What quality of the speaker is highlighted with this b) Write any two works of Ashoka which he did for the welfare of his subjects?
repetition?
2. Bring out the contrast between the speaker and the reader in the poem, ‘I am the land’. V. Answer the following question in about 8-10 questions : (Comprehension/ Average)
3. What are the activities which go on over the land? 12. Write the summary of the poem ‘I am the Land’. (2020 April)
4. ‘You cannot put a fence around the planet Earth’. What is the tone of the speaker , here? Give OR
reason for your answer. Describe the feelings of the Mother Earth in the poem “I am the Land” in your own words.
5. What does the phrase ‘car lot eyes stare’ suggest? OR (September 2020)
How does the poet Marina de Bellagenta explain the patience and self-assertion of the land?
II. Answer the following questions in 5-6 sentences each: OR (March 2023)
6. Write the summary of the poem ‘I am the Land’. How does the land in the poem ‘I am the Land’ express the patience and its pains ? (June 2023)
OR OR
How does the poet describe that the earth has an ocean of patience in the poem, “I am the land”. Write a brief summary of the poem ‘I am the Land’. (May 2025)
OR OR
How does the poet say that the land has more patience in the poem ‘I am the Land’ ? How does the poet describe that the earth has an ocean of patience in the poem, “I am the land”.
OR (April, August 2024)
How does the poet describe the earth’s feelings in the poem “I am the Land” ? (June 2024)

III. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

7. “You say you own me; I wait”

a) Who is the speaker?
b) Who does ‘you’ refer to?
c) What does the line tell about the speaker?

8. “I wait with muddy holes”

a) Name the poem from where this extract is taken?
b) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
c) What does ‘muddy holes’ mean?

9. “Then someone tickles me, plant life .... fruit...grass…trees”

a. What does tickle mean in the context?
b. What is the mood of the speaker in the statement?
c) Name the other activities that men do on the land mentioned in the poem.

10. “You come with guns a chain link necklace chokes me now”.
a. Why do they come with guns?
b. What is the feeling of the speaker?
c) What does ‘chainlink necklace’ mean in the context?

IV. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows: (Comprehension / Avg)

11. King Ashoka was a kind, wise and righteous ruler. He spent all his time for thinking of the welfare of
his subjects. He had a strong desire to make his subjects happy. His subjects could meet him at any time

31 32
 PROSE 4: Dr. B. R. AMBEDKAR iii) social ( honesty, minister, justice, speaker)
I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions/incomplete statements. Only one of iv) insatiable ( thirst, champion, books, document)
them is correct or most appropriate. Choose the correct alternative and write the complete answer
along with its letter of alphabet. 6. Write the number of syllables for each of the following words: ( Remember/ Easy)
1. Choose the appropriate question tag and fill in the blanks: (Comprehension/ Avg) i) pillar, fundamental, legislature, executive
i) He bought books by curtailing his daily needs, ________? ii) dedication, demonstrate, direction, tyranny
(A) don’t he (B) didn’t he (C) hasn’t he (D) doesn’t he iii) curtail, conference, leader, judiciary
ii) The Constitution is a fundamental document, ______? iv) anarchy, minister, edifice, disobedience
(A) is it (B) doesn’t it (C) isn’t it (D) wasn’t it v) constitution, oppression, class, organ

2. Read the conversation and fill in the blanks with the correct if clause choosing from the given 7. Fill in the blank with appropriate tense form of the verb given in the brackets.
alternatives: (Comprehension/ Average) i) Babasaheb came to be greatly __________ (influence) by the life and work of Mahatma Phule.
ii) Baba Saheb’s newspapers __________ (be + recognise) as the voice of the depressed.
i) Chandan : Hey Sneha, have you missed the bus ?
Sneha : Yes. I had gone to the bus station at 10:30 AM but the bus had left at 10:15 AM. 8. Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition. (Comprehension/ Average)
Chandan : If you had gone to the bus station at 10:00 AM you ________ missed the bus.
(A) wouldn’t have (B) would (C) will have (D) would have i) Dr. Ambedkar was aided _________ the indefatigable Constitutional Adviser, B.N. Rau.
ii) Savitha : Did you go to the Bharatanatyam programme ? ii) The Tamil poetess Avvai said, “There are only two castes ________ the world”.
Madhura : Yes, I had been with my family. It was fantastic.
Savitha : If you had called me, I __________ joined you. 9. Fill in the blank with a suitable linker. (Comprehension/ Average)
(A) should have (B) wouldn’t have (C) shouldn’t have (D) would have.
i) The charitable _______ give are superior.
3. Read the conversation and choose the correct infinitive. (Comprehension/ Easy) ii) It is a document _________ defines the position and power of the three organs of the State.
i) Mohan : Constitution is not merely to create the organs of the State
Sohan : Yes. It also limits their authorities. 10. Use these words as a verb in a sentence of your own: (Expression/ Difficult)
(A) merely (B) to create (C) organs (D) limits i) position
ii) Ashok : Great sages tried to bring all the communities of India together in a creative partnership. ii) search
Akshay : True. But many people keep on widening the gap for their benefit. iii) gift
(A) to bring (B) together (C) widening (D) keep iv) dream

4. Read the given conversation and choose the language function for the underlined sentences ( 11. Identify the part of speech of the underlined word : (Comprehension/ Average
Comprehension/ Average) i) Such a prominent champion of the oppressed and depressed in India has passed away.
i) Sujay : I’m suffering from stomach ache since last week. ii) Babasaheb came to be greatly influenced by the life and work of Mahatma Phule.
Vijay : Don’t worry. It’ll turn out all right. Why don’t you consult an expert doctor ?
(A) Giving suggestion (B) Offering help (C) Seeking permission (D) Expressing sympathy. 12.Write the correct form of the word given in the brackets: (Expression/ Average)
ii) Tilak : I am doing my post-graduation in English. i) Ambedkar’s ______ (observe) of the constitution is significant.
Vivek : Is it? Could you please teach me some grammatical structures in English language ? ii) He bought books by ______ (curtail) his daily needs.
(A) request (B) advice (C) offering help (D) accepting.
iii) Veeranna: Suresh, I’m thankful to you for having helped me with English Grammar. I scored good 13. Fill in the blank using the correct article : (Expression/ Average)
marks in the examination. i) Rajesh is ______ NCC student.
Suresh: That’s alright. It was a revision for me. ii) Dr. Ambedkar served as the chairman of Drafting Committee of ______ Constituent Assembly of India.
(A) seeking help (B) expressing gratitude (C) offering help (D) accepting gratitude iii) Ambedkar had ________ insatiable thirst for books.
iv) Our Constitution is ________ fundamental document.
II. Do as directed v) He had _______ ocean of patience.
5. Combine the word in Column A with its collocative word in column B. ( Remember/ Easy) vi) Nehru chose Ambedkar as _________ first law minister.
A B
i) depressed (class, push , button, hand) 14. Change the following into passive voice. (Expression/ Average)
ii) voracious (doctor, cook , reader, tailor) i) They are purchasing a car.

33 34
 ii) The Drafting Committee drafted the Constitution of India. 29. What qualities do you appreciate in Dr B R Ambedkar? (June 2022)( Appreciation/ Diff)
30. What made Dr Ambedkar describe the methods of civil disobedience as the" Grammar of Anarchy"?
15. Change the following sentence into other two degrees of comparison. (Expression/ Difficult)
i) Sharan is taller than any other boy in our class. V. Answer the questions in 5-6 sentences each.
ii) No other river in India is as long as the Ganga. 31. Constitution is a fundamental document to both the ruler and the ruled. How?
32. What made Dr Ambedkar describe the methods of civil disobedience, non-co-operation and Satyagraha
16. Read the following conversations and change the underlined sentences into reported speech: as 'the Grammar of Anarchy'? (June 2017)
(Expression/ Difficult)
VI. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: (Comprehension/ Avg)
i) Raju : Are you working in this company?
Rakesh: Yes, I am. I joined this company last year. 33. He raised, brick by brick, the magnificent edifice.
ii) Latha : What are you doing? a) Who did 'He' refer to?
Nikhitha: I am completing my maths homework. b) What was 'the magnificent edifice'?
c) Who made this statement?
III. 17.The following paragraph has two errors. Edit the paragraph and rewrite it in the answer booklet.
Clues are given. (Expression/ Difficult) 34. 'They bought about a veritable revolution in social thought'. (2019 April)
a) Who are 'they'?
i) While in the USA, he was drawn to the fourteenth amendment of the Constitution of the USA which b) What 'revolution' is referred to here?
given freedom to the Black Americans. c) how did they bring about the revelation?
a) Spelling to be corrected. b) Verbal mistake to be corrected
ii) Once, a poor women was walking from one village to another carry a bundle on her head. Unable to lift 35." Who could have dreamt that one born to a Mahar family would one day become not only a Law
it easily, she rested every now and then. Minister but a Law-maker…? " (2018 April)
a) Noun number to be corrected b) Verbal mistake to be corrected a) Who is referred to as "Law Minister "here?
b) Who chose him to be the Law Minister?
IV. Answer the following questions in 2 – 3 sentences each c) Why is he recognized as the Law-maker?
18. How do you say that Dr B R Ambedkar was a voracious reader? (2016April, 2025 March)
OR 36. "He had a clear perception of the mutuality of the three pillars of the state. "
Ambedkar had a great thirst for books when he was a student. Explain. (April 2022) a) Who is the ‘he’ here?
19. What was the major influence on Dr BR Ambedkar when he was in the USA? b) What are the three pillars of a state?
OR c) What is the meaning of the word ‘perception’?
How did the 14th Amendment of the American Constitution and Mahatma Phule influence Dr B R
Ambedkar? (June 2016, April 2017) 37. He said "only the valid divisions are the divisions between those who are noble and wholesome and
20. Dr. B R Ambedkar worked for the upliftment of the depressed classes. Explain. (April 2020). those who are ignorable and unwholesome"
21. Name the newspapers and the institutions started by Dr B R Ambedkar. (Remember/ Easy) a) Who made this statement?
22. How can you say that Dr B R Ambedkar was an effective member of the Bombay Legislative Assembly? b) What are the valid divisions?
23. Dr B R Ambedkar was not in the Congress party, yet he was made the chairman of the drafting c) When was the statement made?
committee. Why?
24.Who were the notable members of the drafting committee? 38. ‘They brought about a veritable revolution in social thought.’
25. Nehru chose Ambedkar as law minister for three reasons. What were they? a) Who does ‘they’ stand for?
OR b) What sort of a revolution did they bring about?
Why did Nehru choose Dr B R Ambedkar as a first law minister of India? (April 2015, April 2020, April c) How did they bring about the revolution?
2022, March 2019, June 2022) OR
What great qualities of Dr Ambedkar made Nehru to choose him the first law minister of independent VII. 39. Given below is a profile. Write a paragraph using the clues given below: (Expression/ Average)
India? (June 2023) i) Name: P. T. Usha.
26. How did Dr Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhiji try to wipe out caste discrimination from India? Born : 27th June, 1964
(September 2020, April 2023, April 2024 & 2025 May) Nationality : Indian
27. After independence, members of the scheduled caste found doors opened to them. How? Other names : Payyoli Express, Golden Girl
28. Babasaheb Ambedkar considered public agitation in free India, unconstitutional. Why? Known for : Track and field athlete

35 36
 Employed : Indian Railways XIII. Write a letter using the information given below
Awards : Padmashree 48. Imagine you are Padmanabh/Padmalatha, residing at # 32, Kuteera, 5th Cross, 3rd Main, Kuvempunagar,
Mysuru.
VIII. 40. Develop the story using the clues given below: ( Expression / Difficult) Write a letter to your friend asking to visit your place in the vacation.
OR
A hungry dog — stand by a meat shop — butcher offers a meat piece — took in the mouth — ran over a Write a letter to the Editor of English Daily, Mysuru about the problem created by vehicles parked on
bridge — looked below — water — saw another dog — reflection — barked — meat fell in water — road, near your house.
disappointed — moral.

IX. 41. Study the picture given below : ( Expression / Difficult)

Write a description or an account of what the picture suggests to you, in a paragraph.

X. 42. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : (Comprehension/ Avg)

Kites are man’s second oldest playthings. Before kites, man was using dolls as playthings. Man, first used
kites in wars. He used them to lift battle supplies and drop them near the place of fighting. He used kites to
carry messages too. Hundreds of years ago, there were kites which could carry men ! In 200 B.C. the
Chinese flew kites made of cloth because there was no paper then. They did not care about their usefulness.
The Chinese made kites of different colours, shape and size. They celebrated the ninth day of the ninth
month as ‘Kites Day’. On this day, they filled the sky with their kites. The Japanese made kites of attractive
designs. They flew kites on the day of ‘Boy’s festival’. They made special kites on this day. These special
kites were heavy. The other countries in the world bought kites from these two countries - China and Japan.
a) In what ways were the kites used in olden days ?
b) How were the kites’ festivals celebrated in China and Japan ?

XI. Answer the following question in about 8 - 10 sentences

43. What were the opinions of the Buddha and Avvai regarding caste divisions?
44. Why did Nehru describe Dr Ambedkar as 'a symbol of revolt'?
45. There were great luminaries on the drafting committee, but Dr Ambedkar is remembered as its pilot.
Give reasons.
46. What did Nehru say about Dr Ambedkar in his condolence speech?

XII. Write an essay on any one of the following: (Expression / Difficult)

47. a) Deforestation
b) Importance of yoga
c) The disasters of excess rainfall.

37 38
 POEM 4: SONG OF INDIA 16. Sing the beggar and leper
a) Who is the speaker ?
I. Answer the questions in 2-3 sentences each (2 marks questions) b) Who has to sing about themselves ?
1. How is the natural beauty of India has shown by the poet V.K. Gokak in the poem The song of c) Where does we see these people ?
India
OR 17."Shall I sing of your rock cut temple epics in stone".
What does the poet VK Gokak want to sing about his motherland. (2019 June) a) Why does the poet call the temples "epics in stone".
2. How does mother India want the poet to show about negative aspects of India? b) What figure of speech used here ?
3. The poet calls the temples as epics in stone justify the statement. c) Why do you mean by an epic
OR
How are the Indian temples "epics in stone"? (2018 April) 18. Of your children that died to call you their own their very own
OR a) Who is 'you' address to ?
Why does the poet V.K. Gokak call the temples as "epics in stone"? (2019 April) b) Who are the children here ?
4. What according to the poet is the contribution of seers and prophets? c) Why did the children die ?
5. India is filled with poverty, what examples in the poem 'The song of India' the poet explains this?
6. How do you view the technological development in the poem" The song of India" 19. That beat into my ears like gong
OR a) Who is the speaker?
How does the poet praise India being developed in industry and technology? (2018April) b) What does the word 'that' refer to?
7. How do you view the technological development and physical beauty of India as described in the c) What is the figure of speech used here?
poem "The song of India". (2020 September)
8. Why is the poet V.K. Gokak querulous? 20. "Is there no song that I can sing of you"
9. How does mother India complain about social unrest in the poem "The song of India"? a) Who does I refer to ?
b) What feeling does the speaker express here?
II. Answer the questions in 5-6 sentences each. c) What type of song does she want to sing?
10.What were the negative aspects of India had shown by mother India in the poem "The song of
India"? 21. "Nervous, I yet would ask deeming it my task"
11. What are the achievements and developments of India described by the poet in the poem "The song a) Who made this statement?
of India"? OR b) Why was the speaker nervous ?
How does the poet describe the progress achieved in our country in the poem "The song of India". c) What is his task ?
(2022 April)
12. How does the poet VK Gokak praised the natural beauty and cultural beauty of India? 22. "She sat and wrote the book of Morrow"
OR a). Who says this?
How does the poet wish to praise "The mother India"? (2023 March ; 2024 April) b) Who wrote the book of Morrow?
13. What are the positive aspects of India which has been shown by the poet V K Gokak, in the poem, c) What does the book of marrow symbolise?
'The Song of India'?
14. Sum up the conversation between the poet and mother India in your own words. IV. Answer the following question in about 8 - 10 sentences:
OR (2020 April& 2022 June) 23. How does the poet V. K. Gokak want to praise mother India?
Write the vision of the future India according to V.K. Gokak. OR
OR Which are the positive aspects that V. K. Gokak wished to sing about mother India in the poem "The
Describe the vision of poet V.K. Gokak about his motherland. (2023 June) song of India"
24. Narrate the conversation between the poet V. K. Gokak and mother India
III. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: OR
Write the vision of the future India according to V.K. Gokak.
15. "What song shall I sing of you my mother"
a) Who does I refer to ?
b) Who is the mother here ?
c) What type of song does the poet wish to Sing?

39 40
 PROSE 5 : THE CONCERT
I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions/incomplete statements. Only one of 4. Read the given conversation and fill in the blank choosing the most appropriate words :
them is correct or most appropriate. Choose the correct alternative and write the complete answer along i. Rajesh : Hey Sunil ! Did you attend the concert yesterday ?
with its letter of alphabet. Sunil : No, I didn’t ! If you had told me earlier, I __________ attended it.
(A) would have (B) wouldn’t have (C) will have (D) shall have.
1. Choose the appropriate question tag for the following statements: (Comprehension/ Avg) ii. Radhika : Hey Smitha! Did you meet Anu yesterday?
i). Smitha bit her lips in self- reproach,----------- Suma : No! It was raining till late at night. Otherwise I __________ gone to her house.
(A) does she? (B) doesn’t she? (C) didn’t she? (D) did she? A) wouldn’t have B) would have C) should have D) shouldn’t have
ii). They had come with high hopes,------------
(A) hadn’t they? (B) had they? (C) did they? (D) didn’t they? II. Do as Directed:
iii). I must hear him and see him,-------------- 5. Which one of the following words has one syllable? ( Remember/ Easy)
(A) must I? (B) don’t I? (C) do I? (D) mustn’t I? i. mother, sprang, cancer, hospital
iv). We have always done things together,--------------- ii. traffic, doctor, struck, concert
(A) have we? (B) haven’t we? (C) don’t we? (D) didn’t we?
v). You must not bother him with such requests,--------------- Which of the following words has two syllables? ( Remember/ Easy)
(A) do you? (B) don’t you? (C) mustn’t you? (D) must you? iii. curtain, family, walk, stood
vi. He will come tomorrow morning,--------------- iv. beautiful, cough, happiness, perform
(A) doesn’t he? (B) won’t he? (C) does he? (D) will he?
6. Combine the word in column - A with its collocative word in column - B: ( Remember/ Easy)
2 Read the following sentences and choose the infinitive: (Comprehension/ Easy) A B
i. Vinay has decided to write a letter to the chairman. i. Cancer [ lesson, applause, hospital, crowd]
(A) has (B) decided (C) to write (D) chairman ii. Sitar [ notes, player, man, speech]
ii. He was learning to play the sitar.
(A) to play (B) was (C) sitar (D) learning 7. Fill in the blank using the correct articles: ( Comprehension/ Easy)
iii. Smitha had known the frightening truth that Anant was going to die. i. This is not ---- last time they are going to play.
(A) had (B) was (C) known (D) to die ii. He would play the sitar and perhaps would be ---- great sitarist one day.
iv. He was already able to compose his own tunes to the astonishment of their guru. iii. The concert came to ----- end and the audience gave the artists standing ovation.
(A) was (B) to compose (C) astonishment (D) able
v. Pedestrians are requested to keep off the grass. 8. Identify the part of speech of the underlined words:
(A) to keep off (B) grass (C) are (D) requested i. Suddenly a daring thought came to her.
vi. The people began to move towards the exits. ii. ‘Yes?’ he asked questioningly but kindly.
(A) began (B) exits (C) to move (D) towards iii. Smitha had known the frightening truth that Anant was going to die.
3. Read the given conversation and choose the language function for the underlined sentence : ( iv. But his condition grew worse with each passing day.
Comprehension/ Average) v. A large moustachioed man made a long boring speech.
i) Doctor: “Take him home, Give him the things he likes. Indulge him,”
(A) Ordering (B) Advice (C) Suggestion (D) giving direction. 9. Fill in the blank with suitable linkers: (Comprehension/ Average)
ii) Smitha : ‘No, how can I? We’ve always done things together, Ananth and I.’ i. She murmured with a catch in her throat __________ her eyes turned to the idols on a corner shelf.
Aunt Sushila : ‘A walk in the park might make you feel better,’ ii. ____________ they came to Bombay, the family stayed with aunt Sushila.
(A) suggestion (B) offering help (C) seeking permission (D) inviting iii. Her apartment was not big __________there was always room for them.
iii) Sujay : Good morning Vijay. iv. It was a very excited Smitha __________ came home late that night.
Vijay : Very good morning. You look very dull today. May I know the reason ?
Sujay : I’m suffering from stomach ache since last week. 10. Fill in the blank with appropriate prepositions: (Comprehension/ Average)
Vijay : Don’t worry. It’ll turn out all right. Why don’t you consult an expert doctor ? i. Smitha stood _________the window looking at the traffic.
(A) Giving suggestion (B) Offering help (C) Seeking permission (D) Expressing sympathy. ii. Smitha’s eyes filled __________ tears.
iv) Sudha : Hello Radha ! Why are you standing here ? iii. They will play ______ you.
Radha : Hello ! I’m waiting for the bus. I’ve to go to the market. iv. He was already able to compose his own tunes to the astonishment _____ their guru.
Sudha : Come, I will drop you. I’m going that way. v. But his condition grew worse _________ each passing day.
(A) Requesting (B) Seeking direction (C) Offering help (D) Agreeing. vi. Anant was awake, breathing the oxygen ________ the cylinder.

41 42
 xii. Students were making noise.
11. Fill in the blank with appropriate tense form of the verb given in brackets: xiii. She gave the beggar a coin.
i) The next day as Smitha and her father _______ (be + leave) for the concert, her brother smiled and xiv. He will give me a pen.
said, ‘Enjoy yourself’. xv. I don’t waste water.
ii) In the wings, a small crowd __________ (have + gather) to talk about the evening concert. xvi. Who spoke the truth?
xvii. Close the door.
12. Write the correct form of the word given in brackets: xviii. Vani has to type poems.
i. Anant was already able to compose his own tunes to the ________ (astonish) of their guru. xix. He did not make mistakes.
ii. Smitha had been so excited at seeing the________ ( announce) that she had not remembered that xx. Who wrote Shakunthala?
her brother was very ill. xxi. Switch on the lights.
13. (Expression/ Difficult) xxii. I gave her a book.
i. Use the word ‘walk’ as noun in a sentence.
ii.. Use the word ‘smile’ as verb in a sentence. 16. Change the following sentences into reported speech: (Expression/ Difficult)
i. Anant said, “I have always wanted to hear him and see him.” (Use the phrase expressed his wish)
14.A. Identify the finite verbs in the given sentences: (Comprehension/ Difficult) ii. Smitha said to Anant, “He will come with the tabla Ustad and they will play for you, tomorrow
i. Smitha wanted to fulfil her brother’s wish. morning.”
ii. A daring thought came to Smitha.
iii. The artists promised to play for the ailing boy.
iv. Smitha enjoyed the concert. 17. The following sentences have two errors. Edit the sentences and rewrite them.
(Expression/ Average)
B. Classify the sentences. Write them into respective columns based on whether they have a finite or i. Smitha had been so excited in seeing the announcement that she had forgot that her brother was very ill.
non- finite verb in it. Clues: a) Preposition to be corrected b) Verbal mistake to be corrected
i. Smitha attended the concert. ii. Pandit Ravishankar and Ustad Allah Rakha knocked soft on the door of Aunt Sushilas apartment.
ii. Playing the Sitar needed years of practice. Clues: a) Adverbial mistake to be corrected b) Apostrophe to be used
iii. The artists received a standing ovation.
iv. The organiser gave a long , boring speech. III. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each:
v. Eating a healthy breakfast is essential. 18. Smitha on seeing the newspaper almost shouted with excitement. Why did she react so?
vi. Smitha was thinking of a plan, in the park. 19. Why do you think the mother cautioned Smitha?
vii. Ananth missed the concert due to his illness. 20. What chance did Anant not want to miss? But he missed the chance on that day. Why?
viii. The family members were trying to be positive. 21. Why did Anant's mother have a catch in her throat?
Sl.no Finite Non- finite 22. In what way was the truth frightening to Smita?
23. How can you say that Anant was a talented boy? [2016 June & 2017 April]
OR
Why do you consider Anant a talented boy? [2020 April & 2020 September]
OR
Anant was a talented boy.’ Mention any two of his talents. [2016 April]
15. Change into passive voice: (Expression/ Difficult) 24. Aunt Sushila was a generous lady. How would you justify this statement? (Appreciation/ Average)
i. Rishika sings a song. OR
ii. They are eating mangoes. What makes you to think that Aunt Sushila had supported Ananth’s family?
iii. Ruthvik has completed the course. 25. Why had Smitha and her family come to Bombay? Who did they stay with, there?
iv. The President distributed the awards. 26. ‘They had come with high hopes’. What hopes did Anant’s parents have?
v. He was writing a story. OR
vi. She had written an essay. With what hopes did Anant’s family come to Bombay ? [2023 March]
vii. I will answer the question. OR
viii. They have taken the book. Why did Anant and his parents come to Bombay ? [2023 June]
ix. He is giving some chocolates. 27. What did the doctors say to Anant’s parents? Why?
x. She can solve the problem. 28. How did Anant’s family members treat him without ‘voicing their fears’ ? [2020 April]
xi. This book will change your life. 29. Anant expressed his desire of going to the concert. How did his mother pacify him?

43 44
30. ‘Smitha’s eyes filled with tears’. Were they tears of happiness or sorrow ? Give reasons. b) Who did the speaker want to see?
31. Why did aunt Sushila suggest a walk in the park to Smita? c) What did the speaker want to hear?
32. ‘Suddenly a daring thought came to her’. Can you guess what thought Smita had?
OR 46. ‘It’s the chance of a lifetime.’
What daring thought came to Smitha? a) Who made this statement?
33. What was the intention of Smita’s going to the concert ? [2018 June] b) What was the chance of a lifetime?
34. How did Smitha enjoy the concert? [2017 April] c) Why did the speaker say so?
35. Smita was nervous as she stood before the artists. Illustrate this statement from the lesson, ‘The
Concert’. 47. “They had come with high hopes”
36. What did the moustachioed man tell Smitha? How did Pandit Ravi Shankar react to it? a) Who does ‘they’ refer to?
37. Ustad Sahib and Pandit Ravi Shankar agreed to perform for the boy. What made them agree to do so? b) Where had they come?
OR c) What high hopes did they have?
Why do you think Pandit Ravishankar and Ustad Allah Rakha agreed to play for Anant?
38. The neighbours of Aunt Sushila could not believe their eyes. Why do you think they felt like this? 48. “Take him home. Give him the things he likes, indulge him”
39. What was Smitha's plan to help her brother? a) Who said the above statement?
OR b) Who does ‘him’ refer to?
How did Smitha fulfill her brother’s wish? [2016 June] c) Why was this statement made?
OR
How did Smita execute her daring thought ? [2022 June] 49. “But they did not voice their fears”
OR a) Who does the word ‘they’ stand for?
How did Smita enable to fulfil Anant’s last wish? [2024 April 1 - June 2 - July 3] b) What did Ananth’s parents fear?
40. Why did Smita request Pandit Ravi Shankar to visit her house ? [2018 June] c) How did they behave towards him?
41. What makes the readers appreciate Pandit Ravishankar and Ustad Allah Rakha ? (Appriciation/ Difficult)
OR 50. “The chance of a lifetime,” he was saying. [2019 June]
What admirable qualities do you find in Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha ? [2019 April] (a) Who does ‘he’ refer to ?
OR (b) What was the chance of a lifetime for him ?
The artists visiting Anant were unusual. Justify. [2018 June & 2022 April] (c) Why was he feeling so ?
OR
Do you think the response of the artists in the concert was unusual ? Why ? [2022 June] 51. ‘’This is not the last time they are going to play’’
OR a) Who said this and to whom?
Why do you think the response of the artists was unusual? b) Who was going to play and what?
42. How did Pandit Ravishankar and Ustad Allah Rakha keep their promise to Smitha? c) When did the speaker say these words?

IV. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: ( Comprehension/ Average) 52. ‘’Your father will take you.’’
a) Who is the speaker, here?
43. “You’ll wake him up. You know he needs all the sleep and rest he can get”. b) Who does ‘you’ refer to?
a) Who is the speaker? c) Where would the father take the listener?
b) Who does ‘you’ refer to? d) When did the speaker say so?
c) Who needed rest?
d) Why did he need rest? 53. “No, how can I? We’ve always done things together”.
a) Who is the speaker?
44. “We mustn’t miss the chance” b) Who does ‘we’ refer to?
a) Who said these words? c) What did they do together?
b) What chance did the boy not want to miss? d) What is the speaker refusing to do now?
c) Why would the boy, not get a chance in the future?
54. A walk in the park might make you feel better” [2025 March -1]
45. “I must hear him and see him” a) Who gave this suggestion?
a) Who is the ‘I’? b) Who does ‘you’ refer to?

45 46
c) Why did the speaker say this? b) What was not possible for them to believe?
c) Why did they feel so?
55. ‘’Suddenly a daring thought came to her’’
a) Where was the speaker when she got the daring thought? V. Answer the following questions in 5-6 sentences each:
b) Who does ‘her’ refer to? 64. In the course of the story whom do you consider to be more worried Smita or Anant? Explain
c) What was her daring thought? 65. Why do you think Smitha and Pandit Ravi Shankar deserve the appreciation?

56. “There is no harm in trying it”

a) Who said these words?
b) What is the ‘it’?
c) What was the result of trying it?

57.“Enjoy yourself, lucky you!”

a) Who is the speaker?
b) Who is the ‘you’?
c) Why did the speaker consider the listener, lucky?

58. “Panditji is a busy man. You must not bother him with such requests” [2017 June;2025 May- 2]
a) Who said this?
b) Who does ‘you’ refer to?
c) What was the request?
d) Who is the moustachioed man ?
e) Why did the listener come there ?

59. ‘’What shall we do Ustad Sahib?’’

a) Who asked this question?
b) Who was Ustad Sahib?
c) When did the speaker say these words?

60. “Tomorrow morning we perform for the boy”

a) Who would perform for the boy?
b) Why would they perform?
c) What was the result?

61. “Did you hear him?”, he asked.

a) Who asked this question?
b) Who is the ‘him’?
c) What reply did the speaker get?

62. “I spoke to him and he’ll come tomorrow morning’’

a) Who is the ‘I’?
b) Who did the ‘I’ speak to?
c) What was spoken to him?
d) Why would he come the next morning?

63. They could not believe their eyes. “It is… It’s not possible” they said. [2018 April]
a) Who is referred to as ‘they’?

47 48
 POEM 5 : JAZZ POEM TWO 12. “His rough unshaven face shows pain.”
I. Answer the following questions in 2 – 3 sentences each : a) Who said this?
1. Give a short description of the Jazz player. b) Who is the speaker describing here?
OR c) What does the ‘pain’ refer to?
Write about the physical appearance of the Jazz player. ( April 2022) (Comprehension/ Avg)
2.Why do you think the Jazz player keeps his head down? ( June 2022) (Expression / Avg) 13. “He was sent here to preach the Black Gospel of Jazz.”
OR a) Who was sent to preach the Black Gospel ?
Why does the Jazz player keep his head down? When does he feel like a bird? (April 2015) b) How did the ‘he’ preach the gospel? ?
3. How has the poet described the facial expression of the Jazz player? c) What do you mean by ‘gospel’ in this context?
4. What message does the Jazz player want to convey? (Appreciation/ Difficult)
5. How does the Jazz player change as he plays on the Saxophone? 14. “He is no longer a man, but a bird.”
6. What qualities of the Jazz player do you appreciate? (April 2020) a) Who got transformed into a bird?
7. What was the special gift possessed by the Jazz player? How did it change his feelings? b) Why is the speaker saying so?
(September 2020) c) When was the transformation observed?
8. How did the poet appreciate the Jazz player’s talent in music? (2024 April exam-1, June Exam-2,
July Exam-3) 15. “His run-down shoes have paper in them.”
a) Who is the ‘he’ here?
II. Answer the following questions in 5 – 6 sentences each : b) Why does his shoes have papers in them?
9. Describe the physical appearance of the Jazz player. (April 2016, March c) What does this statement tell about the person spoken about here?
2023) OR
The Jazz player proved that he was highly skilled in music. Justify. (June 2023) 16. “Gently he lifts it now to parted lips, to tell the world that he is a black man.”
a) What does he lift?
III. Answer the following questions in about 8 – 10 sentences : b) Why does he lift it?
10. How does the poet discriminate Jazz player’s appearance with his artistic character ? c) Why does he want to tell the world that he is a black man?
OR
Describe the physical appearance of the Jazz player as narrated in the poem. (June 2016) 17. “His head still down, eyes still closed, ears perked.”
OR a) Who is the ‘his’ here?
How does the poet discriminate Jazz player’s appearance with his artistic character. Explain. b) What do you mean by ‘perked’?
OR (April 2017, June 2017) c) Why did the speaker make this observation?
The physical appearance of the Jazz player does not match when he plays on his saxophone.
Explain. OR (April 2018) 18. “Now preaching it with words of screaming notes.”
Draw a contrast between the musical ability and the appearance of the Jazz player. ( June 2018) a) Who is preaching now?
OR b) What does ‘it’ refer?
Describe the two faces of Jazz player as a pathetic figure and a commanding artist. ( April 2019) c) Why was the preacher using ‘words of screaming notes’?
OR
The poverty filled life of the Jazz player cannot bring down his spirits on the music. Justify. (June
2019) OR
The Jazz player’s pathetic life is lifted by his music. Justify. ( April 2022)
OR
“Music is the voice of the soul.” Justify this statement with reference to the poem ‘Jazz Poem Two.’
(June 2022)

IV. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow :
11. “There he stands like a black Ancient Mariner.”
a) Who does ‘he’ refer here?
b) Why did he stand like the Ancient Mariner?
c) What is the figure of speech employed here?

49 50
 9. Fill in the blanks with appropriate preposition: (Comprehension/ Average)
PROSE 6 : THE DISCOVERY
I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions/incomplete statements. Only one of i. We’re like bats trying _________ fly by day.
them is correct or most appropriate. Choose the correct alternative and write the complete answer along ii. The Santa Maria will be the lighter ________ his carcass.
with its letter of alphabet. iii. There was a great deal__________ conversation about rain and his family.
iv. The sun rises _____ the east.
1. Read the given conversation and choose the language function for the underlined sentence: v. We will meet _____ 5 o'clock.
(Comprehension/ Average) vi. The park is _____ my house.
i. Pepe :- Cowards! Coward! You will have to kill me first! vii. The teacher is standing _____ the students.
Voices : Out of the way! Devil’s whelp! Lick – spittle! viii. The exam is scheduled _____ tomorrow.
(A) making suggestion B) Making a request (C) Seeking information (D) Ordering ix. The hotel is located _____ the beach.
x. The picture is hanging _____ the sofa.
2. Choose the appropriate question tag and fill in the blanks: (Comprehension/ Easy) xi. We went _____ a walk in the park.
i. You are an excellent sailor. _________ ? xii. The village is surrounded _____ hills.
(A) are you? (B) Aren't you? (C) do you? (D) don't they? xiii. The gift is hidden _____ the curtain.
xiv. The bridge spans _____ the river.
3. Read the given conversation and fill in the blanks. Choose the most appropriate if clause: xv. The meeting will be held _____ Friday.
(Comprehension/ Average) xvi. The bag is _____ the chair.
i. Radhika: Hey Suma! Did you meet Anu yesterday? xvii. The family went _____ a trip to Goa.
Suma: No, it was raining till late at night. Otherwise, I____________ gone to her house. xviii. The teacher is sitting _____ the students.
(A) would not have (B) would have (C) should have (D) should not have xix. The new employee was nervous _____ the meeting.
xx. The city is famous _____ its historical landmarks.
4. Read the following and choose the correct infinitive: (Comprehension/ Easy) xxi. She is good _____ mathematics.
i. Cook: What shall I cook for dinner tonight, sir? xxii. The book belongs _____ my sister.
Master: Prepare some special dish. Two guests are going to come for dinner. xxiii. The store is open _____ Monday to Saturday.
(A) prepare (B) are going (C) to come (D) cook
10. Fill in the blanks with appropriate tense form of the verb given in brackets.
II. Do as directed i. Poornima is a lively woman. She__________(love) visiting beaches.
5. Which one of the following words has one syllable? (Remember/ Easy)
i. ugly, mutiny, deck, hated 11. Identify the parts of speech of the underline word.
ii. discovery, conversation, patience, moon i. Honesty is the best policy.
iii. transform, free, unity, problem ii. Mutiny is an ugly word.
iii. You are a man of abundant resourcefulness.
6. Combine the word in column A with its collocation in column B: (Remember/ Easy) iv. We are simple men, sir.
A B v. A light faintly flickering, rises up and down.
i. Mutinous balance, landscape, thoughts, recipe vi. Give the order to heave to.
ii. fast table, food, water, brake
12. Write the correct form of the word given in the brackets.
7. Fill in the blanks with suitable article. i. The computer is a wonderful __________ (invent) of Charles Babbage.
i. Their singing changes to _______ roar.
ii. Today you are _________ able-bodied seaman and no more. 13. i. Use the word ' water' as a verb in a sentence of your own.
iii. _______ Himalayas is in the North of our country.
iv. Loyalty passes like seaweed on _________ outgoing tide. 14. Change into superlative degree
i. Ooty is cooler than any other place in India.
8. Fill in the blanks using suitable linker: (Comprehension/ Average)
15. Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verbs : (The meaning of the phrasal verb is given in brackets)
i. Does that child stand between me _________ death? i. After the game, everyone was too tired to __________. (continue)
a) give up b) break down c) take up d) carry on

51 52
 ii. He __________ his job because of health problems.(left) vii. Murthy continued his studies after passing B.Sc. but his friend _____ his studies because he got a job.
a) took off b) broke down c) gave up d) brought up viii. Our country needs honest politicians but not ________ politicians.
iii. The firemen managed to __________ the fire before it spread. (extinguish) ix. We must learn to obey the law but not __________.
a) put out b) take off c) turn on d) set up x. Everyone should work hard. Do you agree or ___________ ?
iv. He __________ his shoes before entering the temple. (removed) xi. Gandhiji did not like violence. He preached the principle of ___________.
a) took over b) took away c) took off d) took in xii. Somu is regular in his studies but Keerthi is ____________.
v. She __________ her grandmother after school every day. (cares for) xiii. Shalini got an appointment as soon as she passed M.A. She is lucky while her friend is __________
a) looks up b) looks after c) looks into d) looks for and still unemployed.
vi. They ____________ on their journey early in the morning.(started) xiv. Teachers like disciplined students and not ___________ students.
a) set out b) put out c) call off d) go on xv. Janaki has spelt all the words correctly but Shalini has _________ two words.
vii. We should not __________ our old friends. ( forget) xvi. In India, many people are literate. There are a few who are _________
a) bring up b) call off c) give up d) look down on xvii. Is monsoon in India certain or ___________ ?
viii. He __________ the offer because he got a better one. (refused) xviii. Heard melodies are not as sweet as __________melodies.
a) turned off b) turned down c) turned in d) turned up xix. I don't know whether the officer is satisfied or ________ about my work .
ix. The teacher asked the students to ________ their homework on time. (give) xx. Some people are religious while some others are ___________
a) put up b) hand in c) break in d) get up
x. I will __________ the matter and let you know. (see) 17. Fill in the blanks with correct word given in brackets:
a) look after b) look into c) look on d) look out i. What is the bus ------- from Bidar to Gulbarga?
xi. He __________ his father in appearance and behaviour. Suma is a ------- girl.(fair, fare)
a) takes off b) takes out c) takes after d) takes in ii. Keep --------
xii. The match was __________ due to heavy rain. This is ------ good.(quite, quiet)
a) called off b) put out c) taken up d) gone off iii. I saw a ------
xiii. __________ my old friend at the reunion. It is rather too severe to ----- in the forest. (bear, bare)
A) came across B) came over C) came up D) came down iv. Can you -------
xiv. I'm really _____ to our vacation next week. Please come ------- (here, hear)
A) looking forward B) looking up C) looking after D) looking at v. The merchant stayed in an ------.
xv. Can you _____ the lights when you leave the room? The book is..... (Inn, in) the bag.
A) turn on B) turn off C) turn up D) turn down vi. Did you ------- your friend?
xvi. I need to _____ my English vocabulary. The butcher sells ------ (meet, meat)
A) look up B) look after C) look at D) look for vii. The idol is made of ------ .
xvii. She _____ her keys on the table. Why did you ------ his pen? (steal, steel)
A) picked up B) picked out C) picked over D) picked at viii. Switch ------ the light.
xviii. The car _____ on the highway. Children are fond ----- sweets.(off, of)
A) broke down B) broke up C) broke out D) broke in ix. Uma sleeps on the -----
xix. She uses a lot of _____ to cover her scars. The police officer ------ the robber.(caught, cot)
A) make up B) makeup on C) make up for D) making up x. Ravi is my ---- friend.
xx. The fire alarm _____ during the test. The ------runs fast.(dear, deer)
A) set off B) set on C) set up D) set out
18. The following paragraph has two errors: Edit the paragraph and rewrite: (Expression/ Average)
16. Use an appropriate prefix for the following underlined word in the sentence and write the use it to i. That is ugly. I bid Don Pedro stop them. So, you think they might become danger.
complete the statement : (Remember/ Easy) a) Verbal mistake to be corrected. b) Adjectival mistake to be corrected.
i. Please tell me whether Raju's answer is correct or __________ ?
ii. If one minds, everything is possible and nothing is __________ ii. Don guillermo, you are an excellant sailor, a man of abundant resourcefulness.
iii. Respect everyone and don't __________ anyone. a) Capital letter to be used. b) Spelling mistake to be corrected.
iv. Janardhana: You are an M.L.A. Listen to the grievences of the people and help them. You will
become popular. Otherwise, you will become ____________. III. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
v. Man is mortal. God is _________ 19. What made Diego say that the life of fifty men was in the hands of Columbus?
vi. The work of the building is not complete but __________. 20. Columbus was always furious when he heard the seamen's song. Why did it make him furious?

53 54
21. Give a short description of the appearance of Columbus. 41. "I hope we are not entertaining mutinous thoughts."
22. The play begins with a song. What mood does it convey? a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
23. What does Columbus feel is his worst enemy? Why do you think he feels so? b) Who did speaker say this to?
24. How does Pedro try to defend the drunken seamen? Was he right in defending them? c)What were the mutinous thoughts?
25. Whose company did Pepe prefer? What was the reason for this? d)What reply did the speaker get?
26. "Discipline knows no buts. What made Columbus say this?
27. How did the seamen show their anger towards Columbus? (2019 April) 42. "I don't speak to them. I hate them."
28. What did Guillermo demand of Columbus? a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
29. How did Pepe prove his loyalty to Columbus? b) Who does 'them' refer to?
OR c) When did the speaker say so?
‘Pepe was the only person who was loyal to Columbus till the end of the voyage’. Justify (2019 April) d)Why did the speaker hate them?
30. ‘This is a voyage of discovery.’ What had Columbus set out to discover?
OR 43. "Shan't we even sing to keep our spirits, sir?"
According to Columbus, what was the one thing that he had discovered? a) Who asked this question?
31. Columbus feels that whatever he does, it is God's will. What 'will' of God does he like to fulfil through b) Who did he ask this question to?
this venture? c)When did the speaker ask him?
32. Columbus says, "Would God implant desire to solve mystery and he doesn't provide solutions?" Identify d) What had they sung?
the mood of Columbus in saying this.
33. Usually, people feel desperate when they fail to get something they want. In the play, ‘The Discovery’, 44. "Boy, come here. What were their words?"
why do the crewmates of Columbus feel desperate? a) Who called the boy?
34. Swami Vivekananda says, "Purity, Patience and Perseverance are the essentials to success and above all b) Who is the 'boy' referred to here?
love.’ Does Columbus possess all these qualities? Justify. c) Why did the speaker call the boy?
35. Pepe says, "Everybody doubts…. except me." Why do you think he is an exception?" d) What reply did the speaker get from the boy?
36. How did Columbus deal with the mutiny on ‘Santa Maria’?
45. "Send Guillermo Ires to me."
V. Read each of the following extracts and answer the questions given below. a) Who is the speaker?
37. "Discipline is a thing of the past, sir. It's you or us." b) Who was asked to send Guillermo?
a) Who does ‘you' refer to? c) Why did the speaker ask him to send Guillermo?
b) When did the speaker say so? What statement was it an answer to ? d) What reply did he get?
c) What trait does it reveal about the speaker?
46. Let Guillermo Ires be sent to me, He shall know what it is like in irons ?
38. "They ought to stop that. The captain is always furious when he hears it." a) Who said these words?
a) Who said these words? b) Whom did he ask?
b) Who does ‘They' refer to? c) Why did he ask him to send Guillermo to him?
c) What does 'it' mean in the context? d) What does 'in irons' mean in the context?

39. "There are limits to our patience, sir." (2023 March) 47. "Have him down! Pitch him overboard, Put him in irons! Devil's tool”
a) Who made this statement? a) Who made this statement?
b) Who does 'sir' refer to? b) Who was called 'devil's tool’?
c) When did the speaker say so? c) Why did the speaker want him to be put in irons?
d) What made the speaker say so? d) What does 'in irons' mean in the context?

40. "What a boy! And what do they say about the preference?" 48. "Everyone doubts…except me."
a) Who said this? a) Who does 'me' refer to?
b) Who is the 'boy' referred to here? b) About whom did everyone doubt?
c) Who does 'they' refer to? c) Why were they in doubt?
d) What reply did the speaker get from the boy?

55 56
49. "They shan't! They shan't!" 58. "It's sir! Glory to God!"
a) Who exclaimed? a) Who said this?
b) Who does 'they' refer to? b) When did he say it?
c)When did the speaker say so? c) Why did he praise God?
d) What does the statement mean in the context? d) What did the speaker confirm?

50. “Who will navigate her?” 59. Why should one man have the lives of fifty in his hands? (2020 September)
a) Who said this? a) Who said this and to whom?
b) What does ‘her’ refer to? b) Who are the fifty?
c) When did the speaker say so? c) In whose hands, are they?
d) What reply did the speaker get?
60. Mutiny is an ugly word, sir."
51. "I will perform it myself." a) Who is the speaker?
a) Who is the ‘I’? b) Who is the ‘sir’, here?
b) When did the speaker say so? c)When did the speaker make this statement?
c) What does 'it' mean in the context? d) Why does the speaker say that mutiny is an ugly word?
e) What does 'mutiny' mean?
52. "We are like bats trying to fly by day.
a) Who made this statement? 61. "A good sailor knows his place."
b) Who does 'we' refer to? a) When did the speaker make this statement?
c) Why was the statement made? b) Is the speaker giving a piece of advice or was it an indirect command? Give reason for your answer.
c) What was the listener’s reaction?
53. The deepening of their discontent is ominous."
a) Who made this statement? 62. "Pedro, they drink too much."
b) When did the speaker say so? a) Who does 'they' refer to?
c) What does ominous' mean in the context? b) How did Pedro defend them?
c) Was Pedro right in defending them? Justify your answer.
54 . "We may wait till tomorrow morning at any rate."
a) Who said these words and to whom? 63. "I prefer your company to theirs." (2024 April, 2024 June, 2024 July)
b) What had they planned to do on the next day? a) Who do ‘I’ and 'their’s refer to?
c) Did their plan succeed? Give reason. b) Whose company did he prefer?
c) Why did he prefer his company but not their’s?
55. "Desperate men do not always act up to the best that is in them."
a) Who made this statement? 64. "Captain, be careful. Sometimes they are desperate."
b) Who are the 'desperate men' referred to? a) Who gave this warning?
c) Why were they desperate? b) Why were ‘they’ desperate?
c)Why did the speaker ask the captain to be careful?
56. "I think you are reminding me. Your best cannot be bettered."
a) Who is the ‘I’? 65. "The Santa Maria will be the lighter for his carcass."
b) Who does the speaker say this to? a) Who made this statement?
c) When did he say so? b) What does the word 'carcass mean in the context?
c) What do these words reveal about the person who said this?
57. "Shall simple men judge their betters?"
a) Who said this? 66. "Discipline knows no buts."
b) When did the speaker say so? a) Who said this and to whom?
c) Who does 'simple men’ refer to? b) When did the speaker make this statement?
c) What does the statement mean?

57 58
67. "Once clear of the devil's track to nowhere, we will blow our way back home." VI. 76. Write a description or an account of what the picture suggests to you, in a paragraph.
a) Who said this and to whom?
b) What does 'devil's track to nowhere' suggest?
c) How did they prove to be wrong?

68. "Your duty is to obey me as mine is to obey the Royal Sovereign of Spain, who sent me."
a) Who said this and to whom?
b) When did the speaker say these words?
c) What does this statement reveal about the speaker's character?

69. "Cowards! Cowards! You will have to kill me first." (June 2023)
a) Who is the speaker and whom did he call cowards?
b) When did the speaker say these words?
c) What trait does it reveal about the speaker?

70. What! does that child stand between me and death?

a) Who made this statement? VII. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of 8-10 sentences each.
b) Who does the 'child' refer to? 77. "Columbus had a strong will, patience and perseverance." Justify the statement with examples.
c) When did the speaker say so? OR
"In spite of hardship, Columbus succeeded in his mission". How?
71. "And who's to put him in irons?" 78. How can you say that Pepe was loyal to Columbus? (April 2017)
a) Who said these words? 79. "Columbus was quite different from most of the seamen." Justify the statement with examples.
b) Who does 'him' refer to? OR
c) Why was he to be put in irons? "Columbus had a vision but most of his seamen didn't have." Illustrate this statement with examples.
(June 2017)
72. "Dark deeds are better done in the dark."
a) Who is the speaker?
b) Who does this statement refer to?
c) What does the statement mean?

73. "We have not all your visions, captain."

a) Who said this?
b) When did the speaker say these words?
c) What was the vision of the captain?

74. "So far, I have discovered but one thing."

a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
b) When did the speaker say this?
c) What had he discovered?

75. ‘They say it makes them forget.’

a) Who said this and to whom?
b) What is the ‘it’ that would make them forget?
c) What do they want to forget?

59 60
 POEM 6: BALLAD OF THE TEMPEST PROSE 7 : COLOURS OF SILENCE
I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions. Only one of them is correct. Choose
I. Answer the following questions in about 5-6 sentences each: 3 marks the correct alternative and write the complete answer along with its letter of alphabet.
1.The little maiden filled the sailors with confidence. Justify ( April 2020) 1. Choose the appropriate question tag and fill in the blanks: (Comprehension/ Easy)
OR i) You want to do this very badly, ________?
When the captain shouted, “ we are lost”, who instilled hope in him? How? (A) don’t you (B) didn’t you (C) do you (D) aren’t you
2. Write the substance of the poem, ‘ Ballad of the Tempest’ , in your own words. ii) Satish took out his notebook and pencil ______?
OR (A) didn’t he (B) hadn’t he (C) did he (D) does he
How does the poet bring out the importance of faith and hope in the poem ‘ Ballad of the Tempest’?
2. Read the conversation and fill in the blanks with the correct if clause choosing from the given
II. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow: alternatives: (Comprehension/ Average)
i) Surender: Satish, why didn't you come to school today?
3. “We were crowded in the cabin not a Soul would dare to sleep” (April 2023) Satish: I am not well.
a) Who were crowded in the cabin? Surender: If you were well, you__________ come to school.
b) Why were they not ready to sleep? (A) wouldn’t have (B) would (C) would have (D) will have
c) What had happened to them? ii) Headmaster: Why don't you take your son to the school for deaf and dumb children?
Mr. Avtar Narain: My son is not dumb, sir! If my son had become totally dumb, I _______ admitted him
4. Isn’t God upon the ocean, ( March 2018; March 2019) to a special school.
Just the same as on the land? (A)wouldn’t have (B)would (C) would have (D) will have
a) Who is the speaker here?
b) Why does the speaker say this? 3. Read the conversation and choose the correct infinitive. (Comprehension/ Easy)
c) How did the statement influence the situation in which it was spoken? i) Satish’s mother: It has been more than three years since he became ill, how do you possibly think that he
can recover his hearing?
5. But his little daughter whispered, ( June 2019) Avtar Narain: Why decide that he is going to remain deaf all his life?
As she took his icy hands (A) going (B) to remain (C) is (D) do
a) Whose daughter, was she? ii) Headmaster: We can't keep your son in our school.
b) What did she say to him? Mr. Avtar Narain: We will have to look for a new school.
c) What was the effect of her words? (A) to will (B) to look (C) have (D) can’t

IV. Answer the following questions in about 8-10 sentences each: ( 4 marks) 4. Read the given conversation and choose the language function for the underlined sentence. (
Comprehension/ Average)
6. How did the sailors regain their confidence to overcome a great peril, in the poem, ‘Ballad of the i) Avtar Narain: If you want to get on in life you have to read a lot. You can learn a great deal of things just
Tempest’? ( March 2024) by reading’
7. In the poem ‘Ballad of the Tempest’, the poet highlights faith and hope. Illustrate. ( September 2020) Satish: Ok Pitaji, I will.
(A) seeking information (B) invitation (C) request (D) suggestion
V.8. Quote from Memory: ii) Surender : Satish, why didn't you come to school today?
Satish: I am not well
We were …………………...…… ( March 2019) (A)order (B) suggestion (C) enquiry (D) advice
……………………………………
…………………………………… II. Do as directed
…………………………..the deep.
5. Fill in the blank with appropriate tense form of the verb given in the brackets.
i) Satish Gujral_____(be +award) the Order of the Crown for his best architectural design.
ii) Some serious books made Satish feel depressed and _______(leave) a deep impression upon his
sensitive mind.
For more practice:
iii) Mohan is my friend. He______(be) post master. He_______ (go) to the post office at 8 a.m.
and_______ (return) at 6 p.m. during week days.

61 62
 iv) Anushka is a software engineer. She _______ (complete) her B.E.in IIT Chennai. Presently she
_________(be + work) in Accenture. 11.Write the number of syllables in each of the following words: (Remember/ Easy)
v) One day, I saw a lady who ________ (be + cry). I________(call) her but she _______( do)not respond. i) display, art, ample, physical
vi) Sudha __________ (write ) short stories to the periodicals regularly. ii) bird, painting, visit, remain
vii) When the teacher saw the students, they __________ (be + do) project.
viii) My brother __________ (be + play) now. He usually __________ (play) in the evening. 12.Write the correct form of the word given in the brackets:
ix) Jayalakshmi is a classical singer. She______ (earn) money by giving tuitions. She_______ (be + go) i) When Satish regained his_________(conscious),his legs were in a plaster cast.
to give a concert in the Town Hall tomorrow. ii) His brother Inder sat for hours with Satish, teaching him words and ________. (pronounce)
x) Satish Gujral _________ (be + award) the Order of the Crown for his great architectural design of the
Belgian Embassy in New Delhi. 13.Frame a question to get the underlined word as answer: ( Expression/ Average)
xi) One of my friends __________ (be + visit) me this evening. i) Satish and his family went to Kashmir.
xii) Latha: Hi Shanthala, Good Morning. ii) Satish saw a bird at the far corner of the garden.
Shanthala: Good morning. How__________ (be) you?
Latha: Fine, thank you. 14. Change the following sentences into passive voice: ( Expression/ Average)
Shanthala: Where__________ (be) you___________(work) now? i) Satish Gujral has published four books.
Latha: Sorry, I___________ (leave) the job. ii) Satish hugged his father tightly.
xiii) Moments later, his father returned, his arms _____________ (be) full of paints and brushes. He
_________(set) them on Satish’s table. 15.Change the following sentence into other two degrees of comparison. (Expression/ Difficult)
xiv) India_________ (be + rule) by foreigners for many centuries. i) No other artist in India is as great as Satish Gujral.
xv) I cannot_________ (forget) this day because I_________(get) first place in Pratibha Karanji last year. ii) Munshi Premchand is more popular than any other writer in Hindi literature.
xvi) The students__________ (stand up) when the Chief Guest arrived.
xvii) Baleshwar________ (see) a young woman___________ (lie) on the tracks. 16. Read the following conversations and change the underlined sentences into reported speech:
xviii) The Principal and the management_____(thank) the staff for the outstanding result in SSLC Exam. (Expression/ Difficult)
xix) My father is an honest man. He_________ (render) free service to the slum dwellers. i) Father: what are you doing, Satish?
xx) One day I…….(watch) two strangers who________ (be + drink ) coffee near Railway Station. Satish: I am sketching the bird from my memory.
xxi) Some fruits and vegetables__________(be + preserve) by pickling. Satish replied that__________________________________________________.
xxii)Alok was happy because he____________ (be + select) to take part in the car race. ii) Surender: “Why, what's the matter with you?”
Satish: I get terrible headache sometimes and I feel miserable. But why are you speaking so softly?
6. Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition. (Comprehension/ Average) Satish asked Surendar________________________________________________.
i) For Satish, everything seems like scenes _______ some pantomime show. OR
ii) Satish Gujral is among the foremost artists_________India. 16. Combine the following sentences into too…to and so…that….not.
i) Satish was very weak. He couldn't go to school.
7. Fill in the blank with a suitable linker. (Comprehension/ Average) ii) The sound of the swirling water was very loud. They couldn't hear the scream of Satish.
i) It has been more than three years__________ he became ill. 17. The following paragraph has two errors. Edit the paragraph and rewrite it in the answer booklet.
ii) Satish wanted to scream to break the silence __________ he didn't. Clues are given. (Expression/ Average)
i) He has published four book of his works in verious arts.
8. Fill in the blanks choosing the appropriate words given in brackets. a) Spelling to be corrected. b) Plural form to be corrected
i) Satish was unable to__________[hear, here] a single word. ii) It is this boy, now popular known as satish Gujral.
ii) The bird had a longish___________ [tale, tail] and a black crest. a) Capital letter to be corrected. b) Adverbial mistake to be corrected

9.Combine the word in Column A with its collocative word in column B. (Remember/ Easy) III. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each:
A B 18. Why had Satish not gone to school?
i) rickety (bird, bridge, book, hand) 19. How did Satish meet with an accident?
ii) drawing (rolls, paint, colour, sheets) 20. Why was Satish confined to bed? What was the worst thing for him? Why was it so?
21. Many schools refused to take in Satish. How did it affect him?
10.Give one word for the following. 22. Why didn't Satish go to a new school? (May 2025 -2)
i) A journey with a purpose OR
ii) The art of producing beautiful writing. Why didn’t Satish want to go to school? (April 2024 - 1, June 2024 -2, July 2024 - 3)

63 64
23. Why did Avtar Narain become angry with the headmaster? In spite of his disability, Satish was able to succeed in his life. Justify. (April,2019)
24. How did Satish's brother Inder try to help him? OR
25. What effect did the books he read have on Satish? “Physical disability is no barrier to success”. Justify this statement with reference to the life of Satish
26. Satish saw a bird through the window. How did the bird appear to him? Gujaral. OR (April,2015)
27. Give a short description of the bird that Satish saw one day. (April 2017) Physical disability is no barrier to success. How do you substantiate this with Satish Gujral’s life?
28. At the beginning, Avtar Narain did not like his son's love for painting. Why? (April 2015) (March,2023)
29. Both the parents were his well-wishers. But each cared for him in a different way. How did Satish's V. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:
parents care for him?
30. Which action of Satish changed his father's attitude? 39.“Why didn't you come to school today?”
OR a) Who said these words?
What was the fact that Satish could not believe about his father? b) Who was absent at school, that day?
31. How did Satish express his gratitude to his father? c) When did the speaker say so?
32. Why is Satish Gujral popular all over the world?
33. “Satish became a great artist.” What makes you to appreciate him? (March 2025 - 1) 40.“Why are you speaking so softly? I can barely hear you.”
OR a) Who do the words ‘I’ refer to?
Write a short note on the achievements of Satish Gujral. What do we learn from his life? b) Who do the words ‘you’ refer to?
c) Why did the speaker say so?
IV. Answer the following question in 5-6 sentences each:
34. Narrate the circumstances that compelled Satish to stay at home. 41.“We will have to look for a new school.”
OR a) Who is the speaker?
Narrate the incidents that deprived Satish of regular schooling. (June,2018) b) Why was it needed to look for a new school?
OR c) What does ‘to look for’ mean in the context?
Explain the incident that forced Satish to stay back at home. How did it affect his formal education?
OR (April,2018) 42. “This is a school for normal boys. Why don't you take your son to the school of deaf and dumb
35. Everything seemed like scenes from some pantomime show to Satish? Why? children?”
36. How did Satish meet with an accident? a) Who said this to whom?
OR b) When did the speaker say so?
Briefly describe how Satish met with an accident? (June 2016) c) Why did the speaker refuse to admit the boy in his school?
OR
How was the accident during a vacation, a turning point in Satish's life? 43. “My son is not dumb sir; his hearing is a little bad. He is under treatment and will soon be fine.”
OR a) Who said these words?
How was the accident a turning point inSatish’s life? Discuss briefly and justify your answer. (June 2015) b) Who did he say this to?
OR c) When did he say these words?
Satish met with an accident which changed his destiny. Explain. (April 2016)
37. How did the bird inspire Satish to become an artist? (June 2019) 44.“If you want to get on in life, you have to read a lot. You can learn a great deal of things just by reading”
OR a) Who is the speaker here? (April 2020)
How did Sathis’s observation of a beautiful bird, change the direction of his life? b) Who does ‘you’ refer to?
38. How can we say that Satish Gujral became popular with the able support of his father? (September 2020) c) How did the speaker encourage reading?
OR
“Satish Gujral became a great artist”. Support this statement mentioning a few of his achievements. 45. “This is an idle pastime. You would do better to read and get some knowledge,” he said to his son.
OR a) Who is the speaker? (April 2022)
Why is Satish Gujral popular all over the world? (June,2015) b) Who does ‘you’ refer to?
OR c) What is referred to here as ‘idle pastime’?
How can you say that Satish became popular all over the world? (April,2017)
OR 46. “Why do you take away his source of entertainment?” (June,2022)
Satish Gujaral became popular all over the world in spite of his physical disability. Support the statement a) Who said this?
with your answer. (June,2017) b) Who does ‘you’ refer to?
OR c) What was ‘his’ source of entertainment?

65 66
47. “We must always be optimistic about his chances of recovering.” VIII. 52.Study the given pictures. Write a description of what the picture suggests to you, in
a) Who said these words to whom? paragraph.
b) Who was pessimistic(not hopeful) and about whom?
c) What made him say so? i)

48. “You want to do this very badly, don't you?”

a) Who said these words?
b) What made the speaker say this?
c) What did he do soon after leaving the room?

49. “Satish’s eyes filled with tears and he did an uncharacteristic thing.”
a) When did Satish’s eyes fill with tears?
b) What does ‘uncharacteristic’ mean?
c) What uncharacteristic thing did he do?
ii)
VI. 50. Given below is a profile. Write a paragraph using the clues given below. (Expression/ Average)
i) Name : Satish Gujral
Born : December 25, 1925, Jhelum, Punjab (British India)
Died : March 26, 2020, New Delhi, India
Profession : Painter, Sculptor, Architect, Writer
Hobbies : reading books, painting, sketching, good at Urdu calligraphy.
Education : Mayo School of Art, Lahore; Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai;
Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico
Awards : Padma Vibhushan (1999) – India’s second-highest civilian award,
numerous national and international honours for both art and architecture.
Reasons for popularity: Despite deafness, one of the foremost artists of India. IX. 53. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows: (Comprehension / Avg)
ii) Name : D Gukesh i) Satish Gujral is among the foremost artists of India. He is one of the few artists who is accomplished in
Full name : Dommaraju Gukesh several art forms like painting, sculpture and architecture. Satish Gujral is also a writer. Exhibitions of his
Birth : May 29,2006, Chennai, Tamil Nadu works have been held all over the world and displayed in prestigious museums like the Museum of
Parents : Dr.Rajanikant (ENTsurgeon), Dr.Padma (Microbiologist) Modern Art, New York, the Hiroshima Collection, Washington and the National Gallery of Modern Art,
Achievements : Second youngest Grandmaster in January 2019, New Delhi. He has published four books of his works in various arts. He was awarded the Order of the
won FIDE Tournament in 2024, Crown for the best architectural design of the 20th century for his design of the Belgium Embassy in New
World Chess Championship in December 2024 Delhi. He has also been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. His life of achievement is ample proof that
Youngest World Chess champion. physical disability is no barrier to success.
Highest world ranking: Number 3(March 2025) a) What are the fields in which Satish Gujral has made his name?
b) Mention the awards received by Satish Gujral.
VII. 51. Develop the story using the clues given below: ( Expression / Difficult)
ii) The first baby bomb was dropped on the densely populated industrial Town of Hiroshima in Japan on
i) Satish Gujral -weak and deaf. Refused admission by school-not a normal boy-boys made fun of him- 6th August 1945t.The city of Hiroshima was flattened. At least 78000 people and possibly many thousands
remained at home-one day - saw a beautiful bird-attracted by the bird-took interest in painting and more, were killed or fatally injured. As great a number were injured and all their dwellings were damaged
drawing-father admitted him - the best school of art- learnt drawing, painting, - Satish- fore most artist of or destroyed. The city’s military garrison was wiped out. Only a handful of doctors remained alive, and
India-exhibition of his works- all over the world-Government of India honoured-Padma Vibhushan. most hospitals and medical supplies were destroyed. Citizens of neighbouring towns described the burned,
Moral:--- living and dead as no longer recognizably humans, with their flesh raw and blackened, their hair gone and
ii) One day - extremely bright boy – Wangja - went to see bird of happiness-met three monsters on his the features melted on their faces. It was the most shocking sight man had ever witnessed.
way- made him suffer - monsters gave cruel tasks - Wangjia refused to do tasks - as a result - had to cross a) How do you say that the bomb blast resulted in a great disaster?
stony path - boundless desert -even became blind - end of the journey- nothing but skin and bone- b) What tells you that the condition of the bomb affected people was horrible?
courage, patience - finally reached - the bird of happiness - brought happiness to - village. Moral

67 68
XI. 54. Write a letter using the information given below : POEM 7 : THE BLIND BOY
Imagine that you are Shama,10th Standard, Government High School, Gorur. (MEMORISATION)

Write a letter to your father about your stay in the hostel. I. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each:
OR
Write a letter to the Editor, The Hindu, about accidents caused by rash driving of vehicles in your 1. According to the poem ‘The Blind Boy’, what is it that the blind boy cannot enjoy?
town. 2. What does the blind boy say about the sun? When is it day or night for him?
3. How do others feel about the blind boy? What is their reaction?
4. How does the blind boy react to the feelings of people about him?
5. What a normal person can understand is almost a riddle to the blind boy. What is it?
6. What is the message of the poem ‘The Blind Boy’?

II. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow.

7. “O say what is that thing called light? Which I must ne’er enjoy”
a) Why is the speaker asking about the light?
b) Whom is the speaker asking?
c) Why will the speaker never enjoy the sight?

8. “My day or night myself I make.”

a) Who is referred to as ‘I'?
b) When does the speaker sat that it is day or night?
c) Why does the speaker make day or night?

9. “But sure with patience I can bear, A loss I can never can know.”
a) Who makes this statement?
b) When does the speaker say this?
c) What is the loss that the speaker can bear?

10.“Then let not what I cannot have, my cheer of mind destroy.”

a) Who is the speaker?
b) What is that the speaker cannot have?
c) How will the boy’s cheer of mind be destroyed?

III. 11. Quote from memory: (Remember/ Easy)

i. O say what is ____________,

__________________________
___________________________,
___________________ blind boy!

ii. You talk of ______________,

_________________________
_________________________
______________ day or night?

iii. My day or ______________,

_______________________;

69 70
 ________________________ UNIT 8
_______________ always day. Prose: SCIENCE AND HOPE OF SURVIVAL
I. Four alternatives are given for each of the following questions /incomplete statements. Choose the
iv. With heavy ____________ correct answer and write the complete answer along with its letter of the alphabet.
________________________ 1. Choose the appropriate question tag and fill in the blank: (Comprehension/ Avg)
_________________________ i. Businessmen, lawyers, and doctors enjoy a much higher income, ________.
_________________ can know. (A) didn’t they? (B) did they ? (C) do they? (D) don't they ?
ii. Science is an exciting adventure_________.
v. Then let not _____________ (A) isn't it? (B) is it ? (C) was it ? (D) wasn't it ?
______________________
_______________________, 2.Read the conversation and fill in the blank with correct “If clause "choosing from the given alternatives:
________________ blind boy. (Comprehension/ Average)
i. Suman : You look sad. Why are you worried Tejas?
Tejas: I didn’t get a seat. If I had worked hard, I …… got the seat in the university.
(A)would have (B)wouldn’t have (C)wouldn’t (D)would
ii. Suma: Hello Sujatha, You're a bit down today.
Sujatha: Yes Suma. We've lost the cricket match by just two runs.
Suma: If your team had selected one more fast bowler, your team................ won the match
(A) will have (B) shall have (C) wouldn't have (D) would have

3. Read the conversation and choose the correct infinitive. (Comprehension/ Easy)
i. Meghana: Hi Arati will you come to the market ? I want to buy vegetables
Arati: Sure. Shall we go by bus?
Meghana : No let’s take an auto
(A) let’s take (B) come to (C)to buy (D)go by
ii. Sanjay : Shantha, where are you going now ?
Shantha ; I'm going to the library to read a novel
(A) going to (B) are you (C) am going (D) to read

4. Read the the following conversation and choose the language function for the underlined sentence:
(Comprehension/ Average)
i. Ganesh : It’s cloudy, we can’t play.
Gouri :Yeah,it may rain today.
(A) predicting (B) advising (C)requesting (D) possibility
ii. Mahesh: Hi, Good morning. How are you?
Suresh: I am not feeling well.
Mahesh: Oh, shall I drop you to the hospital ?
Suresh: That’ll be great.
(A) Expressing ability (B) Seeking permission (C) Giving an order (D) Offering help

II. Rewrite as directed

5. Combine the word in Column-A with its collocative word in Column-B. ( Remember/ Easy)
A B
i. scientific (attachment, research, summon, energy)
ii. seismic (ban, call, entry, waves)
iii. commit (crime, doubt, money, lay)
iv. rapid (glance, draw, walk, decline)
v. quick (train, speech, glance, doubt)

71 72
 vi. speedy (payment, recovery, progress, action) Kusuma told Pavithra ____________________________________________________ .
iii. Chandan: I met Rani last week in Mysore.
6. Write the number of syllables for each of the following words: ( Remember/ Easy) Raghu: Oh. Does she look the same?
i. Practical, mathematics, reward, scientific Chandan: There’s a little bit change in her appearance.
ii. nation, country, school, shoes Chandan informed Raghu ______________________________________________________
iv. Arathi: How much is that camera?
7. Fill in the blank with appropriate tense form of the verbs given in bracket: ( comprehension/ average) Henry: It’s 13500
i. The technical experts __________(be + summon) to solve the problem that arose . Arathi: I think this one will be fine.
ii. Nobody ________ (be + satisfy ) with his wealth, everybody is satisfied with his wisdom. Arathi told Henry ………………………….
III. The following paragraph has two errors. Edit the paragraph and rewrite it in the answer booklet. Clues
8. Fill in the blank with suitable article: ( comprehension/ average) are given. (Expression/ Average)
i. In a nuclear war, _____ one who strikes first will be the survivor.
ii. A writer is __________ person who cannot live without writing. 17. i) It is common recognised that the very survival of our civilization is threaten by natural and man made
disasters.
9. Fill In the blank with appropriate preposition: (Comprehension/ Average) Clues: a) Adverb to be corrected b) Verb form to be corrected
i. Everyone lived under the fear of annihilation _____ nuclear weapons. ii. It thaught me never to feel lone abroad.
ii. The summons came___________ the President of Russia. Clues: a) Adverb to be corrected b) Spelling mistake to be corrected
iii. A common lore is that immersion in sicence does not goes with practical sense.
10. Fill in the blank using suitable linker. (Comprehension/ Average) Clues: a)spelling mistake to be corrected b) Verb form to be corrected
i. _____ trillions of dollars are spent to contain them by all known techniques. iv. He had receive a messages from the Palace of Nations in Geneva.
ii. Science is an existing adventure _______major rewards comes from the discovery. Clues: a) Verb form to be corrected b) Noun plural to be corrected
v. Each super power had more than enough nuclear bomb to destroy the others of the strike.
11. Fill in the blank using the correct word given in bracket. ( Expression/ Average) Clues: a) Preposition to be corrected b) Noun plural to be corrected
i. My theoretical knowledge had a great ______ (apply) in the area of survival of the mankind.
ii. The scientists get rewards from their _____ (discover). IV Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each:
18. Despite low income, why do some people choose to become scientists ? (2018 April)
12. Identify the parts of speech of the underlined word. ( Remember/ Average) 19. “According to Kellis Borok, being a scientist is more exciting than being a doctor or an engineer.”Why ?
i. If humanly used, science is the indispensable guardian and care taker. (2018 June)
ii. If you are so clever, why are you so poor? 20. According to Kellis Borok “Science is an exciting adventure”. Explain. (2019 April)
21. Everybody lived under the threat of annihilation. What caused this threat?
13. i. Use the word ‘show’ as a verb in your own sentence. ( Expression/ Average) 22.Why did the president of Russian Academy of Sciences summon Borok?
ii. Use the word ‘problem’ as a noun in your own sentence. ( Expression/ Average) 23. Name the three nations which possessed nuclear weapons. Who had summoned the writer Kellis Borok
to attend the meeting ?
14. Change into passive voice. ( Expression/ Difficult) 24. Why were the technical experts summoned by the three super powers of the world ? (2019 June,2020
i. The basic research can create spring board for developing new disaster preparedness industry. April,2023 June)
ii. The resident showed me a letter. 25. How, according to Borok, is the survival of civilization, threatened?
26. What did the threat of Mutually Assured destruction imply?
15. Change the following sentence into other two degrees. ( Expression/ Average) 27. Why did the super powers meet in Geneva?
i. No other profession in the world is as great as scientist. OR
ii. Money is more popular than any other thing in the world. Why did the UK, USSR and USA meet in Geneva? (April 2016, June 2015, June 2016)
28. "Iron curtain is referred to as a barrier. It was outwardly difficult for the opposite sides of the Iron curtain
16. Read the following conversation and change the underlined sentence into reported speech. to find the solution." What was the reason?
(Expression/ Difficult) 29. How were the scientists able to work on a solution, in spite of political and cultural differences?
i. Naveen : Hemanth did you meet Akash 30. Give a few examples which illustrate the writer's stand that scientists are the most practical people in the
Hemanth : Yes, I met him in college yesterday world.
Hemanth replied that _____________________________________________________ 31. Who will be head hunted by pharmaceutical industries and financial institutions?
ii. Pavithra: Hello Kusuma, how are you? 32. Who can best ensure our safety in the world and how? (2016 April, 2024 April-1)
Kusuma: Hi, I am not feeling well. 33. How can you prove that scientists are the most practical people in the world? (2017 April)

73 74
34.Why does Kellis Borok feel that Science is the indispensable guardian and caretaker of humanity ? IX. 43. Study the picture below. Write a description of what the picture suggests to you in paragraph.
(2017 June)
35. How does the writer praise the feeling of success of the scientists ? (2024 June - 2 ; July - 3) i. ii.
36. “Nobody is satisfied with his wealth, everybody is satisfied with his wisdom.’’ How does the writer
Kellis Borok justify this statement. (2025April)

V. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

37. "My theoretical knowledge had a direct application in the area of survival of humankind."
a) Who does ‘my’ refer to ?
b) In which field did the writer have theoretical knowledge?
c) How would it have a direct application in the area of survival of humankind?

38. "The three nuclear powers were willing to come to an agreement." XI. 44. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows: (Comprehension / Avg)
a) Name the three nuclear powers.
b) Why did they decide to come to an agreement? Desire, anger, miserliness, lust, pride and jealousy are the six enemies of man. They come in the way of his
c) What did they propose to do? growth. Great men have always advised us to conquer them. For the purpose, we have to keep our eyes,
ears and tongue under control. It is difficult to control them. Great men like sage Vasista , Sri Rama, the
39. Why is that some of us are still deciding to become scientists, despite the fact that businessmen, lawyers, Buddha, Lord Jesus, prophet Muhammad and Gandhi had succeeded in keeping them under control.
and doctors enjoy a much higher income?
a) Why do only some people decide to become scientists? a) What are the six enemies of man? How can we conquer them?
b) What reward do they get by becoming scientists? b) Name the great men who have shown us the way to control the six enemies.
c) Why do we need scientists?
XII. Answer the following question in about 8-10 questions
40. It turned out that this problem had a direct connection with the theory of seismic waves.
a) When did this "problem" arise? 45. What lessons did the writer learn at the Geneva Summit?
b) What is the "problem" referred to here? 46. Why did the scientists meet at Geneva? What conclusion did they come to?
c) Which waves were almost same as seismic waves? 47. ‘Iron Curtain’ is referred as a barrier. It was outwardly difficult for the opposite sides of the iron curtain
to find out the solution for the problem of violation of agreement. What was the reason?
VI. 41. Given below is a profile.Write a paragraph using the clues given below. (Expression/ Average) 48. Describe how Science has proved to have helped mankind in progressing.
i) Name : PoornachandraTejaswi 49. How did Kellis Borok’s research help in saving mankind?
Born : September 8th 1938,Kuppalli OR
Parents : Kuvempu, Hemavathi Kellis Borok was enjoying his research work. A summon from the President of Russian Academy of
Spouse : Rajeshwari Sciences, suddenly showed how his work had a connection with real life. Explain.
Pen name : Poochanthe
Notable works : Karvalo, Jugaari Cross, Chidambara Rahasya etc. XIII. 50. Write an essay on any one of the following: (Expression / Difficult)
Occupation : Writer, novelist, photographer, painter.
a) Ban On Plastic
VIII. 42. Develop the story using the clues given below: ( Expression / Difficult) b) Internet

i) Three friends- two geese , a tortoise - drought- decide to migrate-for food and water - geese fly - tortoise
can’t- thought a plan – carry tortoise – hold stick with their beaks – tortoise not to speak - hold the middle
of the stick- some children clap - tortoise angry- burst out - fell on the rock- died - moral.
ii) Once lion-was asleep-mouse - running up and down - awakened the lion- caught the Mouse-“Pardon, O
King!” – cried - little mouse - lion – kind - lifted his paw - let him go – after few days - hunters captured-
lion-net- little mouse - passed by- ran to him - chewed the ropes – net - king of the jungle- freed- lion
thanked.

75 76
 POEM 8 : OFF TO OUTER SPACE TOMORROW MORNING 14. “You can cross out my name from the telephone book.” (2024 April - 1, June 2, July 3
a) Who is the speaker ?
I. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each: b) Why did the speaker say ?
c) When did the speaker say ?
1. According to the poet outer space is solitary confinement for him. Why ? (2023 March, 2023
June,2017 April, June2018) III.15. Study the picture given below. Write a description or an account of what the picture Suggested
2. The poet is ‘off to outer space tomorrow morning’. What does he ask the readers to do?( 2016 June) to you in a paragraph:
3. State the reason for the poet to say that "Calendars and clocks are useless in space" (2019 April,2019
June) i)
4. The speaker says "Tea cups circling round me like the planets round the sun". Why does it happen only
in space and not the earth?
5. What might have been the purpose of the poet behind the repetition of the last line in each stanza
6. How would people on earth watch the astronaut? Would it affect him in any way?
OR
The speaker in ‘Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning’ is uncertain of his return. How does he express
this? (2018 April)
7. Give some instances of daily routine mentioned in the poem ‘Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning’.
8. How has the poet described the life in space in the poem ‘Off to Outer Space Tomorrow Morning’?

II. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:

9. “There won’t be any calendar, there won’t be any clock” (2020 April, September 2025)
a) Who is the speaker?
b) Why won't there be any calendars and clocks?
c)Where is the speaker experiencing this?
ii)
10. “Daylight will be on the switch and winter under lock”
a) ‘Winter under lock’- what does this mean?
b) Where would all the above happen?
c) Who is the poet of this poem?

11. “In solitary confinement as complete as any goal.” (2015 April)

a) What does solitary mean?
b) Why does the speaker say so?
c) What is referred to as solitary confinement?

12. “With the teacups circling round me like the planets round the sun.”
a) Between which two things is the comparison made?
b) Why would the poet feel so?
c) Where does this happen?

13. “Tracking through your telescope my upward shooting star.”

a) Who does ‘your’ refer to?
b) Which instrument does the poet tell us to use to track his journey toward space?
c) What feeling is expressed throughout the poem?

77 78
 SUPPLEMENTARY READING 2. ON TOP OF THE WORLD
1. NARAYANPUR INCIDENT
I. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences: I. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences.

1. Why had the students been marching? How was it an unusual march? (Comprehension/ Avg) 1. Give an account of hardship and challenges Dicky Dolma faced before she was qualified for this
OR venture. (APRIL -2015, APRIL-2020, APRIL-2022, MARCH-2023)
How was the students’ marching an unusual march? (April 2016) 2. How had Dolma described her preparedness for the task of scaling Mount Everest?
2. Babu and Manju were a bit disappointed with the way students marching. What was the reason? (JUNE-2016, JUNE- 2017)
(April 2018) 3. With zeal determination there is nothing that one cannot achieve. What else do you think are
necessary to achieve? (SEPTEMBER –2020)
3. How did the student leaders manage the protest? Why did they do so? (April 2015)
4. What was Dicky Dolma fascinated by since her childhood?
OR
5. How did Dicky Dolma prepare herself for her venture?
The student leaders managed the protest to go peacefully. Why? (April 2021)
6. What was the dream of Dicky Dolma? When did her dream come true? What was her
OR achievement?
Why did Mohan and his friends have a peaceful procession? (April 2024) 7. How did Dicky Dolma feel when she climbed the Mount Everest? (JUNE-2019)
4. What had the police expected about the way of protest? How did the student leaders manage the 8. What makes you think that Dicky Dolma’s life as a girl, was sorrowful?
protest? (April 2017) 9. What factors encouraged Dicky Dolma to take up basic Mountaineering course? (JUNE- 2023)
OR 10. What does Dolma say about the view from the top of Mount Everest?
According to Mohan, what did the police expect from the protestors and why? (June 2022) 11. What can we learn from Dicky Dolma’s life? (APRIL-2016)
5. What was there in the ‘mysterious parcel’? What suspicion did the police have about that? 12. How could Dicky Dolma achieve the great feat even with her hardships?
6. Why had Patil, the sub-inspector come there? Who believed him? What was the result? (June2016) 14. Mention the hobbies of Dicky Dolma? (MARCH-2025)
7. How was the visit of Patil, the sub-inspector, helpful to Mohan’s family? (June 2019) 15. What was the biggest headache that Dolma had to face besides her physical and mental
8. What do you think the writer of the incident trying to impress upon the readers?( March 2022) problems?
OR 16. Dolma says “ It is not a difficult decision for me to take up the challenge of the lofty
What can we learn from the lesson’ Narayanpur incident’? (September2021) Mountains.” Why does she say so? (APRIL-2017, JUNE-2018, JUNE- 2022)

79 80
 3. A GREAT MARTYR EVER CHERISHED 13. How was the military training at IMA? How did it effect Haneef?
1. The writer speaks of the ‘smile’ that welcomes anyone who enters Haneef’s house. What more do 14. How do you say Haneef’s family took the family’s pride to the next level even after Haneef’s
we know about this ‘smile’? death?
2. What did Haneef choose as his mission? Why did he do so? 15.What can we learn from Haneef’s life?
3. Life for Haneef in the beginning was never a smooth sail. Why was it so? OR
4. The absence of the mother, from home, taught the children something. What was that? (April What can the youths learn from Hanif’s life ? ( June 2017)
2016) OR
How did Hema Aziz teach her children the message that “one’s duty is the most important thing in
life”? (2018 April) OR
In what way did the absence of mother make Haneef and his brothers responsible ? (June 2018)
OR
What did Hanif and his brothers learn from the absence of their mother from home ? (Sept 2020)
OR
How did Haneef and his brothers learn to be independent at a young age ?( April 2022)
OR
What did Haneef’s mother’s absence from home teach her children ? (June 2022)
5. How does the writer describe the ‘introvert’ Haneef? (April 2019)
OR
How do you say that Hanif is an introvert ? (March 2023)
OR
How does the writer describe the ‘introvert’ Hanif? (May 2025 Exam 2)
6. Hanif was a young man with varied talents and interests. Illustrate this statement from textual
examples.
OR
How was Hanif able to keep himself cheerful throughout ? (April 2015)
OR
Haneefuddin, “A Great Martyr” was a talented young man. Describe. (June 2015)
OR
As a soldier, ‘Hanif had various talents and interests in his youth’.
Illustrate the statement. (June 2016)
OR
How was life for Hanif always ‘ekdam bindas’? (April 2017)
OR
Hanif was a young man with varied talents and interests. Support the statement. (June 2019)
OR
Haneef was a young man with varied talents and interests. Explain briefly. (April 2020)
OR
Hanifuddin was a young man with varied talents and interests. Illustrate the statement. (June 2023)
OR
How do you say that Haneef’s life was always ‘ekdam bindas’? (April 2024))
OR
Do you think that Haneef was very talented? Substantiate. (June 2024)
7. What were the dreams of Hanif? Do you think they were fulfilled?
8. Why did Haneef become very responsible at his tender age?
9. How did Haneef’s friends call him? What can we guess from his belongings?
10.What were Haneef’s brothers doing at the time of the tragedy?
11. How can you say that Haneef was able to reach out to all?
12. How did Haneef come to know about the army?

81 82
 4. THE BIRD OF HAPPINESS

I. Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each

1. Why were the people of Tibet unhappy?

2. What did the old folk of Tibet say about happiness?
3. Who was selected to find the bird of happiness? What was done on his departure?
4. What did the first monster ask Wangjia to do? How did Wangjia react to it? (June 2018)
5. What was the challenge of the first monster? Why did Wangjia refuse to obey him? (Sept 2020)
OR
How did Wangjia react to the first monster? (March 2023)
6. How did the first old monster punish Wangjia? (May 2025 - 2)
“Will I ever make it?” Why did Wangjia feel so?
7. How did Wangjia react to the second monster? (April,2024 -1)
8. How did the second monster make Wangjia suffer?
9. What did the third monster warn Wangjia? How did Wangjia respond?
10. How was the third journey difficult for Wangjia?
11. What contrast do you draw between the wishes of the monsters and the wish of Wangjia?
12. What do you like the most in the story? Support your answer giving reasons.
13. What hardships did Wangjia undergo on his way to find the bird?
14. How did the bird of happiness put an end to the hardships suffered by the people?
OR
How did the Bird of Happiness bring happiness to the Tibetan villagers? (June 2019)
OR
How did the Bird of Happiness bless Wangjia’s village with its three cries? (June 2023)
OR
The cries of the bird of happiness at the end gave successful expedition for Wangjia. How?
(March 2025 - 1)
15.What changes came over Wangjia as the bird of happiness caressed him?
(April 2018 ; April 2019)
16. How can you say that once Wangjia was a brave boy? (April 2020)

83