ANNUAL EXAMINATION, 2023-24

Subject: English
Date:27/02/2024 Class: IX ABC
Time: 3 Hrs Marks:80
Name: ______________________________________________ Roll No: _____
Instructions:
1. Neat and clean work is expected.
2. All questions are compulsory.
3. Figures in the right side indicate marks

READING (22 Marks)

1. Read the following passage.
1. Transformative Impact of Technology in Education
In the fast-evolving landscape of education, technology has emerged as a catalyst for
transformative change. The integration of digital tools and platforms has not only
revolutionized the way students learn but has also reshaped the entire educational
paradigm. The advent of technology in education has ushered in an era of unprecedented
access to information. From interactive learning modules to virtual classrooms,
technology has created a dynamic and engaging learning environment that transcends the
limitations of traditional methods.
2. Digital learning platforms have become the cornerstone of modern education. These
platforms offer a diverse range of resources, including e-books, interactive simulations,
and multimedia presentations, providing students with a personalized and immersive
learning experience. The flexibility of digital learning allows students to progress at their
own pace, catering to individual learning styles and preferences.
3. Technology has facilitated seamless collaboration among students and educators. Virtual
classrooms, online forums, and collaborative tools enable students to interact with peers
and teachers beyond the confines of physical classrooms. This enhanced connectivity
fosters a global perspective, breaking down geographical barriers and promoting cross-
cultural understanding.
4. Adaptive learning technologies leverage artificial intelligence to tailor educational
content to individual student needs. These technologies assess the learner's strengths and
weaknesses, providing personalized feedback and adapting the curriculum accordingly.
This adaptive approach ensures that students receive targeted support, addressing gaps
in their understanding and promoting mastery of key concepts.
5. However, the integration of technology in education is not without challenges. Issues
such as the digital divide, concerns about screen time, and the need for teacher training
pose significant hurdles. Bridging the gap in access to technology and addressing these
challenges are essential for ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements are
accessible to all students.
6. As the world becomes increasingly digitized, incorporating technology into education
prepares students for the demands of the future workforce. Digital literacy, critical
thinking, and problem-solving skills cultivated through technology-driven education are
essential components for success in a rapidly evolving global economy.
7. In conclusion, the transformative impact of technology on education is undeniable. From
providing diverse learning resources to fostering collaboration and preparing students for
the future, technology has become an integral part of the educational landscape. While
challenges exist, the potential for innovation and improvement in educational outcomes
is vast. Embracing technology in education is not just an evolution; it is a revolution that
 holds the promise of shaping a generation of learners equipped with the skills needed to
thrive in an ever-changing world.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions by choosing (1x12=12)
the correct option.
(i) Why does the passage emphasize the importance of addressing challenges in the
integration of technology in education?
(ii) How does technology contribute to breaking down geographical barriers in education?
(iii) What challenges does the passage acknowledge in the integration of technology in
education?
(iv) Why is digital literacy considered essential for the future workforce, according to the
passage?
(v) Digital learning platforms offer a diverse range of resources, including e-books,
interactive ________________, and multimedia presentations.
(vi) The connectivity facilitated by technology fosters a global perspective, breaking down
__________ barriers and promoting cross-cultural understanding.
(vii) What is the primary focus of the passage?
a. Historical evolution of education b. Impact of technology on education
c. Challenges in educational systems d. Traditional teaching methods
(viii) According to the passage, what is the impact of technology on collaboration among
students and educators?
a. No change in collaboration b. Decreased collaboration
c. Seamless collaboration d. Limited collaboration
(ix) What is the primary takeaway from the section on preparation for the future?
a. The irrelevance of digital literacy b. The necessity of traditional skills.
c. The importance of technological skills d. The exclusion of critical thinking in
for the future workforce education
(x) Find a word from the passage which means same as ‘unusual’. (Para 1)
(xi) Find antonym of ‘disjointed’ from the passage. (Para 3)
(xii) The passage focuses solely on positive aspects of technology. True/False
2 Read the following passage carefully.
1. Organic farming was practised in India years ago till the British ruled it. In traditional
India, agriculture was practised using organic techniques, where the fertilizers,
pesticides, etc were obtained from plant and animal products. Organic farming was the
backbone of the Indian economy. Ploughing was done by bullocks and cow dung was
being used as manure.
2. During the 1950s and 1960s, the ever-increasing population of India and several natural
calamities led to a severe food crisis. As a result, the government was forced to import
food grains from foreign countries. To increase food security, the government had to
increase food production. Several hectares of land were brought under cultivation.
Hybrid seeds were introduced. Natural and organic fertilizers were replaced by chemical
fertilizers and locally made pesticides were replaced by chemical pesticides. As time
went by, extensive dependence on chemical farming has led to loss of land fertility. Pests
are becoming immune, requiring the farmers to use stronger and costlier pesticides. Due
to increased cost of farming, farmers are falling into the trap of money lenders, who are
exploiting them to no end. Both consumers and farmers are now gradually shifting back
to organic farming in India. It is believed by many that organic farming is healthier.
Consumers are willing to pay higher prices for the same. Many farmers in India are
shifting to organic farming due to the domestic and international demand for organic
food.
 3. Further, stringent standards for non-organic food in European and US markets have led
to rejection of many Indian food consignments in the past. Organic farming, therefore,
provides a better alternative to chemical farming. Today more than 2.5 million hectares
of land is under organic farming in India. India, therefore, is one of the most important
suppliers of organic food to the developed nations. The organic movement has again
started in India.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer questions from that (1x10=10)
follow.
(i) What is the correct order of the information given below?
i. Natural fertilisers replaced chemical pesticides.
ii. Today more than 2.5 million hectares of land is under organic farming in India.
iii. Government imported food grains from foreign countries.
iv. Organic farming was practiced in India till the British ruled it.
a. iv, i, iii, ii b. iv. ii, iii, i c. iv, iii, i, ii d. iv, i, ii, iii
(ii) What impact has extensive dependence on chemical farming created?
a, Reduction of land fertility b. Immunity of pests
c. Cost of farming has escalated d. All of these
(iii) Many farmers today are shifting to organic farming as
i. There is a demand for organic food.
ii. Many non-organic food consignments.
iii. The cost of inorganic farming is decreasing.
iv. Chemical farming leads to loss of land fertility.
a. (i) i and iv b. (ii) ii and iii c. (iii) ii and iv d. (iv) i, ii and iv
(iv) Why are consumers willing to pay higher prices for organic produce?
a. They believe that such produce is healthier
b. The organic movement has again started in India
c. There is a rise in international demand for organic food
d. There will be less exploitation of farmers by moneylenders
(v) How can we say that Indian farmers practised organic farming before Independence?
i. The farmers used natural fertilisers such as cow dung
[Link] used pesticides made from animal or natural products
iii. Hybrid seeds were used
iv. Both (i) and (ii)
(vi) Mention any one benefit of organic farming.
(vii) Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘a way of carrying out a
particular task.’ (para 1)
(viii) Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘strict and precise’. (para 3)
(ix) Find a word from the passage which means the opposite of ‘novel’. (para 1)
(x) Find a word from the passage which means the opposite of ‘uncomprehensive’. (para 2)

WRITING AND GRAMMAR (32 MARKS)

3. You are Anuj/Anita, Head Boy/Girl of your school. Draft a notice inviting all the house captains (1x3= 3)
to discuss about the coming annual day function in not more than 50 words.
OR
Your club is going to organise an Inter-Class Singing Competition. Write a notice inviting
names of the students who want to participate in it. Give all the necessary details. You are
Naveen/Navita, Secretary, Music Club, Akash Public School, Agra in not more than 50 words.
4. Imagine you are Vikas and weak in English. You went to your English teacher for suggestions (1x4=4)
to improve English. Write four dialogues for each of you.
OR
A patient, who has been unwell for some time, goes to his doctor. Write an imaginary dialogue
which may take place between the patient and the doctor. Four dialogues for each.
5. Your younger brother/sister has recently won a district level football championship match on (1x7=7)
district level wherein a great number of schools participated. Write a letter to congratulate
him/her and motivate him/her for further practice to pursue it as a profession in not more than
100-120 words.
OR
You are very much fond of adventure. You were on a tour with your class mates to Kachchh a
few days ago. Write your thrilling experience and also mention your learning to Kitty, your best
friend – your diary in not more than 100-120 words.
6. "In the words of Colin Powell, 'Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing (1x8=8)
you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them.' How do you encourage open
communication of problems within your class, and how do you approach solving them?" Give
two examples. Write a paragraph in not more than 150 words.
OR
"Hippocrates said, 'Exercise is the best medicine.' In what ways do sports promote physical and
mental well-being and how can this positively impact one's overall development?" Write a
paragraph in not more than 150 words.
7. Complete the tasks A-C, as directed.
A. Fill in the blanks (i) – (iii) with the appropriate option from those in the brackets. (1x3= 3)

Last weekend, my friends and I (i) __________ (plan) a camping trip. As we set up our tents,
we realized we (ii)__________ (forget) the cooking utensils. Thankfully, a nearby campsite
graciously (iii)__________ (lend) us their extra supplies. We cooked a delicious meal together
and concluded that the best adventures often involve unexpected teamwork.

B. The following paragraphs have not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify (1x4= 4)
the error and write its correction against the correct blank number. Remember to
underline the correction.

Error correction
She reminds us that it are A ________ ________
important to visiting museums in B ________ ________
our country to experience a impact C ________ ________
that a work of art leaves in our senses. D ________ ________

C. Do as directed. (1x3= 3)

(i) Rearrange the following words/phrases to form meaningful sentence. (1x1= 1)

a. that life began/ centuries ago/ scientists think/ twenty million/ on earth/ about

(ii) Report the dialogues to complete the paragraph that follows. (1+1=2)

Miss Grundy: Mohit, you spent time on this homework assignment and it really shows.
Mohit: Thanks, Miss Grundy. You mean it's that good?
Miss Grundy : No, I mean it's covered with stains from an evening's worth of snacks.
 Mohit's teacher, Miss Grundy told him that (a) ______ and it really showed. Mohit
thanked his teacher and asked her (b) ________. To that the angry teacher replied that it
was covered with stains from a whole evening’s worth of snacks.

LITERATURE (26 MARKS)

8. Read the excerpts given below and answer the questions that follows, for ANY TWO (4+4=8)
excerpts, of the three, given.
A She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the night after
dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of the house. It was a summer night and
there was full moon.
(a) Who are ‘she’ and ‘I’ in the above extract?
(b) What did ‘I’ forget about?
(c) What do you mean by the word ‘nodded’?
(d) What was ‘she’ upset about?
B “No nightingale did ever chant
More welcome notes to weary bands of
travellers in some shady haunt.
Among Arabian Sands”
(a) To whom does ‘weary bands’ refer?
(b) Why did the poet compare the notes to that of a nightingale?
(c) What kind of song was the singer singing?
(d) How did the song affect the poet?
C Instinctively, he looked for Duke.
They carried the big dog into the house. Marcy took one look at Duke’s breathing, at
his brown eyes with the stubbornness gone. “Phone the vet,” she said. “Tell him, I’m
bringing Duke.” Several people jumped to lift the dog. “No, please,” she said. And she
picked up the big Duke, carried him gently to the car and drove him to the animal
hospital.
(a) Why was Duke carried into the house?
(b) Where did Marcy take Duke?
(c) What was the expression in Duke’s eyes?
(d) Who and why did he look for Duke?

9. Answer the questions in 30-40 words. (Any Six) (6x2=12)

(a) ‘‘Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad made to his mistress’ eyebrow.’’ Why does
a lover behave thus?
(b) Gaston was indeed a clever businessman. Explain.
(c) What are the different companions of brook?
(d) Name the two persons (other than the parents) who were responsible for keeping Harold
in dark about his father’s identity.
(e) What were the consequences of the poet’s actions in her childhood according to the poem
‘Oh! I wish I’d looked After Me Teeth’ ?
(f) How do the hills, flowers and fields respond to the arrival of the rain?
 (g) What does the phrase “I find him waiting at the gate whenever I get back from a trip”
reveal about the relationship between John A. Pescud and the Colonel?
10. Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 100-120 words: (6x1=6)

(a) “The prison is meant for reformation, not punishment.” Justify this statement with
reference to the lesson ‘The Bishop’s Candlesticks’.
(b) Who was Private Quelch? Why was Private Quelch labelled as the ‘Professor’? Where
did the narrator meet him? Narrate in your own words the incident that proved to be a
turning point in Private Quelch’s life.

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