SANJEEVANI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, 23 DWD RAWATSAR
Half Yearly Examination 2025–2026
Subject: English Core
Class- XI th
Time: 3 Hours Maximum Marks: 70
General Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. Attempt the questions in the given sequence.
3. Read all questions carefully and write answers neatly.
SECTION – A: READING SKILLS (20 Marks)
Q1. Unseen Passage (10 Marks)
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Global warming is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It is the increase in the average
temperature of the Earth’s surface due to the excessive concentration of greenhouse gases.
These gases—carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—trap the sun’s heat and cause
climatic changes. Melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and extreme weather conditions are all
results of this phenomenon. To combat it, nations must reduce carbon emissions, promote
renewable energy, and adopt sustainable living practices.
Questions:
1. a) What are greenhouse gases? (2)
2. b) Mention any two harmful effects of global warming. (2)
3. c) What steps should nations take to fight global warming? (2)
4. d) What is the main cause of global warming? (2)
5. e) Suggest a suitable title for the passage. (2)
Q2. Case-Based Factual Passage (10 Marks)
Read the following passage carefully:
The table below shows the results of a survey conducted among Class XII students
regarding their daily screen time habits.
Screen Time (per day) No. of Students
Less than 2 hours 10
2–4 hours 25
4–6 hours 35
More Than 6 hours 30
6. a) How many students use screens for more than 4 hours daily? (2)
7. b) What percentage of students spend less than 2 hours on screen? (2)
8. c) What does the data suggest about students’ screen habits? (2)
9. d) Give one negative effect of excessive screen time. (2)
10. e) Suggest a way to reduce screen time. (2)
SECTION – B: WRITING SKILLS (20 Marks)
Q3. Notice Writing (4 Marks)
You are the Secretary of the Cultural Club of your school. Write a notice in about 50 words
inviting students to participate in the upcoming Inter-School Debate Competition on the
topic “Social Media: A Boon or a Curse?”. Mention date, time, venue, and contact details.
Q4. Letter Writing (6 Marks)
You are Riya Sharma, a resident of 45, Rose Avenue, Amritsar. Write a letter to the Editor of
The Tribune expressing your concern over the increasing problem of water pollution in
your city and suggesting measures to control it.
Q5. Invitation and Reply (10 Marks)
a) You are Amit Kumar. Invite your friend Rohan to attend your sister’s wedding at your
residence in Jaipur. (5)
b) Write a formal reply of acceptance on behalf of Rohan. (5)
SECTION – C: LITERATURE (30 Marks)
Q6. Short Answer Questions (Any Five – 2 Marks each = 10 Marks)
Answer in 30–40 words each.
11. i) What made Franz realize the importance of his mother tongue in “The Last Lesson”?
12. ii) How did Douglas overcome his fear of water in “Deep Water”?
13. iii) Why did the peddler call the world a rattrap in “The Rattrap”?
14. iv) How does the poet capture the pain of aging in “My Mother at Sixty-Six”?
15. v) What do Aunt Jennifer’s tigers symbolize in “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”?
16. vi) How did the astrologer’s prediction come true in “The Tiger King”?
Q7. Long Answer Question (Any One – 5 Marks)
Answer in 120–150 words.
(i) “The Rattrap” presents the theme of human compassion and redemption. Discuss with
reference to the story.
OR
(ii) “Deep Water” is a story of overcoming fear through courage and determination.
Elaborate.
Q8. Long Answer Question (Any One – 5 Marks)
Answer in 120–150 words.
(i) What lessons about the environment and human responsibility do we learn from
“Journey to the End of the Earth”?
OR
(ii) Describe the humor and irony in “The Tiger King.”
Q9. Extract-Based Questions (10 Marks)
(A) Read the following lines from the poem “My Mother at Sixty-Six” and answer the
questions:
“But soon put that thought away, and looked out at young
Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes.”
a) What does the poet mean by “put that thought away”? (2)
b) What contrast does the poet draw in these lines? (2)
c) What emotion is the poet trying to hide? (1)
(B) Read the following lines from “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”:
“Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.”
a) Why are Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering? (2)
b) What does the ivory needle symbolize here? (2)
c) What do Aunt Jennifer’s tigers represent? (1)
