Dear Teachers and Students,

Join School of Educators' exclusive WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal groups for FREE access
to a vast range of educational resources designed to help you achieve 100/100 in exams!
Separate groups for teachers and students are available, packed with valuable content to
boost your performance.

Additionally, benefit from expert tips, practical advice, and study hacks designed to enhance
performance in both CBSE exams and competitive entrance tests.

Don’t miss out—join today and take the first step toward academic excellence!

Join the Teachers and Students

Group by Clicking the Link Below
Series ARSP/11 Set ~ 11
Roll No. Q.P Code 15/11/11
Candidates must write the Q.P Code
on the title page of the answer-book.

 Please check that this question paper contains 09 printed pages.

 Q.P. Code given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written
on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.
 Please check that this question paper contains 11 questions.
 Please write down the serial number of the question in the answer-book
before attempting it.
 15 Minute times has been allotted to read this question paper. The question
paper will be distributed at 10:15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m to 10.30 a.m, the students
will read the question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer –
book during this period.

ENGLISH(LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE )

Time allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :

1. This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.

2. The question paper contains THREE sections -

Section - A : Reading Skills

Section - B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills

Section - C : Literature Text Book

3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A Reading
1. Read the following passage carefully: [10]
1. Happiness is like the sun; it is often hidden by the clouds of thoughts, worries and desires. We have to
scatter and dissolve these clouds to experience happiness. You don't have to create it, all you have to do is
calm your mind, because when there is a quiet mind and inner peace, there is happiness. It is not something
far away and unattainable and does not depend on circumstances, objects or events. Happiness is an
inseparable part of our consciousness, of our essence, but hidden and covered from sight by our thoughts,
desires, and worries.
2. The mind is always in a constant race from one thought to another, from one worry to another. It constantly
moves from one object or task to another. This restlessness hides the happiness that is within you. It is like a
choppy sea that hides the bottom. When the sea gets calm, you can see the bottom. In the same way, when
the mind gets quiet, you sense the happiness that is within you.
3. You cannot see a treasure at the bottom of a stormy and muddy lake although it is there. However, when the
wind stops, the water becomes still and the mud sinks, you can see the treasure. The treasure is there,
whether you see it or not. So is happiness. It is always here, only hidden by thoughts, desires and worries.
4. You can experience more happiness in your life. Only your thoughts stand in your way of experiencing it.
Next time you feel happy, stop for a moment and watch the state of your mind. You will be surprised to
discover that it is calm, and there are almost no thoughts in your mind. Since the mind is not accustomed to
stay in this peaceful state for long, it soon becomes active again, and the sense of happiness disappears.
5. Many people connect happiness to achievement of certain goals. This makes happiness a reward and not an
emotion that must be felt. We forget that it is something that comes by looking inward rather than waiting
for an external trigger. Once you start looking inwards, you will have to treat yourself as you would treat a
valued friend. This will lead to happiness. Take time to appreciate yourself, your work and your
accomplishments. Surround yourself with happy people and recall positive memories. It is important to
recognise that you have the power to feel happy within you and with practice, it will be felt frequently.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below: (10)
Here are questions similar to the sample questions provided, based on the new paragraph:
(i) Based on the reading and understanding of the above passage, list 2 points to describe the nature of
happiness according to the passage. (1)
(a) ________
(b) ________
(ii) Select the option that corresponds to the meaning of the following sentence from para 3:
"You cannot see a treasure at the bottom of a stormy and muddy lake although it is there." (1)
(a) The treasure is visible only when the water is clear
(b) The treasure is hidden due to the storm and mud
(c) The treasure is always visible despite the storm and mud
(d) The storm and mud make the treasure unimportant
(iii) Based on your reading of the passage, examine in about 40 words how one can experience more happiness.
(2)
(iv) What is the tone of the writer in the given line from paragraph 5? Rationalise your response in about 40
words:
"Many people connect happiness to achievement of certain goals." (2)
(v) The phrase 'hidden by the clouds' in paragraph (1) refers to: (1)
(a) The obscuring of happiness by thoughts and worries
(b) The physical obstruction of happiness by objects
(c) The deliberate hiding of happiness by others
(d) The intentional creation of barriers to happiness
(vi) In sets a-e below, identify two sets of synonyms. (1)
a. restlessness and calmness
b. treasure and object
c. dissatisfaction and contentment
d. essence and nature
e. trigger and cause
Options:
(a) a and c
(b) b and e
(c) d and e
(d) a and d
(vii) Complete the sentence appropriately: (1)
Happiness is not something far away and unattainable and does not depend on ________.
(viii) Complete the following sentence: (1)
To experience more happiness, one must look ________ rather than waiting for external triggers.
2. Read the following passage carefully: [10]
1. Rotation of crops is a universal phenomenon which is practised by most of the farmers of the tropical and
temperate countries. The main objective of rotation of crops is to obtain higher agricultural returns on the
one hand, and to maintain the soil fertility on the other.
2. In other words, the rotation of crops helps in making agriculture more sustainable. The importance of crop
rotation is more in the areas where farmers grow two, or more than two crops in the same field in a year.
Irrigation facilities have also been appreciably developed in the country during the last three decades. The
availability of water to the arable land has helped in the intensification of agriculture.
3. In the areas such as Punjab and Haryana, where the Green Revolution is a big success, one soil exhaustive
crop (rice) is followed by another soil exhaustive crop (wheat). Subsequently, the field vacated by wheat is
devoted to either rice or maize or cotton. Thus, in one year, the farmers are harvesting three soil exhaustive
crops from the same field. Such a rotation of crops may fetch more income to the farmers, but depletes the
soil fertility at a faster pace.
4. A number of field studies were conducted to assess the traditional crop rotation pattern. One such field
study about the changes in the rotation of crops was conducted in the village Banhera (Tanda), Haridwar
district. The main rotation of crops of the village is shown in the table below.

Traditional Rotation of Crops (1960-65) in Banhera (Tanda)

Kharif (mid-June to mid- Rabi (mid-October to Zaid (April to No. of days land left
Year
October) mid-April) June) fallow

1960 Millet/fodder/rice Gram Fallow 90

1961 Fallow Wheat Fallow 210

1962 Millet/fodder/rice Gram Fallow 90

1963 Fallow Wheat Fallow 210

Millet mixed with

1964 Gram Fallow 90
urad/fodder/rice

1965 Fallow Wheat Fallow 210

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage: (10)

i. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your understanding
of para 2. (1)
One of the reasons that there has been an intensification of agriculture in the country is the development
of irrigation facilities is a/an _________ (fact/opinion) because it is a/an _________ (subjective
judgement/objective detail).
ii. Based on your understanding of paras 1 and 2, state whether the following statement is true or false. (1)
If proper irrigation facility is provided, higher agricultural returns can be obtained by making crop
rotation more sustainable.
iii. Justify the following in about 40 words.
Crop rotation may fetch more income to the farmers, but depletes the soil fertility at a faster pace. (2)
iv. Based on the table, mention the years when the land was left fallow for maximum number of days. (1)
v. The study conducted in village Banhera (Tanda) reflects that during the years 1960 to 1965, from April
to June, the land was left fallow or uncultivated throughout. State any one inference that can be drawn
from this. (1)
vi. Select the option that correctly states the significance of crop rotation as given below: (1)
1. Crop rotation is done to obtain higher agricultural returns.
2. Higher agricultural returns can be obtained by harvesting soil exhaustive crops.
3. Crop rotation demands that land should be left fallow for a few months to increase the fertility of
soil.
4. Better irrigation facility to the arable land has helped in the intensification of agriculture.
5. If crops to be harvested are chosen wisely, crop rotation can help in maintaining fertility of soil.
Options:
A. (1), (2) and (4)
B. (1) only
C. (3) and (5)
D. (1) and (5)
vii. Crop rotation is helping in making agriculture more sustainable. Mention one benefit and one drawback
of crop rotation. (Answer in about 40 words) (2)
viii. Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage? (1)
A. The study needs to include more valid data to support the practice of crop rotation.
B. Crop rotation is a sustainable practice that can transform the agricultural sector.
C. The impact of crop rotation on been thoroughly explained.
D. Crop rotation is independent of the type of crops harvested and availability of water for irrigation.
Section B Grammar
3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed [10]
(a) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of a letter: [1]
To ensure that this project gains strength, schools may ________ (organize) puppet shows and street
plays.
(b) Identify the error and supply the correction, for the following: [1]

Delhi Government
BENEFITS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING
Help cater to the potable water need of the ever-growing population
Stop the rapid fall for Groundwater
Help maintain Green Cover

Use the given format for your response.

error correction

(c) Report the dialogue between Tony and Sarita, by completing the sentence. [1]
Tony: Why did you call me?
Sarita: Will you go to the museum with me?
Tony asked Sarita why she had called him. Sarita wanted to know whether Tony ________.
(d) Mom was ill and was taken to the doctor where he asked her daughter (Caroline) a few questions. [1]
Report the question.
How old is your mother?
(e) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the slogan: [1]
________ EDUCATED MIND CAN TEACH MANY.
a) THIS b) THE

c) A d) AN
(f) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line, from a [1]
news report:
The roof and the backside of the bus was blown away by the blast that occurred on Thursday, but no
one was injured.

Option no. Error Correction

A was were

B away off

C occurred occur

D but yet

(g) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the slogan for Earth Day. [1]
PLASTIC ________ BE FANTASTIC BUT GREEN IS CLEAN!

a) CAN b) MAY

c) MUST d) WILL
(h) We ____ football for two hours and ____ to a restaurant for a meal, afterwards. [1]

a) play / are going b) have played / were going

c) played / went d) are playing / go

(i) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from a health magazine. [1]
You ________ eat to live, not live to eat.

a) can b) might

c) must d) should
(j) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket: [1]
The school ________ (is) organize an educational tour to Kashmir in the summer break.
(k) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option. [1]
His offence was grave but he ________ with a fine.

a) got back b) got through

c) got over d) got off

(l) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option. [1]
Now that many employees have shown high productivity working from home, will their bosses
hereafter ________ them to take working vacations?

a) expect b) expected

c) expecting d) have expected

Section B Writing
4. Most of the students are worried about their performance in examinations. So they don't participate in games. [5]
This affects their physical health and even mental health. Write a paragraph in 100-120 words on the importance
of sports in the life of students.
OR
Write a short paragraph on the following personality: Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
5. Today you were invited to a Christmas Party. Write a Diary Entry about the party. [5]
OR
Complete the following story in about 150-200 words :

Ravi was one of the intelligent students of the class. He was also the victim of insecurity of getting less marks in
the Boards. Mr. Shekhar, English teacher....................

Section C Literature
6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. [5]
(a) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: [5]
He passed by the cathedral tower, where the white marble angels were sculptured. He passed by the
palace and heard the sound of dancing. A beautiful girl came out on the balcony with her lover. “I
hope my dress will be ready in time for the State ball,” she said. “I have ordered flowers to be
embroidered on it, but the seamstresses are so lazy.” He passed over the river, and saw the lanterns
hanging on the masts of the ships. At last he came to the poor woman’s house and looked in. The boy
was tossing feverishly on his bed, and the mother had fallen asleep, she was so tired. In he hopped,
and laid the great ruby on the table beside the woman’s thimble. Then he flew gently round the bed,
fanning the boy’s forehead with his wings. “How cool I feel!” said the boy, “I must be getting better;”
and he sank into a delicious slumber.
i. Which of the following is NOT a detail from the passage? (1)
A. The boy was tossing feverishly on his bed.
B. The beautiful girl ordered flowers to be embroidered on her dress for the State ball.
C. The lanterns were hanging on the masts of the ships over the river.
D. The boy's mother had finished sewing the dress for the State ball.
ii. State TRUE or FALSE. (1)
None of the terms (a) - (d) below, can be applied to the question - Who is the speaker of the lines -
I hope my dress will be ready in time for the State ball,?
a. The boy's mother
b. The swallow
c. The Happy Prince
d. The Queen’s maid of honour
iii. Is the girl right in considering the seamstresses to be lazy? Give a reason. (2)
iv. Which phrase would correctly substitute slumber, in the given sentence from the extract. (1)
I must be getting better, and he sank into a delicious slumber.
(b) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: [5]
“But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it teaches and
that each kid has to be taught differently.” “Just the same they didn’t do it that way then. If you don’t
like it, you don’t have to read the book.” “I didn’t say I didn’t like it,” Margie said quickly. She
wanted to read about those funny schools.
i. Which of the following is NOT a reason why a teacher had to be adjusted? (1)
a. It was a machine.
b. It worked on command.
c. It could not adapt to the level on its own.
d. It had to teach each child one on one.
ii. Why is it fair to say that Tommy’s tone, when he says, “Just the same they didn’t do it that way
then”, is irritated? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
iii. Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the
extract. (1)
a. For Margie school means indivizualised instruction.
b. Tommy is astonished at Margie’s innocence.
c. Margie and Tommy argue over the schools of the past and present.
iv. identify the statement in which Tommy is giving a suggestion to Margie. (1)
7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. [5]
(a) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. [5]
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin built there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
a. State whether the following statement is True or False. Give reason. (2)
The poet finds the sounds in nature fascinating.
b. The poet’s liking for a life of ________ Comes through clearly from the last line of the extract. (1)
c. Which of the following indicates a desire for a ‘small cabin’ of clay and wattles? (1)
(I) The poet persona does not run after the luxuries of life.
(II) The poet can not afford to build a good modern house.
(III) The simplicities of life fascinate the poet more than the comforts of life.
(IV) The poet wants to escape the responsibilities of life.
i. options (I) and (III)
ii. options (II) and (IV)
iii. options (I) and (IV)
iv. options (II) and (III)
d. complete the analogy by selecting a suitable word from the extract. (1)
Wattles : twisted :: ________ : open space
(b) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. [5]
He came to the door of a cottage,
In travelling round the earth,
Where a little woman was making cakes,
And baking them on the hearth;
a. He refers to ________. (1)
b. Why did he travel around the earth? (1)
c. How did he come to the little woman's cottage? (2)
d. In the stanza provided, what was the little woman doing when the traveler arrived at the cottage?
(1)
i. Reading a book
ii. Making cakes
iii. Sleeping by the hearth
iv. Singing a song
8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words [12]
(a) How did the author want to return to Delhi? What made him change his mind? Write your answer in [3]
the context of the Kathmandu.
(b) How does the Earth unite us? Write your answer in the context of No Men Are Foreign. [3]
(c) What kind of a person was Kalam’s father? [3]
(d) What did the doctor do when the snake landed on his shoulder? Write your answer in the context of [3]
The Snake and the Mirror.
(e) What message is conveyed by the poem "On Killing a Tree"? [3]
9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. [6]
(a) How did Johnsy spend her day? Write your answer in the context of The Last Leaf. [3]
(b) Lushkoff is earning thirty five roubles a month. How is he obliged to Sergei for this? [3]
(c) How was the child separated from his parents? Write your answer in the context of The Lost Child. [3]
10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words [6]
(a) How did Kezia feel in the presence of her father? [6]
(b) Why did the intruder find Gerrard’s cooked up the story of his criminal background convincing? [6]
11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. [6]
(a) Describe the situation in which the grandfather found himself at the Saharanpur railway station. [6]
(b) Why did the author keep visiting the remains of his house? Write your answer in the context of the [6]
lesson A House is Not a Home.