Section - A : Reading Comprehension (Seen)
1. A. Write the correct alternative in the given spaces to complete the following sentences: (1 x 5 = 5)
(a) In summer the Big Half Moon is always -
(i) pale
(ii) gloomy
(iii) pleasant
(iv) hideous
Answer: (iii) pleasant
(b) - taught Claude how to make kites.
(i) Dick
(ii) Mimi
(iii) a boy on the island
(iv) a boy on the mainland
Answer: (iv) a boy on the mainland
(c) The narrator of the story is -
(i) Philippa
(ii) Mimi
(iii) Claude
(iv) anonymous
Answer: (i) Philippa
(d) The kite was patched with a/an -
(i) envelope
(ii) letter
(iii) fabric
(iv) newspaper
Answer: (ii) letter (Note: Key says letter, question mentions old letter)
(e) The kite soared up like a bird as the wind was -
(i) favourable
(ii) unfavourable
(iii) hostile
(iv) adverse
Answer: (i) favourable
1. B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: (1 x 3 = 3)
(a) In the last summer Claude and the narrator were -
Answer: crazy about kites.
(b) As Philippa was bringing the kite from the house -
Answer: she tripped and fell over the rocks making her elbow to clear through the kite, creating a hole.
(c) Claude was standing with -
Answer: a bit of cord in his hand, looking foolish.
1. C. Fill in the chart with information from the text: (2 x 2 = 4)
| Statement | Reason |
| (i) The narrator tripped and fell over the rocks. | ? |
| ? | (ii) Claude and the narrator took an old letter to mend the damaged kite. |
Answer:
(i) Reason/Result (as per key): the kite had a hole.
(ii) Statement: The kite had to be mended before the wind fell.
2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:
2. A. Write the correct alternative to complete the following sentences: (1 x 4 = 4)
(a) The 'house' refers to the -
(i) wall
(ii) leaf
(iii) shell
Answer: (iii) shell
(b) The snail feels - inside its house.
(i) secure
(ii) insecure
(iii) claustrophobic
Answer: (i) secure
(c) With the slightest touch, the snail shrinks into its house with -
(i) dissatisfaction
(ii) pain
(iii) surprise
Answer: (i) dissatisfaction (Note: Poem uses 'displeasure')
(d) In its house the snail resides -
(i) by itself
(ii) with fruit
(iii) with grass
Answer: (i) by itself
2. B. Answer the following questions: (2 x 2 = 4)
(a) What does the poet mean by 'self-collecting pow'r'?
Answer: By the phrase 'self-collecting pow'r', the poet refers to the snail's strong reflex or ability to shrink and hide itself inside its shell to secure itself from any imminent danger.
(b) What makes the snail 'well satisfied'?
Answer: The snail is well satisfied to be his own whole treasure, meaning he is happy to be alone, secure, and safe within his shell without any other possessions.
Section - A (Reading Comprehension Unseen)
3. A. Tick the right answer: (1 x 6 = 6)
(a) The Air India Boeing 787 was heading for -
(i) London
(ii) Canada
(iii) Ahmedabad
(iv) Meghani
Answer: (i) London
(b) The death count in the plane crash rose to -
(i) 241
(ii) 242
(iii) 274
(iv) 33
Answer: (iii) 274
(c) As reported by the DGCA, there were - people on the flight excluding the crew.
(i) 232
(ii) 230
(iii) 242
(iv) 240
Answer: (ii) 230
(d) According to Air India, the only survivor in the air crash is -
(i) Sumeet Sabharwal
(ii) Clive Kundar
(iii) an Indian national
(iv) a British citizen
Answer: (iv) a British citizen
(e) Out of the 230 passengers on board, only one was an inhabitant of -
(i) Portugal
(ii) Britain
(iii) Canada
(iv) India
Answer: (iii) Canada
(f) There was a/an - of fuel in the Dreamliner.
(i) abundance
(ii) dearth
(iii) scarcity
(iv) paucity
Answer: (i) abundance
3. B. True/False with Supporting Statements: ((1+1) x 3 = 6)
(a) The Air India Boeing 787 crashed into the Meghani area in London.
Answer: False (F)
Supporting Statement: The aircraft, bound for London, plunged into the Meghani area of the city [Ahmedabad].
(b) The aircraft had ample fuel for the long journey.
Answer: True (T)
Supporting Statement: The flight was heavily fuelled for the long-haul journey...
(c) The death toll in the plane crash climbed to 241 including 33 on-ground casualties.
Answer: False (F)
Supporting Statement: The rising death toll beyond the 241 confirmed passengers and crew indicated that the remaining 33 victims were likely people present on the BJ Medical College... (Total 274).
3. C. Answer the following questions: (2 x 4 = 8)
(a) What was the official designation of Sumeet Sabharwal?
Answer: Sumeet Sabharwal was the commanding Captain of the aircraft.
(b) Where is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport situated?
Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is situated in Ahmedabad.
(c) What happened soon after the plane's takeoff?
Answer: The plane crashed shortly after takeoff killing 274 people. It lost altitude and hit buildings inside a residential complex.
(d) Who survived the plane crash?
Answer: Only one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived the crash.
Section - B : Grammar and Vocabulary
4. Write the correct alternative to fill in the blanks: (1 x 3 = 3)
Eight more bodies (were found/found/had found), on Monday as flood waters started receding in north Bengal, (took/taking/takes) the toll in one of the worst calamities in the region to 36. Many more (were/had been/are) still missing.
Answer: were found, taking, are
5. A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions: (1 x 3 = 3)
- Nobel Prize - Literature for 2025 is awarded - the Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai.
Answer: The, in, to (The Nobel Prize in Literature... awarded to...)
5. B. Do as directed: (1 x 3 = 3)
(i) The book was placed upon the table. (Change the voice of the verb)
Answer: Someone placed the book upon the table.
(ii) You are too lazy to shine in life. (Convert this to a complex sentence)
Answer: You are so lazy that you cannot shine in life.
(iii) Sahnaz said to Soumya, "Please don't vex me." (Turn into the indirect form of speech)
Answer: Sahnaz requested Soumya not to vex him/her.
5. C. Phrasal Verbs: (1 x 3 = 3)
(i) The thief saw me and fled.
(ii) The actor has gained a lot of weight.
(iii) He experienced great suffering.
List: go through, run off, turn up, put on
Answer:
(i) fled -> ran off
(ii) gained -> put on
(iii) experienced -> went through
6. Vocabulary from Unseen Passage: (2 x 4 = 8)
(i) a dangerous situation requiring immediate action
(ii) a group of people who work closely together
(iii) one and only
(iv) the height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level
Answer:
(i) emergency
(ii) crew
(iii) sole
(iv) altitude
Section - C : Writing
7. Write a letter (in about 100 words) to your friend highlighting the importance of forests in maintaining ecological balance and suggesting steps to protect them. (10 marks)
Letter to a Friend about the Importance of Forests
Station Road,
Canning, South 24 Parganas
January 10, 2026
My dear Rahul,
I hope you are doing well. Today I am writing to you about a very serious concern—the importance of forests. You know that forests are called the lungs of the earth. They maintain the ecological balance by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, which is essential for our survival. Forests also help in bringing rain and preventing soil erosion. Without forests, global warming will increase rapidly, putting all life in danger.
We must take immediate steps to protect them. We should stop indiscriminate deforestation and encourage afforestation. Every student should plant at least one tree. Spreading awareness is also crucial. Let’s promise to do our bit to save our green friends.
No more today. Convey my regards to your parents.
Your loving friend,
Sourav
8. Your school is going to arrange a relief fund for the flood-stricken people of north Bengal. As the Secretary of the Student Council, write a notice (in about 100 words) making an appeal to all the students of your school to contribute money and other essential items for the flood victims. (10 marks)
GOVT. MODEL SCHOOL, CANNING-II
NOTICE
Subject: Appeal for Flood Relief Fund
Date: January 10, 2026
All the students are hereby informed that our school has decided to organize a relief fund for the flood-stricken people of North Bengal. A devastating flood has caused immense suffering to thousands of people there, leaving them homeless and without food. In this hour of crisis, it is our moral duty to stand beside them.
Therefore, all students are earnestly requested to contribute generously to the fund. You can donate money, dry food (biscuits, puffed rice), old but clean clothes, blankets, and medicines. Contributions must be submitted to the undersigned or class teachers on or before January 20, 2026. Your small help can save a life.
Countersigned by:
Headmaster
Govt. Model School, Canning-II
(Sd/-)
Secretary
Student Council
9. Write a story (in about 100 words) using the following hints: A farmer's granary was infested with mice - the farmer brought a cat to get rid of them - the mice held a meeting in which it was proposed to tie a bell round the cat's neck - but who was to bell the cat? (10 marks)
Who Will Bell the Cat?
Once upon a time, a farmer had a large granary full of grains. However, he was very troubled because hundreds of mice had infested it and were eating up his crops. To get rid of them, the farmer brought a big cat. The cat was very efficient and started killing the mice every day. The mice were terrified and could not move freely.
They held a meeting to find a solution. Many ideas were discussed, but none seemed practical. Finally, a young mouse stood up and said, "I have a plan. Let us tie a bell around the cat's neck. When the cat comes, the bell will ring, and we can run away." Everyone cheered at this brilliant idea. Suddenly, an old, wise mouse stood up and asked, "The plan is good, but who will bell the cat?" There was complete silence. No one dared to take the risk. The meeting ended without any solution.
Moral: It is easier said than done.