SECTION - A : READING COMPREHENSION (SEEN)
1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
(Passage about the Big Half Moon, Claude, Philippa and the Kite)
A. Write the correct alternative to complete the following sentences (1x5=5)
(a) Last summer before the arrival of Dick and Mimi, Claude and Philippa were crazy about-
(i) stamps
(ii) balloons
(iii) kites
(iv) toys
Ans: (iii) kites
(b) Claude learnt to make kites from
(i) Philippa
(ii) a boy on the mainland
(iii) his father
(iv) his tutor
Ans: (ii) a boy on the mainland
(c) Claude and Philippa made a big kite covered with lovely
(i) green paper
(ii) blue paper
(iii) orange paper
(iv) red paper
Ans: (iv) red paper
(d) When the narrator was bringing the kite from the house, she fell over the
(i) rocks
(ii) tree-trunks
(iii) boxes
(iv) sand dunes
Ans: (i) rocks
(e) The old letter which was used for patching up the kite was lying on a
(i) table
(ii) chair
(iii) bed
(iv) bookcase
Ans: (iv) bookcase
B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text (1x3=3)
(i) When it is fine, the harbour of Big Half Moon ________
Ans: is blue and calm, with little wind and ripples.
(ii) Signalling to each other with kites, the narrator and her brother ________
Ans: would play shipwrecked mariners.
(iii) On the big kite, it was written ________
Ans: their names full—Claude Leete and Philippa Leete, Big Half Moon lighthouse.
C. State whether the following statements are 'True' or 'False'. Also provide Supporting Sentences (2x2=4)
(i) There was a big hole in the kite because a branch of a tree went clear through the kite.
Ans: False (F)
Supporting Sentence: My elbow went clear through the kite, making a big hole.
(ii) After patching the kite up with the letter, it was dried by the fire.
Ans: True (T)
Supporting Sentence: We patched the kite up with the letter, a sheet on each side and dried it by the fire.
2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:
(Poem: The Snail)
A. Tick the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences (1x4=4)
(i) To shrink, the snail needs
(a) heavy touch
(b) light touch
(c) rough touch
(d) harshest touch
Ans: (b) light touch
(ii) The creature mentioned in this poem lives
(a) with a family members
(b) with neighbours
(c) with friends
(d) all of his own
Ans: (d) all of his own
(iii) 'Chattels' means
(a) chateau
(b) big house
(c) wealth
(d) palace
Ans: (c) wealth
(iv) When his horn is touched, the creature feels
(a) overjoyed
(b) displaced
(c) displeased
(d) angry
Ans: (c) displeased
B. Answer the following question (2x2=4)
(i) Name the poem and the poet.
Ans: The poem is 'The Snail' and the poet is William Cowper.
(ii) How does the creature react to the slightest touch?
Ans: If given the slightest touch on his horns, the snail shrinks into his house with much displeasure due to his self-collecting power.
READING COMPREHENSION (UNSEEN)
3. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
(Passage about Chilka Lake)
A. Tick the right answers (1x6=6)
(i) The country's biggest inland lake, Chilka, is surrounded by-
(a) three
(b) five
(c) seven
(d) countless - hills
Ans: (d) countless
(ii) Radhanath Roy was
(a) poet
(b) novelist
(c) playwright
(d) artist
Ans: (a) poet
(iii) Chilka is dotted with-
(a) islands
(b) temples
(c) valleys
(d) waterfalls
Ans: (a) islands
(iv) OTDC operates from-
(a) one
(b) two
(c) three
(d) four-places
Ans: (b) two
(v) Many different birds from far off countries arrive here in
(a) summer
(b) winter
(c) spring
(d) autumn
Ans: (b) winter
(vi) The author refers to ___ islands in particular.
(a) two
(b) three
(c) seven
(d) countless
Ans: (d) countless (As per provided answer key)
B. True/False with Supporting Sentences ((1+1)x3=6)
(i) The service of country boats is not available in Chilka
Ans: False (F)
Supporting Sentence: Besides, country boat can be hired at all these points.
(ii) Siberia is a cold country
Ans: True (T)
Supporting Sentence: ...from lands as far off as Siberia and Mongolia and from some other cold countries.
(iii) Only OTDC provides the service of motor launches
Ans: False (F)
Supporting Sentence: Motor launches of the State Revenue Department are also available at nearby Balugaon.
C. Answer the following questions:
(i) What means of transports are available for visitors to go to the emerald islands?
Ans: Visitors can reach the emerald islands by motor launches of the OTDC, motor launches of the State Revenue Department, and country boats.
(ii) Why does the Chilka wear a grand look in winter?
Ans: Chilka wears a grand look specially in winter as it becomes home to exotic species of migratory birds arriving in large numbers from Siberia, Mongolia and other cold countries.
(iii) How do fleet of boats enhance the beauty of Chilka?
Ans: The beauty is enhanced by the hundreds of boats which set sail every day, wafted by the breeze from the sea, with fishermen making bountiful catches of prawn, mackerel and crab.
(iv) Why is Chilka considered to be tropical lagoon?
Ans: The country's biggest inland lake, Chilka, connects with the Bay of Bengal through a narrow mouth, hence making it by nature a tropical lagoon.
SECTION-B : GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY
4. Write the correct alternatives to fill in the blanks (1x3=3)
Although the children ______ (love/has loved/loves) outdoor games, their parents ______ (is considering/consider/considers) their interest as harmful and meaningless. A child who spends time and energy in outdoors activities ______ (grows/had grown/has grown) up to be healthy and strong.
Ans: love, consider, grows
5. Do as directed:
A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions (1x3=3)
When I was old enough ______ ask questions, I asked my father about ______ relevance ______ prayer.
Ans: to, the, of
B. Grammar Exercises (1x3=3)
(i) I said to him, "Please explain the matter." (Change the mode of narration)
Ans: I requested him to explain the matter.
(ii) Water is more useful than any other drink. (Change the degree)
Ans: No other drink is as useful as water.
(iii) The headmaster gave away the prizes. (Change the voice)
Ans: The prizes were given away by the headmaster.
C. Phrasal Verbs (1x3=3)
(i) The girl resembles her mother.
(ii) Overeating affects our health.
(iii) Both the teams arrived in time.
[List: tell upon, turn up, turn down, take after]
Ans:
(i) takes after
(ii) tells upon
(iii) turned up
6. Vocabulary: Find words from Question No. 3 (2x4=8)
(i) existing in large numbers
(ii) very small in size or amount
(iii) growing or living in, on or near water
(iv) the natural home of a plant or an animal
Ans:
(i) numerous
(ii) tiny
(iii) aquatic
(iv) habitat
SECTION-C : WRITING
7. Write a letter to your friend in about 100 words telling him/her about your recent visit to a place of interest. (10 marks)
(Example Answer)
My dear Sumit,
I hope you are doing well. Today I am writing to tell you about my recent visit to Murshidabad. Last Sunday, I went there with my parents by train. We reached there at around 10 am.
We hired a tonga and visited the famous Hazarduari Palace. It is a massive building with many real and false doors. We saw the weapons, paintings, and dresses of the Nawabs in the museum inside. Then we visited the Katra Mosque and the Motijheel Park. The historical atmosphere of the place fascinated me. I really missed you there.
No more today. More when we meet.
Your loving friend,
Rahul
[To: Sumit Das, C/O... Address...]
8. Write a story (within 100 words) using the following hints. Give a title to the story. (8+2=10)
(Hints: A man was driving a cart along a muddy road - the wheels of the cart sank into mud - the carter whipped the bullocks in vain - prayed to Hercules - Hercules appeared and asked the carter to put his shoulders to the wheels - the cart moved)
Hercules and the Carter
Once a carter was driving his cart along a muddy road. Suddenly, the wheels of the cart sank deep into the soft mud. The horses could not pull it out. The carter began to whip the poor animals, but it was in vain. He did not make any effort himself. Instead, he knelt down and prayed to Hercules, the god of strength, for help. Hercules appeared and said, "Do not just pray. Put your shoulders to the wheels and push." The carter followed the advice and applied his own strength. The cart moved easily.
Moral: God helps those who help themselves.
9. Use the following flow chart to write a paragraph (in about 100 words) on the preparation of mango-pickle. (10 marks)
(Collecting mangoes - sorting and removing rotten ones - cleaning - cutting into pieces - mixing spices, salt, mustard oil and chilli - keeping in a big flat container in the sun - pouring into jars.)
Preparation of Mango Pickle
Mango pickle is a delicious food item that everyone loves. It is prepared through a number of steps. At first, fresh green mangoes are bought from the market or collected from the garden. Then, they are sorted and the rotten ones are removed. The good mangoes are cleaned properly with water. After that, they are cut into small pieces. Next, spices, salt, mustard oil, and chilli are mixed well with the mango pieces. This mixture is then kept in a big flat container and placed in the sun for some days for drying. Finally, the pickle is poured into clean jars and stored for future use.