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CLASS – XI
ENGLISH (CORE)
Time : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 80

General Instructions:
i. This paper is divided into three sections; A, B & C. All the sections are compulsory.
ii. Separate instructions are given with each section, wherever necessary. Read these instructions
very carefully and follow them faithfully.
iii. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions:

SECTION—A :READING COMPREHENSION

Q1A. Read the passage given below and write the options that you consider the most
appropriate. (12 marks)

1. Hundreds of thousands of our qualified youngsters take off from different international
airports every year for higher studies or highly lucrative jobs abroad. Early in 2005, the five
Indians who were named among the 74 new members for the year 2005 were Prof. Subhash
Mahajan, Arizona State University; Prof. Arunava Majumdar, Professor of Mechanical
Engineering, University of California, Berkeley; Mr. R.Shankar Nair, Teng& Associates,
Chicago; Prof.Raja V Ramani, Professor Emeritus, and Dr. Subhash Singhal, Director of
Fuel Cells, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.

2. Honorees of 2004 included Stephen Hawking and Bill Gates. Among the distinguished
American Indians, who are members of this body include, Nobel Laureates Dr. Hargobind
Khorana and Dr. S. Chandrasekhar. During the decades-long debate on the brain drain, it
was said that our youngsters leave India just because excellence is neither recognised nor
rewarded- in India. This could have been partly true at the beginning of this debate. But
today, things have changed beyond recognition and talented people can reach the highest
position possible if only they are prepared to work hard.

3. If there is one individual who has catapulted India to the number one position in milk
production in the world, it’s none other than Dr. Verghese Kurien, the father of the White
Revolution. A top engineer who completed the Konkan Railway in record time, Mr. E.
Sreedharan has built up the world class Delhi Metro. Mr. Amitabh Bachchan is no longer a
megastar of the Indian screen only. Take the story of the Ambani brothers, the Tatas, the
Mittals and others who are having their footprints in different continents. In the wake of
globalisation, India has produced a galaxy of eminent entrepreneurs in IT; biotechnology,
civil aviation, steel production and the like.

4. A time may come when India would be capable of reversing the so-called brain drain to
India’s supreme advantage. And happily enough, this is already happening now. A report
released by a high-tech lobbying group in the Silicon Valley in 2005 revealed that the
highly-skilled Indian-born talent that once flocked to the US was returning home, “turning
America’s brain drain into India’s brain gain.” Titled “Losing the Competitive Edge : The

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Challenge for Science and Technology in the US”, the report said that countries like India
and China, through the restructuring of dramatically increasing the skill sets of their work
force, thereby posing a challenge “to the US leadership in the technology domain.

1.1 Questions: Write down the correct option

a. Our qualified and talented youngsters leave for abroad for………………….....

i. Holidaying
ii. Higher study and better jobs
iii. Propagating India’s greatness
iv. Helping Indian students in Australia

b. The decades long debate has been on……………………….

i. Lucrative jobs abroad
ii. Restrictions on foreigners
iii. Brain drain
iv. Problems of Un employment

c. The author does not agree with the view that our youngsters leave India
because excellence is neither recognized nor rewarded in India. He is of the
opinion that talent can reach the top if he/she............................
i. a throughout first class
ii. a public school educated
iii. offered higher salary and perks
iv. is ready to work hard.

d. Dr. Verghese Kurien has been phenomenal in giving a boost to

……………………….……....
i. technology in India
ii. sports activities in India
iii. milk production in India
iv. Konkan railways

e. A report from Silicon Valley states that skilled and talented Indians are
……………..……...
i. coming back
ii. not interested in home coming.
iii. demanding more higher wages
iv. turning to politics in India.
f. America’s brain drain into India’s brain gain will be possible by ____________
i. Increasing the skill sets of their work force
ii. Increasing the skill sets of industries
iii. Increasing the skill sets of agro-based firms
iv. Restructuring the managerial skills (1x6 = 6 marks)

1.2 Answer the questions in brief: (1 mark each)

(a) Why is the youth in India dissatisfied?

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(b) How are the talented people recognized?
(c) Mention the contributions made by Mr. E. Sreedharan.
(d) What is the happy news for the Indians according to the Silicon Valley Report?

(1x4= 4 marks)

1.3Find the word in the passage which means same as –

i) profitable____________________________(para 1 ) (1 mark)
ii) crowded_____________________________(para 4) (1 mark)

2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: 8marks
There is nothing more frustrating than when you sit down at your table to study with the
most sincere of intensions and instead of being able to finish the task at hand you find your
thoughts wandering. However, there are certain techniques that you can use to enhance your
concentration. “Your concentration level depends on a number of factors,” says Samuel Ghosh, a
social counsellor. “In order to develop your concentration span, it is necessary to examine various
facets of your physical and internal environment,” she adds.
To begin with one should attempt to create the physical environment that is conducive to
focused thought. Whether it is the radio, TV or your noisy neighbours, identify the factors that
makes it difficult for you to focus. For instance, if you live in a very noisy neighbourhood, you
could try to plan your study hours in a nearby library. She disagrees with the notion that people
can concentrate or study in a an environment with distractions like a loud television, blaring
music etc. “If you are distracted when you are attempting to focus, your attention and retention
powers do not work at optimum levels,” cautions Ghosh . “Not more than two of your senses
should be activated at the same time,” she adds. What that means is that music that sets your feet
tapping is not the ideal accompaniment to your books.
Also do not place your study table or desk in front of a window. “While there is no cure for a
mind that wants to wander, one should try and provide as little stimulus as possible. Looking out
of a window when you are trying to concentrate will invariably send your mind on a tangent,”
says Ghosh.
The second important thing, she says, is to establish goals for oneself instead of setting a
general target and then trying to accomplish what you can in a haphazard fashion. It is very
important to decide what you have to finish in a given span of time, The human mind
recognises fixed goals and targets and appreciates schedules more than random thoughts. Once
your thoughts and goals are in line, a focused system will follow.
She recommends that you divide your schedule into study and recreation hours. When your
study, choose a mix of subjects that you enjoy and dislike and save the former for the last so that
you have something to look forward to. For instance, if you enjoy verbal skill tests more than
mathematical problems, then finish Maths first. Not only will you find yourself working harder,
you will have a sense of achievement when you wind up.
Try not to sit for more than 40 minutes at a stretch. Take a very short break to make a cup of
tea or listen to a song and sit down again. Under no circumstances, should one sit for more than
one and a half hours. Short breaks build your concentration and refresh your mind. However ,
be careful not tot to overdo the relaxation. It may have undesired effects.

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More than anything else, do not get disheartened. Concentration is merelya matter of
disciplining the mind. It comes with practice and patience and does not take very long to
become a habit for life.
a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it, using headings &
Sub headings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary (minimum 4). Use a format you
consider suitable. Supply an appropriate title to it. (5 M)
(b) Write a summary of the above passage in 80 words, also suggest a suitable title. (3 M)
SECTION--B: WRITING SKILLS AND GRAMMAR
3. Draft an advertisement in the local newspaper under classified columns that a 3 BHK flat is
available for rent in posh location of Faridabad. Write all necessary details of advertisement. Do
not exceed 50 words.
OR 4 marks
Design an attractive poster for an Anti-Smoking Campaign being held in your school on the
occasion of World No-Tobacco Day. You may use slogans. Do not exceed 50 words.
4. You are aditi/Anil, a graduate from NIFT (Hyderabad). After graduation, you worked for three
years with an Export house. Recently you came across an advertisement in a newspaper that
a famous designer is planning to open a traditional wear outlet at HausKhas, Delhi. Write to
J.J.Modern Fashion Studio, Green Park, Delhi-32 applying for the post of fashion designer
with complete Biodata. 6 marks
OR
You are Rohan/ Rohini of 48, New Bank Enclave Delhi. You have purchased a HP Desk Jet
Printer from M/S GambhirElectronics, sector17 ,Chandigarh. Now you find that print quality
is poor and the nozzle of the ink cartridge gets frequently clogged. Write a complaint letter.

5. Outside the gate of your school there are a few food carts. They don’t observe stricthygienic
standards. You have observed that so many of your students go to themimmediately after the
school is over. This can create health problems. As Principalwrite a speech in 150-200 words
on ‘Healthy Food’ to be delivered in the morningassembly. 10
OR
Write an article in 150-200 words on the topic, 'Poverty is the cause of all evils', to be
published in the Young Worlds of 'The Hindu', Chennai.

6. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the
incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet. ( 4 marks)

Automated Teller Machines (ATM) has revolutionised (a)________________

banking and made life easiest. (b) _______________
Bank customers could now withdraw (c) ________________
money of their account any time and (d) ________________
some where in their own country or (e) ________________
even from the world. However (f) ________________
like any other electrical gadgets, (g) ______________
they could also malfunction. (h)______________

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7. Transform the following sentences by changing the voice. (4 marks)

1. The children laughed at the beggar

2. The Burglar has taken some jewellery from our house.
3. Kiran is preparing a project on environment
4. Amit sings old songs

8. Rearrange the given words and phrases to make meaningful sentence. The first one
has been done as an example. (1 x 2 = 2)
(a) occupy / history / in / of / India / honoured / Rajputs / the / the / an / place
The Rajputs occupy an honoured place in the history of India.

(b) war-like / patriotic / proud / and / were / they / people

(c) lay / honour / their / would / they / down / lives / their / uphold/to

SECTION—C: LITERATURE AND LONG READING TEXT

9. Read the following stanza carefully and answer the questions that follow: 1x3=3 marks
"1 descend to lave the droughts, atomies,
dust-layers of the globe,
And all that in them without me were seeds only,
latent, unborn; And forever,
by day and night,
I give back life to my own origin
And make pure and beautify it."
i) Who is 'I' in the above lines?
ii) Explain "I give back life to my origin"
iii) Why do 'I' descend?
OR
When did my childhood go?
Was it the day I ceased to be eleven,
Was it the time I realized that Hell and Heaven.
Could not be found in Geography,
And therefore could not be,
Was that the day!
i) Name the poem and the poet.

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ii) What does childhood symbolize here ?
iii) What did the poet realize when he ceased to be eleven?

10. Answer any three of the following questions in 30-40 words each:3x3=9 marks
1. Who were Larry and Herb? What role did they play?
2. Why did Taplow have to do extra work on the last day of school?
3. Do you justify the cold behaviour of Mrs. Dorling towards the narrator? Give reasons.
4. How did the workman escape the king’s anger?
5. Why does the poet say that the sea appears have to change less?

11.Answer the following questions in 120-150 words: 6 marks

1. What signs reveal that the earth is a patient in declining health? What is our
responsibility in this concern?
OR
‘I have done something ;Oh, God! Ihave something real at last.’ Why does Andrew say
this? What does it mean?
Long Reading Text/ Novels
12.Give a brief description of the funeral ceremony of Sir Simons Ghost? 6 marks
13.Give in brief the character sketch of Virginia. 6 marks

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CLASS –X1
SUB. - ENGLISH CORE
MARKING SCHEME

SUGGESTED VALUE POINTS

TIME ALLOWED : 3 Hours M.M. : 80
SECTION —A (READING)
COMPREHENSION PASSAGE 12 Marks

NOTE: No marks should be deducted for mistake in usage, grammar, spelling or word limit. Full marks
may be awarded if a student has been able to identity core ideas. If a student literally lifts a portion of the
given passage as an answer to a question, no mark [s] to be deducted for this as long as it is relevant.

Q1.1. Reading Comprehension

Desirable Answers
a. ii
b. iii
c. iv
d. iii
e. i
f. i
1.2 . (a) because excellence is neither recognized nor rewarded in India.

(b) only if they are prepared to work hard.

(c) Konkan Railway and completion of Delhi Metro in record time.

(d)the brain drain is being reversed.

1.3. i) lucrative

ii) flocked

2. Note Making

• If a student has attempted only summary or only notes, due credit should be given

• One mark allotted for the title be given if a student has written title in Q3 (a) or Q3 (b)

• Content must be divided into headings and sub-headings

Distribution of marks

Abbreviation/ symbol [4-6] 1

Title 1

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Content [minimum 3 headings and sub-heading with proper indentation 3

(b) Summary

The summary should include all the important points given in the notes.

Content 2

Expression 1

SECTION-B (WRITING SKILLS AND GRAMMAR)

(30 MARKS)

(a) Writing

NOTE: The objective of the section on is to test a candidate's writing ability. Hence expression assumes
as much importance as content of the answer.

3. ADVERTISEMENT 4

Content 2

Expression 2

OR

Poster 4

Content 2

Expression 2

Suggested value points –

-caption/catchy heading

- Harmful effects of smoking

-message

-issued by

(Credit should be given for creativity)

4.Letter writing 6

S Note: No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given. Credit should be given to the
candidate's creativity in presentation of ideas.

FORMAT- 1

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1. Sender' address

2. Date

3. Receiver's address

4. Subject heading

5. Salutation

6. Complimentary close

Content- 2

Expression- 3

Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling- [1.5]

Coherence and relevance of ideas & style- [1.5]

5. Speech /Article

Format-1

Content- 4

Expression 5

Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling [2.5]

Coherence and relevance of ideas & style-(b) Grammar [2.5]

Ans6 : Editing ( 4 marks)

Incorrect word Correction

a)has have

b)easiest easier

c) could can

d) of from

e) somewhere anywhere

f) from around

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g)any all

h) they these

Ans 7: Fill in the blanks (4 marks)

1. The beggar were laughed at by the children
2. Some jewellery has been taken by the burglar from our house
3. A project is being prepared by kiran on environment.
4. Old songs are sung by Amit
Ans8: Reordering words & phrases into a sentence:( 2 marks)
(a) They were proud and patriotic war like people
(b) They would lay down their lives to uphold their honour..

Section-C (Literature Section) ( 30 Marks)

(a) Literary Textbooks

9.1X3=3

a. 'I' is rain

b. 1 give back life to my own origin by washing away the droughts, making earth beautiful, help seeds
grow

c. To give back life to my origin.

Or

i)Childhood, Markus Natten

ii)symbolic of the innocence and credibility. They believe whatever is told to them

iii)he realized that hell and heaven did not exist as real geographical places.

10. Short Answer Type Question (any three) 3x3=9

Distribution of marks

Content 1.5

Expression 1.5

Value Points:

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1. two crewmen, Larry Vigil and Swiss Herb Seigler, to help the family. They pumped water out of
the boat.
2. previous week ,due to illness, Taplow had missed one of his classical literature classes.Mr
Crocker Harris wanted him to make amends for the loss.
3. No, Mrs. Dorling cold, inhuman and unfriendly refused to talk to the narrator.
4. When the workers were blamed they argued that the bricks were of the wrong size, so it was the
fault of masons.
5. The poetess contrasts the eternity nature (her sea ) with the mortality of humans. The feat which
were washed by sea water have perished where as the sea is still there.

11. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 6

Content 3

Expression 3 (accuracy and fluency)

[1.5+1.5]

Value Points

✓ for principal biological systems reaching an unsustainable level

✓ environment shows degradation

✓ sick planet

✓ natural resources will be safeguarded to meet the need of future generation

✓ to meet the need of present without harming the interest of future

Our responsibility /obligation to safeguard our planet.

Or

Night was an ordeal, child was born lifeless

Mother’s condition was falling impulsively, lay pulse less

Struggled to restore lifeless woman first ,heart became normal

Shifted his attention towards child

He inferred that this unconscious condition was due to lack of oxygen

Continued struggling to resuscitate the child

Laborious effort, tiny chest begun to heave

(b) Long Reading Text / Novels

12.Novel based Long Q Answer 6

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Content 3

Expression [1.5+1.5] 3 (accuracy and fluency)

VALUE POINTS

Ghost under went transformation- repented-earned-stately funeral - carried by 8 black horses –

coffin covered with arms –ceremony attended by Otis family-virginia paid homage –place white
and pink almonds-little bird began to sing sweetly.

13.Novel based Long Q Answer 6

Content 3

Expression (accuracy and fluency) 3 [1.5+1.5]

Value points

Virginia ,the only daughter of Otis family, sweet girl of fifteen

Loved horse riding, only member who is scared of ghost, upset that ghost is using her colours ,annoyed
initially but has sympathy later on.

Prayed for his salvation of his soul, ghost realized the girl’s innocence and goodness

Grateful to the ghost , he had gifted jewels to her,she had learnt about the mysteries of life and death from
him.

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