(20Marks)

Section A-READING SKILLS

Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages

1. Read the following text. (10 Marks)

1. Parents in a small Irish town have come together to implement

a collective decision regarding smartphone usage for the
children. All eight primary schools in Greystones have joined
parents' associations in adopting a code that prohibits children
from having smartphones until they reach secondary school. "The
parents and schools aim to tackle concerns about smartphones
fuelling anxiety and exposing children to inappropriate content,
according to a report by Guardian.
2. Previously, the schools in the area had implemented restrictions
or bans on smartphone use within their premises, but they still
observed the impact of social media on children who owned
smartphones, which also piqued the curiosity of their peers. The
town-wide policy is designed to reduce the chances of a child
having a smartphone peer and allows parents to present the
code as a school rule, thereby shifting the
from themselves.
responsibility
away

3. The code is still voluntary, and it

is
expected that not all
parents will deny their primary
schoolchildren access to
smartphones. However, a sufficient number of parents have
signed up to create a sense of critical mass, with
the hope that
this approach will become the new
norm in the future. The
impact of the code has been immediate for
some parents. as
it provides them with
support and makes it easier to say no
when they know that a significant majority of the class
agrees
with the restriction.

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 4. The report suggests that the initiative has gained attention
within Ireland and from parents' associations abroad. Ireland's
health minister has recommended the approach as a nationwide
policy, emphasizing the need to protect children and young
people from harmful interactions with the digital world.
5. The report cited an Irish Times article written by Donnelly,
the health minister. He wrote, "Ireland can be, and must be,
a world leader in ensuring that children and young people are
not targeted and are not harmed by their interactions with the
digital world. We must make it easier for parents to limit the
content their children are exposed to."
6. The initiative in Greystones originated from children displaying
increased anxiety levels, partly attributed to the challenges
of adapting to the pandemic. Questionnaires circulated among
parents led to a meeting of community stakeholders, ultimately
resulting in the implementation of this town-wide policy.
While some children accept the pact and understand the reasons
behind it, others express their desire for smartphones and the
ability to connect with friends. However, they also acknowledge
the potential risks and addiction associated with smartphone
usage. (414 Words)

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

(1x10=10)
(a) Why does the writer say that some parents seem to need the
code more than others? (1)
(i) It is easier for them to shift the
responsibility from
themselves.
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 (ii) They also have to follow the school policy in this regard.
(iii) They can't afford a smartphone.
(iv) They have to conform to the rules of parents associations.
the
(b) What have the schools in Greystone done to tide over

failure of their earlier policy of banning smartphones O

(2)
campus? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
(c) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)

Some children in Greystones are adamant about not letting go

off their smartphones but the silver lining in the initiative 18
that almost all children

(a) The passage includes some word pairs that denote development
stages similar in context. From the sets (i)-(v) below, identify
two sets of word-pairs that do not belong here. (1)
i) Primary and Secondary School
(ii) Children and Parents/Adults
(iii) Children and Peers
(iv) Restrictions or Bans
(v) Town-wide and Nation-wide

(e) Complete the sentence

appropriately. (1)
The new policy has also gained the support of
parents
associations abroad and, therefore, it is hoped that this
initiative will

() Based on the reading of the

passage, examine, in about 40
words, why an active digital life was considered
unsuitable for
young children.
(2)

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 (g) Which of the following is odd one in the list of consequences
associated with the new code of not giving primary students
(1)
an access to smartphones?
to peers with
(1) The code also rem0ves expOsure of children
smartphones.
content their children
(a1) lt helps parents to limit the digital
are exposed to.
acknowledging the
(iiü) Many children have accepted the code
potential risks.

(iv) Most parents use the code to shift their responsibilities

to school.

(h) The statement given below has a word in bold. Replace it with
a suitable word similar in meaning from the given passage. (1)

The programme intrigued her interest enough to do

some

further research into the subject.

2. Read the following text. (10 Marks)

1. The DU which bagged the 14th rank in 2018 in NIRF rankings

has climbed to the 22nd rank in 2022. Among the top colleges,
the Miranda House and the Hindu College have retained their
TOPPERS CHOICE
rankings by bagging the top two spots
Institute Rank
whereas ARSD, which secured the seventh Miranda House 1

position last year, has climbed a spot up Hindu College 2

Atma Ram Sanatan 6
beating LSR and SRCC. The rankings Dharma College
have been finalised on the basis of data Lady Shri Ram
Women's College
Kirori Mal College 10
from three years -2019, 2020, and 2021.
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 2. The rankings have been carried out in various categories nke
Overall, universities, colleges, and research institutions amous
others. The NIRF provides for ranking of institutions 1n 1
Droad generic groups of parameters namely, teaching, learnms
and resources, research and professional practice, ggraduation

outcome, outreach and inclusivity, and perception. It also 00

into account the number of research articles published and
citations received by publications in this span.
3. DU has witnessed an improvement in all parameters, barrns
perception this time. Union Minister of State for Education t.
R. Singh had said that a low student-teacher ratio could be
one of the reasons for the varsity slipping in the rankings and
recruitment was in progresS.
4. ARSD scored 80 out of 100. in research and professional
practice, the highest among all DU colleges; 100% placements
and opening avenues for its scholars abroad. The perception
score has gone up from 24 to 40. Miranda House wishes to
improve on research outreach and inclusivity and doesn't wish
to rest on past laurels' referring to their bagging the top spot
for the seventh consecutive year. (259 Words)

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

(a) Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your
understanding of paragraphs 1 and 2. (1)
We can say that the NIRF ranking list based on differon4
narameters is comparable with a report card given to a studon*
at the end of a semester or a year because
on the basis of predetermined parameters.

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 (b) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given
(1)
in brackets, based on your understanding of paragraph 2.
That the rank of Delhi University fell short of a few points on
certain paramneters like percention and the low student-teacher
ratio is (a fact lan opinion) because it
(a subjective judgement l an objective
detail).

(c) It be safely concluded that NIRF rankings are

can

comprehensive and balanced in their approach and cover a

range of educational institutions in their ambit. Justify the
(2)
following, in about 40 words.
(a) Based on the survey results, which two concern areas have
been marked for improvement by Miranda House and ARSD
despite showing either steady growth or maintaining their rank
(1)
year after year?
(i)
(ii)

taken Delhi
(e) In the passage, the author implies that it has
University 5 years to move up its ranking between 2018 to
be
2022 from 14 to 22. State any one inference that can
drawn from this. (1)

signifies.
(f) Select the options that correctly display what 'citation'
(Reference-Paragraph 2) (1)

Greating the
ka text Caetlans

FATHE

Bibliography DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAY MARINS usSWHEENYMHNM

Image (iü) Image (iv) Image (v)

Image (i) Image (iü)
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 (g) Infer one benefit and one
drawback of the report on the *
rankings according to you. Answer in about 40 words. (2)

(h) Which of the following is the main

takeaway from the ranking
and their analysis mentioned in the (1)
passage?
(1) The competitive streak among the colleges and
varsities
will enhance their performance.
(11) The competition will put unnecessary stress on the
institutes and their resources.
(ii) The improved rankings will enhance hype about those
institutes that register growth.
(iv) Those institutes that slip in the rankings will not get
any
admissions.

Section B-WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR (20Marks)

GRAMMAR (10Marks)
3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the
following tasks, as
directed.
(1x10=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)
Dear Sir

Subject: Rising Prices

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish
to draw the attention of the government towards the rising
inflation which (made) life difficult for
Commnon man.

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 (b) Read the given sentence from a recipe review article. Identify
(1)
the error and supply the correction in the sentence.
Nigeria has seen an exodus among people in recent year, Via

regular and irregular routes, driven by recessions and record

unemployment levels.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

(c) Read the response of the daughter and report the question
(1)
asked by her mother.
The daughter told her mother that she had a long face because
her first job intervieuw was the next day and she was worried
sick.

(d) Read the dialogue between a husband and wife and select the
correct option to complete the narration of their conversation. (1)

Ryan: I have invited my parents and siblings for dinner today.

Renee: Lovely! Then all of you can cook dinner for me too

When Ryan told Renee that he his

parents and siblings for dinner that day, Renee exclaimed that
it was lovely and remarked that too.

(i) had invited, all of them could cook dinner for her
(ii) has invited, all of them can cook dinner for her
(iii) was inviting, all of them should cook dinner for her
her
(iv) will be inviting, all of them could cook dinner for

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 (e) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct word given in tne
bracket, to complete the concluding line of an issued circular
by an Organisation, to its Managers. (1)

As per the advisory issued by the government, regular service

of the buses and their proper disinfection
(ought Imust / have tolneed to) be ensured.

(t) ldentify the error and supply correction for the given sentence
from an article on the political changes in a country. (1)

The winning party had been dragged to court after the recent
presidential election, which was marred by anomalies and
allegations of vote rigging.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

(g) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the
correction for the following line, from a news report. (1)
Migrants can have automatic rights to healthcare and other
benefits in Brazil, but African migrants often face racism and
struggle to find well-paid work.
Option no. Error Correction
(i) can have have
(ii) rights right
to for
(iii)
but and
(iv)

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 (h) Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the
correct option. (1)
I had never seen the ocean before but I used to watch

Ocumentaries about storms and I had seen big ships roched

from side to side by waves.
(i) were rocking (ii) rocking
(iii) rocked (iv) are rocked

(1) Read the conversation between two friends, Hema and

Saumya.
Complete the sentence by reporting Saumya's reply correctly. (1)
Hema enquired, "Aren't you feeling wel1? You look so pale."
Saumya said, "I have a terrible headache. It is making me
giddy."
Hema, wondering about her friend looking pale asked about her
well-being to which, Saumya replied that

(i) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line,
from an article on environment.
(1)
In this way, We wage the war against
environmental destruction with a tw0-pronged approach of
rationality and sensibility, and someday, win the battle
altogether.
(i) will (ii) can

(iii) might (iv) could

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 filling in the
(K) Complete the line from a poem on nature, by
blank with the correct option. (1)
along the contours
And I

of leaves that have no name. Here

where the air is wet and the light is cool...

(ii) have travelled
(i) had travelled
(iii) travelled (iv) have been travelled

supply the
(1) ldentify the error on a shop's hoarding and
correction, for the following notification put up by the
(1)
railways.
Note: All sleeper-class passengers are requesting to wait

in the lounge next to the ticket counter.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

WRITING SKILLS (10 Marks)

for
Note: All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created
assessment purpose.

A (A) You are Mira Malik, the coordinator of the ABC Public School.
Mohali. Sector- 2, Chandigarh. Write a letter to place a bulk
order for school uniform to M/S Sinha Garments, Zirakpur
(5)
Chowk. Chandigarh. Supply all necessary details as required.

12
 OR

(B) You are Deepti/Deepak of 15, Esplanade Road, Bengaluru.

Write a letter to the Editor of Deccan Herald' about rising
prices of essential commodities-from vegetables to milk to
lentils and cooking oil. It has become extremely unviable
for the poor and the middle class to survive. Give some
suggestions on how to control the price rise.

5. (A) Data hungriness refers to the tendency among mobile

applications to collect and use consumer data through subtle
pop-ups and checkboxes. External parties can also use the
collected data for direct advertising purposes. Surfshark, a
company that analyses data on gaming apps has released the
following infographic. Write an analytical paragraph based
on the image given below. Also give suggestions on how to
combat this problem. (3)

8 Ball PoolTM is the most data hungry app

within the top 10 most popular games
8 Ball Poo|TM
Subway Surfers
Gardenscapes
Egg Party
Parking Jam 3D
Roblox
Chess-PIlay & Learn
Game for Peace
Royal Match
Survivor!.io
10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Data Hunger Index

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 OR
Index Scores' published
a recent report National Race for Results
in America has brought. to light how children are progressing on
key milestones in education, completion of college and even work
levels.
aeross racial and ethnic groups at the national and state
White
onldren of Afro-American. Asians, South Americans,
Americans and Native Americans were taken into accOunt as also
the jobs of their parents. Based on the bar graph given below, write
an analytical paragraph.
NATIONAL RACE FOR RESULTS INDEX SCORES
783
713

Islander
413 429
369
African
American
American Pacific
Indian

and
Asian Latino White

Note: Racial and Hispanic origin categories are

mutually exclusive.

Section C-LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND

SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT (40 Marks)

6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY
ONE of the two, given. (5)

(A) In two weeks he had been transformed into a lithe, hard-muscled

animal; he was keeping up well with the pack, stretching out in
great bounds, his chest almost brushing the ground
I carried him back along the passage to the front of the
house. The chauffeur was still holding the car door open and
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 when Tricki saw his mistress he took off from my arms in

a tremendous leap and sailed into Mrs Pumnphrey's lap. She

herself as he
gave a startled "Ooh!" And then had to defend
swarmed over her, licking her face and barking.
(A Triumph of Surgery)

of emotions
(a) State any one inference about Tricki's show
from the given context. (1)

And then had to defend herself as he swarmed over her,

licking her face and barking.
(b) Which of the explanations given below can be applied to
this statement that captures Tricki's mood? (1)

The chauffeur was still holding the car door open and
when Tricki saw his mistress he took off from my arms
in a tremendous leap and sailed into Mrs Pumphrey's lap.
(i) Tricki had not enjoyed his stay at the vet's hospital.
(ii) He was relieved to be rescued from the big, shaggy
dogs.
(iii) Tricki had recognised his dog-parent and was wildly
happy to see her.
(iv) He wanted to go home and be pampered again.
(c) ...he was keeping up well with the pack, stretching out
in great bounds, his chest almost brushing the ground.'
Which treatment had transformed Tricki? Elaborate in
about 40 words, with reference to the extract. (2)

(d) Which phrase would correctly substitute lithe' in the

given sentence from the extract? (1)

He (Tricki) had been transformed into a lithe., hard

muscled animal.

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 OR
mailbox, the postmaster
e moment the letter foll into the
the money that I asked for.
erte tO open it. It said: "God: of
the rest, since I need
ySeventy pesos reached me. Send me
through the mail because
te very much. But don't send it to me
Lencho."
Cre post office employees are a bunch of crooks.
(A Letter to God)

tone and
(a) Aalyse the extract and fll in the blank: The
the mood of the letter written by Lencho shows that
he was and but

(1)

1. unhappy 2. curious 3. hopeful

4. suspicious 5. frustrated 6. thoughtful
(i) 1 and 6 but 4 (ii) 1 and 5 but 6

(iii) 1 and 5 but 3 (iv) 2 and 3 but 5

(b) With what expectation did the postmaster open the letter
sent by Lencho? Answer in about 40 words. (2)

(c) Lencho calls the post office employees a bunch of crooks'.

Which of the following constructions belongs to the same
category as this one? (1)

(i) thick as thieves (ii) a bag of bones

(iii) a school of whales (iv) a bundle of nerves

Lencho
d) Interpret the importance of the letter written by
(1)
to God.

16
 7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY
ONE of the two, given. (5)
(A) Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might
nonplus,
The Crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they're Crocodiles.
(How to Tell Wild Animals)

(a) Fill the blank with suitable words to complete the

statement. (1)

The hyena and a crocodile are dissimilar to each other

because but they are similar because

(b) How has the poet used literary devices to enrich the
description in the given stanza? (2)

(c) Which of the following sayings does not match the

conduct of the animals in the given stanza? (1)

(1) The essence of lying is in deception, not in words.

(ii) Don't judge a book by its cover.

(iii) Appearances are deceptive.

(iv) A pretty face doesn't mean a pretty heart.

(d) The poet says, A novice might nonplus. Is this expression

correct? Comment on the poet's use of language in this
line in about 40 words. (2)

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 OR
(B) In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is exterrnal.
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
The epistemology of loss, how to stand up
nowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up.
(The Ball Poem)

(a) In what context does the poet say that Money is

external'? (1)

(b) What is the significance of the use of symbolism by the

poet to describe loss, responsibility, and survival in the
given extract and how does it contribute to the overall
mood and tone of the poem? Answer in about 40 words. (2)

(c) Complete the sentence with the appropriate option. (1)

If One were to choose an option that best fits

the essence of the given extract, it would be

(i) Responsibility is self-taught.

(ii) Out of sight, out of mind.
(iii) Time once lost, is forever.

(iv) Better safe, than sorry.

poetic device
(a) To what effect has the poet used the
(1)
'apostrophe' in the given extract?
18
 8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five
questions, in about
40-50 words.
(4x3=12)
(a) what do you think would have
been Chubukov's reaction on
nearing the reason for which Lomov had come to his
house?
(The Proposal) (3)
(0) What is the difference between God's attitude toward a
yOung Woman and the attitude of humans toward
her?
(For Anne Gregory) (3)
(c) How does Rajvir describe the tea
garden at Dhekiabari?
(Tea from Assam) (3)
(d) Flying is a natural act in birds. Then why was
the young
seagull exhausted by the strange exercise"?
(Two Stories about Flying - His First Flight) (3)
(e) What does the poet want to convey through the poem Dust of
Snow'? (Dust of Snow) (3)

9. Answer ANY TW0 of the folowing three questions, in about

40-50 words. (2x3=6)
(a) Why did Hari Singh tell lies about cooking?
(The Thief's Story) (3)
(b) Why did Griffin have to burgle a clergyman's house in Iping?
(Footprints Without Feet) (3)
a Why do Bholi's parents accept Bishamher's marriage proposal?
Give three reasons. (Bholi) (3)
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 questions, in about
10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two
(1x6=6)
100-120 words.
brings out the
(A) Robert Frost in the poem, Dust of Snow
Our attitude towards
importance of the right attitude in life.
either positive or
a circumstance evokes different responses
Mijbil, the Otter showed great talent for adaptability
negative. crow in
in its life as did the
to the changing circumnstances
Analyse the statement with reference to the poem,
the poem.
Dust of Snow' and the story, Mijbil the Otter.
OR

way did the Buddha change

(B) Death can be liberating. In what
loss? Why do
Kisa Gotami's understanding of life, death, and
second time?
you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the
Did it also take Mandela time to grasp the fact that freedom
is precious or did he understand it implicitly and immediately?
Analyse with reference to the chapters The Sermon at Benares'
and Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'.

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about

100-120 words. (1x6=6)
(A) Describe the landlord's and his wife's experience with the
strange scientist, Griffin,
(Footprints Without Feet)
OR

(B) «Horace Danby was good and

respectable - but not completely
bonest" - explain the statement based on
your understanding
of his character.
(A Question of Trust)
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