PERIODIC ASSESSMENT -2

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - Code No. 184

CLASS-IX- (2025-26)
Time allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:
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 Textbook
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each Part.

SECTION A READING SKILLS (20 marks)

Q1. Read the following text:
1. If you are like most kids , you may love snow. Not only can it get you out of school but it’s
also fun to play with. Who doesn’t love to sled and build snowmen? Snow can also be
dangerous, too. You may have heard your parents talk about how difficult it can be to drive
in snow. Car accidents aren’t the only dangers created by snow. If you’re ever skiing in the
mountains, you’ll want to be aware of avalanches. An avalanche is a sudden flow of snow
down a slope,such as a mountain . The amount of snow in an avalanche will vary based on
many things , but it can be such a huge pile that it can bury the bottom of a slope in dozens
of feet of snow.
2. Avalanches can be caused by many things. Some of them are natural. For example, new
snow or rain can cause built up snow to loosen and fall down the side of a mountain .
Earthquakes and the movement of animals have also been known to cause avalanches .
Artificial triggers can also cause avalanches. For Examples , snow mobiles skiers, gunshots
and explosives have all been known to cause avalanches. Avalanches usually occur during
the winter and spring , when snowfall is greatest. As they are dangerous to any living beings
in their path ,avalanches have destroyed forests, roads and even entire towns.
3. Warning signs exist that allow experts to predict-and often prevent – avalanches from
occurring. When over a foot of fresh snow falls, experts know to be on the lookout for
avalanches. Explosives can be used in places with massive snow build –ups to trigger smaller
avalanches that don’t pose a danger to persons or property . When deadly avalanches do
occur , the moving snow can quickly reach over 80 miles per hour. Skiers caught in such
avalanches can be buried under dozens of feet of snow. While it’s possible to dig out of such
avalanches, not all are able to escape.
4. If you get tossed about by an avalanche and find yourself buried under many feet of snow ,
you might not have a true sense of which way is up and which way is down . Some
avalanche victims have tried to dig their way out, only to find that they were upside down
and digging themselves farther under the snow rather than to the top! Experts suggest that
people caught in an avalanche try to “swim” to the top of the moving snow to stay close to
the surface . Once the avalanche stops , do your best to dig around you to create a space for
air , so you can breathe easier . Then , do your best to figure out which way is up and dig in
that direction to reach the surface and signal rescuers.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
a. Complete the sentence by choosing and appropriate option: (1)
Avalanche can be caused by …………………………………………………..
i. new snow or rain ii. heavy winds iii. high altitude iv. global warming
 b. Comment on warning signs exist which allow experts to predict avalanches in two
sentences. (2)
c. Mention two reasons which destroyed the natural scenery. (2)
d. Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘massive’: (1)
e. The writer will agree with one of the given statements (paragraph 4) (1)
i. People caught in the avalanche can try to swim to the top.
ii. Put on an oxygen mask
iii. Digging is not possible
iv. Should not come close to the surface
f. Select the option that corresponds to the following relation below: (1)
You may not have an idea of which way is up and which way is down.
i. The crowd will gather at Gate No. 1 and disperse from Gate No.2
ii. Due to the torrential rain, there was heavy flooding.
iii. The guest felt uneasy and uncomfortable watching the child’s performance
iv. The more the effort, the bigger the gain
g. The major causes which do not trigger an avalanche : (1)
i)Earthquakes ii. snow fall iii. Rain iv. Plastic waste
h. Explosives can be used in places ……………………………………..(complete the sentence) (1)

Q.2. Read the following passage carefully.

1. India is a country of many languages .The constitution recognises 22 languages
officially, but over 121 unique languages have been identified in the country.
2. To preserve and encourage the literary function of language, the government
introduced ‘classical languages’ in 2004 . According to the Ministry of Culture, a
classical language is one that is at least 1,500 years old and has ancient, valuable
literature recorded in it. Further, such a language is original and not derived from
another language. Based on these guidelines , six languages have been classified as
classical languages: Tamil , Sanskrit, Kannada , Telugu , Malayalam and Odia,
3. The following graph shows the percentage of Indian people whose mother tongue is
a classical language. This is as per data collected by the census of 2011 . The census
was not conducted in 2021 due to the pandemic.

PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION
Tamil

Odiia Sanskrit
3.1% Tamil
Sanskrit,
5% Kannada
0.002
Malayalam
2.88 % Telgu
Kannada
3.6%
Telgu, 6.7 % Malayalam

Odiia

4. According to the graph , around 6.7% of the Indian population area native speakers
of Telgu , whereas Sanskrit has been identified as a mother tongue by only 0.002%
 of the population , which is around 24,821 people . Malayalam has the second
lowest number of native speakers, making up about 2.9% of Indians.
5. The 2011 census data also noted that a majority of the native speakers reside in
the area that their mother tongue originated from . For example , 93% of Kannada
speakers live in Karnataka . Similarly, 93% of Malayalam speakers live in Kerala.
6. Balancing preservation of culture and inclusivity is a delicate equation for a
heterogeneous country like India . With growing awareness, concepts like ‘classical
languages ‘ may help us achieve harmony.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
a. Which of these pieces of information can be confirmed by reading the passage? (1)
I. the number of people in India who speak Tamil
II. where the majority of native Sanskrit speakers live
III. the reason Malayalam is considered a classical language
IV. when the idea of classical languages was introduced in India
i. Only I ii. Only IV iii, only I & II iv. Only III & IV
b. fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from given in brackets. (2)
Based on the passage, the ……………………….( functional / historical ) value of a language is of
utmost importance while …………. (preserving / categorising ) it as a classical language.
c. State an example from the passage that shows that India is a ‘heterogeneous country’ .
Answer in one sentence. (1)
d. Why has the writer stated the following line in the passage? Give a reason. (1)
The census was not conducted in 2021 due to the pandemic.
e. Complete the sentence based on information from the passage. (1)
If Tamil originated from Tamil Nadu ,we can infer that…………………………. Of the native Tamil
speakers would be living in Tamil Nadu.
f. Would this hypothetical situation help India achieve harmony? (1)
If the majority of Indians who speak a classical language are settled abroad. (YES/NO)
g. Which of the following is not a criterion for a language to be classified as a classical
language, according to the Ministry of Culture? (1)
i. it must have ancient and valuable literature
ii. it must be spoken by a large percentage of the population
iii. it must be at least 1500 years old
iv. It must not be derived from another language.
h. Which of these sentences uses ‘delicate’ in the same way as paragraph ‘6’ does? (1)
i. She looked beautiful in the dress with the delicate floral pattern .
ii. He was frequently admitted to the hospital due to his delicate health
iii. this discussion will require careful consideration as it is a delicate matter
iv. Please handle the delicate items carefully during transportation as they break easily
i. According to the pie chart given, which language is the least spoken one? Write its
percentage also. (1)

SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR

3. Complete the following tasks, as directed. 1X10=10
i. If you had worked you………………. have passed.
A. shall B. should C. will D. Would
ii. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket for the given portion
of a market research:
The special subscriptions of newspapers are well _____(illustrate), to make reading
interesting for school students.
 iii. They said to the guide, “We’d love to come here again next year.” Report it correctly by
completing the following.
They told the guide that _____.
iv. Everyone is saying that Farhana’s chances are bright in the upcoming tournament and she
______ (must / may) become the youngest football player ever.
v. The group of boys…………………excited to join the upcoming science competition .
A. are B. has C. is D. were
vi. Congratulations Change Makers! The regional competition awards have been announced
and our school music club ___________ the first prize.
A. had been won B. will win C. was winning D. has won
vii. The burglar ………………………the house when the owners were away.
A. broke up B. broke away C. broke into D. broke down
viii. Ram said to me ,”I was not absent yesterday”.( change into indirect narration)
ix) Select the potion that identifies the error and supplies the
correction for the following line: Error correction
At the end of the street stand the tallest building in the city.
x. ………… you live happily and long! ( fill appropriate modal)

4(i) Imagine you have the opportunity to meet Shri Narendra Modi during one of his early political
campaigns. Write a descriptive paragraph in 100-120 words describing appearance, gesture , and
mannerisms of Shri Narendra Modi. (5)

Use the following cues:

 Physical appearance?
 body language , facial expressions, and gestures ?
 overall demeanor and personality
 engage with the people around him .
OR

4(ii) Think of a day when you find yourself in the middle of a thunderstorm. Write a descriptive
paragraph about the situation in 100-120, including the following cues:
Where are you at that time?
 What is the weather like before and during the storm ?
 How do the people around you react to the storm?
 How does the storm impact your environment ?

5. (i) Write a story in 100-120 words beginning with the following lines . Give a suitable title to
the story. (5)
“Mr Gupta was returning from work at around 11:30 pm that night. On his way home, he
heard a rustling sound from the bushes…….

OR
5(ii) Your childhood friend has moved to a different country. Write a diary entry expressing your
feelings and the memories you shared with him/her.(100-120 words).

SECTION C
LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT
 6. (I) Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two,
given. (1X5=5)
The Macdonalds lived next door. They had five children. Looking through a gap in the fence
the little girl saw them playing ‘tag’ in the evening. The father with the baby, Mao, on his
shoulders, two little girls hanging on to his coat pockets ran round and round the flower-
beds, shaking with laughter. Once she saw the boys turn the hose on him—and he tried to
catch them laughing all the time. Then it was she decided there were different sorts of
fathers. Suddenly, one day, Mother became ill, and she and Grandmother went to hospital.
i. Kezia observes about the Macdonald family that they …………… .
[Link] always quiet B. have a strict father
[Link] together joyfully D. do not get along well

ii. What kind of atmosphere is created through above extract? Select the correct option:
1. JOY [Link] 3. INDIFERENCE 4 FEAR 5. EXCITEMENT

A. 1 AND 5 B. only 5 C. 3and 4 D. 1 and 2

[Link] does Kezia feel about her father after observing the Macdonald family? Choose the most
suitable option :
A. She feels proud of him B. She feels envious of their fun loving father
B. She feels indifferent towards him C. She feels angry at her mother
iv. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket:
The use of “shaking with laughter “ adds to a sense of …………………..(joy /sadness) reflecting the
playful atmosphere in the Macdonald household.
[Link] tone does Kezia likely express when she reflects on her father’s behavior?
[Link] [Link] [Link] D. Angry

6(II) He was a bachelor. His needs were simple and he was able to adjust himself to all kinds of odd
conditions, whether it was an ill-equipped circuit house or a makeshift canvas tent in the middle of a
stone quarry. But one asset he had was his cook, Iswaran. The cook was quite attached to Mahendra
and followed him uncomplainingly wherever he was posted. He cooked for Mahendra, washed his
clothes and chatted away with his master at night. He could weave out endless stories and
anecdotes on varied subjects.
i. What does the phrase “his needs were simple “suggest about Mahendra’s character?
A. he was wealthy and extravagant B. he is adaptable and practical
C. he is careless about his living conditions [Link] is dependent
ii. The term “asset “imply in relation to Iswaran means…………………………
A. A burden to Mahendra B. A valuable companion and support
C. A financial liability D. An obstacle in Mahendra’s life
iii. Choose the option that best describes Iswaran’s storytelling ability :
[Link] and uninteresting [Link] and imaginative
C. overly critical and negative D. simple and straightforward
iv. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket:
Iswaran’s ability to conjure up meals from limited resources shows his…………………………………….
[Link] does the phrase “followed him uncomplainingly” indicate about Iswran?
A He is unhappy with his job B. He is loyal and devoted to Mahendra
[Link] is indifferent to Mahendra’s needs [Link] is seeking better opportunities elsewhere

7(I) Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given
 I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore (1X5=5)
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.
[Link] does lake water lapping with low sounds” symbolize?
[Link] chaos of urban life [Link] soothing and rhythmic sounds of nature
C. The poet’s inner turmoil [Link] noise of a busy city
ii. “roadway” and “pavements grey” signifies ……………………
[Link] beauty of urban life B. The monotonous and artificiality of city life
[Link] poet’s love for his current surroundings [Link] poet’s satisfaction with modern life
iii. Complete the following suitably:
The phrase “deep heart’s core” suggests ………………………………………………..
iv. Which poetic device is used in “lake water lapping with low sounds”?
A. Onomatopoeia [Link] [Link] [Link]
v. The poet of the above extract is ……………………..and the name of the poem is…………………………

7(II) Now in memory comes my mother,

As she used in years a gone,
To regard the darling dreamers
Ere she left them till the dawn:
O! I feel her fond look on me
As I list to this refrain
Which is played upon the shingles
By the patter of the rain.
i. Fill in the blank with ONE word : the word “refrain refers to the repetitive………………. Created
by the sound of raindrops on the roof.
ii. The poet feels his mother’s …………………………. while listening to the rain , even though she is
no longer alive.
iii. The words “patter”is and example of …………………………… as it imitates the sound of raindrops
falling on the roof.
iv. What tone dominates this stanza?
A) Nostalgic B) Joyful C. Aggressive D) humorous
v. What kind of atmosphere is created through these lines ? Select the correct option:
[Link] [Link] [Link] [Link] [Link]
A) 1,2and 5 B) Only 5 C) 2and 4 D)1,3 and 5

8) Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words each. 4x3=12
i. What does Frost teach us about decision making through the poem “ The Road Not
Taken”?
ii. Who was County Inspector ? Why did Margie feel disappointed after the county
Inspector left?
iii. Name the various places and causes for which Evelyn performs.
iv. Find two instances in the text which tell that Bismillah khan loves India and Benaras.
v. What does the Macdodnald family symbolize in contrast to Kezia’s family?

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words each. (3x2=6)
i. What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?
ii. Why does the disciple decide to stay in the Kingdom of Fools? Is it a good idea?
iii. Why does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to
create in his listeners?
10. Answer ANY ONE of the following five questions, in about 100-120 words each. (6)
i. Imagine you are student who has read the poem wind. Write a diary entry reflecting on
how it inspired you to face challenges in life.
ii. In the lesson “My Childhood” , APJ Abdul Kalam describes two of his teachers . What is the
difference in the outlooks of these two teachers?

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following five questions, in about 100-120 words each. (6)
i. What did the Guru and disciple see in the kingdom of the Fools? Why did the guru
decide to leave the kingdom at once?
ii. Toto’s love for warm water once landed him into a serious trouble . Describe the
related incident in your own words.