PRE-BOARD PAPER SELF-ASSESSMENT
ENGLISH
LANGUAGE & LITERATURE
Time Allowed: 3 Hours Maximum
Marks: 80
General
Instructions:
(i) 15 Minute prior reading
time allotted for Q-paper reading.
(ii) The Question Paper contains THREE Sections-Reading, Grammar
& Writing and Literature.
(iii) Attempt questions based on
specific instructions for each part.
SECTION - A 20
Marks
READING
SKILLS
1. Read the passage given below. 1 × 10
= 10
(1)
Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting
to do it again was the last thing you
wanted to do?
(2)
If your answer is yes, then you are ‘‘not
a robot.” Unlike robots, we human
beings have feelings, emotions, and
dreams. We are all meant to grow and
stretch despite our circumstances and
our limitations. Flourishing and trying
to make our dreams come true when you
fail despite all of your hard work? Do
you stay down and accept the defeat or
do you get up again and again until you
are satisfied? If you have a tendency to
persevere and keep going then you have
what experts call, grit.
(3)
Falling down or failing is one of the
most agonising, embarrassing, and
scariest human experiences. But, it is
also one of the most educational,
empowering, and essential parts of
living a successful and fulfilling life.
Did you know that perseverance is one of
the seven qualities that have been
described as the keys to personal success and betterment in society? The other six are: curiosity, gratitude, optimism,
self-control social intelligence, and
zest. Thomas Edison is a model for grit
for trying 1000 plus times
to invent the light bulb. If
you are reading this with the lights on
in your room, you know well he
succeeded. When asked why he kept going
despite his hundreds of failures, he
merely stated that what he had were not
failures. They were hundreds of ways not to create a light bulb. This statement not
only revealed his grit but also his
optimism for looking at the bright side.
(4)
Grit can be learned to help become
more successful. One of the techniques
that helps is mindfulness. Mindfulness
is a practice that helps the individual
stay in the moment by bringing awareness
of his/her experience without judgment.
With this practice of mindfulness,
individuals have the ability to stop the
self-sabotaging downward spiral of
hopelessness, despair and frustration.
(5)
What did you do to overcome the
negative and self sabotaging feelings of
failure? Reflect on what you did, and try
to use those same powerful resources to
help you today.
Based on your understanding
of the passage, answer the given
questions:
(A) 'Grit can be
learned to help become more successful.’
The underlined word can be substituted
with the word .................. from
the passage. 1
Pre-Board Paper 1
(B) Choose the statement from
the following that is NOT APPROPRIATE
according to the passage.
(a) Grit can not be learned
to help become more succesful.
(b) Practising our dreams
come true is great when life is going
our way.
(c) Mindfulness can be
learned to help you become more
successful
(d) Reflect on what you did
and try to use those same powerful resources to help you. 1
(C) Select the sentence from
the following that reveals Thomas
Edison's grit.
(a) Did you know that grit is
one of the seven qualities that have
been described as the keys to
personal success and betterment in society?
(b) We are all meant to grow
and stretch despite our circumstances
and our limitations.
(c) They were hundreds of
ways not to create a light bulb.
(d) Thomas Edison is a model for grit. 1
(D) According to the passage,
falling down or failing is one of the
most ..............., ............. and
............. human experience. 1
(E) What does the phrase
'keep going’ refer to in the line—‘If
you have the tendency to persevere and
keep going’?
(a) to walk
(b) get wild
(c) moving in a certain direction
(d) continue doing something difficult 1
(F) Select the appropriate
option to complete the given sentence.
The word ‘gratitude’ refers
to the quality of being
...................
(a) regretful (b) thankless
(c) arrogant (d) thankful 1
(G) Choose the option that
makes the correct use of ‘model’, as
used in the passage to fill in the blank
space.
(a) They allowed me to ............... it on stage. (b)
Jane Austen was regarded as the
............... of grit in fiction.
(c) The first woman up was not certainly a
...............
(d) The business
............... must work because of its
novelty. 1
(H) The self-sabotaging
downward spiral of hopelessness, despair
and frustration can be stopeed using
............... .
(a) mindfulness (b) growth
(c) gratitude (d) hard work 1
(I) Failure is the most
frustrating emotion felt by a person who
is regularly trying. (True/ false) 1
(J) Complete the given
analogy correctly with a word from the
passage.
Despair : disdain :: …………. :
Positivity 1 2. Read the passage given below. 1 × 10 = 10 India’s SDG Scores
India has crossed the halfway
mark in achieving the UN’s sustainable
development goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015
and to be achieved by 2030, according to
the SDG India Index released on Friday
by think tank NITI Aayog and the UN.
Here are the 10 best-performing states and Union territories according to the index.
India 57
69
69
68
66
65
64
64
64
64
64
2
(1) Himachal Pradesh.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu have emceed as the
front runners in the race to achieve key
sustainable development goals (SDG) like
removal of poverty inequality, while
Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the
laggards in ranking of states.
(2) According to the SDG
India Index, the nation as a whole has a
score of 57, showing the country has
reached a little beyond the halfway mark
in meeting the sustainable development
goals adopted by India and 192 other
nations in 2015. The index covers 13 of
the 17 sustainable development goals,
including healthcare, gender equality, clean energy, infrastructure, education, peace and building strong, accountable institutions.
(3) Goals, including
climate action and sustainable use of
marine resources, were left out because
of lack of data at the state level.
Kerala’s overall top rank (69) is attributed to its strong performance in providing good health, reducing hunger, achieving
gender equality and providing quality
education. The rank shows the distance
each state has to cover to reach 100 -
the point at which it fully meets the
sustainable development goal.
(4) Himachal Pradesh ranks
high with a similar overall score in
providing clean water and sanitation,
reducing inequalities and preserving the
mountain ecosystem. Tamil Nadu has a
score of 66. Among Union territories,
Chandigarh takes the lead with a score
of 68 on account of its track record in
providing clean water and sanitation.
Performance in providing quality education has also helped Chandigarh achieve high score.
(5) Tamil Nadu topped the
states in poverty reduction, while
Kerala topped in providing quality
education, closely followed by
Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.
(6) Kerala and Tamil Nadu
also topped in facilitating good health
and well-being. Gender equality,
however, is an area all states and the
nation as a whole need to improve upon.
The toppers in gender equality, Sikkim
and Union territories .Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Chandigarh, have crossed the hallway mark in reaching the goals.
(7) The scores represent
the current status of achievement in
meeting the goals.
Based on your understanding
of the passage, answer the given
questions:
(A) The other remaining goals
are left out from SDG India Index
because:
(a) of lack of data of the state level (b) they have
already crossed halfway mark in reaching
the goals.
(c) countries have not taken
care of the remaining goals
(d) those goals have not yet
been officially accepted by the countries 1
(B) Among Union Territories
………….. takes the lead with a score of 68
on account of its track record in
providing clean water and sanitation. 1
(C) Fill in the blank by
choosing the correct option.
According to the survey,
……………. topped in providing quality
education.
(a) Kerala (b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Chandigarh (d) Andhra Pradesh 1
(D) How many sustainable
goals does index cover?
(a) 13 (b) 15
(c) 17 (d) 19 1
(E) What do 100 points mean
as per SDG Index?
(a) It means the index has
covered 13 goals including healthcare,
gender equality clean energy,
infrastructure, education, peace and
building strong, accountable
institutions.
(b) It means the point at
which it fully meets the sustainable
development goal.
(c) It means the removal of
poverty and equality.
(d) It means India has
reached a little beyond the halfway mark
to meet sustainable development goals. 1
(F) Which state has the least
SDG score according to the graph? 1
(G) The SDG score represents
the current status of achievements by
the states in meeting the goals.
True/False. 1
(H) Which state ranks the
best in total SDG scores? 1
(I) Select the option that is
true for the two statements given below.
(1) Tamil Nadu topped the
states in poverty reduction.
(2) Kerala topped the states
in providing amenities.
(a) (1) is the result of (2).
(b) (1) is true and (2) is false.
(c) (1) is independent of (2).
(d) (1) contradicts (2). 1
(J) The index covers …………….
sustainable development goals out of
………….. 1
Pre-Board Paper 3
SECTION - B
GRAMMAR
10
Marks
3. Attempt ANY TEN of the given
questions.
(A) Choose the correct option to fill in the
blank to complete the note about the
Wangala Festival of Meghalaya.
The Wangala ........ festival
for the Garo in Meghalaya, Assam and
Nagaland. It is a post-harvest festival
celebrated to mark the end of the
agricultural year. It is popularly known
as ‘The Hundred Drums’ festival.
(a) is important
(b) are an important
(c) was the important
(d) is an important 1
(B) Read the following
conversation and complete the passage
that follows.
Rohit: I am surprised to see
you here in Delhi. When did you
come?
Shruti: I came here
yesterday. I have been offered a job
here.
Rohit told Shruti (i)
................. and asked when she had
come. Shruti replied that she had come
there the previous day and added that
(ii) ................. . 1
(C) Sir, when
...................... you be able to spare
some time for it ?
(a) should (b) would
(c) could (d) might 1
(D) Identify the error and
write its correction in the blank given:
The students are fighting for the flowers or
fruits that they plucked.
Error
Correction ....................
.................... 1
(E) Fill in the blank by
choosing the correct options.
The swimming pool
................ at 9o’ clock and
................ at 18:30 everyday.
(a) is opening / is closing
(b) opens / closes
(c) has opened / has closed
(d) opened / closed 1
(F) The taxi driver spoke
.............. English. I couldn‘t
understand him.
(a) many (b) a little
(c) very little (d) some 1
(G) Choose the correct option
to complete the given dialogue.
Priya : Hey Smita. Are you
free this weekend?
Smita : Yes, (i) “.................” .
Choose the correct option for (i)
(a) I am busy this weekend.
(b) I have no plans for the weekend.
(c) I have a meeting for the
weekend. (d) Sorry, I have an appointment. 1
(H) Identify the error and write its correction. Paper
was first made by the Egyptians for the
plant named ‘papyrus’.
Error
Correction ....................
.................... 1 (I)
Report the following statement:
He said to his maid, "Why
are you so lazy today?" 1
(J) Fill the blank with the
correct modal verb : I ...................... not budge an inch from the righteous path. 1
(K) Choose the correct options to fill in the
blanks to complete the narration.
Seema was angry as she couldn't enjoy the
fashion monthly issue digitally. So, her
mom surprised her with a physical book.
She knew that Seema was ......(i)........ with the digital version, so she went to the store and got it for her. Seema was elated.
Choose the correct option for (i)
(a) shocked (b) elated
(c) angry (d) sad 1
(L) Identify the error and
choose its correction from the options
given:
Children are fond of orange.
Error Correction (a) Children Child
(b) are is
(c) of for
(d) orange oranges 1
4
CREATIVE
WRITING SKILLS 2 × 5 = 10 Marks
4. Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
You are the manager of Hotel
Green View, Chennai. You had ordered 50
kilograms of cheese for the hotel. You
are not happy with the quality of the
cheese that was sent. In about 100-120
words, write a letter to the manager of
Amaltas Dairy, Chennai complaining about
the poor quality of the product.
5. Attempt
ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
OR
Write a letter in 100-120
words to M/s Riddhi Publishing House,
Rewari, complaining that the books sent
by them were not the ones you had
ordered and ask for a replacement. You
are Shalini Arora/Samar Arora, of Kamla
Nagar, New Delhi. 5
With the help of the given flowchart, write an analytical paragraph in
about 120 words on ‘Rising Prices’.
OR
World Economic Forum carried
out a survey to identify the cause for
the poor economic growth of our country.
Read the following excerpt
taken from an article published by them
online:
“A holistic approach in
higher education based on knowledge,
skill and value is required for our
nation to become a global talent leader.”
Write a paragraph in 120 words on your
interpretation of the data
and what steps must be taken to help
change India’s economic growth and make
it a developed country.
|
Use of Talent in India |
|
|
1.4% |
enrolment rate in vocation
training |
|
8.7% |
gap in mean years of schooling
between rich and poor |
|
3.3% |
share of GDP invested in
education |
|
36% |
female labour force
participation |
5
SECTION - C
LITERATURE
40
Marks
6. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 1 × 5 = 5
The following Sunday Lencho
came a bit earlier than usual to ask if
there was a letter for him. It was the
postman himself who
handed the letter to him
while the postmaster, experiencing the
contentment of a man who has performed a
good deed, looked on from his office.
Lencho showed not the slightest surprise
on seeing the money; such was his confidence — but he became angry when he counted the
Pre-Board Paper 5
money. God could not have
made a mistake, nor could he have denied
Lencho what he had requested.
Immediately, Lencho went up to the window
to ask for paper and ink. On the public
writing-table, he started to write, with much wrinkling of his brow, caused by the effort
he had to make to express his ideas.
(A) How did Lencho feel when
he counted the money? 1
(B) Choose the option that
lists the set of statements that are not
true according to the given extract:
(1) Lencho was very casual in his duties. (2) Lencho had
a simple pure heart. (3) Lencho was extremely happy to see the amount.
(4) Lencho was not a hard working farmer. (5) Lencho was
angry on the amount being sent by God.
(6) Lencho had requested God
to send him some amount.
(7) Lencho wrote a letter to God.
(a) (1), (3), (4) (b) (2), (3), (4)
(c) (5), (6), (7) (d) (1), (2), (3) 1
(C) Pick the option that correctly classifies
fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the
statements below:
(1) Lencho firmly believed
that God would help him.
(2) Lencho was not a wise farmer.
(3) Lencho wrote a letter to
God, requesting him to send him seventy
peso.
(4) Post master was a mature
and kind hearted person as he could
understand the problems of Lencho.
(a) F - (1), (2), (3) and O - (4)
(b) F - (1), (3), (4) and O - (2)
(c) F - (1), (2) and O - (3), (4)
(d) F - (1), (2) and O - (1), (3) 1
(D) Which word does
‘contentment’ NOT correspond to?
(a) Relaxed (b) Happy
(c)
Satisfied (d) Sad 1
(E) How much money Lencho had
asked God for ? 1
OR
When the train had gone, I
found myself standing alone on the
deserted platform. I had no idea where
to spend the night. I had no friends,
believing that friends were more trouble
than help. And I did not want to make
anyone curious by staying at one of the small hotels near the station. The only person I
knew really well was the man I had
robbed. Leaving the station, I walked
slowly through the bazaar. In my short
career as a thief, I had made a study of
men’s faces when they had lost their
goods. The greedy man showed fear; the rich man showed anger; the poor man showed acceptance. But I knew that Anil’s face, when
he discovered the theft, would show only
a touch of sadness. Not for the loss of
money, but for the loss of trust. I
found myself in the maidan and sat down
on a bench. The night was chilly — it
was early November — and a light drizzle
added to my discomfort. Soon it was raining quite heavily. My shirt and pyjamas stuck
to my skin, and a cold wind blew the
rain across my face.
(A) Choose the incorrect
option that does not align with the
thoughts of the writer.
(1) (2) (3) (4)
(a) Option (1) (b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3) (d) Option (4) 1
(B) Why was the speaker
standing at the platform? 1
(C) The statement that is
TRUE about the passage is:
(a) The speaker of the given
passage is Max.
(b) The thought of loneliness
plagues the speaker.
(c) The speaker is happy to
be without friends.
(d) The speaker did not want
to leave the town. 1
6
(D) Complete the analogy by
selecting the suitable word from the
text excess : dearth : : denial :
...................... 1
(E) The extract uses the
phrase “but for the loss of trust”.
Which of the following expressions is
incorrect with respect to “Loss” of:
1
7. Attempt ANY ONE of the two extracts given. 1 × 5 = 5
But
if it had to perish twice
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
.Is also great and would suffiice
(A) What is the synonym for
the word ‘perish’ in the given line “But
if it had to perish twice.”
(a) decay (b) die
(c) cold (d) putrid 1 (B) What is the rhyme scheme
of the given stanza? 1 (C) To say that for destruction ice,
Is also great and would suffice.
Why
would the ice be sufficient?
(a) To make the world cold.
(b) To make the weather chilly.
(c) To end the world.
(d) To make the earth look
blue. 1 (D)
What would NOT destroy the world? (a) war (b) hate
(c) love (d) desire 1
(E) What causes of
destruction does the poet cite?
(1) ...................................
(2)
................................... 1
OR
But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.
(A) Complete the analogy by
slecting the suitable word from the text
: happiness : joy : : caged :
...................... 1
(B) What is the statement
'his strength behind bars' mean ?
(a) The tiger is strong
behind the bars.
(b) The tiger is behind the bars.
(c) The tiger is helpless
behind bars.
(d) The tiger is helpless in a cage.
1
(C) The word “strength” DOES
NOT have a meaning similar to:
(a) power (b) happiness (c)
determination (d) courage 1 (D) “Ignoring visitors”, what does the poet mean by this? 1
(E) The word that DOES NOT
indicate a stalking attitude of the
tiger towards the indicators is :
(a) helplessness of tiger
(b) deprivedness of tiger
(c) happiness of tiger
(d) desperation of the tiger for
freedom 1
8. Answer ANY FOUR questions in 40-50 words each. 4 × 3 = 12
(A) Who, according to Nelson
Mandela, is a courageous man? 3
(B) Comment on the tone of
Kisa Gotami when she said, “Pray tell
me, sir; who is it?”. 3
(C) Justify the poet’s
allusion to Rapunzel in the poem
‘Amanda’. 3
(D) Prince Siddhartha left
the luxury of his palace and became a beggar. Justify. 3 (E) What does Chubukov at
first suspect
Lomov has come for? Do you
think he is sincere in calling him his
son? 3
9. Answer ANY TWO questions in 40-50 words each. 2 × 3 = 6
(A) What was the reason
behind Matilda’s incessant
suffering? 3
(B) How can you tell that
Hari was happy working for Anil? 3
(C) Why were the two boys in
London surprised and fascinated? 3
Pre-Board Paper 7
10. Answer ANY ONE the following in 100-120 words.
Not every air hostess is as
kind as the one the author met. In the
light of this statement, develop a
conversation between Maxwell and another
air hostess.
You may begin as:
Air hostess: Oh no. I can’t
allow you to keep the pet open.
Maxwell: Please help me. This
is my first time………………….
OR
Read the extracts given below
and comment on the difference in the
nature of help both the characters, of these two stories, received.
(A) Suddenly I came out of
the clouds and saw two straight lines of
lights in front of me. It was a runway!
An airport! I was safe! I turned to look
for my friend in the black aeroplane but
the sky was empty. [The Black Aeroplane]
(B) All through the night
Lencho thought only of his one hope: the
help of God…The
following Sunday, at daybreak
he began to write a letter…It was
nothing less than a letter to God...The
following Sunday Lencho came a bit
earlier than usual to ask if there was a
letter for him…. Lencho showed not the
slightest surprise on seeing the money,
such was his confidence.
[A Letter to God] 6
11.Answer ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
“The air was bitterly cold
and he could not do without clothes.”
Troubling situations and the
inescapable weather forced Griffin to
turn lawless. Drawing reference from the statement given above, explain the experience of Griffin at
the big London store.
OR
Read the following quote by
William Shakespeare.
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
Do you think Matilda had
control over her fate? Justify your
response. 6
8
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