(Q) Read the passage and answer the following questions.

Entering the Korowai rain forest is like stepping into a giant watery cave. The tree canopy’s dense weave plunges the world into a verdant gloom. The heat is stifling and the air drips with humidity. This is the haunt of giant spiders, killer snakes and lethal microbes. High in the canopy, parrots screech and a barely visible track winds around rain-soaked trees and primeval palms. A sudden downpour sends raindrops spearing through gaps in the canopy.

1. What does the word ‘verdant’ mean here?

a) comfortable          b) beautiful

c) leafy                         d) withering

2. Comment on the expression ‘raindrops spearing through gaps’.

3. Describe briefly the scenic beauty of the place citing the word pictures in the passage.

4. In “Horegallu”, Sudha Murty speaks about a horegallu and its influence on the life of the villagers. Imagine that the Government decides to remove the horegallu as part of widening the road. In the light of this decision, the villagers assemble near the horegallu and speak the following words. Choose the appropriate adjective/adjective clause and fill in the blanks.

Good morning, friends. The authorities are going to take away our horegallu. This horegallu (a) …………………. (looks good/carrying burden/ which can bear weight) is a part of our day-to-day life. Without it, our life will be as hard as (b)……………………….. (trouble /lead/task). Masterji spends the evening with passersby who(c)………………………. (used to listen to our worries/used to help us find solution / used to share their worries with him.) He says that the horegallu is the most (d)……………………….(essential/ trivial/ avoidable) part of our village.

5. Read the following conversation taken from the play ‘The Hour of Truth.’

John : You can imagine: rotten things. And I couldn’t contradict them.

Baldwin : Why not, John?

John : Because I didn’t know.

Baldwin : Did you have to know? Wasn’t it enough that you knew your father?

Imagine that you are going to direct this segment of the play for the English festival to be held in your school. Being the director, you have to explain the conversation to the actors. Report the details of the conversation to your actors in about 60 words.

6. Edit the following letter supplying the correct tense form wherever necessary: 

Dear Sir,

I was writing this letter to complain about a service charge of Rs. 30 levied on my saving bank account. 2 On 12 June 2015, I withdraw Rs. 2500 from my saving bank account using my ATM card. At that time, the balance in my account were Rs.7500 as per the receipt I receive from the ATM. However, I received a bank statement on 25 June 2015 which showed that I had been charged Rs. 30 for the transaction. I do not understand this as there is no service charge for the first five ATM transactions per month.

I believe this charge of Rs. 30 is wrong and I want this money to be reimbursed immediately. I look forward to hearing from you. Please respond to my complaint within 10 days.

Yours faithfully

Ravichandra T.K

7. Bring out the satirical element in the below lines taken from the poem ‘Rice’

“My little brother runs in to meet me— I,

eager to have a full meal of athikira rice.

He’s carrying the rations for the whole household—

He trips over something and scatters the wheat all over the yard.”

8.  As part of sensitizing your friends on the harmful effects of drugs on the human body, you decide to collect information on the overuse of drugs and its health hazards. Write a letter to the department of health, enquiring about the various health hazards caused by drug abuse.

9.  Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

“The child ran towards his parents gaily and walked abreast of them for a while; being, however, soon left behind, attracted by the little insects and worms along the footpath that were teeming out from their hiding places to enjoy the sunshine.”

10 .  Why did the insects and worms come out of the hiding place?

11.  What is the meaning of ‘abreast’?

(far ahead/side by side/ in front of/opposite)
12. 10. Pick out the words and expressions that convey the pleasant atmosphere

13. “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect,” says Aldo Leopold. How far do you agree with this view? Prepare a write-up in not more than 50 words in the light of your understanding of the speech ‘When a Sapling is Planted’ by Wangari Maathai.

14. Language puns, sarcastic dialogues, comic appearance, and an unexpected twist all contribute much to the humour in the play ‘Post Early for Christmas’. Prepare a blog on the humour in the play in not more than 50 words 

15.  Following are some of the interesting points made in the debate on ‘New Generation Society and Communication.’

• They are glued to the internet, especially to social media.

• They are mostly careerists and are least interested in issues of social concern.

• They lack communication skills.

• They wall themselves up from society.

Being a representative of the new generation, you are not convinced of the points made. Prepare four arguments substantiating your position.

16. Rohan, a trainee journalist has jotted down the following points when he went to cover the fraud in Gresham’s Bank.

Financial fraud in the bank

MD Gresham arrested

Employees are clueless as to the real culprit

Baldwin, the close associate of the MD is the only witness

Depositors concerned

Now, help him to prepare a news report on the financial fraud exposed in Gresham’s Bank.

17. “And this, O Fate, is I think the most vicious circle that thou ever sentest.” (From the text “This is Going to Hurt just a Little Bit.”) Explain the message communicated through this line.

18. The following conversation from the play ‘Post Early for Christmas’ gives us a picture of the fuss made by the people in a post office, in the name of a parcel. Read the conversation carefully and prepare two sentences giving suggestions to the Assistant so that she can handle the situation without panicking.

Farmer : If we don’t do something, you’ll find out soon enough, ma’am

Gentleman : What’s all the fuss about?

Old lady : It’s about a time-bomb

19. It has been decided by your class to dramatize the story ‘Crime and Punishment’. You are asked to introduce the play to the audience. Prepare a script for compering, including all relevant details like theme, duration, cast and credit, etc

20. Read the following excerpt from the play ‘The Hour of Truth’ and answer the questions that follow.

 “Look here. Governor, you have said nothing to the papers. If you say nothing more tomorrow, what does it amount to but sticking to your friend? It’s the square thing to do–he’d do as much for you.”

21 . Who speaks these words?

22. Who is addressed as ‘Governor’?

23. What does the expression ‘square thing to do’ mean?

24. Comment on the friendship portrayed in the story ‘Amigo Brothers’ in about 60 words.

25. A notice prepared by the student leader of the NSS Unit of a school is given below. There are a few mistakes in it. Identify them and write the correct form as shown in the example.

26. You have read the interview with Irfan Alam, founder and chairman of SammaaN Foundation.

Prepare a blog on Irfan’s ideas of entrepreneurship and the means he adopted to execute his ideas. The blog should be presented in such a way as to motivate the young budding entrepreneurs.

27. A seminar was conducted in your school on the topic ‘Commercialisation and Shortage of Indigenous Food Crops’ as per the following programme. Read it carefully and prepare a report of the seminar.

ABC Public School

Chennai

Seminar

Venue : School Auditorium                                                                          Date: 24-2-2015

Time : 9.30 am

Programme

Prayer                               :   School Choir

Welcome speech         :   Sri. Natwar Prasad, the Principal of the School

Presidential Address :   Smt. Lalitha Das, the Ward Councillor

Inaugural Address      :   Sri. Ravi Sasthi, Environmental activist

Paper presentation

1. Crisis among the farmers who cultivate food crops – Kum. Fathima Nissan

2. Indigenous food crops and self reliance – Master David Heinty

3. Change in attitude of the farmers – Kum. Aruna Prasad

4. The impact of cash crop cultivation – Master Dinu Syam

Interactive Session :

Vote of Thanks : Master Naveen Thomas, Chairman of the School

National Anthem       :    School choir

28. Inspired by Shaheen Mistri, your school has decided to take up the task of providing free education to a selected group of poor, needy children. You would like to inform Shaheen about this new venture and invite her to visit your school. Write an e-mail to her.

29. Imagine that Rini, Nomita’s niece is a silent witness to the quarrel between Nomita and her husband. Rini feels scared and rushes to the kitchen to narrate it to other members of the family. Prepare the narration for her.

30. Read the quotation given below:

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”- Helen Keller. ‘Flights of Freedom’ presents a number of women characters before the readers. With whom do you associate the above quote? Why? Prepare a brief sketch of this character including the qualities you desire to find in her.

31. (A) panel discussion was conducted in your school on the topic ‘Modern Education System — Challenges Ahead.

‘ Given below is an excerpt from the presentation made by a panellist during the panel discussion.

“Educating a child is basically a matter of caring and nurturing the child. The process of education should open new vistas of knowledge before the child. As the saying goes: ‘nourish the brain through the senses’. The syllabus and transactional strategies should be designed in such a way as to make the learners consider education as a fruitful affair.” Now, prepare a brief script for presentation in the panel discussion by the next panellist highlighting the practical issues faced by the teacher in the classroom and the means to be adopted to minimise this problem.

32. Read the following excerpt from a newspaper article:

(a.) “A society that is unable to respect, protect and nurture its women and children loses its moral moorings and runs adrift.” Prepare the script of a persuasive speech, expressing your comments on the statement, to be delivered in your school on the International Women’s Day.

OR

(b.)  Your school is conducting an elocution competition in connection with your school youth festival. You are also, a contestant. The topic for the elocution is ‘Challenges of Women Empowerment.’ Prepare a script for your speech.

33. (a.) Dr. Hardin B. Jones, in his essay ‘Dangers of Drug Abuse’, says, “….the sensory deprivation of the drug addict manifests itself in a general feeling of physical discomfort and in personality changes.” Considering the psychological and social impact of drugs on an addict, prepare an essay on the topic “The Menace of Dugs”.

OR

(b.) Dr. Hardin B. Jones, in his essay ‘Dangers of Drug Abuse’, says, “Drugs, after all, act directly on the brain and cause mental mechanisms to respond abnormally. The risks are great for the persistent user.” We know that drug related health disorders are many and varied. Identify the other health hazards caused by the abuse of drugs and prepare an essay on the topic “The Menace of Drugs.”

34. Read the following advertisement.

HURRY! Here is a golden chance for young, dynamic talents to mould future citizens. Take the lead in creating the leaders.

• Age not above 35

• Post graduation (in any subject) with not less than 80% marks

• Fluency in English

• Aptitude for teaching

• Apply within 10 days

Waiting for excellent teachers

XYZ Education Centre

You wish to apply for the job. Prepare an application letter and a resume for the purpose.

35. Read the following poem.

A Poison Tree                                William Blake

I was angry with my friend:

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I waterd it in fears

Night and morning with my tears;

And I sunned it with smiles,

And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright.

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole,

When the night had veiled the pole;

In the morning glad I see

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

(Hints: wrath = anger; foe = enemy; deceitful = misleading; wile = cunning methods) Now, compare the poem with ‘Mending Wall’ by Robert Frost.

(Hints: theme, message, poetic devices, etc.)

Let’s try to make this a two way exercise. While we gather the question banks, you might have some inputs on this too! Please use the comments box below and post questions that you think are important from your analysis. It would help the HSE community a lot.

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