SECTION A ( READING )
A1. Read the following passage carefully. (8 marks)
1. India was once considered the land of knowledge and enlightenment. In ancient times scholars from all over Asia and Europe used to flock to Taxila, Nalanda and other Indian centres of learning. Apart from the arts, culture, philosophy and religion, these scholars came to study medicine, law and martial sciences. But despite having a vastly expanded university system and historical advantages, modern India has yet to provide international or even regional leadership in higher education. From the surrounding countries of Asia and Africa only a few students come to India for higher education.
2. The United States is by far the most successful country in attracting foreign students. But other countries such as Australia, Canada and Britain also aggressively market their universities abroad through their education counselling services and recruitment fairs with the active cooperation of their diplomatic missions abroad.
3. Likewise, India should also capitalise on the advantages offered by its higher education institutions, market Indian universities abroad and facilitate the entry of foreign students into them.
4. The revenue from foreign students can be used to ease the financial crunch faced by Indian universities, improve academic facilities and subsidise the cost of educating Indian students.
5. But apart from economic advantages many other benefits would accrue to the nation. India would gain global and regional influence, goodwill and become a major provider of higher education. Many Asian and African countries, especially the smaller ones have poorly developed university systems and would look to Indian universities for the higher education of their youth. At the same time Indian students will not be deprived if 10 per cent supernumerary seats for foreign students are created in universities and professional colleges.
6. Already, professional education in India has proved accessible and affordable for foreign students, especially from Malaysia , the Middle East and South Africa . In these countries higher education training facilities are limited. Many NRI (non-resident Indian) families abroad, especially those from English-speaking industrialised countries are also keen to send their children to study in their motherland and hopefully to become attuned to their Indian roots in the process.
A1.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage complete the sentences given below. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole sentence . (1 X 3 = 3 marks)
(a) In spite of India having a historical advantage and a vastly expanded university system it ............. .
(b) Many parents send their children to India hoping that ........... .
(c) Academic facilities in India can be improved with ................... .
A1.2 On the basis of your reading of the passage complete the following paragraph using one word only in each blank. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. (½x6=3 marks)
The income from foreign students would not only (a) ...... in educating Indian students but also in (b) ....... global and regional influence and thus (c) ..... to higher education (d) ....... The (e) ..... of countries with poorly developed education systems usually (f) ........ on Indian Universities for their higher education.
A1.3 Find words / phrases from the passage which mean the same as the following from the paragraphs indicated. (1 X 2= 2 marks)
(a) forceful (para 2)
(b) easy to approach/to enter (para 5)
A2. Read the following passage carefully. (12 marks)
1. The newspapers have taken the place of the Gita, the Bible and the Quran with the people. For them, the printed sheet is gospel truth. The fact throws a great responsibility on the editors and newswriters.
2. Newspapers are a powerful influence. It is the duty of the editors to see that no false report or report likely to excite the public is published in their newspapers. The editors and their assistants have to be extra careful about the news they give and the manner in which they dress it. In a state of independence, it is practically impossible for Governments to control the Press. It is the duty of the public to keep a strict watch on the newspapers and keep them on the right path. An enlightened public would refuse to patronize inflammatory or indecent newspapers.
3. Newspapers which indulge in untruth or exaggeration harm the cause they profess to espouse. I admit that there is enough untruth in enough newspapers to warrant action. But my experience is that no amount of public criticism will affect the policy of newspapers which make their
livelihood by such policy But I write this in no way to condone untruths in newspapers. I am quite clear that if newspapers weighed every word that is printed therein, we should have a speedier removal of abuses whether in the States or elsewhere.
4. The superficiality, the one-sidedness, the inaccuracy and often even dishonesty that have crept into modern journalism, continuously mislead honest men who want to see nothing but justice done.
5. The sole aim of journalism should be service. The newspaper press is a great power, but just as an unchained torrent of water submerges whole countrysides and devastates crops, even so an uncontrolled pen serves but to destroy. If the control is from without, it proves more poisonous than want of control. It can be profitable only when exercised from within. If this line of reasoning is correct, how many of the journals in the world would stand the test? But who would stop those that are useless? And who should be the judge? The useful and the useless must, like good and evil, go on together, and man must make his choice.
A2.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage complete the following sentences. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. (1 x 6 = 6 marks)
(a) It is the duty of the editor to see that ..............
(b) As it is practically impossible for the Governments to control the press, ............
(c) Newspapers which indulge in untruth or exaggeration need to be rejected by the people because ................
(d) The modern journalism suffers from ......................... which mislead honest men.
(e) The sole aim of journalism should be because it ................
(f) As the useful and the useless must, like good and evil go on together, man ...................
A2.2 On the basis of your reading of the passage answer the questions given below in one or two lines only. (1½x2=3 marks)
(a) What is the duty of the enlightened public with respect to the newspapers?
(b) If newspapers weighed every word thai. is printed therein, we should have a speedier removal of abuses whether in the States o elsewhere. Why?
A2.3 Find words / phrases from the passage which mean the same as the following from the paragraphs indicated. (1 x 3 = 3 marks)
(a) intending to cause very strong feelings of anger (para 2)
(b) not studying or looking at something thoroughly (para 4)
(c) to go under the surface of water (para 5)
SECTION B (WRITING)
B1. Here are the notes about the selection of candidates for The South Zone Junior Volleyball matches in the diary of the sports captain of your school. Read them and complete the information given below. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. (1 x 5 = 5 marks)
NOTES
SOUTH ZONE JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL MATCHES
| Dates | : September 9th to 12th |
| Registration | : At school auditorium with authenticated previous school records. |
| Venue | : I.G. Stadium, Quarter finals |
| Selection of participants : depends on | |
| (1) previous record (2) present performance |
|
South Zone Volleyball Matches will be held from (a) ......Those interested (b) ... with (c) ........for qualifying in the matches. The selection will (d) ......The prize distribution will be on (e) ...... .
B2. Your school has decided to choreograph a dance drama for the school annual day. You are the cultural secretary of the 3chool. Write a notice in not more than 50 words for your school notice board inviting talented students to assemble on 12th Nov. in the auditorium. They will be selected by the famous dancer Sarala Nagpal. Put your notice in a box (5 marks)
B3. You happened to overhear the following dialogue:
Sumesh : School is so boring now-a-days. |
Write a letter to the District Education Officer suggesting how the educational curriculum could be made more flexible and relevant to the changing economy and environment. Use ideas from the unit on 'Education' along with your ideas. Your answer should be in about 150 words . (10 marks)
B4. All the schools in Bangalore are celebrating a Road Safety month now. You being the Head Boy/Head Girl of your school have been asked to deliver a short speech on the subject of Road Safety for school children. Study the graph given below showing the number of school children who lost their lives in Road Accidents in the first half of the year, 2002. Using this information, together with your own ideas, write a short speech stressing the importance of road safety for school children. Also make some practical suggestions in this regard. Your answer should not exceed 200 words. (10 marks)
You are concerned that several railway mishaps have been occurring frequently. Write an article in about 200 words for your school magazine about the possible causes and how these mishaps can be avoided.
SECTION C (GRAMMAR)
C1. 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 as given below against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied. (½ x 8=4 marks)
| Pollution is one of a most serious problems facing humanity | e.g. a .... the |
| today. This problem was fairly complicated | (a) |
| for much of pollution is caused of objects | (b) |
| and activities that benefit mankind. Two-thirds in | (c) |
| Delhi 's appalling atmospheric pollution is caused on vehicles. | (d) |
| to end and even greatly reduce pollution would | (e) |
| call for a total re-assessment in what are | (f) |
| consider to be necessities of life | (g) |
| Is we prepared to do it? | (h) |
C2. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined. (1/2 x 10 = 5 marks)
| The neem tree is native to India and is found all over country. It is a | e.g. over the country |
| highly medicinal plant leaves, flowers, bark | (a) |
| and oil been widely used as home remedies | (b) |
| right ancient times. The | (c) |
| neem twig makes excellent tooth-brush. | (d) |
| It is also full of Chlorophyll and its twigs very | (e) |
| effective in cleaning the mouth. Neem strong | (f) |
| antibiotic properties. A paste neem leaves | (g) |
| is used the treatment chicken pox. | (h) |
| boiled can be used for washing skin which is | (i) |
| inflamed infected | (j) |
C3. Read the following passage and fill in the blanks with one word only. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. (½ x 8 = 4 marks)
One hot day in December, 1(a) ........ been standing perfectly still for a few minutes (b) ...... the dry weeds, (c) ........ a slight rustling sound (d) .... ..from near my feet, and glancing down, I saw the head (e) ........neck of a large serpent (f) .....slowly past me. In a moment or two, the flat head was lost (g) .......sight among the weeds, (h) ......the long body continued moving slowly by.
C4. Read the conversation given below and complete the report. Write the answers in your answer. sheet against the correct blank numbers. (1 x 4 =4 marks)
| Child | : I want a balloon, which I can release into tne air. |
| Balloon man | : Which colour balloon do you want? |
| Child | : Which colour balloon will take me up with it? |
| Balloon man | : It is not the colour of the balloon; it is what is inside that makes it go up. |
C5. Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example.
Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. (1/2 x 6 =3 marks)
in space / a vast multitude / are wandering / of stars / about
A vast multitude of stars are wandering about in space.
(a) form groups, / majority / but the / are / a few / solitary travellers.
(b) a universe / they / spacious / that is / travel through / very /
(c) star / anywhere / a rarity / another star / it is / near / for a / to come /
(d) thieves / postman / catch / a / letters / policemen / the / and / brings.
(e) uniforms / postman / blue / wears / policemen / a / the / khaki / a / uniform / and / wear
(f) carry / letters / carries / policemen / a / canes / the / postman / a bag / while / in
SECTION D (LITERATURE)
D1. Read the extract given below and answer the following question Write the answers in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. Remember to number the answers correctly. (4 marks)
'Nor dim nor red, like God's own head,
The glorious Sun uprist,
Then all averred, I had killed the bird,
That brought the fog and the mist.
(a) Who is the speaker? What had he done? (1)
(b) How is the opinion of the sailors different from their earlier remark? (2)
(c) What poetic device has the poet used in these lines? Give an example.(1)
D2. Read the extract given below and answer the following questions. Write the answers in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. Remember to number the answers correctly. (4 marks)
In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman
Rises toward her day after day like a terrible fish.
(a) Why has the young girl 'drowned'? (1)
(b) What does the phrase 'day after day' signify? (1)
(c) Why is the woman referred to as a 'terrible fish'? (2)
D3. The poet reiterates the 'might' of the West Wind in the poem. Give two examples from the poem that show its 'power' and 'might'. Your answer should not exceed 100 words. (5 marks)
D4. Read the extract given below and answer the following questions. Write the answers in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. Remember to number the answers correctly. (5 marks)
"
Father's not mean any more and he says you're never coming back here, and from now on we'll always be together."
(a) Who is the speaker? What is the context? (1)
(b) What message was conveyed through these lines? (2)
(c) Whose childhood is referred to here? How do these lines justify his present behaviour? (2)
D5. Give a brief account of the circumstances under which the refugees were forced to leave their native land. Your answer should not exceed 75 word s. (4 marks)
D6. As he waits endlessly for news of his daughter and knows that his end is approaching near, Au reflects on his journey of life and his apprehensions. Describe Ali's feelings in about 150 words . (8 marks)
