Solution

ENGLISH CORE SAMPLE PAPERS 1

Class 11 - English Core

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (26 marks)
1. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
1. My father has always been a passionate man. He has always been passionate about the people of the Everest region - so much
so that in 1960 he began the first of the many projects aimed at improving their lives. In 1975 he had begun building his
second hospital in the Himalayas when tragedy struck our family. My mother and my youngest sister Belinda were flying into
the mountains to join him when their small aeroplane crashed soon after take-off from Kathmandu.
2. I was in Assam when I first heard of the accident. I flew straight to Kathmandu and met my father and oldest sister Sarah on a
narrow lane on the outskirts of the city. Any hope I had clung to, that my mother and sister were still alive, was extinguished
the moment I saw father - bowed and broken. I knew then that Mum and Belinda would never return.
3. It was years before Dad fully came out of this period of darkness. Only by plunging himself into more adventures and ever
more projects in Nepal, could he get through it. He has built 42 schools and hospitals there.
4. As I grew up, some of Dad’s restlessness rubbed off on me. I know many people think there must be some compulsion for the
son of Sir Edmund Hillary to climb mountains.
They assume that there was some imperative etched in stone that says, “Thou shalt climb mountains” - and in particular
Everest, whether you like it or not. But for me, it’s simpler than that. I think families are like factories: the Hillary family is a
limited production mountaineering establishment.
5. Today, at the age of 48, I am an inveterate mountain man. I have been on more than 30 mountaineering expeditions, from the
Himalayas to the Antarctic. And yes, I have climbed Everest - twice.
6. I treasure the same things that drew my father to climbing - the tremendous camaraderie involved, the intensity and adrenaline
buzz especially in dangerous places where your life depends upon making the right call. I guess that I am luckier than most
because I am able to fall back on all that my father has taught me.
(i) (ii) Worked on the improvement of their lives
(ii) The plane crash in 1975 led to the turning point in the author and his father’s life. Author's mother and my youngest
sister Belinda were flying on that plane to join his father in the Himalayas.
(iii)The author’s father came out of the dark phase in his life by engaging himself in social service.
(iv)(iii) intensity
(v) (i) He proved to be an excellent mountaineer
(vi)The author considered himself to be lucky because he could learn from his father’s experiences.
(vii)Because he was born in a family of mountaineers.
(viii)
You shall climb mountains
(ix)(ii) outskirts
(x) (i) Mountaineering and Hillary family
2. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
1. Ladakh has always experienced seasonal water scarcity according to Morous November a co-author of the study. Nusser cold
Glacier. Hub. Water scarcity issues are frequent and annual phenomena in Ladakh because of the complete dependence on
irrigated agriculture from meltwater, especially from the glaciers. Since the glaciers reside at a much higher altitude than the
villages, the meltwater from these water sources comes quite late in the year. And so there's a regular problem of severe water
scarcity every year in those months when sowing of the cultivated plants starts that is in earth springs.
2. Climate change has increased water shortages in mountains region-worldwide Artificial glaciers help to alleviate seasonal
Water shortages by storing meltwater from winter months in ice structures at an altitude lower than the natural glaciers and
higher than the cultivated fields. There are several types of artificial glaciers. Due to their lower altitude, these stores of ice
melt earlier than the natural glaciers. providing irrigation just in time for the start of the agricultural season.
3. Constructed ice reservoirs, along with water management systems have long been in Ladakh's technological repertoire.
According to Nusser's chapter on Ethnic and Cultural Dimensions of Knowledge. Ladakh has a long history of water
harvesting and community management of water resources. This history includes tanks for storing meltwater colled zings as
well as an official called Chudpon who ensures equitable distribution of water. The Regional Environmental changes study
further mentions the tradition of "snow harvesting" which involves building small barrier walls.

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 4. Since then, four types of modem ice reservoirs have been developed, as identified by Nusser and his co-authors. Bosin
structures stores ice similarly to how traditional zings store water. While zings are generally built around the same level as
fields basins for ice storage are located at altitudes higher than cultivated fields, so that water can freeze. The advantage of ice
basins over zings, and the advantage of ice reservoirs over water reservoirs, is that evaporation is minimized and so, more
water is retained.

(i) Both the statements are true as per the passage. Hence, (c) is the right answer.
(ii) Climate change
(iii)To save ice from melting
(iv)(d) only 1
(v) hold
(vi)Seasonal water scarcity
(vii)July to September
(viii)
True
3. Title: Cold -The Viral Infection
Notes
I. Fighting common cold
i. most common almt
ii. typhus & plague erd
iii. common cold diff to solve
II. Causes of cold
i. viral inf
ii. viruses — rhinoviruses
iii. affect lining of nose
III. Research work
i. tcq of tissue culture dev
ii. discovery of large no of viruses
iii. previously not known
IV. Why repeated attacks
i. cold viruses attack surface cells
ii. immunity not guaranteed
iii. cold persists
Key to Abbreviations
almt - ailment
diff - difficult
tcq - technique
no - number
erd - eradicated
inf - infection
dev - development
Summary:-
Medical science has got rid of most of the deadly diseases like plague or typhus but one, which is common cold, which happens so
frequently. Cold is a common ailment which is a cause of difficulty for scientists. It is caused by infection of the lining of the nose
and other passages by a number of different viruses, thus, making it difficult to prescribe a common remedy. Immunity through
vaccination cannot be given against repeated virus attacks, as it does not affect the bloodstream. The development of the technique

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 of tissue culture, in which bits of animal tissue are enabled to go on living and to multiply independently of the body. We get
repeated attacks of cold because the virus infects the surface cells and immunity from one virus does not guarantee protection
from others.
Section B – Grammar (7 Marks)
4. Answer any SEVEN of the following questions:
(i) a. has been
b. came
c. was living
d. no
(ii) Seema asked Rita (a) why she had not brought her practical file. Rita replied that she had gone to her uncle's house with
her parents, so she had forgotten to keep it. Seema (b) said not to make an excuse and that she wanted to know the truth.
Rita apologized and told the truth that she had been chatting with her friends till late and had forgotten that Seema
needed the file urgently.
(iii) i. Do not go till I get ready.
ii. Go where you like.
Section - B Creative Writing Skills (16 Marks)
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OR
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Contact no 9811111111

SAY NO TO CRACKERS
Let's Celebrate a Pollution Free Diwali!

This Diwali Let's Fill Our Minds and/Homes with Love and Happiness; Not with Fumes and Noise
Celebrate with Lights, Sweets and Flowers
Crackers Cause: Air/Noise Pollution, Health Hazards, Fire Accidents
It's time we show concern for the environment and the elderly.
6. Let's spread the cheer of Diwali by lighting smiles in all hearts.

Issued in Public Interest by: A Concerned Environmentalist

OR
LIVE AND LET LIVE
COMMUNAL HARMONY - THE NEED OF THE HOUR

Prevent communal riots

Help people to pursue their daily occupations without interruption
Prevent personal and property loss
Respect others and their way of life
Communal harmony - the need of the hour

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 Develop tolerance and spread brotherhood
Let not narrow mindedness affect our lives.
Let's Unite and Fight this Monster!

Issued in Public Interest by Vinay

7. Beware of the Mosquitoes!
Good morning everyone. Dear teachers, staff members and students, today, I want to advise you all to take necessary precautions
to avoid being attacked by diseases like malaria and dengue, which are prevalent in this season.
The school has already taken a number of steps to prevent mosquitoes breeding in and around the school. All drains are regularly
cleaned so that there is no standing water anywhere nearby. After every heavy shower, our sanitary staff ensures that any water
standing anywhere is made to flow out. All the school water tanks are drained and cleaned every Sunday.
The school is fulfilling its responsibility. It’s necessary for you all also to cooperate for nobody else’s but your own health. One of
the precautions that you should take include covering your hands and legs adequately during the daytime, as the mosquito
carrying dengue bites during the daytime. At night, you must take adequate anti-mosquito measures like mosquito net, mosquito
repellents or other such actions to prevent mosquito bites. Keep the doors and windows closed during the evening hours, as that’s
the time when mosquitoes most often enter homes.
Your homes must have a fine wire mesh on windows, so that you can have fresh air when required.
Now that you are prepared, I do not see any reason for even one student to get attacked by malaria or dengue during this season.
I hope all of you will ensure your own safety in this regard and spread this word of advice to others too.
Thank you!
OR
EDUCATION GIVES POWER
Respected Principal, teachers and friends!
Education provides us with knowledge. It trains our mind and sharpens our skills and abilities. Education refines our tastes and
temperaments and builds our thought process. Vocational courses help young boys to earn and learn together. They provide means
of earning a livelihood and open the route to employment. Professional courses, as is evident from the name itself, equip us for
adopting various professions. Some of these highly skilled professionals seek placements or jobs in esteemed companies and
business concerns. Thus education is important for our survival. Decent living is impossible without a good income or a high
salary. Education improves the quality of our life and frees us of superstition, foolish, meaningless mind-blocks, and rituals. If
women are educated the whole family benefits as the food is hygienically prepared, children are healthy, well-mannered and
disciplined. Education gives us power over our environment. We can control the situation and shape our destiny. Education
spreads awareness among people and gives them freedom from social ills. It makes people independent by providing them means
to learn their living. They become responsible citizens and realize their rights and duties. In short, education gives one power.
Thank you.
8. For the Motion
Good morning everyone! Respected judges, worthy opponents and the esteemed audience,
Today, I Karuna of class XII, stand before you all to speak in favour of the motion, "The Internet cannot replace a classroom
teacher".
The classrooms today differ from the classrooms a decade ago in multitudinous ways. The influx of technology has opened doors,
expanded minds and changed the world. However, no matter how advanced and beneficial the technology has got, it can never
replace a classroom teacher. There is no denying to the fact that the internet can solve a bulk of problems and provide students all
the necessary answers along with illustrations. However, it cannot replace a classroom teacher as it is devoid of any kind of
emotion, which is very much required during teaching. A teacher simply does not impart knowledge or information. A teacher
leads, guides, facilitates and mentors a student. He understands the emotions and sentiments of the students. He realises the
positive as well as the negative feelings of the students.
A teacher faces all types of students with different mental abilities while teaching. He, thus, adjusts his teaching methodology
according to them. He helps the weaker students to bloom and motivates his students accordingly. The internet cannot solve all the
queries but a teacher can and that too in person. Teachers help the students to remain alert and active in the classroom during
teaching, whereas a machine can never do so. Internet would never care about how much concentration, focus and attention the
student is learning with. Besides, it can never beat the knowledge of human beings. In addition, it’s not necessary that all the
information provided by internet is genuine. Have you ever wondered where all the information or knowledge on the internet has
come from? It is only we humans who have fed it into the computers.
In conclusion, I would like to say that a machine can never replace a living and breathing knowledgeable person.
Thank you!

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 Against the Motion
Good morning everyone! Respected judges, worthy opponents and the esteemed audience,
Today, I Karuna of class XII, stand before you all to speak against the motion, "The Internet cannot replace a classroom teacher".
The classrooms today differ from the classrooms a decade ago in multitudinous ways. These days, a modern classroom is defined
by technology. Teachers, administrators, parents and students have been told time and again that it is technology alone through
which we can sharpen our education system. True personalised tech-infused learning is the future of education. In today’s age, the
old school method of books and notes is no longer beneficial. Teachers have to keep themselves updated with today’s trends and
have to equip themselves with the latest technology.
There is constant pressure on teachers and administrators today to implement technology in classroom. In order to fully engage
the students and make them learn, a teacher will have to come out of his comfort zone and explore new ways of teaching through
the internet. The internet has immense potential to upgrade today’s educational system. There may come a time soon when the
role of a teacher in the classroom will considerably be diminished by the internet-based learning environment .
In near future, the teacher will not be able to function without internet and technology. The teacher will have to become a
facilitator of imparting trustworthy information from electronic sources. The teachers today need to strike a balance and empower
themselves through technology so as to prevent themselves from getting replaced altogether by the internet.
Thank you!
OR
For the Motion
Respected judges, worthy opponents and my dear friends,
Today, I Shobha, will speak in favour of the motion, "loudspeakers and bands create disturbance".
I strongly believe that the use of loudspeakers and bands creates a lot of disturbance at all hours of day and night. Students and
sick people especially get disturbed by the noise created by these bands and loudspeakers. Exposure to high volume of music or
sound can cause hearing problems. Students already go through a lot of stress during the exam time, and the indiscriminate use of
loudspeakers just gets onto their nerves by distracting them and making them lose their concentration. Sick people need good
sleep for speedy healing, but these loud noises delay their recovery time.
High noise levels disturb animals too; but sadly they cannot complain or do anything against it. There have been several cases of
dispute wherein people have fought and abused each other due to the disturbance caused by playing loud music.
For this reason, Delhi Police has done the right thing by banning the high volume bands and loudspeakers after midnight.
Lastly, I would like to add that one should understand his moral responsibility and civic sense and thus, should refrain himself
from the use of loudspeakers to maintain appropriate decorum in the society.
Thank you!
Against the Motion
Respected judges, worthy opponents and my dear friends,
Today, I Shobha, will speak against the motion, "loudspeakers and bands create disturbance".
How would anyone be able to address an audience properly if the speaker volume is so low that it is inaudible? Can we imagine
our school’s morning assembly without the use of a loudspeaker? Ofcourse not!
In order to ensure serenity to all people, it has been ensured by the civic bodies that loudspeaker or band-using organisations are
not established near a school or a hospital. People themselves refrain from uselessly creating loud noises at night. Music is also
recreation for the soul and often it works as a stress buster. So, if we look at only the downside of everything, we would not be
able to achieve anything. It would be inappropriate to say that loudspeakers and bands create disturbance, because there are laws
meant to keep a check on them. Loudspeakers and bands are hired people only for the entertainment or other use for themselves.
So as long as people are sensitive while using these, it cannot create any disturbance.
Thank you!
Section C – Literature (31 Marks)
9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
(i) i. Alliteration: “silence surrounds us”. Meaning: There is a lack of communication between the father and son. They
have nothing to share with each other.
ii. The father is referring to the story of the prodigal son in the Bible. In that story, the father accepts his son with all his
mistakes. The speaker here also wants to arrive at a compromise with his son by accepting him with his follies.
iii. The father expressed the desire to retain a relationship with his son. He doesn’t want him to build another house. He
was willing to start afresh and was willing to reconcile with his son.
(ii) i. Rain gives back life to its own origin by once again rising heaven-wards in the form of vapours. Thus another life
cycle gets started.

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 ii. Repeated evaporation and condensation purifies the rain still further. Rising vapours appear more beautiful in the
backdrop of clean and green earth.
iii. Last lines contain poet's observation about the course of song.
10. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
(i) i. Lake Manasarovar is believed to be the source of four great Indian rivers according to Hindu and Buddhist
cosmology.
ii. One possible inference can be that the town of Hor was in a state of disrepair and neglect, as evidenced by the poorly
constructed buildings and broken windows, suggesting a lack of investment or maintenance in the town's
infrastructure.
iii. "We were within striking distance of the great mountain and I was eager to forge ahead."
(ii) i. The "frivolous rebukes" were light-hearted scolding or playful admonishments the grandmother gave to her sparrows
while feeding them, showing her affectionate and caring nature even in her interactions with the birds.
ii. The grandmother's silent gestures of prayer, the kiss on the narrator's forehead, and her continued devotion upon
their return showed her enduring love and connection, transcending words or physical presence.
iii. The evidence from the passage that suggests the grandmother had a deep and enduring connection with prayer is:
"Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in prayer." This description illustrates that the grandmother was deeply
engrossed in her prayers, both with her lips and her thoughts.
11. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
(i) i. ...evoke dramatic elements in the plot as it was a complicated delivery. These signs of life were a great achievement
for a young doctor who had thrown himself in this case even after being emotionally drained in his personal life.
Andrew did not only save the child and mother but also won against the odds.
ii. (d) eye
iii. As a result of Andrew’s persistent efforts, the small chest of the baby heaved up. This short heave was followed by
other heart beats. Andrew felt giddy and almost faint after the revival of the child. The sense of life, throbbing under
his feelings almost made him faint. After all, the effort coming to fruition beneath his fingers made him ecstatic, the
happiness was intoxicating.
iv. ‘The blanched skin was slowly turning pink’; ‘A bubble of mucus came from one tiny nostril’; ‘the pigmy chest...
gave a short, convulsive heave’; ‘came the child’s cry’ (any ONE)
(ii) i. The statement by John Byro suggests that a suspicious person is more likely to trust what he sees with his own
eyes rather than his intuition or feelings.
ii. (a) he was sad
iii. John Byro did not accuse the boys of stealing his horse because he knew their family and parents. He was
concerned about their family's integrity and renowned honesty.
iv. He examined the horse and studied it tooth by tooth. He came to the conclusion that the horse looked identical to his
stolen horse.
12. Answer the following questions in 40-50 words:
(i) i. Yes, it is important to preserve languages as they are responsible for the development of culture of the community. It
helps in preservation of one’s heritage and traditions. Language preservation ensures contact with one’s history and
literature.
ii. The goldfinch’s movement is compared to that of a lizard. The basis of the comparison is the sleek, abrupt and alert
movements of a lizard. The same kinds of movements are observed when the goldfinch arrives on the laburnum tree.
OR
i. The spirit to experience unique elements of nature, undaunted passion and willingness to accept challenges drive
people to take up adventurous expeditions. The people who involve themselves in such activities are very well aware
of the risk involved in them. But due to their passion and enthusiasm to do something unique and great, they
willingly accept such challenges. Also, their desire to be in the lap of nature and experience its beauty pushes them
to such expeditions.
ii. The poet feels that childhood is a period of innocence and simplicity, a time when one trusts others without asking
for logic. He does not appear to feel sad or upset at the loss of his childhood. He only seems to be puzzled at the
disappearance of childhood and the arrival of adulthood. He expresses his confusion when he asks the questions
‘When’ and ‘Where did my childhood go’?
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words

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 (i) In contrast to Mrs. Dorling, her daughter displayed a different temperament. Possessing a kind and gentle nature, she
warmly welcomed and graciously served tea to the narrator and provided insights about the room's contents.
Demonstrating her kindness, she suggested the narrator wait at their home until her mother returned.
(ii) Doris couldn't believe her eyes when she saw her mother smoking and playing cards. Cyril too noted the change and
asked her if she was feeling ill. She looks just the same but her behavior is suddenly different. Cyril asks if she has gone
slightly mad. Doris thinks that she has a concussion as a result of her head hitting something.
14. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
(i) Rajendra tried to explain the professor’s experience on the basis of two scientific theories. The professor had passed
through a catastrophic experience. The Maratha and the Abdali army were well matched. So a lot depended on the
morale of the troops and the leadership. The point at which Vishwas Rao was killed, proved to be the turning point. They
lost their morale and suffered defeat. But the Bakhar’s page presented an opposite view. It said that the bullet missed
Vishwas Rao, and that boosted the morale of the soldiers. The professor was thinking of this aspect when he was hit by
the truck.
(ii) Many writers have paid tributes to their loved ones through beautiful writing. Khushwant Singh gave an adorable
description about his grandmother through his story. Shirley Toulson remembered her mother through her heart-touching
poem.
In my opinion, writing about a loved one is much better than building their statues or drawing their portraits. One can
never tell the true personality of a person just by looking at their sculptures or portraits. One can never know about the
amazing time someone has spent with them. That magic can only be created by words.
Words stand the passage of time whereas sculptures or portraits may get damaged by it. Hence, words are the best way
by which anyone can pay a tribute to one’s loved ones.
15. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120-150 words.
(i) A model answer has been provided for students' reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer
on their own. Peace and liberty can be maintained in a state if there exists Laissez-faire, i.e. the principle of non-
interference by the king in the activities of the citizens. However, the king or the government must maintain law and
order in the absence of which anarchy may reign in the state. There should be a happy balance between state interference
and citizens rights. Only then one can expect peace and liberty to be maintained in a state.
(ii) Mother's Day is a comical satire. The story is a simple one, yet it strongly condemns the position of women in society.
Our mothers and wives work hard daily, turning our houses into homes. They do not receive any wages for their work,
nor do they get the weekends to themselves. They work all day long tirelessly, satisfying everyone's needs and demands
round the clock. Little do we realize the hard work they put in to make it all perfect. We take them for granted and never
appreciate them or stop by to drop a word of 'thanks'. The story very clearly states that our mothers and wives have equal
right to relax, enjoy their lives, and deserve acknowledgement and appreciation for their work. They sacrifice their
whole lives building ours. Husbands stay busy at work and kids are occupied in their own lives. Amidst all these,
women lose themselves trying to contain our world.

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