BS/TERM-1/ENGLISH LL (184)/X/SET-A

Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt question based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A - READING SKILLS 20

1. Read the following passage. 10

1. Like all bad news and the common cold, allergies can pop up when you least expect them. I suddenly
developed an allergy to Cronin (Paracetamol) some years ago after having it all my life to treat
everything from headaches to fever and toothache. A seafood-loving friend found himself unable to
breathe after having Thai food for dinner. After undergoing a battery of expensive tests, he was told
the chest tightness was not caused by a heart attack but by an allergy to shellfish, something he ate
once a week and had never reacted to before.
2. A stuffed or drippy nose, frequent sneezing, an itchy throat, rash, sinus, ear pain, difficulty in
breathing, stomach cramps and itchy, red or watery eyes are some of the common symptoms of an
allergic reaction. Pollen, dust, polluted air and indoor pollutants such as dust mites, cigarette smoke
and mould are among the common environmental pollutants, while other triggers include medicines,
paint and chemicals in cleaners and cosmetics such as hair colour and skin creams. Among foods,
eight allergens account for almost 90% of food allergies: milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish
and shellfish.
3. Most of us wrongly believe that people with allergies are either born with the condition or develop
identifiable symptoms in early childhood. An allergy can occur at any time in your life and experts
say its prevalence among adults is rising. While most people who develop allergies as adults have
experienced some allergic reaction-either to the same or an unrelated trigger before-a few have no
history of sensitivity.
4. In an acute immune reaction, the allergy trigger may be one, but the symptom is usually caused by a
combination of factors. Stress, a sterile environment that prevents the body from developing robust
natural immunity and lifestyle-induced changes in the body’s hormonal balance are thought to be some
triggers. This is borne out by clinical evidence that shows that women are more likely to develop
allergies at puberty, after pregnancy and at menopause, all of which point to hormonal causes.
5. Of course, avoiding the allergy trigger and taking an anti-allergy medication as soon as you can, after
exposure to an allergen is the best possible protection. Since, pollen levels generally peak in the
morning, people with airway sensitivity and Asthma should postpone outdoor exercises to later in the
day or stick to exercising indoors as deeper and more rapid breathing induced by aerobic exercise
causes more pollen and dust being inhaled, which can wreck your airways and lungs.
6. Allergies in adults can be treated using some anti-allergic medicines. For those who do not respond to
the standard treatment, there’s always the option of a series of allergy shots to help the immune system
to build up a tolerance to the allergy. In most cases, though, identifying and avoiding the allergen is
enough to stay free of trouble.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
i. How can you prevent/treat yourself from getting allergies? 1
(a) By taking an anti-allergy medicine as soon as there is exposure to an allergen.
(b) By avoiding the allergy trigger.
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above

ii. What are the common symptoms of an allergic reaction? Answer in about 40 words. 2

iii. Complete the sentence appropriately. 1

Those people who do not respond to anti-allergy medicines can be given a to strengthen the
immune system’s tolerance to allergy.

iv. The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) given below,
identify two sets of antonyms. 1
(a) Stuffed and sneezing
(b) Developed and undergoing
(c) Before and after
(d) Same and unrelated
(e) Rapid and wreck

v. Complete the sentence appropriately. 1

The relation that the author draws between age and allergy is that .

vi. How does exercising later in the day or indoors help people with airway sensitivity and asthma?
Answer in about 40 words. 2

vii. When are women more likely to develop allergies? 1

(a) At pregnancy
(b) At puberty, after pregnancy and at menopause
(c) At menopause
(d) At puberty

viii. Write some of the common environmental pollutants. 1

2. Read the following passage. 10
1. Universal access to adequate sanitation is a fundamental need and human right. Securing access for
all would go a long way in reducing illness and death, especially among children. ‘Safely managed’
sanitation services represent a higher service level that takes into account the final disposal of excreta,
in addition to the ‘basic’ service level which requires an improved sanitation facility (such as flush
toilets or latrine with a slab) not shared with other households.
2. Between 2000 and 2020, the global population increased by 1.7 billion people, but 2.4 billion people
gained access to safely managed sanitation services, i.e. a basic facility where excreta are disposed of
in situ or treated off-site. Still, in 2020 3.6 billion people lacked safely managed services, of which
approximately half (1.9 billion) had basic services. Among the 1.7 billion people lacking even basic
services, 580 million shared improved sanitation facilities with other households, counted as ‘limited’
services and 616 million used ‘unimproved’ facilities. The data reveal pronounced disparities, with
two- thirds of people who still lacked even basic services living in rural areas. Nearly half of them
lived in sub-Saharan Africa.
3. Almost all developed countries have achieved universal access, but sanitation coverage varies widely
in developing countries. In 2020, 62 countries achieved universal (>99 percent) access to basic
services. Yet, in 48 countries, less than half of the population had safely managed services.
4. Defecating in the open is an affront to dignity and a risk to children’s nutrition and to community
health. The elimination of open defecation is recognised as a top priority for improving the health,
nutrition and productivity of developing country populations and is explicitly mentioned in SDG target
6.2.
5. Among the 1.7 billion people without basic sanitation services in 2020, nearly a third (494 million)
used no form of a toilet and practised open defecation. In 55 countries, more than 5 per cent of the
population practised open defecation in 2020. Open defecation is most widespread in sub-Saharan
Africa but is also high in Central and Southern Asia as well as Oceania.
6. In 17 countries, open defecation decreased by more than five percentage points between 2015 and
2020. Assuming current rates of progress continue the world and most SDG regions are on track to
eliminate open defecation before 2030.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. Complete the following sentence. 1

According to the passage, ‘limited’ services refers to .

ii. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word/words. 1

There is a need to improve the health, nutrition and productivity of developing country populations to
.

iii. Why is universal access to sanitation a central human right? 1

iv. Why is open defecation widespread in Sub-Saharan, Central and Southern Asia and Oceania? 1

v. Mention the progress made in eliminating open defecation. Answer in about 40 words. 2
vi. The statement “there is a wide difference between developed and developing countries in the
sanitation coverage” means that 1
(a) in 48 countries, less than half of the population has safely managed services.
(b) 1.7 billion people are without basic sanitation services.
(c) nearly two-thirds of people still lack even basic services that live in rural areas.
(d) 62 countries in the world have achieved universal access to basic sanitation services

vii. List any two ill effects of open defecation. (40 words) 2

viii. What are the consequences of unsanitary conditions? 1

(a) Breeding grounds for mosquitoes
(b) Illness and deaths
(c) Contaminated food and water
(d) All of the above

SECTION B - GRAMMAR & WRITING SKILLS 20

GRAMMAR 10

3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. 1 x 10 = 10

i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence. 1
The higher you go, the more difficult it to breathe.
(a) had become
(b) becomes
(c) is becoming
(d) became

ii. Read the conversation between Aniket and Inspector. Complete the sentence by reporting Aniket’s
reply correctly. 1
Aniket : I have lost my wallet.
Inspector : How did you lose it?
Aniket : My pocket was picked.

Aniket reported to the inspector that he had lost his wallet. The inspector asked him how he had lost it.
Abhishek replied that

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line. 1
I go on with the work, cause what may.
(a) may
(b) will
(c) shall
(d) can
 iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line : 1
I don’t think there will be a severe shortage of usable water because there was some rain fall yesterday.
Option No. Error Correction
(a) some a lot of
(b) will should
(c) think thinks
(d) was were

v. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank with the correct option : 1
Had the police not reached there in time, the bandits him.
(a) did have killed
(b) will have killed
(c) would kill
(d) would have killed

vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket. 1
The level of intoxication (vary) from subject to subject.

vii. Report the dialogue between Buddha and his disciple, by completing the sentence : 1
Buddha : Honesty is the best policy.
Disciple : Does honesty always pay?
Buddha : It may or may not, but at least you will never feel guilty.
Buddha in his preaching said that honesty is the best policy. A disciple asked him if honesty always
pays. Buddha replied that

viii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. 1
Neil Alden Armstrong was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer, and the first person to
walking on the Moon.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

ix. Transform the following direct speech into reported speech : 1

I said to my friend, “Can I borrow your dictionary for one day ?”

x. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. 1
We could eat lots of fruit and vegetables every day. Use the

given format for your response.

Error Correction
xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Gaytri and Kapil. 1
Gaytri : So, after a decade in the industry, are you truly ‘satisfied’?
Kapil : I love the film industry. It has its flaws though.

Gaytri asked Kapil if after a decade in the industry he was truly ‘satisfied’. Kapil told her that
although it had its flaws.
(a) he loved the film industry
(b) I loved the film industry
(c) I love the film industry
(d) he loves the film industry
xii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. 1
Our defen academies are better than that of Bangladesh. Use the

given format for your response.

Error Correction

WRITING 10

4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. You are Amit Shukla of B-83, Tilak Nagar, Jaipur. Write a letter to the General Manager of the Jaipur
Transport Undertaking complaining about the local bus service.

Or
B. You are Anisha/Arun, Librarian, B.S. Public School, Ludhiana. You have been asked to placean order
for textbooks of Social Science and Mathematics. Write a letter to M/s Good Marks (P) Ltd., 8A/1,
Ansari Road, New Delhi placing an order for the books. Invent the necessary details.

5. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. The graph below shows the number of visitors to two different tourist attractions in the city of Grenby
during one particular week. Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words by selecting and reporting
the main features, and making comparisons where relevant.
 Or
B. “The ban on single-use plastic is impractical. The purpose of articles like bags and packaging is
ultimately to make human life easier. Plastic articles do this well, so they shouldn’t be banned.”
Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words to analyse the given argument. You could think about
what alternative explanations might weaken the given conclusion and include rationale/evidence that
would strengthen/counter the given argument.

SECTION C - LITERATURE 40

6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5
A. Max was slender, a little less than tall, with features that suggested slightly the crafty, pointed
countenance of a fox. There was about him - aside from the gun ¬nothing especially menacing. “The
report,” he murmured. “The report that is being brought to you tonight concerning some new missiles.
I thought I would take it from you. It will be safer in my hands than in yours.” Ausable moved to an
armchair and sat down heavily. “I’m going to raise the devil with the management this time, and you
can bet on it,” he said grimly. “This is the second time in a month that somebody has got into my room
through that nuisance of a balcony!”
(The Midnight Visitor)

i. State TRUE or FALSE. 1

None of the terms (a) - (d) can be applied to the statement - The report that is being brought to you
tonight concerning some new missiles.
(a) A hypothesis - a proposed explanation for a phenomenon
(b) An assumption - something that is taken for granted or assumed to be true
(c) A statement - a definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing.
(d) A premise - a proposition that forms the basis of an argument.

ii. Which word replaces ‘sat down heavily’ in the sentence- Ausable moved to an armchair and sat down
heavily’? 1

iii. Was there a balcony in Ausable’s room? 1

iv. How was Max described in the extract? Answer in about 40 words. 2
 Or
B. Our entire class is quaking in its boots. The reason, of course, is the forthcoming meeting in which the
teachers decide who’ll move up to the next form and who’ll be kept back. Half the class is making
bets.
G.N. and I laugh ourselves silly at the two boys behind us, C.N. and Jacques, who have staked their
entire holiday savings on their bet. From morning to night, it’s “You’re going to pass”, “No, I’m not”,
“Yes, you are”, “No, I’m not”. Even G.’s pleading glances and my angry outbursts can’t calm them
down. If you ask me, there are so many dummies that about a quarter of the class should be kept back,
but teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on earth.
(From the Diary of Anne Frank)
i. C.N and Jacques staking their entire holiday savings on their bet implies that . 1
(a) they are quite confident of not moving up the next form.
(b) they are quite confident of just scraping through.
(c) they are quite confident of passing with flying colours.
(d) they both think that the other one will pass.

ii. Anne says that there were so many dummies in the class that about a quarter of them shouldn’t be
promoted. Is she being rude or brutally honest? Evaluate in about 40 words. 2

iii. Read the extract carefully and fill up the blanks with the best response from the following options. 1
The reality was that but the probability was that .
(a) 1. the teachers will decide whom to promote to the next form
2. some will be kept back
(b) 1. the teachers will decide who should be kept back
2. some will be moved up to the next form
(c) 1. a quarter of the class was dummies who should be kept back
2. the teachers would pass everyone

iv. Which emotion is portrayed in the expression ‘quaking in their boots’? 1

7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5
A. He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
(Tiger in the Zoo)
i. According to the extract, the poet wishes for the tiger to be ‘sliding’ through the foliage as this would 1
(a) assist in keeping the prey unsuspecting of the predator’s sound.
(b) aid in camouflaging the presence of the predator before it rushes in.
(c) help the predator pounce on the prey comfortably without getting tired.
(d) support the predator’s vision as it eyes its prey.

ii. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word/words. 1

‘Shadow’ here, refers to the shadow of
iii. What is the poet trying to convey in the given extract? Answer in about 40 words. 2

iv. Which word in the extract means the same as ‘fat’? 1

Or
B. There is a languid, emerald Sea
where the sole inhabitant is me-
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.
(Amanda!)

i. The colour of the sea is 1

(a) blue
(b) yellow
(c) red
(d) None of these

ii. Identify the poetic device used in the lines 2 and 3 of the extract. 1

iii. Why is the extract given in paranthesis? 1

iv. What does Amanda want to be a mermaid? Answer in about 40 words. 2

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. 4 x 3 = 12
i. What are the ideals which Mandela set for the future of South Africa in his speech? 3
(Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom)

ii. Why and when he call Paris control-room ? 3

(Two Stories About Flying)

iii. What attractions in Coorg wait to be discovered by tourists? 3

(Glimpses of India)

iv. How does the poet compare fog to a living being? 3

(Fog)

v. What is the underlying message for us in our hectic life with reference to the poem “Dust of Snow”. 3

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2x3 = 6
i. How does a simple method like diet- control transform Tricki’s life drastically? 3
(A Triumph of Surgery)

ii. What role did Richard H. Ebright’s mother play in his becoming a remarkable scientist? 3
(The Making of a Scientist)

iii. What made the narrator think that Anil was the most trusting person he had ever met? 3
(The Thief’s Story )
10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1x6 = 6
A. Describe the scene before and after the hailstorm. How did it affect Lencho’s state of mind?
(A Letter to God)

Or
B. “What we have to fear in life is fear itself’’. Justify the statement by citing examples from the stories
of the young seagull and the pilot of Dakota DS 088.
(Two Stories about Flying)

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1x 6= 6
A. Describe in detail why and how Horace Danby carried out robberies. (A Question of Trust)

Or
B. “Greed is a fat demon with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough.” Discuss the
quotation in light of Matilda’s sad, disturbed ,anxious condition even her party dress was nearly ready.
(The Necklace)