CLASS XI GENERAL ENGLISH

QUESTION BANK
SECTION –A (LESSONS FOR INTENSIVE STUDY)
1. GENDER BIAS (SUDHA MURTHY)
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN ONE SENTENCE ONLY
Q1. How many girls were there in the postgraduate department of Tata Institute, Bangalore?
Ans1. Sudha was the only girl in the post graduate department of Tata Institute,
Bangalore.
Q2. What did Sudha tell the panel before interview?
Ans2. She told the panel that she hoped it was only technical interview.
Q3. How much money did Sudha collect from everyone who wanted a sari?
Ans3. She collected ₹30 each from everyone who wanted a sari.
Q4. Where did Sudha go for Interview?
Ans4. She went to Telco’s Pimpri office for the interview.
Q5. Who Started the basic infrastructure industries in India?
Ans5. The great Tatas
Tick the correct answers
Q6. Where did Sudha see the advertisement?
I. On notice board II. In the newspaper III. On television
Ans6. I. On the notice board
Q7. Sudha received a ___________for the interview?
I. Inland letter II. Post card III. Telegram
Ans7. III. Telegram
Q8. What does the Gujrati word ‘Appro’ mean?
I. Yours II. Our III. My
Ans8. II. Our
Q9. Which flowers were blooming at the IISC campus?
I. Marigold II. Gulmohars III.Lily
Ans9. II. Gulmohars
Q10. Suda’s student life was full of ____________
I. Happiness II. Sorrows III. Stress

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Ans10. I. Happiness
Fill in the blanks
Q11. Suda was staying at the_____________in Bangalore.
Ans11. Ladies hostel
Q12. In Pune Sudha met a _______________ young man.
Ans12. Shy
Q13. In real life _____________excellence is not enough to be successful.
Ans13. Academic
Q14. Sudha had done better than most of her __________ peers in academics.
Ans14. Male
Q15. Sudha was feeling very ______________ remembering her postcard episode.
Ans15. Nervous
Write True or False for the following statements
Q16. After a short interview Sudha was told she had been successful.
Ans16. False
Q17. Sudha was keen on taking up the job.
Ans17. False
Q18. Sudha had been offered scholarship by universities in the U.S.
Ans18. True
Q19. Mr.JRD Tata was the chairman of Telco Company.
Ans19. False
Q20. The panel did not ask any technical question.
Ans20. False
PREPARED BY: MS MEERA NARULA, LECT-IN-ENGLISH, GSSSS NIHAL KHERA, DISTT FAZILKA
VETTED BY: MS URVASHI, LECT-IN-ENGLISH, GSSSS BALLUANA, DISTT FAZILKA

2. THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY (KHUSHWANT SINGH)

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTION ANSWERS
Q1. Who is the author of the chapter ‘The Portrait of a Lady’?
a) Sudha Murthy b) Khushwant Singh c) R.K. Narayan d) Ruskin
Bond
A1. b) Khushwant Singh
Q2. Who accompanied the author to the village school?
A2. His grandmother

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Q3. The author’s grandmother wore spotless white clothes. (True/False)
A3. True.
Q4. The grandmother carried …… chapatis to feed the village dogs. (Fresh/Stale)
A4. Stale
Q5. For how many years did the author study abroad?
a) Five years b) Six years c) Four years d) Three years
A5. a) Five years
Q6. Whom did the author’s grandmother feed in the city?
A6. The sparrows
Q7. The author went to school on a bicycle in the city. (True/False)
A7. False
Q8. The writer was sent to ………… school in the city. (An English/A private)
A8. An English
Q9. The portrait of author’s ………… hung above the mantelpiece. (Grandfather/grandmother)
A9. Grandfather
Q10. What did they have for their breakfast?
a) Sandwich b) Fruits c) Stale Chapatis d) Milk
A10. c) Stale Chapatis
Q11. The writer gives the portrait of his ……. in the chapter ‘The Portrait Of a Lady’. (His
grandfather/His grandmother)
A11. His grandmother
Q12. Was the writer’s grandmother sentimental?
A12. No
Q13. The grandmother said her prayers in a ……….. sing song. (Monotonous/Continuous)
A13. Monotonous
Q14. What did the grandmother read in the temple?
A14. Scriptures (Holy books)
Q15. Who prepared the author for school in the village?
A15. His grandmother
Q16. The author shared the room with the grandmother in the city. (True/False)
A16. True
Q17. When did the grandmother feed the sparrows?
a) In the morning b) In the afternoon c) In the evening d) At night
A17. b) In the afternoon

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Q18. The author’s grandmother was sentimental lady. (True/False)
A18. False
Q19. What was grandmother doing when she died?
a) Sleeping b) Praying c) Spinning wheel d) Feeding
sparrows
A19. b) Praying
Q20. The author’s father threw bread crumbs to the sparrows after the grandmother’s death.
(True/False)
A20. False
PREPARED BY: MS RAJNI BALA, LECT IN ENGLISH, GSSS TALWANDI JALLEN KHAN (FZR.)
VETTED BY: MR VIMAL TIWARI, LEC IN ENGLISH, SGRM GG SSSS ZIRA (FZR)

3. LIBERTY AND DISCIPLINE (WILLIAM SLIM)

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTION ANSWERS
Fill in the blanks
Q1. ………… is considered as a restraint on liberty.
Ans. Discipline.
Q2. Discipline begins with the ………...
And. Officers.
Q3. A ……………….. saluted the author.
Ans. Private soldier.
Q4. Totalitarian discipline is designed to …………… the individual.
Ans. Submerge.
Q5. ‘The discipline imposed forcibly’ is nothing but …………
Ans. Dictatorship.
Q6. Discipline is unavoidable for a modern man. (True/false)
Ans. True.
Q7. The Britishers are united when it comes to most of things. (True/False)
Ans. True.
Q8. You will keep to the left for enjoyment. (True/False)
Ans. False.
Q9. Discipline is derogatory. (True/False)
Ans. False.
Q10. Discipline enables man to live in a community. (True/False)
Ans. True.

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Q11. Who is the writer of the chapter ‘Liberty and Discipline’?
Ans. William Slim.
Q12. What is discipline?
Ans. Training of mind and character.
Q13. Who punished the writer for not returning a salute properly?
Ans. His Colonel.
Q14. What is the foundation of all freedom?
Ans. Discipline.
Q15. Can we have liberty without discipline?
Ans. No.
Q16. What is the birthright of every person?
a) Liberty b) Discipline c) Fraternity d) None of the above
Ans. a) Liberty.
Q17. What type of contract is liberty?
a) Social b) Personal c) Economic d) None of the above
Ans. a) Social.
Q18. What does indiscipline lead to?
a) Chaos b) Liberty c) Discipline d) none of the above
Ans. a) Chaos.
Q19. Who was made to march in front of whole battalion?
a) The author b) The Colonel c) The Sergeant Major d) None of the
above
Ans. a) The author.
Q20. With whom does discipline begin?
a) Soldiers b) Officers c) Workers d) Teachers
Ans. b) Officers.
PREPARED BY: MS RAJNI BALA, LECT IN ENGLISH, GSSS TALWANDI JALLEN KHAN (FZR.)
VETTED BY: MR VIMAL TIWARI, LEC IN ENGLISH, SGRM GG SSSS ZIRA (FZR)

4. A PRESIDENT SPEAKS (DR.A.P.J.ABDUL KALAM)

Objective Type Questions
Q:1. What according to president Kalam the invaders captured besides our land?
Ans: According to president Kalam the invaders not only captured our land but
our minds also.

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Q:2. What shows that India has always been a peace-loving country?
Ans: We never conquered or invaded anyone.
Q:3. According to president Kalam when did India get its firs t vision?
Ans: India got its first vision o f f re e dom in1857.
Q4. What happened in 1857?
Ans. India's war of independence was started in 1857.
Q5. What is India's ranking in terms of GDP in the world?
Ans. We are among top 5 nations of the world in terms of GDP.
Q6. According to president kalam what do we lack in spite of all achievements?
Ans. The President thinks that we lack self- confidence to see ourselves as a
developed nation.
Q7. What according to president Kalam was the great opportunity of his life!
Ans. According to president Kalam working with doctor Vikram Sarabhai,
professor Satish Dhawan and Dr Brahm Prakash was the great opportunity of his
life.
Q8. What according to president Kalam we do when we go to some foreign land?
Ans. According to president Kalam we exhibit our best manners when we go to
some foreign land.
Q9. Why does one has to come back to the parking area in Singapore?
Ans. One has to come back to the parking area to punch ticket if one has
overstayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall.
Q10. what do we not do on the beaches of New Zealand and Australia?
Ans. We don't throw an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage
pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand
Q11.What did the famous ex -municipal commissioner of Bombay point out in an interview?
Ans. He pointed out that the dogs of affluent people poo anywhere and later on
the same people make much hullabaloo about the dirty streets and pavements.
Q12.According to president Kalam what do we do after choosing a government?
Ans. We choose a government and forfeit our responsibilities expecting that the
government would do all for us.
Q13.According to president Kalam what is our attitude towards burning social issues?
Ans. He says that we make protests superficially but we do the reverse at home.
Q14.According to president Kalam why do we run to America?
Ans. We run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system.

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Q15. What is the meaning of pilfer?
(a) to give (b) to steal (c) to donate (d) to bring.
Ans. (b) to steal
Q.16The milkman was carrying two .......of milk to the market.
Ans. Pails
Q.17 Only a ...... could save one from the deadly jaws of a crocodile.
Ans. Miracle
18. All cadets were wearing blue.......
Ans. Shirts
19.The police cracked on the rioters with a ..........
Ans. Vengeance
Q20. The Ex Municipal Commissioner______pointed out that rich people litter on the roads
with the droppings of their dogs.
Ans Mr. Tinaikar
Q21.In terms of GDP we are among top __ nations
(a)two ( b) four (c) one (d) five
Ans –(d ) five
Q22.How many visions did Kalam had for India? (choose the correct option)
(a)one (b) four (c) three (d) two
Ans – (c) three
Q.23.what did Dr. A P J Kalam ask the girl who came for his autograph?
(a)He asked her about her goal in life (b)He asked her about her favourite subject(c)He asked
her about her siblings(d) He asked her about her hobbies.
Ans. (a) He asked her about her goal in life
Q24. How much do you pay to drive through Orchard Road between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.?
a. $6 b. $5 c.$4 d. $10
Ans. (b) $5

PREPARED BY: MS MONICA THAKUR, LECT.IN ENGLISH,GSSSS TALWARA SECTOR-1(HSP)

AND MR RAJESH KUMAR, LECT. IN ENGLISH,GSSSS TANDA RAM SAHAI(HSP)
VETTED BY: MR AMARJIT SINGH, LECT.IN ENGLISH, GSSS MAHILPUR (BOYS)(HSP)

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 5. THE EARTH IS NOT OURS (KOFI ANNAN)
Fill in the Blanks:

1. ______ (Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam / Kofi Annan) was a diplomat who served as the 7 th
Secretary General of the UNO.
Ans. Kofi Annan

2. ______ (slower/faster) growth, _____ (lower, higher) living standards and _____
(new/old) opportunities are the benefits of globalization.
Ans. faster, higher, new

3. According to Kofi Annan, the main obstacle in the way of a dignified life for over one billion
people in the world is their ________ (meager/ abundant) income which is less than -
________ (ten dollar a day / one dollar a day) .
Ans. meager, one dollar a day

4. Most conflicts happen in ——- (well governed rich countries / badly governed poor
countries)
Ans . badly governed poor countries.

5. Misuse of —— (natural resources/ artificial resources) resources needs to be discouraged.

Ans. natural resources
True or False:

6. Opportunities created by globalization are equally distributed amongst all human beings
across the world. (True/False)
Ans. False

7. Our forests, fisheries and the diversity of living species are close to collapsing due to human
consumption. (True/False)
Ans. True

8. Kofi Annan tells us that UNO was founded in the name of, “We the people.” (True/False)
Ans. True

9. According to Kofi Annan we are strengthening the protection of our children’s heritage.
(True/False)
Ans. False

10. The Charter of the United Nations was adopted in the year 1945. (True/False)

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Ans. True

11. Crime, narcotics, disease and weapons are not the dangers of globalization. (True/False)
Ans. False

12. ‘The Earth is not Ours’ is an old African wisdom. (True/False)

Ans. True
Choose the correct Synonym:

13. Descendant  a. Progeny b. Ancestor

Ans. a. Progeny

14. Freedom  a. Slavery b. Liberty

Ans. b. Liberty

15. Overarching  a. Comprehensive b. Fragmentary

Ans. a. Comprehensive
Answer the questions:

16. In which type of world, we are living?

Ans. Interconnected

17. What do you understand by word ‘Millennium’?

Ans. A period of one thousand years

18. Which session of the UNO is designated as ‘The Millennium Assembly of the United
Nations’?
Ans. The fifty–fifth session of the UNO is designated as ‘The Millennium
Assembly of the United Nations’.

19. Name the three major global issues mentioned by the author.
Ans. a. Freedom from want
b. Freedom from fear
c. Freedom for the future generations to sustain their lives on this planet.

20. According to the author, what does the term “The Earth is not Ours” mean?
Ans. It means the earth belongs to our future generations also and it is our duty
to hand over the Earth planet in its finest form to our coming generations.
PREPARED BY: MS MONICA THAKUR, LECT.IN ENGLISH,GSSSS TALWARA SECTOR-1,
MS RASHWINDER KAUR, LECT IN ENGLISH, GSSS KHUDDA,
MR SHUBH SHARMA, LECT IN ENGLISH, GSSS BAGHPUR SATAUR
VETTED BY: ARVIND KUMAR, LECT IN ENGLISH, GSSS SAIDOWAL KHURD (GURDASPUR)

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 6. LET’S NOT FORGET THE MARTYRS (VANDNA SEHGAL)
1. When and where was Maj.Som Nath Sharma born ?
Ans. Major Som Nath Sharma was born on 31 January, 1923 at Dadh,Kangra in
Himachal Pradesh.
2. Maj. Sharma belonged to the …………………………….. Regiment.
(a) 6 th Grenadiers (b) 4 th Kumaon (c) 10 th Sikh (d) 5 th Gorkha
Ans (b) 4 th Kumaon
3. Why was Maj.Som Nath’s right hand plastered?
Ans Maj.Sharma’s right hand was plastered as a result of injuries sustained in the
hockey field.
4. Maj. Som Nath’s father Amar Nath Sharma was a ………………………………….
(a) Military officer (b) doctor (c) Teacher (d) Lawyer
Ans (a) Military officer.
5. When was Major Sharma’s company airlifted to Srinagar?
Ans. Major Sharma’s company was airlifted to Srinagar on 31 October, 1947.
6. Major Som Nath prevented the fall of …………………….
(a) Jammu (b) Rajasthan ( c) Khem Karan (d) Srinagar
Ans. (d) Srinagar
7. Dhan Singh Thapa was commissioned in the Indian Army on …………………………….
(a) 28 August, 1950 (b) 28 December, 1949 (c) 28 August, 1949 (d) 24 December ,1960
Ans. (c) 28 August, 1949
8. Dhan Singh Thapa retired as ……………………………… .
(a) Major General (b) Colonel ( c ) Lieutenant Colonel (d) Havildar
Ans. ( c) Lieutenant Colonel
9. When and where was Abdul Hamid born ?
Ans. Abdul Hamid was born in Dhamupur village of Ghazipur district in Uttar
Pradesh on 1 July,1933
10. When and where did Abdul Hamid die ?
Ans. Abdul Hamid died in the Khem Karan sector of Punjab during the Indo-Pak
War of 1965.
11. On …………………… Srinagar airfield was attacked by 6 Pakistani Air Force F-86 jets
(a) 14 December, 1971 (b) 24 December, 1971 ( c ) 14 November, 1970 (d) 24
December, 1970

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Ans. (a) 14 December, 1971
12. To which wing of the armed forces did Nirmaljit Sekhon belong ?
(a) Army (b) Air Force ( c ) Navy (d) BSF
Ans. (b) Air Force
13. When and where was Captain Vikram Batra born ?
Ans. Captain Batra was born on 9 September, 1974 in Ghuggar village near
Palampur in Himachal Pradesh
14. Captain Batra was selected to join the IMA in Dehradun in ………………………..
(a) 1999 (b) 1996 ( c ) 1997 (d) 1991
Ans. (b) 1996
15. Vikram Batra’s unit proceeded to the Kargil sector on …………………….. .
(a) 1 June ,1999 (b) 10 June, 1996 ( c ) 1 July, 1999 (d) 10 July, 1996
Ans. (a) 1June, 1999
16. What was Captain Vikram Batra nicknamed as?
Ans. Captain Vikram Batra was nicknamed ‘ Sher Shah’.
17. Captain Batra single handedly killed ……………….. enemy soldiers in close combat.
(a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 3 (d) 2
Ans (c) 3
18.When was Point 5140 captured?
Ans. Point 5140 was captured at 3.30 a.m. on 20 June 1999.
19. The last words of Captain Batra were ………………………..
(a) Jai Hind (b) Vande Matram (c) Jai Bharat (d) Jai Mata di
Ans. (d) Jai Mata di
20. The full form of PVC, the highest gallantry award for soldiers is
……………………………………
(a) Param Vishisht Chakra (b) Param Vir Chakra (c) President Vir Chakra (d) Param
Vishisht Chair
Ans (b) Param Vir Chakra

PREPARED BY: HARPREET RANDHAWA, LECT IN ENGLISH,G.S.S.S. MAHINANGAL (BATHINDA)

VETTED BY: SANDEEP KHAN, LECTURER IN ENGLISH, G.S.S.S. KUTI ( BATHINDA)

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 7. WATER-A TRUE ELIXIR (DR. D.V. JINDAL)
Q1. Who wrote the chapter,' Water - A True Elixir '?

Ans. Dr. D.V. Jindal wrote the chapter, 'Water - A True Elixir'.

Q2. What is the basis of all life?

Ans. Water is the basis of all life.

Q3. What great role do forests play in case of water?

Ans. They help in the conservation of water.

Q4. What did the people in ancient India believe about the forests?

Ans. They believed that forests were the mothers of rivers.

Q5. What is known as the 'food bowl of India'?

Ans. The state of Punjab.

Q6. When did the Indus Valley Civilization flourish?

Ans. About 5000 years ago.

Q7. In the matter of water, which are the worst affected districts of Punjab?

Ans. The worst affected districts are Sangrur and Moga.

Q8. What takes the major share of water in Punjab?

Ans. Rice - wheat cropping system.

Q9. What technologies are related to soil and agronomic management?

Ans. Planting and transplanting time of crops and new irrigation methods.

Q10. What is the true elixir of life?

Ans. Water is the true elixir of life.

1. Fill in blanks with suitable word
(levels, salty, source, water, nitrate)
(a) 97 percent of the water is _____ ocean water, which we cannot drink.
(b) The ground water _____ are going down by 60 cm every year.
(c) Presence of _____ up to 10 mg/ litre renders it unfit for drinking.
(d) Water is a _____ of beauty and joy.
(e) ______ is the foundation of food and life.
Answers: (a) salty, (b) levels, (c) nitrate, (d) source, (e)water

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2. Write True or False against each statement :
(a) Forests play a vital role in the conservation of water. ( )

(b) Civilizations generally grew on the banks of big rivers. ( )

(c) The food bowl of India, the state of Punjab, is drying up very fast. ( )

(d) We can live without water. ( )

(e) Only 2 percent of the Earth's water may be available for drinking. ( )

Answers: (a) True, (b) True, (c) True, (d) False, (e) False

PREPARED BY: MR PARDEEP SINGH, LECT. IN ENGLISH, GSSSS MUKANDPUR (SBS NAGAR)

VETTED BY: MR VARINDER SINGH BANGA, DM ENGLISH, (SBS NAGAR)

8. NO TIME FOR FEAR’ WRITTEN (PHILIP YANCEY)

1. Who were the protagonists of the story, ‘No Time for Fear’ written by Philip Yancey?
Ans: Malcolm Aspeslet and Barb Beck
2. Malcolm and Barb had gone for a hike to Balu Pass that was in………….. (Fill in the blank.)
Ans: British Columbia’s Glacier National Park in Canada
3. Malcolm and Barb were attacked by a …………………………….. (Choose the correct option)
a) brown bear b) polar bear c) grizzly bear d) sun bear
Ans: c) grizzly bear
4. Why did they spend a night in one of the Park’s alpine cabins during the hike?
Ans. Having been unexpectedly caught in a freak snow flurry during the hike,
they had to spend . the night in one of the Park’s alpine cabins.
5. The young couple began their descent hike in the evening. ( True or False)
Ans: False (Note:They began their descent hike about mid-morning)
6. Malcolm and Barb had started the hike to Balu Pass on …………………..(Choose the correct
option.)
a) 01 October 1971 b) 30 September 1971 c) 02 October 1971 d) 29 September 1971
Ans: b) 30 September 1971
7. Why were Malcolm and Barb frightened on seeing the two bear cubs?
Ans The two bear cubs were about 20 metres to their right which meant that the
mother bear . could be nearby. Hence, they were frightened.
8. Malcolm attacked the grizzly with …………………….. (Choose the correct option.)
a) a hunting knife b) an axe c) a spear d) a dagger
Ans: a) a hunting knife

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9. Gordy Peyto was a first-aid attendant. (True/False)
Ans: False (Note:Gordy Peyto was a warden. Ned Clough was a first-aid
attendant.)
10. Malcolm was taken to …………………. in a rescue helicopter. (Fill in the blank.)
Ans: Queen Victoria Hospital in Revelstoke
11. The task of ‘restoring Malcolm’s face was compared to …………………(Fill in the blank.)
Ans: putting a jigsaw puzzle together
12. Malcolm underwent ………………… skin-graft operations. (Choose the correct option.)
a) 21 b)31 c) 41 d) 51
Ans: c) 41
13. The encounter with the grizzly had reduced him to ………………………( Fill in the blank.)
Ans: a freak
14. How were Malcolm’s doubts whether Barb ‘s love was true or not dispelled?
Ans: Malcolm’s doubts were dispelled in January when he received a marriage
proposal from . Barb.
15. When did Malcolm visit Barb? (Choose the correct option.)
a) January 1972 b) January 1971 c) February 1972 d) February 1971
Ans: c) February 1972
16. Malcolm and Barb got married on …………………………….. (Choose the correct option.)
a) 21 July 1973 b)21 July 1972 c)22 July 1973 d) 22 July 1972
Ans: a) 21 July 1973
17. ……………………………….. awarded Malcolm the Stanhope Gold Medal. (Fill in the blank.)
Ans: The Royal Humane Society, London
18. Why was Malcolm awarded the Stanhope Gold Medal?
Ans Malcolm was awarded the Stanhope Gold Medal for performing the bravest
deed, reported that year in the entire Commonwealth.
19. Name the other two organisations that rewarded Malcolm for his bravery.
Ans: The Royal Canadian Humane Association and The Carnegie Hero Fund
Commission
20. Barb had married Malcolm out of a sense of obligation. (True or False)
Ans: False (Note: Barb loved Malcolm. According to her, handicaps
should be accepted in life. Scars don’t change a person.)
PREPARED BY: MS FARZANA SHAMIM, LECTURE IN ENGLISH, G.S.S.S. CHANDBAJA (FARIDKOT)
VETTED BY: MR LAKHWINDER KUMAR, LECT IN ENGLISH, GSSS PANJGRAIN KALAN,
(FARIDKOT)

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