Amity International School, Navi Mumbai

SESSION: 2023-24

SAMPLE PAPER

Class: IX Subject: English

Max. Marks: 80 Duration: 𝟑 hours
Date:

Please read the Instructions carefully:

• All sections are compulsory. Internal Choice applicable in Section B and Section D.
• Do not copy the questions.
• Section A consists of objective type questions carrying 1 mark each.
• Write the correct option number and the correct answer for the multiple-choice questions
in section A.
• Maximum marks allotted for each question are mentioned in the parentheses at the right.
• This paper consists of 11 printed pages.

Section A: READING SKILLS

Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages

I. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (10 marks)

The Power of Thoughts

1. Ideas rule the world. You shape your fate and decide your destiny by your thoughts. You
have to think high to rise. You have to believe and be sure of yourself to win a prize. Life’s
battles do not always go to the stronger or the faster man. But, sooner or later, the man who
wins is the man who thinks he can.

2. Success starts with your thoughts. Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can
achieve. And your mind is nothing more than a bundle of thoughts. Since you have the
power to shape your thoughts, you automatically have the power to fashion your fate and
decide your destiny. Thus, your thoughts are the most potent, powerful and prime source
of your success.

3. For your thoughts to blossom into success, they should be combined with definiteness of
purpose, perseverance, and a burning, pulsating strong desire to translate them into action.
Believe that you will succeed and believe it firmly. You will then do whatever is necessary
to bring success about.

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 4. Faith in yourself as well as the confidence that you can and will succeed are the key to
your success in any venture. If you keep your mind riveted on your goal and focus your
thoughts on the great and splendid things that you wish to have, you will find yourself
unconsciously seizing upon the opportunities that are required for the fulfillment of your
desires.

5. Thoughts are supreme. Preserve the right mental attitude of courage, frankness, and
good cheer. Think of success in your work and you will then do automatically and
unconsciously, the things necessary to bring success about. If your desire is weak and
your efforts are erratic your achievements will also be slight and fleeting. But, if you go
after your goal with the single-mindedness of a bulldog after a cat, nothing and nobody
under the sun can stop you. Your goal should also be well-defined, clear-cut, and specific
and should be linked to a fixed timeframe so that your definite energies and
efforts can be focused and forcefully directed towards its attainment.

1.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions.
(10)
(a) The basic triggers of achieving success are: (1)
(i) Be sure of yourself (ii) Think high
(iii) Have the power (iv) Both (i) & (ii)

(b) The suitable heading for para 3 is: (1)

(i) Be positive (ii) Dream big
(iii) Success only depends on you (iv) Streamline your life

(c) Which of these plays the most important role in achieving success? (1)
(i) our health (ii) our thoughts
(iii) hard work (v) confidence

(d) In order to change our thoughts into success, we must also have: (1)
(i) definiteness of purpose (ii) perseverance
(iii) strong desire (iv) All of these

(e) If you go after your goal with the _____, you will achieve success. (1)
(i) In a hurry (ii) Think about obstacles
(iii) Be alert (iv) Single-mindedness

(g) Preserve the right mental attitude of courage, frankness and _____ (1)

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 (f) According to you, what is the key ingredient to achieve success in any venture? Why? (2)

(h) Thoughts are not that important. Comment. (2)

Q2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (10 Marks)

1. The press is a pillar of democracy. In a democracy every man is entitled to form and
express his own opinion. The daily press is a convenient vehicle through which he can
voice it.

2. The press is an educator. It creates and moulds public opinion. It voices public demands
and ventilates public grievances. It safeguards people’s rights and interests. It raises its
powerful voice against any attempted invasion of people’s rights and liberties. It acts as
a check on the vagaries of men placed in high position. It exposes immoral, inefficient
and corrupt officials. It is the champion of all good and noble causes.

3. By criticizing the actions and lapses of the Government officials, it gives a healthy tone
to the administration. Naturally the Government of a country cannot ignore the press. It
cannot treat its view with disrespect.

4. Such being the character of the function of the press, it is obvious that it should be allowed
a large measure of freedom. If rigid restrictions are placed on the publication of news of
expression of views, the press cannot perform its duties faithfully and fearlessly.

5. Freedom from Government control does not, however, mean complete freedom for the
press. That is because there are newspapers which are either party papers or are owned
or controlled by big business magnates. They have to echo ‘their master’s voice’. They
have to present news and views only in accordance with the policy of the party or the
wishes of the press baron (master). They indulge in one-sided propaganda. They
suppress or distort the truth. They give coloured version of reality.

6. In the USA and some other countries freedom of the press is guaranteed under their
Constitution. Under our Constitution this freedom is implicit in the ‘Freedom of Speech
and Expression’ granted to every citizen as one of his fundamental rights. In countries
under the iron heels of a dictator, freedom of the press is practically non-existent.

7. Freedom of the press, like all other freedoms, carries with it certain obligations. Publication
of correct news is one of them. Avoidance of mischievous or malafi de criticism of the
Government is another. The idea is that liberty should not degenerate into license. The
press should use the great power, which it possesses, with due restraint and judgment. It
is equally the duty of the people who patronize it to exercise a healthy check upon the

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 conduct of the press. They should teach it a lesson whenever they find that its power is
being used against their interests. That they can do withholding their patronage.

8. In India, the press is free. We hope that it will place before itself the high ideal of serving
the interest of the public and will conduct itself in a spirit of independence, without
bearing for anybody’s fear of favour.

2.1. Based on your reading of the passage, answer the following questions in 30-40 words.
(a) In what conditions can press not perform its duties well? (2)

(b) Does freedom of press carry with it a certain obligation? If yes, then specify. (2)

2.2. Based on your reading of the above passage, answer the following. (1 × 6 = 6)

(a) The synonym of ‘advocacy’ as given in para 5 is

(i) license (ii) news
(iii) propaganda (iv) judgement

(b) The synonym of ‘incorporated’ as given in para 6 is _____

(c) The antonym of ‘freedoms’ as given in para 4 is _____

(i) function (ii) press
(iii) restrictions (iv) fearlessly

(d) The antonym of ‘reveal’ as given in _____

(e) What is the main drawback of newspapers owned by big business magnates or
parties?
a) They are completely unbiased b) They present a diverse range of views
c) They echo their owners' interested d) They promote healthy debate

(f) What is the role of the press in educating the public?

a) It spreads misinformation b) It echoes public demands
c) It suppresses public grievances d) It creates and moulds public opinion

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 SECTION B : WRITING & GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR

3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. (1X10=10)

i. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given
portion of a letter:

Dear Sir,

This is with reference to committee’s letter of recommendation that ___________(highlight)

the nominations for ‘Safe Residential Area’ award for this current year.

ii. Read the given sentence from a recipe review article. Identify the error and supply the
correction in the sentence.

This delightful recipe must keep your hunger pangs at bay with its balanced spices and
oriental flavour.
Use the given format for your response.

error correction

iii. Abhilash and Neha had a conversation about the inauguration of Neha’s Dance
Academy.

Report Abhilash’s question

Is your best friend helping you in this venture?

iv. Read the dialogue between Shabnam and her mentor, Sara regarding her summer
interns.

Sara: Why did you choose to participate in this internship program?

Shabnam: Ah! I am convinced this program has the potential to enhance my abilities.

Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue.

Sara asked Shabnam _________________________________ in that internship program.

Shabnam sighed and exclaimed that she was convinced that program had the potential
to enhance her abilities.

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 A. why to choose to participate

B. to choose participation

C. why he had chosen to participate

D. with her choice in participating

v. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the concluding line of an
issued circular by an organization, to its Managers.

A copy of the plan is enclosed and __________ (that/ then/ this) may be communicated
to all Team Leaders for compliance.

vi. Identify the error and supply correction for the given sentence from a commercial
company’s current marketing strategy.

The company aimed at increasing authority in areas frequently visited by the clients.

Use the given format for your response.

error correction

vii. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the closing line,
from an analytical report.

In conclusion, this study explores the association among short-sleep pattern and
overweight youngsters.

Option No error correction

A explores explore
B and or
C among between
D in for

viii. Complete the line from a self- awareness song, by filling the blank with the correct option.

The river runs through your veins

The trees and mountains ______ your name
moon and stars watch over
You’re guiding your way back home
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 To dream the night away.
A. will call

B. call

C. had called

D. calls

ix. Report the dialogue between a vendor and his customer, by completing the sentence:

Vendor: It is nice to see you, Sir!

Customer: Yes, indeed! Unlike last month, I have been away for quite some time this
month.

The vendor greeted his customer respectfully and mentioned that he was pleased to see
him. The customer answered in the affirmative and explained that ______________________

x. Fill the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the live feed on a school news
channel. Congratulations Change Makers!

The regional competition awards have been announced and our school music club
___________ the first prize.

A. had been won

B. will win

C. was winning

D. has won

xi. Identify the word or phrase that requires modification in the underlined portion of the
sentence. Rewrite the sentence with the appropriate correction.
Stephanie claims that she wants to attend college after graduation, but her poor attitude
about studying during senior year do not indicate that she enjoys being a student.

xii. Identify the error and supply correction for the following note in a passengers’ flight
instruction manual:

Note- Passengers will not reach the airport late in order to avoid a fine equivalent to
5% of the basic fare.

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 Use the given format for your response.

error correction

WRITING

4. i. Given below is the beginning of a story. Complete it, in about 100-120 (5 marks)

When Mohit reached his house from the market, he saw a crowd gathered in front of his
house. Shocked and disturbed, he started running towards the house. Many thoughts were
flashing in his mind…

OR

Write a descriptive paragraph, in about 100-120 words, about a situation when you got an
opportunity to visit a radio station. Invent all the necessary details.

5. i. Write a descriptive paragraph, in about 100-120 words, on the person you admire the most.

OR

You were taken by your school to visit a place of historical interest. Write a letter to your
classmate who was unable to go on the trip telling him/her about the trip, why it was
important and what you gained from the experience. (5 marks)

SECTION C: LITERATURE

6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given. 5

Every tinkle on the shingles

Has an echo in the heart;
And a thousand dreamy fancies
I to busy being start,
And a thousand recollections
Weave their air- threads into woof,
As I listen to the patter
Of the rain upon the roof

i. What makes an echo in the poet’s heart? (1)

ii. What do the recollections do? (1)

iii. Identify and explain the poetic device used in the following line: (2)

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 By the patter of the rain

iv. What makes the mind busy? (1)

OR

The wind blows out weak fires.

He makes strong fires roar and flourish.
His friendship is good.
We praise him every day.

a. Which of the following DOES NOT describe the ‘wind’, according to the given stanza? (1)
(1) loving (2) harsh
(3) submissive (4) ruthless
(5) cruel

(i) 1& 3 (ii) 2 & 3

(iii) 3& 5 (iv) 1& 5

b. What message do we get from the poem? (2)

c. Identify the poetic device used in the following line:
‘Do this, and the wind will be friends with us’. (1)

d. Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the extract. (1)
The wind (1) _____________with the weak people and(2)__________________
supportive of the strong ones.
(i) (1) harsh; (2) kind (ii)(1) kind; (2) helpful
(iii) (1) ruthless; (2) compassionate (iv) (1) mean; (2) merciless

7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. (5)

Every child is born, with some inherited characteristics, into a specific socio-economic and
emotional environment, and trained in certain ways by figures of authority. I inherited
honesty and self- discipline from my father; from my mother, I inherited faith in goodness
and deep kindness and so did my three brothers and sister. I had three close friends in my
childhood — Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan and Sivaprakasan.

a. What had the narrator inherited from his family members?

b. Which of the following DOES NOT describe the narrator and his siblings, according to
the extract?
(i) well mannered (ii) arrogant and impolite

(iii) simple and humble (iv) honest and discipline

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 c. Which of the following is the correct synonym of the word ‘conservative’?

(i) orthodox (ii)priesthood

(iii) characteristics (iv)emotional

d. Who does the underlined phrase refer to in the given sentence?

Every child is born, with some inherited characteristics, into a specific socio-economic
and emotional environment, and trained in certain ways by figures of authority.

OR

At my slightest movement the snake would strike me! Death lurked four inches away.
Suppose it struck, what was the medicine I had to take? There were no medicines in the
room. I was but a poor, foolish and stupid doctor. I forgot my danger and smiled feebly
at myself.

a. What is the economic condition of the doctor? (1)

b. When and why did the doctor smile feebly at himself? (2)

c. Why did the doctor feel that the death lurched four inches away? (1)
(i) because the snake had bitten him and there was no one get him admitted to the
hospital.
(ii) Hospital was quite far from there
(iii) The snake had coiled around the doctor’s neck and it was only four inches away
(iv)None of these

d. “It seemed that God appreciated that. “What does ‘that’ refer to? (1)
(i) The change in attitude of the doctor
(ii) The feeble nature of the doctor
(iii) The beauty of the snake
(iv)The movement of the snake
8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. (4x3=12)

i. In the chapter,’ In the Kingdom of fools’ who had gone to the king with a complaint?
Explain the irony.

ii. In the poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’ “I doubted if I should ever come back.” Why does the
poet doubt he should ever come back?

iii. In the chapter, ‘The Little Girl’ do you think, Kezia had torn the papers deliberately?
Explain.

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 iv. In the poem, ‘Wind’ What is ‘winnowing’? What, according to the poet, does the wind
God winnows?

v. From the chapter, ‘The Lost Child’ describe the emotional turmoil experienced by the
little boy.

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. (2x3=6)

i. How important is the use of technology in education in the chapter ‘The Fun They Had’?

ii. What idea did Ustad Bismillah Khan hold about Hindustani music in the lesson ‘The
Sound of Music’?

iii. In the chapter ‘The Snake and The Mirror’, why did the doctor decide to leave the room?

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. (1x6=6)

(A) ‘Childhood’ is the formative period of a child’s life. The lessons learnt here always stay
with a person. Comment on it in the light of the lesson ‘My Childhood’.

OR

(B) Evelyn is very down- to -earth and does not succumb to hero worship. Comment.

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words (1X6=6)

(A) The author states that Ishwaran seemed to more than make up for the absence of a T.V.
in Mahendra’s living quarters. Substantiate with reference to the story.

OR

(B) What was Einstein’s contribution to the knowledge of Science? Which values in his
character made him a ‘global citizen’?

************

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