1. Studymate Solutions to CBSE Board Examination 2011-2012
Series : SMA/1 Code No. 1/1/1
Candidates must write the Code on
Roll No. the title page of the answer-book.
 Please check that this question paper contains 7 printed pages.
 Code number given on the right hand side of the questions paper should be written on the title
page of the answer-book by the candidate.
 Please check that this question paper contains 11 questions.
 Please write down the Serial Number of the questions before attempting it.
 15 minutes time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be distributed
at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the student will read the question paper only and
will not write any answer on the answer script during this period.
ENGLISH (Core)
[Time allowed : 3 hours] [Maximum marks : 100]
General Instructions:
(i) This paper is divided into three Sections – A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.
(ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and questions, wherever necessary. Read these
instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
(iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
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2. STUDYmate
SECTION-A
(Reading) 20 Marks
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 12 marks
1. While there is no denying that the world loves a winner, it is important that you
recognize the signs of stress in your behaviour and be healthy enough to enjoy
your success. Stress can strike anytime, in a fashion that may leave you unaware
of its presence in your life. While a certain amount of pressure is necessary for
performance, it is important to be able to recognise your individual limit. For
instance, there are some individuals who accept competition in a healthy fashion.
There are others who collapse into weeping wrecks before an exam or on
comparing marks-sheets and finding that their friend has scored better.
2. Stress is a body reaction to any demands or changes in its internal and external
environment. Whenever there is a change in the external environment such as
temperature, pollutants, humidity and working conditions, it leads to stress. In
these days of competition when a person makes up his mind to surpass what
has been achieved by others, leading to an imbalance between demands and
resources, it causes psycho-social stress. It is a part and parcel of everyday life.
3. Stress has a different meaning, depending on the stage of life you are in. The
loss of a toy or a reprimand from the parents might create a stress shock in a
child. An adolescent who fails an examination may feel as if everything has
been lost and life has no further meaning. In an adult the loss of his or her
companion, job or professional failure may appear as if there is nothing more to
be achieved.
4. Such signs appear in the attitude and behaviour of the individual, as muscle
tension in various parts of the body, palpitation and high blood pressure,
indigestion and hyper-acidity. Ultimately the result is self-destructive behaviour
such as eating and drinking too much, smoking excessively, relying on
tranquilisers. There are other signs of stress such as trembling, shaking, nervous
blinking, dryness of throat and mouth and difficulty in swallowing.
5. The professional under stress behaves as if he is a perfectionist. It leads to
depression, lethargy and weakness. Periodic mood shifts also indicate the stress
status of the students, executives and professionals.
6. In a study sponsored by World Health Organization and carried out by Harvard
School of Public Health, the global burden of diseases and injury indicated that
stress diseases and accidents are going to be the major killers in 2020.
7. The heart disease and depression – both stress diseases – are going to rank first
and second in 2020. Road traffic accidents are going to be the third largest
killers. These accidents are also an indicator of psycho-social stress in a fast
moving society. Other stress diseases like ulcers, hypertensions and
sleeplessness have assumed epidemic proportions in modern societies.
8. A person under stress reacts in different ways and the common ones are flight,
fight and flee depending upon the nature of the stress and capabilities of the
person. The three responses can be elegantly chosen to cope with the stress so
that stress does not damage the system and become distress.
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3. STUDYmate
9. When a stress crosses the limit, peculiar to an individual, it lowers his
performance capacity. Frequent crossings of the limit may result in chronic
fatigue in which a person feels lethargic, disinterested and is not easily motivated
to achieve anything. This may make the person mentally undecided, confused
and accident prone as well. Sudden exposure to un-nerving stress may also
result in a loss of memory. Diet, massage, food supplements, herbal medicines,
hobbies, relaxation techniques and dance movements are excellent stress
busters.
(a) (i) What is stress? What factors lead to stress? 2
(ii) What are the signs by which a person can know that he is under stress?
2
(iii) What are the different diseases a person gets due to stress? 2
(iv) Give any two examples of stress busters. 1
(v) How does a person react under stress? 2
Ans. (a) (i) body reaction to any demands or changes in its internal and external
environment.
– External changes such as temperature, pollutants, humidity and
working conditions.
Inability to surpass others, failure and loss leads to psycho-social
stress.
(ii) – attitude and behaviour changes.
– muscle tension in various parts of the body, palpitation, high blood
pressure, indigestion and hyper-acidity.
– self destructive behaviour such as eating and drinking too much,
smoking excessively, relying on tranquilisers.
– trembling, shaking, nervous blinking, dryness of throat, mouth,
difficulty in swallowing.
(any two)
(iii) – Main stress diseases are heart ailments and depression.
– Ulcers, hypertensions and sleeplessness have assumed epidemic
proportions.
(iv) Diet, massage, food supplements, herbal medicines, hobbies, dance
(any two)
(v) – reaction depends upon nature of stress and capabilities of the person
– resorts to flight, fight and flee.
– lowers performance capacity.
– chronic fatigue.
– confused and accident prone.
(any two)
(b) Which words in the above passage mean the same as the following? 3
(i) fall down (para 1) (ii) rebuke (para 3)
(iii) inactive (para 9)
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4. STUDYmate
Ans. (b) (i) collapse
(ii) reprimand
(iii) lethargic
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 8 marks
Research has shown that the human mind can process words at the rate of about
500 per minute, whereas a speaker speaks at the rate of about 150 words a minute.
The difference between the two at 350 is quite large.
So a speaker must make every effort to retain the attention of the audience and the
listener should also be careful not to let his mind wander. Good communication calls
for good listening skills. A good speaker must necessarily be a good listener.
Listening starts with hearing but goes beyond. Hearing, in other words is necessary
but is not a sufficient condition for listening. Listening involves hearing with attention.
Listening is a process that calls for concentration. While, listening, one should also
be observant. In other words, listening has to do with the ears, as well as with the
eyes and the mind. Listenings to be understood as the total process that involves
hearing with attention, being observant and making interpretations. Good
communication is essentially an interactive process. It calls for participation and
involvement. It is quite often a dialogue rather than a monologue. It is necessary to
be interested and also show or make it abundantly clear that one is interested in
knowing what the other person has to say.
Good listening is an art that can be cultivated. It relates to skills that can be developed.
A good listener knows the art of getting much more than what the speaker is trying to
convey. He know how prompt, persuade but not to cut off or interrupt what the other
person has to say. At times the speaker may or may not be coherent, articulate and
well organised in his thoughts and expressions. He may have it in his mind and yet
he may fail to marshal the right words while communicating his thought. Nevertheless
a good listener puts him at ease, helps him articulate and facilitates him to get
across the message that he wants to convey. For listening to be effective, it is also
necessary that barriers to listening are removed. Such barriers can be both physical
and psychological. Physical barriers generally relate to hindrances to proper hearing
whereas psychological barriers are more fundamental and relate to the interpretation
and evaluation of the speaker and the message.
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes in points only,
using abbreviations wherever necessary. Supply a suitable title. [5]
Ans. (a) Note Making (Suggested Notes)
Title: Communication/Effective communication
Art of listening/Communication and listening
1. Good speakers – a good listener
1.1 Good ‘comm.’ requires good listening skills.
1.2 Speaker must retain ‘attn.’ of audience.
1.3 Listener not to let mind wander
1.3.1 mind processess ‘@’ 500 ‘w.p.m’.
1.3.2 speaker speaks ‘@’ 150 ‘w.p.m’.
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5. STUDYmate
2. Listening – total process.
2.1 Involves ears ‘+’ eyes ‘+’ mind.
2.1.1 Involves attention hearing.
2.1.2 process of concentration
2.1.3 observant ‘&’ make interpretations.
3. Good ‘communication’
3.1 interactive process – requires participation ‘&’ involvement.
3.2 a dialogue – listener be interested ‘&’ show interest.
4. Effective listening skills.
4.1 an art
4.1.1 can be cultivated
4.2 gets out much more
4.2.1 persuades ‘&’ prompts
4.2.2 doesn’t cut off/interrupt.
4.3 remove physical ‘&’ psychological barrier.
4.3.1 Physical barries – hinders hearing
4.3.2 Psychological barrier – hindess interpretation ‘&’ evaluation.
Key to Abbreviations
comm. – communication
attn. – attention
@ – at the rate of
w.p.m. – words per minute
+ – plus
& – and
(b) Write a summary of the above passage in about 80 words. [3]
Ans. (b) SUMMARY
Good communication requires good listening skills. Speaker must retain the
attention of the audience and not let his mind wander. Listening is a total process
involving ears, eyes and ones mind. Good communication is an interactive
process, a dialogue. Effective listening skills can be cultivated. It gets much
more out of the speaker. It doesn’t interrupt but persuades and prompts. One
has to remove the physical and psychological barriers as they hinder hearing
and making interpretationand evaluation.
SECTION-B
(Advanced Writing Skills) 35 Marks
3. Your school has planned an excursion to Lonavala near Mumbai during the autumn
holidays. Write a notice in not more than 50 words for your school notice board,
giving detailed information and inviting the names of those who are desirous to join.
Sign as Naresh/Namita, Head Boy/Head Girl, D.V. English School, Thane, Mumbai.
5 marks
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6. STUDYmate
OR
C.P.R. Senior Secondary School, Meerut is looking for a receptionist for the school.
Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in classified
columns of Hindustan Times. You are Romola Vij, Principal of the school.
Ans. NOTICE
Format 1 mark
Content 2 marks
Expression 2 marks
Suggested Value Points
– what (giving information, writing names)
– why (excursion to Lonavala)
– when (autumn holidays)
– last date for submission
– to be given to whom/contact person
– any other relevant details
OR
Ans. ADVERTISEMENT
Content 3 marks
Expression 2 marks
Suggested Value Points (Situation Vacant)
– type of person
– qualifications
– skills
– previous experience
– salary
– any other relevant details
4. Your school Commerce Association organised a seminar for class XII students of the
schools of your zone on the topic, ‘Rising prices create a crisis’. As Co-ordinator of
the programme, write a report in 100-125 words for your school magazine. You are
Piyush/Priya of ABC School, Agra. 10 marks
OR
A new indoor gymnasium has recently been constructed and inaugurated at APJ
International School at Goa. As special correspondent of ‘The Hindu’ draft a report in
100-125 words on the gymnasium and the inauguration ceremony.
Ans. REPORT WRITING
Format 1 mark
Content 4 marks
Expression 5 marks
Suggested Value Points (Rising Prices create a Crisis)
– what – seminar on rising prices
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7. STUDYmate
– when – date and time
– where
– participation level
– panel of experts
– students’ response
– felicitations
– any other relevant details
OR
Ans. Suggested Value Points (New Gymnasium inaugurated/Inauguration ceremony/
A new indoor gymnasium/any other suitable heading)
– what – inauguration of new indoor gymnasium
– when – day, date, time
– where – APJ International School, Goa
– Chief Guest
– Highlights of the event
– Message of the Chief Guest
– Students’ response
5. You are Pritam/Priti, 27, W.E.A. Karol Bagh, Delhi. You have decided to shift your
residence to Faridabad and hence decided to discontinue your membership of Brain
Trust Library, Karol Bagh. Write a letter to the Librarian, requesting him to cancel
your membership and refund your security deposit of ` five thousand explaining
your inability to continue your membership. 10 marks
OR
You are Anu/Arun, 13 W.E.A. Karol Bagh, New Delhi. You feel very strongly about
the ill-treatment meted out to stray dogs at the hands of callous and indifferent
people. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily giving your views on why some
people behave in such a manner and how these dogs should be treated.
Ans. Letter Writing
Format 2 marks
Content 4 marks
Expression 4 marks
Suggested Value Points (Cancellation of membership/Membership of Brain Trust
Library/any other relevant subject)
– purpose (cancel membership, refund security deposit)
– reason (shifted residence)
– regret inability to continue
– express urgency
– any other relevant details
OR
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8. STUDYmate
Ans. Ill treatment of stray dogs
Suggested Value Points
– introducing the problem (ill treatement of stray dogs).
– reason for such callous behaviour.
– suggestions for humane treatment.
– any other relevant details.
6. Spurt of violence previously unknown in Indian schools makes it incumbent on the
educationists to introduce value education effectively in schools. Write an article in
150-200 words expressing your views on the need of value education. You are Anu /
Arun. 10 marks
OR
Regular practice of yoga can help in maintaining good health and even in the prevention
of so many ailments. Write a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in the morning
assembly on the usefulness of yoga.
Ans. ARTICLE WRITING
Format 1 mark
Content 4 marks
Expression 5 marks
Suggested Value Points (Need of value education/any other suitable title)
Spurt of violence in Indian schools
– news from different parts of India.
– horrifying incidents.
– shocking aggression, intolerance.
Moral decay in the Indian society
– crime against women
– road rage
– violence against elderly.
Suggestions
– character building.
– instilling discipline.
– situational role play.
– join NCC.
OR
Ans. SPEECH
Suggested Value Points (Usefulness of Yoga/any other suitable title)
What is good health
– physical, mental, social well being.
– not merely absence of disease.
– balanced life.
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9. STUDYmate
Rising graph of ailments
– changing food habits
– urbanisation
– lack of activity
Power of yoga
– brings down stress.
– enhances energy, stamina.
– prevents/cures ailments.
SECTION-C
(Text Books) 45 Marks
7. (a) Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: 4 Marks
The stunted, unlucky heir
Of twisted bones, reciting a father’s gnarled disease,
His lesson, from his desk. At back of the dim class
One unnoted, sweet and young. His eyes live in a dream,
Of squirrel’s game, in tree room, other than this.
(i) Who is the ‘unlucky heir’ and what has he inherited? 2
(ii) What is the stunted boy reciting? 1
(iii) Who is sitting at the back of the dim class? 1
OR
For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
(i) Why does the poet want us to keep quiet? 2
(ii) What does he want us to do for one second? 1
(iii) What does he mean by ‘not move our arms’ ? 1
(b) Answer any three of the following in 30-40 words each: 2 × 3 = 6 marks
(i) Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’ ?
(ii) How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?
(iii) Why didn’t the ‘polished traffic’ stop at the roadside stand?
(iv) Why did Aunt Jennifer choose to embroider tigers on the panel?
Ans. (a) (i) Children of the slum, diseased and twisted bones / poverty.
(ii) his lessons.
(iii) Sweet and young boy, unnoticed.
OR
(i) too much rush and activity / exploitation of natural resources has brought
misfortune.
(ii) keep still / inert / inactive.
(iii) Our every activity causes destruction, prevent further destruction.
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10. STUDYmate
(b) (i) Contrasts with her corpse like mother
Youth sprints - old age lingers on.
Trees appear to be rushing past in a moving car.
(ii) – Beauty affects ones mood
– Because of natural affinity of beauty towards joy and longevity.
(iii) They were focussed on their destination.
Indifferent to the plight of the roadside dwellers.
(iv) – Tiger’s represent the freedom of spirit that Aunt Jennifer dreams but is
never able to achieve.
– Alternative world of freedom.
8. Answer the following in 30-40 words each: 2 × 5 = 10 marks
(a) What changes did the order from Berlin cause in the school?
(b) Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water ?
(c) How were Shukla and Gandhiji received in Rajendra Prasad’s house?
(d) How did the author discover who the English visitor to the Studios was?
(e) What did the publisher think of ‘The Name of the Rose’?
Ans. (a) – The school was as quiet as a Sunday Morning, seemed strange and so solemn.
– M. Hamel didn’t scold franz for being late and was wearing his best dress.
– Back benches were occupied by village elders.
– Every body was learning their lessons most carefully.
(b) It ruined his fishing trips. deprived him of the joys of canoeing, boating and
swimming.
(c) In the absence of their master, the servants allowed them to stay on the grounds
but prevented them from drawing water from the well, considering Gandhi to
be another peasant and untouchable.
(d) While glancing through ‘The encounter’ at the British council library - read the
name of its editor.
(e) She liked the book - didn’t expect to sell more then 3000 copies.
9. Answer the following in 125-150 words: 10 marks
How are the attitudes of the ironmaster and his daughter different? Support your
answer from the text.
OR
Compare and contrast Sophie and Jansie highlighting their temperament and
aspirations.
Ans. Value Points
– contrasting attitudes
– father acts impulsively and casually
– jumps to conclusion without confirming identity
– Edla – very observant
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11. STUDYmate
– judges the peddler correctly
– father is thoughtless and unsympathetic
– ready to throw peddler out once true identity revealed.
– Edla – compassionate
– persuades father to let peddler stay as christmas
OR
Value Points
– Jansie – sensible – realistic – grounded in reality – did not nurture big dreams –
accepted her destiny – sense of resignation.
– Sophie – lived in a world of make believe – aspired to be an actress, a fashion
designer.
– Jansie – nosey by nature
– Sophie – confided only in her brother.
10. Answer the following in 125-150 words: 10 marks
How did the Tiger King stand in danger of losing his Kingdom? How was he able to
avert the danger?
OR
What are phytoplanktons ? How are they important to our eco-system?
Ans. High ranking British Officer wanted to kill a tiger – King denied permission – stood in
danger of losing his kingdom.
Averted danger – gifted expensive diamond rings to the ‘duraisani’ – king lost three
lakh rupees to save his throne.
OR
Phytoplanktons – single celled plants – sustain the food chain – use sun’s energy to
assimilate carbon and synthesise compounds. – depletion in ozone layer will hamper
their activity – lead to chain reaction – death of marine animals and birds.
11. Answer the following in 30-40 words: 10 marks
(a) Did Hana think the Japanese tortured their prisoners of war? Why?
(b) How did the Wizard help Roger Skunk?
(c) How does Mr. Lamb keep himself busy when it is a bit cool?
(d) Who was Carter? What did the Governor ask him to do?
Ans. (a) Yes. She had heard rumors.
(b) By giving Roger Skunk the beautiful rose smell.
(c) Get the ladder and stick, pull down crab apples and make jelly.
(d) Detective Suprintendent, take away Evans (impersonating McLeery) as he was
the only one to know what had actually happened.
×·×·×·×·×
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12. Studymate Solutions to CBSE Board Examination 2011-2012
Series : SMA/1 Code No. 1/1/2
UNCOMMON QUESTIONS ONLY
SECTION-B
(Advanced Writing Skills) 35 Marks
4. Your school conducted a seminar on ‘How to prevent cruelty towards animals’, in
which 40 city CBSE schools took part. As Co-ordinator of the programme, write a
report in 100-125 words for the school magazine. You are Vikram/Vidhi of C.P.S.
Senior Secondary School, Bangalore. 10 marks
OR
You witnessed a road accident near Nalbandh Chowraha at Agra in which a bus a
scooter were involved. Write a report for Amar Ujala in 100-125 words. Sign as Vivek/
Vimala, Special Correspondent.
Ans. Report Writing
Format 1 mark
Content 4 marks
Expression 5 marks
Suggested Value Points (How to prevent cruelty towards animals)
– what – seminar on......
– when – date, time
– where – venue
– participation level
– panel of experts
– students’ response
– felicitations
– any other relevant details.
OR
Suggested Value Points (Bus Mishap)
– what – a bus mishap resulting in serious injuries to passengers
– when – day, time, date
– where – Nalbandha Chowraha, Agra
– how the accident took place
– injuries suffered
– account of eye witness
– action taken by authorities
– any other relevant details
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13. STUDYmate
SECTION-C
(Text Books) 45 Marks
8. Answer the following in 30-40 words each:
(b) Who is Mukesh? What is his dream?
(c) Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster?
(d) What made the lawyer lose his job? What does the writer find so funny about
the situation?
Ans. (b) A young boy – belonging to the family of bangle makers from Firozabad – dreams
of becoming a motor mechanic
(c) He thought to go up to the manor house would be like throwing himself into the
lion’s den as he had stolen the thirty Kronor from the Crofter’s house.
(d) The boss closed down the story department.
– perhaps an only instance in all human history when a lawyer lost his job
because the poets were asked to go home.
9. Answer the following in 125-150 words: 10 marks
Attempt a character sketch of Sophie as a woman who lives in her dreams.
OR
How did Douglas develop an aversion to water?
Ans. Sophie lives in an imaginary world.
– concocts stories, adds vivid details to make them convincing.
– drifts into a world of make believe to escape reality.
– dreams of becoming an actress/fashion designer.
– imagines meeting with Danny Casey – waits for him at her favourite spot – faces
disappointment.
– adolescent fantasising – a reality.
OR
– terrifying childhood experience – knocked down by waves at California beach.
– Misadventure at Y.M.C.A. pool – tossed into deep end of pool.
– frightened out of his wits – developed aversion to water.
11. Answer the following in 30-40 words each: 8 marks
(a) Why had Hana to wash the wounded man herself?
(d) What were the contents of the small brown suitcase that McLeery carried?
Ans. (a) Because Yumi refused, was stubborn.
(b) A sealed question paper envelope, invigilation form, authentication card, a paper
knife, a Bible, current copy of the church times, a smallish semi-inflated rubber
ring.
×·×·×·×·×
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14. Studymate Solutions to CBSE Board Examination 2011-2012
Series : SMA/1 Code No. 1/1/3
UNCOMMON QUESTIONS ONLY
SECTION-C
(Text Books) 45 Marks
8. Answer the following in 30-40 words each:
(b) Is Saheb happy working at the tea stall? Why/Why not?
(c) Why was the crofter so friendly and talkative with the peddler?
(d) Why did the author appear to be doing nothing?
Ans. (b) No, lost his carefree look, no longer his own master, steel canister heavier than
the plastic bag.
(c) lonely – no wife or children.
happy to get someone to talk to.
(d) Job was to cut out news paper clippings on a wide variety of subjects and store
them in files – many had to be hand written – onlookers felt he was merely
tearing news papers.
9. Answer the following in 125-150 words: 10 marks
How did Douglas try to save himself from drowning in the YMCA pool?
OR
Draw a character sketch of Sophie’s father.
Ans. – a big bully of a boy tossed him into the deep end of the swimming pool.
– was frightened and found himself at the bottom of the pool.
– planned to make a big jump as soon as his feet touched the bottom, come to the
surface, lie flat and paddle to the edge of the pool.
– didn’t work as planned.
– his lungs were bursting – grew panicky – tried to tell but no sound came out –
went down for the second time.
– his lungs ached, head throbbed, got dizzy, found the water with yellow glow.
– paralysed, under water, only heart was pounding.
– came up again slowly – but went down instantly again.
– efforts ceased, legs felt limp, there was no panic, felt drowsy – crossed into
oblivion.
– when came to senses found himself lying on his stomach beside the pool, vomiting
– was weak and trembling.
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15. STUDYmate
OR
Belonged to lower middle class/hard working/plump/breathes heavily/practical/
doesn’t believe in Sophie’s stories/neither indulges in self pity or curses the
circumstances for his plight/makes best of his life/weekly pligrimage to watch United/
spend time at the pub.
11. Answer the following in 30-40 words each: 8 marks
(a) What help did Dr. Sadao seek from Hana while operating on the wounded white
man?
(d) What did the Detective Superintendent inform the Governor about Evans?
Ans. (a) fetch towels, administer anesthesia to the wounded soldiers.
(b) McLeery (Evans impersonating McLeery) had spotted Evans driving off Elsfield
Way – gave a chase but lost him/had the number of the car – he must have
doubled back into the city.
The examination offices had called the ambulance and must be at Radcliffe
(hospital).
×·×·×·×·×
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