DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-I

1. Write an essay in about 600 words on any one of the following topics:

(a) Sweet are the uses of adversity

(b) India's Foreign Policy Today

(c) The Future of Democracy in India

(d) Religion is no enemy of Science; it is rather its complement

(e) Globalization : Advantages and Disadvantages

2. Make a prcis of the following passage in English in your own words in one-third of its length on
the special prcis- sheets provided.

Culture is not mere learning. It is discrimination, understanding of life. Liberal education aims at producing
moral gifts as well as intellectual, sweetness of temper as much as sanity of outlook. Into the art of living,
the cultured man carries a certain grace, a certain refinement, a certain distinction which redeems him from
the sterile futility of a aimless struggle. Culture is not a pose of intellect or a code of convention, but an
attitude of life. An education that brings up a young man in entire indifference to the misery and poverty
surrounding him, to the general stringency of life, to the dumb pangs of tortured bodies and the lives
submerged in the shadows, is essentially a failure. If we do not realize the solidarity of the human
community, nor have human relations with those whom the world passes by as the lowly and the lost, we are
not cultured. The most depraved individual has his starting interest and the worst criminal is unique to his
thumb-prints, as he knows to his cost. Geat literature shames us out of our complacency and reveals to us
something of the immense capacity of the human should for suffering and isolation. We may suffer, we
many fail, we may be forgotten, but we have succeeded in the true sense of the term if we refused to be
vulgar, mean or squalid. If anything justifies life, it is nobility, greatness. Man notices our failings but God
sees our strivings.

In our country today, we are suffering from want of understanding. Whether it is between the Indian and the
British or the Hindu and the Muslim, we are up against the same difficulty. Even when we seem to
understand each other, we suddenly reach a point where it becomes clear that we do not have a sufficient
grasp of each other's meaning. The trouble is not so much with regard to high philosophy and art as with
practical affairs and political motives. Understanding of human relations and motives is not a matter of
scientific method which can be taught in a university. It is a contagion of the spirit, not analyzable or
demonstrable, and yet it is not incommunicable. A good deal in this matter depends on the teachers and
their outlook on life as distinct from their intellectual equipment. The unique experience of pursuing
common ideals within the walls of the university, in spite of differences of temperament and creed, has
consequences of wider import. The many pleasant friendships, many personal contacts, must not merely be
vivid recollections but must remain with us to the end of our lives. It rests with you to pledge yourselves to
one another, that, when misunderstanding and disputes arise, you will be among those who will counsel
patience and restraint and proclaim that reason, fair play and listening to both sides are the solvents of all
differences.

(488 words)

3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow it (Comprehension)

Nearly nine years ago, on a warm autumn evening in 1945, I was driving over the mountains of Southern
Japan to the city of Nagasaki. I thought I was still in open country when all at once I realized that I was

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already crossing what had been the city. The shadows which flickered past me in the dusk were not rocks
and trees : they were crushed buildings; the bare and skewed ribs of factories, and two crumpled gasometers.

The scale of the damage of Nagasaki drained the blood from my heart then, and does so now when I speak
of it. For three miles my road lay through a desert which man had made in a second. Now, nine years later,
the hydrogen bomb is ready to dwarf this scale, and to turn each mile of destruction into ten miles. And
citizens and scientists share at one another and ask : How did we blunder into this nightmare?

I put this first as a question of history, because the history of this is known to few people. The fission of
uranium was discovered by two German scientists a year before the war. Within a few months, it was
reported that Germany had forbidden the export of uranium from the mines of Czechoslovakia which she
had just annexed. Scientists on the Continent, in England and America, asked themselves whether the secret
weapon on which the Germans were said to be working was an atomic bomb. If the fission of uranium
could be used explosively (and this already seemed possible in 1939) it might in theory make an explosion a
million times larger than hitherto. The monopoly of such an atomic bomb would give Hitler instant victory,
and make him master of Europe and the world. The scientists knew the scale of what they feared very well :
they feared first desolation and then slavery. With heavy hearts, they told Albert Einstein what they knew of
atomic fission. Einstein had been a pacifist all his life, and he did not easily put his conscience on one
side. But it seemed clear to him that no scientist was free to keep this knowledge to himself. He felt that no
one could decide whether a nation should or should not use atomic bombs, except the nation itself; the
choice must be offered to the nation, and made by those whom the nation has elected to act for it. On
August 2, 1939, a month before Hitler invaded Poland. Einstein wrote to President Roosevelt to tell him
that he thought an atomic bomb might be made, and he feared that the Germans were trying to make one.

This is how it came about that, later in the war, scientists worked together in England, in Canada and
America, to make the atomic bomb. They hated war no less than the layman does- no less than the soldier
does; they, too, had wrestled with their consciences; and they had decided that their duty was to let the
nation use their skill, just as it uses the skill of the solider or the expert in camouflage. The atomic scientists
believed that they were in a race against Germany whose outcome might decide, the war even in its last
weeks. We know now that the race was almost a walk-over. The Germans were indeed trying to make an
atomic explosion, and they thought that they were ahead of the allies. But by our standar4ds, what they had
done was pitiful ; they had not made a pile that worked, and they believed that the fast chain reaction of an
atomic bomb was impossible. The Nazis had made fundamental science a poor relation, and put it under
second rate party men with splendid titles. And more deeply, the Nazis had sapped the pith and power of
research, the quizzical eye and questioning mind, the urge to find the facts for oneself. There were not
enough unconventional ideas in the German atomic projects, and when the younger men did put up some,
their leaders always knew better.

a. What had drained the blood from the heart of the author? Describe in 50 words.

b. Describe the circumstances leading to the making of atom bomb.

c. When was the Hydrogen bomb ready for use?

d. What, according to the author, was the main reason of the failure of the German scientists?

e. What do you learn from the passage about Albert Einstein?

4.Make a precis of the following passage in not more than 1/3rd length of the passage.

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One warm, summer afternoon a small town, the sun shone brightly through the cracks of clouds like toes
poking through a hole in the toe of a sock. Beautiful images of the sun reflected off the sparkling, clear
windows like a reflection on undisturbed water. Noisy seagulls flew high in the sky, only able to be heard
not seen. Rainbow colored flowers stood tall, yearning for every ray of sunlight the clouds let through.
Richly, green grass whispered in the wind like two little girls telling a secret. Plump, fluffy cushions lay on
the lawn furniture looking comfortable enough for an afternoon nap. Eggs could be fried on the hot, black
pavement that absorbed the rays of the blistering sun. It appeared to be a beautiful summer afternoon.

Suddenly, with out notice, daylight gave way to dark, angry clouds. Coming from the west, they pounded
the horizon like ocean waves hitting the rocks. Fierce clouds encompassed the sky with the tenacity of a
football team going for a tackle. Hail hammered the earth like a mid-winter snowball fight then turning to
rain, it poured like a pitcher into a glass. Flowers shivered down to their roots from the blasting chill of the
air and bent over to shield their flowery faces from the pounding rain and wind. A black, flooding river
rushed down the street into storm drains, backing up like a plugged up toilet. Silenced by the howling wind,
the seagulls flew to find shelter from the vicious storm. Pools of water covered the grass like a sprinkler left
on all night. The cushions of the lawn furniture soaked up the rain like a sponge. Raindrops splattered on the
windows like a dot-to-dot game.

Mother Nature soon gained control of her unruly children, calming them with her sweet, warm breath.
Peeking through the gray, fluffy clouds, the sun shone through like a dawn of a new day. Like little happy
campers, the seagulls feasted on the worms that lay atop the soggy grass. Puddles remained in the street
potholes like water in a birdbath. Petals sprinkled the flowerbeds as if a flower girl had thrown them for a
wedding. Huffing and puffing like a runner in a marathon race, the wind dried the lumpy, drenched
cushions. Residue from the storm speckled the clarity of the windows. As quickly as the summer storm
came, it passed through resuming the beautiful summer day.

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-II

1. Make a precis of the following passage in not more than 150 words.

My life has been one struggle after another. Dealing with depression was not as easy or as fun as a ride on a
slide. It was more like a sickening spin on the merry-go-round; it felt like I was holding on for dear life and
spinning so fast my hands were loosing grip. My therapy sessions were a revolving door. I went in and came
out, hoping it to be the last, but only to face another session. It all started around the tender age of 13-just
getting into my teenage years. I battled with my identity. It felt like I was walking against a strong wind. I
knew I was adopted ever since I understood what that meant, but I wasn't happy knowing this. I began going
to therapy with my family, only to find myself angrier than a punished child. I attempted suicide twice in
that few months, and finally manipulated my parents into taking me out of that therapy. For the next two
years, I kept any negative feelings undercover, not opening my shell to anyone. By the beginning of my
junior year in high school, I couldn't keep it in. My emotions exploded like an overheated bag of popcorn.
More suicide attempts were made. I was taken to our local hospital where I was put in the psychiatric unit
and diagnosed with major depression. This news hit me like a bug on a moving car's windshield. I didn't
know this was a sickness. I was released and forced to start individual therapy. I became very close to my
new therapist-she made me laugh and helped me to solve little problems. Although things were looking
better, there were a lot of problems still hovering over me like vultures around road kill. I again tried killing
myself and was sent back to the hospital. This time, I was released into an intense therapy group for
teenagers. These sessions were every weekday for either four or eight hours. My self-esteem went down,
and I seemed to have made more problems for myself-getting into drugs. I made it through nearly two

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months of this intense therapy, and came out happier and feeling less depressed. I went back to bottling up
my anger and sadness in order to stay out of therapy, but a gang rape on me ripped apart the barrier. Once
again, I was injuring myself and back in the hospital. I returned to the powerful group therapy with even
lower self-esteem than before. Not happy with my appearance, I became anorexic. I lost a lot of weight, and
began looking like a starving child from Bosnia. My therapist forced me to slowly start eating again;
however, noticing the slightest weight gain led me to eat and then purposely vomit. My therapist caught on
to my bulimia and began monitoring my eating before, during and after. I felt trapped. I finally realized if I
didn't want to live, I would have succeeded in my suicide attempts. I gradually discovered what I had to live
for, and I was sick of being labeled as depressed. I decided I wanted help. Today, I still visit a another
therapist every once in a while, and I am currently getting off my medications. I finally feel free; I am no
longer struggling to hold on to the slippery bars of the merry-go-round. The revolving door is now a one-
way door, and I have left the building. Good-bye, depression. Hello, slide.
Words: 578

2.Write an essay on any one of the following:- (in not more than 600 words)

a. Practice makes a man perfect

b.Disaster Management

c. Should India make Atom Bombs

d.

(Q-3- 7) It was not long ago that scientists made the remarkable discovery that our brains are divided into
two halves and that each half has separate features and roles. The brain is said to be divided into the left
half and the right half. For ease of reference, they are called the left brain and the right brain.

The left brain is said to be the logical brain. It is the left brain that we use to solve mathematical problems
and to think logically. For example, if you were asked how to make coffee, this is what happens, Your left
brain begins to work; it searches its files for information on coffee making. If it finds the files, it begins
relating what to do step by step. If it does not find any record, it says it does not know.

The right brain is often called the creative brain. It has the function of thinking creatively. This includes all
the artistic functions, including art and music appreciation. When you want to draw a picture or compose a
piece of music or write poetry, it is the right brain that is in operation. When you come across a new
situation in your life, your right brain gives ideas on how to tackle it.

To some people, the left brain is dominant and to others, the right brain is. Of people who are good in
mathematics and language expression - that is, putting into practice what they have learnt, we say that they
are more left-brained. They are not very sensitive and believe in doing everything only after reasoning. They
are very sharp at arguments. They are the type who will not believe in anything until they see it. Right
brained people are more artistic and have a good sense of music appreciation. They are also more sensitive
and tend to be emotional. They are more open to new ideas and are willing to accept radical positions.

Is the left brain better or the right brain? Both sides of the brain are equally important. In an ideal situation, a
person should be exactly equal in both sides of the brain. However, as in most things, the ideal never
happens. People are dominated by one or the other side of their brains.

In order to function effectively in the world, we must learn to use both sides of the brain. In many situations
that we meet in the world, there will be requirements for both sides of the brain to work together as partners.

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For example, when you want to write a story, which brain do you use? The answer is both brains. You need
the right brain to think of the ideas and you need the left side to arrange everything in a logicalsequence.
You cannot go through life with only one side functioning.

One last thing: In a left handed person, the brain will be in reverse. For him or her, the right brain will be the
logical brain and the left brain will be the creative brain. Also, it has been observed that for some unknown
reason, left handed people tend to be more creative. Hence you will see that most left handed people are
artistic or at least have a keener sense of art appreciation. It is probable that what causes left and right
handedness is the position of the brain and not vice versa.

Also, it is astounding that many of the greatest persons in History are known to be left handed. These
include Napoleon, Charlemagne, Picasso, Alexander the Great and Benjamin Franklin. The number of great
people who are left handed is out of proportion of the total number. Now, we know that what causes left
handedness or right handedness is the position of the brain in the head. So is there any reason to believe that
people whose creative brain is on the left are at an advantage?

Questions

3 (a)Describe the functions of the left brain.

(b)Describe the functions of the right brain.
(c)How would you decide if a person has a dominant left o right brain ?

4.(a)What are the negative aspects of people who are dominated by the left brain ?
(b)How would a person dominated by the right brain view a sunset ?

5. Give an example of the left brain and right brain co-operating to do a task. ( Do not use the example in
the passage. )

6. For each of the following words give one word or a short phrase (not more than seven words) which
has the same meaning as it has in the passage.
i. remarkable v. radical
ii. separate vi. sharp
iii. logical vii. dominated
iv. creative viii. sequence

7.Write a brief summary on the basic differences between the right brain and the left brain. You should use
only material from the passage and the summary should be about 160 words.

ANSWERS

Answers

3.(a) The left brain is the logical brain and thinks according to reason.
(b) The right brain is for creating and for tackling new situations.
(c) If a person is creative he is probably dominated by the right brain and if most of the time logical he is
dominated by the left brain.

4.(a) People dominated by left brains are not very sensitive and will refuse to believe in anything until they
see it.
(b) He will look at the beauty and appreciate the different hues of colors and perhaps even be inspired by
a sunset.

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5. To solve a problem which involves a new situation, a person has to use his right brain to see a way out
of it. Once he has found the way the left brain will use logic to solve it.

6.i astonishing
ii different
iii reasonable
iv artistic
v acute
vi rebellious
vii controlled
viiiarrangement

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-III

1. Make a prcis of the following passage in English in your own words in one-third of its length
on the special prcis- sheets provided. Marks will be deducted for prcis, not written on the
prcis-sheets.

Trees give shade for the benefit of others, and while they themselves stand in the sun and endure the
scorching heat, they produce the fruit of which others profit. The character of good men is like that of trees.
What is the use of this perishable body if no use is made of it for the benefit of mankind? Sandalwood, the
more it is rubbed, the more scent does it yield. Sugarcane, the more it is peeled and cut up into pieces, the
more juice does it produce. The men who are noble at heart do not lose their qualities even in losing their
lives. What matters whether men praise them or not? What difference does it make whether they die at this
moment or whether lives are prolonged? Happen what may, those who tread in the right path will not set
foot in any other. Life itself is unprofitable to a man who does not live for others. To live for the mere sake
of living ones life is to live the life of dog and crows. Those who lay down their lives for the sake of others
will assuredly dwell for ever in a world of bliss.

(Q-2-10)

As we walked back to the longhouse, Chabok, who was in front of me, suddenly stopped on the track and
raised his blowpipe, quickly inserting a dart into the mouthpiece and packing the end with a small twist of
raw cotton. To one side and above him, about twelve meters away, a squirrel was scampering on a branch. I
wanted to see Chabok bring it down with a dart but at the same time I had an almost uncontrollable urge to
cry out and frighten the animal away. It seemed such a small squirrel. Chabok aimed his blowpipe, and I felt
myself holding my breath until he shot. 'Thip!' went the dart as it left the end of the tube, and I didn't see it
go. The squirrel stayed on the branch unmoved, and I was sure that he had missed and called to him,
"You've missed it! You've missed!" and he began to run forward shouting, "I haven't, Master! I haven't! I
haven't!" And as he ran, the squirrel toppled over like a rag doll and hit the ground with a soft thud. It was
still alive when Chabok picked it up - he poisoned splinter sticking right through its neck - but it was quite
paralyzed and unable to move. It died some minutes later. On the way back to the longhouse Chabok sang
happily for the first time since leaving the River Yai and in the evening, everyone had a small piece of
squirrel meat. My own piece, no more than a mouthful, tasted like stringy rabbit.

The Temiar blowpipe is normally some two meters long and made from one single length of bamboo. It has
a slender inner tube inside the outer covering so that one length warps against the other and it always

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remains true. From it they shoot a small dart, a splinter of wood some twenty or twenty-five centimeters in
length; a pith cone at one end, the other sharpened end tipped with poison. Most aborigines are extremely
accurate with a blowpipe up to a range of nine to ten meters, though for some reason they are more accurate
if the target is moving vertically than if it moves horizontally. Several times I have put a cigarette on end in
a tree and watched it be pinned to the bark by a blowpipe dart but a cigarette placed parallel to the ground is
missed seven times out of ten.

The poison with which the darts are smeared is a mixture of poisonous saps from jungle trees and creepers.
The sap is tapped from the trees and creepers with knives and is collected in small bamboo cups. This is then
stirred together and boiled. The darts are dipped in the boiled mixture and allowed to dry in the sun. Any
surplus is left to cool and solidify and it can then be stored away for a considerable period - allegedly as long
as two years. When next needed, it is soaked in fresh water and reboiled; but for some reason the water must
be fresh and water which has been standing for several days in a bamboo container cannot be used. The
strength of the poison can be varied according to the strength of the mixture. Usually the tips of the darts are
one of three colors. The red - procured from a fully-grown poisonous tree in its prime - is the strongest and
once in the bloodstream, is fatal after about six or seven minutes. The black - which is from an old
poisonous tree - is effective after half an hour, and the white - from a young sapling tree - does not take
effect until after a lapse of an hour or more.

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

2. Who do you think Chabok probably was?

3. Why was the writer torn between wanting to see Chabok shoot the squirrel with his blowpipe and wanting
to frighten it away?

4. Why was Chabok singing happily all the way back to the longhouse?

5. What does a Temiar blowpipe look like?

6. What conclusion did the writer draw from his observation that a cigarette placed parallel to the ground is
missed seven times out of ten?

7. According to the passage, how do the aborigines make poisonous darts?

Fill in the blanks with one correct word from the passage.

8. The doctors removed a ______ of glass from the eye of the accident victim.

9. The hunter aimed accurately at the ______ before firing his shotgun.

10. "The accused was ______ seen behaving suspiciously near the vicinity of the deceased house," the
prosecutor argued.

11.Write an essay on any one of the following:- (in not more than 600 words)

a.

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-III

(Q-1- 10)

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Some love it with burgers, others prefer it with fried noodles. In fact, tomato ketchup has become very much
part and parcel of our diet. Have you ever wondered how it is actually made?

The best tomatoes are chosen for manufacturing tomato ketchup. Out of the tons of tomatoes which are
brought into the factory, only those dark red in colour are selected. Beauty is not only skin deep; even the
flesh has to be rich red in colour. Workers must know how to choose tomatoes which are fleshy as seeds are
not used in the production of tomato ketchup.

After the selection of tomatoes, the next step is washing. Some tomato ketchup manufacturers who are very
hygiene-conscious require the fruits to be soaked for about five minutes. This is followed by spraying to
ensure that every part of the surface is clean and pesticide-free.

The washed tomatoes are then ready for peeling. If you have tried detaching the flimsy skin of the tomatoes
from the flesh, you will appreciate the intricacy of the process involved. Manufacturers have got round this
difficulty of peeling by subjecting the tomatoes to a quick heating.

Bigger factories make use of a sophisticated steam jacketed equipment known as the Thermobreak to give
the tomatoes a rapid heating. However, in smaller factories, the tomatoes are loaded into a wire basket which
is then dipped into boiling water for one minute. Workers have to be adept in doing this as delay would
result in the tomatoes being cooked. Then the fruit is quickly sprayed with cold water to detach the skin
from the flesh. The cold shower cools down the fruit and makes them ready for peeling. Peeling is done by
hand, from the bottom to the top of the fruit.

As soon as the tomatoes are peeled, they are immediately sent for pulping. In the pulper, seeds, coarse fibers
and the remaining fragments of skin are removed speedily. Every minute counts as peeled tomatoes may
lose their bright red colour if exposed to air for too long. Manufacturers go to great lengths to preserve the
dark colour of the tomatoes. Glass or stainless steel banks are used for storing the tomatoes to ensure that the
peeled tomatoes do not come into contact with iron. Otherwise, chemical reactions may occur affecting the
colour of the tomato pulp. After pulping, the tomatoes become cyclone juice.

One may mistake this juice for tomato ketchup, but it does not have the characteristic flavor of the tomato
ketchup that we are accustomed to. The final step is the flavoring of the tomato ketchup. Manufacturers have
their own recipes for producing their own brand of tomato ketchup, and they guard their secrets very
zealously. Basically, the essential ingredients are sugar, a little salt, cloves, onion, garlic and vinegar. These
ingredients are cooked with the cyclone juice, giving rise to a concentrated mixture which is in fact tomato
ketchup.

The final step in the production of tomato ketchup is packaging. Clear bottles are filled with tomato ketchup,
capped, sealed and labeled. The bottles of tomato ketchup are then packed into cardboard boxes, ready for
loading onto trucks for distribution to the wholesale and retail outlets.

A bottle of tomato ketchup costs less than two dollars. Don't you think that it should cost more, taking into
consideration the amount of work involved, and that almost one kilogram of raw tomatoes is needed to make
a bottle of tomato ketchup?

Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

1. What kind of tomatoes are selected for manufacturing tomato ketchup?

2. How do hygiene-conscious manufacturers wash tomatoes?

3. Why does the writer consider peeling tomato skin to be an intricate process?

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4. Why is time a crucial factor from the moment tomatoes are heated to the time they are pulped?

5. State two ways how manufacturers try to preserve the dark colour of the tomatoes at the pulping stage?

6. Why do you think manufacturers wish to keep their recipes secret?

7. In the passage, what are the writer's rationales for increasing the current price of a bottle of tomato
ketchup?

Fill in the blanks with one correct word from the passage.

8. Rubber latex is one of the raw materials used in the ______ of tyres for vehicles.

9. ______ acid should be handled with care because carelessness may result in serious injuries.

10. We shall inform you if there is an unavoidable ______ in the shipment of goods to your customers.

(Q 11- 17)
It is a well-known fact that the Chinese regard the turtle as a supernatural creature blessed with magical
qualities and long life. To the fisherman whose livelihood comes from the perilous sea, the turtle is both a
protector and a symbol of survival.

You can thus imagine the excitement in Hong Kong when some fishermen found a giant turtle in the South
China Sea one April morning. A fleet of Chinese trawlers had set out in the grey-blue dawn to catch fish.
When they drew in their nets, the fishermen noticed something unusual entangled among their fish, prawns
and squid - it was a giant turtle.

Immediately they took the creature ashore and asked some zoological experts to estimate its age. They
analyzed the calcium content of its shell and discovered that the turtle was about 260 years old! It weighed
about 160 kilograms, and its moss-green patterned shell measured a meter long.

The fishermen were filled with awe. "It is the gods who sent us this turtle," they said. "We're going to give it
to a charitable institution and have it set free on an auspicious day." Their reason for doing this was simple:
they believed that if they restored the turtle to the sea they would share its magical powers.

As for the turtle, it belonged to the species called "chelonia Mydas' or the "Green Turtle' which usually
roams the tropical waters of the Malay Archipelago. How then did it come to the South China Sea?

Professor Lai Ying offered an explanation. "The turtle must have strayed north in search of food and so got
caught in the net."

However, the fishermen disagreed, saying that it had instead come to pay homage to the goddess Tin Hau on
her birthday. Tin Hau is the patron saint of the fishermen, and her birthday is ceremoniously observed on the
twenty-third day of the third moon in the lunar calendar [around the end of April].

The turtle was kept in a pool in a temple while waiting to be released on Tin Hau's birthday. Hundreds of
believers filed past the pool to stroke the turtle's shell and drop money in the pool. There was a competition
too - the man who donated the largest amount of money to the charitable institution would have the privilege
of casting the turtle back into the sea.

Mr C. H. Ko, a wealthy restaurateur, paid for the privilege. "I'm just like everybody else," he said. "I also
want a long life." The charity organizers carved his name on the stainless steel plaque and fastened it onto

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the turtle's shell.

On the chosen day, Mr Ko tied a red ribbon round the head of the turtle and set it free from the launch far
out at sea.

A word about the turtle's supposed magical powers which you might find hard to believe: "Sometime last
year," said an official of the charitable institution, "we were given a 32- kilogram turtle by a fish dealer who
did not want to sell it for food. His business was very bad then, but today it is flourishing and he is rich
man."

Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

11. How do Chinese fishermen regard the turtle?

12. How did the zoologists know the turtle was 260 years old?

13. Why do you think the fishermen chose to set the turtle free on an auspicious day?

14. Why did the fishermen disagree with Professor Lai Ying's explanation? What was their reason?

15. Why do you think people thronged to where the turtle was kept to stroke its shell?

16. Why was the competition held?

17. What are the two examples mentioned in the passage which showed the Chinese people's belief that the
person who restores a turtle to the sea would share in its magical power?

18. Make a precis of the following passage in one third of the length of the passage.And give a suitable
title to the passage

Have you ever wondered why soldiers are always clad in green? This is to enable them
to camouflage themselves during wartime. Hiding in the jungles, their green attire blend into the
surrounding trees and shrubs, making it difficult for the enemies to spot them.

Long before man make use of camouflaging, insects have already adopted the tactic of disguise to escape
from the clutches of their predators. By having body colors close to those of the rocks and dried leaves, they
catch less attention from the predators and hence escape from being pursued. However, this kind of disguise
works only if the insects remain still in the presence of their predators.

Butterflies and moths have developed a variety of camouflage strategies since they are quite defenceless and
their predators - birds are abundant in supply. Many moth caterpillars resemble dead twigs while the young
of certain species of butterflies appear like bird droppings. Adult butterflies and moths camouflage
themselves too, in attempts to escape from their hunters -- birds who are superior gliders. Possessing wings
which resemble dried leaves help certain butterflies and moths to hide among heaps of dried leaves when
predators are around.

Fortunately, not all insects choose the art of disguise to escape from their predators; otherwise, the world
would be so dull and colorless. There are insects whichassimilate the bright body colors of bees and wasps
to escape from being pursued by their predators. The concept of mimicry was derived, owing to the bees and
wasps. Long ago, birds have already learnt to avoid brilliantly colored wasps and bees in fear of their painful
stings. Hence, over millions of years, many harmless insects have assimilated the bees and wasps by
imitating their bright body colors and shapes. In this way, they appear dangerous to their predators and
hence ward them off.

Drishtics Learning
Mimics of the wasps and bees are most commonly found in the gardens. The furry, plump bee-fly not only
appears like the bumble bee in terms of body colors, even its hums sound similar too. The only difference is
that the bee-fly does not have a sting and is hence harmless. The hoverfly is another insect which imitates
the body colors of the wasps. Their bodies are striped yellow and black. The only deviations are that
hoverflies do not have stings and they have only one pair of wings each while wasps have two pairs each.
These variations are hardly noticed by the predators and hence help them to escape.

19. Write an essay in about 600 words on any one of the following topics:

a. Anxiety

b. Beasts of Burden

c. Can money buy happiness

d. Indias scenario in Nuclear power

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-IV

I run Green Way International, a conservation group that campaigns against and conducts research into
environmental pollution. The data that we receive from all corners of the globe give us no cause for
optimism -- the results of our studies and the minimal success of our crusades testify to the fact that we are
fighting a losing battle.

Of course, environmental pollution is not a modern phenomenon. It began ever since people began to
congregate in towns and cities. The ancient Athenians removed refuse to dumps outside the main parts of
their cities. The Romans dug trenches outside their cities where they could deposit their garbage, waste and
even corpses. These unhygienic practices undoubtedly led to the outbreak of viral diseases.

Unfortunately, Man refuses to acknowledge or correct his past mistakes. As cities grew in the Middle Ages,
pollution became even more evident. Ordinances had to be passed in medieval cities against indiscriminate
dumping of waste into the streets and canals. In sixteenth century England, efforts were made to curb the use
of coal to reduce the amount of smoke in the air. These, however, had little effect on the people's
conscience.

I think that the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century was the point of no return. It heralded the
mushrooming of industries and power driven machines. True, the standard of living increased, but it was
achieved at a great environmental cost.

In Cubatao of Brazil, for instance, industrial plants belch thousands of tons of pollutants daily and the air
contains high levels of benzene, a cancer causing substance. In one recent year alone, I discovered 13,000
cases of respiratory diseases and that a tenth of the workers risked contracting leukaemia. Green Way
International hoped to seek the assistance of Brazil's government officials but we were sorely disappointed.
Unwilling to lose revenue from the factories, they blamed the high mortality rate on poor sanitation and
malnutrition. We continue to provide medical assistance to the inhabitants of Brazil's "Valley of Death", but
there is little else that we can do to alleviate the suffering.

Our planet has its own mechanisms to deal with natural pollutants. Decay, sea spray and volcanic eruptions
release more sulphur than all the power plants, smelters and industries in the world do. Lightning bolts
create nitrogen oxides and trees emit hydrocarbons called trepans. These substances are cycled through the

Drishtics Learning
ecosystem and change form, passing through plant and animal tissues, sink to the sea and return to earth to
begin the cycle all over again.

However, can the earth assimilate the additional millions of tons of chemicals like sulphur,
chlorofluorocarbons, carbon dioxide and methane that our industries release each year? If the dying forests
in Germany, Eastern Europe, Sweden and Norway give any indication, then the answer must be a
resounding "No!". Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen from the power plants and factories and motor vehicles
have acidified the soil. This has destroyed the organisms necessary to the nutrient cycle as well as injured
the trees' fine root systems. The weakened trees become more vulnerable to drought, frost, fungi and insects.

Many a time; my staff have returned from their research tours around the world, lamenting the slow but sure
destruction of our cultural treasures. The carvings on the Parthenon, a magnificent building in Athens, have
been eroded by acid deposition. The Roman Colosseum, England's Westminster Abbey and India's Taj
Mahal have also fallen victim to insidious chemicals that float in the air. The stained glass windows of
cathedrals from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries have been corroded to barely recognizable images as
well.

Years earlier, I had studied a secluded island in the Pacific and found its undisturbed ecosystem in complete
balance and stability. In despair, I once contemplated living the rest of my days on the island in solitude.
Pollution, however, is no respecter of boundaries - when I reached the island, the beaches were awash with
trash and dead marine life while the once-lush foliage were sparse and limp. It was then that I realised this
dying planet needs allies and not fatalism and resignation. I returned to resume my crusade and I hope others
will join me...

Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

1. Why does the author say that the data Green Way International receives gives "no cause for optimism"?

2. Why do you suppose the ancient cities of Athens and Rome were prone to viral outbreaks?

3. What does the author mean by the statement "These, however, had little effect on the people's
consciences"?

4. Explain how Brazil's government's officials "disappointed" the activists of Green Way International.

5. Explain how trees in the various European nations have fallen victim to environmental pollution.

6. Show how pollution has destroyed the world's cultural treasure?

7. Why did the writer change his/her mind about retreating to a remote island?

Fill in the blanks with one correct word from the passage.

8. He ______ migrating to the United States of America to seek better employment but changed his mind.

9. Junita suffered from ill health and poor strength for most of her life after ______ malaria.

10. The residents of Sweetwater Creek ______ at the town centre each year to celebrate the founding of their
town.

(Q- 11-20)

Drishtics Learning
Anxiety ran high in London's Dulwich Hospital as doctors awaited the recovery of a kidney transplant
patient. The surgical procedure had been a success but the patient later developed an infection in the
operating incision. Antibiotics had little effect and the situation seemed hopeless. Fortunately, a young
doctor recalled a traditional remedy used by native doctors in South Africa. With nothing left to lose, he
applied strips of papaya fruit across the wound. Miraculously, it healed!

This unorthodox success was scoffed at by the medical profession in the West. This incident took place in
1977 but the doctors' reactions were evidently an omen of things to come. Skepticism and distrust dog
traditional medicine as it struggles to gain credibility in the modern world today. Derogatory terms like
"barefoot doctors", "quacks" and even "witch doctors" also undermine the success and potential of folk
medicine.

In the past, folk healing was shrouded in superstition and mysticism. Illnesses were attributed to evil or
angry spirits or gods and rituals of prayers and sacrifice were sometimes held to appease them. Healers were
then believed to have a gift or special "knack" to set bones and stop bleeding. Jealously guarded charms and
incantations were recited to expel diseases. However, those days are gone - today, traditional remedies are
developed alongside modern scientific medicine.

In China, for example, medical practitioners work in tandem with traditional healers. Modern research ideas
and close scientific scrutiny are applied to traditional cures. If a particular remedy is found to be effective,
then scientists test it to detect its active ingredient or chemical. Once isolated, this ingredient can be utilised
and manufactured on a larger scale.

The Chinese approach has met with resounding success. A drug was developed from a species of holly to
alleviate chest pains in patients suffering from coronary diseases. In addition, a drug derived from sage has
been made, to improve blood circulation.

The Chinese are also credited with acupuncture, a technique practised for over four thousand years. In this,
fine needles are inserted through particular spots in the skin. The acupuncture points are then stimulated by
gentle twirling, heating or mildly electrifying the needles. This method has been undeniably effective in
relieving pain and has been widely used by medical practitioners the world over as anaesthesia during
surgeries, to control blood pressure and to relieve muscle spasms and arthritis.

A major advantage of traditional methods of treatment is that they are inexpensive. It is this cost factor that
has prompted the World Health Organisation to encourage traditional forms of medicine in Third World
countries. These heavily populated nations have urgent and widespread health problems but can ill-afford
the sophisticated drugs of Western manufacturers. The majority of the people also do not have access to
Western-trained doctors.

Thus, the International Association of Folk Medicine was established in the 1980s. Countries like Peru,
Burma and Nigeria have been forthcoming in their support and participation. They have begun training
courses in which traditional medicine men can learn modern techniques as well as impart their knowledge to
modern doctors. Triumphs include a Guatemalan herbal remedy approved for the treatment of diabetes and
an antibiotic for malaria developed by Ghanaian medicine men.

It is indeed unfortunate that many Western doctors oppose folk medicine, for they are depriving the world of
a great untapped potential. Ironically, these doctors prescribe drugs from herbal remedies on a daily basis!
Such medication include digitalis, derived from the foxglove, to treat heart conditions; ipecac, from a
Brazilian root, for coughs and hydrocortisone, from wild yams, for severe asthma.

Modern synthetic drugs have come under fire in recent years. Viruses believed to have been subjugated by
antibiotics have rebounded with a vengeance. With their new-found resistance, they have rendered a great
many "miracle" drugs ineffective. There is also the ever spiralling cost of modern medicine. These factors

Drishtics Learning
may force Western medical practitioners' to eat humble pie - they may have to overcome their prejudice and
resort to traditional remedies.

Answer the following questions using complete sentences.

11. What does the author mean by the phrase "the doctors" reactions were evidently an omen of things to
come"?

12. Show how folk healing was "shrouded in superstition and mysticism" in the past.

13. Explain how the Chinese have successfully developed effective medicines from traditional cures.

14. Why are traditional methods of treatment deemed necessary in Third World countries?

15. What are the purposes of the International Association Of Folk Medicine?

16. Why is it ironical that Western doctors oppose herbal remedies?

17. What factors may force a change in attitude towards traditional medicine?

Fill in the blanks with one correct word from the passage.

18. The construction of the shopping centre commenced after the ministry ______ the plans.

19. I cannot gain ______ to the northern wing of the mansion for this passage way is blocked.

20. Ahmad has the ______ to become an accomplished pianist if he practises diligently each day.

21.Make a precis of the following passage in one third of the length of the passage.And give a suitable
title to the passage

" I want some more beer ..." Sam turned around and saw a dirty, unshaven drunkard mumbling in coherently
as he wobbled aimlessly along the road. Shaking his head, Sam continued his way back home.

Sam did not bother to switch on the lights at home. Everyone must be asleep at this late hour, he thought. He
tiptoed into Marie's bedroom and found her sleeping soundly, snugly tucked under her pink comforter. Sam
bent over and kissed his beloved five-year-old daughter's forehead. "Thanks, dear. If it was not for you, I
would never have turned over a new leaf," Sam whispered in gratitude, recalling the drunken man he saw a
while ago.

A year ago, after being retrenched from his computer company, Sam felt dejectedand worried about how he
was going to provide for his family. The situation worsened when he failed to secure a job after months of
intensive searching. Soon, Sam began to indulge in alcoholic drinks to drown his sorrows. His savings
which was used to sustain the family expenses during his retrenchment was tremendously depleted by his
drinking habits. Soon his wife, Catherine, became the family's sole bread winner.

Catherine's efforts to stop Sam from drinking were futile. Alcohol had transformed the once-gentle family
man into a violent beast. Sam began to hit his wife when she refused to give hi money for his drinks. Once
Catherine tried hiding his drinking bottles, hoping to stop Sam from drinking. Sam was so agitated when he
could not find his bottles that he locked Marie into her bedroom and threatened her into revealing the hiding
place. The incident instilled terror in Marie and thereafter, she tried her best to avoid Sam.

Drishtics Learning
These traumatic incidents continued until the launch of the "stop Drinking" campaign by the government.
Striking and persuasive posters were put up in the public to persuade alcoholics to kick their habit. None of
them succeeded in bringing Sam to his senses except one. The poster illustrated an alcoholic man abusing
his wife while their terrified daughter cried helplessly. The slogan accompanying the poster was: 'Will Your
Children Be Able To Draw A Happy Family Again?'. Sam suddenly recalled a poster entitled 'Happy
Family' drawn by Marie for school before he began drinking. As if released from a spell, he realized how
irresponsible and abusive he had been. Overcome with guilt, he quit drinking totally.

"Sam, why aren't you going to sleep?" asked a concerned Catherine.

"I'm coming, Catherine," Sam replied with a smile as he headed for his room.

22. Write an essay on any one of the following:- (600 words)

a. Is air travel as safe as it should be?

b. Advantages and disadvantages to a developing nation of receiving economic aid from other nations.

c. Advertising

d. Ambition

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-V

1. Write an essay in about 600 words on any one of the following topics:

a. Causes & Consequences of erosion

b. Colors in nature
c. Role and present scenario of Civil services in India
d. European Crisis

2. Make a precis of the following passage in one third of the length of the passage.And give a
suitable title to the passage
During my vacation last May, I had a hard time choosing a tour. Flights to Japan, Hong Kong and
Australia are just too common. What I wanted was somewhere exciting and exotic, a place where I
could be spared from the holiday tour crowds. I was so happy when Joan called up, suggesting a trip
to Cherokee, a county in the state of Oklahoma. I agreed and went off with the preparation
immediately.
We took a flight to Cherokee and visited a town called Qualla Boundary Surrounded by magnificent
mountain scenery, the town painted a paradise before us. With its Oconaluftee Indian Village
reproducing tribal crafts and lifestyles of the 18th century and the outdoor historical pageant Unto
These Hills playing six times weekly in the summer nights, Qualla Boundary tries to present a brief
image of the Cherokee past to the tourists.
Despite the language barrier, we managed to find our way to the souvenir shops with the help of the
natives. The shops are filled with rubber tomahawks and colorful traditional war bonnets, made of
dyed turkey feathers. Tepees, cone-shaped tents made from animal skin, are also pitched near the
shops. "Welcome! Want to get anything ?" We looked up and saw a middle-aged man smiling at us.
We were very surprised by his fluent English. He introduced himself as George and we ended up
chatting till lunch time when he invited us for lunch at a nearby coffee shop.
"Sometimes, I've to work from morning to sunset during the tour season. Anyway, this is still better
off than being a woodcutter ..." Remembrance weighed heavy on George's mind and he went on to
Drishtics Learning
 tell us that he used to cut firewood for a living but could hardly make ends meet. We learnt from
him that the Cherokees do not depend solely on trade for survival. During the tour off-peak period,
the tribe would have to try out other means for income. One of the successful ways is the "Bingo
Weekend". On the Friday afternoons of the Bingo weekends, a large bingo hall will be opened,
attracting huge crowds of people to the various kinds of games like the Super Jackpot and the
Warrior Game Special. According to George, these forms of entertainment fetch them great returns.
Our final stop in Qualla Boundary was at the museum where arts, ranging from the simple hand-
woven oak baskets to wood and stone carvings of wolves, ravens and other symbols of Cherokee
cosmology are displayed.
Back at home, I really missed the place and I would of course look forward to the next trip to another
exotic place.

3. Make a precis of the following passage in one third of the length of the passage.And give a
suitable title to the passage

As what geographers have estimated, about twenty percent of the earth's surface is occupied by deserts. A
majority of us view deserts as one unique kind of landscape -- areas with little or no rainfalls.

In actual fact, there are differences between the deserts, though in varying degrees. While it is common for
laymen like us to see deserts as rocky or covered with gravelor pebbles, there are some where large sand
dunes inhabit. Despite the fact that rainfall is minimal, temperatures do change in deserts, ranging from
seasonal ones to daily changes where extreme hotness and coldness are experienced in the day and night.

Unfavorable conditions in the deserts, especially the lack of water, have discouraged many living things
from inhabiting these landscapes. Nevertheless, there are exceptionally surviving ones which through their
superb tactics, have managed to live through and are still going strong. One such kind is the specialist annual
plants which overcome seasonal temperature changes with their extremely short, active life cycles. In events
of sudden rain, the plant seeds pullulate and grow very quickly to make full use of the rain water. Their
flowers bloom and set seeds that ripen quickly in the hot sun too. Once the water runs dry, the mother plant
dies, leaving behind the drought-resistant seeds, waiting patiently for the next rainy season to arrive.

The Cacti, a native in American deserts, adapts to the dry surroundings by having unique body structures.
The plant has swollen stems to help store water that carries it through months. By having sharp pines instead
of leaves, water loss through respiration is minimized. Besides, these pointed pines also help the plant ward
off grazing animals, thus enhancing its survival period.

Besides plants, there are also animals with distinct surviving tactics in deserts too. For instance, Skinks (
desert lizards ) metabolize stored fats in their bulbous tails, producing water to supplement their needs, just
like what camels do with the stored food in their humps during long journeys through deserts. Antelopes like
the addax, have very low water needs and hence are able to tolerate the conditions in deserts, extracting
moisture from the food they eat.

Finally, there are the sandgrouses ( desert birds ) which do not have special features to overcome the
drought-like nature in deserts. Hence, to survive in these hot, dry deserts, they need to spend a large part of
their time flying in search of waterholes.

(Q.4- 7)

There's no denying that we live in a dog-eat-dog world. While we compete to survive, animals are doing
what they have to in order to stay alive. On the National Geographic Channel's series Planet Carnivore, see
how the top dogs of the animal world remain the big guys.

Malkia has been in charge for 16 years. In that time, she has mastered her skills and is at the top of the food

Drishtics Learning
chain. As the oldest lioness inside Ngorongoro in East Africa, she reigns over a mighty kingdom. Yet even
for the "Queen," life inside isn't always easy. Since no outside lions have come into the pride for 40 years,
deadly illnesses are quickly killing off many of the lions in her area. In Lion, NGC follows the ups and
downs of her daily life in Ngorongoro.

In the cold waters of South Africa's False Bay, Haai, a great white shark, makes life difficult for many of her
neighbors. NGC follows Haai as she does what she knows how to do best: hunt. However, the competition is
heating up as younger, faster great whites are getting in on the food action. Will age and experience win
out over speed and youth? See for yourself in Great White Shark only on NGC.

Gaining weight isn't a problem for most of us. Imagine if you had just 10 weeks to eat all of the food you
needed for an entire year. This is exactly what Binne, a polar bear, must do. Unfortunately, the changing
world has caused her food supply to move further down the coast and she has no choice but to go after it. If
she doesn't have the blubber to get through the winter, Binne's days will be numbered.

Planet Carnivore explores the lives of these vicious animals to see what it takes to survive in their rough and
ever-changing world.

4.In a dog-eat-dog world, ______.

(A)everyone works together to be the best

(B) people do whatever it takes to get ahead

(C)dogs are always on top of the food chain

(D)lions reign above us all

5.Which of the following is an example of the food chain?

(A)People eating rice grown by the farmers.

(B)Cats eating the food served to them by their owners.

(C) An insect eats some leaves, a frog eats that insect, and then a snake eats that frog.

(D)Rats migrate west, disease spreads, and people die.

6.What is Haai in competition with?

(A)A polar bear.

(B)Her failing health.

Drishtics Learning
 (C)The food chain.

(D)Other sharks.

7.What does Binne need in order to survive?

(A)A lot of extra weight.

(B)A closer storage area for food.

(C)A place where she can rest for the winter.

(D)A faster way of hunting.

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-VI

(Q.1 4)

Universal Studios Hollywood a place for fun, entertainment, and even history is taking its first steps in
a 25-year plan to expand the park. The new outline envisionsan incredible growth of the amusement
facilities as well as the development of a residential neighborhood in the area. This environmentally friendly
living area is just another feather in the cap of this amazing park of wonder.

Originally known as Universal City, Universal Studios Hollywood was founded in 1915 by Carl Laemmle.
It was the first studio to offer tours where audiences could watch films in production. Since then, Universal
Studios has grown to include theme parks, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, and much more. This park
proved to be sopopular that Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990, and last year, Universal Studios Japan
(Osaka) celebrated its fifth birthday.

With so much past success from growth, it's no wonder that Universal is excited about its latest plans for
expansion. Previous plans were scrapped due to complex zoning and environmental regulations. Now, they
are ready to move ahead in full force.

While many new attractions are in the works for the new expansion, Universal will preserve some of its old
attractions, such as the Bates Mansion from the film Psycho and the mechanical shark from Jaws. These
attractions offer a historical perspective of the film industry. Preserving them illustrates the advance in film
production techniques over the years. In addition to safeguarding the past, plenty of new high-tech
soundstages, rides, and theaters are in the works. In May, Citywalk, a shopping, dining, and entertainment
facility, began remodeling. Spring also saw the opening of SkyVenture Hollywood, an attraction where
visitors can float 40 feet into the air on 125 mph winds. Not bad for a studio once called, "The strangest
place on Earth."

1.As a result of the popularity of Universal Studios, ______.

(A)other parks and facilities were opened

(B)homeowners lost their property rights
(C)neighborhoods in the area were flattened
Drishtics Learning
 (D)Carl Laemmle decided to shut down his park

2.In the third paragraph, "scrapped" is closest in meaning to _____.

(A)blown up
(B)refused
(C)called off
(D)prolonged

3.According to the article, why will older attractions remain?

(A)They're too costly to replace.

(B)They provide insight into the development of the film industry.
(C)They represent the destruction of historic landmarks.
(D)They only cost US$25 million in annual upkeep.

4.What will more than likely occur because of the expansion of the park?

(A)The movie industry will improve its contents.

(B)Business will experience a slight slump.
(C)More tourists will be drawn to the area.
(D)Universal Studios will pass out more tour packages.

5.Write a paragraph on any one of the following:

a.A great inventor

b. Health or Wealth, which is better

c. How do you visualise consequesnces of 2G Scam

6. Make a precis of following passage and give suitable title.

Communication is part of our everyday life. We greet one another, smile or frown, depending on our moods.
Animals too, communicate, much to our surprise. Just like us, interaction among animals can be both verbal
or non-verbal.

Singing is one way in which animals can interact with one another. Male blackbirds often use their
melodious songs to catch the attention of the females. These songs are usually rich in notes variation,
encoding various kinds of messages. Songs are also used to warn and keep off other blackbirds from their
territory, usually a place where they dwell and reproduce.

Large mammals in the oceans sing too, according to adventurous sailors. Enormous whales groan and grunt
while smaller dolphins and porpoises produce pings, whistles and clicks. These sounds are surprisingly
received by other mates as far as several hundred kilometers away.

Besides singing, body language also forms a large part of animals' communication tactics. Dominant hyenas
exhibit their power by raising the fur hackles on their necks and shoulders, while the submissive ones
normally "surrender" to the powerful parties by crouching their heads low and curling their lips a little,
revealing their teeth in friendly smiles.

Drishtics Learning
Colors, which are most conspicuously found on animals are also important means of interaction among
animals. Male birds of paradise, which have the most gaudycolored feathers often hang themselves upside
down from branches, among fluffing plumes, displaying proudly their feathers, attracting the opposite sex.

The alternating black and white striped coats of zebras have their roles to play too. Each zebra is born with a
unique set of stripes which enables its mates to recognize them. When grazing safely, their stripes are all
lined up neatly so that none of them loses track of their friends. However, when danger such as a hungry lion
approaches, the zebras would dart out in various directions, making it difficult for the lion to choose his
target.

Insects such as the wasps, armed with poisonous bites or stings, normally have brightly painted bodies to
remind other predators of their power. Hoverflies and other harmless insects also make use of this fact and
colored their bodies brightly in attempts to fool their predators into thinking that they are as dangerous and
harmful as the wasps too.

Q.7-10

Most people have some common sense. When we see something suspicious on TV, in the newspaper, or on
the Internet, we roll our eyes and wonder how anyone could believe something so stupid. Nevertheless, there
are stories that even educated people still believe. These tales may or may not be true, but they leave us
wondering whether they are real or not. On National Geographic Channel, these stories are dissected in full
detail in the series Is It Real 3.

Thousands of years ago, aliens landed on Earth. They tampered with the evolution of humans and the
results of this can be seen practically everywhere. Sound ridiculous? Not to some people. Believe it or not,
there are those who believe that alien astronauts had a hand in making the human race what it is today.
Travel back in time with Ancient Astronauts and visit our "alien ancestors."

In the autumn of 1888, Jack the Ripper roamed the streets of London's East End. After his reign of terror
was over, five women had been butchered. To this day, the mystery of who slaughtered these ladies remains
unsolved. No one knows for sure, but the truth may be revealed on Jack the Ripper.

Vampires. Just the thought of these fictional beasts is enough to make your blood run cold. While we may
think that they only come to life in books and movies, vampires are actually based on real people.
Historians, folklorists, scientists, and doctors all work together to investigate the plausibility of vampires.
Take a bite into this juicy mystery on Vampires.

No other channel can offer this type of programming other than National Geographic Channel. In this
unique series, they've stripped away 12 myths that have stood the test of time to expose the truth and find
out the answer to the question, Is It Real?

7. What type of person would believe these stories?

(A)Anyone with a fear of ghosts.

(B)A person without any common sense.
(C)Anyone with a bit of imagination.
(D)Only educated people.

8. Who was Jack the Ripper?

(A)A notorious actor in London's East End theater district.

(B)A name assigned to a famous butcher.
(C)The moniker given to an unknown murderer.

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 (D)The serial killer of hundreds of women in the 1800s.

9. The truth about vampires may be known because ______.

(A)a novelist is looking into it

(B)different people in different fields are weighing in on it
(C)there's new evidence that can prove their existence
(D)National Geographic Channel knows the truth

10.What is the purpose of this series?

(A)To uncover the details about a series of murders.

(B)To solve well-known crimes.
(C)To hide the truth about fairy tales.
(D)To take apart stories that people believe.

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-VII

Q.1-4

Located between Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore is an island that's small in size but big in reputation.
Spanning only 683 square kilometers, it is one of the busiest ports in the world and a major business center.
Currently, pharmaceuticals, finance, and technology are what bring many visitors to Singapore. But those
are not all that Singapore has to offer.

The Suntec City Mall is an enormous commercial area and convention center that boasts the Fountain of
Wealth, the largest fountain in the world. Together, they are part of a unique feng shui design
that resembles the palm and fingers of a hand from an aerial view.

For those who like nocturnal action, Singapore's Night Safari is a zoo with over 900 animals and is open
until midnight. Outside of the zoo, you're bound to continue seeing amazing animals, including one with a
lion's head and fish's body. Known as the Merlion, this statue serves as the symbol of Singapore.

Now that you know a few of the things you can do in Singapore, what about a few that you can't? Chewing
gum, for example, is illegal unless it's for medical purposes. Only licensed pharmacists are allowed to sell it.
Smuggling it into Singapore could mean one year in jail or a $218,000 fine. In Singapore, make sure you
don't forget to flush the toilet because failure to do so equals a $10,000 fine.

If you're ready to discover a place on the cutting edge and you've got the manners to match, Singapore is the
perfect destination.

1.According to the article, Singapore is better known for its ______.

(A)numerous markets and zoos

(B)illegal trade and corruption
(C)resemblance to a hand from the air
(D)role in the international business arena

2.The Night Safari is _____.

(A)a zoo where only lions can be seen at night

Drishtics Learning
 (B)a zoo that is open until midnight
(C)the statue and symbol of Singapore
(D)a place where 900 rare species live

3.Under what circumstances is it legal to chew gum in Singapore?

(A)If you have a license.

(B)If you pay a fine.
(C)If you have a special medical condition.
(D)If you bring it into the country yourself.

4.Give a suitable title to the passage

5.Make a summary of the following passages:-

a. All snakes are hunters and predators, feeding on the animals and sometimes their eggs. Having no limbs,
snakes cannot hold their preys down to bite; hence they usually swallow them whole. Poisonous snakes
sometimes do immobilize their preys with their venom to make consumption easier.

Most poisonous snakes are conspicuously colored to warn others off. One example is the redheaded krait
which has a bluish-black body and scarlet head and tail. Snakes like the cobras, which have less outstanding
body colors, display their fatality by lifting the front part of their body and spreading their hoods.

It is truly a myth that poisonous snakes attack humans for food. Humans can never be their targets for food
as we are normally too large for them to swallow. in cases where snakes do bite, these attacks are usually
defensive ones and the venom injected is normally little or sometimes even none. The full, fatal dose of the
venom is only released on smaller animals which the snakes can swallow easily. Besides helping in the
killing and immobilizing of their preys, the poison also acts as digestive agents for snakes.

Why then is the venom so deadly ? In general, there are three kinds of poisons in the venom, though in
varying amounts, depending on the type of snake in question. Venoms usually contain substances that
weaken the blood corpuscles and the lining of the blood vessels. Profuse bleeding, often a common result of
snake-bites, is caused by the anticoagulants present in the poison which prevents blood clotting. The
paralysis of the heart and respiratory muscles is performed by the nervous system attacking toxins.

Though these bites are deadly, certain actions can be taken to slow down the spread of the venom, hence
saving the victim's life. Attempting to incise and suck at the spot of the bite is more likely to be harmful than
a cure. The poisonous venom usually travels fast into the body upon being released; hence sucking at the
mouth of the wound will not help remove the poison, rather, incising the bite may lead the victim to great
pain and further profuse bleeding. Instead, a broad, firm crepe bandage should be applied over the would
and up the full limb to compress the tissues and prevent the spread of the venom. After which, the victim
must be duly sent to the hospital for professional treatment.

b. Bombay is often regarded as India's Capital of Hope. Often wondering why this is so, I made a fruitful
trip down to the busy city, solving most of my queries.

Bombay consists of seven islands, joined by land reclamation. Many Indians, especially those from the rural
areas, regard Bombay as their paradise, since they could find work relatively easily here, as compared to
their homelands.

Being the pillar for revenue collection, Bombay's economic growth has far outperformed the other cities. In
fact, its per capita (head) production of goods and services is about three times greater than that of Delhi -
Drishtics Learning
India's second most prosperous city. Despite the economic boom, Bombay gives me an astonishing image of
deterioration when I first stepped into the city.

The ostentatiously dignified imperial buildings, erected by the British, are so overly populated that they look
as if they are toppling over any minute. There are the 1950s kind of black and yellow taxis, which appeared
as if brutally thrashed, lining up like ants trails, clotting up the small avenues. Amidst the dins of traffic
jams, stood the oppressed-looking buildings of Benetton outlets, foreign car dealerships, croissant-serving
outlets and so on.

Though unemployment is not a significant problem in Bombay, housing is. A visit in Dharavi, a slum area
in Bombay will help clarify our imagination. The Bombayites' so called "houses" are actually movable
shacks, built from unwanted bits of tarpaulin, tin and cardboard. There are so many of them that a maze of
alleys emerged, passable only when I walked sideways like a crab between them. Curious about the living
conditions, I wondered around the maze, meeting groups of scantily clad kids and hungry, stray dogs.
Popping my inquisitive head into one of the small huts, I was totally amazed by their living conditions.
Estimating about twelve or more Bombayites living in each hut, these two-storey houses are usually
partitioned by rough platforms with ceilings no higher than five feet from the ground. Furthermore, `these
shacks look absolutely bare -- no furniture and I deduced that the inhabitants eat and sleep on the ground.

In spite of the poor living conditions, many Indians still hope to migrate to Bombay. Interviewing a few of
the newcomers, a majority of them said that they came to Bombay to find jobs. There are some who regard
Bombay as buoyant floats, saving them from natural disasters and tyrannies in their homelands.

6. Write a formal letter on any the following:-

Goods have been eliverd to you but they are defected, some of them are broken too. You are the logistics
incharge of your organisation XYZ Ltd. Write a letter to the vendor complaining and asking for
replacement.

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-VII

Q.1-4

In 1828, baby Leo was born into the rich and powerful Tolstoy family of Central Russia. He would grow up
to write two of the greatest novels in the history of literature and inspire social reform that would make an
impact on the world. Not just another Russian author, Leo Tolstoy was a teacher, a philosopher, and the
grandfather of non-violent revolution.

Tolstoy was an unsettled young man. He was a poor student who left his university when he could find no
meaning in his studies. He joined the army but could not endure the violence and soon left that as well. By
this time, Tolstoy was being noticed as a writer but he still felt unfulfilled. It was during this time that
Tolstoy wrote his most famous books, War and Peace and Anna Karenina. In them, Tolstoy offered a new
kind of fiction to Russian readers. He described events and characters so detailed and convincing that they
blurred the line between the imaginary and real life. In Tolstoy's version, it was not great leaders that moved
history, but the common people. His work has been called, "not art, but a piece of life."

Tolstoy suffered a mid-life crisis after writing Anna Karenina. Giving up his fortune to live among the
peasants, he decided he must find the meaning of life or else kill himself. What he found came from
the core of his Christian faithuniversal love and passive resistance to evil. Gandhi later adopted this
message in his campaign to free India. Martin Luther King, Jr. did the same in his fight for racial equality in
America. The effects of passive resistance can still be felt today. Tolstoy was a gifted writer, but it was
his revolutionary ideas that changed the course of history and the world in which we live.

Drishtics Learning
 1.According to the article, which of the following is most true about Leo Tolstoy?

(A)He always valued his peasant upbringing.

(B)His teachers thought he was very smart.
(C)He was satisfied with his life after people began noticing his work.
(D)He struggled to find meaning throughout his life.

2.What was special about Tolstoy's style of writing?

(A)He was the first author to address the issue of war.

(B)He described important events that really happened.
(C)The characters in his books were very true to life.
(D)He wrote about the great leaders who changed history.

3.Tolstoy considered killing himself because he ______.

(A)had not yet found the meaning of life

(B)was traumatized by his time in the army
(C)lost his inspiration for writing
(D)lost faith in universal love

4.How are Ghandi and Tolstoy alike?

(A)Tolstoy adopted Ghandi's message and wrote about it in his books.

(B)Tolstoy and Ghandi studied together at the university.
(C)Ghandi helped Tolstoy find the meaning of life.
(D)Ghandi used Tolstoy's ideas in his struggle to free India.

Q.5-8

For ages, sailors have said that it is good luck to see dolphins swimming alongside boats. Their presence
meant that land was near, which would be vital information if a boat and her crew were in danger. Some
dolphins have even protected shipwrecked sailors from sharks. It is no wonder that these unique and
fascinating creatures have long been known as our friends.

You may think dolphins are fish, but they are actually mammals. They are related to whales and porpoises,
and they evolved around 10 million years ago. Dolphins breathe air, give birth to live young, and feed them
milk. They are social animals, living together in groups called pods or schools that range in size of up to 12.
In places rich in food, many schools can combine together to form pods of up to 1,000 dolphins.

Dolphins are thought to be intelligent animals because of their playfulness, curiosity, and quick ability to
learn. They seem to communicate with each other through a combination of squeaks, whistles, and clicks.
While scientists don't know what they are going on about, it is thought that dolphins are telling each other
that food is nearby, or warning each other of approaching danger. Dolphins use sonar to discover an object's
size, shape, and location. By sending out a series of clicks and receiving the echo that bounces off the object,
they can differentiate between a shark and a boat.

Unfortunately, dolphins have faced increasing danger in recent years. Fishermen in pursuit of profitable
tuna may accidentally trap dolphins in their nets, killing them in the process. These intelligent mammals of
the sea deserve our protection and respect.
5.Give suitable title to passage

Drishtics Learning
 6.Dolphins don't ______.

(A)lay eggs under the sea

(B)speak with each other
(C)have a strong aptitude for learning
(D)live in groups that can be made up of hundreds

7.How do dolphins communicate with one another?

(A)Through radio waves.

(B)Via sonograms.
(C)By clapping their fins together.
(D)Through various noises.

8.According to the article, what poses a threat to dolphins?

(A)Whales.
(B)Tuna.
(C)Sailors.
(D)Fishermen.

9.Write precis of the following passage:

"Have you started the fire?" shouted my mum from the kitchen. "Yes!" I replied, feeling frustrated after
having some difficulties in starting the fire with charcoal. It is the eve of the annual Dragon Boat Festival
again and my mum is busy making dumplings. She has specifically chosen to cook the dumplings with
charcoal, claiming that the rice will then be uniformly cooked and fragrant. I still prefer to use the gas
cooker. "It's just more convenient and cleaner too!" grumbling helplessly, I stared at both of my soiled
hands.

Fanning the hot stove, I watched my mum lower down two strings of dumplings. "Stay put and watch over
them. Mind the time too!" She instructed sternly, knowing what a fantastic daydreamer I am. Feeling bored
only minutes after she had left, my mind starts to wonder about. Reminiscing the life back at home town, I
recalled myself popping over at Uncle Chin's charcoal manufacturing factory frequently when I was a child.
Being inquisitive, I would always ask Uncle Chin questions which sometimes were repetitive. What an
irritating kid I had been?

Charcoal was made by burning woods in a charcoal-kiln. Uncle Chin's charcoal kiln was about fifteen feet
tall and it had an arched cross-sectional opening. Clay made, the top of the kiln was always covered with
attap leaves. The daily charcoal-making work was well divided among the workers. Every morning, the
workers took turns to collect mangrove woods from the nearby swamps. Upon returning, they sawed the
wood into appropriate lengths to fit the kiln. Uncle Chin would then stack the pieces of woods vertically in
the kiln. When the kiln was full, the fire would be started and the woods were burnt from the top,
downwards, just like a burning joss stick.

Staying by the kiln, Uncle Chin would explain that the fire must not be red hot; otherwise, the wood pieces
would be reduced to ashes. Instead, a slow, greenish fire should be maintained for the wood to be
sufficiently smouldered.

"Uncle Chin, then, how do we maintain such an appropriate fire?" As usual, I would continue my endless
questions.

Drishtics Learning
"It's all through experience..." With a grin on his face, Uncle Chin recalled how he was scolded by his
teacher for not being able to judge the appropriate hotness of the fire.

The aroma of the cooked dumplings brought me back to the present. "Oops! Time's up. Mum, the dumplings
are ready?" I shouted in excitement, waiting to try one of the mouth-watering dumplings.

10.Write an essay in not more than 600 words:

a.How to measure success in life

b.Recession-Its impact on India

c.Importance of reading

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER- VIII

Q.1-3

For ages, sailors have said that it is good luck to see dolphins swimming alongside boats. Their presence
meant that land was near, which would be vital information if a boat and her crew were in danger. Some
dolphins have even protected shipwrecked sailors from sharks. It is no wonder that these unique and
fascinating creatures have long been known as our friends.

You may think dolphins are fish, but they are actually mammals. They are related to whales and porpoises,
and they evolved around 10 million years ago. Dolphins breathe air, give birth to live young, and feed them
milk. They are social animals, living together in groups called pods or schools that range in size of up to 12.
In places rich in food, many schools can combine together to form pods of up to 1,000 dolphins.

Dolphins are thought to be intelligent animals because of their playfulness, curiosity, and quick ability to
learn. They seem to communicate with each other through a combination of squeaks, whistles, and clicks.
While scientists don't know what they are going on about, it is thought that dolphins are telling each other
that food is nearby, or warning each other of approaching danger. Dolphins use sonar to discover an object's
size, shape, and location. By sending out a series of clicks and receiving the echo that bounces off the object,
they can differentiate between a shark and a boat.

Unfortunately, dolphins have faced increasing danger in recent years. Fishermen in pursuit of profitable
tuna may accidentally trap dolphins in their nets, killing them in the process. These intelligent mammals of
the sea deserve our protection and respect.

1.Dolphins don't ______.

(A)lay eggs under the sea

(B)speak with each other
(C)have a strong aptitude for learning
(D)live in groups that can be made up of hundreds

2.How do dolphins communicate with one another?

(A)Through radio waves.

(B)Via sonograms.

Drishtics Learning
 (C)By clapping their fins together.
(D)Through various noises.

3.According to the article, what poses a threat to dolphins?

(A)Whales.
(B)Tuna.
(C)Sailors.
(D)Fishermen.

4.Write essay on any one of the follwing:

a.Are Examinations Necessary?

b.Role of News Papers

c. Drug Addiction

d. Population Explosion

5.Write leeter to the editor of a newspaper regarding the accident yesterday claiming the lives of 3 young
people. Reason was the instant slowing down of the car dur to a large pit in the road, leading to collosion
between the truck from behind.

Give him your views and the improvements that should be made.

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-IX

Q.1- 5

One of the astounding practices of every society in the world is rituals. From the most highly developed
societies in the world to the most primitive tribes in the depths of the jungles, rituals are part of their lives.
No one knows when early man started to involve himself in rituals, but there is archaeological evidence
showing that rituals go a long way into history. Human skeletons which are millions of years old show that
the bodies were buried with some kind of ritual.

Basically, what is a ritual? It is an elaborate step by step procedure, usually in the presence of a crowd and
often with links to religion. Rituals are conducted at various stages of a person's life - - from birth to death.
They are always part of a religious celebration. But, strangely enough, there are rituals which are not
religious.

There are a few important rituals in an individual's life. In every society, birth is an important event. Rituals
at birth differ from society to society but they seem to be similar in one thing; the parents are expected to
share their joy. Then comes the event to name the baby. This is usually a religious event. The Christians
have what they call baptism and most other religions have their equivalents.

After this there are rituals at each stage of the child's life. Most are minor ones like the one among Hindus,
where there is a ritual that initiates a child to education. When a child reaches puberty there will usually be

Drishtics Learning
a ritual to mark his or her entry into adulthood. In some tribes, attaining puberty is an important event.
Elaborate rituals, often in stages and lasting several days, are indulged in. The man or woman coming of
age is made to feel the importance of the position that he or she has attained and all the accompanying
responsibilities that he or she now holds. Usually, after undergoing the ritual he or she is considered an
adult, may attend meetings, take part in hunting and discussions.

Do we have a modern equivalent? At first thought it may not seem obvious, but the twenty-first birthday
celebration is actually a modern form of this. After attaining 21 years of age, a person is allowed to vote, he
may move out from his parent's home and no court will force him to obey his parents. His friends usually
signify his entry into manhood by giving him a golden key.

The first great ritual that involves two people is the wedding. Most societies have elaborate rituals to
celebrate weddings. There is much feasting and dancing, and this is easily the most important ritual that a
person is conscious of undergoing. Basically, it involves a lot of promises being undertaken by each partner
to the other and to each other's parents. Usually this is a religious ceremony, but in most modern countries
there are government departments that conduct simple rituals, without any religioussignificance; but no less
dignified.

Entries to associations or even professions are sometimes through a ritual. Another type of ritual is when a
certain stage has been completed. Anyone who has attended a kindergarten graduation would have seen the
elaborate ritual that is organized and conducted to make the kiddies feel so important. Most of these are
social rituals and have no religious significance. In fact there are even rituals conducted by governments. If
you have seen a tree planting ceremony, you will understand. Basically all that is requires is for someone to
plant a tree. But what an elaborate ritual? A VIP is invited, ribbons are cut, the tree ceremoniously planted
and watered and speeches made.

But why are rituals conducted? The reason appears to be that for some reason, we enjoy them. Research
shows that man simply likes rituals. Seeing that rituals are only for important occasions the reason is
probably that, something needs to be done toimpress in our minds the importance of the occasion on which
the ritual is conducted. For example, no couple will ever forget their wedding. The vows are solemn, the
ceremony often in a place of prayer and the ritual before hundreds witnesses. Certainly this will impress in
the minds of the couple, that they are taking a very important and serious step in their lives.

Questions

1.(a)How does the writer substantiate his belief that rituals began during prehistoric times ?
(b)In your own words explain what is a ritual.
(c)What are the main stages in life where rituals are common in many societies ?

2.(a)Why is the 'coming of age' ritual so important in ancient times ? Is it still important today ?
(b)Explain the importance of the wedding ritual.
(c)Give two reasons as to why rituals are important.

3. What is the function of non-religious rituals ? Are they important ? Why ?

4. For each of the following words give one word or short phrase ( not more than seven words ) which
has the same meaning as it has in the passage.
i. astounding v. initiates
ii. basically vi. indulged
iii. elaborate vii. significance
iv. procedure viii. impress

5.Briefly summarize the various rituals that are given in the passage. Your summary should be about 160

Drishtics Learning
 words.

6.Make precis of the following passage:

Now only one person was worried. Who? The landlord's stooge Guo Rui. I must find some way to wreck the
co-op before these paupers set it on its feet, he told himself. I shall compete with the co-op and outdo it! My
family has a donkey, three oxen, thirty sheep, four pigs, and over five acres of good land. With all my
livestock and capital, I'm sure I can show these paupers where they get off.

Part of his land lay next to some of the co-op's fields. He decided to sow the same crop and do whatever the
co-op members did. Like them, he sowed an acre to maize. At first, both crops did pretty much the same. In
summer, when the co-op manured its plot with sheep droppings, Guo Rui used pig-dung instead. But
whereas the co-op's twenty-three families had plenty of hands to carry manure and spread it, only three of
Guo Rui's family worked on the land. It was a long way, uphill and down, from his home to the field; and he
and his sons were so busy carting manure that they had no time to spread it. That afternoon Guo Rui noticed
that the co-op had just about finished, while he still had a good deal of dung to carry. He gritted his teeth and
filled basket after basket to the brim. His two sons sweated under their loads till they felt that their backs
would break; the donkey's legs nearly buckled under the weight; and Guo Rui himself panted as he
staggered along. Though they worked with all their strength, they got only half their dung to the field by the
time the co-op was spreading its last lot. Guo Rui dumped his load and went back for more without even
stopping for breath. But before he reached the village the co-op members had knocked off and started home
singing and chatting. Fuming inwardly, he decided to make one last trip. But his back was aching, his two
sons were worn out, and however hard they beat the donkey it would not budge. They had to take lighter
loads and stop every few steps to rest. At the end of this trip it was dark, so they left the dung piled by the
field to spread the next day.

When they reached home and sat down to supper, it started to thunder. Then for over an hour there was a
downpour of rain. Guo Rui cursed and swore and could not sleep all night. First thing the next morning he
and his sons dashed to the field. Their whole pile of pig-dung had been washed away -- into the co-op's land,
too, which was lower than theirs. The maize there was green and sturdy after its soaking, thanks to all the
dung, while Guo's by comparison was lank and droopy. In his rage, he sold two sheep and bought some
chemical fertilizer in the town.

When Du Hong saw this he asked, "Why don't we buy some fertilizer too?"

"We must stick to our poor man's way," said Wang Guxing.

"Let him fertilize his fields; we'll hoe ours well. Loosening the soil is as good as a dressing of dung. Take
my word for it, a few extra hoeings will do more for the crop than his fertilizer."

Guo Rui wasn't worried when he saw them hoeing. All you paupers can do is work your heads off, he
thought. Just wait till you see what this fertilizer does to my maize! Little did he know that he applied too
much. As the sun blazed down, the leaves of his maize started wilting. Father and sons made haste to water
and weed the field, but it was too late. And when Guo tried to hire a laborer there were none to be found.
Why not? Because all the paupers had joined the co-op, and the peasants working on their own had no time
to spare.

The co-op's maize grew tall and strong. By harvest time each cob was about a foot long, as plump as a
pestle, and covered with symmetrical golden kernels the size of horses' teeth. Guo Rui's cobs were no longer
than a fountain-pen, no thicker than a man's thumb, and only had a few scattered kernels.

7.Write essay on any one of the following:

Drishtics Learning
a.Is space exploration worthwile?

b.Corruption

c.Most beautiful state of India

DESCRIPTIVE PAPER-X

I, on February 9, 1999, villagers in the tiny town of Montroc, France shoveled away three days' worth of
snow. While they were busy cleaning away the white mounds, a distant roar sounded out above the town. In
less than two minutes, 300,000 cubic meters of snow, boulders, earth, and trees engulfed this once sleepy
village. Fourteen buildings were flattened and as many as 50 people were buried beneath tons of snow and
rubble. Skilled rescuers couldn't make their way to the town, so the townspeople had to rely on one another.
As the snow hardened to a concrete-like state, minutes felt like hours as lives hung on the line as a result of
the Avalanche at Montroc.

On October 12, 1984, then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was in the Grand Hotel in Brighton,
UK attending her party's annual conference. In the early hours of the morning, an Irish Republican Army
(IRA) bomb was detonated. The 11-man Brighton fire brigade rushed to the scene and along with bystanders
searched for the injured under debris. After the smoke cleared, five people had died and the Brighton
Bombing went down in history.

The London subway attacks of 2006 shocked the city as well as the world. This wasn't the first time that the
British capital was under siege. In April of 1980, the Iranian Embassy was under attack and for six days, the
world held their collective breaths. Watch as highly-trained Special Air Service members bring this ordeal
to an end and 19 hostages are courageously rescued.

As long as people are in danger, rescue efforts will be necessary. Tune in to watch as NGC digs a way
through some of the most harrowing tales in Rescue Emergency.

In case of an emergency, we all know to pick up the phone and dial 1-1-9. Within minutes, help can be on its
way and chances of survival are increased. In situations where seconds can make the difference between life
and death, rescuers and everyday citizens play vital roles in saving lives. This month, National Geographic
Channel introduces Rescue Emergency.

1.What was behind the destruction of the town in France?

(A)A tremendous flood.

(B)A great accumulation of snow.
(C)The bombing of an embassy.
(D)A hostage crisis.

2.Who initially helped the townspeople of Montroc?

(A)Well-trained rescuers.
(B)Mountain climbers from a neighboring village.
(C)A fire brigade.
(D)The people in the town.

3.The IRA _____.

(A)was responsible for the bombing of the Grand Hotel

(B)took people hostage
(C)rescued people trapped in the hotel
Drishtics Learning
 (D)were trapped beneath the snow

4.What is true about the attack on the Iranian Embassy?

(A)The hostages had to depend on themselves.

(B)More than 19 hostages were killed.
(C)It ended with the release of all of the hostages.
(D)All of the terrorists were arrested.

5.Write precis on the following:-

Buying things today is so simple. Just enter a shop, say a book store, choose the desired book and pay for it.
Long ago, before the invention of money, how did people trade?

The most primitive way of exchange should be the barter trade. In this form of transaction, people used
goods to exchange for the things that they had in mind. For instance, if person A wanted a book and he had a
spare goat, he must look for someone who had the exact opposite, that is, that someone, say person B, must
have a spare book of person A's choice and is also in need of a goat. Having found such a person, the
problem does not end here. A big goat may worth not only one book, hence person B may have to offer
person A something else, say five chickens. However, he runs the risk of person A rejecting the offer as he
may not need the chickens. The above example clearly illustrates the inefficiency of barter trading.

Many years later, the cumbersome barter trade finally gave way to the monetary form of exchange when the
idea of money was invented. In the early days, almost anything could qualify as money: beads, shells and
even fishing hooks. Then in a region near Turkey, gold coins were used as money. In the beginning, each
coin had a different denomination. It was only later, in about 700 BC, that Gyges, the king of Lydia,
standardized the value of each coin and even printed his name on the coins.

Monetary means of transaction at first beat the traditional barter trade. However, as time went by, the
thought of carrying a ponderous pouch of coins for shopping appeared not only troublesome but thieves
attracting. Hence, the Greek and Roman traders who bought goods from people faraway cities, invented
checks to solve the problem. Not only are paper checks easy to carry around, they discouraged robbery as
these checks can only be used by the person whose name is printed on the notes. Following this idea, banks
later issued notes in exchange for gold deposited with them. These bank notes can then be used as cash.
Finally, governments of today adopted the idea and began to print paper money, backed by gold for the
country's use.

Today, besides enjoying the convenience of using paper notes as the mode of exchange, technology has led
man to invent other means of transaction too like the credit and cash cards.

6. Write essay on following:

a.Leadership in India

b.Legends of our country

c.Ganga- The pride of India

7.Write precis on the following:-

Whenever we see stale bread or fruits turning mouldy, fungi are at work. When trees die and their dead
trunks start to decompose, fungi are the masterminds. Most of us tend to associate fungi with the
decomposition of dead plants or animals. In actual fact, fungi can also attack living things.

Drishtics Learning
The fungi that cause decay are known as the Saprobe. They are actually yeasts which feed on the dead
remains of plants and animals. While they can be a nuisance in the kitchen, as they turn our food bad,
Saprobe can also assist man. For instance, by breaking down the dead bodies of plants and animals, these
leftovers are removed from the living world. In addition, yeasts can be used to make wine, beer and also as
raising agents in bread.

The parasitic fungi are the ones which feed on living things. The powdery mildew, downy mildew or rust are
the few which attack plants. Usually, these fungi deposit themselves on the leaves or flowers of the plants.
Their hyphaes (slender, feeding branches) then squeeze themselves into the gaps between the plant's cells
and soak up their nutrients. After which, a hard, black fruiting body called the ergot is left in the flower
replacing the seeds. The ergot contains toxins which causes serious illnesses if eaten. Despite its poisonous
nature, the ergot contains active ingredients which when purified and used in small amounts, are treatments
for migraine. Parasites attacking living animals, especially man, are rarer as most animals have their own
immune system. In special cases like an AIDS patient, where his immune system is very weak, parasites
may find their chance to attack.

The most aggressive kind of fungi is the predatory ones. As the name suggests, they catch and feed on their
preys, usually smaller than themselves. Some predatory fungi dwell in ponds to catch amoebae or rotifers. In
capturing the amoebae, the fungi use their sticky hyphaes to hold down the creatures before feasting on
them. To capture rotifers, the fungi usually hide among the algae, stretching out their sticky hyphaes again.
An unaware rotifer which mistakes one of the hyphaes as the blob of the algae will grab it, only to find itself
trapped and absorbed by the fungi. Some predatory fungi which live in the soil, set traps to capture victims
like the nematodes.

Thus we see that fungi are not only the ones which turn our food mouldy. Besides these, there are also other
kinds. In addition we also understand that fungi, like most other living things, have their usefulness and
harmfulness too.

Drishtics Learning