DELHI PRIVATE SCHOOL, DUBAI

ANNUAL EXAMINATION
2017-18
GRADE XI
ENGLISH
SET A

Time: 3hrs Max Marks: 80

General Instructions:
i) The paper is divided into three Sections: A, B and C. All the sections are
compulsory.
ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever
necessary. Read these instructions carefully and follow them faithfully.
iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
SECTION A: READING (20 Marks)
1) Read the passage given below carefully:
Right from childhood, a human being starts enjoying the pleasure of reading. As a child, he learns
the ways of life through reading and writing. He is thrilled by going through new little things and
learning through them. Any new lesson that comes his way, excites his emotions by giving his
little mind freshness of knowledge. A little poem about an animal, a little prose about the toys and
a little sentence about society he lives in, gives him strange pleasure.
The pleasure one derives from reading, is indeed full of recreational as well as instructive. The
mental effects of reading create a strange sense of pleasure. Reading provides an ecstasy and
intellectual exertion. Reading of novels or their interesting literature makes a person forget the
worries and cares of life. The reading of a newspaper, periodical, journal etc which is light reading
gives the reader knowledge about life around and solves his curiosity for knowledge about the
world. Newspapers and journals give information about the events in the world and happenings
in the state and the locality of a person lives in. The newspapers also publish important news and
views in the fields of economics, politics and science. Reading of newspaper is indispensable for
even a little educated citizen in modern society.
The reading of novels is the most popular pastime of a large number of people. The attraction of
novel lies in its ability to create interest, to sustain it and take the reader to the heights of
imagination and luxurious fiction. All fictions are somewhat connected with life and give in words
the pictures drawn from real life or from imagination. As such, of all forms of literature, novels
are the most popular and interesting. They portray pen pictures from our real life and society and
present the character of the people we see around or wish to see. A novel inspires the interest and
intention of a reader because in it scenes rapidly shift and change and there are unexpected turns
of events giving shocks and shakes to the mind.
Next, we come to the books of travel and adventure. The spirit of adventure is in the very blood
of man. A man wants glamour and romantic life, full of adventure and the material spirit. Books
of travel and adventure infuse a spirit of fearlessness which the travelers who are heroes of the
books, may inspire in us. Among the books of adventure lies the best literature of the world.
Whatever type of books one reads, the reading is always a source of pleasure and enjoyment, the
habit of reading is a sign of good culture. It is a source of knowledge and the best means of making
use of one’s leisure. Books are, after all, a gold mine of knowledge, art, literature and science.
Books are not only useful, instructive but also entertaining and recreative.
1.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing
the best of the given passage: (2 x 1 = 2)

a) How does the child learn the ways of its life?

i) By imitating his elders
ii) By observing
iii) Through reading and writing
iv) Through school education

b) What are the two salient features of reading?

i) Recreational and instructive
ii) Pleasure and intellectual exertion
iii) Information and views
iv) All of the above

1.2 Answer the following questions briefly: (4 x 2 = 8)

a) How does the reading of a novel inculcate the interest of a reader?
b) Which genre of books are a source of adventure? Why?
c) Why is the habit of reading regarded as a sign of good culture?
d) What, kind of pleasure, reading provides to the readers of books?

1.3 Find antonyms from the passage for the following words: (2 x 1 = 2)
a) Discontinue (para 3)
b) Unimportant (para 2)
 2. Read the following passage carefully:
With society changing at a constant speed, one thing remains steady, our need and desire to learn.
Although the classroom is viewed as a traditional setting for learning, it too is changing and
evolving at lightning speed. With a growing population, continual technological advances and the
constant demand for a valuable education, these institutions must continue to provide the materials
to meet these changes. Even though it has existed for some time, a growing trend is distance
education, as it is quickly becoming an integral part of the learning experience at all levels of
higher education. Distance education has traditionally been referred to as correspondence,
whereby the student completes the course by mail from another town or city other than that in
which the school is located. The student is supplied with the necessary materials – books, tapes
or videos and it is up to them to complete assignments by the deadline.
The appeal of distance education is that the students are allowed to complete the course at their
own pace on their own schedule. The student has the choice of completing a few courses, perhaps
out of interest or as a stepping stone for their career. With the growing number of accredited
institutions, there are numerous opportunities available to students wishing to enrich their lives
with a certificate, diploma or degree. The newest trend to hit the distance education scene is the
virtual classroom or distance education online. This has opened up a whole new world of
opportunities for students.
Many schools are now offering distance education courses online with students receiving all course
materials and grades as well as handing in assignments, communicating with professors or
instructors or chatting with fellow students over the internet. It is also easier for students to access
their instructor for clarification about assignment, grades or questions about their courses. From
an international perspective, distance education online now gives pupils a chance to easily study
at school in other countries. Canadian and international pupils now have the chance to explore
each other’s education systems without the hassle of acquiring a student visa or incurring
expensive travel costs.
Here are few tips to think about before pursuing distance education. Students should be self-
disciplined, motivated and should make sure they have the available time during the week to
complete the work. Research your institution before enrolling, make sure it’s accredited as you
know that your certificate, diploma or degree will be recognized upon completion. If you are
taking this programme as a requirement for a job, make sure your current or potential place of
employment will recognize your certificate upon completion. Take feedback from those who have
already taken your course or another programme from the same institution. Ask yourself what
level of involvement you would like from your instructor or other students.
With the number of students who now seek a post-secondary education, this option offers them a
unique opportunity to learn in a new environment. Some students may opt for a combination of
online and classroom programmes while others may choose 100 per cent online.
a. On the basis of your reading of this passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-
headings. Recognizable abbreviations (minimum four) wherever necessary. Supply a
suitable title also. ( 5)

b. Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3)

SECTION B: WRITING AND GRAMMAR : 30 MARKS

3. You are the Secretary, Science Club of your school. Write a notice for your school notice board
encouraging the bright Science students of classes XI and XII to participate in the Inter School
Science Exhibition to be held next week in a neighboring school. (50 words)
(4 Marks)
Or
You are Dr. Madhu, M. D. You are looking for an independent house in Ghaziabad on a reasonable
rent for your residence-cum-clinic. Draft a suitable advertisement in not more than 50 words to
be published in Hindustan Times, New Delhi. Your telephone no.is 12341234 (4 Marks) .
4. You are Vishal/Veena, a student of class XI of 10, Greens Public School, interested in learning
Japanese. You come across an advertisement in the Times if India issued by the Institute of
Foreign Languages, New Delhi about a certificate course in Japanese offered by them. You decide
to write a letter to the Director of the Institute seeking more information about the course, the
duration, fee structure etc. Write the letter. (120-150 words) (6 Marks)
Or
You are Kashish Sharma, a resident of D H 2, Orchid Plaza, Marine Drive, and Mumbai. You
come across a job advertisement in the Hindu for the position of Web Designer in the company
Computer Solutions Ltd., Powai, and Mumbai and decide to send an application with a resume.
Write the application including the covering letter and the resume. (120-150 words) (6 Marks)
5. You are Nandini/ Navin. Mobile phones have become a necessity and are seen in the hands of
the young and the old alike. Write an article in 200 words, highlighting the crucial role of the
mobile phones by way of communication and in promoting business and economy. Also point out
the difficulties and dangers in using mobile phones while driving. (10 Marks)
Or
Subhash is advised by the doctor to take regular exercise. He decides to go to a health club. After
a few months he feels fit and finds himself trim. Write a speech to be delivered to his friends and
colleagues on the importance of exercises and remaining physically fit. Write the speech in your
answer sheet in not more than 200 words. (10 Marks)
6. In the following passage, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word
in your answer sheet as shown in example. Don’t forget to underline the answer. (8 x 0.5 = 4)
The Air Force aims protecting important e.g. aims at protecting
areas and places, known vital points. a)………………………..
The Air Force protects all places b)……………………….
by shooting the enemy planes they c)………………………
come to destroy these vital points. d)………………………
The Air Force planes can fly the e)………………………
Enemy territory and destroy many enemy’s planes as possible. f)……………………….
Then the enemy is left with only few g)………………………
planes attack with. h)…………………………..

7. Read the conversation given below and then complete the blanks of the passage. (4 x 1 =
4)
Ramu : Are you planning a picnic?
Sonu : No, I am not.
Ramu: Why do you not come with me?
Sonu: I can’t come with you as I have some work to do.
Ramu asked Sonu a)……………………………… Sonu replied in negative and said
b)……………………………. Then, Ramu asked him c)………………………. Finally, Sonu
replied that d)………………………………………….

8. Rearrange the jumbled words to form a meaningful sentence. (2 x 1 = 2)

a) the sight/ an indescribable extent/ to / of / moved him / injured children / particularly
b) perfect / the attitude / man/ towards / men / science /of / make

SECTION C: LITERATURE AND LONG READING TEXT : 30 MARKS

9. Read the extract carefully and answer the questions that follow: (1x3=3)
‘Eternal I rise impalpable out of the land and
the bottomless sea,
Upward to heaven, whence, vaguely form’d,
Altogether changed, and yet the same’
a) What does the use of word ‘eternal’ indicate here?
b) From where does ‘I’ rise and where does it go?
c) Explain ‘yet the same’.

Or
‘Yet have I killed
The seed I spent or sown it where
The land is his and none of mine?’
a) Who is ‘I’ in the above lines?
b) What does the phrase ‘ The land is his and none of mine’ mean?
c) Which poetic device is used in the above extract?
10. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words. Attempt any three (3x3=9)
a) How can we say that Ranga still followed his rituals and traditions?
b) The noose fitted only one person – who was this person? Did he deserve his judgment? ( The
Tale of Melon City)
c) The grandmother has been portrayed as a very religious lady. What details in the story create
this impression?
d) What did Mr Lester R Brown mean when he said, ‘We have not inherited this Earth from our
forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children.’?
e) Who is Doris? How does she treat her mother?
11. Answer the following question in about 120-150 words (any one) (1x6=6)
Do you think that one should raise one’s voice against the deplorable education system? Discuss
with reference to the chapter ‘Albert Einstein at School’.
Or
Do you think that our past experiences, help us to make our life better? Relate to the chapter,
‘Discovering Tut : The Saga Continues’. Discuss, ‘Knowledge about the past is useful to complete
our knowledge of the world we live in.’
LONG READING TEXT (NOVEL)
12. Write a brief character sketch of Mr. Otis. Reflect on the crucial role played by him in the
story, ‘The Canterville Ghost’? (150 words) (6 Marks)
13 In the story, ‘The Canterville Ghost’, which supernatural elements or unusual details create
the atmosphere of a ghost story? (150 words) (6 Marks)