2018
ENGLISH (Second Language)
Time : 3 Hours 15 Minutes
(First 15 Minutes for reading the question paper only, 3 Hours for writing)
Full Marks : For Regular Candidates – 90
For External Candidate – 100
Roll ____ No ____
Name ____
Registration No. ____ of ____
Answer all the questions in the space provided. There is enough space for the answers. However, the extra sheet will be supplied by the invigilator, if required.
Special credits will be given for the answer which are brief and to the point. Marks will be deducted for spelling mistakes, untidiness and bad handwriting.
- Section – A: Reading Comprehension – 20 marks (Seen)
- Reading Comprehension – 20 marks (Unseen)
- Section – B: Grammar and Vocabulary – 20 marks
- Section – C: Writing – 30 marks
- Section – D: Supplementary: 10 marks for external candidates only
Section – A
1. Read the following paragraphs and answer the questions that follow :
It is the last time we shall be walking with Bapu. It was an agonizing walk. Thousands silently watched the procession. Bapu lay on an open truck covered with flowers. Thousands of people wept trying to touch Bapu‘s feet. It was impossible to move in the thick crowd.
As I moved forward slowly I understood I was not merely in the midst of grieving people. This was even more than the funeral procession of India‘s beloved leader. I was among people for whom walking with Bapu had a special meaning. We had walked with Bapu over the rough and smooth of India’s recent history. We could not now accept the fact that the man who had led us over many difficult paths, was never going to walk with us again. Bapu’s slight figure had walked, staff in hand, over a large part of India. To walk is to make slow progress. It is to think with clarity and closely look at all that is around you, from small insects to the horizon in the distance Moreover, to walk was often the only way open to the average Indian. It required no vehicle except his own body and cost him nothing but his energy.
A. Write the correct alternative to complete the following sentences in the given spaces : [1×5=5]
a) The last walk with Bapu was ____.
- pleasant
- painful
- strange
- delightful
Ans. (ii) painful
b) According to the narrator, walking with Bapu was ____.
- quite boring
- a usual affair
- not a commonplace affair
- meaningless
Ans. (iii) not a commonplace affair
c) While walking, Bapu used to carry ____.
- staff
- flag
- book
- bag
Ans. (i) staff
d) The narrator comments that to walk is to make ____.
- a tiresome journey
- no progress
- rapid progress
- slow progress
Ans. (iv) slow progress
e) According to the narrator, walk required ____.
- a lot of money
- vehicle
- one’s own body and energy
- a walking stick
Ans. (iii) one’s own body and energy
B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text : [1×3=3]
- Bapu was being carried ____.
- Thousands of people were eager to ____.
- Indian’s recent history was both ____.
Answer
- Bapu was being carried on an open truck covered with flowers.
- Thousands of people were eager to touch Bapu’s feet.
- Indian’s recent history was both rough and smooth.
C. Fill in the chart with information from the text : [2×2=4]
Statement | Reason |
(a) ____ | The crowd was thick |
(b) Walking is making slow progress | Because ____ |
Answer
Statement | Reason |
(a) It was impossible to move. | The crowd was thick |
(b) Walking is making slow progress | Because it allows to think with clarity and to have a close look at all that is around us. |
2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow :
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied ;
And all I ask is a windy, day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gipsy life,
To the gull’s way and the Whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long tricks over.
A. Write the correct alternative to complete the following sentences [1×4=4]
a) The call of the running tide ____.
- can be easily denied
- cannot be denied
- is not at all attractive
- is most discouraging
Ans. (ii) cannot be denied
b) The poet would like to hear the cry of the ________.
- nightingale
- Skylark
- cuckoo
- seagull
Ans. (iv) seagull
c) The poet likes to lead a gypsy life because it is ______.
- a carefree life full of adventures
- full of responsibilities
- full of luxury
- dull and uninteresting
Ans. (i) a carefree life full of adventures
d) The wind on the sea is like a whetted ___________.
- sword
- arrow
- spear
- knife
Ans. (iv) knife
B. State whether the following statements are ‘True’ or ‘False’. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False. Provide sentences/ phrases/words in support of your answer : [2×2=4]
- The poet is not going out to the sea for the first time.
- The poet does not want to sleep when the journey is over.
Answer
- True
Supporting statement: I must go down to the seas time. - False
Supporting statement: And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
Reading Comprehension (Unseen)
3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
For the second year in a row, the tiger population in the Indian Suburban has shown an increase. This year, a camera-trap exercise has captured at least six more tigers in the mangroves.
According to a forester associated with the exercise, 87 unique frames were captured by the camera traps in the mangroves, including the tiger reserve area and the South 24 Parganas forest division. The count was 81 last year. The latest exercise was conducted between December 2016 and June 2017.
The mangroves are home to at least 87 tigers, with the possibility of more big cats being present, said the forester. He further added, “It’s not possible to photograph all the tigers in a forest.”
While the average figure is yet to be analysed, officials expect the number to be around 90 this time, compared to last year’s 81.“The trend is positive, but we are still in the process of analyzing the final figure that will also be checked by the Wildlife Institute of India,” said the chief Wildlife Warden Ravikant Sinha.
He, however, added that the cubs which were camera-trapped last year have grown up and had probably been photographed again this year. This, he observes, can be a reason behind the positive trend.
Sources revealed that, while 62 tigers were photographed in the tiger reserve area - seven more than last year - 25 were clicked in the South 24 Parganas division, the forests outside the core area. Pictures of three cubs were also captured, though they were not included in the final figure.
All eyes are now on the 1500 sq. km South 24 Parganas forest division that has added, at least, eight tigers in the last five years. It recorded seventeen tigers when the camera-trap exercise was first conducted in 2012.
[Adapted from a report published in The Times of India dated June 30, 2017]
A. Tick the right answer : [1×6=6]
i) For two successive years the number of tigers in the Indian Sundarbans has
- been captured
- decreased
- increased
- remained the same
Ans. (c) increased
ii) 87 unique photographs of tigers were captured by
- a forester
- the camera traps
- officials
- hunters
Ans. (b) the camera traps
iii) The mangroves shelter
- 87 tigers
- 81 tigers
- 25 tigers
- more than 87 tigers
Ans. (d) More than 87 tigers
iv) Ravi Kant Sinha is
- the Chief Wildlife Warden
- a photographer
- a journalist
- a minor forest official
Ans. (a) the Chief Wildlife Warden
v) The number of tigers photographed last year was
- 81
- 90
- 55
- 62
Ans. (b) 90
vi) The camera-trap exercise was conducted for the first time in
- 2016
- 2012
- 2017
- 1986
Ans. (b) 2012
B. Each of the following statements is either ‘True’ or ‘False’. Write ‘T’ for ‘True’ or ‘F’ for ‘False’. Also pick out suitable line (s) or phrase(s) from the passage in support of your answers : [(1+1)×3=6]
- The camera traps were laid only in the forest division of the South 24 Parganas.
- According to a forester, it is impossible to photograph all the tigers in a forest.
- The average number of tigers has not yet been calculated.
Answer
- False. Supporting sentence: ……. 87 unique frames were captured by the camera- traps in the mangroves including the tiger reserve area and the South 24 Parganas forest division.
- True. Supporting sentence: He further added, “It’s not possible to photograph all the tigers in a forest.”
- True. Supporting sentence: While the average figure is yet to be analysed, officials expect the number to be around 90 this time ………
C. Answer the following questions : [2×4=8]
- Which trend, according to the reporter is positive?
- What is the observation of the Chief Wildlife Warden regarding the increase in tiger population?
- How many tigers were clicked in the tiger-reserve area and how many in the forests outside the core area?
- State the number of tigers added to the tiger population in the last five years in the south 24 Parganas forest division.
Answer
- The average number of tigers has not yet been calculated. But it is expected to be 90 compared to last year’s 81. This trend is positive.
- The chief wildlife warden has regarded the increase in tiger population as a positive trend and he added that the camera-trapped cubs of last year have grown up and probably been photographed again this year.
- 62 tigers were clicked in the tiger reserve area and 25 were clicked in the forests outside the core area.
- 8 tigers are added to the tiger population in the last five years in the South 24 Paragnas forest division.
Section – B
[Grammar and Vocabulary]
4. Write the correct alternative to fill in the blanks : [1×3=3]
Although children ____ (love /has loved /are loving) outdoor games, their parents ____ (is considering /consider /has considered) their interest as harmful and meaningless. A child who spends time and energy in outdoor activities ____ (grows /had grown /is growing) up to be healthy and strong.
Answer
love, consider, grows
5. A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions : [1×3=3]
In ____ evenings they would sit together ____ the dining table and rearrange the stamps. He had ____ album for each country.
Answer
the, at, an
5. B. Do as directed [1×3=3]
- Garbage causes pollution. It may be used as a source of energy. (Join into a single sentence using a relative clause)
- The teacher delivered a lecture to a group of students. (Change the Voice)
- The trainer said, “Why is everybody late today”? (Change into Indirect Speech)
Answer
- Garbage, which causes pollution, may be used as a source of energy.
- A lecture was delivered to a group of students by the teacher.
- The trainer enquired why everybody was late that day.
C. Choose the correct phrasal verbs from the list given below to replace the words underlined. Write the correct phrasal verbs, changing the form where necessary. There is one extra phrasal verb in the list: [1×3=3]
- They started their journey early in the morning.
- I cannot - understand what you are saying.
- The man abandoned the evil company.
[make out, give up, give off, set out]
Answer
- set out
- make out
- gave up
6. Given below are the meanings of four words that you will find in Question no. 3. Find out the words and write them in the appropriate boxes on the right-hand side: [2×4=8]
- recorded in camera.
- studied and explained.
- definite and sure.
- a person in charge of a particular space.
Answer
- camera-trapped
- analysed
- final
- warden
Section – C
[Writing]
7. Write a letter to the Inspector-in-Charge of your local police station complaining about the loss of your mobile phone in your area. Give details of the phone and the way in which it was lost. [10]
Answer
To
The Inspector-in-charge
Serampore Police Station
Serampore, Hooghly
Sir, I Sneha Singh, D/o Sohan Singh, beg to report the missing of my mobile phone on 13th May 2018 in the evening. I was shopping in the Serampore market. I visited many cloth stores. I could not realise when I lost my mobile phone or rather taken it away from my purse. It was a VIVO-PRO mobile, grey in colour bought only two months ago. The IMEI no. of the phone is VIEG 2900000.
I request you to be kind enough to register a missing diary and inform me if the bi-cycle is found. I shall be highly obliged to you.
Thanking you.
Yours faithfully
Sneha Singh.
8. Write a biography of Virat Kohli (within 100 words) using the following points : [10]
Date of birth - 5 November 1988 Delhi.
Father - Prem Kohli, criminal lawyer.
Mother - Saroj Kohli, homemaker.
Showed interest in cricket at the age of three.
Enrolled at the West Delhi Cricket Academy, when nine.
Right-hand batsman, a right-arm medium pacer, and an outstanding fielder.
Test debut 2011 - captain of the Indian team 2014.
More than 5000 runs in test matches - more than 8000 runs in One day
International matches.
Received Arjuna Award - 2013
Answer
VIRAT KOHLI
Virat Kohli is one of the finest cricketers India has ever produced. He was born on 5th November 1988 in Delhi. His father, Mr Prem Kohli is a criminal lawyer and his mother, Mrs Saroj Kohli is a homemaker.
He was a cricket-lover baby. At the age of three, he was pretty much interested in cricket. He was enrolled at West Delhi Cricket Academy when he was nine years old. In 2011, he made his debut in test cricket. Through the course of time, Kohli proved himself as a terrific right-hand batsman and a right arm medium pace bowler. He is also an outstanding fielder. In 2014, he was made the captain of the Indian cricket Team. He scored more than 5000 runs in test matches and more than 8000 runs in One Day International Matches. He received Arjuna Award in 2013. He is still going strong and is expected to delight us with many more memorable performances. We are proud of him.
9. Write a newspaper report (within 100 words) on the outbreak of fire in your local market. You may use the following points : [10]
[Date and time - place - cause of fire - damages - actions taken]
Answer
Fire Hits Baghri Market
A devastating fire hit many shops in the Baghri market damaging many shops. Many shop owners were left destitute. The fire destroyed clothes and other things worth 40 Lakh. It was the local people who first saw flames coming from one of the shops which soon changed into wildfire. They first tried to control the fire. Afterwards, five vehicles of the fire brigade arrived and extinguished the fire. No loss of life was reported. The shopkeeper expressed their grudge against the Late arrival of firefighters. The fire might have been triggered because of the short circuit. The owners of the shop demanded compensation.