English Second Language | Madhyamik Suggestion 2025

Reading Comprehension (Seen – Prose)

PROSE

Prose – 1:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

I was having tea at home on the evening of 30th January, 1948, when I was called to Birla house by an urgent telephone. Gandhiji had been shot on his way to a prayer meeting. I was numb with shock as I got into the car.

At the Birla House, Gandhiji’s relatives and followers had gathered round his body. There was silence in the room as Gandhiji breathed his last. Words of Bapuji’s death had spread through Delhi like a flame fanned by wind. Sad groups of men and women had collected around Birla House. Out of every window, one could see a brown blur of faces. They did not make a sound. There was an unnatural silence. It was as if time stood still for those few minutes.

The people were too stunned to speak in the beginning. Later they clamoured wildly, shouting and crying. They jostled one another in a stampede to break into the house. They calmed a little when it was announced that they would be allowed to see Gandhiji before the funeral.

When one is faced with the shock of a loved one’s death, one whimpers: “What will become of me now that he has left me?” This was surely the question uppermost in the minds of the mourning people. They looked like lost children. It was the question in many of our hearts as we sat, still shocked and unbelieving. We listened to the broadcast telling the people of India that their Bapu was no more.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1 × 5 = 5]

(i) The author got the news of Gandhiji’s death—

1. by an e-mail
2. by an urgent phone call (Ans)
3. by a group of people
4. by broadcast

(ii) Gandhiji had been shot on his way to—

(a) a family meeting

(b) the Birla House

(c) a prayer meeting (Ans)

(d) an evening prayer

(iii) Words of Bapuji’s death spread through—

(a) Bal House

(b) Birla House (Ans)

(c) Balmiki House

(d) Birla Street

(iv) The city mentioned in the passage is—

(a) Delhi (Ans)

(b) Mumbai

(c) Chennai

(d) Gandhinagar

(v) The people were too stunned to speak—

(a) in the beginning (Ans)

(b) in the end

(c) in the evening

(d) in the morning

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1 × 3 = 3]

(i) Out of every window one could see ________.

(ii) People pushed one another to ________.

(iii) People listened to the broadcast telling them ________.

Answer

C. Fill in the chart with information from the text: [2×2=4]

Statement	Reason
________	Gandhiji breathed his last.
It was announced that people would be allowed to see Gandhiji before his funeral.	_____

Answer

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Prose – 2:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Gandhiji’s funeral was to take place the day after his death. Hours in advance, people lined the route the funeral procession was to follow. Padmasi, Mrs. Naidu’s daughter, spoke for us all when she said simply: “We will walk. 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 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 poor Indian. It required no vehicle except his own body and cost him nothing but his energy. Gandhiji made this necessity, as he made much that was commonplace and transformed it into a joyful effort.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) Gandhiji’s funeral was to take place—

(a) on the day he died

(b) one day after he died (Ans)

(c) two days after he died

(d) three days after he died

(ii) The corpse of Bapu lay on an open truck covered with—

(a) flowers (Ans)

(b) leaves

(c) national flag

(d) white cloth

(iii) To move in the thick crowd was—

(a) amusing

(b) tiresome

(c) uneasy

(d) impossible (Ans)

(iv) Bapu’s figure was—

(a) heavy

(b) tall

(c) stout

(d) slight (Ans)

(v) Gandhiji transformed walking into—

(a) a healthy exercise

(b) a tiresome task

(c) a joyful effort (Ans)

(d) a pathetic experience

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) Thousands of people wept, trying ________.

(ii) The author was among people for whom ________.

(iii) To walk is to ________.

Answer

C. Answer the following questions: [2×2=4]

(i) Who was Padmasi? What did she declare?

(ii) Why was walking often the only way open to the average Indian?

Answer

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Prose – 3:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

“It was 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:

(i) The last walk with bapu was ___

(a) pleasant

(b) painful (Ans)

(c) strange

(d) delightful

(ii) While walking, Bapu used to carry a—

(a) staff (Ans)

(b) flag

(c) book

(d) bag

(iii) The narrator comments that to walk is to make—

(a) a tiresome journey

(b) no progress

(c) rapid progress

(d) slow progress (Ans)

(iv) According to the narrator, walking required—

(a) a lot of money

(b) vehicle

(c) one’s own body and energy (Ans)

(d) a walking stick

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) Bapu was being carried ________.

(ii) Thousands of people were eager to ________.

(iii) India’s recent history was both ________.

Answer

C. Fill in the chart with information from the text: [2×2=4]

Statement	Reason
_____	The crowd was thick
Walking is making slow progress	because …

Answer

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Prose – 4:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Some days after the funeral, a special train took Gandhiji’s ashes to Allahabad. The compartment was decked with flowers. People on the train sang bhajans. People did not weep anymore for they could feel Gandhiji’s presence amid the flowers and the songs. At every station sorrowful crowds filled the platform. Amid song and prayer, the train reached Allahabad.

The ashes were immersed in the Ganges where a huge crowd had gathered at the bank. Afterwards, we all went back to Delhi.

Back in Delhi, I felt at sea. I had not directly walked with Gandhiji, gone to prison at his call or made any sacrifice for my country. My sisters and I, and other young people like me, had been merely onlookers. But still, I felt at sea. I felt I had grown up within a magic circle. With Bapu’s passing away, I felt the magic circle had vanished, leaving me unprotected.

With an effort, I roused myself. I asked myself—had Bapu lived and died for nothing? How could I so easily lose courage when he was no longer there? My values were not so weak. Millions of people would have been ordinary folk but for Bapu. He brought them out of indifference and awakened them to one another’s suffereing. What if now Bapu is gone? We are still there, young, strong and proud to bear his banner before us.

Bapu had passed away but his India would continue to live in his children.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) Gandhiji’s ashes were taken to—

(a) Ahmedabad

(b) Allahabad (Ans)

(c) Delhi

(d) Benaras

(ii) People on the train sang—

(a) folk song

(b) ghazals

(c) bhajans (Ans)

(d) Rabindra Sangeet

(iii) After the immersion of Gandhiji’s ashes, everyone went back to—

(a) Delhi (Ans)

(b) Mumbai

(c) Kolkata

(d) Bangalore

(iv) After the demise of Bapu, the author felt—

(a) joy

(b) relieved

(c) at sea (Ans)

(d) at home

(v) Gandhiji awakened people to one another’s—

(a) greed

(b) jealousy

(c) indifference

(d) suffering (Ans)

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) People did not weep anymore for ________.

(ii) The author felt she had grown up within ________.

Answer

C. State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false in the boxes on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answers: [2×2=4]

(i) The platform was filled with grief-stricken people at every station.

Supporting Statement:

(ii) The author participated in the activities of Gandhiji when he was alive.

Supporting Statement:

Answer

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Prose – 5:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The funny part used to be that people always pitied us when the time came for us to return. They said we must be so lonesome over there, with no other children near us. Of course, Claude and I would have liked to have someone to play with us. It is hard to run pirate caves and things like that with only two. But we used to quarrel a good deal with the mainland children in winter. So it was perhaps just as well that there were none of them on the Big Half Moon. Claude and I never quarreled.

To be sure, Father didn’t seem to have any relations except us. This used to puzzle Claude and me. Everybody on the mainland had relations. Why hadn’t we? Was it because we lived on an island? We thought it would be so jolly to have an uncle and aunt and some cousins. Once we asked Father about it, but he looked so sorrowful that we wished we hadn’t. He said it was all his fault. Claude and I didn’t understand what he meant.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) The narrator would go to the mainland in—

(a) spring

(b) autumn

(c) winter (Ans) 

(d) summer

(ii) The attitude of the people in the mainland towards the narrator was one of—

(a) sympathy (Ans) 

(b) indifference

(c) selfishness

(d) cruelty

(iii) Pirate Caves is a game better played with—

(a) two players

(b) more than two (Ans) 

(c) four players

(d) players of any number

(iv) To the narrator, having no relations was—

(a) a wonder (Ans) 

(b) painful

(c) irksome

(d) pleasing

(v) Narrator’s father looked sorrowful because he had—

(a) a fault (Ans) 

(b) no relations

(c) no brother

(d) little income

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) What used to puzzle the narrator was that ________.

(ii) To have some cousins ________.

(iii) Claude and the narrator ________.

Answer

C. Answer the following questions: [2×2=4]

(i) Why did people pity them?

(ii) What was Father’s reaction when asked about relations?

Answer

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Prose – 6:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

It is always lovely on the Big Half Moon in summer. When it is fine, the harbour is blue and calm, with little wind and ripples. Every summer, we had some hobby. The last summer before Dick and Mimi came, we were crazy about kites. A boy on the mainland showed Claude how to make them. Back on the island, we made plenty of kites. Claude would go around to the other side of the island, and we would play shipwrecked mariners signaling to each other with kites.

We had a kite that was big and covered with lovely red paper. We pasted gold tinsel stars all over it and had written our names full on it—Claude Leete and Philippa Leete, Big Half Moon lighthouse.

One day, there was a grand wind for kite-flying. I’m not sure how it happened, but as I was bringing the kite from the house, I tripped and fell over the rocks. My elbow went clear through the kite, making a big hole.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) The Big Half Moon looked lovely during—

(a) spring

(b) summer (Ans)

(c) autumn

(d) winter

(ii) Every summer the narrator and Claude had some—

(a) hobby (Ans)

(b) class work

(c) competitions

(d) homework

(iii) The narrator and Claude used to signal with kites while playing—

(a) shipwrecked mariners (Ans)

(b) hide and seek

(c) pirates

(d) dumb charade

(iv) The narrator and Claude had a kite covered with—

(a) rough red paper

(b) lovely red paper (Ans)

(c) lovely black paper

(d) lovely white paper

(v) One day the narrator, with the kite, fell over—

(a) the Lighthouse

(b) the Harbour

(c) the bush

(d) the rocks (Ans)

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) In summer the harbour is ________.

(ii) We wrote our names ________.

(iii) A boy on the mainland showed us ________.

Answer

C. State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False in the boxes on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answers: [2×2=4]

(i) In summer, the harbour is full of grand winds.

Supporting statement:

(ii) The kite was torn because Claude’s leg went through it.

Supporting statement:

Answer

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Prose – 7:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

A month later, a letter came for Father. After he finished reading it, his eyes looked as if he had been crying. “Do you want to know what became of your kite?” he said. Then he sat down beside us and told us the whole story.

Father had a brother and a sister. He had quarreled with his brother and left home. Years afterward, he felt sorry, and when he went back, he found his brother had died, and he couldn’t find his sister.

The letter Father had just received was from his sister, Aunt Esther, mother of Dick and Mimi. She was a widow who lived hundreds of miles inland. One day, when Dick and Mimi were out in the woods, they discovered the kite on the top of a tree and carried it home. When their mother saw the kite patched with the letter, she turned pale. It was the very letter she had once written to her brother. Philippa was her mother’s name, and Claude was her father’s. She knew who we must be. So she sat down and wrote to Big Half Moon, and Father received her letter.

The next day, Father went and brought Aunt Esther and Dick and Mimi with him. They have been here ever since. Aunt Esther is a dear, and Dick and Mimi are too jolly for words.

But the best of it all is that we have relations now!

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) One day Dick and Mimi discovered the kite—

(a) on the roof top

(b) on top of a tree (Ans)

(c) on top of a tower

(d) on the sea-shore

(ii) A letter came to their father after—

(a) 15 days

(b) 20 days

(c) 30 days (Ans)

(d) 25 days

(iii) When the narrator’s aunt saw the kite she—

(a) turned pale (Ans)

(b) danced with joy

(c) was very happy

(d) was surprised

(iv) Dick and Mimi discovered the kite when they were out in the—

(a) park

(b) field

(c) sea-shore

(d) woods (Ans)

(v) Knowing everything from the kite, Aunt Esther—

(a) wrote a letter to Big Half Moon (Ans)

(b) did not respond

(c) turned morose

(d) left the island

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) Father felt sorry because ________.

(ii) Aunt Esther was the mother of ________.

(iii) The letter with which the kite was patched was ________.

Answer

C. State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False in the boxes on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answers: [2×2=4]

(i) When the narrator’s father went back home, he could not find his sister.

Supporting statement:

(ii) The narrator’s father told them a fairy tale.

Supporting statement:

Answer

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Prose – 8:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

On top of the shed, the cat arches his back and rakes his claws once or twice through the soft bark of the old roof. He stretches himself a few times to see if every muscle is in full working order. Then, drooping his head nearly to his paws, he sends across a call to his kindred. Before long, they come, gliding, graceful shadows. No longer are they the meek creatures who an hour ago were mewing for fish and milk. They are now grim fighters.

Just think how much more he gets out of his life than you do out of yours and the sports they have, too! As they get older they go in for sport to the suburban backyards. These backyards that are dull to us, are to them hunting grounds where they have more gallant adventure than king Arthur’s knights ever had.

It is always spoken as a reproach against cats that they are more fond of their home than of the people in it. Naturally, the cat doesn’t like to leave his country, the land where all his friends are, and where he knows every landmark. Exiled in a new land, he would have to learn a new geography. So, when the family moves, the cat, if allowed, will stay at the old house and attach himself to the new tenants. He will give them the privilege of boarding him while he enjoys life in his own way.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) The cat sends across a call to—

(a) his master

(b) the guest

(c) the tenants

(d) his near ones (Ans)

(ii) The movement of the cat becomes—

(a) quick

(b) graceful (Ans)

(c) slow

(d) like a human

(iii) In their old age the cats like—

(a) sleep

(b) sport (Ans)

(c) food

(d) barking

(iv) Here the word ‘geography’ indicates—

(a) home

(b) a subject

(c) locality (Ans)

(d) the family

(v) The cats are very adventurous in the—

(a) home

(b) field

(c) front of the house

(d) backyards (Ans)

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) The knights of King Arthur had many ________.

(ii) The cat will give the tenants ________.

(iii) The cat dislikes to ________.

Answer

C. State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False in the boxes on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answers: [2×2=4]

(i) The cats enjoy their life more than us.

Supporting Statement:

(ii) The cat does not prefer to stay in his old house.

Supporting Statement:

Answer

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Prose – 9:

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Sometimes, instead of giving him something to eat, the guest stoops down and strokes the cat, and says, “Poor pussy! Poor pussy!” The cat soon tires of that. He puts up his paw and quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg. “Ow!” says the guest. The delighted family remarks, “Isn’t it sweet of him? Isn’t he intelligent? He wants you to give him something to eat.”

The guest dares not do what he would like to do—kick the cat out of the window. So, with tears of rage and pain in his eyes, he affects to be very much amused and sorts out a bit of fish from his plate and hands it down. The cat gingerly receives it, with a look in his eyes that says, “Another time, my friend, you won’t be so slow to understand.” He purrs as he retires to a safe distance from the guest’s boot before eating his food.

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A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) The cat is impatient about the guest’s—

(a) care

(b) attention

(c) praise (Ans)

(d) neglect

(ii) The cat scratches the guest in the—

(a) head

(b) leg (Ans)

(c) face

(d) nose

(iii) At the cat’s behavior, the family is—

(a) amused

(b) annoyed

(c) delighted (Ans)

(d) embarrassed

(iv) The guest hands down the cat a bit of—

(a) fish (Ans)

(b) fruit

(c) meat

(d) sweet

(v) The cat receives the bit of fish—

(a) carelessly

(b) sincerely

(c) gingerly (Ans)

(d) seriously

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) The guest dares not ________.

(ii) The cat retires to a safe distance from ________.

(iii) The cat wants from guests ________.

Answer

C. Answer the following questions: [2×2=4]

(i) Why does the guest suppress his feelings when the cat rakes him?

(ii) How does the cat tire off?

Answer

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Prose – 10:

Read carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Most people think that the cat is an unintelligent animal, fond of ease and caring little for anything but mice and milk. But a cat has really more character than most human beings and gets a great deal more satisfaction out of life.

He—or she—is an athlete, an acrobat, and a grim fighter. All day long, the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy, and allows himself to be pestered by the attentions of the people in the house. To pass the time away, he sometimes watches a mouse-hole for an hour or two—just to keep himself from dying of boredom. People get this idea that this sort of thing is all that holds life for a cat. But watch him as the shades of evening fall. You can see the cat as he really is.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) Most people are of the opinion that the cat is a/an—

(a) clever animal

(b) mischievous animal

(c) unintelligent animal (Ans)

(d) intelligent animal

(ii) The cat enjoys—

(a) the attention of the people in the house (Ans)

(b) the activities of the people in the house

(c) the indifference of the people in the house

(d) the activities of the other cats in the locality

(iii) The cat spends his time throughout the day—

(a) working hard

(b) in a careless and easy manner (Ans)

(c) doing acrobatics

(d) fighting heroically

(iv) The cat watches the mouse-hole—

(a) all day

(b) for a day or two

(c) for a minute or two

(d) for an hour or two (Ans)

(v) We can see the cat as he really is in/at—

(a) the morning

(b) the afternoon

(c) the evening (Ans)

(d) night

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) Far from what people think, a cat derives a great deal of ________.

(ii) All day long the cat ________.

(iii) The cat watches a mouse-hole to ________.

Answer

C. State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False in the boxes on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answers: [2×2=4]

(i) The writer considers the cat to have as much character as most human beings.

Supporting Statement:

(ii) The cat is an animal of multifaceted talents.

Supporting Statement:

Answer

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Prose – 11:

Read carefully and answer the questions that follow:

When the family sits down to tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share. He purrs noisily and rubs himself against the legs of the family members. If there is a guest at the table, the cat is particularly civil to him, because the guest is likely to have the best of what is offered. Sometimes, instead of giving him something to eat, the guest stoops down and strokes the cat, and says, “Poor pussy! Poor pussy!” The cat soon tires of that. He puts up his claw and quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg. “Ow!” says the guest. “The cat stuck his claws into me!” The delighted family remarks, “Isn’t it sweet of him? Isn’t he intelligent? He wants you to give him something to eat.”

The guest dares not do what he would like to do—kick the cat out of the window. So, with tears of rage and pain in his eyes, he affects to be very much amused, and sorts out a bit of fish from his plate and hands it down. The cat gingerly receives it, with a look in his eyes that says, “Another time, my friend, you won’t be so slow to understand”. He purrs as he retires to a safe distance from the guest’s boot before eating his food.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) The cat makes his entry when the table is set for—

(a) breakfast

(b) lunch

(c) tea (Ans)

(d) dinner

(ii) The cat is aware that the guest would—

(a) pat him on his back

(b) feed him

(c) expect good manners from him

(d) be offered something special (Ans)

(iii) The cat is impatient about the guest’s—

(a) caress (Ans)

(b) praise

(c) neglect

(d) attention

(iv) The cat accepts the bit of fish—

(a) carefully

(b) unwillingly

(c) gratefully

(d) cautiously (Ans)

(v) The cat moves to a safe distance from—

(a) the table

(b) the boot of the guest (Ans)

(c) cups, plates, and saucers

(d) the family members

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) The cat wants to make his presence felt in order to ________.

(ii) Being tired, the cat puts up ________.

(iii) Tears of rage and pain are seen ________.

Answer

C. Answer the following questions: [2×2=4]

(i) Who is the cat particularly civil to and why?

(ii) What does the guest want to do to the cat? What actually does he do?

Answer

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Prose – 12:

Read carefully and answer the questions that follow:

When the family has finished tea, and gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room. True life now begins for him. He saunters down his own backyard, springs to the top of the fence, drops lightly down to the other side. He trots across and skips to the roof of an empty shed. His movement becomes lithe and panther-like. He looks keenly from side to side and moves noiselessly, for he has so many enemies—dogs and small boys with stones.

On top of the shed, the cat arches his back and rakes his claws once or twice through the soft bark of the old roof. He stretches himself a few times to see if every muscle is in full working order. Then, drooping his head nearly to his paws, he sends across a call to his kindred. Before long they come, gliding, graceful shadows. No longer are they the meek creatures who an hour ago were mewing for fish and milk. they are now grim fighters.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) The family gathers round the fire—

(a) after tea (Ans)

(b) before tea

(c) during tea

(d) after the cat goes out

(ii) The cat saunters down his own—

(a) courtyard

(b) front yard

(c) backyard (Ans)

(d) shipyard

(iii) The cat’s enemies are—

(a) members of the family

(b) dogs and small boys with stones (Ans)

(c) his kindred

(d) the panther

(iv) The cat arches his back—

(a) on top of the fence

(b) in the backyard

(c) near the fire

(d) on top of the shed (Ans)

(v) Grim fighters are—

(a) the cats (Ans)

(b) the boys

(c) the dogs

(d) men

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) When true life begins, the cat’s movements become ________.

(ii) The cat stretches himself to ________.

(iii) An hour ago, the cat and his kindred were ________.

Answer

C. Fill in the chart [2 × 2 = 4]

	Statement	Reason
(i)	____	The cat is careful about his enemies.
(ii)	Some graceful shadows arrive soon.	____

Answer

---

Prose – 13:

Just think how much more he gets out of his life than you do out of yours! And the sports they have, too! As they get older, they go in for sport to the suburban backyards. These backyards that are dull to us, are to them hunting grounds where they have more gallant adventure than King Arthur’s knights ever had.

It is always spoken as a reproach against cats that they are more fond of their home than of the people in it. Naturally, the cat doesn’t like to leave his country, the land where all his friends are, and where he knows every landmark. Exiled in a new land, he would have to learn a new geography. So, when the family moves, the cat, if allowed, will stay at the old house and attach himself to the new tenants. He will give them the privilege of boarding him while he enjoys life in his own way.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×5=5]

(i) The cat gets much more out of his life than—

(a) the panthers

(b) the monkeys

(c) the dogs

(d) human beings (Ans)

(ii) The suburban backyards are used by the cats as—

(a) playground

(b) hunting grounds (Ans)

(c) strolling grounds

(d) battlefields

(iii) Cats have great liking for—

(a) their home (Ans)

(b) front yard

(c) backyard

(d) new land

(iv) In his country a cat is well aware of every—

(a) road

(b) corner

(c) landmark (Ans)

(d) house

(v) The cat prefers to attach himself to the—

(a) old tenants in new house

(b) new tenants in old house (Ans)

(c) new tenants in new house

(d) new friends in a new land

B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: [1×3=3]

(i) Cats go for sport to the suburban backyards as ________.

(ii) A blame is leveled against cats that ________.

(iii) The cat will give the new tenants ________.

Answer

C. State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False in the boxes on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answers: [2×2=4]

(i) The cats indulge in more courageous adventure than the knights of King Arthur.

Supporting statement:

(ii) In a new place a cat has to learn old geography.

Supporting statement:

Answer

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Reading Comprehension (Seen – Poem)

Poetry

Poem – 1:

Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel:
And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig.’

Bun replied,
“You are doubtless very big:
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.

And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.

If I’m not so large as you,
You are not so small as I.
And not half so spry.
I’ll not deny you make

A Very Pretty Squirrel Track
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put.
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×4=4]

(i) The squirrel admits frankly that the mountain is—

(a) tiny

(b) little

(c) enormous (Ans)

(d) without any existence

(ii) The squirrel assumes that there is no disgrace in being—

(a) contented

(b) small (Ans)

(c) weak

(d) proud

(iii) A pretty track for the squirrel is made by the—

(a) squirrel himself

(b) human beings

(c) mountain (Ans)

(d) nature

(iv) The squirrel opines that everything is put—

(a) foolishly

(b) idiotically

(c) accordingly

(d) wisely (Ans)

B. Answer the following questions: [2×2=4]

(i) What does the Squirrel think about occupying his place?

(ii) What doesn’t the Squirrel deny?

Answer

---

Poem – 2:

Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow:

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

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 gypsy 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 trick’s over.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×4=4]

(i) The poet wants to listen to the song of—

(a) the seas

(b) the sea-gulls

(c) the wind (Ans)

(d) a fellow-rover

(ii) The poet asks for a—

(a) sunny day

(b) cloudy day

(c) rainy day

(d) windy day (Ans)

(iii) The wind on the sea is—

(a) cold (Ans)

(b) hot

(c) warm

(d) tepid

(iv) The poet wants to hear a merry tale from—

(a) an old man

(b) a sailor (Ans)

(c) a seller

(d) a friend

B. State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False in the boxes on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answers: [2×2=4]

(i) The call of the running tide is wild and clear.

Supporting statement:

(ii) The poet does not want to sleep when the journey is over.

Supporting statement:

Answer

---

Poem – 3:

Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel:
And the former called the latter “Little Prig.”

Bun replied,
“You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.

And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I’m not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry.

I’ll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track;
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put.
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.”

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×4=4]

(i) ‘Little Prig’ refers to—

(a) the mountain

(b) the squirrel (Ans)

(c) the forest

(d) the nut

(ii) The mountain is—

(a) very wise

(b) quite lively

(c) very big (Ans)

(d) very pretty

(iii) The mountain can carry forests on its—

(a) hand

(b) leg

(c) back (Ans)

(d) head

(iv) To occupy his place by the squirrel is not a—

(a) fact

(b) joke

(c) disgrace (Ans)

(d) respect

B. Answer the following questions: [2×2=4]

(i) How does the mountain make fun of the squirrel?

(ii) What message does the poem convey?

Answer

---

Poem – 4:

Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow:

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

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 gypsy 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 trick’s over.

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×4=4]

(i) The call of the tide is—

(a) clear

(b) wild

(c) wild and clear (Ans)

(d) faint

(ii) The clouds are described as—

(a) white and flying (Ans)

(b) only white

(c) only flying

(d) running

(iii) The poet wants to sleep—

(a) before the journey

(b) during the journey

(c) at the end of the journey (Ans)

(d) never

(iv) The day when the poet sets out on his voyage should be—

(a) calm

(b) windy (Ans)

(c) cloudy

(d) stormy

---

B. Answer the following questions: [2×2=4]

(i) Why can’t the poet stop from voyaging?

(ii) What does the poet want to enjoy at the end of his journey?

Answer

---

Poem – 5:

Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow:

To grass, or leaf, or fruit, or wall
The snail sticks close, nor fears to fall
As if he grew there, house and all.

Within that house secure he hides
When danger imminent betides
Of storm, or other harm besides
Of weather.

Give but his horns the slightest touch,
His self-collecting power is such,
He shrinks into his house with much
Displeasure.

Where’er he dwells, he dwells alone,
Except himself has chattels none,
Well satisfied to be his own
Whole treasure.

---

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×4=4]

(i) The snail has no fear—

(a) to die

(b) to fall (Ans)

(c) to hang

(d) to fight

(ii) The snail hides himself from any danger—

(a) within his own shell (Ans)

(b) in a hole he finds

(c) under a stone

(d) going into sand

(iii) With the slightest touch, the snail shrinks into his house with—

(a) surprise

(b) pleasure

(c) pain

(d) displeasure (Ans)

(iv) The snail loves to dwell—

(a) alone (Ans)

(b) with parents

(c) with friends

(d) with wife

B. Answer the following questions: [2×2=4]

(i) Where does the snail stick?

(ii) What makes the snail well satisfied?

Answer

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Reading Comprehension (UnSeen)

Unseen – 1:

Three elephants were killed on Monday when a goods train hit them while they were crossing the tracks passing through forests at Rajabhatkhawa in West Bengal’s Alipurduar district, a senior official of North Frontier Railway said. The Rajabhatkhawa-Kalchini section within which the incident took place is not covered by the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) meant to avert such collisions, he said. The elephant dashing occurred at 7.20 am when the empty goods train was going from Alipurduar to Siliguri, the NFR official told PTI.

Three elephants, including two young ones, died in the tragic incident, he said. The forested Rajabhatkhawa area is situated beside the Buxa Tiger Reserve in North Bengal. “No caution order was there at that time and such speed limit is operational in the area from 5 pm to 5 am,” he said. The official said that medical examinations of the driver and assistant driver of the train have been done.

Stating that IDS is operational in some parts of the Alipurduar railway division of NFR, he said that it is yet to be installed in the Alipurduar-Kalchini section. “Tendering process to bring the whole section under IDS is on, along with that for Lumding and Rangia divisions of NFR,” the official said. He said that there has been no incident of elephant dashing by trains in the places where IDS has already been installed.”

(Excerpts from The Telegraph, 27 November, 2023)

A. Choose and tick the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×6=6]

(i) The elephants were hit by a/an—

(a) express train

(b) passenger train

(c) mail train

(d) goods train (Ans)

(ii) The incident took place in the district of—

(a) Darjeeling

(b) Cooch Behar

(c) Alipurduar (Ans)

(d) Jalpaiguri

(iii) The train that dashed the elephants was heading from—

(a) Siliguri to Alipurduar

(b) Alipurduar to Siliguri (Ans)

(c) Jalpaiguri to Siliguri

(d) Alipurduar to Dibrugarh

(iv) Rajabhatkhawa area is located beside—

(a) Kanha Tiger Reserve

(b) Corbett Tiger Reserve

(c) Buxa Tiger Reserve (Ans)

(d) Indravati Tiger Reserve

(v) The full form of NFR is—

(a) North Frontier Railway (Ans)

(b) North Frontier Ropeway

(c) Non Functional Requirement

(d) National Forest Reserve

(vi) The speed limit of the trains in the Rajabhatkhawa area is operational from—

(a) 5 am to 6 pm

(b) 6 pm to 5 am

(c) 5 am to 5 pm

(d) 5 pm to 5 am (Ans)

B. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer: [(1+1)×3=6]

(i) The incident occurred at the dead of the night.

Supporting statement:

(ii) The IDS has already been installed in the Alipurduar-Kalchini section.

Supporting statement:

(iii) The IDS plays a crucial role in minimizing elephant-related incidents.

Supporting statement:

Answer

C. Answer the following questions in complete sentences: [2×4=8]

(i) How did the elephants succumb to death?

(ii) What is the function of IDS?

(iii) Write down the full form of IDS.

(iv) According to the NFR official, what measures are going to be taken to avoid occurrences of such sorrowful incidents?

Answer

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Unseen – 2:

Kolkata: Bengal on Sunday saw a hat-trick of deceased organ donations with the city witnessing two back-to-back donations, the third in two days. While the first donation originated from the state-run IPGMER’s Trauma Care Centre (TCC), the second one was at Apollo Multispeciality Hospital (AMH). With these three back-to-back donations, the tally for the year has gone up to 16, surpassing 2022’s 15.

In the first case, it was the family of 38-year-old Shyamsundar Das of Nandigram who consented to donating the para-teacher’s organs after he was declared brain dead at SSKM’s TCC on Friday.

Das was brought to the hospital on December 6 after he sustained injuries in a road accident in Nandigram. The donor’s lung, liver, and kidneys were retrieved on Friday.

While ROTTO (east) allocated the lung to Medanta Hospital Delhi, IPGMER was allowed to retain the liver along with the cornea and skin. The two kidneys went to Charnock and Command Hospital. The second deceased donation was done by the family of Tarak Dutta (35). The resident of Baranagar was admitted to Apollo for brain haemorrhage. Doctors declared him brain dead on Friday.

While his father Dulal Dutta consented to donating all his viable organs, during evaluation the heart and lung was found not suitable for transplant. Apollo got the liver while one kidney each was allocated to RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences and Command Hospital.

“Two back-to-back organ donations—one from SSKM and another AMH—infuse a lot of hope and encouragement in the organ donation programme of our state. We have to keep this momentum up to save more lives,” said Indrajeet Tiwary, head, gastro critical care and liver transplant units, Apollo Multispeciality Hospital. He is also the chairman of the Bengal Organ Donation Society.

Of the 16 deceased organ donations this year more than half have emerged from IPGMER’s TCC.

“We are holding regular rounds of meetings with our TCC team so that we can convert brain deaths into organ donations by counselling family members. The viable organs from each donation can save many lives,” said IPGMER director Manimoy Banerjee, who is also the director of ROTTO (east).

(Excerpts from The Times of India, 10 December, 2023)

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×6=6]

(i) The second organ donation was originated from—

(a) IPGMER

(b) Apollo Multispeciality Hospital (Ans)

(c) Medanta Hospital

(d) Command Hospital

(ii) By profession, Shyamsundar Das was a—

(a) painter

(b) professor

(c) vendor

(d) para-teacher (Ans)

(iii) Tarak Dutta was admitted to the hospital for—

(a) brain hemorrhage (Ans)

(b) heart attack

(c) broken legs

(d) pneumonia

(iv) Shyamsundar Das was an inhabitant of—

(a) Birbhum

(b) Bankura

(c) West Midnapore

(d) East Midnapore (Ans)

(v) The IPGMER is a/an—

(a) organ donation centre

(b) government hospital

(c) diagnostic centre

(d) private hospital

(vi) The passage is about—

(a) the deplorable condition of government hospitals in West Bengal

(b) the horrible experience of a patient party in several hospitals of Kolkata

(c) a glorious achievement of a government hospital by performing a rare surgery

(d) the promising state of organ donation in West Bengal (Ans)

B. State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False in the boxes on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answers: [1+(1×3)=6]

(i) The number of organ donations in 2023 is higher than that of the previous years.

Supporting statement:

(ii) Dulal Dutta did not give his consent to the organ donation of his son.

Supporting statement:

(iii) Only a few of the 16 deceased organ donations have emerged from IPGMER’s TCC.

Supporting statement:

Answer

C. Answer the following questions: [2×4=8]

(i) Which organs of Shyamsundar Das were retrieved?

(ii) What did Indrajeet Tiwary say?

(iii) Name the hospitals that received several organs of Tarak Dutta.

(iv) According to the director of ROTTO (east), which steps can be taken to raise awareness about organ donation?

Answer

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Unseen – 3:

Friday’s triple train crash that has killed at least 288 people and injured over 800 was caused probably by a malfunctioning signalling system that flashed the correct light but switched an unsuspecting Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express to the wrong tracks, railway officials have suggested. The Coromandel Express was hurtling along the Up Main Line at 127 kmph around 7 pm when, at Bahanaga station in Odisha’s Balasore district, it was wrongly directed by the interlocking system into a loop line, where a goods train was parked, the officials said. As the 12841 Coromandel Express rammed the goods train from the rear, all its 22 coaches got derailed. Three of them toppled over to the Down Main Line, along which—in a horrific coincidence—the 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express was passing exactly then.

The derailed Coromandel coaches hit the rear part of the Superfast Express, whose last few coaches were derailed by the impact, the officials said.

The death toll is likely to rise with rescue teams still recovering bodies trapped in the mangled bogies of the two express trains, which were together carrying about 2,000 passengers. News agency PTI quoted officials as saying 56 people had suffered grievous injuries.

The train disaster is the country’s biggest this century. On August 2, 1999, at least 185 people had died when the Avadh Assam Express from New Delhi collided with the Brahmaputra Mail at Gaisal railway station, North Dinajpur, apparently because of a signalling error.

“Preliminary investigations suggest an error in the signalling system at Bahanaga. The electronic interlocking system at Bahanaga Bazar, which controls the signalling and train movements at that station, apparently malfunctioned. The Coromandel Express was suddenly directed to a loop line where the maximum permissive limit is 30 kmph,” a senior railway official told The Telegraph from the accident site.

The official said a train driver regulates the speed and movement depending on the colour of the signal: green, yellow, two yellows, or red.”

(Excerpt from The Telegraph, 4 June, 2023)

A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×6=6]

(i) The incident occurred in the state of—

(a) Madhya Pradesh

(b) Odisha (Ans)

(c) West Bengal

(d) Jharkhand

(ii) The train which was passing through the down line at the time of the accident was—

(a) Pune-Howrah Azad Hind Express

(b) Coromandel Express

(c) Puri-Shalimar Express

(d) Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express (Ans)

(iii) The two express trains were carrying a total of—

(a) about 1,500 passengers

(b) about 2,000 passengers (Ans)

(c) more than 2,000 passengers

(d) about 2,500 passengers

(iv) The maximum permissive speed limit when a train enters a loop line is—

(a) 30 kmph (Ans)

(b) 35 kmph

(c) 40 kmph

(d) 45 kmph (Ans)

(v) The devastating train accident at the Gaisal railway station happened in the year—

(a) 1996

(b) 1997

(c) 1998

(d) 1999 (Ans)

(vi) The Avadh Assam Express collided with the Brahmaputra Mail because of—

(a) derailment

(b) a signalling error (Ans)

(c) a crack in the railway track

(d) a blunder of the loco pilot

B. State whether the following statements are ‘True’ or ‘False.’ Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer: [1+1×3=6]

(i) The Coromandel Express was running at a speed of 90 kmph at the time of the accident.

Supporting statement:

(ii) All the coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express got derailed.

Supporting statement:

(iii) A loco pilot controls the speed and movement of a train depending entirely on the colour of the signal.

Supporting statement:

Answer

C. Answer the following questions: [2×4=8]

(i) What was the probable cause of the accident?

(ii) What are the casualties of the accident?

(iii) Write a few words about the Gaisal train accident.

(iv) What did a senior railway official say about the accident?

Answer

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Unseen – 4:

Dukhu Majhi, an environmental activist hailing from Sindri village in West Bengal’s Purulia district, has been cultivating a love for planting saplings since his early years, mirroring his father’s influence. Engaging in tree planting activities across various locations such as rural markets, bus stands, roadsides, crematoriums, temple areas, school premises, and health centers, the 78-year-old, affectionately known as ‘Gachh Dadu,’ aims to provide shade and shelter to passersby.

Additionally, Majhi strategically plants fruit-bearing trees like mangoes and blackberries to offer sustenance to birds, animals, and travelers. Despite facing financial constraints and leading a modest life, Majhi persists in his unwavering dedication. Notably, his unique approach to safeguarding the saplings he plants involves constructing fences using burnt wooden logs or discarded clothes from crematoriums, materials considered untouchable due to superstitions among poor villagers.

Filmmaker Somnath Mondal was inspired by Dukhu Majhi’s story leading to the creation of the documentary film, Rukhu Mati Dukhu Majhi. This environmental documentary earned the 2023 National Film Award, shedding light on Majhi’s simple life and innovative tree protection methods, ultimately raising awareness about the crucial role of trees in ecological balance. Despite being a Padma Shri awardee and gaining national recognition, Majhi, a tribal environmental activist, expressed surprise at the honour. His passion for tree planting, fueled by a foreigner’s warning about future oxygen scarcity, has become the mission of his life.

The Padma Shri award has only fortified his commitment to continuing his tree planting efforts in Purulia, where he has dedicated the past 12 years to this cause. Majhi’s neighbors in Sindri, witnessing his achievements, felt joyous. Initially met with skepticism when he embarked on his tree planting mission over a decade ago, Majhi’s determination earned him the moniker ‘tree-freak’ among his neighbors, empowering him to persist despite challenges and ultimately reaching great heights.

(Excerpt from Grow Billion Trees, 2 February, 2024)

A. Choose and tick the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×6=6]

(i) Since his early years, Dukhu Majhi has an intense love for—

(a) listening to music

(b) playing piano

(c) listening to fairy tales

(d) planting saplings (Ans)

(ii) Dukhu Majhi is a/an—

(a) septuagenarian (Ans)

(b) sexagenarian

(c) octogenarian

(d) quadragenarian

(iii) The fruit-bearing trees that Dukhu Majhi plants are—

(a) oranges and grapes

(b) apples and mangoes

(c) grapes and apples

(d) blackberries and mangoes (Ans)

(iv) Somnath Mondal is a/an—

(a) art critic

(b) a sportsman

(c) film critic

(d) filmmaker (Ans)

(v) Dukhu Majhi is recently conferred with the—

(a) Padma Bhushan

(b) Padma Vibhushan

(c) Padma Shri (Ans)

(d) Bharat Ratna

(vi) Dukhu Majhi has been planting saplings for the past—

(a) 11 years

(b) 12 years (Ans)

(c) 13 years

(d) 14 years

B. State whether the following statements are True or False. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false in the boxes on the right-hand side. Also, pick out suitable line(s) or phrase(s) from the passage in support of your answers: [1+1×3=6]

(i) Dukhu Majhi has got inspiration for planting saplings from his uncle.

Supporting statement:

(ii) A documentary film was made based on the life of Dukhu Majhi.

Supporting statement:

(iii) Dukhu Majhi was not at all surprised after receiving the Padma Shri.

Supporting statement:

Answer

C. Answer the following questions: [2×4=8]

(i) Why has Dukhu Majhi come into the limelight recently?

(ii) In which locations does Dukhu Majhi Plant saplings?

(iii) What measures does Dukhu Majhi take to protect the saplings?

(iv) What obstruction did Dukhu Majhi face in the beginning of his tree planting mission?

Answer

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Unseen – 5:

The Nobel Prize in physics was awarded Tuesday to three scientists who look at electrons in atoms during the tiniest of split seconds.

Pierre Agostini of The Ohio State University in the US, Ference Krausz of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany, and Anne L’Huillier of Lund University in Sweden won the award.

Their experiments “have given humanity new tools for exploring the world of electrons inside atoms and molecules,” according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which announced the prize in Stockholm.

“They have demonstrated a way to create extremely short pulses of light that can be used to measure the rapid processes in which electrons move or change energy.”

At the moment, this science is about understanding our universe rather than practical applications, but the hope is that it will eventually lead to better electronics and disease diagnosis.

L’Huillier is only the fifth woman to win a Nobel Prize in physics.

“This is the most prestigious and I am so happy to get this prize. It’s incredible,” she told the news conference announcing the prize. “As you know there are not so many women who got this prize, so it’s very special.”

The Nobel Prizes carry a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (USD 1 million). The money comes from a bequest left by the prize’s creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who died in 1896.

Last year, three scientists jointly won the physics prize for proving that tiny particles could retain a connection with each other even when separated.

The physics prize comes a day after Hungarian-American Katalin Kariko and American Drew Weissman won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

The laureates are invited to receive their awards at ceremonies on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death. The prestigious peace prize is handed out in Oslo, according to his wishes, while the other award ceremonies are held in Stockholm.

(Excerpt from The Telegraph)

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A. Choose and tick the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: [1×6=6]

(i) The passage is mainly about the announcement of the Nobel Prize in—

(a) chemistry

(b) physics (Ans)

(c) medicine

(d) literature

(ii) Pierre Agostini is currently attached with—

(a) The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

(b) The Melbourne University

(c) Ludwig Maximilian University

(d) The Ohio State University (Ans)

(iii) The number of women who won a Nobel Prize in physics before Anne L’Huillier is—

(a) 2

(b) 3

(c) 4 (Ans)

(d) 5

(iv) The creator of the Nobel Prize died in the year—

(a) 1895

(b) 1896 (Ans)

(c) 1897

(d) 1898

(v) The cash award of the Nobel Prize is—

(a) USD 1 million (Ans)

(b) USD 2 million

(c) USD 3 million

(d) USD 4 million

(vi) The award ceremony other than the prestigious peace prize is held in—

(a) Oslo

(b) Munich

(c) Ohio

(d) Stockholm (Ans)

B. Each of the following statements is either True or False. Write ‘T’ for True and ‘F’ for False in the boxes on the right-hand side. Also, pick out suitable line(s) or phrases from the passage in support of your answers: [1+1×3=6]

(i) Presently, physics is about detailed experiments rather than understanding our universe.

Supporting statement:

(ii) In the previous years, three scientists jointly won the Nobel Prize in physics for proving that tiny particles could retain a connection even during the state of separation.

Supporting statement:

(iii) The Nobel laureates receive their awards every year on the birth anniversary of Alfred Nobel.

Supporting statement:

Answer

C. Answer the following questions: [2×4=8]

(i) Mention the names of the Nobel Prize awardees in physics in the year 2023.

(ii) What did the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences say while announcing the prize?

(iii) How did Anne L’Huillier react after winning the prize?

(iv) Why were Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman awarded with the Nobel Prize in medicine?

Answer

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Writing Skill

Paragraph Writing:

Paragraph On Shantiniketan

Answer

Paragraph On Benefits of early morning exercise

Answer

Paragraph On The person you admire most

Answer

Paragraph On A Rainy Day

Answer

Paragraph On A journey by train

Answer

Paragraph On Visit to a place of historical interest

Answer

Paragraph On Success of chandrayaan – 3

Answer

Paragraph On The seasons you like most

Answer

Paragraph On Kanyashree

Answer

Paragraph On A memorable Day in your life

Answer

Paragraph On Your Favorite Author

Answer

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Biography Writing

Biography of Jagadish Chandra Bose

Answer

Biography of  Swami Vivekananda

Answer

Biography of Prafulla Chandra Roy

Answer

Biography of Rabindranath Tagore

Answer

Biography of Neeraj Chopra

Answer

Biography of Draupadi Murmu

Answer

Biography of Satyajit Ray

Answer

Biography of Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay

Answer

Biography of Chittaranjan Das

Answer

Biography of Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar

Answer

Biography of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Answer

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Process Writing

Tea Making

Washing Clothes at Home

Answer

Conducting Madhyamik Examination

Answer

Preparation of ORS

Answer

Manufacture of Paper

Answer

Soap-making

Answer

Publication of School Magazine

Answer

Publication of Newspaper

Answer

Preparation of Mustard Oil

Answer

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Notice Writing

Retirement farewell to a teacher.

Answer

Organization of awareness campaign on “Safe Drive Save Life”.

Answer

Observation of Tree Plantation Day.

Answer

Student’s notice on “Safe Drinking Water” or “Save Water Save Life”.

Answer

Magic show.

Answer

Announcement for banning the use of mobile phones by the school students.

Answer

Blood Donation Camp organized by your club.

Answer

Submission of writings for Annual School Magazine.

Answer

Organization of free Health Checkup Camp in school.

Answer

Republic Day celebration.

Answer

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Letter Writing

Letter – 1:

Write a letter to the Headmaster of your school requesting him/her to organize a science exhibition/a blood donation camp in your school.

Answer

Letter – 2:

Write a letter to the editor of an English daily expressing your views about unsafe journeys in pool cars.

Answer

Letter – 3:

Write a letter to the Headmaster of your school requesting him/her to make available text and reference books in your library.

Answer

Letter – 4:

Write a letter to the Headmaster of your school praying for the construction of a cycle stand.

Answer

Letter – 5:

Write a letter to the editor of an English daily requesting him to create awareness among people regarding the misuse and harmful effects of mobile phones.

Answer

Letter – 6:

Write an application to the Headmaster for a leave of absence due to viral fever.

Answer

Letter – 7:

Write a letter to the Head of your institution requesting him to arrange special classes after your Test Examination.

Answer

Letter – 8:

Write a letter to the editor of an English daily stating reasons why plastic carry bags should be banned.

Answer

Letter – 9:

Write a letter to the editor of an English daily complaining about the irregular clearance of garbage in your locality.

Answer

Letter – 10:

Write a letter to the Headmaster of your school requesting him to organize an educational trip to a place of historical interest.

Answer

Class IX, Roll No. 17

Letter – 11:

Write an application to the Headmaster of your school for the improvement of the school library.

Answer

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STORY WRITING

Importance of Every Organ

[Points: The organs of the body think they are doing everything—the belly is only eating—to teach the belly a lesson, they go on a strike—soon they themselves become weak—they understand their mistake—call off the strike.]

Answer

A Great Sacrifice

[Points: A son born to a king—queen dies—king engages a young nurse to look after the prince—king’s enemies plot to kill the prince—nurse comes to know of the plot—leaves her own child dressed as prince—escapes with real prince—enemies kill nurse’s own child—king offers reward for saving prince’s life—nurse refuses and kills herself.]

Answer

Two Neighbours

[Points: Two neighbours—one fat lady and the other thin—always quarrel—an elderly person calls them—asks them why they are unable to stop their fight—thin lady gives a witty answer—all start laughing.]

Answer

A Visit to the Land of Robots

[Points: You sleep—gone to land of robots—a robot welcomes you—they offer food—food not edible—a feeling of discomfort—no tree—breathing trouble—awake.]

Answer

Definition of a Real Man

[Points: A disciple asked his guru about the real man—guru told him a story—a man was wounded by some miscreants—people overlooked—one farmer helped—disciple got his answer.]

Answer

The Sun and The Wind

[Points: One day a dispute arose between the sun and the wind—decide to test their strength—see a traveller—wind blows harder—traveller tightens his coat—now sun shines—feels hot—takes off his coat—sun proved stronger.]

Answer

A Witty Revenge

[Points: A man left his iron safe with his neighbour—on return he was told that the safe had been eaten by rats—he said nothing but took the neighbour’s son to the river for a bath—on return he said the child had been carried by a kite—the neighbour returned the safe—got back his son.]

Answer