Plus One Previous Year Question Papers<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nTime Allowed: 21\/2<\/sup>\u00a0hours<\/span>
\nCool off time: 15 Minutes<\/span>
\nMaximum Marks: 80<\/span><\/p>\nGeneral Instructions to Candidates:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- There is a \u2018Cool off time\u2019 of 15 minutes in addition to the writing time of 21\/2<\/sup> hrs.<\/li>\n
- You are neither allowed to write your answers nor to discuss anything with others during the \u2018cool off time\u2019.<\/li>\n
- Read the questions carefully before answering.<\/li>\n
- All questions are compulsory and the only internal choice is allowed.<\/li>\n
- When you select a question, all the sub-questions must be answered from the same question itself.<\/li>\n
- Electronic devices except nonprogrammable calculators are not allowed in the Examination Hall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Question Nos. 1 to 3:<\/span>
\nRead the following passage and answer the questions given below.<\/span><\/p>\nSurely he could reach them without flying if he could only move northwards along the cliff face. But then, on what could he walk? There was no ledge, and he was not a fly. And above him, he could see nothing. The precipice was sheer and the top of it was perhaps, farther away than the sea beneath him.<\/p>\n
Question 1.
\nWhat does the word precipice mean? (1)
\nAnswer:
\ncliff, a very steep rock face<\/p>\n
Question 2.
\nWhy could the seagull not succeed in his attempt? (2)
\nAnswer:
\nThe seagull could not succeed in his attempt because he could not fly and there was no ledge to walk on.<\/p>\n
Question 3.
\nCan you find any similarity between the experience faced by the seagull and the experience in your life? (3)
\nAnswer:
\nYes, I can find a lot of similarity between the experience faced by the seagull and the experience in my life. When I was a boy of 3, my mother would keep some delicious thing on a high table. She wanted me to reach it by climbing on to the chair nearby.<\/p>\n
I was afraid to climb. But slowly I overcame my fear and I would take the thing placed on the table without any hesitation. Parents train their children to be courageous and challenge them to do things to give them confidence.<\/p>\n
Question 4.
\nWhat according to Rudyard Kipling, should be one\u2019s attitude to unexpected loss? (2)
\nAnswer:
\nAccording to the poet, Rudyard Kipling, one\u2019s attitude to loss should be one of indifference. Triumphs and tragedies are part of life. We should not be overjoyed at the successes and not dejected at the failures. If you happen to have a loss, don\u2019t tell anyone. Accept it with fortitude.<\/p>\n
Question 5.
\nWhat was the essence of Gandhi\u2019s teaching? (3)
\nAnswer:
\nThe essence of Gandhi\u2019s teaching was fearlessness and truth. He wanted all actions to be controlled by these values so as to help the common people. He also said that people should not be exploited, especially the peasants and the workers, as such exploitation resulted in poverty and misery.<\/p>\n
Question 6.
\nElaborate the ideas in the following lines: (4)
\nThe glories of our blood and state
\nAre shadows, not substantial things;
\nThere is no armour against Fate
\nAnswer:
\nThe glories of our blood and state are shadows. They are not concrete things. There is no protection against Fate. Death lays his cold hands even on kings, as they too will have to lie down in the same place where the poorest people lie. Death is a leveller.<\/p>\n
Question 7.
\nIdentify the figure of speech in \u2018Death lays its icy hand on kings\u2019. (1)
\nAnswer:
\nPersonification. Death is considered to be a robber or murderer.<\/p>\n
Question 8.
\nPrepare a speech on the topic? \u2018Possibilities of Social Networking sites in student life\u2019. (6)
\nAnswer:
\nRespected Principal, teachers and my dear friends,
\nSocial networking sites such as Face Book, Twitter, Instagram and Whatsapp are a few of the revolutionary inventions of our time. These are very popular with students. They are good means of communication and also acquiring knowledge. They also offer people a good pastime.<\/p>\n
Social networking sites are beneficial to students academically. They can relate and share their views with those who have similar interests. They also help in building relationships.<\/p>\n
They help students to get information about the various subjects of their study and writing their projects and theses and dissertations.<\/p>\n
While they are good in certain respects, they have their negative sides also. Sometimes they cause harm to the people using them. Many students use the sites to plagiarise without spending their time in actual research. These sites encourage students to be lazy as they get material for their projects without much hard work.<\/p>\n
They also cause many youths to fall into different traps. People get connected through FB and we hear of so many love stories, some of which end in utter tragedies. To conclude my speech, I would say these Social Networking Sites are like doubled edged swords. They can help you and they can also harm you. So be wise and use them with caution as you would use a sharp knife.<\/p>\n
Question 9.
\nWrite an appreciation of the story \u2018The Price of Flowers\u2019. (7)
\nAnswer:
\n\u201cThe Price of Flowers\u201d by Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyay is an excellent story in which the hopes and aspirations of people are treated in an exquisite manner. Mr. Gupta meets a young girl named Alice Margaret Clifford, called Maggie, in a restaurant. She is a poor girl and lives with her widowed mother. Their house is a very small one in a crowded area. It has hardly any furniture.<\/p>\n
The carpet is tom. Her mother makes cakes for a living. Maggie works as a typist in the Civil Service stores. She is happy to know that Gupta is an Indian. Her brother Francis, who was in the British army, had died in India. She wants Gupta to place some flowers on the grave of her brother. It is impossible for her to go to India as she has no money.<\/p>\n
Maggie and her mother, like many of their countrymen have strange notions about India. Maggie has heard that many Indians have magic powers, and there are a lot of snakes and tigers everywhere. She also heard that there are dangerous fevers there that kill people. Gupta gives her an explanation about India and Indians, telling her that India is a beautiful country.<\/p>\n
While talking with Gupta, Maggie said she wanted to grow up. Then she would get better pay. Now she can\u2019t even afford to eat her lunch every day in a restaurant. She has to walk home as she has no money to pay the fare. She did not like her present work as it was very mechanical. She wanted some work that needed th^use of her brain. She wanted to be a secretary. Like any other young person, she too has her hopes and aspirations to live a better life. We can only wish her well.<\/p>\n
When Gupta was about to go to India Maggie gave him a shilling to buy flowers to be placed at the grave of her brother. To earn a shilling she had to work very hard. It shows how much she loved her brother. We feel sad that she and her mother have no money to go and visit the grave of Frank.<\/p>\n
Question 10.
\nPrepare a travel brochure of a place of your choice. (7)
\nAnswer:<\/p>\n
MUNNAR – A PARADISE ON EARTH<\/p>\n
Kerala is popularly called God\u2019s Own Country. It is named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveller. It has so many tourist attractions and people love it. I would especially mention Munnar which was the main reason for Kerala to get the name \u201cGod\u2019s Own Country\u201d.<\/p>\n
Munnar is very popular hill station. It was once the summer capital for the British. The gradient and alignment of hills were particularly designed for tea farming. With about 80,000 miles of tea plantation, an equal measure of aromatic vegetation, misty valleys, and low-flying clouds, Munnar has become the best tourist place in Kerala.<\/p>\n
Here you have cute bungalows, moderate home-stays and lavish hotels and resorts. The old world colonial feel has its own charms and it certainly makes for a good selfie drive. People can enjoy in the extraordinary blend of luxury and beauty.<\/p>\n
There you can visit the TATA Tea Museum, Meesapulimala, Blossom Park, Pothamedu View Point, Life of Pi Church, Attukal Waterfalls, Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Top Station, Marayoor Dolmens, Indo Swiss Dairy Farm, Kundala Lake, Lockhart Gap, Mattupetty Dam, Anamudi, and Eravikulam National Park. Do visit Munnar and have a pre-taste of Paradise!<\/p>\n
Question 11.
\nSketch the character of Hasan in \u2018The Serang of Ranaganji\u2019. (5)
\nAnswer:
\nHasan was the Serang of the ship Ranaganji and he is a gem of a man. The ship was sailing from Liverpool to Calcutta. Its passengers numbered nearly 1500. They were mostly pleasure seekers and tourists. Many of them were with their wives and families. Hasan was squat, and looked very ugly. He was with short legs and a large disproportionate head. He found out that two of his lascars or deck hands were sick. A. J. Cronin was the doctor in the ship.<\/p>\n
On examining them, Cronin found that the lascars had small pox. Small pox is a highly contagious disease and it is not easy to get a cure, from it. If the passengers came to know that two of the people in the ship had small pox, they would be worried. Here comes the intelligence and generosity of Hasan. He agreed to make a small tent for the sick people and nurse them. Nursing them was risky as he also could get small pox.<\/p>\n
There were more patients later but he took care of them without being afraid. Two of them died. Although Hasan was a Muslim, he read a short passage from the Ramayana before their bodies were thrown overboard at midnight. He was a really great man who was willing even to die for others. To him religion was tolerance and love and not hatred. We need more Hasans now.<\/p>\n
Question 12.
\nBriefly describe the heroic acts of the crew of the Titanic at the time of wreck. (4)
\nAnswer:
\nTitanic was travelling from Southampton to New York City. She was the largest and the grandest of all ships made until then. There were more than 1200 passengers on board. They felt secure. Nobody thought of any danger. The crew were taking care of the passengers properly and they were happy and passing their time joyfully.<\/p>\n
Then tragedy struck. A huge mountain of iceberg hit the ship. The impact sent a shiver throughout the entire length of the ship. It soon began to sink and the people knew it was sinking. Captain Smith was the commander of the ship. He was brave. Not even for a moment he thought of escaping, leaving the passengers to their fate. He stood on the bridge and told his crew that they were British and they should remember their country and they should do their duty.<\/p>\n
The crew showed that their courage never failed. They said the women and children should go first in the life boats. All the crew stood and watched. The life boats were lowered and the women and children were sent away to safety. The crew had no hope of saving themselves. The Titanic sank from sight and the band played \u201cNearer my God to Thee\u201d.<\/p>\n
We can never imagine a grander seen than this. The ship was sinking but the band was playing. All credit goes to Captain Smith and his crew. This is real sacrifice, ready to die for the sake of others.<\/p>\n
Question 13.
\nSuppose you are taking part in a debate, the topic of which is \u2018Money, like vodka, can play queer tricks with a man\u2019. Write four points favoring the topic. (4)
\nAnswer:<\/p>\n
\n- Money makes one think he can do anything.<\/li>\n
- When you have a lot of money you tend to indulge in questionable pleasures.<\/li>\n
- Money is intoxicating and moneyed-people show contempt for the poor.<\/li>\n
- When you have money, you want to have more and you are never satisfied.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Question 14.
\nWrite an appreciation of the poem \u2018To Sleep\u2019. (8)
\nAnswer:
\nThe poem To sleep\u2019 by William Wordsworth, who is known as the high priest of Nature, is an exquisite poem that presents to us some of the finest sights, sounds and movements of Nature. We can see a flock of sheep leisurely passing by one after one; we can hear the sound of rain and the murmuring of bees.<\/p>\n
We can hear the fall of rivers, winds and seas. We can see the smooth fields, white sheets of water and pure sky. We also hear the melodies of small birds coming from the orchard trees. We hear the cuckoo\u2019s melancholy cry.<\/p>\n
The poet can\u2019t sleeff Maybe he is worried about the bad things happened during the past. In fact he has not slept for a couple of days and this makes him all the more worried. If he does not sleep he won\u2019t be able to enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of the morning. Sleep brings fresh thoughts and joyous health.<\/p>\n
To Sleep\u2019 is a sonnet. In the octave (first 8 lines), the poet describes the alluring sights and sounds of Nature. In the sestet (the last 6 lines) he describes his condition without sleep and requests sleep not to run away from him. He also talks about the blessings sleep brings. The rhyming scheme in the octave is abba, abba, and in the sestet it is cdc, cdc.<\/p>\n
The poet has used personification effectively. Sleep is pictured as a mistress who is refusing to come to the poet. There is the Rhetorical Question \u201cWithout Thee what is all the mornings wealth?\u201d There is onomatopoeia in \u2018bees murmuring\u2019. There is fine alliteration in \u2018blessed barrier between\u2019. There is hyperbole in calling sleep as the \u2018Dear mother of fresh thoughts and joyous health\u2019. On the whole To Sleep\u2019 is an enjoyable poem with a fine message for all of us.<\/p>\n
Question 15.
\nDo you think that there should be physical education in schools? Prepare a write up saying why or why not. (5)
\nAnswer:
\nI think there should be physical education in schools. I have many reasons to say so.
\nIn Latin there is a saying \u2018Mens sana in corpore sano\u2019. In English it means \u2018A sound mind in a sound body.\u2019 A sickly body will not have a healthy mind. Physical education helps in the formation of a healthy and active life style. Such a life style makes the body and the mind sound.<\/p>\n
Physical education helps in the development of leadership qualities. To be a leader one should have the capacity to organize, take initiative, guide and control his mates. He should be fearless and just. By taking part in physical education, one develops confidence, cooperation, and team spirit. Work is done in teams.<\/p>\n
Although individual excellence counts, it is the group work that makes a project successful. Any big event is the result of teamwork. Games are lost and won based on the team spirit. We all know that \u2018United we stand, divided we fall\u2019 and \u2018Unity is strength\u2019.<\/p>\n
A positive attitude is very essential for success. An optimistic attitude keeps one cheerful and prepared to work hard. Perseverance is essential for any important work. Physical education helps one to build a positive attitude to life and things. When we keep our bodies in shape, our mind also gets shaped with the right attitudes. Physical education brings confidence and self-esteem.<\/p>\n
Only if we believe in ourselves, others will believe in us. Dr. Abdul Kalam said that each person is unique and he should try to remain he and no one else. We should feel that we are unique. We don\u2019t have to imitate and copy others. Self-confidence and self-esteem grow by our being active in physical education.<\/p>\n
Physical education also helps us to learn better. A fit body keeps the mind fit and alert. An alert mind grasps things fast and physical exercises help the brain to retain things for a long time. Physical education also instils civic virtues in us. We become more compassionate and loving. We become ready to help others.<\/p>\n
Physical education is a group activity and so group welfare, social welfare, becomes an important aspect of our training. Man is not an island. He is a social being and physical education drives into our mind this significant concept. In all schools all over the world physical education is compulsory because it has such a big role to play in the life of an individual and also in the life of the society.<\/p>\n
Question 16.
\nImagine the English Club of your school is organising a Film Festival on National Integration. Prepare an email to be sent to the visiting dignitaries. (5)
\nAnswer:<\/p>\n
ST. GEORGE\u2019S H.S.S. EDAPPALLY
\nENGLISH CLUB<\/p>\n
17 July 2019<\/p>\n
Mr. Rappai Thekkethala
\nAzad Road
\nIrinjalakuda
\nPIN 680125<\/p>\n
Dear Sir,
\nINVITATION TO A FILM FESTIVAL<\/p>\n
The English Club of our School is organizing a Film Festival on the theme of \u201cNational Integration\u201d. The films to be screened are \u201cSoldier\u201d, \u201cOur Motherland\u201d, \u2018Heroes of the Independence Struggle\u201d and \u201cMahatma Gandhi”. Prior to the screening of the films, there will be an inaugural meeting in the School Auditorium, starting at 9.00 a.m. on Monday, the 10th of August 2019. You are requested to offer Felicitations during the meeting.<\/p>\n
We are sure you will come for the function and make the speech.
\nThanking you,<\/p>\n
Yours sincerely,
\n(Liz Job)<\/p>\n
Question 17.
\nExplain the title of the story \u2018I Will Fly\u2019. (3)
\nAnswer:
\nThe title of the story \u201cI will Fly\u201d by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is a very appropriate one as it shows the dream of every young man to fly high in life. The word \u2018fly\u2019 indicates our dreams, hopes and aspirations. Fly also indicates \u201covercoming impediments\u201d. When we travel by road, there are so many obstacles on the way, but when we fly there is no obstacle. While flying we have to worry only about the weather conditions and not the obstacles that will come our way.<\/p>\n
Once, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam went to a village to inaugurate a programme called \u201cSashtrayaan\u201d. At the end of his speech, 12 students were chosen to ask questions from Dr. Kalam. One of them was a timid boy.<\/p>\n
He said he was very timid and he did not have the courage to ask questions even from his teachers or class mates. He told Dr. Kalam that his ambition was to become a marine engineer. He wanted to be the captain of the ship. He wanted to build the engine of the ship. He wanted to know if all this would be possible for him.<\/p>\n
In reply, Dr. Kalam recited a small poem which meant: \u201cI am born with potential, goodness, trust, ideas, dreams, greatness and confidence. I am born with wings; so, I am not meant for crawling. I have wings and so I will fly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Kalam further told the boy that each one of us is unique. You are YOU. The world tries to make you somebody else. Your teachers and parents will point out some people and say \u201cBe like them\u201d. But you should be YOU because YOU are unique.<\/p>\n
Yes, we all are unique. God has given us certain talents and we want to develop them in the best possible manner. We don\u2019t want to be like A, B orC. We want to be what we are. Then only there will be variety in the society. Variety is the spice of life. Dr. Abdul Kalam stresses the point that we are individuals gifted in different ways and so we should not simply imitate others. We should fly! And we can!<\/p>\n
Question 18.
\nBriefly describe how the poem \u2018Sunrise On The Hills\u2019 helps us have a direct experience of the beautiful sights and sounds of a place. (4)
\nAnswer:
\nThe poem \u201cSunrise on the Hills” by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a lyric that extols the beauty of Nature and Nature can soothe you when you are in trouble or in difficulty. The poet stands upon the hills when the sky is glorious with the rays of the rising sun. The forests are brightened. Mild breezes are kissing valleys brightened by the dawn. The clouds are under him and they are bathed in light. As the mist clears away in the rising sun, many peaks with their sharp spear-like projections appear. Soon he will see the rich valley.<\/p>\n
The river is flowing. As the dawn breaks into morning, birds fly away chirping noisily. The poet hears the distant waters rush. He sees the current whirl and shine in the light. The lake is blue with a beach of silver sand and near it the thick forest is bending as if to reach and kiss the lake. Over the valley the gentle and melodious sound of the village bell is echoing on the hills.<\/p>\n
Thin smoke starts coming out of the wooded valley through the thick-leaved branches from the huts of the people living in the valley. The poet says that if you are tired and troubled with problems and sorrows that you want to forget, if you want to read a book that will prevent your heart from losing hope and wake up your soul with optimism you should go to the forest and hills. The sweet look that Nature has is not dimmed by tears of any kind.<\/p>\n
Thus the poet has helped us to have a direct experience of the sights and sounds of the place. We feel as if we are with the poet enjoying the beautiful scenery and melodious sounds.<\/p>\n
Question 19.
\nImagine that you had a parachute ride over a valley.
\nWrite a travel essay describing this travel experience. The essay should include description of physical features, practical issues related to the travel, experience and personal impressions. (6)
\nAnswer:
\nDuring the last summer vacation I went for a parachute ride at Munnar. It was a thrilling experience. The ride began at 8.00 a.m. the people assisting me forthe ride made me wear certain safety gadgets. When I was let off, I started gliding alone. Initially I was a bit afraid but soon I got over the fear and I started looking around to see the sights of the place.<\/p>\n
The valley beneath looked beautiful. A river meandered its way through the valley. The banks of the river were covered with tall trees on which different types of birds had made their nests. I could hear the birds making noises as I was passing near them. The water in the river glistened in the early morning sun. There were huts of the villagers here and there in the valley.<\/p>\n
I could see smoke curling upwards from many of the huts. I imagined the people were making their breakfasts. There were extensive tea plantations where I could see women gathering tea leaves in huge baskets tied around their waists.<\/p>\n
As I was moving I came too close to a very tall tree. I was very scared thinking that I might be caught up among the branches. I felt very thirsty may be because of the fright. But thank God, thing bad happened and I went past the threatening tree without any problem.<\/p>\n
The sky looked beautiful. Clouds floated here and there like bales of cotton. When sunlight fell on them they shined with a special aura. I felt proud that I too was floating like a cloud. I wanted to continue the ride for a very long time. But unfortunately the time is limited and I had to touchdown against my will. Parachute ride is indeed a very exciting experience.<\/p>\n