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AHLCON PUBLIC SCHOOL, MAYUR VIHAR, PH – 1

ASSIGNMENT – IV

CLASS – XII ENGLISH (SESSION: 2017-18)

LITERATURE – FLAMINGO – PROSE (PART – I)

CHAPTER – 1 – THE LAST LESSON

I Answer the following questions in 30 – 40 words each.

1. What was unusual about M.Hamel’s dress on his last day in the school?

2. What was the mood in the classroom when M. Hamel gave his last French lesson?

3. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in the school?

4. How did M. Hamel encourage the villagers and students to respect their language in his last lesson?

5. Why were the students not able to master their mother tongue – French?

6. Why did Franz think he would be able to enter the class unnoticed?

7. Why is the order from Berlin called a thunderclap by Franz?

II Answer the following in 125 – 150 words each.

1. Discuss the title of the lesson.

2. What change did Franz feel in himself during the last lesson?

3. What does M. Hamel say of the French language? What impact did it have on students?

4. There flows an undercurrent of sadness and helplessness in the lesson. Elucidate.

5. Reflect on the lost spirit of Patriotism and how it can be ignited. Refer to the lesson.

6. How did M. Hamel say farewell to his students and the people of the town?

CHAPTER – 2 – LOST SPRING.

I Answer the following in 30 – 40 words each.

1. From where had Saheb come? Why ?

2. What does the writer mean when she says Saheb is no longer his own master?

3. When and why did Saheb’s family leave their home?

4. What paradox do you find in Saheb’s name and life?

5. What is Mukesh’s dream? Why?

6. Why are the banglemakers of Firozabad forced to follow the same profession generation after

generation?

7. Why are the banglemakers not able to free themselves from the middlemen?

8. What is the opinion of women of Firozabad on bangle –making?


1. Give a brief account of the life and activities of the people like Saheb – e – Alam settled in Seemapuri.

2. Describe the life and environment of the banglemakers of Firozabad?

3. Why has Anees Jung titled the chapter ‘Lost Spring’? Refer closely to the text.

CHAPTER 3– DEEP WATER


1. Why was Douglas’ mother particular that he should not go to the Yakima river?

2. How did Douglas develop a fear of water?

3. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?

4. The Yakima River was treacherous. How do we come to know about this?

5. What ‘misadventure’ took place at the YMCA pool?

6. What were Douglas’ thoughts and feelings as he came close to death?


1. What steps did Douglas take to get rid of his fear of water?

2. How did Douglas try to save himself from drowning in the YMCA pool?

3. A big boy threw Douglas into the swimming pool. How did this experience affect Douglas?

4. God helps those who helps themselves. Discuss this dictum with reference to Douglas’ experiences.

5. Douglas presents before us the true experience of dying which is not frightening but peaceful. Explain.

CHAPTER – 4 - RATTRAP


1. How did the Peddlar earn his living?

2. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the Peddler?

3. Describe the ironmaster’s daughter.

4. How did the ironmaster react when the Peddler got cleaned up and dressed up?

5. What did Edla learn about the rattrap Peddler from the church?

6. What did the package that the peddler left for Edla contain ?


1. How are the attitudes of the ironmaster and his daughter different? Support your answer from the text.

2. How did the Rattrap peddler betray the confidence reposed in him by the crofter?

3. Why did the ironmaster invite the peddler to his home? Why did the Peddler not want to go with him?

4. Describe how the story ‘Rattrap’ shows that basic human understanding can be brought out by

understanding and love.

5. Kind words can change a devil into a saint. Justify.

CHAPTER – 5 – INDIGO


1. Which places did Gandhiji visit before reaching Champaran?

2. How did Gandhiji come to help the peasants in Champaran?

3. Why did Gandhiji agree to the planters offer of 25% refund to the farmers?

4. How were Gandhiji and Shukla received in Rajendra Prasad’s house?

5. How did Rajkumar Shukla contribute towards alleviating the conditions of the peasants of Champaran?

6. Why did Gandhiji not want to accept help from the Englishman?

7. Why did the officials feel powerless without Gandhiji’s support?

8. “The battle of Champaran is won”. What did Gandhiji mean by this?


1. After Gandhiji sorted out the problems of the peasants of Champaran, how did he try to remove the

economic and cultural backwardness of the area?

2. How and why did Gandhiji make the lawyers of Muzaffarpur participate actively in freeing the peasants

from the oppression of the British?

3. What is the significance of the Champaran episode in India’s freedom struggle?

4. Man must protest against injustice and exploitation. Discuss the theme of freedom from fear with

reference to ‘Indigo’. 5. Non-violence is one of the greatest weapons in the hands of the citizens of a democratic state. Gandhiji

never took recourse to violence. Discuss the concept of non violence in your own words.

6. Freedom from fear is more important than legal justice for poor.” Explain.

CHAPTER – 6 – GOING PLACES


1. If Sophie ‘ever came into money’, what did Jansie want her to do with that?

2. Did Geoff keep his promise to Sophie? How do you know?

3. Explain the significance of the title ‘Going Places’?

4. What unreaslistic dream did Sophie have?

5. Jansie is down to earth and practical. Comment.

6. Why is Sophie attracted towards Danny Casey?


1. Contrast Sophie’s real world with her fantasies.

2. Draw a character sketch of Sophie’s father.

3. Compare and contrast Sophie and Jansie highlighting their temperament and aspirations .

4. Who was Danny Casey? What stories did Sophie make up about him?

5. Why did Sophie idolize her brother?

6. Teachers always advise their students to dream big. Yet, the same teachers find fault with Sophie when

she dreams. What is wrong with Sophie’s dreams?

FLAMINGO - POETRY

MY MOTHER AT SIXTY SIX

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. ‘…………. But soon / put that thought away………. Out of their home.’

a) What thought did the poet put away?

b) What do the ‘sprinting trees’ signify?

c) What are the ‘merry children’ symbolic of?

2. “………… and felt that old familiar ……… smile and smile and smile”

a) What was the childhood fear that now troubled the poet?

b) What do the poet’s parting words suggest?

c) Why did the poet smile and smile and smile?

3. “ but after the airports’ ……. old familiar ache”

a) How does the poet’s mother look at the airport as she is waiting?

b) Pick out the simile the poet uses to describe her mother at the airport.

c) Mention the poem and poet.

Answer the following in 30 – 40 words each.

1. Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’?

2. Why are the mother and daughter travelling together? Where are they going?

3. Why do you think the entire poem is in a single sentence.

4. What were the poet’s parting words to her mother? What do they signify?

II AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM IN A SLUM.

Read the extracts given and answer the questions that follow:

1. “The stunted, unlucky heir ….. tree room other than this”

a) Who is the unlucky heir and what has he inherited?

b) What is the stunted boy reciting?

c) Who is sitting at the back of the dim class?

2. “Surely, Shakespeare is wicked ….. little bits on stone”

a) Why is Shakespeare described as wicked?

b) Explain “from fog to endless night”.

c) What does the reference to “slag heap” mean?

3. “Unless governor, inspector ….. language is the sun”.

a) Name the poem and the poet.

b) What is the role of the governor and inspector?

c) How can the pitiable condition of the slum children improve?


1. Why does Stephen Spender say that the pictures and maps in the elementary school classroom are

meaningless?

2. What does the poet wish for the children of the slums?

3. Describe the elementary school classroom in a slum.

4. Whom does the poet appeal to and why?

III KEEPING QUIET

Read the extracts and answer the questions.

1. “For once on the face of the earth ….. our arms so much”.

a) Why does the poet want us to keep quiet?

b) What does he want us to do for one second?

c) What does he mean by “not move our arms”?

2. “Perhaps Earth can teach us ….. keep quiet and I will go”.

a) What does the earth teach us?

b) Why does the poet count up to twelve?

c) What will keeping quiet help us achieve?

3. “Those who prepare green wars ….. doing nothing?

a) What are the different types of wars the poet talks about?

b) Why is victory meaningless?

c) What change would be noted if people did not participate in wars?


1. What does the poet mean by ‘threatening ourselves with death’?

2. Do you think Pablo Neruda advocates total inactivity and death? Why? / Why not?

3. What is the exotic moment Pablo Neruda wishes for?

4. What lesson can we learn from the earth?

5. Explain –“look at his hurt hands”.

IV A THING OF BEAUTY

1. ………. but will keep… o’er darkened ways”

a) Name two benefits of seeing a thing of beauty.

b) Name two problems we meet in life.

c) Pick out one figure of speech in these lines.

2. “Such the sun ……. fair much blooms”

a) Mention three objects of beauty in these lines.

b) Pick out a figure of speech.

c) Explain i) green world they live in ii) rich with a sprinkling.

3. “And such too is the grandeurs …..heavens brink.

a) Name the poem and the poet.

b) Who are the ‘mighty dead’ c) Explain i) endless fountain ii) heaven’s brink.


1. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever?

2. Why and how is grandeur associated with the dead?

3. What makes human beings love life inspite of troubles and sufferings?

4. Explain ‘of the inhuman dearth’.

V AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS

Read the extracts given and answer the questions.

1. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance……. chivalric certainty

a) Why are the tigers called Aunt Jennifer’s?

b) Explain i) topaz denizens ii) world of green.

c) Mention one poetic device in the stanza.

2. “Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering …. hand”

a) Pick out one literary device used in the stanza.

b) Why are her hands ‘fluttering’?

c) What is implied by “massive weight of uncle’s wedding band”?

3. ‘When aunt is dead …… unafraid”

a) What are ‘the ordeals Aunt was mastered by”?

b) What change can be observed in the tigers after her death?

c) Pick out one poetic device used in the stanza.


1. Describe the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer

2. How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitude?

3. Why did Aunt Jennifer choose to embroider tigers on the panel?

4. Explain the symbolism used in the poem.

LITERATURE PART - II

VISTAS

CHAPTER – 1 THE TIGER KING

Answer the following in 125 – 150 words.

1. Justify the title of the story.

2. How did the Tiger king stand in danger of losing his kingdom? How was he able to avert the danger?

3. How did the Tiger King ensure that he had 100 tigers to kill?

4. The title of the Maharaja reflected grandeur, but his death was an anticlimax. Justify.

5. The Tiger King is a story about crime and retribution comment.

6. Comment on the humour and irony in the chapter ‘The Tiger King’?


1. Describe the hundredth tiger.

2. What happened to the tiger provided by the Dewan Saheb?

3. What was the extraordinary happening soon after the Maharaja was born?

4. Why was it celebration time for the tigers in Pratibandhapuram?

5. What are the other names the Tiger King was called by?

CHAPTER 2 – THE ENEMY


1. Dr. Sadao’s father had dreamt of a bright future for his son and he hadn’t been disappointed. Justify.

2. The entry as well as the exit of the American soldier from the lives of the Japanese couple was very

dramatic. Discuss.

3. Sadao and Hana’s chance meeting had turned out to be a very fruitful relationship. Comment.

4. Comment on the dilemma faced by Dr. Sadao.

5. What is the role of the general in the story?


1. What help did Dr. Sadao seek from Hana while operating on the wounded white man.

2. Why did the servants leave Dr. Sadao’s house?

3. Why did Hana wash the wounded soldier herself?

4. Did Hana think the Japanese tortured their prisoners of war? Why?

CHAPTER 3 – SHOULD WIZARD HIT MOMMY?


1. What impression do you form of Jack as a father?

2. Why do you think the title has a question mark? Do you find it appropriate?

3. What issues is the author actually exploring through this children’s story?


1. What part of the story did Jack himself enjoy the most and why?

2. How does Jack want the story to end and why?

3. How did the wizard help Roger Skunk?

4. Why was Roger Skunk’s mother angry?

5. What changes does Jack note in his daughter from when she was two years old?

CHAPTER 4 – ON THE FACE OF IT


1. The lesson ‘On the Face Of It’ is an apt depiction of the sense of alienation and loneliness experienced

by people on account of a disability. Explain.

2. How did Mr. Lamb’s meeting with Derry become a turning point in Derry’s life?

3. Comment on the title ‘On the Face of It”.

4. Compare and contrast the situation and characters of Derry and Mr. Lamb.

5. Derry sneaked into Mr. Lamb’s garden and it became a turning point in his life. Comment.


1. What does Derry feel about himself?

2. How does Mr. Lamb keep himself busy when it is a bit cool?

3. What argument does Derry give to convince his mother that he should return to Mr. Lamb’s garden?

4. What stories has Derry’s mother heard about Mr. Lamb?

CHAPTER 5 – EVANS TRIES AN O - LEVEL.


1. What precautions were taken by the prison authorities to ensure that the German exam was conducted

smoothly and under strict security?

2. How was Evans able to devise a foolproof plan for escape from prison and get the items for his disguise

in spite of being watched closely?

3. Who has the last laugh – The Governor or Evans?


1. What did the Detective Superintendent inform the Governor about Evans?

2. Who was Carter? What did the Governor ask him to do?

3. How was Mcleery dressed and why?

4. What were the contents of the small brown bag Mcleery carried?

CHAPTER – 6 – MEMORIES OF CHILD HOOD


1. What kind of discrimination did Bama and Zitkala experience? How did they respond to their respective

situations?

2. Why did Bama take a long time to cover the short distance from school to home? What fascinated her?

3. Describe the incident that made Bama want to double up and shriek with laughter. How did her brother

explain the landlord’s behavior?


1. What did Zitkala-sa feel when her long hair was cut?

2. How did Zitkala- Sa try to prevent the shingling of her hair?

3. What advice did Annan offer Bama? What was the result?

LITERATURE PART – III

NOVEL : THE INVISIBLE MAN

1. The Stranger’s manner was strange, abrupt and rude at times. Comment on how he behaved and why

Mrs. Hall tolerated him.

2. In what way was Mr. Cuss’ interview with the stranger ‘a most remarkable story’?

3. What happened when Jaffers the constable tried to arrest the stranger? How did he outwit everyone and

escape?

4. Write a note on poor Mr. Marvel reduced to weeping and crawling behind the legs of the fighting men.

5. Describe how Dr. Kemp became convinced that there was an invisible man in his bedroom.

6. Why was Griffin afraid of dogs?

7. Why didn’t being invisible make Griffin happy? Do you sympathise with him? Why/Why not?

8. Describe the events that lead to the town people’s attitude change from curiosity to suspicion, dislike

and finally-hostility.

9. Describe the meeting between Thomas Marvel and the Invisible Man. What were its consequences?

10. Marvel, the lonely stupid tramp turns the tables on everyone and ends up as the only person to benefit

from Griffin. Discuss.

11. Griffin is the representation of science without humanity. Elucidate.

12. What do we learn about Mrs. Hall and Griffin from their first interaction at coach and Horses Inn?

13. Everyone who comes into contact with Griffin suffers. Attempt a character sketch of Griffin in the light

of this remark.



WRITING SKILLS ASSIGNMENT – III

FORMATS FOR WRITING SKILLS

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

1. Advertisement are classified according to their category.

2. The category is mentioned at the top, e.g. SALE, PROPERTY, SITUATION, VACANT, MATRIMONIAL,

LOST & FOUND, etc.

3. Advertisement should be written in short, catchy phrases and words.

4. Language: simple, formal, to the point.

5. All necessary details must be given.

6. Contact address / phone no. must be given at the end.

7. It should be written in a box.

Keep the following points in mind while writing the various categories of advertisement.

A. Educational Institutions.

a) Name of Institution / its past record

b) Courses offered, duration

c) Eligibility condition

d) Last date of registration

e) Contact address and phone no.

B. Lost and Found

a) Begin with lost and found

b) Specify item

c) Give brief physical description

d) When/ where lost or found

e) Reward, if any

f) Contact address and phone no.

C. Missing Persons / pets

a) Begin with ‘Missing’.

b) Give brief physical description

c) Contact address and phone no.

D. Situation Vacant

a) Begin with ‘Wanted / Required’. b) Name of the Company / Organization

c) Post and No. of vacancies.

d) Age and sex of the candidate

e) Qualifications and experience

f) Other details (optional)

g) Pay scale and Perks

h) Mode of applying

i) Contact address and Phone no.

E. Sale / Purchase of Property / Vehicle / Household Goods Etc.

a) Begin with for Sale / Purchase or Available / Wanted.

b) Type of Accommodation / Vehicle / Household item.

c) Brief Physical Description.

1. Property –

Size, floor, no. of room etc.

Fixtures and fittings

Location and surroundings.

2. Vehicle –

Model / year of manufacturing.

Colour, Accessories, etc.

Condition/ Mileage done.

3. Household goods.

Brand / Model / year of manufacturing.

Specify material in case of furniture

Present Condition

Price offered / Expected

Contact address and phone no.

F. To let

a) Begin with ‘Wanted’ and ‘Available’ etc.

b) State type description (as in ‘property’ above)

c) Rent expected

d) Contact address and phone no.

G. Travels and Tours

a) Begin with ‘Package Available’ etc.

b) Name of Travel Agency

c) Destination and duration.

d) Details of package – food / boarding/ lodging/ sightseeing etc.

e) Cost and special discount.

f) Contact address and phone no.

COMMERCIAL (OR DISPLAY) ADVERTISEMENTS

Main Characteristics:

a) Designed for commercial purposes

b) More space, more expensive

c) ‘varying font size or shape

d) Language: Colourful and lucid

e) Usually attractive with catchy slogans, punch lines, witty expressions, pictures or sketches.

Essential Details:

a) Name of the company / Institute etc.

b) Details of the product / event / educational course etc.

c) Special offers or discount, if any

d) Contact Address of company / institute etc.

NOTICE - WRITINGS

Q.1 What is a notice?

A notice is a written or printed information or news announcement. The purpose of notice writing is to

disseminate information related to different issues or occasions. Notices are either displayed at

prominent places or published in newspapers / magazines. Since a notice contains a formal

announcement or information, its tone and style is formal and factual. Its language should be simple and

formal. A notice is always brief and to the point. Circulars are also like notices the only difference is

that they are circulated through a messenger.

Main Characteristics of a notice.

a) Format:- The format must include the word ‘NOTICE’, date, heading, writer’s name and designation,

name of organisation/ institute.

b) Content:- The content must state the event, issue date, time, venue, chief guest etc,. That is, it must

answer the questions ‘what’? When?, where’? and ‘how’.

c) Expression: Expression relates to the overall organization and relevance of the content as well as

grammatical accuracy and fluency.

Essential steps for Drafting Notices

1. Write the name of the institution / organization at the top, if printed pad is not used.

2. State the issue / event / news clearly. Give the notice a heading. The subject matter should also be

stated clearly and in simple language. Avoid ambiguity / confusion.

3. Be brief and to the point. Avoid irrelevant / superfluous material.

4. Mention the day, date, time, venue and other instructions specially.

5. Signature and designation of the issuing authority are given at the bottom on the left hand side.

6. The date of issue is given at the top or at the bottom on the right hand side.

Writing A Notice

A notice is a displayed sheet or a placard giving news or information. While writing a notice, the

following points should be kept in mind.

a) Adhere to the specified word limit. (50 Words)

b) Give an appropriate heading

c) Mention date, venue, and time.

d) Mention whom to contact

e) Give name and designation

f) Write the notice in a box.

POSTERS

Q.1 What is a poster?

Posters (and pamphlets) are notices, advertisements and invitations – all in one. People generally read

them from a distance. Colorful, attractive and appealing posters enchant the readers.

Purpose of a Poster

The purpose of designing a poster is either to create social awareness about issues related to current

problems and needs, or to advertise or even to extend public invitations and write notices.

Main Features of a Poster

a) Layout:

Eye catching and visually attractive

Catchy / suggestive title, some slogan, jingle or short verse

Sketch or simple drawings using match stick figures.

Letters of different size and shape

Proportionate spacing.

b) Content

The theme or subject of the poster.

Description or details associated with the theme.

Essential details like date, time and venue in case of an event.

Name (s) of the issuing authority/ company / organizers etc.

c) Expression:

The overall organization and sequencing of the matter

Appropriate and accurate language

Persuasive tone

Catchy phrases and slogans

Creativity in terms of content and description

DESIGNING A POSTER

Posters must be drafted / designed with utmost care. Remember the following points:

1. A poster must be simple but attractive and eye – catching.

2. It should not be overloaded with many details. Introduce only the relevant details. Avoid superfluous

irrelevant points.

3. Use letters of different font sizes. Build contrast by bold / capital letters and small ones in different

lines.

4. Beautiful drawings, striking sketches and ornate designs add to the beauty of a poster.

5. Slogans, proverbs catchy phrases, quotations and tempting or inviting language make the poster more

meaningful.

INVITATIONS

Invitations are of two types: (a) Formal (b) Informal. They can be printed on cards or can be drafted in

the form of social letters.

Main Characteristics

An invitation is normally a single sentence presentation. In case, the invitation is formal, third

person is used. In case it is informal, first person is used.

An invitation is a complete piece of information. It answers the questions: who, whom, when,

where, what time and for what i.e

- name (s) of the host(s)

- name (s) of the invitee (s)

- the occasion.

- date, time and venue

Other Details

- name, designation and address of the organizer, sponsor or host

- name (s) of the chief guest or special invitees, in case of an official invitation.

FORMAT OF FORMAL INVITATIONS

In case of formal invitations, each of the following is written in a separate line and if it is printed, in

different type of fonts.

a) Names of the hosts

b) Name of the invitee (optional)

c) Formal phrase of invitation e.g

- Request the pleasure of your benign / presence/ company

- Seek your auspicious presence

- Solicit your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion

- The date, time and venue of the event.

- The occasion / reason of the invitation.

WRITING FORMAL INVITATIONS

A. Meant for a lot of invitees: (Print – type)

a) These are generally printed invitation cards through which we invite our guests on some auspicious

occasion like weddings, birthday, wedding anniversary, house warming, inauguration of a shop /

factory.

b) In case a VIP is invited to preside over a function, the name of that VIP appears prominently.

c) These formal invitations don’t include the name of the invitee. The addressee’s name and address is

typed / written on the envelope only.

d) These letters are written in Third Person and the Simple Present Tense is used.

e) The date of writing is not given.

f) There is no signature.

g) The abbreviation RSVP (French: repondez s’il vous plait) i.e please reply, is written at the bottom

with contact phone number or the name of the sender(s)/ member of the family.

B. Meant for an individual (on letter head)

- These include the name of the invitee.

- These are written in run-on lines.

- The sentence is not broken into different words/ phrases.

- These may be handwritten / typed or printed.

- Other details are similar to the mass scale invitations.

WRITING INFORMAL INVITATIONS.

Informal invitations follow the pattern of ordinary personal letters. These letters are written to relatives,

friends and acquaintances.

a) These invitations are written in First person and second person is used for the addressed.

b) Personal feelings and emotions find expression

c) The salutation is usually ‘dear’ plus first name.

d) The date of writing is given, but the year is generally omitted.

e) Different tenses are used as the sense demands.

f) The complementary close is ‘yours sincerely’. g) The writer’s address is given in the usual place.

h) The style or tone is relaxed and informal.

RESPONDING TO INVITATIONS

OR

WRITING REPLIES

(Formal and Informal)

Formal Replies

A formal reply is usually very short. It is brief and to the point, yet it is pleasant and courteous in tone.

Writing Formal Replies.

a) Be Brief and to the point.

b) Avoid unnecessary details and superfluous matter.

c) Be polite even while expressing inability / regrets.

d) The tone is formal

e) Do not exceed the word limit of 50 words.

LETTER WRITING ( FORMAL)

1. BUSINES LETTERS

Business letters demand a formal and matter of fact treatment. These are generally written to or by

commercial and business forms and enterprises, so they must be simple and systematic, brief and

specific in content and formal in treatment of the subject. So students are advised to master the art and

craft of writing good business letters.

WRITING GOOD BUSINESS LETTERS

1. Be brief, clear and to the point.

2. Use separate paragraphs for separate topics.

3. The first para should indicate the theme of the letter.

4. Make a factual statement of facts.

5. Use simple and direct language. Avoid the use of long and high sounding words and ambiguous

construction.

6. Even while lodging a complaint or making criticism, you should be polite and charming.

7. Avoid clumsy expressions.

8. Use a proper layout/ format for these formal letters. The block format is more in vogue in formal

lettes whereas the indented format may be used in informal letters.

9. Use of punctuation marks is dispensed with in the block format.

10. Remember the following points about block format:

i) There is no indentation

i) Each block begins with the margin on left hand side

ii) Extra space should be left between different sections and paragraphs.

iii) Omit punctuation marks in address, date or salutation.

COMMON FEATURES OF FORMAL LETTERS:-

Sender’s Address ………………. ………………………………….. Pin ………………………………

Date …………………………….

Receiver’s Address …………………

…………………………………. Pin ……………………………..

Subject ………………………………………

Sir/ Madam

Introductory Para ……………………………

……………………………………………….

Main body of the letter ………………………

………………………………………………

………………………………………………

Concluding para ……………………………. ………………………………………………

Your’s faithfully

…………………. Signature.(Name)

Full Name …………………………………. Designation …………………………………

Encl. (if needed) ……………………………. c.c. (if needed) ………………………………

LETTERS OF APPLICATION FOR JOB

BIO DATA

1. Name in full …………………………………. 2. Father’s Name ………………………………. 3. Date of Birth …………………………………

4. Age ………………………………………….. 5. Permanent Address …………………………..

……………………………………………….. ………………………………………………..

6. Educational Qualifications (in chronological order)

(i) Secondary: School attended, course, examination, passed, grades obtained.

(ii) Tertiary: College, University, exam, division

(iii) Technical / Professional : Degree or Diploma obtained : Institution / University

(iv) Any Other

7. Hobbies

8. Experience (name of institution, position held, nature of duties, duration)

(begin from the recent one)

(i) …………………………………………

(ii) …………………………………………

(iii)…………………………………………

9. Present Employment

(i) Organization ……………………………

(ii) Position …………………………………

(iii) Salary drawn ……………………………

10. Reasons for changing job

11. References (Name, designation, official address)

(i) …………………………………………. (ii) ………………………………………….

12. Testimonials from (Name, designation, official address) (optional)

(i) …………………………………………. (ii) …………………………………………. (iii) ………………………………………….

REPORT WRITING

OR

FACTUAL DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS OR EXPERIENCES

The aim of writing a factual description / report of an incident for another person is to recreate that event /

incident vividly so that the reader visualizes everything concretely.

Writing a report / Factual Description

a) Select details ( real and concrete)

b) Be brief and clear

c) Avoid ambiguity, exaggeration and over statements.

d) Word limit should not be exceeded (100 – 120 words)

Essential Features -

a) Heading, Writer’s name (write place and date also if it is for a newspaper)

b) Systematic and logical

c) Simple and clear - well organized

d) Real and life like

e) Capture the reader’s interest

f) Content should answer ‘Wh’ questions like what , when , where why , who, how.



WRITING SKILLS ASSIGNMENT – II

NOTICES (50 WORDS)

1. Write a notice for your school board regarding the calculator you lost in your school. You are Manav

of class XII.

2. You are Deepak, Secretary, Science Forum, Birla School, Pilani. Write a notice for your school notice

board inviting students to a lecture to be delivered by an eminent scientist.

3. You are the Sports Captain of King’s Public School. Write a notice in fifty words for the school

notice board informing the students about the Inter – School Basket Ball match to be played. (Give all

necessary details of the match)

4. You are Vaibhav / Vaibhavi, Secretary of the Old students’ Association of you school. Write a notice

for a newspaper about the next Old Students’ Meet, giving relevant information about the agenda of

the meeting etc.

5. Write a notice for the school notice board inviting volunteers for one day Blood Donation Camp to be

organized in your school. You are Vinay, Head Boy, XYZ Public School, New Delhi.

6. Your school is organizing a fete to collect funds for charity. Only school students are eligible to put up

stalls. Write a notice announcing sale of stalls. Give all other necessary details.

7. You are Rakesh, Secretary, Students Union, Govt. School, Kanpur. Write a notice requesting

contributions from students for the victims of an earthquake.

8. You are Shikha / Shekhar, General Secretary of Sports Club of Meera Bai School, Nasik. Your school

has decided to celebrate the Silver Jubilee Function of the school in the form of Annual Sports Day.

Write a notice inviting the names of the students who want to participate in any of the sports activity

or to put up a show on the stage.

9. The International Book Fair is being held Pragati Maidan between 14 Nov. and 19 Nov. As the school

librarian write a notice informing students about it.

10. You are the secretary of the Tours and Travels Club. Draft a notice about a trekking holiday that your

school is organizing, giving all the necessary details, asking those keen to join the trip, to give their

names.

ADVERTISEMENTS (50 Words)

1. Your uncle has recently been transferred from Chennai to New Delhi. He has asked you to hire suitable

accommodation in a good residential colony. Write out an advt. for the same to be published in the

classified columns of the Indian Express.

2. You are Ashwani Gupta and need a telephone operator for 203, Surya Kiran Building, K.G. Marg. New

Delhi. Write an adv. for the classified columns of Hindustan Times inviting applications / resume from

young people with pleasing telephone manners and fluency in English.

3. You are the senior manager at Sahni Travels and Tours. Construct an advt. offering an attractive

package tour to Kullu – Manali. Give other details.

4. You have recently constructed a house with all the facilities in a posh area. You have decided to give it

for rent. You are Ankur / Akriti of 135, Vishesh Apartments, Ganga Nagar, New Delhi. Tel: 22111100.

5. You are B. Sharma of Delhi. You want a Maths tutor for your brother, studying in class XII. Write out

an advertisement to be published in the local newspaper.

6. You are a graduate with an experience of keeping accounts. You want a job. Prepare an advt. for

publication in the situation wanted column of a newspaper to this effect.

7. Your family is immigrating and wants to dispose off many household things. Draft an adv. to be

published in a local newspaper, giving all the necessary details of the articles, expected prices etc.

8. You propose to sell your flat as you are going abroad. Draft an adv. for it to be published in the TOI,

New Delhi, under classified columns.

9. You want to purchase a second hand car. Draft a suitable adv. to be printed in the Wanted column of a

newspaper.

10. Imagine that Dutt and Dutta Travel Agency is organizing special Christmas and New Year packages to

Europe, the U.S.A and Far East. Draft a classified advertisement for the same.

11. You need to buy a flat. Draft a suitable advertisement giving all the necessary details of your

requirement to be published in the classified columns of a local newspaper.

POSTERS ( 50 WORDS)

1. On the eve of World Heritage Day design a poster highlighting the need to preserve the monuments of

your country.

2. To create awareness among the people regarding the importance of rain water harvesting, prepare a

poster about it to be displayed in an exhibition.

3. You have started an English Coaching Centre. Experts, at your centre, enable students to speak and

write correct English in 60 days. Students who have passed +2 exams are eligible. Draft a poster to this

effect.

4. Design an attractive poster for Anti – Smoking campaign being held in your school on the occasion of

World No – Tobacco Day.

5. Design a poster warning the people of Delhi against the danger of pollution and appealing to them to

keep their surrounding clean.

6. Draft a poster for Science Club of your school. You are Ramesh of St. Paul Public School, Rohtak.

7. You are making an effort to spread the message of communal harmony. Prepare a poster with catchy

slogans to be displayed in your school premises.

8. Design a poster on ‘Metro – the Pride’ of Delhi.

9. You are the Secretary of the Welfare Association of your locality. The Association is holding a

programme for free medical check up of the aged by a team of famous physicians. Draft a poster for the

same, giving details.

10. The Red Cross Society, Chandigarh, is planning a Blood Donation Camp at your School. Draft a poster

urging all to donate blood.

11. You are the President of your school theatre club. Your club is organizing a play ‘The Miser’ to help

the victims of the recent earthquake. Design a poster informing the students about the play. Add

necessary details.

INVITATIONS

1. You are Apoorva, the President of the Rotary Club of Madras. Draft a formal invitation in connection

with the Literacy Month Celebration being organized by your Club.

2. Write a formal invitation, (in a card format) to be sent to all the parents of your school on the event of

Annual Sports Day.

3. Ministry of Health, Delhi Government is organizing an exhibition on ‘Health Care’ in Pragati Maidan.

As Health Secretary, write an invitation to the people to visit the exhibition. Give the relevant details.

4. As the Principal of M.J. International School which is holding its Annual Day Function at 5.00 p.m. on

15th

November in the School Auditorium, design an invitation card to be sent on the occasion.

5. Write an informal letter of invitation inviting friends to your 18th

birthday party.

6. As the principal of G.R. Public School, Ashok Nagar, New Delhi send an invitation card to the parents

and other invitees on the Golden Jubilee Celebration of your school. Design an attractive invitation

card.

7. Draft an invitation to be sent to the parents of the outgoing batch of Class XII on the occasion of the

Citation Ceremony / Farewell.

8. Your grandparents have completed 50 successful years of their married life. You have organized a

grand celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Draft an invitation to be extended to all their

near and dear ones for the occasion.

9. Your neighbours have just moved into their new house and plan to throw a house warming party. On

their behalf, design an invitation to the event for their relatives and friends.

10. Your brother has cleared MBA examination and got a very good job. Draft and invitation to be sent to

your friends for a party celebrating the same.

11. Sunrise Global School, Agra is going to organize a one – act play competition in the school auditorium.

You have decided to invite noted stage artiste Nalini to grace the occasion. Draft a formal invitation for

her in about 50 words.

REPLIES

1. You are Akash / Varsha. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your friend’s brother during

the summer vacation. Respond to the invitation regretting your inability to attend it.

2. You have been invited to attend the Silver Wedding Anniversary of a colleague. Write your reply to the

invitation either accepting or declining it.

3. Write your reply to an invitation extended by your neighbour on the occasion of their son’s election as a

Member of the Rajya Sabha. You may either accept it or express your regret.

4. You are Mohan / Molly. You have been invited by the Lions Club to act as one of the judges for a fancy

dress competition for children. But due to a previous engagement you cannot accept this invitation.

Respond to the invitation expressing your regret.

5. You have been invited to judge an Inter School Debate on the topic ‘Nuclear Energy is More misused

than Used’. Draft a reply to the invitation confirming your acceptance. Also seek clarification on

certain points, such as whether you would be required to make a speech and the approximate duration of

the programme.

LETTERS.

8. You are Raman Luthra, a resident of 59, Anand Lok, New Delhi. Write a letter placing an order for some

music CDs to M/s.Music World, Anand Plaza, Delhi.

9. You are Aman Grover, a student of Progressive School, Netaji Nagar, New Delhi. The road leading to your

school is very congested and full of potholes. In spite of several representations, no action has been taken to

improve the condition of the road. Write a letter to the Editor, The Times of India, to draw the attention of

the authorities.

10. You are Naresh/ Neetu. Recently, you came across a newspaper report on the burning of a young woman as

her parents could not meet the dowry demands. You feel that even after 60 years of independence we have

not really progressed as a nation. Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper expressing your views and

also giving suggestions to improve the status of women in Indian society.

11. In your locality at Ghaziabad, the entire area is infested with mosquitoes because of the open drains and

stagnant water. Write a letter to the Editor of The Times of India, drawing the attention of the concerned

authorities. Also give suggestions. Sign as Susheel / Susheela.

12. Your school is proposing to purchase games and sports goods. As Sports Secretary of Springdale’s Senior

Secondary Senior Secondary School, write a letter placing an order for a few sports items (minimum 4) with

M/s. Sports & Sports Co., Patiala. You are Kartik / Kartika.

13. You are Navin / Namitha of Banglore. Of late, day light robberies and burglaries have been increasing in

your city. You are very concerned about your aged parents living alone. Write a letter to the Editor of

Deccan Herald drawing the attention of the concerned authorities and giving your suggestions.

14. You are Karthik / Karthika of Chennai. Oflate, chain – snatching incidents are increasing in the city. Write

a letter to the Editor of The Indian Express drawing the attention of the concerned authorities. Also give

suggestions.

15. The following advertisement appeared in the newspaper –

Write an application for job in response to the above advertisement.

16. You are Rakesh / Rakhi of 65, Safdurjung Enclave, New Delhi. Write a letter to the Police Commissioner

about the unauthorized construction of a block of 3 shops in the adjacent public park.

17. In your locality the road lights have not been glowing for the few weeks and also the manholes (drains) are

not covered, causing a lot of inconvenience and posing danger to life. Write a letter to the Health

Department of Corporation of Chennai, requesting them to attend to it.

18. This summer vacation you are planning to visit Shimla. Write a letter to a travel agency in Shimla

requesting them to book you a room in a five – star hotel. Give other details of your journey and facilities

you require there. Sign your name as Leela / Mohan, C/5, Assam.

19. You have a degree in Architecture and you have worked for a British firm for five years. Write an

application for the post of Senior architect in “AB Construction”, Bhopal – 7. Sign your name as XYZ.

Your address is : 56, Cross Street, Seeta Nagar.

20. You are Shilpa / Sameer living in Bangalore. You have recently bought a Philips Camcorder and have been

pleased with its performance. However, after two weeks of using it, you find there is a defect in the lens.

Write a letter to the Manager, Belco Electronics asking for a replacement as it is within the guarantee

period.

21. Write an application (including a resume) in 120 – 150 words for the post of receptionist advertised in a

national newspaper by JKL Publishers, Peshwa Road, Pune. You are Karuna, M 114, Mall Road, Pune, a

graduate from SNDT University and have done a Secretarial Practice Course from YWCA , Mumbai.

ARTICLES / SPEECH

1. ‘Down to Earth’ an environmental awareness magazine has launched a Marathon ‘Clean Your City

Campaign’. As an active participant, write a speech to be read out in the morning assembly urging

students to participate in the campaign.

2. Arti Gupta has been involved as a student volunteer in the ‘Adult Literacy Drive’ and has been working

in the slums for the last six months. She has to write an article on ‘The Need for a Literate Nation.’ Write an article using not more than 150 – 200 words.

3. You are living in a place of scenic beauty. It is green, natural and refreshing. Write an article on ‘The

Joys of Living in the Lap of Nature’ for the Nature column of a newspaper.

4. You have just come back from a factory which employs children and have witnessed the awful

conditions of their workplace. Write an article advocating a total ban on child labour.

5. In aid of India’s golden jubilee celebration of the freedom struggle ‘Creative Forum’ has invited essays

on the topic ‘The Freedom Movement and its Relevance Today’. Write the essay in 150 – 200 words.

Wanted a Pediatrician, Age – 35 – 40 years. Experience – minimum 3

years. Salary as per government scales. Apply within 15 days to the

Registrar, Holy Family Hospital, Greater Kailash, New Delhi.

6. You think differently from the way your parents think about food, clothing and lifestyle. Write an

article on ‘Generation Gap – A Myth or Reality’ in about 150 – 200 words.

7. The headline “Increasing violence in schools” in a daily newspaper reveals a disturbing trend. In the

light of the above write an article for your school magazine in 150 – 200 words on the ‘Need for Value

Education’ in educational institutions.

8. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Write a speech in about 150 – 200 words on the

relevance of this saying in the present educational system.

9. ‘Rising prices can be controlled only by the government’. Write a debate in150 – 200 words either for or

against the motion.

10. Write a speech in 150- 200 words on the topic ‘Library plays an important role at school’. It is to be

delivered in the morning assembly.


ENGLISH -XII

READING SKILLS – COMPREHENSION PASSAGES

ASSIGNMENT – I

Q.1 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:-

1. Air pollution is an issue which concerns us all alike. One can willingly choose or reject a food, a drink

or a life comfort, but unfortunately there is little choice for the air we breathe. All, what is there in the

air is inhaled by one and all living in those surroundings.

2. Air pollutant is defined as a substance which is present while normally it is not there or present in an

amount exceeding the normal concentrations. It could either be gaseous or a particulate matter. The

important and harmful polluting gases are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone and oxides of

sulphur and nitrogen. The common particulate pollutants are the dusts of various inorganic or organic

origins. Although we often talk of the outdoor air pollution caused by industrial and vehicular exhausts,

the indoor pollution may prove to be as or a more important cause of health problems.

3. Recognition of air pollution is relatively recent. It is not uncommon to experience a feeling of

‘suffocation’ in a closed environment. It is often ascribed to the lack of oxygen. Fortunately, however,

the composition of air is remarkably constant all over the world. There is about 79 percent nitrogen and

21 per cent oxygen in the air – the other gases forming a very small fraction. It is true that carbon

dioxide exhaled out of lungs may accumulate in a closed and over – crowded place. But such an

increase is usually small and temporary unless the room is really air – tight. Exposure to poisonous

gases such as carbon monoxide may occur in a closed room, heated by burning coal inside. This may

also prove to be fatal.

4. What is more common in a poorly ventilated home is a vague constellation of symptoms described as

the sick – building syndrome. It is characterized by a general feeling of malaise, head – ache, dizziness

and irritation of mucous membranes. It may also be accompanied by nausea, itching, aches, pains and

depression. Sick building syndrome is getting commoner in big cities with the small houses, which are

generally over – furnished. Some of the important gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,

oxides of nitrogen and organic substances like spores, formaldehydes, hydrocarbon aerosols and

allergens. The sources are attributed to a variety of construction materials, insulations, furnishings,

adhesives, cosmetics, house dusts, fungi and other indoor products.

5. By products of fuel combustion are important in houses with indoor kitchens. It is not only the burning

of dried dung and fuelwood which is responsible, but also kerosene and liquid petroleum gas. Oxides of

both nitrogen and sulphur are released from their combustion.

6. Smoking of tobacco in the closed environment is an important source of indoor pollution. It may not be

high quantitatively, but significantly hazardous for health. It is because of the fact that there are over

3000 chemical constituents in tobacco smoke, which have been identified. These are harmful for human

health.

7. Micro – organisms and allergens are of special significance in the causation and spread of diseases.

Most of the infective illnesses may involve more persons of a family living in common indoor

environment. These include viral and bacterial diseases like tuberculosis.

8. Besides infections, allergic and hypersensitivity disorders are spreading fast. Although asthma is a most

common form of respiratory allergic disorders, pneumonias are not uncommon, but more persistent and

serious. These are attributed to exposures to allergens from various fungi, molds, hay and other organic

materials. Indoor air ventilation systems, coolers, air – conditioners, dampness, decay, pet animals,

production or handling of the causative items are responsible for these hypersensitivity – diseases.

9. Obviously, the spectrum of pollution is very wide and our options are limited. Indoor pollution may be

handled relatively easily by an individual. Moreover, the good work must start from one’s own house.

(Extracted from The Tribune)

a) i) What is an air pollutant?

ii) In what forms are the air pollutants present?

iii) Why do we feel suffocated in a closed environment?

iv) What is sick building syndrome? How is it increasing?

v) How is indoor smoking very hazardous?

vi) How can one overcome the dangers of indoor air pollution?

vii) Which of the following is not a polluting gas:

a) carbon monoxide

b) oxides of sulphur

c) oxides of nitrogen

d) oxygen

viii) Suffocation is:

a) lack of oxygen

b) accumulation of CO2 in a closed over-crowded place

c) exposure of harmful in a closed room

d) All of the above

b) Find the words from the above passage which mean the same as the following:

i) giddiness (para 4)

ii) constant (para 8)

iii) humidity (para 8)

Q2. Read the following passage carefully:-

1. Even as the Indian Minister of State for Environment and Forests goes on record saying that only one

tiger has been poached in the first seven months of this year, the killing game goes on undeterred in the

Indian sanctuaries. And the situation is perhaps, no worse elsewhere than in certain areas of Uttar

Pradesh, particularly the Terai region. It is, therefore, hardly surprising that numerous trees, animals and

birds have become victims and many more are clearly at risk.

2. The situation is especially alarming in Bahraich district where, in the 1,600 sq. km. forested area,

distributed between the east and west forest divisions for purposes of administrative convenience, lies

the famous Katerniaghat wildlife sanctuary, among the country’s leading gharaial breeding centres.

Timber is being stolen from under the noses of lackadaisical forest department personnel who appear to

have given their tacit consent to the hunting and smuggling of body parts of many species in this wildlife

rich stretch.

3. Not much time has elapsed since a cheetal and jungle fowl were shot with impunity in the Motipur

block, a fact that supports a long held theory that the denizens of the wild here are being traded for

pleasure and profit.

4. In 1983, a team of reporters from a vernacular Lucknow daily spotted a cyclist pedaling unhurriedly in

the direction of the Nepal border with the skins of some protected animals strapped to his carrier.

5. On investigation, the newshounds discovered that such prohibited articles are allowed to cross the

border for a price. Greed is thus appeased on both sides of the fence, and everybody concerned becomes

a little richer. But at what cost?

6. The lush forests on the other side were cleared years back by Nepal to rehabilitate its former armymen,

trigger happy to this day, they sneak into the Indian jungles on illegal hunting expeditions.

7. The damage is being compounded by local vandals who persistently violate the rules, and the forests, in

their avarice. While a thriving racket in the sale of spotted deer meat is said to have been liquidated in

the district, rumours are that the evil has yet to be stamped out. Also, partridge and quail are routine fare

at a number of eateries. That this seldom causes eyebrows to rise is a matter deserving swift remedial

action.

a) On the basis of the reading of the above passage, answer the following questions:

i) What is the damage being caused to the Terai Region?

ii) What are the two main factors responsible for continued poaching?

iii) What do the ‘trigger happy’ Nepalese armymen get away with?

iv) Suggest three ways in which poaching can be curtailed.

v) How many tigers have been poached in the last seven months :

a) one b) two c) three d) four

vi) The situation is especially alarming in ___________ district:

a) Lucknow b) Delhi c) Bahraich d) Nepal

vii) Which sanctuary is one of the leading ghariyal breeding centre.

a) Periyar b) Katerniaghat c) Motipur d) Bahraich

b) Pick out words from the passage which mean:

i) exemption from punishment (para 3)

ii) enquiry (para 5)

iii) greed for money (para 7)

Q.3 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

1. My first tryst with Shakespeare several years ago was an enforced one. The Merchant of Venice was a

prescribed book in class 9 when I was at school. I had read the wonderful Lamb's Tales from

Shakespeare and considered myself an authority on the stories. I did not think it necessary to read the

antiquated language or trudge through several seemingly abstruse paragraphs to get to the main point.

To spend a whole year to decipher a play when I had understood the story in a few pages seemed to be a

sheer waste of time. Yet, somewhere along the way, I was drawn into the world of the Merchants of

Venice, their portly argosies, the signors and rich burghers and the news on the Rialto. The language

yielded its riches slowly, the characters became well drawn , more rounded and the impassioned

speeches of Shylock and Portia stirred up a flurry of unexamined questions. Since then, I read several

other plays, saw a couple of theatrical performances and watched young Leonardo Di Caprio in a

modern Romeo and Juliet film. Shakespeare has been around.

2. Shakespeare has shaped the writing and storytelling in the English language like no other writer has. He

liberally borrowed , bent and brought new words into the English language from addiction, bump ,critic

to worthless and zany. The phrases that he coined roll off our tongues as overused adages- All that

glitters is not gold( Merchant of Venice), Jealousy is a green eyes monster ( Othello) and the perennial '

All is well that ends well.' He has influenced several writers and been quoted by many of them. One of

my favourite authors P.G Wodehouse had the odd Shakespearan phrase popping up in whacky situations

like the 'milk of human kindness' sloshing inside someone or references to Banquo and Macbeth

explained to Bertie by the estimable Jeeves who knew his Shakespeare. The plays have been translated

into most languages including several regional Indian bhashas. They have lent themselves to film

adaptations including Vishal Bharadwaj's Maqbool ( Macbeth) and Omkara ( Othello) and more

recently Haider (Hamlet)

3. The tragedies and comedies of Shakespeare cover every possible theme and idea-love, greed, jealousy,

racism, friendship, mistaken identities, murder, mutiny, politics, feminism and revenge. Like any other

celebrity, he has been the subject of speculation and controversy. There have been several conspiracy

theories afloat on the 'real' authorship of the plays including a recent claim by a professor in Sicily that

Shakespeare was actually Italian. Despite everything, Shakespeare's appeal is universal, the stories

transcend language and nationalities. However more than 400 years after Shakespeares's birth, I can't

help wondering if anyone will read his works in the days to come.

4. The average attention span in front of a television channel is about 4 seconds before flicking on the

remote to move to another. It is perfectly acceptable to massacre the rules of grammar and syntax b4 u

cn say why dis kolaveri di . When you can tell a whole story in 140 characters, reading 14 sentences can

be a chore. Who will have the desire or patience to dredge up the treasures that lie within?

5. Shakespeare's works have proved to be sturdy, unshakeable through the centuries, moving with the

times, lending themselves to newer forms. I hope they don't get relegated to a few die hard literature

students or musty libraries. Who knows, we might yet have a different form of Shakespeare that will

appeal to the GeNext, a form that will induce them to approach an original play with a sense of

anticipation, of beginning a quest to understand and appreciate a good story, well told.

Nothing of him that does fade,

But doth suffer a sea-change

Into something rich and strange.

I a) The writer considered himself an authority on Shakespeare after reading …………

(i) The Merchant of Venice

(ii) Romeo and Juliet

(iii) Lamb’s Tales

(iv) Leonardo Di Caprio

b) The best known Shakespearean quote regarding generosity of spirit is ………. (i) All that glitters is not gold

(ii) All is well that ends well

(iii) Jealousy is a green-eyed monster

(iv) Milk of human kindness

c) The claim of the Italian professor from Sicily was …………

(i) Shakespeare was an Italian

(ii) that he covers every possible theme and idea

(iii) that there have been several conspiracy theories

(iv) Shakespeare was a subject of speculation

II Answer the following questions briefly:

a) Why was the author’s first tryst with Shakespeare an enforced one?

b) What did the author like about the play after reading it thoroughly?

c) What is Shakespeare’s contribution to shaping the English language?

d) What according to the writer, will make GenNext read Shakespeare?

e) What was the speculation of the author about GenNext?

III Find words from the passage which mean the same:

a) a private romantic meeting (para 1)

b) go beyond the range (para 3)

c) persuade of influence (para 5)

Q4 Read the following passage carefully:

1. It had been a miserable session all through. The farmer, Mr. Dinsdale, was a long, sad, silent man of few

words who always seemed to be expecting the worst to happen. He had a long, sad, silent son with him

and the two of them had watched my efforts with deepening gloom.

2. But worst of all had been Uncle. When I had first entered the hillside barn I had been surprised to see a

little bright-eyed old man in a pork pie hat settling down comfortably on a bale of straw. He was filling

his pipe and clearly looking forward to the entertainment.

3. “Now then, young man,” he cried in the nasal twang of the West Riding. “I’m Mr. Dinsdale’s brother. I

farm over in Listondale.”

4. I put down my equipment and nodded. “How do you do? My name is Herriot.”

5. The old man looked me over, piercingly. “My vet is Mr. Broomfield. Expect you’ll have heard of him—everybody knows him, I reckon. Wonderful man, Mr. Broomfield, especially at calving. Do you know,

I’ve never seen ’im beat yet.”

6. I managed a wan smile. Any other time I would have been delighted to hear how good my colleague

was, but somehow not now, not now. In fact, the words set a mournful little bell tolling inside me.

7. “No, I’m afraid I don’t know Mr. Broomfield,” I said, taking off my jacket and, more reluctantly,

peeling my shirt over my head. “But I haven’t been around these parts very long.”

8. Uncle was aghast. “You don’t know him! Well you’re the only one as doesn’t. They think the world of

him in Listondale, I can tell you.” He lapsed into a shocked silence and applied a match to his pipe.

Then he shot a glance at my goose-pimpled torso. “Strips like a boxer does Mr. Broomfield. Never seen

such muscles on a man.”

9. A wave of weakness coursed sluggishly over me. I felt suddenly leaden-footed and inadequate. As I

began to lay out my ropes and instruments on a clean towel the old man spoke again.

10. “And how long have you been qualified, may I ask?”

11. “Oh, about seven months.”

12. “Seven months!” Uncle smiled indulgently, tamped down his tobacco and blew out a cloud of rank, blue

smoke. “Well, there’s nowt like a bit of experience, I always says. Mr. Broomfield’s been doing my

work now for over ten years and he really knows what he’s about. No, you can ’ave your book learning.

Give me experience every time.”

13. I tipped some antiseptic into the bucket and lathered my arms carefully. I knelt behind the cow.

14. “Mr. Broomfield always puts some special lubricating oils on his arms first,” Uncle said, pulling

contentedly on his pipe. “He says you get infection of the womb if you just use soap and water.”

15. I made my first exploration. It was the burdened moment all vets go through when they first put their

hand into a cow. Within seconds I would know whether I would be putting on my jacket in fifteen

minutes or whether I had hours of hard labour ahead of me.

16. I was going to be unlucky this time; it was a nasty presentation. Head back and no room at all; more like

being inside an undeveloped heifer than a second calver. And she was bone dry—the “waters” must

have come away from her hours ago. She had been running out on the high fields and had started to

calve a week before her time; that was why they had had to bring her into this half-ruined barn. Anyway,

it would be a long time before I saw my bed again.

17. “Well now, what have you found, young man?” Uncle’s penetrating voice cut through the silence.

“Head back, eh? You won’t have much trouble, then. I’ve seen Mr. Broomfield do ’em like that—he

turns calf right round and brings it out back legs first.”

18. I had heard this sort of nonsense before. A short time in practice had taught me that all farmers were

experts with other farmers’ livestock. When their own animals were in trouble they tended to rush to the

phone for the vet, but with their neighbours’ they were confident, knowledgeable and full of helpful

advice.

I On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the best of the

given choices.

a) The vet who tended to Mr. Dinsdale’s animals was ………. (i) Mr West Riding

(ii) Mr Broomfield

(iii) Mr Dinsdale’s son

(iv) the heifer

b) The vet tending to the cow had been ……….. (i) qualified for a period of seven months

(ii) in the district for seven days

(iii) had attended to seven days

(iv) had worked on his patient for seven hours

c) The cow in labour had started to calve ……….. (i) when standing in the barn

(ii) a week before the vet was called in

(iii) while the farmer went to milk the other animals

(iv) fifteen minutes earlier

II Answer the following questions briefly:

a) Where does Mr. Dinsdale’s brother come from?

b) What is Uncle’s opinion about his vet?

c) Compare the physique of the writer with that of Mr. Broomfield.

d) What was Uncle’s advice about the calving?

e) According to the writer, who were experts with other farmer’s livestock?

III Find the words from the passage which mean the same as:

a) said (Para 6)

b) slowly (Para 9)

c) animals (Para 18)

NOTE MAKING.

Q.5 Read the following passage carefully:

1. Centuries ago, men discovered that removing moisture from food helps to preserve it, and that the

easiest way to do this is to expose food to sun and wind. In this way, North American Indians, produce

pemmican (dried meat ground into power and made into cakes), the Scandinavians make stock fish and

the Arabs, dried dates and ‘apricot leather’. 2. All foods contain water – cabbage and other leafy vegetables 80 per cent, lean meat 75 per cent and fish

anything from 80 per cent to 60 per cent, depending on how fatty it is. If this water is removed, the

activity of the bacteria which causes food to go bad, is checked.

3. Fruit is sun dried in Asia Minor, Greece, Spain and other Mediterranean countries, and also in

Californian, South Africa and Australia. The methods used vary, but in general the fruit is spread out on

trays in drying yards in the hot sun. In order to percent darkening, pears, peaches and apricots are

exposed to the fumes of burning Sulphur before drying. Plums for making prunes, and certain varieties

of grapes for making raisins and currants, are dipped in an alkaline solution in order to crack the skins

for drying.

4. Nowadays most foods are dried mechanically. The conventional method of such dehydration is to put

food in chambers though which hot air is blown at temperatures of about 100oC at entry to about 43

oC at

exist. This is the usual method for drying such things as vegetables, minced meat and fish.

5. Liquids such as milk, coffee, tea, soups and eggs may be dried by pouring them over a heated horizontal

steel cylinder or by spraying them into a chamber through which a current of hot air passes. In the first

case, the dried material is scrapped off the roller as a thin film which is then broken up into small,

though still relatively coarse, flakes. In the second process, it falls to the bottom of the chamber as a

fine powder. Where recognizable pieces of meat and vegetables are required, as in soup. The

ingredients are dried separately and then mixed.

6. Dried foods take up less room and weigh less than the same food packed in cans or frozen, and they do

not need to be stored in special conditions. For these reasons, they are invaluable to climbers, explorers

and soldiers in a battle, who have little storage space,. They are also popular with housewives because it

takes so little time to cook them. Usually, it is just a case of replacing the dried – out moisture with

boiling water.

1.1 Make notes on the passage in any suitable format using recognizable abbreviations. Give a suitable title

to your notes.

1.2 Write a summary in about 60-80 words.


1. In speaking today about the social responsibilities of science, I will speak of things which are relatively

easy for young people, but difficult for older persons, to understand. This is because young people

possess a quality that, in general, diminishes with years: the quality of imagination. Imagination is a

quality which is an integral part of science, and naturally endowed to young people. It is a quality which

sadly enough evaporates with advancing age, yet it is a quality which our unhappy world needs in

abundance at the present time.

2. For the last three centuries, the findings of science have had a marked impact upon society, but people

on the whole have not understood just how our world has been affected, nor have they cared. From the

time of Newton, men began to realize that through technology, which is based upon the findings of

science, substantial comforts and profits could be gained. From the time of Pasteur, men began to

realize that through the application of science to medicine, they might be able to live longer.

3. From the time of Leonardo da Vinci, men appreciated that science could materially aid in winning wars.

As years went by, a technological materialism was developed; demands for new technical knowledge

became greater and greater; more and more men became scientists and technologists. The scientist can

to be looked upon as the creator of a news and abundant life. To make substantial profits, to work less,

live longer, to win wars – what more could the people of a nation desire? In the valour of its ignorance

humanity accepted science and technology as its benefactors, seldom questioning, seldom asking where

it was leading.

4. And where has it led? To a large part of the world, it has brought unprecedented comfort. To an even

larger part of the world, it has brought unprecedented agony.

5. To the world of the future (the world in which you young people must live), technological expansion

may bring total catastrophe, or it may aid in the moulding of a balanced world in which men may have

the opportunity to live in reasonable harmony with their environment and with each other. The end

result will depend upon the wisdom and imagination with which we plan for the future – upon the

wisdom and imagination with which we integrate our scientific and technical knowledge from other

fields of human endeavour, into a pattern for a peaceful and stable world.

1.1 On the basis of your reading, make notes on the passage given above in a suitable format. Use

abbreviations wherever necessary. Give a title to your notes.

1.2 Write a summary in 60-80 words.

Q.7 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 8

More than a century ago, some countries had no roper police force. Local leaders devised their own

method of ensuring that their orders were carried out and fulfilled. The offender was not given a second

chance to repeat his mistake for he was either killed or hunted out of the district.

In England, the modern police force grew largely from an unofficial body gathered together by a

London magistrate. He found that it was practically impossible to apprehend any of the criminals in his

area unless he deployed some men secretly to detect and hunt the culprits. These unofficial constables

had to patrol one large district. They looked upon their position largely as an honorary one and had very

little power. Worse still they were sometimes corrupt men themselves for they would conveniently look

the other way round in times of trouble, like theft, hooliganism and vandalism.

Magistrate Fielding enrolled a few men whom he could explicitly trust and employed them to catch the

thieves and other undesirable persons. Their remuneration was poor, their work was dangerous and they

were unpopular. The majority of the people resented what they thought was a threat to their liberties,

intrusion on their privacies and above all spying on them. They maintained that they should have every

right to drink themselves to death with any form of alcohol, as so many of them did. They thought, too,

that they should be allowed to quarrel, to fight and even to kill amongst themselves. The situation was

made worse by the fact that the penalties for offences were very heavy in those distant days, and a man

could be hanged for the theft of some unimportant thing. Arrest by the magistrate’s men could bring

disastrous results.

Contrary to general feeling, the authorities gradually admitted that these early policeman were vitally

necessary. After much discussion, argument and persuasion, the government secretly agreed to re-

imburse the magistrate for the men he employed. This step was not made public lest it should be

thought that the government was planting spies amidst its people. Eventually the public came to look

upon the police with a more friendly spirit as the benefits became more noticeable. At long last, men

and women could walk along the streets by day and even by night without fear of robbery and other acts

of violence. Hitherto, the people were free to do practically anything – good or bad, irrespective of the

possible consequences. As the police force was built, the people gave up their freedom to commit evil

deeds so that they might have a greater freedom to do good so as to enable one and all to enjoy life

peacefully and harmoniously.

a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it in appropriate format using

abbreviations wherever necessary. Provide an appropriate title too.

b) Write a summary of the above passage in 80 words using the notes made.


The Indian hand-knotted carpet industry, a traditionally rural-based cottage industry, is highly labour

intensive and almost entirely export-oriented. The present dominant tradition of pile carpet-weaving

goes back to the 16th century when the migration of skilled craftsman from Persia and Afganistan, and

the patronage extended by the Mughal rulers enabled the craft to take root and flourish India.

The carpet industry in India adopted classical designs, almost all of Persian origin. However, some

patterns, commonly incorporated, were of Indian and Chinese origin. While the Persian weavers

commonly depict animals such as lions and tigers, Indian weavers more often represent birds. There is

also a difference between the Persian and Indian manner of depicting flowers.

The Indian essence is symbolised through its art, textiles, crafts and culture, which make the Indian

appeal unique. Indian carpet designers and weavers have made distinct contributions to the oriental

tradition of carpet weaving down the ages. The most technically accomplished carpets of all times were

woven in India. Also, the Indian carpet – weavers were really painters; they employed dyed yarn as

painters used pigments which resulted in a range of colours and sophistication otherwise unknown.

Yarns of different colours were directly mixed or used in combination to yield new hues or subtle

variations of the existing ones. There was also a stylistic contribution. Although in early years under

court patronage, the patterns of Indian carpets were heavily dependant on the Persian models, later,

several pattern incorporating beautifully depicted flowers came into use.

After Independence, the carpet industry expanded rapidly, particularly since 970, facilitating the growth

of employment and income in relatively backward, and often remote regions of the country. The

industry continues to be predominatly in the cottage and small-scale sectors, labour-intensive and

particularly oriented towards exports. Hand-knotted carpets from India have long been valued in

countries which import them.

a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes using heading and sub-headings

and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations, wherever necessary (minimum 4). Use a

format you consider suitable. Also supply appropriate title to it.

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

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