GARDEN HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS IX
Annual Examination, 2007 08
English Language
Time: 2 hours Full Marks: 80
Answers must be written in the script/s provided. You will not be allowed to write during the
first 15 minutes. This time must be spent in reading the Question Paper. The time given at
the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing answers.
Attempt all four questions.
Maximum marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
Question No 1 25
(Do not spend more than 35 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (350 400 words) on any one of the following:
(a) Zoological gardens and circuses with trained animals are a necessary part of
entertainment in the civilized world. Discuss.
(b) It was hopeless. No amount of pushing or pulling could budge it. Write an original
short story incorporating these words.
(c) You have taken an active part in the school Annual Day programme / Annual Sports
programme. Write about your experience. Has the experience been of benefit to you?
How?
(d) A storm breaks when you are on holiday by the seaside. Describe the storm and your
feelings on encountering the fury of nature.
(e) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account based on
what it suggests to you. There should be a clear connection between the picture and
your composition.
( 2 )
Question No 2 10
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Answer any one of the following:
(a) You have seen a popular film which has received good reviews. However, you have
not liked the film. Write a letter to a friend explaining your reasons for not liking the film.
Your criticism must be constructive.
(b) A new food kiosk has opened down the road. Garbage in the form of packets, sal
leaves, empty plastic bottles, etc. has piled up on the footpath and is not cleaned
regularly. Write a letter to the Councillor of the local Ward of the Kolkata Municipal
Corporation, reporting the problem and requesting him/her to make arrangements to
keep the area clean.
Question No 3 25
Read the following passage and answer in your own words, as far as possible, the questions
given below:
In my early journalistic days, I served upon a paper, the forerunner of many very popular
periodicals of the present day. Our boast was that we combined instruction with amusement:
as to what should be regarded as affording amusement and what instruction, the reader
judged for himself. We gave advice to people about to marry long, earnest advice that
would, had they followed it, have made our circle of readers the envy of the whole married
world. We told our subscribers how to make fortunes by keeping rabbits, giving facts and
figures. The thing that must have surprised them was that we ourselves did not give up
journalism and start rabbit farming. Often and often have I proved conclusively from
authoritative sources how a man starting a rabbit farm with twelve selected rabbits and a
little judgement must, at the end of three years, be in receipt of an income of two thousand
a year, rising rapidly; he simply could not help himself. He might not want the money. He
might not know what to do with it when he had it. But there it was for him. I have never met
a rabbit farmer myself worth two thousand a year, though I have known many start with the
twelve necessary, assorted rabbits. Something has always gone wrong somewhere; may
be the continued atmosphere of a rabbit farm saps the judgement.
We told them how to cure fits in cats. Personally I do not believe, and I did not believe
then, that you can cure fits in cats. If I had a cat subject to fits I should advertise it for sale,
or even give it away. But our duty was to supply information when asked for. Some fool
wrote, clamouring to know; and I spent the best part of a morning seeking knowledge on the
subject. I found what I wanted at length at the end of an old cookery book. What it was doing
there I have never been able to understand. It had nothing to do with the proper subject of
the book whatever; there was no suggestion that you could make anything savoury out of a
cat, even when you had cured it of its fits. The authoress had just thrown in this paragraph
out of pure generosity. I can only say that I wish she had left it out. It was the cause of a deal
of angry correspondence and of the loss of four subscribers to the paper, if not more. The
man said the result of following our advice had been two pounds worth of damage to his
kitchen crockery, to say nothing of a broken window and probable blood poisoning to himself;
added to which the cats fits were worse than before. And yet it was a simple enough
recipe. You held the cat between your legs, gently, so as not to hurt it, and with a pair of
scissors made a sharp, clean cut in its tail. You did not cut off any part of the tail; you were
to be careful not to do that; you only made an incision.
As we explained to the man, the garden or the coal cellar would have been the proper
place for the operation; no one but an idiot would have attempted to perform it in a kitchen,
and without help.
(a) For each of the following, give a word/phrase similar in meaning from the passage: [3]
(i) authoritative (ii) clamouring (iii) saps
(b) Why would the readers of the authors magazine be the envy of the whole married
world? [2]
(c) What were the journals recommendations about rabbit farming? Why do you think
the rabbit farmers were not successful? [2 +2 =4]
(d) Where did the author find the cure for fits in cats? Why did he think it was an unsuitable
place for the prescription? [2 +2 =4]
(e) What, according to the author, would be a suitable place for the operation on the cat,
and why? [2]
(f) In about 60 words describe how the cure for fits in cats gave the author much grief.
[10]
Question No 4
(a) In the following passage, fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of
the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage; write the serial number and the
appropriate word or phrase against it. 4
We (1) ___________ (arrive) early in the morning at the ford to find that the water
(2) __________ (rise) considerably during the night and (3) _________ (go) up still; we
(4) _________ (decide) that it (5) __________ (be) still just fordable by car. George
unhitched the trailer from the landrover and (6) __________ (remove) the fan belt to
prevent water from (7) ___________ (splash) over the ignition system. Then it
(8) _________ (creep) into the river and crossed successfully.
( 3 )
( 4 )
(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: 4
(i) ________ giving her money, the kind lady gave her some food.
(ii) This gadget is quite different ________ what I expected.
(iii) It is impossible to agree ________ you ________ this point.
(iv) They waited ________ the bus stop ________ the next bus.
(v) I have been working hard ________ Mathematics ________ September.
(c) J oin each of the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using
and, but, or so. 4
(i) He was tired of studying. He watched television for a while.
(ii) Your parents will hear of your success. They will be delighted.
(iii) This is my friend. His name is Kabir.
(iv) He forgot to bring his homework. That was unfortunate.
(d) Rewrite the following sentences according to the instruction given after each. You
may make other necessary changes without changing the meaning. 8
(i) As soon as the rain stopped, the children rushed to the playground.
(Begin: No sooner....)
(ii) Rumpa paid a heavy price for her carelessness. (Begin: It....)
(iii) In spite of being an only child, she is not pampered at home.
(Begin: Though.....)
(iv) Do you want to borrow my book? Arnav asked Gogol.
(Begin: Gogol was asked ....)
(v) Surekha is the best singer in our class. (Use: better)
(vi) You remembered to return the book to the library, didnt you?
(Begin: You didnt .....)
(vii) Rajeev returned to school a week ago. (Begin: It has been ....)
(viii) The talks failed because neither side was willing to compromise.
(Begin: Since ....)
GARDEN HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS IX
Annual Examination, 2008 09
English Language
Time: 2 hours Full Marks: 80
Answers must be written in the script/s provided. You will not be allowed to write during the
first 15 minutes. This time must be spent in reading the Question Paper. The time given at
the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing answers.
Attempt all four questions.
Maximum marks for a question or parts of a question are given in brackets [ ].
Question No 1 25
(Do not spend more than 35 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (350 400 words) on any one of the following:
(a) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account based on
what it suggests to you. There should be a clear connection between the picture and
your composition.
(b) Reality Shows on television are not the right place for children to showcase their
talents. Give your views for or against this statement.
(c) Violence among children is a matter of concern these days. What are your feelings
about this problem? Describe what you would do to help control the problem in your
school.
( 2 )
(d) You have recently developed a passion for detective fiction. Describe the pleasures of
reading this kind of fiction referring to books and authors you have especially enjoyed.
(e) Write an original short story incorporating the line: Dont touch that. Dont you dare
touch that!
Question No 2 10
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Attempt any one of the following:
(a) Write a letter to a friend describing a school Project you have really enjoyed doing.
(b) You are expecting a parcel from a relative in England. The parcel has not arrived.
Write a letter to the Postmaster of your local Post Office making enquiries about the
status of your parcel.
Question No 3 25
Read the following passage and answer, in your own words as far as possible, the questions
that follow:
The swine-herd, Ho-ti having gone out into the woods one morning, as his manner was, to
collect mast for his hogs, left his cottage in the care of his eldest son Bo-bo, a great lubberly
boy, who, being fond of playing with fire as youngsters of his age commonly are, let some
sparks escape into a bundle of straw, which, kindling quickly, spread the conflagration over
every part of their poor mansion till it was reduced to ashes. Together with the cottage what
was of much more importance, a fine litter of new-farrowed pigs, no less than nine in number,
perished.
China pigs have been esteemed a luxury all over the East from the remotest periods
that we read of. Bo-bo was in the utmost consternation, as you may think, not so much for
the sake of the tenement, which his father and he could easily build up again with a few dry
branches and the labour of an hour or two at any time, as for the loss of the pigs.
While he was thinking what he would say to his father, and wringing his hands over the
smoking remnants of one of these untimely sufferers, an odour assailed his nostrils, unlike
any scent which he had before experienced. What could it proceed from? not from the
burnt cottage he had smelt that smell before indeed this was by no means the first
accident of the kind which had occurred through the negligence of this unlucky firebrand.
Much less did it resemble that of any known herb, weed, or flower. A premonitory moistening
at the same time overflowed his lower lip. He knew not what to think. He next stooped down
to feel the pig, if there were any signs of life in it. He burnt his fingers, and to cool them he
applied them in his booby fashion to his mouth. Some of the crumbs of the scorched skin
had come away with his fingers, and for the first time in his life (in the worlds life indeed, for
before him no man had known it) he tasted crackling! Again he felt and fumbled at the
pig. It did not burn him so much now; still he licked his fingers from a sort of habit.
The truth at length broke into his slow understanding, that it was the pig that smelt so,
and the pig that tasted so delicious; and, surrendering himself up to the newborn pleasure,
he felt to tearing up whole handfuls of the scorched skin with the flesh next to it, and was
cramming it down his throat in his beastly fashion, when his sire entered amid the smoking
rafters, armed with retributory cudgel, and finding how affairs stood, began to rain blows
upon the young rogues shoulders, as thick as hailstones, which Bo-bo heeded not any
more than if they had been flies. The tickling pleasure which he experienced in his lower
regions had rendered him quite callous to any inconveniences he might feel in those remote
quarters. His father might lay on, but he could not beat him from his pig, till he had fairly
made an end to it.
[ Adapted from Charles Lambs A Dissertation upon Roast Pig ]
(a) Give the meaning of each of the following words as used in the passage. One-word
answers or short phrases will be accepted: [4]
(i) kindling (ii) negligence (iii) scorched (iv) callous
(b) How did Bo-bo manage to set his home on fire? [2]
(c) Why was Bo-bo in utmost consternation? [3]
(d) Why do you think a premonitory moistening overflowed Bo-bos lower lip? [2]
(e) How did Bo-bos father try to punish him? What effect did the punishment have on
Bo-bo, and why? [4]
(f) In about 70 words, describe how roast pig was discovered. Give your summary a
title. [10]
Question No 4
(a) In the following passage, fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of
the word given in brackets after the blank. Do not copy the passage, but write only the
numbers and the appropriate word or phrase against each of them. 8 =4
When the King (1) _________ (arrive), the hermit (2) _________ (dig) the ground in
front of his hut. He (3) _________ (greet) the King but went on digging. The hermit
(4) _________(be) frail and weak, and each time he (5) _________ (strike) the ground
with the spade and (6) _________ (turn) over a little earth, he breathed heavily. The
King (7) _________ (go) up to him and said, that he (8) _________ (come) to seek
answers to three questions.
(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: 8 =4
(i) No matter how much we tried, we could not prevail ___________ him to change
his views.
(ii) Having read the letter, I put it ___________.
(iii) ___________ a desk ___________ the window sat the lawyers clerk.
( 3 )
( 4 )
(iv) Mrs Buckley was a woman ___________ strong character, yet ___________ a
diffident, appealing manner.
(v) The little boy pulled out his teddy bear from ___________ the table.
(vi) The phoenix is a legendary bird that rises ___________ its ashes.
(c) J oin each pair of sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but,
or so: 1 4 =4
(i) He completed his work on time. There were many obstacles.
(ii) I saw men at work on the new building. It was to be a factory.
(iii) Sophia is a quiet girl. She is an introvert.
(iv) The murder was committed last night. The man has been caught.
(d) Rewrite the following sentences as directed. You may make changes if necessary,
but do not change the meaning of any sentence. 1 8 =8
(i) Have you walked all this distance alone? he said to Bertie.
(Begin: He asked Bertie whether..)
(ii) If you obey him, he will look after you.
(Begin: Unless)
(iii) His jokes do not amuse me.
(Use: amusement)
(iv) We realized that the weather was too hot for us to play outdoors.
(Begin: We realized that the weather was so..)
(v) She made every effort, but she could not find the storybook.
(Begin: In spite of..)
(vi) As soon as his father left, Ravi slipped out of the house with his football.
(Begin: No sooner..)
(vii) Diana has stood first in class, and has also excelled in basketball.
(Begin: Not only..)
(viii) We must start preparing earnestly for the Annual Concert.
(Use: preparations)
GARDEN HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS IX
Annual Examination, 2009 10
English Language
Time: 2 hours Full Marks: 80
Answers must be written in the script/s provided. You will not be allowed to write during the
first 15 minutes. This time must be spent in reading the Question Paper.
The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing answers.
Answer all the four questions.
Maximum marks for a question or parts of a question are given in brackets [ ].
Question No 1 [25]
(Do not spend more than 35 minutes in answering this question.)
Write a composition (350 400 words) on any one of the following:
(a) Teenagers tend to misuse freedom. Give your views for or against the statement.
(b) You and your friends played a prank on your classmates in school. The prank backfired
and you were all punished. Describe the incident and the effect it had on you.
(c) Write a short story incorporating the line: Come back! Please dont go away.
(d) What are the things that worry you the most? What solutions would you suggest?
(e) Study the picture given below. Write a story or description or an account based on
what it suggests to you. There should be a clear connection between the picture and
your composition.
( 2 )
Question No 2 [10]
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes in answering this question.)
Attempt any one of the following:
(a) You are being pressurized by your peers to do something which you know is wrong.
Write a letter to a friend describing the situation you are in and what path you intend to
take.
(b) You have to complete a project during the summer vacation. Write a letter to the
Librarian of your school, seeking permission to use the library on certain dates. Mention
when you would like to go and the books you are looking for. You must be specific
about the kind of material you want.
Question No 3 [25]
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
Tiwanee suspected there might be trouble as soon as she heard that strangers had settled
on the other side of the island. She learned this disturbing news from the most reliable man
in the Arawak settlement, her man Bakamu, who on one of his constant roamings had
espied the three strange canoes from the top of a hill where he was digging for an agouti.
The canoes were much larger than those familiar to the island, and the people taller and
darker-skinned.
Forgetting his pursuit of the agouti, which had burrowed deeper than usual, he ran
back across the island, beneath the branches of the tall clustering trees that covered the
hills, to shout to his woman : They have come.
These words summarized a world of mystery and apprehension, for never before had
strangers come to the island, nor was there any conceivable way in which Bakamu could
have known that they were coming, or even that they existed elsewhere. But Bakamu was
not an ordinary man, as his name testifies it meant he-has-struggled-back and it was well
earned, for as a young fellow, still bearing his birth name Marabul, he had hollowed out a
huge log, made himself a stout canoe, and in it had paddled bravely to other islands not
seen before. To the north, he had gone over open seas to the island that would centuries
after his death be named Guadeloupe, and to the south, he had visited Martinique, discovering
that his smaller island lay between two large ones which had seemed to be uninhabited.
He had pondered the mystery of why his small island contained people, while its larger
neighbours had none, but could find no answer.
He took Tiwanee as his wife. She has great wisdom, he thought. Someday I will tell
her. But now Bakamu was caught up in the discovery that his wife had accumulated rare
knowledge, and better than other women, she knew where to plant manioc and sweet potato,
how to cultivate corn, and where in the forest, she could find star apples, guava, and
especially the rich, sweet cashew nut. And when her man brought home an iguana, once or
twice a year, she knew how to prepare the first joyous feast and then dry the rest of the meat
and save it for later.
Tiwanees skills were respected by all in the village, and, they formed one of the most
attractive couples on the sunset side; he a man of robust build and somewhat ponderous,
she a darting little brown bird looking into everything. Since he demonstrated unusual ability
in whatever physical activity he attempted running, leaping, swimming, games he
commanded the rest of his fellows and in public his words carried weight, but everyone
knew that in the home, he listened to and obeyed his wife. Although men did not consider
her beautiful, the wonderful animation of her pert little face when she talked or smiled attracted
special attention. And when they walked together along the beach or through the village, it
was clear to all that they were happy.
(a) Give the meaning of each of the following words from the passage in a word or
a phrase: [4]
pursuit apprehension pondered accumulated
(b) What disturbing news did Bakamu give Tiwanee? [2]
(c) What was the mystery that troubled Bakamu? [2]
(d) How did Bakamu get his name? [4]
(e) What abilities did Bakamu have? [3]
(f) In about 60 words describe the attributes of Tiwanee. [10]
Question No 4
(a) In the following passage fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the
word given in brackets after the blank. Do not copy the passage, but write only the
numbers and the appropriate word or phrase against each of them. [ 8 =4]
We (1) _________ (have) a strange weather now. The temperature (2) _________
(fall) to such an extent that it (3) _________ (snow). If it (4) _________ (fall) further,
perhaps we (5) _________ (have) another ice age. It (6) _________ (get) dark soon
too; as early as 3 p.m. I (7) _________ (read) a book for the past several evenings but
yesterday I realized that I (8) _________ (read) it before.
(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: [ 8 =4]
(i) When you come to the station, look _________ me near the magazine stall.
(ii) As it was his first offence, he was let _________ with a warning.
(iii) The poor boy has eaten nothing _________ yesterday.
(iv) The new director will take ___________ in April.
(v) As soon as he entered the room, we burst _________ laughter.
(vi) Children are often afraid __________ the dark.
(vii) Do not meddle __________ his affairs.
(viii) Will you listen _________ such a man?
( 3 )
( 4 )
(c) J oin each pair of sentences to make a complete sentence without using and, but, or
so: [1 4 =4]
(i) Arjun helped Raja with his project. Arjun had not completed his own project.
(ii) Anu was very unhappy. She had been ignored by her friends.
(iii) He is a good actor. He is also handsome.
(iv) She missed the first rank by one mark. It was unfortunate.
(d) Rewrite the following sentences as directed. You may make changes if necessary,
but do not change the meaning of any sentence. [1 8 =8]
(i) As soon as he reached home, the rain came pelting down.
(Begin: No sooner .....)
(ii) We could not find anything much in the house except some books of great value.
(Begin: We found .....)
(iii) Romi said, Will you come for the programme tomorrow?
(Begin: Romi asked me .....)
(iv) As men grow older, they get wiser.
(Begin: The .....)
(v) We need to answer all the questions from Group A.
(Begin: All the questions .....)
(vi) They said that the hockey captain had betrayed his country.
(Begin: They accused .....)
(vii) We last went to Delhi ten years ago.
(Begin: We have not .....)
(viii) If you work sincerely, you will surely succeed.
(Use: sincerity)
GARDEN HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS IX
Annual Examination, 2010 11
English Language
Time: 2 hours Full Marks: 80
Answers must be written in the script/s provided. You will not be allowed to write for the
first 15 minutes. This time must be spent in reading the Question Paper.
The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing answers.
Answer all the four questions.
Maximum marks for a question or parts of a question are given in brackets [ ].
Question No 1 [25]
(Do not spend more than 35 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (350 400 words) on any one of the following:
(a) One day a strange guest came to your house. Describe the guest by giving details
about his appearance, manner, speech etc and your feelings when he left.
(b) Internet has taken over, libraries are of no use.
Give your views for or against the statement.
(c) Write a short story beginning: In the faint light we three .....
(d) Lost in a jungle
(e) Study the picture given below. Write a story or description or an account based on
what it suggests to you. There should be a clear connection between the picture
and your composition.
( 2 )
Question No 2 [10]
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes in answering this question.)
Attempt any one of the following:
(a) Write a letter to a friend, who spends all his time on books and studies, advising him
to take part in games and sports.
(b) Write a letter to the manager of your local bus depot, pointing out that there are very
few buses on your route in the morning and these are invariably late, thereby
causing great inconvenience to many passengers.
Question No 3 [25]
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
The owlet was greeted with unqualified approval, and no objection was raised to my
keeping him. He took up residence in a basket kept in my study and, after much
argument, he was christened Ulysses. From the first he showed that he was a bird of
great strength of character, and not to be trifled with. Although he would have fitted
comfortably into a teacup, he showed no fear and would unhesitatingly attack anything
and everyone, regardless of size. As we all had to share the room, I felt it would be a
good idea if he and Roger got on intimate terms. So, as soon as the owl had settled
down, I performed the introductions by placing Ulysses on the floor, and telling Roger to
approach and make friends. Roger had become very philosophical about having to make
friends with the various creatures that I adopted, and he took the appearance of an owl in
his stride. Wagging his tail briskly, in an ingratiating manner, he approached Ulysses,
who squatted on the floor with anything but a friendly expression on his face. He watched
Rogers approach in an unwinking stare of ferocity. Rogers advance became less
confident. Ulysses continued to glare as though trying to hypnotize the dog. Roger
stopped, his ears drooped, his tail wagging only feebly, and he glanced at me for
inspiration. I ordered him sternly to continue his overtures of friendship. Roger looked
nervously at the owl, and then with great nonchalance walked round him, in an effort to
approach him from the back. Ulysses, however, let his head revolve too, and kept his
eyes still fixed on the dog. Roger, never having met a creature that could look behind
itself without turning round, seemed a trifle nonplussed. After a moments thought he
decided to try the skittish, lets-all-have-a-jolly-game approach. He lay down on his
stomach, put his head between his paws, and crept slowly towards the bird, whining
gently and wagging his tail with abandon. Ulysses continued to look as though he were
stuffed. Roger, still progressing on his stomach, managed to get quite close, but then he
made a fatal mistake. He pushed his woolly face forward and sniffed loudly and
interestedly at the bird. Now Ulysses would stand a lot, but he was not going to be sniffed
at by a mountainous dog covered with black curls. He lowered his eyelids, clicked his
beak, hopped up into the air, and landed squarely on the dogs muzzle, burying his razor-
sharp claws in the black nose. Roger, with a stricken yelp, shook the bird off and retired
beneath the table; no amount of coaxing would get him to come out until Ulysses was
safely back in his basket.
When Ulysses grew older he lost his baby down and developed the fine ash-grey,
rust-red and black plumage of his kind, with the pale breast handsomely marked with
Maltese crosses in black. He also developed long ear-tufts. As he was now far too old to
be kept in a basket, and strongly opposed to the idea of a cage, I was forced to give him
the run of the study. He performed his flying lessons between the table and the door
handle, and, as soon as he had mastered the art, chose the pelmet above the window as
his home.
[ Adapted from My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell ]
(a) Give the meaning of each of the following words from the passage in a word or a
phrase: [5]
approval briskly ferocity nonplussed coaxing
(b) Describe the character of Ulysses as an owlet. [2]
(c) How did Ulysses react to Rogers first effort at making friends with him? [3]
(d) What fatal mistake did Roger make? What was the result of the mistake?[1 +2 =3]
(e) What did Ulysses look like when he was older? [2]
(f) In about 80 words describe the overtures of friendship that Roger made to Ulysses.
Give your description an appropriate title. [9 +1 =10]
Question No 4
(a) Fill in each numbered blank with the correct form of the word given in brackets after
it. Do not copy the passage. Write the numbers in the correct serial order, and
against each, write the word appropriate to the blank it stands for. [8 =4]
His parents would have liked him to be a doctor, but Anmol (1) _________ (prefer)
cinemascope to the stethoscope when he realized that there were twelve doctors
too many in his family. In other words, he was more (2) _________ (draw) to the
movie theatre than a hospital operation theatre. So he (3) _________ (start) to
(4) _________ (make) films at the age of ten in his home town and (5) _________
(complete) forty-five short films by the age of sixteen. Three years later, he made
Deep Sleep about a boy (6) _________ (come) to terms with the death of his father
and (7) _________ (get) into a fracas with Midas who (8) _________ (insist) that the
film be recut after the director had already edited it.
(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: [8 =4]
(i) He has decided to bring __________ a new edition of his book.
(ii) Arundhati Roy was congratulated __________ her receiving the Booker Prize.
( 3 )
( 4 )
(iii) I decided to put __________ my visit till next week.
(iv) Aruna was idly turning __________ the pages of a magazine.
(v) Please ask the ambulance to stand __________ in case of an emergency.
(vi) I am entitled __________ a long vacation after all that hard work.
(vii) I met the old cricketer __________ the party.
(viii) The Chief Guest gave __________ the prizes.
(c) J oin each pair of sentences to make a complete sentence without using and, but, or
so: [4 1 =4]
(i) Dr B. C. Roy was a popular physician. He was a successful politician.
(ii) I received a telegram. I set out immediately.
(iii) I must know all the facts. I cannot help you otherwise.
(iv) The farmers sons discovered the treasure. Their wise father had told them
about it.
(d) Rewrite the following sentences as directed. You may make changes, if necessary,
but do not change the meaning of any sentence: [8 1 =8]
(i) No sooner had Pearl entered the room than I asked him the question.
(Begin: Hardly .....)
(ii) His Principal, as well as his teachers, trusted him.
(Begin: Besides .....)
(iii) Cassius was a better swimmer than Caesar.
(Begin: Caesar .....)
(iv) Unless the train arrives on time, we shall miss the flight to Delhi.
(Begin: If .....)
(v) If you had not helped me, I would have failed.
(Begin: But .....)
(vi) The teacher said to me, Did you use your dictionary while you were preparing
the answer?
(Begin: The teacher asked me .....)
(vii) Though I took a taxi and rushed, I was late for the interview.
(Use: In spite of)
(viii) The kitchen was full of smoke.
(Change the Voice)
GARDEN HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS IX
Annual Examination, 2012
English Language
Time: 2 hours Full Marks: 80
Answers must be written in the script/s provided. You will not be allowed to write for the
first 15 minutes. This time must be spent in reading the Question Paper.
The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing answers.
Answer all the four questions.
Maximum marks for a question or parts of a question are given in brackets [ ].
Question No 1 [25]
[ Do not spend more than 35 minutes in answering this question. ]
Write, in about 350400 words, any one of the following compositions:
(a) Study the picture given below. Write a story, or a description, or an account based
on what it suggests to you. There should be a clear connection between the
picture and your composition.
( 2 )
(b) Your father took you out for a drive in his car. It proved to be more exciting than
you had bargained for. Describe your experiences.
(c) A mysterious telephone call and what it led to.
(d) Give an account of a memorable incident/event that took place in your city last
year. It may be humorous, frightening, or sad.
(e) Advertising is one of the most unpleasant features of modern life.
Argue for or against this statement.
Question No 2 [10]
[ Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question. ]
Attempt any one of the following:
(a) Write a letter to the superintendent of the local hospital complaining about its
inadequate services, unhygienic conditions, and general inefficiency. Suggest
measures for improvement.
(b) You have been selected to take a major role in a school play. Write to your friend
telling him/her about the play, your role, and your feelings on being selected to play
it.
Question No 3 [25]
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
David had slept only a few moments when a brown carriage drawn by a
handsome pair of horses, bowled easily along and was brought to a standstill
nearly in front of Davids resting place. A linchpin had fallen out and permitted
one of the wheels to slide off. The damage was slight and occasioned merely a
momentary alarm to an elderly merchant and his wife who were returning to
Boston in the carriage. While the coachman and a servant were replacing the
wheel, the lady and gentleman sheltered themselves beneath the maple tree and
there espied the bubbling fountain and David Swan asleep beside it. Impressed
with the awe which the humblest sleeper usually sheds around him, the merchant
trod as lightly as his gout would allow; and his spouse took good heed not to
rustle her silk gown, lest David should start up, all of a sudden.
How soundly he sleeps! whispered the old gentleman. From what a depth
he draws that easy breath. Such sleep as that, brought on without an opiate,
would be worth more to me than half my income, for it would suppose health and
untroubled mind.
5
10
15
( 3 )
And youth besides, said the lady, health and quiet age do not sleep thus. Our
slumber is more like wakefulness.
The longer they looked the more did this elderly couple feel interested in the
unknown youth, to whom the wayside and the maple shade were as a secret
chamber, with the rich gloom of damask curtains brooding over him. Perceiving
that a stray, sunbeam glimmered down upon his face, the lady contrived to twist a
branch aside so as to intercept it. And having done this act of kindness she
began to feel like a mother to him.
Providence seems to have laid him here, whispered she to her husband,
and to have brought us hither to find him, after our disappointment in our cousins
son. Methinks I can see a likeness to departed Henry. Shall we waken him?
To what purpose? said the merchant, hesitating, We know nothing of the
youths character.
That open countenance! replied his wife, in the same hushed voice, yet
earnestly. This innocent sleep.
While these whispers were passing, the sleepers heart did not throb nor his
breath become agitated, nor his features betray the least token of interest. Yet
Fortune was bending over him, just ready to let fall a burthen of gold. The old
merchant had no heir to his wealth, except a distant relative, with whose conduct
he was dissatisfied.
Shall we not waken him? repeated the lady persuasively.
The coach is ready, sir, said the servant behind.
The old couple started, reddened, and hurried away, mutually wondering that
they should ever have dreamed of doing anything so very ridiculous. Meanwhile,
David Swan enjoyed his nap.
[ Adapted from David Swan by Nathaniel Hawthorne ]
(a) Give the meaning, in one word or a short phrase, of each of the following words as
used in the passage: [5]
(i) espied (line 8) (iii) intercept (line 22) (v) agitated (line 32)
(ii) perceiving (line 20) (iv) countenance (line 29)
(b) Answer the following questions briefly and, as far as possible, in your own words:
(i) What brought the brown carriage to a standstill nearly in front of Davids
resting place? [2]
(ii) What did the old couple do in order not to wake David Swan? [2]
(iii) What comments did the old man make about sleep? [2]
20
25
30
35
40
( 4 )
(iv) What act of kindness did the lady do? How did she feel after this? [2]
(v) Who do you think was the more impulsive of the two travellers? Justify your
answer. [2]
(c) In not more than 60 words, describe how David Swan lost an opportunity of
inheriting a fortune. [8]
(d) Give a title to your description as asked for in 3(c). Justify your title. [2]
Question No 4 [20]
(a) In the following passage, fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form
of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage, but write in correct serial
order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space. [4]
Who (1) ______ (can predict) 50 years ago that a small town (2) ______ (grow)
into such a city? There (3) ______ (be) no industry then, no big factory or building.
All round (4) ______ (stretch) open fields, as far as the eye (5) ______ (can see).
Now you can hardly (6) ______ (look) beyond ten feet. All around (7) ______ (be)
towering buildings and tall chimneys (8) ______ (spew) smoke into the sky.
(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: [4]
(i) Hard work is required _______ students taking up this combined course.
(ii) The men could not fight _______ such strong opponents.
(iii) Peace of mind is essential _______ happiness.
(iv) The teacher was annoyed _______ him because he never submitted his
homework on time.
(v) The boys crept _______ a hole in the wall and entered the orchard.
(vi) Anu and Arjun came to Mumbai _______ the early morning flight.
(vii) The key to good health is abstention _______ bad habits.
(viii) Mrs Hallet sat _______ her tea table, pouring tea from a beautiful silver teapot.
(c) Join each of the following pairs of sentences into one sentence without using and,
but, or so: [4]
(i) This town was once a prosperous seaport. It is now a heap of ruins.
(ii) My parents will not attend the dinner. My sisters will not attend the dinner.
(iii) I saw men at work on a new building. It was to be a factory.
(iv) She received the message. Immediately she went to meet her brother.
(d) Rewrite each sentence as instructed. You may make changes, if necessary,
without changing the meaning of the sentence. [8]
(i) That razor is sharper than this one.
(Begin: This razor ......)
(ii) Kate said, I shall complete the work by next week.
(Rewrite as reported speech.)
(iii) As soon as the man got down, the car sped away.
(Begin: Hardly ......)
(iv) But for your help, the woman would have drowned.
(Begin: If ......)
(v) Sophia suddenly thought of a splendid idea.
(End: ...... to Sophia)
(vi) The policeman dealt with the miscreants firmly.
(Begin: The policeman was ......)
(vii) He speaks too fast to be understood.
(Supply a question tag.)
(viii) Modern English grammar is quite different from traditional English grammar.
(Use the noun form of different.)
( 5 )