OUR OWN HIGH SCHOOL, AL WARQA’A

PERIODIC TEST-1 , June - 2021

SUBJECT: CORE ENGLISH
Grade: 12 Max. Marks: 50
Date: 16. 06 .2021 Time: 2 hrs.

Reading time- 8: 00 AM -8: 15 AM

Writing Time – 8:15 AM - 10:15 AM

General Instructions:

1. Write your name, class and section on your answer script.

2. This question paper has 8 pages.
3. Read the instructions carefully and answer the questions strictly adhering to the
word limit.
4. Those who are writing online should scan the answer sheet as a single PDF file and
upload in assignments and click on turn in before 10:30 AM on the same day. It is
mandatory to number the scripts before sending.

I. Read the passage given below.

(1) Millions of people in the United States are affected by eating disorders. More than 90% of those afflicted
are adolescents or young adult women. Although all eating disorders share some common manifestations,
anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating each have distinctive symptoms and risks. People who
intentionally starve themselves (even while experiencing severe hunger pangs) suffer from anorexia nervosa.

(2) The disorder, which usually begins around the time of puberty, involves extreme weight loss to at least
15% below the individual’s normal body weight. Many people with the disorder look emaciated but are
convinced they are overweight. In patients with anorexia nervosa, starvation can damage vital organs such
as the heart and brain. To protect itself, the body shifts into slow gear: blood pressure rates drop, and thyroid
function slows. Excessive thirst and frequent urination may occur. Dehydration contributes to constipation,
and reduced body fat leads to lowered body temperature and the inability to withstand cold. Mild anemia,
swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, and light-headedness also commonly occur in anorexia nervosa.

(3) Anorexia nervosa sufferers can exhibit sudden angry outbursts or become socially withdrawn. One in ten
cases of anorexia nervosa leads to death from starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications, or
suicide. Clinical depression and anxiety place many individuals with eating disorders at risk for suicidal
behavior.

(4) People with bulimia nervosa consume large amounts of food and then rid their bodies of the excess
calories by vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics, taking enemas, or exercising obsessively. Some use a
combination of all these forms of purging. Individuals with bulimia who use drugs to stimulate vomiting,

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bowel movements, or urination may be in considerable danger, as this practice increases the risk of heart
failure. Dieting heavily between episodes of binging and purging is common.

(5) Because many individuals with bulimia binge and purge in secret and maintain normal or above normal
body weight, they can often successfully hide their problem for years. But bulimia nervosa patients-even
those of normal weight can severely damage their bodies by frequent binge eating and purging. In rare
instances, binge eating causes the stomach to rupture; purging may result in heart failure due to loss of vital
minerals such as potassium. Vomiting can cause the esophagus to become inflamed and glands near the
cheeks to become swollen. As in anorexia nervosa, bulimia may lead to irregular menstrual periods.
Psychological effects include compulsive stealing as well as possible indications of obsessive-compulsive
disorder, an illness characterized by repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Obsessive compulsive disorder can
also accompany anorexia nervosa. As with anorexia nervosa, bulimia typically begins during adolescence.
Eventually, half of those with anorexia nervosa will develop bulimia. The condition occurs most often in
women but is also found in men.

(6) Binge-eating disorder is found in about 2% of the general population. As many as one-third of this group
is men. It also affects older women, though with less frequency. Recent research shows that binge-eating
disorder occurs in about 30% of people participating in medically supervised weight-control programs.

(7) This disorder differs from bulimia because its sufferers do not purge. Individuals with binge eating disorder
feel that they lose control of themselves when eating. They eat large quantities of food and do not stop until
they are uncomfortably full. Most sufferers are overweight or obese and have a history of weight fluctuations.
As a result, they are prone to the serious medical problems associated with obesity, such as high cholesterol,
high blood pressure, and diabetes.

(8) Obese individuals also have a higher risk for gallbladder disease, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
Usually they have more difficulty losing weight and keeping it off than do people with other serious weight
problems. Like anorexic and bulimic sufferers who exhibit psychological problems, individuals with binge
eating disorder have high rates of simultaneously occurring psychiatric illnesses, especially depression.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the following questions by choosing the best
option. (1 × 10 = 10)

(i) Majority of people suffering from eating disorders are __________ .

(a) adolescents
(b) young adult women
(c) obese people
(d) both (a) and (b)

(ii) Mild anemia, swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, etc. commonly occur in _______ .

(a) bulimia

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(b) binge - eating
(c) anorexia nervosa
(d) obsessive compulsive disorder

(iii) Depression and anxiety place many individuals with eating disorders at risk of _________ .

(a) suicidal behavior

(b) obesity
(c) binge eating
(d) none of these

(iv) Binge eating disorder occurs in about 30% of people undergoing ___________ .

(a) treatment
(b) weight control programs
(c) depression
(d) puberty

(v) Obese individuals also have a risk of ____________ .

(a) heart disease

(b) some types of cancer
(c) gallbladder disease
(d) all of these

(vi) Individuals suffering from anorexia can also suffer from ___________ .

(a) cardiac arrest

(b) suicidal behaviour
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of these

(vii) How many cases of anorexia nervosa can have fatal consequences?

(a) 90 per cent

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(b) Ten out of twenty
(c) 50 per cent
(d) 1 in 10

(viii) “Many people with the disorder look emaciated but are convinced they are overweight. The word
‘emaciated’ here means _________ .

(a) fat
(b) skeletal
(c) nervous
(d) depressed

(ix) According to the passage, which of the following is correct?

(a) Among the suffers of anorexia nervosa, half of them will eventually develop bulimia.
(b) Binge eating disorder is found mainly in children.
(c) People with bulimia nervosa keep themselves in starvation.
(d) More than 90% of those afflicted with eating disorders are men and old-age people.

(x) Which of the following can make people socially withdrawn?

(a) Bulimia nervosa

(b) Anorexia Nervosa
(c) Binge eating
(d) Hypertension

II. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions by choosing the best option
(1x10=10)

A. “What does the word ‘thunderclap’ refer to me!

Oh! the wretches; that was what they had put up at the town-hall!”

(i) What does the word ‘thunderclap’ refer to?

(a) something vague and doubtful

(b) something exciting

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(c) something overpowering
(d) something startling or unexpected

(ii) Pick out the option that correctly describes author’s feelings when he heard the news.

1. Shocked 2. Surprised 3. Guilty 4. Jealousy 5. Elated 6. Disapproval

(a) 2, 4, and 5
(b) 1, 3, and 6
(c) 1, 2, and 3
(d) 4, 5, and 6

B. The presidents of the New York central and the New York, New haven and Hartford railroads will swear on
a stack of timetables that there are only two. But I say there are those, because I’ve been on the third level
of the Grand Central Station. Yes, I’ve taken the obvious step. I talked to a psychiatrist friend of mine, among
others. I told him about the third level at Grand Central Station, and he said it was a waking dream wish
fulfillment. He said I was unhappy. That made my wife kind of mad, but he explained that he meant the
modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war worry and all the rest of it, and that I just want to escape.

(i) Pick out the option which is a correct description of the phrase “waking dream wish fulfillment”.

(a) a pleasant wish that makes one forget the past’s terrible experiences.
(b) a pleasant wish that takes one to the future
(c) a pleasant wish that encourages to work
(d) a pleasant wish that makes one forget the present

(ii) “The modern world is full of insecurity, fear, war, worry...” Signifies that :

(a) the world is full of chaos but at the same time means of happiness also for the narrator.
(b) the narrator is not at all satisfied with his life.
(c) the narrator wanted to explore more about the modern world.
(d) the narrator enjoys the feeling of pain and insecurities in his life.

C. “ … old familiar ache,

my childhood’s fear,
but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,
All I did was smile and smile and smile…”

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(i) What does the phrase, ‘familiar ache’ mean?

(a) Pain of being separated from her mother

(b) A pain of finding her mother old
(c) Pain of learning new things
(d) Pain of accepting old age

D. It seemed a long way down. Those nine feet were more like ninety, and before I touched bottom my lungs
were ready to burst. But when my feet hit bottom I summoned all my strength and made what I thought was
a great spring upwards. I imagined I would bob to the surface like a cork. Instead, I came up slowly. I opened
my eyes and saw nothing but water - water that had a dirty yellow tinge to it.

(i) Why did the nine feet deep pool seemed ninety to Douglas?

(a) Because he was afraid of the water and didn’t know swimming.
(b) Because he didn’t know that the pool is so deep inside.
(c) Because he didn’t know the calculation.
(d) Because the pool’s water is so dirty.

(ii) The expression “I imagined I would bob to the surface like a cork” implies that

(a) Douglas was afraid to die.

(b) Douglas accepted his failure and ultimately death.
(c) Though Douglas was frightened he was not out of his wits.
(d) Frightened, Douglas was not able to shout for help.

E. “Far far from gusty waves these children’s faces.

Like rootless weeds, the hair torn round their pallor :
The tall girl with her weighed-down head.
The paper seeming boy, with rat’s eyes.”

(i) What does the expression - ‘rootless weeds’ refers to?

(a) The dull faces of the children.

(b) The badly maintained wall of the classroom.
(c) The tall girl sitting with her head down.
(d) The off-white colour of the walls.
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(ii) The tall girl sitting with a weighed down head symbolises

(a) the disinterest of students in studies

(b) depression due to the poverty stricken life

(c) health issues faced by the slum children

(d) her ignorance towards studies.

F. “I wonder if she knows that sanctity of the bangles she helps make.”

(i)The phrases ‘sanctity of the bangles’ symbolizes…

(a) Richness of culture

(b) bangle making provides a good profit
(c) auspiciousness of marriage
(d) bangle making is a skillful art
Part B- Writing (14 marks)

3 You are Rueben, President of the Wellness Cell of your school. You decide to 4
organize a workshop, to raise awareness of the importance of mental health. This
workshop would be conducted by the school counsellor. Draft a notice in about
50 words, informing the students of class XI-XII about the workshop. Invent all
the necessary details.
OR
The literary club of your school is putting up the motivational play ‘Thinking Out
of the Box’. As secretary of the club, draft a formal invite to the parents of the
school inviting them for the programme. You are Avni of class XII. Invent all
the necessary details. Write the invitation in not more than 50 words.

4 You are Raj, an educationist. You are concerned about the stressed behaviour of 5
students and parents towards examination during the current times when the
entire humanity is reeling under Covid-19. Draft a letter to the editor of a local
daily expressing your views on combating stress during this pandemic. You feel
that mental strength and meaningful parent- ward rapport could make the
atmosphere relaxed and encouraging during such trying times.
(Word limit 120- 150)

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5. “More money won’t necessarily make you happier, but finding meaningful work 5
and a little extra time will”. Write a speech, in about 120-150 words, echoing the
quoted thought. You are Nakul, the Headboy of your school.

Part B- Literature (16 marks)

6. Answer any 3 from the questions below in not more than 40 words. 3x2=6

a. “Listening to them, I see two distinct worlds...” In the context of

Mukesh, the bangle maker’s son, which two worlds is Anees Jung
referring to?
b. What message does Stephen Spender convey through his poem ‘An
Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’?
c. Why was M. Hamel kind to Franz even though he was late for school?
d. How was the scene outside the car different from the scene inside, in the
poem ‘My Mother at Sixty Six’?

7. Attempt the following questions. (120 words) 5x2=10

a. How did Charley reach the third level of Grand Central? How was it
different from the other levels?
b. Douglas fully realized the truth of Roosevelt’s statement, “All we have to
fear is fear itself.” How did this realization help him push aside his fear
and become an expert swimmer?

*****

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