ST.

XAVIER’S SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, JAIPUR

FINAL EXAMINATION : 2021-22
DATE: 28.02.22 CLASS – 11 ENGLISH (SET A) Time – 2 hr. M.M - 40

Q1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

8 Marks

1. To ensure its perpetuity, the ground is well held by the panther both in space and in
time. It enjoys a much wider distribution over the globe than its bigger cousins, and
procreates sufficiently profusely to ensure its continuity for all time to come.

2. There seems to be no particular breeding season of the panther, although it’s sawing and
caterwauling is more frequently heard during winter and summer. The gestation period is
about ninety to hundred days. The litter normally consists of four cubs, rarely five. Of these,
generally two survive and not more than one reaches maturity. I have never come across
more than two cubs at the heels of the mother. Likewise, graziers in the forest have
generally found only two cubs hidden away among rocks, hollows of trees, and other
impossible places.

3. Panther cubs are generally in evidence in March. They are born blind. This is a provision
of Nature against their drifting away from the place of safety in which they are lodged by
their mother, and exposing themselves to the danger of their being devoured by
hyenas, jackals, and other predators. They generally open their eyes in about three to four
weeks.

4. The mother alone rears its cubs in seclusion. It keeps them out of the reach of the
impulsive and impatient male. As a matter of fact the mother separates from the male soon
after mating and forgets all about their tumultuous union. The story that the male
often looks in to find out how the mother is progressing with her cubs has no foundation
except in what we wish it should do at least.

5. The mother carries its cubs about by holding them by the scruff of their neck in its
mouth. It trains them to stalk, and teaches them how to deliver the bite of death to the prey.
The cubs learn to treat all and sundry with suspicion at their mother’s heels.
Instinctively the cubs seek seclusion, keep to cover and protect their flanks by walking
along the edge of the forest
6. I have never had an opportunity to watch mother panther train its cubs. But in Pilibhit
forests, I once saw a tigress teach some lessons to its little ones. I was sitting over its kill at
Mala. As the sun set, the tigress materialized in the twilight behind my machan.
For about an hour, it scanned and surveyed the entire area looking and listening with
gravest concern. It even went to the road where my elephant was awaiting my signal. The
mahout spotted it from a distance and drove the elephant away.

7. When darkness descended upon the scene and all was well and safe, the tigress called its
cubs by emitting a low haa - oon. The cubs, two in number and bigger than a full-grown cat,
soon responded. They came trotting up to their mother and hurried straight to the kill in
indecent haste. The mother spitted at them so furiously that they doubled back to its heels
immediately. Thereafter, the mother and its cubs sat under cover about 50 feet (15 m)
away from the kill to watch, wait, look, and listen. After about half an hour’s patient and
fidget less vigil the mother seemed ‘paid for’. At this signal, the cubs cautiously advanced,
covering their flanks, towards the kill. No longer did they make beeline for it, as they had
done before.

8. The mother sat watching its cubs eat, and mounted guard on them. She did not partake in
the meal.

1. How does the mother panther hide its cubs from the predators ?
2. What are the characteristics of the male panther?
3. How does nature help in the protection of panther cubs ?
4. Who is the bigger cousin of panthers?
5. Did the narrator get an opportunity to see how the mother panther train it’s cubs
?
6. Why did the mahout drive his elephant away?
7. When did the tiger cubs return back to their initial position?
8. What observation was made by the narrator at Pilibhit?

Q2. Read the following passage carefully , make notes in an appropriate format using
headings, subheadings and suitable abbreviations where necessary . 5 marks

1. Inferiority complex or low self – esteem is variously defined as poor self-image, feeling of
worthlessness, sense of insecurity, state of self – doubt, timidity etc. It is a major hurdle in
the path to success and glory. High self-esteem is feeling good about oneself, knowing the
strengths and weaknesses of one and accepting them accordingly. However, it should not
be confused with an inflated ego, which is the prime reason behind the premature deaths of
many promising careers.

2. Success and self-esteem have a close and direct relationship. Success is important for the
growth of positive feeling about oneself and affirmation of worth. A child with high self-
esteem uses failure as a learning experience while a child with low self esteem
gets bogged down. We experience “lows” and “highs” from time to time. Feeling unsure and
suffering from doubts is all right, but persistent feeling of worthlessness and insecurity are
a matter of grave concern.

3. Children with high self- esteem are able to express themselves in a controlled manner
and generally succeed in influencing other people’s behaviour in a positive way. These
children approach new challenges with confidence and show a lot of independence and
responsibility. Failures do not easily frustrate them. Through perseverance they turn
failure into resounding success.

4. Children with low self – esteem are low on confidence and generally speak in self –
derogatory terms. They are always on the defensive and avoid situations, which may cause
confrontation and tension. They are unable to form their own opinions and rely
on other’s judgment. They constantly blame others for their problems and are not open to
reason. They even feel powerless when faced with any challenging situation, avoid new
experiences and shy away from interactions. Children with low self – esteem have
low frustration tolerance. Thus they tend to give up without putting in a worthwhile effort.
These children use the crutches of fate and luck to plod along an ill-defined path that leads
nowhere.

5. Every child is born –a winner but his success in later life depends upon a complex
interplay of several related factors. Children develop into positive personalities only if they
are encouraged by people and circumstances, which ensure that their self-esteem is
carefully nourished throughout the crucial growing up years. Genetic endowment or the
potential to succeed may be present but it can be blocked by adverse environmental factors
operating at home, at school and in society. When this happens, it can result in a
collapse of confidence and withdrawal from the struggle towards worthwhile achievement.

Q3. World Animal Day is celebrated internationally on 4th October, Design an

attractive Poster to convey the importance of protecting animal rights on behalf of
the World Animal Welfare Society. 3marks

Q4. Write a letter to the Director of the National Institute of Foreign Languages, 23
Gandhi Path, New Delhi , seeking information regarding joining a foreign language
course after completing class 12. Find out its cost, duration , whether it is a regular
or correspondence course etc. Sign yourself as Aman/ Aditi Sharma. You had come
across this advertisement in the National Herald. (150-180 words.)

5 Marks

OR

Debate for or against the motion– Domestic Science must be made compulsory for
high school students. You are Aman / Aditi Sharma of Ryan International School.
150-180 words. 5 Marks
Q5. Do as directed. 4 Marks

a. The business talks failed because neither side was willing to compromise.

(Begin using, since)

b. Tanuj is as hard working as Tanuja. (Use comparative degree)

c. She is very careless. She is helpful. ( Combine with suitable connector)

d. The snacks were distributed but.. (complete it with a suitable clause)

Q6. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.

“Where did my childhood go?

It went to some forgotten place

That’s hidden in an infant’s face

That’s all I know.”

a. Explain “forgotten place”.

b. What is the symbolic meaning of an “infant’s face”.

c. Justify the title of the poem.

3 Marks

Q7. Write answers to the following questions in 30-40 words only.

Do any 4 out of 5. 8 Marks

1. Why did Taplow come to school on the last day of the session?

2. Give a brief description of “Hor” as explained by Nick Middleton in “Silk Road”.

3. Why was Mr. Morgan anxious about his wife’s condition? Who came to his
assistance?

4. Is there anything comparable between Doris, Cyril and George?

5. Can Albert Einstein be dismissed as a trouble maker in school?

Q 8. Explain the value of sincerity in the profession of a Doctor? How did the doctor
handle the challenging case despite his personal affliction? (120-150 words)

OR

The philosophy of a purposeful life has been conveyed rather intensely by Walt
Whitman in “The Voice of the Rain”. Comment on the poetic attributes and the
central meaning of the nature poem. (120-150 words)
4 Marks