Shree Ramchandra Education Society's

New Times International School

Nursery to XII (Arts, Commerce & Science)
Academic Session: 2022-2023
Periodic Assessment II
Standard: XI Subject: English Date: 21-11-2022

Maximum Marks: 60 Division: Time: 3 hrs

General Instructions :
(i) This paper is divided into three sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.
(ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these
instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
(iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

Section A (Reading)
1. Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow : 10
1. Today’s woman is a highly self-directed person, alive to the sense of her dignity and the importance of
her functions in the private domestic domain and the public domain of the world of work. Women are
rational in approach, careful in handling situations and want to do things as best as possible. The Fourth
World Conference of Women held in Beijing in September 1995 had emphasised that no enduring solution
of society’s most threatening social, economic and political problems could be found without the
participation and empowerment of the women. The 1995 World Summit for Social Development had also
emphasised the pivotal role of women in eradicating poverty and mending the social fabric.
2. The Constitution of India had conferred on women equal rights and opportunities – political, social,
educational and of employment – with men. Because of oppressive traditions, superstitions, exploitation and
corruption, a majority of women are not allowed to enjoy the rights and opportunities, bestowed on them.
One of the major reasons for this state of affairs is the lack of literacy and awareness among women.
Education is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing inequality and
accelerate the process of economic and political change In the status of women.
3. The role of women in a society is very important. Women’s education is the key to a better life in the
future. A recent World Bank study says that educating girls is not a charity, it is good economics and if
developing nations are to eradicate poverty, they must educate the girls. The report says that the economic
and social returns on investment in education of the girls considerably affect the human development index
of the nation. Society would progress only if the status of women is respected and the presence of an
educated woman in the family would ensure education of the family itself. Education and empowerment of
women are closely related.
4. Women’s education has not received due care and attention from the planners and policy makers. The
National Commission for Women has rightly pointed out that even after 50 years of independence, women
continue to be treated as the single largest group of backward citizens of India. The role of women in overall
development has not been fully understood nor has it been given its full weight in the struggle to eliminate
poverty, hunger, injustice and inequality at the national level.Even when we are at the threshold of the 21st
century, our society still discriminates against women in matters of their rights and privileges and prevents
them from participating in the process of national and societal progress. Various Committees and
Commissions have been constituted before and after the independence to evaluate the progress in women’s
education and to suggest ways and means to enhance the status of women. The female literacy rate has gone
up in the 20th century from 0.6 percent in 1901 to 39.29 percent in 1991 but India still possesses the largest
number of illiterate women in the world.The female literacy index for the year 1991 shows that there are
eight States which fall below the national average. The most populous States of the country, UP, MP, Bihar
and Rajasthan fall in the category of most backward States as far as female literacy is concerned.
5. The prevailing cultural norms of gender behaviour and the perceived domestic and reproductive roles of
women tend to affect the education of the girls. Negative attitude towards sending girls to schools,
restrictions on their mobility, early marriage, poverty and illiteracy of parents affect the girl’s participation
in education.
6. Women’s political empowerment got a big boost with the Panchayati Raj Act of 1993 which gave them
30 percent reservation in Village Panchayats, Block Samities and Zila Parishads throughout the country. The
National Commission for Women was also set up in 1992 to act as a lobby for women’s issues.
7. The educational system is the only institution which can counteract the deep foundations of inequality of
sexes that are built in the minds of people through the socialization process. Education is the most important
instrument of human resource development. Educational system should be used to revolutionize the
traditional attitudes and inculcate new values of equality.
(a) On the basis of the above passage, answer the questions given below.
(i) Mention any two attributes of a modern woman. (1)
(ii) Why are women’s participation and empowerment considered necessary? (1)
(iii) Which factors adversely affect the education of girls? (1)
(iv) How can a society progress, as mentioned in paragraph 3? (1)
(b)Answer the following questions choosing the most appropriate options. 1x4=4
i.Women are not allowed to enjoy their rights and opportunities because of
a. equal rights b. economic and political changes c. lack of literacy and awareness d. corruption
ii. Women’s ___________ is the key to better life.
a. education b.social returns c. employment d. charity
st
iii. What is alarming at the threshold of the 21 century is the
a. reservation of women b. discrimination against women
c. negative attitude towards women d. early marriages
iv. Women’s education has not received due care from
a. planners and policy makers b. National Commission For Women
c. village panchayats d. World Bank
(c) Pick out words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following: 1 ×2 = 2
(i) cruel and unfair (para 2) (ii) remove (para 3)
2.Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 8
1. Covid-19 isn’t gone yet when a surge of dengue fever has come, with 13 cases in two days. The count for
this time, 134, maybe least since 2017 but doctors fear a rise in November when the weather cools down.
UT health director Dr. Amandeep Kang said: Our main problem is that due to the fear of Covid, people
don’t let the health workers into their house, so we are unable to check for larvae and mosquito-breeding.
However, we are on with the fogging exercise in the vulnerable areas.”
2. She said: The residents need to be cautious, as November is the surge time for dengue fever. They should
check for the larvae and breeding spots on their own, since our staff can’t get inside.” The health department
inspectors who went to the houses of positive cases found grounds in flowerpots, exposed overhead water
tanks, refrigerator trays kept in the backyard, and water traps in the bathroom.
3. Dr. Kang said: “Covid has disrupted our lives already and if a vector-borne disease also breaks out, we
will have a public health emergency.” Advising the public to discard the freshwater gathered in and around
the houses, she said: “If the health department can’t look inside homes, people should discard collected
water on their own. If there is a breeding ground for the larvae, call the Integrated Disease Surveillance
Programme (IDSP) office for fogging: Already, public health experts in Chandigarh have braced for the
third wave of Covid-19, which has swept Haryana and NCR.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions by choosing the correct option.
1. As per the given chart, the highest number of dengue cases were reported in the year….
(a) 2020 (b) 2018 (c) 2017 (d) 2019
2. People don’t allow the health workers to enter their houses because.
(a) they fear their valuables may be stolen.
(b) they are afraid of being infected with dengue.
(c) they are afraid of Covid-virus.
(d) people of Chandigarh are non-cooperative.
3. According to the experts, who are at the risk of getting infected with dengue?
(i) Infants (ii) Young boys (iii)Senior citizens (iv) People doing physical exercises
(v) People with low immunity
(a) (i), (iv) and (v) (b) (ii), (iii) and (iv) (c) (i), (iv) and (v) (d) (i), (iii) and (v)
4. The health department has started fogging exercise in order to………….
(a) teach a lesson to the people of the city.
(b) check mosquito breeding.
(c) control Covid cases.
(d) give warning about the increasing cases of dengue.
5. According to Dr Kang, people should………….
(a) allow the health workers to come in.
(b) check for the larvae and breeding spots.
(c) expose their overhead water tanks.
(d) not bother about mosquitoes at all.
6. Which of the following has not been listed as one of the symptoms of dengue?
(a) fever with chills (b) toothache (c) lower backache (d) headache
7. One is advised to see a doctor in the case of :
(a) Abdominal pain (b) Persistent vomiting (c) Rapid breathing (d) Any of the above
8. The word ‘discard’ in para 3 means…………
(a) to gather (b) to spread (c) to throw away (d) to drink
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. 8
1. I remember my childhood as being generally happy and can recall experiencing some of the most carefree
times of my life. But I can also remember, even more vividly, moments of being deeply frightened. As a
child, I was truly -terrified of the dark and getting lost. These fears were very real and caused me some
extremely uncomfortable moments.
2. Maybe it was the strange way things looked and sounded in my familiar room at night that scared me so
much. There was never total darkness, but a street light or passing car lights made clothes hung over a chair
take on the shape of an unknown beast. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw curtains move when there was no
breeze. A tiny creak in the floor would sound a hundred times louder than in the daylight and my
imagination would take over, creating burglars and monsters. Darkness always made me feel helpless. My
heart would pound and I would lie very still so that ‘the enemy’ wouldn’t discover me.
3. Another childhood fear of mine was that I would get lost, especially on the way home from school. Every
morning, I got on the school bus right near my home—that was no problem. After school, though, when all
the buses were lined up along the curve, I was terrified that I would get on the wrong one and be taken to
some unfamiliar neighborhood. I would scan the bus for the faces of my friends, make sure that the bus
driver was the same one that had been there in the morning, and even then ask the others over and over again
to be sure I was in the right bus. On school or family trips to an amusement park or a museum, I wouldn’t let
the leaders out of my sight. And of course, I was never very adventurous when it came to taking walks or
hikes because I would go only where I was sure I would never get lost.
4. Perhaps, one of the worst fears I had as a child was that of not being liked or accepted by others. First of
all, I was quite shy. Secondly, I worried constantly about my looks, thinking people wouldn’t like me
because I was too fat or wore braces. I tried to wear ‘the right clothes’ and had intense arguments with my
mother over the importance of wearing flats instead of saddled shoes to school. Being popular was very
important to me then and the fear of not being liked was a powerful one.
5. One of the processes of evolving from a child to an adult is being able to recognize and overcome our
fears. I have learnt that darkness does not have to take on a life of its own, that others can help me when I
am lost and that friendliness and sincerity will
encourage people to like me. Understanding the things that scared us as children helps to cope with our lives
as adults.
1. On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes using headings and subheadings. Use
recognizable abbreviations, wherever necessary. 5
2. Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes made and also suggest a
suitable title. 3

Section-B (Creative Writing Skills) 8

1.a Design a poster in not more than 50 words for your school library on the value of books and good
reading habits. You may use slogans (3)
OR
1.b You are the Manager of ‘Excellent Coaching Centre’, prepare a poster in not more than 50 words calling
the attention of students desirous of attending HT, CPMT coaching to join your coaching center

2.a You are Mukul / Mahima of Alps Public School. Your school has organized a debate on “Social Media
and It’s Effects and you will be participating in your school. Prepare your views against or in favor of the
motion. (120 – 150 words) . (5)
OR
2.b. “Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career.” Write a debate either for or
against the motion. (120 – 150 words).

Section-C (Literature)
1.Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow each. 1x3=3
1.A They remain the richest royal collection ever found and have become part of the pharaoh’s legend.
Stunning artefacts in gold, their eternal brilliance meant to guarantee resurrection, caused a sensation at
the time of the discovery — and still get the most attention (Discovering Tut)
i. ‘They’ in the first sentence refers to?
a) The archaeologists who went in search of Pharaoh’s pyramid b) The funerary treasure found in Tut’s
tomb.
c) Tut’s exploits as the ruler of Egypt. d) The stories written about King Tut.
ii. What does “guarantee resurrection” mean?
a) To ensure that Tut would pass into his afterlife without any trouble
b) To make sure that the precious metals don’t lose their shine
c) To ensure that Tut’s spirit was tied down in his tomb forever.
d) To ensure that Tut is able to take a rebirth
iii. The word ‘artefacts’ means?
a) Facts about art and culture
b) Artificial objects and materials
c) Articles of old times and of great historical importance
d) Art and craft material
OR
1.B Meanwhile the racing mind of Professor Gaitonde arrived at a plan of action in Bombay. Indeed as a
historian he thought he should have thought of it sooner. He would go to a big library and browse
through the history books. That was the surest way of finding out how the present state of affairs was
reached. He also planned eventually to return to Pune and have a long talk with Rajendra Deshpande,
who would surely help him understand what had happened. (The Adventure)
i. What does the phrase ‘racing mind’ mean? 1
ii. Where did the professor want to go in Bombay? 1
iii. What was the present state of affairs the professor wanted to find out about? 1
2.Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow each: 1x3=3
2.AThe whole tree trembles and thrills.
It is the engine of her family.
She stokes it full, then flirts out to a branch-end
Showing her barred face identity mask (The Laburnum Top)
i. What makes the tree tremble? 1
ii. Which poetic device has been used in ‘It is the engine of her family’? 1
iii. What does the poet mean by ‘Barred face’? 1

OR
2.B When did my childhood go?
Was it the day I ceased to be eleven,
Was it the time I realised that Hell and Heaven,
Could not be found in Geography,
And therefore could not be,
Was that the day! (Childhood)
i. At what age does the poet think he lost his childhood ? 1
ii. What did the poet realise? 1
iii. ………. in the extract means the same as discontinued 1

3.Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow each : 1x4=4
3.A I stood where I was on the step. The curtain in front of the bay window moved. Someone stared at me
and would then have asked what I wanted. ‘Oh, nothing,’ the woman would have said. ‘It was nothing.’ I
looked at the name-plate again. Dorling it said, in black letters on white enamel. And on the jamb, a bit
higher, the number. Number 46. (The Address)
a. When and where does the story take place? 1
b. How does the narrator recognise Mrs. Dorling? 1
c. Where did Mrs. Dorling live? 1
d. Why had the narrator visited the place? 1
OR
3.B MRS FITZGERALD: [collecting up the cards] And that’s all I can tell you, Mrs. Pearson. Could be a
good fortune. Could be a bad one. All depends on yourself now. Make up your mind— and there it is.
MRS PEARSON: Yes, thank you, Mrs. Fitzgerald. I’m much obliged, I’m sure. It’s wonderful having a
real fortune-teller living next door. Did you learn that out East, too? (Mother’s Day)
i. What does Mrs. Pearson want from her family? 1
ii. What has Mrs. Fitzgerald learned in the East? 1
iii. What prediction was made by Mrs. Fitzgerald for Mrs. Pearson? 1
iv. Write one difference in the characteristics of Mrs. Fitzgerald and Mrs. Pearson. 1
4. Answer any three in 40-50 words. 3x2=6m
i. What tale does the chapter ‘The Landscape of the Soul’ has about the Chinese painter Wu Daozi?
ii. ‘King Tut’s body had been subjected to repeated scrutiny.’ Why?
iii. How does the rain justify its claim , ‘I am the Poem of the Earth’? (The voice of the rain)
iv. The poet has discussed two stages of life – childhood and adulthood. How does he differentiate one
from the other? (Childhood)
5. Answer any one of the following questions in 120 – 150 words : 1x5=5m
a. How are Yang and Yin represented in a classical Chinese landscape?
OR
b. Describe the observations made by the Professor as he entered the alternative universe.
6. Answer any one of the following questions in 120 – 150 words: 1x5=5m
a. Why did the narrator of the story ‘The Address’ want to forget the address?
OR
b. Doris and Cyril are just like spoilt children of today’s young generation. The negative values of
selfishness, rudeness and ingratitude rob them of all the goodness of human heart. Comment.
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