RADIANT ENGLISH ACADEMY

PIPLOD-UMRA, SURAT 7. PHONE: 9033007681/82, 7990725847

Class: XI SUBJECT: ENGLISH Max. Marks 80
Date: Total No. of Pages
SAMPLE PAPER FOR FINAL EXAM

General Instructions:
i) The question paper is divided into three sections
Section A: Reading
Section B: Writing and Grammar
Section C: Literature
ii) All questions are compulsory.
SECTION A (READING)

Q1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 12

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 emphasized 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 policymakers. 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.

5. The prevailing cultural norms of gender behaviour and the perceived domestic and reproductive roles of
women tend to affect the education of 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.

Page 1 of 8
6. Women’s political empowerment got a big boost with the Panchayati Raj Act of 1993 which gave them 30
per cent 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. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the options given.
[12 x 1 = 12]
i. What is the pivotal role of women? a. To eradicate poverty
b. To mend the social fabric
c. To solve social, economical and political Problems
d. All of the above

ii. Women’s contribution in private and public domain of the world of work makes
her……………………. a. rational in approach
b. a highly self-directed person
c. careful in handling situation
d. the best performer

iii. Oppressive traditions, superstitions, exploitation and corruption deprive the woman of
……………….. a. enjoying their rights and opportunities
b. their participation in political, social and educational issues
c. educating themselves
d. employing them with men

iv. ………………….. is the key to a better life in the future. a. Change in political and economical
status of women
b. Human development index of nation
c. Women’s education
d. The role of women in the society

v. Women are politically empowered because of …………………. a. the enactment of the Panchayat
Raj Act in 1993
b. the National Commission for women
c. Today’s education system
d. the Forth World Conference of women in 1995

vi. ………….possesses the largest number of illiterate women in the world.

a. UP and MP
b. Rajasthan
c. Bihar
d. India

Page 2 of 8
 vii. ………….is the words from the passage which means ‘cruel and unfair’. a. oppressive
b. restriction
c. injustice
d. inequality

viii. ………….is the words from the passage which is synonym of ‘remove’. a. revolutionize
b. eradicate
c. prevail
d. perceive

ix. The meaning of the word ‘rational’ means………… a. illogical

b. foolish
c. relevant
d. irrelevant

x. The antonym of ‘conferred’ is ………… a. granted

b. bestow upon
c. withhold
d. allowed
xi. Why education is the most important instrument of human resource development?
xii) Give the appropriate title to the above stanza.

Q2. Read the following passage

Immediately inside the entrance is your first stop. It’s the stone of anointing: this is the place, according to
Greek tradition, where Christ was removed from the cross. The Roman Catholics, however, believe it to be
the spot where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial by Joseph.
6. What happened next? Jesus was buried. He was taken to a place outside the city of Jerusalem where other
graves existed and there, he was buried in a cave. However, all that is long gone, destroyed by continued
attacks and rebuilding; what remains is the massive and impressive Rotunda (a round building with a dome)
that Emperor Constantine built. Under this, and right in the centre of the Rotunda, is the structure that
contains the Holy Sepulchre.
7. “How do you know that this is Jesus’ tomb?” I asked one of the pilgrims standing next to me. He was
clueless, more interested, like the rest of them, in the novelty of it all and in photographing it, than in its
history or tradition.
8. At the start of the first century, the place was a disused quarry outside the city walls. According to the
gospels, Jesus’ crucifixion occurred ‘at a place outside the city walls with graves nearby. Archaeologists
have discovered tombs from that era, so the site is compatible with the biblical period.
9. The structure at the site is a marble tomb built over the original burial chamber. It has two rooms, and you
enter four at a time into the first of these, the Chapel of the Angel. Here the angel is supposed to have sat on
a stone to recount Christ’s resurrection. A low door made of white marble, partly worn away by pilgrims’
hands, leads to a smaller chamber inside. This is the ‘room of the tomb’, the place where Jesus was buried.
10. We entered in a single file. On my right was a large marble slab that covered the original rock bench on
which the body of Jesus was laid. A woman knelt and prayed. Her eyes were wet with tears. She pressed her
face against the slab to hide them, but it only made it worse.

Page 3 of 8
 For four days, I walked through the narrow lanes of the old city, enjoying the romance of being in a city
where history still lives in its cobblestone streets and in its people riding asses, carrying vine leaves and palm
as they once did during the time of Christ.
2. This is Jerusalem, home to the sacred sites of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. This is the place that
houses the church of the Holy Sepulchre, the place where Jesus was finally laid to rest. This is also the site
of Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
3. Built by the Roman Emperor Constantine at the site of an earlier temple to Aphrodite, it is the most
venerated Christian shrine in the world. And justifiably so. Here, within the church, are the last five stations
of the cross, the 10th station where Jesus was stripped of his clothes, the 11th where he was nailed to the
cross, the 12th where he died on the cross, the 13th where the body was removed from the cross, and the
14th, his tomb.
4. For all this weighty tradition, the approach and entrance to the church is nondescript. You have to ask for
directions. Even to the devout Christian pilgrims walking along the Via Dolorosathe Way of Sorrows first
nine stations look clueless. Then a courtyard appears, hemmed in by other buildings and a doorway to one
side. This leads to a vast area of huge stone architecture.

Immediately inside the entrance is your first stop. It’s the stone of anointing: this is the place, according to
Greek tradition, where Christ was removed from the cross. The Roman Catholics, however, believe it to be
the spot where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial by Joseph.
6. What happened next? Jesus was buried. He was taken to a place outside the city of Jerusalem where other
graves existed and there, he was buried in a cave. However, all that is long gone, destroyed by continued
attacks and rebuilding; what remains is the massive and impressive Rotunda (a round building with a dome)
that Emperor Constantine built. Under this, and right in the centre of the Rotunda, is the structure that
contains the Holy Sepulchre.
7. “How do you know that this is Jesus’ tomb?” I asked one of the pilgrims standing next to me. He was
clueless, more interested, like the rest of them, in the novelty of it all and in photographing it, than in its
history or tradition.
8. At the start of the first century, the place was a disused quarry outside the city walls. According to the
gospels, Jesus’ crucifixion occurred ‘at a place outside the city walls with graves nearby. Archaeologists
have discovered tombs from that era, so the site is compatible with the biblical period.
9. The structure at the site is a marble tomb built over the original burial chamber. It has two rooms, and you
enter four at a time into the first of these, the Chapel of the Angel. Here the angel is supposed to have sat on
a stone to recount Christ’s resurrection. A low door made of white marble, partly worn away by pilgrims’
hands, leads to a smaller chamber inside. This is the ‘room of the tomb’, the place where Jesus was buried.
10. We entered in a single file. On my right was a large marble slab that covered the original rock bench on
which the body of Jesus was laid. A woman knelt and prayed. Her eyes were wet with tears. She pressed her
face against the slab to hide them, but it only made it worse.
A. On the basis of reading, make the notes of the above passage. (5)
B. Write down the summary of the above passage. (3)

SECTION B (GRAMMAR AND WRITING)

Q3.Design a poster for your ‘School Carnival’ You may use slogans. Do not exceed 50 words.
OR 4
Q3.You are R.Lal, the executive manager of Metals and Minerals Corporation of India. You need an
accommodation on rent as you wish to use it as a guest house. Draft a suitable advertisement in not more than
50 words. 4

Page 4 of 8
 Q4.You have realized the necessity of education and financial independence of women for their family,
society and in turn for the nation. Write a letter to the Editor, ‘The national Times ‘highlighting your ideas on
the importance of education for women. You are Tarun / Taruna , B-7 Mall road , Delhi. (120-150 words).
5
Q5. Attempt ANY ONE from the questions given below. 5
A. ‘Our large population is not a cause of poverty but an asset, a resource’. Write a debate in 120-150 words
either for or against the motion.
B. Rohit / Reena, a student of class XI, has been asked to deliver a speech on the ‘Ill –effects of watching too
much television’ in 120-150 words.
Q6.Rearrange the following words to make complete sentence. 4
Q7. Gap Filling 4
.
SECTION C (LITERATURE)

Q7.Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: 4

A.In the afternoon yellow September sunlight

A few leaves yellowing, all its reeds fallen

a. Which tree is described in the poem?

i. Apple tree ii. Cherry tree iii. Gulmohar tree iv. Laburnum tree

b. Identify the poet.

i. Shirley Toulson ii.Ted Hughes iii.Walt Whitman iv. Markus Natten

c. Which poetic device is used in “In the afternoon yellow September sunlight?”

d. Who visited the tree?

Q8.Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. 5

A. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the
other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her
lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the
mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

a.Who is the author of these lines?

i.Shirley Toulson ii.Nani Palkhiwala

iii.A.R. Williams iv. Khuswant Singh

b. Who is being referred to here by the author?

i.His grandmother ii.His mother

iii.His wife iv.His elder sister

c.What was the colour of the dress she used to wear?

i. Black ii.White

iii.Red iv.Blue

d. Which figure of speech is used in ‘She was like the winter landscape in the mountains’?
Page 5 of 8
i.Simile ii.Personification iii.Alliteration iv.Hyperbole

e.Why did the narrator’s grandmother give the impression of ‘winter landscape in the mountains’?

f. What does the narrator mean by ‘Silver Locks’?

Q9.Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. 5

A. At the corner of the road I looked up at the name plate. Marconi Street, it said. I had been at Number 46. The
address was correct. But now I didn’t want to remember it anymore. I wouldn’t go back there because the objects
that are linked in your memory with the familiar life of former times instantly lose their value when, severed
from them, you see them again and again in strange surroundings.

a.Who had told the narrator about Mrs. Dorling’s address?

i.Her father ii.Her mother iii.Her husband iv.Mrs. Dorling

b. Why did the narrator want to forget the address?

i.For that was not attractive. ii. For that was not correct

iii. For that reminded her of her mother iv.For that a penalty on it

c.What does the word ‘Severed’ mean?

i.Joint ii.Cut off iii.Inseperable iv.Hurt

d.Which literary device has been used in ‘Strange surroundings’?

i.Simile ii.Metaphor iii.Alliteration iv.Personification

e. Which objects were linked in the narrator’s mind?

f.Name the author.

i. conscious ii. Mad

iii. Unconscious iv. Insecure

d. How was the child born?

i. Lively ii. Lifeless iii .Lame iv. Blind

e. Name the author of this passage.

f. Why did a shiver of horror pass over Andrew?

Q10.Answer ANY FIVE of the following questions in 40-50 words each. (2x5=10)

i. When did the narrator Nick Middleton feel unwell for the first time? What did he do?

ii.What is the meaning of the line ‘Both wry with the laboured ease of the loss’ in the poem ‘A Photograph’?

iii. What were the first indications of ‘impeding disaster’ that ultimately struck narrator and his family on January
2nd (We’re not afraid to die….If we can all be together)

iv.What did the author notice in the open plains after leaving Ravu?

v. The father is ready to have his prodigal son return. What inference can you draw from this?

vi.How can you infer that the father wishes his son to remain at home with him?
Page 6 of 8
Q11.Answer ANY TWO of the following questions in 40-50 words each. (2x2=4)

i Why did the narrator say that the ‘spirit’ of his tribe was being capricious and vagrant? (Summer of the
beautiful white horse).

ii. Who was Mrs Dorling? How did she cheat Mrs S of all her antiques and silver?

iii. Who decided a melon to be the king and why?

Q12.Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words each. (5)

i. What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when faced with danger?

ii.Comment on the significance of the title of the story ‘The Address’.

Q13.Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words each. (5)

i. Narrate ‘The Tale of the Melon City’ in about 100 words. What message does it convey?

Ii.Compare and contrast the characters of Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs Pearson. Who do you admire and why?

Page 7 of 8
Page 8 of 8