Section – A (Reading)

1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow (1x8=8)
Happiness is not a house that can be built by man’s hands, but a song that you hear as you pass the
hedge rising suddenly and simply into the night and dying down again. Happiness is optional. It is an inner
feeling of contentment and joy. Everyman should give a little thought to the duty of being happy. People
generally under-rate and neglect this significant duty. ‘Nothing too much’ is a good maxim of a Greek
philosopher. We should control our desires. We should not be a slave to our desires. We should learn to
stop while we still wish to continue. We should call off our desires before they are satisfied. ‘Nothing too
much’ should be our guiding principle when we control our desires. Happiness is inside, not outside. It is
not in the objects. Every day a person should think and realise that he is a soul, and he is alone. For this
sake, he should spare some time and realise that nothing belongs to him for ever. He should smile and try
to internalise the effect of his smile. He should try to retain the pleasing effect in the inner recesses of his
heart and in the ideas of his mind. Health is also related to happiness. Walking, light physical exercises
and light food free from harmful components are as useful for health as hobbies and company of good
friends. Company of nature and company of good books create a basis of happy living. Happiness rooted
in activity with devotion is an inner feeling of satisfaction or contentment for those who are not enslaved
by desires. We are happy only when we exist in relation to the social environment with a positive
attitude.
1. According to the passage, what is happiness compared to, and why?
2. What duty does the passage suggest people often overlook?
3. What guiding principle does the passage recommend for controlling desires?
4. How does the passage suggest one should approach the concept of ownership and attachment?
5. What role does health play in relation to happiness, according to the passage?
6. Name one activity or practice the passage suggests for promoting happiness and health.
7. How does the passage describe the relationship between happiness and the social environment?
8. In what way does the passage emphasize the importance of internalizing happiness?

2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow (1x10=10)
The easiest way to give vent to our protest is to stage a Dharna or call for a Bandh or a Rail Roko
demonstration. The agitators make the most out of such shows. These devices, besides causing
inconvenience, may sometimes irreparable damage to individuals, cause immense loss to the nation.

Imagine someone is seriously sick, another has as inescapable appointment, and still another has no
provisions at home. Who bothers for other's legitimate needs? One remains wonder-struck to see that
sometimes such Bandhs are sponsored even by responsible people. Occasionally these demonstrations
become violent causing further loss to the national property and human life.
1. What was the easiest way of protest?
2. Who makes the most out of such shows?
3. What do these devices cause?
4. Write the synonym from the passage of ‘admissible’.
5. Write the antonym from the passage of ‘frequently’.

Section – B (Writing)
3. Imagine that you are Aditya, living in government Hostel, Doon. Write a letter to your father (5)
telling him about your hostel life.
4. Write an E-mail in under 100-150 words to one of your friends requesting him/her to share (5)
the syllabus of all the subjects of your class.
5. Write a story with the help of given outlines in about 80 words. Give the title and moral to it. (5)
A large number of mice ………………… a cat lives in that house ………………. Kills and eats rats
 ………………. holds a meeting ……………… plan to tie bell around her neck …………….. all happy
…………… one rat asks ………… who will bell the cat ………… all mum ……….. cat comes ………..
rats run away ……………..
6. Write a paragraph in about 80 words on the event shown in pictures. (5)
Section - C
7. Fill in the blanks with appropriate form of verb given in the baskets. (½x4=2)
1. Our class teacher always ___________ on time. (come)
2. My father ____________ me a gift for getting first division in secondary examination. (give)
3. His father ____________ the principal yesterday. (meet)
4. We are late. The film __________ by the time we get to the cinema. (start)
8. Rewrite the following into Indirect speech. (1x3=3)
1. Anil said to me, “I made some money yesterday.”
2. The players said, “Hurray! We have won the match.”
3. Anil said to me, “Can you cook?”
9. Fill in the blanks with a verb in agreement with its subject. (½x4=2)
1. Not only India but also other countries __________ facing the problem of terrorism.
2. He told me that none of his friends___________ a thief.
3. Dal and Baati ___________ the famous dish of Rajasthan.
4. An old woman with her three children ____________ standing outside at the front door.
10. Change the following into passive voice. (1x3=3)
1. People are welcoming the leader.
2. Did they hire a taxi?
3. Stop making a noise.
11. Frame questions of the following sentence. (1x2=2)
1. He is going to be tested of corona.
Where ……….?
2. Gandhi ji wanted his wife to be educated.
What …………?
12. Rewrite and add question tag to the following statements.
1. The Indians forgot about their glorious past during foreign rule.
2. Rajni will invite us on her birthday.
Section - D
13.