SECTION C - LITERATURE

3. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5
A. I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind. Anil made money by fits and starts.
He would borrow one week, lend the next. He kept worrying about his next cheque, but as soon asit arrived, he
would go out and celebrate. It seems he wrote for magazines-a queer way to make a living! (The Thief ’s Story)
i. Why did ‘I’ feel that uniting for magazines was a queer way to make a living? Answer in about 40 words. 2
ii. State True or False. 1
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — I think he knew I made a little money thisway
but he did not seem to mind.
(a) A hypothesis - a proposed explanation for a phenomenon
(b) An assumption - something that is taken for granted or assumed to be true
(c) A hyperbole - exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
(d) A premise - a proposition that forms the basis of an argument
iii. The information in the extract suggests that Anil could be a . 1
iv. What did the narrator mean by ‘I made a little money this way’? 1
Or
B. I finished my poem, and it was beautiful! It was about a mother duck and a father swan with three baby
ducklings who were bitten to death by the father because they quacked too much. Luckily, Mr: Keesingtook
the joke the right way. He read the poem to the class, adding his own comments, and to several other
classes as well. (From the Diary of Anne Frank)
i. Anne Frank says that ‘Mr. Keesing took the joke the right way.’ What does she mean by this? 1
(a) Anne had turned the tables on her teacher.
(b) The teacher was already tired of her constant jokes in class.
(c) Anne Frank had a nasty sense of humour.
(d) Students are not supposed to crack jokes on their teachers.
ii. What had transpired between Mr. Keesing and Anne Frank for her to feel relieved on seeing his responseto
her poem? Answer in about 40 words. 2
iii. Why do you think Mr Keesing chose the title— ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’ — for Anne, to write on?This
was so because he expected . 1
(a) Anne to express her inability to elaborate on such a topic.
(b) that this would embarrass Anne and would check her indiscipline.
(c) her to apologise and not repeat her talkative behaviour.
iv. What does this extract tell us about Mr. Keesing as a teacher? Mention two qualities. 1
4. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5
A. Ink trickled down to the bottom of the householdA
little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed. But up
jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,He
went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
i. Fill in the blank with suitable words on the basis of your understanding of the given lines. 1
Belinda paled and cried for help because she was with .
ii. What is the significance of the use of the words: fled, trickled down and mouseholed to describe the
reactions of Belinda’s pets and how does this word choice contribute to the overall situation in the poem?
Answer in about 40 words. 2
iii. The words, ‘But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine’ show that . 1
(a) Custard was angry and ready to fight Ink and Blink.
(b) Custard was ready to move energetically.
(c) Custard was ready to attack the pirate.
(d) Custard was clearing his throat.
iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines. 1
 Or
B. Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice Is
also great
And would suffice.
(Fire and Ice)
i. How can ‘Ice’ bring an end to the world? Answer in about 40 words. 2
ii. What figure of speech is used in the first line of the extract? 1
iii. can correctly replace the underlined phrase in the give line from the extract? 1
I hold with those who favour fire.
iv. Pick the option that is NOT TRUE about the poet according to the extract. The poet 1
(a) is inclined to believe that the world would most likely end with fire.
(b) has heard divided opinions about the way the world would end in all likelihood.
(c) preaches love and kindness to combat the spread of hate among all.
(d) declares the power of ice to be as destructive as that of fire.
5. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. 4 # 3 = 12

i. What was the effect of hailstones on Lencho’s crop ? 3

(A Letter to God)
ii. Young seagull tried to fly but he could not. Why was he afraid to fly ? 3
(Two Stories About Flying)
iii. Why should the tiger snarl around houses at the edge of the forest ? 3
(A Tiger in the Zoo)
iv. What makes Chubukov misunderstand the purpose of Lomov’s visit? 3
(The Proposal)
v. “Money is external”. What does the poet mean by this expression taken from ‘The Ball Poem’? 3
6. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2#3 = 6
i. How did Ausable befool Max about the balcony? 3
(The Midnight Visitor)
ii. Griffin’s brilliance as a man of science fades before his darker traits. Comment. 3
(Footprints Without Feet)
iii. What does Noodle tell Think-Tank about the books? 3
(The Book that Saved the Earth)

7. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1#6 = 6
A. Gotami comes to Buddha praying to him to revive her dead son. Buddha asks her to bring a handful of
mustard seeds from a house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend. Through this simpleact,
Buddha communicates the most profound truth of life, not only to Gotami but also to the whole mankind.
What is the truth that Buddha communicates? What lesson does Gotami learn? What changes would take
place in a common man’s life if that truth is understood? (The Sermon at Benares)
Or
B. “Difficulties do come in our lives, but they are not there to stay forever.” Comment on this statementwith
reference to the poem ‘Fog’ by Carl Sandburg.
8. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1#6 = 6
A. Albert Einstein said, ‘The important thing is to never stop questioning.’ Richard was a genius who
proved this quote true. Justify. (The Making of a Scientist)
Or
B. Give a brief character sketch of Mrs. Pumphrey. What values are reflected through her character?
(A Triumph of Surgery)