(D) All

(C) Dr. A.P.J. Kalam

(B) Economic Development

(B) Indians

(B) Vision

(A) Contribute

The writer was walking along the street of Delhi / in Delhi.

Man had achieved greatness in Astronomy, Algebra, Architecture, Poetry, Music and Art.

The writer met Shovan Lal at Connaught Circus (in Delhi).

Shovan Lal said "Hullo" to the writer. He greeted the writer in Hindi.

Shovan Lal's friends are described in the passage. He introduced them to the writer by waving his hand over the group.

One of the younger men started speaking very fast in a strange dialect that the writer could not easily follow.

Shovan Lal translated for the writer. He had been quiet all the time when others were talking, and then he translated their conversation for the writer.

Wondered (from the passage: "I wondered what the history of my country meant to me")

Started (from the passage: "one of the younger men started speaking")

234, Green Avenue
Amritsar, Punjab
Date: 15th March, 2024

Dear Priya,

     I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. I was 
overjoyed to learn that you have secured an outstanding 95% in your Board 
Examination. Heartiest congratulations on this remarkable achievement!

     Your success is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and 
perseverance throughout the year. I always knew you had it in you to excel, 
and you have proven it beyond doubt. Your consistent efforts and disciplined 
approach to studies have finally paid off.

     The entire family is extremely proud of you. Mom and Dad are 
especially delighted. Your achievement has brought immense joy to our 
household. This success will surely open many doors of opportunity for you 
in the future.

     I wish you continued success in all your future endeavors. May you 
keep shining and achieving greater heights. Once again, congratulations!

With love and best wishes,
Your loving sister/brother,
Sushma/Param
            

To,
     The Principal,
     G.S.S.S. Kota,
     Kota.

Date: 15th March, 2024

Subject: Request for arrangement of board examination fees

Respected Sir/Madam,

     I beg to state that I am a student of class X in your esteemed 
institution. I am writing to bring to your kind attention my difficult 
financial situation regarding the payment of board examination fees.

     My father has been seriously ill for the past two months and is 
currently undergoing treatment. Due to his illness, he is unable to work, 
and our family is facing severe financial constraints. We are struggling 
to meet even our basic needs, and it has become impossible for us to 
arrange the board examination fees.

     I have been a sincere and dedicated student throughout my academic 
journey. I have consistently maintained good grades and actively 
participated in school activities. I do not wish to waste a year of my 
education due to financial difficulties. Education is my only hope for a 
better future, and I am determined to complete my studies.

     I humbly request you to kindly make necessary arrangements for my 
board examination fees or provide me with suitable financial assistance. 
I assure you that I will continue to work hard and make the school proud 
with my performance.

     I would be extremely grateful for your kind consideration and support 
in this matter.

Thanking you,

Yours obediently,
Siddhi/Siddharth
Class X
Roll No: __________
            

Title: Unity is Strength

Once there lived a farmer who had four sons. His sons were lazy and always quarreled with each other. The old farmer was very worried about their future. One day, he called all his sons and gave them a bundle of sticks. He asked them to break the bundle. Despite many attempts, none could break it. Then the farmer untied the bundle and gave them one stick each. They broke the sticks easily. The wise farmer explained that unity is strength. If they stay united like the bundle, nobody can harm them. The sons understood their father's trick and promised to stay united. They learned a valuable lesson about the power of unity.

Moral: Unity is Strength / United we stand, divided we fall.

Title: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

A rabbit and a tortoise were friends. The tortoise was very slow while the rabbit was extremely fast. One day, they decided to have a race. The rabbit was overconfident about winning and ran very fast. When the rabbit had crossed half the distance, he thought of taking rest. He fell asleep under a tree. Meanwhile, the tortoise continued walking slowly but steadily. He did not stop anywhere. When the rabbit woke up, he saw that the tortoise was about to reach the finishing line. He ran as fast as he could, but it was too late. The tortoise had already won the race. The rabbit felt ashamed of his overconfidence.

Moral: Slow and steady wins the race / Pride goes before a fall.

Save Water - Save Life

Water is the most precious natural resource on earth. It is essential for all living beings. The picture shows a water tap with just a drop of water falling into a hand, symbolizing the scarcity of water. We often waste water without realizing its importance. With increasing population and pollution, clean drinking water is becoming scarce. We must conserve water by fixing leaking taps, using water wisely, and harvesting rainwater. Remember, every drop counts. If we don't save water today, future generations will suffer. Let us pledge to use water responsibly and spread awareness about water conservation. Water is life, and we must protect it for our survival and for the planet's future. (Approximately 80 words)

Annual Function of Our School

The annual function of our school was celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy last week. The entire school campus was beautifully decorated with colorful lights and flowers. The Chief Guest was the District Collector who inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp. Students presented various cultural programs including dances, songs, skits, and plays. The most entertaining performance was a comedy drama that made everyone laugh. Prize distribution ceremony was held to honor meritorious students and participants of various competitions. The principal delivered an inspiring speech motivating students to work hard. Parents attended in large numbers and appreciated the efforts of students and teachers. The function concluded with the national anthem. It was a memorable and enjoyable evening for everyone. (Approximately 80 words)

(i) The train had reached the station before I reached there.

Explanation: Past Perfect Tense - the action was completed before another past action

(ii) My mother always worships God in the morning.

Explanation: Simple Present Tense - habitual action

(iii) He has arrived / will have arrived at his destination by now.

Explanation: Present Perfect / Future Perfect - action completed by the present moment

(iv) I have been learning English since last year.

Explanation: Present Perfect Continuous Tense - action started in past and still continuing

(i) The teacher told the students that they were good students.

(ii) He asked me if/whether I had read newspaper before going to school.

(i) Harry with his friends goes for a walk daily.

(ii) Among all the students, he was different in his opinions.

(i) Let it be done.

(ii) I was given a beautiful gift by my mother.
OR
A beautiful gift was given to me by my mother.

(i) God examines all. Who examines all?
OR
Does God examine all?

(ii) Students don't waste their time, do they?

(B) to slip out of house

The passage clearly states: "After she had enough money saved, her next problem was how to slip out of the house without her mother's knowledge."

(C) doorway

The passage mentions: "she stood looking from the doorway of her house"

(A) Excursions

The passage states: "Valli always used these hours for her 'excursions'"

The bus rolled on across a bare landscape, through tiny hamlets, and past odd wayside shops.

The bus seemed on the point of gobbling up another vehicle that was coming towards them or a pedestrian crossing the road.

Valli saved a total of sixty paise for her bus ride.

(D) Both (A) and (C)

The passage states: "I had no radio, no compass and I could not see where I was."

(A) In storm

The passage clearly mentions: "I was lost in the storm."

(C) Aeroplane

The passage states: "I saw another aeroplane."

Another person (the pilot of the black aeroplane) said "Follow me" by waving his hand and gesturing to the narrator.

The name of the narrator's aeroplane was Dakota (old Dakota).

Enough (from the passage: "Now there was only enough fuel...")

(i) Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho?

The postmaster sends money to Lencho to help him and to keep his faith in God intact. He is deeply touched by Lencho's innocent faith in God. He doesn't want to shake Lencho's belief, so he collects money from employees and sends it to Lencho in the name of God. (Approximately 25 words)

(ii) How did Mandela's 'Hunger for Freedom' change his life?

Mandela's hunger for freedom transformed him from a frightened young man into a bold freedom fighter. Initially, he wanted freedom only for himself, but gradually he realized that his freedom was incomplete without the freedom of his people. This turned him into a courageous leader who fought against apartheid and dedicated his entire life to the cause of equality and justice. (Approximately 30 words)

(iii) Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?

The young seagull was afraid to fly because when he looked down at the vast sea below, he felt that his wings would not support him and he would fall into the sea. He lacked confidence and courage. His siblings had already learned to fly, but he was filled with fear and self-doubt. (Approximately 30 words)

(iv) What is the baker called?

The baker is called 'pader' in Goa. He is also known as 'kabai' in the traditional Goan villages. These are Portuguese words used for bakers in Goa, reflecting the Portuguese influence on Goan culture and language. (Approximately 20 words)

The narrator's experience while flying into the storm was terrifying and mysterious. As he entered the storm clouds, everything turned dark and his instruments stopped working. The compass went dead, and the radio failed completely. He was lost and couldn't see anything around him. He felt helpless and frightened, not knowing where he was or how to get out safely.

Suddenly, in the black clouds, he saw another aeroplane without any lights on its wings. The pilot of that strange black aeroplane waved at him and signaled him to follow. The narrator felt relieved to see another person and followed the mysterious aeroplane like an obedient child. The black aeroplane guided him through the storm for about half an hour until he could land safely. However, when he inquired about the other pilot at the control center, he discovered that no other plane was flying that night. The experience remained a mystery that the narrator could never explain. (Approximately 80 words)

Anne Frank had deep love and respect for her father. She considered him her greatest support and trusted him completely. Her father understood her better than anyone else and she could share her feelings with him. She admired his kindness, patience, and wisdom. Anne felt secure and loved in her father's presence.

Regarding Mr. Keesing, her mathematics teacher, Anne initially found him strict and annoying because he punished her for talking too much in class. He assigned her essays as punishment. However, Anne was clever and wrote humorous essays that even made Mr. Keesing laugh. Gradually, she realized that Mr. Keesing was not really bad. He had a good sense of humor and appreciated her wit. Eventually, they developed a friendly relationship, and Mr. Keesing stopped punishing her. Anne understood that he was just doing his job as a teacher and actually cared about his students' education. (Approximately 80 words)

Lomov is a wealthy but hypochondriac landlord of thirty-five years. He is nervous, quarrelsome, and suffers from various ailments like palpitations and sleeplessness. Though he decides to propose to Natalya, he keeps getting into silly arguments over petty issues like land ownership and dog breeds. He is not romantic but practical, wanting to marry for convenience rather than love. Despite his flaws, he is sincere in his intention to marry Natalya. (Approximately 40 words)

The play ends in a comical manner. After several quarrels and arguments, Lomov and Natalya finally get engaged. However, even after the engagement, they continue arguing about their dogs - Guess and Squeezer. Chubukov orders champagne to celebrate but is frustrated with their constant bickering. The proposal is accepted, but the couple's arguing nature suggests that their married life will be equally chaotic and full of disputes. (Approximately 40 words)

(i) Who found a text in the extract?

An old religious man found a text in the extract. The speaker mentions that he heard this old religious man declare the previous night (yesternight) that he had found a religious text to prove his point about true love. (2 marks)

(ii) Who can love you for yourself?

According to the extract, only God can love you for yourself alone and not for your external beauty (yellow hair). The old religious man claims that he found a text to prove that true, unconditional love - loving someone for their inner self rather than their physical appearance - is possible only from God. (2 marks)

(i) Why is Amanda refused to eat chocolate?

Amanda is refused to eat chocolate because her mother is concerned about her acne (pimples on the face). The mother believes that eating chocolate might worsen Amanda's skin condition and cause more acne. This shows the mother's controlling and restrictive behavior towards Amanda. (2 marks)

(ii) What is told to look at in the extract?

Amanda is told to look at her mother ("Will you please look at me") when the mother is speaking to her. This shows that Amanda is not paying attention to her mother and is perhaps lost in her own world of imagination, which frustrates the mother who demands Amanda's attention. (2 marks)

(i) What does the poet say, the boy is learning from the loss of the ball?

The poet says that the boy is learning the epistemology of loss - the nature and meaning of loss. He is learning that loss is an inevitable part of life and one must accept it. The boy understands responsibility and the pain of losing something precious. (Approximately 20 words)

(ii) How do you identify an Asian lion?

According to the poem, you can identify an Asian lion by its large size, tawny color, and loud roar. If a large tawny beast in the jungle roars at you and you die with fear, it is definitely an Asian lion. (Approximately 20 words)

(iii) How does the poet's mood change?

The poet's mood changes from sad and depressed to happy and hopeful. When a crow shakes snow dust from a hemlock tree onto him, this simple act of nature transforms his negative mood and saves the rest of his day from being wasted in sadness. (Approximately 20 words)

Bholi's teacher played a transformative role in changing her life completely. When Bholi first came to school, she was a scared, stammering girl with no confidence. Her teacher recognized Bholi's potential beneath her disabilities and treated her with kindness, love, and encouragement.

The teacher gave Bholi something she had never received before - respect and hope. She patiently helped Bholi overcome her stammering problem and taught her to read and write. More importantly, she filled Bholi with confidence and self-respect. The teacher told Bholi that education would make her the most respected person in the village and that people would no longer laugh at her.

This encouragement transformed Bholi from a timid, neglected girl into a confident young woman. When her greedy father tried to marry her off to an old, greedy man who demanded dowry, Bholi refused courageously. She declared that she would serve her parents and teach in the school instead. This remarkable transformation from a frightened girl to a confident woman was entirely due to her teacher's love, patience, and faith in her abilities. (Approximately 80 words)

The cause of drastic change in the Loisels' life was the loss of a diamond necklace that Matilda had borrowed from her friend Madame Forestier to wear to a party. Matilda was beautiful but dissatisfied with her middle-class life. She always dreamed of luxury and wealth.

When she got an invitation to a grand party, she borrowed what she thought was an expensive diamond necklace from her friend. After the party, she discovered that she had lost the necklace. Instead of telling the truth to Madame Forestier, the Loisels decided to replace it. They bought a genuine diamond necklace for thirty-six thousand francs by borrowing money at high interest rates.

To repay this huge debt, the Loisels worked hard for ten long years. They dismissed their servant, moved to a cheaper apartment, and lived in extreme poverty. Matilda did all household work herself and her husband worked extra jobs. After ten years of hardship, when they finally repaid all debts, Matilda met Madame Forestier and learned the shocking truth - the original necklace was fake and worth only five hundred francs! The Loisels' lives were ruined because of Matilda's vanity and their foolish pride that prevented them from telling the truth. (Approximately 80 words)

(i) What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?

A scientist should have curiosity, keen observation, patience, perseverance, and determination. He should have a questioning mind and desire to learn. Hard work, dedication, and the ability to think creatively are also essential. Support from family and teachers is equally important. (Approximately 20 words)

(ii) How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?

Griffin was undoubtedly a brilliant scientist who discovered how to make the human body invisible. However, he was not a noble scientist. He misused his discovery for selfish purposes, committed crimes, and harmed innocent people. His scientific brilliance was overshadowed by his immoral character and lawless behavior. (Approximately 20 words)

(iii) Why does Horace Dandy steal every year?

Horace Dandy steals once a year not for money but to satisfy his passion for expensive, rare books. He is a book lover who cannot afford to buy costly books with his earnings, so he steals valuables once a year to fund his hobby. (Approximately 20 words)

(C) Both (A) and (B)

Both Ausable and Max were secret agents. Ausable was working for one side while Max was his rival agent.

(A) 25 years

Anil was a young man of about 25 years of age in the story.

(C) Tricki

Mrs. Pumphrey's spoiled pet dog was named Tricki.