Unseen Passages for Class 11 With Answers PDF – Factual Passages

Unseen Passages for Class 11CBSE With Answers PDF – Factual Passages

Read the following passages carefully:

Passage 1:
Soil

1. Soil is your garden’s natural growing medium, so it’s vital for the health and successful growth of your plants and crops that you keep it well maintained. Soil is basically rock that’s been ground down by the effects of the weather over a long period of time and made fertile by decayed organic matter (derived from dead insects and leaves). There are hundreds of different soil types, but they can broadly be classified as sandy, loamy or clay, referring to their basic texture. It is the texture that affects the drainage, aeration and nutrient content of the soil and you may have to take steps to improve on this in certain types of soil.
2. Take a handful of soil and run a small amount between your forefinger and thumb. Although all soils contain varying proportions of sand, silt and clay, you’ll readily be able to tell the difference between the main types.
3. Sandy soil feels gritty when dry and even it’s wet particles will not stick together. Loams, on the other hand, can be moulded in the hand when moist, but aren’t at all sticky and gritty and are fairly loose when dry. Clay soil is sticky and smooth when wet, but becomes polished when rubbed and baked hard when dry.
4. A loamy soil is a well-balanced amalgamation of sand, silt and clay, which combines excellent drainage with sufficient moisture retention to assure good growing conditions for most plants. It’s fairly easy to look after, although loamy soils do benefit from regular applications of well-rotted organic matter to prevent getting tightly packed.
5. The particle consistency of sandy soil doesn’t hold water well, with the result that plant foods are often taken away by rain before they can do any good. Again, well-rotted organic matter can be added to bind the soil particles together.
6. Clay soil is most difficult to work, usually becoming waterlogged, so they are virtually impossible to dig. Artificial drainage will probably be the first step in improving the texture of the soil and various additives will break down the structure to make use of its excellent food stocks.
7. There are various methods of improving your soil’s texture. Essentially this requires regular applications of a well-rotted organic substance called humus, which is obtained from decayed plant and animal matter (manure, compost, and seaweed, each provides ample sources).
8. The presence of chalk in soil can also affect the growth of plants: some prefer slightly acid (chalk-free) soils, while others grow more successfully in alkaline, chalky soils. Most fruits and vegetables, however, grow better in neutral soil.
9. Although benefiting the soil in some ways, compost, manure and fertilizers can actually add to its acidity, as organisms break them down. Over-acid soils can be treated with applications of lime—either hydrated (slaked) lime, or ground limestone (chalk). Of the two, ground limestone is your best choice.
10. To apply lime, sprinkle it on the broken top soil and mix it lightly but don’t dig in; leave to wash down by rain. Apply lime every other year if need be.
    An alkaline soil can be treated with manure, garden compost or peat, well dug in.
    

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A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. We should keep soil well maintained as…………………
   (a) it absorbs and retains water
   (b) it responds to the effects of weather
   (c) it raises water table
   (d) it is the garden’s natural growing medium.
2. Soil is divided into various types on the basis of……………….
   (a) colour
   (b) drainage
   (c) texture
   (d) aeration
3. Loamy soil is the best for plant growth because……………….
   (a) it is a well-balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay
   (b) it has weak drainage and retention
   (c) its texture responds slowly to decayed organic matter
   (d) it gets tightly packed unless looked after well
4. Clay soils are the most difficult to work as…………….
   (a) hey don’t hold water well
   (b) hey usually become waterlogged
   (c) he soil particles are not held together
   (d) hey require natural drainage and additives
5. Soil must be tested before growing fruits and vegetables because
   (a) they need alkaline soil
   (b) they prefer slightly acidic soil
   (c) they grow better in neutral soil
   (d) they flourish in over-acidic soil
6. ‘Consistency’ in para 5 means………………..
   (a) in agreement with
   (b) having same opinion
   (c) thickness
   (d) firmness

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Which soil is the best for plant growth? Why?
8. What do you know about clay soils?
9. Why should soil be tested before growing fruits and vegetables?
10. How can texture of soil be improved?
11. Write the similar meaning to
(a) Firmness (para 5)
(b) Collection or accumulation(para 4)

Answers:

1. (d) it is the garden’s natural growing medium
2. (c) texture
3. (a) it is a well-balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay
4. (b) they usually become waterlogged
5. (c) they grow better in neutral soil
6. (d) firmness
7. Loamy soil is the best for plant growth as it is well balanced mixture of sand, silt and clay.
8. Clay soils are the most difficult to work as they usually become water logged.
9. Soil must be tested before growing fruits and vegetables as they grow better in natural soil.
10. The texture of soil can be improved by applying a well rotted organic substance called humus.
11. (a) Consistency
    (b) Amalgamation

Passage 2:
Attitude Problems

1. Fear of failure is an attitude problem. All of us postpone things. We procrastinate. We rationalize. We make excuses. We foolishly believe that to be creative and to have a positive attitude and to simply do things, we have to have all kinds of preconditions.
2. You can find several excuses for waiting to be more creative. But scratch the surface of these smooth and logical rationalizations, and if you’re honest, you’ll see the face of a little demon, the fear of failure, hiding there.
3. Zig Ziglar reminds us that this is nothing but an attitude problem: “The future can be depressing or magnificent—it is not correlated to the present or the past, past failures or successes. It is only our attitude towards these failures or successes which determines our future.” You can change yourself by changing your attitude without fear of error.
4. Problems cause stress and stress reduces our effectiveness. So it is very logical that once we solve our problems, we should be able to increase our efficiency and effectiveness. Incidentally, we can’t eliminate problems unless we opt for the final exit—the very thought of this itself is stressful!
5. What causes our problems? Well, roughly speaking one third of our problems are there because we are alive and kicking; another one-third of our problems are created by ourselves; and the remaining one-third of our problems exist because of greed and ego.
6. When too many problems are causing you enormous stress and strain, do the following:
   1. Think…there must be a better way to solve these problems. It helps to remember the crow and jug story! Recall similar stories and incidents.
   2. Ask, ask, ask…from yourself and from others, how to do things in better ways. May be certain things should not be done at all or should be clubbed with other activities! Don’t forget that even stupid questions will get your intelligent and common sense answers.
   3. Do it now! Start doing it. Don’t forget that the first step towards solving a problem is to begin. The first step is the most difficult one, but taking it will kill procrastination— a disease or a problem in itself.’ Do, not forget to priorities your problems first. Those which are “C” category jobs should be delegated to others, but do not forget to check and recheck till these get done.
7. There is always a silver lining in any gloomy situation, provided you starve the problems
   and feed the opportunities. For every problem, there could be several solutions, and solutions point towards opportunities.
8. Apply the MISER concept to solve problems. MISER… where M stands for Merge, I for Improve, S for Simplify, E for Eliminate and R for Reduce. MISER is an excellent conceptual sieve that helps in reducing many problems to a very few ones.
   

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option:

1. Most people procrastinate because……………….
   (a) they are not creative
   (b) they adopt a wrong attitude
   (c) they are too lazy to do anything
   (d) they wait for better opportunity
2. Our future is determined by…………………
   (a) past failure
   (b) success in the present
   (c) efforts in future
   (d) attitude towards past failures or success
3. Our effectiveness gets reduced as ………………..
   (a) problems multiply
   (b) depressing time is painful
   (c) stress is caused by problems
   (d) problems dishearten us
4. We can’t eliminate problems because…………….
   (a) we are alive and kicking
   (b) we are inactive
   (c) we are afraid of final exit
   (d) we postpone actions
5. The best way to tackle a problem is…………………
   (a) to defer it for sometime
   (b) to seek help of a friend
   (c) to think of an easy solution
   (d) to begin at once
6. The word ‘procrastinate’ in para 1 means………………
   (a) obtain with difficulty
   (b) natural tendency to do something bad
   (c) delay or postpone action
   (d) start a court case

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. How does our effectiveness get reduce?
8. Can we eliminate problems? If not why?
9. What is the best way to tackle the problem?
10. Which saying has been used in passage for being optimist?
11. Write the meaning similar to
(a) Delay or postpone action (para 4)
(b) Very large (para 6)

Answers:

1. (b) they adopt a wrong attitude
2. (d) attitude towards past failures or success.
3. (c) stress is caused by problems
4. (a) we are alive and kicking
5. (d) to begin at once
6. (c) delay or postpone action
7. Our effectiveness gets reduce by problems which cause stress.
8. We can’t eliminate problems because we are alive and kicking and sometimes our greed and ego also promote problems.
9. The best way to tackle the problem is to begin at once with positive thinking.
10. ‘There is always a silver lining in any gloomy situation’ gives a lesson of optimism.
11. (a) Procrastination
    (b) Enormous

Passage 3:
The Way Human Body Defends

1. The defence mechanism of human body is a gift of nature provided to human beings. The power of our body to fight against various disease-producing agents is known as defensive mechanism. This defensive mechanism depends upon various factors which can be categorised mainly into two types—common factors and special factors.
2. Amongst the common factors, the most important is the health of human beings. We all know if we are having a good health, our body automatically remains protected against the diseases. For keeping good health one should have nutritious balanced diet. A balanced diet is that which contains carbohydrates, fat, proteins, vitamins in proportionate amount.
3. The skin of our body saves us against many micro-organisms producing diseases, provided that it is intact. In case there are cuts or abrasions on it, the micro-organisms penetrate the body through those cuts and abrasions and can cause diseases. Therefore, a cut or an abrasion should never be left open. In case there is no bandage, etc. available, it may be covered by a clean cloth.
4. Some bacteria are residing on and inside the human body. They are our friends and are useful for us. They do not cause any disease and by their presence they do not allow disease-causing organisms to settle on those places. For example, the micro-organisms, present in human saliva secrete a chemical which does not allow diphtheria causing bacteria to grow inside the oral cavity.
5. The human body secretes a variety of fluids, which are killers for disease causing micro¬organisms. For example, gastric juice (acidic in nature) secreted by our intestinal tract kills all organisms which enter our body through food.
6. There are a few automatic activities of our body known as “reflex phenomenon” which
   protect the body against many infections. This reflex phenomenon includes sneezing, coughing and vomiting. •
7. Fever is one of the most important constituents of the defensive mechanism of our body. The organ which regulates the temperature of our body is known as hypothalamus and it is situated in the brain. When micro-organisms after entering the body release toxic products and these reach the brain through blood, the hypothalamus starts increasing the temperature of body the person gets fever. This fever is very useful for the human body because by the increase of temperature the micro-organisms which are the root cause of the problem get killed.
8. We are living in an environment which is full of bacteria. Many of these bacteria can produce serious diseases, but all of us do not suffer from such diseases. It is due to a special power present in our body to fight these diseases. A part of this special power of our body is known as innate immunity. This is inherited by us. The other part of this special power is called acquired immunity. This we gain during our lifetime.
9. In a nutshell, we can say since nature has provided us with defensive mechanism to fight against so many diseases, let us maintain it and rather increase it by the way of immunisation.
   

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. One should have nutritious balanced diet because…………………………
   (a) it has food items for various tastes
   (b) it keeps one healthy
   (c) it is recommended by a dietician
   (d) it has all essential items
2. The defence mechanism of human body is important as…………………………
   (a) it protects us from diseases
   (b) it checks deterioration of body
   (c) it saves us from depression
   (d) it builds up the wear and tear
3. In order to check the micro-organisms penetration in the human body…………………………
   (a) we must cover the whole body
   (b) we must rub insect repelling oil
   (c) we must use antiseptic solutions
   (d) we should keep cuts and abrasions covered
4. Gastric juice secreted by our intestinal tract kills all extraneous organisms as…………………………
   (a) it flows very fast
   (b) it is acidic in nature
   (c) it prevents their multiplication
   (d) it is a natural stimulant
5. We can increase our defensive mechanism by…………………………
   (a) developing friendly bacteria
   (b) checking infection through reflex phenomenon
   (c) seeking proper immunisation
   (d) suppressing fever in initial stages
6. (d) suppressing fever in initial stages…………………………
   (a) blood poisoning
   (b) study of poisons
   (c) harmful bacteria in plants/animals
   (d) poisonous

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. How can micro-organism’s penetration be checked in the human body?
8. What is the role of gastric juice in human body?
9. How can we increase our defensive mechanism?
10. What do you mean by reflex phenomenon? How is it helpful for human body?
11. Give the similar meanings.
(a) scraping or rubbing of (para 3)
(b) poisonous (para 7)

Answers:

1. (b) it keeps one healthy
2. (a) it protects us from diseases.
3. (d) we should keep cuts and abrasions covered
4. (b) it is acidic in nature
5. (c) seeking proper immunisation
6. (d) poisonous
7. Micro-organism penetration can be checked in human body by keeping our cuts or abrasions covered.
8. Gastric juice is acidic in nature it kills all extraneous organisms.
9. We can increase our defensive mechanism by seeking proper immunisation.
10. few automatic activities of our body are known as reflex phenomenon which protect the body against many infections.
11. (a) Abrasions
    (b) Toxic

Read More: 

• Unseen Passage For Class 8
• Unseen Passage For Class 12
• Unseen Passage For Class 6
• Unseen Passages for Class 11
• Unseen Passage for Class 7

Passage 4:
Save The Caves

1. One thousand and five hundred years ago, when craftsmen began cutting rocks and sculpting them into magnificent statues of gods, little did they realise that in the second millennium the Elephanta Caves would not just be a major tourist attraction but would also be a World Heritage Site.
2. Now the world’s oldest island caves are getting a new lease of life. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has teamed up with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to spruce up the caves and protect them from further decay and degeneration.
3. Elephanta Caves date back to the sixth century and boast of some of India’s most magnificent rock-cut sculptures of Lord Shiva. Situated about 11 km from the Gateway of India, these caves are reached by small boats. Once on the island, visitors have to climb over 1,000 stone steps to get to the caves.
4. The caves were originally built during the reign of the Rashtraputa kings. They contain huge images of Brahma, Parvati, Natraja and Shiva. The best and most famous of these is Maheshmurti—a three headed bust of Shiva which is about six metres high.
5. The great elephant structure in black stone which gave the island its name was removed in 1864 by British to take it to England. However, it was later returned to India and now stands at the Victoria Gardens, a park with a small zoo in the centre of Mumbai. On top of the caves are two huge cannons installed by the British in order to protect Bombay harbour.
6. In the main cave there are nine carvings which depict the life of Lord Shiva in different manifestations—-the dancer (Nataraja), Shiva killing demon Andhaka, marriage ceremony of Shiva and Parvati, Shiva’s descent to the Ganges, Shiva as Ardhnarinateshwar, Shiva as Maheshmurti, Shiva lifting Mount Kailash, Goddess Parvati on Mount Kailash and Shiva as ascetic.
7. Back in the mid-eighties, a team of leading international archaeologists, conservators and historians visited the site and forwarded a proposal to UNESCO to grant heritage status to the caves. The proposal was accepted and Elephanta Caves were declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.
8. The most important part of the effort is to clean up the surroundings of the heritage site.
   For example, there is an ancient site built adjacent to the gate which houses some of the best frescoes and showcases the art of carving out statues by cutting rock. ‘
9. The next phase was to clean up the littered surroundings and also to discourage yisitors from carrying eatables and plastic bags inside the caves. This step too was roundly criticised but gradually people were educated on the historic and religious importance of the caves and the incidents of littering have considerably reduced.
10. To protect the caves from vandalism security personnel were deployed a year ago. “This has helped authorities to implement regulations stringently,” says an INTACH volunteer of the organisation’s Mumbai chapter.
11. Elephanta Caves have for years been threatened by the rapid industrial development in
    their vicinity. A toxic chemical storage terminal has been planned just 400 metres away. Bilge from oil-exploring activities and plastic dumped in the sea, have seriously threatened marine and bird life of the area.
    

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. The most distinguishing feature of the Elephanta Caves is………………………………
   (a) that they date back to one thousand and five hundred years ago
   (b) that these are the world’s oldest island caves
   (c) that rocks have been cut and sculpted into magnificent statues of gods
   (d) that they have some of the most magnificent rock-cut sculptures of Lord Shiva
2. The six metres high three headed bust of Shiva is known as………………………………
   (a) Natraja
   (b) Ascetic Shiva
   (c) Mahurinmurti
   (d) Ardhnarinateshwar
3. Before being declared a World Heritage Site, the caves were………………………………
   (a) in a filthy state
   (b) in a dilapidated state
   (c) in a magnificent state
   (d) in a precarious state
4. Security personnel were deployed in order to………………………………
   (a) protect caves from vandalism
   (b) help authorities to implement regulations
   (c) help clean up the surroundings
   (d) discourage visitors from carrying eatables inside
5. The most potent threat the caves suffer from is………………………………
   (a) a toxic chemical storage terminal
   (b) the bilge from oil exploring activities
   (c) plastic dumped in the sea
   (d) the rapid industrial development in their vicinity
6. The word ‘degeneration’ in para 2 means………………………………
   (a) become bad
   (b) the process of becoming worse
   (c) losing too much water
   (d) stop production

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. What was the status of the caves before being declared a World Heritage?
8. Why were the security personnel deployed?
9. What is the most potent threat the caves are suffering with?
10. Where is the great elephant in black stone standing now?
11. What do these word mean
(a) Degeneration (para 2)
(b) Spruce (para 2)

Answers:

1. (d) that they have some of the most magnificent rock-cpt sculptures of Lord Shiva
2. (c) Maheshmurti
3. (b) in a dilapidated state
4. (a) protect caves from vandalism
5. (d) the rapid industrial development in their vicinity
6. (b) the process of becoming worsective
7. The caves were in a dilapidated state before being declared a World Heritage.
8. The security personnel protect caves from vandalism.
9. The most potent threat the caves are suffering with is the rapid industrial development in their vicinity.
10. The great elephant in black stone is standing now in Victoria Garden in the centre of Mumbai
11. (a) Poisonous
    (b) Make tidy and clean

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Passage 5:
Self-Esteem

1. Today, when we pick up a daily newspaper, we invariably find an increasing incidence of vandalism, fraud, theft, robbery, rape, child abuse, battered spouses, murders, hate crimes, genocide (now termed as “ethnic cleansing”) along with a multitude of other senseless violent acts that have become disturbingly common. These are not the actions of people who like themselves.
2. The solution to a great many problems, whether personal, national or global, lies in improving our feelings about ourselves both as individuals and members of society. When the significance of good self-esfeem is well understood and it achieves the prominence it deserves, a transformation will begin, for as the people will learn they are deserving of self-respect, their respect for others will automatically increase.
3. Most of our behaviour has been shaped by our parents, caregivers and authority figures who played an important part in our early upbringing and were responsible for crystallizing our ideas about ourselves and the world. While everyone has self-esteem, only a small percentage of us have high self-esteem. High self-esteem denotes that we accept ourselves unconditionally exactly as we are, we appreciate our value as a human being. When, on the other hand, we have low self-esteem, we believe that we have little intrinsic worth.
4. We believe our personal value is in direct proportion to the value of our accomplishments. If we cannot accomplish certain results, we tend to feel low about ourselves. Some of us try too hard and become workaholics and over-achievers. With few genuine feelings of self-worth, we try to create some and prove that we are somebody by our successes and achievements. Because our desire for perfection is so great, we tend to set unrealistic goals and place unreasonable demands on ourselves. Failing, rather than encouraging us to have more realistic aspirations, only leads to a mere punishing round of self-blame and a resolve to drive ourselves harder next time. If we do finally achieve our goals we are disappointed; despite everything we have done, we still feel empty inside.
5. Vulnerable to the opinions of others, we desperately try to gain their recognition and approval sometimes through risky and dangerous behaviour. Thus we are at the mercy of our emotions, instead of controlling them, we permit them to control us. Since we allow circumstances to influence our feelings, we are inclined to be moody. The insecurity we feel as a result of devaluing ourselves makes us react with jealousy, envy and possessiveness. Fear makes us greedy and acquisitive, and feelings of self-hate alternate with those of futility, unhappiness and depression.
6. Sound self-esteem is the basis for all self improvement. As human beings, our potential
   is limitless, our abilities inexhaustible, and the possibilities for creative and constructive changes are endless. But, we won’t experience satisfactory progress towards our goals or make any lasting improvements unless we believe we deserve the good we want. Conditions in our lives will improve permanently only when we believe we are entitled to something better. So improving our self-esteem inwardly is the vital ingredient for improving our lives.
   

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. These days the newspapers are full of………………………….
   (a) development news
   (b) political news
   (c) acts of violence and crimes
   (d) educational and employment news
2. Such acts are done by people……………………………
   (a) to preserve their honour
   (b) because they lack tolerance
   (c) who have high self-esteem
   (d) who do not like themselves
3. Good self-esteem is stressed upon because…………………………….
   (a) it is essential for solving many problems
   (b) it builds up self-confidence
   (c) it increases one’s reputation
   (d) it helps one to respect others
4. High self-esteem is a remarkable asset as………………………..
   (a) it makes us worthless in our own eyes
   (b) it helps us to believe in our worth
   (c) it forces us to be achievers
   (d) it brings depression and disappointment
5. Sound self-esteem ensures success as………………………………..
   (a) one reacts emotionally to problems
   (b) one becomes moody and insecure
   (c) one taps one’s latent talents and creative faculties
   (d) one makes instant improvements
6. The word ‘potential’ in para 6 means……………………..
   (a) possible
   (b) ability of a person
   (c) a liquid with magic powers
   (d) hidden power

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6

7. What is the importance of good self esteem?
8. What is remarkable in high self esteem?
9. What does sound self esteem ensure?
10. Whom will conditions in our lives improve permanently?
11. Give the same meaning from the passage.
(a) Destruction (para 7)
(b) Hidden power (para 6)

Answers:

1. (c) acts of violence and crimes
2. (d) who do not like themselves.
3. (a) it is essential for solving many problems
4. (b) it helps us to believe in our worth
5. (c) one taps one’s latent talents and creative faculties
6. (d) hidden power
7. Good self esteem is important in solving many problems.
8. High self esteem is remarkable asset as it helps us to believe in our worth.
9. Sound self esteem ensure the improvement of life by identifying latent talents and creative faculties.
10. When we believe we are entitled to something better, the conditions in our lives will improve permanently.
11. (a) Vandalism
    (b) Potential

Passage 6:
Disposal Of Nuclear Wastes

1. Just a century ago it would have been hard to imagine that human beings could significantly pollute the oceans. Human beings constitute the greatest threat to the oceans since the development of the nuclear industry. Nuclear power has become a major source of the world’s electric energy. But nuclear power plants also produce a great amount of nuclear waste which remains hazardous for thousands of years.
2. For the purpose of disposal, nuclear wastes are of two categories: Low Level Waste (LLW), which includes several substances used in connection with nuclear reactors and High Level Waste (HLW) which consists primarily of spent fuel from nuclear reactors and weapons. Currently, there is no permanent method of disposal for HLW. All the HLW that has been produced so far is being stored near the reactor sites in swimming pools or in dry casks. These storage pools are not designed to store the waste for an indefinite period of time. As higli level nuclear waste presents a tremendous storage problem, dumping it into the ocean was considered as the most cost-effective solution.
3. Even though dumping of highly radioactive wastes at sea was banned worldwide for more than three decades, it still continues. Russia has been dumping highly radioactive materials in the Arctic Sea. Until the London Dumping Convention in 1983, the Atlantic Ocean was a favourite dumping ground for nuclear nations like Great Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Switzerland and Sweden.
4. The dumping of nuclear wastes not only goes against international practice, but is also a violation of international treaties. Dumping of the wastes is regulated by the 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the 1972 London Convention). The Convention outlawed the disposal of high-level wastes at sea. It required the nations disposing of low-level radioactive wastes to do so in ocean basins at depths greater than 12,000 feet. But the depths at which the actual dumping took place was within the range of 200 to 1,000 feet, which is a clear violation of the convention.
5. Although the dumping of any radioactive waste at sea has been prohibited by law since 1994, the status of sub-seabed disposal has been ambiguous. If a resolution is made to extend the definition of “dumping” to include “any deliberate disposal or storage of wastes or other matter in the sea-bed and the subsoil thereof” and accepted by the convention, sub-seabed disposal will be prohibited, and the decision may not be appealed for twenty five years. If it is so, then sub-seabed disposal will be subjected to regulation and subsequent banning by the London Dumping Convention. Article III, section 1(a) of the convention defines dumping as “any deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures at sea.”
6. On the contrary, United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reveals that the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil is beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. The seabed area is beyond the territorial jurisdiction of any nation and is open to use by all in accordance with commonly acceptable rules. Even though UNCLOS may not directly prohibit sub-seabed disposal, there are other provisions such as “to protect and preserve the marine environment” which will put a legal binding on the member states while undertaking the disposal.
7. Clifton Curtis, a political adviser to Greenpeace International, who has fought against sub-seabed disposal method since 1978 favours land-based disposal as a better option.
   

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. Human beings are the greatest threats to oceans because…………………
   (a) they conduct hazardous nuclear experiments
   (b) they explore the oceans for its hidden treasures
   (c) their lust for sea-food makes them plunge into the waves
   (d) they pollute oceans by dumping nuclear waste
2. The nuclear waste produced by the nuclear power plants is dreaded as…………………….
   (a) it is a health booster
   (b) it remains hazardous for thousands of years
   (c) it is biodegradable
   (d) it is a major source of electric energy
3. Nuclear nations practised dumping high level nuclear waste into the ocean because……………………
   (a) it was the easiest option
   (c) it involved the least risk
   (b) it was the safest way
   (d) it was the most cost effective solution
4. The London Dumping convention is important because………………………….
   (a) it outlawed the disposal of high level nuclear wastes at sea
   (b) it outlawed the disposal of all man-made structures in the sea
   (c) it prohibited the disposal of wastes of man-made arms and ammunition
   (d) it defined the limits of national jurisdiction of sea
5. The status of sub-seabed disposal has been ambiguous because……………………….
   (a) nuclear waste has been dumped at the depth of 200 to 1000 feet
   (b) the UN law of the sea makes it open to use by all
   (c) the definition of “dumping” does not include sub-seabed
   (d) the sub-seabed area is under the territorial jurisdiction of the nearest country
6. The word ‘deliberate’ in para 5 means…………………………..
   (a) done on purpose
   (c) happening by chance
   (b) done slowly and carefully
   (d) intentional

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why do nuclear nations practice dumping nuclear waste into the ocean?
8. What is the importance of dumping?
9. Why was dumping into the ocean introduced?
10. The status of sub-seabed disposal has been ambiguous why?
11. Write the word similar in meaning from the passage.
(a) Intentional (para 5)
(b) Going against a law (para 4)

Answers:

1. (d) they pollute oceans by dumping nuclear waste.
2. (b) it remains hazardous for thousands of years
3. (d) it was the most cost effective solution
4. (a) it outlawed the disposal of high level nuclear wastes at sea
5. (c) the definition of “dumping” does not include sub-seabed
6. (d) intentional
7. The nuclear nations practice dumping waste into the ocean as it was the most cost effective solution.
8. London dumping convention is important because it outlawed the disposal of high level nuclear waste at sea.
9. As high level nuclear waste presents a tremendous storage problem, so dumping into the ocean was introduced. ,
10. It has been ambiguous because the definition of “dumping” does not include seabed.
11. (a) Deliberate
    (b) Violation

Passage 7:
Urban Flooding

1. The National Disaster Management Authority has recently released guidelines on the management of urban flooding. It clearly states that urban flooding should be treated as a separate disaster as the causes of urban flooding and the strategies to deal with them are different.
2. Even though urban flooding has been experienced for decades in India sufficient attention was not given to plan specific efforts to deal with it holistically. In the past, any strategy on Flood Disaster Management largely focused on riverine floods affecting large tracts of rural areas.
3. Urban Flooding is significantly different from rural flooding as urbanisation leads to developed catchments which increases the flood peaks by up to 8 times and flood volumes up to 6 times. Consequently flooding occurs very quickly due to faster flow times, sometimes in matter of minutes.
4. Urban areas are centres of economic activities with vital infrastructure which needs to be protected 24 x 7. In most of the cities, damage to vital infrastructure has a bearing not only locally but could even have global implications.
5. Urban areas are also densely populated and people living in vulnerable areas, both rich and poor, suffer due to flooding. It has sometimes resulted in loss of life, damage to property and disruptions in transport and power bringing life to a grinding halt causing untold misery and hardships. Even the secondary effects of subsequent epidemics and exposure to infection often takes further toll in terms of loss of livelihood, human suffering, and, in extreme cases, loss of life. Therefore, management of urban flooding has to be accorded top priority.
6. There has been an increasing trend of urban flood disasters in India over the past several years. Almost every major city in India has been severely affected. Mumbai floods of July
   2005 turned out to be an eye opener. The deluge of rains in the catchment areas of the Yamuna during August and September in 2010 has inundated many villages and towns of Haryana, besides threatening .the low-lying areas of the Delhi, the national capital. The fury of floods did not spare many areas of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
7. Storm Water Drainage systems in the past were designed for a rainfall intensity of 12-20 mm/h. However, we have been experiencing rainfall of higher intensities in most of our cities every year, which overwhelm the SWD system. Moreover, the systems very often do not work to the designed capacities because of encroachments, dumping of solid waste and poor operations and maintenance.
8. Improper disposal of solid waste, including domestic, commercial and industrial waste and dumping of construction debris into the drains also contributes significantly to reducing their capacities. Every body is responsible for this.
9. Encroachments are a major problem in many cities and towns all over the country. With large scale encroachments on the natural drains and in the floodplains, the capacity of the natural drain has decreased, resulting in flooding even with lower intensities of rainfall.
   

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. Urban flooding is to be treated as a separate disaster because…………………………..
   (a) the problems of urban areas are unique
   (b) urban areas get flooded easily
   (c) the causes of urban flooding are different
   (d) urban and riverine flooding are similar
2. Urban flooding occurs very quickly as…………………………..
   (a) the drainage is usually blocked
   (b) storm water drainage is poor
   (c) encroachments obstruct flow of water
   (d) developed catchments increase faster flow times
3. Urban areas need a round the clock vigil because…………………………..
   (a) they are centres of economic activities with vital infrastructure
   (b) they are the hubs of commerce and industry
   (c) they contain educational institutions and hospitals
   (d) they provide rail/road links to the rural areas
4. Life comes to a grinding halt in a flooded urban centre as…………………………..
   (a) people are vulnerable to deep water flowing fast
   (b) transport and power are disrupted
   (c) there is a loss of life and damage to property
   (d) people face hardships and untold misery
5. Encroachment on natural drains intensify flooding because…………………………..
   (a) these divert the flow of water
   (b) these cause whirls and speed up flow
   (c) these decrease the capacity of drain
   (d) these obstruct the smooth flow of water
6. The word ‘overwhelm’ in para 7 means…………………………..
   (a) stunned
   (b) flooded
   (c) overpowered
   (d) defeated

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why do urban areas need a round the clock vigil?
8. How does flood in urban areas affect life?
9. What is the main cause of intensifying floods in- urban areas?
10. How is urban flooding different to rural flooding?
11. Give the words similar in meaning to these words from the passage
(a) Basic system and service (para 4)
(b) defeated (para 7)

Answers:

1. (c) the causes of urban flooding are different.
2. (d) developed catchments increase faster flow times
3. (a) they are centres of economic activities with vital infrastructure
4. (b) transport and power are disrupted
5. (c) these decrease the capacity of drain
6. (d) defeated
7. Urban areas need a round the clock vigil as they are the centres of economic activities with vital infrastructure.
8. The flood disrupt transport, power causing untold misery and hardships.
9. Encroachment on natural drains is the main cause of intensifying floods in urban areas.
10. In urban areas flooding occurs very quickly due to faster flow times.
11. (a) Infrastructure
    (b) Overwhelm

Passage 8:
Gandhi’s Views

1. Gandhi never urged anyone to renounce wealth or power. He taught a set of values that might make happiness less dependant on material possessions. “As long as you desire inner help and comfort from anything, you should keep it,” he suggested tolerantly. Otherwise, he said, you might renounce a worldly asset ‘in a mood of self-sacrifice or out of a stern sense of duty’ but want it back and suffer.
2. “I wholeheartedly detest,” Gandhi declared, “this mad desire to destroy distance and time, to increase animal appetites, and to go to the ends of the earth in search of their satisfaction. None of this is taking the world a step nearer its goal.”
3. Gandhi is known for his successful efforts to liberate India. Actually, for him the development of the Indian into a free man was more important than the freeing of India. Most of Gandhi’s followers in India were not Gandhians and did not share his ideals; they mere accepted his leadership because it smoothed the way to their objective which was an Indian nation without the British but with all the usual attributes of nationhood. For them, national independence was an end, a goal in itself: for him it was a means to a better man and better life, and because his heart was heavy with doubts whether these purposes would be furthered by the manner in which independence was achieved—two bleeding children torn violently from the body of mother India—he did not celebrate on August 15, 1947, the day the Indian nation came into his own world—he was sad and refused congratulations.
4. Gandhi was a nationalist, he loved India, but he was no Indo-maniac. He said he would not hurt England to help India. All the years he fought British-Boer racial discrimination in South Africa and British imperialism in India he never despised or revised ‘the enemy’. He wanted to understand them. The British in India were victims of their past. In liberating India Gandhi thought he was also freeing England for a new future.
5. For mental health, Gandhi prescribed truth. He brought for himself a unity of what he believed, what he did and what he said. Creed, deed and word for one. This is the integration which is integrity or truth. When utterances conflict with actions and actions with beliefs the individual is split, and sick. Gandhi preached what he practised and practised what he believed. I found him healthy, happy, and light-hearted despite his many sorrows and burdens. He enjoyed inner harmony.
6. ‘Perhaps’, the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote of Gandhi, ‘he will not succeed.
   Perhaps he will fail as the Buddha failed and as Christ failed to wean men from their iniquities, but he will always be remembered as one who made his life a lesson for all ages to come.’
   

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. The set of values that Gandhiji taught people……………………………….
   (a) made them renounce wealth or power
   (b) to give up the mad desire to destroy distance and time
   (c) made happiness less dependant on material assets
   (d) to have a spirit of self-sacrifice
2. For Gandhiji, the most valuable object was……………………………….
   (a) political freedom of India
   (b) material development of India
   (c) renouncing worldly assets
   (d) development of Indians into free people
3. Most of Gandhiji’s followers accepted his leadership because……………………………….
   (a) they were his dedicated disciples
   (b) it smoothed the way to their objective
   (c) they did not share his ideals
   (d) they had a common objective
4. Gandhiji fought for national independence because……………………………….
   (a) it was a means to a better man and better life
   (b) it was an end in itself
   (c) he thought it worth achieving
   (d) it was to take the world a step forward
5. The author found Gandhiji healthy, happy and light-hearted because……………………………….
   (a) he had no sorrows or burdens
   (b) he had no worldly possessions
   (c) he enjoyed inner harmony
   (d) his life was an open book
6. The word ‘material’ in para 1 means……………………………….
   (a) fabric for clothes/customs
   (b) information or ideas used in books
   (c) items used in a performance
   (d) relating to worldly possessions

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why was Gandhiji accepted as leader by his followers?
8. Why did Gandhiji fight for national Independence?
9. How can you say that Gandhiji was no Indo-maniac?
10. Why was Gandhiji healthy, happy and light hearted?
11. Find the words from the passage in meaning similar to these words.
(a) Haled (para 2)
(b) To give up (para 1)

Answers:

1. (c) made happiness less dependant on material assets
2. (d) development of Indians into free people
3. (b) it smoothed the way to their objective
4. (a) it was a means to a better man and better life
5. (c) he enjoyed inner harmony
6. (d) relating to worldly possessions
7. Gandhiji’s leadership smoothed the way to their objectives.
8. Gandhiji fought for national Independence because it was a means to a better man and better life.
9. Gandhiji was no Indo-maniac because he never despised or revised the enemy ‘British’.
10. It was his inner harmony that kept Gandhiji healthy, happy and light hearted.
11. (a) Detest
    (b) Renounce

Passage 9:
An Educator’s Triple Weapons

1. In my boyhood, the teacher never appeared in public without the cane in hand. I used to think that one’s guru was born clutching a cane in his right hand while the left held a pinch of snuff between the thumb and forefinger. He took a deep inhalation before proceeding to flick the cane on whatever portion of myself was available for the purpose. I really had no idea what I was expected to do or not do to avoid it. I could never imagine that a simple error of calculation in addition, subtraction or multiplication (I never knew which) would drive anyone hysterical.
2. I notice nowadays a little girl at home always playing the school game in a comer of the verandah, but never without a flat wooden foot-rule in hand, which she flourishes menacingly at the pupils assembled in her phantasmagoric class-room. On investigation, I found that the cane, being discredited, has yielded place to the foot-rule, especially in ‘convent’ schools. The foot-rule has the advantage over the primitive birch of mauling without marking (which could count as an achievement in torturing technique) and it also possesses the innocent appearance of a non-violent, pedagogic equipment. A modem educator, naturally has to adapt his ways to modem circumstances, and put away obsolete weapons. The flat-scale is employed only at the primary stage: at higher levels of education, torments to a young soul are devised in subtler forms progressively; admissions, textbooks, and examination are the triple weapons in the hands of an educator today.
3. In June every father and son go through a purgatory of waiting at the doors of every college. Provision of seats planned in a grand musical-chair-manner keeps every applicant running frantically about, unless, as in certain well-geared technical colleges, the parent could make a bid in the style of a competitor at a toddy auction. Fifty thousand rupees for
   an engineering seat is considered quite reasonable nowadays. I recently met a hopeful father who had just written a cheque for ninety thousand rupees for two sons in the first year B.E. in a certain college. He is a businessman fully aware of the debit and credit value of his action, and must have undertaken the financial sacrifice after due consideration. Those that cannot afford it have to queue up in the corridors of colleges, hunt and gather recommendations, plead, appeal, canvass, and lose weight until they find (or do not find) their names in the list of admissions. At the next stage the student will once again queue up, beg, beat about, and appeal—for textbooks this time (especially if it happens to be a ‘Nationalized Textbook’, which may not be available until the young man is ready to leave the college.)
4. Finally the examination—in a civilized world the examination system should have no place. It is a culmination of all sadistic impulses. The real wrecker of young nerves, however, is the examination system. It builds up a tension and an anxiety neurosis day by day all the year round, all through one’s youth, right into middle age (for some).
   

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. The ‘guru’ in the author’s boyhood was a strange figure because…………………………
   (a) he had big glaring eyes
   (b) he had a long coloured beard
   (c) his face looked horrible
   (d) he carried a cane in his hand
2. The punishment for a simple error in arithmetical calculation was…………………………
   (a) twisting of ears
   (b) a ringing slap on the face
   (c) a flick of cane on the body
   (d) bending down like a cock
3. The foot-rule has replaced the cane because…………………………
   (a) it can injure without leaving a mark
   (b) it is easy to handle
   (c) it looks harmless
   (d) it can be used for other purposes also
4. As one progresses to higher classes, the tools of torment…………………………
   (a) are given up altogether
   (b) become more refined
   (c) hurt more persons
   (d) assume many shapes
5. The month of “June” is a state of suffering for parents and children because…………………………
   (a) it is very hot and tiresome
   (b) results are declared in June
   (c) they have to appear for admissions
   (d) they have to bid for the limited seats
6. The word ‘obsolete’ in para 2 means…………………………
   (a) total
   (b) complete
   (c) old-fashioned
   (d) out of dat

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why has foot rule replaced the cane?
8. Which weapons are in the hands of educators today?
9. How are the tools of torment in higher classes different to primary classes?
10. Why is the month of June is a state of suffering for parents and children?
11. Write the words from the passage opposite in meaning to these words.
(a) Exhalation (para 1)
(b) Obsolate (para 2)

Answers:

1. (d) he carried a cane in his hand
2. (c) a flick of cane on the body
3. (a) it can injure without leaving a mark
4. (b) become more refined
5. (c) they have to appear for admissions
6. (d) out of date
7. Foot rule injures without leaving a mark.
8. Admission, textbooks and examinations are the triple weapons in the hands of educators today.
9. The tools of torment in higher classes become more refined.
10. In month of June they have to visit from school to school for admission.
11. (a) Inhalation
    (b) Latest

Passage 10:
My Dog Marcus

1. Anyone who has met Marcus, my huge, handsome lazy, stupid St. Bernard, will not believe that he recently had an idea. This idea was certainly the first he has ever had and I cannot think how he recognized it.
2. The idea had something to do with making life easy for St. Bernard.
3. Roughly, then, his idea was this: “If I were deaf, I couldn’t hear when they called me for my walk, and they wouldn’t be able to move me, because nothing can move me. So I will pretend to be deaf.”
4. The day on which he put his plan into action, my wife, came to me much disturbed. ‘Poor old Marcus has gone deaf!’ she exclaimed.
5. ‘Deaf?’ I cried. ‘But he could hear perfectly well last night.’ I went into the kitchen and addressed him. ‘Coming for a walk, Marcus?’ I said.
6. Marcus, like a perfect actor, gazed at me with eager devotion, as though he would have given his last bone to have heard what I said. After a good deal of shouting, we left him where he was, and he went to sleep smiling.
7. It was some days before we noticed that Marcus was only partly deaf, he was still able to hear anything connected with food. I was carving a joint one Sunday when a tiny scrap of meat slipped from the fork and dropped on the carpet. Although Marcus was asleep in the kitchen—some distance away—he heard it fall. He hurtled into the dining-room and gulped it down. ‘Hey!’ I said, ‘I thought you were deaf!’
8. Marcus’s jaw and tail both dropped. He seemed to remember that he was deaf.
9. Not much later he failed to hear three repeated commands to come out for a walk—then leapt to his feet at the arrival of the butcher. In the end my wife and I agreed that he had to be cured.
10. The course we took was not, perhaps, entirely sporting. Marcus had gone deaf; we would go silent. When Marcus was about, we would now go through the actions of speaking but would not say a word.
11. Marcus’s first reaction was to be lazily puzzled. Very soon he was really worried. Had he over-estimated his power and gone really deaf? The horrible part was that, for all he knew, we might be talking about food. The thought of what he might be missing was real torture to him.
12. As we mouthed silently at one another, Marcus would stare painfully into our faces, trying, I swear, to lip-read- Also, as he was never called now for meals, I doubt if he had fourteen hours’ real sleep out of the twenty-four, and he worried himself down to about three hundred pounds in weight.
13. We kept this up for several days. Then we decided to restore Marcus’s hearing. I said in a loud voice one morning, ‘Come on, Marcus! Time for your walk, boy.’
14. An expression of beautiful relief spread over his vast face. He was not dear at all! He bounded to his feet. He frisked to the gate like a lively pony. He joyously took one of the longest walks of his career—almost half a mile.
15. Marcus was not troubled again with his deafness. Neither were we.
    

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. No one will believe that Marcus had recently an idea because………………………
   (a) he is a huge, handsome, lazy and stupid dog
   (b) he has never had an idea before
   (c) the author is surprised how Marcus perceived it
   (d) the author thinks Marcus is incapable of doing so
2. Marcus did not like to be disturbed because………………………
   (a) he loved to sleep for a long time
   (b) he was a very heavy dog
   (c) he found it difficult to run
   (d) he hated going out for a walk
3. Marcus decided to be deaf because………………………
   (a) his master used to shout loudly
   (b) there was too much noise around
   (c) he did not want to be moved
   (d) he wanted to listen only about meals
4. The method that the author adopted to cure the deafness of Marcus was………………………
   (a) fair and liberal
   (b) unfair and harsh
   (c) scientific
   (d) not worth adopting
5. Marcus lost weight because………………………
   (a) he slept for fourteen hours a day
   (b) he was worried about food
   (c) he could not understand his master
   (d) he had overestimated his powers to be deaf
6. The word ‘scrap’ in para 7 means………………………
   (a) an unwanted thing
   (b) a short fight/quarrel
   (c) a small piece
   (d) to remove/cancel

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why did Marcus decide to be deaf?
8. Which method was adopted by the author to cure the deafness of Marcus?
9. Why did Marcus lose weight?
10. How did Marcus react on author’s call?
11. Find the words from passage having opposite meanings to these words or phrase.
(a) Actively (para 11)
(b) Lose (para 13)

Answers:

1. (a) he is a huge, handsome, lazy and stupid dog
2. (d) he hated going out for a walk
3. (c) he did not want to be moved
4. (b) unfair and harsh
5. (b) he was worried about food .
6. (c) a small piece
7. Marcus decided to be deaf because he did not want to be moved.
8. Author adopted an unfair and harsh method to cure deafness of Marcus.
9. Marcus lost weight because he was worried about food.
10. An expression of beautiful relief spread over his vast face.
11. (a) Lazily
    (b) Restore

Passage 11:
The Little Girl

1. To the little girl he was a figure to be feared and avoided. Every morning before going to work he came into her room and gave her a casual kiss to which she responded with “Goodbye, Father.” And oh, there was a glad sense of relief when she heard the noise of carriage growing fainter and fainter down the long road!
2. “Well, Kezia, have you been a good girl today?”
   “I d-d-don’t know, Father.”
   “You d-d-don’t know? If you stutter like that Mother will have to take you to the doctor?”
3. She never strutted with other people—had quite given it up—but only with Father, because then she was trying so hard to say the words properly. “What’s the matter? What are you looking so wretched about? Mother, I wish you taught this child not to appear on the brink of suicide…Here, Kezia, carry my teacup back to the table carefully.”
   He was so big—his hands and his neck, especially his mouth when he yawned. Thinking about him alone was like thinking about a giant.
4. On Sunday afternoons grandmother sent her down to the drawing-room to have a “nice talk with father and mother”. But the little girl always found mother reading and father stretched out on the sofa, his handkerchief on his face, his feet on one of the best cushions, sleeping soundly and snoring.
   She sat on a stool, gravely watched him until he woke and stretched, and asked the time—then looked at her. “Don’t stare so, Kezia. You look like a little brown owl.”
   One day, when she was kept indoors with a cold, the grandmother told her that father’s birthday was next week, and suggested she should make him a pin-cushion for a gift out of a beautiful piece of yellow silk.
5. Labouriously with a double cotton, the little girl stitched three sides. But what to fill it with? That was the question. The grandmother was out in the garden and she wandered into mother’s bedroom to look for ‘scraps’. On the bedtable she discovered a great many sheets of fine paper, gathered them up, tore them into tiny pieces, and stuffed her ease, then served up the fourth side.
   That night there was hue and cry in the house. Father’s great speech for the Port Authority had been lost. Rooms were searched—servants questioned.
   Finally mother came into Kezia’s room.
   “Oh! Yes,” she said, “I tore them up for my surprise.”
   “What!” screamed mother. “Come straight down to the dining-room this instant.”
6. And she was dragged down to where father was pacing to and fro, hands behind his back. “Well?” he said sharply.
   Mother explained.
   He stopped and stared at the child.
   “Did you do that?”
   
   

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. On hearing the noise of carriage growing fainter, Kezia felt relieved because……………………….
   (a) she dreaded the horses
   (b) she was afraid of the coachman
   (c) she did not like cluttering sound
   (d) she feared her father and avoided him
2. Kezia strutted only with her father because……………………….
   (a) her father loved her too much
   (b) she loved him too much
   (c) she tried hard to say the words properly
   (d) she tried to speak fluently.
3. To the little girl, her father appeared to be a giant because……………………….
   (a) he had a very big body
   (b) he had big legs
   (c) he had a very wide mouth
   (d) he had big arms
4. Her grandmother asked her to make a pin-cushion because……………………….
   (a) her father needed a pin-cushion
   (b) her father’s birthday was coming up next week
   (c) she was good at making things
   (d) she could display it to her friends
5. Her father was angry because……………………….
   (a) Kezia’s mother had not given him evening tea
   (b) the grandmother had disturbed him while he was writing
   (c) his great speech for the Port Authority had been lost
   (d) his invitation card for the annual meeting had been misplaced
6. The word ‘stutter’ in para 4 means……………………….
   (a) to walk proudly and confidently
   (b) to support by a thin piece of wood or metal
   (c) to move or start with difficulty
   (d) to speak haltingly

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why did father appear to be a giant to Kezia?
8. Why did she not have a nice talk with her parents when her grandmother sent her down to drawing room?
9. Why did grandmother ask her to make a pin cushion?
10. Why was her father angry?

Answers:

1. (d) she feared her father and avoided him
2. (c) she tried hard to say the words properly
3. (a) he had a very big body
4. (b) her father’s birthday was coming up next week
5. (c) his great speech for the Port Authority had been lost
6. (d) to speak haltingly
7. Father appeared to be a giant to Kezia because he had a big body.
8. She found mother busy in reading and father sleeping and snoring.
9. Grandmother asked her to make a pin cushion to give her father as birthday gift.
10. Her father was angry because his great speech for the port authority has been lost,
11. (a) Gathered
    (b) Strutted

Passage 12:
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty.
Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with ordeals she was mastered by.
The tigers in the panel that she made
Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are called ‘chivalric’ because……………………………
   (a) they live far away from human settlements
   (b) they are very respectful and courteous to women
   (c) they occupy majestic and honourable position among the animals
   (d) they don’t fear the men beneath the tree
2. The poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ is clearly a……………………………
   (a) revolutionary poem
   (b) feminist poem
   (c) critical poem
   (d) endymion poem
3. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers will survive because.…………………………..
   (a) they are proud and unafraid
   (b) they are objects of art
   (c) they have longer life
   (d) they are free from ordeals and sufferings
4. For Aunt Jennifer ‘the massive weight of wedding-band’ symbolises……………………………
   (a) ordeals and hardships of married life
   (b) shackles constraining her individual freedom
   (c) restraints on her freedom of creation
   (d) indicator of her social status
5. The literary device used in ‘sleek, chivalric certainly’ is……………………………
   (a) metaphor
   (b) simile
   (c) alliteration
   (d) personification
6. The word ‘massive’ in stanza 2 means……………………………
   (a) very large
   (b) extremely powerful
   (c) very serious
   (d) very heavy

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. What does prancing tiger symbolize?
8. Why are Aunt Jennifer’s hands terrified?
9. Why do Aunt Jennifer’s fingers flutter?
10. What does ‘The massive weight of wedding-band’ symbolise?
11. Write the word from poem similar in meaning to these words.
(a) Inhabitants (stanza 1)
(b) Severe or testing experience (stanza 3)

Answers:

1. (c) they occupy majestic and honourable position among the animals
2. (b) feminist poem
3. (b) they are objects of art ‘
4. (a) ordeals and hardships of married life
5. (c) alliteration
6. (d) very heavy
7. Prancing tiger symbolize the spirit of freedom within aunt Jennifer which remains subdued.
8. They have passed through very hard and bitter experience of married life.
9. She feels so nervous and terrified that her hands shake and flutter.
10. The image is symbolic of the oppression a woman face in matrimony at the hands of a terrifying husband.
11. (a) Denizons
    (b) Ordeal

Passage 13:
My Mother at Sixty-Six
Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday
morning, I saw my mother, beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that
of a corpse and realised with pain
that she thought away, and looked but soon
put that thought away, and looked out at young
trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes, but after the airport’s
security check, standing a few yards
away, I looked again at her, wan, pale
as a late winter’s mom and felt that old
familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,
but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,
all I did was smile and smile and smile….

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. Where was the poet coming from?…………………………..
   (a) She was coming from Cochin
   (b) She was coming from her parent’s home
   (c) She was coming from hostel
   (d) She was coming from other city
2. The poet saw from the window of the car…………………………..
   (a) to see the beauty of nature
   (b) to see the wild animals
   (c) to divert her mind
   (d) to seek the way to station
3. The poet’s mother has been compared to the late winter’s moon…………………………..
   (a) to bring out the similarity of ageing and decay
   (b) to present the silence and strength of the moon
   (c) to present the contrast between their respective brightness and laziness
   (d) to bring out her hidden beauty and glory
4. The poet says about her mother “her face ashen like that of a corpse” the poetic device used in this line is…………………………..
   (a) a metaphor
   (b) a simile
   (c) a paradox
   (d) an alliteration
5. The poet’s “familiar ache” or her “childhood’s fear” refers to…………………………..
   (a) loss of her ancestral home after marriage
   (b) separation from mother while leaving for studies abroad
   (c) the fear of ageing and ultimate death/separation
   (d) her fear of being lost in darkness when left alone in childhood
6. The poet utters parting words of assurance and smiles…………………………..
   (a) to comfort her mother
   (b) to hide her own feelings of pain
   (c) as she wants to look cheerful
   (d) as it is customary to do so

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why was poet’s mother dozing with her mouth open?
8. Why did poet compare her mother’s face with a corpse?
9. What do the images of ‘young trees’ and merry children symbolise?
10. What does poet’s “familiar ache or her childhood’s fear” refer to ?
11. Write the words from poem similar in meaning to these words.
(a) Very pale (stanza 1)
(b) Running very fast (stanza 2)

Answers:

1. (b) she was coming from her parent’s home.
2. (c) to divert her mind
3. (a) to bring out the similarity of ageing and decay
4. (b) a simile
5. (c) the fear of ageing and ultimate death/separation
6. (b) to hide her own feelings of pain
7. Being old, she tried to overcome breathing problems.
8. Mother’s face was colourless and seemed to have lost the fervour of life.
9. Young trees and merry children symbolise the spring of life, it’s strength, vigour and happiness.
10. The poet has fear of mother’s ripening age and separation by ultimate death.
11. (a) Ashen
    (b) Sprinting

Passage 14:
Two Tramps in Mud Time
Out of the mud two strangers came
And caught me splitting wood in the yard.
And one of them put me off my aim
4 By hailing cheerily ‘Hit them hard!’
I knew pretty well why he dropped behind
And let the other go on a way.
I knew pretty well what he had in mind:
8 He wanted to take my job for pay.
Good blocks of beech it was I split
As large around as the chopping block;
And every piece I squarely hit
12 Fell splinterless as a cloven rock.
The blows that a life of self-control
Spares to strike for the common good
That day, giving a loose to my soul,
16 I spent on the unimportant wood.
The sun was warm but the wind was chill,
You know how it is with on April day
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
20 You’re one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
24 And you’re two months back in the middle of March.
A bluebird comes tenderly up to alight
And fronts the wind to unruffle a plume,
His song so pitched as not to excite
28 A single flower as yet to bloom.
It is snowing a flake; and he half knew
Winter was only playing possum,
Except in colour he isn’t blue,
32 But he wouldn’t advise a thing to blossom.
The water for which we may have to look
In summer time with a witching-wand,
In every wheelrut’s now a brook,
36 In every print of a hoof a pond.
Be glad of water, but don’t forget
The lurking frost in the earth beneath
That will steal forth after the sun is set
40 And show on the water its crystal teeth.
The time when most I loved my task
These two must make me love it more
By coming with what they came to ask.
44 You’d think I never had felt before
The weight of an axe-head poised aloft,
The grip on earth of outspread feet,
The life of muscles rocking soft
48 and smooth and moist in vernal heat.
Out of the woods two hulking tramps
(From sleeping God knows where last night,
But not long since in the lumber camps).
52 They thought all chopping was theirs of right.
Men of the woods and lumber jacks
They judged me by their appropriate tool,
Except as a fellow handled an axe.
56 They had no way of knowing a fool.
Nothing on either side was said,
They knew they had but to stay their stay
And all their logic would fill my head;
60 As that I had no right to play
With what was another man’s work for gain,
My right might be love but theirs was need.
And where the two exist in twain
64 Theirs was the better right—agreed
But yield who will to their separation,
My object in living is to unite
My avocation and my vocation
68 As my two eyes make one in sight.
Only where love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
72 For heaven and the future’s stakes.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. One of the tramps stayed there because…………………………..
   (a) he wished to cheer the narrator
   (b) he enjoyed the narrator’s style
   (c) he liked splitting wood
   (d) he wanted to split wood for money
2. Though it was April, it seemed like May because…………………………..
   (a) the sun was warm but the wind was chill
   (b) a cloud covered the sunlit sky
   (c) the sun was out and the wind was still
   (d) the wind came off a frozen peak
3. The bluebird would not advise a flower to bloom because…………………………..
   (a) winter was only pretending to be dead
   (b) the flakes of snow were very small
   (c) frost was lurking in the sky
   (d) slush and mud were present everywhere
4. The tramps did not approve of the narrator’s splitting wood because…………………………..
   (a) the narrator was chopping wood into splinters
   (b) they thought all chopping was theirs of right
   (c) they judged him as a fool
   (d) the narrator was mishandling the axe
5. The narrator’s object in life is to…………………………..
   (a) consider work as play
   (b) make love and need one whole
   (c) unite hobby and work
   (d) segregate work and enjoyment
6. Except in colour, the blue bird “isn’t blue”. Here “blue’ stands for…………………………..
   (a) royal blood
   (b) enthusiastic
   (c) cheerful
   (d) gloomy or depressed

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why would the blue bird not advise a flower to bloom?
8. Why did the tramps not approve of the narrator’s splitting wood?
9. What did the tramps do to convince the narrator?
10. What is narrator’s object in life?
11. Write one word from passage having similar meaning to these words or phrases.
(a) Trade or profession followed for gain
(b) Exactly

Answers:

1. (d) he wanted to split wood for money
2. (c) the sun was out and the wind was still
3. (a) winter was only pretending to be dead
4. (b) they thought all chopping was theirs of right
5. (c) unite hobby and work
6. (d) gloomy or depressed
7. The blue bird would not advise a flower to bloom as winter was only pretending to be dead.
8. The tramps thought that all chopping was of their right.
9. The tramps gave all logics to convince the narrator that he had no right to play.
10. Narrator’s hobby in life is to unite hobby and work.
11. (a) Vocation
    (b) Squarely

Passage 15:
Death The Leveller
The glories of our blood and state
Are shadows, not substantial things;
There is no armour against fate;
4 Death lays his icy hands on kings:
Sceptre and crown
Must tumble down,
And in the dust be equal made
8 With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
Some men with swords may reap the field,
And plant fresh laurels where they kill;
But their strong nerves at last must yield;
12 They tame but one another still:
Early or late
They stoop to fate
And must give up their murmuring breath
16 When they, pale captives, creep to death.
The garlands wither on your brow;
Then boast no more your mighty deeds;
Upon Death’s purple altar now
20 See where the victor-victim bleeds
Your heads must come
To the cold tomb:
Only the actions of the just
24 Smell sweet, and blossom in their dust.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. Who can tumble down the crown of king…………………………
   (a) other powerful king
   (b) robbers
   (c) death
   (d) his subject
2. The figure of speech used in ‘sceptre and crown’ and ‘scythe and spade’ is…………………………
   (a) personification
   (b) irony
   (c) alliteration
   (d) metonymy
3. Death has been called ‘the leveller’ because…………………………
   (a) there is no defence against death
   (b) it buries all under the earth
   (c) it makes the workers rulers
   (d) it reduces the power of the rulers
4. Brave fighters are helpless before death as…………………………
   (a) they creep to death as pale captives
   (b) they reap the field with their swords
   (c) they tame only their fellow men
   (d) they plant fresh laurels where they kill
5. Only some persons are remembered after their death because…………………………
   (a) they were bom in royal families
   (b) they occupied high positions
   (c) they were famous conquerors
   (d) they performed just and noble actions
6. Death’s altar is called ‘purple’ because…………………………
   (a) it is too grand in style
   (b) it has blue colour mixed in it
   (c) it is covered with human blood
   (d) it makes people bleed others

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why should people not feel proud of high birth and position?
8. Why has the death been called the ‘leveller?
9. Who are remembered after their death?
10. Why is death’s alter called ‘Purple?
11. Find the words from passage having opposite meaning to these words.
(a) Defame (stanza 1)
(b) Sow (stanza 3)

Answers:

1. (c) death
2. (d) metonymy
3. (b) it buries all under the earth
4. (a) they creep to death as pale captives
5. (d) they performed just and noble actions
6. (c) it is covered with human blood
7. People should not feel proud of high birth and position because these are unreal and hollow.
8. The death has been called the leveller because in buries all under the earth.
9. The persons who performed just and noble deed are remembered after their death.
10. Death’s alter is called ‘Purple’ because it is covered with human blood.
11. (a) Glories
    (b) Reap

Passage 16:
Death Be Not Proud
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so,
For those, whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow,
4 Die not, poor death, nor yet can’st thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy picture be,
Much pleasure, then from thee much more, must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
8 Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery,
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war and sickness dwell,
And poppy, or charms, can make us sleep as well,
12 And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more: death, thou shalt die.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. Who is ‘thee’ in the first line…………………….
   (a) common man
   (b) death
   (c) king
   (d) God
2. The tone of the poet is…………………….
   (a) respectful
   (b) appreciative
   (c) mocking
   (d) reproachful
3. Death is a source of pleasure because…………………….
   (a) it is merely a form of rest or sleep
   (b) it is a reward from God
   (c) it provides rest to the tired bodies of old persons
   (d) it binds human soul to the body
4. Death is not mighty and dreadful because…………………….
   (a) only the sinners tremble before death
   (b) it is at the mercy of chance or fate
   (c) the best men embrace death smilingly
   (d) it depends on others for carrying out its plans
5. The poet says, “Death, thou shalt die,” because…………………….
   (a) death is a short sleep
   (b) there is no death in heaven
   (c) opium and magic induce better sleep
   (d) the poet pities death as a deluded fool
6. The word ‘desperate’ in line 9 means…………………….
   (a) giving little hope of success
   (b) extremely serious or dangerous
   (c) needing or wanting something very much
   (d) having or showing little hope

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. Why does the poet know that death cannot kill anyone?
8. How is death a source of pleasure?
9. Why is death not mighty and dreadful?
10. What does the poet mean by ‘Death thou shall die?
11. Find the word from passage having similar meaning to these words.
(a) Showing little hope (line 9)
(b) Fearful (line 2)

Answers:

1. (b) death
2. (c) mocking
3. (a) it is merely a form of rest or sleep
4. (b) it is at the mercy of chance or fate
5. (b) there is no death in heaven
6. (d) having or showing little hope
7. According to the poet death can destroy body but the soul is immortal.
8. Death is a source of pleasure as it is merely a form of rest or sleep.
9. Death is not mighty and dreadful because it is at the mercy of chance or fate.
10. Poet here means by the immortality of soul as there is no death in heaven.
11. (a) Disperate
    (b) Dreadful

Passage 17:
Elegy on the death of a mad dog
Good people all, of every sort,
Give ear unto my song;
And if you find it wond’rous short,
4 It cannot hold you long,
In Islington there was a man,
Of whom the world might say,
That still a godly race he ran,
8 Whene’er he went to pray.
A kind and gentle heart he had,
To comfort friends and foes;
The naked every day he clad,
12 When he put on his clothes.
And in that town a dog was found,
As many dogs there be,
But mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound,
16 And curs of low degree.
This dog and man at first were friends;
But when a pique began,
The dog, to gain some private ends,
20 Went mad and bit the man.
Around from all the neighbouring streets
The wond’ring neighbours ran,
And swore the dog had lost his wits,
24 To bite so good a man.
The wound it seem’d both sore and sad
To every Christian eye:
And while they swore the dog was mad,
28 The swore the man would die.
But soon a wonder came to light,
That show’d the rogues they lied;
The man recover’d of the bite,
32 The dog it was that died.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. The man in Islington seemed to lead a pious and religious life as……………….
   (a) he loved dogs and fed them
   (b) he was self centred and very busy
   (c) he went to pray regularly
   (d) he ran charitable trust
2. The dog was different from other dogs of the town because……………….
   (a) it was not faithful
   (b) it was not aggressive
   (c) it lacked sensitivity to pain, punishment and rebuke
   (d) it had human qualities of love, hate and revenge
3. The dog went mad and bit the man because……………….
   (a) it had to gain some selfish interests
   (b) it was shocked by the selfish attitude of man
   (c) the enmity between it and the man unhinged it
   (d) it wanted to teach the man a lesson .
4. The good people of the town considered the man’s wound deplorable because……………….
   (a) the mad dog had done something very evil
   (b) they foresaw the end of the good man because of the dog bite
   (c) the dog bite was unexpected and quite deep
   (d) the action of the dog was strange and selfish
5. The man recovered of the bite and the dog died because……………….
   (a) the man led a religious and pious life
   (b) the dog was cruel, ungrateful and selfish
   (c) the selfish dissembler was more poisonous than a mad dog
   (d) the good dog had to go mad to bite such a kind-hearted man
6. The poetic device used in the last stanza of the poem is……………….
   (a) simile
   (b) metaphor
   (c) metonymy
   (d) irony

B. Answer the following questions in brief:
7. Why did the mad dog bite the man?
8. What did the people of the town pridict about the man?
9. What miracle took place that surprised the people?
10. Why did the dog die?
11. Which poetic device has been used in last stanza?

Answers:

1. (c) he went to pray regularly
2. (d) it had human qualities of love, hate and revenge
3. (a) it had to gain some selfish interests
4. (b) they foresaw the end of the good man because of the dog bite
5. (c) the selfish dissembler was more poisonous than a mad dog
6. (d) irony
7. The dog had to gain some selfish interest, so it went mad and bit the man.
8. They predicted the end of the good man because of the dog bite.
9. Their prediction failed as the man recovered of the bite and the dog died.
10. The dog died because the selfish dissembler was more poisonous than a mad dog.
11. Irony.

Passage 18:
The death of sohrab
He spoke; and Sohrab smiled on him, and took
The spear, and drew it from his side, and eased
His wound’s imperious anguish; but the blood
Came welling from the open gash, and life
5 Flowed with the stream; all down his cold white side
The crimson torrent ran, dim now, and soiled,
Like the soiled tissue of white violets
Left, freshly gathered, on their native bank
By romping children, whom their nurses call
10 From the hot fields at noon; his head drooped low,
His limbs grew slack; motionless, white, he lay—
White, with eyes closed; only when heavy gasps,
Deep, heavy gasps, quivering through all his frame,
Convulsed him back to life, he opened them,
15 And fixed them feebly on his father’s face:
Till now all strength was ebbed, and from his limbs
Unwillingly the spirit fled away,
Regretting the warm mansion which it left,
And youth arid bloom, and this delightful world.
20 So, on the bloody sand, Sohrab lay dead,
And the great Rustum drew his horseman’s cloak
Down o’er his face, and sate by his dead son,
As those black granite pillars, once high-reared
By Jemshid in Persepolis, to bear
25 His house, now, mid their broken flights of steps,
Lie prone, enormous, down the mountain side—
So in the sand lay Rustum by his son.
And night came down over the solemn waste,
And the two gazing hosts, and that sole pair,
30 And darkened all; and a cold fog, with night,
Crept from the Oxus. Soon a hum arose,
As of a great assembly loosed, and fires
Began to twinkle through the fog; for now
Both armies moved to camp, and took their meal:
35 The Persians took it on the open sands
Southward; the Tartars by the river marge;
And Rustum and his son were left alone.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. The poetic device used in lines 6 and 7 is……………………
   (a) simile
   (b) metaphor
   (c) irony
   (d) alliteration
2. The poetic device used in line 15 is……………………
   (a) simile
   (b) metaphor
   (c) irony
   (d) alliteration
3. Sohrab drew the spear from his side because……………………
   (a) he wanted to hold it in his hand
   (b) he wished to strike his opponent
   (c) he had a mind to throw it aside
   (d) he wanted to ease the pain of the wound caused by it
4. Sohrab’s body became cold and white because……………………
   (a) the pain was unbearable
   (b) he lay on cold waste land
   (c) he lost blood rapidly
   (d) his crimson blood was soiled
5. Sohrab showed faint signs of life only when……………………
   (a) his head was raised
   (b) heavy gasps quivered and convulsed his body
   (c) his limbs became taut
   (d) Rustum patted him on the forehead
6. The black granite pillars of Jemshed’s palace in Persepolis highlight……………………
   (a) the ruined state of the place where Sohrab lay dead
   (b) the grief felt by the soldiers of the two armies that stood watching
   (c) the desperate state of the father who lay in grief by the side of his dead son
   (d) the anguish of the father who had killed his own son

B. Answer following questions brier:
7. Why did Sohrab draw the spear from his side?
8. When did Sohrab show faint signs of life?
9. What do black granite pillars of Jemshed’s palace in Persepolis highlight?
10. What do words Warm Mansion’ in line 18 mean?
11. Find the words from the passage opposite in meaning to these words.
(a) strongly (line 15 – 20)
(b) unviolent (line 1-5)

Answers:

1. (a) simile
2. (d) alliteration
3. (d) he wanted to ease the pain of the wound caused by it
4. (c) he lost blood rapidly
5. (b) heavy gasps quivered and convulsed his body
6. (c) the desperate state of the father who lay in grief by the side of his dead son
7. He drew the spear to ease the pain of the wound caused by it.
8. He showed faint signs of life, when heavy gasps quivered and convulsed his body.
9. The black granite pillars highlight the desperate state of the father who lay in grief by the side of his dead son.
10. Warm Mansion mean the body of the youngman having warm blood.
11. (a) feebly
    (b) imperious

Passage 19:
Break, break, break
Break, break, break,
On thy cold grey stones, O Sea!
And I would that my tongue could utter
4 The thoughts that arise in me.
O well for the fisherman’s boy,
That he shouts with his sister at play!
O well for the sailor’s lad,
8 That he sings in his boat on the bay!
And the stately ships go on
To their haven under the hill;
But 0 for the touch of a vanished hand,
12 And the sound of a voice that is still!
Break, break, break,
At the foot of thy crags, 0 sea!
But the tender grace of a day that is dead
16 Will never come back to me.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. The poem ‘Break, Break, Break’ is……………………
   (a) a sonnet
   (b) a ballad
   (c) an epic
   (d) an elegy
2. The poet is lost in thoughts of……………………
   (a) his enemy
   (b) his brother
   (c) his dead friend
   (d) a boat man
3. The poet is unable to express his thoughts because……………………
   (a) he is extremely sad
   (b) he is too excited
   (c) he is overjoyed
   (d) he is jealous
4. The poet’s wishes to touch and hear his friend cannot be fulfilled because……………………
   (a) he is standing on the sea-shore
   (b) his friend has died
   (c) he is watching the fishermen
   (d) routine activities have disturbed him
5. The poet yearns for……………………
   (a) the joy of the sailor’s lad
   (b) a journey on the stately ships
   (c) the excitement of the fisherman’s boy
   (d) the charm, beauty and softness of the days with his dead friend
6. The word ‘stately’ in line 9 means……………………
   (a) officially
   (b) part of the country
   (c) impressive/majestic
   (d) slow and formal

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. What do ‘cold grey stones’ suggest?
8. Why is the poet unable to express his thoughts?
9. Why does poet fail to touch and hear his friend?
10. What does the poet yearn for?
11. Find the words from the passage having similar meaning to these words.
(a) majestic (line 9)
(b) soft (line 15)

Answers:

1. (d) an elegy
2. (c) his dead friend
3. (a) he is extremely sad
4. (b) his friend has died
5. (d) the charm, beauty and softness of the days with his dead friend
6. (c) impressive/majestic
7. Cold grey stones suggest indifference of nature.
8. The poet is unable to express his thoughts because he is extremely sad.
9. The poet fails to touch and hear his friend because his friend has died.
10. The poet yearns for the charm, beauty and softness of the days with his dead friend.
11. (a) stately
    (b) tender

Passage 20:
A Passer by
Whither, O splendid ship, thy white sails crowding,
Leaning across the bosom of the urgent West,
That fearest nor sea rising, nor sky clouding,
4 Whither away, fair rover, and what thy quest?
Ah! soon, when winter has all our vales opprest,
When skies are cold and misty, and hail is hurling,
Wilt thou glide on the blue Pacific, or rest
8 In a summer haven asleep, thy white sails furling?
I there before thee, in the country that well thou knowest,
Already arrived am inhaling the odorous air:
I watch thee enter unerringly where thou goest,
12 And anchor queen of the strange shipping there,
Thy sails for awnings spread, thy masts bare;
Nor is aught from foaming reef to the snow-capped, grandest
Peak, that is over the feathery palms more fair
16 Than thou, so upright, so stately, and still thou standest.
And yet, O splendid ship, unhailed and nameless,
I know not if, aiming a fancy, I rightly divine
That thou hast a purpose joyful, a courage blameless,
20 Thy port assured in a happier land than mine.
But for all I have given thee, beauty enough is thine,
As thou, aslant with trim tackle and shrouding,
From the proud nostril curve of a prow’s line
24 In the offing scatterest foam, thy white sails crowding.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. Who has oppressed the vallies?
   (a) summer
   (b) storm
   (c) winter
   (d) rain
2. Which poetic device has been used to describe the ship?
   (a) exaggeration
   (b) monologue
   (c) hyperbole
   (d) personification
3. The ship is fearless because……………………
   (a) she does not fear the storms or the cloudy sky
   (b) she travels to unknown destination
   (c) her sails keep fluttering even during winter
   (d) she looks beautiful and majestic even when hails hit her
4. The poet considers the ship better than himself as……………………
   (a) human world is full of sorrow, suffering and pain
   (b) the purpose of her journey is joyful and her courage is faultless
   (c) she sails majestically on the sea and stands in the harbour as a queen
   (d) she is more beautiful than the reefy rocks or snow covered mountains
5. The poet compares the prow of the ship to……………………
   (a) the feathery palms
   (b) a furrow of foam
   (c) an upright mast
   (d) a proud man’s nostrils
6. The word ‘unhailed in line 17 means……………………
   (a) not praised
   (b) not signaled to leave
   (c) not greeted or summoned
   (d) not bom in that place

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. What is the mood of the poet in poem?
8. What does the poet think about ship?
9. Why does poet consider the ship better than himself?
10. What does the poet think about the Prow of the ship?
11. Find the words from the passage similar in meaning to these words.
(a) summoned (line 17)
(b) excellent (line 1)

Answers:

1. (c) winter
2. (d) personification
3. (a) she does not fear the storms or the cloudy sky
4. (b) the purpose of her journey is joyful and her courage is faultless
5. (d) a proud man’s nostrils
6. (c) not greeted or summoned
7. The poet’s mood is full of wonder and admiration.
8. The poet thinks the ship does not fear the storms or the cloudy sky.
9. The poet thinks the purpose of ship journey is joyful and her courage is faultless.
10. The poet thinks that the Prow of the ship is similar to a proud man’s nostrils.
11. (a) unhailed
    (b) splendid

Passage 21:
When you are old
When you are old and gray and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire: take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
4 Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
8 And loved the sorrows of your changing face;
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled,
And paced upon the mountains overhead
12 And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. What does the poem When You Are Old’ reflect?
   (a) memory of past
   (b) true love
   (c) sympathy
   (d) pity
2. The poem When You Are Old’ is………………………
   (a) a sonnet
   (b) a lyric
   (c) an ode
   (d) an epic
3. In her youth, the person addressed as “you” had………………………
   (a) deep dark eyes
   (b) gray hair
   (c) youthful beauty
   (d) harsh looks
4. By “pilgrim soul” the poet means………………………
   (a) the soul of a pilgrim
   (b) the soul that is pure
   (c) his own visiting soul
   (d) his beloved’s pure soul
5. The poet’s love for his beloved is………………………
   (a) spiritual
   (b) physical
   (c) sensual
   (d) psychological
6. The expression ‘how love fled’ expresses………………………
   (a) the sorrows of love-sick person
   (b) the longings of a deserted beloved
   (c) the transitory nature of love
   (d) the sadness of an old woman

B. Answer the following questions in brief: 6
7. To whom is the poem addressed?
8. What does poet admire about the person’s youth?
9. What does poet mean by ‘Pilgrim soul?
10. What do you think about poet’s love for his beloved?
11. Find the words similar in meaning to these words.
(a) gaiety and beauty (line 4-8)
(b) shining (line 8 – 11)

Answers:

1. (b) true love
2. (b) a lyric
3. (c) youthful beauty
4. (d) his beloved’s pure soul
5. (a) spiritual
6. (c) the transitory nature of love
7. Poem is addressed to the poet’s beloved.
8. The poet admires the youthful beauty of person; the poem is addressed.
9. Pilgrim soul means the pure soul of poet’s beloved.
10. The poet’s love is spiritual as it does not change with the growing age.
11. (a) grace
    (b) glowing

Passage 22:
The gift of India
Is there aught you need that my hands withhold?
Rich gifts of raiment or grain or gold?
Lo! I have flung to the East and West
Priceless treasures torn from my breast,
And yielded the sons of my stricken womb
6 To the drum-beats of duty, the sabres of doom.
Gathered like pearls in their alien graves
Silent they sleep by the Persian waves,
Scattered like shells on Egyptian sands,
They lie with pale brows and brave, broken hands,
They are strewn like blossoms mown down by chance
12 On the blood-brown meadows of Flanders and France.
Can ye measure the grief of the tears I weep
Or compass the woe of the watch I keep?
Or the pride that thrills thro’ my heart’s despair
And the hope that comforts the anguish of prayer?
And the far and glorious vision I see
18 Of the tom red banners of Victory?
When the terror and tumult of hate shall cease
And life be refashioned on anvils of peace,
And your love shall offer memorial thanks
To the comrades who fought in your dauntless ranks,
And you honour the deeds of the deathless ones,
Remember the blood of my martyred sons!

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option: 6

1. The most invaluable possessions that the mother has parted from are.…………………..
   (a) clothes
   (b) grains
   (c) gold
   (d) her sons
2. The poetic device in ‘Gathered like pearls in their alien graves’ is……………………
   (a) a simile
   (b) a metaphor
   (c) an irony
   (d) an image
3. The Indian soldiers went out to different parts of the world during 1914-15 as……………………
   (a) they were members of Red Cross
   (b) members of peace mission
   (c) fighters on the side of the Britishers
   (d) they had to show their bravery
4. Mother India is desperate because……………………
   (a) her sons fought bravely
   (b) her sons fought and died in the war
   (c) her sons sacrificed their lives
   (d) her sons lay in alien lands
5. The banners of victory are ‘torn and red’ because……………………
   (a) the nations became bankrupt
   (b) communism divided the world
   (c) there was destruction of property and human lives
   (d) the old order was shattered
6. The word ‘yielded’ in line 5 means……………………
   (a) produced
   (b) stopped resisting
   (c) were replaced
   (d) handed over

B. Answer the following questions in brief:
7. Why did Indian soldiers go out to different parts of the world during 1914-15?
8. Why is Mother India desperate?
9. Why are the banners of victory tom and red?
10. What does the mother expect from country men?
11. Find the words from the passage similar in meaning to these words.
(a) ruin (line 6)
(b) courageous (line 22)

Answers:

1. (d) her sons
2. (a) a simile
3. (c) fighters on the side of the Britishers
4. (b) her sons fought and died in the war
5. (c) there was destruction of property and human lives
6. (d) handed over
7. The Indian soldiers went out to different parts of the world as fighters on the side of Britishers.
8. Mother India is desperate because her son fought and died in war.
9. The banners of victory are tom and red because there was destruction of property and human life.
10. Mother expects the honour for her martyred sons from country men.
11. (a) doom
    (b) dauntless

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