Solved Question Paper of
HS Second year English, 2023

SECTION-A

(Reading Skill : 10 Marks)

1. Read the following passage carefully

    Air pollution is an issue which concerns us all alike. One can willingly choose or reject a food, a drink or a life comfort, but unfortunately there is little choice for the air we breathe. All, what is there in the air is inhaled by one and all living in those surroundings.

Air pollutant is defined as a substance which is present while normally it is not there or present in an amount exceeding the normal concentrations. It could either be gaseous or a particulate matter. The important and harmful polluting gases are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone and oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. The common particulate pollutants are the dusts of various inorganic or organic origins. Although we often talk of the outdoor air pollution caused by industrial and vehicular exhausts, the indoor pollution may prove to be as or a more important cause of health problems.

Recognition of air pollution is relatively recent. It is not uncommon to experience a feeling of ‘suffocation’ in a closed environment. It is often ascribed to the lack of oxygen. Fortunately, however, the composition of air is remarkably constant all over the world. There is about 79 per cent nitrogen and 21 per cent oxygen in the air; the other gases forming a very small fraction. It is true that carbon dioxide exhaled out of lungs may accumulate in a closed and overcrowded place. But such an increase is usually small and temporary unless the room is really airtight. Exposure to poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide may occur in a closed room, heated by burning coal inside. This may also prove to be fatal.

What is more common in a poorly ventilated home is a vague constellation of symptoms described as the sick-building syndrome. It is characterized by a general feeling of malaise, headache, dizziness and irritation of mucous membranes. It may also be accompanied by nausea, itching, aches, pains and depression. Sick building syndrome is getting commoner in big cities with the small houses, which are generally over- furnished. Some of the important pollutants whose indoor concentrations exceed those of the outdoors include gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and organic substances like spores, formaldehydes, hydrocarbon aerosols and allergens. The sources are attributed to a variety of construction materials, insulations, furnishings, adhesives, cosmetics, house dusts, fungi and other indoor products.

Smoking of tobacco in the closed environment is an important source of indoor pollution. It may not be high quantitatively, but significantly hazardous for health. It is because of the fact that there are over 3,000 chemical constituents in tobacco smoke, which have been identified. These are harmful for human health.

Obviously, the spectrum of pollution is very wide and our options are limited. Indoor pollution may be handled relatively easily by an individual. Moreover, the good work must start from one’s own house.

On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions:

(a) What is an air pollutant? 1

Ans:-An air pollutant is a substance which is present while normally it is not there in an amount exceeding the normal concentrations. 

(b) In what forms are the air pollutants present? 2

Ans:-Air pollutants are present as gaseous or particulate matter. The harmful polluting gases are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone and oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. The common particulate pollutants are the dusts of various inorganic or organic origins.

(c) Why do we feel suffocated in a closed environment? 1

Ans:- We often feel suffocated in a closed environment due to the lack of oxygen.

(d) What is sick building syndrome? Mention some of its major symptoms. 1+1=2 

Ans:-Sick building syndrome is a vague constellation of symptoms, in a poorly ventilated room. Some of its major symptoms area general feeling of malaise, headache, dizziness, irritation of mucous membranes, nausea, itching, aches, pains, depression etc.

(e) How is smoking of tobacco an important source of indoor air pollution? 2

Ans:-Smoking of tobacco in the closed environment is an important source of indoor pollution. It is because of the fact that there are over 3,000 chemical constituents in tobacco smoke, which have been identified. These are harmful for human health.

(f) Find a word in the passage which means “the state or process of dying from being deprived of air or unable to breathe”.

Ans:- suffocation.

(g) Give an antonym of “reject”.

Ans:- Accept.

SECTION-B

(Advanced Writing Skill : 25 Marks)

2. You are Anwesha / Anirban, Director of “Scholars’ Academy”, an institute that provides coaching to students for appearing in various competitive examinations. Write an advertisement for publication in a newspaper. (Word Limit: 50 words) 5

Ans:-ADVERTISEMENT 

Scholar’s Academy. 

                    Date: 20/02/20xx 

* It is to inform all that the batches for NEET, JEE and NDA will start from June 21st. 

* The classes will be taken by expert faculties who have experience in teaching at various institutes like KOTA, etc. 

* There will be a 50% discount on the fee for students scoring above 90% marks in class 12. 

* 30% discount for students scoring 80% & above. 

* 20% discount for students scoring above 75% and below 80%. 

* Interested students are requested to contact the following. 

Contact no: 98******86. 

Anwesha / Anirban

Director, Scholar’s Academy.

OR

Design a poster in not more than 50 words to create awareness about the need of energy conservation. 5

Ans:-

3. You attended a Book Fair in your town organized by a local NGO in which a number of reputed publication houses of the country participated. Write a detailed account of the event in 100-125 words to be published in a newspaper.         10

Ans:-                                 Sub : Book Fair 

         19 Feb 2023. A book fair was organised by a local NGO in our town. Many people from different places came to attend the book fair. More than thousand people came. There were all sorts of books by many different authors. Many genre was available like Science, Friction, Comedy, Triller, Comanc ete. Many children books were also present. Many number of reputed publication houses of the country participated in this book fair. The prize of the books were less so everyone was able to buy the books they wanted. Everyone at the town had a good time and we hope we can have the book fair again next year. I want to give my huge thanks to the NGO and everyone who participated for the success of this book fair.

OR

You are Jahnavi / Javed. Your school has organized a Street Play on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. Prepare a report on that event in 100-125 words to be 10 published in your school magazine. 10

Ans:- A Street Play against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking XYZ road, 

Date: 30/06/20XX : 

A street play was organized by MODERN ABC School on June 26 on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Almost all the students actively participated in the organizing and functioning of the play. A group of 50 students under the able guidance of a few senior teachers, led the play. The Deputy Commissioner of the place was invited as the chief guest and he was warmly received by the principal with a Fulam Gamosa. The play started at 10 am sharp when two of the students released a dove *each which soared high along the air. The play was beautifully portrayed by the students which received appreciation from all the people present there. The play ended at about 12 noon *which was followed by a *deliberate speech from the chief guest. He pointed out the ill effects of Drug abuse and the harmful and disastrous impact of trafficking and requested everyone not to inculcate such habits. This was followed by a short speech *of one of the respected teachers. The programme ended at around 12.30 pm with a vote of thanks by the principal who also thanked all the volunteers for successful organization of the programme.

By Staff Reposter 

Jahnavi / Javed.

4. Write a letter to the Manager of a bank reporting the loss of your passbook and requesting him to issue a duplicate one.             10

Ans:- Tezpur, 

Assam 

Date: 20th of Febuary 

Sub: letter reporting loss of passbook 

To 

The Manager, 

State Bank of India 

Tezpur 

Sir 

With due respect, I would like to inform you that I have lost my bank’s passbook and intend to get a duplicate one. I have lost it recently and I am in need of the passbook immediately as I am not able to withdraw my money. I would be very thankful to you if you can solve my problem and help me. I hope I hear from you soon. 

Thanking you

XXXX

OR

You are President of the English Literary Forum of your college. Write a formal invitation inviting Dr. D. Baruah, a noted scholar to speak on the occasion of the “World Poetry Day” to be held on March 21.            10

Ans:- 

OR

Draft an application for the post of a Sports Teacher in Udayan Girls’ High School, Dibrugarh in response to their advertisement that appeared in the Assam Tribune dated 10th February, 2023. Prepare a biodata to be enclosed. You are Sunil / Sunita.     10

Ans:- MK Road, 

Apt 6, Dibrugarh 

Date: 20/02/20XX. 

To, 

The Principal, 

Udayan Girls’ High School, 

Dibrugarh.

Sub : Application for the post of a Sports Teacher. 

Respected Sir/Mason, 

With due respect, in response to the advertisement in the Assam Tribune dated 10th February, 2023, I would like to offer my candidature for the post of a Sports Teacher in your School. I have enclosed my bio-data for your *time concerned. I hope you would be kind enough to offer me the post. I ensure you that if I am offered  the job I will do my best to show my proficiency.

Thanking you with anticipation 

Yours Sincerely, 

Sunil / Sunita.

SECTION-C

(Grammar : 20 Marks)

5. Change the form of the narration of any two of the following sentences: 2×2=4

(a) The gentleman said to the salesman, “What is the price of this Dictionary ?” The salesman said to him, “It is a bit expensive. But I can give it to you at a 10 per cent discount”.

Ans:- The gentleman asked the salesman what the price of that Dictionary was. The salesman replied that it was a bit expensive. He further added/also said that he could give that to him at a 10 per cent discount.

(b) I asked the old lady where Professor Sarmah lived. The lady replied regretfully that she didn’t know.

Ans:-I said to the old lady, “Where does Professor Sarmah live?” The lady said, “Sorry, I don’t know.”

(c) The girl said to the teacher, “Madam, I am weak in English and seek your advice.” The teacher said, “Read the text thoroughly and try to express your ideas in simple correct English.”

Ans:-The girl told the teacher that she was weak in English and sought her advice. The teacher advised her to read the text thoroughly and try to express her ideas in simple correct English.

(d) “Let’s buy some milk and prepare milkshake for us”, said Aruna. “The milkshake we’re drinking now is utterly tasteless.”

Ans:- Aruna proposed to buy some milk and prepare milkshake for them. She also said that the milkshake they were drinking then is utterly tasteless.

6. Change the voice of any three of the following sentences: 1×3=3

(a) He was instructed by his coach to play that shot.

Ans:- His coach instructed him to play that shot.

(b) Please give me some more time.

Ans:- You are requested to give me some more time.

(c) Is the gardener watering the plants?

Ans:- Are the plants being watered by the gardener?

(d) Rome was not built in a day.

Ans:- (i) No one built Rome in a day.

(e) The girl is reading a novel.

Ans:- A novel is being read by the girl.

(f) I saw a road accident yesterday.

Ans:- A road accident was seen by me the previous day.

7. Rewrite any five of the following sentences using the verbs given in brackets in their correct tense forms:         1 x 5 = 5

(a) This family (live) in this place since 1970.

Ans:-This family has been living in this place since 1970.

(b) She (go) home when we met her.

Ans:- She was going home when we met her.

(c) We reached the stadium after the match (start).

Ans:-We reached the stadium after the match had started.

(d) Ice (float) on water.

Ans:- Ice floats on water.

(e) If I (be) you, I would not do that.

Ans:- If I were you, I would not do that.

(f) He suddenly realized that he (leave) the bag in the bus. 

Ans:-He suddenly realized that he had left the bag in the bus. 

(g) We already (have) breakfast.

Ans:- We already have had breakfast.

8. Rewrite any four of the following sentences filling in the blanks with appropriate prepositions :         1×4=4

(a) They will come here___a month.

Ans:- in

(b) I am sorry____what I have done.

Ans:- for

(c) She usually falls___her bicycle.

Ans:- off

(d) He is taller than you____three inches.

Ans:- by

(e) I am not satisfied____my performance.

Ans:- with

(f) The police ran____the thief.

Ans:- after

9. Rewrite any four of the following sentences as directed :     1×4=4

(a) This fact is too evident to require any proof.    (Use ‘so…that’ instead of ‘too…to’)

Ans:- This fact is so evident that it does not require any proof. 

(b) I shall remember your help forever.   (Make it negative without changing the meaning)

Ans:- I shall never forget your help. 

(c) Having completed her project here she returned to her native country. (Change it into a complex sentence)

Ans:- Because she completed her project here, she returned to her native country.

(d) She is the tallest girl in the classroom.  (Change it into comparative degree)

Ans:- She is the taller than any other girl in the classroom. 

(e) No one can do this.  (Make it interrogative)

Ans:- Can anyone do this?

(f) There is a slight difference between the two shades.   (Rewrite the sentence by using the adjective form of difference’)

Ans:- The two shades are slightly different.

(g) As he was ill, he could not appear in the examination.  (Change it into a simple sentence)

Ans:- He was unable to appear in the examination because of his illness.

SECTION-D

(Textbooks : 45 Marks)

10. Read the following extracts and the questions that follow :

(a) “But soon

put that thought away and looked out at

Young

Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling

Out of their homes”

Questions:

(i) Who looked out at the young trees?        1

Ans:- The poet Kamala looked out at the young trees.

(ii) Which thought did the speaker put away?        1

Ans:- The poet put away the thought of losing her mother due to oldage.

(iii) What do young sprinting tree signify? **           1

Ans:- The young sprinting trees signify the youthfulness. It is a contrast to her mother who looks pale. 

(iv) What did the speaker see the children doing?        1

Ans:- The speaker saw the children coming out of their house and playing happily.

OR

(b) “It would be an exotic moment

without rush, without engines,

we would all be together

in a sudden strangeness.”

Questions:

(i) What does ‘it’ refer to ?                1

Ans:- 

(ii) To whom is the poet speaking?        1

Ans:- 

(iii) What would be the moment like?    2

Ans:- 

11. Answer any three of the following questions in 30-40 words:     2×3=6

(i) Why was the roadside stand built?

Ans:- The roadside stand was built by the people who wanted to earn money for their livelihood. They wanted to earn the city money from the people who pass the roadside stand with their fancy cars. 

(ii) How did the travellers on the highways react to the roadside stand? 

Ans:- The travellers on the highway donot stop nearby the roadside stand. As clearly stated by the poet three cars stopped near the roadside stand but not for the purpose of asking the price and buy some stuff. One driver stopped only to reverse his vehicle and stepped over the dry grass. One stopped to ask for the direction to where it is bound to another car driver foolishly *ask if they sell* galloons of oil. Nobody really cared about the roadside stand and this made the poet sad.

(iii) What does Pablo Neruda wish to achieve by keeping quiet?

Ans:- Pablo Neruda wishes for every being in this earth to keep quiet and count upto twelve. He wants everyone to stop doing anything and keep quiet. He wants everyone to stay still and reflect on their thoughts.

(iv) What kind of images does the poet use to signify her mother’s ageing decay in the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’?

Ans:- The poet compare’s her mother face to a late winter’s moon. Her face has become pale and white just like the moon. She also compares her mother’s lifeless and still face to the young sprinting trees and to the cheerful children who have come out of their house to play. 

(v) What, according to Keats, makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and sufferings?        HS-2019

Ans:- Troubles and sufferings are brought about by many things which are sometimes rooted in the human mind and thoughts. They dampen our spirits. However, ‘some shape of beauty brings love and happiness in our lives in spite of such unpleasant things. A thing of beauty removes the pall of sorrow and sufferings. It makes human beings love one another.

12. Answer any five of the following questions:      1×5=5

(a) What creatures did the writer notice on the Peacock Island? 

Ans:- The writer noticed monkeys an the peacock island.

(b) What are epiphytes?

Ans:-

(c) What did Gandhi do to improve the health condition in the Champaran villages?

Ans:- Gandhi made some arrangements for addressing the health condition in the  Champaran villages.He got a doctor to volunteer his services for six months. Patients were given access to three medicines-castor oil, quinine for malaria and sulphur ointment for skin eruptions.Sometimes a combination of the medicines was also prescribed.

(d) Which book by Louis Fischer has been reviewed as one of the best books ever written on Gandhi by Times Educational Supplement ?

Ans:- “The life of Mahatma Gandhi” by Louis Fischer has been reviewed as one of the best books ever written on Gandhi by Times Educational Supplement. 

(e) Whom did Saheb observe standing at the fenced gate of the neighbouring club?

Ans:- Saheb observed two men dressed in white playing tennis, while standing at the fenced gate of the neighbouring club.

(f) Who is the writer of the story “The Last Lesson”?

Ans:- Alphonse Daudet.

(g) Which is the only occasion that Sophie gets to see Casey in person? 

Ans:- Sophie only gets to see Casey during the weekend where her whole family goes to watch him play. 

(h) Name the sports for which Sophie’s father had a strong passion.

Ans:- The sports for which Sophie’s father had a strong passion is football.

13. Answer any five in 30-40 words       2×5=10

(a) Why did Sophie share her feelings with her brother Geoff and not with her father?

Ans:- Sophie shares her feelings with her brother Geoff and not with her father because her father scolds her for having and does not believe her. But Geoff is someone she is comfortable with and she knows that he will always listen to her. That is why he was the first person Sophie told about Danny Casey. 

(b) Why, according to the writer, the advice she gave to Saheb seems hollow?

Ans:- The writer saw Saheb ragpicking and asked why he does not go to school instead of working as a ragpicker. The writer realised that she was wrong in saying that asked him if she built a school he** will go. The writer told this as a joke but saheb was serious and asked oneday if the school is ready. The writer felt sad by making this kind of promise.

(c) What explanation does the author offer for the children not wearing footwear?

Ans:- **The author tells us that the children does not wear footwear as it is a tradition of the people to not wear any shoes. She also tells us that it might be an excuse by the people to hide their poverty as they cannot afford to buy any shoes for their children.

(d) What does Rowntree talk often in ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib’? 

Ans:-

(e) How was a solution to the problems of indigo sharecroppers of Champaran found?

Ans:-

(f) Why did M. Hamel write “Viva La France” before dismissing his class?

Ans:- As it was M. Hamel’s last day to teach French he was very sad. He had been teaching French for forty years. When the class was over M. Hamel wanted to say something but he choked on his words. So he turned around and wrote in the blackboard “Viva La France” which means Long Live France. And the class was dismissed.

(g) What changes came over Frantz after he heard M. Hamel’s announcement?

Ans:- After Frantz heard M. Hamel’s announcement he was sad that he never made an effort to learn French and now he can never learn it. In the last class he wanted to learn whatever he could and he actually understood what M. Hamel was teaching.

14. Answer any one of the following questions in 80-100 words: 5×1-5

(a) “Civil disobedience had triumphed, the first time in modern India”- Show, referring to the prose-piece ‘Indigo’, how this had happened? 

Ans:- 

(b) Describe the author’s experience with bats in the Rajapara forest bungalow as depicted in ‘Memoirs of a Chota Sahib.

Ans:- The auther told about the South Bank and the bungalow there. There were two bungalows – the Kulsi and other one is Rajapara. Both the places were pleasant to live in but the Rajapara forest was not his favourite. The house also had bats which dwell in the roof of the house. The droppings of the bats had very awful smell and they were frequently reminded of their presence. Some bats were very huge with five feet wings but their dropping were not that smelly. Due to presence of bats the bungalow always had an eerie feeling and ghostly presence. Because of this the author’s favourite was Kulsi.

15. Answer any one of the following questions in 125-150 words: 7×1=7 

(a) What are the different ways in which Mr. Lamb tries to change Derry’s attitude to life?

Ans:- Derry was a fourteen years old kid with a burnt face. He got acid all over that side of that face and it ate that part. He was completly devastated and frustrated. People used to make comments an his face like: ‘That’s lead’, ‘that’s terrible’, ‘that is the ugliest thing I ever saw’ and this really made him hurt. Even comments from the members of his own family like “blind people should stay with blind people and idiot boys should stay with idiot boys” were painful. He didnot like his mother kissing him because she didnot kiss him out of love. 

Actually Derry suffered from loneliness, frustration and humiliation. He had no friends, no symphatizer and no one to understand him. 

Oneday he climbed over the wall of Mr. Lamb’s garden stealthily but was caught by him. When he asked about his coming, Derry said that he loved the place and thought it was empty but he did not come to steal. Mr. Lamb comforted him by saying that his gate was open to all. He then listened to Derry’s problems and concerns silently. Mr. Lamb had lost a leg in a war field. But he lives his life with content and spirit. He told Derry to shut the ears when people make such comments. He advised him not to be afraid of anything and told him not to hate anyone. Derry learned a valuable life lesson from Mr. Lamb that day. He decided to change and even fought back his way to Mr. Lamb’s garden from his mother. He thus learned many thing from Lamb and wanted to learn many things from him. In this way, Mr Lamb tried to change Derry’s attitude to life. 

(b) Describe the ironical ending of the story, “The Tiger King”. 

Ans:- 

(c) There are moments in life when we have to make hard choices between our roles as private individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty. Discuss with reference to the story, “The Enemy”.

Ans:- There are moments in life when we have to make hard choices between our roles as private individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty. From the story, “The Enemy” we saw Sadao struggling with his decision whether to save the soldier or not. If he saves him, Sadao we will be jailed for betraying his country but as a doctor it is his duty to save every person **who he can and has the ability to save. He was in a crossroad. But later Sadao came to a conclusion and decided to operate him. Sadao also was not betraying his country as after operate the soldier he was going to hand him over to the country. Sadao operated on the man and was succesfuel in helping him. He saved the man from dying. Sadao kept the man in his house until he recovered and thought it was time to hand him over to the police. He had completeted both his role as a doctor and as a citizen with a sense of national loyalty.

16. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words : 2×4=8 

(a) Why does the Tiger King get his name?

Ans:- The King of Pratibandapuram was fond of hunting tigers. He used to pill tigers for fun. When he was born, the chief astrolloger told that he might kill ninety nine tigers but the hundredth tiger might be dangerous and can decide his fate. It is for this reason ventured to kill tigers. At one point there were no tigers left in his kingdom. Seeing all these, the people of his kingdom gave him the name ‘The Tiger King’. 

(b) Why did the servants leave Dr. Sadao’s house?

Ans:- The servants expressed their resentment against Dr Sadao’s decision to heal the wounded American soldier. They put pressure on the doctor to report the incident to the police. They supposed it to be an act of treachery to harbour and treat the soldier, who was an enemy of their country.But even after seven days of the American soldier’s entry into Dr Sadao’s house, he abstained from handing him over to police.So,they left his house in anger and disappointment.

(c) Which trait of Mr. Lamb attracted Derry towards him?

Ans:-  Derry was attracted towards Mr. Lamb as he found him to be different. He did not jugde Derry for his half burned face and instead told him about the positivity of life. Mr. Lamb was the first person who understood Derry and did not make him feel bad about his appearance.

(d) Why did it take Bama to reach home in 30 minutes instead of 10 minutes?

Ans:-  On her way home, Bama takes 30 minutes to reach home instead of 10 minutes. On her way she gets distracted by all the beautiful and exciting stuffs like the sweet stall, the snake charmer, the biker who has been there for three days. Every thing makes her fascinated and she gets very happy.

(e) What is the significance of Uruka?

Ans:- Ubruka is the bihueve. On this day all the women of the household makes pitha, laru, curd etc. They also collect fire woods, catch fish from the pond and also get meat for feasting. 

(f) How is the Meji made?

Ans:- Meji is made of raw firewood, hay, dry grass and leaves which is lit up by the eldest member of the family. Different kinds of food items like coconut and betel nut are offered to meji before it is set on fire.

Mr. Rupjyoti Goswami
Post Graduate Teacher (English)
Bhogeswar Hazarika Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Bebejia, Nagaon, Assam.
Email: rupjyotigoswami983@gmail.com
Mobile: 9864425896.
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