document44

D:\Salim\Academy 2013-14\Semester I\X CBSE\English\SA01 6433.docx

E6433

Universal Tutorials X CBSE

Question Paper Universal Tutorials X CBSE (201314) English Page 1 of 5

First Semester Summative Assessment 1: English

Date: 21 August, 2013 Recommended Time: 3 hours Max. Marks: 80 Section A Reading Comprehension 15 Marks Section B Writing 20 Marks Section C Grammar 15 Marks Section D Literature 20 Marks Long Reading Text 10 Marks General Instructions: 1) All questions are compulsory 2) You may attempt any section at a time 3) All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.

SECTION A: Reading 1) Read the following passage carefully: Chirp for the Sparrow; Tweet for the Sparrow They were once everywhere, chirping and flapping their wings at the window sills, on top of

cupboards and on the branches of trees. Where have all the little sparrows gone? This is the most frequently asked question about sparrows these days.

The association between humans and the house sparrow dates back to several centuries and no other bird has been associated with humans on a daily basis like the house sparrow. It is a bird that evokes fond memories of childhood and adds freshness to households through its presence. Many bird watchers and ornithologists recall with fondness how the house sparrow gave flight to their passion for observing birds. The nests of sparrow dotted almost every house in the neighbourhood as well as public places like bus stands and railway stations, where they lived in colonies and survived on food grains and tiny worms.

Unfortunately, the house sparrow has now become a disappearing species. Like all other plants and animals which were once abundant and are now facing an uncertain future, their numbers are also declining across their natural range. A study conducted by the Andhra University, Visakhapatnam highlighted that population of house sparrows fell by over 60 percent even in . rural areas of coastal Andhra Pradesh. A survey conducted by the British Trust for Ornithology showed that house sparrow population in Britain has declined by about 58 percent since 1970.

Certainly, there is no one single reason for the decline of the house sparrow. Scientists and experts say that severe changes in the urban ecosystem in recent times have had tremendous impact on the population of house sparrows whose numbers are declining constantly. Mobile tower radiation and excessive use of chemical fertilizers are aggravating the problem and have been identified as potent sparrow killers.

There have been many theories put forward for the almost worldwide decline of the house sparrow. It is said that sparrow chicks, which require insect food for their survival in their early days, have not been getting adequate supply from their parents. This has triggered large scale deaths of chicks leading to gradual decline of their population.

Urban landscape too, has been dramatically altered over the years. Old houses, with courtyards in front and backyards, have made way for concrete multi - storeys, with little greenery. No longer are sparrows able to find the tiny nooks, crannies and holes where they used to build their nests.

Typically, sparrows were never an issue of concern for us with their diminutive presence in our households. Perhaps, it is this diminutive presence because of which even their gradual disappearance has gone unnoticed. Mohammed Dilavar is rightly called the sparrow man of India as he has been successful in drawing the attention of the world towards the declining number of house sparrows.

House sparrows are important bio- indicators and their decline is a grim reminder of the degradation of urban environment and the danger from it to the humans in the long run.

E6433 2


A) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, complete the following statements briefly. [4]

i) According to the passage, the sparrows survived on ________. ii) The main reason for the decline in the house sparrow population has been the ________. iii) The potent sparrow killers could be ________. iv) The reason for large scale deaths of chicks has been ________. B) Answer the following questions briefly: [2] i) Which memories do people have of the sparrows? ii) Who is known as the Sparrow Man of India and why? C) Write the meanings of the given words: [2] i) disappearing ii) grim 2) Read the poem given below carefully: WHERE MONSTERS CAN GROW Beware of the monsters Who dwell in the mind, Who grow in the shelter Of shadows they find. Beware of the demons Who hide from the light, Who only survive When our spirits lose sight. Those creatures can thrive Where our knowledge is low They fill in the spaces Of what we dont know. Beware of the monsters That cause us to hate, To strike out in anger When we cant relate. For ignorance darkens The mind and the heart, And helps all our monsters To tear us apart. But learning and thinking Will strengthen us so We wont be the places Where monsters can grow. Complete the statements given below by choosing the correct options from the given

below: [7] A) According to the poet, monsters can grow i) on other planets ii) in dark ocean caves iii) in the movies iv) in our minds B) These monsters grow with the help of i) plant food ii) evil magic iii) ignorance iv) anger C) These monsters can be prevented from growing by i) learning and thinking about others ii) bravery and boldness iii) weapons and war iv) hating those who are different D) The poet compares ignorance to darkness and ________ to light. i) the sun ii) laughter iii) morals iv) knowledge E) The monsters spread i) hate, hope and life ii) hate, ignorance and suffering iii) hate, light and ignorance iv) hate, knowledge and light F) Which phrase tells us that monsters enjoy when we become ignorant? i) who grow in the shelter ii) where our knowledge is low iii) strike out in anger iv) tear us apart G) Which of the following words means the same as live? i) grow ii) hide iii) place iv) dwell

E6433 3


SECTION B: Writing 3) Read the following telephonic conversation between Mohit and Aakash. Aakash is not in

a position to meet Rajesh, so he leaves a message from Mohit for Rajesh. Write the message in about 50 words. [3]

Mohit : Hello! May I speak to Rajesh? Aakash : Sorry, he is not at home. May I know who is on the line? Mohit : I am his friend, Mohit Aakash : Hi Mohit, Im Rajeshs brother, Aakash. Rajesh is away at present. If you want I can

take the message for him. Mohit : Yes, please tell him that I cant come to meet him today, as planned earlier, due to

some urgent work. He need not wait for me. Now I would see him tomorrow evening at 6.p.m positively. Ask him to be at home.

Aakash : O.K. Ill convey the message. Dont worry. Mohit : Thanks. 4) Rising violence among youth is a cause for concern. A recent survey listed the reasons

for this trend. Study the following graph showing causes for the growing violence against others and against self. Write a paragraph based on the available data in 80100 words.[5]

5) India is facing an energy crisis. We as responsible citizens must conserve energy. Using

ideas of your own and from the table below write a letter to the editor of The Times of India highlighting the need and ways to conserve energy (minimum 150 words). You can sign yourself as Neha Sinha, a student of Delhi University. [6]

Tips to save energy: z Switch off lights and appliances when not needed. z Maximum use of Solar Energy z Discourage theft of electricity. z Discourage decorative lighting.

6) Imagine that you are Dr. Shashikumar (Managing Director, Bombay Electronics). You

have been asked to give a talk to Class XII students, who are considering further studies in the USA or Australia. Write what you will say in your talk (approx. 120150 words). Use ideas from the unit education and your own ideas: [6]

SECTION C: Grammar

7) Read the paragraph given below and fill in the blanks with options that follow: [3] Amitabh Bachchan is (a) ________ of the greatest actors this country has produced. His fluency,

his gift of timing, his command (b) ________ the language is unparalleled. (c) ________ his histrionic talents too are among the (d) ________ this country (e) ________ produced. Even now he (f) ________ the most popular actor of the country. He has been declared The Actor of the Millenium by the BBC Poll.

a) i) one ii) two iii) a iv) of b) i) of ii) over iii) off iv) upon c) i) Never ii) Otherwise iii) Always iv) Sometimes d) i) best ii) better iii) worst iv) good e) i) was ii) have iii) has iv) had f) i) has ii) had iii) have iv) is

Effect of video games

Violence in Films

Violence on TV

Websites promoting evidence and selfinjury

Stress and pressures causing breakdowns

Causes of growing violence among youth

E6433 4


8) Complete the following paragraph by filling in the blanks with the help of given options: [3]

The Boston tea party began when England (a) ________ unfair taxes on the prices of imported items. Cloth, tea and spices (b) ________ abused because tea was new, cloth was essential, and spices were used for cooking. Settlers in New England (c) ________ these outrageous sums. When a new boat full of tea was left unguarded, the settlers knew this was probably their only chance.

a) i) begun to impose ii) began imposing iii) has began to impose iv) begins imposing b) i) were more ii) was much iii) were most iv) was much c) i) refuses to pay ii) refuse to pay iii) refuses paying iv) refused to pay 9) Complete the following news reports accompanying the following headlines by filling in

the blanks. [3] a) Drinking and Driving Banned Drinking and driving ____________________ by Maharashtra Government. b) Two killed in Accident Two _________________________ between a car and a truck due to the fog on the roads c) Drive against Illegal Constructions launched. The police _________________________ illegally constructed houses in Mumbai 10) Rearrange the following to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an

example for you. [3] World / languages / there were / dialects / some 300 different / in the / There were some 300 different languages and dialects in the world. a) communication / not matter / was slow / it did / between different / when the / parts of the

world / b) for a / people / feel / our / times / the need / but / in / common language / c) unconnected with / creation of / the first solution / an / artificial language / was the / any /

existing language / 11) The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the lines.

Identify the error and write it long with the correction as shown below. Underline the correct word supplied by you. [3]

Error Correct Word a) Neha grew up on a small town on in b) in Kerala. She loves football and ___________ ___________ c) dreamed about play in the national ___________ ___________ d) level. His town had only one team ___________ ___________ e) but there wasnt no girl in ___________ ___________ f) them. At the age of nine Neha gathered ___________ ___________ g) her courage and tried in every way. ___________ ___________

SECTION D: Literature 12A) Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow each as briefly as

possible. [3] I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions. Whatever I see I swallow immediately Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike i) What is the poetic device used in these lines? ii) What does I am silver and exact mean? iii) What does I have no preconceptions mean?

E6433 5


B) In a world, that is supposed to be chiefly swayed by hunger and by love, Mrs. Packletide was an exception, her movements and motive were largely governed by dislike of Loona Bimberton. [3]

i) How is the world chiefly swayed by? ii) How was Mrs. Packletide an exception? iii) How was Mrs. Packletide governed? C) Hes done it on purpose, just to annoy us. [3] i) Who is the speaker? ii) Who is He? iii) What has he done to annoy the others? 13) Answer any TWO of the following questions in about 3040 words each. [6] i) Why did Ali not go to the post office for several days? Why was he impatient when he finally

returned to the post office? ii) Why did the frog observe the animals who came to hear the nightingale with joy, which was both

sweet and bitter? iii) What is the theme of the poem Not Marble Nor the Gilded Monuments? 14) Imagine you are Lucia. You have been told by the nurse in the hospital that you have

completely recovered from your illness and you can go home the next day. You are very happy and thankful to your brothers. Write a diary entry in about 150 words, expressing your gratitude to your brothers and mentioning your future plans. Also mention the value and feeling of love towards your brothers. [5]

OR Victoria Slater is truly attached to her Grandpa. As she sees the elders in her family

quarrel over the inheritance, she is bewildered and upset by their attitude. As Victoria write a diary entry outlining the incident and your feelings.

15) What type of relationship did Miss Anne Sullivan and Helen share? [5]

OR Anne found a friend in her diary. Comment. 16) Attempt one out of the two character sketches in 100 words on the bases of the portion

you have read. [5] a) Helen Keller b) Miss Anne Sullivan OR a) Anne Frank b) Mrs.Van Daan

document44

Documents