APPU ARIVAALAYEM

SE NI O R SE C O ND AR Y S CH O O L
Affiliated to CBSE.
I Mid Term Examination – 2021-22
ENGLISH CORE (Code 301)
Class - 11
Maximum Marks: 80 Time: 3 hours Date : 19.07.2021

General Instructions :
I. The question paper is divided into Two sections.
Part A : Objective type questions 40 marks
Part B : Subjective type questions 40 marks 80 marks
II. Attend as per the teacher’s instruction.
III. All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.

PART - A (OBJECTIVE TYPE : 40 Marks)

READING COMPREHENSIONS

Q.1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 10
1. Tell someone that you are going to a convention of accountants
and you might get a few uninterested yawns, yet money and how it
works is probably one of the most interesting and intriguing things
on the earth. It is fascinating and almost seems magical, how
money appeared on our planet. Unlike most developments we
enjoy, which can e traced back to a source, civilization or inventor,
money appeared in places then unconnected all over the world in a
more or less remarkably similar way.

2. Consider the American Indians using Wampum, West Africans

trading in a decorative metallic object called Manillas and the
Fijians economy was based on whale’s teeth, some of which are
even now considered legal tender, add to that shells, amber, ivory,
decorative feathers, cattle including oxen and pigs and a large
number of stones including jade and quartz which have all been
used for trade across the world, and we will get a taste of the
variety of accepted around the world.

3. There is something charming and child-like imagining our

primitive societies our ancestors, using all these colourful forms of
money. As long as everyone concerned can agree on a suitable
value, this is very sensible thing for a community to do.

4. After all, the person who has what you need might not need
what you have to trade. Money solves that problem very neatly.

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 Real value with each and every exchange, and everyone gaining
from the convenience. The idea is really inspired, which might
explain why so many diverse minds had come up with it. Once
money has been accepted as a form of exchange, those who
produce, loan our and manipulate the quantity of money are
obviously in a very strong position. They are the “Money
Changers”.

5. “History records that the money, changers have used every form
of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain
their control over the governments by controlling money and its
issuance”, said President James Madison.

6. Money, money, money, we feel it has always just been there,

right? Wrong. Obviously according to us it is issued by the
government to make it easy for us to exchange things. Wrong
again!

7. Truth is, most people do not realize that the issuing of money is
essentially a very private business, and that the privilege of
issuing money has been a major bone of contention throughout
history.
1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY TEN 10
questions from the twelve that follow.
i) Which convention is considered to be boring?
a. accountants b. lawyer
c. librarians d. teachers

ii) _______________ is the most interesting thing on earth

a. nature b. human beings
c. animals d. money

iii) What is fascinating and magical?

a. how money appeared on earth b. how the planets were formed
c. study of the solar system d. how life appeared on earth

iv) West Africans traded in ____________

a. ivory b. manillas
c. quartz d. shells

v) Which of the following was considered an accepted currency?

a. whale’s teeth b. elephant tusks
c. tiger skin d. shark teeth

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 vi) What is charming and childlike about our primitive society?
a. their way of life b. the clothes they wore
c. the colourful money the used d. the jobs they did

vii) Who are in a strong position?

a. the government b. the politicians
c the accountants d. those who produce and loan out money

viii) People who manipulate money are called _____________

a. money changers b. money makers
c. game changers d. money planners

ix) What is meant by the word ‘convention’ (para 1)

a. conference b. fair c. wave d. competition

x) The word, ‘fascinating’ in para 2 means

a. attractive b. uninteresting c. appalling d. revolting

xi) The word, ‘convenience’ in para 5 means

a. unsuitability b. disadvantage
c. comfort d. drawback

xii) What is meant by the word, ‘intrigue’? (para 6)

a. plot b. interest c. interval d. fear
Q.2 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 8
1. Tourists to Jammu and Kashmir have another attraction- a
floating post office on the Dal Lake in Srinagar, the first in the
country. ‘Floating Post Office’, Dal Lake- claimed to be the only
one such post office in the world-is built on an intricately carved
maroon houseboat, fastened on the western edge of the Dal Lake.

2. This post office lets you avail of all the regular postal services
available in the country while being afloat. The seal used on
everything posted from Floating Post Office is unique- along with
the date and address. It bears the design of a boatman rowing a
Shikara on the Dal Lake. The special feature of this post office is
that letters posted from here carry a special design which has the
picturesque scenery of Dal Lake and Srinagar city. These pictures
reach wherever these letters are posted to and hence promote
Kashmir as a tourist destination across the world.

3. This is actually a heritage post office that has existed since

British times. It was called Nehru Park Post Office before 2011.
But after that the chief postmaster John Samuel renamed it as
‘Floating Post Office’.
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 4. The post office’s houseboat has two small rooms- one serves as
the office and the other a small museum that traces the philatelic
history of the state postal department. It has a shop that sells
postage stamps and other products.

5. But for the locals, Floating Post Office is more than an object of
fascination. Rupees 1-2 crore is deposited per month in Floating
Post Office by communities living in and around the Dal Lake. The
lake has several islets that are home to more than 50,000 people.

6. The greatest difficulty is the recurrence of 2014 like floods in

which the houseboat had gone for a toss uncontrollably pushed by
the flood. Rescue teams had to anchor it using special mechanism
at a nearby highland. Then it was brought back on the Dal after
the water receded. The biggest boon is that at no time of the year,
you need a fan in this post office!

2.1 On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the

following questions.

1. Before 2011, this post office was called ____________ 8

a. Jawahar Park Post Office b. Nehru Park Post Office
c. British Post Office d. Floating Post Office

2. The seal used in the floating Post Office is unique because

a. it bears the design of a boatman rowing a Shikara.
b. it is used by the local people
c. there is no date and address on it.
d. it is available throughout the country

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 3. The seal bears the design of
a. aeroplane b. bus
c. ship d. Shikara

4. Floating Post Office is fastened on which edge of the Dal Lake?

a. Eastern b. Northern
c. Western d. Southern

5. In which year flood struck floating Post Office?

a. 2014 b. 2004 c. 1994 d. 1894

6. The monthly deposits per month in Floating Post Office is Rs.

a. 4-5 crore b. 3-4 crore
c. 2-3 crore d. 1-2 crore

7. _____________ is claimed to be the only one such in the world.

a. The museum of the state postal department
b. the shop that sells postage stamps
c. Floating Post Office situated on Dal Lake
d. all of the above

8. John Samuel, who renamed it floating Post Office was a

postman ( True / False)

GRAMMAR
Q.3 Fill in the blanks from the options given below: 4
Kamakhya temple (a) …………….. in Guwahati. People from all over
the world (b) ………………… here to pray. This temple is on the Nilgiri
hills. The Goddess (c) …………………….. her divine grace on her
devotees (d) ……………goes there.

a. i.is ii was iii. Were iv has

b. i. go ii goes iii. come iv comes
c. i. bestowed ii. Bestows iii. Bestowing iv. Have bestowed
d. i. whoever ii. Whom iii. Whichever iv. whosever

Q.4 Rearrange to form meaningful sentences from the choices 4

given below

1. of mankind / the habit / reading is / one of / resources / of / the

greatest
i. One of greatest resources of mankind is the habit of reading.
ii. The habit of reading is one of the greatest resources of mankind.
iii. Reading is one of the habit of the greatest resources of mankind.
iv. The greatest resources of mankind is one of the habit of reading.
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 b. no book / that / afraid to / you should / mark up / own / you are
i. You should own no book that you are afraid to mark up.
ii. To mark up you should own no book that you are afraid
iii. No book should you own that you are afraid to mark up.
iv. own no book that you are afraid should you to mark up

c. should begin / everyone / a private library / youth / collecting / in

i. A private library in youth everyone should begin collecting.
ii. A library private in youth everyone should begin collecting.
iii. Everyone should begin collecting a private library in youth.
iv. Everyone in youth should begin collecting a private library.

d. own / you / book / convenience / can enjoy / a / at your

i. At your own convenience you can enjoy a book
ii. A book you can enjoy at your own convenience
iii. You can enjoy a book at your own convenience
iv. Enjoy a book you can at your own convenience

LITERATURE
Q.3. Read the extract given below from Hornbill/Snapshot and
answer the questions that follow:

a. 3
She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on
her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her
rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered
face, and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was
beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an
expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

(i) Who is the author of the above extract?

(a) Kushwant Singh (b) James Harriot
(c) Gordon Cook (d) Alan East
(ii) Who has been referred as ‘she’ in above extract?
(a) sister of the author (b) mother of the author
(c) grandmother of the author (d) aunt of the author
(iii) According to the extract, how old did the grandfather look in his
portrait?
(a) hundred years (b) less than hundred years
(c) more than hundred years (d) none of the above

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 b. My cousin Mourad was sitting on a beautiful white horse. I stuck my
head out of the window and rubbed my eyes. Yes, he said in Armenian.
It’s a horse. You’re not dreaming. Make it quick if you want to ride. I
knew my cousin Mourad enjoyed being alive more than anybody else
who had ever fallen into the world by mistake, but this was more than
even I could believe.

(i) How is Mourad associated with Aram?

(a) Real Brother (b) Cousin (c) Father (d) Son
(ii) Why could Aram not believe what he saw?
(a) For they were rich and could afford a horse
(b) For they were poor and could not afford a horse
(c) For they were poor but could afford a horse
(d) None of these.
(iii) Which tribe did Aram and Mourad belong to?
(a) Steward (b) Crofter (c) Garoghlanian (d) Australian

Q.4. Read the extract given below from Hornbill and answer any
one of the questions that follow:

a. The Laburnum top is silent, quite still 3

In the afternoon yellow September sunlight,
A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.

(i) What does ‘Laburnum top’ mean here?

(a) It means the top part of any tree
(b) It means the top part of the Laburnum tree
(c) It means the top part of a fictional tree
(d) It does not mean anything

(ii) What has happened to the tree?

(a) The tree is being worshipped
(b) The tree has been cut down
(c) The leaves of the tree have turned purple and are falling down
(d) The leaves of the tree have turned yellow and its seeds falling
down

(iii) Identify the poetic device used in the second line.

(a) Alliteration (b) Allusion (c) Metaphor (d) Simile

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Q.5. Choose the most appropriate answers for the following. 5
i.
What were the names of the two crewmen whom the author hired?
A. Shelly and Cabil B. Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler
C. Herb Seigler and Shelly Cooper D. Larry Vigil and Adam Moore
ii.
“The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse” is a story of two _________
boys.
A. Armenian B. Arabian C. Assyrian D. African
iii. What was the age of the poet's mother when the photograph was taken?
A. eleven years old B. thirteen years old
C. twelve years old D. fourteen year old
iv. Why had the author come to visit Mrs. Dorling?
A. Because Mrs. Dorling had belongings of author’s mother
B. Because Mrs. Dorling called her
C. Because she missed Mrs. Dorling
D. None of the above
v. What happened to the leaves of the Laburnum tree?
A. they were green B. turned yellow
C. fallen down D. new leaves growing

PART - B ( SUBJECTIVE TYPE : 40 MARKS)

WRITING

Q.1 Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.

1. It is surprising that sometimes we don’t listen to what people

say to us. We hear them, but we don’t listen to them. I was
curious to know how hearing is different from listening. I had
thought both were synonyms, but gradually, I realized there is a
big difference between the two words.

2. Hearing is a physical phenomenon. Whenever somebody

speaks, the sound waves generated reach you, and you definitely
hear whatever is said to you. However even if you hear something,
it doesn’t always means you are really listening. Consciously using
your mind to understand whatever is being said is listening.

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 3. Diving deeper, I found that listening is not only hearing with
attention, but is much more than that. Listening is hearing with
full attention, and applying our mind. Most of the time, we listen
to someone, but our minds are full of needless chatter and there
doesn’t seem to be enough space to accommodate what is being
spoken.

4. We come with a lot of prejudices and preconceived notions

about the speaker or the subject on which he is talking. We
pretend to listen to the speaker, but deep inside, we sit in
judgement and are dying to pronounce right or wrong, true or
false, yes or no. Sometimes, we even come prepared with a
negative mindset of proving the speaker wrong. Even if the speaker
says nothing harmful, we are ready to pounce on him with our
own version of things.

5. What we should ideally do is listen first with full awareness.

Once we have done that, we can decide whether we want to make
a judgement or not and our interpersonal relationship will become
so much better. Listening well doesn’t mean one has to say the
right thing at the right moment. In fact, sometimes if words are left
unspoken, there is a feeling of tension and negativity. Therefore, it
is better to speak out your mind, but do so with awareness after
listening to the speaker with full concentration.

6. Let’s look at this in another way. When you really listen, you
imbibe not only what is being spoken but your also understand
what is not spoken as well. Most of the time we don’t really listen
even to people who really matter to us. That’s how
misunderstandings grow among families, husbands and wives,
brothers and sisters.

a. On the basis of your reading of the above passage make

notes on it, using headings and sub-headings. Use 5
recognizable abbreviations and a format you consider suitable.
Also supply an appropriate title to it.

b. Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words

3
Q.2 Attempt the following question in 50 words. 3

As the Sports Captain of your school write a notice for school notice
board informing budding cricketers to attend trials for the selection of
under-18 school team.
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Q.3 Attempt the following question in 50 words. 3
Design a poster emphasizing the ill effects of binging on junk food.
Q.4 Attempt the following question in 120-150 words. 5

Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper, complaining about

the bad condition of water supply in your locality. You are Avantika,
living at H-19 Green Park, New Delhi.
Q.5 Attempt the following question in 120-150 words. 5

On the occasion of Teacher’s Day you have to speak on the role of

teachers in students life in modern times. Taking ideas from the
following hints, together with your own ideas, draft your speech in
about 150-200 words.

LITERATURE
Q.6 Answer the following questions in about 20-30 words each
from Hornbill.
i. How did the grandmother spend her whole day? 2
ii. To what is the bird’s movement compared? Explain. 2
Q.7 Answer the following questions in about 20-30 words each
from Snapshot.
i. Why was Aram surprised when he saw Maraud in the Morning? 2
Q.7 Answer the following questions in about 100-120 words from
Hornbill.
i. Highlight the tremendous courage and stoicism shown by the two 5
children during the struggle.
Q.8 Answer the following questions in about 100-120 words from
Snapshot.
i. ‘I resolved to forget the address. Of all the things I had to forget, that 5
would be the easiest.’ Comment.
-o0o0o0o-

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