Billabong High International School, Noida

Periodic Test-II (2022-23)

Subject: English Language and Literature (184) Max Marks: 20

General Instructions:
● This question paper contains 3 printed pages and 7 questions.
● All questions are compulsory.
● The question paper is divided into three sections A, B and C.
● Section A is of 5marks
● Section B is of 6marks
● Section C is of 9marks
● Students are required to mention the set of the question paper on the first page in the answer sheet.
SECTION-A(READING)
Q1. Read the following passage carefully. 5 Marks
Why does a person become overconfident? The reason lies in over assessment of his capabilities. Sometimes
people over assess their competence and jump into situations that are beyond their control.
Napoleon Bonaparte who became Emperor of France would say that the word ‘impossible’ was common only
amongst fools. The overconfident Napoleon invaded Russia in the winter of 1812. This proved to be a big
disaster.
Overconfidence generally leads people into misadventures, endangering their chances in life. It is wisely said
that any achievement is a result of two factors- one’s personal planning and support from the external world.
People, take into account only their planning, generally ignoring external factors. As a result, they are unable
to foresee future developments. Hence, a great risk of failure.
Then there is the question: how can one manage overconfidence? The formula is very simple. Before taking a
decision discuss the matter with other informed people with an objective mind and when it is proved that you
are about to go off the path, accept reality and say without delay, “I was wrong”. Overconfidence is a flaw
characterizing people who lack the virtue of modesty. Modesty makes you a realist; you become a person
who is cut down to size. People of this kind become very cautious; before taking an action, they assess the
whole situation. They adopt a realistic approach.
Overconfident people live within their own thoughts. They know themselves but they are unaware of others.
Living inside their own cell they are unable to make use of the experiences of others. This kind of habit is
highly damaging to all concerned. There is a saying that the young man sees the rule and the old man sees the
exception, with a slight change, I would like to say that the overconfident person sees the rule and the
confident person sees the exception. Overconfident people are always at risk. It is said that taking risk is good
but it must be well calculated otherwise it becomes very dangerous.
Answer the following questions:
a. Overconfidence generally leads people into misadventures, endangering their chances in life.’ Explain with
an example.
b. According to the passage, how can one manage their overconfidence?
c. Modesty makes you a realist.Comment.
d. Is it important for you to use the experience of others? Why or why not?
e. Find a word similar to the ones given below from the passage:
i. Misadventure ii. Endangering
Page 1 of 3
 SECTION-B (WRITING AND GRAMMAR)
Q2. Write a letter of complaint to M/S Oxford Publishing House, New Delhi, complaining that the books sent
by them were not those that you had ordered for. You may also ask for a replacement. You are John/ Jia of
Sector 20, Chandigarh. (3 Marks)

Q3. A word has been omitted in each line of the following passage. Write the missing word with the words that
come before and after it in the space provided below. (1x3=3)
Before Missing After
I always dreamt going to a big city. Eg. Dreamt of going
A great city is battlefield. You (a) _________ _____ ______
need to a fighter to live in it. (b) __________ _____ ______
You have to make your mark. Anybody exist (c) __________ ______ ______
dragging his shoulders around a worn out coat (d) ________ ______ ______
but living differently. It be hard (e) ________ _______ ______
but it can also fun. (f) ________ ________ ______

Q4. Choose the most appropriate word from the options given below and complete the following passage.
(0.5x4=2)
Buddhists (i) ____________survived in India only (ii) ____________a comparatively small sect, (iii)
____________Buddism in (iv) ____________east today has over hundred and fifty million adherents. It is the
chief religion of Ceylon, Burma and Malaya. Buddhists follow the four truths. They live a simple and austere
life.
(i) (a) has (b) have (c) had (d) been
(ii) (a) for (b) as (c) but (d) so
(iii) (a) and (b) or (c) but (d) though
(iv) (a) a (b) an (c) the (d) at

SECTION-C (LITERATURE)
Q5. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow. (0.5x2=1)
He stalks in his vivid stripes The
few steps of his cage, On pads of
velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
i) He moves on pads of velvet because
a) his feet are covered with velvet pads
b) The cage is covered by a soft velvet for the tiger's comfort.
c) It's feet are adapted to stalk its prey noiselessly.
d) The poet wants to create an image of a tiger's movement.

ii) Why has the poet used 'in his quiet rage' for the tiger?
a) The tiger is angry because he is a captive.
b) His freedom has been taken away from him.
c) It depicts the helplessness and frustration of the tiger kept in the cage.
d) The angry tiger is waiting to attack the visitors.
Q6. Answer ANY TWO of the following questions in 30-40 words each. (2x1.5=3)
Page 2 of 3
 a) Elaborate upon the ‘Twin Obligations’ mentioned by Mandela in the chapter ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk
to Freedom’.
b) Would you agree that the ‘depths of oppression’ create ‘heights of character’? How does Mandela
illustrate this?
c) Explain the line ‘And stares with his brilliant eyes/at the brilliant stars’.
d) ‘Money can’t make a man as much as education can’. Elucidate upon this statement in the context to ‘A
Thief’s Story’.
Q7. Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 100-120 words. (1x3=3)
i. “But I knew that Anil's face, when he discovered the theft, would show only a touch of sadness. Not for the
loss of money, but for the loss of trust.” All this while, Hari Singh was conscious about the seriousness of his
act. Elaborate.

ii. Comment on how 'Long Walk to Freedom' is not only Mandela's appeal to his own brethren
but also an appeal for peace and justice to the entire humanity.

Page 3 of 3