HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION: 2024-2025

CLASS-XI
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
SET-II
M.M.:80 Time: 3 Hrs.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. The question paper contains THREE Sections- READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR and
LITERATURE.

2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions.

3, The intended marks of each question are given in brackets.
SECTION-A (READING)

1. Read the passage given below.

(1) What is discipline? Is it absolute freedom to do what a person wants? Is freedom regardless
of consequences? Does it mean corrective action after a problem occurs or a wrong is
done? Is
it imposition? Is it abuse? Does it take away freedom?

(2) The answer is none of the above. Discipline does not mean that a perSon takes a belt and
beats up kids. That is madness. Discipline is loving firmness. It is direction. It is prevention
before a problem arises. It is harnessing and channeling energy for a great performance.
Discipline is not something you do to yourself but you do for those you care about.

(3) Discipline is an act of love. Sometimes, you have to be unkind to be kind. Not all medicines
are sweet, not all surgeries are painless, but we have to take them. We need to learn from
nature. We are all farniliar with the big animal, the giraffe. Afemale giraffe gives birth to a baby
giraffe standing. All of a sudden, the baby falls on the ground from the cushion of its mother's
womb and sits on the ground. The first thing the mother giraffe does is get behind the baby and
give it a hard kick. The baby gets up but sits down again. The mother keeps kicking till the baby
gets up on its feet and starts moving. Why? Because she knows that the only chance of survival
for the baby in the jungle is to be on its feet Otherwise, it will be eaten up by wild
cats.
(4) Children brought up in a loving yet disciplined environment end up respecting their parents
more and become law- abiding citizens The reverse is just as true. Good parents are not afraid
of momentary dislike by children to enforce the subject. Allowing a child to eat a box of
chocolate could lead to sickness. At the same time, the discipline of eating one or two pieces a
day can be an enjoyable experience for a longer time. Our instinct
makes us do whatever we

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 the full enjoyment of what is
Want reRardless of consequences, Freedom is not procured by
desired but by the controlling of desire.
On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the
most appropriate optlon. (1°10=10)

(A) What according to the writer, is not discipline?

(a) To provide absolute freedom to the children.
(b) To have lovingly slern behavior with the children.
(c) To allowing children for disobedience.
(d) To follow prevention before problem.
(B) Choose the option that best capture the central idea of the passage from the given cuotes.
1. Iam prepared for the worst, lest hope for the best. -Benjamin Disraeli
2.By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character, -Grenville
kleiser

3.Freedom, any case only by possible constantly struggling for it. - Albert Einstein
4. An ounce of is prevention worth a pound of wise. -Benjamin Franklin
(a) (1) (b) (2)
(c) (3) (d) (4)
(C) Which of the characteristics are apt about the writer in the following conlext, "Discipline
is loving firmness. It is a direction. It is prevention before a problem arises"
(1) Impatient (2) Clarity in thoughts
(3) Abusive (4) Ignorant
(5) Determined (6) Spontaneous
(a) (1) and (3) (b) (4) and (5)
(c) (2) and (5) (d) (6) and (4)
(D) Which of the following will be the most appropriate title of the passage?

(a) Discipline: The Need of Era

(b) Discipline: The Need of Society

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 .-Value of Discipline
(d) Understand the True Meaning of Discipline
(E) How can channeling energy help?
(a) by providing yours future.
(b) by preparing our future

(c) by preparing us to face the difficult times efficiently.

(d) by preparingit for great scores.
(F) The phrase "law
abiding citizens" refers to the children who:
(a) are loyal to the nation.
(b) follow the rules laid down for
them.
(c) have parents that were not moved by momentary dislikes of their kids.
(d) help in forming laws.
(G) Select the option that makes the
correct use of "enforce", as used in the
the blank space. passage, to fill in
(a) The sun was trying to.
its way through the curtains.
(b) All attempts to.
the British commercial regulation were effectual.
(c) You were trying to. Me off the bed.
(d) He was not. to follow the rules.
(H) If not the family, where else can we learn discipline from?
(a) The people around us.

(b) The school where students study and learn.

(c) The nature.

(d) The giraffe.

(0) What does the author mean when he says, act of love?

a) warm gesture.
(b) a gesture of love.
(c) an intense emotion of affection.
(d) to hug one another.

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 "Channeling", as used in
states the meaning of the word
(0) Choose the option that correctly
the passage.
(b) forwarding

(d) emitting
(c) guiding
(8)
2. Read the following passage carefully.
1. Over the last five years, more companies have been actively looking for intern prOTies,
This survey reveals
dccording to a 2018-19 survey by an online internship and training platform
appiicalions received in 2018
that india hard RO% more internship applications- with 2.2 million
compared to 1.27 million in the year before, The trend was partly due to more industries
looking to have fresh minds and ideas on existing projects for better productivity. What was
orginally seen as a western concept, getting an internship before plunging into the job market,
is fast gaining momentum at Indian workplaces.
2. According to the survey data, India's National Capital Region has been the top provider or
internships, with d total of 35% internship opportunities, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru at
20% and 15%, respectively. This includes opportunities in startups, MNCs and even government
entities. The survey also revealed popular fields to find internshiDs in Figure. There nas een
growing avwareness among the students about the intern profiles sought by hiring companies
that often look for people with real-time experience in management than B-school masters.

3. The stipend has been an important factor the choice of internships. The survey data reveais
that the average stipend offered to interns was recorded as Rs 7,000 while the maximum
stipend went up to Rs 85,000. According to statistics, a greater number of people considered
virtual internships than in-office internships. Virtual internships got three times more
applialions than In office, since a large chunk of students were the ones already enrolled in
various courses, or preferred working from home.

4. Internstip portals have spiung up in the iast three to tour years and many of them already
report healthy traffic per month. Reports suggest that on an average. an internship portal
company has around 2,00,000-plus students and some 8,000 companies registered on it. It gets
around two lakh visits online every month. The Managing Director of a leading executive search
firm says that though these web platforms are working as an effective bridge between the
industry and students. most established companies are still reluctant to take too many interns
On board for obvious reasons.

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 INTERNSHIP TRENDS 2018 - Popular fields to
find
MANAGEMENT
MEDIA 46.5 %
internships
ENGINEERING
DESIGN and ARCHITECTURES
20.8%
14.9%
Others 79%
9.9

Answer the following questions,

based on the above passage.
(A) What can be
inferred from the following
Over the last five years, more
statement: (2)
companies have been actively looking fcr intern
(B) Select the option that profiles.
displays the true statement with
(a) Internships for reference to figure. (1)
enginecring and management are the top twu
(b) Design and lavourites.
architecture internships are significantly more popular than
others.
(c)internships for media and others have nearly equal
popularity
(d)
Management internships' popularity is more than twice that forpercentage.
(C) Select the option that media.
displays the correct
cause-effect relationship. (1)
CAUSE
EFFECT
(a) Several students have
academic courses Students applied for
to complete. online internship.
(b) A large chunk of students
office internships
preferred in
Applications werr three times the more than
for virtual internships.
(c)A greater number of students wanted to
work from home. Several students had courses to complete.
(d) Students applied for online internship An equal number of students applied for
work-from-home
(D)The survey statistics mention that the average
stipend offered to interns..... (1)
(E) What does the phrase "healthy
traffic' mean in the passage? (1)
(F) State TRUE or FALSE.
(1)
Establ1shed companies are reluctant to take to0 many interns on
board.

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 (1)
passage ?
replace the word 'plunging' in the
(G) Which of the following can (ü) Abandoning8
(i) Retreating
(iv) Escaping
(ii) Jumping

3. Read the given passage carefully.

everything get
which happens when the best of
1teadership is a very unique chemistry
together to create magic.
he saw a man named Mathew Siting
2The New Testament says "As Jesus passed on from there.
questions, no
at the tax office and said to him. Follow me So he rose and followed him."No
ds
arguments, no hesitation. What is that mysterious, intangible, electric elusive quality knowr
leadership.
3. The incvitable million-dollar question that keeps cropping up is "Are leaders born witn d
natural capability Tead or de they learn to do se? And the surprising answer is botn
Organisational capabilities and individual brilliance in something they are born with. But tine
points such as patience, humility and appreciating opinion different from one's own, are all
acquired in time. As G.B. Shaw once remarked, "The golden rule is that there are no golde
rules" One can never pinpoint with absolute accuracy all the traits
that a leader requires. eY
change from time to time and situation to situation
4 The true qualities ofa person emerge in the face of adversity So is it with leaders
Look at any
person who has the rare ability to lead the first thing you find is how cool and self-composed he
is even in times of crisis. In the midst of chaos, he sets out in right earnest setting
things right,
restoring normalcy and soon things are back to normal
5. A leader has to be a visionary he must be able to draw inspiration frorn the past
andenvision
a future brighter than the present, however difficult that might seem He has to be very clear
about his vision-what he is serving and the mission what he must achieve.

6. Another distinguishing trait of lenders is their organisational ability, the ability to co-ordinate
together individual efforts into a single one.
7A leader has the capability of bringing out the best in the people he leads and cultivate a team
spirit. He allows others to solve the problem rather than taking it on single handedly He has to
communicate very well so as to gain the confidence of others, so that they feel they are on the
right track and then they would be ready to lay down their lives
8 He has to be patient, to listen to otherS grievances and hence half the battle is won,

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 9. A leader has to be
highly efficient manager as
well as a
cOordinator. He mipht have to set an
example belore the rest. His individual work has to
be flawless
10. "A leader is a dealer in
hope," said Napoleon The suCcess of
only in terms of how capable they leaders is finally measured not

11. The success of leaders is finally measured not

only in terms of how capable they
how well they are able to perform as appeat, of
individuals but how successful they are in leading their
team to perform.

12. A leader has the

capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose.
(A)On the basis of your reading of the above
passage make notes on it, using
sub headings. Use
recognizable abbreviations and give an appropriate title. headings &(5)
(B)Give summary of the passagc in your own
words. (3)

SECTIONB-WRITING &GRAMMAR
4. Attempt ANY ONE of the
following given questions. (3)
S.K. International school is looking for a receptionist for
the school. Write an
the behalf of the administrative officer in the classified advertisement on
column of the local newspaper given
necessary details. Draft the advertisement not more than 50 words.

OR

You want to dispose of your car, as you are going

abroad. You are Harish/ Harsha of NO. 10
Kailash Ganj Lucknow. Draft an advertisement to be
classified column not more than O words. IV. I.
published in the daily news paper under the

5. Attempt ANY ONE of the following given

questions.
Tourism department, Government of Sikkim has launched an (3)
ambitious plan to expand its
tourism and arts and culture in the state. Prepare a suitable
poster for display at important
public places/publication in newspapers.
OR
Fireworks and crackers are known to create pollution during
festivals. As an environmentalist
design a poster in about 50 words to create
awareness of their ill efects.
6. Attempt ANY ONE of the following given questions.
(5)
You are a social worker attending a seminar held in
Gargi village. Write a speech to be given in
the seminar on the topic' The Problem of
Unemployment in India'.
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 OR

You've been invited to give speech on Journalism

You are a journalist working in Herald Times.
ds a career choice in your former school by the principal

7.Attempt ANY ONE of the following given questions. (S)

Power shurldge has become a norm even in the metropolitan cities. One way to face this
on the
situation is by preventing the wastage of power. Write a debate in 120-150 words
importance of power in our daily life and how to save power at school and at home.

OR

Ever since the pandemic began, there is an increasing usage of online sources for teaching.
learning, reading and writing. Write a debate in 120-150 words either for or against this
decision

8. Fill in the blanks by choosing the most suitable option. (4)

(0) The shopkeeper.........the client to come after 5 pm to get the order.

(a) asked (b) asks

(c) has been asked (d) had asked

(i) The lady...... .her walet in the park yesterday.
(a) loses (b) losing
(c) will be (d) lost
(ii) We waited. the rain stopped to avoid getting wet.

(a) after (b) but

(c) until (d) whether
(iv) .... .he was not feeling well, he couldn't attend the classes.
(a) Although (b) Because
(c) But (d) Whether

9. Do as directed. (3)
(i) Probably Iwill have to leave for Delhi tomorrow. (Rewrite using may)
(i) Open the window. (Rewrite using could)
(ii) Water is being sprayed by them with great force. (Change into Active Voice)
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 SECTION C- LITERATUKE
10. Read following extract and answer the questions that follow.
Attempt ANY ONE. (3)
A. She stokes it full,
then flirts out to a branch-end
Showing her barred face identity mask
Then with eerie delicate
whistle-chirrup whisperings
She launches away, towards the
infinite
And the laburnum subsides to empty.
() She launches away, towards the.....
(a) Sky (b)infinite
(c)horizon (d)unknown
(ii Assertion -Reasoning Question:
Assertion: The laburnum tree becomes a source of energy for goldfinch's family.
Reason: The goldfinch uses the tree only as a resting place.

(a) Both assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation for the
Assertion

(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is NOT the correct explanation for the
assertion.

(c) The assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) The assertion is false but the reason is true.

(iü) What effect does the last line create?
OR

B.l descend to lave the droughts, atomies, dust-layers of the globe,

And all that in them without me were seeds only, latent, unborn
And forever, by day and night, I give back life to my own origin.
 descend from the sky?
Why does raln
thrive in the ocans
a) To help fishes with water and
ocean
world
(b) To fill the whole
drought, atomies and dust
(c) To remove
the solar system
(d) To provide relief to
(ii) Assertion-Reason Questlon
beautifying the Earth.
Assertion: The rain contributes to to clear the sky of
clouS.
rain's ability
process is solely due to the
Keason: The beautification explains the assertion.
reason are true, and the reason
(a) Both assertion and the assertion.
true. but the reason does NOT explain
reason are
(b) Both assertion and
but Reasun is false.
(c) Assertion Is ue,
is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason
without rain?
(ii) What remains latent and unborn (3)
questions that follow, Attempt ANY ONE
11. Read following extract and answer the
the law oT
her English words and little things of western science and learning,
A. I would tell unhappy. She coula
Principle, the world being round, etc. This made her
gravity, Archimedes' school
not believe in the things they taught at the English
She did
not help me with my lessons. about God and the scriptures. One
day I
that there was no teaching had
and was distressed lessons. She was very disturbed. To her musiC
that we were being given music gentlerolK.
announced beggars and not meant for
associations. It was the monopoly of harlots and
lewd
despise?
() What did the grandmother
(a) Himn reading Scriptures
(b) Him reading science
lessons
(c) Him learning music
(d) Both 2 and 3
have about music?
(üi)What view did the grandmother
of harlots
(a) It was the monopoly
beggar
(b) It was meant for
for gentle folk
(c) It was not meant

(d) All of the above

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 (u) What did she want her grandson to read in the school?
OR

B. The Sun can beat down like a hammer this far south in Egypt, and Carter tried to use it
to loosen the resins. For several hours he set the mummy outside in blazing sunshine that
heated it to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. Nothing budged. He reported with scientific detachment
that "The consolidated material had to be chiselled away from beneath the limbs and trunk

before it was possible to raise the King's remains."

down like a hammer' is
(i) The figure of speech used in the line "The sun can beat
(a) Metaphor
(b) Oxymoron
(c) Simile

(d) Alliteration)
(iü) Who was Carter?
(a) Egyptian historian
(b) American scientist

(c) British archaeologist

(d) The narrator

referred to in the extract?
(iii) Who is the "King'

questions that follow. Attempt ANY ONE. (4)

12. Read following extract and answer the
-keep dropping a hint...
MRS. PEARSON: (dubiously] Pearson. Mrs.
more than hints your family needs, Mrs.
MRS. FITZGERALD; Hint? It's
do hate any unpleasantness. And it's so hard to know
PEARSON:[dubiously] Isuppose it is. But I somehow Idon't know
up my mind to have it out with them but
where to start. Ikeep
making the time.
watch or at a clock] Oh - good gracious! Look at
her
how to begin. (She glances at minute and probably all in a hurry to go out
again.
home any
Nothing ready and they'l be
extract, 'them' refers to
(i) In the above
Pearson
(a) daughter of Mrs.
Fitzgerald
(b) family of Mrs.
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 (c) Mr. Pearson and his son
(d) Both (a) and (c)
is seen in Mrs. Pearson?
(ii) Which of the following traits
(a) Doninating
(b)Short-tempered

(c) Submissive
(d) Illogical
(iii) Mrs. Fitzgerald is a..........of Mrs. Pearson.

(iv) In what endeavour does Mrs. Fitzgerald help Mrs. Pearson?

OR

8. Do you know me?" I asked.

The woman looked at me searchingly.

She had opened the door a chink. Icame closer and stood on the step.

No, I don't know you.'

I'm Mrs. S's daughter.'
(0) Why did the woman look searchingly at the narrator?
(a) Because the narrator was her friend.
(b) Because she was waiting for somebody else.

(c) Because the narrator looked like a thief.

(d) Because she was trying to recognize the narrator.

(iü) What is the meaning of the word 'Chink?

(a) A narrow opening
(b) A wide area

(c) A circular hole

(d) A long path

(ii) Who is "' in the given extract?

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13. Answer ANY TWO out of the four givcn in 40-50
words.
(Ö) Describe the events of the morning of 3d (3*2-6)
(ii) The grandmother has been January 'We're Not Afraid to Die'.
in
story create this
portrayed as a very religious lady.
What details in the
(ii) The
impression?
poet's mother laughs at her past.
How does the poet react to her
14. Answer ANY ONE of the past?
folowing questions in 40-50 words.
(i) Why was the narrator (3*1=3)
horrified when she entered the living room at Mrs.
(iü) What changes in the
Dorling's place?
behaviour of Mrs. Pearson startle Doris and Cyril? What
reasons do they suggest? possible
15. Answer ANY ONE of the
following given questions. (6)
A. How does the
photograph serve as a bridge
Shirley Toulson's 'A Photograph'? Elucidate. between
the past and present in the poem in

B. Gradually the author and the grandmother saw less of

each other and their friendship
was broken. Was the distancing deliberate or due to the
demands of the situation?
Elaborate taking references from the text.
16.Answer ANY ONE of the following given questions.
(6)
A. Based on the story The
Address', write an article about the
people, societies, and individuals. You may start the aticle as "consequences war on
of
War does not just affect
individual, societies, it affects everyone.
B. Reflect on the
transformation of Mrs. Pearson's character throughout the play. What does
her journey say about self-empowerment and its impact on
one's environment?

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