SECTION A: READING SKILLS
1. Read the following passage
i. Main roles of media in modern society (≈40 words)
The media informs people about current events, educates them on important topics like health and social issues, provides entertainment, influences public opinion, and helps people make informed decisions in daily life.
ii. How media helps people make informed decisions
b) By providing news and updates.
iii. Word meaning ‘giving wrong information’
→ Misinformation
iv. Complete the sentence
A major problem with social media is the spread of false information and sensationalism.
v. True statement for ‘a double-edged sword’
B. Media has both positive and negative effects depending on how it is used.
vi. Complete the analogy
media : awareness :: education : knowledge
vii. Importance of free and responsible media in democracy
Free and responsible media holds power accountable, exposes corruption, gives people a voice, and helps society improve through correct information and awareness.
viii. Key danger of sensationalism in media
Sensationalism can make media report for attention, not truth, spreading false or misleading information.
2. Read the following passage
i. Why health experts warn against energy drinks for teens
Too much energy drink can cause sleep problems, anxiety, obesity, heart issues, and dependence because of high caffeine and sugar.
ii. Phrase showing Prime’s early popularity
“it quickly gained popularity among young people, with some paying as much as ₹1,500 for a can in the black market.”
iii. Sentence completion (Paragraph 3)
A 14-year-old wants to stay alert for late-night studying and drinks an energy drink. This is risky because the high caffeine content can cause sleep and health problems.
iv. Meaning of ‘trapped in an unhealthy cycle’
It means teens keep drinking energy drinks repeatedly for quick energy, harming their health.
v. Meaning of ‘significantly higher’
B. Prime Energy’s caffeine content is much more than cappuccino.
vi. Reason for banning energy drinks for minors
To protect young people from serious health risks of high caffeine and sugar.
vii. Connection between ‘performance boosters’ and ‘marketing strategies’
Energy drinks are advertised as performance boosters to attract young consumers, even though they may harm health.
viii. How parental guidance helps
Parents can teach teens about risks, set limits, provide healthy alternatives, and monitor intake to prevent unhealthy dependence.
ix. Fill in the blank (Paragraph 6)
Experts stress the need for awareness, regulation, and moderation to control excessive energy drink use among teens.
SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR
GRAMMAR
3. Complete any ten of the following
i. The athlete’s determination was clearly admired by the crowd.
ii. Error: heath → Correction: health
iii. We have been planning this picnic for weeks, and I’m glad it’s finally happening.
iv. She told me that she would help me with my homework.
v. We hope the products will be delivered on the agreed date.
vi. Riya requested that the photos be sent by evening.
vii. The teacher looked truly pleased with the students’ performance.
viii. My brother enjoys playing cricket every weekend.
ix. He asked her if she could help him carry that box.
x. The manager said he will review the project by next week.
xi. Only a few students were absent during the science practical.
xii. I was surprised to see there were no chairs left in the hall.
WRITING
4. Letter Writing Examples
a) Riya – Digital Learning Tools Proposal (≈120 words)
To,
The Education Secretary,
[City Name]
Subject: Proposal for Digital Learning Tools in Underprivileged Schools
Respected Sir/Madam,
As Head of the Technology Club, I want to highlight the benefits of digital education for underprivileged schools. Smart classrooms and computer training can help students learn modern skills and reduce educational gaps.
Digital tools make learning interactive, give access to many resources, and improve student engagement. They prepare students for future careers and make education more effective.
I request you to introduce smart classrooms and computer training in these schools. This will help students learn better, develop skills, and get equal opportunities for success.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Riya
Head, Technology Club
[School Name]
b) Aarav – Mental Health Awareness (≈120 words)
To,
The Editor,
[National Daily Name], [City Name]
Subject: Urgent Need for Mental Health Awareness in Schools
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am Aarav, School Captain of Sunrise Public School. I am concerned about rising stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges among students due to studies, social media, and future worries.
Many students face depression, low confidence, and burnout without proper support, affecting their learning and growth.
I suggest schools start mental health awareness programs, counseling sessions, and mindfulness workshops. Creating a safe environment for students to share their problems is important. Teachers and parents should also be trained to support students.
Early help can prevent serious problems and make students emotionally strong and resilient.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Aarav
School Captain
Sunrise Public School
5. Analytical Paragraph Examples (≈100-120 words)
a) Choosing Assistant – Rohan
Rohan needs an assistant who is organized, good with clients, and detail-oriented.
Neha is excellent at organizing, budgeting, and record-keeping, but not confident with client pitches. Aditya is confident with clients but poor with deadlines. Sameer is detail-focused but slow in decision-making.
For a product launch, Neha is best because her organizational skills ensure all tasks, documents, and deadlines are on track. Rohan can handle client meetings while Neha manages logistics. Her reliability is crucial for smooth execution, making her the ideal choice for supporting a successful product launch.
b) Choosing Guest Speaker – Environment Club
Choosing between Mr. Anil Kumar and Ms. Pooja Singh requires looking at experience, relevance, and engagement.
Mr. Anil Kumar, an environmental science teacher, has 12 years’ experience in tree-planting and recycling. He gives practical advice that students can follow. Ms. Pooja Singh, a wildlife photographer, is inspiring but her talk focuses more on animals than broader environmental protection.
Mr. Kumar is better because his experience and practical approach align perfectly with the Save Nature programme. Students will learn actionable ways to help the environment, making his session more useful and relevant.
SECTION C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK
6. Extracts A & B (Answer ANY ONE)
A. ‘A Letter to God’
i. Lencho did not remain hopeful; he was sad and felt helpless.
ii. Emotional state after storm → c) devastated and helpless
iii. Farming is Lencho’s livelihood; crops mean survival.
iv. Natural destruction vs Emotional reaction:
- “Not a leaf remained on the trees” → Natural destruction
- “All our work, for nothing.” → Emotional reaction
- “The corn was totally destroyed.” → Natural destruction
- “There’s no one who can help us.” → Emotional reaction
B. ‘The Thief’s Story’
i. “He patted me on the head and said never mind” → He was encouraging and forgiving.
ii. Anil’s kindness motivated the narrator to value education and change behavior.
iii. The narrator suspects Anil knew about the profit but didn’t mind because he hoped trust would change him.
iv. Two contrasting tones → gratitude/hope vs deception/craftiness
7. Extracts A & B (Answer ANY ONE)
A. ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’
i. Emotions → helplessness, frustration, captivity
ii. ‘Stalking the length of his cage / ignoring visitors’ → Shows tiger’s frustration and boredom
iii. Contrast → “His strength behind bars”
iv. “Locked in a concrete cell” → Tiger is forced out of natural habitat
B. ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’
i. Chameleon is hard to detect because of its small size and camouflage.
ii. Chameleon compared to a lizard → shows small and overlooked physical features
iii. Humour → “If there is nothing on the tree, ‘Tis the chameleon you see” exaggerates its hiding skills
iv. Irony → “If there is nothing on the tree, ‘Tis the chameleon you see”
8. Answer ANY FOUR (≈50 words each)
i. Mother seagull – fear and motivation
She used hunger to motivate her chick. By flying with food but not giving it, she forced the chick to fly to get it, overcoming fear.
ii. Ball symbolism – loss and growth
The lost ball symbolizes childhood and first grief. It teaches the boy to accept loss, cope with emotions, and grow emotionally.
iii. ‘Deep and lasting wound’ – Mandela
Apartheid caused deep societal and emotional trauma. Mandela’s metaphor shows it affected generations, highlighting the challenge of healing and uniting South Africa.
iv. Tiger ignoring visitors – emotional state
Tiger ignores visitors due to despair, resentment, and boredom. Poet shows captivity’s cruelty and its effect on dignity and spirit.
v. Rajvir vs Pranjal – tea plantations
Rajvir is excited as a visitor; Pranjal is indifferent due to familiarity. Shows outsider perspective vs local experience.
9. Answer ANY TWO (≈40-50 words)
i. Mrs. Pumphrey & Tricki
Her overfeeding shows society’s mistaken idea that pampering equals care. Herriot shows that true care requires understanding and discipline, not just love.
ii. Ausable – The Midnight Visitor
Ausable used his wit and room knowledge to trick Max with a fake balcony and policeman, resolving danger without confrontation.
iii. Horace Danby – A Question of Trust
The sudden voice makes Horace panic and act rashly, showing weakness and poor decision-making under pressure.
10. Answer ANY ONE (≈100-120 words)
A. Lencho vs boy in Ball Poem
Lencho loses crops, shows despair, then faith in God; boy loses ball, feels sadness, learns to accept loss. Lencho relies on faith (spiritual maturity), boy relies on reflection (emotional maturity). Both cope differently, showing personal beliefs and growth in dealing with loss.
B. Tiger in Zoo vs How to Tell Wild Animals
Tiger poem → empathy and sorrow for captivity; Chameleon poem → humour and playfulness. Empathy makes reader feel pity; humour entertains. One teaches compassion, the other teaches observation in a fun way.
11. Answer ANY ONE (≈100-120 words)
A. Anil – The Thief’s Story
Anil’s trust and empathy influenced Hari Singh without preaching. He provided education, work, and guidance. Even when suspecting Hari’s small profit, he didn’t punish him. This trust created moral reflection in Hari, who returned the money and committed to learning. Shows kindness and trust can change character effectively.
B. Griffin – Footprints Without Feet
Griffin’s invisibility shows brilliance without ethics leads to harm. He steals, attacks, and breaks laws. His scientific skill becomes dangerous due to lack of morality. The story shows scientific progress needs ethical responsibility, or it can be misused, harming society.