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Q.3. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below: (11)
Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on ecological process, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions. Organic farmers ensure soil fertility with the help of crop rotation, compost and other biologically – induced soil amendments. A healthy soil structure increases its ability to hold water and plants become better equipped to resist diseases and insects and there is no need to depend on synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, plant growth regulators, livestock feed additives and genetically modified organisms, all of which are extremely harmful to the plants as well as human beings who consume them.
According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements: “Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved ………”. In India, the Green Revolution, which was water intensive and involved a heavy dose of chemical fertilizers, has not been a boon. Many farmers have seen the effects of chemical farming – soil erosion and loss of soil nutrients, loss of nutrition in food, and human diseases resulting from the chemicals that seep into the water table.
But organic farming is often hard for the farmers who have to invest considerable time, energy and resources to regenerate the soil and reestablish the delicate balance between soil, water, air, animals and plants. Further, the lack of support in maintaining such a balance makes the products more expensive, putting the burden on the consumers who choose to eat healthy.
(1) What does the first paragraph focus on? (1)
Ans. The first paragraph focus on the benefits of organic farming.
(2) Why was the Green Revolution not a boon for the Indian farmers? (2)
Ans. The Green Revolution was a program of water intensive and involved a heavy dose of chemical fertilizers. It has increased the effect of soil erosion, loss of soil nutrients and nutrition in food. It also increased the human diseases arising from the use of chemicals. That is why the Green Revolution was not a boon for the Indian farmers.
(3) How is organic farming advantageous to farmers?
Ans. If we do organic farming it will increase the fertility of the soil, it will improve the healthy soil structure which will definitely increases the ability to hold more water and yielding capacity. It makes plants healthier to resist diseases.
(4) What agricultural problems, according to your, do farmers face?
Ans. Farmers in India mainly facing financial difficulties, irregular monsoons, lack of irrigational facilities, poverty, etc. Proper information and guidance from the government are mostly not reaching upto them.
(5) Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed:
(i) Organic farmers ensure soil fertility with the help of crop rotation.
(Rewrite the sentence beginning with ‘Soil fertility’.)
Ans. Soil fertility is ensured with the help of crop rotation by organic farmers.
(ii) A healthy soil structure increases its ability to hold water.
(Frame a ‘Wh – question’ to get the underlined part as its answer)
Ans. What does a healthy soil structure increase?
(iii) Chemical fertilizers are extremely harmful to the plants as well as human beings.
(Rewrite the sentence using ‘not only ___________ but also’)
Ans. Chemical fertilizers are extremely harmful not only to the plants but also to human beings.
(6) Find out the words from the extract which mean
(i) leak slowly
Ans. leak slowly - seep
(ii) substance added to improve something.
Ans. substance added to improve something – additive.
(B) Summary:
Write a summary of the above extract with the help of the following points and suggest a suitable title. (4)
Organic farming – depends on – ensures soil fertility by – organic agriculture promotes – difficulty for farmers because – burden on consumer.
Ans.
BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FARMING
Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on ecological process, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions. Organic farmers ensure soil fertility with the help of crop rotation, compost and other biologically – induced soil amendments. According to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements: “Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved ………” But organic farming is often hard for the farmers who have to invest considerable time, energy and resources to regenerate the soil and reestablish the delicate balance between soil, water, air, animals and plants.
Q4. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below: (4)
I celebrate the virtues and vices
Of suburban middle-class people
Who overwhelm the refrigerator
And position colourful umbrellas
Near the garden that longs for a pool
For my middle class brother
This principle of supreme luxury
What are you and what am I, and we go on deciding
The real truth in this world.
(1) How do the suburban middle – class people imitate the rich? (1)
Ans. The suburban middle – class people imitate the rich by having supreme luxuries like refrigerators and other such devices that give them comforts.
(2) Why, according to you, do the middle – class people, long form items of luxury? (1)
Ans. According to me, the middle – class people long for items of luxury because they want to imitate the rich by having the possession of luxury items and to derive the comfort from that. By having luxury items they wish to show their neighbours and society that they have achieved success in life.
(3) Pick out an example of ‘Antithesis’ from the extract. (1)
Ans. Antithesis: I celebrate the virtues and vices of suburban middle-class people
(4) Pick out the expression from the extract which people use to compare their status with others. (1)
Ans. “What are you and what am I” is the expression which people use to compare their status is.
(B) Read the following extract and answer the questions given below:
My father told the tenants to leave
Who lived in the houses surrounding our house on the hill
One by one the structures were demolished
Only our own house remained and the trees
Trees are scared my grandmother used to say
Felling them is a crime; but he massacred them all
The sheoga, the oudumber, the neem were all cut down
But the huge banyan tree stood like a problem
Whose roots lay deeper than all our lives
My father ordered it to be removed.
(1) What did the poet’s grandmother say about trees? (1)
Ans. The poet’s grandmother said that trees are sacred and felling them is a crime.
(2) How are trees helpful to mankind? (1)
Ans. Trees provides us with oxygen, fruits, timber, flowers, herbs, shade, etc. They reduces soil erosion and they are the shelter for a variety of small animals, birds, insects etc. We can imagine a world without human being where every living being can live peacefully but we cannot imagine a world without trees.
(3) Name and explain the figure of speech in the following line: (1)
“But the huge banyan tree stood like a problem.”
Ans. Simile: The banyan trees is directly compared to a problem suggesting difficulty in finding a solution.
(4) Pick out the words from the extract suggesting destruction. (1)
Ans. The words from the extract suggesting destruction are demolished, massacred, cut down, removed.
Section – C
[Rapid Reading and Composition]
Q5. (A) Read the following extract carefully and rewrite it from the point of view of the writer’s mother. (4)
You may begin with: ‘There was certainly a skeleton in the cupboard and although my son had never seen it……..’
Yes, there was a skeleton in the cupboard, and although I never saw it, I played a small part in the events that followed its discovery. I was fifteen that year, and I was back in my boarding school in Simla after spending the long winter holidays in Dehradun.
My mother was still managing the old Green's hotel in Dehra - a hotel that was soon to disappear and become part of Dehra's unrecorded history.
It was called Green's not because it purported to the spread of any greenery (its neglected garden was chocked with lantana), but because it had been started by an Englishman, Mr Green, back in 1920, just after the Great War had ended in Europe. Mr Green had died at the outset of the Second World War.
My mother was still managing the old Green's hotel in Dehra - a hotel that was soon to disappear and become part of Dehra's unrecorded history.
It was called Green's not because it purported to the spread of any greenery (its neglected garden was chocked with lantana), but because it had been started by an Englishman, Mr Green, back in 1920, just after the Great War had ended in Europe. Mr Green had died at the outset of the Second World War.
He had just sold the hotel and was on his way back to England when the ship on which he was travelling was torpedoed by a German submarine. Mr Green went down with the ship.
The hotel had already been in decline, and the new owner, a Sikh businessman from Ludhiana, had done his best to keep it going. But post-War and post-Independence, Dehra was going through a lean period. My stepfather's motor workshop was also going through a lean period - a crisis, in fact - and my mother was glad to take the job of running the small hotel while he took a job in Delhi.
She wrote to me about once a month, giving me news of the hotel, some of its more interesting guests, the pictures that were showing in town.
The hotel had already been in decline, and the new owner, a Sikh businessman from Ludhiana, had done his best to keep it going. But post-War and post-Independence, Dehra was going through a lean period. My stepfather's motor workshop was also going through a lean period - a crisis, in fact - and my mother was glad to take the job of running the small hotel while he took a job in Delhi.
She wrote to me about once a month, giving me news of the hotel, some of its more interesting guests, the pictures that were showing in town.
Ans. There was certainly a skeleton in the cupboard and although my son had never seen it, he played a small part in the events that followed its discovery. He was fifteen that year, and was back in his boarding school in Simla, after spending the long winter holidays in Dehradun. I was managing the old Green’s hotel in Dehra – a hotel that was soon disappear and become a part of Dehra’s unrecorded history.
It was called Green’s not because it purported to the spread of any greenery, but because it had been started by Englishmen, Mr. Green, back in 1920, just after the Great Wad had ended in Europe.
The Hotel had already been in decline, and the new owner, a Sikh businessman from Ludhiana, had done his best to keep it going. My husband’s motor workshop was also going through a lean period – crisis, in fact – and I was glad to take the job of running the small hotel while he took a job in Delhi.
5. (B) Read the following extract carefully, Imagine that two girls/friends Anita and Sunita converse about the story event in the story extract. Write it in the form of dialogue. (4)
You may begin with : Anita: Poor bird! Nobody gave it even a drop of water in the evening.
“I wish I could console the poor lark,” thought the daisy. It could not move one of its leaves, but the fragrance of its delicate petals streamed forth, and was much stronger than such flowers usually have: the bird noticed it, although it was dying with thirst, and in its pain tore up the green blades of grass, but did not touch the flower.
The evening came, and nobody appeared to bring the poor bird a drop of water; it opened its beautiful wings, and fluttered about in its anguish; a faint and mournful “Tweet, tweet,” was all it could utter, then it bent its little head towards the flower, and its heart broke for want and longing. The flower could not, as on the previous evening, fold up its petals and sleep; it dropped sorrowfully. The boys only came the next morning; when they saw the dead bird, they began to cry bitterly, dug a nice grave for it, and adorned it with flowers. The bird’s body was placed in a pretty red box; they wished to bury it with royal honours. While it was alive and sang they forgot it, and let it suffer want in the cage; now, they cried over it and covered it with flowers. The piece of turf, with the little daisy in it, was thrown out on the dusty highway. Nobody thought of the flower which had felt so much for the bird and had so greatly desired to comfort it.
Answer:
Anita: Poor bird! Nobody gave it even a drop of water in the evening. Even the little daisy was dying.
Sunita: Those cruel boys forgot about them all day and night. It seems they came back only the next morning.
Anita: I heard that when they saw the dead lark they cried bitterly.
Sunita: yes, then they dug a grave and covered it with flowers and put the bird’s body in a red box.
Anita: What is the point of burying it with royal honours after cruelty killing it?
Sunita: While it was alive and beautiful and could sing, they forgot about it. They killed it. Now they cry over it and cover it with flowers!
Anita: What did they do with the poor little daisy?
Sunita: They just threw it out on the dusty highway. They are responsible for the death of two lovely living things. Terrible, cruel boys!
OR
(2) Read the following extract and extend it by adding an imaginary paragraph of your own in about 120 words:
I imagined how she must have suffered too-fear, a constant companion. And yet here we were, both survivors, in a new world. "There was a camp next to the farm," Roma continued. "I saw a boy there, and I would throw him apples every day."
What an amazing coincidence that she had helped some other boy. "What did he look like?" I asked.
"He was tall. Skinny. Hungry. I must have seen him every day for six months."
My heart was racing. I couldn't believe it.this couldn't be.. "Did he tell you one day not to come back because he was leaving Schlieben?"
Roma looked at me in amazement. "Yes."
"That was me!" I was ready to burst with joy and awe, flooded with emotions. I couldn't believe it. My angel. "I'm not letting you go," I said to Roma. And in the back of the car on that blind date, I proposed to her.
Ans. I didn't want to wait. "You're crazy!" she said. But she invited me to meet her parents for Shabbat dinner the following week. There was so much I looked forward to learning about Roma, but the most important things I always knew: her steadfastness, her goodness. For many months, in the worst of circumstances, she had come to the fence and given me hope. Now that I'd found her again, I could never let her go. That day, she said yes. And I kept my word: After nearly 50 years of marriage, two children and three grandchildren, I have never let her go.
Section D
[Writing Communication]
Q6. (A) Letter Writing:
Write any one of the following letters: (4)
(1) Read the following advertisement and prepare a letter of application in response to it using the information given in the CV that follows:
Situation Vacant
|
Accountant
|
Commerce graduate, Computer literate with 1 – 2 years’ experience, good knowledge of English essential.
Apply to : Manager, Cosmic Bank, Agarkar Road, Sahakar Nagar, Pune – 411 003.
|
CV [Resume]
Name: Aaryan Kumar Lokhande
|
Address: 370, Karishma Apartments, Vidya Nagar, Pune.
|
Date of Birth: 7 July, 1986
|
Education: 2008 – 09 : B.Com (First Class), Pune University 2009 – 10 : Completed Tally
|
Experience : 1 year as an accountant at Patel and Sons Pvt. Ltd., Pune.
|
Interest: Reading, Browsing the Internet.
|
Ans. 370, Karishma Apartments,
Vidya Nagar,
Pune,
16 th November, 2014
The Manager,
Cosmic Bank,
Agarkar Road,
Sahakar Nagar,
Pune – 411 003
Reference: Your advertisement in ‘The Times of India’ dated 15th November, 2014
Subject: Application letter for the post of Accountant.
Respected Sir,
With reference to your advertisement for the post of accountant in “The Times of India” dated 15th November, 2014 I wish to apply for the same.
I am a very energetic person with excellent communication skill in English and ready to face any target set by your esteemed company. I am willing to work hard and being young I am also eager to add knowledge with experience. I hold B.Com degree from “University of Pune” and a Diploma in Cost Account from “Indira Gandhi Open University”, New Delhi. I have also done computer courses like Basic, Tally – 9 as well as programming languages like C, C++ from NIIT, Matunga. I have 1 year experience as an assistant accountant at Patel and Sons Pvt. Ltd. Pune.
My resume is sent here with, for your reference. I shall be much thankful to you, if you grant me an interview call at your convenient time. I am looking forward to join your esteemed company as early as possible.
Thanking You,
Yours Faithfully,
Aaryan Lokhande
Encl: - Resume and Xerox copy of educational certificates.
OR
(2) The condition of roads in your city / town is extremely bad resulting in increasing road mishaps and inconvenience to people. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper drawing attention of the authorities to take prompt action.
9Z, Sonia Apartments,
Heaven colony,
M.G. Road,
Dharavi,
Mumbai - 400 016.
13th February, 2013
The Editor,
Times of India News Paper,
Mumbai: - 400 001.
Subject: Complaint against bad condition of roads in Dharavi.
Respected sir,
I have been the resident of the above mentioned area for the last twenty years. The people here are all educated and go to work and children go to school. I would like to bring your notice that the roads in this area are terrible. Large and small roads are all uniformly riddled with potholes; in many places, entire roads haven dug up. More than that many roads were fully filled with illegal parking of trucks. It becomes very difficult to even walk specially during the rains. Not only this even the street lights are so poor, that it becomes very difficult for people to walk or take out their vehicles during late in evening.
One must be aware that how irresponsible is to park vehicles like trucks in the residential area. It has led to a multiple of problems. Many vehicles break down very often and there has been a distinct increase in road mishaps. Hence I request you to consider it and through your newspaper, I want to make one request to the concerned authority to take strict action against it. Also to consider this matter as important and park the trucks in some other nonresidential areas.
I shall be obliged if you publish my letter in your newspaper so that it catches the attention of the Councilor of our ward and an urgent action is taken.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Heaven colony,
M.G. Road,
Dharavi,
Mumbai - 400 016.
13th February, 2013
The Editor,
Times of India News Paper,
Mumbai: - 400 001.
Subject: Complaint against bad condition of roads in Dharavi.
Respected sir,
I have been the resident of the above mentioned area for the last twenty years. The people here are all educated and go to work and children go to school. I would like to bring your notice that the roads in this area are terrible. Large and small roads are all uniformly riddled with potholes; in many places, entire roads haven dug up. More than that many roads were fully filled with illegal parking of trucks. It becomes very difficult to even walk specially during the rains. Not only this even the street lights are so poor, that it becomes very difficult for people to walk or take out their vehicles during late in evening.
One must be aware that how irresponsible is to park vehicles like trucks in the residential area. It has led to a multiple of problems. Many vehicles break down very often and there has been a distinct increase in road mishaps. Hence I request you to consider it and through your newspaper, I want to make one request to the concerned authority to take strict action against it. Also to consider this matter as important and park the trucks in some other nonresidential areas.
I shall be obliged if you publish my letter in your newspaper so that it catches the attention of the Councilor of our ward and an urgent action is taken.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Xyz
(B) Write on any One of the Following items as directed: (4)
(1) Prepare a short tourist leaflet on any place of historical importance with the help of the following points:
(i) How to get there.
(ii) Accommodation.
(iii) Best time (season) of the year to visit.
(iv) Attractions of the place.
(v) Add your own points.
Ans. OOTY
Introduction: Ooty is the queen of Hill with beautiful lakes, rivers, scenery, etc. It is situated in the heart of Tamil Nadu.
i. How to go there: Ooty is well connected with rest of India. One can go to Ooty by the way of Plane, Bus or Train:
Plane: Daily two flights namely IA – 550 and IA – 330 from Mumbai to Ooty are available.
Bus: The State Transport Bus Services and many other private Bus Services are available from Mumbai to Ooty.
Train: There are many trains available which can take you to Ooty. The most convenient is “Mumbai – Ooty Express”
ii. Where to Stay(Accommodation): Accommodation is no problem in Ooty. The Government tourist Hotels and other Big and Small hotels are available to suit ever one’s budget.
iii. When to Visit(Best time of the year): June to October is the best time of the year to visit Ooty.
iv. What to See (Attraction ): The climate and scenery of Ooty is mind – blowing. It is a well-planned hill station with huge roads, parks, theatres, and gardens, there are many interesting places to see like Bull Temple, Lord Ganesh Temple, Dolphin Nose, Flower Garden, Lord Murugan Temple, Palatial Buildings, etc,.
v. Shopping (Own Point) : Shopping in Ooty is fun. One can buy very traditional and well as modern things from Ooty. Ooty is very famous for woollen clothes.
vi. Anything Special : As far as food is concerned Ooty is famous for Black tea, Idli, Vada, Sambar, Masala dosa, Idli fry, Prawns fry, Mugal Briyani, etc. The people are very culture oriented and highly intelligent. They give more importance to their education.
Or
(2) Read the following headlines of the news items. Choose any ONE of them and write the dateline, intro and a short continuing paragraph in about 120 words.
(i) 4 hurt as a bus hits an autorickshaw
Ans.
4 Hurt As Bus Hits Autorickshaw
Mumbai, February, 23
By a Staff Reporter,
4 school children were hurt when a State Transport Bus was hit by an autorickshaw in Matunga, yesterday.
Six students of General English High School were on their way to School at about 9.40 a.m., in an autorickshaw, when the State transport bus driver suddenly lost his control over the bus and crashed on the autorickshaw. The bus driver was actually trying to save a boy who was crossing the road. Four students were seriously injured; they were immediately taken to the nearby Sion Hospital. When contacted Mr. Ragavan, commissioner of Police said that investigations were going on detailed report will be given only after the proper investigation.
OR
(ii) Prepare an Appeal for CAMPAIGN FOR CHILD LABOUR.
(C) Read the following passage and draw a tree diagram to cover the main points.
When we talk about commerce, what do we mean? Generally by commerce we mean the trade and auxiliaries to trade. Trade is classified into two types—the home trade and foreign trade. The home trade plays an important role in national economy as the wholesale and retail trading involves a large number of people by providing them means of living. On the other hand, the foreign trade consists of import and export of goods. This type of trading consists of a few number of economic factors. Commerce cannot exist without its auxiliaries. These auxiliaries include transport, communication, banking, finance, insurance, warehousing and advertising.
OR
Q7. (A) Write the counterview of the following topic. (4 MARKS)
VIEW ABOUT FACEBOOK
On a positive note, social media allows kids to practice life behind a safety curtain, allowing them to share personal information with their friends and not have to deal with their reactions right away. This could be a plus point for shy kids and could help to get them out of their shells.
Many teachers are taking advantage of these sites, and are creating accounts for themselves so that they might hold their students accountable for actions, and also update them on assignments, tests, etc. In fact, one particular open-source networking site, Elgg, allows students and teachers alike to create profiles, blogs, and is entirely intended to enhance the educational experience by giving students a place to go outside of class to contact teachers, keep current on assignments, projects, and quizzes, and to ensure, to the best of their abilities, that they do not shirk responsibility; if anything, the adaptability of networking sites is doing more good for education than anything.
Sarojini Naidu College lecturer Seema Raizada said it is wrong to say that students are harmed by being active on social networking sites. In present time, world is becoming a global village and social networking sites are the platforms which provide a student to learn, to understand, to communicate. Now a day it is seen that students have knowledge and active participation in social, political issues which in earlier times was difficult for a student to achieve.
B. Write a dialogue between you and Bank Manager regarding opening an account in the Bank. (3 Marks)
