Thiruvurur
FIRST MID TERM TEST - 2024
I. Choose the appropriate Synonyms for the underlined words:
1) He would talk to me about the nuances of batting.
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d) subtle changes
Explanation: The word 'nuances' refers to the fine, subtle details or differences of something, in this case, the art of batting.
2) I wanted to pursue cricket seriously.
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c) follow
Explanation: To 'pursue' an activity or career means to follow it or try to achieve it over a period of time.
3) She ran towards him with a rusty old medal.
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c) ancient
Explanation: 'Rusty' implies something is old and has been affected by age and disuse. Among the given options, 'ancient' is the closest synonym in this context, suggesting great age.
II. Choose the appropriate Antonyms for the underlined words:
4) He remembered his grandmother's saying.
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a) forgot
Explanation: The antonym (opposite) of 'remembered' is 'forgot'.
5) A blessing rests on the house, where the shadow of the tree falls.
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c) cursing
Explanation: A 'blessing' is a prayer for divine favour and protection. Its direct opposite is a 'cursing' (curse), which is a wish for harm to befall someone.
6) Don't waste your time playing insane games.
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c) balanced
Explanation: 'Insane' means mentally ill or irrational. A person who is mentally sound and rational can be described as 'balanced'. 'Wise' is also a possible antonym, but 'balanced' is a more direct opposite to the state of being insane.
Grammar & Vocabulary
7) Choose the most appropriate preposition.
The burglar found the keys ____ the pot in the balcony.
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b) in
Explanation: The preposition 'in' is used to indicate something is enclosed or inside a container, like keys inside a pot.
8) Choose the suitable prefix to the word: ____conscious
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c) sub
Explanation: The correct prefix is 'sub' to form the word 'subconscious', which refers to the part of the mind not fully in awareness.
9) Attach a suitable suffix to the word: Virtual____
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d) ly
Explanation: The suffix 'ly' is added to the adjective 'virtual' to form the adverb 'virtually', meaning nearly or almost.
10) Choose the Anagram for the word 'EARTH'
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b) Heart
Explanation: An anagram is a word formed by rearranging the letters of another. The letters in 'EARTH' can be rearranged to form 'HEART'.
I. Answer any three of the following in one or two sentences: (3 x 2 = 6)
11) What sort of conversations did Ajit and Sachin have while travelling?
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While travelling, Ajit and Sachin used to have conversations mainly about cricket. Ajit would give Sachin a detailed analysis of his batting, discussing the nuances and techniques to help him improve his game.
12) What acted as a safety valve?
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Playing cricket with his colony friends acted as a safety valve for Sachin. It allowed him to release his excess energy and kept him out of mischief.
13) Does the visitor still live in the house?
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No, the visitor does not live in the house anymore. He was a German soldier who had hidden in the attic during the war many years ago and had returned only to retrieve a personal belonging.
14) When did the visitor actually hide the Iron cross?
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The visitor, a German soldier named Heinrich, hid the Iron Cross during World War II. He hid it in the attic of the house when he was taking shelter there from the enemy forces.
II. Answer any one of the following paragraphs: (1 x 5 = 5)
15) 'Achrekar was a Sincere Coach' - Substantiate.
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Ramakant Achrekar was an exceptionally sincere and dedicated coach who shaped Sachin Tendulkar's career. His sincerity is evident in several actions. Firstly, he recognized Sachin's potential at a very young age and took the initiative to persuade Sachin's father to move him to a different school to focus on cricket. He was a strict disciplinarian, once punishing Sachin for skipping practice to watch an inter-school match, teaching him the importance of commitment. To motivate Sachin, he would place a one-rupee coin on the stumps, challenging bowlers to get him out. Furthermore, Achrekar Sir would personally drive Sachin on his scooter to play practice matches across Mumbai, ensuring he got maximum exposure. His constant guidance, personal attention, and unwavering belief in his student's ability prove his profound sincerity as a coach.
16) It is said "The choices made by one, shape one's destiny". Ponder on the thought and write a paragraph.
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The statement "The choices made by one, shape one's destiny" holds profound truth. Our lives are a cumulative result of the decisions we make every day, both big and small. A single choice, such as deciding to pursue a particular field of study, choosing our friends, or developing a positive habit, can set our life on a completely different trajectory. For instance, choosing to study diligently instead of procrastinating can lead to better academic opportunities and a successful career. Conversely, making poor choices, like falling into bad company or neglecting one's health, can lead to a future filled with regret and hardship. Destiny is not a pre-written script; it is an unwritten book, and our choices are the pen with which we write our own story. Therefore, it is crucial to make conscious, wise, and responsible choices to shape a fulfilling and successful destiny.
17) The man who came to the house gave the cross as a gift to the girl. Why did he do this? What do you think would have happened if he had taken back the cross with him?
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The man, a former German soldier, gave the Iron Cross to the girl as a gesture of peace, reconciliation, and trust. He did this because he saw her kindness and innocence, and he wanted the medal to be a symbol of a shared human moment, not just a relic of war. By gifting it to her, he was letting go of a painful past and ensuring that his memory would be preserved not as an enemy, but as a human being who once found shelter in her home.
If he had taken the cross back with him, the powerful connection between the past and the present would have been lost. For the girl, the encounter might have faded into a strange memory. For the soldier, taking the cross would mean carrying the weight of his wartime past with him forever. The act of giving it away was a cathartic release for him and a profound lesson in history, empathy, and the human cost of conflict for the girl.
III. Read the following lines and answer the questions given below:
18) & 19) (2 x 2 = 4)
I was angry with my friend
I told my wrath, my wrath did end
a) Whom does 'I' refer to?
b) How did the anger of the poet come to an end?
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an 'apple' bright.
a) What does apple signify?
b) What grew both day and night?
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Answer for 18:
a) 'I' refers to the speaker or the poet, William Blake.
b) The poet's anger towards his friend came to an end when he expressed it, telling his friend about his wrath.
Answer for 19:
a) The 'apple' signifies the beautiful but poisonous fruit of the poet's repressed anger towards his foe. It represents the deadly result of nurtured hatred.
b) The poet's wrath (anger) towards his foe grew both day and night.
20) Read the following stanza and answer the questions given below: (5 Marks)
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake
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a) Rhyming words: shake, mistake, flake
b) Rhyming scheme: aaba
c) Figure of speech: Personification. The horse is given the human quality of asking a question.
d) Alliterated words: sound's, sweep
21) Quote from memory:- (5 Marks)
Whose woods .................... think it queer
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The question is slightly ambiguous. It likely refers to the second stanza of "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost, which contains the phrase "think it queer".
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
22) Prepare an attractive advertisement using the hints given below:
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23) Write a letter to your friend who lives in another town/city and has won his/her championship trophy in the recent sports meet. Write a letter congratulating them.
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Thiruvurur.
I was so thrilled and overjoyed when I read in the newspaper today that you have won the championship trophy in the Inter-City Athletics Meet. Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your grand success!
I always knew that your hard work, dedication, and rigorous practice would one day bring you this glory. You truly deserve it. I can only imagine how proud your parents and coach must be. I am sure you must have put in a spectacular performance in the 100m race to clinch the trophy.
All of us here are very proud of you. I am eagerly waiting to hear all about the competition and your experience. Do write back when you have some free time.
Once again, congratulations on your fantastic achievement!
Yours lovingly,
Prakash
24) Read the following passage and answer the question below:
The old people thought that there must be something nice to eat under the ground. So they brought a spade and began digging, when, lo and behold! The place was full of gold pieces and silver, and all sorts of precious things, which had been buried there. So they gathered the treasure and after giving alms to the poor, bought themselves rice fields and corn fields and became wealthy people. Now in the neighbouring house there dwelt a covetous and stingy old couple, who when they heard what had happened came and borrowed the dog.
Questions:-
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a) What did the old people think?
The old people thought that there must be something nice to eat under the ground.
b) Who dwelt in the neighbouring house?
A covetous and stingy old couple dwelt in the neighbouring house.
c) What was buried there?
Gold pieces, silver, and all sorts of precious things were buried there.
d) What did they do with the treasure?
They gave alms to the poor and bought themselves rice fields and corn fields.
e) Who borrowed the dog?
The covetous and stingy old couple from the neighbouring house borrowed the dog.