KHEMO DEVI PUBLIC SCHOOL

HALF YEARLY EXAM

SESSION 2024-2025
SUBJECT – ENGLISH
CLASS – XI

Time – 3 hours Total Marks -80

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:-
1. This paper consist of three sections:-
 Section A – 26 Marks
 Section B – 23 Marks
 Section C – 31 Marks
2. There is no choice in the paper, however internal choice is there in the paper.
3. Read all the questions carefully.
______________________________________________________________________________________
SECTION- A (Reading Skills) (26 Marks)

Q1. Read the passage carefully: (10 Marks)

1. When M K Gandhi was thrown out of a train in South Africa he had a choice to make - either to
ignore the event and live in peace or enter into a conflict and face harassment, hardship and the
possibility of getting physically hurt. He chose the latter. Why? Did he not have a guru who had taught
him that living in peace and tranquility was the ultimate objective of life and the best way to achieve this
objective was to avoid situations of conflict? Why did he not walk away?
2. The Dalai Lama chose to live in exile rather than live in peace in Tibet. He is a spiritual master
himself. He preaches peace around the world. Does he not know that living in peace requires avoiding
situations of conflict?
3. Aung San Suu Kyi did not have to stay in jail. Winston Churchill did not have to join the World War.
Nelson Mandela did not have to suffer in solitary confinement. Julius Nyerere did not have to fight a war
with IdiAmin. There is a long list of people who have embraced conflict, despite standing for peace,
otherwise. They had the courage to stand up against repression rather than submit to it.
4. Both the Ramayana and Mahabharata, revered Indian epics, are stories of war, not peace. Krishna did
not tell the Pandavas to ignore the incident of Draupadi's humiliation in court (the Draupadi
vastraharan). He encouraged them to go to war. The Gita says engaging in war to uphold truth is not a
matter of choice for a warrior; it is his duty. Islam says participation in jihad is the duty of a Muslim
when the fight is to uphold justice when challenged by oppression, as a way of self-defence.
5. Most of us are confused between conflict and the method of resolving a conflict. We assume,
incorrectly, that Gandhi, as a peace loving person, must have avoided situations of conflict. On the other
hand, he faced conflict head-on. Bhagat Singh and Gandhi were both gearing themselves to deal with
conflict, except that Gandhi tried to employ peaceful means while Bhagat Singh chose aggression.
6. The duty of a scientist, artist or professor is also to engage in conflict against repressive regimes of
knowledge. Any kind of limited knowledge is a form of bondage. Albert Einstein advanced the
boundaries of scientific knowledge. James Joyce did the same in the world of literature. He flouted rules
of writing as he saw them as restrictions on creativity. Picasso and M F Husain. for example, explored
realms beyond accepted rules in visual art. Mother Teresa redefined the concept of caring. Every one of
them faced criticism and controversy, yet they remained convinced of the nature of their work and the
methods they used to fulfil their vision. They remained engaged.

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 7. One can only conclude from this that the people we admire and even those we worship have all
rejected the existing as being adequate and have chosen to engage in conflict to expand the existing.
They have redefined the purpose of our life.
8. The purpose of our life is not to live in passive acceptance but to engage with conflict in order to be
creative. Creativity is the purpose of life. The purpose is to advance an individual soul and the collective
consciousness. The only word of caution here is that we must first settle ourselves spiritually so that we
know whether a conflict is justified or not.

On the basis of your reading of the above passage, complete the following statements with the help
of given options.
a) Peace loving personalities like Mahatma Gandhi. Dalai Lama, Suu-kyi etc. took the way of
conflict so that they could challenge the forces of (1)
i) peace and harmony ii) war and peace
iii) Tyranny and repression iv) peace and progress
b) Bhagwad Gita says that waging war to uphold truth is am (1)
i) the duty of a warrior ii) an excuse of a coward
iii) a diplomatic stand of a cunning person iv) compulsion of an individual
c) Mahatma Gandhi faced the conflict head on but he employed (1)
(i) aggression (ii) peaceful means
(iii) strategic moves (iv) surrendering tactics
d) The author wants the scientists, artists and teachers to (1)
i) support repressive regime ii) challenge repressive knowledge
iii) stand by old theories iv) refute old beliefs
e) The conflict must be… (1)
i) personal ii) general
iii) justified iv) groundless
f) People like Albert Einstein, James Joyce, Mother Teresa, etc. have redefined (1)
i) the literature of the World ii) the purpose of our life
iii) creativity iv) controversy
g) Answer the following questions as briefly as possible. (2)
i) Why did James Joyce flout the rules of writing?
ii) What is the purpose of our life?
h) Find words from the passage that mean the same as: (2)
i) adversity (para 1) ii) awareness (para 8)

Q2.Read the text carefully:

1) It is an age old maxim that nature is our mother and if it is to be commanded, it must be obeyed.
Nature binds truth, virtue and happiness together as by insoluble chain but man‟s ignorance of this
immortal nature is the only source of his unhappiness. Ever since his appearance, man has been using the
priceless gifts of nature without restraint. He has rather taken them for granted. Seldom did he think that
the supplies of air, water and food and the industrial raw materials that he extracted from the bowels of
the earth might disappear one day. Nature has been suffering because of thoughtless human intervention
and its recycling process for hundreds of years. The relationship between man and nature reflects
profound changes in the wake of modern scientific and technological advancement. And here lies the
concern for the entire human race.

2) They say it truly that we have not inherited this earth from our ancestors but have borrowed it from
our children. We are obliged to preserve nature for the benefits of future generation, which according to
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 Charles Darwin „endless forms of the most beautiful and most wonderful‟. But introspect, what is man
doing to this Mother Nature today? The forests are being slaughtered mercilessly to satisfy the needs of
the teeming millions. With deforestation, the surroundings are also becoming concrete jungles.
Moreover the protective ozone layer is being depleted which is going to affect more than half of the
world population. So desperate are we to enjoy our today that tomorrow does not seem all that
important. What is worse is that we have criminalised society. The violence we unleashed on nature has
left its brutal scars on us as well. No doubt we are polluting our nature on an unprecedented scale and
wrecking it in a way that makes regeneration impossible. As a result, the marvellous creatures and plants
dependant on the rich nature are limping towards extinction amidst man‟s cruelty.

3) The progress of civilization is to be measured in proportion to man‟s success in meeting the

challenges of nature. But the developments in the fields of industry and technology – the hallmarks of
his material progress and prosperity are certainly a mixed blessing. Their side effects are gradually
affecting the environment which in turn endangers the very existence. So we are at a stage not of mutual
existence but of mutual annihilation.

4) It is now that man has realised that he has to work with nature and that he will never tolerate the rape
of mother earth. He is bringing about industrial progress with the aim of making the world a better,
beautiful and more comfortable place to live in. Man has understood that nature and its resources are
vast but finite. If the present trends continue going on unchecked, the future of life on earth will be
endangered. Nature‟s gifts are to be conserved. Let us all make a joint venture to make the nature as pure
as before and try to maintain the immortal relationship of mother and son between nature and man. Let
the rivers not burn. Let the fish not rot on the shores. Let the trees not be our ghosts! Let the cities not be
choked with polluted and foul smelling air! Let us all join hands and let all take a pledge to arise, awake
and stop not till the goal of saving Mother Nature is achieved.

Based on your reading answer the following questions (8Marks)

i. Why has nature been suffering all these years? (1 M)
ii. What is man doing to Mother Nature at present? What is its ultimate effect going to be? (2 M)
iii. How are the developments in the field of industry and technology a mixed blessing? (1 M)
iv. How is the future of life on the earth endangered? (1 M)
v. If the immortal relationship of nature and man is not maintained and strengthened, what can be its
possible consequences? (1 M)
vi. Words in the passage that mean the same as: (2 M)
a) To examine one‟s own thought‟s or feelings (Para 2)
b) Destruction (Para 3)

Q3. Read the following passage carefully: (8Marks)

(1) Of the various thread ceremonies Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is the most popular. It falls on the
full moon day of the month of Shravan (July-August) and is observed almost throughout the country.
Though commonly known as a festival which strengthens the bond of love between brothers and
sisters, Rakhi has many other aspects to it. There are historical instances to show that the practice
was not confined to brother sister relationships but took on wider dimensions as and when required
by the exigencies of time. For example, Kunti, mother of the five Pandavas, tied a Rakhi to her
grandson, Abhimanyu, and Draupadi tied it to Lord Krishna, who was not even distantly related to
her.

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 (2) There has been considerable speculation about the origin of this festival. Some believe that it was
instituted to remind the Kshatriyas about their dharma towards the priestly class. According to the
Bhavishya Purana, the practice of tying Rakhi began when Maharani Shachi, Lord Indra‟s wife, who
possessed occult powers, tied a protective knot containing rice and sarson on the right wrist of her
husband to help him in the crusade against the demons. Lord Indra succeeded in crushing his foes.
Still another account says that Rakhi is celebrated to commemorate the event of Bali‟s great sacrifice
in surrendering his celestial kingdom to Vamana.

(3) The word rakhi is derived from the Sanskrit word Rakshika (an amulet or charm worn as a
preserver). Literally Rakha Bandhan means the bond of protection. In ancient times, rakhi was more
or less a talisman which symbolised the good wishes of a person for the well being of the object of
his or her affection. However, in medieval times, its manner and style changed as it got confined to
sister brother relationship. With the onslaught of foreign invaders, the practice of tying a rakhi
extended beyond the bounds of family and sometimes became an intra-family or even an inter-racial
affair. For example, Rani Karmavati of Chittor sent a rakhi to Humayun, soliciting his help against
Bahadurshah, the ruler of Gujarat.

(4) Rakhi was a national festival during the reign of Akbar. On the day of the festival, the courtiers
and others adorned the Emperor‟s wrist with beautiful strings of silk, bejewelled with rubies, pearls
and gems of great value. Jahangir described the festival as “Nighadasht” and celebrated it like his
father. Even Aurangzeb addressed the queen mother of Udaipur as “dear and virtuous sister” in one
of his letters. The “rakhi” system of misldars is said to have laid the foundations of Sikh political
authority in Punjab and it paved the way for the establishment of a national monarchy under
Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

(5) The Bengali nationalists regarded rakhi as a symbol of harmony and strength. They revived the
festival along with the Ganpati festival, imparting to it a religio-mystical outlook. Prominent
nationalists like B. G. Tilak, S. N. Bannerji, Aurobindo Ghosh, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru
and others received innumerable rakhi from the people as a token of their love. To this they
reciprocated by way of sweet words, gestures or promises. The tradition of tying rakhi continues. But
the ideals of love and unity which it has symbolised through the ages seem to have been consumed if
not fully obscured by the smoke of greed and conceit

i) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-
headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary-minimum four) and a format you
consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it. (5)

ii) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3)

SECTION- B (Grammar & Creative Writing) (23 Marks)

Q4. Fill in the following blanks given below choosing the most appropriate options from the ones
that follows. (2marks)

If (a) _________ too late when Ravi saw the watch. He was taken over by the old fear that he might
(b) _________ the train. Once he had missed the train and was stranded for whole night. He (c)
_________ up and (d) _________ a taxi.

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(a) (i) was getting (ii) got (iii) gets (iv) have missed
(b) (i) missed (ii) have missed (iii) miss (iv) misses
(c) (i) hurries (ii) hurried (iii) would hurry (iv) hurriedly
(d) (i) hires (ii) hired (iii) would hire (iv) hiring

Q 5. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line against which a blank
is given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet as given below against the
correct blank number. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied. (2marks)
INCORRECT CORRECT
a) More of the fun and excitement in your life (a) ____________ ____________
b) comes from use your senses. Senses open up (b) ____________ ____________
c) a world who is full of sights, sounds, smells (c) ____________ ____________
tastes and things to touch. They sharpen your
d) senses and the more you use it, the (d) ____________ ____________
e) more enjoyable each of these becomes for you.

Q 6. Rewrite the following sentences by placing the words in the correct order. (1x2 = 2Marks)

i) comes from / the / most of / flavour / its / of / aroma / food.

ii) grew up / of the / amidst / Siddharth / pleasure / the / at / royal court / Kapil-vastu

Creative Writing Skills

Q7. Imagine you are a member of RED CROSS Blood Bank Society, Bangalore. You have been asked by
the President of the society, Mr. Manish Nair to organize a Blood Donation Camp. Write a notice in 50
words urging the people to come in large numbers for this noble cause. (4Marks)

OR
You are the General Manager of Pioneer Software Solutions. Hyderabad. You need three software
engineers for your organization. Draft an advertisement for the classified column of a national daily.

Q8. Design a poster in not more than 50 words for your school library on the value of books and good
reading habits. You may use slogans. (3Marks)

Q9. It is believed that empowering women is a major step towards empowering a nation. Write a Speech of
about 200 words on the given theme. (5 Marks)
OR
"Our Good Earth", an environmental awareness magazine has launched a marathon 'Clean Your City'
campaign. As an active participant write a speech to be read out in the morning assembly urging students to
participate in the campaign in 150-200 words.

Q10. You are Vipin/Vidya a student of Class XI of Sarvodaya Vidyalya. Nithari. The students are required
to cope with lot of pressure in today's competitive environment. Write a letter to the editor of a national
daily highlighting the increasing stress faced by students and suggest ways to the same (5 Marks)
OR
You are the Stores In-charge of B.K.P. Senior Secondary School, Gwalior. M.P. you require various items
of furniture such as chairs, desks, almirahs, etc for your school. Write a letter to M/s Chadha Furniture
House, 15, Tilak Road, Gwalior. M.P. placing the order for furniture. Ask for the discount available on the
purchase. (120-150 words)

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 SECTION C Literature (31 Marks)

Q11. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: (1x4=4 Marks)

''And of this circumstance There is nothing to say at all.

Its silence silences.''
a) What does 'this circumstance' refer to?
b) Explain: 'Its silence silences.
c) Name the poetic device in the last line
d) Write the name of poem

Q12. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: (1x3=3 Marks)
My grandmother, like everybody‟s grandmother, was an old woman. She had been old and wrinkled for the
twenty years that I had known her. People said that she had once been young and pretty and had even had a
husband, but that was hard to believe. My grandfather‟s portrait hung above the mantelpiece in the drawing
room. He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes. His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest
and he looked at least a hundred years old.
i. Name the chapter.
A The Portrait of a Lady B Landscape of the Soul
C Discovering Tut D We are not Afraid to Die if we can all be Together

ii. Name the author.

A Khushwant Singh B A.R. Williams
C Marga Minco D Kalki

iii. What literary device is employed in “Like everyone‟s grandmother”?

A Metaphor B Simile
C Transferred Epithet D Enjambment

Q13.Read the text carefully and answer the questions: (1x4=4 Marks)
“It wasn‟t morning yet, but it was summer and with day break not many minutes around the corner of the
world it was light enough for me to know I wasn‟t dreaming. My cousin Mourad was sitting on a beautiful
white horse. I stuck my head out of the window and rubbed my eyes. Yes, he said in Armenian. It‟s a horse.
You are not dreaming. Make it quick if you want to ride.”

i. Who is the narrator of the story “The Summer of a Beautiful White Horse”?
a. William Saroyan b. Aram c. John Byro d. Mouradno attention to it.”

ii. Why couldn‟t Aram believe when he saw Mourad with the horse?
a. Because Mourad was crazy and did crazy things
b. Because they were too poor to afford a horse
c. Because he was sleepy and would not see well in the faint light
d.Because he was dreaming and was rudely woken up
iii. „Make it quick‟ here means ……….
a. to be sad b. to hurry up c. to hide d. to be content

iv. Why did Mourad wake his cousin up?

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Q14. Answer the following questions in 40-50 words: (Any 4) (2x4= 8 Marks)
a) Who is Mrs Fitzgerland? How is she different from Mrs Annie Pearson?
b) Everybody including the sparrows mourned the grandmother's death. Elaborate.
c) Why does the poet get surprised when he gets an answer from the rain?
d) Do you agree that Aram had a way with things ? Illustrate.
e) Why did the narrator want to forget the Address finally?
f) The poet‟s mother would laugh looking at the Photograph. Why?

Q 15. Answer the following questions in 100-120 words one out of two is to be done. (6 Marks)
Prove that the grandmother was a religious and a kind hearted women.
OR
“What has author been trying to tell the reader in the story “The Adventure”? Is it possible for such a
transition to take place?

16. Answer the following questions in 100-120 words one out of two is to be done. (6 Marks)
Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience stricken or were they afraid? Give reasons for
your answer. OR
How does the exchange of roles prove to be rewarding for Mrs. Pearson ?”.

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