Please check that this question paper contains 7 printed pages.
* Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the title
page of the answer-book by the candidate.
* Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions.
* Please write down the Serial Number of the questions before attempting it.
* 15 minutes time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be
distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the student will read the question
paper only and will not write any answer on the answer script during this period.
English (Core)
[Time allowed : 3 hours] [Maximum marks : 100]
General Instructions:
(i) All questions are compulsory.
(ii) You may attempt any section at a time.
(iii) All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order
Section – A
Reading
1. Read the passage given below : 12
1. Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so much
grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and time
turning him into an immortal personality. He along with his kingdom became a synonym
for valour, sacrifice and patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput kingdom even
before Maharana Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of
their nobles and subjects, had established such traditions in the kingdom, as augmented
their magnificence despite the hurdles of having a smaller area under their command
and less population. There did come a few thorny occasions when the flag of the kingdom
seemed sliding down. Their flag once again heaved high in the sky thanks to the gallantry
and brilliance of the people of Mewar.
2. The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the rulers
were competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued
for 1500 years since its establishment, right from the reign of Bappa Rawal. In fact only
60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga drove the kingdom to the pinnacle of
fame. His reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two generations before
him, Rana Kumbha had given a new stature to the kingdom through victories and
developmental work. During his reign, literature and art also progressed extraordinarily.
Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with reverence even
today. The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of high quality work of
art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome of a longstanding tradition
sustained by several generations.
3. The life of the people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous during the long
span of time; otherwise such extraordinary accomplishment in these fields would not have
been possible. This is reflected in their art and literature as well as their loving nature.
They compensate for lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant nature. The
ambience of Mewar remains lovely thanks to the cheerful and liberal character of its
people.
4. One may observe astonishing pieces of workmanship not only in the forts and palaces
of Mewar but also in public utility buildings. Ruins of many structures which are still
standing tall in their grandeur are testimony to the fact that Mewar was not only the
land of the brave but also a seat of art and culture. Amidst aggression and bloodshed,
literature and art flourished and creative pursuits of literature and artists did not suffer.
Imagine, how glorious the period must have been when the Vijaya Stambha which is the
sample of our great ancient architecture even today, was constructed. In the same fort,
Kirti Stambha is standing high, reflecting how liberal the then administration was which
allowed people from other communities and kingdoms to come and carry out construction
work. It is useless to indulge in the debate whether the Vijaya Stambha was constructed
first or the Kirti Stambha. The fact is that both the capitals are standing side by side and
reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.
5. The cycle of time does not remain the same. Whereas the reign of Rana Sanga was crucial
in raising the kingdom to the acme of glory, it also proved to be his nemesis. History
took a turn. The fortune of Mewar - the land of the brave, started waning. Rana tried to
save the day with his acumen which was running against the stream and the glorious
traditions for sometime.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer each of the questions
given below with the help of options that follow : [1×4=4]
(a) Maharana Pratap became immortal because:
(i) he ruled Mewar for 25 years.
(ii) he added a lot of grandeur to Mewar.
(iii) of his valour, sacrifice and patriotism.
(iv) both (ii) and (iii)STUDYmate
Ans. (iv) both (ii) and (iii)
(b) Difficulties in the way of Mewar were:
(i) lack of cooperation of the nobility.
(ii) ancient traditions of the kingdom.
(iii) its small area and small population.
(iv) the poverty of the subjects.
Ans. (iii) its small area and small population.
(c) During thorny occasions:
(i) the flag of Mewar seemed to be lowered.
(ii) the flag of Mewar was hoisted high.
(iii) the people of Mewar showed gallantry.
(iv) most of the rulers heaved a sigh of relief.
Ans. (iii) the people of Mewar showed gallantry.
(d) Mewar was lucky because:
(i) all of its rulers were competent.
(ii) most of its people were competent.
(iii) most of its rulers were competent.
(iv) only a few of its people were incompetent.
Ans. (iii) most of its rulers were competent.
Answer the following questions briefly: [1×6=6]
(e) Who is the earliest king of Mewar mentioned in the passage?
Ans. Bappa Rawal
(f) What was Rana Kumbha’s contribution to the glory of Mewar?
Ans. A new stature to the kingdom through victries and developmental work, literature and art
also progressed extraordinarily.
(g) What does the writer find worth admiration in the people of Mewar?
Ans. Cheerful and liberal character of its people, loving nature, firm but pleasant nature.
(h) How could art and literature flourish in Mewar?
Ans. Liberal administration, which allowed other communities and kingdoms to carryout
construction work.
(i) How did the rulers show that they cared for their subjects?
Ans. The life of people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous, developmental work.
(j) What does the erection of Vijaya Stambha and Kirti Stambha in the same fort signify?
Ans. Reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.
(k) Find words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following : [1×2=2]
(i) surprising (para 4) (ii) evidence (para 4)
Ans. (i) surprising – astonishing (ii) evidence – testimony
2. Read the passage given below: [10]
1. To ensure its perpetuity, the ground is well held by the panther both in space and in time.
It enjoys a much wider distribution over the globe than its bigger cousins, and procreates
sufficiently profusely to ensure its continuity for all time to come.
2. There seems to be no particular breeding season of the panther, although its sawing
and caterwauling is more frequently heard during winter and summer. The gestation
period is about ninety to hundred days (Whipsnade, ninety-two days). The litter normally
consists of four cubs, rarely five. Of these, generally two survive and not more than
one reaches maturity. I have never come across more than two cubs at the heels of the
mother. Likewise, graziers in the forest have generally found only two cubs hidden away
among rocks, hollows of trees, and other impossible places.
3. Panther cubs are generally in evidence in March. They are born blind. This is a provision
of Nature against their drifting away from the place of safety in which they are lodged by
their mother, and exposing themselves to the danger of their being devoured by hyenas,
jackals, and other predators. They generally open their eyes in about three to four weeks.
4. The mother alone rears its cubs in seclusion. It keeps them out of the reach of the
impulsive and impatient male. As a matter of fact the mother separates from the male
soon after mating and forgets all about their tumultuous union. The story that the male
often looks in to find out how the mother is progressing with her cubs has no foundation
except in what we wish it should do at least.
5. The mother carries its cubs about by holding them by the scruff of their neck in its mouth.
It trains them to stalk, and teaches them how to deliver the bite of death to the prey. The
cubs learn to treat all and sundry with suspicion at their mother’s heels. Instinctively the
cubs seek seclusion, keep to cover and protect their flanks by walking along the edge of
the forest.
6. I have never had an opportunity to watch mother panther train its cubs. But in Pilibhit
forests, I once saw a tigress giving some lessons to its little ones. I was sitting over its kill
at Mala. As the sun set, the tigress materialized in the twilight behind my machan. For
about an hour, it scanned and surveyed the entire area looking and listening with the
gravest concern. It even went to the road where my elephant was awaiting my signal. The
mahout spotted it from a distance and drove the elephant away.
7. When darkness descended upon the scene and all was well and safe, the tigress called its
cubs by emitting a low haa-oon. The cubs, two in number and bigger than a full-grown
cat, soon responded. They came trotting up to their mother and hurried straight to the kill
in indecent haste. The mother spitted at them so furiously that they doubled back to its
heels immediately. Thereafter, the mother and its cubs sat under cover about 50 feet (15
m) away from the kill to watch, wait, look, and listen. After about half an hour’s patient
and fidgetless vigil the mother seemed to say ‘paid for’. At this signal, the cubs cautiously
advanced, covering their flanks, towards the kill. No longer did they make a beeline for it,
as they had done before.
8. The mother sat watching its cubs eat, and mounted guard on them. She did not partake
of the meal.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage complete the statements given
below with the help of options that follow : [1×2=2]
(a) To protect its cubs the mother panther hides them :
(i) among rocks (ii) in the branches of the trees
(iii) behind the tree trunks (iv) at its heels
Ans. (i) among rocks
(b) The male panther :
(i) is protective of its cubs
(ii) trains its cubs
(iii) watches the progress of the mother
(iv) is impulsive and impatient
Ans. (iv) is impulsive and impatient
Answer the following questions briefly : [1×6=6]
(c) How many cubs does the mother panther rarely deliver?
Ans. Five.
(d) What may happen if the panther cubs are not born blind?
Ans. This is a provision of nature against their drifting away from the place of safety.
(e) Why did the mahout drive his elephant away?
Ans. The Mahout spotted tigress materialising and drove the elephant away.
(f) Why did the tigress spit at its cubs?
Ans. So that cubs double back to its heels immediately.
(g) From the narrator’s observation, what do we learn about the nature of the tigress?
Ans. Fidgetless vigil, furious, patience.
(h) Why does the panther not face the risk of extinction?
Ans. Enjoys a much wider distribution and procreates sufficiently profusely.
(i) Find words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following: [1×2=2]
(i) moving aimlessly (para 3) (ii) came down/fell (para 7)
Ans. (i) moving aimlessly – drifting (ii) came down/fell – descended
* Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the title
page of the answer-book by the candidate.
* Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions.
* Please write down the Serial Number of the questions before attempting it.
* 15 minutes time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be
distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the student will read the question
paper only and will not write any answer on the answer script during this period.
English (Core)
[Time allowed : 3 hours] [Maximum marks : 100]
General Instructions:
(i) All questions are compulsory.
(ii) You may attempt any section at a time.
(iii) All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order
Section – A
Reading
1. Read the passage given below : 12
1. Maharana Pratap ruled over Mewar only for 25 years. However, he accomplished so much
grandeur during his reign that his glory surpassed the boundaries of countries and time
turning him into an immortal personality. He along with his kingdom became a synonym
for valour, sacrifice and patriotism. Mewar had been a leading Rajput kingdom even
before Maharana Pratap occupied the throne. Kings of Mewar, with the cooperation of
their nobles and subjects, had established such traditions in the kingdom, as augmented
their magnificence despite the hurdles of having a smaller area under their command
and less population. There did come a few thorny occasions when the flag of the kingdom
seemed sliding down. Their flag once again heaved high in the sky thanks to the gallantry
and brilliance of the people of Mewar.
2. The destiny of Mewar was good in the sense that barring a few kings, most of the rulers
were competent and patriotic. This glorious tradition of the kingdom almost continued
for 1500 years since its establishment, right from the reign of Bappa Rawal. In fact only
60 years before Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga drove the kingdom to the pinnacle of
fame. His reputation went beyond Rajasthan and reached Delhi. Two generations before
him, Rana Kumbha had given a new stature to the kingdom through victories and
developmental work. During his reign, literature and art also progressed extraordinarily.
Rana himself was inclined towards writing and his works are read with reverence even
today. The ambience of his kingdom was conducive to the creation of high quality work of
art and literature. These accomplishments were the outcome of a longstanding tradition
sustained by several generations.
3. The life of the people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous during the long
span of time; otherwise such extraordinary accomplishment in these fields would not have
been possible. This is reflected in their art and literature as well as their loving nature.
They compensate for lack of admirable physique by their firm but pleasant nature. The
ambience of Mewar remains lovely thanks to the cheerful and liberal character of its
people.
4. One may observe astonishing pieces of workmanship not only in the forts and palaces
of Mewar but also in public utility buildings. Ruins of many structures which are still
standing tall in their grandeur are testimony to the fact that Mewar was not only the
land of the brave but also a seat of art and culture. Amidst aggression and bloodshed,
literature and art flourished and creative pursuits of literature and artists did not suffer.
Imagine, how glorious the period must have been when the Vijaya Stambha which is the
sample of our great ancient architecture even today, was constructed. In the same fort,
Kirti Stambha is standing high, reflecting how liberal the then administration was which
allowed people from other communities and kingdoms to come and carry out construction
work. It is useless to indulge in the debate whether the Vijaya Stambha was constructed
first or the Kirti Stambha. The fact is that both the capitals are standing side by side and
reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.
5. The cycle of time does not remain the same. Whereas the reign of Rana Sanga was crucial
in raising the kingdom to the acme of glory, it also proved to be his nemesis. History
took a turn. The fortune of Mewar - the land of the brave, started waning. Rana tried to
save the day with his acumen which was running against the stream and the glorious
traditions for sometime.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer each of the questions
given below with the help of options that follow : [1×4=4]
(a) Maharana Pratap became immortal because:
(i) he ruled Mewar for 25 years.
(ii) he added a lot of grandeur to Mewar.
(iii) of his valour, sacrifice and patriotism.
(iv) both (ii) and (iii)STUDYmate
Ans. (iv) both (ii) and (iii)
(b) Difficulties in the way of Mewar were:
(i) lack of cooperation of the nobility.
(ii) ancient traditions of the kingdom.
(iii) its small area and small population.
(iv) the poverty of the subjects.
Ans. (iii) its small area and small population.
(c) During thorny occasions:
(i) the flag of Mewar seemed to be lowered.
(ii) the flag of Mewar was hoisted high.
(iii) the people of Mewar showed gallantry.
(iv) most of the rulers heaved a sigh of relief.
Ans. (iii) the people of Mewar showed gallantry.
(d) Mewar was lucky because:
(i) all of its rulers were competent.
(ii) most of its people were competent.
(iii) most of its rulers were competent.
(iv) only a few of its people were incompetent.
Ans. (iii) most of its rulers were competent.
Answer the following questions briefly: [1×6=6]
(e) Who is the earliest king of Mewar mentioned in the passage?
Ans. Bappa Rawal
(f) What was Rana Kumbha’s contribution to the glory of Mewar?
Ans. A new stature to the kingdom through victries and developmental work, literature and art
also progressed extraordinarily.
(g) What does the writer find worth admiration in the people of Mewar?
Ans. Cheerful and liberal character of its people, loving nature, firm but pleasant nature.
(h) How could art and literature flourish in Mewar?
Ans. Liberal administration, which allowed other communities and kingdoms to carryout
construction work.
(i) How did the rulers show that they cared for their subjects?
Ans. The life of people of Mewar must have been peaceful and prosperous, developmental work.
(j) What does the erection of Vijaya Stambha and Kirti Stambha in the same fort signify?
Ans. Reveal the proximity between the king and the subjects of Mewar.
(k) Find words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following : [1×2=2]
(i) surprising (para 4) (ii) evidence (para 4)
Ans. (i) surprising – astonishing (ii) evidence – testimony
2. Read the passage given below: [10]
1. To ensure its perpetuity, the ground is well held by the panther both in space and in time.
It enjoys a much wider distribution over the globe than its bigger cousins, and procreates
sufficiently profusely to ensure its continuity for all time to come.
2. There seems to be no particular breeding season of the panther, although its sawing
and caterwauling is more frequently heard during winter and summer. The gestation
period is about ninety to hundred days (Whipsnade, ninety-two days). The litter normally
consists of four cubs, rarely five. Of these, generally two survive and not more than
one reaches maturity. I have never come across more than two cubs at the heels of the
mother. Likewise, graziers in the forest have generally found only two cubs hidden away
among rocks, hollows of trees, and other impossible places.
3. Panther cubs are generally in evidence in March. They are born blind. This is a provision
of Nature against their drifting away from the place of safety in which they are lodged by
their mother, and exposing themselves to the danger of their being devoured by hyenas,
jackals, and other predators. They generally open their eyes in about three to four weeks.
4. The mother alone rears its cubs in seclusion. It keeps them out of the reach of the
impulsive and impatient male. As a matter of fact the mother separates from the male
soon after mating and forgets all about their tumultuous union. The story that the male
often looks in to find out how the mother is progressing with her cubs has no foundation
except in what we wish it should do at least.
5. The mother carries its cubs about by holding them by the scruff of their neck in its mouth.
It trains them to stalk, and teaches them how to deliver the bite of death to the prey. The
cubs learn to treat all and sundry with suspicion at their mother’s heels. Instinctively the
cubs seek seclusion, keep to cover and protect their flanks by walking along the edge of
the forest.
6. I have never had an opportunity to watch mother panther train its cubs. But in Pilibhit
forests, I once saw a tigress giving some lessons to its little ones. I was sitting over its kill
at Mala. As the sun set, the tigress materialized in the twilight behind my machan. For
about an hour, it scanned and surveyed the entire area looking and listening with the
gravest concern. It even went to the road where my elephant was awaiting my signal. The
mahout spotted it from a distance and drove the elephant away.
7. When darkness descended upon the scene and all was well and safe, the tigress called its
cubs by emitting a low haa-oon. The cubs, two in number and bigger than a full-grown
cat, soon responded. They came trotting up to their mother and hurried straight to the kill
in indecent haste. The mother spitted at them so furiously that they doubled back to its
heels immediately. Thereafter, the mother and its cubs sat under cover about 50 feet (15
m) away from the kill to watch, wait, look, and listen. After about half an hour’s patient
and fidgetless vigil the mother seemed to say ‘paid for’. At this signal, the cubs cautiously
advanced, covering their flanks, towards the kill. No longer did they make a beeline for it,
as they had done before.
8. The mother sat watching its cubs eat, and mounted guard on them. She did not partake
of the meal.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage complete the statements given
below with the help of options that follow : [1×2=2]
(a) To protect its cubs the mother panther hides them :
(i) among rocks (ii) in the branches of the trees
(iii) behind the tree trunks (iv) at its heels
Ans. (i) among rocks
(b) The male panther :
(i) is protective of its cubs
(ii) trains its cubs
(iii) watches the progress of the mother
(iv) is impulsive and impatient
Ans. (iv) is impulsive and impatient
Answer the following questions briefly : [1×6=6]
(c) How many cubs does the mother panther rarely deliver?
Ans. Five.
(d) What may happen if the panther cubs are not born blind?
Ans. This is a provision of nature against their drifting away from the place of safety.
(e) Why did the mahout drive his elephant away?
Ans. The Mahout spotted tigress materialising and drove the elephant away.
(f) Why did the tigress spit at its cubs?
Ans. So that cubs double back to its heels immediately.
(g) From the narrator’s observation, what do we learn about the nature of the tigress?
Ans. Fidgetless vigil, furious, patience.
(h) Why does the panther not face the risk of extinction?
Ans. Enjoys a much wider distribution and procreates sufficiently profusely.
(i) Find words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following: [1×2=2]
(i) moving aimlessly (para 3) (ii) came down/fell (para 7)
Ans. (i) moving aimlessly – drifting (ii) came down/fell – descended