PRACTICE PAPER–7 ( 2016-17)
Class : XII Time : 3 hours
Subject :English Core Marks: 100
General Instructions:
(i) This paper is divided into three Sections: A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.
(ii) Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
(iii) Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
SECTION – A
(Reading) 30 Marks
I. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 12 Marks
1. There is a minor celebrity hood that comes with occasionally appearing on Arnab's show. In the oddest of places, strangers will walk up to me and ask, 'Don't I Know you from somewhere? ' There was a time when I would seriously consider the possibility, but I've come to realise that many people are really at home only in front of their TV watching Arnab, and in that sense I am an old acquaintance.
2. I had little inkling of this fate when I first started appearing on television to defend Open magazine's decision to publish the Radia tapes After that memorable television encounter where BarkhaDutt and Manu Joseph replayed the same conversation 20 times over, I was left to fend for the magazine on other channels. Initially, I agreed to continue appearing on Arnab's channel because the magazine's publisher insisted this was good publicity; it was only later that I saw some journalistic sense in doing so.
3. I say this despite harbouring no illusions about the nature of the show. It is a performance with Arnab as the director and the main character, and an audience swept along by the drama of what transpires. The form is defined by Arnab, the substance born out of the audience. This is an audience that comprises the section of middle class which is comfortable watching news on television in English. It is socially liberal, hence the anger against gharwapasi or those opposing Valentine's Day, but it is xenophobic in its nationalism, hence the noise about Pakistan or Greenpeace. If NDTV was the product of the scions of a particular elite telling the rest of the English- speaking class what to think, Times Now gives voice to what this class actually thinks, which is why this Prime Time clash was never much of contest.
4. In this theatre, journalists like me have a prescribed role: to endorse Arnab's opinion. Journalists perceived to be affiliated with a political party can't carry this off with any conviction. Those who remain are likely to endorse Arnab only when they genuinely agree with him, forcing the channel to cherry pick. I know I won't be asked to appear on a show about offloading a Greenpeace activist, because I'd then be at odds with Arnab.
5. What does this role offer those who accept it? The increased visibility lends their work greater value at a time personal branding is increasingly defining value in journalism. But I also see it as an opportunity to point out to a largely apathetic country that in 1984, Kamal Nath was at the head of a mob that burned two Sikhs to death a few 100 metres from Parliament. Or voice my apprehensions about NarendraModi to a mass audience at a time the country seemed besotted with him. This is possible because Arnab's sole interest is his play, he is not a participant in the games most other anchors play out in Delhi. Interestingly, the roles come with no strings attached. No one's ever asked me not to be critical of Arnab, as I have been, or Samir Jain, as I continue to be.
On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following questions given below with the help of the options that follow:
a. Arnab is a person who is a :
i. TV news anchor
ii. Editor of a magazine
iii. Bollywood Hero
iv. None of the above
b. The writer appeared on television to defend the following magazine:
i. Caravan
ii. Open
iii. Outlook
iv. Frontline
c. In Arnab's show, Arnab is the –
i. Director
ii. Villain
iii. Court Jester
iv. Audience
d. What did the 'Open' magazine publish?
i. Watergate tapes
ii. Snoopgate tapes
iii. Radia tapes
iv. Cablegate tapes
Answer the questions briefly
e. What did the writer realize about the TV watching habit of his countrymen?
f. Why did the writer continue appearing on Arnab's Channel?
g. Which section of society watches Arnab'sshow ?
h. Who is 'xenophobic' in its nationalism ?
i. Why do people appear on Arnab's show?
j. On which news channel does Arnab appear?
(i)Find out the words which mean the same as the following :2 Marks
a. An erroneous mental representation. (Para-3)
b. A descendant or heir. (Para-3)
II. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 10 Marks
1. After a long and arduous struggle to popularise yoga, the world is now waking up to its wonders. Upon my arrival in New York on the evening of June 20, the Art of Living volunteers and the officials at the Permanent Mission of India informed me that the weather forecast predicted heavy rains, even thunderstorms over the next 24 hours. There was concern on their faces as they continued with preparations for the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the United Nations headquarters and Times Square. I remained confident that this momentous day would go well.
2. To the delight of the organising teams, the sun came out just as we arrived at the venue. The UNSecretary General and his wife, the President of the General Assembly, and many ambassadors participated in the programme. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon even said, "We should do this before every negotiation, so that we can work with a calm mind"
.
3. WHO has warned that depression will become the biggest killer after HIV/AIDS by 2030. Today, an estimated $150 billion is spent on mental illness and depression in the US alone. While the remission rate through medical treatments is less than 14 percent, a study has shown that the remission rate will be 64 percent through meditation and yoga. I suggested to the Secretary General that if countries around the world spend 1 percent of their defence budget on peace education and peace-building through yoga and meditation, it would make a significant difference.
4. In terms of the way forward, we cannot have all and sundry teach anything in the name of yoga. We need to bring quality control and standardisation in teaching. Like cell phones have enhanced comfort and connectivity, yoga can take you to a whole new level. It can be used as a powerful tool in conflict resolution and trust building.
5. When we started our efforts to bring this ancient wisdom to the fore, it was not easy. There was a lot of prejudice against yoga and even meditation. Today, meditation posture has become synonymous with relaxation and comfort. Earlier, the younger generation in the western world would often struggle to convince their parents to open up to the benefits of yoga. Perhaps, this declaration by the UN will make their job easier.
On the basis of your reading of the above poem answer the following questions given below with the help of the options that follow:
a. The remission rate for depression through medical treatment is less than
- 20 percent
- 14 percent
- 15 percent
- 24 percent
b. Who arrived in New York on the evening of June 20.
- (i) Shankaracharya
- Sri Sri Ravi Shanker
- General Ban Ki-moon
- NaredraModi
Answer the questions briefly
c. What did the weather forecast predict for the city of New York?
d. Who all participated in the International Day of Yoga celebration?
e. Who is the founder of 'The Art of Living'?
f. How can Yoga be used as a powerful tool?
g. What was the role of the younger generation in the western world to promote Yoga?
h. What warning has the WHO issued?
i. Find out the words which mean the same as the following : 2 Marks
i) decrease, less severe (para 3)
ii) tough, difficult (para 1)
III. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 5 + 3 = 8
Pre- colonial history of Bengal is closely linked with the emergence, growth and decline of Murshidabad. It has governed all the proceedings of the 18th century eastern India and provided the platform from which the colonial interests had launched themselves and subsequently became an imperial power in 1857.
It is quite obvious that such a socio- political stage has enormous potential to engage any visitor from far and wide through its myriad cultural landscape. A seat of power of such a scale attracts lot of wealth, creativity and activity. For example the annual revenue of Bengal paid to the Mughal Emperor amounts to One CroreSicca Taka-in early seventeenth century was an unbelievable amount. In a cunning strategy move, Murshidkuli Khan shifted the administrative power centre of Bengal to the Bank of Bhagirathi- the prime life force of North India and almost in the geographic centre of the province in 1701.
One primary policy decision triggered series of subsequent events. Sensing the potential for enhanced financial opportunity, trading community from 'Nagore' town in the Rajput State of Jodhpur migrated to Bengal. They settled in the areas of Mahimapur, Jyaganj and Azimganj and got themselves known as 'Shaherwali Community'. Over the years the accumulated enormous wealth and became an important factor governing the economy of Bengal. Mughal Emperor acknowledged their importance and had conferred the title 'Jagat Seth' (cashier of the world). Jainism spread rapidly with the prosperity of the community in the localities of Azimganj, Jiyaganj and Katgola. While Murshidabad was being built according to the Muslim traditions, Hindu philosophies governed the development of the Jiyaganj, Azimganj.
In fact four of the important Jain Tirths in Bengal, three lies at Azimganj- Shree ChintamoniParswanathBhagwan, Jiyaganj- Shree SambhavnathBhagwan, Katgola-Shree AdinathBhagwan.
The large havellis, mansions, palaces, gardens lay neglected and weathered. It draws today certain amount of History, cultural enthusiast and that too on a day visit. Whereas its enormous potential for cultural tourism and pilgrimage remained unexplored. Its old trade links and networks also lay dormant for the want of sponsors.
The circuit of Mushidabad-Jiyaganj-Azimganj is just waiting for the right kind of initiative and public support for its revitalization. Cultural tourism appears to be the right catalyst to trigger such an initiative.
No tourism initiative is sustainable unless it gains the support of its local community. Community initiatives are best when it rides on the pride for themselves and have a deep -48- rooted attachment for the place. Fortunately the Shaherwali Community have a very strong social network bonded by the common religion of Jainism. They are very proud of their legacy and command large parcels of land Heritage buildings, artefacts and are quite committed for its restoration. Being mainly a trader's community they value their assets and understand the need for its conservation. To them assistance of any kind is important and they also realises that unless they obtain public support their individual effort is not sustainable.
a. On the basis of your reading of the passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings in a format you consider suitable. /5 Marks/
b. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Also supply a suitable title to the passage. /3 Marks/
SECTION – B
(Advanced Writing Skills) 30 Marks
IV. You are Sonia/ Sohan of Simon Public School, Meerut. Your school has decided to organise a cultural programme to raise funds for the victims of floods in Bihar. Draft a notice, in not more than 50 words, for your school notice board. /4 Marks/
(OR)
Your parents have completed 50 years of happy married life. Send an informal invitation to your uncle, residing in Salem, to join you in the Golden- Jubilee celebration of their marriage at your house. Your Praveen/Praveena residing at No. 20, Raja Gardens, Madurai-51
V. You are Bhavik/Bhawna of class XII of Tejas International School, Vijay Nagar Bulandshahar. Write a letter to the Manager of the Sports Store, Meerut, complaining about the defective stop watches you purchased from their store. Write as the Sports Secretary of your school.. /6 Marks/
(OR)
Read the advertisement given below and write a suitable application in response to it. Sign yourself as Neha/Nitin, 57, Nehru Colony, Muzaffarnagar.
Wanted Office Assistant cum Administrator, preferably a commerce graduate, with minimum two years of experience in a concern of repute. Knowledge of computer is a must. Good communication and command over written and spoken English is desired. Apply within 10 days to the Manager, Tulip India Ltd, Muzaffarnagar.
VI. Write an article in 150-200 words on how we can make India a carefree and enjoyable place for women when they can go wherever they like to without any fear of being stared at, molested or discriminated against. You are Lalit/Lalita.. /10 Marks/