CHAPTER 10 - Questions & Answers

Rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each. Change only enough to do what you are asked and make a correct sentence. Do not alter the meaning. You have to make sentences to say the same thing in a different way.

1. It was not my intention to offend you.
End: ........................................................................................ intentionally.
I did not offend you intentionally.

2. One more effort, and you shall succeed.
Begin: If you ........................................................................................
If you make one more effort, you shall succeed.

3. He is discontented notwithstanding that he gets more salary than he deserves.
Begin: Although ........................................................................................
Although he gets more salary than he deserves, he is discontented.

4. The new regulation made the people happy.
End: ........................................................................................ to the people.
The new regulation brought happiness to the people.

5. My belief is that he is sincere.
Begin: I ........................................................................................
I believe that he is sincere.

6. Supposing it were true, we should act wisely.
Begin: We should act wisely provided ........................................................................................
We should act wisely provided it is true.

7. It is admitted that he is the greatest leader.
Begin: All ........................................................................................
All admit that he is the greatest leader.

8. Persevere and you will succeed.
Begin: You will succeed only ........................................................................................
You will succeed only if you persevere.

9. Poor as he is, he does not beg.
Begin: Although ........................................................................................
Although he is poor, he does not beg.

10. My father was very generous to all.
Begin: My father treated ........................................................................................
My father treated all with generosity.

11. Had I known what to do, I would have saved much time.
Begin: I would have saved much time, provided ........................................................................................
I would have saved much time, provided I had known what to do.

12. This rumour is incredible.
Begin: This rumour cannot ........................................................................................
This rumour cannot be believed.

13. If he does not behave properly, he will be dismissed.
Begin: He will not be dismissed ........................................................................................
He will not be dismissed if he behaves properly.

14. Supposing you are ill, you can go home.
Begin: In case ........................................................................................
In case you are ill, you can go home.

15. If I were a rich man, I would have helped him.
Begin: Were ........................................................................................
Were I a rich man, I would have helped him.

16. He was successful in winning the race.
Begin: He succeeded ........................................................................................
He succeeded in winning the race.

17. He is rich indeed, but he does not help others.
Begin: Although ........................................................................................
Although he is rich, he does not help others.

18. He helped ungrudgingly.
Begin: He did not ........................................................................................
He did not help grudgingly.

1. Write a composition describing a person you know well. Consider the following points: His/her physical appearance, dress, background, opinions, interests and concrete details you can give. Make comparisons, quote his/her words, refer to typical actions. You need not use all these suggestions. Make a plan into which your ideas can fit well.
My grandfather is a person I know intimately and admire deeply. Physically, he is a tall, distinguished man with a thick mane of silver hair and kind, crinkling eyes that always seem to be smiling. He invariably dresses in crisp, cotton kurtas, which give him an aura of simple elegance. A retired school teacher, his background instilled in him a profound love for literature; he often quotes Shakespeare, saying, "Brevity is the soul of wit," whenever I ramble. His daily routine includes tending to his vibrant rose garden and feeding the neighborhood sparrows, actions that perfectly reflect his gentle, nurturing temperament. Compared to the fast-paced modern world, he is like a sturdy, sheltering banyan tree, providing wisdom and calm to everyone around him.

2. Write about a neighbour, who is loud in speech or rough in behaviour. Put in some physical description, some account of the person's trade or occupation, and also say something about his or her opinions and reputation amongst the neighbours.
Mr. Sharma, our next-door neighbour, is impossible to ignore. A broad-shouldered man with a booming, gravelly voice, he runs a busy local hardware store. He is often seen in grease-stained overalls, frantically barking orders over his mobile phone. His speech is remarkably loud; a simple greeting from him sounds like a military command. He holds very rigid opinions about modern youth, frequently declaring that "Hard work is dead in this generation!" Though his rough exterior and abrasive tone make him intimidating, he has a reputation in the neighbourhood as a reliable man who will readily lend his tools or help fix a broken pipe at midnight, proving his bark is worse than his bite.

3. A person I hope I shall never meet again.
The one person I hope never to cross paths with again is a former bus conductor I encountered during a turbulent journey to a hill station. He was a scruffy, perpetually scowling man with unkempt hair and a harshly aggressive tone. Throughout the trip, he bullied passengers over minor change disputes and belittled elderly travellers who took too long to board. When a young boy accidentally dropped his ticket, the conductor verbally humiliated him until the child was in tears. His complete lack of empathy and deeply arrogant demeanor made the beautiful scenic journey feel like a punishment. He remains vividly etched in my memory as a prime example of unnecessary cruelty.

Read the following passage and, in not more than 50 words of your own, summarise what events of the day were reviewed by Doctor Marcusson.
Doctor Marcusson reviewed the Council meeting where stricter exams and immediate parent notifications were agreed upon. He noted money was saved since the pavilion didn't require rebuilding. Finally, he reflected on a productive conversation with Sir Walter regarding advertising and co-opting influential parents onto school committees.

Question 1
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.)
Write a composition (300 - 350 words) on any one of the following:
(i) Write a story in which a car salesman, a confused man and a child play an important role.
(ii) What quality must a person possess to achieve success in life? Narrate an incident to highlight the importance of this quality.
(iii) 'Capital punishment, a relic of an age when all punishments were savage and vindictive, should be abolished.' Express your views either for or against this statement.
(iv) Recall a recent trip to a place that touched you deeply. Describe what you saw, how you felt and what influenced you.
(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.
(Sample Answer for Option v - based on the picture of a girl and her dog in the forest)
The picture portrays a deeply moving scene of a young girl kneeling in a serene, sun-dappled forest, pressing her forehead lovingly against the head of her loyal golden-brown dog. This tranquil image speaks volumes about the unspoken, profound bond between humans and animals. It transports me to a story about a girl named Maya and her rescue dog, Bruno.

Maya was an introverted teenager who struggled with anxiety, finding the noisy city life overwhelming. To help her cope, her parents adopted Bruno from a local shelter. Bruno, having faced abandonment, was initially timid, but he and Maya quickly formed an unbreakable connection, anchoring each other in a chaotic world.

One autumn afternoon, Maya felt particularly overwhelmed by school pressures. Without a word, she took Bruno and wandered into the dense woods near her home. The forest, blanketed in crisp, fallen leaves and bathed in a golden, filtered light, offered an immediate sense of peace. When Maya finally broke down, overwhelmed by her thoughts, she knelt on the damp earth. Bruno didn't bark or excitedly jump; he simply stepped forward and rested his large head against hers, just as depicted in the picture.

In that quiet moment, closing her eyes against Bruno's warm fur, Maya felt her racing heart begin to slow. The dog’s steady breathing and unconditional presence communicated a powerful message: she was not alone. The quiet isolation of the woods, contrasted with the warmth of her faithful companion, offered a profound healing space. This image beautifully captures the essence of that very moment—a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most profound comfort comes not from words, but from the silent, steadfast presence of a loyal friend.

Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) This summer your school is conducting English Speaking Classes for young children aged 6-10 years. Volunteers are needed to conduct these classes. Write a letter to the Head of the English department requesting him/her to accept you as a volunteer.
(ii) You are studying in a boarding school in Dehradun. Write a letter to your mother, telling her about the disruption in the academic year due to heavy rainfall this year.
(Sample Answer for Option i)
To,
The Head of the English Department,
St. Xavier's High School,
New Delhi.

Date: 17th July 2026

Subject: Request to volunteer for the summer English Speaking Classes.

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my keen interest in volunteering for the upcoming English Speaking Classes being conducted by our school this summer for young children aged 6 to 10 years.

As a student of Class IX-A, I have consistently maintained excellent grades in English Literature and Language. I have also actively participated in various inter-school debate and elocution competitions. I genuinely enjoy interacting with younger children and believe I have the patience and enthusiasm required to help them build their vocabulary and improve their conversational skills in a fun, engaging manner.

I am fully available during the summer vacation and am willing to dedicate my time to assist the teachers and facilitate group activities. Volunteering for this program would not only allow me to contribute positively to the school community but also help me develop my own communication and leadership skills.

I kindly request you to consider my application and grant me the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful initiative. I assure you of my utmost dedication and commitment.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,
Aryan Sharma
Class IX-A, Roll No. 12

Question 3
(i) Your school is organising an Inter-School National Integration Trivia Quiz on the occasion of National Unity Day. Write a notice for the school notice board informing the students about the event.
ST. XAVIER's HIGH SCHOOL
NOTICE
17th July 2026

INTER-SCHOOL NATIONAL INTEGRATION TRIVIA QUIZ

This is to inform all students from Classes VIII to X that our school is organising an Inter-School National Integration Trivia Quiz to celebrate National Unity Day. The quiz aims to test knowledge of India's diverse culture, history, and heritage.

Date: 31st October 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Venue: School Auditorium

Interested students who wish to represent our school team must register their names with the undersigned latest by 25th July 2026. A preliminary selection round will be held on 28th July.

Aryan Sharma
Cultural Secretary

(ii) Write an email to the Principal of a neighbouring school, requesting him/her to send a team of students from his/her school to participate in the Inter-School National Integration Trivia Quiz.
To: principal@dpsnewdelhi.edu.in
Subject: Invitation to participate in the Inter-School National Integration Trivia Quiz

Respected Sir/Madam,

Greetings from St. Xavier's High School!

As part of our National Unity Day celebrations, we are delighted to host an Inter-School National Integration Trivia Quiz on 31st October 2026 in our school auditorium, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event aims to foster a spirit of unity and celebrate our nation's rich heritage among the youth.

We cordially invite your esteemed institution to send a team of three students from Classes VIII to X to participate in this enriching competition. It will be a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and interact with peers from various schools.

Kindly confirm your school's participation and share the names of the participating students by 25th July 2026. The detailed rules and schedule are attached to this email.

We look forward to welcoming your talented students.

Warm regards,

Aryan Sharma
Cultural Secretary
St. Xavier's High School

Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
(Passage about Amanda, Laura, and the otter)
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. vindictive (line 6)
(a) polite (b) clear (c) selfish (d) revengeful
(d) revengeful

2. interposed (line 16)
(a) spoke (b) intervened (c) clarified (d) singled out
(b) intervened

(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word 'bliss'?
(a) satisfaction (b) elegant (c) bereavement (d) carnation
(c) bereavement

(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) What was the 'doctor's permission'?
The 'doctor's permission' referred to the doctor's grim medical prognosis that Laura had only until Tuesday left to live.

(b) Which animal does Laura think she will be reincarnated into? Why?
Laura thinks she will be reincarnated into an otter because she believes she hasn't been entirely bad in her life and thus hopes to become an elegant, lively animal with a great love for fun.

(c) Why does Laura believe that an otter's life is better than hers?
She believes an otter's life is far more enjoyable as they get to eat salmon all year round, catch trout from the comfort of their own homes, and avoid the dreadful, slow process of "dying by inches."

(d) What was the reason for Egbert's bereavement?
Egbert was in deep distress because an animal had brutally killed four of his finest fowls meant for an upcoming show and completely destroyed his prized newly planted carnation flower bed.

(e) What had happened in Amanda's house on Sunday that weakened her 'opposition'?
On Sunday during church time, the otter made its way directly into the house, ate half a salmon from the larder, and scattered scaly fish fragments across the Persian rug in Egbert's studio.

(iv) Summarise how the otter proved Laura right. Answer in not more than fifty words.
Shortly after Laura's death, an otter appeared at Egbert's property, destroying his prized fowls and carnation bed. It later infiltrated the house to eat salmon, perfectly fulfilling Laura's whimsical prediction that she would reincarnate as a mischievous otter who thoroughly enjoys eating salmon and causing chaos.

Question 5
(i) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets. Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase appropriate to the blank space.
Example: (0) gets
Almost every month, Cihan Citak ....0.... (get) into his car, passport in hand, and sets off from Istanbul to Alexandroupolis, a Greek seaside city 40km from the Turkish border. After a four-hour drive, he ....1.... (walk) the ....2.... (crowd) aisles of the local supermarket, ....3.... (fill) his cart with olive oil, cheese and other groceries that cost a fraction of what they do back home.
Cross-border retail has become routine for many who found that Turkey's ....4.... (surge) food prices and stronger lira make Greece a ....5.... (cheap) alternative for everyday purchases: 6% of all Turks ....6.... (cross) into Greece were on a shopping run. Operators in Istanbul, Canakkale and Bursa ....7.... (jump) on the trend, ....8.... (organise) one-day bus tours to Alexandroupolis. For €50, Turkish travellers can fill their bags at retail chains such as Lidl, Jumbo or Metro.
1. walks
2. crowded
3. fills
4. surging
5. cheaper
6. crossing
7. have jumped
8. organising

(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) My sister dissuaded me from contesting the elections.
(b) We should carry out the orders of our superiors.
(c) The gun went off by mistake.
(d) I have disposed of all my old clothes.
(e) The new theory brought about a revolution in economics.
(f) She was carried away by emotion.
(g) He set out for the holy place.
(h) The teacher complied with our request.

(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. The burglar was approaching. My brother saw him.
(a) The burglar was approaching before my brother saw him.
(b) My brother saw the burglar approaching.
(c) The burglar was approaching when my brother saw him.
(d) My brother saw the burglar approached.
(b) My brother saw the burglar approaching.

2. The police will follow you. You may hide anywhere.
(a) No matter you may hide anywhere the police will follow you.
(b) The police will follow you wherever you hide.
(c) The police will follow you hide anywhere.
(d) The police will follow you if you may hide anywhere.
(b) The police will follow you wherever you hide.

3. This flat is very small. All of us cannot live here.
(a) This flat is very small for all cannot live here.
(b) This flat is too small for all of us to live here.
(c) This flat is too small to all of us cannot live here.
(d) This flat is small that all of us can live here.
(b) This flat is too small for all of us to live here.

4. The President may speak in English. He may speak in Hindi.
(a) The President may speak both in English and in Hindi.
(b) The President may speak either in English or in Hindi.
(c) The President might be speaking either in English or in Hindi.
(d) The President spoke either in English or in Hindi.
(b) The President may speak either in English or in Hindi.

(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. A man has some influence over a daughter but a woman's influence is greater. (Use: ...more influence...)
(a) A woman had more influence over a daughter than a man.
(b) A woman has more influence over a daughter than a man.
(c) Woman's influence is more over a daughter than a man.
(d) A man has more influence over a daughter than a woman.
(b) A woman has more influence over a daughter than a man.

2. Maya had no other company except that of five cats. (Begin: Apart...)
(a) Apart from five cats, Maya had no other company.
(b) Apart from five cats, Maya had no other company.
(c) Apart for five cats, Maya had no other company.
(d) Apart to five cats, Maya had no other company.
(a) Apart from five cats, Maya had no other company.

3. How careless of me to misplace my admit card! (Begin: It was...)
(a) It was careless of me to misplacing my admit card.
(b) It was careless of me to have misplaced my admit card.
(c) It was careless of me to been misplacing my admit card.
(d) It was careless of me that I misplaced my admit card.
(b) It was careless of me to have misplaced my admit card.

4. "Do not forget to renew your license, Sumeet," the guard reminded him. (Begin: The guard reminded...)
(a) The guard reminded Sumeet that he should not forget to renew his license.
(b) The guard reminded Sumeet that he should not forget to renew your license.
(c) The guard reminded Sumeet that do not forget to renew your license.
(d) The guard reminded that Sumeet must not forget to renew his license.
(a) The guard reminded Sumeet that he should not forget to renew his license.

5. She won many laurels, yet she is always down to earth. (Begin: No matter...)
(a) No matter she won many laurels, yet she is always down to earth.
(b) No matter how many laurels she won, she is always down to earth.
(c) No matter how many laurels she won, nonetheless she is always down to earth.
(d) No matter how many of laurels she won, she is always down to earth.
(b) No matter how many laurels she won, she is always down to earth.

6. If you had not studied hard, you would not have cleared the NEET exam. (Use: ...otherwise...)
(a) Unless you had studied hard, otherwise you would not have cleared the NEET exam.
(b) Provided you had studied hard, otherwise you would not have cleared the NEET exam.
(c) You had studied hard, otherwise you would not have cleared the NEET exam.
(d) You had studied hard, otherwise would you not have cleared the NEET exam.
(c) You had studied hard, otherwise you would not have cleared the NEET exam.

7. You will not go to play unless you finish your homework. (Begin: Not until...)
(a) Not until you finish your homework you will go to play.
(b) Not until you finish your homework will you not go to play.
(c) Not until you finish your homework will you go to play.
(d) Not until you have finished your homework you will go to play.
(c) Not until you finish your homework will you go to play.

8. Let us try a new restaurant this time. (Begin: Why...)
(a) Why to try a new restaurant this time?
(b) Why don't we try a new restaurant this time?
(c) Why shall try a new restaurant that time?
(d) Why we don't try a new restaurant this time?
(b) Why don't we try a new restaurant this time?