CHAPTER 11 - Questions & Answers

ASSIGNMENT (The Sequence of Tenses)

Fill in the blanks with the correct tenses of the verbs given in brackets:

1. Uma finished first though she began (begin) late.

2. She believed that God is (be) everywhere.

3. The garden is now better kept than it was (be) last year.

4. I am sorry that you were kept (keep) waiting so long yesterday.

5. Her face lighted up as he turned (turn) towards her.

6. I asked him where he had left (leave) the book.

7. Amit told me that he would (will) come.

8. He would die before he lied (lie).

9. We all knew that sugar is produced (produce) from sugarcane.

10. She cannot read unless she wears (wear) glasses.

11. It was eleven o'clock last night when I went (go) to bed.

12. After the rain had stopped (stop), the sun was up again.

13. Who taught you that two and two make (make) four?

14. She carried flowers whenever she visited (visit) the shrine.

15. They made so much of noise that it was (be) difficult to study.

16. I wondered (wonder) why we did not go abroad for higher studies.

17. They have been meeting (meet) regularly for two years.

18. Political tensions spilled (spill) over into violence.

19. For about a week, he has been complaining (complain) of a bad headache.

20. He has been working (work) for the company for ten years.


ASSIGNMENT (Paragraph Writing)

Write a paragraph of about 80 words on any one of the following sentences:
(i) Good health is the most precious of all possessions.
(ii) Sunday is my favourite day of the week.

Answer (i):
Good health is truly the greatest wealth one can possess. Without it, all the riches, success, and luxuries of the world lose their meaning and fail to bring happiness. A healthy body houses a healthy mind, allowing us to work efficiently, think clearly, and enjoy life's simple pleasures. When we are healthy, we are filled with energy and optimism, capable of overcoming any obstacle. Therefore, we must prioritize nutritious food, regular exercise, and adequate rest to safeguard this invaluable treasure, for once lost, it is incredibly difficult to regain.


ASSIGNMENT (Summary Writing)

Read the following passage and summarise the disadvantages of living in a city.
City dwellers pay dearly for the doubtful privilege of living in a city. They pay exorbitantly for accommodation which is frequently inferior to the counterparts in rural areas. They spend huge sums on food which they could have grown for themselves in a village or rural 'town' and they waste what little is left on expensive entertainments, which they would have no need for in a rural area. In addition to the financial cost, they also pay dearly in terms of physical and mental health as their bodies and minds are threatened daily by pollution, accidents, robbery, violence and the diseases caused by overcrowding.

Answer:
Living in a city is highly expensive, with exorbitant costs for inferior accommodation and food. Furthermore, city dwellers waste money on unnecessary entertainment and suffer poor physical and mental health due to constant threats from pollution, accidents, violence, robbery, and overcrowding-related diseases.


D. PRACTICE PAPER - 11

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 short story in which an old lady, a map, a ring and a teenager play an important role.
(ii) You had gone to a stationery shop where you witnessed an altercation between a customer and the shopkeeper. Narrate the incident and state what you learnt from it.
(iii) 'Electronic gadgets have made life completely impersonal.' Express your views either for or against this statement.
(iv) Advances in technology have led to changes in lifestyles. Describe what you believe are the changes that have come about in the last decade.
(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.

Answer (i):
The antique shop at the corner of Elm Street always had a mysterious aura. One rainy afternoon, a teenager named Leo wandered inside, seeking shelter. The shop was dusty, filled with relics of the past. At the counter sat an old lady, her eyes piercing through the dim light. She noticed Leo gazing at a peculiar, intricately carved silver ring on a velvet cushion.

"It belonged to a traveler," she rasped, gesturing for him to come closer. "But it is not just a ring." With trembling hands, she pulled out a crumpled, yellowed parchment—a map. The map depicted a labyrinth of underground tunnels beneath their very town, ending at a symbol that perfectly matched the crest on the ring.

"Many have tried to follow it, but none had the key," she whispered, handing the ring to Leo. The moment the metal touched his skin, it felt strangely warm. Driven by a sudden surge of curiosity, Leo purchased the ring and the map with all the pocket money he had.

That night, Leo snuck out to the town’s old clock tower, the starting point indicated on the map. Beneath a loose stone slab, he found a keyhole. The ring fit perfectly. With a heavy clunk, a hidden door groaned open, revealing a stone staircase spiraling into the darkness. Over the next few weeks, Leo navigated the tunnels, discovering not gold or jewels, but a forgotten library containing the lost history of his ancestors. The old lady, the ring, and the map had not led him to monetary wealth, but to a profound connection with his past—a treasure far more valuable.

Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to the Principal of your school, requesting him/her to instruct the canteen in-charge to replace junk food with healthier options.
(ii) Your younger sister has gone to a residential school. She has written to you that she is miserable and homesick. She is unable to score well in academics. Write a letter advising her to set clear goals for herself in order to achieve success by planning wisely, staying focussed and working consistently.

Answer (i):
To
The Principal,
St. Xavier's High School,
New Delhi.

Date: 15th July 2026

Subject: Request to introduce healthier food options in the school canteen.

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you on behalf of the students of Class IX to bring to your attention a matter of growing concern regarding the school canteen. Currently, the canteen predominantly offers junk food such as fried snacks, aerated drinks, and sugary treats. While these items are popular, they are detrimental to the health and well-being of the students.

Regular consumption of such food leads to lethargy, loss of concentration, and long-term health issues. We request you to kindly instruct the canteen in-charge to replace these unhealthy items with nutritious alternatives like fresh fruit salads, whole wheat sandwiches, fresh juices, and sprouts. This change will not only promote a healthier lifestyle but also help students stay energetic and focused during school hours.

We hope you will consider this request for the betterment of the student community.

Thanking you,

Yours obediently,
Rohan Sharma
Class IX-A

Question 3
(i) As the Secretary of the 'Environment Club' of your school, write a notice for the school notice board, requesting the students of Classes VI to X to submit their entries for the Poster Making and Slogan Writing Competition to be held on World Environment Day.
(ii) Write an email to a famous environmental activist requesting him/her to be the Guest of Honour on the occasion of the Environment Day celebration in your school.

Answer (i):
NOTICE
ST. XAVIER'S HIGH SCHOOL
Date: 20th May 2026

POSTER MAKING & SLOGAN WRITING COMPETITION

This is to inform all students from Classes VI to X that the Environment Club is organizing a Poster Making and Slogan Writing Competition on the occasion of World Environment Day, 5th June 2026. The theme for the competition is "Save Our Earth." Interested students must submit their entries to the undersigned latest by 1st June 2026. Exciting prizes await the most creative entries! For further details, please contact the undersigned.

Secretary,
Environment Club

Answer (ii):
To: sunitanarain@enviro.org
Subject: Invitation as Guest of Honour for World Environment Day Celebration

Dear Madam,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Environment Club of St. Xavier's High School. We are organizing a special event on 5th June to celebrate World Environment Day and raise awareness among our students about ecological conservation.

Given your monumental contributions to environmental activism, it would be our absolute privilege to have you as our Guest of Honour for the occasion. The event will commence at 10:00 AM in the school auditorium and will include a student exhibition and a short cultural program. Your presence and a few words of inspiration would greatly motivate our young minds to actively participate in saving our planet.

We sincerely hope you will accept our invitation. We look forward to a positive response.

Warm regards,

Secretary,
Environment Club,
St. Xavier's High School

Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided:
1. astonished (line 9)
(a) shocked     (b) surprised     (c) angered     (d) satisfied
Answer: (b) surprised

2. bewildered (line 11)
(a) suffered     (b) understood     (c) baffled     (d) believed
Answer: (c) baffled

(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word 'abundant'?
(a) meagre     (b) lucky     (c) faith     (d) transformation
Answer: (a) meagre

(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) What was Ivan's attitude towards lottery? Why did he decide to check the lottery number in the newspaper?
Answer: Ivan had no faith in lottery luck. He decided to check the numbers simply because he had nothing else to do at the time.

(b) How did Ivan react on seeing his wife's number in the lottery?
Answer: He was completely astonished and immediately caught his wife's attention to tell her the number was there.

(c) How did his wife plan to spend the money?
Answer: His wife planned to purchase an estate, spend ten thousand on immediate expenses like new furnishing, travel abroad, pay off debts, and put the remaining forty thousand in the bank for interest.

(d) What troubles did Ivan imagine if he would accompany his wife on a journey by train?
Answer: Ivan imagined that she would constantly complain about the train making her head ache, regret spending so much money, force him to fetch boiling water, bread, and butter at every station, and avoid eating dinner because of the cost.

(e) Why did hate and anger for his wife surge in Ivan's heart?
Answer: Hate and anger surged because he visualized her becoming selfish and possessive over the winnings, locking the money away, grudging him every penny, and prioritizing her own relatives.

(iv) Explain Ivan's feelings at the thought of winning the lottery. Answer in not more than fifty words.
Answer: Initially bewildered, Ivan began to enthusiastically dream of a luxurious new life. However, his hopeful feelings quickly soured into deep resentment and hatred as he imagined his wife becoming extremely selfish and controlling the money. Ultimately, both hope and hatred completely vanished upon realizing they hadn't actually won.


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) connecting

India's first water taxi service connecting (connect) the Navi Mumbai area to mainland Mumbai was inaugurated (inaugurate) by the then Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray at the Belapur jetty, while Union Minister for Ports, Shipping (Ship) and Waterways Sarbanand Sonowal flagged (flag) off the service. The ₹8.37-crore project operates (operate) on three routes and the State and the Centre share (share) the expenditure. The three routes include Belapur to Ferry Wharf - the domestic cruise terminal, Belapur to Elephanta Caves and Belapur to JNPT.

"India's first train ran (run) between Mumbai and Thane and it expanded (expand) throughout the country gradually. What happens in Mumbai spreads across the country," said Mr. Thackeray. He said the ease of transport is a key factor for investors (invest) to set up businesses in the region.

(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) This question came up during the Monsoon session of the Parliament.
(b) The policeman ran after the pickpocket.
(c) We are looking forward to the visit of our uncle's family.
(d) The old man was run over by a truck.
(e) I took down word for word the Minister's speech.
(f) The old bridge is unsafe for use while it is under repair.
(g) The enemy has encroached upon our territory.
(h) The child has been complaining of stomach pain.

(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.

1. I read an old letter. It brought back the memories of my family.
(a) On reading an old letter, it brought back the memories of my family.
(b) I read an old letter that brought back the memories of my family.
(c) I read an old letter which brought back the memories of my family.
(d) I read an old letter which it brought back the memories of my family.
Answer: (c) I read an old letter which brought back the memories of my family.

2. Sam is a very fast runner. There is no doubt about it.
(a) There is no doubt that Sam was a very fast runner.
(b) There is no doubt because Sam is a very fast runner.
(c) There is no doubt that Sam is a very fast runner.
(d) There is no doubt about it Sam is a very fast runner.
Answer: (c) There is no doubt that Sam is a very fast runner.

3. She decided not to buy the necklace. The price was high.
(a) She decided not to buy the necklace for the price was high.
(b) She decided not to buy the necklace as its price was too high.
(c) She decided not to buy the necklace than the price was so high.
(d) She decided not to buy the necklace lest the price was high.
Answer: (a) She decided not to buy the necklace for the price was high.

4. He is very tired. He wants to go home.
(a) He is very tired for he wants to go home.
(b) He is very tired because he wants to go home.
(c) He wants to go home as he is very tired.
(d) He wants to go home that he is very tired.
Answer: (c) He wants to go home as he is very tired.

(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.

1. Submit your project before it is too late. (Begin: Let...)
(a) Let your project submit before it is too late.
(b) Let your project submitted before it is too late.
(c) Let your project be submitted when it is too late.
(d) Let your project be submitted before it is too late.
Answer: (d) Let your project be submitted before it is too late.

2. The train journey from Delhi to Chennai takes two days. (Begin: It is a...)
(a) It is a two-day train journey from Delhi to Chennai.
(b) It is a two-day train journey from Chennai to Delhi.
(c) It is a two days train journey from Delhi to Chennai.
(d) It is a two days train journey by train from Delhi to Chennai.
Answer: (a) It is a two-day train journey from Delhi to Chennai.

3. He said, "Could I borrow a blue pen from you?" (Begin: He asked me...)
(a) He asked me could he borrow a blue pen from me.
(b) He asked me if I could borrow a blue pen from you.
(c) He asked me whether could he borrow a blue pen from me.
(d) He asked me if he could borrow a blue pen from me.
Answer: (d) He asked me if he could borrow a blue pen from me.

4. Hydrogen is the lightest of all gases. (Use: ...lighter...)
(a) Hydrogen is lighter than any other gas.
(b) Very few gas is lighter than Hydrogen.
(c) Very few gases are lighter than Hydrogen.
(d) No other gas are lighter than Hydrogen.
Answer: (a) Hydrogen is lighter than any other gas.

5. The king was generous even to his enemies. (Use: ...generosity...)
(a) The king had generosity even for his enemies.
(b) The king showed generosity even to his enemies.
(c) The king had showed generosity even to his enemies.
(d) The king's generosity was shown even his enemies.
Answer: (b) The king showed generosity even to his enemies.

6. Do you mean to go abroad? (Use: ...intend...)
(a) Do you intend of going abroad?
(b) Do you intend to go abroad?
(c) Do you mean to intend going abroad?
(d) Do you mean you intend to go abroad?
Answer: (b) Do you intend to go abroad?

7. My suitcase is heavy. (Rewrite with a question tag)
(a) My suitcase is heavy, isn't it?
(b) My suitcase isn't heavy, isn't it?
(c) My suitcase can be heavy, isn't it?
(d) My suitcase is heavier, isn't it?
Answer: (a) My suitcase is heavy, isn't it?

8. There was a large pile of papers scattered over my desk and among them I found mother's letter. (Begin: Mother's letter...)
(a) Mother's letter was found by me among the large pile of papers scattered over my desk.
(b) Mother's letter were found by me among the large pile of papers scattered over my desk.
(c) Mother's letter was founded by me among the large pile of papers scattered over my desk.
(d) Mother's letter among the large pile of papers scattered over my desk was found by me.
Answer: (a) Mother's letter was found by me among the large pile of papers scattered over my desk.