CHAPTER 13 - Questions & Answers

ASSIGNMENT
In each of the following items, sentence A is complete but sentence B is not. Complete sentence B each time, making it as similar in meaning as possible to sentence A. Make B one sentence, never two. No changes of any kind may be made to the printed parts of the B sentences.

1. A. Sunil must apologise or he will be dismissed.
B. Sunil must apologise so that he is not dismissed.

2. A. In spite of hard work she failed.
B. She worked hard but she failed.

3. A. My frock was not returned until it had been washed.
B. My frock had been washed before it was returned.

4. A. I have found the book that I had lost.
B. I had lost a book but I have found it.

5. A. This news is too good to be true.
B. This news is so good that it cannot be true.

6. A. To my great joy he stood first in the examination.
B. He stood first in the examination, therefore I felt great joy.

7. A. Rajiv was opposed by all his friends, still he married that girl.
B. In spite of being opposed by all his friends, Rajiv married that girl.

8. A. Unless you confess your guilt, you will be punished.
B. Confess your guilt so that you will not be punished.

9. A. Although the Major saw the danger, he did not raise an alarm.
B. The Major saw the danger but he did not raise an alarm.

10. A. Besides passing the examinations well, he won the first prize.
B. He not only passed the examinations well but also won the first prize.

11. A. Rekha will not resign unless she is compelled.
B. Rekha will resign only if she is compelled.

12. A. When Shyam had finished his work, he went out to play.
B. Having finished his work, Shyam went out to play.

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ASSIGNMENT
Write a composition on any one of the following:
(i) Your class has staged The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare. Write a short article for your school magazine giving an analysis of the play. You may comment on the characters, stage presentation, costumes, light effects and other elements of the drama.
(ii) During a recent film festival, you have seen an Indian film. Write an account of the film highlighting the plot, characterisation and acting.
(iii) Write a review of a book you purchased during the recent Book Fair.

Answer for (i):
The Merchant of Venice: A Triumphant School Production
Our school recently staged William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, bringing the classic tale of justice, prejudice, and mercy to life. The stage presentation was captivating, transporting the audience straight to the bustling streets of Venice and the romantic estate of Belmont. The cast delivered exceptional performances, particularly the student playing Shylock, who brilliantly captured the character's complex mix of grief and vengeance. Portia was equally impressive, commanding the famous courtroom scene with immense confidence and grace. The costumes were meticulously designed, reflecting the Renaissance era's elegance, while the dramatic light effects perfectly mirrored the shifting moods of the play, from the gloomy tension of the trial to the joyous climax. Overall, it was a spectacular drama that highlighted the immense talent and hard work of our school's theater group.

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ASSIGNMENT
Owing to illness, you are unable to keep an appointment to meet your friend the following Sunday. Write a letter of apology and explanation.

Answer:
45, MG Road
Pune - 411001
12th July 2026

Dear Rahul,

I am writing to sincerely apologise as I will not be able to meet you this coming Sunday for our planned get-together.

Unfortunately, I have come down with a severe viral fever over the last two days. My doctor has prescribed strong medication and advised me strictly to rest for at least a week to ensure a full recovery. Because of this sudden illness, I have no choice but to stay indoors and cancel my weekend plans.

I was really looking forward to catching up with you, and I am very sorry for any inconvenience this sudden cancellation might cause you.

Once I am fully recovered and given the green light by my doctor, I will call you so we can reschedule our meeting at your earliest convenience.

Yours affectionately,
Amit

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D. PRACTICE PAPER - 13

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 student, transporters' strike and a greedy driver play an important role.
(ii) You and your family were travelling by bus to attend a wedding. The thought of this journey always brings a smile to your face. Narrate the journey focussing on what made it memorable.
(iii) 'Most of the applications (Apps) in smartphones just make you waste your time.' Express your views either for or against this statement.
(iv) Imagine that a character from your favourite story suddenly comes to life and spends an entire day with you. Describe your interactions and the events of the day.
(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 for (i):
The Unexpected Detour
Rohan, a diligent standard 9 student, had been preparing for his final mathematics exam for months. The day of the exam finally arrived. Feeling confident, he stepped out of his house at 8:00 AM, only to realize the bustling city streets were unusually empty. A sudden, unannounced transporters' strike had paralyzed the city. No buses, no auto-rickshaws, and no public taxis were in sight.

Panic set in as the clock ticked. Just then, a lone private taxi appeared around the corner. Rohan waved frantically. The driver pulled over and, sensing Rohan's sheer desperation, smirked. "Five hundred rupees," the greedy driver demanded for a journey that normally cost fifty. Rohan, carrying only his small pocket money, pleaded with the man, explaining it was his final exam, but the driver ruthlessly rolled up his window and sped away.

Desperate, Rohan decided his only option was to run. He sprinted through the quiet alleys, his heavy school backpack weighing him down. Exhausted, sweating, and panting, he was halfway to the school when a familiar face appeared on a motorcycle—Mr. Sharma, his school's sports teacher. Seeing Rohan's distress and knowing about the strike, the teacher immediately offered him a ride.

Rohan climbed on, and they wove through the empty streets, arriving at the school gates just as the final warning bell rang. The greedy driver missed out on a reasonable fare due to his extortion, but Rohan learned a valuable lesson that day: perseverance and unexpected kindness from good people can help you overcome the most selfish of obstacles. He walked into the exam hall, out of breath, but ready to conquer his test.

Question 2
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Select any one of the following:
(i) Write a letter to your landlord requesting him/her to get the roof of the house in which you are residing repaired before the onset of monsoon.
(ii) Write a letter to your mother, describing your experience of spending a weekend at an NCC Camp for the first time.

Answer for (i):
12, Sunrise Apartments
MG Road, Bangalore
15th May 2026

Dear Mr. Sharma,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally request some urgent maintenance work on the property I am renting from you at Sunrise Apartments.

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed that the ceiling in the living room has developed several visible cracks. During a brief shower last week, there was noticeable water seepage. With the monsoon season fast approaching next month, I am deeply concerned that the roof might leak severely, which could damage the interiors and our personal belongings, making living conditions very difficult.

I kindly request you to send a repairman to inspect and fix the roof at your earliest convenience, preferably before the heavy rains begin.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter. Please let me know when we can expect the repairs to take place.

Yours sincerely,
Karan Patel

Question 3
(i) Your school is organising a friendly match with the hockey team of a neighbouring school. Write a notice for the school notice board, requesting all the students to assemble on the playground to encourage your team.
Answer:
ST. XAVIER'S HIGH SCHOOL
NOTICE
15th July 2026
Friendly Hockey Match
All students are hereby informed that our school is organising a friendly hockey match against the team from Delhi Public School. The match will take place on our school playground on Friday, 20th July 2026, starting at 10:00 AM. All students are requested to assemble on the playground to cheer and encourage our school team. Your presence will greatly boost their morale.
Rahul Verma
Sports Captain

(ii) Write an email to the Principal of a neighbouring school, requesting him/her to send their hockey team for a friendly match at your school.
Answer:
To: principal@dpsdelhi.edu.in
Subject: Invitation for a Friendly Hockey Match
Dear Sir,
Greetings from St. Xavier's High School.
We would like to cordially invite your school's hockey team for a friendly match against our school team. We believe such sporting events foster good relations and sportsmanship between our institutions. We propose holding the match on our school playground on Friday, 20th July 2026, at 10:00 AM. We will make all the necessary arrangements for the game and provide refreshments for your team.
Kindly confirm if this date and time are convenient for your team.
Warm regards,
Principal
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. intervened (line 6)
(a) introduced (b) announced (c) asked (d) interrupted
Answer: (d) interrupted

2. anguish (line 16)
(a) cold (b) distress (c) anger (d) headache
Answer: (b) distress

(ii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word 'boarded'?
(a) alighted (b) bewildered (c) deposited (d) answered
Answer: (a) alighted

(iii) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.
(a) Why did Madame Henrid visit the cottage of the Tuvaches?
Answer: Madame Henrid visited the cottage of the Tuvaches because she wanted to adopt their little boy and take him away with her.

(b) What enticement did Madame Henrid's husband offer the Tuvaches for adopting their son, Charlot?
Answer: He offered them a sum of twenty thousand francs to be deposited for the boy when he comes of age, along with a monthly pension of one hundred francs for the parents until their death.

(c) Why did the Vallins agree to let Madame Henrid adopt their son, John?
Answer: The Vallins agreed because they were enticed by the financial security offered by Madame Henrid, which would provide them with a monthly pension and guarantee their son's future happiness and wealth.

(d) What difference came in the financial condition of the Vallins and the Tuvaches after John's departure?
Answer: After John's departure, the Vallins lived comfortably due to the regular pension they received, whereas the Tuvaches remained miserably poor.

(e) What was Charlot's reaction when John came back after twenty years?
Answer: Charlot was furiously jealous and angry. He reproached his parents, calling them fools for not letting him be adopted, and cruelly told them they deserved that he should leave them.

(iv) Compare the attitude of the Tuvaches to that of the Vallins. Answer in not more than fifty words.
Answer: The Tuvaches reacted with fierce indignation, valuing their child's presence over wealth and refusing to "sell" him. In stark contrast, the Vallins were highly pragmatic and materialistic; they were easily persuaded by the financial security offered, willingly trading their son for a comfortable lifestyle.

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) has decided
The Centre has decided (decide) to rename the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair, to Sri Vijaya Puram, in a move aimed (aim) at shedding (shed) the colonial (colony) legacy associated (associate) with the former and recognising Andaman and Nicobar's contribution to India's freedom struggle.
Recalling the island territory's "unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history", Home Minister Amit Shah said it had once served (serve) as the naval (navy) base of the Chola Empire and is "today poised to be the critical base for our strategic (strategy) and development aspirations". "It is also the place that hosted the first unfurling (unfurl) of our Tiranga by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Ji and also the Cellular Jail in which Veer Savarkar Ji and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation," he said.

(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) A miser does not want to part with his money.
(b) He is not cut out for this job.
(c) His kidnapper is still at large.
(d) He was taken aback when he found a snake in my room.
(e) The scheme has fallen through for want of funds.
(f) He looked down on his neighbour's behaviour with contempt.
(g) Courage will carry a man through difficulties.
(h) How did all this come about?

(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and, but or so. Choose the correct option.
1. Milton was a great poet. He wrote the epic poem 'Paradise Lost'.
(a) Milton, a great poet, wrote the epic poem 'Paradise Lost'.
(b) Milton was a great poet whom wrote the epic poem 'Paradise Lost'.
(c) Milton was a great poet that wrote the epic poem 'Paradise Lost'.
(d) Milton, a great poet, who wrote the epic poem 'Paradise Lost'.
Answer: (a) Milton, a great poet, wrote the epic poem 'Paradise Lost'.

2. He felt pity for the poor man. He gave him some money.
(a) Feeling pity for the poor man, he gave him some money.
(b) Feeling pity for the poor man, he had given him some money.
(c) He felt pity for the poor man for giving him some money.
(d) He felt pity for the poor man as well as gave him some money.
Answer: (a) Feeling pity for the poor man, he gave him some money.

3. Swapna is brave. Radha is equally brave.
(a) Radha is as brave as Swapna.
(b) Radha is as brave than Swapna.
(c) Swapna is brave unlike Radha.
(d) Radha is equally brave to Swapna.
Answer: (a) Radha is as brave as Swapna.

4. I want to tell you the special ingredient. I may forget it.
(a) I want to tell you the special ingredient unless I may forget it.
(b) I want to tell you the special ingredient, lest I may forget it.
(c) I want to tell you the special ingredient in case I forget it.
(d) I may forget it since I want to tell you the special ingredient.
Answer: (c) I want to tell you the special ingredient in case I forget it.

(iv) Choose the correct option to rewrite the following according to the instructions given after each sentence.
1. It was such a boring film that we left the theatre before the end. (Begin: The film...)
(a) The film was boring yet we left the theatre before the end.
(b) The film was so boring that we left the theatre before the end.
(c) The film was such a boring that we left the theatre before the end.
(d) The film was so boring that we had to left the theatre before the end.
Answer: (b) The film was so boring that we left the theatre before the end.

2. He did not consult the astrologer and I did not either. (Begin: Neither...)
(a) Neither he nor I consulted the astrologer.
(b) Neither he did nor I did consult the astrologer.
(c) Neither he nor I consult the astrologer.
(d) Neither did he nor did I consult the astrologer.
Answer: (a) Neither he nor I consulted the astrologer.

3. You may give him any piece of advice; nevertheless, he will not work any harder. (Begin: However...)
(a) However many advices you give him, he will not work any harder.
(b) However much pieces of advice you give him, he will not work any harder.
(c) However much advice you give him, he will not work any harder.
(d) However you may give him any piece of advice, he will never work any harder.
Answer: (c) However much advice you give him, he will not work any harder.

4. Crossing the road carelessly is dangerous. (Begin: It...)
(a) It is to be dangerous, if crossing the road carelessly.
(b) It is dangerous to cross the road carelessly.
(c) It is dangerous to crossing the road carelessly.
(d) It is dangerous to carelessly cross the road.
Answer: (b) It is dangerous to cross the road carelessly.

5. This bag is too small to carry a week's groceries. (Use: ...big...)
(a) This bag is not big enough to carry a week's groceries.
(b) This bag is big enough to carry a week's groceries.
(c) This bag is big enough to not carry a week's groceries.
(d) This bag is not big enough to be carrying a week's groceries.
Answer: (a) This bag is not big enough to carry a week's groceries.

6. His behaviour annoys me sometimes. (Use: ...annoyed...)
(a) I am annoyed at his behaviour sometimes.
(b) I was annoyed at his behaviour sometimes.
(c) His behaviour annoyed me sometimes.
(d) I am annoyed with his behaviour sometimes.
Answer: (a) I am annoyed at his behaviour sometimes.

7. Do not blame her if the window is broken. (Begin: She is not...)
(a) She is not blamed if the window is broken.
(b) She is not to be blamed if the window is broken.
(c) She is not being blamed if the window is broken.
(d) She is not to blame if the window was broken.
Answer: (b) She is not to be blamed if the window is broken.

8. Very few places are as hot as Jura. (Use: ...hotter...)
(a) Jura is hotter than most other places.
(b) Jura is as hotter than most other places.
(c) Jura is the hotter place.
(d) No other place is hotter than Jura.
Answer: (a) Jura is hotter than most other places.