CBSE Sample Paper Class 11 English (Old)
Annual Examination
Class-XI
Subject- English
Time: 3 hour/ M.M.-80
All questions are compulsory.
SECTION ‘A’ Reading
- Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 12
Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all branches of learning. They can solve the most complex mathematical problems or put thousand unrelated data in order. These machines can be put to varied uses. For instance, they can provide information on the best way to prevent tram: accidents. They work accurately and at high speed.
They save research workers’ years of hard work. This whole process by which machines an be used to work for us has been called ‘Automation’. In future automation may enable human beings to enjoy more leisure than they do today. The coming of automation is bound to have important social consequences. Some years ago, an expert on automation, Sir Leon Bagrit pointed out that it was a mistake to believe that these machines could think. There is no possibility that human beings will be controlled by machines. Though computers are capable of learning from their mistakes and improving on their performances, they need detailed instructions from human beings to be able to operate. They can never lead independent lives or rule the world by taking decisions of their own.
Sir Leon said that in future, computers would be developed which would be small enough to be carried in one’s pocket, Ordinary people would then be able to me them to obtain valuable information. Computers could be plugged into a wireless network and can be used like radian For instance people, going on holiday, could be informed about weather conditions, Car driver: can be given an alternative route, when there is a traffic jam. It will also be possible to make tiny translating machines. This will enable people, who do not share a common language, to talk to each other without any difficulty or to read foreign publications.
It is impossible to assess the importance of a machine “this sort, {or many international misunderstandings are caused simply due to our failure to understand each other, Computers will also be used in ordinary public hospitals, By providing a machine with a patient? systems, a doctor will be able to diagnose the nature of his illness. Similarly machine: could be used to keep a check on a patient’s health record and bring it up to date. Doctors will, therefore, have immediate am to great many {acts which will help them in their work. Book-keepers and Accountants too could be relieved of dull clerical work, For the tedious task of compiling and checking list: of figures could be done entirely by machines. Computer; are the most efficient servant man has ever had and there is no limit to the way they can be used to improve our lives.
- Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate options: 6
(1) Write out the correct options:
- There is no possibility that human beings can be on their own with no need of machines.
- Human beings are likely to be controlled by machines on day.
- There is no possibility that human beings will ever be controlled by machines.
- Machines can replace humans.
(2) Write out the correct option:
(a) Computers can solve only certain mathematical problems.
(b) Computers can’t solve any mathematical problems.
(c) Computers can solve the most complex mathematical problems.
(d) Computers can solve only simple mathematical problems.
(3) Computers can be used
(a) to find treatment for the patient’s illness.
(b) to prescribe a medicine for the patient.
(c)to diagnose the nature of patient’s illness.
(d) to keep the patient in good mood.
(4) Many international misunderstandings are caused due to
(a) our failure to understand ourselves.
(b) our failure to understand other nations.
(c) our failure to understand our friends.
(d) our failure to understand each other.
(5) The antonym of the word ‘complicated’ is
(a) difficult (b) simple (c) easy (d) strange
(6) The verb form of the word ‘alternative’ is
(a) alternate (b) alter (c) late (d) elate
- Answer the following questions briefly:
(a) State the main capabilities of computers.
(b) What is automation?
(c) What benefit can man derive from ‘automation’?
(d) Why can’t computers replace man?
(e) Find the synonym of the following words from the passage
(i) results (ii) monotonous.
- Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 10
Effective speaking depends on effective listening. It takes energy to concentrate on hearing and to concentrate on understanding what has been heard. In competent listeners fail in a number of ways. First, they may drift. Their attention drifts from what the speaker is saying. Second, they may counter. They find counter arguments to whatever a speaker may be saying. Third they compete. Then, they filter. They exclude from their understanding those parts of the message which do not readily fit with their own frame of reference. Finally they react. They let personal feelings about speaker or subject overside the significance of the message which is being sent.
What can a listener do to be more effective? The first key to effective listening is the art of concentration. If a listener positively wishes to concentrate on receiving a message, his chances of success are high.
It may need determination. Some speakers are difficult to follow either because of voice problems, or because of the form in which they send a message. There is then a particular need for the determination of a listener to concentrate on what is being said.
Concentration is helped by alertness. Mental alertness is helped by physical alertness. It is not simply physical fitness, but also positioning of the body, the linbs and the head. Some people also find it helpful to their concentration if they hold the head slightly to one side. One useful way for achieving this is intensive notetaking, by trying to capture the critical headings and sub-headings the speaker is referring to.
Note-taking has been recommended as an aid to the listener. It also helps the speaker. It gives him confidence when he sees that listeners are sufficiently interested to take notes, the patterns of eye contact when the note taker looks up can be very positive; and the speaker’s timing is aided he can see when a note-taker is writing hard and can then make effective use of pauses.
Posture too is important. Consider the impact made by a less competent listener who pushes his chair backwards and slouches. An upright posture helps a listener’s concentration. At the same time it is seen by the speaker to be a positive feature amongst his listeners. Effective listening skills have an impact on both the listener and the speaker.
(A) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and sub-heading. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary and also suggest a suitable title. 5
(B) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes. 8
SECTION ‘B’ Writing Skills and Grammar
- You are Amit / Anita, Head Boy / Head Girl of your school. You are organising a career counseling session for class XI and XII students of your school. Write a notice giving details to be displayed on your notice board in about 50 words. 5
OR
You are the General Manager of a leading company. You need a Chartered Accountant for your office. Draft an advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in the Times of India, New Delhi, under the classified columns.
- Abduction and rape of young girls is on the rise in the city. Write a letter to the editor of a leading newspaper suggesting steps which need to be immediately taken by the Govt., to make our city a safer place for women. You are Renu/Rohit of F-15, Kamla Nagar, Delhi. 10
OR
Your are Shreya/Shreyas. Write an application in response to the following advertisement in a national daily. You consider yourself suitable and eligible for this post.
Applications are invited for the post of a Nursery teacher / PRT in Y.K. International School, Ghaziabad, U.P. The candidate must have a minimum experience of 3 years of teaching at the primary and pre-primary level. The candidate must have pleasant and energetic personality, Attractive salary.
Interested candidates should apply to the Principal with a detailed resume.
- Write an article in about 150-200 words on ‘Vocational Training-A Part of the school curriculum’ expressing your views on its need in the present scenario and suggesting steps to make it successful. 10
OR
You are Sumit / Sunita, the President of RWA, Vasant Vihar Delhi. You have to deliver a speech on the topic ‘Crimes against senior Citizens-Measures to curb it.’ Write the speech in about 150-200 words.
- The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction in the blank spaces. The first one has been done as an example. 4
Incorrect Correct
- The next day during an break an the
- When all the teacher and students ______ ______
- Was eating their snacks, the mother ______ ______
- Left the school building hurrily ______ ______
- The boy saw him walking ______ ______
- Quickly from of the school gate ______ ______
- When he was drank water after ______ ______
- his meal and wonder where ______ ______
- his mother is going ______ ______
- In the following passage one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with die word that comes before and after it. 4
- Since the magpie bird was most ____________
- intelligent and clever birds at ____________
- building nests, all the birds the ____________
- Air kingdom came her and ____________
- asked her to teach how to build ____________
- their nests. So she all the ____________
- birds to gather her and began ____________
- to Show them to go about it ____________
- Rearrange the following to form meaningful sentences: 2
- they /in the hall / for /two hours / watching / had been / television.
b.blessings / you / all /on /may/ showered / be.
SECTION – ‘C’ Textbooks and Long Reading Text
- Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: 3
Yet have I killed
The seed I Spent or sown it Where The land is his and none of mine?
We speak like strangers, there’s no sign of understanding in the air.
Questions:
- What does the ‘seed refer to?
- Why do father and son speak like strangers?
- Why does the father say: ‘The land is his and none of mine’?
OR
When did my childhood go?
Was it the day I ceased to be eleven,
Was it the time I realised that Hell and Heaven,
Could not be found in Geography,
And therefore could not be,
Was that the day !
Questions:
- When did the poet leave his childhood behind?
- What big change has taken place in the life of the poet?
- What does he know now about Hell and Heaven?
- Answer any three of the following questions in about 30-40 words: 12
- What has the camera captured?
- Who is ‘the world’s most dangerous animal’? Why is it called so?
- How was King Tut’s mummy scanned by the portable CT Scanner?
- What did Andrew do to restore life in the still born child?
- Why did the head teacher at Munich school expel Albert out?
- We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children” Margret Thatcher’s words highlight the theme of the lesson ‘The Ailing Planet. The Green Movement’s Role. You feel very concerned about this earth which is being destroyed gradually. Write an article diatom 100 words on ‘Save the Planet Earth.’ 6 OR
Not only in Pearson’s family, but in most families mothers Ere taken for granted. They do all work and get no respect. Based on your reading of the story, write a paragraph on the topic:
‘The Need to Respect Mothers.’