LIST OF MEMBERS WHO PREPARED

QUESTION BANK FOR ENGLISH CORE FOR CLASS XII

TEAM MEMBERS

Sl. No. Name Designation

1. Dr. (Mrs.) Neeraj Principal (Group Leader)

Govt. Girls Sr. Sec.School,

No. 2, B-Block, Yamuna

Vihar, Delhi

2. Mrs. Neelam Kulshreshtha Lecturer .English

SKVB (AH)-Block

Shalimar Bagh Delhi

3. Mr. Fahad Rehman Lecturer English

R.S.V. No. 4, Roop Nagar,

Delhi -110007

4. Mrs. Renu Syal Lecturer English Govt.

Girls Sr. Sec. School, No.2

B-Block, Yamuna Vihar,

Delhi-110053

5. Mrs. Suman Lata Sharma Lecturer English Govt.

Girls Sr. Sec. School, No,2

New Seelampur, Delhi

110053

6. Mrs. Vijaishwari Negi Lecturer English SKV No.

1, C-Block, Yamuna Vihar

Delhi-110053

Reviewed and Edited by :

1. Dr. Anita Vats, Principal, RPVV, Kishanganj, Delhi

2. Mr. Rakesh Semalty, Lecturer, RPVV, Raj Niwas Marg, Delhi-

3. Dr. Savita Bahl, Lecturer GGSSS, Chabi Ganj, Kashmiri Gate.

4. Mrs. Neelam Kulshreshtha, Lecturer .SKV. B (AH) Block, Shalimar

Bagh, Delhi.

1 ENGLISH (CORE)

NOTIFICATION

Modification for Class XII (2013-14 ,ASL and Values Based Question in

English Core (301)

In class XII (2013-14) the written paper in March examination 2014 will be

of 100 marks and there will be no formal assessment of speaking and

listening skills in class XII English Core as was mentioned in the

Curriculum document 2014 (Volume-1) for Senior Secondary. The

modified syllabus with Value Based Question is attached as annexure

with this notification.

In class XI 2013-14, 20% Weightage has been allocated to assessment of

speaking and listening skills The reading project will be assessed internally.

The guidelines to conduct the Speaking and Listening Assessment (ASL)

for class XI had been uploaded on the CBSE Academic Websitevide

circular no: 63 dated 12, September, 2012, along with Sample Papers for

ASL. lt is expected that all the schools affiliated to CBSE to have conducted

the Speaking and Listening Assessment as per the guidelines uploaded at

school level in class Xl and added the marks in the term end examination

2013 for class Xl.

All the schools are once again informed that the assessment of Speaking and

Listening (ASL) has to be conducted by every school in class Xl (2013-14)

also. The Weightage of 20 marks will be added in the written paper of 80

marks to make it 100 marks for the final examination. As part of evidence of

assessment, schools are expected to maintain the files of audio recording of

the speaking assessment of students to be sent to the CBSE along with the

Award lists of Speaking and Listening Assessment. The modified

guidelines along with the sample papers of the Speaking and Listening

assessment will be uploaded on the CBSE Academic website very shortly.

All the heads of schools may schedule the conduct of the school-based

assessment for class XI from 15 November to 15 December of each year, to

avoid any inconvenience. The monitoring of the school based assessment of

speaking and listening skills will be done by the CBSE with the help of

trained Monitors and Oral Examiners.

2 ENGLISH (CORE)

Therefore to sum up, the division of marks is as follows;

Academic Class Marks / Weightags Written Paper of Total Marks

session for ASL English core

2013-14 XII 0 100 100

*20l 3-14 XI 20 80 100

*20l4-15 XII 0 100 100

*Please see detailed syllabus in Curriculum document 2015 for Senior

Secondary (Volume I)

Sd/-

(DR. SADHANA PARASHAR)

DIRECTOR (ART & I)

Annexure

ENGLISH CORE

Code No. - 301

CLASS XII (2013-14)

3 Hours

One Paper Marks: 100

Unit-wise Weightage

Unit/Areas of Learning Marks

Section A Reading

A. Skills 20

Reading unseen prose passages and note making

B. Section B

Advanced Writing Skills Section 35

C. Section C

Literature Textbooks and Long 30

Reading Texts/ Novels 15

(i) Flamingo

(ii) Supplementary Reader-Vistas

3 ENGLISH (CORE)

SECTION-A

Reading unseen Passages and Note-making 20 Marks 40 Periods

Two unseen passages with a variety of questions including 03 marks for

vocabulary such as word formation and inferring meaning and 05 marks for note-

making.

The total length of the two passages will be between 950-1200 words. The

passages will include two of the following:

(a) Factual Passages e.g. instructions, descriptions, reports

(b) Discursive passage involving opinion e.g. argumentative, persuasive or

interpretative text

(c) Literary passage e.g. extract from fiction, drama, poetry, essay or

biography

Unseen No. of Testing Areas Marks Allotted

passages words

1. 600-700 Short answer type

questions to test local,

global and inferential 09

comprehension, 03

Vocabulary

2. 350-500 Note-making in an

appropriate format 05

Abstraction 03

A passage of about 600-700 words carrying 12 marks and another passage of

about 350-500 words carrying 08 marks

1 . A passage to test reading comprehension. The passage can be literary,

factual or discursive. the length of the passage should be between 600- 700

words.

2. A shorter passage of 35 0-5 00 words for note-making and abstraction.

SECTION B

Advanced Writing Skills 35 Marks 70 Periods

3. One out of two short compositions of not more than 50 words each e.

g. advertisement and notices, designing or drafting posters, writing

12

08

4 ENGLISH (CORE)

formal and informal invitations and replies. 05

4. A Report or a factual description based on verbal input provided

1 0

(one out of two) (125-150 words)

5- Writing one out of two letters based on verbal input. Types of letters

include: 10

(a) business or official letters (for making enquiries, registering

complaints, asking for and giving information, placing

orders and sending replies)

(b) letters to the editor (giving suggestions on an issue)

(c) application for a job

(d) letter to the principal or school authorities regarding

admissions, school issues, requirement or suitability of

course etc. 10

6. One out of two compositions based on visual and or verbal input

(125-150 words). Output may be descriptive or argumentative in

nature such as an article, or a speech or a debate.

SECTION C

Literature Text books and Long Reading Texts 30+15= 45 Marks 100 Periods

Prescribed Books:

Flamingo and Vistas 30

7. One out of two extracts based on poetry from the text to test

comprehension and appreciation 04

8. Two out of three short questions from the poetry section to test local

and global comprehension of text 04

9. Six out of seven short answer type questions based on the lessons

from Flamingo and Vistas 12

10. One out of two long answer type questions based on the text to test

global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the set text

(Expected word l imit about 100-125 Words each)

05

11. One long answer question based on texts to test comprehension and

5 ENGLISH (CORE)

The following lessons will not be tested in the examination:

Name of the Textbooks Name of the Lessons Deleted

Flamingo 1. Poets and Pancakes

2. The Interview

3. A Road Side Stand (Poetry)

Vistas 4. The Third Level

5. Journey to the End of the Earth

With a view to instil the habit of reading among the students, the CBSE has

introduced compulsory reading of Long Reading Text/ Novel in English

Core Course. The assessment will be done in the term end examinations.

Q. 12 & 13. There will be two long answer questions on the theme, plot,

character and incidents from the prescribed novel. Schools can choose any

one out of the two novels prescribed. 8+7 = 15 Marks

Prescribed Books:

1. Flamingo: English Reader published by National Council of

Education Research and Training, New Delhi.

2. Vistas: Supplementary Reader published, by National Council of

Education Research and Training, New Delhi.

Long Reading Text/ Novels

Hound of Baskervilles (unabridged 1902) Arther Conan Doyle

6 ENGLISH (CORE)

PASSAGE 1

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follows:

1. New Delhi : It seems the common house sparrow has disappeared

from the city. But ornithologists maintain that while sparrow

numbers are dwindling, the bird has not disappeared entirely from

the city and only shifted to more inhabitable parts. Conservationists

are now trying to understand why some areas have managed to hold

back sparrows and what has driven them away from others.

2. A recent countrywide Survey initiative called 'Citizen Sparrow' is

now roping in residents who want to report about their experience

with sparrows. So far this unique sparrow survey organized by the

Bombay National History Society (BNHS) and Ministry of

Environment and Forests (MOEF) has received close to 410

responses from Delhi. Of these, 86 have claimed they have not seen

any sparrows at all. But the majority seems to have sighted the bird,

which gives new hope to conservationists.

3. "l have seen lots of sparrows in Ghaziabad, in Sheikh Sarai where i

live but hardly any in- say the Greater Kailash area. What is different

in GK and other parts is still a mystery. But certain factors drawing

the birds have become clearer, such as they nest more around old

buildings, houses or maybe in houses where there are old electricity

meters, kitchen gardens, shrubs," says co-investigator, BNHS

Citizen Sparrow Project, Koustubh Sharma.

4. Another conservationist and birder, Ananda Banerjee says she has

seen lots of sparrows in parts of Lutyens' Delhi, Mayur Vihar, parts

of old Delhi and parts of Noida. He cites urban landscape to be the

reason behind the decline in the sparrow population.

5. "Urban architecture, tall glass buildings that lack nesting spaces for

the sparrow, pesticides used in farming that kill the worms that

sparrows feed on are some of the reasons. Even our markets have

changed. There are not many open markets where they can get

7 ENGLISH (CORE)

grains. But you can see lots of sparrows in Khari Baoli open grain

market," he says.

6. But there is no doubt among conservationists that sparrows are fast

disappearing. Declining number of sparrows and their complete

absence from some parts of the city isn't just about missing the tiny

bird. lt is an indicator of something much graver.

7. Ecologist and forestry expert, Neeraj Khera, who has been studying the

sparrow population in Delhi, feels that sparrows are an important indicator

species. "There is always a threshold level. Big changes like an epidemic

outbreak for instance will not happen overnight, but when we cross the

buffer line then changes take place in our ecosystem. Sparrows as an

indicator species is very sensitive to change. So it's obvious that a lot must

have changed in our ecology to have driven them away." says Khera.

8. Some of the important factors responsible are air and water pollution, loss

of native herbs and shrubs.

9. Another trend being noticed by experts is the increase of rock pigeons in

most parts of Delhi. They seem to have almost replaced the sparrows that

used to nest in the same places.

10. "Rock pigeons have almost grown out of proportion and 'taken up the

space of sparrows. They can be seen nesting in houses and other buildings.

Studies have shown that it is not a welcome change the excreta of rock

pigeon carries a lot bacterial pathogens," said Khera

11. She says that sparrow population is moderate in places there are old

government buildings, water bodies or green spaces. Saving the sparrow,

she says is not a lost cause yet. lt is the right time to intervene and check

further decline. lt will take 'Citizen Sparrow' survey a couple of more

months to come up with the preliminary analysis of the results from their

survey and may offer a stronger argument on why the sparrows are

disappearing from the city. Source : The Times of India

A. (a) What is 'Citizens Sparrow and who has initiated it? 2

(b) What has increased the hope of conservationists ? 2

(c) According to survey study. which type of house is sparrow's first

choice of nesting? 2

(d) How is the use of pesticides in farming responsible for decrease in

8 ENGLISH (CORE)

sparrows population? 2

(e) What did the ecologis t Neeraj Khera observe?

1

B. Find out words from the passage which mean the same as the following:

(1X3) = 3

(a) becoming less or smaller (Para 1)

(b) secret/impossible to understand (Para 3)

(c) picture of inland scenery (Para 4)

9 ENGLISH (CORE)

PASSAGE 2

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that

follow :

1. Republic is essentially a nation-state in which supreme political power

vests in the people and in elected representatives given a mandate to

govern, by those people. Most importantly-and this is the principal point

of difference from a monarchy-republics have an elected or nominated

head of state, usually a president, not a hereditary monarch. ln effect, all

sovereignty, power and authority in a republic are vested in the people.

2. 'Republic' is derived from the Latin phrase res publica-"a public thing".

Ancient Romans used this to describe the wellspring of their governance

system for their city-state by about 500 BC. Inspired by notions of

Athenian democracy, Rome's republic was a noble experiment.

The inscription 'SPOR', emblazoned on all Roman standards and public

buildings, expanded to 'The Senate and People of Rome'. lt touted to the

world that Roman political power was vested in a great many, not

concentrated in one ruler or family.

Rome's republican tryst, sustained by public elections and classical

debate, lasted until Julius Caesar seized control in 44 BC. Being succeeded

by his wily nephew, Augustus-who founded a famous empire that lasted a

while longer 300 consigned the republican ideal to the dustbin of the

world.

3. Rome took much of its republican template from Greece. In particular,

from Athens, most luminous of ancient Greece's many city-states. The

notion of moving political power away from an individual to the masses

sprang from the need to safeguard the then 'new' notion- of personal and

individual freedom. lt meant citizens would willingly join any battle to

safeguard this freedom from any aggressor. But it was a troubled ideal.

Athens ran on slave labour, democracy became limited to narrower

sections as time went by. Tyranny and mobrule reared their ugly heads;

Athenian imperialism overstretched the city-state so much so that even

Plato and Aristotle, in effect, argued for enlightened oligarchies in their

political philosophy.

4. Aristotle's star pupil, Alexander of Macedon, soon put paid to all notions

of republicanism by conquering large parts of Eurasia to establish an

ENGLISH (CORE)10

empire so large that it would only truly be eclipsed by Rome's later rise.

5. Besides the many obvious fruits of Renaissance and Reformation-

Europe's two most epochal events in the second millennium the republican

ideal owes much to Niccolo Machiavellie and John Locke. Machiavellie, a

15th century Italian statesman-writer, located sovereignty in a collective

exercise of power. The governed would guide actions of their ideal

governor, he argued forcefully. Little wonder that Rousseau later referred

to Machiavellie 'The Prince' as "a handbook for Republicans''.

6. Locks, 17th century England's most notable philosopher, cut through

mythological mumbo-jumbo to argue that true power must formally lie

with the people. A 'contract' existed between rulers and people, that bound

both to establish "directed to no other end but the peace, safety, and public

good of the people".

7. The rise of England's parliament soon after injected a strong 'republican

element into its bodhpolitic Modern liberalism-which sprang from

Locke's work-did the same in most of the western world.

8. Two revolutions, one decade and two continents apart, brought forth two

republican models the world still looks to. The American, in 1776, and

French in 1789. The first saw England lose its earliest colony. Monarchy

was sternly repudiated and the ideas behind the Declaration of

Independence exploded onto the western world as a serious alternative

whose time had come.

9. The declaration laid the basis for much republican-democratic ideation.

The US's new constitution firmly located power with the people by stating

that governments derived "their just powers from the consent of the

governed".

10. The French Revolution brought French monarchy, and all its attendant

power structures, to a violent end, sending shockwaves through European

kingdoms. The new republic's bloody -convulsions and military

campaigns- for liberty, equality, and national self-aggrandizement-spread

the spirit of revolution. Even under Napoleon Bonaparte. France would

flirt with monarchy again but remained firmly democratic and republican

in spirit ever after.

11. Nationalism soon proved a potent new force, redrawing Europe's map

several times over. Old power structures were found severely wanting. All

ENGLISH (CORE)11

big European monarchies made room for democratic representation.

12. Given lndia's long history of fractious monarchies and mighty empires,

the freedom movement set itself in democratic tradition. That wish came

to final culmination of January 26th, 1950, when the nation was declared a

republic and given the world's most comprehensive Constitution to abide

by. But India may not be a stranger to this 'western-inspired' system.

Historical research has shown, but not proven, that some city-states in

north India between 500 BC and 400 AD might have actually been

ancient republics of a sort. The Licchavi state, a Buddhist Kingdom

with ganas and sang- has-normally translated as republics, but best

referred to as 'self-government multitudes'-was 'the most prominent.

A good to hold as India basks in 60 years of republican glory. After

all, that's no mean achievement.

A. Questions

(a) How is a republican state different from Monarchy? 2

(b) How did Julius Caesar change the face of a republican state? 2

(c) What are the major gifts of French Revolution? 2

(d) Mention the different forms of Republics s tar ted.

2

(e) How did lndia get its first Republican state. 1

B. Find out the words which mean the same as the following : (1x3) = 3

(a) ruler (para 1)

(b) student (para 4)

(c) powerful (para 11)

ENGLISH (CORE)12

PASSAGE 3

1. Rarely have homemakers found a place in lndia's policy. But an innovative

scheme in Goa's budget introducing a grant for them, thereby officially

acknowledging their invaluable contribution, could change all that.

2. The scheme, likely to be rolled out by July, proposes to give Rs 1,000 per

month to all homemakers with annual household income of below Rs. 3

lakh, benefitting some 1.25 lakh families. "Homemakers are finding it

difficult to manage households in these times of inflation. This is meant to

empower them," says an official of the women and child development

ministry.

3. Nutan Sakalkar, a homemaker, is overjoyed at the prospect of getting

some money of her own. "We get scant respect in our society," she says.

"Working women are often absolved of household responsibilities, but no

one gives a thought for the work we put in 24X7." She feels the grant will

bring back her sense of independence. "Though he never refuses, l feel

guilty asking my husband for money."

4. The role of homemakers has been a contentious issue since the "70sk Can

their contribution be regarded as work? Does it warrant monetary

compensation? While this is perhaps the first time a government scheme

has directly targeted homemakers, the struggle to bring them true dignity

is a long way off.

5. "The profits of society today are subsidized by the unpaid work of women

all over the country. Not only do they form the cone economy but they

produce the workers of tomorrow," says economist Vibhuti Patel of

Mumbai's SND Women's University. A grant, she believes, would merely

help some of them move from starvation to subsistence. But what they

should be given is a direct stake in their husband's pay cheques, she feels.

6. Madhu Kishwar, editor of women's journal 'Manushi' , too, doesnt believe

doles can help empowerment. "Why should the government pay

homemakers? l would consider it an insult. Women are the gruha lakshmis

and should be treated as equals and given the charge of household

finances," she says.

7. The struggle for gender equality is reflected in the National Family Health

Survey Ill(2005-06 ). Not only are fewer women counted in the workforce

as compared to men (some 43% of married women in the 15-49 age group

were employed as compared to 99% men), but one in four didn't receive

13 ENGLISH (CORE)

any payment as compared to 1 in 20 men.

8. The crisis of dignity isn't restricted to India alone. ln April, there was

an outcry against Democratic strategist Hillary Rosen's comments

on Republican candidate Mitt Romney's wife when she questioned

the latter's status as an ambassador on women's issues because she

had "never worked a day in her life". Romney's a stay-at-home mum

of five children. Rosen's comments went viral with many on Twitter

protesting, forcing an apology from her. Even Michelle Obama

tweeted, "Every mother works hard, and every woman deserves to

be respected."

9. The Goa model is one among many social experiments underway

globally. Venezuela recognizes housework as 'work' under its

Constitution and pays homemakers 80% of minimum wages.

10. Whether such initiatives will bring respect to housework waits to be

seen.

Source : The Times of India

A. Questions `

(a) Which innovative scheme did Goa's budget introduce recently? 2

(b) What does the scheme intend to? 2

(c) What do the housewives like nutan sakalkar think of working

women? 2

(d) What does Vibhuti Patel of SNDT women's university advocate for .

home makers? 2

(e) What does Madhu Kishwar suggest? 1

B. Find out the words from the passage which mean the same as the

following: (1x3) = 3

(a) new/changed (para 1)

(b) declared fromLittle

(c) money distributed in small amounts (Para 6)

14 ENGLISH (CORE)

PASSAGE 4

1. This year marks a great milestone in the human saga, similar in magnitude

to the agricultural era and industrial revolution. For the first time in

history, a majority of human beings will be living in vast urban areas,

according to the United Nations-many in mega cities and suburban

extension with populations of 10 million people more. We have become

Home Urbans.

2. Millions of people huddled together and stacked on top of each other in

gigantic urban centers is a new phenomenon. Recall that 200 years ago,

the average person on earth might have met 200 to 300 people in a

lifetime. Today, a resident of New York City can live and work amongst

2,20,000 people within a 10 minute radius of his home or office in

midtown Manhattan. Only one city in all of history-ancient Rome-boasted

a population of more than a million inhabitants before the 19th century.

London became the first modern city with a population of over one million

people in 1820. Today, 414 cities boast population of a million or more

people and there's no end in sight to the urbanization process because our

species is growing at an alarming rate. Around 3,76,000 people are born

every day on earth. The human population is expected to increase to nine

billion by 2042, most living in dense urban areas.

3. No one is really sure whether this profound turning point on human living

arrangements ought to be celebrated, lamented, or merely acknowledged

for the record. That's because our burgeoning population and urban way of

life has been purchased at the expense of the demise of the earth's vast

ecosystems and habitats. Cultural historian Elias Canetti once remarked

that each of us is a king in a field of corpses. lf we were to stop for a

moment and reflect on the number of creatures and earth's resources and

materials we have expropriated and consumed in our lifetime.

4. Large populations living in mega cities consume massive amount of the

earth's energy. To put this in perspective, the Sears Tower alone, one of the

tallest skyscrapers in the world, uses more electricity in a single day than a

town of 35000 inhabitants. Even more amazing, our species now consume

nearly 40 per cent of the net primary production on earth-net amount of

solar energy converted to plant organic matter through photosynthesis-

even though we only make up one half of 1 per cent of the animal biomass

of the planet.

15 ENGLISH (CORE)

5. lt's no accident that as we celebrate the urbanization of the world, we are

quickly approaching another historic watershed, the disappearance of the

wild. Rising population, growing consumption of food, water and

building materials, expanding road and transport, and urban sprawl

continue to encroach on the remaining wild, pushing it to extinction.

Our scientists tell us that within the lifetime of today's children, the

wild will disappear from the face of the earth after millions of years

of existence, The Trans-Amazon Highway is hastening the

obliteration of the last great wild habitat. Other remaining wild

regions from Borneo to the Congo Basin are fast diminishing with

each passing day. lt's no wonder that according to Harvard Biologist

EQ Wilson, we are experiencing the greatest wave of mass

extinction of animal species in 65 million years. By 2100, two-thirds

of the earth's remaining species are likely to become extinct.

6. Where does this leave us? Try to imagine 1,000 cities of nearly one

million or more inhabitants in 35 years from now. lt boggles the

mind and is unsustainable for the earth. Perhaps the commemoration

of the urbanisation of the human race in 2007 might be an

opportunity to rethink the way we live on this planet. Certainly there

is much to applaud about urban life : its rich cultural diversity and

dense commercial activity come readily to mind. But the question is

one of magnitude and scale. We need to ponder how best to lower our

population and develop sustainable urban environments that use

energy and resources more efficiently, are less polluting, as well as

better designed.

7. ln short, in the great era of urbanisation we have increasingly shut off

the human race from the rest of the natural world in the belief that we

could conquer, colonise and utilise the rich largesse of the planet to

ensure our complete autonomy and without dire consequences to us

and future generations. ln the next phase of human history, we will

need to find a way to reintegrate ourselves back into the rest of the

living earth if we are to preserve our own species and conserve the

planet for our fellow creatures.

A Questions

(a) What is the significance of the present year in human history? 2

ENGLISH (CORE)16

(b) How is life different today from the life in Past? 2

(c) Why should we lament at the growth of population and not celebrate

the progress? 2

d) How is the urbanization harmful for the natural resources? 2

(e) What is the warning given by our scientists for future?

B. Find out the words which mean just the opposite of the following:

(1x3) = 3

(i) small (para 1)

(ii) shrinking (para 5)

(iii) thin/scanty (para 6)

PASSAGE 5

1. The first written public examinations were introduced over 2,000

years ago with the establishment of the imperial examination system

in 606 AD in China. By the middle of the 19th century, competitive

examinations had been introduced in Britain and lndia to select

government officials. Public examination in schools have a shorter;

but still considerable, history.

2. At present, the examination system in India is characterised by

heterogeneity. They differ in their vintage, organisational design,

financial stability, autonomy, organisational culture and credibility.

For instance, the National Institute of Open Schooling is unique in

conducting exams through the distance mode; the Indian School

Certificate Examination confines itself to only private schools; and

the West Bengal Board of Madrasa Education is for Islamic

educational institutions only. ln a situation where public funds are

involved, the equity, efficiency and transparency of this expenditure

need to be assessed to ensure that the taxpayers' money is being

spent with due care and concern. The Amrik Singh report (1997) on

reorganising boards wondered, "Can there also be a system whereby

it becomes possible to grade and categorise the boards in respect of

how efficiently and honestly examinations are organised ?"

3. To do so, a set of parameters were chosen to measure effectiveness,

quality, transparency and economic efficiency of the functioning of

ENGLISH (CORE)17

these organisations. These include indicators like cost incurred per

tudent, fee charged per student, number of examinees per employee

and number of affiliated schools per employee. An analysis was

made of the boards chosen on the basis of these parameters. The

functioning of a total of 20 boards was analysed in terms of 18

performance indicators in 2005.

4. The data collected from the states shows that most boards have an

operating surplus. However, the boards seem to be more sensitive to

the needs of the disabled. All of them have some special provisions

for such candidates. While these provisions vary widely in scope,

most provide for a longer duration of examination, concessions in

the examination of languages. The CBSE, along with the

Maharashtra board, seem to fare the best.

5. Another important measure of effectiveness of the functioning of the

boards is the time taken for declaration of examination results. lt was

found that this ranged from a mere 26 days in the case of Karnataka

Secondary Education Examination Board in 2005 to 48 days for

class X in neighbouring Maharashtra. The Supreme Court has

recently issued directions that results should be declared within 45

days from the end of examinations. ln 2005, 10 of the 20 boards,

which provided this information, could not declare results within 45

days.

6. The reason for such a wide variation in performance in such a vital

parameter was the processes utilised. Boards, which have adopted a

centralised system of assessment in comparison to the earlier system

of sending answer sheets to examiners, have an obvious edge.

Similarly many boards have outsourced the work of compilation of

results faster and used technology extensively. These boards are also

able to declare results. ln addition, agencies, which have consciously

designed question papers with a high proportion of multiple choice

responses, do not need much time for evaluation. ln fact, the

Karnataka board has 60 percent of all the questions as objective type.

7. The quality of assessments is measured by the reliability of results.

Even minor errors serve to destroy confidence in exams.

ENGLISH (CORE)18

Considerable variation was found between boards on this measure.

The criteria was the number of applications made for scrutiny of

marks after results had been declared, and the number of corrections

made subsequently by the board. Of the 18 boards for which such

figures were available, over 40 per cent had more than 10 per cent

such corrections. The Council for the Indian School Certificate

Examinations reported the lowest number; the highest number of

mistakes found in the results declared was by the Bihar intermediate

Education Council at a shocking 60.36 percent. Surprisingly, the

Bihar School Examination Board fared much better. It would be

interesting to explore the reasons for such a vast difference between

the functioning of two similar organisation in the same state.

8. A similar discrepancy was noticed in Assam where the Higher

Secondary Education Council reported an error level of 19.14 per

cent while the Board of Secondary Education had only 7.27 per cent

errors. The third such case was in West Bengal where the West

Bengal Board of Madrasa Education had an error rate of 8.81 per

cent while the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education reported

a much higher rate of corrections made in the results declared of only

24.92 per cent.

9. The Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board exhibited

interest in results. It has the lowest cost per examinee and also

manages to declare results the fastest.

A. On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the

following:

(a) How have the Chinese played an important role in enhancing the

education system? 2

(b) Mention any four distinguishing features of examination in

India? 2

(c) What are the basic parameters to measure effectiveness in

functioning of an organization? 2

(d) What is the time limit fixed by Supreme Court for declaring the

results? 1

(e) What efforts are being made by different Boards to declare the

results at the earliest? 1

(f) What factors make Karnataka secondary school examination Board

superior to the other Boards? 1

B. Find out the words which mean the same as the following : (1x3) = 3

(a) keep on hold/restrict (para 2)

ENGLISH (CORE)19

NOTE MAKING

Characteristics of -Notes

Short

Include the important information in brief

Logically presented in sequence

Organised appropriately under Heading and Sub Heading.

Mechanics of Note-Making

(a) Use of Abbreviations :

(i) Capitalized first letter of words : UNO, CBSE, NCERT

etc.)

(ii) arithmetic symbols :

(>

(c) Make use of words and phrases only. Avoid full length Sentences.

(d) Give appropriate Title. The title may be given at the starting of notes

or before summary which is of -3- marks and should not be more

than 1/3 of the passage's length.

Marking Scheme / Pattern for Note Making and Summarising

1. Notes - Heading / Title 1 Mark

2. Abbreviation / Contraction 1 Mark

(Minimum four)

3. Sub-Headings (Two-three as per the requirement) along with 2-3

points. (1 x 2)= 3

4. Summary - Content - 02

Expression - 01

(Standard word limit for Summary is 80 words or around 1/3 of

the passage)

Note : ln case a student uses his/her invented contraction, he/she is required

to provide key for the same as -

prblm. = problem

trp'nt. = transparent

rqd. = required

dprsd. = _ depressed

* Notes / Points of students may vary from one another but one should

ensure that the main ideas/views are covered.

ENGLISH (CORE)21

PASSAGE 1

Q. 2. Read the passage given below :

In a very short period of time the internet has had a profound impact

on the way we live. Since the Internet was made operational in 1983, it has

lowered both the costs of communication and the barriers to creative

expression. lt has challenged old business models and enabled new ones. lt

has provided access to information on a scale never before achievable.

lt succeeded because we designed it to be flexible and open. These

two features have allowed it to accommodate innovation without massive

changes to its infrastructure. An open, border less and standardized

platform means that barriers to entry are low competition is high,

interoperability is assured and innovation is rapid.

The beauty of an open platform is that there are no gatekeepers. For

centuries, access to and creation of information was controlled by the few.

The internet has changed that and is rapidly becoming the platform for

everyone, by everyone.

Of course, it still has a way to go. Today there are only about 2.3

billion internet users, representing roughly 30% of the world's population.

Much of the information that they can access online is in English, but this is

changing rapidly.

The technological progress of the internet has also set social change

in motion. As with other enabling inventions before it, from the telegraph to

television, some will worry about the effects of broader access to

information -- the printing press and the rise in literacy that it effected were,

after all, long seen as destabilising. Similar concerns about the internet are

occasionally raised, but if we take a long view, l'm confident that its benefits

far outweigh the discomforts of learning to integrate it into our lives. The

internet and the world wide web are what they are because literally millions

of people have made it so. It is a grand collaboration.

lt would be foolish not to acknowledge that the openness of the

internet has had a price. Security is an increasingly important issue and

cannot be ignored. lf there is an area of vital research and development for

ENGLISH (CORE)22

the internet, this is one of them. I am increasingly confident, however, that

techniques and practices exist to make the internet safer and more secure

while retaining its essentially open quality.

After working on the internet and its predecessors for over four

decades, l'm more optimistic about its promise than l have ever been. We are

all free to innovate on the net every day. The internet is a tool of the people,

built by the people for the people and it must stay that way.

(a) On the basis of your reading ot the above passage make notes

on it using recognizable abbreviations (minimum four)

wherever necesary. Use a format you consider appropriate.

Supply a suitable title. (5 marks)

(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3 marks)

PASSAGE 2

Toddlers with greying hair, an eight year old with high pressure and

cholesterol, a pre- adolescent who has the physique of a 20 year old - the

signs are ominous. Biological clocks in children are ticking rapidly and the

rate at which their organs are aging is faster than their chronological age.

The country's medical fraternity may take pride in improving life

expectancy , but the spurt in lifestyle diseases, specially among children,

has resulted in premature aging. This means the increased life expectancy

doesn't necessarily translate into improved quality of life. Every organ in

human body has an age and when a child suffers from lifestyle diseases like

cholesterol and diabetes, his or her organs take a beating. Thus, the

functionality of an eight - year- old child's organs is that of a 30 - year- old.

Manifestations of their problems are evident, with children as young as

three sporting glasses, early signs of facial hair in boys.

Doctors in India say that they are treating more children with

ailments usually associated with adults.

Diabetes and hypertension is leading to stress on organs. Children's

organs are aging , though they may be young in terms of years. Genetic

ENGLISH (CORE)23

factors account for a meager 20% of premature aging. The main reasons are

environmental and dietary. Paediatric obesity, which is reaching epidemic

proportions, high stress levels, sedentary and changing lifestyles and

various chemicals used in food contribute to premature aging.

When diabetes sets in at an early stage, the child's blood vessels start

stiffening which happens only in older people. Technically, we are starting

at a scenario, where the child is aging much faster than his chronological

age.

(Source : The Times of India)

(a) On the basis of your reading of the passage, make notes on it using

recognizable abbreviations (minimum 4) wherever necessary. Use a

format that you consider appropriate. Also suggest a suitable title/

heading. (5 marks)

(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3 marks)

ENGLISH (CORE)24

PASSAGE 3

Excessive use of plastic bags and their unregulated disposal has been

choking lakes, ponds and urban sewage systems, the Supreme Court said on

Monday while warning that it posed a threat more serious than the atom

bomb for the next generation.

This observation from a bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and S .J.

Mukhopadhaya came on a PIL filed by two Andhra Pradesh-based NGOs

drawing the court's attention to 30-60 kg of plastic bags recovered from the

stomachs of cows because of irresponsible disposal of plastic bags and

defunct municipal waste collection system.

The court issued notice to the Center and state governments on the

PIL seeking ban on use of plastic bags in municipal areas which did not

have a prompt garbage collection, segregation and disposal system. The

NGOs said absence of a proper system allowed cows to rummage through

garbage bins and eat foodstuff disposed of in plastic bags, which get stuck

in their stomach. "Apart from the plastic choking the digestive system of the

plastic residues enter the human food chain through dairy and animal

products," he added.

But the bench wanted to address the larger questions arising from

indiscriminate use of plastic bags, which not only posed a grave threat to

nature and environment but also to the human race itself. It suggested that

the petitioner make the manufacturers and a television channel, which has

been running a campaign against use of plastic, parties to the PIL for a wider

scrutiny of the important issue.

We want to expand the scope of this petition. Unless we examine a

total ban on plastic bags or put in place a system for manufactures

mandating them to collect back all plastic bags, the next generation will be

threatened with something more serious than the atom bomb." the bench

said. The court also drew the petitioner's attention to large quantities of

water packed in plastic pouches, which were thrown around in

undisciplined manner across the country every day, "A rough estimate

shows more than 100 million water pouches are thrown away," the bench

said.

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it

using recognizable abbreviations (Minimum four) wherever

necessary. Use a format you consider appropriate. Supply a suitable

title. (5 marks)

(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words

(3 marks)

25 ENGLISH (CORE)

PASSAGE 4

A. Read the passage given below for Note making :

The Trail of smoke in most cases inevitably leads to school. And

college days-those adolescent times when mere lighting up gave them the

thrill of indulging in the prohibited. And yes, they weren't mama's boy (or

girls) anymore; they were macho and grown up beyond listening to nannies.

Or so they thought, till they got addicted.

There is a clear link between the youth and tobacco addiction.

Statistics reveal that many children are initiated into the habit of smoking at

the tender age of 10 years, according to Dr. Srinath Reddy, a researcher-

activist. That's why it make sense to stop them young, when they are

vulnerable to peer pressure. Smoking, which often starts as an experiment

in the company of friends often transforms into addiction.

According to the Non-Smoker's Health Protection Act 1997 nobody

is allowed to store, sell or distribute cigarettes, beedies or any other tobacco

product within an area of 100 m around colleges, schools and other

educational institutions. The Indian Parliament passed another

comprehensive legislation, the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, a

few years ago banning the sale of tobacco products to minors.

Has that made any difference? "You have to go to north campus to

see if any law is followed.''

Many students even argue that it is a matter of personal choice.

"Once in college, a student is old enough to take decisions. lt is clearly

mentioned on cigarette packs that 'smoking is injurious to health' and after

that if someone smokes, it is completely the individual's choice," says Manu

Singh, a student at JNU.

Sad reality is that nothing has been able to stop students from

smoking in schools and colleges. lt's fashion.

The law enforcement agencies takes refuge behind pleas like they

have large areas to cover with a small term. Their strength, they say, is not

ENGLISH (CORE)26

adequate to enforce laws. "Sometimes people pay the fine (Rs 200), which

is hardly a big amount. ln universities and colleges, raids are not possible.

With just one person from the police, it becomes impossible to control

them," said Dr. M.D. Thapa, Chief District Medical Officer, Northwest

district.

Advocate Ashok Agarwal does not buy the argument According to

him, there is a clear lack of interest on the part of the lawmakers. "The police

and the administration have their own priorities hence, they have little time

to look into these sensitive issues. The situation in this case is that of

accepted and agreed violation where just nobody is bothered." he says.

The one answer the experts agree on is; the government. "There is no

effort to implement the laws," complains advocate Ashok Agarwal. When

society does not care, the government becomes duty-bound to make them

care. There is a direct link between the youth and tobacco addiction. They

are the key targets for the MNCs," says Bijon Mishra, a social activist

involved with the NGO, Voice. While society and its institution ignore those

mischievous puffs in school canteens, the biggest beneficiaries are the

tobacco companies.

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it

using recognizable abbreviations (minimum 4) wherever necessary.

Use a format you consider appropriate Supply a suitable Title.

(5 Marks)

(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3 Marks)

ENGLISH (CORE)27

PASSAGE 5

A. Read the passage given below carefully for Note-making :

There's a part of India where the tiger may still have a fighting

chance ; the Western- Ghats. The big cat roams free here and in good

numbers, from the southern tip right up to Maharashtra, Eight tiger

reserves-in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been rated 'good' to

'satisfactory' by the Centre's 2009 preliminary status report on the tiger.

Experts say this is because of good governance, constant surveillance and

monitoring, pro-active local tribes a zealous scientific community, habitat

quality and contiguity and an excellent 'prey base', which means plentiful

supplies of deer.

ln Mudumalal, for instance, tiger numbers are believed nearly to

have doubled in recent times. Field director Rajiv K Srivastava says anti-

poaching watchers patrol the deep deciduous forests round-the-clock. "The

wireless network helps rush them to vulnerable areas when they receive

information about movement of suspected poachers," he adds. Each

watcher, mostly from a local tribe, covers 15-20 km daily.

The tiger has also returned to Sathyamangalam sanctuary-erstwhile

Veerappan country-after two decades. Some say this is because the guns

have fallen silent, along with rising tiger numbers in adjoining Mudumalal

and Bandipur; which sends the animals looking for more area to roam.

Scientists working in the field spotted two tigresses with five cubs at two

different locations last year. Forest officers estimate that there are atleast 10

tigers in the division.

The 2008 status report on tigers by the National Tiger Conservation

Authority and Wildlife Institute of India estimates tiger numbers in the

Western Ghats of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala at 402, with a lower

limit of 336 and upper limit of 487. The Bandipur and Nagar-hole tiger

reserves are almost full "High quality research on tigers and their prey base

has resulted in a pool of scientific data which facilitates reliable

monitoring" says Ravi Chellam, country director, Wildlife Conservation

Society (WCS), India programme, WCS staff range across 22,00 sq km of

ENGLISH (CORE)28

forest in Karnataka, tracking tigers to gather data from the field. Every

quarter, the WCS shares data with the Karnataka forest department. "Strict

protection of the forests by using science is the hallmark of tiger

conservation in Karnataka," says Chellam.

Recently, WCS scientists led by Ullas Karanth used high-tech fecal

sampling to tally and assess numbers. Tiger scat is thought to provide a

unique DNA signature allowing researchers to accurately identify

individual animals.

Another encouraging sign are tiger sightings in non-contiguous

areas. This indicates the presence of a "meta-population," i.e., tigers who

move from one reserve to another, thereby improving the gene pool. This

gives conservationists reason to hope that another not waiting to happen in

the south.

ln the Eastern Ghats, the Nagarjunasagar-Srisilam Tiger Reserve in

Andhra Pradesh is back from the brink. The centre's report damned the

reserve as 'poor'. The naxalite presence threatened the tiger's core habitat for

more than a decade and foresters could not enter the area. But the tiger

population inched up to 53 in 2008 form just 34 in the nineties. "The Naxal

presence is still there. But the forest field staff have started going inside for

habitat improvement, a vast change from the time when no kind of

administration existed there," says AK Nayak, the field director.

But there are reasons to worry as well. At a recent seminar in

Chennai, the chief wildlife wardens of the southern states admitted they did

not have enough trained staff to take on poachers. ln the rainforest habitats

of Kalakad-Periyar and Anaimalal-Parambikulam, low tiger density can be

reversed only if the prey base is protected. "The time has come for the

foresters to go back to old- fashioned conservation, that is physical

protection of forests, leaving development to other departments."

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it

using recognizable abbreviations (minimum 4) wherever necessary. Use a

format you consider appropriate. Supply a suitable Title. (5 Marks)

(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3 Marks)

29 ENGLISH (CORE)

Section 'B' : ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS

(35 Marks)

Advertisement

POINTS TO REMEMBER: Advertisements are of two types -

Personal purpose

(i) Classified Categorised in separate columns,

occupy less space, moreeconomical.

Written in short phrases and words,

Language imple, concise and compact,

give title and contact address.

(ii) Non Classified or Display Commercial purpose, more space,

visually attractive, with catchy

slogans, Varying font size or shape,

(language-colourful), lucid and

appealing overall arrangement.

(b) Classified Advertisements are covered under different headings:

- Situation vacant/situation wanted

- Sale and Purchase of Property/vehicles/Household Goods etc.

- Missing persons/Pet animals

- Lost and found

- Travels and Tours/Packers and Movers

- Educational Institution/Language course/Hobby classes

- Matrimonials / Alliance

- Change in name

Points to Remember :

Keep Heading - Situation Vacant / Wanted

ENGLISH (CORE)30

Begin with 'Wanted' or 'Required'

Mention the name of the employee with address.

Mention the no. of posts lying vacant/name of the post.

Mention required age limit and qualification (educational and

professional). Skills, personality and minimum experience required.

Pay scale and perks of the post concerned

Mode of applying and whom to apply

Time limit for submission of application

Contact address and Ph. No.

Example :

1. You are the General Manager of a leading industrial concern. 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.

Situation Vacant

Required a Chartered Accountant for a leading concern "Brakes and

Brakes India Ltd". An individual with CA degree, having two years

experience of an MNC and not more than 35 years can apply to the

General Manager with complete resume within seven days. Attractive

salary and promising career. General Manager, Brakes and Brakes Pvt.

Ltd., 116 Sect. 62, Noida, Ghaziabad.

2. You are the manager, Excel Pharma Ltd. Draft an advertisement for

your companyfor the post of Sales Executive (two) mentioning all

details as per your requirement.

Advertisements

3. Delhi Public School Rohtak, Haryana needs four post graduate

teachers (2 English, 1 Physics, 1 Maths) for the school. As the

Chairman of the school draft a classified advertisement for a leading

ENGLISH (CORE)31

newspaper inviting applications from suitable candidates. Include

details like essential qualification, experience, salary, working

condition etc. the mailing address of the school is P.O. Box-516, Civil

Lines, Rohtak, Haryana.

4. Vasant International school require a receptionist. The administrative

office drafts an advertisement for publication in the situation vacant

column of a newspaper. Draft an advertisement inviting application

for walk-in interview along with the testimonials.

1. You propose to sell your flat as you are going abroad. Draft an

advertisement for it to be published in Daily Times under classified

columns.

FOR SALE

Available DDA Flat, MIG, First floor, two Bedrooms with attached Baths,

Drawing and Dining with two balconies. Well furnished, airy, East and

park facing. Dilshad Garden, nearby market, school, hospital, bank,

Metro and bus stand. Price 65,00000/- but negotiable. Contact Details :

Om Properties, H Block, Dilshad Garden, 9810 ......... (M) -

2. You own an independent house in West Delhi and want to sell it.

Draft an advertisement for a local daily giving all necessary details.

FOR PURCHASE

3. Suppose you are Amitabh Ambani, Director of Study Plus, Australia.

You wish to purchase land for setting up a school in India. Write a

suitable advertisement inviting offers from land owners. Give

necessary details like plot size, area or location and offer of outsight

purchase. Do include your address in India.

(b) VEHICLE FOR SALE

Model No., Year of Manufacturing

Colour, accessories (New seat cover, mats, music system, A/C etc.

Single hand driven, good condition, new tyres, non accidental,

scratchless, milage, authorised CNG kit/diesel version.

ENGLISH (CORE)32

Insurance, Road Tax, and Pollution Certificate

Expected price 2,00000/- (fixed/negotiable)

Contact address and telephone No.

1. You want to sell your Maruti WagonR as you are going abroad. Draft

an advertisement for the classified column of a local daily giving

particulars of model, milage, etc.

Situation Wanted

1. Arun Gupta of M-3, Neel Kamal Apartment Shimla has a very good

knowledge of tourists places in Shimla. He wants to work as a Tourist

Guide. Draft a suitable. advertisement for publication in the 'Tours and

Travels Section' of a local newspapers in about 50 words.

Situation Wanted

A Tourist' Guide widely travelled, well acquainted with hill and

historical Places around Shimla. Well-versed in English, Hindi, Punjabi

and Local Language seeks a job in the Local Tours and Travels. Desirous

Party may contact Arun Gupta. M-3, Neel Kamal Apartment Shimla or

Call at 9868 .... (M).

1. You are A.L. Bhagat of C-108 Shakti Nagar, Delhi. You are

Chartered Accountant and you are capable of handling accounts and

Managing Finances, having six years of experience. Draft an

advertisement for the Times of India seeking a job (full

time/part time)

2. You are Mohan Garg. You intend to start hobby classes during the

coming summer vacation at your residence. Write an advertisement

to be published in Hindustan times. (50 words)

Hints - (Name hobby classes, time, date to start, qualified faculty,

mode of admission contact No etc.)

(a) PROPERTY

Begin with for Sale/Purchase or Available/Wanted.

ENGLISH (CORE)33

Type of house (Flat, independent floor/house/office etc.)

Size, floor, no. of rooms etc.

Fixtures & fittings

Surroundings-centrally located, facing park, nearby market, school,

hospital, bank, bus stand etc.

Use adjectives like airy, well ventilated, fully furnished, brand new,

newly constructed.

Company or Bank lease preferred.

Expected price : fixed/negotiable.

Contact address and Ph. No.

ENGLISH (CORE)34

FOR SALE

Beginning (Model and Year of Manufacture) : Available Maruti Wagon

RLX 2006 model,

Colour and Accessories : Metallic grey, new seat covers, new tyres A.c.

and stereo fitted.

Other Attraction : Single hand driven, scratch less, sparingly used,

beautiful interior, insurance, Road Tax and PUC.

Selling Price : Price 200,000 but negotiable

Contact Details : Mahindra Automobiles, Ph. No. 011-2329 .............

2. You plan to sell your two wheeler. Draft a suitable advertisement in

not more than 50 words under the classified columns of a local daily,

giving all necessary details.

(c) HOUSEHOLD/ OFFICE GOODS

Item, brand and year of manufacturing.

General condition - excellent working condition, looks brand new

etc.

Specify material in case of furniture.

Price offered/expected

Contact address and Ph. No.

1. Your family is moving out of Delhi since your father has been

transferred. You want to sell off some household items at a

reasonable rate. Draft an advertisement for local daily giving

necessary details.

HOUSEHOLD/ OFFICE GOODS

Beginning : Available

Item Name and Brand : LG fully automatic Washing Machine,

model splash 2003and Samsung Colour T.V. 21" with remote

control.

ENGLISH (CORE)35

General Condition : Excellent working condition.

Specific Details : Brand new furniture of Teak Wood, five seater sofa set,

six seater dining table and double bed with box.

Selling Price : Reasonable price.

Contact Details : A.B. Singh 43/1, B-Block, Dilshad Garden /9868------

------ (M)

2. You want to sell off some office furniture such as Table with chair,

Cupboards etc. as you are moving out of Delhi. Draft an

advertisement for a local daily.

TO LET

Begin with 'Wanted' or 'Available'.

Type of accommodation - Size, floor, No. of rooms etc.

Location and surroundings

Rent expected, Bank and company Lease preferred.

Contact Address email address or telephone No.

1. You want to let out a portion of your newly constructed independent

house. Write an advertisement to be published in the 'To Let' classified

columns of the Hindustan Times. (Word Limit: 50)

TO LET

Available on rent a newly constructed house in B-Block, Ashok Vihar,

Delhi. Two bedrooms with attached baths, ground floor, well ventilated

and spacious with wooden work. Walking distance from market, school,

hospital and Metro Station. Expected rent 25,000/- per month

(negotiable). Contact : Lala Ji at 9868 .............. (M)

2. Rahul Dev of 28, Dream Land Apartments, Circular Road, Delhi

wants to rent out 2nd floor of his house to students only. Write an

advertisement to be published in the 'To Let' columns of a local daily on

behalf of Rahul.

ENGLISH (CORE)36

ACCOMMODATION WANTED

Accommodation required : No. of rooms, size, floor

Location and surrounding : area, colony, facilities

Contact Add. (Ph. No.)

1. You want to purchase an independent house in a posh area. Draft a

suitable advertisement under the classified column, "Accommodation

Wanted", giving your requirements and capacity to pay.

ACCOMMODATION WANTED

Required a newly built independent house in a posh area of East Delhi.

Having three bed rooms with attached baths, drawing and dining

alongwith modular kitchen, well ventilated. Fully furnished, 24 hrs.

Electricity and drinking water and parking. East and Park facing, nearby

school, Bank and shopping complex. Rent offered Rs. 15000 per month.

Contact : Mr. R.V. Singh, 90122 .......... (M)

2. You want to purchase a newly constructed office in a prime location

of Preet Vihar, Vikas Marg. Draft an advertisement as per your

requirements about location and price etc.

MISSING PERSON/PET ANIMALS

Begin with 'Missing'

Physical description

(a) Person

Name, age, sex, height, complexion, built, clothes and other

identifying features.

(b) Pet animal name, breed, colour of fur or skin.

Since when and from where missing

reward/message if any

` Contact address and Ph. No.

1. You are the sister of a boy who has been missing from his home for

the last two days. Draft an advertisement under the caption 'Missing'

for a local newspaper provide necessary -details and also offer a

reward.

ENGLISH (CORE)37

MISSING

Suresh Kumar, 14 years, 5"3'. Wheatish complexion, average built,

wearing white T-shirt and blue jeans, injury mark over the right eye brow.

Missing since 4.8.2013 from Central Market Lajpat Nagar. Informer will

be duly rewarded. Inform Lajpat Nagar Police Station or Call at :

901032...(M)

2. Your grand mother aged 80 years, mentally upset has been missing

for three days. Draft an advertisement for "Missing" Columns

mentioning all details. (Word Limit : 50).

2. Your cat named Tessa is missing since 5th Aug. 2013. Draft an

advertisement under the "Missing" Column of a local daily

newspaper providing all details in about 50 words.

MISSING PET

Lovely cat Tessa, White, brown fur, 1 year old, with a red ribbon around its

neck.

Missing : Since 5th Aug, 2013 from the Central Park, Dilshad Garden,

Delhi.

Contact : A.B. Singh if found, finder/informer to be rewarded. Call at

90123 ...... (M)

4. You are Mona of New Friends Colony. Your pet dog named Scooby

is missing since 3rd Aug., 2013. Draft an advertisement for the 'Pet

Missing' column of a local daily in about 50 words.

6. LOST AND FOUND

Begin with 'Lost' and 'Found'.

Brief physical description : Name of the object/article, Brand,

Colour, size, condition.

When/where lost or found.

Reward if any

Contact address and Ph. No.

ENGLISH (CORE)ENGLISH (CORE)38

For 'Lost' give all details whereas for 'Found' the details need not be

given completely.

1. You have lost your bag in Metro between Uttam Nagar and Dwarka

while going for an interview. lt contains a file having important

certificates. Draft an advertisement for a local daily under column

'Lost and Found' in not more than 50 words.

LOST AND FOUND

Lost a black VIP bag, 16" x 20", containing Certificates and important

papers. Lost in Metro, between Uttam nagar and Dwarka on 4th Aug.

2013 between 9 to 9.40 am. If found, kindly contact Mr. Rajeev Kumar, or

call at 9998 ........... (M). Finder will be duly rewarded.

2. You found a wrist watch in the school canteen". Draft a notice for

School Notice Board in not more that 50 words.

NOTICE

Found a ladies' wrist watch in school canteen on 5th Aug. 2013 at around

11.30 a.m. The owner can take it from the school office after providing

details about the wristwatch. Contact Mr. Sharma after school time.

1. You are Puran Singh, a Property Dealer. You lost a bag containing

valuable documents, while travelling by bus between Model Town

and Rohini on Route No. 982, Draft an advertisement in not more

than 50 words.

2. You found a Chemistry Text Book in the Lab. Write a notice for your

school notice board in not more than 50 words you are Amit of XI A.

7. MATRIMONIALS

- Begin with 'Wanted/Alliance' or Proposal invited

- Physical description : age, height, complexion built (Slim/Tall)

- Academic, Professional Qualifications, job status, salary etc.

- Caste/sub-caste, religion etc.

ENGLISH (CORE)ENGLISH (CORE)39

-Contact / Post Box No. .........

1. After completing his M.B.A. from a reputed University, your son is

working as a manager in an M.N.C in Noida. He wants to marry a

beautitul, educated, well cultured girl, Draft an advertisement for the

"Matrimonial". column of a national newspaper.

WANTED BRIDE

For 26 years, 5'8" tall, handsome, fair complexioned MBA, MNC

Executive, settled in Noida. The girl, 5'5", 24 years, Science graduate,

computer savy will be suitable match. Caste no bar. Contact at Post Box

No. 678, Times of India, New Delhi-110001.

2. A retired army officer is looking for a suitable match for his smart,

convent educated daughter. Write a matrimonial advertisement for a

local newspaper.

GROOM WANTED

Alliance invited from a tall handsome, educated, well settled business/

professional Delhite boy of Jain family for a smart, beautiful, fair, slim,

23/5'3"/ 50 kg. Convent educated M.B.A. girl working in M.N.C.

Contact Mr. S.K. Jain, at 90123 ...... (M)

3. A highly placed l.T. Professional settled in America seeks alliance

with a fair slim beautiful, educated, cultured Brahmin girl. Write a

suitable advertisement.

4. Draft an advertisement for the matrimonial columns of a newspaper

for your sister who is working in an MNC as a manager.

ENGLISH (CORE)40

Non Classified/Display Advertisement

Q.No.1. You are working for an advertising agency. Draft an attractive

advertisement for a company which is launching a new toothpaste.

SPARKLE TOOTH PAST E

ENGLISH (CORE)41

2. M/s Kirori Mal and Sons, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi have

manufactured a new pressure cooker, draft a very attractive

advertisement for the promotion of the product on behalf of the

company.

3. Your company has manufactured a new washing machine. Draft a

suitable advertisement to be published in the local daily for the

promotion of your washing machine. Mention its warranty or

guarantee too along with other details and contact No.

Notice (5 Marks)

Format : The word 'NOTlCE', date, Heading, Writer's name with

des igna t ion name of the i s su ing agency ( school )

(1)

Content : What : Event/Activity/Heading

When : Date and time

Where : Venue

Who : Participants/organisers, Chief Guest, if any

How : Process and contact (to whom) 2

Expression : Overall organisation, accuracy and fluency

2

TYPES OF NOTICE

1. Notices at Public Places, No Parking

No use of Mobiles, No Smoking etc.

2. Notice for General Public

PUBLIC NOTICE

ENGLISH (CORE)42

4. Notices issued by 'Residents Welfare Association, Mayur Vihar

Phase-I, Delhi

NOTICE

Power Cut

Aug. 7, 2013

This is to inform all the residents of the society that there will be a

power cut for four hours on 8th Aug. 2013 from 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

the reason is the installation of electronic meters. Inconvenience is

regretted

M.L. Verma, President), RWA

NOTICE

Water Shortage

Aug. 8, 2013,

Considering the acute water shortage in the colony this summer, all

the residents of Vasant Kunj, A-Block are requested not to waste

potable water by cleaning their cars, verandahs, drive ways etc. or

watering the plants with a hosepipe. A fine of Rs. 500/- will be

imposed on the defaulters. Kindly save water for better tomorrow.

President

Resident Welfare Society

Vasant Kunj, A Block., Delhi

5. NOTICE ABOUT TOURS/CAMPS/PICNICS

1. S.K.V. Dilshad Garden is organising an educational tour to Goa for

the class Xl and Xll. Write a notice for your school notice board

ENGLISH (CORE)40

inviting students to join the tour. lnvent other necessary details.

S.K.V. DILSHAD GARDEN

NOTICE

Excursion Tour

Aug. 7, 2013

The students of class Xl and Xll are hereby informed that our school is

organizing an educational tour to Goa as per the details.

Destination : Goa

Duration : From -13 Sept. to 18 Sept. 2013. Expenses to be borne by the

Department of Education.

Interested students may give their names to the undersigned along with

the NOC from their parents by 30 Aug., 2013

Mrs. S. Krishna (P.E.T.) 1/C Excursions.

6. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES OR EVENTS

a. You are Rajan/Rachna, the Head boy/ girl to be held of the school,

G.G.S.S.S. No. 1, Rohini. Write a notice about debate competition in

your school on the topic "Utility of Mega Events" for common man.

G.G.S.S.S.- NO. 1. DILSHAD GARDEN

NOTICE

Debate Competition

Feb. 17, 2013

All the students are hereby informed that English Debate

Competition of Zonal Level will be held in our school as per the

details given below:

Date : 21 Feb. 2013

Time : 8.30 a.m.

Venue : School auditorium

Topic : Utility of Mega Events for Common Man.

Time limit : 3-4 min. One each in favour and against.

Interested students may give their names in pair to the undesigned

latest by 19th Feb.

For Further details/enquiry, contact the undersigned.

ENGLISH (CORE)44

Rachna

(Head Girl)

b. You are the Editor of your School Magazine. Draft a notice for your

School Notice Board inviting articles, poems ,jokes, sketches etc.

from the students for your school magazine. Sign as Neha/Neeraj,

Secretary of Cultural Activities, SKV, Vikas Puri.

NOTICES

c. The cultural club of DAV Public school Noida is organising A Talent

Hunt Evening. Pt. Ravi Shankar, the eminent vocalist will be the

guest of honour. Mridul/Mridula, the secretary of the cultural club,

draft a notice. to inform and invite the names of the students about the

same. Draft his/ her notice in not more than 50 words.

4. Head boy/Head girl of your school Mother Merry Public School,

Dilshad Garden, Delhi you are organising a career counseling

session for Xl & Xll Std. Students of your school Write a notice

giving details of it to be displayed on your school notice board.

Note : (Name the dignitary who will throw light on various vistas

open for youth and mention about the exhibition corner in the

school)

5. Your school AVB bal Vidyalaya, Sirsa has completed 50 years of

meritorious service to the society. As president of the students

council of your school write a notice informing and inviting the

names of the students to participate in the Golden Jubilee

Celebration of the school in not more than 50 words. You are

Ram/Radhika.

Note : (Mention the name of the chief guest along with other details)

3. CIRCULARS

Circular is for wide circulation sent by a school or office or club to its

members/parents/employees

Points to Remember :

ENGLISH (CORE)45

Name of the institution on Top

Date on the left hand side

Subject

Salutation such as Dear Parents / Members

Include all relevant information

Signature with designation

RPVV Rajniwas Marg, Delhi

CIRCULAR

Aug. 12, 2013

Welfare Scheme

(Cash Disbursal)

Dear Parents,

The school is going to distribute Rs. 1700/- to all students towards free

stationary and uniform for the year 2013-2014. Kindly make yourself

available between 9.30 to 11.30 a.m. on 16th Aug., 2013 to collect the

said amount from the teachers of your words.

S.D. Sharma

(Principal)

1. You are Ashu/Aakash the Head girl/boy of D.A.V. Public School,

Anand Vihar. Write a circular to inform the parents about P.T.A.

meeting on second Saturday.

2 Write a circular to inform the students of Class VI, VII and VIII

about the Exam. of English, Hindi and Maths based on Minimum

level learning programme on 31st July, 2013. Sign as Nakul/Neha of

Saraswati Public School, Rohini.

3. Frequent Cases of theft, burgalry, eveteasing and electricity break

down in the society are being- reported to the Resident Welfare

Association of Ashok Nagar. As the President of the society write a

ENGLISH (CORE)46

circular inviting for general body meeting of the members to discuss

the issue and find the solution. Agenda of the meeting must be

mentioned. You are Surya.

You are Shyam / shyam the secretary of science club.

4. Your school has been selected for the venue of state level science

exhibition therefore the principal of your school has decided to hold

a meeting with the staff to plan for the same. Draft a circular on

behalf of the principal. Give agenda of meeting. (50 words)

Difference between Notice and Circular

Notice is more formal than circular

Salutation is given in circular such as Dear Parents and Dear

Members

Purpose of the circular is to convey the message to the definite target

group whereas a Notice may have a set group as well as general

public as its target (as per the need).

4. INVITATIONS

Formal Invitations/Replies to formal invitations.

Points to Remember

To be written in third person

No abbreviation to be used

Simple present tense is used

Each entry to be mentioned in a separate line, e.g., (a) the name of the

person(s) who is/are inviting (b) formal expressions like 'request the

pleasure of your company (c) time and date of event (d) purpose and

occasion of invitation.

ln RSVP - address and telephone no. is given at which the invitee

ENGLISH (CORE)47

may contact for any queries.

In official invitations, time by which the guests are to be seated,

name of the chief guest, programme may be given.

Formal Invitations

1. Marriages/Auspicious Occasions (i)

Mrs. and Mr. Satish Sharma

Solicit your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion

of the marriage of their grand daughter.

(Daughter of Mrs. Soni and Mr. Sunil Sharma)

with

(Son of Mrs. Kamal and Mr. Lokesh Sharma

on

17th September, 2013

at 7:30 p.m.

at

Red Carpet, Party Lawn, Preet Vihar, Vikas Marg, Delhi-110031.

R.S.V.P. With best compliments From

Vinod Kr. Sharma All Relatives

B-36 Rajdhani Encl., Vikas Marg, Delhi

ENGLISH (CORE)48

(ii) You are the member of Punjab Academy, Delhi. Draft a formal

Invitation to invite all for celebrating "Freedom of Nation" with

Kavi Darbar.

A Specimen of Formal (Printed) Invitation

(iii) You are organising an Exhibition of Painting "Nayika Series' on

31th Aug.,2013- at Azad Bhavan Art Gallery at 5:45 p.m. Draft an

invitation card to invite the General Public.

Note : The above Program earlier scheduled for

11th August in invitation card has been shiffted to 13th August, 2013

2013

2013

2013

ENTRY FREE

ENGLISH (CORE)49

(iv) You are a student of Laxmi Public School, Model Town, Delhi. The

school is holding its Annual Function at 5:30 p.m. on 21st March,

2011. The Education

Minister has consented to be the Chief Guest. Design an invitation

card to be sent to the Parents and other invitees. (word limit 50)

II. Founder's Day/Annual Day/Sport's Day

THE PRINCIPAL, STAFF AND STUDENTS OF

Laxmi Public School, Model Town, Delhi, request the pleasure of your

company on

ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATION

on Saturday, the 28th Dec., 2013 at 5:30 p.m. in the school auditorium

Hon'ble Education Minister has very kindly consented to be the

Chief Guest.

Ft.S.V.P.

Admn. Officer

011 27........

Special Instructions : (This card admits only two. You are requested

to be seated by 4:30 p.m.)

FORMAL REPLIES

Acceptance/Refusal

Points to Remember

Acknowledge the invitation

Express thanks in third person

Not to be signed at the end

When accepting, confirm date and time

lf declining, give reasons, convey your best wishes

Give date and address at top left hand

ENGLISH (CORE)50

1. ACCEPTANCE

Aug. 9, 2013

7, Park Avenue

Mrs. and Mr. Ramesh Kumar thank Mrs. and Mr. Satish Sharma for

their kind invitation on the house warming party on 17th Aug. 2013

at 11.00am, which they are delighted to accept.

lt's their great pleasure to attend the ceremony.

GRACEFUL REFUSAL

Aug. 9, 2013

7, Park Avenue

Mrs. and Mr. Ramesh Kumar thank Mrs. and Mr. Satish Sharma for

their kind invitation on the house warming party on 17th Aug. 2013

at 11.00 am, but regret their inability to accept the same due to some

urgent and unavoidable assignment abroad.

2. INFORMAL INVITATIONS

Points to Remember

Use first person 'I', 'We' and 'You' and avoid using 'he', 'she' and

'they'.

Do not write 'subject' and 'receiver's address'.

Write in warm and personalised style.

Avoid writing unnecessary details.

Begin with 'Dear'_________ (name).

You are Anuj/Anuja Goel. Write a letter of invitation to invite

all your friends for the party you are giving to celebrate your

selection in B-Tech in DTU.

ENGLISH (CORE)51

B-5

Yojna Vihar, Delhi,

Oct. 9, 2013

My dear Rahul,

I have much pleasure in inviting you to the post selection party after my

admission in DTU. Reach my residence at 7.30 am on 16 Oct, 2013 to

join my family in its moments of joy.

Yours truly

Anuj/Anuja

INFORMAL ACCEPTANCE / REFUSAL

You are Rahul and have been invited to the post selection party of your

friend Anuj. Write a reply accepting the invitation you got.

ACCEPTANCE

7-C, Yojna Vihar, Delhi.

Oct. 10, 2013

Dear Anuj,

Many thanks for inviting me to attend your post selection party which th

will be held on 16 Oct. at your home. l shall be highly delighted to attend

the same and enjoy the party with great fun.

Yours truly

Rahul Gupta

REFUSAL

7-C Yojna Vihar, Delhi.

Oct. 10,2013

Dear Anuj

Many thanks for inviting me to attend your post selection party but I

am sorry to say that I shall not be able to attend the same as I shall be

out of station next week. I shall miss this joyous occasion.

I wish you all the best for the future. God bless you.

Yours truly

ENGLISH (CORE)52

SAMPLE INVITATION

You, Neha/Nakul, the President of the English Literary and Cultural

Society of Government Model Sr. Sec. School, Sect. 19, Chandigarh, has to

organise an Inter Zonal Declamation competition on the topic

"Communication skills are very important in modern world" at the +2 level.

You wish to invite Dr. Shailesh Gupta, an eminent educationist to preside

over the function to be held on 21st Aug., 2013 at 9:30 a.m.

Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Sector 19, Chandigarh

Dr. Shailesh Gupta

73, Sec. 11A, Chandigarh.

9th Aug., 2013

Sub. : Invitation to preside over Inter Zonal Declamation Competition.

Sir,

The English Literary and Cultural Society of our school is organising an

English Declamation competition on the topic 'Communication skills are

very important in modern world', on 21st Aug., 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in the

school auditorium.

Kindly consent to preside over the above said programme.

Yours sincerely

Neha.

Dr. Shailesh Gupta Writes a letter of acceptance of the invitation.

ACCEPTANCE

Dr. Shailesh Gupta.

73, Sector 11-A Chandigarh

Aug., 16, 2013

Dear Neha

Many thanks for inviting me to preside over the Inter Zonal Declamation

Competition to be held on 21st Aug., 2013 at 9:30 a.m. I shall be highly

delighted to attend the function and enjoy listening to the views of

students.

It will be kind of you, if you could provide me the official transport.

Yours truly

ENGLISH (CORE)53

REFUSAL

Dr. Shailesh Gupta.

73, Sector 11-A Chandigarh

Aug., 16, 2013

Dear Neha

Many thanks tor inviting me to preside over the lnter Zonal

Declamation competition to be held on 21 Aug., 2013 at 9:30 a.m.

but I am sorry to say that I shall not be able to attend the same due to

some prior appointment with my doctor.

With warm regards

Yours sincerely,

Shailesh

POSTER DESIGNING

Purpose : to create social awareness, to advertise current general

problems.

Layout : 1

Eye catching and visually attractive

A catchy slogan

Simple drawings / sketching

Letters of different size and shape

Proportionate spacing

Content : 2

Highlight the main topic

lnclude all the important details like time, venue and date,

in case of an event.

Name of the issuing authority, organisers etc.

Expression: 2

ENGLISH (CORE)54

' Appropriate and accurate language

Creativity

Overall organisation

Common Topics for Posters

1. Clean city campaign/Green Delhi, Clean Delhi

2. World environment Day/Save Environment

3. Book fair/Exhibition/Career Mela etc.

4. Save water/Water harvesting

5. Prevention against Malaria/Dengu

6. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan/Each one Teach one etc.

7. Prevention against Terrorists attacks / Be an Alert citizen

8. Say 'No' to crackers/Polybags/Plastics bags

9. Road Safety Car-pooling/Air pollution etc.

10. Save girl child

11. Child labour

12. Harmful effects of smoking/Drugs/Drinking

13. Save Power/Save Energy

14. Donate Blood

15. Help Old People

16.

ENGLISH (CORE)55

POSTER : "POLIO IMMUNISATION DRIVE "

JULY 2013(9:00 am to 4:00 pm)26

th

All children upto 5 years of age should be taken to the nearest Polio booth

and be given two drops of polio vaccine.

Routine Polio Vaccination at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks of age is

also essential.

Polio drops are safe and of the highest quality. It protects children from polio.

DIRECTORATE OF FAMILY WELFAREDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH &. FAMILY WELFARE

th

7 Floor. C-Wing. Vikas bhawan-2, Near Metcaf House

Opposite Bela Road, Civil Lines, Delhi- 110054, Ph : 23813210

Government of NCT of