THE SHOWCASE OF YOUNG ENGLISH MINDS

C P Fazal AmeenC P Fazal AmeenTime: 2.45 hr          Total Marks: 80

Instructions

• The cool-off time of the first 15 minutes is to be used for reading the question paper.
• You are not supposed to write anything during the cool off time.
• Attempt the questions according to the instructions.

Questions 1-5: Read the excerpt from “Breaking Barriers, I will Fly’ and answer the questions that follow. (1X5=5)

We have supported over 3,000 students in education, vocational rehabilitation, sports, and much more. Our company now employs over 150 disabled individuals. It grosses over a million dollars in sales. But we’re still at the initial stage of our growth, with much more to do. I want to leave you with three lessons. First, show compassion and help others thrive. True wealth doesn’t come from money but from the happiness of others. Second, remove loneliness from people’s lives, as it is the worst form of poverty. Finally, remember that when you do something good, you will be the first to benefit.

1. What does the passage say about the company’s present stage of growth?

2. According to the speaker, what is the true meaning of wealth?

3. How many disabled individuals does the company currently employ?

• a) Over 1000 disabled individuals.
• b) Over 250 disabled individuals.
• c) Over 150 disabled individuals.
• d) Over 50 disabled individuals.

4. Why does the speaker believe that helping others brings true benefit to oneself?

5. The worst form of poverty mentioned in the passage is

a) unemployment

b) hunger

c) loneliness

d) disability

Questions  6-10: Read these stanza from “Another Day in Paradise’ and answer the questions that follow. (1X5=5)

She calls out to the man on the street

“Sir, can you help me?

It’s cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep,

Is there somewhere you can tell me?

“He walks on, doesn’t look back

He pretends he can’t hear her

Starts to whistle as he crosses the street

Seems embarrassed to be there.

Oh, think twice, cause it’s another day

for You and me in paradise.

Oh, think twice, cause it’s another day for you, You and me in paradise,Think about it.

6. Where is the woman when she asks for help?

a) At a shelter

b) On the street

c) In a shop

d) At home

7. Why does the woman ask the man for help?

8. How does the man react when the woman speaks to him?

9. Which word best describes the woman’s situation?

a) Comfortable

b) Wealthy

c) Homeless

d) Proud

10. Identify the line in the poem where Anaphora is used.

Questions 11-15: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.               (1X5=5) 

Cleanliness is an important habit that keeps us healthy and happy. A clean environment prevents the spread of diseases and creates a pleasant atmosphere. Keeping our homes, schools, and public places clean is everyone’s responsibility. Simple actions like throwing waste in bins, washing hands regularly, and keeping surroundings tidy can make a big difference. Cleanliness also reflects discipline and good character. The government’s initiatives promote awareness, but real change begins with individuals. When we practice cleanliness daily, we protect nature, improve our quality of life, and build a better and healthier society for future generations.

11. What does cleanliness help to prevent?

a) Pollution

b) Diseases

c) Noised) Poverty

12. Who is responsible for maintaining cleanliness?

13. Which actions promote cleanliness?

14. What does cleanliness reflect?

a) Wealth

b) Power

c) Discipline and character

d) Intelligence

15. What is the result of practicing cleanliness daily?

a) Laziness

b) Better health

c) Fear

d) Confusion

16. Read the following lines from the poem The “Wild Swans at Coole’ by WB Yeats and prepare an Appreciation Note focusing on the theme, and poetic devices.  (5X1=5) 

The trees are in their autumn beauty,

The woodland paths are dry,

Under the October twilight the water

Mirrors a still sky;

Upon the brimming water among the stones Are nine-and-fifty swans.

The nineteenth autumn has come upon me Since I first made my count;

I saw, before I had well finished,

All suddenly mountAnd scatter wheeling in great broken rings

Upon their clamorous wings.

17. Write a Review of Preference Nationale, commenting on the theme of the story, the portrayal of the main character and the depiction of prejudice, indignity, and inequality in the French society of the time.  (1X7=7)

(Hints: Racism – discrimination – preference nationale – inequality – lack of dignity for non-nationals- resilient – witty – observant – dignified – proud-society-prejudiced– exclusionary – indifferent – blind to merit- lack of equality – respect for human dignity – courage to challenge injustice)

                                                                      OR

18. Prepare a News article for a local newspaper titled “Pianist Emerges Alive from Ruins” based on the events of In the Attic. Include details of Szpilman’s survival, the German officer’s unexpected kindness, and Szpilman’s eventual freedom.

(Wladyslaw Szpilman, the pianist – in Warsaw, in the attic/ruins – hides alone- lives on scraps -endures harsh conditions- German officer shows kindness- gives him food- spares him -eventually discovered and freed as the city is liberated)

19. Imagine that you are a villager who witnessed the incident of the old man with enormous wings and saw how the people treated him. Write a Diary entry expressing your personal experience, thoughts, and feelings.  (1X6=6)
OR

20. Prepare six Questions that you would ask the Mayor about the pocketbook incident, focusing on suspicion, investigation, public reaction, and fairness.

21. War brings destruction and suffering, yet it sometimes teaches lessons of courage and resilience. Write a Paragraph on the impact of war on individuals, families, and society. Include examples of human courage and the hope for peace.    (1X5=5)

OR

22. The 3rd of November is observed as National Entrepreneurship Day. The English Club of your school plans to conduct an idea generation contest for the Young Innovators Programme (YIP). Make a Poster of the contest.

23. Write a Letter to  Mayor expressing your feelings of guilt and sorrow after Hauchecome’s death. Reflect on his actions, your thoughts about justice and fairness, and your anger to have treated him differently.   (1X5=5)

    OR

24. Prepare a Character Sketch of Wladyslaw Szpilman.

25. Read the following details and prepare a short Profile of Sylvia Plath.  (1X6=6)

Born on: October 27, 1932

Birth place: Boston, Massachusetts,

USANationality: American

Profession: Poet, novelist, short story writer

Famous works: The Bell Jar, Ariel, DaddyThemes in

writing: Identity, depression, death, feminism

Died on: February 11, 1963

26. Bablu plans to produce low-cost sanitary pads and discusses his idea with Gowri. Prepare a suitable conversation highlighting their thoughts and concerns.   (1X5=5)

27. Report the following dialogue. (2×1=2)

Szpilman : Please don’t shoot! I’m Polish!Polish lieutenant: What are you doing in the German coat?

Read the following table of Nobel Prize 2025 winners and answer the questions thfollow.  (1X5=5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28.Who won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics?

29. Which category recognized work on metal-organic frameworks in 2025?

30. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for discoveries related to?

31.Which author won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2025?

a) Gabriel Garcia Marquez

b) Laszlo Krasznahorkai

c) Haruki Murakami

d) Toni Morrison

32. Maria Corina Machado received the  2025 Nobel Peace Prize for:

a) Scientific discoveries

b) Promoting democratic rights and  peaceful transition

c) Economic research

d) Poetry

33. Edit the passage. The errors are given in bold type.   (6×½=3)  

I never left my door open

(a) where I knew her to be

(b) in home. Sometimes I chanced to

(c) met her on the staircase or in the yard, and

(d) he would smile at me.

(e) Ocassionally, I saw her drunk, with

(f) blear eyes, and tousled hair. On such occasions she would speak to me.

34. Complete the following passage choosing the right words from those given in the brackets.  (6×½=3)

(a, and, no, the, than, for)

On 12 December, ……(a)…..officer came ……(b)…..the last time. He brought me ……(c)….. larger supply of bread ……(d)…..before and a warm eiderdown. He told me he was leaving Warsaw with his detachment, ……(e)…..I must on ……(f)….. account lose heart.

35. Complete the passage choosing from the phrasal verbs given in the brackets. (1X5=5)

(track down, called at, stood up, came across , set out)

Early in the morning, we ………..(a)………. with a forest guard through the dense grasslands of Parambikulam to ………..(b)……….the Broad-tailed Grass Warbler. The tall grass ………..(c)………. over five feet, and the forest buzzed with mystery and silence. We ………..(d)………. a small open space to pick up the faint sounds of bird calls, and take in the beauty of the forest. At one point, we even ………..(e)……….a small flock of birds and spotted them hiding in the grass.

36. Complete the conversation suitably.  (1X5=5)

Bablu: I have a surprise for you.Gowri: ………………(a)………………..?Bablu: Open this packet.Gowri: Oh! Sanitary napkin. …………………..(b) ……..?Bablu: It costs forty rupees.Gowri: It is useful. But we can’t afford the cost, ……(c)……….?Bablu: You had better ………(d)……….Gowri: If me and Shalu buy napkins every month, ……(e)…….

37. Complete the sentence using correct words.  (1X3=3)

a) Shakuntala walked through the ……   (a)…… (would/wood ) to reach the    hermitage.b) She saw a beautiful ……(b)……     (flower / flour) by the riverbank.c) King Dushyanta promised to ……  (c)…… (meet / meat) her after    returning from the forest.