Solution

. Education is one of the most important things in human life.

. Education helps us understand the world, makes us responsible citizens, and enables us to distinguish between right and wrong so that we can make better decisions.

. Besides book knowledge, education teaches us good manners, discipline, honesty, and respect for others.

. Knowledge and skills are necessary for achieving success in today's world.

. Parents, teachers, and society all have an important role in educating children.

Section-B (Writing)

2. Letter / Application

.

To,

The Principal,

[Name of School/College],

[City/District].

Subject: Request to manage the stock of books in the school library.

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am a student of Class 11th in your reputed institution. I am writing this letter to bring to your kind attention the shortage of books in our school library.

As our Half-Yearly and Final Examinations are approaching, many students, including myself, require various reference books, practice sets, and prescribed textbooks for thorough preparation. Currently, several essential titles are either out of stock or unavailable in sufficient quantities.

Therefore, I humbly request you to kindly manage and update the stock of books in the school library at the earliest. This will immensely help us in our examination preparation.

Thanking you.

Yours obediently,

[Your Name]

Class: 11th

Roll No.: [Your Roll Number]

Date: [Date]

OR

.

To,

The Superintendent of Police (S.P.),

[District Name],

[State].

Subject: Complaint regarding frequent breakdown of law and order in the locality.

Respected Sir,

I would like to draw your immediate attention towards the alarming situation of law and order in our locality, [Your Locality/Area Name].

Over the past few weeks, there has been a sharp rise in illegal activities such as theft, chain snatching, evening hooliganism, and harassment. The frequent breakdown of law and order has created a sense of fear among the local residents, especially women and senior citizens.

I request you to kindly take strict legal action against the law-breakers and intensify police patrolling during night hours in our area to restore peace and safety.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]

[Address/Locality]

Date: [Date]

3. Essay

(a) My School

.

1. Introduction:

A school is a temple of learning where students build their character and acquire knowledge. The name of my school is ABC Inter College. It is one of the prestigious educational institutions in my district.

2. Infrastructure and Facilities:

My school has a grand building with well-ventilated classrooms. It possesses a huge playground, a modern computer lab, fully equipped science laboratories, and a rich library containing thousands of books.

3. Teachers and Environment:

The teachers at my school are highly qualified, experienced, and compassionate. They teach us with great patience and use innovative methods to make learning interesting. Discipline and cleanliness are strictly maintained.

4. Conclusion:

My school focuses not only on academics but also on co-curricular activities like sports, debates, and cultural programmes. I feel extremely proud to be a student of this school.

OR

(b) Role of Social Media

.

1. Introduction:

In the digital era, social media has become an integral part of human life. Platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and LinkedIn have transformed the way people communicate, share information, and connect globally.

2. Advantages:

Social media is a powerful tool for education and awareness. Students can access study materials, tutorials, and global news instantly. It offers immense business opportunities, digital marketing platforms, and connectivity across borders.

3. Disadvantages:

Despite its benefits, excessive use of social media can lead to addiction, cyberbullying, mental stress, and wastage of valuable time. Fake news also spreads rapidly through these channels, causing social disharmony.

4. Conclusion:

Social media is a double-edged sword. Its impact depends entirely on how we use it. Balanced and responsible usage can make it a powerful medium for personal and social growth.

OR

(c) Population Problem in India

.

1. Introduction:

The rapid increase in population is one of the critical challenges facing India today. A large population places immense pressure on natural resources and the country's infrastructure.

2. Causes:

The primary causes of overpopulation include poverty, illiteracy, lack of awareness about family planning, early marriage, and a decline in the mortality rate due to advancements in medical science.

3. Effects:

Overpopulation contributes to unemployment, poverty, shortage of food and housing, environmental pollution, and pressure on healthcare and educational infrastructure.

4. Measures and Conclusion:

To solve this issue, the government should promote education, encourage family planning, and spread awareness among rural communities. Controlling population growth is essential for sustainable national development.

OR

(d) Child Labour

.

1. Introduction:

Child labour refers to the exploitation of children through work that deprives them of their childhood, interferes with their education, and may be mentally, physically, or socially harmful.

2. Causes:

Poverty is one of the major causes of child labour in developing nations. Uneducated parents, family debt, lack of access to affordable education, and the demand for cheap labour further aggravate this problem.

3. Impact:

Child labour traps children in a vicious cycle of poverty and illiteracy. It can harm their physical and mental development, especially when they work in hazardous conditions in factories, tea stalls, and brick kilns.

4. Conclusion:

The eradication of child labour requires strict enforcement of child protection laws, free and compulsory education, and social upliftment programmes. Every child deserves a book, not a burden.

4. Translation into English

.

Time is very important in our life. A person who makes proper use of time becomes successful in life. We should complete our work on time. Lost time never comes back. Therefore, we should not waste time.

Section-C (Grammar)

5(a). Change any one into Indirect Speech:

. Ram told Mohan that he was playing cricket.

OR

. The teacher asked me what I was doing there.

5(b). Combine any one as directed:

. Mohan worked hard to earn more money.

OR

. Having finished his homework, he went home.

5(c). Rewrite any one sentence:

. He was too tired to walk.

OR

. The book is read by Sita.

5(d). Correct any one sentence:

. Mathematics is the favourite subject of Sameer.

OR

. There can be no competition between you and me.

6(a). Use the following Idiom/Phrase in a sentence:

. My friends backed me up when I decided to start a new business venture.

OR

. Soldiers must carry out the orders of their commander without hesitation.

6(b). Give the antonym:

. Departure.

. Deny.

6(c). Give the synonym:

. Accept.

. Sufficient.

6(d). Give the One Word Substitution:

. Atheist.

OR

. Aquatic.

Section-D (Literature)

7. Long Answer (Any one)

.

In the chapter “The Portrait of a Lady” by Khushwant Singh, the grandmother is depicted as a deeply religious, kind-hearted, and dignified woman.

1. Religious Minded:

She was continuously reciting silent prayers and counting the beads of her rosary. Her lips always moved in inaudible prayer.

2. Kindness to Animals:

In the village, she fed street dogs with stale chapatis. When she moved to the city, she took to feeding sparrows in the courtyard every afternoon.

3. Loving and Caring:

She took utmost care of the author during his early childhood in the village, waking him up, getting him ready for school, and accompanying him to the temple school.

4. Strong Character:

She accepted her loneliness silently when the author went to university and later abroad. Even at her death, she preferred praying over talking to her family.

OR

.

The title “We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together” is extremely appropriate and meaningful.

1. Source of the Title:

The title is taken from the courageous statement made by the author's seven-year-old son, Jon, during a crisis at sea.

2. Symbol of Unity and Courage:

When the ship Wavewalker was severely damaged by monstrous waves in the Southern Indian Ocean, the entire family, along with the crew members, fought bravely against the danger.

3. Emotional Strength:

The young child's words provided immense psychological strength and determination to the narrator to save the ship and everyone on board. The title reflects the importance of love, unity, and courage in overcoming difficult situations.

8. Read the stanza and answer the questions:

. Here, the “cardboard” refers to an old, hard paper photograph frame that holds the photograph of the poet's mother.

. The cardboard depicts a childhood scene where the poet's mother and her two girl cousins, Betty and Dolly, went paddling in the sea.

. The “big girl” mentioned here is the poet's mother, who was around twelve years old at that time.

9. Central Idea of Poem (Any one)

(a) A Photograph

. The central idea of the poem A Photograph by Shirley Toulson revolves around the themes of loss, memory, and the transience of human life compared to nature. The poem depicts three phases of time. In the first phase, the photograph captures the joyful childhood memories of the poet's mother. In the second phase, the mother reminisces about her childhood with nostalgia. In the third phase, after the mother's death, the poet suffers from deep, silent grief. The poem highlights that human life is short-lived, whereas nature remains permanent.

OR

(b) The Laburnum Top

. The central idea of the poem The Laburnum Top by Ted Hughes highlights the relationship between nature and living beings. Initially, the Laburnum tree is silent, still, and lifeless. However, with the arrival of the mother Goldfinch bird to feed her young ones, the tree suddenly springs to life with chirping, movement, and energy. The poem illustrates how living creatures bring vitality, joy, and meaning to their surroundings.

OR

(c) The Voice of the Rain

. The central idea of the poem The Voice of the Rain by Walt Whitman is the cyclic journey of rain and its eternal role in nourishing life on Earth. The rain describes how it rises invisibly from the land and sea, forms clouds in the sky, and then descends back to the earth to quench drought, wash away dust, and give life to dormant seeds. The poet compares the rain's cycle to a song, which originates from the singer, spreads joy, and eventually returns to its source with love.

10. Short Answer Questions (Any two)

. The author describes his grandfather as he appeared in a portrait hanging above the mantelpiece. He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes. His long, white beard covered the best part of his chest, and he looked at least a hundred years old, looking like someone who could only have lots of grandchildren.

. The narrator wanted to duplicate the round-the-world voyage made 200 years earlier by Captain James Cook, starting from Plymouth, England.

. When King Tut's body was taken for a CT scan, dark and ghostly clouds had swept across the desert sky all day, hiding the stars in grey shrouds. The wind blew furiously, kicking up dusty sandstorms around the Valley of the Kings.

11. Long Answer (Any one)

.

Mourad is one of the key characters in William Saroyan's story “The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse.”

1. Member of Garoghlanian Tribe:

Mourad belonged to the Garoghlanian family, known worldwide for their honesty and integrity.

2. Natural Passion and Crazy Streak:

Mourad was considered crazy by everyone in the tribe. He had an immense love for animals, especially horses and birds.

3. Special Connection with Animals:

Mourad possessed a natural way with animals. He took a beautiful white horse to satisfy his passion for riding, yet he treated the horse with immense love and care.

4. Not a Thief:

Although he kept the horse for some time, his motive was purely joyriding, not monetary gain. When confronted by John Byro, his conscience led him to return the horse unharmed.

OR

.

When the narrator visited Mrs. Dorling's house at Number 46, Marconi Street, for the first time, she received a cold and unwelcoming response. Mrs. Dorling opened the door only a chink and refused to recognize the narrator initially. Even after the narrator introduced herself as Mrs. S's daughter, Mrs. Dorling showed no pleasure. She was wearing the narrator's mother's green knitted cardigan. Mrs. Dorling refused to let her inside the house, stating that it was not a convenient time, and closed the door abruptly.

12. Short Answer Questions (Any two)

. Aram did not want to return the horse immediately because he was extremely fond of horse riding and had not yet learned to ride properly. He wanted to keep the horse for at least six months until he learned riding completely.

. Mrs. Dorling was a cold, selfish, greedy, and manipulative woman. She used the pretense of friendship to take away the valuable belongings of the narrator's mother during the war and later refused to acknowledge the narrator or return those items.

. Mrs. Fitzgerald advised Annie (Mrs. Pearson) to stand up firmly for her rights as the mistress of the house. She advised her not to be a submissive servant to her family members and suggested exchanging personalities temporarily to teach her husband and children a lesson in respect.