Solution

a) It suggests that machines were originally created to assist human beings, ease their workload, and serve their needs, rather than dominate or rule over human lives.

b) Machines should be kept at the right temperature because proper temperature and care are required for them to function properly; otherwise, they may overheat, grow sullen, refuse to work, or burst.

c) Machines blow up and spread ruin and destruction when they are not given their required maintenance—such as fuel (coal or petrol), lubrication (oil), or the right temperature—when they expect them.

d) If machines are not kept in good temper, they grow sullen, refuse to work, or burst with rage, blowing up and causing destruction all around.

e) i) It means that if humans become completely dependent on machines and fail to manage them properly, machines will dominate and control human existence just as humans rule over and control animals.

e) ii) Rage

e) iii) So we have to wait upon them very carefully and keep them in a good temper.

(a) Fight against Corruption

Corruption is a pervasive evil that hampers the economic, social, and moral growth of a nation. It breeds inequality, deprives the needy of their legitimate rights, and weakens the foundation of democracy. In India, corruption exists at various levels of administration and public life. To combat this menace effectively, strong legislation alone is not enough; strict enforcement and transparency are paramount. The implementation of digital services, e-governance, and strict accountability in public offices can significantly reduce corrupt practices. Furthermore, moral education should be imparted to students from an early age to instill values of honesty, integrity, and patriotism. Citizens must refuse to pay or accept bribes and actively report corrupt practices using legal channels and whistle-blower mechanisms. A collective effort from the government, media, and citizens is essential to eradicate corruption and build a prosperous, just nation.

(b) Problems that Encircle Youths

The youth are the backbone of any nation, representing its potential and future. However, today’s young generation faces numerous challenges that impede their personal and professional growth. One of the most pressing issues is unemployment and underemployment, leading to frustration and mental stress. The fierce competition in education and career paths often results in anxiety, depression, and lifestyle disorders. Additionally, the misuse of social media and addiction to digital devices isolate youths from real-world relationships and lower their productivity. Substance abuse and peer pressure further threaten their well-being. To address these problems, educational institutions should focus on skill-based training and career counseling. Parents and society must provide emotional support and open communication channels. Encouraging physical activities, mindfulness, and constructive hobbies can help youths navigate these obstacles and realize their true potential.

(c) Qualities of an Ideal Leader

An ideal leader is one who inspires, guides, and transforms society or an organization towards progress. The foremost quality of a true leader is integrity and honesty, which earns the trust and respect of followers. A visionary leader possesses clear goals and foresights, capable of guiding people through uncertain and challenging times. Effective communication skills and active listening enable a leader to understand the grievances and ideas of others. Empathy and compassion are essential traits that make a leader relatable and humane. Furthermore, an ideal leader leads by example, demonstrates courage in making tough decisions, and takes responsibility for both successes and failures. By encouraging teamwork and empowering others, a true leader leaves a lasting positive legacy.

To,

The District Magistrate,

District [Name],

[State].

Date: 12th March 2026

Subject: Complaint regarding the negligence of block-level officers in implementing government development schemes.

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am Vivek, a resident of Village [Village Name], Block [Block Name], residing in this district. I am writing to bring to your urgent attention the severe negligence and indifferent attitude of the block-level officers regarding the implementation of key government development schemes in our village.

Several beneficial welfare schemes launched by the central and state governments—such as the Prime Minister Housing Scheme (PMAY), rural sanitation drives, road construction projects, and agricultural support initiatives—are failing to reach the intended beneficiaries. The local block officers rarely visit our village to assess progress or resolve issues. Applications submitted by poor villagers for welfare assistance remain pending for months without any valid reason. Due to this negligence, our village suffers from poor roads, inadequate drainage systems, and a lack of proper sanitation facilities.

I humbly request you to kindly look into this matter, order an inquiry into the working of the block-level administration, and ensure that government welfare schemes are executed transparently and promptly for the betterment of our village.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

Vivek

Village: [Village Name]

District: [District Name]

OR

To,

The Sports Teacher,

[College/School Name],

[City/District].

Date: 12th March 2026

Subject: Request for issuance of games participation certificate.

Respected Sir,

I am Anjani, a student who has recently passed the High School Examination from this esteemed institution (Roll No. [1234567]).

During the academic session, I actively represented our college/school in various sports events, including Badminton and Athletics, and successfully won accolades for the institution. As I require these certificates for my higher education admissions and sports quota applications, I request you to kindly issue my sports participation certificates at the earliest.

I have attached copies of my admit card and participation details for your reference. I shall be extremely grateful to you for your prompt assistance.

Thanking you.

Yours obediently,

Anjani

Ex-Student (High School)

Roll No.: [1234567]

a) Correct Option: ii) Sheela is too weak to go to station.

(Explanation: 'Feeble' means weak or lacking physical strength, so 'weak' is its synonym.)

b) Correct Option: iv) Bright — Faint

(Explanation: 'Bright' and 'Faint' are antonyms of each other. The other pairs listed are synonyms.)

c) Correct Option: iii) In all situations, favourable or unfavourable

d) Correct Option: iv) Inaccessible

e) Correct Option: i) Nandita spoke to her father about her studies.

(Explanation: Option (i) is grammatically correct. In (ii), 'to meeting' should be 'meeting'; in (iii), 'worried on' should be 'worried about'; in (iv), 'fond in' should be 'fond of'.)

a)

i) He respectfully asked the teacher if he would not teach him the next day.

OR

ii) He bade good bye to his friends.

b)

i) Admitting his error, he expressed his regret.

OR

ii) The servant had a duty to perform which was difficult.

c)

i) It is time for the shop to be shut.

OR

ii) He neglects his studies. (or: He is careless about his studies.)

d)

i) Shelley has written many poems. (or: Shelley has written much poetry.)

OR

ii) Vikas invited me to dinner.

e)

i)

• Coarse: The cloth was made of coarse wool.

• Course: She has enrolled in an English speaking course.

OR

ii)

• Alter: You should alter your daily routine to stay healthy.

• Altar: The priest placed flowers on the altar.

Students, you must have heard the name of Lal Bahadur. As he grew up, he was deeply pained to see the condition of his country. At that time, India was trapped in the slavery of the British. He took a firm resolve that he would make the country free. For this, he travelled across the entire country and talked to all kinds of people. The British inflicted great suffering upon him and kept him in jail for many years.

the following questions in about 40 words each : (4 + 4 = 8)

a) Why did M. Hamel say to his children to be very attentive while teaching the last French lesson ?

OR

Who was Caroline ? What did she write in her diary ?

b) What do the bangles symbolise as told in the lesson ‘Lost Spring’ ?

OR

Why did the head of the make-up department of the Gemini studios, leave ?

हल / Solution:

a) M. Hamel asked his students to be very attentive because an order had come from Berlin stating that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. It was their last French lesson, and he wanted them to treasure their native language.

OR

a) Caroline was the wife of Rudyard Kipling. In her diary entry dated 14 October 1892, she wrote that their day was ruined by two reporters from Boston who had arrived to interview her husband.

b) In 'Lost Spring', bangles symbolise an Indian woman's suhaag, auspiciousness in marriage, and cultural tradition. However, for the poor bangle-makers of Firozabad, they also represent generations of poverty, hardship, and unending exploitation.

OR

b) The head of the make-up department left Gemini Studios because the Boss shut down the Story Department, of which he was a part, thereby rendering his post redundant.

any one of the following in about 80 words : (7)

a) What incident did Douglas face at the pool ? What was its effect on his life ?

b) Who was Rajkumar Shukla? For what reason did he decide to meet Gandhiji ?

हल / Solution:

a) When William Douglas was ten or eleven years old, he went to the YMCA pool to learn swimming. A big, muscular boy tossed him into the deep end of the pool. Douglas almost drowned, experienced overwhelming terror, and was rescued with great difficulty.

This misadventure left a deep impact on Douglas. A haunting fear of water gripped him for years. It ruined his fishing trips and deprived him of enjoying canoeing, boating, and swimming. To overcome this phobia, he eventually hired an instructor and worked relentlessly until he conquered his fear.

OR

b) Rajkumar Shukla was a poor, illiterate sharecropper from Champaran, Bihar. He was determined and resilient. Under an ancient arrangement, the peasants of Champaran were forced by British landlords to plant 15 percent of their holding with indigo and surrender the entire harvest as rent. When synthetic indigo was introduced, landlords demanded compensation to release peasants from this contract.

Rajkumar Shukla decided to meet Mahatma Gandhi at the Congress session in Lucknow to persuade him to visit Champaran, investigate the grievances of the oppressed sharecroppers, and liberate them from the injustice of the landlords.

a) We have heard or read lovely tales about the "mighty dead"—our great ancestors and heroic figures who performed glorious deeds.

b) The immortal drink pours unto us from "heaven's brink" (the edge of heaven).

c)

• Poem: A Thing of Beauty

• Poet: John Keats

(a) Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

The central idea of the poem Aunt Jennifer's Tigers composed by Adrienne Rich revolves around the constraints of married life and gender oppression faced by women in a patriarchal society. Aunt Jennifer expresses her inner desire for freedom, fearlessness, and equality through her needlework embroidery of vibrant, confident tigers. While Aunt Jennifer remains oppressed and burdened by the weight of her marriage ("Uncle's wedding band"), her artistic creation—the tigers—will continue to prance fearlessly forever, symbolizing the immortality of art and the longing for liberation.

(b) Keeping Quiet

The central idea of the poem Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda emphasizes the necessity of quiet introspection, silence, and mutual understanding among human beings. The poet urges everyone to keep still and silent for a few moments to break the mindless rush and chaotic activities of modern life. This brief pause will help human beings reflect upon their actions, stop violence against nature and fellow humans, and foster universal brotherhood, peace, and harmony.

(c) A Roadside Stand

The central idea of the poem A Roadside Stand by Robert Frost highlights the stark divide between the rural poor and the wealthy city dwellers. The poet depicts the economic distress and pathetic condition of village folk who set up small roadside stalls hoping to earn some money from passing urban travelers. Frost criticizes the selfish city people who ignore or mock the poor, as well as political promises that remain unfulfilled, emphasizing the need for genuine sympathy and human support for rural upliftment.

the following questions in about 40 words each : (4 + 4 = 8)

a) When did Maharaja decide to give up tiger hunting altogether ?

OR

How was the Professor’s wife, at whose house Sadao met Hana ?

b) What did Charley say about Galesburg Illinois ?

OR

What was the reply of Zitkala–Sa to Judewin, when she said that they had to submit?

हल / Solution:

a) The Maharaja of Pratibandhapuram decided to give up tiger hunting altogether after he believed he had killed the hundredth tiger, believing that he had fulfilled his vow and disproved the astrologer's prediction.

OR

a) Professor Harley’s wife was a very kind and hospitable woman, though she was very talkative. It was at her house in America that Dr. Sadao first met Hana.

b) Charley described Galesburg, Illinois, as a wonderful, peaceful town with big old frame houses, huge lawns, and massive trees. In 1894, life there was calm, relaxed, and free from modern anxieties.

OR

b) When Judewin told Zitkala-Sa that they had to submit to having their hair cut short, Zitkala-Sa firmly replied, "No, I will not submit! I will struggle first!" She refused to surrender her cultural pride without a fight.

any one of the following questions in about 80 words : (7)

a) Describe ‘Grand Central Station’ as narrated by Charley in the lesson ‘The Third Level’.

हल / Solution:

In the lesson The Third Level by Jack Finney, Charley describes Grand Central Station in New York as a sprawling, labyrinthine structure growing like a tree, continually pushing out new corridors and staircases like roots. Officially, the station had only two levels, but Charley claimed to have discovered a mysterious Third Level.

Charley noted that the Third Level was distinctly old-fashioned, belonging to the 1890s era. The rooms were smaller, ticket windows were fewer, and the information booth was constructed of wood. Men wore derby hats and four-button suits, and had fancy handlebar mustaches. Gaslights flickered on the walls, brass spittoons sat on the floor, and open-flame gas lamps illuminated the platform. A copy of the newspaper The World, dated June 11, 1894, confirmed to Charley that he had traveled back in time.