Madhyamik Examination 2020
ENGLISH (Second Language)
SECTION – A
READING COMPREHENSION (SEEN)
1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
When the family has finished tea, and gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room. True life now begins for him. He saunters down his own backyard, springs to the top of the fence, drops lightly down to the other side. He trots across and skips to the roof of an empty shed. His movement becomes lithe and pantherlike. He looks keenly from side to side and moves noiselessly, for he has so many enemies — dogs and small boys with stones.
On top of the shed, the cat arches his back and rakes his claws once or twice through the soft bark of the old roof. He stretches himself a few times to see if every muscle is in full working order. Then, drooping his head nearly to his paws, he sends across a call to his kindred. Before long they come, gliding, graceful shadows. No longer are they the meek creatures who an hour ago were mewing for fish and milk. They are now grim fighters.
Just think how much more he gets out of his life than you do out of yours ! And the sports they have, too ! As they get older they go in for sport to the suburban backyards. These backyards that are dull to us, are to them hunting grounds where they have more gallant adventure than King Arthur’s knights ever had.
A. Write the correct alternative in the given space to complete the following sentences: 1 x 5 = 5
(a) When the family gathers round the fire, the cat goes out of the room
(i) cautiously (ii) smartly (iii) casually (iv) noiselessly
Ans. (iii) casually
(b) Sauntering down his own backyard, the cat jumps to the top of the
(i) fence (ii) roof (iii) other side (iv) shed
Ans. (i) fence
(c) The cat looks keenly from side to side and moves
(i) carefully (ii) anxiously (iii) fearfully (iv) noiselessly
Ans. (iv) noiselessly
(d) On top of the shed the cat
(i) mews (ii) arches his back (iii) goes to sleep (iv) fights
Ans. (ii) arches his back
(e) As the cats get older they go in for sport to the
(i) neighbouring house (ii) old roof (iii) empty shed (iv) suburban backyard
Ans. (iv) suburban backyard
B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: 1 x 3 = 3
(i) The family gathers round the fire after-
Ans. The family gathers round the fire after finishing tea.
(ii) The cat skips to the roof of an empty shed where his movement becomes-
Ans. The cat skips to the roof of an empty shed where his movement becomes lithe and panther-like.
(iii) The cat stretches himself a few times to feel if-
Ans. The cat stretches himself a few times to feel if every muscle is in full working order.
C. State whether the following statements are true or false. Write ‘T’ for ‘True’ and ‘F’ for ‘False’ in the
boxes given on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/ phrases/ words in support of your answer: 2×2=4
(i) The cat sends across a call to his kindred by stretching himself a few times. [F]
Supporting sentence: He stretches himself a few times to see if every muscle is in full working order.
(ii) The cats behave as gallantly as King Arthur’s knights. [F]
Supporting sentence: these backyards that are dull to us, are to them hunting grounds where they have more gallant adventure than King Arthur’s knights ever had.
2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow :
To grass, or leaf, or fruit, or wall
The snail sticks close, nor fears to fall
As if he grew there, house and all,
Together.
Within that house secure he hides
When danger imminent betides
Of storm, or other harm besides
Of weather.
Give but his horns the slightest touch,
His self-collecting pow’r is such,
He shrinks into his house with much
Displeasure.
Where’er he dwells, he dwells alone,
Except himself has chattels none,
Well satisfied to be his own
Whole treasure.
A. Write the correct alternative to complete the following sentences : 1×4=4
(a) The snail is not afraid to
(i) fight (ii) hide (iii) fall (iv) touch
Ans. (iii) fall
(b) The snail faces imminent danger when there is
(i) storm (ii) rain (iii) thunder (iv) lightning
Ans. (i) storm
(c) With the slightest touch the snail shrinks into his house with much
(i) delight (ii) displeasure (iii) defiance (iv) pain
Ans. (ii) displeasure
(d) In the house the snail lives
(i) alone (ii) with others (iii) with chattels (iv) with family
Ans. (i) alone
B. Answer the following questions : 2 x 2 = 4
(i) What does the snail stick close to ?
Ans. The snail sticks close to the grass, leaf, fruit or wall.
(ii) What does the snail do when it faces danger ?
Ans. When it faces danger the snail hides within his house securely.
READING COMPREHENSION (UNSEEN)
3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
Mother nature has been very generous to us by giving us so many resources of water — rain water, rivers, lakes,
melting glaciers and ground water. The demand for water is ever increasing but the supply is far from adequate.
Given the lack of water in rivers, people have been resorting to pumping out ground water for personal
consumption and for farming. As a result, ground water table has fallen to alarming levels. Moreover, harmful
fertilisers used for growing crops have contaminated ground water so that in many places it is not fit for drinking.
It is time to wake up. Every drop of water is a source of life. It is high time we realise that water resources are
not permanent. Soon, we as a family, society and nation will be struggling to get a drop of clean potable water. We
have to focus on water conservation and stop polluting our water resources.
Each one of us also needs to do our bit by avoiding use of plastic, recycling waste products and keeping our
surroundings clean. Every town, every village should have an eco-friendly garbage sorting and disposal system.
Every school and college should initiate programmes educating youngsters about the importance of our natural
resources, especially water and air. We have ,to train new generations to adopt an eco-friendly way of life.
[Adapted from an article published in The Times of India dated June 26, 2019]
A. Tick the right answer : 1 x 6 = 6
(i) The demand for water is increasing but the supply of water is
(a) adequate (b) surplus (c) inadequate (d) plentiful
Ans. (c) inadequate
(ii) People have been resorting to pumping out ground water due to
(a) lack of water in the rivers
(b) scanty rainfall
(c) drying up of wells
(d) melting glaciers
Ans. (a) lack of water in the rivers
(iii) The ground water table has
(a) risen (b) dropped (c) increased (d) remained stable
Ans. (b) dropped
(iv) Ground water is contaminated by
(a) irrigation (b) construction of roads
(c) harmful fertilisers (d) pumping out of water
Ans. (c) harmful fertilisers
(v) It is high time we realise that water resources are
(a) permanent (b) portable (c) impermanent (d) abundant
Ans. (c) impermanent
(vi) Each one of us must avoid the use of
(a) copper (b) paper (c) jute (d) plastic
Ans. (d) plastic
B. Each of the following statements is either ‘True’ or ‘False’. Write ‘T’ for ‘True’ and ‘F’ for ‘False’ in the
boxes on the right-hand side. Also pick out suitable line (s) or phrase (s) from the passage in support of
your answers : (1+1) x3 = 6
(i) People have been resorting to pumping out ground water for construction work. [F]
Supporting sentence : Given the lack of water in rivers, people have been resorting to pumping out ground water for personal consumption and for farming.
(ii) Water is valuable because it is a source of life. [T]
Supporting sentence : Every drop of water is a source of life.
(iii) Soon, it will be easy for us to get clean potable water. [F]
Supporting sentence : Soon, we as a family,society and nation will be struggling to get a drop of clean potable water.
C. Answer the following questions : 2 x 4 = 8
(i) How has mother nature been generous to us ?
Ans. Mother nature has been generous to us by giving us so many resources of water rainwater, rivers, lakes, melting glaciers and ground water.
(ii) What should be our immediate focus regarding water ?
Ans. Regarding water our immediate focus should be on water conservation and stop polluting water resources.
(iii) What should every town and every village have to keep the surroundings clean ?
Ans. Every town and every village should have an eco-friendly garbage sorting and disposal system to keep the surroundings clean.
(iv) What kind of programmes should every school and college initiate ?
Ans. Every school and college should initiate programmes educating youngsters about the importance of our natural resources, especially water and air.
SECTION – B
GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY
4. Write the correct alternative to fill in the blanks : 1 x 3 = 3
Rina who ______________ (have been / has been / is being) ill for a month
_________________ (will visit / visited / had visited) the doctor last Monday.
The doctor ______________ (advised / had advised / will advise) her complete bed rest.
Ans. Rina who has been ill for a month had visited the
doctor last Monday. The doctor advised her complete bed rest.
5. Do as directed :
A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions : 1 x 3 = 3
Wrestling is one of ________ oldest sports in the world. Ancient cave drawings of people wrestling with one another have been found ______ Europe. It is ____ serious sport.
Ans. Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the World. Ancient cave drawings of people wrestling with one another have been found in Europe. It is a serious sport.
B. 1 x 3 = 3
(i) The authorities postponed the cricket match (Change the voice)
Ans. The cricket match was postponed by the authorities.
(ii) “Is there anybody there ?” said the traveller. (Change into Indirect Speech)
Ans. The traveler asked if there was anybody there.
(iii) We should not show cruelty to animals.
(Rewrite using adjective form of the word underlined)
Ans. We should not be cruel to animals.
C. Choose the correct phrasal verbs from the list given below to replace the words underlined.
Write the correct phrasal verbs in the boxes on the right- hand side changing the form where
necessary. There is one extra phrasal verb in the list: 1 x 3 = 3
(i) The dog followed the thief.
Ans. Went after
(ii) Have you read this book ?
Ans. Gone through
(iii) The chief guest distributed the prizes.
Ans. Gave away
[take back, go through, give away, go after]
6. Given below are the meanings of four words which you will find in the passage in Question No. 3.
Find out the words and write them in the appropriate boxes on the right-hand side : 2 x 4 = 8
(i) kind
Ans. generous.
(ii) disturbing
Ans. alarming.
(iii) polluted
Ans. contaminated
(iv) process of getting rid of something
Ans. resorting.
SECTION – C
WRITING
7. Write a newspaper report (within 100 words) about an accident that took place yesterday. Write the
report on the basis of the points given below: 10
Date and time — place — cause of the accident — consequences — measures taken.
Ans. Horrible Road Accident Tarakeswar, Feb, 14, 2020:
Yesterday on Feb, 13, a horrible accident occurred on Baidyabati-Tarakeswar road causing death of three on the spot. As reported it was an accident that occurred in between a loaded truck and a Scooty. The truck was fully loaded with sand coming from Tarakeswar side. On the scooty there were three people coming from Sheoraphuli in high speed. According to the people present on the spot all the three riders had no helmet. They were probably intoxicated too. They collided with the truck in such a way that all the three people died on the spot. The police rushed to the spot then and there and cleared the road within half an hour. A special traffic police is posted on the spot of accident. Measures are taken from the administration but to avoid such kind of accidents, we, the common people must be more consciousness.
[Reported by: Aninda Majumder, Tarakeswar]
8. Write a letter (within 100 words) to your friend describing a cultural programme you have attended
recently. Your letter should include the following points : 10
Name of the programme — venue — date — description of performances — your feelings.
Ans. My dear friend Anit,Nalikul, Feb, 18
Hope, with the blessings of God, all of you are well. I am fine. For a long time we are away from each other as you are in your hostel for the last six months. So our exchange of ideas now is mainly depending on writing letters. Last Monday I attended a cultural programme at Haripal. It was the golden jubilee of Haripal High School. It was really gorgeous a programme that continued for the day. But the surprising matter is that everything presented on the stage was performed by the school children. They arranged a beautiful stage drama. Except that lots of songs, recitation, lectures were there. I enjoyed the programme fully and then I was missing you as I know you also love to enjoy such kind of programmes. Hope, in future I shall get your company in such kind of programmes. With love,
Yours friend
Rahul Anit kumar Sarkar
C/O – Rajesh Sarkar Shibpur,
Howrah
9. Write a paragraph (within 100 words) on ‘The Most Memorable Day in Your Life’, based on the following points : 10
Date / Day — a description of the day — your role on that day — why is the day memorable to you ?
Ans. Day in My Life Life is full of various events and experiences. But all of these are not equally important, enjoyable and memorable. All days we come across in our life are not the same. Some are memorable. Memorable day is the happiest day of our life. I cannot forget the memory of a day and that was the day of my Madhyamik result out. My mother was searching my result in computer. My hands were shaking and heart throbbing. With trembling ears I heard to her. She told me that I have secured 83%. I thanked god the almighty for the success which he granted me. I know in these days that kind of result is never considered as brilliant. But in my respect, that was enough and satisfactory according to my preparation and delivery in the exam hall. Then I ran to my father and gave him the good news. My father was also overwhelmed with joy. My sisters and cousins joined and were glad enough with my result. Until now, I consider that very day is special and memorable to me.
SECTION – D
(SUPPLEMENTARY)
[FOR EXTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY]
1. Frame nominal compounds from the meanings given below : 1 x 5 = 5
(i) A wall made of stone _________________________________________________
(ii) A ground for playing _________________________________________________
(iii) A pool for swimming _________________________________________________
(iv) Mill driven by wind __________________________________________________
(v) A palace made of marble _____________________________________________
2. Write the opposites of the following words : 1 x 5 = 5
(a) Wise ______________________________________________________
(b) Honest ____________________________________________________
(c) Strict _____________________________________________________
(d) Cool _____________________________________________________
(e) Humble __________________________________________________