Class 11th English Sample Paper

Q1. Read the passage and on the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the questions
given below:

1. India has never subscribed to the doctrine of militarism and war in her history. Here war was
never treated as an ideal. It was only tolerated as unavoida ble and inevitable, and all
attempts were made to check it and bring it under control. Inspite of the frequency of wars in
ancient India, in spite of highly developed military organization, techniques of war and
imperialism, and in spite of the open justification of war as national policy, the heart ot india
loved pacifisms as-an ideal capable of realization. India"s symbolic role was that ofa
peacemaker and it sincerely pinned its faith on the principle of Live and let live". At least
philosophically, India"s intelligen ce supported the cause of peace not only in national affairs
but in international affairs also. All the great seers of the yore visualized the unity of life,
permeating all eings, arnimate or inanimate, which ruled out killing and suicidal wars.

2. This doctrine of philoso phical pacifisms was practiced by ancient Aryans is, no doubt, a
e. Certainly, the great Indian teachers and savants stuck to this
question of controversial
doctrine tenaciously and in their personal life they translated it into practice and preached it
to masses and even to princes of military classes.

3. Another culture of those times, the existence of which has been proved by the excavations of
Mohan-jo-Daro, also enunciated the doctrine of pacificism and friendship to all. Strangely
enough, the IndusValley civilization has revealed no fortification and very few weapons.

4. Ahimsa or the doctrine of non-violence in thought, speech and action assumed a gigantic
importance in the Buddhist and Jain period. By a constant practice of this virtue, man
becomes unassailable by even wild beasts, who forgot their ferocity the moment they
entered the circumference of his magnetic influence. The monks and nuns of these churches
were apostles of peace, who reached every nook and corner of the world and delivered the
message of love to war-weary humanity. The greatest votary was the royal monk Ashoka,
who in reality was responsible for transforming Ahimsa as an act of personal virtue, to
Ahimsa as an act of national virtue.

5. Many a historian recounting the causes of the downfall of the Mauryas, hold the pacific policy
Of Ashoka which had eschewed the aggressive militarism of his predecessors, responsiDle Tor an
eariydecayy of the military strength of the state and its consequent disintegration, leading to the
rise of Sungas, Kanvas and Andhras. But, in reality the fault lies with the weak successors of
Ashoka, who could not wield the weapon of non-violence with a skill and eficiency which
required the strength of a spiritual glant like Ashoka. They failed due to their subjective
weakness: Pacifism itself was no cause of their failure.

6. Besides the foregoing philosophical and religious school of thought, even many political
authorities gave their unqualified support to the cause of pacifisms. They recognized the right
of rivals to exist, not mainly as enemies, but as collaborators in the buillding of a civilization
operation.. Thus, for centuries, in the pre-Mauryan India, scores of small independent republics
existed and flourished without coming in clash with each other.

7. With regard to Kautilya, the much maligned militarist and the so called Machiavelli of India, He
thinks that the object of diplomacy is to avoid war.

8. The Mahabharata observes in the connection, "A wise man should be content with what can be
obtained by the expedients of conciliation, gift and dissention." It denounces the warring world
of men by comparing it to a dog-kennel. "First there comes the wagging of tails, then turning of
one round to other, then the show of teeth, then the roaring and then comes the
commencement of the fights. It is the same with men; there is no difference whatever."
Yajnavalkya adds: War is the last expedient to be used when all others have failed." Likewise,
Sri Krishna who"'s Bhagwad-Gita has been styled by some as,a song of the battle", should not
be considered out and out militarist. When all the three expedients were exhausted, then
alone the fourth was resorted to.

9. All possible avenues of peace such as negotiation, conciliation through conference, meditation
and so on, were explored before the war was resorted to. This proves that the heart of
ancient India was sound and it longed for peace, although war also was not treated as an
anatheina, which was to be
avoided as far as possible.

Answer each of the questions given below by choosing the most appropriate option:

1. The heart of India loved _____
a) a highly developed military organization
b) techniques of wars and imperialism
c) loans
d) pacifism

2. Principle of ,Live and let live' means
a) imperialism
b) militarism
c) frequency of wars among nations
d) role of peace makers

iii) Aryans preached and practiced this to the masses
a) non-violence
b) freedom of speech and action
ci philosophical pacifisms
d) practice of military organization

(iv) Mahabharata compares the warring world with
a) wise men
b) dog kennel
c) song of the battle
d) militarist

(v) Unearthing Mohan-jo-Daro reinforced the following of Pacifism
a) there was no fortification and very few weapons
b) they delivered the message of love
c) they were apostles of peace
d) thinks that the object of diplomacy is to avoid war

1.2 Answer the following questions briefly:

(1) How was war treated in India?
(2) Describe India"'s preparedness for war in spite of their belief in Pacifism.
(3) How did the Aryans practice the Doctrine of Pacifism?
(4) What is Ahimsa?
(5) What is the meaning of co-existence with rivals?
(6) Why should Bhagvad-Gita not be considered as "A song of the battle"?

1.3 Answer any three of the following questions in 25-30 words:

(i) What kind of unity did all the seers visualize?
(ii) By some, Ashoka was considered as the cause of the downfall of the Mauryas. Do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer.
(iii) Which options were explored by Sri Krishna before resorting to war?
(iv) Throw some light on the thinking of Kautilya regarding war.

1.4 Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following:

(I) express in definite and clear terms (para 3)
(ii) defensive wall (para 3)
(iii) the beginning (para 8)

Q2. Read the passage and answer the questions given below:

1. There is a clear dichotomy between JayoshankarPrasad's daily lite and the one that found
expression in his literature. In his literary tormulations, Prasad advocated an escape- from-
personality ideal and categorically stated: "An artist's art, and not his person, is the touchstone to
assess his work... it is only after losing his personality that he emerges in his art as an artist".

2. In Prasad's works- his poems, short stories, novels, dramas etc. - what emerges is life as shaped
in the writer"s inner self by his emotions, tancies, dreams, reveries is Wriings are a record not
of outer reality, but of the artist s inner world. As Such, of a proper appreciation and understanding ot his works more emphasis needs to be placed on the working of his mina, than

the events of his day-to-day life.

3. Frasad was born in a renowned family of Varansi. His grand-father Shiv RatanSahu, a dealer in high
quality perfumed tobacco (snuff). Besides being an astute businessman, he was endowed witn a
marked cultural taste. His home was the meeting place of the local poets, singers, artists, scholars
and men of religion. Prasad"'s father Devi Prasad Sahu carried forward this high tradition of family.
Prasad, therefore, had a chance to study the various phases of human nature in the light of
thebusiness traditions, artistic taste and religious background of his family.

4. When the business had somewhat recovered, Prasad planned the publication of a literary journal.
Prasad started the "Indu". The inaugural number appeared in July 1909. By this time Prasad's
notions of literature had crystalized into a credo. In the first issue of indu, he proclaimed,
Literature has no fixed aim; it is not slave to rules; it is free and all-embracing genius, gives birth
to genuine literature which is subservient to none. Whatever in the world is true and beautiful is
its subject matter. By the dealing with the True and Beautiful it establishes the one and affects the
full flowering of the others. Its force can be measured by the degree of pleasure it gives to the
reader's mind as also by criticism which is free of all prejudice". The words sound like the
manifesto of romanticism in literature.

5. Even while recognizing the social relevance of literature, Prasad insisted, "The poet is a creator.
he is not conditioned by his milieu; rather it is he who moulds it and gives it a new shape; he
conjures up a new world of beauty where the reader for the time being, becomes oblivious of the
outer world and passes his time in an eternal spring garden where golden lotuses blossom and the
air is thick and pollen". Thus, the chief aim of literature according to Prasad is to give joy to the
reader and to create a state of bliss in him. Later under the impact of Shaivadvaitism, this faith of
Prasad got further strengthened.

2.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-
headings. Use recognizable abbreviatio ns (wherever necessary-minimum four) and a format you
consider suitable. Als0 supply an appropriate title to it.

2.2 Write a summary of the passage in about 100 words.

Q.3 You are Simar / Smriti of Lotus International School, Jodhpur. Your school is organizing a
workshop on "Prevention of Drug Abuse" in the coming week. Prepare a poster with compiete
information for the students of class X-Xii

YOu are Simar / Smriti of Lotus Internatio nal School, Jodhpur.Your school has decided to
contribute in controlling traffic near your school and requires the names of volunteers from IX
to Xil. Write a notice to be displayed on the notice board.

Q4 Public demonstration causes a lot of disturbance in daily routine of common man. You
almostmissed your important entrance examination as people blocked the highway. As Tarun /
Taruna, a student aspiring to be a doctor, write a letter to the Editor of The Times of India
highlighting the need to discourage such demonstrations and disturbance by public on
highways which cause a great lo5s of time and opportunity for many. (100-125 words)

You are Tarun Taruna who bought a new Luminous Inverter for your home from R.K.
Electronics, Noida but found many functional problems as the charging is not done properly
and battery water is getting leaked. Write a letter of complaint to the proprietor to take care of
the same. (100-125 words)

Q.5 As Mukul/ Mahima of Alps Public School, write a speech to be delivered in school assembly
highlighting the importance of cleanliness suggesting that the state of cleanliness reflects the
character of its citizens. (150-200 words)

Q.6 By 2050, India will be amongst the coutries which wil face acute water shortags. You a
nighlyalarmed and terrified of the future world without water. So, write an article onSave
water- are we doing enough?" for the local daily in 150-200 words.

You are Karan/Kirti of LM. Memorial Public Schoal, Dwarka. Your school has adopted a village
as a social responsibility. Students are being taken to teach the children of that vilage on a
regular basis. Write a repprt, tor your school magazine, on the various other prognmmes
organized there
In 150-200 words.

Q7. Read the following extract and answer the following questions briefly:

I) Name the poem and the poet of the above stanza.
ii) Who does this child refer to?
iii)Who have lived in the same house? How long?
iv) What kind of relationship does he want to build up

Q8. Answer the following questions.

i) What could Andrew not decide when child was born?.
ii)What did the king order to be built ? What happened when it was built?
iii)How did Mrs. Fitzgerald offer to help Mrs. Pearson to set her family right ?
iv)When had the narrator met Mrs. Dorling for the first time ?
v)How was Ranga's homecoming a great event?

Q9.Answer one of the following questions

1) How does Mrs. Fitzgerald help Mrs. Pearson to be the boss of the family?

2) What do you understand of Einstein's nature from his coversation with his history teacher, his
mathematics teacher and the head teacher ?

3) Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Crocker-Harris and Frank.

                The       End.