HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION: 2023-24

Subject- English (301)

Class – XI
Answer key

Answer 1
i (d) To foster informed engagement and understanding of Al

ii. (c) Calculators and computers

iii.( a) Personalized and enriched content delivery

iv.(c) To understand Al's mechanisms, capabilities, and ethical implications

v. Historically, technologies such as calculators and computers have entered education,

enhancing capabilities disparately. For instance, calculators streamlined mathematical
computations, while computers facilitated access to vast amounts of information and promoted
digital literacy.

vi. Early education about Al is essential to dispel misconceptions, foster informed engagement,
and prepare individuals to navigate the increasingly Al-driven landscape. It enables individuals
to understand Al's mechanisms, capabilities, and ethical implications, empowering them to
make informed decisions and participate actively in Al innovation and development.

vii."Disparately" in the passage means in different ways or to different extents.

viii. "Socio-ethical considerations" refer to the examination of societal and ethical implications or
concerns related to the integration of Al technology in education.

ix. integration

x. dispel

Answer 2
i. False

ii. Learning to control your breath during swimming is fundamental because it teaches
swimmers to take longer, deeper breaths and to use their lung capacity more efficiently.

iii. One benefit of swimming for a child's brain development is improved sleep, which is critical
for brain structure development as well as learning, memory, and emotional regulation.

iv. (B) Boost in mood-enhancing brain chemicals

v. Swimming takes quite a lot of coordination, both physically & mentally. There is focus on arm
pulls, leg kicks & breath control, which does not leave much margin to focus on anything else.
As swimmers work on improving their technique, they learn the importance of concentration and
how it can impact their success in the pool.

vi. (C) It allows for longer exercise without pain

vii. (D) Superior following instructions skills

viii. Participating in swimming activities can help young children develop social skills, learn
teamwork, and feel part of a like-minded group, which is essential for their social intelligence. It
also allows children to interact with peers who share similar interests, fostering a sense of
community and belonging.

3. (A) Avoid Getting Intimidated

(1) Right approach

1.1. sitn. someone better

1.2. no set quality or std.

1.3. more money/intelligence

1.4. prospective matters

1.5. complete indiv. no intimidation

(2) Things to understand

2.1. own worth

2.2. sense of self

2.3. others views

2.4. futility of comparison

2.5. your comfort

(3) Things to learn

3.1. fearless
3.2. keep ego away

3.3. benefit/credit self

3.4. respect ppl

3.5. Avail opportunities

(4) Things to accept

4.1. det

4.2. limitations

4.3. own strength

4.4. struggle

Abbreviation. Word

Sitn. Situation

Std. standard

Indiv. Individual

PpL. People

Det. Determination

(B) One should not get intimidated by smarter people. People who are better than us in some
way or the other are not themselves intimidating, rather it's our approach towards them which
makes us feel so. Let us know our worth and be comfortable in our own skin. Company of such
people gives us an opportunity to learn from their strengths and virtues. We need to accept our
limitations and focus on our strengths. Learning to say no is important for something that makes
us uncomfortable. We must start giving ourselves the credit for our strength and success.

SECTION - B Grammar
4. (i) (a) lost

(ii) (d) will have been working

(iii) (a) will go

(iv) (d)

5.(a) It seems that the common house sparrow has disappeared from the city.

(b) Pollution and loss of native herbs and shrubs are important factors responsible for the loss.

(c)The boys are revising the lesson in their room.

SKILLS CREATIVE WRITING

5.

MALE TUTOR REQUIRED

Wanted a male tutor to coach a boy of class XII in English. Only male tutors with minimum five
years of experience in teaching CBSE will be considered. Emoluments: travelling expenses plus
2000 to 2500 p.m. depending upon the calibre and experience. Contact: Anil Verma, 128L, Ring
Road, Orcha.

OR

FLAT WANTED

For purchase ADA Flat in North Extension with three bed-rooms, D/D with family lounge. Corner
and ground floor flat preferred. Price around 20 to 25 lacs. Bonafide owners or dealers to
contact. Mahesh Mauryl, 12. Panvel Road, Navi Mumbai-410106. Phone 23285062.

8. Indoor games vs. Outdoor games

Respected Principal Sir, honourable teachers and dear friends. Today, I Parag Gupta of Class
XI-A would like to share my views on the topic 'Indoor games vs. Outdoor games'. With the
increased usage of modern gadgets like computers, gaming consoles, video games and mobile
phones our generation has become lazy. In our spare time, we either surf the Internet or send
SMS on mobile phones. Most of us have forgotten hide and seek, cricket and football, all of
which make us physically active and alert.

Outdoor games strengthen our physique and help us to remain healthy. By playing games
games we grow enthusiastic, we agree, disagree and fight. We make more friends, which
broadens our social circle. On the other hand, when we play alone on computers, we are
damaging our eyes, polluting our minds and turning into couch potatoes which is not good for
our health. Outdoor games inculcate values like team work, coherency and zest for living in us.
On the other hand, playing indoor games only makes us isolated and self-centred. Considering
all these, it can be said that while outdoor games carry joys in their basket, indoor games do not
in any way. So, we should adopt outdoor games and come out to play them more often.
Thank you

OR

Environmental Protection

Esteemed Principal, educators, and fellow peers, the acceleration of global warming has caused
a concerning increase in Earth's temperature. Simultaneously, rising sea levels and the rapid
melting of glaciers have become alarming issues. Natural disasters are claiming lives, with
floods and inadequate rainfall leading to food and water shortages, disrupting our way of life.
Tragically, the drought in Rajasthan has resulted in fatalities and famine. Human activities bear
the brunt of blame for this deteriorating ecosystem, including deforestation, industrial pollution,
hazardous waste disposal, vehicular emissions, urban tree removal, and a lack of green spaces.
This environmental degradation has established a destructive cycle.

The pressing demand of this era is environmental protection. Schoolchildren have already taken
the initiative to raise awareness by campaigning against plastic bags and advocating for waste
recycling. Let us unite to safeguard our forests, increase tree planting efforts, curb toxic
pollutants, and adjust our lifestyles accordingly.

Thank you

9.Online Smart Classes are the Future of Education For the Motion

Honourable judges and worthy listeners, Today. I. Shivani of class XII stand before you all to
present my views for the motion, "Online Smart Classes are the Future of Education Style".

When many parents consider computer-based learning, they often think of social networking
sites like Facebook, which can be seen as a significant drawback in the digital age. However,
it's important to note that the world of online education extends far beyond Facebook.

Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Byju's Learning App are just a few examples of the vast
array of online educational resources available. These platforms are used by millions of
students for exam preparation and are often cost-effective alternatives to traditional paper-
based study materials. In today's world, where smartphones are ubiquitous, these digital
libraries are accessible to people in both urban and rural areas.

Google, with its wealth of information, has already established itself as a primary knowledge
source. With a global population of seven billion and six hundred billion trees, transitioning to a
paperless society is essential. In this context, e-learning emerges as an ideal solution.
Rather than solely consuming information, let's become contributors. Instead of purchasing
physical books, let's embrace e-books. Let's transform our smartphones and computers into
virtual libraries, allowing us to access and learn from a vast digital repository.
Thank you.

Against the Motion

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! Today, I'll be addressing the topic of "Online Smart
Classes as the Future of Education Style" and I'd like to argue against this motion.

Online learning, or e-learning, is the process of acquiring knowledge through electronic media,
typically over the Internet. One key drawback is the absence of face-to-face interaction between
teachers and students. This limitation reduces the adaptability and customisation of teaching
methods and content for different audiences. Furthermore, humans are inherently social beings,
and they generally prefer in- person instruction over virtual alternatives.
Ontine education often locks proper guidance and robust self-assessment mechanisms
Additionally, it poses a potential threat to teacher employment since it primarily involves
cognitive work, potentially leading to physical inactivity and health issues among educators
Moreover, online learning con foster a lack of discipline. Traditional schools establish daily
routines, instilling valuable habits such as regular bathing, breakfast, and adhering to a
consistent bedtime. Physical schools play a vital role in teaching children discipline.

Let's not overlook the valuable social interactions that occur in physical classrooms. Students
form friendships that provide support and find mentors who offer guidance. Despite the rapid
advancements in technology, the traditional mode of learning should not be replaced.

Thank you.

OR

Is Social Media More of a Force for Good or Harm in Society? For the Motion

Ladies and gentlemen, today we're discussing whether social media is more of a force for good.
Social media has both positive and negative aspects in today's environment. On the positive
side, it facilitates communication with friends and family, helps in sharing information, and even
helps in discovering new things. It also aids in raising awareness about societal concerns and
encouraging mass participation, which would ultimately lead to a positive change.

Furthermore, social networking is advantageous for education as well. Online materials are
available all the time.

Children who cannot afford to buy expensive referral books can easily find notes online or watch
YouTube videos that can help them understand a concept. People can also find jobs online.
Nowadays, almost everyone is earning money, thanks to social media. Even homemakers can
sit at home and sell something online through apps like Instagram or Facebook. So, social
media, when used responsibly, can be a powerful force for good in our lives.

Against the Motion

Ladies and gentlemen, I firmly believe that social media is more of a force for harm in our
society. On one hand, it enables us to communicate with friends, express our ideas, and gain
new knowledge. It can, however, also be a force for social destruction.First of all, people can
say harsh things to people while hiding behind screens, causing emotional harm. This is an
example of cyberbullying A person has to be utmost careful before uploading anything online
because he or she can receive backlash or criticism from people at any time. This might be
really dangerous, as itcan disturb peace. Second, many of us browse through our feeds for an
excessive amount of time, which might harm our productivity and relationships in real life.

Despite the advantages of social media, it can also cause harm through cyberbullying,
addiction, and other factors.

Section c
10.(i) (a) Loss, reminiscence and the transient nature of life.

Explanation: The given line depicts a daughter's nostalgic recollection of her

mother's memories as she laments over the loss of her mother. This depicts the inevitability of
life as how everything is temporary.

(ii) True

(iii) (d) repetition

OR

(i) stillness after the goldfinch has flown away.

(ii) (c) It means flying.

(iii) The poem beautifully captures the vibrancy and activity in nature. It demonstrates how even
the most mundane of natural occurrences, like a goldfinch perched in a branch, can be full of life
and beauty.

11. (i) In the given extract, the phrase "ominous silence" indicates a warning that something
dangerous is about to happen. The silence doesn't create a sense of peace but is foreboding.

(ii) A torrent of green and white water broke over the ship and the narrator's head smashed into
the wheel. He was flying overboard and sinking below the waves.
(iii) (c) Fear
OR

(i)(A) (a) Murder

Explanation: The most unlikely cause of untimely death of Tut was murder.

(ii) (b) king

Explanation: The word 'pharaoh' means king.

(iii) Prior to the CT scan mentioned in the extract, Tut had never undergone CT scan. The
results of the C.T. scan revealed that nothing serious happened to Tut's body.

12. (A) The doubt that the author had about the lady of the house is that he had made a
mistake.

(B) (b) F-(I), (II), (IV), (V) and O-(III)

(C) The lady hid herself behind the door because the author was looking at the cardigan.

(D) of its poor condition

OR

(i) (d) It was evening time.

Explanation: 'It was evening time' has not been used by the speaker.

(ii) Mourad was sitting on the horse.

(iii) Mourad said 'Yes, it is the horse. You are not dreaming. Make it quick if you want to ride.'

(iv) hurry up

13. (i) When Jon called him the best daddy in the whole world and the best captain, the narrator
was dejected for not being able to locate the island, so he refuted the statement. The truth was
that the island was just in front of them.

(ii) When King Tut was finally laid to rest, the wind stopped blowing and was still, like death
itself. Orion, the constellation that the ancient Egyptians knew as the soul of Osiris, the God of
the afterlife, was sparkling. It seemed to be watching over the boy king.

(iii) The goldfinch has its nest on the top of the Laburnum tree in the poem, 'The Laburnum Top.
Her chicks stay in the nest while she (the mother goldfinch) keeps going out at regular intervals
to get food to feed her chicks. This shows her caring nature and highlights the values of
motherly care and affection of a mother towards her offspring.

(iv) The two participants are the poet and the voice of the rain which answers the poet's
questions. The advantage of this method is to maintain continuity of thoughts and ideas
expressed by the poet and to bring about clarity in what he wants to express.

14.(i) The beginning of the story is suggestive of the fact that the episode that is going to be
narrated is not one from the recent past. On the contrary, it is something that happened years
back. The words 'good old days', suggest that the times in the past were better than what they
are at present.

(ii)When the narrator went to Mrs Dorling's house the second time, a girl of about fifteen let her
in. She saw familiar things but arranged differently that lent unfamiliarity to the surroundings.
She found herself surrounded by things that she had wanted to see again but which really
oppressed her in that strange atmosphere.

15.The poem 'The Voice of the Rain' beautifully shows the continued process of rain which
sounds like music to human ears, as it fulfils our needs.

It is an ever going process which sustains human life and provides us with food, pure air and
green cover. On the other hand, human lives are mortal. We come on this Earth for a short
period and then depart without leaving any mark on this planet. Moreover human beings, for
their greed and selfish motives, indulge in destructive activities which may disturb these eternal
processes of nature.

We must learn a lesson from nature. If we want peaceful co-existence, we need not disturb the
balance of nature, otherwise the whole of humanity will be in danger. We must learn a lesson
from such eternal processes and do something good for humanity at large.

OR

Real history is the objective portrayal of events and facts that depicts development and
destruction. True history is never coloured in the hues of politics. It reflects the myriad facets of
society. Modern technology has made its portrayal objective. History puts forward lessons for us
and provides us with chances to improve. So, it is true that those who do not pick up these
lessons are condemned to repent.

Shrewd people have used history to rouse mass hysteria to grind their own axe. Distortion of
history causes havoc in society. To intelligent people, history is a window through which they
peep into the past to collect facts and interpret them in an objective manner.
By and large, history is the study of past events, political, economic and social development of a
country and many a time we feel belittled knowing that our forefathers were better than us in
many respects. We can learn a lesson from them and refrain from making the same mistakes.

16.Mrs Pearson's son Cyril walks in and insists on Mrs Pearson getting the tea and his clothes
ready. He reminds her of the promise she made the same morning, to mend his clothes. He is
surprised to hear that she does not like mending' and that she would not do anything that she
did not want to do. Cyril could not believe his ears. Cyril again asks for tea, telling her that he
had been working for an eight-hour day, to which Mrs Pearson says that she had done her eight
hours and henceforth she would work for only forty hours a week. On weekends, she would
have her two days off.

She might make a bed or two and do a bit of cooking as a favour but that would be conditional
to the fact that they asked her very nicely and thanked her for everything and generally made a
fuss of her. Cyril and Doris are surprised and wait for their father to arrive.

OR

In the chapter The Address' by Marga Minco, Mrs. S's daughter is a relatively minor character,
but she plays a significant role in the story. She is depicted as a caring and compassionate
individual who deeply worries about her mother's attachment to their old address. Despite her
mother's resistance and reluctance to leave their previous home, Mrs. S's daughter
demonstrates patience and understanding.

She represents the younger generation, which is more practical and forward-looking, while her
mother clings to the past. Mrs. S's daughter appears to be a sensible and responsible person,
trying to persuade her mother to adapt to the changes and accept their new address. She
embodies a sense of familial duty and responsibility, wanting what is best for her mother's well-
being. Overall, Mrs. S's daughter serves as a foil to her mother's nostalgia and is a symbol of
the changing times and generations.