ENGLISH (LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE)

SOLUTION : PRACTICE QUESTION PAPER 5

SECTION – A
1.
(i) (C) They become immune to poison.
(ii) (C) catch and push prey
(iii) (1) it’s a meat softener.
(2) specific enzymes break up the prey.
(iv) The writer says poison has various roles to play like, it acts as an extreme meat softener
and specific enzymes break up the insides of prey. Reptiles do depend on the sun’s warm
rays to aid digestion. In remote parts of India, hospitality involves leather-tough meat and
in order to avoid getting choked we need to understand the importance of poison.
(v) (D) use of poison
(vi) They are not poison-free.
(vii) cobra poison
(viii) According to the writer, creatures without limbs inject poison to overpower their prey
e.g. Russell’s viper. While others opt for a non-chemical method. Rat snakes, catch and
push their prey against the ground while pythons use their muscle power to crush their prey
to death.
2.
(i) (B) Micro plastics are smaller fragments of plastic that can infiltrate the food chain.
(ii) The tone of the writer is concerned and urgent. The writer highlights the severe and
widespread impact of plastic pollution on marine life and ecosystems, emphasizing the need
for immediate and collective action to address this environmental crisis.
(iii) Efforts to combat plastic pollution are essential because it poses significant threats to marine
life, ecosystems, and human health through the ingestion of micro plastics and the
contamination of food and water sources.
(iv) (a) Increase, decrease
(b) Exponential, gradual
(v) Governments, industries, and consumers are responsible for addressing the issue of plastic
pollution because effective solutions require legislation, sustainable practices, and conscious
consumer choices to reduce plastic use and enhance recycling efforts.
(vi) it can cause serious harm to marine animals, leading to injury, starvation, and
death.

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 (vii) (C) Immediate action is needed to reduce plastic pollution to protect marine life and human
health.
(viii) False. The passage states that micro plastics infiltrate the food chain and drinking water,
posing health risks to humans as well.
(ix) can be found in drinking water

SECTION – B
3.
(i) must
(ii) Error Correction
take takes
(iii) (C) had gotten into his presence.
(iv) Error Correction
have been going went

(v) (C) Error Correction

meet meets

(vi) Error Correction

Should Would
(vii) (B) if he knew that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk everyday throughout the world.
(viii) Jenny asked whether she could book a table for dinner that night.
(ix) (C) will have finished
(x) Error Correction
will could
(xi) their
(xii) Error Correction
cancel cancelled
4. (a)
Promila/Praveen Chopra
12/15, Kunj Vihar,
Alapur
25th August, 2024
To,
The Editor,
The Times of India,
New Delhi
Subject : Ill-effects of synthetic milk on consumers
Dear Sir,
With reference to a news report of yesterday highlighting the adulteration of milk
containing urea and other chemicals, I would like to voice my concern from the perspective
of consumers who are the power of the growing economy of this country.

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 It is rather disturbing to hear about adulteration in a product that is so basic and highly
consumed everyday. The consequences of this are witnessed by many as the cases of unknown
and destructive diseases are on the rise. Synthetic milk is not only harmful in terms of physical
health, but it also is a betrayal to those who work hard and possess the right to a safe life.
Adulteration brings so much harm to pregnant ladies, leading to miscarriage or unhealthy
births. Children’s weak immune system becomes prey to this horrendous crime. The synthetic
milk acts as a slow poison. This milk is used in everyday life as well as to produce sweets
and other delicacies.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, minimum punishment of six months
in prison is guaranteed. If we ensure what we consume daily is safe, then only the adulteration
process will decrease.
Thanking You,
Yours Faithfully,
Promila/Praveen Chopra
OR
(b)
Tarun/Taruna
7/9, Kunj Apartments,
Shimla,
23 March, 2021
To,
The Chairman,
CBSE,
Preet Vihar,
New Delhi
Subject : Enquiry about the procedure to issue duplicate certificates
Dear Sir,
I graduated Class X and XII from CBSE Board in the year 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Unfortunately, my original certificates of Class X and XII were lost when we were moving
out from our house. I urgently require duplicate certificates. Kindly guide me about the
procedure to issue duplicate certificates. Please let me know the following details :
• Payment of fees
• Mode of payment
• Duration of the procedure
If there is any other procedure to be taken care of, please let me know. My roll number
is X 626289 for the year–2019 and XII 752810 for the year–2020.
Thanking you,
Yours truly,
Tarun/Taruna

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 5. (a)
The graph shows the rapid growth of YouTube viewership in India from 2017 to 2021.
Starting at 168.6 million viewers in 2017, the number increased to 342.3 million in 2021. The
growth rate was highest between 2017 and 2018, at 36.0%, but it gradually declined over the
years to 10.9% in 2021. Despite the decreasing growth rate, the overall number of viewers
consistently rose. Additionally, the percentage of digital video viewers using YouTube
remained above 92% throughout this period, indicating YouTube’s dominant position in
India’s digital media landscape. This data highlights the significant role YouTube plays in the
entertainment and media consumption habits of the Indian population.
OR
(b)
To address the persistent issue of road accidents and the resulting fatalities and injuries,
several measures need to be implemented. Firstly, enhancing road infrastructure, such as
better road design, adequate signage, and proper lighting, can significantly reduce accidents.
Strict enforcement of traffic laws, including penalties for speeding, drunk driving, and not
wearing seatbelts, is crucial. Public awareness campaigns on road safety can educate drivers
about safe driving practices. Additionally, improving emergency response systems can help
in providing timely medical assistance to accident victims, thereby reducing fatalities. Regular
vehicle maintenance checks should be mandated to ensure roadworthiness. Implementing
these strategies can lead to a substantial decline in road accidents, saving countless lives and
reducing injuries.

SECTION – C
6. (a)
(i) (B) Confident
(ii) False
(iii) The pilot saw the lights of a big city in front of him.
(iv) The pilot’s thought, “I’ll be in time for breakfast,” signifies his confidence and optimism
about the flight. It shows that he was relaxed and looking forward to a pleasant arrival
in England, expecting to enjoy a good big English breakfast. This thought reflects his
belief that the flight was going smoothly and without any issues.
OR
(b)
(i) True
(ii) (B) Henry, the waiter
(iii) Fowler initially thought that the police were coming to handle the situation.
(iv) The waiter’s arrival is significant because it exposes Ausable’s clever plan. The waiter’s
presence with the drinks, instead of the police, highlights Ausable’s strategic thinking and
the successful execution of his deception.

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7. (a)
(i) The speaker means that she can dye her hair a different colour.
(ii) (C) Defiant
(iii) personality
(iv) The line suggests that by changing her hair colour, the speaker hopes young men will
love her for her personality rather than her looks. The inference is that physical appearance
often overshadows inner qualities in romantic relationships.
OR
(b)
(i) cracks
(ii) The twigs are struggling to break free.
(iii) (C) Confused
(iv) The central idea is the struggle for liberation. The trees’ efforts to free themselves from
the veranda floor symbolize the broader theme of breaking free from confinement and
seeking growth. This reflects the resilience and determination inherent in nature.
8.
(i) The tea workers in ‘Tea from Assam’ likely have mixed feelings about their work and living
conditions. While they might take pride in their contribution to Assam’s renowned tea industry,
the narrative suggests they also face hardships due to the labour-intensive nature of their work
and the often challenging living conditions in the plantations.
(ii) The poet uses the ball as a metaphor to vividly illustrate the boy’s sense of loss and the
emotional impact of losing something precious. This metaphor helps readers empathize with
the boy’s feelings of grief and realization, making the abstract concept of loss more tangible
and relatable.
(iii) Custard the Dragon is depicted as a cowardly yet endearing character. The poet uses humour
by contrasting Custard’s fierce appearance with his timid nature, calling him a ‘realio, trulio,
little pet dragon’. This juxtaposition creates a humorous effect, highlighting Custard’s gentle
and non-threatening demeanour despite being a dragon.
(iv) Natalya would have felt a mix of surprise, embarrassment and regret upon realizing Lomov’s
intention to propose. Her initial anger and argumentative behaviour would likely give way to
a sense of missed opportunity and a desire to reconcile, reflecting her underlying feelings for
Lomov and the social pressure to marry.
(v) Sanne was Anne’s close friend and good at poetry. She helped Anne write the third essay in
verse. It turned out to be a good poem, and even the teacher, Mr Keesing, took it in the right
way.

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 9.
(i) Griffin’s experiments raise significant ethical concerns. His pursuit of invisibility led to
harmful consequences for himself and others. His disregard for moral boundaries, such as
setting fire to his landlord’s house and stealing, highlights the dangers of scientific
advancements without ethical considerations.
(ii) Beginning the story with Hari Singh’s thoughts on stealing immediately establishes his
character as a thief and sets the tone for his journey. It serves to engage the reader and
foreshadows the internal conflict and transformation that Hari will undergo, making the
narrative compelling from the start.
(iii) Richard Ebright’s life exemplifies the importance of curiosity in becoming a scientist. His
relentless curiosity drove him to explore various scientific questions, from tagging butterflies
to discovering insect hormones. This innate curiosity, combined with his determination and
hard work, enabled him to make significant scientific contributions.
10.
(i) ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ raises significant ethical questions about the captivity of wild animals.
The poem portrays the tiger’s life in the zoo as that of confinement and frustration, with its
‘strength behind bars’ and ‘quiet rage’. This depiction challenges the reader to consider the
morality of zoos, questioning whether it is justifiable to deprive animals of their natural
habitats and behaviours for human entertainment or education. The poem suggests that the
beauty and wildness of nature are compromised in captivity, prompting readers to reflect on
the ethical implications of such practices and to advocate for more humane and natural living
conditions for wild animals.
(ii) Good morning everyone. Today, I’d like to discuss two characters who embody hope and
enlightenment in their unique ways. Lencho, from ‘A Letter to God’, represents hope through
his faith in divine intervention. Despite the destruction of his crops, Lencho’s belief in God’s
assistance never wavers, highlighting the power of hope in overcoming adversity. In contrast,
Buddha’s teachings in ‘The Sermon at Benares’ offer a path to enlightenment through
self-awareness and acceptance of life’s impermanence. Buddha teaches that true peace comes
from within, by understanding and rising above suffering. Both Lencho and Buddha provide
us with profound lessons on maintaining hope and seeking enlightenment in the face of life’s
challenges.
Thank you.
11.
(i) Yes, parents like Mrs Pumphrey definitely exist. They fulfil their children’s every demand in
the name of love and care. They not only feed them junk but also spoil their social habits.
This kind of behaviour is very harmful for children. Such overprotective parental behaviour

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 hinders their growth as adults. In fact it sows the seeds of greed and dependency in them.
They become stubborn and do not learn to value anything. For them, hard work is a myth as
they get everything easily. Over pampered children often fail to face the hardships of life later,
as for them life has been a cakewalk. Pampering children in moderation is healthy, but excess
of it is harmful. It is not just bad for humans but also for animals, as we see in the story
‘A triumph of surgery’.

(ii) Bholi had pockmarks on her body. Her brain got damaged when she was just ten months. She
was also a slow learner and a stammerer. She was sent to school just for formality. But her
teacher changed her life. She encouraged her to speak properly and to learn more and more.
Then she learnt to differentiate between right and wrong. Education totally changed her
personality. Even then she behaved like an obedient girl and agreed to marry Bishamber – a
fifty-year-old lame person. But she could not stand his demand of five thousand rupees as
dowry and denied to marry him. Thus education changed her attitude towards her life.
❀ ❀ ❀

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