INDICADORES Y METAS

I want to highlight a problem that our country is facing today and affects every citizen. India is facing an energy crisis. The demand of electricity has exceeded much beyond its production and supply. All citizens must realise their responsibility in conserving energy.

We must make judicious use of energy. Conservation of energy is the need of the hour. It is the responsibility of each individual as well as organisation.

Wastage of electrical energy should be strictly avoided. All electrical appliances must be switched off when not needed. We must use good quality appliances and ensure they are in good condition.

CFL lamps must be used at homes and in offices. Proper use of fuel is also essential. To save LPG we should use pressure cookers and energy-efficient burners.

Maximum use of solar energy can solve the problem of shortage of electricity. Solar energy should be used for heating water, cooking etc. as far as possible. In order to encourage people to use solar energy, Government should provide these appliances to the general public at subsidized rates.

To save petrol, diesel and CNG, the use of public transport must be maximized. Carpools, riding bicycles and walking should be preferred.

It is hoped that these steps would benefit not only the individual immediately but also help the nation and preserve our environment for future use.

I hope my views will get a nod from you for publication in the columns of your renowned daily.

Yours sincerely Rahul Sinha

7. THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE

It was a hot afternoon in June. We, a group of ten boys, were playing hockey outside the town, in the big ground. When we sat down during the breather, one of us, perhaps it was Mohit, who pointed at a greyish dilapidated building towards the east. He also told us that it was a haunted house and his uncle had told him not to go near it. All of us laughed at Mohit’s timidity. A keen sense of adventure and expectation of thrill inspired us to explore the mystery of the haunted house. We decided our signals and code words. Two of us had their mobile phones with them. We picked our sticks and moved cautiously. We found the main gate blocked by a heap of stones and bushes. Rahul noticed a man coming out of a side gate. This was our chance. We grabbed it and rushed in. We were surprised at what we saw there. The place was neat and clean. Work was going on in the farthest room. A man sat at a printing machine. We threw discretion to the winds. Two of us advanced to see what the man was doing. We were shocked to find that he was printing fake currency. The other group had stumbled upon narcotics and drugs. We hid behind the pillars as we heard some noise. We overheard what they said. Then we came out. We blocked the side gate with stones, bushes and logs of wood.

Then Sahil telephoned the police. His father, the local police Inspector came there with a police party. The people inside were taken by surprise and surrendered without any resistance.

The police confirmed what we had guessed. It was the den of anti-social goons. They had spread the rumour of haunted house to hide their illegal activities.

SECTION–C (GRAMMAR)

8. (a) 3. of (b) 2. is

(c) 2. many (d) 3. more

(e) 4. or (f) 1. some

(g) 3. their (h) 4. of

9. (a) 3. What do you think about (b) 1. Who is the best teacher (c) 4. How many marks did you get (d) 2. How did your teacher react 10. (a) Now it is the time to go out and enjoy.

(b) You can finish up the assignments in the morning.

(c) You can easily make up your deficiency with a little extra effort.

(d) I will stop my work and accompany you to the Wenger’s.

11. (a) why he looked so worried (b) seventy per cent was unseen

(c) advised him to read magazines and newspapers (d) if he had followed that method

12. (a) has been banned (b) granted bail

(c) organised (d) 16 people were killed

SECTION–D (LITERATURE) 13. (A) First option

1. (a) guilt and pain 2. (c) the Wedding-Guest 3. (b) evil spirits

Second option 1. (d) Patol Babu

2. (c) it may pave his way into films 3. (a) polite

13. (B) 1. It means cowards are afraid of death and cannot enjoy life.

2. The speaker means that the brave are not afraid of death and accept it as when it comes.

3. These lines reveal the boastfulness of the speaker.

14. (a) Michael likes computer games the most. Although computers can paint, play music and create displays, he considers the games best of all. He has played all the games he has, e.g.

Tornado, MeBebash, Black Belt, Kyrene’s Kastle. Big screen and loud volume make him feel that he is a participant in the games.

(b) Helen had a terrible experience as a reader in a magazine. She is now a member of ‘The Writer’s Inspiration Bureau’. She and her ghost-mates scout around until they find a writer without ideas and with a mind soft enough to accept impression. The narrator gets help as he has these two qualities.

(c) Common sense demanded that a poisonous and dangerous snake shouldn’t be allowed to go into his hole unhurt or undamaged. It was unmanly to leave him unhurt. Therefore the poet threw a log at the snake to kill him. The poet missed his aim and the snake withdrew himself at once into the hole.

(d) Shelley conveys the idea that boasts of human glory and power are empty and useless. Man is mortal and so are his achievements. Everything in this world is shortlived. Time is a great destroyer. It humbles the pride of mighty kings. Flourishing kingdoms are wiped off. No trace of their glory is left. Huge statues and carvings on stone fail to bring everlasting glory.

(e) They fail to understand why Brutus killed Caesar. Brutus shed tears for Caesar’s love. He expressed joy for fortune and honour for his valour. How could he kill Caesar for being ambitious. They shout in approval only because they love, respect and honour Brutus.

15. First option

Naresh Dutt had approached Patol Babu for a walk-on part in a film. He had to play the part of a pedestrian–an absent minded, short-tempered pedestrian. It was to be a speaking part and he would be given his dialogue on the location. He was asked to report outside Faraday House on Sunday at 8.30 am in a jacket with buttons upto the neck.

Patol Babu was quite punctual. He found a crowd of people there. He spotted Naresh Dutt who asked him to wait in the shade. Patol Babu was perspiring in the woollen jacket as it was the middle of summer. Patol Babu did not know who was the director or the hero. Then the shooting of other scenes began. Naresh Dutt offered him tea in a small cup. Patol Babu was worried about his lines. So he asked Naresh Dutt for them. Naresh Dutt took him to Sosoko, who scrawled the word ‘Oh!’ on a page of a note-book.

Patol Babu was shocked to see the single word. So this was the dialogue he was supposed to speak. Patol Babu felt a sudden throbbing in his head. He felt disillusioned unhappy. He didn’t know why these people had befooled him. He had all unfavourable thoughts about these film-makers. All his enthusiasm had evaporated.

Second option

The masts of the ship looked sloping because the ship had to bend farward because of the heavy pressure of the storm blast from behind. The ship is here compared to a man who is being pursued by an enemy so closely that his enemy’s shadow falls on him and he is running for fear of his life. The storm blast roared loud and the ship drove fast.

Soon the sailors felt exceedingly cold as the ship had reached a region full of mist and snow icebergs. The icebergs were so huge that they reached upto the top of masts. These icebergs shone like emerald. The brightness surrounding the ship looked sad and dismal. Perhaps they had reached the Polar region.

❑

SECTION–A (READING) 1. (a) time, old age, changing seasons or passing of hours

(b) measure time, divide it into day and night, seasons and list (c) one long breath .... a soft exhalation (breathing out)

(d) old age and death

(e) the passage of time, pain, old age and decay

2. 1. (d) the first flights to London resumed on Tuesday after a week

2. (b) only under half of the 27,500 flights over Europe were given go ahead 3. (a) it was sheer joy to be travelling back

4. (c) passengers with current bookings were being given priority 5. (b) no movement of traffic

3. 1. they heal a wide range of diseases 2. cream

3. they want to get pleasure and thrill

4. drugs can ruin a person’s life and even cause death 5. the amount of medicine to be taken or used

4. 1. (d) electronically

2. (a) it ensures instant despatch and guaranteed delivery 3. (c) it provides access to the farthest place in no time 4. (b) check the postbox (mail box) regularly

5. (b) clearly

SECTION–B (WRITING)

5. GLOBAL WARMING

All over the world temperatures are rising. Global warming is responsible for warming climate.

Glaciers are melting and we have flash floods. Arctic meltdowns have increased the danger of coastal cities being submerged in sea water. The mischief maker is of course gas emissions.

These gas emissions are from various sources such as burning fossil fuels in transport, burning coal in thermal plants to generate electricity, using various chemicals in industries and tanneries, pesticides and insecticides in agriculture, generators, air-conditioners and refrigerators in commercial and residential sites.

6. 123 Motibagh New Delhi 22 April 20XX The Editor

The Hindustan Times New Delhi