English Question Paper 2013
English Question Paper 2013
English Question Paper 2013
English
General Instructions:
• This question paper has 7 questions and 4 printed pages.
• All the questions are compulsory.
• Write the correct serial number of the question before attempting it.
• Draw a line after each answer.
The defence mechanism of human body is a gift of nature provided to human beings. The power
of our body to fight against various disease producing agents is known as defence mechanism.
This defence mechanism depends upon various factors which can be categorized mainly into two
types – common factors and special factors.
Amongst the common factors, the most important is the health of human beings. We all know if
we have a good health, our body automatically remains protected against diseases. For keeping
good health, one should take a nutritious balanced diet. A balanced diet is that which contains
carbohydrates, fat, proteins, vitamins in proportionate amount.
The skin saves us against many micro-organisms producing diseases, provided that it is intact. In
case there are cuts or abrasions on it, the micro-organisms penetrate the body through those cuts
and abrasions and can cause diseases. Therefore, a cut or an abrasion should never be left open.
In case there is no bandage available, it may be covered by a clean cloth.
Some bacteria reside on and inside the human body. They are our friends and are useful for us.
They do not cause any disease and by their presence they do not allow disease-causing
organisms to settle on those places. For example, the micro-organisms, present in the human
saliva secrete a chemical which does not allow diphtheria causing bacteria to grow inside the oral
cavity.
The human body secretes a variety of fluids, which are killers for disease causing micro-
organisms. For example, gastric juice (acidic in nature) secreted by our intestinal tract kills all
organisms which enter our body though food.
Fever is one of the most important constituents of the defence mechanism of our body. The
organ which regulates the temperature of our body is known as hypothalamus and is situated in
the brain. When micro-organisms after entering the body release toxic products and these reach
the brain through blood, the hypothalamus starts increasing the temperature of the body and the
person gets fever. This fever is very useful for the human body because due to the increase of
temperature, the micro-organisms which are the root cause of the problem get killed.
We are living in an environment which is full of bacteria. Many of these bacteria can produce
serious diseases, but all of us do not suffer from such diseases. It is due to a special power
present in our body to fight these diseases. A part of this special power of our body is known as
innate immunity. This we gain during our lifetime.
In a nutshell, we can say that since nature has provided us with defence mechanism to fight
against so many diseases, let us maintain it or rather increase it by the way of immunisation.
- Rakesh Singh [The Tribune]
Answer the following questions by selecting the most appropriate options from the ones given
below.
(i) we must cover the whole body (ii) we must rub insect repelling oil
(iii) we must use antiseptic solutions (iv) we should keep cuts and abrasions covered
d. Gastric juice secreted by our intestinal tract kills all extraneous organisms as …….. . 1
(i) developing friendly bacteria (ii) checking infection through reflex phenomenon
(iii) seeking proper immunization (iv) suppressing fever in initial stages
f. Find words in above passage which convey the same meaning as the following. 3
(i) component (para 7) (ii) resistance (para 8) (iii) discharge (para 4)
2. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper complaining about the acute shortage of water
in your area and suggesting ways like rain-water harvesting, etc. to conserve water. You
are Satish of Vikaspuri. 8
3. The following passage has not been edited. Write the error and the correction in your
answer sheets. 4
4. Look at the sentences given below in a disorderly form. Rearrange them to form
meaningful sentences. 2
a. you / do / fast/ why/ speak/ so?
b. some/ history/ ancient/ I/ would/ books/ look at/ like to/ Indian/ on
c. area/ in/ this/ any agency/ don’t/ have/ you?
d. watered/ not/ so far/ has/ the plants/ the gardener
5. Read the stanza given below and answer the questions. 4 marks
(a) Which thought about the grandmother was often revolting and why? 2
7. Describe the friendship between Khushwant Singh and his grandmother. 6 marks
Session: 2013-2014
Class XI: Unit Test – 1
A6. a. The narrator’s grandmother was very old and wrinkled. She had stayed at this stage for
the last twenty years. People said that once she was young and pretty. The narrator couldn’t
even imagine her being young. So the thought was revolting to him.
b. Positive attitude – source of energy – family unity – support – courage – believing that one has
to try and not give up – every cloud has a silver lining – becoming each others’ strengths –
taking responsibility
(c) The weather changed for the worse on January 2. Now the waves were gigantic. As the ship
rose to the top of each wave, they saw endless enormous seas rolling towards them. The
screaming of the wind and spray was painful to the ears.
(d) In order to face the rough weather, the speed of the ship was slowed down. They
dropped the storm jib. They lashed heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stern. Then they
fastened together everything and went through their life-raft drill. They attached lifelines, put on
waterproof clothes and life-jackets.
A7 . Khushwant Singh’s grandmother was closely involved in bringing him up when the author
lived with her in the village during his early life. She used to wake him up early in the morning.