SECTION A: READING (22 MARKS)
Q1. Read the following passage. (12)
(1) Fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) are our most traditional sources for power generation. The energy that’s produced from any source other than fossil fuels is termed as alternative energy. Between the two sources, using alternative energy has a lower environmental impact.
(2) We now know that alternative energy sources are the sources we use to supplement or even replace traditional energy sources used for power generation. You could almost say the same thing about renewable energy sources. But there is one subtle difference between the two. All renewable energy sources fall under the category of alternative energy sources, but it doesn’t work the other way around.
(3) That’s because renewable energy sources are derived from naturally replenished sources or processes of Earth, such as the sun, wind, and water. We refer to these resources as renewable or sustainable since, unlike fossil fuels, this naturally occurring continual renewal makes them inexhaustible. However, alternative energy sources are exhaustible, and therefore not renewable. That’s the difference!
(4) The equipment necessary to harness energy from alternative sources used to be so expensive that it wasn’t practical for consumer use. However, thanks to increased demand, more experienced energy developers, competitive supply chains, improved renewable technologies and enhanced energy efficiency capabilities, that’s no longer the case.
(5) When it comes to energy efficiency, the leader of the renewable energy pack is wind energy. Behind wind comes geothermal energy, hydropower, nuclear energy, and then solar power. Wind power serves both individuals and entire communities. It is versatile, and can be produced from small-scale windmills or wind turbines on residential properties. It can also be produced from large-scale offshore wind farms in the ocean.
(6) We generate geothermal power by tapping into underground reservoirs of hot water and steam. Geothermal electricity can directly heat and cool buildings. Generated from the energy of moving water, hydroelectricity (also known as hydropower) is produced when water behind a dam causes turbine blades to move as it flows through an intake. The turbine blades then rotate a generator to produce electricity that is sent to power homes.
(7) Nuclear energy is created in the form of heat through the fission process of atoms. The initial fission process creates energy and triggers a chain reaction that repeats the process and generates more energy. In nuclear power plants, the heat that fission produces create steam. The steam then rotates a turbine, which leads to the production of electricity
(8) Solar power most commonly refers to the use of solar cells to create energy. On a small scale, you may see a few solar panels on a house roof used to produce energy for just that one home. On a larger scale, you may see a solar farm used as a power plant to produce electricity for its consumers.
Answer the following questions, based on the above passage:
I. Which of the following statements best describes the difference between renewable energy sources and alternate energy sources? 1
(A) Alternative energy sources are more expensive than renewable energy sources.
(B) Renewable energy sources are inexhaustible whereas alternate energy sources could be exhaustible.
(C) Alternative energy sources are as renewable as renewable energy sources.
(D) Renewable energy sources are exhaustible but alternative energy sources are inexhaustible.
II. What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from para (4)? 2
Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
“However, thanks to increased demand, more experienced energy developers, competitive supply chains, improved renewable technologies, and enhanced energy efficiency capabilities, that’s no longer the case”.
III. Complete the sentence appropriately:
In the past, alternative energy sources were not used much by the consumers because __________ 2
IV. The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a) to (e) below, identify two sets of antonyms: 1
(a) generate and produce
(b) exhaustible and inexhaustible
(c) subtle and versatile
(d) power and energy
(e) sustainable and exhaustible
V. Who is the leader of renewable energy pack and why? 2
VI. Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, the difference between geothermal electricity and hydroelectricity. 2
VII. What is the message conveyed by the passage? 1
(A) Only those energy sources should be used which are renewable.
(B) Wind energy is a renewable as well as inexhaustible source of energy.
(C) There are plenty of renewable energy sources that can be used to replace traditional energy sources.
(D) Alternative energy sources are the emerging energy trends and are still evolving.
VIII. State whether the following statement is True or False with reference to the given extract. 1
Hydroelectricity as a renewable energy source is used for residential as well as commercial purposes.
Q2. Read the following passage: (10)
(1) Mango (Mangifera indica) is Asia’s most popular fruit, and it has gained popularity around the world. It has long been a component of culture and religion as a useful and tasty fruit. In addition to taste, it has many good qualities thus making it to be called as “King of Fruits Major mango-growing states in India include Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are the leading states in mango production.
(2) Mango is grown in an area of 5.58 million hectares of area in the world. India is the largest producer of mangoes with 46.02 and 45.88 percent of the total world area and production, respectively However, India being the major shareholder in terms of mango production, exports only 0.52% of its total production indicating the huge gap in exporting of mangoes. Peru exports about 46%, Thailand 24%, Mexico 18% and Brazil 11% of their total mango production. These countries are the bigger challenges for Indian mango exports. Hence, efforts are needed to evolve cheap transportation mechanism, increase the trade agreements with major importing countries and enhance the productivity.
(3) The top importing country is United States of America, however India exports only two percent of its total exports to the USA. The USA, European countries, the UK, Malaysia and Russia can be the other hotspots where India can target to export the mangoes. The critical issue for exporting to the USA is transportation cost (due to sea route distance) and limited shelf life of mango, while for Europe transportation costs as well as competition by African countries are the major hurdles. The following chart shows the major export destinations of Indian mangoes in 2019-20:
Table:
Major Export Destination of Indian Mangoes in 2019-20
(Adapted for academic usage.)
| S.No | Country | Percentage |
| 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11. | USAKuwaitSaudi ArabiaQatarBangladeshOmanUKNepalUnited Arab EmiratesBahrainOthers | 2236679243326 |
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:
I. Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of Para (1): 1
We can say that for becoming the king of jungle, Lion has to be the strongest, bravest and the fiercest. Similarly, Mango is known as the king of fruits because……………………
II. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your understanding of Para (2) 1
The statement that, India is the largest producer of Mangoes with 45.88 percent of the total world production can be attributed to Indian orchardists, is a/an…………………… (fact/opinion) because it is a/an……………… (subjective judgement/objective detail)
III. Justify the following in about 40 words. 2
India being the major shareholder in terms of mango production, exports only 0.52% of its total production.
IV. Based on the table, which three countries were at par with each other in terms of mango import from India in 2019-20? 1
V. The top mango importing country is the U.S.A., however, India exports only two percent of its total exports to the U.S.A. State any one inference that can be drawn from this. 1
VI. In the given sentence taken from para-2, select the option that correctly replaces the underlined word, with its most likely antonym. 1
These countries are the bigger challenges for Indian mango exports.
(A) enigmas
(B) solutions
(C) provocations
(D) disputes
VII. Why is India described as the largest producer of mangoes in the world? (Answer in about 40 words.) 2
VIII. Which of the following is the main take away from the study mentioned in the passage? 1
(A) India needs to produce more mangoes so that more can be exported.
(B) The UAE imported most mangoes from India in 2019-20.
(C) India is the largest producer of mangoes and by putting in more efforts, has the potential to be the largest exporter too.
(D) More study is needed to find ways to increase the export of mangoes from India.
SECTION -B WRITING SKILLS (22 Marks)
Q3. You are Preeti Saraswat from Uttarakhand. Write an e mail, in about 50 words, to your principal, requesting early commencement of winter uniform usage for all. Include a valid reason. You may copy the given template to write your email. 3
| From | |
| To | principalkvmusoorie@gmail.com |
| Cc | |
| Date | |
| Subject | |
Q4. Write a description, in not more than 100 words, of a potted plant that you and your sibling recently chose to gift your parent. 4
Q5. (a) Vocational Education prepares learners for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities. Taking ideas from the unit ‘Education’ along with your own ideas, write a letter to the editor of a newspaper in about 120 words, providing information to the students about the growing need of Vocational Education in the present-day world. 7
OR
Q5. (b) Write a letter to the Director of the Geological Survey advocating for concerted efforts to preserve and protect geological heritage sites. Discuss the importance of these sites and highlight the threats they face. Propose specific measures to conserve these valuable natural assets and request her for proactive action to safeguard them for future generations. Use ideas from Unit 4: Environment, along with your own to write this letter in not more than 120 words.
Q6. (a) India represents a harmonious oneness in spite of distinctions. Taking ideas from the unit ‘National Integration’, and using the given cues along with your own ideas, write an article in 150 words for your school magazine on ‘The Importance of Diversified Culture’.
- India – a land embracing many countries
- India – festivals dedicated to seasons and harvests
- India- multitude of castes, creed, colour, convictions, culture, cuisines, costumes and customs
- India – national festivals, pride, sense of patriotism, promote national integration 8
OR
Q6. (b) Tourism in India has been on the rise. Write an article in about 150 words, as Gaurav Taneja, X-B, discussing the surge in tourism in India since 2021, highlighting the key factors contributing to its growth. Propose additional recommendations to further boost tourism and predict the trajectory of the industry for the upcoming decade. Use the given cues, along with your own ideas and those you may have gathered from Unit 5: Travel and Tourism, to create this article.
- Factors contributing to the tourism boom.
- Additional recommendations to sustain and enhance tourism
- Prediction for the future of Indian tourism: Plus, and Minus
SECTION C: GRAMMAR (10 Marks)
Q7. Complete the tasks (A) to (C), as directed.
- Fill the blanks (I) -(III) with the appropriate option from those in the brackets. 3×1=3
A strong desire to (I) ______ (travels/ travel/ travelling/ travelled) beyond the blue, to fly (II)_________ (in/ into/ on/ above) the heavens and touch the stars was what Kalpana dreamt (III) _______ (in/ about/ for/ of). Determined to the core, she finally succeeded in making her vision a reality.
- In the following paragraph, one word has been omitted in each line. In your answer sheets, remember to write the missing word along with the word that comes before and after it, as shown below. The first one has been done as an example. 4X1=4
| Text | Word before | Omission | Word after | |
| A group scholars is meeting | (a) | group | of | scholars |
| in Jaipur 10th February to discuss | (b) | |||
| the issue global warming. | (c) | |||
| According the organizers it will be | (d) | |||
| attended some well-known scientists from the world. | (e) |
- Do as directed. 3
- Rearrange the following jumbled words/phrases in the given dialogue to create a meaningful sentence. 1
Mohan: Do you know why many people, now-a-days, do not like the concept of zoo?
Lalit: No, I don’t. Can you give me a valid reason, why?
Mohan: like/zoos/animals in cages/many/do not/zoo/concept of/people/this/keep/as
- Report the dialogues to complete the paragraph that follows: 1+1
Rohit: I have bought a new DSLR camera.
Mohit: What will you do with this?
Rohit: I will click beautiful pictures with this camera.
Rohit told Mohit that (i) __________________. As Mohit was not aware of it, he asked (ii) ____________. To this, Rohit answered that he would click beautiful pictures with that camera.
