NIOS| ENGLISH (202)| QUESTION PAPER – (JAN-FEB) - 2021| SECONDARY
2021
ENGLISH
(202)
Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (1) This question paper has four sections: A,
B, C and D.
(2) All the
questions are compulsory, including those where internal choice is given.
(3) All answers
have to be written in the answer sheet provided.
SECTION – A
(Reading)
(Marks: 15)
1. Based on your understanding of the following passage, answer the questions given below. Choose the best options wherever given. Each question carries one make.
The world’s first
folding phone
The Royal Beta
Pai is not a great-looking phone, but its flexible display works great. Ankon
may be just days away from taking the wraps off its very own foldable
smartphone-tablet hybrid, but consumer electronics company Royal Beta has
stolen a bit of its thunder with its very own flexible display device. Called
the Beta Pai, the 7.8-inch hybrid device can fold 180 degrees and transform a
tablet into a phone albeit a bulky one.
At an event in
San Francisco this evening, Royal Beta brought out a working version of the
Beta Pai that we actually got to hold, and the folding feature works as
advertised. Granted, it feels miles away in quality from a high-end modern
flagship, but it is still the first real foldable device I’ve seen in person,
and not just in a concept video or prototype stage.
The Beta Pai
will be available as a consumer device in India with a base model price of Rs.
8,999 or around $1.30. You can also pay that amount of money in USD for a
developer version if you live in North America. That gets you 128GB of storage,
but you can double it for an additional $150 and add an additional 2GB of RAM
for a total of 8GB.
(i) What is
special about Beta Pai?
(ii) Which
company has brought out Beta Pai?
(iii) Which
company was also in the race?
(iv) …. Royal
Beta has stolen a bit of its thunder …. What does the italicized phrase mean?
(A) use
another company’s idea for their benefit
(B) to make
money from another product
(C) win praise
by defeating a rival organization
(D) to take
attention away from someone else
(v) Which
among the following is a disadvantage of the phone?
(A) It has a
7.8 inch screen.
(B) It can
fold 180 degrees.
(C) It is
large compared to the other phones.
(D) It is both
a tablet and a mobile phone.
(vi) The cost of
Beta Pai in India is _________.
(vii) How do you
get extra storage in Beta Pai?
2. Based on your understanding of the following passage,
answer the questions given below. Choose the best options wherever given. Each
question carries one mark.
Carbon footprint
A carbon
footprint is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to
directly and indirectly support human activities. The total amount of
greenhouse gases is calculated in terms of its equivalent amount of carbon
dioxide. Carbon footprint can be calculated for an individual, organization or
community.
The greenhouse
gas most commonly emitted by human actions is carbon dioxide. Other greenhouse
gases which might be emitted as a result of human activities are methane and
ozone. These greenhouse gases are also taken into account for calculating the
carbon footprint.
The best way to
calculate carbon dioxide emissions is based on one’s fuel consumption. When you
drive a car, the engine burns fuel which creates a certain amount of CO2 (carbon dioxide), depending on its fuel
consumption and the driving distance. When you use air conditioners to cool
your house, the generation of the electrical power may also have emitted a
certain amount of CO2. When you buy food and goods, the production
of the food and goods also emit some quantities of CO2.
Your carbon
footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO2, which were induced by
your activities in a given time frame. Usually a carbon footprint is calculated
for the time period of a year. Most people are shocked when they see the amount
of CO2 their activities create! If you personally want to work
towards reducing global warming, you must calculate and constantly monitor your
carbon footprint.
Answer the
following questions:
(i) What is a
carbon footprint?
(ii) Human activities
mostly produce….. which is a greenhouse gas.
(iii) Which among
the following is true, according to the text?
(A) Indirect
human activities produce only CO2.
(B) Carbon
footprint is the result of methane gas.
(C) Measuring CO2
in the atmosphere can stop global warming.
(D) Use of air
conditioners increases the CO2 in the atmosphere.
(iv) Carbon
footprint is calculated by _________.
(v) Which among
the following means of transport if used leaves the smallest carbon footprint?
(A) Train
(B) Bicycle
(C) Bus
(D) Autorickshaw
(vi) According to
the text, what is one way to reduce global warming?
(vii) Carbon
footprint is calculated for a period of ____________.
(viii) “Most
people are shocked when they see the amount of CO2 their activities
create!” When does the writer mean by this?
(A) Our
activities produce more CO2 than what we expect.
(B) We don’t
know how to calculate our carbon footprint.
(C) We need to
cut down on some daily activities to reduce global warming.
(D) We need to consciously reduce carbon emission.
SECTION – B
(Writing)
(Marks: 25)
3. Given below are three situations. Choose any one of
them and write a paragraph on it in about 100 words. 7
(a) The number
of people who are at risk of health problems due to being overweight is
increasing. A large number of overweight people suffer from hypertension,
diabetes etc. State the reasons for the increase in the number of overweight
people – both children and adults. Given your views on what the government can
do to solve this problem.
(b) Crimes
committed against women and children in the society today are increasing. Some
people think that unregulated sale and consumption of alcohol, use of drugs and
insufficient police patrolling are the reasons for increase in crimes. Do you
agree? State your reasons why crimes are increasing. In your opinion, what can
the police do to bring down the rate of crimes.
(c) Most schools
have around 7-9 subjects that all students are required to study. Which
subjects do you think must be made compulsory for students? Give your reasons
why you think they are important for students to learn these subjects. Does
studying these subjects contribute to the development of society and the
country?
4. Delhi tops the list of the most polluted cities in the
world. Write a letter to the Chairman, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, drawing
his attention to the health hazards faced by Delhi citizens. Give 5 suggestions
to control air pollution and improve air quality in the city.
5. Water is the most precious thing in the world today. You
notice that in your locality, there is indiscriminate use of water – people
leave taps open carelessly, water tanks overflow, and a lot of water is used
for even small things like washing vegetables. Write in about 100 words a short
paragraph for a local newspaper suggesting measures to control use of water and
recycle the used water.
6. Read the following conversation:
Mr. Bajwa: May I
speak to Dr. Rajput?
Ms. Kranti:
Sorry sir, he has gone on his rounds. I can take a message for him.
Mr. Bajwa: As
per my appointment I was to meet him today at 5 p.m. I am sorry I can’t come
today. I request for an appointment on Friday in the afternoon.
Since Ms. Kranti
is leaving the office soon, she decides to write a message for Dr. Rajput.
Write down the message.
SECTION – C
(Grammar)
(Marks: 30)
7. Complete the following paragraph by filling in the
blanks. For each blank there are four options. Choose the most appropriate
option for each blank. The first one has been done for you.
The tour begins
at the Purana Qila, a legendary site __(i)_____ the city of Indraprastha, home
___(ii)______ the heroic Pandavas in the epic the Mahabharata. The
archaeological finds during _____(ii)______ recent excavations at Purana Qila___(iv)_______ proof of a
continuous settlement _____(v)_______ from the 3rd century B.C.
_______(vi)________ the late Mughal period.
(A) a (B) at
(C) in (D) from
(i) (A) inside
(B) of (C) off (D) about
(ii) (A) of (B)
for (C) off (D) about
(iii) (A) a (B)
an (C) some (D) the
(iv) (A) are (B)
is (C) will (D) from
(v) (A) where (B)
there (C) behind (D) here
(vi) (A) since
(B) to (C) except (D) both
8. Read the conversation given below and complete the
paragraph that follows in indirect speech by filling in the blanks
appropriately. 1x6=6
Mother: Don’t
play with toys after 8 pm.
Basur: I just
started playing, ma.
Mother: But have
you completed your homework?
Basur: I forgot
to complete only my science homework.
Mother: Then do
it before playing.
Basur: Okay, in
five minutes.
Basur’s mother
told him _____(i)____. He said that ____(ii)______. His mother asked him if
____(iii)_____ and he replied that he ____(iv)_____. Basur’s mother asked him
to ______(v)_____ and he said ______(vi)_______.
9. Rewrite each of the following pairs of sentences as
one sentence, using the appropriate linkers from the box. There are more words
than you needs:
|
If, Also,
Unless, Yet, Though |
(i) Work hard
with dedication and sincerity. You will succeed.
(ii) Give full
attention to your studies. You will succeed.
(iii) Shyama Das
ran very fast. She could not catch up with Hima Das.
10. Rewrite the sentences given below by filling in the
blank spaces with the passive form of the verbs. 1x3=3
(i) We will
watch a movie tonight.
A movie _____ by
us tonight.
(ii) Usain Bolt
ran the race in record time.
The race
_______in record time.
(iii) Suman read
the entire novel in one day.
The entire novel
_______ in one day.
11. Complete the following conversation by filling in the
blanks with the correct Wh-question word:
Saveri:
____(i)___ is Vishnu?
Siddhu: Vishnu
is not coming to school today.
Saveri:
_____(ii)____ is he on leave?
Siddhu: It is
his birthday today.
Saveri:
___(iii)_____ are you going to meet him?
Siddhu: I will meet
him in the party this evening.
Saveri:
___(iv)_____ is the party?
Siddhu: At his
house.
Saveri:
___(v)____ will you gift him?
Siddhu: I am
planning to give him a book.
Saveri:
____(vi)____ book are you buying?
Siddhu: I don’t
know…. may be a biography.
12. Complete the following paragraph by filling in the
blanks with the suitable forms of the verbs given in the brackets: 1x6=6
The fight against killing animals ____(i)______ (become) a major campaign in recent years. Some people have always ___(ii)____ (feel) that killing animals is immoral. Recently, however, activities ___(iii)____ (take) a more visible role. Organizations ____(iv)____ (fight) to convince people not to eat meat. Their efforts have been surprisingly successful. Some restaurants ____(v)____ (say) that they will no longer include meat in their menus. Many celebrities ____(vi)___ (choose) to turn vegetarians.
SECTION – D
(Literature)
(Marks: 30)
13. Read the extract given below and answer the questions
that follow: 1x4=4
One day Rama saw
a small brown squirrel. He was going up and down the seashore with little
pebbles in his mouth. The little squirrel could carry only little pebbles at a
time in his small mouth. He carried the pebbles from the seashore and dropped
them into the sea. (How the squirrel got his stripes)
(i) One day what
did Rama see?
(ii) What was the
squirrel carrying up and down the seashore?
(iii) Why did the
squirrel drop the pebbles into the sea?
(iv) Why did the
squirrel carry only small pebbles?
14. Read the extract given below and answer the questions
that follow: 1x4=4
But we were far
from being satisfied with such things as these. Our want of independence began
to upset us. It was unbearable that we should be unable to do anything without
the permission of our elders. At last, in sheer disgust, we decided to commit
suicide. (Stealing and Atonement)
(i) Who are the
“we” mentioned in the excerpt?
(ii) What things
were they unsatisfied with when he says “such things as these”?
(iii) Why did
they feel that they lacked independence?
(iv) What did
they plan to do?
15. Read the extract given below and answer the questions
that follow: 1x4=4
The signal was
given, the pistol exploded
And so did the
runners all charging ahead
But the smallest
of them, he stumbled and staggered
And fell to the
asphalt instead.
He gave out a
cry in frustration and anguish
His dream and
efforts all dashed in the dirt. (Nine gold medals)
(i) What event
is being described by the poet?
(ii) When is the
pistol fired?
(iii) What happened
to the smallest athlete?
(iv) Find two
words in the excerpt that have similar meanings.
16. Complete the statements given below by choosing the
most appropriate options from those that follow:
(a) The Master
signed an affidavit before he was allowed to enter the room to bring the tiger
out.
Which among the
following conditions were stated in the affidavit?
(A) The tiger
will re-join the circus.
(B) Nobody is
responsible for his death.
(C) The
headmaster should come out first.
(D) The Master
must lock the door. (A Tiger Comes to Town)
(b) The young
man leaves his father because:
(A) he was not a
good sculptor.
(B) he wanted to
visit Agra.
(C) he wanted to
make more money.
(D) he prefers
to make ashtrays. (The Last Stone Mason)
(c) The letter
saying Shivaji was dead was declared a hoax by Jijabai because:
(A) it was from
Agra.
(B) Jai Singh
was an enemy.
(C) Aurangzeb
was spreading discontent.
(D) Aurangzeb
never spoke the truth. (The Return of the Lion)
17. Answer the following questions in one or two
sentence(s) each: 2x2=4
(a) Why is Kezia
more attached to her grandmother? (The Little Girls)
(b) Why did Dr.
Kurien give up his government job? (Co-operate and Prosper)
18. Answer any two of the following questions in 30 to 40
words each: 2x2=4
(a) Why did the
Master have to sign an affidavit before he was allowed to enter the room? (A
Tiger Comes to Town)
(b) How did the
monkeys react when the squirrel said he is helping Rama bild the bridge? (How
the Squirrel got his Stripes)
(c) Why does Dr.
Kalam say India should stand up to the world? How can we do that? (My Vision
for India)
19. Answer any one of the following questions in about
100 words: 5
(i) Was Valodya
responsible for Nicky’s mental suffering?
(ii) How did
Gandhiji’s father react to his confession? What lesson did Gandhiji learn from
it? (Stealing and Atonement)
20. Complete the statements given below by choosing the
most appropriate options from those that follow: 1x2=2
(a) Which of the
following are promoted by the poet in the poem, A Prayer for Healing?
(A) Truth and
Peace
(B) Honesty and
Justice
(C) Justice and
Peace
(D) Truth and
Independence
(b) ‘Most of
all, I want to relearn’ What does the poet want to relearn? (Once Upon a Time)
(A) How to laugh
sincerely
(B) How to make
money
(C) How to learn
his lessons
(D) How to win
wars
***
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