English — Sample Question Bank

(i)

Flat no 186, Magnolia High Rise

Nirman Nagar Street

Jaipur 302002

20th

February 2025

Dear Grandma,

I’m comfortably and cosily settled in my new flat. It’s a

delightful set-up offering an enchanting view of a small

garden. But the best thing is the cute, compact kitchen

– almost the size of my palm. But grandma, it is super

convenient with all the appliances in place.

Thanks to you, I have developed my culinary skills

to perfection. I can toss an omelette in a jiffy and make

pancakes to perfection. You also taught me to bake,

steam and fry with no oil sticking to the fritters, and I

enjoy preparing all the stuff. My heart fills with nostalgia

as I think of the ways you persuaded me to learn this ‘survival’ skill. But now I have taken it to the next level.

I enjoy cooking and am really mindful of what I eat and

how I eat.

It’s all because of you, dear Granny. I wish that every

lazy girllike me had a loving soul like your to motivate her

to find her hidden skills.

Hope to hear from you soon. I’ll send some pictures

of my flat and yes, especially of the kitchen.

Warm regards,

Yours lovingly,

Mini

(ii)

42 W Shan Prabhakar

Mythili colony

Perambur 600089

20th

February 2025

The Commissioner

Sachivalay Road

Chennai 600078

Sub: Request for a bus stop

Dear Sir,

The commuters in Perambur district between the railway

station and office complexes are facing considerable

inconvenience due to the lack of properly designated

bus stops. They have to walk a long way to access public

transportation. The elderly and physically challenged

individuals suffer the most.

A bus stop at the location would provide better

accessibility and convenience to the commuters. There

will be fewer three-wheelers and other vehicles jamming

theway.Besides,thiswillenhancecommercialpossibilities

too, empowering the economy of the surrounding rural

areas.

We kindly request you to consider this proposal and

initiate the necessary steps to establish a bus stop at a

suitable location between the Perambur railway station

and the commercial areas. Thank you for your time and

attention.

Yours faithfully,

Shaan Prabhakar

985347601

(i)

Word Medley

Event: Inter School Story Writing Competition

Date: 24th February 2025

Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Venue: Hall of Fame, St Alena School

Participate: All students from class 8th to 12 who wish

to participate are required to give their names to Ms

Sheetal on or before 21st February.

Shraddha Mathur

Secretary

Literature Club

(ii)

[email protected]

Invitation to be the honourable Chief Guest and judge at

the Interschool Story Writing Competition.

Dear Sir,

Our school is organising a story writing competition

for students of grades VIII to XII. It gives me immense

pleasure to invite you to inaugurate the event and judge

the competition.

The event will be held on 24th February 2025 from 10

a.m. to 12 p.m., at Hall of Fame, St Alena School.

Sir, it would be a great honour if you could give an

impetus to the programme and address a few words to the

gathering. I cannot see a better person than you to inspire

the budding writers and use your acumen to judge their

submissions.

We sincerely hope you will consider our invitation.. It

will be an honour to have you in our midst.

Thanking you in anticipation

Yours sincerely

Shraddha Mathur

Secretary

Literary Club

St Alena School

(i) Correct option: (d) Caesar’s lifeless body covered in

blood

Explanation: Antony refers to Caesar’s dead body

as a “bleeding piece of earth” to express his sorrow

and rage over Caesar’s assassination.

(ii) Correct option: (a) Caesar’s greed for power and

possession had resulted in his death

Explanation: Brutus justifies the assassination by

saying that Caesar’s ambition led to his downfall,

implying that they killed him to prevent him from

rising to absolute power.

(iii) Correct option: (b) Cinna the poet

Explanation: After Antony’s speech, the angry

Roman mob turns violent. They mistake Cinna

the poet for Cinna the conspirator and kill him,

showing how rage and chaos take over logic and

reason.

(iv) Correct option: (d) Lepidus

Explanation: In Act 4, Scene 1 of Julius Caesar,

Antony refers to Lepidus as “a barren-spirited

fellow” and compares him to a mere beast of

burden, suggesting that he is not fit to rule but

only to carry out orders. Antony and Octavius use

Lepidus for their own purposes but do not consider

him an equal leader.

(v) Correct option: (c) Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar,

Lepidus

Explanation: The Second Triumvirate, formed after

Julius Caesar’s assassination, consisted of Mark

Antony, Octavius Caesar (later Augustus) and

Lepidus.Thisalliancewasestablishedtoconsolidate

power and avenge Caesar’s death, distinguishing it

from the First Triumvirate, which included Julius

Caesar, Crassus and Pompey.

(vi) Correct option: (b) regretful

Explanation: Cassius expresses deep sorrow and

disappointment in this speech. He feels betrayed

and weary of the world, believing that even Brutus,

whom he loves, has turned against him. His words

reflect self-pity and regret, particularly regarding

the state of their friendship and the consequences

of their actions.

(vii) Correct option: (c) the speaker sees both the present

and the past

Explanation: In Haunted Houses by Henry

Wadsworth Longfellow, the speaker perceives

both the present and the past, seeing the ghosts

and memories that linger in the house. However,

the stranger, who is unfamiliar with the place,

can only see what is physically present. The poem

emphasises how past experiences and spirits

remain present for those who have lived in a place.

(viii) Correct option: (d) The beauteous lively dame

Explanation: In The Glove and the Lions by Leigh

Hunt, Count de Lorge sighs for the “beauteous

lively dame”, the lady he admires. She tests his love

by dropping her glove into the lion’s den, expecting

him to retrieve it as proof of his devotion. However,

after successfully retrieving the glove, he throws it

back at her face, realising that her act was driven by

vanity rather than true affection.

(ix) Correct option: (a) (1) is false, but (2) is true

Explanation: The poem illustrates how the natural

world reacts with fear and uncertainty when great

trees fall, describing trembling rocks, hiding lions

and silent small creatures. This supports Statement

2. However, Statement 1 is incorrect because the

poem does not suggest that the world remains

permanently unstable; instead, it portrays an

initial period of grief and disorientation followed

by gradual healing and restoration, emphasising

that although loss is profound, life continues with

renewed awareness.

(x) Correct option: (b) respect for intelligent life

Explanation: Robert Frost observes a tiny mite on

his manuscript and recognises its intelligence,

hesitation and survival instincts. Rather than

harming it, he allows it to rest, appreciating its

display of mind. The poem conveys admiration

for even the smallest forms of intelligence, rather

than love, indifference, or anger, making respect for

intelligent life the best choice.

(xi) Correct option: (d) The wind lies asleep in the arms of

the dawn

Explanation: The given line “And in the sky the

feathered fly turn turtle while they’re winging”,

from The Power of Music uses personification, as

birds are described as turning turtle mid-flight

in response to the song. Similarly, option (d)

personifies the wind by describing it as lying asleep

inthearmsofthedawn,attributinghumanqualities

to natural elements.

(xii) Correct option: (c) He is unable to recognise his own

face

Explanation: In With the Photographer by Stephen

Leacock, the narrator is shocked when he sees

his photograph because the photographer has

heavily altered his facial features. His eyebrows are

redrawn, his mouth is adjusted, and even his hair

is removed. The excessive retouching makes the

narrator question whether the image is truly his,

leading him to ask, “Is it me?” out of disbelief.

(xiii) Correct option: (b) He encourages Martin to use the

stairs

Explanation: Martin’s father dismisses his concerns,

tells him to grow up and be brave, and watches TV

while ignoring Martin’s fear. However, he does

not encourage Martin to use the stairs. Instead, he

criticises Martin for doing so, implying that he is

weak and cowardly.

(xiv) Correct option: (b) 1, 3, 4, 2

Explanation: Leonard Mead loved to walk through

the empty streets at night, enjoying the silence and

solitude of the city. One night, as he was nearing

home, he was suddenly stopped by a police car, a rare sight in a world where walking was considered

unusual. A metallic voice from the car interrogated

him,questioninghisreasonsforbeingoutside.Since

his answers were deemed odd and unacceptable,

he was forced to enter the car and taken away to

the Psychiatric Centre for Research on Regressive

Tendencies.

(xv) Correct option: (b) Ghana

Explanation: Adjoa was born in a small village

in Ghana.

(xvi) Correct option: (a) He was not allowed to teach

French any longer

Explanation: In The Last Lesson, Prussia’s

annexation of Alsace-Lorraine led to an order from

Berlin mandating German as the sole medium of

instruction.M.Hamel,after40years,wascompelled

to leave because teaching French was banned.

(i) Antony states he has come “to bury Caesar, not

to praise him.” He emphasises that his presence

is for a solemn funeral oration, not a celebratory

eulogy. He explicitly denies any intention to praise

Caesar, suggesting neutrality. However, this is a

rhetorical tactic. He knows the crowd expects praise

at a funeral. By claiming he won’t praise Caesar, he

piques their interest and makes his eventual praise,

when it comes, more impactful. His true purpose,

masked by this pretence of objectivity, is to

manipulate the crowd against the conspirators. He

aims to transform public perception of Caesar from

a potential tyrant to a beloved leader, paving his

own path to power. He subtly implies that Caesar’s

good deeds are in danger of being forgotten,

stating, “The evil that men do lives after them; The

good is oft interred with their bones,” thus making

his “neutral” speech all the more necessary and,

therefore, effective.

(ii) Before allowing Antony to address the Roman

citizens, Brutus imposed three strict conditions to

prevent any direct challenge to the conspirators’

narrative. First, Antony was forbidden to blame

the assassins, ensuring that his speech would not

incite the people against them. Second, he had to

speak only after Brutus had addressed the crowd,

allowing the latter to shape public opinion first.

Third,Antonywasrequiredtodeclarethathespoke

with the conspirators’ permission, reinforcing their

authority. Brutus, believing in his own rhetoric,

underestimated Antony’s skill. Antony, though

adhering to these conditions in form, masterfully

circumvented them in spirit. His repeated reference

to “honourable men” drips with irony, subtly eroding

the credibility of Brutus’s words. His ability to work

within these constraints while simultaneously

turning the tide against the conspirators is a

testament to his political acumen.

(iii) Antony masterfully counters Brutus’s claim of

Caesar’s ambition with three key points, each

designed to resonate deeply with the crowd. He

begins by recalling how Caesar refused the crown

three times during the Lupercal festival, asking,

“Was this ambition?” A truly ambitious man would

have seized such power without hesitation. Next,

Antony points to Caesar’s generosity, noting how

he brought wealth to Rome by ransoming captives,

enriching the public treasury rather than himself.

Thisselflessnessstandsinstarkcontrasttothegreed

of an ambitious ruler. Finally, Antony stirs emotions

by reminding the crowd of Caesar’s compassion:

“When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept.”

Such empathy, he argues, is not the mark of a

power-hungry tyrant but of a leader who genuinely

cared for his people. These arguments, woven with

restraint and precision, gradually turn the crowd

against Brutus and his conspirators.

(iv) Throughout his funeral speech, Mark Antony

repeatedly refers to Brutus and the other

conspirators as honourable men. At first glance,

this seems like a gesture of respect, aligning with

his claim that he does not seek to discredit them.

However, the repetition of this phrase, “But Brutus

sayshewasambitious,andBrutusisanhonourableman”,

slowly turns into a weapon. Antony subtly shifts its

meaning, transforming it from an affirmation into

a bitter irony. By juxtaposing Brutus’s supposed

honour with examples of Caesar’s generosity and

lack of ambition, such as his refusals of the crown

and his sympathy for the poor, Antony forces

the crowd to question whether Brutus is truly

honourable. The phrase becomes laced with sarcasm,

sowing doubt and indignation among the Romans.

Each repetition chips away at Brutus’s credibility

until the people, inflamed with rage, are ready to

rise against the conspirators.

(v) Antony’s most impactful argument is his reminder

that Caesar refused the crown three times during

the Lupercal festival. This directly contradicts the

idea of ambition, as an ambitious man would have

eagerly accepted such power. The crowd, already

swayed by Antony’s emotional appeal, sees this as

undeniable proof of Caesar’s humility, making it

the most convincing point.

Before Antony’s speech, the citizens view him with

suspicion, as he is associated with Caesar, whom

they now consider a tyrant. However, by the end of

hisspeech,theirfeelingsshiftdramatically.Antony’s

skilful use of rhetoric, emotional appeals and subtle

hints at Caesar’s generosity and compassion turn

the crowd against Brutus and the conspirators. The

citizens,oncesupportiveofBrutus,arenowenraged

and call for revenge, showing how Antony’s words

have completely transformed their loyalty.

(i) Option (a) is correct.

(ii) Option (a) is correct.

(iii) Option (b) is correct.

(iv) Option (b) is correct.

(v) Option (d) is correct.

(vi) Option (b) is correct.

(vii) Option (c) is correct.

(viii) Option (b) is correct.

(ix) Option (c) is correct.

(x) Option (a) is correct.

(xi) Option (d) is correct.

(xii) Option (b) is correct.

(xiii) Option (a) is correct.

(xiv) Option (b) is correct.

(xv) Option (d) is correct.

(xvi) Option (d) is correct.

SECTION B

(i) Portia refers to Bassanio as ‘my lord’.

(ii) Her lord, Bassanio, is in Venice. Bassanio had left in

such a haste because his friend Antonio had been

arrested and he had to return to Venice to rescue

him.

(iii) The ‘secret vow’ that Portia talks means that she

is going to live a life of prayer and contemplation

until her husband comes back from Venice and for

this purpose, she will stay in a monastery.

(iv) Portia asked Lorenzo to manage her household

until her husband returns. She makes this request

because she, accompanied by Nerissa, will stay in

a monastery, a life of prayer and contemplation till

their husbands return. A little later, Portia instructs

her servant Balthazar to take the letter which she

has given him and give it to her cousin, Doctor

Bellario. Balthazar should also bring the notes and

clothes that Doctor Bellario gives and take them to

Venice as soon as possible.

(v) From Portia’s conversation with Nerissa we learn

that they both will dress up as men. The reference

to notes and clothes indicate that Portia and Nerissa

will dress up as lawyers fight the legal battle for

Antonio against Shylock in the court.

I prefer the businesslike Portia that we meet in this

scene because this Portia is more confident and

independent enough to get things done when her

husband is not around.

Original Short Story: The story must be original. The Grandfather and the two Grandchildren form the main characters. All three characters must be part of the plot. The story may be in first or the third person and could take any form – i.e. comic, tragic, dramatic or a mystery.

(b) Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) must be installed in every classroom. Give your views either for or against this statement.

Argumentative Composition: Views for or against the motion are to be accepted. Credit is to be given for a cohesive, well-constructed, logical argument and ideas and reasoning based on personal experience. Candidates must establish why CCTV cameras are necessary or not in the Classrooms / schools of today. Candidates must take a clear stand and give valid reasons for the stand taken.

(c) Your class had to conduct a Morning Assembly. Write an account of how you prepared for it, what your role was and what you gained from the experience.

Narrative Composition: This is a personal account of a 15-year-old child of the Morning Assembly in each School. The composition must include planning, motivation and the role played by the students. The composition should also indicate what lessons are learnt through this exercise and why these lessons are so important.

(d) Summers are becoming hotter with each passing year. Write a description of one such very hot day. What did you see and hear as you walked outside? How were birds and animals affected?

Descriptive Composition: The candidate must give a detailed description of a hot summer day. The heat, rising temperatures, humidity or aridity must be included. Images of animals and birds seeking shade and water should make up a part of this composition.

(e) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.

Picture Composition: Accept a wide interpretation. Any relevant ideas taken from the picture should be accepted. However, a mere itemization / listing / description of the picture is to be penalized.

Formal Letter

From address

Date

To address

Subscription

Name + surname/ initial

Formal Letter: Format, Content, Expression

Body:

Kind of club

Your role/ Your duty (Any 1) Head / President / leader/ Plan / organize / carry out activity / motivate

Reasons – Why do you want a club? (Any 2)

Give skills / Spot new talent / exposure / team building / extra activity / improve campus / help others / All-round development

(b) Your friend has not fared well in the recent examinations. Write a letter to him / her

expressing your concern. Give him / her some advice on how to score better marks and offer to help him / her to improve his / her performance.

Informal Letter

Address

Date

Salutation

Subscription

First name

Expressing concern (Any 1)

Sorry / worried / upset / anxious / concerned Advice -(Any 2)

Plan proper study timetable / use study notes / seek teachers’ help / pay attention in class / practice frequently / proper food / rest / relaxation.

Help -(Any 2)

Take my notes / I shall sit with you / I shall help you / I shall take up your work – “I” must be there.

Describe Antonio’s mood at the beginning of this scene.

• Antonio’s mood: sad / despondent / gloomy / depressed/ melancholic/ weary of the world etc. (Accept any word synonymous with the above) State any two reasons that Antonio’s friends, who were present, gave to explain his mood.
• Salario and Salario say that Antonio’s mind is on his rich merchant ships/ tossing on the ocean
• Antonio was concerned / worried about possible misfortunes – Fear of tempests / mudflats/dangerous rocks that could wreck his ships
• A must be in love
• Not happy because he was sad
• A deliberately wants to appear wise/ grave/ philosophical (Any two)

(ii) What promise did Antonio make to Bassanio immediately after this conversation?

What promise did Antonio make to Bassanio immediately after this conversation?

• His ‘purse’ (wealth)/ unlock wealth/ resources
• His ‘person’ (himself)
• His ‘extremest means’ (every last resource in his possession)
• Extend every help he could (to help Bassanio as long as Bassanio’s plans were as honourable as he himself was)

(iii) What did Bassanio say to Antonio about ‘a lady richly left’ in Belmont?

The ‘lady richly left’ in Belmont is described by Bassanio as:

• Beautiful (fair / fairer than the word)
• Virtuous (of wondrous virtues)
• Called Portia
• He had received ‘fair speechless messages’ sometimes from her eyes
• Her worth and fame attracted renowned suitors (Any three)

He compares her to the golden fleece and her suitors to Jason(s) from Classical mythology.

• Sunny locks
• Not inferior to Portia – Cato’s daughter/ Brutus’ wife
• The world is not ignorant of her worth

(iv) Why was Antonio unable to lend Bassanio the money that he needed? How did he propose to help his friend?

Why was Antonio unable to lend Bassanio the money that he needed?

• All his ‘fortunes were at sea’ (invested in his many merchant ships)
• Antonio has no money
• Has nothing of value (commodity) which he could sell to raise the money needed

How did he propose to help his friend?

Antonio proposes

• that both he and Bassanio should make enquiries among the wealthy merchants
• to see if they can borrow the money –
• (try what my credit in Venice can do)

(v) What does the above extract reveal of the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio?

Mention one way in which this relationship was put to the test later in the play.

What does the above extract reveal of the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio?

• Shows that Antonio and Bassanio were very good friends
• That Bassanio has always relied on Antonio both for financial (money) as well as emotional (love) support.
• Bassanio is assured of Antonio’s love and care. Confides all his plans in him – clear all his debts with Antonio’s help.
• Bassanio exploits Antonio’s love/ trust

Mention one way in which this relationship was put to the test later in the play.

• When Shylock demands his pound of flesh and Antonio is willing to sacrifice his life for Bassanio.
• When Bassanio receives Antonio’s letter in Belmont, he is willing to drop everything – go to Venice
• When Bassanio agrees to give away the wedding ring given to him by Portia – and sacrifice his love (Portia) for Antonio.
• (Any mention of Antonio/ Bassanio being willing to sacrifice anything for the other … wife/ life, etc.)

A court (of justice)/ in Venice

Why was Portia there?

To assist at Antonio’s trial/ to save Antonio from Shylock/ from the bond he had signed with Shylock/ to act as a lawyer/ to help her husband save Antonio. (Any three)

(ii) What reason had Bellario given for his absence?

He was very sick/ ill

Whom had he sent in his stead?

Balthazar / a young doctor of Rome/ Portia in disguise

(iii) Bellario’s letter stated that he had taken some measures to prepare the ‘young and learned doctor’ to deal with the case. What were they?

• explained the details of the ‘controversy’ between Antonio and Shylock
• they had studied many law books together
• Bellario had given Balthazar his opinion/ advice

(iv) What was the ‘difference’ between Shylock the Jew and Antonio the merchant that the Duke was unable to resolve?

• Antonio had borrowed three thousand ducats from Shylock for a period of three months.
• Antonio’s ships had been lost at sea – he was bankrupt and unable to repay the debt.
• Shylock was adamant in demanding his pound of flesh – refusing all offers of money.

(v) How does Portia succeed in saving Antonio?

Portia grants Shylock his bond but says:

• that not one drop of Antonio’s blood must be shed – if it were then all his land and goods would be confiscated by the laws of Venice
• Shylock had to cut out exactly one pound of flesh – if he cut even the smallest bit in excess of a pound Shylock would be put to death.

What does this reveal of her character?

Personal Response: Any plausible answer such as – Portia proves that she is clever/ quick- witted etc.