Activity Sheet
First Term Exam 2019 – 2020
Subject – English
Marks 50 Class – XI Time 2 : 30 hrs
Activity 1.(A) Read the extract and do all the activities given . 12 Marks
When we reached Kathmandu we discovered that a controversy had arisen. We talked it over, Hillary, Colonel Hunt and I. We agreed that all the talk was childish. So we made a pact, and each of us signed it in the office of the Prime Minister of Nepal. Each one signed his own statement. I have a copy of Hillary’s statement which I carry in my pocket.
It reads: “Kathmandu, June 22, 1953.”
“On May 29th, Tenzing Sherpa and I left our high camp on Mt. Everest for our attempt on the summit. As we climbed upwards to the South Summit, first one and then the other would take a turn at leading. We crossed over the South Summit and moved along the Summit ridge. We reached the summit almost together. We embraced each other overjoyed at our success, then I took photograph of Tenzing holding aloft the flags of Great Britain, Nepal, the United Nations and India.” (Signed: E.P. Hillary) There is another paper like this in English, signed by me. Thus, we will not take part in any controversy. As the statement says, Hillary and I embraced when we reached the top. We did as well as our bulky equipment would let us. I remember saying to him: “We have done it.” But we couldn’t hear. We had our oxygen mask on.
First Thought
My first thought on reaching the top was a sense of gratitude to God, that after having failed six times, He had blessed me with fulfillment of this desire I had held so long. I placed on the summit the offerings to God that I had carried with me. This is in accord with my religion. Both my wife and I are Buddhists. I could not kneel because of my clothes and equipment. But I offered a silent prayer in my heart. The offerings were biscuits, candy and a little blue pencil. My youngest daughter, Nima, had given me the pencil before I left home. She asked me to put it on the top of the mountain as her offering. It was an ordinary blue pencil, not even a long one, but it was one of her prized possessions.
As I put it down, I pointed it out to Hillary. He gave me a big smile, showing that he understood.
Then I got out the flags which I had on piece of string about four feet long. I fastened one end to my ice axe and Hillary took pictures as I held it up.
A1 Rearrange the statements in order as the events occur in the extract. 2
1.) They made a pact.
2.) They reached Kathmandu.
3.) They signed their own statements.
4.) They discovered that a controversy had arisen.
Ans: 1. They reached Kathmandu.
2. They discovered that a controversy had arisen.
3. They made a pact.
4. They signed their own statements.
A2. List the ways in which Tenzing Norgay celebrates on reaching the top. 2
1.-------- 2--------- 3-------
Ans: 1. He placed the offerings on the summit. He offered silent prayer. He hoisted the flags on it.
A3. Tenzing and Hillary remained aloof from the controversy. Prove it. 2
When they discovered that there was a controversy, they
A4.Write about any controversy you or your friend involved in.
A5. Give one word for the following expressions: 2
1. The things that are needed to do a particular work - equipment
2. The feelings of being grateful - gratitude
3. A covering for the face or a part of it. - mask
4. Having god’s help and protection - blessing
A6. Language Study 2
1. When we reached Kathmandu we discovered that a controversy had arisen. (Rewrite using ‘No sooner….. than’ by removing ‘when’)
Ans: No sooner did we reach Kathmandu than we discovered that a controversy had arisen.
2. We crossed over the south summit and moved along the summit ridge. ( Rewrite as simple sentence.)
Ans: Crossing over the south summit we moved along the summit ridge.
B. Grammar : Omission 3 Marks (1X3)
The following paragraph has not been edited. One word has been omitted in each line. Write the omitted word along with the word that comes before and after in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as shown in the example.
Before Omitted After
More 48 hours have passed 1. More than 48 hours
by now news about the 2. ____ _____ _____
health the ISRO’s Vikram 3. ____ _____ _____
lander not very good. 4. _____ _____ _____
ISRO is not able establish 5. able to establish
any contacts.
2. now the news
3. health of the
4. lander is not
ACTIVITY 2. (A) Read the activity read the extract and do all the activities: 12 Marks
Oil is one of the world's major sources of energy. We depend on it as fuel for heating, transport and generation of power. For centuries, animal and vegetable oils have been used for cooking and as a source of artificial light. But it is mineral oil which meets most of the world's needs today. Crude mineral oil comes out of the earth as a thick brown or black liquid with a strong smell. It is a complex mixture of many different substances, each with its own individual qualities. Most of them are combinations of hydrogen and carbon in varying proportions. Such hydro-carbons are also found in other forms such as bitumen, asphalt and natural gas. Mineral oil originates from the carcasses of tiny animals and from plants that live in the sea. Over millions of years these dead creatures form large deposits under the sea bed and ocean currents cover them with a blanket of sand and silt. As this material hardens, it becomes sedimentary rock and effectively shuts out the oxygen so preventing the complete decomposition of the marine deposits underneath. The layers of sedimentary rock become thicker and heavier. Their pressure produces heat, which transforms the tiny carcasses into crude oil in a process that is still going on today. The earth's crust is split into a few huge continental plates which move continuously rather like rafts on a sluggish tide. Geologists call this movement as ‘continental drift’.
A1. State whether the following statements are true or false. Correct the false statements. (2)
1. We depend on oil as source of energy. True
2. Oil is used as fuel. True
3. The world today needs only mineral oil. False
4. Crude mineral oil comes out of the earth as a thin brown or blue liquid with a strong smell. True
Ans: The earth's crust is split into a few huge continental plates. They move continuously rather like rafts on a sluggish tide. This movement is called as ‘continental drift’.
A4. State the importance of oil.
A5. Rewrite the following sentences in the ways instructed :
(i) Oil is one of the world's major sources of energy.
(Choose the negative sentence for it). (1)
a. Oil is not the world’s only major source of energy.
b. No other source of energy is as major as oil.
c. Oil is not one of the World’s major sources of energy.
d. Very few world’s sources of energy are as major as oil.
a. Oil is not the world’s only major source of energy
(ii) As this material hardens, it becomes sedimentary rock. (Make it a compound sentence.) (1)
Ans : This material hardens and becomes sedimentary rock.
A6. Give the homophones of : 1. One 2. Heating 3. Light 4. Sea (2)
1. One - won 2. Heating- hitting 3. Light - lite 4. Sea - see
A5. Give your friend an advice to save energy. (2)
B. Write a brief summary of the above extract with the help of the points given below and suggest a suitable title. [3]
Oil as a source of energy—our dependence—types of oil—mineral oil—origin of crude oil—formation of crude oil—forming of sedimentary rocks—continental drift.
Activity 3. Read the extract and do the activities given. 8 Marks
Sitting in a porchway cool,
Sunlight, I see, dying fast,
Twilight hastens on to rule.
Working hours have well-nigh past.
Shadows run across the lands:
But a sower lingers still,
Old, in rags, he patient stands.
Looking on, I feel a thrill.
Black and high, his silhouette
Dominates the furrows deep!
Now to sow the task is set.
Soon shall come a time to reap.
Marches he along the plain
To and fro, and scatters wide
From his hands the precious grain;
Muse I, as I see him stride.
Darkness deepens. Fades the light.
Now his gestures to mine eyes
Are august; and strange; his height
Seems to touch the starry skies.
A2. "Soon shall come a time to reap". Name and explain the figure of speech and find one another of similar type. 2
Ans : Inversion : The line is not in prose order.
Other Examples 1. Now to sow the task is set. 2.Marches he along the plain
A3 Pick out the lines that shows evening time. 2
Sunlight, I see, dying fast,
Twilight hastens on to rule.
Working hours have well-nigh past.
Shadows run across the lands:
A4. Compose a poem on farmer in 4 lines. 2Activity (4)
A1. Write short but effective dialogues from the One Act Play "The Rising Of the Moon" . One is given. “. It’s a hard thing to be poor.”
1.
2.
A2. The description of the character is given below. Identify the character from the play " The Rising Of The Moon". 2
1. He is alert. He is dashing.
2. He considers himself wise. He is a stranger.
Activity 5. A) Write an e-mail to the Principal of your college inviting him to be the chief guest for the debate organised by your class. 4 Marks
Or
Imagine that you are a farmer from a drought prone area. Write a letter to a newspaper editor, discuss the problems and suggest possible solutions. 4 MarksB. Prepare a speech on any one of the following topics. 4 Marks
1. Duties of an ideal citizen
2. Advantages of education
2. Importance of sports
Or
Appeal your classmates to 'Say No to Junk Food’. Write an appeal to prefer organic food over junk food. 4 Marks
