TAB4AKP
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT - II (2014-2015)
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE
Class - IX
Time: 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 70
Instructions:
The question paper is divided into three sections.
Section A
Reading & OTBA
Section B
Writing and Grammar
Section C
Literature
20 marks
25 marks
25 marks
SECTION A
(READING & OTBA: 20 Marks)
l(a)
Page 1 of 5
Read the following passage.
5
FLOODS AND FAMINES
Floods and famines are a common feature of Indian life. Our food depends on the Rain God
and monsoons are very tricky. Sometimes we get too much of rain and sometimes we get no
rain at all. When we get no rain, crops die in large parts of India, and when it rains cats and
dogs, crops are destroyed or washed away by the rivers in floods. In either case our nation
suffers. Our farmers pray fervently for normal rains-neither too much nor too little.
It is not possible to control monsoons by scientific means. All our knowledge falls flat here.
No scientists of the world can manage the atmosphere to get the right quantity of rain at the
right time of the year. Rain can be produced artificially but the cost is heavy. Therefore, we
have to depend on the Rain God, for our food production every year and people pray with
folded hands to get not only rains but also rains in proper quantity. Flood and Famines are a
regular feature of Indian economy. Every year there are floods in some parts and famines in
others. When there are famines, the government starts distributing grains, remits taxes on
land and provide other assistance to the farmers.
When there are heavy rains, the government provides boats to rescue villagers, alternate sites
for their residence and food for the empty stomach. Both the Government of India and the
State Government have allocated large funds for the purpose. In addition to this, there are the
Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to provide help during a
national calamity. Both floods and famines are natural as well as national calamities.
On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions:
(1)
The availability 0'£ our food depends on
_
(2)
Raining 'cats and dogs' refers to
_
(3)
The author says "Our knowledge falls flat here". The word 'here' refers to
_
(4)
The Government of India and the State government allocats funds
calamities.
(5)
Synonym for the word 'RESIDENCE'is
_
,b)
Read the following passage carefully.
5
Ferdie was a newly hatched tadpole. He swam the length of the pond with ease. It was
exhilarating. "This is awesome", he shouted. "1must explore the countryside, mother; I think I
could do that", he said. "Ferdie, not yet my dear; there's time for all that later", his mother
warned. Ferdie continued swimming and swam into the creek. Ferdie had never been so
frightened before. He was alone in the creek. He shivered. He swam blindly, faster; right in
front of a huge hungry mullet (river fish). Ferdie froze with fear. The mullet's mouth opened
and closed. He knew that the mullet could gulp him down in a second. He shut his eyes and
swam.
This time, amazingly, he swam right into the pond2the place of his birth. Ferdie looked
around and saw that the pond was filled with other living creatures. Soon Ferdie developed
hind legs and his tail vanished. He was a little frog now. He hopped on to a big stone and saw
his own reflection in the pond. Ferdie could now swim in the water and also leap about on
land. Ferdie wheeled around and gave a little scream of delight. There, of course was his
mother. "Thank goodness you're safe", his mother said with a sigh. "Mother my spirit of
adventure helped me to brave all the dangers", Ferdie said.
(1)
(2)
(3)
2
On the basis of your reading of the passage, complete the following statements.
(a)
Ferdie knew that the mullet
_
(b) . Ferdie screamed with delight as
_
Answer the following questions.
(a)
Why was Ferdie frightened when he swam into the creek?
(b)
What helped Ferdie to confront all the dangers?
Find a word from the passage which means same as 'Thrilling'.
Theme: " India' s Tryst with Mars (5+5)
a) Imagine you are a student- astronaut, who had participated in the Mars Mission. Write a
diary entry describing what you experienced while in flight and later.
/I
10
b) How is a successful MOM synonymous with growth and development of the country?
How will it affect the image of India among countries across the globe?
(*Please ensure that open text of the given theme is supplied with this question paper)
SECTIONB
(WRITING & GRAMMAR: 25 Marks)
3
Page 2 of 5
5
Tribal .veople have always been instrumental in protecting the FLORA and FAUNA. You
have 1 .ad about The Chipko Movement also - an initiative by the Bishnois to protect trees.
Write an account in you diary in 100-120 words about your dream to contribute to
maintaining the ecological balance.
4
Read rl.e opening line and weave a story around it in 150-200 words.
Col. ' : hwanathan, a brave soldier, bought an old mansion though many people in the area
tol 111111 it was haunted
.
10
5
Choose the most appropriate options from the ones given below to complete the following
paragraph.
Onam is also known as Vamana Jayanthi. It is a Hindu festival (a)
by the people of
Kerala India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar (b)
Vishnu and the
subseq lent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It (c)
during the
month of Chingam and lasts for ten days.
(a)
(i)
c lebrate
(ii)
celebrates
(iii)
celebrating
(iv)
celebrated
(b)
(i)
by
(ii)
for
(iii)
from
(iv)
of
(c)
(i)
falls
(ii)
fell
(iii)
fall
(iv)
will fall
3
6
In the following passage one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word
along with the words before and after against the correct blank number.
Before Missing Word After
Srinagar abounds natural beauty. It is often
(a)
_
It is often termed a paradise on earth. Tourists from (b)
_
all the vorld come to see its beauty.
(c)
_
It is known as the Switzerland India.
(d)
4
7
Read t e conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows. Write the
answ rs against the correct blank numbers in your answer sheet. Do not copy the whole
3
Page 3 of 5
senten e .
Je icz : Remember good jobs are hard to find.
an
That's true.
Je sica: I wouldn't skip too much work.
ancy : Ok, I won't do it again.
J
Jessica Reminded ancy (a)
hard to find.
ancy realized her mistake and said (c)
ancy agreed and Jessica told her (b)
do that again.
SECTIONC
(LITERATURE: 25 Marks)
Read one of the extracts given below and briefly answer the questions that follow:
I am beau tiful pearls
Plucke« from the crown of Ish tar
By the daughter of Dawn
To emb -llisli the gardens.
(a)
Who is the speaker?
(b)
What is meant by the phrase 'to embellish the garden' ?
(c)
What is the opposite of 'beautiful' ?
8
3
OR
BISH P. Please; tlrey may help you. (TIre CONVICT takes the candlesticks in absolute antazement.)
And, Illy son. There is a path through the woods at the back of this cottage which leads to Paris; it is a
71enj lonels] path, and I have noticed that my good friends the gendarmes do not like lonely paths at
night. It is curious.
(a)
Why does the speaker guide the listener to the back of his cottage?
(b)
Why was the listener eager to go to Paris?
(c)
What does 'amazement' mean?
3
Ansv e the following questions in about 30 to 40 words each:
9(i)
Why did the Bishop give the candlesticks to the convict? (The Bishop's Candlesticks)
2
9(ii)
What was troubling Bill and why?
2
Page 4
of 5
Iii)
9(iv)
'I am beautiful pearls plucked from the crown of Ishtar by the daughter of Dawn'. Why has
the poet referred to lshtar and the daughter of Dawn?
2
What makes the Bishop lie to the Sergeant?
2
Answer one of the following questions in about 80-100words
10
'Past learns large in the present'. Prove this statement by citing examples from the poem 'Oh, I 4
Wish, I'd Looked After Me Teeth'.
OR
The onvict was a transformed human because of the Bishop. Justify the statement
highlighting the values that helped the Bishop in this noble act.
4
Answer one of the following questions in about 150-200words.
11
Describe how Houyhnhnm's language was no bar to Gulliver any longer.
10
OR
'Yahoos were weird and mean'. Cite examples from the text Gulliver's Travels.
10
OR
Describe the experience of the three friends when they were caught in incessant rain.
10
OR
10
Write a character sketch of George.
-0000000-
Page 5 of 5