1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it: 1×5=5

Emperor Ashoka was one of the earliest Indian monarchs who planted shady trees on roads and in public places. The Moghuls, too, realised the necessity of shade on the roads which they constructed. But there was no conscious planning; and peepal, banyan and pakur trees were indiscriminately mixed with neems, tamarinds and mahuas. It was only in Kashmir that they showed some preference for planning and planted magnificent avenues of Chinar along the banks of river Jhelum, which can be seen at their best at Gandharbal and Matan on the way of Pahalgam…
A plantation plan for our national, state and district highways is urgently needed. At present, our roads are made by the P.W.D. engineers who are ignorant of trees. Ultimately the planting of new trees and replacement of dead trees is left to gardeners alone who plant any tree which comes handy. The result has been unfortunate and our roadside avenues have become a mixture of odd trees.

2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it: 1×5=5

Modern etiquette is an art. It has been cultivated by persistent practice. The first requirement of good etiquette is a pleasing personality, which includes a good dress in tune with times. After these basic requirements are in the place, the person desiring to learn the art of etiquette must develop the power of speech to be a good communicator. He must have a smooth accent in the language in which he converses. Modern etiquette includes having a clear idea of the day-to-day topics and happenings in the society or in the community in which one lives…

3. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below it: 4

The heart is one of the most important parts of the human body. The heart of human body has the continuous job to keep oxygen-rich blood flowing through the body. All the body’s cells need a constant supply of oxygen particularly in the brain. The brain cells live only four to five minutes after the oxygen is cut off and death comes to the entire body. Heart disease can result from damage to the heart muscles, the valves or the pacemakers…

4. You are Shubh / Shubhi studying in Govt. H.S. School, Panna (M.P.). Write an application to your principal requesting him to grant you full fee concession. 4

OR

You are Ankita / Ankit, residing at 30, Railway Colony, Rewa. Write a letter to your friend to invite her / him to attend your sister’s marriage ceremony.

5. Write an essay in about 150 words on any one of the following topics: 5

OR

Write a paragraph in about 150 words on ‘Women Empowerment’.

6. Look at the picture given below and produce a small paragraph in about 75 words: 3

7. Fill in the blanks (any five): 1×5=5

8. Do as directed (any five): 1×5=5

9. Choose the correct answer and write it: 4

10. (A) Read the extract carefully and answer the questions below it: 3

The house — the only one in the entire valley — sat on the crest of a low hill. From this height one could see the river and the field of ripe corn dotted with the flowers that always promised a good harvest…

10. (B) Read the extract carefully and answer the questions given below it: 3

If ever you should go by chance
To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion…