ENGLISH PAPER I

Language and Writing

Three hours and a quarter

(The first fifteen minutes of the examination are for reading the paper only.
Candidates must NOT start writing during this time.)
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Instructions:
1. This paper has two sections, Section A for Writing and Section B for Language .Section B is
further divided into nature of language and grammar.
2. All the questions are compulsory.
3. The intended marks for each question is given in brackets.
4. You are recommended to spend 2 hours on Section A and 1 hour on Section B.
5. You should begin each answer on a fresh page.
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SECTION A: Writing
Question 1. [30]

Write an essay using the features of an argumentative essay on any ONE of the following topics
and write an original essay on it. (You are reminded that you will be awarded marks for orderly
and correct presentation of material, use of appropriate style and general accuracy of spelling,
punctuation and grammar.)

 Science a necessary evil.

 History is a bundle of lies.
 A divorce through mutual consent is a good solution to a bad marriage.
 Private tuitions by the teachers are commonly faced criticism everywhere. But on the other
hand, it has been advantageous to many slow learners.

Question 2. [30]

Write an original short story employing all the elements of a short story. Emphasis should be made
on illustrating internal conflict and the resolution of the conflict. You are reminded that in the
above task, you will also be assessed on expression, style and mechanics.

SECTION B: Language

I NATURE OF LANGUAGE [10]

Question 3.

Directions: Read the following questions carefully, for each question choose the correct answer from
the given alternatives and write it in your answer sheet. [1x4]

i. Etymology is the study of

a) speech sounds
b) language
c) origin of words and their meanings
d) language acquisition

ii. The smallest meaningful element in a language is called

a) phoneme
b) morpheme
c) syntax
d) grapheme

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SRHSS/Annual examination ’09 Page 1 of 4 Eng/Paper I/Class XI
 iii. In language RP stands for
a) reformed pronunciation
b) received pronunciation
c) real pronunciation
d) reversed pronunciation

iv. The divine theory of language acquisition believes that

a) language is acquired through principles of conditioning.
b) language is taught in the class room
c) language is learnt from parents
d) language is god’s gift to human beings

Question 4.

Answer the questions given below. [2x3]

i. Which language do you think a child can learn or pick up faster? Why?
ii. What is Onomatopoeia? Give examples.
iii. Explain any ‘two’ levels of analysis of language.

II GRAMMAR [30]

Question 5.

Direction: Read the following questions carefully, for each question choose the correct answer from
the given alternatives and write it in your answer sheet. [1x5]

i. Each July we ………. to Germany for a holiday.

a) are going
b) go
c) going
d) were going

ii. Jane ………. Just a few minutes ago

a) left
b) has left
c) leaves
d) had left

iii. When I was a child ………….. the violin.

a) I was playing
b) I’m playing
c) I play
d) I played

iv. ………… during the storm.

a) they were collapsed the fence
b) the fence was collapsed
c) they collapsed the fence
d) the fence collapsed

v. The children …………. to the zoo.

a) were enjoyed taken
b) enjoyed being taken
c) were enjoyed taking
d) enjoyed taking

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SRHSS/Annual examination ’09 Page 2 of 4 Eng/Paper I/Class XI
Question 6.

For each of the sentences below rewrite a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning
to the original sentence, using the words given in the brackets. [1x10]

i. They managed to finish the project in time for presentation.

[succeeded]

ii. I’m afraid that car is just too expensive.

[means]

iii. I thought parking was allowed here.

[under the impression]

iv. Her son continued to cry until she could not be seen any longer.
[sight]

v. They moved to this town in 2004.

[lived]

vi. Remind me to call Tshering.

[forget]

vii. He couldn’t reach the cup because it was too high.

[low]

viii. I was bored by her lecture I left.

[boring]

ix. They believe the students were educated in England.

[believed]

x. Jane wasn’t always moody.

[didn’t]

Question 7.

In each of the following items, sentence A is complete but sentence B is not. Complete
sentence B making it as similar in meaning to sentence A. [1x5]

i. a) Besides being a talented old man Dorji is also fun loving.

b) Not only……………………………………………………………………………

ii. a) If you don’t go immediately, you will not meet her.

b) Unless……………………………………………………………………..

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SRHSS/Annual examination ’09 Page 3 of 4 Eng/Paper I/Class XI
 iii. a) It is very stupid of me to forget the class work.
b) How ………………………………………….....................

iv. a) When Tashi entered the dining hall, he heard a great noise.
b) On………………………………………………………………………………………….

v. a) “Titanic” is the best film that I have ever seen.

b) No other……………………………………………………………

Question 8.

Read the following sentences carefully, edit it and rewrite it correctly in your answer sheet.
[1x10]

i. When I went to school we must learn English.

ii. I’m afraid I did a mistake in the calculation.
iii. The children were wanted to come with me.
iv. What you would like to drink?
v. He made me to do it.
vi. I heard a bottle smashing.
vii. He is a coward person.
viii. The soldier was African by birth.
ix. The old man called a porter to carry his luggages.
x. He advised me giving up smoking.

Prepared by: Roshan.P

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