Series: 4YWZX Set Roll No.

Q.P. Code

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Candidates must write the Q.P. Code

on the title page of the answer-book.

ENGLISH (Core)

Time allowed: 3 hours

Maximum Marks: 80

Please check that this question paper contains 19 printed pages.

Q.P. Code given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.

• Please check that this question paper contains 13 questions.

Please write down the Serial Number of the question in the answer-book at the given place before attempting it.

15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the candidates will read the question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this period.

General Instructions:

Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:

1. This question paper has 13 questions. All questions are compulsory.
2. This question paper contains three sections — Section A: Reading Skills, Section B: Creative Writing Skills and Section C: Literature.
3. Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct question number and part thereof in your answer sheet.
4. Separate instructions are given with each question/part, wherever necessary.
5. Adhere to the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

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P.T.O.

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SECTION A Reading Skills

<math>(22 \text{ marks})</math>

1. Read the following passage carefully:

12

1. Gossip. All humans partake in some form, despite the age-old adage, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." Whether it's workplace chatter, the sharing of family news or group texts between friends, it's inevitable that anyone who participates in the above, talks about other people.

1. People tend to think of gossip as synonymous with malicious rumours, put-downs, or the breathless propagation of a tabloid scoop. But researchers often define it more broadly as "talking about people who aren't present," says an assistant professor of psychology. "It's something that comes very naturally to us" — an integral part of conversation, information sharing, and even community building.

1. "It's not necessarily negative," adds a professor of psychology. "It can be positive or neutral." Some researchers argue that gossip helped our ancestors survive. Evolutionary psychologists first pioneered this idea, comparing gossip to the grooming primates engage in as a means of bonding.

1. People are usually resistant to thinking about gossip as anything but bad. It is true that there are some types of gossip that should be avoided, such as gossip that is purely harmful and serves no purpose like mean comments on someone's way of dressing. In such a scenario no one benefits. Gossip can also be both active and passive. Active gossiping refers to directly sharing negative information about someone else. An active gossiper initiates the conversation and actively spreads it. Passive gossiping on the other hand involves more subtle behaviour like hinting, dropping suggestive comments or participating in gossip by listening without actively contributing, but still allowing the gossip to spread through their presence.

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