SET – 1

Series: SSO/1/C

Code No. 1/1/1

Candidates must write the Code on

the title page of the answer-book.

Roll No.

Please check that this question paper contains 11 printed pages.

Code number 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 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 students will read the question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this period.

ENGLISH (Core)

Time allowed: 3 hours 1

「Maximum Marks: 100

General Instructions:

(i) This paper is divided into three Sections : A, B and C. All the sections are compulsory.

1. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
2. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

SECTION - A

30 Marks

Reading 12

1. Read the passage given below:

1. Suspense was over when my high school results finally came out. But I was upset. I hadn't done as well as I had expected. My father tried to console me. "Why are you worried? You have done very well my dear." "No, I haven't, Baba," I protested, controlling my tears, and wondering if I had disappointed him. "It doesn't really matter," he assured me. "Do you know what I got when I finished high school ?" I looked into Baba's face and waited for the answer to

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his own question. "You know," he told me. "I've never told you this. I got just a third division. But, look at me, I've done quite well." Baba got a third division! I was almost in shock, but the thought of my having done a lot better than that made me realize that I had no reason to complain. I certainly felt better! "Everything is under control!" said Baba, smiling. That was his favourite phrase. Posted in Kolkata, my father was then a senior official in the Indian Railway Service, and an expert in goods traffic operations. He was soon to become a director with the Railway Board. By the time he retired in 1981, he was general manager of the Central Railways. By the time Baba passed away in November 2000, his name had found place in several hearts as well. He was open, easy to know, and full of life. We were extremely close, but I had so much more to learn about him from many things I came to know after his death.

1. In September 2000, he was in hospital for treatment of cancer and given just two months to live. When he found out, his reaction was an extremely rational one. He asked me to fetch files from his cupboard, so that he could explain the details of my mother's pension. He also dictated his will from his hospital bed. "Everything is under control!" After Baba's death, Satish, our old family retainer, was inconsolable. We tried to cheer him up. "Your Baba had scolded me only once in all these years!" he cried. Satish pointed to the watch on his left hand. "I had been coming late for work and everyone in the family was complaining about it," said Satish. "Then, one day, your Baba gave me this watch and told me, 'now that you have a watch, you can't be late'." That was the scolding Satish received. On the fourth day after Baba's death, my sister and I had to perform a ceremony. Since several relatives were expected, we decided to order lunch from a caterer in our locality, reputed for his home cooked food. But, when we went to pay the owner, we got a surprise. He refused to accept any money! "When I wanted to start my catering business, it was your father who lent me money," he told us. It seems Baba never asked for it back. Now, after four or five years, the caterer wanted to repay that debt. Of course, we made him accept the full payment for the fine food and service. 'It was Baba's gift and it ought to remain so," I told him.

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