NBSE Class 11 Question Paper 2021 for English

Total number of printed pages : 5 NB /XI/ENG/1

2021
ENGLISH
Full marks : 80 Time : 3 hours

General instructions:
i) Approximately 15 minutes is allotted to read the question paper and revise the
answers.
ii) The question paper consists of 14 questions. All questions are compulsory.
iii) Marks are indicated against each question.
iv) Internal choice has been provided in some questions.
N.B: Check that all pages of the question paper is complete as indicated on the top left side.

SECTION-A (Literature)

1. Answer the following questions: 5x2=10
(a) Why did the boy not run away when the woman finally let go of his neck?
(b) What was Foreman’s reply when the Vicar asked him to learn to read and
write?
(c) How did Lessing’s friend , a black writer teach himself to read?
(d) Why was the boy not able to say more than ‘Thank You’?
(e) What is the greatest irony of the diamond maker’s life?

2. Answer any one of the following questions in about 150 words:
a. Write a note on the character and appearance of Albert Foreman.
Or 5
b. What are some of the problems in getting books to the interior regions of
Zimbabwe? Is the reaction of the people worth it, however ,once the books
reach?

3. Read the lines from the poem and answer any two questions that follow:

I. If you can meet with triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools.
(a) Why does the poet call Triumph and Disaster as imposters? 1
(b) Why does he think both should be treated the same? 1
(c) Explain the last two lines in your own words. 1

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II. They,too,aware of sun and air and water
Are fed by peaceful harvests,
By war’s long winter star’vd.

(a) Who are ‘they’ being referred to here? 1
(b) What does the speaker mean by saying that they are ‘aware of sun and air
and water’? 1
(c) What do you understand by the words ‘war’s long winter starv’d’? 1

III. Men are so pleasant,so easy to please,
Whenever you’re with them, you’re always at ease,
Would you be slighted if I didn’t speak for hours?
(a) Who says these words and to whom? 1
(b) Why did he say men are pleasant and easy to please? 1
(c) What is meant by ‘slighted’? 1

4. What are the characteristics of a ‘man’ in the poem ‘If’? 4

5. ‘I’m sorry if we are a little late, Algernon, but I was obliged to call on dear Lady
Harbury. I hadn’t been there since her poor husband’s death. I never saw a
woman so altered; she looks quite twenty years younger. And now I’ll have a cup
of tea, and one of those nice cucumber sandwiches you promised me’.

(a) Who does ‘we’ refer to in the above lines? 1
(b) What idea is highlighted through Lady Harbury’s altered appearance? 2
(c) What is the importance of ‘cucumber sandwiches’ in the play,’
‘The Importance of Being Earnest’? 2
Or
When and why does Ernest disclose his double identity? (5)

6. Answer any two of the following questions in about 150 words: 5x2=10
(a) What incident marks the turning point in Swaminathan’s life?
(b) Who were the people Swami admired most in his class?
(c) Write the character sketch of Mani.

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SECTION –B (Reading)

7. Leisure
I lay in sorrow, deep distressed
My grief a proud man heard;
His looks were cold,he gave me gold,
But not a kindly word.
My sorrow passed- I paid him back,
The gold he gave to me
Then stood erect and spoke my thanks;
And blessed his charity,
I lay in want and grief, and pain,
A poor man passed my way,
He bound my head,he gave me bread,
He watched me night and day.
How shall I pay him back again
For all he did to me?
Oh, gold is great, but greater far
Is heavenly sympathy.

(i) Based on your reading of the poem ,complete the following in the space
provided . 4x½=2

The poet was once in deep distress. A rich man who heard about his sorrow
helped him with gold but uttered no ____word. Now he met a poor man who kept
sympathetic watch over him,and gave him____and nursed his best to care him. He
could not think of how he could_____him back. Money can be repaid but ___is
heavenly quality which can never be paid back.

(ii) Find words in the poem that mean the same as: 2x1=2
(a) Upright
(b) Goodwill

8. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
It is important to know what subject to avoid, as what subject to select for
good conversation. If you don’t want to be set down as a wet blanket or a bore, be
careful to avoid certain unpleasant topics. Avoid talking about yourself, unless you are
asked to do so. People are interested in their own problems than in yours.
Sickness and death bore everybody. The only one who willingly listens
to such talk is the doctor, but he gets paid for it. To be a good conversationalist you
must know not only what to say but how to say it, be civil and modest. Don’t over
emphasize your own importance. Be mentally quick and witty, but don’t hurt others

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with your wit. Finally , try to avoid mannerism in your conversation. Don’t bite your
lips,or click your tongue ,or roll your eyes,or move hands excessively as you speak.
Don’t be like the Frenchman who said “How can I talk, you hold my hands?”
Based on your reading of the passage, answer the following questions:
I.(a) Who is set down as a wet blanket? 1
(b) What kind of talk would a doctor willingly listen to,and why? 2
II. Give words from the passage which mean the same as: 2x1=2
i. shirk ii. peculiar habit

9. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu’s attention was caught by a large slum near the
school where she served as Principal.She was deeply moved by the condition of
the lowly creatures. Their suffering stirred her inner self and she gave up her
comfortable life. After she took Indian citizenship in 1948, she went about
collecting human wrecks on the streets; housed them and begged from door to
door for food.
She founded the Missionaries of Charity in1950 with just a few
sisters. In 1956,she founded the ‘Nirmal Hriday’ , a home for the dying destitutes
in the house donated by the Calcutta corporation authorities. She also founded
leper colonies and clinics for the poorest section of the society. In 1963, she
founded the Missionary Brother of Charity. Today, they run hundreds of homes
in Asia,Europe, America and Australia. She became renowned world over, as
Mother Teresa
She won many awards and honours. She won the Nobel Peace Prize
in 1979 and Bharat Ratna in 1980. In 1990 she was conferred the Soviet Land
Nehru Award for promoting friendship among the people and helping the poor
and the unfortunate. She had received the honour as ‘ Angel of Peace’ . The
awards and admiration had not changed her life and her sisters. She devoted her
life to the service of mankind. She also led various peace missions. She began
with a fervent desire to do for the others and ended her life long service by
setting up institutions for the helpless, handicapped,orphans and leprosy-infected
victims.
She was an admirable person who never liked talking about herself and
felt at peace among the people of her homes.

a. What made Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu’s give up her comfortable life? 1
b. How did she earn her name ‘ Mother Teresa’? 2
c. What was Mother Teresa awarded with in 1990 and why? 2
e. Find word in the passage which means the same as ‘ felt very strongly’. 1

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SECTION-C (Writing)

10. Draft a poster on ‘Kindness to Animals’ to be displayed in your town at public
places.
Or 4
Your school is going to organize its Literary Day. As the Secretary of the
Literary Club ,put up a notice on the school notice board inviting interested
students to send their names to take part in the various competitions in not more
than 50 words.

11. Imagine a day when everything got lost or went wrong in some ways but then
suddenly something marvelous happened at the end of the day. Write a diary
entry describing a funny but detailed account.
Or 5
Write a report on the ‘ Malaria Awareness Programme’ organized in your
school, to spread awareness among students.

12. You are Sunita, a resident of Dimapur. You have been witnessing over –speeding
and rash driving in your locality which has been affecting the pedestrians. Write
a letter to the editor of a local newspaper, highlighting the dangers/problems
faced and also give few possible solutions. 6

SECTION-D (Grammar)

13. You recently joined a new school and on the first day the Principal gave some
important instructions. You tell your friends in your neighbourhood what the
Principal said. (Remember to use indirect speech)
# Be regular and sincere in your study.
# Follow the rules and regulations of the school.
# Be obedient and respect your teachers.
# Wear proper uniforms daily.
# Be punctual. 5

14. Write 5 (five) ways which can help you improve your performance at school.
(Remember to use the Passive Voice) 5