Q1. Make a precis of the given passage and suggest a suitable heading:
We’re dealing with a very dramatic and very fundamental paradigm shift here. You may try to lubricate your social interactions with personality techniques and skills, but in the process, you may truncate the vital character base. You can’t have the fruits without the roots. It’s the principle of sequencing: Private victory precedes Public Victory. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation of good relationships with others. Some people say that you have to like yourself before you can like others. I think that idea has merit, but if you don’t know yourself, if you don’t control yourself, if you don’t have mastery over yourself, it’s very hard to like yourself, except in some short-term, psych-up, superficial way. Real self-respect comes from dominion over self from true independence. Independence is an achievement. Interdependence is a choice only independent people can make. Unless we are willing to achieve real independence, it’s foolish to try to develop human relations skills. We might try. We might even have some degree of success when the sun is shining. But when the difficult times come—and they will—we won’t have the foundation to keep things together. The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are. And if our words and actions come from superficial human relations techniques (the Personality Ethic) rather than from our own inner core (the Character Ethic), others will sense that duplicity. We simply won’t be able to create and sustain the foundation necessary for effective interdependence. The techniques and skills that really make a difference in human interaction are the ones that almost naturally flow from a truly independent character. So the place to begin building any relationship is inside ourselves, inside our Circle of Influence, our own character. As we become independent—proactive, centered in correct principles, value-driven, and able to organize and execute around the priorities in our life with integrity—we then can choose to become interdependent, capable of building rich, enduring, highly productive relationships with other people.Solution:
Heading: Character First, Relationships Second
Precis:
True and lasting relationships are built on a strong personal character, not just on social skills or techniques. Private victory—self-mastery, self-discipline, and self-knowledge—precedes public success in relationships. Without understanding and controlling oneself, it is impossible to develop genuine self-respect or like oneself in a meaningful way. Independence is an achievement, and only independent individuals can choose interdependence. Relationships based solely on superficial techniques are fragile and fail during difficult times. Real human relations skills naturally flow from a strong character grounded in principles, integrity, and correct values. Therefore, the foundation for effective interdependence begins with inner development, self-discipline, and proactive character building. Once independence is achieved, one can form rich, enduring, and productive relationships with others.
Q2. Read the following passage and answer the questions given at the end, in
YOUR OWN WORDS. (20)
We look before and after, wrote Shelley, and pine for what is not. It is said that this is what distinguishes us from the animals and that they, unlike us, live always for and in the movement and have neither hopes nor regrets. Whether it is so or not I do not know, yet it is undoubtedly one of our distinguishing mental attributes: we are actually conscious of our life in time and not merely of our life at the moment of experiencing it. And as a result, we find many grounds for melancholy and foreboding. Some of us prostrate ourselves on the roadway in Trafalgar Square or in front of the American Embassy because we are fearful that our lives, or more disinterestedly those of our descendants, will be cut short by nuclear war.
If only, as squirrels or butterflies are supposed to do, we could let the future look after itself and be content to enjoy the pleasures of the morning breakfast, the brisk walk to the office through autumnal mist or winter fog, the mid-day sunshine that sometimes floods through windows, the warm, peaceful winter evenings by the fireside at home. Yet all occasions for contentment are so often spoiled for us, to a greater or lesser degree, by our individual temperaments, by this strange human capacity for foreboding and regret—regret for things which we cannot undo and foreboding for things which may never happen at all.
Indeed, were it not for the fact that over breaking through our human obsessions with the tragedy of time, so enabling us to enjoy at any rate some fleeting moments untroubled by vain yearning or apprehension, our life would not be intolerable at all. As it is, we contrive, every one of us, to spoil it to a remarkable degree.
Questions
- What is the difference between our life and the life of an animal? (3)
- What is the result of human anxiety? (3)
- How does the writer compare man to the butterflies and squirrels? (3)
- How does anxiety about future disturb our daily life? (3)
- How can we make our life tolerable? (3)
- Explain the underlined words/phrases in the passage. (5)
(a) What is the difference between our life and the life of an animal?
Humans are aware of their lives in the past, present, and future, unlike animals who live only in the moment. Animals have no regrets or anxieties, while humans constantly think about what has happened and what may happen.
(b) What is the result of human anxiety?
Human anxiety leads to melancholy, worry, and fear. It can make people overly concerned about future dangers, such as war, and spoil their peace of mind.
(c) How does the writer compare man to the butterflies and squirrels?
The writer compares humans to butterflies and squirrels, which live freely and enjoy the present. Unlike humans, they do not worry about the future or regret the past.
(d) How does anxiety about future disturb our daily life?
Anxiety about the future prevents us from enjoying simple pleasures like breakfast, walks, sunshine, or peaceful evenings. It fills our lives with unnecessary fear and regret, spoiling contentment.
(e) How can we make our life tolerable?
We can make life tolerable by overcoming obsessions with the past and future, and by enjoying small, untroubled moments in the present. Living in the moment reduces anxiety and increases happiness.
(f) Explain the underlined words/phrases in the passage:
Pine for what is not – Long or yearn for things that do not exist.
Prostrate ourselves – Lie down in extreme fear, grief, or helplessness.
Foreboding – A feeling that something bad will happen; anxiety about the future.
Fleeting moments – Short-lived or temporary moments.
Vain yearning or apprehension – Useless desire or unnecessary worry.
1. One may smile and smile, and be a villain.
2. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
3. No sensible man ever made an apology.
4. Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own.
Solution:
1. One may smile and smile, and be a villain
People may appear friendly and kind outwardly, yet harbor evil intentions. A pleasant smile does not always reflect true character. One should judge others by their actions rather than appearances.
2. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
Life is short and opportunities are fleeting. We should enjoy youth, happiness, and every moment without delay. Postponing joys may lead to regret, so we must make the most of the present.
3. No sensible man ever made an apology
A wise person rarely apologizes lightly, as it may weaken their position. Apologies should be meaningful and reserved for serious mistakes. Sensible individuals act responsibly to avoid unnecessary regrets.
4. Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own
We can think and plan as we wish, but the results of our actions are often beyond our control. Life’s outcomes depend on many factors, so we must act wisely and accept consequences calmly.
Q4. (a) Choose the word that is nearly similar in meaning to the word in capital
letters. * (5)
(1) ARCHIPELAGO:
Reef
Glacier
Cluster of islands
Lagoon
(2) PIAZZA:
Cheese dish
Veranda
Public Square
Style or dash
(3) BAKLAVA:
Stringed instrument
Dessert
Whining dance
Gratuity
(4) IONIC:
Indian stone monument
Greek architecture
Roman Sculpture
Mediterranean Sea
(5) CICERONE:
Teacher
Literary classic
Chaperone
Guide
Solution:
- ARCHIPELAGO – Cluster of islands ✅
- PIAZZA – Public Square ✅
- BAKLAVA – Dessert ✅
- IONIC – Greek architecture ✅
- CICERONE – Guide ✅
(1) DESICCATE:
Lengthen
Hallow
Exonerate
Saturate
Anesthetize
(2) APOTHEOSIS:
Departure from tradition
Impatience with stupidity
Demotion from glory
Surrender to impulse
Cause for grief
(3) SPUNK:
Success
Timidity
Growing awareness
Loss of prestige
Lack of intelligence
(4) CAVIL:
Discern
Disclose
Introduce
Flatter
Commend
(5) RAUCOUS:
Orderly
Absorbent,
Boyant
Mellifluous
Contentious
Solution:
- DESICCATE – Saturate ✅
- APOTHEOSIS – Demotion from glory ✅
- SPUNK – Timidity ✅
- CAVIL – Commend ✅
- RAUCOUS – Mellifluous ✅
1. International Humanitarian Law forbids actions leading to unnecessary death and
suffering.
2. Why should I antagonize you?
3. Let Manchoo be told about the jokes of Mulla Nasiruddin.
4. Whv have the roads not been constructed by the government in this part of the
country?
5. Do not kill your ability by roaming in the streets.
6. Your cousin is drawing a large sum of money from his account.
7. The arrangements of holding the Art Exhibition could not be completed on time.
8. Build your house when cement is cheap;
Solution:
Q5. (a) Change the Voice of any FIVE of the following sentences: (5)
- International Humanitarian Law forbids actions leading to unnecessary death and suffering.
→ Actions leading to unnecessary death and suffering are forbidden by International Humanitarian Law. - Why should I antagonize you?
→ Why should you be antagonized by me? - Let Manchoo be told about the jokes of Mulla Nasiruddin.
→ Let the jokes of Mulla Nasiruddin be told to Manchoo. - Why have the roads not been constructed by the government in this part of the country?
→ Why has the government not constructed the roads in this part of the country? - Do not kill your ability by roaming in the streets.
→ Let not your ability be killed by roaming in the streets.
1. Passing through ten different cities, Karachi is the most active.
2. He was laid up for six weeks with two broken ribs.
3. Someone showed the visitors in the room.
4. Until you remain idle you will make no progress.
5. It is very wrong to be devoted to lying and cheating.
6. He told me that he is waiting for me since a long time.
7. The .house stood up in the dull street because of its red door.
8. He brought the articles to the market which he wanted to sell.
Solution:
Q5. (b) Correct any FIVE of the following sentences: (5)
- Passing through ten different cities, Karachi is the most active.
→ Among ten different cities, Karachi is the most active. - He was laid up for six weeks with two broken ribs.
→ He was laid up for six weeks with two broken ribs. - Someone showed the visitors in the room.
→ Someone showed the visitors the room. - Until you remain idle you will make no progress.
→ If you remain idle, you will make no progress. - It is very wrong to be devoted to lying and cheating.
→ It is very wrong to be devoted to lying and cheating. - He told me that he is waiting for me since a long time.
→ He told me that he had been waiting for me for a long time. - The house stood up in the dull street because of its red door.
→ The house stood out in the dull street because of its red door. - He brought the articles to the market which he wanted to sell.
→ He brought the articles which he wanted to sell to the market.
6. (a) Use any FIVE of the following in your own sentences to bring out their
meaning: (5)
1. To bring grist to the mill.
2. Set one s cap at.
3. To draw the long bow.
4. To send a person to Coventry .
5. Beer and skittles.
6. The acid test.
7. A skeleton in the cupboard.
8. To discover a mare’s nest.
Solution:
- To bring grist to the mill – Every new idea you suggest brings grist to the mill of our project.
- Set one’s cap at – She has set her cap at becoming the CEO of the company.
- To draw the long bow – Don’t believe him; he tends to draw the long bow about his achievements.
- To send a person to Coventry – After the argument, they sent him to Coventry and ignored him completely.
- Beer and skittles – Life is not all beer and skittles; one has to work hard to succeed.
- The acid test – The final exam will be the acid test of all your preparation.
- A skeleton in the cupboard – Everyone has a skeleton in the cupboard that they prefer to keep secret.
- To discover a mare’s nest – He thought he found a huge scandal, but it turned out to be discovering a mare’s nest.
Q6. (B) Use FIVE of the following pairs of words in your own sentences so as to
bring out their meanings: * (10)
1. Auger, Augur
2. Fain, Feign
3. Emigrate, Immigrate
4. Envy, Jealousy
5. Invade, Attack
6. Trifling, Trivial
7. Simulation, Dissimulation
8. Venal, Venial
Solution:
Venal, Venial – The politician was venal, accepting bribes openly, while a small lie like that was considered venial by the teacher.
- Auger, Augur – The carpenter used an auger to drill a hole, while the old man tried to augur the future from the patterns of the clouds.
- Fain, Feign – I would fain accept your invitation, but I had to feign illness to avoid going.
- Emigrate, Immigrate – My uncle decided to emigrate from India, and my cousin plans to immigrate to Canada next year.
- Envy, Jealousy – He felt envy when he saw his friend’s new car, but her jealousy made her suspicious of everyone around her.
- Invade, Attack – The enemy army planned to invade the territory, while a group of rebels tried to attack the local fort.
- Trifling, Trivial – They argued over a trifling matter, which seemed completely trivial in importance.
- Simulation, Dissimulation – The pilot practiced in a flight simulation, while the spy’s dissimulation hid his true intentions.