English Previous Year Paper 2019

Question 1. A language can be acquired through-

(a) exposure

(b) motivation

(c) repetition

(d) all of the above

Answer: (d) all of the above

Exposure to the language, motivation to learn it and repeated meaningful practice all contribute to language acquisition.

Question 2. What are the two productive skills?

(a) listening-speaking

(b) speaking-writing

(c) reading-writing

(d) listening-reading

Answer: (b) speaking-writing

Speaking and writing are called productive skills because learners produce language through speech or written text. Listening and reading are receptive skills.

Question 3. The aim of teaching a second language should not be-

(a) to understand the language spoken

(b) to read the language with comprehension

(c) to forget the mother-tongue

(d) to write the language correctly

Answer: (c) to forget the mother-tongue

The purpose of second-language teaching is to develop the learner's ability to understand, read, speak and write the target language. Forgetting the mother tongue is not an objective of second-language teaching.

Question 4. Which composition provides students with free thinking?

(a) Writing composition

(b) Oral composition

(c) Guided composition

(d) Free composition

Answer: (d) Free composition

Free composition gives learners freedom to organise and express their own ideas with minimum external guidance.

Question 5. Objective of teaching poetry is-

(a) enjoyment

(b) comprehension

(c) appreciation

(d) all of these

Answer: (d) all of these

Teaching poetry aims at enjoyment, comprehension and appreciation of the poem, including its ideas, emotions, rhythm and beauty.

Question 6. Change the following into Passive Voice- All his friends laughed at him.

Answer: He was laughed at by all his friends.

Question 7. Change the following into Superlative Degree- Lead is heavier than all other metals.

Answer: Lead is the heaviest of all metals.

Question 8. Point out the adjective in the following sentence- There has not been sufficient rain this year.

Answer: The adjective is sufficient, as it describes the quantity of the noun 'rain'.

Question 9. Write one word for the following expression- One who knows many languages.

Answer: Polyglot.

Question 10. Complete the following sentence- I will see you _____ 4:15 p.m.

Answer: I will see you at 4:15 p.m.

Question 11. Change the following into Past Perfect Tense- You were speaking to someone.

Answer: You had spoken to someone.

Question 12. Change the following into an interrogative sentence- He will never forget my kindness.

Answer: Will he ever forget my kindness?

The negative assertive sentence is changed into an affirmative interrogative sentence while preserving its meaning. Therefore, 'never' changes to 'ever'.

Question 13. Correct the following sentences:

1. We discussed about the matter yesterday.
2. John is tired in doing this work.

Answer:

1. We discussed the matter yesterday.
   The verb 'discuss' takes a direct object, so 'about' is unnecessary.
2. John is tired of doing this work.
   The correct expression is 'tired of doing something' when someone is weary of or fed up with an activity.

Question 14. Define an adjective with example.

Answer: An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun by giving additional information about its quality, quantity, number or condition.

Examples: honest man, beautiful flower, tall boy, five books and little water.

Question 15. Complete the spellings of the following words:

1. b_l__ve
2. s_r_k_

Answer:

1. believe
2. strike

Question 16. Write a letter to your friend inviting him to attend your sister's marriage.

Answer:

24, Shastri Nagar
Lucknow
10 May 2019

Dear Rohit,

I am very happy to inform you that my sister's marriage will take place on 18 May. I cordially invite you to attend the marriage ceremony with your family. Please come a day or two earlier so that we can spend some time together and you can also join us in the preparations.

I hope you will certainly come and make the occasion more joyful.

With best wishes,

Your loving friend,
XYZ

Question 17. Change the following into Indirect Speech:

1. He said, "I am hungry."
2. Raju said, "Ramesh has been eating food."

Answer:

1. He said that he was hungry.
2. Raju said that Ramesh had been eating food.

When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the present tense generally changes appropriately into the corresponding past tense in indirect speech.

Question 18. Write four sentences on any one of the following topics:

1. Pollution
2. The Value of Health

Answer:

(i) Pollution:

1. Pollution is the contamination of our environment by harmful substances.
2. Air, water, soil and noise pollution adversely affect human beings and other living organisms.
3. Pollution can be reduced by keeping our surroundings clean, planting trees and controlling waste and harmful emissions.
4. Every person should help protect the environment to ensure a healthy future.

(ii) The Value of Health:

1. Good health is one of the greatest blessings of life.
2. A healthy person can work efficiently, study properly and enjoy life.
3. Regular exercise, nutritious food, cleanliness and adequate rest help us remain healthy.
4. Therefore, the saying "Health is wealth" rightly emphasises the great value of good health.