Session Ending Examination 2017-18

SESSION ENDING EXAMINATION 2017-18

CLASS VIII

SUBJECT - ENGLISH

TIME ALLOWED 2:30 HOURS MAX. MARKS:80

SECTION A / Reading Comprehension / 20 MARKS
SECTION B / Writing Skills / Grammar / 30 MARKS
SECTION C / Literature / 30 MARKS

General instructions:

(i)All the questions are compulsory. Attempt all the sections.

(ii)You may attempt any section at a time.

(iii)All the questions of a particular section should be attempted in the correct order.

(iv)This paper contains 13 Questions.

(v)15 mins. extra time has been allotted to read this question paper.

SECTION A [READING] 20 MARKS

Q 1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:(8 Marks)

1. Tarantula is a large, fierce hairy spider. Despite their often large and hairy appearance, these spiders are not considered to be dangerous spiders. As with most spiders, they do possess venom, and a bite may cause some ill- effects. However, they are quite reluctant to bite , and will usually try to run away rather than be aggressive .
2. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that people bitten by a tarantula became ill. The patients fell into a dull, unhappy state. The only way to stir people out of this state was with music and they were supposed to dance until they were completely worn out. From this belief, a dance called the ‘tarantella’ was developed. It is a very lively Italian dance that gets faster and faster until the end. While the bite of the tarantula is fatal to insects, there is no evidence that it is so to humans as well.
3. Tarantulas are found in Southern Europe and are named after the city of Taranto in Italy. Like some other spiders, they don’t spin webs. Instead they dig burrows which they line with silk. They hibernate during winter. Tarantulas wait for their prey somewhat like tigers. They lie hidden within their burrows. As soon as their prey comes along, they rush out, bite it and then drag it into their burrows. The bite either kills the insects or paralyses it so that it becomes helpless. They suck out the blood and body juices. When it comes to their own young ones, tarantulas are very kind. They keep their cocoons in their houses, and carry them when they go out.

1.1 Answer the following questions: (1x8=8 Marks)

(a) A person bitten by a tarantula ______.

(b) A peculiar trait of these spiders is that they ______.

(c) If an insect is bitten by a tarantula ______.

(d) These creatures are different from spiders in the sense that they ______.

(e) Find a suitable word/expression from the passage that means similar to ‘spending

winters in a state like deep sleep.’

(f) Why are they called Tarantulas?

(g) Where do they keep their cocoons?

(h) Give a suitable title to the passage.

Q 2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (12 Marks)

1. Our Vedas consist of ancient theories, observations and principles about the mind and body connection which is now being proven by modern medicine. There are several reasons for headache – physical, emotional and mental factors, anxiety and tension are a few . Sometimes, headache can be a signal of an underlying disease. More than medicines, yoga therapy eminently suits any need. Yoga is a comprehensive mode of culturing the body and the mind. Using an ‘Integrated approach of Yoga’, the Yoga Research Centres have been able to cure tough diseases. The integrated approach includes breathing, asanas, pranayama, meditation and devotional sessions.
2. Yoga is aimed to unite the mind, the body and the spirit. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one and that if it is given the right yoga kit and tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic .It helps you become more aware of your body’s posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the middle of a stress –ridden environment.
3. Yoga asanas, especially the ones imitating the natural postures of animals, have a tremendous tranquilising effect without having to depend on common drugs . Pranayama inhibits random agitations in Pranic (energy) flows in Pranamayakosa, stabilising the autonomic nervous system. Dhyana and Samadhi culture the reaction of an individual to headache. By interrupting the vicious cycle of pain-agony-pain, it prevents headache from becoming a crippling problem.
4. Through asanas that calm you, the pranayama exercises inhibit random energy flows. The meditation cultivates and relaxes your mind. Yoga offers a holistic form of pain relief. It stops you from becoming locked in the vicious circle of pain-anxiety-pain.

2.1 Answer the following questions: (2x4 = 8 Marks)

a)How does Pranayama help the body?

b)How can one stay away from diseases?

c)What does integrated approach include?

d)Why is Yoga considered therapeutic?

2.2 Do as directed: (4 x 1 = 4 Marks)

(a) Find the word which means ‘ prevent’ (Para 4)

(b) Find the word which means ‘ greatly’(Para 1)

(c) Find the word opposite to ‘discord’? (Para 2)

(d) Find the word opposite to ‘stiff’? (Para 2)

SECTION B [WRITING &GRAMMAR] 30 MARKS

Q.3.You are Aman Dhamija, Head Boy of your school. Draft a notice in about 50 words for all the House Captains and Vice Captains to attend a meeting with the Principal and House Incharges to discuss the allocation of duties for maintaining cleanliness in the school. (4 Marks)

Q.4.You are a student of Class VIII. You wish to change your section. Write an application to the Principal of your school requesting him/ her to change your section. In your application, you must clearly mention a suitable reason for the change of section. (60-80 words)

(8 Marks)

Q.5.Given below is the beginning of a story. Use this beginning and develop a story (150-200 words) in any way you like. Don’t forget to give it a suitable heading. (8 Marks)

One day my sister and I were playing with a ball. The ball went into our neighbour’s house ……………….

Q.6. Fill in the blanks with brave enough/ colourful enough/ big enough/ kind enough

(1x4=4Marks)

a) The blue umbrella was ______for the brother and sister.

b) The lady was ______to chase the leopard.

c) The butterflies are ______to get noticed.

d) The man was ______to offer help.

Q.7. Fill in the blanks with all or both(1x3=3 Marks)

a)They _____cheered the team.

b)How much have you got? Give me ______of it.

c)I was invited to two parties last week but I didn’t go to ______of them.

Q.8. Rearrange the following words and phrases to make meaningful sentences.(1x3=3 Marks)

a) largest bird/ is the/ the ostrich/ in the world

b) for it/ it is/ that it is/ to fly/ so big/ impossible

c) can run/ race horses/ ostriches/ as fast as

SECTION C[LITERATURE] 30 MARKS

Q.9. Read the stanza given below and answer the questions which follow.(1x4=4Marks)

How can the bird that is born for joy,

Sit in a cage and sing.

How can a child when fears annoy,

But droop his tender wing

a)Name the poem from which the above lines have been taken.

b)What is the bird born for?

c)When can a bird not sing?

d)Pick out a pair of rhyming words from the above lines.

Q.10. Read the following extract and answer the questions which follow. (1x4=4Marks)

So his mother told him a story that her own mother had told her, when she herself was younger than little Ernest; that, at some future day, a child should be born near here, who was destined to become the greatest and noblest person of his time and whose face, in manhood, should bear an exact resemblance to the Great Stone Face. Many still had faith in this old prophecy. But others took it to be nothing but idle talk. And Ernest never forgot the story that his mother told him.

a)Who told Ernest’s mother a story and when?

b)What was the story told to her?

c)Did all the people believe in it?

d)Did Ernest forget the story his mother had told him?

Q.11. Answer the following questions briefly. ( Do any four) (2x4=8 Marks)

a)What signs do we find in Nature which show that the monsoons are about to end? (A Short Monsoon Diary)

b)Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?

c)Why did Bepin Babu change his mind about meeting Chunilal?

d)Why is adventure, which is risky, also pleasurable?

e) What did the poet himself say about his thoughts and poems? (The Great Stone Face- II)

Q.12. Answer the following questions briefly. ( Do any four) (2x4=8 Marks)

a) What did Princess September do to ensure the safety of her pet? How did the bird react to it?

b) What is it that Ranji finds difficult to explain at home?

c) What did Mrs. Sappleton say about the open window?

d) The boy offers to play a game with Allah Miyan.What is the game?

e) Why does Sir John say that James’ paper should not be published?

Q.13 What are the problems people in the hills face because of the nonstop rain during the monsoon season? Write in 80-100 words.

OR

Write in detail atleast three examples to show how science has been useful to us. (80-100 words)

(6 Marks)

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