1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

I have developed a very effective morning ritual that consistently gets my day off to a joyful and peace-filled start. The way you begin your day determines the way you will live your day. I call the first 30 minutes after you wake up 'The Platinum since they are truly the most valuable moments of your day and have a profound influence on the quality of every minute that follows. If you have the wisdom and self-discipline to ensure that during this key period, you think only the purest of thoughts and take only the finest of actions, you will notice that your day will unfold in the most marvellous way.

Recently, I took my two young children to see the thrilling IMAX movie -Everest. Aside from the breath-taking imagery and the powerful acts of heroism portrayed, there was one point that stayed with me: in order for the mountain­climbers to scale the summit, it was essential for them to have a good base camp, It was impossible for them to get to the top without that camp at the bottom that offered them a sanctuary for rest, renewal and replenishing. Once they reached Camp Two, they returned to the base for a few weeks to recharge their batteries. On reaching Camp Three, they hastily retreated to the base camp to prepare for the trek to Camp Four. And on reaching Camp Four, they again went back down the mountain to the base camp before making their fin81 push for the summit. In the same way, I think that every one of us, in order to reach our personal summits and master the daily challenges of our own lives, needs to revisit our base camps during 'The Platinum 30: We need to go to a place where we can reconnect to our life's mission, renew ourselves and refocus on the things that matter most.

In my own life, I have developed a very effective morning ritual that consistently gets my day off to a joyful and peace-filled start. After waking, I head down to my "personal sanctuary," a little space I have created for myself where I can practice my renewal activities without being disturbed. I then spend about 15 minutes in silent contemplation, focusing on all the good things in my life and envisioning the day that I expect is about to unfold. This gives me a lot of peace and tranquillity.

Next, I pick up a book from the wisdom literature, one rich with those timeless truths of successful living that are so easy to forget in these fast-paced times we live in. Examples include Meditations by the Roman philosopher Marcus Aurelius, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and Walden by Henry David Thoreau. These books are a treasure-house of wisdom, knowledge and inspiration.

The lessons in these works centre me on the things that truly count and help launch my day on the right footing. And the wisdom I read during that precious early morning period infuses and enlightens every remaining minute of my day. So start your day well. You will never be the same.

After reading the passage, complete the sentences below

The first few minutes of the day after you wake up are the most precious as

The rest of the day can be most exceptional if during 'The Platinum minutes

Two most striking things that the author remembers about the movie 'Everest' are and

From the movie 'Everest' the writer learnt the lesson that

Revisiting our base camps during 'The Platinum means

By suggesting that we visit our base camp every morning, the writer actually means we should

'Inner sanctuary' refers to

(viii) By reading books that provide lessons for life the writer gains a lot because he

The lessons learnt help the writer during the rest of the day as they provide him

Starting the day in the way suggested by the writer will enable you to

State whether the following statements are True or False:

'The Platinum refers to a kind of jewellery.

Wisdom literature gives readers inspiration and knowledge about life.

The writer begins his day with a visit to a sanctuary.

Going back to where you started from, again and again, wastes a lot of time.

We need to renew ourselves and not lose focus on the things that matter most in life.

Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate words from those given below. You may change the form of the word if required.

(e.g. -contemplate -contemplating)

Choose from­
profound, replenish, contemplate, launch, envision

The teachings of Shri Aurobindo have had a effect on me.

I am whether to go home or watch a movie with my friends.

The of a new scheme by the government to ensure health and medical care for all mothers and children is a great step.

Our food stocks have finished. We need to them.

Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation a country not only free from foreign rule but where everyone lived in harmony.

2. Fill in the blanks with the adverbs given below. You may use an adverb more than once.

never, usually, increasingly, often, initially, patiently, generally, totally, normally, repeatedly

An addict pursues an experience to satisfy his curiosity. He, then, feels a strong urge to experience it again and again in order to function The urge to perform something is within him. His life gets distorted under the effect of the addictive experience. Without it life seems to be somewhat incomplete and he soon becomes dependent. Other experiences that could bring potential pleasure are no longer attractive and are ignored. When we think about an addict's addiction to drugs or alcohol, we focus on the negative aspects of the addiction. For us, the addict's increasing inability to function without the is dismaying. Quite getting the addict to keep off drinking or drugs is quite challenging for relatives who sympathize with himlher. It is important to remember then an addict needs to be treated

3. Use the correct degree of adjectives in the brackets:

This is a (good) painting than the one you made last year.

The bag is too (heavy). I cannot lift it.

Raima is (interested) in watching movies than playing cricket.

The (beautiful) relationship is the one between a mother and her child.

The (exciting) holiday I ever had was in Goa.

It is (important) to have healthy food than to go on a diet.

Students who have a (superior) linguistic ability do well in other subjects too.

Rohan waited for a (long) time to meet the manager.

This is the (high) bridge in the world.

The businessman, who was
(wealthy), was also very kind.

4. Identify the main clause in the sentences given below. Write the main clause only in your answer book.

I met a woman who can speak five languages.

You must get up early if you want to go for a walk with me.

Susan's dog follows her wherever she goes.

As it was raining, we didn't go swimming.

Because I was very tired, I decided to sleep early.

5. Use linkers to join the phrases or sentences given below:

Do you Hindi? speak English Do you speak

It was a holiday. I made a plan to go hiking with my friends.

I did not enjoy the movie. It was based on science fiction.

Mumbai is a wonderful city. I love going there.

going to write a new book. The book will be about life in a metro.

6. Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions. You may choose a preposition more than once. Choose from­

before, since, through, to, at, in, over, into, on

We arrived the hotel at 2 am in the morning.

Ever his accident, he's been afraid of flying.

They succeeded escaping from the robbers.

Seema returned her parents' home to complete her studies.

There is a bridge the river.

The players went a cafe to celebrate their victory.

They climbed the hill.

Everybody was nervous the examination.

The office is the first floor.

A bird flew in the window and frightened the baby.

7. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb forms of the verbs in the brackets:

I (learn) German for three years now.

Ritu works in the factory where the big robbery (take) place.

Sheela (stand) beside Siya and teaching her how to cook.

I (think) your brother enjoyed himself at the party last night.

Aashish (not come) back from his coaching class. It is late.

8. Many students do not get the opportunity to pursue higher education in our country. Write arguments for and against the need to open more government colleges, especially in the rural areas. (200 words)

9. You are Rakesh/Rohini. You have joined college recently. Write a letter to a friend telling him/her about your course and the various activities that students can participate in at college. Tell him/her which activities you plan to join.

10. Imagine you are a newspaper reporter. You attended the closing ceremony of a college festival in which· many colleges participated. Write a report of the event for your newspaper.