Reading Comprehension: Sands of Time

• This question paper contains 7 printed pages.
• The Q.P. Code is on the right side and candidate has to write it on the title page of the answer-book.
• There are 7 questions in the question paper.
• Write down serial number of question in answer-book before attempting it.
• 15 minutes are allotted to read the question paper, from 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., during which students should not write any answers.
• The question paper has three sections are: Reading, Writing & Grammar and Literature.
• Questions should be attempted based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A: Reading

• Section A Tests Reading Ability for 10 marks
• Passage is called "Sifting through the sands of time"
• When at the beach one is stepping on ancient mountains, skeletons of marine animals, and tiny diamonds.
• Sand is a mineral treasure-trove, storing a record of Earth’s geological and earth-changing processes.
• Sand is pleasurable as adults relax on it and children play on it.
• Sand can be annoying when it contaminates food.
• By examining sand, a geological past and history of marine life over thousands or millions of years is discovered.
• Sand covers seashores, ocean beds, deserts, and mountains
• Sand is one of Earth's most common substances.
• Concrete is largely sand, an essential element in man-made substance.
• Glass is made of little else other than sand.
• Sand is larger than fine dust but smaller than shingle
• Sand consists of tiny pebbles or porous granules, depending on its origin and age.
• Sand grain shapes can be spirals or stars and have edges that can be jagged or smooth.
• Erosion of rocks, skeletons of marine organisms, or volcanic eruptions are sources of sand.
• The color of sand indicates origins.
• White sands may be from crystalline quartz rocks, nearby coral outcrops, or gypsum.
• On Pacific islands, black sands are formed from volcanic minerals.
• Older granules of sand are finer and have smoother edges.
• White beaches are recycled from sandstone many millions of years old.
• Sand cushions land from the sea and protects shores better than coastal technology.

Extraction And Purification Of Drinking Water

• Some drink bottled water instead of city tap water.
• Bottled water is typically derived from underground sources.
• Bottling companies may construct a water table well to extract water from an unconfined aquifer if there are no natural exit points for underground water.
• This happens when the Earth's natural water level is lower than the Earth's surface.
• In valleys or gully on a mountain, the water table may be higher than the Earth's surface which causes a spring to emerge.
• Bottling companies extract water from a hole drilled into an underground spring, but the composition must match nearby naturally surfacing type.
• Artesian water comes from a confined aquifer which is a deep underground cavity of porous rock, holding water under pressure .
• Companies drill into the confined aquifer to access this water.
• The pressurized nature causes the water to rise, forming a flowing artesian well and explosive fountain on the Earth's surface if the surface is lower than the natural water table.
• An extraction pump can draw artesian water for surfaces not lower than the natural water table.
• Bottled water is advertised as “purified”, that undergoes cleansing processes.
• Reverse osmosis is when water is pressed through microscopic membranes, preventing larger contaminants from passing through.
• Microscopic holes obstruct germs, and are effective against salt, nitrates, and lime scale.
• A lot of unusable water is a generated as a by-product to reverse osmosis, which must be thrown away.
• Ultraviolet (UV) light is a newer option to treat pathogens.
• UV light has natural antibacterial qualities.
• This process subjects water to achieve a sufficient strength of UV light while being passed through a treatment chamber.
• Light removes the DNA of harmful germs, preventing replication.
• UV light neutralizes highly resistant viral agents such as hepatitis.
• The overall effects of UV light treatment are variable.
• Many municipal water treatment processes rely on chlorination
• Chlorination has a comprehensive antimicrobial effect, is extremely inexpensive, and ensures water is contaminant-free through pipes and to the taps of domestic homes.
• Many are suspicious of water treated with a harsh chemical.
• Because it is affordable and easy to use, chlorine makes tainted water supplies safe after natural disasters.

Section B: Writing and Grammar

• The Writing and Grammar section is worth 10 marks
• Rita/Rahul found information on local yoga camp on the club-notice board.
• Free yoga camp for students aims to remain fit, tackle stress, and build concentration.
• A letter must be written to Yoga Institute located at M.G. Road, Pune to enquire details about the course.
• Details to enquire are about timing, batch size, and eligibility.
• Internet provides information at the click of a button which causes children to live in comfort zone.
• This causes children to face long-term consequences and affects the brain.
• An analytical paragraph of up to 120 words must be written, based on the images given.
• Paragraph should focus on activities to improve brain power.

Visually Impaired Candidates

• Visually impaired candidates must write an analytical paragraph based on report provided, between 100-120 words.
• According to a study, fun brain games improve memory, thinking speed, and cognitive skills.
• Paper and pencil engages the brain and enhances memory more effectively compared to using a keyboard, especially for older people.

Error Correction

• Error correction section is worth 3 marks.
• There is one error in each line of the paragraph and has to be identified.
• Correction has to be written against the corresponding blank number and underlined.
• The error in (e.g.) for is of

Read the conversation below and complete the passage that follows

• Completion section is worth 2 marks.
• Rahul said it was difficult to fight against peer pressure as youth easily get influenced by the lifestyle of its peers.
• Radhika replied that peer pressure had its benefits as well because peers motivate and inspire people to improve and work hard.

Section C: Literature

• The Literature section accounts for 20 marks
• Six questions in 30-40 words each must be answered (6x2=12)
• Two of the following has to be answered in about 120 words each (2x4=8)
• For Buddha, peace of mind is obtained, according to 'The Sermon at Benares.'
• "Don't bite your nails Amanda! Don't hunch your shoulders Amanda!" reflects Amanda's mother and Amanda.
• Walt Whitman prefers living with animals in 'Animals' and justification for this has to be provided.
• Write a brief character sketch of Lomov from 'The Proposal.'
• List the essential qualities for becoming a scientist, per Ebright's teacher ('The Making of a Scientist.')
• Describe the young lawyer's emotions when he came to know the reality of the hack driver.
• Write about what attracts visitors to Coorg from 'Glimpses of India.'
• Matilda's realization that negligence leads to ruin, and the lessons learned and how to move on in life from 'The Necklace' is asked.
• Write a speech on 'Girl Education and Empowerment' to be given by Bholi.
• Vallie was mature and ahead of her age. Justify using evidence from text, in 'Madam Rides the Bus.'