UP Board Class 10 English Question Paper 2025 (Code 817 BH) with Answer Key and Solutions PDF is Available to Download

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks to identify the role or profession of Subhash Chandra Bose based on the information provided in the passage.


Step 2: Locating the Information:

The very first sentence of the passage states: ``Subhash Chandra Bose was a great leader of India."


Step 3: Final Answer:

This directly answers the question. The passage explicitly identifies him as a great leader. Therefore, option (D) is the correct choice.
Quick Tip: For direct questions in reading comprehension, the answer is often found in the opening or closing sentences of the first paragraph. Scan these areas first for keywords from the question.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks who was responsible for organizing the Indian National Army, according to the passage.


Step 2: Locating the Information:

The second paragraph of the passage describes Subhash Chandra Bose's journey and actions. The third sentence states: "He organised the Indian National Army, that fought many battles against the British forces."


Step 3: Final Answer:

The pronoun "He" in this sentence clearly refers to Subhash Chandra Bose from the preceding sentences. Thus, Subhash Chandra Bose organized the Indian National Army.
Quick Tip: In comprehension passages, always pay attention to pronouns like 'he', 'she', 'it', and 'they'. Make sure you understand which noun they are referring to, as this is often key to answering the questions correctly.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks to identify the speaker of the famous quote, "Give me blood and I will give you freedom," based on the passage.


Step 2: Locating the Information:

The final sentence of the passage explicitly attributes this quote. It says: "He said to the countrymen, 'Give me blood and I will give you freedom.'"


Step 3: Final Answer:

The pronoun "He" refers to Subhash Chandra Bose, who is the subject of the entire passage. Therefore, Subhash Chandra Bose said these words.
Quick Tip: Quotes within a passage are almost always directly attributed to a person mentioned in the text. Look for phrases like "He said," "She exclaimed," or "[Name] stated" immediately before or after the quote.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question requires selecting the correct verb form to complete the sentence, which involves understanding verb tenses.


Step 2: Analyzing the Options:


(A) shall be go: This is grammatically incorrect. The future tense would be "shall go" or "will go." The structure "shall be + base verb" is not a valid tense formation.

(B) had gone: This is the past perfect tense. It is used to describe an action that happened before another past action. For example, "He had gone there before I arrived." While grammatically correct, it is less common in a simple, standalone sentence.

(C) went: This is the simple past tense. It is used to describe a completed action in the past. It fits the sentence perfectly and is the most natural and common choice for a simple statement.

(D) All options are correct: This is incorrect because option (A) is grammatically wrong.



Step 3: Final Answer:

For a simple, declarative sentence describing a past event without any other time reference, the simple past tense ("went") is the most appropriate and direct choice.
Quick Tip: In grammar questions that test verb tenses without providing additional context, the simplest correct tense (like simple past or simple present) is often the intended answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The sentence describes a state of contentment where one's needs or desires have been met. The question asks for the correct adjective to describe this personal feeling.


Step 2: Analyzing the Options:


(A) Satisfying: This is a present participle used as an adjective to describe something that \textit{causes satisfaction (e.g., "a satisfying meal"). It describes the source of the feeling, not the person experiencing it.

(B) Satisfactory: This adjective means "acceptable" or "good enough" (e.g., "His work was satisfactory."). It is an evaluation of quality, not a description of a personal feeling.

(C) Satisfied: This is a past participle used as an adjective to describe the feeling of a person who has had their needs met. This is the correct word to describe the state of not wanting anything more.

(D) Dissatisfied: This means the opposite; it describes a state of not being content.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct word to describe the feeling of not wanting anything more is "satisfied."
Quick Tip: Remember the difference: use adjectives ending in '-ed' (like bored, interested, satisfied) to describe a person's feelings. Use adjectives ending in '-ing' (like boring, interesting, satisfying) to describe the thing or situation that causes the feeling.

Step 1: Understanding the Task:

The task is to arrange the given words and phrases into a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence.


Step 2: Identifying the Sentence Components:


Subject: The one performing the action is 'we'.
Verb Phrase: The verb part includes a modal verb 'should' and the main verb 'have'. So, 'we should have'.
Object: What should we have? 'a deep love'.
Prepositional Phrase: The rest of the words 'for', 'our', 'country' form a phrase indicating the object of the love: 'for our country'.


Step 3: Constructing the Sentence:

Following the standard English sentence structure (Subject-Verb-Object), we get:

We (Subject) + should have (Verb Phrase) + a deep love (Object) + for our country (Prepositional Phrase).

This forms the sentence: "We should have a deep love for our country."


Step 4: Final Answer:

Comparing this with the options, option (D) matches our correctly constructed sentence. The other options are grammatically incorrect and do not make sense.
Quick Tip: When rearranging a sentence, start by finding the subject (who or what the sentence is about) and the main verb (the action). Building the sentence around this core pair makes the process much easier.

Step 1: Understanding the Task:

The question requires identifying the word with the incorrect spelling among the given options.


Step 2: Analyzing the Spelling of Each Word:

This question tests the common English spelling rule "I before E, except after C".


(A) Achieve: The 'ie' does not follow a 'c'. The spelling is correct.

(B) Believe: The 'ie' does not follow a 'c'. The spelling is correct.

(C) Recieve: The letter combination follows a 'c', so it should be 'ei'. The given spelling is incorrect. The correct spelling is Receive.

(D) Deceive: The letter combination follows a 'c', so it is 'ei'. The spelling is correct.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The word "Recieve" is misspelt. According to the spelling rule, it should be spelled "Receive".
Quick Tip: Memorize the rhyme: "I before E, except after C, or when sounded as 'A' as in neighbor and weigh." This rule will help you correctly spell a large number of tricky words.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question requires the correct preposition of place to indicate a specific location.


Step 2: Analyzing the Prepositions:


(A) in: This preposition is used to indicate a location inside an enclosed space (e.g., in the room, in the box). Standing "in the gate" would imply being inside the structure of the gate itself, which is unlikely.

(B) at: This preposition is used to indicate a specific point or location. "The gate" is considered a specific point. Phrases like "at the door," "at the bus stop," and "at the gate" are standard and correct uses.

(C) on: This preposition is used to indicate a position on a surface (e.g., on the table, on the roof). This does not fit the context of the gate.

(D) over: This preposition means above or across something. It is not appropriate here.



Step 3: Final Answer:

The preposition "at" is used to denote a specific point or location, making "standing at the gate" the correct phrase.
Quick Tip: Use 'at' for a point, 'in' for an enclosed space, and 'on' for a surface. "The gate of the college" is treated as a specific point of reference, making 'at' the correct choice.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks who opened the letter immediately after it was dropped into the mailbox.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage:

The second sentence of the passage states: "The moment the letter fell into the mailbox the postmaster went to open it."


Step 3: Final Answer:

The passage explicitly mentions that "the postmaster" went to open the letter. Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.
Quick Tip: For direct factual questions based on a passage, the answer is usually stated clearly. Scan the text for keywords from the question (like "open it," "mailbox") to quickly find the relevant sentence.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks for the amount of money that Lencho actually received.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage:

The content of the letter is quoted in the passage. The letter says: "...of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me."


Step 3: Final Answer:

This sentence directly states that Lencho received seventy pesos. Therefore, option (D) is the correct answer.
Quick Tip: Pay close attention to numbers and specific details mentioned in a reading passage. Questions often test your ability to recall these precise facts.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

This question asks for the duration of Nelson Mandela's imprisonment, as commonly cited in the literary context of his autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom."


Step 2: Recalling Factual Information:

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years in total. However, in many texts and for the purpose of simplification, this is often rounded to "almost thirty years" or simply stated as thirty years. Given the options, "thirty" is the intended and closest answer representing this long period of incarceration.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Based on the common knowledge from the chapter "Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," he spent nearly thirty years in prison. Therefore, option (A) is the correct choice.
Quick Tip: For questions based on historical figures from your literature syllabus, remember key biographical details like dates, durations, and major life events, as they are frequently asked.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks for the location of Lencho's house based on the story "A Letter to God."


Step 2: Recalling Information from the Story:

The story begins by describing the setting. It states that Lencho's house was the only one in the entire valley and was situated on the "crest of a low hill." The word "crest" means the top of a hill.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Therefore, Lencho's house was situated at the top of a low hill. This matches option (D).
Quick Tip: The opening paragraphs of a story often establish the setting and introduce the main characters. Pay close attention to these descriptions as they are a common source for exam questions.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks to identify the primary crop grown in Coorg, based on the chapter from "Glimpses of India."


Step 2: Recalling Information from the Chapter:

The chapter on Coorg explicitly states that the region is famous for its coffee plantations. It mentions "coffee estates" and "colonial bungalows" nestled within them, highlighting the importance of coffee to the region's landscape and economy.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The main crop of Coorg is coffee. Therefore, option (D) is correct.
Quick Tip: When studying chapters about specific places, make a note of key geographical features, famous products, and cultural aspects mentioned in the text.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks to identify the bird that was in the tree, based on the given lines from the poem.


Step 2: Analyzing the Extract:

The first line of the poem is "The way a crow". This line, combined with the action of shaking snow from the tree, clearly indicates that it was a crow that caused the snow to fall.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The poem explicitly names the bird as a crow. Thus, option (D) is the correct answer.
Quick Tip: In poetry comprehension, the answers are often found by reading the lines literally. Identify the key nouns and verbs in the extract to understand the basic scene being described.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks for the poet's location at the time of the event described in the poem.


Step 2: Analyzing the Extract:

The crow "Shook down on me / The dust of snow / From a hemlock tree". Since the snow fell from the tree onto the poet ("on me"), it is logical to conclude that the poet was standing under that same tree.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The poet was standing under a hemlock tree. Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.
Quick Tip: Pay attention to prepositions like 'from', 'on', 'under', and 'in' in poems. They provide crucial information about the spatial relationships between different elements in the scene.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks for the name of the thief who is the narrator of "The Thief's Story."


Step 2: Recalling Characters from the Story:

In the story by Ruskin Bond, the protagonist and narrator is a young boy who is a thief. He changes his name every month to evade the police and his former employers. The name he tells Anil, and the name he uses throughout the story, is Hari Singh. Anil is the kind writer whom Hari Singh attempts to rob.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The name of the thief in the story is Hari Singh. Thus, option (C) is correct.
Quick Tip: When studying short stories, create a simple character map listing the main characters and their roles (e.g., protagonist, antagonist, supporting character). This helps in quickly recalling details for objective questions.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks for the real name of the character known as Bholi.


Step 2: Recalling Information from the Story "Bholi":

The story begins by introducing the main character. It states that her name was Sulekha, but since her childhood everyone had been calling her Bholi, the simpleton, because she was a slow learner due to a childhood injury.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Bholi's real name was Sulekha. Therefore, option (C) is the correct answer.
Quick Tip: Pay attention to character details, especially names and nicknames, as these are easy targets for multiple-choice questions. Note why a character has a particular nickname.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks about the treatment given to the dog, Tricki, at the doctor's clinic in the story "A Triumph of Surgery."


Step 2: Recalling the Plot of the Story:

The veterinarian, Mr. Herriot, understood that Tricki's only ailment was overfeeding by his owner, Mrs. Pumphrey. His treatment was not based on medicine but on a strict diet and exercise. For the first two days at the surgery (clinic), he gave Tricki nothing to eat, only plenty of water.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The doctor's initial treatment was to give Tricki no food but plenty of water for two days. This matches option (D).
Quick Tip: Understanding the central conflict or problem in a story helps in remembering the solution or resolution. In "A Triumph of Surgery," the problem was overindulgence, and the solution was discipline and a proper diet.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks about the collection that Richard Ebright started in his childhood, as described in "The Making of a Scientist."


Step 2: Recalling Information from the Chapter:

The chapter details Ebright's journey as a scientist, which began with his childhood curiosity. While he collected rocks, fossils, and coins as well, his primary and most significant passion was collecting butterflies. This hobby, encouraged by his mother and the book "The Travels of Monarch X," set him on the path to his later scientific research.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Ebright's defining childhood collection was butterflies. Therefore, option (B) is correct.
Quick Tip: Biographical stories often highlight an early interest or hobby that shaped the person's future career. Identifying this "spark" is key to understanding the character's development.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks what item Matilda Loisel borrowed from her friend, Madam Forestier, in the story "The Necklace."


Step 2: Recalling the Central Plot Element:

The entire plot of the story revolves around a piece of jewelry that Matilda borrows to wear to a fancy party. Although she had already bought a dress, she felt she needed a jewel to look elegant. She goes to her wealthy friend, Madam Forestier, and borrows what she believes is a superb diamond necklace.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The item borrowed was a necklace. Thus, option (B) is the correct answer.
Quick Tip: The title of a story often points to a central object, theme, or character. In this case, the title "The Necklace" directly refers to the borrowed item that drives the plot.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks for the reason mentioned in the passage for envying rich people.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage:

The second sentence of the passage provides the answer. It says, "How do we envy rich people who have not to work for their living but can do just what they please all the year round."


Step 3: Final Answer:

According to the passage, we sometimes envy rich people because we think they do not have to work for their living and can do whatever they want throughout the year.
Quick Tip: When a question asks "Why," look for connecting words like "because" or sentences that explain a reason for a feeling or action mentioned in the passage.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks to identify the primary benefit of work as stated in the passage.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage:

The passage states, "The first thing work does for us is to give us happiness."


Step 3: Final Answer:

The first thing that work gives us is happiness.
Quick Tip: Look for phrases like "The first thing is," "Firstly," or "The primary reason is" to find answers to questions that ask for the 'first' or 'main' point.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks to identify the type of person who, according to the passage, develops the best character.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage:

The last sentence of the passage explicitly states, "It is the man who works, not the idler, that as a rule, develops the best character."


Step 3: Final Answer:

The man who works develops the best character.
Quick Tip: The concluding sentences of a paragraph often summarize the main idea or present a final conclusion. Check the end of the passage for answers to questions about overall themes or judgments.

Step 1: Understanding the Question:

The question asks for a single word from the passage that is the opposite of a working person.


Step 2: Locating the Information in the Passage:

The passage repeatedly contrasts the "honest worker" or "the man who works" with another type of person. The last sentence makes this contrast clear: "It is the man who works, not the idler..."


Step 3: Final Answer:

The one-word opposite of "the man who works" mentioned in the passage is idler.
Quick Tip: When asked for an opposite (antonym), look for contrasting words or phrases in the text, often connected by words like "but," "however," or "not."

Model Answer (Informal Letter):


15, Civil Lines

Prayagraj, UP

211001


10th May 2024


My dear Rohan,


I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you with a very exciting invitation. My summer vacation starts next week, and I was wondering if you would like to spend a part of it with me at my place.


We haven't met since the last exams, and I miss our long talks and fun activities. We can visit some interesting places in the city, play cricket in the evenings, and watch all the new movies we've been wanting to. My parents would also be delighted to have you over.


Please let me know if you can come. I am eagerly waiting for your positive reply.


With best wishes,

Your loving friend,

Amit
Quick Tip: For an informal letter, remember the format: Your Address, Date, Salutation (e.g., Dear [Friend's Name]), Body (in friendly, conversational language), Closing (e.g., Yours lovingly), and Your Name.

Model Answer (Formal Application):


To

The Principal,

St. John's College,

Agra, UP


Date: 10th May 2024


Subject: Application for Improvement of the College Library Condition


Respected Sir/Madam,


With due respect, I, on behalf of the students of Class XII, wish to draw your kind attention to the poor condition of our college library.


The library lacks the latest editions of prescribed books, and many important reference books are unavailable. The furniture is old and uncomfortable, making it difficult for students to sit and study for long hours. Furthermore, the lighting is inadequate, and the number of available computers for research is very limited. These issues are hindering our academic progress.


Therefore, I kindly request you to look into this matter and take the necessary steps to improve the library's facilities. We would be very grateful for your prompt action.


Thank you.


Yours obediently,

Ravi Sharma

Class XII (Head Boy)
Quick Tip: For a formal application, the tone should be respectful and polite. The format is crucial: Recipient's Designation and Address, Date, Subject Line, Salutation, Body (clearly stating the problem and request), and a formal Closing (e.g., Yours obediently/faithfully) followed by your name and details.

Model Answer (Report):



Science Exhibition Held at ABC College

\textit{- By a Staff Reporter


New Delhi, 15th February 2024: A grand Science Exhibition was organised in our college on 14th February 2024. The event was inaugurated by the renowned scientist, Dr. A. P. Verma. Students from various classes showcased their talents by exhibiting a wide range of working models on topics like rainwater harvesting, renewable energy, and robotics. A large gathering of students, parents, and teachers attended the exhibition, showing great interest in the displays. The overall impression was highly positive, and it was a very informative and inspiring experience for everyone, igniting a scientific temper among the students.
Quick Tip: A report should be factual and concise. Start with a clear headline. The first sentence should answer the key questions (what, where, when). Use the given hints to structure the body of the report logically. Write in the past tense and use a formal tone.

Model Answer (Article):



The Mobile Phone: A Double-Edged Sword

\textit{- By Anjali


The mobile phone has become an indispensable part of modern life. Its uses are countless. It keeps our phone contacts organised, provides instant access to information through Google search, and offers endless entertainment. It has also made tasks like online shopping incredibly convenient.


However, this useful device is often misused. Harmful indulgence in social media and gaming leads to addiction and wastes precious time. It has also opened doors to cyber crimes like fraud and hacking. While the mobile phone is a powerful tool, it is crucial to use it wisely and responsibly to avoid its negative consequences.
Quick Tip: An article should have a catchy title and a by-line (writer's name). Structure your article into a brief introduction, a body discussing the main points (uses and misuses in this case), and a concluding sentence. Use the given clues to build your paragraphs.

Step 1: Understanding the Task:

The task is to convert a direct speech sentence, which is an interrogative (question) sentence, into indirect (reported) speech.


Step 2: Rules for Conversion:


The reporting verb 'said to' changes to 'asked' because the sentence is a question.

The question is a 'yes/no' type question (starting with an auxiliary verb 'Can'). Therefore, the conjunction 'if' or 'whether' is used to connect the reporting clause and the reported clause.

The interrogative form ("Can you...") is changed to the assertive form ("...you could").

The pronoun 'you' (second person) changes to 'I' (first person) because it refers to 'me' in the reporting clause.

The modal verb 'Can' changes to its past form 'could'.

The demonstrative adjective 'this' changes to 'that'.

The question mark is replaced with a full stop.



Step 3: Applying the Rules:

Following the rules, the sentence becomes:

My teacher asked me if I could translate that Hindi passage into English.
Quick Tip: When converting questions to indirect speech, remember the two main types: 'Wh-' questions (who, what, where) use the wh-word itself as the conjunction, while 'yes/no' questions (starting with do, can, is, etc.) use 'if' or 'whether'.

Step 1: Understanding the Task:

The task is to convert an active voice sentence into the passive voice. The sentence is in the Present Continuous tense.


Step 2: Rules for Conversion (Present Continuous):


The object of the active sentence ('an essay') becomes the subject of the passive sentence.

The subject of the active sentence ('I') becomes the object of the passive sentence, preceded by the preposition 'by'. The pronoun 'I' changes to 'me'.

The verb form changes from \texttt{am/is/are + -ing to \texttt{am/is/are + being + past participle (V3).



Step 3: Applying the Rules:


Active Subject: I
Active Verb: am writing
Active Object: an essay

Applying the rules:


Passive Subject: An essay
Passive Verb: is being written (is + being + V3 of write)
Passive Object: by me

The final sentence is: An essay is being written by me.
Quick Tip: For continuous tenses (present or past) in passive voice, always remember to add the word 'being' before the past participle (V3) of the main verb.

Step 1: Understanding the Task:

The task is to add the necessary punctuation and capitalization to the given sentence. The sentence is in direct speech.


Step 2: Punctuation Rules for Direct Speech:


The first letter of any sentence must be capitalized. So, 'the' becomes 'The'.

The reporting clause ('The teacher said to the students') should be separated from the reported speech by a comma.

The reported speech should be enclosed in double quotation marks ("...").

The first word of the reported speech should be capitalized. So, 'do' becomes 'Do'.

The sentence ends with a full stop, which should be placed inside the closing quotation marks.



Step 3: Applying the Rules:

Applying these rules to the sentence "the teacher said to the students do not pluck the flowers", we get:

The teacher said to the students, "Do not pluck the flowers."
Quick Tip: Remember the standard structure for direct speech: [Reporting Clause] + [comma] + [opening quotation mark] + [Capitalized Reported Speech] + [ending punctuation] + [closing quotation mark].

Allahabad is also called Prayagraj. This is the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. This is the high court of the state. This district is famous for its cultural heritage.
Quick Tip: In an exam, if a question is incomplete or missing essential information, it is best to point this out and move on to the next question.

Lencho became angry when he opened the envelope and counted the money inside. He had written a letter to God asking for 100 pesos to sow his field again and survive until the new crop came. However, he received only 70 pesos. Lencho's unwavering faith in God made him believe that God could not have made a mistake or denied his request. Therefore, he concluded that the post office employees must have stolen the remaining 30 pesos, and this thought made him angry.
Quick Tip: When answering literature questions, focus on the character's motivations and emotions. Lencho's anger stemmed not from a lack of faith in God, but from his misplaced suspicion of the post office staff.

Coorg, officially known as Kodagu, is famous for several things. Primarily, it is renowned for its evergreen rainforests, spices, and vast coffee plantations. The region is a major coffee-producing area in India. Coorg is also famous for its martial traditions and the hospitality of its people, the Kodavus. The bravery of the Coorg Regiment is legendary in the Indian Army. Additionally, its scenic beauty, with rolling hills and the river Kaveri, makes it a popular tourist destination.
Quick Tip: For questions about places described in your syllabus, remember to mention the key aspects: its main products (coffee, spices), its people (Kodavus), and its natural beauty (rainforests, hills).

According to Nelson Mandela, both the oppressed and the oppressor are not free. He believed that the oppressed is a victim of injustice and is robbed of his humanity. However, the oppressor is also a prisoner of hatred, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness. A man who takes away another man's freedom is locked behind the bars of his own biases. Therefore, Mandela argued that for true freedom to exist, both the oppressor and the oppressed must be liberated.
Quick Tip: Mandela's concept of freedom is holistic. Remember his profound idea that taking someone else's freedom makes you a prisoner of your own hatred, meaning neither party is truly free.

After Valli got into the bus, she carefully paid her fare to the conductor. She was too short to see over the canvas blind that covered the lower part of the window, so she stood up on her seat to get a clear view of the outside. The bus journey was a source of great fascination for her. She keenly observed the passing scenery—the canal, palm trees, distant mountains, and green fields—enjoying every moment of her first adventure.
Quick Tip: Focus on the character's actions and observations. Valli's journey was not just a physical trip but an experience of watching the world outside her village with wonder and curiosity.

In her diary, Anne Frank introduces her family with great affection and detail. She describes her father, Otto Frank, as the most adorable father she has ever seen. She mentions that she was closer to him than to her mother. Her mother, Edith Hollander Frank, is portrayed as caring but Anne feels a certain emotional distance from her. Her elder sister, Margot, is described as being born in 1926, and Anne notes their different personalities. She also lovingly mentions her grandmother, whom she missed dearly after her death. Through these descriptions, Anne portrays a loving, though complex, family unit, providing the context for her feelings of loneliness that led her to confide in her diary.
Quick Tip: When describing family relationships from a text, try to capture the narrator's specific feelings towards each member. Anne's deep affection for her father is a key point in her diary entries.

In the end, Kisa Gautami learned the profound lesson that death is a universal and inevitable truth of life. In her desperate search for medicine to revive her dead son, the Buddha asked her to procure a handful of mustard seeds from a house where no one had ever died. Her failure to find such a house made her realize that sorrow and death are common to all humankind. She learned that selfishness in grief is futile. The ultimate lesson was that to obtain peace of mind, one must overcome sorrow and accept the reality of mortality, as the wise do not grieve for what is unavoidable.
Quick Tip: The central theme of "The Sermon at Benares" is the Buddhist teaching on the inevitability of death and the futility of grieving. Kisa Gautami's personal journey is an allegory for this universal lesson.

A tiger in the zoo is a captive, confined to a small cage with concrete floors. It stalks with quiet rage, its movements restricted. In contrast, a tiger in the jungle is free and majestic. It lurks in the long grass near a water hole, waiting to hunt its prey, and moves with natural, unrestricted grace in its wild habitat.
Quick Tip: Focus on the central contrast presented in the poem "A Tiger in the Zoo": confinement versus freedom. Use words that highlight this difference in environment, movement, and emotion.

The following four lines are from the poem "Dust of Snow" by Robert Frost:


\textit{Has given my heart

\textit{A change of mood

\textit{And saved some part

\textit{Of a day I had rued.
Quick Tip: For this type of question, it is essential to memorize short poems or key stanzas from longer ones in your syllabus. Choose lines that you can write without spelling or punctuation errors.

The central idea of Robert Frost's poem "Fire and Ice" is that human emotions, when left unchecked, have the power to bring about the world's destruction. The poet equates 'fire' with intense desires, passion, and greed, and 'ice' with hatred, coldness, and indifference. He suggests that either of these extremes is sufficient to cause the end of the world. The poem serves as a powerful warning about the destructive potential of human passion and hate.
Quick Tip: The central idea of a poem is its main message or theme. For "Fire and Ice," remember the symbolic meanings: Fire = Desire/Passion, and Ice = Hatred/Indifference. The poem concludes that both are equally destructive.

The central idea of Walt Whitman's poem "Animals" is the poet's admiration for the qualities of animals and his critique of the flaws inherent in human society. The poet wishes he could live with animals because they are calm, self-contained, and do not complain. They are free from the human vices of greed, guilt, and the obsession with owning things. The poem highlights the loss of innate goodness and innocence in human beings as they have evolved.
Quick Tip: The core of "Animals" is the contrast between the simple, virtuous life of animals and the complex, vice-ridden life of humans. Remember the qualities Whitman praises in animals: placid, self-contained, and free from hypocrisy.

The central idea of Leslie Norris's poem "A Tiger in the Zoo" is the agony and helplessness of a powerful animal confined in a cage. The poem contrasts the tiger's life in the zoo with its natural life in the wild. It highlights the loss of freedom and the suppression of natural instincts. The poet evokes sympathy for the captive tiger, emphasizing that wild animals should be in their natural habitat and not imprisoned for human entertainment.
Quick Tip: The main theme is freedom versus captivity. The poem uses vivid imagery to contrast the tiger's restricted movements in the cage with its powerful, free movements in the jungle, thereby making a strong case against caging wild animals.

Tricki was not suffering from any real physical disease. His only ailment was a result of overindulgence and pampering by his wealthy owner, Mrs. Pumphrey. She overfed him with rich food like chocolates and cream cakes and did not provide him with any exercise. This made him hugely fat, listless, and unable to move. The "disease" was essentially extreme obesity and lethargy caused by a luxurious but unhealthy lifestyle.
Quick Tip: Remember that the "triumph of surgery" in the story's title is ironic. The vet's cure was not medical surgery but simply enforcing a strict diet and exercise, a "surgery" on Tricki's lifestyle.

Bholi's father, Ramlal, was worried about her for several reasons. Firstly, she was not considered intelligent; a childhood fall had damaged part of her brain, making her a slow learner. Secondly, an attack of smallpox had left her with permanent pock-marks on her face, making her look unattractive. Ramlal was worried that because she had neither good looks nor intelligence, it would be extremely difficult to find a suitable husband for her and get her married.
Quick Tip: Bholi's father's worries stemmed from the societal expectations for girls at that time, which placed a high value on beauty and marital prospects. His concern was practical, even if it lacked deep emotional understanding of his daughter initially.

If Matilda had not lost the necklace, her life would have been vastly different. She would have returned the necklace to Madame Forestier the next day and continued her life of moderate comfort, though she would likely have remained discontented with her social standing. She and her husband would not have been plunged into a decade of crushing poverty and hard labor to repay the enormous debt incurred to buy a replacement necklace. She would have retained her youth and beauty instead of becoming a hard, coarse woman. Ironically, she would also have never learned the truth that the original necklace was a cheap imitation, and thus would have missed the profound and bitter lesson about pride and honesty.
Quick Tip: This type of "what if" question requires you to think about the story's turning point. The loss of the necklace is the central event that triggers all subsequent suffering and the story's ironic twist.

According to the chapter "The Making of a Scientist," several qualities are essential for a scientist. First and foremost is a sharp, first-rate mind paired with immense curiosity and a will to win for the right reasons. A scientist must not just be interested in things but must actively investigate and find reasons behind them. Persistence and patience are also crucial, as scientific research involves many failures before success is achieved. Finally, a true scientist is not driven by a desire for prizes but by a deep-seated curiosity and the urge to contribute to scientific knowledge. Richard Ebright possessed all these qualities, which enabled his journey from a butterfly collector to a renowned scientist.
Quick Tip: The key qualities of a scientist highlighted in the text are: a curious mind, a competitive spirit (for the right reasons), and perseverance. Remember that Ebright's success wasn't just about intelligence, but also about his consistent effort and dedication.