Public taps are generally leaking. A lot of water is wasted. Design a poster not more than 50 words to make people aware of the need for saving water. You are Rohit/Reena.

OR

Write an invitation not more than 50 words to your friend Rameshwari to spend her winter break with you in Mumbai. You are Puja/Puneet of 25, M.G. Road, Mumbai.

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

1. South India is known mainly for its music, arts and rich literature. Madras or Chennai can be called the cultural capital and the soul of Mother India. The city is built low in pleasant contrast to the ugly tall structures of Mumbai and Kolkata. It has vast open spaces and ample greenery. The majestic spacious

Mount Road looks like a river, wide and deep. A walk along the Marina Beach in the evening with the sea shining in your face is totally refreshing. The breeze soothes the body, it refreshes the mind and brightens the intellect.

2. One can never feel dull in Chennai. The intellectual and cultural life of the city is something of a marvel. Every street corner of Chennai has a literary forum, a debating society, and music, dance or dramatic club. The intelligent arguments, the sparkling wit, and dashing irony make every meeting very interesting. There is a young men’s association which attracts brilliant speakers and equally brilliant listeners to its meetings. It is a treat to watch them use their speaking skills. Chennai speakers are by and large sweet and civilized, though angry and noisy variety is also often witnessed during election time. The more urbane speakers weave their arguments slowly like the unfolding of a melody set to

Carnatic music.

3. Music concerts and dance performances draw packed houses. There is hardly any cultured family in Chennai that does not learn and patronize music and dance in its original form. Rukmani Devi Arundale’s ‘Kala Kshetra’ is a renowned international centre. It has turned out hundreds of celebrated maestros and dancers who have brought fame and glory to our country. Carnatic music has a beautiful charm of its own. It has the moon’s soft beauty and soft pace. Thousands of people flock to the temple ‘maidans’ to enjoy the sweet melodies of their favourite singers. They sit out all night even in the unbearable heat, swaying to the rhythm of ‘nadaswaram’ and the measured beats of ‘mridangam’.

4. The gods might descend from heaven to see a South Indian damsel dancing. There are several varieties of South Indian dance – Bharat Natyam, Mohini Attam, Kathakali etc. Age cannot wither, nor custom stales its beautiful variety. Bharat Natyam is the most graceful and enchanting dance form whereas Kathakali is most masculine and virile. South Indian dances combine pleasure

with purity. Here, every muscle and fibre of the body vibrates into life, and as the movement increases, a divine flame-like passion comes out as if making an effort to reach heaven.

5. South Indian dress, particularly of the males, is puritanically simple. There you cannot distinguish a judge from a ‘peon’ by his dress. South Indian ladies to look charming and graceful in their colourful Kanjeevaram and Mysore Silk Saris.

6. South Indian cuisine, especially ‘dosa’, ‘idli’ and ‘vada’ are so delicious that now we enjoy them almost everywhere in India and even in some foreign countries. The Madrasi ‘idli’ which was a favourite of Gandhiji is served with ‘sambhar’ and ‘chutney’.

2.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate options:

(a) South India is known mainly for its:

(i) tasty food.

(ii) traditional music, art, and literature.

(iii) scenic beauty.

(iv) delicate and precise ways.

(b) In South Indian cuisine, Gandhiji's favourite was:

(i) dosa.

(ii) vada.

(iii) uttapam.

(iv) idli.

2.2 Answer the following questions briefly:

(a) How does the breeze on Marina Beach affect the body?

(b) Why does one never feel dull in Chennai?

(c) What is usual for a cultured family in Chennai?

(d) What makes Carnatic music charming?

(e) What is special about ‘Kathakali’?

(f) What has ‘Kala Kshetra’ achieved?

2.3 Find words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following:

(a) wonder (para 2)

(b) promote / support (para 3)

Read the following passage carefully:

1. There are two types of diabetes, insulin dependent, and non-insulin dependent. 90-95% of the estimated 13-14 million people in the United States with diabetes have non-insulin dependent, or type II diabetes. Because this type of diabetes usually begins in adults over the age of 40 and is most common after the age of 55, it used to be called adult-onset diabetes, its symptoms often develop gradually and are hard to identify at first; therefore nearly half of all the people with diabetes do not know it. So, someone who has developed Type II diabetes may feel tired or ill without knowing why. This can be particularly dangerous because untreated diabetes can cause damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. While the causes, short-term effects, and treatments of the two types of diabetes differ, both types can cause long-term health problems.

2. Most importantly, both types affect the body’s ability to use digested food for energy. Diabetes does not interfere with digestion, but it does prevent the body from using an important product of digestion, glucose, for energy. After a meal, the normal digestive system breaks some food down into glucose. The blood carries the glucose or sugar throughout the body, causing blood glucose levels to rise. In response to this, insulin is released into the bloodstream and signals the body tissues to metabolize or burn the glucose for fuel, which causes blood glucose levels to return to normal. The glucose that the body does not use is stored in the liver, muscle or fat.

3. In both types of diabetes, the normal function of glands is affected. A gland called pancreas makes insulin. In people with insulin-dependent diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin at all. People with non-insulin dependent diabetes usually produce some insulin in their pancreas, but their body tissues do not metabolize the glucose property, a condition known as insulin resistance.

4. There’s no cure for diabetes yet. However, there are ways to get relief from its symptoms. Foods that are rich in carbohydrates break down into glucose during digestion, causing blood glucose to rise. Also, studies have shown that cooked foods raise blood glucose higher than raw, unpeeled foods. So we should eat such uncooked whole grain foods.

3.1 On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary (minimum four).

3.2 Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words. Supply a suitable title to it.

You are Ramesh Kumar, Manager, Ekta Book House, Fort Road, Mumbai. You supplied a number of books to Prajapati Public School, Pune. The school complained that the books, received by it are not according to the order. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the Principal expressing regret, explaining the reasons why the error took place and promising a prompt and correct delivery.

OR

Your school has opened a new activity wing for the kindergarten students for which you require play equipment. Write a letter in 120-150 words to Bright Sports Materials, Paharganj, Delhi placing an order for educational toys and other play equipment. You are Principal, XYZ School, Delhi.

‘Grow more trees to reduce pollution.’ Write an article in 150-200 words on the topic given above for your school magazines.

OR

You are Sandhya/Sohan an active member of the Animal Lovers Club which works for the welfare of animals by preventing cruelty to them. Recently you visited Mahatma Gandhi Animal Care Home. You were pleasantly surprised to see the good treatment given to the animals. Write a report in 150-200 words on your visit. You may use the following points: injured dogs and cats – abandoned pets – very old animals – all very well cared for – well-equipped medical room – veterinary surgeon – green surroundings.