English Medium
Hindi Medium
Academic Year: 2025-2026
Date & Time: 21st February 2026, 10:30 am
Duration: 3h
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General Instructions:
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:
- This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
- The question paper contains THREE sections:
Section - A: Reading Skills
Section - B: Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section - C: Literature Text Book - Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Read the following text:
| (1) | Pancakes, a beloved breakfast dish across the world, has a surprisingly long and diverse history. Archaeological evidence shows that people were cooking pancake as food as far back as 30,000 years ago on hot stones and primitive griddles. |
| (2) | In ancient Greece and Rome, pancakes were made from wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and curdled milk. They were often served as a sweet treat during festivals or special occasions. In medieval Europe, pancakes became a popular dish during Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent began. In France, thin crepes became a national delicacy, often filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. In Russia, blinis were made using buckwheat flour and served with sour cream or caviar. In Ethiopia, the spongy injera became a staple food, made from teff flour and used as both a plate and utensil. Similarly, in China, pancakes are often savoury while in Japan, fluffy “souffle pancakes” have become a modern favourite. |
| (3) | The American version of pancakes, thick and soft, gained popularity in the 18th century. The use of baking powder made them light and airy, and they were often served with butter and maple syrup - a symbol of hearty comfort food. Over time, pancakes became a universal dish, symbolizing community and celebration. Whether sweet or savoury, thick or thin, every culture has found a way to adapt this simple food to its own taste and traditions. |
| (4) | India has its own rich tradition of similar dishes that have been enjoyed for centuries. Across the country, almost every region has a version of a pancake - whether sweet or savoury - made from grains, pulses, or rice. These Indian pancakes not only satisfy hunger but also reflect the diversity of India’s culinary culture. In South India, dosas and adai are the most famous forms of pancakes. Made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, dosas are crisp and light, while adai is thicker and more filling. The fermentation process adds a unique sour flavor and makes them nutritious and easy to digest. In Kerala, the appam, made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk, is soft in the center and crispy at the edges. Moving north, we find the western style choela, a simple and wholesome Indian pancake made from gram flour, spiced with onions, chillies and coriander. In Maharashtra, the thalipeeth is a multigrain pancake that uses flours like jowar, bajra and rice mixed with spices and vegetables. It is both flavorful and filling, providing a good balance of carbohydrates and proteins. |
| (5) | In the eastern parts of India, pitha is a traditional pancake made during festivals and special occasions. Varieties like patishapta in Bengal are sweet, filled with coconut and jaggery. In Assam and Odisha, pithas can be steamed, fried, or roasted, depending on the custom and region. In the western deserts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, people prepare chilla and handvo, which are savoury western pancake-like dishes baked in traditional ovens. These pancakes are a blank canvas for toppings, waiting for a splash of fruit or a scattering of condiments. |
| (6) | Today, pancakes continue to evolve with new recipes, from vegan and gluten-free varieties to those infused with fruits, oats, or even protein powder. Despite their many forms, they remain a timeless reminder of how food connects mankind through shared history and creativity. Each pancake tells a story of regional identity, food traditions and a deep love for food that brings people together. Pancakes are warm, edible hugs that are a perfect comfort on a bleak day. |
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above: 10
- In paragraph 1, what does the phrase ‘has a surprisingly long and diverse history’ mean? 1
- Complete the following with the correct option from the two given:
The uniqueness of the spongy injera, is that ______. 1- it is both a savoury and a sweet
- it can be used for cooking and also for eating
(Paragraph 2)
- How are American pancakes made light and fluffy? When did the American-style pancakes gain popularity? (Paragraph 3) 1
- State whether the following statement is True or False:
Every culture has adopted the pancake and tempered it with its own ingredients, flavour and taste. (Paragraph 3) 1 - The writer mentions ‘fermentation process’. Based on the information given in the passage, which of the following pancakes are made from the fermentation process? 1
- Dosa and appam
- Chilla and thalipeeth
- Blinis and souffle
- Pitha and patishapta
- Select the option that best explains the phrase about pancakes being, ‘a blank canvas’ (Paragraph 5): 1
- Like a painter starts with a blank canvas, a diner can get creative.
- Pancakes reflect the 30,000 old lineage of being the first food.
- List any two points from the Passage that support the statement, ‘pancakes are a timeless reminder of how food connects people.’ (Paragraph 6) 1
- Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given:
In the line ‘warm, edible hugs that are a perfect comfort on a bleak day’ the phrase ‘warm, edible hugs’ refers to ______. (Paragraph 6) 1
- comfort food that provides a sense of emotional security
- the pancake that represents the history of the region
- the choice of eating hot steaming pancakes
- the food that gives you energy
Chapter:
Read the following text:
| (1) | Rate of Internet Reach in India: 2014:2024 The rate of internet reach in India rose over 52% in 2024 from about 14% in 2014 Although these figures seem relatively low, it meant that more than half of the population of 1.4 billion people had internet access that year. This also ranked the country second in the world in terms of active internet users. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2) |
Internet availability and accessibility By 2021 the number of internet connections across the country tripled in urban areas because of a higher density of population. leading to an increase in the number of connections. However, despite of incredibly low internet prices, internet usage in India has yet to reach its full potential, Lack’ of awareness about the internet in India persists, especially in rural areas and among women, driven by digital divide, infrastructure limitations, and a lack of perceived need for the internet) This hinders digital adoption, with many not knowing how to use the internet or even being aware of its existence. Targeted awareness campaigns and digital literacy programs are crucial to bridge this gap and ensure people understand and can benefit from the digital ecosystem. |
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| (3) |
Digital living Home to one of the largest bases of netizens in the world, India is abuzz with internet activities being carried out every moment of every day. From information and research to shopping and entertainment to living in smart homes, Indians have welcomed digital living with open arms.
|
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Answer the following questions, based on the passage above: 10
- What does the use of the term “active internet users” convey? 1
- Active people who use internet
- Active people who use active internet
- People who use active internet
- People who use internet actively
-
Select the option that is true for the Assertion and Reason given below: 1
Assertion: India is home to one of the largest bases of netizens in the world.
Reason: Lack of awareness and a tangible gender gap lie at the heart of the matter.- Both the Assertion and the Reason are true and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
- Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
- The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
- The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.
- Identify the word that indicates that internet reach is ‘comparatively’ low. (Paragraph 1) 1
- Based on the table which of the following time period illustrates the maximum internet usage? 1
- 2017 to 2020
- 2023 to 2025
- 2020 to 2023
- 2019 to 2022
- From the passage identify one reason why there are less internet users among women? 1
- Fill in the blank with a suitable word given in brackets: 1
Infrastructure limitations ______ (impedes/spurs) digital adoption. - Complete the following with a suitable reason: 1
An increase in the number of connections in urban areas is because of ______. - Which are the two ways to bridge the gap of digital unawareness? 2
- In the context of the last paragraph how does the author justify the statement, ‘Indians have welcomed digital living with open arms’. 1
Chapter:
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Fill in the blank with correct option to complete a message from Yogita to her friend Shobit:
Dear Shobit,
Let’s meet at 5 p.m. for the rehearsal but I need to go home first as I ______ anything since morning.
did not eat
had not eaten
have not eaten
am not eating
Chapter:
Read the given sentence from a self-help book. Identify the error and supply the correction in the given format:
To identifying your goal is the biggest step in your success story.
| Error | Correction |
Chapter:
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Yamini asked her friend Shifa, “Would you like to come for my birthday party tomorrow?”
Report Yamini’s question correctly.
Chapter:
Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete a newspaper clipping:
The verdict is yet to come since the members of the jury ______ (is/are) divided in their opinion.
Chapter:
Read Somil’s request to his mother:
“Can you teach me to swim?”
Report Somil’s request by completing the following sentence correctly:
Somil asked his mother ______.
Chapter:
Identify and correct the error in the given line taken from a critical review of a recently staged play:
‘As an actor, Ravi Raj, is superior then any other contemporary actor.
| Error | Correction |
| an | the |
| Error | Correction |
| is | were |
| Error | Correction |
| then | to |
| Error | Correction |
| other | another |
Chapter:
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