Even when getting down from the summit, once the physical exhaustion had gone. I began asking myself the question why I had climbed Everest. Why did the act of reaching the summit have such a hold on my imagination? It was already a thing of the past. something done yesterday. With every passing day, it would become more remote. And then what would remain? Would my memories fade slowly away? All these thoughts led me to question myself as to why people climb mountains. It is not easy to answer the question. The simplest answer would be, as others have said, "Because it is there." It presents great difficulties. Man takes delight in overcoming obstacles. The obstacles in climbing a mountain are physical. A climb to a summit means endurance, persistence and willpower. The demonstration of these physical qualities is no doubt exhilarating, as it was for me also. Questions : (1) What question took hold of the writer's mind? (2) What is the simplest answer to the question Why people climb mountains'? (3) What does 'a climb to a summit' mean? (4) What is exhilarating, according to the writer ?

(1) The question that took hold of the writer's mind was 'Why he had climbed Everest?' (2) The simplest answer to the question Why people climb mountains' is: "Because it is there. They also add that because It presents great difficulties. (3) A climb to a summit means endurance. persistence and willpower. (4) According to the writer, the demon stration of the physical qualities that one exercises while climbing is exhilarating.

Even when getting down from the summit, once the physical exhaust…

The Vijayanagara Empire was renowned for its glory, wealth, and cultural achievements. Among its many illustrious rulers, King Krishnadeva Raya (ruled 1509-29 CE) stood out as a wise and powerful monarch. His reign is often referred to as the Golden Era of the Vijayanagara Empire, a time when art, literature, and architecture flourished. A great patron of learning, Krishnadeva Raya was not only an eminent warrior but also a gifted poet. His works, such as the epic Amuktamalyada and the Sanskrit drama Jambavati Parinayam, are acclaimed even today.
Q.1. Why is King Krishnadeva Raya considered an illustrious ruler?
Q.2. What is meant by the phrase ‘Golden Era’ in the context of Krishnadeva Raya’s reign?
A. It was a time of frequent wars and conquest.
B. It marked a dark period of destruction.
C. It was a period when art, literature, and architecture flourished.
D. It refers to the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Q.3. What does Krishnadeva Raya’s interest in poetry tell us about his personality?
Q.4. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets:
Krishnadeva Raya was an ________ ruler who promoted learning and the arts, (has no interest in education/eminent and cultured/harsh and strict)

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I have also learnt what I am sure you, too, will find out some day. Life is a privilege and to waste it would be wrong. In living this privilege called ‘life’, you must accept responsibility for yourself, always use your talents to the best of your ability and contribute somehow to the common good. That common good will pres¬ent itself to you in many forms every day. If you look around you, you will find there is a lot waiting to be done: your friend may need some help, your teacher could be looking for a volunteer, or the community you live in will need you to make a contribution. I hope that you, too, will discover, as I did, that failure is not about not succeeding. Rather, it is about not putting in your best effort and not contrib¬uting, however modestly, to the common good.
Q.1. Fill in the blank given below by selecting the correct option from the brackets. According to the writer, failure means
A. not succeeding at any task
B. not trying your best and not contributing to the common good
C. being rejected by friends or teachers
D. losing a competition
Q.2. Select the option that applies correctly to both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
(A): Life is a privilege that should not be wasted.
(R): One should always contribute to the common good and use talents fully.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
D. Both (A) and (R) are false.
Q.3. Identify whether the statement given below is true or false.
The writer believes that contributing to the community and helping others is part of living a meaningful life.
Q.4. Which of the following is the most appropriate title for the given extract?
A. The Meaning of Success
B. The Privilege of Life and Responsibility
C. How to Avoid Failure
D. The Importance of Winning

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Encyclopedia’s father was Chief of Police. Everyone thought that he must be the smartest police chief in the country. Chief Brown was smart and quick. He didn’t sit around and worry. When he came up against a case he couldn’t solve, he acted at once. He cleared his desk, put on his hat, and went home to dinner. Encyclopedia solved the case for him before dinner was over. Chief Brown would have liked to tell everyone about his only child. But who would believe him? Who would believe that the best detective alive was an eighth grader? So, he said nothing. Encyclopedia never spoke of the help he gave his father. He didn’t want to seem different from other boys. But there was nothing he could do about his nickname. He was stuck with it. Only his parents and teachers called him by his real name, Leroy. Everyone else called him Encyclopedia.
Q.1. What did Chief Brown do when he faced a case he couldn’t solve?
A. He called for a team meeting
B. He stayed late at the office
C. He went home for dinner
D. He contacted another detective
Q.2. Complete the sentence:
Chief Brown didn’t tell anyone about his son solving cases because ____________
Q.3. What was Encyclopedia’s nickname based on?
A. His love for books
B. His knowledge of many facts
C. His father’s profession
D. His school achievements
Q.4. How did Chief Brown feel about telling others that his son helped him solve cases?
A. He was proud and told everyone
B. He didn’t want to tell anyone because they wouldn’t believe him
C. He was unsure about his son’s abilities
D. He was angry at his son

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In life you, too, will discover as I did, that anything can go wrong at any time and mostly does. Yet, there is little correlation between the circumstances of people’s lives and how happy they are. Most of us compare ourselves with someone we think is happier—a relative, an acquaintance, or often, someone we barely know. But when we start looking closely we realise that what we saw were only images of perfection. And that will help us understand and cherish what we have, rather than what we don’t have. Do you remember when you accompanied me at the magnificent ceremony in Delhi where our President awarded me the Padma Vibhushan in 1999? With great pride, you slipped the medal around your neck, looked at it in awe and asked me very innocently if you could keep it. Do you remember the answer your grandmother and I gave you? We told you that of course, this medal was yours as much as it was mine but that you should not be satisfied in merely keeping my award—the challenge before you was to earn your own reward for the work that you did in your lifetime.
Q.1. Fill in the blank given below by selecting the correct option from the brackets. According to the writer, people often feel unhappy because they .
A. do not compare themselves with others
B. compare themselves with images of perfection that are not real
C. focus only on their own achievements
D. avoid thinking about happiness
Q.2. Select the option that applies correctly to both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
(A): The Padma Vibhushan medal was shared between the writer and the child.
(R): The child was encouraged to earn their own rewards through hard work.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
D. Both (A) and (R) are false.
Q.3. Identify whether the statement given below is true or false.
The writer believes that happiness depends largely on external circumstances and achievements.
Q.4. Which of the following is the most appropriate title for the given extract?
A. The Reality Behind Happiness
B. The Value of Awards and Medals
C. Comparing Ourselves to Others
D. The Importance of Hard Work

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The Lonar Crater Lake is a geological wonder, nestled in the town of Lonar in Buldhana district, Maharashtra. It is believed to have been formed thousands of years ago. This ancient landform, consisting of a giant hole, came into existence when a colossal meteorite, blazing at an extremely high speed, crashed into the Earth, leaving behind a stunning mark. It is the only crater in India formed in basaltic rock by a meteorite impact and ranks as the third largest in the world, placing it among the top five largest craters globally.
The crater’s perfectly circular depression cradles a unique saline lake at its core, creating a striking visual contrast against the surrounding rugged terrain. This site is a rare and extraordinary blend of celestial impact and terrestrial beauty. The rim of the meteor crater offers a breathtaking spectacle of nature’s power and the enduring allure of our planet’s ancient past.
Q.1. Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason.
The writer’s purpose in describing the Lonar Crater Lake’s formation by a meteorite is to ______
(highlight its geological importance/ evoke awe about natural phenomena/ emphasize its uniqueness in India and the world)
Q.2. Select the option that is correct for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
(A): The Lonar Crater Lake was formed by a meteorite impact.
(R): It is the only crater in India formed in basaltic rock and ranks among the top five largest craters globally.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
D. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Q.3. What does the term ‘basaltic rock’ suggest about the crater?
A. The crater is made of sedimentary rock.
B. The crater is made of volcanic rock formed from lava.
C. The crater is made of sand.
D. The crater is man-made.
Q.4. Why is the Lonar Crater Lake considered a ‘geological wonder’?

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When the walking tour was done, I rushed to a phone booth and, almost tearing the cord so it could reach me outside, phoned Stephen Hawking's house. There was his assistant on the line and I told him I had come in a wheelchair from India (perhaps he thought I had propelled myself all the way) to write about my travels in Britain. I had to see Professor Hawking-even ten minutes would do. "Half an hour," he said. "From three-thirty to four."
And suddenly I felt weak all over. Growing up disabled, you get fed up with people asking you to be brave, as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque. The only thing that makes you stronger is seeing somebody like you, achieving something huge. Then you know how much is possible and you reach out further than you ever thought you could.
Questions:
(1) I rushed to a phone booth and, almost tearing the cord so it could reach me outside, phoned Stephen Hawking's house. What kind of the writer's feeling do these underlined words show?
(2) Why had the writer come all the way from India?
(3) Why did the writer feel weak all over?
(4) What makes a disabled stronger, according to the writer?

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Despite heavy casualties and his own injuries, Major Somnath Sharma displayed unparalleled bravery. He moved fearlessly through the battlefield, directing fire, filling magazines for his gunners, and encouraging his men to hold their ground.
However, as the battle progressed, D Company began running out of ammunition. When Major Somnath Sharma informed Brigade headquarters about this, he was asked to pull back. Aware of the gravity of the situation, he responded with the words, “The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round. ”
Q.1. What was Major Somnath Sharma’s response to the order to pull back?
A. He agreed and retreated with his men.
B. He decided to wait for air support.
C. He refused to withdraw and chose to continue fighting.
D. He called for backup immediately.
Q.2. Complete the following sentence.
Major Somnath Sharma chose not to retreat because he understood that __________
Q.3. Identify the tense used in the sentence: “He moved fearlessly through the battlefield, directing fire, filling magazines for his gunners, and encouraging his men to hold their ground.”
Q.4. What does the phrase “to the last man and the last round” imply?
A. They had surrendered.
B. They would keep fighting until completely defeated.
C. They were awaiting orders.
D. They had enough resources.

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Shiv Datt: Look there, friends. A camel has passed this way. The tracks are fresh.
Ram Datt: (Studying the tracks) Yes, let us observe them as we continue. They may tell us more than meets the eye.
(The four men continue walking, occasionally stopping to examine the camel’s tracks. They scrutinise every detail, exchanging glances but saying little.)
Ram Datt: I have discovered something peculiar about this camel.
Shiv Datt: So have I.
Har Datt: I, too, have noticed a strange detail.
Q.1. Identify the false statement from the two given below and rectify it.
A. The young men ignored the camel’s tracks as they were in a hurry.
B. Ram Datt believed that the camel’s tracks could reveal useful information.
Q.2. What does the dialogue “They may tell us more than meets the eye” reveal about Ram Datt?
Q.3. Fill in the blank correctly.
In the line “They may tell us more than meets the eye,” the phrase “more than meets the eye” refers to _______
Q.4. What can be inferred about the young men from their silent observation and glances?
A. They are uncertain and nervous about what they see.
B. They are secretly planning to steal the camel.
C. They are independently analysing the situation and thinking deeply.
D. They are afraid to speak to one another.

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(1) Then a buzzard rose in front of him and flapped into the air. He came into the clearing under the oaks. Buzzards sat in a circle around the carcass of the doe. They turned their heads on their long scrawny necks and hissed at him. He threw his bough at them and they few into an adjacent tree. The sand showed large cat prints but the big cats killed fresh, and they had left the doe to the carrion birds.
He parted the grass at the place where he had seen the fawn. It did not seem possible that it was only yesterday. The fawn was not there. he circled the clearing. There was no sound, no sign. The buzzards clackca their wings, impatient to return to their business. He returned to the spor where the fawn had emerged and dropped on all fours, studying the sam for the small hoof prints. The night's rain had washed away all tracks except those of cat and buzzards.
Questions
(1) What are buzzards?
(2) How did Jody try to avoid buzzards?
(3) What are carrion birds?
(4) What 'business' is referred to in this passage?

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We were now on twelve-hour watches, which was not as bad as it sounds, since you need little sleep in space. Though of course there is no ‘day’ and ‘night’ when you are floating in permanent sunlight, it was still convenient to stick to the terms. Certainly when I woke that ‘morning’ it felt like 6:00 a.m. on Earth. I had a nagging headache, and vague memories of fitful, disturbed dreams. It took me ages to undo my bunk straps, and I was still only half awake when Ijoined the remainder of the duty crew in the mess. Breakfast was unusually quiet, and there was one seat vacant. “Where’s Sven?” I asked, not very much caring.
“He’s looking for Claribel, ” someone answered. “Says he can’t find her anywhere. She usually wakes him up. ”
Before I could retort that she usually woke me up, too, Sven came in through the doorway, and we could see at once that something was wrong. He slowly opened his hand, and there lay a tiny bundle of yellow feathers, with two clenched claws sticking pathetically up into the air.
Q.1. What can be inferred about Sven’s relationship with Claribel?
A. He treated Claribel like a research specimen.
B. He cared for Claribel deeply and was emotionally affected by her loss.
C. He was tired of Claribel waking him up.
D. He wanted someone else to take care of Claribel.
Q.2. Why did the crew continue using the terms ‘morning’ and ‘night’ in space despite the absence of a day-night cycle?
Q.3. Select the option that is correct for both (Assertion) A and (Reason) R. ’
(A): The narrator felt uneasy and had disturbed sleep.
(R): The unusual death of Claribel had already begun to affect the crew subconsciously.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
D. (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Q.4. Replace the underlined word with a similar word from the extract:
I got up in the morning with a painful head.

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