'Sarthak' Knowledge: 12th, Winter Break 2026, Holiday Homework

SET-1

1 Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below:

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow; 10x1 = 10

1.Doing housework, taking care of children and carrying out assorted jobs for husbands are work just as much as is performing paid employment in an office or factory. To ignore this is to do a disservice to women in the labour force. The reality of housework is that women’s work in the home averages 56 hours per

week for the full time home maker and 26 hours per week for the employed wife/mother. Husbands and children barely increase their contribution to housework and child care when the wife/mother is in the labour force. As a result, the employed woman gives up her most of leisure to carry out responsibilities of family life.

2. We realize that it may sound strange to hear women’s activities in the home, called work. Since women, who do housework and take care of children receive no salary or wages; home-making is not considered ‘work’. Economists have finally helped us to recognize the importance of women’s work in the family by estimating the monetary value of home making. These estimates range from $ 4705 (1968) through $ 8200 (1972) to over $ 13000 per year in 1973 depending on whether the work of the home maker is considered equivalent to an unskilled, skilled or a professional worker, respectively. For example, is child care comparable to baby-sitting at $ 0.75 per hour, to a nursery school aid at $ 3 per hour, or to the care of a child psychologist at $ 30 per hour?

3. Some people have proposed that the solution to the problem of the employed housewife would be to pay women for being housewives. Hence, women with heavy family responsibilities would not have to enter the labour force in order to gain income for themselves and/or their families. This is not a solution for many reasons – wages provide income, but they do not remedy the isolating nature of the work itself nor the negative attitudes housewives themselves have towards housework ( but not towards child care).

4. Wages for housework would reinforce occupational stereotyping by freezing women into their traditional roles. Unless women and men are paid equally in thelabour force and there is no division of labour based on sex, women’s work in the home will have no value.

5. Since it is not clear what constitutes housework, and we know that housework standards vary greatly, it would be difficult to know how to reward it. Pay for housework might place home-makers( mainly wives) in the difficult position of having their work assessed by their husbands, while in the case of single home-makers , it is not clear who would do the assessing.

Based on the understanding of the passage, answer the questions that follow: 10x1 = 10 marks

(i) According to the passage ,__________ do not get salary for their work.

(a) The women who do the work of baby- sitting

(b) The women who are in labour force

(d) The women whose husbands are unemployed

(ii) Why is home-making not considered at par with paid work?

(a) It is not very clear what constitutes housework.

(b) House work varies from home to home

(d) All of the above.

(iii) On the basis of the passage, study the two statements, I and II given below:

(I) women’s work in the home will acquire recognition when they will be

paid equally in labour force.

(II) Most of the time husbands and children help housewives in their

housework.

Choose the correct option:

(a) I is true II is false

(b) II is true I is false

(d) Both I and II are false

(iv) Who made us recognize the significance of women’s work?

(a ) Some people

(b ) The home-makers

(c ) The economists

(d ) Employed housewives

(v) A full time housewife works 56 hours per week and gets _________

(a) $ 4705

(b) $ 8200

(d) None of the above

(vi) Find the word from para 1 which means ‘ different’.

(vii) Find the antonym of ‘ same’. (para 5)

(viii) Complete the following sentence:

The traditional role of woman is to ______________

(ix) Why is an employed woman deprived of the joys of leisure?

(x) When will women’s work in the home be valued?

Ans.

(i) (c ) The women who do housework
(ii) (d) All of the above
(iii) (a) I is true II is false
(iv) (c ) The economists
(v) (d) None of the above
(vi) Assorted
(vii) Vary
(viii) do housework/ take care of children/ carry out different works for husband/
carry out the responsibilities of family life.
(ix) She has to labour outside and inside her home. Her husband and children
contribute little to housework/ carry out the responsibilities of family life.
(x) When they are paid equally in the labour force and there is no division of
labour based on sex/gender.

2. Attempt any two from each sub- part :

(A)Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals/auxiliaries 2x1= 2

(i) What _______ you prefer coffee or tea?

(ii) The child is serious. He ______ be taken to hospital immediately.

(iii) Choose the correct option:

______ I use your mobile phone to call my brother?

(a ) Would (b) may (c ) ought to ( d ) must

(B) Change the narration 2x1 =2

(i) Geeta said to Ravi, “How can we find a solution to this problem?”

(ii) Keats says, “ A thing of beauty is joy forever.”

(iii) Choose the correct option

The doctor said to the patient, “Drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration.”

(a) The doctor advised the patient to drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration.

(b) The doctor advised the patient not to drink water to avoid dehydration.

(d) The doctor told the patient that he drink water to avoiding dehydration.

(C) Fill in the blank with suitable articles wherever necessary 2x1=2

(i) _______ sooner______ better.

(ii) ______ English is spoken worldwide.

(iii) He did his _______ best to win the match.

(a ) a (b) an (c ) the (d) x

(D) Change the voice 2x1= 2

(i) She made me cry.

(ii) You are requested to sit down.

(iii) Choose the correct option.

Birds fly in the sky.

(a) Birds are flown in the sky.

(b) The sky is flown in by birds

(d) None of the above.

(E) Fill in the blank with correct form of verb. 2x1=2

(i) I wish I ________ that match. ( to watch)

(ii) Police _____ into the matter for two days ( to look)

(iii) Choose the correct option.

He along with his family members ___________ Madhogarh Fort every year.

(a) visit (b ) visits (c) are visiting (d ) visited

Ans.

3.1 Modals

(i) would

(ii) must

(iii) (b) May

3.2 Change the narration

(i) Geeta asked Ravi how they could find a solution to that problem.

(ii) Keats says that a thing of beauty is joy forever.

(iii) (a) The doctor advised the patient to drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration.

3.3 Articles

(i) the, the

(ii) no article (X)

(iii) (d) X

3.4 Change the Voice

(i) I was made to cry by her

(ii) Sit down, please. / Please, sit down.

(iii) (d) None of the above

3.5 Tense/ correct form of verb

(i) had watched

(ii) has been looking

(iii) (b) visits

3. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: (5)

What I want should not be confused

With total inactivity.

Life is what it is about;

I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded

About keeping our lives moving

Questions:

(i) “Total inactivity’ refers to _________________.

(a) Life (b) Death

(ii) The figure of speech used in “ I want no truck with death” is

(a) Simile (b) Metaphor

(iii) Read the statements given below and choose the correct option

1 The poet values an active and meaning life

2 inactivity is equated with leisure, which the poet rejects

(a) Statement 1 is true but 2 is false

(b) Statement 2 is true but 1 is false

(d) Both the statements 1 and2 are false

(iv) The tone of the extract is

(a) Explanatory

(b) Humorous

(d) mournful

(v ) Name the poet of the above extract.

(a) John Keats

(b) Robert Frost

(d) Pablo Neruda

Ans.

(i) (b) Death

(ii) (b) Metaphor

(iii) (a) Statement 1 is true but 2 is false

(iv) (a) Explanatory

(v) (d) Pablo Neruda

4. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

For a moment I thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. It was so warm, so bright! The birds were chirping at the edge of woods; and in the open field back of the sawmill the Prussian soldiers were drilling. It was all much more tempting than the rule for the participles, but I had the strength to resist, and hurried off to school.

Questions:

(i) Complete the following sentence by choosing the appropriate option.

He hurried off to school resisting ________________

(a) Temptation

(b) The rules for participles

(d) Both ‘a’ and ‘b’

(ii) On the basis of the extract, study the two statements, I and II given below:

(I) The bright day, birds’ chirping, Prussian soldier drilling all tempted Franz.

(II) Franz bunked the school and spent the day out of doors.

Choose the correct option:

(a) I is true II is false

(b) II is true I is false

(d) Both I and II are false

(iii) _________ is the narrator of this extract.

(a ) M. Hamel

(b) Franz

(d) The Mayor

(iv) Find the correct pair

(a) sawmill --- onomatopoeia

(b) participles ---- onomatopoeia

(d) Woods ------ onomatopoeia

(v) The narrator wants to bunk the school because _____

(a) He wanted to seek bird’s eggs

(b) He did not like M.Hamel

(d) He wanted to spend some time with his friends

Ans.

(i) (a) Temptation

(ii) (a) I is true but II is false

(iii) (b) Franz

(iv) (c) chirping ------- onomatopoeia

(v) (c) He was not prepared for the test on participles

Learn these Questions

1. You are the secretary, Science Club of Govt. Sr. Sec. School, Kothal Kalan, Mahendergarh. Write a notice for your school notice-board encouraging the bright science students of classes XI and XII to participate in the Inter- School Science Exhibition to be held next week in a neighbouring school. Sign yourself as Mohit/Priya. ( Word Limit 50 words)

2. You are Sumit/ Priti of Narnaul. Of late, chain snatching incidents are increasing in the city. Write a letter to the Editor of The Hindu drawing the attention of the concerned authorities. Also give suggestions. ( word limit 120-150)

3. The mushrooming of fast food outlets is creating a health hazard for the youth. School going children are adopting unhealthy eating habits. Your school organized a ‘ Let’s Eat Healthy Week’. As student editor of the school magazine, write a report on the event. You are Sonu/Sunita.

4. (a) What forces conspire to keep the workers in bangle industry of Firozabad in poverty? (Lost Spring)

(b) “All we have to fear is fear itself” says Roosevelt. Explain the importance of the statement. ( Deep Water)

5. (a) Describe the poetic devices used by Kamala Das in ‘ My Mother at Sixty Six. ( My Mother at Sixty Six)

(b) What is the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘vain’?(A Roadside Stand)

6. (a) What was Gondwana? ( Journey to the End of the Earth)

(b) What were the two ‘amazing’ things of the royal infant? ( The Tiger King)

7. What is ‘ linguistic chauvinism’? Analyse the order from Berlin in this light. How do you justify M. Hamel’s views about French and the new found love of the people towards their language?

8. Kalki’s ‘The Tiger King’ is a satire on the pride and unbridled power and rule of the stubborn Maharaja of Pratibandapuram. Describe the use of dramatic irony leading to the death of the Tiger King. ( The Tiger King)

SET-2

1. (B) Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow;

1. Money came into existence to answer a need of mankind, but this need did not arise until civilization had grown beyond its earliest stages. Primitive man lived by hunting, each hunting only for himself and his family or tribe. At such a stage when strangers were avoided or driven away, money and trade were unnecessary. Later, when he had learnt to domesticate wild animals , man lived a nomadic and pastoral life, constantly wandering as he drove his flocks and herds to new pastures. As the road to wealth was then the possession of beasts, money in its modern form was still not necessary, although the beasts themselves were a form of money. It would suit, what few craftsmen there were to be paid for their wares in cattle and farmers and herdsmen to pay in that way.

2. When human communities began to settle down and cultivate the land, in stead of wandering over it with their flocks and herds, the division of labour increased and people specialized in crafts and trades. Most men specialized in growing and producing something of which only a very small portion was necessary for their own wants. So they had to get rid of their surplus. In exchange for it, they wanted something which would give them the power to choose what they wanted from the surpluses of other people. A few transactions might take place in straightforward exchange or barter, but only certain things could be treated in this way. It was unlikely for instance, that a shoemaker needing supplies of corn for his family from time to time would always find that the farmer would take shoes in exchange. It would be more convenient, if there were some other object that would always be useful to both the shoe-maker and the farmer.

3. Once the people have agreed what this other object is to be and once they are prepared always to accept it or offer it in payment, then we have money in its primitive form. It is the go-between in all business transactions or as the economists say, ‘a medium of exchange’. We have seen that in the pastoral stage of human history, cattle themselves were this generally acceptable commodity; it is therefore not strange that the Latin word for money, ‘pecunia’ comes from a similar Latin word, ‘ pecus’ meaning cattle.

4. The trouble about the cattle is that they may become diseased, are easily driven away while their owners are asleep, require a lot of land on which to graze and can not easily be subdivided without being killed and so losing their value. The precious metals such as gold and silver do not suffer from any of these disadvantages. It can be buried and hidden away easily, it does not rust or lose weight through storage; it can be weighed out into quite small quantities without loss of value. Even some modern communities have used the precious metals by weight as their standard money. For many years the standard money of China was the ‘tael’ which was not a coin, but a weight of silver.

5. There are, however, disadvantages in using weighed quantities of these metals. Dishonest person may mix them with less valuable metals of the same appearance and weight. The obvious way out of this difficulty is for the state to make coins of a standard shape, weight and fitness which are then called currency.

Based on the understanding of the passage, answer the questions that follow: 10x1 = 10 marks

(i) _________ was China’s standard money for many years.

(a) Pecunia (b) Pecus (c) Both ‘a’ and ‘b’ (d) tael

(ii) On the basis of your reading of the passage, find the incorrect statement.

(a) Primitive man lived by hunting only for himself and family or tribe.

(b) Money and even trade were unnecessary in primitive time.

(d) The primitive stage and the nomadic stage are the first two stages in the development of human society.

(iii) On the basis of the passage, study the two statements, I and II given below:

(I) The passage mentions three stages in the development of human society.

(II) Man had learnt to domesticate wild animals in nomadic stage.

Choose the correct option:

(a) I is true II is false (b) II is true I is false

(iv) Complete the following sentence by choosing the most appropriate option. The word ‘pecunia’ originated from _____________

(a) English language (b) Latin language

(v) The only way to subdivide the cattle was to__________

(a ) kill them (b) make them graze

(vi) Find the synonym of “ early” from the para 1 of the text.

(vii) How did money come into existence?

(viii) Complete the following sentence In nomadic stage man wandered in search of __________

(ix) Find the synonym of “ clear” from para 5.

(x) Why is it necessary for the state to mint coins?

Ans.

(i) (d) Tael

(ii) (c) Beasts were never used as a form of money.

(iii) (c) Both I and II are true

(iv) (b) Latin language

(v) (a) Kill them

(vi) Primitive

(vii) to answer a need of mankind ( any other similar response)

(viii) New pastures

(ix) obvious

(x) To bring uniformity in the coins of standard shape, weight and size. It was necessary for the State to mint coins.

2. (B) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

Therefore on every morrow, are we wreathing

A flowery band to bind us to the earth,

Spite of despondence, of inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all unhealthy and o’ver-darkened ways

Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all’

Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits.

Questions:

(i) In difficult times who/what helps us to overcome the difficulties?

(A) Our relatives (B) Our best friends

(ii) Complete the following analogy with a word from the given options:

despondence : dejection :: dearth : ______________

(a) scarcity (b) beneficent (c) comfort (d) none

(iii) On the basis of the extract, study the two statements, I and II given below:

(I) Despondency, depression, unhealthy and wrong ways taken up by humans cause suffering and pain.

(II) The imagery ‘ flowery band’ represents earthly ties.

Choose the correct option:

(a) I is true II is false (b) II is true I is false

(iv) Which of the following word rhymes with the word ‘all’

(a) days (b) pall (c ) earth (d) ways

(v) Identify the figure of speech used in ‘ noble nature’.

(a) Simile (b) Alliteration (c) Transferred epithet (d) Antithesis

Ans.

(i) (d) Some shape of beauty

(ii) (a) scarcity

(iii) (c) Both I and II are true

(iv) (b) Pall

(v) (b) Alliteration

3. (B) Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram, in central India, he said, “I will tell you how it happened that I decided to urge the departure of the British. It was in 1917.” He had gone to the December 1916 annual convention of the Indian National Congress party in Lucknow. There were 2301 delegates and many visitors. During the proceedings, Gandhi recounted, “a peasant came up to me looking like any other peasant in India, poor and emaciated, and said, “ I am Rajkumar Shukla. I am from Champaran, and I want you to come to my district!

Questions:

(i) Rajkumar Shukla belonged to __________

(a) Sevagram (b) Champaran (c) Lucknow (d) Chandigarh

(ii) Complete the following analogy:

Departure : Arrival :: _________ : chubby

(a) Emaciated (b) delegate (c) Convention (d) Proceeding

(iii) “When I first visited Gandhi.” Who is “I” here?

(a) Rajkumar Shukla (b) Dr. Rajender Prasad

(iv) When did Gandhi Ji decide to start his mission for independence?

(a) In 1916 (b) In 1917 (c) In 1942 (d) In 1947

(v) Rajkumar Shukla met Gandhi ji in________

(a) In 1916 at Lucknow (b) In 1917 at Champaran (c) In 1942 in Delhi (d) In 1916 at Kanpur

Ans.

(i) (b) Champaran

(ii) (a) Emaciated

(iii) (c ) Louis Fisher

(iv) (b) 1917

(v) (a) in 1916 at Lucknow

4. (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow;

Anyway, here is what happened at Grand Central. One night last summer I worked late at the office. I was in a hurry to get uptown to my apartment so I decided to take the subway from the Grand central because it is faster than the bus. Now I do not know why this should have happened to me. I am just an ordinary guy named Charley, thirty one years old and was wearing a tan gabardine suit and a straw hat with a fancy band; I passed a dozen men who looked just like me.

Questions:

(i) State whether the following statement is ‘True’ or ‘False’ Charley used the subway because it was quicker than the bus.

(ii) How old was Charley?

(iii) Which time frame is represented through the kind of outfit mentioned in the extract?

(iv) Complete the following sentence; Grand central is a/an____________

(v) Name the chapter and its author.

Ans.

(i) True

(ii) Thirty one

(iii) Present time

(iv) Train station/ Terminal/railway station

(v) The Third Level, Jack Finney

(B) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow;

Derry : I’d not come to steal anything

Mr. Lamb : No, no. the young lads steal…. Scrump the apples. You are not so young.

Derry : I just…just wanted to come in. into the garden.

Mr. Lamb: so you did. Here we are ,then.

Derry : you don’t know who I am.

Mr. Lamb : A boy. Thirteen or so

Derry : Fourteen.( Pause) But I’ve got to go now. Good-bye.

Mr. Lamb : Nothing to be afraid of. Just a garden. Just me.

Derry : But I am not…. I’m not afraid. (Pause) People are afraid of me.

Questions:

(i) State whether the following statement is ‘True’ or ‘False’. Derry entered the garden as he wanted to meet Mr. Lamb.

(ii) How old was Derry?

(iii) According to Mr. Lamb who comes to steal apples from the Garden?

(iv) Complete the following sentence; People are afraid of Derry because__________

(v) Name the chapter and its author.

Ans.

(i) False

(ii) Fourteen

(iii) Young lads/ small children

(iv) He has a burnt face/ his half face was burnt with acid/ he thought he had an ugly face

(v) On the Face of It, Susan Hill

Learn these Questions:

4 Attempt any one from (A) , (B) and (C) given below: 5

(A) You are the secretary, Science Club of Govt. Sr. Sec. School, Kothal Kalan,

Mahendergarh. Write a notice for your school notice-board encouraging the

bright science students of classes XI and XII to participate in the Inter- School

Science Exhibition to be held next week in a neighbouring school. Sign yourself as

Mohit/Priya. ( Word Limit 50 words)

(B) Draft a matrimonial advertisement for publication in a newspaper for a

suitable match for your brother. ( word limit 50 words)

Prepare a poster with catchy slogans to be displayed in the school premises. (

Word limit- 50)

5 Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below: 5

(A) You are Sumit/ Priti of Narnaul. Of late, chain snatching incidents are increasing in

the city. Write a letter to the Editor of The Hindu drawing the attention of the

concerned authorities. Also give suggestions. ( word limit 120-150)

You are Ansul/ Manisha. You saw the given advertisement in the newspaper and want

to apply for the position advertised.

M. S. Public School

Requires PGT ENGLISH

Young Male or Female

Qualifications

 MA English, B.Ed

 Good communication skills

 Experience 2 years

Job Profile: Taking remedial classes

Teaching classes 9- 12

Organize co- curricular activities

Salary : As per merit and school policy

Apply within 10 days to Principal, M.S Public School, Rewari

Write an application to the Principal, M.S. Public School, Rewari, along with your

bio- data in 120-150 words applying for the post advertised.

6 Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below: 5

(A ) The mushrooming of fast food outlets is creating a health hazard for the youth.

School going children are adopting unhealthy eating habits. Your school organized a ‘

Let’s Eat Healthy Week’. As student editor of the school magazine, write a report on

the event. You are Sonu/Sunita.

(B ) You are Nishant/ Palak studying in Delhi Public School, Ambala. While

commuting for your school everyday you find many of your school boys and girls

taking free lift from the passing cars, which you do not like. Write an article in about

120 to 150 words on “ The Evil of Hitch- hiking” for publication in your school magazine.

10 Answer any three questions in about 30- 40 words 2x3 = 6 marks

(a) What forces conspire to keep the workers in bangle industry of Firozabad in

poverty? (Lost Spring)

(b) “All we have to fear is fear itself” says Roosevelt. Explain the importance of

the statement. ( Deep Water)

(Poets and Pancake)

(d) Why was Gandhi Ji not allowed to draw water from the well? ( Indigo)

(e) What do you understand by “ interstices”? How does Umberto Eco utilize his

interstices? ( The Interview)

11 Answer any two questions in about 40-50 words 2x3= 6 marks

(a) Describe the poetic devices used by Kamala Das in ‘ My Mother at Sixty Six. (

My Mother at Sixty Six)

(b) What is the ‘childish longing’ that the poet refers to? Why is it ‘vain’?(A Roadside Stand)

about Aunt Jennifer’s husband? ( Aunt

Jennifer’s Tigers)

12 Answer any two questions in about 30-40 words: 2x2= 4 marks

(a) What was Gondwana? ( Journey to the End of the Earth)

(b ) What were the two ‘amazing’ things of the royal infant? ( The Tiger King)

(c ) State any two qualities of Hana. ( The Enemy)

(d ) Who was Mr. Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden? ( On the Face of It)

13 Answer any one of the following in about 120-150 words: 5

(a)What is ‘ linguistic chauvinism’? Analyse the order from Berlin in this light. How do

you justify M. Hamel’s views about French and the new found love of the people

towards their language?

(b) “ The whole world… was nothing but a big rattrap”. How does the author

use the metaphor of the rattrap in the story? How does the peddler save himself

to be trapped in the rattrap? ( The Rattrap)

14 Answer any one of the following in about 120-150 words: 5

(a) Kalki’s ‘The Tiger King’ is a satire on the pride and unbridled power and rule of the

stubborn Maharaja of Pratibandapuram. Describe the use of dramatic irony leading

to the death of the Tiger King. ( The Tiger King)

(b) Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the earth’s present, past and

future? Elaborate your answer with reference to the lesson ‘Journey to the end of

the Earth. (Journey to the end of the Earth)