Class – XI
Subject – English Core
Chapter Wise Assignment
UP TO BENCHMARK TEST 1
Date of Issue: 27-04-2025 Date of Submission: 08-05-2025
General Instructions:-
- Use literature copy for the assignment.
- 60- 70% questions for BT 1 & MID TERM will be based on this Assignment.
LITERATURE
A Photograph
▪ Shirley Toulson
A. Answer the following questions: – Each question 2 Marks
1. The poet talks about a particular cardboard. How is it special to her?
2. What can you say about the childhood of the poet’s mother?
3. What moment does the photograph depicts?
4. Were the three cousins camera friendly? Who was taking their photograph?
5. The poet’s mother would laugh looking at the photograph. Why?
6. What impression do you form about the poet’s mother?
7. The sea appears to have changed less in comparison to the three girls who enjoyed the sea holiday.
Comment.
8. Why does the poet feel nostalgic?
9. What does the poet say about her mother’s face?
10. Does the poet appear to be grieving?
11. Comment on the tone of the poem.
B. Answer the following questions: – Each question 6 Marks
1. The poet has paid a tribute to her mother. Similar instances can be seen in “The Portrait of a Lady”.
This made you think that writing about a loved one is much better than building their statues or drawing
their portraits. Comment.
2. “It’s silence silences”, writes Shirley Toulson. The loss of her mother has silenced her. Do you think that
this attitude of the poet is the right attitude to live life? Why? Why not?
3. Happy moments are short-lived but provide a lifetime memory. They provide a cushion to bear the
difficulties which the future has in store for you. Comment in the light of the poem & Photograph by
Shirley Toulson.
4. Both wry with the laboured ease of loss: The poet is missing her mother. What is the role of the mother
in forming the personality of a child?
The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse
- William Saroyan
A. Answer the following questions: – Each question 2 Marks
1. How was the ‘deed’ of taking away somebody else’s horse and hiding it without the owner’s knowledge
not a theft according to the boys?
2. ‘I couldn’t believe what I saw.’ What was so incredible to the speaker? Who is the speaker here?
3. What impression do you form about Khosrove?
4. Why did the boys not want to return the horse immediately? Did their wish fulfill?
5. Bring out the significance of the white horse in Saroyan’s story.
6. Why was the sight of Mourad’s horse both delightful and frightening for Aram?
7. Mourad had a way and some sort of understanding with three creatures. Who were they?
B. Answer the following questions: – Each question 6 Marks
1. Aram did not think they had stolen the white horse even though they kept it with them for a long time.
Why did Mourad steal the horse? Why did they return it?
2. The narrator mentioned ‘a crazy streak’ running in his family. Which two characters showed this streak
in their behaviour and words? Write briefly about them showing how they could be called crazy.
3. Do you think John Byro recognised his horse? Why did he not accuse the boys of stealing his horse?
4. “We had been famous for our honesty for something like eleven centuries,” the narrator describes his
family in these words. Do you think it is possible to remain honest in modern times?
WRITING SKILL
Poster Making (3)
1. Prepare a poster in not more than 50 words on the theme “Stop Bullying – Speak Up, Stand Strong”
to be displayed in schools and community notice boards appealing to students to report and resist
bullying. You are the President of the Student Welfare Committee, Bluebell School, Kolkata.
2. Prepare a poster in not more than 50 words on the theme “Cyber Safety Begins with You” to be
displayed in schools and public internet zones appealing to people to use the internet responsibly. You
are the Head of the Cyber Awareness Committee, Tech Secure Foundation, Bangalore.
3. Prepare a poster in not more than 50 words on the theme “Clean India, Green India” to be put up in
public parks and schools to spread awareness about cleanliness and environmental care. You are the
Secretary of the Eco Club, National Public School, Jaipur.
Speech Writing (5)
1. As Rhea/Rohan of Class 11, you have to speak at a school function on the topic “Importance of
Discipline in Student Life.” Write your speech in 120–150 words emphasizing how discipline shapes
character and success.
2. You are Neha/Nakul of Class 11. Prepare a speech to be delivered during the school’s anti-corruption
week on the topic “Say No to Corruption – Yes to Integrity.” Write your speech in 120–150 words
appealing to the youth to uphold honesty and fairness.
3. You are Simran/Samar of Class 11. On Earth Day, you are asked to deliver a speech on “Sustainable
Living: The Need of the Hour.” Write your speech in 120–150 words, encouraging eco-friendly habits
and environmental protection.
GRAMMAR
A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of Tenses by choosing the correct option: (1×7=7)
1. When I reached his house, I found that he ____ .
(a) has already gone (b) had already gone (c) is already gone (d) was already gone
2. He started shouting before I ____ a word.
(a) Said (b) had said (c) have said (d) say
3. She ____ to the market every Sunday.
(a) go (b) goes (c) went (d) going
4. They ____ dinner when the phone rang.
(a) had (b) were having (c) have (d) are having
5. I ____ my homework before the teacher arrived.
(a) finish (b) finished (c) had finished (d) am finishing
6. By this time tomorrow, we ____ our exams.
(a) will complete (b) will have completed (c) complete (d) have completed
7. The sun ____ brightly when we reached the beach.
(a) shines (b) was shining (c) shined (d) shining
B. Rearrange the following jumbled words / phrases to make meaningful sentences. (1×7=7)
1. despite / the heavy rain / the match / continued / for an hour
2. was / so inspiring / the speech / that / everyone / stood up / and clapped
3. students / the principal / warned / who / were found cheating / during the exam
4. known for / its ancient temples / the city / attracts / thousands of tourists / every year
5. if / had studied harder / he / would have / passed / the entrance examination
6. because / the roads / were flooded / we / decided / to postpone / our trip
7. no sooner / had / we left / the house / than / it started raining
