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AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION BOARD

HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE

CLASS XI EXAMINATION

MAY 2013

English Compulsory Paper II

Time: 2 hours 10 minutes Marks: 60

INSTRUCTIONS

Please read the following instructions carefully.

1. Check your name and school information. Sign if it is accurate.

I agree that this is my name and school.

Candidate's signature

2. RUBRIC. There are FOUR questions. Answer ALL questions. Question 3 offers TWO choices
and Question 4 offers THREE choices. Attempt any ONE of the options in each.

3. When answering the questions:

Read each question carefully.

Use a black pencil for diagrams. DO NOT use coloured pencils.
DO NOT use staples, paper clips, glue, correcting fluid or ink erasers.
Complete your answer in the allocated space only. DO NOT write outside the answer box.

4. The marks for the questions are shown in brackets ( ).

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Q.1. (Total 10 Marks)

Read the passage carefully and answer all the questions that follow:
Driving through one of the roads of Karachi, I witnessed some people cutting down trees that
grew on the either side of the road.

Bewildered and infuriated by their action I kept driving, fighting the urge to stop these people
from committing this atrocious crime.

5 You may think I am exaggerating but, according to me, cutting down or pulling down trees is a
very repulsive crime. People who commit this felony are not aware of the consequences of
their actions. They are oblivious of the fact that they are not only endangering the environment
of the present generation but also for the coming generations.

Keeping in mind the demand of wood and timber for the rapidly growing population, it is true
10 that wood is needed in many industries and for production of many things but trees should not
be cut at a rate faster than they can be replaced. But, unfortunately, forests all over the world
are being cleared to fulfill the requirements of the population.

Trees are very important, both for the environment and humans. They not only keep check on
pollution but also keep the environment fresh and healthy. Furthermore, trees provide us with
15 food that is enriched with vitamins and minerals. And that wonderful and healthy food is none
other than fruits!

In addition to this, they provide timber for industries and employment for people in the timber
industry. Besides, all the parts of plants are used in the pharmaceutical industry in making
useful medicines.

20 It is because of trees that the rate and amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide remain constant.
When there are fewer trees, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air would increase as trees
take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen.

The rapid growth in the industrialisation results in more demand of wood for making furniture
and houses.

25 There are still a number of areas in Pakistan where people have no choice other than to use
wood for cooking and heat because they still dont have the natural gas to light stoves.

These are just a few reasons that have led to deforestation out of many others, and this is
harming our environment with every passing day.

Source: The Daily DAWN

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a. What are the disadvantages of chopping down trees? (4 Marks)

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b. How can we prevent deforestation? Give at least TWO suggestions. (2 Marks)

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c. Summarise the passage in not more than 100 words. (4 Marks)

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Q.2. (Total 10 Marks)

Read the passage carefully and fill in each of the blanks with ONE suitable word.

In October 1957, the world learnt of a new achievement by Russian scientists. They launched into outer
space the first man made earth satellite, Sputnik, opening up possibilities of further space probes. A
second, 1 larger satellite containing a dog, the famous Laika, was launched in
November.

These spectacular achievements of the Russians spurred 2 the Americans to launch

their Explorer in January, 1958. In 1961, it was again a Russian, Yuri Gagarin, who
3 the unique distinction of becoming the first man to travel in space.

4 achievements by both Russian and American astronauts have reassured the

world that the first man 5 land on the moon will do it before the end of this
century. Thus, what was a part of science fiction some years ago has become a fact of life.

Since the days of Galileo the possibility of exploring space further has been there,
6 it is only in the 20th century that rapid strides towards achieving this have been
taken. New developments 7 the field of aeronautics and rocketry have made it
possible to visualize a day when it will be 8 for man to travel in comfort to Mars.

Some people want to know why man 9 to explore space, at an enormous cost,
especially at a time when much money is needed to remove poverty and hunger from the face of this
earth. It is a fact that many millions in Asia, Africa and Latin America 10 without
food, through no fault of theirs.

PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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Q.3. (Total 15 Marks)

Write a formal letter of 120-130 words on any ONE of the topics given below.

EITHER

a. One of your teachers has been very supportive of everyone in your class for the entire academic
year. You want to appreciate him or her by expressing how he / she has impacted your studies and
values in general.

Write a letter of appreciation for your teacher and let him / her know how you have benefited from
his or her intellect and kindness. Give examples of how different aspects of your personality have
been changed as a result of the teachers impact.

OR

b. Problems at college can show up as poor academic performance, lack of motivation for studies, loss
of interest in college work, or poor relationships with peers or teachers.

Write a letter to the principal of your college and explore the reasons behind psychological
problems faced by the students. Also include at least THREE suggestions to prevent these
problems.

Make your notes below. Write your final draft on pages 7 and 8.
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Q.4. (Total 25 Marks)

Write a composition of about 250 words on any ONE of the options a, b or c.

Remember to compose the final draft in complete sentences.

EITHER

a. Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors. The proverb means that the difficulties we face in our
lives help making us strong and able. Narrate an ev ent from your life which was very difficult to go
through but you have learnt something significant and profound from it. Explain in what ways you
are different now as a result of that event.

OR

b. From early-on children are taught by society that their looks matter. Discuss whether you have
experienced image consciousness as a child. Do children around you who are less than ten years old
make an effort to look good? Give reasons why they are or are not conscious of their looks.

OR

c. Media influences our eating habits both positively and negatively. With reference to the given
statement, elaborate how your eating habits are affected by media.

Make your notes below. Write your final draft on pages 10 and 11.

PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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END OF PAPER
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