CBSE SAMPLE PAPER (SOLVED)
Maximum Marks : 90

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[For Summative Assessment-1 (Term-I) to be held in September, 2011 & onwards]
Maximum Time : 3 hours

The question paper is divided into four sections.
Section A :
Reading
Section B :
Writing
Section C :
Grammar
Section D :
Literature

SECTION A : READING
Q.1. Read the following passage carefully.

20 marks
25 marks
20 marks
25 marks

(20 MARKS)
[10]

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School used to be all about writing, whether it was the exercise books we wrote in
or the notes we passed around. But not any more. Now it’s all about typing. Learning
your QWERTY is almost as important as learning your ABC.
So, when my daughter came home last year with cursive handwriting homework, I
was nonplussed. Cursive writing was originally developed to make it easier for
children to write with a quill. By joining up the letters, it kept the quill on the
parchment and minimised ink blots. But my daughter writes with a laptop. I explained
as much to her teacher at the next parents’ day.
But the teacher explained that research suggests that the process of writing information
down on paper, by hand, has a more direct effect on the formation of memories in
the learning process than typing. Taking notes in class is still the most effective way
to learn. It’s a better way to store the skills for written language in a child’s brain
than pressing keys.
She went on to say, “But that doesn’t mean that one should ditch computers. Children
should be taught to touch-type early on. She just feels that learning is aided by the
physical act of writing. Authors often write their first draft by hand. Whether it’s to
do with the pace of thought, or some kind of stimulation the physical act has, we
don’t know. But it’s a fact.”
The French would doubtless agree. They love their handwriting. Teachers in France
believe that fluency with a pen ‘unlocks the mind’ and they spend more time on
writing than reading between the ages of three and eight.
We teach children the formation of letters and the appropriate joining strokes. But
after a few years we leave them on their own devices, just as the written workload
starts to increase. That’s when the bad habits set in.
But as proper writing becomes rarer, spending some time improving your handwriting
is a good investment. In the future, sending a handwritten letter will be a display of
affluence and class, which is why the sale of fountain pens is reviving.

Communicative English IX (Term - I)

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I. Answer the following questions briefly.

[6]

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1. Today handwriting is not given much importance as_____________________ .
2. The author was nonplussed when his daughter came home with cursive handwriting
homework as he felt that _______________________________ .
3. The teacher felt differently because ______________________________ .
4. Cursive writing was introduced as it ________________________________ .
5. Although children are taught to write at an early age, they do not have legible
handwriting when they grow older as _____________________________ .
6. Learning your QWERTY means _________________________ .

II. Fill in the blanks with one word only.

[2]

The point the author is trying to make here is that the importance of the computer
cannot be (a) ____________ , but handwriting is (b) ______________ important as,
not only does it (c) ____________ the learning, it also displays (d) ____________ .

III. Find a word in the passage that means the following:

[2]

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(a) taken aback / surprised
(b) feather
Ans.I. 1. now it’s all about typing
2. writing was not important as she writes in the laptop.
3. writing on paper has more effect on the formation of memories.
4. made it easier for the children to write with a quill.
5. the written workload starts to increase
6. learning type writing.
II. (a) ruled out
(b) equally
(c) enhance
(d) affluence/class
III. (a) astonished/nonplussed
(b) quill

Q.2. Read the following poem carefully.

[5]

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Once upon a time, son
They used to laugh with their hearts
And laugh with their eyes;
But now they laugh only with their teeth,
While their ice-block-cold eyes
Search behind my shadow.
There was a time indeed
They used to shake hands with their hearts;
But that’s gone, son.
Now they shake hands without their hearts
While their left hands search

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My empty pockets.
Communicative English IX (Term - I)

“Feel at home”, “Come again,”

Again and feel at home, once,
Twice, there will be no thrice –
For then I find doors shut on me.

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They say, and when I come

So, I have learnt many things, son.
I have learnt to wear many faces
Like dresses – home-face,

Office-face, street-face, host-face,

Cocktail-face, with all their conforming smiles
Like a fixed portrait smile.
And I have learnt, too.
To laugh with only my teeth
And shake hands without my heart.

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I have also learnt to say ‘Goodbye’
When I mean ‘Good – riddance’;
To say ‘Glad to meet you’

Without being glad; and to say ‘It’s been
Nice talking to you’, after being bored.
Believe me, son

I want to be what I used to be
When I was like you. I want

To unlearn all these muting things.

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Most of all I want to relearn
How to laugh, for my laugh in the mirror
Shows only my teeth like a snake’s bare fangs!

So show me, son
How to laugh; show me how
I used to laugh and smile
Once upon a time when I was like you.

Communicative English IX (Term - I)

Gabriel Okara
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Answer the following questions by choosing an appropriate option from those
given below.
1. The father also ‘wears many faces’ as he
(a) wants to imitate others
(b) wants to hide his feelings
(c) wants to wear a portrait smile
(d) both (a) and (b)
2. The father yearns to laugh like
(a) a child
(b) his son
(c) other people
(d) he used to when he was young
3. ‘To laugh with only my teeth’. By this father means to say
(a) he doesn’t laugh any more
(b) his laughter does not reflect his feelings
(c) he is old and can no longer laugh like a child
(d) he has forgotten how to laugh
4. The poem clearly conveys that
(a) appearances are deceptive
(b) people are actors
(c) children teach adults
(d) when you grow up you have to relearn things
5. The human behaviour being discussed here is
(a) dishonesty
(b) benevolence
(c) hypocrisy
(d) friendliness
Ans. 1. (b) wants to hide his feelings
2. (d) he used to when he was young
3. (b) his laughter does not reflect his feelings
4. (a) appearances are deceptive
5. (c) hypocrisy

[5]

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Q.3. Read the following passage carefully.

By the time our delayed train reached and I disembarked with my father and baby
Lavanya, it was well past midnight. It was cold, dark and foggy. My husband, Manas,
who was to receive us, was nowhere in sight, Soon the platform became deserted.
Then, a burly man approached us and offered to carry our bags. He wasn’t wearing
the usual porter’s red shirt and tag, and though I was wary, my father decided to hire
him. Leaving Lavanya and me with the man, my father went to look for Manas. I
took a closer look at the man and felt apprehensive. He was big and hairy, his face
was pock-marked and his eyes looked bloodshot.

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Communicative English IX (Term - I)

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Just then Lavanya, who had been sleeping in my arms, awoke, and turned to look
at the porter. He gave her a playful smile and held out his arms. I thought she’d start
crying and held her closer. But she smiled back and twisted herself out of my arms
into his.

Now I was really scared. What if he ran away with my baby? He must have sensed
my fear and, even before I reached out to take Lavanya back, he handed her to me.
Turning around, he mumbled that though everyone was scared of him, yet my innocent
baby had accepted him. His eyes had tears in them. I didn’t know what to say.

At that moment my father returned with Manas. The man picked up our bags and
walked towards the car park. As we followed him, I asked Manas to pay him a little
extra. But, having put our luggage in the car, the man refused to take payment from
us. Coming up to me, he placed his hand on my baby’s head for a moment as if to
say, ‘God bless you!’ and walked away.

Answer the following questions by choosing an appropriate option from
those given below.

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1. The author was apprehensive when a man approached her as
(a) he was scary looking
(b) her father was not with her
(c) he was drunk with bloodshot eyes
(d) her husband was nowhere in sight

2. The man refused payment because
(a) the money offered was less
(b) he was not a porter
(c) he sensed the woman’s fears
(d) the baby had come to him

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3. The man handed the baby back to the lady as
(a) he feared the baby would start crying
(b) she reached out for the baby
(c) he realised that she was scared
(d) his eyes had suddenly filled up with tears

4. This incident made the author realize that one should
(a) not be scared of strangers
(b) only take the services of a regular porter
(c) not allow strangers to handle their children
(d) not judge people by their appearances

5. ‘Apprehensive’ means
(a) appreciative
(c) happy

Communicative English IX (Term - I)

(b) fearful
(d) sad
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(a)
(d)
(c)
(d)
(b)

he was scary looking.
the baby had come to him
he realised that she was scared
not judge people by their appearances
fearful

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Ans. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

SECTION B : WRITING

(25 MARKS)

Q.4. You are the president of the Environment Club of your school. The club
is organising a three day trip to Jim Corbett Park. In about 50 words
write a notice for the students of std. IX informing them about the trip.
Also give other necessary details.
[4]
Ans.

NOTICE

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Rare Opportunity
A Visit to Jim Corbett Park
Students of standard IX are hereby being informed that the school is organizing a
three day trip to Jim Corbett Park from 16th April 2011 to 18th April 2011, both dates
inclusive. The school has arranged transport, a deluxe bus, which will leave at 5 a.m.
on 16th April and will bring students back at 9 p.m. on 18th April. The cost of the trip
is rupees one thousand each. Any queries may be addressed to the undersigned
Vijay Kumar
Secretary

Students Union

Q.5. A well dressed gentleman came to meet your father but he was not at
home. He did not give his name. All he said was that he and your father
had studied together in college, and had not met for the last 15 years. He
promised to come again tomorrow.
In about 100 words, give a description of this gentleman to your father to help
him identify his old friend.
[6]

Ans.

Description

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Dear Father, a gentleman came to meet you today but you were not at home. He was
tall and strongly built with an elegance. He was dressed in a grey worsted suit and
a matching bowler hat. Very soft spoken with a deep-rich voice, an easy smile and
a wide set limpid grey eyes, and richly thick wavy hair. He appeared to be very well
read as was apparent from his speech. He said he was your friend since childhood,
both of you having studied in the same school and same college. He also mentioned
that he was in the college football team—said you both hadn’t met for the last 15
years as he had gone away to Baroda after completing college. He did not give his
name. Papa, have you identified him. He has promised to come again tomorrow at the
same time.

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Communicative English IX (Term - I)

From :
To :
Subject :

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My dear Ashu

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Q.6. You travelled for the first time in a train and that too alone. Write an email to a friend in about 120 words describing your experience.
[7]

Love

Sumita Sehgal
Ans. E-mail

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Date : 24 April 2011
From : Sumitasehgal@gmailcom
To : Asha@rediffmail.com
Subject : My first train journey—Alone
Dear Asha
You know I never travel alone, I feel scared but on 17th April I had to travel alone
to Shimla. I boarded the Kalka Mail from New Delhi Railway Station. I was lucky
to get a seat/berth in the Ladies compartment. As I boarded the train, I found myself
with a lonely, chirpy and plump little lady who was surrounded with bags of all sorts
and sizes. We locked the bogey and did not unlock it throughout. So we both were
the sole occupants. She had food/snacks/fruits for at least ½ a dozen people. Anyway
we both enjoyed each other’s company, the food and the scenery. In no time we
reached Kalka. From there we boarded the mini train to Shimla. It was indeed very
very enjoyable.
Love
Sumita

Communicative English IX (Term - I)

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Q.7. There was a storm brewing outside and you were all alone at home.
Suddenly the lightswent out…..

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In about 150 words, write a story. You could use some of the phrases given
below.
[8]

jumped in fright
disappeared in a flash
screamed in horror
scared the daylight out of me
to my relief
touched something eerie
Ans. A storm had been brewing since evening. It was chance or ill luck that I was alone
at home, my parents had gone visiting their parents, my granny being ill. My brother
was away on an official tour. I was feeling scared and had locked all doors and
windows. It was small comfort, for with every flash of lightning and every clap of
thunder I would jump in fright. I saw a strange eerie shadow against the
windowpane. As I tried to see it, it disappeared in a flash and there was complete
darkness as power had gone. With my breath held in my throat I waited when
something touched me and I screamed in horror, just then the lights came on and I
saw the smiling mischievous face of my brother and drew a great deep sigh of relief.
You see my brother had suddenly come back from his trip and having his key to the
main door had come inside without knocking.

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SECTION C : GRAMMAR

(20 MARKS)

Q.8. Complete the passage by choosing the correct option from those given in
brackets.
[4]
The city police (a) ________ decided to (b) ________ stern action against drivers (c)
_________ attempt to overtake (d) _____________ the left (e) _____________ city
roads. All drivers who (f) _________ this rule will be punished. The first offence will
(g) _________ penalty. The second will incur (h) _________ of the driving license.
(a) (i) had

(ii) has

(b) (i) take

(ii) taking

(c) (i) whose

(iv) is
(iv) taken

(ii) who

(iii) which

(iv) those

(d) (i) in

(ii) to

(iii) over

(iv) from

(e) (i) in

(ii) over

(iii) on

(iv) by

(f) (i) vitiate

(ii) violate

(iii) violent

(iv) violence

(g) (i) inviting

(ii) invitation

(iii) invite

(iv) invited

(h) (i) cancelling

(ii) cancellation

(iii) cancel

(iv) cancelled

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(iii) too

Ans. (a) has
(g) invite

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(iii) have

(b) take

(c) who

(d) from

(e) on

(f) violate

(h) cancellation

Communicative English IX (Term - I)

Q.9. Complete the conversation by choosing the correct option from those
given below.
[4]
: Hello. I wish to know the tours your company offers.

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Tourist

Travel agent : Hello, Sir. Could you tell me which (a) _____________________?
Tourist

: Bangalore and Mysore.

Travel agent : (b) _________________________________ Sir?
Tourist

: No, I prefer a 3 - 4 day trip.

Travel agent : Please go through this brochure and see what you like.
Tourist

: Thank you. (He goes through the brochure and asks) (c) ________?

Travel agent : Rupees eight thousand, Sir.
Tourist

: (d) _________________________________ include travel
expenses?

Travel agent : No Sir, we provide only accommodation.
1. (a) places you would like to visit.

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(b) places you are liking to visit.
(c) places you are likely to visit.
(d) places you are to visit.

2. (a) For a week

(c) for how long

(b) From a week
(d) For how many days

3. (a) Tell me the cost of the trip

(b) What should be the cost of the trip
(c) What would be the cost of the trip
(d) Cost please

4. (a) Should that

(d) Can that

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(c) Would that

(b) Could that

Ans. (a) places you would like to visit.
(b) For a week
(c) What would be the cost of the trip
(d) Would that

Q.10. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of
the first nine lines. Write the incorrect word and the correction as given
in the example against the correct blank number in your answer sheets.
Also underline the correct word you have supplied.
[4]

Communicative English IX (Term - I)

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Singapore is located in a highest strategic
area in South-East Asia. It lay on an

highest

highly

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(b) _____________________

line. It is a major port. Goods from every
on their way for ports in Western Asia,

Correction

(a) _____________________

important trade route. Trade was its life
East Asian countries flow in Singapore

Error

(c) _____________________

(d) _____________________

Africa and Europe. From a Singapore docks

(e) _____________________

ships carry rubber, copper, timber and spices (f) _____________________
sail to other countries. Other ships bring out (g) _____________________

manufactured goods and machinery from the (h) _____________________
Correction
lies
is
all
through
to
the
carrying
back
industrial

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industrial countries of the world.
Error
Ans.
(a) lay
(b) was
(c) every
(d) in
(e) for
(f) a
(g) carry
(h) out
(i) manufactured

Q.11 Complete the following passage by filling in the blanks with ONE word
only.
[4]

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The Annual Sports Day function of Agra Public School was (a) ___________ with
great enthusiasm. The Director of Sports was the Chief Guest (b) ______________
the occasion. He was (c) __________ by the Principal and staff, as well as the Head
boy and Head girl. The prizes were given (d) ________ by the Chief Guest’s wife.
Ans. (a) held/celebrated
(b) on
(c) welcomed
(d) away.

Q.12 Rearrange the following words and phrases to make meaningful
sentences. The first one has been done as an example.
[4]
E.g., feared by / snakes are / in our / worshipped / and / many / country
Ans. Snakes are worshipped and feared by many in our country.

(a) of the/are venomous/only/300 out/species/2700 known
(b) which is / yellow liquid / water / snake venom / 90% / is / a
(c) expelled / poison gland / that is / it is / from the / a substance
(d) of thick / are / connective / these glands / made / tissue

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Communicative English IX (Term - I)

Ans. (a) Only 300 out of the 2700 known species are venomous.
(b) Snake venom is a yellow liquid which is 90% water.

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(c) It is a substance that is expelled from the poison gland.
(d) These glands are made of thick connective tissue.

SECTION D : LITERATURE

(25 MARKS)

Q.13. (A) Read the extracts and answer the following questions by choosing the
most appropriate option.
[3]

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Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
(1) The poet ‘looked down one’ as far as he could because he
(a) was trying to see where it ended
(b) wanted to take that road
(c) was deciding which road to take
(d) was unhappy that he could not take that road too
(2) The tone of the poet is one of
(a) apology
(b) regret
(c) despair
(d) anxiety
(3) The roads represent the
(a) difficulties one faces in life
(b) paths one takes while travelling in a forest
(c) choices in life
(d) profession one chooses
Ans. A 1. (d) was unhappy that he could not take that road too
2. (b) regret
3. (d)

(B) Read the given extract and answer the questions.

[3]

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By mid-April neighbours saw a daily struggle in front of Marcy’s house. Out
on the sidewalk they saw the dog pull his leash taut, then stand and wait.
(a) What was the struggle the neighbours witnessed?
(b) Why did the dog stand and wait?
(c) What was the final outcome of the struggle?
Ans. (a) Hooper’s effort to walk, struggling to take each step after his paralytic attack.
(b) The dog (Duke) waited for his master (Hooper) to take the step then Duke took
another, followed by Hooper, this way they would walk.
(c) Hooper managed to walk again. He was able to resume his work and was promoted
to the rank of Assistant National Sales Manager.

Communicative English IX (Term - I)

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(C) Read the extract and answer the following questions.

[3]

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Jeanne : What on earth have you done?
Gaston : I? Made a hundred thousand francs and a Carot!
(a) How has Gaston made a hundred thousand francs?
(b) Mention any two characteristics displayed by Gaston when he made a
hundred thousand francs.
(c) What is the Carot being referred to here?
Ans. C. (i) He sold Juliette’s Villa for three hundred thousand francs to Mrs. Al Smith
without actually buying it. Afterwards he did buy it from Juliette for two hundred
thousand francs thus making a profit of a hundred thousand francs.
(ii) Unscrupulous and manipulative.
(iii) A painting made by an artist who signs himself as ‘Carot’.

Q.14. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each.

2.

3.

4.

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5.

1. How do we know that Lord Ullin forgave his daughter for eloping with her
lover?
2. What are the guesses the poet makes with regard to the Solitary Reaper’s song?
3. Why was Sudha Murty surprised when her grandmother touched her feet?
4. Which road does Robert Frost choose and why?
5. How and why does the Brook ‘bicker’?
He cries when he sees her struggling in the water and calls her back. He is devastated
with grief and quit. His regret turns to wailing. He says he will forgive her and the
highland chief.
The poet cannot understand the dialect of the song, so he makes many guesses
regarding the theme of the song. From its sad tone he relates it to some unhappy
memory, some battles fought long ago or maybe just common place things like joys
and sorrows.
Sudha Murty was surprised when her grand mother touched her feet because in her
view only the younger people touch the feet of their elders. The reason her
grandmother touched her feet was that she regarded her as her teacher. And students
touch their teachers’ feet.
Robert Frost wants to travel untrodden paths and does not want to be a part of the
herd. This particular path which he chooses is grassy and looks to be untrodden.
Bicker means to quarrel. On its long journey the brook flows down hills and slopes.
It slips, slides, glides, chatters and bickers. As the brook flows down slopes of hills,
it moves fast and its waters fall with force and noise. This noise is like the noise of
children quarrelling playfully hence the poet uses the word ‘Bicker’.

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Ans.1.

[8]

Q.15. After Duke’s death, Marcy was asked to write an article for the local
newspaper. She decides to write on the topic ‘A dog is a man’s best
friend’. Write it for her in about 150 words.
[8]
OR
You are Juliette. You feel duped and cheated by Gaston. You decide to take legal

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Communicative English IX (Term - I)

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Ans.

action against him. Write a letter to your friend in about 150 words, sharing this
incident and the action you plan to take against him.
A Dog is Man’s Best Friend
Since the earlier times when the Early Man learnt to domesticate animals, dog was
one among them. When man decided to keep the dog with himself after chalking out
the field or work of each animal like cows and buffaloes for milk, donkey for carrying
heavy loads, camel for carrying passengers as well as loads, and horse for riding, he
kept the dog with himself who gave him companionship, friendship, loyalty, love and
also guarded his house and farm. Thus the bond between man and dog was laid and
developed with the passage of time.
Ever since the dog has proved his worth and continued serving man in all conditions
to weather and danger. There are many a story when dogs have saved man even at
the cost of their own lives. In the story ‘The Dog Named Duke’, Duke was one such
dog who remained loyal and devoted to his master, Hooper. He helped Hooper regain
the use of his legs by overcoming his handicap. The manner in which he does it step
by step, patiently and devotedly shows the strong bond between him and his master.
Hooper getting back the use of his legs, his post and position, and promotion, is a
tribute to Duke, who himself died in a tragic road accident.
OR
The Villa
Near French Hollywood
25 April 2011

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My dear Angelique
You’ll be stunned to read what I am about to tell you. A man named Gaston has
cheated and duped me by selling my Villa which he had not yet bought from me for
an amount of three hundred thousand francs and then buying it from me for only two
hundred thousand francs thus making a profit of a hundred thousand francs. I want
to take him to the courts but I have some doubts about my legal rights. You see he
gave me the cheque dated the previous day thus legalising his sale of the villa to Mrs.
Al Smith. I don’t know what to do. But I am feeling duped and cheated I am just
fuming and want Gaston to pay for his dishonesty and cheating. Do write to me and
let me know your opinion of it.
Love.
Your friend,
Juliette

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Communicative English IX (Term - I)

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