Read the passage given below:

The Perfect Dog

1. In the summer of 1967, when I was 10 years old, my father caved into my persistent pleas and took me to get my own dog. Together we drove in the family station wagon far into the Michigan countryside to a farm run by a rough-hewn women and her ancient mother. The farm produced just one commodity-dog. Dogs of every imaginable size and shape and age and temperament. They had only two things in common: each was a mongrel of unknown and distinct ancestry, and each was free to a good home.

2. I quickly decided the older dogs were somebody else's charity case. I immediately raced to the puppy cage. 'You want to pick one that's not timid,' my father coached. 'Try rattling the cage and see which ones aren't afraid.'

3. I grabbed the chain-link gate and yanked on it with a loud clang. The dozen or so puppies reeled backward, collapsing on top of one another in a squiggling heap of fur. Just one remained. He was gold with a white blaze on his chest, and he charged at the gate, yapping fearlessly. He jumped up and excitedly licked my fingers through the fencing. It was love at first sight.

4. I brought him home in a cardboard box and named him Shaun. He was one of those dogs that gives dogs a good name. He effortlessly mastered every command I taught him and was naturally well behaved. I could drop a crust on the floor and he would not touch it until I gave the okay.

5. Relatives would visit for the weekend and returned home determined to buy a dog of their own, so impressed were they with Shaun-or 'Saint Shaun,' as I came to call him. Born with the curse of an uncertain lineage, he was one of the tens of thousands of unwanted dogs in America. Yet by some stroke of almost providential good fortune, he became wanted. He came into my life and I into his and in the process, he gave me the childhood every kid deserves.

6. The love affair lasted fourteen years, and by the time he died I was no longer the little boy who had brought him along on that summer day. I was a man, out of college and working across the state in my first real job. Saint Shaun had stayed behind when I moved on. It was where he belonged. My parents, by then retired, called to break the news to me. My mother would later tell me, 'In fifty years of marriage, I've only seen your father cry twice.” The first time was when we lost Mary Ann'-my sister, who was stillborn. 'The second time was the day Shaun died.'

7. Saint Shaun of my childhood, He was perfect dog. At least that's how I will always remember him. It was Shaun who set the standard by which I would judge all other dogs to come.
(Marley and Me by John Groan)

1.1 Complete the following statements:

(a) The dog farm was run by .................... .

(b) The author did not want an old dog because.................... .

(c) He fell in love with the dog the moment the latter.................... .

(d) Shaun became so obedient that he.................... until the author allowed him.

(e) After visiting them their relatives wanted.................... .

(f) When Shaun died even.................... .

1.2 Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following:

(a) urgent request (para 1)
(b) falling (para 3)

Read the following passage:

It's Beginning to Bite
In these trying times, when buying ordinary foodstuff can burn a hole in your pockets, comes the news that can actually help us save some hard cash when we go out to shop the next time. According to a Stanford University study, the first of its kind in the world, there is no evidence to suggest that there are more nutritional benefits from expensive organic food than those grown by conventional methods. The researchers add that there is no difference in protein and fat content between organic and conventional milk and the vitamin count is similar in both types. The only benefit is that organic foods are not contaminated with pesticides but then before you chew on the plate of organic okra with roti made from organic wheat, they are not 100% pesticide free either. In India, organic food has been growing at 20-22% and the export market is valued at Rs. 1,000 crores. Obviously, the study is not good news for that sector and for people who are big on organic food.

In India, eating organic food is more of a style statement than due to health worries because the stuff is expensive. But people who can, do indulge in not only organic vegetables but even organic eggs laid by 'happy hens', who are allowed to roam around freely whereas 'unhappy hens' are kept in coops. Then there are companies that have installed music channels in their cowsheds and the milk from those sheds are sold at a marked up price since it has more nutritional value because the animals are happy thanks to lilting 24×7 music. We don't know yet any farmer using music to improve his crop quality, but then you never know: plants are known to respond to music.

Why such pickiness about food? These days, the huge number of TV shows and articles that we see and read on food provide bread and butter for the specialist. But instead of decoding food, its sources and what has gone into growing it, isn't it much better to enjoy what's on the plate?

(Adapted from The Hindustan Times)

2.1 Complete the statements given below by choosing the correct options from those that follow:

(a) According to a Stanford University study, organic food in relation to conventional food is________.
(i) less nutritious
(ii) more nutritious
(iii) very conventional
(iv) as nutritious

(b) The study will not be welcomed by _________.
(i) farmers of conventional food
(ii) makers of pesticides
(iii) all sectors
(iv) exporters of organic food

(c) We can save some hard cash by _________.
(i) buying organic food
(ii) not buying organic food
(iii) going to the shop
(iv) not buying food with pesticides

(d) Music channels are installed in the cowshed because of the _________.
(i) cows then give more milk
(ii) milk is sold at a higher price
(iii) milk becomes more pure
(iv) workers becomes happy

(e) In the second paragraph, the author's attitude to the people who eat food sourced from 'happy' animals is that he _________.
(i) is happy with them
(ii) is unhappy with them
(iii) is laughing at them
(iv) wants crops to be grown similarly

(f) One benefit of organic food is that __________.
(i) it is fashionable to eat
(ii) only rich people can afford it
(iii) it is less contaminated with pesticides
(iv) even poor people can afford it

(g) The word 'contaminated' means ________.
(i) adulterated
(ii) for adults
(iii) containing
(iv) not healthy

You are Geet / Geeta, Head Boy / Head Girl, Vanskriti School, Shimla. Your school is going to organize a trip to Leh-Ladakh during the summer vacation. Write a notice in 50‒60 words for the school notice board giving the details of the trip. Imagine all the details.

You are Sumit, a student of class X. Your father has been transferred to another city resulting in a change of school for you. You have been attending your new school for a week now. Write a diary entry in 50‒60 words on your thoughts and feelings about your old school and new school.

Given below are notes on the life of Ustad Rahi Khan. Write a biographical sketch of his in about 100 words:

Born – March 21st, 1926 in Sitapur, U.P.
His ancestors – famous musicians
At the age six – moved to Varanasi
Received training – under Ustad Amir Ali Khan – a sitar player
Started performing at the age of 14
Performed in India and abroad
Awarded Padam Shri in 1967
Established a music school at Varanasi
Died – August 21st, 2004
One of the best examples of Hindu–Muslim Unity