ENGLISH ASSIGNMENT
MODULE NUMBER 3
SYLLABUS:
1. Comprehension Passage
2. Invitations and Replies
3. Report Writing
4. The Enemy
5. The Rattrap
6. Indigo
SECTION A
Q1 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 12Marks
The Rise of Teotihuacán
1 The city of Teotihuacán, which lay about 50 kilometers northeast of modern-day Mexico City,
began its growth by 200 –100 B.C. At its height, between about A.D. 150 and 700, it probably had
a population of more than 125,000 people and covered at least 20 square kilometers. It had over
2,000 apartment complexes, a great market, a large number of industrial workshops, an
administrative center, a number of massive religious edifices, and a regular grid pattern of streets
and buildings. Clearly, much planning and central control were involved in the expansion and
ordering of this great metropolis. Moreover, the city had economic and perhaps religious contacts
with most parts of Mesoamerica (modern Central America and Mexico).
2 How did this tremendous development take place, and why did it happen in the Teotihuacán
Valley? Among the main factors are Teotihuacán’s geographic location on a natural trade route to
the south and east of the Valley of Mexico, the obsidian resources in the Teotihuacán Valley itself,
and the valley’s potential for extensive irrigation. The exact role of other factors is much more
difficult to pinpoint —for instance, Teotihuacán’s religious significance as a shrine, the historical
situation in and around the Valley of Mexico toward the end of the first millennium B.C., the
ingenuity and foresightedness of Teotihuacán’s elite, and, finally, the impact of natural disasters,
such as the volcanic eruptions of the late first millennium B.C.
3 This last factor is at least circumstantially implicated in Teotihuacán’s rise. Prior to 200 B.C., a
number of relatively small centers coexisted in and near the Valley of Mexico. Around this time,
the largest of these centers, Cuicuilco, was seriously affected by a volcanic eruption, with much of
its agricultural land covered by lava. With Cuicuilco eliminated as a potential rival, any one of a
number of relatively modest towns might have emerged as a leading economic and political power
in Central Mexico. The archaeological evidence clearly indicates, though, that Teotihuacán was
the center that did arise as the predominant force in the area by the first century A.D.
4 It seems likely that Teotihuacán’s natural resources—along with the city elite’s ability to
recognize their potential—gave the city a competitive edge over its neighbors. The valley, like
many other places in Mexican and Guatemalan highlands, was rich in obsidian. The hard volcanic
stone was a resource that had been in great demand for many years, at least since the rise of the
Olmecs (a people who flourished between 1200 and 400 B.C.), and it apparently had a secure
market. Moreover, recent research on obsidian tools found at Olmec sites has shown that some of
the obsidian obtained by the Olmecs originated near Teotihuacán. Teotihuacán obsidian must have
been recognized as a valuable commodity for many centuries before the great city arose.
5 Long-distance trade in obsidian probably gave the elite residents of Teotihuacán access to a wide
variety of exotic goods, as well as a relatively prosperous life. Such success may have attracted
immigrants to Teotihuacán. In addition, Teotihuacán’s elite may have consciously attempted to
attract new inhabitants. It is also probable that as early as 200 B.C. Teotihuacán may have achieved
some religious significance and its shrine (or shrines) may have served as an additional population
magnet. Finally, the growing population was probably fed by increasing the number and size of
irrigated fields.
6 The picture of Teotihuacán that emerges is a classic picture of positive feedback among obsidian
mining and working, trade, population growth, irrigation, and religious tourism. The thriving
obsidian operation, for example, would necessitate more miners, additional manufacturers of
obsidian tools, and additional traders to carry the goods to new markets. All this led to increased
wealth, which in turn would attract more immigrants to Teotihuacán. The growing power of the
elite, who controlled the economy, would give them the means to physically coerce people to move
to Teotihuacán and serve as additions to the labor force. More irrigation works would have to be
built to feed the growing population, and this resulted
in more power and wealth for the elite.
1. In paragraph 1, each of the following is mentioned as a feature of the city of Teotihuacán between
A.D. 150 and 700 EXCEPT
A regularly arranged streets
B several administrative centers spread across the city
C many manufacturing workshops
D apartment complexes
2. The word “ingenuity” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
A ambition
B sincerity
C faith
D cleverness
3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 2 as a main factor in the development
of Teotihuacán?
A The presence of obsidian in the Teotihuacán Valley
B The potential for extensive irrigation of Teotihuacán Valley lands
C A long period of volcanic inactivity in the Teotihuacán Valley
D Teotihuacán’s location on a natural trade route
4. What can be inferred from paragraph 3 about Cuicuilco prior to 200 B.C.?
A It was a fairly small city until that date.
B It was located outside the Valley of Mexico.
C It emerged rapidly as an economical and political center.
D Its economy relied heavily on agriculture.
5. Which of the following allowed Teotihuacán to have “a competitive edge over its neighbors”?
A A well-exploited and readily available commodity
B The presence of a highly stable elite class
C Knowledge derived directly from the Olmecs about the art of toolmaking
D Scarce natural resources in nearby areas such as those located in what are now the Guatemalan
and Mexican highlands
6. According to paragraph 4, the recent research on obsidian tools found at Olmec sites has
shown____________________.
7. State two features of Teotihuacán that may have attracted immigrants to the city as mentioned
in paragraph 5.
8. In paragraph 6, the author discusses “The thriving obsidian operation,” in order to_________.
A explain why manufacturing was the main industry of Teotihuacán
B give an example of an industry that took very little time to develop in Teotihuacán
C illustrate how several factors influenced each other to make Teotihuacán a powerful and wealthy
city
D explain how a successful industry can be a source of wealth and a source of conflict at the same
time
9. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below.
Complete the summary by selecting the two answer choices that express the most important ideas
in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are
not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
1) Teotihuacán was a highly developed city in Mesoamerica that reached its peak between
about A.D. 150 and 700.
2) _________________
3) __________________
Answer Choices
A The number and sophistication of the architectural, administrative, commercial, and religious
features of Teotihuacán indicate the existence of centralized planning and control.
B Teotihuacán may have developed its own specific local religion as a result of the cultural
advances made possible by the city’s great prosperity.
C Several factors may account for Teotihuacán’s extraordinary development, including its location,
rich natural resources, irrigation potential, intelligent elite, and the misfortune of rival
communities.
D As a result of its large number of religious shrines, by the first century A.D., Teotihuacán became
the most influential religious center in all of Mesoamerica.
SECTION B
Q2. Attempt the following in about 50 words (4 Marks)
Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Lodhi Road is holding its Annual Food Fest on 4 th November 2023. The
Chief Minister of Delhi has consented to be the Chief Guest at its inauguration. Design an
invitation to be sent to parents and other invitees.
Q3. Attempt the following in about 120-150 words (5 Marks)
A mock earthquake drill was conducted in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Lodhi Road to meet the
requirement to conduct regular drills as stated under National Disaster Management Authority
Policy. As the Sub-Editor, write a report for the school newsletter.
SECTION C
Q4. Read the following extract and answer the questions based on it:
Thus agreed, together they lifted the man. He was very light, like a fowl that had been half-starved
for a long time until it is only feathers and skeleton. So, his arms hanging, they carried him up the
steps and into the side door of the house. This door opened into a passage, and down the passage
they carried the man towards an empty bedroom. It had been the bedroom of Sadao’s father, and
since his death it had not been used. They laid the man on the deeply matted floor. Everything here
had been Japanese to please the old man, who would never in his own home sit on a chair or sleep
in a foreign bed. Hana went to the wall cupboards and slid back a door and took out a soft quilt.
She hesitated. The quilt was covered with flowered silk and the lining was pure white silk. “He is
so dirty,” she murmured in distress.
1. Identify and explain the poetic device used in the first sentence.
2. What was it that the husband and wife had agreed upon?
3. Everything here had been Japanese to please the old man, who would never in his own home sit
on a chair or sleep in a foreign bed.
The sentence tells you that Dr. Sadao’s father was_____________.
4. Why did Hana hesitate while taking out the quilt from the cupboard ? What does it tell you about
her nature and character?
[Link] antonym of the word “tranquil” from the extract is___________.
i. half-starved
ii. hesitated
iii. deeply
iv. distress
Q5. Answer the following questions in 30 to 40 words each:
a) Dr. Sadao is assisted by Hana in resolving the dilemma that he faced. Justify the statement with
instances from the text.
b) What prompted the general to not make a case against Dr Sadao when he confessed to have
helped the enemy?
c) Pick out two instances from the story, “The Rattrap” to show that the peddler realized that he
himself was trapped.
d) Edla Willmanson’s behaviour and conduct towards the peddler is guided by selfish motives. Do
you agree or disagree with the statement? Provide reasons for your answer.
e) Identify that one singular characteristic exhibited by the poor yeoman, Raj Kumar Shukla that
acted as a catalyst in bringing about a sea change in the sharecropper’s lives. Briefly explain how.
f) Mention the various attributes displayed by Gandhiji that were instrumental in delivering justice
to the farmers.
Q6. Answer the following questions in 120 to 150 words each:
a. The real enemy of humankind are the people like the general solely guided by self-preservation
and self-aggrandizement. Comment
b. Describe briefly the precious lessons that Gandhiji imparted to not only the peasants but to the
members of the upper strata of the society as well.