Key Concept: Character Analysis, Moral Lesson

c) He experienced guilt and dissatisfaction despite winning.
[Solution Description]
Prabhat initially feels happy about winning the match but later experiences guilt and dissatisfaction because he knows he cheated. This internal conflict is evident when he writes in his diary that he "does not feel happy about it" despite winning.

Key Concept: Theme Identification, Character Comparison

c) Surya enjoyed the game regardless of the outcome.
[Solution Description]
Surya is relaxed and enjoys the game regardless of the outcome, as indicated by the text: "Surya seemed relaxed, not taking things seriously at all." Unlike Prabhat, Surya values the experience over winning.

Key Concept: Attitude Towards Winning and Losing, Sporting Spirit

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that Prabhat's behavior of only participating when he was sure of winning reflects an unhealthy fixation on victory, which is true as per the story. The reason given is that this behavior arose because he couldn't bear losing, believing it to be the worst outcome. This is also accurate according to the text. Moreover, the reason correctly explains why Prabhat acted the way he did, linking his actions directly to his aversion to losing.

Key Concept: Character Motivation

b) Surya enjoyed playing for fun, while Prabhat only cared about winning.
[Solution Description]
Surya remained relaxed and enjoyed the game, laughing and joking throughout, while Prabhat was serious and obsessed with winning, showing no enjoyment unless victorious.

Key Concept: Prabhat's Behavior

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The passage states that Prabhat "could not bear losing" and would only participate in games if he was sure of winning. When he sensed a potential loss, he avoided playing. His obsession with winning led him to cheat during the badminton match against Surya by altering the scoreboard. The reason given is directly related to his inability to tolerate losing, which aligns with his behavior described in the text. Hence, both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Moral Judgment, Character Motivation

c) He was relaxed and valued fun over winning.
[Solution Description]
Surya did not react negatively because he was relaxed and did not take the match seriously. The passage mentions that Surya was smiling and cracking jokes throughout, indicating his carefree attitude. He valued fun over winning, unlike Prabhat.

Key Concept: Surya’s behavior during the badminton match and Impact on Prabhat

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
According to the syllabus, Surya's carefree attitude is highlighted by his behavior during the badminton match. Despite losing because Prabhat changed the scoreboard, Surya suggested playing again and remained happy. This shows that the assertion is true.
The reason given is also true as per the syllabus, which states that Surya did not need a scoreboard to enjoy the game and that winning or losing did not affect his happiness. Moreover, the reason correctly explains why Surya remained cheerful despite losing—because he valued enjoyment over winning.
Therefore, both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Prabhat’s observation of Surya’s equal enjoyment

c) Surya enjoyed all activities equally, regardless of his skill level.
[Solution Description]
The syllabus states that Prabhat observed Surya enjoying all activities equally, whether he was skilled at them or not. This highlights Surya’s carefree and joyful approach to life.

Key Concept: Lesson learned by Prabhat

b) Because he realized winning through cheating didn't bring true happiness.
[Solution Description]
Although Prabhat won by cheating and everyone congratulated him, he couldn't sleep well that night. He realized that Surya didn't feel bad about losing and had fun playing the game. This contrast made Prabhat reflect on his own behavior and question the value of winning unethically, leading to his unhappiness.

Key Concept: Analyzing Surya's Reaction

b) Because Surya did not feel bad about losing
[Solution Description]
The text states that Surya did not feel bad about losing and was seen playing basketball the next day, which contrasts with Prabhat's usual reaction to losing. Prabhat finds this surprising because he expects everyone to feel terrible after losing.

Key Concept: Behavior Comparison

c) Surya valued sportsmanship and enjoyment over winning.
[Solution Description]
Surya did not feel bad about losing and was seen playing basketball the next day, which shows he enjoyed the game more than winning. Prabhat, on the other hand, could not bear losing and felt terrible, indicating his unhealthy obsession with winning.

Key Concept: Comparative Analysis, Inference

d) Prabhat valued winning more than Surya valued losing.
[Solution Description]
Prabhat felt empty despite winning, while Surya remained unaffected by losing. This highlights how Prabhat’s self-worth was tied to winning, whereas Surya had a healthier perspective on competition.

Key Concept: Character Traits

b) He avoided games where he might lose
[Solution Description]
From the story, we learn that Prabhat always wanted to win and couldn't bear losing. He avoided games where he might lose and cheated in a badminton match against Surya. This shows his initial attitude was negative towards losing.

Key Concept: Surya's attitude towards playing games

b) Surya relaxed, enjoyed the game, and didn’t focus only on winning.
[Solution Description]
Surya was relaxed and enjoyed the game, regardless of winning or losing. He laughed and joked during the match and played for fun, not just to win. In contrast, Prabhat initially focused only on winning and couldn't handle losing.

Key Concept: Sportsmanship

d) By remaining cheerful even when losing
[Solution Description]
The text states that Surya remained cheerful even after losing to Prabhat who had cheated. He enjoyed playing regardless of winning or losing. This demonstrates true sportsmanship.

Key Concept: Importance of Friendly Matches

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The syllabus clearly states that friendly matches are organized without the pressure of competition and emphasize enjoyment and participation over winning. Assertion (A) correctly identifies the primary purpose of friendly matches, which is enjoyment rather than competition. Reason (R) supports this by explaining that the absence of trophies or rankings reduces the competitive pressure, allowing players to enjoy the game. Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

Key Concept: Concept: Friendly matches

b) To enjoy the game without worrying about winning or losing
[Solution Description]
The syllabus states that friendly matches are played without competition and focus on enjoyment and camaraderie, not just winning. Therefore, their main purpose is to promote fun and fair play.

Key Concept: Concept: Sporting spirit

b) Sporting spirit
[Solution Description]
According to the vocabulary section of the syllabus, the correct term for being fair and respecting each player in a game is "sporting spirit."

Key Concept: Attitude Towards Games

c) He started enjoying the game fairly and respected his opponent
[Solution Description]
Prabhat initially cheated to win but later realized the importance of enjoying the game fairly, which changed his behavior positively.

Key Concept: Change of Heart

c) Enjoying the game and respecting opponents matter more than just winning.
[Solution Description]
Surya remained cheerful despite losing and suggested playing again, showing no resentment. This behavior likely taught Prabhat that enjoying the game and respecting opponents are more important than winning through unfair means. It contributed to Prabhat's change of heart regarding his approach to sports.

Key Concept: Perseverance, Passion

c) Persistent practice driven by love for the sport
[Solution Description]
Deepika Kumari's dedication and passion highlight perseverance, which aligns with enjoying the game for its own sake. Her journey reflects self-realization through consistent effort and love for the sport, irrespective of external rewards.

Key Concept: Attitude towards winning and enjoying the game

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
From the syllabus, it is clear that Prabhat’s attitude towards games was centered around winning. He avoided games he might lose and felt unhappy even when he won because his mindset was unhealthy. On the other hand, Surya did not feel bad about losing and continued to enjoy playing basketball. This shows that Surya prioritized enjoyment over winning, which is why he remained happy regardless of the outcome. The assertion correctly describes Prabhat's realization, and the reason accurately explains Surya's behavior, linking it to the concept of enjoying the game.

Key Concept: Sporting spirit

c) Playing fairly, respecting opponents, and enjoying the game.
[Solution Description]
The key takeaway from the text is that "winning is not everything; enjoying the game matters more" and "sporting spirit involves fairness and respect for all players." Therefore, the correct option should reflect these values.

Key Concept: Effect of winning vs enjoying

b) He avoided games he might lose and only played those he could win.
[Solution Description]
The text states that Prabhat avoided games where he sensed he might lose and only played those he was sure of winning, like badminton. This shows that his focus on winning limited his participation to only those games where victory was certain.

Key Concept: Cheating and personal guilt, Emotional impact of cheating

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
According to the syllabus, Prabhat did not feel happy after cheating to win the match despite being congratulated by everyone. His inability to sleep well indicates he was experiencing guilt. The reason for this guilt is tied to his awareness that he cheated to secure an unfair victory over Surya, who displayed a good sporting spirit. This shows that Prabhat recognized the unethical nature of his actions, leading to personal guilt.

Key Concept: Behavior Analysis

b) Because Surya did not feel bad about losing
[Solution Description]
Prabhat always felt terrible when he lost, so he expected others to feel the same way. Surya's calm and indifferent reaction to losing was unexpected for Prabhat.

Key Concept: Character comparison, Sportsmanship

c) Because Surya seemed unaffected by the loss
[Solution Description]
Prabhat measures self-worth by winning, while Surya enjoys playing regardless of outcome. Surya's ability to lose gracefully and continue playing other sports reveals a healthy attitude Prabhat doesn't understand, making it surprising.

Key Concept: ASCII Transformation

c) 65
[Solution Description]
The ASCII value of uppercase 'A' is a fixed numerical representation in the ASCII table. It is widely known that 'A' corresponds to the value 65 in the ASCII standard.

Key Concept: Case Conversion

b) python
[Solution Description]
To convert the string "PyThOn" to lowercase, each uppercase letter is transformed into its lowercase counterpart. The original string has uppercase letters 'P', 'T', and 'O'. Their lowercase versions are 'p', 't', and 'o' respectively. Thus, the transformed string is "python".

Key Concept: Character transformation, comparative analysis

c) Surya cared about enjoyment and fairness while Prabhat focused only on winning
[Solution Description]
Surya valued sportsmanship and playing fairly more than just winning, while Prabhat was obsessed with victory at any cost. This contrast made Prabhat realize his cheating was wrong when he saw Surya's integrity. The conflict arose from their opposing values - Prabhat's win-at-all-costs versus Surya's emphasis on enjoyment and ethics.

Key Concept: Multi-step Solutions, Reflective Thinking

c) It underlines the value of enjoying the game beyond results
[Solution Description]
Prabhat’s shift from focusing on winning to appreciating the game itself highlights the essence of sporting spirit—valuing participation and enjoyment over victory. His change mirrors the lesson from "Change of Heart," where sporting spirit is about fairness and intrinsic joy in playing.

Key Concept: Concept Application

d) Congratulating an opponent who played better
[Solution Description]
Sporting spirit involves fair play, respect for opponents, and enjoying the game itself rather than just focusing on winning. Among the options, congratulating an opponent who played better shows respect and appreciation for good play regardless of the outcome, which aligns perfectly with the sporting spirit shown by Surya in the story.

Key Concept: Sportsmanship Attitude

c) He realized his approach to games was unhealthy
[Solution Description]
From the passage, we know that Prabhat couldn't sleep well after winning because he realized Surya didn't feel bad about losing. This made Prabhat reflect on his own attitude since he usually only felt happy when winning. The key point is that Prabhat was surprised by Surya's positive reaction to losing, which contrasted with his own win-focused mindset.

Key Concept: Character Growth

b) He was afraid of losing.
[Solution Description]
The syllabus states that Prabhat always wanted to win and could not bear losing. He avoided games he thought he would lose and only played those he was sure of winning. This shows his fear of losing affected his enjoyment.

Key Concept: Character Growth, Sporting Spirit

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The Assertion states that Prabhat’s initial behavior—only enjoying games when he won—reflects a fear of failure and an unhealthy fixation on winning. This is supported by the syllabus, where Prabhat avoids games he might lose and feels terrible upon losing. The Reason explains that true sporting spirit is about enjoying the game itself, not just winning, a realization Prabhat had after seeing Surya’s joyful attitude despite losing. The Reason correctly explains why Prabhat’s initial attitude was problematic, as it contrasts his fear with the ideal of sporting spirit.
Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Key Concept: Character Analysis, Emotional Response

b) He felt guilty for cheating and was troubled by Surya's positive attitude.
[Solution Description]
Prabhat won by cheating and changing the scoreboard, but he did not feel happy because his victory was dishonest. He also observed that Surya remained unfazed by losing, which made him reflect on his own behavior. This internal conflict caused him unrest.

Key Concept: Behavior Analysis, Character Motivation

b) Enjoyment should come from participation itself rather than outcomes
[Solution Description]
The passage describes how Prabhat initially only played games he knew he would win. However, after observing Surya enjoying all games regardless of skill level or outcome, Prabhat realized that true enjoyment comes from participating rather than just winning. This made him start enjoying games like hide-and-seek and joking during badminton, developing a genuine sporting spirit.

Key Concept: Surya’s behavior

b) Surya didn't care about winning
[Solution Description]
Prabhat found Surya’s behavior surprising because Surya did not feel bad about losing and continued to enjoy playing basketball despite being terrible at it. This was unlike Prabhat’s own attitude where he focused on winning.

Key Concept: Comparative Analysis, Character Development

c) Surya valued participation and enjoyment while Prabhat focused on winning
[Solution Description]
Prabhat initially focused exclusively on winning (only playing games he was good at), while Surya enjoyed playing regardless of his skill level or outcome. The text shows Surya smiling happily even when terrible at basketball, indicating his focus was on the experience rather than results, which ultimately influenced Prabhat's transformation.

Key Concept: Past Perfect Application

c) had left
[Solution Description]
This describes two past actions where one (train leaving) was completed before the other (reaching station). Past perfect "had left" correctly shows this sequence.

Key Concept: Understanding Sequence of Actions

b) had practiced daily - joined team
[Solution Description]
In past perfect usage, the action with "had + past participle" comes first chronologically. Here "had practiced" clearly happens before "joined".

Key Concept: Past Perfect Tense

b) She had finished her homework before she went out to play.
[Solution Description]
The past perfect tense is used for the action that happened first, before another past action. We look for "had + past participle" form for the earlier action.

Key Concept: Sports and Wellness

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that children enjoy playing friendly matches because they are fun, which is true as per the syllabus. The reason given is that friendly matches are played without competition, which is also true according to the syllabus (friendly matches are defined as "matches played without competition"). Additionally, the reason correctly explains why children find these matches enjoyable, i.e., lack of competition makes them fun.

Key Concept: Past Perfect Tense

b) Prabhat had practiced badminton extensively before the games period.
[Solution Description]
Past perfect tense is used for actions completed before another action in the past. The correct structure is "had + past participle". In this case, "had practiced" fits correctly as it shows Prabhat's action was completed before the games period started.

Key Concept: Game Preferences, Emotional Response

b) Enjoys playing for fun but feels anxious in competitive settings.
[Solution Description]
The student enjoys basketball recreationally, indicating a positive association, but competition induces nervousness, showing mixed emotions tied to different contexts of the game.

Key Concept: Past Perfect Tense

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The past perfect tense, as shown in the example from the syllabus, is used to indicate an action that was completed before another past action. The assertion correctly states this usage of the past perfect tense. The reason provides a specific example from the syllabus where "had finished" is used to describe the first action (Prabhat completing his homework) before the second action (going to the match). Therefore, both assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Past Perfect Tense

d) had practiced
[Solution Description]
The past perfect tense is used to describe an action completed before another past action. Here, the sentence indicates that Prabhat's practice happened before the games period.
The verb "practice" in past perfect is "had practiced".
Checking the options:
- "has practiced" is present perfect.
- "practiced" is simple past.
- "had practicing" is grammatically incorrect.
- "had practiced" is correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is "had practiced".

Key Concept: Past Perfect Tense

b) started / had exhausted
[Solution Description]
Rules:
1. Past perfect ("had + V3") describes the older action.
2. Simple past describes the newer action.
Correct order: "By the time the match **started** (new), Surya **had exhausted** (old) all his energy."

Key Concept: Match Details

b) Three
[Solution Description]
The announcement states there will be three matches: chess, kho-kho, and badminton.

Key Concept: Sponsorship

b) Xydium Sports Club
[Solution Description]
The announcement clearly mentions that Xydium Sports Club is sponsoring the kho-kho match refreshments.

Key Concept: Match logistics, Role assignment

b) Multipurpose hall where nets are being set up
[Solution Description]
The multipurpose hall is for badminton, sports ground has referee (announcer), so Vani might be preparing for scorekeeping at activity room (chess venue). No other locations were mentioned for her.

Key Concept: Sports and Wellness

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
Deepika Kumari indeed started practicing archery using homemade bamboo bows and arrows, as mentioned in her bio. This early practice helped her develop foundational skills. The reason states that using basic equipment improves adaptability and technique, which aligns with Deepika's journey. Thus, both assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Sports - Deepika Kumari

b) Tata Archery Academy
[Solution Description]
Deepika Kumari joined the Tata Archery Academy, as mentioned in the syllabus. This helped her develop her skills in archery.

Key Concept: Deepika Kumari, Career Milestone

c) Commonwealth Games
[Solution Description]
Deepika Kumari won a gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games as per the syllabus.

Key Concept: Personification

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that the line "Night wins!" in the poem uses personification. This is true because night, which is a non-living thing, is described as winning, which is a human action. The reason defines personification correctly as giving human qualities to non-living things. Since the assertion correctly identifies an instance of personification and the reason explains what personification is, the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.

Key Concept: Personification

c) Night wins!
[Solution Description]
Personification is when human qualities are given to non-living things. In the poem, the line "Night wins!" is an example of personification because it gives the night the human ability to win a game.

Key Concept: Personification

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The line "Night wins!" attributes the human quality of winning to night, which is an example of personification. This is done to emphasize how night acts as a force that stops the children's playtime, similar to a winner concluding a game. Thus, both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Poem Comprehension

d) night falls making it dark and cold
[Solution Description]
The poem states "game's over" when "Night wins!" indicating that nightfall naturally ends their playtime as it gets dark and cold. This matches with line "When blue dark turns to black" showing the transition from evening to night.

Key Concept: Contextual Understanding

c) Playtime ends because of darkness
[Solution Description]
The phrase metaphorically suggests that night ends the children's playtime, as darkness makes it impossible to continue playing outdoors. It signifies the natural conclusion of their games due to time.

Key Concept: Poem Interpretation

c) they are running very fast and energetically
[Solution Description]
The line "We run so fast I can't even catch my breath" clearly indicates the children are playing vigorously and energetically, running at full speed which makes them breathless. This shows their enthusiastic participation in the game.

Key Concept: Poem Interpretation

c) Night comes
[Solution Description]
The poem states that when "blue dark turns to black", meaning night falls, the game is over and night wins. Thus, play ends because night has come.

Key Concept: Poetic Interpretation

b) Shadows make trees seem nearer as it gets darker
[Solution Description]
The phrase "trees creep close" suggests that as daylight fades into night, shadows grow longer, making trees appear closer than they actually are. It creates an eerie or mysterious atmosphere, signaling that it's time to stop playing.

Key Concept: Contextual Meaning

a) Because the sun has set and the temperature drops
[Solution Description]
The phrase "blue dark turns to black" describes the transition from evening to night. As the temperature drops during this time, the grass becomes cold. This natural change marks the end of playtime for children.

Key Concept: Comparative attitudes, Sporting spirit

c) Surya focuses on the joy of playing, while Prabhat focuses on winning.
[Solution Description]
The question compares Surya\'s and Prabhat\'s reactions to losing. From the syllabus, Surya did not feel bad about losing and continued playing, showing his focus on enjoyment rather than competition. Prabhat, however, avoided games he might lose and felt unhappy despite winning, highlighting his competitive mindset.

Key Concept: Attitude towards competition, Sporting spirit

b) He was afraid of losing and prioritized winning at any cost.
[Solution Description]
The question asks about Prabhat\'s initial attitude towards play based on his cheating behavior. From the syllabus, we learn that Prabhat was focused on winning and would avoid games if he thought he might lose. Cheating to win further emphasizes his competitive nature and lack of sporting spirit at the beginning.

Key Concept: The Joy of Play

b) His happiness remained regardless of scoring
[Solution Description]
The syllabus states that Surya enjoyed playing basketball despite being unskilled and his happiness never faded, even when he couldn't score.

Key Concept: Identifying native games

c) Kho-kho
[Solution Description]
The syllabus mentions Kho-kho as an example of an indigenous (native) Indian game. Indigenous games are those that originate from a particular region or country.

Key Concept: Symbolism, Setting

c) The end of playtime as night falls.
[Solution Description]
The transition from "blue dark turns to black" signifies the end of the day and the arrival of night. This change marks the conclusion of the children's playtime, as the natural world shifts into darkness, forcing them to stop their game and return home.

Key Concept: Poetic Imagery, Emotional Response

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that the line "blue dark turns to black" represents the change from evening to night, which is true as per the poem. The reason claims this transition evokes melancholy because playtime ends, which is also correct. However, the reason does not explain why the assertion about time passage is true; it adds an emotional layer instead. Thus, both are true, but the reason does not explain the assertion.

Key Concept: Relativity of Time

b) Time runs slower for astronauts
[Solution Description]
According to Einstein's theory of special relativity, time dilation occurs when an object moves close to the speed of light relative to another observer. For the astronauts traveling near light speed, their onboard clocks run slower compared to clocks on Earth. This means that less time passes for them than for stationary observers on Earth.

Key Concept: Basic Concept

c) 24
[Solution Description]
There are 24 hours in a full day.

Key Concept: Time Perception

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states a common observation about linear time perception, which is generally true. The reason cites a valid scientific fact (circadian rhythms). However, linear perception is influenced by cognitive factors beyond just Earth’s rotation, so the reason does not fully explain the assertion.

Key Concept: Environmental Impact, Sustainability

c) 250,000 metric tons
[Solution Description]
First, calculate the total energy consumption:
Energy per cubic meter = 10 kWh/m$^3$
Total energy = 50,000,000 m$^3$ $\times$ 10 kWh/m$^3$ = 500,000,000 kWh
Next, compute CO$_2$ emissions:
Emissions per kWh = 0.5 kg CO$_2$/kWh
Total emissions = 500,000,000 kWh $\times$ 0.5 kg/kWh = 250,000,000 kg CO$_2$
Convert to metric tons: 250,000,000 kg = 250,000 metric tons.

Key Concept: Personification in Poetry

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that the line "Night wins!" uses personification, which is correct because it gives the night the human ability to win. The reason explains what personification is, which is also true and directly relates to why the assertion is valid since the poet has employed this device in the given line.

Key Concept: Psychological Impact, Competitive Behavior

c) It leads to dishonest behavior and takes away the fun of playing.
[Solution Description]
Prabhat's obsession with winning led him to cheat in the match against Surya, showing that his competitive nature was unhealthy. His approach focused solely on victory, not on fairness or enjoyment, which took away the joy of the game.

Key Concept: Ethics, Sportsmanship

b) He valued participation and enjoyment over winning.
[Solution Description]
Surya remained relaxed and cheerful even after losing the match, saying that it was fun and suggesting they play again. This shows that Surya valued the experience and enjoyment of playing over winning, demonstrating a healthy sporting spirit.

Key Concept: Interpretation of Imagery

d) Darkness forces the children to stop playing.
[Solution Description]
"Night wins!" employs personification, portraying night as a victor ending the children's game. It signifies the inevitable arrival of nighttime when outdoor play must stop, using a playful metaphor to describe the natural transition from day to night.

Key Concept: Poetic Devices

c) To highlight the difficulty in breathing after running.
[Solution Description]
The poet breaks the phrase into separate lines to emphasize the child's exhaustion from running fast. Each word on a new line slows down reading pace, mirroring the child's struggle to regain breath and heightening the effect of breathlessness.

Key Concept: Personification, Interpretation

d) Personification
[Solution Description]
The poet uses personification to describe the night as if it can win, which is a human action. Personification gives non-human entities human characteristics.

Key Concept: Personification Identification

c) The wind whispered secrets through the trees.
[Solution Description]
Personification is a literary device where human qualities are given to non-human things. The correct option should clearly show an inanimate object performing a human-like action. Among the options, "The wind whispered secrets through the trees" attributes the human ability to whisper and tell secrets to the wind, making it an example of personification.

Key Concept: Comprehension and reflection

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states Prabhat avoided games unless he was certain of winning, which is directly supported by the text ("Prabhat would take part only when he was sure of winning"). The reason explains this behavior by suggesting he prioritized winning over enjoyment, which aligns with his cheating in badminton and subsequent unhappiness despite winning. Both statements are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Key Concept: Reflection

b) he was afraid of losing
[Solution Description]
Prabhat's behavior shows he was afraid of losing, which is why he avoided games where he wasn't confident of winning. This is clearly mentioned in the text.

Key Concept: Significance of Yoga

b) To quiet the mind and free it from distractions
[Solution Description]
Sage Patanjali described yoga as a means to make the mind quiet and free from all distractions. The aim is to achieve mental stillness and clarity.

Key Concept: Origin and Meaning of Yoga

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that the word 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', which means 'to join' or 'to unite'. This is true as per the syllabus. The reason explains that this symbolizes unity between mind and body, thought and action, and harmony with nature, which is also correct and directly explains why 'yuj' signifies union. Hence, both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

Key Concept: Physical and Mental Benefits of Yoga

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The Assertion states that regular yoga practice improves physical fitness by enhancing flexibility, endurance, and balance, while also reducing body pains like lower back pain. This is true based on the syllabus, which mentions that yoga postures (asanas) help stretch and strengthen muscles, thereby improving physical fitness and reducing pain. The Reason explains that yoga postures stretch and strengthen muscles, leading to improved physical health and pain reduction. This is also correct, but it does not fully explain why yoga improves endurance and balance, which are part of the Assertion. Hence, both are true, but the Reason only partially explains the Assertion.

Key Concept: Physical Benefits

b) Increased muscular strength and flexibility
[Solution Description]
Yoga postures (asanas) help to stretch and strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, endurance, and balance, which contributes to improved physical fitness. This is one of the primary physical benefits mentioned in the syllabus.

Key Concept: Unity of mind, body, and breath

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
Yoga is described as a holistic practice that unites the mind, body, and breath. The syllabus explicitly states that practicing asanas (postures) while coordinating each stretch with breath and awareness makes it a yogic practice (Page 124). Further, Sage Patanjali emphasized that yoga aims to quiet the mind and free it from distractions (Page 122), which aligns with the Reason statement. Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason correctly explains why coordinated breath and awareness lead to a yogic practice (as per the syllabus).

Key Concept: Holistic approach, Harmony, Stress reduction

c) By synchronizing mind-body actions to calm the nervous system.
[Solution Description]
Yoga's holistic approach unifies thought and action, promoting harmony between mind and body. This synchronization reduces mental chatter, calms the nervous system, and lowers stress levels by fostering present-moment awareness and relaxation.

Key Concept: Health Benefits

c) Improved cardiovascular functioning and circulation
[Solution Description]
The syllabus mentions multiple health benefits including improved heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving circulation. While other options may have partial truth, cardiovascular improvement is specifically mentioned as a direct benefit.

Key Concept: Holistic Health: Harmony between body and mind

a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The Assertion states that yoga helps in achieving harmony between the body and mind, which is true according to the syllabus. The Reason explains how yoga achieves this through asanas, breathing techniques, and meditation, which are all components of yoga mentioned in the syllabus. Since the Reason correctly explains the Assertion by detailing how yoga unifies the body and mind, both statements are true, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Key Concept: Flexibility, Immunity, Mental Calm

c) Incorporating breathing exercises (Pranayama) and immune-boosting postures
[Solution Description]
The practitioner is already benefiting from flexibility and mental calmness, which are achieved through asanas and meditation respectively. However, frequent illnesses indicate a weak immune system. Breathing techniques (Pranayama) and specific yoga postures like Matsyasana (Fish Pose) or Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) are known to boost immunity by improving blood circulation and stimulating the thymus gland.

Key Concept: Yoga Benefits: Flexibility

b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.
[Solution Description]
The assertion states that regular yoga practice improves flexibility by stretching and strengthening muscles, which is true according to the syllabus. The reason claims that yoga postures increase blood circulation, reducing muscle stiffness. While increased blood circulation is a benefit of yoga, it is not the primary explanation for improved flexibility; flexibility is mainly due to the stretching and strengthening of muscles. Thus, both statements are true, but the reason does not correctly explain the assertion.

Key Concept: Distractions

c) By quieting the mind and freeing it from disturbances
[Solution Description]
Sage Patanjali described yoga as a means to quiet the mind and free it from all disturbances (distractions). By practicing yoga systematically, one achieves mental calmness and reduces external disturbances that hinder focus.

Key Concept: Harmony

c) Balance and unity between mind and body
[Solution Description]
The word "harmony" in yoga refers to a state of balance and unity between different aspects such as mind and body or human and nature. It is derived from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', meaning 'to join'. Thus, harmony signifies the integration of thought and action.

Key Concept: Listening to an announcement, identifying participants

a) Rima - Dhiraj
[Solution Description]
The announcement mentions that Rima and Dhiraj were selected to play chess. The other pairs are distractions based on the context of the announcement.

Key Concept: Listening for true statements, verifying facts

a) The girl sees people at the park doing breathing exercises.
[Solution Description]
The girl mentions seeing people at the park doing breathing exercises. This aligns with her observations. Her grandfather's practice duration is not mentioned as sixteen years.

Key Concept: Grammar puzzle

a) Had, won, did, feel
[Solution Description]
The sentence contains multiple verbs. "Had won" is a past perfect tense verb phrase where "had" is the auxiliary verb and "won" is the main verb. "Did not feel" is another verb phrase where "did" is the auxiliary verb and "feel" is the main verb. All these are verbs in the sentence.

Key Concept: Word-formation puzzle

c) 15
[Solution Description]
To solve this, we need to list all possible consecutive letter combinations. Starting from the first letter:
1. P, PH, PHE, PHEN, PHENO, PHENOM, PHENOME, PHENOMEN, PHENOMENO, PHENOMENON
2. H, HE, HEN, HENO, HENOM, HENOME, HENOMEN, HENOMENO, HENOMENON
3. E, EN, ENO, ENOM, ENOME, ENOMEN, ENOMENO, ENOMENON
4. N, NO, NOM, NOME, NOMEN, NOMENO, NOMENON
5. O, OM, OME, OMEN, OMENO, OMENON
6. M, ME, MEN, MENO, MENON
7. E, EN, ENO, ENON
8. N, NO, NON
9. O, ON
10. N
Now, count only dictionary-recognized English words. Some examples include "hen," "omen," "men," "phenom," "on," "no," etc. The exact number requires checking each combination against a dictionary, but commonly around 15-20 valid words exist.

Key Concept: Vocabulary Reinforcement

b) 4
[Solution Description]
Using the letters A, Y, E, G, O, N, R and including 'A' in every word, possible words include AGE, ARE, RAN, GONE, etc. The smallest number of unique words possible with these constraints is 4.

Key Concept: Word Formation, Consecutive Letters

b) 2
[Solution Description]
To solve this, we examine all possible 4-letter sequences in 'PHENOMENON' and check if they form valid English words:
1. PHEN → Not a valid English word.
2. HENO → Not a valid English word.
3. ENOM → Not a valid English word.
4. NOME → Valid (variant of 'gnome').
5. OMEN → Valid (means a sign or prophecy).
6. MENO → Not a valid English word.
7. ENON → Not a valid English word.
Only 2 valid words ('NOME' and 'OMEN') are formed.