Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions Set 2 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Set 2 with Solutions
Time : 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
- 15 Minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
- The Question Paper contains THREE Sectians-Reading, Grammar & Writing and Literature.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section – A
Reading Skills (20 Marks)
Question 1.
Read the passage given below. (1 x 10 = 10)
(1) In thisjet age, everyone is interested in making easy money. Thanks to the advancement in science and technology, these days life has become easier and more comfortable than earlier with a lot of domestic gadgets as well as instantaneous food recipes available in the market This has resulted in making the people develop a mind-set to have anything immediately without waiting for-even at the traffic signals.
(2) Most of us want results quickly. We want to reach the top immediately and get worked up when things go wrong. Perseverance and patience are forgotten words. We get upset frustrated and angry when a skill or activity requires us to put in a lot of effort and time. We get dejected and want to give it up. Things should be easy.
(3) Life is too short and there is not enough time to do all the things we want to. We tend to compare with others and get upset when they seem to be doing well and start believing God is being too kind to them and not to us. And so, we give up. But such thinking serves no purpose. For it doesn’t solve the problem.
(4) Success, real success and happiness come to those who have a ‘bread-making’ attitude. I am taking for those who are willing to knead the dough, wait for hours for it to rise only to punch it down and knead some more, wait for another couple of hours for it to rise again, then bake it before it is ready to be eaten. Nothing is instantaneous. For every endeavor-whether in the area of career, academics, music, sports, relationships, physical fitness or even in spirituality-it is a long arduous journey.
(5) We can get results only if we are willing to spend time, put in painstaking effort and have faith. If we don’t accept this difficult but true fact of life, our lives will be far from being happy and fulfilling. For we may not make that extra effort which can change the course of life dramatically for our benefit
(6) However, if we just pause to analyse what we are doing, we will realise how much time we are wasting searching for such magical solutions which simply do not exist. We actually save time when we stop this futile search and accept the proven methods of treading the straight and narrow path however difficult it may seem initially..
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the given questions.
(A) What has been credited in the passage for our easier and more comfortable life? [1]
Answer:
Advancement in science and technology have made our lives easier and more comfortable.
(B) According to the passage, choose the correct statement from the following:
(a) Advancement in science and technology has resulted in the mind set to have things at their pace.
(b) Advancement in science and technology has resulted in the mind set to have things instantly and fast.
(c) Advancement in science and technology has resulted in the mind set to have things slowly and patiently.
(d) Advancement in science and technology has resulted in a give-up attitude. [1]
Answer:
Advancement in science and technology has resulted in the mind set to have things instantly and fast.
(C) List 1 way in which we can save our time as advised by the author.
(1) ………………………. [1]
Answer:
We can save our time by stop searching for magical solutions to our problems.
(D) Choose the prerequisites to get the desired results in life as per the passage:
(a) With perseverance and painstaking efforts.
(b) With utmost faith in mutual understanding.
(c) With deviated mind and fluctuations.
(d) By greasing the palms of others. [1]
Answer:
(a) With perseverance and painstaking efforts.
(E) “Success, real success and happiness come to those who have a “bread-making attitude.” The ‘bread-making attitude’ tells that:
(a) We should be absolutely inactive.
(b) It requires a skill in household chores.
(c) We should remain idle in order to taste success.
(d) We should be a man of patience in order to taste success. [1]
Answer:
(d) We should be a man of patience in order to taste success
Explanation: The ‘bread-making attitude’ tells us that a person waits for achieving the true success. A baker waits for hours for the dough to rise, only to punch it again & then wait to bake it. Hence, (d) is the right answer.
(F) Nothing in life is instantaneous. The underlined word can be replaced by the word ………………… in the passage. [1]
Answer:
immediate
(G) Select the best option from the following that can help us reach the top in life.
(a) Perseverance and patience
(b) Science and technology
(c) Dejection and frustration
(d) Analysis and magical solution [1]
Answer:
(a) Perseverance and patience
(H) The author has stated the example of ‘bread-making attitude’ to make us ………………. [1]
Answer:
Patient
(I) We can only get the desired results if we do not waste time trying for the same thing again and again. True/false. [1]
Answer:
False
Explanation: As per the passage, we can only get results when we put in the painstaking effort and have perseverance to keep trying for the same thing again and again.
(J) Most of us want results quickly. This shows that we are …………………. [1]
Answer:
Impatient
Question 2.
Read the passage given below.
India’s SDG Scores
India has crossed the halfway mark in achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 and to be achieved by 2030, according to the SDG India Index released on Friday by think tank NITI Aayog and the UN Here are the 10 best-performing states and Union territories according to the index.
(1) Himachal Pradesh. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have emceed as the front runners in the race to achieve key sustainable development goals (SDG) like removal of poverty inequality, while Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the laggards in ranking of states.
(2) According to the SDG India Index, the nation as a whole has a store of 57, showing the country has reached a little beyond the halfway mark in meeting the sustainable development goats adopted by India and 192 other nations in 2015. The index covers 13 of the 17 sustainable development goals, including healthcare, gender equality, clean energy, infrastructure, education, peace and building strong, accountable institution.
(3) For goals, including climate action and sustainable use of marine resources, were left out because of lack of data at the state level. Kerala’s overall top rank (69) is attributed to its strong performance in providing good health, reducing hunger, achieving gender equality and providing quality education. The rank shows the distance each state has to cover to reach 100 – the point at which it fully meets the sustainable development goal.
(4) Himachal Pradesh ranks high with a similar overall score in providing clean water and sanitation, reducing inequalities and preserving the mountain ecosystem. Tamil Nadu has a score of 66. Among Union territories, Chandigarh takes the lead with a score of 68 on account of its track record in providing clean water and sanitation. Performance in providing quality education has also helped Chandigarh achieve high score.
(5) Tamil Nadu topped the states in poverty reduction, while Kerala topped in providing quality education, closely followed by Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.
(6) Kerala and Tamil Nadu also topped in facilitating good health and well-being. Gender equality, however, is an area all states and the nation as a whole need to improve upon. The toppers in gender equality, Sikkim and Union territories .Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Chandigarh, have crossed the hallway mark in reaching the goals.
(7) The scores represent the current status of achievement in meeting the goals.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the given questions:
(A) The other remaining goals left out from SDG India Index because:
(a) of lack of data of the state level
(b) they have already crossed halfway mark in reaching the goals.
(c) countries have not taken care of the remaining goals
(d) those goals have not yet officially accepted by the companies [1]
Answer:
(a) of lack of data of the state level
(B) Among Union Territories ………………… takes the lead with a score of 68 on account of its track record in providing clean water and sanitation. [1]
Answer:
Chandigarh
(C) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
According to the survey …………….. tapped in providing quality education.
(a) Kerala
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Chandigarh
(d) Andhra Pradesh [1]
Answer:
(a) Kerala
(D) How many sustainable goals does index cover? [1]
Answer:
13
(E) What do 100 points mean as per SDG Index?
(a) It means the index has covered 13 goals including healthcare, gender equality clean energy, infrastructure, education, peace and building strong, accountable institutions.
(b) It means the point at which it fully meets the sustainable development goal.
(c) It means the removal of poverty and equality.
(d) It means India has reached a little beyond the halfway mark to meet sustainable development goals. [1]
Answer:
(b) It means the point at which it fully meets the sustainable development goal.
(F) Which state has the least SDG score according to the graph? [1]
Answer:
Maharashtra
(G) The SDG score represents the current status of achievements by the states in meeting the goals. True/false. [1]
Answer:
True
(H) Which state ranks the best in total SDG scores? [1]
Answer:
Himachal Pradesh
(I) Select the option that is true for the two statements g.t/en below.
(1) Tamil Nadu topped the states in poverty reduction.
(2) Kerala topped the states in providing amenities.
(a) (1) is the result of (2).
(b) (1) is true and (2) is false.
(c) (1) is independent of (2).
(d) (1) contradicts (2). [1]
Answer:
(b) (1) is true and (2) is false.
Explanation: It is clearly given in paragraph 5 of the passage that Tamil Nadu topped the states in poverty reduction while Kerala topped the states in providing quality education. Hence, (b) is the right answer.
(J) The index covers ……………….. sustainable development goals out of ……………….. [1]
Answer:
13,17.
Section – B
Grammar (10 Marks)
Question 3.
Attempt ANY TEN of the given questions.
(A) Choose the correct option to fill in the blank to complete the passage:
Climate change in ………………. region of Ladakh has shrunk glaciers.
(a) an Indian
(b) the Indian
(c) a Indian
(d) near an Indian [1]
Answer:
(b) the Indian
(B) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option:
You …………… your admit card in the examination hall.
(a) have to make
(b) must carry
(c) should see
(d) might read [1]
Answer:
(b) must carry
(C) Complete the given sentence with correct article.
Have you ever seen ……….. ostrich in ………… house?
(a) a; the
(b) an; the
(c) an; a
(d) the; a [1]
Answer:
(c) an; a
(D) Fill in the blank with the correct quantifier.
Riya felt lonely as she had …………… friends than her peers.
(a) fewer
(b) little
(c) less
(d) few [1]
Answer:
(d) few [1]
(E) Select the correct from of the verb (be) to complete the sentence.
Nobody ………………. heard anything from her in a long time.
(a) have
(b) is
(c) had
(d) were [1]
Answer:
(c) had
(F) The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify the error and write its correction against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the correction. The first one has been done for you. [1]
| Example | Error childrens | Correction children | |
| Childrens are fond of orange. It is a | |||
| juicy and citrous fruit, filled of vitamin C. | (i) | ………………….. | ………………….. |
| Oranges grow on | (ii) | ………………….. | ………………….. |
| tropical or temperate climate | (iii) | ………………….. | ………………….. |
| One of the best city to have good oranges is Nagpur. |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| (i) of | with |
| (ii) on | in |
| (iii) or | and |
(i) Explanation: ‘of’ is the wrong preposition used in the sentence. The right preposition to be used here is ‘with’. So, ‘with’ is the right answer.
(ii) Explanation: The preposition ‘on’ is used to identify the location while ‘in’ is used to identify time of happening. Hence, ‘in’ is the right answer.
(iii) Explanation: ‘or’ is used to define a choice between two things while ‘and’ is used to define two things collectively. The correct conjunction to be used here is ‘and’. Hence, it is the right answer.
(G) Sometimes, he ………….. bring me some gifts.
(a) could
(b) would
(c) any
(d) can [1]
Answer:
(b) would
(H) Anxiety, as well as tension, ………………. the cause of her jitter.
(a) are
(b) is
(c) shall
(d) were [1]
Answer:
(b) is
(J) No one, besides James,………… it.
(a) knowing
(b) knowed
(c) knows
(d) known [1]
Answer:
(c) knows
(J) The teacher said that we ………………. this book as it is important for exams.
(a) must
(b) needn’t
(c) shall
(d) were [1]
Answer:
(a) must
(K) I gave ……………… dress to Bunny.
(a) my
(b) mine
(c) their
(d) all [1]
Answer:
(a) my
Explanation: Only a singular pronoun can go with the singular noun ‘dress’. Hence, (a) is the right answer.
(L) Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks to complete the narration.
Seema was angry as she couldn’t enjoy the fashion monthly issue digitally. So, her mom surprised her with a physical book. She knew that Seema was ……. (i) …….. with the digital version, so she went to the store and got it for her. Seema was elated.
Choose the correct option for (i)
(a) shocked
(b) elated
(c) angry
(d) sad [1]
Answer:
(c) angry
Creative Writing Skills
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
You are Keerti/Krishna of 56, Indrapuram, Bangalore. You bought a new VIP Washing Machine from M/S Rama Electronic, Commercial Street, Bangalore last week.
Later, you found that the machine makes an unbearable noise and the motor tears away delicate fabrics. Write a letter to the dealer complaining about the same and requesting him to change the machine as early as possible.
OR
You are distressed to see the number of young children begging at traffic signals and working at construction sites. You feel that more needs to be done to help them and laws to protect their rights must be enforced strictly by the authorities. Write a letter in 100- 120 words to the editor of ‘The Tribune’, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the need to create awareness on the issue. You are Astha/Ashton, 56 Malaprabha, Sector 5, Chandigarh. [5]
Answer:
56, Indrapurom.
Bangalore
5th January, 20XX
M/S Rama Electronic
Commercial Street,
Bangalore
Subject : Complaint about the VIP Automatic Washing Machine
Respected sir/madam
I am sorry to inform you that the VIP Automatic Washing Machine which I bought from your shop against cash memo No. 200, dated 28th December 20XX with a two-year warranty period has stopped working just after a week of the purchase. The machine makes an unbearable noise and the motor tears delicate fabrics. It gets heated up in no time. Moreover, the dryer is not working properly.
Due to all these issues, I feel cheated. Therefore, I request you to repair the machine so that I can use it. It will be highly appreciated if you replace it with a new one as it is within the guarantee period. I am also sending a copy of this letter to the company’s higher officials so that they take care of these manufacturing defects. I hope you will take a quick action and oblige.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully
Keerti / Krishna
OR
56, Malaprabha
Sector 5
Chandigarh
26th May 20XX
The Editor
The Tribune
Chandigarh
Subject: Child labour must be stopped
Respected sir/madam
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the public’s attention towards child labour. Everyday, I witness children at the traffic signals and I wonder why they are not at school?
Each day, the number seems to increase with no one taking note of the crisis. These children are being forced to beg, sell, work at shops and carry heavy weights. We all know that education is the right of every Indian. Then why are they not provided that right? If it is illegal to employ children below 14 then, why is there no check on those breaking the law?
The concerned authorities must take action against such people and ensure that these children attend school. Their parents must be made aware of education’s importance. I hope that the concerned authorities will take the necessary steps to improve the condition of these children.
Yours sincerely
Astha / Ashton
Question 5.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
The recent pandemic has had an adverse effect on every facet of life. The bar graph shows how the mental health of young people has been affected during this time. Write an interpretation in 100-120 words on how lockdown in the times of COVID-19 has affected the mental health of young people and what can be done to prevent this.
World Economic Forum carried out a survey to identify the cause for the poor economic growth of our country.
Read the following excerpt taken from an article published by them online:
“A holistic approach in higher education based on knowledge, skill and value is required for our nation to become a global talent leader.”
Write a paragraph in 100-120 words on your interpretation of the data and what steps must be taken to help change India’s economic growth and make it a developed country. [5]
| Use of Talent in India | |||
| 1.4% | 8.7% | 3.3% | 36% |
| enrolment rate in vocation training | gap in mean years of schooling between rich and poor | share of GDP invested in education | female labour force participation |
Answer:
Mental Health & Lockdown
A recent survey conducted by Young Minds highlights the adverse effects of the 2020 lockdown. The 2,111 young people took part in the survey which shows how the lockdown is not only impacting jobs and economy but also mental health. The study concludes that more than 25% of the people included in the survey felt depressed, which is indeed an alarming number.
Adding to that, a large number of people admitted to feeling worse than before. A very small percentage claimed that the lockdown made no difference in their well-being. The only ray of hope comes from the few who claimed to feel better with more relaxation and rejuvenation. In contrast to the large number of people who feel worse, those who claim to feel much better are negligible. The survey is an indication that more needs to be done to ensure that the mental health of people stays strong.
OR
India – The Reason of Lagging Behind
The World Economic Forum conducted a survey to analyse the reasons behind India being a developing nation. The results reveal its reason and also of the inability to tap available talent. The leading cause could be the very low enrolment rate i.e., 1.4% of the students in vocational courses, possibly due to dismal interest in this area.
The burgeoning gap in the education between the rich and the poor is also a deterrent in cultivating talent which can be used to boost the economy. With only 3.3% of the share of GDP being invested in education, India also does not invest enough in developing means to harness talent. Gender bias too comes into play with only 36% of the female participation in the labour force.
It is time that the education policy is to be refined and reforms are to be introduced to ensure that talent is identified and honed to elevate India’s position as a developed country.
Section – C (40 Marks)
Literature
Question 6.
Attempt ANY ONE of the two given exracts.
The moon was coming up in the east, behind me, and stars were shining in the clear sky above me. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I was happy to be alone high up above the sleeping countryside.
(A) How did the speaker feel when he found himself above the countryside?
The speaker felt fairly ………………… [1]
Answer:
Cheerful.
Explanation: The author was above the sleeping countryside, but no signs are there to indicate that he himself is drowsy. He says he was happy alone. The author was happy means that he was cheerful.
(B) Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract.
(1) The speaker was out in the morning.
(2) The speaker was happy to be alone.
(3) There were no stars in the sky.
(4) It was a cloudy night.
(5) He was in the countryside.
(6) The moon could be seen in the east.
(a) (1), (2), (3) (b) (1), (2), (5)
(c) (1), (3), (4) (d) (1), (3), (4) [1]
Answer:
(d) (1), (3). (4)
Explanation: From the lines we can make out that it wasn’t day time as the moon was out. So 1, is incorrect. The author tells us that he was happy to be alone so 2 is true. It was a starry night, so 3. is not true. There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky, so 4 is also not true. Author was above the sleeping countryside, so 5 is true. The moon could be seen in the east, so 6 is true. Hence the answer is (d).
(C) Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s(F) and opinion/s(0) of the statements given below.
(1) I think the speaker was mesmerized by the beauty of the countryside.
(2) But he was alone of night and there was no one around.
(3) I have a feeling that the speaker was enjoying the silence and dark sky.
(4) The sky wasn’t dark as there were star that were shining.
(a) F – (2), (3) and O – (1), (4)
(b) F – (2), (4) and O – (1), (3)
(c) F – (1), (2) and O – (3), (4)
(d) F – (3), (4) and O – (1), (2) [1]
Answer:
(b) F – (2), (4) and O – (1), (3)
Explanation:
- is an opinion as it is not evident from the speaker’s description, which merely describes the physical appearance of the night sky.
- is a fact as the author himself write that he was alone.
- is an opinion as the author doesn;’t tell this but as he says he was happy, we can think that he was enjoying the night’s beauty.
- is a fact since the author tells that the moon and stars were shining in the sky. Hence the answer here is b).
(D) Which word does ‘shining4 NOT correspond to?
(a) gloomy
(b) glitter
(c) lustrous
(d) radiant [1]
Answer:
(a) gloomy
Explanation: Shining means to glitter or to have lustre. An article that has luster sends out Light that means it is radiant. Hence (b), (c) and (d) are not the correct answer. Here the answer is (a) as it means dark or poorly lit.
(E) The term ‘the sleeping countryside’ denotes. [1]
Answer:
Peace and calm everywhere
Explanation: The author has used these words to portray the peaceful environment that he witnessed at night.
OR
At about the age of twenty five, the Prince, heretofore shielded from the sufferings of the world, while out hunting changed upon a sick man, then an aged man, then a funeral procession, and finally a monk begging for chanced alms. These sights so moved him that he at once became a beggar and went out into the world to seek enlightenment concerning the sorrows he had witnessed.
He wandered for seven years and finally sat down under a peepal tree, where he vowed to stay until enlightenment came. Enlightened after seven days, he renamed the tree the Bodhi Tree (Tree of Wisdom) and began to teach and to share his new understandings. At that point he became known as the Buddha (the Awakened or the Enlightened).
(A) Choose the picture that expresses the true emotions of the Prince when he sees the outside world:
(a) Option (1), (b) Option (2), (c) Option (3), (d) Option (4) [1]
Answer:
(b) Option (2)
Explanation: The prince saw the sick man, old man funeral,and a monk. He was neither amused or hurt by the sights. He wasn’t angry at all, rather he was shocked and was Left in deep thoughts about these realities of life. Hence the answer here is (b).
(B) Seeing the stages and plight of humans, Buddha understood that life is full of ……………….. [1]
Answer:
sorrows, misery and death which is inevitable.
Explanation: What led the prince to the path of enlightenment was the realisation that life is full of sorrow, misery, and that death is inevitable.
(C) The statement that is TRUE about the Prince, according to the passage is:
(a) The Prince taught others to help them awaken.
(b) The Prince left the life of comforts in order to seek enlightenment.
(c) The Prince did not live a protected life.
(d) The Prince and Buddha were close friends. [1]
Answer:
(b) The Prince left the life of comforts in order to seek enlightenment.
Explanation: The prince only shared his new understanding with the people, (a) is not true. As a prince his life was completely protected, so (c) is also not the answer. Prince after enlightenment, came to be known as Buddha. Hence (d) is also not true. As a prince he was leading a life of comfort, but he chose the path of enlightenment. Hence (d) is the correct answer.
(D) The Prince came to be known as Buddha as he was:
(a) always found around the Bodhi Tree
(b) fought for the Bodhi Tree
(c) awakened
(d) a teacher of enlightenment [1]
Answer:
(c) awakened
Explanation: Buddha means the one who is enlightened or awakened. Hence the answer is (c).
(E) The extract uses the phrase, ‘stay until enlightenment came*. Which of the following expressions is incorrect with respect to the word ‘enlightenment’?
(a) intelligence
(b) Knowledgeable
(c) Erudite
(d) Erudition [1]
Answer:
(b) Knowledgeable
Question 7.
Attempt ANY ONE of the two given extracts. (5 x 1 = 5)
I think I could turn and live with animals,
they are so placid and self-contain’d
I stand and look at them long and long.
(A) The word “placid” in the line “they are so placid and self-contained” means the same as
(a) Calm
(b) Aggressive
(c) Vigilant
(d) Horrifying [1]
Answer:
(a) Calm
Explanation: Aggressive means to be ready to attack. Vigilant refers to someone who keeps a close watch over something. Horrifying is something that produces a sense of fear. All these qualities are there in animals. But the author finds them placid i.e one who is not agitated easily by someone. So here the answer will be (a) calm.
(B) What is the rhyme scheme of the given stanza? [1]
Answer:
abc
(C) The stanza suggests a contrast between ………………… and ……………. .
(a) life and chaos
(b) anger and peace
(c) forest and city life
(d) humans and animals [1]
Answer:
(d) humans; animals
Explanation: In this poem, the poet has described the qualities of animals by telling the negative qualities of humans that are not present in animals.
(D) What is the poet NOT likely to say to the animals?
(a) “Get lost!”
(b) “Can I join you?”
(c) “Let me be a part of you.”
(d) “How peaceful!” [1]
Answer:
(a) “Get lost!”
Explanation: The poet is fascinated by the animal world and their mannerism. He wants to live with them. So (b) & (c) can not be the answer. The poet is moved by the placid nature of animals, so he most probably will say (d) to them. He can never say “Get lost” to the animals, hence (a) is the correct answer.
(E) Which word can be an appropriate synonym for ‘placid’? [1]
Answer:
Serene
OR
But presently up spoke little dog Mustard,
I’d have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.
And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink,
We’d have been three times as brave, we
think, And Custard said, I quite agree
That everybody is braver than me
(A) The animals belong to __________
(a) Matilda
(b) Melinda
(c) Belinda
(d) Bettie [1]
Answer:
(c) Belinda
(B) Mustard heard everyone speak till the end because
(a) He knew that he was not braver than any one of them.
(b) He was the bravest of them all.
(c) He was too scared to speak.
(d) He was overconfident. [1]
Answer:
(a) He knew that he was not braver than any one of them
Explanation: All the animals were scared and hid themselves in the house when they saw the pirate entering the house. After Custard ate up the pirate, all of them gathered around and started telling their tales. None of them were brave. So (b), (c) & (d) are not the answers. The correct answer is (a).
(C) The word ‘flustered’ DOES NOT have a meaning similar to
(a) Discomfited
(b) Discomforted
(c) Unperturbed
(d) Bothered [1]
Answer:
(c) Unperturbed
Explanation: Mustard, the dog, spoke this word to makeup for his cowardice. He wanted to tell everyone how agitated (discomfit), uneasy (b) and bothered (d) he was at the sight of the pirate. Here the answer is unperturbed (c) which means not to be concerned.
(D) ‘I’d have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.’ This line implies that Mustard was brave but __________. [1]
Answer:
easily disturbed
(E) The word that DOES NOT indicate the idea of being timid in Mustard, is:
(a) Courageous
(b) Cowardly
(c) Gutless
(d) Fearful [1]
Answer:
(a) Courageous
Explanation: Mustard was a coward dog. He was so frightened at the sight of the pirate that he hid himself. All these are indicated by the options (b), (c) & (d). Hence (a) is the correct answer.
Question 8.
Answer ANY FOUR questions in 40-50 words each. (4 x 3 = 12)
(A) How did Valli behave with other passengers in the bus? What does this tell you about her? [3]
Answer:
Valli did not consider herself to be a child. When an elderly man asked her to sit, she was annoyed. She was prompt in her reply and acted haughtily. She also showed dislike for the elderly woman chewing betel nuts. We can say that she is witty, naughty, and adventurous.
(B) Would you agree with Lencho calling the post office employees “a bunch of crooks”? [3]
Answer:
Lencho was not justified in calling them “a bunch of crooks” because the postal officials were actually trying their best to keep his faith in God alive. All of them did their best to help him by collecting money for him and sending it to him in place of God.
(C) How does the poet show that the tiger is unhappy in the zoo? [3]
Answer:
The poet Leslie Norris draws a contrast between a tiger in captivity and a tiger roaming freely in the wild. The poet describes the tiger moving in silent rage as it is trapped in a small cage, while the tiger in the wild roams around freely stalking and hunting prey. The poet also conveys the tiger’s disillusionment with humans as it ignores them to convey its sadness that they did not do anything to help him. It looks at the brilliant stars with its brilliant eyes.
(D) What according to Mandela has been the impact of decades of oppression? [3]
Answer:
Decades of oppression helped people gain an insight into their own strengths. Wisdom and courage of many people emerged in this period of oppression, and Mandela learned the true meaning of courage from these people. This helped South Africa become free from the inhuman practice of Apartheid.
(E) Anne’s teachers expressed his annoyance differently. What did he ask her to do? [3]
Answer:
Anne’s continuous chatter annoyed Mr Keesing. He reprimanded her repeatedly but to no avail. He wanted her to understand her mistake, so he punished her by giving her extra homework to write essays to keep her silent and keeping the topics always related to her nature.
Question 9.
Answer ANY TWO questions in 40-50 words each. (2 x 3 = 6)
(A) What is the reason for Dr. Herriot’s claim that Tricki will be in hospital soon? [3]
Answer:
Dr. Herriot was shocked to see an overweight Tricki. He could not believe that Tricki had become huge, like a bloated sausage and his tongue lolled out from his jaws. He was unable to move owing to his weight. This strengthened the doctor’s belief that Tricki would require hospitalisation soon.
(B) Bholi’s heart was throbbing with a new hope and a new life. What does the phrase “a new hope and a new life” mean in this context? [3]
Answer:
For Bholi, ‘a new ray of hope and life’ was her decision to look after her parents in their old age and also to devote her whole life in teaching the children in her old school. After all that she had gone through and averting the fate of marrying an old man, she feels a renewed spirit within her to achieve something greater in life.
(C) How is Ebright exposed to the idea of real science? [3]
Answer:
Ebright is exposed to the idea while viewing the X-ray of the hormone chemical structure. He held it with his findings connected to insect hormones, and was able to find the answer to one of the biggest mysteries of biology, which was how the cell could read the blueprint of its DNA.
Question 10.
Answer ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
“Nelson Mandela exhibits the spirit of strength and resilience in a society that is struggling to live the values of basic humanity.”
Taking cue from the statement given above along with your understanding of Nelson Mandela’s character traits, comment on how ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ is not only Mandela’s appeal to his own brethren but also an appeal for peace and justice to the entire humanity.
OR
Read the extracts given below and comment on the difference of help in the two extracts.
(A) In her grief she carried the dead child to all her neighbours, asking them for medicine, and the people said, “She has lost her senses. The boy is dead.” [The Sermon at Benaras]
(B) “Won’t your mother be looking for you?” the conductor asked when he gave the girl her ticket. “No, no one will be looking for me,” she said. [Madam Rides the Bus] [6]
Answer:
Nelson Mandela exhibited values that focused on commonality and universal brotherhood. His struggle was not against the white throne of supremacy alone but against the system of oppression. As depicted in the story, his struggle was against any form of oppression.
His appeal to universal brotherhood is portrayed by the emphasis he lays on the equal opportunities which need to be provided to both whites and blacks without any discrimination. Mandela thinks that even the oppressor is not free as an oppressor is a victim of hatred. Thus, even the oppressor is caged in the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He realises that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace. Thus, his struggle to release both the oppressor and the oppressed from the shackles of inhumanity puts a strong case forward to depict his resilience and courage.
OR
(A) In the first extract, Kisa Gotami after the death of her only son, was overcome with grief. She carried the dead body of her son in her arms and went from door to door seeking medicine to revive her dead child but nobody could provide such a medicine to her as it doesn’t exist. The search of something unattainable signified her inability to deal with the grief of losing her child. Only through Gautama Buddha’s wisdom was she able to learn the important lesson.
(B) In the second extract, Valli, in her quest to take the bus ride alone is prepared for all the situations. Valli, owing to her confidence does not seek any help from the conductor. It is this grace that makes the conductor refer to her as ‘madam.’ Thus, there is no request for help that is made in the context.
Question 11.
Answer ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
Matilda says- “I am vexed not to have a jewel, nothing to adorn myself with. I shall have such a poverty-stricken look. I would prefer not to go to this party.”
Although Matilda aspired for more in life, but the absence of round realities made her perpetually dissatisfied. Elaborate based on the chapter ‘The Necklace’.
OR
“The strangeness of our encounters is also an insight into new experiences.”
Based on the quote given above, comment on how Mrs. Hall and her husband had an unusual encounter with the stranger. [6]
Answer:
A life of luxury may appeal to the eyes, but in the long run it does not help the heart. We should always live a contented life with a belief in simple living and high thinking. We should not run after materialistic pleasures. If we fail to accept the situation in which we are placed and keep on complaining, we become frustrated and want to change our lives.
As we read in the story ‘The Necklace’, we find that Matilda is not at all happy being married to a clerk. She had dreamt her life to be luxurious. It is this frustration of hers which puts her in a fix and spoils the rest of her Life. She does not look for a solution but rather complicates the situation for herself.
We agree that one should be ambitious but trying to show off what you don’t have is mere foolishness and to attain success in a short span of time would always get you in trouble. We must always act sensibly and review the situation properly before we take any decision. It is her unrestrained ambition that brings trouble in her happy life.
OR
Mrs. Hall and her husband were surprised to find the scientist’s room’s door open because it was always locked. So they peeped in but found nobody there. The clothes and bandages that always covered him were strewn about the room. Suddenly, Mrs. Hall heard a sniff close to her ear and the hat on the bedpost leapt up and dashed itself into her face. Then the bedroom chair sprang into the air, pushed them both out of the room and then appeared to slam and lock the door after them.
Mrs. Hall became hysterical and almost fell down the stairs. She thought that her furniture was haunted. They decided to confront Griffin, the scientist, when they met him next. A strange encounter that they had with Griffin led them to experience something extraordinary indeed.