Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions Set 4 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Set 4 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) The choices we make on a daily basis-wearing a seatbelt, lifting heavy objects correctly or purposely staying out of any dangerous situation-can either ensure our safety or bring about potentially harmful circumstances.
(2) You and I need to make a decision that we are going to get our lives in order. Exercising self-control, self-discipline and establishing boundaries and borders in our lives are some of the most important things we can do. A life without discipline is one that’s filled with carelessness.
(3) We can think it’s kind of exciting to live life on the edge. We like the image of “Yeah! That’s me! Living on the edge! Woo-hoo!” It’s become a popular way to look at life. But if you see, even highways have lines, which provide margins for our safety while we’re driving. If we go over one side, we’ll go into the ditch. If we cross over the line in the middle, we could get killed. And we like those lines because they help to keep us safe. Sometimes we don’t even realise how lines help to keep us safe.
(4) I’m not proud of this, but for the first 20 years of my life at work, I ignored my limits. I felt horrible, physically, most of the time.
I used to tell myself. “I know I have Limits and that I’ve reached them, but I’m going to ignore them and see if or how long I can get by with it.” I ran to doctors, trying to make myself feel better through pills, vitamins, natural stuff and anything I could get my hands on. Some of the doctors would tell me, “It’s just stress.” That just made me mad. I thought stress meant you don’t like what you do or can’t handle life, and I love what I do. But I kept pushing myself, traveling, speaking engagements and so on- simply exhausting myself.
(5) Finally, I understood I was living an unsustainable life and needed to make some changes in my outlook and lifestyle.
(6) You and I don’t have to be like everyone else or keep up with anyone else. Each of us needs to be exactly the way we are, and we don’t have to apologize for it We’re not all alike and we need to find a comfort zone in which we can enjoy our lives instead of making ourselves sick with an overload of stress and pressure.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the given questions:
(A) According to the author, list 1 reason that ‘living on the edge’ has become popular.
(1) ………………… [1]
Answer:
According to the author, the person “thinks it’s kind of exciting to live life on the edge”, so he constantly wants to find excitement in life.
(B) What qualities can be identified from the context: “I know I have limits and that I’ve reached them, but I’m going to ignore them and see if or how long I can get by with it”
(1) negligent
(2) indecisive
(3) spontaneous
(4) reckless
(5) patient
(a) 2 and 5
(b) 3 and 5
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3 [1]
Answer:
(c) 1 and 4
Explanation: The context shows (1) negligence as the person will ’ignore’ the limits and (4) recklessness as the person knows that ‘he has reached his limit but still chooses to see how long can he get by with it”. It doesn’t show any of (2), (3) or (5) options. Hence, option (c) is the right answer.
(C) The phrase “potentially harmful circumstances” refers to circumstances that can be ………………. [1]
Answer:
possibly dangerous
(D) Fill in the blank with the correct option.
The author attempts to ……………… the readers through this passage.
(a) advice
(b) warn
(c) stop
(d) prove [1]
Answer:
(a) advice
(E) The author uses colloquial words such as “yeah” and “Woo-hooi”. Which of the following is NOT a colloquial word?
(a) hooked
(b) guy
(c) stuff
(d) stress [1]
Answer:
(d) stress
Explanation: The term ‘stress’ is not a colloquial word or any slang. It is a proper English term. Options (a), (b) and (c) are all slangs that are informal Hence, (d) is the right answer.
(F) Select the option that makes the correct use of “unsustainable”, as used in the passage, to fill in the blank space.
(a) In the long run, the ………………. government will do nothing for the people.
(b) The cabinet is filled with ………………. officials.
(c) The conservationists reported an ………………. set of event.
(d) Plastic will turn the world …………….. in future. [1]
Answer:
(d) Plastic will turn the world in future.
Explanation: The term ‘unsustainable’ means a thing that cannot be sustained or lived. Here, (a), (b) and (c) are not the correct statement for the term to fit in while (d) is the correct choice. Hence, (d) is the right answer
(G) The author said, “to get our lives in order”. What does this mean?
This means to ……………… [1]
Answer:
organise our lives
Explanation: To get something ‘in order’ means to ‘organise’ it.
(H) State the most appropriate title for the passage. [1]
Answer:
The most appropriate title for the passage can be The need to limit ourselves’.
(I) The author was living a disciplined life. True/false. [1]
Answer:
False
Explanation: According to the author, he needed to organise his life in a proper way as he was living an unsustainable life.
(J) Complete the given analogy correctly with a word from the passage.
Overburden : overload :: tiring : ………………… [1]
Answer:
Exhausting
Question 2.
Read the passage given below. (1 x 10 = 10)
(I) Research from the Publishers Association has shown that films based on books take 44% more at the box office revenue in the UK and 53% more worldwide than original screenplays. The report explores what impact a book has when adapted for film and TV.
(2) The report reads: “Published material is the basis of 52% of top UK films in the last 10 years, and accounts for an even higher share of revenue from these leading performers, at 61% of UK box office gross and 65% of worldwide gross.” The Hollywood adaptation of ‘My Cousin Rachel” was shown to have a significant impact on the sales of the Daphne Du Maurier thriller. The sales of the book in 2017 alone accounted for 23% of all sales since 1992.
(3) The research suggests that adapted films tend to perform better, because films can “leverage the popularity” of well-known books through an existing audience. Films adapted from books also tend to have a richer, more fully-developed story to draw on.
In terms of TV adaptation, it was revealed that a quarter of dramas were based on literary sources and attracted a 56% larger share of the audience than those based on original scripts. Fourteen of the 35 high end series produced in the UK in the period between January and September 2017 were based on books, compared to seven based on true stories or historical events and five based on pre-existing films or TV stories.
(4) In the case of the 2016 BBC broadcast of “The Night Manager” research revealed that while the novel was in circulation for over 25 years, 82% of the copies it sold were in 2016 and 2017. Sales of the paperback edition remained strong in 2017 even after the series went off the air.
(5) In conclusion, the report states that “there is a strong two-way relationship between publishing and the wider creative economy, wherein a successful adaptation often has spill-over effects and gives a substantial boost to the sales of the original book.” (338 words)
(Source: https://www.thebookseller com/ news /films-based-books-take-more-91m- more-globally-originalscripts-825036)
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the given questions:
(A) According to the research, the films based on books have greater success because
(a) people like to see the characters from the books on screen
(b) the films get the advantage of the fame of the books
(c) it takes less effort for people to watch films than read books
(d) the films get a ready-made script from the books [1]
Answer:
(b) the films get advantage of the fame of books.
Explanation: The passage tells that the research suggests that adapted films tend to perform better, because films can “leverage the popularity” of well-known books through an existing audience. Hence, (b) is the right answer.
(B) The purpose of the researchers by Publishers Association was to study the ……………….. [1]
Answer:
connection between books and films
(C) Why, according to the research, the films based on books have greater success? [1]
Answer:
According to the research, the films based on books have greater success because they get the advantage of the fame of the books.
(D) Select the correct option to complete the given sentence.
In the year 2017, the maximum serials in
UK were based on ………………..
(a) books
(b) film stars
(c) writers
(d) public [1]
Answer:
(a) books
(E) Select the option listing what the given sentence refers to:
‘Rims adapted from books also tend to have a richer, more fully-developed story to draw on.’
(1) The plot and the storyline of such films are better.
(2) The characters are likely to be more vivid.
(3) The production of such films is meant for the rich and famous.
(4) The settings and costumes are adapted from the book.
(5) The making of such films require the author to write a sequel.
(a) (1), (3) and (4)
(b) (2), (3) and (5)
(c) (1), (2) and (5)
(d) (1), (2) and (4) [1]
Answer:
(d) (1). (2) and (4)
Explanation: Explanation: It is clear that the production of such films is not (3) meant for the rich and famous. It also not (5) require the author to write a sequel. However, (1) The plot and the storyline of such films are better (2) The characters are likely to be more vivid and (4) The settings and costumes are adapted from the book. Hence, (d) is the right answer.
(F) There is a strong two-way relationship between films and the wider creative economy. (True/false). [1]
Answer:
False
Explanation: It is given in the passage that there is a two-way connection between wider creative economy and publishing, not films.
(G) Films adapted from books have a ……………….. content. [1]
Answer:
rich
(H) This passage lists an example proving that TV dramas based on literary works have ………………
Select the correct option.
(a) increased the immediate sales of the book
(b) increased the sales of the book during the first screening
(c) had no immediate impact on the sales of the book
(d) had very little impact on the sales of the book [1]
Answer:
(a) increased the immediate sales of the book
Explanation: It is stated in the passage that in terms of TV adaptation, it was revealed that a quarter of dramas were based on literary sources and attracted a 56% larger share of the audience than those based on original scripts. Hence, (a) is the right answer.
(I) Complete the given analogy correctly with a word from the passage:
Suggests : recommends :: ………………. : important [1]
Answer:
Significant
(J) Films can leverage the popularity of well-known books. State the meaning of the underlined word. [1]
Answer:
Increase
Section – B
Grammar (10 Marks)
Question 3.
Attempt ANY TEN of the given questions.
(A) Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks to complete the passage.
Kashmir valley (i) be heaven on Earth. It has 00 as a valley of violence today with consant terror and other unlawful activities.
(i) (a) is called
(b) was considered to
(c) was termed to
(d) was defined to [1]
Answer:
(b) was considered to
(ii) (a) come to be known
(b) been
(c) always been
(d) never been [1]
Answer:
(a) come to be known
(B) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct options.
The swimming pool ………………. at 9o’ clock and …………………. at 18:30 everyday.
(a) is opening / is closing
(b) opens / closes
(c) has opened / has closed
(d) opened / closed [1]
Answer:
(b) opens / closes
(C) Complete the given sentence with correct option.
The Olympic games ………………. place every four years.
(a) are taking
(b) take
(c) have taken
(d) took [1]
Answer:
(b) take
(D) Fill in the blank with the correct tense.
Look! The man ……………….. to open the door of your car.
(a) has been trying
(b) tried
(c) tries
(d) is trying [1]
Answer:
(d) is trying
(E) Complete the sentence correctly.
We usually …………….. vegetables in our garden but this year we any.
(a) grow / aren’t growing
(b) grow / aren’t growing
(c) grew / had not grown
(d) grow / don’t grow [1]
Answer:
(a) grow / aren’t growing
(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. The first one has been done for you. [1]
| Error shall | Correction would | ||
| My father shall insist on taking greens everyday | Example | ||
| Children may consume it regularly | (i) | ……………………. | ……………………. |
| otherwise they should suffer from | (ii) | ……………………. | ……………………. |
| iron deficiency. Elders will also take it every day | (iii) | ……………………. | ……………………. |
| but there are some individuals who do not like it. |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| (i) may | must |
| (ii) should | will |
| (iii) will | should |
(i) Explanation: ‘may’ represents choice while here, the father suggests that children should definitely take the greens. So, ‘must’ is the right answer.
(ii) Explanation: As the statement is a future expectation, ‘will’ will be used. Hence, this is the right answer.
(iii) Explanation: As for elders, it is only a recommendation; ‘should’ is the right answer.
(G) He took ………………. side in the argument two of his best friends between the two brothers.
(a) neither
(b) every
(c) either
(d) none [1]
Answer:
(a) neither
Explanation: There were too sides to be chosen to support but ‘he’ didn’t take any. Hence, (a) is the right answer.
(H) I would like to purchase …………….. salt, please.
(a) many
(b) some
(c) more
(d) many [1]
Answer:
(b) some
(I) The police ………………. the matter.
(a) is investigating
(b) were investigating
(c) had investigating
(d) will investigated [1]
Answer:
(a) is investigating
Explanation: As the ‘crime bureau’ is one identity. Hence, (a) is the right answer.
(J) I don’t know why he hasn’t called me back. He ………………..
(a) might have forgetting my number
(b) might forget my number
(c) must have forgot my number
(d) might have forgotten my number [1]
Answer:
(d) might have forgotten my number
(K) Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech?
Rahul asked me, “Did you see the football match on television last night?”
(a) Rahul asked me whether I had seen the football match on television the last night.
(b) Rahul asked me did I see the football match on television the last night.
(c) Rahul asked me whether I had seen the football match on television the earlier night.
(d) Rahul asked me whether I saw the football match on television the earlier night. [1]
Answer:
(c) Rahul asked me whether I had seen the football match on television the earlier night.
(L) Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech?
He said to her, “What a warm day”
(a) He told her that it was a warm day.
(b) He exclaimed that it was a warm day.
(c) He said sorrowfully that it was a warm day.
(d) He exclaimed that it was a very warm day. [1]
Answer:
(a) He told her that it was a warm day.
Creative Writing Skills
(2 x 5 = 10 Marks)
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
Recently, you have come across many articles on the topic, ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. In spite of these articles, girls are not given due respect and female foeticide in the society is rampant. Write a letter in 100-120 words to the editor of The Times of India, expressing your concern over the problem. Give some suggestions on the role of the people and the government in curbing it. You are Vaibhavi/ Vaibhav, 12 Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
OR
John had employed the services of Decent Packers, 1424, Ramanujam Street Chennai to pack and transport household goods and a car to Borivali, Mumbai. He is dissatisfied with the services and decides to lodge a complaint with the manager of the company. Write a letter in 100-120 words as John voicing your displeasure. [5]
Answer:
12, Vasant Kunj
New Delhi
20th March, 20XX
The Editor
The Times of India New Delhi
Subject: Role of the government and people in curbing female foeticide
Respected sir/madam
Through the columns of your prestigious newspaper, I want to highlight the role of the government and people in curbing female foeticide. At the core of it is the notion that girls are ‘paraya dhan’, which means that the financial expenditure incurred on a girl child, including her education, health, clothing, and food will not bring any returns. In fact, these would need to be topped up with a substantial one-time dowry.
The other aspect is the notion that the male child is the bread earner. Although it is difficult to get exact data of how many sons and daughters support their parents, it is true that with changing lifestyles, families are becoming more and more nuclear.
In this context, government intervention at the central and state levels would help. Annual tax benefits could be given to the parents of a girl child, and we should abolish dowry once and for all. The government can also bring in legislation so that a part of a girl’s income gets transferred to her parents’ account, with the government as the mediator. In case the girl is not working, the onus can shift onto her husband.
Governments at the centre and state levels have been running campaigns to stop female foeticide and they are indeed commendable. However, we have a long way to go before we are able to change the way our society operates.
Yours faithfully
Vaibhavi/Vaibhav
OR
1657, Borivali Mumbai
26th April 20XX
The Manager
Decent Packers
Chennai
Subject: Complaint against poor service Respected sir/madam
This is with reference to the pack and transport services provided by your company. I had booked the package to pack and transfer my household goods and car to Mumbai, but I am dissatisfied with the service provided by your company.
I had listed out the delicate objects that needed to be handled with care, but all my fine crockery and decorative items were so horribly packed that most of them were received broken. The furniture and car had scratch marks. The contract clearly stated that your workers would unpack and set the house. However, all the packets were simply dumped in the flat.
I am very disheartened by the services and would like to be compensated for the damage. I would be compelled to take matters to the consumer court if the issue is not resolved at the earliest. I hope you look into the matter as this kind of service is not expected from a reputed company like yours.
Yours truly
John
Question 5.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
The given data shows the sales of various electronic gadgets by different brands. These are purchased for use by middle class people. The survey was conducted in Ghaziabad.
Write a paragraph interpreting the data as to why people prefer a certain brand and why these gadgets are used.
SONY
|
LG
|
SAMSUNG
|
WHIRLPOOL
|
OR
The BDO of the Kanpur region conducted a survey in the government and private schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas to see the preferred language. Students of classes X -XII were a part of the survey.
The following excerpt was taken from the analysis report that appeared in a local daily newspaper:
“It is quite clear from the data collected that in government schools English language is not spoken by them at alL Only a few students are speaking English in government schools which is below average but Hindi is spoken by maximum of the students. In private schools English is spoken by maximum number of the students. Only few students speak Hindi as compared to government schools. In the KV’s (Kendriya Vidyalayas) there are approximately equal speakers of English and Hindi.”
Write a paragraph to analyse the given argument.
You could think about what alternative explanations might weaken the given conclusion and include rationale/evidence that would strengthen / counter the given argument making comparison wherever necessary in 100-120 words. [5]
Answer:
Gadgets – Friends for Life
With more and more choices and the desire to lead comfortable lives, people spend heavily on electronic gadgets. A survey conducted in Ghaziabad shows the spending behaviour and preferred brands (Sony, LG, Samsung and Whirlpool) of consumers.
To lead a comfortable life, people are increasingly buying televisions, refrigerators and washing machines. With a growing number of nuclear families and everyone working, microwaves come as their saviours, saving precious cooking time. In a time where the world is connected, possessing a computer, laptop or a mobile phone is unavoidable.
People, of course, have their preferences, with most people purchasing Sony products, which seem to have the lion’s share of the market LG has also maintained its hold by offering quality products at affordable prices. This also shows that products that seemed out of reach of the middle class are now within their reach, thus indicating their improved economic condition.
OR
Language Not a Barrier
Language not only enhances personality but also makes us confident. The BDO of Kanpur conducted a survey in the government and private schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas to understand the preferred language of classes X-XII.
The survey also highlighted the need to pay more attention to developing English-speaking skills in government schools as most students preferred Hindi to English. Though choice of language is personal but the world demands a better grasp of English. Students of Kendriya Vidyalayas showed inclination towards English but here the gap between the two languages was remarkably less. Private school students preferred English to Hindi.
Efforts must be made to ensure that students of government schools also have the same access to quality education as private schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas. Efforts must be made to ensure that all schools give equal importance to both languages to build confidence in students.
Section – C
Literature (40 Marks)
Question 6.
Attempt ANY ONE of the extracts given. (5 x 1 = 5)
The house – the only one in the entire valley – sat on the crest of a low hill. From this height one could see the river and the field of ripe corn dotted with the flowers that always promised a good harvest. The only thing the earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower. Throughout the morning Lencho – who knew his fields intimately – had done nothing else but see the sky towards the north-east.
“Now we’re really going to get some water, woman.”
(A) How did Lencho feel while looking at the sky?
Lencho felt ……………… [1]
Answer:
optimistic
Explanation: As the corn in the fields were ripened and to ensure a good harvest a downpour was needed. He was hoping for a good harvest.
(B) Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to given extract.
(1) Lencho knew his fields intimately.
(2) Lencho was a lazy farmer.
(3) Lencho grew corns in the fields.
(4) Lencho was optimistic for the rainfalL
(5) Lencho lived with his wife and four daughters.
(6) Lencho grew lomalies in his field.
(7) Lench was a dedicated farmer.
Options:
(a) (1), (2), (4) (b) (1), (4), (7)
(c) (2), (3), (5) (d) (2), (5), (6) [1]
Answer:
(d) (2), (5), (6)
Explanation: As given in the passage Lencho knew his fields intimately (1). This implies that he was hard working and a dedicated farmer (4). He had fields of corns (3) and he lived with his wife and sons. Hence (d) is not true.
(C) Pick the option that correctly classifies facts / (F) and opinion / (O) of the students below:
(1) I think Lencho is desperate about the rainfalL
(2) Lencho was a hard working farmer.
(3) Lencho should have grow another crop for better harvest.
(4) Lencho had firm belief in God.
Options:
(a) F – (1), (2) and O-(4), (3)
(b) F – (4), (3) and O – (2), (1)
(c) F – (3), (2) and O – (4), (1)
(d) F – (2), (4) and O – (3), (1) [1]
Answer:
(d) F – (2), (4), and O – (3), (1)
Explanation: We know from the reading of the passage that Lencho was hoping for a good harvest that means he was a hard working man and had firm belief in God. (2) and (4) are hence the facts. (1) can be somebody’s opinion on reading that he sat all day watching the sky. As the crops failed due to hailstorm he could have grown another crop. So (1) and (3) are the opinions. Hence the answer here is (d).
(D) Which word does “intimately” NOT correspond to?
(a) friendly
(b) antisocial
(c) closely
(d) familiar [1]
Answer:
(b) antisocial
Explanation: Intimately refers to knowing someone very closely. So here(a),(c) & (d) can not be the answers. The answer here is (b) anti social
(E) Where was Lencho’s house situated? [1]
OR
Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless and sat down at the wayside watching the lights of the city, as they flickered up and were extinguished again. At last the darkness of the night reigned everywhere. And she considered the fate of men, that their lives flicker up and are extinguished again. And she thought to herself, “How selfish am I in my grief! Death is common to all, yet in this valley of desolation there is a path that leads him to immortality who has surrendered all selfishness.” The Buddha said, “The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain.
Answer:
At the top of a hill
Explanation: It is written in the passage that the house was situated on top of a hill from where fields and river were visible.
(A) Choose the option that doesn’t align with the philosophy of Gautam Buddha?
(a) option (1) (b) option (2) (c) option (3) (d) option (4)
Answer:
(c) option (3)
Explanation: Gautam Buddha was moved by the miseries of the world he wanted to get over all these, so (1), (2) & (4) are not the answers as all these depict the miseries of the world. Materialistic he wanted to rise above the worldly pleasures and did not agree with the worldly pleasures, hence (3) is the answer as the image shows a guy thinking about pleasures of life.
(B) What lesson did she receive from the lights?
(a) The lights keep on altering.
(b) The life has its pros and cons.
(c) The lights are more or less similar to the life of men.
(d) The light is essential. [1]
Answer:
(c) The lights are more or less similar to the life of men.
Explanation: Gotami saw lights of the village flickering up and then extinguishing, giving way to the darkness of night. She is remorsing the death of her beloved one, then she realises that life also-goes on like this, like flickering lights. The lines have a deep spiritual meaning where the life of men is compared to the lights. Hence here the answer is (c).
(C) The statement that is TRUE about Kisa’s tiredness according to passage is :
(a) She haa searched a lot for mustard seeds to sow them in her backyard.
(b) She had been walking throughout day and night.
(c) She had insulted many people.
(d) She had a long and tiring day. [1]
Answer:
(d) She had a long and tiring day.
Explanation: Kisa Gotami had searched whole day for the mustard seeds to get back the life of her beloved son, so (a) is not the answer, (b) & (c) are not correct answers as she sat down weary watching the lights in the village flickering up. So, she had been walking during the day only. She did not insult people for the mustard seeds. As she had been going door to door to get back her beloved son’s life, (d) is the right answer.
(D) What according to the passage leads to immortality? [1]
Answer:
leaving behind the greed and becoming selfless
Explanation: In the last lines of the given paragraph, Kisa realises that remorsing and repenting cannot bring her son back. Everyone had denied her any medicine to revive her dead son. Even the mustard seeds were of no use. She realised that what can lead anyone to the path of immortality is giving up selfishness.
(E) The extract uses the phrase, “considered the fate of men”. Which of the following expressions is incorrect with respect to the word ‘fate’?
(a) option (1)
(b) option (2)
(c) option (3)
(d) option (4) [1]
Answer:
(b) option (2)
Explanation: It is our fate what we get in love, friendship or relationship (1, 4, 3). Luck (2) means fate itself Hence (b) is the correct option.
Question 7.
Attempt ANY ONE of the two extracts given. (5 x 1 = 5)
“heard an oLd religious man
But yesternight declare
That he had found a text to prove
That only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair”
(A) Identify the option that suits the best to the phrase “love you for yourself alone”
(a) to love someone and not anyone else
(b) to show love in solitude
(c) to love someone for the sake of that person only and not because of his appearance
(d) to love that person only [1]
Answer:
(c) to love someone for the sake of that person only and not because of his appearance.
Explanation: Here the poet is talking about God’s love and he loves everyone so (a), (b) and (c) are not the answers. God’s love is pure. He loves everyone irrespective of their caste, creed, colour or physical appearance. Hence (c) is the correct answer.
(B) What is the rhyme scheme of the given stanza? [1]
Answer:
abcdeb
Explanation: Only the 2nd and last line of the poem rhymes with each other.
(C) This stanza brings out the contrast between:
(a) love and hate
(b) man and woman
(c) A man’s love and God’s love
(d) yellow hair and black hair [1]
Answer:
(c) A man’s love and God’s love
Explanation: The poet here is talking about love. So (b) and (d) are not the answers. He had heard a religious man telling that only God loves you for yourself and not for who you are. There is no mention of hate. Hence (a) is also not the answer. As the poet talks about God’s love she is intending to tell the difference between love of a human and that of God.
(D) What is the poet NOT likely saying to the readers?
(a) Religious man has text in support of what he says.
(b) Yellow hair is good.
(c) God loves everyone for themselves.
(d) Appearance of a person doesn’t matter to the God. [1]
Answer:
(b) Yellow hair is good
Explanation: This stanza tells the reader that a religious man has told after reading text that the color of hair doesn’t matter to God. He loves everyone equally and as they are. Hence (a), (c) & (d) are opted out and (b) is the correct answer.
(E) What evidence does the old man has in favour of his declaration?
He has ………………… [1]
Answer:
some written material
Explanation: The poet tells that the old religious man has found text to prove what he says.
OR
Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented
with the mania of owning things,
Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that
lived thousands of years ago,
Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.
(A) What mania is the poet talking about? [1]
Answer:
Mania of having materialistic things.
(B) What idea can be drawn from the given passage?
(a) An ideal being is contended and satisfied with what he has.
(b) An ideal being asks for more.
(c) An ideal being is curious about life pattern.
(d) An ideal being is always dissatisfied. [1]
Answer:
(a) An ideal being is contended and satisfied with.
Explanation: The poet likes animals because they are satisfied and contented beings whereas human beings are not. According to the poet, a person who is simple and satisfied like animals who has overcome the mania of owning things is an ideal being. Hence (b, c and d) cannot be the answer. The answer is (a).
(C) The word “kneels” DOES NOT have a meaning similar to:
(a) To bow
(b) To sit
(c) To bend
(d) To lie down [1]
Answer:
(d) To lie down
Explanation: The word kneels down means to sit on knees. We generally sit on knees to bend or to bow before someone. Hence (a), (b) & (c) are not the answers. The answer here is (d).
(D) Why are the animals not dissatisfied?
Because ………………. [1]
Answer:
Animals don’t have desire to own anything.
Explanation: Animals do not have human desires. They only need food and a safe shelter, which they get enough in mother nature’s lap. Desire is the main cause of dissatisfaction.
(E) The word that does not indicate the habit of owning things by humans:
(a) mania
(b) desire
(c) demand
(d) success [1]
Answer:
(d) success
Explanation: Human beings have a habit of owning things. They desire for these things and demand God to provide these. This desire sometimes takes the form of madness. Hence (a, b and c) are not the answers. The answer here is (d).
Question 8.
Answer ANY FOUR questions in 40-50 words each. (4 x 3 = 12)
(A) What legends are associated with the origin of tea? [3]
(B) Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter as God? [3]
(C) How has Robert Frost cautioned the common man in the poem ‘Fire and lce’? [3]
(D) What promise does Mandela make in the opening of his oath-taking speech? [3]
(E) What does the seagull’s reaction to food tell us and what was the result of his response? [3]
Answer:
(A) According to a Chinese legend, there was a Chinese emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day, a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water, giving it a delicious flavour. It is said they were tea leaves. According to an Indian legend, Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.
(B) The postmaster is impressed by Lencho’s faith in God. He decides to give a part of his salary to Lencho. He also collects money by asking for donations from his colleagues. He feels contended by doing this. He signs the letter as ‘God’ because he wants Lencho to retain his utmost faith in God.
(C) Man is selfish, greedy, Lustful, indifferent and hateful. Robert Frost cautions the common man and says that he should not forget the bitter reality that everything in this world is transitory and death is undeniable. He says that all these will lead to the end of humanity and the world.
(D) Mandela thanks all the international leaders and guests and calls it an occasion of joy and victory for justice. He promises that the country shall not experience oppression of one by another again and that they will do everything in their power to help their brothers who are facing similar oppression. He further promised that they will do every effort to let the humanity and freedom reign their beautiful land forever.
(E) The seagull had not eaten for twenty-four hours and the sight of food maddened him. He was famished and his mother knew that he would do anything for food. She taunted and enticed him with food, and the seagull leapt to catch the morsel fish from his mother’s beak, he felt and soon his wings opened, and he began flying.
Question 9.
Answer ANY TWO questions in 40-50 words each. (2 x 3 = 6)
(A) Why did Mrs. Pumphrey start giving Tricki extras? [3]
(B) Why was it difficult for Hari to rob Anil? [3]
(C) Why were the two boys in London surprised and fascinated? [3]
Answer:
(A) Mrs. Pumphrey thought that Tricki was suffering from malnutrition, as he was weak and restless. He had no energy. So, she started giving him extra snacks, like cod-liver oil and malt, between meals and Horlicks after dinner to make him stronger. She also continued his cream cakes and chocolates
(B) It was difficult for Hari to rob Anil because Anil was the most trusting person Hari had ever met. He was really simple and kind. Hari knew that the loss of money would not affect Anil but the loss of trust would make him sad.
(C) The two boys in London were surprised and fascinated when they saw fresh muddy footprints of a human being on the steps of a house, when they had seen no one making them! As they looked, a fresh footprint appeared from nowhere. It was Griffin who took them by surprise!
Question 10.
Answer ANY ONE the following in 100-120 words.
Natalya was called a lovesick cat by her father, Chubukov. Critically examine the reason behind Natalya’s father’s statement even after Natalya being quite quarrelsome in nature.
OR
Read the extracts given below and comment on the similarity of the character traits of the two protagonists.
(A) “Yes, I simply have to go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus, “and here’s my money.”
She showed him some coins.
“Okay, okay, but first you must get on the bus,” said the conductor, and he stretched out a hand to help her up.
“Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself. You don’t have to help me.”
(B) Mr Keesing was trying to play a joke on me with this ridiculous subject, but I’d make sure the joke was on him. [6]
Answer:
Natalaya was a twenty-five-year-old young unmarried girl Her father Chubukov, had a huge responsibility on his shoulders to get her daughter married. When Lomov came to Chubukov with a proposal of marriage for Natalya, Chubukov agreed at once. He wanted to get rid of his responsibility as soon as possible. He didn’t want to take any chance. So, to reflect Natalya as a loving girl, he called her a ‘lovesick cat’.
However, Natalya was very c arrelsome and abusive by nature. She argument with Lomov over a piece of land that had little value and even on the superiority of her dog breed over his.
OR
(A) Valli was insightful and meticulous while making the plan for the bus ride. Two characteristics which made Valli to plan her bus ride was her courage and her ability to plan. These are the traits which need to be consciously developed so that a person can undertake what he/she wants to do. As observed in the excerpt, Valli is daunting and courageous.
(B) Even Anne is relentless with her pursuits and continues ahead with humour. Anne is neither disappointed nor rebellious with Mr. Keesing’s behaviour. Rather she tries to avert the situation with her humour and dauntingly faces the punishment that Mr. Keesing gives to her. Thus both Valli and Anne are courageous and fearless in the face of adversities and problems.
Question 11.
Answer ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words.
Ausable was very different from other secret agents. Critically examine the given statement with reference to ‘The Midnight Visitor’.
OR
“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” (William Shakespeare)
Matilda lost her friend’s necklace and ruined her life in the process. Justify the given quote in the context of the lesson, The Necklace. How do you think the lesson reflects the importance of honesty? [6]
Answer:
Ausable was indeed very different from other secret agents in many ways. Instead of being a muscular man, he was extremely fat and sloppy. In spite of living in Paris for over twenty years, he could only spoke French and German moderately and still had an American accent.
In place of a suspense-filled mysterious hotel room, Ausable had a small room in the musty corridor of a gloomy French hotel. Instead of getting messages slipped into his hands by dark-eyed beauties, he got only a telephone call making an appointment. Hence, he was different from the conventional notion of a spy.
OR
Honesty is an important trait to possess. The story, The Necklace also exemplifies the idea. I think Matilda could have led a peaceful and uncomplicated life had she controlled her social ambition, which prompted her to borrow the necklace that she could ill-afford. The author Maupassant warns us against the dangers of greed and criticizes those who ascribe undue value to material possessions.
Matilda’s happiness was dependent on objects she could not afford. She distressed herself with unfulfilled desires and wanted to be accepted among the higher class. She was filled with wild joy at the party where she could show off her diamond necklace, borrowed from her rich friend, Mrs. Forestier.
After losing the necklace, she is once again unhappy, suggesting that material possessions cannot guarantee long-lasting happiness, and that greed can lead to ruin. The purchase of the dress for the ball was also somewhat frivolous which showed Matilda’s vanity and social ambition.
Matilda’s inability to separate price from value led to her ruin, as she could not assess that the necklace was an artificial one. Had Matilda not been greedy and ambitious, she could have worked hard for making her own standard of living better which she always desired for. She became greedy and had to be dishonest to Mrs. Forestier about the necklace, which eventually ruined her entire life.