CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 SA2 English Solved 2016 Set 12
SECTION A – Reading
1. Read the following passage carefully.
Kerala is facing a shortage of trained rowers though it boasts a 500 km long coastline and has some of the biggest wetlands in the country. That is why in the recently held boat race, the boat that won the race was manned by 30 migrant rowers from Manipur and Assam.
There was a time when only traditional energetic boat rhythms ‘Thi Thara Thai’ were heard around the lake. But to make things easier for ‘outsiders’ a terse ‘ek do teen’ is often heard. Even the traditional singers and the drummer who stands astride the boat and whose role is to step up the rowing with their, brisk rhythm, now belt out Hindi cues. Till a few years ago, almost every family living in the 13 villages along the labyrinthine canal networks of the Vembanad Lake owned a small row-boat, a vanchi to navigate it. And men and women went fishing, shopping and visiting all in their vanchis. There was no shortage of rowers and a lot of them were tough and competitive.
The boat race tradition began around 63 years ago when Jawaharlal Nehru when on his first visit to Alapuzha had been enthralled by the beauty of the lake and its boats. It was he who had suggested the idea of an annual boat race to showcase the region’s unique culture. Thrilled by the idea the villagers pooled funds to buy snake boats and train local rowers and in the 70s and 80s there was much community pride in winning a race.
Initially there was a shortage of rowers and trained athletes to competing boat owners. Boat clubs in the Kumarakom-Kollam would provide rowers. In return they were paid a small sum and their names were announced along with that of the village they were helping. Good rowers became local heroes some passing into folklore. Then in the early 90s the villages could no longer pay for the month-long training camp. Unable to provide that money villagers started searching for sponsors among rich NRI with roots in the village.
The sponsor era has changed the face of the sport. The village has got sidelined and is now packed with rich owners of expensive boats. But the change has benefited the rowers. Fishing families no longer crib when one of them chooses to spend a month in training for the race. And the migrants has attracted by the money to have stepped in to take up the oars.
Q. On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following questions.
(a) What was unique about the recent boat race held in Kerala?
(b) How have singers and drummers adjusted to the new set of rowers?
(c) How did the families living along the shores navigate the canals?
(d) Why were vanchis popular?
(e) What historic event happened 63 years ago?
(f) How was the shortage of rowers initially, overcome?
(g) What change came over the boat race in the 90s?
(h) How has this change impacted on the sport and it people?
2. Read the following passage carefully.
The term ‘slow fashion’ was coined in 2008, and it refers to an approach to clothing and fashion that is at odds with the typical fast fashion which is high volume and low quality. Slow fashion also creates personal style, promotes responsible consumption and creates sustainable employment for artisans.
Several Indian designers have supported it as they believe in putting the brakes on fashion. These designers find their artisans enjoying the process of creating as it is no longer rushed. Their brands have become synonymous with natural fabrics, traditional prints and fully hand stitched and hemmed garments. This reduces power use also.
Sustainable slow fashion is a Gandhian ideal as well. One of its chief supporters is Rahul Misra who has around 500 artisans working for him. He encourages them to work from their villages which offers them a cleaner environment and more dignified living than city slums.
Not just the workers but the designers themselves have followed suit. Anita Dongre, another fashion designer shifted her factory out of Mumbai so her workers now have plenty of natural light, good ventilation, open spaces and a fixed 9-5 work day. Besides, the income they earn, stretches further in a village, where no rents have to be paid. Dongre also adds that employing the rural artisan ensures the continuity of a craft heritage. Another designer, Anavila Misra, who works with artisan clusters in Varanasi, Bhuj and Kolkata, has seen the prosperity returning to the villages where her artisans now live in pucca houses and send children to school. Buyers too, are now aware of the cost to the planet and don’t mind paying for ethical, sustainable fashion. In the long run it makes financial sense to invest in timeless pieces rather than in clothes that end up in the dump after a few weeks. .
2.1 Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words.
(a) What is ‘slow fashion’ and what are its benefits?
(b) Why is it favoured by several designers?
(c) Why is ‘slow fashion’ considered a Gandhian ideal?
(d) Why does ‘slow fashion’ make financial sense?
2.2 Choose the word which is closest in meaning to the words given below.
(a) The word ‘coined’ means……………………………
(i) made from a coin (ii) belonging to a particular period
(iii) something which is created or fabricated (iv) that which does not exist
(b) When one ‘puts the brakes’ one is……………………………
(i) driving a motor car (ii) putting a stop to something
(iii) slowing down (iv) gearing up to go fast
(c) The word ‘followed suit’ means……………………………
(i) wearing an identical (ii) buying an identical suit
(iii) following something started earlier (iv) making a new trend
(d) Another word for ‘artisan’ is……………………………
(i) artist (ii) worker
(iii) manufacturer (iv) craftsman
Section B – Writing & Grammar
3. You have been watching a documentary film on the honouring of war veterans of the First World War. You were impressed and want some measures to be taken for honouring the heroes of the wars fought by India. Writealetter to the editor of the Sainik Samachar newspaper, giving your suggestions and taking ideas from MCB unit ‘National Integration’. Sign yourself as Indira / Indra.
Or
You have just returned from a holiday in the lower Himalayan region. You were shocked to see the number ofhotels mushrooming along riversides and the edges of sanctuaries. Write an article for publication in the ‘Environment Today’ magazine on how tourism at the cost of environmental safety is a sure road to impending disaster. You can take ideas from MCB unit ‘Environment’. Sign yourself at Madhur/Madhumita.
4.Write a short story in about 150-200 words with the help of the given outline.
Shiraz was a weaver whose ancestors had woven fine silks and cottons. It was said that his ancestor had woven the sash that Emperor Akbar had worn at his coronation. But alas! today there was not enough to eat and his mother was already packing their belongings into bundles to leave for the city.………….
Or
The old lady lived in a ramshackle house inn the heart of the town. Several builders had approached her for selling the property to them but she had demanded an exorbitant price for that ruin…
7. Rearrange the following word clusters to make meaningful sentences.
(a) films / shot / things / change / when / are / many
(b) come / inputs / various / from / the / sources
(c) emerge / its / because / films / in / stage / of / inputs / these / final
Section C – Literature Textbooks and Long Reading Text
8. Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow.
And I had done a hellish thing And it would work’em woe For all averred, I had killed the bird That made the breeze to blow‘
(a) Who is T in these lines?
(b) What would be the consequence of his action?
(c) What does the word ‘averred’ mean?
Or
‘Patol Babu took off his woollen jacket and then heaved a sigh of relief A feeling of total satisfaction swept over him.
(a) Why was Patol Babu wearing a woollen jacket?
(b) Why did he feel satisfaction? .
(c) What word in the passage means the same as ‘to produce’.
9. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each.
(a) What kind of computers fascinated Michael and his dad? Why?
(b) Now does the poet describe the day and the atmosphere when he saw the snake?
(c) Why did Cassius not want Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral?
(d) What three actions does grandfather plan to do on the next Monday?
(e) Why were Nicola and his brother out in the deserted streets at night?
10. Answer the following question in about 80-100 words each.
In the play Julius Caesar we learn a great deal about the ideals that Caesar upheld. On the basis of your neadinggive four qualities that a leader should possess in your opinion.
Or
When one is doing a job and getting paid for it should one try to take advantage of the employer? Using examples from ‘Mrs Packletide’s Tiger’ show what should be the qualities of an ideal employee.
Attempt any one — Part A or Part B
Part A
11. The Diary of a Young Girl’ reveals human nature at its best and its worst. Comment on the statement
Or
What impression do you get of Mrs van Daan from the contents of the novel ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’?
Part B
11. What were the outdoor activities that Helen like to indulge in? Write your answer on account of the novel ‘TheStory of My Life’.
Or
Give a character sketch of Miss Sullivan as depicted in the novel ‘The Story of My Life’
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