Sample Papers for Class 10 CBSE SA1 English Solved 2016-17 Set 8

SECTION – A: READING (20 marks)

Q. 1. Read the following passage carefully: (8 marks)

(1) Although everybody has a creative spark, the potential is not always fully utilized. How does one recognize those who are developing their creative energies to the fullest? Mad painters and tormented poets are only comic stereotypes of the creative personality. The essential traits of creativity are found among a wide variety of less conspicuous creators, people in all walks of life. Unfortunately, the structure of our social and educational environment does not always promote its growth.

(2) Generally speaking, creative people often believe their purpose in life is to discover and implement the interrelatedness of things, to make order out of disorder. They also see problems where others see none and question the validity of even the most widely accepted answers. Creative persons are compulsive problem seekers, not so much because they thrive on problems, but because their senses are attuned to a world that demands to be put together, like a jigsaw puzzle scattered on a table.

(3) Several tests now in use reveal that highly creative people are much more open and receptive to the complexities of experience than less creative people. The creative temperament has a tendency to break problems down into their most basic elements and then reconstruct them into whole new problems, thereby discovering new relationships and new solutions.

(4) Highly creative people aren’t afraid to ask what may seem to the naive or silly questions. They ask questions like, “Why don’t spiders get tangled up in their own webs?” and, “Why do dogs turn in circles before lying down ?”. Such questions may seem childlike, and in a way they are.

(5) Unlike children, creative people appear to have vast stores of patience to draw upon. Months, years, even decades can be devoted to a single problem. The home that encourages inquisitiveness contributes to creative development. The teacher who stresses questions rather than answers and rewards curiosity rather than restricting it, is teaching a child to be creative.

(6) To be extremely intelligent is not the same as to be gifted in creative work. The Quiz Kids are often referred to as geniuses. They would undoubtedly score high in memory functions.But it is doubtful whether they are also fluent in producing ideas. Contrary to popular myths that glorify youth, more creative achievements are likely to occur when people grow older. While memory may falter with age, creativity is ageless.

(A) Answer questions in brief: (5 Marks)
(i) Why is each person not able to use his/her creativity fully ? (1)
(ii) Mention two of the three traits of highly creative people, that we get to know from the passage. (2)
(iii) How can teachers promote creativity among students ? (1)
(iv) What is the most essential prerequisite for full creative functioning ? (1)

(B) Find words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the words by choosing the correct option: (3 Marks)

(i) noticeable (para 1)
(ii) used to (para 2)
(iii) approachable (para 3)

Q. 2. Read the following passage carefully: (12 marks)

(1) Adoption means establishing a bond between a couple (the adopters) and a child the (adoptee) which is legally, socially and morally equivalent to that between parents and their biological children. The adoptive couples assume the same rights and responsibilities in relation to the child as in a biological relationship and so does the adopted child towards his adoptive parents.

(2) Adoption has been prevalent in India since ancient times. However, until the recent past, it has been mainly to fulfill the needs of the parents, i.e. to have a male child to perform the last rites, or to acquire an heir to inherit the family name and property. Childless couples or those without a male child usually adopted a child from their own extended family or at least belonging to their own caste and community. The child’s needs were secondary, although usually a strong parent-child bond did develop.

(3) Today, when a couple decides to adopt, the above reasons continue to be a major motivating factor. Almost equally potent is the desire to avoid the stigma attached to barrenness. However, more couples are now having reservations about adopting a child whose parents are known to them and are instead seeking children about whose background they may have little or no information. This is to avoid divided loyalties and possible interference in the care and upbringing of the child they adopt.

(4) While India continues to have a high birth rate, there are also thousands of couples who are childless. In their desperation to become parents, they go from pillar to post and frequently spend thousands of rupees in trying out various methods like in vitro fertilisation, which still have a very low success rate. Many approach hospitals and private nursing homes and with the active assistance of medical and other staff, obtain unwanted children born therein, often clandestinely. Unfortunately, not many people seem to be aware of the existence of destitute children in institutions, languishing for want of a loving home, or that there are competent child welfare organizations which can help them to fulfill their desire for a child at the same time ensuring that their interests and those of the child are fully protected from all angles, including the important aspect of confidentiality. Details about such organisation are available with the State Department of Directorate of Social Welfare, and couples seriously considering adoption would do better to approach only such organizations rather than depending on the dubious and unreliable assistance of unauthorized persons in hospitals and nursing homes.

(5) In a metropolitan city like Mumbai, there has been an encouraging rise in the number of legal Indian adoption taking place from less than 25 adoptions a year from 1970 to 279 in 1990. The adoption of girl children has also been steadily on the increase, although it is still nowhere near the number of male adoptions. With the breaking up of the joint family system, couples are realizing that their sons will not necessarily always be around to look after them in their old age and that there is an equal, if not better chance of their receiving lifelong care and affection from a daughter, as from a son. The situation relating to adoption in more conservative cities and towns, and in the rural areas, is still pretty bleak.

(A) Answer the following questions briefly: (8 marks)

(i) What is meant by adoption ? (2)
(ii) What was the reason for adoption until the recent past ? (2)
(iii) Which important aspect makes the child welfare organizations reliable ? (2)
(iv) Where are the details about competent child welfare organizations available ? (2)

(B) Find the word in the passage which convey similar meaning of the following words by choosing the correct option:
(1×4 marks)

(i) secretly (para 4) (1)
(ii) blot (para 3) (1)
(iii) needy (para 4) (1)
(iv) not hopeful (para 5) (1)

SECTION – B: WRITING AND GRAMMAR (25 marks)

Q. 3. You are Rajan Sharma living at D-25, Anand Sector, Hyderabad. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the Editor of the Daily Times, Hyderabad, regarding the poor living conditions of child labourers in tailoring units, jewellery making units and restaurants in your city. Give suggestions to improve their conditions and their right to education. You can use the following clues:

Poor living and unhealthy working conditions – long hours – not enough light – childhood becomes a curse – all work and
no play – no basic and compulsory education. (5 marks)

Q. 4. Write an original story in about 150 words beginning: (10 marks)

As I opened the window I saw………………..

Q. 5. Read the paragraph given below and fill in the blanks with the options that follow:
(1×3 = 3 marks)
High school is a critical time in the life of young people. On (a) ……….. (a/the/an/no article)
one hand, teenagers are eager to enjoy their freedom and independence, while on the other hand,
they must be disciplined enough to keep (b) ………… (their/the/our/there) priorities straight.
In my opinion, the family, the peer group and the school impact high school students the
(c)…………..(best/highest/most/maximum) at this vulnerable time.

Q. 6. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Identify the error and write it along with the correction. Underline the correct word supplied by you. (4 Marks)
Error Correction
Man has learn to communicate in a (a) ………………. ……………….
variety off ways. There are examples of (b) ………………. ……………….
communities uses whistles or tunes to (c) ………………. ……………….
express it’s ideas without bringing in (d) ………………. ……………….
words at all.

Q. 7. Rearrange the following jumbled words and phrases to form meaningful sentences. (3 marks)

(a) six and eight/get their/between the/children/front incisors/ages of
(b) the gap may/when children/on its own/go away/11 or 12/reach
(c) the canines/close the gap/the front teeth/together and/may push

SECTION – C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND LONG READING TEXT (25 marks)

Q. 8. Read the extracts given below and complete the statements that follow: (1×3 = 3 marks)

No, for myself it’s such a relief to get into the black. And now perhaps you’ll tell us all about it. What did the doctor say ?
(a) What is a great relief for the speaker ? (1)
(b) What does the speaker mean by telling us all about it ? (1)
(c) Who is the speaker of these lines ? (1)
OR
Animals for miles around
Flocked toward the magic sound
And the frog with great precision
Counted heads and charged admission.
(a) From where did the animals rush to the bog ?
(b) What does the ‘Magic sound refers’ to ?
(c) How did the frog cash in on the nightingale’s talent ?

Q. 9. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each :
(a) How did the nightingale fall prey to the heartless frog ?
(b) What according to Sylvia Plath, are the qualities of a mirror ?
(c) Why did Mrs. Packletide decide to give a party in the honour of Loona Bimberton ? What did she plan to present Loona on her birthday ? (2)
(d) How will the ‘living record’ of the poet’s beloved and his memory be more powerful than wasteful wars ? (2)

Q. 10. Answer any one of the following in 80-100 words:
Both the boys at Verona were full of grit, determination and hope. At a young age they exhibited qualities that are difficult to come even in adults. This story teaches us not to lose hope and courage even in adverse situations. Elaborate. (4 marks)
OR
As one of the villagers participating in the hunting expedition, you are surprised to see an extravagant display of wealth and money for fame which ends in failure. You decide to write a diary mocking at the situation and expressing your feelings against the show of false ego.

NOVEL/LONG READING TEXT (10 marks)

Attempt any one question from 11(a) or 11(b) in about 150 words.
The Story of My Life
Q. 11. (a) Helen had a great love for animals and birds. Elucidate with the help of examples. (10 marks)
OR
(a) Mildred was an alert and an observant child. Comment with reference to the train incident at Fern Quarry.

The Diary of a Young Girl
Q. 11. (b) In what ways, do Anne’s description of life in the secret Annexe around the end of 1943, differ from the earlier entries ? (10 marks)
OR
(b) Draw a pen-portrait of Mrs. Edith Frank.

CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers SA1 Solved English 2016-17 Set 8 (Question Paper Download PDF)
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