Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions and marking scheme Term 2 Set 3 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Term 2 Set 3 with Solutions
Time Allowed: 2 Hours
Maximum Marks: 40
General Instructions:
- The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR and LITERATURE.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION – A
Reading (10 Marks)
Question 1.
Read the passage given below.
Today I, Rabindranath Tagore, complete eighty years of my life. As I look back on the vast stretch of years that lie behind me and see in clear perspective the history of my early development, I am struck by the change that has taken place both in my own attitude and in the psychology of my countrymen — a change that carries within it a cause of profound tragedy.
5. Our direct contact with the larger world of men was linked up with the contemporary history of the English people whom we came to know in those earlier days. It was mainly through their mighty literature that we formed our ideas with regard to these newcomers to our Indian shores. In those days, the type of learning that was served out to us was neither plentiful nor diverse, nor was the spirit of scientific enquiry very much in evidence. Thus, their scope being
10. strictly limited, the educated of those days had recourse to English language and literature. Their days and nights were eloquent with the stately declamations of Burke, with Macaulay’s long-rolling sentences: discussions centered upon Shakespeare’s drama and Byron’s poetry and above all upon the large- hearted liberalism of the nineteenth-century English politics.
At the time though tentative attempts were being made to gain our national independence, at
15. heart we had not lost faith in the generosity of the English race. This belief was so firmly rooted in the sentiments of our leaders as to lead them to hope that the victor would of his own grace pave the path of freedom for the vanquished. This belief was based upon the fact that England at the time provided a shelter to all those who had to flee from persecution in their own country. Political martyrs who had suffered for the honour of their people were accorded unreserved welcome at the hands of the English.
20.1 was impressed by this evidence of liberal humanity in the character of the English and thus, I was led to set them on the pedestal of my highest respect. This generosity in their national character had not yet been vitiated by imperialist pride. About this time, as a boy in England, I had the opportunity of listening to the speeches of John Bright, both in and outside Parliament. The large-hearted, radical liberalism of those speeches, overflowing all narrow
25. national bounds, had made so deep an impression on my mind that something of it lingers even today, even in these days of graceless disillusionment.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the six given below. (1 × 5)
(A) What does the writer mean by ‘a change that carries within it a cause of profound tragedy’? (1)
Answer:
By the given phrase, the writer means the change in culture and lifestyle of the Indian people since the arrival of the British. He feels that this change is heartbreaking and is no less than a tragedy.
(B) Rewrite the following sentence by replacing the underlined phrase with a word that means the same from lines (10 – 15.)
Did you hear Anaita’s speech in the Inter-school competition? She was so fluent and bold while reading it out on stage. (1)
Answer:
Did you hear Anaita’s speech in the Inter-school competition? She was so eloquent and bold while reading it out on stage.
(C) State the meaning of ‘liberal humanity’ as implied in the passage. (1)
Answer:
Any system, mode of thought or action in which human interests, values, and dignity are taken to be of primary importance is known as liberal humanity. In the passage, liberal humanity is implied as freedom of choice.
(D) What helped Indians to shape their ideas of the Englishmen? (1)
Answer:
The writer tells us that the only way that people in those days knew about the new visitors of the country, who were the Englishmen, was their mighty literature.
(E) List two reasons that made people believe that the British deserved highest respect. (1)
Answer:
The contribution of English literature and the Englishmen’s acceptance of fleeing political leaders from other countries made people believe that the British were open-minded and deserved the highest respect.
(F) How does the writer justify countrymen’s ‘hope of faith’ in Englishmen at the time of conquest for their freedom? (1)
Answer:
The writer justifies countrymen’s ‘hope of faith’ in Englishmen by saying that the former had not lost the hope in the generosity of the Englishmen so much so that they thought the Englishmen would make them win their freedom themselves.
Question 2.
Read the following excerpt from a case study titled ‘World Happiness Report’.
Today, life satisfaction and happiness are central research areas in the social sciences, included in mainstream economics. Social scientists often recommend that measures of subjective well-being should augment the usual measures of economic prosperity, such as GDP per capita, data and empirical evidence that might answer these questions. Surveys asking people about life satisfaction and happiness measure subjective well-being with reasonable accuracy.
5. Life satisfaction and happiness vary widely both within and among countries. Richer people tend to say that they are happier than poorer people; richer countries tend to have higher average happiness levels; and across time, most countries that have experienced sustained economic growth have seen increasing happiness levels.
So, evidence suggests that income and life satisfaction tend to go together (which still doesn’t mean they are one and the same). Important life events such as marriage or divorce affect our happiness but have surprisingly little long-term impact.
Findings from the World Value Survey
10. The World Value Survey collects data from a series of representative national surveys covering almost 100 countries, with the earliest estimates dating back to 2000. In these surveys, respondents are asked, “Taking all things together, would you say you are (i) very happy, (ii) rather happy, (Hi) not very happy or (iv) not at all happy”.
15. For the survey, respondents were asked 5 questions on given situations to see if that would make them happy. The questionnaire filled by the people as per their answers was tabulated and studied to decide what actually counts for happiness. (Table 1)
However, it feels good to see that the happiness index for people has increased in the recent years for one or another reason. Also, it proves that a greater income leads to a happier life where people are satisfied and peaceful This eventually helps with further factors like health and well-being and development of the nation as well.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the six given below. (1 × 5)
(A) What does the writer mean by ‘mainstream economics’? (1)
Answer:
Mainstream economics is the old orthodox body of economic theories that is generally accepted by the economists as a basis of discussion. By this, the writer means that not only modern economists consider satisfaction and happiness for research but the neoclassical economists too.
(B) Comment on the significance of money in ‘life satisfaction’ as given in the lines 15-20. (1)
Answer:
From many studies and research, it is proven that money bags the best factor for happiness. Income and life satisfaction tend to go together. The richer the person, the happier he is and vice-versa.
(C) Justify how ‘happy people’ lead to a developed nation. (1)
Answer:
Increased income make people happy and satisfied, which in turn, makes them healthy and motivated to work with more dexterity. This helps to develop a nation as human workforce is the greatest asset for any nation to develop.
(D) Why does the writer say that important life events have a ‘little long-term effect’ on a person? (1)
Answer:
The writer say that important Life events have a ‘little long-term effect’ on a person because the feelings related to events like marriage or divorce are only temporary. They don’t last forever.
(E) Salary is the best motivator for work. How does evidence from table support this statement? (1)
Answer:
From the table, we can see that 87% of people are ‘very happy’ to get high salary while when there is any decrement in the salary, not a single person is ‘very happy’.
(F) What can be the reason for people saying ‘Not at all happy’ in Question 4 of the table (questionnaire), other than money? (1)
Answer:
The other reason than money for people saying ‘Not at all happy’ may be their poor relationships, reputations, family problems, health problems, addictions, etc.
Section – B: [10 Marks]
WRITING AND GRAMMAR
Question 3.
Attempt ANY ONE from (A) and (B).
(A) Study the concept chart from a recent study by WHO that has described some positive effects of quitting smoking.
Write a paragraph in not more than 120 words, analysing the given information.
Answer:
Smoking is the silent killer that affects a large number of people around the world. The negative effects of tobacco smoke are well known, but the good news is that the positive effects of kicking the habit can’t be missed. A smoker can leave the habit forever and can see the amazing results to live a healthier and happier life. As part of a report released by the World Health Organization for World No Tobacco Day, the potentially devastating effects of smoking can be successfully reversed. After just 20 minutes, the first health improvements begin with a drop in heart rate and blood pressure.
Within 12 hours carbon monoxide levels drop to normal and after a few weeks lung function increases and circulation improves. Within 1-9 months the person experiences decreased coughing and shortness of breath. Even the elevated risk of stroke or coronary heart disease is gone within 15 years. Cancer of lungs along with that of mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix and pancreas also becomes a much less significant threat after about ten years. So, quitting smoking is the best decision a smoker can take to improve the quality of his life.
(B) You are Jayant/Jaya of Gurugram. You come across the following advertisement by SBM University, Rohtak.
You are interested in doing the correspondence course for MBA. Write a letter to the HR of the institute, in about 120 words, inquiring about their courses and asking for a prospectus to know more. (5)
Answer:
324, Town House Complex
Gurugram
20th January, 20XX
The Director
SBM University
Rohtak
Subject: Enquiry regarding MBA courses
Dear Sir/Madam
I have just completed B.Com. from Delhi University and further want to pursue MBA. I have heard much about your institution and would like to know about the MBA courses. Kindly let me know the duration of the course, eligibility criteria, the fee structure, the number of students in a batch and the transport facilities that you offer. I would also like to know the placement prospects at the institution.
I will be thankful if you could send me the latest admission brochure along with the enrolment form to help me register myself for the course at the earliest. I have submitted the fees for the brochure online and sending you the receipt by mail.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Jaya/Jayant
Question 4.
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.
My name is Jonathon Maxwell I am the firefighter. I live in 128 Pine Lane, Boskins Height, Texas. I have two childs. One is a girl named Clair And the other is the boy named Thatcher We are a nuclear family
Answer:
(a) Explanation: We use ‘at’ to refer to a location so, at is the right answer.
(b) Explanation: The plural of child is children. Hence, it is the right answer.
(c) Explanation: As the sentence does not talk about any specific boy, ‘a’ will be used. Hence, it is the right answer.
Question 5.
Read the conversation between a waiter and customer and complete the passage that follows.
One day, a customer came to a hotel and angered the customer who angrily asked the
(a) ………………………….. to the waiter. The waiter waiter to bring him a cup of steaming hot tea. then asked the customer (b) ………………………….. This Get me a cup of steaming tea. angered the customer who angrily asked the waiter to bring him a cup of steaming hot tea. (1 + 1)
Answer:
(a) asked for a cup of tea
(b) if he would like it hot or cold
Section – C [20 Marks]
Literature
Question 6.
Answer ANY SIX questions in 30-40 words each.
(A) What was the significance of‘proposal’ in Chubukov’s behaviour towards Lomov? (2)
Answer:
Though Chubukov hated Lomov and viewed him as a suspicion, he called him ‘an angel’ when he got to know that Lomov had come with a ‘proposal’ to marry her daughter Natalya.
(B) Justify Valli’s behaviour with other passengers in the bus. (2)
Answer:
Valli was annoyed with the passengers in the bus as they all treated her like a child as she was but Valli didn’t want to be treated Like one. She was prompt in her reply and acted haughtily when elders asked her to questions.
(C) Comment on the tone of Ebright when he said, “I knew that for the next year’s fair I would have to do a real experiment.” (2)
Answer:
The tone of Ebright in the phrase is determination because he was determined to participate in the next year’s fair to do real experiment. He hopes to succeed in doing the experiment.
(D) The person who desires of freedom; imagines of freedom. Using evidence from the poem, explain how this concept is represented in ‘Amanda!’ (2)
Answer:
In the poem ‘Amanda!’, Amanda is fed up of her mother’s constant nagging and wanted to be free. Though she was not an orphan in reality but she imagines being one as she wants to be alone, having freedom to roam the streets as per her will.
(E) How does the necklace change the course of Loisel’s life? (2)
Answer:
Loisel’s Life wgs entirely changed after losing the necklace. Matilda and her husband had to borrow a lot of money in order to buy a new necklace to return to Mrs Forestier and as a result, they became very poor.
(F) Briefly state the appearance of the pirate in the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’. (2)
Answer:
In the poem, ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’, the pirate had pistol in both of his hands. Between his teeth, he held a ‘cutlass bright’, i.e. a sword. His beard was black and he crippled as one of his legs was of wood.
(G) The animals do not possess the mania of owning things unlike human. Comment. (2)
Answer:
In the poem, ‘Animals’, the poet says that humans have a ‘mania’ or craze for collecting materials and increase their possession of worldly pleasures while this mania is absent in animals. They do not care about the worldly pleasures and possessions.
Question 7.
Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 words each.
(A) Help is the greatest gift offered by people to those who are in need. Examine the help received by Kisa and Valli, highlighting their situations. (4)
Answer:
In ‘The Sermon at Benares’, Kisa Gotami was overcome with grief after the death of her only son. 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 it was through the help of Gautama Buddha’s wisdom that she was able to learn the important lesson of life that death is immortal and will come to all. One has to accept the reality to live in peace. Similarly, in ‘Madam Rides the Bus’, Valli received the help from the conductor who made sure that Valli was safe and sound as she was travelling alone. Apart from the conductor, all the passengers in the bus were also helpful and concerned for Valli. They even asked her to sit on her seat while she was looking of the window. Everybody was taking care of Valli even when she didn’t ask any one of them to.
(B) Travelling teaches us many life lessons and enriches us with experiences. Reflecting upon Rajvir and Pranjol’s enthusiasm in the chapter, ‘Tea from Assam’, develop a conversation between them highlighting the importance of travelling.
You may start like:
Rajvir: I think travelling is one of the best ways to explore not just the world around you but also helps you introspect about life itself.
Pranjol: Certainly . ……………………. (4)
Answer:
Rajvir: I think travelling is one of the best ways to explore not just the world around you but also helps you introspect about life itself
Pranjol: Certainly. It’s only when you travel, you come across so many things in life. So many different people, cultures, rituals, lifestyles, etc.
Rajvir: Travelling enriches us with so many varied experiences. It teaches us the beauty of nature, the beauty of life and the risks within. The one knows what peopLe in the different parts of the world live and deal with their lives.
Pranjol: That’s right. Travelling teaches us the unbelievable beautiful experiences of life and inevitable truth of death. It teaches us gratitude for having a wonderful life. It also shows us the hardships and problems in people’s life.
(C) “Mother is the first teacher of a child.” Evaluate the quote given above in the light of contribution of Richard Ebright’s mother in ‘making’ him ‘a scientist’. (4)
Answer:
The quote “Mother is the first teacher of a child.” is apt in reference to Ebright’s mother. When Ebright used to live at his home town Reading, he had nothing to do. Nonetheless, his mother always kept him busy by making him learn new things, buying him microscopes, telescopes, cameras and other useful quipment. She was his learning partner and would help him with his experiments. As Ebright used to collect butterflies since childhood, to keep his interest, his mother bought him a book on “Title of Monarch X’ that made Ebright learn more about butterflies and made him discover great things about them. Ebright’s mother turned him into a ‘scientist’ by continuously encouraging him to do things.
