Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions and marking scheme Set 1 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Set 1 with Solutions
Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. This paper is divided into two parts: A and B. All questions are compulsory.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
Part-A
Multiple Choice Questions (40 Marks)
Reading (20 Marks)
Question 1.
Read the passage given below. (10 Marks)
1. “Why does humanity need Superman?”, wrote Lois Lane, the reporter from the Superman series. It’s a very relevant question in our context too. Why do we need superheroes? We are all enchanted by the action sequences in superhero movies, and also by how the superhero can always save the day – and with good reasons.
2. If you’re trying to guess what it is, you can forget about powers like super-strength, laser vision, or – our personal favourite – the ability to consume any type of matter in the universe. The underlying reason we’re so enamoured of them is quite possibly the best superhero power – the way they can inspire and motivate us. From the smallest boy and girl wonders, to the oldest Captains – each superhero has had their own lesson to impart unto all of us.
3. Whether it’s Batman saving Gotham city, Superman saving humanity, or our very own Krissh saving his fellow countrymen – we need superheroes because they give us the hope and strength we need to fight the injustice we encounter today. It’s like Batman once said, “Sometimes the truth isn’t good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.”
4. Yes, it’s true that we need faith today, when we know a lot tends to go wrong, whether it is with regard to terrorism, or growing crime – people need the hope and strength they get from superheroes. That’s why we need superheroes, because of how they give us a sense of right, which helps us fight the injustice happening around us. It was best summarised by Superman when he said that “There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape,” and by Batman in the Dark Knight, when he said that “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
5. So, every time we choose to see a superhero movie, it gives us a nudge to fight the unjust with our own ideas or capabilities. Every child and adult that watches superhero movies will be motivated to rise above the injustice happening in the real world. It’s not just about the power, but also the principle.
6. You and I can also be a superhero just by helping our neighbours, and by standing against what is wrong. Whether the situation is political or apolitical, injustice can be fought with thoughts of righteousness and courage.
7. From the day we are bom, we are told that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, but superheroes fan our subconscious desire for greatness. They also teach us that the greatest power is the integrity that keeps us from going down the wrong path. None of us will ever leap a tall building in a single bound, change the course of a mighty river, or bend steel with our bare hands but we can always return that lost wallet with its contents intact, tell the truth when it matters, stand our ground when it’s easier to walk away and unto others as we would want them to do unto us.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the twelve that follow. (10 × 1 = 10)
(i) Despite our age and status in life, few enigmatic qualities endear us to superheroes. Select the correct options from below:
1. Give our subconscious a desire for greatness
2. Have a lesson to bestow
3. Inspire and motivate us
4. Hive us hope to fight the bad
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer:
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(ii) Identify the sentence where the word “bestow” has been used incorrectly.
(a) He was ever ready to take blame on himself and bestow praise on others.
(b) During the ceremony, the Prime Minister will bestow medals of honor to the brave soldiers who rescued their comrades.
(c) The king will bestow a title and land to the man who saved the princess.
(d) If you want to avoid a misunderstanding, I bestow you to consider your words before speaking.
Answer:
(d) If you want to avoid a misunderstanding, I bestow you to consider your words before speaking.
(iii) “There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape.” By this, Superman is implying that:
(a) the cape is heavy and not everyone can bear it
(b) we all have special powers
(c) the ability to fight the unjust with our own ideas or capabilities is present in all of us
(d) society needs superheroes
Answer:
(c) the ability to fight the unjust with our own ideas or capabilities is present in all of us
(iv) According to the writer, how can a common man become a superhero?
1. Bend steel, change the course of rivers
2. Stand up against injustice, return that wallet intact
3. Help around the neighbourhood
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
Answer:
(b) 2 and 3
(v) A superpower common to all superheroes that endears them to us is:
(a) the ability to strategise.
(b) the ability to remain calm in the face of danger.
(c) the capability to motivate and inspire humans.
(d) the capability to lend a helping hand to humans.
Answer:
(c) the capability to motivate and inspire humans.
(vi) Choose the option that suits best as the title for the passage.
(a) Humans are superheroes
(b) Humanity needs Superheroes
(c) Superheroes are vital to humans’ lives
(d) Humans should help each other
Answer:
(b) Humanity needs Superheroes
(vii) What are the two things we need to fight injustice today?
(a) Superpower and superhero
(b) Truth and faith
(c) Hope and strength
(d) Hope and confidence
Answer:
(c) Hope and strength
(viii) Select the option that makes the correct use of “righteousness”, as used in the passage, to fill in the blank space.
(a) Both sides in the dispute adopted a tone of moral ……………….
(b) The newspaper reports are a ……………………. of gossip.
(c) She was confused about obligation and ……………………
(d) Cultural contexts bring ………………… in international relations.
Answer:
(a) Both sides in the dispute adopted a tone of moral ……………….
(ix) The author attempts to …………….. the readers to fight the unjust.
(a) motivate
(b) nudge
(c) rebuke
(d) put
Answer:
(b) nudge
(x) Pick the character which is not being used by the author.
(a) Batman
(b) Superman
(c) Spiderman
(d) Krissh
Answer:
(c) Spiderman
(xi) What is the central idea of the passage?
(a) Fight the injustice
(b) Superheroes are necessary
(c) Help your neighbours
(d) Save humanity
Answer:
(a) Fight the injustice
(xii) What are the two meanings of “encounter” as used in the passage?
1. Experience something unpleasant
2. To experience something unexpected
3. To affect something
4. To cover with a thin layer
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2and 3
Answer:
(a) 1 and 2
Question 2.
Read the passage given below. (10 Marks)
A Survey Report
A total of 246 bird species were recorded during the Winter Bird Count 2019, a slight increase from last year’s count of 241. A team of over loo birds in 15 teams set out across different parts of the territory and the National Capital Region and logged a number of important and rare sightings in the region.
Of the 246 species recorded this year, over 100 were winter migrants. This year’s species sighting tally was less than the 252 recorded in 2017. The birding teams covered areas like the riverine belt of the Yamuna, including Okhla sanctuary and Wazirabad, wetlands of Gautam Buddha Nagar, including Surajpur and Dhanauri, the wetlands around Gurgoan, among them Sultanpur and Basai, Najafgarh drain up to Dhasna barrage, the Aravali belt towards Mangar Bani and the neighbouring districts of Sonipat and Jhajjar.
Kanwar B Singh, coordinator of the count, described the overall diversity recorded as good with some important sightings. Singh said the similar species count of the past few years signified that most wetlands were faring fairly well. “This annual event gives us a good idea of the nature of the regional birdlife, helps collect essential data on bird diversity in the region and boosts support for the environment and nature conservation, while popularising bird-watching as a healthy pastime,” said Singh.
The white-crowned penduline-tit – a tiny wintering bird – was spotted by Pradyumna Vidwansa in Chandu village near Gurgaon after a gap of several years. Arvind Yadav, whose team sighted a Eurasian skylark at Mandothi in Jhajjar, Haryana, informed that this was a rare sighting in Haryana and NCR. “Both the Eurasian skylark and the white crowned penduline-tit have been recorded for only the third time in this region,” he said.
The birders said a few hundred greater flamingo are currently at the Najafgarh jheel.
However, this number is fewer than the arrivals in the last few years. Among the rare or uncommon waders reported by birders were the dunlin, jack snipe and Eurasian curlew. The enumerators also revealed the raptor count was higher this year when compared with the recording of the last few years.
“Various teams reported resident and wintering raptors, including crested serpent eagle, booted eagle, imperial eagle, steppe eagle, tawny eagle, greater and Indian spotted eagles, long-legged and common buzzards, marsh Harrier, Eurasian sparrow hawk, osprey, common kestrel and red-necked laggar and peregrine falcons,” said Singh. “In addition, a black eagle, which is a magnificent forest eagle that is rarely seen around Delhi, was once again reported last Sunday by the team led by Tapas Misra and Tanweer Alam.”
The count in the forested areas of the Aravallis including Mangar Bani, returned species like the white-bellied drongo, sirkeer malkoha and cinerous tit. Meanwhile, the birding team noted the presence of Brook’s leaf warbler, Siberian stonechat, common kestrel and Isabelline shrike in NCR’s woodlands and grasslands.
(Source: Times of India)
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from the twelve that follow. (10 × 1 = 10)
(i) How many bird species were recorded as winter migrants this year?
(a) 246
(6)241
(c) 100
(d) over 500
Answer:
(c) 100
(ii) How many species of birds were recorded during the winter bird count in 2018?
(a) 246
(b) 241
(c) 412
(d) 252
Answer:
(b) 241
(iii) Which of the following areas was/were covered in survey by the birding teams?
(a) Wetlands of Gautam Buddha Nagar
(b) Surajpur
(c) Wetlands around Gurgaon
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these
(iv) Which of the following subgroups of birds have been reported in the news articles?
(a) Waders but not raptors
(b) Both waders and raptors
(c) Neither waders nor raptors
(d) Raptors but not waders
Answer:
(b) Both waders and raptors
(v) According to Kanwar B Singh, what was the situation of most of the wetlands?
(a) Excellent
(b) Bad
(c) Good
(d) Very good
Answer:
(c) Good
(vi) Conducting events such as bird counting are crucial as these help in:
(a) reporting exclusively on the number of waders in different parts of Delhi and NCR
(b) reporting exclusively on the number of raptors in different parts of Delhi and NCR
(c) collecting essential data on bird diversity and to conserve nature
(d) identifying the place where most number of bird species are spotted
Answer:
(c) collecting essential data on bird diversity and to conserve nature
(vii) For the last few years, the number of flamingoes is:
(a) increasing
(b) decreasing
(c) the same
(d) getting bigger
Answer:
(b) decreasing
(viii) Read the statements given below:
1. Spotted and counted birds at different spots in Delhi-NCR
2. Spotted rare birds in rural areas also
3. Did a phase wise count of the birds over a period of two winter months
4. Also spotted migrant birds
5. Were focusing only on wetlands and riverine belt
Which of the combination of statements hold true for the teams engaged with the winter bird count?
(a) 2, 4 and 5
(b) 1,2 and 4
(c) 1, 4 and 5
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer:
(b) 1,2 and 4
(ix) Which among the following birds were reported as rare waders?
(a) Eurasian curlew
(b) Dunlin
(c) Jack snipe
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these
(x) Based on your understand of the passage, choose the option that lists the birds of prey.
1. Common kestrel, peregrine falcons, Eurasian sparrow hawk
2. Flamingo, parrot, pigeon, nightingale
3. Serpent eagle, long-legged buzzards, osprey
4. Woodpecker, heron, tailorbird, peafowl, black drongo
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 3
Answer:
(d) 1 and 3
(xi) Which of the statements related to the number and variety of species of birds being spotted is true?
(a) The number of species being sighted by the birders has increased gradually over the past three years and there have been rare sightings too.
(b) The number of species being sighted by the birders has decreased gradually over the past three years and there have not been any rare sightings.
(c) The number of species being sighted by the birders has increased gradually over the past three years and there have not been any rare sightings.
(d) There hasn’t been any specific trend in terms of number of species being sighted by the birders over the past three years but there have been rare sightings in the latest winter bird count.
Answer:
(d) There hasn’t been any specific trend in terms of number of species being sighted by the birders over the past three years but there have been rare sightings in the latest winter bird count.
(xii) Which of these birds are rare in NCR’?
(a) White-crowned penduline-tit
(b) Eurasian skylark
(c) Eagle
(d) Falcon
Answer:
(b) Eurasian skylark
Literature (10 Marks)
Question 3.
Read the extracts given below and attempt any one by answering the questions that follow. (5 × 1 = 5)
A. Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government,
(i) Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract.
1. On 10th May, Nelson Mandela sworn in as the first black Head of State, South Africa.
2. Before 10th May, the seat of President was occupied by the white.
3. A few international leaders came for the inauguration ceremony on 10th May.
4. ‘Bright and clear day’ refers to 10th May.
5. Anti-racist came to power without any hard struggle.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 5
(d) 4 and 5
Answer:
(c) 3 and 5
(ii) Who among the following is the narrator of this extract?
(a) The white president of South Africa
(b) The black president of South Africa
(c) The president of United States of America
(d) A common man of South Africa
Answer:
(b) The black president of South Africa
(iii) Which word does ‘besieged’ NOT correspond to?
(a) Surrounded
(b) Crowd
(c) Requested
(d) Swarm
Answer:
(c) Requested
(iv) Pick the option that correctly classifies the facts (F) and opinions/s (O) of the students.
(a) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
(b) F – 2, 3 and O – 3, 4
(c) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(d) F – 3, 4 and O – 1,2
Answer:
(c) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(v) The ceremony took place in a building made of:
(a) marble
(b) sandstone
(c) bricks
(d) wood
Answer:
(b) sandstone
B. “Ga, ga, ga,” he cried begging her to bring him some food. “Gaw-col-ah,” she screamed back derisively. But he kept calling plaintively, and after a minute or so he uttered a joyful scream. His mother had picked up a piece of the fish and was flying across to him with it. He leaned out eagerly, tapping the rock with his feet, trying to get nearer to her as she flew across. But when she was just opposite to him, she halted, her wings motionless, the piece of fish in her beak almost within reach of his beak.
(i) The young seagull cried begging his mother to bring him:
(a) some good news
(b) some support
(c) some leaves
(d) some food
Answer:
(d) some food
(ii) His mother had picked up:
(a) a twig
(b) a piece of nut
(c) a piece of fish
(d) a piece of straw
Answer:
(c) a piece of fish
(iii) What made the young seagull scream in joy?
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer:
(b) Option (2)
(iv) Why did the seagull’s mother halt?
(a) She wanted the seagull to dive for the food
(b) She was in pain
(c) She saw a hunter
(d) She wanted the seagull to move back
Answer:
(a) She wanted the seagull to dive for the food
(v) The extract uses the phrase, ‘besieged by dignitaries’. Which of the following expressions is incorrect with respect to the word ‘dignitaries’ ?
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer:
(c) Option (3)
Question 4.
Read the extracts given below and attempt any one by answering the questions that follow. (5× 1 = 5)
A. Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink
and the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes.
(i) Belinda considered every pet animal to be brave except:
(a) kitten
(b) mouse
(c) dog
(d) dragon
Answer:
(d) dragon
(ii) What is the rhyme scheme of the given stanzas?
(a) abcb; bcbc
(b) abed; abed
(c) abbe; abbe
(d) aab ;ccdd
Answer:
(d) aab ;ccdd
(iii) Which part of dragon was compared to a fire place?
(a) Eyes
(b) Mouth
(c) Nose
(d) Ears
Answer:
(b) Mouth
(iv) The word that DOES NOT indicate the bravery of the dragon is
(a) courage
(b) fearlessness
(c) weakling
(d) boldness
Answer:
(c) weakling
(v) The dragon had scales which were bony plates to protect his:
(a) mouth
(b) felt
(c) nose
(d) skin
Answer:
(d) skin
B. Did you finish your homework, Amanda?
Did you tidy your room, Amanda?
I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!
(I am an orphan, roaming the street.
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.)
(i) Here, Amanada’s mother is inquiring Amanda whether she has:
(a) bathed or not
(b) had lunch or not
(c) trimmed her nails or not
(d) done her homework or not
Answer:
(d) done her homework or not
(ii) The second stanza is given in brackets to show that:
(a) the speaker is very sad
(b) the speaker does want to face her mother
(c) the speaker is different than the other stanza
(d) the speaker wants to live secretly
Answer:
(c) the speaker is different than the other stanza
(iii) What is the rhyme scheme of the given stanzas?
(a) aaa; bbb
(b) abc; abc
(c) abb; cdd
(cl) aab; cdd
Answer:
(a) aaa; bbb
(iv) At this point of time, Amanda imagines herself to be:
(a) a mermaid
(b) a princess
(c) an orphan
(d) a queen
Answer:
(c) an orphan
(v) Amanda wants to play in:
(a) a clean park
(b) a clean field
(c) a garden
(d) dust with her bare feet
Answer:
(d) dust with her bare feet
Grammar (10 Marks)
Question 5.
Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks to complete the note about India – a great nation. (3 × 1 = 3)
Freedom (i) ………………. in India. Unity in diversity is the hallmark of this country. India (ii) …………… a country in her long history. She is a giver, not a taker. She (iii) …………….. the concept of zero to the world and several other things. Undoubtedly the list is endless and
unparalleled.
(i) (a) was worshipped
(b) is worshipped
(c) has worshipped
(d) will worship
Answer:
(b) is worshipped
(ii) (a) never invaded
(b) have never invaded
(c) has never invaded
(d) will never invade
Answer:
(c) has never invaded
(iii) (a) will give
(b) was given
(C) given
(d) gave
Answer:
(d) gave
Question 6.
Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks to complete Praveen’s narration. (3 x 1 =3)
I found Ashok sad. ‘When I (i) ……………… standing with scooty, he (ii) …………… he was planning to learn scooty. I was surprised and made enquiry how he could learn driving that way. Immediately he silenced my by saying that (iii) …………….. the first step of learning. He
further added that in fact, driving needs planning and practice.
(i) (a) said to him about why
(b) asked him why he was
(c) explained why he was
(d) told him about why
Answer:
(b) asked him why he was
(ii) (a) questioned that
(b) refused that
(e) suggested that
(d) replied that
Answer:
(d) replied that
(iii) (a) this was
(b) this is
(c) it has been
(d) this may be
Answer:
(a) this was
Question 7.
Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct options for any four of the six sentences given below. (4 × 1=4)
(i) My father is very busy these days. But he ……………….. find some time for you.
(a) might
(b) has to
(c) must
(d) will
Answer:
(c) must
(ii) My friends as well as I …………….. students of Laxmi Bai College.
(a) have
(b) is
(c) was
(d) were
Answer:
(d) were
(iii) ……………….. the husband and wife are elected to the Assembly.
(a) Every
(b) Both
(c) All
(d) Each
Answer:
(b) Both
(iv) I am very badly in need of a job. I ………………… if you grant me the favour.
(a) shall obliged
(b) shall be obliging
(c) shall be highly oblige
(d) shall be highly obliged
Answer:
(d) shall be highly obliged
(v) On coming back to the city I shall inform you so that you ……………. resume delivering the
paper regularly.
(a) will
(b) may
(c) can
(d) should
Answer:
(b) may
(vi) He was badly beaten by the ruffian. He lay unconscious for ……………… hour and ………………… half.
(a) a, an
(b) the, a
(c) an, a
(d) much, a
Answer:
(c) an, a
Part-B – Subjective Questions (40 Marks)
Writing (10 Marks)
Question 8.
Attempt any one of the following in 100-120 words. (5 Marks)
A.You are Sujal/Sujata of Pragya Public School, Nagal, Punjab who had arranged a trip for fifty students of Nanital in summer vacations for ten days with ‘Mount Travels and Tourism’. The arrangements done by the travel agency were far below standard. The accommodation and food facilities were inferior in quality. Write a letter of complaint to the director of the agency to stop duping tourists with false promises as it tarnishes the image of locals. (100-120 words)
Answer:
Pragya Public School
Nagal, Punjab
23rd November, 20x x
The Director
Mount Travels and Tourism
Nagal, Punjab
Sub: Inferior quality of food and accommodation
Sir
I am constrained to express my displeasure and resentment at inferior arrangements made during our tour to Nanital in summer vacations. Our tour was for ten days and arrangement made by your agency was below standard. When we came back home, most of the students fell ill and now they are unable to attend classes. During our negotiation for tour, following promises were made:
(a) Stay in good hotels (b) Food at a good restaurant
As the above promises were not fulfilled, we stayed in a lodge and were forced to eat local food. Consequently most of the students fell ill.
Certainly we are cheated by your agency. You are requested that you should not dupe local people because it tarnishes our image.
Yours sincerely
Sujal
B. India is a highly populated country. People lack in maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene as a result they suffer from various diseases. India has a serious sanitation challenge; around 60 per cent of the world’s open defecation takes place in India. Poor sanitation causes health hazards including diarrhoea, particularly in children under 5 years of age, malnutrition and deficiencies in physical development and cognitive ability. You are Nitish/Nikita, head boy/girl of Anand Public School, Jaipur. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily, highlighting the problem and suggesting practical ways to ensure public sanitation and the right to dignity and privacy. (100¬120 words)
Answer:
Anand Public School
Jaipur
5th October, 20xx
The Editor
Rajasthan Patrika
Jaipur
Sub: Need for public sanitation .
Sir
Through the column of your esteemed daily I want to highlight the serious problem of sanitation. Everybody knows that India is a highly populated country. The people have no proper sanitation and hygiene facilities. Around 60 per cent of the world’s open defecation takes place in India. As a result, people suffer from various diseases. Diarrhoea, among various health hazards, is very common among the children of below five years of age. Poor sanitation also causes deficiencies in physical development and cognitive ability among people.
The government and the concerned authorities must take steps in this regard. They should put the public sanitation facilities at important places of villages, towns and cities. Besides, people should be made aware of diseases caused by open defecation. Sanitation should become our right to ensure dignity and privacy.
Yours faithfully
Nitish Head Boy
Question 9.
Attempt any one of the following in 100-120 words. (5 Marks)
A. A comparative study took place to find the number of working men and women in India. Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words and compare where relevant.
Answer:
The bar chart indicates a comparative study between the number of working men and women in India since 2010 to 2020.
Initially, in the year 2010, the number of working women was low at 6000 which was comparatively less than the number of working men. However, in 2015, sharp rise can be seen in the number of working women and men.
Surprisingly, the year 2020 shows a significant change in the data and shows equal number of working men and women in the country.
Therefore, it is clear that there is no discrimination between the number of working men and women in India.
B. See the line graph given below. Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words and compare where relevant. This informs you about dropouts over forty years from college.
Answer:
The given bar chart shows men and women dropped out over forty years from college. There could be various reasons to that. Between 1957 and 1997, the change was significant for male category. 20% of men dropped out from college while women who dropped out where at 40% in the year 1957.
Between 1967 and 1977, things almost turned opposite. 30% of men dropped out in 1967 while 30% of women dropped out in 1977 which was less than 1967. Almost 50% of men dropped out from college in 1987 while the dropping rate for women declined at 30% in the last part, the dropout rate of men and women parallel against each other.
Literature (30 Marks)
Question 10.
Answer any two questions in 20-30 words each, from (A) and (B) respectively. (4 × 2 = 8)
A. (any two) (2×2 = 4)
(i) Why does Anne feel that writing in a diary is really a strange experience?
Answer:
It must be remembered that Anne Frank was just a thirteen-year-old girl. She was in the hiding and cut off from the larger world. She was hesitant that no one would be interested in the musings of a young girl. She had never written anything before. So, it was naturally a strange experience for her.
(ii) What is the general rule of this ‘world of possessions’? Why is money ‘external’?
Answer:
Getting and losing is a natural cycle. Many more boys before him bought and lost their balls. This process will go on forever. However, no amount of money can buy back the same ball that has been lost forever. Money is external and has its own limitation. Wealth can’t compensate such emotional losses such as the loss of one’s childhood days.
(iii) What was the next problem after Valli had enough money?
Answer:
After she had saved enough money, Valli had her next problem. It was how to slip out of the house without her mother’s knowledge. She solved this problem easily. Every day after lunch her mother would nap from about one to four or so. She could easily venture out on her mission.
B. (any two) (2×2 = 4)
(i) What impression did the narrator (the lawyer) form of Bill when he met him for the first time?
Answer:
The narrator found the delivery man at the station as the only ‘agreeable sight’ in Ne Mullion. The man called himself Bill and he was a hack driver. He was about forty. He looked red-faced and cheerful. He looked thick in the middle. His working clothes were dirty and worn out. His manners were pleasant and friendly. The narrator was happy to meet such a man.
(ii) Why and where did Richard Ebright send the tagged butterflies?
Answer:
At the end of the book, The Travels of Monarch X, readers were invited to help study monarch butterflies’ migration. They were asked to tag butterflies for research by Dr Urquhart. Soon, Richard Ebright was attaching light adhesive tags to the wings of monarch butterflies. He used to send them to Dr Urquhart for his research work.
(iii) Was Bishamber a suitable bridegroom for Bholi? Give your opinion.
Answer:
No, Bishamber was not at all a suitable match for Bholi. No doubt, he was rich. He had a big shop, a house of his own and thousands of rupees in the bank. But he was mean, greedy and a worthless man. When he came to know of the pock-marks on Bholi’s face, he demanded a dowry of 5000 rupees to marry her. Even the turban of Ramlal at his feet couldn’t melt his heart. Bholi did the right thing to reject him.
Question 11.
Answer any two questions in 40-50 words each, from (A) and (B) respectively. (4 × 3 = 12)
A. (any two) (2 × 3 = 6)
(i) Why would you not agree with Lencho calling them ‘a bunch of crooks’?
Answer:
Lencho was not at all justified in calling them ‘a bunch of crooks’ because they helped
him by collecting money.
(ii) Who invites the comment – “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Answer:
Any person who wears a half-pant which reaches just below the knees, invites the comment that he is dressed like a pader. The reason is simple. He resembles a baker who is wearing such a funny dress.
(iii) What do you think was the speaker’s attitude towards Amanda?
Answer:
The speaker is concerned about Amanda and wants to instil good habits and behaviour in her. The speaker wants her to give up bad habits and be organised in life. The speaker constantly keeps instructing her with do’s and don’ts and doesn’t want Amanda to look gloomy.
B. (any two) (2 ×3 = 6)
(i) Hari Singh is both a thief and a human being. Explain.
Answer:
No doubt Hari is a thief as well as a good human being. Situations compel a person to become either beast or remain as a human being. Even goodness and nobility of a person changes anyone’s heart and mind.
(ii) Bholi’s heart was overflowing with a ‘new hope and a new life’. What does the phrase ‘the new hope and the new life’ mean?
Answer:
It means, ‘To serve her parents in old age and tp teach the students in the same school where she had learnt so much’.
(iii) How did Mr Loisel meet the demand of a suitable costume for his wife for going to the ball?
Answer:
Matilda refused to go to the ball without having a suitable costume for the occasion. Her husband asked her to wear the dress that she wore while going to the theatre. When Matilda reacted strongly, he asked how much a suitable costume would cost. She replied that it would cost 400 francs. Mr Loisel turned pale. He had saved 400 francs to buy a gun for him to shoot larks. But he bowed down and agreed to give 400 francs to have a pretty dress.
Question 12.
Answer any one of the following in 100-120 words. (5 Marks)
A. Simple moment proves to be very significant and saves rest of the day of the poet from being wasted. Explain on the basis of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’.
Answer:
In this poem, Robert Frost praises and describes different positions of nature. Here he touches different aspects of natural sights. There are many things in nature that are not considered auspicious like – crow and hemlock. Crow is not considered a good bird. Similarly, hemlock tree is a poisonous tree and that is why it is the symbol of sadness.
When the crow shakes off the dust of snow from the hemlock tree, it falls on the poet. Thus the poet’s mood changes due to this incident. Robert Frost, in this poem, represents the crow and hemlock tree as inauspicious. But when the crow shakes off the dust of snow from the hemlock tree, it falls on the poet. It changes his dejected mood and saves the day from being spoilt.
B. Why was the whole class ‘quaking in its boots’? Why were teachers the most unpredictable creatures on earth?
Answer:
It was the day of destiny for students. The reason was quite simple. In the forthcoming meeting the teachers were going to decide who would move up in the next class. They were also to decide who would be kept back in the same class. The entire class was ‘quaking in its boots’. Half the class was making bets. Two silly boys, C.N. and Jacques had staked their entire holiday savings on their bets.
One would encourage the other. Anne felt that there were so many dummies or worthless students in the class. She felt that a quarter of the class should be kept back. Anne also felt that teachers were the most unpredictable creatures on earth. They work according to their whims. Naturally, the girls and boys were worried. They waited for the verdict with their fingers crossed.
Question 13.
Answer any one of the following in 100-120 words. (5 Marks)
A. Mrs Pumphrey thought that her dog’s recovery was a triumph of surgery. Elaborate.
Answer:
Mrs Pumphrey was worried on noticing Tricki’s listlessness, bouts of vomiting and lack of interest in food. She could not bear to see him in pain. She called on Dr Herriot who advised hospitalisation for Tricki for a fortnight. The doctor knew that the chief cause of Tricki’s ailment was overfeeding.
He was confident that by restricting the dog’s diet he would be able to make him well again. Keeping a vigilant eye on him, the doctor served him plenty of water but no food for the first two days. Tricki regained perfect health within a span of few days. According to Mrs. Pumphrey, such quick and complete cure is usually possible only after surgery, so she thought that Tricki’s recovery was a triumph of surgery.
B. People should always try to live within their means. Aspiration have no limits but one should never forget the ground realities. Elaborate on the basis of the chapter, “The Necklace”.
Answer:
Matilda was a pretty young woman. But she was a day-dreamer. Although she was bom in a poor family, yet she dreamt to have costly dresses and jewellery. She wanted to be honoured and respected like the rich. One day her husband showed her an invitation from a minister.
She emotionally forced him to buy a new and costly dress for the ball. After this, she borrowed a diamond necklace from her friend, Forestier. She enjoyed the party heartily. She danced with enthusiasm. But she lost the necklace and in this way their problems started. To replace the necklace her husband had to borrow a substantial amount on a very high rate of interest. To repay that amount, they lived in a rented house. She did all the household work by herself. Mr Loisel worked extra to earn small wages.
Thus, it is correctly said that we should always live within one’s means. Our aspirations have no limits. But we should never forget the ground realities. If Matilda had knowledge of this fact, her life would not have changed into realities.