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CBSE Class 10 English Question Paper 2019 (Series: JMS/1) with Solutions
Time allowed: 3 hours
Maximum marks: 80
General Instructions:
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:
The Question Paper is divided into three Sections:
Section A – Reading Skills 20 Marks
Section B – Writing Skills with Grammar 30 Marks
Section C – Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text 30 Marks
General Instructions:
- All questions are compulsory.
- You may attempt any Section at a time.
- All questions of that particular Section must be attempted in the correct order.
SET I: Code No. 2/2/1
Section A – Reading 20 Marks
Question 1.
Read the passage given below carefully:
1. ‘Overpowering prey is a challenge for creatures that do not have limbs’. Some species like Russell’s viper inject poison. Some others opt for an alternative nonchemical method – rat snakes, for instance, catch and push their prey against the ground, while pythons use their muscle power to crush their prey to death. But snakes can’t be neatly divided into poisonous and non-poisonous categories.
2. Even species listed as non-poisonous aren’t completely free of poison. The common Sand Boa, for instance, produces secretions particularly poisonous to birds. So the species doesn’t take any chance — it crushes its prey and injects poison as an extra step.
3. Do vipers need poison powerful enough to kill hundreds of rats with just one drop? After all, they eat only one or two at a time.
4. While hunting animals try their worst to kill most efficiently, their prey use any trick to avoid becoming a meal, such as developing immunity to poison. For instance Californian ground squirrels are resistant to Northern Pacific rattlesnake poison.
5. Competition with prey is not the only thing driving snakes to evolve more and more deadly poison. Snakes also struggle to avoid becoming prey themselves.
6. Some snake killers have partial immunity to poison. Famously, mongooses are highly resistant to cobra poison, and with their speed and agility, kill snakes fearlessly. It would be the death of cobras as a species if they didn’t evolve a more deadly poison to stop mongooses.
7. Poison has another important role. It’s an extreme meat softener; specific enzymes break up the insides of the prey. Normally, a reptile depends on the sun’s warm rays to aid digestion.
8. But I wonder if we cannot use venom in our favour. In remote parts of India, local hospitality often involves leather-tough meat. I chew and chew until my jaws ache. If I spit it out or refuse, our hosts would be offended, I swallow like a python stuffing a deer down its throat and hope I don’t choke. If only I had poison.
1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer the following questions: (any four) 2 × 4 = 8
(a) Russell viper and rat snake have different methods to attack prey. How?
Answer:
To attack its prey, Russell viper injects poison, whereas rat snakes opt for an alternative non-chemical method, they catch and push their prey against the ground.
(b) How does Sand Boa kill its prey?
Answer:
The common Sand Boa produces secretion’s particularly poisonous to birds. It crushes it prey and injects poison as an extra step.
(c) There is a constant tussle between the hunting animal and its prey? Why?
Answer:
Hunting animals try their worst to kill most efficiently but their prey use any trick to avoid becoming a meal, such as developing immunity to poison. For example, Californian ground squirrels are resistant to Northern Pacific rattlesnake poison. Snakes also struggle to avoid becoming prey themselves.
(d) What makes mongoose a snake predator?
Answer:
Mongoose are highly resistant to cobra poison and kill snakes fearlessly with their speed and agility.
(e) What difficulty does the writer face when he is entertained in the remote parts of India?
Answer:
In remote parts of India, local hospitality often involves leather tough meat. The writer has to chew this meat till his jaw starts to ache. If he spits it out or refuses, his hosts would be offended. He swallows like a python stuffing a deer down its throat and hopes he doesn’t choke.
1.2 On the basis of your reading of the above passage fill in any two of the following blanks. 1 × 2 = 2
(a) Overpowering ________ is a challenge for creatures that do not have limbs.
(i) a killer
(ii) humans
(iii) a python
(iv) prey
Answer:
(iv) prey
(b) Poison ________ meat.
(i) enhances taste of
(ii) hardens
(iii) softens
(iv) breaks down
Answer:
(iii) softens
(c) Californian squirrels are __________ rattlesnake poison.
(i) afraid of
(ii) helpless against
(iii) resistant to
(iv) indifferent to
Answer:
(iii) resistant to
1.3 Find words from the passage which mean the same as: (any two) 1 × 2 = 2
(a) Another (para 1)
Answer:
Another – Alternative
(b) Liquid substances released from glands (para 2)
Answer:
Liquid substances released from glands – Secretions
(c) Particular (para 7)
Answer:
Particular – Specific
Question 2.
Read the passage given below:
1. While coronavirus cases continue to rise at an alarming rate in north America and Europe, one of the creators of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech says normal life will return by next winter.
2. BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said he was “very confident that transmission between people will be reduced by such a highly effective vaccine, may be not 90% but may be 50%”.
3. It’s essential that all immunisation programmes are finished before the autumn, he said on Sunday on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.
4. North Dakota earlier became the 35th US state to require face coverings be worn in public as governors across the country are grappling with a surge in coronavirus infections. North Dakota joined 38 other states this month in reporting record daily jumps in new cases.
5. New cases nationwide rose on Friday to a daily record of over 1,77,000 the fourth straight day an all-time high was set, according to a Reuters tally of figures from US public health agencies.
6. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended mask wearing, and a widely cited model estimated that a nationwide mandate could save 68,000 lives by next spring.
7. In France, the number of confirmed new cases and deaths rose sharply in the last 24 hours. France registered 32,095 new cases and deaths in hospitals from Covid-19 rose by 359.
8. Ten people died on Saturday in a fire at a Romanian hospital treating coronavirus patients the country agency for emergency situations said . The blaze broke out in the ICU of the Piatra Neamt country hospital and spread to an adjoining room.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any eight questions from the twelve that follow. 1 x 8 = 8
(a) Ugur Sahin is confident that the vaccine will reduce transmission between people by:
(i) 90%
(ii) 50%
(iii) 38%
(iv) 35%
Answer:
(ii) 50%
(b) North Dakota is the 35th US state to:
(i) see a surge in coronavirus infections.
(ii) witness a grapple among governors.
(iii) require face coverings be won in public.
(iv) record daily jumps in new cases.
Answer:
(iii) require face coverings be won in public.
(c) The number of cases in Brazil are less than that of India and deaths in India are ……………. than Brazil.
(i) more
(ii) higher
(iii) lower
(iv) decreasing
Answer:
(iii) lower
(d) Choose the option that lists the statement that is NOT TRUE:
(i) Coronavirus cases are increasing in north America.
(ii) It is necessary to complete immunisation programmes after autumn.
(iii) New cases and deaths have risen significantly in France.
(iv) The deaths in hospitals in France rose by 359.
Answer:
(ii) It is necessary to complete immunisation programmes after autumn.
(e) Reuters tally of figures reported:
(i) an all time spike in cases on the fourth straight day.
(ii) a rise in new cases nationwide.
(iii) mandatory mask wearing.
(iv) 68,000 lives could be saved.
Answer:
(i) an all time spike in cases on the fourth straight day.
(f) The word ‘grappling’ in Para 4 does not mean the same as:
(i) struggling
(ii) strenuous attempt
(iii) laboured effort
(iv) managing
Answer:
(iv) managing
(g) Ten people died at a Romanian hospital:
(i) while treating coronavirus patients –
(ii) due to fire
(iii) due to coronavirus
(iv) none of the above
Answer:
(ii) due to fire
(h) Brazil is at the …………… position among the worst nations superceding France and Russia.
(i) second
(ii) fifth
(iii) fourth
(iv) third
Answer:
(iv) third
(i) The word’ recommended’ in Para 6 means the same as:
(i) proposed
(ii) advised
(iii) advocated
(iv) all the above
Answer:
(iv) all the above
(j) There is not too much difference between the number of Covid cases in France and Russia but the number of deaths are …………. in France.
(i) higher
(ii) lower
(izi) decreasing
(iv) increasing
Answer:
(i) higher
(k) According to the passage normal life will return by:
(i) before autumn
(ii) next winter
(iii) next year
(iv) next spring
Answer:
(ii) next winter
(l) The word ‘blaze’ in para 8 does not mean the same as:
(i) shine
(ii) fire
(iii) raging flames
(in) inferno
Answer:
(i) shine
Section B – Writing Skills with Grammar 30 Marks
Question 3.
You are Tanvi/Shirish of Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi. You are extremely disturbed about the attacks on old people living alone. Write a letter in 100-150 words to the Editor, ‘The New Indian News’ making people sensitive to the problem. Make suggestions to the people living alone and the authorities to ensure that such attacks do not take place. 10
Or
Question 3.
You are Jay/Jaya, living at 1, MG Road, Trichy. You are very much concerned about the irregular supply of drinking water supplied through taps, which indirectly makes even low income people spend a substantial amount every month on buying drinking water. Write a letter to the municipal authorities about the problem and the financial burden arising out of this issue, seeking immediate corrective measure. 10
Answer:
Plot 55 A
Safdarjung Development Area
New Delhi
23 rd March 20××
The Editor
The New Indian News
New Delhi
Subject: Increasing attacks on old people living alone
Sir,
Through the medium of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to express my concern about the increasing attacks on old people living alone.
With the joint family system gradually disintegrating in India and nuclear set-up of families becoming the order of the day, old people are unfortunately left on their own. They are left to paid services as their near and dear ones do not have time for them. This makes them vulnerable to attacks by miscreants. Sometimes they have to pay for this by their life. Old people are left to battle problems of loneliness, depression and solitude.
Society as a whole must be sensitive towards the elderly and care for them. Old people living alone must have their caretaker’s and helpers’ identity verified by the police. CCTV cameras and alarm systems should be installed at strategic places in homes and localities to increase security. Their must also be regular patrolling to instill fear among the miscreants and confidence among the elderly. Elders are an integral part of our culture and traditions and we as a society must be tender and loving towards their needs.
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper I would like to sensitivise the people towards this problem and also appeal to the concerned authorities to ensure such attacks do not take place.
Yours sincerely
Tanvi/Shirish
Or
3.
1, M.G. Road
Trichy
11
th
June, 20xx
The Director
Municipal Authority
Trichy
Subject: Irregular Supply of Drinking Water
Sir
Through the medium of this letter I would like to draw your attention to the problem of irregular drinking water supply which the residents of M.G. Road are facing. Since there is irregular supply of drinking water supplied through taps we are forced to spend a substantial amount of money every month on buying drinking water from the market. This undue but necessary expenditure is hard-hitting for all of us, especially the people of the low-income group. They undergo a major financial burden arising out of this expenditure and the municipal authority has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to their woes. I, once again, would like to request you to ensure immediate corrective measures wherein the residents get a regular supply of drinking water.
I hope you will take serious view of this matter and implement corrective measures with immediate effect.
Yours sincerely
Jay/Jaya
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100 – 120 words.
[A] The chart below gives information about the internet activities carried out by different age groups of people in Rampur. Write a paragraph analysing the given data.
[B] Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in the magazine section of a local daily.
Consumerism is increasing day by day. Luxuries of yesterday have become necessities of today. The result is that the more we want the more miserable we become.
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. 8
Answer:
[A] It is evident from the chart that Get News is one of the most popular internet activity carried out by most age groups of people in Rampur. With a high of 76% among teenagers and a low of 70% by people who are over 70 years of age. Online games are played by 81% teenagers and as people grow older their interest in these games decreases. The concept of downloading is rather low among the older people and the younger age groups also do not download much stuff. Teenagers do not carry out product research on the internet but the percentage is high among the people who are in their 20s to 70s. The percentage of people who buy online products does not exceed 70 and a rather low percentage of all age groups search for people through the internet.
Or
[B] Consumerism is increasing day by day. We all are materialistic to some extent. The result is we want more and more and feel miserable when we do not get all that we need. The greed to have more becomes an obstacle when we start allowing material things to control us. Excessive desire for things is anyway considered immoral, a violation of natural or divine law. When this greed to have more than we actually need starts growing strong, we become utterly fixated on seeking what we do not actually need and try to get hold of those things that will still not help to eliminate the deep rooted evil of not having enough. When we learn to control our needs we not only minimize our sufferings and pain but are able to be at peace with ourselves and be happy and appreciate the little things that have been bestowed on us.
Question 5.
Fill in any four of the following blanks choosing the most appropriate options from the ones given below. Write the answers in your answer-sheet against the correct blank numbers. 1 × 4 = 4
Delhi (a) __________ the capital of India. People from all parts (b) __________ the country and world come to visit Delhi. There (c) _________ many historical buildings here. Last year I, (d) __________ Delhi. I also watched (e) __________ Commonwealth Games 2010.
Answer:
(a) (ii) is
(b) (i) of
(c) (ii) are
(c) (iii) visited
(e) (iii) the
Question 6.
The following paragraph has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the error along with its correction in the space provided. Do any four. 1 × 4 = 4
Answer:
(a) play … played
(b) on … for
(c) games … game
(d) know … known
(e) or… and
Question 7.
Rearrange any four of the following words/phrases to make meaningful sentences. 1 × 4 = 4
(a) that life began / centuries ago / scientists think / twenty million / on earth/ about
(b) endless process / the plants and animals / of evolution / are the products / of an
(c) are / their / animals / products of / all the/environment
(d) lose / habitat / human / due to / their / the animals / encroachment
(e) the / habitat / regrowth / rate of / is / very slow / of
Answer:
(a) Scientists think that life began on earth about twenty million centuries ago.
(b) The plants and animals are the products of an endless process of evolution.
(c) All the animals are products of their environment.
(d) The animals lose their habitat due to human encroachment.
(e) The rate of regrowth of habitat is very slow.
Section C – Literature Text & Supplementary Reading Text 30 Marks
Question 8.
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow: 1 × 4 = 4
When I casually mentioned this to a friend, he casually replied that I had better get one in the Tigris marshes, for there they were as common as mosquitoes, and were often tamed by the Arabs. We were going to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect and answer our mail from Europe. At the Consulate-General we found that my friend’s mail had arrived but that mine had not.
(a) What was ‘they’?
Answer:
They were the ‘otters’.
(b) Where could the author get ‘one’?
Answer:
The author could get one in the Tigris marshes.
(c) Find the exact word from the extract which means ‘domesticated’.
Answer:
Domesticated – means famed.
(d) What did the author find at the Consulate-General?
Answer:
At the Consulate-General in Basra, the author found that his friends mail had arrived but his had not.
Or
(There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me –
a mermaid drifting blissfully.)
(a) Who does ‘me’ stand for?
Answer:
‘Me’ stands for Amanda.
(b) How does ‘me’ feel?
Answer:
Amanda longs for freedom. She feels withdrawn and does not want to be controlled and instructed in what she should do. If she was a mermaid she would blissfully drift in the green sea where she would be the only inhabitant.
(c) Who is ‘me’ compared to?
Answer:
‘Me’ that is Amanda is compared to a mermaid.
(d) Which word in the extract means opposite of ‘sorrowfully’?
Answer:
The opposite of Sorrowfully is blissfully.
Question 9.
Answer the following questions in 30 – 40 words each. 2 × 5 = 10
(a) How did Kisa Gotami realise that life and death is a normal process?
Answer:
Kisa Gotami went to Buddha to get medicine that would cure her son. Buddha told her to procure a handful of mustard-seeds, which must be taken from a house where no one had lost any close relative or friend. Kisa Gotami then went from house to house but there was not a single house where some loved one had not died. She became weary and hopeless and was unable to fulfill Buddha’s request.
When Kisa Gotami got tired and depressed for not getting the mustard seeds as per condition, she sat down at the wayside and watched the flickering lights of the city that extinguished soon. It was then that the understanding dawned on her that the life of human beings also flickers then dies. Death is inevitable for all, those who are born have to die and so one must not grieve over it.
(b) What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?
Answer:
The common people of London did not recognise an otter and made a variety of guesses as to what kind of animal Mij was. These guesses at times even surprised the writer. People thought he belonged to the group of animals called Mustellines which included badger, weasel, mongoose, stoat, mink and others. More random guesses were of a baby seal, a squirrel or even a walrus. Once outside a dog show people guessed him to be even a hippo. Mij was anything for them but an otter.
(c) How can you say that Horace Danby was good and respectable but not completely honest?
Answer:
Horace Danby was considered a kind, good and honest citizen. He had a good reputation in society. He was about fifty years old and unmarried. He lived with a housekeeper who worried over his health. He was usually well and happy except for attacks of hay fever in the summer. He was a successful lock maker. Horace was good and respectable but not completely honest. He loved rare, expensive books and to fulfill this desire, he robbed a safennce a year.
(d) What difficulty do the crew of the space probe face on the Earth?
Answer:
The crew of the space probe after arriving on Earth took shelter in a square place but had no idea about it. It was actually a public library which they thought was a storage barn. They counted two thousand books which appeared peculiar to them. At first they thought these books were hats and then sandwiches and the place was a refreshment stand.
(e) What was the most fascinating thing that Valli saw on the street?
Answer:
Valli’s favourite pastime was to stand in the front doorway of her house, watching what was happening on the street outside. The sight of the bus, that travelled between her village and the nearest town, filled each time with a new set of passengers was the source of unending joy for her and fascinated her the most.
Question 10.
Answer the following questions in about 100 – 150 words. 8
Bholi is a child different from others. This difference makes her an object of neglect and laughter. Elaborate.
Or
People should always try to live within their means. Aspirations have no limits but one should never forget the ground realities. Elaborate on the basis of chapter, “The Necklace”.
Answer:
Bholi was the youngest of the seven of Randal’s children. All the children except Bholi were healthy and strong. Bholi had remained a backward child and her entire body was disfigured due to an attack of small pox at the age of two. She stammered when she spoke. Ramlal and his wife were never in favour of her being sent to school. But still they sent her to school thinking that since she had little chance of getting married with her ugly face and lack of sense, it would be better to let the teachers at school worry about her.
They had never got new clothes made for Bholi. The old dresses of her sisters were passed on to her. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes. For her parents, Bholi was a burden for whom they never bothered to even care. Her parent’s attitude towards her was very hostile. When Bholi first went to school, she did know what exactly a school was and what happened there, but when she saw girls like her present there, she was glad. She hoped that one of those girls would become her friend. In the class when her teacher asked her name, she tried to say it but the girls started laughing when she stammered. She cried and kept her head down throughout the class.
Or
Matilda suffered because she was a discontented woman who lacked courage to speak the truth. If Matilda had been truthful with Mme Forestier she could have known then that the diamonds, were false and would not have gone ahead and replaced them with real diamonds that cost her ruin. Had Matilda lived within her own means she could have saved herself and her husband from all the misery. Aspirations have no limits. One should never forget the grounded realities. Running after materialistic world only brings us sorrow. We must cut our pocket according to our cloth. The real happiness of life lies in simple living and high thinking.
Question 11.
Answer the following questions in about 100 – 150 words. 8
The poet in the poem, ‘For Anne Gregory’ conveys that we should give importance to the inner beauty and not to the physical appearance. Elaborate with reference to the poem.
Or
How does the poet describe the moon: (a) at the beginning of the third stanza, and (b) at its end? What causes this change? What happens to the house when the trees move out of it?Why do you think the poet does not mention “the departure of the forest from the house” in her letters?
Answer:
The poem ‘For Anne Gregory’ is based on the conversation between a young woman and a young man. She wants to be loved for herself alone and not for her hair and physical appearance. The man remarks that he would never love her alone but his love was for her yellow hair. To this the woman says that she could colour her hair brown, black or carroty with different hair dyes. The poem conveys that the young men give more importance to the physical appearance than spiritual beauty. The woman further says that an old religious man found a text which proves that for God colours do not matter for love.
The poet suggest that God loves you not only for your uniqueness but for what qualities you possess. Only God has this ability to love you for your qualities as a human being and not for your physical appearance. The poet conveys the message that love should be unconditional and should not depend on physical appearance. Young men may love women based on their beauty but God alone is the only one who loves all human beings for who they are.
Or
Initially the moon is whole and shines in an open and clear sky. Later the full moon is broken like a mirror and its pieces are flashing on the top of the tallest oak tree. The change is caused by the trees, which are moving out into the forest. There are cracks in the veranda floor of the house as the roots of the trees work to disengage themselves from the cracks in the floor. The leaves break the glass as they strain themselves towards the glass in an attempt to move forward. The poet does not mention ‘the departure of the forest from the house’ to suggest that plants and trees are used for interior decoration’ in cities, while forest, are cut down, are imprisoned and need to ‘break out’. ‘The poet also wants to highlight that we are often silent about important happenings that are unexpected, as they embarrass us.
SET II: Code No. 2/1/2
Except for the following questions, all the remaining questions have been asked in Set I.
Section B – Writing Skills with Grammar
Question 3.
You have lost your original certificates of class X and XII. You want to get their duplicates issued but you do not know the procedure. Write a letter to the Chairman, CBSE, Preet Vihar enquiring about the fee to be deposited, mode of for issuing duplicate certificates and any other formalities. You are Tarun/Taruna, 7/9, Kunj Apartments, Shimla (100 – 150 words). 10
Or
Question 3.
You are Principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya Ramnagar. The number of students in the computer class is increasing. Next year starting in April 2021, you will need 25 more computers in your lab. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the commissioner, K.V. Sangathan for funds.
Answer:
7/9, Kunj Apartments Shimla
23 rd March, 20××
The Chairman
CBSE, Preet Vihar
Delhi
Subject:
Issue of Duplicate Certificates of Class X and XII
Sir,
This is to inform you that unfortunately, I have lost my original certificates of Class X and XII during house shifting. My family has recently moved from Delhi to Shimla and in the process, my certificates have been misplaced.
I request you to kindly reissue my certificates as they are of adequate value for me. As I am not aware of the procedure, I wish to enquire about the fee to be deposited for reissuing and mode of payment for the same. I would be grateful if you could also let me know about the time taken by the board for issuing duplicate certificates and any other formalities that I am required to fulfill in this regard. Awaiting an early response from your end.
Yours sincerely
Tarun/ Taruna
Or
Kendriya Vidyalaya
Ram Nagar
22 nd December, 20xx
The Commissioner
K.V. Sangathan
Subject: Request for funds to buy 25 computers
Sir
It is heartening to see that the number of students in our computer classes has been on a rapid increase ever since we set-up the computer lab in our school in April, 2018.
For our next academic session, starting from April 2021 we need 25 more computers in our lab to cater to all the students who have opted for computer science.
It is my request to you to grant our school funds for the same to enable us to buy the required number of computers before the next session commences. I am sure you will understand our urgency to buy the computers before April 2021 and release the necessary funds accordingly.
Hoping to hear from your end at the earliest and thanking you in anticipation.
Yours sincerely
XYZ
Principal
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100 – 120 words.
[A] The piechart below shows the proportion of people from different households living in a state of poverty in Indonesia in the year 2004. Write a paragraph analysing the given data.
[B] Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in the local daily.
Our large population is not a cause of poverty but an asset, a resource.
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. 8
Answer:
[A] The pie chart displays seven different categories of people living in poverty in Indonesia in 2004. It is seen that the largest majority of people who were living in poverty are the sole parents who comprise 26% closely followed by single people comprising 24%. Couples with children who live in poverty are 15% as compared to 9% couples who are without children. The aged couples and the single aged people account for 5% and 7% respectively of those who lead a life of poverty. Overall 14% of all households in Indonesia were living in poverty in the year 2004. It is thus, evident that 50% of people living in poverty are either single without children or sole parents.
Or
[B] The people are the greatest resource of a country. This saying is as old as it is true. It is how a country uses this resource to its advantage that determines how citizens become the true assets of the country.
Population is not a problem but mismanagement definitely is. If we channelize our population in the right way, then it will surely be an asset. Though our rapid population growth is a matter of concern for our economy and priority needs to be given to measures to control population. It is now up to us how we can use our large population to our country’s advantage. India has the youngest population in the world with mean age of 24 years, in a pretty fast ageing globe. Our large population with its striking diversity that is not seen in the stark homogeneity of China’s population offers us and the world a variety of skills and professions.
Question 5.
Fill in any four of the following blanks choosing the most appropriate options from the ones given below. Write the answers in your answer-sheet against the correct blank numbers. 1 × 4 = 4
Birds and animals live in the lap (a) __________ nature and can predict the likely changes accurately. Swallows usually fly high (b) _________ the sky. But during a storm, they come down (c) __________ fly close to the ground. If they fly low you (d) __________ be sure of strong winds. Even a toad can be (e) __________ reliable weatherman.
Answer:
(a) (ii) of
(b) (i) in
(c) (iv) and
(d) (iv) could
(e) (i) a
Question 6.
The following paragraph has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the error along with its correction in the space provided. Do any four. 1 × 4 = 4
Answer:
(a) for … to
(b) are … is
(c) an … a
(d) on … about
(e) discover… discovers
Question 7.
Rearrange any four of the following words/phrases to make meaningful sentences. 1 × 4 = 4
(a) ignore / instinct / my first / the snake / was to
(b) I didn’t want / killed one / I had / it / as / never / to kill
(c) only dangerous / duty / to / was / kill / my / ones
(d) back / and returned / farm / I went / to the / stick / with a
(e) hesitated / it / I / but still / attack / to
Answer:
(a) My first instinct was to ignore the snake.
(b) I didn’t want to kill it as I had never killed one.
(c) My duty was to kill only dangerous ones.
(d) I went back to the farm and returned with a stick.
(e) But still I heritated to attack it.
SET III: Code No. 2/1/3
Except for the following questions, all the remaining questions have been asked in Set I & II.
Section B – Writing Skills with Grammar 30 Marks
Question 3.
When you think about your city you feel proud of its historical monuments, museums, Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Metro, Delhi Haat, shopping malls and beautiful parks. 10
Taking hints from the picture given, write a letter in 100 – 150 words to the editor of a national daily expressing your views on ‘Delhi – the City of My Dreams.’ You are Akshay/Akshita living at 121, Lake View Colony, Delhi.
Or
Question 3.
You are living in a village along a national highway. The state roadways bus does not stop near your village. Write a letter in 120 – 150 words to the General Manager, State Roadways requesting a bus stop for your village. Give all the reasons why you need a bus stop there. You are Omar/Amna, Gopalpur, Distt. Ramnagar. 10
Answer:
121, Lake View Colony
Delhi
1 st September, 20xx
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Subject: Delhi – the City of My Dreams
Sir
Through the columns of your reputed daily, I want to express my views on Delhi — the city of my dreams. It is a matter of great pride for me that I live in Delhi, the capital of India. It is a metropolitan city. The city boasts of rich historical culture. The architecture of its historical monuments, museums, structures like Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar is exquisite and these are world renowned tourist sights.
Delhi’s beautiful parks and shopping malls are a shopper’s delight. Delhi Haat keeps the traditional handicrafts culture alive. Delhi is a big city with towering buildings and has a great network of roads and flyovers. We also have a world-class metro facility to make commuting faster and comfortable. To Delhi’s credit we also have the top universities and schools of the country.
It is the love for my city that I am also viewing my concerns towards Delhi earning the notoriety of being the crime capital of India. Delhi, popular for being a city of warm-hearted people has been misused by wrong-doers. Morally, materially and environmentally the city has been mistreated. It is a pity that people do not care about this city of ours. We all need to take a pledge to live up to the glory of the capital city, make the city green, clean and law-abiding. Delhi is the pride of the nation and I dream of it becoming a world class city one day
Yours
faithfully Akshita
Or
Dist. Ramnagar
25 th February, 20xx
The General Manager
State Roadways
Subject: Request for a state roadways bus stop for our village.
Sir
Our village Gopalpur is along National Highway No. 12 in district Ramnagar. The state roadways buses pass our village but do not stop here.
On behalf of the residents of our village it is my request to you that our village be provided with a bus stop. Many people from our village are daily commuters who work in district Ramnagar. It would be very convenient for them to have a bus stop in our village. As for now the nearest bus stop for state roadways buses is about five kilometres away from our village and it is rather difficult to get any public transport to reach our village. Moreover, safety of our villagers, is a major concern. As there are no streetlights, people have to walk back 5 kms in the dark to get back to the village.
Keeping these problems in mind, I sincerely hope that you will ensure our village gets a bus stop. Since our village is along the highway there will be no diversion of route for the state roadways buses. Awaiting an early favourable response from your end.
Yours sincerely
Omar/Amna
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following in 100 – 120 words.
[A] The line graph given here shows the number of Covid-19 cases from April 10 to October 26 in Bihar. Write a paragraph analyzing the given data. 8
Or
[B] Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in a local daily.
The policy of no detention fill Class VIII is not in the interest of students.
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. 8
Answer:
[A] The graph shows that the number of daily new COVID-19 cases had been decreasing in Bihar since July after touching a peak of 3,500 new cases on a weekly average basis in July. The cases had peaked to 17% in the month of July and thereafter have been showing a steady decline. The steady spike in the number of cases was seen from the middle of June to the middle of July. And earlier hike of a little over 2,000 cases a week was witnessed in the middle of May, after which there was a decrease in the number of cases till the end of June. But since then the covid cases have been rising steadily. In the past almost three months Bihar has been showing a fall in both the Covid cases and the positivity rate.
Or,
[B] The policy of no detention till Class VIII has had a delirious impact on the learning outcome in schools. There is a little check on the facts that whether or not a student has even acquired bare minimum knowledge before he or she is promoted to the next class.
The situation often arises wherein students do not fail till Class VIII and then do not pass in Class IX. The poor results of this policy are visible in Class IX. I feel this policy is resulting in a decline in the standard of education. Children are showing a lackadaisical attitude towards their studies. The basic drive to excel is missing in students as a result of such leniency.
Students do not work as hard as they should and take their studies for granted. Though this policy was implemented with the objective of reducing stress on children, one cannot ignore the fact that the quality of education has to be maintained and the aim of education has to be achieved.
Question 5.
Fill in any four of the following blanks choosing the most appropriate options from the ones given below. Write the answers in your answer-sheet against the correct blank numbers. 1 × 4 = 4
He will fly (a) __________ Madras (b) __________ 7th December. The plane (c) __________ reach Madras (d) __________ 11.00 am. He (e) __________ stay at Hotel Plaza.
Answer:
(a) (iii) to
(b) (i) on
(c) (iii) will
(d) (ii) at
(e) (ii) will
Question 6.
The following paragraph has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the error along with its correction in the space provided. Do any four. 1 × 4 = 4
Answer:
(a) on … in
(b) over … to
(c) a … the
(d) swamp … swamped
(e) by … to
Question 7.
Rearrange any four of the following words/phrases to make meaningful sentences. 1 × 4 = 4
(a) democracy / is very / important / of press / in a / freedom
(b) abused / time / is / many / but/it
(c) biased / sometimes / presents / is / opinion / media / a
(d) to have / necessary / press / therefore / a responsible / it is
(e) can be / society / a / only then / fearless / imagined
Answer:
(a) Freedom of press is very important in a democracy.
(b) But it is abused many times.
(c) Media sometimes presents a biased opinion.
(d) It is therefore necessary to have a responsible press.
(e) Only then a fearless society can be imagined.