Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Communicative with Solutions Set 7 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Communicative Set 7 with Solutions
Time: 3 hrs
Max. Marks: 80
General Instructions:
- 15 – minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
- The Question Paper contains Four sections-Reading Skills, Writing Skills, Grammar and Literature Textbook.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section – A
Reading Skills [22 Marks]
I. Read the following passage. (12 m)
1. I got posted in Srinagar in the 1980s. Its rugged mountains, gushing rivers and vast meadows reminded me of the landscapes of my native place – the Jibhi Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Unlike Srinagar that saw numerous tourists, Jibhi Valley remained clouded in anonymity. That’s when the seed of starting tourism in Jibhi was planted. I decided to leave my service in the Indian Army and follow the urge to return home.
2. We had two houses – a family house and a traditional house, which we often rented out. I pleaded with my father to ask the tenant to vacate the house so that I could convert it into a guesthouse. When my family finally relented, I renovated the house keeping its originality intact, just adding windows for sunlight.
3. I still remember the summer of 1992 when I put a signboard outside my first guesthouse in Jibhi Valley! The village residents, however, were sceptical about my success. My business kept growing but it took years for tourism to take off in Jibhi Valley. Things changed significantly after 2008 when the government launched a homestay scheme. People built homestays and with rapid tourism growth, the region also changed rapidly. Villages turned into towns with many concrete buildings. Local businesses and tourists continued putting a burden on nature.
4. Then, with the 2020-21 pandemic and lockdown, tourism came to a complete standstill in Jibhi Valley. Local people, who were employed at over a hundred homestays and guesthouses, returned to their villages. Some went back to farming, some took up pottery and some got involved in government work schemes. Now, all ardently hope that normalcy and tourism will return to the valley soon. In a way, the pandemic has given us an opportunity to introspect, go back to our roots and look for sustainable solutions.
5. For me, tourism has been my greatest teacher. It brought people from many countries and all states of India to my guesthouse. It gave me exposure to different cultures and countless opportunities to learn new things. Most people who stayed at my guesthouse became my repeat clients and good friends. When I look back, I feel proud, yet humbled at the thought that I was not only able to fulfill my dream despite all the challenges, but also to play a role in establishing tourism in the beautiful valley that I call home.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(i) The writer mentions looking for sustainable solutions. He refers to the need for sustainable solutions because he realises that (1)
(a) even though all natural ecosystems are essential pillars of resilience, we need to focus on using their resources to address the economic needs of mankind, as a priority.
(b) the exposures to pandemics are a reality and a big threat to the countries across the world.
(c) for an economic recovery to be durable and resilient, a turn to ‘business as usual’ and environmentally destructive investment patterns and activities must be avoided.
(d) there is an increasing urgency in the climate movement and the need for collaborative action for the future.
Answer:
(c) for an economic recovery to be durable and resilient, a turn to ‘business as usual’ and environmentally destructive investment patterns and activities must be avoided.
(ii) Give a reason (in 30-40 words) for the skepticism faced by the author from the village people. (2)
Answer:
The village people were skeptical of the author’s attempt at making Jibhi Valley a place for tourism because they did not hope that any person would prefer visiting their home town.
(iii) What was the writer reminded of in Srinagar? (1)
(a) Home in the Jibhi Valley
(b) Landscape of the Jibhi Valley
(c) Family in the Jibhi Valley
(d) None of these
Answer:
(b) Landscape of the Jibhi Valley
(iv) What does the author feel at the end of the passage? (1)
Answer:
The author feels pride at realising that he had fulfilled his dream and made his home town a popular tourist destination.
(v) How does the scenic beauty of Srinagar makes the writer feel? Answer in 30 – 40 words (2)
Answer:
The writer’s initial thoughts of Srinagar and its scenic beauty fills him with nostalgia about his native place.
(vi) The word is used in the passage in place of ‘doubtful’. (1)
Answer:
skeptical
(vii) Why did tourism become stagnant in the Jibhi Valley? (1)
(a) The valley had no attractions
(b) The 2020-21 pandemic and the eventual lockdown
(c) The writer had no idea of what needed to be done
(d) Everyone there wanted to go back to their day job
Answer:
(b) The 2020 – 21 pandemic and the eventual lockdown
(viii) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
Jibhi valley was different from Srinagar ……………………
Answer:
the latter was a popular tourist destination while Jibhi Valley was not.
(ix) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
………………….. bought a change in Jibhi Valley.
Answer:
Homsestays
(x) State whether the given assertion is True or False. (1)
The narrator left the Indian Army to convert his home town Jibhi Valley in Himachal Pradesh into a tourist destination.
Answer:
True
Question 2.
Read the following table displaying the details of various wars. (10 marks)
|
War |
Period |
Kings Who Fought |
Who Won the War |
Age of Period of War |
| First Battle of Tarain |
1191 |
Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori | Prithviraj Chauhan | Medieval India |
| Second Battle of Terrain |
1192 |
Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori | Muhammad Ghori | Medieval India |
| Battle of Khanwa |
1527 |
Babur and Rana Sanga | Babur | Medieval India |
| Battle of Panipat (1526) |
1526 |
Babur and Ibrahim Lodi | Babur | Medieval India |
| Battle of Talikota |
1565 |
Vijayanagara Empire and
Deccan Sultanates |
Deccan Sultanates | Medieval India |
Answer the following questions, based on the table above:
(i) Who fought in the First Battle of Tarain and who won the war? [2]
Answer:
The First Battle of Tarain was fought between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori. Prithviraj Chauhan won the war.
(ii) Which of the following kings fought in the Battle of Khanwa? [1]
(A) Babur
(B) Ibrahim Lodi
(C) Mohammad Ghori
(D) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Answer:
(A) Babur
(iii) What was the outcome of the Second Battle of Tarain and who fought in it? [2]
Answer:
The Second Battle of Tarain was fought between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori. Muhammad Ghori won the war.
(iv) First Battle of Tarain : Prithviraj Chauhan : :: ………… : Babur [1]
Answer:
Battle of Khanwa/Battle of Panipat (1526)
(v) Which war was fought first, the First Battle of Tarain or the Battle of Panipat? [1]
Answer:
The First Battle of Tarain was fought first, in 1191.
(vi) The ………. was fought between Babur and Rana Sanga. [1]
Answer:
Battle of Khanwa
(vii) Who won the Battle of Talikota? [1]
(A) Vijayanagara Empire
(B) Deccan Sultanates
(C) It was a draw
Answer:
(B) Deccan Sultanates
(viii) Match the following wars with their winners: [1]
1. First Battle of Tarain (A) Babur
2. Second Battle of Tarain (B) Prithviraj Chauhan
3. Battle of Khanwa (C) Muhammad Ghori
4. Battle of Panipat (D) Deccan Sultanates
5. Battle of Talikota (E) Babur
Answer:
1-B, 2-C, 3-A/E, 4-A/E, 5-D
Section – B
Writing Skills [22 Marks]
Question 3.
Write an email to the Principal of your school requesting him for a concession in fee. (3) You may copy the given template to write your email.
| From : | |
| To : | |
| Cc : | |
| Date : | |
| Subject : | |
Answer:
From :
[email protected]
To :
[email protected]
Cc:
[email protected]
Date : 10th April, 20XX
Subject: Request for fee-concession
Respected Sir/Ma’am,
This is to inform you that I am PQR of Class X of your school. I have written this mail to request a fee concession as the financial condition of my family is not good. My father is the only earning member in the family and recently had to be hospitalised due to an accident. So, I will be unable to pay my school fees.
Therefore, I request you to grant me full concession in school fees. I will be highly obliged to you.
Thanking you
Yours obediently
PQR
Question 4.
You are Rohit/Rohini. Your school recently took you on an excursion to the Taj Mahal, write a factual description of the Taj in not more than 100 words. [4]
Answer:
During our recent school excursion to the Taj Mahal, I was spellbound by its majestic beauty. The Taj, an ivory-white marble mausoleum, stands as an architectural masterpiece and symbol of eternal love. Its symmetrical design and intricate details, including delicate marble inlay work and Quranic calligraphy, showcase the brilliance of Mughal architecture. The central dome and four towering minarets create a perfect harmony of form and function. The serene Yamuna River adds to its charm. As I stood before this UNESCO World Heritage site, I felt the history and love that envelops it, making the Taj Mahal an unforgettable wonder of the world.
Question 5.
A. Big and lavish Indian weddings have become a common sight. And with that, we are used to the large-scale wastage of food in a country that hosts one of the biggest armies of starving people in the world. Write a letter to the editor of a local daily on the colossal wastage of food in lavish Indian weddings based on MCB Unit: 4 Environment. You are Surbhi. (120 words) (7)
Answer:
14-A, Civil Lines
New Delhi
27th October, 20XX
The Editor The Times of India New Delhi
Subject Wastage of Food in the Big Fat Indian Weddings
Sir/Ma’am
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the common masses to the waste of food that happens in Indian weddings. It is not unknown to us that weddings in India have become more extravagant in recent years. It is strange how Indians spend their life’s j savings on their weddings. One of the main features of the lavish wedding is the various types of food one can find there. Today, no wedding is complete without different cuisines offered to the guests.
It is quite shocking that on the one hand, India is a host to one of the biggest armies of starving people in the world, on the other, we witness a large-scale wastage of food.
Such wastage can be monitored if the size of the servings is limited. Moreover, the host should be responsible for giving the caterers, the exact number of the expected guest list. Moreover, the guests should confirm their presence so that the food is prepared accordingly and there is no wastage. Further, the leftover food can be distributed to the poor to avoid the wastage.
I hope my letter will awaken the people and they will try to minimize the wastage in future.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Surbhi
OR
B. Write a letter to the principal of your school to request him/her to introduce co-curricular. activities at regular intervals. Write a letter in not more than 120 words using ideas from MCB Unit 2 : Education.
Answer:
To
The Principal
PQR College
Delhi
Subject Request for arrangement of co-curricular activities at regular intervals
Sir/Ma’am
This is to inform you that I, am PQR a student of your prestigious school. The purpose of writing this letter is to request you to arrange co-curricular activities at regular intervals.
While I agree that education should be our primary focus in college, it is also not wrong to point out that too much focus on academics has made many students stressed. Plaving nothing to entertain us during the college hours makes our day dull and after some point, all studies become ineffective. Hence, I request you to introduce some co-curricular activities at regular time intervals so that we can refresh our minds and then study effectively.
Kindly understand and oblidge.
Hoping for a positive response.
Yours obediently
PQR
(Student)
Question 6.
(a) “Fast food may tickle our taste buds, but it harms our health in more ways than we can count.” When fast food fanatic Anita heard her doctor say these words, she was horrified and she immediately decided to junk fast food. Not only that, she even took the responsibility of spreading awareness about the harmful effects of fast food. As a first step, she decided to write an article for a newspaper on “Junk the Fast Food.” Write the article for her, in about 150 words.
Cues
I. What is fast food?
II. Side effects
III. Healthy substitutes
IV. Benefits of giving it up. [8]
OR
(b) As Rohit/Rohini of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, write an article in not more than 150 words on the importance of community gardens in urban areas. Discuss how they provide a space for residents to grow their food, connect with nature, and build relationships with their neighbors.
Cues
I. What is a community garden and how does it function in an urban area?
II. How do community gardens provide access to fresh, locally grown produce for urban residents?
III. What are the benefits of growing your food in a community garden?
IV. How do community gardens serve as a space for connecting with nature and the environment?
V. What are some examples of successful community gardens in urban areas?
Answer:
(a) Junk the Fast Food: Choose Health and Happiness -By Anita
Fast food, with its tantalizing tastes and convenience, has become an integral part of our modern lives. However, as Anita discovered through her doctor’s words, the consequences of indulging in it can be more devastating than we might think.
Fast food, typically characterized by high levels of salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, and low nutritional value, poses significant risks to our health. Regular consumption can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other health problems.
But there’s hope. Anita’s decision to renounce fast food serves as an inspiring example for us all. In its place, we can opt for healthier alternatives like homemade meals, salads, and fresh fruits. These not only taste great but also nourish our bodies.
The benefits of bidding farewell to fast food are immense. Improved health, increased energy levels, and a longer, happier life await those who make the switch. Anita’s commitment to raising awareness about this issue is commendable, as it encourages us all to make informed choices.
In conclusion, let’s join Anita in her mission to “Junk the Fast Food.” It’s a small step for our taste buds but a giant leap for our well-being.
OR
(b) “Blooming Connections: The Vital Role of Community Gardens in Urban Areas” -By Rohini
In the bustling heart of urban landscapes, community gardens have emerged as sanctuaries of green tranquillity, where the essence of sustainability and human connection thrive. Bhopal, like many cities, has witnessed the resurgence of community gardens, and their importance cannot be overstated.
Firstly, community gardens empower urban residents to reconnect with nature. Amidst the concrete jungles, these pockets of green serve as havens, offering a respite from the daily grind. Tending to plants, nurturing seedlings, and watching them flourish provide a profound sense of serenity and reconnection with the earth.
Secondly, these gardens offer a solution to food security issues. Residents can grow their organic produce, reducing their reliance on mass-produced, often less nutritious options. This not only promotes healthier lifestyles but also fosters a sense of self-reliance and empowerment.
Moreover, community gardens are catalysts for building relationships. They bring together diverse individuals who share a common love for gardening.
Neighbors become friends as they swap gardening tips and share their harvests, fostering a close-knit, supportive community.
In conclusion, community gardens in urban areas like Bhopal are much more than plots of land; they are green lungs, food providers, and hubs of connection. They remind us that amidst the urban rush, nature, and meaningful relationships can thrive if we nurture them.
Section – C
Grammar Skills [10 Marks]
Question 7.
Complete tasks A – C, as directed.
A. Fill the blanks (i) – (iii) with the appropriate option from those given in brackets. (3)
The train (i) …………….. (arrive/arrived/will arrive) in Mumbai at three o’clock. Vicky got off (ii) ……………. (a/the/No article) train and (iii) …………….. (hurry/hurrying/hurried) across the platform. He gave his ticket to the TT by the gate and ran out.
Answer:
(i) arrived
(ii) the
(iii) hurried
B. In the following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction against the correct blank number. The first one has been done as an example. (4)
Answer:
Incorrect Correct
(a) have is organising
(b) between from
(c) into in
(d) invite invites
C. Do as directed.
(i) Rearrange the following jumbled words/ phrases in the given information to create a meaningful sentence. (1)
vast space/a multitude of/about/wandering/stars/is/in the
A few of them form groups but the majority are solitary. They travel through a very spacious universe.
Answer:
A multitude of stars is wandering about in the vast space.
(ii) Read the conversation given below and complete the passage that follows. Attempt any four. (1 + 1)
Traveller : Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?
Peasant: Yes. Do you want one in which you can spend the night?
Traveller : No, I only want a meal.
The traveller asked the peasant (a) ……………… The peasant replied that he could, and asked (b) ……………. The traveler answered that he did not wish to stay there, but only wanted a meal.
Answer:
(a) if he could tell him the way to the nearest inn
(b) whether he wanted one in which he could spend the night.
Section – D
Literature Textbook [26 Marks]
Question 8.
Read the given excerpts and answer the questions briefly, for ANY TWO excerpts, of the three, given. 4+4 (A) “In the grey sky of early dawn, stars still glowed, as happy memories light up a life that is nearing its close. An old man was walking through the town, now and from the cold and biting wind.” again drawing his tattered clothes tighter to shield his body
(The Letter)
(i) Whose life is drawing to a close? [1]
Answer:
Coachman Ali.
(ii) Where is he going? [1]
Answer:
To the post office.
(iii) Why is he going there? [1]
Answer:
He is going there to check if his daughter has sent him a letter
(iv) What does this show about his character? [1]
Answer:
He is determined and does not stop even in the face of physical discomfort.
(B) And I had never found it healthy to contradict Jenkins. Jenkins always seemed to have an uncanny knowledge as to when the landlord or the grocer was pestering me, and he dunned me for a ghost. And somehow, I’d always been able to dig one up for him, so I’d begun to get a bit cocky as to my ability.
(A Shady Plot)
(i) Why couldn’t John contradict Jenkins? [1]
Answer:
Whenever he needed money, it was Jenkins who provided it. / He was the only one who was publishing his stories.
(ii) What did John ‘dig up’ for Jenkins? [1]
Answer:
A ghost/horror/supernatural story.
(iii) Who was Jenkins? [1]
Answer:
Jenkins was a publisher who published the stories written by John Hallock.
(iv) What does the word ‘cocky7 mean? [1]
Answer:
Overconfident, very sure of himself, arrogant, and proud.
(C) HowgladI as he had come like a guest in quiet, to drink at my water- trough
And depart peacefully, pacified, and thankless,
Into the burning bowels of this earth?
(Snake)
(i) Who is the guest here? [1]
Answer:
The guest is the snake.
(ii) He would depart thanklessly because…. [1]
Answer:
There is no need for him to thank the poet as the water is a natural resource and he has as much right to it as the poet.
(iii) Explain ‘burning bowels’. [1]
Answer:
The snake’s hole, very very hot, like Etna burning, deep inside.
(iv) Give the antonym of ‘depart’. [1]
Answer:
Arrive
Question 9.
Answer Any Five of the following six questions in about 30-40 words each. (5 × 2 = 10)
(i) Why did Ali go daily to the Post Office early in the morning? (The Letter) (2)
Answer:
Ali regularly went to the Post Office early in the morning with the hope of receiving a letter from his only daughter Miriam. She was married and had left his house five years ago. She had not come even once to meet Ali. So, Ali expected a letter from her.
(ii) In his sonnet, Not Marble, Nor the Gilded Monuments what does the poet say about the vanity of rich men? (2)
Answer:
The poet says that rich men try to get their statues erected and monuments made so that they would be remembered forever, but none of these survive the ravages of time and the men are forgotten.
(iii) Why did the news of the ‘Miracle Recovery’ shock Michael? (Virtually True) (2)
Answer:
Michael was shocked after reading the ‘Miracle Recovery’ story because the name of the person who recovered was Sebastian Shultz whom he thought he knew. He had been playing his games with a person with the same name and thought everything was real.
(iv) Why did Calpurnia try to prevent Caesar from going to the Senate House? Did she succeed in her attempt? (Julius Caesar) (2)
Answer:
Calpurnia prevented Caesar from going to the Senate House because she feared something miserable would happen to him. She felt this because of her dream in which she saw Caesar’s statue with many spots, from which blood was oozing out.
No, she did not succeed because Decius Brutus very cunningly convinced Caesar to go to the Senate House.
(v) What impression do you form of the sculptor through his work? (Ozymandias) (2)
Answer:
The colossal statue of Ozymandias gives a clear indication of the sculptor’s skill. He had very beautifully carved out every detail of the king’s face. Even when the statue was lying in ruins, one could not easily make out the arrogant expression on it.
(vi) State one aspect that might have led the narrator to think that the boys must be saving to emigrate to America. (Two Gentlemen of Verona) (2)
Answer:
The narrator thinks that the boys must be saving to emigrate to America because the boys did a lot of work. They not only sold fruits and newspapers but also worked as shoeshine boys, tourist guides, and errand boys.
Question 10.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 150 words. [8]
(A) Henry, I’ve been thinking about that bureau of grandfather’s that’s in his bedroom. You know I always wanted to have it after he died. Victoria is deeply anguished at her mother’s remark. As Victoria write a letter to a friend expressing your feelings on how your mother is behaving in a greedy manner highlighting the values her mother should have possessed.
(Dear Departed)
OR
(B) The Frog and the Nightingale” is a poem written by Vikram Seth, while ‘Snake1 is a poem written by D.H. Lawrence. These two poems are distinct works by different authors and belong to different literary traditions, but they do share some thematic similarities, particularly in their exploration of the relationship between nature and human intervention. Bring out two points of similarity between these two poems.
Answer:
(A) Dear Jeanette
I am very upset today as I saw my mother, whom I take to be my ideal, behave irresponsibly. It was a difficult time for us as we believed that my grandfather was dead. But instead of being upset, my parents especially my mother were busy pinching his things. She wanted the bureau in his room, and the clock, and has already passed on grandfather’s slippers to my father. I was rather shocked at this behavior of hers and am unable to believe their reaction. I was saddened by this. I had never thought even in my dreams about such a reaction by my parents.
I think they should behave responsibly. They should have felt sorrow that a soul had departed and should have shown respect to that departed soul. I wish I could convey my thoughts to my parents, but I know they will not listen to me. My heart feels lightened after sharing my thoughts and emotions with you.
Yours sincerely
Victoria
OR
(B) The point of similarities between, The Frog and the Nightingale and Snake can be brought by referring to the following:
1. Nature and the Natural World: Both poems focus on the natural world and its inhabitants. ‘The Frog and the Nightingale’ features a frog and a nightingale, while ‘Snake’ centers on a snake. The poets use vivid descriptions and sensory imagery to bring these creatures and their environments to life.
2. Human Intervention: Both poems touch upon the theme of human intervention in the natural world. In ‘The Frog and the Nightingale,’ the frog’s manipulation of the nightingale’s talent serves as a metaphor for exploitation and commercialization. In ‘Snake,’ the speaker must decide whether to allow the snake to drink from his water trough, highlighting the human tendency to impose our will on nature.
While these thematic similarities exist, it’s important to note that the two poems have distinct styles, tones, and messages. Vikram Seth’s ‘The Frog and the Nightingale’ is a fable-like poem with a moral lesson, whereas D.H. Lawrence’s ‘Snake’ is a more introspective and complex exploration of humans and instincts.