Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions Set 2 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Set 2 with Solutions
Time : 3 Hours
Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions:
- This Question paper contains THREE sections-READING, GRAMMAR and WRITING & LITERATURE.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section – A
Reading Skills (20 Marks)
Question 1.
Read the following text. [10 Marks]
1. In most societies that have any glimmer of civilisation, a person accused of wrong doing is given at least a nominal chance of proving his innocence. The Romans had a highly sophisticated comprehensive system of courts and the members of their legal profession were well educated, but the Saxons who followed them to rule Britain used rougher methods.
2. From about the sixth century A.D. to the eleventh the majority of the trials were in the form of cruel physical torture (carrying a piece of red hot iron, stepping barefoot and blindfold across a floor covered with red hot coals) or sometimes by a gentler method of oath – swearing.
3. The accused was ordered to bring to the Saxon authorities. A police officer or a priest could be persuaded to swear on oath or still a number of persons who would say that the accused was of good character and thus, innocent. The number of persons who swore depended on the crime. A noble/a landlord or a priest counted for up to half a dozen ordinary peasants. As almost everyone lived in small villages, where almost everyone knew everyone else and very few would risk telling a lie on oath (the people were mostly religious), the truth was generally told. If the accused could not produce enough oath helpers, he was found guilty and punished.
4. In the eleventh century, the Normans introduced trial by battle in certain cases. The accused and the accuser fought with special weapons until one was dead or surrendered. It was believed that God would know the guilty and give the innocent the power to win. The whole idea became ridiculous when both the parties were allowed to hire champions who would fight on their behalf. It seemed likely whoever could pay the more for a stronger professional fighter stood a good chance of winning and being judged innocent. This may sound unfair to us but there is a parallel with a wealthy person today who can hire a costly and brilliant barrister to defend him.
5. In the early middle ages when England was a land of small villages remote from each other, crime tended to be basic and direct: beating up, theft, sex and murder being the main offences. But as towns and manufacturing and commerce grew, the possibilities for cheating and fraud soared. The whole organisation of society became more complex and opened the door to a world of more sophisticated wickedness. With no regular police force, spies and informers were offered rewards when they brought in criminals.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions that follow:
(i) Trace the rulers that ruled England over centuries. [1]
Answer:
England came first under the rule of Romans, followed by Saxons and then by Normans.
(ii) Which of the following statements are not true? [1]
(a) In the quest for justice the guilty often went unpunished.
(b) For seven hundred years from the sixth century trial was mostly rough.
(c) Swearing value of a priest was equal to a dozen ordinary peasants.
(d) Use of champions in a trial by battle finds an equivalent in the modem times.
Answer:
(b) For seven hundred years from the sixth century trial was mostly rough.
(iii) Study the following statements: [1]
(a) Romans were proud of their judicial system.
(b) There is not much difference between the Norman and modern system of justice.
(A) (a) and (c)
(B) (b) and (d)
(C) (c) and (d)
(D) (a) and (b)
Answer:
(C) (c) and (d)
Explanation:
The Romans had a highly sophisticated system of courts and their members were well educated. The modern system of justice, too, has both the qualities. Hence, both ‘a’ and ‘b’ are correct.
(iv) Complete the given statement appropriately: [1]
The article essentially describes ________.
Answer:
The development of the system of justice in England.
Explanation:
The system of justice in England developed with the passage of time which has been described in the given passage.
(v) Study the following statements: [1]
(I) In a trial by battle, money played a main role.
(II) God helped the innocent win the battle.
(A) (I) is right and (II) is wrong.
(B) (II) is right and (I) is wrong.
(C) Both (I) and (II) are right and (I) was the conclusion.
(D) Both (I) and (II) are right and (I) was not the conclusion
Answer:
(A) (I) is right and (II) is wrong.
Explanation:
Para 4 clearly conveys that whoever could pay more for a stronger professional fighter stood a good chance of winning and being judged innocent.
(vi) Based on the reading of the passage, throw light in 40 words, on the two contradictory aspects of Saxon systems. [2]
Answer:
They were rough and noble. Even an innocent person would be held guilty if enough people did not swear for him and then the convict would be subjected to torture.
(vii) Why does the author say that there is not much difference between the Saxon judiciary system and the modern system? Give your response in about 40 words. [2]
Answer:
The Norman judiciary system allowed both the opposing parties hire champions who would fight on their – behalf and whoever could pay the more for a stronger professional fighter stood a good chance of winning. This is in parallel to the modern system of hiring a costly and brilliant barrister to defend the accused.
(viii) The author’s use of the word: [1]
‘any glimmering of civilization’
‘Glimmering’ in the above expression has been used as a metaphor. Glimmering stands for __________.
Answer:
The word ‘glimmer’ mean ‘shine’. There was a shining great hope of a civilization.
Question 2.
Read the following text. (10)
1. India’s average temperature has already increased by around 0.7 degrees Celsius during the 1901 – 2018 period due to Greenhouse gas emissions and by the end of 2100 it is expected to rise by approximately 4.4 degrees Celsius warns the first-ever climate change assessment report by the Indian government.
2. The report Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region prepared by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) warned that the rapid changes in the temperature would mean increasing stress on India’s “natural ecosystems, agricultural output and freshwater resources, while also causing escalating damage to infrastructure.” This ultimately means a serious impact on the ‘country’s biodiversity, food, water, energy security and public health.
3. It said that several regions in India are global biodiversity hotspots with numerous endemic species of plants and animals and with the “climate changing more rapidly than usual, they may face increasing threats on account of these changes.”
4. The MoES report cautioned that by the end of 2100, the “frequency of summer (April-June) heat waves over India is projected to be 3 to 4 times higher” and the “average duration of heatwave events is also projected to be approximately double.” According to the report, the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) of the tropical Indian Ocean has also risen by one degree Celsius, on average, during 1951-2015.
5. The temperature rise is playing havoc with India’s rainfall which is significant for India’s agriculture sector. The report noted that the summer monsoon precipitation (June to September) over India has declined by around six percent from 1951 to 2015, with a notable decrease over the Indo-Gangetic Plains and the Western Ghats. It stressed that the overall decrease of seasonal summer monsoon rainfall during the last 6-7 decades has led to an increased propensity for droughts in India.
6. “In particular, areas over Central India, South-West coast, Southern peninsula, and North-Eastern India have experienced more than two droughts per decade. The area affected by drought has also increased by 1.3 percent per decade over the same period. Climate model projections indicate a high likelihood of an increase in the frequency, intensity, and area under drought conditions in India by the end of the twenty-first century,” said the MoES report.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(i) Complete the following analogy appropriately based on your understanding of the passage.
The rise in temperature will ……………… . (1)
Answer:
increase the frequency and duration of the heat waves
(ii) Fill in the blanks. (1)
From Paragraph 5, we can infer that the …………….. in temperature has wreaked havoc on the rainfall pattern. The overall ……………… of seasonal summer monsoon rainfall during the last 6 – 7 decades has led to an increased tendency of droughts.
Answer:
rise, decrease
(iii) Infer 3 reasons for the following, based on information in Paragraph 1. Answer in about 40 words. (2)
India’s average temperature has already increased by around 0.7 degrees Celsius during the 1901 – 2018 period.
Answer:
Greenhouse gas emissions, destruction of natural ecosystems, and over-exploitation of natural resources are the reasons for the rising in temperature of around 0.7 degrees Celsius during the 1901 – 2018 period.
(iv) Mention any two social and economic impacts of climate change. (1)
Answer:
Two social and economic impacts of climate change are
(a) Less capacity to work
(b) Increase in carpooling
(v) based on the given picture, which phenomena will cause widespread poverty? (1)
Answer:
Based on the given picture, it can be said that extreme meteorological phenomena will cause widespread poverty.
(vi) Select the chart that appropriately represents the drought trend with climate in India from the year 1951 to 2015, as per Paragraph 5. (1)
(a) Option 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Option 3
(d) 1 and 4
Answer:
(a) Option 1
(vii) Justify the following in about 40 words. (2)
The temperature rise is playing havoc with India’s rainfall.
Answer:
The given statement means that the increase in temperature is having a detrimental effect on the amount of rainfall that India receives. As per a report, the summer monsoon precipitation has decreased by around 6% from 1951 – 2015. This decrease of rainfall during the last 6 – 7 decades has led to an increased frequency for draughts in India.
(viii) Which of the following is an appropriate title for paragraph 2? (l)
(a) Loss of diversity
(b) Drough trends
(c) Winds of change
(d) Climate change
Answer:
(a) Loss of diversity
Section – B
Writing Skills and Grammar (20 marks)
Grammar (10 marks)
Question 3.
Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed.
(i) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of a letter.
Dear Sir
This is concerning your advertisement _______________ (publish) in the Times of India dated 8 May 2023. [1]
Answer:
published
(ii) Read the given sentence. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence. [1]
When she puts her hand on your head to bless you, you can feel her love.
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| Blessed | Bless |
(iii) Sujata and Simran had a conversation. Report Sujata’s question.
When will your mother be back from her trip? [1]
Answer:
Sujata asked Simran when her mother would be back from her trip.
(iv) Read the dialogue between Ganesh and Dr. Gautam.
Ganesh: Dr. my wife is unwell. May I know what will be the total expenses on her treatment?
Dr. Gautam: Well, you will have to pay only six lacs for her treatment.
Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue.
Ganesh told Dr. Gautam that his wife was unwell. He asked the Dr. ___________ Gautam told him that he would have to pay only six lacs for her treatment.’ [1]
(A) if he may know what will be the total expenses.
(B) if he might know what would be the total expenses.
(C) if he might knew what the total expenses will be.
(D) if he may know what are the told expenses.
Answer:
(B) if he might know what would be the total expenses.
(v) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the given statement:
It’s a closely connected world out _________ (here/then/there) where children consult and guide each other. [1]
Answer:
there
(vi) Identify the error in the statement given below and supply the correction. Use the given format for your response.
Water was vital to human health and fitness. [1]
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| Was | is |
(vii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line, from a news report:
Last week a child was not allowed to board the plane at Ranchi airport. [1]
| Option No. | Error | Correction |
| A | child | children |
| B | last | previous |
| C | the | a |
| D | at | in |
Answer:
C – the, a is correct
(viii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the given sentence about Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
The Caves of Ajanta and Ellora are the Magnificent Works of Sculpture. Whoever goes there _____________ spellbound. [1]
(A) becomes
(B) become
(C) becoming
(D) has
Answer:
(A) becomes
(ix) Read the conversation between Ranbir and policeman. Complete the sentence by reporting the patient’s reply correctly. [1]
Ranbir: Where is my car? I remember parking it here.
Policeman: The car has been towed away as you parked it in the ‘no parking zone’.
Ranbir asked the policeman standing there where his car was and added that he remembered parking it there. The policeman replied that the car ____________ parked it in the ‘no parking zone’.
Answer:
had been towed away as he had
(x) Choose the option that completes the sentence below correctly:
She had already begun eating her dinner by the time I ___________ there. [1]
(A) reached
(B) had reached
(C) was reaching
(D) had been reaching
Answer:
(A) reached
(xi) Complete the line from the poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson with the correct option.
I come from haunts of coot and hern I make a sudden salty And sparkle out among the fern To ________ down a valley. [1]
(A) bickers
(B) had bickered
(C) will bicker
(D) bicker
Answer:
(D) bicker
(xii) Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction:
The dog has eaten his food before the trainer arrived.
Use the given format for your response. [1]
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| has | had |
Creative Writing Skills (10 Marks)
Note: All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purposes.
Question 4.
A. You are Sonali Dixit, a resident of 929/A, Gorakhpur, UP You came across the
following advertisement in a national daily. (5)
Exchange! Exchange! Exchange
Haven’t used your steel pressure cooker in months? Are useless utensils just taking up extra space in your house? Then, this one-time opportunity is just for you. Visit the nearest MBM Cookware Store to exchange your old utensils with brand-new non-stick ones.
Attractive offers for the first few loyal customers!
Write a letter to MBM Cookware in about 120 words enquiring about the scheme and the related terms and conditions. Also, enquire if a physical presence is compulsory for the exchange.
Or
B. You are Akriti, of 25/12, Friends Colony, Noida. Every day, you are late to school by fifteen minutes. Your school bus is stuck in a traffic jam near the Chintpumi temple crossing. Along with your own ideas, write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper in about 120, highlighting this problem and suggesting some remedy for it.
Answer:
A. 929/A, Gorakhpur
Uttar Pradesh
14th November, 20XX
MBM Cookware
36, Madhya Gate
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
Subject : Inquiry about the Exchange Scheme
Sir/Ma’am
This is concerning your advertisement in The Times of India today regarding an exchange scheme for old utensils with new non-stick cookware.
I have some old utensils which I wanted to exchange against the ones offered through the exchange scheme.
I request you to kindly send me more details about the scheme along with all its terms and conditions. Also, update me if there is a possibility of sending and receiving the items through parcel or if physical presence is mandatory for exchanging utensils. Being your old customer, I expect a special waive off on the bulk order.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Sonali Dixit
Or
B. 25/12, Friends Colony
Noida
16th May, 20XX
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Subject : Chaotic Traffic Condition
Sir/Ma’am
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the problems faced by students every day.
As a student from XYZ school, I would like to highlight that every day our school bus gets stuck in a traffic jam near Chintpurni temple. As a result, we are always late. This is because of various reasons. People visiting the temple haphazardly park their vehicles. Beggars crowd the gates as well as roads, waiting for someone to come out of the temple and give alms to them. There is a traffic signal at that crossing but people do not follow it.
It is my humble request that a parking area should be allotted to the temple site so that people can properly park their vehicles. The Temple Trust should appoint someone who can make beggars sit in a queue and that too on the footpath and not on the road. And, last but not least, a police picket should be placed at the crossing to make people follow the rules and regulations.
I hope that some action is taken in this matter on an urgent basis.
Thanking you
Yours truly
Akriti
Question 5.
Gurmeet Kaur is an aspiring candidate for a public-funded engineering college in the suburbs. She belongs to a nearby village, has minimal technological skills and exposure, has the required cut-off percentage, and is looking for a complete or partial scholarship.
Write a paragraph in about 100-120 words, analyzing her SWOT notes to support your stand on whether she should join/not join the college. [5]
Answer:
In support of the decision:
The given information illustrates the options Gurmeet would weigh in order to take the right decision about her admission in a public-funded engineering college. With availability of strong curriculum, quality faculty and vibrant Activity Clubs, she will be assured of an enriching educational ‘ journey. Though hostel facility is unavailable, she may take up accommodation in the suburbs or choose to travel daily from her village. Good opportunities of practice-based research, partnership with professional companies and international students exchange program will enhance her professional and interpersonal skills. Hard work, responsible behavior and prudent decision-making could help Gurmeet thrive in the college even though it has a rigid and conventional culture. The strengths and opportunities work in favor of Gurmeet. Taking this opportunity will allow her to mend the incorrect public perception towards public-funded colleges and students’ outlook towards technical subjects. (129 words)
Against the decision:
The given information indicates Gurmeet’s dilemma about seeking admission in a public-funded college. Though equipped with a strong curriculum, engaging activity clubs and an able faculty, the college lacks diversity and good conduct among the students, giving rise to concerns of safe environment for a novice like Gurmeet. The under utilization of IT services will be further detrimental to the progress of Gurmeet’s educational journey and add to extra costs related to research work. If she does not qualify for a complete or partial scholarship, the arrangement of own accommodation and additional expense of students exchange programme will increase her expenditure, too. Such a college environment may dampen her endeavoring spirit. The weakness and threats outweigh the strengths, in case of Gurmeet. So, it is recommended that Gurmeet does not apply for admission to the said college. (139 words)
OR
(B) Read the following excerpt from an online post of a website on educational practices.
Kids who appreciate how much effort, time and care goes into growing food will understand how important farmers are, and why it’s important to take care of our Earth. In the world of today, gardening needs to be given more importance than sports, music and dance in all schools because it creates environmental stewards and outdoor learning laboratories that help the child and community for years to come.
Write a paragraph in 100-120 words 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. [5]
Answer:
Argument FOR the subject of the statement: In the world of today, gardening needs to be given more importance than sports, music and dance in all schools. While sports, music and dance contribute towards personal growth, the current times mandate attention towards an issue that is global — nature and natural processes. With growing food wastage in many homes today and the urban young believing that vegetables are grown, harvested at the super markets, the efforts of the farmers are discredited. Gardening at school will open a world of first-hand learning experiences of sowing, watering and harvesting processes. Waiting for the saplings to grow will inculcate sensitivity, patience, empathy, gratitude and value for one’s hard work. They will feel accountable for their piece of Mother Earth, resulting in making them efficient and enterprising environmental stewards. Unlike sports, music or dance, gardening goes beyond just enjoyment to create aware and responsible citizens of the future. (148 words).
Argument AGAINST the subject of the statement
: Gardening, certainly, should not be given precedence over sports, music and dance in all schools. Gardening at school requires good planning with hands-6n guidance and continued supervision by the teachers. Students tend to lose interest due to the slow and natural growth progress of plants as well as the investment of continuous hard work Small targets or goals would be missing whereas the danger of destruction of their work due to rains, intrusion of grazing animals or a pest attack is like to set in a feeling of defeat. It may be noted that sports, music and dance are uplifting activities which display faster results, are enjoyable and inculcate team spirit, collaboration and confidence. Unlike gardening, setbacks in these activities can be addressed with some sense of personal control. These activities help students express and de-stress successfully. So, maintaining their due importance in the school’s co-curriculum is imperative. (148 words)
Section – C
Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text (40 Marks)
Question 6.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. (5)
A. The word ‘convalescing’ seemed to do something to Mrs Pumphrey. She started to bring round fresh eggs, two dozen at a time, to build up Tricki’s strength. For a happy period, my partners and I had two eggs each for breakfast, but when the bottles of wine began to arrive, the real possibilities of the situation began to dawn on the household. (A Triumph of Surgery)
(i) State any one inference about Mrs. Pumphrey from the given extract. (1)
Answer:
It can be inferred from the given extract that Mrs. Pumphrey was very attached to her dog, Tricki. She loved him a lot, but was shy she became very worried when he fell sick.
(ii) State True or False. (1)
None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement – She started to bring around fresh eggs, two dozen at a time, to build up Tricki’s strength.
(a) A hypothesis – a proposed explanation for a phenomenon
(b) An assumption – something that is taken for granted or assumed to be true
(c) A hyperbole – exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
(d) A premise – a proposition that forms the basis of an argument
Answer:
True
(iii) Mrs. Pumphrey reaction to the word ‘convalescing’ proved to be beneficial for the
narrator. Elaborate in about 40 words, concerning the extract. (2)
Answer:
Her immediate reaction to hearing the word ‘convalescing’ was to send more food for him to build strength. This food and later, wine and brandy were also consumed by the vet and his partner. Thus, they benefited and were tempted to keep Tricki permanently.
(iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘convalescing’ in the given sentence from the extract?
The word ‘convalescing’ seemed to do something to Mrs. Pumphrey. (1)
Answer:
getting better
Or
B. “But, please, Stephen Stepanovitch, how can they be yours? Do be a reasonable man! My aunt’s grandmother gave the Meadows for the temporary and free use of your grandfather’s peasants. The peasants used the land for forty years and got accustomed to it as if it was their own, when it happened that …………. (The Proposal)
(i) Why did the peasants treat the land as their own? (1)
(a) They used the land for forty years.
(b) They got accustomed to using the land.
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(ii) Who is the speaker of the above lines? What light do these lines throw on the speaker’s character? What reaction did his words get? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
Lomov said the given lines. The given lines show his poor personality and a bad sense of talking that seems irrelevant with place and person. He is interrupted by Chubukov who refuted his claim by pointing out that Oxen Meadows’ standing as disputed land was the only reason the peasants were permitted to use it at no cost.
(iii) Read the following descriptions (a) – (c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract. (1)
(a) A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic, usually with two or more people presenting different viewpoints and arguments.
(b) A soliloguy is a speech given by a character alone on stage, which reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience.
(c) None of the above
Answer:
(c) None of the above
(iv) Why did his aunt’s grandmother give the meadows? (1)
Answer:
His aunt’s grandmother gave the meadows for the temporary and free use of the peasants employed by Stephan Chubukov’s grandfather in return for which they were to make bricks for her.
Question 7.
“I heard an old religious man
But yesternight declare
That he had found a text to prove
That only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair.”
(i) A compound word from the extract is___________. [1]
Answer:
Yesternight
(ii) How is God’s love different from the love of young lovers? [2]
Answer:
God’s love is superior to all other love, for it is unconditional. It is not for physical beauty whereas young people go after physical appearance and not internal beauty.
(iii) Choose the option that displays the likely image of the man mentioned in the extract. [1]
(A) option1
(B) option 2
(C) option 3
(D) option 4
Answer:
(C) option 3
(iv) Choose the phrase that best represents, ‘love you for yourself alone” [1]
(A) Unconditional love
(B) Unseemly love
(C) Unrequited love
(D) Understated love
Answer:
(A) Unconditional love
OR
(B) Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
(i) Choose the CORRECT statement about the given poem. [1]
(A) Fire and ice are images — they help the readers visualize the power of nature over man.
(B) Fire and ice are symbols — not of natural disasters, but of humanity’s ability to create disasters of its own.
(C) Fire and ice are elements — not of Nature but man-made and possess the ability to create havoc for mankind.
(D) Fire and ice are agents—they change the thinking of mankind from negative to positive and bring harmony.
Answer:
(B) Fire and ice are symbols — not of natural disasters, but of humanity’s ability to create disasters of its own.
(ii) Select the option that correctly classifies the connotations for fire and ice, as suggested in the poem. [1]
(1) rage
(2) violence
(3) indifference
(4) hate
(5) greed
(A) Fire – 3, 4; Ice – 1, 2, 5
(B) Fire – 2, 5; Ice – 1, 3, 4
(C) Fire – 1, 3, 5; Ice – 2, 4
(D) Fire – 1, 2, 4; Ice – 3, 5
Answer:
(D) Fire – 1, 2, 4; Ice – 3, 5
Explanation:
In the poem, the ‘fire’ has been used as a symbol to denote aggressive emotions like rage (anger), violence and hate. The ‘ice’ has been used as a symbol to denote pacifying emotions like indifference and greed.
(iii) The poem is a ____________, put across by the poet. [1]
Answer:
powerful warning
Explanation:
The poet has warned in the poem that the world will end due to the escalation of negative human emotions like greed, hate, violence, rage, and indifference.
(iv) What do the words Fire and Ice stand for? Name the poetic devices used in lines 1 and 2. [2]
Answer:
The word Fire stands for greed, avarice, desires, etc. whereas Ice stands for hatred, indifference, cruelty, etc.
The poetic devices used in line 2 are anaphora and alliteration.
Question 8.
Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. (4 × 3 = 12)
(i) Why was the writer happy when he decided to fly in the night? How was he feeling? (The Black Aeroplane- Two Stories About Flying) (3)
Answer:
The writer was very happy when he decided to fly that night because he was going home to his family. When he started flying, everything seemed to be perfect. The sky was clear and no clouds were visible. He was flying back to England in his old Dakota aeroplane over France. He was feeling happy being alone in the sky and was dreaming of his holiday.
(ii) Why did Anne think that she could confide more in her diary than in people?
(From the Diary of Anne Frank).
Refer to the given lines from the text :
I was flying my old Dakota aeroplane over France back to England. I was dreaming of my holiday and looking forward to being with my family. (3)
Answer:
Anne Frank did not have any Inend with whom she could share everything. Although she had spent a good time with her friends, she was unable to share her views and thoughts with them. When she got her diary, she decided to share everything with it because she believed that nobody would be interested enough in her thoughts. So. she treated her diary as her best friend and confided everything in it She thought that it would keep her life a secret and would not react like people do.
(iii) Where should the tiger have been according to the poet? (A Tiger in the Zoo) (3)
Answer:
The poet thinks that the tiger should have been in its natural habitat, i.e. the jungle, hiding in the shadow, quietly moving in the long grass near the waterhole to prey on the deer. He should also be on the outskirts of the jungle growling around houses and terrifying the villagers. He should not be kept captive and should be set free to enjoy his freedom.
(iv) What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days
after that? (Mijbil the Otter) (3)
Answer:
When Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom, he went wild with joy in the water, plunging and rolling in it, shooting up and down the length of the bathtub underwater and making enough slosh and splash for a hippo.
Two days later, Mijbil escaped from the bedroom and entered the bathroom. He struggled with the chromium tap till it had a full flow.
(v) ‘Money is external’. What does the poet mean by this expression?
(The Ball Poem) (3)
Answer:
The poet says that money is external’ to make the boy understand his responsibility and that the
loss is immaterial. By the phrase, the poet means that every loss cannot be replaced by money. Money cannot buy the memories associated with a thing and cannot replace the things that we love, for example, the boy’s lost ball.
Question 9.
(A) Dr. Herriot knew his patients as well as their owners well. Discuss. (The Triumph of surgery) [3]
Answer:
Dr. Herriot knew his patients as well as their owners well. Dr. Herriot could understand the problems of his patients (dogs) just by observing them. When he saw Tricki in the market, he understood that the dog required help.
He understood the owner (Mrs.Pumphrey) also very well. Even though he knew fully well that she was responsible for Tricki’s pathetic condition yet he never spoke any harsh and advising words on the seriously obese dog. He
truly understood her love for her loving dog.
(B) State one likely reason the writer of The Midnight Visitor chose to characterize Ausable as short and fat. [3]
Answer:
Ausable was characterized as short and fat as the writer wants to draw attention to and emphasize his wits and mental ability to handle any grave situation. Ausable was able to successfully plant a story of a non-existent balcony and also made the agile and smart Max believe that it didn’t require an attractive physique to do this. The writer, perhaps, wanted to give a strong message that the brain is what counts more than muscle power or Brain power is far more potent and effective than any other type of power-muscle or arms, etc.
(C) Validate the importance of small, fun learning tasks towards successful careers, in the context of Richard Ebright in The Making of a Scientist. [3]
Answer:
Richard Ebright started the collection and breeding of butterflies as a fun activity. He got curious about the gold spots and the secretion from them. He was able to develop a theory of cell structure and later DNA because of it. Thus, fun learning resulted in his career as a renowned successful scientist.
Question 10.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. (1 × 6 = 6)
A. “Humanity still exists”, is what one gets to know after reading A Letter to God’ in which the firm faith in God of a poor farmer and the helpfulness of the post office employees are aptly depicted. Write a paragraph on the human qualities in it, in about 100-120 words. Give the paragraph a suitable title.
Or
B. You have been chosen to address a student gathering from your school to speak
on the importance of inner beauty over physical appearance. Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words, concerning the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’. You may begin this way: Good morning, everyone! Today, I would like to talk about the importance of inner beauty. I recently ………….
Answer:
A. Existence of Humanity
The story ‘A Letter to God’ written by GL Fuentes reinforces our faith in humanity. After reading the story, we come to know that still there are people who help others without any self-interest. In the story, the postmaster and other post office employees illustrate an example of humanity and kindness for others.
They were moved by Lencho’s faith in God. They decided to help him keep his faith alive and firm. Even though they couldn’t collect a hundred pesos, they managed to collect seventy pesos and kept them in an envelope for Lencho. They signed it as ‘God’ to further reinforce Lencho’s faith in God. This act shows us the true picture of humanity and motivates us to be noble and kind.
B. Good morning, everyone!
Today, I would like to talk about the importance of inner beauty. I recently read a poem titled ‘For Anne Gregory’ that offered an important insight into what is inner beauty. In the poem, a conversation between Anne Gregory and, most probably, the poet takes place. The poet through this conversation conveys that one should give importance to one’s inner beauty and not to one’s physical appearance. The poet tells Anne that many young men fall in love with her but only because of her beautiful hair and not for her inner qualities. To this, Anne replies that she would change the color of her hair so that men would love her for her personality and inner beauty.
Thus, to conclude, I would like to advise everyone to not get carried away by outward appearances as they are artificial. We should prefer internal beauty over physical appearance.
Thank You
Question 11.
(A) Imagine that Griffin has been caught by the police and is produced in court. He needs to defend himself and prove that he is not guilty of the charges.
As Griffin, prepare a statement that you would use in court to prove your innocence.
You may begin like this:
I plead not guilty.
I have been accused of.., however… [6]
Answer:
Griffin:
I plead not guilty have been accused of violence and cruelty by the people of Iping. However, I deny all the charges. I didn’t hurt anyone intentionally I had no ill will against anyone. The circumstances, somehow, were such that I had to be violent or cruel to save myself. I have been accused of robbery at the clergyman’s house. My problem was that Mrs. Hall was nudging me all the time to pay the rent. I told her so many times that I was waiting for my cheque and would pay when the cheque arrived. But she became impatient and I had to rob the clergyman to get money. Once I attacked the shopkeeper from behind and robbed him of all the money. But it was because I wanted to escape from that place. Thus, I plead that I am innocent and all these points must be taken into consideration before announcing any judgment.
Thank you.
OR
(B) Based on the given context, write a diary entry, as the narrator, on what you experienced and the possible reason for it.
I should have been able to jump into one of the carriages, but I hesitated — for some reason, I can’t explain — and
I lost the chance to get away. [6]
Answer:
12 June 2023
I should have been able to jump into one of the carriages, but I hesitated — for some reason, I can’t explain — and I lost the chance to get away perhaps God has some good plans for me this time. That’s why I can’t feel the pleasure of stealing six hundred rupees. Instead, I’m feeling guilty for having violated the trust that Anil had reposted on me. That’s why I could not board the train. Anil always treated me like his friend. I too, valued Anil’s friendship feelings for me. But after discovering the theft, I’m sure, Anil would not be sad for the loss of money, but for loss of trust. The only person I knew and who could help me was Anil whom I had robbed a few hours ago. I robbed that person who was so large-hearted and the one who wanted me to get educated so that I, too, could earn respect, name, and money. Alas! God, forbid me and my sins.