Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions Set 9 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Set 9 with Solutions
Time : 3 Hours
Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions:
- This Question paper contains THREE sections-READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section – A
Reading Skills (20 Marks)
Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages
Question 1.
Read the following text. (10)
1. Like all bad news and the common cold, allergies can pop up when you least expect them.
I suddenly developed an allergy to crocin (Paracetamol) some years ago after having it all my life to treat everything from headaches to fever and toothache. A seafood-loving friend found himself unable to breathe after having Thai food for dinner. After undergoing a battery of expensive tests, he was told the chest tightness was not caused by a heart attack but by an allergy to shellfish, something he ate once a week and had never reacted to before.
2. A stuffed or drippy nose, frequent sneezing, an itchy throat, rash, sinus, ear pain, difficulty in breathing, stomach cramps and itchy, red or watery eyes are some of the common symptoms of an allergic reaction. Pollen, dust, polluted air and indoor pollutants such as dust mites, cigarette smoke and mould are among the common environmental pollutants, while other triggers include medicines, paint and chemicals in cleaners arid cosmetics such as hair colour and skin creams. Among foods, eight allergens account for almost 90% of food allergies: milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.
3. Most of us wrongly believe that people with allergies are either born with the condition or develop identifiable symptoms in early childhood. An allergy can occur at any time in your life and experts say its prevalence among adults is rising. While most people who develop allergies as adults have experienced some allergic reaction-either to the same or an unrelated trigger before-a few have no history of sensitivity.
4. In an acute immune reaction, the allergy trigger may be one, but the symptom is usually caused by a combination of factors. Stress, a sterile environment that prevents the body from developing robust natural immunity and lifestyle-induced changes in the body’s hormonal balance are thought to be some triggers. This is borne out by clinical evidence that shows that women are more likely to develop allergies at puberty, after pregnancy and at menopause, all of which point to hormonal causes.
5. Of course, avoiding the allergy trigger and taking an anti-allergy medication as soon as you can, after exposure to an allergen is the best possible protection. Since, pollen levels generally peak in the morning, people with airway sensitivity and Asthma should postpone outdoor exercises to later in the day or stick to exercising indoors as deeper and more rapid breathing induced by aerobic exercise causes more pollen and dust being inhaled, which can wreck your airways and lungs.
6. Allergies in adults can be treated using some anti-allergic medicines. For those who do not respond to the standard treatment, there’s always the option of a series of allergy shots to help the immune system to build up a tolerance to the allergy. In most cases, though, identifying and avoiding the allergen is enough to stay free of trouble.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(i) How can you prevent/treat yourself from getting allergies? (1)
(a) By avoiding the allergy trigger.
(b) By taking an anti-allergy medicine as soon as there is exposure to an allergen.
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(ii) What are the common symptoms of an allergic reaction? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
The common symptoms of allergic reactions are stuffed or drippy nose, frequent sneezing, an itchy throat, rash, sinus, ear pain, difficulty in breathing, stomach cramps and itchy, red or watery eyes.
(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately. (l)
Those people who do not respond to anti-allergy medicines can be given a ……………. to strengthen the immune system’s tolerance to allergy.
Answer:
a series of allergy shots
(iv) The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a) -(e) given below, identify two sets of antonyms. (1)
(a) Developed and undergoing
(b) Stuffed and sneezing
(c) Same and unrelated
(d) Before and after
(e) Rapid and wreck
Answer:
(c) Same and unrelated
(d) Before and after
(v) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
The relation that the author draws between age and allergy is that …………… .
Answer:
as a person grows older, he/she becomes more prone to developing allergies
(vi) How does exercising later in the day or indoors help people with airway sensitivity and asthma? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
It is believed that people with airway sensitivity and asthma should postpone outdoor exercises to later in the day or stick to exercising indoors as deeper and more rapid breathing induced by aerobic exercise causes more pollen and dust to be inhaled, which can wreck airways and lungs.
(vii) When are women more likely to develop allergies? (1)
(a) At puberty, after pregnancy and at menopause
(b) At Pregnancy
(c) At puberty
(d) At menopause
Answer:
(a) At puberty, after pregnancy and at menopause
(viii) List some of the common environmental pollutants. (1)
Answer:
Some of the environmental pollutants are pollen, dust, polluted air, and indoor pollutants such as dust mites, cigarette smoke, and mould.
Question 2.
Read the following text. (10)
1. Sniffer dog. Tucker uses his nose to help researchers find out why a killer whale population off the northwest coast of the United States is on the decline. He searches for whale feces floating on the surface of the water, which are then collected for examination. He is one of the elite team of detection dogs used by scientists studying several species including right whales and killer whales.
2. Conservation canines are fast becoming indispensable tools for biologists according to Aimee Hurt, associate director and co-founder of Working Dogs for Conservation, based in Three Forks, Montana.
3. Over the last few years, though, so many new conservation dog projects have sprung up that Hurt can no longer keep track of them all. Her organization’s dogs and their handlers are fully booked to assist field researchers into 2012.
4. “Dogs have such a phenomenal sense of smell”, explained Sam Wasser, director of the Centre for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington in Seattle. He has worked with scat-detection dogs since 1997. Scientists have been using Conservation Canines in their research since 1997.
These dogs have enabled them to non-invasively access a vast amount of genetic and physiological information which is used to tackle conservation problems around the world. Such information has proved vital for determining the causes and consequences of human disturbances on wildlife as well as the actions needed to mitigate such impacts.
5. The ideal detection dog is extremely energetic with an excessive play drive. These dogs will happily work all day long, motivated by the expectation of a ball game as a reward for sample detection. The obsessive, high-energy personalities of detection dogs also make them difficult to maintain as pets. As a result, they frequently find themselves abandoned in animal shelters. The programme rescues these dogs and offers them a satisfying career in conservation research.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:
(i) Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of paragraphs 1,2 & 5.
We can say that conservation canines are becoming indispensable tools for biologists despite e the difficulty of maintaining them as pets due to their obsessive, high-energy personalities leading to their abandonment, because …………………..
Answer:
they can use flair zones to help researchers to find out why the fit killer whale population off the Northwest coast of the United States is on the decline by searching for whale feces floating on the surface of water.
(ii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in the brackets, based on your understanding of paragraphs 3 & 4.
The statement that main new conservation dog projects have sprung up that Aimee Hurt cannot keep track of them is ………………………. (a consequence/ a causing factor) due to a rise in increasing demand for these indispensable tools for the biologists which ………………………. (provides the extremely energetic dogs a satisfying career! is in ever decreasing supply).
Answer:
(a consequence) and (provides the extremely energetic dogs a satisfying career).
(iii) Justify the following in about 40 words.
In the fourth paragraph it given that ‘Dogs have such a phenomenal sense of smell”, which has a wide range of implications for biologists using them as indispensable tools for their work. Explain.
Answer:
The Scat detection dogs have enabled scientists to non-invasively access a vast amount of genetic and physiological information to tackle conservation problems around the world. This type of non-invasive information gathering has proved vital for determining the causes and consequences of human disturbances on wildlife as well as the actions needed to mitigate such impacts.
(iv) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in Paragraph 1: Sniffer dog Tucker is one of the elite teams of detection dogs used by scientists studying several species.
Answer:
Sniffer dog Tucker uses his nose to help researchers find out why a killer whale population off the northwest coast of the United States is on the decline.
(v) In the table there is a statement given ‘Percent Increase in Types of Assistance Dogs in California’ and shows a phenomenal rise of dog assistance in the Psychiatric/Emotional category. State one inference that can be drawn from this.
Answer:
This means there is an increasing number of Americans who are afflicted with psychiatric or emotional disturbances.
(vi) Select the option that titles the detection dogs under Paragraph 5 appropriately, concerning information in the text.
A.
1. The ideal detection dog is extremely energetic.
2. Excessive play drive
3. Abandoned to animal shelters
B. 1. Indispensable tools for biologists
2. Excessive play drive
3. Human disturbances on wildlife
C.
1. Searches for whale faeces
2. Abandoned to animal shelters
3. Conservation Canines
D.
1. Field Researchers
2. Human disturbances on wildlife
3. Conservation Canines
Answer:
A. 1. The ideal detection dog is extremely energetic.
2. Excessive play drive
3. Abandoned to animal shelters
(vii) List two types of information that detection dogs can give to tackle conservation problems around the World
Answer:
1. genetic information
2. physiological information.
(viii) Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage?
A. There has been a phenomenal rise in the new dog conservation projects.
B. Canines have become indispensable tools for biologists
C. Extremely energetic with excessive play drive dogs are difficult to maintain as pets, so they are abandoned to animal shelters, facing euthanasia.
D. All of the above.
Answer:
D. All of the above.
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. (1)
Dear Sir
This is to inform you that the students of our school ……………… (wish) to visit the Jim
Corbett National Park as a part of our summer excursion trip in May.
Answer:
wish
(ii) Read the given sentence from a government regulation. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence. (1)
The Parent-Teacher Conference must go on for two hours starting from 10:00 a.m. in the morning.
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| Must | Will |
(iii) Jaya shared some information with Shilpa about a textbook. Report Shilpa’s question. (1)
Shilpa : Can I borrow your English textbook?
Jaya : Sure you can. But when will you return it?
Answer:
Shilpa asked Jaya if she could borrow her English textbook.
(iv) Read the dialogue between Rahul and Sukrit. (1)
Rahul : Do you know that Ranjit met with an accident and is in the hospital?
Sukrit : Oh! I didn’t know. Is he badly hurt?
Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue.
Rahul asked Sukrit …………….. that Ranjit had met with an accident and was in the hospital.
Sukrit expressed his ignorance and enquired if he was badly hurt.
(a) if he knew
(b) if he knows
(c) if he had known
(d) if he will know
Answer:
(a) if he knew
(v) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the given sentence. (1)
Every morning, the rich man would steal …………….. (few/ a few/a little) glances at the widow when she came out to do her chores in the garden
Answer:
a few
(vi) Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. (1)
No news these days is good news.
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| are | is |
(vii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line. (1)
A few of my friends owns cars. Much of their money comes from their parents.
| Option | Error | Correction |
| (a) | owns | own |
| (b) | cars | car |
| (c) | comes | come |
| (d) | their | his |
Answer:
(a)
| Error | Correction |
| owns | own |
(viii) Complete the given narrative, by filling the blank with correct option. (1)
Please step out of the car, Mr. Saran. Do you realise you ……………… at over 90 mph?
(a) were driving
(b) have driven
(c) had been driving
(d) had driven
Answer:
(a) were driving
(ix) Report the dialogue between Duke and Shylock by completing the sentence. (1)
Duke : What can I do for you, sir?
Shylock : Will you take me to the doctor?
Duke : Yes, Sir.
The Duke asked what he could do for him. Shylock asked the Duke ………………. .
The Duke replied in the affirmative.
Answer:
if he would take him to the doctor
(x) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option. (1)
The teacher asked the boys if they ………………. .
(a) had done their homework
(b) do their homework
(c) will get the homework done
(d) did the homework
Answer:
(a) had done their homework
(xi) Complete the line from a poem by filling the blank with the correct option. (1)
If you ………………. a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley – but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.
(a) cannot be
(b) will not be
(c) should not be
(d) be
Answer:
(a) cannot be
(xii) Identify the error in an online advertisement. (1)
|
Hindol Classes
New Delhi We teach the International students. Science and other subjects. |
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| the | No article |
Writing (10 Marks)
Note : All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purposes.
Question 4.
A. You are Shivam/Shivani of C-12, Janakpuri, Indore. You wish to make a pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedamath, and Ifaridwar with your family of six. Write a letter to R.K. Travels, enquiring about the schedule of their conducted tour by Deluxe buses to these places. Ask about the charges, boarding and lodging arrangements, and the total time needed for the tour. (Word limit about 120 words)
Answer:
21, Janakpuri
Indore
27th February, 20XX
The Manager
R K Travels
Indore
Subject: Enquiry about travel package for pilgrimage
Sir/Madam,
I am writing to enquire about the tour conducted by your travel agency by Deluxe buses to Badrinath, Kedamath, and Haridwar. I have a family of six and I am keen on making a pilgrimage to these places. I would therefore like to know the schedule of your tour.
I would request you to please provide us with the necessary details such as the charges for the tour, boarding and lodging arrangements, and the total time needed for the tour. Additionally, we would also like to know if there are any special arrangements for senior citizens and children.
As we are planning to embark on this journey soon, we would appreciate it if you could revert with the required information at the earliest. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanking you,
Yours truly,
Shivam/Shjvani
OR
B. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily in about 120 words, regarding the open manholes in the streets of your locality.
Answer:
112, Lajpatrai Colony,
Delhi
12th June, 2OXX
The Editor,
The Times of India,
Delhi
Subject: Risk posed by open manholes in Lajpatrai colony
Sir,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily. I would like to bring to notice of the concerned authorities that for the past few weeks, the manholes in the streets of my locality are all lying uncovered. It is causing a serious risk to the residents of the locality. Last week, a toddler escaped by just a few steps else he would have fallen into the manhole.
It is a serious concern and all the residents of my locality are worried about the risks involved because of these open manholes. During the day time, still, everyone can see and walk carefully, but at night, it becomes extremely hazardous.
I would be grateful of you publish my letter in the column of your esteemed daily so that I can reach out to the concerned authority and they can take immediate measures and do the needful as early as possible. All the residents will be highly obliged if necessary steps are taken at the earliest in this regard.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Ravi Singh
2. Aftempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. The given bar graph shows the preferences of children in a school in playing different games over the span of six years. Write an analytical paragraph about the given information in about 120 words:
Answer:
The given bar graph represents the preferences of children in a school for playing volleyball and basketball over six years, from 2014 to 2019. According to the graph, the number of students interested in volleyball started at 200 in 2014 and increased to 450 in 2016, then again decreased to 150 in 2019. On the other hand, the number of students interested in basketball started at 350 in 2014, decreased to 250 in 2015, increased to 400 in 2016, and remained consistent from 2017 to 2018 at 350. Therefore, it can be concluded that in the given period, the interest of students in volleyball fluctuated while the interest in basketball remained relatively stable. This information can be useful for the school administration to decide which games to encourage and promote among the students.
OR
B. Write an analytical paragraph based on the double bar graph showing the percentage growth in different sectors in a developing country from the year 2012 to 2022.
Answer:
The bar graph displays the growth percentage in six sectors, namely Education, Private Sector, Government Sector, Medical, Transportation, and Agriculture in a developing country from 2012 to 2022. The data shows a concerning decline of nearly 25% in the Education sector from 2012 to 2022. In contrast, the Private Sector has seen a slight increase from less than 20% to 22% in 2022. The Government Sector, however, ‘has remained stable at 18% in both years.
The Medical and Transportation sectors have demonstrated considerable growth in 2022. Of these two sectors, the Transportation sector has improved more than the Medical sector, which has just doubled since 2012. The Agriculture sector has also shown a marginal decline from 12% in 2012 to 10% in 2022. Overall, while the Government, Medical, and Transportation sectors have displayed improvements, much more work needs to be done in the Education, Private, and Agriculture sectors.
Question 5.
A. The maps given below show the changes that have taken place in Meadowside Village and Fonton, a neighbouring town, since 1962. Analyze the changes that have taken place over the years and write an analytical paragraph in 120 words. (5)
B. The diagrams shown below show the changes that have taken place at Mount Mary School, Goa since its construction in 1950. Comparing the maps, write an analytical paragraph in 120 words.
Answer:
A. The Growth and Development of the Region
The given maps illustrate how Meadowside village and Fonton, the neighbouring town have changed and developed over the years. It depicts the map of both the locations for the years 1962, 1985 and the present respectively. It is pretty evident from the maps that both the village and the town increased their size to have finally merged together. In 1962, the village and town were separate entities with different infrastructures, housing and facilities. There were no roads or rails to connect the village with the town. While there was a railway line going through Fonton and a road from Meadowside village, they went in completely different directions. By 1985, both the locations not only grew in size but were also connected by another road that extended to the West.
The growth and development of the region was unstoppable. Soon, the village and the town merged into a new area housing many luxurious facilities.
Now, the region has a new railway line and platform established between Meadowside village and Fonton. The new area even has a hotel and a business park that vouches for the great development of the region.
Or
B. Changes in the Mount Mary School’s Infrastructure
The given diagrams show how the Mount Mary School located in Goa has undergone changes and development since the time it had been constructed in 1950. It is very clear from the diagrams that the main building of the school did not change throughout the years. But, all the other parts of the school were replaced by the needs of the time. In 1950, the school had a playground behind it, a farmland to its South-West and houses to the West of its complex. By the 1980s, the houses and the farmland were replaced. The houses were removed to make space for cars and to add science block to the school. The farmland was converted into a sports field. The latest additions were made in 2010 when the complex and its various parts were resized. While the science block remained unchanged, the areas of the playground and the sports field were reduced to make space for car parking. Concluding the main complex, that is, the school building is over 60 years old and very well accommodates the changing culture.
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. (10)
A. He discovered the joys of being bowled over, tramped on, and squashed every few minutes. He became an accepted member of the gang, an unlikely, silky little object among the shaggy crew, fighting like a tiger for his share at mealtimes and hunting rats in the old henhouse at night. He had never had such a time in his life. All the while, Mrs Pumphrey hovered anxiously in the background, ringing a dozen times a day for the latest bulletins. (A Triumph of Surgery)
(i) Why does the narrator describe being ‘tramped on and squashed’ as joys? (1)
(a) To suggest the irony about the strange ways of dogs.
(b) To mention the simple pleasures of canine life.
(c) To compare it to Tricki’s earlier play-time at the house.
(d) To direct attention towards Tricki’s successful recovery.
Answer:
(b) To mention the simple pleasures of canine life.
(ii) What does the reference to Tricki as a ‘silky little object’ signify? (1)
Answer:
The reference to Tricki as ‘a silky little object’ signifies that Tricki had lived a life of luxury, unlike other dogs at the clinic.
(iii) Which word would correctly substitute ‘current’, in the given sentence from the extract? (1)
Richa always kept herself updated with the current fashion trends.
Answer:
latest
(iv) How did Tricki become an accepted member of the gang and start enjoying the company of other dogs? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
After two or three days in the hospital, Tricki’s health began to improve rapidly. He started mixing up with other dogs. In this way, he became an accepted member of the gang and enjoyed their company.
Or
B. Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices, and coffee plantations. Evergreen rainforests cover thirty percent of this district. During the monsoons, it pours enough to keep many visitors away. The season of joy commences in September and continues till March. The weather is perfect, with some showers thrown in for good measure. The air breathes of invigorating coffee. Coffee estates and colonial bungalows stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners. (Coorg- Glimpses of India)
(i) What do you understand by the term colonial bungalow? (1)
(a) The bungalows built in a colony.
(b) A large detached house with more than one storey.
(c) The residential unit for members of the British colonial community.
(d) A low house having only one storey.
Answer:
(c) The residential unit for members of the British colonial community.
(ii) What can be inferred from the given line? (1)
“During the monsoons, it pours enough to keep many visitors away”
Answer:
The given line means that it rains very heavily during monsoons. So, only a very few people visit Coorg during this time.
(iii) Read the following descriptions (a) – (c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.
(a) A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic, usually with two or more people presenting different viewpoints and arguments.
(b) A description is the pattern of narrative development that aims to make vivid a place, object, character, or group.
(c) An aside is a brief comment or remark made by a character directly to the audience, which is not intended to be heard by other characters on stage.
Answer:
(b) A description is the pattern of narrative development that aims to make vivid a place, object, character, or group.
(iv) Which is the best time to visit Coorg? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
The weather of Coorg is pleasant for the tourists during the months from September to March.
At this time, the smell of coffee is spread all around making it the best time to visit Coorg.
Question 7.
Read the given extracts and answer the question for ANY ONE of the two, given. (5)
A.
Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!
Remember your acne, Amanda!
Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you, Amanda! (Amanda)
(i) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
Amanda is not looking at the speaker because ………………. .
Answer:
she is busy in daydreaming about her life of peace and joy.
(ii) The speaker wants Amanda to look at her to ensure (1)
(a) Amanda can become obedient
(b) stops eating chocolate
(c) Amanda follows the instructions
(d) does not sleep
Answer:
(c) Amanda follows the instructions
(iii) What does the speaker’s worry about acne show? (1)
Answer:
The speaker’s worry about acne shows that importance is given to physical beauty.
(iv) Why is Amanda forbidden to eat chocolate? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
The speaker asks Amanda not to eat chocolate. It is because Amanda had acne already. Eating chocolate may cause more pimples. So, Amanda is forbidden to eat chocolate.
Or
B. But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
(i) What is the poet’s purpose in using the onomatopoeic words given in the extract? (1)
(a) It is to emphasise on the might and boldness of Custard.
(b) It is to introduce the character Custard to the readers.
(c) It is to impress upon the readers that Custard was ready.
(d) It is to make Custard bold enough to face the situation.
Answer:
(a) It is to emphasise on the might and boldness of Custard.
(ii) Mention what the poet wants to convey through these lines. Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
The given lines show that the animal, which was considered by all to be a coward, was braver than them. While the rest of Belinda’s pets cower in fear at the sight of the pirate, it is Custard the cowardly dragon who attacks him and saves everyone. This shows that the poet wants to convey that whether someone is truly brave or not can only be discovered in the face of real danger.
(iii) What does Custard do to the pirate? (1)
Answer:
Custard jumped in front of the pirate to fight with him. He then swallowed the pirate whole.
(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
Custard’s comparison to an engine shows a literary device of
Answer:
simile
Question 8.
Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. (4 x 3 = 12)
(i) “The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the most friendly, and I might
almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other.” How would you evaluate Lomov and Chubukov’s relationship as neighbours? (The Proposal) (3)
Answer:
The statement that “The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the most friendly, and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other” may seem true at first. The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have been neighbours for years and for this very reason, Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house with a proposal of marrying Natalya. However, as one moves ahead, the relationship may not be as affectionate as it seems. They constantly quarrel with each other over trivial issues and do not trust each other even a bit. They insult each other, and call each other names but still maintain a fagade of a happy relationship.
(ii) The advice given by elders is crucial to young lives. Explain in the context of the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’. (3)
Answer:
The advice given by elders is crucial to young lives holds for the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’. Anne had decided to change her hair colour so that somebody would love her for herself alone. However, the speaker informs her of an elder’s advice that only God will love her for herself. This advice of an elder is crucial for the younger generation as it makes them understand life. In this case, to withstand the temptations of physical beauty.
(iii) Why didn’t Valli get off the bus when the bus stopped at the town? (Madam Rides the Bus) (3)
Refer to the given lines from the text
What glittering displays of clothes and other merchandise! Such big crowds!
Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.
Then the bustopped and off except Valli
Answer:
Valli did not get off the bus when the bus stopped at the town because she had to go back in the same bus. So, she took out the fare from her pocket and handed it to the conductor. She only wanted to have a ride on the bus.
(iv) Maxwell was justified in thinking very highly of the airhostess. Justify. (Mijbil the Otter) (3)
Answer:
Maxwell was justified in thinking very highly of the airhostess because of her courtesy and a great concern towards the passengers. She made sure that even Mijbil was comfortable during the flight and thus, Maxwell calls her ‘the very queen of her kind’.
(v) In the poem The Trees’, the poet compares the trees to newly discharged patients. Highlight any two reasons for the same. (3)
Answer:
The poet compares the trees with newly discharged patients who look half-dazed (half-slept) while going towards the door of the clinic because the trees are weak. They have been struggling since long to get freedom from the four walls of the house. They could not grow fully there as they did not get proper nutrition. Further, when they get out, they feel relieved to finally leave the place they didn’t want to be in, similar to hospital patients.
Question 9.
Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40 – 50 words. (2 x 3 = 6)
(i) Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this and how? (A Question of Trust) (3)
Answer:
Yes, we begin to suspect before the end of the story that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be. She was unusually calm on seeing Horace. This seemed strange. When she did not call the police and instead asked Horace to take out all the jewels from the safe, seems suspicious. Moreover, it seemed highly unlikely that she would forget the numberto open the safe. Therefore, it was evident, before the story ended, that the lady was not the person of Horace took her to be.
(ii) Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell about her? (Bholi) (3)
Answer:
Bholi agreed to the unequal match at first to fulfil her parents’ wishes.
Later on, she rejected the marriage when the bridegroom asked for a dowry
This tells us that Bholi was not a timid and dumb girl. She was aware of her rights. She also knew how to fight for her own dignity and feared no one.
(iii) Describe Think -Tank in your our words. (The Book that Saved the Earth) (3)
Answer:
Think-Tank was the ruler of the planet Mars. His head is huge and egg-shaped. He wears a robe decorated with stars and circles. He considered himself to be most powerful and most intelligent creature in the whole universe and was very proud of his intelligence.
Question 10.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100 – 120 words. (1 x 6 = 6)
A. What do you think about Anne’s talent for writing essays which she wrote convincingly when punished by the teacher? (From the Diai’,’ of Anne Frank)
Or
B. You have been asked to present an evaluation of the approach used by Amanda in the poem Amanda!’ to tackle the ragging nature of her mother. Write a presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words.
Answer:
A. When Anne was given extra homework to write an essay on ‘A Chatterbox’, Anne thought that she had to write convincing arguments to prove the necessity of talking. This fact tells us that Anne was an intelligent and sensible girl with a good sense of humour. She thought about the essay and her arguments for a long time to get an idea. When she got it, she presented her essay. In her essay, Anne argued that talking was a student’s trait. The only thing that she could do was try to control it.
She even justified that she could not cure it completely as she had inherited it from her mother. Yes, Anne passes a sense of humour. Anne’s sense of humour comes forward when in her third essay, she wrote a funny poem to express her trait of talking. Her poem consisted of a humorous story of how a father swan bit its ducklings to death because they quacked too much. Her poetry was received in the right way by Mr Keesing and he never punished her after that.
Or
B. In the poem titled ’Amanda’, the little girl named Amanda often escapes into her imaginary world. She does this to tackle the nagging behaviour of her mother. Her world of dreams gives her the freedom and peace that she seeks in reality. She gets lost in her daydreams while her mother is instructing her. In reality, her freedom is restricted. So, this becomes her shield and defence against the harsh realities that she goes through in life.
In her dreams, she imagines a happy and carefree life-as an orphan, a mermaid and Rapunzel- without her mother.
I think Amanda’s approach to deal with her mother is not right. She should have talked with her mother regarding this issue and told her that she does not like to be nagged now and then and needs some freedom as she is a teenager now. I believe that an amicable solution could have been reached between Amanda and her mother and their differences sorted out if she had followed this approach.
Question 11.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. (1×6 = 6)
A. Do you think parents like Mrs Pumphrey exist? If yes, is it a good thing to pamper children? Why or why not? Answer about ‘The Triumph of Surgery’.
Or
B. Discuss the role of Ebright’s mother in making him a scientist. (The Making of a Scientist)
Answer:
A. Yes, parents like Mrs Pumphrey exist. Such people spoil their children by making sure that all their demands are met. They not only feed them junk but also spoil their social habits in the name of giving them love and care. This kind of behaviour is very harmful to children. Such overprotective parental behavior also hinders their growth as adults. It develops greed and dependency in them. They become stubborn and do not learn to value anything. For them, hard work is a myth as they get everything easily. Over-pampered children often fail to face the hardships of life later, as for them life has been simple. So, pampering children in moderation is healthy, but excess of it is harmful. It is not just bad for humans but also for animals, as we see in the story ‘A Triumph of Surgery’.
Or
B. Richard’s mother played a huge role in making him a great scientist. She would take him on trips to encourage learning. He was a single child. After his father died, his mother made him the focus of her life. She would buy him all kinds of microscopes, telescopes and other equipment. After dinner, she gave him problems to solve. This helped Richard to learn a lot.
She was his only companion for a long time. She always tried to give him work that required no physical labour but those which enhanced his learning skill It was his mother who got him the book ’The Travels of Monarch X’. This book opened the world of science for Richard She also wrote to Dr Urquhart to guide her son. The scientist helped Richard and guided him. Thus, his mother shaped him into an extraordinary scientist.