Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions and marking scheme Term 2 Set 4 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Term 2 Set 4 with Solutions
Time Allowed: 2 Hours
Maximum Marks: 40
General Instructions:
- The Question Paper contains THREE sections—READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR and LITERATURE.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION – A
Reading (10 Marks)
Question 1.
Read the passage given below.
Evolution has designated vultures to be the ultimate scavengers. Enormous wingspans allow them to circle in the air for hours. Their beaks, while rather horrifying, are weak by bird standards, made to scoop and eat flesh. However, unappealing they may seem, vultures serve an important role in the ecological cycle: processing the dead bodies of animals.
5. Only 20 years ago, India had plenty of vultures-flocks so enormous they darkened the skies. But by 1999, their numbers had dropped due to a mysterious kidney ailment. By 2008, 99.9 per cent of India’s vultures were gone. It was finally discovered that they had been killed by a drug called diclofenac (a pain reliever along the lines of aspirin or ibuprofen). Indians revere their cows, and when a cow showed signs of pain, they treated it with
10. diclofenac After the animal died, the vultures would eat the corpse. And though they boast perhaps the world’s most efficient digestive system, vultures cannot digest the drug.
India banned the use of diclofenac for veterinary use in 2006, but it’s still widely used. The near-extinction of vultures has caused disease in the country, as rats and dogs moved in to take their place—spreading pathogens that would have otherwise been destroyed by the vultures.
15. Vultures need large ranges to scan for food and undisturbed areas in which to nest. They also need an abundance of prey species since they rely more on chance than their own hunting skills to eat All of these things have been reduced by human activity. Meanwhile, there is a dramatic increase in secondary poisoning. Vultures feed on carcasses laced with poison, intended to kill jackals or other predatory carnivores So, they are poisoned by the 20. lead in animals left behind by hunters.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the six given below. (1 × 5)
(A) What does the writer mean bg saging that vultures’ flock once “darkened the skies”? (1)
Answer:
By the given phrase, the writer means that there was a time when flocks of vultures used to be so large that the sky would appear black due to the huge number of the black big birds flying together.
(B) Rewrite the following sentence bg replacing the underlined phrase with a word that means the same from lines 15-20.
The gift box was filled in with a varietg of exotic chocolates. It made her dag! (1)
Answer:
The gift box was laced with a variety of exotic chocolates. It made her day
(C) State the meaning of ‘moved in to take their place’ as implied in the passage. (1)
Answer:
In the passage, ‘moved in to take their place’ means that the near-extinction of vultures has made the rats and dogs move in or replace the vultures to take their place of dismantling the dead carcasses.
(D) How did the extinction of vultures promote the “spread of pathogens”? (1)
Answer:
After the vultures’ extinction, rats and dogs moved in to take their places, spreading pathogens that would have otherwise been destroyed by the vultures.
(E) List two reasons as to why vultures got extinct. (1)
Answer:
Vultures got extinct as they fed upon the dead bodies of animals that had ‘diclofenac’ in their bodies. The other reason is their feeding on dead carcasses of predatory carnivores, laced with poisons which were intended to kill the later.
(F) How does the writer justify the world’s most efficient digestive sgstem’s ‘failure’? (1)
Answer:
The writer justifies the world’s most efficient digestive system’s ‘failure’ by saying that even after eating the deadly corpses, vultures’ digestive system couldn’t sustain the dreadful drug ‘diclofenac’.
Question 2.
Read the following excerpt from a case study titled sustainable Tourism.
The UN’s 2017 International Year tells that sustainable tourism is an important tool for development, most importantly in poor communities and countries. Today sustainability – environmental, social, and economic – is increasingly recognised as the benchmark for all tourism business. As noted by the UN World Tourism Organisation, 57% of international tourist arrivals will be in emerging economies, by 2030.
5. The various ‘Tourism Terms’ are defined as follows:
On the basis of data collected by a survey by Travel Bureau, the following market profile of an ecotourist was constructed:
Age: 35-54 years old, although age varied with activity and other factors such as cost.
Gender: 50% female and 50% male, although clear differences based on activity were found.
Education: 82% were college graduates, a shift in interest in ecotourism from those who
10. have high levels of education to those with less education was also found, indicating an expansion into mainstream markets.
Household composition: No major differences were found between general tourists and experienced ecotourists**
Party composition: A majority (60%) of experienced ecotourism respondents stated
15. they prefer to travel as a couple, with only 15% stating they preferred to travel with their families, and 13% preferring to travel alone. (** experienced ecotourists = Tourists that had been on at least one “ecotourism” oriented trip.)
Trip duration: The largest group of experienced ecotourists – (50%) preferred trips lasting 8-14 days.
20. Expenditure: Experienced ecotourists were willing to spend more than general tourists, the Largest group (26%).
Important elements of trip: Experienced ecotourists top three responses were: (a) wilderness setting, (b) wildlife viewing, (c) hiking/trekking.
Motivations for taking next trip: Experienced ecotourists top two responses were (a) enjoy 25. scenery/nature, (b) new experiences/places.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the six given below. (1 × 5)
(A) Why does the writer call sustainability the ‘benchmark’ for all tourism business? (1)
Answer:
The writer calls sustainability the ‘benchmark’ for all tourism business as it is recognised as a standard or referral point for comparison within the different communities or countries.
(B) Comment on the significance of ‘gender ratio’ as given in the line 8. (1)
Answer:
‘Gender ratio’ shows a great significance in the equality among both the male and female visitor as the ratio is 1:1.
(C) Justify the survey’s information of increase in ecotourism from the lines 9-11. (1)
Answer:
The survey justifies the information of increase in ecotourism by stating that a shift in interest in ecotourism from those who have high levels of education to those with less education was also found, indicating an expansion into mainstream markets.
(D) Why do you feel that experienced ecotourists prefer travelling in couples to travelling alone? (1)
Answer:
I feel that experienced eco-tourists prefer travelling in couples to travelling alone as the trip offers adventures like hiking, wildlife viewing, trekking, etc., which is more enjoyable with partners than doing these activities all alone.
(E) The tourism to a destination that makes its poor people earn benefit, has a whole separate category of tourism. How does evidence from Table 1 support this statement? (1)
Answer:
In Table 1, we can see that the tourism that results in increased net benefit for the poor people in a destination falls under a separate category known as ‘Pro-poor tourism’.
(F) What idea does the table in the passage highlight? (1)
Answer:
The idea highlighted by the table in the passage is the diversity in the field of tourism.
SECTION – B:
WRITING AND GRAMMAR (10 marks)
Question 3.
Attempt ANY ONE from (A) and (B).
(A) Study the concept chart from the survey done by the Entertainment Software Association in 2020, that was found that age doesn’t have anything to do when it comes to playing video games.
Write a paragraph in not more than 120 words, analysing the given information. (5)
Answer:
A very common myth that revolves around video games is that it is restricted to primarily kids, young or only male audiences. However, as you can see in the flow chart provided by the survey that was conducted on the people that play video games, the picture is far different. According to the Entertainment Software Association, video games are neither a youth hobby nor a male-dominated activity. In fact, women account for 41% of all gamers in the world. People between the age group of 18 to 34 years hold the largest share of game enthusiasts. And, the average age bar of video game players is between 35 and 44 years old.
Furthermore, there were 214 million+ video game users in the world in the year 2020. This helps to explain why video games have become the most popular and the fastest-growing form of entertainment in the recent years, not only for young kids and males but also for older generation and females.
(B) You are Jyoti/Jaivik, the Manager of a famous coaching institute, Pune. You come across the following advertisement of a furniture house.
Write a letter to Comfort Furniture House placing order for some furniture items to be supplied immediately in about 120 words. (5)
Answer:
Singhal Coaching Classes
New Friends’ Colony
New Delhi
25 th February 20XX
The Manager
Comfort Furniture House
New Delhi
Subject: Placing an order for furniture
Dear Sir
I am writing this Letter to order some furniture items for my coaching centre. Kindly send the best rate list for the following items urgently at the mail address mentioned below:
[email protected]
| Item Name | Quantity |
| Chair with writing pads | 25 |
| Chair and desk | 20 sets |
| Eight-seater sofa set for waiting hall | 2 |
| Centre table (5 × 4) Wooden | 1 |
Please ensure that all the items are of best quality and of good finish. Take care to furnish us with the quotation as soon as possible as we need these items urgently. We hope to have a positive and suitable response.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Jyotika/Jaivik
Question 4.
The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify the error and write its correction against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the correction. The first one has been done for you. (1 × 3)
My father shall insist on taking greens everyday
Children may consume it regularly
otherwise they should suffer from
iron deficiency. Elders will also take it every day
but there are some individuals who do not like it.
Answer:
(a)
Explanation: ‘may’ represents choice while here, the father suggests that children should definitely take the greens. So, ‘must’ is the right answer.
(b)
Explanation: As the statement is a future expectation, ‘will’ will be used. Hence, this is the right answer.
(c)
Explanation: As for elders, it is only a recommendation; ‘should’ is the right answer.
Question 5.
Read the conversation between a teacher and student and complete the passage that follows.
Tim: My wife’s angry!
Max: why?
Tim: She never tells me the reason, she rather gives me the silent treatment. That used to bother me earlier, but now I just look at it as a brief holiday!
Tim told Max that (a) …………. When Max asked him about the reason, he said that she (b) …………… she was angry and rather gave him the silent treatment. He also said that earlier it bothered him but now he look at it like a brief holiday. (1 + 1)
Answer:
(A) his wife was angry at him
(B) never told him the reason when
Section – C:
Literature (20 Marks)
Question 6.
Answer ANY SIX questions in 30-40 words each. (2 × 6)
(A) What was the significance of Oliver Lutkins’ shrewdness? (2)
Answer:
The lawyer from New Mullion who was assigned the task of serving summon on Lutkins could not serve.
(B) Justify the children’s excitement about the bread. (2)
Answer:
The children looked forward to the baker’s visit and as soon as he would come, they would surround him. When they were not able to see what was inside the basket, they would climb on a bench and peep into the basket to get the sweet fragrance of the bread.
(C) Comment on the tone of Ramlal when he said to Bholi, “What’s the matter with you, you fool?” (2)
Answer:
The tone of Ramlal in the given statement is frustration. This was because Rampal hoped that Bholi would oblige him and would go to school but she refused to go to school in fear.
(D) People often make judgments about others on the basis of their superficial characteristics or appearances which are not always correct. Using evidence from the poem, explain how this concept is represented in ‘A Tale of Custard the Dragon’. (2)
Answer:
In the poem, ‘A Tale of Custard the Dragon’, Belinda and her pets believed Custard to be a coward. But, in reality, when the pirate broke in the house, it was Custard who saved Belinda and her pets from him buy fighting very bravely, proving the judgment wrong.
(E) What special privilege has been accorded to the people of Coorg? (2)
Answer:
There is a special privilege that people of Coorg has been accorded. They do not need to acquire licence to carry weapons with them because they were permitted to carry fire arms without licence.
(F) Briefly state why the poet in ‘Animals’ believed the animals to be successful to carry virtues that man lost. (2)
Answer:
According to the poet in ‘Animals’, man used to have values and qualities. But, with the passage of time, he shed all those good qualities that he possessed and became an uncivilized beast. However, the animals have been successful to carry the similar virtues that they had in them.
(G) Amanda is a school-going girl who is constantly nagged by her mother. Comment. (2)
Answer:
Amanda is a young school-going girl who is constantly nagged by her mother. Amanda is being given instructions with a long list of dos and don’ts that she is asked to follow every now and then. As a result, she felt that her freedom had been limited by her mother.
Question 7.
Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 words each.
(A) People accept males with a lot of shortcomings but females are always neglected if they have a single disability. Critically examine the given concept based on your reading of ‘Bholi’, highlighting how Bholi’s take on it. (4)
Answer:
It is a generic nature of the society that it accepts a falty male easily bt it never accepts a less-able female. In the chapter, ‘Bholi’, Bholi was considered dumb and had marks on her face so, her parents were worried that no one would marry an ordinary-looking girl who had pock marks on her face.
(B) Valli sneaked out of the house when her mother was asleep. Her mother didn’t get to know that Valli was out for a bus ride all alone. Develop a conversation between Valli and her mother on Valli’s return to home, based on your understanding of ‘Madam Rides the Bus’. (4)
Answer:
- Mother: Valli! Where were you the whole afternoon?
- Valli: Amma, I was at our neighbour’s house. I had gone to play with their children.
- Mother: Don’t you lie Valli! I asked the neighbours about you but they had no idea. I searched for you everywhere. Tell me, where were you the whole time?
-
Valli: (frightened) Amma, I L.had gone for
a bus ride in the same bus that goes to the nearest town every day. I didn’t want to tell you as I thought you wouldn’t let me do it. Mother: (angrily) I am shocked, Valli. Don’t you ever think of travelling alone. I won’t tolerate this ever again. - Valli: I am so sorry Amma. I won’t ever repeat it.
(C) Chekov has used humour and exaggeration in the play to comment on courtship in his times. Evaluate with examples from the lesson, ‘The Proposal.’ Also mention the values, you think, any healthy relationship requires. (4)
Answer:
“The Proposal” is one of Anton Chekov’s famous plays where he uses humour and exaggeration in the play to provide a commentary on courtship in his times. Chekov has used several stereotypes that help play the character’s part beautifully in the portray. Lomov, Natalya ‘the shrew’, Chubukov ‘the hypocrite father’ all help in adding humour to the play.
Lomov uses exaggerated actions that, sometimes exceeds the limits of common sense like, Lomov gulping down water, putting his hand to the heart or running to the door and staggering out. Another interesting aspect of this storytelling is how the story progresses from cordiality to the hurling of insults which is seen when Lomov called Chubukov ’a swindle’ and Chubukov promptly called Lomov an ‘intriguer’. The elements of exaggeration and absurdity set the tone of ridicule, which mars the elements of love and romance that is intended in the play.