SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2019-20)
ENGLISH- Language and Literature (code 184)
CLASS-X
Time allowed : 3 Hrs Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions:
1.This Paper is divided into three sections. All questions are compulosry.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
Section : A 20 Marks
God Bless You!
Q.1 Read the following Passage carefully: (12 Marks)
By the time our delayed train reached and I disembarked with my father and baby Lavanya, it was past midnight. It was cold, dark and foggy. My husband, Manas, who was to receive us, was nowhere in sight. Soon the platform became deserted.
Then, a burly man approached us and offered to carry our bags. He wasn’t wearing the usual porter’s red shirt and tag, and though I was wary, my father decided to hire him. Leaving Lavanya and me with the man, my father went to look for Manas. I took a closer look at the man and felt apprehensive. He was big hairy, his face was pockmarked and his eyes looked bloodshot.
Just then Lavanya, who had been sleeping in my arms, awoke and turned to look at the porter. He gave a playful smile and held out his arms. I thought she’d start crying and held her closer. But she smiled back and twisted herself out of my arms into his.
Now I was really scared. What if he ran away with my baby? He must have sensed my fear and, even before I reached out to take Lavanya back, he handed her to me. Turning around, he mumbled that though everyone was scared of him, my innocent baby had accepted him. His eyes had tears in them. I didn’t know what to say.
At that moment, my father returned with Manas. The man picked up our bags and walked towards the cars park. As having put our luggage in me, he placed his hand on walked away. As we followed him, I asked Manas to pay him a little extra. But, having put our luggage in the car, the man refused to take payment from us. Coming up to me, he placed his hand on my baby’s head for a moment as if to say, ‘God bless you! And walked away.
I. Answer the following questions briefly: 2*4=8
1.Describe the appearance of the strange man who approached the author.
2. Describe the different attitudes of the author and of baby Lavanya towards the strangers.
3. What brought tears in the strange man’s eyes?
4. What help did the man render to the author?
II. Choose the most appropriate option: 1*4=4
1.The author was apprehensive when a man approached her as:
(A) he was scary looking
( B) her father was not with her
( C) he was drunk and had bloodshot eyes
(D)) her husband was nowhere in sight
2. The man handed the baby back to the lady as:
(A) he feared the baby would start crying
(B) she reached out for the baby
( C) he realized that she was scared
(D) his eyes had suddenly filled up with tears
3.‘Apprehensive means :
(A) appreciated (B) fearful
(c)happy (D) sad
4. Find the word from the passage which means the same as “spoke unclearly”:
(A) offered (B) disembarked
(C) mumbled (D) twisted
Q.2 Read the Passage Carefully- (8)
MY EXPERIENCE
It was a fine morning with the sound of steady drizzling which seemed like hoof beats on the roof. I looked through the window and observed that the prospect was quite grey as well as drab and the truth was apparent to a me-the outing that my friends and I had planned for this holiday would definitely be cancelled. There cannot be any query regarding that excursion. Passing so many miles on the bicycles was really out of the question and the weather conditions were really inclement I was decidedly depressed as I had placed great store upon that excursion taking place. It was to have been a most exciting outing. But I had to console myself by thinking of the proverb— Man proposes and God disposes of.
I lazed in bed for some time longer than it was customary for me to do. Then I got up and had a wash, dressed and went down for breakfast. My mother was already busy about her household chores and she greeted me quite as cheerfully as ever. I did not feel cheerful but there was no point in complaining about something beyond her control or mine. So I sat down to breakfast and made the best of polite conversation between mother and son. After some time she said: ‘Son, I nearly forgot to tell you that Jimmy phoned up to say that the outing was off on account of the rain. He said that you could arrange it on some other occasion when the weather was not so foul’.
You know what it is like? Well, I finished breakfast and went back up to my room to sit and decide what I was going to do to keep myself occupied. I switched on the record player and listened to some music but it did not appeal much to me that morning. The rain seemed to have dampened my spirits pretty badly. Then for a change, I took from my bookshelf a book of poems and tried to concentrate on some of the philosophic thoughts that I discovered therein.
But that also did not hold my attention for long. Later, I began reading a novel and thus passed the hours until lunch time. With the little appetite, I sauntered down for the meal—chiefly because I did not want to hurt other’s feelings. So I made an effort to appreciate the delicious lunch that it was. She was pleased.
Towards two o’clock the weather cleared up. Lunch being over, Mother and I settled down for a chat when the doorbell rang and who should enter but my married sister and her husband. We were really surprised to see them because they lived in another town quite far away. They had come by car and had wanted to give us a surprise. Sure enough, it was a very welcome surprise. More so, when they announced that they had planned to take us back with them. The next day being Sunday, we could stay with them. Now, this was really a pleasant surprise for me and for Mum. It did not take us long to pack up a few things and be ready to leave within the hour.
Just before we could leave home the phone rang, it was Jimmy again: he suggested that the outing was to be planned for the next day. I told him to go ahead and to have a good time—I would not be there. Upon his asking me what had gone wrong with me, as I had been the one to be so eager about it, I merely replied that I had far better things to do. I was glad—right glad that it had rained that day.
1.On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions briefly 1*4=4
(a) How had rain affected the writer’s spirit?
(b)Two ways in which the writer tried to get over his depression were:
(c) What surprised Jimmy? Why?
(d) The writer’s sadness and frustration turned into joy when
2. Pick out words from the passage that mean the following 1*4=4
(a) a short journey or trip, especially one taken as a leisure activity. (Para 1)
(b) usual practices associated with a particular society, place, or set of circumstances. (Para 2)
(c) walk in a slow, relaxed manner (Para 3)
(d) strongly wanting to do or have something. (Para 5)
Section : B 30 Marks
Q.3. You are a dealer of books and stationery. Write a letter to M/s Vikas Publishing House, Rani KaBagh, Amritsar ordering some books and stationery items for your shop named Nay Bharat Booksellers, ABC. (8)
OR
Taking help from the information given below and inventing your own ideas, write an article on ‘Swachha Bharat Abhiyan’ or ‘Clean India Campaign’.
Hints: • ‘Swachha Bharat Abhiyan’ • announced by the PM on 15th August 2014 • launched on 2nd October • addressed a public rally at Rajpath • himself swept parking at Mandir Marg Police Station and pavement in Valmiki Basti • aims to accomplish the vision ‘Clean India’ by 2019 • 3 million govt. employees and students to participate in • the responsibility of all 1.25 billion Indians • not only the responsibility of `Safari Kaamgar’ • mission beyond politics • inspired by patriotism • good response on the social media.
Q.4. Read the following prompt and weave a story an about 150 words. Provide a suitable title also. (10)
The moment Hari stepped down from the train he was greeted at the platform by the people of his small town. They had gathered there with garlands and a band…..
Q.5. Complete the following passage by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones given below: 1*4=4
Disturbances in the eco-system have led (a) ______ a significant decline in the number (b) _____migratory birds which used to fly across (c)_________ Himalayas in (d) _________winter months to warm marshy areas around Kolkata.
(a) (i) to (ii) from (iii) with (iv) in
(b) (i) for (ii) of (iii) from (iv) on
(c) (i) a (ii) an (iii) the (iv) on
(d) (i) the (ii) some (iii) few (iv) many
Q.6. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line against which a blank is given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in the space provided. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied. 1*4=4
Incorrect Correct
Last night I’d discover that Tom couldn’t cook e.g., discover discovered
much besides fried rice but beans. (a) _______ _________
So I requested that I should of assigned (b) _______ _________
kitchen details for the during of my stay. (c) _______ _________
I want to cook my own food. (d) _______ _________
Q.7. Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. 1*4=4
(a) medicinal properties / it is / fragrance and / for its / highly valued /
(b) in ancient times / sandal and turmeric / blemish-free skin / for a / was used / a paste of / by women /
(c) the sandalwood trees / the purest / conies from / renowned sandal oil / and the / of Mysore
(d) the then ruler / of sandalwood / in 1792. / of Mysore / the commercial significance / Tipu Sultan /recognized /
Section : C 30 Marks
Q.8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. 1*4=4
1. No use to say ‘0 there are other balls’:
Ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy
As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down
All his young days into the harbour where
His ball went.
(a) Who composed the above lines?
(b) The poet thinks it improper to say to the boy ‘0 there are other balls’ because of ____ _.
(c) The boy’s reaction to the loss of his ball shows that _______.
(d) To the poet, the loss is not important enough _______.
OR
Ausable moved to an armchair and sat down heavily. “I’m going to raise the devil with the management this time, and you can bet on it,” he said grimly. “This is the second time in a month that somebody has got into my room through that nuisance of a balcony!” Fowler’s eyes went to the single window of the room. It was an ordinary window, against which now the night was pressing blackly.
(a) Why was Ausable disturbed?
(b) What did he complain of?
(c) What story did Ausable cook up to confuse Max?
(d) When do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max?
Q.9. Answer any five of the following questions in 30 to 40 words each. 2*5=10
a.Describe Max as a secret agent.
b. How did Horace enter Shot over Grange?
c.’Richard was the focus of his mother’s attention”. Compose a thesis on this.
d. What is the central idea of the poem?
e. Describe the people and culture of Coorg.
f. Why do some people say that the world will end in ice?
Q.11With reference to `The Midnight Visitor’, do you think the presence of mind should be developed and to what advantage? Elaborate highlighting the values possessed by Ausable. (8)
Or
Write a character-sketch of Horace Danby.
12. Although Bholi never got the deserved love, care and acceptance from her family, she is ready to reciprocate like all daughters in Indian society. Discuss the character of Bholi in the light of the above-mentioned (8)
OR
Attempt a character-sketch of Noodle highlighting the values projected by him.
