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
Q.1 Read the passage carefully. (12 Marks)
Excursion
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’.
Do 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 lunchtime. 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.
I. 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)
Q.2 Read the passage carefully. (8 Marks)
NEEM
Familiar to most people for its medicinal properties, the Neem is recognised by few despite its distinctive, curved leaves and an annual profusion of star-shaped sweet-scented flowers. It is a medium-sized or large tree with a straight trunk and evergreen, a native of India, Burma and Sri Lanka. This is really an amazing tree. People are most likely to draw off these trees because of their ignorance towards nature. If people really come to know even only a few of the benefits of this amazing tree or they feel how its presence could benefit people it is never likely to be chopped off.
Young leaves are pale, tender green tinged with rust. These are eaten on New Year days to ward off sickness during the coming year. Some people to whom the tree is sacred, also festoon fresh leaves across their houses when there is an epidemic of chickenpox or to keep evil spirits away when there is a birth or death. Dried leaves put in drawers or cupboards keep out moths and cockroaches. Another use for these ‘magic’ leaves is in poultice form for healing wounds. This way the benefits of this tree keep benefitting the people.
From the yellow fruit is obtained the famous Margosa oil, so effective in the treatment of leprosy and skin diseases. External application of oil from the seed is believed to cure rheumatism. The bark and gum yield valuable medicines. In fact, every part of this tree is of some value.
Neem timber is beautifully mottled, hard and heavy and is used for shipbuilding, carts and furniture. Wood from old trees is so bitter that no insects will attack it.
1.On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions briefly (1*8=8)
(a) For what is the Neem tree well known?
(b) Its leaves can be recognized by its shape which is like…..
(c) What is the belief of some people about the leaves of the Neem?
(d) Why are young leaves eaten on the New Year ’s Eve?
(e) Leprosy and skin diseases can be fought with the help of
(f) Neem timber is used for building various things. Give a few examples.
(g) Why do insects do not attack the furniture made from Neem timber?
(h) Why are the leaves of the Neem called ‘magic’ leaves?
Section : B 30 Marks
Q.3. You are interested in learning fashion technology through a correspondence course. Write a letter to the Principal of Fashion Institute of Correspondence, C.R. Das Road, Nasik, inquiring about the details of fee and duration of the course. etc. While writing, imagine yourself Sangeet/Sangeeta Jain who is living at 15, Sangeet Bhawan, Janakpuri. (8)
OR
The youth of different states should be given a chance to meet one another through national meets and other programmes. Taking ideas from the MCB unit. National Integration and sour own ideas write an article in 100-120 words on the topic, Youth and National Integration. You are Ram/ Rama.
Q.4. Rita is taking part in a story writing competition. She is practising it but gets stuck. Help her to finish it. (150-200 words)
On hearing a noise, Sheena ran outside her house and there she saw a snake charmer surrounded by a group of children …… (10)
Q.5. Complete the following passage by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones given below (4)
Is your glass half-full or half-empty? On (a) _____days when nothing in your life seems to be going right, it (b) _____be really tough to see the silver lining among all those clouds However, it’s during these times when the (c) _____ to see the good in even the worst situations is so important. An optimistic attitude (d) _____ not only your mental health, but your physical well being as well.
(a) (i) some (ii) those (iii) few (iv) these
(b) (i) can (ii) might (iii) will (iv) must
(c) (i) wish (ii) desire (iii) chance (iv) ability
(d) (i) benefitted (ii) will benefit (iii) benefits (iv) benefitting
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. (4)
Incorrect Correct
On the way back, one of his men fall, into e.g., fall fell
a coma. Soon, a blizzard hit him. Scott was (a) _______ _________
left with none other alternative but to pitch his
(b) _______ _________
tent and waiting for the blizzard to pass. (c) _______ _________
Unfortunately the blizzard grown fiercer. (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. (4)
(a) as takers / sadly / instruments / but / of all / this mother / has / today
(b) to whom / there are / student / turn to/ few / can / exponents / the rare
(c) subject in / it Is / a subsidiary / no even/ university curricula
(d) it is / so / the instrument / we have / even before / burned / born
Section: C 30 Marks
Q.8. Read the Extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (1*4=4)
So the more they look like monarchs, the less likely they are to become a bird’s dinner.
(a) Who are ‘they’ referred to here?
(b) Why are they less likely to become a bird’s dinner?
(c) What was the objective of Ebright’s science fair project?
(d) Why do you think a visit to a science fair helped. Richard to become a great scientist?
OR
“Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless and sat down at the wayside watching the lights of the city, as they flickered up and were extinguished again. At last the darkness of the night reigned everywhere.”
(a) Why do you think Kisa Gotami became weary and hopeless?
(b) How many sons did KisaGotamihave?
(c) What did she notice while sitting at the wayside?
(d) What message did she get from the flickering and extinguishing lights of the city?
Q.9. Answer any five of the following questions in 30 to 40 words each. (2*5=10)
a.Give examples from the text to show that Valli was a meticulous planner.
b. Lomov was a quarrelsome person. Justify.
c. What did they say about their bravery after the pirate’s death?
d. How did the lady spoil his plan?
e. Did Max really deserve to get a chance to accomplish a risky task?
Q.10.Why did Griffin enter the big London store? What did he do there? How he was finally obliged to leave it? (8)
Or
What metaphor has the poet used in the poem ‘Fog’? Do you think it is appropriate?
Q.11.’Matilda’s craving for a bubble reputation was the cause of her ruin.’ Draw a conclusion as to how she could have avoided the misfortune that dawned upon her. (8)
Or
“The world is afflicted with death eaters and d the Buddha. Expand this thought revising Kisa Gotami’s experience when she a5,” Buddha for a solution.
