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
Sorikampatti village
Q.1. Read the following passage carefully. (12)
1 As the harvest season sets in, villagers start trickling into the temple at Sorikampatti village, 30 km from Madurai. They seek the blessings of the deity. before beginning the daily practice of Jallikattu training. The tradition of jallikattu goes back to a legend surrounding the majestic Kangayen bull, a premium local breed and a legendary bull tamer Alagu Servai. He was poisoned to death by his fellow tamers as he had never failed in a game. His story is now part of the folklore of the region. This festival is held during harvest festivities in mid-January. The sport derived its name from the term ‘salli’ meaning coins, in reference to tied to the raging bull’s horns that tamers tried to pocket in daring feats.
2 In recent years several cruel practices have crept in. The bull owner took to feeding their animals’ arrack and rubbing chilli on their bodies to make them more aggressive and the game more exciting. This had to a growing ire among animal rights bodies who have demanded an end to this cruel sport. The tussle came to an end with the Supreme Court imposing a ban on the custom of Callicutt. Earlier, in 2006, the Madras High Court bench had imposed a ban on the event citing cruelty to animals. After a long drawn out battle between the Callicutt supporters and the detractors from the Animal Welfare Board in India, in 2009, the Tamil Nadu Jallikuttu Act was passed by the state government making it compulsory that the event is held under the supervision of the district collector, superintendent of police and the Animal Welfare Board representatives.
3 While Callicutt organisers are willing to abide by the rules for holding the sport. animal rights activists maintain that irrespective of rules and regulations. the sport cannot be held without perpetrating cruelty to the animals. They claim that cruelty is an inherent element of the sport. The men who grapple with the animals claim that a Kangayen bull is bred solely for the sport. With tractors replacing the bull in the fields, there is no reason other than Jallikuttu to rear them. With the ban on the sport, it is feared that soon the breed would become extinct.
1 Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words. (2*4=8)
(a) What is Sorikampattu? What is unique about it?
(b) What is the legend surrounding the sport?
(c) What measures have been taken to ban the sport?
(d) What is the plea taken by Callicutt enthusiasts as regards continuation of the sport?
2.Answer the following questions by choosing the correct options- (1*4=4)
(a) The term ‘premium’ as used in the passage means ……………………….
(i) above the usual (ii) the only reason
(iii) a payment (iv) the chief person
(b) The word ‘aggressive’ is used in the passage to denote …..…………………..
(i) an animal that is forceful and attacking (ii) a situation that makes one run
(iii) an animal engaged in sport (iv) a runaway animal
(c) The word ‘detractors’ in the passage refers to…………………………….
(i) users of tractors (ii) those who find fault
(iii) those who go against the established norm (iv) a person with a similar viewpoint
(d) When a thing is ‘extinct’ it is………………………………
(I) intact (ii) broken (iii) lost forever (iv) out of favour
Q.2. Read the passage carefully. (8)
Jambheshwarji
Jambheshwarji was born in 1461 (or 1452) at Pipasar in Nagaur Mandel of Jodhpur state. His father, Lohat, was a Panwar Rajput. His mother was Mansa Devi. He was the only son of his parents. As a child, he was known as a contemplative boy. People felt surprised to listen to his profound talks. When he was seven years old, he was made to graze the family cows. After the death of his parents, he left home. He spent most of his time in the company of saints. He adopted Goraksha Nath as his Guru. Through meditation and inner devotion to God, he attained Self-realisation.
He was fully aware of the problems prevalent in his age. He observed communal fanaticism as well as moral downfall all around him. He took it upon himself to rid the Hindu society of superstition and other evils. He preached the necessity of social amity. He also advocated a life of altruism and love for others.
Jambheshwarji founded the Vishnoi sect in 1485. He laid down twenty-nine religious commandments for his followers. The main commandments included worship of Vishnu, performing of Haven, fasting on a moonless night, refraining from cutting green trees, making animal sacrifice and drinking. Like a great prophet, he realised the importance of vegetation. In those days there was hardly any consciousness about the environment. But Jambheshwarji Maharaj tried to bring this consciousness. He told his followers that environmental pollution posed a great danger to the health of the people. He asked them to keep the environment clean. It shows that he was much ahead of his times.
He also told people not to fall into the trap of common social evils like theft, robbery, adultery and drinking. He laid stress on the value of inner as well as outer purity in life. Honesty and truth in the day to day life. were the main subjects of his preaching. He was also aware of the inferior status of women in Indian society. He asked his followers to show special consideration and regard to women. He firmly believed in the age-old saying “Where women are worshipped; their gods live.”
1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions as briefly as possible. Write your answers in the spaces provided. (1*8=8)
(a) Give two reasons why Jambheshwarji took it upon himself to cleanse the Hindu society. Because of——————-and——————–
(b) The commandment given by Jambheshwarji relating to Environment was —————– (c) What did Jambheshwarji do about the environment problem?
(d) What did Jambheshwarji do for purity in life?
(e) What was the place of women during Jambheshwarji’s time?
(f) Jambheshwarji is relevant to present-day India. How?
(g) How far can Jambheshwarji be called a social reformer?
(h) Find a word in lines 1 to 10 which means ‘thoughtful’.
Section : B 30 Marks
Q.3. To give or not to give Indian adolescents sex education is gaining our attention. The cases of child abuse and HIV/AIDS are rising steadily. Write a letter to the editor airing your view on sex education. You are Ranbir of 14, Jain Nagar, Ludhiana. (8)
OR
Heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir caused floods, landslides. House collapses and heavy loss of life. Write an article in 100 – 120 words on ‘Floods – Cause and Prevention you are Anita/Aman
Q.4. Gaurav was shocked. He could not believe his best friend had cancer. Within a few seconds,………………….“True Friendship”. (150-200 words) (10)
Q.5. Complete the following passage by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones given below (4)
When the first grey light (a) _____ the day came, I got up. Very slowly, I (b) _____ downstairs. Sometimes, a stair (c) _____ under me. “Stop thief!” It seemed to say. At other times, it seemed to say, “Wake up, Mrs. Joe!” I reached the (d) _____. This held more food than it usually did. This was because it was Christmas Day and Uncle Pumblechook was coming for dinner.
(a) (i) off (ii) of (iii) with (iv) by
(b) (i) crept (ii) creep (iii) was creeping (iv) go
(c) (i) shrieked (ii) shouted (iii) squealed (iv) creaked
(d) (i) dormitory (ii) latch (iii) pantry (iv) attic
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
Seizing the Naga in the throat, he would let e.g., in by
the egg slide down its gullet to a delight of (a) _______ _________
the onlookers. He repeat the performance (b) _______ _________
at the next street or the bazaar. The (c) _______ _________
show went upon from morning to evening (d) _______ _________
Q.7. Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done for you as an example. (4)
1.boy/as/even/was/fearless/and/Alexander/strong/a
2.a/horse/spirited/he/and/beautiful/tamed
3.his/his/power/father/over/proud/horse/was/of/very
4.can be/two/blamed/persons/the murder/for
Section : C 30 Marks
Q.8. Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow.
Further footprints followed one after another, descending the steps and progressing down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter, and at last disappeared altogether. (4)
(a) Who was gazing at these footprints and where were the steps?
(b) What can be inferred about the person from the footprints?
(c) What surprised the two boys?
(d) Where were the footprints heading?
OR
But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors,
(a) What does the expression —stalking the length of his cage’ imply?
(b) Was he interested in the visitors
(c) Which expression tells you this?
(d) What kind of enclosure the tiger was kept in?
Q.9. Answer any five of the following question in 30 to 40 words each. (2*5=10)
a.What made him come back to Anil?
b. Why does the poet say that a bear’s ‘hug’ may confuse a novice?
c. How did Max go out of Ausable’s room to save himself from the police?
d. How did Griffin try to become visible?
e. How was Mr Lisle able to arrange 36,000 francs?
f. Why do you think it is called ‘the’ house and not ‘a house’?
Q.10. The chapter shows the silly and negligent behaviour of rich people like Mrs Pumphrey who may harm their near and dear ones by their extra caring nature. Trick’s declined health was the outcome of Mrs Pumphrey’s over-caring nature. Do you think such people’s actions can prove to be fatal for the health of their kinds? What values would you suggest to such people to emulate in themselves and why? Write your answer in 100-120 words. (8)
OR
Why was the arrival of the stranger in a village in an unusual event? Give two reasons.
Q.11. How is the lost ball, the metaphor of the lost childhood of the boy? Why doesn’t the poet want to ‘intrude on’ the boy by offering him money to buy another ball? (8)
OR
Animals, big and small, is being used by humans for their selfish ends? What is your opinion regarding the exploitation of animals? Mention some examples that you can see a possible solution to this problem.
