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 compulsory.
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. (1*8=8)
Bookworms
It is sad to know that the students very much fond of books are called bookworms by their own companions. Those disparagements generally come from the mouths of students who consider themselves as being ‘gamesters’. On the other hand it is also amazing to know that there are children shining in athletics or in some other games think that the field of games is a nobler choice for them and the expenditure of their energies than the classroom or the reading desk, The idea is born out of an inferiority complex inherent in the There are game minded children. They start hating their friends who are academically sound. On the other hand, shining academically is also unique and has glamour in itself.
It is not to be denied that the playing of games is a worthy activity; it is worthy in the sense that the team spirit can be engendered in the individual only if he learnt to participate in the playing of games. It is also true that the player does much for society and for his country on the playing field. It is true that the feeling of cooperation can be cultivated in a person only through group activity. But studies should not be sacrificed in order that students devote their time only to the playing of games. It is my observation that those boys who become obsessed with the playing, particularly of cricket, begin to ignore their studies and then their academic ability suffers, as it must.
There should be a place for each type of activity in our lives only when the individuals will be produced with a proper perspective of things. Then will we have the student who is both academically good and who can hold his own on the games field? That is the personality that we want our educational system to produce.
On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions briefly
(a) What, according to the author, is the main goal of education?
(b) The writer’s advice on involving oneself in games and sports is that
(c) The handicap that arises out of over-involvement in games is
(d) ‘Gamesters’ tend to call academically sound students bookworms because….
(e) What are the two qualities that we can acquire through playing games?
(f) Give a suitable title for the passage.
(g) Pick out and write the phrase which indicates the importance of academic achievement, from the passage.
(h) When will the individual with a proper perspective of things be produced?
Q.2 Read the Passage carefully. (12)
SUPERHERO
There is a fundamental difference between the words ‘superhero’ and ‘avatar’ and it is critical to understand this if one hopes to be a good leader. Unfortunately, today, no thanks to video games and Hollywood, the two words are used synonymously.
In the beginning, in Europe, there were no superheroes. There were masked crusaders though, like Zorro and Scarlet Pimpernel, men who pretended to be ordinary but secretly displayed their extraordinary talents only to help the helpless. Hiding their talent was necessary so that they could mingle with ordinary folk and unsuspecting villains.
The extraordinary became fantastic in an America spellbound by outer space, radioactivity and modern technology. Superman came from outer space and so had X-ray vision and superhuman strength. Spiderman was bitten by a mutant bug that enabled him to create spider webs. And there was Batman who used his wealth to create fantastic gadgets like the Bat-mobile.
The characters were like Greek heroes, standing up against cruel authority, or super villains, on behalf of ordinary folk.
But that is not an avatar. The word avatar is derived from another word avatarana – to come down. This word is commonly associated with Vishnu, the preserver of the cosmos. From his abode, Vishnu watches over the world. And from time to time, he descends either an animal or human to set things right.
At face value, it seems exactly the same. So what is the difference? Both help the helpless. But in the case of the superhero, he has to secretly unleash his extraordinariness to solve problems. But in the case of the avatar, Vishnu has to make himself less divine and more mortal to solve problems. Expansion of capability transforms the hero into a superhero.
In the superhero’s story, the people around him stay the same. In the avatar’s story, the people around him are hopefully transformed. In the superhero’s story, the world becomes a better place thanks to the superhero’s intervention. In the avatar’s story, the world remains as it was — moving towards the end of the world, which is unavoidable — but hopefully, people are wiser and see the world differently. The superhero’s world is physical, tangible, and measurable. The avatar’s world is psychology cal, intangible, not measurable.
Superheros save the world. Avatara seeks to provoke wisdom about the nature of the world and humanity. The superhero hides his extraordinariness so that those around him do not feel threatened.
1.Read the given questions and write the answer in about 30-40 words. (2*4=8)
(a) How did characters like Zorro become superheroes?
(b) How did the extraordinary become fantastic in America?
(c) Describe the term ‘avatar’.
(d) Mention two differences between superheroes and avatar.
2. Choose the word which is closest in meaning to the words given below. (1*4=4)
(a) crusaders
(i) soldiers (ii) people who stand up for the common man
(iii) policemen (iv) robbers
(b) mingle
(i) mix up (ii) fight
(iii) stay away (iv) grow together
(c) descends
(i) move up (ii) fall down
(iii) come down (iv) to fly
(d) unleash
(i) to throw (ii) to break
(iii) to bind together (iv) to exhibit
Q.3 As an aware citizen of the country, you are concerned about the increase in road accidents in India. Interpret the graph given alongside and using your own ideas, write a letter to the editor of the newspaper ‘The Chronicle’. You are Arun/Anita. (8)
OR
You are a member of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in your locality. Write an article in 100- 120 words on why animals are ill-treated and what can be done to prevent it. You are Ram/Rani.
Indifferent attitude – 35%; Belief that animals are man’s slaves – 15%; Animals are exploited for selfish interest.
Q.4 The sun and the wind good friends. The wind boasted of his superpower ………..decided to try their strength on a traveller………… both tried their best……….. the wind failed …………the sun succeeded……….. Moral. (10)
Q.5 Complete the following passage by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones given below. (1*4=4)
He (a)________ the session with a prayer, prolonging it until the others join and the valleys echo with the chants, (b)_______ the cry of jackals. Time was when he (c) _______his stories to the accompaniment of musical instruments, but now he depends only on himself. The films (d) away from all the fiddlers and crooners, who have no time nowadays to stand at the back of an old story-teller and fill his pauses with music.
(a)(i) began (ii) begin (iii) begins (iv) is beginning
(b) (i) drowned (ii) drown (iii) drowns (iv) drowning
(c) (i) was narrating (ii) narrated (iii) narrates (iv) had narrated
(d) (i) have taken (ii) had taken (iii) has taken (iv) did take
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
The children are regularly tell that a diet (a) _______ _________
having too much sugar and fat are bad (b) _______ _________
for them, and chocolate contain a great (c) _______ _________
deal of both off these. (d) _______ _________
Q.7 Rearrange the jumbled words to make meaningful sentences. (1*4=4)
(a) is a / tribute/Children’s Day / to/ childhood / celebration
(b) are the world’s / its best hope / most valuable resources / children / and / for the future
(c) have their/own ways/ different countries/ of celebrating/children’s Day
(d) camping trips/ in China,/ such as /schools hold/activities
Q.8 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (1*4=4)
I had made my plans in advance. The only way was to get Tricky out of the house for a period. I suggested that he be hospitalized for about a fortnight to be kept under observation.
(a) Identify ‘I’ in the above extract.
(b) What was his concern?
(c) Who did the speaker suggest to?
(d) What kind of a person do you think the narrator is?
OR
He felt certain that his wings would never support him, so he bent his head and ran ways back to the little hole under the ledge where he slept at night.
(a) Who does He’ refer to in the first sentence?
(b) Why did he run back to the hole instead of trying to fly?
(c) Where did he sleep at night?
(d) Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?
Q.9 Answer any five of the following questions in 30 to 40 words each.
a.Why did Hari Singh decide to come back to Anil?
b. Why did Fowler come to meet Ausable? Was he able to achieve his target?
c. Who were the important people in Albright’s life? Why
d. What is the famous saying associated with crocodiles and what does it mean?
e. Why has Wanda’s father written a letter to Mrs Mason?
f. Is the purpose of someone constantly giving instructions to Amanda being fulfilled? Explain.
Q.10 Bill or Oliver Lutkins was a complete contrast to the narrator. How did a seasoned crook like Lutkins outwit the gullible lawyer proving him a novice and just a bright boy of seven? (8)
OR
Matilda realized that one little act of negligence can lead to total ruin. How would you prefer to be guided to move on in life?
Q.11 Should the boy be allowed to grieve for his ball? If his loss is irreparable or irretrievable then how should one handle it? What lessons can be learnt? (8)
OR
Why did Anne Frank maintain a diary?
