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SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2019-20)



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CLASS-X

ENGLISH – Language and Literature (Code 184)

Time allowed: 3 Hrs.
  
Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions: 

 1. This paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C. 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:  Reading
20 Marks

Q1.  Read the passage carefully.



Red Cross: How Hope Evolved 

 On June 24, 1859, Emperors Napoleon III and Franz Joseph I engaged in the Battle of Solferino, commanding a combined total of about 270,000 troops onto the field for a single day of battle. Nearly 40,000 were either dead, injured, or missing, many of whom were simply left to die on the battlefield. Later, spectators crowded the fields, looking for loved ones, searching for items they could sell, or simply taking in the horrors of the battle .A Swiss businessman and social activist Jean Henri Dunant, who was traveling in Solferino witnessed all this. 



Jean Henri Dunantwitnessed the atrocities of war as well as the countries not prepared or equipped to ease the suffering of those who had been injured in the Battle of Solferino. Dunant organized a group of volunteers to help bring water and food to the injured, to assist with medical treatment, or write letters to the families of those who were dying and he urged the public to create an organization which would assist the wounded, regardless of which side they fought for during times of war. After that moment, he wrote the book, A Memory of Solferino, which urged the public to create an organization which would assist the wounded, regardless of which side they fought for during times of war. His writing inspired countless others to rally behind him in the creation of the International Federation of the Red Cross.



The modern-day Red Cross began by devoting itself largely to disaster relief and epidemic treatment. This effort continues to this day. One of the easiest ways you can help the Red Cross is to make sure you are able to donate blood and make an appointment at the Red Cross website. But, donating blood isn't the only way you can help out—the Red Cross also

encourages donating your time if you can. This is what the Red Cross wants everyone to know.





On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions-
1X8 =8
a. How many soldiers fought in the battle of Solferino on June 24?
    i. 270,000           ii. 40,000            iii. 230,000            iv. 23,000

Ans: III. 230,000 soldiers

b. What is the correct order of the information given below:
    I. Dunant organised a camp of volunteers.
    II. Emperor Napoleon III and Franz Joseph I fought a battle.
    III. The book ‘A Memory of Solferino was written.
    IV. Dunant travelled in Solferino.
    
    (i) IV, III, II, I         (ii) I, II, III, IV        (iii) II, I, IV, III         (iv) II, IV, I, III

 Ans:(iv). II, IV, I, III
c. The writer of 'A Memory of Solferino’ was:
    i. Emperor Napoleon III
    ii. Franz Joseph I
    iii. Jean Henri Dunant
    iv. International Red Cross

 Ans: III. Jean Henri Dunant

d. The modern day Red Cross does not deal with:
    i. Blood donation
    ii. Disaster Relief
    iii. Epidemic Treatment
    iv. Writing a book

 Ans: IV. Writing a book 

e. The most appropriate sub-heading to para 2 of the passage is:
    i. How International Federation of Red Cross Evolved! 
    ii. Functions of Red Cross
    iii. The Contributions of Jean Henri Dunant
    iv. The Battle of Solferino

 Ans: III. The Contributions of Jean Henri Dunant

f. The aid provided by Dunant’s volunteers during the battle of Solferino
was:
    I. to help bring water and food to the injured
    II. to assist with medical treatment
    III. to write a book
    IV. to give relief in epidemic

    (i) I and III         (ii) III and IV         (iii) I and II         (iv) II and III

 Ans: I and III

g. You can donate your blood and your _________ to Red Cross.

 Ans: time

h. Jean Henri Dunant participated in the war.( True/ False)

Ans: False

Q2.  Read the passage carefully-

The Road to Success

1. The Road to success is not straight; there is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family, and you will have flats called jobs. But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success!

2. In spite of all our planning and preparation, unexpected challenges are certain to arise. The bumps in the road are unavoidable, but you’ll never get to your destination if you aren’t willing to drive over them. The difference between a disaster and triumph lies in whether or not you’re prepared and willing to weather the storm. If you’re ready, those bumps will become stepping-stones.

3. The key thing to realize is that working harder is same as working smarter. How do you work smarter? You just need to have the right skills. People want improved circumstances and better life without an improved self. They want victory without paying the price or making efforts. It really cannot happen without the other. Any improvements that have not been generated by improving yourself are superficial and short-lived. If you want to have a better future, you have to change yourself. Stop worrying about the various challenges that will come your way. Just believe in yourself and use them as stepping-stones.

4. “Success” is getting whatever you want out of life without violating the rights of others.” It is not an accident. Success is the result of our attitude and our attitude is a choice. Hence success is a matter of choice and not chance.

5. Today success represents a holistic and positive attitude to life. Attitude is everything. Success is not restricted within some kind of brick and mortar premises. It assumes the individuality of a complete act executed with perfection; material achievements do not define life. We don’t remember sports stars for the products they endorse but the spirit of achievement they represent. In the abundance of positive attitude underline the grandeur
of a truly rewarding rich life.

6. Success can be measured from two standpoints—the external and the internal. Externally it is the measure of a job well done and recognition. Internally it the feeling of achievement and wholeness derived from the completion of a task or fulfillment of desire.


Q2.1 On the basis of your reading of the above extract, answer the following
questions in 30-40 words each: 
2X4=8
(a) What qualities lead one to the place called success?
Ans :  a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called God.

(b) What is the difference between disaster and triumph?
Ans :The difference between a disaster and triumph lies in whether or not you’re prepared and willing to weather the storm. If you’re ready, those bumps will become stepping-stones.

 (c) How can one have a better future?
Ans : If you want to have a better future, you have to change yourself. Stop worrying about the various challenges that will come your way. Just believe in yourself and use them as stepping-stones.

(d) Describe two ways to measure success.
Ans : Success can be measured from two standpoints—the external and the internal. Externally it is the measure of a job well done and recognition. Internally it the feeling of achievement and wholeness derived from the completion of a task or fulfillment of desire

Q2.2 On the basis of your reading of the above extract, answer the following:
1X4=4
(a) The synonym of ‘victory’ as given in paragraph 2 is ____________

     (i) Planning (ii) Preparation (iii) Triumph (iv) Challenges

 Ans: (iii) Triumph

(b) The synonym of ‘surplus’ as given in paragraph 5 is ______________

 Ans: Abundance

(c) The antonym of ‘Defeat’ as given in paragraph 6 is _____________
    
     (i) Recognition (ii) Achievement (iii) Completion (iv) Success

Ans:  (ii) Achievement


(d) The antonym of ‘deep’ as given in Paragraph 3 is ____________

Ans: Superficial



Section B: Writing & Grammar
30 Marks
  
(8)
Q3. You are Neha/Nihal Singh, Computer In-charge of Army Public School. Your school wishes to buy 20 computers and computer accessories from Apple Inc., Nehru Place, New Delhi. Draft a letter placing an order for the same.     (100-150 words)
Ans:

[Note: No marks to be awarded if only the format is given. Credit should be given to the candidate’s creativity in presentation of the ideas, appropriate use of language and skills of reasoning.]

 Letter to place an order

 Word limit: 100-150 words

 Format– 1 mark (Sender’s address, 2. Date, 3. Receiver’s address, 4. Subject Heading, 5. Salutation, 6. Complimentary Close)

 Content– 4 marks

 Expression– 3 marks (grammatical accuracy, appropriate words, spellings, coherence & relevance of ideas and style)

 Suggested Value Points –

  Placing and order to Apple Inc.
 Order detail with approval of quotation
 Mentioning the accessories needed
 Detail about the quantity
 Delivery date
 Mode of payment
(any other relevant point to be given credit)
OR

The government has urged the people of India to realize the dream of ‘Clean India’. Write an article describing the measures that people can take for a cleaner and greener India. You are Anju/Amit Kumar                                          (100-150 words)
Ans:

[Note: No marks to be awarded if only the format is given. Credit should be given to the candidate’s creativity in presentation of the ideas, appropriate use of language and skills of reasoning.]

 Article Writing

 Word limit: 100-150 words

 Format – 1 mark (Heading & Writer’s Name)

 Content – 4 marks

 Expression – 3 marks (grammatical accuracy, appropriate words,spellings, coherence & relevance of ideas and style)

 Suggested Value Points –

  Mention the objective of a Clean India campaign by Indian Government
 Use of social messaging, education, communication to make the public aware, increasing the green cover, effective waste management, segregation of waste, adopting healthy clean habits, access to clean toilets
 (Due credit for creative answers backed by logical arguments to be given)
(10)
Q4. Complete the following story-                                                     (150-200 words)

Once there was an old man. He had four sons. They always quarreled with
one another. One fine day……………………………
Ans:

Story Writing

 Word limit : 150-200 words

 Format– 1 mark (Title)

 Content – 4 marks (The story must start with the cue given in the question. There must be clarity of plot, logical sequence of events, well defined characters and an apt conclusion)

 Expression – 5 marks (creativity, grammatical accuracy, appropriate words, spellings, coherence & relevance, originality of ideas and style)


OR


Taking cue from the picture given above, write a story in 150-200 words

For Visually Impaired candidates only
Kunal- good student- determined- scored good marks- examinationgot late- helping an old man- teacher scolded- later appreciated- gave exam- stood first

Ans:

 Word limit : 150-200 words

 Format – 1 mark (Title)

 Content – 4 marks

  The picture provided is an important part of the story. The students must make sure that either the story revolves around the picture or the picture forms an intrinsic part of the story.

  There must be clarity of plot, logical sequence of events, well defined characters and apt conclusion.

 Expression – 5 marks (creativity, grammatical accuracy, appropriate words, spellings, coherence & relevance, originality of ideas and style)



Q5. Complete the paragraph given below by filling in the blanks choosing the correct option from those that follow-
1X4=4
Elephants (a) _____ the largest land mammals. Three species of elephants (b) _____ living today. Elephants (c) ________other Elephantidae were once classified with other thick skinned . The elephant’s gestation period is 22 months, (d) _________ longest for any land animal. 

(a) (i) is     (ii) are     (iii) was      (iv) were

(b) (i) are living     (ii) have been living      (iii) had been living     (iv) will be living

(c) (i) with     (ii) also     (iii) and     (iv) but

(d) (i) a     (ii) an     (iii) which     (iv) the


Q6. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number.
1X4=4
 Distribution of mark (½ mark to be awarded for identifying the error and ½ mark for giving the correct answer)
                                                                         Error         Correction
Tsunami is a series in waves                      (a) _______    _______
generated in a body from water                  (b) _______    _______
through an impulsive disturbance               (c) _______    _______
causing damage to property or loss of life. (d) _______    _______

 Ans:
a) in- of
b) from – of
c) through- by
d) or - and

Q7. Rearrange the following sets of words and phrases to form eaningful sentences
1X4=4
a. of/ the world’s /sugar cane / in Asia / over 40 percent / is produced
b. can be /used as fuel / ethyl alcohol / for cars / extracted / sugar cane / from
c. not the /only thing / can power/ automobiles / gasoline is / that
d. can be / alternative /energy source / an / hydrogen/ also
Ans:
(For a partially correct answer no mark to be allotted)

 a) Over 40 percent of the world’s sugarcane is produced in India.
b) Ethyl alcohol extracted from sugarcane can be used as fuel for cars.
c) Gasoline is not the only thing that can power automobiles.

 d) Hydrogen also can be an alternative energy source.

Section C - Literature
30 Marks
General Instructions: This section is meant to test the student’s familiarity with and appreciation of the recommended texts. However, if the faulty expression prevents clear communication ½ mark may be deducted.
Q8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
1x4=4
“He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.”

a. The poem, “A Tiger in the Zoo” is written by

(i) Leslie Norris
(ii) William Blake
(iii) Peter Niblett
(iv) Robert Frost

b. The tiger should be lurking in the shadow

(i) for his prey
(ii) for taking rest
(iii) for leisure
(iv) for scaring others

c. The deer frequents the water hole to ________________________
Ans: for drinking water

d. The phrase ‘lurking in the shadow’ here means ________________
Ans: stay hidden, not coming to the forefront

OR

“I agreed that it was pretty disrespectful treatment. We did, however,
search the house. Since it was only one storey high, Bill went round it,
peering in at all the windows. We examined the barn and stable.”

a. Who does ‘I’ refer to-
(i) Sinclair Lewis 
(ii) Carol Lewis
(iii) Oliver Lutkins
(iv) Leslie Norris

b. What was Bill’s profession?
(i) Lawyer
(ii) hack driver 
(iii) guide
(iv) drama artist
c. The disrespectful treatment faced by the speaker was ________
Ans: Oliver’s mother had shouted at them, threatened them with an iron from the stove, laughed at them, driven them away.

d. The phrase ‘peering in at all windows’ here means _____________
Ans: looking inside, trying to find something

Q9. Answer any five of the following questions in 30 to 40 words each.
2X5=10
Distribution of marks:
Content – 1 mark 
Expression – 1 mark

 a. Why did Hari Singh think that Anil’s job was queer?
b. Bholi was a neglected child. Explain.
c. Why did Mr.Keesing call Anne ‘an incorrigible chatterbox’?
d. Nelson Mandela speaks of ‘Twin Obligations’. Elucidate
e. Why did Belinda tickle the dragon?
f. How is bread an important part of life in Goa?

 Ans:

 Suggested Value Points: 

 a) Anil contributed to magazines, wrote for a living, didn’t earn much, difficult for Hari Singh to understand his profession 

 b) No new clothes for Bholi, old dresses passed on to her, nobody cared for or mended her clothes, parents sent her to school as they thought there was a little chance of her getting married. 

 c) Anne was very talkative, didn’t stop despite being punished, wrote an essay as a punishment, justified her over-talkative nature. 

 d) One towards the society, one towards the family 

 e) Custard, the Dragon was very scared, cried for a safe cage, all laughed, it was a coward. 

 f) Needed for all sorts of functions, like marriages, birthdays, part of traditional cuisine, mothers prepare delicacies.
(8)
Q10. Lencho had faith in God but lacked faith in humanity. Elaborate with reference to ‘A Letter to God’.(100-150 words)

 These questions have been set to test the student’s understanding of the text and their ability to interpret evaluate and respond to the themes/issues raised. Therefore, there can’t be just one correct answer. All presentations logically supported by textual evidence must be considered correct.

 Content = 4
Expression = 4

 Ans:
Suggested Value Points:

 Lencho- a simple person Started correspondence with God, immense faith, asked for money Received a lesser amount, blamed the post office employees Didn’t realize the irony- they were the real helpers, who had contributed parts of their salary. Didn’t act practically

OR

 Life is full of trials and tribulations which can be overcome by a human being through his own efforts. Explain with reference to Kisa Gotami’s life.(100-150 words)

 Ans:
Suggested Value Points:

Kisa went from home to home , asked for mustard seeds- where no one had died, unsuccessful in getting any, distraught on the loss of her only son loses her senses, doesn’t accept reality, ignorant of the fact that death is inevitable Lesson- humans are mortal, face pain and suffering, no use grieving

(8)
Q11. Ostentation and vanity often land people in trouble. Matilda is an apt example of this. Justify.(100-150 words)

 These questions have been set to test the student’s understanding of the text and their ability to interpret evaluate and respond to the themes/issues raised. Therefore, there can’t be just one correct answer. All presentations logically supported by textual evidence must be considered correct.

 Content = 4
Expression = 4

 Ans:
Suggested Value Points:

 Matilda longs for life of luxury and wealth, immerses herself in life of glamour borrows a necklace when invited for a party, loses it, pays heavily she and her husband work day and night, live in poverty to repay for it, she loses all her charm, looks old and pale it’s better to be satisfied what you have, do not show off 

OR
Valli shows extraordinary courage in taking a bus journey all alone. Explain how ability and courage are essential to fulfill one’s dream. (100-150 words)

Ans:
Suggested Value Points:

Valli’s earnest wish to ride on the bus and get to the nearest town meticulous planning, strong will- power Saved money, gathered required information, Waited patiently Her confidence and dignity- made the conductor call her ‘Madam’ Displays extraordinary courage, completes the journey