SAMPLE PAPER (2021-22 TERM 2)
ENGLISH -Language and Literature (184)
CLASS:X
Time allowed:2 hrs Maximum Marks:40
SECTION A-READING (10 marks)
- Read the passage given below:
- In a new finding, climate change has now become a national issue in America as a recent study has deduced that warming-induced drought in the Middle East is leading to increased conflicts over food and water, leading to its consequences on America and the world. The accelerating rate of climate change poses a severe risk to national security and acts as a catalyst for global political conflict. This is the conclusion drawn up by US experts, according to a government report. At the US Center for Naval Analyses, the Military Advisor Board found that climate change had induced drought in the Middle East and Africa. The lack of food and water was affecting the populations of these countries to take recourse to extreme measures. It was escalating long-standing ethnic tensions into violent clashes in the affected countries. In addition, the report predicted that an increase in catastrophic weather conditions worldwide would create more demand for American troops, even as flooding and extreme weather could damage naval ports and military bases.
- According to official findings, the report signalled that it would influence American foreign policy as well. The report vitalizes situations caused by the massive dislocation or massive drying up of the waters of the Nile or of the major rivers of India and China Pentagon officials also feel that the reports would affect military of their country as climate change is having an impact on national security, whether by increasing global instability or by opening the Arctic or by increasing sea level and storm surge close to coastal installations. This is the first major study to draw the link between climate change and national Security. Thus, American leaders are delivering major speeches wherein they are linking up climate change with that of national security. New regulations would also be put in place to cut pollution from coal-fired power options.
- The report follows a recent string of scientific studies that warn that the effects of climate change are already occurring and that more hooding, droughts, extreme storms, food and water shortages, and damage to infrastructure will occur in the future. There is thus, a link in some quarters between rising sea waters and terrorism. These effects are stress multipliers that will aggravate stressors abroad, such as poverty, environmental degradation, political instability and social tensions.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the six given below.
- According to the passage, what is the latest finding regarding climate change?
Climate change had induced floods in the Middle East.
Climate change poses a severe risk to America’s security.
2. In what way does the lack of food and water affect countries in the Middle East and Africa?
It had escalated long-standing racial discrimination tension into violent clashes in the affected areas
3. What is unique about the latest report on climate change?
(a) That it would influence American foreign and military policy as climate change is having an impact on their national security Explanation: It is given in the passage that the unique signal that the report gave was that it would have an effect on the American foreign and military policy.
4. Increase in catastrophic weather conditions worldwide would create more demand for American troops. Why?
Because flooding and extreme weather could damage naval ports and military bases
5. What does the author mean when he says, ‘ethnic tensions’?
Bad feelings between people from different races Explanation: The term ‘ethnicity’ means race or roots of a person. Ethnic tension, here, refers to the clash or ill-feeling going on between people of different ethnicities or races.
6. Why are new regulations imposed?
to cut pollution from coal-fired power options
2. Read the following passage carefully:
FINANCIAL FRAUDS
- Banks and other financial institutions reported frauds worth 1.38 trillion in 2020-21, down 25% compared to the previous year, when the amount involved was 1.85 trillion, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s annual report.
- In terms of number, these entities reported 15 percent fewer frauds in 2020-21, at 7,363 compared to the previous year’s 8,703 cases. The RBI data takes into account frauds of 1 lakh and above only. Also, the central bank has changed its accounting year to April-March from July-June, and hence, the latest report only covers nine months (July 2020-March 2021).
- In 2019-20, the total fraud cases involving 1 lakh and above had shot up by 28% by volume and 159% by value. The RBI suggests that the share of public sector banks in frauds, both in terms of number and value, has fallen, while that of private sector banks increased in the corresponding period.
- Furthermore, most frauds are occurring in the loan portfolio of financial institutions, the report says. In 2020-21, the loan portfolio saw 47.5% of the frauds in terms of number and 99% in terms of the amount involved.
- “The average time lag between the date of occurrence of frauds and the date of detection was 23 months for the frauds reported in 2020-21. However, in respect of large frauds of ₹100 crore and above, the average lag was 57 months for the same period,” the RBI said.
- Recently, it was reported that cumulatively, banks in India suffered frauds worth 4.92 trillion as of March 31, 2021, or nearly 4.5 per cent of the total bank credit. This was based on RBI data, which was sought under the Right to Information Act by Saurabh Pandhare. The data showed 90 banks and financial institutions reported a total of 45,613 cases of loan fraud till March 31, 2021.
- Also, the RBI report said there was an increase of 31.3% in counterfeit notes detected in the denomination of ₹500 in 2020-21 compared to the previous year. However, there was a decline in counterfeit notes detected in other denominations.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any five out of the eight questions given below.
- What was the average time lag for the frauds reported in 2020-21?
The average time lag between the date of occurrence of frauds and the date of detection was 23 months for the frauds reported in 2020-21.
2. Why does the latest report only cover nine months?
The Central bank changed its accounting year to April-March from July-June, and hence, the latest report only covers nine months(July 2020-March 2021).
3. From the data of RBI, what can be concluded about the public sector and private sector banks?
The share of public sector banks in frauds, both in terms of number and value, has fallen, while that of private sector banks increased in the corresponding period.
4. What was reported by the RBI regarding the counterfeit notes during demonetisation?
The RBI report said there was an increase of 31.3% in the counterfeit notes detected in the denomination of ₹ 500 in 2020-21 compared to the previous year. However, there was a decline in counterfeit notes detected in other denominations.
5. What was sought under the Right to Information Act by Saurabh Pandhare?
Banks in India suffered frauds worth ₹ 4.92 trillion as of March 31, 2021, or nearly 4.5 percent of the total bank credit. This was sought under the Right to Information Act by Saurabh Pandhare.
6. What was the status of fraud cases involving ₹ 1 lakh and above in 2019-20?
In 2019-20, the total fraud cases involving ₹ 1 lakh and above had shot up by 28% by volume and 159% by value.
SECTION B – WRITING & GRAMMAR (10 marks)
3. Attempt ANY ONE from i and ii.
i) The following bar graph shows the various modes of transport used by the passengers. Write an analytical paragraph based on the graph given below in about 100-120 words.
The question tests the following writing LOs:
convey ideas convincingly using appropriate language
▪ organize the content and structure the ideas logically, sequentially, cohesively
▪ use a range of vocabulary and sentence structure appropriate to the content and context
▪ use of functional language to show comparison, contrast, emphasis, conclusion etc.
3 marks for content
2 marks for organisation & expression
ii) You are Sonal/ Samkit of Vidyanjali Public School, Lucknow. You have seen an advertisement in ‘The Times of India’ related to new batches of ‘Astronomy Club’ initiated by National Science Center, Lucknow starting from next week onwards.
You wish to join the Club. Write a letter to the Director, enquiring about the venue, duration, fee- structure, activities, transportation etc. Invent other necessary details (100-120 words)
content -2
Expression-2
accuracy-1
Ref to the source of information
Conveying interest venue, duration, fee- structure, activities, transportation etc. (100-120 words)
Any other relevant information.
4. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line against which a blank has been given. Identify the error and write its correction against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the correction. The first one has been done for you.
Error Correction
a) Causes Cause
b) Which Who
c) Because Therefore/so
5. Read the conversation below and complete the passage that follows:
a) that he might not be able to meet him the next day
b) if he was going to be busy.
SECTION C- LITERATURE (20 MARKS)
6. Answer ANY SIX questions in 30-40 words each. 2*6=12
i) Pranjol buried his head in his detective book while Rajvir was eager to look at the beautiful scenery during the train journey. Why was there a difference in their attitude?
Pranjol had seen the tea gardens many times because his father worked in a tea estate. But it was Rajvir’s first visit to Assam who was admiring the scenic beauty outside while Pranjol was busy reading the book as there was nothing new for him to look outside
ii) What kind of an image does “languid, emerald sea” evoke?
It evokes the image of a calm and green sea. The word ‘languid’ means ‘relaxed’ which points towards silent water. ‘Emerald’ is a green coloured gemstone that refers to the green colour of seawater.
iii) What is the relevance of ‘tokens’ in the poem, ‘Animals’? Who brings them to the poet?
Animals show tokens of goodness. They are self-contained, peaceful, thankful and happy creatures. Animals are not unhappy and indeed, bring out tokens of man’s good nature, lost long ago. Animals do not grumble about their lives.
iv) Custard humbly accepts that other animals are braver than him. Give a reason to support your stance that humility is a virtue worth possessing.
Humility is a great virtue as it shows real maturity, confidence and strength. Custard knew of his capabilities and showed it through his action rather than speaking in front of others. He was a humble dragon.
v) One can achieve everything in life with focussed attention, determination and planning. Elucidate the statement with reference to the story “Madame Rides the Bus”
The story ‘Madam Rides the Bus’ proves this fact to be true. Valli develops a strong desire to take a ride on the bus that travelled from her street every day. She meticulously plans her trip. With extreme self-control, Valli saved the money for her trip. Her passion, self-dependence and self-respecting nature helped her to take the journey safely.
vi. How did ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ prove a turning point in Richard Enright’s life?
Richard was bored with collecting butterflies. At this time, his mother got the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ for him. After reading the book, he studied the migration of butterflies and it opened the world of science to him.
vii. Bholi’s heart was overflowing with a ‘New hope and a new life’. What does the phrase ‘the new hope and the new life’ mean?
To serve her parents in old age and to teach the students in the same school where she had learnt too much.
7. Answer any two of the following questions in about 120 words each. 4*2
i) 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.
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
ii) The principle ‘forgive and forget’, helps a lot in maintaining cordial relations with our neighbours. Do you think Anton Chekov conveys this message through the play ‘The Proposal’?
Anton Chekov does convey the message that the principle of ‘forgive and forget’ helps a lot in -maintaining cordial relationship with one’s neighbours. Initially, the neighbours in the play, Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov were fighting over petty issues. They were putting important issues behind them and wasting their time by arguing over small things. These arguments slowly developed into fights and they started hurling abuses at one another. This damaged their relationship with each other.
It was when Natalya came to know that Lomov had come to propose her that she left the topic of argument (Oxen Meadows) behind. She also asked for forgiveness from Lomov and requested him to come to the point. Hence it is mandatory to ‘forgive and forget’ if one wants to have a cordial relationship with others.
iii) Pranjol and Rajvir have to attend their friend’s wedding at Goa. They are very much excited about attending a Goan wedding for the first time. Develop a conversation between the two, highlighting the events of a Goan wedding based on your understanding of the lesson “Glimpses of India.”
You may begin like this:
Pranjol: Hey Rajvir! I think we are visiting Goa next week. It is a beautiful place with exciting beaches.
Rajvir: Oh! Yes, even I have heard about it.
Pranjol: Have you ever attended a Goan wedding before?
Rajvir: No, I haven’t but I have read about it.
Pranjol: Then please tell me something about it.
Rajvir: Bread is an important item in Goan weddings. Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol, just as a party or a feast loses its charm without bread.. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals.
Pranjol: Is that why bakers are so famous in Goa?
Rajvir: Yes, bakers have an important place in Goan culture and tradition. These bakers are, even today, known as pader in Goa.