Class X - English - 2023 - Paper 10 - Practice for Everyone

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Q.P Code: 2/5/1

ENGLISH

(Language and Literature)

Time allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

● Please check that this question paper contains 15 printed pages.

● Q.P. Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.

● Please check that this question paper contains 11 questions.

● Please write down the Serial Number of the question in the answer book before attempting it.

● 15 minutes’ time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question paper will be distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the candidates will read the question paper only and will not write any answer on the answer-book during this period

General Instructions:

Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:

(i) This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.

(ii) The question paper contains THREE sections –

Section – A : Reading Skills

Section – B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills

Section – C : Literature

(iii) Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each Part.

Section – A

Reading Skills 20

1. Read the passage given below:

1 Floods are not new to India and this subcontinent, but in recent years the problem of flooding has received much greater attention, perhaps largely because it has led to greater damage now than it did in the past. Even though information on the impending occurrence of floods is now more accurate and certainly more timely, often there is very little time or support infrastructure in place by which damage can be minimised. This is particularly true in the case of flash floods resulting from sudden and excessive heavy rain.

2 In the case of India, flooding is very much related to the seasonal nature of our rainfall. The monsoons are spread over a short period during the year and often bring a concentrated volume of rain, which cannot be absorbed by the earth and finds an outlet only in the form of streams that join up with our major river systems. Flooding due to heavy rain is confined not only to the main rivers of the country, but also affects smaller tributaries and streams. Once these streams spill over their banks they could cause excessive harm, mainly because those living near the banks of these streams, particularly in mountain areas, do not have easy recourse to moving away quickly.

3 One major factor that could lead to a higher severity of flooding in the future is the danger of climate change. While the evidence of the nature of impacts, resulting from climate change on precipitation and flooding at the regional level, is not entirely clear, it could happen that the Indian subcontinent witnesses and suffers the effects of a significantly changed pattern of monsoons. One set of scientists has estimated that the monsoons could be shorter in duration but far more intensive; in other words, much greater precipitation would take place in a much shorter period of time, thereby increasing the danger of floods. Climate change is the result of human actions through the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, of which carbon dioxide is the most prominent.

4 At the local level also human actions have heightened the danger of floods through the cutting of trees in the mountains as well as in the plains. In case of India, the ecological damage through deforestation of the Himalayas has led to large-scale erosion of the mountain slopes and high levels of siltation. These lead to the deposition of silt on the riverbeds in the plains and hence spillover of water whenever the volume in the river reaches a certain level. With siltation on the riverbeds, flooding occurs even at very shallow water levels. The vulnerability of the population has increased substantially because of population pressures. An example is the stubborn and perhaps helpless settling of slum dwellers on the banks of the river Yamuna in Delhi, who become victims of flooding. What is a mere trickle most of the year, bursts its banks during the monsoons, as has been the case in recent years.

5 Flood forecasting is critical to minimising the damage from floods. It is for this reason that the Central Water Commission has set up a network of forecasting stations, which cover the most important flood-prone interstate rivers in the country. These stations produce forecasts that are used to alert the public and to mobilize various official agencies so that they take both preventive as well as relief measures, whenever required. However, even in cases where forecasts have been timely and generally accurate, people have often been reluctant to move away, because in most cases they lack the means and physical options for moving away from a danger zone to one that is relatively safe. In the case of flash floods, forecasts are difficult to make, and often the time available for relief is very short.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below:

(i) The problem of floods has been considered more important recently because

(a) floods have led to much greater damage now than in the past.

(b) floods are resulting in increased relocation.

(d) of problems of frequent tornadoes and cyclones in the subcontinent.

View Answer

Ans. (a) floods have led to much greater damage now than in the past.

(ii) Specify the option that displays what the writer projects with reference to the following statement.

One major factor that could lead to higher severity of flooding in the future is the danger of climate change.

(a) helplessness

(b) speculative

(d) conviction

View Answer

Ans. (b) speculative

(iii) Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 3 :

View Answer

Ans. Reason – climate change / change of pattern of precipitation/ greater precipitation will take place in a much shorter period of unit. (accept a sentence also)

(iv) The writer claims that flood forecasting is critical to minimising the damage from floods. State one reason for the claim.

View Answer

Ans. Forecasting helps alert the public and mobilise various official agencies

(v) Even when the prediction is accurate, people do not evacuate the places where the warning is given.

(a) True

(b) False

View Answer

Ans. (a) True

(vi) Supply one point to justify the following :

The worst hit people are slum dwellers.

View Answer

Ans. As they are helpless settlers / closest to the rivers on the banks

(vii) Based on your reading of the text, list two reasons why the writer says that in spite of timely forecasting people have suffered.

View Answer

Ans. Reluctant to move away/ lack the means and physical options of moving away / shortage of time (any two)

(viii) The writer says that forecasts are difficult to make and time available is very short. Select the reason for it.

(a) Flash floods

(b) Cyclonic rain

(d) Landslides

View Answer

Ans. (a) Flash floods

(ix) What connect does the writer draw between tributaries and floods ? (Para 2)

View Answer

Ans. Heavy rain can spill over the banks of tributaries leading to floods, particularly in mountain region

(x) Which of the following statements is/are false ?

The vulnerability of the population has increased substantially because of population pressures symbolised by :

I. People are superstitious.

II. Difficult to evacuate flood-affected areas.

Select the correct option :

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(d) None of the above

View Answer

Ans. (a) Only I

2. Read the following passage carefully :

1 Unsafe water kills more people each year than do war and all other forms of violence combined. Meanwhile, our drinkable water sources are finite : less than 1 percent of the Earth’s freshwater is actually accessible to us. Without action, the challenges will only increase by 2050, when global demand for freshwater is expected to be one-third greater than it is now.

2 Water is uniquely vulnerable to pollution. Known as a “universal solvent”, water is able to dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth. Water pollution is the release of substances into subsurface groundwater or into lakes, streams, rivers, estuaries, and oceans to the point where the substances interfere with beneficial use of the water or with the natural functioning of ecosystems. In addition to the release of substances, such as chemicals, trash, or microorganisms, water pollution may also include the release of energy, in the form of radioactivity or heat, into bodies of water. The key causatives of water pollution in India are urbanization, deforestation, industrial effluents and agricultural run-offs with the use of insecticides and pesticides. The other causes are social and religious offerings in water bodies and the use of detergents and fertilizers.

3 Water pollution can have disastrous consequences on the ecosystem. Furthermore, toxic chemicals can travel through the food chain and get into our bodies, causing diseases and death.

4 There is no single or simple answer to stop the water pollution crisis. However, there are many solutions to prevent water pollution, both in our daily lives and within industries. They are wastewater treatment, reducing plastic waste and water conservation. In addition to this, we must have water-efficient toilets, storm water management and ozone wastewater treatment.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below : 10 x 1=10

(i) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in para 1. Less than 1 percent of the Earth’s freshwater is actually accessible to us.

View Answer

Ans. Drinkable water sources are finite (since the answer of the question is not given in the passage, any relevant answer is acceptable. One mark to be awarded to all who attempts).

(ii) Select the appropriate option to fill in the blank :

Water is uniquely vulnerable to __________.

(a) season

(b) pollution

(d) extreme weather conditions

View Answer

Ans. (b) pollution

(iii) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phrase from paragraph 2 :

vulnerable : resilient : : artificial : __________

(Clue : just as resilient is the opposite of vulnerable, similarly the opposite of artificial is __________.)

View Answer

Ans. natural

(iv) Select the correct option to complete the following sentence :

Water pollution can have disastrous consequences on _________.

(a) the ecosystem

(b) weather conditions

(d) flash floods

View Answer

Ans. (a) the ecosystem

wo causes of water pollution in our homes.

(a) septic tank

(b) pesticide

(d) household waste

(any two)

For the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q. No. 2 (v) :

(v) Describe any three major causes of water pollution.

View Answer

Ans. underground water, water parks, swimming etc. (Accept any other suitable answer). (If the child states only and does not describe, it is also acceptable)

(vi) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option :

One of the solutions of preventing water pollution is __________.

(a) building industries near water bodies

(b) water conservation and reducing plastic waste

(d) reducing farming

View Answer

Ans. (b) water conservation and reducing plastic waste

(vii) Substitute the word causative with one word similar in meaning in the following sentence :

The key causative of water pollution in India must be addressed.

View Answer

Ans. Cause/reason

(viii) According to the writer, water pollution is defined as ___________.(Para 2)

View Answer

Ans. release of / putting into subsurface ground water/ lakes / estuaries / oceans; the substances such as chemicals / trash/ micro-organisms

(ix) List one way in which religious rituals impact water bodies.

View Answer

Ans. religious offerings

(x) Select the most suitable title for the passage from the following :

(a) Water Pollution – A Concern

(b) Unsafe Water – A Menace

(d) Global Concern – An Urgent Need

View Answer

Ans. accept any option (as all the options are correct. One mark to be awarded for all who attempt.)

SECTION B

Grammar and Creative Writing Skills 20 marks

3. Attempt any ten of the following twelve questions : 10 x 1=10

(i) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the following report :

The inspector _________ the group sitting behind the shed and took them by surprise.

(a) walked up

(b) walked away

(d) walked up on

View Answer

Ans. (d) walked up on

(ii) Read the conversation between a driver and his passenger.

Complete the sentence by reporting the passenger’s reply correctly.

Driver : Do the bus timings suit you ?

Passenger : Yes, if I catch the 9 a.m. one, I reach office on time.

The driver was trying to figure out whether the bus timings were convenient to the passenger. The passenger clarified that __________.

View Answer

Ans. If he caught / catches the 9 a.m. one, he would reach / reaches office on time

(iii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line from a fashion magazine. The advertisement read, ‘ _________ we dress your day? Make you special. Pick the perfect look.

(a) Must

(b) Can

(d) Ought to

View Answer

Ans. (b) Can

(iv) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line from a news report :

Yesterday, two man were rescued from a deep sewer by a policeman.

View Answer

Ans. Error: man correction: men

(v) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option :

The students _________ to participate in the workshop, and submit a report at the end of the day to the English teacher.

(a) were ask

(b) had been asked

(d) were asked

View Answer

Ans. (d) – were asked / (b) had been asked

(vi) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word given in the brackets, for the given portion of a letter :

Subject : Request for permission to participate in the Meet.

Dear Sir

I would like to request for permission to participate in the forthcoming inter-school cultural meet. I ________ (interest) in taking part in the dance drama.

View Answer

Ans. am interested

(vii) Report the dialogue between a grandson and his grandfather by completing the sentence :

Grandson : Grandpa, can you tell me what inspired you to set up a school in the village ?

Grandfather : Seeing the lack of adequate facilities and the children’s eagerness to learn.

In response to the question about his reason for setting up of a village school, the grandfather says that __________.

View Answer

Ans. He was inspired to set up the school after / on seeing the lack of adequate facilities and children’s eagerness to learn

After / on seeing the lack of adequate facilities and children’s eagerness to learn, he was inspired to set up the school

(viii) Identify the error in the given sentence from a school magazine report and supply the correction :

When I was a child, my grandmother often repetition the story of her childhood days.

Use the given format for your response.

View Answer

Ans. Error: repetition correction repeated.

(ix) Sunil shared some information with Sunita about the story he was reading. Report Sunit’s question.

What was the theme of the story ?

View Answer

Ans. Sunita asked Sunil what the theme of the story was

(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the slogan by the Animal Welfare Board.

__________ WE CUT TREES AND DESTROY NATURAL HABITAT ? STOP ! BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

(a) MIGHT

(b) MAY

(d) COULD

View Answer

Ans. (c) MUST

(xi) Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Shyam and Shivam.

Shyam : Have you seen this actor’s latest film?

Shivam : Yes, I have. The actor has done a marvellous job.

Shyam met his friend Shivam and they began talking. Shyam asked Shivam whether he had seen the actor’s latest film. Shivam affirmed and said

(a) that the actor has done a marvellous job.

(b) that the actor had done a marvellous job.

(d) that the actor could have done a marvellous job.

View Answer

Ans. (b) that the actor had done a marvellous job.

(xii) Fill in the blank with the correct option :

There is something wonderful waiting __________ her, when she reaches home.

(a) of

(b) about

(d) inside

View Answer

Ans. (c) for

4. Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below : 5

(A) You are Swati/Soham living at 14, DLF, Phase III, Gurugram. Your streets and roads get waterlogged during the monsoon season every year. Cars stall, drains overflow and traffic comes to a standstill. It is difficult to lead a normal life and this adds to your woes. Write a letter in 100 – 120 words to the editor, The Times of India, highlighting the problems and suggesting measures to control the problem.

(B) You are Rita/Rahul living at Sunder Colony, Agra. The stray dogs in your colony are regularly fed and vaccinated by the RWA of the colony. You are disturbed to see your neighbours treating these dogs badly. Write a letter in 100 – 120 words to the President of the Society complaining against the rough treatment meted to them and how it impacts the behaviour of the dogs who are otherwise very docile.

5. Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below : 5

(A) The following pie chart shows the major causes of air pollution in metropolitan cities in India. Study the data and write an analytical paragraph in 100 – 120 words.

For the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q. No. 5 (A) :

(A) You are Rita/Rohan, Head Girl/Head Boy of your school. You decided to make the school population aware of the advantages of tree plantation and tell them how trees can serve as better air-conditioners.

Write an analytical paragraph in 100 – 120 words. Take the help of the notes given below:

(B) Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in the magazine section of a local daily :

Write an analytical paragraph in 100 120 words for the given argument. You could give rationale/evidence that would counter/strengthen the argument.

SECTION C

Literature 40 marks

6. Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below :

(A) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow : 5 x 1=5

To the assembled guests and the watching world, I said : Today, all of us do, by our presence here ….. confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. We who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.

(i) A society that __________ was born out of human disaster.

(a) all humanity would be proud of

(b) was full of extraordinary human disaster

(d) hosts nations on their soil

View Answer

Ans. (a) all humanity would be proud of

(ii) The former outlaws were given the privilege of _________.

(a) getting citizenship of their country

(b) participating in a trade conclave

(d) hosting the nations of the world on their soil

View Answer

Ans. (d) hosting the nations of the world on their soil

(iii) The speaker was overwhelmed with the sense of _________.

(a) gratitude

(b) achievement

(d) charity

View Answer

Ans. (b) achievement / (a) gratitude

(iv) State whether the following statement is True or False :

The common victory was when South Africa did not become an independent nation.

View Answer

Ans. False

(v) The noun form of the word ‘cofer’ is

(a) conferring

(b) confident

(d) configuring

View Answer

Ans. (c) conference

(B) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: 5 x 1=5

Think-Tank : That’s better Noodle, I wish to be placed in communication with our manned space probe to that ridiculous little planet we are going to put under our generous rulership. What do they call it, again ?

Noodle : Earth, your Intelligence.

Think-Tank : Earth of course. You see how insignificant the place is ? But first something important. My mirror. I wish to consult my mirror.

(i) Think-Tank wants to communicate with the _______ .

(a) People of Earth

(b) Scientists on Earth

(d) Martians on Earth

View Answer

Ans. (d) Martians on Earth

(ii) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the passage.

read : learn : : explore : ________

View Answer

Ans. probe

(iii) Your Intelligence refers to

(a) Earth

(b) Noodle

(d) Think-Tank

View Answer

Ans. (d) Think-Tank

(iv) What does Think-Tank want to do?

View Answer

Ans. invade Earth / communicate with the Martians on Earth

(v) Fill in the blank with one word only.

Think-Tank is a __________ of the Martian team

View Answer

Ans. ruler / Commander-in-Chief / leader

7. Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below:

(A) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: 5 x 1=5

What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,

What, what is he to do ? I saw it go

Merrily bouncing, down the street and then

Merrily over – there it is in the water !

No use to say ‘O there are other balls’ :

(The Ball Poem)

(i) What does the expression ‘what, what is he to do’ denote ?

(a) loss of the ball

(b) ask the poet for another ball

(d) go down the street

View Answer

Ans. (c) boy s grief over the loss of the ball

(ii) State whether the following statement is True or False :

The poet was delighted to watch the ball bouncing down the street into the water.

View Answer

Ans. False

(iii) The poet repeats the word ‘what’ in order to __________.

View Answer

Ans. emphasize what the boy will do / show the helplessness of the boy

(iv) There is no use to say ‘O there are other balls’ indicates that the poet feels that it would be _________ to console the boy.

(a) helpful

(b) futile

(d) shameful

View Answer

Ans. (b) futile

(v) ‘What is the boy now, who has lost his ball.’

Which feeling is expressed in this line ?

(a) regret

(b) cheer

(d) thrill

View Answer

Ans. (c) despair

(B) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow : 5 x 1=5

But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.

Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,

And spikes on top of him and scales underneath

Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,

And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.

(i) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the extract.

sharp : blunt : : above : ________

View Answer

Ans. underneath

(ii) Which one of the following is not a feature of the Dragon ?

(a) big sharp teeth

(b) spikes on the top

(d) could release fire from the mouth

View Answer

Ans. (c) brave as a lion

(iii) What effect does the poet want to create by the simile ‘mouth like a fireplace’

(a) emphasis

(b) compassion

(d) pathos

View Answer

Ans. (a) emphasis

(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately.

It is clear that ‘Metaphor is the poetic device used for ‘chimney for a nose’ because _______. (Clue : explain how metaphor applies here)

View Answer

Ans. the nose is compared to a chimney as it breathes out smoke like a chimney

(v) State whether the following statement is True or False based on the given extract:

Custard’s formidable appearance was a true reflection of his courage.

View Answer

Ans. False

8. Answer any four of the following questions in about 40 – 50 words each : 4 x 3=12

(a) Family played a vital role in the first flight of the young seagull. Give examples to substantiate the above statement.

View Answer

Ans. · parents scolded him / made him jealous by praising the siblings

· threatened him to starve on the ledge

· Mother seagull conceived a plan, she took a piece of fish and flew up to ledge

(any 2)

(b) Why did Pranjol not share Rajvir’s excitement at seeing the tea gardens ?

View Answer

Ans. · Pranjol was born and brought up in Assam

· Nothing new for him

· He had seen many tea gardens

· Rajvir had never seen a tea garden before

(any 2)

View Answer

Ans. What stopped Valli

· Valli did not have money / Conductor offered her cold drink free / Valli refused

What do we learn from Valli

· Valli had self-will and pride / intelligent not to go to an unknown place

(d) State any three disadvantages that the tiger faces inside a cage.

View Answer

Ans. • Restricted movement.

• unable to hunt its prey

• object of display

• deprived of its natural habitat / freedom

• cannot prance in the wild (any two)

(e) The poet in the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’ conveys beauty as temporary. Explain with reference to the poem.

View Answer

Ans. • The poet tried to show that inner beauty is real beauty

• Physical appearance is changeable hence unimportant

• External beauty is superficial

• Young men love her for her beautiful yellow hair and may not love her for what she is (any two)

9. Answer any two of the following questions in about 40 – 50 words each : 2 x 3=6

(a) Describe Max as a secret agent.

View Answer

Ans. • Max was a secret agent and rival of Ausable

• He was slender little less than tall

• He appeared crafty

• There was nothing menacing about him except his pistol

(b) What does the phrase ‘honour among thieves’ mean ? Why does Horace get angry at this phrase ?

View Answer

Ans. Honour among thieves means

• Thieves don’t cheat each other / usually loyal to each other (1 mark)

Horace got angry because

• The lady thief cheated him was not honest

• Horace had a good reputation

• The lady outsmarted him

• She stole everything

View Answer

Ans. • The greedy man showed fear

• The rich man showed anger

• Poor man showed acceptance

• He had made a study of men’s faces when they lost their goods

10. Answer any one of the following questions in about 100 – 120 words each : 6

(a) Forgiveness is the foundation of a cordial relationship. Do you agree ? How is this message conveyed in the play “The Proposal” ?

View Answer

Ans. • Forgiveness is the foundation of cordial relationships

• Without forgiveness no relationship can flourish and thrive

• The Proposal is amusing and humorous and gives a twist of meaning to forgiveness

• Lomov who goes to his neighbour Chubukov’s house with marriage proposal gets involved in quarrel

• Both Lomov and Chubukov fight over a piece of land / Natayla forgives Lomov out of selfish interest

• Second fight over dogs / ends out of fear of Lomov’s death

• At the end everyone forgives ( any three)

(b) Why did Kisa Gotami meet the Buddha ? How did Buddha change her life ?

View Answer

Ans. • Kisa Gotami went to Buddha

• Find a way by which her dead son can become alive again

• He advised her to get a handful of mustard seeds from the house where no one had died – unsuccessful

• her realization that suffering is part of life

• She learnt death is inevitable

• Suffering and hardships come in everyone’s life

11. Answer any one of the following questions in about 100 120 words each : 6

(a) ‘Education is considered the most important tool for empowering women in society. It plays an important role in social and cultural development. Prove the above statements in the light of the story ‘Bholi’

View Answer

Ans. • Education is vital area of women empowerment / giving girls basic education is one way of giving them greater power

• They are able to make genuine choices

• At first Bholi agreed to marry an old man for her father’s honour

• Placing her family’s interest over hers

• She was educated and could analyze how mean and greedy he was and refused to marry him

• She said she would work and support her family

(b) Matilda’s over-ambitiousness was the cause of her destruction. Justify.

View Answer

Ans. • Matilda was a young lady who always desired luxurious things

• She was from an average family with limited resources

• She had everything, she married government officer

• Her over ambitiousness made her unhappy

• She borrowed a necklace from her friend and lost it. This brought her ruins and destruction

Class X – English – 2023 – Paper 10