Class X - English - 2023 - Paper 11 - Practice for Everyone

Q.P Code: 2/6/1

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) Mankind’s fascination with gold is as old as civilization itself. The ancient Egyptians held gold in high esteem. Gold had religious significance for them, and King Tutankhamen was buried in a solid gold coffin 3300 years ago. The wandering Israelites worshipped a golden calf, and the legendary King Midas asked that whatever he touched be turned into gold.

(2) Not only is gold beautiful, but it is virtually indestructible. It will not rust or corrode. Gold coins and products fabricated from the metal have survived undamaged for centuries. Gold is extremely easy to work with. One ounce, which is about the size of a cube of sugar, can be beaten into a sheet nearly 100 square feet in size, and becomes so thin that light can pass through it. An ounce of gold can also be stretched into a wire 50 miles long. Gold conducts electricity better than any other substance except copper and silver, and it is particularly important in modern electronic industry.

(3) People have always longed to possess gold. Unfortunately, this longing has also brought out the worst in human character. The Spanish conquerors robbed palaces, temples and graves and killed thousands of people in their ruthless search for gold. Even today, the economy of South Africa’s gold mines depend largely on the employment of black labourers who are paid about 40 pounds a month, plus boarding and lodging. They work in conditions that can only be described as cruel. About 400 miners die in South Africa each year.

(4) Much of the gold’s value lies in its scarcity. Only about 80,000 tons have been mined in the history of the world. All of it can be stored in a vault 60 feet square, or a super tanker. Great Britain was the first country to adopt the gold standard, when the Master of the Mint, Sir Issac Newton, established a fixed price for gold in 1717. The discovery of gold in the last half of the nineteenth century in California, (1848) and later in Australia and South Africa changed everything. Before the discovery, there wasn’t enough gold around for all the trading nations to link their currencies to the precious metal.

(5) An out-of-work prospector named George Harrison launched South Africa into the gold age in 1886 when he discovered the metal in a farm near what is now Johannesburg. Harrison was given a 12 pounds reward by the farmer. He then disappeared and was eaten by a lion.

(6) One of the biggest gold mining areas in the Soviet Union is the Kolyma River region, once infamous for its prison camp. The camp has gone, but in a way nothing has changed. Many ex-prisoners have stayed on to work in the mines and are supervised by ex-guards.

(7) Despite the current rush to buy gold, 75 percent of the metal goes into making jewellery. Italy is the biggest consumer of gold for this purpose, and many Italian jewellers even tear up their wooden floors and burn them to recover the tiny flecks of gold. Historically, the desire to hoard gold at home has been primarily an occupation of the working and peasant classes, who have had no faith in paper money. George Bernard Shaw defended their instincts eloquently, “You have to choose between trusting the natural stability of the honesty and intelligence of the members of the government,” he said “and with due respect to these gentlemen, I advise to vote for gold.”

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. 10 ´ 1 = 10

(i) When was King Tutankhamen buried ?

(a) 1717

(b) 1886

(d) 1848

View Answer

Ans. (c) 3300 years ago

(ii) Why did Egyptians hold gold in great esteem ?

(a) because it is a good conductor of electricity.

(b) because of its religious significance.

(d) because it is indestructible.

View Answer

Ans. (b) because of its religious significance.

(iii) According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true ?

(a) Gold is the best conductor of electricity.

(b) Apart from gold, copper and silver are good conductors of electricity.

(d) Gold plays an important role in the modern electronics industry.

View Answer

Ans. (a) Gold is the best conductor of electricity.

(iv) Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the following.

The wandering Israelites worshipped a golden calf _______.

(a) importance of religion

(b) importance of the metal

(d) can replace money

View Answer

Ans. (a) importance of religion / (b) importance of the metal.

(v) How were the black labourers exploited ?

View Answer

Ans. Paid only 40 pounds a month with boarding and lodging and worked under cruel conditions.

(vi) Complete the following with the phrase from paragraph 1 :

View Answer

Ans. held gold in high esteem / gold had religious significance

(vii) Based on your reading of the text, list 2 reasons why the writer says that,

Not only is gold beautiful but it is virtually indestructible.

________________________

View Answer

Ans. (i) does not rust / corrode

(ii) Gold coins have survived undamaged for centuries

(iii) gold was easy to work with

(viii) Who launched South Africa into the gold age ?

(a) Issac Newton

(b) George Harrison

(d) A farmer

View Answer

Ans. (b) George Harrison

(ix) Select the option that corresponds to the following :

The ancient Egyptians and the modern electronic industry both hold gold in high esteem.

(a) The hardworking student came first because of his diligent practice.

(b) Monesty is underrated whereas strategy is appreciated.

(d) The steaming food was both appetizing and tasty.

View Answer

Ans. Error in Question

(x) Supply one point to justify the following :

The desire to hoard gold at home has been primarily an occupation of the working and peasant classes.

View Answer

Ans. They don’t have faith in paper money

2. Read the passage given below : 10 x 1 = 10

(1) Starting Monday, the country’s low-cost Mars mission with the red planet for an extended period will enter the “blackout” phase snapping communication with the satellite. From June 8 to 22 the Sun will block Mars from the Earth snapping communication with the satellite.

(2) A senior Indian Space Research Organisation official said. “This will be for the first time that there will be a communication break for such a long period of about 15 days. During this period, there will be no communication with the satellite”, he added.

(3) Expressing confidence about regaining control over the satellite once the blackout phase is over, he said, “the scenario has been tested and the line of communication will be established.” The spacecraft’s life has been extended for another six months in March due to surplus fuel.

(4) Stating that the spacecraft has been “configured” for the blackout, the ISRO official said, “we are not sending any commands to the spacecraft now, till 8th June few hours of signals will be sent by the spacecraft that will be for about two to three hours per day”. In May next year, the mission will have to go through a similar phase once again, if there is another extension of mission life when the Earth will come between the Sun and Mars.

(5) Scripting space history, India on September 24 last successfully placed its low-cost Mars spacecraft in orbit around the red planet in its very first attempt, breaking into an elite club of three countries.

(i) Infer one reason for the following based on information in paragraph 1.

The ‘blackout’ phase is significant _______.

View Answer

Ans. no communication / snapping communication

(ii) Choose the appropriate option to fill in the blank.

From paragraph 1 & 2, we can infer that there will be ________

1. no communication with the people.

2. blackout phase.

3. satellite will get no communication.

4. moon will block the earth.

5. the communication break will be for 15 days.

(a) 1, 2 & 3

(b) 1, 3 & 4

(d) 3, 4 & 5

View Answer

Ans. (c) 2, 3 & 5

(iii) The communication with the satellite will break for approximately _____ days.

(a) 10

(b) 15

(d) 25

View Answer

Ans. (b) 15

(iv) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phase from paragraph 2 :

aroma : cooking : : _______ : space research

(Clue – just like aroma is integral to cooking, similarly _____ is/are integral to Space Research.)

View Answer

Ans. Satellite / Indian Space Research Organisation / communication with satellite

(v) According to ISRO official till 8th July, when Sun will block Mars, _____ signal / signals per day will be sent to the spacecraft.

(a) no

(b) considerable

(d) only for few

View Answer

Ans. (a) no

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

The ISRO officials are _____ about their control over the spacecraft after the blackout phase.

(a) doubtful

(b) apprehensive

(d) jittery

View Answer

Ans. (c) confident

(vii) The spacecraft’s life was extended by six months because of

(a) extra fuel

(b) incomplete work

(d) technical problems in its landing

View Answer

Ans. (a) extra fuel

(viii) Read the following sentences :

(A) The blackout was a sudden development.

(B) Because of this, the officials are very nervous about the success of the spacecraft.

(a) Both (A) & (B) are true.

(b) Both (A) & (B) are false.

(d) (A) is false and (B) is true.

View Answer

Ans. (b) Both (A) & (B) are false.

(ix) Substitute the word ‘nonpareil’ with one word similar in meaning in the following sentence from paragraph 5.

India managed to get into the nonpareil club of Mars spacecraft in orbit.

View Answer

Ans. Elite

(x) The word ‘fascination’ in the opening sentence means the same as

(a) enchantment

(b) boredom

(d) ugliness

View Answer

Ans. Error in Question

Section – B 20

Grammar and Creative Writing Skills

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

(i) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option :

You should ____ your mother for your rude behaviour.

(a) apologise for

(b) apologise at

(d) apologise to

View Answer

Ans. (d) apologise to

(ii) Read the conversations between a customer and a waiter. Complete the sentence by reporting the waiter’s reply correctly :

Customer : Waiter, come here. The plate is dirty.

Waiter : I’ll change it sir.

The customer asked the waiter to come there. He pointed out that the plate was dirty. The waiter politely offered _______.

View Answer

Ans. to change it / to change the plate

(iii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given sentence : _____ you help me cross the road, young man ?

(a) Will

(b) May

(d) Might

View Answer

Ans. (a) Will

(iv) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following sentence :

Twenty years ago, kids at school had never even heard of the internet.

View Answer

Ans. Option (B)

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

NO NEWS _____ GOOD NEWS.

(a) HAS

(b) HAD

(d) ARE

View Answer

Ans. (c) IS

(vi) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket :

When a satellite _____ (launch), the rocket begins by going slowly upwards.

(a) is launched

(b) are launched

(d) were launched

View Answer

Ans. (a) is launched

(vii) Report the dialogue between two friends Seema and Anu, by completing the sentence :

Seema : What brings you here ?

Anu : I am going to Dr. Sen’s house.

In response to the question about what brought Anu there, Anu says ________.

View Answer

Ans. that she is going to Dr. Sen’s house

(viii) Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction :

Behind every success film there is a lengthy creative process.

Use the given format for your response.

View Answer

Ans. Success –error successful – correction

(ix) Ritu met Anita and saw her crying.

Report Ritu’s question.

Ritu : “Anita, what is the matter ?”

View Answer

Ans. Ritu asked Anita what the matter was.

(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the slogan :

_____ EDUCATED MIND CAN TEACH MANY.

(a) THE

(b) A

(d) THIS

View Answer

Ans. (c) AN

(xi) Select the correct option to complete the narration of a dialogue between Raj and his wife :

Raj : I have invited my friends for dinner.

Wife : I’ll invite my friends too.

Raj told his wife that he had invited his friends for dinner. The wife added that _______.

(a) she will invite her friends too

(b) she would invite her friends too

(d) she could invite her friends too

View Answer

Ans. (b) she would invite her friends too

(xii) Identify the error in the statement given below and supply the correction :

The evil of begging is very common into our country

Use the given format for your response

View Answer

Ans. into –error—- in- correction

4. (a) You are Rohit / Rohini of A-45, Pitampura, Delhi. You observed that the subways in Delhi are seldom used by pedestrians who are always trying to cut across traffic. You have decided to write a letter to the editor of ‘Hindustan Times’ highlighting the dire need of creating awareness about it. Based on the points given along with your own ideas write a letter in 100-120 words. 5

– infrastructure unutilized

– pedestrians prone to accidents

– accumulation of stagnant water/garbage in subways

– need for improvement and regular cleanliness under proper supervision

4. (b) You are Shivam / Shivani of C-12, Janakpuri, Indore. You wish to make a pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedarnath and Haridwar with your family of six. Write a letter to R.K. Travels, enquiring about the schedule of their conducted tour by Deluxe buses to these places. Ask about the charges, boarding and lodging arrangements and the total time needed for the tour. (Word limit 100-120 words) 5

5. (a) The given bar graph shows the increasing use of skin care products by men and women over the period of three months. Write an analytical paragraph elaborating the given information in about 100 words : 5

For Visually Challenged Candidates.

5. (a) Junk food can harm our bodies in different ways. Write an analytical paragraph in about 100-120 words on “Junk Food and its impact on the Body”. You may use the following cues :

® They have high level of cholesterol, sugar/salt, calories and more.

® rising popularity of junk food due to taste, low prices, convenience.

® Spikes energy levels and then leads to drop in concentration.

® Consumption leads to obesity and adverse impact on liver.

® Impairs cognitive functions

® Role of media in creating awareness.

5. (b) The given bar graph shows the preferences of children in a school in playing different games over the span of six years. Write an analytical paragraph about the given information in about 100 words : 5

For Visually Challenged Candidates.

5. (b) Excessive usage of screen time can cause damage to a growing child. Moreover, it cannot be denied that the child of the digital era cannot be separated from the use of technology. Write an analytical paragraph in about 100-120 words on ‘Screen Time and the Digital Generation’. You can use the following cues :

® Technology has changed our lifestyle.

® Screens refer to mobiles, televisions, laptops, Ipads etc.

® have become a part of our lives.

® Many progressive schools encourage the use of laptops.

® During lockdown – screens came to the rescue of uninterrupted education.

® Cannot replace face to face, physical interaction between teacher and taught.

Section – C

Literature

6. (a) Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : 5 ´ 1 = 5

I started right away at the Montessori nursery school. I stayed there until I was six, at which time I started in the first form. In the sixth form my teacher was Mrs. Kuperus, the headmistress. At the end of the year we were both in tears as we said a heartbreaking farewell. In the summer of 1941 Grandma fell ill and had to have an operation, so my birthday passed with little celebration.

(i) The narrator ‘I’ refers to

(a) Mr. Keesing

(b) Mrs. Kuperus

(d) Miss Margot

View Answer

Ans. (c) Anne Frank

(ii) The phrase ‘right away’ in this extract most nearly means

(a) with delay

(b) the correct way

(d) overtaking from right

View Answer

Ans. (c) immediately

(iii) What does the narrator mean by saying ‘we were both in tears’ ?

View Answer

Ans. Sad on parting / sad or upset or unhappy as they were separating

(iv) Complete the analogy by selecting a word from the text :

dawn : dusk :: mourning : _______.

View Answer

Ans. celebration

(v) Select the option that correctly captures the application of the word ‘form’ as used in the extract.

(a) Raghav was in good form while playing the match.

(b) Saheb was promoted to the next form after the annual exam.

(d) Anne saw the form on the headmaster’s desk.

View Answer

Ans. (b) Saheb was promoted to the next form after the annual exam.

6. (b) The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house in the middle of London ? And where was the man ?

5 × 1= 5

As they gazed, a remarkable sight met, their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere !

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.

(i) The boys were surprised to see a barefooted man in London because _____.

(a) everybody in London moved around in shoes.

(b) it was very cold in London to move around barefoot.

(d) only a homeless person would walk barefoot.

View Answer

Ans. (b) it was very cold in London to move around barefoot.

(ii) Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word ‘started’ in the above extract.

(a) When I reached the theatre the movie had already started.

(b) The fire started from the kitchen.

(d) Taking a deep breath, Ravi started down the stairs.

View Answer

Ans. (c) On hearing the bell ring, the sleeping Raman started and jumped out of bed.

(iii) The boys reaction can best be described as

(a) captivated, bored

(b) repulsed, absorbed

(d) captivated, interested

View Answer

Ans. (d) captivated, interested

(iv) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text :

Disappeared : Vanished :: Extraordinary :

View Answer

Ans. Remarkable

(v) According to the extract the boys were _____ when they saw the footmark.

1. terrified

2. nervous

3. delighted

4. curious

5. puzzled

Select the correct option :

(a) 1, 2, 4

(b) Only 1

(d) 2 and 3

View Answer

Ans. (c) 4 and 5

7. (a) Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate option : 5 ´ 1 = 5

If strolling forth, a beast you view,

Whose hide with spots is peppered,

As soon as he has leapt on you,

You’ll know it’s the leopard.

’Twill do no good to roar with pain,

He’ll only lep and lep again.

(i) One can find out that it is a leopard by the way it _____.

(a) leaps

(b) eats

(d) roars

View Answer

Ans. (a) leaps

(ii) State whether the following statement is true or false :

When an animal repeatedly leaps at a person, it is a leopard.

View Answer

Ans. True

(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately :

It is clear that repetition is a poetic device used for ‘lep and lep again’ because _______.

(Clue : explain how repetition is applied here.)

View Answer

Ans. they want to show the repeated action of leaping / jumping

(iv) The Royal Bengal Tiger has black stripes on yellow skin whereas a leopard has _______.

View Answer

Ans. dark coloured spots/black spots

(v) Complete the analogy with a word from the extract :

claws : nails :: ? : skin

View Answer

Ans. hide

7. (b) He stalks in his vivid stripes 5 ´ 1 = 5

The few steps of his cage

On pads of velvet quiet

In his quiet rage.

He should be lurking in shadow

Sliding through long grass

Near the water hole

Where plump deer pass

(i) ‘He’ is in a rage because he is

(a) hungry

(b) tied

(d) in a cage

View Answer

Ans. (d) in a cage

(ii) He is lurking in the shadow because _______.

View Answer

Ans. he wants to catch his prey / he wants to hunt

(iii) The above lines express the tiger’s _______.

(a) resignation

(b) fear

(d) acceptance

View Answer

Ans. (c) anger

(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately :

It is clear that metaphor is the poetic device used for ‘pads of velvet’ – because _______. (Clue : explain how metaphor is applied here.)

View Answer

Ans. comparison of paws with velvet/ it shows softness of paws just like velvet

(v) The contrast in the above extract is between life in the forest and life in the

(a) circus

(b) national park

(d) zoo

View Answer

Ans. (d) zoo

8. Read the following questions and answer any four of the five questions given below : 4 ´ 3 = 12

(a) What did Kisa Gotami do after the death of her only son ?

View Answer

Ans. Kisa Gotami – grief stricken – carried her dead child to all her neighbours – asking for medicine / went to Budhha and asked to revive her child

(b) What are the raindrops compared to and why ?

View Answer

Ans. raindrops are compared to new coins – cents – big drops ten cents and small coins – five cents hopes these raindrops will bring him rich crop.

View Answer

Ans. In Goa no feast/celebration/festival is possible without bread – sweet bread known as bolcakes and bolinhas – must for Christmas / mother has to make sandwiches at daughter’s engagement

(d) How did Chubukov react when Lomov asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage ?

View Answer

Ans. Chubukov is overjoyed / happily accepts the proposal – He took Lomov in his arms kissed him / said he always considered him as his son

(e) Why does Amanda wish to be a mermaid ?

View Answer

Ans. · She is fed up of her nagging parents

· She wants to be alone/ wants to be the sole occupant of sea – free as a mermaid

9. Read the following questions and answer any two of the three questions that follow : 2 ´ 3 = 6

(a) Why did Hari Singh smile in his most appealing way towards the end of the story ?

View Answer

Ans. Hari Singh knew that Anil was aware of his act of theft – Anil didn’t call the police– had forgiven Hari – so Hari Singh smiled.

(b) What excuses did Mrs. Pumphrey make about Mr. Herriot’s advice ?

View Answer

Ans. · made excuses – gardener ill – no exercise for Tricki

· dog loved chocolates and cream cakes – so she obviously wouldn’t refuse him.

· Tricki looked weak so she fed him food (Any two)

View Answer

Ans. · realised science is not about neat display

· science is about innovation/ experimentation

10. Answer any one of the following questions in 100-120 words : 6

(a) Motivation plays an important role in taking risks in life and in succeeding. Do you agree ? Discuss with reference to the pilot of the old Dakota and the young seagull.

View Answer

Ans. · Agreement with the given statement

· Motivation of the pilot: to spend time with his family – to have an English breakfast – took the risk to fly into the storm

· Motivation of the young seagull: hunger and desire for food made him dive at the fish – thus he made his first flight.

(b) Valli was an extra-ordinary girl who had self-confidence and courage to realise her ambition by planning and drawing on her spirit of adventure. Discuss in reference to the chapter ‘Madam Rides the Bus’.

View Answer

Ans. · extraordinary girl and self-confidence: she was just eight years old when she travelled in the bus alone and completed the journey successfully

· Courage and planning: Valli’s earnest desire was to ride on a bus – she didn’t let anything come in the way – planned meticulously –saved money for the fare – collected the information about the bus schedule and journey – escaped the eyes of the mother while going out of and coming into the house

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

(a) Destiny had been cruel to Bholi yet she made a place for herself in a conservative society. Discuss.

View Answer

Ans. How the destiny was cruel to Bholi:

§ Fell from the cot at a young age which made her a dull learner

§ She used to stammer

§ Suffered smallpox and had pock marks on her face

§ Ignored and neglected by her parents

§ Was forced to marry a man of her father’s age (any three points)

How did Bholi make a place for herself in the society:

§ got an opportunity to educate herself

§ teacher motivated her – got education and cured her stammering

§ education gave her the confidence to take stand against the social evil of dowry system – refused to marry the old grocer Bishamber Nath

§ empowered by education, she was confident to take care of her parents in their old age

§ decided to become a teacher in the same school where she studied (any three points)

(b) Matilda was very proud of her beauty and charm and this led to her downfall. Elaborate.

View Answer

Ans. · Matilda wanted a luxurious lifestyle – remained unhappy with her mediocre life

· she wanted to look most beautiful in the party / ball – borrowed an expensive necklace

· lost the necklace and went in debt – returning the heavy sum of money ruined her life

Class X – English – 2023 – Paper 11