Class X - English - 2023 - Paper 5 - Practice for Everyone

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Class X Exam 2023-24

English Language and Literature (184)

Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections – READING SKILLS, GRAMMAR & WRITING SKILLS, and LITERATURE TEXTBOOKS.

2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A: READING SKILLS (20 MARKS)

Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages

1. Read the following text.

1. It is an indisputable fact that the world has gone too far with the innovation of new technologies such as mobile phones, the internet and so on, due to which, people are able to tour the cosmos virtually sitting in one place using their smart devices or other technological gadgets. Though mobile internet access is often-times hurried and short, it can still provide common internet features like alerts, weather data, emails, search engines, instant messages and game and music downloading.

2. Due to the easy access to smartphones, communication has been very effective and instant. People are able to convey their message all around the globe to their loved ones without spending hefty sums of money. Adults are always fond of such gadgets and they always welcome and adopt such new technology readily. Further, young people have been able to broaden their minds and improve their skills by doing research on the Internet. For instance, they use smartphones to look up any new word they come across. As we know that most of universities have online teaching provisions and smartphones assist students to complete their assignments on time.

3. The mobile phone has been a lifesaver for a lot of people in case of an emergency. Likewise, use of smartphones can be of vital importance in preventing crimes in society by providing information to the security forces in time.

4. Nonetheless, for the young, the use of the mobile phone can be like an addiction and they can misuse it. Young people are also prone to getting involved in undesirable activities on the Internet. This might have an adverse effect on their academic performance. Therefore, young people should always be monitored and made aware of its adverse/negative outcomes.

5. Also a major contributor to its popularity is the availability of prepaid or pay-as-you-go services from a phone shop or an online store. This allows subscribers to load text or airtime credits to their handsets by the use of their credit cards, debit cards or by buying a prepaid card from the network they subscribe to. If a prepaid card is not that appealing to you, then you can opt to subscribe using the pay-by-month plan.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. What does the author mean when he says ‘tour the cosmos’?

(a) Booking foreign fours.

(b) Seeing so far as one can go.

(d) Seeing different parts of the universe.

View Answer

Ans. (d) Seeing different parts of the universe.

ii. Based on your reading of the text, list two reasons why the writer approves of smart phones. Answer in about 40 words.

View Answer

Ans. The writer approves of smartphones because communication has been very effective and instant. People are able to convey their message all around the globe to their loved ones without spending hefty sums of money. Further, young people have been able to broaden their minds and improve their skills by doing research on the Internet.

iii. Fill in the blank.

Grown-ups should _____ the use of new technology by the young people.

View Answer

Ans. monitor

iv. The passage includes some words that are similar in meaning to each other.

From the sets (a)-(e) below, identify two sets of synonyms.

(a) Preventing and providing

(b) World and cosmos

(d) Addiction and misuse

(e) Effective and instant

View Answer

Ans. (b) World and cosmos

(c) Adverse and negative

v. Complete the sentence appropriately.

Smart phones today have become crucial to education because _____.

View Answer

Ans. most of the universities have online teaching provisions and smartphones assist students to complete their assignments on time.

vi. Do you think that the author warns young people from use of smart phones? Give reasons for your answer in about 40 words.

View Answer

Ans. Yes, the author warns young people about the use of smartphones as for the young, the use of mobile phone can be like an addiction and they can misuse it. Young people are also prone to getting involved in undesirable activities on the Internet. This might have an adverse effect on their academic performance. Therefore, young people should always be monitored and made aware of its adverse/negative outcomes.

vii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank.

Internet does not help young ones to _____.

(a) complete their assignments in time

(b) differentiate between good and bad

(d) learn and know more words

View Answer

Ans. The mobile phone has been called lifesaver because it has helped people in case of an emergency. Likewise, use of smartphones can be of vital importance in preventing crimes in society by providing information to the security forces in time.

2. Read the following text.

1. Data released by India’s food quality regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) earlier, shows that nearly 25% of samples of edible goods it tested this year were found to be adulterated or in violation of prescribed standards.

2. The samples included milk and dairy products, spices, cereals as well as branded food products. A total of 85,729 samples were sent, so far. FSSAI carried out the testing following a spike in complaints from consumers over quality and adulteration, said an agency official.

3. According to the data, 20,390 samples of the 85,729 sent to the agency were found to be non-conforming to prescribed standards. While agency officials maintain that Food Safety Officers in each state regularly test samples to check for compliance and also take recourse in cases of violations according to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, experts claim that poor enforcement on the ground and a lack of awareness plague the process.

4. Consumer activist Bijon Mishra said the lengthy legal procedure involved in penalizing violators provides an opportunity to the accused to keep doing business. “Law enforcement is very poor. It takes years to finalise a case and by that time, sellers keep on making profits. Moreover, people are also not aware. Hardly anybody complains about adulteration,” he added.

5 Umesh Sharma, an advocate, said enforcement of rules is very poor on the ground. “The issue is directly related to public health and the government should take serious initiatives to implement food safety rules,” he said. Data from the agency shows an abysmal conviction rate.

6. In 2017, the Law Commission issued a set of recommendations regarding the issue. The panel had recommended that IPC Sections 272 (dealing with adulteration of food and drinks) and 273 (dealing with the sale of noxious food and drinks) be amended to make adulteration a serious crime. It was also recommended that depending on the gravity of the offence, punishment can include life imprisonment and the minimum sentence should be six months in jail term.

7. The panel, headed by former Supreme Court judge BS Chauhan, also wanted amendments to Section 357 of the Criminal Procedure Code so that courts can order compensation for victims.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. Complete the following sentence.

IPC 272 and 273 amendments were added to _____.

View Answer

Ans. regulate the quality of food in India.

ii. Fill in the blank to complete the following sentence.

………. allows the penalised to continue their business.

View Answer

Ans. Lengthy legal procedure

iii. Explain why penalising adulteration in India is challenging in about 40 words.

View Answer

Ans. Penalising adulteration in India is challenging because the legal procedure involved in penalizing violators provides an opportunity to the accused to keep doing business. Law enforcement is very poor. It takes years to finalise a case and by that time, seller keep on making profits. Moreover, people are also not aware. Hardly anybody complains about adulteration.

iv. What did the data revealed by FSSAI show?

View Answer

Ans. The data revealed by FSSAI shows nearly 25% of samples of edible goods is tested this year were found to be adulterated or in violation of prescribed standards.

v. Substitute the word ‘punishing’ with ONE WORD similar in meaning, in the following, sentence from Paragraph 4.

The lengthy procedure involved in punishing violators provides an opportunity to the accused to keep doing business.

View Answer

Ans. penalizing

vi. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the punishments set for offenders.

(a) Life imprisonment

(b) Public shaming

(d) Both (a) and (c)

View Answer

Ans. (d) Both (a) and (c)

vii. Which samples were tested by FSSAI and why? Also, what did the data suggest? (Answer in about 40 words)

View Answer

Ans. The samples tested by FSSAI included milk and dairy products, spices, cereals as well as branded food products. FSSAI carried out the testing following a spike in complaints from consumers over quality and adulteration. According to the data, 20,390 samples out of the 85,729 sent to the agency were found to be non-conforming to prescribed standards.

viii. Which of the following recommendations were made by the law commission regarding the issue?

(a) Minimum sentence should be six months’ jail term.

(b) Depending on the gravity of the offence, punishment can include life imprisonment.

(d) All of the above

View Answer

Ans. (d) All of the above

SECTION B – GRAMMAR & WRITING SKILLS

GRAMMAR

3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed.

i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence.

1. If we _____ one more batsman in our team, we would have won the match.

(a) had had

(b) would have been

(d) would have had

View Answer

Ans. (a) had had

ii. Read the conversation between Reena and Rakesh. Complete the sentence by reporting Rakesh’s reply correctly.

Reena : Have you seen ‘Three Idiots’?

Rakesh : I saw them yesterday in my class.

Reena asked Rakesh if he had seen ‘Three Idiots’. Rakesh replied that _____.

View Answer

Ans. he had seen them the day before in his class.

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line.

The swimmer was tired but he _____ reach the shore before he collapsed.

(a) will

(b) could

(d) must

View Answer

Ans. (b) could

iv. Select the option identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line:

Have you ever learn from a mistake you have made?

View Answer

Ans. Option (a)

v. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank with the correct option :

I bought a new car last year, but I _____ my old car yet, so at present I have two cars.

(a) sell

(b) have not sold

(d) did not sell

View Answer

Ans. (b) have not sold

vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket.

Neither you nor your sister should _____ (talk) to them.

View Answer

Ans. talk

vii. Report the dialogue between Sanjay and Madan, by completing the sentence :

Sanjay: I am surprised to see you here in Delhi. When did you come?

Madan: I came here yesterday. I have been offered a job here.

Sanjay told Madan that he was surprised to see him there in Delhi and asked when he had come. Madam replied that he had come there the previous day and added that _____.

View Answer

Ans. he had been offered a job there

viii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction.

A good business letter is one that get results.

Use the given format for your response.

View Answer

Ans.

ix. Transform the following direct speech into reported speech :

He said, “Reena, do you want to buy a house in Noida?”

View Answer

Ans. He asked Reena if she wanted to buy a house in Noida.

x. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction.

He said I will use his car whenever I wanted.

Use the given format for your response.

View Answer

Ans.

xi. Ram and Shyam are discussing their plans for the weekend. Fill in the blank to complete the dialogue below by choosing the correct options.

Ram: What are you doing this weekend, shyam?

Shyam: I don’t have any special plan.

Ram: How do you like the idea _____.

(a) of go for a picnic to the Dal Lake?

(b) of going for a picnic to the Dal Lake?

(d) of going for a picnic by the Dal Lake?

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xii. Identify the error and supply the correction, for the following sentence :

Every trees have a single woody stem called a trunk which supports a mass of branches carrying leaves.

Use the given format for your response.

View Answer

Ans.

WRITING

Note : All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purpose.

4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.

A. You are Praveen of 23, Civil Lines, Jaipur. Write a letter to the Editor of Dainik Bhaskar, Jaipur about frequent break-down of electricity.

View Answer

Ans.

23, Civil Lines,

Jaipur

25 January, 20XX

To,

The Editor

Dainik Bhaskar

Jaipur

Subject: Frequent breakdown of electricity in civil lines, Jaipur

Sir,

Please permit me some space in your newspaper. I wish to draw the attention of the government towards the supply of electricity in Jaipur.

The lack of electricity supply is causing much trouble to this city. The supply we get is not only short but also highly irregular. We do not know about the hours of cut.

It has also affected the supply of water. If there is no light in the morning, there is no water either. The local water board also depends on the supply of electricity. Streets are dark in the night. It causes accidents. The students cannot study well.

I wish to make an urgent appeal to every person concerned to help.

Thanking You

Yours faithfully

Praveen

B. You have seen an advertisement of a new model sports bike launched by Honda. You are a passionate racer and are keen to buy the new model of racing bikes being offered. Next month a zonal level Bike Marathon is taking place and you are keen to enroll your name as a contestant. Write a letter to M/s Honda Bikes and Scooters, Kashmere Gate, New Delhi enquiring about the price, specifications and availability of accessories that long distance racers would require. You are Man Singh living in Green Park, New Delhi.

View Answer

Ans.

44, Green Park

New Delhi – 110053

20^th Aug, 2019

M/s Honda Bikes and Scooters

Kashmere Gate

Delhi

Subject: Price and specifications of new model sports bike.

Sir,

My name is Man Singh. I live in Green Park, New Delhi and am a bike enthusiast. I have participated in many race events. At present I am training myself to compete for the upcoming zonal level Bike Marathon. Later I plan to participate in the coming Olympics. Being a racer I am always very passionate about the latest bike in the market. I have seen your advertisement this morning about the launch of a new racing sports model bike which not only comes in attractive model but meets all international standards. I saw the picture in the advertisement. Needless to say the model looks sleek and sporty with a striking colour combination.

So I would like to say that I’m really excited about this bike model and wish to procure it. I would be grateful if you could give me information about the following:

Its features in detail
Its Price
Availability of necessary accessories

Please call back with all information.

Thanking you

Yours truly

Man Singh

Mobile No: 85968xxxxx

5. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.

A. You are Suresh/Lalita. Given below is a table based on data given about the number of tourists who visited your city in the past two years. Write an analytical paragraph on ‘Promotion of Tourism’ taking information from the table given below together with your own ideas in 100-120 words.

Plans of Tourism Department:

• To develop a wildlife park.

• Illumination and light and sound programme at one of the places of tourist interest in the city.

• To develop a big amusement park.

• Convention centre and a multiplex in the city.

View Answer

Ans.

Promotion of Tourism

There is no doubt that India is emerging as a tourists’ destination both at national and international levels. For example, tourists from other countries were 8563 in the year 2020. But this number went upto 11478 in the year 2021. However, domestic tourists fell by 8219 in these years. This means we have to take steps to increase the numbers of both the types of the tourists. India’s cultural heritage and unity in diversity are like magnets for the tourists. However, we must take steps to attract the tourists. For example, we must remove problems which hinder the flow of tourists. That’s why, there are plans like developing a wildlife park. One important place of tourist interest should be equipped with light, sound and music system. Then there is a plan to develop a big amusement park. A Convention Centre and a multiplex are also going to be added. Besides these, a few hotels are also coming up. The tourist agencies are being connected via satellite telephony so that tourists do not face any problems. All the places of tourist interest are connected by chartered buses. It is hoped that by these steps, tourist inflow to the country will increase greatly.

B. You are the Head Boy/Head Girl 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 help of the cues given below.

Cues : Trees keep environment cool by

• taking heat of earth and air

• absorbing carbon-dioxide that helps in controlling temperature rise

• bringing rains

• checking direct sunlight

• providing shade

View Answer

Ans.

Advantages of Tree Plantation

Trees are really very important for us all. Their advantages are innumerable. For example, they take the heat of the earth and the air to air-condition the environment. Indeed, they have numerous advantages. Precisely speaking, they absorb the dangerous carbon- dioxide from the atmosphere. They help in controlling the temperature rise. Then they bring rains which is ‘life’ for us all. They take the heat off the earth as well as the atmosphere. They take off the heat of the sunlight and provide us shade. They maintain the ecological balance of the earth and provide us with life-giving oxygen. Seeing their enormous benefits we should plant as many trees as possible. The Chipko Movement and Van Mahotsava Movement are there which highlight the benefits of the trees. We say that our life is simply possible because of the trees. It is sad that we have destroyed much of the flora and fauna for meeting our existential needs. But we must replenish the depleting forests by planting more and more trees at every possible inch of the land. Our life depends on trees. We should educate the people about the benefits of the trees. This way we can cleanse our environment from the environmental pollution. We must take a pledge to plant more and more trees to make the earth a safe place for our lives.

SECTION C – LITERATURE

6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.

A. The village constable was secretly sent for. Instead of waiting for the constable, Mrs. Hall went to the scientist, who had somehow mysteriously appeared from his empty bedroom. “I want to know what you have been doing to my chair upstairs,” she demanded. ‘And I want to know how it is you came out of an empty room and how you entered a locked room.” The scientist was always quick-tempered; now he became furious. “You don’t understand who or what I am!” he shouted. “Very well — I’ll show you.” (Footprints Without Feet)

i. Why did Mrs. Hall feel that the room was haunted by spirits?

View Answer

Ans. Mrs. Hall felt that the room was haunted by spirits because she had witnessed strange things like a chair mysteriously pushing her out of the room had happened there.

ii. State TRUE or FALSE.

The neighbours thought the trouble was caused by ‘witchcraft’. This statement tells us that the neighbours were superstitious.

View Answer

Ans. True

iii. Why was the village constable secretly sent for? Answer in about 40 words.

View Answer

Ans. The village constable was sent for because the neighbours felt that Griffin had stolen the clergyman’s money. Moreover, they also believed that he was involved in some kind of witch craft.

iv. What did the scientist do on becoming furious?

View Answer

Ans. He threw off bandages, whiskers, spectacles and even nose.

B. The following Sunday Lencho came a bit earlier than usual to ask if there was a letter for him. It was the postman himself who handed the letter to him while the postmaster, experiencing the contentment of a man who has performed a good deed, looked on from his office. Lencho showed not the slightest surprise on seeing the money; such was his confidence – but he became angry when he counted the money. God could not have made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested. (A Letter to God)

i. According to the extract, what was the belief of Lencho?

(a) God couldn’t make a mistake in sending the money.

(b) God couldn’t deny what he had requested.

(d) Both (a) and (b)

View Answer

Ans. (d) Both (a) and (b)

ii. Why did Lencho go a bit early to the post office the following Sunday? (Answer in about 40 words)

View Answer

Ans. Lencho went a bit early to the post office the following Sunday to receive the answer to his letter to God.

iii. Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to Lencho.

(a) Blind faith in God

(b) Superstitious nature of village people

View Answer

Ans. (a) Blind faith in God

iv. How much money did Lencho receive?

View Answer

Ans. Lencho received only seventy pesos.

7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.

A. The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued. (Dust of Snow)

i. Complete the sentence appropriately.

The poet was out on the cold snowy day when the dust of snow fell on him and _____.

View Answer

Ans. changed his sad mood.

ii. What is ‘dust of snow’?

View Answer

Ans. The ‘dust of snow’ means the fine particles of snow.

iii. The crow and hemlock are usually used as negative references in literature. How is this different in this poem?

View Answer

Ans. It is true that the crow and the hemlock tree are considered negative images and symbols of bad omen. However, in the poem, they are shown in a positive light. They are shown to bring about a positive change in the poet who was in sorrow and despair.

iv. How does the use of ‘a crow’ and ‘a hemlock tree’ impact this extract?

(a) If forces the beauty of nature

(b) Represents prosperity

(d) Tells about happy times

View Answer

Ans. (c) Sets a gloomy atmosphere

B. I heard an old religious man

But yesternight declare

That he had found a text to prove

That only God, my dear,

Could love you for yourself alone

And not your yellow hair. (For Anne Gregory)

i. The above stanza strongly defies the idea of _____.

(a) internal qualities

(b) external beauty

(d) divinity

View Answer

Ans. (b) external beauty

ii. What does the poet mean by the word ‘yesternight’, in the extract?

View Answer

Ans. The poet means ‘the previous night’ by the word ‘yesternight’.

iii. What wisdom was imparted to the poet and by whom it was imparted? Answer in about 40 words.

View Answer

Ans. An old religious man imparted the wisdom to the poet. He quoted a text and according to it only God could love a person for himself regardless of his appearance or other attributes.

iv. Where did the religious man find that God loves everyone selflessly?

View Answer

Ans. The religious man found it in a religious text that God loves everyone selflessly.

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words.

i. Nelson Mandela speaks of twin obligations. What are they? 3 (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)

View Answer

Ans. In South Africa or in any nation there are two obligations for a person. One is at the personal level towards his family. Another obligation is towards the society. Apart from striving for personal goals a person should also work hard to contribute something to the society.

ii. What does Anne write in the diary about herself and her sister ? (From the Diary of Anne Frank)

View Answer

Ans. Anne mentioned in her diary that Margot was born in Frankfurt in Germany in 1926, while Anne was born on 12 June 1929. She further said that she lived in Frankfurt till she was four. But when her parents migrated to Holland in 1933, she and her sister Margot stayed with her grandmother at Aachen. Eventually, the same year, first Margret and then she moved to Holland to live with their parents.

iii. How did the Buddha teach Kisa Gotami the truth of life? (The Sermon at Benares)

View Answer

Ans. The Buddha asked Kisa Gotami to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where no one had died. She could not find such a house. She now realised the ultimate truth of life that no one can escape death. So, she should not grieve on the death of her son. Thus, the Buddha taught Kisa Gotami the truth of life.

iv. How did Belinda, Ink, Blink and Mustard react on seeing the pirate ? (The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

View Answer

Ans. On seeing the pirate, Belinda became pale with fear and cried for help. Meanwhile, Mustard the dog ran away fast, uttering a short, sharp cry. On the other hand, Ink went slowly, down to the bottom of the house and Blink hid himself in his mousehole.

v. The tigers in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ has some obvious limitations, describe them in contrast to its natural habitat.

View Answer

Ans. Tiger in the zoo was confined to a small space. He was angry that he couldn’t be free to move, hunt and do what he pleased forced to be a showpiece; and the cage’s bars obstructed his view of the starry night. This was all unlike his natural habitat where he hunted fiercely and slept fitfully.

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words.

i. Why did Hari Singh think that Anil’s job was queer? (The Thief’s Story)

View Answer

Ans. Hari Singh thought Anil’s job was queer because he did not have a fixed source of income. At times he had to borrow; and at times he would lend. He often waited for his cheque. It appeared he wrote for a magazine. As soon as the cheque arrived, he would celebrate by spending it lavishly.

ii. Why did Horace Danby feel sure of his success in that year’s robbery? (A Question of Trust)

View Answer

Ans. Horace Danby felt sure of his success in that year’s robbery as he had been studying rooms, electric wiring, paths and gardens of the house at Shotover Grange for two weeks. He knew that the family was in London and the two servants who lived in the house had gone to watch movie that afternoon.

iii. Which character traits of Bholi have had an everlasting impression on you? Why? (Bholi)

View Answer

Ans. When Bholi’s teacher asked her name, she stammered and could not speak her name. All the students laughed at her but she did not give up. Gradually, with the help and support of her teacher, she became bold and confident. Her never give up attitude impressed me a lot.

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words.

A. One is known by one’s roots. The people of Coorg are also recognized for their values and traits in spite of being thousands of miles away from their places of origin-Greece and Arabia. Describe their values and traits. (Glimpses of India)

View Answer

Ans. It is true that one is known by one’s roots. So, in the context, the fiercely independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic origin. The Coorgis have their roots in their places of origin, that is, Greece and Arabia. So, their blood or culture is apparent in their martial traditions.

They are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army. Although Coorgis are thousands of miles away from their places of origin – Greece and Arabia, they are virtually recognized for their values and traits. They have a tradition of hospitality. They are brave, fierce, independent and daredevil. This quality makes them unique.

B. If the Buddha were to summarise the life lessons of ‘The Ball poem’ what would that sermon be? Think and create this address for people of your age.

View Answer

Ans. If Buddha were to summarise the life lessons of ‘the ball poem’ it would be as follows:

Life is a never-ending process of sacrifices, whatever you get in life, maybe seized at any time without prior notice. So, don’t get emotionally attached to any living or nonliving things. Attachment gives pain on separation. Nothing is permanent in this world, one who has come here will definitely take leave. When you did not bring anything with you how can you claim ownership over anything? You might be the owner of this ball today but tomorrow it may tear off, stolen or broken. You will get new toys in life as you grow. Make a habit of enjoying things and relations as if they might not stay tomorrow.

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words.

A. Not to accept the limitations of our life makes us unhappy in our lives. Describe how Matilda Loisel suffers in her life because she does not accept that she is not a rich person. (The Necklace)

View Answer

Ans. There is no doubt in it that to accept the limitations of our life or not to accept it, is a pertinent question related to our happiness or unhappiness. However, most of the people become unhappy and suffer because of not accepting the limitation of life. In the context of the story, Matilda Loisel suffered in her life because she did not accept her limitation of life. Although she was born in a poor family yet she dreamt to enjoy all the delicacies and luxuries like the rich people. She did not understand her limitations. She was not conscious of her capacity, reality and condition. So, she suffered because of her greed for high lifestyle and not accepting her limitations and condition.

B. Give a brief character sketch of Fowler ? What are the values reflected in his character? (The Midnight Visitor)

View Answer

Ans. Fowler is a young romantic writer, who loves reading mysterious stories. He has a fantasy to meet a secret agent or to see mysterious figures in the night, the crack of guns, drugs in wine, etc. He is not much interested in meeting dull people. He gets easily bored and disappointed.

Though he is a writer, he is very timid by heart. He easily loses his cool and gets nervous. The moment he enters Ausable’s room and his eyes meet Max with an automatic pistol in his hand, he is thrilled. He is scared, the moment he realises that it is a waiter and not the police who has knocked at the door. He wants to know about the man in the balcony. He has a horrible experience with Ausable tackling risky situations so calmly.

Class X – English – 2023 – Paper 5