Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Communicative with Solutions and marking scheme Set 7 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Communicative Set 7 with Solutions
Time Allowed: 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
- 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
- The Question Paper contains FOUR sections-Reading Skills, Writing Skills, Grammar and Literature Textbook.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section – A
Reading Skills (22 Marks)
Question 1.
Read the following passage (12 marks)
1. I was born in the small but beautiful mountain village of Nakuri near Uttarkashi in Garhwal, with the gurgling, playful Bhagirathi river, flowing nearby. My parents were a hard-working and extremely self-contained couple. Even though our family was poor, barely managing the essentials, my father taught us how to live and maintain dignity and self-respect-the most treasured family value till today. At the same time my parents also practised the creed, “Kindness is the essence of all religion.” They were large-hearted, inviting village folk passing by to have tea at our home, and gave grain to the sadhus and pandits who came to the house. This characteristic has been ingrained in me so deeply that I am able to reach out to others and make a difference in their lives — whether it is in my home, in society or at the workplace.
2. I was the third child in the family-girl, boy, girl, girl and boy in that order-and quite a rebel. I developed a tendency to ask questions and was not satisfied with the customary way of life for a girl-child. When I found my elder brother, Bachchan, encouraging our youngest brother, Raju, to take up mountaineering I thought, why not me? I found that my brothers were always getting preferential treatment and all opportunities and options were open to them. This made me even more determined to not only do what the boys were doing, but to do it better.
3. The general thinking of mountain people was that mountaineering as a sport was not for them. They considered themselves to be born mountaineers as they had to go up and down mountain slopes for their daily livelihood and even for routine work. On the other hand, as a student, I would look curiously at foreign backpackers passing by my village and wonder where they were going. I would even invite them to my house and talk to them to learn more about their travels. The full significance of this came to me later when I started working. The foreigners took the trouble to come all the way to the Himalayas in order to educate themselves on social, cultural and scientific aspects of mountaineering, as well as to seek peace in nature’s gigantic scheme of things.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:
(i) What is the most treasured family value of the author’s family? [1]
(A) Wealth and prosperity
(B) Kindness and self-respect
(C) Preferential treatment
(D) Achieving excellence
Answer:
(B) Kindness and self-respect
Explanation:
The most treasured family value is kindness and self-respect, as the author’s parents emphasised maintaining dignity and reaching out to others with kindness.
(ii) How did the author’s parents influence their values and outlook on life? Provide examples from the passage to support your answer. [2]
Answer:
The author’s parents influenced their values by practicing kindness and self-respect, even in their impoverished condition. They invited village folk for tea and gave grain to sadhus and pandits, demonstrating the importance of generosity and dignity.
(iii) After which paragraph of the story, would the following paragraph most likely be placed?
During my formative years in the picturesque village of Nakuri, I had the privilege of observing the stark contrast between the traditional way of life in the mountains and the world beyond. This exposure sparked a curiosity within me, leading me to dream of achieving something extraordinary in a realm largely unexplored by young girls in my community. [1]
Answer:
After paragraph 2.
Explanation:
The author’s early exposure of local mountain culture ignited a deep curiosity and determination to challenge traditional gender roles.
(iv) Explain the significance of the author’s interactions with foreign backpackers in shaping her perspective on mountaineering and life in general. Use details from the passage to support your explanation. [2]
Answer:
The author’s interactions with foreign backpackers allowed her to see that people from distant places were coming to the Himalayas to explore and understand not just the physical aspects of mountaineering but also its social, cultural, and scientific dimensions. This exposure broadened her own perspective on mountaineering, motivating her to pursue it as a way to connect with nature and learn about the world beyond her mountain village.
(v) What does “ingrained” mean in the context of the passage? [1]
(A) Hidden
(B) Carved
(C) Deeply established
(D) Temporary
Answer:
(C) Deeply established
Explanation:
Ingrained here refers to quality of kindness being deeply rooted in the author.
(vi) According to the author, what is the essence of all religion, as practiced by her parents? [1]
(A) Self-respect
(B) Kindness
(C) Large-heartedness
(D) Treasured family values
Answer:
(B) Kindness
Explanation:
According to the author, the essence of all religion, as practiced by her parents, is kindness, which they extended to others generously.
(vii) The author’s parents were known for their generosity, often inviting village folk passing by to have tea at their home and providing grain to sadhus and pandits. This characteristic has been ingrained in the author, enabling her to ………………. . [1]
Answer:
Make a difference in the lives of others.
(viii) The author’s determination to take up mountaineering was strengthened by the fact that ……………… . [1]
Answer:
she wanted preferential treatment like her brothers.
Explanation:
The author’s determination to take up mountaineering was strengthened by the fact that her elder brothers were receiving preferential treatment and enjoying more opportunities and options, which motivated her to not only pursue mountaineering but also to excel at it.
(ix) State whether the given assertion is TRUE or FALSE [1]
The author’s family was wealthy and had all the essentials they needed.
Answer:
False
Explanation:
The assertion is FALSE because the author’s family was poor and struggled to manage the essentials, but they valued self-respect and kindness.
(x) What was the general thinking of mountain people about mountaineering as a sport? [1]
(A) They considered it a common sport for everyone.
(B) They believed they were born mountaineers.
(C) They thought it was only for foreign backpackers.
(D) They were indifferent to mountaineering.
Answer:
(B) They believed they were born mountaineers.
Explanation:
The general thinking of mountain people was that they were naturally born mountaineers due to their daily mountainous livelihood.
Question 2.
Read the passage carefully.
1. India’s average temperature has already increased by around 0.7 degrees Celsius during the 1901-2018 period due to Greenhouse gas emissions and by the end of 2100 it is expected to rise by approximately 4.4 degrees Celsius warns the first-ever climate change assessment report by the Indian government.
2. The report Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region prepared by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) warned that the rapid changes in the temperature would mean increasing stress on India’s “natural ecosystems, agricultural output and freshwater resources, while also causing escalating damage to infrastructure.” This ultimately means a serious impact on the country’s biodiversity, food, water, energy security and public health.
3. It said that several regions in India are global biodiversity hotspots with numerous endemic species of plants and animals and with the “climate changing more rapidly than usual, they may face increasing threats on account of these changes.”
4. The MoES report cautioned that by the end of 2100, the “frequency of summer (April-June) heat waves over India is projected to be 3 to 4 times higher” and the “average duration of heat-wave events is also projected to approximately double.” According to the report, the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) of the Tropical Indian Ocean has also risen by one degree Celsius, on average, during 1951-2015.
5. The temperature rise is playing havoc with India’s rainfall which is significant for ‘India’s agriculture sector. The report noted that the summer monsoon precipitation (June to September) over India has declined by around six percent from 1951 to 2015, with notable decreases over the Indo-Gangetic Plains and the Western Ghats. It stressed that the overall decrease of seasonal summer monsoon rainfall during the last 6-7 decades has led to an increased propensity for droughts in India.
6. “In particular, areas over Central India, South-West coast, Southern peninsula and North-Eastern India have experienced more than two droughts per decade. The area affected by drought has also increased by 1.3 percent per decade over the same period. Climate model projections indicate a high likelihood of an increase in the frequency, intensity and area under drought conditions in India by the end of the twenty-first century,” said the MoES report.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(i) Infer 3 reasons for the following, based on information in Paragraph 1. (2)
India’s average temperature has already increased by around 0.7 degrees Celsius during the 1901 – 2018 period.
Answer:
Greenhouse gas emissions, destruction of natural ecosystems, and over-exploitation of natural resources are the reasons for the rising in temperature of around 0.7 degrees Celsius during the 1901- 2018 period.
(ii) Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks. (1)
From Paragraph 5 we can infer that the ……………… in temperature has wreaked havoc on the rainfall pattern. The overall seasonal summer monsoon rainfall during the last 6 – 7 decades has led to an increased tendency of droughts.
1. decrease
2. sufficient
3. exaggerated
4. elaborate
5. significant
6. rise
Codes
(a) 6 and 1
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 2
(d) 1 and 6
Answer:
(c) 3 and 2
(iii) List any two social and economic impacts of climate change. (2)
Answer:
The two social and economic impacts of climate change are
(a) Less capacity to work
(b) Increase in carpooling
(iv) Select the correct option to fill in the blank and complete the following analogy: (1)
Rainfall : Monsoon : : : Summer
(a) Heatwave
(b) Temperature
(c) Endemic
(d) Drought
Answer:
(a) Heatwave
(v) List any one point in how the temperature rise will affect the summer heat waves. (1)
Answer:
The temperature rise will increase the frequency and duration of the heat waves.
(vi) Complete the following sentence appropriately: (1)
As per reports, an overall decrease in seasonal summer monsoon rainfall has lead to ………………
Answer:
an increased tendency for droughts
(vii) What will be the titles of the Paragraphs 1 – 3 appropriately. (1)
Answer:
Effect of greenhouse gases, Loss of biodiversity, Stress on ecosystems.
(viii) Select the chart that appropriately represents the drought trend with climate in India from the year 1951 to 2015, as per Paragraph 5. (1)
(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer:
(a) Option 1
Section – B
Writing Skills (22 Marks)
Question 3.
As Vineet/Vineeta of Olympus High, write an email in a maximum 50 words to your principal asking her to set up an anti-ragging cell in your college to help the children suffering from ragging. Use the following format. [3]
From:
To:
Cc: [email protected]
Date: 25 September 20XX, 07:08 p.m.
Subject:
Answer:
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Date: 25 September 20XX, 07:08 PM
Subject: Request to Establish an Anti-Ragging Cell
Dear Principal
I urge you to establish an anti-ragging cell at Olympus High to support students facing ragging issues. This initiative will ensure a safer and more inclusive environment for all of us. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Warm regards
Yours sincerely
Vineeta
Question 4.
Describe a gift you have received that was important to you, in not more than 100 words. (4)
Answer:
One of the best gifts I have ever received was given to me by my uncle. I got a laptop which I had desperately needed for school studies. This laptop was a black colour thin laptop with a 16-inch display. It weighed less than a kilo and I can easily carry it in my bag. I often use it in my bed as well as on my study table. The laptop has all the facilities that I would need. It has a great graphic card and a good processor to support my graphic design learning. Plus, it also has an inbuilt cam that allows me to attend some of my classes online.
A good thing about my laptop is that it allows me to watch movies online without leaving the comfort of my home. Further, it has a really good sound quality which brings me joy as I love listening to music. Moreover, the laptop was quite handy for me. I could search the internet, get help for my studies, and learn many new things from my laptop. From the utilitarian point of view, this was a very useful device for many years to me.
Question 5.
(a) As the secretary of ‘Students’ Body of Cultural Events, Ravish/Ravisha, write a letter in 100-120 words to M/S Raja Singh Theatrical Supplies enquiring about the costumes required for a Bharatnatyam performance at your school’s annual event- ‘Spandana.’ Your school is St. Bosco International Academy. [7]
OR
(b) Many Schools do not have enough open space for playgrounds. This harms the health of the students. Write a letter in 120 words to the editor of a national daily mentioning the problems it can cause and the possible solutions. You are Rima/Ramesh, 12 Station Road, Ambala.
Answer:
(a) St. Bosco International Academy
Delhi
10 July 20XX
M/S Raja Singh Theatrical Supplies
Delhi
Subject: Inquiry about costumes required
Madam
I trust this letter finds you in good health. I am writing as the Secretary of the Students’ Body for Cultural Events at St. Bosco International Academy to inquire about Bharatnatyam costumes needed for our school’s annual event, ‘Spandana.’
We are planning a Bharatnatyam performance, and we require authentic, high-quality costumes to make it exceptional. Could you kindly provide details regarding costume availability, pricing, and delivery options? Quality and authenticity are paramount.
If customisation options are available to meet our performers’ specific requirements for both male and female dancers, please inform us.
Your prompt response is appreciated to facilitate our costume selection process. Your support will contribute significantly to the success of ‘Spandana,’ an eagerly awaited event in our school community.
Thanking You
Yours sincerely
Ravisha
Secretary
OR
(b) 12, Station food
Ambala
02 March 20XX
The Editor
Times of India
New Delhi
Subject: Lack of playgrounds in the schools
Sir
Through your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw your kind attention towards the insufficient facility of games and sports in many schools as they do not have enough space for playgrounds in their schools. It results in poor health of the students as they have no physical activities in the schools. The students do not get the opportunity for physical exercises and thus they become the victims of obesity which causes frustration among them. They become short-tempered and their performance becomes poor.
To overcome this problem, I would like to suggest that the schools should provide adequate facilities for games on the school premises and if how they do not have such facilities, they should tie up with the local communities to provide facilities. The students should also be made aware of their health and they should be mobilized towards the government efforts to improve their health standards. If such steps are initiated, our country will become a healthy country.
Yours truly
Rima
Question 6.
A. Write an article on how we can make India a carefree and enjoyable place for women where they can go wherever they like without any fear of being stared at, molested or discriminated against, in about 150 words. Use the given clues, along with your ideas and those you have gathered from Unit 6 : National Integration. (8)
- Women are suppressed
- Issue of women’s safety
- Safety issue at home as well as workplace
- Need of strict laws
Answer:
Make India Safe for Women
by XYZ
“Thy name is integrity and strength” These are very powerful words that give a woman her due position in society. But, she is suppressed and put down while man poses to be the powerful gender. Over the past 20 years, women’s security has become a bigger question in India than it was before. Why aren’t Indian females safe? Who is responsible for their safety? How should their safety be assured?
In an era when women are trying to shatter the gender barriers created by society and when they are proving themselves as strong independent individuals, concerns about women’s safety persist as a massive agenda. Safety concerns restrict the activity of women who have to strategize everything from timings, how to walk, how to dress or commute etc. When we talk about women’s safety, the present situation frightens us. Women are often stared at, molested, and discriminated against not only outside the house but also in their workplaces and homes. It is the responsibility of the government and each one of us as a part of a society to strive for a safer world for women.
Effective implementation of strict laws protecting women’s rights is the need of the hour. Offenders must be socially boycotted and severely punished to deter future crimes against women. Another imperative step is teaching self-defense techniques to women and girls at schools, colleges, offices, and residential colonies. Until the mental attitude of society towards women changes, India cannot be a carefree and enjoyable place for them.
OR
B. nowadays, students attend coaching classes early in the morning or after school hours. You feel that this trend makes them tired, affects their health and so their grades. Write an article to make the students understand how this is not very helpful in improving their grades and is a waste of their precious time, in about 150 words. You are Ram /Rani. Use the given clues along with your ideas and those you have gathered from Unit 2 : Education.
- The trend of coaching classes
- Lack of proper guidance by schools and parents
- 111 effects of continuously studying in coaching classes
- No time for recreation or physical activities
Answer:
Waste of Student’s Precious Time
by Ram
In this fast-paced competitive world, coaching classes have become more of a trend that most students follow. The desire among students to excel has made the students run after this trend of attending coaching classes and focusing their complete attention to studies. Parents are often helpless since they are unable to provide proper guidance when it comes to studies. They find sending their children to coaching centres more convenient than devoting time to them.
Nowadays, students attend coaching classes early in the morning or after school hours. This trend makes them tired, sleepy, and distracted in school. In addition to the homework given in school, students also have to finish homework given to them at the coaching centre. As a result, children have to cut down their time for recreation and physical activities. Too much study and no play not only affect the health of the children but their grades as well.
Both, students and their parents, must understand that coaching classes are not helpful in any way. Instead, they are a waste of their time and money. Students should be responsible for their studies and grades. Even if their scores aren’t high, students should not be criticized or pressured for it. They must be taught to develop their attention and retention powers so that the children can easily grasp the concepts taught in class and remember them for a long time. Only then students will be able to achieve better grades, that too without the help of coaching centers.
Section – C
Grammar (10 Marks)
Complete the tasks A-C, as directed
Question 7.
(A) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words [3]
Maria: Tom, your room is a mess. What (i) ……… (can/should/may) you do about it?
Tom: Yeah, I know, it’s been chaotic lately. I (ii) ……… (will/ can/ almost)clean it up this weekend.
Maria: That’s a good idea. You (iii) ………… (must/have/should) also organize your books and papers.
Answer:
(i) should
(ii) will
(iii) should
(B) In the following table, one word has been omitted in each line. In your answer sheets, remember to write the missing word along with the word that comes before and after it, as shown below. [4]
| Text | Word before | Omission | Word after | |
| Panchtantra is a collection of tales and fables. | is | a | collection | |
| i | The stories in Panchatantra are believed to have | |||
| ii | been written by Vishnu Sharma as early 3rd | |||
| iii | century B. C. A king in ancient India requested | |||
| iv | Vishnu Sharma teaches his son morals and values. |
Answer:
Word before Omission Word after
(i) believed to have
(ii) early as 3rd
(iii) king from ancient
(iv) Sharma to teach
(C) Do as directed
(a) Rearrange the following jumbled words/phrases in the given dialogue to create a meaningful sentence.
(i) Friend A: Hey, how was your trip to the beach?
Friend B: It was fantastic! The weather was perfect.
Friend A: That’s/to hear/ great/I/ also /a/ trip/ have/planned /next/for/ month. [1]
Answer:
That’s great to hear. I also have a trip planned for next month.
(b) Report the dialogues to complete the paragraph that follows. [2]
Doctor: Why are you looking so worried?
Patient: I am not feeling well, doctor.
Doctor: Don’t worry, we will find out what’s wrong and fix it. When did you start feeling unwell?
Patient: Since yesterday, doctor.
The doctor asked the patient why they were looking …… (ii). The patient replied that they were not feeling well. The doctor assured the patient that they would find out what was wrong and ………… (iii). The doctor further asked when the patient started feeling unwell, to which the patient replied that it was since yesterday.
Answer:
(ii) so worried.
(iii) fix it.
Section – D
Literature Textbook (26 Marks)
Question 8.
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions briefly for ANY TWO extracts of the three given. (4 + 4 = 8)
A. “And I had done a hellish thing,
And it would work’ em woe.
For all averred, I had killed the bird
That made the breeze to blow.” (The Rime of The Ancient Mariner)
(i) What do you mean by the word ‘hellish’ ? (1)
Answer:
The word ‘hellish’ means extremely bad and cruel.
(ii) What was the hellish thing? (1)
Answer:
The hellish thing mentioned in the extract is the killing of the albatross by the mariner.
(iii) Which literary device is used in the last line? (1)
Answer:
Alliteration is used in the last line.
(iv) What had the bird done? (1)
Answer:
The bird had caused the breeze to blow in favour of the Mariner and other shipmates/sailors.
B. Mrs. Slater : That was a near thing. Open the door, Victoria. Now Henry, get your coat on (she helps him)
Henry : Did we knock much plaster off the wall?
Mrs. Slater : Never mind the plaster. Do I look all right ? (straightening her hair in the glass).
Just watch Elizabeth’s face when sees we’re all in half-mourning. (The Dear Departed)
(i) In the extract what does, ‘a near thing’ mean? (1)
Answer:
‘Near thing’ in the extract means that Mrs. and Mr. Slater have just managed to settle everything before Mr. and Mrs. Jordan would enter.
(ii) Why was Henry asked to wear his coat? (1)
Answer:
Mrs. Slater wanted her husband Henry to wear his coat so that the visitors would think that he was ready and waiting for them.
(iii) Victoria was asked to open the door for whom? Why had the visitors come? (1)
Answer:
Victoria was asked to open the door for Mr. and Mrs. Jordan. The visitors had come as they had received the information about Mrs. Jordan’s father’s death.
(iv) What had been happening just before the speaker said the words given in the extract? (1)
Answer:
Just before the speaker said the above words, the speaker and her husband Mr. Slater had shifted grand father’s bureau to their room so that they could pretend that the bureau was their own.
C. ‘You think I’ll be all right for the part?’ Patol Babu asked with great diffidence. Naresh Dutt cast an appraising look at Patol Babu and gave a nod. ‘Oh yes’, he said. There is no doubt about that. By the way, the shooting takes place tomorrow morning. ‘Tomorrow? Sunday?’ (Patol Babu : Film Star)
(i) Who is Naresh Babu? (1)
Answer:
Naresh Babu is the brother-in-law of Nishikant Ghosh, the neighbor of Patol Babu. He is a member of a film production team.
(ii) For what did he give a nod? What do you mean by appraising look? (1)
Answer:
He gave a nod of approval for casting Patol Babu for the said role. ‘Appraising look’ means to take a close look, scrutinize or assess carefully to gauge somebody or something.
(iii) Where did the shooting take place? (1)
Answer:
The shooting took place near Faraday House.
(iv) Who says he does not have a doubt? Why did he say so? (1)
Answer:
Naresh Dutt says he does not have any doubt about casting Patol Babu. He says this in response to the question made by Patol about him being right for the role.
Question 9.
Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions in about 30- 40 words each 2×5=10
(i) Who does the ‘shattered visage’ in the poem, ‘Ozymandias’, belong to and why is it ‘half sunk’? [2]
Answer:
The shattered visage in the poem ‘Ozymandias’ belongs to the King Ozymandias. He had a frowning expression on his face which reflected his scornful nature. It was half-sunk because it had been ravaged by time which spares no one. whether rich or poor.
(ii) In what way is ‘The Dear Departed’ satirical? Comment on the nature of human beings. [2]
Answer:
‘The Dear Departed’ brings out children’s greed; they are more interested in what they will inherit and try to grab a lion’s share. The play shows how children sometimes care more for what they will receive from their parents than for their welfare and happiness.
(iii) Describe how the monuments and statues brave the ravages of time.
(Not Marble, Nor the Gilded Monuments) [2]
Answer:
Time leaves its marks on everything as everything in this world is mortal. None can fight time. Monuments and statues break and get dirty with time. They also get demolished during wars.
(iv) Why did the poet throw a log at the snake? (Snake) [2]
Answer:
The poet threw a log at the snake because the voice of education and social conventions made him think that the snake which is golden-brown, is venomous and must be killed. Moreover, the poet wanted to stop the snake from disappearing into the hole or make it run.
(v) How did the loss of parents in the war affect the two boys? (Two Gentlemen of Verona) [2]
Answer:
The loss of their parents in the war forced them to work hard not only for themselves but also to take on the responsibility of getting their sister treated, for which they worked hard and did all kinds of odd jobs. This lent them a seriousness beyond their ages.
(vi) What preparations were made for the tiger shoot? (Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger) [2]
Answer:
An old tiger was found for the tiger shoot. A platform was constructed on a tree and a goat was placed there as bait. Mrs. Packletide waited on the platform with a rifle and a pack of cards.
Question 10.
Answer Any One of the following two questions in about 150 words. (8)
A. “The incidental expenses are so heavy”, she confides to enquiring friends.
Later on, Mrs. Packletide understands that trying to display a false brave image is certainly not right and can cause more harm than inviting attention and praise. Write about the values you imbibe from what is given above. (Mrs. Packletide’s tiger)
Answer:
The story of Mrs. Packletide’s tiger is a very apt depiction of how things can backfire if we try to portray ourselves as someone we are not. Mrs. Packletide incurred huge losses in her bid to outshine her arch-rival. One can easily interpret that actions driven by envy are bound to take us on paths on which we are sure to get harmed. Mrs. Packletide is jealous of Loona Bimberton but to outshine her, she has to bear huge losses as her paid companion blackmailed her to buy her a cottage to keep quiet about the real hunting of the tiger. Therefore, Mrs. Packletide lost a large amount of money but got almost nothing in return. So, we can easily understand that we should not portray what we are not. We should always display our true identities and characters so that we can become better human beings.
OR
B. Relationships are dependent upon trust. However, small misunderstandings, if not cleared soon, destroy the best of relationships. John’s marriage was on the verge of a dreadful end. What mistakes did Hallock make in their relationship? (A Shady Plot)
Answer:
Relationships are indeed built upon trust. The stronger the concrete of trust, the stronger the building of a relationship. But trust is a two-way street. In A true relationship, there should be no hidden secrets. We can see the validity of this statement in the lesson ‘A Shady Plot’. In the story, John and Lavinia’s relationship suffers due to the presence of secrets. Mr. Hallock made two mistakes which led to sourness in their relationship.
First, Hallock tried to conceal facts from Lavinia. She was his wife and had every right to know what the real story was. Secondly, Lavinia doubted her husband and considered him a cheater without going into the details of things. Her trust was overcome by jealousy. Things would not have been in such a mess if John had told Lavinia the truth and if Lavinia had trusted her husband enough to find the real truth before deciding to leave him.