Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions and marking scheme Set 2 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Set 2 with Solutions
Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
- The Question Paper contains THREE Sectians-Reading, Grammar & Writing and Literature.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section – A
Reading Skills (20 Marks)
Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages
Question 1.
Read the following text (10)
1. Peer pressure is a phenomenon wherein we tend to get influenced by the lifestyle and the ways of thinking of our peers. Peer pressure can prove beneficial but it is most often observed to have negative effects.
2. The thought, behaviour and taste in fashion, music, television and other walks of life of the masses are often seen to have a deep impact on society. We tend to get influenced by the lifestyle of our peer group. The changing ways of life of our peers often force us to change our ways of looking at life and leading it. It’s a human “endency to do what the crowd does. Few have the courage to resist peer pressure and be their own selves rather than being one among the lot.
3. Peer pressure is bound to affect most of us both positively and negatively. The distinction between positive and negative peer pressure lies in a thoughtful analysis of the views of the masses. Following your peers blindly leaves a negative impact on your life while an analytical approach to looking at peer behaviour can help you act positively.
4. Peer pressure is not always bad. It can help you analyse yourself.and contemplate your ways of life. Some of the practices that the masses follow my actually teach you the way of living. You may be able to change yourself for the better. Looking at what others do can help you bring about a positive change in your way of thinking. If you can pick selectively, peer pressure can actually result in a positive change in your way of life.
5. Teenage is that phase of life when you are exposed to the world outside. These are the years when you spend most of your time with your friends. Teenage is the phase of beginning to become independent in life; the years of forming your ideals and principles, the years that shape your personality and the years that introduce you to your own self. As adolescents, you often spend most of your daily time with friends and, owing to this, you tend to imitate your friends. The people around you are bound to influence you. However, the effect of the influences of the masses is greater during your teen years. Parents have a vital role to play during this phase of your life.
6. Parents and teachers need to be careful ‘while dealing with teenagers as they are most susceptible to succumbing to peer pressure during these years of their life. Teenage individuals need to be taught to distinguish between the good and the bad, the right and the wrong and should be taught to be thoughtful in life.
7. A strong support from family, an ability to differentiate between the positive and the negative and a skill to choose friends from among peers this three-pronged strategy is the best way to keep away from negative peer pressure.
Answer the following guestions, based on the passage above.
(i) Select the option that corresponds to the following relation below.
Peer pressure can prove beneficial but it is most often observed to have negative effects. (1)
(a) Beginnings and ends are easier to remember than middles.
(b) Sleep is good for memory but too much sleep can also be linked to health problems.
(c) Food tastes better when someone else makes it.
(d) Some people enjoy seeing anger in others.
Answer:
(b) Sleep is good for memory but too much sleep can also be linked to health problems.
(ii) Based on your reading of the text, list 2 reasons why the writer says Peer pressure is not always bad. Answer in about 40 words (2)
Answer:
The writer says that peer pressure is not always bad because
(a) It can help us in self analysis and contemplation.
(b) Observing and practising good practices of others can help enhance our thinking and way of living.
(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
The changing ways of our peers’ life can affect us by ……………. .
Answer:
forcing us to change the ways in which we lead our lives
(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
Adolescents tend to imitate and share views with their friends because ………………. .
Answer:
they spend most of their time with their friends
(v) The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets
(a) – (e) given below, identify two sets of antonyms. (1)
(a) walks and masses
(b) looking and leading
(c) positively and negatively
(d) distinction and change
(e) right and wrong
Answer:
(c) positively and negatively
(e) right and wrong
(vi) In about 40 words, supply one point to justify the following. (2)
Parents and teachers need to be careful while dealing with teenagers as they are most susceptible to succumbing to peer pressure during these years of their life.
Answer:
As adolescents often spend most of their daily time with friends, they tend to imitate and copy them blindly. Parents and teachers, being experienced, can prevent teenagers and adolescents from following wrong and dangerous trends and attitudes. Thus, they need to be careful while dealing with teenagers.
(vii) Which of the following is an appropriate reason for the effect of peer pressure in teenage years? (1)
(a) Teen years are always unmanageable.
(b) Teenagers spend more time with their peers and friends.
(c) Teenagers spend more time with their parents and old people.
(d) It is impossible to convince teenagers.
Answer:
(b) Teenagers spend more time with their peers and friends.
(viii) The writer mentions ‘The people around you are bound to influence you’. (Paragraph 5)
Mention one reason from the passage that supports the above statement.
The writer states that the people around us have a deep influence on us because ‘according to him’ it is a human tendency to follow our peers. Thus, we cannot resist the tastes of our peers and are influenced by them.
Question 2.
Read the following passage carefully: [10 Marks]
- The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation and is based on the fortune of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and entrepreneur. The Nobel Prize is awarded for the best contribution in the
fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Literature and to the person who has contributed by and large to bring Peace on Earth. In 1968, Sweden’s central bank established the Sveriges Riksbank’s Prize in Economic Sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel. - A look into the history of the recipients of the award reveals that only 57 women have received the award compared to 873 male recipients. There are various historical reasons for why this is the case, but the trend appears to be improving.
- Goran Hansson, the permanent secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said, “While more women are being recognised now compared with previous decades, only about 10% of the professors in natural sciences in western Europe or North America are women, and even lower if you go to east Asia.” All over the world, the number of men working in STEM fields is much higher than the number of women.
- Hansson emphasised that they have made sure to identify the problem and also learn about subconscious bias in the prize-awarding committees and academies. “We’ve had lectures by sociologists, we’ve had group discussions, we have put quite a lot of effort into it,” he said.
- “In the end, we will give the prize to those who are found the most worthy, those who have made the most important contributions,” he added.
Based on your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions that follow:
(i) According to the passage, what is the reason for the gender disparity among Nobel Prize recipients? Answer in about 40 words. [2]
Answer:
The reason for gender disparity is historical. However, it may also be due to subconscious bias in the prize-awarding committees and academies. As per paragraph II, only 57 women have received the award compared to 873 male recipients.
(ii) Based on the passage, what efforts are being made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to address the low representation of female scientists? [1]
Answer:
The Academy is consciously awarding female scientists from the 2000’s.
(iii) Examine in about 40 words the observation of Goran Hanson in the trend of recognition awarded. [2]
Answer:
Goran Hansson observes although more women are being recognized now compared with previous decades, only about 10% of the professors in natural sciences in Western Europe or North America are women, and even lower if you go to East Asia.
(iv) According to Goran Hansson, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences __________. [1]
(A) researches the cause of gender discrepancy in Nobel prize nominations
(B) nominates fewer men for prestigious awards like the Nobel prize
(C) awards the Nobel Prize to the most famous contributors
(D) selects individuals who are not prejudiced in any way
Answer:
(A) researches the cause of gender discrepancy in Nobel prize nominations
(v) Which of these pieces of information is NOT present in the passage? [1]
(A) number of Nobel prizes given in the year 2009.
(B) number of men who have received Nobel prizes to date.
(C) percentage of male scientists belonging to eastern countries.
(D) percentage of female scientists belonging to Western countries.
Answer:
(C) percentage of male scientists belonging to eastern countries.
(vi) What can be inferred from the graph showing the number of women Nobel laureates by decade? [1]
Answer:
It can be observed that since 1961, women Nobel laureates have been increasing steadily every decade. The number has gradually increased from 4 to 13 since 1991 to 2019.
(vii) Identify the opinion from these statements about the information shared in the passage. [1]
(A) The Nobel prizes have been awarded to more men than women.
(B) Alfred Nobel’s wealth is used to award the Nobel prizes to the winners.
(C) The Nobel prize was awarded for the best contribution in only four fields initially.
(D) Women in general are more inclined to work on world peace than on other subjects.
Answer:
(D) Women in general are more inclined to work on world peace than on other subjects.
(viii) The maximum number of Women Nobel Laureates was recorded in ___________. [1]
(A) 1991-2000
(B) 2001-2010
(C) 2010-2019
(D) 2020
Answer:
(C) 2010-2019
Section – B
Writing Skills & Grammar (20 Marks)
Grammar (1 x 10 = 10)
Question 3.
Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed.
(i) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of the letter. (1)
Respected Sir/Ma’am,
I …………….. (be) Drishya, a member of NGO Prada. I am writing to you to bring to
your notice the increasing effect of air pollution in our neighbourhood and in the surrounding area.
Answer:
am
(ii) Read the given sentence from a health article. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence. (1)
Americans will get the new Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine before Halloween to boost their immunity levels ahead of a potential infection surge this winter.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| will | should |
(iii) Report the following sentence. (1)
My mother often says to me, “Honesty is the best policy”.
Answer:
My mother often tells me that honesty is the best policy.
(iv) Read the dialogue between Ajay and his classmate Mohan. (1)
Ajay : Do you want to play with us?
Mohan : Yes, but I have been too late.
Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue.
Ajay asked Mohan if he wanted to play with them. Mohan replied affirmatively and told him that he …………….. .
(a) have been too late
(b) had been too late
(c) were too late
(d) has been too late
Answer:
(b) had been too late
(v) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the given sentence. …………… (A little/Some/More) of the mango trees in their garden bear fruit twice a year. (1)
Answer:
Some
(vi) Identify the error in the following sentence and supply correction.
India and Antarctica was once part of the same landmass.
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| was | were |
(vii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line.
He had no excuse to attacking that old man.
| Option No. | Error | Correction |
| (a) | had | has |
| (b) | excuse | accuse |
| (c) | to | for |
| (d) | attacking | attack |
Answer:
(vii) Error Correction
| Error | Correction |
| to | for |
(viii) Complete the given sentence by filling the blank with the correct option. (1)
When we hear commentary on the radio, we easily ……………… what is happening at a particular moment.
(a) visualise
(b) visualised
(c) visualising
(d) will visualise
Answer:
(a) visualise
(ix) Report the conversation between the teacher and the student by completing sentence. (1)
Teacher : For how many hours do you study at home, Rakesh?
Rakesh : I cannot study for more than half an hour.
The teacher asked Rakesh about the number of hours he studied, at home to which Rakesh informed ……………. .
Answer:
that he cannot study for more than half an hour
(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option. (1)
Tony asked his mother if she …………….. it from the mall earlier.
(a) bring
(b) brings
(c) had brought
(d) has brought
Answer:
(c) had brought
(xi) Complete the line from a poem by filling the blank with the correct option. (1)
Focus on all of life’s good
And you ………….. things work out as they should
Feeling sorry and just sitting around
It is a sure thing to bring you down.
(a) find
(b) will find
(c) had found
(d) finds
Answer:
(b) will find
(xii) Identify the error in the following advertisement of a school. (1)
MM School
New Delhi
We go beyond our textbooks because knowledge know no bounds.
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| know | knows |
Writing [10 Marks]
NOTE: All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purposes.
Question 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 to create awareness about it. Based on the points given along with your ideas write a letter in 100-120 words.
TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
- infrastructure unutilized
- pedestrians prone to accidents
- accumulation of stagnant water/garbage in subways
- need for improvement and regular cleanliness under proper supervision. [5]
Answer:
A-45 Pitampura
Delhi
1 March 20XX
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
Delhi
Sir,
Sub: Pedestrians not using subways
Through the columns of your esteemed paper, I would like to draw the attention of one and all toward the under-utilization of subways by pedestrians.
We know that there are subways available across Delhi for pedestrians to use and commute safely when on foot. However, these subways are often not used and these facilities go unutilized, making them an unnecessary burden on the government. The reason why pedestrians avoid using subways is the poor maintenance of the subways. Often water stagnation and garbage are seen in these subways which may lead to accidents and therefore, subways are avoided. Subways must be cleaned daily and maintained by painting them and making them amicable for pedestrians to use. This will solve a lot of traffic issues and make commuting safer for pedestrians.
I hope that the concerned authorities will take action soon.
Thank you
Yours truly,
Rohini
OR
(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]
Answer:
C-12 Janakpuri
Indore
1 March 20XX
The Manager
R.K. Travels
Indore
Sub: Enquiry about the Pilgrimage Tour
Sir/ Madam,
I am Shivani and would like to travel with my family to Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Haridwar. I came to know that you arrange for such pilgrimage tours and was given your reference by a friend.
We, a family of six, would like to take this pilgrimage tour and need the details of the tour and the deluxe buses plying to and from these places. Please provide the details of the tour, including the charges for a family of six and also the boarding and lodging arrangements that are provided. I would also like to know the duration of the tour to plan my travel accordingly. Kindly send the details at the earliest.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely,
Shivani
Question 5.
A. Rachel is finding a decent kindergarten for her daughter in her residential area. She found a school and did some analysis. She lives in an urban locality, is a working mother, has no transportation of her own, and is looking for safe and good schools nearby.
Write a paragraph in about 120 words analyzing her SWOT notes to support your stand on whether she should admit her daughter or not. (5)
S (Strength)
• Space is fenced off from the surroundings
• Big playground
• Good teachers
• Safe
• Minimal traffic
W (Weakness)
• No green elements
• Space is neglected
O (Opportunities)
• Walking distance from surrounding public
• Linked to the school, serves as a playground
T (Threat)
• Time
• Financial constraints
Or
B. Read the following excerpt from an online website.
The pressure of studies – spending time on social media, internet surfing – watching television – sleeping less at night – and being inattentive and sleepy during the daytime – hampered growth and development.
Write a paragraph in about 120 words on how addiction to the internet and TV has affected the sleeping hours of young people.
(You can think of alternative explanations that might support or validate the above statement.)
Answer:
A. On the basis of Rachel’s notes, we can conclude that she should admit her daughter to the school of her choice. The school shows many advantages; for instance, it appears to be safe, has fencing around the property, has minimal traffic and offers good education. All these qualities are required to be possessed by a kindergarten school. Although there are certain glitches like the space being neglected and lacking greenery, it can always be worked upon and is open to suggestions and discussion. If Rachel’s financial constraints can be worked out, it is a decent school for her daughter to study at as it fulfills most of the requirements necessary for the good education of young children.
B. I agree with the given statement that addiction to the internet and television has reduced/interfered with the sleeping hours of children. In today’s competitive world, students are already engrossed with school, tuition and extracurricular activities. In addition to that, social media and modern gadgets consume a major chunk of their time. Children get addicted to chatting on social media, playing virtual games and watching web series on the internet. All these activities keep them awake late at night. Consequently, they become inattentive and sleepy during the daytime. Children are unaware that less sleep can be detrimental to their health.
Hence, parents and teachers must intervene by setting up a fixed time for them to sleep at. Besides, making them understand the ill effects of less sleep on their growth and development can help in winning their persuasion.
Section-C (40 Marks)
Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text
Question 6.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given. [5 Marks]
(A) “Tell me another!” scoffed Pranjol.
“We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.”
“Tea was first drunk in China,” Rajvir added, “as far back as 2700 B.C.! In fact, words such as tea, chai and chini are from the Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage.”
(i) The main idea of this extract is: [1]
(A) Tea is a popular beverage in Europe and how it spread.
(B) Origin of tea in India and why it became popular in Europe.
(C) Importance of India in popularising tea and influencing Europe.
(D) Indian legend on tea and how it travelled from China to Europe.
Answer:
(D) Indian legend on tea and how it travelled from China to Europe.
(ii) Why do you think Pranjol ‘scoffed’? [1]
Answer:
Pranjol scoffed because he was amused and tickled at what Rajvir shared.
(iii) What is the Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea? [2]
Answer:
The Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea is that Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic amputated his eyelids because he experienced sleepiness when meditating. The eyelids sprouted ten tea plants. When these plants’ leaves were steeped in hot water and consumed, sleep was banished.
(iv) Based on the inference from the extract, which of these is NOT TRUE about tea drinking in sixteenth-century Europe? [1]
Dr. Smith is a doctor of sixteenth-century Europe.
(A) Dr. Smith encouraged drinking of green tea whenever available, to reduce the chances of tooth loss.
(B) Dr. Smith prescribed regular tea drinking to all his patients with a weak heart.
(C) Dr. Smith always served tea as a refreshment when he had guests, as they all enjoyed this beverage.
(D) Dr. Smith usually recommends black tea to reduce inflammation in the body.
Answer:
(C) Dr. Smith always served tea as a refreshment when he had guests, as they all enjoyed this beverage.
Explanation:
In 16th-century Europe, tea was consumed as a medicine and not as a beverage.
OR
(B) “What’s the matter with you, you fool”? shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you to school.” [5]
Then he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes today or else what will the teachers and the other school girls think of us when they see her?
New clothes had never been made for Bholi. The Old Dresses of her Sisters were passed on to her. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes. But today, she was lucky to receive a Clean Dress which had shrunk after many washings and no longer fitted Champa. She was even bathed and oil was rubbed into her dry and matted hair. Only then did she believe that she was being taken to a Place better than her Home! When they reached the School, the Children were already in their Classrooms.”
(i) Why did Ramlal call Bholi a fool? [1]
Answer:
This was because Bholi shouted in fear and pulled her hand away.
(ii) Pick the sentence that brings out the meaning of ‘decent’ as used in the extract. [2]
(A) He gets a decent amount of salary.
(B) One must be decent when having a conversation with strangers.
(C) She was dressed decently for the interview.
(D) It was very decent of him to lend me some money.
Answer:
(C) She was dressed decently for the interview.
(iii) Pick the option that best describes how Bholi felt at the end of her first day in school. [1]
(A) Lost and scared
(B) Calm and Peaceful
(C) Elated and Peaceful
(D) Hopeful and Elated
Answer:
(D) Hopeful and Elated
(iv) Bholi was a neglected child. Justify. [1]
Answer:
Bholi was a neglected child because she never got new clothes to wear. She was always passed on the old dresses of her sisters. Her clothes were not even washed or mended by anyone.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given. [5 Marks]
Question 7.
Read the given extracts and answer the guestions for ANY ONE of the two given. (5)
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. (1)
The poet was out on the cold snowy day when the dust of snow fell on him and …………… .
Answer:
changed his sad mood
(ii) The poetic device used in the line And saved some part’ is Alliteration.
What effect does the poet wish to create? (1)
(a) Emphasis
(b) Comparison
(c) Humour
(d) Personification
Answer:
(a) Emphasis
(iii) Of the many symbols the hemlock tree represents, state the one that Frost drew
upon, in all likelihood, for this poem. (1)
Answer:
The symbol of healing is one that Frost drew upon, in all likelihood, for this poem.
(iv) Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines. (2)
Answer:
The poet, Robert Frost, uses very simple, everyday and accessible language in the poem and it is through this language that he can invoke the strongest of emotions. The poet tells us though his mood at the beginning was sorrowful and despairing, overshadowed by darkness, which is symbolized by the crow, it has changed now to hopeful and devoid of regret, which is symbolized by the snow-covered tree. Thus, an in-depth reading of the poem reveals that there’s much more going on in what appears to be simple, straightforward lines.
Or
B.
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice (Fire and Ice)
(i) Why does the poet hold with those who favor fire? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
The poet holds with those who believe that the world will be destroyed by fire and thus connects it with desire. According to him, desire is powerful and would be a quick end. Moreover, the fact that he has had personal experience with desire leads him to conclude that the world will end in fire.
(ii) What does the poet preach in the extract through symbols ‘fire and ice’? (1)
Answer:
Through the poem ‘Fire and Ice , the poet preaches that our powerful emotions of extreme passion and hatred will eventually drag the worlds towards a catastrophic end.
(iii) Tone of the poet’s tone in the lines- ‘To say that for destruction ice/Is also great’ is (1)
(a) Sarcastic
(b) Serious
(c) Amused
(d) Celebrator
Answer:
(a) Sarcastic
(iv) What message does the poet want to convey through this poem? (1)
Answer:
The message that the poet wants to convey is that life is transitory and death is inevitable.
Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions in about 40-50 words each. (4 x 3 = 12)
Question 8.
(A) What did Kisa Gotami do after the death of her only son? [3]
Answer:
After the death of her only son, Kisa Gotami went door to door asking for a drug that could cure her son. She was overwhelmed with grief and was unable to come to terms with the death of her son.
(B) What are the raindrops compared to and why? [3]
Answer:
Raindrops have been compared to coins because the raindrops like money helped in harvesting and growing crops. This in turn leads to prosperity like money helps make more money.
(C) How is the Goan baker still an important part of the life of a Goan village? [3]
Answer:
Goan baker is still an important part of the life of a Goan village as the baker keeps up the old Portuguese tradition and culture. The baker also provides the village people with bread, sandwiches and cakes.
(D) How did Chubukov react when Lomov asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage? [3]
Answer:
Chubukov was very happy when Lomov asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Chubukov embraced Lomov and had tears of happiness in his eyes. He also sought the blessing of God for Lomov and his daughter.
(E) What does the line “never let down my bright hair” tell us about Amanda? [3]
Answer:
The above line tells us about Amanda she doesn’t want to be with anyone. She desires to be alone like an orphan in a tall tower where nobody can approach her. She doesn’t even want to be always nagged by her parents and listen to her mother scolding.
Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions in about 40-50 words each
Question 9.
Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. (2 × 3 = 6)
(i) Hobbies play a very important role in one’s life. Elaborate this concerning ‘The Making of a Scientist’. (3)
Answer:
Hobbies indeed play a very important role in one’§ life. It was Richard Ebright’s hobbies that led him into the field of science. He started collecting butterflies as a hobby. This led him to research and discover many things. Hence, we can say that hobbies play an important role in one’s life.
(ii) The last line of the text in ‘Bholi’ talks about an artist and the masterpiece.
Elaborate. (3)
Answer:
The ‘artist’ is the teacher and the masterpiece’ is Bholi. The teacher helped Bholi to become a strong and independent girl capable of making her own decisions. When Bholi met the teacher for the first time, she was scared. The teacher, with her kindness, support and encouragement, raised Bholi’s self-esteem and filled her with confidence. Bholi is her teacher’s masterpiece because she transformed her entirely and educated her in the true sense of term.
(iii) How was Hari Singh’s ‘appealing smile’ at the end different from his smiles on earlier occasions? (A Thief’s story) (3)
Answer:
Hari Singh’s smiles earlier were fake and artificial. They were full of flattery that aimed to fulfill his goal. But, in the end. his smile was real, natural and appealing.
Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 40-50 words each. (1 X 6 = 6)
Question 10.
(A) ‘As ripe fruits are in danger of falling early, so mortals when born are always in danger of death’. With this statement of the Buddha, find out the moral values that Kisa Gotami learnt after the death of her child. [6]
Answer:
It is a fact that the human life is mortal. It is brief and has pain. Death is a reality that has to be accepted by one and all. As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling, so mortals when born are always in danger of death. Whether its’s a young or an adult, fools or wise, all are subject to death. After the death of her child, Kisa Gotami learnt that death is inevitable and cannot be reversed. Whether somebody accepts it willingly or unwillingly, it’s a fact that needs to be accepted. When she roamed around in the village from house to house, she found that there was no house where the members were immortal. Those who have taken birth are bound to die one or the other day. Just like ripe fruits are likely to fall apart one day, similarly, humans also go far away after dying. Fruit once fallen from a tree cannot be put back similarly human life once gone cannot be brought back. Thus, Kisa Gotami concluded after the Budhha made her learn indirectly that death is inevitable for all the
living creatures on this earth.
OR
(B) ‘No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background or his religion’. Do you agree? Elaborate based on the chapter “Nelson Mandela-Long Walk to Freedom”. [6]
Answer:
No one is truly born hating a person due to their skin, background, or religion. It is the society that teaches one to be hateful against someone. People need to be taught to hate someone. This means they can be taught to love too. In the chapter Nelson Mandela- Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela seems to be quite optimistic and says that even when he and his mates were pushed to their limits in prison, he still
could see a ray of goodness shine in the eyes of one of the guards which was enough to motivate him to keep going in the freedom struggle.
Love comes more naturally to the human heart than hatred. If people are taught to spread love amongst each other then issues like religious riots and other man-made discriminations will surely no longer be persisting in the society. We are all born under the same sky and in the same world. Thus, all of us deserve equal rights and integrity to fulfill our obligations.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 100-120 words each (1 X 6 = 6)
Question 11.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. (1 × 6 = 6)
A. Noodle hails Think-Tank as the most powerful and intelligent creature in the whole universe. Do you agree? Write your opinion of Think-Tank citing instances from the given text. (The Book that Saved the Earth)
Or
B. Imagine that Mme. Forestier writes a diary entry after meeting Matilda describing how she felt on meeting her old friend. (The Necklace)
Write this diary entry in about 100-120 words.
Answer:
A. Noodle is a trainee under Think-Tank. He bows before him and hails his ruler as the most powerful and intelligent creature in the universe. However, Think-Tank is not intelligent. He misinterprets the nursery rhymes completely. ‘Silver’, ‘shells’, and ‘garden’ for him mean that the earthlings are growing metals in gardens.
Think-Tank thinks books to be sandwiches and wants the crew to eat them. When the nursery rhyme which says, Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall’ is read out to him, he is terrified and plans his escape from Mars.
Thus, Think-Tank is nothing more than a show-off and a pompous fool. So, later on, Noodle succeeds Think-Tank, becomes the ruler of Mars, and develops friendly relations with Earth.
B. Thursday. 21st May. 20XX
9:30 PM
Dear Diary.
Today, I am happy as well as sad. I met my old friend Matilda after a long time today. She had changed so much that I was unable to identify her at first. Ten years of poverty and hardship had stolen away Matilda’s youth and beauty. I was shocked to see her pitiful condition. She was poorly dressed, with untidy hair and red hands. I felt really bad for her unnecessary suffering.’ Had she told me the truth, it would have saved her from all the inconvenience. I sympathized with her and, in the end. that’s all I could do.
Jeanne