Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions and marking scheme Set 4 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Set 4 With Solutions
Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
- The Question Paper contains THREE Sections – 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. The world is big but in a sense, it starts with me. Knowledge and awareness about myself have to precede my knowledge of things other than me. If I want the external environment to appreciate value. I need to do it by myself, first. To make the atmosphere around me green, I have to be green myself, in belief and action.
2. From dusk to dawn and dawn to dusk, our every activity leaves its footprint on the environment and ecology. It is a 24 × 7, eternal phenomenon. A laboured consciousness of having to go green in all possible areas is required in each one of us. It is, after all, our self-interest and that of our descendants. The conscious application of change is going to become a habit and one’s culture in due course. Though we read and hear a lot of green initiatives, we hardly tweak our routines to suit the larger picture.
3. Greenery in the surroundings prevents dust and noise pollution. The way we water and manure plants also matter. Water is also a fast-depleting resource. Sprinklers are one example to use and conserve it. Compost from biowaste can be used as manure for plants which is cost-effective and eco-friendly. We can also contribute to the preservation of water bodies by not dumping our garbage in them. The use of public transport systems in the place of individual modes can reduce carbon footprint.
4. ‘Reuse’, ‘Recycle, ‘Re-engineer’ and ‘Renew’ are the mantras. Let us appreciate, support and contribute our might to the promotional efforts of the community in this direction. Remember, my ecology is also the community, society and nation that I care for which in turn cares for me. In other words, all these seemingly outward initiatives done for others are going to make my life more comfortable ultimately.
5. I have to be, therefore, concerned about what sort of environment I am responsible for, for my own sustenance, livelihood and progress. As long as my impact is positive, my presence will be welcome. If it is otherwise, I am going to be shunned. It is either ‘Embrace’ or ‘Embarrass’.
6. Green initiatives are anti-scorch Earth. Air, water and soil need to be conserved for the thriving of mankind in the future. The increasing onslaughts on the quality of air and soil need to be reversed. The indiscriminate exploitation of water – consumable water is only 0.3% of freshwater – needs to be stopped. The Earth ought not to shrink further, conf nue to breathe easy. Mother Earth looks for only love and cares from her childi m and nothing more in return for all the wealth she has so generously showered on us.
Answer the following question, based on the passage above.
(i) Why does the author say that one should be concerned about the environment? (1)
(a) For better sustenance
(b) For the betterment of culture
(c) For the betterment of self
(d) For future generations
Answer:
(a) For better sustenance
(ii) The writer is all for measures to be taken to save the planet Earth when he says,
“Air, water and soil need to be conserved for the thriving of mankind in the future.” (Paragraph 6) (2)
State 2 solutions he offers in the extract in about 40 words.
Answer:
Two solutions that the writer offers are :
(a) The increasing onslaughts on the quality of air and soil need to be reversed.
(b) The indiscriminate exploitation of water needs to be stopped.
(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
We need to conserve water because ………….. .
Answer:
it is fast depleting resource
(iv) 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) Knowledge and awareness
(b) Reduce and increasing
(c) Belief and action
(d) Dusk and dawn
(e) Indiscriminate and change
Answer:
(b) Reduce and increasing
(d) Dusk and dawn
(v) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
The author says that the Earth ought not to shrink further and continue to breathe easy because ……………. .
Answer:
Mother Earth looks for only love and care from her children and asks for nothing more in return for all that she offers
(vi) Supply one point to justify the following in about 40 words. (2)
I need to do it by myself, first. In order to make the atmosphere around me green, I have to be green myself, in belief and action.
Answer:
The entire day, our every activity leaves its footprint on the environment and ecology. Therefore, it is our responsibility to awaken our consciousness and go green in all possible areas, It is, after all, our own self-interest and that of our descendants.
(vii) Why does the writer says “The use of public transport systems in the place of individual modes …….. ” ? (1)
(a) to enhance air quality
(b) to reduce carbon footprint
(c) to manage ecosystem
(d) All of these
Answer:
(b) to reduce carbon footprint
(viii) Based on your reading of the text, list any 2 preventive measures for the author’s statement “Water is also a fast-depleting resource,” in Paragraph 3. (1)
Answer:
Two preventive measures for the given statement are
(a) Use of sprinklers to preserve water.
(b) Not dumping garbage in waterbodies.
Question 2.
Read the following passage carefully: [10 Marks]
1. Tourists to Jammu and Kashmir have another attraction- a floating post office on the Dal Lake in Srinagar, the first in the country. ‘Floating Post Office, Dal Lake- claimed to be the only one such post office in the world- is built on an intricately carved maroon houseboat, fastened on the western edge of the Dal Lake.
2. This post office lets you avail of all the regular postal services available in the country while being afloat. The seal used on everything posted from Floating Post Office is unique – along with the date and address. It bears the design of a boatman rowing a Shikara on the Dal Lake. The special feature of this post office is that letters posted from here carry a special design that has the picturesque scenery of Dal Lake and Srinagar city. These pictures reach wherever these letters are posted and hence promote Kashmir as a tourist destination across the world.
3. This is a heritage post office that has existed since British times. It was called Nehru Park Post Office before 2011. But after that, the chief postmaster John Samuel renamed it as ‘Floating Post Office’.
4. The post office’s houseboat has two small rooms- one serves as the office and the other a small museum that traces the philatelic history of the state postal department. It has a shop that sells postage stamps and other products.
5. But for the locals, the Floating Post Office is more than an object of fascination. Rupees 1-2 crore is deposited per month in the Floating Post Office by communities living in and around the Dal Lake. The lake has several islets that are home to more than 50,000 people.
6. The greatest difficulty is the recurrence of 2014-like floods in which the houseboat had gone for a toss uncontrollably pushed by the flood. Rescue teams had to anchor it using a special mechanism at a nearby highland. Then it was brought back on the Dal after the water receded. The biggest boon is that at no time of the year, do you need a fan in this post office!
Based on your understanding of the above passage, answer the questions that follow:
(i) Complete the given statement:
Before 2011, this post office was called ___________. [1]
Answer:
Nehru Park Post Office.
(ii) What is unique about the seal used in the floating Post Office? Justify your response in about 40 words. [2]
Answer:
The seal is unique because it bears the design of a boatman rowing Shikara unlike any other post office in the world.
(iii) How is the post office described by the writer? [1]
Answer:
The post office is described as an intricately carved maroon houseboat moored on the western edge of Dal Lake.
(iv) Why is the Floating Post Office more than a fascination for the locals? [1]
Answer:
The locals deposit crores of money in the post office, so it is just not only an object of fascination for them.
(v) _____________ is claimed to be the only one such in the world. [1]
(A) the museum of the state postal department
(B) the shop that sells postage stamps
(C) Floating Post Office situated on Dal Lake
(D) All of the above
Answer:
(C) Floating Post Office situated on Dal Lake
(vi) Complete the given statement:
____________ renamed the post office as ‘floating post office’. [1]
Answer:
John Samuel
(vii) The special feature of this post office is that letters are posted from here __________. [1]
(A) have the design a houseboat
(B) have the design of snow-capped mountains
(C) have the design of Dal Lake
(D) have the design of local handicrafts
Answer:
(C) have the design of Dal Lake
(viii) What function does the picturesque scenery of Dal Lake and Srinagar city fulfill? Answer in about 40 words. [2]
Answer:
The pictures reach wherever the letters are posted to, and hence promote Kashmir as a tourist destination across the world.
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)
Subject : Complaint against misbehavior.
Dear Sir,
This is to respectfully submit that I ………….. (write) this letter with extreme pain and disgust against the misbehaviour of the government officials in the office.
Answer:
am writing
(ii) Read the given sentence from a health article. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence. (1)
You should get skin disease if you don’t bathe every day.
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| Should | Can |
(iii) Shreya wanted some information from Sneha about the location of the post office.
Report Shreya’s question. (1)
Shreya said, “Do you know where the nearest post office is?”
Answer:
Shreya asked Sneha if she knew where the nearest post office was.
(iv) Read the dialogue between Divya and Arti, regarding buying a car. (1)
Divya : I am planning to buy a car.
Arti: Which car do you intend to buy?
Divya : I intend to buy the latest model of any popular company.
Select the correct option to complete the narration.
Divya told Arti that ………………. Then Arti asked her which car she intended to buy.
Divya said that she intended to buy the latest model of any popular company.
(a) she was planning to buy a new car
(b) she plans to buy a new car
(c) she will buy a new car
(d) she will be buying a new car
Answer:
(a) she was planning to buy a new car
(v) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence. (1)
Do you want ………………… (a/an/the) extension to finish ………………. (a/an/the) major project?
Answer:
an, the
(vi) Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. (1)
After using the computer for a long time, looking into a distance for about five minutes relaxed the eyes.
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| relaxed | relaxes |
(vii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line.
Today, the number of people who enjoys winter sports is bigger than that of twenty years ago. (1)
| Option No. | Error | Correction |
| a | the | a |
| b | people | the people |
| c | enjoys | enjoy |
| d | is | are |
Answer:
| Option No. | Error | Correction |
| c | enjoys | enjoy |
(viii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete an online update, (1)
The constellation they ……………… to observe is clearly visible from here.
(a) were going
(b) are going
(c) was going
(d) is going
Answer:
(b) are going
(ix) Report the dialogue between Neha and Namita by completing the sentence. (1)
Neha : I’m really looking forward to the class picnic tomorrow.
Namita : Yes, after a long time we will be meeting our friends and teachers.
Neha told Namita that she was really, looking forward to the class picnic the following day. Namita agreed that after a long time ……………… .
Answer:
they would be meeting their friends and teachers
(x) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option. ……………. Frank in Toronto? (1)
(a) Did you meet
(b) Have you met
(c) Were you meeting
(d) Will you met
Answer:
(a) Did you meet
(xi) Complete the line from a poem by filling the blank with the correct option. (1)
Now is the time to love, and, better still,
To serve our loved ones, over passing ill
To rise triumphant; thus the perfect flower
Of life to …………….. fruitage
(a) come
(b) shall come
(c) came
(d) had came
Answer:
(b) shall come
(xii) Identify the error in an online advertisement. (1)
Hindol Classes
New Delhi
If the music is in your passion, we are the right choice for you.
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| the | No article |
Writing (1 x 10 = 10)
Question 4.
(A) You are Anita/Anil of Panday Park. You recently worked on a school project on the powerful impact of media in promoting national integration. Write a letter to the editor of The Hindu, sharing your views on the role of media word limit 100-120 words. [5]
Answer:
Panday Park
Delhi
1 March 20XX
The Editor
The Hindu
Delhi
Sir,
Sub: Role of Media In National Integration
Through the columns of your esteemed paper, I would like to draw the attention of media persons to the role that they can play in promoting national integration. We know that India is a country where diversity is visible in every aspect and it is important for the people of India to stay united for the progress of the country. National integration is what aims to bind the people of India togetherand also provide themanenvironment thatisconducive to theirstaying together. In promoting national integration, media plays a very important role. Media is what keeps people in different parts of the country abreast with what is happening in the other parts and therefore acts as the most powerful means of communication. It is the role of media to present accurate information to the people of the country so that they can distinguish between the right and the wrong. With the help of media, the realities of the Indian political and social scene can be known and people can work for the betterment in all fields. It is the media that can help to remove social vices and maintain the required unity and integrity in India by helping people overcome communism and regionalism. I hope that the media people play a responsible role in advocating national integration.
Thank you
Yours truly,
Anita
OR
(B) You are Kamal/Kanishka living at G-59 Kirti Nagar. Write a letter to the Principal I.T. I Pune in about 100-120 words enquiring about the diploma course available in the institution the duration of the course the freestructure placement services and the admission process. [5]
Answer:
G-59 Kirti Nagar
Pune
1 March 2023
The Principal
I.T.I
Pune
Sub: Enquiry about diploma courses
Sir/ Madam,
I am Kaniskha and want to pursue industrial training and skill development courses. I am planning to join your institute for the same and would like to know about the diploma courses that are offered for these courses. I came to know that your institute is the best and so would wish to enrol in this institution. Please provide the details of the courses available along with their fee structure, duration and the admission process. I would also like to know what placement opportunities does your institution provide on the completion of the said courses. Kindly send the details at the earliest.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely,
Kanishka
Question 5.
A. The following flow chart has been taken from a literary magazine. (5)
Write a paragraph in about 120 words analysing the process of writing a story.
Or
B. Read the points below from a feedback section of a government website regarding problems faced by physically disabled people.
• Absence of ramps for wheelchairs
• Unclean toilets
• Unsuitable visiting timings. Tourist guides untrained in sign language
• Lack of braille-script tourist pamphlets
• Lack of empathy from fellow visitors and officials
Write a paragraph in about 120 words demarcating the problems they face at tourist places and include some suggestions a well.
Answer:
A. The given flow-chart provides information on the chronological method of writing a great story. It can be seen that the process requires seven stages, beginning with assuming the ideas and the background of the topic of the story. Further, it can be observed that the first stage of writing leads to choosing one specific topic. What follows, is that the writer needs to search an excellent character and they should focus on that character. The writer needs to be precise about what they want to share in the story, but they are not required to share that information. Step four requires the writer to involve the most significant human senses in their story. In the next step, the use of literary devices is suggested including figures of speech, to be used carefully. Proper treatment of adjectives and adverbs is required in the next step. The last step is the final product of the writer’s thoughts and creativity – the story.
Or
B. Physically disabled people are as much part of our society as any other individual. Often they are shunned by us and treated as someone from the other world. The stigma around their disability is so extreme that often we do not find public places, restaurants, vehicles, etc. by their needs. How often do we see a ramp in a tourist place or a braille guided pamphlet when we visit a famous heritage site? Often these places are inequipped with sign language expert guides to assist the disabled.
To add to it, the timings are often not suitable to a disabled person’s needs. Moreover, the people surrounding them in tourist places shun them away and lack enough empathy to help them. This creates a wide gap between us and the disabled. It is our responsibility and not merely of the government to take care of the people whose functional aspects of the body are not as coherent as ours. With the government taking more initiatives and making more disabled-friendly sites in the future, it is indeed our responsibility too to make sure we help them in whatever way fits best.
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]
(A) Max was slender, a little less than tall, with features that suggested slightly the crafty, pointed countenance of a fox. There was about him — aside from the gun — nothing especially menacing. “The report,” he. murmured. “The report that is being brought to you tonight concerning some new missiles. I thought I would take it from you. It will be safer in my handts than in yours.” Ausable moved to an armchair and sat down heavily. “I’m going to raise the devil with the management this time, and you can bet on it,” he said
firmly. “This is the second time in a month that somebody has got into my room through that nuisance of a balcony!”
(i) Owning a gun gave a menacing impression to Max’s character because: [1]
(A) a gun is only used by police officials.
(B) he was carrying it without any official license.
(C) a gun has a threatening implication.
(D) the gun was particularly huge.
Answer:
(C) a gun has a threatening implication.
Explanation:
Max’s further actions were influenced by the presence of that gun.
(ii) Choose the option that displays the correct analogy. [1]
(A) crafty : fox :: menacing : gun
(B) report : missile :: management : devil
(C) crafty : fox :: management : balcony
(D) armchair : grim :: balcony : nuisance
Answer:
(A) crafty : fox :: menacing : gun
(iii) Ausable thought Maxwell entered his room through a ____________. [1]
Answer:
Balcony
(iv) Who was Max? Which words describe his physique? [2]
Answer:
Max was another secret agent. The words slender, a little less than tall and had crafty, pointed countenance give the reader his description.
OR
(B) “Mr Keesing had a good laugh at my arguments, but when I proceeded to talk my way through the next lesson, he assigned me a second essay. This time it was supposed to be on ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’. I handed it in and Mr Keesing had nothing to complain about for two whole lessons. However, during the third lesson, he’d finally had enough. “Anne Frank, as a punishment for talking in class, write an essay
entitled-‘Quack, Quack, Quack, said Mistress Chatterbox’.’ [1]
(i) What convincing argument was made by Anne?
(A) She was talkative just like any other student in the class.
(B) She had the right to be talkative, as it was a classroom and not a prison.
(C) She had inherited the trait from her mother, so couldn’t stop being talkative.
(D) She found it impossible to be quiet like the others as she couldn’t change herself.
Answer:
(C) She had inherited the trait from her mother, so couldn’t stop being talkative.
Explanation:
Anne said that she had inherited talkativeness from her mother, who was equally talkative as Anne was.
(ii) What does ‘had a good laugh’ imply, in the context of Mr. Keesing? [1]
Answer:
Here, ‘Had a good laugh’ means laughing heartily in a positive sense. Mr. Keesing neither pulled up nor ridiculed Anne. He was not celebrating her ability to write essay as well. He realised the wittiness behind Anne’s remark.
(iii) Based on this extract, pick the option with the list of words that best describe Mr Keesing. [1]
(A) Jovial and creative
(B) Strict and innovative
(C) Tolerant and stri
(D) Innovative and jovial
Answer:
(B) Strict and innovative
Explanation:
Mr. Keesing was very particular about discipline in his class, so he was strict Yet, he found new ways to make Anne realise that she is talkative by making her write essays. So, in that sense, he was innovative too. Jovial means cheerful which Mr. Keesing was not.
(iv) Why do you think Mr Keesing chose the title – ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’ – for Anne, to write on? [2]
Answer:
Mr. Keesing wanted Anne to realize that she was too talkative and not maintaining discipline in class. He wanted to embarrass her and maintain discipline in future classes.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given. (5 x 1=5)
Question 7.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. (5)
A.
“Ink trickled down to the bottom of the
household and little mouse Blink
strategically mouseholed. But up jumped
Custard, snorting like an engine, Clashed
his tail like irons in a dungeon, With a clatter
and a clank and a jangling squirm, He went
at the pirate like a robin at a worm.”
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
(i) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
It is clear that the figure of speech used in With a latter and a clank and a jangling Squirm’ is Onomatopoeia because ………………. .
Answer:
all three words (clutter, clank and tangling) are examples of onomatopoeia, a figure of speech that portrays the sound made by certain actions or objects.
(ii) What is the poet’s purpose in using the onomatopoeic words given in the extract? (1)
(a) To emphasise the boldness of Custard
(b) To introduce the character
(c) To impress upon the readers
(d) To make Custard bold enough
Answer:
(a) To emphasise the boldness of Custard
(iii) The extract mentions ‘irons’ in dungeons. (1)
According to this extract, what does ‘irons’ refer to?
Answer:
In the given extract, the word ‘irons’ refers to iron chains holding the prisoners captive.
(iv) ‘He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm. Why has this comparison been used
here? Answer in 40 words. (2)
Answer:
The poet has made the comparison to show that Custard was very careful while he planned to attack the pirate. He walked as slow as a warm so that the pirate word not suspect anything.
Or
B.
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass. (A Tiger in the Zoo)
(i) Why is the tiger in a quiet rage’? (1)
Answer:
The tiger is in a ‘quiet rage’ because his freedom has been curtailed.
(ii) The meaning of the line ‘in his quiet rage’ is ……………… . (1)
(a) The tiger is hungry
(b) The tiger is sleepy
(c) The tiger is unhappy and controlling his anger
(d) The tiger is lazy
Answer:
(c) The tiger is unhappy and controlling his anger
(iii) How does the tiger show his presence? (1)
Answer:
The tiger shows his presence by baring teeth and claws, and by growling.
(iv) Why does a tiger express his rage quietly ? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
The tiger expresses his rage quietly because there is nothing he can do from behind the bars of his cage. He is helpless as his strength now lies inside the cage. He is no longer free as he was in the jungle.
Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions in about 40-50 words each. (4 x 3 = 12)
Question 8.
(A) Why did the night after the rains turn sorrowful for Lencho? (A letter To God) [3]
Answer:
In the short story “A Letter to God” by Gregorio Lopez y Fuentes, the night after the rains turned sorrowful for Lencho because the hailstorm had destroyed his entire crop, leaving him with no means to provide for his family. Nothing was left in his fields. He had suffered huge loss due to the hailstorm.
(B) Describe the young seagull’s first flight. (Two Stories About Flying) [3]
Answer:
The young seagull who always underestimated himself; was hungry and thus he dived at the fish. After holding her he fell downwards and outwards into the area. The young seagull thought he would die but suddenly his wings spread outwards automatically. He moved outwards and downwards but landed safely on the sea and now he floated on the water without any fear. Thus, he completed his first flight which led
him to lead a life of freedom from fear and dependency.
(C) Who are paders and why are they friends of children? (Glimpses of India) [3]
Answer:
The bakers of Goa are known as ‘Paders’. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo are the signal of their arrival in the morning. When the writer was a child, the jingling thud of baker’s bamboo used to wake him up. For children, the very sight of the baker was quite exciting. He was their friend, companion and guide. They ran to meet and greet him. It was not so much for the love of the loaf. What they longed for were the bread-bangles. Sometimes they liked the sweet bread of special make. Thus, arrival of Paders brought joy and belongingness among the children.
(D) How did Valli gather the details of the bus journey? (Madam Rides The Bus) [3]
Answer:
Valli found out that the bus journey to the town took 45 minutes and the two-way fare was 60 paise. She found out these details by listening carefully to the conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus and asked a few questions here and there. This way, she picked up every small detail about the bus journey.
(E) Describe how Custard the dragon fights with the Pirate. (The Tale of Custard the Dragon) [3]
Answer:
When the pirate entered, all were scared and ran away and disappeared except Custard who faced him boldly, attacked him, hit him hard with his forceful tail and gobbled every bit of him. All of them later felt obliged to Custard for saving their lives. Custard jumped in front of the pirate to fight him. The pirate fired two bullets at him but missed both of them. Then Custard gobbled the whole of the pirate and left no trace of him. Thus custard proved his worth in front of all the others.
Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions in about 40-50 words each. (2 x 3 = 6)
Question 9.
Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions. in about 40 – 50 words. (2 × 3 = 6)
(i) Mention any two points of differences between Earthlings and Martians in the 20th century. (The Book that Saved the Earth) (3)
Answer:
Earthlings and Martians were different in the 20th century. Earthlings produced books and had a library while the Martians did not have anything as such. Further, their languages were also different. We know this because the Martians had to take a pill to understand the language of the Earthlings.
(ii) Why did Matilda leave the ball in a hurry? What does it show about her character? (The Necklace) (3)
Answer:
Matilda left the ball in a hurry because she did not want to be seen with the ordinary wrap that she carried. She believed that the poor looks of her wrap contrasted with the elegance of the other ladies, who were wrapping themselves in rich furs.
This shows that she only wanted to keep up her appearance just to flatter her pride without being in touch with the real truth of her life.
(iii) Where was the safe at Shotover Grange? What was there inside it? What did Horace expect to get if he sold them one by one? (A Question of Trust) (3)
Answer:
The safe at Shotover Grange was kept in the drawing room behind a poor painting.
The safe had jewels worth about 15000 pounds kept in it. Because of his careful planning, Horace Danby was sure that his robbery at Shotover Grange would be a successful one. Horace expected to get at least 5000 pounds if he sold the jewels one by one.
Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 40-50 words each. (1 X 6 = 6)
Question 10.
(A) Motivation plays an important role in taking risks in life and in succeeding. You have been chosen to address a student gathering in your school to spread light on the topic concerning the pilot of the old, Dakota and the young seagull. Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words. [6]
Answer:
Good morning everyone
Motivation plays a very important role in taking risks in life and succeeding. Without motivation, it is not possible to reach the aims in life and be successful. The pilot of old Dakota is motivated to meet his family and have dinner with them. So, when he sees dark clouds ahead, he does not stop and risks his as well as the life of passengers to reach his destination.
The young seagull is afraid of flying. The seagull would go hungry because no one from his family gave him food. He saw others flying and when once risked to jump to take food from his mother, realised that he had to fly to live. Hunger is what motivated the young seagull to fly.
These two stories effectively illustrate the role that motivation plays in taking chances and succeeding.
Motivation fuels our actions, which pushes us to leave our comfort zones and take on problems head-on. It acts as a guiding light, showing the way forward even when the obstacles appear insurmountable. You are at a pivotal point in your lives as students.
You are perched on the edge of an unlimited number of opportunities. Realising the importance of motivation in determining your destiny is crucial.
To conclude, the pilot and the young seagull are two examples of how motivation may inspire people to take
chances and succeed.
OR
(B) Valli was an extra-ordinary girl who had self confidence and coinage to realise her ambition by planning and drawing on her spirit of adventure. Discuss in reference to the chapter ‘Madam Rides the Bus’. [6]
Answer:
Valli is an extraordinary girl who is self-confident and has an adventurous spirit that she uses to release her ambitions of seeking different adventures. As a young girl, she is curious and wants to learn a lot from others. She is a keen observer and listens to conversations to gain knowledge from them. She also asks a lot of questions and sometimes about different places and journeying to them. She even befriends a conductor to get knowledge to fulfil her hunger for adventure. It is through all her planning and ability to know and learn that she is able to achieve her dreams of adventures.
Answer ANY ONE of the two questions given below in about 100-120 words: (1 X 6 = 6)
Question 11.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. (1 × 6 = 6)
A. A calm mind can help you tackle the direst stress. Elaborate concerning ‘ The Midnight Visitor” .
Or
B. You have just read The Invisible Man’ in your class. Write a diary entry in about 100-200 words describing how you felt after reading it.
Answer:
A. Certainly, a calm mind can help us tackle the direst stress. When we face difficult situations, we are always told to stay calm, cool and focused. If we panic, it hampers our thinking ability and we are unable to take proper decisions. Our minds don’t work properly and we lose hope.
In the story The Midnight Visitor’, Ausable, the secret agent remains calm. This calmness and composure saves not only himself and Fowler but also the important papers. It also enables him to create two imaginary stories that lead him to outwit (deceive) Max. If he had panicked and done something fishy (disputable), then Max would have probably killed him and his guest Fowler.
But, Ausable kept his mind cool and deceived Max into believing his story. Consequently, Max fell to his death.
Just like Ausable, we also need to calm our nerves and cool our mind in times of difficulty. If we keep our mind cool and focused, we can find ways to get out of a dangerous situation.
Or
B.
Wednesday, 20th Nov, 20XX
08:45 PM
Dear Diary,
I have just read a story in my class today about an unusual scientist named Griffin. On one hand, he was a brilliant scientist and discovered that the human body could become invisible and transparent. On the other hand, he was a lawless person and misused his invisibility for his gains.
He committed thefts and beat innocent persons for his benefit.
His great discovery could have made him popular and respectable and earned him a name and fame. However, due to his evil bent of mind, he became a disaster for himself as well as the society. In the end, his great discovery was reduced to nothing and brought him disrepute and dishonor. I felt really bad after reading this. Science should be used for the betterment of society but here it was just used for destructive purposes.
I hope that scientist should be more aware of how they act and use their inventions.
Shrinath