Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions Set 5 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Set 5 with Solutions
Time:3 Hours
Max. 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
(Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages)
I. Read the following text:
1. Till 1988, the Pamban Bridge was the only surface transport that connected Tamil Nadu’s island of Rameswaram to the mainland. Said to be an engineering marvel, the Pamban Bridge was once India’s longest sea bridge, till the Bandra-Worlj sea link came up in 2009. What makes Pamban Bridge more wonderful is that it was built more than 100 years ago.
2. The 2.057 km long bridge, also known as Bridge No. 346 in Indian Railway reference, consists of over 140 spans. The amazing feature of a double-leaf section that can be raised to allow the movement of ships and boats was designed by German engineer Scherzer. The 114th span, midway along the bridge, is called the Scherzer span.
3. Interestingly, the Scherzer span is now being replaced by a modern one to improve the life of the bridge. Pamban Bridge is a cantilever bridge, that has structures that project horizontally into space, supported only on one end.
4. Until recently, the two leaves of the bridge were opened manually using levers by workers, says Indian Railways. Following a cyclone-induced tragic train accident in 1964, Indian Railways installed devices to check the wind velocity across the Pamban via duct. Train movement on the bridge is halted when the wind speed exceeds 58 kmph.
5. The construction of the Pamban Bridge began in 1911 and it was opened in 1914. It was only in 2007 that the railway line on Pamban Bridge was converted from metre-gauge to broad-gauge.
6. According to Indian Railways, the famed Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram and the Pamban Bridge draw scores of foreign tourists and inland pilgrims to the island.
7. Even as Indian Railways’ Pamban Bridge continues to be an engineering marvel, yet another railway bridge that is likely to be a stunning site is coming up in Jammu and Kashmir. Said to be the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, is set to be completed by 2019. The bridge will be taller than Paris’ famous Eiffel Tower and is being built to withstand earthquakes.
8. Yet another bridge that will be a landmark is the Bogibeel Bridge – India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge. The Bogibeel double-deck bridge is being built over the Brahmaputra in the Dibrugarh district of Assam and will connect the North and South banks of the river. The total length of the rail-cum-road bridge will be 4.9 km.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(i) The writer says, “Yet another bridge that will be a landmark is the Bogibeel Bridge”. Select the reason why Bogibeel Bridge will be a landmark:
A. India’s longest rail-cum-road Bridge that will connect the North and South banks of the river.
B. World’s longest raii-cum-road Bridge will connect the North and South banks of the river.
C. Asia’s longest rail-cum-road Bridge will connect the North and South banks of the river.
D. India’s shortest rail-cum-road Bridge will connect the North and South banks of the river.
Answer:
A. India’s longest rail-cum-road Bridge that will connect the North and South banks of the river.
(ii) What is the tone of the writer in the given line from paragraph (1)? Rationalise your response in bout 40 words. What makes Pamban Bridge more wonderful is that it was built ‘more than 100 years ago.
Answer:
Technical advancement till 2009 had improved by leaps and bounds from the technology that was available 100 years ago and yet with more than hundred years old technology with which Pamban bridge was built made it stay as India’s longest sea bridge, till the Bandra – Worli sea link broke its record in 2009. The tone clearly is of amazement.
(iii) The special quality of the bridge is that it has structures that project horizontally into space, supported only at one end. It is
………………………… .
Answer:
a cantilever bridge
(iv) The passage includes some words that are not synonyms to each other. From the sets (a) – (e) below group them in two sets of antonyms & synonyms:
(a) marvel
(b) foreign
(c) stunning
(d) inland
(e) wonderful
Answer:
Synonyms: (a) marvel (c) stunning (e) Wonderful
Antonyms: (b) foreign (d) inland
(v) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author’s use of vivid imagery in paragraphs (2) and (6), such as “the amazing feature of a double-leaf section that can be raised to allow movement of ships and boats” and “the famed Ramanath Swamy temple in Rameshwaram and the Pamban bridge draw scores of foreign tourists and inland pilgrims to the island”, keeps us mesmerised because ………………….. .
Answer:
the long lasting project of technology more than a hundred years old, still got further improved when the two-leaf section made by Scherzer was replaced by a modern one which no longer needs to be opened manually using levers by workers, it still stays as an engineering marvel for its longevity attracting scores of foreign and inland tourist.
(vi) Based on your reading of the text, state 2 reasons in about 40 words why the writer says that “the Pamban Bridge is an engineering marvel”.
Answer:
- Till 1988, the Pamban Bridge was the only surface transport that connected Tamil Nadu’s island of Rameswaram to the mainland.
- The Pamban Bridge was once India’s longest sea bridge, till the Bandra-Wor]i sea link came up in 2009.
(vii) What is/are the ‘catchy fact(s)’ that a reader gathers, in the following excerpt from the passage?
‘Even as Indian Railways’ Pamban Bridge continues to be an engineering marvel, yet another railway bridge that is likely to be a stunning site is coming up in Jammu Kashmir…’
‘Yet another bridge that will be a landmark is the Bogibeel Bridge – India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge….’
I. The Chenab Bridge coming up in J & K will be the world’s highest railway bridge
II. Bogibeel Bridge is India’s longest rail – cum – road bridge
III. The Chenab Bridge will be taller than Eiffel Tower
IV. The Bogibeel Bridge is more than thrice the length of Pamban Bridge
A. Only I and II
B. Both II and III
C. I, II, and IV
D. Only II
Answer:
D. Only II
(viii) The following bridges have been mentioned in the ‘Factual Passage’:
A. The Pamban Bridge
B. The Bandra-Worli Bridge
C. The Chenab Bridge
D. The Bogibeel Bridge
List one common factor between any two bridges that links the two in pairs.
Answer:
A. The Pamban Bridge and
B. The Bandra – Worli Bridge are sea bridges.
C. The Chenab Bridge and
D. The Bogibeel Bridge are river bridges.
II. Read the following text:
1. The Arctic is warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, and some scientists believe that thawing permafrost ground – frozen since the last Ice Age – is about to release enormous amounts of climate-warming emissions. In the coldest regions of planet Earth, ice binds together soil, rock, sand, and organic matter. This layer of permafrost can begin just centimeters below the Earth’s surface. Places anywhere cold enough to keep the ground frozen year-round for at least two years counts as permafrost. About a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere contains permafrost.
2. Warmer temperatures in the Arctic are causing snow and ice to disappear. As ice covering the sea shrinks back, it exposes darker waters that absorb solar radiation rather than reflecting it back out in the atmosphere. This is called the albedo effect, and it helps explain why the Arctic region is warming so much faster than the rest of the world. This chart shows how much average surface air temperatures have changed at different latitudes since 1960.
3. The Siberian Arctic town of Verkhoyansk in June registered a record-high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) during a prolonged heat wave. Record fires have also engulfed vast swathes of Siberian Russia, emitting more carbon dioxide than Switzerland or Norway in a year.
4. The boreal forests of the Arctic have evolved to survive and thrive from occasional fires that would naturally occur every few decades or centuries in the region. But the more recent fires are different, scientists say. They are starting months earlier than they ever have before, and are smoldering through the winter as underground ‘zombie fires.’
5. The more intense fires are also burning up peat hogs. A forest might grow back in a few decades and reabsorb the carbon it released when it burned; a peat bog is the accumulation of thousands of years of partial decomposition.
6. The best way to prevent permafrost from thawing is to limit climate change by reducing fossil fuel emissions and protecting forests, scientists say. But once permafrost thaws, there’s nothing that can be done to stop the carbon from being released. (Source: The true picture)
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:
(i) Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of paragraphs 1 & 2. We can say that with increasing global temperature the permafrost thaws to release climate-warming emissions which is causing snow and ice to disappear in the Arctic. This is leading to ……………………… .
Answer:
‘Albedo effect’ which means as the ice covering the sea shrinks back, it exposes darker waters that absorb radiation rather than reflecting it back out in the atmosphere which is why Arctic region warming much faster than the rest of the world.
(ii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your understanding of paragraph 2.
The statement that, ‘warmer temperatures in the Arctic are causing snow and ice to disappear’ is a (fact/opinion) because it is exposing the darker waters to …………………… (reflection/ absorption of heat).
Answer:
fact; absorption of heat
(iii) Justify the following, in about 40 words.
While boreal forests are able to survive according to the passage, yet the problem of carbon emission can spin of control.
Answer:
The boreal forests have evolved to survive and thrive on occasional fires which remove the thick forest floor mat of old forests so that new young forests can begin. But if the fires are more intense then they can even start burning peat bogs. Peat bogs generate more carbon emissions while generating very less energy compared to coal. Thus carbon emissions can spin out of control.
(iv) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in the given passage. The Arctic region is warming so much faster than the rest of the world.
Answer:
As ice covering the sea shrinks back, it exposes darker waters that absorb solar radiation rather than reflecting it back out in the atmosphere causing the Arctic region to warm faster. This is called the albedo effect.
(v) In the given figure there has been a considerable rise in temperature due to ‘thawing of permafrost’ in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Antarctic region is comparatively much better in keeping the temperature well under the freezing point of water. State one reason for this.
Answer:
In the southern hemisphere, there’s far less ground to freeze, so thawing of permafrost is very less compared to North Hemisphere, so with very less possibility of carbon emission due to very less thawing of permafrost the rise in temperature is negligible nearer the South Pole. When permafrost is frozen, plant material in the soil-called organic carbon can’t decompose, or rot. As permafrost thaws, microbes begin decomposing this material. This process releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane to the atmosphere.
(vi) Select the chart that appropriately represents the correct surface air temperature variations between the Artic region and Antarctic region.
A. Option 1
B. Option 2
C. Option 3
D. Option 4
Answer:
A. Option 1
(vii) State any two ways to prevent permafrost from thawing.
Answer:
- Limiting climate change by reducing fossil fuel emissions.
- Protecting the forests.
(viii) Which one is the ‘point of no return’ statement mentioned in the passage?
A. Warmer temperatures in the Arctic are causing snow and ice to disappear.
B. In the coldest regions of Earth, ice binds together soil, rock, sand, and organic matter.
C. Some scientists believe that thawing permafrost is about to release enormous amount of climate warming emissions.
D. Once permafrost thaws, there’s nothing that can be done to stop the carbon from being released.
Answer:
D. Once permafrost thaws, there’s nothing that can be done to stop the carbon from being released.
Section B: Writing Skills & Grammar
GRAMMAR
III. 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.
The servants ……………………. (quarrel) for half an hour when we arrived home.
Answer:
had been quarreling
(ii) identify the error in the given sentence, from a school magazine report and supply the correction. In order to balancing the sentiments of the Eagles and the Hawks, the Student Council suggested a rematch between the teams.
Use the given format for your response.
Error | Correction |
Answer:
Error | Correction |
balancing | balance |
(iii) Jovi and John had a conversation at a railway station regarding their trip to Goa. Report Jovi’s question:
Have you brought any snacks with you?
Answer:
Jovi asked John whether he had brought any snacks with him for their trip to Goa.
(iv) Choose the option that completes the sentence below correctly.
By the time I arrived at the party, Jane ……………………… for over an hour.
A. will dance
B. danced
C. has been dancing
D. had been dancing
Answer:
D. had been dancing
(v) Select the correct option to fill in the blank.
You …………………….. use mobile phones inside the aircraft.
A. had to
B. can
C. could
D. mustn’t
Answer:
D. mustn’t.
(vi) Discipline in life ensures peace and harmony which in turn, offers the impetus for a nation’s progress.
Error | Correction |
Answer:
Error | Correction |
ensure | ensures |
(vii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line.
The entire household was in the control of my mother-in-law.
Option No. | Error | Correction |
(i) | in | under |
(ii) | The | An |
(iii) | was | is |
(iv) | of | with |
Answer:
Option No. | Error | Correction |
(i) | in | under |
(viii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence.
You …………………… pay attention in the class.
A. can
B. should
C. may
D. might
Answer:
B. should
(ix) Report the dialogue between a soldier and a boy, by completing the sentence.
The boy: Sir, you are a war veteran, how does it feel to receive the adulation?
The soldier: Son, it is a very difficult question. We kill our enemies to keep our nation safe. But it is just humans killing humans.
In response to the question the boy had asked, the soldier replied that ………………….. . He further said that ………………….. .
Answer:
it was a very difficult question to answer; they kill their enemies to keep our nation safe but it was just humans killing humans.
(x) Choose the option that completes the sentence below correctly.
I just heard the journalist report that several highways in Uttarakhand …………………… blocked due to landslides as incessant rain batters the hill state.
A. had been
B. have been
C. were being
D. will have been
Answer:
B. have been
(xi) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence.
A school of fish ………………… spotted in the lake.
A. are
B. have
C. has
D. was
Answer:
D. was
(xii) Identify the error in the advertisement in the classified section:
Classifieds
Delhi Public School, Shastri Puram, Agra
Require a Mathematics teacher to teaching senior classes.
Emoluments at par with Kendriya Vidhyalaya.
Use the given format for your response.
Error | Correction |
Answer:
Error | Correction |
to | for |
Section C: Writing
IV. 1. Attempt ANY ONE from A arid B given below.
A. Write a letter to the Commissioner of Police in about 120 words, to employ extra constables at the beat box close to the locality to check on crimes.
Answer:
7G, Rainbow Colony,
M.G. Road,
Delhi
31st July, 20XX
The Commissioner of Police,
Delhi,
Subject: Request to employ more constables at the Beatbox
Sir,
This is to bring to your kind attention that the police beat box near our locality has a very few constables. They often let off people who look suspicious and refuse to work efficiently. The residents face a lot of problems because of this and many cases of robbery have been reported from the resident’s end lately.
At times the nearest beatbox doesn’t have anyone who could come to the rescue. The situation is worsening and people are scared to step out. We would be highly obliged if more constables are deployed and the entry and exit points are checked regularly. It is a humble request from all the residents and we hope to get some relief soon.
Thanking you,
You rs sincerely,
Ajay Verma
OR
B. Write a formal letter to the Editor of a newspaper in about 100-120 words, highlighting the need to learn communication in English for basic necessities.
Answer:
M- Block,
Janakpuri,
Delhi
16th June, 20XX
The Editor,
The Times of India,
Delhi
Subject: Need for English communication
Sir,
Through the columns of this esteemed daily, I would like to stress on the importance of English communication in English which is a very significant aspect of today’s daily life. Communicating in English has become necessary for everyone whether a student or a professional. English is a global language which can be a medium of communication anywhere and everywhere so it should be stressed right from the beginning.
Though all learners in our country study English in all classes, they do not focus on improving their communication skills which go a long way ahead in their future. To seek a good job, they have to join classes for improving the same. If the importance is made apparent right at the basic stages along with other subjects, students can excel in language learning and thereby go for all-round development in future. There are numerous good candidates who fail to get hired by a company due to lack of communication in English. Therefore, right from the initial stages, parents and teachers should put emphasis on communication in English. I hope this would serve as an awareness to all.
Thanking you,
Yours Faithfully.
Ankita Chaturvedi
2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. Global weather has been undergoing a drastic change and global warming is responsible for creating arctic meltdowns. Use the given pie chart to write a paragraph analysing the reasons for climate change in about 120 words.
Answer:
Global weather has been undergoing a drastic change and global warming is responsible for creating arctic meltdowns. The pie chart represents the various sectors responsible for climate change. According to the chart, energy and electricity generation accounts for the largest percentage in its contribution in global warming, which is 33%. This can be attributed to the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The transportation sector comes in second with 27%, which includes emissions from vehicles such as cars, trucks, and airplanes.
The industry sector follows closely at 19%, which involves manufacturing processes and the use of energy for heating and cooling. Agriculture, commercial, and residential sectors contribute 7%, 7%, and 6% respectively. The remaining 1% can be attributed to other miscellaneous activities. Overall, the chart highlights the need for urgent measures to be taken by governments and individuals to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.
OR
B. The chart below gives the percentage of social media users by age in India in 2020. Write a paragraph analysing the given information drawing comparisons among age groups in 120 words.
Answer:
The chart provides an insight into the online activities of social media users in India, classified by age group. The highest percentage of all age groups use social media to get news. The percentage of teenagers engaging in online games is the highest among all age groups, with 81%. Searching for people and profiles online is not that popular among any of the age groups, but users in their 20s lead this cohort as networking seems to be important to them.
Users in their teens and above are more focused on buying products online, with the highest percentage among them being 73%. It is interesting to note that the percentage of users engaged in product research increases with age, with the highest percentage being among those in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. However, the percentage of users engaged in downloading activities decreases with age.
In conclusion, the chart indicates that social media is an important platform for getting news and staying connected with people for all age groups in India. Online gaming is most popular among teenagers, while product research and online buying are more prevalent among older age groups.
Section D: Literature
V. Reference to context.
1. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. And that is why it is so difficult to rob him. it’s casi to rob a greedy man because he can afford to be robbed, but it’s difficult to rob a careless man – sometimes he does not even notice lie’s been robbed and that takes all the pleasure out of the work. Well, it’s time I did some real work, I told myself I’m out of practice. (The Thief’s Story)
(i) State any one inference about the thief from the given context “and that takes all the pleasure out of the work.”
Answer:
The context suggests that the thief finds pleasure in the process of robbing and this enjoyment is diminished when the victim doesn’t even notice the theft. This implies that the thief takes pleasure not only from the material gain but also from the psychological impact on the victim, highlighting a certain level of psychological complexity in the character’s motivations and mindset.
(ii) State TRUE or FALSE.
None of the terms (a) -(d) below, can be applied to the statement – “hut it’s difficult to rob a careless man – sometimes he doesn’t even notice he’s been robbed and that takes all the pleasure out of the work.”
A. A hypothesis – a proposed explanation for a phenomenon
B. An assumption – something that is taken for granted or assumed to be true without proof
C. A premise – a proposition that forms the basis of an argument
D. A theory – a well-substantiated explanation for a natural phenomenon
Answer:
False, it’s a premise since it forms the basis for the argument presented in the passage and sets the stage for the idea that robbing a careless man is difficult due to his lack of the item’s awareness, which diminishes the thief’s enjoyment.
(iii) “Well, it’s time I did some real work, I told myself; I’m out of practice.” Elaborate this line in not more than 40 words.
Answer:
The thief, who introduced himself as Han Singh had been staying with Anil since one month, He had stopped stealing since his association with him, but now he was again eager to steal a large sum of money earned by Anil.
(iv) Which phrase from the extract would correctly substitute the phrase “Not currently proficient in a particular activity”?
Answer:
The phrase from the extract that would correctly substitute the given phrase is “Out of practice”.
OR
B. ‘Paper lias more patience than people.’ I thought of this saying on one of those days when I was feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out. I finally stayed where I was, brooding: Yes, paper does have more patience, and since I’m not planning to let anyone else read this stiff-hacked notebook grandly referred to as a ‘diary’ unless I should ever find a real friend, it probably won’t make a hit of difference. (From the Diary of Anne Frank)
(i) What led Anne to begin writing dairy’ entries?
A. She thought that paper had more patience than people
B. She felt like writing
C. She wanted to get many things off her chest
D. She could never ever find a real friend to confide in
Answer:
D. She could never ever find a real friend to confide in
(ii) What light does the extract throw on Anne’s life? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
Anne was an insightful 13-year-old schoolgirl. The extract portrays her loneliness and the dilemma on how to spend her idle time at home revealing the lack of a real friend in her life. This became the ultimate reason to start penning down her feelings in a diary.
(iii) Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.
A. A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic, usually with two or more people presenting different viewpoints and arguments.
B. A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage, which reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience.
C. An aside is a brief comment or remark made by a character directly to the audience, which is not intended to be heard by other characters on stage.
Answer:
B. A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage, which reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience.
(Cannot be (a) since it is not a formal discussion and cannot be (c) because what she speaks is certainly not brief).
(iv) If an actor were to enact this extract, what would he be required to focus on, while modulating his voice?
Answer:
The actor would be focusing on the musings of a 13-year-old girl in a chirpy tone and then the volume being toned down because of the realisation of loneliness in the absence of a true companion.
2. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.
A. M’s head is full of whispers
which tomorrow will be silent.
Listen. The glass is breaking.
The frees are stumbling forward
into the night. Winds rush to meet them. (The Trees)
(i) Fill the blank with one word.
When the speaker says that the glass is breaking, she metaphorically refers to restraints on ………………….. being removed as the society became progressive.
Answer:
women
(ii) What does the speaker’s use of the word ‘trees’, metaphorically suggest?
Answer:
The poetess uses ‘trees’ as a metaphor for women, whose absence in this world would be chaotic. She dreams of an equal society for women and uses trees to describe how they are all coming out of homes to enrich the ‘forests’ of the world.
(iii) Which of the following best describes the speaker’s attitude towards the changing tide?
A. Banal
B. Jubilant
C. Worried
D. Discontent
Answer:
B. Jubilant
(iv) Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines.
Answer:
The poetess uses a tone of anticipation of good news. She spins words in a way that gives a sense of a grand scheme about to happen. The trees are breaking their shambles and rushing out to new hopes and finally breathing. The world outside is also ready to welcome them.
B. The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over the harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on. (Fog)
(i) In what way does the poet set the tone of this poem which is appropriate to the title?
Answer:
The poem has a very lazy but quick flow. It is short and crisp. The tone and setting is very similar to the subject being described in the poem itself. Just as fog lingers for a while and disappears, so does this poem begins and ends abruptly.
(ii) What is the significance of the use of the word “cat” to describe the fog in the poem and how does this word choice contribute to the overall mood and tone of the poem? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer:
The poet uses the metaphor of a cat to describe the fog in his poem. The poet is comparing the fog to a cat. He compares the stealthy and calm demeanour of the fog’s motion to that of a cat’s movement.
(iii) Complete the sentence with the appropriate option.
The lines from the poem tell us that the fog is ……………………. .
A. stealthy
B. predictable
C. loud
D. vapid
Answer:
A. stealthy
(iv) Identify the setting of the poem by the given lines.
Answer:
The poem is set in a coastal city that is harbouring the sea and is prone to fog easily. The fog quickly comes and goes, giving us a perception of a fast-paced city.
VI. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words each.
(i) “Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater and his body will suffer.” Whose words are these? Elucidate the teachings concerning The Sermon at Benaras.
Answer:
According to Buddha, death and suffering are part and parcel of life. One cannot avoid this truth. One has to meet one’s destiny which is death. Birth and death are inevitable and related in a cycle, who ever enters the world has to exit at some point. One must remain calm and composed so that pain doesn’t overcome one, in the hour of grief. Nobody can get peace of mind by weeping or grieving, instead, the body will suffer. Wise people, never complain or lament over their loss but accept the truth. Hence, the wisdom lies in the fact that people should not get distressed by pain, suffering, and death.
(ii) How is divine love different from human love? (For Anne Gregory)
Answer:
Divine love is everlasting and transcends physical beauty whereas human love is restricted to physical or external beauty only. In divine love, the beauty of the soul is given priority wherein virtues and qualities of head and heart are appreciated whereas, human love gives priority to body and physical charm.
(iii) Validate this sentence with reference to The Diary of Anne Frank ‘Paper has more patience than people.’
Answer:
Anne Frank is a thirteen-year-old girl who does not have any friends therefore she resorts to writing a diary where she can confide her true thoughts and feelings. She said this on one of the days when she was sitting depressed holding her chin in her hands. She decided she would only let a real friend read her diary if she found any.
(iv) Even the most laid-back individuals would get converted to a life of high-energy adventure in Coorg. Do you agree? Why? /Why not? (2 reasons) (Glimpses of India: Coorg)
Answer:
For
Laid-back people do get converted to a high adventure life in Coorg, because of the clear pristine climatic conditions which do have a role in energising visitors. Also, the existence of facilities like rappelling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and river rafting do turn up the levels of excitement. (Against)
Against
It is not necessary for all laid-back individuals to get excited with the adventurous life in Coorg, because the high adventure sports demand considerable ramping up of energy levels and also these sports can be fraught with risks, which can be enough to dampen the excitement.
(v) Give one reason why the poem Fog is totally a metaphorical composition.
Answer:
The poem ‘Fog’ is a metaphorical composition. It is because the poet has tried to bring two very different things, fog and cat on the same plane by just dwelling on the similar qualities of stillness between their way of motion.
VII. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions in about 40-50 words each.
(i) Horace Danbv used to think that people who own valuable things are foolish. Do you think he himself was foolish? (A Question of Trust)
Answer:
Horace Danbv used to make locks for a living and commit a careful robbery once every year. He felt that his targets were foolish people because their valuable possessions tempted him to rob them. However, he himself became a fool when a lady thief robbed him of the valuable things that he obtained from Shot over Grange.
(ii) In context of The Necklace, validate the importance of being content with what you have, when it comes to materialistic possessions.
Answer:
Madame Loisel’s covetous attitude became the bane of her existence. She was resentful of the life and luxury she had, always wanting more and better. This led to a series of events that pushed her into debt and a hard life of toil and labour for over a decade that took away everything she already had earlier. Thus, it is better to be content with whatever one has.
(iii) Why did Mrs Pumphrey think that her dog’s recovery was a triumph of surgery? (A Triumph of Surgery)
Answer:
Mrs Pumphrey thought that her dog’s recovery was a triumph of surgery because Tricki had regained perfect health within a span of a few days only. Such a quick and complete cure is usually possible only after surgery. However, she was not right in this belief since Tricki had recovered through the simple process of strict diet and exercise.
VIII. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 100-120 words.
(i) You have been asked to present an evaluation of the approaches of the chapter Nelson Mandela: Long Walk for Freedom and the Trees. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words, comparing the approaches of both.
Answer:
Nelson Mandela’s life is a testament to the power of resilience, forgiveness, and commitment. Like a strong tree, he weathered numerous challenges in his struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Just as a tree that leaves a lasting impact on the environment and the ecosystems, Mandela’s principles and actions had a lasting impact on generations to come. Trees are symbols of interconnectedness and unity within the environment. Mandela emphasized the importance of unity amongst diverse groups and the need for cooperation to achieve a just society. Both Nelson Mandela’s life and the symbolism of trees embody qualities of strength, growth, endurance, and impact.
OR
(ii) You have been chosen to speak in a debate on materialism and desires in humans. Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words, with reference to ‘The Proposal’ and ‘Fire and Ice’.
Answer:
Good morning, everyone.
Today, I would like to draw your attention to a topic that has become increasingly relevant in our modern society- materialism and its connection to human desires. In Anton Chekhov’s play, ‘The Proposal’, we see how the pursuit of wealth and status can lead individuals to treat human relationships as mere business deals, devoid of genuine emotion or empathy. The characters in the play, such as Lomov and Natalya, exemplify how the desire for material possessions can corrupt one’s character and ultimately lead us to lose sight of what truly matters.
Similarly, in Robert Frost’s poem, ‘Fire and Ice’, the poet suggests that our insatiable desire for material wealth, represented by “fire,” and the “ice” representing the coldness that results from our obsession with possessions, may ultimately lead to the destruction of the world.
In our modern world, we are bombarded with messages that encourage us to consume more, buy more, and accumulate more. However, we must ask ourselves whether this is truly the path to happiness and fulfillment.
To conclude, it is essential that we remain mindful of the impact of materialism on our desires and our relationships with others. We must prioritise human connection and empathy over superficial possessions, and work towards a more compassionate and sustainable future.
Thank you.
IX. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 100-120 words.
(i) Imagine that Sulekha, from Bholi by K.A. Abbas, writes a diary entry, exploring the theme of the position of women in rural India. Write this diary entry, as Sulekha, in about 120 words.
Answer:
29 December, 20XX
Sunday
12:15 a.m.
I was born in a well-to-do household in our village, which was steeped in traditions that demanded that girls need not be educated and should be married off at a young age. My sisters were quite beautiful but unfortunately, due to a smallpox attack in my childhood, my face was disfigured with pockmarks so marriage was probably out of the question. So my parents grudgingly admitted me to a school and my life changed thereafter.
When my parents decided to arrange my marriage with a middle-aged widower, who demanded a heavy dowry, I decided to take things in my hand. I refused to get married and instead, I decided to continue my life as a teacher in the village school. Thus the educated Bholi got back her identity of becoming Sulekha.
OR
(ii) A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of their experiences, challenges, and interactions with other characters.
In the light of the above information, trace the character arc of Griffin in FI.G.Well’s Footprints without Feet in about 120 words.
Answer:
Griffin is a brilliant scientist who successfully turns himself invisible. In the beginning, he feels a sense of achievement but his excitement quickly turns into frustration. He resorts to stealing and other illegal activities to sustain himself. His detachment from the society and his newfound power makes him ruthless and unstoppable. Eventually, Griffin’s actions catch up with him and he begins to realise the consequences of his choices. He might also be tormented by guilt and regret recognising that his actions have brought unwanted troubles for himself. Griffin’s character arc serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of disregarding the ethical implications of one’s actions. So, all we see in his character is that ironically a brilliant discovery renders him homeless, and struggling for mere survival.