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SECTION A : READING
UNSEEN PASSAGES
1. Factual Passages
Read the passages given below and answer the questions/complete the
statements that follow :
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1. A chimpanzee is one of the great apes and the nearest in intelligence to humans.
Scientists have examined its mental capacities and sent it into space in anticipation of
humans. Chimpanzees need little description. Being apes and not monkeys, they have no
tails. Their arms are longer than their RELIABLE
legs and they normally run on all fours. They can
also walk upright with toes turned outwards.
When erect they stand 3-5 ft high. The hair
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is long and coarse, black except for a white patch near the rump. The face, ears, hands and
feet are bare and except for the black face, the flesh is coloured.
Chimpanzees exhibit great concern for each other. When chimpanzees meet after
having been apart, they greet each other in a very human way by touching each other
or even clasping hands. Chimpanzees have amazing social discipline. When a dominant
male arrives, the rest of the chimpanzees hurry to pay respect to it. The dominant male
is not allowed to wrest food from his inferiors. The members of a party also spend considerable
amount of time grooming each other and themselves. Mothers go through the fur of their
babies for any foreign particles, dirt, and ticks and they aid each other when they are
injured.
Chimpanzees are the best tool users apart from humans. Sticks 2-3 ft long are picked
off the ground or broken from branches and pushed into nests, then withdrawn and the
honey or insects licked off. Stones are usedOto
crack nuts or as missiles to drive humans
N
D Ware
LOnot only tool users but also toolmakers.
and baboons away from its food. Chimpanzees
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They make their own rods by stripping the leaves off a twig or tear shreds off a grass stem.
Baby chimpanzees learn all this by observing the older chimpanzees making and using
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them. So humans are not the only toolmakers,
merely better at it than their relatives.
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(a) Chimpanzees are as _________humans.
(b) They greet each other by __________.
(c) Like a human being, chimpanzees _________.
(d) Chimpanzees _____ tails.
(e) Baby chimpanzees learn ________.
(f) Chimpanzees have amazing __________.
(g) The dominant male chimpanzee is not allowed_________.
(h) The word ‘wrest’ means__________.
Ans. (a) intelligent as
(b) touching each other or by clasping hands
(c) make and use tools
(d) do not have
(e) by observing the older chimpanzees
(f) social discipline
(g) to wrest food from his inferiors
(h) to take by force
(1)
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SECTION B : WRITING & GRAMMAR
WRITING
1. LETTER TO THE EDITOR
1. You are Vanshika/Vishal, the Sport Secretary of your school. You are
quite interested in hockey. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily in 100120 words requesting him to publish an inspiring article regarding the glory of
Indian hockey and why students should indulge in this sport.
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Ans.
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A-23, Vijay Nagar,
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Delhi.
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December 19, 20..
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The Editor,
The Indian Express,
New Delhi.
Sir,
Subject: The glory of Indian hockey
Through your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the students’ attention to the
glory of Indian hockey. Hockey is our national game. India even won the gold medal in
the game in the Olympics, for the first time in 1928. Indians should be proud of our
nation’s expertise in it.
However, nowadays various other games have overshadowed hockey. Hockey, being
our national game should be given more D
attention.
OWNL Besides, India boasts of great hockey
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players such as Major Dhyan Chand,EDhanraj
Pillai, etc.
There should be more of Dhyan Chands in the Indian team of hockey. But this
objective can be achieved only if the students
take a keen interest in the game. I request
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you to publish at least one inspiring and
informative
article on hockey in your esteemed
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daily so that not only students, but all the Indians would come to know about the glory
of Indian hockey and how it was introduced in our country.
An inspiring and informative article focusing on the game would not only cultivate
interest in hockey among the students, but also inspire them to play for the sake of their
country.
Thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Vanshika.
2. You are Arun/Aarti, 112 Bank Street, Agra. In 100-120 words, Write a letter
to the Editor of a national daily, expressing your views on the topic – Adult
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Education. Use the hints given below:
• Providing help to the illiterate aged
• Making them independent and confident
• Plans are conceived but never materialize
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SECTION C : LITERATURE-TEXTBOOK & EXTENDED READING TEXT
TEXTBOOK
F.1 TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
– A.J. Cronin
1. Extract B
Based
ookQuestions
e
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow.
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1. He smiled uncomfortably. “Just plans, sir,” he answered in a low voice.
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(a) In the above line, who is talking and to whom ?
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(b) What ‘plans’ is the speaker referring to ?
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(c) Give the opposite of ‘smiled’.
Ans. (a) Nicola is talking to the narrator.
(b) The plans that Nicola is referring to is the treatment of their sister suffering from
tuberculosis of the spine.
(c) Frowned
2. “When the resistance movement began secretly to form they were among the first
to join. When the war was over, and we had peace at last, they came back to their
beloved sister.”
(a) Who are the ‘they’ referred to here ?
(b) Why did they join the resistance movement ?
(c) What had happened to their sister ?
Ans. (a) The brothers—Nicola and Jacopo
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(b) They joined the resistance movement
oppose
German rule and bring in peace.
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(c) Their sister who had been trained as a singer suffered from tuberculosis of the
spine.
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3. They sat beside me, not speaking. For my part I did not say a word.
ENTERPRISES
(a) Why did the boys sit quietly beside the narrator ?
(b) Why did the author not speak to the boys on their return journey ?
(c) What characteristic of the narrator is depicted from the above lines ?
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Ans. (a) The boys sat quietly because they wanted to keep the secret about their
sister Lucia to themselves.
(b) The author did not speak because he felt the boys would have the satisfaction of
having kept their secret to themselves.
(c) The narrator is quite diplomatic in allowing the boys to keep their secret and feel
proud about it.
4. “You will get fruit much better in Verona, Besides, these boys ....”
(a) Who is the speaker of these lines ?
(b) Whom are these lines spoken to and where ?
(c) What was being sold ?
(2013–8927DHC, M2FBW7B, FOSCQ42)
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P.1 THE FROG AND THE NIGHTINGALE
– Vikram Seth
1. Extract Based Questions
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. Next night when the Nightingale
Shook her head and twitched her tail,
Closed an eye and fluffed a wing
And had cleared her throat to sing
She was startled by a croak.
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(a) How had the audience reacted to her song the previous night?
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(b) What do lines 2 and 3 tell us about
the nightingale?
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(c) What does the word, ‘startled’ mean?
Ans. (a) The previous night the audience had cheered for her greatly, and asked for
an encore.
(b) The nightingale had fallen for adulation and was preening.
(c) It means to surprise or frighten suddenly.
2. “Yes,” the frog replied.
“You see, I’m the frog who owns this tree.
In this bog I’ve long been known
For my splendid baritone
And, of course, I wield my pen
For Bog Trumpet now and then.”
(a) Who is the frog talking to ?
(b) What does the frog claim to be known for ?
(c) What does the word, ‘baritone’ mean
?
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Ans. (a) To the nightingale
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(b) The frog claims to be known for its deep, melodious voice.
(c) Male singing voice
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3. And the sumac tree was bowed,
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With a breathless, titled crowd:
Owl of Sandwich, Duck of Kent,
Mallard and Milady Trent,
Martin Cardinal Mephisto,
And the Coot of Monte Cristo.
(a) Explain the expression ‘breathless, titled crowd’.
(b) Why was the sumac tree bowed?
(c) What is the purpose of the visit of the ‘breathless, titled crowd’? (2014-MSSMUN)
Ans. (a) The song of the nightingale was almost breathtaking that the entire crowd
listened to it with intense interest.
(b) The sumac tree bowed because of the weight of the crowd of birds each of which
has a title.
(c) The breathless titled crowd visited the tree to listen to the sensational voice of the
nightingale.
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Task–Group Work
Q. 1. Divide yourselves into groups of four or five and brainstorm on any one
of the given situations in order to create an imaginary dialogue or a comic strip.
Keep in mind the characters and situations while doing so. Representatives from
each group could then present the dialogues/read them to the class.
Situations
(a) The efforts made by the other creatures of the bog to still the frog’s
determination ‘to display his heart’s elation’
Ans. Elephant : Oh No! The frog has again started the cacophony.
Deer : No one in the forest can make it quiet.
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Zebra : O frog! For God’s sake, have mercy on the poor animals. Please keep quiet. We
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cannot bear your harsh voice.
Frog : If you can’t enjoy my song, it’s your problem, not mine. I am free to do whatever
I like.
Deer : Let us throw stones and sticks to make him quiet.
Elephant : Ok! Let’s do it.
(The animals throw stones, and sticks on the frog.)
Frog : Hey, these bits of stones cannot stop my talent.
A Fish : Please frog, my kids are not well. I request you to stop making this noise.
Monkey : You have the world’s worst voice. And you consider yourself a singer. You fool,
stop singing.
Frog : Neither stones nor prayers nor insults or complaints can stop me to display my
heart’s elations.
(b) The first time the Nightingale sings
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Ans. Duck : Wow! What a sweet voice!
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Elephant : I am bewitched!
Monkey : How melodiously she sings!
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Zebra : Bravo! Bravo!
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Deer : Once more, once more.
Bear : Too divine! encore!
(All the animals applaud.)
(c) The nightingale is awestruck when the frog introduces himself.
Ans. Frog : Croak! Croak!
Nightingale : Sorry – were that you who spoke?
Frog : Yes, you see I’m the frog who owns this tree. In this bog, I’ve long been known for
my splendid tone. And of course, I wield my pen for Bog Trumpet now and then.
Nightingale : Did you like my song?
Frog : Not too bad – but far too long. The technique was fine, of course, but it lacked a
certain force.
Nightingale : Oh! Really, I am flattered and impressed that I have got such a critic of
such note with whom I can discuss my art and voice. Will you teach me?
Frog : Ok.
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D.1 THE DEAR DEPARTED
– Stanley Houghton
1. Extract Based Questions
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. Abel : You’ve kept away long enough, Lizzie; and now you’ve come, you don’t seem
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over-pleased to see me.
Mrs. Jordan : You took us by surprise, father. Are you keeping quite well?
(a) What is the reason for Lizzie’s ‘coming now’?
(b) Why is Lizzie not pleased to see him?
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Ans (a) Lizzie had actually come forENTERPRISES
her share in grandfather’s remaining belongings,
assuming that he was dead.
(b) Lizzie realised that she wouldn’t get a share immediately, as her father was alive.
(c) It means, for a long time.
2. “I felt I was a burden to you, so I found someone who’d think it a pleasure to look
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after me.”
(a) Who is the speaker?
(b) Why did he conclude that he was a burden?
(c) What does the phrase ‘to look after’ mean?
Ans (a) The speaker is Abel Merryweather.
(b) His daughters’ greed and misbehaviour made him realise that he was more of a
burden for them.
(c) ‘To look after’ means to take care of someone or something.
3. Chut ! Be quiet ! It’s ours now. Come Henry, lift your end.
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(a) Identify the speaker.
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(b) Why is the speaker insisting on being quiet ?
(c) What “ours now” is being talked about ?
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Ans. (a) Mrs. Slater
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(b) She does not want her sister Elizabeth
and her family to hear her, for Elizabeth
is expected to arrive any time.
(c) The clock of grandpa
4. I’m not satisfied, but it’s the best we can do till our new black’s ready, and Ben
and Elizabeth will never have thought about mourning yet, so we’ll outshine them there—
(a) Who is not satisfied and with what ?
(b) How does the speaker hope to outshine ‘them’ ?
(2015-BBW3DA5,HJSP1MQ;2014-AZPO113)
(c) Give a synonym for ‘mourning’.
Or
(a) What does her speech reveal about her character?
Ans. (a) Mrs. Slater is not satisfied with Henry slater’s mourning dress. It consisted
of black tail coat, grey trousers, a black tie and a bowler hat.
(b) By wearing a perfect mourning dress
(c) Grief
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EXTENDED READING TEXT
THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL
Questions based on theme or plot involving interpretation, inference and character
Letters from 14 June 1942 — 14 August 1942
1. Why does Anne go into such details of describing the ‘Secret Annexe’ ?
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Ans Anne describes the ‘Secret Annexe’ giving minute details as it was the hiding
place for the Franks, the Van Daans and a few others after the S.S. sent a call-up notice
for Margot Frank, Anne’s elder sister. The Franks, along with a few others had to move
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to the Annexe in order to escape the atrocities of the Germans.
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Anne heaved a sigh of relief when her parents assured her that they won’t allow to
take her sixteen years old sister away as Anne’s father had already planned about going
into hiding. However Anne wondered about their hiding place. Where would they go ? In
a town or the country ? In a house or a cottage ? When, how, where..... ? Anne could not
get these questions out of her mind. Anne was highly curious about their future hiding
place. What followed only served to increase her curiosity further.
No wonder, Anne, so curious about their hiding place, takes pains to describe the
“secret Annexe” with all the minute details . The entire building is described with a
carefully drawn map that shows all the floors including details of how they were furnished
and also how various parts of the floors were interconnected. Anne herself reveals that
Kitty being her best friend, ought to know where she ended up. It was also her way of
coming to terms with reality.
2. What difficulties did Anne experience at school ? (2015-CPBBBUC, SFRADH)
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Or
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E a regular basis. What made it so painful for
Anne avoided going to school on
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her ?
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Ans. Anne faced various difficulties
at school. The whole class B trembled when the
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teachers’ meeting was to be held concerning
who would be moved to the next level. Anne
though sure of her moving “up” to the next “form” was greatly disturbed by the constant
belting going on among her classmates. Anne herself says that neither Miep’s pleas nor
Anne’s angry outbursts calmed them.
Though, Anne got along quite well with all her teachers, Mr. Keptor, the old math
master, was highly annoyed with her. It was so because Anne chattered a lot in the class.
Anne had realised that Mr. Keptor wanted to make a fool of her with the absurd theme
he had asked her to write on. She vowed to make him the laughing stock of the whole class.
Though Anne finally succeeded to be in the good books of Mr. Keptor by composing a
poem on a family of ducks and making Keptor see the joke, she wished she didn’t have to
go to school. Anne’s bicycle was stolen in the Easter holidays and Daddy had given
Mummy’s to a Christian family for safekeeping. But Anne still had to go to school in the
sweltering heat! However, she was glad as holidays were near and after a week, the
“agony” of going to school would be over!
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THE STORY OF MY LIFE
Questions based on theme or plot involving interpretation, inference and character
I
1. Why is the writer a bit apprehensive about writing her autobiography ?
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Ans. The writer was a bit apprehensive about writing her autobiography because the
‘Frost King’ episode was a terrible experience for her. This experience had left a lasting
impression on her mind. She always feared that whatever she was going to write might
have already been written earlier by someone else. So, she was not sure of the originality of
her ideas. Fortunately her teacher, Miss Sullivan comforted her in every possible way and
persuaded her to write a brief account of
her life.
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Apart from a kind of fear, there is a ‘superstitious
hesitation’ that she encounters while
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lifting the veil over her childhood. She finds the task of writing an autobiography a difficult
one. She finds that time has blurred her childhood impressions making fact and fancy look
alike across the years that link the past with the present.
Besides, Helen feels that she no longer feels about the joys and sorrows of her life as
intensely as she used to in the earliest years of her life.
As a result, the novelist finds herself unable to describe all the childhood experiences as
Helen Keller, the child had lived them. So, the writer says that she would present only
those episodes of her life that seem to her the most interesting and important.
2. Describe in your words how Helen turned into an isolated and tormented
(2014-GGRO-101)
child.
Or
What turned Helen into an isolated and tormented child ?
(HOTS)
Ans. Helen was a happy child but when
she
was
about
18
months
old,
she
suffered
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O would not survive. But the illness left
ED
from a mysterious illness. The doctorsEbelieved
she
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After she got up from a disturbed sleep, Helen
found that she could see only very dimly.
Her agony and bewilderment was unconsolable.
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Her mother tried to soothe her tenderly. Each day the light grew dim and more dim, she
was a tormented girl. Gradually, she got used to the silence and darkness that surrounded
her. She had turned not only completely blind but deaf also. But the memories of the
glimpses of broad, green fields, blue sky and beautiful flowers stayed with her. Her hands
felt every object and observed every motion, and she felt the need of some communication
with others because she felt she was different from other people. She noticed that her
mother and her friends did not use signs as she did. They talked with their mouths.
Sometimes she used to stand between two persons who were conversing. She touched
their lips. She too moved her lips and gesticulated frantically. She was vexed because,
her efforts did not have the desired result. This made her angry, and she screamed and
kicked till she was exhausted. She kicked and hurt her nurse. When the fit was over she
regretted her reaction, but it did not stop her from repeating her tantrums. Sometimes,
she felt so lonely and miserable that she went into the garden to find comfort. She hid
her hot face in the cool leaves and grass.
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Practice Paper – 1 (Solved)
ENGLISH (Communicative)
CLASS – X
Maximum Marks : 70
General Instructions :
The question paper is divided into Three sections :
Section A : Reading
Section B : Writing & Grammar
Section C : Literature-Textbook & Extended Reading Text
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Section A : Reading
Time : 3 hours
20 Marks
25 Marks
25 Marks
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(20 Marks)
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions/complete the
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statements that follow :
1×8=8
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By the time Albert Einstein died at the age of 76, he had totally transformed the way
that we see the universe, including our very notions of space and time. Not bad for
someone who struggled at school.
Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany in 1879. His parents were concerned that he
scarcely talked until the age of three, but he was not so much a backward, as a quiet
child. As a schoolboy, his work didn’t scream ‘genius’ and even his teachers found it hard
to reconcile to the idea that the student they had known, later became the great scientist.
After working hard in the laboratory but skipping lectures, Einstein graduated with
an unexceptional record in 1900. He couldn’t find a job in a university so he worked for
the Swiss Patent Office and spent his spare time working on theoretical physics problems.
At the age of just 26, whilst still at the patent office, he published three papers that
changed the way we all view the world.
By the time, he finally found an academic job in 1909, Einstein’s reputation as one of
DOWNLOrapidly. And in 1915, at the age of 36,
the greatest scientists of all times wasEspreading
E
Einstein produced his theory of general relativity which delved even further into the
working of the universe.
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In 1933, Einstein escaped the persecution
of Jews by Nazi Germany by accepting a
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position at the Institute for Advanced Study
at Princeton, USA where he spent the rest of
his life. Although he initially supported the use of atomic weapons as a deterrent in the
Second World War, he later campaigned for nuclear disarmament and world peace. He
died in 1955 of heart failure and became an icon of genius.
(a) The phrase in the passage that means, ‘difficult to accept’ is __________.
(b) The major anxiety of Einstein’s parents was that he __________.
(c) Einstein was a __________ student.
(d) Einstein had to leave Germany because he __________.
(e) ‘He was not so much a backward, as a quiet child’, means that Einstein was
__________.
(f) His first job was at the __________.
(g) He published three papers at __________.
(h) His theory of general relativity described __________.
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