Vidyamandir Classes: Innovating For Your Success
English Language and Literature
CLASS-X
PAPER-2
TIME : 3 hrs Max. Marks : 80
Instructions
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and
LITERATURE.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION A
Reading Skills
I. Read the passage given below.
(10 Marks)
1. Corruption, terrorism, communalism, greed for power and wealth and the list of ailments that
affect modern society continues. More than half the population of India is below the age group of
25 and the future of the country will only be bright if youngsters are equipped to deal with these
ailments.
2. A child is a storehouse of potential and it is essential to nurture and develop these attributes from
a very young age. Since they spend much of their time in school, the curriculum in school should
be such that it enables children to understand, care and practise ethical values like respect, justice
and civic sense. Education should aim to develop a sense of rights and duties as well as moral
values like honesty, responsibility and respect for others.
3. Moral education should be directed towards enhancing a child's ability to critically analyse
situations, make decisions, empathise with people and work in cooperation towards a common
goal.
4. As a means of direct instruction to students, schools are very influential in the character
development of a child and the methods of education affect the development of morally upright
citizens who can bring about a much-needed change in the country.
5. The youth of today have to face many problems like drug abuse, violent behaviour and family
issues. If they are not taught morals, they would fail to differentiate between good and bad
values. Hence, they would be incapable of dealing with different types of issues.
A sound moral base would help a child make the right decisions, especially in an era where the
youth is increasingly coming under the negative influence of the media.
6. Schools in India have introduced moral education as part of their curriculum because they realise
that morally sound citizens are the need of the hour. Since most children look up to their teachers
as role models, it is most appropriate that they be the facilitators of moral values.
7. Thus, schools should focus more on the personality development of children since it is one of the
most important responsibilities of a school. Schools should take the initiative to mould children
into better human beings so that they can make the world a better place to live in.
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Vidyamandir Classes: Innovating For Your Success
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
(l × 10 = 10)
(i) Why is it important to inculcate moral values since childhood?
(a) Because children are the future of a country.
(b) Because they are under the constant negative influence of social media.
(c) Because they have to face many problems in life.
(d) All of the above
(ii) Select the option that suitably completes the dialogue with reference to Paragraph 2.
Karan : Do you know about the brutal criminal case that happened in our own city?
Shyam : Yes, news about this pathetic incident is printed on the front page of today's newspaper.
Karan : Our society is going through an extremely bad phase. Human beings have forgotten their
moral qualities.
Shyam : Yes, moral education is the only way towards the negativity free human society in the
future
(a) Besides moral education, academic education should also get a priority from the smaller
ages.
(b) Government should take major decisions about spreading moral education.
(c) Besides academic education, moral education should also get a priority from the smaller
ages.
(d) Okay, now I have to go to my tuition class. I will talk to you later.
(iii) Select the option that conveys the message, "Morally sound citizens are the need of the hour."
(a) Government should take major decisions about spreading moral education.
(b) Better human beings can make the world a better place to live in.
(c) Developing moral qualities is the only way to solve these social issues.
(d) Moral citizens can only be possible by giving moral education to the mass population.
(iv) Complete the following with a phrase from Paragraph 5.
(v) According to the passage, moral education helps children in …………. decision- making,
cooperation and …………………..
(a) critical analysis of the situation, empathy
(b) acting morally, ethics
(c) acting ethically, respecting others
(d) analysing the problem, acting as one wishes
(vi) Which moral values are important for children to learn?
(vii) Choose from the quotes given below which can represent the central idea of the passage,
(a) "Education without morals is like a ship without a compass, merely wandering
nowhere." - Martin Luther King Jr.
(b) "People who try hard to do the right thing always seem mad." - Stephen King
(c) "A quiet conscience makes one strong" - Anne Frank
(d) "Our very lives depend on the ethics of strangers and most of us are always strangers to
other people." - Bill Moyers
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(viii) What kind of problems are being faced by today's youth?
1. Drug abuse 2. Family issues
3. Violent behaviour 4. Peer pressure
5. Influence of social media Codes
(a) 1, 2, and 4 (b) 3, 4, and 5
(c) 1, 3 and 5 (d) All of these
(ix) Assonance is the resemblance of sound between syllables of nearby words, arising particularly
from the rhyming of two or more stressed vowels, but not consonants
(e.g. sonnet, porridge ), but also from the use of identical consonants with different vowels (e.g.
killed, cold, culled). Select an assonance phrase that appears in Paragraph 2 of the text
………………….
(x) Select the option with the underlined words that can suitably replace 'facilitator' (Para 6).(i)
(a) Traditionally, for many school learners the physical process of writing is an inhibitor.
(b) I feel that, between them, they could really make a complete team of penal reformers and
crime preventers.
(c) In a number of developing countries, war has been an additional impediment to progress.
(d) He is remembered fondly as a mentor and friend by several generations of students in
this school.
II. Read the passage given below.
(10 Marks)
1. Through the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), the countries of the world have resolved to
achieve universal access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene for all by
2030. The aim is to ensure the consumption of safe drinking water and practice safe sanitation
and hygiene, resulting in lower exposure to a contaminated environment, resulting in lower
morbidity and mortality, especially amongst children.
2. The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched by the Government of India on 2nd October, 2014 to
achieve the vision of 'Swachh Bharat' by 2nd October, 2019. The Swachh Bharat Mission
Gramin-SBM (G) endeavours to accelerate rural sanitation coverage, reduce open defecation and
improve the management of solid and liquid wastes in rural areas. The implementation of SBM
(G) is the responsibility of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS). The MDWS,
while issuing guidelines for Open Defecation Free (ODF) verification stressed on "safe
technology option which aimed at no contamination of surface soil, groundwater or surface
water; excreta management inaccessible to flies or animals; no human handling of fresh excreta
and freedom from odour and unsightly condition". Over the past 4 years, over 92 million new
households have received access to household toilets and by the end of the SBM G programme,
all 16.5 million rural households will have such access. However, the issue is of usage and thus,
the goal is to create ODF communities and villages, with no one defecating in the open.
3. The status of ODF villages published on the website of MDWS indicates that as of 01.04.2019,
over 99% of rural HHs in India have toilet access. The declared ODF villages at all India levels
accounted for 556,824 spreading over 247,723 Gram Panchayats, 6,031 Blocks and 616 Districts.
4. UNICEF in India accords high priority to the provision of safe sanitation and water services to
people in rural areas and has over the past many years aided through catalytic technical support
to MDWS, the Government of India and 15 state governments in the implementation of the
various sanitation programmes and since 2014, specifically to the SBM (G). With the progress of
the SBM (G) and the declaration of ODF communities, there is an emerging question on whether
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Vidyamandir Classes: Innovating For Your Success
the campaign to eliminate open defecation and create ODF communities is resulting in a decrease
in faecal contamination in the environment.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions.
(l × 10 = 10)
(i) According to the passage, who is responsible for the progress of the Swachh Bharat Mission?
(ii) The purpose of the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission (G) was to …………….
Choose the correct option.
1. accelerate rural sanitation coverage
2. reduce open defecation
3. improve management of solid and liquid wastes in rural areas Codes
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 3
(iii) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phrase from Para 2.
Hasten: …………… :: Specimen: Sample
(iv) Select the correct option to complete the sentence.
The government is successful in providing access to toilets to over 99% of rural households
because ……………..
(a) villagers also want to have access to toilets to minimise the negative impact of open
defecation.
(b) villagers are cooperative.
(c) government is giving false data.
(d) rural households have become educated.
(v) Select the option that the given sentence refers to
"Over the past 4 years, over 92 million new households have received access to household
toilets."
(a) There is an increase in the building of toilets inside households.
(b) There is an increase in the construction of community-shared toilets.
(c) There is an increase in the usage of toilets among rural households.
(d) There is an increase in access to toilets but are not being used by the villagers.
(vi) Fill in the blank with the correct option.
The passage provides data that proves that …………….
(a) there is an increase in the usage of toilets among rural households.
(b) over 99% of rural households have access to toilets.
(c) there is increased access to toilets among rural households.
(d) there is a decrease in open defecation.
(vii) Substitute the word 'contamination' with ONE WORD similar in meaning, in the following
sentence from Paragraph 4.
" ….. there is an emerging question on whether the campaign to eliminate open defecation and
create ODF communities is resulting in a decrease in faecal contamination in the environment."
(viii) Select the option that is true for the two statements given below.
(1) The goal is to create Open Defecation Free (ODF) communities and villages.
(2) There will be a decrease in faecal contamination in the environment,
(a) (1) is the result of (2) (b) (1) is the reason for (2)
(c) (1) is independent of (2) (d) (1) contradicts (2)
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(ix) Suggest a suitable title for the passage.
……………………….
(x) Select the word closest in meaning to 'morbidity' from Para 1.
(a) Malaise (b) Death (c) Uncanny (d) Vengeful
SECTION B
Grammar
III.
Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions.
(10 Marks)
(i) Is it true that the students from the Space Research Centre ……….. this evening?
(a) was arriving (b) are arriving
(c) is arriving (d) were arriving
(ii) Choose the correct option to change the following sentence into indirect speech. My friend said
to Deepak, "Have you ever been to Agra?"
(a) My friend told Deepak if he had ever been to Agra.
(b) My friend asked Deepak had he ever been to Agra?
(c) My friend asked Deepak if he had ever been to Agra.
(d) My friend asked Deepak if he have ever been to Agra.
(iii) Fill in the blanks with the correct option.
………. books are missing from the library.
(a) Any (b) Much (c) Some (d) More
(iv) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line. The
kids had worked really hard for the show. Now, don't cancel it, please.
(v) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option. They ………… in an
apartment right now because they can't find a cheap house.
(a) have been living (b) are living
(c) had been living (d) were living
(vi) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of the
letter.
Subject: Job Application for Assistant Manager
Dear Sir/Ma'am
I ……………….(write) to apply for the position of Assistant Manager - Supply Chain at your
esteemed firm.
(vii) Report the following sentence said by Garima. Garima said to me, "I am sorry but I can't come
to your birthday party because I am going away for the weekend."
Garima told me that she was sorry but she couldn't come to my birthday party because she
………….. .
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Vidyamandir Classes: Innovating For Your Success
(viii) Identify the error in the given sentence and provide the correction. At least half an hour of
exercise a day did wonders for one's health.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction
(ix) The teacher asked some question, from the boys, about the assignment. Report the
teacher's question.
The teacher said to the boys, "Have you done your homework?"
(x) Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct option to complete the given statement. He went there
so that he ……….. borrow money.
(a) may (b) can (c) might (d) should
(xi) Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue.
Kanak : Have you seen 'Three Idiots'?
Kartik : I saw them yesterday in the class.
Kanak asked Kartik if he had seen 'Three Idiots'. Kartik replied that ……………
(a) he has been seeing them the day before
(b) he had seen them the day before in the class
(c) he saw them yesterday
(d) he has seen them the day before
(xii) Identify the error in an online advertisement.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction
IV
Creative Writing Skills
(10 Marks)
All the names and addresses used in the questions are fictitious. Resemblance, if any, is purely coincidental.
Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
(5)
1. A. Write a letter in 100-120 words to the Editor of The Times of India, Delhi, expressing
your concerns about the urgent need to save our rivers. Suggest some ways to improve the
situation. Sign yourself as Karan/ Neha Bajaj.
OR
B. You are Madan/ Shaina Ahuja, Purchasing Manager of Electra Trading Concern, North Avenue,
New Delhi. Draft a suitable letter cancelling the order you have placed with your supplier, Sales
Manager, Proton Electronics, Airport Road, New Delhi, because of the unusual delay in the
delivery of goods. (100-120 words)
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2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
(5)
A. The graph below shows how people buy music. Analyse the given data and write an analytical
paragraph in 100-120.
OR
B. The following data shows that death due to violence which has considerably increased in recent
years. Using this data, write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words focusing on how the
educated youth can play a major role in establishing peace in society.
SECTION C
Literature
(40 Marks)
V Reference to the Context
(10 Marks)
1. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.
(5)
A. When I returned, there was an appalling spectacle. There was complete silence from the box, but from
its air holes and chinks around the lid, blood had trickled and dried. I whipped off the lock and tore open
the lid and Mij, exhausted and blood-spattered, whimpered and caught at my leg. He had torn the lining
of the box to shreds; when I removed the last of it so that there were no cutting edges left, it was just ten
minutes until the time of the flight, and the airport was five miles distant. I put the miserable Mij back
into the box, holding down the lid with my hand. I sat in the back of the car with the box beside me as the
driver tore through the streets of Basra like a ricocheting bullet.
(Mijbil the Otter)
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(i) Which of the following options correctly states Maxwell's likely feelings, in the situation below?
" ………… I put the miserable Mij back into the box, holding down the lid with my hand."
1. Anxious 2. Disappointed
3. Terrified 4. Guilty
5. Insulted Codes
(a) 1 and 5 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 3 and 5
(ii) What is the appalling spectacle as mentioned in the extract?
(iii) Fill in the blank with ONE WORD only.
Mij could have accidently swallowed the torn pieces. This shows that the author ………….. for
Mij.
(iv) Which of the following options DOES NOT state the possible reason for Maxwell's cutting the
box edges off?
(a) Mij could have injured himself further.
(b) It could have made the place untidy.
(c) Mij could have accidently swallowed the torn pieces.
(d) It could have obstructed the shutting of the lid.
(v) Choose the word which means the same as 'whimpered'?
(a) Moan (b) Shout (c) Bite (d) Loud
OR
B. I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind. Anil made money by
fits and starts. He would borrow one week, lend the next. He kept worrying about his next
cheque, but as soon as it arrived, he would go out and celebrate. It seems he wrote for
magazines—a queer way to make a living! (The Thief's Story)
(i) The reference to making a little money 'this way' refers to a way that is viewed by most
people as
(a) sensible (b) inappropriate
(c) charitable (d) aggressive
(ii) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text.
Miniscule : Little :: …………… : Strange
(iii) The information in the extract suggests that Anil could be a
(a) salaried professional (b) freelancer
(c) businessman (d) volunteer
(iv) Anil made money 'by fits and starts' means that he
(a) deemed it fit to start investing money.
(b) started earning money in the recent past.
(c) received money intermittently.
(d) put his money to use frequently.
(v) What did the narrator mean by 'I made a little money this way'?
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2. Attempt ANY ONE of the two extracts given.
(5)
A.
"I heard an old religious man
But yesternight declare
That he had found a text to prove
That only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair."
(For Anne Gregory)
(i) Complete the sentence appropriately. The above stanza strongly defines the idea of
(ii) Choose the phrase that best represents, 'love you for yourself alone'.
(a) Unconditional love (b) Unseemly love
(c) Unrequited love (d) Understated love
(iii) State whether the following statement is True or False. The speaker of the above lines heard
that only God can love everyone for their inner beauty.
(iv) Select the most appropriate option.
Where did the religious man find that God loves everyone selflessly?
(a) Religious text (b) In the dreams
(c) Told by angels (d) Through divine power
(v) The poetic device used in the lines And not your yellow hair' is alliteration. How does it impact
this extract?
(a) Makes text striking and memorable (b) Creates imagination
(c) Humour (d) Creates comparison
OR
B.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass. (A Tiger In the Zoo)
(i) According to the extract, the poet wishes for the tiger to be 'sliding' through the foliage as this
would
(a) assist in keeping the prey unsuspecting of the predator's sound.
(b) aid in camouflaging the presence of the predator before it rushes in.
(c) help the predator pounce on the prey comfortably without getting tired.
(d) support the predator's vision as it eyes its prey.
(ii) The word plump shows that deer is referred to as ……………… .
(iii) Which fact DOES NOT connect with the significance of the water hole for the tiger?
(a) Many tigers chase prey into the water and hold the victim's head under water until it
drowns.
(b) Prey feed in the water on water-lilies and often wander into the middle of the water hole,
where they are vulnerable and easy for the tiger to kill.
(c) Prey which has quenched its thirst ensures the consumption of hydrated meat for the
tiger.
(d) Chasing the panicked prey from shallow to deep water where the tiger grabs it.
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Vidyamandir Classes: Innovating For Your Success
(iv) Complete the analogy as given in the extract.
Hate : Detest:: Skinny : …………………..
(v) Select the sentence in which the word 'shadow' is used similarly as line 1 of the extract, (l)
(a) Her face was pale and there were shadows under her eyes.
(b) She knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was lying.
(c) The trees cast long shadows.
(d) No matter where Johnson went, his shadow stayed with him.
VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each.
(4 × 3 = 12)
(i) "The tiger never brushed his teeth". Why does the author say so?
(A Baker in Goa-Glumpses in India)
(ii) "The young seagull was alone on his ledge." How far do you think this condition was by his
choice? (His First Flight - Two Stories About Flying)
(iii) What was the effect of observing the sufferings of the world on Buddha?
(The Sermon at Banaras)
(iv) 'Money is external'. What does the poet mean by this expression in The Ball Poem? (3)
(v) How has the poet observed 'nature' in the poem 'Dust of Snow'? (3)
VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each.
(2 × 3 = 6)
(i) Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction or are there such people in
real life? [A Thief's Story)
(ii) What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her
necklace? (The Necklace)
(iii) Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time, he corrects his mistakes. How does he
manage to do that? (The Book that Saved the Earty)
VIII Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.
(1 × 6 = 6)
(i) 'From the Diary of Anne Frank' throws light on the teacher-student relationship, class atmosphere
and discipline. Elucidate.
OR
(ii) Love for freedom is the natural instinct of every living being. Comment with reference to the
poem A Tiger in the Zoo'.
IX Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.
(1 × 6 = 6)
(i) Compare and contrast the characters of Noodle and Think-Tank. (The Book That Saved the
Earth)
OR
(ii) Horace was a successful thief because he carefully planned his robberies. Should we call him a
successful thief and still appreciate his work? Why or why not?
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