DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL - BOPAL, AHMEDABAD

HALF-YEARLY SAMPLE PAPER (2025-26)

CLASS: X TIME: 3 Hours

SUBJECT: ENGLISH M.M.: 80
SUBJECT CODE:184

General Instructions:
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:
(i)This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(ii)The question paper contains three sections:
Section A: Reading Skills
Section B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section C: Literature
(iii) Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A
Reading Skills 20Marks
1. Read the following passage carefully: 10

(1) Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, as rapidly increasing
production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with them. Plastic
pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are
often inefficient or nonexistent. But the developed world, especially in countries with low recycling rates,
also has trouble properly collecting discarded plastics. Plastic trash has become so ubiquitous that it has
prompted efforts to write a global treaty negotiated by the United Nations.

(2) Plastics made from fossil fuels are just over a century old. Production and development of thousands
of new plastic products accelerated after World War II. It transformed the modern age so much that life
without plastics is unrecognizable today. Plastics revolutionized medicine with life-saving devices, made
space travel possible, lightened cars and jets saving fuel and pollution and saved lives with helmets,
incubators, and equipment for clean drinking water.

(3) The conveniences plastics offer, however, led to a throw-away culture that reveals the material’s dark
side: today, single-use plastics account for 40 percent of the plastic produced every year. Many of these
products, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet they may
persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

(4) Most of the plastic trash in the oceans, Earth’s last sink, flows from land. Trash is also carried to sea
by major rivers, which act as conveyor belts, picking up more and more trash as they move downstream.
Once at sea, much of the plastic trash remains in coastal waters. But once caught up in ocean currents, it
can be transported around the world.

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(5) Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, from birds to fish to other marine organisms.
Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics. Nearly every
species of seabirds eats plastics. Most of the deaths of animals are caused by entanglement or starvation.
Seals, whales, turtles, and other animals are strangled by abandoned fishing gear or discarded six-pack
rings.

(6) The solution is to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and seas in the first place, many scientists
and conservationists including the National Geographic Society say. This could be accomplished with
improved waste management systems and recycling, better product design that takes into account the
short life of disposable packaging, and reduction in manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics.

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :

(i) Which of the following statements best describes the reason why plastic pollution has become one of
the most pressing environmental issues ?
1
(A) Plastic trash collection systems have become inefficient or nonexistent.
(B) Rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products
(C) Some plastics have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet they may persist in the environment for
hundreds of years.
(D) The developed world, especially in countries with low recycling rates, has trouble properly collecting
plastics.

(ii) The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (A) (E) below,
identify two sets of synonyms.
1
(A) garbage and trash (B) starvation and strangled (C) disposable and
reduction
(D) persist and downstream (E) transformed and revolutionized

(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately :

1
The writer says that most of the plastic trash is found in the Earth s last sink and the reason it is
transported around the world is ______________.

(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately :

1
According to conservationists, the two ways in which most of the deaths of animals are caused are
____________.

(v) Based on the passage, how can we contribute to the reduction of plastic waste ?
1
(A) by internationalising the waste management system
(B) by minimizing the use of single-use plastics
(C) by not abandoning fishing gear
(D) by not using helmets made of plastic

(vi) State one reason why plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations.
1

(vii) What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph 2 ?
Rationalise your response in about 40 words. It transformed the modern age so much that life without
plastics is unrecognizable today. 2

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(viii) Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, the downside of the convenience
that plastic offers.
2

2. Read the following passage carefully: 10

(1) Rotation of crops is a universal phenomenon which is practised by most of the farmers of the tropical
and temperate countries. The main objective of rotation of crops is to obtain higher agricultural returns on
the one hand, and to maintain the soil fertility on the other.

(2) In other words, the rotation of crops helps in making agriculture more sustainable. The importance of
crop rotation is more in the areas where farmers grow two, or more than two crops in the same field in a
year. Irrigation facilities have also been appreciably developed in the country during the last three
decades. The availability of water to the arable land has helped in the intensification of agriculture

(3) In the areas such as Punjab and Haryana, where the Green Revolution is a big success, one soil
exhaustive crop (rice) is followed by another soil exhaustive crop (wheat). Subsequently, the field vacated
by wheat is devoted to either rice or maize or cotton. Thus, in one year, the farmers are harvesting three
soil exhaustive crops from the same field. Such a rotation of crops may fetch more income to the farmers,
but depletes the soil fertility at a faster pace.

(4) A number of field studies were conducted to assess the traditional crop rotation pattern. One such field
study about the changes in the rotation of crops was conducted in the village Banhera (Tanda), Haridwar
district. The main rotation of crops of the village is shown in the table below:

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :

(i) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your
understanding of para 2.
1
One of the reasons that there has been an intensification of agriculture in the country is the development
of irrigation facilities is a/an _________ (fact/opinion) because it is a/an _________ (subjective
judgement/objective detail).

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(ii) Based on your understanding of paras 1 and 2, state whether the following statement is true or false.
1
If proper irrigation facility is provided, higher agricultural returns can be obtained by making crop
rotation more sustainable.

(iii) Based on the table, mention the years when the land was left fallow for maximum number of days. 1

(iv) The study conducted in village Banhera (Tanda) reflects that during the years 1960 to 1965, from
April to June, the land was left fallow or uncultivated throughout. State any one inference that can be
drawn from this. 1

(v) Select the option that correctly states the significance of crop rotation as given below : 1

(1) Crop rotation is done to obtain higher agricultural returns.

(2) Higher agricultural returns can be obtained by harvesting soil exhaustive crops.
(3) Crop rotation demands that land should be left fallow for a few months to increase the fertility of soil.
(4) Better irrigation facility to the arable land has helped in the intensification of agriculture.
(5) If crops to be harvested are chosen wisely, crop rotation can help in maintaining fertility of soil.

Options :
(A) (1), (2) and (4)
(B) (1) only
(C) (3) and (5)
(D) (1) and (5)

(vi) Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage? 1
(A) The study needs to include more valid data to support the practice of crop rotation.
(B) Crop rotation is a sustainable practice that can transform the agricultural sector.
(C) The impact of crop rotation on been thoroughly explained.
(D) Crop rotation is independent of the type of crops harvested and availability of water for irrigation

(vii) Justify the following in about 40 words. Crop rotation may fetch more income to the farmers, but
depletes the soil fertility at a faster pace. 2

(viii) Crop rotation is helping in making agriculture more sustainable. Mention one benefit and one
drawback of crop rotation. (Answer in about 40 words) 2

SECTION B
Grammar and Creative Writing Skills 20 marks

Grammar

3. Complete any ten of the following twelve tasks, as directed. 10x1=10

(i)Read the given sentence from a science journal. Identify the error and supply the correction in the
sentence.
‘When nutrition therapy is provided by a qualified professional, people could learn how to make better
food choices. 1

Use the given format for your response.

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 Error Correction

(ii) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the brackets, for the given portion of a letter.
1
Please keep me ___________ (apprise) of your next step to address this matter. Thanks for your time.

(iii) Sunanda and Pushkar had a conversation about their travels. Report Pushkar s question. 1
Have you ever been to Peri Bagh ?

(iv)Read the dialogue between Vilakshna and her physician, Dr. Sharnani, regarding the effectiveness of
her medication. 1
Dr. Sharnani : How is your acid reflux problem now ?
Vilakshna : I’d tried everything without success, but this new medicine is great.

Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue.

Dr. Sharnani asked Vilakshna about her acid reflux problem to which Vilakshna replied that she tried
everything without success, ___________________.
(A) but she found the new medicine to be great
(B) but she thought that this new medicine was great
(C) but the new medicine was great
(D) but that new medicine was great

(v)Identify the error and supply the correction for the given sentence from a private coaching
advertisement. 1
Are you living a happy life? Do you want to find your identification? Do you want to enhance your
career? Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

(vi) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the line from an insurance company
brochure.
1

Suitable for someone who wishes to ____________ (insure/assure/ensure) adequate financial backup. It is
available to the family in case of his/her untimely death.

(vii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for a pop-up that appeared on a
webpage. 1
These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allows us to
remember you.

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(viii) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option.
1

I __________ watching that programme every week since it started.

(A) has been (B) had (C) have been (D) was been

(ix) Report the following dialogue between two friends who are visiting a museum, by completing the
sentence. 1
Auronima : What are you staring at ?
Soumitra : I am in awe of this beautiful painting! I have not seen anything like this before.

Auronima asked Soumitra what he was staring at. Soumitra exclaimed that he was in awe of the beautiful
painting and that _______________.

(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the weather warning given by the IMD.
1
IMD on Sunday ______________ a ‘thunderstorm’ alert for some districts in coastal Maharashtra in
view of the extremely severe cyclonic storm Biparjoy gushing over the Arabian Sea.
(A) will issue (B) will be issuing (C) issued (D) is issuing

(xi) Complete the slogan, by filling in the blank with the correct option.
1
When it gets really hot, rain __________ a blessing.
(A) should be (B) will be (C) must be (D) ought to be

(xii) Identify the error and supply the correction for the following advertisement of an antivirus
software.1
A properly installed and maintained antivirus program may wipe out any malware attack, be it a bot, a
virus, a Trojan or even ransomware. Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

Creative Writing Skills

Note : All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purpose.

4. Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below:

5

(a) The problem of speeding traffic on colony roads causing accidents is increasing day by day. As a
young citizen, who wants to minimize the accidents caused by them, write a letter to the editor of a
national daily, in about 120 words, expressing your concern at the situation and suggesting measures to
resolve the problem and drawing attention of the concerned authorities. You are Samyukta
Khanna/Sanjay Khanna of 567, Madhur Apartments, Amar Vihar, Aram Nagar.
OR

(b) As Kaveri Mahajan, of 543, Narmada Apartments, Jeev Nagar, you feel that during the monsoon
season all the rain water goes down the drain without being utilized. Write a letter to the RWA of your
society, in about 120 words, suggesting measures to save and preserve rain water emphasizing the
importance of saving every drop of water.

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5. Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below:
5

(a) Co-curricular activities help to enhance holistic development and assist in inculcating critical skills
and abilities to be successful and happy in the 21st century life and workplace. Based on the table given
below, write an analytical paragraph, in about 120 words, on how co-curricular activities supplement the
theoretical curriculum.

OR
(b) The following table provides an insight into the multifaceted impact and positive contributions of
tourism. Write an analytical paragraph in about 120 words assessing the significance of tourism.

Section C
Literature 40 marks

6. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two, (a) or (b) :
5

(a) For the first twenty-four hours, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and
indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible. The second night Mijbil came
on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought

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tea in the morning, and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen,
interest in his surroundings. I made a body-belt for him and took him on a lead to the bathroom, where for
half an hour he went wild with joy in the water.

(i) Which of the following is not a reason why Mijbil came on to Maxwell s bed in the small hours?
1
(A) He had started taking interest in his surroundings.
(B) He was becoming friendly with Maxwell.
(C) He wanted to play with Maxwell on his bed.
(D) He wanted to feel safe and not remain indifferent.

(ii) Read the following descriptions (A) (D) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.
1
(A) Owning a pet is tedious and needs commitment.
(B) A pet needs his own space and time to get adjusted to his owner s environment.
(C) Maxwell decided to bring Mijbil because he was very sad to lose his dog.
(D) Maxwell and Mijbil loved travelling.

(iii) Which characteristic trait of otters is revealed when Mijbil is taken to the bathroom?
1

(iv) Maxwell says that Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly, he was simply aloof and indifferent for the
first twenty-four hours. Give reasons in not more than 40 words. 2

OR
(b) The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in any case an unusual event. A stranger of such
uncommon appearance set all tongues wagging. Mrs. Hall, the landlord's wife, made every effort to be
friendly. But Griffin had no desire to talk, and told her, My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for
solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has affected my face. Satisfied
that her guest was an eccentric scientist, and in view of the fact that he had paid her in advance, Mrs. Hall
was prepared to excuse his strange habits and irritable temper.

(i) State any one inference about Griffin from the given context:
“My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides,
an accident has affected my face.” 1

(ii) State True or False: 1

Even though Mrs. Hall was satisfied with Griffin, she was skeptical to excuse his strange habits and
irritable temper.

(iii) Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘set all tongues wagging’ in the given sentence from the
extract? 1
A stranger of such uncommon appearance ____________.

(iv) It was not difficult for Griffin to convince the landlord and his wife about his strange appearance and
eccentric behaviour. Elaborate in about 40 words with reference to the context. 2

7. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two, (a) or (b) :
5

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"He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass."

(i) Why should the tiger be lurking in shadow? 1

(ii) Complete the sentence with the appropriate option: 1

The lines from the poem emphasize the tiger's __________.
(A) peaceful existence
(B) natural hunting behavior
(C) love for water
(D) laziness

(iii) Identify the type of literary device used in the line:

1
"Sliding through long grass"

(iv) How does the poetic device highlight the tiger's natural instincts? (Answer in about 40 words) 2

OR
And no one buys a ball back, Money is external
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes
The epistemology of loss, how to standup.

(i)When the poet say that “no one buys a ball back”, what does he refer to in the context of the poem?
1

(ii)Complete the sentence with an appropriate option: 1

The lines from the poem tells us that the boy is expressing ____________.
(a)distress (b) terror
(c)realisation (d) elation

(iii)Identify and discuss the poet’s use of metaphor in the poem “The Ball Poem”.
1
(iv)What is the significance of the term ‘desperate’ used to describe the boy’s eyes in the poem, how does
it contribute to the overall mood and tone of the poem? 2

8. Answer any four of the following five questions in 40 50 words each :

4x3=12

(i) Nelson Mandela in his inauguration speech says, “We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today
been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil.” What is the
significance of this statement concerning the political system that prevailed before this?

(ii) Madam Rides the Bus by Vallikkannan may seem like a simple story about a young girl's bus ride, but
it conveys profound insights. Comment on the theme of curiosity and the realities of life that the story
explores.

(iii) Coorg has been defined as a piece of heaven by the writer. Justify.

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(iv) In Mijbil the Otter, Mijbil often explores his surroundings with curiosity and excitement, sometimes
even venturing into dangerous situations. Justify and elaborate on the reasons behind Mijbil's natural
curiosity and need for freedom.

(v) Discuss the use of humor in Carolyn Wells’ poem "How to Tell Wild Animals." How does the playful
tone contribute to the poem's overall theme, and what does it reveal about the poet's approach to the
subject of wild animals?

9. Answer any two of the following three questions in 40 50 words each:

2x3=6

(i) Explain how Horace Danby’s overconfidence in his skills and his trust in the woman he meets during
the burglary in A Question of Trust led to his downfall.

(ii) Griffin’s brilliance as a man of science fades before his darker traits. Give reasons to justify from the
text to support the statement.

(iii) Despite his unusual appearance, Ausable’s presence of mind helped him get rid of Max. Comment
with reference to the story The Midnight Visitor.

10. Answer any one of the following two questions in 100- 120 words. 6

(a) Grief or sadness is an emotion natural to all types of loss or significant change. You have been asked
to present an analysis of the approaches of Lencho and the boy in the ball poem dealing with their
respective losses. Write this presentation draft including your insights, and compare the approaches of
both.

You may begin like this: One acknowledges that Lencho had unwavering faith in God whereas the boy in
his grief, of losing the ball .................... however ......................

OR
(b) You have been selected to address the school assembly on Women’s Day. Your speech will focus on
the resilience and unwavering spirit of two individuals: Valli from Madam Rides the Bus and Nelson
Mandela. Draft your speech, highlighting the similarities and differences in their challenges and how they
overcame them with courage and determination.

You may begin like this: Good morning everyone. Today, I would like to express my insights on the
unwavering spirit of two individuals ..................

You may end this way : To conclude I would like to say that .................. .
Thank you.

11. Answer any one of the following two questions in 100-120 words.
6

(a) Imagine that Horace Danby, after his encounter with the clever woman who deceived him, writes a
diary entry in about 100-120 words reflecting on the theme of trust and deception. How does this
experience influence his future actions and his understanding of human nature?

OR

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(b)Imagine that Richard Ebright, the protagonist of The Making of a Scientist by Robert W. Peterson,
writes a diary entry reflecting on the importance of curiosity, dedication, and mentorship in his journey to
becoming a scientist. In his entry, he explores how these qualities, along with the support from his mother
and mentors, were essential in shaping his career.

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