Sample Question Paper - 6

English Language And Literature (184)

Class - X, Session: 2021-22
TERM II
Time allowed : 2 Hours Maximum marks : 40
General Instructions :
1. The Question Paper contains Three Sections-Reading, Writing & Grammar and Literature.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION - A (READING)
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
(1) Research has shown that the human mind can process words at the rate of about 500 per minute, whereas a
speaker speaks at the rate of about 150 words a minute. The difference between the two at 350 is quite large.
So, a speaker must make every effort to retain the attention of the audience and the listener should also be
careful not to let his mind wander. Good communication calls for good listening skills. A good speaker
must necessarily be a good listener.
(2) Listening starts with hearing but goes beyond. Hearing, in other words is necessary, but is not a sufficient
condition for listening. Listening involves hearing with attention. Listening is a process that calls for
concentration. While listening, one should also be observant. In other words, listening has to do with the
ears, as well as with the eyes and the mind. Listening is to be understood as the total process that involves
hearing with attention, being observant and making interpretations. Good communication is essentially
an interactive process. It calls for participation and involvement. It is quite often a dialogue rather than a
monologue. It is necessary to make it abundantly clear that one is interested in knowing what the other
person has to say.
(3) Good listening is an art that can be cultivated. It relates to skills that can be developed. A good listener knows
the art of getting much more than what the speaker is trying to convey. He knows how to prompt, persuade
but not to cut off or interrupt what the other person has to say. At times the speaker may or may not be
coherent, articulate and well-organised in his thoughts and expressions. He may have it in his mind and yet
he may fail to marshal the right words while communicating his thoughts. Nevertheless a good listener puts
him at ease, helps him articulate and facilitates him to get across the message that he wants to convey.
(4) For listening to be effective, it is also necessary that barriers to listening are removed. Such barriers can be
both physical and psychological. Physical barriers generally relate to hindrance to proper hearing whereas
psychological barriers are more fundamental and relate to the interpretation and evaluation of the speaker
and the message.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the six given below:
 (1 × 5 = 5)

(i) How are spoken words different from words heard?

(ii) What is the main difference between listening and hearing?
(iii) “Good listening is an art that can be cultivated.” What does the author mean by this?
(iv) What are the two types of barriers to listening?
(v) What, in simple terms, is listening?
(vi) From paragraph 2, the antonym of “monologue” is ________.

2. Read the following passage carefully.

(1) India has stood for freedom: Even before Independence we viewed our own struggle and difficulties on the
larger canvas of global problems. If democracy is basically tolerance for others’ opinions, the concept of
coexistence is democracy on the international plane, for it embodies tolerance of other nations and systems.
Similarly non-alignment gives depth to our independence and self-reliance for it enables us to retain our
freedom of judgement and action on international issues in the light of our national interests. We avoid
involvement in the conflicts and disputes of others and this helps to blunt conflict between power blocs. I
should like to think that it has also helped world stability.
(2) A country is an extended family. When income and resources are limited, one must budget to ensure that
waste is avoided, resources husbanded, priorities established, education and other social needs catered to,
special provision made for those who are weaker or smaller. Industry has to be balanced with agriculture;
technology with culture; state ventures with private initiative; economic growth with social justice; the large
with the small. Every section of society must be stimulated to creative activity.
(3) That is our planning. In no way is it totalitarian or coercive. Industrializing, modernizing and transforming
an ancient society of immense size, population and diversity is a daunting venture and inevitably, a gradual
one. Otherwise there will be resentment. Transformation should not cause too much dislocation or suffering
for the people nor should it jettison the basic spiritual and cultural values of our civilization.
(4) India’s planning experience sums up the successes and problems of our democratic development. The
magnitude and significance of democracy’s operation in India are not well understood, for it is often treated
as an adventitious or borrowed growth. Why has democracy worked in India? Our national leadership was
dedicated to it and we wanted it to work, but, also, because in our society there were elements and traditions
which supported the growth of democracy.
(5) In our democratic system, there may be differences in many spheres but we rise above them. To achieve the
objective of keeping the country united, we have to transcend political and party-based differences, which
create dissensions. If we cannot remain united and the country does not remain strong, with whom shall
we have differences? Against whom shall we fight? With whom shall we be friends? Brothers and sisters, if
the country falls, nobody survives. When we were fighting for the freedom of our country, it did not mean
only political freedom. It also meant social justice, equality and economic justice. Only one phase is over
and another one is under way. We have to cover a long and difficult path. Whereas the enemies were visible
during those days; now they are in disguise. Some of them are openly our enemies, but many become
unintentional pawns of others.
On the basis of your reading of the passage answer ANY FIVE of the given questions. (1 × 5 = 5)
(i) What was the daunting venture that the author mentioned in paragraph 3?
(ii) What is the primary reason behind India’s success?
(iii) What, according to the author, must be done to achieve a successful unity in the country?
(iv) What makes our united fight for freedom a great objective?
(v) What did the author compare a country to?
(vi) What was the main reason for the success of democracy in India?
 SECTION - B (WRITING AND GRAMMAR)
3. Attempt any one of the given questions. (5)
The number of students opting for humanities is higher than commerce and science in last two years. Write
an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words based on the statistics of the given graph.
2017 2018

Number of students
250
200
150
100
50
0
Science Commerce Humanities
Streams of subject
OR
As Sports Incharge of A.C.C. Public School, Secunderabad, write a letter in 100-120 words to the Secretary
of the Sports Authority of India, Delhi, requesting him to send the details of scholarships admissible to
different categories of students of the school, who have achieved excellence in various sports.

4. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Identify the error and write
its correction against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the correction. The first has
been done for you. (1 × 3 = 3)
Error Correction
Ram went up to the basement e.g., up down
and find that one of the (a) _____ _____
door was open and the lock (b) _____ _____
has broken out. (c) _____ _____

5. Read the conversation between Maya and Jaya and complete the passage that follows : (1 × 2 = 2)
Maya : Which top do you like?
Jaya : I like the one from the store near your house.
Maya : Can I get it for you?
Jaya : Yes, thank you.
Maya asked Jaya which top she liked. Jaya replied that she (a) ______________________________. Maya
then asked her if she (b) ______________________________. She replied in the affirmative and thanked
her.

SECTION - C (LITERATURE)
6. Answer ANY SIX of the following in about 30-40 words. (2 × 6 = 12)

(i) How did the Loisels react when they realised that the necklace had been lost ?

(ii) What all animals lived with Balinda?

(iii) What information did Valli collect about her first bus ride ?

(iv) What filled Bholi, a dumb cow, with a new hope in her?
(v) From whom have the inhabitants of Coorg descended, as per the legend?

(vi) Mention any two contributions of Ebright to the world of science.

(vii) Why was the lawyer disappointed on reaching New Mullion?

7. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120-150 words each.  (4 × 2 = 8)

(i) On the basis of your understanding of the chapter ‘The Necklace’ give a pen portrait of M. Loisel.

(ii) What is the central theme of the poem Amanda?

(iii) What social attitudes are presented in the story, ‘Bholi’? How does Bholi’s teacher help her overcome these
barriers?
 Solution
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - 184
Class 10 - English Language And Literature

1. (i) Spoken words are at the rate of about 150 in humanities taking the count to a remarkable 225
words per minute while words heard are at the rate of students in humanities.
about 500 words per minute. To conclude the given information, the interest of students
(ii) Listening requires one to hear, observe as well as in humanities has seen a subsequent rise in the year 2018
understand what’s been said. and commerce has seen a slump in the interest rate.
(iii) It means that good listening skills can be learned OR
and acquired through practice and observation. A.C.C. Public School
(iv) The two types of barriers to listening are the Secunderabad
physical as well as the psychological barriers. 1 April, 20XX
The Secretary
(v) Listening is an action that involves understanding Sports Authority of India
what is said, being observant and be able to make Subject : Requesting Details of Scholarship
interpretations. Sir,
(vi) The antonym of the word “monologue” is It has been brought to our notice that SAI offers
“dialogue”. scholarships to excellent players, who belong to
economically weaker sections of the society, to help
2. (i) The daunting venture refers to the aim of
them continue with their training. I am Kamlesh
industrializing, modernizing and transforming
Singh, Sports Incharge of A.C.C. Public School,
the ancient society such as that of India, a vast and
Secunderabad, writing to you, seeking details of
populated society while still maintaining its diversity.
scholarships admissible to different categories of
(ii) The democratic system of India makes it a school students, who have achieved excellence in
successful nation despite its diversity. various sports.
(iii) To achieve a successful unity, we must go beyond A.C.C. Public School has a track record of producing
the political as well as party differences that create bonafide players in various sports categories, such as
dissentions among the people. cricket, football, hockey, badminton, tennis, etc. The
current batch of players has made the school proud
(iv) Fighting for a united freedom not only means once again by winning gold medals at various state
political freedom but also social justice, equality and level sports events. The school’s cricket team too
economic justice too. won the zonal cricket tournament held last month.
(v) The author compares a country to an extended We are keen that our students too should get the
family that must work together to work or function. opportunity to avail the benefits of SAI scholarships.
(vi) Democracy has worked well in India because of Therefore, kindly enlighten us on how to apply for
the same.
the dedication of the national leaders and the support
Hope to hear from you soon.
of the society.
Thank you
3. The given graph shows the increasing interest of Yours sincerely
students in taking up humanities as subject choice. Kamlesh Singh
The given graph shows the data of two years, if we look Sports Incharge
at it in 2017 approximately 200 students opted for
4. Error Correction
science, around 150 opted for commerce and around
(a) find found
200 opted for humanities. The interest in science and
(b) door doors
humanities was almost similar in 2017. (c) has was
If we look at the data of year 2018, we see that there is a
fall in the interest of students in science in comparison 5. (a) liked the top from the store near her house
to 2017. In 2018 around 175 students opted for (b) can get it for her
science, around 100 students opted for commerce 6. (i) As soon as the Loisels realised that the necklace
and maximum number of students showed interest had been lost, their short-lived happiness degenerated
into shock of the worst nightmare. Matilda uttered a content with his modest life. M. Loisel liked ordinary
cry. Loisel, already half undressed, arose in dismay and good food, and saw beauty in simplicity.
went immediately on foot in search of the necklace. M. Loisel loved his wife so much that he found
(iii) The information that she collected was that the happiness in making her happy. He was elated when
he came bearing the invitation to the official ball.
town was six miles from her village and it took thirty
He thought being able to attend the exclusive party
paise for one way fare. She also came to know that the
would please Matilda immensely. He gave her the
one way ride was of forty-five minutes.
four hundred francs he had been saving for his own
(iv) Bholi considered to be a ‘dumb cow’ was filled with personal use so that she could buy an appropriate
new hope on hearing her teacher’s soft and soothing dress of her choice for the party. He was sensitive and
voice. No one had ever spoken to her so nicely. Also, caring towards his wife’s needs. M. Loisel was a man of
Bholi’s teacher encouraged, inspired and showered her patience. When the necklace was lost, he did not chide
with love. She gave Bholi a book to read and promised or reproach Matilda. Instead, he stayed out all night in
to give her more books that would help her learn new the cold looking for the necklace. He used all his life’s
things. savings and even borrowed a huge amount of money
to buy a replacement necklace to be returned to Mme.
(v) As per the legend, a part of Alexander’s army,
Forestier. He was an honest man, who worked hard
when retreating from India, went South and settled
day and night for ten years to pay off the borrowed
in Coorg when they found that they could not return money.
home. Then they married among the locals and their
descendants are the Kodavus (the people of Coorg). (iii) Bholi was neglected by her parents on account
of her looks and lack of intelligence. She was sent to
(vi) Ebright's contributions to the world of science school as her mother thought her to be a burden and
were great. He was able to identify the hormone's let the teachers at school worry about her. Ironically,
chemical structure. The photos of the chemical the teachers transformed her life completely. Bholi
structure of the hormone proved an answer to the did not know what exactly a school was and what
biology puzzle - how the cell can read the blue print happened there, in the class when her teacher asked
of its DNA. It is the blueprint of life. Second, he her name, she stammered and began to cry. She kept
discovered an unknown insect hormone which led to her head down throughout the class. The teacher was
his new theory on the life of cells. very encouraging and friendly to her and this made
her gain confidence to speak.
(vii) The lawyer was disappointed to see the streets of
She started seeing a ray of hope for a new life. After
the New Mullion were rivers of mud, row of wooden
years of gaining education and with the help of her
shops painted in sour brown or were completely
teacher, Bholi turned into a confident girl. She no
without paint. It was an unpleasant sight altogether.
longer stammered and could speak properly. She even
7. (i) M. Loisel was a simple, understanding and had the courage to refuse marrying the lame old man
loving husband. He was a petty clerk in the office of the because he was greedy and asked money from her
Board of Education. He, unlike his wife Matilda, was father to marry her.