CLASS X

SCIENCE
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER
General instructions:

1. All questions would be compulsory. However, an internal choice of approximately 33% would
be provided. 50% marks are to be allotted to competency-based questions.
2. Section A would have 16 simple/complex MCQs and 04 Assertion-Reasoning type questions
carrying 1 mark each.
3. Section B would have 6 Short Answer (SA) type questions carrying 02 marks each.
4. Section C would have 7 Short Answer (SA) type questions carrying 03 marks each.
5. Section D would have 3 Long Answer (LA) type questions carrying 05 marks each.
6. Section E would have 3 source based/case based/passage based/integrated units of assessment
(04 marks each) with sub-parts of the values of 1/2/3 marks

Section-A
Question 1 to 16 are multiple choice questions. Only one of the choices is correct. Select and
write the correct choice as well as the answer to these questions.

1. Identify ‘p’, ‘q’ and ‘r’ in the following balanced reaction 1

p Pb (NO3)2(s) ------> q PbO(s) + r NO2(g) + O2(g)
A. 2,2,4
B. 2,4,2
C. 2,4,4
D. 4,2,2
2. Match column I with column II and select the correct option. 1

Column I Column II
a. Iodine (i) Water Purification
b. Mercury (ii) On wounds
c. Aluminium (iii) Thermometers
d. Chlorine (iv) Food Packaging

A.a – (ii), b – (i), c – (iii), d – (iv)

B. a – (iii), b – (i), c – (iv), d – (ii)
C. a – (iv), b – (ii), c – (iii), d – (i)
D. a – (ii), b – (iii), c – (iv), d – (i)

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3. 1

The reactants in the following experiment is likely to be:

A. CaO & H2O
B. Al & Fe2O3
C. K & Mg
D. Ca & H
4. An aqueous solution turns the red litmus solution blue. Excess addition of 1
which of the following solutions would reverse the change?
A.Baking Powder
B.Lime
C.Hydrochloric acid
D.Ammonium Hydroxide solution
5. When 50g of lead powder is added to 300 ml of blue copper sulphate 1
solution, after a few hours, the solution becomes colourless. This is an
example of
A. Combination reaction
B. Decomposition reaction
C. Displacement reaction
D. Double displacement reaction
6. The electronic configuration of three elements X, Y and Z are X- 2, 8, 7; 1
Y- 2, 8, 2; and Z - 2, 8
A. Y and Z are metals
B. Y and X are non-metals
C. X is a non -metal and Y is a metal
D. Y is a non-metal and Z is a metal
7. Which of the following are exothermic processes? 1

(i) Reaction of water with quicklime

(ii) Dilution of an acid

(iii) Evaporation of water

(iv) Sublimation of camphor (crystals)

A. (i) and (ii)

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 B. (ii) and (iii)

C.(i) and (iv)

D. (ii) and (iv)

8. When a few drops of iodine solution are added to rice water, the solution 1
turns blue-black in colour. This indicates that rice water contains:

A. Fats

B.Complex proteins

C. Starch

D.Simple proteins

9. During which of the following stages of the circulation of blood in a 1

normal human being, the oxygenated blood is pumped to all parts of the
body?
A. contraction of the left atrium
B. contraction of left ventricle
C. relaxation of the right atrium
D. relaxation of the right ventricle
10. The following image shows the bread moulds on bread: 1

How do these fungi obtain nutrition?

A.By eating the bread on which it is growing

B.By using nutrients from the bread to prepare their own food

C. By breaking down the nutrients of bread and then absorbing them

D.By allowing other organisms to grow on the bread and then consuming
them

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11. In snails individuals can begin life as male and depending on 1
environmental conditions they can become female as they grow. This is
because
A. male snails have dominant genetic makeup.
B. female snails have dominant genetic makeup.
C. expression of sex chromosomes can change in a snail’s lifetime.
D. sex is not genetically determined in snails.
12. When we touch the leaves of the “touch-me-not” plant, they begin to fold 1
up and droop. How does the plant communicate the information of touch?

A. The plant uses electrical signals to transfer information from the

external environment to cells.

B. The plant uses electrical-chemical signals to transfer information from

cell to cell.

C. The plant uses electrical-chemical signals to transfer information from

tissue to specialised cells.

D. The plant uses electrical signals to transfer information from cells to

specialised tissues.

13. When a plane mirror is rotated through a certain angle, the reflected ray 1
turns through twice as much and the size of the image:

A.is doubled

B.is halved

C.becomes infinite

D. remains the same

14. 1

Choose the correct option for the colour of rays for A and B.

Srl Colour of Ray A Colour of Ray A

no.

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 A. Blue Red
B. Green Yellow
C. Red Violet
D. Violet Indigo

15. Which of the following limits the number of trophic levels in a food 1
chain?

A.Water

B. Polluted air and water

C. Deficient food supply

D. Decrease in energy at higher trophic levels

16. Which of the following is not a role of decomposers in the ecosystem? 1

A. Natural replenishment of soil.
B. Enrichment of oxygen in the atmosphere.
C. Waste decomposition.
D. Break-down of dead remains

Question No. 17 to 20 consist of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer
these questions by selecting the appropriate option given below:
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true

17. Assertion (A): Pungent smelling gas is produced when sulphur burns in 1
air.
Reason (R) : Sulphur trioxide is formed on reaction of sulphur with
oxygen.
18. Assertion(A) : Mutation is sudden change in the genetic material. 1
Reason (R) : Variation is useful for the survival of species over time.
19. Assertion(A) : The emergent ray is parallel to the direction of the 1
incident ray.
Reason (R) : The extent of bending of the ray of light at the opposite
parallel faces (air- glass interface and glass-air interface) of the

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 rectangular glass slab is equal and opposite.
20. Assertion: The concentration of harmful chemicals is least in human 1
beings.
Reason: Man is at the apex of the food chain.

Section-B
Question No. 21 to 26 are very short answer questions

21. Identify the type of each of the following reactions stating the reason for 2
your answers.

A. Fe2O3 + 2Al → Al2O3 + 2Fe + heat

B. Pb (NO3)2 + 2KI → PbI2( )+ 2KNO3

22. A. Name one gustatory receptor and one olfactory receptor in human 2
beings.Also mention their functions.
B.Write a and b in the given flow chart of the neuron through which
information travels as an electrical impulse.

23. Attempt either option A or B. 2

A. List the steps for the synthesis of glucose by the plants. What special
feature is found in desert plants related to this process?
OR
B. Explain the role of the following enzymes in the process of digestion
of food in humans:
(i) Salivary amylase
(ii) Pepsin
(iii) Trypsin
(iv) Lipase
24. Draw a labelled ray diagram to show the path of the reflected ray 2
corresponding to an incident ray of light parallel to the principal axis of
a convex mirror. Mark the angle of incidence and angle of reflection on
it.

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25. Name a device that you can use to maintain a potential difference 2
between the ends of a conductor.
Explain the process by which this device does so.
26. Why do you need to clean an aquarium but not a pond? 2

Section-C
Question No. 27 to 33 are short answer questions

27. Grapes hanging on the plant do not ferment, but after being plucked from 3

the plant can be fermented. Under what conditions do these grapes

ferment? Is it a chemical or a physical change? Explain with examples.

28. Attempt either option A or B. 3

A.During the extraction of metals, electrolytic refining is used to obtain
pure metals.

(a ) Which material will be used as anode and cathode for refining silver
metal in this process?

(b ) Suggest a suitable electrolyte also.

(c ) Where do we get pure silver in this electrolytic cell after passing an

electric current?

OR

B.Generally, when metals are treated with mineral acids, hydrogen gas is
liberated, but when metals (except Mn and Mg) are treated with HNO3,
hydrogen is not liberated. Why?
29. Mention three major regions of the brain. Write one function of each. 3

30. A green stemmed rose plant denoted by GG and a brown stemmed rose 3
plant denoted by gg are allowed to undergo a cross with each other.
(a) List your observations regarding :
(i) Colour of stem in their F1 progeny

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 (ii) Percentage of brown stemmed plants in F2 progeny if plants are self
pollinated.
(iii) Ratio of GG and Gg in the F2 progeny.
(b) Based on the findings of this cross, what conclusion can be drawn?
31. A. What is the fundamental difference between hypermetropia and myopia 3
in terms of the optical experience of a person?
B. The diagram below shows a special case of an eye defect.
(i) What is the defect that is shown in the figure?
(ii) State one cause for such a defect?

(iii) Explain with reason if a concave lens can be used to correct the defect

32. A current of 10 A flows through a conductor for two minutes. 3

(i) Calculate the amount of charge passed through any area of the cross
section of the conductor.
(ii) If the charge of an electron is 1.6 × 10-19 C, then calculate the total
number of electrons flowing.
33. Study the V-I graph for a resistor as shown in the figure and prepare a table 3
showing the values of I (in amperes) corresponding to four different values
V (in volts). Find the value of current for V = 10 volts. How can we
determine the resistance of the resistor from this graph?

Section-D
Question No. 34 to 36 are long answer questions.

34. Attempt either option A or B. 5

A. A compound ‘A’ is used in the manufacture of cement. When dissolved

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 in water, it evolves a large amount of heat and forms compound ‘B’.
(i) Identify A and B.
(ii) Write the chemical equation for the reaction of A with water.
(iii) List the type of reaction that took place and give reason.
(iv)Give two examples by which this reaction may be classified.
OR
B.Mention with reason the colour changes observed in each case when:
(i) silver chloride is exposed to sunlight.
(ii) copper powder is strongly heated in the presence of oxygen.
(iii) a piece of zinc is dropped in copper sulphate solution.
35. Attempt either option A or B. 5
A.(a) Define geotropism. Give one example of geotropism.
(b) What is meant by ‘positive geotropism’ and ‘negative geotropism? Give
one example of each type. Draw a labeled diagram to illustrate your answer
indicating the plant part which shows positive geotropism and the plant
part which shows negative geotropism.
(c) Name one plant part which exhibits positive thigmotropism.
OR
B.(a) How does control and coordination take place in plants? How does it
differ from that in animals?
(b) Name five stimuli which act on plants. Name the type of tropism
produced by each one of these stimuli.
(c) Define hydrotropism. Give one example of hydrotropism. State whether
this example is of positive hydrotropism or negative hydrotropism.
Illustrate your answer with the help of the labeled diagram.
36. Attempt either option A or B. 5
A.(a) Describe an activity to demonstrate the pattern of magnetic field lines
around a straight conductor carrying current.
(b) State the rule to find the direction of the magnetic field associated with
a current carrying conductor?
(c)What is the shape of a current carrying conductor whose magnetic field
pattern resembles that of a bar magnet?
OR
B.(a) Mention the effect of electric current on which the working of an
electrical fuse is based.
(b)Draw a schematic labeled diagram of a domestic circuit which has a
provision of a main base, meter, one light bulb and a socket.
(c)Explain the term overloading of an electric circuit.

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 Section-E
Question No. 37 to 39 are case-based/data -based questions.

37. Marble’s popularity began in ancient Rome and Greece, where white and 4
off-white marble were used to construct a variety of structures, from
hand-held sculptures to massive pillars and buildings.

A. The substance not likely to contain CaCO3 is 1

a) Dolomite
b) A marble statue
c) Calcined gypsum
d) Sea shells.
B Attempt either option B or C. 1
A student added 10g of calcium carbonate in a rigid container, secured it
tightly and started to heat it. After some time, an increase in pressure was
observed, the pressure reading was then noted at intervals of 5 mins and
plotted against time, in a graph as shown below. During which time
interval did maximum decomposition take place?

a) 15-20 min
b) 10-15 min
c) 5-10 min
d) 0-5 min
OR
C Gas A, obtained above is a reactant for a very important biochemical
process which occurs in the presence of sunlight. Identify the name of the
process -
a) Respiration
b) Photosynthesis
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 c) Transpiration
d) Photolysis
D Marble statues are corroded or stained when they repeatedly come into 1
contact with polluted rain water.Identify the main reason.

a) decomposition of calcium carbonate to calcium oxide

b) polluted water is basic in nature hence it reacts with calcium carbonate
c) polluted water is acidic in nature hence it reacts with calcium carbonate
d) calcium carbonate dissolves in water to give calcium hydroxide
E Calcium oxide can be reduced to calcium, by heating with sodium 1
metal.Which compound would act as an oxidizing agent in the above
process?
a) Sodium
b) sodium oxide
c) calcium
d) calcium oxide
38. Waste management is essential in today’s society. Due to an increase in 4
population, the generation of waste is doubling day by day. Moreover, the
increase in waste is affecting the lives of many people. Waste management
is the management of waste by disposal and recycling of it. Moreover,
waste management needs proper techniques keeping in mind the
environmental situations. For instance, there are various methods and
techniques by which the waste is disposed of. You must have come across
5 R’s to save the environment: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and
recycle.

A Choose the waste management strategy that is matched with the correct 1
example.
a) Refuse -Choose products that use less packaging

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 b) Reduce -Give unwanted toys and books to hospitals or schools
c) Reuse -Not using single use plastic
d) Repurpose -Making flower pot from used plastic bottle
B Recycling of paper is a good practice but recycled paper should not be 1
used as food packaging because
a) recycled papers take lots of space
b) recycled papers can’t cover food properly
c) recycled papers can cause infection
d) recycled papers are costly
C According to the ‘Solid Waste Management Rule 2016’, the waste should 1
be segregated into three categories. Observe the table below and select the
row that has correct information .

D Attempt either option D OR E. 1

Effective segregation of wastes at the point of generation is very important.
Select the appropriate statements giving the importance of waste
segregation.
i) less waste goes to the landfills
ii) better for public health and the environment
iii) help in reducing the waste
iv) resulting in deterioration of a waste picker’s health

a) both i) and ii)

b) both i) and iii)
c) both ii) and iii)
d) both i) and iv)
OR
E
The given graph shows the amount of waste generated, dumped and treated
in percentage. Identify the reason for the low success rate of the waste
management process.

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 a) only 15% of urban India’s waste is processed
b) less than 60% of waste is collected from households
c) more than 60% of waste is collected from households
d) both a and b
39. The refractive index of a medium with respect to vacuum is called the 4
absolute refractive index of the medium. It is given by, μ = sin i/sinr

Absolute refractive indices of some of the materials A, B, C and D are

given in the following table:

Medium Refractive Index

A 1.54
B 1.33
C 2.42
D 1.65

A How is absolute refractive index related to speed of light? 1

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 (a)μ = C/vm

(b)μ=cvm

(c)μ=Vm

(d)vμ=c

B In which of the materials given in the above table, light travels fastest? 1

(a) A

b) B

(c) C

(d) D

C The speed of light in air is 3x108 ms-1 and that in medium A is 2.5 x 10 1
ms-1. The refractive index of A will be

(a) 1.2

(b) 0.5

(c)4.5

(d)1.5

D Attempt either option D or E. 1

The refractive index of P with respect to Qis 2. Find the refractive index of
Q with respect to P.

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 (a) 0.5

(b) 0.2

(c) 2

(d) 2.5

OR

E
When light travels from air to glass,

(a) angle of incidence > angle of refraction

(b) angle of incidence < angle of refraction

(c) angle of incidence = angle of refraction

(d) Can't say

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