Practicing the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English with Solutions Set 2 allows you to get rid of exam fear and be confident to appear for the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Set 2 with Solutions
Time : 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
- 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
- The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section – A
Reading (20 Marks)
I. Read the passage given below.
1. Till 1988, the Pamban Bridge was the only surface transport that connected Tamil Nadu’s island of Rameswaram to the mainland. Said to be an engineering marvel, the Pamban Bridge was once India’s longest sea bridge, till the Bandra-Worli sea link came up in 2009. What makes Pamban Bridge more wonderful is that it was built more than 100 years ago.
The 2.057 km long bridge, also known as Bridge No. 346 in Indian Railway reference, consists of over 140 spAnswer: The amazing feature of a double-leaf section that can be raised to allow movement of ships and boats was designed by German engineer Scherzer. The 114th span, midway along the bridge, is called the Scherzer span.
Interestingly, the Scherzer span is now being replaced by a modern one to improve the life of the bridge. Pamban Bridge is a cantilever bridge, that has structures that project horizontally into space, supported only on one end.
Until recently, the two leaves of the bridge were opened manually using levers by workers, says Indian Railways. Following cyclone-induced tragic train accident in 1964, Indian Railways installed devices to check the wind velocity across the Pamban via duct. Train movement on the bridge is halted when the wind speed exceeds 58 kmph.
The construction of the Pamban Bridge began in 1911 and it was opened in 1914. It was only in 2007 that the railway line on Pamban Bridge was converted from metre-gauge to broad-gauge. According to Indian Railways, the famed Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram and the Pamban Bridge draw scores of foreign tourists and inland pilgrims to the island.
Even as Indian Railways’ Pamban Bridge continues to be an engineering-marvel, yet another railway bridge that is likely to be a stunning site is coming up in Jammu and Kashmir. Said to be the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab bridge, is set to be completed by 2019. The bridge will be taller than Paris’ famous Eiffel Tower and is being built to withstand earthquakes.
Yet another bridge that will be a landmark is the Bogibeel Bridge – India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge. The Bogibeel double-deck bridge is being built over the Brahmaputra in the Dibrugarh district of Assam and will connect the North and South banks of the river. The total length of the rail-cum-road bridge will be 4.9 km.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below:
(i) How was the Pamban bridge used to be?
A. The Pamban bridge used to be the only surface transport of India.
B. The Pamban bridge used to be the longest sea bridge.
C. The Pamban bridge used to be operated manually.
D. All of the above
Answer:
D. All of the above
(ii) Select the option that corresponds to the following relation below:
Train movement on the bridge is halted when the wind speed exceeds 58 kmph. (Paragraph 4)
A. The car was stopped by the policeman because it exceeded the maximum limit.
B. The valley of the river exceeds 1000 m, and the stream has a length of not less than 1300 m.
C. The more we looked the fewer things we found to retrieve.
D. As we saw more, it was harder to believe.
Answer:
A. The car was stopped by the policeman because it exceeded the maximum limit.
(iii) Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the Pamban Bridge:
A. Pamban Bridge connects Tamil Nadu’s island of Rameswaram to the mainland.
B. Pamban bridge is longer than the Bandra-Worli sea link.
C. Pamban bridge draws a lot of foreign tourists.
D. Pamban bridge is also known as Bridge No. 346 in Indian Railway reference.
Answer:
B. Pamban bridge is longer than the Bandra-Worli sea link.
(iv) Complete the following with a phrase from Paragraph 1.
| Opinion | Reason |
| Something that causes wonder, admiration, or astonishment |
Answer:
An engineering marvel
(v) The writer uses two types of gauge in the line- “It was only in 2007 that the railway line on Pamban Bridge was converted from metre-gauge to broad-gauge”. State 1 point of difference between metre gauge and broad gauge. (Para 5)
Answer:
Metre-gauge is considered a type of narrow gauge, whereas broad-gauge is wider than the metre-gauge.
(vi) Based on your reading of the text, list 2 reasons why the writer says that “the Pamban Bridge is an engineering marvel” (Paragraph 1).
1. __________
2. __________
Answer:
1. Till 1988, the Pamban Bridge was the only surface transport that connected Tamil Nadu’s island of Rameswaram to the mainland.
2. The Pamban Bridge was once India’s longest sea bridge, till the Bandra-Worli sea link came up in 2009.
(viii) What is the 114th span, midway along the bridge called?
A. Scherzer span
B. Rameswaram
C. Double-leaf section
D. Highway
Answer:
A. Scherzer span
(viii) The writer says, “Yet another bridge that will be a landmark is the Bogibeel Bridge”.
Select the reason why Bogibeel Bridge will be a landmark:
A. India’s longest rail-cum-road that will connect the North and South banks of the river.
B. World’s longest rail-cum-road will connect the North and South banks of the river.
C. Asia’s longest rail-cum-road will connect the North and South banks of the river.
D. India’s shortest rail-cum-road will connect the North and South banks of the river.
Answer:
A. India’s longest rail-cum-road that will connect the North and South banks of the river.
(ix) Supply 1 point to justify the following:
The Chenab Bridge is said to be the world’s highest railway bridge.
Answer:
The bridge will be taller than Paris’ famous Eiffel Tower and is being built to withstand earthquakes.
(x) Choose the option that CORRECTLY states the two aspects of Pamban bridge.
A. Pamban Bridge was the only surface transport that connected Tamil Nadu’s island of Rameswaram to the mainland.
B. The Scherzer span is now being replaced by a modem one to improve the life of the bridge.
C. Pamban Bridge is a cantilever bridge that has structures that project horizontally into space, supported only on one end.
D. Both (A) and (C)
Answer:
D. Both (A) and (C)
II. Read the passage given below.
1. The Arctic is warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, and some scientists believe that thawing permafrost ground frozen since the last Ice Age – is about to release enormous amounts of climate-warming emissions. In the coldest regions of planet Earth, ice binds together soil, rock, sand and organic matter. This layer of permafrost can begin just centimeters below the Earth’s surface. Anywhere cold enough to keep the ground frozen year-round for at least two years counts as permafrost. About a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere contains permafrost.
2. Warmer temperatures in the Arctic are causing snow and ice to disappear. As ice covering the sea shrinks back, it exposes darker waters that absorb solar radiation rather than reflecting it back out in the atmosphere. This is called the albedo effect, and helps explain why the Arctic region is warming so much faster than the rest of the world. This chart shows how much average surface air temperatures have changed at different latitudes since 1960.
3. The Siberian Arctic town of Verkhoyansk in June registered a record high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) during a prolonged heat wave. Record fires have also engulfed vast swathes of Siberian Russia, emitting more carbon dioxide than Switzerland or Norway in a year.
4. The boreal forests of the Arctic have evolved to survive and thrive from occasional fires that would naturally occur every few decades or centuries in the region. But the more recent fires are different, scientists say. They are starting months earlier than they ever have before, and are smoldering through the winter as underground ‘zombie fires.’.
5. The more intense fires are also burning up peat bogs. A forest might grow back in a few decades and reabsorb the carbon it released when it burned; a peat bog is the accumulation of thousands of years of partial decomposition.
6. The best way to prevent permafrost from thawing is to limit climate change by reducing fossil fuel emissions and protecting forests, scientists say. But once permafrost thaws, there’s nothing that can be done to stop the carbon from being released. (Source: The true picture)
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below:
(i) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in Paragraph 2.
The Arctic region is warming so much faster than the rest of the world.
Answer:
As ice covering the sea shrinks back, it exposes darker waters that absorb solar radiation rather than reflecting it back out in the atmosphere causing the Arctic region to warm faster. This is called the albedo effect.
(ii) Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks.
From Paragraph 1, it can be inferred that __________ and __________ are true about permafrost.
1. ground frozen since the Second Ice Age
2. ice, soil, rock, sand and organic matter bound together
3. can begin just centimetres below the Earth’s surface
4. it is year-round frozen ground for at least one year Which of the given statements is/are CORRECT?
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 1 and 3
Answer:
B. 2 and 3
(iii) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word from paragraph 1: authentic: genuine: : __________: huge
Answer:
enormous
(iv) Consider the following statements:
(A) The Arctic region is warming faster than the rest of the world.
(R) The exposed layer of darker waters is absorbing radiation.
Which of the following options is correct with regards to Arctic wanning?
A. (A) is correct and (R) is the appropriate explanation of (A).
B. (A) is incorrect and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is correct and (R) is incorrect.
D. (A) is incorrect and (R) is correct.
Answer:
A. (A) is correct and (R) is the appropriate explanation of (A).
(v) Select the chart that appropriately represents the correct surface air temperature variations between the Artie region and Antarctic region.
A. Option 1
B. Option 2
C. Option 3
D. Option 4
Answer:
A. Option 1
(vi) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option.
__________ is the consequence of heat waves.
A. The Siberian Arctic town of Verkhoyansk in June registered a record high temperature of 39 degrees Celsius.
B. Record fires engulf vast swathes of Siberian Russia.
C. Both (A) and (B)
D. None of the above
Answer:
D. None of the above
(vii) Substitute the word ‘prolonged’ with ONE WORD similar in meaning, in the following sentence from paragraph 3:
The Siberian Arctic town of Verkhoyansk in June registered a record high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius during a prolonged heat wave.
Answer:
sustained or continued
(viii) List any two ways to prevent permafrost from thawing.
Answer:
- Limiting climate change by reducing fossil fuel emissions.
- Protecting the forests.
(ix) List 1 reason why the scientist says- “the more recent fires are different”?
Answer:
They are starting months earlier than they ever have before, and are smoldering through the winter as underground ‘zombie’ fires.
(x) Select the option that titles paragraphs 1-3 appropriately, with reference to information in the text.
A. Warmer temperatures in the Arctic swathes of Siberian Russia albedo effect
B. Limit climate change boreal forests partial decomposition
C. Peat bogs swathes of Siberian Russia partial decomposition
D. Warmer temperatures in the Arctic
E. Limit climate change zombie fires
Answer:
A. Warmer temperatures in the Arctic swathes of Siberian Russia albedo effect
Section – B
Grammar (10 Marks)
III. Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions.
(i) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence.
A school of fish __________ spotted in the lake.
A. are
D. was
B. have
C. has
Answer:
D. was
(ii) Betty: Will you attend Pamela’s birthday party?
Ramit: My father will not give me permission.
Betty: But why?
Ramit: He wants me to prepare for tomorrow’s test.
Betty asked Ramit if he would attend Pamela’s birthday party, to which Ramit replied that __________.
Answer:
his father wouldn’t permit him to go because he wanted him to prepare for the next day’s test.
(iii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank.
You __________ use mobile phones inside the aircraft.
A. had to
B. can
C. could
D. mustn’t
Answer:
D. mustn’t.
(iv) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line.
The entire household was in the control of my mother-in-law.
| Option No. | Error | Correction |
| (i) | in | under |
| (ii) | The | An |
| (iii) | was | is |
| (iv) | of | with |
Answer:
| Option No. | Error | Correction |
| (iii) | in | under |
(v) Complete the notice by filling in the blank with the correct option:
I knew that Ramesh __________ Jaipur before, so I asked him to recommend a good hotel.
A. had visited
B. has been visiting
C. visited
Answer:
A. had visited
(vi) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket.
The servants __________ (quarrel) for half an hour when we arrived home.
Answer:
had been quarrelling
(vii) Report the dialogue between a soldier and a boy, by completing the sentence.
The boy: Sir, you are a war veteran, how does it feel to receive the adulation?
The soldier : Son, it is very difficult question. We kill our enemies to keep our nation safe. But it is just humans killing humans.
In response to the question the boy has asked, the soldier says that __________.
Answer:
The soldier told the boy that it was a very difficult question. He further said that they kill their enemies to keep our nation safe but it was just humans killing humans.
(viii) Discipline in life ensure peace and harmony which in turn, offers the impetus for a nation’s progress.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| ensure | ensures |
(ix) Change the following sentence to passive voice.
Arvind gave a book to Sushil.
Answer:
Sushil was given a book by Arvind.
(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence.
You __________ pay attention in the class.
A. can
B. should
C. may
D. might
Answer:
B. should
(xi) Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Latha and her father.
Audrey : Why do you keep breaking a new toy, Roger?
Roger: If I keep it, will you buy me a new one?
Audrey asked Roger the reason for breaking a new toy every time to which Roger asked good- humouredly that if he kept it safe __________.
A. will you buy me a new one.
B. if she would buy me a new one.
C. then would she buy a new one for him or not.
D. if she would herself buy a new one
Answer:
C. then would she buy a new one for him or not.
(xii) Identify the error in the advertisement in the classified section:
Classifieds
Delhi Public School, Shastiipuram, Agra
Required A mathematic’s teacher for teaching senior classes.
Emoluments at par with Kendriya Vidhyalaya.
Use the given format for your response.
| Error | Correction |
Answer:
| Error | Correction |
| A mathematic’s | A mathematics |
Section – C
Creative Writing Skills
IV. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
Question 1.
A. Write a formal letter to the commissioner of police in about 100-120 words, to employ extra constables at the beat box close to the locality to check on crimes.
Answer:
7 G, Rainbow Colony,
M.G. Road,
Delhi
31st July, 20XX
The Commissioner of Police,
Delhi,
Subject: Request to employ more constables at the beat box Sir,
This is to bring to your kind attention that near our locality the beat box has a very few constables, with the result they are over-burdened and let off people who look suspicious. The residents face a lot of problems because of this and many petty thieves can enter the locality easily.
This is giving rise to many crimes and at times the nearest beat box doesn’t have anyone who could come to the rescue. The situation is worsening and people are scared to step out and also doubt everyone who enters the locality.
We would be highly obliged if more constables are deployed and the entry and exit points are checked regularly. It is a request from all the residents and we hope to get some relief soon.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
XYZ
OR
B. Write a formal letter to the editor of a newspaper in about 100-120 words, highlighting the need to learn English communication for basic necessities.
Answer:
M- Block,
Janakpuri,
Delhi
16th June, 20XX The Editor,
The Times of India,
Delhi
Subject: Need for English communication Sir,
Through the columns of this esteemed daily, I would like to stress on the importance of English communication which is a very significant aspect of every student’s life. Communicating in English has become necessary for everyone whether a student or a professional. English is a global language which can be a medium of communicating anywhere and everywhere so it should be stressed right from the beginning.
Though all learners study English in all classes, they do not focus on improving their communication skills which go a long way ahead in their future. To seek a good job, they have to join classes for improving the same. If the importance is made apparent at the basic stages along with other subjects, students can excel in language learning and thereby go for all-round development. Hope this would serve as an awareness to all for adding to their English communication learning.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
XYZ
Question 2.
Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. Write a paragraph in 100-120 words analysing the given chart.
Answer:
The chart shows the percentage of students receiving free education in India. All India’s figure for free education stands at 47.2%. The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 added Article 21-A in the Constitution of India to provide free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right in such a manner as the State may, by law, determine.
Economic disparities, gender discrimination, caste discrimination, and technological barriers lead to illiteracy. Free education schemes aim to deliver an option of affordable private school education to students from economically weaker sections. Bihar stands at the top with 73% in contrast Haryana is the lowest with 21.4%.
OR
B. Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in the magazine section of a local daily:
The World Health Organization defines mental health as a “state of well-being whereby individuals recognize their abilities, are able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and make a contribution to their communities.”
Write a paragraph to analyse the given argument.
You could think about what alternative explanations might weaken the given conclusion and include rationale / evidence that would strengthen/counter the given argument.
Answer:
A major health issue that the youngsters are facing today is the problem related to their mental health. A sound mental health defines the whole personality of an individual. If a person is mentally healthy, then all the other issues automatically get resolved to a greater extent.
These days, there is a lot of pressure from everywhere over the younger generation which sometimes mounts so much that at times they take an extreme step to put an end to their lives or they get engaged in bad habits like alcoholism and drugs which makes them physically unstable too.
These habits might provide a temporary diversion from the problems in hand but it takes a toll on their physical health in the long run. So, the main focus should be on mental stability and strength building of an individual so that may face the challenges of life.
Mental health should be balanced in a way which enables people to fight the extremities that take place because of several triggers which an individual is unable to cope with and succumbs to it. The need of the hour calls for immediate action regarding this.
Section – D
Literature (10 Marks)
V. Reference to context.
Question 1.
Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.
1. A. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. (A Baker from Goa)
(i) Why was the baker and his family considered happy and prosperous?
A. They had a plump physique
B. They all were obese and ate a lot.
C. They never starved and made profits
D. They made little money but many friends.
Answer:
C. They never starved and made profits
(ii) What was the need for the author to call out the baker’s plump physique while mentioning his profession and family?
Answer:
Having a plump body meant that he and his family were fed well and didn’t see much hardships in the village.
(iii) Fill in the blank with ONE WORD only.
Even the baker’s servants lived prosperously in the village, which sets the precedent of how much .
the business of bakery must have been.
Answer:
profitable
(iv) What sort of comparison with a baker does one invite in terms of anatomy?
A. Wearing half pant which reaches just below the knees
B. Carrying bamboo sticks with bells
C. Riding a cycle with a basket
D. Jackfruit-like body shape
Answer:
D. Jackfruit-like body shape
(v) Select the option that correctly captures the application of the word ‘open’ as used in line of the given extract.
A. All the pharmacy shops were open in my area even during the lockdown.
B. His views on women’s rights are an open declaration to his respect for women.
C. The teacher told us that she was open to new ideas for the school play.
D. It takes me time to open up to people I rarely meet in my life.
Answer:
B. His views on women’s rights are an open declaration to his respect for women.
OR
B. “But, my dearie, I thought it would make you happy. You never go out, and this is an occasion, and a fine one! Everybody wishes one, and it is very select; not many are given to employees. You will see the whole official world there.”
She looked at him with an irritated eye and declared impatiently, “What do you suppose I have to wear to such a thing as that?” (The Necklace)
(i) Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word ‘out’ from line 1 of the extract.
A. The jam and jellies quickly went out of stock at the harvest festival.
B. Their team had only one good batsman who got out after a while.
C. We missed our teacher at the picnic as she could not go out with us.
D. You missed out the opportunity of scoring good marks by not studying.
Answer:
C. We missed our teacher at the picnic as she could not go out with us.
(ii) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text
sad : happy :: contented : __________
Answer:
irritated
(iii) Select the option that displays the reason why the ball was a fine occasion for both of them.
A. The whole world would be there.
B. The ball required fancy clothes and jewels.
C. The invitation was only for a few selected.
D. This was their rare chance to go out.
Answer:
D. This was their rare chance to go out.
(iv) According to the extract, what did Madame Loisel most likely meant when she said ‘wear to such a thing as that…’?
1. she does not know what a ball is
2. she hated what she had
3. she would borrow jewels
4. she did not know what should be worn to a ball
5. she did not have anything fancy enough
Select the correct option.
A. 1 and 4
B. 2 and 5
C. 3 and 4
D. 3 and 5
Answer:
B. 2 and 5
(v) The story emphasises on the ungrateful nature of Madame Loisel in the given extract.
List two ways in which the mess in the end could have been avoided at this stage itself.
Answer:
1. She could have gone to the ball wearing what she already had.
2. Her husband could have been insistent in not borrowing anything expensive from someone else.
Question 2.
Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle’s edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village! (A Tiger in the Zoo)
(i) Complete the sentence appropriately. The poet employs onomatopoeia in this stanza in ‘snarling around houses’ because ……………. (Clue: explain how onomatopoeia applies here)
Answer:
The word snarling describes the growl of the tiger and it invokes the auditory senses.
(ii) The tiger bares his white fangs to:
A. scare the villagers
B. scare the animals
C. show his power
D. attract another tiger
Answer:
A. scare the villagers
(iii) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE:
The extract emphasises on the wild nature of the tiger and how it should be.
Answer:
True
(iv) Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the extract.
The poet has used the words ‘fangs’, ‘claws’ and ‘Terrorising’ to paint an imagery in the given lines. The symbolism he wishes to employ by using this is __________ and __________.
A. power, dominance
B. evil, destructive
C. chaos, death
D. life in captivity
Answer:
A. power, dominance
(v) What is the impact of masculine pronouns used for the tiger in the given poem?
A. It personifies the tiger as strong and meek.
B. It personifies the tiger as fierce and dynamic.
C. It enforces the idea that the tiger has escaped.
D. It doesn’t contribute to the poem in any form.
Answer:
B. It personifies the tiger as fierce and dynamic.
OR
B. The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued. (Dust of Snow)
(i) What is the poet’s tone in the extract?
1. excited c
2. calm
3. weary
4. lethargi
5. rejoiced
Select the appropriate option.
A. 3 and 4
B. 1 and 4
C. 1 and 5
D. 2 and 5
Answer:
D. 2 and 5
(ii) What has saved the poet’s day that he ‘rued’ according to the extract?
Answer:
The poet gets showered by the dust of snow which brightens his mood and makes his day.
(iii) Identify the symbols that represent the poet’s depressive mood, as per the extract.
A. the crow and the hemlock tree
B. the dust of snow falling from the tree
C. the change of mood in his heart
D. his day being saved at last
Answer:
A. the crow and the hemlock tree
(iv) Complete the analogy about the poet’s experience.
white: snow :: __________ : crow
Answer:
black
(v) Select the sentence in which the word ‘shook’ is used in the similar manner as line 2 of the extract.
A. They shook hands at the airport and parted their ways.
B. The accident shook his family to their core.
C. She shook the laundry before hanging it on the line.
D. He shook his head in shame when his name was called at the last.
Answer:
C. She shook the laundry before hanging it on the line.
VI. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each.
(i) What does the author think of the wealth of the country? (Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom)
Answer:
The author thinks of the country’s wealth in its physical terms as he is of the opinion that the country is rich in minerals and gems, all these lay beneath the soil. However, the real wealth is the people of the country. They are finer and truer than the real diamonds and the real wealth of the country.
(ii) While alone on the ledge, how did the little seagull try to draw the attention of his family? (His First Flight)
Answer:
While alone on the ledge, the little seagull tried to draw the attention of his family. He stepped slowly outside to the brink of the ledge and standing on one leg with the other leg hidden under his wing, he closed his eyes and pretended to be falling asleep.
(iii) Why was Anne’s entire class anxious and nervous? (From the Diary of Anne Frank)
Answer:
Anne Frank narrates about her class humorously as the entire class quaked in its boots due to tension, anxiety and nervousness. There was a meeting to decide who would be promoted to the next class and who won’t. Therefore, everyone was in total suspense thinking about what would happen and half of the class was betting on it.
(iv) How does everyone celebrate Custard getting rid of the pirate? (The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
Answer:
Belinda embraces him, Mustard, the dog licks him. Ink, the cat and Blink, the mouse dance around him in circles in celebration of Custard eating up the pirate.
(v) Explain the symbols used in the poem, Dust and Snow.
Answer:
The ‘hemlock tree’ symbolises the poet’s heart and the ‘dust of snow’ is the symbol of sadness. When the crow shakes off the dust of snow from the tree, it resembles the shaking off of, the sadness from the poet’s heart.
VII. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each.
(i) Why did the thief smile without any effort towards the end of the story? (The Thief s Story)
Answer:
The thief was under the tension that Anil would be very angry and upset with him for stealing the
money. But Anil did not express any anger and said that he would pay him regularly. This changed the thief.
(ii) “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorised as a typical thief? (A Question of Trust)
Answer:
Horace Danby was good and respectable because for most part of the year he lived a regular life of an unmarried fifty year old man with a successful business. He was not completely honest because he planned and executed a robbery once a year, breaking into someone’s home and looting.
He cannot be categorised as a typical thief because he did not steal unlimited. He stole only enough to sustain him throughout the year and to allow himself to indulge in his interest of buying rare and expensive books. He only stole from the people who had a lot of money.
(iii) What does Noodle tell Think-Tank about the books? (The Book That Saved the Earth)
Answer:
Think-Tank is considered to be the wisest creature in the Universe. When the Martians entered Earth, led by Think-Tank, the first place they visited was a library. Here they considered the great library to be a restaurant and the books in the library to be bite-sized sandwiches. However, Noodle clarified by saying that the books were some sort of communication devices.
VIII. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.
(i) Anne Frank and Amanda were two teens who were subjected to being told what to do and what not. Assume they both meet in person and have a conversation about their lives.
Write this conversation as per your understanding of From the diary of Anne frank and Amanda.
You may begin like this:
Anne: I yearn for freedom and liberation. I am tired of grown men dictating over others and making everyone’s lives miserable.
Amanda: Freedom from restrictions laid by elders is what I wish for too!
Answer:
Anne: I yearn for freedom and liberation. I am tired of grown men dictating over others and making everyone’s lives miserable.
Amanda: Freedom from restrictions laid by elders is what I wish for too!
Anne: I have so many thoughts to offer but every time I voice my opinion, I am made to shut up.
Amanda: Sometimes I feel like I don’t have anyone to share my thoughts with. And my parents aren’t that fond of me daydreaming either.
Anne: I have found a solution for it time being, and you should try it too. I pour my thoughts in my diary, my Kitty, and she has all the patience in the world for me.
Amanda: That’s an ingenious idea! I like how I can be either a mermaid or a princess in a tower to my , diary and that’d be it. ‘
Anne: Only my diary and I are privy to my thoughts and no one judges me for expressing them.
Amanda: Thanks! I am definitely going to start writing a diary from now.
OR
(ii) “The baker or bread-seller of those days had a peculiar dress known as the kabai.”
Understanding the given line about the baker’s appearance (A Baker from Goa), what similarities can you infer with the way the physical description of wild animals (How to Tell Wild Animals) you have studied?
Also, evaluate the ways one can tell the given subjects apart.
Answer:
The baker and the wild animals are both described in a humorous manner, with amusing similes to their appearances. The baker wears a knee-length frock called kabai and short trousers which were all characteristic to a pader. The baker’s prosperity can be told from his jackfruit-like-physique, which meant that he never starved. In the author’s village, if anyone had a similar plump body, they were likely compared to the baker, which meant that these characteristics were unique to him.
Similarly, Carolyn Wells pens down the description of certain wild animals in a unique way, where one can tell apart these beasts based on their appearance and threat. For instance, she says that if a beautiful black striped animal kills you and eats you, then you have surely met a Bengal tiger. And she goes on describing Asian lion, leopard, bear, etc. in a similar manner.
IX. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.
(i) Noodle avoids offending Think-Tank but at the same time corrects his mistakes. What does this say about the character of Noodle? (The Book That Saved the Earth)
Answer:
Noodle, the apprentice of Think-Tank, is a smart and intelligent fellow. Though he is the one, to make the right decisions, he makes sure that his boss gets all the praise. He rectifies the mistakes of Think-Tank humbly and refers his thoughts to be insignificant before presenting them. In this way, he suggests the right solution without making Think-Tank feel that he is being corrected.
This shows Noodle’s modesty and humility. He is good at handling tasks by himself. He is a polite member of Think-Tank’s crew and effectively carries out the order of the commander. He is a wise, practical man who uses logical reasoning and is more familiar with the facts of the Earthling as compared to Think-Tank.
OR
(ii) “Too much of anything is good for nothing.” Justify it with regard to A Triumph of Surgery. _
Answer:
Mrs. Pumphrey is a wealthy but foolishly indulgent woman who pampers her dog Tricki by overfeeding him. She wrongly relates Tricki’s listlessness to malnutrition and serves him cream cakes, chocolates, and cod liver oil. She also doesn’t follow the doctor’s advice of cutting down on his food and making him exercise as she can’t be strict with him. Thus, she and Tricki’s greed for food become the cause of Tricki’s misery. Mrs. Pumphrey is excessively fond of her little dog and pampers him a lot.
On learning about Tricki’s convalescing news, she starts bringing dozens of eggs to build up his strength. She also brings wine and brandy for Tricki to enrich his blood and build his constitution. Albeit caring, she is ignorant about the consequences of her actions which leads to Tricki’s miserable health. Thus, the saying “Too much of anything is good for nothing” holds true in her case.