English - Language and Literature Board Sample Paper by shaalaa.com 2023-2024 English Medium Class 10 Question Paper Solution

Read the following text.

Answer the following questions based on the passage above.

i. Which of the following statements best describes the author's attitude towards studying poetry?   (1)

1. 1. Finds poetry to be a frustrating and meaningless endeavor.
   2. Believes that the emotional rollercoaster of studying poetry is not worth the effort.
   3. Recognizes the challenges of studying poetry but also acknowledges the rewards it offers.
   4. Feels that poetry is too obscure and abstract for the average person to appreciate.

ii. What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph (1)? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.    (2)

If solving a riddle is what was intended, then playing Sudoku is a better option. One is led to ponder if obscurity was the goal.

iii. Complete the sentence appropriately.   (1)

The author's use of vivid imagery in the paragraph (3), such as "curl up in a ball and cry" and "jump up and down with joy", greatly affects the reader because ______.

iv. The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a) - (e) below, identify two sets of antonyms:    (1)

v. Complete the sentence appropriately.   (1)

We can say that the author's tone becomes more neutral and objective when discussing weird poems, compared to other types of poetry because ______.

vi. Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, how studying poetry can be like exploring a new city.    (2)

vii. What is the message conveyed by Hina's experience, in the following case?   (1)

Hina spends hours trying to analyze a poem for her assignment and finally feels a sense of accomplishment and pride, once she understands.

1. Only those with natural talent for poetry should engage with it.
2. Persistence makes studying poetry a rewarding pursuit.
3. Study of poetry is guaranteed to impress others.
4. The efforts of studying poetry is inversely proportional to the rewards gained.

viii. State whether the following lines display an example of a simple/complex/ emotionally charged/downright weird, poem.   (1)

Read the following text.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of paragraphs 1 & 2.   (1)

We can say that the situation of people living in concrete structures is comparable with a fish living in a fishbowl, and the need for vertical gardens to the need for decorations in the fishbowl because ______.

ii. Fill the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your understanding of paragraph 2.   (1)

The statement that urban spaces have become more closely connected with the desired natural surroundings through the incorporation of nature and structures in vertical gardens and green walls is a _______ (fact/ opinion) because it is a _______ (subjective judgement/ objective detail).

iii. Justify the following, in about 40 words.   (2)

While the survey results suggest that vertical gardens may be effective in improving the quality of life in urban areas, further research and evaluation may be necessary to fully understand their effectiveness and potential drawbacks.

iv. Based on the survey results, which two concerns should a city government, looking to install vertical gardens, address?   (1)

v. In Table 1, statement 3, "Vertical gardens increase air quality - indoors and outdoors," received the most neutral responses from participants, with 51 respondents indicating a neutral stance. State any one inference that can be drawn from this.   (1)

vi. Select the option that correctly displays what ‘intertwined’ signifies. (Reference-Paragraph 2)   (1)

(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)	(v)

1. (i), (iv) and (v)
2. Only (ii)
3. Only (iii)
4. (ii) and (v)

vii. Infer one benefit and one drawback of vertical gardening in comparison to other solutions, such as community gardens or parks. (Answer in about 40 words)      (2)

viii. Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage?     (1)

1. Vertical gardening has minimal impact on the environment or human well-being.
2. Vertical gardening is a sustainable practice that can transform urban spaces into green areas.
3. The impact of vertical gardening on the environment and human well-being has already been thoroughly explored.
4. The study needs to include experts from horticultural firms to offer any recommendations for further research.

Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket for the given portion of a letter:

Dear Sir,

This is with reference to committee’s letter of recommendation that ________ (highlight) the nominations for ‘Safe Residential Area’ award for this current year.

Read the given sentence from a recipe review article. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence.

This delightful recipe must keep your hunger pangs at bay with its balanced spices and oriental flavour.

Use the given format for your response.

Abhilash and Neha had a conversation about the inauguration of Neha’s Dance Academy. Report Abhilash’s question.

Is your best friend helping you in this venture?

Read the dialogue between Shabnam and her mentor, Sara, regarding her summer internship programme.

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

Sara asked Shabnam _____ in that internship programme. Shabnam sighed and exclaimed that she was convinced that programme had the potential to enhance her abilities.

why to choose to participate

to choose participation

why she had chosen to participate

with her choice in participating

Fill the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the concluding line of an issued circular by an Organisation to its Managers.

A copy of the plan is enclosed and _______ may be communicated to all Team Leaders for compliance.

that

then

this

Identify the error and supply correction for the given sentence from a commercial company’s current marketing strategy.

The company aimed at increasing authority in areas frequently visited by the clients.

Use the given format for your response.

Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the closing line, from an analytical report.

In conclusion, this study explores the association among short-sleep pattern and overweight youngsters.

The experience of nursing an injured bird left me ______ grateful for knowing the importance of being kind and compassionate to all creatures.

feeling

having felt

felt

feels

Report the dialogue between a vendor and his customer by completing the sentence:

The vendor greeted his customer respectfully and mentioned that he was pleased to see him.

The customer answered in the affirmative and explained that _______.

Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the live feed on a school news channel.

Congratulations Change Makers!

The regional competition awards have been announced and our school music club _____ the first prize.

had been won

will win

was winning

has won

Complete the line from a self-awareness song by filling the blank with the correct option.

will call

call

had called

calls

Identify the error and supply correction for the following note in a passengers’ flight instruction manual:

Use the given format for your response.

As Vaishali Nathani of 214, Indrayani Apartments, Vaishali Street, Daipur, you believe that forming Ecology clubs and appointing Eco-minders in your city can aid in the preservation and conservation of nature.

Write a letter to the MLA of your city area, in about 120 words, suggesting the need to form such clubs. Share their importance and implications. Recommend the involvement of resident volunteers for implementation of eco-club activities that nurture and protect the local ecosystem.

As Armaan Khan, the School Literary Captain of Ujjwal Academy, Old City, Kiladerabad, you believe that languages can help bridge regional divides and promote unity.

Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily, in about 120 words, suggesting the introduction of an online regional language learning programme managed and run by student councils and language clubs in the city. The programme aims to help residents who have recently relocated to a new region in picking up the local language organically. Share the importance and credibility of such a programme and suggest a feasible way to execute it along with possible activities.

Tsering, of class X, is contesting for the post of the Junior School Captain, in the upcoming student council elections. Given below is her character traits’ graphic, shared in the public domain, by the school counsellor, for the awareness of student voters, at school.

All Tsering’s peers have been asked to write a paragraph in about 120 words, analysing these traits, to either support or oppose her candidature. As one of her peers, write this analytical paragraph, by selecting some of the traits that support your analysis.

You may begin like this:
As a responsible student voter, I believe Tsering possesses/does not possess the necessary traits to be a School Captain.

You may end like this:
For these reasons, I believe she has/does not have the potential to be a good School Captain and I support/oppose her candidature.

As the Captain of the school’s Cultural Club, you have been asked to study the given itinerary provided by a tour-organizing vendor.

A 3N/2D Educational Tour for the Senior School Students:
Jabalpur and Ranha National Park (Vandhya Pradesh)

• Tour Travel & sightseeing by bus.
• Accommodation on quad sharing basis.
• One staff complimentary for every 20 students.
• Bottled mineral water throughout the tour.
• Dance Party on 22 November.
• Insurance policy of ₹ 20,000/- per head.
• Provision of Tour Manager’s assistance to all places.

Analyse this itinerary to either approve or reject the tour proposal, while focusing on the students’ safety, interest, and physical wellness. Write this analytical paragraph in about 120 words, by selecting features that support your analysis.

You may begin like this:
A thorough analysis of the itinerary provided by the tour organizing vendor reveals that the tour proposal should be accepted/rejected.

You may end like this:
Therefore, the tour proposal for the educational trip should be approved/rejected.

Read the given extract and answer the following questions.

i. State any one inference about Dr Urquhart from the given context:   (1)

Everyone assumed the spots were just ornamental,” Ebright said.
“But Dr Urquhart didn’t believe it.”

ii. State TRUE or FALSE.    (1)

None of the terms (a) -(d) below, can be applied to the question - What is the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa?

1. A hypothesis - a proposed explanation for a phenomenon
2. An assumption - something that is taken for granted or assumed to be true without proof
3. A premise - a proposition that forms the basis of an argument
4. A theory - a well-substantiated explanation for a natural phenomenon

iii. Ebright's approach towards finding the purpose of the gold spots on a monarch pupa was highly effective. Elaborate in about 40 words with reference to the extract.   (2)

iv. Which phrase would correctly substitute 'a chance' in the given sentence from the extract.   (1)

He also got a chance to work during the summer at the entomology laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

Read the given extract and answer the following questions.

i. Which of the following is NOT a reason why Lomov thinks he must marry?   (1)

1. He is already 35 years old.
2. He suffers from palpitations.
3. He is excitable and easily upset.
4. He is in love with Natalya.

ii. Why is it fair to say that Lomov's tone, when he says, "What more do I want?", is uncertain and questioning? Answer in about 40 words.   (2)

iii. Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.   (1)

1. A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic, usually with two or more people presenting different viewpoints and arguments.
2. A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage, which reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience.
3. An aside is a brief comment or remark made by a character directly to the audience, which is not intended to be heard by other characters on stage.

iv. If an actor were to enact this extract, what would he be required to focus on while modulating his voice?     (1)

Read the given extract and answer the following questions.

i. Fill the blank with one word.    (1)

When the speaker says that ice could also bring about the end of the world, he refers to _______ as the means for destruction.

ii. What does the speaker's alignment with those who favour ice suggest?    (1)

iii. Which of the following best describes the speaker's attitude towards destruction caused by ice?

1. Indifferent
2. Fearful
3. Dismissive
4. Respectful

iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines.    (2)

Read the given extract and answer the following questions.

1. In what way does the language used in this poem challenge traditional ideas of what poetry should be? (1)
2. What is the significance of the use of the word "little" to describe the fog in the poem and how does this word choice contribute to the overall mood and tone of the poem? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
3. Complete the sentence with the appropriate option.
   The lines from the poem tell us that the city is ______. (1)
   
   1. hilly
   2. coastal
   3. industrial
   4. under-developed
4. Identify the type of imagery used in the lines of the poem. (1)

Justify the opinion that the traditional baker and his bread play a significant role in the cultural and social fabric of Goan society.

How does Leslie Norris use vivid imagery and metaphorical language in A Tiger in the Zoo, to effectively depict the confinement and oppression, experienced by the captive tiger?

Explain how the description of the devastation caused by the hailstorm reflects the sadness within Lencho, in A Letter to God.

Refer to the given lines, from the text -

Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness.

Kitty was a trusted friend to Anne. Elaborate.

How does Ogden Nash's The Tale of Custard the Dragon challenge the notion that individuals should conform to societal expectations?

The story, A Triumph of Surgery is a powerful example of the importance of saying “no”. Explain.

How does education play a transformative role in Bholi's life?

The various elements of Robert Arthur's writing style work together to create a sense of tension, uncertainty, and suspense, well-suited to the mystery and suspense genre of the story, The Midnight Visitor. Comment with reference to any one element.

You have been asked to present an evaluation of the approaches of the mothers of both the baby Seagull and Amanda towards helping their children. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words, comparing the approaches of both parents.

You may begin this way:
One acknowledges that both parents, Amanda’s mother and the baby seagull’s mother both....however,...

You have been chosen to address a student gathering from the neighbourhood schools to speak on the resilience of human spirit required to transcend discrimination. Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words, referencing the common themes in Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and The Trees by Adrienne Rich.

You may begin this way:
Good morning, everyone. Today, I'd like to discuss two pieces of literature that offer a powerful insight into the resilience of the human spirit required to transcend discrimination.

You may end this way.
To conclude, I’d like to say that ...
Thank you

Imagine that M. Loisel, from The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant, writes a diary entry, exploring the theme of class and social status, and the nature of social mobility, in the context of his own experience.

Write this diary entry, as M. Loisel, in about 120 words.

A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of their experiences, challenges, and interactions with other characters.

In the light of the above information, trace the character arc of the thief in Ruskin Bond’s The Thief’s Story, in about 120 words.