(Download) CBSE Class-10 2016-17 Sample Paper And Marking
Scheme (English Language & Literature)
Time allowed- 3 hours
Maximum Marks-70
Instructions:-
(a) The question paper is divided in to three sections.
(b) Section A: Reading 20 Marks
Section B: Writing and Grammar 25 Marks
Section C: Literature/ Text Books & Long Reading Texts 25 Marks
(c) All questions are compulsory.
(d) Marks are indicated against each question.
SECTION - A
READING – 20 marks
1. Read the passage given below:
Evolution has designated vultures to be the ultimate
scavengers. Enormous wingspans allow them to circle in the air for hours. Their
beaks, while rather horrifying, are weak by bird standards, made to scoop and
eat flesh.
However unappealing they may seem, vultures serve an important role in the
ecological cycle: processing dead bodies of animals. Only 20 years ago, India
had plenty of vultures—flocks so enormous they darkened the skies. But by 1999,
their numbers had dropped due to a mysterious kidney ailment. By 2008, 99.9
percent of India’s vultures were gone. It was finally discovered that they had
been killed by a drug called diclofenac (a pain reliever along the lines of
aspirin or ibuprofen).
Indians revere their cows, and when a cow showed signs of
pain, they treated it with diclofenac. After the animal died, the vultures would
eat the corpse. And though they boast perhaps the world’s most efficient
digestive system, vultures cannot digest the drug.
India banned the use of diclofenac for veterinary use in
2006, but it’s still widely used. The near extinction of vultures has caused a
disease in the country, as rats and dogs moved in to take their place—spreading
pathogens that would have otherwise been destroyed by the vultures Vultures need
large ranges to scan for food and undisturbed areas in which to nest. They also
need an abundance of prey species since they rely more
on chance than their own hunting skills to eat. All of these things have been
reduced by human activity. Meanwhile, there is a dramatic increase in secondary
poisoning. Vultures feed on carcasses laced with poison, intended to kill
jackals or other predatory carnivores. Or they are poisoned by the lead in
animals left behind by hunters.
On the basis of your reading of the passage answer the
following questions briefly:
a. Who are the natural scavengers?
b. How do the special beaks and wings/ work?
c. How did their numbers decrease?
d. Why do we need these ‘scavengers’?
e. Why do vultures need more prey ?
f. Why are the dead bodies laced with poison?
g. What is ‘secondary poisoning’?
h. Give any two factors responsible for the death of vultures?
2 Read the passage given below:
1 Children in India live in diverse circumstances and have
diverse needs and rights. Along with their need to be educated, healthy and
skillful, they need, and have rights to adequate nutrition, to live in a safe
and supportive environment, have opportunities to reach their optimal potential
and generally lead healthy, joyful and fulfilling lives so that they can be
productive and well adjusted citizens of tomorrow.
2. Children in our country face many challenges. Many of them
are first generation learners and face myriad problems throughout their
schooling. They, due to the socio-economic and cultural determinants may be
vulnerable in many ways. Peer pressure and lack of positive role models may
prompt them to make unsafe and unhealthy choices. Anxiety and depression amongst
the students, to the point of turning them suicidal, have been a cause of
concern in the recent past.
3. Girls are more vulnerable and face discrimination at many
levels from being unwelcome since birth to being pulled out of school for a
variety of reasons. Dropping out of school, low motivation for academics and
general disinterest in sports and physical activities too are some of the
problems that need to be addressed. Child malnutrition is rampant in most parts
of the country. This has an adverse bearing on their cognitive capacities,
learning performance and physical capacity.
4. Our children have a right to age appropriate education,
skills building, a safe and supportive environment, positive role models,
empowerment, and friendly health services and counseling. Well informed and
skilled children are likely to make better decisions concerning not only their
careers and relationships, habits, physical and mental health, but will be
successful and an asset to the society.
5. They also need to understand and deal with emerging issues
like newly available career choices, pollution, water and energy conservation,
global warming, protection of environment, terrorism and disasters. Dealing with
anxiety and depression, negative peer pressure, violence, accidents, are some
other significant issues that impact individuals health and also the social,
economic and health indicators of the country. Gender sensitivity, prevention of
female infanticide and good parenting are some important social issues that all
children need to understand. Children require guidance and assistance - both
covert and overt- from their Parents, Teachers, peers and society in general to
complete the various "tasks" of development and
deal with such issues.
On the basis of your reading of the passage answer the
following questions:
