Sample Paper Class - X (ENGLISH) 2008
(Set-2)


Sample Paper – 2008
Class – X
Subject – English

SECTION  A  :  READING
20 Marks

A 1. Read the following poem carefully

                        IF

        By Rudyard Kipling

 

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

 

1.1  The  summary of the poem is given below. Complete it by writing the missing word/phrase        (1/2 X 6=3 marks)

The poem 'If' is inspirational, motivational, and a set of rules for 'grown-up' living. Kipling's 'If' contains mottos and maxims for life, and is also a blueprint for (a)………integrity, behaviour and self-development. 'If' is perhaps even more relevant today than when Kipling wrote it, as an ethos and a personal philosophy.It gives us a (b)…….. to choose between two opposites as one leads us to a (c)…… and successful path and another makes us weak and hopeless.Rudyard has beautifully expressed how to live a fullfilling and fruitful

life in a very(d)……manner.As he says in the opening of poem that no matter if everyone is doubting us,we must remain calm and try to calm others logically and not by (e)……. our temper and giving them way to doubt us.It requires a great deal of patience but eventually it will make others (f)………….how strong we are and they would definitely be ashamed of their behaviour.

 

   1.2  Explain the following expressions                                                                        (3 marks)

(a) fill the unforgiving minute

(b)nor lose the common touch

(c) yours is the earth
 
   1.3  Pick out                                                                                                                     (2 marks)

• Pairs of rhyming words

      (a)

      (b)

• Synonyms from lines indicated(lines 11-16)

      (a)hypocrite

      (b)dishonest

 

A.2        Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:                    (12 marks)

 

EV – AN ELECTRIFING THOUGHT

     According to a study by the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), pollution in India could arise to alarming levels by the middle of the century unless urgent action is taken. The group estimates that under current conditions, the suspended particulate matter load in the air would rise to 52 million tons by 2047, up from 17 million in 1997. Methane realized from landfills would increase from 7 million to 39 million tons during the same period. The study cites industrial production, motor vehicles and fossil fuels as the biggest potential contributors. All this would contribute to global warming and acute respiratory problems. One solution to the problem is the increased used of EVs, short for electrically powered vehicles. An EV is an environment friendly vehicle which runs on an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery. It is nearly noiseless and emits no harmful exhaust.

      An average car in India emits 4 g/km of CO and 2 g/km of Nitrogen Oxides and     Hydrocarbons. If there were even 40,000 electric vehicles on the road with an annual driving distance of 12,000 km/vehicles, we would reduce 3,000 tons of pollutants.

     In effect Electrical Vehicles (EVs) could serve as a stimulant in bringing down pollution. EVs would also help free the Indian government of some of its debts and deficits. 50 per cent of all our oil requirement for transportation is imported, which in numbers accounts for a whopping savings in the foreign exchange of over $24 million on petrol alone. The Petroleum Ministry has estimated that every one-dollar increase in international oil prices translates into a Rs.3, 000 crore (Rs. 30 billion) increase in our oil import bill annually.

         EV’s would have an effect on the following: Air and Noise pollution; infrastructure availability; safety; vehicle up gradation; economic resource sustainability. EV’s are easier to service and maintain, and are ideal for “stop-start” city driving conditions. The absence of gears and clutch make them extremely reliable and easy to drive and manoeuvre on congested roads. Research has revealed that regular commuters don’t travel distances more than 30-40 kms a day. With heavy traffic congestion and narrow roads, the average speeds maintained in the city is below 40 km/h. Hence Ev’s with a top speed of 50-75 km/h and a range of 70-100 km meet over 90 per cent of city mobility requirements.

 The government needs to push EV sales by providing separate meters for charging EVs and by implementing concessional rates of 50 % tariff for night charging. Reserved and free parking areas for EVs with charging facility and making charging points for EVs mandatory in parking lots of all multi-storey buildings, commercial complexes is a must. Some state governments have been proactively pushing the cause by exempting EVs from road and sales taxes. In addition, the Central government is providing a subsidy of Rs. 75,000 on EVs purchased by its organizations. 

 

2.1 On the basis of your of the above passage, complete the following statements.                (8 marks)

 

(a)According to TERI studies pollution in India could arise alarmingly because of four factors           (1/2 * 4 =  2 marks)

                1) _______________________________

                2) ______________________________

                3) ______________________________

                4) ______________________________

 

(b)Two definite advantages an EV has for India over a conventional car are:                                  (1+1=2 marks)

 

                1) ______________________________

                2) ______________________________

 

(c) List four other advantages of EV that make them ideal for city driving conditions:                           (1/2 * 4 = 2 marks)

                1) _______________________________

                2) _______________________________

                3) _______________________________

                4) _______________________________

 

(d) Four steps the government can take to increase the sales of EVs are :                                ( 1/2 * 4 = 2 marks)

                1) _______________________________

                2) _______________________________

                3) _______________________________

                4) _______________________________

 

2.2 Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following from the paragraph indicated.        (4 marks)

a)       extremely big (Para 3)

b)       regular travellers between home and work (Para 4)

c)       to move into desired position (Para 4)

d)       tending to take initiative (Para 5)

 

SECTION  B  :  WRITING 30 Marks

 

 

B.1  The Counselling  Cell of your school is organizing an orientation programme (Stream Options) for the parents of ClassXI in the school auditorium.Construct a notice giving information about the same to the parents.(word limit 50 words) You are Ashwin/Asha,Manager Human Potential Department    (5 marks)  

B.2  You are Shiv, son of Shri Shyam Sunder, are in Delhi to receive the Bravery Award for the year 2008. The rehearsal for the function that is to take place on the 21 January is over. Write a postcard to your parents who are living in Shimla telling them about the rehearsal in not more than 50 words.    (5 marks)

 

B.3   Students frequently encounter Exam Bonanza.Most of the schools conduct endless tests, revision test, retests and preboard examinations for classes X and XII. This is clearly against the CBSE guidelines because such examinations add to the students’ stress and burden and leave no time for self-study and preparation for the board examination. Write a letter to the chairman of C.B.S.E, Preet Vihar, Vikas Marg, New Delhi, highlighting the menace and suggesting ways to combat it.        (10 marks)

 

B.4 “Instant food, sedentary life, pressure-cooker like work environment, turbulent traffic, cut throat competition, sadistic attitude and materialism……”is the order of the day.Taking ideas from the Unit-Health; Comment on “Modern lifestyle make us disease prone”.         (10 marks)

                                  

SECTION  C  :  GRAMMAR      20 Marks 

 

C.1 The following pssage has not been edited.There is an error in each line.Write the incorrect word and the correction.   (4 marks)

 

Moon’s quarter in Aquarius

Work and pleasure can be both equally                                                   a)………..   ………..

intense now. You strives for greater accord                                             b)..............  ………..

in your relationships and made clever adjustments                                     c)………..  ………..

financially. Once again there was anxiety regarding                                    d)………..  ………..

older relatives, but you handles it well                                                     e)………..  ………...

patiently and tenderly. The job scene registered                                       f)………...  ………..

sharp progress and create avenues without more                                      g)………...  ………..

responsibilities. Ganesha understand this.                                                 h)………...  ………..

 

 

C .2    Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences:              (3 marks)      

relieves and amuses / soul / laughter / the depressed Laughter relieves and amuses the depressed soul

 

1. it is / to stress/ and pain / an antidote

2. for toning / a good exercise/ up / it is / facial muscles

3. and stabilised / is improved / body functions/ and blood circulation

4. makes one / of friends / feel good / in making / a lot / laughter / and helps

5. increases / it / longevity

6. negative laughter / at others /the only / is laughing

 

C .3    Given below is a conversation.Complete the dialogue in any suitable way.                   (4 marks)

 

Teacher : Where (a)………………..the recess?

 

Yash : I was playing with my friends .

 

Teacher : (b)……..my permission/ if you had ,I would have gladly given it     to you

 

Yash: Do (c) ……….even during recess?

 

Teacher : yes you have to .see ,if you want to stay here you (d) ……………… rules of school. Do    you understand ?

 

Yash : Yes sir I am sorry. It (e)………………future again.

 

C .4    The following instructions about Shoe-Polishing will help chase the blues away.Describe the process.        (5 marks)

·         Spread an old newspaper on the floor.

·         Remove the dirt from the shoes using a cloth.

·         Apply shoe polish evenly with a shoe brush. Let the shoes remain in the sun for a while.

·         Work up the shine by brushing vigorously.

·         Finally ,close the polish container and place it in the rack.

 

Polish shoes can be fun. It can make one quite methodical and disciplined in life. Here is a simple process  for a shiny pair of leather shoes. First of all  an old newspaper is spread  on the floor to prevent it from being spoiled with dirt and polish spills. Next, a cotton cloth(a)…………..the dirt from the shoes. Then (b)………………….. with a shoe brush and the pair(cf)………………… in the sun for a while. A vigorous brushing(d)………………….to work up the shine. You have a sparkling pair of shoes. Once the process is over, the polish container(e)……………..in the rack.

 

C .5   Look at the newspaper items given below.Then use the information in the headlines to complete the paragraphs.Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank number.Do not copy the whole sentence.         (4 marks)

 

•  GOLD HITS 18 YEAR HIGH

Continuous buying of gold by investers has____________________________ the precious metal to a record____________________________ at $495.90 an ounce.

 

•  INVEST IN CHILDREN’S EDUCATION:PM

Stressing the importance of education in bridging the rural-urban gap,the Prime Minister has called upon all state governments and parents____________________of children for progress of the country.

 

•  OUR DEMANDS NOT IMPLEMENTED,RESENT U.P. PENSIONERS

At the annual meeting of Uttar Pradesh Pensioners Association held in Lucknow yesterday the pensioners expressed__________at____________of their long outstanding demands by the government.

 

• DIE IN PANIPAT OIL REFINERY FIRE

Five persons,including three employees of IOC_______________to death in a fire following a blast in the IOC refinery near Panipat late last night.

    SECTION  D  :  LITERATURE
30 Marks

 

D1   Read the extract and answer the questions given below:                                     (4 marks)

“I watched the flame

Feeding on my mother,

I watched the holy man perform his rites

To tame the poison with an incantation.

After 24 hour

It lost its sting.

 

Questions:

      Why was the flame feeding on the mother? (2)

       Explain ‘the incantation’.(1)

       What do these lines tell us about the attitude of the peasants? (1)

 

D2      Read the extract and answer the questions given below:                                  (4 marks)

 

 About, about in reel and rout

And death fires danced at night,

The water, like witch’s oil,

Burnt green and blue and white.

 

Questions:

    What were the death fires in the above stanza? (2)

       That water in the ocean had three colours why? How does this colours scheme affect the poem? (2)

 

D3. How has the West Wind been described by the poet. Write about some poetic devices used in the poem ‘An Ode to the West Wind’. (75-100words)

OR

Mention the shadows shown by the first ghost in the play, ‘The Christmas Carol’ Write the answer in 75-100 words.     (5 marks)

 

D4. In the play ‘Julius Caesar’, Calpurnia says: “When beggars die, there are no comets seen; The heaven themselves blaze forth the death of princes.” How do heavens predict the death of Caesar that night before assassination?     (100 words)           (5 marks)



D5 Briefly describe the partition scene in the lesson ‘The Tribute’(50-75 words)            (4 marks)

D6 Suppose you are Ch-tsal’s mother. Your son who has gone on a voyage to the planet Quta-pi has not returned. You are worried. All efforts to communicate with your son has failed. Quiet frustrated and grieved you pour feelings in your diary. Write the diary entry expressing your fears, despair and hope that he will return.

OR

“All working class people, says Dhumaketu, have the habit of taking periodic rests by engaging in discussion for a few minutes. The post office employees in the story were no exception”.


How did post office employee make the best of such periodic rests? (150 words)   ( 8 marks)