CBSE English Language and Literature Past Year Paper SA-1: Set 1 (2016) | Past Year Papers for Class 10 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
 
 
 
E 
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT-I : 2016-2017 
ENGLISH (Language & Literature) 
Class - X 
 
Time : 3 hrs.            M.M. :-70 
 
General Instructions 
The question paper is divided into Three Sections: 
 SECTION A : Reading    20 marks 
 SECTION B : Writing & Grammar  25 marks 
 SECTION C : Literature & Long Reading Text 25 marks 
 
Section A 
(READING : 20 MARKS) 
 
1. Read the passage given below :  
The first Olympic Game was held at Olympia in Greece in 776 B.C. The prestige and glory of the 
Olympic spread far and wide. With the advent of Christianity the games lost their importance 
as it was believed that they encouraged pagan worship in temples, built to honour the Greek 
Gods. It was Theodosius-I who ordered the total destruction of the Olympia Sanctuary’s temples 
and other structures in the year 394 A.D. which ended the era of the ancient Olympic Games. It 
was due to the efforts of Baron de Coubertin that the Olympics of the modern era began in 1896 
and were held every four years except during the two World Wars. 
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was constituted in 1894. It had 15 representatives 
including Coubertin. The first Olympic medal was won by America’s James Connolly in triple 
jump. The Marathon was the most important event and was won by a Greek named Spiridon 
Louis. 
 
Olympia is a small village situated near the west coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula of  
Greece. It is noted for its archaeological ruins which are related to the temples for worship of 
Greek Gods and the ancient Olympic stadium. 
 
The visitor is impressed with the grandiose ruins, which show temple foundations, ruins of the 
temple of Zeus, the tall columns, the alters and all the objects that dot and site. Some of these 
objects are placed in the Archaeological museum. Another museum displays object like stamps, 
photographs, documents, flags, maps and trophies belonging to the modern Olympics. 
The games sought to bring various warring groups together in an atmosphere of friendly 
competition. So a sacred truce would be called for the duration of the games that had assumed 
panhellenic importance. 
 
Some of the events included in the games were foot-racing, wristling, Chariot-racing and 
horseracing. The names of the victors along with the name of events would be recorded for 
posterity. For the victors, it was the laurel wrath that was important as it signified their 
Page 2


 
 
 
 
E 
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT-I : 2016-2017 
ENGLISH (Language & Literature) 
Class - X 
 
Time : 3 hrs.            M.M. :-70 
 
General Instructions 
The question paper is divided into Three Sections: 
 SECTION A : Reading    20 marks 
 SECTION B : Writing & Grammar  25 marks 
 SECTION C : Literature & Long Reading Text 25 marks 
 
Section A 
(READING : 20 MARKS) 
 
1. Read the passage given below :  
The first Olympic Game was held at Olympia in Greece in 776 B.C. The prestige and glory of the 
Olympic spread far and wide. With the advent of Christianity the games lost their importance 
as it was believed that they encouraged pagan worship in temples, built to honour the Greek 
Gods. It was Theodosius-I who ordered the total destruction of the Olympia Sanctuary’s temples 
and other structures in the year 394 A.D. which ended the era of the ancient Olympic Games. It 
was due to the efforts of Baron de Coubertin that the Olympics of the modern era began in 1896 
and were held every four years except during the two World Wars. 
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was constituted in 1894. It had 15 representatives 
including Coubertin. The first Olympic medal was won by America’s James Connolly in triple 
jump. The Marathon was the most important event and was won by a Greek named Spiridon 
Louis. 
 
Olympia is a small village situated near the west coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula of  
Greece. It is noted for its archaeological ruins which are related to the temples for worship of 
Greek Gods and the ancient Olympic stadium. 
 
The visitor is impressed with the grandiose ruins, which show temple foundations, ruins of the 
temple of Zeus, the tall columns, the alters and all the objects that dot and site. Some of these 
objects are placed in the Archaeological museum. Another museum displays object like stamps, 
photographs, documents, flags, maps and trophies belonging to the modern Olympics. 
The games sought to bring various warring groups together in an atmosphere of friendly 
competition. So a sacred truce would be called for the duration of the games that had assumed 
panhellenic importance. 
 
Some of the events included in the games were foot-racing, wristling, Chariot-racing and 
horseracing. The names of the victors along with the name of events would be recorded for 
posterity. For the victors, it was the laurel wrath that was important as it signified their 
 
 
 
 
superior performance. To begin the modern Olympic games, the scared flame is lit at Olympia 
using sun power, by Greek maidens dressed in white. The event is presided over by a Greek 
priestess. The flame is then carried in a troch the travels across nations. The importance of the 
Olympic movement has been recognized over centuries as it brings people together in a spirit 
of friendly competition. 
On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following questions (1 x 8) 
 a) What caused the ancient Olympic Games to end? 
 b) Who was instrumental in promoting modern Olympics? 
 c) How many representatives did the International Olympic Committee have? 
 d) What is Olympic famous for? 
 e) What were the few events incorporated in the Olympic games? 
 f) What was important for the victors? What did it signify? 
 g) Why is the Olympic flame scared? 
 h) What is the importance of the Olympic movement? 
 
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (2x4) + (1x4) = 12 
1. Tommy found a real book. It was a very old book. The pages were yellow and crinkly.  
It was awfully funny to read the words. They stood still, instead of moving on a screen. 
Margie said, “What’s it about?’ 
“School.” 
Margie made a face, “School? What’s there to write about school? I hate school.” 
2. Tommy looked at her with superior eyes. “Because it’s not out kind of school. This is the 
kind of school that they had hundreds of years ago. Centuries ago.” 
“Did they have a teacher?” 
“Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.” “A man?” 
“I wouldn’t want a strange man in my house,” said Margie.” 
3. Tommy screamed with laughter. “The teachers didn’t live in the house: They had a special 
building, and all the kids went there.” 
“And all the kids learned the same thing?” 
“Sure, if they were the same age.” 
“But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it 
teaches. Each kid had to be taught differently.” 
“Just the same, they didn’t do it that way then.” 
4. Margie went into the school room with a sigh. She was thinking about the old schools they 
had when her grandfather’s grandfather was a boy. All the kids from the neighbourhood 
came. They laughed and shouted in the school room, and went home together at the end of 
the day. They learned the same things, so they could help one another with the home work. 
And they could talk about it. Their teachers were humans like she herself was. Unlike today’s 
teachers they were not available in the mall, nor could they be purchased online. Actually, 
our parents had no role in their ‘purchase’. They laughed with you, even scolded you when 
you did not understand them. You could not programme them though you could make 
individual regrets for a particular topic to be discussed again. 
5. There was more of variety in life, more of sharing, and much more of social interaction. 
Margie wished she had been born a few hundred years ago. She would have lived a less neat, 
less tidy, less organized but much more enjoyable life. 
Page 3


 
 
 
 
E 
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT-I : 2016-2017 
ENGLISH (Language & Literature) 
Class - X 
 
Time : 3 hrs.            M.M. :-70 
 
General Instructions 
The question paper is divided into Three Sections: 
 SECTION A : Reading    20 marks 
 SECTION B : Writing & Grammar  25 marks 
 SECTION C : Literature & Long Reading Text 25 marks 
 
Section A 
(READING : 20 MARKS) 
 
1. Read the passage given below :  
The first Olympic Game was held at Olympia in Greece in 776 B.C. The prestige and glory of the 
Olympic spread far and wide. With the advent of Christianity the games lost their importance 
as it was believed that they encouraged pagan worship in temples, built to honour the Greek 
Gods. It was Theodosius-I who ordered the total destruction of the Olympia Sanctuary’s temples 
and other structures in the year 394 A.D. which ended the era of the ancient Olympic Games. It 
was due to the efforts of Baron de Coubertin that the Olympics of the modern era began in 1896 
and were held every four years except during the two World Wars. 
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was constituted in 1894. It had 15 representatives 
including Coubertin. The first Olympic medal was won by America’s James Connolly in triple 
jump. The Marathon was the most important event and was won by a Greek named Spiridon 
Louis. 
 
Olympia is a small village situated near the west coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula of  
Greece. It is noted for its archaeological ruins which are related to the temples for worship of 
Greek Gods and the ancient Olympic stadium. 
 
The visitor is impressed with the grandiose ruins, which show temple foundations, ruins of the 
temple of Zeus, the tall columns, the alters and all the objects that dot and site. Some of these 
objects are placed in the Archaeological museum. Another museum displays object like stamps, 
photographs, documents, flags, maps and trophies belonging to the modern Olympics. 
The games sought to bring various warring groups together in an atmosphere of friendly 
competition. So a sacred truce would be called for the duration of the games that had assumed 
panhellenic importance. 
 
Some of the events included in the games were foot-racing, wristling, Chariot-racing and 
horseracing. The names of the victors along with the name of events would be recorded for 
posterity. For the victors, it was the laurel wrath that was important as it signified their 
 
 
 
 
superior performance. To begin the modern Olympic games, the scared flame is lit at Olympia 
using sun power, by Greek maidens dressed in white. The event is presided over by a Greek 
priestess. The flame is then carried in a troch the travels across nations. The importance of the 
Olympic movement has been recognized over centuries as it brings people together in a spirit 
of friendly competition. 
On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following questions (1 x 8) 
 a) What caused the ancient Olympic Games to end? 
 b) Who was instrumental in promoting modern Olympics? 
 c) How many representatives did the International Olympic Committee have? 
 d) What is Olympic famous for? 
 e) What were the few events incorporated in the Olympic games? 
 f) What was important for the victors? What did it signify? 
 g) Why is the Olympic flame scared? 
 h) What is the importance of the Olympic movement? 
 
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (2x4) + (1x4) = 12 
1. Tommy found a real book. It was a very old book. The pages were yellow and crinkly.  
It was awfully funny to read the words. They stood still, instead of moving on a screen. 
Margie said, “What’s it about?’ 
“School.” 
Margie made a face, “School? What’s there to write about school? I hate school.” 
2. Tommy looked at her with superior eyes. “Because it’s not out kind of school. This is the 
kind of school that they had hundreds of years ago. Centuries ago.” 
“Did they have a teacher?” 
“Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.” “A man?” 
“I wouldn’t want a strange man in my house,” said Margie.” 
3. Tommy screamed with laughter. “The teachers didn’t live in the house: They had a special 
building, and all the kids went there.” 
“And all the kids learned the same thing?” 
“Sure, if they were the same age.” 
“But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it 
teaches. Each kid had to be taught differently.” 
“Just the same, they didn’t do it that way then.” 
4. Margie went into the school room with a sigh. She was thinking about the old schools they 
had when her grandfather’s grandfather was a boy. All the kids from the neighbourhood 
came. They laughed and shouted in the school room, and went home together at the end of 
the day. They learned the same things, so they could help one another with the home work. 
And they could talk about it. Their teachers were humans like she herself was. Unlike today’s 
teachers they were not available in the mall, nor could they be purchased online. Actually, 
our parents had no role in their ‘purchase’. They laughed with you, even scolded you when 
you did not understand them. You could not programme them though you could make 
individual regrets for a particular topic to be discussed again. 
5. There was more of variety in life, more of sharing, and much more of social interaction. 
Margie wished she had been born a few hundred years ago. She would have lived a less neat, 
less tidy, less organized but much more enjoyable life. 
 
 
 
 
(a) What according to Margies’s mother were the characteristics of a good teacher? 
(b) Why did Tommy laugh at Margie’s remark about ‘man’ as a teacher? 
(c) What did kids do at school in olden days? 
(d) What kind of life did Margie wish to lead? 
(e) What is meant by the word “awfully”? (para 1) 
(i) extremely 
(ii) happily 
(iii)eagerly 
(iv) sadly 
(f) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘rearranged/fixed’? (para 3) 
(i) taught 
(ii) adjused 
(iii)screamed 
(iv) differently 
(g) Find the word opposite in meaning to ‘alone’? (para 4) 
(i) another 
(ii) lonely 
(iii) together 
(iv) also 
(h) Give the meaning of the word ‘tidy’ 
(i) charming 
(ii) neat 
(iii) pretty 
(iv) decent 
 
Section B 
WRITING & GRAMMAR : 25 Marks 
 
3. In about 100-120 words, write a letter to the editor of The Daily Express, expressing 
your views on the topic-Declining Glory of the Heritage Sites of Delhi-using the hints 
below             5 
? monuments and tombs losing their claim 
? growing popularity of the Malls and Theme parks, 
? people not concerned 
? the need to spread awareness 
 
4. Write a story in about 150-200 words beginning with the following lines:            10 
The entire village considered Mukesh as their own child and showered love and affection on 
him. But Mukesh took the villagers concern for granted. He played pranks on them. One day, 
sitting on a tree, he shouted, ‘Save me, help ………’ 
 
5. Choose the most appropriate options from the ones given below to complete the 
following passage. Write the answers in your answer against the correct blank numbers. 
Do not copy the whole passage.         3 
Page 4


 
 
 
 
E 
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT-I : 2016-2017 
ENGLISH (Language & Literature) 
Class - X 
 
Time : 3 hrs.            M.M. :-70 
 
General Instructions 
The question paper is divided into Three Sections: 
 SECTION A : Reading    20 marks 
 SECTION B : Writing & Grammar  25 marks 
 SECTION C : Literature & Long Reading Text 25 marks 
 
Section A 
(READING : 20 MARKS) 
 
1. Read the passage given below :  
The first Olympic Game was held at Olympia in Greece in 776 B.C. The prestige and glory of the 
Olympic spread far and wide. With the advent of Christianity the games lost their importance 
as it was believed that they encouraged pagan worship in temples, built to honour the Greek 
Gods. It was Theodosius-I who ordered the total destruction of the Olympia Sanctuary’s temples 
and other structures in the year 394 A.D. which ended the era of the ancient Olympic Games. It 
was due to the efforts of Baron de Coubertin that the Olympics of the modern era began in 1896 
and were held every four years except during the two World Wars. 
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was constituted in 1894. It had 15 representatives 
including Coubertin. The first Olympic medal was won by America’s James Connolly in triple 
jump. The Marathon was the most important event and was won by a Greek named Spiridon 
Louis. 
 
Olympia is a small village situated near the west coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula of  
Greece. It is noted for its archaeological ruins which are related to the temples for worship of 
Greek Gods and the ancient Olympic stadium. 
 
The visitor is impressed with the grandiose ruins, which show temple foundations, ruins of the 
temple of Zeus, the tall columns, the alters and all the objects that dot and site. Some of these 
objects are placed in the Archaeological museum. Another museum displays object like stamps, 
photographs, documents, flags, maps and trophies belonging to the modern Olympics. 
The games sought to bring various warring groups together in an atmosphere of friendly 
competition. So a sacred truce would be called for the duration of the games that had assumed 
panhellenic importance. 
 
Some of the events included in the games were foot-racing, wristling, Chariot-racing and 
horseracing. The names of the victors along with the name of events would be recorded for 
posterity. For the victors, it was the laurel wrath that was important as it signified their 
 
 
 
 
superior performance. To begin the modern Olympic games, the scared flame is lit at Olympia 
using sun power, by Greek maidens dressed in white. The event is presided over by a Greek 
priestess. The flame is then carried in a troch the travels across nations. The importance of the 
Olympic movement has been recognized over centuries as it brings people together in a spirit 
of friendly competition. 
On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following questions (1 x 8) 
 a) What caused the ancient Olympic Games to end? 
 b) Who was instrumental in promoting modern Olympics? 
 c) How many representatives did the International Olympic Committee have? 
 d) What is Olympic famous for? 
 e) What were the few events incorporated in the Olympic games? 
 f) What was important for the victors? What did it signify? 
 g) Why is the Olympic flame scared? 
 h) What is the importance of the Olympic movement? 
 
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (2x4) + (1x4) = 12 
1. Tommy found a real book. It was a very old book. The pages were yellow and crinkly.  
It was awfully funny to read the words. They stood still, instead of moving on a screen. 
Margie said, “What’s it about?’ 
“School.” 
Margie made a face, “School? What’s there to write about school? I hate school.” 
2. Tommy looked at her with superior eyes. “Because it’s not out kind of school. This is the 
kind of school that they had hundreds of years ago. Centuries ago.” 
“Did they have a teacher?” 
“Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.” “A man?” 
“I wouldn’t want a strange man in my house,” said Margie.” 
3. Tommy screamed with laughter. “The teachers didn’t live in the house: They had a special 
building, and all the kids went there.” 
“And all the kids learned the same thing?” 
“Sure, if they were the same age.” 
“But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it 
teaches. Each kid had to be taught differently.” 
“Just the same, they didn’t do it that way then.” 
4. Margie went into the school room with a sigh. She was thinking about the old schools they 
had when her grandfather’s grandfather was a boy. All the kids from the neighbourhood 
came. They laughed and shouted in the school room, and went home together at the end of 
the day. They learned the same things, so they could help one another with the home work. 
And they could talk about it. Their teachers were humans like she herself was. Unlike today’s 
teachers they were not available in the mall, nor could they be purchased online. Actually, 
our parents had no role in their ‘purchase’. They laughed with you, even scolded you when 
you did not understand them. You could not programme them though you could make 
individual regrets for a particular topic to be discussed again. 
5. There was more of variety in life, more of sharing, and much more of social interaction. 
Margie wished she had been born a few hundred years ago. She would have lived a less neat, 
less tidy, less organized but much more enjoyable life. 
 
 
 
 
(a) What according to Margies’s mother were the characteristics of a good teacher? 
(b) Why did Tommy laugh at Margie’s remark about ‘man’ as a teacher? 
(c) What did kids do at school in olden days? 
(d) What kind of life did Margie wish to lead? 
(e) What is meant by the word “awfully”? (para 1) 
(i) extremely 
(ii) happily 
(iii)eagerly 
(iv) sadly 
(f) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘rearranged/fixed’? (para 3) 
(i) taught 
(ii) adjused 
(iii)screamed 
(iv) differently 
(g) Find the word opposite in meaning to ‘alone’? (para 4) 
(i) another 
(ii) lonely 
(iii) together 
(iv) also 
(h) Give the meaning of the word ‘tidy’ 
(i) charming 
(ii) neat 
(iii) pretty 
(iv) decent 
 
Section B 
WRITING & GRAMMAR : 25 Marks 
 
3. In about 100-120 words, write a letter to the editor of The Daily Express, expressing 
your views on the topic-Declining Glory of the Heritage Sites of Delhi-using the hints 
below             5 
? monuments and tombs losing their claim 
? growing popularity of the Malls and Theme parks, 
? people not concerned 
? the need to spread awareness 
 
4. Write a story in about 150-200 words beginning with the following lines:            10 
The entire village considered Mukesh as their own child and showered love and affection on 
him. But Mukesh took the villagers concern for granted. He played pranks on them. One day, 
sitting on a tree, he shouted, ‘Save me, help ………’ 
 
5. Choose the most appropriate options from the ones given below to complete the 
following passage. Write the answers in your answer against the correct blank numbers. 
Do not copy the whole passage.         3 
 
 
 
 
Most UFO sightings occur _______________ night, either late in the evening or in the early hours of 
the morning (b) _______________ they take place on a dark moonless night when the person (c) 
______________ alone on a country road. 
(a) 
(i) at 
(ii) in 
(iii) on 
(iv) during 
(b) 
(i) as 
(ii) while 
(iii) when 
(iv) often 
(c) 
(i) are 
(ii) is 
(iii) were 
(iv) was 
 
6. In the following passage one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word 
along with the words that come before and after it. The first one has been done as an 
example. 
          Word    Missing Word 
          Before    word  after 
         e.g.  situated     in  the 
The library is situated the backdrop of the idyllic 
atmosphere lush green forests. The scenic beauty imparts (a) _______  ________ ________ 
an added charm to the library. The library consist nearly (b) _______  ________ ________ 
500 books, magazines and journals wildlife ecology. (c) _______  ________ ________ 
No other library can boast such a wonderful ambience. (d) _______  ________ ________ 
 
 
7. Rearrange the words and phrases given below to form meaningful sentences. Write your 
answers in the answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. The first one has been 
done for you as an example.         3 
E.g. snake/how/its/does/use/a/venom 
How does a snake use its venom? 
 (a) snake/poisonous/uses/a/to/its enemy/and its prey/its venom/kill 
 (b) injects/it/into/through/porous/the venom/the body/its/fangs 
 (c) its effect/until/mixed/blood/with the /snake venom/the/ does/show not/it gets 
 
Section C 
(LITERATURE & LONG READING TEXT : 25 Marks) 
 
8. Read one of the extracts given below and answer the questions the follow.  3 
Page 5


 
 
 
 
E 
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT-I : 2016-2017 
ENGLISH (Language & Literature) 
Class - X 
 
Time : 3 hrs.            M.M. :-70 
 
General Instructions 
The question paper is divided into Three Sections: 
 SECTION A : Reading    20 marks 
 SECTION B : Writing & Grammar  25 marks 
 SECTION C : Literature & Long Reading Text 25 marks 
 
Section A 
(READING : 20 MARKS) 
 
1. Read the passage given below :  
The first Olympic Game was held at Olympia in Greece in 776 B.C. The prestige and glory of the 
Olympic spread far and wide. With the advent of Christianity the games lost their importance 
as it was believed that they encouraged pagan worship in temples, built to honour the Greek 
Gods. It was Theodosius-I who ordered the total destruction of the Olympia Sanctuary’s temples 
and other structures in the year 394 A.D. which ended the era of the ancient Olympic Games. It 
was due to the efforts of Baron de Coubertin that the Olympics of the modern era began in 1896 
and were held every four years except during the two World Wars. 
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was constituted in 1894. It had 15 representatives 
including Coubertin. The first Olympic medal was won by America’s James Connolly in triple 
jump. The Marathon was the most important event and was won by a Greek named Spiridon 
Louis. 
 
Olympia is a small village situated near the west coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula of  
Greece. It is noted for its archaeological ruins which are related to the temples for worship of 
Greek Gods and the ancient Olympic stadium. 
 
The visitor is impressed with the grandiose ruins, which show temple foundations, ruins of the 
temple of Zeus, the tall columns, the alters and all the objects that dot and site. Some of these 
objects are placed in the Archaeological museum. Another museum displays object like stamps, 
photographs, documents, flags, maps and trophies belonging to the modern Olympics. 
The games sought to bring various warring groups together in an atmosphere of friendly 
competition. So a sacred truce would be called for the duration of the games that had assumed 
panhellenic importance. 
 
Some of the events included in the games were foot-racing, wristling, Chariot-racing and 
horseracing. The names of the victors along with the name of events would be recorded for 
posterity. For the victors, it was the laurel wrath that was important as it signified their 
 
 
 
 
superior performance. To begin the modern Olympic games, the scared flame is lit at Olympia 
using sun power, by Greek maidens dressed in white. The event is presided over by a Greek 
priestess. The flame is then carried in a troch the travels across nations. The importance of the 
Olympic movement has been recognized over centuries as it brings people together in a spirit 
of friendly competition. 
On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following questions (1 x 8) 
 a) What caused the ancient Olympic Games to end? 
 b) Who was instrumental in promoting modern Olympics? 
 c) How many representatives did the International Olympic Committee have? 
 d) What is Olympic famous for? 
 e) What were the few events incorporated in the Olympic games? 
 f) What was important for the victors? What did it signify? 
 g) Why is the Olympic flame scared? 
 h) What is the importance of the Olympic movement? 
 
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (2x4) + (1x4) = 12 
1. Tommy found a real book. It was a very old book. The pages were yellow and crinkly.  
It was awfully funny to read the words. They stood still, instead of moving on a screen. 
Margie said, “What’s it about?’ 
“School.” 
Margie made a face, “School? What’s there to write about school? I hate school.” 
2. Tommy looked at her with superior eyes. “Because it’s not out kind of school. This is the 
kind of school that they had hundreds of years ago. Centuries ago.” 
“Did they have a teacher?” 
“Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.” “A man?” 
“I wouldn’t want a strange man in my house,” said Margie.” 
3. Tommy screamed with laughter. “The teachers didn’t live in the house: They had a special 
building, and all the kids went there.” 
“And all the kids learned the same thing?” 
“Sure, if they were the same age.” 
“But my mother says a teacher has to be adjusted to fit the mind of each boy and girl it 
teaches. Each kid had to be taught differently.” 
“Just the same, they didn’t do it that way then.” 
4. Margie went into the school room with a sigh. She was thinking about the old schools they 
had when her grandfather’s grandfather was a boy. All the kids from the neighbourhood 
came. They laughed and shouted in the school room, and went home together at the end of 
the day. They learned the same things, so they could help one another with the home work. 
And they could talk about it. Their teachers were humans like she herself was. Unlike today’s 
teachers they were not available in the mall, nor could they be purchased online. Actually, 
our parents had no role in their ‘purchase’. They laughed with you, even scolded you when 
you did not understand them. You could not programme them though you could make 
individual regrets for a particular topic to be discussed again. 
5. There was more of variety in life, more of sharing, and much more of social interaction. 
Margie wished she had been born a few hundred years ago. She would have lived a less neat, 
less tidy, less organized but much more enjoyable life. 
 
 
 
 
(a) What according to Margies’s mother were the characteristics of a good teacher? 
(b) Why did Tommy laugh at Margie’s remark about ‘man’ as a teacher? 
(c) What did kids do at school in olden days? 
(d) What kind of life did Margie wish to lead? 
(e) What is meant by the word “awfully”? (para 1) 
(i) extremely 
(ii) happily 
(iii)eagerly 
(iv) sadly 
(f) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘rearranged/fixed’? (para 3) 
(i) taught 
(ii) adjused 
(iii)screamed 
(iv) differently 
(g) Find the word opposite in meaning to ‘alone’? (para 4) 
(i) another 
(ii) lonely 
(iii) together 
(iv) also 
(h) Give the meaning of the word ‘tidy’ 
(i) charming 
(ii) neat 
(iii) pretty 
(iv) decent 
 
Section B 
WRITING & GRAMMAR : 25 Marks 
 
3. In about 100-120 words, write a letter to the editor of The Daily Express, expressing 
your views on the topic-Declining Glory of the Heritage Sites of Delhi-using the hints 
below             5 
? monuments and tombs losing their claim 
? growing popularity of the Malls and Theme parks, 
? people not concerned 
? the need to spread awareness 
 
4. Write a story in about 150-200 words beginning with the following lines:            10 
The entire village considered Mukesh as their own child and showered love and affection on 
him. But Mukesh took the villagers concern for granted. He played pranks on them. One day, 
sitting on a tree, he shouted, ‘Save me, help ………’ 
 
5. Choose the most appropriate options from the ones given below to complete the 
following passage. Write the answers in your answer against the correct blank numbers. 
Do not copy the whole passage.         3 
 
 
 
 
Most UFO sightings occur _______________ night, either late in the evening or in the early hours of 
the morning (b) _______________ they take place on a dark moonless night when the person (c) 
______________ alone on a country road. 
(a) 
(i) at 
(ii) in 
(iii) on 
(iv) during 
(b) 
(i) as 
(ii) while 
(iii) when 
(iv) often 
(c) 
(i) are 
(ii) is 
(iii) were 
(iv) was 
 
6. In the following passage one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word 
along with the words that come before and after it. The first one has been done as an 
example. 
          Word    Missing Word 
          Before    word  after 
         e.g.  situated     in  the 
The library is situated the backdrop of the idyllic 
atmosphere lush green forests. The scenic beauty imparts (a) _______  ________ ________ 
an added charm to the library. The library consist nearly (b) _______  ________ ________ 
500 books, magazines and journals wildlife ecology. (c) _______  ________ ________ 
No other library can boast such a wonderful ambience. (d) _______  ________ ________ 
 
 
7. Rearrange the words and phrases given below to form meaningful sentences. Write your 
answers in the answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. The first one has been 
done for you as an example.         3 
E.g. snake/how/its/does/use/a/venom 
How does a snake use its venom? 
 (a) snake/poisonous/uses/a/to/its enemy/and its prey/its venom/kill 
 (b) injects/it/into/through/porous/the venom/the body/its/fangs 
 (c) its effect/until/mixed/blood/with the /snake venom/the/ does/show not/it gets 
 
Section C 
(LITERATURE & LONG READING TEXT : 25 Marks) 
 
8. Read one of the extracts given below and answer the questions the follow.  3 
 
 
 
 
An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy 
As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down 
All his young days into the harbor where 
His ball went, I would not intrude on him; 
A dime, another ball, is worthless, Now 
He senses first responsibility 
In a world of possessions. 
(a) Why does the boy fee ‘an ultimate shaking grief when he loses his ball’? 
(b) Why is the ball precious to the child? 
(c) What does the ‘world of possessions’ refer to? 
OR 
“As they gazed, a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere!” 
(a) Who gazed at what? 
(b) What is the antonym for ‘appeared’? 
(c) Where was the earlier footmark seen? 
 
9. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words.     8 
(i) Flying is a natural act in birds. Then why was the young seagull ‘exhausted by the strange 
exercise’? 
(ii) What is the poet trying to convey through the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’? 
(iii) How did Anil meet Hari Singh? 
(iv) Where in the classroom does Wanda sit and why? 
 
10. Answer one of the following questions in about 80-100 words:    4 
“Lencho had faith in God but not in himself”. Do you agree with the above statement? Did he 
lack courage and tolerance? Explain the values he should have possessed that would have 
helped him in his difficult time, in 80-100 words. 
OR 
Horace Danby requested the lady to forget what she saw. Was Horace afraid of being caught? 
Did he lack courage to accept his crime publicly? Explain the values one must imbibe to accept 
one’s mistake.  
 
11. Answer one of the following questions in about 80-100 words.     10 
Discuss the interesting incident of the school that enhanced creativity of Anne. How did he 
punishment become a laughing matter in the class? 
OR 
Miep van Santen and Elli Vossen prove themselves to be true friends to the residents of the 
‘Secret Annexe’. In what way were they assets to the Jews? 
OR 
How did Helen react when she had her first trip to the ocean? 
OR 
Create a pen portrait of Marth Washington as a friend of Helen in her childhood.