Class 10 English: CBSE (Official) Sample Question Paper -Term II (2021-22) | English Class 10 PDF Download

 Page 1


Page No. 1 
 
TERM II 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2021-22) 
ENGLISH – Language and Literature (184) 
CLASS-X  
  Time allowed: 2 Hrs.                                                                                   Maximum Marks: 40 
     General Instructions: 
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR and LITERATURE. 
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part. 
 
 
Q. 
No. 
SECTION A- READING (10 marks) Marks 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 
Read the passage given below. 
Technology is making advancements at a rapid rate but at the cost of a 
valued tradition—the crafts industry. The traditional crafts industry is 
losing a lot of its trained and skilled craftsmen. With that, the art of 
embellishing brass and copper utensils with fine engravings is also 
disappearing. The government has identified around 35 crafts as 
languishing craft. 
 
 
 
 
10 
 
 
 
The speciality of handcrafted items is its design, an association with long 
traditions belonging to a specific region. The word ‘handcrafted’ does not 
imply the involvement of dexterous human fingers or an agile mind with a 
moving spirit anymore. Lessening drudgery, increasing production and 
promoting efficiency have taken precedence. The labour-saving devices 
are taking the place of handcrafted tools and this has jeopardized the skills 
of these artisans.  
 
15 
 
 
 
 
Mechanisation has made its way into everything - cutting, polishing, 
edging, designing etc. Ideally, the use of machinery should be negligible 
and the handicrafts should be made purely by hand with a distinguishable 
artistic appeal. However, with the exception of small-scale industries, the 
export units are mostly operated by machines. The heavily computerised 
designs contribute to a faster production at lower costs. 
20 
 
 
 
 
25 
 
 
Although mechanization of crafts poses a challenge to safeguarding 
traditional crafts, the artisans are lured with incentives in order to impart 
handicrafts training. Some makers do see machines as a time-saving 
blessing since they are now able to accomplish difficult and demanding 
tasks with relative ease. These machines might give a better finesse to 
these products but they don’t stand out as handcrafted. Quantity has 
overtaken quality in this industry.  
 
 
 
30 
 
 
 
 
A need to highlight the importance of the handmade aspect is required by 
both the government and private sectors, in order to amplify awareness 
and also support the culture of making handicrafts. A few artisans are still 
trying their best to rejuvenate and revive their culture and heritage but it’s 
an uphill task competing with the machine-made goods. A multitude of 
artisans have changed their professions and are encouraging their progeny 
to follow suit. There are others who have stayed their ground but are 
clearly inclined towards buying machines.  
 
35 
 
 
 
 
 
Nearly two decades ago, there were around 65 lakh artisans in the country. 
Three years ago, when the government started the process of granting a 
unique number to the artisans based on the Aadhaar card, 25 lakhs were 
identified. Loss of traditional crafts is clearly a worrying issue, but it stands 
to reason that forcing any artisan to follow old ways when concerns of 
livelihood overrule other considerations, is unfair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 2


Page No. 1 
 
TERM II 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2021-22) 
ENGLISH – Language and Literature (184) 
CLASS-X  
  Time allowed: 2 Hrs.                                                                                   Maximum Marks: 40 
     General Instructions: 
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR and LITERATURE. 
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part. 
 
 
Q. 
No. 
SECTION A- READING (10 marks) Marks 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 
Read the passage given below. 
Technology is making advancements at a rapid rate but at the cost of a 
valued tradition—the crafts industry. The traditional crafts industry is 
losing a lot of its trained and skilled craftsmen. With that, the art of 
embellishing brass and copper utensils with fine engravings is also 
disappearing. The government has identified around 35 crafts as 
languishing craft. 
 
 
 
 
10 
 
 
 
The speciality of handcrafted items is its design, an association with long 
traditions belonging to a specific region. The word ‘handcrafted’ does not 
imply the involvement of dexterous human fingers or an agile mind with a 
moving spirit anymore. Lessening drudgery, increasing production and 
promoting efficiency have taken precedence. The labour-saving devices 
are taking the place of handcrafted tools and this has jeopardized the skills 
of these artisans.  
 
15 
 
 
 
 
Mechanisation has made its way into everything - cutting, polishing, 
edging, designing etc. Ideally, the use of machinery should be negligible 
and the handicrafts should be made purely by hand with a distinguishable 
artistic appeal. However, with the exception of small-scale industries, the 
export units are mostly operated by machines. The heavily computerised 
designs contribute to a faster production at lower costs. 
20 
 
 
 
 
25 
 
 
Although mechanization of crafts poses a challenge to safeguarding 
traditional crafts, the artisans are lured with incentives in order to impart 
handicrafts training. Some makers do see machines as a time-saving 
blessing since they are now able to accomplish difficult and demanding 
tasks with relative ease. These machines might give a better finesse to 
these products but they don’t stand out as handcrafted. Quantity has 
overtaken quality in this industry.  
 
 
 
30 
 
 
 
 
A need to highlight the importance of the handmade aspect is required by 
both the government and private sectors, in order to amplify awareness 
and also support the culture of making handicrafts. A few artisans are still 
trying their best to rejuvenate and revive their culture and heritage but it’s 
an uphill task competing with the machine-made goods. A multitude of 
artisans have changed their professions and are encouraging their progeny 
to follow suit. There are others who have stayed their ground but are 
clearly inclined towards buying machines.  
 
35 
 
 
 
 
 
Nearly two decades ago, there were around 65 lakh artisans in the country. 
Three years ago, when the government started the process of granting a 
unique number to the artisans based on the Aadhaar card, 25 lakhs were 
identified. Loss of traditional crafts is clearly a worrying issue, but it stands 
to reason that forcing any artisan to follow old ways when concerns of 
livelihood overrule other considerations, is unfair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page No. 2 
 
 
Adapted from: https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/business-news-
handicraft-uncrafted-by-artisan-hands/302877 
  
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions 
from the six given below.                                                   
 
i. What does the writer mean by calling handicrafts a ‘valued 
tradition’? 
 
ii. Rewrite the following sentence by replacing the underlined phrase 
with a word that means the same from lines 5– 15. 
If it continues, the workcation (work + vacation) trend will be a 
powerful boost to domestic tourism operators failing to make 
progress in the economic slump caused due to the pandemic.  
            
iii. State any two reasons why artisans are choosing to work via 
machines rather than handcrafted tools.                       
 
iv. Why do the artisans need to be ‘lured with incentives’ to impart 
handicrafts training? 
 
v. List one likely impact of the support of government and private 
sectors towards the culture of making handicrafts. 
 
vi. How does the writer justify an artist’s act of abandoning her/his 
traditional craft for a more lucrative option?  
 
 
 
1*5 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
2.  Read the following excerpt from a case study titled Impacts of Festivities on Ecology.  
 
 
 
 
5 
 
Festivals are synonymous with celebration, ceremony and joy. However, 
festivals bring to fore the flip side of celebrations – pollution – air, water, soil and 
noise. This led to the need of assessing the awareness level among people about 
ecological pollution during festivals. So, a study was conducted by scholars of an 
esteemed university in India. This study was titled Awareness Towards Impact of 
Festivals on Ecology.  
 
 
 
10 
 
 
There were two main objectives of the study. The first one was to assess the 
awareness level among people about ecological protection during festivities. 
Exploring solutions to bring awareness about celebrating festivals without 
harming ecology was the second objective.  The method used to collect data was 
a simple questionnaire containing 6 questions, shared with 50 respondents 
across four selected districts of a state in the southern region of India.  
 
 
15 
 
The research began by understanding the socio-economic conditions of the 
respondents before sharing the questionnaire. Once the responses were 
received, the data collected was tabulated (Table 1), for analysis.  
            Table-1: Awareness level among respondents  
QUESTIONS YES % NO % CAN’T SAY% 
1. Do you feel that bursting crackers is a 
must during festivities? 
46 54 0 
2. Do you think most people abuse 
environmental resources during 
celebration of festivals?  
72 28 0 
3. Do you think that celebrations & 
festivities result in uniting people? 
64 32 4 
4. Do you enjoy bursting crackers for 
amusement? 
68 32 0 
 
Page 3


Page No. 1 
 
TERM II 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2021-22) 
ENGLISH – Language and Literature (184) 
CLASS-X  
  Time allowed: 2 Hrs.                                                                                   Maximum Marks: 40 
     General Instructions: 
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR and LITERATURE. 
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part. 
 
 
Q. 
No. 
SECTION A- READING (10 marks) Marks 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 
Read the passage given below. 
Technology is making advancements at a rapid rate but at the cost of a 
valued tradition—the crafts industry. The traditional crafts industry is 
losing a lot of its trained and skilled craftsmen. With that, the art of 
embellishing brass and copper utensils with fine engravings is also 
disappearing. The government has identified around 35 crafts as 
languishing craft. 
 
 
 
 
10 
 
 
 
The speciality of handcrafted items is its design, an association with long 
traditions belonging to a specific region. The word ‘handcrafted’ does not 
imply the involvement of dexterous human fingers or an agile mind with a 
moving spirit anymore. Lessening drudgery, increasing production and 
promoting efficiency have taken precedence. The labour-saving devices 
are taking the place of handcrafted tools and this has jeopardized the skills 
of these artisans.  
 
15 
 
 
 
 
Mechanisation has made its way into everything - cutting, polishing, 
edging, designing etc. Ideally, the use of machinery should be negligible 
and the handicrafts should be made purely by hand with a distinguishable 
artistic appeal. However, with the exception of small-scale industries, the 
export units are mostly operated by machines. The heavily computerised 
designs contribute to a faster production at lower costs. 
20 
 
 
 
 
25 
 
 
Although mechanization of crafts poses a challenge to safeguarding 
traditional crafts, the artisans are lured with incentives in order to impart 
handicrafts training. Some makers do see machines as a time-saving 
blessing since they are now able to accomplish difficult and demanding 
tasks with relative ease. These machines might give a better finesse to 
these products but they don’t stand out as handcrafted. Quantity has 
overtaken quality in this industry.  
 
 
 
30 
 
 
 
 
A need to highlight the importance of the handmade aspect is required by 
both the government and private sectors, in order to amplify awareness 
and also support the culture of making handicrafts. A few artisans are still 
trying their best to rejuvenate and revive their culture and heritage but it’s 
an uphill task competing with the machine-made goods. A multitude of 
artisans have changed their professions and are encouraging their progeny 
to follow suit. There are others who have stayed their ground but are 
clearly inclined towards buying machines.  
 
35 
 
 
 
 
 
Nearly two decades ago, there were around 65 lakh artisans in the country. 
Three years ago, when the government started the process of granting a 
unique number to the artisans based on the Aadhaar card, 25 lakhs were 
identified. Loss of traditional crafts is clearly a worrying issue, but it stands 
to reason that forcing any artisan to follow old ways when concerns of 
livelihood overrule other considerations, is unfair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page No. 2 
 
 
Adapted from: https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/business-news-
handicraft-uncrafted-by-artisan-hands/302877 
  
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions 
from the six given below.                                                   
 
i. What does the writer mean by calling handicrafts a ‘valued 
tradition’? 
 
ii. Rewrite the following sentence by replacing the underlined phrase 
with a word that means the same from lines 5– 15. 
If it continues, the workcation (work + vacation) trend will be a 
powerful boost to domestic tourism operators failing to make 
progress in the economic slump caused due to the pandemic.  
            
iii. State any two reasons why artisans are choosing to work via 
machines rather than handcrafted tools.                       
 
iv. Why do the artisans need to be ‘lured with incentives’ to impart 
handicrafts training? 
 
v. List one likely impact of the support of government and private 
sectors towards the culture of making handicrafts. 
 
vi. How does the writer justify an artist’s act of abandoning her/his 
traditional craft for a more lucrative option?  
 
 
 
1*5 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
2.  Read the following excerpt from a case study titled Impacts of Festivities on Ecology.  
 
 
 
 
5 
 
Festivals are synonymous with celebration, ceremony and joy. However, 
festivals bring to fore the flip side of celebrations – pollution – air, water, soil and 
noise. This led to the need of assessing the awareness level among people about 
ecological pollution during festivals. So, a study was conducted by scholars of an 
esteemed university in India. This study was titled Awareness Towards Impact of 
Festivals on Ecology.  
 
 
 
10 
 
 
There were two main objectives of the study. The first one was to assess the 
awareness level among people about ecological protection during festivities. 
Exploring solutions to bring awareness about celebrating festivals without 
harming ecology was the second objective.  The method used to collect data was 
a simple questionnaire containing 6 questions, shared with 50 respondents 
across four selected districts of a state in the southern region of India.  
 
 
15 
 
The research began by understanding the socio-economic conditions of the 
respondents before sharing the questionnaire. Once the responses were 
received, the data collected was tabulated (Table 1), for analysis.  
            Table-1: Awareness level among respondents  
QUESTIONS YES % NO % CAN’T SAY% 
1. Do you feel that bursting crackers is a 
must during festivities? 
46 54 0 
2. Do you think most people abuse 
environmental resources during 
celebration of festivals?  
72 28 0 
3. Do you think that celebrations & 
festivities result in uniting people? 
64 32 4 
4. Do you enjoy bursting crackers for 
amusement? 
68 32 0 
 
Page No. 3 
 
5. Do you feel pressured to burst crackers 
during festivals as an expectation of your 
social status?  
82 12 6 
6. Are you aware of waste segregation & 
disposal guidelines for better ecology? 
56 40 4 
 
 
 
 
 
20 
The study recommended the imposition of strict rules and regulations as 
opposed to a total ban on all festive activities which have a drastic impact on our 
environment. The researchers believed that such measures would help in 
harnessing some ill-effects that add to the growing pollution and suggested 
further studies be taken up across the country to assess awareness about 
ecological degradation.  
 
 
 
 
25 
 
The observations made in the study pointed to the environmental groups and 
eco-clubs fighting a losing battle due to city traffic issues, disposal of plastics, 
garbage dumping and all sorts of ecological degradation. The researchers 
stressed that the need of the hour is increasing awareness among people to 
reduce ecological pollution which can be facilitated by celebrating all festivals in 
an eco-friendly manner.  
 
Largely adapted from 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325366454_Awareness_towards_Impact_of_Festivals_on_Ecol
ogy_Need_for_Social_Work_Intervention  
 
 
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the 
six given below. 
1*5 
i Why do the researchers call pollution the ‘flip side’ of festivals? 1 
ii Comment on the significance of the second objective of the study with reference to lines        
7-12. 
1 
iii Justify the researchers’ recommendation for limiting the drastic impact of festival 
pollution on the environment with reference to lines 16-21.  
1 
iv Why do the researchers feel that environmental groups and eco-clubs are fighting a losing 
battle in the given scenario?  
1 
v Even though a larger number of people say ‘no’ to bursting crackers than those who say 
‘yes’, festival pollution persists. How does evidence from table 1 support this statement? 
1 
vi What purpose does the ‘Can’t Say’ column serve in the questionnaire (table 1)?  1 
  
SECTION B - WRITING AND GRAMMAR (10 marks) 
 
 
3. Attempt ANY ONE from i and ii.  
i. Study the concept chart from the self-help magazine section of a monthly publication. 5 
Page 4


Page No. 1 
 
TERM II 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2021-22) 
ENGLISH – Language and Literature (184) 
CLASS-X  
  Time allowed: 2 Hrs.                                                                                   Maximum Marks: 40 
     General Instructions: 
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR and LITERATURE. 
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part. 
 
 
Q. 
No. 
SECTION A- READING (10 marks) Marks 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 
Read the passage given below. 
Technology is making advancements at a rapid rate but at the cost of a 
valued tradition—the crafts industry. The traditional crafts industry is 
losing a lot of its trained and skilled craftsmen. With that, the art of 
embellishing brass and copper utensils with fine engravings is also 
disappearing. The government has identified around 35 crafts as 
languishing craft. 
 
 
 
 
10 
 
 
 
The speciality of handcrafted items is its design, an association with long 
traditions belonging to a specific region. The word ‘handcrafted’ does not 
imply the involvement of dexterous human fingers or an agile mind with a 
moving spirit anymore. Lessening drudgery, increasing production and 
promoting efficiency have taken precedence. The labour-saving devices 
are taking the place of handcrafted tools and this has jeopardized the skills 
of these artisans.  
 
15 
 
 
 
 
Mechanisation has made its way into everything - cutting, polishing, 
edging, designing etc. Ideally, the use of machinery should be negligible 
and the handicrafts should be made purely by hand with a distinguishable 
artistic appeal. However, with the exception of small-scale industries, the 
export units are mostly operated by machines. The heavily computerised 
designs contribute to a faster production at lower costs. 
20 
 
 
 
 
25 
 
 
Although mechanization of crafts poses a challenge to safeguarding 
traditional crafts, the artisans are lured with incentives in order to impart 
handicrafts training. Some makers do see machines as a time-saving 
blessing since they are now able to accomplish difficult and demanding 
tasks with relative ease. These machines might give a better finesse to 
these products but they don’t stand out as handcrafted. Quantity has 
overtaken quality in this industry.  
 
 
 
30 
 
 
 
 
A need to highlight the importance of the handmade aspect is required by 
both the government and private sectors, in order to amplify awareness 
and also support the culture of making handicrafts. A few artisans are still 
trying their best to rejuvenate and revive their culture and heritage but it’s 
an uphill task competing with the machine-made goods. A multitude of 
artisans have changed their professions and are encouraging their progeny 
to follow suit. There are others who have stayed their ground but are 
clearly inclined towards buying machines.  
 
35 
 
 
 
 
 
Nearly two decades ago, there were around 65 lakh artisans in the country. 
Three years ago, when the government started the process of granting a 
unique number to the artisans based on the Aadhaar card, 25 lakhs were 
identified. Loss of traditional crafts is clearly a worrying issue, but it stands 
to reason that forcing any artisan to follow old ways when concerns of 
livelihood overrule other considerations, is unfair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page No. 2 
 
 
Adapted from: https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/business-news-
handicraft-uncrafted-by-artisan-hands/302877 
  
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions 
from the six given below.                                                   
 
i. What does the writer mean by calling handicrafts a ‘valued 
tradition’? 
 
ii. Rewrite the following sentence by replacing the underlined phrase 
with a word that means the same from lines 5– 15. 
If it continues, the workcation (work + vacation) trend will be a 
powerful boost to domestic tourism operators failing to make 
progress in the economic slump caused due to the pandemic.  
            
iii. State any two reasons why artisans are choosing to work via 
machines rather than handcrafted tools.                       
 
iv. Why do the artisans need to be ‘lured with incentives’ to impart 
handicrafts training? 
 
v. List one likely impact of the support of government and private 
sectors towards the culture of making handicrafts. 
 
vi. How does the writer justify an artist’s act of abandoning her/his 
traditional craft for a more lucrative option?  
 
 
 
1*5 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
2.  Read the following excerpt from a case study titled Impacts of Festivities on Ecology.  
 
 
 
 
5 
 
Festivals are synonymous with celebration, ceremony and joy. However, 
festivals bring to fore the flip side of celebrations – pollution – air, water, soil and 
noise. This led to the need of assessing the awareness level among people about 
ecological pollution during festivals. So, a study was conducted by scholars of an 
esteemed university in India. This study was titled Awareness Towards Impact of 
Festivals on Ecology.  
 
 
 
10 
 
 
There were two main objectives of the study. The first one was to assess the 
awareness level among people about ecological protection during festivities. 
Exploring solutions to bring awareness about celebrating festivals without 
harming ecology was the second objective.  The method used to collect data was 
a simple questionnaire containing 6 questions, shared with 50 respondents 
across four selected districts of a state in the southern region of India.  
 
 
15 
 
The research began by understanding the socio-economic conditions of the 
respondents before sharing the questionnaire. Once the responses were 
received, the data collected was tabulated (Table 1), for analysis.  
            Table-1: Awareness level among respondents  
QUESTIONS YES % NO % CAN’T SAY% 
1. Do you feel that bursting crackers is a 
must during festivities? 
46 54 0 
2. Do you think most people abuse 
environmental resources during 
celebration of festivals?  
72 28 0 
3. Do you think that celebrations & 
festivities result in uniting people? 
64 32 4 
4. Do you enjoy bursting crackers for 
amusement? 
68 32 0 
 
Page No. 3 
 
5. Do you feel pressured to burst crackers 
during festivals as an expectation of your 
social status?  
82 12 6 
6. Are you aware of waste segregation & 
disposal guidelines for better ecology? 
56 40 4 
 
 
 
 
 
20 
The study recommended the imposition of strict rules and regulations as 
opposed to a total ban on all festive activities which have a drastic impact on our 
environment. The researchers believed that such measures would help in 
harnessing some ill-effects that add to the growing pollution and suggested 
further studies be taken up across the country to assess awareness about 
ecological degradation.  
 
 
 
 
25 
 
The observations made in the study pointed to the environmental groups and 
eco-clubs fighting a losing battle due to city traffic issues, disposal of plastics, 
garbage dumping and all sorts of ecological degradation. The researchers 
stressed that the need of the hour is increasing awareness among people to 
reduce ecological pollution which can be facilitated by celebrating all festivals in 
an eco-friendly manner.  
 
Largely adapted from 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325366454_Awareness_towards_Impact_of_Festivals_on_Ecol
ogy_Need_for_Social_Work_Intervention  
 
 
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the 
six given below. 
1*5 
i Why do the researchers call pollution the ‘flip side’ of festivals? 1 
ii Comment on the significance of the second objective of the study with reference to lines        
7-12. 
1 
iii Justify the researchers’ recommendation for limiting the drastic impact of festival 
pollution on the environment with reference to lines 16-21.  
1 
iv Why do the researchers feel that environmental groups and eco-clubs are fighting a losing 
battle in the given scenario?  
1 
v Even though a larger number of people say ‘no’ to bursting crackers than those who say 
‘yes’, festival pollution persists. How does evidence from table 1 support this statement? 
1 
vi What purpose does the ‘Can’t Say’ column serve in the questionnaire (table 1)?  1 
  
SECTION B - WRITING AND GRAMMAR (10 marks) 
 
 
3. Attempt ANY ONE from i and ii.  
i. Study the concept chart from the self-help magazine section of a monthly publication. 5 
Page No. 4 
 
                                                                                            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Write a paragraph in not more than 120 words, analysing the listed responses to the 
situation when one faces setbacks. 
 
FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED CANDIDATES 
 
Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in a monthly newsletter 
circulated among residents of a township. 
 
The by-laws of some residential associations and management that ban owners and 
tenants from keeping pets in their apartments, are justified. 
 
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. 
 
ii You are Samina Zaveri, Class X, Vadodara, Gujarat. You come across the following 
information on a local library’s notice board.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You wish to participate but require more information. Write a letter to Teen-Toggle 
Games Pvt.Ltd in about 120 words, enquiring about rules, scholarship details and 
deadlines. Also enquire about specifications for solo or group entries. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 
Create Your Own Board Game Competition! 
Create an educational board game, and send it to us at Teen-Toggle 
Games Pvt. Ltd, 307, Satija building, Colaba, Mumbai by July 2022. The 
top 10 winning board games will be featured on our international portal. 
Attractive scholarships for the winners! 
Page 5


Page No. 1 
 
TERM II 
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2021-22) 
ENGLISH – Language and Literature (184) 
CLASS-X  
  Time allowed: 2 Hrs.                                                                                   Maximum Marks: 40 
     General Instructions: 
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR and LITERATURE. 
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part. 
 
 
Q. 
No. 
SECTION A- READING (10 marks) Marks 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 
Read the passage given below. 
Technology is making advancements at a rapid rate but at the cost of a 
valued tradition—the crafts industry. The traditional crafts industry is 
losing a lot of its trained and skilled craftsmen. With that, the art of 
embellishing brass and copper utensils with fine engravings is also 
disappearing. The government has identified around 35 crafts as 
languishing craft. 
 
 
 
 
10 
 
 
 
The speciality of handcrafted items is its design, an association with long 
traditions belonging to a specific region. The word ‘handcrafted’ does not 
imply the involvement of dexterous human fingers or an agile mind with a 
moving spirit anymore. Lessening drudgery, increasing production and 
promoting efficiency have taken precedence. The labour-saving devices 
are taking the place of handcrafted tools and this has jeopardized the skills 
of these artisans.  
 
15 
 
 
 
 
Mechanisation has made its way into everything - cutting, polishing, 
edging, designing etc. Ideally, the use of machinery should be negligible 
and the handicrafts should be made purely by hand with a distinguishable 
artistic appeal. However, with the exception of small-scale industries, the 
export units are mostly operated by machines. The heavily computerised 
designs contribute to a faster production at lower costs. 
20 
 
 
 
 
25 
 
 
Although mechanization of crafts poses a challenge to safeguarding 
traditional crafts, the artisans are lured with incentives in order to impart 
handicrafts training. Some makers do see machines as a time-saving 
blessing since they are now able to accomplish difficult and demanding 
tasks with relative ease. These machines might give a better finesse to 
these products but they don’t stand out as handcrafted. Quantity has 
overtaken quality in this industry.  
 
 
 
30 
 
 
 
 
A need to highlight the importance of the handmade aspect is required by 
both the government and private sectors, in order to amplify awareness 
and also support the culture of making handicrafts. A few artisans are still 
trying their best to rejuvenate and revive their culture and heritage but it’s 
an uphill task competing with the machine-made goods. A multitude of 
artisans have changed their professions and are encouraging their progeny 
to follow suit. There are others who have stayed their ground but are 
clearly inclined towards buying machines.  
 
35 
 
 
 
 
 
Nearly two decades ago, there were around 65 lakh artisans in the country. 
Three years ago, when the government started the process of granting a 
unique number to the artisans based on the Aadhaar card, 25 lakhs were 
identified. Loss of traditional crafts is clearly a worrying issue, but it stands 
to reason that forcing any artisan to follow old ways when concerns of 
livelihood overrule other considerations, is unfair. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page No. 2 
 
 
Adapted from: https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/business-news-
handicraft-uncrafted-by-artisan-hands/302877 
  
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions 
from the six given below.                                                   
 
i. What does the writer mean by calling handicrafts a ‘valued 
tradition’? 
 
ii. Rewrite the following sentence by replacing the underlined phrase 
with a word that means the same from lines 5– 15. 
If it continues, the workcation (work + vacation) trend will be a 
powerful boost to domestic tourism operators failing to make 
progress in the economic slump caused due to the pandemic.  
            
iii. State any two reasons why artisans are choosing to work via 
machines rather than handcrafted tools.                       
 
iv. Why do the artisans need to be ‘lured with incentives’ to impart 
handicrafts training? 
 
v. List one likely impact of the support of government and private 
sectors towards the culture of making handicrafts. 
 
vi. How does the writer justify an artist’s act of abandoning her/his 
traditional craft for a more lucrative option?  
 
 
 
1*5 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
2.  Read the following excerpt from a case study titled Impacts of Festivities on Ecology.  
 
 
 
 
5 
 
Festivals are synonymous with celebration, ceremony and joy. However, 
festivals bring to fore the flip side of celebrations – pollution – air, water, soil and 
noise. This led to the need of assessing the awareness level among people about 
ecological pollution during festivals. So, a study was conducted by scholars of an 
esteemed university in India. This study was titled Awareness Towards Impact of 
Festivals on Ecology.  
 
 
 
10 
 
 
There were two main objectives of the study. The first one was to assess the 
awareness level among people about ecological protection during festivities. 
Exploring solutions to bring awareness about celebrating festivals without 
harming ecology was the second objective.  The method used to collect data was 
a simple questionnaire containing 6 questions, shared with 50 respondents 
across four selected districts of a state in the southern region of India.  
 
 
15 
 
The research began by understanding the socio-economic conditions of the 
respondents before sharing the questionnaire. Once the responses were 
received, the data collected was tabulated (Table 1), for analysis.  
            Table-1: Awareness level among respondents  
QUESTIONS YES % NO % CAN’T SAY% 
1. Do you feel that bursting crackers is a 
must during festivities? 
46 54 0 
2. Do you think most people abuse 
environmental resources during 
celebration of festivals?  
72 28 0 
3. Do you think that celebrations & 
festivities result in uniting people? 
64 32 4 
4. Do you enjoy bursting crackers for 
amusement? 
68 32 0 
 
Page No. 3 
 
5. Do you feel pressured to burst crackers 
during festivals as an expectation of your 
social status?  
82 12 6 
6. Are you aware of waste segregation & 
disposal guidelines for better ecology? 
56 40 4 
 
 
 
 
 
20 
The study recommended the imposition of strict rules and regulations as 
opposed to a total ban on all festive activities which have a drastic impact on our 
environment. The researchers believed that such measures would help in 
harnessing some ill-effects that add to the growing pollution and suggested 
further studies be taken up across the country to assess awareness about 
ecological degradation.  
 
 
 
 
25 
 
The observations made in the study pointed to the environmental groups and 
eco-clubs fighting a losing battle due to city traffic issues, disposal of plastics, 
garbage dumping and all sorts of ecological degradation. The researchers 
stressed that the need of the hour is increasing awareness among people to 
reduce ecological pollution which can be facilitated by celebrating all festivals in 
an eco-friendly manner.  
 
Largely adapted from 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325366454_Awareness_towards_Impact_of_Festivals_on_Ecol
ogy_Need_for_Social_Work_Intervention  
 
 
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the 
six given below. 
1*5 
i Why do the researchers call pollution the ‘flip side’ of festivals? 1 
ii Comment on the significance of the second objective of the study with reference to lines        
7-12. 
1 
iii Justify the researchers’ recommendation for limiting the drastic impact of festival 
pollution on the environment with reference to lines 16-21.  
1 
iv Why do the researchers feel that environmental groups and eco-clubs are fighting a losing 
battle in the given scenario?  
1 
v Even though a larger number of people say ‘no’ to bursting crackers than those who say 
‘yes’, festival pollution persists. How does evidence from table 1 support this statement? 
1 
vi What purpose does the ‘Can’t Say’ column serve in the questionnaire (table 1)?  1 
  
SECTION B - WRITING AND GRAMMAR (10 marks) 
 
 
3. Attempt ANY ONE from i and ii.  
i. Study the concept chart from the self-help magazine section of a monthly publication. 5 
Page No. 4 
 
                                                                                            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Write a paragraph in not more than 120 words, analysing the listed responses to the 
situation when one faces setbacks. 
 
FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED CANDIDATES 
 
Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in a monthly newsletter 
circulated among residents of a township. 
 
The by-laws of some residential associations and management that ban owners and 
tenants from keeping pets in their apartments, are justified. 
 
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. 
 
ii You are Samina Zaveri, Class X, Vadodara, Gujarat. You come across the following 
information on a local library’s notice board.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You wish to participate but require more information. Write a letter to Teen-Toggle 
Games Pvt.Ltd in about 120 words, enquiring about rules, scholarship details and 
deadlines. Also enquire about specifications for solo or group entries. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5 
Create Your Own Board Game Competition! 
Create an educational board game, and send it to us at Teen-Toggle 
Games Pvt. Ltd, 307, Satija building, Colaba, Mumbai by July 2022. The 
top 10 winning board games will be featured on our international portal. 
Attractive scholarships for the winners! 
Page No. 5 
 
4. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify the 
error and write its correction against the correct blank number. Remember to underline 
the correction. The first one has been done for you.  
 
                                                                                                              Error               Correction 
Have you ever learn from a mistake you have made?        E.g.  learn                learnt 
 
Many shouldn’t admit doing so. For those who do,            a)  
 
there was no need for guilt. We often make mistakes       b) 
 
while taking risks, but all brush them aside and learn.       c)              
            
With that, they usually don’t make mistakes the next time.  
 
 
1*3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
1 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
5. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Read the conversation between a teacher and student and complete the passage that 
follows.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The biology teacher had instructed Sameer to draw the diagram of a bacterial cell and 
asked him (a) ……………………………………………a blank sheet. Sameer respectfully answered 
that he had drawn the diagram but (b) ……………………………………………………to the naked eye. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
1 
 SECTION C- LITERATURE (20 marks) 
 
 
6.  Answer ANY SIX questions in 30-40 words each.  2*6 
i.  What is the significance of the Buddha’s request for a handful of mustard seeds and the 
addition of a condition to it? 
 
2 
ii.  Justify how ‘Animals’ by Walt Whitman is a criticism of mankind and its ways. 
 
2 
iii. Comment on the tone of the speaker when she says ‘Will you please look at me when I’m 
speaking to you, Amanda!’. 
 
2 
iv. A ballad includes the telling of a tale as well as a surprise ending. Using evidence from the 
poem, explain how these features are included in ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’.  
 
2 
v.  Which two issues about himself convinced Lomov of his decision to get married? 
 
2 
vi.  Briefly state how Matilda invited ‘a dreadful life of necessity’ into her family. 
 
2 
vii.  The hack driver successfully trapped the narrator in his web of words. Comment. 
 
2 
7.  Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 words each. 4*2 
 
i. Parents play a crucial role in the upbringing of their children. Critically examine the parents 
of Bholi and Ebright, highlighting their impact on their children’s lives.  
 
4 
ii.  Pranjol and Rajvir discuss their next vacation destination. They shortlist Coorg and Goa. 
Rajvir is keen on Coorg and tries to convince Pranjol. Develop a conversation between the 
two, based on your understanding of Glimpses of India.  
 
You may begin like this: 
 
 
4 
Biology Teacher: I instructed you to draw the diagram of bacteria. Why 
did you submit a blank sheet? 
Sameer: Sir, I had drawn the diagram of bacteria, but you can’t see it 
because it is not visible to the naked eye.