Class 10 English: CBSE Sample Question Paper- (2019-20) - 8 | CBSE Sample Papers For Class 10 PDF Download

Section-A

Q.1. Read the passage carefully :
One of the greatest advances in modem technology has been the invention of computers. They are widely used in industries and in universities. Now there is hardly any sphere of human life where computers have not been pressed into service of man. We are heading fast towards the day when a computer will be as much part of man's daily life as a telephone or calculator.
Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all branches of learning. They can solve the most complex mathematical problems or put thousands of unrelated facts in order. These machines can be put to varied uses. For instance, they can provide information on the best way to prevent traffic jams. This whole process by which machines can be used to work for us has been called 'automation/ In the future, 'automation' may enable human beings to enjoy more leisure than they do today. The coming of automation is bound to have important social consequences. Some years ago an expert on automation, Sir Leon Bagrit, pointed out that it was a mistake to believe that these machines could 'think'. There is no possibility that human beings will be "controlled by machines". Though computers are capable of learning from their mistakes and improving on their performance, they need detailed instructions from human beings to operate. They can never, as it were, lead independent lives or "rule the world" by making decisions of their own.
Sir Leon said that in future, computers would be developed which would be small enough to carry in the pocket. Ordinary people would then be able to use them to obtain valuable information. Computers could be plugged into a national network and be used like radios. For instance, people going on holiday could be informed about weather conditions. Car drivers can be given alternative routes when there are traffic jams. It will also be possible to make tiny translating machines. This will enable people who do not share a common language to talk to each other without any difficulty or to read foreign publications.
1.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions.
(a) The greatest advancement in modern technolgy is the    
(i) invention of mobile phone
(ii) invention of computers
(iii) calculator    
(iv) telephone
(b) Computers are capable of doing .................
(i) mathematical sums
(ii) extremely complicated work
(iii) accounting
(iv) automation
(c) Computers can provide information on the best way to ..............
(i) prevent traffic jams
(ii) to conduct operations
(iii) solve mathematical problems
(iv) improve our performance
(d) Computers are capable of learning ............
(i) new things easily
(ii) how to avoid mistakes
(iii) how to control human beings
(iv) how to rule the world
(e) The coming of automation is sure to have important.........
(i) changes in lifestyle
(ii) social consequences
(iii) beneficial effects
(iv) changes in society
(g) Computers can never take decisions.................
(i) of their own
(ii) in their own interest
(iii) beneficial for the operators
(iv) and convey them to others
(g) Computers are capable of learning from their mistakes but they need.........
(h) Car drivers cannot be given alternative routes when there are traffic jams. (True/False)
Ans. (a) (ii)
(b) (ii)
(c) (i)
(d) (ii)
(e) (ii)
(f) (i)
(g) detailed instructions
(h) False

Q.2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
1. An epidemic of obesity or being overweight is affecting many countries in the world, more than 300 million people are obese or overweight. Obesity could be for a particular reason. In India, some people tend to be overweight because of their high calorie diet and lack of physical activities. In the United States, obesity is more prevalent in lower income groups. Obesity is now well recognised as a disease in its own right. Though obesity commonly means being overweight, it is defined as an excess amount of body weight that includes muscle, bone, fat and water. ‘Obesity’ specifically refers to an excess amount of body fat.
2. A certain amount of body fat is needed to store energy, keep warm and absorb the shocks. Usually men with more than 25% body fat and women with more than 35% body fat are regarded as obese. Obesity tends to run in families suggesting a genetic cause. Environmental factors include lifestyle behaviour such as what a person eats and his or her level of physical activity. So, one should choose more nutritious food which is low in fat, and become more active.
3. Then, there are psychological factors. Negative emotions such as boredom, sadness and anger are the main culprits. Then there is also hinge eating’ i.e., when people eat large amounts of food thinking that it is beyond their control how much they eat. Those with the most severe binge eating problem are also likely to have more symptoms of depression and low self-esteem.
4. Obesity is a health hazard giving rise to many serious medical conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Obesity is also linked to a higher rate of certain types of cancer. There are many ways of losing weight but exercise is the best as it is free from any type of harmful side effects.
2.1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each :
(a) What are the main reasons for obesity in India ?
(b) Why do we need body fat ?
(c) What are the symptoms of people with ‘binge eating problem’ ?
(d) Which are the most common negative emotions which lead to overeating ?
(e) Write any four medical problems that can arise due to obesity.
Ans.
(а) The main reasons for obesity in India are high calorie diet and lack of physical exercise.
(b) We need body fat to store energy, keep warm and absorb shocks.
(c) ‘Binge eaters’ cannot control their urge to eat and are likely to have symptoms of depression and low self-esteem.
(d) Negative emotions such as boredom, sadness and anger are responsible for overeating.
(e) Medical problems like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke can arise due to obesity.

2.2. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any four of the following with the help of the given options :
(a) Women having_________body fat are regarded as obese.
(i) more than 35%    
(ii) more than 25%
(iii) less than 30%    
(iv) less than 25%
(b) Obesity can be defined as a/an________amount of body weight.
(i) less    
(ii) excess
(iii) optimum    
(iv) balanced
(c) In the United States obesity is more prevalent among________people.
(i) high income    
(ii) homeless
(iii) low income    
(iv) affluent
(d) Environmental factor refers to________behaviour.
(i) indecent    
(ii) decent
(iii) lifestyle    
(iv) loud
(e) Binge eating is when people eat_______of food.
(i) a meagre amount    
(ii) a small portion
(iii) extra organic type    
(iv) a large portion
Ans.
(a) (i) more than 35%
(b) (ii) excess
(c) (iii) low income
(d) (iii) lifestyle
(e) (iv) a large portion

Section-B

Q.3. You are Prabhu Kumar / Parvati of 17E, Ravi Dass Road, Kochi. Write a letter in 100-150 words to the editor of a newspaper about the nuisance caused by loudspeakers in the city during examination days drawing attention of the concerned authorities to the problem.
Or
Write an article for the school magazine emphasizing the need for art and music to be taught in schools. Mention how the study of art and music helps in the better emotional development of students in shaping their personalities.
Value Points
• hectic academic schedule
• need for relaxation
• art brings in creativity and charm of life
• stage fear can be overcome
• art unifying force
Ans. 
17E, Ravi Dass Road
Kochi
February 8,20...
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
Delhi
Sir
Subject: Nuisance of Loudspeakers
I hope you will publish my views on the nuisance of loudspeakers in the columns of your prestigious newspaper. The matter is serious and it needs to be highlighted in the newspaper. I am confident that it will certainly unite the people of Delhi to fight the nuisance of the unauthorized use of loudspeaker at public places. It causes great disharmony among the people and they express their concern over such unpleasant incidents. Moreover, it becomes a cause of noise pollution. The students, too, suffer on account of the use of loudspeakers at night. They cannot study for the examination. The authorities should take suitable steps to ban the unauthorized use of loudspeakers at public places. This will give a relief to the people of Delhi.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Parvati
Or
The Necessity of Music and Arts in Schools
After the hectic academic schedule which the students have to follow, art and music give them the much needed relaxation. It is an acknowledged fact that community singing in the morning gives a good start to the day. Art enhances creativity. It ignites the students' imagination. Through art they get a chance to express their thoughts and feelings. Music too boosts the confidence of students. It enables them to conquer stage fear. It also helps them in shaping a career in art and music. No wonder, many great musicians and artists have been active performers during their school and college days. Moreover, art and music are a unifying force. They cut across cultures. Artists of one country often perform on the stage in other countries and win applause. The need of the hour is to promote art and music.

Q.4. Develop a short story in 200-250 words with the help of the following cues.
Give a suitable title to your story.

Ans.
The Ass and his Clever Master
Once upon a time there was a merchant who dealt in salt. He had an ass, on whose back, he used to carry gunny bags, full of salt, to be sold in the villages, located on the other side of a river. Daily, he used to load salt on his ass and cross the river. One day, when they were crossing the river, the ass lost his balance and fell. He was surprised to note that his weight had become lighter. Off he plodded happily. He said to himself, “Wow! How is it that I did not use this trick to lighten my load!” Next day, again, when they were crossing the river, the ass fell into the water deliberately, and again his weight became light. The ass winked and decided to repeat the act each time, he crossed the river. His master was a clever man, he understood the intentions of the ass so he decided to teach him a lesson. The next day he loaded the ass with cotton and off went the ass, trudging happily towards the river. As he entered the river he took a dip but to his surprise, this time his load which was so light when he had started from the godown, but had become so heavy, after his trick, that he found it difficult even to walk with it. The ass couldn’t understand what had happened but decided never to do it again. The next day his clever master again loaded salt on his back and the ass trotted with it, unmindful of the weight, and crossed the river, carefully, without letting it get wet.
Or
Develop a story in 200-250 words which begins as the following, providing a suitable title also :

Ans. Ram was in a hurry. He came running out of his house. He was feeling very excited because he was expecting his best friend, Manoj, with whom he had planned to go for the movie ‘Avengers’. All of a sudden, he saw his great grand aunt, notorious for throwing her weight around, whenever she visited us. Ram tried to avoid her by pretending he had not seen her. But, who could ever befool aunt Sheela - she had the eyes of a hawk. She caught Ram by his neck and said, “Come on young man! Trying to hide from me!” Ram, could only stammer, “No, No, aunt —aunty!” She took him back into the house, and shouted, “Mamta, come out! I caught your son sneaking out of the house.” My mother came out of the kitchen, hurriedly, I could see the stress, writ large on her face, due to this unwelcome guest. She touched her feet and mumbled, “Sit Aunty! Let me get water for you.” I followed my mother inside the kitchen and sheepishly looked at her. She understood, smiled, and said, “Don’t worry! I will manage.” I heaved a sigh of relief. Just then Manoj entered, before he could utter a single word, I took him to my room. I knew aunt would make a mountain out of a mole hill, if she as much as guessed I was going out, alone, with my friend. I was in a catch 22 situation, but my mother, my saviour, entered my room, with hot choclate for both of us. She slipped a hundred Rupee note, into my pocket and said loudly, “You can now go out, dear, and play. Run!” Without throwing a glance at Aunt, we went out. What happened, after our departure, I do not know .............

Q.5. Complete the following passage by choosing the most appropriate option from the ones given below:
George did not mind Roger’s presence (1) _______________ the room, for he behaved him self well and did not distract him. Usually, he (2) ____________ be sleeping very heavily. On hearing (3)__________sound of a dog barking, Roger would wake up with a start and give a (4)_________roar of rage before realizing where he was.
1. (a) in
(b) into
(c) at
(d) on
2. (a) could
(b) should
(c) would
(d) ought
3. (a) the
(b) a
(c) an
(d) that
4. (a) big
(b) large
(c) loud
(d) tiny
Ans.
GAP FILLING
1. (a) in
2. (c) would
3. (a) the
4. (c) loud

Q.6. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number.

Ans. (a) A .... The 
(b) him ..... his 
(c) by ..... on 
(d) are ......were

Q.7. Rearrange any four of the following groups of words/phrases to make meaningful sentences :
(a) is/all over/world/Lord Buddha/revered/the
(b) children/toys/many/playing/with/were
(c) the/a/wise/king/helped/minister/very
(d) celebrations/in/part/took/people/the/happily
(e) adventurous/expedition/risky/very/our/was/and
Ans. 
(a) Lord Buddha is revered all over the world.
(b) Many children were playing with toys.
(c) A very wise minister helped the king.
(d) People took part in the celebrations happily.
(e) Our expedition was very adventurous and risky.

Section-C

Q.8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second deputy president. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president. When it was my turn, I pledged to obey and uphold the Constitution and to devote myself to the well-being of the Republic and-its people.
(a) The ‘I’ in these lines is ..............
(i) Mr de Klerk
(ii) Thaba Mbeki
(iii) Nelson Mandela
(iv) Zenani
(b) To which country did Nelson belong ?
(i) Algeria
(ii) Spain
(iii) America
(iv) South Africa
(c) Mandela pledged to uphold.....................
(d) Interpret the expression : ‘on that lovely autumn day.......’
Or
And that is one of the ingredients in the making of a scientist. Start with a first-rate mind, add curisoity and mix in the will to win for the right reasons. Ebright has these qualities.
From the time the book, The Travels of Monarch X, opened the world of science to him, Richard Ebright has never lost his scientific curiosity.
(a) "That is one of the ingredients/ It refers to ..................
(i) Richard's curiosity
(ii) his efforts at being the best
(iii) his capacity for hard work
(iv) his desire to be famous
(b) "The Travels of Monarch X" is a book on ................
(i) Political Science
(ii) Dictatorship
(iii) Administrative affairs
(iv) Zoology
(c) Ebright had a lot of scientific................
(d) Thee xpression "the will to win for the right reasons" means
Ans. (a) (iii)
(b) (iv)
(c) Mandela pledged to obey and uphold the constitution and to devote himself to the well-being of the Republic and its people.
(d) The lovely autumn day was the 10th May when the inauguration of South Africa's democratic republic was to take place.
Or
(a) (ii)    
(b) (iv)
(c) curiosity    
(d) the desire to pursue for the right cause

Q.9. Answer any five of the following questions in 30-40 words each :
(a) What importance does a baker enjoy in a Goan village ?
Ans. In a Goan village, marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol, a party or feast loses its charm without bread, a daughter’s engagement is incomplete without sandwiches, and Christmas without cakes and bolinhas. Thus, a baker holds great importance and a village with a baker’s furnace is an integral part of a Goan village.
(b) What according to Nelson Mandela are a man’s twin obligations ?
Ans. A man’s twin obligations, according to Nelson Mandela, are to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children on one hand and to his people, his community, his country, on the other. A man has the responsibility of maintaining a balance between the two.
(c) Why was the boy upset on losing his ball ?
Ans. The boy was upset, on losing his ball, because he could not get back the same ball again. He could get a new ball but all the good memories he had while playing with his old ball, too, had gone with it. It had been a part of his life and that part was floating away, while he was helplessly watching it.
(d) Why did the thief change his name every month ? How did he rob people ? (The Thief’s Story)
Ans. The thief was clever, he changed his name every month to keep his identity a secret because he did not want to be caught. He robbed people by winning their confidence, making them vulnerable to his designs and then robbing them, with ease.
(e) Why did the lawyer hate his work ? (The Hack Driver)
Ans. The lawyer hated his work because he was sent, not to prepare legal briefs, but to serve summons, like a cheap private detective. He had to go to dirty and shadowy comers of the city to seek out his victims. Sometimes he was also beaten up by some of the larger and self- confident ones.
(f) Why did the woman at the control centre laugh when the narrator enquired about the other pilot ?
Ans. The woman at the control centre laughed when the narrator enquired, where he was and who the other pilot was, because no other plane except for the narrator’s had been seen on the radar.
(g) Why did Think Tank want to consult his mirror ?
Ans. Think Tank wanted to consult his mirror to confirm who was the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the land. He looked in it admiring his big, balloon brain and his good Martian looks.

Q.10. Compare and contrast the young seagull in the beginning and at the end of the lesson. You can use the words given in the follow in g box.
OR
How was the writer rescued in the story 'Black Aeroplane’?
Ans. 
PROSE - TWO STORIES ABOUT FLYING: HIS FIRST FLIGHT
In the beginning, the seagull is shown as a coward. The time has come when he should fly. His parents try to teach him how to fly, but he is too afraid to fly. His parents leave him alone on the ledge. They threaten him that he would starve. His brothers and sister make fun of him. Even then the seagull does not fly. However, he falls from the rock when he tries to get the fish from his mother. The next moment he flaps his wings and starts flying. Now he is full of confidence. He starts crying with joy. He flies higher and higher. He is no longer afraid. He overcomes his fear of the water also. He finds that he can float on the surface of the sea. His family members praise him and give him pieces of fish to eat In this way, there is a difference in the behaviour of the seagull at the beginning and end of the story.
OR
PROSE - TWO STORIES ABOUT FLYING: BLACK AEROPLANE
The writer flew his aeroplane into the big dark clouds. As he entered the clouds, everything suddenly went black. He found that his compass had ceased to work. He tried to contact the Paris Control for directions but all in vain. Suddenly, the writer saw a pilot flying a black aeroplane next to him black. The pilot waved the writer to follow him. He followed the black aeroplane like an dutiful child. Now it was half an hour since the writer had been following-, the black aeroplane. He was worried because the fuel in his plane could last only five or ten minutes. But just' then the black aeroplane started descending and the writer followed it. Suddenly the writer saw lights of the runway of the airport. The writer landed his Dakota aeroplane. In this., way, he was rescued.

Q.11. What impression do you form about Ausable from the lesson "The Midnight Visitor ?
Or 
"He was the most trusting person I had ever met". Do you agree with this remark of Hari Singh about Anil ? Give a reasoned answer.
Ans. Ausable was a secret service agent working in France. He had come from Boston to Paris twenty years ago. He spoke French and German with an American accent. When Fowler, a young writer, saw him for the first time, he remained unimpressed. Ausable did not fit into any description of a secret agent he had read in books. The small room, where Ausable lived on the sixth and top floor of the French hotel, was also unimpressive. So Fowler felt disappointed. He had expected a romantic and thrilling setting in which the famous secret agent would be living and working. But here was a fat, lazy man living in a dull hotel room. However, Ausable tried to cheer up Fowler by telling him that soon an important report would arrive which would change the course of history. Fowler had his first authentic thrill of the evening when Max appeared on the scene all of a sudden and demanded the report at the point of pistol. The way Ausable outwitted and killed Max was a sure proof of his intelligence and presence of mind.
Or
When Hari Singh insisted that he wanted to work for Anil, the latter asked him if he knew cooking. The narrator told a lie. He said that he could cook. Anil took him home and asked him to cook. But the cooked meal was so tasteless that Anil had to give it to a dog. Now Anil asked Hari to go away but the latter kept staying. Finally Anil agreed to let him live in the room. Anil taught Hari to write Ms name. He also began to teach Mm how to add numbers. The narrator's remark about AMI is very correct. AMI is indeed kind hearted and generous person. That is why Hari says that it is very difficult to rob a trusting person.