Class 10 English: CBSE Sample Question Paper- (2019-20) - 7 | CBSE Sample Papers For Class 10 PDF Download

SECTION - A

Q.1. Read the passage carefully:
1. Few guessed that this quiet, parentless girl growing up in New York City would one day become the First Lady of the United States. Even fewer thought she would become an author and lecturer and a woman much admired and loved by people throughout the world.
2. Born Anna Eleanor Roosevelt in 1884 to wealthy, but troubled parents who both died while she was young, Roosevelt was cared for by her grandmother and sent to school in England. In 1905, she married her distant cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She and her husband had six children. Although they were wealthy, her life was not easy and she suffered several personal tragedies. Her second son died when he was a baby. In 1921, her strong athletic husband stricken with polio, which left him physically disabled for life.
3. Eleanor Roosevelt was a remarkable woman who had great intelligence and tremendous strength of character. She never let things get her down. She nursed her husband back to good health and encouraged him to remain in politics. She then helped him to become Governor of New York, and in 1933, President of the United States.
4. While her husband was President, she took a great interest in all the affairs of the country. She became her husband's legs and eyes; she visited prisons and hospitals; she went down into mines, up scaffoldings and into factories. Roosevelt was tireless and daring. During the depression she travelled all over the country bringing goodwill, reassurance and help to people without food and jobs. During World War II she visited American soldiers in camps all over the world. The United States had never known a First Lady like her.
5. Roosevelt also kept in touch with the American people through a daily newspaper column called 'My Day". She broadcast on the radio and delivered lectures, all first for a First Lady.
1.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage given above answer the following questions: 
(a) Eleanor Roosevelt's parents died while she was.........
(i) an infant    
(ii) an adolescent
(iii) young    
(iv) quite old
Ans. (iii)
(b) Eleanor was sent to school in England in ..........
(i) 1884
(ii) 1905
(iii) 1921
(iv) 1933
Ans. (ii)
(c) She suffered several personal...................
(i) drawbacks
(ii) disasters
(iii) tragedies
(iv) ailments
Ans. (iii)
(d) Eleanor Roosevelt's strength of character was ........
(i) remarkable
(ii) praiseworthy
(iii) tremendous
(iv) her intelligence
Ans. (iii)
(e) In 1921 Eleanor Roosevelt's husband was stricken with..............
(i) cancer
(ii) tuberculosis
(iii) polio
(iv) leprosy
Ans. (iii)
(f) During Word War-II Roosevelt visited American soldiers ..............
(i) in their houses
(ii) in their camps all over the world
(iii) in different countries
(iv) wherever they were
Ans. (ii)
(g) Eleanor Roosevelt encouraged her husband to remain................
Ans. in politics
(h) The United States had always known a first lady like Eleanor Roosevelt.
Ans. False

Q.2. Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:
1. Spread over an area of 11,570 acres, Kalesar Reserve Forest is the only one of its kind in Haryana. It is home to a wide range of wild flora and fauna including three elephants, a male tiger, 16 male and female leopards, 19 panthers and some other animals as well.
2. Spread on both sides of Yamunanagar - Paonta Sahib Road in Yamunanagar district, it was designated a national park through a government notification in December 2003. However, it is alleged, lack of sufficient funds is proving to be a hindrance in wildlife conservation in the national park. The Divisional Forest Officer revealed that it is the only forest in Haryana with a natural ‘sal’ tree belt.
3. As for the steps taken to ensure protection of wildlife and environment, it was disclosed that staff had been given weapons by the State Government to tackle the menace posed by poachers. The State had also set up two special environmental courts, one each at Kurukshetra and Faridabad, to deal with crimes related to poaching and illicit felling of trees from the area. Eight watering holes have been dug up across the forest area to ensure that wildlife does not stray into human habitats on its fringes in search of drinking water. Similarly, earthen dams have been constructed to conserve rainwater for the future use of wildlife.
4. It was disclosed that work to fence the area would be undertaken in the near future and more steps taken to ensure that wild fauna does not face drinking water problem in their natural habitat in the reserve forest.
2.1. Read the questions given below and answer any four in 30-40 words each:
(а) What is unique about Kalesar Reserve Forest?
(b) Which animals are found in Kalesar Forest?
(c) What is proving to be a hindrance to conserving wildlife in the national park?
(d) What is done in the park for the conservation of water?
(e) Why have two special environmental courts been set up?
Ans. (а) Kalesar Reserve Forest is spread over an area of 11,570 acres, and is the only forest in Haryana with a natural ‘sal tree belt.
(b) It is home to three elephants, a male tiger, 16 male and female leopards, 19 panthers and some other animals as well.
(c) Lack of sufficient funds is proving a hindrance in wildlife conservation in the national park.
(d) Eight watering holes have been dug up and earthen dams have been constructed to conserve rain water.
(e) Two special environmental courts have been set up to deal with crimes related to poaching and illicit felling of trees from the area.
2.2. On the basis of your reading of the above passage choose the most appropriate option from the following (any four):
(а) Kalesar Reserve Forest was designated a national park through a government notification in _____________.
(i) February, 2003
(ii) December, 2003
(iii) March, 2004
(iv) August, 2001
Ans. (ii) December, 2003
(b) _____________watering holes have been dug up across the forest area to stop wildlife from going astray in search of water.
(i) Four
(ii) Seven
(iii) Eight
(iv) Ten
Ans. (iii) Eight
(c) Which word in the passage means ‘natural environment in which a particular species live’?
(i) Habitat
(ii) Flora
(iii) Fauna
(iv) Waterhole
Ans. (i) Habitat
(d) Which word in para 3 is a synonym of ‘danger/risk’?
(i) Disclosed
(ii) Fringes
(iii) Poaching
(iv) Menace
Ans. (iv) Menace
(e) The word ‘illicit’ means_____.
(i) not approved by society.
(ii) not allowed by rules.
(iii) obtained dishonestly or unfairly.
(iv) not allowed by law.
Ans. (iii) obtained dishonestly or unfairly.

SECTION - B

Q.3. You are Subasty/Sulekha living at 10-C, Sector 48, Chandigarh. Write a letter to the Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Union Territory, Chandigarh, expressing your concern over the increase in the rate of accidents due to rash driving, suggesting some ways to curb them.
OR
You are Ravi/Raveena, Sports Secretary of your school. Write an article in 100-150 words on the topic, Importance of Outdoor Games in the life of a Teenager".
Ans. 10-C Sector 48
Chandigarh
December 14, 20....
The Superintendent of Police (Traffic)
Chandigarh
Sir
Subject: Increase in road accidents
I want to draw your attention to the sharp increase in road accidents on city roads. The recent spurt in' accidents points out to rash driving and driving in inebriated state. Most of the drivers take thrill from high speed driving. They disobey traffic rules. Some of them continue talking on their cellphones, which definitely causes distraction and leads to accidents. The BMW car tragedy shows how rash and callous are our neo-rich car owners. The accidents caused by Blue-line bus drivers are due to over-speeding and rash driving.
Human lives are precious. The traffic police should deal with the erring drivers sternly and promptly. The dope-tests should be conducted more frequently. The speed limits should be strictly enforced. The use of cellphone while driving should be made a cognisable offence. The Delhi police has decided to challan even those pedestrians who cross the roads by just jumping before the moving vehicles. Our traffic police can also follow their example. I hope you will take all the necessary steps to curb accidents in the City Beautiful.
Thank you very much.
Yours faithfully
Subash
OR
Importance of Outdoor Games.....

-Ravi (Sports Secretary)

It is rightly said that a healthy mind dwells in a healthy body. So he who wants to remain mentally and physically fit must take physical exercise regularly. Physical exercise and outdoor games like hockey, football, volleyball, cricket, etc. can make a man alert active and healthy. It helps him digest his food easily. The best way to avoid obesity, dullness and lethargy is to involve oneself fully in outdoor games and exercise. Daily exercise in a park or a playground makes a man fit, strong and robust. It is sad that the teenagers neglect outdoor games and are deprived of the benefits of open air and much needed oxygen. They have developed sedentary habits and waste their time on computer games or mobile messages. The teenager friends are requested to take outdoor exercise to free themselves of any stress and tension. He who takes exercise and does yoga develops a positive attitude towards life and entertains good and pleasant thoughts. He is never depressed or sad. He should take morning walk daily and take part in any outdoor games of his taste.

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

Ans. Conquer your fear!
Once Swami Vivekananda was walking along a river bank. He saw a group of fierce monkeys glaring at him. As soon as they saw him they started to throw sticks at him. And then jumped down the tree, with their teeth bare ready to attack him. They looked at him threateningly He was so frightened that he started running. The monkeys chased him. They seemed to be enjoying themselves by making Swami Vivekananda run for his life. He thought “What should I do ? They would tear me apart”. Their non-stop chattering and monkey calls were making Swamiji all the more nervous. It was as if they were playing a game with him because none of them had attacked him till now. Suddenly, Swami Vivekananda remembered the advice of an experienced old man. “Never run on seeing monkeys, face them.” He had said, “Monkeys can sense nervousness and it tickles their mischief instinct.” Swami Vivekananda stopped running and faced the monkeys. To his surprise - they too stopped. Once or twice they growled at him but he kept on standing. Realising he was not afraid of them any more they ran away. Swami Vivekananda learnt a lesson of his life “Conquer your fear and face life boldly!”
OR

Ans. Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Once upon a time there lived a hare who was energetic and happy. In the same field lived a sleepy tortoise. The happy hare was called Jack and the tortoise was known as Lazy Jim. Lazy Jim liked to munch his food slowly while Jack gobbled up his food quickly and ran round and round Lazy Jim, till he became dizzy. One day Jack and Lazy Jim had an argument. Jack said, “I am the fastest animal in the world.” He boasted. “Oh, be quiet, Jack,” said Lazy Jim, “You are so full of yourself!” A black bird flew by, “Oh, stop arguing, you two.” Jack said, “No, No, this is serious matter. I have to prove who is the fastest.” Lazy Jim said, “All right! I will race you then.”
Wolly, the wise owl arranged the race and off went both. Lazy Jim went slowly and slowly while Jack raced off quickly. He was soon out of sight. ‘Gosh’ thought Jack, “I have won already. I think, Til have a little nap under this tree. It is so hot, today.” Soon he fell fast asleep. Lazy Jim, continued at the same pace on and on he plodded forward, enjoying the sun, and nibbling at the grass off and on. He plodded past the cow shed and past sleeping Jack. He reached the finish line. All the animals clustered around him, shouting and cheering. The noise woke up Jack, “Oh, my oh, my what’s going on The rushed towards the finish line and to his horror saw Lazy Jim with the winner’s gold medal. Jack cried, “He must have cheated!” Wolly said, “Sorry, old chap, you have lost. Slow and Steady Wins the Race.”

Q.5. Complete the following paragraph by filling in the blanks with the help of the given options:
The school’s dance society tryouts
1______ announced last month. Since the announcement, my sister had helped me prepare for it every single day
2______fail. The tryouts w ere held last Sunday afternoon. Twelve students
3______ our class tried out for the team
4______ there were vacancies for only seven of us.
1. i. have been
ii. were
iii. are
iv. can
Ans. (ii) were
2. i. on
ii. if
iii. without
iv. with
Ans. (iii) without
3. i. from
ii. in
iii. with
iv. at
Ans. (i) from
4. i. yet
ii. and
iii. but
iv. also
Ans. (iii) but

Q.6. In the following paragraph one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing words in the given paragraph, along with the words that come before and the ivords that come after it in the space provided.

Ans. (a) annoyed with passwords
(b) many to remember
(c) day they are
(d) bound to forget

Q.7. Rearrange any four of the following words/phrases to make meaningful sentences:
(a) of today/has/the young generation/a bright/future
(b) winter sports/more and more/becoming/in India/are/popular
(c) a/chocolate cake/my mother/birthday/baked/my/on
(d) national/the/in/has been/hockey team/my brother/selected
(e) coffee/people/enjoy/drinking/most
Ans. (a) The young generation of today has a bright future.
(b) Winter sports are becoming more and more popular in India.
(c) My mother baked a chocolate cake on my birthday.
(d) My brother has been selected in the national hockey team.
(e) Most people enjoy drinking coffee.

SECTION - C

Q.8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
'But, please, Stepan Stepanovitch, how can they be yours? Do be a reasonable man ! My aunt's grandmother gave the Meadows for the temporary and free use of your grandfather's peasants. The peasants used the land for forty years and got accustomed to it as if it was their own, when it happened that.................
(a) The peasants treated the land as their own because....................
(i) They got used to calling it their own 
(ii) no one else made any claim 
(iii) the owners were generous 
(iv) the laws permitted them for long use
Ans. (ii)
(b) Lomov is presented here as a person....................
(i) of aggressive nature
(ii) of persuasive nature
(iii) of clear thinking
(iv) of submissive nature
Ans. (iii)
(c) The speaker here is ................
Ans. Lomov
(d) The expression "got accustomed to" means............
Ans. that they were fully sure of this fact.
OR
Mme Forestier stopped short. She said, "You say that you bought a diamond necklace to replace mine?" "Yes. You did not perceive it then. They were just alike."
And she smiled with proud and simple joy. Mme Forestier was touched and took both her hands as she replied, " Oh! My pooe MRILS! Mine were false. They were not worth over five hundred francs."
(a) Why was Mme Forestier touched ? ........... .
(i) Matilda had lost her charms
(ii) Matilda had suffered deeply
(iii) Matilda had to replace the false necklace with a real one.
(iv) All of the above
Ans. (iv)
(b) "Oh ! My poor Matilda. Mine were false ............ " What is the figure of speech in this situation?
(i) irony
(ii) humour
(iii) satire
(iv) simile
Ans. (i)
(c) They had to replace the necklace which was ................
Ans. lost
(d) They were just alike' means ............
Ans. they were indistinguishable

Q.9. Answer any five of the following questions in 30-40 words each:
(a) How did Maxwell get the otter?
Ans. When Maxwell was travelling to Southern Iraq, he mentioned to his friend his desire to own a pet, other than a dog. His friend ordered an otter for him, which was delivered to Maxwell, in a sack, at his residence by two Arabs.
(b) How was Wanda different from other girls? How did they treat her?
Ans. Wanda was different from the other girls because she was poor and came to school wearing faded clothes and shoes mostly covered with mud. She even had a funny name and lived at Boggins Heights. They did not treat her too well as they used to stand in groups and ask her about her dresses.
(c)  Why is the poet writing long letters? Why does she not mention the departure of the trees?
Ans. The poet is writing long letters because she is alone, in a cottage. She does not mention the departure of trees to symbolise our apathy for the environment. We are often silent about important happenings that are so unexpected that they embarrass us.
(d) What was Horace Danby suffering from? How did it affect him?
Ans. Horace Danby is suffering from Hay Fever. When he enters the house to steal, a great bowl of flowers on the table made him sneeze. His sneeze alerted a lady, whom he mistook to be the lady of the house.
(e) What is Think-Tank proud of? How do you know?
Ans. Think-Tank is proud of his intelligence and knowledge. We know this because Noodle who was wise gave suggestions to him tactfully without offending him. He addressed him as ‘0 Great and Mighty Think-Tank - the most powerful and intelligent creature in the whole Universe.” Think-Tank repeated Noodle’s suggestions as his own and gave orders to his crew according to his own interpretation.
(f) Why does Anne say that paper has more patience than people?
Ans. Anne did not have any close friend with whom she could share her feelings freely. She is convinced that no one is or ever would be really interested in the musings of a thirteen year old school girl. But she could get things off her chest by writing, without any fear of being judged or interrupted.
(g) Why did Bishamber Nath ask Bholi’s father for five thousand rupees as dowry?
Ans. When Bishamber Nath was about to garland Bholi, a woman perhaps deliberately, slipped Bholi’s veil from her face. Bishamber Nath saw the dark, black pock-marks on her face and decided to ask for five thousand rupees as dowry for marrying her. He threatened to leave without the bride if the dowry was not arranged.

Q.10. The Buddha said, “The world is affected by death and decay, therefore, the wise men do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world.” Do you think the statement is appropriate even for today's life? Write your views in the context of the above statement.
OR
Is it right to judge people on the basis of their social status? Give your views raking cues from the chapter - The Hundred Dresses.
Ans. PROSE- THE SERMON AT BENARES
The above-said statement holds true concerning today's life as well. Buddha said that death is common to all and can’t be avoided. Life of a man is like an earthen pot that breaks and meets its end. No amount of weeping and lamenting can bring the dead back to life. So, wise men don’t lament. They understand that it is the law of the world. Weeping and lamenting It rather spoils one’s health and gives more pain.
If only you take out the arrow of lamentation and get composed, you will get peace of mind. To overcome sorrow, become free of sorrow. But in today's world, man has forgotten this. He makes all kinds of efforts to provide himself with the comforts and earns money by all means whether wrong or right. He forgets that one day he has to die and everything will be left here only.
OR
PROSE-THE HUNDRED DRESSES
Wanda was a quiet girl who rarely laughed out loud. She didn't have any friend and always came to school and went home alone. Children made fun of her because she had a funny name. She came to school wearing the same faded blue dress. Although, she claimed she had a hundred dresses,
(i) This type of attitude is not justified.
(ii) It is not at all right to judge people on the basis of their social status. Although Wanda did not have the actual dresses she had the drawings of the dresses on papers and each of a different colour and design.
(iii) She proved herself by submitting a hundred drawings of dresses in the drawing and painting competition at her school. People who judge others with their socio-economic background, need to learn that such things are not the parameters to judge a person's capabilities.

Q.11. What are the ingredients in the making of a scientist? Did Ebright have these ingredients?
OR
"Although Griffin was a brilliant scientist yet he misused his discovery." Explain.
Ans. There are three main ingredients in the making of a scientist: a first-rate mind, curiosity to know the unknown and the will to win for the right reasons. All the great researchers and scientists have these qualities.
Ebright had all these great characteristics of a scientist. He was gifted With a sharp mind from his birth. He had also a curiosity to learn from the things around him. The book 'The Travels of Monarch X' opened the vast world of science to him. He was a champion debater and public speaker at school. He was also a good canoeist. He became an expert photographer. Thus, he had a well-rounded personality. He won a number of awards for his prize projects in country and international science fairs.
OR
A true scientist always works for the betterment of society. He is always law-abiding and does something useful for mankind by making new discoveries and inventions. He is a natural philosopher who does not even think of doing any harm to anyone.
Griffin was neither a true scientist nor a natural philosopher. He cannot be called a true scientist. A true scientist will never think of stealing money, setting a house on fire or looting a shopkeeper. Griffin was more of a thief or a robber. He may be a brilliant scientist but he is not a good human being.
One simply wonders why he did not put his remarkable discovery to some better use. A scientist should have patience but Griffin easily lost control over himself and behaved like a criminal. We can say that though Griffin made a wonderful discovery, he failed to serve mankind with it.