PREBOARD EXAMINATION – II (2022-23)

SUBJECT : ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (Code No. 184)

CLASS-X

Time : 3 hrs. MM : 80

General Instructions:
1. 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
2. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A: READING SKILLS 20

I. Read the passage given below. 10

(a) Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting to do it again was the last thing on your
mind?

(b) If your answer is yes, then you should understand that you are not a robot. Unlike robots, we human beings have
feelings, emotions, and dreams. We are all meant to grow despite our circumstances and limitations. Flourishing and
trying to make our dreams come true feels great when life goes our way. But what happens when it does not? What
happens when you fail despite all your hard work? Do you stay down and accept defeat or do you get up again? If you
tend to persevere and keep going, you have what experts call ‘grit’

Falling down or failing is one of the most agonising, embarrassing, and scary human experiences. But it is also one of
(c)
the most educational, empowering, and essential parts of living a successful and fulfilling life. Did you know that
perseverance (grit) is one of the seven qualities that has been described as the key to personal success and betterment in
society? The other six are curiosity, gratitude, optimism, self-control, social intelligence, and zest. Thomas Edison is an
example of grit for trying more than 1,000 times to invent the light bulb. If you are reading this with the lights on in
your room, you will realize the importance of his success. When asked why he kept going despite hundreds of failures,
he merely stated that they had not been failures, they were hundreds of attempts toward creating the light bulb. This
statement not only revealed his grit but also his optimism for looking at the bright side.

Grit can be learnt to help you become more successful. One of the techniques that help is mindfulness. Mindfulness is a
(d) practice that makes an individual stay at the moment by bringing awareness of his or her experience without judgement.
This practice has been used to quieten the noise of fears and doubts. Through this simple practice of mindfulness,
individuals have the ability to stop the self-sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, despair, and frustration.

What did you do to overcome the negative and self-sabotaging feelings of failure? Reflect on what you did, and try to
(e) use those same powerful resources to help you today.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

1. The reason why you are not a robot is that: 1

a) You fail miserably at tasks
b) Failure and success can affect your emotions
c) You work hard
d) You have limitations
2. What is the tone of the following context: “Falling down or failing is one of the most… educational, empowering, and
essential parts of living a successful and fulfilling life.”?
1
a) Humorous
b) Optimistic
c) Horrifying
d) Solemn

1
 Which of the following is relevant for the title of the passage?
3. a) Dreams Always Come True 1
b) Failure and Grit Go Hand in Hand
c) Humans vs. Robots
d) Falling Down and Getting Up
4. Which of the following sentences makes the correct use of “grit”, as used in the passage? 1
a) Get rid of that grit in your shoes.
b) She had a bit of grit in her eye.
c) The road had been covered with grit.
d) Her grit never made her give up.

5. To develop perseverance one must: 1

a) become more aware
b) work hard
c) be in the moment and be aware without judgement
d) seek guidance

6. How does mindfulness help? 1

a) It creates awareness
b) It quietens the noise of fears and doubts
c) It helps one become successful
d) It helps develop focus
7 What do you understand from this line, “Falling down or failing is one of the most agonising, embarrassing, and scary 1
human experiences.”?
a) Falling down makes us angry.
b) Failure can deeply affect our emotions
c) Stay positive and be optimistic
d) Self-control is empowering
8. Choose the option that correctly states the meaning of ‘social intelligence’ as implied in the passage:
a) Knowing others 1
b) Knowing oneself and others
c) Knowing oneself
d) Knowing one’s surroundings
9. The importance of perseverance and optimism for a successful and fulfilling life is explained using the example of? 1
a) Thomas Edison
b) Flourishing
c) Grit
d) Limitations
10. What is the message conveyed in the last paragraph of the passage?

a) Always aim for the best 1

b) Live life king size
c) Through mindfulness we can overcome the negative impact of failure
d) Social intelligence is crucial for a successful life

II Read the passage given below and answer the question . 10 Marks
1. The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. Majority of cases are asymptomatic or
mild and self-managed, and hence the actual numbers of dengue cases are under- reported or often misdiagnosed
One estimate indicates 390 million dengue virus infections per year (95% credible interval 284 –528 million), of which 96
2 million (67–136 million) manifest clinically (with any severity of disease). The number of dengue cases reported to WHO
increased over 8 folds over the last two decades
This alarming increase in case numbers is partly explained by a change in national practices to record and report dengue to the
3 Ministries of Health, and to the WHO. But it also represents government recognition of the burden, and therefore the
pertinence to report dengue disease

Before 1970, only 9 countries had experienced severe dengue epidemics. The disease is now endemic in more than 100
4 countries in the WHO regions of Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South - East Asia and the Western Pacific,
The America, South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions are the most seriously affected, with Asia representing ~70% of
the global burden of disease.

2
 In 2020, dengue continues to affect several countries, with reports of increases in the numbers of cases in Bangladesh, Brazil,
5. Cook Islands, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mayotte (Fr), Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand,
Timor-Leste and Yemen
6 The largest number of dengue cases ever reported globally was in 2019. All regions were affected, and dengue
transmission was recorded in Afghanistan for the first time.
7 The first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia® (CYD-TDV) developed by Sanofi Pasteur was licensed in December 2015 and
has now been approved by regulatory authorities in ~20 countries. In November 2017, the results of an additional
analysis to retrospectively determine serostatus at the time of vaccination were released.

8 As described in the WHO position paper on the Dengvaxia vaccine (September 2018) the dengue vaccine CYD-TDV
has been shown in clinical trials to be efficacious and safe in persons who have had a previous dengue virus infection.
However, it carries an increased risk of severe dengue in those who experience their first natural dengue infection after
vaccination. For countries considering vaccination as part of their dengue control programme, pre-vaccination screening
is the recommended strategy.

On the basis of your understanding of the passage attempt the questions that follow :

1 In the line, “and therefore the pertinence to report dengue disease” the word pertinence does not mean:
1
a) Importance
b) Ignorance
c) Relevance
d) Appropriateness

2
According to the WHO report, around 70% of the dengue cases from around the world 1
a) Affect people in Asia
b) Misdiagnosed in Asia
c) Do not occur in Asia
d) Remain untreated in Asia

3
3
The actual number of dengue cases are more than the figures in the reports because 1

a) There has been a misprint

b) Cases reported late
c) Cases are under-reported
d) Cases constantly increase

4
Choose the option that is correct about the rise in the number of dengue cases
a) Rise in dengue is due to rise in tourism 1
b) Dengue is being tested and reported in vast numbers
c) Dengue is a communicable disease
d) Dengue spread is uncontrollable

5
Dengue spread is uncontrollable According to this WHO report which year recorded the maximum number of Dengue
cases? 1

a) 2017
b) 2015
c) 2020
d) 2019
6 Which statement is not true about the dengue vaccine as stated in the report?

a) Dengue vaccine works effectively on people who have been infected before
1
b) Dengue vaccine works effectively on people who haven’t been infected before
c) Dengue vaccine must be administered to people in the countries where it is an endemic
d) Dengue vaccine has been in clinical trials, but the results are not as expected
7
What does the word ‘pandemic’ refer to?
a) Disease regularly found in people of a certain area 1
b) Disease irregularly found in people of a certain area
c) Disease regularly found in people any where
d) Disease irregularly found in people any where
8
The number of cases of Dengue reported to WHO 1
a) Decreased 8 times in the last ten years 1

b) Decreased 10 times in the last twenty years

c) increased 10 times in the last eight years
d) Increased 8 times in the last twenty years
9 What is the above report informing us about? Choose the most appropriate response
1
a) Spread of dengue and its effects around the world
1
b) Spread of dengue and its under-reportage
c) Spread of Dengue and how it affects Asia
d) Spread of Dengue and directions on the use of vaccine

4
10
Where do we need to administer the dengue vaccine? 1 1

a) In country where dengue is wide-spread

b) In country where dengue may spread
c) In country where dengue spread is limited
d) In country where dengue spread originated

SECTION B – GRAMMAR AND CREATIVE WRITING SKILL 20

Attempt any ten out of twelve:

III
Read the conversation below and complete the passage that follows.

Sumit : Do you ever think how weird it is that you get paid hundred times more than me though I have invented
our core technology and all you have done is interview.

Aditya: I know, I would fire you immediately if I could invent things.

Sumit asked Aditya 2

…………….. it was weird that he got paid hundred times more than him though he
1)
……………their core technology and all he had done was interview. Aditya answered that he knew that he
2)
knew that and would fire him immediately if he could invent things.
3
John ………. daily for more than a year now 1
a) Exercises
b) was exercising
c) has been exercising
d) have been exercising
4
I'm sure it's going to rain cats and dogs. It's time we ………… leave. 1
a) Might
b) Should
c) Might have
d) Could have
5 1
The renowned magazine announced, “We shall issue an astrology section in our magazine soon.”
a) The renowned magazine announced that it will issue an astrology section and our magazine soon
b) The renowned magazine announced that they will issue an astrology section in their magazine soon.
c) The renowned magazine announced that it issued an astrology section in its magazine soon .
d) The renowned magazine announced that it would issue an astrology section in its magazine soon .

6 Find the error in the following statement and use the following format to supply the correction. 1
The soccer team felt exhilerated. The warm welcome it receives made the team members emotional.
Error Correction
---------- --------------------

5
7
My father always keeps…………….. handy money with him for emergencies . 1
a) Any
b) Every
c) Some
d) All

8
Roshni…………………. a chocolate cake when someone knocked at the door. 1
a) Baked
b) had been baking
c) had baked
d) Was baking
9
The teacher told the students that they ……………….do the assignment as the topic is not included in the term.
1
a) Must not
b) Need not
c) Ought not
d) Dare not
10
Tina’s grandparents expect that she………………….. call them at least once a week. 1
a) shall
b) should
c) would
d) Might
11
Although I'm an avid reader since childhood yet I get ………………. time to read now . 1
a) much
b) few
c) little
d) Enough

12) Either Roshni or Rehana ----------------- going to book the ticket.

a) Is 1
b) Are
c) Has
d) Were

IV
CREATIVE WRITING Choose one question each from A and B and write about it in 100-120 words

You recently visited a public park, and you were shocked to see the poor state of sanitization. Write a letter to
the Director of Health Services requesting them to pay urgent attention to this situation and take remedial
measures. You are Rucy / Patrick.
1

OR 5
You are Sudhir /Sudha,a resident of 79,Sector4 RK Puram, New Delhi. You are interested in joining the course
in communication skills advertised by the ELITE SCHOOL OF LANGUAGE ,South Delhi. Write an enquiry
letter for the same

6
2
Write an analytical paragraph 1X5=5
The following table shows details about the different internet activities for six categories of people according to
different age groups. Study the table and write an analytical paragraph based upon it in about 100- 120 words.

OR
ii. Look at the data given below which shows the changes that have occurred between1995 to 2010 in
Bilaspur regarding the women education. Write a paragraph in about 150-200 words to record the
changes by interpreting this data.

Female education in Bilaspur 1995 2010

No of girls school 10 15
No of women colleges 4 5
No of students in schools 10000 16000
No of students in college 6000 10000
Literacy rate 30% 55%
Distance education cenres Nil 03

LITERATURE
V. 1
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (Any one )
“I can make you a present of them myself, because they are mine! Your behaviour Evan Vassilevitch, is strange, to say 5
the least! Up to this we have always thought of you as a good neighbour, a friend, last year we lent you our threshing
machine, although on that account we had to put off our own threshing till November, but you behave to us as if we were
gypsies. Giving me my own land, indeed! No really that's not at all neighbourly! In my opinion, it’s even impudent if
you want to know.”
i
The speaker of these lines is……….. 1

ii
Them here refers to ……………….. 1

iii
What did the family of Natalya lent lomov? 1
a) Threshing machine
b) Burnt marsh
c) Cattle
d) Oxen meadows
iv ……………..means shameless . 1

a) Account
b) Impudent
c) Gypsies
d) Opinion

v Write another word for Gypsie.

7
 OR

I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota near the control tower. I went and asked a woman in the Control
Centre where I was and who the other pilot was . I wanted to say thank you.

i. IThe pilot asked the woman in the control tower about………….

ii
He wants to thank the other pilot as

iii
What is old Dakota?
a) a tower from where the pilot took off
b) a town where the pilot landed
c) The name of the plane the pilot had been flying
d) The other aeroplane
iv
Pick out the word from the extract that means the same as” come down through the air .”
a) Away
b) Landed
c) Went
d) None of the above
v This extract has been taken from which chapter of textbook…………………….

V. 2 Read the extract of the poem given below and answer the questions that follows. (Any one )

Though to distinguish beast of prey

A novice might nonplus ,
The crocodile you always may
Tell from the hyena thus :
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if the weep they are crocodiles.
i
The poem is………….. 1
a) A Tiger in the Zoo
b) How to Tell Wild Animals
c) The Tale of Custard The Dragon
d) Amanda
ii
The synonym of the word confused is………………, 1
a) novice
b) distinguish
c) nonplus
d) Marry
iii
Hyenas are different from the Crocodiles because they………….. . 1
iv
The poet uses the word weep for crocodiles because of the idiom………… 1
v
When does a hyena smirk ? 1
a) while encountering a crocodile
b) while being attacking a crocodile
c) while swallowing its spray
d) while planning for its victim
8
 OR
Stop that sulking at once, Amanda !
You are always so moody, Amanda !
Anyone would think that I nagged at you,
Amanda!

i
……………….. is the poet of the extract given above. 1
ii
‘Stop that sulking at once’ shows that Amanda is…………… 1
a) A short tempered girl
b) disappointed with herself
c) Unhappy and frustrated with her surroundings
d) All of the above
iii
Who is scolding Amanda in the above lines ? 1
a) her mother
b) her parents
c) her teacher
d) her conscience
iv
What made Amanda sulk and become moody? 1
a) because of her long home assignments given by her teacher.
b) because of her mother’s never ending instructions
c) because she has lost interest in life
d) because she is ill mannered
v
What will Amanda's behaviour make people think ? 1
VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each.

i What gave Valli the confidence to be treated at par with the other passengers?

ii Why did Buddha compare death to an ox being taken for slaughter?

iii Why do visitors keep away from Coorg during the monsoon season? 4X3=
12
iv “With a clutter and a clank and a jangling squirm. He went at the pirate like a Robin at a worm “.

What image do the above lines create in your mind about custard?

v
Who is the mermaid in Amanda? What does she wish to do?

VII Answer any 2 of the following in about 40 to 50 words each

i
Why does the writer compare publication of Ebright’s paper to hitting a home run while batting for the first 2X3=6
time ?
ii
It is believed that children generally have some approach towards life . They are all the same . What is your
opinion on this belief especially in the case of valli and Bholi as a child?
iii How did Madame Loisel react when her husband gave her the invitation? Why?

9
 Answer any one of the following in about 100 to 120 words.

‘Sermon at Banaras’ could just as well be considered another glimpse of India .If it were part of the story
‘Glimpses of India’ what ideas, values and experience would it highlight? How would you present this historical
VIII part of India? 6

OR
What is your opinion about Robert Frost portrayal of nature in the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?

Answer any one of the following in about 100 to 120 words.

IX
Assess Griffins character as a scientist and as human being. What suggestions could help him become a better
person?
6
OR

“From the Diary of Anne Frank” throws light on Teacher-Student relationship, Class atmosphere & discipline.
Elaborate in context of the chapter.

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