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Class 10 - English
Term-2 Sample Paper - 02

Maximum Marks: 40
Time Allowed: 2 hours

General Instructions:

1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A- READING (10 marks)

1. Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow them:
When man first began to think, he asked himself the deepest of all questions — a question which you
have undoubtedly asked yourself many times. What is the meaning of life? What is it all about? Where
are we all going? What drives us ever forward to work and worry? And now there’s this other big
question — a newer question which is beginning to force itself into our notice. One that is not ages
old... that has not been with us since man first began to think. It is somewhere is science taking us’?
First, where is science taking us with regard to ethical and spiritual values? We know what it is doing
with regard to material things, for material things are its daily business, but what is it doing with
regard to non-material things? If the answer were ‘nothing at all’, that would be bad enough, but the
actual answer is less than nothing’. Here science is actually doing less than nothing; for its material
teachings have been so over emphasized that many people are floundering and wondering whether
after all man is but a machine animated by forces over which he has no control. Let’s concentrate on
material things, the things that form the very stronghold of science. Look at the machine, for instance.
This is the age of the machine. Machines are everywhere—in the fields, in the factory, in the home, in
the street, in the city, in the country. To fly, it is not necessary to have wings; there are machines. To
swim under the sea, it is not necessary to have gills, there are machines. To kill our fellow men in
overwhelming numbers, there are machines. Petrol machines alone provide ten times more powerful
than all human beings in the world. In the busiest countries, each individual has six hundred human
slaves in his machines. Science can lead to technological advances, as well as helping us learn about
enormously important and useful topics, such as our health, the environment, and natural hazards.
Science focuses exclusively on the natural world, and does not deal with supernatural explanations.
On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any FIVE of the following questions.
i. Which questions did every person ask many times to himself according to the text?
ii. How have machines become indispensable to human beings?
iii. What is the perception of many people regarding the contribution of science to their lives?
iv. What does the writer mean by ' six hundred human slaves' in his machines?
v. What are the 'iron-material things' being referred to in the passage?
vi. What do Petrol machines provide?
2. Read the passage given below.

Hazardous child labour

What is hazardous child labour or hazardous work?

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Hazardous child labour is defined by Article 3 (d) of ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the
Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999, as:
(d) work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health,
safety or morals of children.
More specifically, hazardous child labour is work in dangerous or unhealthy conditions that could
result in a child being killed, or injured or made ill as a consequence of poor safety and health
standards and working arrangements. It can result in permanent disability, ill-health and psychological
damage. Often health problems caused by being engaged in child labour may not develop or show up
until the child is an adult.
Hazardous child labour is the largest category of the worst forms of child labour with an estimated 79
million children, aged 5-17, working in dangerous conditions in a wide range of sectors, including
agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, as well as in hotels, bars, restaurants, markets, and
domestic service. It is found in both industrialized and developing countries. Girls and boys often start
carrying out hazardous work at very early ages.
Because their bodies and minds are still developing, children are more vulnerable than adults to
workplace hazards, and the consequences of hazardous work are often more devastating and lasting
for them.
When speaking of child labour it is important to go beyond the concepts of work hazard and risk as
applied to adult workers and to expand them to include the developmental aspects of childhood.
Because children are still growing, they have special characteristics and needs, and in determining
workplace hazards and risks their effect on children’s physical, cognitive (thought/learning) and
behavioural development and emotional growth must be taken into consideration.

“Hazard” and “risk” are two terms that are used frequently in association with this type of child labour.
A “hazard” is anything with the potential to do harm. A “risk” is the likelihood of potential harm from
that hazard being realized. For example, the hazard associated with power-driven machinery might be
getting trapped or entangled by moving parts. The risk will be high if guards are not fitted and workers
are in close proximity to the machine. If however, the machine is properly guarded, regularly
maintained and repaired by competent staff, the risk will be lower.

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Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE out of the seven
questions given below.
i. What are the medical consequences of hazardous child labour?
ii. Hazardous child labour is the largest category of the worst forms of child labour. Substantiate.
iii. Why are children more "vulnerable" than adults to workplace hazards?
iv. With reference to the given figure, which region has the highest number of hazardous child
labour?
v. Which region is comparatively in a better position for children employed hazardous work?
vi. Interpret the basic difference between "risk" and "hazard".
SECTION B - WRITING AND GRAMMAR (10 marks)
3. Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
a. International Labour Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund 2021 published a report on
Child Labour recently stating that global progress against child labour has stalled since 2016. Write
a paragraph on Child Labour based on the inputs provided below.

b. You are Tanya, Head Girl of Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Palam Colony, Delhi. Write a letter to
Dimple caterers, J.J. Colony, Delhi to find out the rate for conducting the XII standard farewell
party, enquiring about catering charges per head, service charges and advance to be paid.
4. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line against which a
blank has been given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer-sheet
against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the word that you have
supplied.

Error Correction

If you are feeling depressed any chocolate any a

can be a real tonic who cheers you up (a) ........... .................

instantly. Unfortunately, an effect is (b) ........... .................

temporary any soon he feel down again. (c) ........... ..................

5. Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks to complete the narration.

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Rajeev: Dad, will you gift me a laptop?

Dad: Not now, Wait till your class 12 board results.
Rajeev: But, Dad, didn't you promise me one?
Dad: Yes, but my long cherished desire is to see you top class 12 too. You should prepare for JEE-MAINS
also.
Rajeev asked his dad (i)___________ Negating, Dad asked Rajeev (ii)____________ A little disappointed
Rajeev reminded dad if he hadn't promised him one. Motivating Rajeev, Dad said that his long
cherished desire was to see him top class 12 too. He also wished that Rajeev should prepare For JEE-
MAINS too.
SECTION C- LITERATURE (20 marks)
6. Answer ANY SIX questions in 30-40 words each.
a. What did Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was
this what the Buddha wanted her to understand?
b. Why does the poet like animals? Answer in the context of poem Animals.
c. What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
d. How did Belinda and pets behave when the pirate had been killed?
e. How did Ebright's mother help him?
f. What was Loisel's reaction to his wife's desire for a new dress?
g. What did Gustaff tell them, when they (the lawyer and Bill) reach his shop?
7. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 words each.
a. 'The story, 'Bholi' throws light on some social evils being practised in our society. Bholi took a stand
and succeeded in overcoming social barriers. What can you contribute to change the social
attitudes, illustrated in the story.
b. “The custom of baking bread is closely associated with Goan culture”. Explain/Discuss, with
reference to the chapter ‘A baker from Goa’.
c. The principle ‘forgive and forget’ , helps a lot in maintaining cordial relations with our neighbours.
Do you think Anton Chekov conveys this message in the play ‘The Proposal’?

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Class 10 - English
Term-2 Sample Paper - 02

Solution

SECTION A- READING (10 marks)

1. I. The questions that every person asked to themselves are as follows-
What is the meaning of life?
What is it all about? Where are we all going?
What drives us ever forward to work and worry?
II. Today, it is very difficult to spend even a single day without taking help of machines. Machines are
used in the factory. In the home, in the street, etc. Even the most difficult work is being done easily
with the help of machines.
III. People are of the opinion that science contributed to not too much Science gave us machines which
persuade us to hanker after material things.
IV. By 'six hundred human slaves in his machine', the writer means to say that in some busiest
countries, on an average each owner of a factory has six hundred employees who work on
machines.
V. In the passage, 'non-material things’ are referred to as ethical and spiritual values.
VI. Petrol machines alone provide ten times more power than all human beings in the world.
2. i. Hazardous child labour can have serious medical repercussions, as it may cause permanent
disability, ill-health, and psychological damage.
ii. Hazardous child labour is the largest category because around 79 million children(aged between 5-
17) work in dangerous conditions in a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, mining,
construction, manufacturing, as well as in hotels, bars, restaurants, markets, and domestic service.
It is found in both developed and developing countries. It is the worst form of child labour as girls
and boys often start carrying out working at very early ages which affects their growth and
development.
iii. Children are more vulnerable than adults to workplace hazards because they are in their
developing stage. Their bodies and minds are still developing. As a result, the effects of such
working conditions are more devastating and lasting for them.
iv. As per the figure, 38.6 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa are employed in hazardous work
which is the highest among all.
v. The Arab states is comparatively in a better position with only 1.9 million children
doing hazardous work.
vi. "Hazard" means the probability of causing danger while “risk” is the possibility of that probability.
Risk can be controlled by a self guard or by adopting a precautionary method while hazard is
beyond human control since it is connected to the work/job type involving danger.
SECTION B - WRITING AND GRAMMAR (10 marks)
3. Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
a. Child Labour Across Ages
The results of the global estimates make clear that child labour remains an important concern
across the spectrum of children aged 5 to 17. Of the 160 million children in child labour, 89.3
million are young children aged 5 to 11, 35.6 million are children aged 12 to 14, and 35 million are
children aged 15 to 17. Child labour among children aged 12 to 14 and 15 to 17 continued to fall in
both absolute and percentage terms over the last four years. By contrast, the 2016-2020 period saw

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a worrying rise in child labour among young children aged 5 to 11.

In 2016, there were signs of slowing progress among young children. Today the trend line is
moving in the wrong direction. The reason for backtracking is not clear and needs to be
investigated as a priority. Hazardous work accounted for about two fifths of the total number of
additional children aged 5 to 11 in child labour during the four-year period. While children of all
ages must be protected from hazardous work, its persistence and now growth among younger
children is a particular concern.
b. Guru Nanak Girls,
Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya,
Palam Colony,
Delhi
28 December, 2018
Dimple Caterers
J.J. Colony
Delhi
Sir,
Subject: Enquiring Charges
We are conducting a farewell party for the students of class XIIth on 31st January 2018. We want
the details regarding your catering services. We wish to know the number of items that will be
provided by you, the services and the catering cost per head. We will not compromise in any way
on the promise on the services and quality of food. It should be the best.
Also, inform us whether you will be providing snacks and soft drinks along with the food and if a
sweet dish is included in your meal like chips, french fries, ice-cream, Pepsi or Dew, etc. If so, how
many sweet dishes will be provided to us and the cost of the dishes. We will need you to arrange
the decoration in the hall, music system, lights, snacks, soft drinks, food, sweet dishes, crockery,
etc. We request you to provide us with the best, prompt and quick servicemen/servicewomen or
helper.
Send in your details with the price list at the earliest so that we can book our order for our school
farewell party in the given time interval.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely,
Tanya.
(Class XII-A)
4.
Error Correction

(a) who which

(b) an the

(c) he you
5. i. if he would gift him a laptop.
ii. to wait till his class 12 board results.
SECTION C- LITERATURE (20 marks)
6. Answer ANY SIX questions in 30-40 words each.
a. The second time Kisa Gotami understood that death is inevitable and no one can be saved from it.
She understood the temporary nature of human life. Yes, it was exactly the same thing that
Gautama Buddha wanted her to understand.

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b. The poet likes animals for their self-contained and quiet nature. They do not complain about their
condition. They don’t weep for their sins. The fact that animals are not like human beings and
satisfied with their lives appeals to the poet a lot.
c. According to the poem, if Amanda were a mermaid, she would have blissfully drifted in the sea
enjoying its smooth waves being the sole inhabitant.
d. After the pirate had been killed, Belinda embraced Custard as he was thought to be coward by
everyone else before the pirate's attack. Mustard licked him. Ink and Blink circled around him
happily as they all had been saved.
e. Ebright's mother was a great help to him. She always encouraged his interest in learning. She took
him out on trips. In fact, she also bought him a telescope, a microscope, cameras, mounting
materials and other equipment that helped him in many ways. She brought a book titled 'The
Travels of Monarch X', which developed Ebright's interest in butterflies and if he did not have
anything to do, she found things for him to learn.
f. The Loisels had been invited to a party at the minister's residence. When Matilda told her husband
that she wanted a new dress to wear, first of all, he asked her to wear whatever she possessed.
When she got angry and refused to go to the party at all, he finally agreed to let her buy a new
dress. When he heard the price of the new dress, he was not pleased but he reluctantly agreed to
buy the new dress.
g. After the place where Lutkins played poker called 'Fritz', the lawyer and Bill reached Gustaff's
barbershop. There the hack-driver went inside and asked if he had seen Lutkins. At this, first
Gustaff hesitated a little bit later he understood the trick played by Lutkins and supported him in
that. Then replied that he was there a few minutes away. He also asked them to collect thirty-five
dollars from Lutkins if they met him. This amount, Lutkins had owed him.
7. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 words each.
a. Social discrimination against women has been highlighted in the narrative of 'Bholi' where women
are considered as a liability, a burden to be borne till they are eventually disposed of in marriage.
The family in particular and the society at large have no faith in their capabilities and hence do not
consider it essential to educate them. But Bholi's story proves that daughters are capable and
responsible in supporting the family same as the menfolk In the story also the main concern of
Bholi's family was her marriage. Her family was more concerned about her looks instead of about
her health or studies. The story shows many evils of society like the position of girls in the family,
the importance of beauty and dowry. But a confident and educated girl face all of these with lots of
courage. This shows the importance of education in a girl's life. A significant change in social
attitudes can be brought about by a girl herself. We can spread awareness by educating the girls
about their basic rights in society. Mass media such as television is very influential and significant
work is already being done to initiate a change in attitude towards the girls.
b. Bread forms an essential part of the Goan culture. There is no party or festival without bread.
Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol. Any party or a feast
loses its charm without bread. A baker is very important for a village. The lady of the house must
prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and bolinhas are a must
for Christmas as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is
absolutely essential. Loaves of bread are very popular in Goa and is a staple food even in remote
villages. The bread has health benefits. There are still a few small bakeries left in some of the
smaller towns.
c. Anton Chekov does convey the message that the principle of ‘forgive and forget’ helps a lot in
maintaining a cordial relationship with one’s neighbours. Initially, the neighbours in the play,
Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov were fighting over petty issues. They were putting important issues

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behind them and wasting their time by arguing over small things. These arguments slowly
developed into fights and they started hurling abuses at one another. This damaged their
relationship with each other.
It was when Natalya came to know that Lomov had come to propose her she left the topic of
argument (Oxen Meadows) behind. She also asked for forgiveness from Lomov and requested him
to come to the point. This shows whether they fought unnecessarily upon insignificant issues like a
breed of dog etc but when it was about the marriage proposal, they forgot their enmity and agreed
to marry. Even Chubukov who was insulted by Lomov enjoyed the moment and agreed for their
marriage. Hence, it is mandatory to ‘forgive and forget’ if one wants to have a cordial relationship
with others.

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