R.P.

PUBLIC SCHOOL
PRE-BOARD EXAMINATIONS I - 2023-34
English-Language and Literature (184)
CLASS 10

Total Time: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:
1. This question paper contains 11 questions.
2. The Question Paper has THREE sections READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and
LITERATURE.
3. Attempt question based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A- READING SKILLS [20]

Q1. Read the passage given below. [1x10=10]

1. An ecosystem is a community of organisms that live and interact within a particular

environment. In an aquatic ecosystem, that environment is water and all the system’s
plants and animals live either in or on that water. The specific setting and type of water,
such as a freshwater lake or saltwater marsh, determines which animals and plants live
there. Marine, or ocean, systems cover about 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface and are
identified by the presence of dissolved salts in the water. The level of salinity averages
about 35 parts per thousand g of water, but it can vary in response to climate or a
nearby source of freshwater. Marine organisms must adapt to either a constantly
changing or stable level of salt content and cannot move successfully from one to the
other. Saltwater ecosystems range from the abundant life of coastal areas to the nearly
barren ocean bottom. In marine habitats, the food chain begins with plankton, micro-
organisms that require sunlight for energy and growth, so systems closest to the surface
or in relatively shallow water support more life. These include estuaries, salt marshes,
coral reefs and other tropical habitats, and intertidal areas such as lagoons and kelp
beds.

2. Animal life in marine ecosystems ranges from microscopic zooplankton though fish of all
sizes to marine mammals, including seals, whales and manatees. Freshwater-water
that is either drinkable or has little or no salt content-supports its own aquatic
ecosystems. These include river and streams, lakes and ponds, wetlands and even
groundwater. Each of these systems is unique and ven within categories, any specific
habitat is affected by altitude/temperature and humidity. For instance, a plant native to
warm shallow lake in the tropics could not survive on the steep banks of a cold, fast-
moving mountain stream Freshwater ecosystems provide homes for a wide variety of
animal life including insects, amphibians and fish. One estimate of fish species puts the
number that lives in freshwater at 40 per cent of the Earth’s total. Worms, molluscs,
 algae and bacteria all live in freshwater systems, as do innumerable varieties of plants.
In addition, animals such as birds, otters and bears use freshwater ecosystems as a
food source.

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

(i) Which of the following statement is true according to the passage?

(a) 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered in oceans.

(b) 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface is marine bodies only.
(c) 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface is solid landmass.
(d) 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface forms the entire aquatic system.

(ii) Select the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from the given
quotes.

(a) There is a deep interconnectedness of all life on earth, from the tiniest organisms, to
the largest ecosystems, and absolutely between each person.” - Bryant McGill
(b) “Where there is a smoke, there is an ecologist.” - Ljupka Cvetanova
(c) “When we reconnect with nature, we will be restore ourselves.” - Lailah Gifty Akita
(d) “We can only predict the future ecological changes, by emergence of the past into
the present.” - Lailah Gifty Akita

(iii) Select the option that corresponds to the following relation below:

Saltwater ecosystems range from the abundant life of coastal area to the nearly barren
ocean bottom.

(a) In the season of spring, plenty of flowers grow while in the season of autumn, the
leaves wither and fall making it a barren season for the growth of plant.
(b) The distinct is the most barren and backward portion of the province.
(c) The room was austere, nearly barren of furniture and decoration.
(d) This zone has an abundant rainfall, dense forests and a fertile soil.

(iv) Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 1:

Opinion Reason
_________ An ecosystem that lives and interacts within a particular environment.

(v) The writer uses two contrasting words in the line:

Marine organisms must adapt to either a constantly changing or stable level of salt
content. (Paragraph 1)
 State one point of difference between constantly changing and stable.

(vi) Based on your reading of the text, list 2 reasons why the writer says that:

Shallow water relatively supports more aquatic life.

1. __________
2. __________

(vii) The writer says, “Freshwater supports its own aquatic ecosystems”.
Select the reason that appropriately justifies the statement.

(a) Freshwater has little or no salt content.

(b) Freshwater provides oxygen to support the growth of aquatic ecosystem.
(c) It helps to prevent erosion.
(d) It provides natural protection from flooding.

(viii) Micro-organisms in the saltwater ecosystem grow in shallow water or near the surface
because:

(a) the content of salt is low

(b) they get sunlight to grow
(c) they cannot breathe in deep water
(d) both (a) and (b)

(ix) Supply 1 point to justify the following:

Micro-organisms in the saltwater ecosystem grow in shallow water or near the surface.

(x) State whether the following statement is true or false:

Saltwater ecosystems range from the abundant life of coastal areas to the nearly
barren ocean bottom.

Q2. Read the passage given below. [10]

1. Demonetisation refers to an economic policy where a certain currency unit ceases to be

used as a legal tender. It occurs whenever there is a change in the national currency.
The existing form or forms of money is pulled from circulation and retired, to be replaced
with new notes or coins. Sometimes, a country completely replaces the old currency
with new currency.

2. On 8 November, 2016, the Indian government decided to demonetise the 500 and 1000
rupee notes, the two biggest denominations in its currency system. These notes
accounted for 86% of the country’s circulating cash. With little warning, India’s Prime
Minister Narendra Modi announced to the citizens that these notes would be rendered
 immediately ineffective with immediate effect. People were given time till the end of the
year to deposit or exchange them for newly introduced 2000 rupee and 500 rupee
notes.

3. The government’s goal was to combat India’s thriving underground economy on several
fronts: eradicate counterfeit currency, fight tax evasion (only 1% of the population pays
taxes), eliminate black money accumulated from money laundering and terrorist-
financing activities, and to promote a cashless economy. Individuals and entities with
huge sums of black money acquired from parallel cash systems were forced to take
their large denomination notes to a bank, and account for them satisfactorily and submit
proof if tax paid. If the owner could not provide proof of making any tax payments on the
cash, a penalty of 200% on the tax due was imposed.

4. Demonetisation had a severe impact on the gold market. The extraordinary demand for
the yellow metal, made a stiff hike in the cost. However, the Government made it
mandatory that every buyer had to submit his/her PAN card details for purchases made.
Erring jewellers were brought to book.

5. Many Indians switched to alternative payment methods. The biggest gainers were
mobile wallet companies that offered easy transactions through a large network of
partners. Alibaba-backed Paytm saw a sevenfold increase in overall traffic. Prepaid
cash cards were another option that the customers found useful. Other alternatives
were mobile payment systems linked to e-commerce businesses like Ola Money,
FreeCharge, Flipkart Wallet.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

(i) Infer one reason for demonetisation.

(ii) Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the objectives
of demonetisation.

1. In demonetisation, the existing form of money is pulled from circulation to be

replaced with new notes.
2. Demonetisation had a severe impact on the gold market.
3. Demonetisation eliminates black marketing.
4. Demonetisation eradicates money laundering.
5. Demonetisation helps to retain a cashless economy.

(a) 1 and 5 (b) 4 and 5

(c) 2 and 4 (d) 3 and 5

(iii) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word from Paragraph 4.

awful : dreadful :: serious : _____

(Clue: Just like, awful is a synonym of dreadful, similarly serious is a synonym of...)

(iv) Which of the following is not a mobile wallet company?

(a) Freecharge (b) Ola Money
(c) Paytm (d) Samsung

(v) Select the chart that appropriately represents the growth in volume of rupees in 3
financial years (2015- 16, 2016-17 and 2017-18):
(vi) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option. Government’s goal was to eradicate
____________.

(a) Counterfeit currency

(b) Black money
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these

(vii) Substitute the word ‘combat’ with one word similar in meaning in the following
sentence from Paragraph 3. The government’s goal was to combat Indians thriving
underground economy.

(viii) List any two points on which the Indian Government thrives to combat underground
economy.

1. __________
2. __________

(ix) List one reason why the government decided to demonetise the 500 and 1000 rupee
notes and not any other.

(x) Select the option that titles paragraphs 3-4 appropriately, with reference to the
information in the text.

(a) 1. Demonetise 500 and 1000 rupee notes

2. Newly-introduced 2000 rupee note
3. Severe impact on the gold market

(b) 1. Severe impact on the gold market

2. Combat underground economy
3. Eliminate black money

(c) 1. Alternative payment methods

2. Newly introduced 2000 rupee
3. Ola money

(d) 1. Flipkart wallet

2. Severe impact on the gold market
3. Free charge
 SECTION B- GRAMMAR [10]

Q3 Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. [10]

(i) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the magazine article.

The thief and the eye-witness____.

(a) has escaped (b) has been escaping

(c) was escaping (d) have escaped

(ii) Read the conversation between Ram and Anil and complete the narration that follows:
Ram: I’m really looking forward to the class picnic tomorrow.
Anil: Yes, after a long time we will be meeting all our friends and teachers.

When Ram said that he was looking forward to their class picnic, Anil affirmed that ___.

(iii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line to complete an online
update.
During the college days, I _____ beat them all in the race!

(a) could (b) should

(c) can (d) might

(iv) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following
line, from self-help book:

Goals provides direction to our behaviour and guide our actions and thoughts.

Option No. Error Correction

(a) provides provide
(b) behaviour behaviours
(c) to for
(d) guide guides

(v) Complete the notice by filling in the blank with the correct option:
The swimming pool _____ at 6 a.m. daily.

(a) open (b) is opening

(c) opened (d) opens

(vi) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket.
 The forecast _____ (mention) a quiet start to the day with a spell of rain to come later on
in the afternoon.

(vii) Report the dialogue between two friends, by completing the sentence:

Susan : Do you have any story books to read, Dorothy?

Dorothy : I prefer watching movies in my free time.

In response to the question about story books, Dorothy says that _____.

(viii) Identify the error in the given sentence from an article and supply the correction.
Overeating is one of the more wonderful practices among those who think that they
can afford it.
Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

(ix) Rohit shared some information with Ankit, about a movie. Report Ankit’s question.
Is the movie enjoyable?

(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence.
It was a long day. You _____ be hungry.

(a) must (b) might

(c) need to (d) should

(xi) Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Abraham
and his brother John.

Abraham: (humming) By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept at the memory of
Zion,.....
John: What are you singing , Abraham ?
Abraham: Dear me , don’t you know its Psalm number 137?
John: If one priest found it difficult, then I’ll keep asking, till you know about it!

While Abraham was singing, John asked him what he was singing. Abraham,
surprised, asked John if he did not know that it was Psalm number 137. John
exclaimed good-humouredly that if a priest found it difficult then _____.

(a) he would kept asking till he know about it.

(b) he would keep asking till he knew about it.
(c) he would be keeping to ask until he came to know about it.
(d) None of the above
(xii) Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction.

There are so much ways of entertainment in life.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

SECTION B- CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS [10]

Q4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. [5]

A. Write a formal letter (100-120 words) to the principal about the unhygienic conditions in
the school washrooms.

Or

B. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper complaining about employing minor
children both boys and girls as full domestic help is a common feature, also advocating
the need to stop such practice which deprives the children of their basic rights. You are
Kumar/Nita, B-30, Mayur Vihar, Phase-II, Delhi.

Q5. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. [5]

A. Study the graph given below. The graph depicts the number of students of class tenth
speaking English and Hindi in three different types of schools in New Delhi. Based on
the details given in the bar graph given below, write an analytical paragraph in 100-120
words.
 Or

B. Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in the magazine section of a
local daily:

“Technology is addicting, and like any drug, it is especially effective on children. Be it

cell phones, iPods, tablets, computers, or a simple television set, technology hooks
children.”
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.

SECTION C- LITERATURE [40]

Q6. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. [5]

“Alas! The living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief”
And there was no house but some beloved one had died in it. (The Sermon at Benares)

(i) What grief were they talking about when they said “Do not remind us of our grief”?

(a) The grief of losing a loved one.

(b) The grief that many people have died in their house.
(c) The grief of talking about losing a loved one.
(d) The grief that they had lost a son.

(ii) What did they mean by ‘the living are few, but the dead are many’?

(iii) Whom the speaker speaking to?

(iv) Which of the following statement is TRUE according to the given extract?

(a) The living population is very few.

(b) The living population has increased manifold.
(c) There was no house where no one had died.
(d) Both (a) and (c)

(v) Select the option that correctly captures the application of the word ‘living’ as used in
line 1 of the extract.

(a) He was offered the living of St Katherine’s.

 (b) She was struggling to make a living as a dancer.
(c) The young man is dead. We have only to consider the living.
(d) Olivia has always been a model of healthy living.

Or
“That night when Ramlal consulted his wife, she cried, “Are you crazy? If girls go to school,
who will marry them?”

But Ramlal had not the courage to disobey the Tehsildar. At last his wife said, “I will tell
you what to do. Send Bholi to school. As it is, there is little chance of her getting married,
with her ugly face and lack of sense. Let the teachers at school worry about her.”

The next day Ramlal caught Bholi by the hand and said, “Come with me. I will take you to
school.” Bholi was frightened. (Bholi)

(i) Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word ‘hand’ from the extract.

(a) Ankit asked for her hand in marriage but she refused him in front of everyone.
(b) The toddler learnt to walk by holding his mother’s hand.
(c) The younger siblings usually have to wear the hand me downs of the elder ones.
(d) It is not in my hand to predict the future of our company.

(ii) Complete the following analogy by selecting the suitable word from the extract:

obey: disobey :: sane : _____.

(Clue: Just like obey is an antonym of disobey similarly sane is an antonym of...)

(iii) Select the option that displays the reason why the Tehsildar asked Ramlal to send his
daughter to school.

(a) To instil confidence in Bholi by educating her.

(b) Because Bholi was ugly and no one would marry her.
(c) To fight the custom of dowry by educating girls.
(d) To set an example for others in the village.

(iv) According to the extract, what is likely to be Bholi’s parents’ attitude towards the notion
of sending her to school?

1. inspiring
2. to educate their daughter for a bright future
3. to get her married as soon as possible
4. to get rid of her for a while
5. hesitant
 Select the correct option:

(a) 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 5

(c) 4 and 5 (d) 3 and 4

v. Bholi’s parents, however reluctantly, pave the way for Bholi’s bright future in the given
extract. List two incidents how it benefited Bholi.

Q7. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. [5]

“I heard an old religious man
But yesternight declare
That he had found a text to prove
That only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair.”
(For Anne Gregory)

(i) Write the line(s) from the extract and underline the letters that shows that poetic device
assonance is used in it.

ii. What does the yellow hair represent here?

(a) blonde hair

(b) beautiful hair
(c) physical beauty
(d) superficial love

(iii) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE:

The poet is hinting that he had a conversation with a priest who showed him Holy
Scriptures.

(iv) Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the extract.

The idea that only God ‘could love you for yourself alone’ is _____.

(a) a conflicted idea that can be contested.

(b) the relief that Anne gets after despising her appearance.
(c) an open ended statement that is not true.
(d) The ultimate truth and gist of the poem.

(v) The poet directly addresses Anne in the poem. How does this impact the extract?

(a) It tells us that the poet is in love with Anne.

 (b) It breaks the flow of the poem so the reader can think.
(c) It gives a sense of discussion going on between two people.
(d) It feels like Anne is complaining about her looks.

Or

Belinda giggled till she shook the house,

And Blink said Weeck! which is giggling for a mouse,
Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

(i) What are the poetic devices used in the above extract?

1. Hyperbole
2. Onomatopoeia
3. Personification
4. Metonymy
5. Enjambment

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 4

(c) 3 and 5 (d) 2 and 3

(ii) What causes Custard to ‘cry’ for a cage?

(iii) Identify the rhyme scheme of the given extract.

(a) aabb (b) abab

(c) abba (d) abcd

(iv) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word from the extract:

Yeomanly: disloyal :: perilous _____

(Clue: Just like yemanly is an antonym for disloyal, similarly perious is an antonym for...)

(v) Select the sentence in which the word ‘safe’ is used in the similar manner as line 4 of
the extract.

(a) That shirt is real safe.

(b) Thieves broke into the safe and stole everything.
(c) Sonia said that she feels safe with Jitesh.
(d) With most of the votes counted now, I think it’s safe to say that we won.
Q8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each. [3x4=12]

(i) What were the destructions caused by the hailstorm?

(ii) How did Anne Frank’s friends behave just before the declaration of the exam results?
(iii) While alone on the ledge, how did the little seagull try to draw the attention of his
family?
(iv) What message does the poet wish to convey through “The Ball Poem”?
(v) In the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”, how does the poet caution the reader
regarding the danger of animals?

Q9. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. [3x2=6]

(i) What happened at the ball? Was Matilda’s dream fulfilled?

(ii) Is Max menacing or vulnerable? Comment with reference to “The Midnight Visitor”.
(iii) Why was “the strange scientist strongly suspected of having had a hand” in the
burglary at the clergyman’s home?

Q10. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. [6]

Valli was a young girl yet she shows the characteristics of a mature and practical person
which were beyond her years. Justify the statement by giving the character sketch of her
personality. (Madam Rides the Bus)
Or

“The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.”

If you had to use the message of the above quote from Nelson Mandela (Nelson Mandela
Long Walk to Freedom) to portray the liberation of women and what it signifies (The
Trees), what would you include in it? Also, evaluate what we can take from the notion.

Q11. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. [6]

Write a character sketch of Horace Danby.

Or

What was the impact of the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ on Richard Ebright?