CONSORTIUM PREBOARD EXAMINAT ION-2022-23

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (Code No. 184)

CLASS-X
SET B
Time allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 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
(1) Nature is our mother, our first teacher. The greatest lesson that she teaches us is to maintain
an equilibrium in life. We learn to maintain composure through our joys, sorrows and fears. In
fact, there are a thousand lessons that nature can teach us, provided we look for them.
(2) With time, a sapling grows into a full-grown tree; something so tiny and delicate develops into a
strong tree capable of supporting others. No matter how tall it grows, how much it may flourish,
or how many animals and birds it may support, its roots are firmly buried from where it once
rose. That’s a lesson - to keep ourselves grounded, respect and embrace our roots, and give
something back to those humble beginnings that nurtured us into who we are.
(3) . Then there is the message of peaceful coexistence. ‘I am because we are.’ Nature provides
every creature a chance to exist. However, the existence of one creature or being depends on
the existence of the other. The tiger eats the antelope; without the antelope, the tiger wouldn’t
survive. Likewise, without tigers, the over-abundance of antelopes would cause them to starve
to death.
(4) I wonder if you have noticed that when birds or squirrels see a predator, they give out an alarm
call to their fellow creatures, of the lurking danger. They put themselves in danger to save the
lives of others. Many animals, like the salmon, usually die after they spawn, but this doesn’t
stop them. One life extinguished for the betterment of others is a small price to pay.
(5) The snow melts in the warmth of spring to give birth to fresh green leaves. In autumn these
leaves age into shades of gold only to be buried in the cold grave of winter. Change is
inevitable; the sooner we embrace this, the better it is for us. We must also understand that
even in pain there is growth. If you cut a hole in the tree, it will grow around it. No matter what
may come in its way, a river will continue to flow. Similarly, no matter what grief may break your
heart, nature teaches us that life goes on.
(6) Keep in mind life isn’t about making lists and trying to be one step ahead of others. Life is to
live. Take a break-stop being a workaholic, and smell the roses, do whatever makes you feel
happy and most of all spend some time with nature to pick up invaluable lessons

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. 1x1
0
i. According to the author, what, from the following, is the greatest lesson being taught by 1
nature?
A. balanced in our emotions.
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 B. partial to joys in life.
C. afraid of unhappiness.
D. indifferent to fears.
ii. Select the option that suitably completes the dialogue with reference to paragraph II. 1
Jai: I’ve done well for myself in this school. I’m the best they have. I can get admission
anywhere. This is my moment! Sid: Congratulations! Just remember, we should
…………………………………….
A. become strong despite our weakness.
B. be kind and supportive towards everyone.
C. respect the origins from where we have grown.
D. nurture ourselves well from the beginning.
iii. Choose the option that best conveys the message in - ‘I am because we are.’ 1
A. Tigers are dependent on antelope
B. Antelope are dependent on tigers
C. Humans are dependent on animals
D. Everyone is dependent on each other
iv. What qualities do the birds and squirrels display when they warn others of possible 1
danger?
Choose one option from the following:
A. Observation skills and alertness.
B. Tendency to get easily frightened.
C. Selfless assistance to help others.
D. Determination to protect themselves.

v. Select the option with the underlined words that can suitably replace lurking (paragraph 1
IV).
A. The policeman pulled up the person who was wandering aimlessly through the city.
B. The thief knew that remaining hidden was the best strategy to avoid being caught.
C. The policeman was caught on camera while pouncing with force, to grab the fleeing
culprit.
D. The thief was walking boldly into the house thinking it was devoid of residents.
vi. A Portmanteau word like smog (smoke + fog), is a blend of words in which parts of 1
multiple words are combined into a new word.
From the options given below, select a Portmanteau word that appears in the para VI. A.
coexistence
B. workaholic
C. full-grown
D. flourish
vii. Select the qualities from paragraph III, that the author wants us to imbibe. 1
Being-
(1) acceptive
(2) passionate
(3) emotional
(4) resilient
(5) perceptive

A. (2), (4) and (5)

B. (1), (3) and (4)
C. (1), (4) and (5)

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 D. (3), (4) and (5)
viii. Which of the following is shown by the changing of seasons? 1
A. The beauty of nature.
B. Nature’s creativity.
C. All seasons are equal.
D. Nothing lasts forever.
ix. What does the writer advise, in paragraph VI? 1
A. Indulging in competition with others.
B. Making priority lists.
C. Taking life seriously.
D. Having free time for ourselves..

x. Choose the option that lists the quote best expressing the central idea of the passage. A. 1
Nature: She pardons no mistakes. Her yea is yea, and her nay, nay. -Ralph Waldo
Emerson
B. Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - A. Einstein C.
Nature never deceives us; it is we who deceive ourselves. -Jean Jacques Rousseau
D. All the ugliness of the world can best be forgotten in the beauty of nature! -Mehmet
Murat
II Read the passage given below. 10
1 The chart given below provides information about the amount of carbon emissions in different
countries during three different years (1975, 1990, and 2005).

2 The bar chart compares the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere of six countries,
including two of them coming from emerging nations, for three decades starting from 1975 until
2005
3 As an overall assessment, it can clearly be seen that only Germany and United Kingdom
managed to reduce the carbon emissions compared to the other countries
4 USA, being the number one polluter of all, emitted 1,200,000 thousand metric tonnes in 1975
and this count increased to 1,300,000 and 1,600,000 thousand metric tonnes in 1990 and 2005
respectively. In contrast, the carbon emissions of China was nearly 300,000 thousand metric
tonnes in 1975 and it rose by nearly 100% in 1990 and surged dramatically to just below
1,600,000 thousand metric tonnes in 2005. In terms of the percentage increase, China was the
largest contributor in carbon emissions of all.
5 The figures for Germany and the United Kingdom remained relatively stable throughout
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 the period of time, and so were for Canada until 1990. The carbon dioxide emissions in
India increased exponentially from around 100,000 in 1975 to just below 400,000
thousand metric tonnes in 2005.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
i The data given in the graph compares the amount of emission of _____. 1
A. Nitrogen
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Oxygen
D. None of these

ii Which country was the largest contributor in carbon emissions of all in year 2005 in terms 1
of percentage increase?
A. Germany
B. United Kingdom
C. (c ) United States
D. (d) China
1
iii. According to the passage, which country is the most polluting country?
A. India
B. China
C. USA
D. Germany
Which country has the lowest emission of CO2 in the graph? 1
iv. A. Germany
B. United Kingdom
C. Canada
D. India
v Which country has observed a dramatic rise over the years in CO2 emission? 1
A. India
B. China
C. USA
D. Germany

vi Which of the following countries reported gradual growth in reduction of global CO2 1
emission?
A. Germany and India
B. USA and China
C. The United Kingdom and USA
D. (d) Germany and The United Kingdom
vii Substitute the word ‘nearly’ with another word similar in meaning, in the following 1
sentence from paragraph 4:
“The carbon emissions of China was nearly 300,000 thousand metric tonnes in 1975 and
it rose...”
A. Exact
B. Almost
C. Seldom
D. Barely
viii What is meant by ‘surged ‘in paragraph 5? 1
A. Decreases

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 B. Increased
C. Stayed static
D. Reduced
ix In which year did the carbon emissions rise by nearly 100%? 1
A. 1975
B. 1990
C. 2005
D. None of the above

x What is the opposite of 1

‘exponentially’?
A. Rapidly
B. Gradually
C. Quickly
D. Clearly
III SECTION B –GRAMMAR
Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 10
i Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete an update on saving the 1
environment.

There is a vast industry which steadily ………………… at finding efficient solutions to the
plastic waste problem.

a) was working
b) will work
c) has worked
d) is working

ii Read the conversation between a policeman and a citizen. Complete the sentence 1
by reporting the dialogue between them.

Policeman: Did you see any suspicious-looking person around here?

Neighbour: I saw the thief myself.

When a policeman asked the neighbour if ……………………………………

he reported that he had seen the thief himself.

iii Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line from an environmental 1
magazine.

Over the past thirty years or so the quality of many people’s lives ……………………. In
some respect because of technological progress.

a) had worsened
b) have suffered
c) has deteriorated
d) was worse

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iv Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the 1
following line, from an article on philosophy.
‘These sights of disease, misery and death quite moved him that he at once became a
beggar and went out into the world to seek enlightenment concerning the sorrows he had
witnessed.

Option no. Error Correction

a) of about
b) quite so
c) into around
d) had witnessed witnessed

v Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option: 1

In the letter, the student has written that he …………………….. by some senior students
who threatened him with dire consequences, if he complains.

a) is being bullied
b) has been bullied
c) was bullying
d) will have bullied
vi Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given 1
portion of a letter:

Subject: Human dependence on technology.

Through this letter, I wish to highlight our excessive dependence on technology which
steadily but surely ………… (turn) us into slaves.

vii Report the dialogue between the captain of a team and a player by completing the 1
sentence:
Captain: Why don’t you want to play anymore?
Player: I think I have sprained my ankle.
The captain asked the player why he didn’t want to play anymore, to which the player
answered that ………………………………….. ankle.

viii Identify the error in the given sentence, from a school magazine report and supply 1
the correction.
The man went out for no other reason than to have the pleasure of feeling the rain over
his body, and when he returned, he was thoroughly wet

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

ix Anil shared some information, with Tariq, about a holiday on a cruise. Report 1
Tariq’s question.

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 Did you enjoy sailing the sea on a cruise?

x Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the last line in an 1
article on the rights of women published in a national daily.

Stand up for your rights because nobody else ………………….!

a) can
b) should
c) would
d) will

xi Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Shelly 1
and her friend Tanvi.

Shelly said to Tanvi, “Can you solve this particularly tough question in linear equations?”
Tanvi, “It would be a shame if I can’t because I have been taking tuition all summer
vacations.”

Shelly asked Tanvi if she could solve that particularly tough question in linear equations.
Tanvi answered that it would be a shame if she …………………………….. tuition all
summer vacations.
a) can’t because she had been taking
b) can’t because she has been taking
c) couldn’t because she had been taking
d) couldn’t because she was taking

xii Identify the error on a restaurant’s hoarding and supply the correction, for the 1
following:

To hot to cook? Let us cook for you!

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

IV SECTION B –CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS 10

All the names and addresses used in the questions are fictitious. Resemblance, if any, is purely
coincidental.
1. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5
A. Persons with Disabilities’ are entitled to equal opportunity and full independence in all
aspects of an inclusive society. To achieve this aim, the government of India launched a
special campaign called ‘Accessible India Campaign’ on 3rd December 2015. Write a
letter to the Editor of national daily expressing your views on the campaign. You are
Rohan/Rohini of Kamla Nagar, New Delhi.
(120 words)
.
OR

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B. You wish to install solar energy panels at your home and you have shortlisted the panels
manufactured by Luminous Power Technologies Private Limited,150, sector 44, Gurgaon,
Haryana. Write a letter to the Sales Manager of the company placing an order for 4 pieces
of their poly crystalline solar panels of 250 watts and 24 volts. (120 words)

2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.

A. The table below shows the average daily consumption of coffee and tea on weekdays by
six employees in a company. Study the information carefully and then write a paragraph
analyzing the data. Make comparisons and draw conclusions as appropriate.
(100-120 words)

Employee Coffee Tea Total no. of cups

AM PM AM PM Coffee Tea

Bhushan 0 0 2 2 0 4

Chaitali 1 2 0 0 3 0

Evan 1 1 1 1 2 2

Mahmood 0 0 2 3 0 5

Sukhwinder 2 0 0 2 2 2

Mohan 2 2 0 0 4 0

OR
B. Study the given histogram that shows the number of workers of a village corresponding to
different range of weekly wages (in thousands). Interpret the data and make a comparison
wherever relevant. (100-120 words)

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 SECTION C - LITERATURE 40
V Reference to the Context 10
1. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5
1.A Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because
I've never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I
nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Oh well,
it doesn't matter. I feel like writing, and I have an even greater need to get all kinds of
things off my chest.

Paper has more patience than people.' I thought of this saying on one of those days when
I was feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored
and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out. I finally stayed where I was, brooding:
Yes, paper does have more patience, and since I'm not planning to let anyone else read
this stiff-backed notebook grandly referred to as a 'diary', unless I should ever find a real
friend, it probably won't make a bit of difference.
(From the Diary of Anne Frank)

i. Why was writing in a diary a strange experience for Anne? 1

1. She had never written anything before.

2. She didn't know how to write.
3. Neither she nor anyone else would be interested in it.
4. She had to get it off her chest.

a) Option 1 and 4 only

b) Option 1 and 3 only
c) Option 2 only
d) Option 4 only

ii. When would Anne not let anyone else read her diary? 1
iii. Fill in the blank with ONE WORD only. 1
Anne decided to write the diary when she felt a bit …………….. .
iv. What according to the extract was the reason for Anne believing in her diary the most? 1
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 a) Diary was locked in the vault.
b) Diary had a password.
c) Diary would patiently listen to whatever she said.
d) She will not allow anyone to read it.

v. Select the option that correctly captures the application of the word 'depressed' as used in 1
the 6th line of the extract.

a) The place where he lived appeared depressed and desolate.

b) Helen was depressed after her result.
c) Little girl in the room felt depressed as her mom got late.
d) Depressed state of mind is not good.

OR
1.B His fingerprints, for he had opened the safe without gloves, were all over the room, and
no one believed him when he said that the wife of the owner of the house had asked him
to open the safe for her. The wife herself, a gray-haired, sharp-tongued woman of sixty,
said that the story was nonsense.

Horace is now the assistant librarian in the prison. He often thinks of the charming, clever
young lady who was in the same profession as he was, and who tricked him. He gets very
angry when anyone talks about 'honour among thieves’.
(A Question of Trust)
i. Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word 'charming' from 6th line of 1
the extract.

a) Scores of charming lakes lie in a row.

b) Charming are the ways of deceitful people.
c) You can be charming when you want to be
d) What a charming girl you are!

ii. Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text: 1

Socks: feet :: ______________ : hands

iii. Select the option that presents the reason for Horace's imprisonment. 1

a) Horace was a thief.

b) He had a heated argument with the lady.
c) The story narrated by him was a nonsense.
d) He was tricked by a lady from his own profession.

iv. According to the extract authorities did not believe in him, mention the reason. 1

1. His fingerprints were all over.

2. He was found with the booty with him.
3. The landlady had never asked him to open the safe.
4. His story was not accepted.

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 5. He was picked from the house.

Select the correct option.

a) 1 and 3
b) 3 and 4
c) Only 3
d) 1, 3 and 4

V Listing The narrator uses certain words and phrases in the given extract to Horace's 1
mental state.
Mention any two.

a. _________________________________
b. _________________________________

2 Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5

2.A
But if it had to perish twice
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
(Fire and Ice)
i Choose the CORRECT statement about the given poem. 1

a) Fire and ice are images-they help the readers visualise the power of nature over
man
b) Fire and ice are symbols-not of natural disasters, but of humanity's ability to create
disasters of its own.
c) Fire and ice are elements-not of Nature but man-made and possess the ability to
create havoc for mankind.
d) Fire and ice are agents-they change the thinking of mankind from negative to
positive and bring harmony.

ii. How is 'ice' sufficient for destruction? 1

a) 'Ice' symbolises hatred and hatred can destroy the world because it is blind.
b) 'Ice' symbolises toughness and that cannot get destroyed because it is too strong.
c) Ice' symbolises reason and reason is not balanced.
d) 'Ice' symbolises a cool head and a cool head does not respond to emotions.

iii. Complete the sentence given below. 1

The main idea of these lines is ___________________________________.

iv. The poet is making an appeal to us to 1

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 1. be more sensitive.
2. be more tough.
3. to believe in love and brotherhood.
4. fight wars with all our might.

a) 2 only
b) 2 and 4
c) 1 and 3
d) 2 and 4

v. 'But if it had to perish twice' 1

The poet thinks that the world will perish twice, first, _____________ and
then with------------------
OR
2.B
He stalks in his vivid stripes,
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
(A Tiger in the Zoo)

i. Which option correctly lists the reason for the tiger stalking the few steps of his cage"? 1

a) Animals tend to cover large distances and burn a lot of their energy by hunting for
prey, in their natural habitat. Zoos deprive them of such stimulation and they are
restless and bored.
b) ii) Animals are scared of visitors gazing at them in their unnatural surroundings.
Zoos are places where animals are far removed from the privacy of their natural
habitat.
c) Animals dislike human noises in the city and react to them aggressively. Zoos are
often located in cities or outskirts.
d) Animals require human love and care and miss this when in captivity. Zoos are
places where they walk around mechanically to attract human attention.

ii. The manner of the animal's walk is 1

a) quiet
b) sauntering
c) menacing
d) controlled

iii. In the line - He is in a 'quiet rage' the figure of speech used by the poet is 1
___________________________________________.

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iv. The main contrasting idea suggested by the extract is that of 1

a) strength and weakness.

b) nature and culture.
c) beasts and mortals.
d) confinement and freedom.

v. Find a synonym of 'stalks' in the extract. 1

VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each. 4*3
=1
2
i. ‘The field was white, as if covered with salt.’ This is how the field is described after the 3
hailstorm. The pelting hailstones could have been easily seen as sugar cubes. Do you
think comparing it with sugar would have been more appropriate? Why/Why not?
(A Letter to God)

ii. The 'fight or flight response', that is, to stay and face a situation or run from it - is an 3
automatic reaction to an event perceived as stressful or harmful. How would evaluate the
young seagull's response on finding himself off the ledge?

(His First Flight- Two Stories about Flying)

iii. The tiger in the poem 'A Tiger in the Zoo' has some obvious limitations, describe them in 3
contrast to its natural habitat.

iv Personal losses are a part and parcel of life. Instead of wailing on them, we should move 3
on in life. This message of Gautama Buddha has become more relevant in modern times.
Do you agree? Why/why not?
(The Sermon at Benares)
v Natalya was not Lomov's real love. But still, he wanted to marry her. Give two reasons for 3
his decision.
(The Proposal)
VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. 2*3
=6
i. "Stereotypes are often misleading." Elaborate on the given quote in the context of "The 3
Midnight Visitor".

ii. Based on the story, would it be fair to say that deception is a crucial aspect of robbery. Do 3
you agree? Why/Why not?
(A Question of Trust)
iii. Think-Tank assumes that the Earthlings are after him. Give any two reasons for the same. 3
(The Book That Saved the Earth)
VIII Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. 1*6
=6
i. Carl Sandburg and Carolyn Wells happen to meet each other during a conference and 6
discuss the treatment of animals in their respective poems based on their traits. (Fog &
How to Tell Wild Animals) They initiate a conversation. Frame the conversation in your
own way.
You may begin like this:
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 Carl: Hi, Carolyn, I really appreciated the poem How to tell Wild Animals composed by
you.
Carolyn: Same here, I think it is mutual admiration.

OR
ii. The poem 'Trees' appears to be about trees, environment, deforestation and afforestation. 6
On a deeper level, we discover that Adrienne Rich is expressing her concern about
women and their emancipation. Elaborate with reference to the poem.

IX Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. 1*6

=6
i. After reading Bholi's story, you decide to write your opinion on the importance of 6
educating the girl child and how it empowers her. Write a blog expressing your views.
(Bholi)
OR
ii. Read the following quote: 6

"We are too involved in materialistic things, and they don't satisfy us. The loving
relationships we have, the universe around us, we take things for granted."
-Mitch Albom

Matilda was never satisfied with her life and desired more. The given quote reflects her
character. Justify,
(The Necklace)

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