KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN, CHENNAI REGION

10ENG03 MS
PRE-BOARD-II EXAMINATION 2023-24
MARKING SCHEME (2023-24)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (Code No. 184)
CLASS-X
MAX.MARKS : 80 Time : 3 Hours

SECTION A: READING SKILLS (20 MARKS)

Note:
(i) 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
(ii) The Reading Section focuses on testing a candidate’s ability to comprehend.
(iii) Marks to be awarded only if the response reveals structure or semblance of coherent
thought rather than a transcribed chunk/exact line/s from the passage in an attempt to pass off
as a response.
1 Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below:
i Choose the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from the given quotes.
a) Feelings are just visitors. Let them come and go.
b) Feelings and emotions vary from person to person.
c) Never let your emotions, overpower your intelligence.
d)Your thoughts and emotions are yours alone.

Value Points Guidance

c) Never let your emotions, overpower your  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
intelligence.  There is no partial credit.

ii Identify the most likely tone of the writer in the line - “You have the ability to control
your emotions and mood.”
a) Sarcastic and absurd
b) Aggressive and indifferent
c) Appreciative and assertive
d) Humorous and amused

Value Points Guidance

c) Appreciative and assertive  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
 There is no partial credit.
iii Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks:
The author attempts to...........................the readers through this write-up.
a) guide
b) question
c) criticize
d) Rebuke

Value Points Guidance

a) guide  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
 There is no partial credit.
iv Supply one point to justify the following:
If you do not master your emotions responding to the heart, you are likely to become fickle
minded, stressful and anxious.
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 Value Points Guidance
If one fails to control emotions, it will lead to  Award 2 marks for the correct answer.
suggested mental ill-health.  Any relevant or valid answer can be
awarded marks.

v Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s(F) and opinion/s(O) of the students below:
a) Student A : I feel emotions are a crucial part of life.
b) Student B : Over stressed people indulge in intensive eating.
c) Student C : For me writing is a safe outlet to clean my emotions.
d) Student D : No doubt, emotions originate from your thoughts.

Value Points Guidance

F - b,d and O - a,c Award 2 marks for the correct answer.
vi Choose the option that gives the most appropriate response to the statement made by the
speaker:
“Manage your emotions and become their…”
a) I feel it is easy to dominate our emotions.
b) In my opinion, emotions are not capable of dominating us.
c) For me, Slavery to emotions affect social and mental well being.
d) I feel it will lead to a great disaster.

Value Points Guidance

c) For me, Slavery to emotions affect social and  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
mental well being.  There is no partial credit.
vii “It is more precious than all the wealth of the world.” What does ‘it’ refer to here?

Value points Guidance

Emotions  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
 Any relevant or valid answer can be
awarded marks.
viii Which of the following statements are NOT TRUE with regard to emotional detachment?
a) Believe in everything you think.
b) Mindful meditation can clear negative thoughts.
c) Emotional detachment is the result of a deliberate attempt.
d) Human brain is dominated with few positive thoughts.

Value points Guidance

a) and d) Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
2. Based on your understanding of the passage , answer the questions given below:
i Which among the following affirmed the efficacy of the Indian healing system?
a) Pop star Madonna used Ayurveda.
b) German TV actress Ingeborg Choener was a practitioner of Ayurveda.
c) Former Prime Minister, A.B.Vajpayee visited Kumarakon resort.
d) Super model Naomi Campbell came to Kerala for ayurvedic massage.

Value points Guidance

d) Super model Naomi Campbell came to Kerala  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
for ayurvedic massage.

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ii Match the personalities with their correct reference:
a) A.B. Vajpayee i) Completely cured of painful knee problem
b) Naomi Campbell and Took ayurvedic treatment for a nagging
ailment.
c) Ingeborg Choener ii) Felt relaxed after Ayurveda therapy
iii) Underwent ayurvedic massage session
A. a-ii,b-iii,c-i
B. a-iii,b- ii,c-i
C. a-i,b-iii,c-ii
D. a- iii,b-i,c-ii
Value points Guidance
A. a-ii,b-iii,c-i  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
iii Grading of Ayurvedic institution is beneficial. Give reasons.
Value points Guidance
 It will increase the quality of service.  Award 2 marks for the correct answer.
 It will ensure the credibility of the
service provider.
 Help people to identify appropriate
centres for their requirements.
iv Choose the statement which is TRUE about Santhigiri ashram …
a) It acts as a massage parlour.
b) Healthcare provider with recreation
c) It uses modern Ayurvedic treatment.
d) It does not have treatment for all ailments.
Value points Guidance
b) Healthcare provider with recreation  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
v Ayurveda, which dates back to 6000 BC, is not still outdated. Give reasons.
Value points Guidance
 the efficacy of the Indian healing system.  Award 2 marks for the correct answer.
 Ayurveda’s power to rejuvenate, detoxify
and cure, is a never ending one.
 From autism to Alzheimer’s from migraine
to diabetes, from physical disability to slip
disc, there is not a single problem that
Ayurveda does not have an answer for.
vi Select the option that correctly displays the meaning of ‘annoying’ in para 2.
a) Consoling b) comforting c) nagging d) relaxing
Value points Guidance
a) nagging  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
vii Pick out the genetic disease for which Ayurveda is an effective cure.
a) Typhoid b) Alzheimer’s c) small pox d) Dental problem

Value points Guidance

b) Alzheimer’s  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
viii These classifications ensure the credibility of service providers and the quality. What are the
steps taken by Kerala tourism to ensure credibility and quality?
Value points Guidance

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Kerala tourism has introduced the “Green Leaf”  Award 1 mark for the correct answer.
and “Olive Leaf” grading for Ayurvedic
institutions.
Green Leaf is given to those ayurvedic centres
which provide ‘five star’ facilities while ‘Olive
Leaf’ is for ‘Three star’ category.
3.SECTION B - GRAMMAR
Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions (1x10)
i. b) would have told 1

ii. Error Correction 1

would will
iii. Error Correction 1
b) have has
iv. a) would 1
v. to go to the Aheli Inn. 1
vi. b) must 1
vii. Error Correction 1
the an
viii. mentions 1
ix. John asked Lata how her experience with the snow was. 1
x. a) might 1
xi. c) Priya replied that it was a lovely thought but she did 1
not want anything for her birthday.
xii. much many
4. SECTTION -B CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS
Attempt ANY ONE from A and B GIVEN 5
BELOW: Marks
Letter A/B (Format-1 Content -2 Organization of ideas - 1 Accuracy -1)
Format Format -1 mark
Sender’s address, Date, Receiver’s Note- full credit if all aspects included.
address, Subject and Salutation and Partial credit (½ mark) if one-two aspects are
Subject, Letter, Complimentary close missing.
(largely accepted -Yours truly-editor Note for given descriptors - Dedicated marks
- Yours sincerely -formal/business ata level are to be awarded only if ALL
descriptors match. I f one or more descriptors
do not match, the marks are awarded at a
lower level.
4A Content - 2 marks
Gunjan  All points included; Well-developed
Pancham Nagar with sustained clarity.
46 Kings Road  1½ marks
New Delhi  Almost all points incorporated; reasonably
well-developed.
20 January 2024  1 mark
 Some points incorporated; Fair attempt
The Editor
at developing ideas with some impact on
The Herald
New Delhi clarity of response.
 1/2 mark
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Sub: Establishment of a free library for  Most of the points of the given task not
underprivileged children incorporated; Limited awareness of task
development.
Sir/Madam
4B
I am writing this letter to draw the attention of
the public and the concerned authorities to the Madhu
problems of underprivileged children of House No X
Panchim Nagar, New Delhi who are struggling ABC Street
to procure books for their studies as they live in Vadodara
slums. They are eager to study but they are Gujarat
unable to buy books due to their poor financial
condition. 20 January 2024
They can be helped by establishing a free
library in their locality. This will enable them to The Manager
continue their studies. Tourism Department
I hope the generous public and the concerned New Delhi
authorities would come forward to help these
children. Sub: Enquiry about pilgrimage to Mount Kailash
Kindly publish this letter in your esteemed
daily. Sir/Madam
Thank you,
Yours truly I am Madhu aged 16 from Vadodara, Gujarat. I am a
devotee of Lord Shiva. I would like to go on a
Sd
pilgrimage to Mount Kailash from March 5, 2024.
I came to know from newspaper that your
Gunjan
department is conducting pilgrimage to Mount
Kailash.

I would like to get details regarding the cost of the

pilgrimage per person, the duration of the
pilgrimage, health check facility, type of
accommodation available, articles required for
pilgrimage etc.

Kindly send the above details to my mail

madhu@xx.com at the earliest.

Thank you
Yours truly

Sd

Madhu

Organisation of ideas 1 mark - Consistent to frequent display of the

listed parameters.
 Highly effective style capable of
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 conveying the ideas convincingly with
appropriate layout of a formal letter viz
addresses, salutation, subscription and
ending.
 ½ mark - Limited display of listed
parameters.
 Inconsistent style, expression sometimes
awkward, layout barely accurate.
Accuracy 1 mark
 Spelling, punctuation and grammar
consistently/largely accurate, with
occasional minor errors, that do not impede
communication.
½ mark
 Spelling, punctuation and grammar display
some errors spread across, causing minor
impediments to the message
communicated.

No Credit
 Frequent errors in spelling, punctuation
and grammar, impeding
communication.

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5 ANALYTICAL PARAGRAPH WRITING
Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
Content -2 Organization of ideas - 2 Accuracy -1
NOTE FOR GIVEN DESCRIPTORS - Dedicated marks at a level are to be awarded only if
all descriptors match. If one or more descriptors do not match, the marks are awarded at a
lower level.
5A
The two pie charts depict the percentage of time spent on smart phones and tablets as per six
categories of software ranging from games to social networking, utilities and several others. It
is evident from the two pie charts that maximum time is spent on games in both smart phones
and tablets, that is, 35% and 57% respectively. Next comes social networking. 29% of time in
smart phones is used for this whereas only 15% of time is used in tablets for this software.
There is a big difference in the time spent on utilities. When 20% of time is spent for utilities
only 3% is used in tablets. When it comes to music and videos, tablets have greater share
(13%) than smart phones (8%). One area where both smart phones and tablets are similar is
the time spent on news. Both have a meagre share of 3% and 4% respectively. To conclude,
games take up a major share of time in both gadgets but in social networking and utilities
there is a wide difference in the time spent in smart phones and tablets.

5B
It is rightly said that character defines a person. In other words, a person is known by his
character. How is character developed in a person? The circumstances in which a person lives
play a major role in shaping his or her character. There is a saying, ‘One is known by the
company one keeps.’ A person’s character may be good or bad according to the circumstances
or surroundings a person lives. A person may have certain inherent qualities but if the external
influences are negative and too dominant, they will have an adverse impact on his or her
character. A child who grows up in a positive environment will develop a positive character.

Marking as per the Instructions given above.

SECTION C - LITERATURE
Reference to Context (10 marks)
6 Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 1x5=5
Marks
6A As she and her husband turned away in i. d. pushed and locked out - hysterical
terror, the extraordinary chair pushed ii. b. uncanny things happened there.
them both out of the room and then iii. superstitious.
appeared to slam and lock the door after iv. b.A:1 :B:3:C:4
them. Mr. Hall almost fell down the v. c. The sight of blood put the old man in
stairs in hysterics. She was convinced frenzy.
that the room was haunted by spirits
and that the stranger had somehow
caused these to enter into her furniture.

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 “Mr Poor Mother used to sit in that
Chair, “she moaned! To think it
should rise up against me now!The
feeling among the neighbours was
that the trouble was caused by
Witchcraft”.
6B “But please Stephen 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 got accustomed to it
was their own, when it happened that
……………. .
7 Answer ANY ONE of the two extracts given.
7A “Never shall a young man,
Thrown into despair
By those great honey-coloured
Ramparts at your ear
Love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair.”
7B An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy
As he stands rigid, trembling, sitting down.
All his young days into the harbour where
His ball bent I would not intrude on him,
A dime another ball, is worthless.
i. A. Lomov
ii. The peasants used the land given to them
for forty years in return for the bricks they
made for Lomov’s aunt’s grandmother.
After all these years they got
habituated/used to it. So they started to
treat the land as their own.
iii. 1.Lomov expected Chubhukov to be a
reasonable person and understand things.
iv. Temporary
v. Accustomed
1x5=5
i. c) 3 and 4
ii. Alliteration,
iii. Option c)
vi. They want to win the love of the young
woman.
v. Option a) Rapunzel let her hair down from
the ramparts of the fort she was kept in.
i. a
ii. He chose not to intrude as money can’t
replace the ball that he had lost (Any other
relevant answer)
iii. b (1 and 3)
iv. d – Life
v. c - Keeping a thought or feeling secret.

8 Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each 4x3=12
Value points Content
Bread is an important part of Goan life.
i Marriage gifts are meaningless without the
sweet bread known as the bol. A feast or a
party is incomplete and charmless without  Award 2 marks for inclusion of any
bread. While cakes and bolinhas are a must one impact with explanation.
for Christmas, the lady of the house prepares
sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s  Award 1 mark if the impact is listed
engagement. Everyone in the village loves with explanation
the fragrance of loaves. The elders are given
loaves and the children are given bread-  Expression -
bangles.  1 mark when both given aspects are
included.

 Answer organised effectively.

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 In the beginning Mijbil was aloof and
ii indifferent perhaps due to a new environment.  usage of words for effect-cause (due to,
But eventually, he warmed up the author. Mij as a result, owing to, therefore etc.)
loved to play in the water and once, he even  1/2 mark when either aspect is missing.
went to the bathroom and opened the tap on
his own to play in the water. Mij invented  Deduct 1/2 mark from the overall score if
many games of his own with a ping-pong ball, the error density is high (more than a
marbles, and even a broken suitcase. He total of 2 spellings and/or grammatical
would also jump and gallop the whole length
errors).
of the wall of a school.. These things show
that Mijbil was certainly an intelligent,
friendly, and fun-loving animal who needs
love. Note: Any other relevant answer may also
be accepted.
Difficulties tend to leave people hopeless and
shattered. It takes a lot of courage to
overcome any problem and to solve it. If we
take a clue from the poem and compare
iii difficulties to fog, we find that just like fog,
difficulties also come and go. One need not
be hopeless and lose courage when problems
come, one should rather think of it as fog,
meaning that it has not come to stay but will
always leave.

As a boy Mandela thought he was born

free. He believed that as long as he obeyed
his father and abided by the customs of his
tribe he was free in every possible manner.
iv He had certain needs as a teenager and then
certain needs as a young man. He slowly
understands that it is not just his freedom that
is being curtailed but the freedom of all
blacks. It is after attaining this understanding
that he develops a hunger for the freedom of
his people. Thus age and experience made
his perspective more wide.

The poem conveys an important message

v
that children should not be restricted from
their free thoughts and wishes. It becomes
the responsibility of the parents to bring up
their children in that their decisions are
respected.

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 It is true that children need
to be taught good manners and etiquette but
parents must also remember to give their
teenagers their personal space, ample time
to learn and enjoy their adolescent life.

9 Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each: 2x3=6
i Mrs Pumphrey was responsible for Tricki's Content -
Ailment. She overfed him with wine, cakes,  Award 2 marks for inclusion of any
cod liver oil, a bowl of Horlicks and many one impact with explanation.
things to eat and provided him a luxurious
life. Tricki was ready to eat at any time at  Award 1 mark if the impact is listed
any hour of the day. She didn't cut down his with explanation
food and didn’t give him proper exercises,
even after Herriot's advise. She told him that Expression -
the dog seemed to have no energy, so she fed  1 mark when both given aspects are
him more food. included.

In the context provided, Bholi's heart is  Answer organised effectively.

ii described as overflowing with this new hope
and new life, indicating a significant and  usage of words for effect-cause (due to,
positive shift in her outlook or circumstances as a result, owing to, therefore etc.)
When she went to school, her teacher  1/2 mark when either aspect is missing.
accepted her with love, encouraged her and
gave her confidence. Since nobody had ever
been nice to her before, she was very happy
and her heart overflowed with joy. This gave
her new hope and filled her soul with energy  Deduct 1/2 mark from the overall score if
and enthusiasm. the error density is high (more than a
total of 2 spellings and/or grammatical
Madame Forestier was shocked after hearing errors).
iii. Matilda’'s story because the necklace which
Madame Forestier gave her was a duplicate
one. When Matilda lost it, She bought a real Note: Any other relevant answer may also be
diamond necklace worth 36000 Francs for accepted.
Madame Forestier. Matilda had to lose
everything that she owned just to buy that
necklace.

10 Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (1x6=6)

Value points Content
i In today’s era, age is no more a barrier. Content :3 Expression: 2
Children are doing wonders at a very young Accuracy :1
age Same goes with Valli. At the age of 8  Sustained, clear, well-developed
years, Valli was able to pursue her dream all personal response to the task
alone by travelling in the bus to town. She
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was

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 no different from others, except that she had  Well-developed and justified
certain characteristics that made her fulfil her arguments/evidence provide.
dreams. She had knowledge of proper  Largely, a reasonably well-
planning and execution. She collected developed personal response to the
information about the bus timing and bus fare task.
in advance. She decided to ride the bus when  Clear justification with
her mother would take her afternoon nap. arguments/evidence provided 2
She curbed the temptation to buy sweets and marks
riding on the merry-go-round in the fair so  Fairly competent personal response to the
that she could save money for the bus ride. task
Also, she was a very good observer and  Justification with restricted
learner. Valli was a determined, confident arguments/evidence. 1
and brave girl. She also behaved confidently mark
in the bus and was not bogged down in the  Limited awareness of the task.
presence of elders.  Limited justification or
When the bus reached the town, Valli did relevant arguments /evidence
not succumb to the temptation of going on to 1/2
explore the town or having a drink. She did
this as she had a limited amount of money Note: Any other relevant answer may also
which she wanted to save for her return be accepted.
journey.
So, Valli used her money wisely. When
the conductor offered her a drink, she
showed good manners by refusing to have
it. All these qualities in her prove that age
is no more a barrier when it comes to
doing something different and great.

10 The tiger in, ‘A Tiger in the zoo’ is a pathetic

animal locked in a concrete cell in the zoo.
ii
The mighty and ferocious animal is put
behind the bars. There he stalks in the ‘quite
rage’ the length of his cage. He becomes just
a piece of entertainment for the visitor.But
he ignores them. At night from behind the
bars, he keeps staring at the brilliant stars
which only intensifies his loss of freedom.

On the contrary, the tiger in the poem ,’How

to tell wild animals’ is a very grand and
impressive animal. His hide is yellowish.
There are black stripes all over his body

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 He is free, confident,
graceful and ferocious. He is ready to pounce
upon its prey. He shows no mercy and jumps
at its prey at once. Thus, the former tiger is
the example of confinement whereas the
latter suggests the main contrasting idea of
freedom.

11A
The most successful people work smart, not hard. When the hardworking people sweat I out to reach the finishing line, the
smart ones reach there with minimum effort, using their wits. This is seen in the case of Horace Danby and the lady in red
dress in the story ‘A question of trust’. Danby planned the robbery meticulously. He observed the house for a few weeks,
located the key, neutralized the alarm, managed the dog and finally entered the house. He knew where the safe was located
and proceeded to take the jewels from there. Suddenly, there came a lad in red dress. From the way she talked and behaved,
Danby assumed her to be the lady of the house. He was desperate to escape from there and was ready to do anything to
please her. Hence when she took out a cigarette to smoke he removed his gloves and lit the cigarette for her. He believed her
story that she had forgotten the number of the safe for taking out the jewels form there. Danby opened the safe with his bare
hands and handed over the jewels to her and was relieved to escape from there. But two days later he was arrested for
robbery.. He came to know that the lady in red was another robber and she had fooled Danby very smartly.

11B
From his childhood, Ebright was very curious, observing the phenomena around him keenly. He started collecting
butterflies and studying about them. These traits had contributed to his evolution to become a great scientist. It was his
mother who encouraged his interest in science. She took him on field trips, bought telescopes, cameras, mounting materials,
and other equipment and helped him in many other ways. If he didn’t have anything to do she would find work for him. She
bought the book, ‘The travels of Monarch X’ which turned out to be a turning point in his study of butterflies. Thus we see
that when a child’s interest in science is spotted and encouraged in the right way it can lead to amazing results. Parents and
teachers have a great role in nurturing the curiosity in children and channelizing it in the right direction.

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