CBSE English X Sample Paper 3 Page 1

Sample Paper 3
Class X Exam 2022-23
English-Language and Literature (184)
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 question based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A- READING SKILLS 20 very important : in fact, a short drizzle can activate the
dry deposit without washing it away, and in this case
the pH of rain droplets is of secondary importance;
I. Read the passage given below. 10 on the other hand, showers supply abundant water
1. The problem of the conservation of historical which favours dissolution of the stone and removal of
monuments (statues, columns, ancient buildings) the solute, resulting in a thinning of the original rock.
requires an accurate study of the many environmental Another important factor is the dynamic regime (i.e.
agents which bring about the deterioration process laminar or turbulent) of the water flowing over the
and affect the actual rate of deterioration. Among the surface of the monument.
most active causes of weathering, we can cite : (i) the 5. In zones where the surface of marble or calcareous
weakening of the outer layer of the art work, which monuments is only wetted, but protected from run-
is caused by complex microphysical effects and is in off, black crusts (characterized by crystals of gypsum
particular due to wetting of the outer layer of the and calcite with carbonaceous particles embedded in
artwork (a comparison between the effects of rainwater the crusts) are formed. Zones subjected to heavy run-
and condensation is made); (ii) the chemico-physical off are also subjected to a thinning of the rock and
action of pollutants captured in both the dry and wet small authentic calcite crystals form that are white in
phase. appearance.
2. The destructive processes depend on many factors : 6. In the case of relatively unpolluted towns, where
the past history of the monument, the capture and marble and limestone sulphation is not the main cause
nature of the pollutants, and the frequency of some of the deterioration process, biological deterioration
microclimatic conditions, particularly those supplying mechanisms are often very important, due to the
the water necessary for chemical reactions. To this activity of epilithic and endolithic microflora and
end studies of diurnal and seasonal variations on the microfauna.
monument of both the heat wave and the fluxes of
moisture and energy are very important. 7. The case of particularly precious mortars, e.g.
murals or frescoes, is discussed in order to clarify the
3. Some of these processes have been shown with thermodynamic method proposed for the analysis of
microclimatic studies and microphysical investigation experimental campaigns. Finally actions are described
associated with mineralogic and chemical analyses that act on the causes and not only on the effects.
of samples of weathered material. Mathematical
models in some cases (especially for solar radiation Based on your understanding of the passage, answer
and temperature) permit physical simulation, the questions given below.
reconstruction of past data and extrapolation into the
future observation of many monuments from different i. List any two factors on which the destructive processes
epochs; situated at various sites, gives examples of the of historical monuments depend.
fundamental processes that are often associated with, 1. __________
or masked by, other effects. 2. __________
4. The main weathering processes are due to the ii. The problem of the conservation of historical
combined action of rainwater and atmospheric monuments requires :
pollutants (particularly the carbonaceous particles
(a) an understanding of the deterioration process.
due to combustion) deposited on the surface of the
monument. The way in which the surface is wetted is
Page 2 Sample Paper 3 CBSE English X

(b) an accurate study of the many environmental ix. State whether the following statement is TRUE or
agents. FALSE:
(c) an accurate assumption of effects of rainwater. When talking about weathering processes, the way in
(d) an understanding of the effects caused by the which the surface is wetted is very important.
chemico-physical action of pollutants. x. Substitue the word ‘weathering’ with ONE WORD
iii. The main weathering processes of the monument similar in meaning, in the following sentence from
are caused due to the deposition of _____ on the paragraph 4:
surface of the monument. The main weathering processes are due to the combined
action of rainwater and atmospheric pollutants...
(a) gypsum and calcite with carbonaceous particles
(b) the heat wave and the fluxes of moisture and
energy II. Read the passage given below. 10
(c) pollutants which weaken the art work 1. The ocean is one of the most unexplored parts of our
(d) the combined action of rainwater and atmospheric planet, with a magnitude of undiscovered species and
pollutants mysteries. It turns out from the studies conducted over
the last few decades, this magnificent environment is
iv. What favours the dissolution of the stone and removal under serious threat from human intervention, with
of the solute, resulting in a thinning of the original plastics set to outnumber fish by 2050.
rock? 2. Marine life, as we know it, is suffering irreparable
damage from the chemical pollution of the waters and
v. To understand the destructive process of a monument
the millions of tons of mismanaged waste dumped in
it is very important to study the :
the oceans each year. The result is a planetary crisis
(a) moisture deposited on the monument yearly. with over 100 million marine animal’s lives get lost
(b) understand the variations of heat affecting the every year, and the decay of the ocean’s ecosystem.
monument.
(c) diurnal and seasonal variations on the monument. Shocking Ocean Pollution Statistics:
(d) fluxes of energy experienced by the monument. • 100 melon marine animals die each year from plastic
waste alone.
vi. Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option. • 100000 marine animal die from getting entangled in
Zones that experience _____ are also subjected plastic yearly - this is just the creatures we find.
to a thinning of the rock and small authentic calcite • 1 in 3 marine mammal species get found entangled in
crystals form that are white in appearance on the litter, 12-14000 tons of plastic are ingested by North
Pacific fish yearly.
monument.
• In the past 10 years, we’ve made more plastic than
(a) extreme air pollution the last century. By 2050, the pollution of fish will be
(b) acid rainfall outnumbered by our dumped plastic.
(c) harsh winds • The largest trash site on the planet is the Great
(d) heavy run-off Pacific Garbage Patch, twice the surface area of Texas,
it outnumbers sea life there 6 to 1.
vii. Which of the following will be the most appropriate • Chine is ranked #1 for mismanaged waste and
title of the passage ? plastics. However, the US is in the top 20 with a more
significant waste per person contributions.
(a) Deterioration Process of Historical Monuments
• 300 Million tons of plastic gets created yearly, and this
(b) Monuments and their Deteriorations weighs the same as the entire human population, and
(c) The Legacy of Monuments 50% is single-use only.
(d) The Science of Deterioration • There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waster
estimated to be in our oceans. 269000 tons float, 4
viii. Complete the following analogy correctly with a billion microfibers per km2 dwell below the surface.
word/phrase from paragraph 2: • 70% of our debris sinks into the ocean’s ecosystem,
tree : sap :: hydrant : _____ 15% floats and 15% lands on our beaches.
(Clue : Just like a tree is a source of sap, similarly a • In terms of plastic, 8.3 million tons are discarded
hydrant is a source of...) in the sea yearly. Of which, 236000 are ingestible
microplastics that marine creatures mistake for food.
CBSE English X Sample Paper 3 Page 3

• Plastics take 500-1000 years to degrade; currently (b) garbage

79% is send to lands or the oceans, while only 9% is (c) plastics
recycled, and 12% gets incinerated. (d) human waste
• 1950-1998 over 100 nuclear blast tests occurred in our
oceans. iii. The largest trash site on the planet, the Great Pacific
• 500 marine locations are now recorded as dead zones Garbage Patch, is twice the size of which city?
globally, currently the size of the United Kingdom’s (a) Arizona
surface (245000 km2)
(b) Florida
• 80% of global marine pollution comes from agriculture
runoff, untreated sewage, discharge of nutrients and (c) Colorado
pesticides. (d) Texas
• 90% of the worldwide ocean debris comes from 10
rivers alone. iv. Which country is ranked number one for mismanaged
waste and plastics?
3. Almost 1,000 species of marine animals get impacted v. Which of the following is not a place from where 80%
by ocean pollution, and we now have over 500 of global marine pollution comes?
locations recorded as dead zones where marine life
(a) agriculture run-off
cannot exist. How did this happen, what is causing
the most damage, find out everything above in the (b) untreated sewage
marine pollution statistics round-up. (c) discharge of nutrients and pesticide
4. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a floating island (d) factory waste disposal
of debris, accumulated in the North Pacific Ocean by
vi. State whether the following statement is TRUE or
an extensive system of currents called gyres. It is built
FALSE:
up from two other waste patches, the western garbage
patch near Japan and the eastern garbage patch near 700 marine locations are now recorded as dead zones
America’s west coast near California and Hawaii. globally.
5. The North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone vii. Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option:
links the east and western garbage patches, acting as An extensive system of currents in the North Pacific
a highway for waste to move from one to the other. Ocean is called _____.
Because of this, a small item of debris dropped near
(a) debris
California can travel across to Japan, then eventually
get sucked up by these swirling garbage patch vortexes. (b) vortex
(c) convergence
6. The great pacific garbage patch size is quite shocking.
These patches of trash are said to be twice the (d) gyres
size of Texas and float on the surface but do drop
viii. Substitute the word ‘irreparable’ with ONE WORD
several meters into the ocean in places, which makes
similar in meaning, in the following sentence from
the correct size challenging to measure. The world’s
paragraph 2:
largest garbage site is mainly made up of microplastics
Marine life, as we know it, is suffering irreparable
creating a vast cloud, with newer items of debris that
haven’t broken down as much floating around like damage from the chemical pollution of the waters...
chunks in a soup. The great pacific garbage patch ix. Choose an option that is an antonym of the word
effects on marine life are extremely significant. ‘unexplored’ ?
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer (a) known
the questions given below. (b) undiscovered
(c) irrelevant
i. Infer one reason for the following, based on information
in paragraph 5: (d) unimportant
A small item of debris dropped near California can x. Based on your understanding of the text, list 2 reasons
travel across to Japan. for the following:
ii. According to the passage, what is set to outnumber Marine life is suffering from irreparable damage.
the fish in the ocean by the year 2050? 1. __________
2. __________
(a) pollution
Page 4 Sample Paper 3 CBSE English X

III. SECTION B- GRAMMAR 10 vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word
in the bracket.
Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 10 Many a student _____ (try) hard to pass his
entrance exam.
i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to
complete the sentence. vii. Report the dialogue between Gardener and Dev, by
The bridge is being _____ at the moment so it completing the sentence :
can’t be used. Gardener: Did you water the plant today?
Dev: No, but I will, today.
(a) repaired
Gardener: Then tomorrow I will get a sapling of
(b) repairing
sunflower.
(c) repair
(d) repairs The Gardener asked Dev if he had watered the plant
that day. Dev replied negatively but said he would
ii. Read the conversation between Raman and Anitha. that day. Then the gardener said that _____
Complete the sentence by reporting Anitha’s reply
correctly. viii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the
Raman : What’s the matter, Anitha? correction.
Anitha : Oh, nothing. You cannot help me. I only Diwali, well known as the festival of lights, is a festival
want that blue umbrella. that is celebrate in almost all parts of India.

Raman asked Anitha what the matter was. She Use the given format for your response.
replied that it was nothing and he could not help her
as _____ Error Correction

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the
given line.
ix. Transform the following direct speech into reported
_____ I suggest a slight change in your plan ? speech:
(a) May The beggar said to the old man, “Can you tell me the
(b) Would way to the nearest temple?”
(c) Must
x. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
(d) Will
You have a large number of shirts. You _____ buy
iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies any more.
the correction for the following line: (a) need not
The people of India show remarkable unity at the (b) can not
time of Kargil Conflict. (c) would not
Option No. Error Correction (d) should not

(a) time times xi. Rohit and Rajat are discussing their plans for the
(b) conflict conflicts weekend. Complete the dialogue below by choosing
the correct option.
(c) show showed Rohit : How do you like the idea of going to the zoo?
(d) The A Rajat : That sounds good, But I _____ my parent’s
permission.
v. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank (a) needs to take
with the correct option : (b) need not to take
When I was a child, I _____ to school everyday
(c) needs not to take
instead of going by cycle.
(d) need to take
(a) walked
(b) have been walking xii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the
(c) had walked correction.
At the age of seventeen, Galileo know that he had
(d) have walked
CBSE English X Sample Paper 3 Page 5

discovered an important law- a law of a pendulum. Or

Use the given format for your response. B. Study the concept chart from a recent study by WHO
that has described some positive effects of quitting
Error Correction smoking.

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. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper highlighting
the problem of traffic jam near Chinpumi Temple
Crossing and suggesting some remedy for it.

Or
B. You are Neelam/Rakesh, Store Incharge Diksha
Stores, 32/54, Rajeev Nagar, Delhi. Your school
requires school bags and accessories in bulk for the
commencement of the new session. Write a letter of
inquiry to the Sales Manager, Sky Bags Industries
Ltd. 15/3, Ravi Nagar, Delhi enquiring about the
details of goods manufactured.

2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. The two maps below show an island, before and after
the construction of some tourist facilities. Write an
analytical paragraph in 100-120 words by selecting and Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words,
reporting the main features, and making comparisons analysing the given information.
where relevant.

SECTION C- LITERATURE 40

V. Reference to the Context 10

1. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5

1.A “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)
Page 6 Sample Paper 3 CBSE English X

i. ‘Paper has more patience than people.’ What does wrote for magazines - a queer way to make a living!
this imply? (The Thief ’s Story)

ii. Pick out the emoticon which clearly brings out the i. Complete the following with a phrase from extract:
meaning of ‘listless’ as used in the extract?
Opinion Reason
_______ Anil received money
intermittently.

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) ii. The information in the extract suggests that Anil
could be a
(a) Option (i)
(a) salaried professional
(b) Option (ii)
(b) freelancer
(c) Option (iii)
(c) business man
(d) Option (iv)
(d) volunteer
iii. Infer one reason for the following, based on information
in extract: iii. Complete the following analogy correctly with a
word/phrase from extract:
Anne doesn’t plan to let anyone else read her diary.
lose : find :: lend : _____
iv. If the diary were a ‘real friend’, what qualities would (Clue : Just like lose is antonym of find, similarly lend
Anne expect it to have? is antonym of...)
Pick the option that lists these correctly.
1. optimistic iv. The reference to making a little money ‘this way’
refers to a way that is viewed by most people as
2. good listener
3. confidant (a) sensible
4. energetic (b) inappropriate
5. non-judgemental (c) charitable
6. outgoing (d) Aggressive
7. ambitious
v. Based on your understanding of Anil in the extract,
(a) 1 and 4
choose the option that synchronises with his thinking.
(b) 5, 6 and 7
(a) So what if I don’t have much money? Giving it to
(c) 2, 3 and 5 that person is important as they could do with a
(d) 3 and 7 helping hand.
v. Pick out the sentence that brings out the meaning of (b) I better learn how to protect my money. I think
‘brooding’ as used in the extract? I’m being looted.
(a) The mysterious house on the hill is still brooding (c) I earn money with such tremendous effort. Where
above the village. does it all go?
(b) The people at the stock market always keep (d) When I become rich, I can begin to help friends
brooding about the gains. then. Right now, I will spend only on myself.
(c) He was brooding over the matter and took a long
time to decide. 2. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5
(d) Suspense and drama were brooding at the site of
2.A Some say the world will end in fire
the investigation.
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
Or
I hold with those who favour fire.
1.B I think he knew I made a little money this way but he (Fire and Ice)
did not seem to mind. Anil made money by fits and
i. Which literary device has been used in ‘I hold with
starts. He would borrow one week, lend the next. He
those who favour fire’ ?
kept worrying about his next cheque, but as soon as
(a) Simile
it arrived, he would go out and celebrate. It seems he
CBSE English X Sample Paper 3 Page 7

(b) Assonance (d) He wore make up

(c) Alliteration
v. Fill in the blank with ONE WORD only.
(d) Enjambment
All other pets were _____ to the dragon.
ii. How many predictions does the poet make for the
ending of the world? VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50
words each. 4 # 3 = 12
iii. What does ‘Fire’ symbolise according to the poet?
(a) Desire i. What was the effect of hailstones on Lencho’s crop ?
(b) Avarice (A Letter to God)
(c) Greed ii. Young seagull tried to fly but he could not. Why was
(d) All of these he afraid to fly ?
(Two Stories About Flying)
iv. State whether the following statement is TRUE or
FALSE: iii. Why should the tiger snarl around houses at the edge
People think that the world is a beautiful place to of the forest ?
live in. (A Tiger in the Zoo)
v. What is the poet’s opinion about the world? iv. What makes Chubukov misunderstand the purpose of
(a) The poet feels that a man should fulfil all his Lomov’s visit?
desires. (The Proposal)
(b) He think that we should control our growing
v. “Money is external”. What does the poet mean by
desires.
this expression taken from ‘The Ball Poem’ ?
(c) He feels that we should live life to the full.
(d) He says that one should live the life of an ascatic.
VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50
Or words each. 2#3 = 6

2.B Belinda tickled him, she ticked him unmerciful, i. How did Ausable befool Max about the balcony?
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him (The Midnight Visitor)
Percival, ii. Griffin’s brilliance as a man of science fades before his
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon darker traits. Comment.
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon. (Footprints Without Feet)
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
iii. What does Noodle tell Think-Tank about the books?
i. Who was tickled by Belinda?
(The Book that Saved the Earth)
ii. Why did she tickle ‘him’ ?
(a) To make him happy VIII Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120
(b) To bite him words. 6
(c) To make fun of him
i. Gotami comes to Buddha praying to him to revive
(d) To mistreat him her dead son. Buddha asks her to bring a handful of
mustard seeds from a house where no one has lost a
iii. Who are Ink, Blink and Mustard?
child, husband, parent or friend. Through this simple
(a) Belinda’s friend act, Buddha communicates the most profound truth of
(b) Belinda’s pet life, not only to Gotami but also to the whole mankind.
(c) Belinda’s neighbour What is the truth that Buddha communicates? What
(d) None of these lesson does Gotami learn? What changes would
take place in a common man’s life if that truth is
iv. Why did they all laugh at ‘him’ ? understood?
(a) He was a coward (The Sermon at Benares)
(b) He was childish
(c) He was too ugly
Page 8 Sample Paper 3 CBSE English X

Or
ii. “Difficulties do come in our lives, but they are not
there to stay forever.” Comment on this statement
with reference to the poem ‘Fog’ by Carl Sandburg.

IX Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120

words. 6
i. Albert Einstein said, ‘The important thing is to never
stop questioning.’ Richard was a genius who proved
this quote true. Justify.
(The Making of a Scientist)

Or
ii. Give a brief character sketch of Mrs. Pumphrey. What
values are reflected through her character ?
(A Triumph of Surgery)


CBSE English X Sample Paper 4 Page 1

Sample Paper 4
Class X Exam 2022-23
English-Language and Literature (184)
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 question based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A- READING SKILLS 20 options for chat boxes, instant messaging, and other
forms of communication as well.
I. Read the passage given below. 10 5. Let’s not forget about email here either. Since the
1. The modern classroom has taken several steps forward 1990s when this technology option came into the
in its evolution of the learning environment in the classroom, it created more reliability in messaging
past 25 years. Many of the benefits that we have seen between teachers and parents should there be a need
in this setting are due to the introduction of new to talk.
technology options for students. Instead of having 6. Technology also creates new ways to learn for today’s
a single computer for a class to use or a laboratory student. There are three critical forms of intelligence
environment for the entire school placed in one room, that we see in children today : emotional, creative, and
we can now help students learn at their table or desk instructional. The traditional classroom environment,
with items issued to them directly. Thus, there are which typically encourages lecture-based lessons,
quite a lot of advantages of having technology in focuses more on the latter option. Standardized tests
classrooms. and similar ranking tools do the same. When children
2. Technology helps children to stay motivated during have access to technology today, then those who excel
the learning process. Most students don’t like to go outside of the standard learning setup can still achieve
to school if they feel like they are wasting their time. their full potential.
When there is technology allowed in the classroom, 7. Technology allows children to embrace their curiosity
then teachers have an opportunity to let children work in multiple ways. They can try new things without
at a pace which suits them the best without disturbing embarrassment because their tech access gives them
others. They can look up additional information a level of anonymity. This process allows children to
about a subject they are learning about that day, play work, through trial-and error if they wish, to see if a
educational games that reinforce the lesson, or work different strategy helps them to learn more effectively.
on advanced material using a program.
8. It even encourages students to stay engaged with
3. Because many of today’s technology options allow their learning environment. Children get bored very
students to see how well they are doing compared to easily when they feel like they already know what is
the average of all users, it gives them a chance to being taught in their classroom. Some children will
push harder for themselves and their education. Many transform into mentors or leaders in this situation
of the programs that encourage learning also issue to help their fellow students, but there are many
rewards or award certificates, which helps to make more who disengage because they lack stimulation.
the lessons fun as well. By introducing technology to the classroom, there
4. Technology encourages more communication between are fewer places where repetitive learning must take
teachers and parents. When there is technology in place. Teachers can introduce new subjects, try new
the classroom, then there are more opportunities for techniques, or use different projects to encourage
parents and teachers to connect with each other. Using ongoing learning, which creates more overall
a blog for the classroom can help parents get to see engagement.
what their children are learning each day. Apps and Based on your understanding of the passage, answer
software options allow teachers to instantly report on
the questions given below.
a child’s behaviour to let parents know in real-time
what is happening throughout the day. There are
Page 2 Sample Paper 4 CBSE English X

i. Most children don’t like to go to school if : Children can try new things with the help of technology
(a) they don’t understand what is being taught in without embarrassment.
class.
ix. State 1 method through which technology encourages
(b) they feel like they are wasting their time. more communication between teachers and parents.
(c) they find class too boring.
(d) they can get away with it. x. Technology helps children to see if a different strategy
helps them to learn more effectively through :
ii. Supply one advantage of having a technology that (a) hard work and diligence.
allows students to see how well they are doing (b) trial and error method.
compared to the average of other students.
(c) advanced software programs.
iii. Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks: (d) strategies and lessons.
Technology allows children to embrace their _____
in multiple ways. II. Read the passage given below. 10
(a) intelligence 1. In addition to using libraries and visiting art museums,
(b) hard work historic site visitation is another common form of
(c) curiosity public engagement with the humanities. According to
the National Endowment for the Arts’ Survey of Public
(d) passion
Participation in the Arts (SPPA). the percentage of
iv. State whether the following statement is TRUE or people making at least one such visit fell steadily from
FALSE. 1982 to 2012, before rising somewhat in 2017. Visits
Technology creates new ways to learn for today’s to historic sites managed by the National Park Service
student. (NPS) were substantially higher in 2018 than 1980,
despite a decline in recent years.
v. Based on your reading of the text, list 2 ways through In 2017, 28% of American adults reported visiting a
which technology helps children to stay motivated historic site in the previous year. This represented an
during the learning process. increase of 4.4 percentage points from 2012 but a decrease
1. __________ of 8.9 percentage points from 1982. The bulk of the decline
2. __________ in visitation occurred from 2002 to 2008.
The recent increases in visitation rates were statistically
vi. The three critical forms of intelligence that we see in significant for the 35-44- and 45-54-year-old age groups 1.
children today are : The larger change was found among 35-to-44-year-olds,
I. motivational whose visitation rate increased 8.7 percentage points.
II. creative Despite the increase from 2012 to 2017 for these groups,
there was a net decline in historic site visitation since
III. instructional 1982 for Americans of virtually all ages. Only among
IV. competitive the oldest Americans (age 75 or older) was the rate of
V emotional visitation higher in 2017 than 35 years earlier.
(a) I, II and III From 1982 to 2017, the differences among age groups with
(b) II, III and IV respect to rates of historic site visitation decreased. For
example, in 1982, the rate of visitation among 25-to-34-
(c) II, III and V
year-olds (the group most likely to visit a historic site
(d) I, IV and V in that survey) was approximately 11 percentage points
higher than that of the youngest age group (18-to-24-
vii. Who is a mentor ? year-olds). and more than 17 points higher than that of
(a) someone who gives someone help and advice people ages 65-74. By 2017, however, the visitation rate of
related to something 25-to-34-year-olds had dropped to within five percentage
points of the younger cohort and was virtually identical of
(b) someone who leads someone to become a better that for the older group.
person
(c) someone who helps someone in their time of need 2. While visitation rates are converging among the
(d) someone who provides a better learning standard age cohorts, the differences by level of educational
attainment are still pronounced. In 2017, as in earlier
viii. Infer one reason for the following, based on information years, the visitation rate among college graduates
in paragraph 7. was more than twice as high as the rate among those
CBSE English X Sample Paper 4 Page 3

who finished their studies with a high school diploma (c) 2016
(43% as compared to 17%). Among those who did not (d) 2017
finish high school, visitation rates were below 10%
throughout the 2008-2017 time period. Conversely, iv. Based on your reading of the text, list 2 historical
among Americans with a graduate or professional memorial in America?
degree, visitation rates were in the vicinity of 50% 1. __________
during these years. Data from the National Park 2. __________
Service (NPS) indicate the types of historical sites
visited most and also the demands made of these v. The number of historical sites visits fell in every
sites’ physical infrastructure and staff. Visits to NPS category from the year 2016 to the year 2018, with
historic sites rose from approximately 59.5 million the largest decline occurring at :
in 1980 to almost 112 million in 2018. Throughout (a) the national monuments.
this time period, visits to historic sites constituted (b) the archaeological sites.
approximately a third of total NPS recreational
(c) the art museums.
visitation.
(d) the memorial sites.
3. Since hitting a recent low in visits in 1995, total visits
to historic sites of all types increased 58% to a high vi. Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks.
of 120.3 million in 2016, before falling 7%, to 111.9 Though the visitation rates are converging among the
million visits in 2018. age groups, the differences by the level of _____ are
4. Much of the recent growth in visits to historic still pronounced.
sites occurred among parks classified as national (a) employment attainment
memorials and was driven by a particularly high (b) gender category
level of visitation at sites that did not exist in 1995,
(c) international visitation
such as the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (3.3
million visitors in 2018), the Martin Luther King, Jr. (d) educational attainment
Memorial (3.6 million visitors), and the World War II
vii. The rate of visitation among 25-34 year olds was
Memorial (4.7 million visitors). As a result, visits to
approximately _____ points higher than that of
national memorials increased more than 300% from
the youngest age group i.e. 18-24 year olds.
1995 to 2016, even as the number of sites increased
just 26% (from 23 to 29). In comparison, visits to (a) 11 percentage
national monuments increased only 3%, even as the (b) 13 percentage
number of sites in the category increased by 9% (from (c) 15 percentage
64 to 70). From 2016 to 2018, the number of visits fell (d) 17 percentage
in every category, with the largest decline occurring at
the memorial sites (down 10%), and the smallest drop viii. Complete the following analogy correctly with a
at national monuments (3%). word/phrase from paragraph 2.
general : ______ :: mythical : _____
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer
(Clue : Just like general is an antonym for particular,
the questions given below.
similarly mythical is an antonym for...)
i. Which of the following is not a common form of public
ix. In earlier years the visitation rate among college
engagement with the humanities.
graduates was more than twice as high as the rate
(a) visiting public memorials among those :
(b) visiting art museums (a) who were employed individuals.
(c) using libraries (b) who had a graduate or professional degree.
(d) historic site visitation (c) who finished their studies with a high school
ii. Which age group had a higher rate of visitation to diploma.
historic sites in 2017 than 35 years earlier in America? (d) who did not finish high school.

iii. After the year 1995, total visits to historic sites of all x. In America most of the _____ in visitation of
types increased 58% in the year _____. historic sites occurred from the year 2002 to the year
(a) 2014 2008.
(b) 2015 (a) decline
Page 4 Sample Paper 4 CBSE English X

(b) increase Option No. Error Correction

(c) diverging
(a) some a lot of
(d) converging
(b) will should
xi. State whether the following statement is TRUE or
(c) think thinks
FALSE.
Data from the National Park Service (NPS) only (d) was were
indicate the types of historic sites visited most.
v. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank
xii. Substitute the word ‘classified’ with ONE WORD with the correct option :
similar in meaning, in the following sentence from Had the police not reached there in time, the bandits
paragraph 4: _____ him.
Much of the recent growth in visits to historic sites (a) did have killed
occurred among parks classified as national memorials
(b) will have killed
and...
(c) would kill
(d) would have killed
III. SECTION B- GRAMMAR 10 vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word
in the bracket.
Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 10
The level of intoxication _____ (vary) from subject
i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to to subject.
complete the sentence.
vii. Report the dialogue between Buddha and his disciple,
The higher you go, the more difficult it _____ to
by completing the sentence :
breathe.
Buddha : Honesty is the best policy.
(a) had become Disciple : Does honesty always pay?
(b) becomes Buddha : It may or may not, but at least you will
(c) is becoming never feel guilty.
(d) became
Buddha in his preaching said that honesty is the best
ii. Read the conversation between Abhishek and policy. A disciple asked him if honesty always pays.
Inspector. Complete the sentence by reporting Buddha replied that _____
Abhishek’s reply correctly.
Abhishek : I have lost my wallet. viii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the
Inspector : How did you lose it? correction.
Abhishek : My pocket was picked. Neil Alden Armstrong was an American astronaut
and aeronautical engineer, and the first person to
Abhishek reported to the inspector that he had lost walking on the Moon.
his wallet. The inspector asked him how he had lost
it. Abhishek replied that _____ Use the given format for your response.

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the Error Correction
given line.
I _____ go on with the work, cause what may.
(a) may ix. Transform the following direct speech into reported
(b) will speech:
(c) shall I said to my friend, “Can I borrow your dictionary for
(d) can one day ?”

iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies x. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to
the correction for the following line: complete the sentence.
I don’t think there will be a severe shortage of usable We _____ eat lots of fruit and vegetables every
water because there was some rain fall yesterday. day.
(a) ought to
CBSE English X Sample Paper 4 Page 5

(b) may 100-120 words by selecting and reporting the main

(c) can features, and making comparisons where relevant.
(d) could

xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of

the dialogue between Garima and Karan.
Garima : So, after a decade in the industry, are you
truly ‘satisfied’ ?
Karan : I love the film industry. It has its flaws though.

Garima asked Karan if after a decade in the industry

he was truly ‘satisfied’. Karan told her that _____
although it had its flaws.
(a) he loved the film industry
(b) I loved the film industry Or
(c) I love the film industry B. “The ban on single-use plastic is impractical.
(d) he loves the film industry The purpose of articles like bags and packaging is
ultimately to make human life easier. Plastic articles
xii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the
do this well, so they shouldn’t be banned.”
correction.
Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words to
Our defence academies are better than that of
analyse the given argument. You could think about
Afghanistan.
what alternative explanations might weaken the given
Use the given format for your response. conclusion and include rationale/evidence that would
strengthen/counter the given argument.
Error Correction

SECTION C- LITERATURE 40
IV. SECTION B- CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS 10
V. Reference to the Context 10
All the names and addresses used in the questions are
fictitious. Resemblance, if any, is purely coincidental. 1. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5

1. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5 1.A That evening, after I’d finished the rest of my
homework, the note about the essay caught my eye.
A. You are Tushar Mathur of D-95, Sindhu Nagar, I began thinking about the subject while chewing
Jaipur. Write a letter to the General Manager of the the tip of my fountain pen. Anyone could ramble on
Jaipur Transport Undertaking complaining about the and leave big spaces between the words, but the trick
local bus service. was to come up with convincing arguments to prove
Or the necessity of talking. I thought and thought and
suddenly I had an idea. I wrote the three pages Mr.
B. You are Anita/Amit, the student prefect and incharge Keesing had assigned me and was satisfied. I argued
of the school library. You have been asked to place an that talking is a student’s trait and that I would do
order for textbooks on Mathematics. Write a letter my best to keep it under control, but that I would
to M/s Good Marks (P) Ltd., 8A/1, Ansari Road, never be able to cure myself of the habit since my
Daryaganj, New Delhi placing an order for the books. mother talked as much as I did if not more, and that
Invent the necessary details. there’s not much you can do about inherited traits.
2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5 (From the Diary of Anne Frank)

A. The graph below shows the number of visitors to two i. What is the main feature of an essay according to
different tourist attractions in the city of Grenby during Anne?
one particular week. Write an analytical paragraph in
Page 6 Sample Paper 4 CBSE English X

ii. Anne’s argument about talking was that: iii. It can be inferred from the extract that a secret agent
(a) talking is a fundamental right is expected to be
(b) talking is a student’s trait 1. fit.
2. compassionate.
(c) talking is a birth-right
3. apologetic.
(d) talking is a duty
4. suave.
iii. Anne would never be able to cure herself of this habit 5. violent.
since: (a) Option 1, 3 & 5
(a) her mother also talked much (b) Option 1 & 4
(b) her father also talked much (c) Option 2, 4 & 5
(c) her grandma also talked much (d) Option 2 & 3
(d) her grandpa also talked much
iv. Based on your reading of the extract, list one reason
iv. The word ‘trait’ means: for the following:
(a) a particular quantity Fowler was disappointed by Ausable when he met
(b) a particular quality him.
(c) a particular touch v. Choose the option that lists the CORRECT statements
(d) a particular lesson about the given passage.
1. Fowler had no expectations at all from Ausable.
v. Complete the following with a phrase from extract: 2. Fowler was elated when he met Ausable.
Opinion Reason 3. Ausable was living in France as a spy.
4. Ausable had acquired the French accent over
__________ to attract attention twenty years ago.
(a) 1, 2
Or (b) 3, 4
1.B Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent (c) 1, 3
Fowler had ever read. Following him down the musty (d) 2, 4
corridor of the gloomy French hotel where Ausable
had a room, Fowler felt let down. It was a small 2. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5
room, on the sixth and top floor, and scarcely a 2.A He hears the last voice at night,
setting for a romantic adventure. Ausable was, for one The patrolling cars,
thing, fat. Very fat. And then there was his accent. And stares with his brilliant eyes
Though he spoke French and German passably, he At the brilliant stars.
had never altogether lost the American accent he had (A Tiger in the Zoo)
brought to Paris from Boston twenty years ago. “You
are disappointed,” Ausable said wheezily over his i. Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option.
shoulder. The animal referred to in the extract is in _____.
(The Midnight Visitor ) (a) the forest
(b) a zoo
i. Substitute the word ‘musty’ with ONE WORD similar
in meaning, in the following sentence from extract: (c) a circus
“Following him down the musty corridor of the gloomy (d) a wildlife sanctuary
French hotel where Ausable had a room…”
ii. Complete the following analogy correctly with a
ii. Amy is an American woman who teaches French and word/phrase from extract:
German in a primary school. This means that Amy is battles : history :: _____ : astronomy
(a) an empathetic teacher. (Clue : Just like battles make up history, similarly...
(b) a rational human being. are a component of astronomy)
(c) an experienced guide. iii. To go around an area at regular times to check that it
(d) a multilingual instructor. is safe is called
(a) Brightning
CBSE English X Sample Paper 4 Page 7

(b) Staring iv. What does the repetition of “Amanda!” at the end of
(c) Patrolling each line reflect?
(d) Searching v. Complete the following analogy correctly with a word
iv. Where does the tiger look at in the night? from extract:
lazy : agile :: slouching : _____
v. The word in the extract opposite in meaning to the (Clue : Just like lazy is an antonym for agile, similarly
word, ‘dull’ is slouching is an antonym for...)
(a) brilliant
(b) stare VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50
(c) patrolling words each. 4 # 3 = 12
(d) stars i. What ideals does Mandela set out for the future of
South Africa in his speech?
Or (Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom)
2.B Don’t bite your nails, Amanda! ii. What did Frederick Forsyth think when he called
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda! Paris Control ?
Stop that slouching and sit up straight, Amanda! (Two Stories About Flying)
(Amanda!) iii. What attractions in Coorg wait to be discovered by
tourists?
i. The purpose of the speaker’s words in the given
extract is to (Glimpses of India)
(a) show the speaker’s power over the listener. iv. With what does the poet compare the fog?
(b) make the listener a better human being. (Fog)
(c) advise the listener as an elder. v. ‘Dust of Snow’ is one of Frost’s most loved poems.
(d) improve the listener’s posture and habits. Elaborate why you think this is so.

ii. Pick the option that lists the image which correctly VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50
corresponds to the speaker’s mood in the extract. words each. 2#3 = 6
i. Why did Mrs. Pumphrey take Tricki to the doctor?
(A Triumph of Surgery)
ii. How did Ebright’s mother encourage his interest in
learning?
(The Making of a Scientist)
iii. What was Oop’s opinion about the ‘sandwiches’ he
(a) Image (1) had eaten?
(b) Image (2) (The Book that Saved the Earth)
(c) Image (3)
(d) Image (4) VIII Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120
words. 6
iii. Alliteration is a literary device used in the extract.
i. “If you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry
Which of the following options does not include
this year.” Lencho had faith in God but he didn’t
examples of this literary device?
manage to solve the problem by himself. Did he lack
(a) The moon and the shimmering stars watched over the courage to resolve his matter himself? What
us values did he lack ? Explain.
(b) With that charming chat, Catherine chose comfort (A Letter to God)
(c) Away ran the pathetic pooch pouting like a
princess Or
(d) Dee dee was driving down day after day ii. Being impressed by Custard’s feat, the young seagull’s
sister wrote a letter to Custard seeking advice on
addressing the situation with her young brother. Write
Page 8 Sample Paper 4 CBSE English X

Custard’s response to this letter. Base the advice from

his experiences.
You may begin like this:
Dear Ms Seagull,
Thank you for seeking me out. I am humbled. Based
on my limited experiences I feel...
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

IX Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120

words. 6
i. Who do you think is the real culprit in the story ‘A
Question of Trust’ ? Explain.

Or
ii. Read the following quote.
“We are too involved in materialistic things, and they
don’t satisfy us. The loving relationships we have, the
universe around us, we take these things for granted.”
– Mitch Albom Matilda was never satisfied with her
life and desired more. The given quote reflects her
character. Justify.
(The necklace)


CBSE English X Sample Paper 5 Page 1

Sample Paper 5
Class X Exam 2022-23
English-Language and Literature (184)
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 question based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A- READING SKILLS 20 opportunities that you didn’t have, before.

5. Being an active participant in social media is a great
I. Read the passage given below. 10
way to learn new things. News outlets are constantly
1. Social media has become almost a necessity for us, in using social media, to help keep people in the loop.
today’s world. It’s become so important and evolved Social media is the way that news is heard, and it’s the
so much, that we carry our social media with us way that news is spread. You can make the argument
throughout the day, on our phones. that staying connected to social media is, in fact,
2. One of the major benefits of social media is that staying connected to life. It’s not only good for sharing
you can connect with people all over the world, for and spreading news, it’s a great place to find out about
free. This comes in handy if you have friends who people’s opinions on various topics. For example, if
have travelled abroad. You can send them messages you’ve built a sports community, you’ll learn about
on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram, and they the sports that you love. You can build communities
can respond quickly from wherever they are. Social around politics, business, cars, family, education and
media helps to fortify and maintain your personal pretty much whatever other topic you’d like. Social
relationships, even with people who are far away from media will enhance your life. It will provide you the
you. If you have a family member that’s travelling, chance to communicate, connect and be involved like
you won’t have to wait until they return to hear about never before. You’ll stay connected with news outlets,
their adventures. Just hop on Facebook or Instagram family, friends and virtually whatever else you’d like
and start chatting and exchanging pictures. to connect with.

3. This ability to communicate quickly and easily with Based on your understanding of the passage, answer
people overseas is also very convenient for those who the questions given below.
do business, in foreign lands. Social media platforms
provide a cheap, easy way to quickly communicate i. List 1 major benefits of social media.
your point to your customers or clients, who are
across the world. You can send a private message, ii. Using social media for a company is :
publicly share something or video chat, for free. Using
1. very cost effective.
social media for a company is very cost effective and
time efficient. Staying connected to these people is 2. time efficient.
important to improve your business relationship, and 3. very profitable.
keep your company running properly. (a) Only 1
4. Staying connected to your social networks on the (b) 1 and 2
platforms that you use can be vital to your professional (c) 1 and 3
success. Through social media sites, you can find jobs, (d) 2 and 3
inform your community of business opportunities and
career openings, and you can even monetize your
iii. Substitute the word ‘necessity’ with ONE WORD
accounts. Keeping a well-maintained network will help
similar in meaning, in the following sentence from
you achieve success in your career. A good site to look
paragraph 1:
at, if you’re trying to create a professional network, is
Social media has become almost a necessity for us, in
Linkedln. The site is designed specifically to help you
advance in your career. You’ll open up plenty of new today’s world.
Page 2 Sample Paper 5 CBSE English X

iv. Which of the following is not a social media platform? II. Read the passage given below. 10
(a) Facebook 1. Uttarakhand is located at the foothills of the
(b) Instagram Himalayan mountain ranges. The state shares borders
(c) Google with China (Tibet) in the north & Nepal in the east
& inter-state boundaries with Himachal Pradesh in
(d) Twitter
the west & northwest & Uttar Pradesh in the south.
Hindi, Garhwal & Kumaoni are commonly spoken in
v. For whom is the ability to communicate quickly and
the state. English is the medium of education in many
easily with people overseas very convenient ?
of its schools. Uttarakhand has diverse geographical
(a) those who live away from their families features ranging from snowcapped mountain peaks in
(b) those who have connections with people in other the north to tropical forests in the south; its climate
countries & vegetation vary accordingly. The state was formed
(c) those who travel to foreign lands a lot in November 2000 by carving out the 13 hill districts
of Uttar Pradesh. It was formerly named Uttaranchal.
(d) those who do business in foreign lands
2. The main railway stations in the state are Dehradun,
vi. Social media platforms that you use can be vital to Haridwar, Roorkee, Kotdwar, Kashipur, Udham
your professional success because through them you Singh Nagar, Haldwani, Ramnagar and Kathgodam.
can : Uttarakhand had 339.80 km of rail routes. The state
1. create a business circle and increase your business is focusing on increasing the share of railways in
connections cargo and passenger transport. Initiatives have been
undertaken to start monorails at Dehradun, Haridwar
2. inform your community of business opportunities
and Rishikesh, on the inter-city linkage routes.
3. find jobs
4. monetize your accounts 3. The state has two domestic airports : one at Jolly Grant
5. inform your community of career openings in the Dehradun district and another at Pant Nagar
in the Udham Singh Nagar district. The state intends
(a) 1, 2 and 4
to position air transport as a reliable all-weather
(b) 2, 3 and 4 transport option for the hills. With Uttarakhand
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 emerging as a hot tourist and industrial destination,
(d) 2, 3, 4 and 5 the state government is focussing on upgrading the
Jolly Grant airport as an international airport, in
vii. State whether the following statement is TRUE or coordination with Airports Authority of India. In
FALSE: 2018-19, Dehradun airport handled 7,374 aircraft
LinkedIn is a good site to look at if you’re trying to movements and 709,227 passengers, approximately.
create a professional network. VISION 2022
Transport • Strengthen road network in
viii. Based on your reading of the text, list any 2 features
urban areas and upgrade national
of social media.
highways.
1. __________
• Develop two major all-weather
2. __________ airports with connectivity to metro
cities.
ix. Choose ONE WORD from paragraph 5 that clearly
Health • Affordable healthcare with focus
states the meaning of the phrase ‘further improve the
on disease prevention.
quality or value of something’.
• Provide state funded maternal and
child healthcare, especially in rural
x. Which of the following is an appropriate title for the areas.
passage ?
Tourism • Promote the state as a global
(a) The Beneficial Social Media tourist destination by showcasing
(b) Social Media - A Necessity its spiritual, cultural and adventure
(c) Importance of Staying Connected Through Social tourism
Media • Target 0.5 million international
tourists by 2022.
(d) The Revolution of the Whole World Around the
Social Media
CBSE English X Sample Paper 5 Page 3

Agriculture • Improve yield and quality by iv. Based on your reading of the text, list any 2 features
providing irrigation facilities and of Uttarakhand.
latest technology. 1. __________
• Create cold chain infrastructure 2. __________
and success to market intelligence
for farmers. v. When talking about environment, by 2022,
Infrastructure • Hamess hydro-power for 100% Uttarakhand wants to :
electrification in the state and I. have perfect waste water management in the state
supply power to other states. II. harness hydropower for 100 % electricity in the
• Connect major cities through state
multi-lane highways and proper III. have a 100 % solid waste management in the state
roads for villages. IV. promote the state as a green economy
Environment • Promote the state as a green (a) I and II
economy by focusing on section
(b) I and III
such as IT. Agriculture, tourism,
hydro-power and education. (c) II, III and IV
• 100% solid waste management, (d) I, III and IV
waste water treatment and
recycling. vi. Choose an option that lists the main factors considered
Industries • Become a world leader in green in Uttarakhand’s vision of 2022.
energy by leveraging hydro-power 1. Education
potential. 2. Agriculture
• Promote micro and small 3. Development
enterprises. 4. Transport
Education of skill • Quality primary education to be 5. Tourism
development provided to all children. 6. Mining
• Job oriented vocational training 7. Environment
facilities and establishment of
(a) 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7
higher education institutions.
(b) 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer (c) 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
the questions given below. (d) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7

i. Which of the following language is not a commonly vii. Suppy 1 point to justify the following:
spoken language in Uttarakhand? Uttarakhand is emerging as a hot tourist and
(a) Kumaoni industrial destination.
(b) Hindi
viii. What is the international tourist visitation target of
(c) Punjabi
the state of Uttarakhand by the year 2022?
(d) Garhwali
ix. Complete the follwoing analogy correctly with a word
ii. State whether the following statement is TRUE or from paragraph 2:
FALSE:
rickshaw : carry :: elevator : _____
The state of Uttarakhand was formed by carving out
(Clue : Just like a rickshaw is used to carry people,
the 11 hill districts of Uttar Pradesh.
similarly an elevator is used to...)

iii. Which of the following states/countries do not

x. Which of the following clearly explains the meaning of
surround Uttarakhand from any side?
the word ‘initiatives’ ?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(a) standards
(b) Nepal
(b) visions
(c) China
(c) talks
(d) Bangladesh
(d) measures
Page 4 Sample Paper 5 CBSE English X

III. SECTION B- GRAMMAR 10 As he was crossing the road, a car _____ him down.
(a) was knocking
Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 10
(b) had knocked
i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to (c) knocked
complete the sentence. (d) would have knocked
If only he _____ us truth in the first place, things
would not have gone wrong. vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word
(a) has told in the bracket.
(b) would have told The woman in the pool _____ (swim) well.
(c) had told
vii. Report the dialogue between Mannu and Annu, by
(d) should have told completing the narration:
Mannu: Where are you going to?
ii. Read the conversation between Prateek and Raghav. Annu: I am going to the market. Do you want
and complete the narration that follows.
anything?
Prateek: I don’t feel well today.
Raghav: What can I help you, Sir? Mannu asked Annu where she was going. Annu replied
Prateek: Can you take me to the doctor? that she was going to the market and she further
Raghav: Yes, Sir. asked _____.

Prateek told Raghav that he did not feel well that viii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the
day. Raghav asked respectfully what he could help correction.
him. Prateek asked Raghav _____. Prateek replied I met her by chance then I gone to get some Medicine
in the affirmative. which Sister Amy used to give.

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the Use the given format for your response.
given line.
If I dyed my hair green, everybody _____ laugh Error Correction
at me.
(a) would
(b) should ix. Transform the following direct speech into reported
(c) may speech:
(d) can I said to him, “Where have you lost the pen I brought
for you yesterday ?
iv. Select the option identifies the error and supplies the
correction for the following line: x. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to
As far as climate change is concerned, South Asia is complete the sentence.
one of a world’s most sensitive areas. I remember my promise. I _____ help you in the
hour of your need.
Option No. Error Correction (a) can
(a) change changes (b) would
(b) is was (c) will
(c) most many (d) might

(d) a the
xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of
the dialogue between a teacher and a student.
v. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank Biology Teacher : I instructed you to draw the diagram
with the correct option : of bacteria. Why did you submit a blank sheet?
Sameer : Sir, I had drawn the diagram of bacteria,
but you can’t see it because it is not visible to the
naked eye.
CBSE English X Sample Paper 5 Page 5

The biology teacher had instructed Sameer to draw Indians to get cancer in their life -time, that is every
the diagram of a bacterial cell and asked him why second or third family would have to face this disease.
he had submitted a blank sheet. Sameer respectfully This is partly due to high levels of benzene in the air
answered that he had drawn the diagram but _____ and also that the metros are exposed to high levels of
pesticides in their foods. In order to check the steady
(a) he can’t see it because it is not visible to the
growth of cancer in the country, the Government shall
naked eye.
have to give priority to preventive action. At the same
(b) he couldn’t see it because it is not visible to the time measures to undertake improvement in facilities
naked eye. for the treatment of cancer shall have to be adopted.”
(c) he could see it because it is visible to the naked
eye. Or
(d) he could not be seen it because it is not visible to B. The maps below show the village of Stokeford in 1930
the naked eye. and 2010. Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120
words by selecting and reporting the main features,
xii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the and making comparisons where relevant.
correction.
There are a little countries in the world where the
population is not growing fast.

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. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner bringing
the problem of insanitary conditions in your colony to
his notice and request him to take urgent action in the (a)
matter.

Or
B. You are Apoorva/Arpit. You bought a refrigerator
from Ganesh Electronics and Electricals, Gandhi
Marg, Nagpur. It does not function properly. Write a
letter to the Sales Manager of the shop, complaining
about the defect and asking for immediate replacement
or repair, as necessary.

2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. Given below is a newspaper report on the state of
cancer prevailing in India. You have been asked to
write an analytical paragraph on ‘Cancer - a silent
killer’ Taking information from the clipping given
below together with your own ideas, write this
paragraph in 100-120 words.
“In India, cities are more cancer-prone than rural areas.
(b)
In the early 1990’s, we expected one out of 10-15 urban
Page 6 Sample Paper 5 CBSE English X

SECTION C- LITERATURE 40 were hindering him in his work. He buried his face in
his handkerchief. Then he heard a voice say from the
V. Reference to the Context 10
doorway, “What is it? A cold or hay fever?” Before
1. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5 he could think, Horace said, “Hay fever,” and found
1.A Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet himself sneezing again. The voice went on, “You can
bread known as the bol, just as a party or a feast cure it with a special treatment, you know, if you
loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said find out just what plant gives you the disease. I think
to show how important a baker can be for a village. you’d better see a doctor, if you’re serious about your
The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on work. I heard you from the top of the house just now.”
the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and (A Question of Trust)
bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other
festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in i. Infer one reason for the following, based on information
the village is absolutely essential. in extract:
(Glimpses of India) Horace was sneezing.

i. In Goan village, what are meaningless without the ii. Which magazine could have published the article
sweet bread ‘bol’ ? mentioned in the given extract?
(a) Birthday parties (a) Paws & Claws
(b) Holi celebration (b) Outdoors & Landscaping
(c) Wedding gifts (c) Interiors
(d) All the occassions (d) The Investor

ii. State whether the following statement is TRUE or iii. Choose the image that correctly describes the location
FALSE: of the safe, based on the given extract.
Cakes and bolinhas are compulsorily prepared during
Christmas in Goa.

iii. Find the word in the extract which means ‘celebration

meal’.
(a) Charm (a) Option (1)
(b) Occassion (b) Option (2)
(c) Engagement (c) Option (3)
(d) Feast (d) Option (4)

iv. What is must for a lady of Goa on the occassion of her iv. In the line – Before he could think, Horace said, “Hay
daughter’s engagement? fever,” –the response was
(a) She must prepare sandwiches (a) rehearsed.
(b) She must dean the house (b) spontaneous and natural.
(c) She must feed seven children (c) hesitant.
(d) She must purchase any gold item (d) rapid and hostile.

v. What does the lady of the house prepare on the v. Write a line from the extract that can be considered
occasion of her daughter’s engagement? an example of sarcasm.

Or 2. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.

1.A How foolish people are when they own valuable things,
2.A And no one buys a ball back. Money is external.
Horace thought. A magazine article had described this
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
house, giving a plan of all the rooms and a picture of
The epistemology of loss, how to stand up
this room. The writer had even mentioned that the
Knowing what every man must one day know
painting hid a safe! But Horace found that the flowers
And most know many days, how to stand up.
CBSE English X Sample Paper 5 Page 7

(The Ball Poem) (d) the silent and careful steps of the fog which do not
let anyone know of its arrival.
i. What is epistemology?
(a) The philosophical theory of knowledge iii. Which poetic device used in second line?
(b) The philosophical theory of work (a) Simile (b) Alliteration
(c) The philosophical theory of behaviours (c) Metaphor (d) Personification
(d) None of these
iv. Supply 1 point to justify the following:
ii. What piece of advice is being given to the child by the The poet says that the fog is like a cat.
poet?
v. The word ‘haunches’ means.
iii. What is the poet trying to tell us in this poem? (a) legs (b) eyes
(a) That age once lost can’t be regained (c) thighs (d) knees
(b) That ball once lost can’t be regained
VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50
(c) That all the balls are useless words each. 4 # 3 = 12
(d) None of these
i. Why did the postmaster want to help Lencho? And
how did he do that?
iv. Complete the following analogy correctly with a word
from the extract: (A Letter to God)
logorrhea : words :: wealth : _____ ii. What arguments did Anne give in her essay titled ‘A
(Clue : Just like logorrhea is an excess of words, Chatterbox’ ?
similarly wealth is an excess of...) (From the Diary of Anne Frank)
v. Why does the poet say ‘Money is external’ ? iii. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What
(a) He means money can buy everything was her strongest desire?
(b) He means money can’t buy everything (Madam Rides the Bus)
(c) He means money can buy everything except balls iv. What is the theme of the poem ‘How to Tell Wild
(d) None of these Animals’ ?
v. What changes can be seen in the moon during the
Or
course of the poem ‘The Trees’ ?
2.B The fog comes
VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50
on little cat feet.
words each. 2#3 = 6
It sits looking
over harbour and city i. Why was it difficult for Hari Singh to rob Anil ?
on silent haunches (The Thief ’s Story)
and then moves on. ii. What lesson did Ebright learn when in the seventh
(Fog) grade he entered a country science fair?
(The Making of a Scientist)
i. State whether the following statement is TRUE or
iii. Why did Bishamber’s marriage with Bholi not take
FALSE:
place?
By keeping the lines short, the poet is controlling the
(Bholi)
pace to make the reader slow down thereby reflecting
the slow rolling in of the fog. VIII Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120
words. 6
ii. What does the poet mean by ‘little cat feet’ ?
i. “Water must be kept on the move and made to do
(a) small feet like that of the cat.
things; when static it is wasted and provoking.” Do
(b) little soft feet of the cat which leave marks in the you think this statement was true in case of Mijbil,
home. the otter ?
(c) little marks which a cat leaves behind in the sand. (Mijbil the Otter)
ii. Imagine Anne Gregory grows up to be a motivational
Page 8 Sample Paper 5 CBSE English X

speaker. As Anne Gregory, write a short speech on the

importance of loving oneself.

You may begin this way:

Dear friends
The importance of believing in oneself can never be
overstated. It becomes most important, therefore, to
love oneself. I learnt this, as a young teen, the day a
poet pointed out that (continue) .....
(For Anne Gregory)

IX Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120

words. 6
i. Readers believe that Griffin was a man without a
conscience. You have a class discussion on why our
conscience plays a vital role in shaping our character.
Present a summary of your views on this.
(Footprints Without Feet)
ii. Attempt character sketch of Great and Mighty Think-
Tank.
(Te Book that Saved the Earth)


CBSE English X Sample Paper 1 Page 1

Sample Paper 1
Class X Exam 2022-23
English-Language and Literature (184)
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 question based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A- READING SKILLS 20 short break from work and doing something you are
passionate about can rejuvenate your mind and help
I. Read the passage given below. 10 prepare you to handle challenges in the future in a
1. Hobbies help us grow as a person. The best way to better way.
have a new hobby is to try something new. All of us 5. Hobbies may provide an opportunity for you to
are unique, and this is the reason why our hobbies socialize with people and that can be an additional
and interests are different. Once we find an activity benefit for your overall well-being. You can connect
we are passionate about, we can explore that activity with people who enjoy doing the same things that
more. When you get hooked, you will realize that you do. You can meet new people, discuss your hobby
your hobby has become an integral part of your life. and get connected to a bigger circle that may even
Having a hobby that we enjoy brings us joy and help you turn your hobby into your profession. The
refreshes us. Hobbies help us to manage our leisure internet provides numerous groups and forums to
and unplanned time more productively. It also affords connect with people that enjoy doing the same things
you the opportunity to learn new skills in your work. that you want to do.
But these are not the only benefits of having a hobby.
6. Some hobbies require creativity and if you develop
2. It feels great to be skilled and good at something, creativity through your hobby, it can be beneficial.
doesn’t it ? And this is what that makes you confident. Creativity can help you experience new things at
It can take some time to develop your hobby so that school and work. The skill of being creative is essential
you may be able to tell that you are skilled. But, the in today’s world.
journey of experiencing your hobby is very rewarding
in itself. With the exposure to different types of Based on your understanding of the passage, answer
activities these days, it doesn’t matter which activity the questions given below.
you choose. Whether you are pursuing a craft, sports,
puzzles, or skill development, your hobby should be a i. When a person gets hooked on a hobby, he realises
diversion and a passion. Simultaneously, if your hobby that :
gives you a sense of purpose, then you will be more (a) it has become an integral part of our life.
confident about challenging yourself in your hobby (b) it has much more benefits than we realised.
and help you prepare for learning new things at work.
(c) it is much more enjoyable to have a hobby.
3. Hobbies give you an opportunity to enhance your life (d) it is quite essential for us to learn some skills
Hobbies allow you to de-stess yourself while remaining
through our hobbies.
mentally productive. Having hobbies promotes better
health and may lower the risk of having high blood
ii. No matter which sort of hobby you are pursuing, be
pressure. Enjoying a few hours of your hobby a week
it a craft, sports, puzzles, or skill development, your
can also reduce the risk of depression and dementia.
hobby should be :
Hobbies refocus your mind on to something that you
enjoy doing. Hobbies that include physical activities (a) useful for you in the long run.
create chemical changes in your body that help to (b) a skill that improves your present circumstances.
reduce stress. (c) a diversion and a passion.
4. Even if it doesn’t involve physical activities, you can (d) followed through till the end.
still reap the benefits of having a hobby. Getting a
Page 2 Sample Paper 1 CBSE English X

iii. The journey of experiencing a hobby is quite : to 9th World Convention on Recycling and Waste
(a) challenging for a person. Management during October 22-23,2018 in Osaka,
(b) rewarding in itself. Japan, which includes prompt keynote presentations,
oral talks, poster presentations and exhibitions. We are
(c) demanding in itself. delighted to say that it is the 9th World Convention
(d) inspirational for a person. on Recycling and Waste Management which will be
held in a beautiful city of Osaka, Japan and hence we
iv. State any one way through which hobbies enhance invite you all to attend and register.
your life?
3. 9th World Convention on Recycling and Waste
Management is mainly based on the theme “Advocating
v. Getting a hobby means having a short break from Waste Disposal and Recycling Practices for Clean
work and doing something you are passionate about and Green Environment.” We warmly welcome all
which can the participants - leading scientists, researchers and
(a) give you a peace of mind from all the other scholars of the world to attend the convention. We
problems of daily hectic life and make you feel provide a platform for young researchers and students
refreshed. to present their research through oral presentations
(b) help you enhance and improve your skills and through which they can develop a foundation for
push you forward on your path to success. collaboration among young researchers.
(c) make you enjoy and appreciate your life much 4. The organising committee aims at setting a platform
more as you are happy pursuing what you love. for all the budding scientists and researchers to
present their real-time work and share their views and
(d) rejuvenate your mind and help prepare you to
aspects related to the theme of the conference. The
handle challenges in the future in a better way.
organising committee is gearing up for an exciting and
informative conference programme including plenary
vi. List any two benefits of having a hobby. lecture, symposia, workshops on a variety of topics,
1. __________ poster presentations and various programmes for
2. __________ participants from all over the world.

vii. What is essential in today’s world?

viii. Give an appropriate title for the passage.
ix. Supply 1 point to justify the following:
Hobby provides you with an opportunity to socialise
with people.

x. Choose an option that is clearly a synonym of the

word ‘hooked’.
(a) opposed
(b) indifferent
(c) willing
(d) captivated

II. Read the passage given below. 10

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer
1. Conference series LLC Ltd organises a conference series
of 1000+ global events inclusive of 300+ conferences, the questions given below.
900+ upcoming and previous symposiums and
workshops in USA, Europe and Asia with support i. Infer one reason for the following, based on information
from 1000 more Scientific societies and publishes in the passage.
700+ open access journals which contain over 30000 Waste management and recycling it.
eminent personalities, reputed scientists as Editorial
board members. ii. Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks.
2. Recycling and Waste Management Convention _____ has been considered as the second nature
2018 proudly invites contributors across the globe to us.
CBSE English X Sample Paper 1 Page 3

(a) Sorting of waste III. SECTION B- GRAMMAR 10

(b) Recycling of waste
Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 10
(c) Waste management
(d) Implementing steps framed and deployed in i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to
convention complete the sentence.
The boys _____ to my lecture since 8 O’clock this
iii. Complete the following analogy correctly with a
morning.
word/phrase from paragraph 2:
Delhi : India :: Tokyo : _____ (a) were listening
(Clue : Delhi is capital of India, similarly Tokyo is (b) have been listening
capital of...) (c) had been listening
(d) None of these
iv. What theme is being highlighted in the given passage?
(a) Efficient means of reducing garbage ii. Read the conversation between a mother and her
(b) Various techniques to be employed to recycle the daughter. Complete the sentence by reporting
goods daughter’s reply correctly.
Mother: Why are you looking so worried?
(c) Efficient ways of waste disposal
Daughter: My exams are approaching.
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Mother asked her daughter why she was looking very
worried. The daughter replied that _____.
v. Which of the following notion in the conference has
been emphasised to be deployed?
iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the
(a) Waste disposal management given line.
(b) Waste management I _____ rather die than join the gang of terrorists.
(c) Recycling of goods (a) could
(d) Reshaping Earth’s future (b) should
(c) would
vi. Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option.
(d) can
According to the pie-chart, Branches & wood has
been recycled at the rate of _____.
iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies
(a) 1% the correction for the following line:
(b) 24% A little political thinkers think that liberty and
(c) 4% equality can’t go together.
(d) 3% Option No. Error Correction
vii. Substitute the word ‘present’ with ONE WORD (a) can’t couldn’t
similar in meaning, in the following sentence from (b) think thinks
paragraph 3:
We provide a platform for young researchers and (c) A little Some
students to present their research... (d) go goes

viii. List any two points that the given data represents.
v. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank
ix. Which activity contributes collectively towards paper with the correct option:
waste recycled percentage? They met you at night after you _____ your work.
(a) had finished
x. What has been considered as an efficient means to (b) have finished
reduce landfill area?
(c) finished
(a) Sorting of waste
(d) will finish
(b) Recycling or composting waste
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
Page 4 Sample Paper 1 CBSE English X

vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word xii. Identify the error and supply the correction, for the
in the bracket. following sentence:
Chris, in addition to his brother Zack, _____ (play) Every people went to welcome the Indian Cricket
hockey on Saturday. team.

vii. Report the dialogue between a doctor and a patient, Error Correction
by completing the sentence:
Doctor : You should take this medicine every day.
Patient : Should I take it before dinner or after dinner?
Doctor : No, you should take it after breakfast. IV. SECTION B- CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS 10
The Doctor advised the patient that he should take All the names and addresses used in the questions are
that medicine every day. The patient further asked if fictitious. Resemblance, if any, is purely coincidental.
he should take it before dinner or after dinner. The
doctor replied negatively and then said that _____. 1. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5
A. Write a letter to the Editor of “The Times of India”,
viii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the Delhi expressing your concern over the increase in the
correction. rate of road accident, rash driving and overcrowded
Some guys like to fights on even playing grounds, and road transport. You are Priya/Priyanshu living at
some guys like to cheat. B-47 Avas Vikas, Mayur Vihar, New Delhi.

Use the given format for your response. Or

Error Correction B. Write an application to your principal asking

permission to remain absent from school for 5 days on
account of your brother’s marriage.

ix. Transform the following direct speech into reported 2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5
speech: A. The charts below show agricultural production in two
He asked, “Will you be coming?” different regions of the country. Write an analytical
paragraph in 100-120 words by selecting and reporting
x. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to the main features, and making comparisons where
complete the sentence. relevant.
My class teacher told me that I _____ work hard.
(a) shall
(b) could
(c) can
(d) should

xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of

the dialogue between Radha and Shikha.
Radha : Do you know how to swim?
Shikha : Yes I know. I have learnt it during this
summer vacation.
Or
Radha asked Shikha if/whether she knew how to B. Given below is a newspaper report on the state of
swim. Then Shikha replied in affirmative and also cancer prevailing in India. You have been asked to
added that _____. write an analytical paragraph on ‘Cancer - a silent
(a) she had learnt it during the summer vacation killer’ Taking information from the clipping given
(b) she has learnt it during the summer vacation below together with your own ideas, write this
(c) she have learnt it during the summer vacation paragraph in 100-120 words.
(d) she had learn it during the summer vacation “In India, cities are more cancer-prone than rural
areas. In the early 1990’s, we expected one out of 10-
CBSE English X Sample Paper 1 Page 5

15 urban Indians to get cancer in their life -time, that (c) He didn’t think that freedom denied to him was
is every second or third family would have to face this important for others.
disease. This is partly due to high levels of benzene (d) He was too young to realise that freedom was
in the air and also that the metros are exposed to denied to others as well.
high levels of pesticides in their foods. In order to
check the steady growth of cancer in the country, the
v. Fill in the blank with ONE WORD only.
Government shall have to give priority to preventive
The speaker’s belief about freedom, since _____
action. At the same time measures to undertake
improvement in facilities for the treatment of cancer proved false. It was not until the speaker grew up to
shall have to be adopted.” be a young man when it dawned on him that he was
deprived of freedom.

SECTION C- LITERATURE 40 Or
1.B THINK-TANK: Mirror, mirror, in my hand. Who is
V. Reference to the Context 10 the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the
1. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5 land?
1.A “It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood OFFSTAGE VOICE: (after a pause) You, sir.
THINK -TANK: (smacking mirror) Quicker. Answer
freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a young
quicker next time. I hate a slow mirror. (He admires
man that my freedom had already been taken from
himself in the mirror.) Ah, there I am. Are we Martians
me, that I began to hunger for it. At first as a student not a handsome race? So much more attractive than
I wanted freedom only for myself, the transitory those ugly Earthlings with their tiny heads. Noodle,
freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read what you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you’ll
I pleased and go where I chose. Later, as a young have a balloon brain just like mine.
man in Johannesburg, I yearned for the basic and NOODLE: Oh, I hope so, Mighty Think-Tank. I hope
honourable freedoms...” so.
(Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom) THINK -TANK: Now, contact the space probe. I want
to invade that primitive ball of mud called Earth
i. The title that best suits this extract is before lunch.
(a) Freedom for everything NOODLE: It shall be done, sir. (He adjusts levers on
switchboard. Electronic buzzes and beeps are heard as
(b) Knowledge about Freedom
the curtains open.)
(c) Significance of Freedom (The Book that Saved the Earth)
(d) Realisation of Freedom
i. Choose the option that lists the most appropriate
ii. Why do you think the speaker mentions some freedoms meaning of think-tank from those given below.
as ‘transitory’ ? (a) A tank that helps you think deeper than an
average person, if you use its contents regularly.
iii. Choose the option that best fits the usage of the word (b) Non-stop flow of ideas from a fixed source about
‘illusion’ as used in the extract.
one particular issue.
(a) He was never able to get past the illusion.
(c) A pool of ideas and solutions to various problems
(b) The illusion I experienced was quite intriguing. via an individual, group or organisation.
(c) A large mirror in the room creates an illusion. (d) A method by way of which people think collectively
(d) I was living under the illusion that this is possible. to identify stray thoughts among them.

iv. The speaker says, ‘at first as a student I wanted ii. The playwright places certain words and sentences in
freedom only for myself.’ Why do you think he only brackets in the given extract.
thought about himself? List any two ways these benefit both the director and
(a) He didn’t want to think about the freedom denied actors.
to others. 1. __________
(b) He was being selfish and was only bothered about 2. __________
himself.
Page 6 Sample Paper 1 CBSE English X

iii. Choose the option that correctly categorizes the 3. His claws and paws will make you forget,
phrase “(after a pause)” based on the dialogue given If you’re in a dream or reality,
above. And you’ll feel clawed and pawed. I bet,
(a) aside The peppered pounce a certainty.
(b) stage direction This a beast that runs and strikes fast,
(c) narration If you’re caught you sure won’t last.
(d) setting 4. The leopard and the lion chose to become friends,
For they were all proud of claws on their paws,
iv. Choose the option that gives you fits the example of They each glorified one another for their mighty,
an irony from the ones given below. Ability to live on meat of other fauna throughout a year,
(a) “Who is the most fantastically intellectually They each admired one another for running speed,
They each remained firm and loyal to one rule;
gifted being in the land?”
Lions don’t eat leopards neither leopards eat lions.
(b) “I hate a slow mirror.”
(c) “Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and (a) Option 1
someday you’ll have a balloon brain just like (b) Option 2
mine.” (c) Option 3
(d) “I want to invade that primitive ball of mud called (d) Option 4
Earth before lunch.”
ii. Given below are four examples of activities that
Jasmeet does. Choose the option that correctly
v. Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word
demonstrates ‘strolling’.
from the text.
spinning : top :: rotation : _____ (a) Jasmeet runs with a great speed after being
(Clue : Spinning is the movement of a top, similarly chased by a dog.
rotation is the movement of the...) (b) Jasmeet walks in the garden, relaxing while
listening to his favourite song.
2. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5 (c) Jasmeet skids sharply on the icy skate rink.
2.A If strolling forth, a beast you view, (d) Jasmeet rushes to switch off the water pump in
Whose hide with spots is peppered, the backyard.
As soon as he has lept on you,
You’ll know it is the Leopard. iii. State whether the following statement is TRUE or
Twi’ll do no good to roar with pain, FALSE:
He’ll only lep and lep again. The poet asks the reader to hide on seeing the leopard.
(How to Tell Wild Animals)
iv. The repetition used in “he’ll only lep and lep again”
i. Choose the option listing the stanza that would follow is an example of _____.
the given extract.
1. The leopard stalks on silent paws. v. Choose the option that matches with the rhyme
With deadly armor of fangs and claws. scheme of the extract.
He lies in his tree perch through out the day. 1. Pround loud child wild jungle mingle
Sleeping and resting the hours away. 2. Wild jungle child mingle loud proud
2. A spotted leopard in a banyan tree, 3. Wild proud child loud jungle mingle
kept his yellow carnivore-ic eyes on me. 4. Loud jungle wild child mingle proud
I knew better than to move fast or try to flee. (a) option 1
His eyes narrowed, but I refused to see. (b) option 2
How fast that cat was chasing after me.
(c) option 3
If I can just get to that tall tall......
(d) option 4

Or
2.B The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
CBSE English X Sample Paper 1 Page 7

over harbour and city (a) Option 1

on silent haunches (b) Option 2
and then moves on. (c) Option 3
(Fog)
(d) Option 4

i. List any two qualities of the cat that Carl Sandburg

v. Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word
applies to the fog?
from the text.
1. __________
manacle : hands :: fetter : _____
2. __________
(Clue : A manacle is a shackle for the hands, and a
ii. Which one/s of the following applies to the given fetter is a shackle for the...)
lines?
1. Personification is a literary device where you VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50
give an animal, object or natural phenomenon, words each. 4 # 3 = 12
qualities or abilities that only a human can have. i. Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho?
2. Transferred epithet is a literary device when an Why does he sign the letter ‘God’ ?
adjective usually used to describe one thing is (A Letter to God)
transferred to another. ii. What special characteristic of Mijbil did Maxwell
3. Imagery is the language used by poets and writers learn after he took him to the bathroom?
to create visual representation of ideas in the (Mijbil the Otter)
minds of the readers.
4. Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which iii. Why did the Buddha ask Kisa Gotami to bring a
contradictory terms appear side by side. handful of mustard seeds?
(The Sermon at Benares)
(a) 1 and 4
(b) 2 and 3 iv. Describe the method Anne Gregory suggested in order
to prove that she is loved for who she is.
(c) Only 1
(For Anne Gregory)
(d) Only 3
v. “Fire and Ice” project a pessimistic outlook. Comment.
iii. Pick the option that includes an image of the cat on
VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50
its haunches.
words each. 2#3 = 6
i. Why was Tricki an uninteresting object for other dogs
at the surgery?
(A Triumph of Surgery)
ii. Henry unintentionally saved Ausable’s life. Briefly
comment.
(The Midnight Visitor)
(a) Option 1
iii. How did the Loisels react when they realized that the
(b) Option 2
necklace had been lost?
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4 VIII Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120
words. 6
iv. Choose the option that does not list movement of the i. Valli was sensitive, but at the same time, she was
fog. fearless and quite determined. Think of another
1. It stole in on us like a foot-pad somewhere out of character from your textbook, First Flight, who
the sea and air... E.J.Pratt displayed similar character traits. Compare and
2. A fog drifts in, the haevy-laden Cold white ghost contrast the lives of Valli and the other character.
of the sea- Sara Teasdale
3. The fog it tricks the eye The wonder of the vell of Or
shite under the clear blue sky. K.C.Cox ii. Explain the phrase “the forest that was empty all
4. ...comes gliding, rolling in at ground level, pressing these days”. After reading the poem “The Trees”, for
its white featureless face against... -R.H.Grenville whom do you think are the forests needed ? Imagine
Page 8 Sample Paper 1 CBSE English X

you are a tree in a forest, what values would you like

the humans to learn from the tree ?

IX Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120

words. 6
i. “And in her smiling eyes was the right of deep
satisfaction that an artist feels when he is contemplating
the completion of his masterpiece.” Imagine you are
Bholi’s teacher. You are overwhelmed with a sense
of satisfaction to see the conversion of ‘Bholi’ to
‘Sulekha’. Express your feelings in the form of a diary
entry.

Or
ii. Give a character-sketch of Hari Singh.
(The Thief ’s Story)


CBSE English X Sample Paper 2 Page 1

Sample Paper 2
Class X Exam 2022-23
English-Language and Literature (184)
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 question based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A- READING SKILLS 20 Interactive - it involves not just the reader but also
the text and the context in which reading takes place.
I. Read the passage given below. 10 Strategic - readers have purposes for their reading and
1. Over the past few decades, research has revealed a use a variety of strategies and skills as they construct
great deal of information about how readers get meaning.
meaning from what they read and about the kinds of Adaptable - readers change the strategies they use as
instructional activities and procedures that are most they read different kinds of text or as they read for
successful in helping students to become good readers. different purposes.
For many years, reading instruction was based on a 5. While cognitive science research was producing
concept of reading as the application of a set of isolated valuable information about comprehension processes,
skills such as identifying words, finding main ideas, reading education researchers were reporting important
identifying cause and effect relationships, comparing findings about what comprehension instruction looks
and contrasting and sequencing. Comprehension was like in the most effective reading classrooms.
viewed as the mastery of these skills.
6. The convergence of these strands of research has
2. One important classroom study conducted during the provided a wealth of information about what good
1970s found that typical comprehension instruction readers do as they read, about how good and poor
followed what the study called a mentioning, readers differ, and about the kind of instruction that
practicing, and assessing procedure. That is, teachers is needed to help students to become good readers.
mentioned a specific skill that students were to
apply, had students practice the skill by completing Based on your understanding of the passage, answer
workbook pages, then assessed them to find out if the questions given below.
they could use the skill correctly. Such instruction did
little to help students learn how or when to use the i. Which of the following is not a procedure that
skills, nor was it ever established that this particular followed a typical comprehension instruction during
set of skills enabled comprehension. the 1970s, as revealed after a classroom study done by
researchers ?
3. At about this time, a group of psychologists, linguists,
and computer scientists began to focus research (a) practicing procedure
attention on how the mind works — how people think (b) mentioning procedure
and learn. A goal of this new research movement, (c) memorisation procedure
called cognitive science, was to produce an applied (d) assessing procedure
science of learning.
4. In the field of reading, a number of cognitive scientists ii. A number of cognitive scientists, in the field of reading,
focused their attention on how readers construct focused their attention on :
meaning as they read. Specifically, they studied the (a) how much an average reader can read in a day.
mental activities that good readers engage in to achieve
(b) learning why many people preferred learning
comprehension. From these studies an entirely new
concept emerged about what reading is. According to through reading.
the new concept, reading is a complex, active process (c) learning why readers had a much better knowledge
of constructing meaning - not skill application. of vocabulary than others.
The act of constructing meaning is : (d) how readers construct meaning as they read.
Page 2 Sample Paper 2 CBSE English X

iii. Suppy 1 point to justify the following: isolated skills.

Readers change the strategies they use. List any two such isolated skills.
1. __________
iv. Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks: 2. __________
According to the new concept of reading, reading
is not _____ but a complex, active process of II. Read the passage given below. 10
constructing meaning. 1. The chart given below provides information about
(a) an insignificant expertise the amount of carbon emissions in different countries
during three different years (1975, 1990, and 2005).
(b) a comprehension skill
(c) a skill application
(d) a preferred ability

v. The act of constructing meaning is :

I. Comprehensive
II. Adaptable
III. Strategic
IV. Interactive
(a) I, II and III
(b) I, III and IV
(c) II, III and IV
(d) I, II, III and IV

vi. Which instruction gave no help to the students to

learn how or when to use certain skills nor was it ever
established that this particular set of skills enabled
comprehension?
2. The bar chart compares the emission of carbon dioxide
vii. State whether the following statement is TRUE or into the atmosphere of six countries, including two of
FALSE: them coming from emerging nations, for three decades
In the late 20th century a group of psychologists, starting from 1975 until 2005.
linguists, and computer scientists began to focus 3. As an overall assessment, it can clearly be seen that
research attention on how the mind works i.e. how only Germany and United Kingdom managed to
people think and learn. reduce the carbon emissions compared to the other
countries.
viii. Complete the following analogy correctly with a 4. USA, being the number one polluter of all, emitted
word/phrase from paragraph 3: 1,200,000 thousand metric tonnes in 1975 and this
bow : obeisance :: objective : ______ count increased to 1,300,000 and 1,600,000 thousand
(Clue : A bow is a synonym for an obeisance, similarly metric tonnes in 1990 and 2005 respectively. In
an objective is a synonym for a...) contrast, the carbon emissions of China was nearly
300,000 thousand metric tonnes in 1975 and it rose
ix. Choose an option that clearly states the meaning of by nearly 100% in 1990 and surged dramatically to
the word ‘convergence’. just below 1,600,000 thousand metric tonnes in 2005.
In terms of the percentage increase, China was the
(a) two or more things become similar or come largest contributor in carbon emissions of all.
together
5. The figures for Germany and the United Kingdom
(b) two thoughts or things going parallelly
remained relatively stable throughout the period of
(c) the emergence of new and distinct thoughts or time, and so were for Canada until 1990. The carbon
patterns dioxide emissions in India increased exponentially
(d) the violent mixing of two or more things from around 100,000 in 1975 to just below 400,000
thousand metric tonnes in 2005.
x. For many years, reading instruction was based on
a concept of reading as the application of a set of
CBSE English X Sample Paper 2 Page 3

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ix. State whether the following statement is TRUE or
the questions given below. FALSE:
The countries have achieved meteoric rise in CO2
i. The data given in the graph compares the amount of emission.
emission of _____.
(a) nitrogen x. Which of the following countries reported gradual
growth in reduction of global CO2 emission?
(b) carbon dioxide
(a) Germany and India
(c) oxygen
(b) USA and China
(d) none of these
(c) The United Kingdom and USA
ii. Which country was the largest contributor in carbon (d) Germany and The United Kingdom
emissions of all in year 2005 in terms of percentage
increase?
III. SECTION B- GRAMMAR 10
iii. According to the passage, which country is the most
polluter country? Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 10
(a) India
(b) China i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to
(c) USA complete the sentence.
(d) Germany If we _____ one more batsman in our team, we
would have won the match.
iv. Infer one reason for the following, based on information (a) had had
in the passage: (b) would have been
Surging of CO2 emission in million tonnes. (c) would have
(d) would have had
v. Which country has the lowest emission of CO2 in the
graph? ii. Read the conversation between Reena and Rakesh.
(a) Germany Complete the sentence by reporting Rakesh’s reply
(b) United Kingdom correctly.
(c) Canada Reena : Have you seen ‘Three Idiots’ ?
(d) India Rakesh : I saw them yesterday in my class.

Reena asked Rakesh if he had seen ‘Three Idiots’.

vi. Which country has observed a dramatic rise over the
Rakesh replied that _____.
years in CO2 emission?
(a) India iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the
(b) China given line.
(c) USA The swimmer was tired but he _____ reach the
(d) Germany shore before he collapsed.
(a) will
vii. Substitute the word ‘nearly’ with ONE WORD similar (b) could
in meaning, in the following sentence from paragraph (c) may
4:
(d) must
The carbon emissions of China was nearly 300,000
thousand metric tonnes in 1975 and it rose...
iv. Select the option identifies the error and supplies the
correction for the following line:
viii. Name two countries which had the same level of CO2
Have you ever learn from a mistake you have made?
emission in the first and the second decade?
1. __________ Option No. Error Correction
2. __________
(a) learn learnt
(b) Have Has
Page 4 Sample Paper 2 CBSE English X

(c) a the xi. Ram and Shyam are discussing their plans for the
weekend. Fill in the blank to complete the dialogue
(d) made make below by choosing the correct options.
Ram: What are you doing this weekend, shyam?
v. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the blank Shyam: I don’t have any special plan.
with the correct option : Ram: How do you like the idea _____.
I bought a new car last year, but I _____ my old (a) of go for a picnic to the Dal Lake?
car yet, so at present I have two cars. (b) of going for a picnic to the Dal Lake?
(a) sell (c) of went for a picnic to the Dal Lake?
(b) have not sold (d) of going for a picnic by the Dal Lake?
(c) sold
(d) did not sell xii. Identify the error and supply the correction, for the
following sentence:
vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word Every trees have a single woody stem called a trunk
in the bracket. which supports a mass of branches carrying leaves.
Neither you nor your sister should _____ (talk) to
them. Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction
vii. Report the dialogue between Sanjay and Madan, by
completing the sentence :
Sanjay: I am surprised to see you here in Delhi. When
did you come?
Madan: I came here yesterday. I have been offered a IV. SECTION B- CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS 10
job here. All the names and addresses used in the questions are
Sanjay told Madan that he was surprised to see him fictitious. Resemblance, if any, is purely coincidental.
there in Delhi and asked when he had come. Madam 1. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5
replied that he had come there the previous day and
added that _____. A. You are Praveen of 23, Civil Lines, Jaipur. Write a
letter to the Editor of Dainik Bhaskar, Jaipur about
viii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the frequent break-down of electricity.
correction.
Or
A good business letter is one that get results.
B. You have seen an advertisement of a new model sports
Use the given format for your response. bike launched by Honda. You are a passionate racer
and are keen to buy the new model of racing bikes
Error Correction
being offered. Next month a zonal level Bike Marathon
is taking place and you are keen to enroll your name as
a contestant. Write a letter to M/s Honda Bikes and
ix. Transform the following direct speech into reported Scooters, Kashmere Gate, New Delhi enquiring about
speech: the price, specifications and availability of accessories
He said, “Reena, do you want to buy a house in that long distance racers would require. You are Man
Noida?” Singh living in Green Park, New Delhi.

2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

x. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to
complete the sentence. A. You are Suresh/Lalita. Given below is a table based
He said I _____ use his car whenever I wanted. on data given about the number of tourists who
(a) will visited your city in the past two years. Write an
(b) would analytical paragraph on ‘Promotion of Tourism’ taking
(c) could information from the table given below together with
your own ideas in 100-120 words.
(d) can
CBSE English X Sample Paper 2 Page 5

Year Tourists Who Visited iii. Find the word from the passage which means ‘very
closely’.
Domestic International
2020 444569 8563 iv. Based on the given extract, what is Lencho not likely
to think while looking at his field?
2021 436350 11478
Plans of Tourism Department:
• To develop a wildlife park.
• Illumination and light and sound programme at
one of the places of tourist interest in the city.
• To develop a big amusement park.
• Convention centre and a multiplex in the city.

Or
B. You are the Head Boy/Head Girl of your school.
You decided to make the school population aware of
the advantages of tree plantation and tell them how (a) Option (i)
trees can serve as better air-conditioners. Write an (b) Option (ii)
analytical paragraph in 100-120 words. Take help of (c) Option (iii)
the cues given below.
(d) Option (iv)
Cues :
Trees keep environment cool by
v. Which quote supports the idea in the given extract?
• taking heat of earth and air
• absorbing carbon-dioxide that helps in controlling (a) “Farming is a profession of hope.”
temperature rise (b) “I would rather be on my farm than be emperor
• bringing rains of the world.”
• checking direct sunlight (c) “Farming looks mighty easy when your plough is
• providing shade a pencil, and you’re a thousand miles from the
corn field.”
(d) “Those too lazy to plough in the right season will
SECTION C- LITERATURE 40 have no food at the harvest.”
V. Reference to the Context 10 Or
1. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5 1.B The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy
1.A The house- the only one in the entire valley- sat on imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted
the crest of a low hill. From this height one could man doing on the steps of a house in the middle of
see the river and the field of ripe corn dotted with London? And where was the man? As they gazed,
the flowers that always promised a good harvest. The a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark
only thing the earth needed was a good downpour or appeared from nowhere! Further footprints followed,
at least a shower. Throughout the morning Lencho - one after another, descending the steps and progressing
who knew his fields intimately- had done nothing but down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until
see the sky towards the north-east. the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter,
(A Letter to God) and at last disappeared altogether.
(Footprints Without Feet)
i. Where was Lencho’s house located?
i. Infer one reason for the following, based on information
ii. The field of corn dotted with flowers means that in the extract.
The boys were surprised to see a barefooted man in
(a) not a single flower was bigger than a dot
London.
(b) the flowers were scattered across.
(c) the flowers were in shaped like dots. ii. Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word
(d) the flowers had shrunk in size. from the text.
Page 6 Sample Paper 2 CBSE English X

partition : divide :: conjugate : _____ iv. What does the word ‘Rued’ mean?
(Clue : To partition means to divide, similarly to (a) Feel happy
conjugate means to...) (b) Feel remorse for
iii. Pick the option that best describes how the boys are (c) Feel ravishing
feeling based on the extract. (d) Feels on the top of the world
(a) enchanted, curious, puzzled
(b) captivated, curious, puzzled v. Fill in the blank with suitable poetic device.
_____ has been used in ‘Has given my heart’.
(c) repulsed, curious, captivated
(d) enchanted, repulsed, curious Or
2.B But I can get a hair-dye
iv. The boys felt that the footprints were And set such colour there,
(a) seen due to some magic trick. Brown, or black, or carrot,
(b) a figment of imagination. That young men in despair
(c) of a man who was invisible. May love me for myself alone
(d) those of a mysterious man. And not my yellow hair.
(For Anne Gregory)
v. Pick the option that lists the correct direction of the
footprints on the stairs, as noticed by the boys. i. Given below are the taglines of four hypothetical
brands. Choose the correct option that fits the best
with the first three lines of the given stanza.
1. LITELIFE
Food that makes you light.
2. GET SET
My home. My gym.
(a) option (i) 3. LOOKBOOK
No game over, get makeover.
(b) option (ii)
4. PLANET FOOD
(c) option (iii)
Eat! Eat! Eat! Repeat!
(d) option (iv)
(a) Option 1
2. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5 (b) Option 2
2.A Has given my heart (c) Option 3
A change of mood (d) Option 4
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued. ii. The form of the given stanza is a part of
(Dust of Snow) (a) an agreement.
i. How does the poet feel now? (b) a disapproval.
(a) Ecstatic (c) an engagement.
(b) Pessimistic (d) an argument.
(c) Reckless
iii. Infer one reason for the following, based on information
(d) Despondent in the passage:
Anne says that she can change her hair colour.
ii. What does the poem Dust of Snow teach us?

iii. Which poetic device has been used in ‘And saved iv. State whether the following statement is TRUE or
some part’ ? FALSE:
(a) Assonance The speaker wants to change her hair colour so that it
may appeal to young men.
(b) Personification
(c) Alliteration
v. Choose the product that best shows what Anne would
(d) Enjambment invest in, to ensure that young men love her for herself
CBSE English X Sample Paper 2 Page 7

and not her hair. Or

ii. If the Buddha were to summarise the life lessons of
‘the Ball poem’ what would that sermon be? Think
and create this address for people of your age.

IX Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120

words. 6
(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2 i. Not to accept the limitations of our life makes us
unhappy in our lives. Describe how Matilda Loisel
(c) Option 3
suffers in her life because she does not accept that she
(d) Option 4
is not a rich person.
VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 (The Necklace)
words each. 4 # 3 = 12
Or
i. Nelson Mandela speaks of twin obligations. What are
ii. Give a brief character sketch of Fowler ? What are the
they?
values reflected in his character?
(Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom)
(The Midnight Visitor)
ii. What does Anne write in the diary about herself and
her sister ?

(From the Diary of Anne Frank)
iii. How did the Buddha teach Kisa Gotami the truth of
life?
(The Sermon at Benares)
iv. How did Belinda, Ink, Blink and Mustard react on
seeing the pirate ?
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
v. The tigers in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ has some
obvious limitations, describe them in contrast to its
natural habitat.

VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50

words each. 2#3 = 6
i. Why did Hari Singh think that Anil’s job was queer?
(The Thief ’s Story)
ii. Why did Horace Danby feel sure of his success in that
year’s robbery?
(A Question of Trust)
iii. Which character traits of Bholi have had an everlasting
impression on you? Why?
(Bholi)

VIII Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120

words. 6
i. One is known by one’s roots. The people of Coorg are
also recognized for their values and traits in spite of
being thousands of miles away from their places of
origin-Greece and Arabia. Describe their values and
traits.
(Glimpses of India)