CHENNAI SAHODAYA SCHOOLS COMPLEX

(General Instructions)
 This question paper contains 11 printed pages.
 This question paper contains IX questions.
 Write down the question number before attempting.
 15 minute prior reading time allotted for Question paper reading.
 The question paper contains three sections- reading, grammar& writing
and literature
 Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

COMMON EXAMINATION
Class-10
(ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE / 184)
SET - II

Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

Roll No.: Date:
Section A- Reading skills (20 MARKS)
I. Read the following passage (10 marks)
(1)Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting to do it again was
the last thing you wanted to do?

(2)If your answer is yes, then you are ‘not a robot’. Unlike robots, we human beings have feelings,
emotions, and dreams. We are all meant to grow and stretch despite our circumstances and our
limitations. Do you stay down and accept the defeat or do you get up again and again until you
are satisfied? If you have a tendency to persevere and keep going then you have what experts
call, grit.

(3)Falling down or failing is one of the most agonising, embarrassing, and scariest human
experiences. But, it is also one of the most educational, empowering, and essential parts of living
a successful and fulfilling life. Did you know that perseverance is one of the seven qualities that
have been described as the keys to personal success and betterment in society? The other six are:
curiosity, gratitude, optimism, self-control, social intelligence, and zest. Thomas Edison is a
model for grit for trying 1000 plus time to invent the light bulb. If you are reading this with the
lights on in your room, you know well he succeeded. When asked why he kept going despite his
hundreds of failures, he merely stated that what he had were not failures. They were hundreds of
ways not to create a light bulb. This statement not only revealed his grit but also his optimism for
looking at the bright side.

(4)Grit can be learned to help become more successful. One of the techniques that helps is
mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice that helps the individual stay in the moment by bringing
awareness of his/her experience without judgment. With this practice of mindfulness, individuals
have the ability to stop the self-sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, despair and
frustration.

(5) What did you do to overcome the negative and self- sabotaging feelings of failure? Reflect on
what you did, and try to use those same powerful resources to help you today.

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Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
(1 X10=10)
(A) 'Grit can be learned to help become more successful.’ The underlined word can be substituted
with the word .................. from the passage. (para 2)
(B) Choose the statement from the following that is NOT APPROPRIATE according to the
passage.
(a) Grit cannot be learned to help become more successful.
(b) Practising our dreams come true is great when life is going our way
(c) Mindfulness can be learned to help you become more successful
(d) Reflect on what you did and try to use those same powerful resources to help you.
(C) Select the sentence from the following that reveals Thomas Edison's grit.
(a) Did you know that grit is one of the seven qualities that have been described as the keys to
personal success and betterment in society?
(b) We are all meant to grow and stretch despite our circumstances and our limitations
(c) There were hundreds of ways not to create a light bulb
(d) Thomas Edison is a model for grit
(D) According to the passage, falling down or failing is one of the most ..............., ............. and
............. human experience.
(E) What does the phrase 'keep going’ refer to in the line—‘If you have the tendency to persevere
and keep going’?
(a) to walk
(b) get wild
(c) moving in a certain direction
(d) continue doing something difficult
(F) Select the appropriate option to complete the given sentence
The word ‘gratitude’ refers to the quality of being ...................
(a) regretful (b) thankless (c) arrogant (d) thankful
(G) Choose the option that makes the correct use of ‘model’, as used in the passage to fill in the
blank space.
(a) They allowed me to ............... it on stage.
(b) Jane Austen was regarded as the ............... of grit in fiction.
(c) The first woman up was not certainly a ...............
(d) The business ............... must work because of its novelty

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(H) The self-sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, despair and frustration can be stopped
using ...............
(a) mindfulness (b) growth (c) gratitude (d) hard work
(I) Failure is the most frustrating emotion felt by a person who is regularly trying. (True/ false)
(J) Complete the given analogy correctly with a word from the passage.
despair : disdain :: …………. : positivity :……………(para3)

II. Read the following passage carefully (10 marks)

INDIA’S SDG SCORES
India has crossed the halfway mark in achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs)
adopted in 2015 and to be achieved by 2030, according to the SDG India Index released on Friday
by think tank NITI Aayog and the UN. Here are the 10 best-performing states and Union territories
according to the index.

(1) Himachal Pradesh. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have emerged as the front runners in the race to
achieve key sustainable development goals (SDG) like removal of poverty inequality, while
Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the laggards in ranking of states.
(2) According to the SDG India Index, the nation as a whole has a score of 57, showing the country
has reached a little beyond the halfway mark in meeting the sustainable development goals
adopted by India and 192 other nations in 2015. The index covers 13 of the 17 sustainable
development goals, including healthcare, gender equality, clean energy, infrastructure, education,
peace and building strong, accountable institutions.
(3) Goals, including climate action and sustainable use of marine resources, were left out because of
lack of data at the state level. Kerala’s overall top rank (69) is attributed to its strong
performance in providing good health, reducing hunger, achieving gender equality and

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providing quality education. The rank shows the distance each state has to cover to reach 100 -
the point at which it fully meets the sustainable development goal.
(4) Himachal Pradesh ranks high with a similar overall score in providing clean water and
sanitation, reducing inequalities and preserving the mountain ecosystem. Tamil Nadu has a
score of 66. Among Union territories, Chandigarh takes the lead with a score of 68 on account
of its track record in providing clean water and sanitation. Performance in providing quality
education has also helped Chandigarh achieve high score.
(5) Tamil Nadu topped the states in poverty reduction, while Kerala topped in providing quality
education, closely followed by Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.
(6) Kerala and Tamil Nadu also topped in facilitating good health and well-being. Gender equality,
however, is an area all states and the nation as a whole need to improve upon. The toppers in
gender equality, Sikkim and Union territories, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Chandigarh,
have crossed the hallway mark in reaching the goals.
(7) The scores represent the current status of achievement in meeting the goals.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. (1 X10=10)
(A) The other remaining goals are left out from SDG India Index because
(a) of lack of data of the state level
(b) they have already crossed halfway mark in reaching the goals.
(c) countries have not taken care of the remaining goals
(d) those goals have not yet been officially accepted by the countries

(B) Among Union Territories ………….. takes the lead with a score of 68 on account of its track
record in providing clean water and sanitation

(C) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.

According to the survey, ……………. topped in providing quality education.
(a) Kerala (b) Tamil Nadu (c) Chandigarh (d) Andhra Pradesh

(D) How many sustainable goals does index cover?

(a) 13 (b) 15 (c) 17 (d) 19 1 (E)

(E) What do 100 points mean as per SDG Index?

(a) It means the index has covered 13 goals including healthcare, gender equality clean energy,
infrastructure, education, peace and building strong, accountable institutions.
(b) It means the point at which it fully meets the sustainable development goal.
(c) It means the removal of poverty and equality.
(d) It means India has reached a little beyond the halfway mark to meet sustainable
development goals.

(F) Which state has the highest SDG score according to the graph?

(G) The SDG score represents the current status of achievements by the states in meeting the goals.
True/False

(H) Mention the name of the Union territory that has SDG score 65?

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(I) Select the option that is true for the two statements given below.
(1) Tamil Nadu topped the states in poverty reduction.
(2) Kerala topped the states in providing amenities.
(a) (1) is the result of (2)
(b) (1) is true and (2) is false
(c) (1) is independent of (2)
(d) (1) contradicts (2)

(J) The index covers ……………. sustainable development goals out of …………..

III. SECTION B – GRAMMAR 10 MARKS

Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 10

(i) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option. (1)
The police has set up a special team to____________ the bank robbery.
(a) look up (b) look at (c) look into (d) look for

(ii) Read the conversation between Ann and the Confectioner. Complete the sentence by
reporting the confectioner’s reply correctly. (1)
ANN : It’s my mother’s birthday tomorrow .I want to order a cake for her.
CONFECTIONER : Please choose the cake you like and it will be delivered at your
home tomorrow.
Ann told the confectioner that it was her mother’s birthday the following day and she wanted to
order a cake for her. The confectioner _________________________and added that it would
be delivered at her home the following day.

(iii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank in the sentence below: (1)
He ________his boss that he ___________back after his vacation.
(a) won’t tell/won’t have come (b)isn’t telling/doesn’t come
(c) didn’t tell/hasn’t come (d)hasn’t told/won’t be coming

(iv) Choose the correct option to complete the given dialogue. (1)
Priya : Hey Smitha, Are you free this weekend?
Smitha : Yes,_________________.
a) I am busy this weekend.
b) I have no plans for the weekend.
c) I have a meeting during the weekend.
d) Sorry .I have an appointment

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(v) Select the correct option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the
following sentence: (1)
Education plays an important role in building the individual’s personality.

OPTION ERROR CORRECTION

NO
(a) plays play
(b) an a
(c) in of
(d) the an

(vi) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket: (1)
The train ____(arrive) before I ________(reach) the station.
(a) had arrived, reached (c) was arriving, reached
(b) arrived, had reached (d)arrived ,was reaching

(vii) Report the dialogue between the Attendant and the Principal by completing the sentence:
(1)
ATTENDANT : A person wants to meet you.
PRINCIPAL : Did you ask him his name?

In response to the information given by the attendant, the Principal asked .............

(viii) Identify the error in the given sentence from a health magazine and supply the
correction. (1)
Children must consume greens regularly otherwise they should suffer from iron deficiency.
(Use the given format for your response.)

ERROR CORRECTION

(ix) Shubham shared some information with Mohit about his visit to Singapore. Report
Mohit’s question. (1)
Did you visit the Universal Studio?

(x) Complete the following motivational quotes with the correct option (1)
Umbrella can’t stop the rain but it ______protect us from rain.

(a) might (b)can (c) ought to (d)need to

(xi) Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Meetu and
Sandeep. (1)
MEETU : Where are you going?
SANDEEP : I am going to visit my aunt.
Meetu asked Sandeep ...........................
(a) where he had gone. (b) where he had been going.
(c) where he was going. (d) where he would be going.

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(xii) Identify the error in the pamphlet of a restaurant and supply the correction. (1)

PARK LANE, JAIPUR

10% discount in group of twenty people and above. Limited period offer.

Use the given format for your response.

ERROR CORRECTION

IV. SECTION B- CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (10 MARKS)

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

A. Write a letter to the editor of an English daily, making a plea to the common people to switch
over to solar energy to conserve electricity and limit electricity bills.
OR
B. Your internet connection has been slow and intermittent since the past few days. You have tried
calling the customer care. They always assure that the problem will be resolved but no action has
been taken and you have been receiving resolved messages. Write a letter to your internet service
provider explaining the situation and requesting an earliest redressal.

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

A. Study the concept chart from a recent study by WHO that has described some positive effects of
quitting smoking.

Write an analytical paragraph in about 100-120 words on the positive effects of quitting smoking
interpreting the data given.

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OR

B. Read the statement given below.

Newspapers should go online completely and we should do away with printed copies. Printing
newspapers wastes ink and paper in a digital age where most people get information from the
internet.

Write a paragraph in about 120 words analyzing the given argument. You can think about what
alternative explanations might weaken the given conclusion and include rationale/ evidence that
would strengthen/ counter the given argument.

SECTION C- LITERATURE 40 MARKS

V. Reference to the context

1. Attempt ANY ONE of the two extracts given 5

A. During the excitement I helped the chauffeur to bring out the beds, toys, cushions, coats bowls,
none of which had been used. As the car moved away Mrs. Pumphrey leaned out of the window.
Tears shone in her eyes. Her lips trembled. “Oh, Mr. Herriot”, she cried, “How can I ever thank
you? This is a triumph of surgery!”
(i)Why is Mrs Pumphrey in tears?
(a) She is sad and depressed. (b) She has been hurt by her pet
(c) Mr Herriot has offended her (d) She is excited at the recovery of her pet

(ii) “This is a triumph of surgery!” exclaims Mrs Pumphrey. What does it convey about her inner
state of mind?
(a) gratefulness (b) regret
(c) excitement (d) wistfulness

(iii) What is Mr Herriot’s profession?

(iv) The word ‘triumph’ does not correspond to defeat. (True/False)
(v) What does Mrs Pumphrey consider as a ‘triumph of surgery’?
(OR)
B. CHUBUKOV: Dear one, why yell like that? You won’t prove anything just by yelling. I don’t
want anything of yours, and don’t intend to give up. Why should I? You know my beloved that if
you propose to go on arguing about it I much sooner give up the Meadows to the peasants than to
you. There!

LOMOV: I don’t understand! How have you the right to give away somebody else’s property.
(i) Why does Chubukov tell Lomov not to yell?
(ii) To whom does Chubukov think of giving up the Meadows?
(iii) Both Chubukov and Lomov are ……………………….
(a) aggressive (b) argumentative
(c) clever (d)talkative

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(iv) The use of ‘my beloved’ by Chubukov is not in agreement with his tone. (True/False)

(v)Whom do you think the Meadows belong to?

(a) Lomov (b) Chubukov
(c) Natalya (d) peasants

2. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. (5 Marks)

A. (I am Rapunzel ,I have not a care ;

Life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair).

(i) What is Amanda doing?

a) she is imagining herself as Rapunzel
b) she has dressed as Rapunzal
c) she is reading a book on Rapunzel
d) none of these

(ii) Why will Amanda not let down her bright hair?

(iii) What is the poetic device used in this stanza?

a) Personification
b) Allusion
c) Metaphor
d) alliteration

(iv) The given lines are within brackets because____________ .

a) as it is happening in the background what I have.
b) Amanda is reading the lines.
c) Amanda is imagining the lines
d) to show the poet’s thought

(v) Find the word from the passage which means the same as ‘serene’
OR

B. Money is external,
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
The epistemology of loss, how to stand up
Knowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up
i)What is the poetic device used in the second line?
a) alliteration
b) assonance
c) personification
d) repetition

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ii) What is the rhyme scheme of the given stanza?

a) abcbc
b) ababa
c) abcda
d) There is no rhyme scheme

iii) What is the boy learning?

a) about happiness
b) about worldly things
c) about coping with loss
d) about grief

iv) Why are the boy’s eyes desperate?

v) What do you mean by ‘epistemology of loss’ in the above extract?
a) to understand the nature of loss
b) to understand the nature of desire
c) to understand about life
d) to understand about worldly things

VI. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each. 4X3=12
i. Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the Dakota…”?
(The Black Aeroplane) 3
ii. Children have a sense of belongingness towards school teachers and friends. How does Anne
Frank feel about it when she was in Montessori nursery school? (From the Diary of Anne Frank)
3
iii. After reading the story ‘A Baker from Goa’, do you think our traditions, heritage, values and
practices are the roots to nourish us? Elucidate. 3

iv. What does the poet say the boy is learning from the loss of the ball? (The Ball Poem) 3

v. Describe the symbolism in the poem ‘The Trees’ 3

VII. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. 2X3=6
i. What was Loisel’s reaction to his wife’s desire for a new dress? (The Necklace)
3
ii. What other interests, besides science, did Richard Ebright pursue? (Making of a Scientist)
3
iii. How did the invisible man become visible in Iping? What did he do then? (Footprints Without
Feet) 3

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VIII. Answer ANY ONE of the following in 100 -120 words. 1X6=6 marks

i. Bring out the humorous element in the play ‘The Proposal’.

OR
ii. “So the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore the wise do not grieve, knowing the
terms of the world.” Says The Buddha. Validate this statement with the help of the story about
Kisa Gotami. (The Sermon at Benaras)

IX. Answer ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words. 1x6=6

i. How according to the historian did one dusty old book of nursery rhymes save the world
from a Martian invasion? (The Book that Saved the Earth)
OR
ii. Why did Horace Danby get angry when anyone talked about ‘Honour among thieves’? What
does it mean in the context of the story “A Question of Trust’?

“End of paper”

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