DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, DEHRADUN

CYCLE TEST-2 (SESSION 2022-23)

CLASS: X
SUB: ENGLISH
KEY PAPER
Time- 40 mins Marks: 25

A. Read the passage given below.

1. Why does a person become overconfident? The reason lies in over assessment of his capabilities.
Sometimes people over assess their competence and jump into situations that are beyond their control.
Napoleon Bonaparte who became Emperor of France would say that the word `impossible' was common only
amongst fools. The overconfident Napoleon invaded Russia in the winter of 1812. This proved to be a big
disaster.
2. Overconfidence generally leads people into misadventures, endangering their chances in life. It is wisely
said that any achievement is a result of two factors—one's personal planning and support from the external
world. People take into account only their planning, generally ignoring external factors. They become unable
to foresee future developments. Hence, the great risk of failure. Then there is the question: how can one
manage overconfidence? The formula is very simple. Before taking a decision discuss the matter with other
informed people with an objective mind and when it is proved that you are about to go off the path, accept
reality and say without delay, "I was wrong."
3. Overconfidence is a flaw characterizing people who lack the virtue of modesty. Modesty makes you a
realist; you become a person who is cut down to size. People of this kind become very cautious; before taking
an action they assess the whole situation. They adopt a realistic approach. Overconfident people live within
their own thoughts. They know themselves but they are unaware of others. Living inside their own cell they
are unable to make use of the experience of others. This kind of habit is highly damaging to all concerned.
4. There is a saying that the young man sees the rule and the old man sees the exception. With a slight change,
I would like to say that the overconfident person sees the rule and the confident person sees the exception.
Overconfident people are always at risk. It is said that taking risk is good but it must be well calculated
otherwise it becomes very dangerous.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. (1 x 8 = 8)
(i) When does a person become overconfident?
(ii) What proved disastrous for Napoleon Bonaparte?
(iii) What are the two factors that bring achievement in life?
(iv) Which habit is highly damaging?
(v) Why are overconfident people always at risk?
(vi) When are the people at a great risk of failure?
(vii) Find a word from para-3 which means the same as “humility”.
(viii) Find the word from para-3 which is the opposite of “imaginative”
Ans:
(i) Sometimes people over assess their competence and jump into situations that are beyond their
control.
(ii) Napoleon Bonaparte who became Emperor of France would say that the word `impossible' was
common only amongst fools. The overconfident Napoleon invaded Russia in the winter of 1812.
This proved to be a big disaster.
(iii) Any achievement is a result of two factors—one's personal planning and support from the
external world.
 (iv) Overconfident people live within their own thoughts. They know themselves but they are
unaware of others. Living inside their own cell they are unable to make use of the experience of
others. This kind of habit is highly damaging to all concerned.
(v) Overconfident people are always at risk. It is said that taking risk is good but it must be well
calculated otherwise it becomes very dangerous.
(vi) People take into account only their planning, generally ignoring external factors. They become
unable to foresee future developments. Hence, the great risk of failure.
(vii) Modesty
(viii) Realistic
B. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify the error and
write its correction against the correct blank number. Remember to underline the correction.
(1/2 x 4=2)
Today, democracy is often assume to (a) assumed
be a liberal form at governance, a form (b) of
of representative democracy when the ability (c) where
of elect representative and the will of the majority (d) elected
to exercise decision making power is subject to the rule of law.
C. Complete the passage given below by choosing the correct alternatives. (1x3=3)
Today, you are proud to say that you live in India’s capital but (a)…………….. you guess how many of
your fellow citizens were actually around (b)………………. the national capital was shifted from Calcutta
to New Delhi in 1911? Believe it or not, the answer is not in mere tens or hundreds but (c) ……………….
astounding 3,938.
(a) (i) could (ii) can (iii) if (iv) did
(b) (i) when (ii) where (iii) whose (iv) which
(c) (i) a (ii) the (iii) an (iv) of
D. Read the extract given below and answer the following questions. (1x4=4)
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the waterhole
Where plump deer pass.
(a) Where is the tiger hiding?
(b) Who is going to be his prey?
(c) Why should he be lurking in shadow?
(d) What is the rhyme scheme of these lines?
Ans:
(i) The tiger is hiding in the long grass.
(ii) A plump deer
(iii) To hide in the shadow for catching its prey.
(iv) abcb
E. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words. (2x4=8)
(a) What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
(b) What were the two anthems sung on the day of oath-taking ceremony? Why?
(c) Money cannot make a man as much as education can’. Elucidate this statement.
(d) Why was it difficult for Hari to rob Anil?

Ans:
(a) According to Nelson Mandela, every man has two obligations in life. The first obligation is to his family,
to his parents, wife and children. Secondly, he has an obligation to his country, people, and community.
(b) To symbolize the equality of blacks and whites and the end of apartheid, two national anthems were sung
on the day of the inauguration. One was sung by the whites and the other was sung by the blacks.
(c) Hari Singh had all the sharp wickedness to rob a person. He knew how to rob and whom to rob. He chose
Anil for his purpose because the later was simple and easy, to approach. But when Anil started teaching him
how to write words and then sentences and adding numbers, a good man in Hari Singh started dreaming of a
life full of honestly and dignity. He got the chance to rob, he robed but the dream of being educated did not
let him go. He returned to be educated.
(d)It was difficult for Hari to rob Anil because Anil was the most trusting person Hari had ever met. He was
really simple and kind. Hari knew that loss of money will not affect Anil but the loss of trust will make him
sad.
***********