SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2022-23)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (Code No. 184)

CLASS-X
Time allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
2. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A: READING SKILLS 20 Marks

I Read the passage given below. 10

1 A noble purpose gives meaning to one’s own life and is of benefit to others. I realized this while
researching on and writing about the life of Jamshedji Tata. What gave one man living in a
colonized country the vision to advance it in the community of nations? He not only gave India
the power to steel and hydroelectric energy, but also an institution of research.

2 He sent an educationist to Europe and the United States to report on what should be the best
model for India. The John Hopkins University in Baltimore was recommended as the model. But
Jamshedji Tata made it a point to see that his name was not associated with the university. After
his death, his dream came true with the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science in
Bengaluru. It was to be the fountainhead of science in the decades to come.

3 There are others too whose purpose in life has made a difference to society. Mother Teresa had a
comfortable life at Loretto Convent, Kolkata. On a train journey to Darjeeling, she felt her ‘calling’
and wanted to give up her comfortable life in the convent and serve the poor and the needy.

4 After that, she took a three months nursing course and returned to Kolkata. She devoted her time
to the sick and the homeless. Touched by her sacrifice, some of her students joined her and work
began. Not everyone has such a strong calling. When I asked her how one could be sure of one’s
calling, she replied, “Deep down in our hearts we know exactly what our calling is, if we are
sincere.’’ One’s purpose is shaped over a period of time, but every noble purpose is based on a
feeling for the suffering of others and our desire for alleviating that condition.
 Page 1 of 15
(444 words)
Adapted—
[Link]

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. 1x10

I What does a noble purpose give? (Paragraph 1) 1

A. Meaning to others life and destroying one’s own life.

B. Meaning to one’s own life and is of benefit to others.
C. Destroys everyone’s life.
D. Helping others

ii Whom did he send to Europe and the United States? (Paragraph 2) 1

A. Technologist
B. Antifeminist
C. Educationist
D. Psychologist
iii Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to 1
the following:

On a train journey to Darjeeling, she felt her ‘calling’ and wanted to give up
her comfortable life in the convent and serve the poor and the needy.

A. Doubt
B. Caution
C. Conviction
D. Denial

iv What was the ‘’calling’’ according to Mother Teresa? 1

A. To give up her comfortable life in the convent and serve the poor and the
needy.

B. To enjoy life.

C. To give up on her dreams.

D. To study more.

V The writer says, ‘’There are others too whose purpose in life has made a difference 1
to society.’’ (Paragraph 3)
Mention any two personalities whose purpose in life has made a difference in the
society other than those that are mentioned in the passage.

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vi Choose the relationship between the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) mentioned below: 1
(Paragraph 4)
Assertion (A): ‘’Deep down in our hearts we know exactly what our calling is, if we are
sincere.’’
Reason (R): The writer wanted to know about the strong calling.

A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

 B. Both A and R are True and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. Both A and R are false
D. A is true and R is false

vii His dream came true with the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science in 1
Bengaluru. (Paragraph 2)
From the above-mentioned sentence, whom does the writer talk about and what
was the dream?

viii The writer says, ‘’Not everyone has such a strong calling. “(Paragraph 4) 1

Select the reason why the writer said that?

A. Contentment
B. Experience
C. Orderliness
D. Confusion

ix 1
Supply 1 point to justify the following:

One’s purpose is shaped over a period of time, but every noble purpose is based on
a feeling for the suffering of others and our desire for alleviating that condition.

x Evaluate the INAPPROPRIATE reason for the feeling of having a purposeful life. 1

A. Increased optimism and hope.

B. Experiencing joy.
C. Happiness and satisfaction.
D. Bad mental health.

II Read the passage given below. 10

1 You and I need to make a decision that we are going to get our lives in order. Exercising
self-control, self-discipline and establishing boundaries and borders in our lives are some of
the most important things we can do. A life without discipline is one that’s filled with
carelessness.

2 We can think it’s kind of exciting to live life on the edge. We like the image of “Yeah! That’s me!
Living on the edge! Woo-hoo!” It’s become a popular way to look at life. But if you see, even
highways have lines, which provide margins for our safety while we’re driving. If we go over one
side, we’ll go into the ditch. If we cross over the line in the middle, we could get killed. And we
like those lines because they help to keep us safe. Sometimes we don’t even realize how lines
help to keep us safe.

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3 I’m not proud of this, but for the first 20 years of my life at work, I ignored my limits. I felt
horrible, physically, most of the time. I used to tell myself “I know I have limits and that I’ve
reached them, but I’m going to ignore them and see if or how long I can get by with it.” I ran to
doctors, trying to make myself feel better through pills, vitamins, natural stuff and anything I
could get my hands on. Some of the doctors would tell me, “It’s just stress.” That just made me
mad. I thought stress meant you don’t like what you do or can’t handle life, and I love what I do.
But I kept pushing myself, traveling, doing speaking engagements and so on – simply exhausting
myself.

4 Finally, I understood I was living an unsustainable life and needed to make some changes in my
outlook and lifestyle. You and I don’t have to be like everyone else or keep up with anyone else.
Each of us needs to be exactly the way we are, and we don’t have to apologize for it. We’re not
all alike and we need to find a comfort zone in which we can enjoy our lives instead of making
ourselves sick with an overload of stress and pressure.

(234 words)
Adapted – [Link]
i 1
Mention one appropriate reason why life should not be without
discipline?

(Paragraph 1)

ii 1
Select the correct option to complete the following sentence: (Paragraph 1)

Exercising self-control, self-discipline and establishing… in our lives

A. Boundaries and borders
B. Respect and discipline
C. Happiness and joy
D. Grateful and gratitude

iii What is the popular way to look at life? 1

A. You only live once.
B. Yeah! That’s me! Living on the edge! Woo-hoo!
C. I feel bad for others.
D. Trying to fit in.

1
iv Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/ phrase from
paragraph 2:

Roads: Highways: : …: Driving

(Clue: Just like Roads are integral to Highways, similarly is/ are integral to
Driving)

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 1
v Choose the right option from the given phrase:

If we go over one side, we’ll go into the ditch.

A. Picture 1

B. Picture 2

C. Picture 3

D. Picture 4

For the Visually Impaired Candidates

Give two points on safe driving.

vi 1
Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option.

We’re not all alike and we need to find a comfort zone in which we can enjoy our lives
instead of making ourselves sick with an … of stress and pressure.

A. Overload
 B. Quiet
C. Idle
D. inactive

1
vii Each of us needs to be exactly the way we are, and we don’t have to apologize for it.
(Paragraph 4)

Explain why the writer says that we do not have to apologize?

viii 1
What did the writer wanted to do to attain a sustainable life?

A. To live other’s life

B. To make others happy

C. To make a change in the outlook and lifestyle

D. To stay stable in life

ix List one reason how the lines keep us safe. (Paragraph 2) 1

x Select the option that title the paragraphs appropriately. 1

A. Life lesson
B. Self-respect
C. Goals to be achieved
D. Choices we make

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III SECTION B –GRAMMAR

 Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 10

i Identify the main clause and subordinate clause from the given sentence. 1

If it does not rain, we will play a match

1
ii Change into indirect speech

He said,’’ I must go to school every day

iii Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from a 1
health magazine.

As if the pain of sunburn wasn't bad enough, in the days following, you …
also find yourself covered in dry, flaky, peeling skin.

A. Must
B. Should
C. Might
D. Ought to
iv Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for 1
the following line

Since the skin is dry, it would be a good idea to moisturize by applying

lotion right after the bath or shower.

Option no. error correction

A. After before
B. Since later
C. The a
D. at in

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

"The new prime Minister said that he … the country on the path of

peace and prosperity. He also promised to lower taxes and reduce inflation."

A. Would lead

B. Had led

C. Will have led

D. Leaded

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vi Identify the error and supply the correction. 1

Pulses are a rich source in protein.

 Report the dialogue by completing the sentence: 1
vii
Ankit: Where are you going?
Atul: To the airport.
Ankit: May I drop you there in my car?
Atul: Thanks a lot. It will be a great help to me.

Ankit asked Atul where he was going. Atul replied that he was going to
the airport. Ankit further asked him …

viii Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. 1

Dolphins and killer whales has learned elaborate routine

to entertain aquarium audiences

Use the given format for your response.

error correction

1
ix Change into indirect speech:

Rama said, 'I must complete the assignment'.

x Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the slogan. 1

15 minutes … save you 15 percent or more on car insurance

A. Will
B. May
C. Need
D. Can

Page 7 of 15
xi Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions. 1

The post office is … the street from the grocery store.

A. Along
B. Across
C. At
D. Beside

xii Fill in the blanks with correct use of tense. 1

We … (go) to the vegetable market daily.

A. Will go

B. Go

C. Will be going

D. Have gone

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. You are Tanvi/Shirish of Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi. You are extremely
disturbed about the attacks on old people living alone. Write a letter in 100-120
words to the Editor, ‘The New Indian News’ making people sensitive to the
authorities to ensure that such attacks do not take place.

OR

B. You bought a flat at Ganpati Apartments, Mathura but within a period of two
months, you have started facing a lot of problems like seepage in the walls and
ceilings, leaking sanitary fittings, lift getting stalled etc. Write a letter of complaint to
 the Works Manager. You are Nidhi.

Page 8 of 15
2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A.
Read the following excerpt from an online post of a website on Research Centre.

Atomic Energy has a key role in reducing the carbon intensity of the overall
Power sector of India. Thermal power generation from all sources contributes
234,048 MW, which is 60% of the total installed power while renewables, hydro
and nuclear contribute 95,875 MW (25%), 51,220 MW (13%) and 6,780 MW (up
to 2%) respectively. Source National Power Portal.
While renewable sources of energy are environment friendly, they are
intermittent sources of power. Nuclear power, being a non-intermittent and
concentrated source of power with negligible carbon footprint, is an essential
component of the Indian power-mix to meet the International environmental
commitments of India.

India has limited domestic uranium resources while we have abundant Thorium.
To exploit Thorium, our planners have envisaged the Three Stage Nuclear Power
Program.

Indigenously built Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) form the

backbone of the first stage Indian nuclear power program. PHWRs use domestic
natural uranium (UO2) containing 0.7 % fissile 235U and 99.3% 238U as fuel and
Heavy water as moderator and primary coolant.

Reprocessing of the spent fuel from PHWRs and waste management are
important components of the three-stage nuclear program. These technologies
were developed with total indigenous efforts. Uranium and Plutonium are
chemically separated and recycled, while the other radioactive fission products
were separated and sorted according to their half-lives and radioactivity and
stored with minimal environmental impact.
 Write a paragraph in 100-120 words to analyze the given argument.
You could think about what alternative explanations might weaken the given
conclusion and include rationale / evidence that would strengthen / counter the
given argument.

OR

B. The given pie chart represents the amount of money spent by a family on different
items in a month. Write an analytical paragraph using the information given in the
chart.

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SECTION C - LITERATURE 40

V Reference to the Context 10

1 Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5

1.A “CHAI-GARAM... garam-chai,” a vendor called out in a high-pitched voice. He came up
to their window and asked,”Chai, sa’ab?” “Give us two cups,” Pranjol said. They sipped
the steaming hot liquid. Almost everyone in their compartment was drinking tea too.
“Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the
world?” Rajvir said. “Whew!” exclaimed Pranjol. “Tea really is very popular.” The train
pulled out of the station. Pranjol buried his nose in his detective book again. Rajvir too
was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at the moment he was keener on looking
at the beautiful scenery. It was green, green everywhere. Rajvir had never seen so
much greenery before. Then the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes.
(Glimpses of India)

i. Who called out CHAI-GARAM… garam chai? 1

A. Pranjol

B. Vendor

C. Rajvir

D. Gardener

ii. “Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day 1
throughout the world?”
Why did he say that?

1
iii. Fill in the blanks:

The soft green paddy fields gave way to … bushes.

iv. Who buried his nose in his detective book again? 1

A. Pranjol

B. Vendor

C. Rajvir

D. Seller

1
v. Select the options that are similar to the word ardent in the passage from the
following sentences.

A. He was an ardent fan.

B. People are being ardent about toxic things.

C. Ardently, he got engaged.

D. Never was he that ardent in his life.

OR

1.B NOODLE : (speaking into a microphone) Mars Space Control calling the crew of
Probe One. Mars Space Control calling the crew of Probe One. Come in, Captain
Omega, and give us your location.
OMEGA : (speaking into a disk which is on a chain around her neck) Captain
Omega to Mars Space Control. Lieutenant Iota, Sergeant Oop, and I have arrived
on Earth without incident. We have taken shelter in this (indicates room) — this
square place. Have you any idea where we are, Lieutenant Iota?
IOTA : I can’t figure it out, Captain. (holding up a book) I’ve counted two
thousand of these peculiar items. This place must be some sort of storage barn.
What do you think, Sergeant Oop?

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 OOP : I haven’t a clue. I’ve been to seven galaxies, but I’ve never seen anything like
this. Maybe they’re hats. (He opens a book and puts it on his head.) Say, maybe this is
a haberdashery!
OMEGA : (bowing low) Perhaps the Great and Mighty ThinkTank will give us the
benefit of his thought on the matter.

(The Book that Saved the Earth)

i. Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word calling from line 1 of 1
the extract.

A. NOODLE is calling everyone.

B. IOTA listened to his inner calling.
C. OOP has been calling IOTA.
D. OMEGA gave the final calling.

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

Space: galaxy :: … : crew

iii. Select the option that displays the reason why NOODLE called everyone? 1
A. To discuss something important.
B. To know their location.
C. To have dinner together.
D. To save their spaceship.
iv. ‘’ I haven’t a clue. I’ve been to seven galaxies, but I’ve never seen anything like this. 1
Maybe they’re hats. (He opens a book and puts it on his head.) Say, maybe this is a
haberdashery! ‘’

Who said this and why?

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v. The playwright places certain words and sentences in brackets in the given 1
extract. List any other ways this benefit both the director and actors.
i)
ii)

2 Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5

2.A The trees inside are moving out into

the forest,
the forest that was empty all these
days
where no bird could sit
no insect hide
no sun bury its feet in shadow
the forest that was empty all these
nights
will be full of trees by morning.
(The Trees)

1
i. Mention the figure of speech in the below sentence.

‘’no sun bury its feet’’

ii. The poet has used a poetic device in the given lines. What effect does she 1
wish to create by its use?

‘’the forest that was empty all these

days ‘’

A. Emphasis
B. Comparison
C. Past
D. Humor

iii.
State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE:

The forest will be filled soon.

iv. Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the 1

extract. The idea where no bird could sit is?

A. unnatural
B. scary
C. magical
D. legendary

Page 12 of 15
v. Whom did the poet compare trees to? 1
A. Children
B. Elders
C. People
D. Animals
 OR

2.B But I can get a hair-dye

And set such colour there,
Brown, or black, or carrot,
That young men in despair
May love me for myself alone
And not my yellow hair.”
(For Anne Gregory)

i. What does the poet feel about in these lines? 1

1. thoughtful
2. authoritative
3. agitated
4. insulting

Select the appropriate option.

A. 2,3
B. 1,4
C. 1,2
D. 2,4

ii. What causes the young men to ‘despair’, according to the extract? 1

iii. 1
Identify the reason for the speaker’s need to be loved for who she is, as per the
extract.

A. Her rage against others

B. Her desire to change herself.
C. Her need to change people’s perception about beauty
D. Her desire to be loved for inner beauty
iv. 1
Complete the analogy about the speaker’s hair.

Hair: color :: … : Brown

v Select the sentence in which the word ‘love’ is used in the similar manner as 1
line 5 of the extract.

A. He loves his dog.

B. She wants him to love her.
C. Everyone needs love.

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D. Love is complicated.

VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each. 4*3=12

i. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? 3

(His First Flight- Two Stories about Flying)

ii. Explain why the poet compares fire and ice. 3

(Fire and Ice)

iii. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did 3
she save up the fare?
(Madam Rides a Bus)

iv. 3
Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly
dragon”?

(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

v. 3
Chubukov says of Natalya: “... as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a
 lovesick cat…” Would you agree?

(The Proposal)

VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. 2*3=6

i. Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”? 3
(The Triumph of Surgery)

ii. How is Ausable different from other secret agents? 3

(The Midnight Visitor)

iii. What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist? 3
(The Making of a Scientist)

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

i. Gavin Maxwell lives in a cottage in Camusfearna, in the West Highlands in Scotland. 6

When his dog Jonnie died, Maxwell was too sad to think of keeping a dog again. But
life without a pet was lonely. What happened next? Explain.
(Mijbil The Otter)

OR

ii. When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house. What does she ask for? 6
Does she get it? Why not?
(The Sermon at Benares)

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

i. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed? 6

(The Thief’s Story)

 Page 14 of 15

OR

ii. Who is the real culprit in the story, ‘’A Question of Trust’’? Explain. 6
(A Question of Trust)
Answers and Hints:
Section A
I i) B II ii)A
ii) C iii)B
iii)C v)C
iv)A vi)A
vi)A viii)C
viii)D x)D
x)D

Section B
iii) C
iv) C
v) A
x)D
xi) B

Section C
V 1. A 1. B
i) B i) A
iv) A iii) B
v) A

2. A 2. B
ii) C i) A
iv) A iii) D
v) C v) B

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