DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL BANGALORE SOUTH

SAMPLE PAPER
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (184)
CLASS: X MAX. MARKS:80
DATE: TIME: 3HRS
General instructions:
15- minutes prior reading time is allotted for Q- paper reading
This question paper comprises of 11 questions. All questions are compulsory
The question paper contains THREE sections-
Section A - Reading Skills
Section B – Grammar and creative writing skills
Section C- Literature
Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each Part.

SECTION A
READING SKILLS (20 Marks)
1. Read the following text 10 M

1. Fossil fuels, primarily coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the backbone of human progress
for centuries. These fuels are derived from the remains of ancient plants and animals
buried under layers of earth for millions of years. With the industrial revolution, fossil fuels
powered machines, transportation, and the global economy, transforming societies into
modern civilizations.
2. The advantages of fossil fuels are undeniable. They provide a high-energy yield, making
them efficient and reliable sources of power. Coal-fired power plants and gasoline engines
are widespread, making fossil fuels easily accessible and cost-effective. Countries have built
their economies around these resources, ensuring industrial growth and employment
opportunities.
3. However, the heavy dependence on fossil fuels has significant consequences for the
environment. When burned, they release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that traps heat
in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. The combustion of fossil fuels also causes
air pollution, contributing to respiratory diseases and harming ecosystems.
4. Another pressing concern is the finite nature of fossil fuels. As they are non-renewable
resources, their reserves are depleting rapidly. Experts predict that oil and natural gas
supplies could run out in the next few decades. This scarcity may lead to conflicts, price
hikes, and economic instability, especially for nations heavily reliant on these resources.
5. The extraction of fossil fuels is another contentious issue. Mining coal or drilling for oil
often destroys landscapes, displaces wildlife, and pollutes water sources. Oil spills, such as
the Deepwater Horizon disaster, have had catastrophic effects on marine life and coastal
communities, highlighting the risks of fossil fuel dependence.
6. In response to these challenges, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and
hydroelectric power are being explored. These alternatives are cleaner, sustainable, and
environmentally friendly. Countries are now investing in green technologies to reduce
carbon footprints and combat climate change.
 7. Despite these developments, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is a
complex process. Many economies still depend on fossil fuels for revenue and
employment. Furthermore, renewable technologies require significant investment,
infrastructure, and innovation to become globally accessible.
8. In conclusion, while fossil fuels have fueled human progress, their environmental impact
and finite nature pose serious challenges. A balanced approach, involving a gradual shift
toward sustainable energy solutions, is crucial to ensuring a cleaner and greener future for
generations to come.

Answer the following questions based on the above passage:

(i) Which word in Paragraph 1 refers to ‘changing or improving a society through progress
and development’? 1

a) Combustion
b) Industrial
c) Transforming
d) Accessible
(ii) What is the main reason fossil fuels are considered reliable sources of energy, as
mentioned in Paragraph 2? 1

a) They are environment-friendly.

b) They provide a high-energy yield and are cost-effective.
c) They are widely replaced by renewable sources.
d) They have an infinite supply.
(iii) Which of the following best summarizes the author’s viewpoint in Paragraph 5
regarding fossil fuel extraction? 1

a) It supports environmental sustainability.

b) It causes serious harm to nature and wildlife.
c) It is a safe and efficient process.
d) It ensures economic stability.
(iv) What is the overall tone of the passage regarding fossil fuels? 1
a) Strongly critical and pessimistic
b) Highly optimistic about fossil fuels
c) Neutral and balanced
d) Indifferent to environmental issues
(v) According to the passage, what are the two major environmental consequences of
burning fossil fuels? 2
(vi) Assertion (A): Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable resources.
Reason (R): Fossil fuels take millions of years to form from the remains of ancient
plants and animals. 1
 a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation
of Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
(vii) State whether the following statement is True or False with reference to the given
extract.
Statement: "Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are
being explored as cleaner and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels." 1

True/False: _________

(viii) What challenges are mentioned in the passage regarding the transition to renewable
energy? 2

2. Read the following text 10 M

1. Mango (Mangifera indica) is Asia’s most popular fruit, and it has gained popularity around
the world. It has long been a component of culture and religion as a useful and tasty fruit.
In addition to taste, it has many good qualities thus making it to be called as “King of
Fruits”. Major mango-growing states in India include Andra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
Karnataka, Bihar, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Andra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are the
leading states in Mango production.

2. Mango is grown in an area of 5.58 million hectares of area in the world. India is the largest
producer of mangoes with 46.02 and 45.88 percent of the total world area and production,
respectively. However, India being the major shareholder in terms of mango production,
exports only 0.52% of its total production indicating the huge gap in exporting of mangoes.
Peru exports about 46%, Thailand 24%, Mexico 18%, and Brazil 11% of their total mango
production. These countries are the bigger challenges for Indian mango exports. Hence,
efforts are needed to evolve cheap transportation mechanisms, increase trade agreements
with major importing countries and enhance productivity.

3. The top importing country is United States of America, however, India exports only two
percent of its total exports to the USA. The USA, European countries , the UK, Malaysia
and Russia can be the other hotspots where India can target to export the mangoes. The
critical issue for exporting to the USA is transportation cost ( due to sea route distance )
and limited shelf life of mango, while for Europe transportation costs as well as
competition by African countries are the major hurdles.

The following chart shows the major export destinations of Indian mangoes in 2019-20 :
Table:
Major Export Destination of Indian Mangoes in 2019-2020:
 [Link]. Country Percentage
1 U.S.A 2
2 Kuwait 2
3 Saudi Arabia 3
4 Qatar 6
5 Bangladesh 6
6 Oman 7
7 U.K 9
8 Nepal 24
9 United Arab Emirates 33
10 Bahrain 2
11 Others 6

Answer the following questions based on the above passage:

(i) Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of para (1)
We can say that for becoming the King of Jungle, Lion has to be the strongest, bravest,
and fiercest. Similarly, Mango is known as the King of fruits because _________ 1

(ii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on
your understanding of para (2)
The statement that, India is the largest producer of Mangoes with 45.88 percent of the
total world production can be attributed to Indian orchardists, is a/an ________
(fact/opinion) because it is a/an ___________ (subjective judgement/objective detail) 1

(iii) India being the major shareholder in terms of mango production, exports only 0.52% of
its total production. Why? What can be done to improve this situation? 2
(iv) Based on the table, which three countries were at par with each other in terms of mango
import from India in 2019-20? 1
(v) The top mango importing country is the U.S.A., however, India exports only two
percent of
its total exports to the U.S.A. State any one inference that can be drawn from this. 1
(vi) In the given sentence taken from para-2, select the option that correctly replaces the
underlined word, with its most likely antonym. 1
These countries are the bigger challenges for Indian mango exports.
(a) Enigmas
(b) Solutions
(c) Provocations
(d) Disputes
(vii) Why is India described as the largest producer of mangoes in the world?
(Answer in about 40 words) 2
(viii) Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage? 1
(a) India needs to produce more mangoes so that more can be exported.
(b) The UAE imported most mangoes from India in 2019-2020.
 (c) India is the largest producer of mangoes and by putting in more effort, has the
potential
to be the largest exporter too.
(d) More study is needed to find ways to increase the export of mangoes from India.
SECTION-B
Grammar and Creative Writing Skills (20 Marks)
GRAMMAR

3. Complete any ten of the following twelve tasks, as directed: (10x1=10)

i. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence.

when nutrition therapy is provided by qualified professional, people can learn how to make
better food choices.
Use the given format for your response
Error Correction

ii. Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option:
The manager plans to __________ the new project next month.
a. Start
b. Starts
c. Started
d. Starting
iii. Report the dialogue between a teacher and a student.
Kanchan: My new dress is very pretty.
Maitreyi: Will you show it to me?
Reported Speech: Kanchan told her friend Maitreyi that her new dress was very pretty.
Maitreyi asked her ___________________.
iv. Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option:
She ____________ the book she was looking for by the time the library closed.
a. found
b. will find
c. have found
d. had found
v. Report the dialogue between a father and his son.
Father: Have you completed your homework?
Son: Yes, I have finished it.
Reported Speech: The father asked if __________.
vi. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete a live interview in a company.
I have a great interest in this position and assure you that I ____________ prove to be an
asset to your company.
a. Could
b. ought to
c. Will
d. Do
[Link] in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence:
___________ by hunger, the elephant herd entered the sugarcane fields.
a. Drove
b. Driven
c. Having Driven
d. Driving
viii.
Identify the error and supply the correction for the given sentence from a commercial
company’s current marketing strategy.
“Our team of experts are ready to assist you with all your needs."

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

ix. Complete the line from a short poem by filling in the blank with the correct option.
I followed the signs, and I
……….. getting nowhere
Oh! Why did I follow you?
Follow you ? Follow you ?
a) Wind up
b) Wound up
c) Wounded up
d) Winds up

x. Report the dialogue between a teacher and his student, by completing the sentence.
Teacher: Sahil, what happened to you? You look upset.
Student: I lost my Exercise Book.
The teacher asked Sahil __________________ to him as he looked upset, to which Sahil
answered that he had lost his Exercise Book.
a) What had happened
b) What has happened
c) If anything had happened
d) If anything has happened
xi. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence:
Read _________ of these questions carefully. (each/every)

[Link] in the blanks by selecting the correct option:

"You ____ bring your friends to the party if you like."
a. ought to b. can c. should d. must

CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (10 Marks)

4. Attempt ANY ONE from (A) and (B) given below. 5
 A. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper complaining about employing minor
children both boys and girls as full domestic help, also advocating the need to stop such
practice which deprives the children of their basic rights. You are Kumar/Nita, B-30,
Mayur Vihar, Phase-II, Delhi.
OR
B. You are Vinita/Vineet, a customer of Excitel Broadband. Write a letter to the
Customer Care Department, Excitel regarding the poor Internet connection service. You
are a resident of 485, Ram Nagar, Gujarat.

5. Attempt ANY ONE from (A) and (B) given below. 5

A. Study the graph given below. The graph depicts the number of students of class X
speaking English and Hindi in three different types of schools in New Delhi. Based on
the details in the bar graph below, write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words.

OR
B. Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in the magazine section of a
local daily: “Technology is addicting, and like any drug, it is especially effective on
children. Be it cell phones, iPods, tablets, computers, or a simple television set,
technology hooks children.”
Write a paragraph to analyse 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.

Section – C
Literature (40 Marks)
[Link] the given extracts and answer any one of the given two : 5

A. I was a thief when I met Anil. And though only 15, I was an experienced and fairly
successful hand. Anil was watching a wrestling match when I approached him. He was
about 25- a tall, lean fellow and he looked easy-going, kind, and simple enough for my
purpose. I hadn’t had much luck of late and thought I might be able to get into the young
man’s confidence. “You look a bit of a wrestler yourself,” I said. A little flattery helps in
making friends. “so, do you,” he replied, which put me off for a moment because at that
time I was rather thin
(The Thief’s Story)

(i) State any one inference about Hari from the given context.
1

“I was an experienced and fairly successful hand.”

(ii) State which of the following lines is FALSE as per the given passage. 1

(A)Anil did not have any malicious intent.

(B)Anil was just being funny and easy.
(C)Both were trying to make pleasant conversation.
(D)Both were wrestlers in training.

(iii) Hari found Anil ‘simple enough for my purpose’ . What does he mean by this?
Elaborate in about 30-40 words, with reference to the extract.
2
(iv) Which phrase from the extract would correctly substitute ‘laid-back”?
1

OR
B. “Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as ‘bol’ just as a party or
a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how important a
baker can be for a village. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion
of her daughter's engagement. Cakes and ‘bol’ are a must for Christmas as well as other
festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker in the village is absolutely essential.”
(Glimpses of India: A Baker from Goa)

(i) Breads are a very important part of the culture of the people in Goa . Which of
the given options does not corroborate the statement?
1
(A)Bols are central to marriage celebrations and festivals.
(B)Festivals especially Christmas are incomplete without cakes.
(C)Every house has their furnace in Goa.
(D)Special sandwiches are made on a daughter’s engagement.

(ii) What makes the marriage gifts meaningless? Answer in about 30-40 words
2

(iii) The word sandwich is named after the Earl of sandwich who loved eating
sandwiches . Read the following description (A) to (B) and identify which one
 does not correspond to the name of a person in its origin as shown in the
extract.
(A)It is Murphy’s Law.
(B)Maintain the temperature at 200 Fahrenheit.
(C)We are leaving for the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
(D)Stop acting like a Scrooge!

(iv) What is the traditional name of bakers in Goa and what made them
different from other people in appearance?
1

7. Read the given extracts and answer ANY ONE of the two, given. 5

A. My head is full of whispers

Which tomorrow will be silent
Listen. The glass is breaking.
The trees are stumbling forward
into the night. Winds rush to meet them.
The moon is broken like a mirror,
Its pieces flash now in the crown
of the tallest oak. (The Trees)

(i) In the line “ Listen. The glass is breaking” who is the poet addressing and why?
1
(ii) What is the significance of the use of the words ‘whispers’ and ‘glass’ in the
poem and how does this word choice contribute to the overall mood and tone
of the poem? Answer in about 30-40 words.
2
(iii) What is the tone of the events taking place in the extract?
1. Dynamic 2. Stagnant 3. Monotonous 4. Vile 5. Revolutionary
Select the appropriate option
(a) 1,5 (b) 4,5 (c) 2,4 (d) 2,3 1

(iv) What does the line: “My head is full of whispers which tomorrow will be
silent” tell us about the poet’s state of mind?
1
OR
B. Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household
A little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,
 He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
(i) Fill in the blank with suitable words on the basis of your understanding of the
given lines.
Belinda paled and cried for help because she was_______________ with
__________________ 1

(ii) What is the significance of the use of the words: fled, trickled down and
mouse holed to describe the reactions of Belinda’s pets and how does this
word choice contribute to the overall situation in the poem? Answer in about
30-40 words. 2
(iii) The words, ‘But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine’ show that …. 1
(A)Custard was angry and ready to fight Ink and Blink.
(B)Custard was ready to move energetically.
(C)Custard was ready to attack the pirate.
(D)Custard was clearing his throat.

(iv) State TRUE or FALSE with reference to the given extract. 1

The line "He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm" uses a metaphor to describe
Custard's attack.

8. Answer any FOUR of the following five questions, in 40-50 words

each:4x3=12

(i) What was the ‘appalling spectacle’ Maxwell noticed when he returned from having a
hurried meal ? 3
(Mijbil the Otter)
(ii) How did Anne finally stop Mr. Keesing from punishing her? 3
(From the Diary of Anne Frank)
(iii) Do you think Chubukov is a good father? Justify your opinion based on your reading of
the text. 3
(The Proposal)
(iv) How does the poet suggest that you identify the lion and the tiger? When can you do
so, according to him? 3
(How To Tell Wild Animals)
(v) What impression of Amanda do you get from the poem ‘Amanda!’? 3
(Amanda)

9. Answer any TWO of the three questions, in 40-50 words each: 2x3=6
(i) What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? 3
(The Necklace)
(ii) Why did Bholi’s parents compare her to a dumb cow? 3
 (Bholi)
(iii) What does Think-Tank infer on listening to the nursery rhyme, ‘Hey diddle diddle…’? 3
(The book that saved the world)

10. Answer any ONE of the following two questions, in 100-120 words: 1x6=6
A. Life is about winning and losing. Man learns to take them in a stride and stand-up brave
in the face of every situation. With reference to ‘The Ball Poem’ and ‘Sermon at Benaras’,
prepare a set of dialogues between the boy and Kisa Gotami to elaborate the point. You
may begin like this :
Kisa: It is difficult to hold yourself and impossible to accept losing a loved one.
The Boy: Yes! True,
_______________________________________.

OR
B. The poems “How to tell Wild Animals “and “The Tale of Custard Dragon” deal with
ferocious animals with a different perspective. Humour necessarily does not come from
funny situations. Humour can be seen when there is none. Discuss the instances of
humour in both the poems

11. Answer any ONE of the following two questions, in 100-120 words: 1x6=6

A. Our sins never go unpunished. Horace Danby ultimately had to go to prison.

This shows that despite planning a crime intelligently and carefully, a criminal
cannot escape the law. Explain. (A Question of Trust)

OR
B. “Scientists work to discover answers oftentimes for years and with numerous failures.”
Analyze this quote with reference to ‘Making of A Scientist’.