CBSE Sample Papers for Final Board Exams Class 10 English Communicative – Paper 10
(For Annual Board Examinations to be held in and after March 2018 and onwards)
Based on the latest syllabus and design of the Question Paper released by the C.B.S.E., New Delhi.
Strictly based on the Remodelled Scheme of Assessment, the Latest Syllabus and Design of the Question Paper released by the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi effective from academic year 2017-18.
MODEL TEST PAPER 10 (Unsolved)
SECTION A : READING (20 MARKS)
Question 1:
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : [8]
The hopping kangaroo is a familiar sight in every snapshot relating to Australia. Members of the kangaroo family can be as small as a rat or as big as a man. Kangaroos are found mainly in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. Kangaroos, which are big-footed marsupials that evolved in Australia, use their short front legs like arms. The man-sized kangaroos of Australia are capable of speeding up to 88 km/hr for short distances, their means of locomotion being their powerful hind legs, which carry them over the ground in jumps of 9 m or more at a time.
Weighing around 70 kg, they have an average lifespan of around six to eight years and a maximum lifetime of 20 years. When bothered by predators, kangaroos often head for the water, standing submerged to the chest, and attempting to drown the attacker by holding him under water. Another defensive technique is to get their back to a tree and kick at their adversary with their clawed hind feet, sometimes with sufficient force to kill a man. Normally shy animals, they alert other kangaroos to danger by beating on the ground with their hind feet. This loud alarm signal carries over a long distance.
The tail is important for kangaroos. It holds them in balance and supports them when they sit or fight against other kangaroos. The kangaroo uses its short legs as arms. With them it scratches itself cleans its fur and holds branches when it eats leaves. Kangaroos are marsupials and the females carry newborns in a pouch in front of their abdomens. The babies are bom small and climb up into the safety of the pouch. There, for the next 225 days or so, they eat, sleep and grow. Once they reach full development, they leave the pouch. A young kangaroo that leaves the pouch is called a ‘joey’. To keep from getting too hot, the kangaroos take naps in the afternoon and do most of their grazing at night. But the best stay-cool secret of these creatures is the spit bath! Kangaroos drool and lick saliva all over their faces and bodies to cool down.
(a) What do kangaroos do when they are bothered by predators? [1]
(b) How do their hind legs help them in defending themselves? [1]
(c) Where are kangaroos mainly found? [1]
(d) In what way their tail is important to the kangaroos? [1]
(e) How do kangaroos warn other kangaroos about danger? [1]
(f) How are their short front legs useful to them? [1]
(g) How do they keep themselves cool? [1]
(h) What is the lifespan of a kangaroo? [1]
Question 2:
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : [12]
It is rare to find someone with a good technical and communication skills. You can get far ahead of your colleagues if you combine the two early in your career. People will judge, evaluate, promote or block you based on your communication skills. Since habits form by repeating both good and badforms of communication, learn to observe great communicators and adopt their styles and traits — in written and verbal forms. The art of listening and learning from each and every interaction, is another secret recipe. Develop the subconscious habit of listening to yourself as you speak and know when to pause.
Learning what not to say is probably more important than learning what to say. As your career develops, you will realise that the wise speak less. Speak when you have value to add, else refrain. Poorly constructed emails with grammatical errors are acceptable between friends, but they should be seriously avoided while communicating formally with your seniors. Avoid any communication in an emotional state when you might say things you will regret later. One unnecessary word uttered at the wrong time or place can ruin a relationship, career or even your life. Such is the power of words. If such a thing happens, you should immediately apologise, else it may haunt you for life.
Another problem to overcome is speaking too fast. Since our minds are working faster than our speech, we are inclined to speak fast. This does not necessarily mean that the person hearing it will get it any faster. On the contrary, it is always the reverse. So slow down, and think before you speak. “When I get ready to speak to people, ” Abraham Lincoln said, “I spend two-thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one-third thinking what I want to say. ” Adding humour and wit is also essential. But realise that not all jokes are funny and observe certain boundaries. Never say anything that could offend. Remember you are not a comedian who must offend as many people as you can to be witty.
(a) How do people judge our skills? [2]
(b) Explain the “Secret Recipe” of the writer. Will it really help us? [2]
(c) Do you agree with the list of “dont’s” suggested by the writer while speaking? Why? Why not? [2]
(d) Why can’t we take liberties, while speaking, that a comedian can take? [2]
(e) Why shouldn’t one speak too fast? [1]
(f) Why is it important to avoid communicating while you are in an emotional state? [1]
(g) Which word in the passage means ‘qualities’? [1]
(h) Give the synonym of ‘haunt’. [1]
SECTION B : WRITING AND GRAMMAR (30 MARKS)
Question 3:
You were one among a group of students who represented your state in a national youth exchange programme. It was an eye-opener which made you realise the spirit of unity in diversity. Taking ideas from the MCB unit on ‘National Integration’ along with your own ideas, write a letter to the editor of a newspaper in about 100-120 words on the importance of national integration. You are Maya/Mohan, 4-Rampur Road, Bareilly. [8]
Question 4:
Write a short story in about 200-250 words on the basis of the hints provided : [10]
The doorbell rang. Sunil opened the door. At first he could not recognise the tall and well-dressed man who stood before him. Then the man spoke and all of a sudden…………………………….
Question 5:
Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate options from the ones that follow :[4]
Alaska’s size and climate make transportation (a)____________ challenge. Long ago, sledges pulled (b)__________ dog teams were the best way to travel (c)____________ native people. They still remain (d)__________ important means of travelling.
Question 6:
The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line against which a blank has been given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as given in the example. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied. [½ x 8 = 4]
Question 7:
Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences. [4]
(a) coloured bus / children / we saw / full of / a yellow / excited
(b) they were / we guessed / on the / planetarium / way / to the
(c) part / this / study tour / of their / was / the
(d) minds / faster / our / work / speech / than / our
SECTION C : LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND EXTENDED READING TEXT (30 MARKS)
Question 8:
Read one of the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow : [4]
“How amused everyone would be if they knew what really happened, ” said Louisa Mebbin a few days later.
(a) Who is Louisa Mebbin and who is she speaking to?
(b) What had really happened?
(c) Louisa Mebbin mentioned a name, which (a person who would believe her story) frightened her listener. Give the name and state who the person was.
(d) What did Louisa Mebbin ask for from the speaker to keep quiet about the real story.
OR
“Well, you needn’t be, because I just came to tell you to stop bothering us for assistance; you ain’t going to get it. We ’re going on strike! ’’
(a) Who speaks these words and to whom?
(b) Why does the speaker say “Well, you needn’t be”?
(c) What was the ‘assistance’ that was now denied by the speaker?
(d) What is the significance of ‘bothering’ in the passage?
Question 9:
Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words : [2×4 = 8]
(a) Why was the Albatross considered as a ‘Christian Soul’?
(b) Why couldn’t Michael help Sebastian the first time?
(c) How did Decius Brutus interpret Calpumia’s dream?
(d) How did Patol Babu lose his job in Calcutta?
Question 10:
Answer one of the following questions in about 100-120 words : [8]
Patience and hard work go a long way in achieving your goals. How does Patol Babu win the admiration of the director through a very small role?
OR
Mark Antony, with the help of his oratory, succeeded in winning the mob over to his side. This led to the downfall of the conspirators. Write how with the power of words he could effect a change in his listeners.
Question 11:
Answer one of the following questions in about 200-250 words : [10]
Why does Anne criticise the attitude of the grown-ups in her diary? Explain with examples.
OR
Write a character sketch of Mrs. van Daan.
OR
What were Helen’s memories of Radcliffe?
OR
How important was the presence of Miss Anne Sullivan in Helen’s life?
