Table of Contents
CBSE SA1 Sample Papers – Class 10
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English 2016-17 Set 5
SECTION-A: READING (20 marks)
Q. 1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (8 marks)
(1) These days, it is not unusual to see people listening to music or using their electronic gadgets while crossing busy roads or travelling on public transports,regardless of the risks involved. I have often wondered why they take such risks; is it because they want to exude a sense of independence, or is it that they want to tell the world to stop bothering them ? Or is it that they just want to show how cool they are ? Whether it is a workman or an executive, earphones have become an inseparable part of our lives, sometimes even leading to tragic-comic situations.
(2) The other day, an electrician had come to our house to fix something. We told him in detail what needed to be done. But after he left, I found that the man had done almost nothing. It later turned out that he could not hear our directions clearly because he had an earphone on. Hundreds of such earphones addicts commute by the Delhi Metro every day. While one should not be grudge anyone their moments of privacy or their love for music, the fact is ‘iPod oblivion’ can sometimes be very dangerous.
(3) Recently, I was travelling with my wife on the Delhi Metro. Since the train was approaching the last station, there weren’t too many passengers. In our compartment, other than us, there were only two women sitting on the other side of the aisle. And then suddenly, I spotted .a duffel bag. The bomb scare lasted for several minutes. Then suddenly, a youth emerged from nowhere and picked up the bag. When we tried to stop him, he looked at us, surprised. Then he took off his earpieces, lifted the bag, and told us that the bag belonged to him and that he was going to get off at the next station.
(4) We were stunned but recovered in time to ask him where he was all this while. His answer: he was in the compartment, leaning against the door totally immersed in the music. He had no clue about what was going on around him. When he got off, earplugs in his hand, we could hear strains of the song.
(A) Read the above passage and answer the questions that follow: (1×5 = 5 marks)
(i) What reasons does the author offer for the people taking risks on the road ? (1)
(ii) Why didn’t the electrician carry out the work properly ? (1)
(iii) Why were the people in the Metro doubtful about the bag ? (1)
(iv) Why were the passengers stunned ? (1)
(v) Explain the term ‘earphone addicts’. (1)
(B) Find words from the paragraph indicated which are similar in meaning to the words given below: (1×3 = 3 marks)
(i) inspite of (para 1) (1)
(ii) absorbed (para 4) (1)
(iii) picked (para 3) (1)
Q. 2. Read the passage given below: (12 marks)
(1) Cardamom, the Queen of all Spices, has a history as old as the human race. It is the dried fruit of a herbaceous perennial plant. Warm humid climate, loamy soil rich in organic matter, distributed rainfall and special cultivation and processing methods all combine to make Indian cardamom truly unique in aroma, flavour, size and it has a parrot green colour.
(2) Two types of cardamom are produced in India. The first type is the large one, which has not much significance as it is not traded in the future market. It is cultivated in North-eastern area of the country. The second type is produced in the Southern states and these are traded in the future market. These are mainly cultivated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. As per the future market rules, only 7 mm quality was previously traded in exchanges. But later, it relaxed its norms, and now 6 mm quality is also traded in the exchanges.
(3) The small variety, known for its exotic quality throughout the world, is now traded in India’s commodity future exchanges. Traditional auction markets also exist for trading in small cardamom in the country.
(4) Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. It is often adulterated and there are many inferior substitutes from cardamom-related plants such as Siam cardamom, Nepal cardamom, Winged Java cardamom, etc. However, it is only Elettaria cardamom which is the true cardamom. Indian cardamom is known in two main varieties : Malabar cardamom and Mysore cardamom. The Mysore variety contains levels of cineol and limonene and hence is more aromatic.
(5) India was the world’s largest producer and exporter of cardamom till the 1980s. By 1990s Guatemala emerged as the leading producer and exporter of cardamom.
(6) The main harvest season of cardamom in India is between August-February. Cardamom reaches yielding stage two years after planting. The primary physical markets of cardamom are Kumily, Vandenmedu, Thekkady, Puliyarmala in Kerala and Bodynaikkannur and Cumbam in Tamil Nadu. Cardamom auctions also take place in Sakalespur and Sirsi in Karnataka.
(7) North India is the main market for cardamom produced in the country. Normally, domestic . demand goes up during the major festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra and Eid. Colour, size and aroma are the major variables that shape cardamom prices in the Indian market. Cardamom price formation in India is also influenced by the output in Guatemala as that country controls the global markets.
(8) Kerala is the main producer of cardamom and contributes up to 60% in total production. Karnataka produces around 25% cardamom of the total production. Ooty is the main producer of cardamom in Tamil Nadu and contributes around 10-15% of the total production.
Besides India, Guatemala also produces around 2,200 ton cardamom. On the other hand, India produces nearly 1,000-2,000 ton cardamom per year. Due to low quality of cardamom from Guatemala, it remains available at cheaper rates. Moreover, cardamom of Indian origin fetches $ 3-4 per kilogram higher rates than the ones from Guatemala.
(A) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions.(2×4 = 8 marks)
(a) Why is Indian cardamom unique ? (2)
(b) What is special about the Mysore quality of cardamom ? (2)
(c) -What role does Guatemala play in the Indian market ? (2)
(d) Write two sentences on the harvesting of cardamom. (2)
(B) Find words from the options given below which mean the same as : (1×4 = 4 marks)
(e) permanent: (para 1) (1)
(f) fragrance : (para 1) (1)
(g) earlier : (para 2) (1)
(h) make poor in quality by adding another substances : (para 4) (1)
SECTION – B: WRITING AND GRAMMAR (25 marks)
Q. 3. In today’s age of stress and anxiety, the children need to understand the importance of sleep, meditation and yoga over social networking and the use of the cell phone. Write an article of 120 words on ‘Concentration and Composure’, the need of the hour. You can take hints from the unit ‘Health and Medicine’ of the Main Course Book. (5 marks)
Q. 4. Meena is a 12 year old girl. She is staying with her mother. No one was there for their help. One day a stranger came to Meena’s house. Her mother was not in the house at that time. The man caught hold of Meena. She began to cry loudly. But no one was there to hear her. (10 marks) Complete the story in about 150-200 words.
Q. 5. Fill in the blanks using one word in each blank: (1/2 x 6 = 3 marks)
The Delhi Police (a)……….busted a gang of robbers (b)……….had robbed 20 crore (c)……….
a bank. The arrested have (d) …….. identified as Jaswant Tiwari, his brother Hemant Tiwari
(e)……….his uncle Mithilesh Tiwari. The trio (f)………caught red handed with the money stuffed
in suitcases.
Q. 6. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Identify the error and write the correct word against the correct blank number. (4 marks)
Error Correction
Vijender Singh of Bhiwani, be the (a) ………………. ……………….
first Indian boxer as bring an Olympic (b) ………………. ……………….
medal to India at 2008. (c) ………………. ……………….
Vijender was encouraged from his coach. (d) ………………. ……………….
Q. 7. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows : (3 marks)
Haiku : The landlord has come. Take out the money you have set aside.
Wife : But there are only three hundred rupees. If you give them to him, where is the blanket going to come from ?
Haiku : Don’t worry. I will figure out some other plan.
Haiku told his wife that the landlord had come, she should take out (a)…………….His wife said that
(b)…………and asked him if he gave them to him (c)…………..
SECTION – C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND LONG READING TEXT (25 marks)
Q. 8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
He smiled uncomfortably. ‘Just plans sir\ He answered in a low voice.
(a) Who is’he’in the above lines ?
(b) Why did ‘he’ smile uncomfortably ?
(c) What are the ‘plans’ being talked about ?
OR
They’ll stretch, won’t they ? I am not going to have them wasted.
(a) What is they? (1)
(b) What does the speaker want the listener to do ? Why ? (1)
(c) What will happen when ‘They’ will stretch ? (1)
Q. 9. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words : (2×4 = 8 marks)
(a) How did the post office become a place of pilgrimage for Ali ? (2)
(b) Discuss the role of the audience in the tragic fate of the nightingale. (2)
(c) Point out the element of irony in the title of ‘The Dear Departed’. (2)
(d) How did the loss of parents in the war affect the two boys ? (2)
Q. 10. Answer any one of the following questions in 80-100 words: (VBQ) (4 marks)
Coachman Ali and the Post Master share feeling of guilt but their realisation comes a little too late to make amends. Describe what they feel guilty about and how the realisation comes to them when ‘ they realise the value of human relationships.
OR
Imagine you are Lucia. You have been told by the nurse in the hospital that you have completely recovered from your illness and you can go home tomorrow. You are very happy and thankful to your brothers. Write a diary entry in about 150 words, expressing your gratitude to your brothers and mentioning your future plans. Also mention the value and feelings of love towards your brothers.
NOVEL/LONG READING TEXT (10 marks)
Attempt any one question from 11(a) or 11(b) in about 150 words.
The Diary of a Young Girl
Q. 11. (a) Paper has more patience than people. Justify with reference to ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’. (10 marks)
OR
(a) Anne Frank was a good reader. Justify quoting examples from the text.
The Story of My Life
Q. 11. (b) How did Helen feel at the Perkins Institute ? How did die children at the Institute receive her ? (10 marks)
OR
(b) Write the character-sketch of Miss Anne Sullivan.
