CBSE Sample Papers - Class 10 SA2 English Solved 2016 Set 9

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CBSE SA2 Sample Papers – Class 10

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English 2016 Set 9

SECTION A-Reading

1. Read the following passage carefully.
1 Earlier considered an exotic ingredient, mushrooms are now common in both households and eateries. While the button mushrooms are commonly found in local markets, connoisseurs are now dishing out recipes that include imported varieties such as truffles, porcini, enoki and chanterelles. Apart from their high nutritional content, mushrooms can add a lot of flavour to both Indian and continental dishes as they can be cooked in a variety of ways from sautes to stir-fries to an Indian dish.
2To identify the expensive porcini mushroom, look for the firm brown ones that have no spots or pale undersides. Their contours resemble the typical mushroom that is commonly featured in children’s nursery rhyme books. They are available in both fresh and dry form and have a concentrated taste. They inject the dish with a woody, pungent flavour and can be used in soups and risottos.
3 The Enoki variety is characterized by a fruity aroma. Its long, thin stems can be eaten raw, peppered with some lemon juice, salt and pepper. When cooked it can be blended with spices like oregano, basil, and even nuts and fruits. Other exotic varieties like the Shimeji are characterised by thin stems, light brown caps and can be added to soups, and sauces.
4 The common button mushroom, is firm to the touch and are available in plenty. In their raw state they exhibit a snow-white exterior but once they mature or ripen,they turn a brown shade, and are then called the Swiss mushroom or Portobelloo variety. It is a good source of the energy boosting Vitamin B and also as selenium, copper, potassium and is high in fibre and nutrients. The mushroom pancake or a stuffed risotto is a surefire sellout for breakfast with the family.
5 Irrespective of which mushroom variety one might choose to purchase, it is necessary to buy them from a good vegetable vendor. Also their delicate texture makes cleaning them a chore but they must be thoroughly washed before use. Eating cooked mushroom is a better option than eating them raw. Not only does this increase their nutritive index but also removes toxins from them.
Q. On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following questions.
(a) Cite two reasons why mushrooms are a popular addition to the Indian diet.
(b) In what ways can the porcini mushroom be identified?
(c) Which variety of mushroom can be eaten raw?
(d) What are the ingredients used when cooking it?
(e) When are button mushrooms referred to as Swiss mushrooms?
(f) What are the nutritional benefits found in button mushrooms?
(g) Which variety of mushroom adds a woody flavour to soups and risottos?
(h) What precautions must be taken with mushrooms?

2. Read the following passage carefully.
1 Do you remember the last time you laughed out loud? For most of us laughing out loud is an uphill task.More often than not people think that they have no time to laugh. There are more important things to do.But if you ask Jean Leggett, the Canadian founder of Bootcamp she’ll say you do not have anything more important to do than just laugh. Says Sudha Chandra, who attended a bootcamp: ‘My life was joyless. Hiring a laughter coach changed my perspective towards life. I learnt to record my emotions and ensured that the four elements of joy – dancing, laughing, singing and playing – helped to build an emotional reserve.’
2 The cynic in us may still think it is an exaggeration, but the fact is that we can be taught to laugh more. Neuroscientist Jodi Deluca says it doesn’t matter why you laugh. Even in small doses, laughter improves the quality of life. You can condition people to feel more positive as laughter opens up the mind and frees the creative juices. It makes us more receptive to new ideas. The New York-based laughter coach Beth Bongar says that since our everyday lives are full of stresses, in her classes on laughter she uses the ‘gibberish’ technique where everyone laughs by using gibberish sounds. Such playful exercises help to reduce inhibitions and shyness and convert simulated laughter into unconditional laughter.
3 According to the greatest laughter therapists laughter is a cathartic process which helps rebalance the chemistry of emotions which can be a keynote for healing. Several researchers on the benefits of laughter in Japan have shown that laughter therapy is an efficient, low-cost, medical treatment that cuts health costs. According to their findings laughter is a stimulant that triggers energy inside a person’s DNA, potentially helping to cure disease. When we are laughing with other people, we share a sense of connectedness which in turn reduces loneliness. Says comedian Vir Das: ‘When 3000 people laugh at me during my performance, even if I’ve had a bad day, I feel joyful. Not everyone can be a comedian, but we can all learn to be more joyful.’
2.1 Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words.
(a) Why do people hesitate to laugh out loud?
(b) How did Sudha Chandra benefit from her stay at the laughter bootcamp?
(c) How does gibberish help people according to Beth Bongar?
(d) How does laughter help healing?
2.2 Do as directed.
(a) a The word ‘perspective’ in the passage means to…………
(i) look out of the window (ii) have an outlook on matters
(iii) stay outdoors (iv) look well on the outside
(b) The term ‘inhibitions’ in the passage means
(i) outdoor structures (ii) an outside-inside look
(iii) removing awkward ideas (iv) habitations
(c) When we undergo a ‘cathartic experience’ we come out
(i) feeling cleansed (ii) becoming younger
(iii) more confident (iv) cat-like
(d) A ‘stimulant is something that
(i) enhances an effect (ii) reduces the effect
(iii) keeps something level (iv) increases the effect of the brain

7. Read the following conversation between Ranjan and Ramesh and then complete the blanks in reported speech.
Ranjan: I went to see a movie last night.
Ramesh: What was the name of the movie?
Ranjan: The Bridge on the River Kwai.
Ranjan told his friend Ramesh that (a)……………….Ramesh asked Ranjan (b)……………Ranjan said that (c)……………..

Section C – Literature Textbooks and Long Reading Text

Attempt any one — Part A or Part B

Part A
11. Do you think that Mr. Frank was protective and concerned about Anne? Discuss.
Or
Draw a character sketch of Margot Frank.

Part B
11. Do you find the book ‘The Story of My Life’ by Helen Keller inspiring? Elucidate.
Or
Draw a character sketch of Arthur Keller.

Answers

SECTION A-Reading

Q. On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the following questions.
(a) Cite two reasons why mushrooms are a popular addition to the Indian diet.
(b) In what ways can the porcini mushroom be identified?
(c) Which variety of mushroom can be eaten raw?
(d) What are the ingredients used when cooking it?
(e) When are button mushrooms referred to as Swiss mushrooms?
(f) What are the nutritional benefits found in button mushrooms?
(g) Which variety of mushroom adds a woody flavour to soups and risottos?
(h) What precautions must be taken with mushrooms?
Ans.(a) Mushrooms have a high nutritional content, can be cooked in a variety of ways and add flavour to both Indian and continental food preparations.
(b) The porcini mushroom resembles the mushroom pictured in nursery rhyme books. Availabe both fresh and dried, the best picks are the firm, brown ones minus any spots or pale undersides.
(c) The enoki variety of mushrooms can be eaten raw, garnished with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
(d) When cooking enoki mushrooms one must blend it with oregano, basil, and even nuts and fruits.
(e) Button mushrooms are referred to as Swiss mushrooms when they mature or ripen and acquire a brown shade.
(f) Button mushrooms are a source of the energy boosting Vitamin B and also contain selenium, copper, potassium. It is high in fibre and nutrients.
(g) The porcini mushroom adds a woody and pungent flavour to soups and risottos.
(h) Mushrooms should be bought from a good vegetable vendor, be carefully and thoroughly washed and cooked to remove toxins from them.

2.1 Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words.
(a) Why do people hesitate to laugh out loud?
(b) How did Sudha Chandra benefit from her stay at the laughter bootcamp?
(c) How does gibberish help people according to Beth Bongar?
(d) How does laughter help healing?

2.2 Do as directed.
(a) a The word ‘perspective’ in the passage means to…………
(i) look out of the window (ii) have an outlook on matters
(iii) stay outdoors (iv) look well on the outside
(b) The term ‘inhibitions’ in the passage means
(i) outdoor structures (ii) an outside-inside look
(iii) removing awkward ideas (iv) habitations
(c) When we undergo a ‘cathartic experience’ we come out
(i) feeling cleansed (ii) becoming younger
(iii) more confident (iv) cat-like
(d) A ‘stimulant is something that
(i) enhances an effect (ii) reduces the effect
(iii) keeps something level (iv) increases the effect of the brain

Ans.2.1 (a) People hesitate to laugh out loud because it is an uphill task for most people. Others think they have more important things to do than merely laugh out loud, while others think they have no time to laugh.
(b) Sudha Chandra, who believed that earlier her life was joyless, found her perspective in life altered. She learnt to record her emotions and ensured that the four elements of joy – dancing, laughing, singing and playing – helped build an emotional reserve.
(c) According to Beth Bongar, since our everyday lives are stressful, in her classes on laughter she uses the ‘gibberish’ technique where everyone laughs by using gibberish sounds. Such playful exercises help to reduce inhibitions and shyness and convert simulated laughter into unconditional laughter.
(d) Laughter being a stimulant, triggers energy inside a person’s DNA, potentially helping to cure disease. Also, by laughing with other people, we share a sense of connectedness which in turn reduces loneliness.

2.2 (a) (ii) (b) (iii) (c) (i) (d) (i)

Section B – Writing & Grammar
3. The roads in residential neighbourhoods are now being choked with cars of residents who are using public roads as parking spaces. Write a letter to the editor of the ‘City Alert’ newspaper in about 100-200 words suggesting to the citizens that they begin using public transport to office instead of individual forms of transport. Cite suitable reasons for bringing about this change. Sign yourself as Bhairav/Bhairavi. You can take help from MCB unit ‘Environment’.
Or
The recent outbreak of dengue fever in your town has kept away several of your school mates from appearing for the final examinations. There is a debate on as to whether they should be promoted to the next class or be made to take a special test for promotion to the next class. Express your views either for or against the idea of examinations as a yardstick for class promotion, in about 100-120 words. You can take ideas from MCB unit ‘Environment’. Sign yourself as Preeti / Preetam.
Ans.
Citizens Complex
Main Road
Khairagarh
The Editor
City Alert 10 Raj path
Khairagarh
10 May 20XX
Sir
Subject: Urging citizens to use public transport for commuting
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I wish to bring to the notice of the citizens the congesting of colony roads due to residents parking vehicles on them. This practice has narrowed vehicular movement space, swallowed pedestrian walkways, led to massive traffic jams during rush hour, and the slowing of traffic. As increasing road area is not feasible, citizens are urged to stop purchasing more personal transport arid utilise public transport.
As these residents are employees of corporate offices their companies should run bus services to reduce the use of private cars. Such measures will reduce fuel consumption, enhance environmental benefits as fewer vehicles on roads will reduce incidence of asthma and flu, ensure lower pollution and noise levels in cities.
Freeing of space along roads will make way for better patrolling by the authorities thereby reducing chances of accidents, providing traffic management and upgrading quality of living for residents.
I will be grateful if my views find publicity in your columns.
Yours truly
Bhairav/Bhairavi
Or

Whither Examinations?
by Preeti
The final examinations for all classes in our school saw a rare sight Several students’ desks remained empty all through the tests as these children were absent from school due to illness. Added to the. misery of having to lie in bed and swallow bitter pills, was the added tension of not knowing whether they would be promoted to the next class.
This unfortunate incident brings to light the fact that examinations should not be the only criterion for promotion. The students’ year-round performance needs consideration so as to assess the child in alternate ways.
Alongside year-round assessment, project work done in school and initiatives taken by the student should also be a criterion for promotion.
With such measures in place, examinations will cease to be the kind of bug bear it has become today.

Ans. The Message
The British officer was newly posted to the battalion at Meerut. He was gruff and demanding and did not even speak the language of his men. He abused them when irritated and had slapped Naik Mangal during the morning parade and ordered him to be locked up in the quarter guard. The other soldiers had resented his treatment of Mangal, but when Subedar Sahib had tried to reason with Captain Howard, he had simply used foul language and yelled.
Clearly, their minds were made up. The British must leave India and soldiers must stage a mutiny to this effect. The plot was hatched. The whole country was to be informed by messaging. The battalion cook made four chapattis which were then blessed by the battalion pandit, He asked four of his men going on leave to take it with them, make four more each and distribute to four others. In this way, the message reached the ears of Nana Sahib, the Peshwa, and he agreed to lead the mutiny.
On the fateful afternoon of 10 May, 1857, at 3.00 pm, the men of the Bengal Regiment left their barracks and marched to Delhi, declaring the start of the First War of Independence,
Or

Lock Thief Seeks Police Help
Beli Ram, a local locksmith, was the one people turned to when they forgot their keys and wanted to enter their house or when their cupboards jammed. Few knew of Beli Ram’s secret ambition of making a lot of money by fair means or foul and that is why he dreamt of breaking open a cash vending machine. He found an ideal one in an abandoned factory building. It was in a dark alley and while it was busy during daytime, no one came to it at night.
Beli Ram kept a sharp lookout and when the guard had loitered off for a while, leaving the machine unguarded, Beli Ram quickly ventured in and made his way to the backroom, where the machine was attached to the cash container. Wasting no time he tried to pry open the screws but instead of unlocking the precious booty, the doors got jammed. The lights went off and Beli Ram began to feel breathless. In sheer desperation he tried calling the police, but the place did not receive any signal.
In the meantime, automatic alarm signals sounded at the head office in Mumbai. Matters came to rest when the police, ‘rescued’ a near unconscious Beli Ram from the clutches of the very machine he had tried to pick.

Ans. (a) (ii) (b) (i) (c) (iii) (d) (iv) (e) (i) (f) (iii)

Ans.

Section C – Literature Textbooks and Long Reading Text

8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away..
(a) What do these lines tell us about Ozymandias?
(b) What is the meaning of ‘colossal‘?
(c) What does the line ‘Nothing beside remains.’ express?
Or
“You are acting quite queerlyf she sniffed. “You are concealing something from me.”
(a) What is the meaning of ‘concealing‘?
(b) Why is ‘You’ acting queerly?
(c) Who or what did the speaker feel ‘You’ was concealing from her?
Ans.(a) Ozymandias was a man with a boastful nature.
(b) ‘Colossal’ means ‘mammoth’, ‘extremely large’.
(c) Power and glory do not last long.
Or
(a) ‘Concealing’ means ‘hiding’.
(b) ‘You’ is acting queerly because the ghost of Helen was hiding nearby.
(c) She thought that there was someone in the room and Hallock was hiding him/her from Lavinia.

9. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each.
(a) Why is Decius more successful in persuading Caesar than Calpurnia is?
(b) Why did the poet hit the snake with a log?
(c) What was Lavinia’s reaction when she saw the Ghost in her husband’s room?
(d) What do you know about Patol Babu’s days as a stage performer? –
(e) In what way did the villagers connive with Mrs. Packletide in shooting the tiger?
Ans.(a) Brutus told Caesar that Calpurnia’s dream was a fortunate one. He said that people washing their hands in Caesar’s blood suggested that Caesar would infuse a new life and energy into the Romans. He also told Caesar that the Senators had made up their minds to crown him and in case he wouldn’t go, they would kill him.
(b)When the poet saw the snake going back into its dark hole he was agitated. Moreover, his education had taught him that snakes are venomous creatures and it could kill too. So, the poet was dehumanized for a moment and he hit the harmless snake. ”
(c) Hallock had thought that Lavinia would faint on seeing a ghost but when she saw Helen, there was a smile of satisfaction on her face and she said to the ghost. “I thought you were Helen of Troy. She was happy that her husband was not cheating upon her.
(d) During his stay in Kanchrapara, outside Calcutta, Patol Babu was a well known stage actor. He could not think of anything but acting. He was a known actor in jatras, amateur theatricals and in plays put up by the club in his neighborhood. On countless occasions his name appeared in handbills. It was no exaggeration, that people used to buy tickets to see Patol Babu.
(e) Although the villagers knew that Mrs Packletide’s bullet had killed the goat and the tiger had died of shock, they readily connived to twist the truth for fear of losing the thousand rupees promised for procuring an aged tiger that could be shot without much fuss.

10. Answer the following question in about 80-100 words each.
Alow that miracle has happened…
At that moment, the woman’s hand moved.
Sebastian Shultz’s mother said’ “All that we knew was that we needed a miracle.”
Our prayers are often heard and there are miracles which change the course of our life. After reading the story, you felt that miracles do happen. Narrate any such event of your life that was miraculous and which totally changed the course of your life.
Or
Discuss the various themes of the poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’.
Ans.God is omnipresent and omnipotent. His presence can be felt in the little miracles which happen every day in our lives. But we don’t pay much attention to those little things and don’t realise that God is listening to all our prayers. One such miracle happened to me also. A purse snatcher snatched my purse and ran away. I had a lot of money , my mobile phone, my I-card and many of my A.T.M. cards in it. I cried uncontrollably and told the passers-by about the incident. One of the passers-by said, “I know you are distressed but don’t worry just pray to God and you will get back your purse.” And, unbelievably when I went back home distressed my Mom told me that there was a call from the police station and that they had caught a gang of snatchers and among the things recovered from them, was my purse also. My happiness knew no bounds. I rushed to the police station to find that all the things in my purse were intact. I was really happy. I thanked the man who had told me not to get distressed and pray to God.
Or
There are various themes involved in the poem The first one is the connection to the spiritual world. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” occurs in the natural, physical world-the land and ocean. However, the work has popularly been interpreted as an allegory of man’s connection to the spiritual, metaphysical world. In the epigraph, Burnet speaks of man’s urge to “classify” things since Adam named the animals. The Ancient Mariner shoots the Albatross as if to prove that it is not an airy spirit, but rather a mortal creature; in a symbolic way, he tries to “classify” the Albatross. Like all natural things, the Albatross is intimately tied to the spiritual world, and thus begins the Ancient Mariner’s punishment by the spiritual world by means of the natural world The next theme is retribution. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a tale of retribution, since the Ancient Mariner spends most of the poem paying for his one, impulsive error of killing the Albatross. The spiritual world avenges the Albatross’s death by wreaking physical and psychological havoc on the Ancient Mariner and his shipmates. Even before the sailors die, their punishment is extensive; they become delirious from a debilitating state of thirst, their lips bake black in the sun, and they must endure the torment of seeing water all around them while being unable to drink it for its saltiness. Eventually the sailors all die, their souls flying either to heaven or hell.

Attempt any one — Part A or Part B

Part A
11. Do you think that Mr. Frank was protective and concerned about Anne? Discuss.
Or
Draw a character sketch of Margot Frank.
Ans.Mr Frank was protective towards Anne. He advised her not to meet Peter frequently. He often supported her during arguments. He could not take a stand when Mrs. Frank expressed a strong opinion. He was a very nice man and loving father. He was deeply concerned about the safety and security of his family. He understood Anne very well. He discussed important matters with her. He read books to her and Margot. He was a loving father who never rebuked his children. He was upset when Anne didn’t listen to his advice and kept meeting Peter. He could understand that Margot was close to her mother but Anne looked for support in him. So, he always supported her and explained things to her in a logical manner. Anne sees her father, Otto Frank, as a kindred spirit. Like Anne, Otto is a perpetual student, inhaling books, history, and news, and he encourages these interests in Anne. Also like Anne, he is a clown, frequently trying to amuse those around him and lighten up the mood of the Annex. Unlike young Anne, Otto seems to be basically even-tempered and eager for peace in every situation.
Or
Margot Frank was Anne’s sister and was three years elder to her. She was born in Frankfurt in 1926. She was quite good at academics and Anne thought she was liked a lot by Mummy and all the others. According to Anne, she was pretty, beautiful and intelligent. It seems that Anne didn’t have a strong bond with Margot. Margot died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, a few days before Anne died in that concentration camp. She was very obedient and compromising, so she was a natural favourite with the elders in the hideout. Margot was quiet while her sister was talkative and blunt to a fault. She was a poor eater and was often checked by Mrs. van Daan about it, but Margot did not react to such remarks. Margot was targeted to be picked up by the Gestapo and that forced the family to go into hiding earlier than scheduled.

Part B
11. Do you find the book ‘The Story of My Life’ by Helen Keller inspiring? Elucidate.
Or
Draw a character sketch of Arthur Keller.
Ans.‘The Story of My Life’ is a book which inspires every person to achieve his goal in life despite difficulties. Helen was a brave girl who never submitted during the tough times. She fought with her destiny and emerged as a winner. Her world was dark and gloomy. She found herself lonely and suffered a lot of pain when she felt that people didn’t understand her. She saw a hope in Miss Sullivan. With her support and her sheer hard work and determination, she moved ahead and achieved success. An ordinary man would have given up but not Helen. So, the book inspires us to be hardworking, sincere and courageous so that we can achieve the impossible. Helen Keller is one of the most memorable women in history. Despite being blind as well as deaf, she learned to communicate and lived a life devoted to helping others. Her faith, determination, and spirit helped her to accomplish far more than many people expected. In fact, she won the admiration of famous figures from all over the world.
Or
Arthur H. Keller was a captain in the confederate army. He was also the editor of a north Alabama newspaper. He was a loving and indulgent father. He loved his family a lot. He was fond of hunting and it was the only time when he was away from his family. He was nature-loving and his homestead was his pride. He brought Helen closer to nature. He took her from tree to tree and he loved Helen a lot. He did everything he could tohelp Helen speak. He made a lot of efforts to get a competent teacher for Helen. He died of a heart attack when Helen was just sixteen.

CBSE Sample Papers – Class 10 SA2 English Solved 2016 Set 9

CBSE SA2 Sample Papers – Class 10

English 2016 Set 9

Answers

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