Madhyamik Class 10 English Question Paper 2016
ENGLISH (Second Language)
Time : 3 Hours 15 Minutes
(First 15 Minutes for reading the question paper only, 3 Hours for writing)
Full Marks: For Regular Candidates – 90
For External Candidate – 100
Roll ____ No ____
Name ____
Registration No. ____ of ____
Answer all the questions in the space provided. There is enough space for the answers. However, the extra sheet will be supplied by the invigilator, if required.
Special credits will be given for the answer which are brief and to the point. Marks will be deducted for spelling mistakes, untidiness and bad handwriting.
- Section – A: Reading Comprehension – 20 marks (Seen)
- Reading Comprehension – 20 marks (Unseen)
- Section – B: Grammar and Vocabulary – 20 marks
- Section – C: Writing – 30 marks
- Section – D: Supplementary: 10 marks for external candidates only
Section – A
Reading Comprehension (Seen)
1. Read the following paragraphs and answer the questions that follow :
The last one of this long procession of silent men and women was a little wizened old man. Even he carried a load of two baskets, slung on a pole on his shoulder, the same load of a folded quilt, a cauldron. But there was only one cauldron. In the other basket, it seemed there was a quilt, extremely ragged and patched, but clean still. Although the load was light, it was too much for the old man. It was evident that in usual times he would be beyond the age of work, and was perhaps unaccustomed to such labour in recent years. His breath whistled as he staggered along, and he strained his eyes to watch those who were ahead of him lest he be left behind, and his old wrinkled face was set in a sort of gasping agony.
Suddenly he could go no more. He set his burden down with great gentleness and sank upon the ground, his head sunk between his knees, his eyes closed, panting desperately. Starved as he was, a little blood rose in dark patches on his cheeks. A vendor selling hot noodles set his stand near and shouted his trade cry, and the light from the stand fell on the old man’s drooping figure.
A. Complete the following sentences with information from the text : [2×3=6]
- The old man strained his eyes because ____
- A little blood rose in dark patches on the old man’s cheeks as ____
- The drooping figure of the old man could be seen when ____.
B. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences : [2×3=6]
- What did the two baskets of the old man contain?
- Why was the load too much for the old man?
- What made the old man sink to the ground?
2. Read the first three stanzas of the poem, ‘Ring Out, Wild Bells’ given below and answer the questions that follow :
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light :
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells; and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snows :
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind
A. Answer the following questions : [2×3=6]
- For whom does the poet express his grief?
- Give the meaning of the phrase “redress to all mankind”.
B. Each of the following statements is either ‘True’ or ‘False’. Write ‘T’ for ‘True’ and ‘F’ for ‘False’. Also pick out the suitable line(s) or phrase from the Poem in support of your answers : [2×2=4]
- The poet wants the year to die.
Supporting line(s)/phrase ____. - The poet does not want the conflict between the rich and the poor to end. Supporting line(s)/phrase ____.
Reading Comprehension (Unseen)
3. Read the passage and answer the questions. that follow :
Limbudora village will soon have a new address in the Hills – the tea gardens of Mirik. The village, which has been deserted since the July 1st landslide, that killed 26 villagers and destroyed 4 houses, will cease to exist by the end of the year. It has been decided that the displaced villagers will be rehabilitated across the tea gardens between August and December.
Limbudora villagers have refused to move to other hill slopes, for it could be just as risky. The only road leading to the village was badly damaged by the landslide and has remained closed ever since. Even though villagers are taking turns to visit their homes during the day, the houses remain deserted and unguarded at night.
Formalities for the transfer of land will begin soon. Limbudora villagers are now living at a relief camp in Mirik. The process of identifying plain land within the estates for the settlements will start soon. Colonies will be constructed at the four gardens-Tingling, Phuguri, Gayabari and Sourini – because all the 90 families cannot be accommodated at the same spot.
[An adaptation of the report published in ‘The Times of India’ July 8, 2015]A. Complete the following sentences with information from the text : [2×3=6]
- Limbudora village has been deserted because of ____.
- The displaced villagers will have their new houses across ____.
- The villagers of Limbudora are unwilling to move to other new slopes because ____.
B. Answer the following questions in one or two Sentences : [2×4=8]
- By what time, according to the passage, are the villagers expected to be rehabilitated ?
- Why has the only road leading to the village been closed ?
- Name the tea gardens where the new colonies will be constructed.
- Why is it necessary to build colonies in the four tea gardens?
C. Each of the following sentences is either ‘True’ or ‘False’. Write ‘T’ for ‘True’ and ‘F’ for ‘False’ : [2×3=6]
- The village Limbudora has ceased to exist since July 1st.
- At present, the villagers are living in a relief camp at Mirik.
- The villagers go back to their homes every night.
- Plain land has to be identified for their new settlements.
D. Tick the most appropriate title for the text. [2]
- The landslide at Limbudora village.
- The tea gardens at Mirik.
- New homes for landslide victims.
Section – B
[Grammar and Vocabulary]
4. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions : [1×4=4]
India stormed into ____ quarter-finals ____ the World Cup on Friday, defeating West Indies ____ four wickets in ____ not-so-high scoring game in Perth.
5. Do as directed : [1×4=4]
- She said to me, “Are you well?” (Rewrite in Indirect Speech)
- He is too short to reach the fruit of the tree. (Rewrite the sentence by removing ‘too’ and ‘to’)
- I know the man. (Changes the voice)
- He is the tallest boy in the class. (Change the degree of comparison)
6. Choose the correct phrasal verbs from the list given below to replace the words underlined. Write the correct phrasal verbs, changing the form, where necessary. There is one extra phrasal verb in the list : [1×4=4]
- I cannot understand what he says.
- I met my friend in the park.
- She failed to appear in time.
- The strike was withdrawn at last.
7. Given below are the meanings of four words which you Will find in the passage in Question No. 3. Find out the words and write them:[2×4=8]
- Stop happening or existing
- Help somebody resettle after a disaster
- Things to be done as part of a legal-process
- Provided with a place to live in
Section – C
[Writing]
8. Write a paragraph (in about 120 words) on ‘Keeping Your Surroundings Clean and Eco-friendly’. You may use the following points : [12]
[Points : Reasons for keeping your surroundings clean — participation of your neighbour – making arrangements for removing garbage – cleaning ponds – planting saplings]9. Suppose you are the captain of your school. Write a notice (in about 80 words) for the students of your school requesting them to donate money and other essential items for the earthquake victims of Nepal. [8]
10. Write a letter (in about 100 words) to your younger brother staying in a hostel about a new pet you have received from yourfather as a birthday gift. You may use the following points : [10] [Points: Description of the pet — its activities — your relationship with the pet — love and affection ]
Section – D
[Supplementary]
1. Add prefixes or suffixes to the words given in brackets and fill in the gaps choosing from the list given below : [1×5=5]
- you must ____ (courage) the child to play.
- The occasion was really a ____ (memory) one.
- Her condition has become ____ (hope).
- You must ____ (pure) the water before drinking.
- The man is very ____ (popular) for his rudeness.
2. Write down the nominal compounds for the following expression : [1×5=5]
- Cricket played in one day ____.
- A stick for walking ____.
- Fiction on science ____.
- A house for the guests ____.
- A train that carries mail ____.
