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BANGALORE SAHODAYA SCHOOLS COMPLEX ASSOCIATION PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION (2024-2025) GRADE X Date: 13.12.2024 Subject: ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (SET 1) General Instructions: Max. Marks: 80 Time: 3 Hours The question paper is divided into three sections: SECTION A: Reading (20 Marks) SECTION B: Writing and Grammar (30 Marks) SECTION C: Literature (30 Marks) All the questions are compulsory. SECTION A: READING SKILLS (20 marks) Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages I. Read the following passage carefully: (1 X 10 = 10) 1. High altitude climbing is still a very dangerous task despite the availability of oxygen masks and other protective equipment that modern climbers take with them. These, of course, are indispensable accessories of climbing, but more important than these is the stamina of the climber which ultimately determines the success of his attempt. Throughout his journey, death is his constant companion which he can keep at a distance only with his superb presence of mind. He has to tread every inch of the ground with the utmost care, for a false step may not only strike him a fatal blow but also bring disaster to the climbers whole expedition. That is why all expeditions invariably take with them local guides who are experienced and who have a thorough knowledge of the nature of the terrain. Moreover, a huge amount of capital is needed to finance these expeditions, and this is generally provided by governments or rich private organizations. 2. The primary objective of the mountaineering expedition is to get to the top of a high mountain, which, in the past, has withstood all attempts to conquer it. But it should not be presumed that the expedition is a complete failure if it does not reach its destination. Sometimes operations are temporarily suspended because of bad weather, loss of some valuable equipment, or the sudden death of a very important member of the party. 3. Every big expedition takes with it men who are interested in botany, geology & various other branches of science, and these men carry with them equipment for recording their observations concerning the weather, the terrain & different forms of life in higher altitudes. Other scientists, explorers & expeditionists utilize the fruits of their observations. Thus, every unsuccessful expedition contributes to the success of later expeditions. The British Expedition led by Colonel Hunt would have found their way to Everest much more difficult had not earlier expeditions armed them with useful knowledge about the death-dealing weather which they had to encounter in the Vicinity of the summit. 4. To ordinary people, mountaineering need not be a fearful journey in the land of snowstorms, where the brave adventurer is always face to face with death. They can scale less ambitious heights, rest their weary limbs under a quiet shelter and feast their eyes on the distant landscape. In the company of friends, they can enjoy an outing near a waterfall or cross into the next Valley with haversacks full of provisions dangling from their shoulders. All those who can afford to go to a hill station should seek this innocent pleasure, for it can be had without any risk to life or limb. I. Based on your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the best answer: 1. What is the factor that determines the success of the climbers? a. Availability of protective equipment b. Height and weight of the climber c. Availability of oxygen masks d. The stamina of the climber (1) 2. What precautions should the climbers take during their journey? a. Have a subtle presence of mind b. Avoid causing a disaster c. Have a good sponsor d. Take local guides along (1) 3. In what way does a mountaineering expedition contribute to the wealth of Knowledge? a. Even a failed expedition contributes to the success of later expeditions b. Mountaineers carry equipment to record observations about weather and terrain c. You learn to conquer the biggest hurdles of life d. People interested in different branches of science accompany climbers (1) 4. How is an ordinary mountaineer s experience different from that of a regular expedition? a. They don t have to worry much about finances. b. They don t have to be face-to-face with death c. They can savour the landscape from a distance. d. All of these 5. How does a local guide help an expedition? a. They help clean the environment on the way. c.T hey know the local language. (1) (1) b. They can help in case of fatalities d. They know about the place they live in 6. Why can an expedition not be a failure? a. Temporarily suspending operations becomes a necessity at times b. Recorded observations of incomplete expeditions still stand as useful c. Reaching the destination does not mark its success d. All of these 7. How are recorded observations of mountaineers useful to others? a. It would otherwise not be possible to know about Everest b. They give an insider s outlook on mountaineering c. It prepares future mountaineers for what they re going to deal with d. They are not of much help as nature keeps evolving 8. What is the primary objective of a mountaineering expedition? a. Climb up and down; alive b. Unfurl your flag at the peak c. Reach the top d. Experience nature in its vicinity 9. Find the synonym of neighbourhood in paragraph 3. a. altitude b. summit c. terrain (1) (1) (1) (1) d. vicinity 10. Find the antonym of opponent in paragraph 1. a. death b. companion c. guide (1) d. climber II. Read the passage and answer the questions: (1 X 10 =10) India COVID-19 numbers explained 1. With novel Coronavirus spreading rapidly all over the country, there are only three states right now, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, that have less than 1,000 people infected with the disease. 2. Lakshadweep, of course, still hasn t reported even a single case till now, the only region in India entirely free of the epidemic. 3. Otherwise, even the relatively smaller states now have a significantly large spread of the disease. Goa, for example, has seen more than 7,000 of its people infected by the virus till now. Tripura has over 5,500 cases, while Manipur has more than 3,000, and Nagaland has a little less than 2,500. Puducherry has more than 4,000 cases, while even Daman and Diu have over 1,300 people infected. 4. And in each of these states, the numbers are rising at a fast pace, at a rate higher than the national level. The infections had initially reached these states in the first and second week of May when the lockdown was relaxed for the first time to enable people stuck in different parts of the country to return to their native places. 5. After a period of very slow growth, the number of cases has begun to rise rapidly in the last one month. In Goa, for example, the total number of infected people has nearly doubled in the last 15 days. Same has happened in Puducherry, as well. 6. Tuesday was one of those rare occasions when the number of active cases in the country, those who are yet to recover from the disease, went down compared to the previous day. That is because the number of recoveries, combined with the number of deaths, exceeded the new cases that were detected on Tuesday. 7. With over 52,500 new cases detected in the country, the total number of infections crossed 19 lakh, out of which 12.82 lakh people have recovered from the disease. The number of dead is now close to 40,000. 8. The number of recoveries on Tuesday was the highest ever for a single day. More than 51,700 people were declared to have been recovered. Three days earlier, the number of recoveries had crossed 50,000 for the first time, but in the next two days, the number had fallen to much lower levels. Choose the correct option to answer the questions based on the above passage and graphics. Do any ten. (a) How are these three states Meghalaya, Sikkim and Andaman and Nicobar Islands different from the rest of India? (1) (i) They are the only states to have less than 1,000 people infected with novel coronavirus (ii) they are three of the five states to have less than 1,000 people infected with novel coronavirus (iii) they are the only states to have less than 2,000 people infected with novel coronavirus (iv) none of these (b) is the only region in India which is entirely free of the epidemic. (i) Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ii) Maharashtra (iii) Lakshadweep (iv) Tripura (1) (c) What is common among Goa, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Puducherry and Daman and Diu? (i) The numbers are rising at a fast pace at rates lower than the national level (ii) the numbers are falling at a fast pace at rates equal to the national level (iii) the numbers are rising at a fast pace at rates higher than the national level (iv) none of these (1) (d) Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the inherent qualities of climate in the present times. (i) 1 and 4 ii) 2 and 6 (iii) 1 and 3 iv) 3 and 5 (1) (e) Which date in the graph shows the highest jump of detected cases in a day? (i) July 30 (ii) July 31 (iii) August 1 (iv) August 2 (1) (f) Of the 19 lakh infected cases, how many have recovered? (i) 11.82 lakh (ii) 13.82 lakh (iii) 12.81 lakh (iv) 12.82 lakh (1) (g) More than 51,700 people were declared to have been recovered on (i) Wednesday (ii) Sunday (iii) Tuesday (iv) Monday . (1) (h) When did the number of recoveries cross 50,000 for the first time? (i) two days earlier (ii) Tuesday (iii) three days earlier than Tuesday (iv) none of these (1) (i) Which word in the passage means the same as quickly ? (1) (i) rapidly (ii) significantly (iii) native (iv) rare (j) Which word in the passage is opposite in meaning to indigenous ? (i) rapidly (ii) significantly (iii) native (iv) rare (1) SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR(20 marks) GRAMMAR 10 MARKS III. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. (1X10=10) i. Fill in the blank choosing the most appropriate option from the ones given in the box. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. 1. Butterflies are abundant( a) the Central African Republic . ( i) in (ii ) from (iii) for (iv) into (1) ii. Complete the paragraph given below by filling in the blanks and choosing the correct option from those that follow : (1) Elephants (a) other Elephantidae were once classified with other thick-skinned. The elephant s gestation period is 22 months, (b) longest for any land animal. (a) (i) with (ii) also (iii) and (iv) but (b) (i) a (ii) an iii. There s never (a). much (b). little (iii) which (iv) the petrol left after Rahul uses the car. (c). many (1) (d). a little iv. Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech? (1) Sunitha asked Venkat, How much is the rent for your flat? A. Sunitha asked Venkat how much was his rent for the flat. B. Sunitha asked Venkat how much the rent for his flat was. C. Sunita enquires from Venkat that how much rent he pays. D. Sunita told Venkat how much the rent for his flat was. v. Fill in the blank with the correct option to complete the opening line of a formal letter: (1) Dear Mr. Patel, We are pleased to inform you that your proposal for the upcoming project by the board of directors. A. had endorsed B. will have been endorsed C. has been endorsed D. have endorsed vi. Rewrite the following sentence in the reported speech: Teacher to Student: We shall go on a field trip to study water pollution (1) vii. Complete the given school announcement by selecting the correct option to fill in the blanks. Our school s robotic team has successfully a place in the semi-finals. (1) a) securing b) secured c) will secure d) had secured viii. Select an option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following sentence from a company s advertising campaign. (1) Experience the most unique and breathtaking view of the city s skyline from our rooftop restaurant. Option No. Error Correction a) from by b) a most the most c) the city a city d) and or ix. Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option : (1) Priest: Trust and compassion can reform a person more than punishment. Ira: Don t you think the reverse of this approach is more effective? When a priest told Ira that trust and compassion can reform a person more than punishment, she asked him if . (a) didn t he think that the reverse of that approach was more effective. (b) did he not think that the reverse of that approach could be more effective. (c) he didn t think that the reverse of that approach is more effective. (d) he didn t think that the reverse of that approach was more effective. x. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from the speech of the school President. (1) I admit, the trek which we thought would be a boring and exhausting experience was one of the most enjoyable experiences we have had this term. (a) must (b) should (c) need (d) would xi. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the live feed on a school news channel. (1) Congratulations Change Makers! The regional competition awards have been announced and our school music club first prize. a. had been won b. will win c. was winning d. has won the xii. Read the given sentence from a recipe review article. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence. (1) This delightful recipe must keep your hunger pangs at bay with its balanced spices and oriental flavour. Use the given format for your response. Error Correction WRITING 10 MARKS IV. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. (5) A. You are Neha/Nihal Singh, Computer In-charge of Army Public School. Your school wishes to buy 20 computers and computer accessories from Apple Inc., Nehru Place, New Delhi. Draft a letter placing an order for the same. (100-120 words) OR B. As Ruhi Joshi, the School Literary Captain of Ujjwal Academy, Old Town, Bengaluru, you believe that languages can help bridge regional divides and promote unity. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily, in about 120 words, suggesting the introduction of an online regional language learning programme managed and run by student councils and language clubs in the city. The programme aims to help residents who have recently relocated to a new region to pick up the local language organically. Share the importance and credibility of such a programme and suggest a feasible way to execute it along with possible activities. V. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. A. The graph given shows estimated sales of gold in Dubai in 2002. Write an analytical paragraph describing the line graph in around 150 words. (5) OR B. As the Captain of the school s Cultural Club, you have been asked to study the given itinerary provided by a tour-organizing vendor. A 3N/2D Educational Tour for the Senior School Students: Jabalpur and Ranha National Park (Madhya Pradesh) Tour Travel & sightseeing by bus. Accommodation on quad sharing basis. One staff complimentary for every 20 students. Bottled mineral water throughout the tour. Dance Party on 22 November. Insurance policy of 20,000/- per head. Provision of Tour Manager s assistance to all places. Analyse this itinerary to either approve or reject the tour proposal, while focusing on the students safety, interest, and physical wellness. Write this analytical paragraph in about 120 words, by selecting features that support your analysis. You may begin like this: A thorough analysis of the itinerary provided by the tour organizing vendor reveals that the tour proposal should be accepted/rejected. You may end up like this: Therefore, the tour proposal for the educational trip should be approved/rejected. For Visually Challenged Candidates Only B.Rehanna is to write an analytical paragraph on Hazards of Smoking . Using your own ideas and the information given below, write the paragraph in 100-120 words. Smoking drains out income of an average earner affects health badly vital organs are affected harmful for passive smokers need to educate people Role of media in creating awareness. SECTION C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT (40 marks) VI. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. A . Let me put this more clearly since no one will believe that a thirteen-year-old girl is completely alone in this world. And I m not. I have loving parents and a sixteen-year-old sister, and there are almost thirty people I can call friends. I have a family, loving aunts and a good house. No, on the surface I seem to have everything, except my one true friend. All I think about when I am with friends is having a good time. I can t bring myself to talk about anything, but ordinary everyday things. (1X5=5) (i) On the surface, it appears that Anne the thirteen-year-old girl _______________. (ii) How can we infer that the speaker felt along in the world? (a) She had a family of many people. (b) She had loving parents. (c) She had thirty friends. (d) She craves for a true friend. (iii) Anne and her friends talked about . (a) their problematic parents (b) their financial problems (c) common everyday things (d) commuting problems (1) (iv) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text : alone: friends:: nothing : (1) (1) (1) (v) Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the idiom bring myself from the extract :(1) (a) to do something willingly (b) to do something unwillingly (c) a charitable act (d) an involuntary act OR B. Mrs. Hall almost fell down the stairs in hysterics. She was convinced that the room was haunted by spirits and that the stranger had somehow caused these to enter into her furniture. (1X5=5) (i) Mrs. Hall tripped because (a) the floor was oily. (b) she was standing on a chair. (c) she was in a state of panic. (d) the door was slammed. (ii) Mrs. Hall suspected everything in the room was put under a spell of witchcraft by .(1) (iii) Fill in the blank with one word only : Mrs. Hall was afraid that spirits had entered (1) . (iv) According to the extract, the feeling of Mrs Hall can be best described as . (1) (1) stunned (2) happy (3) awestruck (4) nervous (5) outraged (6) agitated Select the correct option : (a) (2) and (4) (b) (3) and (6) (c) (5) and (6) (d) (1) and (6) (v) Spirits in the above lines means the same as (a) ghosts (b) conscience (c) ego (1) (d) attitude VII. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. A. Though to distinguish beasts of prey (5X1 =5) A novice might nonplus, The crocodiles you always may Tell from the Hyena thus : Hyenas come with merry smiles; But if they weep they re crocodiles. (How to tell the wild animals) (i) Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the extract : Crocodiles can be identified by their . (a) tears (b) attitude (c) smiles (d) attacks (ii) State whether the following statement is True or False : Hyenas are famous for weeping. (iii) Novice in line 2 means the same as : (a) learner (b) beast (c) tenderfoot (d) beginner (iv) In this extract the poet has presented two different behavioural traits of animals. They are (1) (1) (1) . (1) (v) The poet uses A novice might nonplus instead of the novice might get confused. How does this usage impact the poem? (1) (a) adds an incorrect option. (b) it is associated with beasts. (c) it rhymes and adds humour. (d) it simplifies the meaning. OR B. An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down All his young days in the harbour where His ball went. I would not intrude on him. (The Ball Poem) i. The poet uses the word ultimate to describe the boy s reaction. Pick the meaning that DOES NOT display what, ultimate means in the context given. (1) a. Consequent b. Final c. Conclusive d. Fateful ii. The boy is very young in this poem. As a mature, balanced grown-up, he might look back and think that his reaction to ultimate shaking grief was (1) 1. disproportionate to the loss. 2. pretension to procure a new toy. 3. according to his exposure and experience then. 4. a reaction to the failure of retrieving the toy. 5. justified and similar to what it would be currently. a. 5 & 2 b. 1 & 3 c. 2 & 4 d. 3 & 4 iii. Why does the speaker choose not to intrude? (2) iv. Pick the option that lists the boy s thoughts, matching with the line As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down. (1) a. Option 1 b. Option 2 c. Option 3 d. Option 4 VIII. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. (3x4=12) (a) Why did the night turn sorrowful for Lencho after the rains? (Letter to God) (b) Where is Coorg located? Write any two characteristics of the people of Coorg. (Glimpses of India) (c) How does the poem The Tale of Custard The Dragon differ from the traditional ballad? (d) What does the Buddha say about the world?(The Sermon at Benares) (e) What did Pranjol and Rajvir do during the journey? Why?(Coorg) IX. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. (3x2=6) i. What are Hari Singh s views about the reaction of different people on being robbed? (The Thief s Story) ii. How did Bholi react when her father caught her by the hand to take her to school? (Bholi) iii. Why did Horace think that the owners of Shotover Grange were foolish? (A Question of Trust) X. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (6x1=6) A.Amanda feels unhappy with her mother s nagging. She wants to leave everything and go to her own world. Imagine one day she meets Anne Frank and the latter tries to tell her how parents are always worried about their children s behaviour. Prepare a set of dialogues between Amanda and Anne based on the poem, Amanda and the lesson, From the Diary of Anne Frank . You may begin like this: Amanda: I hate everyone at home. How can they pester a child so much? Anne: Amanda, how can you even think like that . OR B. Life starts where fear ends. Fear cripples our power to think. Elaborate on how this quote is relevant to chapters, His First Flight and Nelson Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom XI. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (6x1=6) A. How does Matilda's husband's quiet and unpretentious demeanour lead readers to feel sympathy and respect for him in "The Necklace"? OR B. Hobbies are a stepping stone to innovative ideas. Elaborate with reference to The Making of a Scientist. ___________________________________________****************************__________________________________________________________
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