BANGALORE SAHODAYA SCHOOLS COMPLEX ASSOCIATION

PRE-BOARD EXAMINATION (2024-2025)

GRADE X
Date: 13.12.2024 Max. Marks: 80
Subject: ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (SET 2) Time: 3 Hours
General Instructions:
• 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 (20marks)

I. Read the passage given below.

1. Floods are not new to India and this subcontinent, but in recent years the problem of flooding has received
much greater attention, perhaps largely because it has led to greater damage now than it did in the past. Even
though information on the impending occurrence of floods is now more accurate and certainly more timely,
often there is very little time or support infrastructure in place by which damage can be minimised. This is
particularly true in the case of flash floods resulting from sudden and excessive heavy rain.

2. In the case of India, flooding is very much related to the seasonal nature of our rainfall. The monsoons are
spread over a short period during the year and often bring a concentrated volume of rain, which cannot be
absorbed by the earth and finds an outlet only in the form of streams that join up with our major river systems.
Flooding due to heavy rain is confined not only to the main rivers of the country, but also affects smaller
tributaries and streams. Once these streams spill over their banks they could cause excessive harm, mainly
because those living near the banks of these streams, particularly in mountain areas, do not have easy
recourse to moving away quickly.

3.One major factor that could lead to a higher severity of flooding in the future is the danger of climate
change. While the evidence of the nature of impacts, resulting from climate change on precipitation and
flooding at the regional level, is not entirely clear, it could happen that the Indian subcontinent witnesses and
suffers the effects of a significantly changed pattern of monsoons. One set of scientists has estimated that
the monsoons could be shorter in duration but far more intensive; in other words, much greater precipitation
would take place in a much shorter period of time, thereby increasing the danger of floods. Climate change
is the result of human actions through the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, of
which carbon dioxide is the most prominent.

4.At the local level, human actions have heightened the danger of floods through the cutting of trees in the
mountains as well as in the plains. In case of India, the ecological damage through deforestation of the
Himalayas has led to large-scale erosion of the mountain slopes and high levels of siltation. These lead to
the deposition of silt on the riverbeds in the plains and hence spillover of water whenever the volume in the
river reaches a certain level. With siltation on the riverbeds, flooding occurs even at very shallow water
levels. The vulnerability of the population has increased substantially because of population pressures. An
example is the stubborn and perhaps helpless settling of slum dwellers on the banks of the river Yamuna in

Page 1 of 12
 Delhi, who become victims of flooding. What is a mere trickle most of the year, bursts its banks during the
monsoons, as has been the case in recent years.

5.Flood forecasting is critical to minimising the damage from floods. It is for this reason that the Central
Water Commission has set up a network of forecasting stations, which cover the most important flood-prone
interstate rivers in the country. These stations produce forecasts that are used to alert the public and to
mobilize various official agencies so that they take both preventive as well as relief measures, whenever
required. However, even in cases where forecasts have been timely and generally accurate, people have often
been reluctant to move away, because in most cases they lack the means and physical options for moving
away from a danger zone to one that is relatively safe. In the case of flash floods, forecasts are difficult to
make, and often the time available for relief is very short.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below: 10 Marks

(i) The problem of floods has been considered more important recently because (1)
a. floods have led to much greater damage now than in the past.
b. floods are resulting in increased relocation.
c. floods occur only during the monsoon season.
d. of problems of frequent tornadoes and cyclones in the subcontinent.

(ii) Specify the option that displays what the writer projects with reference to the following statement. (1)

One major factor that could lead to higher severity of flooding in the future is the danger of climate
change.
a. helplessness
b. speculative
c. denial
d. conviction

(iii) Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 3 : (1)

Opinion : Reason
Some scientists estimate that shorter
duration of monsoon season leads to more
intensive rainfall.

(iv) The writer claims that flood forecasting is critical to minimising the damage from floods. State one (1)
reason for the claim.

(v) Even when the prediction is accurate, people do not evacuate the places where the warning is given. (1)
a. True
b. False

(vi) Supply one point to justify the following : (1)

The worst hit people are slum dwellers.

(vii) Based on your reading of the text, list two reasons why the writer says that in spite of timely (1)
forecasting people have suffered.
Page 2 of 12
(viii) The writer says that forecasts are difficult to make and time available is very short. Select the (1)
reason for it.
a. Flash floods
b. Cyclonic rain
c. Tornadoes
d. Landslides

(ix) What connect does the writer draw between tributaries and floods? (Para 2) (1)

(x) Which of the following statements is/are false? (1)

The vulnerability of the population has increased substantially because of population pressures
symbolised by :
I. People are superstitious.
II. Difficult to evacuate flood-affected areas.
Select the correct option :
a. Only I
b. Only II
c. Both I and II
d. None of the above

II. Read the passage given below.

1. Globally, air pollution is a silent killer. The air pollution levels in India are among the highest in the
world, posing a heavy threat to the country’s health and economy. All of India’s 1.4 billion people are
exposed to unhealthy levels of ambient PM 2.5 – the most harmful pollutant - emanating from multiple

Page 3 of 12
 sources. Exposure to PM 2.5 can cause such deadly illnesses as lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
Air pollution is estimated to have caused 1.7 million premature deaths in India in 2019. The health
impacts of pollution also represent a heavy cost to the economy. Lost labour income due to fatal illness
is a major economic challenge.

2. India is taking many significant steps in responding to this problem. The Government of India is
envisaging a revision of its ambient air quality standards and has strengthened vehicular and industrial
emission standards in recent years. A strong emphasis on expanding renewable energy, promoting
electric vehicles, and supplying LPG cooking fuel to millions of households are some examples of the
actions India is taking to combat air pollution.

3. In 2020, based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the Government of
India has set aside about $1.7 billion to fight air pollution over the next five years for the 42 Indian
cities that have million-plus populations – provided they reduce their air pollution levels by 15
percent every year. This is the world’s first performance-based fiscal transfer funding program for
air quality management in cities.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. 10 Marks
(i) Air pollution takes a huge toll on the health and economy of the country’s population.
Elucidate. (1)
(ii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your
understanding of paragraph 2 (1)
It is a ________________ _ (fact/ opinion) that India is taking serious note of the air pollution crisis in
the country because it is a _______________ (subjective judgement/ objective detail).
(iii) Justify the following, in about 40 words (2)
‘Air Pollution shortens the average Indian life expectancy by 5.2 years.’
(iv) Based on the data given, explain briefly why India is said to have the highest air pollution levels in
the world. (1)
(v) ‘Since 1998, average annual particulate pollution has increased by 42%’. State any one
inference that can be drawn from this. (1)
(vi) What makes the funding program introduced by the Government of India unique? (1)

Page 4 of 12
 (vii)‘A strong emphasis on expanding renewable energy, promoting electric vehicles, and supplying LPG
cooking fuel to millions of households are some examples of the actions India is taking to combat air
pollution.’ Give any 2 benefits of these steps in reducing air pollution. (2)
(viii) Which of the following is the main takeaway from the data mentioned in the passage? (1)
a. Air pollution is a silent killer that can only be tackled globally.
b. The toll of air pollution on the body is high and barely affects the economy.
c. Air pollution is a major hazard that needs to be tackled at the administrative and individual level.
d. The Government of India does not believe in performance-based initiatives to tackle air pollution.

SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR (20 marks)

GRAMMAR 10 MARKS

III. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. (1×10=10)

i. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of a
letter sent to the maintenance office of a reputed apartment.
Subject: Maintenance of cleanliness in common areas
There is no regular cleaning of the staircases and hallways in our apartment building. As a result,
dust and litter ___________ (accumulate) and create an unhygienic environment for the residents.

ii. Read the conversation between two colleagues. Complete the sentence by reporting the
conversation.
Ruchi: May I borrow your book for a week?
Pinky: Of course! I will be happy to lend it to you.
Ruchi asked Pinky _________________for a week. Pinky agreed, saying that she ____________.

iii. Complete the dialogue below by choosing the correct option.

Anjali and Rekha are talking about their plans for the upcoming summer holidays.
Anjali: What do you think about going to Goa?
Rekha: That’s a great idea, but I _______________________ my parents’ permission first.

(a) needs to take (b) needs not to take (c) need not to take (d) need to take
iv. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.

Thousands of people came to the theatre, but only _____________of them got tickets.
a. less b. few c. a few d. many

v. Identify the error in the following sentence and replace it with the correct word:
“The breathtaking beauty of the mountains quite inspired him that he decided to dedicate his life to
photography and capture the wonders of nature.”
vi. Fill in the blank:
The good news is that…………… volunteers dropped out this month than in the last two months.

a) fewer b) lesser c) few d) a little

Page 5 of 12
vii. Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option:
Not only did Mayank work hard to win the trophy, _________ helped the juniors to improve their
skills.
a. he as well as
b. but he also
c. and he also
d. just as he

viii. Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option.

Mr. Azad has got twenty-years of typing experience. He ___________ type this letter within ten
minutes.
a. do b. must c. shall d. will

ix. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line,
from a news report:
Our soldiers are better equipped than that of Pakistan.

Option No. Error Correction

A. are is
B. equipped equip
C. that those
D. of at

x. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.

My brother bought __________ (a/ the) book that my uncle recommended.

xi. Read the given sentence from a movie review article. Identify the error and supply the
correction in the sentence.
The movie doesn’t let you rest and is packed with engaged action sequences.
Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

xii. Report the announcement made to passengers inside the Delhi Metro:
“There will be a short delay in this service. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.”

WRITING 10 MARKS
IV. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. (5)
A. The given pie-chart shows how water is consumed in households in a metropolitan city in India. Study
the information carefully and write a paragraph analysing the given pie-chart data.

Page 6 of 12
 For the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q. No. IV. A. :
A. You are Rita/Rohan, Head Girl/Head Boy of your school. You decided to make the school population
aware of the advantages of tree plantation and tell them how trees can serve as better air-conditioners.
Write an analytical paragraph in 100 120 words. Take the help of the notes given below :
Trees keep environment cool by :

i. taking heat off the Earth and air.

ii. absorbing carbon dioxide that helps in controlling temperature rise.
iii. bringing rains.
iv. checking direct sunlight.
v. providing shade.

OR
B. The monthly expenditure of a family is represented in the pie chart shown below:

Write a paragraph in about 100-120 words, analyzing the information in the pie chart to support your
stand on how the family is using the money wisely.

For the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q. No. IV. B. :

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.

Page 7 of 12
 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.

V. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. (5)

A. You are Rahul / Ritika of C-12, Janakpuri, Indore. You wish to make a pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedarnath,
and Haridwar with your family of six. Write a letter to R.K. Travels, enquiring about the schedule of their
conducted tour by Deluxe buses to these places. Ask about the charges, boarding and lodging
arrangements, and the total time needed for the tour. (Word limit 100-120 words)
OR
B. The household water supply in your locality is muddy and unsafe for drinking. Despite several complaint
letters to the civic authorities, the problem remains unresolved. Write a letter to the editor of a local daily,
in about 120 words, expressing your concern about the situation and suggesting measures to resolve the
problem and drawing the attention of the concerned authorities. You are Anjali / Anil of 768, Silver
Apartments, Ajitha Vihar, Karampeeth.

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. “Hey, a tea garden!” Rajvir cried excitedly. Pranjol, who had been born and brought up on a
plantation, didn’t share Rajvir’s excitement. “Oh, this is tea country now,” he said. “Assam has the
largest concentration of plantations in the world. You will see enough gardens to last you a
lifetime!” “I have been reading as much as I could about tea,” Rajvir said. “No one really knows
who discovered tea but there are many legends.” (Glimpses of India: Tea from Assam)
i. Why was Pranjol not as excited as Rajvir about the tea gardens? (1)
a. He disliked looking at tea gardens.
b. He had worked in tea gardens himself.
c. He had grown up in and around tea gardens.
d. He was bored with tea gardens.

ii. What does Pranjol mean by saying that Assam has the largest concentration of plantations in the
world? (1)
iii. Fill in the blank with ONE WORD only. (1)

Pranjol’s __________comes through clearly when he exclaims, “You will see enough gardens
to last you a lifetime!”

iv. How, according to Rajvir, does the world know about the discovery of tea? (1)
a. Historical places b. Traditional tales
c. Authentic anecdotes d. Popular publications

v. Select the option that correctly captures the application of the word ‘cried’ as used in line 1 of the
extract. (1)
a. Jaspreet cried a lot in spite of winning second place in a competition.

Page 8 of 12
 b. Jaspreet has barely cried since she was three years of age
c. Jaspreet cried for hours when the police were unable to find her lost pet.
d. Jaspreet cried out loud when she saw a white tiger in the sanctuary.

B. “The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a
barefooted man doing on the steps of a house in the middle of London? And where was the man?
As they gazed, a remarkable sight met, their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere!
Further footprints followed, one after another, descending the steps and progressing down the
street. The boys followed, fascinated, until the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter and
at last disappeared altogether.” (Footprints without Feet)

i. The boys were surprised to see a barefooted man in London because _________. (1)
a. everybody in London moved around in shoes.
b. it was very cold in London to move around barefoot.
c. the muddy footprints were fresh.
d. only a homeless person would walk barefoot.

ii. Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word ‘started’ in the above extract.
a. When I reached the theatre the movie had already started. (1)
b. The fire started from the kitchen.
c. On hearing the bell ring, the sleeping Raman started and jumped out of bed.
d. Taking a deep breath, Ravi started down the stairs.

iii. The boys reaction can best be described as : (1)

a. captivated, bored
b. repulsed, absorbed
c. curious, unhappy
d. captivated, interested

iv. Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text : (1)
Disappeared : Vanished :: Extraordinary : ______________

v. According to the extract the boys were _____ when they saw the footmark. (1)

1. terrified 2. nervous 3. delighted 4. curious 5. puzzled

Select the correct option :

a. 1, 2, 4
b. Only 1
c. 4 and 5
d. 2 and 3

VII. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.

A. “What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,

What, what is he to do? I saw it go

Page 9 of 12
 Merrily bouncing, down the street and then
Merrily over – there it is in the water!
No use to say ‘O there are other balls’:” (The Ball Poem)

i. What does the expression ‘what, what is he to do’ denote? (1)

a. loss of the ball
b. ask the poet for another ball
c. boy's grief over the loss of the ball
d. go down the street

ii. State whether the following statement is True or False: (1)

The poet was delighted to watch the ball bouncing down the street into the water.
iii. The poet repeats the word ‘what’ in order to ___________. (1)
iv. There is no use to say ‘O there are other balls’ indicates that the poet feels that it would be

_________ to console the boy. (1)

a. helpful
b. futile
c. easy
d. shameful

v. ‘What is the boy now, who has lost his ball.’ (1)
Which feeling is expressed in this line?
a. Regret b. cheer c. despair d. thrill

B. “ But I can get a hair-dye

And set such colour there,
Brown, or black, or carrot,
That young men in despair
May love me for myself alone
And not my yellow hair.” (For Anne Gregory)

i. What is the poet’s tone in the extract? (1)

1. thoughtful
2. authoritative
3. agitated
4. insulting
5. argumentative

Select the appropriate option.

a. 1, 4 b. 3, 5 c. 2, 4 d. 1, 5
ii. Identify the reason for the speaker’s need to colour her hair, as per the extract. (1)
a. Her conviction that she is beautiful inside.
b. Her desire to be loved for her inner beauty.
c. Her need to change people’s perceptions about beauty.
d. Her control over what makes her look beautiful.
Page 10 of 12
 iii. Complete the analogy about the speaker’s hair. (1)
yellow: blonde :: _____ : carrot
iv. Select the sentence in which the word ‘set’ is used in the same manner as in line 2 of the extract.
a. The set for the school play looked quite grand. (1)
b. Do you have another set of books that I can read?
c. The dessert needs to set for two hours before being served.
d. I want to set him up and get my work done this time.
v. What causes the young men to ‘despair’, according to the extract? (1)

VIII. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each. (4×3=12)

i. What idea does the Postmaster come up with? What did he do to stick to his resolution?
(A Letter to God)
ii. The tiger in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ has some obvious limitations, describe them in contrast to
its natural habitat.
iii. What special characteristic of Mijbil did Maxwell learn after he took him to the bathroom?
(Mijbil the Otter)
iv. How does Ogden Nash’s ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’, challenge the notion that individuals
should conform to societal expectations?
v. How does the theme of absurdity and exaggeration contribute to the comedic elements of the story,
“The Proposal”, particularly in the way the characters’ conflicts escalate?

IX. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. (2×3=6)

i. “But to be a really big man, a clever and respected man, was something else.” What does this suggest
about Hari Singh himself? (The Thief’s Story)
ii. The various elements of Robert Arthur’s writing style work together to create a sense of tension,
uncertainty, and suspense, well-suited to the mystery and suspense genre of the story, “The Midnight
Visitor”. Comment, with reference to any one element.
iii. How does Matilda's desire for material wealth drive the plot of ‘The Necklace’?

X. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (1×6=6)

i. You have been chosen to address a student gathering from the neighbourhood schools, to speak on
the resilience of human spirit required to transcend discrimination. Prepare the speech draft in not
more than 120 words, with reference to the commonality of themes in “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk
to Freedom” and “The Trees” by Adrienne Rich.
You may begin this way:
Good morning, everyone. Today, I'd like to discuss two pieces of literature that offer a powerful
insight into the resilience of the human spirit required to transcend discrimination.

You may end this way.

To conclude, I’d like to say that ...
Thank you

Page 11 of 12
 ii. Motivation plays an important role in taking risks in life and in succeeding. Do you agree? Discuss
with reference to the pilot of the old Dakota from the lesson “Black Aeroplane” and the young
seagull from “His First Flight”. (Two Stories About Flying)

XI. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (1×6=6)

i. Imagine that Mrs. Pumphrey from ‘A Triumph of Surgery’, reflects upon her behaviour, learns from
her mistakes, and writes a diary entry about the consequences of overindulgence. Write this diary
entry as Mrs. Pumphrey in about 120 words.

ii. Parents play a crucial role in the upbringing of their children. Critically examine the parents of
Bholi and Ebright based on the lessons “Bholi” and “The Making of a Scientist” respectively,
highlighting their impact on their children’s lives.

-------------------------------------------

Page 12 of 12