KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN

TINSUKIA REGION
FIRST PRE-BOARD EXAM (2024-25)
SUBJECT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (Code No. 184)
CLASS-X
TIME-3 HRS MAX. MARKS -80
General Instructions:

 15 minutes reading time allotted for Question Paper reading.

● The Question- Paper contains three sections- READING, GRAMMAR &
WRITING and LITERATURE.
● Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A: Reading Skills (20 marks) 20

Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages M
Q1 Read the given passage and answer the following : 10

1.A youngster quit Facebook in December after spending over three years on a social networking site. With
that one act, he bid a silent adieu to more than 300 contacts that he had added to his account during the
period. Last week a new feature on Facebook called timeline forced him to reconsider the pros and cons of
being on the networking site.
2. “Everyone has some skeletons in their closet and I am just not comfortable with Facebook digging out
and displaying all the facts of my life on a bulletin board,” says this youngster who joined the network in
July 2007 when he was in class Xl.
3. Facebook, you see, had compressed the time, he spent on the site and arranged it in chronological order.
And while he initially liked the new neatly organised scrapbook-like feature, he wasn’t happy to reveal
posts from the past that, until recently, were hidden under layers and layers of recent updates. Just clicking
on a date on the timeline could transport his friends back in time and enable them to view every
embarrassing comment, link or photo he had posted on his profile.

4. “I think it’s a recipe for disaster,” he says ” In 2007, I had some wall posts, which seemed approprite at
that time, but now after a lapse of four years’ I have moved on and don’t went them to he openly displayed
for all to see.
5.And he is not alone, Many users worried about how Facebook activity could possibly after their offline
lives, are choosing to commit ‘Facebook suicide.’
While some have privacy concerns, others feel that the site that was meant to bring them closer to their
friends actually does the opposite — it reduces their friendship to something superficial.
6. “Poking and liking are not enough to keep a friendship going ,’ says a business analyst. Having quit
Facebook three years ago, she prefers meeting her ‘real’ friends face-to-face, instead of reading their trite
posts online. “On Facebook, people hype everyday issues including what they ate and where they went on
a daily basis.” says this analyst who continues to use Twitter.

7.”Facebook has become a time sink and it could not justify the time I spent on it,” he says. “I spend more
time calling up friends or relatives over the phone now. I also go out and meet people whenever passible
and have a good offline life. I do not regret the change” Today, Facebook has 800 million users of which
37 million are Indians. The site has become an online identity for most, and many of those who decide to
quit cannot overcome the withdrawal symptoms and return. Facebook. fully aware of its addictive powers,
facilitates this return by allowing users to ‘deactivate their accounts but continues to store information on
its servers so that they can return from their break’, whenever they wish.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

i Which of thefollowing statements best describes the reason for the youngste’s reaction 1

to the posts he made in the past?

(a) He was embarrassed of the post.
 (b) He reminded memories of the bitter past.
(c) He felt it unnecessary.
(d) He did not want to remind the past..

ii Based on your reading of the text, list any two disadvantages of the social media site of Facebook. 2

iii Complete the sentence appropriately. 1

Bidding adieu means .

iv The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other From the sets (a)-(e) below, identify a set 1
of antonyms.
a) Pros and disaster (b) Superficial and real
c) Quit and regular (d) Addictive and lapse
(e) Facilitates and updates

v Complete the sentence appropriately. 1

According to the author, feature of Timeline takes away a person's privacy.

vi Why did the youngster change his mind later regarding staying on Facebook? 2

vii In Paragraph 7, the author says 'allowing users to 'deactivate their accounts but continues to store 1
information on their servers so that they can return from their 'break', whenever they wish.
State the reason for doing so by Facebook.

viii Evaluate the APPROPRIATE characteristic that can be apt for the lives of people who had quit Facebook. 1
(a) Social and Real

(b) Sad and Hysterical

(c) Embarrassing and Addictive

(d) Nostalgic and Fear of missing out

Q.2 Read the given passage and answer the following :- 10

1.The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation and is based on the
fortune of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and entrepreneur. The Nobel Prize is awarded for the best
contribution in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and to the person who has
contributed by and large to bring peace on Earth. In 1968, Sweden's central bank established the Sveriges
Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel.
2. A look into the history of the recipients of the award reveals that only 57 women have received the
award compared to 873 male recipients. There are various historical reasons for why this is the case, but
the trend appears to be improving.

3. Goran Hansson, the permanent secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said, "While more
women are being recognized now compared with previous decades, only about 10% of the professors in
natural sciences in Western Europe or North America are women and even lower if you go to East Asia."
All over the world, the number of men working in STEM fields is much higher than the number of
women.
4. Hansson emphasized that they have made sure to identify the problem and also learn about
subconscious bias in the prize-awarding committees and academies. "We've had lectures by sociologists,
we've had group discussions, we have put quite a lot of effort into it," he said.
5. "In the end, we will give the prize to those who are found the most worthy, those who have made the
 most important contributions," he added.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

i Based on the passage, what efforts are being made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to address 1
the low representation of female scientists?
(i) The Academy is consciously awarding female scientists from the 2000s.
(ii) The Academy is inviting sociologists to lecture about the gender gap.
(iii) The Academy is hosting group discussions to boost the intelligence of female scientists.
(a) Only (1) (c) Both (1) and (iii)
(b) Only (ii)(d) Both (ii) and (iii)
ii Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets.
The Nobel Prize is an international award because it recognises the achievements made …………........ 1
(by people/by institutions).

iii Based solely on the information presented in the graph, draw an inference on the number of women Nobel 1
laureates by decade?
iv What is the cause of the gender disparity among Nobel Prize recipients? 2

v How does the given statement impact the gender disparity in Nobel Prize recipients? Competency Based 2
All over the world, the number of men working in STEM fields is much higher than the number of
women.
All over the world, the number of men working in STEM fields is much higher than the number of
women.
vi Complete the sentence appropriately. 1
According to the passage, Goran Hansson says that there are ……………….. .

vii Identify the opinion from these statements about the information shared in the passage. 1
(a) The Nobel prizes have been awarded to more men than women.
(b) Alfred Nobel's wealth is used to award the Nobel Prizes to the winners.
(c) The Nobel Prize was awarded for the best contribution in four fields.
viii Select the sentence that correctly uses the phrase "by and large' as used in paragraph. 1
(a) Paula prepared a by and large cake for dinner.
(b) We bought by and large clothes for the campaign
(c) Most of the lions by and large est deer when hungry.
(d) She was so excited that she screamed by and large on the road
SECTION B 20
M
WRITING SKILLS AND GRAMMAR (20 marks)

GRAMMAR 10

Q.3 Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following task, as directed. 10

i Choose the correct tense from the options to fill in the blanks. 1
 When a satellite ……………… (launch), the rocket begins by going slowly upwards.

(a) is launched (b) are launched

(c) have been launched (d) were launched
Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line. 1
ii As a true patriot, I ………………. Lay down my life for my motherland.
(a) might (b) could
(c) will (d) should

iii Report the dialogue between the policeman and Stranger by completing the sentence. 1
Policeman: “Who are you? Where do you come from?”
Stranger: “I am a common man, lost in the crowds”.
In response to the query about himself and his whereabouts, the stranger replied to the policeman
that ……………………………………………………… .

iv Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of the letter. 1
Subject Complaint about a damaged product received

Sir/Ma'am.

I purchased a black top from your online store. I ……………………..(receive) the product today, and I
tried filing a return request as the size is smaller than the one I had ordered and the cloth is torn on the left
side.

v Report the dialogue between Charlie and Patty to complete the following sentence with the help of 1
given options.

Charlie: Dear Santa, here is a list if what I want.

Patty: How do you suppose Santa Claus can afford to give away all those toys?
Charlie: Promotion! Don’t kid yourself……Everything these days is promotion! I will bet if the truth
were brought about, you will find that he’s being financed by some big eastern chain!

While making the list of what Charlie wanted from Santa Claus, he asked Patty how Santa Clause could
afford to give away all those toys. She said that ………...….. and that it was possible as Santa was being
financed by some big eastern chain.

(a) everything these days were promotion

(b) everything these days was promotion
(c) everything those days was promotion
(d) everything these days was going to be promotion

vi Identify the error in the given sentence. 1

The family have never been able to agree on anything without quarreling first.
Use the given format for your response.

ERROR CORRECTION

vii Maria shared some information with Mathew about her flight to Kanpur. Report Mathew’s question. 1
Were you nervous on your first trip?
viii Fill in the blanks by using appropriate answer. 1
Due to irrational use of natural and biotic resource of the Earth in the past, most of the wildlife
…………………….. (destroy) beyond retrieval.
ix Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. 1
I study Agriculture and Economics. In fact, Economics are my favourite.
Use the given format for your response.

ERROR CORRECTION

x Select the options that identify the error and supply the correction for the following lines. 1
OTT television, usually called online television, Internet television or streaming television, remains the
most popular OTT content.
 Options Error Correction
(a) usually As usual
(b) or and
(c) remain Remains
(d) the a
xi Choose the correct indirect form of the following sentence. 1
Rashid said, "Fine. I have got a certificate of improvement from the school."

(a) Rashid said that it was fine and he had got a certificate of improvement from the school.
(b) Rashid said that it was fine and he have got a certificate of improvement from the school.
(c) Rashid said fine and that he has got a certificate of improvement from the school.
(d) Rashid said that fine and he has a certificate of improvement from the school.
xii Let’s meet another day since neither Kiran nor kya …………………… free today as they have tennis 1
practice.
(a) were (b) are
(c) be (d) is
WRITING 10
M
Q4. Note: All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purpose.

4A You are Asha/Aman residing at Green View Apartments, Pune. The rising prices of daily commodities 5
have added to the problems of the common man who is finding it difficult to meet his daily needs. Write a
letter to the editor of a national daily in 100-120 words voicing the problems you are facing because of
this inflation and requesting the concerned authorities to look into the matter.
4B OR
As the head of the music department of your school, write a letter to Mysore Music Association, placing
an order for some instruments. You are Nancy/ Namit Verma of Army School. Safdarjung Enclave, New
Delhi. (100-120 words)
Q.5 5
5A The number of tigers, the biggest cats in the world, is gradually decreasing. Given below is a data which
reveal the number of Royal Bengal Tigers in different countries. Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120
words interpreting the data.
Sl.no Name of country Minimum Maximum
1 Bangladesh 300 460
2 Bhutan 80 460
3 China 30 35
4 India 2500 3800
5 Nepal 150 250

OR
5B Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in the magazine section of a local daily. 5M

The ban on Single-use plastic is impractical.

The purpose of article such as bags and packing material is
Ultimately to make human life easier. Plastic articles make this
convenient, So they not be banned.

Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words for the given argument. You could give rationale/
evidence that would counter/strengthen the argument

SECTION- C 40
M
( LITERATURE)
Q.6 Read the given extract and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given 5

A Buddha said. "The life of mortals in this world is troubled and brief and combined with pain. For there is
not any means by which those that have been born can avoid dying after reaching old age there is death;
of such a nature are living beings. As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling, so mortals when born are
 always in danger of death. As a earthen vessels made by the potter end in being broken, so is the life of
mortals. Both young and adult, both those who are fools and those who are wise, all fall into the power of
death; all are subject to death."
I What happens after reaching old age? 1

Ii What does Buddha say about life? 2

Iii The examples- ' The falling of a ripe fruit and the breaking of an earthen vessel ', reinforce the idea 1
of……..
( a) pain of death ( b) death and reincarnation
( c) the people are immortal ( d) the inevitability of death

Iv Find a word for ‘a human being subject to death’ . 1

(a) young person (b) wise person
(c) adult (d) mortal

B OR

The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in any case an unusual event. A stranger of such
uncommon appearance set all tongues wagging. Mrs Hall, the landlord's wife, made every effort to be
friendly. But Griffin had no desire to talk, and told her. "My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for
solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work.
Besides, an accident has affected my face."
Satisfied that her guest was an eccentric scientist, and in view of the fact that he had paid her in advance,
Mrs Hall was prepared to excuse his strange habits and irritable temper. But the stolen money did not last
long, and presently Griffin had to admit that he had no more ready cash. He pretended, however, that he
was expecting a cheque to arrive at any moment

i In which of these does 'ready' have the same meaning as used in the extract? 1
(a) Griffin didn't believe that he was ready to speak before the audience.
(b) The landlord usually got the rooms ready before any guests arrived.
(c) Mrs Hall said there was a ready supply of food at the hotel.
(d) The stranger was getting ready to take on new challenges.
ii Mrs Hall was prepared to ignore Griffin's rudeness and weird behaviour. State two reasons why this was 2
so
iii Complete the analogy by selecting a suitable word from the text. arrival: exit ::……….: company 1

iv Why did the people start talking about the stranger's arrival? 1
1. because he was mostly quiet 2.because he was mean to people
3. because he was enjoying the snow 4.because he paid the inn charges in cash
5. because he was dressed in a strange manner
Select the correct option.
(a) Only 1 & 5 (b) Only 2 & 3
(c) Only 3, 4 & 5 (d) Only 4
Q.7 Read the given stanza and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given 5M

A. “I sit inside, doors open to the verandah writing long letters

in which I scarcely mention the departure of the forest from the house.
The night is fresh, the whole moon shines in a sky still open
the smell of leaves and lichen
still reaches like a voice into the rooms.”
i Which poetic device is used in the last line of stanza? 1
a. metaphor b. simile c. enjambment d. onomatopoeia
ii Name the poem and poet. 2

iii What was the poet doing? 1

iv Where are the trees in the poem? 1

B. OR
Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood;
It was clear that the pirate meant no good.

i How many pistols was the pirate carrying? 1

ii What is the rhyme scheme of the given Stanza? 1

a) aabb b) aaab
c) abab c) abbb

iii How did the pirate appear? Why 2

Iv6 How does the poet describe his beard? 1

(a) It was off-white (b) Black
(c) Mustard (d) Very long beard
Q.8 Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 30-40 words each. 4x3
=12
i Would you agree that the 'depths of oppression create heights of character'? How does Mandela Illustrate 3
this? Can you add your own examples to this argument?
(Nelson Mandela: Long walk to freedom)

ii Do you agree with Anne when she says that teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on Earth? 3
Rationalise. (From the Diary Of Anne Frank)

iii Valli's dream was to enjoy a ride on the bus to the nearest town. What preparations did she make to 3
realise her dream? (Madam rides the bus)
iv Peculiar behaviours are a characteristic of Otters. Discuss with respect to 'Mijbil the Otter. 3
(Mijbil the otter)
v Describe Oxen Meadows. How were they a source of quarrel between Lomov's and Natalya's family? 3
(The Proposal)
Q.9 Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 30-40 words each. 2X3
=6
i The various elements of Robert Arthur's writing style work together to create a sense of 3
tension,uncertainty and suspense, well-suited to the mystery and suspense genre of the story,.
Comment,with reference to any one element. (The Midnight Visitor)
ii Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why? 3
(Question of trust)
iii Who was Dr. Frederick A Urquhart? Why did Richard Ebright look to him for fresh ideas? 3
(The Making of a Scientist)

Q.1 Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 6
0
i Difficulties come in life but they are not bound to stay forever. They are transient – they come and go.
Comment referring to the poem ‘Fog’ and Lencho’s life in ‘ A Letter to God’. What did he do in the face
of crisis? How did he overcome the crisis?
OR
ii Inspired by the diversity in the chapter, ‘Glimpses of India’. Write a paragraph on ‘Diversity-the
Uniqueness of India’.

Q.1 Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100 -120 words. 6M
1
i Destiny had been cruel to Bholi yet she made a place for herself in a conservative society. Discuss.
OR
ii Imagine Mme Forestier writes a diary entry after meeting Matilda describing how she felt on meeting her
old friend. Write this diary entry in about 100-120 words.