English Language and Literature Class 10 Stage III Excellence Level 1

Sample Question Paper 13

(Detailed Answers)

English Language and Literature

CBSE Class 10th
1. (i) (c) Glamorous
(ii) Retirement comes at an early age and the financial rewards gained will probably not provide enough to live on for
the rest of life and the early-retired sportsman has to seek a new career. He/she enters the new career fifteen
years later than his/her contemporaries and often with not enough reputation in his/her sport to persuade an
employer to pay him/her a high salary.
(iii) the media
(iv) supremacy
(v) hard, exhausting practice
(vi) Serious injury or an unaccountable loss of form quickly halts the progress of many young sportsmen. Outdoor
life can be delightful except when the prevalent weather conditions are rain, wind, snow, fog or ice. It’s flattering
to hear one’s name chanted with acclaim by thousands on the terraces but crowds are fickle and soon forget,
once time takes its toll on muscle and mind.
(vii) (d) Fame, Power and Career- Sports
(viii) True
2. (i) 311 million
(ii) growth
(iii) India’s population growth rate is expected to decline to its lowest since the Independence in the 2011-2021
decade, with a decadal growth rate of 12.5%. It will decline further to 8.4% in the 2021-2031 decade. According
to these projections, India will overtake China as the world’s most populous country around 2031 – almost a
decade later than the United Nations projection of 2022.
(iv) The given statement means that India’s population growth rate is expected to decline drastically.
(v) A delay of a decade from the UN’s projection can be seen in India becoming the most populated country in the
world.
(vi) (d) The projections came in July of 2020 because of delay by the government in setting up the committee.
(vii) According to the passage, India will become the most populous country in the world by 2031. The nation’s
population growth rate is expected to decline to its lowest since the Independence in the 2011-2021 decade.
(viii) (c) The purpose of the above report was to give population projections for 2011-2036.
3. (i) Have been facing
(ii) Error Correction
must could

(iii) Jasmine asked me if my husband always came home late.

(iv) (b) someone to sew a dress specially for her
(v) a
2 Stage III Excellence Level English Language and Literature Class 10

(vi) Error Correction

help helps

(vii) (a) Error Correction

sit sat

(viii) (b) are driving

(ix) replied that he was fine and asked Mayank how he was doing.
(x) (d) were all playing
(xi) (c) will have
(xii) Error Correction
strongest relaxes

4. A. Nav Vihar Public School

Mumbai
22nd January, 20XX
The Director
Tourism Department
Jim Corbett National Park
Subject Enquiry about an excursion to JCNP
Respected Sir/Ma’am
This is to inform you that the students of our school wish to visit the Jim Corbett National Park as a part of our
summer excursion trip in the month of May (around the second week). There would be a group of around 100
students, including teachers and assisting staff.
I would like to enquire about the package for the visit that includes the transportation (with pick-up and drop to
and from the railway station), sightseeing and lodging for 4 nights. I would be highly obliged if you could send
me the package details with each item listed separately.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Sujata
Secretary of the Student Council
B. 54, Tagore Park
New Delhi
30th June, 20XX
The Director
Virtue Training Center
Noida, UP
Subject Enquiry about BPO/KPO training course
Sir/ Ma’am
This is in reference to your advertisement in The Hindu dated 27th June, 20XX. I would like to know in detail
about the courses offered by your institute. I am of the opinion that these courses will help me in the selection of
my future career course too.
A short–term course in BPO/ KPO will be the threshold for the other business management courses. I am in
Class 12th. I wish to pursue BPO/ KPO training course after completion of my exams.
Kindly send me all the necessary details, including fees, duration of training and its prospects, etc. at the above
mentioned address.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Rahul
 English Language and Literature Class 10 Stage III Excellence Level 3

5. A. Quality of Life
The given table shows the aspects of quality of life of five countries. Using the four economic indicators it shows
the standard of living in these countries in the year 1982. From the data available to us, we can say for sure that
the standard of living of USA was the highest out of all the five. To begin with, USA which is a developed country
has a GNP of 13,160 dollars per head. It also has a much higher calorie intake for a day, high life expectancy
and very low infant mortality. In comparison to the USA, these factors for other countries at lower level. The range
of the indicators depicted show a similar trend for the countries Egypt, Indonesia and Bolivia. Out of the three
Egypt seems to have the highest standard of living. Within the same category, Egypt also shows a higher Infant
Mortality Rate standing at 97 deaths per 1000 infants. Out of the five countries, Bangladesh has the lowest
quality of life with its GNP being hundred times less than USA. It has a significantly higher Infant Mortality Rate
and its daily calories intake as well as Life Expectancy is half to that of USA. Given that, we rank the countries as
such- USA, Egypt, Indonesia, Bolivia, and Bangladesh.
B. The modern time is one of increasing social media use wherein people not only post about their lives but also
earn from doing so. What is more astounding is that it is not limited to a particular age group but includes people
from all sections of life. A recent survey released its data providing information about the proportion of people
using social media according to the age group for India for the year 2020. According to the data, the largest
category of digital communicators was the group aged 13 to 25, which accounted for 40% of the total users as
expected by all. 35% of people falling in the age group of 26-35 found the second position in the usage of social
media in India. While we might expect these categories to be active on social media, what came as a surprise is
people between 46 and 55 years of age contributed 10% and people aged 36 to 45 made up 18 per cent of
active social media users. People older than 55 also spent their time on social media sites scrolling through
images and videos. From the given data, it can be easily said that the general trend of India’s social media users
during 2020 was that majority of social media users.
6. A. (i) Bholi’s hair was matted because it was never oiled or combed.
(ii) True
(iii) (d) Hopeful and elated
(iv) Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school because the day she was going to school she was
forced by her parents to dress nicely. She was bathed and her hair was oiled. She was even given a clean
dress to wear. The special way in which everyone treated her made her feel that she was going to a better
place.
Or
B. (i) Through the given line, the speaker, Lomov, means that Natalya is a good match for him.
(ii) Lomov wanted to get married as he was already 35 years old. He felt that now he should lead quiet and
peaceful life with a well educated, beautiful Natalya. Moreover, he was suffering from a weak heart and
sleep-sickness and wanted company of someone to look after him.
(iii) (b) A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage, which reveals their innermost thoughts and
feelings to the audience.
(iv) (b) he suffers from attacks of excitements.
7. A. (i) The poet’s purpose of using such words is to emphasise on the might and boldness of Custard.
(ii) The given lines show that the animal, which was considered by all to be a coward, was actually braver than
them. While the rest of Belinda’s pets cower in fear at the sight of the pirate, it is Custard the cowardly
dragon that attacks him and saves everyone. This shows that the poet wants to convey that whether
someone is truly brave or not can only be discovered in the face of real danger.
(iii) iron chains holding the prisoners captive
(iv) (b) Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.
Or
B. (i) (b) On the tree
(ii) A chameleon looks like a garden lizard. It changes its colour as per its surroundings. This ability to
camouflage helps it in escaping from its enemies. A chameleon does not have any ears and wings.
(iii) Chameleon can’t be seen on the tree because it can change its skin colour, it has the ability to camouflage.
(iv) ears or wings
4 Stage III Excellence Level English Language and Literature Class 10

8. (i) Yes, I think that the poet uses the trees as a symbol for women breaking patriarchal notions. In a male dominated
society, women are cramped into houses like trees. Their natural freedom is lost under the shackles of the
restrictions and limitation that oppress them. The poet now feels that it is high time that they escape the setup.
(ii) The given description of Mijbil as made by Maxwell highlights the love for water that an otter has. According to
Maxwell, an otter loves to play in water. They spread and extend every drop of water that is surrounding them.
(iii) Ice symbolises hatred and indifference. While desire consumes, hatred can linger (stay) in one’s mind and heart
for a long time, leading to fury and cruelty. One becomes hardhearted and insensitivity to the feelings of others.
This insensitivity and hatred, slowly and gradually leads to the destruction of the world.
(iv) Rajvir did not like to read detective stories during his journey because at that moments he was keep on looking
at the beautiful scenery. It was green everywhere-soft paddy fields and then come tea bushes. It was a
magnificent view for Rajvir to see greenery as far as his eyes could see.
(v) During her journey, Valli absorbed the natural beauty and clapped her hands in happiness on seeing a young
cow running very fast. This shows that although Valli was a mature and a responsible girl, she was still a child at
heart. Valli may have behaved like adults while boarding the bus but her childish nature and joy gets revealed
when she reacts by clapping her hands on seeing a cow running in front of the bus.
9. (i) Bholi was sent to school because when the primary school opened in their village the Tehsildar advised her
father to send his daughter to the school as an example for the villagers. After talking with his wife, it was
decided that if the ugly Bholi went to school, it would not harm their other daughter’s marriage prospects.
(ii) Richard had a rare achievement at the age of twenty-two. He wrote an article with his friend about a theory of
how cells work. The article was published in the scientific journal ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of
Science.’ It was the first time that this journal had ever published the work of college students.
(iii) Think-Tank assumes that the Earthlings are after him after looking the books of the nursery rhymes wherein he
sees himself in Humpty Dumpty. Further, when the poems were read, the incorrect interpretations made by him
makes him think that the Earthlings were planning to invade mars and capture him.
10. A. The given dialogue fast-forward’s to some years after Ivan and Natalya get married. Natalya and Ivan are
expecting a child and are arguing about the name of the baby.
Ivan Honored Natalya, I think that we can name our child Nastasya Mihailovna after my dear younger aunt
who.....
Natalya Excuse my interrupting you. But are you suggesting we name our child after your aunt who ran away
with an architect. Not while I am alive.
Ivan What are you talking about?
Natalya I’m speaking of your younger aunt Nastasya Mihailovna who ran away with an architect.
Ivan No, you’re mistaken, honoured Natalya Stepanovna.
Natalya Yes, yes. My father told me all about it. Just think, Ivan Vassilevitch! Do you remember spending time
with your aunt?
Ivan Do I? For as long as I can remember.
Natalya Really, you won’t get me to believe that!
Ivan But you can see from the Photographs. It’s true, that she liked an architect but now everyone knows that
they were respectfully married. There is nothing to argue about it. It was in fact your aunt who ran away with a
priest.
Natalya No, it isn’t at all like that! Both father and grandfather told me that she died because of fever. I really
don’t see what is there to argue about. It is simply silly that you believe my aunt ran away.
Ivan I’ll simple show you the photos of my aunt and then you would believe.
Natalya No, you’re simply joking or making fun of me. What a surprise! I have always been told that your aunt
ran away and mine died and now suddenly you say it is the opposite. Ivan Vassilevitch, I can hardly believe my
own ears. Now, generally it would not concern me but I would not let you name our child after your runaway aunt.
Ivan Hear me out or just see the photos.
Natalya I can’t make head or tail of all these aunts and uncles. I know that your aunt ran away and mine died.
Ivan Not true.
Natalya You can go on proving it for two days on end, you can go and put on fifteen dress jackets, but I tell you
my aunt did not run away, yours did.
 English Language and Literature Class 10 Stage III Excellence Level 5

Ivan Now, Natalya, I don’t want to defame your aunt or call your father or grandfather a liar, but I will not listen
anything against my aunt.
Natalya Who said anything about lying? My family does not lie. Yours does. First you call our Oxen Meadows
yours, then, you call your Guess better than our Squeezer. Now you say that my aunt ran away while yours did
not. That’s not what I expected of you.
Ivan Then, you are calling me a liar. Madam, never in my life had I lied to anyone. [Quickly steps to the hall and
drinks more water] My aunt did not run away, yours did.
Natalya It’s not true.
Ivan It is.
Natalya It isn’t. I will prove it. I will call my father and get her death certificate. And call the local newspaper telling
them about your aunt.
Ivan [Shouts] Don’t you dare. [Clutches at his heart]
Natalya Please don’t shout! I am getting a headache with all this.
Ivan If it wasn’t, madam, for this awful, excruciating palpitation, if my whole inside wasn’t upset, I’d talk to you in
a different way! (faints)
Natalya He’s dead. [Pulls Lomov’s sleeve] Ivan Vassilevitch! Ivan Vassilevitch! What have you done to me? He’s
dead. A doctor, a doctor! (starts crying bitterly)
Ivan I see stars.......Natalya are you okay?
Natalya [wails] He’s alive.....
Or
B. According to me, one should never make fun of anyone on the basis of their lifestyle and their choices. One must
always remember that choices and preference can depend on unexplainable factors.
In the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’, Custard makes one such choice of wishing for a ‘nice safe cage’.
He prefers comfort and safety. However, Belinda and her other pets always laugh at him. They think of him as a
coward for choosing to stay in cage and make fun of him. Custard, the dragon, soon proved that his choice of
comfort doesn’t make him a coward. In fact, instead of all the ‘brave’ pets of Belinda, it was Custard who fought
the pirate.
It was Custard who showed courage to face the pirate and kill him. Therefore, one must never judge anyone for
choice. Appearance may be deceptive. Just like the dragon who appeared to be a coward but was actually
courageous, another person might also be different from what show him/her to be his/her preferences.

Value Points
For getting maximum marks, following value points can be included in the answer
l Choices can depend on unexplainable factors
l Custard prefers comfort and safety
l Other pets make fun of him
l He showed courage in the face of danger
l Appearance may be deceptive

11. A. Everyone has an inner conscience that tells them about right or wrong. It fills one with guilt when one does
something wrong and delights one when something right happens. In the story ‘The Thiefs story’, the
narrator’s/Hari conscience is pricked as he robs the honest and kind man. He works for Anil with the sole
purpose of looking for an opportunity to rob him but, during his stay he not only learns about love, sympathy and
trust but also understands the importance of education. Even though Anil knows that Hari keeps one rupee as
profit from his daily routines, he never asks Hari for it and teaches him to write.
When Hari robs Anil, he states that it is difficult for him to rob Anil but it is much difficult for him to run away after
robbing Anil. He has a guilty conscience. He does not want to hurt Anil and wants to change himself. This not
only forces him to return the money but also makes him want to get educated. The inner conscience which came
forward in Hari had been dormant (hidden) before he had stolen Anil’s money. It is only the circumstances that
awaken the inner conscience and put it into practice.
6 Stage III Excellence Level English Language and Literature Class 10

Or
B. Richard Ebright displayed a well-rounded personality from his childhood. His genius was obvious by the time he
was in second grade. He not only collected butterflies but also collected rocks, fossils and coins. He had
managed to collect all the twenty-five species of butterflies that were found in his hometown and had classified
them.
Science was not his only passion. He was an active member of his school’s debating club and Model United
Nations Clubs and was also an effective debater and public speaker. He was an enthusiastic canoeist and an
all-round outdoor person with a keen interest in photography. Because of his interest and hobbies, it was simple
for him to devote time and energy to many other interests. He was a champion, not because of his desire to win
for the sake of winnings but for attempting to do his best. All of these qualities make him a well-rounded
personality.

Common Mistakes
l Some candidates assumed the identity of Richard Ebright and wrote in first-person narrative.
l Some candidates wrote the summary of the story.
l Some candidates focused entirely upon the collecting of butterflies and ignored the rest.