10th cbse English paper [50 Marks]

Section A
Unseen comprehension [ 10 marks]
(1) As a high school student, studying poetry can be a rollercoaster ride. This journey is
punctuated by moments of profound appreciation for simpler pieces and intermittent frustration
with more complex works. Let's be real here -some poems are just plain confusing and no
amount of re-reading seems to help decipher the intended meaning. The puzzlement that
results from such instances can be both vexing and demotivating. If solving a riddle is what was
intended, then playing Sudoku is a better option. One is led to ponder if obscurity was the goal.
(2) Conversely, some pieces resonate with the reader's soul. stirring feelings of warmth,
happiness, and connection to the world. Often, these compositions centre on themes that are
universally understood, such as love, nature, or faith. Being able to actually understand what the
poet is trying to say can feel like a little victory and is a welcome relief after grappling with more
perplexing poetry.
(3) Then there are poems that are emotionally charged; the ones that make the reader curl up in

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a ball and cry or jump up and down with joy. One is left in awe of the poet's ability to convey
emotion through words. Let’s not forget the downright weird poems. These are the ones that
defy categorization and leave the reader to their own devices in attempting to interpret meaning.
The author's use of figurative language and unconventional imagery can create a sense of
bewilderment that is either intriguing or off-putting. Regardless, the reader can appreciate the
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uniqueness of the work.
(4) Despite the wide range of emotions and reactions that come with studying poetry, it can be a
rewarding pursuit. Not only does reading poetry allow one to appreciate the artistic beauty of the
written word but also enables one to develop crucial critical thinking and analytical skills. The
process of unlocking a poem's meaning can feel like cracking a code or solving a puzzle but the
sense of accomplishment derived from mastering a challenging piece can be deeply gratifying.
Finally, impressing an English teacher with a well-analysed poem can be a source of pride and
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validation.
(5) Overall, studying poetry is like a box of mixed chocolates, you never know what you're going
to get. But whether it's complex, emotional, simple, or just downright weird, there's always
something to be gained from the experience. So, let's applaud all the poets out there, for making
us laugh, cry, scratch our heads, and occasionally feel like a genius.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
i Which of the following statements best describes the author's attitude towards studying
poetry?
A. Finds poetry to be a frustrating and meaningless endeavor.
B. Believes that the emotional rollercoaster of studying poetry is not worth the effort.
C. Recognizes the challenges of studying poetry but also acknowledges the rewards it
offers.
D. Feels that poetry is too obscure and abstract for the average person to appreciate.
ii What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph (1)? Rationalise your response
in about 40 words.
If solving a riddle is what was intended, then playing Sudoku is a better option. One is led to
ponder if obscurity was the goal.
iii Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author's use of vivid imagery in the paragraph (3), such as "curl up in a ball and cry" and
"jump up and down with joy", greatly affects the reader because ____________.
iv The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e)
below, identify two sets of antonyms:
(a) intriguing and off-putting (b) deciphering and interpreting (c) appreciate and applaud (d)
simple and challenging (e) emotions and feelings
v Complete the sentence appropriately.
We can say that the author's tone becomes more neutral and objective when discussing weird
poems, compared to other types of poetry because __________.
vi Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, how studying poetry can
be like exploring a new city. [2 marks]
vii What is the message conveyed by Hina's experience, in the following case?
Hina spends hours trying to analyze a poem for her assignment and finally feels a sense of
accomplishment and pride, once she understands.

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A. Only those with natural talent for poetry should engage with it.
B. Persistence makes studying poetry a rewarding pursuit.
C. Study of poetry is guaranteed to impress others.
D. The efforts of studying poetry is inversely proportional to the rewards gained.
viii State whether the following lines display an example of a simple / complex / emotionally
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charged / downright weird , poem.
The sun rises in the east,
A new day begins, a fresh start.
Birds chirp, nature wakes up,
A peaceful feeling in my heart
Section B
Grammar [5 marks]
Be
(i) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket for the given
portion of a letter. (1)
Dear Sir
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.
(ii) Read the given sentence from a government regulation. Identify the error and supply
the correction in the sentence. (1)
The Parent-Teacher Conference must go on for two hours starting from 10:00 a.m. in
the morning.
(iii) Jaya shared some information with Shilpa about a textbook. Report Shilpa’s
question. (1)
Shilpa : Can I borrow your English textbook?
Jaya : Sure you can. But when will you return it?
(iv) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the given sentence. (1)
Every morning, the rich man would steal …………….. (few/ a few/a little) glances at the
widow when she came out to do her chores in the garden
(v) Complete the given narrative, by filling the blank with correct option. (1)
Please step out of the car, Mr. Saran. Do you realise you ……………… at over 90 mph?
(a) were driving
(b) have driven
(c) had been driving
(d) had driven

Writing Skills [10 marks]

A. You are Rajni Verma, Hostel Warden, PW Public School, Banaras, Uttar Pradesh.
Write a letter to the Sales Manager, Bharat Electronics and Domestic Appliances Ltd.,
New Delhi placing an order for fans, microwaves, ovens and geysers that you wish to
purchase for the hostel. Also ask for discount permissible on the purchase. (200 words)

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B.The maps given below show the changes that have taken place in Meadowside
Village and Fonton, a neighbouring town, since 1962. Analyse the changes that had
taken place over the years and write an analytical paragraph in 120 words. (5)
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Section C
A. He discovered the joys of being bowled over, tramped on and squashed every few
minutes. He became an accepted member of the gang, an unlikely, silky little object
among the shaggy crew, fighting like a tiger for his share at mealtimes and hunting
rats in the old henhouse at night. He had never had such a time in his life. All the while,
Mrs Pumphrey hovered anxiously in the background, ringing a dozen times a day for
the latest bulletins. (A Triumph of Surgery) [5 marks]
(i) Why does the narrator describe being ‘tramped on and squashed’ as joys? (1)
(a) To suggest the irony about the strange ways of dogs.
(b) To mention the simple pleasures of canine life.
(c) To compare it to Tricki’s earlier play-time at the house.
(d) To direct attention towards Tricki’s successful recovery.
(ii) What does the reference to Tricki as a ‘silky little object’ signify? (1)
(iii) Which word would correctly substitute ‘current’, in the given sentence from the
extract? (1)
(iv) How did Tricki become an accepted member of the gang and started enjoying the
company of other dogs? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Section D
Answer the Following [21 Marks]

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Q1. How does Leslie Norris use vivid imagery and metaphorical language in A Tiger in
the Zoo, to effectively depict the confinement and oppression, experienced by the
captive tiger? [3 marks]
Q2. The story, A Triumph of Surgery is a powerful example of the importance of saying
“no”. Explain. [3 marks]
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Q3. State two ways in which the oppressor and the oppressed are similar,
according to Mandela. (Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)

Q4. Imagine Robert Frost from A Dust of Snow met with Lencho from A Letter to
God and discussed the various ways nature can influence a person's mood.
Be
Create this conversation in not more than 120 words. [6 marks]
You may begin this way:
Lencho: As a farmer, my livelihood depends on nature and sometimes nature can be
cruel
Q5. A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a
story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of their experiences,
challenges, and interactions with other characters.
In the light of the above information, trace the character arc of the thief in Ruskin Bond’s
The Thief’s Story, in about 120 words. [6 marks]