VELAMMAL VIDHYASHRAM PADUR

PRACTICE QUESTION PAPER

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (Code No. 184)
CLASS-X- (2024-25)

Time allowed: 3Hrs Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:
1. This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
2. The question paper contains THREE sections-
Section - A: Reading Skills
Section - B: Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section – C: Literature Textbook
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each Part.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION - A
Reading (20 Marks)

1. Read the passage given below. 10

1) So, what is bicycle touring? Well, it’s completing self-contained cycling trips for pleasure,
adventure and the sense of freedom, rather than for sport, commuting, or exercise. Touring can
range from single to multi-day trips, even years. Tours may be planned by the participant or
organised by a club, or charity as a fund-raising venture.
2) People of all ages, backgrounds, and regions of the world choose the bicycle as their favourite
means of travel. Travelling by bike appeals to a broad spectrum of people and is attractive for many
reasons; it’s an exciting challenge that allows us to explore new landscapes and cultures, build
fitness and experience the joy of breathing fresh air.
3) The good news is that you don’t need to be a super-athlete to enjoy cycling. However, you’ll want
to spend some time training on a bike before your trip. Be realistic about what you can do and
create achievable goals. Then, work your strength up to riding the same daily distances you plan
to cover while carrying the same gear you plan to travel with. You’re physically ready if you can
do back-to-back day rides as long, or longer than you are planning for your tour, and feel as if you
could ride again on day three.
4) A reasonably fit adult carrying less than 9 kilograms of additional equipment on their bike can
expect to travel at an average pace of 100 kilometres per day on paved roads and still have time to
stop and sightsee. In particularly flat or mountainous terrain, the average will increase or decrease
accordingly. You’ll need to decide if, after your daily exertion, you want camp (inexpensive,
independent, closer to nature) or stay in hotels (comfortable, less stuff to carry). If you’re camping
in the wild, start looking for the spot a couple of hours before dark.
5) Bicycle riders are usually perceived to be non-threatening and on the whole are treated warmly by
strangers, especially if they run into difficulties on the road. The chances of something bad
happening to you during a bicycle tour are probably no different from those in your everyday life
at home.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

I. In paragraph 1, what does the phrase “bicycle touring is completing self-contained cycling trips
for pleasure, adventure, and the sense of freedom” emphasise? 1

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 II. Complete the following with the correct option from the two given: 1
Bicycle touring appeals to a broad spectrum of people because_________
a) it allows people to compete in races and challenges others.
b) it provides an exciting challenge, exploring new landscapes, building fitness, and enjoying
the fresh air.
III. Support the writer’s idea that training is necessary before embarking on a bicycle tour. 2

IV. Select the option that best reflects the concept of preparation for a bicycle tour: 1
a) A cyclist creates a daily schedule, mapping out routes and testing equipment before the tour
begins.
b) A cyclist decides to leave immediately without any prior planning to make the tour more
spontaneous.

V. State whether the following statement is True or False: 1

A cyclist must be a super-athlete to enjoy a bicycle tour.
VI. The writer mentions “choosing accommodation” in paragraph 4. Which of the following
options represents the decision for a self-contained bicycle tour? 1
A. Staying only in five-star hotels for maximum comfort.
B. Camping to stay closer to nature and carry less.
C. Staying in hotels every night to reduce stress.
D. Always relying on hostels in cities for low-cost accommodation.
VII. List any two factors that influence a cyclist's decision about daily distance and accommodation.
2
VIII. Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given: 1
In the phrase “closer to nature,” the word “nature” refers to ___________.
A. the environment and the outdoors
B. the habits and routines of cycling
C. urban spaces and landscapes
D. the local culture and people

2. Read the following text. 10

1. The National Education Policy 2020 proposes the revision and revamping of all aspects of
education, including the educational structure, regulations and governance, to create a new system
which is aligned with the aspirational goals of 21st century students. According to the policy, by
2025, at least 50% of learners through the school and higher education system shall have exposure
to skill education, for which a clear action plan with targets and timelines are to be developed.
2. The policy aims to overcome the social status hierarchy associated with skill education and
integration of skill education into mainstream education in all educational institutions in a phased
manner. Beginning with skill exposure at early ages in middle and secondary school, quality skill
education will be integrated smoothly into school and higher education.
3. Every child will learn at least one skill and is exposed to several more. This would lead to
emphasizing the dignity of labour and importance of various vocations involving Indian arts and
artisanship.
4. The development of skill capacities will go hand-in- hand with the development of ‘academic’ or
other capacities. To achieve this objective, secondary schools will have to collaborate with
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Polytechnics, Local Industry, etc. Skill labs will also be set up
and created in the schools in a Hub and Spoke model, which will allow other schools to use the
facility. Higher education institutions will offer skill education either on their own or in partnership
with industry and other institutions. The Global Scenario of Students in Skill Education

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Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:
I. Based on the reading of the extract, list 2 objectives of NEP 2020. 2
II. Fill in the blank with appropriate option from those given in the brackets, based on the
understanding of paragraph (4). 1
The statement:
“The development of skill capacities will go hand- in-hand with the development of academic
or other capacities” is a/an____________ (fact/opinion) because it is a/an__________
(subjective judgement/objective detail)
III. Select the option that corresponds to the meaning of the statement given below: 1
“According to the policy, by 2025, at least 50% of learners through the school and higher
education system shall have exposure to skill education.”
a) Maximum 50% learners shall have exposure to technical education.
b) Minimum 50% learners shall have exposure to technical education.
c) Minimum 50% learners shall have exposure to skill education.
d) Maximum 50% learners shall have exposure to skill education.
IV. Based on the understanding of the passage, complete the following statement appropriately: 1
The benefit of the hub and spoke model will be____________.
V. Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phrase from paragraph (3): 1
Racism: condemn:: ___________: respect
VI. As per the Global Scenario which country has the maximum percentage of students in Skill
Education and what can be the possible reason? 1
VII. Fill in the following blank choosing the most appropriate option from the ones given below: 1
As per NEP 2020, skill exposure will begin at ___________.
a) middle and secondary school
b) primary school
c) higher school
d) senior secondary school
VIII. Justify the statement — ‘The NEP will create an awareness and appreciation of Indian arts and
artisanship.’ 2

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 SECTION – B
Writing and Grammar (20 Marks)
3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, directed. 10
1. The sentences in each of the following questions have a portion or the whole underlined. Each
sentence is followed by four alternative versions of the underlined portion. Select the alternative
best suited according to standard written English, without altering the original meaning. Alternative
A is the same as the original version. 1
He does riot smoke, nor he drinks.
a) nor he does drink
b) neither he does drink
c) nor does he drink
d) nor does he drinks
2. Choose the correct alternative: 1
________ you show me the way to the station?
a) Shall
b) Might
c) Could
d) May
3. Choose the correct alternative: 1
To save my life, I ran fast, and ________ reach safely.
a) Could
b) Can
c) Will
d) Must
4. Select options correctly showing the change of voice in each given sentence; from direct to indirect
speech. 1
Vamsi said, "We are playing a match today.”
a) Vamsi said that they were playing a match today.
b) Vamsi said that they are playing a match today.
c) Vamsi said that they have been playing a match that day.
d) Vamsi said that they were playing a match that day.
5. Select options correctly showing the change of voice in each given sentence; from direct to indirect
speech. 1
I said to her, "I am writing an essay now.”
a) will work
b) had been working
c) will be working
d) will have been working
6. Select options correctly showing the change of voice in each given sentence; from direct to indirect
speech. 1
He said, “Children go to school every day.”
a) He said children go to school every day.
b) He said that children go to school every day.
c) He said that children go to school that day.
d) None.
7. Select options correctly showing the change of voice in each given sentence; from direct to indirect
speech. 1
The teacher said, "Are you preparing well for the exams?"
a) The teacher said that they are preparing well for the exams.
b) The teacher asked if I am preparing well for the exams.
c) The teacher asked if I was preparing well for the exams.
d) The teachers asked whether I have been preparing well for the exams.

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 8. Ajay shared some information, with Arun, about a holiday Tour. Report Arun’s Question. Did you
enjoy the holiday tour? 1
9. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket for the given portion of a
letter. 1
Subject: Placing an order
Dear sir,
I have reliably learnt that the books I__________(requirement) are currently available in your
bookshop. I would like to place the following order for the school library.

10. What about going on a trip? Great! We_______ to some hill station. 1
a) go
b) shall going
c) are going to go
d) shall go
11. I _______as soon as I finished my work. 1
a) leave
b) shall leaving
c) am going to leave
d) shall leave
12. report the dialogue between a teacher and a student, by completing sentence. 1
Teacher: Did everyone understand the new assignment?
Students: ________________, expressing their gratitude.

4. Creative Writing Skills.

A. You are extremely disturbed by reading about attacks on old people living alone. Fear of violence
continues to worry them. Write a letter to the Editor of the Times of India expressing your concern
over the recent death of old people. Suggest what steps the government should take to solve this
problem. You are Aanchal/Aryan, a resident of A-12, East of Kailash, N. Delhi. (100 - 120 words)
5
OR
B. You are Rohan/Mohan proprietor of M/S ABC surgical, Naraina, New Delhi. Place an order for
surgical instruments that you wish to purchase for your firm. Write a letter to the manager, M/S
GTB Surgicals & CO, Preet Vihar to send items with discounts. (100 - 120 words) 5

5. Creative Writing Skills.

A. The data given below shows the changes that occurred between 1995 to 2010 in Bilaspur regarding
women’s education. Write a paragraph in about 100 - 120 words, based on the graph given below.
5
Female Education in Bilaspur 1995 2010
1. No. of Girl’s School 10 15
2. No. of Women’s College 3 4
3. No. of students in School 10,000 16,000
4. No. of students in College 6000 10,000
5. Literacy rate 30% 55%
6. Distance Education Centres Nil 03

OR
B. The given double bar graph shows the preferences of children in a school in playing different
games over the span of six years. write a paragraph in 100 - 120 words to analyse the given
information. 5

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 SECTION - C
Literature (40 Marks)

6. Do as directed.
A. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow. Attempt ANY ONE. 5

“Iota: I can’t figure it out, Captain. (holding up a book) I’ve counted two
thousand of these peculiar items. This place must be some sort of storage
barn.”
I. What could Iota not figure out?
II. Where was Iota?
III. Find the antonym of the word ‘ordinary’ in the extract.
IV. What part of speech is ‘peculiar’ as used in the extract?
V. Name the writer of the play.
OR

B. Read the extract given below and choose the appropriate option from the questions below:
5
““What’s the matter with you, you fool?” shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking
you to school.” Then he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes
today, or else what will the teacher and the other school girls think of us when
they see her?”
1. Who is speaking and to whom? 1
2. What did he want his wife to do? 1
3. Why was Bholi scared to go to school? 1
4. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home? 1
5. Name the writer of the play. 1
7. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow. Attempt any one 5
A. “Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rude”

1. How did the crow change the poet’s mood? 1

a) Making him feel sad
b) Making him feel refreshed by shaking the dust of snow on him
c) Singing a song in melodious voice
d) Throwing some flowers on him

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 2. What saved some part of the poet’s day? 1
a) The beauty of hemlock tree.
b) The crowing of the crow.
c) The dust of snow.
d) The beautiful surroundings
3. The word ‘rued’ means: 1
a) enjoyed
b) spoilt
c) regret
d) sad
4. what is the rhyme scheme of the stanza? 1
a) abab
b) aabb
c) abaa
d) abcd
5. Mention any one of the poetic devices employed by the poet in the poetry. 1

B. “I sit inside, doors open to the veranda 5

writing long letters
in which I scarcely mention the departure
of the forest from the house.
The night is fresh, and the whole moon shines
in a sky still open...”

1. The poet talks about the house as 1

a) a safe sanctuary from predators
b) a place of confinement
c) a representation of family
d) a concrete alternative to a natural on

2. The poet uses the indefinite article for ‘sky’ instead of the definite one. This is so because the
poet is referring to 1
a) The portion of the sky bathed in moonlight versus the part that is still dark
b) the ceiling of the verandah as ‘a sky’ versus the door kept open, being ‘the sky’
c) some part of the sky still left open for women to explore, away from limitations set by
patriarchal norms
d) the opportunities symbolized by an open sky outside can be utilized by a single woman

3. The extract uses open twice, suggesting different meanings. Pick the option that lists the correct
meanings, respectively. 1
a) allowing access and vision-expanse of space
b) sharing a common space-great view
c) advantage-obstacles ahead
d) entry point-vastness

4. Choose the option that DOES NOT state the meaning of the underlined word. I scarcely
mention____________ 1
a) Barely
b) Tactfully
c) Hardly
d) only just

5. Choose the option that correctly depicts the imagery in the last two lines of the extract. 1

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 a) Option (2)
b) Option (1)
c) Option (3)
d) Option (4)

8. Answer any FOUR of the following questions in 40-50 words each: 4x3=12
1. How did ‘hunger for freedom’ change Mandela’s life? 3
2. Why did the young seagull utter a joyful scream on seeing his mother? 3
3. How has the Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery recognised in modern India? 3
4. Why does the poet say that he had `saved some part of a day I (he) had rued’? 3
5. Mijbil caused a sensation in London. Expound with reference to the chapter “Mijbil the Otter”. 3

9. Answer any TWO of the following in 120-150 words. 2x3=6

1. Fear and lack of confidence stop one from learning new things. Do you agree? How did these two
traits of the young seagull make him a coward? How did he overcome these shortcomings? 3
2. Did Hari like working for Anil? Give reasons in support of your answer. 3
3. Max was unprepared for his mission. Discuss with reference to the chapter ‘The Midnight Visitor’
3
10. Answer any ONE of the following in 120-150 words. 6
1. What did Buddha say about dying and going through pain? In light of The Sermon at Banaras,
explain your response.
2. Conflict abounds in today's globe. There is no peace in the world and people fight about many
different things. Explain based on you reading of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’.
11. Answer any ONE of the following in 120-150 words. 6
1. Money can’t make a man as much as education can. Elucidate the statement with reference to the
lesson ‘A thief’s story’
2. Education, love and sympathy can transform even a thief. How is it true in the case of Hari Singh?

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