JCB SCHOOL

CLASS 10TH ENGLISH

PRE-BOARD (DECEMBER 2024)
MM : 80 TIME : 3 HRS
SECTION – A (READING) (20 MARKS)
Q.1 READ THE FOLLOWING TEXT: (10 MARKS)
(1) Fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) are our most traditional sources for power generation. The energy
that's produced from any source other than fossil fuels is termed as alternative energy. Between the two
sources, using alternative energy has a lower environmental impact.

(2) We now know that alternative energy sources are the sources we use to supplement or even replace
traditional energy sources used for power generation. You could almost say the same thing about renewable
energy sources. But there is one subtle difference between the two. All renewable energy sources fall under
the category of alternative energy sources, but it doesn't work the other way around.

(3) That's because renewable energy sources are derived from naturally replenished sources or processes of
Earth, such as the sun, wind, and water. We refer to these resources as renewable or sustainable since,
unlike fossil fuels, this naturally occurring continual renewal makes them inexhaustible. However, alternative
energy sources are exhaustible, and therefore not renewable. That's the difference!

(4) The equipment necessary to harness energy from alternative sources used to be so expensive that it
wasn't practical for consumer use. However, thanks to increased demand, more experienced energy
developers, competitive supply chains, improved renewable technologies, and enhanced energy efficiency
capabilities, that's no longer the case.

(5) When it comes to energy efficiency, the leader of the renewable energy pack is wind energy. Behind wind
comes geothermal energy, hydropower, nuclear energy, and then solar power. Wind power serves both
individuals and entire communities. It is versatile, and can be produced from small-scale windmills or wind
turbines on residential properties. It can also be produced from large-scale offshore wind farms in the ocean.

(6) We generate geothermal power by tapping into underground reservoirs of hot water and steam.
Geothermal electricity can directly heat and cool buildings. Generated from the energy of moving water,
hydroelectricity (also known as hydropower) is produced when water behind a dam causes turbine blades to
move as it flows through an intake. The turbine blades then rotate a generator to produce electricity that is
sent to power homes.

(7) Nuclear energy is created in the form of heat through the fission process of atoms. The initial fission
process creates energy and triggers a chain reaction that repeats the process and generates more energy. In
nuclear power plants, the heat that fission produces creates steam. The steam then rotates a turbine, which
leads to the production of electricity.

(8) Solar power most commonly refers to the use of solar cells to create energy. On a small scale, you may
see a few solar panels on a house roof used to produce energy for just that one home. On a larger scale, you
may see a solar farm used as a power plant to produce electricity for its consumers.

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage:

(i) Which of the following statements best describes the difference between renewable energy sources
and alternate energy sources? 1

(A) Alternative energy sources are more expensive than renewable energy sources.
(B) Renewable energy sources are inexhaustible whereas alternate energy sources could be exhaustible.
(C) Alternative energy sources are as renewable as renewable energy sources.
(D) Renewable energy sources are exhaustible but alternative energy sources are inexhaustible.

(ii) What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from para (4) ?
Rationalise your response in about 40 words. 2

"However, thanks to increased demand, more experienced energy developers, competitive supply chains,
improved renewable technologies, and enhanced energy efficiency capabilities, that's no longer the case”.

(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately: 1

In the past, alternative energy sources were not used much by the consumers because ______ .

(iv) The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a) to (e) below,
identify two sets of antonyms: 1

(a) generate and produce (b) exhaustible and inexhaustible (c) subtle and versatile (d) power and energy
(e) sustainable and exhaustible

(v) Who is the leader of renewable energy pack and why? 1

(vi) Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, the difference between geothermal
electricity and hydroelectricity. 2

(vii) What is the message conveyed by the passage? 1

(A) Only those energy sources should be used which are renewable.
(B) Wind energy is a renewable as well as inexhaustible source of energy.
(C) There are plenty of renewable energy sources that can be used to replace traditional energy sources.
(D) Alternative energy sources are the emerging energy trends and are still evolving.

(viii) State whether the following statement is True or False with reference to the given extract. 1
Hydroelectricity as a renewable energy source is used for residential as well as commercial purposes.

Q.2 Read the passage given below : (10 MARKS)

(1) Mango (Mangifera indica) is Asia's most popular fruit, and it has gained popularity around the world. It
has long been a component of culture and religion as a useful and tasty fruit. In addition to taste, it has many
good qualities thus making it to be called as "King of Fruits Major mango-growing states in India include
Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Andhra Pradesh and Uttar
Pradesh are the leading states in mango production.

(2) Mango is grown in an area of 5.58 million hectares of area in the world. India is the largest producer of
mangoes with 46.02 and 45.88 percent of the total world area and production, respectively However, India
being the major shareholder in terms of mango production, exports only 0.52% of its total production
indicating the huge gap in exporting of mangoes. Peru exports about 46%, Thailand 24%, Mexico 18% and
Brazil 11% of their total mango production. These countries are the bigger challenges for Indian mango
exports. Hence, efforts are needed to evolve cheap transportation mechanism, increase the trade
agreements with major importing countries and enhance the productivity.

(3) The top importing country is United States of America, however India exports only two percent of its
total exports to the USA. The USA, European countries, the UK, Malaysia and Russia can be the other
hotspots where India can target to export the mangoes. The critical issue for exporting to the USA is
transportation cost (due to sea route distance) and limited shelf life of mango, while for Europe
transportation costs as well as competition by African countries are the major hurdles

The following chart shows the major export destinations of Indian mangoes in 2019-20:

Table :

Major Export Destination of Indian Mangoes in 2019-20

S. No. Country Percentage
1. U.S.A 2
2. Kuwait 2
3. Saudi Arabia 3
4. Qatar 6
5. Bangladesh 6
6. Oman 7
7. U.K. 9
8. Nepal 24
9. United Arab emirates 33
10. Bahrain 2
11. Other 6
(Adapted for academic usage.)

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above

(i) Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of Para (1) : 1
We can say that for becoming the king of jungle, Lion has to be the strongest, bravest and the fiercest.
Similarly, Mango is known as the king of fruits because……………………

(ii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your 1
understanding of Para (2):
The statement that, India is the largest producer of Mangoes with 45.88 percent of the total world
production can be attributed to Indian orchardists, is a/an…………………… (fact/opinion) because it is
a/an……………… (subjective judgement/objective detail)

(iii) Justify the following in about 40 words: 2

India being the major shareholder in terms of mango production, exports only 0.52% of its total production.

(iv) Based on the table, which three countries were at par with each other in terms of mango import from
India in 2019-20? 1

(v) The top mango importing country is the U.S.A., however, India exports only two percent of its total
exports to the U.S.A. State any one inference that can be drawn from this. 1

(vi) In the given sentence taken from para-2, select the option that correctly replaces the underlined word,
with its most likely antonym. 1
These countries are the bigger challenges for Indian mango exports.
(A) enigmas (B) solutions (C) provocations (D) disputes

(vii) Why is India described as the largest producer of mangoes in the world? (Answer in about 40 words.)
2
(viii) Which of the following is the main take away from the study mentioned in the passage? 1
(A) India needs to produce more mangoes so that more can be exported.
(B) The UAE imported most mangoes from India in 2019-20.
(C) India is the largest producer of mangoes and by putting in more efforts, has the potential to be the
largest exporter too.
(D) More study is needed to find ways to increase the export of mangoes from India.<br><br>

SECTION – B (GRAMMAR AND CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS) (20 MARKS)

GRAMMAR

Q.3 Complete any ten of the following twelve tasks, as directed:

(i) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of a letter: 1

We hope that you continue to work with the same zeal and keep ……….. (surprise) us with such remarkable
performances. We thank you and wish you good luck for your upcoming projects.
Regards.
(ii) Read the given sentence from a medical journal. Identify the error and supply the correction in the
sentence: 1
A flu vaccine's most common side effects are soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site. These
ought begin six to twelve hours after vaccination and can last upto two days.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

(iii) Tanu and Amit had a conversation about the execution of Tanu's travel plan. 1
Report Amit's question.
Will you be going with your family?
(iv) Read the dialogue between Karan and his friend, Parvaiz regarding Karan's winter vacation plans: 1
Karan : How is your winter vacation plan shaping up?
Parvaiz : Alas! There are no plans. We have extra classes during our winter vacation.
Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue.
Karan asked Parvaiz how his winter vacation plan was shaping up. Parvaiz sighed and said there were no
plans. He further added that……………….
(A) they had extra classes during our winter vacation
(B) he has extra classes during their winter vacations
(C) they had extra classes during their winter vacation
(D) they have extra classes during their winter vacation
(v) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the line from the policy document of
an insurance company: 1
It is our end eavour to settle your maturity claim on or before the due date. The Servicing
Branch……………………..(likely/usually/occasionally) sends maturity claim intimations two months in advance.
(vi) Identify the error and supply correction for the given part of the note appearing on an educational
website. 1
Please Note: An early and active communication is required as late notification may result in a delay
redressal of your request.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

(vii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for a line from a Research
Report on Water Conservation. 1
Excess pumping of groundwater leads to decrease in groundwater levels but if continues, it can exhaust the
resource
Option No. Error Correction
A leads leads
B continues Continues
C and also
D can should

(viii) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank, with the correct option : 1
Finally, she went to the best doctor in town. The doctor spent months on……………… her until she was finally
cured.
(A) treats (B) treated (C) to treating (D) treating
(ix) Report the dialogue between two friends, Madhur and Priyanka, by completing the sentence: 1
Madhur : Do you know the importance of water for our body?
Priyanka : Yes, indeed! Water is essential for digestion and regulates body temperature.
Madhur asked Priyanka if she knew about the importance of water for their body. Priyanka answered in the
affirmative and explained that……………
(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the part of the "All Rights Reserved" note
given in a textbook. 1
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transcribed, transmitted, stored or translated into any
language. Any person ………………… in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and
civil claims for damages.
(A) who will be doing any unauthorized act
(B) who is doing any unauthorized act
(C) who does any unauthorized act
(D) who may do any unauthorized act
(xi) Complete the slogan, by filling in the blank with the correct option:

There's No place Like Earth To Live and Work. So Let's …………… A Better Place.
(A) Making It
(B) Creates It
(C) Make It
(D) Create It
(xii) Identify the error and supply correction for the following sentence taken from a copyright's
document. 1
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Reproducing adaptation or translation
without prior written permission is prohibited.
Use the given format for your response Correction
Error Correction

CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (10 MARKS)

Q.4 (a) As Nalani Sharda of 409, Surya Apartments, Gopalpur, you believe that pedestrian safety is very important.
Footpaths on both sides of the main roads of your city need major repairs and on some stretches they need to be
constructed.
Write a letter to the MLA of your city area in about 120 words, stressing the need for footpaths for pedestrian safety.
Share your concern for maintenance of existing footpaths and the need to construct new ones where they are
required.
OR (1x5=5 Marks)
(b) As Sohail Khan, the sports captain of Pinnacle Public School, you believe that fitness is as lifestyle should be
promoted. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily ,in about 120 words suggesting the introduction off '' Cycle to
School'' campaign for school going students. The program aims to develop the habit of exercising through cycling to
maintain fitness and keeping children active. Shared the importance and credibility of such a program and suggest a
feasible way to execute it along with possible activities.

Q.5 (a) The given bar graph shows the increasing use of skin care products by men and women over the period of
three months. Write an analytical paragraph in about 120 words elaborating the given information.

OR (1x5=5 Marks)

(b) You asked people what they thought was the most valuable thing. The given pie chart shows the analytics of the different
answers you received. Write an analytical paragraph for a research project in 150-200 words.
 SECTION -C (LITERATURE) [40 MARKS]

Q.6 Read the given extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two: (5 Marks)

(a) The train pulled out of the station - Pranjol buried his nose in his detective book again. Rajvir too was an ardent
fan of detective stories but, at the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery. It was green, green
everywhere. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. Then the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes.
It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the
eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall, sturdy, shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily
moved doll-like figures. (Glimpses of India - Tea from Assam)

(i) State any one inference about Rajvir from the given context: 1
"Rajvir too was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at the moment he was keen on looking at the beautiful
scenery."
(ii) State True or False: 1
The reason Rajvir was interested in looking at the beautiful scenery was that the detective book he was reading, was
not interesting.
(iii) People who live in big cities are always fascinated by the natural beauty and abundant greenery. Elaborate in
about 40 words, with reference to the extract. 2
(iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute 'doll-like figures', in the given sentence from the extract? 1
Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like
figures.
OR

b) I went back to the bazaar and sat down in the shelter of the clock tower. The clock showed midnight. I felt
for the notes. They were damp from the rain.Anil's Money. In the morning he would probably have given me
two or three rupees to go to the cinema, but now I had it all.I couldn't cook his meals, run to the bazaar, or
learn to write whole sentences any more.I had forgotten about them in the excitement of the theft. Whole
sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees. It was a simple matter to steal
and sometimes just as simple to be caught. (The Thief's Story)

(i) Which of the following is NOT a reason why Hari Singh thinks he would not be able to write whole
sentences?` 1

(A) Anil would not be there to teach him. (B) He had robbed Anil and left.
(C) He would not go back to Anil to learn (D) He had no money to take admission in school.
(ii) Why is it fair to say that Hari Singh's tone, when he says "I couldn't cook his meals, run to the bazaar or
learn to write whole sentences any more," is filled with remorse and regret? Answer in about 40 words. 2

(iii) What do you infer about Hari Singh from this statement? 1
"Whole sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees."

(iv) State True or False with reference to the given extract. 1

The reason Hari Singh was filled with a feeling of guilt was because Anil trusted him.

Q.7(a) Read the given extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two : (5 Marks)

The true Chameleon is small

A lizard sort of thing;
He hasn't any ears at all,
And not a single wing.
If there is nothing on the tree,
‘Tis the Chameleon you see.
(How To Tell Wild Animals)

(i) Fill in the blank with one word: 1

When the speaker saya "If there is nothing on the tree, Tis the Chameleon you see", he refers to ……………. as
characteristic trait of a true Chameleon.
(ii) What does the speaker mean when he says, "A lizard sort of thing"? 1
(iii) Which of the following best describes the speaker's disposition while describing the Chameleon? 1

(A) indifferent (B) playful (C) dismissive (D) respectful

(iv) Comment on the poet's use of language in these lines. Answer in about 40 words. 2
OR
b) My head is full of whispers
Which tomorrow will be silent.
Listen. The glass is breaking.
The trees are stumbling forward
into the night. Winds rush to meet them.
The moon is broken like a mirror,
its pieces flash now in the crown
of the tallest Oak.
(The Trees)
(i) Identify the figure of speech used in the line: "The Trees are stumbling forward into the light" 1
(ii) Explain the significance of the line: 2
"The moon is broken like a mirror, its pieces flash now in the crown of the tallest Oak." Answer in about 40
words.
(iii) Complete the sentence with the appropriate option. In the third line, the word 'Listen' is used
to………………….. 1

(A) serve no purpose but to complete the sentence.

(B) emphasize listening carefully to the sound of glass breaking.
(C) emphasize listening carefully as a change is about to take place.
(D) make the reader more attentive.
(iv) What does the line: "My head is full of whispers which tomorrow will be silent" tell us about the
poet's state of mind? 1
Q.8 Answer any four of the following five questions in 40-50 words each : (4x3=12)

a) What idea does the postmaster come up with? What did he do to stick to his resolution? (A letter to God)
3
b) Briefly bring out the contrast between the young seagulls initial attempts to fly and his first successful
flight.(His first flight) 3
c) Explain why Amanda wants to be an orphan. Refer to the given lines, from the text _________I am an
orphan, roaming the street. I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet. The silence is golden, the freedom
is sweet.(Amanda) 3
d) Mijbil turned out to be playful pet. Elaborate(Mijbil the otter) 3
e) Ogden Nash uses vivid imagery in ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ to appeal to the senses. Elaborate the
imagery used for the pirate. 3
Q.9 Answer any two of the following three questions , in 40-50 words each : (2x3=6 Marks)

a) What does Mr. Herriot mean by ‘’happy period’’ for himself and his partners? Explain? (A Triumph of
Surgery).
b) Justify how Ebright's mother played an important part in his becoming a scientist.( The Making of a
Scientist)
c) A well known book of nursery rhymes, saved the world from a Martian invasion. Comment with reference
to ‘The Book that saved the Earth’

Q.10 Answer any one of the following questions , in 100-120 words. (6 Marks)

a) The life of mortals in this world is trouble and brief and combined with pain with this statement of the
Buddha, find out the moral value that Kisa Gotami learnt after the death of her child. (The Sermon at
Benaras)

OR

b) Why were the children fascinated by the Baker? How did they show their eagerness to see him? (A Baker
from Goa)

Q.11 Answer any one of the following questions , in 100-120 words. (6 Marks)

a) How did Griffin’s invisibility come to his help when he found himself in trouble?

b) A Character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout the story and refers to
the changes a character undergoes as a result of their experience, challenges, and interactions with other
characters.
In the light of the above information, trace the character arc of Matilda in Guy De Mauspassants ‘The
Necklace’, in about 120 words.