Previous Year Question Paper of English Communicative Class 10th Summative Assessment II 2015
Time allowed: 3 Hours
Maximum marks: 70
General Instructions:
(i) The question paper is divided into three sections:
Section A: Reading 20 marks
Section B: Writing & Grammar 25 marks
Section C: Literature 25 marks
(ii) All questions are compulsory.
(iii) You may attempt any section at a time.
(iv) All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.
Section - A
(Reading)
1. Read the passage given below: (8)
(1) The hopping kangaroo is a familiar sight in every snapshot relating to Australia. Members of the kangaroo family can be as small as a rat or as big as a man. Kangaroos are found mainly in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. Kangaroos, which are big-footed marsupials that evolved in Australia, use their short front legs like arms. The man-sized kangaroos of Australia are capable of speeding up to 88 km/hr for short distances, their means of locomotion being their powerful hind legs, which carry the over the ground in jumps of 9 m or more at a time.
(2) Weighing around 70 kg, they have an average lifespan of around six to eight years and a maximum lifetime of 20 years. When bothered by predators, kangaroos often head for the water, standing submerged to the chest, and attempting to drown the attacker by holding him under water. Another defensive technique is to get their back to a tree and kick them adversary with their clawed hind feet, sometimes with sufficient force to kill a man. Normally shy animals, they alert other kangaroos to danger by beating on the ground with their hind feet. This loud alarm signal carries over a long distance.
(3) The tail is important for kangaroos. It holds them in balance and supports them when they sit or fight against other kangaroos. The kangaroo uses its short legs as alarms. With them it scratches itself, cleans its fur and holds branches when it eats leaves. Kangaroos are marsupials and the females carry newborn in a pouch in front of their abdomens. The babies are born small and climb up into the safety of the pouch. There, for the next 225 days or so, they eat, sleep and grow. Once they reach full development, they leave the pouch. A young kangaroo that leaves the pouch is called a ‘joey’. To keep from getting too hot, the kangaroos take naps in the afternoon and do most of their grazing at night. But the best stay- cool secret if these creatures are the spit bath. Kangaroos drool and lick saliva all over their faces and bodies to cool down.
1.1 On the basis of your reading of the above passage, complete the following sentences with appropriate word/phrases: (1×8=8)
(a) When followed by predators, kangaroos submerge —————— and ————.
(b) The powerful hind legs help kangaroos to ————————————————.
(c) Kangaroos are mainly found in Australia and are —————————————.
(d) They use their front legs to ——————————————————————.
(e) Kangaroos warn others of danger by —————————————————–.
(g) They use their tails to ————————————————————————.
(h) Before becoming 'joeys', the young ones stay in the ——————and ———–.
2. Read the passage given below: (12)
1. It is rare to find someone with good technical and communication skills. You can get far ahead of your colleagues if you combine the two early in your career. People will judge, evaluate, promote or block you based on your communication skills. Since habits form by repeating both good and bad forms of communication, learn to observe great communicators and adopt their styles and traits — in written and verbal forms. The art of listening and learning from each and every interaction, is another secret recipe. Develop the subconscious habit of listening to yourself as you speak and know when to pause.
2. Learning what not to say is probably more important than learning what to say. As your career develops, you will realize that the wise speak less. Speak when you have value to add, else refrain. Poorly constructed emails with grammatical errors are acceptable between friends, but they should be seriously avoided while communicating formally with your seniors. Avoid any communication in an emotional state when you might say things you will regret later. One unnecessary word uttered at the wrong time or place can ruin a relationship, career or even your life. Such is the power of words. If such a thing happens, you should immediately apologise, else it may haunt you for life.
2.1 Answer the following questions briefly: (2×4=8)
(a) Why is it necessary to have good communication skills?
(b) How can communication skills be developed?
(c) What, according to the writer, should be avoided while communicating?
(d) Why should you be careful when you tend to be humorous?
2.2 Choose the most appropriate meanings of the given words from the options provided: (1×4=4)
(a) evaluate (para 1)
(i) estimate
(ii) assume
(iii) punish
(iv) evolve
(b) trait (para 1)
(i) treaty
(ii) trail
(iii) quality
(iv) liberty
(i) flatter
(ii) speak
(iii) rot
(iv) unique
(d) haunt (para 2)
(i) hunt
(ii) chant
(iii) trouble
(iv) avoid
Section - B
(Writing and Grammar)
3. You had visited Antarctica and had an opportunity to see the polar ice caps melting and realised that the threat of global warming is very real. Taking ideas from the MCB unit on Environment along with your own ideas, write an article in 100 – 120 words on what a student can do to preserve the environment. You are Rama/Ram. (5)
OR
You were one among a group of students who represented your state in a national youth exchange programme. It was an eye-opener which made you realise the spirit of unity in diversity. Taking ideas from the MCB unit on National Integration along with your own ideas, write a letter to the editor of a newspaper in 100 – 120 words on the importance of National Integration. You are Maya/Mohan, 4 Rampur Road, Bareilly.
4. Write a short story in 150 – 200 words on the basis of the hints provided: (10)
The doorbell rang. Sunil opened the door. At first he could not recognise the tall and well-dressed man who stood before him. Then the man spoke and all of a sudden ……….
OR
Aravind was distracted. He couldn’t concentrate in the class. The incident which had happened that morning had shattered him ……….
Alaska’s size and climate make transportation (a) __________ challenge. Long ago, sledges pulled (b) ___________ dog teams were the best way to travel (c) ___________ native people.
(a) (i) an (ii) the (iii) a (iv) for
(b) (i) by (ii) with (iii) of (iv) beside
(c) (i) by (ii) to (iii) for (iv) with
6. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line against which a blank has been given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number as given in the example. Remember to underline the word that you have supplied. (1/2×8=4)
Error Correction
The road to success is no a bed of roses. e.g. no not
Only those who wade on hazards and hurdles (a) ________ ________
can achieve successful. Set yourself clear goals (b) ________ ________
and define precisely what you wants to do. (c) ________ ________
Goals provide direction for your behaviour (d) ________ ________
and guide your actions or thoughts. Specific goals (e) ________ ________
are better than general ones. Let every parts (f) ________ ________
of your body is full of that idea. Winners do not (g) ________ ________
do different things, they does things differently. (h) ________ ________
(a) coloured bus / children / we saw / full of / a yellow / excited/
(b) they were / we guessed / on the / planetarium / way / to the /
(c) part / this / study tour / of their / was /
Section - C (Literature)
8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (1×3=3)
And immediately I regretted it.
I thought how paltry, how vulgar, what a mean act!
I despised myself and the voices of my accursed human education.
(a) What was the mean act ? (1)
(b) Why did the poet despise himself ? (1)
(c) What does the word ‘accursed’ mean in the above context ? (1)
OR
‘‘Well, you needn’t be, because I just came to tell you to stop bothering us for assistance; you ain’t going to get it. We’re going on strike!’’
(a) Who speaks these words and to whom? (1)
(b) What was the ‘assistance’ that was denied? (1)
(c) What does the word ‘bothering’ mean? (1)
9. Answer any four of the following questions in 30 – 40 words each: (2×4=8)
(a) Why was the Albatross considered as a ‘Christian Soul’?
(b) Why couldn’t Michael help Sebastian the first time?
(c) How did Decius Brutus interpret Calpurnia’s dream?
(d) How did Patol Babu lose his job in Calcutta?
(e) What message does the poem, ‘Ozymandias’ convey?
10. Patience and hard work go a long way in achieving your goals. How does Patol Babu win the admiration of the director through a very small role? Write in 80 – 100 words. (4)
And immediately I regretted it.
I thought how paltry, how vulgar, what a mean act!
I despised myself and the voices of my accursed human education.
(a) What was the mean act ? (1)
(b) Why did the poet despise himself ? (1)
(c) What does the word ‘accursed’ mean in the above context ? (1)
OR
‘‘Well, you needn’t be, because I just came to tell you to stop bothering us for assistance; you ain’t going to get it. We’re going on strike!’’
(a) Who speaks these words and to whom? (1)
(b) What was the ‘assistance’ that was denied? (1)
(c) What does the word ‘bothering’ mean? (1)
9. Answer any four of the following questions in 30 – 40 words each: (2×4=8)
(a) Why was the Albatross considered as a ‘Christian Soul’?
(b) Why couldn’t Michael help Sebastian the first time?
(c) How did Decius Brutus interpret Calpurnia’s dream?
(d) How did Patol Babu lose his job in Calcutta?
(e) What message does the poem, ‘Ozymandias’ convey?
10. Patience and hard work go a long way in achieving your goals. How does Patol Babu win the admiration of the director through a very small role? Write in 80 – 100 words. (4)
OR
Mark Antony, with the help of his oratory, succeeded in winning the mob over to his side. This led to the downfall of the conspirators. Write in 80 – 100 words, how with the power of words he could effect a change in his listeners.
11. Answer the following in 150 – 200 words: (10)
How does Anne criticise the attitude of the grown-ups in her diary?
OR
Write a character sketch of Mrs.Van Daan.
OR
What were Helen’s memories of Radcliffe?
OR
How important was the presence of Miss Anne Sullivan in Helen’s life?