PRACTISE TEST

HALF YEARLY EXAMINATIONS: CLASS X: ENGLISH

(Language and Literature)

Time allowed: 3 hours Maximum marks: 80

SECTION A: READING SKILLS (20 Marks)
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. It is an indisputable fact that the world has gone too far with the innovation of new technologies such as mobile phones,
the Internet and so on, due to which people are able to tour the cosmos virtually sitting at one place using their smart
devices or other technological gadgets. Though mobile internet access is oftentimes hurried and short, it can still provide
common internet features like alerts, weather data, emails, search engines, instant messages, and games and music
downloading.
2. Due to the easy access of smart phones, communication has been very effective and instant. People are able to convey
their message all around the globe to their loved ones without spending hefty sums of money. Adults are always fond of
such gadgets and they always welcome and adopt such new technology readily. Further, young people have been able to
broaden their minds and improve their skills by doing research on the Internet. For instance, they use smart phones to
look up any new word they come across. As we know that most of the universities have online teaching provision and
smart phones assist the students to complete their assignments on time.
3. The mobile phone has been a lifesaver for a lot of people in case of an emergency. Likewise, the use of smartphones
can be of vital importance in preventing crimes in society by providing information to the security forces in time.
4. Nonetheless, for the young the use of mobile phones can be like an addiction and they can misuse it. Young people are
also prone to getting involved in undesirable activities on the Internet. This might have an adverse effect on their
academic performance. Therefore, young people should always be monitored and made aware of its bad outcomes.
5. Also a major contributor to its popularity is the availability of prepaid or pay–as–you–go services from a phone shop or
an online store. This allows subscribers to load text or airtime credits to their handsets by the use of their credit cards,
debit cards or by buying a prepaid card from the network they subscribe to. This plan also doesn’t commit a particular
customer to a contract. If prepaid card is not that appealing to you, then you can opt to subscribe using the pay–by–month
plan.

1. How are smartphones helpful in communication?

2. What are the benefits of mobile phones for the young generation?
3. How can mobile phones be considered “life savers?
4. Mention any two demerits of mobile phones.
5. In para 1, the synonym of ‘innovation’ is ……………………
(i) production (iii) invention
(ii) sincerity (iv) prevention

6. In para 4, the antonym of ‘favourable’ is ……………………

(i) positive (iii) outcomes
(ii) prone (iv) adverse

7. Grown-ups should not monitor the use of new technology by young people. (True/False)

8. Mobile internet can provide access to ……………………

9. --
10. --

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

I. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having a profound effect on our personal and professional lives alike, including across
the transportation sector. In particular, powerful new AI – enabled applications are helping boost and revive the global
rail industry, which has suffered for decades.
 II.AI is helping make all transport modes safer, cleaner, smarter and more reliable. AI can help reduce traffic
congestion, identify risks, manage transport, analyze travel demands and even reduce green house gas emissions. Today,
we’re seeing AI being used in rail applications to improve train scheduling, manage train speeds, avoid accidents, predict
delays, enhance asset management and more. These AI applications help ensure public safety, deliver customer value and
optimize overall rail management and operations. In this manner, the technology is helping reverse the trend for rail
transport to lose market share to other modes of transportation.

III. Additionally, the proportion of railway equipment companies offering artificial intelligence related positions rose in
August 2021, with 29.7% of the companies included in our analysis recruiting for at least one such position.

IV. This latest figure was higher than the 24.6% of companies who were employing people for artificial intelligence
related jobs in July 2021 and an increase compared to the figure of 23.5% for the equivalent month last year.

V. When it came to the proportion of all job openings that were linked to artificial intelligence, related job
postings dropped in August 2021, with 0.8% of newly posted job advertisements being linked to the topic.

Answer the following questions

11. What was the difference in rise (in percentage) of people employed in artificial intelligence related jobs from July
2020 and July 2021?

12. In what specific sector is Artificial Intelligence making a huge impact?

13. In what way is AI being used in railway applications? Mention any two applications.

14. ‘New AI – enabled applications are helping boost and revive the global rail industry, which has suffered for
decades.’ Mention any one reason (according to the passage) why the railway industry has suffered for decades.

15. This passage shows that Artificial Intelligence has had a/an ______________ on our lives, personal or
professional. Select the correct option for the blank space.
intense effect/ superficial Impact/ desultory effect/ rebellious impact

16. Which category of companies offering AI related jobs posts increased its proportion of posts offered in August
2021?

17. ----

18.-----
19.----

20.-----

SECTION B: GRAMMAR AND CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (20 Marks)

In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word
that come before and after it in your answer sheet. (5 marks)
Word before Missing Word Word
after
21.A bicycle gets punctured when thorn _____ _____ _____
22.or nail runs into its tube. Puncture _____ _____ _____
23.needs to repaired. First of all _____ _____ _____
24.the tube taken out of the tyre and _____ _____ _____
25.inflated. It is then dipped a trough. _____ _____ _____

The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Identify the error and write it along with
the correct word in your answer sheet. (5 marks)
 Error Correction
26. Loktak Lake, the large wetland of __________ __________
27. the north-eastern region of India, were __________ __________
28. traditionally used on agriculture and __________ __________
29. fishing. The locals managed it rich __________ __________
30. biodiversity including high endangered __________ __________
species.

31. Write an enquiry letter to the Manager of Saryu Banquet Hall, Udham Singh Nagar, for catering of the wedding
reception of your brother which is due after 15 days. (100-150 words)
(5 marks)

32. The following diagram depicts statistics given by UNICEF and details on Child Labour in India. Analyse the
same and present it in the form of an Analytical Paragraph (100-120 words).
(5 marks)

SECTION C: LITERATURE (40 Marks)

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (5X1 = 5)

We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be delivered to the servant. But we would not
give up. We would climb a bench or a parapet and peep into the basket, somehow. I can still recall the typical fragrance
of those loaves.

33. Who are ‘we’ in the extract?

a) Narrator and his friends c) The paders
b) Servants of the house d) Elders in the family

34. The word ‘rebuke’ can be replaced by

a) Mild insult c) Mild disapproval
b) Mild scolding d) Both (b) and (c)

35. From which story has the above extract been taken?
a) Coorg c) A Baker from Goa
b) His First Flight d) The Diary of Anne Frank

36. What did the children look forward to when the Pader arrived?
a) His bolinhas c) His bol
b) His bread bangles d) His sandwiches

37. Give the past perfect form of ‘climb’.

a) Was climbing b) Had climbed
c) climbed d) will have climbed
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (5X1 = 5)

What is the boy now, who has lost his ball.

What, what is he to do? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over – there it is in the water!
No use to say ‘O there are other balls’:

38. Why does the poet say the last line?

a) The boy will not want any other, even better ball. c) No other ball is available in the market.
b) The boy would want only the ball he lost. d) Both (a) and (b)

39. Name the poet of this poem.

a) John Berryton c) John Berryman
b) John Berrymen d) John Berringman

40. Name the poetic device that has been used in the first and second line of the above stanza.
a) Repetition c) Enjambment
b) Anaphora d) Transferred Epithet

41. Which word/phrase in the above stanza cannot be used instead of ‘merrily’?
a) Sadly c) Gladly
b) Happily d) Joyfully

42. What has the ball been symbolized with?

a) The boy’s young and innocent days.
b) The boy’s naughtiness c) The boy’s friends
d) The boy’s family
Answer ANY FOUR of the following questions in 40 to 50 words each. (4X3 =12 marks)

43. What are the twin obligations every man has in life?

44. How has Robert Frost used nature in his poem ‘Dust of Snow’ differently?

45. Can a novice distinguish among wild animals? How can hyenas be distinguished from crocodiles?

46. How do you like the character of the postmaster in the story ‘A Letter to God?’ Give reasons for your
answer.

47. ‘Freedom can’t be bargained at any cost’. What message does Leslie Norris give to the readers in ‘A
Tiger in the Zoo’?

Answer ANY TWO of the following questions in 40 to 50 words each. (2X3 =6 marks)

48. What are the different reactions of the people when they are robbed? Answer with reference to ‘A Thief’s
Story’

49. Describe the safe at ‘Shotover Grange’.

50. Ausable shows great presence of mind in a situation of danger and surprise’. Justify this statement in light
of the story ‘The Midnight Visitor’.

Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 100 to 120 words each. (6 marks)
51. Pranjol is planning a trip to Coorg. As a young boy of 17 years, what will Pranjol enjoy the most in
Coorg?

52. Why was the whole class ‘quaking in its boots’? Why were teachers the most unpredictable creatures on
earth? (The Diary of Anne Frank)

Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in 100 to 120 words each. (6 marks)

53. Mrs Pumphrey, the overindulgent and caring mistress of Tricki, pampers her pet dog like a spoiled child.
Comment.
54. Horace was clever but the lady in red was cleverer. Justify this statement with reference to the chapter ‘A
Question of Trust’.