Class X Exam 2023-24

English Language and Literature (184)

Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt question based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A - READING SKILLS 20

Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages

1. Read the following text. 10

1. The conquest of happiness has meant different facts to different generations. Our forefathers took
pride in scholarship, a spirit of sacrifice and solicitude for the welfare of others. Gone are those days.
Today we live only for ourselves. We are jealous of the advancement of our neighbours. We end up
tense and unhappy.
2. The term ‘happy’ has a variety of meanings. It stands for the lucky, fortunate, content, glad or apt.
Happiness lies within the mind of the individual. No amount of external wealth may be helpful in
making him happy.
3. Our forefathers had lifestyles, very much different from those we have today. Their life was based
mainly on the concept of ‘Simple living and high thinking.’ People were satisfied with whatever they
obtained after working hard. Excessive material wealth did not mean much for them. They aimed at
deriving mental satisfaction and enrichment from whatever they did.
4. The structural framework of our forefathers’ families was different from those of ours. They lived in
a cohesive joint family structure where they were happier than we. They cared for each other. The
siblings grew up with their cousins. The bond of love which they shared cannot be easily found in the
nuclear family of the day. The family provided an emotional cushioning effect against tension and stress.
However, in the nuclear family, we are detached from the feelings towards our kith and kin. At times
even the cousins do not recognise one another, when they happen to be self-centred. Disputes in the
family may lead to divisions. This may finally destroy the family psyche.
5. The joint family system provided a proper environment for the child to grow up. The value of respect,
tolerance, responsibility, integrity, etc. were internalised in the child. In the long run, they became
better human beings, compared to those in the present generation. Our forefathers felt happiest if their
children became ‘honest’ human beings. But today we are happy only if we attain our coveted material
ends. We are ready to resort to any means to attain that end. Our philosophy of life has turned out
totally Machiavellian.
6. Our forefathers had a vision to make India the best. To attain their ambitions, they were ready to make
all sorts of personal sacrifices. Their happiness lay in that of the millions of Indian brothers and sisters.
On the other hand, today people are ready to migrate to the West, to enjoy a comfortable life. They run
away from the evils of the Indian society without trying to remedy them. Often they become
successful
 in foreign lands. But in the process, they become alienated from their motherland. The nostalgic
feeling of their childhood and the relationship they left lingered on which cannot make them happy.
Distance from their ailing parents is a worrying factor and keeps them perturbed. It is not easy for
them to return, as their children will not be able to adjust to the Indian environment and the way of
life. Thus, in our generation, tradition and modernity have intermingled to form our special system.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
i. What concept was our forefathers’ life based upon? 1
(a) Satisfied with whatever they obtained after working hard.
(b) Simple living and high thinking.
(c) Excessive material wealth did not mean much for them.
(d) All of the above
ii. According to the passage, state two aspects which bring out the difference between lives of our forefathers
and today’s generation. Answer in about 40 words. 2
iii. Complete the sentence appropriately. 1
People are ready to migrate to the West because .....
iv. The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) below,
identify two sets of antonyms : 1
(a) Sacrifice and solicitude
(b) Happy and unhappy
(c) Satisfaction and enrichment
(d) Joint family and nuclear family
(e) Perturbed and compared
v. Complete the sentence appropriately. 1
People who migrate to foreign lands are which makes them feel anxious and concerned.
vi. Supply one point to justify the following. (Answer in about 40 words.) 2
The conquest of happiness has meant different facts to different generations.
vii. The intermingle of modernity and tradition is shown by ..... 1
(a) parents going to live at their children’s place.
(b) children staying away from their families.
(c) children helping their parents or grandparents in using smart gadgets.
(d) None of the above
viii. How does the joint family system make a child a good human being? 1

2. Read the following text. 10

1. The emergence of novel COVID-19 epidemic has been spreading in India which brought the sudden
lockdown situation in the country. After government execution of lockdown with different stages, beings
rapidly change their pattern of living. The affection of such controls affected entertainment with
several entities. Many productions of entertainment programs get stopped that results the broadcast
of new
 programs and several episodes has been stationary till the unlocked. To avoid the forfeiture in revenue,
production houses used the concept of minimax programming that belongs to repeated telecast of running
or evergreen programs. “Their current success may seem as an aberration at first glance. Doordarshan
itself has replayed its old shows in the past too and these have always gone unnoticed,” says Shailesh
Kapoor, founder and CEO at Ormax Media. Meanwhile, the condition of movie theatre is much
similar to other entertainment substances that have been closed and unable to perceive the
entertainment.
2. Under such circumstances, web series enable to emphasis the audiences with its own concept of
‘anywhere-anytime’ where audience can watch and interact with programs with their convenience and
of personal medium. Web series are developing a new breed for new content providers, who produce
fresh content for digital audiences. Spreading the Internet access in rural and urban areas is much
responsible for increasing of audience of web series in digital platform. Since, the revolution of 4G
in India, OTT (Over-The-Top) platform such as Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime video, ALTBalaji are
delivering the content like web series, movies, TV serials, sports and news with different languages to
the user (audience) with a boundless quality. A study revealed that 95% youth (age between 18 and
25) have admitted to watching web series in a metro city like Mumbai and approximately 81%
audiences are watching in online manner by using OTT platform where in 42% of audiences watching
web series on a daily basis, by using OTT high rate.
3. In a study, certain responses were collected on watching habits of web series between before and after
lockdown. It was clear that approximately 15% of rise was seen in audiences during lockdown.
Audiences showed their interest more towards web series. In the same study, another interpretation
showed the meaning of free time to watch web series during lockdown. Before lockdown, ‘all day’
users of web series were quite low to approximately 4% but during lockdown, an increase of users
approximately 36% was seen in category.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
i. Complete the following sentence appropriately. 1
A study revealed that (age between 18 and 25) have admitted to watching web series in a metro
city like Mumbai.
ii. Fill in the blank with appropriate word/words. 1
Web series are creating a new kind of who produce fresh content for people who watch movies
or series on OTTs.
iii. State one example which proves the statement. (Answer in about 40 words) 2
COVID19 induced lockdown affected entertainment industry.
iv. State the reason in the increase in the trend of web series in digital platform. 1
v. Substitute the word ‘forfeiture’ with ONE WORD similar in meaning, in the following, sentence from
Paragraph 1. 1
To avoid the forfeiture in revenue, production houses used the concept of minimax programming that
belongs to repeated telecast of running or evergreen programs.
vi. Select the chart that appropriately represents the trend in the audience of watching web series: 1
 (1) (2)

(3) (4)

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
vii. What do you understard by ‘Minimax Programming’? How did Doordarshan apply it in India?
(Answer in about 40 words.) 2
viii. Which of the following is over the top platforms delivering to the audience? 1
(a) Movies and sports
(b) Web and TV series
(c) News with different languages
(d) All of these

SECTION B - GRAMMAR & WRITING SKILLS 20

GRAMMAR 10
3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. 1 # 10 = 10
i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence. 1
I following you in the evening today.
(a) will
(b) will be
(c) will have been
(d) would have been
ii. Read the conversation between Radha and Anu. Complete the narration by reporting Radha’s reply
correctly. 1
Anu : Today, it was boring at school, don’t you think
so? Radha : No, I think it was a fun day today.
While walking back from school, Anu and Radha were discussing their day, when Anu asked Radha
about her day at school and Radha replied .
iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from a newspaper. 1
In India, the death toll due to road accidents has increased drastically. Wider road awareness among
road users be taught to all the people.
(a) ought to (b) could
(c) should (d) will
iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line, from a
news report: 1
Dolphins and killer whales has learned an elaborate routine to entertain aquarium audiences.
Option No. Error Correction
(a) an a
(b) to entertain entertaining
(c) audiences audience
(d) has have

v. Complete the given sentence by filling in the blank the correct option : 1
I tried the new dish to see how it .
(a) taste (b) tasting
(c) tasted (d) will taste
vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket for the given portion of a
magazine: 1
High-fat diets and ‘life in the fast lane’ have long (know) to contribute to the high incidence of
heart failure.
vii. Report the dialogue between a teacher and a student, by completing the sentence: 1
Teacher : I instructed you to draw a diagram of bacteria. Why did you submit a blank sheet?
Student : Sir, I had drawn the diagram of bacteria, but you can’t see it because it is not visible to the
naked eye.
In response to the question about submitting a blank sheet, student respectfully answered .
viii. Identify the error in the given sentence from an article and supply the correction. 1
What many people do not knew is that unlike most of their fellow astronauts, Neil Armstrong was a
civilian.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction
 ix. Mohit shared some information with Jyoti about a visit to a circus. Report Jyoti’s question. 1
Did you see the clowns in the circus?
x. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. 1
Will you show me the road to the market? Use

the given format for your response.

Error Correction

xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Sarita and Gayatri. 1
Sarita : I’m really looking forward to the class picnic tomorrow.
Gayatri : Yes, after a long time we will be meeting our friends and teachers.
Sarita told Gayatri that she was really looking forward to the class picnic the next day. Gayatri agreed
that after a long time .
(a) they will be meeting their friends and teachers.
(b) they would be meeting their friends and teachers.
(c) they should be meeting their friends and teachers.
(d) they shall be meeting their friends and teachers.
xii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction : 1
I haven’t got many change; I’ve only got a hundred rupee note. Use

the given format for your response.

Error Correction

WRITING 10
Note : All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purpose.

4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5

A. You are Abhimanyu Sikri, resident of 119, Nilgiri Apartments, Kirti Nagar, Delhi. You purchased a
wardrobe made of recycled wood shaving; from M/s Pawan Sales, Ramesh Nagar, Delhi. Write a letter
of complaint to the Sales Manager asking for replacement of the product which you purchased 15 days
ago. You have found that doors do not shut and the paint is uneven.

Or
B. You are Narendra sharma/Nitin sharma, Head, Fitness Group of Gold Gym, 234, Ram Vihar, Delhi.
You wish to purchase certain herbal medicines and wellness products. Write a letter to the Store
Manager, M/s East India, 54, Preet Vihar, Delhi placing an order for the specific products required by
you.
5. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5
A. The following data in the form of histogram shows that death rate (in 1000s) due to violence has
increased considerably during recent years. Write its interpretation in 100-120 words on how educated
youth can play a major role in establishing peace in society.

Or
B. The table below shows risk of death posed by five different causes in two income groups of people
along with the world average of these deaths. Study the data carefully and then summarise it in the
form of an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words.
Causes World Low and Middle Income High Income
Risk Percentage of Death
Indoor smoke from solid fuels 3.3 3.9 0.0
Unsafe drinking water, insanitation, lack of hygiene 3.2 3.8 0.1
Urban outdoor air pollution 2.0 1.9 2.5
Global climate change 0.2 0.3 0.0
Lead exposure 0.2 0.3 0.0

SECTION C - LITERATURE 40

6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5
A. Our entire class is quaking in its boots. The reason, of course, is the forthcoming meeting in which the
teachers decide who’ll move up to the next form and who’ll be kept back. Half the class is making
bets.
G.N. and I laugh ourselves silly at the two boys behind us, C.N. and Jacques, who have staked their
entire holiday savings on their bet. From morning to night, it’s “You’re going to pass”, “No, I’m not”,
“Yes, you are”, “No, I’m not”. Even G.’s pleading glances and my angry outbursts can’t calm them
down. If you ask me, there are so many dummies that about a quarter of the class should be kept back,
but teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on earth.
(From the Diary of Anne Frank)
i. What does the following imply? 1
C. N and Jacques staking their entire holiday savings on their bet.
ii. Anne says that there were so many dummies in the class that about a quarter of them shouldn’t be
promoted. Is she being rude or brutally honest? Evaluate in about 40 words. 2
iii. State TRUE or FALSE. 1
None of the following (a)-(d) below, showcase the reality :
(a) the teachers will decide whom to promote to the next form
(b) the teachers will decide who should be kept back
(c) a quarter of the class was dummies who should be kept back
(d) a quarter of the class was dummies who should be kept back
iv. Which emotion is portrayed in the expression ‘quaking in their boots’? 1

Or
B. She was not convinced. ‘No’, she replied, “there is nothing more humiliating than to have a shabby air
in the midst of rich women.”
Then her husband cried out, “How stupid we are! Go and find your friend Madame Forestier and ask
her to lend you her jewels.”
She uttered a cry of joy. ‘It is true!’ she said. “I had not thought of that.”
(The Necklace)
i. Why did she need the jewels? 1
(a) To go to a party of rich people
(b) For a photoshoot
(c) To get a replica made
(d) For wearing them at home
ii. What did Matilda’s husband suggest her? 1
iii. Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract. 1
(a) A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic, usually with two or more people presenting
different viewpoints and arguments.
(b) A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage, which reveals their innermost
thoughts and feelings to the audience.
(c) A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film.
iv. What kind of a person is Mme Loisel and why is she always unhappy? Answer in about 40 words. 2

7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5
A. I am an orphan, roaming the street,
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.
Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!
Remember your acne, Amanda!
Will you please look at me when I’m speaking
to you,
(Amanda!)
i. Fill the blank with one word. 1
The extract shows that the speaker, Amanda’s mother is about Amanda’s acne and cares for her.
ii. How does the use of metaphor impact this extract? 1
iii. Why is Amanda imagining being an orphan? Answer in about 40 words. 2
iv. What is the poet estimating by making silence golden? 1
(a) The worth of silence
(b) The worth of beauty
(c) The value of independence
(d) The worth of privacy

Or
B. He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage
On pads of velvet quiet
In his quiet rage
He should be lurking in shadow
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole where plump deer pass.
(A Tiger in the Zoo)

i. Complete the sentence appropriately. 1

The poetic device used in the first line of the given extract is because the poet .
ii. What is the significance of the use of the phrase “quiet rage” to describe the mood of the tiger in the
poem and how does this word choice contribute to the overall mood and tone of the poem? Answer in
about 40 words. 2
iii. Complete the sentence with the appropriate option. 1
According to the extract, the poet wishes for the tiger to be ‘sliding’ through the foliage as this would
.
(a) keep the prey unsuspecting of the predator’s footsteps
(b) aid in camouflaging the presence of the predator before it rushes in
(c) help the predator pounce on the prey comfortably without getting tired
(d) support the predator’s vision as it eyes its prey
iv. Identify the type of imagery used in the lines of the poem. 1

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. 4 # 3 = 12
i. Why did the woman in the control centre give a strange look to the narrator? 3
(Two Stories About Flying)

ii. When did the baker collect his bill usually? Where was his account recorded? 3
(Glimpses of India)

iii. How can one obtain peace of mind after a dear one’s death? 3
(The Sermon at Benares)
iv. How is divine love different from human love? 3
(For Anne Gregory)

v. The ending of the poem indicates a celebration of victory. Discuss. 3

(The Trees)

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2# 3=6
i. Why was the narrator shocked at Tricki’s appearance? 3
(A Triumph of Surgery)

ii. Who was Griffin? What did he want to prove through his repeated experiments? 3
(Footprints without Feet)

iii. What subject did Richard Ebright choose for next year’s science fair? 3
(The Making of a Scientist)

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1# 6=6
A. How does the character of Lencho inspire us to have faith in God? How did he react to the help
offered by the post office employees? What was his reaction towards the post office employees?
(A Letter to God)
Or
B. Who was the real hero ? How did he save the other animals ? Was he proud of his bravery? Justify
your answer with instances from the poem.
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1# 6=6
A. Ausable knew Fowler was very disappointed on seeing him. What did Ausable say to him and how did
he console him?
(The Midnight Visitor)
Or
B. Bholi has multiple handicaps. She is a girl. She has pock-marks, she stammers. How can we change
the social attitudes towards the differently abled?
(Bholi)