CBSE Class 10

English (Language and Literature)

Previous Year Question Paper 2015
Series: RLH/1 Set- 1

Code no. 2/1/1

● Please check that this question paper contains 11 printed pages.

● Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be
written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.

● Please check that this question paper contains 11 questions.

● Please write down the Serial Number of the question before attempting
it.

● 15 minute time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question
paper will be distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the
students will read the question paper only and will not write any answer on
the answer-book during this period.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT - II

ENGLISH (Language and Literature)

Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 70

General Instructions:

(i) The Question paper is divided into three sections :

Section A — Reading 20 Marks

Class X English www.vedantu.com 1

Section B — Writing and Grammar 25 Marks

Section C — Literature/ Textbooks and Long Reading Texts 25 Marks

(ii) All questions are compulsory.

(iii) Marks are indicated against each question.

SECTION-A

(Reading) 20 Marks
1. Read the passage given below: 8 Marks
Kausani is situated at a height of 6,075 feet in the Central Himalayas. It is an
unusually attractive little town. It covers just about 5.2 sq. kms. It lies to the
north of Almora in Uttarakhand's picturesque Kumaon region.
Kausani provides the 300-km wide breathtaking view of the Himalayas. It is the
most striking aspect of the place. Snow-capped peaks are spread in a stately
row. They stare at you in silvery white majesty. The most famous peak on view
is Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain in India. It is situated at a height
of 25, 645 feet and 36 miles away as the crow flies. The other famous peaks on
view are choukhamba (23,420 feet) and Trishul (23,360 feet). Then there are
also Nilkanth, Nandaghunti, Nandaghat and Nandakot. On a clear day, the blue
of the sky makes a splendid background to these peaks. At sunrise and at sunset,
when the colour changes to a golden orange, the scene gets etched in your
memory.

When Gandhiji visited this place in 1929, its scenic beauty held him spellbound.
He named it the 'Switzerland of India'. He prolonged his two-day stay to
fourteen days, making time to write a book, 'Anashakti Yoga'. The place where
he was staying was originally a guest-house of the tea estate. It was renamed
'Anashakti Ashram' after the book.

Kausani is the birthplace of Sumitranandan Pant, India's poet laureate. Its

natural surroundings inspired many of his poems. Its tea gardens mingle with
dense pine forests and fruit orchards. The area is also host to many fairs and
religious ceremonies. If Uttaranchal is the abode of gods, Kausani is God's own

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backyard. There is no traffic, no one is in a hurry. If serenity could be put on a
canvas, the picture would resemble Kausani.

On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following
questions :

(a) Where is Kausani situated ? 1 Mark

Ans: Kausani is situated at a height of 6,075 feet in the Central Himalayas. It lies
to the north of Almora in Uttarakhand's picturesque Kumaon region.

(b) What is the most striking aspect of Kausani ? 1 Mark

Ans: The most striking aspect of Kausani is it provides the 300-km wide
breathtaking view of the Himalayas.
(c) Which is the most famous peak on view from Kausani ? 1 Mark

Ans: The most famous peak on view is Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain in
India.
(d) How did Kausani influence Sumitranandan Pant ? 1 Mark
Ans: Kausani is the birthplace of Sumitranandan Pant, India's poet laureate. Its
natural surroundings inspired many of his poems.
(e) When does the view of peaks become so memorable ? 1 Mark
Ans: On a clear day, the blue of the sky makes a splendid background to these peaks.
At sunrise and at sunset, when the colour changes to a golden orange, this makes the
view memorable.

(f) How can we say that Gandhiji was greatly charmed by the natural beauty of
Kausani ? 1 Mark
Ans: When Gandhiji visited this place in 1929, its scenic beauty held him
spellbound. He named it the 'Switzerland of India'. He prolonged his two-day stay
to fourteen days.

(g) What makes Kausani a calm and quiet place ? 1 Mark

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Ans: There is no traffic in Kausani, no one is in a hurry. If serenity could be put on
a canvas, the picture would resemble Kausani.

(h) Why, do you think, is Kausani known as 'God's own backyard'? 1 Mark

Ans: The area of Kausani is also host to many fairs and religious ceremonies. If
Uttaranchal is the abode of gods, Kausani is God's own backyard.

2. Read the passage given below: 12 Marks

1. I rested for a moment at the door of Anand Bhawan, on Market Road, where
coffee-drinkers and tiffin-eaters sat still at their tables, uttering low moans on
seeing me. I wanted to assure them, "Don't mind me, you hugging the cash box
− you are a coward, afraid even to breathe. Go on, count the cash, if that is your
pleasure. I just want to watch, that's all. If my tail trails down to the street, if I
am blocking your threshold, it is because, I'm told, I'm eleven feet tip to tail. I
can't help it. I'm not out to kill − I'm too full. I found a green pasture full of
food on my way. I won't attack until I feel hungry again. Tigers attack only
when they feel hungry, unlike human beings who slaughter one another without
purpose or hunger."
2. To the great delight of children, schools were being hurriedly closed.
Children of all ages and sizes were running helter-skelter, screaming joyously.
"No school, no school. Tiger, tiger!" They were shouting and laughing and even
enjoying being scared. They seemed to welcome me. I felt like joining them. So
I bounded away from the restaurant door. I walked along with them, at which
they cried, 'The tiger is coming to eat us; let us get back to school!"

3. I followed them through their school gate while they ran up and shut
themselves in the school hall securely. I climbed up the steps of the school, saw
an open door at the far end of a veranda, and walked in. It happened to be the
headmaster's room. I noticed a very dignified man jumping on the table and
heaving himself up into an attic. I walked in and ung myself on the cool oor,
having a special liking for cool stone oors.

4. As I drowsed, I was aware of cautious steps and hushed voices all around. I
was in no mood to bother about anything. All I wanted was a little moment of
sleep; the daylight was very bright.

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On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following
questions:

(a) How did the diners at Anand Bhawan react on seeing the tiger? 2 Marks

Ans: On seeing the tiger, the diners were scared and they muttered low moans.
(b) When do tigers attack? In this context, how are human beings different from
tigers? 2 Marks
Ans: Tigers attack only when they are hungry, unlike human beings who slaughter
each other without any purpose or hunger.
(c) Why were children happy and even enjoying being scared? 2 Marks

Ans: Children were happy and enjoying being scared because schools were being
hurriedly closed.

(d) What was the tiger's opinion about the man at the cash counter ? What did
the tiger assure him ? 2 Marks
Ans: The tiger thought of the man at the cash counter to be a coward, afraid even to
breathe. He was holding onto his cash box. The tiger assured him that he was not out
to kill, as he was full.

(e) Identify the word which means the same as 'hugging'. (para 1) 1 Mark
(i) counting

(ii) hiding

(iii) rubbing

(iv) holding tightly in the arms

Ans: (iv) holding tightly in the arms.

(f) Identify the word which means the same as 'delight'. (para 2) 1 Mark
(i) pleasure

(ii) fear

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 (iii) sorrow

(iv) nervousness
Ans: (i) pleasure.

(g) Identify the word which means the same as 'dignified'. (para 3) 1 Mark

(i) tall

(ii) honourable

(iii) terrified
(iv) tired
Ans: (ii) honourable.

(h) Identify the meaning of the word, 'heaving up'. (para 2) 1 Mark
(i) hiding
(ii) running away

(iii) climbing
(iv) raising
Ans: (i) hiding.

SECTION-B
(Writing and Grammar) 15 + 10= 25 Marks

3. The recent increase in crimes against people of the Northeast, especially in

the cities, has highlighted the growing problem faced by the community. Fear
of violence continues to worry them. Write a letter in 100-120 words to the
Editor of The Times of India expressing your concern over the recent death of
a young student resulting from a racial comment against people from
Northeast. Suggest what steps the government should take to solve this
problem. You are Aanchal/Aryan, resident of A-12, East of Kailash, N. Delhi.

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Hints : racial comments, attacks – rude behaviour, hurt feelings of our own
fellow citizens – disharmony – dents the image of our country - steps to solve
this problem. 5 Marks
Ans:

A-12

East of Kailash
New Delhi

Xx/xx/xxxx
To,
The Editor

Times of India
New Delhi

Subject - Rising racial discrimination against people of north-east.

Sir,
India, as it is known throughout the world, is famous for its culture and tradition.
However, the current scenario, particularly the recent spike in crimes against persons
from the North-East in modern cities, has demonstrated that humanity and moral
values—qualities that Indians are proud of—appear to be an outmoded concept.

Today's situation is that only acquainted persons are preferred. Violence is a problem
for people who migrate from other communities. It is deeply concerning that a young
student had to die as a result of a discriminatory remark directed at individuals from
the North-East.

Such an attitude not only causes discord among fellow humans, but it also tarnishes
our country's image around the world. The requirement of the hour is for us to
recognise that this is a shortsighted perspective. It's vital to take a step back and
consider that human relationships should not be sacrificed on the altar of racial
prejudice.

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Humans who lack humanity are not truly human. I hope that this letter will be
published in your prestigious newspaper for a good purpose.

Thank you,

Yours Sincerely
Aanchal/Aryan

Or

One of the key messages of the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech was
‘Clean India’. The Government has taken an initiative for cleaning the rivers
especially ‘The Ganges’. The Government has also urged the people of India to
realise the dream of ‘Clean India’. Write an article in 100-120 words
mentioning the measures people can take for a cleaner and greener India.
Ans: Clean India, Green India

By XYZ
Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prioritized ‘Clean India' in order to realise
Gandhiji's and many other reformers' dreams of a clean and green India. His essential
message to fellow beings on the occasion of Independence Day was to accept it as
the mandatory agenda.
We can notice dust and grime everywhere in today's environment. Our environment
is unclean and impure. Our environment is engulfed in dirt, squalor, and rubbish at
all times. Garbage heaps are strewn throughout the place. To add insult to injury, our
precious waterways have not been spared. We're only concerned about our own
homes. We toss domestic and industrial waste, as well as dead people, into the same
holy rivers, such as the Yamuna and Ganga, which we worship alongside God.

This threat not only pollutes our environment, but also makes it impossible to breathe
pure air. The reason for this is because the rapid expansion of industries, as well as
increased deforestation to support these industries and new colonies, has caused the
oxygen density to plummet.

We are all aware of these realities, but the idea of a cleaner and greener India can
never be realised unless and until each of us recognises the problem and takes action.

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We should also plant more trees, as recommended by the government, and keep our
city, particularly our rivers, clean and pollution-free.

4. Complete the story in 150-200 words which starts like this:

“It was a quiet, cold and dark night like it usually is in winter when all retire to
bed early. Suddenly at the dead of night, a shriek jerked the people in the
building out of their beds. It was distinctly the voice of ......" 10 Marks

Ans: It was a quiet, cold and dark night like it usually is in winter when all retire to
bed early. Suddenly at the dead of night, a shriek jerked the people in the building
out of their beds. It was distinctly the voice of the guard. The guard was out on patrol
as usual. He spotted some peculiar activity in one of the corners, where trash was
being thrown out. There was no light in this corner, so it was pitch black.

He grabbed his torch and walked around the corner. Only two bright eyes caught his
attention.He returned, thinking it was a cat. However, there was some strange
movement once more. He returned with his torch aimed in that direction. He had a
life-changing shock. It was a large leopard, not a little cat.

It had infiltrated the grounds from a nearby forest to escape the freezing weather. It
didn't want to attack the guard. The guard, on the other hand, was so terrified that he
gave a shriek. We all dashed towards the location. The leopard was startled by the
disturbance and took cover in a corner. Everything was described in detail by the
guard.
The wildlife department was immediately notified. A rescue team reached the spot
and rescued the leopard which was taken away to be released in its natural habitat.
It was really a hair-raising experience for all of us.

Or

You have been preparing for the National Talent Search Examination for the
last one year and have got a very good rank. Write your story in 150-200 words
using the following cues.

Humble family background - ambition to be something - scholarship, a means

to that - preparation - help from teachers - use of library - examination - result.

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Ans: My lifelong dream is to become a doctor. My parents have always been
emotionally and financially supportive of me. For them, it is simple because I attend
a government school where education is nearly free.
Higher and professional education, on the other hand, is prohibitively expensive for
most families.There was just one way out for me. It was simply about the
scholarship. I began studying for the National Talent Search Examination. It was
clear to me that it was the only way into the field of my choice. My teachers were
informed of my plans. They all encouraged me and offered whatever assistance they
could offer.

My science teacher assigned books for me to read. My school library was put to
excellent use by me. In his spare time, my English teacher assisted me. I set a
schedule for myself and focused on my academics.

Finally, the exam day arrived, and I went into it with confidence.In my studies, I had
given it my all. The examination went off without a hitch. Finally, the outcome was
in my favour. I received an excellent grade. Now I am the recipient of a generous
scholarship, which I have been using to further my study.

5. Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most
appropriate words from the given options.
Today a good (a) ............ varieties of tea and tea brands are available in the
market. Green tea is popular (b) ............ China and the Far East. In Japan, the
tea ceremony is a traditional way of greeting guests, (c) ............ is a social
occasion. 3 Marks

(a) (i) very

(ii) many

(iii) much

(iv) more

Ans: many

(b) (i) on

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 (ii) at

(iii) in
(iv) for

Ans: in

(c) (i) and

(ii) it

(iii) both
(iv) this
Ans: and

6. The following passage has not been edited. There is an 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. 4 Marks

Error Correction
Most trees has a single woody stem called e.g. has have

a trunk who supports a mass of branches (a) …... …...

carrying leaves. Trees clean an air (b) …... ..…

to removing tiny airborne particles. The (c) …... ..…

leaves of trees give in oxygen. (d) …... ...…

Ans: Error Correction

(a) Who which

Class X English www.vedantu.com 11

(b) An the

(c) Removing remove

(d) In out

7. Rearrange the following words and phrases into meaningful sentences. One
has been done for you as an example. 3 Marks

Beach vacations / was / an attraction / coconut water / long ago / during

Example-Long ago coconut water was an attraction during beach vacations.

(a) these days / of trade / Delhi / for / has become / but / a centre / tender
coconuts /

Ans: But these days Delhi has become a center of trade for coconut tender.
(b) its demand / value / due to / has increased / of the fruit / the food

Ans: Its demand has increased due to the food value of the fruit.
(c) has been fueled / by growing awareness / the demand/ health
benefits/coconut water’s / of /
Ans: The demand has been fueled by growing awareness of coconut water’s health
benefits.

SECTION-C
(Literature/ Text Books and Long Reading Texts) 25 Marks

8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
1 x 3 = 3 Marks
“Don't you want to have a look at the sights, now that you're here?

“All by myself ? Oh, I'd be much too afraid."

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Greatly amused by the girl's way of speaking, the conductor said, “But you
weren't afraid to come in the bus."

“Nothing to be afraid of about that,” she answered.

(a) Who is the ‘girl’ mentioned in the passage ?

Ans: Valli is the girl mentioned above in the passage. Valli was a determined and
strong-willed young lady. She was self-assured and sophisticated for her age,
allowing her to do things on her own.

(b) Why didn't she get off the bus when she reached her destination ?
Ans: Valli did not get off the bus when she arrived at her destination because she
was terrified of going down alone, despite her bravado. She was also afraid of
getting down in the unknown environment of the city because she lacked sufficient
understanding of the area.

(c) Write the meaning of the word, “amused.”

Ans: Meaning of “amused” is finding something humorous or funny.

Or
So I rejoiced one day when they sent me out forty miles in the country, to a town
called New Mullion, to serve summons on a man called Oliver Lutkins.
(a) Who is I?

Ans: “I” refers to the young lawyer.

(b) Why was 'l' sent to New Mullion?

Ans: He was sent to New Mullion to serve a summons on Oliver Lutkins, who was
a vital witness in a case.

(c) What does the word, ‘rejoiced’ mean?

Ans: Rejoice means extreme happiness or joy.

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9. Answer the following questions in 30 - 40 words each. 2 x 4 = 8 Marks

(a) Why was Kisa Gotami sad ? What did she do in her hour of grief?
Ans: Kisa Gotami was sad since she had recently lost her only child. In an attempt
to bring her deceased son back to life, the bereaved mother carried the dead body
around the homes of her neighbours, pleading for remedies.

(b) What special characteristic of Mijbil did Maxwell learn after he took him to
the bathroom ?

Ans: Maxwell learned that Mijbil enjoyed playing with water when he first took the
otter into the toilet. He'd roll around in the water like a hippopotamus. This was due
to the fact that otters are irritated by still water.

(c) For what unusual reasons was Bholi sent to school ?

Ans: Because of her awful appearance, Bholi was sent to school. She lacked
common sense, her chances of marrying were slim. Bholi was sent to school for
these strange reasons.
(d) Do you think M. Loisel had an enjoyable evening at the ball ? Give reasons
for your answer.
Ans: M. Loisel, on the other hand, did not enjoy himself at the ball. He'd been half
asleep in one of the little salons with three other gentlemen whose wives were having
a fine time since midnight, bored with the event.

10. Answer the following in 80-100 words. 4 Marks

“Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself.” “You don't have to help me,”
said Valli to the conductor. She shows extraordinary courage in making the bus
journey all alone. Taking inspiration from Valli's character, write how ability
and courage to take risk are essential to fulfill one's dream.

Ans: Valli lived in a small village on the outskirts of town. A bus that came to her
village every hour piqued her interest. She had a strong desire to take the bus. She
began methodically preparing and saving money for the bus trip. She eventually
travelled alone, confidently and independently, and arrived safely at her destination.

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She had a good time on the train, did not yield to any temptations, did not accept any
favours from the conductor, and drove with exceptional caution. Valli's
determination to achieve her life's objective is a lesson that we should all learn.
Or

“Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like anyone else.”
These words of encouragement from the teacher highlight that change of social
attitude and encouragement can help a child like Bholi to become confident and
face the world bravely. Taking help from the lesson, 'Bholi' write how the social
attitude towards Bholi made her an introvert. What should be done to help such
children to face the world bravely?
Ans: Ramlal had four daughters, the youngest of them was Bholi. Bholi, unlike her
sisters, was afflicted with illness, which caused her to fall short of society
expectations in terms of intellect and appearance. People who are "differently gifted"
can face discrimination in society. Bholi's life was changed, however, by a teacher
at the community primary school. "Put the fear out of your heart," she advised Bholi,
"and you'll be able to speak like everyone else." She discovered a compassionate and
helpful humareing in her teaching. She instilled in Bholi all of the confidence and
encouragement she so desperately needed.

11. Answer the following in 120-150 words.

What happened when the Nazis found Anne and her family hiding in the Secret
Annexe ? Give a brief description of Anne and her family after the arrest.
10 Marks
Ans: The eight people hiding in the Annexe, as well as two of their accomplices,
Kugler and Kleiman, were apprehended by the Nazis. The family was held in a cell
for four days in Amsterdam before being transferred to the WesterBork Camp for
the Jews' transit camp without a trial on September 1, 1944. They were considered
punishable prisoners. On September 3, 1944, the eight inmates joined a group of
1000 other detainees.

Kleiman was freed from prison on Sept. 18, 1944, due to his bad health, and he
resided in Amsterdam until his death in 1959. On March 28, 1945, Kugler managed
to elude his captors. In Amsterdam, Elizabeth died. In November 1944, Van Daan

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was gassed to death in Auschwitz. In December 1944, Dussel died in the
Concentration Camp. Edith Frank died on January 6th, 1945, in Auschwitz Camp.
In 1944-45, an epidemic struck the Concentration Camp, killing Margot and Anne
Frank. In May 1945, Otto Frank was the only survivor.

Or

Anne wrote, ‘One day we're laughing at the comical side of hiding, and the next
day we're frightened and the fear, tension and despair can be read on our faces’.
Give two examples of each – laughter and fear from the diary entries of May
1944.

Ans: Anne wrote ‘One day we're laughing at the comical side of hiding, and the next
day we're frightened and the fear, tension and despair can be read on our faces’. The
suggestion was about the type of existence one would have while imprisoned. She
describes the two hues as follows: On the one hand, there was horrible news of Mr.
Van's arrest for hiding two Jews in his home.They will no longer be able to eat
potatoes as a result of his arrest.

Then there was the horrible cuisine, the Jewish question, the tension, and the
depressing environment. The heat was terrible, butter was melting, and there was no
cool place to be found. The bread is drying out, and the milk is becoming sour. The
news of Bep's engagement, Mr. Kugler's birthday, and reports about cabarets,
movies, and concerts, on the other hand. As a result, if they chuckled at the amusing
aspect of hiding one day, they were terrified the next. They experienced their fair
share of good and unpleasant experiences.

Or
How did Mr. Keith contribute to the intellectual enrichment of Helen ?

Ans: Merton S. Keith was Helen Keller's math and classics tutor as she studied and
prepared to enter Radcliffe. Mr. Keith tutored Keller in Latin, Greek, algebra, and
geometry twice a week. Mr. Keith afterwards began teaching Helen Keller five days
a week. Mr. Keith was incredibly patient with Keller, who was having difficulty
answering math problems since she couldn't see them. She had to remember the
letters of the figure and other features of a geometric proof in her head when she had
to make geometrical figures on a cushion using curved wires.

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Mr. Keith also taught Keller how to reason her way through problems and made the
mathematics work fun for her. Before she started college, she stayed with Mr. Keith
for another year. He was a gentle and encouraging teacher who greatly helped her
intellectual development.

Or

Why did Helen not like examinations?

Ans: Helen felt, ‘the examinations are the chief bugbears of my college life.
Although I have faced them many times and cast them down and made them bite the
dust, yet they rise again and menace me with pale looks, until like Bob Acres I feel
my courage oozing out at my finger ends.'

Helen believes that exams do not adequately develop a child's knowledge. The
student merely reads and studies the literature in order to get good grades. Few
people read them with a desire to learn. Such knowledge is only temporary for the
student because his mind is constantly inundated with information, the majority of
which cannot be stored for lengthy periods of time.
Helen recognised that her own thinking was so jumbled up with numerous subjects
that she became frustrated trying to sort it all out. Helen refers to her exams as the
'bugbears' of her college years because they were both terrifying for her. She would
try to cram difficult formulas and dates into her head in the days leading up to the
tests. Exams made Helen wish that books, science, and the student herself might all
be buried in the ocean's depths.

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