NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA SAMITI

QUESTION PAPER
Class 10-English Language & Literature
PRE-BOARD TERM-1 _ 2021-22
Sub: English Max Marks: 40
Class: X Time: 1 ½ Hrs.
Instructions :
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections.
2. Section A-READING has 18 questions. Attempt a total of 14 questions, as per
specific instructions for each question.
3. Section B-WRITING & GRAMMAR has 12 questions. Attempt a total of 10 questions, as per
specific instructions for each question.
4. Section C-LITERATURE has 30 questions. Attempt 26 questions, as per specific instructions
for each question.
5. All questions carry equal marks.
6. There is no negative marking..

SECTION A : READING

Q.1. Read the passage given below:

1. While coronavirus cases continue to rise at an alarming rate in
north America and Europe, one of the creators of the Covid-19
vaccine developed by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech says
normal life will return by next winter.
2. BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said he was “very confident that
transmission between people will be reduced by such a highly
effective vaccine, may be not 90% but may be 50%”.
3. It’s essential that all immunisation programmes are finished
before the autumn, he said on Sunday on the BBC’s Andrew Marr
Show.
4. North Dakota earlier became the 35th US state to require face coverings be worn in public as governors
across the country are grappling with a surge in corona virus infections. North Dakota joined 38 other states this
month in reporting record daily jumps in new cases.
5. New cases nationwide rose on Friday to a daily record of over 1,77,000 the fourth straight day an alltime
high was set, according to a Reuters tally of figures from US public health agencies.
6. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended mask wearing, and a widely cited
model estimated that a nationwide mandate could save 68,000 lives by next spring.
7. In France, the number of confirmed new cases and deaths rose sharply in the last 24 hours. France
registered 32,095 new cases and deaths in hospitals from Covid-19 rose by 359.
8. Ten people died on Saturday in a fire at a Romanian hospital treating coronavirus patients the country
agency for emergency situations said. The blaze broke out in the ICU of the Piatra Neamt country hospital and
spread to an adjoining room.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY EIGHT questions from the TEN by
choosing the correct option. (any 8)
Q. 1 Ugur Sahin is confident that the vaccine will reduce transmission between people by:
(i) 90% (ii) 50% (iii) 38% (iv) 35%
Q.2 North Dakota is the 35th US state to:
(i) see a surge in coronavirus infections. (ii) witness a grapple among governors.
(iii) require face coverings be won in public. (iv) record daily jumps in new cases.
Q.3 The number of cases in Brazil are less than that of India and deaths in India are ................thanBrazil.

(i) more (ii) higher (iii) lower (iv) decreasing

Q.4 Choose the option that lists the statement that is NOT TRUE:
(i) Coronavirus cases are increasing in north America.
(ii) It is necessary to complete immunisation programmes after autumn.
(iii) New cases and deaths have risen significantly in France.
(iv) The deaths in hospitals in France rose by 359.
Q.5 Reuters tally of figures reported:
(i) an all time spike in cases on the fourth straight day.
(ii) a rise in new cases nationwide.
(iii) mandatory mask wearing.
(iv) 68,000 lives could be saved.
Q.6 The word ‘grappling’ in Para 4 DOES NOT mean the same as:
(i) struggling (ii) strenuous attempt (iii) laboured effort (iv) managing
Q.7 Ten people died at a Romanian hospital:
(i) while treating coronavirus patients (ii) due to fire
(iii) due to coronavirus (iv) none of the above
Q.8 Brazil is at the ............ position among the worst nations superceding France and Russia.
(i) second (ii) fifth (iii) fourth (iv) third
Q.9 The word ‘ recommended’ in Para 6 means the same as:
(i) proposed (ii) advised (iii) advocated (iv) all the above

Q.10 There is not too much difference between the number of Covid cases in France and Russia but the
number of deaths are .............. in France.
(i) higher (ii) lower (iii) decreasing (iv) increasing

II. Read the passage given below:

Why The government has finally managed to spark interest
in the strategic disinvestment of Air India, having received multiple expressions of interest, according to the
secretary of
the department of investment and public asset management
(DIPAM).
1. Why is Air India seeing greater interest now? The union
government has sweetened the deal for investors as the Air
India Ltd. sale evoked no response initially. This could have
possibly encouraged interested buyers. For one, 100% of
Air India is up for grabs, compared to just 76% earlier. The
Government also made a change in the terms of bidding by
allowing potential investors to bid on the basis of enterprise
value, which is equity value plus net debt. As a result,
investors can detemine the amount of Air India’s debt that
they would want to take on, rather than being saddled with a fixed quantum of debt determined by the
government.
2. Who are the potential bidders for the airline? The names of the bidders have not been officially
disclosed. Reports have said the Tata Group and a Section of Air India’s staff, along with the US-based
firm Interups Inc. are among the suitors for the airline. Some reports suggest that low-cost carrier
SpiceJet Ltd has also expressed interest. Getting hold of Air India will give the Tata Group and SpiceJet
a strong domestic presence, with the second highest market share by far, after Indigo. Vistara can
catch up on network coverage if it buys Air India’s operations and can leverage its image of being an
aspirational airline, said analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities.
3. What all does debt-laden Air India bring to the table? Air India’s international operations and slots
are the most coveted by potential acquirers, noted Kotak Institutional Equities analysts. The airline also
has reasonable reach and network coverage in domestic market, which will help potential acquirers
gain Considerable scale. The airline brings a lot of debt too but most of it is likely to be borne by the
government.
4. What will be the likely impact of AI-Tata deal? If the Tata group bags Air India, it could pave way for
consolidation in the aviation sector, say analysts Tata Sons holds a 51% stake in Vistara and a majority
stake in AirAsia India. Air India, AirAsia and Vistara accounted for a combined domestic market share
of 22.9% in October according to data of the DGCA. The deal could make Tatas the second largest
player in the sector after Indigo, which enjoys a market share of 55.5%. However, the Tatas would have
to first simplify structures with partners in existing airlines.
5. Are there any hurdles for potential bidders? Every asset is valuable only at a certain price. If the
eventual bids are high relative to the asset value, turning the airline around could be challenging. In
any case, the acquirer will need to make radical operational changes and cut costs to make the business
viable. A group such as the Tatas, with deep pockets and a love for the aviation business, could well
be willing to incur losses for longer than others. However, unless it streamlines its various aviation
operations, it may only be setting up for a bigger failure with Air India acquisition
—By Pallavi Pengonda
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY SIX questions from the EIGHT by
choosing the correct option (any 6)
Q.11 To evoke response in Air India Ltd.’s sale the government has:
(i) given more incentives to investors. (ii) given investors more lucrative offers.
(iii) further sweetened the deal. (iv) all the above

Q.12 The changed bidding terms:

(i) offers 76% of Air India’s shares.
(ii) does not allow investors to bid an the basis of enterprise value.
(iii) allows investors to decide the debt they want to take on.
(iv) saddles the investors with a fixed amount of debt
Q.13. The word ‘potential’ in Para 1 DOES NOT mean the same as:
(i) possible (ii) impractical (iii) prospective (iv) likely
Q.14 The suitors for Air India does not include:
(i) Tata group (ii) US-based firm (iii) Spice jet (iv) Indigo
Q.15 On the basis of the pie chart the highest market share in domestic business is of:
(i) Tata Group (ii) Go Air (iii) Air India (iv) Indigo
Q.16 The word ‘suitors’ in Para 2 means the same as:
(i) suppliant (ii) opponent (iii) benefactor (iv) donor
Q.17 Air India debt is likely to be borne by:
(i) Tata Group (ii) The government (iii) Indigo (iv) Vistara

Q.18 By bagging the Air India deal Tata Sons will:

(i) get consolidation in the aviation sector.
(ii) get reasonable reach and network leverage in the domestic market.
(iii) get of being an aspirational airline leverage.
(iv) all the above
.
SECTION B: GRAMMAR AND WRITING
GRAMMAR
III. Answer any five out of the six questions by selecting the most appropriate option for each.
Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks and complete the narration.
Marie asked her brother Tony if he had seen her new umbrella and she wanted to know whether it was a
fine one. Tony agreed and asked his sister Q.19 ................ . His sister replied in the negative and added that
Q.20 ............... . Tony further said that Q.21 ................ .

Q.19 (i) if he had bought it from the Mall

(ii) did she buy it from the Mall
(iii) if she had bought it from the Mall
(iv) that she had bought it from the Mall

Q.20 (i) their father had bought it from her

(ii) their father had bought it for him
(iii) their father had bought it for her
(iv) their father had bought it from him

Q.21 (i) he would ask father to buy him one also

(ii) he will tell father to buy him one also
(iii) she will tell father to buy him one also
(iv) I will tell father to buy me one also

Q. 22 The modern student .................. the importance of physical exercise.

(i) understand
(ii) had understand
(iii) understands
(iv) understood
Q.23 Dental hygiene .................... be inculcated in children.
(i) should
(ii) could
(iii) can
(iv) might
Q.24 An honest person .................. and respected everywhere.
(i) was admired
(ii) admired
(iii) is admired
(iv) are admired

WRITING
IV. Answer any five out of the six questions given, with reference to the context below

.Your houses are not safe. Thefts are on the increase. Even properly locked houses are being plundered. Choose
the most appropriate option to complete the letter you have written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police for
increasing patrolling at night in your locality. You are Sumit Mittal residing at B/24, Shyam Nagar, Gurgaon.

B/24, Shyam Nagar

Gurgaon
26th August ,2021

Q.25 ----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Subject: Q.26 ………………………………………………………………………………………..
Sir
Q.27 ………………………………………………………………………………… Ours has become a theft
prone area. Q.28 …………………………………………………………….. and they are being plundered. A
day before yesterday burglars broke open the door of the house of my uncle and ran away with a huge booty.
The police station is at a distance of 3 km from our locality. Fifteen days ago,
Q.29……………………………………………………………………………………………….. that some
unknown persons had entered a house but the authorities reached very late and by that time the thieves had fled
from the scene rendering the owner almost a pauper.
Q.30………………………………………………………………………………………… and increase the
hours of patrolling also. Moreover, I request you to call a meeting of the area residents and make them
understand the necessity of appointing day and night guards by the RWA. Your prompt action would certainly
help in reducing thefts.
Yours faithfully
Sumit Mittal

Q.25 What will you write in place of ‘ address of addressee’ ?

i. The Deputy Commissioner Shyam Nagar
ii. The Deputy Police of Commissioner,Gurgaon
iii. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Gurgaon
iv. The Commissioner, Gurgaon
Q.26 Suggest a suitable subject for this letter.
(i) Thefts are on the increase
(ii) Increasing threat of theft in Shyam Nagar.
(iii) necessity of appointing day and night guards by the RWA.
(iv) to call a meeting of the area residents
Q.27 Choose the most suitable sentence to begin the body of the letter
(i) I wish you draw our attention to the increasing number of theft in our locality.
(ii) I will draw your attention for increasing thefts in our locality.
(iii) I wish to draw your attention to the increasing number of thefts in our locality.
(iv) I wish the thieves to draw our attention to the increasing number of theft.

Q.28…………………………………… and they are being plundered. Complete it.

(i) Even properly locked houses are not safe
(ii) Though properly locked houses are not safe
(iii) As properly locked houses are safe
(iv) Properly locked houses are safe

Q.29 ……………………………………………… that some unknown persons had entered a house….

(i) a residence will inform the police
(ii) a resident is informing the police
(iii) a resident has informed the police
(iv) a resident did inform the police
Q.30………………………………………… and increase the hours of patrolling also.
(i) We requested you to depute more policemen for patrolling
(ii) We request you to depute more policemen for patrolling
(iii) We have requested you to depute more policeman for patrolling
(iv) We request you to be deputed for patrolling

LITERATURE
This section has sub-sections – V, VI, VII, VIII & IX. There are a total of 30 questions in this section.
Attempt any 26 questions from the sub-sections V to IX.

V. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow: (any 4)

All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope : the help of God, whose eyes, as he had been
instructed, see everything, even what is deed in one’s conscience. Lencho was an ox of a man, working like an
animal in the fields, but still he knew how to write. The following Sunday, at day breaks, he began to write a
letter which he himself would carry to town and place in the mail.

Q.31 Lencho was an ox of a man. It means that:

a) he has an ox.
b) he is a very a strong man.
c) his ox is faithful
d) he feels strength

Q.32 Lencho thought all through the night about

Choose the correct option from the following

(a) Option (i)
(b) Option (ii)
(c) Option (iii)
(d) Option (iv)

Q.33 He began to write a letter on:

(a) Saturday at morning
(b) Monday at lunch time
(c) Sunday at daybreak
(d) Tuesday at dusk
Q.34 The antonyms of ‘hope’ is:
(a) hopeful , positive , buoyant
(b) stress , trauma , strain
(c) despondency , despair , desolation
(d) irritate , exasperate , infuriate
Q.35 “Whose eyes see everything…” Here ‘Whose’ refers to:
(a) God’s
(b) Sarpanch’s
(c) Postmaster’s
(d) Villagers

VI. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow: (any 4)
Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and
world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the
largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely
sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white
supremacy, and now it was the site of rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of
South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government, What did the highest generals do in the event?

Q.36 Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract.
i. On 10th May, Nelson Mandela sworn in as the first black Head of State, South Africa.
ii. Before 10th May, the seat of President was occupied by the white.
iii. A few international leaders came for the inauguration ceremony on 10th May.
iv. ‘Bright and clear day’ refers to 10th May.
v. Anti-racist came to power without any hard struggle.
(a) i and ii
(b) ii and iii
(c) iii and v
(d) iv and v

Q.37 Who among the following is the narrator of this extract?

(a) The white president of South Africa
(b) The black president of South Africa
(c) The president of United States of America
(d) A common man of South Africa

Q.38 Which word does ‘besieged’ NOT correspond to?

(a) Surrounded
(b) Crowd
(c) Requested
(d) Swarm

Q.39 Pick the option that correctly classifies the facts (F) and opinions/s (O) of the students

(a) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
(b) F – 2, 3 and O – 3, 4
(c) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(d) F – 3, 4 and O – 1,2

Q.40 The ceremony took place in a building made of:

(a) marble
(b) sandstone
(c) bricks
(d) wood

VII. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow: (any 4)
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’:
An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down
All his young days into the harbour where
His ball went.

Q.41 The poet uses the ball as a symbol of the boy’s

a) sense of adventure.
b) carefree childhood days.
c) ability to bounce back.
d) extended family
Q.42 The poet feels that there is no point consoling the boy as
a) it would give him false hope.
b) he might demand for a new ball.
c) it might distress him further.
d) whatever he has lost is irretrievable
Q.43 The word ‘harbour’ DOES NOT have a meaning similar to
a) port.
b) pier.
c) dock.
d) cargo.
Q.44 Merrily over — there it is in the water!’ The dash here is meant to convey
a) some familiar experience.
b) a feeling of excitement.
c) a sense of unexpected interruption.
d) some thoughtful moments.
Q.45 The word that DOES NOT indicate a physical manifestation of sorrow in the boy, is
a) worthless.
b) shaking.
c) trembling.
d) rigid.

VIII. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow: (any 4)

When the train had gone, I found myself standing alone on the deserted platform. I had no idea where to spend
the night. I had no friends, believing that friends were more trouble than help. And I did not want to make
anyone curious by staying at one of the small hotels near the station. The only person I knew really well was the
man I had robbed. Leaving the station, I walked slowly through the bazaar.
In my short career as a thief, I had made the study of men’s faces when they had lost their goods. The greedy
man showed fear; the rich man showed anger; the poor man showed acceptance. But I knew that Anil’s face,
when he discovered the theft, would show only a touch of sadness. Not for the loss of money, but for the loss of
trust.

Q.46 Match the words of column A with their best emotions in column B.

A B
A. Greedy Man i. Sadness
B. Rich Man ii. Acceptance
C. Poor Man iii. Anger
D. Trust worthy iv. Fear
a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv
b) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
c) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i
d) A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii

Q.47 Choose the correct image that best explains the meaning of the phrase “The deserted platform?”

a) b) c) d)
Q.48 Pick the option that means ‘Robbed

a) Found & burgle

b) Cheated & defrauded
c) Recovered & defrauded
d) Cheated & won back.
Q.49 Choose the statements that DON’T match with the character of Hari Singh.
1. Hari Singh was feeling lonely.
2. Hari Singh had learned the art of reading faces.
3. Hari Singh believed that friends were more help than trouble.
4. The only man he really knew was Anil.
5. He wanted to make anyone suspicious

a) 1,2 & 3
b) 2,3 & 4
c) 2,3 & 5
d) 1,3 & 5

Q.50 Given below are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements
carefully and choose the correct alternative from the following.

Assertion (A) Hari Singh didn’t want to stay in any hotel after robbing Anil.
Reason (R) He was not afraid of being caught.

a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.

IX. Attempt the following

Q.51. Read the statements given below and then select the option that best describes the given statements.

Statement I – The narrator’s desire to reach home and see his family which made him complacent.
Statement II – The narrator was unaware of the threat that the adversarial storm clouds presented.
Statement III – The narrator’s decision making was quick but was irresponsible as well as dangerous.

a) Statement I is False, Statement II is True, Statement III cannot be inferred

b) Statement I and III are True, Statement II cannot be inferred.
c) Statement I cannot be inferred, Statement II is False, Statement III is True.
d) Statement I and II are False, Statement III is True.
Q.52. Which of the following feelings did the young gull, NOT feel according to the given context? “…all day
long, he had watched his parents flying about with his brothers and sister…”

(i) sad (iv) ungrateful

(ii) incompetent (v) inspired
(iii) excluded (vi) jealous
-------- (vii) anxious

a) i, iii, vi
b) ii, v, vii
c) ii, iii, vii
d) iv, v, vi
Q.53. Why does Maddie stand by and not do anything?

(a) Because she was herself victim

(b) Because she doesn’t have courage
(c) Because she doesn’t want to
(d) None of the Above

Q.54 "So Peggy had the same idea! Maddie glowed" What was the idea?

A) To tease Wanda one more time

B) To go and look for Wanda at Boggins Height
C) To apologise to Wanda
D) Both B and C

Q.55 Given below are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements
carefully and choose the correct alternative from the following

Assertion- (A) The poet had been in the sorrowful and depressive mood in the poem ‘ Dust of Snow’.
Reason – (R) The poet had seen a crow on a hemlock tree.
Options-
a) Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true and R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true.
e) Both A and R are false
Q.56. Why do some people say that the world will end in ice?

(a) because love among people is increasing fast.

(b) because hatred among people is increasing fast.
(c) because lust among people is increasing fast.
(d) None of the Above

Q.57. By “ignoring visitors”, what is the poet trying to say?

(a) tiger knows his power is restricted
(b) there is no use of showing rage
(c) he is less terrorising because of the cage
(d) all of the above

Q.58. What does the statement, “I kept an eye on him” mean in the lesson A Triumph of Surgery?
A. He gave Tricky plenty of food.
B. He took care of Tricky as much as he could.
C. He constantly stared Tricky all the time.
D. He observed Tricky’s behaviour during this period.

a) A & B
b) B & C
c) C & D
d) B & D

Q.59. Based on your reading of the given extract, choose the best option that synchronises Griffin’s thinking.
1. He wanted to be friendly with Mrs. Hall.
2. He thought that it could be a safe place for him.
3. Griffin had a desire to talk.
4. He wanted to hide his real identity.
5. He wanted to do some experiments there.
a) 1, 2 & 3
b) 2, 3 & 4
c) 2 & 4
d) 1 & 4

Q.60 "Brilliant scientist though he was, Griffin was rather a _____ person."

(i) lawless
(ii) lawful
(iii) good
(iv) rude

****** All the Best******