Page 1 Sample Paper 28 CBSE X English

Sample Paper 28
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 colour of animals is by no means a matter of chance; it depends on many considerations, but in the
majority of cases tends to protect the animal from danger by rendering it less conspicuous. Perhaps it
may be said that if colouring is mainly protective, there ought to be but few brightly coloured animals.
There are, however, not a few cases in which vivid colours are themselves protective. The kingfisher
itself, though so brightly coloured, is by no means easy to see. The blue harmonises with the water, and
the bird as it darts along the stream looks almost like a flash of sunlight.
2. Desert animals are generally the colour of the desert. Thus, for instance, the lion, the antelope, and the
wild donkey are all sand-coloured. “Indeed,” says Canon Tristram, “in the desert, where neither trees,
brushwood, nor even undulation of the surface afford the slightest protection to its foes, a modification of
colour assimilated to that of the surrounding country is absolutely necessary. Hence, without exception,
the upper plumage of every bird, and also the fur of all the smaller mammals and the skin of all the
snakes and lizards, is of one uniform sand colour.”
3. The next point is the colour of the mature caterpillars, some of which are brown. This probably makes
the caterpillar even more conspicuous among the green leaves than would otherwise be the case. Let us
see, then, whether the habits of the insect will throw any light upon the riddle. What would you do if
you were a big caterpillar? Why, like most other defenseless creatures, you would feed by night, and lie
concealed by day. So do these caterpillars. When the morning light comes, they creep down the stem of
the food plant, and lie concealed among the thick herbage and dry sticks and leaves, near the ground,
and it is obvious that under such circumstances, the brown colour really becomes a protection. It might
indeed be argued that the caterpillars, having become brown, concealed themselves on the ground, and
that we were reversing the state of things. But this is not so, because, while we may say as a general
rule that large caterpillars feed by night and lie concealed by day, it is by no means always the case that
they are brown; some of them still retaining the green colour. We may then conclude that the habit of
concealing themselves by day came first, and that the brown colour is a later adaptation.

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Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. What does the writer mean when he says that “The colour of animals is by no means a matter of
chance”? 1
(a) It is an evolutionary advantage. (b) It is contradictory.
(c) It is predetermined. (d) It is a matter of chance.

ii. What makes the writer contradict his own statement that ‘the colour of animals helps protect them from
danger by making them less conspicuous to predators’? Answer in about 40 words. 2

iii. Complete the sentence appropriately. 1

The author’s contention that assimilation with the background is a necessity for all desert animals for
sheer survival can be substantiated with the fact that _____.

iv. The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) below, identify
a set of word pairs that does not belong to this category. 1
(a) concealed and conspicuous
(b) day and night
(c) bright and vivid
(d) sand-coloured and brightly-coloured
(e) retaining and reversing

v. Complete the sentence appropriately. 1

Although some big caterpillars are brown and therefore have the advantage of being conspicuous among
the green leaves, yet these defenceless creatures have to ............ .

vi. Why does the author conclude that the habit of caterpillars to conceal themselves by day came first, and
that the brown colour is a later adaptation? Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40
words. 2

vii. The writer says, “It might indeed be argued that the caterpillars, having become brown, concealed
themselves on the ground and that we were reversing the state of things.” (Paragraph 3) 1
Select the underlying principle in natural evolution the scientist, Canon Tristram is referring to.
(a) contradiction (b) regression
(c) experience (d) progression

viii. Where do the big, brown caterpillars hide themselves as soon as the day breaks? 1

2. Read the following text. 10

1. “India is a major tourist destination and is therefore a strategic ally to strengthen the recovery of Travel
& Tourism activity in the region. In 2019, India’s Travel & Tourism sector made up 6.8 per cent of
the country’s total GDP, and 8 per cent of total employment. The government of India’s leadership
is instrumental and essential for us to be able to work towards a single agenda and the reactivation
of international travel to benefit the millions of people in India who depend on the sector for their
livelihoods,” said a spokesperson from WTTC.

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2. In India, travel and hospitality contributes 9.3 per cent to the overall Indian GDP and accounts for
over 8 per cent of India’s total employment. It is therefore imperative to come together and focus on
the revival of the sector across the globe with optimism, hope and unity in solidarity of the industry.
The recovery plan presented to the tourism ministers from the world includes The, that focus on key
measures to reactivate international tourism. The measures include a globally recognised international
testing programme; strengthening and standardising protocols between countries to reduce risk and
regain confidence from the traveller; and international coordination for the reopening of the sector, with
the highest priority to health, safety and certainty for the traveller.
3. According to data, the travel and tourism sector generated 14.1 trillion (USD 208.9 billion) in 2016,
which is world’s 7th largest in terms of absolute size; the sum is equivalent to 9.6% of India’s GDP.
Additionally, the sector created 40.3 million jobs in 2016, which ranks India 2nd in the world in terms
of total employment generated. The sector accounts for 9.3% of the country’s total jobs. India’s Travel
and Tourism sector was also the fastest growing amongst the G20 countries, growing by 8.5% in 2016.
6.7% growth is forecast for 2017 in this sector.
4. The President and CEO, WTTC, David Scowsill says, “We encourage the Indian government to continue
to adopt policies that encourage travellers, such as the new visa regime, enable investment in vital
infrastructure, and allow companies to do business. India is a beautiful and diverse tourism destination,
with the right policies in place it will no doubt continue to grow towards ranking even higher in terms
of its tourism economy.”
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
i. Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of paragraphs 1 and 2. 1
We can say that the success of the recovery plan put forward by the WTTC to reactivate tourism in the
world after the pandemic derives its strength from the robust and _____ especially in 2016.

ii. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your understanding
of paragraph 2. 1
According to the author, the revival of travel and hospitality has to be executed with optimism, hope and
unity among the countries of the world with a special focus on India because this sector contributes 9.3
percent to the overall Indian GDP and accounts for over 8 percent of India’s total employment is _____
(a fact/an opinion) and _____ (a/an subjective judgement/objective detail).

iii. Justify the following, in about 40 words. 2

The plan proposed by the Indian government will help revive tourism on an international scale and
reactivate it with a key focus on the travellers.

iv. Based on the survey results, which two policies will greatly enhance travel and encourage travellers
according to David Scowsill? 1

v. Infer one reason for the following, based on information in paragraph 1. 1

The WTTC acknowledges the importance of the Indian tourism industry in reviving international travel.

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vi. Select the option that correctly displays what ‘tourism infrastructure’ signifies. (Ref-Paragraph 2) 1

(a) Only (i) (b) Only (ii)

(c) (ii), (iii) and (iv) (d) (i) and (v)

vii. Infer one benefit and one drawback of the Indian Travel and Hospitality sector’s remarkable growth in
2016 as compared to 2019. Answer in about 40 words. 2

viii. Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage? 1
(a) It is the fastest-growing sector among G20 countries.
(b) The travel and tourism sector generated jobs worth Rs. 14.1 trillion in 2016.
(c) Travel-friendly policies will help India create more employment in this sector.
(d) The reactivation of international travel needs a single coordinated agenda.

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
Jasprit Bumrah _____ two wickets before rain _____ the play.
(a) took, interrupted
(b) had taken, spoiled
(c) was taking, interrupted
(d) will take, disrupts

ii. Read the conversation between a mother and her son. Complete the sentence by reporting the
dialogue. 1
Mother : Where did you go around noon?
Son : I was with Ajay at his house watching a movie.
Mother asked Rahul _____ around noon. Rahul replied that _____ with Ajay at his house watching a
movie.

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from a health magazine. 1
Rue herb benefits are varied and plentiful- it _____ with nutrients like antioxidants, minerals, and
vitamins that are beneficial to humans.
(a) has many (b) is full
(c) is encumbered (d) is loaded

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iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line, from an
academic report. 1
It is quite clear that those students who are research for a Ph.D. read more articles than either junior
lecturers or other students.
Option No. Error Correction
(a) quite quiet
(b) those these
(c) research researching
(d) than then

v. Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option. 1
The modern agricultural practices, excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides _____ adversely _____ the
soil.
(a) has affected (b) have affected
(c) has effected (d) have been effecting

vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the concluding portion of a
letter. 1
It is high time that the concerned authorities should wake up to this social problem and try to rein in the
rising prices so that the middle class _____ (do) suffer.

vii. Report and complete the dialogue between two sisters, by filling up the blanks. 1
Manorama : Where are you going to?
Anu : I am going to the market. Do you want anything?
Manorama asked Anu _____ Anu replied that she was going to the market and further asked _____.
(a) where she was going, if/whether she wanted anything.
(b) where was she going, if/whether she wanted anything.
(c) where was she going? if/whether she had wanted anything.
(d) where was she going, if/whether she had wanted anything.

viii. Identify the error in the given sentence, from a newspaper report and supply the correction. 1
There have also been several films, television and theatrical productions, and even an opera, based over
the novel.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

ix. Faiz shared some information with Tariq about his long holiday. Report Tariq’s question. 1
Tariq : _____?
Friend : I have been travelling for a month so, I am tired.

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x. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. 1
The company couldn’t be able to sell as many products if they don’t find the right marketing professionals
quickly.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between a teacher and her class. 1
Children : We all pledge to save our trees because they are the lungs of the city.
Teacher : Let us start today by planting a sapling each.
The children pledged to save trees as _____ Then the teacher said that _____.
xii. Identify the error in an advertisement for a cosmetic item and supply the correction, for the following
sales offer. 1
This colon will last the entire day. Available @ 15% off!

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. Your grandfather is very upset about the rising prices and keeps thinking of his olden times when things
were very cheap.
You are convinced that inflation has made life difficult for common man. Write a letter in 100-120 words
to the Editor of a national daily describing the difficulties faced by poor families. You are Prabhat/Prerna
of 679, Lajpat Nagar-I, New Delhi.

O
B. Write a letter to a national daily, expressing your opinion and views on the increased human dependence
on technology. Right from a small child to an adult, or even an old man, everyone wants gadgets only—
cell phone, I-pod, laptop, etc. This also has a negative effect on social relationships. Using your own
ideas write the letter in 100-120 words. You are Sambhav/Sunayna of 230, Lajpat Nagar-II, New Delhi.

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

A. The pie chart below shows the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive. The table
shows how these causes affected three regions of the world during the 1990’s. On the basis of the pie
chart, write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words on ‘Causes of Worldwide Land Degradation’.

O
B. The pie charts below illustrate the number of journal articles read per week by all students, PhD students,
and junior lecturers at an Australian university.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where
relevant. Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words that how these articles can help students?

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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 options (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

O
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)

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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. “Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.”
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

i. Fill in the blank with suitable words on the basis of your understanding of the given lines. 1
The outcome of the clash between Custard and the pirate was that _____.

ii. What is the significance of the use of the words - ‘trickled down’ and ‘mouseholed’ to describe the
reactions of Belinda’s pets and how does this word choice contribute to the overall situation in the
poem? Answer in about 40 words. 2

iii. Match the figures of speech with their correct definitions (in the box given below) that have been used
by the poet in the given extract. 1
Column A Column B

(a) alliteration 1. words like ‘and’ like’ used repetitively

(b) repetition 2. repetition of the sounds ‘k’ and ‘s’
(c) onomatopoeia 3. repetition of the sounds ‘n’ and ‘el’
(d) consonance 4. use of sound words like clatter, snorting, jangling, etc.

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iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines. 1

O
B. In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is external.
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
The epistemology of loss, how to stand up
Knowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up
(The Ball Poem)
i. In what context does the poet say that ‘Money is external’? 1

ii. What is the significance of the use of symbolism by the poet to describe loss, responsibility, and survival
in the given extract and how does it 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

If one were to choose an option that best fits the essence of the given extract, it would be _____.
(a) Responsibility is self-taught.
(b) Out of sight, out of mind
(c) Time once lost, is forever.
(d) Better safe, than sorry.

iv. To what effect has the poet used the poetic device apostrophe in the given extract? 1

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. 4 # 3 = 12
i. Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm. 3
(Two Stories About Flying)

ii. What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child? 3
(Madam Rides the Bus)

iii. How did Custard prove ‘the cowardly dragon’ try to be untrue? 3
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

iv. Write the central idea of the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’ 3

v. How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose for her hand? 3
(The Proposal)

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9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2#3 = 6
i. How did Loisel and Matilda arrange the money to buy the necklace? 3
(The Necklace)

ii. How was Tricki treated in the first two days of his visit to the surgery? 3
(A Triumph of Surgery)

iii. Though Horace planned everything meticulously, why did he fail ? 3

(Footprints Without Feet)

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1#6 = 6
A. Coorg and Assam both are known for plantation of Coffee and Tea respectively. Though India is known
for its tea plantation yet coffee is considered to be the drink of the elite.
Prepare a set of dialogues between a Coorgi and an Assamese based on the parts of the chapter ‘Glimpses
of India’. You may begin like this :
Coorgi : Hello, good morning! Are you from Assam, I am from Coorg.
Assamese : Good morning! Yes I am from Assam, _____.
O
B. “The message conveyed in the chapter ‘Mijbil The Otter’, We should be good, and polite to our pets
so that they will feel good and comfortable to live, was not followed by Belinda in the case of her pet
Custard, The Dragon. If you had to use the message with reference to both the chapters how will you
elaborate it? Also, how it is relevant to both.

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1#6 = 6
A. “Education can change a person’s perspective towards life and takes care of all the deficiencies?
Comment with reference to the chapter ‘Bholi’.
(Bholi)
O
B. ‘Misunderstanding of Cultural differences between various races can cause confusion and conflict.’
Comment, based on the chapter ‘The Book that Saved the Earth’.
******

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