CBSE 10th English Sample Paper 09 Solutions Page 1 Sample Paper 09 Solutions

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (184)

CLASS-X EXAM 2024-25
Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks : 80 General Instructions :
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :
1. This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
2 The Question Paper contains THREE sections -
Section A : Reading Skills
Section B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section C : Literature Textbook
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
India reported that between 1994 and 2010,
3,189 leopards were killed. Leopards often
SECTION A - READING SKILLS 20 become targets because they attack livestock
and enter human settlements. Wild animals
1. Read the following text. 10 need protection now more than ever.
1. For most of us, concerns about the environment 6. Some animal activists suggest shutting down
are often reduced to just global warming. With zoos. But what’s the alternative plan to save
forests disappearing, animals being hunted to endangered species? Closing zoos could make
extinction, and wildlife holidays becoming a their extinction happen faster. Zoos provide safe
luxury for a few, connecting with nature seems spaces for endangered species to breed. If
like a distant dream. For many people, zoos and animals are only left in the wild, they face the
wildlife parks are now the only places left to risk of being wiped out by diseases, starvation,
experience nature up close. or epidemics. Many species are bred in zoos
2. Zoos have always been an affordable form of and then returned to the wild.
recreation for people from different backgrounds, 7. The issue should not be about shutting down
whether rich or poor, educated or not. They poorly maintained zoos but rather improving
provide a great opportunity to educate and make them. More money should be spent on creating
people more aware of wildlife. In India, there are natural habitats for animals, ensuring they are
over 150 zoos, attracting around 50 million healthy, supporting breeding programs,
visitors every year, according to CEE India. conducting research, and protecting endangered
3. Today’s children are increasingly disconnected species. Zoos play an important role in
from nature. We need a fun, engaging place for conservation, education, and research, helping
nature education that can compete with the people learn about and understand wildlife.
internet, TV, and video games. Zoos are where Answer the following questions, based on the
children can actually see real animals, turning passage above.
their imagination into reality and sparking
curiosity. Some of these children grow up to be i. In paragraph 1, why do zoos and wildlife parks
wildlife protectors. play a crucial role in connecting people with
nature? 1
4. In India, Reuben David, a wildlife conservation
hero, founded the Ahmedabad zoo. Under his ii. Complete the following with the correct option : 1
leadership, it became one of India’s most Zoos are important because :
important zoos, contributing a lot to conservation (a) They only provide fun for people.
and research. Zoos around the world also (b) They help educate and raise awareness
exchange animals with each other. about wildlife among people from different
5. Conflicts between humans and wild animals are backgrounds.
still increasing. The Wildlife Protection Society of (paragraph 2)
Page 2 Sample Paper 09 Solutions CBSE 10th English
 iv. (b) Zoos provide breeding grounds for endangered
iii. How do zoos help children reconnect with nature, species and help protect them from extinction. v.
as mentioned in the passage? 2 (paragraph 3) True. Reuben David’s work in founding the
Ahmedabad zoo made significant contributions to
iv. Select the option that best explains why zoos are
wildlife conservation and research.
important for conservation : 1 (a) Zoos only focus on
iv. (B) Zoos allow animals to be bred in captivity and
entertaining visitors. (b) Zoos provide breeding
reintroduced into the wild.
grounds for endangered
vii. Two roles zoos play in wildlife protection and
species and help protect them from
education are :
extinction.
(paragraph (a) Zoos help in breeding endangered species to
6) protect them from extinction.
(b) Zoos provide education and raise awareness
v. State whether the following statement is True or about wildlife conservation to visitors.
False. 1 Reuben David’s efforts in creating the viii. (C) Investing in better habitats and care for
Ahmedabad zoo significantly contributed to animals.
wildlife conservation and research.
(paragraph 4)
vi. The writer mentions that shutting down zoos
could accelerate extinction. 1 Which of the 2. Read the following text. 10
following is a key reason for this? (A) Zoos 1. Air pollution is one of the leading environmental
protect animals from hunters. health risks, causing approximately 7 million
(B) Zoos allow animals to be bred in captivity deaths annually. Major sources of air pollution
and reintroduced into the wild. include emissions from vehicles, industrial
(C) Zoos entertain visitors and raise money for activities, and the burning of fossil fuels. The
wildlife protection. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that
(D) Zoos provide opportunities for visitors to 91% of the world’s population lives in areas
interact with animals. where air quality exceeds recommended limits.
(paragraph 6)
2. Fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, is
vii. List two roles zoos play in wildlife protection and especially harmful. These tiny particles can
education, as mentioned in the passage. 2 penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the
(paragraph 7) bloodstream, leading to respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown
viii. Fill in the blank with the correct option : 1 The
that a 10 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 levels is
focus should be on improving poorly maintained
associated with a 6% increase in the risk of
zoos by :
premature death.
(A) Banning all zoos worldwide.
(B) Closing zoos that don’t meet standards. (C) 3. In response to rising air pollution levels, many
Investing in better habitats and care for animals. cities are adopting measures such as promoting
(D) Moving animals to different countries. public transportation, reducing industrial
(paragraph emissions, and encouraging the use of
7) renewable energy. Countries that have
implemented stricter air quality standards have
Ans :
seen up to a 30% decrease in PM2.5 levels over
i. Zoos and wildlife parks are crucial because they the past decade.
are often the only places where people can
4. While these efforts have made progress, much
experience and connect with nature and wildlife
more needs to be done. Experts warn that
up close.
without global cooperation and stricter
ii. (b) They help educate and raise awareness about
regulations, air pollution related deaths could rise
wildlife among people from different backgrounds. iii.
by 50% by 2050.
Zoos help children reconnect with nature by allowing
them to see real animals, which brings their 5. Addressing air pollution is critical for protecting
imagination to life and sparks curiosity. This public health, reducing healthcare costs, and
connection can inspire some children to grow up and combating climate change. By adopting cleaner
become protectors of wildlife. technologies and more sustainable practices, the
 world can reduce the deadly impact of air pollution on both people and the planet.
CBSE 10th English Sample Paper 09 Solutions Page 3

vii. Complete the sentence suitably. 1 Air pollution

Answer the following questions, based on the
increases the risk of respiratory and
passage above.
cardiovascular diseases by _____.
i. What does the use of the phrase “leading viii. Complete the following with a suitable reason : 1
environmental health risks” by the writer, in Experts emphasize the importance of addressing
paragraph 1, tell us about the severity of air air pollution because _____.
pollution? 1
(A) The writer believes air pollution has no major ix. In the context of paragraph 5, why is addressing
health impact. air pollution critical for the future of public health
(B) The writer is highlighting air pollution as a and the environment? 2
significant global health threat. Ans :
(C) The writer is downplaying the seriousness of
air pollution. i. (B) The writer is highlighting air pollution as a
(D) The writer is unsure about the effects of air significant global health threat.
pollution. ii. (A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and
the reason is the correct explanation of the
ii. Select the option that is true for the assertion and assertion.
reason given below : 1 Assertion : Fine iii 91% of the world’s population lives in areas where
particulate matter (PM2.5) poses a major threat air quality exceeds recommended limits.
to public health. iv. Two main sources of air pollution are :
Reason : PM 2.5 particles can enter the (a) Emissions from vehicles.
bloodstream and increase the risk of respiratory (b) industrial activities and the burning of fossil
and cardiovascular diseases. fuels.
(A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and v. The percentage decrease in PM2.5 levels in
the reason is the correct explanation of the countries with stricter air quality standards is
assertion. 30%.
(B) Both the assertion and reason are true, but vi. Strategies to combat rising air pollution levels
the reason is not the correct explanation of include :
the assertion. (a) Promoting public transportation.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is (b) Reducing industrial emissions.
false. (D) The assertion is false, but the reason (c) Encouraging the use of renewable energy. vii.
is true. Air pollution increases the risk of respiratory and
cardiovascular diseases by allowing harmful PM2.5
iii. Identify the percentage of the world’s population particles to enter the lungs and bloodstream. viii.
that lives in areas where air quality exceeds Experts emphasize the importance of addressing air
recommended limits, as mentioned in the pollution because it directly affects public health,
passage. 1 increases healthcare costs, and contributes to
iv. According to the passage, what are two main climate change.
sources of air pollution? 1 ix. Addressing air pollution is critical for the future of
public health and the environment because
v. Read the given prompt and select the correct reducing pollution lowers the incidence of
option in the brackets to fill in the blank : 1 Efforts diseases, cuts healthcare costs, and helps
to reduce air pollution levels have been combat climate change. Without urgent action,
implemented in many countries, with positive air pollution
results. The percentage decrease in PM2.5 related deaths could rise by 50% by 2050,
levels in countries with stricter air quality creating even more severe consequences.
standards is _____ (10% / 20% / 30%).
SECTION B - WRITING SKILLS &
vi. What are some of the strategies mentioned in the
passage that cities are using to combat rising air GRAMMAR 20 GRAMMAR 10
pollution levels? 1
3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following
 tasks, as directed. The boys _____ to my lecture since 8 O’clock
this morning.
i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to
complete the sentence.
Page 4 Sample Paper 09 Solutions CBSE 10th English
blank with the correct option:
(A) were listening They met you at night after you _____ your
(B) have been listening work.
(C) had been listening (A) had finished
(D) None of these (B) have finished
Ans : (B) have been listening (C) finished
(D) will finish
ii. Read the conversation between a mother and her Ans : (A) had finished
daughter. Complete the sentence by reporting vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the
daughter’s reply correctly. word in the bracket.
Mother: Why are you looking so Chris, in addition to his brother Zack, _____
worried? Daughter: My exams are (play)hockey on Saturday.
approaching. Ans :
Mother asked her daughter why she was looking
plays.
very worried. The daughter replied that _____.
Ans :
vii. Report the dialogue between a doctor and a
her exams were approaching. patient, by completing the sentence:
Doctor : You should take this medicine every day.
iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the Patient : Should I take it before dinner or after
given line. dinner?
I _____ rather die than join the gang of terrorists. Doctor : No, you should take it after breakfast.
(A) could
(B) should The Doctor advised the patient that he should
(C) would take that medicine every day. The patient further
asked if he should take it before dinner or after
(D) can
dinner. The doctor replied negatively and then
Ans : (C) would said that _____.
Ans :
he should take it after breakfast.
iv. Select the option that identifies the error and
supplies the correction for the following line: A viii. Identify the error in the given sentence and
little political thinkers think that liberty and supply the correction.
equality can’t go together. Some guys like to fights on even playing
grounds, and some guys like to cheat.
Option No. Error Correction
Use the given format for your response.
(A) can’t couldn’t
Error Correction
(B) think thinks

(C) A little Some

(D) go goes
Ans :
Error Correction
Ans : (C) fights fight
v. Complete the given sentence, by filling in the
 My class teacher told me that I can work hard.
ix. Transform the following direct speech into
Use the given format for your response.
reported speech:
He asked, “Will you be coming?”
Error Correction
Ans :
He asked if/whether I would be coming.

x. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply

the correction.
CBSE 10th English Sample Paper 09 Solutions Page 5
Note : All details presented in the questions in writing
Ans : section are imaginary and created for assessment
Error Correction purpose.
4A. Write a letter to the Editor of “The Times of
can should India”, Delhi expressing your concern over the
increase in the rate of road accident, rash driving
and overcrowded road transport. You are Priya/
Priyanshu living at B-47 Avas Vikas, Mayur
xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration
Vihar, New Delhi.
of the dialogue between Radha and Shikha.
Radha : Do you know how to swim? Ans :
Shikha : Yes I know. I have learnt it during this B-47 Avas Vikas
summer vacation.
Mayur Vihar
Radha asked Shikha if/whether she knew how to New Delhi
swim. Then Shikha replied in affirmative and also 13 November, 20XX
added that _____. To,
(A) she had learnt it during the summer vacation
The Editor
(B) she has learnt it during the summer vacation
The Times of India
(C) she have learnt it during the summer
vacation (D) she had learn it during the summer New Delhi
vacation Subject: Increasing cases of road accidents,
rash driving and overcrowding.
Ans : (A) she had learnt it during the summer
vacation Sir,
Through the columns of your esteemed
xii. Identify the error and supply the correction, for newspaper, I wish to express the anguish of the
the following sentence: general public over the increasing number of
Every people went to welcome the Indian Cricket road accidents, cases of rash driving and the
team. problem of overcrowding in the buses.
Error Correction The bus drivers have no regard for the traffic
rules. They drive vary rash under the influence
of liquors. They even jump the red light signals
installed on the roads.
Still the private bus operators stop at
unauthorized stops. The uncontrollable speed
Ans : and race with other buses is the main cause of
accidents. They even overtake the other buses
Error Correction
for picking up more passengers. The conductors
Every Many pack their buses to suffocation. As a result,
ladies and old people are unable to get into the
buses.
It requires stricter watch on the part of the
WRITING 10 traffic police. More traffic police should be
 employed to check the violations of the traffic To,
rules. Proper road signals and road marks should
be marked. The surprise check by traffic police in The Principal,
civil dress can play an effective role in booking Govt. Senior Secondary School
the culprits. Buxer,
Yours truly 23rd January, 20XX
Priyanshu Subject : Application for leave for five
OR days Respected Sir,

4B. Write an application to your principal asking I am Neha from class 10th A. I beg to say that I
permission to remain absent from school for 5 will remain absent for the next 5 days on account
days on account of your brother’s marriage. of my brother’s marriage.

Ans :
Page 6 Sample Paper 09 Solutions CBSE 10th English
Region has a slightly more even distribution
My brother’s wedding is on 25th January, among the different products than the Western
20XX and as a younger sister, my presence at Region does. In the Eastern Region, the top two
the wedding is unavoidable. As a sister, I have so products are meat, making up 35% of total
agricultural production, and dairy, making up
many duties to be carried out in wedding and
30% of the total. Vegetables account 20% and
also, I am responsible to look after the
grain for 15% of agricultural production in that
arrangements for the wedding.
region. In the Western Region, the top two
So, I kindly request you to grant me 5 days products - grain and meat - account for 80% of
holiday that is from 24th to 28th of January. The the total agricultural production. Dairy makes up
wedding card is attached herewith for your 15% of the total, while vegetables are only 5% of
perusal. agricultural production in that part of the country.
Thanking you. Each region has a different approach to
Yours Sincerely, agricultural production. In the Eastern Region, it
is distributed among different products, while
Neha in the Western Region, it is concentrated more
5A. The charts below show agricultural production in heavily on two different types of products.
two different regions of the country. Write an
OR
analytical paragraph in about 120 words by
selecting and reporting the main features, and 5B. Given below is a newspaper report on the state
making comparisons where relevant. of cancer prevailing in India. You have been
asked to write an analytical paragraph on
‘Cancer - a silent killer’ Taking information from
the clipping given below together with your own
ideas, write this paragraph in about 120 words.
“In India, cities are more cancer-prone than rural
areas. In the early 1990’s, we expected one out
of 10-15 urban Indians to get cancer in their life
-time, that is every second or third family would
have to face this disease. This is partly due to
high levels of benzene in the air and also that the
metros are exposed to high levels of pesticides in
their foods. In order to check the steady growth
Ans : of cancer in the country, the Government shall
Agricultural Production in Two have to give priority to preventive action. At the
Different Regions of the Country same time measures to undertake improvement
in facilities for the treatment of cancer shall have
The pie charts show the different agricultural to be adopted.”
products raised in the western region and the
eastern region of a country. Each region Ans :
concentrates on different products. The Eastern State of Cancer Prevailing in India
 It is a matter of concern that our urban population First of all, we must ban the wide use of the
has become cancer-prone more than the rural pesticides. Excessive use of pesticides is really
population. It is very sad that every tenth person harmful for human health. In the developed
is likely to have cancer. It is due to high level of countries, much emphasis is being laid on
benzene in the air. It is also due to the high levels organic manure instead of the fertilizer. So we
of pesticides in the foods. Also highly radio-active have to introduce organic manure. Then crop
waves of the cell-phones etc., have also pattern needs to be changed. Besides this, a
contributed to this grave danger to human kind of public awareness programme will have to
population. To check this menace of cancer, the be undertaken. Public is to be awakened
Government shall have to give top-most priority towards the growth of cancer and its easy
to preventive actions. More facilities like detection. This would surely help in the
Diagnostic Centres and Cancer Hospitals need containing of this disease at its initial stages. If
to be created for the treatment of cancer cancer is detected and treated at the early
patients. There is a dire need to contain this stages, it can’t be fatal.
deadly disease by taking some urgent steps.
CBSE 10th English Sample Paper 09 Solutions Page 7

SECTION C - LITERATURE TEXTBOOK 40 B. I finished my poem, and it was beautiful! It was

about a mother duck and a father swan with three
6. Read the given extracts and answer ANY ONE baby ducklings who were bitten to death by the
of the two questions given below 5 A. I think he father because they quacked too much. Luckily,
knew I made a little money this way but he did not Mr: Keesing took the joke the right way. He read
seem to mind. Anil made money by fits and starts. the poem to the class, adding his own comments,
He would borrow one week, lend the next. He kept and to several other classes as well.
worrying about his next cheque, but as soon as it (From the Diary of Anne Frank)
arrived, he would go out and celebrate. It seems he
wrote for magazines-a queer way to make a living! i. Anne Frank says that ‘Mr. Keesing took the joke
(The Thief’s Story) the right way.’ What does she mean by this? (A)
Anne had turned the tables on her teacher. (B)
i. Why did ‘I’ feel that uniting for magazines was a
queer way to make a living? Answer in about 40 The teacher was already tired of her constant
words. jokes in class.
(C) Anne Frank had a nasty sense of humour.
ii. What effect does Anil’s behavior, as described in
the lines below, have on the narrator? (D) Students are not supposed to crack jokes on
He kept worrying about his next cheque, but as their teachers.
soon as it arrived, he would go out and celebrate.
ii. What had transpired between Mr. Keesing and
Choose the most suitable option.
Anne Frank for her to feel relieved on seeing his
(A) inspires response to her poem? Answer in about 40
(B) confuses words.
(C) amuses
(D) alarms iii. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the
bracket.
iii. The information in the extract suggests that Anil
could be a _____. The word ‘joke’ in the line “Luckily, Mr. Keesing
took the joke the right way” indicates that Mr.
iv. What did the narrator mean by ‘I made a little Keesing reacted _____ (positively/negatively).
money this way’?
iv. What does this extract tell us about Mr. Keesing
Ans : as a teacher? Mention two qualities.
i. ‘I’ (Hari Singh) was not an educated person, so he Ans :
could not understand what Anil wrote. He was
surprised to know that writing for magazines i. (A) Anne had turned the tables on her teacher. ii.
could be a profession and that people paid Anil Anne who talks a lot in class gets punished by her
for writing in magazines. Maths teacher, Mr Keesing.
ii. (C) amuses He asks her to write essays on the subject, ‘A
iii. freelancer Chatterbox’ as punishment thrice. She used her
 intelligence to outwit Mr. Keesing who on the squirm,
contrary, ended up accepting her jokes, her He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
talkative nature in the right spirit. Eventually, he (The Tale of Custard the
takes the jokes on his chin. Dragon)
iii. positively
iv. Mr. Keesing was jovial and quite creative in i. Fill the blank with one word.
handing over punishment tasks. Belinda paled and cried for help because she
was attacked by a pirate with a _____.
7. Read the given extracts and answer the
questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5 A. Ink ii. What is the significance of the use of the words:
trickled down to the bottom of the household fled, trickled down and mouseholed to describe
A little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed. the reactions of Belinda’s pets and how does this
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an word choice contribute to the overall situation in
engine, the poem? Answer in about 40 words.
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling
Page 8 Sample Paper 09 Solutions CBSE 10th English
To say that for destruction ice
iii. The words, ‘But up jumped Custard, snorting like Is also great
an engine’ show that _____. And would suffice.
(A) Custard was angry and ready to fight Ink and (Fire and Ice)
Blink. i. How can ‘Ice’ bring an end to the world? Answer in
(B) Custard was ready to move about 40 words.
energetically. (C) Custard was ready to
ii. What figure of speech is used in the first line of
attack the pirate. (D) Custard was clearing
the extract?
his throat.
iii. _____ can correctly replace the underlined
iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these phrase in the give line from the extract?
lines. I hold with those who favour fire.
Ans :
iv. Pick the option that is NOT TRUE about the poet
i. pistol according to the extract. The poet
ii. On seeing the pirate, Belinda’s pets ‘flee,’ trickle (A) is inclined to believe that the world would
down,’ or ‘mousehole’ themselves proving their most likely end with fire.
cowardice. The reader easily deduces it; the poet (B) has heard divided opinions about the way the
refrains from comment. This is in contrast to world would end in all likelihood.
their description at the beginning when they were
(C) preaches love and kindness to combat the
chasing lions and showing off ‘their rage. ‘it
spread of hate among all.
makes the situation ironic.
(D) declares the power of ice to be as destructive
iii. (C) Custard was ready to attack the pirate. iv. The
as that of fire.
poet has made great use of figurative language.
Similes like snorting like an engine, like irons in a Ans :
dungeon and, like a robin at a worm aptly describe i. In the given extract ‘Ice’ symbolises hatred. Hatred
the tension and the impending attack on the pirate. between countries can cause wars. Wars can
Words like snorting, clashed, clanked and, jangled bring total destruction and bring an end to the
are onomatopoeic and help making the world.
circumstance dramatic. ii. Imaginary is used in the first line of the extract. iii.
have the same opinion as
B. Some say the world will end in fire, iv. (C) preaches love and kindness to combat the
Some say in ice. spread of hate among all.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire. 8. AnswerANY FOUR of the following five
But if it had to perish twice, questions, in about 40-50 words. 4 3 12 # =
I think I know enough of hate
 too weak to support him. He had no courage to
i. What was the effect of hailstones on Lencho’s crop flap his wings. Even when each one of his
? brothers and sisters whose wings were much
(A Letter to God) shorter than his, ran to the brink of the ledge,
Ans : flapped their wings and flew away, he failed to
muster up courage to take that plunge.
For an hour, the hailstones rained on the house,
the garden, the hillside, and on Lencho’s iii. Why should the tiger snarl around houses at the
cornfield soon. The field turned white, as if edge of the forest ?
covered with salt. Not even a leaf remained on (A Tiger in the Zoo)
the trees and the corn crop of Lencho was totally
destroyed as the flowers were gone from the Ans :
plants. The tiger loves his natural habitat but human
beings are encroaching upon his habitat. So, he
ii. Young seagull tried to fly but he could not. Why tends to make his presence felt by showing his
was he afraid to fly ? fangs and claws. He wants to scare the people
(Two Stories About Flying) so that they learn to respect wildlife and their
Ans : habitat.

The young seagull felt certain that his wings were

CBSE 10th English Sample Paper 09 Solutions Page 9
from there. Max got convinced about the story
iv. What makes Chubukov misunderstand the and hence when someone knocked at the door,
purpose of Lomov’s visit? he ran towards the balcony to hide and died.
(The Proposal)
ii. Griffin’s brilliance as a man of science fades before
Ans : his darker traits. Comment.
Lomov came to Chubukov’s house in a formal (Footprints Without Feet)
dress. So, Chubukov thought that Lomov must Ans :
have come to borrow money as he had been
doing the same earlier. But the actual purpose of Griffin was a lawless person, he was disliked by
most people, was quick tempered, burnt the
his visit was to propose to his daughter. Thus,
house of the landlord to take a revenge on him,
Chubukov misunderstood the purpose of
stole money at priest’s house. Thus we can say
Lomov’s visit.
that he was undoubtedly brilliant scientist but his
v. “Money is external”. What does the poet mean by brilliance eclipsed by his negative traits.
this expression taken from ‘The Ball Poem’?
iii. What does Noodle tell Think-Tank about the
Ans : books?
By this expression the poet intends to make us (The Book that Saved the Earth)
realize the mere material value of money which Ans :
in no way helps us to understand the essential
worth of a commodity. In this world of Noodle hesitantly informed Think-Tank that the
books were a sort of communication device.
possessions, the value of money is only to buy
He told that he had seen surveyor films of those
things and this does not make us understand the
‘sandwiches’. He had noticed that the Earthlings
true value of things.
did not eat them. They used them as sort of
9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three communication device.
questions, in about 40-50 words. 23 6 # =
i. How did Ausable befool Max about the balcony?
(The Midnight Visitor)
Ans :
Ausable was a very intelligent spy agent. When 10. Answer
ANY ONE of the following two
he found Max waiting for him in his room, he questions, in about 100-120 words. 6
immediately thought of the plan. He told Max i. Gotami comes to Buddha praying to him to revive
that there is a balcony from where people enter her dead son. Buddha asks her to bring a handful
in his room that Max must have also entered of mustard seeds from a house where no one
 has lost a child, husband, parent or friend. escape death. The lights of the city flicker and
Through this simple act, Buddha communicates resemble the fate of men.
the most profound truth of life, not only to Gotami If a common man realizes that death is
but also to the whole mankind. What is the truth common to all, he will not weep on death and
that Buddha communicates? What lesson does never grieve on sorrows. He can get peace of
Gotami learn? What changes would take place in mind by drawing out the arrow of lamentation
a common man’s life if that truth is understood? from his heart. He who has overcome sorrows
(The Sermon at Benares) will be free from sorrows and be blessed.
Ans :
ii. “Difficulties do come in our lives, but they are not
The Buddha communicates the truth of life that there to stay forever.” Comment on this
death is common to all. The life of mortals, i.e. statement with reference to the poem ‘Fog’ by
human beings, is troubled, brief and combined Carl Sandburg.
with pain and untold sufferings. Nobody can
escape death. So, those who are born, will Ans :
certainly die one day. Hence, we should not When people face difficulties in their lives, at the
grieve on death. end, these problems tend to leave them hopeless
Kisa Gotami learns the lesson that death is and shattered. It takes a lot of courage for
the ultimate truth of life. She could not find any anyone to overcome their problems and to even
house where no one had ever died. She now try to
realized that death comes to all. No one can
Page 10 Sample Paper 09 Solutions CBSE 10th English
goal he was helped by many people in his
solve it. But if we take a lesson from this poem journey, especially his mother whose
‘Fog’ and compare our difficulties to a fog, we contribution is commendable. He had patiently
find that just like a fog, the difficulties also come waited for almost a year to study butterflies’
and go. They are not a permanent resident in migration. This shows that he never stopped
our lives and hence, don’t stay forever. midway and finally became a great scientist.
There is no need for us to become hopeless
ii. Give a brief character sketch of Mrs. Pumphrey.
and lose courage when are faced with problems.
What values are reflected through her character ? (A
We should rather try to think of those difficulties Triumph of Surgery)
or problems as a fog, meaning that think of it as
something that has not come to stay for long, but Ans :
something will always leave, like every other bad Mrs. Pumphrey was a rich lady with a lot of love
period of our lives. for pet dog, Tricki. She loved to live comfortably
in a luxurious way. She took an extra care of
11. Answer
ANY ONE of the following two Tricki by overfeeding him. She was not very
questions, in about 100-120 words. 6 intelligent as she was not able to make out that
the excess of weight and the fur coats do not
i. Albert Einstein said, ‘The important thing is to allow the dog to move and play. She thought that
never stop questioning.’ Richard was a genius her loving pet was serious. She was so fond of
who proved this quote true. Justify. her dog that she had got a wardrobe separate
(The Making of a Scientist) for daytime and night-time beds, and a number
of lovely fur coats. She pampered Tricki by
Ans : giving him the food, that
Surely, this statement is true in the case of should not be given to a dog. She was really a
Richard Ebright because he always kept himself loving lady as the news about the surgery of her
busy in constructive experiments since his early pet dog shocked her and her eyes brimmed with
childhood. Richard had a habit of asking tears. She could not refuse delicious and
questions about new things and his mother favourite food to Tricki which made him
answered all his questions in the most satisfying overweight and inactive. Even in the hospital,
manner. This question and answer round turned she sent him eggs and brandy. Her fondness for
into a habit in Richard and he kept on probing the dog and extra care showed that she had
things. His scientific bent of mind led him to motherly attitude towards Tricki.
carry on experiments after experiment and reach
a purposeful conclusion. Although to reach his