Class X English Language & Literature - Practice Paper
Time: 3 Hours Maximum Marks: 40
General Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. Attempt all parts of a question together.
3. Adhere to the prescribed word limit wherever applicable.
SECTION A – READING (8 Marks)
Q1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Life is a journey with highs and lows, moments of joy and phases of challenge. In the age of
social media, comparing our behind-the-scenes with others’ highlight reels can cause
unnecessary stress. Many forget that photographs and posts rarely show the full reality.
True happiness comes when we focus on our own path and celebrate personal growth,
rather than constantly comparing ourselves to others.
Contentment is not about giving up ambition, but about appreciating what you have while
working towards your goals. When we practice gratitude daily, we build a shield against
feelings of envy and resentment. Over time, this habit changes our mindset and allows us to
genuinely celebrate others’ success without feeling threatened.
On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions:
i) What does the author mean by 'highlight reels'?
ii) State one negative effect of comparing ourselves to others on social media.
iii) What does contentment mean according to the passage?
iv) How does gratitude act as a 'shield'?
v) Give one word from the passage that means 'satisfaction'.
vi) TRUE/FALSE: The passage suggests that ambition and contentment cannot coexist.
vii) Which phrase in the passage means 'moments of difficulty'?
viii) In about 30 words, explain how contentment can help in personal growth.
SECTION B – GRAMMAR & WRITING (12 Marks)
Q2. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in brackets:
a) My cousin __________ in London for the last three years. (live)
b) By the time we reached the theatre, the movie __________. (start)
Q3. Rewrite the sentence in reported speech:
She said to me, "I will help you with your homework tomorrow."
Q4. The following sentence has an error. Identify the error and write the correct sentence:
He don’t like going out in the rain.
Q5. Complete the dialogue:
Ravi: Where are you going this weekend?
Meena: ___________________________
Q6. You are Neha Sharma, a resident of 45, Green Park, New Delhi. Write a letter to the
Editor of a national daily expressing concern about the increasing noise pollution in your
area and suggesting measures to control it. (Word limit: 100-120 words)
SECTION C – LITERATURE (20 Marks)
Q7. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
“But he’s locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.”
i) Who is 'he' in the above lines?
ii) What does 'strength behind bars' suggest?
iii) Name the poem and the poet.
Q8. Answer any four of the following questions in 40-50 words each:
a) What does the poem 'Fire and Ice' say about the destructive powers of human emotions?
b) How does the crow and the hemlock tree change the poet's mood in 'Dust of Snow'?
c) Why did the young lady trick Horace Danby in 'A Question of Trust'?
d) How did Dr Herriot treat Tricki in 'A Triumph of Surgery'?
e) What does Mandela mean when he says that the oppressor must be liberated just as
surely as the oppressed?
Q9. Answer any one of the following in 100-120 words:
a) Imagine you are Lencho from 'A Letter to God'. Write a diary entry about how you felt
after receiving the letter with money.
b) The story 'Footprints without Feet' shows that invisibility can be both a blessing and a
curse. Discuss with reference to Griffin’s experience.
