Sample Paper – 2009
Class – XSubject – Communicative English
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
This paper consists of four SectionsSection A-Reading — 20 marksSection B-Writing — 30 marksSection C-Grammar — 20 marksSection D-Literature — 30 marks
INSTRUCTIONS:
Attempt all questions.
Do not write anything in the question paper.
All the answers must be correctly numbered as in the question paper and written in the answer sheet provided to you.
Attempt all questions in each Section before going on to the next Section.
Read each question carefully and follow the instructions.
Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each question Mai ks will be deducted for exceeding the word limit.
SECTION - A(READING) (20 marks)
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (8 marks)
The Sparrow’s Nest
Hey, only look what I have found!
A Sparrow’s nest upon the ground;
A Sparrow’s nest as you may see,
Blown out of yonder old elm tree.
And what a medley thing it is!
I never saw a nest like this,
Not neatly wove with decent care,
Of silvery moss and shining hair
But put together, odds and ends,
Picked up from enemies and friends
See, bits of thread, and bits of rag,
Just like a little rubbish bag!
Here is a scrap of red and brown,
Like the old washer-woman’s gown;
And here is muslin, pink and green,
And bits of calico between;
O never thinks the lady fair,
As she goes by with mincing air,
How the pert Sparrow over-head,
Has robbed her gown to make its bed!
See, hair of dog and fur of cat, -
And rovings of a worsted mat,
And shreds of silks, and many a feather,
Compacted cunningly together.
Well, here has hoarding been and hiving,
And not a little good contriving,
Before a home of peace and ease
Was fashioned out of things like these!
1.1 Answer the following questions based on the poem above: (4 marks)
What did the poet find on the ground one day (1)
Where did the poet think it had come from? (1)
Why does the poet compare it to a ‘little rubbish bag’? (1)
Pick out a simile from the poem. (1)
1.2 Write down what the sparrow picked up to make its nest: Find six other things and number them (b) to (g). The first one has been done as an example. (1/2 x 6 = 3 marks)
(a) Silvery moss and shining hair.
1.3 What does the poet mean by ‘Compacted cunningly together’? (1 mark)
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 marks)
Men and their activities have affected nature in a very significant manner.
Melting ice and warming waters have raised average sea level worldwide by more than an inch since 1995 new data from space satellites and robotic submarines have revealed
That s twice as fast as the rate the oceans rose during the previous 50 years ocean experts said If the current rate continues or accelerates as they say is likely the world s seas will rise at least a foot by the end of this century causing widespread flooding and erosion of islands and low-lying coastal areas.
“Even a small change will matter to a whole lot of coastal people. If 15 percent of the Greenland ice sheet were to melt, much of South Florida would be underwater,” said Richard Alley, a geoscientist. The rise in the sea level was caused by a recent speed-up in the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, especially in Greenland and Antarctica, due to global warming, another serious man-made problem threatening the world with severe consequences.
Humans have significantly affected the flow of half of the world’s major rivers by building dams according to the first detailed global assessment of the activity s impact.
Another study shows that dam building among other human actions has altered the amount of sediment that rivers carry to the coast with implications for marine ecology fisheries and coastal erosion.
The first study led by Christer Nilsson of the Landscape Ecology Group at Umea University Sweden assessed the extent to which dams affect 292 large river systems. These rivers drain 54 percent of the world’s land area and carry 60 percent of the planet’s river-water.
Previous surveys had only looked at rivers in the northern hemisphere. Nilsson and colleagues added to this collection new data from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Australasia.
The team found that river flow has been strongly affected in four of the world’s ten largest river systems and moderately affected in the other six.
Fragmenting river systems and controlling their flow with dams has well-known potential impacts on the ecology of rivers. Among other effects, dams disrupt the migration of animals up- and downstream, an impact that has been linked to the extinction of species of freshwater fish.
While areas upstream of dams are flooded to create reservoirs, wetlands downstream can dry out and the fertility of flood plain soil can decline.
Geoscientists insist that the severe ecological effects of building dams need to be accounted for in global planning for sustainable river management. They note that large dams are planned or under construction in 46 large river systems, 40 of which are in developing countries which need to take precautionary steps.
Almost half of these new dams will be on just four rivers: China’s Chang Jiang (also known as the Jangtze River), where 49 new dams are planned, the Rio de Ia Plata in Latin America (29 new dams), the Shatt Al Arab in the Middle East (26 new dams), and the Ganges-Brahmaputra in South Asia (25 new dams).
2.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage answer the following questions:(8 marks)
Which two factors have caused the rise in the average sea level? (1)
How is this rise being monitored? (1)
What will happen if this is not checked? (1)
How is man responsible for this rise in the sea level? (1)
How has the construction of dams affected rivers? (1)
Which two negative effects of dams are mentioned in the text? (2)
Which of the dams being planned can affect India? (1)
2.2 Find words in the passage which mean the same as the following from the paragraphs indicated? (4 marks)
To make something empty or dry by removing all the liquid from it (Para 6) (1)
An investigative general study (Para 7) (1)
Breaking into small pieces or parts (Para 9) (1)
Connected with the relation of plants and living creatures to each other and to their environment (Para 11) (1)
SECTION - B(WRITING) (30 marks)
3. You are Geeta/Girish who stays in a hostel and shares a room with Anita/Anish, your classmate. You have to leave suddenly on receiving news that your grandmother is unwell in the village. Draft a message in not more than 50 words telling your roommate why and where you are going and that you will be back in 10 days. Also request him/her to return your library book to the library. (5 marks)
4. You are Heena/Hiten, the Coordinator of the Newspaper in Education Scheme. You are organising a talk by David Crystal, Professor of English, Cambridge University, UK in which entry will be on first come first served basis. Write a notice, in not more than 50 words, mentioning details of date, time, venue etc. (5 marks)
5. You are Neha/Nitin. You happen to see the following report in a newspaper:
Exercise is the key to good health. Most people think that they have got to go to fashionable gyms and do a workout in order to remain fit and healthy. Many follow strict diets so that they can keep a check on their weight. But what they don’t realize is that walking and yoga are the easiest, the cheapest and the best ways to remain fit and healthy.
Using the above information and your own ideas and also the ideas from the unit on ‘Health’, write an advisory article for your school magazine on the benefits of walking, yoga and a balanced diet, including a few dos and don’ts. Your article must be in about 200 words. (10 marks)
6. Look at the histogram given below giving details of the disasters faced by people, especially the children in India who are most affected:
Number of Children Surviving Various Disasters
Children haunted with fear, out of the 16,818 surveyed:
1,093 — live in general fear110 — withdrawn socially20 - become deaf1,164 — can’t concentrate
16 — don’t speak460 — can’t sleep at21 — become blind
117 — refuse to go to school
839 — fear water and sound43 — become asthmatic566 — have frequent headache and stomach-ache276 — are in shock
Write a report for a newspaper requesting the attention. of agencies which have been Involved in disaster management programmes to provide aid for these children so that they may be helped to get rid of these unhealthy fears and learn to live normal lives once again. Your report should be in 150-200 words. (10 marks)
SECTION – C(GRAMMAR) (20 marks)
7. Harikesh was witness to a robbery in his locality. He is being interviewed by Lokesh, a reporter for the Crime Page. Complete the dialogue given below in a suitable way. Write the answers against the correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole sentences. (1 x 4 = 4marks)
Lokesh : So Harikesh, you saw the robber snatch the bag from the old lady.Which (a) …………………………………..?Harikesh : He ran towards the railway line. I saw him jumping into a carriage.Lokesh : Was (b) ……………………………………?Harikesh : No, it was not moving. I also jumped into it.Lokesh : Were (c) ……………………………………….?Harikesh : No, I was not afraid. I have seen it happening in films many times.Lokesh : Why (d) ………………………………………….? He could have hurt you.
8. Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The following has been done as an example. Write the answers against the correct numbers. (1 X 3 = 3 marks)
Example— an / my / has written / teacher I novel / exciting My teacher has written an exciting novel.
a / incurred / in business / he / heavy loss / year / last
of I very fast / life / the pace / these days / is
cause / life and property / to / often / earthquakes / great damage
9. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. The first one has been done as an example. (1/2 x 8 = 4 marks)
Incorrect Correct
The rhododendron is common the Himalayan at in
Ranges, particularly in a Shimla Hills. It is (a) ……… ……………
a large shrub or tree which attaining a height of (b) ………. ……………
about 40 ft. The leaves is 4-6 inches long, (c) ……… …………….distinctly veined and whitish beneath.
Its flowers is in dense clusters and are of (d) ………… ……………
red colour. It flowers in the Himalayas since (e) …………. …………….
March to May, which hill-sides are a scarlet (f) …………. ……………
gleam. Flowers are acidic in taste while are used (g) ………… .. ………….
for chutney making for the hill people. (h) …………….. ……………..
10. Shobha is a reporter for The Hindu. She made some notes for a report on an accident. Complete the report by using phrases, each in its suitable form, from the box below. Do not add any new information. Write only the correct answer against the correct blank number in your answer sheet. (1 x 5 = 5 marks)
stop red light — truck — uncontrollable — drives onto footpath — runs over 6 sleeping children — killed on the spot.
During the early hours of this morning (a) ………………….speed did not (b) …………… The truck (c) …..... ............... and (d) …………… who were (e) ………………….. .
11. Use the information in the headlines to complete the news items given below Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers Do not copy the whole sentences. (1 x 4 = 4 marks)
SCHOOL STUDENTS’ POLIO CAMP GREAT SUCCESSThe school children organized ………………………………….
POWER SHUT DOWN LEADS TO ANGRY STREET DEMONSTRATIONSDue to power shut down ………………………………………………
HEAVY RAIN STOPS TSUNAMI RESCUE OPERATIONSRescue operations …………………………………………………….
HOSPITALS GEAR UP TO MEET EMERGENCYHospitals are …………………………………………………………..
SECTION D12. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. (4 marks)
Thou dirgeOf the dying year, to which this closing nightWill be the dome of a vast sepulchre,Vaulted with all thy congregated mightOf vapours, from whose solid atmosphere Black rain, and fire, and hail will burst: Oh hear!
Why is the West Wind referred to as a ‘dirge’? (1)
What is the closing night called? (1)
How does the poet describe the might of the ‘West Wind’? (1)
Explain: ‘thy congregated might of vapours’. (1)
13. The ‘Night of The Scorpion’ is a poignant description of a mother’s selfless love. Explain. Write your answer in 75-100 words. (5 marks)
14. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. (5 marks)
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!Thou art the ruins of the noblest manThat ever lived in the tide of times.Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
Who is referred to as ‘a bleeding piece of earth’? (1)
When does Antony speak these lines? (1)
Who are ‘these butchers’? Why does he call them so? (2)
What does Antony mean by ‘this costly blood’? (1)
15.Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only: (4 marks)
“Oh!” the nightingale confessed.Greatly flattered and impressed That a critic of such noteHad discussed her art and throat:“I don’t think the song’s divine.But—oh, well—at least it’s mine.”
Who was the critic? (1)
Why was the nightingale so impressed by him? (1)
What does the nightingale mean by saying “at least it’s mine”? (1)
What happens to the nightingale at the end? (1)
16. How was Cutie Pie captured? Write your answer in 50-75 words. (4 marks)
17. You are Babuli. You are very unhappy about the partition. Write a letter to your friend expressing your feelings and apprehensions about what your relations would be with your brothers after the partition. Your answer should be in about 150-1 75 words. (8 marks)
Class – XSubject – Communicative English
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
This paper consists of four SectionsSection A-Reading — 20 marksSection B-Writing — 30 marksSection C-Grammar — 20 marksSection D-Literature — 30 marks
INSTRUCTIONS:
Attempt all questions.
Do not write anything in the question paper.
All the answers must be correctly numbered as in the question paper and written in the answer sheet provided to you.
Attempt all questions in each Section before going on to the next Section.
Read each question carefully and follow the instructions.
Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each question Mai ks will be deducted for exceeding the word limit.
SECTION - A(READING) (20 marks)
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (8 marks)
The Sparrow’s Nest
Hey, only look what I have found!
A Sparrow’s nest upon the ground;
A Sparrow’s nest as you may see,
Blown out of yonder old elm tree.
And what a medley thing it is!
I never saw a nest like this,
Not neatly wove with decent care,
Of silvery moss and shining hair
But put together, odds and ends,
Picked up from enemies and friends
See, bits of thread, and bits of rag,
Just like a little rubbish bag!
Here is a scrap of red and brown,
Like the old washer-woman’s gown;
And here is muslin, pink and green,
And bits of calico between;
O never thinks the lady fair,
As she goes by with mincing air,
How the pert Sparrow over-head,
Has robbed her gown to make its bed!
See, hair of dog and fur of cat, -
And rovings of a worsted mat,
And shreds of silks, and many a feather,
Compacted cunningly together.
Well, here has hoarding been and hiving,
And not a little good contriving,
Before a home of peace and ease
Was fashioned out of things like these!
1.1 Answer the following questions based on the poem above: (4 marks)
What did the poet find on the ground one day (1)
Where did the poet think it had come from? (1)
Why does the poet compare it to a ‘little rubbish bag’? (1)
Pick out a simile from the poem. (1)
1.2 Write down what the sparrow picked up to make its nest: Find six other things and number them (b) to (g). The first one has been done as an example. (1/2 x 6 = 3 marks)
(a) Silvery moss and shining hair.
1.3 What does the poet mean by ‘Compacted cunningly together’? (1 mark)
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: (12 marks)
Men and their activities have affected nature in a very significant manner.
Melting ice and warming waters have raised average sea level worldwide by more than an inch since 1995 new data from space satellites and robotic submarines have revealed
That s twice as fast as the rate the oceans rose during the previous 50 years ocean experts said If the current rate continues or accelerates as they say is likely the world s seas will rise at least a foot by the end of this century causing widespread flooding and erosion of islands and low-lying coastal areas.
“Even a small change will matter to a whole lot of coastal people. If 15 percent of the Greenland ice sheet were to melt, much of South Florida would be underwater,” said Richard Alley, a geoscientist. The rise in the sea level was caused by a recent speed-up in the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, especially in Greenland and Antarctica, due to global warming, another serious man-made problem threatening the world with severe consequences.
Humans have significantly affected the flow of half of the world’s major rivers by building dams according to the first detailed global assessment of the activity s impact.
Another study shows that dam building among other human actions has altered the amount of sediment that rivers carry to the coast with implications for marine ecology fisheries and coastal erosion.
The first study led by Christer Nilsson of the Landscape Ecology Group at Umea University Sweden assessed the extent to which dams affect 292 large river systems. These rivers drain 54 percent of the world’s land area and carry 60 percent of the planet’s river-water.
Previous surveys had only looked at rivers in the northern hemisphere. Nilsson and colleagues added to this collection new data from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Australasia.
The team found that river flow has been strongly affected in four of the world’s ten largest river systems and moderately affected in the other six.
Fragmenting river systems and controlling their flow with dams has well-known potential impacts on the ecology of rivers. Among other effects, dams disrupt the migration of animals up- and downstream, an impact that has been linked to the extinction of species of freshwater fish.
While areas upstream of dams are flooded to create reservoirs, wetlands downstream can dry out and the fertility of flood plain soil can decline.
Geoscientists insist that the severe ecological effects of building dams need to be accounted for in global planning for sustainable river management. They note that large dams are planned or under construction in 46 large river systems, 40 of which are in developing countries which need to take precautionary steps.
Almost half of these new dams will be on just four rivers: China’s Chang Jiang (also known as the Jangtze River), where 49 new dams are planned, the Rio de Ia Plata in Latin America (29 new dams), the Shatt Al Arab in the Middle East (26 new dams), and the Ganges-Brahmaputra in South Asia (25 new dams).
2.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage answer the following questions:(8 marks)
Which two factors have caused the rise in the average sea level? (1)
How is this rise being monitored? (1)
What will happen if this is not checked? (1)
How is man responsible for this rise in the sea level? (1)
How has the construction of dams affected rivers? (1)
Which two negative effects of dams are mentioned in the text? (2)
Which of the dams being planned can affect India? (1)
2.2 Find words in the passage which mean the same as the following from the paragraphs indicated? (4 marks)
To make something empty or dry by removing all the liquid from it (Para 6) (1)
An investigative general study (Para 7) (1)
Breaking into small pieces or parts (Para 9) (1)
Connected with the relation of plants and living creatures to each other and to their environment (Para 11) (1)
SECTION - B(WRITING) (30 marks)
3. You are Geeta/Girish who stays in a hostel and shares a room with Anita/Anish, your classmate. You have to leave suddenly on receiving news that your grandmother is unwell in the village. Draft a message in not more than 50 words telling your roommate why and where you are going and that you will be back in 10 days. Also request him/her to return your library book to the library. (5 marks)
4. You are Heena/Hiten, the Coordinator of the Newspaper in Education Scheme. You are organising a talk by David Crystal, Professor of English, Cambridge University, UK in which entry will be on first come first served basis. Write a notice, in not more than 50 words, mentioning details of date, time, venue etc. (5 marks)
5. You are Neha/Nitin. You happen to see the following report in a newspaper:
Exercise is the key to good health. Most people think that they have got to go to fashionable gyms and do a workout in order to remain fit and healthy. Many follow strict diets so that they can keep a check on their weight. But what they don’t realize is that walking and yoga are the easiest, the cheapest and the best ways to remain fit and healthy.
Using the above information and your own ideas and also the ideas from the unit on ‘Health’, write an advisory article for your school magazine on the benefits of walking, yoga and a balanced diet, including a few dos and don’ts. Your article must be in about 200 words. (10 marks)
6. Look at the histogram given below giving details of the disasters faced by people, especially the children in India who are most affected:
Number of Children Surviving Various Disasters
Children haunted with fear, out of the 16,818 surveyed:
1,093 — live in general fear110 — withdrawn socially20 - become deaf1,164 — can’t concentrate
16 — don’t speak460 — can’t sleep at21 — become blind
117 — refuse to go to school
839 — fear water and sound43 — become asthmatic566 — have frequent headache and stomach-ache276 — are in shock
Write a report for a newspaper requesting the attention. of agencies which have been Involved in disaster management programmes to provide aid for these children so that they may be helped to get rid of these unhealthy fears and learn to live normal lives once again. Your report should be in 150-200 words. (10 marks)
SECTION – C(GRAMMAR) (20 marks)
7. Harikesh was witness to a robbery in his locality. He is being interviewed by Lokesh, a reporter for the Crime Page. Complete the dialogue given below in a suitable way. Write the answers against the correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole sentences. (1 x 4 = 4marks)
Lokesh : So Harikesh, you saw the robber snatch the bag from the old lady.Which (a) …………………………………..?Harikesh : He ran towards the railway line. I saw him jumping into a carriage.Lokesh : Was (b) ……………………………………?Harikesh : No, it was not moving. I also jumped into it.Lokesh : Were (c) ……………………………………….?Harikesh : No, I was not afraid. I have seen it happening in films many times.Lokesh : Why (d) ………………………………………….? He could have hurt you.
8. Look at the words and phrases given below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences. The following has been done as an example. Write the answers against the correct numbers. (1 X 3 = 3 marks)
Example— an / my / has written / teacher I novel / exciting My teacher has written an exciting novel.
a / incurred / in business / he / heavy loss / year / last
of I very fast / life / the pace / these days / is
cause / life and property / to / often / earthquakes / great damage
9. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. The first one has been done as an example. (1/2 x 8 = 4 marks)
Incorrect Correct
The rhododendron is common the Himalayan at in
Ranges, particularly in a Shimla Hills. It is (a) ……… ……………
a large shrub or tree which attaining a height of (b) ………. ……………
about 40 ft. The leaves is 4-6 inches long, (c) ……… …………….distinctly veined and whitish beneath.
Its flowers is in dense clusters and are of (d) ………… ……………
red colour. It flowers in the Himalayas since (e) …………. …………….
March to May, which hill-sides are a scarlet (f) …………. ……………
gleam. Flowers are acidic in taste while are used (g) ………… .. ………….
for chutney making for the hill people. (h) …………….. ……………..
10. Shobha is a reporter for The Hindu. She made some notes for a report on an accident. Complete the report by using phrases, each in its suitable form, from the box below. Do not add any new information. Write only the correct answer against the correct blank number in your answer sheet. (1 x 5 = 5 marks)
stop red light — truck — uncontrollable — drives onto footpath — runs over 6 sleeping children — killed on the spot.
During the early hours of this morning (a) ………………….speed did not (b) …………… The truck (c) …..... ............... and (d) …………… who were (e) ………………….. .
11. Use the information in the headlines to complete the news items given below Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers Do not copy the whole sentences. (1 x 4 = 4 marks)
SCHOOL STUDENTS’ POLIO CAMP GREAT SUCCESSThe school children organized ………………………………….
POWER SHUT DOWN LEADS TO ANGRY STREET DEMONSTRATIONSDue to power shut down ………………………………………………
HEAVY RAIN STOPS TSUNAMI RESCUE OPERATIONSRescue operations …………………………………………………….
HOSPITALS GEAR UP TO MEET EMERGENCYHospitals are …………………………………………………………..
SECTION D12. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. (4 marks)
Thou dirgeOf the dying year, to which this closing nightWill be the dome of a vast sepulchre,Vaulted with all thy congregated mightOf vapours, from whose solid atmosphere Black rain, and fire, and hail will burst: Oh hear!
Why is the West Wind referred to as a ‘dirge’? (1)
What is the closing night called? (1)
How does the poet describe the might of the ‘West Wind’? (1)
Explain: ‘thy congregated might of vapours’. (1)
13. The ‘Night of The Scorpion’ is a poignant description of a mother’s selfless love. Explain. Write your answer in 75-100 words. (5 marks)
14. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. (5 marks)
O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!Thou art the ruins of the noblest manThat ever lived in the tide of times.Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!
Who is referred to as ‘a bleeding piece of earth’? (1)
When does Antony speak these lines? (1)
Who are ‘these butchers’? Why does he call them so? (2)
What does Antony mean by ‘this costly blood’? (1)
15.Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only: (4 marks)
“Oh!” the nightingale confessed.Greatly flattered and impressed That a critic of such noteHad discussed her art and throat:“I don’t think the song’s divine.But—oh, well—at least it’s mine.”
Who was the critic? (1)
Why was the nightingale so impressed by him? (1)
What does the nightingale mean by saying “at least it’s mine”? (1)
What happens to the nightingale at the end? (1)
16. How was Cutie Pie captured? Write your answer in 50-75 words. (4 marks)
17. You are Babuli. You are very unhappy about the partition. Write a letter to your friend expressing your feelings and apprehensions about what your relations would be with your brothers after the partition. Your answer should be in about 150-1 75 words. (8 marks)
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