CBSE English X
Sample Paper 21 Page 1
Sample Paper 21
Class X Exam 2022-23
English-Language and Literature (184)
Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
2. The Question Paper contains THREE sections READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
3. Attempt question based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION A- READING SKILLS 20
I. Read the passage given below. 10
1. The trip to the tiny island of Sriharikota in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday to cover
the launch of Chandrayaan-1 revived memories of my visit to India’s spaceport more than two decades
ago as a cub science reporter. It was my first trip ever to cover a satellite launch, way back in 1987.
2. On March 24, the first flight of the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) was scheduled for lift-
off. A small contingent of correspondents—mostly from Chennai and Bangalore—was taken by ISRO
to cover the event, supposed to take India a step ahead from its first generation launch vehicle, the SLV.
Everybody was seated in a small conference room, which had a moderate size screen on which images
from mission control were being shown.
3. The countdown was perfect and the rocket lifted off. All of us rushed outside to see it rise with naked
eyes. But as soon as the launch vehicle lifted, it crashed along with the 136 kg. Satellite of the Rohini
series it was carrying. We could see the rocket burn up into pieces and go down within seconds in the
Bay of Bengal, leaving a trail of thick smoke in the sky.
4. The launch was crucial for ISRO as the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had himself come down to
witness it. When we rushed back to the conference room, the screen was blank and the transmission had
been stopped. However, ISRO went ahead with the press briefing, which was attended by Gandhi as
well.
5. He tried to console ISRO chief, U.R. Rao, by saying that failures are part of development and necessary
for success. Rajiv Gandhi was the first prime minister to be present during a satellite launch. Since then,
only one prime minister, I.K. Gujral, witnessed a launch. That was the first operational flight of the
PSLV in 1997.
6. The second flight of ASLV was planned within a year. I was once again deputed to cover the event on
July 13, 1988. This time it was a low-key affair and no dignitaries were present. The same drill was
followed. To my horror, the second flight of ASLV also ended in a disaster. Once again, we were witness
to the disintegration of the rocket soon after it was launched. The third flight of ASLV in 1992 was
successful, but I could not cover it as I had already moved to Delhi.
7. After one more flight, ISRO abandoned ASLV and moved on to the Polar Space Launch Vehicle (PSLV),
Though the PSLV’s first development flight in 1993 also ended in failure, it has since become ISRO’s
workhorse vehicle.
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Page 2 Sample Paper 21 CBSE English X
8. Watching the countdown in the Brahma Prakash Hall on Wednesday, in the presence of hundreds of
media persons, I realized that ISRO had indeed come a long way and put its failures behind it.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
i. Why does the writer say that ISRO had indeed come a long way and put its failures behind it?
(a) ISRO has lots of successful launches to its credit now.
(b) ISRO owes its success to PSLV.
(c) Both ASLV and PSLV added to ISRO’s experience.
(d) ISRO has the support of the government.
ii. Select the option that corresponds to the following relation below :
Sriharikota in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh is a ‘spaceport’ _____.
(a) Because it is also an airport.
(b) Because it is used for teleporting.
(c) It is used by ships as a port for trade and by rockets for space passengers.
(d) It is a launch pad for satellites and rockets much like an airport is for airplanes.
iii. Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the following.
However, ISRO went ahead with the press briefing, which was attended by Mr. Rajiv Gandhi as well.
(Para 4)
(a) conviction (b) professionalism
(c) dedication (d) courage
iv. Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph.
Opinion Reason
_______ Greater than before or more intense
v. The writer compares of the disintegration of the ASLV with the failed launch in the following line. Once
again, we were witness to the disintegration of the rocket soon after it was launched. (Para 6)
State one point of similarity between disintegration of the ASLV and failure of the scientists.
vi. Based on your reading of the text, list two reasons why does the writer say that ‘The launch of the ASLV
was crucial for ISRO’?
1. __________
2. __________
vii. What connect did the Prime Minister draw between the rocket burning up into pieces and success?
viii. The writer says, “The second flight of ASLV was planned within a year. I was once again deputed to
cover the event on July 13, 1988. This time it was a low-key affair and no dignitaries were present”.
(Para 6) Sum up this contrasting attitude or approach.
(a) directive (b) wary
(c) superstition (d) judicious
viii. Supply 1 point to justify the following: the first flight of the ASLV had failed but the failure had not
dented ISRO’s never-say-die attitude.
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CBSE English X Sample Paper 21 Page 3
x. Evaluate the INAPPROPRIATE reason for the writer calling himself a ‘cub science reporter’?
(a) Because Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh is a tiny island
(b) Because it was his first visit to India’s spaceport
(c) Because he was covering cover a satellite launch for the first time
(d) Because he was inexperienced
II. Read the passage given below.
1. Air pollution affects health seriously. Of the most polluted 30 cities in the world, 21 were in India in
2019. As per a 2016 study, at least 140 million Indians breathe air that is 10 times or more over the WHO
safe limit and 13 of the world’s 20 cities with the highest annual levels of air pollution are in India.
2. Air pollution kills 2 million Indians prematurely every year. Emissions come from vehicles and industry,
whereas in rural areas, much of the pollution stems from biomass burning for cooking and keeping
warm. In autumn and winter months, large scale crop residue burning in farms — a cheaper alternative
to mechanical tilling — is a major source of smoke, smog and particulate pollution.
3. India has a low per capita emissions of greenhouse gases but the country as a whole is the third largest
greenhouse gas producer after China and the United States. A 2013 study on non-smokers has found that
have 30% have weaker lung function than Europeans.
4. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 has failed to reduce or regulate pollution because
of poor enforcement of the rules.
5. In 2015, GOI, together with IIT Kanpur launched the National Air Quality Index. In 2019, India launched
‘The National Clean Air Programme’ with tentative national target of 20%- 30% reduction in PM2.5 and
PM10 concentrations by 2024, considering 2017 as the base year for comparison. It will be rolled out in
102 cities that are considered to have air quality worse than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
6. There are other initiatives such as a 1,600 kilometre-long and 5 kilometre-wide The Great Green Wall of
Aravalli — an ecological corridor along Aravalli range from Gujarat to Shivalik Hills with the planting
of 1.35 billion native trees over 10 years to combat the pollution.
7. In 2019, IIT Bombay, in partnership with the McKelvey School of Engineering (USA), launched the
Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility to study air pollution in India.
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Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
i. Infer one reason for the following, based on information in paragraph 2.
Air pollution is fatal to human health.
ii. Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks.
Mechanical tilling is an _____ method to remove stubs from the fields with the farmers preferring to get
rid of the agricultural residue by _____.
(a) insensitive, tilling
(b) inconsiderate, firing
(c) unpopular, burning
(d) extensive, winnowing
iii. Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/ phrase from paragraph 2.
The _____ the alternative to mechanical tilling, the _____ are smoke, smog, and particulate pollution.
(a) cheaper, more
(b) cheapest, most
(c) worse, more dangerous
(d) worst, most dangerous
iv. Select the correct option to complete the following sentence.
The ambitious objectives that the National Clean Air Programme plans to achieve by 2024 are _____.
1. 20%-30% reduction in PM 2.5
2. study air pollution in 102 cities that are worst affected
3. 20%-30% reduction in PM 10
4. take 2017 as the base year
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 4
v. Select the chart that appropriately represents the deteriorating health of air in the cities from 2016 to 2019.
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CBSE English X Sample Paper 21 Page 5
vi. Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option.
The ecological corridor from Gujarat to the foothills of the Himalayas has good chances of succeeding
because of its emphasis on _____.
(a) planting 1.35 billion trees
(b) to set the target of plantation for 10 years only
(c) to cover a long stretch of 1600 kilometres
(d) to opt for native trees
vii. Substitute the word from paragraph 2 in the blank below whose meaning in the passage is ‘originate.’
A dam _____ the tide of high waters when a river threatens to inundate its banks and the nearby areas.
viii. List any two examples of indoor or domestic pollution as mentioned in the passage.
1. __________
2. __________
ix. List one reason why the earlier laws and recommendations were not effective enough.
x. Select the option that titles paragraphs 1, 2 and 5 appropriately, with reference to information in the text.
(a) 1. extent of pollution
2. factors
3. prognosis
(b) 1. factors
2. effects
3. solutions
(c) 1. extent
2. cause and effect
3. steps for reduction
(d) 1. WHO standards
2. initiatives
3. preventive measures
III. SECTION B- GRAMMAR 10
Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 10
i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the beginning of an article in a blog post on
adolescence.
The importance of physical exercise as well as mental health _____ by the modern teenager.
(a) are well understood
(b) is well understood
(c) is being understood well
(d) will be well understood
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Page 6 Sample Paper 21 CBSE English X
ii. Read the conversation between a mother and daughter. Complete the sentence by reporting the daughter’s
reply correctly.
Mother enquired, “Aren’t you feeling well? You look pale.”
Saumya said, “I have a terrible headache. It is making me giddy.”
Mother, wondering about her daughter looking pale asked about her well-being to which, the girl replied
that _____.
iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from a health magazine.
You _____ all that cheese; it isn’t good for you.
(a) shouldn’t be eating
(b) ought not be eating
(c) cannot eat
(d) need not
iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line, from a news
report on the UNO.
All five permanent members have expressed the right of veto at one time or another.
Option No. Error Correction
(a) have had
(b) the their
(c) of to
(d) another other
v. Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option.
Delhi Police _____ the description of a man who was last seen at the Kwality Restaurant which is on
the Parliament Street.
(a) is issued (b) have issued
(c) had issued (d) are issuing
vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct word from the options available to you, for the given portion of a
letter: Subject: Inquiry regarding the online course in choreography
Refer to your advertisement regarding the online courses in choreography offered by your _____ institute,
I want _____ that I am currently in XII class and preparing for my final exams.
(a) esteemable; to say
(b) reputed; to suggest
(c) esteem; to tell
(d) reputable; to state
vii. Report the dialogue between two friends discussing a recent travel experience.
Som : A European tourist whom I met recently, wanted to be a Himalayan monk for the rest of his life.
Ron : Are you referring to that story about you meeting a European tourist with a strange desire?
When Som talked about a European tourist who wanted to be a Himalayan monk for the rest of his life
Ron questioned him _____.
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CBSE English X Sample Paper 21 Page 7
viii. Identify the error in the given sentence from a newspaper article and supply the correction.
Mobile phones are being used both in urban and rural areas but the importance of mobile phones between
students has been increasing day by day.
Use the given format for your response
Error Correction
ix. Report the conversation between a young bird and her parent discussing her fears.
Young bird : I feel certain that my wings will never support me.
Parent bird : Your wings will believe what you believe in.
x. Reverse the voice in the given sentence.
Will the mail be sent by you?
_____ you _____ the mail?
(a) would, sent (b) would, send
(c) will, send (d) could, sent
xi. Select the correct option to the following sentences.
The lady looked out the window and said,” Wow! What an awesome view the house has!”
Realtor, “That’s why this property has always commanded the highest rent in these parts.”
When the lady looked out the window and complimented _____ the realtor remarked that _____.
xii. Identify the error on a shop’s hoarding and supply the correction, for the following sales offer.
Top barbarians under one roof in your city!
Get the latest haircuts and styles @ 15% discount.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction
IV. SECTION B- CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS 10
All the names and addresses used in the questions are fictitious. Resemblance, if any, is purely
coincidental.
1. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5
A. You are Alex/Ronny of 182, Mukherjee Nagar. You want information about German language course at
Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi. Write a letter in 100-120 words to the Director, Foreign Languages,
enquiring about the details of the courses offered by the institution.
O
B. You are Mary Joseph who recently visited Delhi and Gurugram after a few years as a tourist from Goa.
You noticed the marked increase in the number of private vehicles, pollution, and industrial units in
both cities. Alarmed by the rise in health issues owing to these developments, you decide to pen a letter
to the editor of a national daily. Write the letter including some suggestions to reduce the effects of
environmental damage.
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Page 8 Sample Paper 21 CBSE English X
2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5
A. Write a paragraph on the topic ‘Air Pollution’ in 100-120 words. Take the hints from the picture given
below.
Hint : Mobile Sources: Cars, buses, planes, trucks and train.
Stationary Sources : Power Plants, oil refineries, Industrial facilities and factories. Other Sources:
Plastic waste, deforestation, etc.
O
B. Mobile phones are being used both in urban and rural areas. But importance of mobile phones among
students has been increasing day by day. Write a paragraph in 100-120 words on the topic ‘Importance
of Mobile Phones in Education’.
Hint : Multiple benefits—teaching aids—improved learning outcomes—increased engagement among
students. Keep students up to date about assignments.
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CBSE English X Sample Paper 21 Page 9
SECTION C- LITERATURE 40
V. Reference to the Context 10
3. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5
1A. “Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the `bol’ just as a party or a feast loses
its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how important a baker can be for a village the
lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and
tiol’ are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker in the village is
absolutely essential.”
( Glimpses of India-A Baker from Goa)
i. What makes marriage gifts lose their charm. Which one of the following charms are not considered?
1. A rich dowry
2. Bread
3. Sweet bread
4. sandwiches
(a) option 1 only
(b) option 2 only
(c) option 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) option 4 only
ii. The women make preparations for daughter’s engagement. What does she do for the preparation?
iii. Fill in the blank with ONE WORD only.
“Thus, the presence of the baker in the village is _____ essential.”
iv. What according to the narrator is a must for Christmas?
(a) Bol and sandwiches
(b) Cake and Bread
(c) Bol and cakes
(d) Baker’s presence
v. Select the option that correctly captures the application of the word ‘essential’ as used in the last line of
the extract.
(a) Air and water are essential for human life.
(b) It is essential to know basic math in order to understand algebra.
(c) To learn how to read, it is essential to understand each letter of the alphabet to sound out a word.
(d) It is essential to learn how to swim before going kayaking.
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Page 10 Sample Paper 21 CBSE English X
O
1B. Suddenly he threw off bandages, whiskers, spectacles, and even nose. It took him only a minute to
do this. The horrified people in the bar found themselves staring at a headless man! Mr Jaffers, the
constable, now arrived, and was quite surprised to find that he had to arrest a man without a head. But
Jaffers was not easily prevented from doing his duty. If a magistrate’s warrant ordered a person’s arrest,
then that person had to be arrested, with or without his head.
(Footprints without Feet)
i. Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word ‘horrified’ from line 2 of the extract.
(a) They were horrified by the outrage before their eyes.
(b) Isabel gaped at him, horrified.
(b) We were horrified by what we saw.
(d) Her horrified gaze said everything about her mental state.
ii. Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text.
Dismay : gladden :: Encourage : _____
iii. Select the option that displays the reason why Jaffers was dismayed with the situation.
(a) Griffin had thrown his bandages away.
(b) Griffin was not allowing anyone to come near him.
(c) Griffin was headless and difficult to arrest.
(d) Magistrate had ordered immediate arrest.
iv. According to the extract, what put Griffin in a win-win situation?
1. His bandages entangled Jaffers.
2. He threw his nose at the magistrate.
3. He was headless and not easily visible.
4. Jaffers was ordered to arrest Griffin but he was out of reach.
5. People were horrified and there was a commotion.
Select the correct option.
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 3 and 4
(c) Only 3 (iv) 2, 3 and 5
v. The narrator uses certain words and phrases in the given extract to reflect what state of Jaffer, the
constable on duty mention any two.
1. __________
2. __________
4. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. 5
2.A Don’t bite your nails, Amanda!
Don’t hunch your shoulders, Amanda!
Stop that slouching and sit up straight, Amanda!
(There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me—
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)
(Amanda!)
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CBSE English X Sample Paper 21 Page 11
i. Complete the sentence appropriately.
It is clear that Metaphor is the poetic device used for ‘where the sole inhabitant is me— a mermaid,
drifting blissfully...’ because _____ (Clue : explain how Metaphor applies here)
ii. The poet has used a poetic device in the given line ‘Stop that slouching and sit up straight.’ What effect
does she wish to create by its use?
(a) emphasis (b) comparison
(c) rhythm (d) lyrical and emotive effect
iii. State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.
‘Amanda wishes to run away from the nagging of her mother.’
iv. Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the extract.
The idea that has been reflected ‘Teenagers do not like to be badgered off and on by their parents’ is
_____.
(a) unnatural (b) scary
(c) rebellious (d) legendary
v. How does the use of visual image impact this extract?
(a) It helps the reader to relate better.
(b) It simplifies the meaning.
(c) It helps the reader to visualize Amanda’s situation.
(d) It makes the lines lyrical.
O
2.B The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
(Fog)
i. What is the poet’s tone in the extract?
1. thoughtful
2. authoritative
3. reflexive
4. cautious
5. argumentative
Select the appropriate option.
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 5 (d) 1 and 5
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Page 12 Sample Paper 21 CBSE English X
ii. What makes the poet compare Fog to the cat according to the extract?
iii. Identify the reason for Fog like a cat is depicted to be on haunches, as per the extract.
(a) Fog appears to be flying all over like a cat.
(b) Fog silently spreads over the entire city.
(c) Fog is a bit above the ground like a cat sitting.
(d) A cat sitting on her haunches is emerged in the fog.
iv. Complete the analogy about the cat and fog.
Fog : smoky :: _____ : cat
v. Select the sentence in which the word ‘silent ‘ is used in the similar manner as line 5 of the extract.
(a) She was silent for a few minutes as she thought about how to answer him.
(b) Where drums beat, laws are silent.
(c) As the curtain rose, the audience fell silent.
(d) Wise men are silent; fools talk.
VI Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each. 4 # 3 = 12
i. Lencho writes a letter to God for help. Who actually helps Lencho by giving money?
(A Letter to God)
ii. Why does the poet use the image of a ‘hemlock tree’?
(Dust of Snow)
iii. Anne believed that paper has more patience than people. Why?
(From the Diary of Anne Frank)
iv. Who is the ‘mermaid’ in the poem Amanda? What does ‘she’ wish to do?
(Amanda!)
v. Chubukov says to Lomov, “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son.” Is he
sincere in saying so? Give reasons.
(The Proposal)
VII Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. 2#3 = 6
i. Why does Mrs. Pumphery call the doctor?
(A Triumph of Surgery)
ii. Why were the two boys surprised to see imprints of a pair of bare feet?
(Footprints without Feet)
iii. Bholi’s father Ramlal was not in favour of sending girls to school. Why?
(Bholi)
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CBSE English X Sample Paper 21 Page 13
VIII Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. 6
i. The Baker from Goa and an inhabitant of Coorg happen to meet each other and talk about their distinct
traits that make them stand out and keep them shoulders above the rest. Write this conversation as per
your understanding of Glimpses of India. You may begin like this:
Baker : Your attire and your appearance tell me that
Coorgi : Oh! _____.
(Glimpses of India)
O
ii. “Human beings, without God’s strength, can’t look beyond outward appearances and physical beauty.”
If you had to use the message of the given quote based on Tor Anne Gregory’ to understand the inner
strength of Valli, as she made efforts to fulfil her wish despite her age in ‘Madam Rides the Bus’, how
will you elaborate it? Also, how it would have been difficult for Valli not to consider her age as an
impediment.
(For Anne Gregory)
IX Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. 6
i. “A man’s vanity is more fragile that you might think.” Analyse in detail with reference to the character
of Matilda in the story The Necklace.
O
ii. “Beauty is much more than being skin deep”. Analyze this quote with reference to ‘Bholi’.
******
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