ODISHA ADARSHA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN

HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION, 2023-24

Class: X Maximum Mark:80
Subject: English Language & Litt. (184) Time: 3 Hrs

General Instructions:
1. 15 minutes prior reading time allotted for question paper reading.
2. The question paper contains three sections- Reading, Grammar and Writing and Literature.
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SL No. Questions Marks

Section – A 20
(READING SKILLS)
1 Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 10
(1) Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought attempting to do it again
was the last thing you wanted to do?
(2) If your answer is yes, then you are ‘‘not a robot.” Unlike robots, we human beings have
feelings, emotions, and dreams. We are all meant to grow and stretch despite our circumstances
and our limitations. Flourishing and trying to make our dreams come when you fail despite all of
your hard work? Do you stay down and accept the defeat or do you get up again and again until
you are satisfied? If you have a tendency to persevere and keep going then you have what experts
call, grit.
(3) Falling down or failing is one of the most agonizing, embarrassing, and scariest human
experiences. But, it is also one of the most educational, empowering, and essential parts of living
a successful and fulfilling life. Did you know that perseverance is one of the seven qualities that
have been described as the keys to personal success and betterment in society?
The other six are: curiosity, gratitude, optimism, self-control social intelligence, and zest. Thomas
Edison is a model for grit for trying 1000 plus times to invent the light bulb. If you are reading this
with the lights on in your room, you know well he succeeded. When asked why he kept going
despite his hundreds of failures, he merely stated that they had not been failures, they were
hundreds of attempts toward creating the light bulb. This statement not only revealed his grit
but also his optimism for looking at the bright side.
(4) Grit can be learned to help become more successful. One of the techniques that help is
mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice that helps the individual stay in the moment by bringing
awareness of his/her experience without judgment. With this practice of mindfulness, individuals
have the ability to stop the self-sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, despair and
frustration.
(5) What did you do to overcome the negative and self sabotaging feelings of failure? Reflect on
what you did, and try to use those same powerful resources to help you today.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the given questions:
(i) ‘Grit can be learned to help become more successful’ The underlined word can be 1
substituted with the word ……………… from the passage.
(ii) Choose the statement from the following that is NOT APPROPRIATE according to the passage. 1
(a)Grit cannot be learned to help become more successful.
(b)Practicing our dreams come true is great when life is going out way.
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 (c)Mindfulness can be learned to help you become more successful
(d) Reflect on what you did and try to use those same powerful resources to help you.
(iii) Select the sentence from the following that reveals Thomas Edison’s grit. 1
(a) Did you know that grit is one of the seven qualities that have been described as the keys
to personal success and betterment in society?
(b) We are all meant to grow and stretch despite our circumstances and out limitations.
(c) They were hundreds of ways not to create a light bulb.
(d) Thomas Edison is a model for grit.
(iv) According to the passage, falling down or failing is one of the most …………….., ……………….. 1
and ……………… human experience.
(v) What does the phrase ‘keep going’ refers to in the line-‘If you have the tendency to reserve 1
and keep going’?
(a) to walk
(b) get wild
(c) moving in a certain direction
(d) Continue doing something difficult
(vi) Select the appropriate option to complete the given sentence. 1
The word ‘gratitude’ refers to the quality of being …………………
(a) regretful
(b) thankless
(c) arrogant
(d) thankful
(vii) Choose the option that makes the correct use of ‘model’, as used in the passage to fill in 1
the blank space.
(a) They allowed me to ……………….. it on stage.
(b) Jane Austen was regarded as the ……………….. of grit in fiction.
(c) The first woman up was not certainly a ………………….
(d) The business …………………. must work because of its novelty.
(viii) Which of the following can stop the self-sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, 1
despair and frustration?
(a) mindfulness
(b) growth
(c) gratitude
(d) hard work
(ix) Failure is the most frustrating emotion felt by a person who is regularly trying. (True/ false) 1
(x) Complete the given analogy correctly with a word from the passage. 1
Despair : disdain :: ……………….. : Positivity
2 Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 10
1. Over 80% of fatalities in road accidents in India happened due to speeding and dangerous or
driving a comparative analysis of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data since 2014 shows.
While this careless corroborates the popular perception of how people drive on the road in a
country where getting a driving licence is often said to be too easy. Experts said most of the fatal
accidents are recorded by police under speeding and dangerous driving categories in the FIR as
there are no other provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for such offences.

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2. According to the latest NCRB report on accidental deaths, 83.2% of road fatalities were on
account of these two types of violations and the rest 16.8% of fatalities were due to reasons
including drunk driving, bad weather conditions and mechanical defect. In 2014, when such
causes of fatal crashes were first compiled, 89.4% of the deaths were due to speeding and
dangerous or careless driving as per the police records and this was the highest ever.

3. “We face a host of challenges ranging from poor system of issuing driving licences to almost
zero scientific investigation of fatal crashes, which are provided in the law. Most of our national
highways and state highways, which pass through villages, have no pedestrian crossings. On the
top of this, in all fatal cases, police automatically registers them under section 279 (negligent
driving resulting death) of the IPC,” said mad safety expert Rohit Baluja, who has been a regular
guest faculty at Indian Police Academy, Hyderabad.

4. Confirming this, traffic adviser in Punjab, government, Navdeep Asija said in case of all fatal
accidents, the provisions of IPC are slapped. “In IPC, any crime or offence has to be lodged against
a human being and hence there cannot be any charge against a road, vehicle or any other object.
That’s why police data may not indicate the exact reason of crashes. But it is also a fact that
violation of traffic rules is rampant on roads and only electronic surveillance can put a check on
them,” he added.

5.Baluja said there is a need to define what is dangerous driving and the norms for fixing speed
limits. “In Delhi, the speed limit is same across major roads, Year residential areas and markets
during day lean time and at night as well. No authorities are held responsible for deficiencies on
their part,” he pointed out. Though the amended Motor Vehicle Act has included a provision to
hold road owning agencies, contractors and consultants in case of fatal accidents due to faulty
road construction or design, the government is yet to notify the process for
this. (Source: Times of India)
(i) Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists accurate speed 1
limit rules authorised in Delhi.
1. Different speed limits for major roads and residential areas.
2. Same speed limit for major roads and residential areas.
3. Same speed limit during day time and at night as well.
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 (a) Only 1
(b) Both 1 and 2
(c) Both 2 and 3
(d) Only 2
(ii) According to the latest NCRB report, what percentage of total fatal road accidents occur 1
due to high speed driving and rash driving?
(a) 16.8%
(b) 32.3%
(c) 27.5%
(d) 83.2%
(iii) Choose the option that lists statement that is NOT TRUE. 1
(a) Police data may not indicate the exact reason of crashes.
(b) Fatal accidents may occur due to faulty road construction.
(c) Violation of traffic rules is hardly observed on roads.
(d)IPC stands for Indian Penal Code.
(iv) In the line “……… the norms for fixing speed”, the word “norm” DOES NOT refer to: 1
(a) a model
(b) a standard
(c) usual
(d) exception
(v) As per the amended Motor Vehicle Act, who among these are also held responsible for 1
fatal road accidents?
(a) Road contractors
(b) Road consultants
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)
(vi) According to NCRB, which of these factors is/ are responsible for fatal road accidents? 1
(a) High speed driving
(b) Rash driving
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)
(vii) In which year were the causes of fatal crashes first compiled? 1
(viii) According to the traffic adviser in Punjab government, any crime of offence must be 1
lodged against………..
(ix) The data displays that the largest number of road accidents took place in 2016. (True/False) 1
(x) Which word in para 4 is similar in meaning to ‘observation’? 1
Section – B 20
(Writing skill & Grammar.)
3 Answer any TEN of the following questions. 1 x 10
(i) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word given in the bracket, for the given
portion of the letter:
Dear Sir
This is with reference to committee’s letter of recommendation that-------- (highlight) the
nominations for’ Safe residential area’ award for this current year.
(ii) Read the given sentence from an article. Identify the error and supply the correction in the
sentence.

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A first Indian woman physician Anadibai Joshi graduated in 1886.
Error Correction

(iii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the concluding line of an issued
circular by a company to it’s Managers.
A copy of the plan is enclosed and_______(that/then/this) may be communicated to all the
Team leaders for compliance.
(iv) Complete the given sentence with correct option.
The Olympic games ………………. place every four years.
(a) are taking
(b) take
(c) have taken
(d) took
(v) Complete the sentence correctly.
We usually …………….. vegetables in our garden but this year we________ any.
(a) grow / aren’t grow
(b) grow / aren’t growing
(c) grew / had not grown
(d) grow / don’t grow
(vi) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
Before this year, I …………….. move out of my parents’ house because I did not have a job.
(a) may not
(b) cannot
(c) should not
(d) could not
(vii) Complete the given sentence by choosing the right answer.
But now that I have finished college and have a job, I realise that living at home ………… drive
my parents and me crazy.
(a) could
(b) would
(c) should
(d) would have
(viii)Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option.
The taxi driver spoke …………….. English. I couldn’t understand him.
(a) many
(b) a little
(c) very little
(d) some
(ix) Excitement, as well as nervousness, …………….. the cause of her jittering.
(a) are
(b) had
(c) is
(d) were
(x) Complete the given narrative, by filling the blank with correct option.
The experience of nursing an injured bird left me___________ grateful for knowing the

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 importance of being kind and compassionate to all creatures.
a. feeling
b. having felt
c. felt
d. feels
(xi) A typical mountain climbing group will have 8-15 people in it with a equal number of
guides.
Use this format to write your answer
Error Correction

(xii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete this advertisement:
Are you looking for more books to read? Due to popular demand, we ______ back our “Buy
one get one free’’ offer next weekend!
a. brings
b. brought
c. will bring
d. were bringing
4 The given pie chart represents the amount of money spent by a family on different items in a 5
month. Write an analytical paragraph using the information given in the chart.

OR
The given bar graph shows the increasing use of skin care products by men and women over
the period of three months. Write an analytical paragraph elaborating the given information.

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5 You are Ramesh Patel / Sneha Jain, Hostel Warden, OAV, Sasan Ambagan, Hinjilicut. Write a letter 5
to the Sales Manager, Bharat Electronics and Domestic Appliances Ltd., Bhubaneswar, Odisha,
placing an order for a few fans, microwaves, ovens and geysers that you wish to purchase for the
hostel. Also ask for discount permissible on the purchase.
OR
You are Alok / Akriti, living at 15, Mansarovar Garden in Delhi. Write a letter to the Police
Commissioner, complaining about the rising incidents of chain snatching and pick-pocketing in
your area.
SECTION – C 40
(LITERATURE)
6 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. 1x5
I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free — free in every way that I could know.
Free to run in the fields near my mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through
my village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls.
As long as I obeyed my father and abided by the customs of my tribe, I was not troubled by the
laws of man or God.
(Nelson Mandella- A long walk to freedom)
i What is the author’s perspective on being born free?
a) It is a common feeling among people.
b) It is a natural state of being.
c) It is a rare privilege.
d) It is a cultural construct.
ii What does “hunger to be free” imply in the context?
a) The desire to break free from social conventions.
b) The desire for political freedom.
c) The desire for personal autonomy.
d) The desire for physical freedom.
iii What did the author consider as the most important thing for maintaining his freedom?
a) Obeying his father’s commands.
b) Abiding by his tribe’s customs.
c) Respecting the laws of man.
d) Obeying the laws of God.
iv What does the author mean by “roasting mealies under the stars”?
a) Preparing food in the open air.
b) Cooking over an open flame.
c) Grilling corn on a cob.
d) Stargazing while eating.
v What does the phrase “broad backs of slow-moving bulls” suggest about the author’s
upbringing?
a) The author’s tribe valued hard work and agriculture.
b) The author grew up in a rural environment.
c) The author had a close relationship with animals.
d) The author’s tribe used bulls for transportation.
OR
Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow. 1x5

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 “The poor lady almost swooned. She was sure he would pine and die if he did not see her every
day. But I took a firm line. Tricki was very ill and this was the only way to save him; in fact, I
thought it best to take him without delay and, followed by Mrs. Pumphrey’s wailings, I marched
out to the car carrying the little dog wrapped in a blanket.
The entire staff was roused and maids rushed in and out bringing his day bed, his night bed,
favorite cushions, toys and rubber rings, breakfast bowl, lunch bowl, supper bowl. Realising that
my car would never hold all the stuff, I started to drive away. As I moved off, Mrs Pumphrey, with
a despairing cry, threw an armful of the little coats through the window. I looked in the mirror
before I turned the corner of the drive; everybody was in tears.”
(A Triumph of Surgery)
i Why was the narrator taking Tricki?
A) To give him some medicines
B) To another owner
C) To force feed Tricki
D) To cure him and save his life.
ii How did Mrs. Pumphrey react to the narrator’s suggestion?
A) She refused resolutely.
B) She was about to faint.
C) She was grateful.
D) She was resigned
iii Which of these words is a synonym for ‘despairing’?
A) Anxious
B) Upset
C) Suicidal
D) Miserable
iv What, according to Mrs. Pumphrey, would happen to Tricki if she left him at the clinic?
A) He would get better.
B) He would attract some other disease.
C) He would die.
D)He would get worse.
v Why did the narrator rush away with Tricki from Mrs. Pumphrey’s house?
A) He wanted to reach the clinic as soon as possible.
B) His car was too small for Tricki’s luggage.
C) He couldn’t bear to see everyone crying.
D) He did not like Mrs. Pumphrey’s company.
7 But he’s locked in a concrete cell, 1x5
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors. (A Tiger in the Zoo)
(a) What does the phrase ‘his strength behind the bar’ suggests?
(b) Why does the tiger ignore the visitors?
(c) What is the tiger doing in the cage?
(d) What does the expression ‘stalking the length of the cage’ imply?
(e) Is it good to keep a tiger in a cage? What is your view on it?
OR

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 ……………Now 1x5
He senses first responsibility
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. (The Ball Poem)

(a) What does the boy understand?

(b) What does the word ‘balls’ signify?
(c) Why does the poet say that no one buys a ball back?
(d) What does “In a world of possessions mean?”
(e) Why money is external?
8 Answer any four of the following questions in about 40 – 50 words. 3x4
a ‘Lencho was an ox of a man, working like an animal in the fields, but still he knew how to write.’
What does this line tell us about the norm amongst such farmers, then?
b Why does Amanda seem moody most of the times?
c If you were the family member of the young seagull, would you also decide not to go near him?
Elaborate with reason.
d Why was the Baker’s furnace essential in a traditional Goan village?
e Describe Anne’s love for her grandmother.
f What does ‘fire’ and ice’ stand for and what is the general opinion regarding the world?
9 Answer any two of the following questions in about 40 – 50 words. 3x2
a Was Tricki suffering from any ailment in reality? If not, then what made him inactive and
lethargic?
b “Richard was the focus of his mother’s attention”. How do you explain it?
c How did Mme Loisel now know the life of necessity?
10 Answer any one of the following questions in about 100 - 120 words. 6
a In such a fast moving world when we hear so many incidents happening with people, do you
think Valli did right by not telling her mother about the bus journey?
b The pilot wanted to thank another pilot after his safe landing. Why? What values of the writer
are reflected from his action?
11 Answer any one of the following questions in about 100 - 120 words. 6
a Money can’t make a man as much as education can. Elucidate the statement with reference to
the thief’s story.
b Griffin was not a true scientist as he misused his scientific discovery. Illustrate this point by
giving two incidents from the story.

<<<<<All the Best>>>>>

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