Sheiling House School

Sample Paper – 2
Class – X
Time: 2hrs. Subject: English Language MM. 80

Question 1.
(Do not spend more than 30 minutes on this question.) [20]
Write a composition (300-350 words) on any one of the following.

(i) Write an original short story which illustrates the truth of the statement, ‗An early
bird catches the worm‘.

(ii) Imagine a situation where all your wishes come true. Narrate what you wished for
and what happened thereafter?

(iii) ‗Formal Education is not important to succeed in life‘. Express your views either for
or against this statement.

(iv) You recently watched a football match in a stadium. Describe what you observed and
felt. Give details of the spectators and the stadium.

(v) Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it
suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you
may take suggestions from it; however, there must be clear connection between the
picture and composition.

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 Question 2. [10]
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question.)
Attempt any one of the following.

(i)Your sister is preparing for competitive exams. Write a letter advising her about the
importance of reading the newspaper regularly, impressing upon her the need to stay
updated on current events when it comes to writing competitive exams.

(ii) You recently went to a famous branded store. You were disappointed by the long
queue at the billing counter and the inefficiency of the staff there. Write a letter to
the Manager of the store, complaining about the problems you noticed and
providing solutions for the same.

Question 3

(i)Your school is hosting an inter-house dance competition. Write a notice informing

your school about the event. [5]

(ii) Write an email to the Principal of a neighbouring school informing him/her of the
interhouse dance competition and requesting him/her to judge the competition. [5]

Question 4
Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follow:
Through the gauze of the curtain, I could see the tutor frown. The holy thread that
hung across his bony chest quivered with agitation. Though he was alarmingly
learned, he wasn‘t much older than us. The curtain was there because otherwise my
presence flustered him so much that he was quite unable to teach.

―O great prince,‖ he said now, ―kindly ask your sister, princess Draupadi to refrain
from prompting you. She is not helping you to learn. Will she be sitting behind
you in your chariot in battle when you need to remember these important precepts?
Perhaps it is best if she no longer joins us during your studies.‖

He was always trying to discourage me from attending Dhri‘s lessons—and he wasn‘t

the only one. At first, no matter how much I begged, King Drupad had balked at the
thought of me studying with my brother. A girl being taught what a boy was supposed
to learn? Such a thing had never been heard of in the royal family of Panchaal! Only
when Krishna insisted that the prophecy at my birth required me to get an education
beyond what women were usually given, and that it was the king‘s duty to provide this

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to me, did he agree with reluctance. Even Dhai Ma, my accomplice in so many other
areas of my life, regarded the lessons with misgiving.

She complained that they were making me too hardheaded and argumentative, too
manlike in my speech. Dhri, too, sometimes wondered if I wasn‘t learning the wrong
things, ideas that would only confuse me as I took up a woman‘s life with its
prescribed, restrictive laws. But I hungered to know about the amazing, mysterious
world that extended past what I could imagine, the world of the senses and of that
which lay beyond them. And so I refused to give up the lessons, no matter who
disapproved.

Now, not wanting to antagonize the tutor further, I made my voice contrite.
―Respected teacher, my apologies. I promise not to interrupt again.‖
The tutor stared fixedly at the ground. ―Great prince, kindly remind your sister that last
week, too, she promised us the same thing.‖

Dhri hid his smile. ―Most learned one, please forgive her. As you know, being a girl,
she is cursed with a short memory. Additionally, she is of an impulsive nature, a
failing in many females. Perhaps you could instruct her as to the conduct expected of a
kshatriya woman?‖

(i) For each word given below choose the correct meaning ( as used in the passage)
from the options provided: [2]
1. quivered
(a) terrific (b) rapidly
(c) trembled (d) terrible

2. balked
(a) unwilling to accept (b) hardhearted
(c) relaxed (d) unwilling to listen

(iii) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word ‗willingness‘? [1]
(a) Insisted (b) Reluctance
(c) Accomplice (d) impulsive

(iii) Answer the following question briefly in your own words:

(a) What was the purpose of the curtain? [2]
(b)Why was Draupadi allowed to study along with the Prince? [2]
(c) What did Dai Ma complain about? [2]
(d)Who was Draupadi? [1]
(e) Why did Draupadi like studying? [2]

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(iii) In not more than 50 words describe why everyone was in the palace was reluctant
About Draupadi studying? [8]

Question 5.
(i) Fill in each of the number blanks with the correct form of the word given in brackets.
Do not copy the passage but write in correct serial order the word or phrase
appropriate to the blank spaces. [4]

Example:
It last _____(0) (erupt ) in 1707
Answer: erupted

Mount Fuji is the highest volcanic mountain in Japan. It last ______(0) (erupt ) in
1707 and has long ______(1) ( look ) upon as a sacred mountain by many Japanese. If
you ______(2) ( be ) to go to Mount Fuji, or Fujiyama as it is also ______ (3) ( know
), you would see many hot springs _____(4) ( bubble ) at the foot of the mountain.

Some people, ______(5) ( believe ) in the medicinal value of the springs, ______(6)
( bathe ) in them in the hope that their illnesses will ______(7) (cure) by the hot water.

Many Japanese hope to climb the mountain at least once in their lives. ______(8)
( complete ) the journey on foot, as some Japanese here had done, is not an easy task.
Mount Fuji is indeed a beautiful sight to behold. It is therefore not surprising that
tourists from all over the world visit it each year.

(ii) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words: [4]

(a) They turned the old palace _____ a hotel.
(b)He has something ____ his mind.
(c) I have not seen him _____ last week.
(d)His refusal to cooperate is to be held______ him.
(e) A cheque was enclosed ___________ the letter.
(f) The boy sat still __________ the night waiting to be called.
(g)My painting looks childish ______ yours.
(h)A formation of twelve airplanes flew ___________ our house.

(iii) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using and,
but or so. Choose the correct option: [4]
1. I used a torchlight. It was very dark by then.
(a) It was dark and a torchlight was used.
(b) I used a torchlight as it was very dark by then.
(c) I used a torchlight in the dark.
(d) It was growing dark so I used a torch light.
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 2. Every student has a teacher. The teacher guides him
(a) Every Student has a teacher to guide him.
(b) Every student is guided by a teacher.
(c) Students are guided by teachers.
(d) Every teacher has a student to guide.

3. The teacher entered the classroom. Immediately the students stood up.
(a) The teacher arrived and the students stood up
(b) No sooner did the teacher enter the classroom than the students stood up.
(c) No sooner did the teacher entered the classroom then the students stood up
(d) The students stood up and the teacher entered the class.

4. The old man is very rich. He is not proud of his wealth

(a) Even though the old man is very rich, he isn‘t proud of his wealth.
(b) The old man is not proud of his wealth, even though he is very rich.
(c) The old man is very rich as he is not proud of his wealth
(d) The wealth that the old man has is not very proud of him.

(iv) Re-write the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make
other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each
sentence. [8]
1. As soon as they had eaten, they went out for a stroll. (Begin: No sooner…)
(a) No sooner have they eaten than they went out for a stroll.
(b)No sooner had they eaten than they went out for a stroll.
(c) No sooner having eaten then they went out for a stroll.
(d)No sooner had they eaten than they went out for a stroll.

2. She always greets her neighbours. (Begin: Her Neighbours….)

(a) Her neighbours are always greeted by her.
(b)Her neighbours greet her always.
(c) Her neighbours is always greeted by her.
(d)Her neighbours are always greeted.

3. Respect your elders. (End: Respected.)

(a) Elders are respected.
(b) Elders will be respected
(c) Elders should be respected.
(d) Elders should be respected.

4. She is poor but she is generous. ( Begin: Notwithstanding…)

(a) Notwithstanding her poverty, she is generous.
(b) Notwithstanding her generosity, she is poor.
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(c) Notwithstanding her poverty and she is generosity.
(d) Notwithstanding her, she is generous.

5. ―Don‘t drive rashly in the city.‖ He said to her. ( Begin: He warned…)

(a) He warned her not to drive rashly in the city.
(b) He warned her to not drive rashly in the city.
(c) He warned her to drive carefully in the city.
(d) He warned that she should not to drive rashly in the city.

6. They were so kind to me that I‘ll never forget it. (Begin: I‘ll never forget…)
(a) I‘ll never forget them being kind to me.
(b) I‘ll never forget the kindness they are showing me.
(c) I‘ll never forget their kindness to me.
(d) I‘ll never forget the kindness.

7. Prabha and Ganga wrote the play and directed the play. (Begin: The Play…)
(b) The Play‘s writer and director are Prabha and Ganga.
(c) The Play is written and directed by Prabha and Ganga.
(d) The Play is being written and directed by Prabha and Ganga.
(e) The Play was written and directed by Prabha and Ganga.

8. Jumping over the fence to get to the yard is dangerous. (Begin: It…)
(a) It is dangerous to jump over the fence to get to the yard.
(b) It is dangerous jumping over the fence.
(c) It unsafe to jump over the fence to get to the yard.
(d) It is dangerous to jumping over the fence to get to the yard.

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