ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Paper I [Set-9]
CLASS – X
Time : 2 hrs Maximum Marks : 80
Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.
You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.
This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.
The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
Attempt all five questions.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets []. You are advised to spend
not more than 30 minutes in answering Question 1 and 20 minutes in answering Question 2.

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.

(a) Write a story which justifies the theme: 'Success does not move along a straight line.’
(b) Narrate how you celebrated the Children's Day in your school.
(c) ‘Advertisements are a necessary evil.’ Express your views either for or against this statement.
(d) India is known for its religious festivals. Choose one of the religious festivals and describe how it is
celebrated in your area.
(e) Study the picture given below. Write a short story or a description or an account of what the picture
suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take
suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your
composition.
Question 2.
(Do not spend more than 20 minutes on this question)
Select any one of the following. [10]

(a) You have just acquired a kitten as a pet. Write a letter to your cousin telling him/her about it. Give
details about its appearance, habits and how you look after it.
(b) Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner of your area complaining against the proposal of
converting the only park in your area into a multi-level parking space.

Question3.
(a) Your school is organising a ‘Week-long Patriotic Poetry Recitation Festival.’ Write notice for your
school informing the students and inviting them to submit their names for the event. [5]
(b) Write an email to a famous literary person, requesting him/her to be the Guest of Honour at the
'Patriotic Poetry Recitation Festival' to be organised in your school. [5]

Question 4.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

The reforms of Confucius were strangely modern in conception. Some of them, indeed, are in advance of
social ideas of today. He not only fed the poor, but also provided different food for the young and the old. In
organising labour, he allotted different tasks to the strong and the weak. He fixed the prices of goods and
used state revenue for the development of trade. Communications were improved, roads and bridges were
repaired, and the brigands that infested the mountains were rooted out. The power of the nobles was curbed,
the common people were freed from oppression, and all men were made equal in the eyes of justice.
Such a policy, though immensely popular among the masses, could not fail to excite the hatred, both
of individuals and of powerful vested interests, particularly as Confucius did not hesitate to strike at the
greatest in the land if they obstructed his reforms. Actually, the stroke that caused his downfall came from
the state of Ts'i, where he had spent the first part of his exile.
The ruler of that state, with whom Confucius had been in negotiation concerning the restoration of
full sovereignty to his own prince, realised the danger of having a model state next to his own. Would not his
own people cry out for reform? And might not the kingdom of Lu, grown strong and confident, cast covetous
eyes upon the lands and possessions of its neighbours?
He devised a plan typically Chinese in its subtlety and appeal. Selecting a company of eighty beautiful
women, accomplished in music and dancing, and a number of magnificent horses, he sent them as a present
to the Duke of Lu. Duty was neglected for the charms of the dancing girls and the counsels of Confucius could
command no attention, while such attractive toys absorbed the interest of the court.
Slowly and reluctantly the sage decided upon his departure from Lu; he journeyed o forth a second
time into exile, his eyes ever turning backward to glimpse the messenger hurrying to recall him to favour and
to power. But no messenger came.
Thirteen years were to drag out their weary length before he saw again his native land. Thirteen
years of growing disappointment, during which he passed from state to state, ever hoping to find some
prince, who would entrust his realm to his care and give him power to transform it into Utopia, and ever
being compelled to turn away with his desire unfulfilled.
At length, the longed-for message of recall reached the sage. The ruler, whose neglect had
terminated his active career, was dead, and his son, interested to learn from one of his successful generals
that the latter owed his military skill to the instruction of Confucius, sent for the master and asked him to
take charge once more of the destinies of Lu.
 (a) For each word given below choose the correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options
provided: [3]
(i) curbed
(a) increased (b) restrained (c) assigned (d) encouraged
(ii) obstructed
(a) assisted (b) facilitated (c) blocked (d) helped
(iii) covetous
(a) greedy (b) generous (c) satiated (d) benevolent

(b) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words.

(i) Why are the reforms of Confucius strangely modern in conception? [2]
(ii) State any four reforms introduced by Confucius? [2]
(iii) Why did the nobles and powerful traders oppose Confucius' reforms? [1]
(iv) State briefly the two main fears, which made the ruler of Ts'i object to the reforms of
Confucius. [2]
(v) What circumstances brought Confucius the recognition that took him back to Lu? [2]
(c) In not more than 50 words, state how Confucius was a great reformer. [8]

Question 5.
(a) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with 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 space.
[4]
Example: (0) was advertised
Sir Edward Thomas was the Minister for civil works in Churchill's Cabinet, A work tender
…………(0)………… (advertise) by his department and, one of his classmates …………(1)………… (fill) in the
tender. He assured his friend that he …………(2)………… (help) him get the assignment but the jo must
…………(3)………… (finish) on time. Eventually Sir Thomas called …………(4)………… (inform) him that the
work order was ready. The meeting was fixed at 1 pm. The friend reached six minutes past one.
…………(5)………… (Look) at his watch Thomas asked his secretary to tell his friend that his tender
…………(6)………… (reject).The thoroughly …………(7)………… (shake) friend immediately called Sir
Thomas to ask what …………(8)………… (happen). "Yes I had said that. Because you are six minutes late.
It is evident that you would never finish the job on time," said the Minister.

(b) Fill in each blank with appropriate words. [4]

(i) The students didn't look up, but carried …………………… writing.
(ii) My teacher enquired ……………………… my mother's health.
(iii) Will you look ………………………… this list and tell me what you think?
(iv) The new government has brought …………………… many changes.
(v) The roof gave way ………………………… the weight of the snow.
(vi) Courage will carry him ……………………… difficulties.
(vii) I moved myself …………………… the fireplace.
(viii) We couldn't help laugh ……………………… his mimicry.
(c) Join the following sentences to make one complete sentence without using 'and', 'but' or 'so'.
Choose the correct option. [4]
(i) My health was poor. I was on leave from the office.
a) I was on leave from the office as my health was poor.
b) I was on leave from the office for my health was poor.
c) My health was poor as well as I was on leave from the office.
d) I was on leave from the office being of poor health.
(ii) The captain was reasonable. He refused to make any compromise.
a) The captain is not reasonable to he refused to make any compromise.
b) The captain was unreasonable hence he refused to make any compromise.
c) The captain refused to make any compromise as he was reasonable.
d) The captain refused to make any compromise as he is not unreasonable.
(iii) The rain had come down heavily. We got totally drenched.
a) The rain had come down heavily to make us totally drenched.
b) We must have been drenched as the rain had come down heavily.
c) The rain being heavy we got totally drenched.
d) The rain being heavy they were totally drenched.
(iv) He did not succeed in the competition. He made every effort.
a) He did not succeed in the competition he did not made every effort.
b) Despite making every effort he did not succeed in the competition.
c) He did not succeed in the competition but he made every effort.
d) Even though he made every effort to succeed in the competition.
(d) Rewrite 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. Choose the
correct options. [8]

(i) He left Kolkata two weeks ago after completing his work. (Begin: It has been …….)
a) It has been two weeks since he has left Kolkata after completing his work.
b) It has been two weeks that he left Kolkata after completing his work.
c) It has been two weeks that he left for Kolkata after completing his work.
d) It has been two weeks ever since he left for Kolkata after completing his work.
(ii) A storm will probably be there. (Begin: It is probable ...)
a) It is probable that there will be a storm there.
b) It is probable if a storm will be there.
c) It is probable there will be storm.
d) It is probable that a storm will be there.
(iii) Nobody in our school is as smart as Uma. (Use: smarter)
a) Uma is smarter than any other girl in our school.
b) Nobody in our school is smarter to Uma.
c) Nobody in our school was smarter than Uma.
d) Nobody in our school is smart as Uma.
(iv) You can come with us for the picnic provided your father permits you. (Begin: Unless ……)
a) Unless your father permits you, you can come with us for the picnic.
b) Unless your father does not permit you, you cannot come with us for the picnic.
c) Unless your father permits, you cannot come with us for the picnic.
d) Unless your father is permitting you, you can come with us for the picnic.
(v) There are few people in the market today. (Begin: There are hardly ……….)
a) There were hardly any people in the market today.
b) There are hardly any people in the market today.
c) There are hardly any few people in the market today.
d) There are hardly any people in the market on this day.
(vi) If I had a chance, I could have succeeded. (Begin: Had I ....)
a) Had I a chance, I could have succeeded.
b) Had I given a chance I would have succeeded.
c) Had I been giving a chance I could have succeeded.
d) Had I been given a chance I would have succeeded.
(vii) "Don't play on the road," the teacher said to the children. (Begin: The teacher forbade …….)
a) The teacher forbade the children to play on the road.
b) The teacher forbade the children play on the road.
c) The teacher forbade the children from playing on the road.
d) The teacher forbade the children not to play on the road.
(viii) Greed seemed to have motivated him. (Begin: He seemed to ....)
a) He seemed to be motivated by greed.
b) He seemed to had been motivated by greed.
c) He seemed to have motivated greed.
d) He seemed to have been motivated by greed.