CBSE Board Question Paper 2009
Class X (Outside Delhi)
ENGLISH (Communicative)
[Time allowed: 3 hours] [Maximum marks: 100]
General Instructions:
(i) This paper consists of four sections:
Section A Reading 20 marks
Section B Writing 30 marks
Section C Grammar 20 marks
Section D Literature 30marks
(ii) Attempt all questions.
(iii) Do not write anything in the question paper.
(iv) All the answers must be correctly numbered as in the question paper and written in the answer sheet provided to you.
(v) Attempt all questions in each section before going on to the next section.
(vi) Read each questions carefully and follow the instructions.
(vii) Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each questions.
SECTION – A (Reading) [20]
Q1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: [8]
1. In Belgium newspapers refers to their country as the Kingdom of Chocolates. With hundreds of chocolate factories turning out some 140000 tonnes a year, Belgian chocolate is big business and employs nearly 72000 people. How Belgian became the world’s chocolate capital relates partly to its colonial past in Africa, giving it special ties to cacao producers. According to Dirk Arens, Director of Operations, at the big Nuehaus plant, the secret of their success is that the Belgian taste in chocolate seems to be universal and they are fortunate to posses traditional craftsmanship for making fine chocolate.
2. Most Belgian chocolate makers learn their crafts at vocational schools before being apprenticed to a master chocolatier. Once on their own, they use the cacao beans, roast them longer, and then grind the particles to a miniscule 20 to 35 microns for a super – velvety texture. And they make it rich:
pure cocoa content in Belgian chocolate ranges from 35 to 43% and even higher. It also helps that the Belgian government takes chocolates seriously. In 1975, it decreed that only products made of cacao beans, cocoa butter and sugar could be labeled chocolate. That ruled out the cheaper vegetable used in many countries as a substitute for some of the cocoa butter and spurred Belgian chocoltiers to aim high and pay attention to detail. That simple, elegant, little chocolate box with a little ribbon around it called a ballotin, was invented in 1912 by a meticulous member of the Neuhaus clan to protect packed chocolates.
Complete the following sentence: [8]
The secret of the success of Belgian chocolate is that
(a) ——————————————–
(b) ——————————————–
The processes involved in making Belgian chocolates are
(c) ——————————————–
(d) ——————————————–
(e) The Belgian government maintains quality in the manufacture of chocolates by ——————————————————–
(f) Neuhaus clan protected its packed chocolates by ———————————- Belgium is called The Kingdom Chocolates because
(g) ———————————————-
(h) ———————————————-
Q2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: [12]
1. I recently heard a story from a man named Malcolm Dalkoff. He’s 48. For the last 24 years he has been a professional writer, mostly in advertising. Here is what he told me. As a boy, Dalkoff was terribly insecure and shy. He had a few friends and no self – confidence. One day in October 1965, his high – school English teacher, Ruth Brauch gave the class an assignment. The students had been reading To kill a Mocking Bird. Now they were to write their own chapter that would follow the last chapter of the novel. Today he cannot recall any thing special about the chapter he wrote, or what grade Mrs. Brauch gave him. What he does remember – what he will never forge – are the four words Mrs. Brauch wrote in the margin of the paper. “This is good writing.
2. Four words! They changed his life. “Until I read those words, I had no idea of who I was or what I was going to be,” he said, “After reading her note. I went home and wrote a short story something I had always dreamed of doing but never believed I could do.” Over the rest of the year in school, he wrote many stories and always brought them to school for Mrs. Brauch to evaluate. She was encouraging rough and honest. “She was just what I needed,” Dalkoff said.
His confidence grew; his horizons broadened; he started off on a successful, fulfilling life. Dalkoff is convinced that none of this would have happened had that woman not written those words in margin of his paper.’
3. For his 30th high – school reunion, Dalkoff went back and visited Mrs. Brauch, who had retired. He told her what her four words had done for him. He told her that because she had given him the confidence to be a writer, he had been able to pass that confidence on to the woman who would become his wife, who became a writer herself. Hw also told Mrs. Brauch that a woman in his office, who was working in the evenings towards a high – school – equivalency diploma, had come to him for advice and assistance. She had respected him because he was a writer – that is why she turned to him. Mrs. Brauch was especially moved by the story of helping the young woman. “At that moment I think we both realized that Mrs. Brauch had cast an incredibly long shadow,” he said. “This is good writing,” So few words. They can change everything.
2.1 Answer the following in a sentence or two:
(a) What was the assignment given by Ruth Brauch to her students? [1]
(b) When did Dalkoff meet Mrs. Brauch and thank her? [1]
(c) Mention the words which Dalkoff will never forget in his life. Where did he see them? [2]
2.2 Complete the summary given below. Use only a word to fill in each blank. [4]
The encouragement and support provided by Mrs. Brauch was a turning point in the life of Dalkoff.
He found himself writing short stories which were once a (a) ——————- to him. Becoming the co – editor of his high – school newspaper (b) ———————– his confidence. He was (c) ———————– in passing on the confidence, Mrs. Brauch had given, to others also. He (d) ——————– that a few words change everything.
2.3 Find words which mean the same as the following: [4]
(a) To assess Para 2
(b) Completely sure about something Para 2
(c) Unbelievably Para 3
(d) Help / support Para 3
SECTION B - (Writing) 30
3. You are Mira/Manav, Head Girl/Boy of G.K. Public School, Chandigarh. You have been asked to organize a trip to a nearby hospital to distribute clothes and medicines to the poor patients in the wards. Write a notice in not more than 50 words inviting the students to make the contributions. 5
4. You are Ankita/Ankush staying at 15, Mall Road, Kolkata. You have been selected to participate in the National Science Exhibition at Mumbai. You would like to get permission from your father who is in Delhi on tour. Send a telegram to your father at No. 3, Leelavati Cottage, Lajpat Nagar, Delhi seeking his permission. Do not exceed 50 words. Copy the format of the telegram in your answer sheet. 5
| Receiver's Name : Receiver's Address : |
| Message : Sender's Name : |
| Not to be telegraphed : Sender's Address : |
5. You are Akshita/Akshay staying at 15, Agra Road, Kanpur. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper highlighting the necessity of having better facilities for pedestrians by improving the condition of the footpaths in your city. Use the following notes to write the letter in 150 - 175 words. 10
• Narrow footpaths
• Pedestrians prone to accidents
• Unauthorized hawkers on the pavements
• Pools of stagnant water
6. You are Naina/Nayan. Write an article in about 150 - 175 words on the importance of afford station and maintaining a green cover in the country to prevent pollution and global warming. Use ideas from the unit on `Environment', the picture given below and your own ideas. 10
(For Blind Candidates Only)
You are Naina/Nayan. Write an article in about 150 - 175 words on the importance of afford station and maintaining a green cover in the country to prevent pollution and global warming. Use ideas from the unit on 'Environment', your own ideas, and the hints given below
• stops soil erosion
• attracts rains
• checks warming of the atmosphere
• provides life-giving oxygen
• effective contribution made by ‘Chipko Movement’
SECTION C - (Grammar) 20
7. Look at the notes given below and complete the paragraph that follows. Do not add any new information. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. 1x4=4
| Max Mueller - born in Germany - became British citizen - admired Indian culture and literature - translated – many Sanskrit texts |
Max Mueller was a - (a) ………………… by birth and he acquired British (b) ………………… He was a great (c) …………… literature and was responsible for the (d) texts.
8. In the passage given below one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. The first one is done as an example. 2 x8=4
Many people have grown up in e.g. people who have
multi-child families think that single (a)
child family a very fortunate one. (b)
They mention such benefits lack (c)
of competition parental love in (d)
such families. According them each (e)
of the children possesses large wardrobe (f)
for keeping his/her clothes. But picture (g)
is not so rosy. Inspite of getting
everything these children very lonely (h)
and long for company.
9. Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the answers against the correct blank numbers in your answer sheet. 1x4=4
are four of stress sources our lives there in common There are four common sources of stress in our lives.
(a) pressure external the or internal can be first one
(b) cause stress goals and expectations internal unreal
(c) due to factors place takes outside external stress
(d) of is another anxiety source stress
10. Given below are instructions to cook eggs. Use them to complete the paragraph given below. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole sentences. 1x4=4
• Break three eggs - drop them into a bowl
• Pick up an egg beater and beat the eggs
• Add salt and a little milk
• Oil a pan and pour beaten eggs
• Stir till dried and turn off the heat
• Transfer into a plate and serve hot
Three eggs are broken and dropped into a bowl. An egg beater (a) ………………… and the eggs are beaten. Salt and a little milk (b) …………………… to it. A pan is oiled and (c) …………………… into it. The eggs (d) ………………………… and the heat is turned off. The contents are then transferred to a plate and served hot.
11. Read the following conversation and complete it in any suitable way. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole sentences. 1x4=4
Amrita : We are going on a trip to Shimla next week.
(a) ……………………………………………………………
Raveena : It is not possible for me to join you on this trip.
Amrita : (b) …………………………………………………………
Raveena : My aunt is coming from the U.S.A.
Amrita : (c) …………………………………………………………
Raveena : She is coming this very week.
Amrita : (d) …………………………………………………………
Raveena : I will also miss you all a lot.
SECTION D - (Literature) 30
12. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. Number the answers correctly. 3
“In this bog I've long been known
For my splendid baritone
And, of course, I wield my pen
For Bog Trumpet now and then.”
(a) What is ‘Bog Trumpet’? 1
(b) How does the speaker try to impress the listener ? 1
(c) What does ‘baritone’ mean ? 1
I am important to her. She comes and goes.
Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.
In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman
Rises towards her day after day like a terrible fish.
(a) Who is ‘I’ ? 1
(b) Why is ‘I’ important to ‘her’? 1
(c) Which poetic device is used in the last line ? 1
13. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that 'follow. Write the answers in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. Number the answers correctly. 3
"God save thee, ancient Mariner!
From the fiends, that plague thee thus!-
Why look'st thou so?" - With my cross-bow
I shot the ALBATROSS.
(a) Who says, "Why look's thou so?" ? 1
(b) Why does he say so ? 1
(c) Who is ‘I’ referred to here ? 1
14. Answer the following in 50 - 75 words. 4
Write two instances to bring out the characteristic traits of the villagers in the poem, `The Night of the Scorpion'.
OR
Describe the impact of the West Wind on the land and the sea.
15. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow in one or two lines. ‘Have patience gentle friends, I must not read it’
(a) Who is the speaker ? What does he refuse to read ? 2
(b) Which two qualities of the speaker are revealed in these lines ? 2
16. Answer the following in 50 - 75 words. 4
Give two instances from the play, "The Christmas Carol" to bring out the fact that Scrooge was a cruel miser.
OR
In spite of Calpurnia's warning Caesar decided to go to the senate. Describe the circumstances under which he made this decision.
17. Answer the following in 50 - 75 words. 4
How did `the millions of human eyes glued to millions of colour TVs' react to the appearance of Cutie Pie - the strange creature captured from Quta-pi ?
OR
What thoughts came to Babuli's wife when she heard about the partition ?
18. Answer the following in 150 - 175 words. 8
You are one of the villagers who have noticed Ali and his helplessness. Write a letter to your friend giving an account of the life and experiences of this lonely man.
OR
Imagine you are the narrator's elder brother in `The Ultimate Safari'. Write a diary entry about your life in Mozambique and the circumstances under which you were forced to leave the place.
CBSE Board Question Papers Class 10th 2009