Disclaimer: The given NBSE Class 10 English 2020 question paper has been sourced from NBSE
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Total marks : 80 || Time : 3 hours
General Instructions:
- Approximately 15 minutes is allotted to read the question paper and revise the answers.
- All questions are compulsory.
- The question paper consists of 18 questions, divided into Units I, II, III and IV.
- Internal option is given in some questions.
- Marks allocated to every question is indicated against it.
N.B: Check that all pages of the question paper are complete as indicated on the top left side.
UNIT – I (Literature)
Answer the following questions:
1. What quest had Morusa set out on and why? (3)
2. How did Gandhiji’s ambitions grow like the family of the recluse? (3)
3. What was Mandela’s immediate challenge when he won the race for President of South Africa and took office? (3)
4. Does Macbeth see the evil side of his actions? Use examples from the text to support your answer. (5)
Or
‘Mr. Bell rang the bell of alarm in my ear and I awoke.’ Explain. (Imitating the English Gentleman)
5. Answer either 5(i) or 5 (ii) or 5 (iii) (5)
(i) Read the lines and answer the questions that follow:
(a) The glories of our blood and state
Are shadows, not substantial things;
There is no armour against Fate;
Death lays his icy hand on kings:
- Why does the poet say that the glories are shadows and what makes him feel so? (1+2=3)
(b) They fell in love, so rich and pure
It washed away Jina’s vice of being poor
Across the vales and hills they sang
Of an eternal wish of togetherness like swans
In love’s tide to swim for ever and ever
Sharing heart’s bounty, to lose each other never.
- Who is ‘they’ in these lines? (1)
- What was their intent? (1)
(ii) Give the summary of the poem, ‘The Windhover’.(5)
(iii) How does Walter De La Mare describe the atmosphere in the poem ‘The Listeners’? (5)
6. Cathleen: Did he say what way they were found?
(i) What is ‘they’ referred to here? (1)
(ii) How were ‘they’ found? (2)
7. The sea was both the provider and the destroyer for the people living on the island. Justify the statement. (3)
Or
What do the sisters try to hide from their mother?
UNIT – II (Reading)
8. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Stress is defined as excessive demand for physical or mental energy. This occurs when our mind and body both try to cope with the incessant changes in life. The teenage years are a time of major stress-related problems due to hormonal changes in the body, health issues, pressure at school, peer group relationships, meeting deadlines, and growing up tensions. Learning to understand and manage stress can prevent its counter effects like hypertension, eating disorders, allergies, insomnia and other illnesses of a serious nature. There are several methods of coping with stress. These can be physiological or psychological. The former deals with physical body conditions, while the latter deals with attitude and the state of mind. Physiological methods of coping with stress can be achieved by eating a balanced meal, getting enough sleep, and exercising to keep yourself fit. Exercise is excellent for the heart, body, and mind. It is a great stress buster. When you exercise, the body produces endorphins, which are natural chemicals that reduce stress and lift your mood. The psychological method of coping with stress can be achieved by being positive and optimistic. Avoid pessimistic people and constant complainers. Remember, you can never please everyone in life. So, relax and live life to the fullest, and lead a stress-free life.
(i) Answer the following questions:
a. Define stress. (1)
b. What is the psychological method of dealing with stress? (2)
c. How can you adopt the physiological method to reduce stress? (2)
(ii) Find words in the passage that have the same meaning as: (3×1=3)
a. referring to the second of two things mentioned
b. high blood pressure
c. chronic inability to fall asleep
9. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Ruskin Bond is an Indian author of British descent. He was born in Kasauli in 1934. He was brought up at different places in India, in Jamnagar, Dehradun and Shimla. He went to England for his primary studies. Although Bond was studying in England, his mind rested in India. He had forged an intimate relationship with the Himalayas and longed for it. Bond started displaying his literary talent in England. He wrote his first novel, titled “Room on the Roof,” when he was 17 years old. The book made him win the prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys Prize, which is awarded to British Commonwealth writers who are under the age of 30. The book was primarily based in and around the Himalayas and was successful in capturing its beauty and ethos in a manner that was never tried before. Its sequel named “Vagrants in the Valley” followed it. Riding on the success of these two novels, Ruskin Bond took the journey back home. His writings have won him tremendous critical acclaim as well as a long list of fans throughout the literary world. His stories manifest a deep love for nature and people. His mesmerizing descriptions of the flora and fauna of the Himalayas cannot be missed. He has written several short stories, essays, novels and more than 30 books for children. His works have inspired several generations of writers, authors, and scriptwriters. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award for English writing in India in 1992. He has also been conferred with Padma Shri which is one of the most prestigious civil awards in India and also the Padma Bhushan award in 2014.
(i) Answer the following questions:
a. Where did Ruskin Bond do his schooling? (1)
b. Name the prizes/awards received by him. (2)
c. What do Bond’s writings tell us about his nature? (2)
(ii) Complete the following sentences: (6×1⁄2=3)
Ruskin Bond had a strong ________ with the ________ and always longed for it. His two most successful novels are ________ and ________. His work has been a source of ________ for several generations of writers, authors and ________.
10. Read the poem carefully and fill in the blanks:
Know then thyself, presume not God to scan;
The proper study of mankind is man.
Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,
A being darkly wise, and rudely great:
With too much knowledge for the sceptic side,
With too much weakness for the stoic’s pride,
He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest;
In doubt to deem himself a god, or beast;
In doubt his mind or body to prefer;
Born but to die, and reasoning but to err;
Alike in ignorance, his reason such,
Whether he thinks too little, or too much:
Chaos of thought and passion, all confused;
Still by himself abused, or disabused;
Created half to rise, and half to fall;
Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;
Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled:
The glory, jest, and riddle of the world!
(Alexander Pope)
Fill in the blanks to complete the summary of the poem: (8×1⁄2=4)
In the poem, Pope states that instead of trying to understand ________, man should try to learn and understand ________ first. Too much ________ makes man _______ and too little knowledge makes him proud. ________ rules him, and reasoning often leads to ________.We invite ________ and confusion by thinking that man is the ________ of truth.
UNIT – III (Writing)
11. You are Yanren, the school captain of Zenith Public School, Wokha. Your school is organizing a tour to a historical place during the winter break. Write a notice informing the students of Classes IX and X giving detailed information about the proposed tour. (4)
Or
You are Amelia, living in Dimapur. Your old friend from Kolkata has invited you to visit her after your examinations are over. Write an E-mail to her expressing your inability to visit her.
12. Write a paragraph in about 80-100 words on, ‘Pleasures of morning walk’ using the inputs given: (4)
| An exercise with many benefits-teaches self discipline – pure air – purifies blood-remain energetic throughout the day- healthy heart- proper blood pressure – boost to self – confidence- closeness to nature. |
13. Based on the visual and data input given below, write on “ Misleading Advertisements” in about 120-150 words: (5)
| Can influence our choices – instances of negative advertising – wrong or false product descriptions – must be judicious when making choices – best to go in-depth into details of products- compare products before deciding |
14. You are Jason, the sports captain of Oakfield School, Kohima. Write a letter to the Secretary of the Sports Authority of India, Delhi, enquiring about details regarding sports scholarships for students. (7)
Or
Social media has taken the public by storm. If there are advantages of social media, there is a dark side to it as well. Write an article expressing your views on this for your school magazine in not more than 200 words.
UNIT – IV (Grammar)
15. Rewrite the given sentences as directed in the brackets: (5×1=5)
(a) The sea and _________ creatures have always fascinated man.
(Fill in with the correct possessive determiner)
(b) The referee blew the whistle for the penalty.
(Underline the verb and state whether it is transitive or intransitive)
(c) I know her to be trustworthy.
(Rewrite the sentence changing the underlined noun phrase into noun clause)
(d) The cows, which were in the field, were grazing.
(Underline the subordinate clause and name its kind)
(e) Watching the Ellen DeGeneres show is my favourite pastime.
(Identify whether the underlined verb is a gerund, participle or infinitive)
16. Change the narration: (4×1=4)
(a) The doctor said to my father, “Take light food.”
(b) He said, “Peter drives to work every day.”
(c) Samuel asked me if I was going on a picnic.
(d) He exclaimed that the Taj Mahal is a very beautiful monument.
17. Change the voice: (3×1=3)
(a) We are taught grammar by Miss Jain.
(b) Harry opened the door.
(c) We should obey the rules.
18. Identify the type of conditional clauses in the following sentences: (3×1=3)
(a) If you eat too much junk food, you will fall sick.
(b) If I meet her, I will tell her.
(c) If I had gone to bed early, I would have caught the bus.
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