Disclaimer: The given NBSE Class 10 Alternative English 2021 question paper has been sourced from NBSE
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Total marks : 80 || Time : 3 hours
General instructions:
(i) Approximately 15 minutes is allotted to read the question paper and revise the answers
(ii) The question paper consists of 21 main questions. All questions are compulsory.
(iii) Internal choice has been provided in some questions.
(iv) Marks allocated to every question are indicated against it.
N.B: Check that all pages of the question paper are complete as indicated on the top left side.
Unit – I (Reading)
1. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Mr. Phileas Fogg lived in 1872, at No. 7, Saville Row, in Burlington Gardens. He was one of the most noticeable members of the Reform Club, about whom little was known, except that he was a polished Englishman. He talked very little. His sole pastimes were reading the papers and playing whist. He often won at this game. Phileas Fogg lived alone in his house in Saville Row. A single domestic suffices to serve him. He breakfasted and dined at the club, in the same room, at the same table, and went home at exactly midnight, only to retire at once to bed. A rap at exactly half-past eleven sounded on the door of the apartment and the dismissed servant appeared. “The new servant,” he said. A young man of thirty advanced and bowed. “You are a Frenchman, I believe,” asked Phileas Fogg, “and your name is John?” “Jean,” replied the newcomer, “Jean Passepartout, I’ve had several trades in England.” “Passepartout suits me,” responded Mr. Fogg. “You know my conditions?” “Yes,” said Passepartout. “Now from this moment, twenty-nine minutes after eleven a.m., this Wednesday, October 2nd, you are in my service.” Phileas Fogg got up, took his hat and went off. It was his new master going out. Passepartout remained alone in the house in Saville Row.
a. Who was Phileas Fogg? (1)
b. Where did he live? (1)
c. What was the name of the newcomer? (1)
d. What did Phileas Fogg say to Passepartout? (1)
e. Who remained alone in the house in Saville? (1)
2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:
I wish I had a dragon
With diamond studded scales,
With claws like silversabers,
And fangs like silver nails,
A dragon fierce and faithful,
Always ready by my side,
A dragon to defend me
Or take me for a ride.
I wish I had a dragon
With eyes of shining gold,
Who breathed a plume of fire
Whenever it was told,
A dragon so ferocious
It might frighten Frankenstein,
But not a lazy drag on
Who sleeps all day…like mine!
(Shel Silverstein)
On the basis of your reading of the poem, complete the sentences that follow: (1×3=3)
a. The poet wishes to have a dragon that is fierce and _____________
b. The poet wants the dragon to take him for a ________________
c. The poet wants a fire-breathing dragon. We know this from the line, ‘_______________’
Write true or false: (4x12=2)
d. The poet wishes for a lazy dragon.
e. The poet wishes for a dragon with diamond studded scales.
f. The poet wishes for a dragon that can fly.
g. The poet wishes for a dragon that can fly.
Unit – II (Writing and Applied Grammar)
3. a. “Plant more trees to reduce pollution”. Write an article in about 150-200 words on the topic given above for your school magazine. (6)
Or
b. Develop a short story of about 100–150 words, beginning with the lines given below:
It was Akali’s first day at a new school. She was feeling very nervous. She stood in a corner and watched the students, who were laughing and talking excitedly. Suddenly, she saw four seniors advancing toward her, she was……..
4. Script a dialogue in about 100-150 words between two mothers about how helpful their children have been around the house. (6)
5. Choose the correct conjunction: (2×1=2)
a. Do you prefer tea _______ coffee?
i) or
ii) nor
iii) because
iv) and
b. The train was late ___________ I had plenty of time to get a newspaper.
i) but
ii) before
iii) so
iv) unless
6. Identify the degrees of comparison used in the following sentences: (2×1=2)
a. This is the oldest building in this town.
b. The cake is just as sweet as the ice cream.
7. Choose the correct preposition: (2×1=2)
a. The winner is _______ (on fin lat) the victory stand.
b. Potatoes grow ___________ (above /over/under) the ground.
8. Complete the sentences as directed in the brackets: (2×1=2)
a. The students had to obey her orders unless she was the principal. (Replace the incorrect conjunction with the correct one)
b. Pineapples are ______ than oranges. (sweet) (Write the correct form of the adjective given in the bracket)
Unit-III (Literature)
9. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given: (10×1=10)
i. The term Holocaust is from the Greek word holokauston, meaning-
a. Sacrifice by blood
b. Sacrifice by water
c. Sacrifice by men
d. Sacrifice by fire
ii. What created a sensation among Toshi and his friends?
a. Chugging of trains
b. The passing of a vehicle
c. The passing of motorcycles
d. The sound of animals
iii. Why does the poet describe death as ‘dear’ in the poem, ‘Old Folks Laugh’?
a. Death is a relief from the problems that come with old age.
b. Death is a good friend of the old folks.
c. Because the old folks want to die as soon as possible.
d. The poet is directly addressing death in this line.
iv. What does the word “perforated” mean in the chapter, “In Celebration of Being Alive”?
a. Filled with hope
b. Filled with suffering
c. Filled with holes
d. Filled with loss
v. Who was Louis Pasteur?
a. An African cardiologist
b. A Naga Author
c. An American neurologist
d. A French microbiologist
vi. What is Rabindranath Tagore experiencing in the poem, ‘ Closed Path”?
a. Doubts about his faith
b. Writer’s block
c. Midlife crisis
d. The end of a journey
vii. What was the name of Hany Silberberg’s girlfriend? (The Diary of a Young Girl)
a. Fanny
b. Miep
c. Margot
d. Anne Frank
viii. Severn mentioned in her speech the privileged life in her country. Which country is she talking about?
a. Brazil
b. India
c. Canada
d. Somalia
ix. What shouldn’t be shed according to Lhusi Haralu in the poem, “Prayer of the Meek’?
a. Water
b. Blood
c. Leaves
d. Skin
x. What did Wordsworth picture as he lay in bed?
a. A flock of geese
b. A flock of birds
c. A flock of sheep
d. The fall of rivers
Answer the following questions in about 20-25 words: (5×2=10)
10. How was the unattended trolley put to use? (In Celebration of Being Alive)
11. Why did the residents of the Annex decide to divide butter? (The Diary of a Young Girl)
12. Why are ‘fresh thoughts’ important to Wordsworth as a poet? (To Sleep)
13. Where did the strength of God lead Tagore? (Closed Path)
14. How important is a radio to the people in Holland? (The Diary of a Young Girl)
Answer the following questions in about 40-45 words: (5×4=20)
15. What appeal does Severn Suzuki make in her speech?
16. ‘When he opened the bookcase and stepped inside, Mr. Dussel was amazed.’
a. Why was Mr. Dussel amazed? (2)
b. What was handed over to Mr. Dussel after his arrival? (2)
17. “Now when I reflect back upon our childhood days, in all probability, our species should have died out. “ Write any four reasons why Toshi Langu made this statement.
18. a. “He remembered, when he was a child, a mad wolf used to live near his house”.
i. Why was everyone afraid of the “mad wolf”? (2)
ii. What was the only way to stop the infection from a bite? (2)
Or
b. Why does Wordsworth consider sleep important? How is sleep personified in the poem, “To Sleep”? (2+2=4)
19. Why does the poet call her homeland, ‘broken land”? (Prayer of the Meek)
Read the lines and answer the questions that follow:
20. ‘When old folks laugh, they consider the promise of dear painless death, and generously forgive life for happening to them..” (Old Folks Laugh)
a. What makes the old people want to forgive life? (2)
b. Why do they think about death? (1)
c. What quality of old people does the poet talk about in these lines? (2)
21. “Mrs. van Daan is unbearable. I’m continually being scolded for talking too much.” (The Diary of a Young Girl)
a. Who is ‘I’ here? (1)
b. What is Mrs. van Daan’s new trick? (3)
c. Who is stuck with cleaning all the pots and pans? (1)
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No question from the ambitious guest ?