Solution

(B) teachers

(C) teacher

(B) practise

(A) the

(B) gave

(B) heavier

(C) of

(C) Why are they making a noise ?

(C) plane's pilot

(A) expecting

(B) hailstorm

(A) two

(B) fish

(D) Robert Frost

(C) agree

(C) rich lady

(B) money

(D) secret agent

(D) hayfever

(C) the waiter

Section-B (Reading)

1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

(1) Who was Robin Hood and where did he live?

Ans: Robin Hood was the leader of a company of outlaws who lived in Sherwood Forest.

(2) Who did Robin Hood help with money?

Ans: Robin Hood helped the poor, whom he saved from cruel landlords, with money.

(3) Who was Robin Hood's bitter enemy?

Ans: The Sheriff of the nearby town was Robin Hood's bitter enemy.

(4) Which word in the passage means to make known publicly or officially?

Ans: "Declared".

(Writing)

2. Write an application to the principal of your college, requesting him to improve the condition of your college library.

To,

The Principal,

[College Name],

[City].

Subject: Request to improve the condition of the college library.

Respected Sir/Madam,

Most respectfully, I would like to state that I am a student of class 10th in your esteemed institution. I want to draw your kind attention towards the poor condition of our college library.

Currently, there is a shortage of updated textbooks, reference books, and daily newspapers in the library. Also, the reading room lacks proper lighting, ventilation, and seating arrangements, which makes it very difficult for students to study peacefully during their free periods.

Therefore, I earnestly request you to kindly take necessary steps to improve the library conditions by adding new books and upgrading the facilities. We shall be highly obliged to you for this kind act.

Thanking you,

Yours obediently,

[Your Name]

Class: 10th

3. Write an article on 'Uses and Misuses of smart phones' in about 80-100 words:

Uses and Misuses of Smartphones

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of modern human life. They are no longer mere communication devices but powerful computers that fit in our pockets. The uses of smartphones are immense; they provide instant access to global information, online education, e-governance, entertainment, and digital banking facilities. Students and professionals heavily rely on them for research, skill development, and connectivity.

However, every coin has two sides. The misuse of smartphones has grown alarmingly, especially among the youth. Excessive screen time leads to severe health issues like weak eyesight, sleep disorders, and poor posture. Social media addiction, cyberbullying, and endless scrolling result in a massive loss of precious time and decreased productivity. Furthermore, unsafe usage can compromise personal privacy and data security.

In conclusion, smartphones are wonderful technological boons if used wisely. Moderation, self-control, and mindful usage are essential to harness their benefits while avoiding their harmful side effects.

(Grammar)

4. Rewrite the following sentences as directed:

(a) Ram said to Meena, "Have you completed your work?" (Indirect Speech)

Ans: Ram asked Meena if she had completed her work.

(b) Why does he beat his brother? (Passive Voice)

Ans: Why is his brother beaten by him?

(c) Punctuate the following:

He said will you help me or shall i ask someone else.

Ans: He said, "Will you help me, or shall I ask someone else?"

(d) Translate the following into English:

Aaj hamare pradhanacharya avkash grahan kar rahe hain. Ve college mein 1980 se karya kar rahe hain. Ve sabhi adhyapakon ke sath achha vyavhar karte rahe hain. Sabhi vidyarthi unka samman karte hain.

Translation:

Today our Principal is retiring. He has been working in the college since 1980. He has been behaving well with all the teachers. All the students respect him.

(Literature)

5. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words each:

(A) Why was Lencho angry when he received the letter?

Ans: Lencho was angry when he received the letter because there were only seventy pesos in the envelope, whereas he had asked God for a hundred pesos. He was sure that God could neither have made a mistake nor have denied him what he requested, so he suspected the post office employees of stealing the remaining thirty pesos.

OR

What according to Mandela is 'true freedom'?

Ans: According to Nelson Mandela, true freedom is not merely being free of one's chains, but living in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. As a young man, his freedom was an illusion; he discovered his freedom was already taken from him, which created a hunger for the basic and honourable freedoms of achieving his potential and earning his keep.

(B) Why was the young seagull afraid of flying?

Ans: The young seagull was afraid of flying because it was his first time. When he had run forward to the brink of the ledge and attempted to flap his wings, he felt certain that his wings would never support him, and he was terrified by the vast expanse of the green sea stretching down below.

6. Answer any one of the following questions in about 60 words:

(A) Why did Lencho write a letter to God?

Ans: Lencho was a poor farmer whose entire crops of corn were completely destroyed by a devastating hailstorm. With no source of income left, his family faced starvation. Having immense and unflinching faith in God, he believed that God watches everything and helps those in need. Therefore, he decided to write a letter to God, asking for financial assistance of a hundred pesos to sow his field again and survive until the next crop.

7. Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?

Ans: The poet Robert Frost associates 'fire' with human desires, greed, lust, and unbridled passions. From his personal experience and observations of the world ("From what I've tasted of desire"), he has witnessed how destructive and consuming human passions can be. Therefore, he believes that fiery desires are powerful enough to bring a swift and catastrophic end to the world, making him side with those who favor fire.

8. Write the central idea of any one of the following poems:

(a) A Tiger in the Zoo

Central Idea of the Poem 'A Tiger in the Zoo':

The poem written by Leslie Norris contrasts a tiger in its natural habitat with the one confined in a zoo. Through this poem, the poet highlights the plight of captive animals and emphasizes how cruelty it is to cage wild animals for human entertainment. While locked behind concrete bars in a small cage, the majestic animal feels helpless, frustrated, and angry, suppressing his natural ferocity and ignoring visitors. The poem conveys a strong message that wild creatures belong to freedom, nature, and the wild, not to artificial confinement.

9. Answer any one of the following in about 30-40 words:

(a) Why was Pumphrey wring her hands?

Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was wringing her hands in absolute despair and anxiety because her beloved pet dog, Tricki, had fallen seriously ill due to overfeeding. When Dr. Herriot came to take Tricki away to his surgery for treatment, she was heartbroken and believed that the dog would surely die if he did not see her every day.

10. Answer any one of the following in about 60 words:

(a) Write a character sketch of Hari Singh.

Ans: Hari Singh is a central character in Ruskin Bond's story 'The Thief's Story'. He is a young boy of fifteen who is an experienced and fairly successful thief. Despite his criminal background, he is intelligent, observant, and capable of deep self-reflection. He yearns to learn how to read and write, believing that education can change his life completely. Although he betrays Anil's trust by stealing his money, his conscience pricks him at the end, showing that he is not a hardened criminal and possesses an inherent goodness that responds to love, kindness, and trust.