CBSE X | ENGLISH

Sample Paper – 2 (Updated 2019-2020)

CBSE Board
Class X English Language and Literature
Sample Paper – 2 (Updated 2019-2020)
Time – 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

The question paper is divided into the following sections.

Section A: Reading 20 marks
Section B: Writing & Grammar 30 marks
Section C: Literature 30 marks

SECTION A
(READING-20 MARKS)

Q 1. Read the following passage carefully:

Bernard Shaw in his radio broadcast takes up the theme of freedom. Shaw adheres to
democratic socialism and condemns the devices of the elites who foster an environment
of false freedom and enslavement of the underprivileged class. Behind his humour lies
the satire of the existing social condition, and concentration of power in the hands of
the capitalist class.
In his essay on Freedom, he talks about two types of slavery, the slavery of man
towards the necessities of the nature and the slavery of man to man. A free man is one
who does whatever he or she likes. But this is not possible as individuals have to fulfil
the basic needs of eat, sleep and travel. The fulfilment of this type of slavery is
pleasurable. It gives satisfaction. However, the second type of slavery is despised by
him.
The slavery of man to man based on the class division is hateful. The capitalist nature of
slavery is what he criticises at length. He believes that the rich have instilled the
thought that all men are leading a life of freedom because the freedom has been won by
our ancestors. The common man must oblige to the ancestors for the freedom they have
earned in war. History too teaches us the same. These are fake propaganda that
promotes slavery. He goes on to suggest that the voting rights given to common men
are also practiced under the guidance of the upper class. Hence, the right to vote and
right to education are not practiced in reality.
The essay concludes on the note that freedom is important for individuals to exercise
intelligence. A life full of do’s and don’ts and, discipline may lead to the failure of
intelligence. A person can practice his right to freedom when he starts to question,
argue and discover.

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 CBSE X | ENGLISH
Sample Paper – 2 (Updated 2019-2020)

On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following
questions [1×8=8]
(a) The two types of slavery _____________________________.
(b) The political adherence of Bernard Shaw is ______________________________.
(c) Name the type of slavery is despised by Shaw.
(d) Individuals have to fulfil the basic needs of eat, sleep and travel. The fulfilment of
this type of slavery is called the __________________________ in which the individuals are
obliged to fulfil the necessities of nature.
(e) _______________ instils the thought that the freedom is won by our ancestors.
(f) What do you mean by 'this type of slavery is pleasurable'?
(g) Why can’t men vote freely?
(h) When does an individual start to practice freedom?

Q 2. Read the following passage carefully:

On December 26, 2004, at 7:59 am local time, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1 hit
the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Over the next seven hours, a tsunami—a
series of enormous ocean waves—triggered by the quake reached the Indian Ocean. It
was reported by some locations that the waves had reached a height of 30 feet (9
meters).
The tsunami waves that struck the west coast of northern Sumatra, open our senses to
the myriad shades of human nature. Through the media, we were updated of the
devastation wreaked on the shores and its effect on the coastal community. We
witnessed the havoc and the helplessness. We also saw how aid was pouring in from all
across the country. The government did not abstain from inundating the victims with a
wave of relief material. Soon, there were sarees, dhotis and other clothes spread all over
the roads in the affected areas. The food that was served was ample. But the localities
abhorred the taste. They expressed dissatisfaction over the preparatory method of the
food items, which did not satiate the local food habit and taste.
Disaster is a time that exposes the true suffering of the people and at the same time
shows the true colour of many. At the time of the tsunami, many people also use this
phase to endorse their propaganda. They tell stories of how they went from door to
door collecting relief funds.
On the contrary, there were genuine helping hands that went all over collecting
important storage items, such as, maps, tarpaulin, medicines, torch, grocery, matchbox,
etc. They assembled everything in large trunks and delivered them even to the outskirts
of Bangalore. Some of the volunteers amazed everyone with their dedication and
professionalism.

2.1 On the basis of your reading of the above extract, answer the following questions
in 30-40 words each:
(a) What report came from various locations about the tsunami?
(b) Give details of the aid provided by the government?
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 CBSE X | ENGLISH
Sample Paper – 2 (Updated 2019-2020)

(c) What does the statement ‘Disaster is a time that exposes the true suffering of the
people and at the same time shows the true colour of many’ mean with reference to
the passage?
(d) How did the volunteers amaze everyone?
(e) Enumerate the materials that were wasted during the disaster.

2.2 On the basis of your reading of the above extract, answer the following: [1 x 4 = 4]
(a) The media’s role during the tsunami was to________________ us.
i. update ii. evacuate iii. feed iv. calm
(b) The food served during the disaster was ______________ to the people.
i. tasteful ii. distasteful iii. delicious iv. good
(c) Antonym of ‘wreaked’ from the third paragraph is ____________.
i. inflict ii. vent iii. work iv. neglect
(d) Synonym of ‘abstain’ from the second paragraph is _____________.
i. forbear ii. embrace iii. allow iv. encourage

SECTION B
(WRITING & GRAMMAR– 30 MARKS)

Q 3. You are Bhawna/Bhuwan of Model School, Manali. You have seen an advertisement in
The Times of India related to the opening of a club named ‘Yoga on the Go’ initiated by the
Health and Fitness Centre, Manali. Write a letter to the director, enquiring about the
membership procedure, venue, duration, fee structure, activities, transportation, etc. in not
more than 120 words. [8]
OR
You are the in charge of the sports committee of Gyan Ganga school, Palam Vihar, Meerut.
The stock of sports equipment in your custody has worn out. Write a letter to the Director
of Sports Equipment provider – Fitness World to provide new stock in not more than 120
words. Give details of the equipment required (Flying discs, rackets, goal posts, etc.). You
are Pawni/Pawan.

Q 4. Write a short story in about 200-250 words, with any of the sets of the clues
given in the boxes below. Give a suitable title to the story. [10]

Danny and Maria went to the market to buy some food items. When they were
returning, they saw a child sobbing outside the grocery story. They asked the boy his
name and whereabouts. The little boy told them. . .

OR

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 CBSE X | ENGLISH
Sample Paper – 2 (Updated 2019-2020)

Summer holidays are the most sought-after time for any school going child. I was
always excited to go to my grandmother’s house to hear wonderful stories from her.
Once upon a time, she told us the story of a girl with magical hair . . .

Q 5. Fill in any four of the blanks choosing the most appropriate option from the ones
given below. Write the answers on the answer sheet against the correct blank
numbers. [4]
(a) Another area that requires significant improvement _______ to measuring the work
performed by women.
(b) Female labour force participation rates in India are _______ low.
(c) There _______ no magical solutions to this problem.
(d) What is needed are long term investment _______ attention to implement skill
development programs.
(e) At a time when the prospects _______ jobs are gloomy, and awareness program may
prove to be a bliss.

(a) (i) related (ii) relates (iii) related (iv) has related
(b) (i) extreme (ii) extremes (iii) extremely (iv) extremity
(c) (i) is clearly (ii) has clearly (iii) was clearly (iv) are clearly
(d) (i) and (ii) but (iii) also (iv) for
(e) (i) about (ii) into (iii) by (iv) of

Q 6. In the following passage one word has been omitted in each line. Write the
missing word, in the sentences of the given paragraph, also write the word that
comes before and after the word. [4]
Shimla a good place for Summer Camp
Shimla is a
Green Valley Summer Camp is of the
(a) ________ ________ ________
Summer camps gaining and more
(b) ________ ________ ________
popularity as many people want become
(c) ________ ________ ________
part of social interaction groups.
(d) ________ ________ ________

Q 7. Rearrange the following word clusters to make meaningful sentences. [4]

(a) 800/ there/ are/ country/ groups/ nearly/ tribal/ in the
(b) the/ no/ they/ has/ language/ written/ speak/ script
(c) languages/ French/ are /of the /as different as / some/ is /from Chinese
(d) most/ have not/ more than/ of them/ ten miles/ from their homes/ ventured

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 CBSE X | ENGLISH
Sample Paper – 2 (Updated 2019-2020)

SECTION C (LITERATURE – 30 MARKS)

Q 8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [1 x 4 = 4]
He waited a moment in surprise, wondering why she did not come nearer, and then,
maddened by hunger, he dived at the fish. With a loud scream he fell outwards and
downwards into space.
a. Who is ‘He’?
b. Whom was he waiting for?
c. Why did he dive at the fish?
d. What happened afterwards?
OR
He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint and grief.
He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind; he
who has overcome all sorrow will become free from sorrow and be blessed.
a. Who is the speaker?
b. How can get peace?
c. What should one do to be blessed?
d. What does ‘lamination’ mean?

Q 9. Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each: [2×4=8]
a. For what unusual reason is Bholi sent to school?
b. How did Mrs. Pumphrey and her servants behave when Tricki was being sent to the
surgery?
c. In the poem ‘Dust of Snow’, how does the poet’s mood get changed?
d. Why does the poet want to ‘turn and live’ with animals?
e. How did the children respond to Wanda’s drawings?

Q 10. Answer the following questions in 100-200 word:

In the lesson ‘A Letter to God’, what moral values does the postmaster display in his
behavour? [8]
OR
Among neigbhours we should have cordial relations and not lose our temper. How do
Natalya and Lomov lose their temper on trivial issues?

Q 11. Answer the following questions in 200-250 words: [10]

Describe the difficulties faced by Anne Frank and others in the annexe.
OR
Write a character Sketch of Mrs. Van Daan.
OR
“Highlights the role of Miss Sullivan in Helen Keller’s life.
OR
Write a character sketch of Mr. Gilman.
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