Roll No.

----------------- Please check that this question paper

contains 11 questions and11
printed pages.
D.A.V. INSTITUTIONS, CHHATTISGARH
SAMPLE PAPER– I 2023-24
CLASS – X
SUBJECT- ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE (184)
Time: 3 Hours M.M.80
_________________________________________________________________________

General Instructions:
1. 15 minutes prior reading allotted for question paper reading.
2. The question paper consists of three sections-
Section – A: Reading
Section - B: Grammar & Writing
Section - C: Literature.
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A: Reading Skills- (20 Marks)

1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. (10)

1. Mankind’s fascination with gold is as old as civilization itself. The ancient Egyptians held gold in
high esteem. Gold had religious significance for them, and king Tutankhamen was buried in a solid
gold coffin 3300 years ago. The wandering Israelites worshipped a golden calf, and the legendary
King Midas asked that whatever he touched be turned into gold.

2. Not only is gold beautiful, but it is virtually indestructible. It will not rust or corrode. Gold coins
and products fabricated from the metal have survived undamaged for centuries. Gold is extremely
easy to work with. One ounce, which is about the size of a cube of sugar, can be beaten into a sheet
nearly 100 square feet in size, and becomes so thin that light can pass through it. An ounce of gold
can also be stretched into a wire 50 miles long. Gold conducts electricity better than any other
substance except copper and silver, and it is particularly important in modern electronic industry.

3. People have always longed to possess gold. Unfortunately, this longing has also brought out the
worst in human character. The Spanish conquerors robbed palaces, temples and graves and killed
thousands of people in their ruthless search for gold. Even today, the economy of South Africa’s

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 gold mines depend largely on the employment of black labourers who are paid about 40 pounds a
month, plus boarding and lodging. They work in conditions that can only be described as cruel.
About 400 miners die in South Africa each year.

4. Much of the gold’s value lies in its scarcity. Only about 80,000 tons have been mined in the history
of the world. All of it can be stored in a vault 60 feet square, or a super tanker. Great Britain was
the first country to adopt the gold standard, when the Master of Mint, Sir Isaac Newton, established
a fixed price of gold in 1717. The discovery of gold in the last half of the nineteenth century in
California, (1848) and later in Australia and South Africa changed everything. Before the
discovery, there was not enough gold around for all the trading nations to link their currencies to
the precious metal.

5. An out- of work prospector named George Harrison launched South Africa into the gold age
in1886 when he discovered the metal in a farm near what is now Johannesburg. Harrison was given
a 12 pounds reward by the farmer. He then disappeared and was eaten by a lion.

6. One of the biggest gold mining areas in the Soviet Union is the Kolyma River region, once
infamous for its prison camp. The camp has gone, but in a way nothing has changed. Many ex-
prisoners have stayed on to work in the mines and are supervised by ex-guards.

7. Despite the current rush to buy gold, 75 percent of the metal goes into making jewellery. Italy is the
biggest consumer of gold for this purpose, and many Italian jewelers even tear up their wooden
floors and burn them to recover the tiny flecks of gold. Historically, the desire to hoard gold at
home has been primarily an occupation of the working and peasant classes, who have had no faith
in paper money. George Bernard Shaw defended their instincts eloquently, “you have to choose
between trusting the natural stability of the honesty and intelligence of the members of the
government,” he said “and with due respect to these gentlemen, I advise to vote for gold”

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions. (10)
(i) When was King Tutankhamen buried? (1)
(a) 1717 (b) 1886 (c) 3300 years ago (d) 1848
(ii) Why did Egyptians hold gold in great esteem? (1)
(a) because it is a good conductor of electricity.
(b) because of its religious significance.
(c) for lovely gold ornaments
(d) because it is indestructible
(iii) According to the passage, which one of the following statements is not true? (1)
(a) Gold is the best conductor of electricity

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 (b) Apart from gold, copper and silver are good conductors of electricity
(c) Gold can be easily beaten; hence it is easy to work with.
(d) Gold plays an important role in the modern electronics industry.
(iv) Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the following. (1)
The wandering Israelites worshipped a gold calf -----------------
(a) importance of religion (b) importance of the metal
(c) good conductor (d) can replace money
(v) How were the black labourers exploited? (2)
(vi) Complete the following with the phrase from Paragraph 1. (1)

Opinion Reason
-------------------- King Tutankhamen was buried in a solid gold coffin 3300 years ago

(vii) Based on your reading of the passage, list two reasons why the writer says that- (2)
Not only is gold beautiful but it is virtually indestructible.
(i) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(viii) Who launched South Africa into the gold age? (1)
(a) Isaac Newton (b) George Harrison
(c) George Bernard Shaw (d) A farmer
2. Read the passage given below.
1. Starting Monday, the country’s low-cost Mars mission with the red planet for an extended
period will enter the ‘blackout’ phase snapping communication with the satellite. From 8th to
22nd the sun will block Mars from the Earth snapping communication with the satellite.
2. A senior Indian Space Research Organization official said “this will be for the time that there
will be a communication break for such a long period of about 15 days. During this period,
there will be no communication with the satellite”, he added.
3. Expressing confidence about regaining control over the satellite once the blackout phase is
over, he said, “the scenario has been tested and the line of communication will be established.”
The spacecraft’s life has been extended for another six months in March due to surplus fuel.
4. Stating that the spacecraft has been ‘configured’ for the blackout, the ISRO official said, “we
are not sending any commands to the spacecraft now, till 8th June few hours of signals will be
sent by the spacecraft that will be for about two to three hours per day.” In May next year, the
mission will have to go through a similar phase once again, if there is another extension of
mission life when the Earth will come between the Sun and Mars.

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 5. Scripting space history, India on September 24 last successfully placed its low-cost Mars
spacecraft in orbit around the red planet in its very first attempt, breaking into an elite club of
three countries.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions. (10)
(i) Infer one reason for the following based on information in paragraph 1. (2)
The ‘blackout’ phase is significant-------------------------.
(ii) Choose the appropriate option to fill in the blank. (1)
From Paragraph 1 and 2, we can infer that there will be -------------------- .
1. no communication with the people
2. blackout phase
3. satellite will get no communication
4. moon will block the earth
5. the communication break will be for 15 days.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1, 3 and 4 (c) 2, 3 and 5 (d) 3, 4 and 5
(iii) The communication with the satellite will break for approximately ------------- days. (1)
(a) 10 (b) 15 (c) 20 (d) 25
(iv) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/ phrase from paragraph 2. (1)
Aroma : Cooking :: ----------- : Space Research
(Clue – just like aroma is integral to cooking, similarly ----------- is/are integral to
Space Research)
(v) According to ISRO official till 8th July, when Sun will block Mars, --------- signal/signals per
day will be sent to the spacecraft. (1)
(a) no (b) considerable (c) indefinite (d) only for few
(vi) Select the correct option to complete the following sentence. (1)
The ISRO officials are --------------about their control over the spacecraft after the blackout
phase.
(a) doubtful (b) apprehensive (c) confident (d) jittery
(vii) The spacecraft’s life was extended by six months because of (1)
(a) extra fuel (b) incomplete work
(c) lack of communication amongst ISRO officials (d) technical problems in its landing
(viii) The blackout was not a sudden development. Comment. (2)

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 Section B: Grammar & Writing Skills- (10+10 = 20 Marks)

Grammar
3. Attempt any ten of the following questions. (10x1=10)

(i) You should ------------- your mother for your rude behaviour.

(a) apologise for (b) apologise at (c) apologise with (d) apologise to

(ii) Read the conversation between a customer and a waiter. Complete the sentence by reporting the
waiter’s reply correctly.

Customer: Waiter, come here. The plate is dirty.

Waiter: I will change it sir.

The customer asked the waiter to come there. He pointed out that the plate was dirty. The
waiter politely offered ---------------------.

(iii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given sentence.

----------------- you help me to cross the road youngman?

(a) Will (b) May (c) Shall (d) Might

(iv) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following sentence.

Twenty year ago, kids at school had never even heard of the internet.

Option No. Error Correction

(a) never ever
(b) at In
(c) had have
(d) The an

(v) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blanks with the correct option.

NO NEWS ---------------- GOOD NEWS.

(a) HAS (b) HAD (c) IS (d) ARE

(vi) Fill in the blank using the correct form of the word in the bracket.

When a satellite -------------- (launch) the rocket begins by going slowly upwards.

(a) is launched (b) are launched

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 (c) have been launched (d) were launched

(vii) Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction.

Behind every success film there is lengthy creative process.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

(viii) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the slogan:

------------------ EDUCATED MIND CAN TEACH THE MANY.

(a) THE (b) A (c) AN (d) THIS

(ix) Identify the error in the statement given below and supply the correction.

The evil of the begging is very common into our country.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

(x) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blanks with the correct option.

Kamal Hassan is the latest celebrity to ------------------ to attention the ongoing protest by the
wrestling community in India.

(a) bringing (b) bring (c) having brought (iv) brought

(xi) Is it true that the students from the Space Research Centre ------------- this evening?

(a) was arriving (b) are arriving

(c) is arriving (d) were arriving

(xii) Select the correct option to complete the narration of a dialogue between Raj and his wife.

Raj: I have invited my friends for dinner.

Wife: I’ll invite my friends too.

Raj told his wife that he had invited his friends for dinner. The wife added that ---------------

(a) she will invite her friends too (b) she would invite her friends too

(c) she can invite her friends too (d) she could invite her friends too

4. (a) You are Rohit/ Rohini of A-45 Pitampura, Delhi. You observed that the subways in Delhi are seldom
used by pedestrians who are always trying to cut across traffic. You have decided to write a letter to

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 the editor of ‘Hindustan Times’ highlighting the dire need of creating awareness about it. Based on
the points given along with your own ideas write a letter in 100-200 words. (5)

- infrastructure unutilized

- pedestrians prone to accidents

- accumulation of stagnant water/ garbage in subways

-need for improvement and regular cleanliness under proper supervision.

OR

(b) You are Manish/Manisha of C – 12 Janakpuri, Indore. You wish to make a pilgrimage to Badrinath,
Kedarnath, and Haridwar with your family of six. Write a letter to R.K. Travels, enquiring about the
schedule of their conducted tour by Deluxe buses to these places. Ask about the charges, boarding
and lodging arrangements and the total time needed for the tour. (Word limit 100-120 words)

5. (a) The given bar graph shows the increasing use of skin care products by men and women over the
period of three months. Write an analytical paragraph elaborating the given information in about
100-120 words.
(5)

OR

(b) The given bar graph shows the preference of children in a school in playing different games over the
span of six years. Write an analytical paragraph about the given information in about 100 words. (5)

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 Section C: Literature - (40 Marks)

6. (a) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow. (5)

I started right away at the Montessori nursery school. I stayed there until I was six at which time I
started in the first form. In the sixth form my teacher was Mrs. Kuperus, the headmistress. At the end
of the year we were both in tears as we said a heartbreaking farewell.

In the summer of 1941 Grandma fell ill and had to have an operation, so my birthday passed with
little celebration.

(i) The narrator ‘I’ refers to (1)

(a) Mr. Keesing (b) Mrs. Kuperus

(c) Anne Frank (c) Miss Margot

(ii) The phrase ‘right away’ in this extract most nearly means (1)

(a) with delay (b) the correct way

(c) immediately (d) overtaking from right

(iii) What does the narrator mean by saying ‘we were both in tears’? (2)

(iv) Complete the analogy by selecting a word from the extract. (1)

Dawn: dusk :: mourning : ----------------------

OR

(b) The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a
barefooted man doing on the steps of a house in the middle of London? And where was the man?
As they gazed, a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere!

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 Further footprints followed, one after another, descending the steps and progressing down the
street. The boys followed, fascinated until the muddy impressions become fainter and fainter and at
last disappeared altogether.
(i) The boys were surprised to see a barefooted man in London because -------------- . (1)
(a) everybody in London moved around in shoes.
(b) It was very cold in London to move around barefoot.
(c) the muddy footprints were fresh
(d) only a homeless person would walk barefoot.
(ii) Why were the two boys surprised? Write your answer in 40 words. (2)
(iii) Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word ‘started’ used in the above
extract.
(a) When I reached the theatre the movie had already started. (1)
(b) The fire started from the kitchen.
(c) On hearing the bell ring, the sleeping Raman started and jumped out of bed.
(d) Taking a deep breath, Ravi started down the stairs.
(iv) The boys’ reaction can best be described as (1)
(a) captive, bored (b) repulsed, absorbed
(c) curious, unhappy (d) captivated, interested

7. (a) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow. (5)

If strolling forth, a beast you view,

Whose hide with spots is peppered,

As soon as he has leapt on you,

You’ll know it’s the leopard.

Twill do no good to roar with pain,

He’ll only lep and lep again.

(i) One can find out that it is a leopard by the way it ---------------------- (1)
(a) leaps (b) eats (c) looks (d) roars
(ii) State whether the following statement is true or false. (1)
When an animal repeatedly leaps at a person, it is leopard.
(iii) How, according to the poem, one can identify the leopard? Write your answer in 40 words. (2)
(iv) The Royal Bengal Tiger has black stripes on yellow skin whereas a leopard has ---------------- (1)
OR
(b) He stalks in his vivid stripes
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 The few steps of his cage
On pads of velvet quiet
In his quiet rage.
He should be lurking in shadow
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
(i) ‘He’ is in a rage because he is --------- (1)
(a) hungry (b) tied (c) thirsty (d) in a cage
(ii) He is lurking in the shadow because ------------------ (1)
(iii) Why does the tiger express his rage quietly? (2)
(iv) The above lines express the tiger’s ------------------- (1)
(a) resignation (b) fear (c) anger (d) acceptance
8. Answer any four of the following questions in about 40-50 words: (4x3=12)

(a) What did Kisa Gotami do after the death of her only son?

(b) What are the raindrops compared to and why?

(c) How is the Goan baker still an important part of the life of a Goan village?

(d) How did Chubucov react when Lomov asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage?

(e) Why does Amanda wish to be a mermaid?

9. Answer any two of the following questions in about 40-50 words: (2x3=6)

(a) Why did Hari Singh smile in his most appealing way towards the end of the story?

(b) What excuses did Mrs. Pumphery make about Mr. Harriot’s advice?

(c) What lesson did Ebright learn when he did not win anything at a science fair?

10. Answer any one of the following questions in about 100-120 words: (6)
(a) Motivation plays an important role in taking risks in life and in succeeding. Do you agree?
Discuss with reference to the pilot of the old Dakota and the young seagull.

(b) Valli was an extra-ordinary girl who had self-confidence and courage to realize her ambition by
planning and drawing on her spirit of adventure. Discuss with reference to the chapter -

‘Madam Rides the Bus’.

11. Answer any one of the following questions in about 100-120 words: (6)
(a) Destiny had been cruel to Bholi yet she made a place for herself in a conservative society.
Discuss.
(b) Mathilda was very proud of her beauty and charm and this led to her downfall. Elaborate.
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