NODIA APP Sample Paper 10 Page 1

Sample Paper 10
English Language and Literature (184)
Class-X Exam 2024-25
Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions :
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :
1. This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
2 The Question Paper contains THREE sections -
Section A : Reading Skills
Section B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section C : Literature Textbook
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A - READING SKILLS 20

1. Read the following text. 10

1. Many zoos are facing a funding crisis, which has brought back the debate about whether
zoos should exist at all. People who support zoos believe they are essential for saving
rare animal species. Over the last 20 years, zoos have developed programs to protect
endangered animals. These programs, called “captive breeding programs,” involve
breeding animals in zoos and later releasing them back into the wild to increase the
number of animals in their natural habitats.
2. Zoos work together to make sure their breeding programs succeed. Animals are moved
from one zoo to another to prevent inbreeding, which is when closely related animals
mate. Inbreeding can lead to deformities or health problems in the offspring.
3. Zoo supporters also believe that zoos are important for educating children, as millions of
kids visit zoos every year. They argue that watching animals on TV is not the same as
seeing real animals up close. Zoos also do research, like finding out the best conditions
for endangered species to reproduce. If zoos were to close, it could be devastating for
conservation efforts, and many animals would have to be euthanized.
4. People who are against zoos agree that some species have been saved by captive breeding
programs, but they don’t think this is enough to solve the global conservation crisis.
The number of animals saved by zoos is very small compared to the overall problem. It
took millions of dollars to save the Arabian oryx, but that much money can’t be spent
on every endangered species. Some animals, like the African elephant, don’t breed well
in captivity, making zoo programs less effective for certain species.
5. Opponents of zoos also argue that many animals in zoos are kept in poor and unkind
conditions. In some of the worst zoos, animals are still put on display just to entertain
people. When animals are kept in bad environments, they often behave in strange,
repetitive ways. For example, polar bears might walk back and forth or turn their heads
over and over again. Scientists say this behavior is a sign that the animals are stressed
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and frustrated. Opponents of zoos believe that when children see animals acting like
this, they aren’t learning about the animals in a healthy or accurate way.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. In paragraph 1, why do supporters of zoos believe they are important for animal
conservation? 1

ii. Complete the following with the correct option : 1

Zoo breeding programs involve :
(a) Breeding animals in zoos and keeping them in captivity forever.
(b) Breeding animals in zoos and reintroducing them into the wild to boost wild
populations.
(paragraph 1)

iii. How do zoos work together to prevent inbreeding, as explained in the passage? 2
(paragraph 2)

iv. Select the option that best reflects the argument in favor of zoos for education : 1
(a) Zoos are important because they entertain children.
(b) Zoos help educate children by allowing them to see real animals up close, which is
more impactful than watching them on TV.
(paragraph 3)

v. State whether the following statement is True or False. 1

Opponents of zoos agree that captive breeding programs have saved some species, but
they believe it’s not enough to solve the worldwide conservation problem.
(paragraph 4)

vi. The writer mentions that some animals don’t breed well in captivity. 1
Which species is given as an example of this problem?
(A) Arabian oryx (B) African elephant
(C) Polar bear (D) Leopard
(paragraph 4)

vii. List two ways animals behave when kept in bad conditions in zoos, as mentioned in the
passage. 2
(paragraph 5)

viii. Fill in the blank with the correct option : 1

According to opponents of zoos, children who see animals behaving in stressed and
unnatural ways in zoos :
(A) Learn the correct information about the animals.
(B) Are given a false or inaccurate understanding of animal behavior.
(C) Are entertained and educated at the same time.
(D) Learn how animals act in the wild.
(paragraph 5)
NODIA APP Sample Paper 10 Page 3

2. Read the following text. 10

1. The global plastic waste crisis is one of the most pressing environmental challenges
today. An estimated 300 million tons of plastic waste are produced each year, with
only 9% being recycled, while 12% is incinerated, and the remaining 79% accumulates
in landfills or the natural environment. Of this, over 8 million tons enter the oceans
annually, impacting marine ecosystems.
2. Plastic pollution in oceans has increased dramatically over the past 50 years. By 2050,
it is estimated that the amount of plastic in the ocean will outweigh all the fish. More
than 100,000 marine animals, including turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals, die each
year due to plastic ingestion or entanglement. Microplastics, particles less than 5mm in
size, have been found in over 90% of seabirds and 100% of sea turtles tested.
3. Several countries have implemented bans on single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and
straws. Recycling rates have increased in some regions, but the overall recycling rate
remains low. Europe recycles around 30% of its plastic waste, while in the U.S., only 9%
of plastic waste is recycled.
4. Innovative solutions such as chemical recycling, which breaks plastic down to its original
components, and biodegradable alternatives are being developed. Research on plastic-
eating microbes, which can naturally degrade plastics, is ongoing and offers promising
results. These technologies could potentially reduce the amount of plastic that remains
in the environment.
5. Experts predict that without significant global intervention, plastic pollution could triple
by 2040, severely impacting ecosystems, food chains, and human health.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. What does the use of the phrase “pressing environmental challenges” by the writer, in
paragraph 1, suggest about the plastic waste crisis? 1
(A) The writer is emphasizing the urgency and severity of the plastic waste crisis.
(B) The writer believes plastic waste is a manageable problem.
(C) The writer thinks plastic waste is no longer a concern.
(D) The writer is indifferent to the problem.

ii. Select the option that is true for the assertion and reason given below : 1
Assertion : Marine animals are significantly harmed by plastic pollution.
Reason : Plastic ingestion and entanglement cause death to over 100,000 marine animals
annually.
(A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation
of the assertion.
(B) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation
of the assertion.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

iii. Identify the percentage of global plastic waste that is currently recycled, as mentioned
in the passage. 1
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iv. According to the passage, what are two key impacts of plastic waste on marine
environments? 1

v. Read the given prompt and select the correct option in the brackets to fill in the blank : 1
Countries like the U.S. and Europe have taken steps to improve recycling rates, but
overall success remains limited.
The percentage of plastic waste recycled globally is _____ (9% / 12% / 30%).

vi. What are some of the innovative methods mentioned in the passage that are being
developed to reduce plastic waste? 1

vii. Complete the sentence suitably. 1

Plastic pollution has dramatically increased in the oceans, and by 2050, _____.

viii. Complete the following with a suitable reason : 1

Experts emphasize that urgent action is needed to address plastic pollution because
_____.

ix. In the context of paragraph 5, why is addressing plastic pollution critical for the future
of ecosystems and human health? 2

SECTION B - WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR 20

GRAMMAR 10

3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed.

i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete an online update.
A new understanding of the fundamental connection between mind and body explains
phenomena such as phantom limbs, and _____ surprising implications.
(A) have (B) are
(C) is (D) has

ii. Read the conversation between Sudhir and Riya. Complete the sentence by reporting
Riya’s reply correctly.
Sudhir : Riya, what is the reporting time for photoshoot tomorrow?
Riya : I have no clue as I was not there during the briefing.
Sudhir asked Riya what was the reporting time for photoshoot the following day. In
response to his question, Riya answered that _____.

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from a magazine.
When our cherished ideas are contradicted by the facts, we avoid the human
tendency to double down on those ideas.
(A) must (B) need
(C) can (D) could
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iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following
line, from a news report.
As per the report, India will allowed food processors to import duty-free wheat against
a commitment to export flour.
Option no. error correction
(A) the a
(B) will would
(C) allowed allow
(D) against for

v. Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option :
The two parks in our locality have virtually _____ over by undesirable elements.
(A) been taking (B) take
(C) taken (D) been taken

vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given
portion of a letter.
Subject : Request for kind perusal
Dear Sir
This is to respectfully submit that the students of Agatha House _____ (seek)
approval for organising an Inter-house Rangoli Making Competition to be undertaken
by the house.

vii. Report the dialogue between a father and his son, by completing the sentence.
Father : Why are you late from school, Amit?
Amit : While coming from school to bus stop, I slipped by stepping on a banana peel.
Father asked Amit _____ late from school. In response to the question, Amit replied
that while coming from school to bus stop, he had slipped by stepping on a banana peel.

viii. Identify the error in the given sentence, from a school magazine report and supply the
correction.
Exploring solutions to brought awareness about celebrating festivals without harming
ecology was the second objective of the competition.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

ix. Ahmed shared some information with Anmol about his visit to a book fair. Report
Anmol’s question.
Did you buy any book from the fair?
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x. Read the slogan by the Ministry for Child Welfare. Identify the error and supply the
correction.
Can’t we ask our children to reject junk food?
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Sanskriti and
her friend Pranika.
Sanskriti : I couldn’t find you on the school bus this morning. Did you miss the school
bus?
Pranika : No, my dad was enroute to the school. So, he offered me to drop me to the
school.
Sanskriti told Pranika that she couldn’t see her on the school bus that morning and
further asked _____. In response to her question, Pranika replied that her father was
enroute to the school and offered her to drop her to the school.
(A) that if she had missed the school bus
(B) if she had missed the school bus
(C) that if she missed the school bus
(D) that if you had missed the school bus

xii. Identify the error on a shop’s hoarding and supply the correction, for the following sales
offer.
SUPER SAVER DEALS !!!
With Mom and Me Super Saver Days Offers, got discounts on daily essentials, personal
care, baby care, fashion, kitchen & dining, nutrition, and more.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

WRITING 10
Note : All details presented in the questions in writing section are imaginary and
created for assessment purpose.
4A. Drinking water is becoming a rare commodity. Industrial development is filling our
rivers, seas and oceans with toxic pollutants which are a major threat to human health.
You are deeply saddened to see water pollution as an appalling problem, which is
powerful enough to lead the world on a path of destruction.
Write a letter to the Editor of Express News to make the public aware about the causes
of water pollution and also suggest the measures to prevent water pollution. You are
Parul Aggarwal, C-316, Jaswant Lane, New Delhi.
NODIA APP Sample Paper 10 Page 7

O
4B. You are Christopher Joanne, a resident of C-216, Margaret Green Avenue, Loni Road,
Delhi. Three students of grade 10 from your residential complex went around the city
at midnight and covered shelterless people with blankets without waking them up. You
think that their work deserves appreciation and recognition.
Write a letter to the Secretary of your society, seeking recommendation for these youth,
to be nominated for ‘Star Volunteers Award’. Suggest other ways how such acts of
kindness could be recognised and awarded in the future.

5A. After the birth of a child, fathers spend more time in office, whereas mothers spend less.
Given below is a graph showing average weekly hours worked by gender and household
type of the year 2014. Write an analytical paragraph by summarising the information
given below.

O
5B. A group of enterprising young adults conducted a survey on reopening of educational
institutions in the National Capital.
Page 8 Sample Paper 10 CBSE 10th English LL

SECTION C - LITERATURE TEXTBOOK 40

6. Read the given extracts and answer ANY ONE of the two questions given below 5
A. CHUBUKOV : And that blind hen, yes, that turnip-ghost has the confounded cheek to
make a proposal, and so on!
NATALYA : What proposal?
CHUBUKOV : Why, he came here to propose to you.
NATALYA : To propose? To me? Why didn’t you tell me so before?
(The Proposal)
i. Identify Natalya’s reaction at this point in the play.

ii. What made Natalya react so sharply to her father’s words? Explain the irony in her
words. Answer in about 40 words.

iii. What effect does the revelation, as described in the lines below, have on Natalya?
NATALYA: To propose? To me? Why didn’t you tell me so before?
Choose the most suitable option.
(A) excites (B) confuses
(C) shocks (D) embarrasses

iv. If an actor were to enact this extract, what would he be required to focus on, while
modulating his voice?

B. “Tell me another!” scoffed Pranjol.

“We have an Indian legend too.
Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy
during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants
when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.”
“Tea was first drunk in China,” Rajvir added, “as far back as 2700 B.C.! In fact, words
such as tea, chai and chini are from the Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the
sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage.”
(Glimpses of India)
i. What is the main idea of this extract?
(A) Tea as a popular beverage in Europe and how it spread.
(B) Origin of tea in India and why it became popular in Europe.
(C) Importance of India in popularising tea and influencing Europe.
(D) Indian legend on tea and how it travelled from China to Europe.

ii. Why do you think Pranjol ‘scoffed’ ? Answer in about 40 words.

iii. When did tea come to Europe?

iv. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket.
The word ‘banished’ in the line “The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and
drunk, banished sleep.” indicates that the tea leaves _____ (eliminated/encouraged)
sleep.
NODIA APP Sample Paper 10 Page 9

7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5
A. Money is external.
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
The epistemology of loss, how to stand up Knowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up
(The Ball Poem)
i. The speaker of the above lines is _____.
(A) An observer (B) The boy’s parent
(C) The ball salesman (D) A friend
ii. ‘The boy is learning to stand up’. What does it mean in the content of the extract?
iii. According to the poet, what do we mostly learn about loss from?
iv. What does the boy learn by losing the ball according to the extract? (Answer in about
40 words)
B. “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.”
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
i. In what way does the use of conjunctions ‘and’ and ‘but’ in this extract signify?
ii. What is the significance of Custard crying ‘for a nice, safe cage’ ? How does this contribute
to the overall mood and tone of the poem?
iii. Choose the most appropriate option. What does the extract demonstrate about other
pets of Belinda?
(A) The entire lot was as brave as could be.
(B) They all had flamboyant personalities.
(C) Ink, Blink, and Mustard pretended to be brave.
(D) They were known for being fearful.
iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines in 40 words.

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. 4 # 3 = 12
i. ‘Every journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step.’ With reference to the
chapter ‘His First Flight’, analyse the statement and show your acquaintance.
(Two Stories About Flying)
ii. The poem ‘Fire and Ice’ uses the metaphor of the end of the world to characterise this
destruction. Do you agree? Support your answer with reasons.
(Fire and Ice)
iii. Valli’s unique maiden bus ride experience was pleasant because the bus conductor was
an affable man. Do you agree? Why/Why not?
(Madam Rides the Bus)
Page 10 Sample Paper 10 CBSE 10th English LL

iv. What does the poet want to demonstrate through the poem ‘A Tale of Custard the
Dragon’ ?
v. How can we say that Chubukov was continuously trying to reconcile the differences
between Natalya and Lomov?
(The Proposal)
9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2#3 = 6
i. Griffin had become a scientist just to satisfy his own ego and carry out satanic deeds.
Comment. (Footprints without Feet)

ii. The writer has given ample chance to the readers to ridicule the character Max in the
chapter ‘The Midnight Visitor’. Substantiate your answer with examples from the text.
(Footprints without Feet)
iii. Validate the importance of ‘Try and try until you succeed’, in the context of Richard
Ebright in ‘The Making of a Scientist’.
(The Making of a Scientist)

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 6
i. Matilda goes home after meeting Mme Forestier after ten years and shares the fact with
M. Loisel that the necklace was a false one. Write the dialogue between Matilda and M
Loisel.
Matilda : I don’t know how to tell you this but I met Mme Forestier today and she told
me that her necklace was not a real diamond.
M Loisel : What! I just can’t believe my ears. That huge debt was for nothing!
Matilda :
________________________.
M Loisel : ________________________.
(The Necklace)
ii. Valli’s visit to the town has been disclosed and mother gives her a scolding. Develop a
conversation between Valli and her mother emphasising how important it is to follow the
instructions given by the elders.
(Madam Rides the Bus)
11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 6
i. Mrs Hall was disgraced solely because of her sheer negligence. Do you think she could
have avoided her woes and miseries only if she had been a little vigilant and more
careful? Comment.
(Footprints without Feet)

ii. Horace might not have ended up in prison repenting at the way he was deceived but by
cursing the lady in red. Examine the statement ‘A Question of Trust’ giving reasons for
the same.
(A Question of Trust)


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