NODIA APP Sample Paper 11 Page 1

Sample Paper 11
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. The problem of water shortages is affecting most of our big cities. Rivers are running
low, and ponds and wells are drying up, leaving people in villages, especially women, to
travel long distances to collect water for drinking, cooking, and washing. This adds to
the ongoing issue of water pollution, which makes the water unsafe for humans. Even
the rainy season and the floods that come with it won’t fix this problem.
2. The Delhi Administration is very concerned about the health risks caused by the pollut-
ed Yamuna River. Plans are in place to build two large tanks to treat sewage. Currently,
only 60 percent of the city’s 200 million gallons of sewage is treated before being dumped
into the river, which supplies water to many towns and villages downstream. Major riv-
ers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Kaveri, which are crucial for many cities, are quickly
becoming sources of diseases.
3. A new bill introduced in Parliament aims to create central and state boards to prevent
and control water pollution. However, it will take time before the laws are passed and
enforced. In the meantime, the problem is growing. According to a survey done a few
years ago, 90 percent of child deaths in developing countries were caused by water-borne
diseases, and the situation hasn’t changed much since then.
4. In India, the growing population still uses open spaces as bathrooms, which means that
with every storm or rainfall, human waste filled with germs and parasites enters ponds,
wells, and even rivers. Only 18 percent of people in rural areas have access to clean
drinking water.
5. Another serious problem is industrial waste, which is often dumped into rivers without
being treated. For example, for every kilogram of processed leather, 30-40 liters of dirty,
foul-smelling water needs to be thrown away. There are at least 900 licensed tanneries
in India. Factories that make paper, jute, strawboard, textiles, and other materials also
Page 2 Sample Paper 11 CBSE 10th English LL

release toxic waste, including harmful chemicals like sulphur, ammonia, urea, metallic
salts, and acids, into the rivers.
6. It’s important not only to make new laws to keep water clean but also to enforce them
strictly, or we risk a major health crisis that will affect both cities and rural areas.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
i. In paragraph 1, why are women in remote areas forced to travel long distances to fetch
water? 1
ii. Complete the following with the correct option : 1
The rainy season won’t solve the water problem because :
(a) Floods during the monsoons are too short.
(b) Water pollution is widespread, making water unfit for consumption.
(paragraph 1)
iii. What are the two main concerns about the Yamuna River mentioned in the passage? 2
(paragraph 2)
iv. Select the option that best reflects the urgency of the problem described in paragraph 3 : 1
(a) The problem of water pollution is decreasing as new laws are introduced.
(b) The problem is getting worse, and 90% of child deaths in developing countries are
linked to water-borne diseases.
(paragraph 3)
v. State whether the following statement is True or False. 1
Only 18 percent of India’s rural population has access to clean drinking water.
(paragraph 4)
vi. The writer mentions “untreated industrial waste” in paragraph 5. 1
Which of the following is an environmentally damaging industrial practice?
(A) Treating all industrial waste before disposal into rivers.
(B) Dumping untreated waste into rivers, leading to water pollution.
(C) Recycling wastewater for reuse in industrial processes.
(D) Utilizing clean energy sources for industrial operations.

vii. List two harmful substances found in industrial waste that pollute rivers, as mentioned
in the passage. 2
(paragraph 5)

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

The passage emphasizes the need to :
(A) Focus on building more dams.
(B) Create and enforce strong water pollution laws to prevent a national health disas-
ter.
(C) Only clean water in cities.
(D) Reduce population growth in rural areas.
(paragraph 6)
NODIA APP Sample Paper 11 Page 3

2. Read the following text. 10

1. Deforestation is responsible for the loss of approximately 10 million hectares of forest
each year, contributing to biodiversity loss, climate change, and soil degradation. Forests
cover about 31% of the Earth’s land area, but deforestation has reduced this by nearly
20% over the past century.
2. Forests play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide. It is estimated that forests absorb
2.4 billion metric tons of CO2 annually, helping to mitigate climate change. However,
when forests are cleared or burned, they release stored carbon back into the atmosphere,
contributing to the greenhouse effect.
3. Agriculture is the primary driver of deforestation, accounting for around 80% of global
deforestation. This is due to the expansion of farmland for crops such as soy, palm oil,
and cattle ranching. Urbanization and logging also contribute significantly to forest loss.
4. Efforts to combat deforestation include reforestation programs, the creation of protect-
ed areas, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture practices. Some countries have
successfully reduced deforestation rates by up to 50% through stricter regulations and
reforestation initiatives.
5. Scientists warn that if deforestation continues at its current rate, it could lead to the loss
of critical ecosystems and increase global temperatures by as much as 2°C by 2100.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. What does the use of the phrase “responsible for the loss” by the writer, in paragraph
1, tell us about deforestation? 1
(A) The writer believes deforestation has no significant impact.
(B) The writer is emphasizing that deforestation is causing significant damage.
(C) The writer thinks deforestation is a natural process.
(D) The writer is showing indifference to deforestation.

ii. Select the option that is true for the assertion and reason given below : 1
Assertion : Forests help mitigate climate change.
Reason : Forests absorb 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide 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 explana-
tion 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 the Earth’s land area that is currently covered by forests, as
mentioned in the passage. 1

iv. According to the passage, what are two main causes of deforestation? 1
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v. Read the given prompt and select the correct option in the brackets to fill in the blank : 1
Efforts to combat deforestation have shown some success in reducing forest loss in
various countries.
The percentage of deforestation caused by agriculture globally is _____ (50% / 70%
/ 80%).

vi. What are some of the methods mentioned in the passage that are being used to combat
deforestation? 1

vii. Complete the sentence suitably. 1

Deforestation contributes to climate change by _____.

viii. Complete the following with a suitable reason : 1

Scientists emphasize the importance of stopping deforestation because _____.

ix. In the context of paragraph 5, why is addressing deforestation critical for preventing
future environmental damage? 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 the sentence.
Yesterday, when I _____ home late at night, I _____ to find my house unlocked.
(A) had returned, was shocked (B) returned, was shocked
(C) was returned, got shocked (D) had to return, were shocked

ii. Read the conversation between two friends. Complete the sentence by reporting the conver-
sation.
Ankit : May I drop you there in my car at the airport?
Atul : Thanks a lot. It will be a great help to me.
When Ankit asked Atul _____ at the airport in his car, Atul thanked him adding
that it _____.
iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from an article on envi-
ronment.
In this way, we _____ wage the war against environmental destruction with a two-
pronged approach of rationality and sensibility, and some day, win the battle altogether.
(A) will (B) can
(C) might (D) could
iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following
line, from a health report.
Tobacco breaks down quickly in the human body, so addicts might need to smoke or
chew some on a regular basis to maintain the desired effects of nicotine on the brain to
keep their focus intact.
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Option No. Error Correction

(A) may might
(B) or and
(C) on in
(D) their the

v. Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option.
All sorts of cruelties _____ upon them but the farmers remained united.
(A) are being inflicted
(B) had inflicted
(C) were inflicted
(D) might be inflicted

vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given por-
tion of a letter. Subject : Human dependence on technology.
Through this letter, I wish to highlight our excessive dependence on technology which
_____ steadily but surely _____ (turn) us into slaves.

vii. Report the dialogue between a beggar and a woman by completing the sentence.
Lady : Aren’t you ashamed of not working?
Bagger : Madam, begging is also a work.
An annoyed lady asked a beggar _____, to which the beggar retorted that _____

viii. Identify the error in the given sentence, from a security report of a residential area and
supply the correction.
Most of the people would have given the thief to the police so as to get rid of him and
to safeguard their household goods.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

ix. Rishabh told his teacher that he had fever the previous day and that’s why he was ab-
sent. Report the question asked by his teacher.

x. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction.
Any girls are still writing the test.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction
Page 6 Sample Paper 11 CBSE 10th English LL

xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between a husband
and wife.
Ryan : I have invited four of my friends for dinner today.
Renee : Then I will invite my friends also.
When Ryan told Renee that hefour of his friends for dinner that day, Renee remarked
that _____ also.
(A) had invited, would invite her friends
(B) has invited, will invite her friends
(C) was inviting, would invite her friends
(D) will be inviting, she will invite my friends

xii. Identify the error next to a busy shop’s billing counter and supply the correction, for the
following.
Thank you for your patients!
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

WRITING 10
Note : All details presented in the questions in writing section are imaginary and cre-
ated for assessment purpose.
4A. Write a letter in about 120 words to the Editor of the local newspaper informing about
the rising cases of COVID 19 in your locality. You are Geeta/Govind of 78, D-Block
Burari, Delhi. You must explain in your letter about.
• Negligence of government guidelines
• Avoidance of social distancing
• Unawareness of wearing mask
• Improper sanitization


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4B. You live in Gulmohar Apartments, Ghaziabad whose residents are very fond of a park
situated nearby their society. While it is the centre of playtime and fun and frolic for the
children in the evenings, it is also where the adults spend their time walking, strolling,
doing yoga, and socially interacting with each other. But a commercial shopping com-
plex backed by local political leaders will replace the park soon. Express your concerns
in a letter to the editor of a national daily as Ruchir Dagar.

5A. Study the chart given below, which is the result of the survey conducted in the public
schools and government schools of Agra. This depicts the types of activities the teenag-
ers (Age 13-19 years are involved during their leisure time). Complete the summary in
about 120 words.
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5B. The graph below illustrates why it is important to have people in quarantine during the
Coronavirus pandemic. Compose an analytical paragraph in about 120 words, summa-
rizing the same.

SECTION C - LITERATURE TEXTBOOK 40

6. Read the given extracts and answer ANY ONE of the two questions given below 5
A. I found myself in the maidan and sat down on a bench. The night was chilly-it was early
November-and a light drizzle added to my discomfort. Soon it was raining quite heavily.
My shirt and pyjamas stuck to my skin, and a cold wind blew the rain across my face.
I went back to the bazaar and sat down in the shelter of the clock tower. The clock
Page 8 Sample Paper 11 CBSE 10th English LL

showed midnight. I felt for the notes. They were damp from the rain. Anil’s money. In
the morning he would probably have given me two or three rupees to go to the cinema,
but now I had it all.
(The Thief ’s Story)

i. What effect does the situation, as described in the lines below, have on the narrator?
I went back to the bazaar and sat down in the shelter of the clock tower. The clock
showed midnight. I felt for the notes. They were damp from the rain.
Choose the most suitable option.
(A) relieves (B) frustrates
(C) saddens (D) comforts

ii. How is Hari feeling in the given extract?

iii. State any one point for the following question :

What was Hari Singh thinking while sitting in the shelter of clock tower?

iv. What study was done by Hari Singh? Answer in about 40 words.

B. “Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the ‘bol’ just as a
party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how
important a baker can be for a village. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches
on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and ‘bor are a must for Christmas
as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker in the village is absolutely
essential.”
(Glimpses of India)
i. Breads are a very important part of the culture of the people in Goa. Which of the given
options does not corroborate the statement?
(A) Bols are central to marriage celebrations and festivals.
(B) Festivals especially Christmas are incomplete without cakes.
(C) Every house has their own furnace in Goa.
(D) Special sandwiches are made on a daughter’s engagement.

ii. What makes the marriage gifts meaningless? Answer in about 40 words.

iii. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket.
The word ‘essential’ in the line “the presence of the baker in the village is absolutely
essential” indicates that the baker’s role in the village was _____ (indispensable/
optional).

iv. What is the traditional name of bakers in Goa and what made them different from other
people in appearance?
NODIA APP Sample Paper 11 Page 9

7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5
A. The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.
(Dust of Snow)
i. Fill the blank with one word.
The poet was out on the cold snowy day when the dust of snow fell on him and changed
his sad _____.
ii. The poetic device used in the line And saved some part’ is Alliteration.
What effect does the poet wish to create?
(A) Emphasis (B) Comparison
(C) Humour (D) Personification

iii. Of the many symbols the hemlock tree represents, state the one that Frost drew upon,
in all likelihood, for this poem.

iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines.

B. What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,

What, what is he to do? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over-there it is in the water!
(The Ball Poem)
i. In what way does the language used in this poem challenge traditional ideas of what
poetry should be?

ii. What is the significance of the use of no punctuation after the words ‘What is the boy
now, who has lost his ball,’ and the use of a dash in ‘Meetly over-there it is in the water!’
in the poem and how does this contribute to the overall mood and tone of the poem?
Answer in about 40 words.

iii. Complete the sentence with the appropriate option.

The poet seems to have indicated the merry bouncing of the ball to _____.
(A) create a sense of rhythm in these lines.
(B) support the happiness of the experience of playing.
(C) contrast with the dejected feeling of the boy.
(D) indicate the cheerful mood of the boy.

iv. Identify the use and purpose of repetitive sounds used in the given lines of the poem.
Page 10 Sample Paper 11 CBSE 10th English LL

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. 4 # 3 = 12

i. What made the speaker term it as “an easy flight”? Did his prediction come true?
(Two Stories About Flying)
ii. Why does Chubukov call back Lomov even after driving him out of his house?
(The Proposal)
iii. What message does the poet want to give through the poem ‘Amanda’ ?

iv. The poem ‘The Trees’ presents a conflict between Man and Nature. Discuss the state-
ment.
v. How did ‘Bodhi Tree’ get its name?
(The Sermon at Benares)

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2#3 = 6
i. Who is ‘the artist’ in the story ‘Bholi’ ? What is ‘the masterpiece’ ?
(Bholi)
ii. What made the thief come back to Anil?
(The Thief ’s Story)
iii. What was the ‘frightful disaster’ ? How it changed Loisels’ lives?
(The Necklace)

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 6
i. ‘Faith can move mountains’ How can it be proven in the case of Lencho and Mandela
from the chapter ‘A Letter to God’ and ‘Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom’.
Prepare a set of dialogues between the Lencho and Mandela to elaborate the point. You
may begin like this :
Lencho : My faith in God will help me come out of this situation.
Mandela : Faith has to complete and unwavering _____.

ii. A teacher can influence a student’s character to grow and evolve in every way . Explain
it with reference to Bholi’ and ‘Diary of Anne Frank’. If you had to use the message with
reference to both the chapters Bholi’ and ‘Diary of Anne Frank’ how will you elaborate
it? Also, how it is relevant to both.

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 6
i. The Story, ‘The Necklace’ reveals that vanity is an evil. It may bring short term joy but
it leads to ruin. Assess how vanity may lead to ruin with reference to the character of
Matilda.

ii. Concern and love for children can compel parents to take impulsive decisions that may
not be good for them. Explain with reference to ‘The Proposal’.

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