CBSE Sample Papers For Class 10 English Language Literature Mock Paper 1

Q1. Read the passage given below.

1. In the past, computing power was an expensive, in-demand resource. Due to the quantity and low cost of cloud computing today, there has been a significant paradigm shift from scarcity computing to abundance computing. The information and communications technology (ICT) industry is currently being disrupted by the commoditization of products, services, and business models.

2. With usage-based metered payment, cloud computing offers on-demand computing, storage, software, and other IT services. Cloud computing aids in reinventing and transforming technical alliances to enhance marketing, simplify security procedures, boost stakeholder involvement, and improve customer experience while cutting expenses. You don’t need to over-provision resources for managing potential peak levels of workload while using cloud computing.

3. The information and communications technology (ICT) industry is currently being disrupted by the commoditization of products, services, and business models. Similar to how it provided services for water, electricity, gas, telephones, and other equipment. With usage-based metered payment, cloud computing offers on-demand computing, storage, software, and other IT services. Cloud computing aids in reinventing and transforming technical alliances to enhance marketing, simplify security procedures, boost stakeholder involvement, and improve the customer experience while cutting expenses. You don’t need to over-provision resources for managing potential peak levels of workload while using cloud computing.

4. Delivering hosted services through the internet is referred to as “cloud computing” in general. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service are the three main categories or types of cloud computing into which these services fall.

5. A cloud can be either public or private. Anyone online can purchase services from a public cloud. With specific access and authorization settings, a private cloud is a proprietary network or data centre that offers hosted services to a small group of users. Cloud computing is highly useful. Cloud computing’s objective, whether it’s private or public, is to offer simple, scalable access to computer resources and IT services

6. The hardware and software elements necessary for a cloud computing model’s correct execution are included in cloud infrastructure. Utility computing and on-demand computing are other terms for cloud computing.

7. The cloud symbol, which is frequently used to symbolise the internet in flowcharts and diagrams, served as the inspiration for the name cloud computing. Client devices can access data and cloud applications from distant physical servers, databases, and computers via the internet to explain how cloud computing functions.

8. The front end, which consists of the accessing client device, browser, network, and cloud software applications, and the back end, which consists of databases, servers, and computers, are connected by an internet network connection. The back end serves as a repository, holding information that the front end can access.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

i. Infer one reason for the following, based on information in paragraph 5.

Cloud computing is being widely used in the world.

ii. Select the appropriate option to fill in the blanks.

From paragraph 5, we can infer that the front end and the back end are connected by a/an_______, and the back end serves as a _______.

internet network connection

1. repository
2. database
3. medium
4. client device

A) 1 & 4

B) 1 & 2

C) 2 & 3

D) 3 & 4

iii. Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/ phrase from paragraph 1:

Past: Scarcity in computing:: Present: __________ in computing

iv. Select the correct option to complete the following sentence:

___________________ is frequently used to symbolise the internet in flowcharts.

v. Why has there been a significant paradigm shift from scarcity computing to abundance computing?

vi. Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option.

Cloud computing ___________in reinventing and transforming technical alliances to enhance marketing.

A) attempts

B) aims

C) aids

D) builds

vii. Substitute the word ‘disrupted’ with ONE WORD similar in meaning, in the following, sentence from paragraph 3.

The information and communications technology (ICT) industry is currently being disrupted by the commoditization of products, services, and business models.

viii. List the three main categories or types of cloud computing into which cloud computing services fall.

ix. List one reason why ICT industry is being disrupted.

x. State whether TRUE or FALSE.

One needs to over-provision resources for managing potential peak levels of workload while using cloud computing.

Ans: i. Cloud computing offers simple, scalable access to computer resources and IT services. It is highly useful.

ii. 1 & 2

Explanation: The front end, which consists of the accessing client device, browser, network, and cloud software applications, and the back end, which consists of databases, servers, and computers, are connected by an internet network connection. The back end serves as a repository, holding information that the front end can access.

iii. Abundance

iv. Cloud symbol

v. Due to the quantity and low cost of cloud computing today, there has been a significant paradigm shift from scarcity computing to abundance computing.

vi. C) aids

vii. Disturbed

viii. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) are the three main categories or types of cloud computing into which these services fall.

ix. The information and communications technology (ICT) industry is currently being disrupted by the commoditization of products, services, and business models.

x. FALSE

Q2. Read the passage given below.  

Ans: i. Kalam’s family had fallen on hard times by the time he was a little child, so he began selling newspapers at a young age to help support his family.

ii. C) Loss

iii. Kalam was diligent with a strong desire to learn

iv. In addition to transporting pilgrims between the   mainland and Pamban, their business had encompassed selling groceries between the island and the mainland as well as to and from Sri Lanka. The family thereby earned the title “”Mara Kalam Iyakkivar”” (wooden boat steerers), which was then abbreviated to “”Marakier”” over time.

v. 1) He wanted to test Kalam under stress.

2) He wanted Kalam to meet a difficult deadline.

vi. Kalam’s forefathers had owned multiple properties and huge amounts of land, making them wealthy landowners and traders.

vii. A) Determined

viii. Cancel, annul, nullify etc

ix. B) Average

x. His father ran a ferry service between Rameswaram and the now-deserted Dhanushkodi, transporting Hindu pilgrims back and forth.

Q3. Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions.

i. Which option displays the correct change of the following sentence to indirect speech?

‘I was driving a car’, he said.

He told me that ____a car.

A) he is driving

B) he was driving

C) he had been driving

D) he drove

ii. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line, from a news report:

The proposal moves by the Indian defence forces is at an advanced stage and is scheduled to be taken up for clearance during a high-level meeting this week.

iii. Read the conversation between two colleagues. Complete the sentence by reporting Shivam’s reply correctly.

Payal: Hey! How did you get so late today?

Shivam: I could not get an auto.

Payal asked Shivam how he got late that day. Shivam replied that ______.

A) he cannot get an auto

B) he could not get an auto

C) he did not get an auto

D) he could not find an auto

iv. Identify the error in the given sentence from a school magazine report and supply the correction.

The government of our nation outlawed the manufacture and use of plastic bags in 2002. Unfortunately, they are now again being used extensively all over the place. We not only use a great deal of polybags every day, but we also threw them away in our drains without thinking about the fact that they will obstruct the flow of drain water.

Use the given format for your response.

v. Choose the correct option observing the rules of tenses and subject verb agreement.

Chris ____ to attend his friend’s wedding.

A) did not wanted

B) did not want

C) do not wanted

D) does not wanted

vi. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from a health magazine.

Across the life span of individuals, mental well-being _______ be promoted and protected. Children and adolescents are the important target groups as the developing brain is vulnerable for social, emotional, and behavioural adversities.

A) will

B) could

C) needs to

D)may

vii. Choose the correct option observing the rules of subject verb agreement.

My father, as well as my mother, ______ excited to hear the news of my scholarship.

A) are

B) is

C) will

D) have

viii. Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech?

Raj asked Lila, “Will you go to the picnic tomorrow?”

A) Raj asked Lila if she will go to the picnic tomorrow.

B) Raj asked Lila if she would go to the picnic tomorrow.

C) Raj asked Lila if she would go to the picnic the next day.

D) Raj asked Lila if she will go to the picnic the next day.

ix. Fill in the blank with the correct determiner.

Not ______ people know about the history of our school.

A. many

B. much

C. few

D. some

x. Sonali shared some information with Raveena about summer holidays. Report Raveena’s question.

How were your summer holidays?

xi. Choose the correct option observing the rules of tenses and subject verb agreement.

Sushmita________________ for the past twelve years.

A) has been sleeping

B) will sleep

C) will be sleeping

D) has sleeping

xii. Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option:

As I was walking down the stairs, I heard my mother ________ my younger brother.

A) was scolding

B) is scolding

C) scolded

D) scold

Ans:

i. B) he had been driving

ii. C)

iii. B) he could not get an auto

iv.

v. B) did not want

vi. C) needs to

vii. C) is

viii. C) Raj asked Lila if she would go to the picnic the next day.

Explanation: When changing the reported speech from direct to indirect, simple present changes to simple past. “Tomorrow” becomes “the next day”.

ix. A) many

x. Raveena asked Sonali how her summer holidays were.

xi. A) has been sleeping

xii. D) scold

Q4. Attempt ANY ONE from the following.

i. The number of accidents caused by the rash driving by teenagers is increasing every day and you are quite concerned about it. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily expressing concern over the increasing number of accidents caused by teenagers.

OR

ii. Your school is organizing a seminar on “Understanding Governance.” As the secretary of students’ council, you are required to write a letter to the Deputy Mayor of your municipality, inviting him/her to inaugurate the seminar. You also have to request him to deliver a keynote speech at the seminar.

Ans: Attempt ANY ONE from the following.

P-2345

Carol Bagh

New Delhi

25 December, 2022

The Editor

National Daily

New Delhi

Sir

Subject: Concern over increasing number of accidents caused by teenagers

This is with reference to a recent report published by ‘National Daily’ regarding the death of a septuagenarian couple caused by a drunk teenage driver.

The number of crimes caused by teenagers has skyrocketed over the past few years. It has become worrisome.

Every now and then we see so many teenagers driving SUVs and motorcycles recklessly. They not only hamper their own lives but also the lives of innocent pedestrians walking about the streets.

The time has come for us to be more responsible as parents and as fellow citizens. We should ensure that no such untoward incident befalls our children or anyone else.

Yours sincerely

Pooja Sinha

OR

R-121

Pitampura

New Delhi

10 January 2023

The Deputy Mayor

Pitampura

New Delhi

Sir

Subject: Invitation to inaugurate seminar on “Understanding Governance”

It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that Rosemary School is going to conduct a seminar on “Understanding Governance” on 10 February 2023.

The seminar will be attended by students from grade VIII-XII and aims to familiarise the students with the functioning of different tiers of government. The seminar also seeks to facilitate the development of insight among the students on how the various levels of government work in harmony and develop programmes for the welfare of the people.

On behalf of the Students’ Council of Rosemary School, I would like to request you to kindly spare a few hours from your busy schedule and inaugurate the seminar. We would also like to request you to deliver the keynote speech as the students would be immensely benefited by your experience and knowledgeable insight on governance.

We eagerly await your confirmation.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Pooja Goel

Secretary (Students’ Council)

Rosemary School

Q5. Attempt ANY ONE from the following.

i. A survey was conducted to find out the most preferred career choice among the youth in our country. Using the data write a paragraph on ‘The career aspirations of the youth’ in about 100 words.

OR

ii. A survey was conducted to find out the ill effects of consuming junk food regularly. The pie chart given below shows the diseases caused by eating junk food. Using the data write a paragraph on ‘The harmful effects of fast food’ in about 80 words

Ans: The youth of the modern day is highly ambitious and focused. They plan beforehand what they have to do in future. Making a career choice is one of the most important phases of a teenager’s life. Now there are multiple career opportunities in front of the young people. They seek guidance from career counsellors before deciding which career to take. Engineering is the most popular career because of the attractive salary packages. Medicine is the next preferred option after engineering. Sports are also gradually becoming preferred career choice among the youngsters.

OR

Fast foods are extremely popular nowadays particularly among children. Fast foods are rich in fats, sugar and calories which make them low on nutritional value. Taking too much of junk foods puts children at risk of serious diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, etc. Fast food causes obesity, which is the main reason making children more prone to diseases. Osteoporosis and Asthma are other diseases that appear to have their earliest roots in childhood when there is too much intake of junk food. If one wants to lead a healthy life, he should eat nutritious food instead of junk food.

Q6. Attempt any one of the two extracts. 

Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow: 

 “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 Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as a beverage.”  (i) State TRUE or FALSE. 

 (i) Centuries ago, tea was mostly drunk as a medicine than as a beverage in Europe. 

 (ii) Who drank tea as a medicine? 

 (iii) Pick out the word in the extract that means the same as ‘potable’. 

 (iv) What is the Indian legend about tea? 

 (v) Select the option that correctly captures the application of the word ‘banished’ as used in the extract. 

     A) She was banished from the country. 

     B) Reeta banished all hopes of winning from her mind. 

     C) Refugees were banished from their homes. 

     D) I was banished to the small bedroom upstairs. 

 OR  

Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:   

 ‘‘It’s really getting bad now,’’ exclaimed the man. “I hope it passes quickly.” It did not pass quickly. For an hour the hail rained on the house, the garden, the hillside, the cornfield, on the whole valley. The field was white, as if covered with salt. Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness. When the storm had passed, he stood in the middle of the field and said to his sons, “A plague of locusts would have left more than this…” 

 i) What does the word ’it’ stand for in the second statement? 

 ii) Why does Lencho call it ‘bad’? 

 iii) Find a word in the passage that means ’get over’. 

iv) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text. 

Frown: smile:: happiness : ____________ 

v) In which of the following statements is imagery used? 

A) Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness. 

B) For an hour the hail rained on the house. 

C) When the storm had passed, he stood in the middle of the field. 

D) The field was white, as if covered with salt. 

Ans:

(i) TRUE

(ii) The Europeans drank tea as a medicine and not as a beverage in the 16th century.

(iii) ‘beverage’

(iv) Bodhidharma an ancient Buddhist ascetic was once meditating. He could not help falling asleep during the meditation. Feeling guilty, he cut his eyelids and threw them onto the ground. They grew into ten tea plants. The leaves from these plants helped people overcome sleep.

(v) B) Reeta banished all hopes of winning from her mind.

OR

i) The word ’it’ stands for weather. Along with the rain, it had begun to hail.

ii) His crop would be destroyed by the hailstones. So, Lencho calls it bad.

iii) ‘Passes’

iv) sadness

v) D) The field was white, as if covered with salt.

Q7. Attempt any one of the two extracts.  

Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:   

 The way a crow  

Shook down on me  

The dust of snow  

From a hemlock tree 

[Dust of Snow]  i) What does ‘hemlock tree’ symbolise? 

ii) What happens to the dust of snow? 

 iii) What does the dust of snow symbolise? 

iv) Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the extract. 

The effect of the dust of snow on the poet was _________. 

A) scary 

B) transformative 

C) magical 

D) surreal 

 v) How does the use of enjambment impact this extract? 

A) It forces frequent pauses. 

B) It simplifies the meaning. 

C) It builds momentum. 

D) It makes the lines lyrical. 

OR 

 Read the extract and answer the following questions.  

“…Sliding through the long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass.” 

[A Tiger in the Zoo]  (i) Who is sliding through the long grass? 

(ii) Complete the sentence appropriately. It is clear that alliteration is the poetic device used for ‘where plump deer pass….’ because _________ 

 (iii) Why do you think that the deer comes to water hole? (iv) What does the word ‘plump’ mean? 

(v) Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word ‘pass’ from line 3 of the extract. 

A) I will work hard to pass the exams. 

B) The passing marks are 50%. 

C) I saw the plane pass overhead. 

D) Please pass me the pen. 

Ans:

ii) Hemlock tree symbolises sadness.

ii) The dust of snow falls on the poet.

iii) The dust of snow symbolises hope.

iv) B) transformative

v) C) It builds momentum.

OR

(i) The tiger is sliding through the long grass.

(ii) we can notice the repetition of an initial consonant sound (‘p’) in words that are in close proximity to each other

(iii) The deer comes to water hole to drink water.

(iv) Plump means having a soft, round and fat body.

(v) C) I saw the plane pass overhead.

Q8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each.

i. ​Comment on the use of imagery in the story ‘His First Flight’.

ii. Briefly describe the incident that shows Valli as a responsible girl.  (Madam Rides the Bus)

iii. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about? (Glimpses of India)

iv. Why did Belinda tickle the dragon? (The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

v. How does the poet explain the fog as if it were a living being? (Fog)

Ans:

i. The writer skilfully makes use of imagery to aid the reader in imagining the scenes in the story. The use of words and phrases such as ‘ran to the brink’, ‘flapped their wings’, and ‘The sun was now ascending the sky, blazing on his ledge that faced the south’ provide the reader with vivid images of the scene. The author makes excellent use of descriptive words and sentences to make the story picturesque in many instances. Also, the use of words such as “ga, ga, ga” help the reader visualise the sounds that the birds must be making. This also helps the imaginative mind due to extensive details of each scene.

ii. As soon as the bus reached the town bus stop, Valli was too afraid to get off the bus alone. She had saved every penny for her dream bus ride. She didn’t have enough money to buy herself a drink. Therefore, she didn’t intend on going to the stall for a drink. When the conductor offered her a cold drink she refused to accept. This shows that Valli was a responsible and careful girl who was aware that getting off the bus without an adult could get her in trouble. Moreover, as she did not have the money, she declined the treat offered by the conductor which showed that she was a mature child with great self-respect.

iii. The elders in Goa reminisce the good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese, and their famous loaves of bread with fervent nostalgia. Mornings would not be morning without the baker’s bread. Marriage celebrations would be meaningless with the sweet bread known as the bol.

iv. Belinda tickled the dragon unmercifully because it would get scared and would always ask for a nice safe cage. Whenever she rubbed her fingers over the dragon, the tickling sensation would disturb him, and everyone would make fun of his cowardice. v. The poet describes fog as a living being. In fact, using metaphorical language he compares it with a cat. He says that the fog comes on ‘little cat feet.’ It ‘sits looking over harbour and city, and then moves on’.

Q9. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each.

i. Love can transform even a thief. How is it true in the case of Hari Singh? (A Thief’s Story)

ii. What did Horace Danby suffer from? How did it result in his failure in his robbery attempt at the house at Shotover Grange? (A Question of Trust)

iii.What kind of treatment did Tricki receive? Was it beneficial for his recovery? (A Triumph of Surgery)

Ans: Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each.

i. ​ ​ ​ Anil brings an irrevocable change in him. Though Hari lied to him about a lot of things, Anil chose to believe him and gave him work. Anil’s blind trust and helping demeanor made it extremely hard for Hari to cheat him. He realised that if he worked hard and studied, he could earn more than just a few hundred rupees. Hari knew it was only Anil who could help him become a respectable man.​

ii. ​ ​ Horace Danby suffered from hay fever. Therefore, when he smelled the flowers in the drawing room at the house at Shotover, he began to sneeze. Hearing his sneeze, a lady dresses in red came to meet him. The lady claimed to be the wife of the owner. Thus, he was unable to rob the house at Shotover Grange.

iii. Tricki received non-medical treatment. His diet was modified based on his body’s reaction to it. For the first two days, he was on a liquid diet, and then his diet was gradually increased. Yes, Tricki benefited from this treatment because it increased his energy levels. In just a fortnight, he had transformed into an energetic, hard-muscled dog.

Q10. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.

i. Lencho turns to God for help. Kisa Gautami also turns to the Buddha for a solution. Both find some solution at the end. Write this conversation as per your understanding of ‘A Letter to God’ and ‘Sermon at Benares’.

You may begin like this:

Lencho: When my crop was destroyed, I did not know whom to turn to. I did not know what I would do.

Kisa Gautami: Even I lost my son. I did not know how to contain my grief.

OR

ii. Is the conductor an important character in the story? Briefly describe his character traits. (Madam Rides the Bus)

Ans:

i. Lencho: When my crop was destroyed, I did not know whom to turn to. I did not know what I would do.

Kisa Gautami: Even I lost my son. I did not know how to contain my grief.

Lencho: You know I wrote a letter to God. I specifically told him that I need a hundred pesos.

Kisa Gautami: Did you get the hundred pesos?

Lencho: Hmm… I did not get a hundred pesos, but I did get seventy pesos. I think the post office employees stole the money.

Kisa Gautami: Lencho, I think God must have helped you through the post office people. God has means and ways to help his people. When I was in utter despair, Lord Buddha taught me the harsh reality of life.

OR

ii. Though Valli is the protagonist of the story, the conductor is also an important character in the story. He is a fun-loving sort of person. He is fond of joking. He enjoys teasing Valli with his gentle, comical remarks. The moment Valli boards the bus, she declines the help offered by the conductor. From that moment onwards, he calls her ‘madam’. She behaves like a mature woman and often reminds him that she is not a child. The conductor shows his concern when he asks her to sit on the seat and enjoy the bus ride. Even at the town bus stop, when the conductor offers her a cold drink, she politely refuses to accept.

Q11. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words.

i. It is often said, “The people we choose to surround ourselves with will eventually shape the way we think, behave, and feel on a daily basis.” Analyse Ebright’s life with reference to the given quote. Do you think he was surrounded by the right kind of people?

OR

ii. A little confession would have changed the life of Matilda. Looking at Matilda, do you think is it right to confess our mistakes courageously?

Ans: i. It is often said that it is very important to surround ourselves with the right kind of people – the kind of people who will bring out the best in us and motivate us. Ebright was surrounded by some very good people who guided him towards the right direction. The first influence in his life was his mother. She was an intelligent lady who guided him to use his time fruitfully. She gave him the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’. Dr. Urquhart was another influence in his life. He gave Ebright scientific guidance and advised him on critical experiments. Dr. Weiherer, Ebright’s social science teacher was a mentor. He helped him focus on his research. James R. Wong, Ebright’s roommate worked with him on the cell theory.

Thus, Ebright’s life is an example of how the company of good people can help bring out the best in us.

OR

ii. We should never procrastinate in admitting our mistakes as some day or the other, the truth will eventually come out. Matilda, the protagonist of the story kept her mistake hidden from her friend for ten years. During these ten years, she lived a life full of hardships for she had to repay the loan which she had taken to get a new diamond necklace, similar to the one which she had lost. However, during the end of the story we realise that if only Matilda had confessed earlier that she had lost her friend’s necklace, she would have lived a better life.