NBSE Class 10 Question Paper 2021 for English Alternative

Total number of printed pages: 4 NB-T/AE/1
2021
ALTERNATIVE ENGLISH
Total marks: 80 Time: 3 hours
General instructions:
i) Approximately 15 minutes is allotted to read the question paper and revise the
answers
ii) The question paper consists of 21main questions. All questions are compulsory.
iii) Internal choice has been provided in some questions.
iv) Marks allocated to every question are indicated against it.
N.B: Check that all pages of the question paper are complete as indicated on the top left
side.
Unit – I (Reading)
1. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Mr. Phileas Fogg lived in 1872, at No. 7, Saville Row, in Burlington Gardens. He
was one of the most noticeable members of the Reform Club, about whom, little was
known, except that he was a polished Englishman. He talked very little. His sole pastimes
were reading the papers and playing whist. He often won at this game. Phileas Fogg lived
alone in his house at Saville Row. A single domestic suffices to serve him. He breakfasted
and dined at the club, in the same room, at the same table, and went home at exactly
midnight, only to retire at once to bed. A rap at exactly half-past eleven sounded on the
door of the apartment and the dismissed servant, appeared. “The new servant,” said he. A
young man of thirty advanced and bowed. “You are a Frenchman, I believe,” asked
Phileas Fogg, “and your name is John?” “Jean,” replied the newcomer, “Jean
Passepartout, I’ve had several trades in England.” “Passepartout suits me,” responded Mr.
Fogg. “You know my conditions?” “Yes,” said Passepartout. “Now from this moment,
twenty-nine minutes after eleven, a.m., this Wednesday, 2nd October, you are in my
service.” Phileas Fogg got up took his hat and went off. It was his new master going out.
Passepartout remained alone in the house in Saville Row.
a. Who was Phileas Fogg? 1
b. Where did he live? 1
c. What was the name of the newcomer? 1
d. What did Phileas Fogg say to Passepartout? 1
e. Who remained alone in the house in Saville? 1

2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:
With diamond studded scales,
With claws like silver sabers,
And fangs like silver nails,
A dragon fierce and faithful,
Always ready by my side,
A dragon to defend me

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Or take me for a ride.
With eyes of shining gold,
Who breathed a plume of fire
Whenever it was told,
A dragon so ferocious
It might frighten Frankenstein,
But not a lazy dragon
Who sleeps all day…like mine! (Shel Silverstein)
On the basis of your reading of the poem, complete the sentences that follow: 1x3=3
a. The poet wishes to have a dragon that is fierce and __________
b. The poet wants the dragon to take him for a __________
c. The poet wants a fire-breathing dragon. We know this from the line, ‘ _________’
Write true or false: 4x½=2
d. The poet wishes for a lazy dragon.
e. The poet wishes for a dragon with diamond studded scales.
f. The poet wishes for a dragon that can fly.
g. The dragon’s eyes should be shining silver.

Unit – II (Writing and Applied Grammar)
3. a. ‘Plant more trees to reduce pollution’. Write an article in about 150-200 words on the
topic given above for your school magazine. 6
Or
b. Develop a short story in about 100-150 words beginning with the lines given below:
It was Akali’s first day at a new school. She was feeling very nervous. She stood in a
corner and watched the students who were laughing and talking excitedly. Suddenly she
saw four seniors advancing towards her, she was……..

4. Script a dialogue in about 100-150 words between two mothers about how helpful their
children have been around the house. 6

5. Choose the correct conjunction: 2x1=2
a. Do you prefer tea _____ coffee?
i) or ii) nor iii) because iv) and
b. The train was late _____ I had plenty of time to get a newspaper.
i) but ii) before iii) so iv) unless

6. Identify the degrees of comparison used in the following sentences: 2x1=2
a. This is the oldest building in this town.
b. The cake is just as sweet as the ice cream.

7. Choose the correct preposition: 2x1=2
a. The winner is _____ (on /in /at) the victory stand.

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b. Potatoes grow _______ (above /over / under) the ground.

8. Complete the sentences as directed in the brackets: 2x1=2
a. The students had to obey her orders unless she was the Principal. (Replace the
incorrect conjunction with the correct one)
b. Pineapples are _____ than oranges. (sweet) (Write the correct form of the adjective
given in the bracket)
Unit – III (Literature)
9. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given: 10x1=10
i. The term Holocaust is from the Greek word holokauston, meaning-
a. Sacrifice by blood b. Sacrifice by water
c. Sacrifice by men d. Sacrifice by fire
ii. What created a sensation among Toshi and his friends?
a. Chugging of trains b. The passing of a vehicle
c. The passing of motor cycles d. The sound of animals
iii. Why does the poet describe death as ‘dear’ in the poem, ‘Old Folks Laugh’?
a. Death is a relief from the problems that come with old age.
b. Death is a good friend of the old folks.
c. Because the old folks want to die as soon as possible.
d. The poet is directly addressing death in this line.
iv. What does the word ‘perforated’ mean in the chapter, ‘In Celebration of Being Alive’?
a. Filled with hope b. Filled with suffering
c. Filled with holes d. Filled with loss
v. Who was Louis Pasteur?
a. An African cardiologist b. A Naga Author
c. An American neurologist d. A French microbiologist
vi. What is Rabindranath Tagore experiencing in the poem, ‘Closed Path’?
a. Doubts about his faith b. Writer’s block
c. Midlife crisis d. The end of a journey
vii. What was the name of Harry Silberberg’s girlfriend? (The Diary of a Young Girl)
a. Fanny b. Miep
c. Margot d. Anne Frank
viii. Severn mentioned in her Speech about the privileged life in her country. Which
country is she talking about?
a. Brazil b. India
c. Canada d. Somalia
ix. What shouldn’t be shed according to Lhusi Haralu in the poem, ‘Prayer of the Meek’?
a. Water b. Blood
c. Leaves d. Skin

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x. What did Wordsworth picture as he lay in bed?
a. A flock of geese b. A flock of birds
c. A flock of sheep d. The fall of rivers
Answer the following questions in about 20-25 words: 5x2=10
10. How was the unattended trolley put to use? (In Celebration of Being Alive)
11. Why did the residents of the Annex decide to divide butter? (The Diary of a Young
Girl)
12. Why are ‘fresh thoughts’ important to Wordsworth as a poet? (To Sleep)
13. Where did the strength of God lead Tagore? (Closed Path)
14. How important is a radio to the people in Holland? (The Diary of a Young Girl)
Answer the following questions in about 40-45 words: 5x4=20
15. What appeal does Severn Suzuki make in her speech?
16. ‘When he opened the bookcase and stepped inside, Mr. Dussel was amazed.’
a. Why was Mr. Dussel amazed? (2)
b. What was handed over to Mr. Dussel after his arrival? (2)
17. “Now when I reflect back upon our childhood days, in all probability, our species
should have died out.” Write any four reasons why Toshi Langu made this statement.
18.a. ‘He remembered, when he was a child, a mad wolf used to live near his house’.
i. Why was everyone afraid of the ‘mad wolf’? (2)
ii. What was the only way to stop the infection from a bite? (2)
Or
b. Why does Wordsworth consider sleep as important? How is sleep personified in the
poem, ‘To Sleep’? (2+2=4)
19. Why does the poet call her homeland, ‘broken land’? (Prayer of the Meek)
Read the lines and answer the questions that follow:
20. ‘When old folks laugh, they consider the promise
of dear painless death, and generously
forgive life for happening to them..’ (Old Folks Laugh)
a. What makes the old people want to forgive life? 2
b. Why do they think about death? 1
c. What quality of old people does the poet talk about in these lines? 2
21. ‘Mrs. van Daan is unbearable. I’m continually being scolded for talking too much.’
(The Diary of a Young Girl)
a. Who is ‘I’ here? 1
b. What is Mrs. van Daan’s new trick? 3
c. Who is stuck with cleaning all the pots and pans? 1

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