Class 10 Pre Board Question Paper 2024 English

2024

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Pre-Board Exam 2024 Question Paper
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (Code No. 184)
PRE- BOARD EXAM (2023-24)
CLASS-X
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions: Time allowed: 3 Hrs.
1. This question paper comprises of 11 questions. All the questions are compulsory.
2. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
SECTION A: READING SKILLS (20 Marks)
1. Read the given text: 10M
(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 June 8 to 22 the Sun will
block Mars from the Earth snapping communication with the satellite.
(2) A senior Indian Space Research Organization official said. "That will be for the first time that there
will be 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 had 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 8 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 there is another extension of mission life when the Earth will come
between the Sun and Mars.
(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 extract, answer the questions below:
(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&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&3
(B) 1,3&4
(C) 2,3&5
(D) 3,4&5
(iii) According to ISRO official till 8 June, when Sun will block Mars……………. 1
Signal/signals per day will be sent to the spacecraft
(A) no
(B) considerable

(C) indefinite
(D) only few
(iv) 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

(v) 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

(vi) Read the following sentence: 1
(a) The blackout was a sudden development.
(b) Because of this, the officials are very nervous about the success of the spacecraft.
(A) Both (A) & (B) are true
(B) Both (A) & (B) are false.
(C) (A) is true and (B) is false.
(D) (A) is false and (B) is true.
(vii) Complete the sentence: 1
Find the word in the 1st para which means the same as ‘a sudden break’…………..
(viii) Throw light on India's script in space history in about 40 words. 2

2. Read the passage given below and choose the correct alternative: 10M
(1) Though the Covid-19 situation seems to be under control and the
positivity rate has remained between 0.08% and 0.12% in the past
one week, New Delhi has reported the highest positivity rate of
0.29% among all 11 districts. While North West and South
West have reported a positivity rate of 0.21% and 0.19%,
respectively. North East district has nil cases and a zero
positivity rate. While there is no clear indication of Covid-19
cases rising again in the capital, the numbers are rising in
some parts of the country. Delhi also needs to be on alert because the recent highest positivity rate of
0.12% (85 new cases) over the past 24 days was reported on 1st August, 2021.

(2) According to the district-wise performance report, on July 31 Central district reported six cases with a
positivity rate of 0.09%, East had five cases and 0.08% positivity rate, New Delhi 19 cases and 0.29%,
North seven cases & 0.13%, North West 12 cases and 0.21%, Shahdara two cases and 0.03%,South
four cases and 0.06%, South East seven cases and 0.11%, South West 15 cases and 0.19% and West
nine cases and 0.12% positivity rate. All districts are conducting 4,000 to 6,000 tests every day, a
majority of them being RT-PCR.
(3) A health department official said the positivity rate was far lower than the target of 5% that the
districts were supposed to maintain. “It’s difficult to pinpoint the reasons behind some districts
reporting a higher positivity rate than others. Only experts can highlight the causes after a detailed
analysis,” added the official.

(4) Officials from the districts reporting higher positivity rates said they were conducting a maximum
number of tests in places like containment zones, slums, middle-class areas and villages. A
government hospital doctor involved in Covid-19 management said, “If more tests are conducted in
containment zones and adjoining clusters and among the contacts of Covid-positive people, then the

positivity rate is likely to be slightly higher. More tests in super-spreader areas also pushes up the
positivity rate. It has been observed that more tests conducted in slums and under privileged areas
throw up a lower positivity rate. That is why it is suggested to use mixed locations for carrying out the
tests.” (Source: Times of India)

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the questions that follow.
(i) “Though the Covid-19 situation seems to be under control…….”It reveals that the 1
writer……

A. is certain and confident about the Covid-19 situation in Delhi.
B. is overconfident about his knowledge about Covid-19.
C. complains about the Covid-19 situation in Delhi.
D. is not certain and confident about the Covid-19 situation in Delhi.
(ii) “Delhi also needs to be on alert …” What should Delhiites do for being alert? 1
A. They should remain in home as much as possible.
B. They should wear mask whenever they go out of their home.
C. They should wash their hands with soap, water and apply sanitizer frequently.
D. All of the above
(iii) Officials were conducting a maximum number of tests in places like containment
zones, slums, middle-class areas and villages. It reveals that the 1
officials……………………..
A. thought that the posh areas hardly had positive cases.
B. thought that these areas were likely to have more positive cases.
C. thought that being the poor the people of these areas might have very weak immunity.
D. hesitated to conduct tests in posh areas.
(iv) Based on the given data in the passage, choose the option that correctly depicts the 1
number of positive cases in North West Delhi and West Delhi.

A. Option (1) B. Option (2) C. Option (3) D. Option (4)
(v) Which of the following actions of people plays the most important role in controlling 1
and preventing the spread of Covid-19 cases?
A. Avoiding people to people contact as much as possible.
B. Eating healthy food.
C. Washing hands with soap and water frequently.
D. Doing physical exercise to boost immunity
In the line “If more tests are conducted in containment zones and adjoining clusters 1
…….” Here the ‘adjoining clusters’ refers to:
A. areas which have Covid-19 positive cases.
(vi)
B. the villages nearby a village which has Covid-19 positive case(s).
C. the areas nearby, an area which has Covid-19 positive case(s).
D. the buildings in which there is a person with Covid-19 positive.
(vii) Pick the option that lists the statements that are NOT TRUE according to the 1
passage.
1. There are 10 districts in Delhi.
2. Though Covid-19 situation in Delhi is under control, yet we must follow Covid-19
protocols strictly.
3. Shahdara has the highest Covid-19 positive cases.
4. The containment zones may have higher positivity rate.
5. People need to be very alert while travelling in metro train and other modes of
transport.

A. 1 & 3 B. 2 & 5 C. 3 & 4 D. 1 & 4
(viii) Delhi Metro follows Covid-19 protocols offhandedly. (True/False) 1
(ix) Find out the word from para-1 which means the same as “ signal” 1
(x) What does the term ‘containment zones’ refer to? 1
Section-B GRAMMAR & WRITING SKILLS (20 Marks)

3. Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions. 1x10
i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete an online update. 1
The climate control comment by an activist........on social media yesterday
A. blow up B. blew up C. is blown D. will be blown
ii. Read the conversation between a doctor and his patient. Complete the sentence by 1
reporting the patient's reply correctly,
Doctor: Do you feel down from time-to-time Mr. Captain?
Patient: Yes, I do not stay in a good mood.
The doctor, while trying to figure out his patient's ailment, asked about his well- being, to
which, the patient affirmed......
iii. Identify the error in the given sentence and supply the correction. 1
The pleasure in being outdoors is fundamental to human happiness.
error correction

iv. Select the correct option to fill in the blanks for the given line, from a health 1
magazine.
The advertisement read, "If you smoke, statistically your story.........end 15% before it
should."
A. must B. should C. will D. ought to
v. Fill in the blanks given below by choosing the correct option:- 1
He screamed so loudly that the pigeons pecking……..the scattered grains flew away.
A. on B. at C. in D. by
vi. Fill in the blank with suitable determiner: 1
I must have this book at ………..rate.
A. many B. less C. any D. little
vii. Choose the correct option: 1
Mohan cut himself while he………………
A. is shaving B. will shave C. was shaving D. has shaved
viii. Choose the correct form of the verb given in the following sentence:- 1
These scissors ……………sharpening.
A. Needs B. needing C. need D. to need
ix. Select the correct option to complete the dialogue between Ramesh & Ram. 1
Ramesh: Don’t waste your time.”
A. Ramesh suggested Ram not to waste his time.
B. Ramesh told Ram not to waste your time.
C. Ramesh asked Ram not to waste her time.
D. Ramesh suggested Ram not to waste her time.
x. Sunil shared some information with Tariq, about a holiday at sea. Report Tariq's 1
question:
Did you enjoy travelling by sea?
xi. Fill in the blanks according to the Subject-verb agreement rules. 1
He keeps blaming and protesting but also…………his share in the plunder.
A. Accept B. Accepted C. Accepts D. Accepting
xii. Identify the error on a shop's hoarding and supply the correction, for the 1
following sales offer:

SAI & DAUGHTERS PVT. LTD.
Bindapur, Jharkhand
Massive discount for all senior citizen vaccinated with the precautionary dose.

Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5M
4A. You are Naina from 65, PH Road, Mangalore. You bought a fully automatic machine from
Modern Gadgets, Mangalore, last month. The machine is not functioning properly and
making unbearable noise when switched on. Write a letter to the dealer complaining about
the product by adding necessary details
OR
4B. Read the following advertisement for products using solar energy.
Solar Power Systems For A Greener India
● Excellent Offers
● Solar Cookers
● Solar Lanterns
● Solar Heating/ Cooking Systems
● Solar Water Heater
Write a letter to the editor of an English daily, making a plea to the common people to
switch over to solar energy to conserve electricity and limit electricity bills. You are Ridhi/
Rohan, living at 25-B Block, New Enclave, Prayagraj.
5. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. 5M

5A. The line graph given below shows the
number of Fans and Washing Machines
produced by
Ruby Electricals between 2015 and
2020. Summarize and write an
analytical paragraph highlighting the main
trends and the necessary details

OR

5B. A group of enterprising young adults
conducted a survey on reopening of
educational institutions in the National
Capital. Write a paragraph in about 120
words analysing the listed responses.

SECTION D: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT (40 Marks)

6. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow after the 5M
passage:
A. It was during the meal that, just as Lencho had predicted, big drops of rain began to fall. In the
north-east huge mountains of clouds could be seen approaching. The air was fresh and sweet. The man
went out for no other reason than to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body, and when he
returned he exclaimed, ‘‘These aren’t raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins. The big drops
are ten cent pieces and the little ones are fives. (A Letter
to God)
i Pick out the example for Metaphor from the given lines. 1
a) Big drops of rain b) Huge mountains of clouds
c) The pleasure of feeling d) The man went out
ii Lencho was ____________when the rain started falling 1
a) remorseful b) dejected c) regretful d) delighted
iii The humongous clouds approached Lencho’s field from __________ 1
a) North west b) North east c) South west d) South
east
iv What did Lencho compare the rain drops to? 1
a) mountains b) pleasure c) coins d) sweets
v Which of the following statement is not true according to the given extract? 1
a) Lencho’s prediction about the rain became true.
b) Lencho took shelter in his house during the rain.
c) Lencho’s hopes for a good harvest were reinforced when the rain began.
d) Lencho was overjoyed when it started raining.
OR
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow after the 5M
passage:
Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests,
B.
spices and coffee plantations. Evergreen rainforests cover thirty per cent of this district.
During the monsoons, it pours enough to keep many visitors away. The season of joy
commences from September and continues till March. The weather is perfect, with some
showers thrown in for good measure. The air breathes of invigorating coffee.
(Coorg)
i What makes the people visit Coorg? 1
a. Natural beauty b. Fine weather c. Refreshing air d. All

above
ii Evergreen forests means………………. 1
a. The forests are always green in colour.
b. The leaves of the trees never dry.
c. It is made up of rainforest trees.
d. it is always raining in those forests.
iii What prevents the tourists to go to Coorg in monsoons? 1
a. Dense plantations b. Coffee bushes c. Smell of Spices d. Heavy

rainfall
iv How much area is left without evergreen forests? 1
a. 70% b. 30% c. 65% d. 75%
v Find out the word from the extract that means the same as “refreshing” 1
7. Attempt Any One out of the two extracts given below:-
A. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:- 5M
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quite,
In his quiet rage.

He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass. (A Tiger in The Zoo)

i The above lines are from the poem: 1
a) A Tiger in the Zoo by Leslie Norris
b A Tiger in the Zoo by Robin Klein
c) A Tiger in the Zoo by John Berryman
d) A Tiger in the Zoo by Robert Frost
ii The rhyme scheme of the second stanza is: 1
a) abab b) abcb c) abba d) aaab
iii The stanzas bring out the contrast between 1
a) The tiger in the zoo and the tiger as a pet animal.
b) The tiger in the zoo and the tiger in its natural habitat.
c) The strength of a tiger and a lion.
d) The wild animals and the pet animals.
iv The word ‘rage’ does have a meaning similar to _________ 1
v Why does the tiger walk only a few steps? 1

OR
B. I am Rapunzel, 5M
I have not a care;
Life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I’ll certainly never let down my bright hair! (Amanda)

i The parenthesis ( ) in the above stanza is here to convey: 1
a) The speaker is lost in her own dreams.
b) The speaker imagines sleeping for long hours.
c) The speaker is a smart girl who wants to play the role of Rapunzel in a Play.
d) The speaker wants to climb a tower
ii The poetic device used in the phrase- ‘I am Rapunzel’ is: 1
a) simile b)alliteration c) metaphor d) onomatopoeia
iii The word ‘tranquil’ have a meaning similar to 1
a) confused b) calm c) peaceful d) relaxing

iv Who is the speaker of the given lines? 1
v True/False: 1
The speaker is a grown up person who is happy and satisfied with his/her real life. ______
8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each. 3x4=12M
(i) Explain how the description of the devastation caused by the hailstorm reflects the sadness 3
within Lencho, in A Letter to God? ( A Letter to God)

(ii) What did the Buddha want Kisa Gotami to understand? 3
(iii) Who are Paders and why are they called friends of the chidren? ( Glimpses Of India) 3
(iv) Why did the woman at the control room look strangely at the pilot of old Dakota? 3
(Two Stories About Flying)
(v) Write a short note on the relationship between the author and his pet Mijbil. 3
(Mijbil the Otter)
9. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each. 3x2=6M
(i) What compels Griffin to become a homeless wanderer without clothes? 3
(Footprints Without Feet)
(ii) The entry of one character in The Midnight Visitor brought a twist in the ending. Explain. 3
(The Midnight Visitor)
(iii) What was the passion of Horace Danby and how did he satisfy it? (A Question of Trust) 3
10. Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in about 100-120 words. 1x6=6M
(A) ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ describes the value of freedom in life and how
it is necessary for civilization to grow. What value do you derive out of it to make life an
enjoyable experience? (Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)
(B) How did Anne Frank use her writing skills in convincing her teacher?
(From the Diary of Anne Frank)
11. Answer ANY ONE of the following questions in about 100-120 words. 1x6=6M
(A) The story, A Triumph of Surgery is a powerful example of the importance of saying
“NO”. Explain giving examples from the text related to Tricky and his illness.
(A Triumph of Surgery)
(B) “Show off and a fake life may give temporary happiness but bring misfortune and
problems in future.” Explain the statement by linking it to the desires and behaviour of
Matilda Loisel. (The Necklace)

CLASS X
ENGLISH
PRE- BOARD 2023-24
MARKING SCHEME

Q. No. ANSWER MARKS

1 10M

i. The blackout phase is significant The Sun will block Mars from the Earth. 2

ii. (C) 2,3&5 1

iii. (D) only few 1

iv. (C) confident 1

v. (A) extra fuel 1

vi. (C) (A) is true and (B) is false. 1

vii. snapping 1

viii. India on September 24 last successfully placed its low-cost Mars spacecraft in 2
orbit around the red planet in its very first attempt, breaking into an elite club
of three countries
2 10 M

i. D. is not certain and confident about the Covid-19 situation in Delhi 1

ii. D. All of the above 1

iii. B. thought that these areas were likely to have more positive cases. 1

iv. A. Option (1) 1

v. A. Avoiding people to people contact as much as possible. 1

vi. C. the areas nearby an area which has Covid-19 positive case(s). 1

vii. A. 1 & 3 1

viii. True 1

ix. Indication 1

x. The areas where Covid-19 positive cases are found in large numbers. 1

3

i. B. blew up 1

ii. that he does not stay in a good mood 1

iii. Error: in correction: of 1

iv. C. will 1

v. B. at 1

vi. C. any 1

vii. C. was shaving 1

viii. C. need 1

ix. A.Ramesh suggested Ram not to waste his time. 1

x. Tariq asked Sunil if / whether he had enjoyed travelling by sea. 1

xi. C. Accepts 1

xii. Error: all Correction : each 1
OR
Error: citizen Correction :citizens

4 5M

4A Letter of Complaint 5
Format- 1.5
Content-2
Fluency-1.5
Total- 5 Marks

4B Letter to the Editor
Format- 1.5
Content-2
Fluency-1.5
Total- 5 Marks

5 5M

5A Analytical Paragraph Writing: 5
Format-1.5
Content & Analytical terms- 2
Fluency-1.5

5B Analytical Paragraph Writing:
Format-1.5
Content & Analytical terms- 2

Fluency-1.5

6

6 ATTEMPT ANY ONE FROM A AND B GIVEN BELOW: 5M

6A

i. a) Big drops of rain 1

ii. d) delighted 1

iii. b) North east 1

iv. c) coins 1

v. b) Lencho took shelter in his house during the rain 1

6B 1

i. d.All above 1

ii. c. It is made up of rainforest trees 1

iii. d.Heavy rainfall 1

iv. a.70% 1

v. invigorating 1

7 ATTEMPT ANY ONE FROM A AND B GIVEN BELOW: 5M

7A

i. a) A Tiger in the zoo by Leslie Norris 1

ii. b) abcb 1

iii. b) The tiger in the zoo and the tiger in its natural habitat. 1

iv. anger 1

v. He is enclosed inside the small space of a zoo. He has lost his freedom. 1

7B

i. a) The speaker is lost in her own dreams 1

ii. c) metaphor 1

iii. a) confused 1

iv. A teenaged girl named Amanda 1

v. False 1

8. ATTEMPT ANY FOUR 3x4=12

i. Content-1 3
Fluency-1
Accuracy-1
Key points: "not a leaf remained on the trees" and "the flowers were gone
from the plants" suggests a sense of emptiness and loss…. mirrors Lencho's
feelings of despair and disappointment.
ii. Content-1 3
Fluency-1
Accuracy-1
Key points: Death is common to all. No one could avoid dying, no one can
save their relatives. So, the wise do not grieve after accepting this truth of
death.
iii. Content-1 3
Fluency-1
Accuracy-1
Key points: Goa's village bakers, known as paders, sell their bakery
products. The children are particularly fond of them as they bring bread
bangles and loaves every morning.
iv. Content-1 3
Fluency-1
Accuracy-1
Key points : the narrator asked her about the black aeroplane ….she saw no
plane except the narrator's plane in the sky, the radar showed only the
narrator's plane in the sky that night.
v. Content-1 3
Fluency1
Accuracy-1
Key points shared a very affectionate bond with each other. Explanation:
Maxwell and otter were very amicable towards each other. He gave him many
toys including marbles, rubber bands, rubber fruits and a terrapin shell to play
with.

9 ATTEMPT ANY TWO 3x2=6M

i. Content-1 3
Fluency-1
Accuracy-1
Key points: brilliant, talented……lawless person… doesn't know his
with….short tempered….. selfish…. set fire to his landlord's house.
………swallowed that drug and became invisible. ……..no money, no food
and no clothes.
ii. Content-1 3
Fluency-1
Accuracy-1
Key points: Ausable cleverly discovered how Max had entered the room and
created an extremely believable story about a non-existent balcony. He kept
calm, and, hearing the knock at the door said it is Police. Terrified Max
Jumped from the window and died.
iii. Content-1 3
Fluency-1
Accuracy-1
Key points: Horace Danby's hobby was to collect and read rare and expensive
books. He managed to fulfill this hobby of reading rare and expensive books
by means of theft.

10. ATTEMPT ANY ONE FROM A AND B GIVEN BELOW: 6M

10 A Content-2
Fluency-2
Accuracy-2
Key points: Everybody wants to live free, because freedom is natural to all living beings.
The value of freedom is better known to that human being. The value of freedom is better
known to that human being who has not enjoyed it till he gets it. A person who is bounded
within limits and not allowed to perform his duties freely, values freedom more than
anyone else.
10 B Content-2
Fluency-2
Accuracy-2
Key points: Anne cleverly kept her point for talking in the class every time Mr. Keesing
punished her. She wrote her creative works cleverly and made him laugh through her
work. He was impressed by the way she presented her arguments and finally, he had to
accept that Anne would be this way and no punishment would change her.
11 ATTEMPT ANY ONE FROM A AND B GIVEN BELOW: 6M

11A Content-2
Fluency-2
Accuracy-2
Key points: A Triumph Story highlights the importance of saying "no" when it comes to

making decisions that could impact someone's life. In the story, the doctor is aware of the
risks involved in the surgery but agrees to perform it anyway because he does not want to
disappoint the wealthy family who are paying him.

11B Content-2
Fluency-2
Accuracy-2
Key points: Be content with what you have. A simple life is far better than a fake life.Take
or borrow what you afford to give. Lies make one’s life miserable. Matilda thought of
luxuries and wanted to seek attention on her beauty, borrowed necklace, enjoyed a
momentary happiness, lost the necklace, replaced the same, borrowed money on high
rates of interest , had to lose her normal life.

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