Class 10 Question Paper 2022-23 English (Half Yearly)

HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION

Question Paper
2022-23

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QUESTION PAPER
PT-
PT-2/HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION, 2022-
2022-23
ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE
Time - 7:15 AM to 10:20 AM Class – X M.M. : 80
Date – 07.09.2022 (Wednesday)
Name of the student _________________________________________________ Section _____
General Instructions:
1. This paper is divided into three sections: A, B and C.
All questions are compulsory.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and
question, wherever necessary. Read these instructions
very carefully and follow them.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while
answering the questions.

Section – A: Reading
Q1 Read the passage carefully
1. Everybody wants to succeed in life. For some, success means whatever they
desire or dream. For many, it is the name, fame and social position. Whatever be
the meaning of success, it is success which makes a man popular.
2. All great men have been successful. They are remembered for their great
achievements. But it is certain that success comes to those who are sincere,
hardworking, loyal and committed to their goals. Success has been man’s greatest
motivation. It is very important for all. Success has a great effect on life. It brings
pleasure and pride. It gives a sense of fulfillment. It means all-round development.
Everybody hopes to be successful in life, but success is achieved by only those
who have a proper approach, planning, vision and stamina. A proper and timely
application of all these things is bound to bear fruit. One cannot be successful
without cultivating these basic things in life. It is very difficult to set out on a
journey without knowing one’s goals and purposes. Clarity of the objective is a
must in life. A focused and proper approach is certain to bring success. Insincerity
and indecision are big obstacles on the path to success.
3. One should have the capability, capacity and resources to turn one's dreams into
reality. Mere desire cannot bring you success. The desire should be weighed
against factors like capability and resources.
This is the basic requirement of success. The next important thing is the
eagerness, seriousness and the urge to be successful. It is the driving force which
decides the success. It is the first step on the ladder of success.

4. One needs to pursue one’s goals with sincerity and passion. One should always be
in high spirit. Lack of such spirit leads to an inferiority complex which is a big
obstruction on the path to success. Time is also a deciding factor. Only the
punctual and committed have succeeded in life. Lives of all great men are
examples of this. They had all these qualities in plenty which helped them rise to
the peak of success.

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5. Hard labour is also one of the basic requirements of success. There is no substitute
for hard labour. It alone can take one to the peak of success. Every success has a
ratio of five percent inspiration and ninety-five percent perspiration. It is the
patience, persistence and perseverance which play a decisive role in achieving
success. Failures are the pillars of success as they are our stepping stones and we
must get up and start again and be motivated.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY TEN of the (10x1=10)
following questions:
1.1 According to the author, what, from the following, is the first and foremost step on
the journey to achieve success?
a. Keenness and urge to be successful.
b. Indecisive behaviour and sincerity.
c. To be very inspired.
d. Punctuality and divided commitment.
1.2 Select the option that suitably completes the dialogue with reference to the above
passage.
Jiya: One day I’ll be very successful, like my grandfather, father and brother. It is
in my genes to be successful. It doesn’t matter what I do or how I do it, I know I
am going to be successful.
Ruhi: You mustn’t think like that. Success………………………. .
a. only comes to those who fail a lot.
b. is not for spoiled brats like you.
c. is only going to bless people like me.
d. only comes to those who work hard to achieve it.
1.3 Choose the option that best conveys the message–“It gives a sense of fulfillment.”
a. Failure makes you understand success.
b. Achieving success feels like a person’s life’s purpose is fulfilled.
c. Hard work never goes unrewarded.
d. Success means achieving everything you want.
1.4 Select the option with the underlined words that can suitably replace ‘persistence’
(paragraph 5):
a. He admired her dogged continuing effort in pursuing the job.
b. By the time the rebel troops arrived, the village had already been cast aside.
c. The son was reluctant to turn over involvement in the company.

d. This illness induced a spiritual change, and he resolved to sign away whatever
kept him back from God.
1.5 A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object
or action to which it is non literally applicable.
From the options given below, select a phrase from the above passage that can be
an example of metaphor.
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a. “…labour is also one of the basic requirements…”
b. “…they are our stepping stones…”
c. “It is the first step on the ladder of success.”
d. Both (b) and (c)
1.6 Which of the following shows the correct meaning of the phrase – “Whatever be
the meaning of success.”?
a. Success means to become powerful, rich and famous.
b. Success can mean different things to different people.
c. Success is the acquiring of money through whichever method possible.
d. Success is the acquiring of knowledge through whichever method possible.
1.7 Choose the option that lists the quote best expressing the central idea of the
passage.
a. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. (Albert
Schweitzer)
b. A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others
have thrown at him. (David Brinkley)
c. The successful warrior is an average man, with laser-like focus. (Bruce Lee)
d. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty
and persistence. (Colin Powel)
1.8 Study the following statements:
A. Everybody wants to succeed in life.
B. Hard work cannot be substituted with anything.
a. A is right B is wrong. b. B is right A is wrong.
c. Both A and B are right. d. Both A and B are wrong.
1.9 What qualities did the great men who have been successful display, according to
the author?
a. Be brave in life. b. Labour and determination
c. Observational and day-dreaming skills d. None of the above
1.10 What does the writer advise in paragraph 4?
a. To work diligently
b. To be a lethargic person to achieve success
c. To be passionate and sincere.
d. To dream of riches and success.
1.11 State whether the following statements are true or not:
a. Success means the same to every individual.

b. Procrastination is the basic requirement of success.
Q2 Read the passage carefully -
1. The term ‘child labour’ refers to work that:
 Is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children;
and/or

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 Interferes with a child’s ability to attend and participate in school fully by
obliging them to leave school prematurely or requiring them to attempt to
combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work.
2. There are many inter-linked factors contributing to the prevalence of child labour.
Child labour is both a cause and consequence of poverty. Some perform child
labour to supplement family income while many are also in it for survival. They
miss out on an opportunity to gain education, further perpetuating household
poverty across generations, showing the economic growth and social
development. Inequality, lack of educational opportunities, slow demographic
transition, traditions and cultural expectations all contribute to the persistence of
child labour in India.
3. Child labour remains a persistent problem in the world today. The latest global
estimates indicate that 160 million children – 63 million girls and 97 million boys
– were in child labour globally at the beginning of 2020, accounting for almost 1
in 10 of all children worldwide. Seventy-nine million children – nearly half of
those in child labour– were in hazardous work that directly endangers their
health, safety and moral development.
4. Global progress against child labour has stagnated since 2016. The percentage of
children in child labour remained unchanged over the four-year period while the
absolute number of children in child labour increased by over 8 million.
Similarly, the percentage of children in hazardous work was almost unchanged
but rose in absolute terms by 6.5 million children.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY TEN of the (10x1=10)
following questions:
2.1 The purpose of the passage is to highlight ……………. .

Choose the correct option:
a. The issue of child labour.
b. The reasons behind child labour.
c. The increase in the number of child labourers in the past four years.
d. The decrease in the number of child labourers in the past four years.
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2.2 Study the following statements:
I. Poverty forces children into the labour market.
II. Child labour perpetuates poverty across generations.
a) I is the result of II b) I is the reason for II
c) I is independent of II d) Both a & b
2.3 Select the option that gives the correct meaning of the following statement:
“Global progress against child labour has stagnated since 2016.”
a) The fight against the evil of child labour has intensified.
b) The fight against the evil of child labour has decreased.
c) The fight against the evil of child labour has stopped altogether.
d) None of the above.
2.4 According to the data provided in the above passage, ………………. engaged in
labour are in hazardous work.
a) Almost half of all children b) Almost all of children
c) 10% of all children d) None of the above
2.5 Select the option listing the severe effects of child labour.
1. Impedes their education 2. Inequality
3. Poverty 4. Slow demographic transition
5. Hinders skills development
a) 1, 4 and 5 b) 2, 3 and 4 c) 1 and 5 d) All of the above
2.6 What does child labour do to young minds?
a. It makes them retarded.
b. It hinders them from participating them in school.
c. It causes mental illness in children.
d. All of the above.
2.7 This passage suggests that child labour deprives children of their childhood and
affects their ……………… .
a. Potential and their dignity
b. Harmful mental and physical growth
c. Hard work and thus, market value
d. Mental concentration for any future jobs.
2.8 How many children were engaged in child labour in the year 2008?

a. 115.3 million b. 215.2 million c. 223.3 million d. 168.0 million
2.9 According to the data given in the above passage, if working, children of which
age are recognized as ‘child labourers’?
a. Elementary kids to teenagers. b. Preschoolers to young adults.
c. Preschoolers to preteens d. Elementary to adults

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2.10 Since when has global progress against child labour stopped?
a. 2008 b. 2012 c. 2016 d. 2020
2.11 State whether the following statements are true or false:
a. The percentage of children in hazardous work rose by 6.5 million children
in 2020.
b. There is a decline of 6.4% in child labour over a period of two decades.
Section B : Writing & Grammar
Q3 The following graph shows the amount of house loan (in billion rupees) (5)
disbursed between the first quarter of financial year 2018 and the first quarter
of financial year 2023.

Write a paragraph in not more than 120 words analysing the graph.
OR
Study the following graph from OurWorldInData.org:

Write a paragraph in not more than 120 words analysing the GDP Per Capita of India
in relation to other major world economies.

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Q4 You recently came across an article in the newspaper - ‘India At 75 - A Quick Big (5)
Economic Snapshot’ by Harsha Gupta, published in it on 01 August, 2022 delineating
the current and prospective status of Indian economy as India celebrates 76th
Independence Day. Write a letter to the editor of a National Daily, appreciating the
concerns raised and positive details shared in the article. (100 – 120 words)
OR
You are Abhi/Niyu, a YouTuber. You have recently seen that YouTube pays more to
those YouTubers who review technological gadgets and underpays those who make
idealistic videos on key socio-political issues. You are also disappointed with the
views-count policy of YouTube that is ambiguous. Write a letter of complaint to
Sanjay Gupta, Country Head & Vice President, Google India, complaining about the
aforementioned. (100 – 120 words)
Q5 Fill in the blanks given below with the help of options that follow. (5)
In the last three hundred years, travelling (i) ____________ much easier and very
comfortable. In the 19th century, it (ii) _____________ two or three days to cross
North America by a covered wagon. The trip (iii) ___________ very rough and often
dangerous. Things (iv) ___________ a great deal in the last hundred and fifty years.
Now you can fly from New Delhi to Chennai in a matter of hours. We
(v)_____________ far in scientific advancement.
A. has become, became, becomes, will become, have come
B. took, takes, take, will take, have come
C. is, was, has been, would, have drowned
D. changes, changed, change, will change, have plunged
E. Came, come, has come, have come, have came
Q6 The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each of the lines. (5)
Write the incorrect word and the correct option in the space provided.
Once there was a guru communicating Error Correction
wisdom to people that came for his a……… ……….
darshan with flowers or fruits. One b……… ……….
day, when all the offerings was in plenty, he c……… ……….
called the disciple and asked him to d……… ……….
cut fruits and arrange for their e……… ……….
distribution of prasad.
Section C – Literature

Q7 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (5x1=5)
“Another aeroplane? Up there in the storm? No other planes were flying tonight.
Yours was the only one I could see on the radar.” So who helped me to arrive there
safely without a compass or a radio and without any more fuel in my tanks? Who
was the pilot on the strange black aeroplane, flying in the storm, without lights?

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i. Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE
according to the given extract:
1. The other aeroplane was called the Black Aeroplane.
2. The other aeroplane had the narrator’s mentor.
3. The other aeroplane was the narrator’s inner conscience.
4. The other aeroplane helped the narrator through the storm clouds.
5. The other aeroplane was a ghost plane.
6. The narrator was aware of the mysterious nature of the other aeroplane.
a. 4 and 5 b. 1, 3 and 6 c. 3 and 6 d. 2, 5 and 6
ii. The narrator was
a. Confused b. Surprised c. Happy d. Both (a) & (b)
iii. Why did the narrator desire to meet the pilot of the black aeroplane?
a. To ask him what he was doing there?
b. To thank him.
c. To meet him and ask him to teach him flying.
d. to invite him to breakfast.
iv. The word ________ refers to an instrument that tells directions or detects
objects.
v. The narration of the story is in the:
a. First person b. Second person c. Third person d. None of these
OR
Let me put it more clearly, since no one will believe that a thirteen-year-old girl is
completely alone in the world. And I’m not. I have loving parents and a sixteen-year-
old sister, and there are about thirteen people I can call friends. I have a family,
loving aunts and a good home. No, on the surface I seem to have everything, except
my one true friend. All I think about when I’m with friends is having a good time. I
can’t bring myself to talk about anything but ordinary everyday things.
i. Why does Anne feel that nobody will believe that a girl her age is alone?
1. People knew she had a family.
2. People rejected the idea of loneliness.
3. She had several friends.
4. She had a cheerful personality.
5. Her life was comfortable.

a. 1 and 5 b. 1, 3, and 4 c. 2 and 3 d. 2, 4 and 5
ii. Select the most appropriate option for 1 and 2.
1. …………… on the surface I seem to have everything, except my one
true friend.
2. Anne doesn’t truly connect with anyone.
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a. 1 is true and 2 is false.
b. 2 is the opposite of 1.
c. 1 furthers the meaning of 2.
d. Both 1 and 2 cannot be inferred from the extract.
iii. Select the option which displays the example of ‘having a good time’.
a. He is out for a picnic with his friends and they are laughing and singing
together.
b. He is studying hard for the periodic test the following day to improve
his scores.
c. He is trying to convince his father to purchase the latest video games
for him.
d. He just rescued an injured puppy and is tending to its wounds.
iv. Was Annie really alone?
v. What do we get to know about Anne when she said she couldn’t bring herself
to talk about anything but ordinary everyday things?
Q8 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: (5x1=5)
An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy
As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down
All his young days into the harbour where
His ball went. I would not intrude on him
i. Pick the option whose meaning is not at all similar to “harbour”:
a. port b. dock c. reservoir d. anchorage
ii. The boy is very young in the poem. As a mature, balanced grown-up, he might
look back and think that his reaction was:
a. Prudent and right b. Pragmatic and justified
c. Incorrect but justified d. Juvenile and childish
iii. Why does the speaker choose not to intrude?
1. The boy, at the moment, was depressed; so, he wouldn’t have understood.
2. The boy was excessively attached; so, he wouldn’t have understood.
3. The boy was adamant; so, he wouldn’t have understood.
4. It was his favourite ball.
a) Both 1 & 2 b) Both 2 & 3 c) Both 3 & 4d) Both 4 & 1
iv. What is meant by“all his young days into the harbour”?
v. Who is “I” in the poem: the poet, an observer or the boy?

OR
If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots is peppered,
You’ll know it is the Leopard.
‘I will do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again.

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i. The right spelling of “lep” is:
a. Leape b. Leepe c. Leep d. Leap
ii. Why will it do no good to “roar with pain”?
iii. Which option lists the statement that is NOT TRUE according to the extract?
a. The poet asks the reader to hide on seeing the leopard.
b. The poet cautions the reader about a leopard when walking through its
territory.
c. The poet informs the reader that a leopard can launch repeated attacks.
d. The poet tells the reader that a leopard attack can result in pain.
iv. What is the most dominant characteristic feature of a leopard?
v. What is the figure of speech used in: “He’ll only lep and lep again.”?
a. Personification b. alliteration
c. both a and b d. none of these
Q9 Answer ANY FOUR questions in 40-50 words: 4x3=12
i. How did the young Seagull overcome his fear?
ii. Why did the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?
iii. Is God real? Please explain in context of A Letter to God.
iv. What was meant when Nelson Mandela said that neither the oppressor nor the
oppressed is free?
v. Can our mood be changed positively because of small things that we generally
overlook in life like it did in Dust of Snow?
Q10 Answer ANY TWO out of three in 40-50 words: ( 2x3=6)
i. Did Anil know about Hari’s reality? Why did he not reprimand him and, instead,
treated him nicely?
ii. How did Ausable outsmart Max?
iii. At what point in the story did you realise that the lady was not the one who she portrays
herself to be in A Question of Trust? Justify.
Q11 Answer ANY ONE in 100-120 words: (6)
Both fire & ice are fatal. Elucidate.
OR
Escapism is one way of running away from harsh realities. Explain in reference to
‘Amanda’.
Q12 Answer ANY ONE in 100-120 words (6)
Science is a boon and a bane and, at the same time, it is neither a boon nor a bane.

Elucidate. (Footprints Without Feet)
OR
Survival of the fittest is an axiom that applies even among human beings. Justify with
respect to Ausable and Max; and, Horace and the lady.

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