MBOSE Class 10 Question Paper 2023 for English

Total No. of Printed Pages—16
X/23/E

2023

ENGLISH

( FOR CANDIDATES WITH INTERNAL ASSESSMENT )

Full Marks : 80
Pass Marks : 24

( FOR CANDIDATES WITHOUT INTERNAL ASSESSMENT )

Full Marks : 100
Pass Marks : 30

Time : 3 hours

( FOR ALL CATEGORIES OF CANDIDATES )

General Instructions :

(i) The candidates are advised to attempt all the questions
accordingly.

(ii) Marks allocated to every question are indicated against
each.

(iii) Question Nos. 1 to 15 are to be answered by all
candidates.

(iv) Question Nos. 16 to 19 are to be answered by
Candidates without Internal Assessment only.

/1 [ P.T.O.

( 2 )

SECTION—A

( Reading )

(Do not spend more than 15 minutes on this Section)

1. Read the following passage carefully :
Mountaineering is now looked upon as the king of
sports. But men have lived amongst the mountains since
prehistoric times; and in some parts of the world, as
in the Andes and the Himalayas, difficult mountain
journeys have inevitably been part of their everyday life.
However, some of the peaks there were easily accessible
from most of the cities of Europe. It is quite interesting
that while modern mountaineers prefer difficult routes
for the greater enjoyment of sport, the early climbers
looked for the easiest ones, for the summit was the prize
they all set their eyes on. Popular interest in
mountaineering increased considerably after the ascent
of the Alpine peak of Matterhorn in 1865 and Edward
Whymper’s dramatic account of the climb and fatal
accident which occurred during the descent.

In the risky sport of mountaineering, the element of
competition between either individuals or teams is totally
absent. Rather one can say that the competition is
between the team and the peaks themselves. The
individuals making up a party must climb together as a
team, for they depend upon one another for their safety.
Mountaineering can be dangerous unless reasonable
precautions are taken. However, the majority of fatal
accidents happen to parties which are inexperienced or
not properly equipped. Since many accidents are caused
due to bad weather, the safe climber is the man who
knows when it is time to turn back, however, tempting
it may be to press on and try to reach the summit.

X/23/E/1 [ Contd.

( 3 )

On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the
following questions by choosing the most appropriate
options given : 6

(a) Mountaineering is different from other sports
because
(i) it is risky and dangerous
(ii) it is most thrilling and exciting
(iii) there is no competition between individuals 1

(b) People living in the Andes and the Himalayas made
mountain journeys because
(i) they lived in prehistoric time
(ii) they had to undertake them in their day-to-day
life
(iii) it was a kind of sport 1

(c) Why do mountaineers climb as a team? 1
(i) Because there is no competition among them
(ii) Because they have to rely on each other for
safety
(iii) Because the competition is between the team
and the peak

(d) Why do modern mountaineers prefer difficult
routes? 1
(i) For the greater enjoyment of sport
(ii) Because they can see the summit clearly
(iii) Because some of the peaks are easily accessible

X/23/E/1 [ P.T.O.

( 4 )

(e) “... the summit was the prize they all set their eyes
on.” In the context of the passage, the given line
means
(i) they kept their eyes steadily on reaching the
summit
(ii) they cared for nothing but winning the prize of
reaching the summit
(iii) reaching the top was their prime concern 1

(f) (i) Find a word in the passage which means the
same as ‘approachable’. ½
(ii) Find a word in the passage which means
‘bringing about destruction or causing death’. ½

SECTION—B
( Writing and Grammar )
(Do not spend more than 60 minutes on this Section)

2. Either

Today more and more children and teenagers are
becoming prone to several health issues. It is due to the
change in their lifestyle. Write an article in about
120 words highlighting the consequences of adopting
this modern way of living. 6
Or
You are Nisha/Nishant. Besides your studies, there are
other interests that you have. Write an e-mail to your
friend Richa/Raghav, mentioning some of your interests
and how they help in your life. 6

X/23/E/1 [ Contd.

( 5 )

3. Either
You are Reuben/Nancy and you are deeply concerned
about the unauthorized construction of shops on the
pavements and parks in your city, causing problems to
people. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper,
stating the problems and expressing your concern. 6
Or
Write a story in about 150 –200 words which begins with
the words given below. Give a suitable title too : 6
Knock ! Knock ! “Is anybody there?” asked the
stranger. Hearing his voice, I was greatly surprised.
I rushed towards the door and opened it. Suddenly ...

4. Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by
choosing the most appropriate words from the given
options : ½×8=4
The term ‘traditional medicine’ (a) _____ to ways of
protecting and restoring health that existed before the
arrival of modern medicine. As the term (b) _____, these
approaches to health belong to the traditions of each
country, and (c) _____ down from generation to
generation. Traditional systems in general have had to
meet the needs of the local communities for many
centuries. China and India (d) _____ very sophisticated
systems such as acupuncture and Ayurvedic medicine.
A genuine interest in various traditional practices now
(e) _____ among practitioners of traditional, indigenous or
alternative systems. They (f) _____ to accept and (g) _____
some of modern technology. This (h) _____ foster
teamwork among all categories of health workers within
the framework of primary health care.
(a) (i) refer (ii) is referred (iii) refers (iv) referred
(b) (i) imply (ii) implies (iii) is implied (iv) implied

X/23/E/1 [ P.T.O.

( 6 )

(c) (i) are handed (ii) was handed (iii) has been handed
(iv) have been handed
(d) (i) develop (ii) is developing (iii) have developed (iv) will
develop
(e) (i) exists (ii) existed (iii) existing (iv) will be existing
(f) (i) begins (ii) are beginning (iii) had begun (iv) will
begin
(g) (i) use (ii) using (iii) will use (iv) will be using
(h) (i) help (ii) is helping (iii) had helped (iv) will help

5. (a) Construct suitable sentences with the following
idioms (any two) : 1×2=2
(i) in full swing
(ii) a red-letter day
(iii) first and foremost
(iv) at sixes and sevens
(v) turn down

(b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions
(any four) : ½×4=2
(i) The train went _____ the tunnel.
(ii) Please do not compare him _____ my brother.
(iii) We walked _____ the field to the church on the
other side.
(iv) He did not agree _____ my proposal.
(v) I jumped _____ the wall into the garden.
(vi) This book is quite different _____ that.

X/23/E/1 [ Contd.

( 7 )

6. Rewrite the following as directed (any four) : 1×4=4
(a) The speaker said that it gave him great pleasure to
be there that evening.
(Begin : The speaker said, ......)
(b) We are living a hard life.
(Begin : A hard ......)
(c) I said to Reema, “Where have you been all these
days?”
(Begin : I asked ......)
(d) By whom is the door being knocked at?
(End : ...... door?)
(e) Speak the truth.
(Begin : Let ......)

SECTION—C

LITERATURE TEXTBOOK
( Prose and Poetry )
(Do not spend more than 60 minutes on this Section)

7. Read the following extracts and answer the questions
that follow (any two) : 3×2=6
(a) “There’s a young man hid with me, in comparison
with which young man I am a Angel.”
(i) Who said this and to whom? 1
(ii) Why did the speaker mention about the young
man? 1
(iii) What did the speaker claim that the young man
could do? 1

X/23/E/1 [ P.T.O.

( 8 )

(b) “The terrified Juliet was in sad perplexity at her
father’s offer.”
(i) What was her father’s offer? 1
(ii) Why was Juliet terrified? 1
(iii) How did she react at the offer? 1

(c) “And what is there special about it?”
(i) Who asked this question and to whom? 1
(ii) What is the ‘it’ referred to here? 1
(iii) What made it special? 1

(d) “I would establish my social position for life.”
(i) Who is the speaker? 1
(ii) What would enable the speaker to establish her
social position? 1
(iii) How does it come true in the end? 1

8. Choose the correct answer (any five) : 1×5=5

(a) “He was so loose a talker.” In the given context, ‘He’
refers to
(i) Mr. Arrow
(ii) Jim Hawkins
(iii) Squire Trelawney

(b) The convict made a short run, and stopped and
looked over
(i) the tombstones
(ii) his shoulder
(iii) the marshes

X/23/E/1 [ Contd.

( 9 )

(c) To what does Romeo compare Juliet’s beauty when
she appeared above at a window?
(i) The light of the morning sun
(ii) The snowy dove
(iii) The light of the moon

(d) By the time the Prince was sixteen, he was
(i) skilled with the five weapons
(ii) the chief man in all India
(iii) a confident, healthy young man

(e) “... a young debutante in evening gown, comes
running in with a bunch of place cards.” Who is
the ‘young debutante’?
(i) Ella
(ii) Elaine
(iii) Hester Longley

(f) Major Morris asked Mr. White to make his wish by
holding the paw up in
(i) the right hand
(ii) the left hand
(iii) both the hands

9. Answer the following in 30 –40 words (any three) : 2×3=6

(a) What did Captain Smollett hear about the map of
the treasure island?

(b) What two things did Pip see on the edge of the river?

(c) How did Romeo react when he heard the news of his
banishment?

X/23/E/1 [ P.T.O.

( 10 )

(d) What good things did the Brahmans foresee about the
Prince?
(e) Why did Herbert suggest to his father that he should
wish precisely for two hundred pounds?

10. Answer the following in 80 –100 words (any one) : 8
(a) Narrate Pip’s meeting with the convict and the effect
it had on Pip. 6+2=8
(b) Describe how Romeo was banished from Verona. 8
(c) Discuss the elements of horror and suspense in the
story, The Monkey’s Paw. 8

11. Choose the correct answer (any three) : 1×3=3
(a) In the poem, The Village Schoolmaster, the word
‘mansion’ refers to
(i) the schoolmaster’s large house
(ii) the school-house
(iii) the village

(b) What are the dead Indian soldiers compared to?
(i) Gold
(ii) Raiment
(iii) Pearls

(c) That I am _____ of words and people.
Fill in the blank using the appropriate option.
(i) weary
(ii) confused
(iii) shattered

X/23/E/1 [ Contd.

( 11 )

(d) In the poem, The Solitary Reaper, how does the poet
know that the song is melancholy?
(i) From the words of the song
(ii) From its tune
(iii) From the conversation of the passers-by

12. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions
that follow (any two) : 3×2=6

(a) “Always I climbed the wave at morning,
Shook the sand from my shoes at night.”
(i) Where was the poet at that moment? 1
(ii) What does the expression ‘I climbed the wave’
mean? 1
(iii) How does the poet feel now? 1

(b) “The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more.”
(i) What music does the poet bear in his heart? 1
(ii) Mention the two other kinds of music, listed by
the poet, that were surpassed by this music. 1
(iii) Why is ‘the music’ heard no more? 1

(c) “If the shower will make the roses bloom,
O why lament its fall?”
(i) What do we lament about? 1
(ii) Why are we asked not to lament? 1
(iii) How must we enjoy the ‘sunny hours’ of life? 1

X/23/E/1 [ P.T.O.

( 12 )

(d) “Full well they laugh’d, with counterfeited glee,
At all his jokes, for many a joke had he,”
(i) Who are ‘they’? 1
(ii) Why did they laugh with counterfeited glee? 1
(iii) How did they react when the teacher frowned? 1

13. Answer the following in 80 –100 words (any one) : 6

(a) “Life is all about being hopeful and optimistic.” How
does the poet convey this message in the poem,
Life ?

(b) How does Sarojini Naidu pay her tribute to the
Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the First
World War?

(c) What, according to Wordsworth, might be the theme
of the song sung by the solitary reaper?

SECTION—D

LONG READING TEXT
( Rapid Reader )

(Do not spend more than 15 minutes on this Section)

14. Choose the correct answer (any three) : 1×3=3
(a) Oliver’s early childhood was spend under the care of
(i) Mr. Bumble
(ii) Mrs. Bedwin
(iii) Mrs. Mann

X/23/E/1 [ Contd.

( 13 )

(b) Oliver was kept imprisoned
(i) at Whitechapel
(ii) in Bethnal Green
(iii) at Chertsey

(c) “Now, you have given us most valuable help, young
woman.”
Who is the ‘young woman’?
(i) Charlotte
(ii) Nancy
(iii) Rose

(d) Edwin Leeford left with Mr. Brownlow
(i) his will
(ii) a portrait of Agnes
(iii) a locket and a ring

15. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions
that follow (any one) : 7
(a) “With the cap on his head, Oliver was led away in tears.”
(i) Who led Oliver away and where? 1
(ii) Why was Oliver in tears? 2
(iii) Relate the events that happened after Oliver
arrived at the place. 4

(b) “They hurried through the little town of Chertsey ...
they stopped outside a detached house.”
(i) Who was the owner of the ‘detached house’? 1
(ii) Who were ‘they’ and what was their plan? 2
(iii) Describe how their plan failed. 4

X/23/E/1 [ P.T.O.

( 14 )

(c) “Give me five-and-twenty pounds in gold and
I’ll tell you all I know and give you something
besides.”
(i) Who said these words and to whom? 1
(ii) What did the speaker ‘tell’ and ‘give’ the other
person? 3
(iii) What did the other person do with the things? 3

[ For Candidates without Internal Assessment ]

( Marks : 20 )

16. Answer the following in a sentence or two (any five) :
2×5=10
(a) What did the Captain think about Mr. Arrow?

(b) Why was the convict interested to hear that Pip’s
brother-in-law was a blacksmith?

(c) What did Romeo do before setting out for Verona?

(d) Where did King Brahmadatta send the Prince and
why?

(e) “Great Caesar, now what have I done !” Who uttered
these words and why?

(f) When Morris was asked about the monkey’s paw,
why did he dismiss the question offhandedly?

(g) What did Pip think about the five little lozenges?

X/23/E/1 [ Contd.

( 15 )

17. Match Column—A with Column—B : 1×5=5

Column—A Column—B

(a) Oft a little morning rain (i) And o’er the sickle
bending

(b) And life be refashioned (ii) salty sweetness

(c) I saw her singing at (iii) Foretells a pleasant
her work day

(d) With blossom’d furze (iv) on anvils of peace

(e) Wanting the sticky, (v) unprofitably gay,

18. Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the
choices given in the brackets (any four) : ½×4=2

(a) Is _____ with the sound.
(overflowing/brimming)

(b) And the far sad glorious _____ I see.
(sight/vision)

(c) As I mounted up the _____.
(valley/hill)

(d) _____ once again the shanty straining.
(Hear/Feel)

(e) In arguing too, the _____ own’d his skill.
(parson/pupils)

X/23/E/1 [ P.T.O.

( 16 )

( Oliver Twist )

19. Answer the following in a sentence or two (any three) :
1×3=3

(a) Why did the boys in the poorhouse decide to ask for
more food?

(b) How did Sikes persuade Nancy to go to the police
station?

(c) What was Oliver’s plan when he was made to enter
the house through the small window?

(d) What did Oliver learn when doctor Losberne took
him to look for Mr. Brownlow’s house?

(e) Whom did Nancy meet at London Bridge?

HHH

X/23/E/1 K23—55420