CBSE Class 10 Question Paper 2023 English (Solved)

Qu e st i o n

P a p e r
2023

Series WYXZ1/1 Set No. 1

Q.P. Code 2/1/1
Roll No.
Candidates must write the Q.P.
Code on the title page of the answer-
book.

ENGLISH
(Language and Literature)

Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks : 80

● Please check that this question paper contains 15 printed pages.

● Q.P. Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should
be written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.

● Please check that this question paper contains 11 questions.

● Please write down the Serial Number of the question in the answer-
book before attempting it.

● 15 minutes time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question
paper will be distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the
candidates will read the question paper only and will not write any answer
on the answer-book during this period.

2/1/1 1 P.T.O.*^
101 A

General Instructions :
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :

(i) This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are
compulsory.

(ii) The question paper contains THREE sections –

Section – A : Reading Skills

Section – B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills

Section – C : Literature

(iii) Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each Part.

Section – A 20

Reading Skills

1. Read the passage given below :

(1) If you’re like most kids, you may love snow. Not only can it get you

out of school, but it’s also fun to play with. Who doesn’t love to sled

and build snowmen ? Snow can also be dangerous, too. You may

have heard your parents talk about how difficult it can be to drive in

snow. Car accidents aren’t the only dangers created by snow. If

you’re ever skiing in the mountains, you’ll want to be aware of

avalanches. An avalanche is a sudden flow of snow down a slope,

such as a mountain. The amount of snow in an avalanche will vary

based on many things, but it can be such a huge pile that it can bury

the bottom of a slope in dozens of feet of snow.

2/1/1 2 P.T.O.*^

(2) Avalanches can be caused by many things. Some of them are
natural. For example, new snow or rain can cause built up snow to
loosen and fall down the side of a mountain. Earthquakes and the
movement of animals have also been known to cause avalanches.
Artificial triggers can also cause avalanches. For example,
snowmobiles, skiers, gunshots and explosives have all been known to
cause avalanches. Avalanches usually occur during the winter and
spring, when snowfall is greatest. As they are dangerous to any
living beings in their path, avalanches have destroyed forests, roads,
railroads and even entire towns.

(3) Warning signs exist that allow experts to predict – and often prevent
– avalanches from occurring. When over a foot of fresh snow falls,
experts know to be on the lookout for avalanches. Explosives can be
used in places with massive snow build-ups to trigger smaller
avalanches that don’t pose a danger to persons or property. When
deadly avalanches do occur, the moving snow can quickly reach over
80 miles per hour. Skiers caught in such avalanches can be buried
under dozens of feet of snow. While it’s possible to dig out of such
avalanches, not all are able to escape.

(4) If you get tossed about by an avalanche and find yourself buried
under many feet of snow, you might not have a true sense of which
way is up and which way is down. Some avalanche victims have
tried to dig their way out, only to find that they were upside down
and digging themselves farther under the snow rather than to the
top ! Experts suggest that people caught in an avalanche try to
“swim” to the top of the moving snow to stay close to the surface.
Once the avalanche stops, do your best to dig around you to create a
space for air, so you can breathe easier. Then, do your best to figure
out which way is up and dig in that direction to reach the surface
and signal rescuers.

2/1/1 3 P.T.O.*^

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given
below : 10  1 = 10
(i) Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option :
Avalanche can be caused by
(a) new snow or rain. (b) heavy winds.
(c) high altitude. (d) global warming.
(ii) Comment on warning signs exist which allow experts to predict
avalanches in two sentences.
(iii) Mention two reasons which destroyed the natural scenery.
(iv) Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘massive’ :
(a) tiny (b) lengthy
(c) bulky (d) extensive
(v) The writer will agree with one of the given statements (paragraph 4)
(a) People caught in the Avalanche can try to swim to the top.
(b) Put on an oxygen Mask.
(c) Digging is not possible.
(d) Should not come close to the surface.
(vi) Select the option that corresponds to the following relation below :
You may not have an idea of which way is up and which way is down.
(a) The crowd will gather at Gate No. 1 and disperse from Gate No. 2.
(b) Due to the torrential rain, there was a heavy flooding.
(c) The guest felt uneasy and uncomfortable watching the child’s
performance.
(d) The more the effort, the bigger the gain.
(vii) The major causes which do not trigger an avalanche :
(a) Earthquakes (b) Snow fall
(c) Rain (d) Plastic waste

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(viii) Explosives can be used in places ___________. (complete the sentence)
(ix) The word ‘deadly’ in the (3) paragraph most nearly means
(a) likely to cause death (b) harmful
(c) very boring (d) scary
(x) Select the most suitable title for the above passage :
(a) Avalanches (b) Adventure with Snow
(c) Ice Games (d) Calamity

2. Read the passage given below : 10  1 = 10
(1) Increasing traffic congestion every year is causing increasing air
pollution, wasting time and productivity and diverse respiratory
diseases. Moreover, the cost of solving or reducing traffic congestion
is enormous. However, neglecting the traffic jam problem would
increase the social problems among citizens.
(2) The number of vehicles has increased considerably in the city in the
past five years. Due to this increase, the city roads witness frequent
traffic congestions, but above all, the vehicles emitting pollutants
are affecting the environment adversely.
(3) The Capital’s vehicular population saw an addition of more than five
lakh vehicles last year, registering an increase of over 4%, according
to the Delhi Economic Survey 2020-21.
(4) In spite of the largest road network, through metro and bus services
in major cities the transport system is not being able to keep pace
with the growing demand. Consequently, more and more people use
their private vehicles, leading to increased congestion on the roads.
In spite of these challenges people in India prefer road travel over
air and other means of travel.
Citizens of Delhi/NCR have, time and again, pondered over the
possibilities of how to reduce the traffic congestion in the city,
especially during the peak hours. People should use public
transport, the government must increase the facilities of public
transport, people should avoid the unnecessary collection of vehicles
and should use carpool and vehicle sharing.
(5) What is required is proper implementation of corrective measures by
citizens to get an organized traffic management system.
2/1/1 5 P.T.O.*^

(i) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in paragraph 1.
Reducing traffic congestion is not easy.
(ii) Select the appropriate option to complete the following sentence. The reasons
for increased traffic congestion are ________.
1. use of private vehicles
2. increase in demand for cars
3. inability to keep pace with population control
4. travelling by public transport
5. emission of pollutants
(a) 4, 5 (b) 1, 5 (c) 1, 2 (d) 2, 3
(iii) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word / phrase from the
paragraph 5.
organized : chaotic : : lowest : _______
Clue : Just as organized is an antonym of chaotic, lowest is an antonym of
_______.
(iv) The vehicles emit pollutants which affect _______ badly.
(v) Complete the following sentence.
Use of public transport will reduce ________.
(vi) Select the appropriate option which states the methods of reducing traffic
congestions.
1. start car pooling
2. add electric buses
3. increase in public modes of transport
4. increase car collection points
5. increase taxation
(a) 1, 4, 5 (b) 3, 5 (c) 2, 3 ,4 (d) 1, 3
(vii) Analyze the status of traffic between the years 2019-2022.

For the visually challenged candidates only.
(vii) What is required to get an organized traffic management system ?
2/1/1 6 P.T.O.*^

(viii) Give the reasons for increase in vehicular congestion.
(ix) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option.
There are _______ consequences of increasing vehicular congestion.
(a) beneficial (b) adverse
(c) implicit (d) explicit
(x) Substitute the underlined word with ONE WORD similar in meaning in
the following sentence.
Citizens of Delhi/NCR have time and time again pondered over the
possibilities of how to reduce traffic congestion.

Section – B 20
Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
3. Attempt any Ten of the following questions : 10  1 = 10
(i) Reena always ______ the truth.
(a) speak (b) speaks
(c) will speak (d) speaking
(ii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line :
Bread and butter ______ my favourite breakfast.
(a) is (b) am
(c) are (d) has been
(iii) Read the conversation between two friends Ravi and Reena. Complete
the sentence by reporting Reena’s reply correctly.
Ravi : “Reena, lend me hundred rupees’.
Reena : “I don’t have it right now, but I will arrange it for you”.
Ravi asked Reena to lend him hundred rupees, to which Reena
replied that _______.
(iv) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction
for the following line :
I can run fast when I was young.
Option no. Error Correction
a was is
b run ran
c can could
d when whence

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(v) Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct
option :
Heena _______ from fever since last Sunday.
(a) suffered (b) will suffer
(c) suffer (d) has been suffering
(vi) Fill in the blank by using the correct word in the bracket.
Anyas _______ (eat) all the chocolates kept in the tray.
(a) ate (b) eating
(c) have eaten (d) eaten
(vii) Report the dialogue between a mother and a daughter by completing
the sentence :
Mother : Why are you looking so worried ?
Daughter : My exams are approaching.
In response to the question of the mother, the daughter replied that
________.
(viii) Identify the error in the given sentence :
The ship Titanic and her fate continues to fascinate the imagination
of the people.
Use the given format for your response :
Error Correction

(ix) Ritu and Randeep are talking.
Report Ritu’s question.
Ritu – Where are you going ?
Ritu asked ________.
(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the
slogan :
______ smile and pass it to others.
(a) Happy (b) Short
(c) Always (d) Humble

2/1/1 8 P.T.O.*^

(xi) Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue
between Anil and Sanjeev :
Anil : Where are you going ?
Sanjeev : To the airport.
Anil : May I drop you there as I’m going in that direction ?
Anil asked Sanjeev where he was going and offered to drop him as
_____.
(a) he could be going in that direction
(b) he would be going in the direction
(c) he is going in the direction
(d) he was going in that direction
(xii) Identify the error in the newspaper headline.
Attractive packages for different Tourist destination – Mizoram,
Kashmir, Kerala, Goa.
Use the given format for your response :
Error Correction

4. (a) You are pained to see that in your city, there is no proper
arrangement for cleaning of drains. There are heaps of accumulated
garbage and stagnant water. Write a letter to the Municipal
Commissioner of your city complaining about the same as there is a
fear of outbreak of disease. You are Alka/Ashish. (Word limit
100-120) 5
OR
4. (b) The authorities have been claiming that the roads in your town have
been relaid and repaired. But no such work done is seen. Write a
letter to the editor of a local newspaper expressing your concern at
the present situation and giving suggestions to resolve the problem,
in 100-120 words. You are Prabhu/Parvati of Vivek Vihar, Delhi. 5

2/1/1 9 P.T.O.*^

5. Attempt any one from a and b given below : 5

(a) The chart below displays details regarding online activity for four
age groups in six categories. Write an analytical paragraph for the
table provided in about 100 words.

Age Age Age Age
Activity%
Teens 20s 30s 40s

News 76 71 72 78

Downloads 85 55 35 25

Buying a product 44 66 67 69

Online games 88 55 36 28

Searching for a product 0 77 81 85

Searching for people 6 33 22 21

OR

5. (b) A survey was conducted in New Delhi in over twenty schools about
the different activities that interest the children in the age group of
13 to 15 years. Write an analytical paragraph in about 100 words
analyzing the following information : 5

2/1/1 10 P.T.O.*^

For Visually Challenged Candidates Only
5. (b) Rehanna is to write an analytical paragraph on ‘Hazards of
Smoking’. Using your own ideas and the information given below,
write the paragraph in 100-120 words.
Smoking – drains out income of an average earner – affect health
badly – vital organs are affected – harmful for passive smokers –
need to educate people – Role of media in creating awareness.

Section – C 40
Literature

6. Attempt any one of the given extracts :
(a) Let me put this more clearly, since no one will believe that a
thirteen-year old girl is completely alone in this world. And I’m not. I
have loving parents and a sixteen years old sister, and there are
almost thirty people I can call friends. I have a family, loving aunts
and a good house. No, on the surface I seem to have everything,
except my one true friend. All I think about when I am with friends
is having a good time. I can’t bring myself to talk about anything,
but ordinary everyday things. 51=5
(i) On the surface, it appears that Anne the thirteen year old girl _____.
(ii) How can we infer that the speaker felt alone in the world ?
(a) She had a family of many people.
(b) She had loving parents.
(c) She had thirty friends.
(d) She craves for a true friend.
(iii) Anne and her friends talked about _____.
(a) their problematic parents (b) their financial problems
(c) common everyday things (d) the commuting problems
(iv) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text :
alone : friends : : nothing :

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(v) Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the idiom
‘bring myself ’ from the extract :
(a) to do something willingly (b) to do something unwillingly
(c) a charitable act (d) an involuntary act
OR
6. (b) Mrs. Hall almost fell down the stairs in hysterics. She was convinced
that the room was haunted by spirits and that the stranger had
somehow caused these to enter into her furniture. 51=5
(i) Mrs. Hall tripped because ______
(a) the floor was oily.
(b) she was standing on a chair.
(c) she was in a state of panic.
(d) the door was slammed.
(ii) Mrs. Hall suspected everything in the room was put under a
spell of witchcraft by ______.
(iii) Fill in the blank with one word only :
Mrs. Hall was afraid that spirits had entered _______.
(iv) According to the extract, the feeling of Mrs. Hall can be best
described as
(1) stunned (2) happy
(3) awestruck (4) nervous
(5) outraged (6) agitated
Select the correct option :
(a) (2) and (4) (b) (3) and (6)
(c) (5) and (6) (d) (1) and (6)
(v) ‘Spirits’ in the above lines means the same as
(a) ghosts (b) conscience
(c) ego (d) attitude
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7. Attempt any one of the given two extracts :

(a) Though to distinguish beasts of prey 51=5
A novice might nonplus,

The crocodiles you always may

Tell from the Hyena thus :

Hyenas come with merry smiles;

But if they weep they’re crocodiles.

(i) Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence,
according to the extract :

Crocodiles can be identified by their _______.

(a) tears (b) attitude

(c) smiles (d) attacks

(ii) State whether the following statement is True or False :

Hyenas are famous for weeping.

(iii) ‘Novice’ in line 2 means the same as :

(a) learner (b) beast

(c) tender foot (d) beginner

(iv) In this extract the poet has presented two different behavioural
traits of animals. They are ______.

(v) The poet uses ‘A novice might nonplus” instead of the novice
might get confused. How does this usage impact the poem ?

(a) adds an incorrect option.

(b) it is associated with beasts.

(c) it rhymes and adds humour.

(d) it simplifies the meaning.

OR

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7. (b) He stalks in his vivid stripes 51=5
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage
He should be lurking in shadow
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
(i) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The vivid stripes refer to the ______.
(ii) Which word from the extract is the opposite of ‘loud’ ?
(iii) The use of the phrase ‘pads of velvet’ means
(a) neck (b) tail
(c) skin (d) paws
(iv) State whether the following statement is True or False :
The confinement of the cramped space of the cage has
restricted the tiger’s steps.
(v) The tiger was lurking in shadow _________.
(a) to catch its prey (b) as the cage was dark
(c) as the velvet was quiet (d) as he was in a rage

8. Attempt any four out of the five questions given below in 40-50 words
each. 4  3 = 12
(a) What did Pranjol and Rajvir do during the journey ? Why ?
(b) Who read the letter sent by Lencho ? What did he do then ?
(c) Where is Coorg located ? Write any two characteristics of the people
of Coorg ?
(d) How does the poem ‘The Tale of Custard The Dragon’ differ from the
traditional ballad ?
(e) What does the Buddha say about the world ?

2/1/1 14 P.T.O.*^

9. Attempt any two out of the three questions given below in 40-50 words
each : 23=6
(a) Why does Anil not hand over Hari Singh to the police ?
(b) What opinion did Mr. Weiherer, Ebright’s Social Science teacher
have about him ?
(c) What was Mr. Herriot’s strict advice ? Did Mrs. Pumphrey agree to
his advice ?

10. Answer any one of the following questions in 100-120 words : 6
(a) Whenever we want to achieve something, difficulties always come in
our way. What did Valli have to do to go and ride in a bus ?
(b) Through the story of Kisa Gotami, what did the Buddha try to
preach to the common man ?

11. Answer any one of the following questions in 100-120 words : 6
(a) Education is always a great asset in the life of a woman. How did
Bholi, an educated girl, face the challenge posed by Bishamber’s
greed ?
(b) Those who are satisfied with what they have are happy in life. Those
who aspire more than what they can afford ruin their life. Matilda
was one such person. If she were content with her life she would
have led a happy life. Elaborate on the basis of the chapter ‘The
Necklace.’
___________

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2/1/1 101 A 16 P.T.O.*^