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Model Questions Class 10

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Model Questions (English) for SSLC

Section 1. Analysis of Textual Passages

Unit 1

GENERATIONS

Question I

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

At 9.30, when he ought to have been shouting in the school prayer hall, Swami

was lying on the bench in Mother's room. Father asked him, 'Have you no

school today?'

'Headache,' Swami replied.

'Nonsense! Dress up and go.'

'Headache.'

'Loaf about less on Sundays and you will be without a headache on Monday.'

Swami knew how stubborn his father could be and changed his tactics. 'I can't

go so late to the class.'

'I agree, but you'll have to; it is your own fault. You should have asked me

before deciding to stay away.'

'What will the teacher think if I go so late?'

'Tell him you had a headache and so are late.'

'He will beat me if I say so.'

'Will he? Let us see.'

1. What would Swami usually do during prayer time at school?

2. What, according to Father, is the cause of Swami's headache?

3. Complete the sentence given below suitably.

If Swami had said ‘headache’ once again, his father _________________

4. Do you think Swami is honest in his words? Justify your answer citing

instances from the passage.

Question II

As he approached …................................... The

more he thought of Samuel, the more he grieved for him...

1. 'Swami realised that he was perjuring himself and was ruining his teacher.'

What does this statement suggest about the nature of Swami?

2. Pick out an expression which means 'to shake because you are frightened'

from the extract.

3. What, Swami fears, will be the consequences of delivering the letter to the

headmaster?

4. Look at the expression:

The more he thought of Samuel, the more he grieved for him.

Complete the following suitably.

a. The more he thought of his father, __________________

b. The weaker Swami became, __________________

Question III

Ravi sat back on the harsh edge of the tub, ….......................... of the true winner, a breaker

of records, a champion.

1. What, according to Ravi, is the greatest fun of hiding in the desolate shed?

2. What present does Ravi dream of being gifted with when he becomes the

champion?

3. Who are the pursuer and the pursued referred to in the passage?

4. Which expression in the passage is suggestive of Ravi's strong decision to

win the game?

5. How does Ravi express his happiness though impatiently waiting in the

shed?

Unit 2

THE WORLD OF MYSTERY

Question IV

'My eyes? What are you going to do with my eyes? …................................They aren't

blue, they're light brown.'

1. Why did the stranger try to pluck the narrator's eyes?

2. What offer did the narrator make to save himself from the man?

3. Complete the following sentence suitably

If the man let the narrator go, he ___________________________

4. Do you think that the stranger's sweetheart really asked for a bouquet of

blue eyes? Why?

Question V

I shrugged my shoulders, mumbled,.......................................... I was only one syllable,

of only one word.

1. Who are engaged in the dialogue referred to in the passage?

2. 'I was only one syllable, of only one word.' What does it signify?

3. What quality of the night is felt quite striking for the narrator?

4. Classify the following group of words into two heads as shown below.

the moon, came out from behind, a faint breeze,

my own actions, raised my eyes, shrugged my shoulder

the moon

came out from behind

Unit 3

REALITY TO REEL

Question I

Read the following passage from ‘Tea-shops in Malayalam Cinema’

A customer at a tea-shop........................................... a significant role in energising the narrative of many Malayalam films.

1. What does the expression ‘simply an individual’ imply?

2. Why is the tea-shop a favourite hang-out for some people?

3. How, according to the author, does the tea-shop energise the narrative of many Malayalam films?

4. What sort of people are considered ‘worthless and insignificant’ in their families?

5. How, according to the author is ‘a tea-shop no different from a theatre’?

6. Categorise the words given in brackets into two and complete the table below.

(insignificant, particular, regard, diverse, consider, come)

a. come

b. particular

c.

d.

e.

f.

Question II

The small wayside restaurants …................................................... the boundaries of their villages to sell what they produced in their fields or small workshops.

1. In what ways do ‘tea-shops’ play a crucial role in Kerala’s social life?

2. When, according to the author, did tea-shops become a common thing in Kerala?

3. Look at the sentence, ‘One was the increasing freedom of movement in public spaces acquired by the depressed sections of society.’ In the sentence ‘one’ is used instead of a noun phrase. Write the noun phrase that can replace ‘one’ in the sentence.

4. How were wages paid in the past? Cite an example for such a payment system. ?

5. What picture of the social life of Kerala in those days do you get from the passage ?

Question III

The tea-shop represents a time................................................. one can say, is a prominent character.

1. Why is ‘tea-shop’ a favourite space for many customers?

2. What purpose do tea-shop scenes serve in films?

3. The variety of food served in a local tea-shop is very limited. But it offers other two varieties. What are they?

4. Cite an instance each from the passage in which the linking word ‘and’ connects two noun phrases.

5. Find out from the passage the word which is opposite in meaning to ‘conceal’.

Question IV

Read the following passage from 'Sunshine through the Rain' and answer the questions that follow.

A forest. Tall trees are clearly visible through a thin mist. ...........................They suddenly stop,

turn and look in the boy's direction. Frightened, the boy runs away.

1. Why does the light appear to fall in beams?

2. Why does the boy watch the procession from behind a tree?

3. What are the 'shapes' that appear before the boy?

4. Pick out from the passage a word that means, 'uppermost branches of trees forming a layer of leaves'.

5. Why is the boy frightened?

6. Identify any two visual images that give a dream-like quality to the scene.

Question V

The boy's house.

As he walks up to the house, …..................................................... Foxes live under rainbows.

The Mother closes the door on the boy's face.

1. What advice does the mother give the boy to save him from the foxes’ anger?

2. Do you think the mother is being cruel to the boy? Justify your answer.

3. 'On a day like this, there are always rainbows.' What is the speciality of the

day referred to here?

4. Pick out any two sentences from the above passage that are commands or

directions.

Unit 4

UPON THE THORNS OF LIFE

Question VI

Read the following passage from 'The Beggar and the King' and answer the questions that follow.

THE KING: Send the beggar here.

THE SERVANT: O King!

….......................................................................... Forsooth, I fancy he will be pretty well frightened when he hears that the king desires his presence. Ha, ha, ha, ha!

1. What does the king fancy the beggar would do?

2. What suggestion by the servant pleases the king?

3. How, according to the servant, would the king's eyes and lips be affected if the beggar was brought into the palace?

4. What reason does the king finally give for bringing the beggar to the palace?

5. Look at the sentence: 'My ears have been soiled too much by the beggar.'

Now, begin the sentence with 'The beggar . . . . . .'

Question VII

Read the following passage from the story ‘The Bet’ and answer the questions that follow.

The old banker remembered all this and thought: ......................................................and disgrace is

the death of that man!’

1. ‘I am indebted to you for the happiness of my life’. Who are the ‘I’ and the ‘you’ referred to in this sentence.

2. Greed for money leads men to cruelty. What cruel deed does the banker think about?

3. ‘Cursed bet!’ Why does the banker consider the bet a curse?

4. Pick out an expression that suggests the state of mind of the banker.

5. Find out a word from the passage that means ‘not having enough money to pay one’s debts’.

Question VIII

It was a dark autumn night. ….........................................everywhere by imprisonment for life.

1. What was the weather like?

2. What was the major issue discussed by the banker and his friends?

3. Why did some of them disapprove death penalty?

4. The word 'immoral is derived from the word 'moral' by adding the prefix 'im' to it. Pick out two such words that are formed by adding prefixes other than 'im' from the passage.

Question IX

At the table a man unlike ordinary people ….....................................But let us first read what he has written here...’

1. Why was the man described as ‘unlike ordinary people’?

2. What impressions do you get while looking at the man?

3. Who could be the ‘most conscientious expert’ that the banker had in his

mind?

4. Why did the banker think that taking the man’s life was quite simple?

5. Look at the following sentence from the passage.

‘At the table a man unlike ordinary people was sitting motionless.’

Here ‘at the table’ is used before the subject ‘a man’. Pick out one such sentence from the passage.

Unit 5

ART AND ATTITUDE

Question X

Read the following passage from the story, ‘Balthazar’s Marvellous Afternoon’ and answer the questions that follow:

The cage was finished........................................... …........‘Rest for a while then,’ Ursula said to him.

1. Why did Ursula describe Balthazar as a capuchin?

2. Why did Balthazar hang the cage under the eaves?

3. Why didn’t Balthazar have the same feelings of others about the beauty of

the cage?

4. What reason did Balthazar say for not accepting Ursula’s suggestion to shave?

5. Look at the sentence: Maya is used to getting up early. Substitute the

underlined phrase with a suitable word/phrase from the passage.

6. Read the following sentence.

The cage was finished.

Begin the sentence with – Balthazar ....

Question XI

Read the following passage from the speech, ‘Art that Heals’ and answer the questions that follow:

One of my parents’ deepest fears, I......................................... Let me talk a little bit about music, and how it works.

1. Who is the ‘I’ referred to in the passage above?

2. What was the fear that his parents had?

3. Pick out a sentence from the passage that suggests that Karl was very

studious.

4. Did Karl’s parents love music? Find out the expression from the passage

that supports your view.

5. Find the word from the passage that means ‘to recognize the good qualities of somebody’.

6. What is the attitude of the society towards music?

Section 2

Constructing Discourses

Unit 1

GENERATIONS

Question I

The letter written by Swami's father to the headmaster plays an important role in the story ‘Father's Help’. The content of the letter is not disclosed throughout the story. Imagine the content of the letter and draft it.

Question II

'As he approached the yellow building he realized that he was perjuring himself and was ruining his teacher.' Swami was regretful of his lies. Imagine he wrote a letter seeking apology from his teacher Samuel. How would that letter be?

Question III

Imagine that Swami explained everything that happened at school to his mother after his father tore the letter into pieces. What could be the likely conversation between them. Write at least six exchanges.

Question IV

After the heated exchange between Swami and his teacher Samuel in the classroom, Swami's father happened to meet Samuel. What would be the likely conversation between them?

Question V

Swami portrays Samuel as very violent, aggressive and cruel. As the story progresses we see Samuel quite different. Prepare a character sketch of Samuel.

Question VI

'You deserve your Samuel.' Father's comment disappoints Swami. He expresses his feelings in his diary. Write the likely diary entry of Swami in about 60 words.

Question VII

Prepare the profile of R. K. Narayan using the details given below.

Name : R K Narayan

Birth : October 10, 1906, Chennai

Famous as : Novelist, short story writer

Brother : R.K Laxman (Famous Cartoonist)

Achievements and awards : Padma Bhooshan(1964), Sahitya Akademi Award (1958)

A C Benson Medal (1980)

Nominated as Rajyasabha Member.

Famous works : Swami and Friends, The Guide, Malgudi days, The English Teacher

Death : 2001.

Question VIII

At the end of the story 'Games at Twilight' Ravi felt heart broken. The events that led to it are given below in jumbled order. Arrange them sequentially and develop them into a paragraph using suitable linkers.

• The others had forgotten him and gone on with other work.

• Ravi, one of the hiders, hid in a dark and desolate shed.

• Ravi was silenced by a terrible sense of insignificance, caused by the ignominy of being forgotten.

• The children decided to play the game hide and seek.

• He soon realised to win the game, he had to touch the Den.

• Everyone looked at him with amazement when he shouted out Den, Den, Den.

Unit 2

THE WORLD OF MYSTERY

Question I

The narrator of the story 'The Blue Bouquet' got a letter from one of his friends after his shocking experience. The letter is given below. Read it and prepare a reply to the letter.

26, Royal Avenue

NW15RE, Mexico

10th August

Dear friend,

Hope you are doing well. I heard about the strange experience you

had in the street. I am thoroughly confused. I can't just believe it. What

happened really? I want to know more about it. Hope you will let me

know of the details soon.

Convey my regards to all. Do reply.

With love,

Jacob Thomson

Question II

A news report describing the bitter experience of the narrator of the story 'The Blue Bouquet' is given below. Read it carefully and write a letter to the editor of a daily expressing your concern on the increase of such violent incident.

Violence Never Ceases

Mexico: The incident that happened yesterday night scared the villagers again. A tourist who went out for a walk in the street was attacked by a stranger. He attempted to pluck out the eyes of the tourist using a knife. The stranger, it is said, was seeking a pair of blue eyes. Fotunately, the tourist’s eyes were not blue and he was spared. The police says that they have intensified the search for the culprit.

Question III

The narrator of the story 'The Blue Bouquet' was really shocked by the terrible incident in the street. He ran to the hotel immediately after he was released by the stranger. Seeing the frightened narrator the hotelkeeper enquires what really happened. Prepare the likely conversation between them. Write at least 6 exchanges.

Question IV

After the horrifying incident happened in the street the narrator of the story 'The Blue Bouquet' ran back to his hotelroom. Write a short narrative of his thoughts based on the hints provided.

(Hints: repents disregarding hotelkeeper’s advise - praise to Almighty for the escape - takes a pledge not to go out during night - thinks about the family members - decides to leave the room at the earliest.)

Question V

The stranger in the story 'The Blue Bouquet' said that his sweetheart wished to have a bouquet of blue eyes. Do you believe this? What do you think about the stranger's words? Write a paragraph expressing your views on the stranger's demand in not more than 60 words.

Question VI

The narrator of the story 'The Blue Bouquet' was really shocked by the incident that happened in the street. He recorded his feelings in his diary as follows:

May 12, 2011

Unpredictable incidents always happen in my life. Strange

experiences...unbelievable encounters...Today's was the most horrible

one. When I paced slowly through the streets I had the faintest idea

about what was in store for me... Who was he? I didn't dare to ask.

What really was his intention? Did he just plan to scare me? Did he

really intend to gouge my eyes? I still can't believe what he said. Making

a bouquet of blue eyes for his sweetheart! What a strange idea!

Narrate in about 120 words the incident that scared the narrator.

Question VII

Given below is a note prepared by a newspaper reporter after interviewing the narrator of the story 'The Blue Bouquet'. Using the note prepare a news report of the incident. A tourist was attacked-yesterday night- a strange incident-he walked outside-a stranger demanded his eyes to make a bouquet- it was for his beloved-the incident shocked the tourists- everybody was frightened-be careful to walk at night.

Question VIII

The narrator of the story 'The Blue Bouquet' was extremely frightened after the incident that happened in the street at midnight. He jotted down his feelings and emotions in his diary. How would the diary entry be?

Question IX

Prepare the profile of Octavio Paz using the details given below.

Name Octavio Paz Lozano

Date of birth March 31.1914

Place of birth Mexico city

Famous as Poet and diplomat

Works una Silvestre (Wild Moon), Cabellera, The Labyrinth of Solitude

Awards : Nobel Prize for Literature in 1990

Death : 1998

Unit 3

REALITY TO REEL

Question I

'Certain stock scenes in films assume significance when we look at them through another perspective.' Do you agree with this statement? Prepare a write-up in about 120 words expressing your views in the light of the article 'Tea-shops in Malayalam Cinema'.

(Hints: ordinary things assume significance on a deeper analysis - tea-shops in Malayalam cinema - a way side shop for tea and snacks - platform for public discourse - secular space - communal harmony - worthless persons gain dignity - energises the narrative of the cinema)

Question II

In connection with the Film Festival organised in your school, you are asked to deliver a speech on the ‘Social Relevance of Films'. Prepare the speech in about 120 words.

(Hints: films - not just a medium of entertainment - reflects the issues of the society - documents culture - provides messages - society’s beliefs, customs, dress codes, food habits etc.)

Question III

The article 'Tea-shops in Malayalam Cinema' and the screenplay 'Sunshine through the Rain' document the cultural elements of two societies. Still there are parellels. Justify the statement comparing the article and the screenplay. Prepare a write- up in about 120 words expressing your views.

(Hints: tea-shop - documents the history of Kerala - the social movements - how and when tea-shops emerged - the different people - their different lives - screenplay - documents the dress code - the beliefs - customs of the people of Japan - the myth shown in the film seen in the belief systems of the people of Kerala)

Question IV

In his article ‘Tea-shops in Malayalam Cinema’ C.S. Venkiteswaran considers the tea-shop a secular space. Do you agree with his view? Substantiate your arguments and prepare a short write-up of about 60 words.

Question V

Imagine that the literary club of your school is organising a competition in speech. The topic given is ‘The role of tea-shops in Kerala’s social life’ Prepare a speech in about 60 words in the light of the article ‘Tea-shops in Malayalam Cinema’.

Question VI

Tea-shops play a significant role in some of the movies. Describe in about 60 words the role played by a tea-shop in any one of the movies you have seen.

Question VII

‘Cinema documents the history and culture of our times.’ Examine the statement on the basis of your reading of the article ‘Tea-shops in Malayalam Cinema’ and prepare a brief write-up in about 60 words.

Question VIII

Write a short profile of Akira Kurosawa using the details given below.

Nationality : Japan

Famous as : Director – Producer – Screen writer - Editor

Major works: Drunken angel (1948) Rashomon (1950) Seven Samurai (1954)

Awards and : Asian of the century (posthumously) achievements

Oscar award for lifetime achievements (1990)

Question IX

A debate is to be held in your class on the topic ‘Movies are meant for entertainment’. You have to argue against the topic by pointing out the educative value and cultural values of films. Present your arguments in not more than 60 words.

Question X

The film club of your school is organising a film festival. BICYCLE THIEVES, CHEMMEEN, and NEELAKKUYIL are some of the films to be screened. Shaji N Karun, one of the famous film directors of Kerala, will inaugurate the festival. Draft a notice giving details.

Question XI

The school Film Club has organised a film festival at the school auditorium. DREAMS, CHILDREN OF HEAVEN, and MODERN TIMES were among the films screened in the festival. Film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan in his inaugural speech stressed on the cultural and educative values of cinema. Prepare a news report of the film festival.

Question XII

.

The article ‘Tea-shops in Malayalam Cinema’ throws light on the importance role played by tea-shops in Kerala society. Write a letter to Dr C.S. Venkiteswaran appreciating his article.

UNIT 4

UPON THE THORNS OF LIFE

Question XIII

The characters in the one-act play 'The Beggar and the King' are true representatives of the present society. Do you agree with this statement? Prepare a brief write-up in about 120 words justifying the statement.

(Hints: dictators suppress the demands of the people - cries of the downtrodden neglected - characters of the play represents the two classes everywhere - beggar the central character - he dominates towards the end of the play - king becomes submissive - servant later inclined to the beggar)

Question XIV

'No dictator can suppress the suffering millions forever.' Comment on the statement in the light of the play 'The Beggar and the King' and prepare a write-up in about 120 words.

(Hints: beggar cries for bread - the cries annoy the king - orders to send him away - cries louder - soldiers cut off his tongue - cries again - slain by the soldiers – regains life - commands the king - proclaims his strength)

Question XV

The beggar in the play 'The Beggar and the King' and the lawyer in the story 'The Bet' are victims of suffering. In your view, whose suffering is more severe? Express your views comparing the characters in about 120 words.

(Hints: beggar - tortured by the king and his power - suffering imposed by authority - unending suffering - lawyer - suffering self imposed - gains wisdom)

Question XVI

Hope you have enjoyed reading the play 'The Beggar and the King'. Prepare a brief review of the play in about 120 words.

(Hints: your views on the plot of the play - the most appealing character - setting of the play - dialogues used - climax of the play -relevance to the present day - recommendations)

Question XVII

The Arts Club of your school has decided to stage the play 'The Beggar and the King'. Prepare a text for announcement before the staging of the play.

Question XVIII

The ‘servant’ plays an important role in the development of the play ‘The Beggar and the King’. Though he supports the King he never negates the demands the beggar puts forward. Prepare the character sketch of the servant.

Question XIX

The beggar in the play ‘the Beggar and the King’ is not an ordinary human being. When his tongue was cut he has grown another. When he was killed he gets another life. Who does the beggar represent in the play? Prepare the character sketch of the ‘Beggar’.

Question XX

‘My strength is greater than a mountain and my words are more fearful than a hurricane. With one breath of my mouth I can blow over this whole palace’. Is the beggar in the play a mere beggar or something more than that? Prepare a write-up in about 60 words substantiating your views.

Question XXI

The king in the play is a typical character who always tries to cling to his throne of power without giving care and protection to his subjects. Prepare a letter of complaint to the king urging him to take immediate measures to eradicate poverty from the land.

Question XXII

The Literary Club of your school has planned to stage the play ‘The Beggar and the King’ in your school. Being the Secretary of the club you are asked to prepare a notice to be circulated among the students and teachers. Draft the notice highlighting the theme and relevance of the play.

UNIT 5

ART AND ATTITUDES

Question XXIV

Imagine that Ursula narrates to one of her friends how Balthazar made the cage and finally presented it to Pepe as a gift. Narrate it in the words of Ursula in about 120 words.

You may begin like this: Balthazar, my husband made a beautiful cage. .......

(Hints: most beautiful cage – making cages since childhood – visitors to the cage – two weeks of continuous work – asks to take rest – irons shirt and pants – asks him to sell it for sixty pesos – Doctor Octavio comes to see the cage – tells him that it was already sold – supports Balthazar - Balthazar takes the cage to Jose Montiel – ill treatment - his wife’s reaction - Pepe’s arrival - Balthazar’s final decision)

Question XXV

The English club of your school is organizing a Music Festival. As the Secretary of the club, you have invited Sri. M.K.Arjunan, the famous music composer to inaugurate the function. Prepare a notice showing the details of the function.

Question XXVI

Pepe jumped with joy when Balthazar gifted him the cage. His joy knew no bounds when he got it. He makes an entry in his diary expressing his happiness. Prepare the likely diary entry.

Question XXVII

The news of Balthazar’s marvellous cage spread far and wide. Imagine that the news appeared in one of the leading newspapers. Write the likely news report in about 60 words.

Question XXVIII

You would like to invite Mr Hariharan, one of the playback singers, to the Music Festival organized in your school. Write the likely letter inviting and seeking a convenient date from him to participate in the function.

See general pattern of question paper

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