English Language & Literature (184)

Pre-Board Exam
Class – X
Time: 90 Minutes Max. Marks 40

General Instructions:
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections.
2. Section A-READING has 18 questions. Attempt a total of 14 questions,
as per specific instructions for each question.
3. Section B-WRITING & GRAMMAR has 12 questions. Attempt a total
of 10 questions, as per specific instructions for each question.
4. Section C-LITERATURE has 30 questions. Attempt 26 questions, as
per specific instructions for each question.
5. All questions carry equal marks.
6. There is no negative marking.

READING

Read the passage given below

1. Millions of people in the United States are affected by eating disorders. More than 90% of those afflicted are adolescents or
young adult women. Although all eating disorders share some common manifestations, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and
binge eating each has distinctive symptoms and risks. People who intentionally starve themselves (even while experiencing
severe hunger pangs) suffer from anorexia nervosa.
2. The disorder, which usually begins around the time of puberty, involves extreme weight loss to at least 15% below the
individual’s normal body weight. Many people with the disorder look emaciated but are convinced they are overweight. In
patients with anorexia nervosa, starvation can damage vital organs such as the heart and brain. To protect itself, the body shifts
into slow gear: Menstrual periods stop, blood pressure rates drop, and thyroid function slows. Excessive thirst and frequent
urination may occur. Dehydration contributes to constipation, and reduced body fat leads to lowered body temperature and the
inability to withstand cold. Mild anemia, swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, and light-headedness also commonly occur in
anorexia nervosa.
3. Anorexia nervosa sufferers can exhibit sudden angry outbursts or become socially withdrawn. One in ten cases of
anorexia nervosa leads to death from starvation, cardiac arrest, other medical complications, or suicide. Clinical depression and
anxiety place many individuals with eating disorders at risk for suicidal behavior.
4. People with bulimia nervosa consume large amounts of food and then rid their bodies of the excess calories by
vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics, taking enemas, or exercising obsessively. Some use a combination of all these forms of
purging. Individuals with bulimia who use drugs to stimulate vomiting, bowel movements, or urination may be in considerable
danger, as this practice increases the risk of heart failure. Dieting heavily between episodes of binging and purging is common.
5. Because many individuals with bulimia binge and purge in secret maintain normal or above normal body weight, they
can often successfully hide their problem for years. But bulimia nervosa patient seven those of normal weight can severely
damage their bodies by frequent binge eating and purging. In rare instances, binge eating causes the stomach to rupture; purging
may result in heart failure due to loss of vital minerals such as potassium. Vomiting can cause the esophagus to become
inflamed and glands near the cheeks to become swollen. As in anorexia nervosa, bulimia may lead to irregular menstrual
periods. Psychological effects include compulsive stealing as well as possible indications of obsessive-compulsive disorder, an
illness characterized by repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Obsessive compulsive disorder can also accompany anorexia nervosa.
As with anorexia nervosa, bulimia typically begins during adolescence. Eventually, half of those with anorexia nervosa will
develop bulimia. The condition occurs most often in women but is also found in men.
6. Binge-eating disorder is found in about 2% of the general population. As many as one-third of this group is men. It also
affects older women, though with less frequency. Recent research shows that binge-eating disorder occurs in about 30% of
people participating in medically supervised weight control programs.
7. This disorder differs from bulimia because its sufferers do not purge. Individuals with binge eating disorder feel that
they lose control of themselves when eating. They eat large quantities of food and do not stop until they are uncomfortably full.
Most sufferers are overweight or obese and have a history of weight fluctuations. As a result, they are prone to the serious
medical problems associated with obesity, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. 8. Obese individuals also
have a higher risk for gallbladder disease, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Usually they have more difficulty losing
weight and keeping it off than do people with other serious weight problems. Like anorexic and bulimic sufferers who exhibit
psychological problems, individuals with binge eating disorder have high rates of simultaneously occurring psychiatric illnesses,
especially depression.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any eight out of the ten questions by choosing the correct option
Q1. Majority of people suffering from eating disorders are __________
(a) Adolescents (b) Young adult women (c) Obese people (d) Both (a) and (b)
Q2. Mild anemia, swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, etc. commonly occur in _______
(a) Bulimia (b) Binge - eating (c) Anorexia nervosa (d) obsessive compulsive disorder
Q3. Depression and anxiety place many individuals with eating disorders at risk of __.
(a) Suicidal behaviour (b) Obesity (c) Binge eating (d) None of these
Q 4. Binge eating disorder occurs in about 30% of people undergoing ___________ .
(a) Treatment (b) Weight control programs (c) Depression (d) Puberty
Q5. Obese individuals also have a risk of ____________ .
(a) Heart disease (b) Some types of cancer (c) Gallbladder disease (d) All of these
Q6. Individuals suffering from anorexia can also suffer from ___________ . (a) Cardiac arrest (b) Suicidal behaviour (c) Both
(a) and (b) (d) None of these
Q7. “Many people with the disorder look emaciated but are convinced they are overweight.” The word ‘emaciated’ here means
_________
(a) Fat (b) Skeletal (c) Nervous (d) Depressed
Q8. According to the passage, which of the following is correct?
(a) Among the suffers of anorexia nervosa, half of them will eventually develop bulimia.
(b) Binge eating disorder is found mainly in children.
(c) People with bulimia nervosa keep themselves in starvation.
(d) More than 90% of those afflicted with eating disorders are men and old-age people.
Q9. Choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the word ‘Obsessive’ as used in the passage.
(a) Passionate (b) Abominating (c) Feverish (d) Frenetic
Q10. Find a word from the passage that means ‘The inability to eliminate body waste’ –
(a) Constipation (b) Dehydration (c) Laxatives (d) anorexic

II. Read the passage given below

1.Since 26 November, farmers have been protesting outside the borders of Delhi demanding repeal of the Farm Bills. What are
the issues? Here is a primer of 10 key issues that the Farm Bill has raised and why it engendered protests.

2.The Farm Bills were passed as an ordinance and while the ruling NDA had a majority in Lok Sabha, it was passed in Rajya
Sabha by voice vote. Here are details of the 3 key bills.
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, allows farmers to sell their harvest outside
notified APMC mandis without taxes.
The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, facilitates contract
farming and direct marketing.
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, deregulates the production, storage, movement and sale of cereals,
pulses, edible oils and onion.
Farmers, from Punjab and Haryana, are protesting heavily against the Farm Bills 2020.
The Farm Bill  allows farmers to directly sell to private companies without relying on the APMC mandis. Farmers fear this could
lead to scrapping of MSP.

3.Government has removed most agricultural products from Essential Commodities List. Farmers expect this to lead to price
volatility and hoarding.
Effectively, the bills permit private sector investment into farm infrastructure. Farmers are sceptical that large corporates may
squeeze out the traditional farmer.
Farm Bill allows farmers to sell their produce outside the APMC regulated markets. The APMCs and MSP were created during
the Green Revolution in an era of food grain scarcity. However, APMC has become a state cartel that is deliberately fixing low
prices for agri-products and forcing distress sale by farmers. India is now a surplus producer of food grains.

4.The farmer protest largely revolves around the need to protect Minimum Support Price (MSP). Currently, MSP is declared for
23 crops before the sowing season. However, government only purchases paddy, wheat and select pulses in large quantities,
and only 6% of farmers actually sell their crops at MSP. Government was willing to give a written assurance but farmers are
not for it.
Farmers fear that tax-free private trade in food grains will make these mandis unviable. If volumes shift out of the APMC
mandis, government may lose interest in enforcing MSP. In Punjab and Haryana, most government procurement centres are
located within the APMC mandis. Farmers want MSP to be made universal; both within mandis and outside mandis.
More than 50% of all government procurement of wheat and paddy since 2015 happened in Punjab and Haryana. Nearly, 85%
of wheat and paddy grown in Punjab, and 75% in Haryana is bought at MSP rates. Farmers in these States expect prices to fall
without MSP. Punjab has invested in the mandi system and infrastructure. Large farmers in Punjab and Haryana double up as
commission agents. So they earn the commission plus the interest
on loans given to smaller farmers. These will cease to exist.

5.It is purely economical. For example, Punjab government charges 6% mandi tax (along with a 2.5% fee for handling central
procurement). Punjab earns Rs.3,500 crore and Haryana Rs.1,600 crore from these mandi taxes.
For other states, mandi tax is less than 1% of revenues while for Punjab and Haryana it is almost 9%. Also, agriculture is a state
subject and state governments are not comfortable with the centre diluting their importance.

With just 7000 APMC markets in India, agricultural marketing largely happens outside the mandi network. Bihar, Kerala and
Manipur do not follow APMC system. The facilitation and storage of agri commodities is
likely to attract large corporates in the agriculture space. They will invest in farm technology and robotics, apart from post-
harvest infrastructure.

6.The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 removes food grains, potato, onions and other perishable food from the
definition. The exceptions are war and famine. The new bill allows stocking up inventory with no limits unless the price of
perishable goods doubles or non-perishable goods are up over 50%. It would be a relatively smaller role.
Technically yes; since supermarkets and corporates can stock up. This could reduce supply in the market and prop up prices.
This could give corporates an opportunity to create temporary shortages and profit from the panic. It is likely that food might
get more expensive and as a chain reaction inflation goes up. But the government has the right to intervene if prices move up
too sharply.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the eight questions by choosing the correct option.

11. Why are farmers upset with the Farm Bills?

due to lack of knowledge b. due to political parties c. scrapping of MSP d. fear from private enterprises

12. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill,
2020, facilitates which of the following ?
a. contract farming and direct marketing b. will create more job opportunities c. flexibility in decision making
d. none of the above

13. Which is a CORRECT statement regarding Contract Farming under farm Act
a. Transfer the risk of market unpredictability from the sponser to the farmers
b. The Act empowers farmers to engage with processors, aggregators, wholesalers, exporters etc., on a level
playing field without any fear of exploitation
c. It will not ensure farmers and entrepreneurs come together in a contractual relationship
d. None of Above

14. what is the abbreviation of MSP ?

a. maximum support price b. minimum supporting price c. Minimum show price d. none
15. Consider the following statement regarding Farmers Fear in new farms Act
i. MSP will stop
ii. APMC will end
iii. Big Companies will exploit farmers in the name of contract
Choose Correct code given below

a. i and iii Only

b. ii and iii Only
c. i and ii Only
d. i, ii and iii
16. Farmers can sell farm products in
a. Mandis (APMC) 
b. Outside
c. Both - Mandis or Outside
d. None of the Above
17.On which date farmer started protesting against farm bills ?
a. 20th September, 2020
b. 25th September, 2020
c. 26 th november, 2020
d. 3rd October, 2020
18. synonyms of word vociforus
a. clamorous b. jocund c.juvenile d. none

III. GRAMMAR and WRITING

Answer any five out of the given six questions:

19. With this, you have lost __________ chance that you had.
A. a little B. little C. the little D. slight

20. I missed my last appointment. I __________ visit the doctor this weekend.
A. must B. used to C. can D. could

21. Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech.

The salesman said, “Are you interested in the scheme?”

A. The salesman said that if I was interested in the scheme.
B. The salesman said that if I were interested in the scheme.
C. The salesman asks if I am interested in the scheme.
D. The salesman asked me if I was interested in the scheme.
22. . Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech.

 The teacher said, “The wind is a renewable energy source.”

A. The teacher said that the wind was a renewable energy source.
B. The teacher said that the wind is a renewable energy source.
C. The teacher told that the wind is a renewable energy source.
D. The teacher tells that the wind was a renewable energy source.

23.The baby ………...all morning.

A. cries B. has been C. is crying D. have been

Writing Skill

You are Amit / Amita staying at Sunrise apartments, Gymkhana Road, Pune. The main road leading
to this colony has three open manholes causing frequent accidents at night. The street light is also
not available. Complete this letter to the Editor of the Times of India expressing your concern about
the part of the authorities towards this situation. Also suggest ways to mobilize city dwellers, with
the help of school children for the cause of safety roads.
C4

Sunrise apartment

Gymkhana road

Pune

Q24. _______

The Editor

The Times of India

Mumbai

Sub:

Q25. ______________

Respected Sir

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper I wish to draw the kind attention of the relevant

authorities towards the Q26.________. I would like to draw the attention of the

relevant authorities towards the issue of three open manholes on the main road leading to a colony.

These open man holes are turning into death traps for the residents who have demanded that the

authorities concerned take steps to cover them.

Moreover, our colony has no street lights since the last 2 months. There are no street lights even on

the main roads leading to a colony. With the open manholes and lack of street lights

Q27.______ , the road gets dark even after 7 in the evening. People fear going out not

only to avoid accidents but also to avoid being prey to unscrupulous elements. The open manholes

not only Q28._______ but are also a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Motorist, elders

and children are the main victims of these manholes and many times accidents have been reported
due to these manholes.

Whenever torrential rains hit the areas they cause even more problems. Q29. ______for

the cause of safe roads, we plan to organise a student rally from sunrise apartment’s main gate to

Mr. Rehan, the current MP’s house and hope this letter will elicit a suitable response from our

elected representatives.

Thanking you

Q30. ______
Amita
Q24. Choose the appropriate option for the above given blank
(a) 13.03.2021 (b) June13. 2021
(c) June 13,2021 (d) 13/06/2021
Q25. Choose the appropriate option for the above given blank
(a) Mobilization of city dwellers. (b) Darkness around sunrise apartments.
(c) Road safety in the colony. (d) Concern about night accidents.
Q26. Choose the appropriate option for the above given blank
(a) Pitiable condition of local residents.
(b) Miserable condition of people residing in colony.
(c) Pathetic condition of residents of Sunrise apartments Gymkhana road.
(d) Frequent accidents occur during at night.
Q27. Choose the appropriate option for the above given blank
(a) Accidents happen. (b) Accidents are on a rise.
(c) There are racing accidents. (d) Most accidents occur.
Q28. Choose the appropriate option for the above given blank
(a) Emit bad smell and cause pollution. (b) Give foul smell and lead to accidents.
(c) Create pollution. (d) Create worst situation
Q29. Choose the appropriate option for the above given blank
(a) To avoid the danger. (b) To provide safety to passengers.
(c) To protect the passers by. (d) To mobilize City dwellers.
Q30. Choose the appropriate option for the above given blank
(a) yours truly (b) your truly
(c) Your Truly (d) Yours truly
 LITERATURE
This section has sub-sections – V, VI, VII, VIII & IX. There are a total of 30 questions in this section. Attempt any 26 questions
from the sub-sections V to IX.
Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:
The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people. All of us will spend many years, if not
generations, recovering from that profound hurt. But the decades of oppression and brutality had another, unintended effect,
and that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers,
the Robert Sobukwes of our time – men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom, and generosity that their like may never be
known again. Perhaps it requires such depth of oppression to create such heights of character. My country is rich in the
minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than
the purest diamonds.

31. What was the unintended effect of oppression and brutality?

a. White Supremacy was overturned forever in South Africa.

b. South Africa got freedom from oppression.
c. great freedom fighters came up to stand against apartheid.
d. it created a deep and lasting impact on the people of South Africa.

32. Why did their deep wounds take years to recover?

a. they had gone through the most inhumane system in the world.
b. their basic rights and freedoms were seized from them.
c. they did not get timely medical treatment.
d. all above

33.  “Perhaps it requires such depth of oppression to create such heights.” Mark the literary device used in the above
sentence.
a. alliteration
b. satire
c. metaphor
d. irony

34. According to the narrator what can be finer and truer than the purest diamonds?
a. Minerals and gems
b. freedom fighters of a country
c. people of a country
d. none of the above

35. Nelson Mandela praises his fellow fighters in terms of extraordinary

a. courage, wisdom, and generosity
b. height, age and generosity
c. courage, age and skin colour
d. courage, speech and character

VI. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:

Paper has more patience than people’ I thought of this saying on one of those days when I was feeling a little depressed and was
sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out. I finally stayed where I
was, brooding: Yes, the paper does have more patience, and since I’m not planning to let anyone else read this stiff-backed
notebook grandly referred to as a ‘diary’, unless I should ever find a real friend, it probably won’t make a bit of difference.”

36. Paper has more patience than people.’ What does this imply? This implies that Anne
a) believed in the power of writing more than speaking to people.
b) felt that she could pour her heart out on paper without any hindrance.
c) had more faith in sharing her thoughts and feelings with paper.
d) felt that she could share her feelings openly on paper.
37.Pick out the emoticon which clearly brings out the meaning of ‘listless’ as used in the extract?

a) Option (i)b) Option (ii)c) Option (iii)d) Option (iv)

38.Pick the option that is the ODD one out with reference to the meaning of ‘patience’.

a) option (i)b) option (ii)c) option (iii)d) option (iv)

39.If the diary were a ‘real friend’, what qualities would Anne expect it to have? Pick the option that lists these correctly.
1.optimistic
2.good listener
3.confident
4.energetic
5.non-judgemental
6.outgoing
7.ambitious
a) 1 & 4
b) 5, 6 & 7
c) 2, 3 & 5
d) 3 & 7

40.Pick out the sentence that brings out the meaning of ‘brooding’ as used in the extract?
a) The mysterious house on the hill is still brooding above the village.
b) The people at the stock market always keep brooding about the gains.
c) He was brooding over the matter and took a long time to decide.
d) Suspense and drama were brooding at the site of the investigation.

VII. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:
What is the boy now , who has lost his ball,
What , what is he to do ? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street , and then
Merrily over – there it is in the water !

41.The extract suggests that the poet is

a) an onlooker observing
b) a parent recounting the incident
c) the boy talking about himself
d) imagining the incident

42.The poet seems to have indicated the merry bouncing of the ball to
a) create a sense of rhythm in these lines.
b) support the happiness of the experience of playing.
c) contrast with the dejected feeling of the boy.
d)indicate the cheerful mood of the boy.

43. Choose the situation that corresponds to the emotion behind the exclamation mark in the poem.

a) option 1
b) option 2
c) option 3
d) option 4

44.The poem begins with a question. Based on your reading of the poem, the speaker
a) wants the boy to answer the question.
b) expects the passers-by to respond.
c) is looking for answers in a self-help book.
d) is thinking to himself.

45. Alliteration is a literary device that occurs with the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely
connected words. Pick the option that showcases an example of alliteration from the extract.
a) What is the boy now
b) who has lost his ball
c) I saw it go
d) and then/ Merrily over

VIII. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:

I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind. Anil made money by fits and starts. He would
borrow one week, lend the next. He kept worrying about his next cheque, but as soon as it arrived, he would go out and
celebrate. It seems he wrote for magazines—a queer way to make a living!

46. Anil made money ‘by fits and starts’ means that he
a) deemed it fit to start investing money.
b) started earning money in the recent past.
c) received money intermittently.
d) put his money to use frequently.

47.he information in the extract suggests that Anil could be a

a) salaried professional
b) freelancer
c) businessman
d) volunteer

48.If borrow: : lend, then pick the ODD pair from the options below
a) give : : take
b) lose : : find
c) hop : : skip
d) buy : : sell
49.The reference to making a little money ‘this way’ refers to a way that is viewed by most people as
a) sensible.
b) inappropriate.
c) charitable.
d) Aggressive

50.Based on your understanding of Anil in the extract, choose the option that synchronises with his thinking.
a) So what if I don’t have much money? Giving it to that person is important as they could do with a helping hand.
b) I better learn how to protect my money. I think I’m being looted.
c) I earn money with such tremendous effort. Where does it all go?
d) When I become rich, I can begin to help friends then. Right now, I will spend only on myself.

IX. Attempt the following.

51.Based on the detail of the house’s location of Lencho how can it best be described?
a) majestic
b) imposing
c) solitary
d) unique

52. Name the poetic device used in the line "I hold with those who favour fire".
A) Assonance
B) Alliteration
C) None
D) Both

53. The purpose of the treatment, given to the young seagull by his parents, was to…

A. teach him a lesson about the importance of food.

B. inculcate obedience towards them.
C. let him overcome his fear.
D. improve his relationship with his siblings.

54. Peggy gave her friend a nudge because

a) she wanted to push her away from the scene.
b) she disliked her friend being distracted then.
c) she was teasing Wanda and wanted her to make others pay attention.
d) she was teasing Wanda and didn’t want anyone there to miss the ‘fun’.

55. Which of the following images showcase ‘hopscotch’?

56. The crow and Hemlock tree symbolize ____
A) sorrow
B) happiness
C) celebration
D) death

57. Choose the option listing the most likely reason for the tiger to ignore visitors, according to the poem A tiger in the
zoo.
a) He is scared of their constant stares.
b) The visitors don’t provide him with any food.
c) He knows that none would help him out of captivity.
d) The visitors don’t speak to him kindly.

58. What do you mean by the word “eccentric”?

A) uncommon
B) extra
C) catchy
D) none of the above

59. “In two weeks he had been transformed into a lithe, hard-musled animal” . What is the meaning of the word “lithe”?
(a) dirty
(b) graceful
(c) misbehaving
(d) rude

60. What is the meaning of the word “convalescing”?

(a) condescending
(b) worsen
(c) disappointing
(d) recover

Marking scheme

30.c
31. a. they had gone through the most inhumane system in the world.
32. a
33. Ans: d. irony
34. Ans: c. people of a country
35. Ans: a. courage, wisdom, and generosity
36.b) felt that she could pour her heart out on paper without any hindrance.
37.c) Option (iii)
38.a) option (I)
39.c) 2,3 & 5
40.c) He was brooding over the matter and took a long time to decide.
41. a
42. c
43. d
44.d
45. b
46. c
47. b
48. c
49. b
50.a
51. c
52.d
53. c
54. c
55.c
56. a
57.c
58.a
59.b
60. d