PODAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, AMBEGAON

STD: X
(2021-22) 1st 1/3
MOCK EXAM

SUBJECT: ENGLISH (SUBJECT CODE 0184)

DURATION: 3 Hrs. TOTAL MARKS: 40

General Instructions:

1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING & GRAMMAR

and LITERATURE.

2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A- READING (10 marks)

1. Read the passage given below. (1×5)

1. Reading Comprehension (RC, as it is normally called) is the most peculiar section

in almost all scholastic, entrance and employment tests. The skills in RC make a
lot of difference to one’s chances of good grades/selection.
2. Most students find it difficult to tackle topics that are diverse from the field they
are in or they are comfortable with. So one needs to develop a taste for even the
most obscure and boring topic on this planet. For success in RC one should be
able to understand. And even with an average speed one can succeed if one
implements the strategies.
3. Broadly speaking, RC passages can be classified in a few categories. Fact based
RC is the simplest form of RC. These types of passages have lot of information in
the form of names, numbers etc. In this type of passages one should read very
fast.
4. Don’t try to memorize any facts, numbers or names etc. In fact, there is no need to
even remember them. Just make yourself familiar with the structure of the
passage. Just see in which paragraph author is talking about what. Mark it. Then
when you go to the questions, identify in which paragraph information regarding
that question is mentioned. Go to that paragraph, read the numbers, names etc.
and mark the answer.
5. Inference based RC is the toughest form of RC. Here the passage is fairly tough to
understand. This includes passages on topics like Religion, Spirituality,
Philosophy, etc. Most of the students will be comfortable attempting these
passages at least in RC. The reading speed is fairly slow in this type of passages.
The way to master this type of passages is to read them again and again while
practising.
6. Topic based RC includes passages on any particular topic like economics,
astrology, medical science, etc. Generally, what makes -these passages tough is
usage of technical terms. If a topic is new to us, then presence of technical term
 scares us even if they are defined in the passage. For success in this type of
passages we need to have a fan-understanding of the definition of the term if it is
defined in the passage. Read that definition twice if you need to. But don’t worry
about technical terms if they are not defined in the passage. Assume them to be
non-existent and proceed. Key principle in these passages is that don’t go to the
next line unless the previous line is clear.
7. Reading passage first and then questions is the most popular strategy for RC.
While answering the question you may come back to the passage to find answer as
you have just read the passage initially and not crammed it. But you should not
come back for each and every question. If you come back for majority of questions,
then you haven’t read the passage properly. The key to success for this strategy is
that you should understand the passage very well. We will suggest students to
follow this technique from the beginning and work upon this.
8. Reading questions first and then passage is the strategy followed by a few
students. They just look at the questions and not options. The objective is that
after seeing the questions when you read the passage then you read only that part
carefully where the answer is given. The flaw with this is that you will not be able
to remember all the questions. Besides this, this strategy fails when there are
questions that require understanding of the passage.

On the basis of your reading of the above passage answer the questions that follow:

a) Which are the two contrasting techniques in Reading Comprehensions that people
follow?

Ans. Reading passage first and then questions is the most popular strategy for RC.
Reading questions first and then passage is the strategy followed by a few
students. These are the two contrasting techniques in Reading Comprehensions
that people follow.

b) Which test does one have to pass to prove that they have a good understanding of
the passage?

Ans. The reader/ One should not come back for each and every question. If you
come back for majority of questions, then you haven’t read the passage properly.
The key to success for this strategy is that you should understand the passage
very well. (can be framed differently by students)

c) Mention one master stroke that you will follow in order to avoid a fiasco while
reading a passage with technical terms.

Ans. ‘Don’t go to the next line unless the previous line is clear’ is the master
stroke that one would follow in order to avoid a fiasco while reading a passage with
technical terms.

d) ________ answers in a subject like Social Science or Science is not an appropriate

strategy to be adopted. (Write one word from the passage that suits the blank to be
filled.)

Ans. Cramming

e) Why is it necessary to follow a plan of action to be a success at Reading

Comprehensions?
Ans. Most students find it difficult to tackle topics that are diverse from the field
they are in or they are comfortable with. So one needs to understand even the
most obscure and boring topic on this planet. So following strategies is important.

2. Read the case based factual passage given below. (1×5)

i. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. When areas in and around Leh
began to experience water shortage, life didn’t grind to a halt. Why? Because
Chewang Norphel, a retired civil engineer in Jammu and Kashmir government
came up with the idea of artificial glaciers.
ii. Ladakh, a cold desert at an altitude of 3,000-3,500 meters above sea level, has
a low average annual rainfall rate of 50 mm. Glaciers have always been the only
source of water. Agriculture is completely dependent on glacier melt unlike the
rest of river/monsoon fed India. But over the years with increasing effects of
climate change, rainfall and snowfall patterns have been changing, resulting in
severe shortage and drought situations. Given the severe winter conditions, the
window for farming is usually limited to one harvest season.
iii. It is located between the natural glacier above and the village below. The one
closer to the village and lowest in altitude melts first, providing water during
April/May, the crucial sowing season. Further layers of ice above melt with
increasing temperature thus ensuing continuous supply to the fields. Thus,
farmers have been able to manage two crops instead of one. It costs about
1,50.000 and above to create one.
iv. Fondly called the “glacier man”, Mr. Norphel has designed over 15 artificial
glaciers in and around Leh since 1987. In recognition of his pioneering effort,
he was conferred the Padma Shri by President Pranab Mukherjee, in 2015.
v. There are a few basic steps followed in creating the artificial glacier.
vi. River or stream water at higher altitude is diverted to a shaded area of the hill,
facing north, where the winter sun is blocked by a ridge or a mountain range.
At the start of the winter/November, the diverted water is made to flow onto
sloping hill faced through distribution channels. Stone embankments are built
at regular intervals which impede the flow of water, making shallow pools and
freeze, forming a cascade of ice along the slope. Ice formation continues for
three-four months resulting in a large accumulation of ice which is referred to
as an “artificial glacier”.
Number of Tourists who visited Leh.

On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.

a) Why was the idea of artificial glaciers an important milestone in Leh and Ladakh?
Ans. Ladakh has low average annual rainfall rate of 50 mm. Glaciers have always
been the only source of water. Agriculture is completely dependent on glacier melt.

b) Which is the peak season for the tourists in Leh? How can you say so?

Ans. The peak season for the tourists in Leh is usually from May to August as
maximum tourists visit Leh during this period.

c) How has global warming affected Ladakh?

Ans. With increasing effects of climate change, rainfall and snowfall patterns have
been changing, resulting in severe shortage and drought situations.

d) How do the causeways built along the path help the artificial glaciers?

Ans. Stone embankments (causeways) are built at regular intervals which impede
the flow of water, making shallow pools and freeze, forming a cascade of ice along
the slope.

e) Why did Mr. Norphel deserve the title “glacier man” and the Padma Shri?

Ans. It was due to his pioneering effort that the farmers manage two crops instead
of one. (other relevant points to be considered)

SECTION B- WRITING & GRAMMAR (10 marks)

3. You are Mohan Bhagat of Eureka Forbes, Noida. You have received the reply to
your inquiry letter from Woodcutters Inc., dated 2 March 2022. You feel positive
about the company's terms and conditions. Write a letter, in about 100-150 words,
placing an order for the office furniture that you have mentioned in the previous
communication. (5)

4. The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one error in each line.
Identify the error and write its correction against the correct blank number.
Remember to underline the correction. The first one has been done for you. (1×3)

Error Correction

The civil war was broadcasted live (a) _________ ________

over the internet. It was a frustrating situation

as we are uncapable of helping. So, we (b) _________ ________

four friends discussed it between ourselves. (c) _________ __________

Answers

a) broadcasted broadcast
b) uncapable incapable
c) between among
5. Read the conversation and complete the passage that follows. (1×2)

Suman: Didn’t you go out last night, Suresh?

Suresh: No. Infact, I was not feeling well yesterday.

 Suman asked (a)………………. .Suresh denied and said (b)…………………...

Answers:

(a) Suresh whether/if he had gone out the previous night.

(b) that he had not been feeling well the previous day/the day before.

SECTION C- LITERATURE (20 marks)

6. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words: (2×6=12)

1) ‘The tea-pluckers in Assam are different from other farm labourers.’ Justify this
statement with reference to the lesson, ‘Glimpses of India.’

Ans. Tea pluckers are different from the other farm labourers as The tea pluckers
are hired labourers whereas the farm labourers can be hired or can be the owners
of the land. Tea pluckers just pluck leaves whereas farm labourers go through the
whole process, i.e., from sowing to harvesting.

2) What was the first in a long string of achievements in science for Ebright?

Ans. Richard H. Ebright and his college room-mate had explained the new theory
on how cells work, in an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Science. It was the first time this important scientific journal had ever published
the work of college students. This was the first in a long string of achievements in
science for Ebright.

3) "Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius."
How does Coorg hold true to this fact?

Ans. The wildlife of Coorg consists of animals like macaques, langurs, squirrels,
loris and elephants. The birds spotted in Coorg are kingfishers. A large freshwater
fish abounds in these waters. Kingfishers dive for their catch. Squirrels and langurs
drop partially eaten fruit Elephants enjoy bathing in the river.

4) What message does the poet want to give through the poem — ‘Amanda’?

Ans. The poet wants to convey that parents in their endeavour to make their
children well-behaved, mannerly having good habits, give them too many
instructions or nag (always finding fault) them. They should adopt positive
measures, acceptable to children. Otherwise, they will stop listening to them and
indulge in daydreaming as Amanda did.

5) Behind every young child who believes in himself, is a parent who believed first. For
which character in your text book does this hold true? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. Ebright’s mother. Richard’s mother made Richard the centre of her life. She
would buy microscopes, telescopes and books for him. She arranged trips for him
and would also prepare difficult tasks for him. This helped him to learn a lot.
6) Amanda imagines herself to be Rapunzel, yet would not like to do what all she did.
Identify and state the reasons for her decision.

Ans. Amanda says that in the fairy tale, Rapunzel lets down her long, beautiful hair
to escape with the prince. But Amanda is fascinated by Rapunzel’s life in the
tower. She never wants to escape and leave such a peaceful atmosphere, with no
instruction and no work to do. She ia happy with her lonely, isolated life without
any interference from anyone. (Personal Response possible)

7. Answer the following in 100-120 words: (8)

1) Instead of enjoying their childhood, the children today are keen to enter
adulthood. After reading about all the joys that the author Lucio Rodrigues had in his
childhood do you think such a keenness on the part of children is desirable?

Ans. I don’t think that the keenness of the children these days to enter adulthood
is desirable. Children these days are in a hurry to enter adulthood and have access
to technology. Due to this they are learning things earlier than usual and getting
matured beyond their age.
Hence, they are losing out their childhood and missing the joys that it brings with
it. As per my thinking, they should grow at a slow pace and enjoy their childhood
to the fullest. Children who miss out on their childhood cannot be a complete
adult. So, they should not hurry up to be an adult and grow at nature’s pace.

(Personal Response possible)

2) You are Rajvir and have thoroughly enjoyed your stay in Assam. Write a diary
entry of the day you had visited the Dhekiabari Tea-Estate in Assam.