2015 ENGLISH PAPER HSLC OR CLASS 10, SEBA, PREPARED BY PODMESWAR

 

2015

ENGLISH

(NEW COURSE)

Full Marks: 80

Pass Marks: 24

Time: Three hours

 

SECTION A

1.(a) Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given: 1

I need a hundred pesos __________.

(currency of India / Spain / Latin America)

Answer: Latin America

 

(b) State whether the following are true or false:       1 + 1 = 2

(i) Nelson Mandels spent twenty years in prison.

Answer: False

(ii) On the day of the inauguration two national anthems were sung.

Answer: True

 

(c) The Theory of Arab origin draws support from:   1

(i) The numberous tales of valour related to the sons and fathers of Coorgi homes.

(ii) The long, black coat with an embroidered waist belt worn by the Kodavus.

(iii) The Traditions and religious rites which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream.

Answer: (ii) The long, black coat with an embroidered waist belt worn by the Kodavus.

 

2.What happened to Lencho’s field after the hailstorm?       1

Answer: After the hailstorm, the field was white, as if covered with salt. Secondly, not a leaf remained on the trees. Thirdly, the corn was totally destroyed. At forth/Fourthly, the flowers were gone from the plants.

 

3.Where is Coorg?      1    

Answer: Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.       

 

4. Where did courage mean to Mandela?       2

Answer: Nelson Mandela was the first black president of South Africa. According to him, courage means not the absence of fear. Instead, he mentions courage as a victory over/ triumph over the fear. For him, a brave man is called a brave man who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers the fear. So, courage is a high character of human being for Mandela.

 

5.Mention the story that supports that the people of Coorg are of Greek descent.  2           

Answer: As one story goes, a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here when return became impractical. These people married amongst the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream.


6. “These aren’t raindrops falling from the sky, they are new coins.” Why did Lencho consider the raindrops as ‘new coins’? 2

Answer: When the big drops of rain began to fall, then Lencho knew that the raindrops would bring him much crop/grain and also would bring some new coins through them. So, Lencho considered the raindrops as ‘new coins’.

 

7. Narrate briefly Rajvir’s remarks on the discovery of tea and the legends that surround it.           3

Answer:

            Rajvir remarked Pranjol on the discovery of tea that no one really knows who discovered tea but there are many legends.

According to the Chinese Legend, once upon a time there was a Chinese emperor. He always boiled water before drinking it. One day, a few leaves of twigs burning under the pot fell into the water/One day a few leaves of branches burning under the pot fell into the water. It gave a delicious flavor. It was said that these (they) were the tea leaves.

            According to Indian Legend, once upon a time there was an ancient Buddhist ascetic/monk named Bodhidharma. Once, he cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. After that, ten tea plants grew out of/from the eyelids. When the leaves of these plants put in hot water and drank then banished sleep. It was said that these (they) were the tea leaves.

 

8.What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh?          2   

Answer: On her way to the town, Valli saw a young cow which tail was high in the air. It was running very fast, right in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus. When the driver honked, the cow was more frightened and became faster and was running right in front of the bus. This situation made her laugh.     

 

 

SECTION-B

9.Choose from the box given below, the words that rhyme with the following:       1 x 2 = 2

 

feet, silent

(run, slow, violent, moves, seat, edge, city)

Answer:

feet- seat

silent- violent

 

10.Choose the meaning of the underlined words from the alternatives given in brackets:    1 x 2 = 2

(a) He stalks in his vivid stripes. (glaring / dark / pale)

Answer: Word – Meaning

Vivid – glaring

 

(b) In his quiet rage. (mood / violent anger / walk)

Answer: Word – Meaning

rage- violent anger

 

11.What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid? 1  

Answer: If Amanda were a mermaid, Amanda could drift blissfully in the languid, emerald sea. Also, she became the sole inhabitant then.       

 

12.How do we know that Amanda was a teenager?  1       

Answer:  From the ‘acne’ mentioned in the poem, we know that Amanda was a teenager. (“Remember your acne, Amanda!”)

Or:

Amanda was a teenager and school going girl. In the poem, her parent is advised not to eat that chocolate and to remember her acne. From the ‘acne’ mentioned in the poem, we know that Amanda was a teenager. (Only for 2/3 Marks)   

 

13. Why did the poet feel more at home with animals than humans?            2

Answer: Animals are placid and self-contained. They are neither worry about their condition nor about their sins. They are not dissatisfied, respectable, unhappy or demented with the mania of owning things. They show their relations with the poet. So the poet, Walt Whitman feels more at home with them.

            So, the poet felt more at home with animals than humans.

 

14. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage?           2         

Answer: Answer: Custard cried for a nice safe cage to be safe in case of some danger comes up. The dragon did not behave in an aggressive manner or not proud himself like the other animals. This made others think that he was a coward and so he is called the ‘Cowardly Dragon’. Actually, it is an ironical statement.

 

 

SECTION-C

15.(a) How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room?                    5

Answer: Ausable informed that that was the second time in the month that somebody got into his room through the balcony. He said that the balcony belonged to the next apartment. He also narrated that the room used to be part of a large unit. The next room through that door there used to be the living room. The balcony extended under his window and somebody entered his room through that.

 Ausable description of a balcony made it a convincing story.  He convinced and believed Max that there was a balcony. The information of the balcony and the management were provided the techniques to believe the false information. This story is totally a convincing story because if Ausable could not convince Max that he and Fowler might be face in danger.

 

OR:

(b) Horace Danby was a meticulous planer but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?            3 + 2 = 5          

  Answer: Horace Danby was a meticulous planner. He had planned especially each year to steal money for buy some rare and expensive books. But, when he planned to steal the Shotover Grange there some things were going wrong but he could not understand. The lady, who was another thief but he could not recognise the lady as a thief. So, he was faltered at that time because she behaved like an owner and a lady of the house.  For this reason, he removed his gloves and then only he did the wrong. That’s why, his fingerprints were left on the things and he was arrested at last for his fingerprints.


He was done something wrong. At first, he did not recognise the lady. Secondly, he thought the lady as an owner or a lady of the house. Thirdly, he removed his gloves. Fourthly, he could not flee from the house. At last, he did not flee from the police and his thinkings were totally wrongs.

 

16. (a) Who was Griffin? How did he become invisible? Why did Mrs. Hall find him  eccentric?  1 + 2 + 2 = 5

Answer: Griffin was a brilliant scientist.

            After many experiments, Griffin carried out that the human body could become invisible.  After that, he swallowed some certain rare drugs and became transparent like a sheet of glass. It also remained as solid as glass. Griffin always stayed without clothes not to being seen.

During that winter season, the arrival of Griffin was an unusual event. People were surprised to see Griffin’s uncommon appearance. So, it was set all tongues wagging. But, Mrs. Hall tried friendly with Griffin. Instead, Griffin expressed no desire to talk and he informed that his reason for coming there was only for solitude. So, he did not want to disturb his work. Also he mentioned that an accident had affected his face.

            So, Mrs. Hall satisfied with Griffin as an eccentric scientist and the main fact was that Griffin had paid her in advance.

 

OR:

 

(b) Who was Bill? How did he befool the lawyer?      1 + 4 = 5 

Answer: Bill was a hack driver in New Mullion. He was Oliver Lutkins himself.

He (Bill) befooled the lawyer by introduced himself as Bill but not as Oliver Lutkins at first. Secondly, he moved the lawyer from one place to another to find Lutkins. Thirdly, he also managed his locals to befool the lawyer. Fourthly, he did not allow the lawyer to go to the places or the shops directly. Fifthly, Lutkins or Bill went in front of the Lawyer where he advised Lawyer to hide from Lutkins. Thus, he used some techniques to befool the lawyer or the young lawyer. 

 

SECTION – D

 

17. Fill in the blanks with the right determiners: 1x2=2

Please give me……..time to finish the work. Then I will take you to………..university.

Answer- Please give me a little time to finish the work. Then I will take you to the  university.

 

 

18. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions from the choices given in the brackets: 1x2=2

(a) Health is preferable……….wealth.(than/for/to)

Answer: Health is preferable to wealth.  

 

(b) He is angry………..his naughty sister.(at/with/upon)

Ans- He is angry with his naughty sister. 

 

19. Use the appropriate from of tenses of the verbs given in the brackets: 1x2=2

(a) The bell rang after we (finish) our work.

Answer- The bell rang after we had finished our work.

 

(b) Please ring me up as soon as he (come).

Answer- Please ring me up as soon as he comes.

 

20. Change the form of narration of the following:  1x2=2

(a) “What a beautiful building!”, he said.

Ans- He exclaimed with wonder that it was a very beautiful building.

/ With surprise that it was a very beautiful building.

 

(b) She propsed that we should go for a walk.

Ans- She said, “Let us go for a walk.”

 

21. Change the voice of the following sentences:   1x2=2

(a) We were surprised at his conduct.

Ans- His conduct surprised us.

 

(b)  Why did your father refuse such an honourable job?

Ans- Why was such an honourable job refused by your father?

 

22. Combine the following pairs of sentences into a single sentence: 1x2=2

(a) I have lost the pen. You gave it to me.

Ans- I have lost the pen that/which you gave me.

 

(b) Health is very important. It must not be neglected.

Ans- Health which is very important must not be neglected.

Or: Health is very important so it must not be neglected.

 

23.Choose the correct alternatives from the choices given in the brackets. 1

The Brahmaputra has changed its……(coarse/course)

Ans- The Brahmaputra has changed its course.  

 

OR

 

Sankardeva was an………..scholar.(eminent/imminent)

Ans- Sankardeva was an eminent scholar.

 

24. Make sentences to show the use of any two of the following phrases: 1x2=2

in order to, all in all, now and then, at large

Answer:

In order to(উদ্দেশ্যে)- He went to the market in order to buy some mangoes.

.All in all(সৰ্বেসৰ্বা)- Julius Ceasar was all in all in Rome.

Now and then(মাজে-সময়ে)- The man comes to our house now and then.

at large (স্বাধীনভাবে/freely)- The culprit is still at large./The dacoits are still at large.

 

25. Correct the errors in the following sentences: (any two) 1x2=2

(a) I don’t know how to do it.

Ans- I don’t know how do it.

 

(b) It is you who is to be blamed.

Ans- It is you who are to be blamed.

 

(c) He told me that his brother is writing that letter.

Ans He told me that his brother was writing that letter.

 

(d) He asked me where do I live.

Ans- He asked me where I lived.

 

26. Translate into English (any one group of the following)   5

(a) Assamese

(i) মায়ে মোক সুধিছিল, “সঁচা কথা কৈছানে?”

Answer: Mother said to me, “Are you speaking the truth?”

 

(ii) মই সাঁতুৰিব নোৱাৰাৰ নিচিনাই ।

Answer: I can hardly swim.

 

(iii) তুমি কেতিয়াবা সিংহ দেখিছানে?

Answer: Have you ever seen a lion?

 

(iv) যিজন মানুহ আজি আমাৰ স্কুললৈ আহিছিক তেখেতক মই চিনি পাওঁ ।

Answer: I know the man who came to our school today.

 

(v) মই নহালৈকে তুমি ৰ’বা ।

Answer: Wait until I return.

 

 

27.Answer either (a) or (b):      6

(a) Write an essay on either of the following topics in about 150 words:

(i) Kaziranga National Park

(ii) A Journey by bus

Answer:

(i) Kaziranga National Park

 

1.Introduction:

A National park is a park officially recognized by a nations government. National parks are often made to protect the several animals. Among the various national parks, ‘Kaziranga National Park’ is a great and famous sanctuary especially for one horned rhinoceroses.

2.History of Kaziranga National Park”

In 1994, Kaziranga was a protected area. After failing to see a single rhinoceros Mary Curzon requested her husband to protect for rhinos immediately. On 1 June, 1905 the Kaziranga proposed ‘Reserve Forest’ of 232 K.M. In 1916, it was re-designated the ‘Kaziranga Game Sanctuary’, in 1950 ‘Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary’ and finally in 1985, it was declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO.

3.Geography of Kaziranga National Park:

Kaziranga is located between two districts latitudes 260 30/N and 26045/N and longitudes within two districts the Kaliabar Subdivision of Nagaon District and the Bokakhat subdivision of Golaghat District.

4.Fauna and Flora:

There are many faunas like one horned Rhinoceros (1,855), wild Asiatic Water Buffalo (1,660), eastern swamp deer, elephants, gaur, sambar and lots of others and many floras like different species, alphania rubra, leea indica, ficus rumphil and many others are available in Kaziranga.

5.Visitor Activities of Kaziranga

Observed the wildlife, including birding, is the main visitor activity in and around the park. Guided tours by elephant or jeep are available. Some tourist lodges are also available.

6.Conclusion:

Like this national park, a national park is a park in use for conservation purposes; often it is a reserve of natural, semi-natural or developed land. So, we should conserve the national parks and should support the authority. 

 

27. (a) (ii) Answer:

“ A Journey by bus”

(by milli90 in branly.in)

 

It is generally said that a journey by bus is not so thrilling as one by train or or a aeroplane . However I had quite a pleasant experience of the journey by bus which I undertook last Sunday.

The week before Sunday had been a very hot one. My parents decided to spend a week at Shimla. We boarded the bus from Chandigarh to go to shimla. We reached the bus stand early in the morning. My father had to stand in a long queue for some minutes to buy the ticket. Meanwhile, we killed the time by sitting on a bench near the queue .

Hardly had father bought the tickets at the booking window when the bus bound for Shimla came. We boarded it immediately. I was filling a thrill of pleasure in my heart. I was fortunate in getting a seat near the window. I looked out constantly with great curiosity. At first the terrain was plain and it was quite hot even in the bus.

After sometimes, the bus moved on a hilly terrain and seemed to be moving upwards .It passed through a number of dark tunnels. I however, didn't feel afraid because my father and mother were also there with me. More ever, I found myself quite grow up to be courageous and bold.

Indeed it was hilarious journey, as we reached Shimla, we felt that it was there cold enough to force us to wear some woolen garments. This was my first visit to Shimla by bus which I can never forget.

 

OR

 

(b) Write a story in about 150 words using the outline given below. Also add a title to it.

The lion, king of beasts – kills many animals – all animals terrified – hold a meeting – decide to send one animal to the lion everyday – lion agrees – the turn of the hare – arrives late – tells there is another lion in the forest – wanted to seize and kill him – hare takes the lion to a deep well – the lion sees his reflection – thinks there is another lion in the well – jumps in.

Answer:

“An intelligent Hare” or “A lion and An intelligent Hare”

The lion, king of beasts, lives in a jungle. He kills many animals day by day. So, all the animals terrify for their deaths. One day, the animals hold a meeting. They decide to send one animal to the lion everyday or per day. The lion agrees the decision. One day, the turn of the hare comes. The hare makes a plan to save him and the other animals. He arrives late. The lion asks the hare why he comes late. He tells that there is another lion in the forest. When the lion hears about it then he wants to seize and kills him. The hare takes the lion to a deep well and says that another lion is stays in the well. So, the lion observes the well and sees his reflection. He (the lion) things that there is another lion in the well. So, he jumps in the well to kill the another lion. But, he dies, as there is no any lion and just sees the reflection only. Thus, the hare saves himself and also the other animals. The other animals thank and prize him (the hare) for his intelligent work.

Moral: Intelligent is power. or Those works cannot be done by strength then can be done by intelligent.

Or: Wisdom can win might.

 

28. Answer either (a) or (b):

(a) Write a letter to the editor of Assam tribune, Guwahati, 781003 to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the erratic power supply, particularly during study hours in your locality. You are Ritu/Rita

Or, Write a letter to the Editor of a local English Newspaper about frequent (সঘনাই) load shedding (loosening/অহা যোৱা কৰা) in the evening in your locality.

Ans-

                                                                                                                                   From examination Hall

                                                                                                                                        Date- 16-02-2018

To

The editor

Of Assam Tribune, Guwahati-781003

Sub- Recover the irregular powers supply of our area/ complain about frequent load-shedding

Respected Sir,

                I would like to draw the attention of Government officials and concerned authorities to highlight (লক্ষ্যনীয় কৰিবলৈ) about the frequent breakdown/irregular of power supply in our area, through the columns your esteemed daily newspaper ‘Assam tribune’.

                Due to (বাবে) the erratic (অস্থির) power supply, the residents of our area have been suffering in every field in our day to day life. We, all the students also have been suffering during our study hours/times. We informed the matter to the electricity board and concerned authorities. But, they do not take any action for recover the problem.

                So, I hereby request to you that kindly give a little space in your newspaper for draw the attention to power minister about our irregular power supply.

                                                                                                                                                Yours Faithfully

                                                                                                                                                    Ritu/Rita

To,

The Assam tribune,

Chandmari, GNB Road,

Guwahati-781003

 

Or

 (b) A flood relief work was done by students of your school. Write a report for your local daily using the information given below:

- Date and time of work

- How the place was reached

-Number of students taking part

- Number of people affected

- Relief materials distributed

- Conclusion

Answer:

Flood Relief Camp of X High School

By a press/staff Reporter

Nalbari, 16 Feb, 2017: The students of X high school organized a flood relief camp for helping to the flood affected peoples in Nalbari area. The general secretary lead this organization and the headmaster of the school also supported them. More than thirty students had joined and collected medicine, money, cloths, foods and many other essential things from the rich businessmen and other some voluntary organizations. All the members of the camp went the flood affected area at 1 pm and served by different things like medicine, foods and any other else.  There were more than five hundred peoples affected by flood. The camp also made relief to each flood affected persons. The other local people also helped the camp to serve. The chief minister and other dignities came and they also gave some money to flood affected people and thanked to the camp for their voluntary works.            

 

29 (a) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The great advantage of early rising is that one can start one’s work long before others. The early riser has done a large amount of hard work before other men have got out of bed. Early in the morning the mind is fresh and no sounds or noises disturb our attention. The work done at that time is generally well done. Also one finds time to take some exercise in the fresh morning air. Exercise supplies him with a good deal of energy that enables him to work hard until the evening. By beginning so early, he knows that he has plenty of time to do his work thoroughly. He does not have to hurry over any part of his work. He gets to sleep long before midnight. At that time sleep is most refreshing. After a night’s sound rest, he rises early next morning in good health ready for the labour of a new day.

 

(i) What advantages does an early rise have over others?                                      1

Answer: The early risers can start their works long before others. Also, the early riser can complete a large amount of hard work before the other men have gone out of bed.

 

(ii) Why should one take exercise in the morning and begin one’s work so early?                        2

Answer: One can find time to take some exercise in the fresh morning air. Morning Exercise supplies a good deal of energy that enables to work hard until the evening.

            By beginning so early, it has plenty of time to do work thoroughly. One does not have to hurry over any part of work.

 

(iii) What are the uses of going to sleep long before midnight?                                          2

Answer: The uses of going to sleep long before midnight are that one can get to sleep long before midnight. At that time sleep is most refreshing. After a night’s sound rest, one can rise early next morning in good health ready for the labour of a new day.

 

(b) Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:    3+2=5

Over many days and months Valli listened carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and she also asked a few discreet questions here and there. This way she picked up various small details about the bus journey. The town was six miles from her village. The fare was thirty paise one way — “which is almost nothing at all,” she heard one well-dressed man say, but to Valli, who scarcely saw that much money from one month to the next, it seemed a fortune. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes. On reaching town, if she stayed in her seat and paid another thirty paise, she could return home on the same bus. This meant that she could take the one-o’clock afternoon bus, reach the town at one forty-five, and be back home by about two forty-five...

 

On and on went her thoughts as she calculated and recalculated, planned and replanned.

 

(i)What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details? 1+2=3

Answer:

Valli found out various small details about the bus journey.

Valli listened carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and she also asked a few discreet questions here and there. Thus, she found out these details.

 

(ii) What do you think Valli was planning to do? 2

Answer:

Yes, I think Valli was planning to do for the bus journey. She planned and replanned to travel on the bus. She collected the information about the bus fare, bus time, and also planned how she would go out from without knowledge of her mother. 

 

The END