2023 English Paper , Solution , Class ten , 10 , SEBA , HSLC , solved , prepared by Podmeswar

2023

ENGLISH

Full Marks: 90

Pass Marks: 27

Time: 3 Hours

The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions.

 

SECTION-A

1.Choose correct options for the following:         1x10=10

(i) “A plague of locusts would have left more than this ….” What does the underlines word mean?

(a) a herd of animals       (b) a swarm of bees

(c) a flock of birds            (d) a swarm of insects

Answer:  (d) a swarm of insects

 

(ii) “The postmaster – a fat, amiable fellow – also broke out laughing -”. Chose from the below the word that is same in the meaning as ‘amiable’ –

(a) huge               (b) friendly

(c) jealous           (d) angry

Answer: (b) friendly

 

(iii) Apartheid is a political system that separates people according to their _________.

(a) religion          (b) language

(c) race                                 (d) gender

Answer: (c) race              

 

(iv) In life, every man has twin obligations – what is another word for ‘obligations’?

(a) duty                (b) hobbies

(c) wealth            (d) livelihood

Answer: (a) duty

 

(v) Between Mysore and the coastal town of _______ sits a piece of heaven.

(a) Travancore                   (b) Mangalore

(c) Cuddalore                     (d) Bangalore

Answer: (b) Mangalore

 

(vi) Lencho hoped for help from ________.

(a) neighbours                  (b) sons

(c) God                                                 (d) wife

Answer: (c) God              

 

(vii) ______ has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world.

(a) Darjeeling                     (b) Tamil Nadu

(c) Assam                            (d) Kerala

Answer: (c) Assam

 

(viii) Tea was first drunk in _______.

(a) China              (b) Japan

(c) England          (d) India

Answer: (a) China 

 

(ix) Despite having a strong desire, what did Valli resist in the fair to save for the bus fare?

(a) merry-go-round                        (b) ribbons

(c) snacks                                            (d) lollipops

Answer: (a) merry-go-round

 

(x) For Valli, the most fascinating thing to watch was

(a) cows grazing in the field.

(b) children playing in the street.

(c) the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town.

(d) the bullock-carts on the village street.

Answer: (c) the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town.

 

2. Choose the correct answer of the following: 1x10=10

(i) The captured tiger is stalking in

(a) the stable     (b) the cage

(c) the zoo          (d) the night street

Answer: (b) the cage

 

(ii) Chocolate was harmful for Amanda’s _______

(a) nails                (b) hair

(c) acne                (d) tummy

Answer: (c) acne

 

(iii) The word ‘rigid’ means

(a) flux                  (b) soft

(c) hard                (d) dry

Answer: (c) hard

 

(iv) Custard was the name of a ______

(a) dragon           (b) dog

(c) cat                    (d) biscuit

Answer: (a) dragon

 

(v) The world, as mentioned in ‘The Ball Poem’, is one of ______

(a) balls                (b) friends

(c) fun                   (d) possessions

Answer: (b) friends

 

(vi) Griffin was a _____

(a) teacher          (b) scientist

(c) driver              (d) trader

Answer: (b) scientist

 

(vii) The speaker in ‘The Hack Driver’ was sent to a town _____ miles away in the country.

(a) twenty                           (b) thirty

(c) forty                                (d) fifty

Answer: (c) forty

 

(viii) Max was like a ______, according to the author of ‘The Midnight Visitor’.

(a) deer                (b) hyena

(c) wolf                                 (d) fox

Answer: (d) fox

 

(ix) Mandela’s country is rich in ______

(a) forests and lakes       (b) agriculture

(c) gems and minerals    (d) hills and rivers

Answer: (c) gems and minerals

 

(x) The main crop of Coorg is ______

(a) rice                  (b) coffee

(c) tea                   (d) peanuts

Answer: (b) coffee

 

3. Write very short answers to the following questions: 1x10=10

(i) What is Coorg home to?

Answer: Coorg is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.

 

(ii) Name the tea garden where Pranjol’s father was posted as a manager.

Answer: Dhekiabari.

 

(iii) “____ there it is in water”. What does ‘it’ refer to here? (‘The Ball Poem’)

Answer: It is referred to the ball.

 

(iv) Who is the poet of the poem ‘Animals’?

Answer: Walt Whitman is the poet of the poem ‘Animals’.

 

 

(v) In the first stanza of the poem ‘Amanda’, what is Amanda told not to do?

Answer: In the first stanza of the poem ‘Amanda’, Amanda is told not to bite her nails and not to hunch her shoulders.

 

(vi) Which place was known as the centre of the theatre world?  (‘Foot Prints without Feet’)

Answer: Drury Lane was known as the centre of the theatre world.

 

(vii) Who was following Ausable in the corridor of the French hotel?

Answer: Fowler, the writer, was following Ausable in the corridor of the French hotel.

 

(viii) What was people’s opinion about Horace Danby?

Answer: People’s opinion about Horace Danby was that Horace Danby was a good, honest citizen.

 

(ix) Why is the boy in ‘The Ball Poem’ upset?

Answer:  The boy in ‘The Ball Poem’ is upset because he has lost his ball.

as well as all his young days or childhood with the ball into the harbour or lost.(For 2 Marks)

 

(x) Why would the poet like to turn and live with the animals?

Answer: The poet would like to turn and live with the animals because they are so placid and self-contain’d.

 

4. Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions in Part – A and with correct determiners in Part -  B. 1x10=10

PART – A

(i) Put the cup _______ the dish.

(a) at                     (b) in

(c) on                    (d) over

Answer: (i) (c) Put the cup on the dish.

 

 

 

(ii) The cows are _______ the field.

(a) in                      (b) to

(c) on                    (d) by

Answer: (ii) (a) The cows are in the field.

 

(iii) Lila lives _______ her parents.

(a) by                    (b) with

(c) upon               (d) at

Answer: (iii) (b) Lila lives with her parents.

 

(iv) He is fond _______ reading novels.

(a) at                     (b) in

(c) of                     (d) for

Answer: (iv) (c) He is fond of reading novels.

 

(v) This shop deals ________ stationery.

(a) at                     (b) in

(c) with                 (d) about

Answer: (v) (b) This shop deals in stationery.

 

 

PART – B

(vi) My friend is ______ M.A. in English.

(a) a                       (b) an

(c) the                   (d) that

Answer: (vi) (b) My friend is an M.A. in English.

 

(vii) ______ book you have mentioned is out-of-print.

(a) A                      (b) The

(c) Many              (d) Some

Answer: (vii) (b) The book you have mentioned is out-of-print.

 

(viii) Kindness is ______ great virtue.

(a) the                  (b) much

(c) that                                 (d) a

Answer: (viii) (d) Kindness is a great virtue.

 

(ix) _______ Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world.

(a) The                  (b) This

(c) That                 (d) A

Answer: (ix)(a) The Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world.

 

(x) Is there _____ sugar in the pot?

(a) little                (b) few

(c) any                  (d) much

Answer: (x)(c) Is there any sugar in the pot?

 

 

5. Answer the following questions as directed: 1x5=5

(i) Whom did you call? (Change into Passive)

Answer: Who was called by you?

 

(ii) The glass was not broken by the boy. (Change into Active)

Answer: The boy did not break the glass.

 

(iii) Shillong is colder than Simla. (Rewrite in Positive degree)

Answer: Simla is not as cold as Shillong.

 

(iv) He said, “I can do it.” (Change into Indirect)

Answer: He said that he could do that.

 

(v) Rina asked him politely not to go home then. (Change into Direct)

Answer: Rina said to him politely, “Please/Kindly don’t go home now.”

Or:

Rina said to him, “Sir, don’t go home now.”

 

SECTION – B

6. Give short answers to the following: 2x8=16

(i) What were Lencho’s feelings after the hailstorm was over?

Answer: After the hailstorm was over, Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness.  He exclaimed with sorrow his sons that a plague of locusts would have left more than that. But, the hail had left nothing. He felt that that year they would have no corn. That night was a sorrowful one for Lencho and his family. He expressed sorrowfully that all their work, for nothing and they would all go hungry that year.

 

(ii) Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho?

Answer: The postmaster sends money to Lencho in order not to shake the writer’s faith in God and also he wants to help Lencho in the situation. So, he stucks to his resolution and collects money from part of his salary, his employees, and several friends of his that are obliged to give something ‘for an act of charity’.

 

(iii) What is courage according to Mandela?

Answer: According to Mandela, Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

 

(iv) Mention a few adventure sports that one can enjoy at Coorgs.

Answer: A few adventure sports that one can enjoy at Coorgs are river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. Numerous walking trails in Coorg are also a favourite with trekkers.

 

(v) Explain the expression ‘quiet rage’ in the context of the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’.

Answer:  In the context of the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’, the expression ‘quiet rage’ is basically symbolised with the anger and ferocity of inside the tiger. The rage is controlled or being quiet by the tiger as the tiger cannot able to come out from the cage to the jungle because he is locked.

 

(vi) What kind of person was the bus conductor? How did he address Valli?

Answer: The bus conductor was a jolly sort, fond of joking. He addresses Valli as ‘fine madam’ or ‘madam’.

 

(vii) Why did Rajvir prefer to look out of the train window instead of reading?

Answer: Rajvir prefered to look out of the train window instead of reading because at the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery. Actually, Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before like the soft green paddy fields, the tea bushes and other the green scenery.

 

(viii) Name the pets that Belinda had besides the Dragon.

Answer: Besides the Dragon (Custard), Belinda had Ink, the little black kitten; Blink, the little grey mouse; and Mustard, the little yellow dog.

 

7. Answer any two from the following: 4x2=8

(i) Narrate how Ausable managed to make Max believe that there was a balcony attached to his room.

Answer: Ausable falsely 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 Max convincing.  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. Because, if Ausable could not convince or managed Max then he and Fowler might be face in danger.

 

(ii) What led Horace Danby to break open the safe containing jewellery at Shot-over Grange?

Answer: The lady of the house was the real culprit of the story who was another thief like Horace Danby. When the lady met Horace then she acted like a family member of the house and convinced Horace Danby as she was the wife of the owner of the house.  

When Horace requested to let him go, then the lady replied that she allowed him to go if he would do something for her.  Then he readied to help anything she said.  She said that before they had left for London, she promised her husband to take her jewels to their bank; but she had left them there in the safe. She wanted to wear them to a party that night, so she had come down to get them. She stopped talking with the word ‘but’, then Horace smiled and understood that she had forgotten the numbers to open the safe.

In that leading situation, Horace wanted to help her and readied to break open the safe containing jewellery at Shot-over Grange in order to escape and save himself from the lady (acted as owner of the house) , as well as police and being caught as a thief.

 

 

(iii) Describe, after the narrator in ‘The Hack Driver’, the character of Bill.

Answer: The narrator depressed at the place, but he was happy when he met the delivery man or Bill at the station and it was the only agreeable sight about the place. 


He narrated that he or Bill was about forty years old. He was red faced, cheerful and thick about the middle. His working clothes were dirty but well-worn. He had a friendly manner. Anyone felt at once that he liked people.


The delivery man or Bil affected the narrator as a cordial. He gave his identity as name Bill or Magnuson. Besides, he introduced as a hack driver himself. The narrator also liked Bill’s behavior and the action of taking the work as his own like, was another favour for the narrator.

 


(iv) Write about any one incident which proves that Griffin was a lawless person.

Answer: Griffin was a brilliant scientist, but he was rather a lawless person, it is proved by the London Store’s incident.

Once, Griffin entered a big London store at the closing time without being seen by anybody. He had entered for pleasure of clothing and feeding. There, he broke open boxes and wrappers. He put on/worn warm clothes, shoes, an overcoat and a wide-brimmed hat. Then, he became a fully dressed and visible person for the first time. In the kitchen of the restaurant, he ate cold meat and coffee. From the grocery store, he ate sweets and wine. Finally, he had slept on a pile of quilts (gaddi).

            In the next morning, he did not wake up until the assistants already arrived. Seeing a couple of them came approaching, he panicked and ran quickly. They naturally gave chase. In the end, he was able to escape from them by taking off / removing his newly founded clothes.

               

8. Write an essay on either of the following topis: 5x1=5

(i) Science in Daily Life.

Answer:

(i) Science in Daily Life.

Introduction:

                Science is a systematic knowledge. It depends upon truth and logic. At present time, it is used as a best friend by human being.

Gifts of science in daily life:

Without science, today’s human being does not live entirely/wholly. Science provides a most comfortable, easiest and happiest life for everyone in every work.

Science for villages or villagers:

                Most of the villages are depended on farming. On this regard, science provides water supplies’ facility, chemicals for the corn fields and so on. Now a days, all the villagers are also facilited at different kinds like electricity, tv, mobile, and many others.

Science for Urban or Town Areas:

                Only science makes the urban or town areas as urban or town. In town areas, most of the works has been done directly by science with the use of machines, technologies, computers, cars, and any other else.

Bad or Negative Effects of science:

                Science makes men lazier, tiredfull and amazement life where men can not do anything without science. Also, science makes the pollutions like air, sound etc. Besides, for the atom bomb, firearms, computers, mobiles and some others, many criminal works or crimes are happenning in this world.

Conclusion:

                In this world, science is used both positively and negatively. But, we should always care and use in our positive manners or works. Then only, science makes us happiest and most wonderful life with no harms and no problems.

 

 

 

(ii) A Rainy Day

 

Answer Reference:

https://evirtualguru.com/essay-on-a-rainy-day-complete-essay-for-class-10-class-12-and-graduation-and-other-classes/

 

Answer:

A Rainy Day

In summer the heat in intense. Hot winds blow. A dark cloud or a shower of rain is always welcome. If the rain does not fall people pray for it. They do Yoga exercise. It is difficult to go out in burning  heat.

In summer a rainy day is a day of enjoyment. When dark clouds cover the sky, we begin to dance with joy. When breeze blows and rain falls every  heart is filled with delight. People go  out to the canal or the river to hold picnic. Some people go out to enjoy sight of Nature. Young girls gather under some big tree to enjoy swing. They enjoy going up and down on the swing. They sing sweet songs. These songs give us great pleasure. Thus they make merry. Little children come out with lion clothes. They bathe in the rain water. Some of the m roll in dirty rain water.  They float paper boats in the running water. How they shout when their boas sink or are carried away by the current of water !

Everything in nature has fresh look after rain. The grass which looked withered in summer’s heat a day before, rises it head proudly. It moves to and fro when the wind blows. The cuckoo sings its sweet songs from mango tree. It hails the rain. How sweet are its songs!

There are pools of water here and there. Houses and streets wash off their dirt. Trees and plants are bathed in rain water. They look gay and green Animals and   birds also enjoy the rain. The frogs make a very pleasant noise after the rain. They begin to croak.

After rain roads, lanes and streets are covered with mud. It causes much trouble. We cannot walk without spoiling our clothes. Everybody feels uncomfortable for some time. Boys have to stop out- door games. People become bored and inactive. At some places railway track is damaged when it rains heavily. Mud huts begin to leak. Some are damaged under heavy rains. Boys and girls get completely wet. Sometimes they fall ill. They fall a prey to skin diseases.

On the whole a rainy day in the summer is generally full of joy. It brings comfort to us. It is fully enjoyable if the sun does not appear. But if the clouds break up the sun begins to shine more brightly. Then our joy disappears. The wind fails. Oh ! there is close again. The heat becomes more intense. How miserable we feel! The roads get muddy. Here and there the careless passers- by slip down. How people make fun of them! They spoil their clothes. But all the same rain is a must in a country like India.  

 

 

OR

Develop a short story with the following hints. Give a suitable title.

Two cats steal a cake – they quarrel over their share – they ask a monkey for making two equal divisions of the cake – cats are deceived.

Answer:

Title : The Cunning Monkey and the two Stupid cats

One day, two cats steal a cake from a house.  They want to part of the cake. For this reason, they quarrel over their share. But, they cannot solve the issue. At this moment, a monkey is observing the matter and comes to them. They ask the monkey for making two equal divisions of the cake. He promises the cats to divide the cake equally.  But, the monkey is intelligent. Each time, he does not equal one part and eats more than the other part. At the end, the cake has been totally eaten by the monkey and the cats are deceived.

 

Moral : Never believe a stranger fully and solve the issue own self without quarrel.

 

 

9. Write a letter to your friend inviting him/her to your place during the summer vacation. 3x1=3

Answer:

                                                                                                                                       From the Examination Hall

                                                                                                                                             16-02-2023

My Dear Nayanjyoti/Nayana,

 

I thank you heartily for your recent sweet letter/cheery note. I hope you may be glad and I pray to God to send you most prosperity/prosper in your life.     

I hear and have known that you have not planned to go anywhere during summer vacation.  So, I like to invite you to my place/our village during the summer vacation. If you come, we will have a party with our family. I am also planning to show you in our beautiful areas, the scenery, the monuments and most others.  

               

                I expect a positive response from you and I am very happy and thankful to you if you keen interest on it.                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Yours lovingly/sincerely

                                                                  Ritu/Rita                                                                                                                

To,

PQR,

C/O ABC

House No……

 

 

OR

Use the following information to write a Report on the Prize Distribution ceremony of your school.

Date: Monday, 15th March

Time: 11 am

Place: School Auditorium

President of the function: Headmaster of the school

Details of the event: Recitations. Singing of the School Anthem, Songs by school students, Annual Report by the Headmaster, Distribution of prizes, Address by the Chief Guest, President’s Address, Vote of Thanks by the School Monitor.

Answer:

Prize Distribution ceremony of PB High school

Date: Monday, 15th March

Place: School Auditorium

Today, a memorable prize distribution ceremony was orgainsed in PB High School. At first, the programme started at 11 am with our national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana Adhi’ at the School Auditorium and presided over of the function by the Headmaster of the school. Different cultural activities like singing of the School Anthem, Songs, Recitations, quiz Competition etc by the school students. After that, the Headmaster read the Annual Report of the school. Later, the prizes were distributed by the chief guest. The chief guest, president and some teachers gave their addresses and valuable innovative speeches for the success of life of students.  After the speech, the feedbacks were taken through the vote of thanks by the School Monitor. The function was ended by ‘O mur apunar desh’.


 

 

10. (i) Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:                              6

The theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus, known as Kuppia, it resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

                Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality, and they are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

                The river Kaveri obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg.

(a) Where does Kaveri get its water from?           1

Answer: Kaveri gets its water from the hills and forests of Coorg.

 

(b) Who was the first Chief of the Indian Army?                1

Answer: General Cariappa was the first Chief of the Indian Army.

 

(c) Write briefly about the valour of the people from Coorg.        2

Answer: Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality, and they are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

 

(d) Why is it believed that Coorgies are of Arab origin?   2

Answer:  The theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus, known as Kuppia, it resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds. From this theory or concept of Arabic Origin, it is believed that Coorgies are of Arab origin.

 

(ii) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 4

                Walking is a very good exercise. When we walk in the morning, we feel fresh and it energies us. It is important to develop good habits and a morning walk is one habit that we should have. When we take walks regularly in the morning everyday, our daily routine will also be well organized. As the early morning environment is suited for walking, we will also develop the habit of rising early.

(a) What is a very good exercise?             1

Answer: Walking is a very good exercise.

 

(b) What happens when we take morning walks every day?        1

Answer:  When we take morning walks every day, then our daily routine will be well organized.

 

(c) Name two benefits we derive from a morning walk.                                 1

Answer: We feel fresh and energetic from a morning walk.          

Or:

Two benifits of Morning walk are we feel fresh from a morning walk and a morning walk energies us. (For 2 Marks)


(d) Which environment is suitable for walking?                                  1

Answer:  The early morning environment is suitable for walking.

 

11. Translate into the language as per your MIL/(IL) Subject: 1x3=3

(i) Man is mortal.

Answer:

Assamese Medium: মানুহ মৰণশীল ৷

Bengali Medium:  মানুষ মরণশীল।

Hindi Medium:  मनुष्य नश्वर है.

 

(ii) We should respect our elders.

Answer:

Assamese Medium:  আমি আমাৰ বয়োজ্যেষ্ঠসকলক সন্মান কৰা উচিত।

Bengali Medium: আমাদের বড়দের সম্মান করা উচিত।

Hindi Medium:  हमें अपने बड़ों का सम्मान करना चाहिए।

 

 

(iii) Kashmir is known as the Heaven on Earth.

Answer:

Assamese Medium:  কাশ্মীৰক পৃথিৱীৰ স্বৰ্গ বুলি জনা যায়।

Bengali Medium: কাশ্মীর পৃথিবীর স্বর্গ নামে পরিচিত।

Hindi Medium:  कश्मीर को धरती का स्वर्ग कहा जाता है।

 

 

OR

Write a substance for the following:

It is easy to acquire bad habit, such as eating too much food or eating too many sweets or drinking too much fluid of any kind or smoking, The more we do a thing, the more we tend to like doing it; and if we do not continue to do it, we feel unhappy. This is called the force of habit and the force of habit should be fought against. Things which may be very good when only done from time to time, tend to become harmful when done too often, too much. This applies even to such good things as work or rest. Some people form a habit of working too much and others of idling too much. The wise man always remembers that this is true about himself, and he checks if he has any bad habit. He says to himself, “I am now becoming idle” or “I smoke too much”, and then he adds, “I will get myself out of this bad habit at once.”

Answer Reference: https://menonimus.org/substance-writing/

Answer:

Substance: Habit is second nature. If we do a thing too often or so much then it become a habit. A habit is such a thing, if it is not continued then it makes us feel unhappy. Wise people always avoid forming any bad habit. If somehow they become addicted to any bad habit they can get out of it at once. We should form good habits in our childhood. 

 

 

 

Thank you, God Blessing you all,

Regards, Podmeswar