CBSE

Class 10
English Communicative
Sample Paper ( By CBSE)

TIME - 3 HOURS MAXIMUM MARKS- 80

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
I. The question paper is divided into three sections :
SECTION A: Reading 20 MARKS
SECTION B: Writing and Grammar 30 MARKS
SECTION C: Literature 30 MARKS
II. All questions are compulsory.
III. You may attempt any section at a time.
IV. All q uestions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.

SECTION -A: READING (20 Marks)

Q1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. Cricket is a global passion, played everywhere from Test match arenas to village greens,
tropical beaches and dusty back lots. Cricket is the world's second most popular spectator
sport after football.
2. The origin of cricket is somewhere in the Dark Ages. All research concedes that the game
derived from a very old, widespread and uncomplicated pastime by which one player served
up an object, be it a small piece of wood or a ball, and another hit it with a suitably fashioned
club. Cricket was first recorded in 16th-century England, and it was played in grammar
schools, farm communities and everywhere in between. But things really took off when 18th-
century nobles realized it was a great sport.
3. The oldest surviving set of cricket laws date from 1744 - printed on a handkerchief,
naturally. It's now in the MCC Museum at Lord’s in London. The oldest permanent fixture is
the annual Eton v Harrow match, played since 1805. A young Lord Byron turned out for
Harrow in the first match, though history doesn't record how poetic - or “mad, bad and
dangerous” - his bowling was.
4. The first international match was in 1877 when Australia beat England in Melbourne. The

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match was dubbed a “Test”, since the gruelling nature of playing over five days was deemed
the ultimate “test” for any side. But it was Australia’s first win on English soil - in 1882 at The
Oval in London - that led to matches between the two nations being christened the Ashes.
Following the defeat, newspapers published an obituary mourning “the death of English
cricket”, adding that “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”.
5. A One Day International (ODI) is a form of limited overs cricket, played between two teams
with international status, in which each team faces a fixed number of overs, usually 50. The
Cricket World Cup is played in this format. The international one-day game is a late
twentieth-century development. The first ODI was played on 5 January 1971 between
Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

1.1 Attempt any eight of the following questions on the basis of the passage you have
read.(1 x 8 = 8 Marks)
i. According to the passage, how did the game of Cricket originate?
ii. Where can we find the oldest sets of Cricket laws?
iii. Which match did Lord Byron play?
iv. When was the first international match played?
v. Which countries played that match?
vi. Why were the matches between Australia and England titled “The Ashes”?
vii. In which format is the Cricket world cup played ?
viii. When did the ODIs begin?
ix. Which word in paragraph no.5 means the same as ‘exhausting’?

Q2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. Politeness has been well defined as benevolence in trifles. It is the desire to put those
whom we meet perfectly at their ease, and save them from every kind of petty discomfort
and annoyance. The limited part of benevolence called politeness requires only an
inclination to make them happy temporarily, while they are in our presence, and when this
can be done without any sacrifice on our part or only with a slight sacrifice of personal
comfort.
2. Politeness is said to be one of the important characteristics of civilised person. Politeness is
the art of choosing among your thoughts. It must be implemented in every walk of life. When
we deal with people elder to us we are polite. But, an honest polite person is polite with

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everyone, people of lower status, workers and even children. Not only with humans but also
with animals we must be polite as they are our helpers.
3. Politeness is a skill. Like any other skill, you can master it with practice. The greatest
enemy of politeness is ego. To be a polite person, you have to sacrifice your ego. It is difficult
for an egoist to be polite. You have to imply politeness in your thinking, speech and actions.
Actions work more than words. Polite actions will give fine results. Politeness will reduce
your stress and boost you to be productive. Apart from your present benefits, you protect
your future. Being polite makes you mentally healthy. In our daily life we come across many
incidents with people nearby and ourselves.
4. Different rules of behaviour have to be observed, accordingly as we are in the street or in
the drawing room, at home or at school, in the company of friends or of strangers. There is
also to be considered the great diversity of social etiquette which distinguishes one country
from another.
5. Politeness, besides being a duty that we owe to others, is a valuable possession for
ourselves. It costs nothing, and yet may in many cases bring much profit. The great
advantage of this excellence of conduct was very clearly expressed by Dr. Johnson, when he
said that the difference between a well-bred and an ill- bred man is that one immediately
attracts your liking, the other your dislike.

2.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any four of the following
questions in about 30-40 words each: (2 x 4 = 8)
i. Why is politeness called as limited part of benevolence?
ii. List some of the persons we should be polite to?
iii. Why is it difficult for an egoist to be polite?
iv. What are the benefits of being polite?
v. Which rules of behaviour are to be observed?
2.2 On the basis of your reading of the passage, fill in any two of the following blanks with
appropriate words/phrases. (1 x 2 = 2)
i. Politeness is an art of choosing _____.
ii. An honest polite person is polite with _____.
iii. To other, we _____.
2.3. Attempt any two of the following. Find out the words that mean the same as under: (1x2
=2)

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i. ‘insignificant’ (Paragraph 1)
ii. ‘manners’ (Paragraph 4)
iii. ‘civil’(Paragraph 5)

SECTION B: WRITING AND GRAMMAR (30 Marks)

Q3.(a) You are Sonal/ Samkit of Vidyanjali Public School , Lucknow . You have seen an
advertisement in ‘The Times of India ’ related to new batches of ‘Astronomy Club’initiated by
National Science Centre , Lucknow starting from the coming fortnight .You wish to join the
Club. Write a letter to the Director, enquiring about the venue , duration fee- structure ,
activities , transportation etc. Invent other necessary details (100-120 words , 8 Marks)

OR

You are the In-charge of the Medical Section of Gyanodaya Public School , Nehru Vihar ,
Alwar. Your stock of medicines is about to finish .Write a letter to the Director of Jambo
Medicare ,Delhi ,ordering medical items like glucose , crocin , bandages, tincture , pain-
healers, ointments etc. Ask for discount on bulk order .Invent other necessary details. (100-
120 words , 8 Marks)

Q4. Write a short story, in about 200-250 words, with any one set of the cues given in the
boxes below. Give a suitable title to the story. (10 marks)

Jasmine, Ali and two other friends decided to go on a picnic to a beach. They packed
their bags and were quite excited . They reached the picnic spot and came across a
small child who was crying ……..

OR

On October 4,we all were decorating our house to celebrate the most long awaited
festival, Diwali. My heart was filled with excitement to meet my father after a long
gap of six years. But a call from the army headquarter left us stunned...

Q5. Fill in any four of the following blanks choosing the most appropriate option from the
ones given below. Write the answers in your answer -sheet against the correct blank

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numbers. (4 marks)
A. Sanitation and hygiene are also important (a) _____ the well - being of society and
biodiversity conservation.
B. The government has (b) _____ a programme .
C. It aims to develop (c) _____ riverfronts.
D. It will solve the problem of pollution (d) _____ the rivers.
E. The need has been (e) _____ for a long time.

(a ) (i) by (ii) from (iii) for (iv) into

(b ) (i) initiates (ii) initiated (iii) initiate (iv) initiating
(c ) (i) an (ii) a (iii) in (iv) the
(d ) (i) in (ii) on (iii) onto (iv) by
(e) (d ) (i) feeling (ii) feel (iii) felt (iv) have felt

Q6. In the following passage one word has been omitted in each line .Write the missing
word, in any four sentences of the given paragraph, along with the word that comes before
and the word that comes after it in the space provided . (4 marks)

Before Missing Word After

Himachal Pradesh a good place for Eco Camp E.g. Pradesh is a
Pine Hill Eco Camp one of the ecotourism resorts (a) _____ _____ _____
near Barog Himachal Pradesh . Ecotourism is (b) _____ _____ _____
gaining popularity each passing day as more (c) _____ _____ _____
and more people want get away from the (d) _____ _____ _____
hectic schedules . This become a favourite tourist spot (e) _____ _____ _____

Q7. Rearrange any four of the following word clusters to make meaningful sentences. (1 x 4 =
4 marks )
(a) rain water / flooding / helps/ harvesting / in / chances of / reducing
(b) storm / helps/ also/better/ water/ it / water management / in
(c) plant growth / in/storing /rainwater / can/ help / improving
(d) is/ from / stored/ natural and/ pollutants /rain water /free/ man- made
(e) out/ the/street/ earthquake/another/on/people/ came/ fearing/

SECTION C [LITERATURE (30 Marks)]

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Q8. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the
answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. (1 X 4 = 4 marks)
(a) "We do many things, sir," Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully.”
i. What does the speaker mean by "We do many things, sir?
ii. Whom is he addressing to?
iii. Why was Nicola serious?
iv. Find the synonym of ‘looked’.

OR

(b) CAESAR: Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard.
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
i. Whom does Caesar console and why ?
ii. Which quality of the speaker is revealed here?
iii. Explain: Cowards die many times before their deaths. Give the synonym of ‘Gallant’.

Q9. Answer any four of the following Questions in 30-40 words each (2 x 4 = 8 Marks)
i. Although Calpurnia revealed her fear after nightmare yet Caesar decided to go to senate
house. Why ?
ii. “Pen is mightier than sword”. Elucidate with reference to the poem ‘Not Marble Nor Gilded
Monuments’.
iii. Why was the ‘Writer’s inspiration Bureau’ formed?
iv. What message is conveyed by Vikram Seth through the poem ‘The Frog and the
Nightingale’?
v. How does the story ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ give hope to the society?

Q10. Attempt any one out of the two following long answer type questions in 100-120 words.
(8 Marks)
(a) ‘Pride goes before a fall.’ Justify the statement on basis of the chapter Mrs. Packletide’s
Tiger.

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 OR

(b). ‘Only the bearer knows where the shoe pinches’. Elucidate the statement with reference
to the story The Letter

Q11. A) Answer the following question based on prescribed novel text for extended reading
in about 200250 words. (10 marks)
The Diary of a Young Girl
Q11. A. i. What are Anne’s views about the Laws that restrict the Jews’ freedom?

OR

Q11. A. ii. Write the pen portrait of Mr. Van Dann

OR

Q.11 B) Answer the following question based on prescribed novel text for extended reading
in about 200-250 words. (10 marks)
The Story of My Life

Q11. B. i. In the life of Helen Keller, Ms. Anne Sullivan acts as an inspiration behind her
extraordinary life. Justify with suitable instances from the text.

Or

Q11. B. ii. Give a pen portrait of Dr. Alexender Graham Bell.

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 MARKING SCHEME
CLASS X ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE (CODE: 101)

SECTION A [READING (20 MARKS)]

Q1. i. Old, widespread and uncomplicated pastime by which one player served up an object,
be it a small piece of word or a ball and another hit with a suitably fashioned club.
ii. 1744 - printed on a handkerchief, naturally. It's now in the MCC Museum at Lord’s in
London
iii. Eton v Harrow
iv. 1877
v. England and Australia
vi. Australia’s first win on English soil in 1882 at the oval in London led to matches between
the two nations being christened the Ashes.
vii. ODI
viii. 1971, 50
ix. gruelling
Q2. 2.1 i. It is the desire to put those whom we meet perfectly at their ease, and save them
from every kind of petty discomfort and annoyance. The limited part of benevolence called
politeness requires only an inclination to make them happy temporarily, while they are in
our presence.
ii. People of higher status, people of lower status, workers, children and also animals.
iii. The greatest enemy of politeness is ego. To be a polite person you have to sacrifice your
ego. Egoist cannot be polite. You have to imply politeness in your thinking, speech and
actions.
iv. Polite actions will give fine results. Politeness will reduce your stress and boost you to be
productive. Apart from your present benefits, you protect your future. Being polite makes
you mentally healthy.
v. Different rules, when we are in street, at school , in our home, with friends, as per the
situation
2.2 i. your own thoughts
ii. Everyone
iii. We owe politeness as duty

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2.3 i. petty
ii. Etiquette
iii. Well-bred

SECTION B [WRITING AND GRAMMAR (30 MARKS)]

Q3. LETTER WRITING

[Note: - No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given; should be given for the
candidate's creativity in presentation of ideas. Use of both the traditional and the new format
is permitted.]
FORMAT
1. sender's address,
2. date,
3. receiver's address,
4. subject / heading,
5. salutation,
6. complimentary close.
CONTENT
ACCURACY
FLUENCY
Q4. STORY WRITING
TITLE
CONTENT
ACCURACY
FLUENCY
Q5. GAP FILLING
a) (iii) for
b) (ii) initiated
c) (iv) the
d) (i) in
e) (iii) felt
Q6. OMISSION
1 mark to be awarded to each correct answer. For the marks to be awarded the word before
and after the missing word should be written. The correct word should be underlined.

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 Before Missing Word After
Camp is One
Barog in Himachal
Popularity with Each
Want to get
This has become

Q7. SENTENCE RE- ORDERING (4 MARKS)

a) Harvesting rainwater helps in reducing chances of flooding.
b) It also helps in better storm water management.
c) Storing rainwater can help in improving plant growth.
d) Stored rainwater is free from natural and man-made pollutants.
e) People came out on street fearing another earthquake.

SECTION C [LITERATURE]

Q8. i) The speaker does several works for survival/ livelihood.

ii) The Narrator
iii) Nicola doesn’t want to share his personal life with any stranger.
iv) Glance
Or
i) Caesar was consoling Calpurnia because she had seen a nightmare and she was very much
worried about the wellbeing of her husband.
ii) Brave, Courageous, heroic
iii) Those who fear death may die many times in a day but those who are brave die only
when their actual death approaches
iv) Valiant
Q9. (1 mark for content + 1 mark for grammatical accuracy)
i. Though Calpurnia revealed her fear after nightmare yet Caesar decided to go to senate
house because Brutus viewpoint was more convincing for him. He also did not want to leave
the chance to become emperor of Rome.
ii. Time can destroy everything except for literature. Art and culture transcends time and
remain relevant throughout the ages.
iii. Writer’s inspiration bureau was formed by Helen and other ghosts to help the writers by

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giving them plot to write stories. They would inspire writers whose mind was soft enough to
accept ideas.
iv. One should not be naïve or submissive. One should follow practical approach and not fall
for flattery.
v. Despite being so young, the boys were empathetic and possessed human values. They
faced all odds to fulfill their duties.
Q10. (4 for content + 2 for fluency + 2 grammatical accuracy)
a) ‘Fake pride ends up in misery’. Vanity always leads to down fall of a person. This
statement truly fits on the character of Mrs. Packletide. Value points

Women belonging to upper class of society try to showoff

They become subjects of mockery and sometimes they need to pay a
handsome amount
Mrs Packetide wants to overshadow Loona Bimberton so as to satisfy her
vanity by killing a tiger
In the end she had to face financial losses.
She was blackmailed by Miss. Mebbin

OR
b). It is important to respect everyone’s feelings which are truly conveyed by the writer
through this chapter.
Value points:

Always respect the feelings of others

We must not disrespect and contempt the feelings of others.
In this chapter Coachman Ali’s daughter got married and left him.
At this moment he understands the meaning of love and separation.
Which he doesn’t when he was clever hunter.
Everyone in the post office laugh at him/ mock at him.
Postmaster also behaves rudely with him and at times he call him ‘a pest’.
When he suffers with the same suffering and pain
He realizes his mistakes and regrets for his bad act.
Then he wishes to help Ali.

Q11. A. (5 content +2.5 fluency + 2.5 grammatical accuracy)

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ANY 5-6 POINTS

Otto Frank left Germany to live in Holland

they felt they could escape persecution in 1940,
same laws were imposed on Jews in Germany
Anne thinks the laws are unjust, and unfair
not able to understand about this discrimination.
certain restrictions were imposed like

- wearing yellow badge

- cannot use streetcars
- only allowed to go to Jews school, Jews shops.

she accepts these restrictions as a part of life in Amsterdam

her entire life and viewpoint quickly changed when she was forced into
annexe.

OR

Mr. Vann Dann, good friend, Business partner of Mr. Frank

chain smoker, pessimist
always fights with his wife, tries to pacify her
stereotypical, henpecked husband
plans of hiding along with Frank’s family
Mr.Vann Daan is rarely mentioned in Anne’s diary
occasionally behaves well with Anne.

OR

B) (5 content + 2.5 fluency + 2.5 grammatical accuracy)

ANY 5-6 POINTS

lifelong companion of Helen

teacher, guide, mentor.
motivator
helps Helen to believe in herself
very supportive

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treats her like her own child
teaches every minute thing with details
she makes Helen “THINK”

OR

Dr. Alexander Graham Bell is kindhearted and caring doctor

is an incredibly gifted inventor
helped people with hearing disabilities.
Helen dedicated The Story of My Life to him.
has a special relationship with children, especially the deaf,
his teaching methods for children are motivating and encouraging.
he is funny
lifelong friend of Hellen Keller.

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