Class 10 English Sample Paper Term 2 With Solutions Set B

Please refer to Class 10 English Sample Paper Term 2 With Solutions Set B below. These Class 10 English Sample Papers will help you to get more understanding of the type of questions expected in the upcoming exams. All sample guess papers for English Class 10 have been designed as per the latest examination pattern issued by CBSE. Please practice all Term 2 CBSE Sample Papers for English in Standard 10.

Sample Paper Term 2 Class 10 English With Solutions Set B

SECTION-A (READING)

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

(1) The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the charity that saves lives at sea; they provide an on call, 24-hour, lifeboat search and rescue service and a seasonal lifeguard service. The vision of the RNLI has always been the same since its start in 1824: to end the preventable loss of life at sea.

(2) In 2013, there was an average of 23 RNLI lifeboats launched each day in the UK and across the year that total was 8,304. On an average, 23 rescues take place every day with 325 lives being saved in 2013 alone. These statistics surely prove that this type of service is fundamental to our safety.

(3) The RNLI have four core values and their work is driven by these values. All staff and volunteers are asked to strive for excellence in all they do. They are required to be selfless and put others before their own needs. They need to be dependable, always available and committed to saving lives. Being trustworthy is also a key value at the RNLI and staff and volunteers are asked to deal with their everyday affairs with transparency, integrity and impartiality. The RNLI is a charity and so it is important that the donations that people so generously entrust to the charity are used efficiently and wisely. Lastly, team members must be courageous as they are frequently putting themselves into dangerous situations.

(4) Since the RNLI’s start in 1824, lifeboats and lifeguards have saved more than 140,000 lives. Although these figures are encouraging, it doesn’t always translate to donations. None of the RNLI’s work could happen without the generous gifts of the people of the UK. Some people leave money to the RNLI in their wills, others give one-off donations and others give a little each month – every penny goes back into saving lives. The RNLI do not seek funding from central government and so they are dependent on donations as their income. Every time they have to deploy a lifeboat and lifeguards, it costs money. Some may say ‘it is nothing to do with me’ but nobody knows when we too may rely on such a service.

(5) Interestingly in 2013, 50% of all launches were to leisure craft users for example, powerboats, yachts, body boarders, surfers, etc. Although some people who find themselves in trouble do have the relevant experience and equipment to be in the sea, most do not. The RNLI are often called out to incidents where people have got into trouble through ‘high jinx’ or through not having awareness of the conditions of the sea. Without a service like the RNLI many precious lives would have been lost.

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the six given below:

(i) What is the main purpose of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)?
Answer : The main purpose of the RNLI is to end the preventable loss of life at sea by providing a 24 hour on-call service, lifeboat search and rescue service.

(ii) What are the four core values of the RNLI?
Answer : The four core values of the RNLI include striving for excellence, selflessness, dependablity and trustworthiness.

(iii) How is the RNLI financed?
Answer : The RNLI functions by public donations, and does not rely or even receive any funding from the central government.

(iv) What does the author mean to say by the statement “without a service like the RNLI many lives would have been lost”?
Answer : He meant to emphasise the importance of the charity and how indispensable it is for the general public as a whole.

(v) How many lives have been saved by the RNLI since its inception?
Answer : Since its inception in 1824, the RNLI have saved more than 140,000 lives.

(vi) What is meant by the word “charity” and how does it apply to the RNLI?
Answer : The word “charity” means that organisations like the RNLI function without any specific funding from the central government. Rather, it is financed by the donations and ‘gifts’ of the general public.

2. Read the following passage carefully.

(1) University of Cambridge, is an institution of higher education, the second-oldest university in the United Kingdom after the University of Oxford. It is located in the city of Cambridge, Cambridge Shire.

(2) The University of Cambridge is a loose confederation of academic faculties and departments, and 31 colleges. There are over 15,500 full-time students taught at the university: 11,000 undergraduates and 4,500 graduates. Although the colleges and the university per se are separate bodies, all are part of an integrated educational entity. The university examines candidates for degrees during their residency and at the conclusion of their studies; confers degrees; regulates the curricula of the colleges and the system of education; deals with disciplinary problems; and administers facilities, such as libraries, lecture rooms, and laboratories, that are beyond the scope of the colleges. The colleges provide their students with lodgings and meals, assign tutors, and offer social, cultural, and athletic activities. Every student at the University of Cambridge is a member of a college.

(3) The academic year is divided into three terms of approximately eight weeks each: Michaelmas (autumn), Lent (late winter) and Easter (spring). Students are required to be in residence for the duration of each term. Much of the year’s work is done, however, out of term-time, during the holidays. Students usually study under the supervision of members of the college’s faculties, who maintain close relationships with the small groups of students in their charge and assist them in preparing for university exams.

(4) Bachelor of Arts degrees may be conferred, upon the satisfactory completion of exams, after nine terms, or three years of residency. The majority of students are candidates for honours degree and take a special examination called a tripos (named after the three-legged stools on which examiners formerly sat). Successful candidates for triposes are classified as first, second, or third class according to their standing. Other degrees conferred by the university include the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, as well as higher doctorates in law, medicine, music, science, and theology.

(5) The University of Cambridge figured prominently in the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus was a professor of Greek and divinity at Cambridge from 1511 to 1514 and translated the New Testament from Greek into Latin there; the religious reformers William Tyndale, Hugh Latimer, and Thomas Cranmer were educated at Cambridge. As a result of the decrees of Henry VIII establishing the Church of England, the humanistic method of study replaced the scholastic. Canon law studies were ended, public lectures in Latin and Greek were held, and the Bible was studied in the light of contemporary learning.

(6) A reaction took place, however, during the reign of Elizabeth I, when Cambridge became a stronghold of Puritanism. Restrictive legislation enacted in 1570 transferred teaching authority to the heads of the colleges. In 1604, early in the reign of James I, the university was granted the right to elect two members to the English Parliament; this right was ended in 1949. During the 17th century the group of scholars known as the Cambridge Platonists emerged, and through the influence of such faculty members as the scientists Isaac Barrow and Sir Isaac Newton, and emphasis on the study of mathematics and natural sciences developed for which Cambridge has subsequently become renowned.

On the basis of your reading of the passage answer ANY FIVE of the given questions.

(i) What does the word “loose confederation” used for the University of Cambridge mean?
Answer : A ‘loose confederation” meant that the University of Cambridge is made of several colleges that are united under the umbrella term, “University of Cambridge” but still have their autonomy.

(ii) How many colleges are affiliated to the University?
Answer : The University of Cambridge has 31 colleges affiliated to it.

(iii) What are the three terms that form the academic year?
Answer : The three terms of the academic year are Michaelmas/ autumn, Lent or late winter and Easter or spring.

(iv) Who translated the New Testament from Greek to Latin?
Answer : The New Testament was translated from Greek to Latin by the Dutch scholar, Desiderius Erasmus.

(v) What resulted in the 1570 enactment of Restrictive legislation?
Answer : The enactment of the Restrictive Legislation in 1570 resulted in the transfer of teaching authority to the heads of the colleges.

(vi) What change was brought about by the Cambridge Platonists during the 17th century?
Answer : The Cambridge Platonists brought about an emphasis on the study of mathematics and natural sciences.

SECTION-B (WRITING AND GRAMMAR)

3. Attempt any one of the given questions. 

The given double line graph shows the different types of kitchen utilities sold by two stores during festival season. Read the graph carefully and write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words.

OR

You are the Librarian of T.H.S.S. School, Kolar. Write a letter to Messrs Vikas Publishers, Chennai placing an order for some books for your school library. Mention the details of the books (at least four) and ask for the discount available on the purchase.
Answer : 

The given double line graph, shows the sale of various kitchen utility items during festival season. The items are oven, toaster, coffee maker, kettle and hand blender.
By looking at the graph, we see the different fluctuations of items sold in two different shops. The store-Q has sold around 40 ovens, 30 toasters, 60 coffee makers, 50 kettles and around 90 hand blenders.
The store-P has sold 20 ovens, 40 toasters, 30 coffee makers, 60 kettles and 50 hand blenders. The highest selling item of store-Q is hand blender whereas store-P has sold the kettles the most.
The overall graph shows that store-Q has better sales than store-P . Three products of store-Q i.e., oven, coffee maker and hand, blender have surpassed store-P in sales.
On the other hand, store-P has sold more toasters and kettles in comparison to store-Q. The graph also shows that hand blender and kettle are the most preferred choice of consumers during festival season. Hand blender sales shows the most wide gap of 40 customers, and toaster shows only a gap of 10 customers between the two stores Q and Q.
To conclude, the given information, it shows the preferences of consumers in buying different kitchen utility items and shows that on an average, store Q made better sales overall.

OR

T.H.S.S.School
Kolar

21 March, 20XX

M/s Vikas Publishers
Chennai

Subject : Order for Books

Sir/Madam,

Kindly supply the following books at the earliest for the school library.

1. Harry Potter                    J.K. Rowling                1 each
(Whole series)
2. The Book Thief                Markus Zusak              5 nos.
3. Complete works of           William                       5 nos.
William Shakespeare            Shakespeare
(Abridged Version)
4. Time Machine                   H.G. Wells                  5 nos.
5. Journey to the                  Jules Verne                5 nos.
Centre of the Earth

You are requested to deliver the books latest by 10 April, 20XX. Please ensure that the books sent are in the best of condition and packed properly to avoid any damage. Payment shall be made by cheque soon after the consignment is received and checked for quality.
Damaged books or books of inferior quality will not be accepted nor payment for the same will be made.
Please send the bill after allowing bulk discount
permissible for schools.

Thank you

Yours faithfully
XYZ
Librarian

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

Answer : 
Error                       Correction
(a) me                        us
(b) enjoy                    enjoyed
(c) who                       how

5. Read the conversation between a father and son and complete the passage that follows:

Father : Son, what do you want to be when you grow up? Son : Dad, I want to be a pilot. Father : Why? Son : Because I love being in the air and help people get to new destinations.

Father asked his son what he wanted to be when he grows up. The son replied that (a) __________ . When the father asked why, the son replied that (b) _____________ people get to new destinations.
Answer : (a) he wanted to be a pilot.
(b) he loves being in the air and helping.

SECTION-C (LITERATURE)

6. Answer ANY SIX of the following in about 30-40 words.

(i) Where did Buddha preach his first sermon?
Answer : Gautama Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares, which is regarded as the holiest of the bathing places on the river Ganges.

(ii) Why is Sulekha called ‘Bholi’?
Answer : Sulekha is called ‘Bholi’ because she is a simpleton due to her suffering some brain damage after falling off a cot when she was ten months old. As a result, she is not as smart as children of her age.

(iii) What did the hack driver tell the narrator about Lutkins’ mother?
Answer : The hack driver told the narrator that Lutkins’ mother was a real terror. He described her as a large and hefty lady with a fierce temper. He also said that she was quick as a cat.

(iv) How did M. Loisel try to make his wife happy?
Answer : M. Loisel tried to make his wife, Matilda, happy by offering to give four hundred francs to buy a suitable gown for the ball. He had saved up the sum of money to buy a gun to join some hunting parties the next summer.

(v) Why does Chubukov suspect Lomov when he comes to his house?
Answer : Chubukov suspected Lomov of coming to borrow money because the latter came with a request, which Lomov said only Chubukov could help him with. Lomov did not reveal his purpose of coming directly. Lomov had asked Chubukov for help twice previously.

(vi) Why didn’t Valli want to talk to the elderly woman?
Answer : The elderly woman was wearing ugly earrings and was chewing betel nut. The betel juice was about to seep out of her mouth. Valli found all this repulsive and hence did not wanted to talk to her.

(vii) How did ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ prove a turning point in Richard’s life?
Answer : Richard was bored with collecting butterflies. At this time, his mother got the book ‘The Travels of Monarch X’ for him. After reading the book, he studied the migration of butterflies and it opened the world of science to him.

7. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120-150 words each.

(i) What great truth about life does the Buddha want to teach Gotami through her experience? How is this lesson important?
Answer : After the death of Kisa Gotami’s only child, she became very sad. She carried her dead child to her neighbours in order to get medicine to bring him to life. Her neighbours thought that she had gone insane as she was unable to accept the fact. It was then that someone suggested her to meet Gautama Buddha. When she met Gautama Buddha he gave her an exercise to do. She was asked to collect mustard seeds from a house where no one has ever died. She went from one house to another but was unable to find a single house where no one has died. This way she realised that death is a part of life and anyone who is born is bound to die one day. Thus, Buddha changed her understanding of death by this exercise. And finally she could come to terms with the truth.

(ii) ‘Dowry is negation of the girl’s dignity’. Discuss with reference to the story ‘Bholi’.
Answer : —–

(iii) People should always try to live within their limits. Elaborate on the basis of chapter, ‘The Necklace’.
Answer : Guy de Maupassant’s short story ‘The Necklace’ is about a young woman, who daydreams about wealth, social status and a life of luxury. She is truly happy, when she is able to have that life for one night adorned with a beautiful dress and a borrowed necklace, which ultimately brings her doom. As the story begins we find her living in delusions of grandeur, imagining a better life. One can be ambitious in life and dream big. But it is very important to remain true to oneself. Adorning that expensive dress and seemingly expensive necklace Matilda creates a make believe for herself that she belongs to high strata of the society. Lost in her imaginary world, she enjoys herself to the fullest on that night, only to realise later that her life was going to be changed forever. She falls into the trap of drudgery and grinding poverty. In order to return the necklace to Mme. Forestier they had to give up all their comforts, Matilda starts doing her household chores and in this whole process loses ten years of youth and carefree life. There is a lot that we can learn from Matilda’s life but most importantly about staying true to one’s reality and trying to live within the means of one’s life. Even though the aspirations of a human being have no limit but it is important to stick to ground reality.