DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL RK PURAM

CLASS X
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
SAMPLE PAPER 3- TERM 2
Time allowed: 2 Hrs. Maximum 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. 5

1.In the interior decor industry, minimalism is about keeping a space simple, uncluttered and
accentuating the attractive architectural features of a space. Minimalism and functionality go
hand in hand. A minimalist-designed space incorporates an open floor plan, lots of light, and
simple line furnishings that are well-built and comfortable. All these create a soothing and
inviting space that has a timeless aesthetic.

2.Minimalist architecture became popular in the late 1980s in London and New York, and has
been highly influenced by Japanese traditional design and architecture. There are observers
who describe the emergence of minimalism as a response to the brashness and chaos of
urban life. In Japan, for example, minimalist architecture began to gain traction in the 1980s
when its cities experienced rapid expansion and a booming population. The design was
considered an antidote to the overpowering presence of traffic, advertising, jumbled building
scales, and imposing roadways.

3.Minimalism allows something other than the space to be the focus. For example, the people
in the space or the view from the window might be more important than the room’s decoration.
One might still need all of the items in a space for it to function, but in minimalist decor, 'form' is
very important.

4.In a minimalist living room all of the furniture is purposeful—chairs to comfortably sit in,
tables for drinks, hidden window treatments to allow views from a high-story residence, a
fireplace to warm. The clients have extremely active lives and need their home to be restful,
not stimulating to the eye.

5."How many sofas do we really need? How many chairs? Do we need to hang pictures at all
on walls? Maybe only on one wall? How many knick-knacks do we really need on our coffee
table or shelves? In reality, we need functionality and practicality that blends with no
superfluous embellishments. Shapes should be quite uncomplicated, and colors and textures
should harmoniously blend,” says one designer. Her clients are inspired by their space to focus
on the essentials and items of personal value. Ample closed storage is provided so that the
architecture and interiors can be uncluttered. It creates a calm haven for living.
 6.Besides making a space look warm and welcoming, the biggest challenge is knowing when
to stop designing or adding to the space. According to designers, if the space functions well, is
simple in its composition without being overly stimulating, you know that you are finished. Just
like artists must stop at some point and not add colors or brush strokes, a designer too must
know when to stop. Sometimes, it's intuition. One feels it when the space is 'just so,' when it is
right, balanced, and congruent.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the
Six given below.
i. List some key functionalities of a minimalist-designed space.
ii. Why did minimalist architecture gain popularity in the 1980s?
iii. What is it that clients seek while getting a minimalist design for their space?
iv. What challenges do designers face while designing a minimalist space?
v. Which word in line 2 can be used to replace the underlined word in the given sentence.
Candid photos can often help in highlighting your best facial features.
vi. Highlight the importance of storage in a minimalist decor.

2. Read the passage given below. 5

1. When we think of countries that are the major consumers of water resources we
tend to think of the water used in our homes, such as water used for bathing
and lawn sprinklers. However, studies have shown that home water use is only
the tip of the iceberg and a large majority of the water consumed is hidden from
plain view. The chart showing the largest water consuming countries of the
world is thus an eye opener.
10 countries that use the most water:
China 362 trillion gallons

United States of America 216 trillion gallons

Brazil 95 trillion gallons

Russia 71 trillion gallons

Mexico 53 trillion gallons

India 30 trillion gallons

England 20 trillion gallons

France 20 trillion gallons

Canada 19 trillion gallons

Australia 12 trillion gallons

 2. As India is an agricultural country, the most important crops of India are rice,
wheat and sugarcane. Significantly these crops are the most water-consuming
crops. Rice, a major crop export, consumes about 3,500 litres of water for a
kilogram of grain produced. Punjab which is the 3rd largest producer of rice in
India is completely dependent on groundwater for the production of its rice and
consumes two to three times more water than Bihar and West Bengal to
produce a kilogram of rice.
3. Sugarcane is another water-guzzling crop in India, which is a very popular crop
among farmers in Maharashtra because they are assured of marketing by sugar
mills. The primary source of water for growing this crop is groundwater,
whereas states like Bihar which are more suitable for the production of
sugarcane produce only 4% of the country’s total sugar cane output.
4. Thus, measures need to be taken to ensure that crop production patterns within
the country, across different states, are aligned to regional water availability.
Also, agriculture policies should be put in place to limit the export of water-
intensive crops. Emphasis should also be placed on the adoption of water-
efficient technologies, management systems, farmer education, and advisory
services to improve water consumption in agriculture.
5. Crops in India are irrigated by several methods. Some farmers take to flooding
the whole field. Others resort to channeling water between rows of plants while
others resort to watering using large sprinklers. But the better method is to let
water drop into plants using drip irrigation. Hence, India should consider
investing in scaling up micro-irrigation to make India’s agriculture more
water-efficient. Drip irrigation is the most efficient and appropriate irrigation
system. Instead of wetting the whole field surface, water is applied only to the
plant's root zone. The Government of India’s ‘Per Drop More Crop’ component
under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana promotes the use of drip and
sprinkler irrigation by farmers.

Based on your reading of the passage, answer ANY FIVE out of the six questions given
below. (1x5=5m)
i. In the line ‘Studies have shown that home water use is only the tip of the iceberg,’
what does the phrase ‘tip of the iceberg’ imply?
ii. How can we change the Indian water consumption habits?
iii. Rewrite the following sentence by replacing the underlined phrase with a word that
means the same from paragraph 3.
The kids seem to be continuously drinking soft drinks at the club.
iv. Based on your understanding of the chart, compare the water consumption capacity
of Australia and India.
 v. What are the inherent qualities of drip irrigation?
vi. What does the cropping pattern of agriculture in India reveal?

SECTION B - WRITING AND GRAMMAR (10 marks)

3. 3. Attempt ANY ONE from i and ii. (5)

i. Study the chart given below about the video content on TV presented through various
platforms. Write an analytical paragraph within 120 words and share relevant details.

ii. You are Siya Khanna ,a student of class XII Vasant Vihar,New Delhi, You have come across
the following information about a leading coaching institute for SAT preparation.

SAT preparation
Offering crash courses for SAT aspirants with less than 3 months of preparation time.Faculty
includes field pioneers who have mentored SAT toppers from all over the country.

You wish to enroll in the above-mentioned course but require more information. Write a letter
to the Director, Phantom Fear Pvt. Ltd in about 120 words, enquiring about enrollment, course
And other important details, etc.

4. The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Identify the 3
error and write incorrect words and the correction in your answer sheet. The first one has been
done as an example. (3)
 Incorrect Correct
It was the amazing sight to see and e.g. _the _an_
the one I will never forget.
A sight which no one present in the occasion could help (a) _______ _______
admiring in spite of the trouble it has caused us all. (b) _______ ______
The Gulmohar that I had mentioned earlier feel thirsty like (c) _______ _______
the rest of us.

5 Read the conversation between the siblings and complete the passage that follows. (2) 2
Sia : What are you staring at Madhav ?
Madhav: The key rings on the floor.
Sia:These?
Madhav: Thanks! I knew if I had looked at them long enough someone would pick them up.

Sia was surprised. She asked her brother, Madhav what (a)____________. Madhav replied
that he was looking at the key rings on the floor. She was bewildered when he thanked her
and said that he (b)________________ he had looked at them long enough, someone would
pick them up.

SECTION C - LITERATURE (20 marks)

6. Answer ANY SIX questions in 30-40 words each. 2X6=12 12

i. Bring out the nuances in Amanda’s relationship with her mother by citing evidence from the
poem ‘Amanda’.
ii. Justify the statement “Actions speak louder than the words' ' keeping in mind Custard’s role
in the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’.
iii. Comment on the tone of the speaker when he says, “They do not make me sick discussing
their duty to God.” (Animals)
iv.How did Buddha use the concept of “learning by doing” in the case of Kisa Gotami.
v.In what ways was Valli ahead of her age?
vi How does the story ‘The Hack Driver’ advocate the concept of “survival of the fittest”?
vii Bildungsroman is a literary genre that focuses on the psychological growth of the
Protagonist from childhood to Adulthood. Highlight the key elements of the Genre presented in
the text ‘Bholi’ by citing evidence.

7. 7. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 words each. 4x2=8 8

i. Bring out the elements of humour, wit and irony presented in the play ‘The Proposal’.
ii. “Success is not final ,failure is not fatal, it’s the courage to continue that counts.” In the light
of the above statement bring out the element of resilience depicted by Matilda and Ebright’s
character.
iii.Bring out the relevance of the tales associated with the history of tea in the text ‘Glimpses of
India’.