NODIA APP Sample Paper 20 Page 1

Sample Paper 20
English Language and Literature (184)
Class-X Exam 2024-25
Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions :
Read the instructions very carefully and strictly follow them :
1. This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
2 The Question Paper contains THREE sections -
Section A : Reading Skills
Section B : Grammar and Creative Writing Skills
Section C : Literature Textbook
3. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A - READING SKILLS 20

1. Read the following text. 10
1. Sport has quickly become a big part of the entertainment industry, and the smallest
details of athletes’ private lives are exposed by the media for everyone to see. Top
athletes are often called “stars,” and businesses take advantage of their skills to make
money. Big profits are made by selling sports gear that looks like what the professionals
wear, and newspapers sell more copies if they have good sports coverage. Spectators
even make money by betting on the results of games.
2. The growing demand for new talented athletes adds to the idea that professional sports
are glamorous. However, even those who make it to the top can only stay there for a
short time, and they often need help finding a new career afterward.
3. It’s always appealing to do something interesting and do it well, but serious injuries or
unexpected losses in performance can quickly stop many young athletes from progressing.
Outdoor sports can be enjoyable, except when bad weather like rain, snow, or fog gets
in the way. Hearing thousands of fans cheering your name is flattering, but fans can be
unpredictable and forget athletes quickly once age affects their abilities.
4. Athletes at the top of their game get to travel all over the world—cricketers may play
during the Australian summer, and Wimbledon champions may spend the year in sunny
places. However, their social lives suffer, and they have to give up their free time for
hard, tiring practice. All professional athletes must follow strict training schedules to
stay fit, which requires a lot of exercise, discipline, and careful control of their diet and
habits.
5. Athletes retire early, and the money they earned may not be enough to last the rest of
their lives. After retiring, they need to find a new career, but they often start fifteen
years behind others in the workforce. They may not have enough fame in their sport
to get a high-paying job. In the end, it might be better to stay an amateur sports
enthusiast.
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Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. In paragraph 1, how do businesses take advantage of top athletes’ skills? 1

ii. Complete the following with the correct option : 1

Professional sports are often seen as glamorous because :
(a) Athletes’ careers last a long time.
(b) There is a high demand for talented athletes, and they are treated like stars.
(paragraph 2)
iii. What are two challenges young athletes face, as mentioned in paragraph 3? 2

iv. Select the option that best explains how athletes’ social lives are affected : 1
(a) Athletes have a lot of free time to spend with their families.
(b) Athletes’ social lives are disrupted by their need to travel and train hard.
(paragraph 4)
v. State whether the following statement is True or False. 1
Athletes retire early, and most of them have enough money to live on for the rest of their
lives.
(paragraph 5)
vi. The writer mentions in paragraph 3 that fans can be fickle. 1
What does this mean for athletes?
(A) Fans always remain loyal to athletes throughout their careers.
(B) Fans quickly forget about athletes once their performance declines or age affects
them.
(C) Fans become more supportive as athletes age.
(D) Fans help athletes recover from injuries.

vii. List two reasons why being an amateur athlete might be better than being a professional,
as suggested in the passage. 2
(paragraph 5)
viii. Fill in the blank with the correct option : 1
After retiring, athletes often struggle in their new careers because :
(A) They retired too late to start a new job.
(B) They enter the workforce later than others and may not have enough fame to get
a high salary.
(C) They earned too much money during their sports career.
(D) They have no desire to work after retirement.
(paragraph 5)

2. Read the following text. 10

1. The Indian tourism industry has been a major contributor to the country’s economy,
generating 16.91 lakh crore, or 9.2% of India’s GDP, in 2022. The sector also supported
nearly 39 million jobs, which represents 8% of the country’s total employment. However,
the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism, with international tourist arrivals
decreasing by 75% in 2020 and 2021.
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2. Domestic tourism, which accounts for about 88% of the total tourism in India, has
shown signs of recovery. In 2022, domestic tourists took nearly 1.5 billion trips, up from
1.2 billion trips in 2021. Popular destinations include states like Kerala, Rajasthan, and
Uttarakhand, known for their rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
3. The government has launched several initiatives to boost tourism. The Dekho Apna
Desh campaign encourages domestic travel, while schemes like Swadesh Darshan and
PRASHAD aim to develop tourism infrastructure and promote heritage and spiritual
sites.
4. Medical and wellness tourism is another growing segment. India attracted 1.4 million
medical tourists in 2022, drawn by the country’s affordable healthcare services. Ayurveda
and yoga retreats have also seen a surge in popularity among wellness tourists.
5. Experts predict that with continued government support and rising domestic demand,
the Indian tourism sector could return to pre-pandemic levels by 2025, contributing even
more to the economy and creating millions of jobs.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
i. What does the use of the phrase “major contributor” by the writer, in paragraph 1,
suggest about the Indian tourism industry? 1
(A) The writer believes tourism has no impact on the economy.
(B) The writer is highlighting the importance of tourism to India’s economy.
(C) The writer is indifferent to the role of tourism.
(D) The writer thinks tourism has only a minor role in the economy.
ii. Select the option that is true for the assertion and reason given below : 1
Assertion : Domestic tourism has recovered more quickly than international tourism in
India.
Reason : The majority of Indian tourism is driven by domestic travelers.
(A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation
of the assertion.
(B) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation
of the assertion.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
iii. Identify the percentage decrease in international tourist arrivals in India due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, as mentioned in the passage. 1

iv. According to the passage, what are two major government initiatives aimed at boosting
tourism in India? 1
v. Read the given prompt and select the correct option in the brackets to fill in the blank : 1
The Indian tourism industry contributed significantly to the economy in 2022,
generating 16.91 lakh crore and supporting millions of jobs.
Tourism contributed ____ (7% / 8% / 9.2%) of India’s GDP in 2022.

vi. What are some of the strategies mentioned in the passage that the Indian government is
using to revive the tourism industry? 1
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vii. Complete the sentence suitably. 1

Medical and wellness tourism in India has grown due to _____.

viii. Complete the following with a suitable reason : 1

Experts believe that the Indian tourism sector could return to pre-pandemic levels by
2025 because _____.

ix. In the context of paragraph 5, why is continued government support important for the
future of India’s tourism industry? 2

SECTION B - WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR 20

GRAMMAR 10
3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed.
i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the sentence.
A bank _____ various kinds of loans to its account holders so that they _____ set
up a business, buy property or a vehicle.
(A) will offer, will (B) offers, can
(C) should offer, must (D) will be offering, should

ii. Read the conversation between a judge and a lawyer. Complete the sentence by report-
ing the dialogue.
“Call the accused,” said the judge.
“My client is hospitalised for hypertension,” his lawyer informed the judge.
As soon as, the judge commanded _____ the accused, his lawyer informed him that
his client _____ for hypertension.

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from a health magazine
on mental health. Even highways have lines, which provide safety and if we go over one
side, we’ll go into the ditch and if we cross over the line in the middle, we _____ get
killed.
(A) should (B) must
(C) could (D) need not

iv. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following
line, from an article on philosophy.
‘These sights of disease, misery and death quite moved him that he at once became a
beggar and went out into the world to seek enlightenment concerning the sorrows he
had witnessed.’
Option No. Error Correction
(A) of about
(B) quite so
(C) into around
(D) had witnessed witnessed
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v. Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option.
But I _____ myself, traveling, doing speaking engagements and so on—I simply got
exhausted and I could do it no more.
(A) was being pushed (B) am pushing
(C) had pushed (D) kept pushing
vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given
portion of a letter sent to the maintenance office of a gated campus.
Subject : Flaunting of safety rules
There is no checking of visitors at the main entrance gate of our society. Thus, vendors
and messengers _____ (wander) and have free access to the doorsteps of the residents.
vii. Report the dialogue between two friends- Venu and Kanan by completing the sentence.
Venu : How will standing in my rice field help you win a Nobel?
Kanan : I’ve heard that the people who have won Nobel prizes were all out ‘standing’
in various fields.
Venu asked his friend Kanan how would standing in his rice field get him a Nobel.
Kanan replied that _____ that the people who _____ Nobel prizes had been all
out ‘standing’ in various fields.
viii. Identify the error in the given sentence, from an article on environment and supply the
correction.
This has been resulting in environmental degradation, over spilling of landfills and more
dangerously, a thoroughly careless mind-set in us.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

ix. Read the following lines and report the question asked by a surprised Shelley.
‘Bunny told Shelley that he was planning to participate in a swimming competition for
beginners.’
x. Read the sentence on a government campaign. Identify the error and supply the
correction.
Many people have expressed their views on Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan and how, if
implemented sincerely at all levels, it ought produce a great change in the society.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

xi. Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between a doctor and
a patient.
Doctor : You should take this medicine every day.
Patient : Should I take it before dinner or after dinner?
When the doctor advised the patient that _____ medicine every day , the patient
further asked him _____ before or after dinner.
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xii. Identify the error on a message found in a fortune cookie and supply the correction, for
the following.
You will gain the admiration of your pears.
Use the given format for your response.
Error Correction

WRITING 10
Note : All details presented in the questions in writing section are imaginary and
created for assessment purpose.
4A. You have lost your original certificate of class X. You want to get the duplicate issued
but you do not know the procedure. Write a letter to the Chairman, CBSE, Preet Vihar
enquiring about the fee to be deposited, mode of payment, time taken by the board
to issue duplicate certificate and any other formalities. You are Kavya/Kavish, 76/B,
Karma Apartments, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. (120 words)


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4B. You are Pragya/ Prathmik, of 24/7, Mall road, Shimla. Write a letter in about 120 words
to the Editor of The Daily News expressing your views on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and
how, if implemented sincerely at all levels, it can produce a great change in the society.
5A. Given below is an info graphic related to the cultural and leisure activities that boys and
girls engage in. Look at the pie charts and extract information to write an analytical
essay in about 120 words. Interpret, analyse and explain the information.
NODIA APP Sample Paper 20 Page 7

O
5B. We have the data for waste disposal from two years 1960 and 2011. You have to read
and interpret the graphical data of the pie charts and write an analytical paragraph in
about 120 words. Compare, contrast, understand and explain the given information in
your own words.

Waste Disposal
Page 8 Sample Paper 20 CBSE 10th English LL

Ans :
Waste Disposal: Then (1960) and Now (2011)
The waste disposal trends have undergone a lot of change from 1960 to 2011. We can
see a 10% difference in the disposal of paper and plastic trends from 1960 to 2011. The
share of disposed paper has reduced from 25% in 1960 to 15% in 2011 whereas, the share
of plastic has increased from an 8% in 1960 to an 18% in 2011. This shows how non-
biodegradable plastic has taken over the biodegradable paper in about half a century.
Glass and Green waste disposal has stayed the same, at 5% and 9% respectively. Metal
usage and disposal is almost same too. Food and wood wastage has almost doubled in
these fifty years. A lesser percentage of textiles is being disposed of reducing it by 6%
from 1960 to 2011. Share of other material that is non-categorised has become one-third
of the earlier percentage. This data about waste disposal also bring forth the consumer
trends that have changed, some for the good while some for bad.

SECTION C - LITERATURE TEXTBOOK 40

6. Read the given extracts and answer ANY ONE of the two questions given below 5
A. The lady teacher who was in the class was saying something to the girls but Bholi could
understand nothing. She looked at the pictures on the wall. The colours fascinated her-
the horse was brown just like the horse on which the Tehsildar had come to visit their
village; the goat was black like the goat of their neighbour; the parrot was green like the
parrots she had seen in the mango orchard; and the cow was just like their Lakshmi. And
suddenly Bholi noticed that the teacher was standing by her side, smiling at her
(Bholi)
i. State any one inference about Bholi from the given context.
The lady teacher who was in the class was saying something to the girls but Bholi could
understand nothing.
NODIA APP Sample Paper 20 Page 9

ii. What effect do the pictures on the wall, as described in the lines below, have on Bholi?
The colours fascinated her—the horse was brown just like the horse on which the
Tehsildar had come to visit their village.
Choose the most suitable option.
(A) frightens (B) saddens
(C) fascinates (D) confuses
iii. And suddenly Bholi noticed that the teacher was standing by her side, smiling at her’ this
changed something in Bholi. Elaborate in about 40 words, with reference to the extract.
iv. Which word or phrase would correctly substitute ‘orchard’ as given in the extract?
The parrot was green like the parrots she had seen in the mango orchard.

B. A small dog was lying in the kitchen. It stirred, made a noise, and moved its tail in a
friendly way. ‘All right, Sherry,” Horace said as he passed. All you had to do to keep
dogs quiet was to call them by their right names, and show them love.
(A Question of Trust)
i. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket.
The word ‘friendly’ in the line “It stirred, made a noise, and moved its tail in a friendly
way” indicates that the dog was _____ (affectionate/aggressive) towards Horace.
ii. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘cordial’ ?
(A) Friendly (B) Hurting
(C) Ignorant (D) Distant
iii. Whom did Horace Danby see in the kitchen? How did they greet each there? What tact
did Horace apply there? Answer in about 40 words.

iv. The kitchen referred to is located in _____.

7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. 5
A. But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
(The Tale of Custard the Dragon)
i. What is the poet’s purpose of using the onomatopoeic words given in the extract?
(A) It is to emphasise on the might and boldness of Custard.
(B) It is to introduce the character Custard to the readers.
(C) It is to impress upon the readers that Custard was ready.
(D) It is to make Custard bold enough to face the situation.
ii. Mention what the poet wants to convey through these lines. Answer in about 40 words.
iii. What does Custard do to the pirate?
iv. Fill the blank with one word.
Custard’s comparison to an engine shows a literary device of _____.
Page 10 Sample Paper 20 CBSE 10th English LL

B. My head is full of whispers

which tomorrow will be silent.
Listen. The glass is breaking.
The trees are stumbling forward
into the night. Winds rush to meet them.
The moon is broken like a mirror,
its pieces flash now in the crown
of the tallest oak
(The Trees)
i. Complete the following suitably.
In the line, ‘Listen. The glass is breaking’ the poet is addressing the readers to _____.
ii. What is the significance of the use of the words ‘whispers’ and ‘glass’ in the poem and
how does this word choice contribute to the overall mood and tone of the poem? Answer
in about 40 words.
iii. Which of the following is the correct match between the poetic devices and their
definitions?
1. The moon is broken like a mirror (a) personification
2. The glass is breaking (b) enjambment
3. The moon is broken like a mirror, its pieces, flash (c) metaphor
now in the crown of the tallest oak.
4. The trees are stumbling forward (d) simile
(A) 1-(D), 2-(C), 3-(B), 4-(A)
(B) 1-(B), 2-(C), 3-(D), 4-(A)
(C) 1-(D), 2-(B), 3-(C), 4-(A)
(D) 1-(A), 2-(B), 3-(C), 4-(D)

iv. What happens to the moon in the poem “The Trees”?

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. 4 # 3 = 12
i. What does the poet want to convey through the poem ‘Dust of Snow’ ?
ii. What was the young seagull’s experience during his first flight?
(Two Stories About Flying)
iii. How does Rajvir describe the tea-garden at Dhekiabari?
(Glimpses of India)
iv. Why does Amanda wish to be an orphan?
(Amanda!)
v. What justification did Lomov give to Natalya and Chubukov to prove that he is the
rightful owner of Meadows?
(The Proposal)
NODIA APP Sample Paper 20 Page 11

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2#3 = 6
i. Why did Hari Singh decide to come back to Anil?
(The Thief ’s Story)
ii. Why did Griffin not get a suitable house to live in?
(Footprints without Feet)

iii. Which project did Ebright submit in his eighth grade? Why did he win ?
(The Making of a Scientist)

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 6
i. Life is about losses and wins. A man is the one who learns to take them in a stride
and stand up brave in the face of every situation. Summarise this quote with reference
to ‘The Ball Poem’ and the chapter ‘Sermon at Benaras’. Prepare a set of dialogues
between the boy and Kisa to elaborate the point. You may begin like this :
Kisa : It is difficult to hold your self and impossible to accept losing a loved one.
The Boy : Yes! True , _____.

ii. Whenever we want to achieve something, difficulties always come in our way. Justify
these using examples from Valli’s desire to go to the city alone and accomplishing it at
a young age of eight and the young boy from the poem ‘The Ball Poem’.
If you had to use the message with reference to both the chapters ‘Madam rides the Bus’
and ‘The Ball Poem’ how will you elaborate it? Also, how it is relevant to both.

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 6
i. “But to be a really big man, a clever and respected man was something else.” Hari Singh
finally accepted the importance of education and honest living. How it can be explained
in the case of ‘The Thief’s Story’.

ii. The story ‘The Midnight Visitor’ highlights the theme that wisdom is more powerful
than other weapons. Comment with reference to it.

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