📖 Standard 10 English - First Mid-Term Question Paper 2025 | Tirunelveli District With solution

Standard 10 English - First Mid Term Test 2025 | Solved Paper

Common First Mid Term Test - 2025

Standard 10 | ENGLISH | Tirunelveli District

Time: 1.30 Hrs | Marks: 50

Section - I

I. Choose the appropriate synonyms from the options given below: 1 × 3 = 3

1) Scraping his beak now and again to whet it.

  • a) clean
  • b) sharp
  • c) blunt
  • d) wet
Answer: b) sharp (To whet means to sharpen.)

2) His father was pruning the feathers on his white beak.

  • a) cleaning
  • b) sharpening
  • c) shaping
  • d) painting
Answer: c) shaping (Pruning feathers means preening or arranging them, which is a form of shaping.)

3) The doors and drawers were yanked open.

  • a) pushed
  • b) pulled
  • c) fixed
  • d) repulsed
Answer: b) pulled (To yank is to pull with a sudden, sharp force.)
II. Choose the appropriate antonyms from the options given below: 1 × 3 = 3

4) Then a monstrous terror seized him.

  • a) release
  • b) grasp
  • c) snatch
  • d) conquer
Answer: a) release (To seize is to take hold of; the opposite is to let go or release.)

5) He was soaring gradually downwards and outwards.

  • a) slowly
  • b) steadily
  • c) regularly
  • d) suddenly
Answer: d) suddenly (Gradually means slowly over time; the opposite is happening quickly or suddenly.)

6) Herman rushed to his room and slammed.

  • a) closed
  • b) locked
  • c) banged
  • d) opened
Answer: d) opened (To slam is to shut forcefully; the opposite action is to open.)
III. Answer all the questions: 3 × 1 = 3

7) Complete the sentence using appropriate modals:
When I was a child, I ____ climb trees easily but now I can't.

  • a) can
  • b) could
  • c) should
  • d) will
Answer: b) could (The modal 'could' is used to express ability in the past.)

8) Choose the correct plural form of the word alumnus:

  • a) alums
  • b) alumni
  • c) alum
  • d) alumnum
Answer: b) alumni (The plural of the masculine noun 'alumnus' is 'alumni'.)

9) Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate prepositional phrase from the given options:
There is a temple right ____ my house.

  • a) in back of
  • b) apart from
  • c) in front of
  • d) result of
Answer: c) in front of (This phrase correctly indicates the position of the temple relative to the house.)
IV. Write down the passive forms: 2 × 2 = 4

10) The manager appointed many office assistants.

Answer: Many office assistants were appointed by the manager.

11) Cross the busy roads carefully.

Answer: You are advised to cross the busy roads carefully.
(Alternatively: Let the busy roads be crossed carefully.)

Section - II

V. Answer any three of the following: 3 × 2 = 6

12) Why did the seagull fail to fly?

Answer: The young seagull failed to fly because he was afraid that his small wings would not support him. He lacked courage and was filled with fear and self-doubt about his ability to fly over the vast sea.

13) What did the parents do, when the young seagull failed to fly?

Answer: When the young seagull failed to fly, his parents flew around him, upbraiding (scolding) him and threatening to let him starve on the ledge if he did not fly. They tried to motivate him through both encouragement and threats.

14) Why did the young bird utter a joyful scream?

Answer: The young bird uttered a joyful scream when he finally made his first flight. After diving for the fish out of hunger, he instinctively opened his wings and found himself flying. The scream was an expression of his relief, excitement, and the joy of overcoming his fear.

15) Who were the narrator's neighbours?

Answer: The narrator's neighbours were the Grumble family. They were known for being discontented and complaining about everything, regardless of the situation.

16) What was the grandfather wearing?

Answer: (From 'The Night the Ghost Got In') The grandfather was wearing a long, flannel nightgown with a nightcap on his head.
VI. Write any one of the following: 1 × 5 = 5

17) Describe the struggles underwent by the young seagull to overcome its fear of flying.

Answer:
The young seagull's struggle to overcome his fear of flying was both psychological and physical. Initially, he was paralyzed by fear, convinced his wings would never support him. While his siblings soared confidently, he remained isolated on the ledge, ostracized by his family. His parents tried various methods, from encouragement to scolding and threats of starvation, but his fear was too great. The physical torment of hunger gnawed at him for twenty-four hours. The sight of his mother tearing a piece of fish just out of his reach became the ultimate catalyst. Maddened by hunger, he dived for the food, and in that desperate moment, instinct took over. He flapped his wings and discovered he could fly, transforming his fear into a joyful scream of triumph.
OR

18) Write a paragraph on 'The Grumble Family' and their attitude towards other folks.

Answer:
'The Grumble Family' is a group of people who live in a constant state of dissatisfaction on 'Complaining Street'. Their primary characteristic is their relentlessly negative attitude. Nothing is ever right for them; they find fault with everything, whether it's too hot or too cold, too big or too small. This pessimistic outlook defines their entire existence. Their attitude towards other folks is one of separation and negativity; they are a family "nobody likes to meet". Their constant complaining makes them unpleasant company, and the poem suggests that the worst thing one can do is to fall into their habit of grumbling, as it is a difficult cycle to break. They represent the toxic nature of perpetual pessimism.

Section - III

VII. Read the following lines of the poem and answer the questions given below: 3 × 2 = 6

19) "Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul".
a) Whom does the word 'me' refer to?
b) What kind of life does the poet want to lead?

Answer:
  • a) The word 'me' refers to the poet, Henry Van Dyke.
  • b) The poet wants to lead a life full of optimism and courage, facing the future without hesitation or reluctance.

20) "My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road's last turn will be the best".
a) What kind of quest does the poet seek here?
b) What is the poet's hope?

Answer:
  • a) The poet seeks the quest of life itself—a continuous journey of seeking new friendships, high adventure, and personal fulfillment.
  • b) The poet's hope is that the final phase of his life's journey will be the most rewarding and best part of his entire life.

21) "There's a family nobody likes to meet;
They live, it is said, on complaining street".
a) Where does the family live?
b) Why do you think the street is named as 'Complaining street'?

Answer:
  • a) The family lives on 'Complaining Street'.
  • b) The street is named 'Complaining Street' because its inhabitants, the Grumble family, are known for their perpetual complaining about everything. The name metaphorically reflects their negative and discontented nature.
VIII. Quote from memory: 1 × 5 = 5

22) Not mourning ........ with cheer.

Answer:

Not mourning for the things that disappear
In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.

Section - IV

IX. Prepare an attractive advertisement using the hints given below: 1 × 5 = 5

23) Mobile Galaxy - Smart phones - accessories - Sim card - Recharge - Free Power banks on mobile purchase - No. 1, Toll gate, Trichy.

Answer:
X. Write a report based on the following: 1 × 5 = 5

24) You are the School Pupil Leader. You have been asked to write a report on the inaugural ceremony of the English Literary Association of your school which was held recently. Write a report on the same in not more than 120 words.

Answer:

Inauguration of the English Literary Association

By [Your Name], School Pupil Leader

Tirunelveli, 10th July 2025: The English Literary Association of our school was formally inaugurated for the academic year 2025-26 on 9th July 2025 in the school auditorium. The ceremony began at 10 a.m. with a prayer song. The renowned author and professor, Dr. Arul Selvan, was the chief guest.

I delivered the welcome address, after which our Principal honoured the chief guest. Dr. Selvan then lit the ceremonial lamp and delivered an inspiring inaugural address, emphasizing the importance of reading and creative writing. He encouraged students to actively participate in the association's activities. The ceremony concluded with the vote of thanks by the Association Secretary, followed by the National Anthem.

XI. Write a paragraph of about 150 words by developing the following hints: 1 × 5 = 5

25) Prospero - Duke of Milan - out of magic - brother Antonio overthrow Prospero - King of Naples - Prospero and his daughter twelve years - released good spirits from Sycorax - creates storms - Ariel helps the enemies - Ferdinand arrives - Miranda and Ferdinand attractive - Prospero tests Ferdinand - realizes his mistakes - repented Prospero - restored the kingdom.

Answer:

The Tempest: A Tale of Forgiveness

Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, was a man deeply engrossed in the study of magic. His ambitious brother, Antonio, seized this opportunity to overthrow him with the help of the King of Naples. Prospero and his young daughter, Miranda, were cast out to sea and ended up on a deserted island, where they lived for twelve years. On the island, Prospero used his magic to release good spirits like Ariel, who was trapped by the witch Sycorax. One day, using his powers, Prospero created a great storm to shipwreck his enemies on the island. Ariel helped bring the men ashore. When Ferdinand, the son of the King of Naples, arrived, he and Miranda were immediately attracted to each other. Prospero tested Ferdinand's love and character. Eventually, seeing their true love and his enemies' repentance, Prospero realized his mistakes and chose forgiveness over revenge. He gave up his magic, forgave his brother, and had his dukedom restored.