10th English Quarterly Exam 2024-25 - Answer Key
Original Question Paper
PART - I SECTION - I (14 Marks)
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1. He even gnawed at the dried pieces of eggshell. (Synonym)
a) chewed
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2. Burglars shouted intuitively. (Synonym)
a) instinctively
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3. It is a 55-foot sailing vessel built indigenously in India. (Synonym)
d) natively
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4. The young seagull kept calling plaintively. (Antonym)
c) joyfully
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5. They were the steps of a man walking rapidly around the dining table downstairs. (Antonym)
d) slowly
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6. The attic has always been a favourite place with children. (Antonym)
a) disliked
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7. Choose the correct plural form of the word 'furniture'.
b) furniture
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8. Form a derivative by adding the right suffix to the word "fail".
b) ure (failure)
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9. Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation EMIS.
c) Educational Management and Information System
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10. Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate idioms given below. Lalitha takes a late-night walk on the beach ____.
b) most frequently
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11. Choose the suitable option which does not pair with the word "life" to form a compound word.
c) match
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12. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate preposition. Keep the books ____ the table.
a) on
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13. Complete the following sentence using the most appropriate tense form of the verb given below. His mother ____ as an ITK volunteer.
c) works
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14. Choose the appropriate linker from the given alternatives. ____ he was poor, he is happy.
b) Though
PART - II (20 Marks)
Section - I (3x2=6)
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15. Did the mother bird offer any food to the young bird?
No, the mother bird did not offer any food to the young bird. She picked up a piece of fish and flew across to him with it, but she halted just opposite to him to tempt him to fly.
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16. What woke up the mother?
The scratching of the cricket on the floor woke up the mother.
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17. What does INSV stand for?
INSV stands for Indian Naval Ship Vessel.
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18. Where was Nagen uncle's shop?
Nagen uncle's shop was on the corner of the crossing, near Sasanka Sanyal's house.
Section - II (3x2=6)
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19. In the dim past, nor holding back in fear / From what the future veils; but with a whole
a) What does the poet mean by the phrase "In the dim past"?
The phrase "In the dim past" refers to the distant past or times that are not clearly remembered.
b) Is the poet afraid of the future?
No, the poet is not afraid of the future, as stated in the line "nor holding back in fear".
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20. Let us learn to walk with a smile and a song, / No matter if things do sometimes go wrong;
a) What does the poet expect everyone to learn?
The poet expects everyone to learn to face life with a smile and a song.
b) What should we do when things go wrong sometimes?
When things go wrong sometimes, we should continue with a smile and a song, maintaining a positive attitude.
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21. Despite the sighs and groans and moans, / She's strong in her faith, firm in her belief!
a) Is she complaining about the problems of life?
No, she is not complaining. The lines indicate her strength despite the problems.
b) Pick out the words that show her grit.
The words that show her grit are "strong in her faith" and "firm in her belief".
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22. But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.
a) Why do you think ants neither borrow nor lend?
Ants neither borrow nor lend because it is their principle to be self-sufficient and hardworking, saving for their own future.
b) Who says these lines to whom?
The ant says these lines to the cricket.
Section - III (3x2=6)
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23. Rewrite the following sentence to the other voice: My uncle gave me a watch on my birthday.
I was given a watch by my uncle on my birthday. (OR) A watch was given to me by my uncle on my birthday.
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24. Rewrite into direct speech: Muthu wanted to know if tickets are available for the cricket match.
Muthu said, "Are tickets available for the cricket match?"
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25. Punctuate the following: be not so amazed daughter miranda said prospero.
"Be not so amazed, daughter," said Prospero.
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26. Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the modals with the appropriate ones:
a) Make me a cup of tea, shall you?
Will you make me a cup of tea?
b) You may speak politely to the elders.
You should speak politely to the elders.
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27. Rearrange the words in the correct order to make meaningful sentences:
a) loan/apply/you/if/for/you/a/get/will/immediately/it/
If you apply for a loan, you will get it immediately.
b) Storytelling/an art/is/which/planning/research/and/involves/skill.
Storytelling is an art which involves planning, research and skill.
Section - IV (1x2=2)
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28. You are near the school. An old man asks you to direct him to the nearby ATM. Guide him with your directions to reach his destination.
Directions:
Sir, please go straight on Kamarajar Street. Take the first right turn onto MG Road. Walk for about 50 meters. You will find the ATM on your left side, just after the shops.
PART - III (50 Marks)
Section - I, II, III & IV
Note: Answers for paragraph questions (29-34), paraphrasing (36), coherent order (37), comprehension (38), and writing skills (39-44) are subjective and based on the student's understanding and writing ability. Key points are provided for guidance.
35. Read the following poetic lines and answer the questions given below:
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.
i) Pick out the rhyming words from the above lines.
fear - cheer; whole - toll
ii) Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
aabb
iii) Identify the figure of speech employed in the first line of the given stanza.
Metaphor ("dim past") and Personification ("future veils").
iv) Pick out the alliterating words the second line.
Note: The question likely has a typo and refers to the third line. Alliterating words in the third line are: happy heart.
37. Rearrange the following sentences in coherent order:
The correct order is: (v), (iv), (i), (iii), (ii)
1. (v) Somu sent the Krishnan family a strange, pink bird named Zigzag.
2. (iv) Zigzag refused to speak and made a mess with fruit and nuts.
3. (i) After Visu left the bird snored loudly causing chaos.
4. (iii) Dr. Krishnan took Zigzag to his clinic where the bird calmed the environment.
5. (ii) Dr. Krishnan realized Zigzag was a valuable asset, trained to help patients.
38. Reading Comprehension (The Story of the Aged Mother)
(a) Another name for the Japanese folktale is 'The Story of the Aged Mother'.
(b) The cruel proclamation was an order for all aged people to be put to death.
(c) The aged mother helped her son find his way back by secretly dropping a trail of twigs along the path.
(d) The governor issued an impossible command to make a rope of ashes.
(e) The result of the farmer revealing the truth was that the governor abolished the cruel law, having realized the wisdom of the elderly.
44. Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences:
(a) She is good in playing the piano.
She is good at playing the piano.
(b) Each of the boys have completed their homework.
Each of the boys has completed his homework.
(c) He will go to the market yesterday.
He went to the market yesterday.
(d) She is the most tallest girl in the class.
She is the tallest girl in the class.
(e) we are planning a trip to paris next summer.
We are planning a trip to Paris next summer.
Section V
45. Quote from memory: Strong is she .................... don't mess with her.
Strong is she in her faith and belief. ... She's a lioness; don't mess with her.
PART - IV (16 Marks)
47. Read the following passage/poem and answer the questions.
a) Plastic Pollution Passage
(i) What are the main sources of plastic pollution?
The main sources are single-use plastics, packaging, and discarded fishing gear.
(ii) How does plastic waste impact marine life?
Marine animals can get entangled in plastic debris, ingest plastic particles, and suffer other harmful health effects.
(iii) What actions have some countries taken to reduce plastic use?
Some countries have implemented bans on plastic bags and straws, while others promote biodegradable alternatives.
(iv) What is needed to effectively combat plastic pollution?
Collective action at both individual and governmental levels is needed to combat plastic pollution effectively.
b) Poem (The Swing)
(i) What is the speaker's favourite activity in the poem?
The speaker's favourite activity is going up in a swing.
(ii) What can the speaker see from the swing?
The speaker can see over the wall, rivers, trees, cattle, and all over the countryside.
(iii) How does the speaker feel about swinging?
The speaker feels it is the "pleasantest thing" a child can ever do and feels like they are flying.
(iv) What are the two things mentioned that the speaker looks at from the swing?
The speaker looks down at the garden green and the roof so brown.