10th English Quarterly Exam 2024-25 Answer Key | Villupuram District
PART-I (14 Marks)
Section - I
Choose the most appropriate answers. (14x1=14)
1. He even gnawed at the dried pieces of eggshell.
a) chewed
2. Burglars shouted intuitively.
a) instinctively
3. It is a 55-foot sailing vessel built indigenously in India. (Choose antonym)
d) natively
4. The young seagull kept calling plaintively.
c) joyfully
5. They were the steps of a man walking rapidly around the dining table downstairs. (Choose antonym)
d) slowly
6. The attic has always been a favourite place with children. (Choose antonym)
a) disliked
7. Choose the correct plural form of the word 'furniture'.
b) furniture
8. Form a derivative by adding the right suffix to the word “fail”.
b) ure (to form 'failure')
9. Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation EMIS.
c) Educational Management and Information System
10. Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate idioms given below. Lalitha takes a late-night walk on the beach __________.
a) once in a blue moon
11. Choose the suitable option which does not pair with the word "life" to form a compound word.
c) match (Lifeboat, Lifeskill, Lifepath are compound words)
12. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate preposition. Keep the books _______ the table.
a) on
13. Complete the following sentence using the most appropriate tense form of the verb given below. His mother ________ as an ITK volunteer.
c) works
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)
Answer any THREE of the following questions.
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 tore a piece of fish but ate it herself to tempt him to fly.
16. What woke up the mother?
In the story 'The Attic', Aditya's cry woke up his mother. However, if this refers to the poem 'The Night of the Scorpion', the scorpion's sting on the narrator's toe made him cry out, which woke his mother.
17. What does INSV stand for?
INSV stands for Indian Naval Ship Vessel.
18. Where was Nagen uncle's shop?
Nagen uncle's shop was a tea shop near the crossroads in the village.
Section - II (3x2=6)
Read the following set of poetic lines and answer any THREE of the following.
19. In the dim past, nor holding back in fear / From what the future veils; but with a whole
a) "In the dim past" means the past that is not clearly remembered.
b) No, the poet is not afraid of the future. The line "nor holding back in fear" confirms this.
20. Let us learn to walk with a smile and a song, / No matter if things do sometimes go wrong;
a) The poet expects everyone to learn to be cheerful and positive.
b) When things go wrong, we should continue with a smile and a song, not letting difficulties affect our spirit.
21. Despite the sighs and groans and moans, / She's strong in her faith, firm in her belief!
a) No, she is not complaining about the problems of life.
b) The words that show her grit are: "strong in her faith, firm in her belief".
22. But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend.
a) Ants neither borrow nor lend because it is their principle to be hardworking and self-sufficient.
b) The ant says these lines to the cricket.
Section - III (3x2=6)
Answer any THREE of the following.
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.
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?"
25. Punctuate the following: be not so amazed daughter miranda said prospero.
"Be not so amazed, daughter," said Prospero.
26. Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the modals with the appropriate ones:
a) Will you make me a cup of tea?
b) You should speak politely to the elders.
27. Rearrange the words in the correct order to make meaningful sentences:
a) If you apply for a loan, you will get it immediately.
b) Storytelling is an art which involves planning, research and skill.
Section - IV (1x2=2)
Answer the following question.
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.
Go straight on Kamarajar Street. You will find MG Road on your left. Just after crossing MG road, the ATM is on your right side, opposite the SBI bank.
PART - III (50 Marks)
Section - I (2x5=10)
Answer any TWO of the following in utmost ten lines.
(Sample answers provided for guidance)
31. Describe the struggles undergone by the young seagull to overcome its fear of flying.
The young seagull was afraid to fly because of the vast sea beneath him. His family tried to encourage him, but he was too scared. They left him alone on the ledge for 24 hours, and he was starving. He watched his parents teaching his siblings to fly and dive for fish. The sight of his mother tearing a piece of fish maddened him with hunger. She flew towards him with the fish, but stopped just out of his reach. Driven by hunger, the seagull dived for the fish, forgetting his fear. He fell outwards and downwards, but his wings automatically spread out, and he found himself flying. This initial struggle and his family's clever motivation helped him overcome his fear.
32. Write in detail about the selection and training process which the crew underwent.
The six-member all-woman crew of INSV Tarini was selected from a pool of volunteers in the Indian Navy. The selection process was challenging. The crew underwent a rigorous training program that spanned nearly three years. Their training started with basic theoretical courses on navigation, communication, and weather prediction. This was followed by hands-on training on the INSV Mhadei. They sailed for 20,000 nautical miles, including a voyage to Mauritius in 2016 and 2017, and a journey from Cape Town to Goa. They were trained to handle emergencies, manage equipment failures, and survive in rough seas. The training ensured they were not just sailors but were also mentally tough and capable of undertaking the circumnavigation of the globe.
Section - II (2x5=10)
Answer any TWO of the following in utmost ten lines.
34. How are today's women portrayed by the poet?
In the poem 'I am Every Woman', the poet portrays today's woman as strong, determined, and multifaceted. She is inherently beautiful and a symbol of power and strength. She is described as being "strong in her faith, firm in her belief". The poet emphasizes that she is not to be taken lightly or underestimated, comparing her to a lioness and warning others not to "mess with her". She is resilient and can overcome any challenge or adversity, symbolized by her ability to rise from ashes. She is a woman of substance who is a source of life and hope. Overall, the poem celebrates the inner strength, courage, and pride of the modern woman.
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) Rhyming words: fear-cheer, whole-toll
ii) Rhyme scheme: abba
iii) Figure of speech (first line): Metaphor ("dim past" metaphorically represents a time not clearly remembered).
iv) Alliterating words (second line): From, future
Section - III (1x5=5)
Answer any ONE of the following.
37. Rearrange the following sentences in coherent order:
- After Visu left, the bird snored loudly, causing chaos.
- Dr. Krishnan realized Zigzag was a valuable asset, trained to help patients.
- Dr. Krishnan took Zigzag to his clinic, where the bird calmed the environment.
- Zigzag refused to speak and made a mess with fruit and nuts.
- Somu sent the Krishnan family a strange, pink bird named Zigzag.
The correct order is:
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.
Section - IV (1x5=5)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
38. Questions from 'The Story of the Aged Mother' passage.
(a) Another name for this Japanese folktale is 'The Story of the Aged Mother'.
(b) The cruel proclamation was an order for the death of all aged people.
(c) The aged mother helped her son find his way back by secretly leaving a trail of twigs.
(d) The governor issued an impossible command to make a rope of ashes.
(e) The result of the farmer revealing the truth was the abolition of the cruel law.
Section - V (4x5=20)
Answer any four of the following.
43. Make notes or write a summary of the following passage on Yoga.
Notes
1. Yoga: An Ancient Practice1.1. Origin: India, thousands of years ago.
1.2. Combination of:
- Physical postures2. Benefits & Popularity
- Breathing exercises
- Meditation
2.1. Reduces stress.
2.2. Improves flexibility.
2.3. Enhances overall well-being.
2.4. Gained worldwide popularity. 3. Forms of Yoga
3.1. Hatha
3.2. Vinyasa
3.3. Ashtanga
3.4. Caters to different needs/fitness levels. 4. Goal of Regular Practice
4.1. Promotes balanced & harmonious lifestyle.
4.2. Benefits both body & mind.
44. Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences:
(a) She is good at playing the piano.
(b) Each of the boys has completed their homework.
(c) He went to the market yesterday.
(d) She is the tallest girl in the class.
(e) We are planning a trip to Paris next summer.
45. Quote from memory: Strong is she ............. don't mess with her.
Strong is she in her faith and belief.
She is a lioness; don't mess with her.
PART - IV (16 Marks)
Develop the hints or answer the comprehension questions.
46. Write a paragraph of about 150 words by developing any ONE the following hints.
a) The Legend of Mulan
Mulan, a young girl who lived in ancient China, was deeply worried about her aging father. When the Emperor conscripted one man from every family to join the army, Mulan knew her frail father would not survive. So, she disguised herself as a man and secretly joined the army in her father's place. She trained hard, overcame numerous challenges, and proved to be a formidable warrior. She fought bravely in several battles, and with her intelligence and courage, she saved her comrades and earned the respect of fellow soldiers and commanders. After the war, her true identity was revealed. The Emperor, impressed by her bravery and filial piety, honored her. Mulan returned home not as a soldier, but as a hero, and was joyfully reunited with her loving family.
47. Read the following passage/poem and answer the questions given below:
a) Plastic Pollution Passage
(i) The main sources of plastic pollution are single-use plastics, packaging, and discarded fishing gear.
(ii) Plastic waste impacts marine life through entanglement, ingestion of plastic particles, and other detrimental effects on their health.
(iii) Some countries have implemented bans on plastic bags and straws and promoted biodegradable alternatives.
(iv) To effectively combat plastic pollution, collective action at both individual and governmental levels is needed.
b) 'The Swing' Poem
(i) The speaker's favourite activity in the poem is going up in a swing.
(ii) From the swing, the speaker can see over the wall to the rivers, trees, cattle, and all over the countryside.
(iii) The speaker feels that swinging is the "pleasantest thing ever a child can do" and feels like they are flying.
(iv) The two things mentioned that the speaker looks down at are the "garden green" and the "roof so brown".