10th Std - English Second Mid Term Test 2024
Solutions
PART - I (6x1=6)
Choose the appropriate synonym for the italicised words.
1. India's disabled are continuing to grapple with the challenges of access, acceptance, and inclusion.
b) fight
2. I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk.
a) confusion
Choose the appropriate antonym for the italicised words.
3. We look forward to a more inclusive way of learning, instead of the cloistered existence.
c) open
4. The doors were yanked open.
d) pushed
Choose the correct plural form of syllabus from the following:
5. Choose the correct plural form of syllabus from the following:
c) syllabi
Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation IMF
6. Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation IMF
c) International Monetary Fund
PART - II
Answer any TWO of the following questions in a sentence or two. (2x2=4)
7. Who is Kim?
Note: This question's context is not from the common lessons paired with Q8 and Q9. Assuming it refers to a lesson on influential figures, a possible answer is: Kim Phuc is the girl famously depicted in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph taken during the Vietnam War, which became a symbol of the horrors of war.
8. What did M. Hamel say about the French language?
M. Hamel said that the French language was the most beautiful, the clearest, and the most logical language in the world. He urged his students and the villagers to guard it among themselves and never forget it.
9. What was Franz sorry for?
Franz was sorry for not learning his French lessons properly. He regretted wasting his time seeking birds' eggs and going sliding on the Saar instead of paying attention in M. Hamel's classes.
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any one of the following. (2x2=4)
10. Their hands are ours, and in their lines we read
A labour not different from our own
(a) Who does the word 'their' refer to?
The word 'their' refers to the people of other countries, whom the poet considers to be our brothers.
(b) What does the poet mean by 'lines we read'?
By 'lines we read', the poet refers to the lines on their hands, which signify that they too work hard to earn their livelihood, just like us.
11. And now, if you will set us to our task
We will serve you four and twenty hours a day!
(a) Whom does "you" refer to?
"You" refers to mankind, the creators and masters of the machines.
(b) Whose task is referred to as "our task" here?
"Our task" refers to the work that is assigned to the machines by human beings.
Answer any ONE of the following: (1x2=2)
12. Rewrite using indirect speech: "Why is the sky blue?" asked the curious student.
The curious student asked why the sky was blue.
13. Transform the following into a simple sentence: Raghav is sick but he attends the rehearsal.
In spite of being sick, Raghav attends the rehearsal.
(OR) Despite his sickness, Raghav attends the rehearsal.
Answer the following question. (1x2=2)
14. A stranger wants to go to the park. Guide the stranger with your instructions.
Here are the instructions to guide the stranger to the park:
- Go straight along this road, you will reach the Mahatma Gandhi Salai.
- Walk until you reach the main junction ahead.
- At the junction, turn right onto Kamaraj Salai.
- Continue walking for a short distance on Kamaraj Salai.
- You will find the park entrance straight on your front side.
PART - III
Answer any ONE of the following in a paragraph. (1x5=5)
15. "Technology is a boon to the disabled" - Justify.
Technology is undeniably a great boon to the disabled, transforming lives by breaking down barriers to communication, mobility, and independence. For individuals with physical disabilities, innovations like advanced wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, and smart home devices provide unprecedented freedom. For the visually impaired, screen readers and Braille technology open up the world of digital information. Similarly, speech-generating devices, like the one used by Stephen Hawking, give a voice to those who cannot speak. Assistive technologies in education and the workplace create inclusive environments where disabled individuals can learn, work, and contribute their skills effectively. By providing tools that enhance capabilities and foster independence, technology empowers the disabled to lead fuller, more productive, and more integrated lives.
16. Give an account of the last day of M. Hamel in the school.
M. Hamel's last day at the school was a solemn and memorable occasion. He was dressed in his finest clothes—a green coat, frilled shirt, and a little black silk cap—which he wore only on inspection and prize days. His tone, usually strict, was unusually gentle and sad. The classroom was quiet, and surprisingly, the back benches were occupied by the village elders who had come to pay their respects to their teacher and their language. M. Hamel delivered a poignant lesson, calling French the most beautiful language in the world. He patiently taught grammar and writing, and everyone listened with rapt attention. As the church clock struck twelve, he was overcome with emotion. Unable to speak, he turned to the blackboard and wrote in large letters, "Vive La France!" (Long Live France!), and dismissed the class with a gesture.
Answer any ONE of the following. (1x5=5)
17. Explain in your own words how the machines serve mankind.
According to the poem 'The Secret of the Machines', machines serve mankind tirelessly and powerfully. They are capable of performing a vast range of tasks such as pulling, hauling, pushing, lifting, and driving. They can also print, plough, weave, heat, and light. Machines work twenty-four hours a day, needing only basic resources like coal, water, and oil to function. They are depicted as powerful servants, capable of immense work, but they are devoid of human emotions like love, pity, or forgiveness. They emphasize that while they are mighty, they are ultimately nothing more than the creations of the human brain, designed to follow the laws of physics and the commands of their masters.
18. Read the following stanza and answer the questions given beside.
Though our smoke may hide the Heavens from your eyes,
It will vanish and the stars will shine again,
Because, for all our power and weight and size,
We are nothing more than children of your brain!
(a) Pick out the rhyming words from the given stanza.
eyes - size; again - brain
(b) Give the rhyme scheme for the given stanza.
The rhyme scheme is abab.
(c) Identify the figure of speech employed in the fourth line of the given stanza.
Metaphor. (The machines are directly compared to children of the human brain).
(d) Pick out the alliterating words in the first line.
hide, Heavens (repetition of the 'h' sound).
Answer any TWO of the following. (2x5=10)
19. Prepare an attractive advertisement using the hints given below.
POWER BICYCLE SHOP
WEEKEND DEALS!
FLAT 25% OFF
On All Bicycles and Accessories
- Expert Bicycle Repair Services
- Test Ride Your Dream Bicycle Today!
- Cycle Maintenance by Trained Technicians
Open 7 Days a Week!
Visit us at: 05, Anna Road, Thanjavur
Ride Smooth, Ride Safe.
20. Write a letter to your local municipal officer, informing them about the poor sanitation conditions in your area.
[Your Name]
[Your Address Line 1]
[Your Address Line 2]
[City, Pincode]
[Date]
The Municipal Officer
[Name of the Municipality/Corporation]
[City, Pincode]
Respected Sir/Madam,
Subject: Complaint regarding poor sanitation conditions in [Your Area Name]
I am a resident of [Your Area Name], and I am writing to bring to your urgent attention the deplorable sanitation conditions in our locality. For the past several weeks, garbage has not been collected regularly, leading to overflowing bins and waste being scattered on the streets. This has become a breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes, and other pests, posing a significant health risk to the residents, especially children.
Furthermore, the drainage system is completely choked, causing dirty water to stagnate on the roads. This not only emits a foul smell but also makes it difficult for people to walk. The street cleanliness is also being neglected, with no regular sweeping being done.
We request you to take immediate and necessary action to address these issues. Regular garbage disposal, cleaning of drains, and proper street sweeping are essential for the well-being of the community. We hope for a swift response from your end.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
21. Make notes or write a summary of the following passage.
Option 1: Note-Making
Title: The Paralympics: A Celebration of Human Potential
- Introduction
- Global event for athletes with disabilities.
- Inception in 1960.
- Held alongside the Olympics.
- Competition & Sports
- Features various sports (e.g., wheelchair basketball, adaptive cycling).
- Showcases extraordinary determination & skill.
- Impact & Purpose
- Promotes inclusivity & breaks stereotypes.
- Inspires millions globally.
- Raises awareness abt. disability & accessibility.
- Pushes for social change.
- Ultimate Goal
- Celebrates human potential.
- Emphasizes equality & power of perseverance.
Option 2: Summary
Title: The Inspiring World of the Paralympics
The Paralympics is a major global sporting event for athletes with disabilities, held alongside the Olympics since its inception in 1960. Competitors participate in diverse sports like wheelchair basketball and adaptive cycling, displaying immense skill and determination. The event plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity, breaking down stereotypes, and inspiring millions worldwide. By raising awareness about disability and accessibility, the Paralympics pushes for social change. Ultimately, it is a celebration of human potential that powerfully highlights the importance of equality and perseverance.
Identify the errors in the following sentences and rewrite them correctly.
22. Identify the errors in the following sentences and rewrite them correctly.
(a) Original: I live in United States.
Corrected: I live in the United States.
(b) Original: I bought an book this morning.
Corrected: I bought a book this morning.
(c) Original: One of the pencils are missing.
Corrected: One of the pencils is missing.
(d) Original: Malar is fond to music.
Corrected: Malar is fond of music.
(e) Original: Aadhav is taller then Aadhira.
Corrected: Aadhav is taller than Aadhira.
Quote from memory: (1x4=4)
23. Remember, no men ... shall lie.
Remember, they have eyes like ours that wake
Or sleep, and strength that can be won
By love. In every land is common life
That all can recognise and understand.
Let us remember, whenever we are told
To hate our brothers, it is ourselves
That we shall dispossess, betray, condemn.
Remember, we who take arms against each other
It is the human earth that we defile.
Our hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence
Of air that is everywhere our own,
Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange.
Note: The prompt seems to be a mix of lines. The most relevant stanza ending in "...shall lie" is:
They, too, aware of sun and air and water,
Are fed by peaceful harvests, by war’s long winter starv’d.
Their hands are ours, and in their lines we read
A labour not different from our own.
Remember they have eyes like ours that wake
Or sleep, and strength that can be won
By love. In every land is common life
That all can recognise and understand.
Let us remember, then, whenever we are told
To hate our brothers, it is ourselves
That we shall dispossess, betray, condemn.
Remember, we who take arms against each other
It is the human earth that we defile.
Our hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence
Of air that is everywhere our own.
Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange.
Therefore, let us not be divided by any means.
Let us remember, single body breathes
Beneath all uniforms, a single body breathes
Like ours: the land our brothers walk upon
Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie.
The required lines are:
Like ours: the land our brothers walk upon
Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie.
PART - IV
Answer any ONE of the following. (1x8=8)
24. Write a paragraph of about 150 words by developing the following hints.
A Day in 2889
On the morning of 25th July, 2889, Francis Bennett, the director of the Earth Herald, woke up in a bad temper. Instead of getting angry with his wife who had been in France for eight days, he switched on his phototelephote. His wife's image appeared in a mirror, and they were able to speak to and see each other despite the distance. Feeling lonely, he proceeded to his highly mechanised room where he was washed, saved, brushed, and buttoned by automated machines. Afterwards, he went to the reporters' room at the Earth Herald. Here, 1500 reporters were passing on the latest news to subscribers through the phototelephote system. News was no longer printed but spoken and viewed. This system was an addition to the telephone, allowing subscribers to not only hear but see the events as they happened. Each reporter stood before a series of commutators, relaying news from across the globe, painting a vivid picture of the technologically advanced world of 2889.
25. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions given below.
(i) Where did Garrett Morgan get the inspiration for his traffic signal invention?
Garrett Morgan got the inspiration for his traffic signal invention after he witnessed a severe car accident at an intersection.
(ii) What major impact did the traffic signal have on urban life?
The traffic signal drastically reduced accidents, improved road safety, and made urban life more organized and safer.
(iii) What innovation did Morgan's traffic signal introduce that we still use today?
Morgan's traffic signal introduced the three-position system, which included a yellow light to warn drivers to slow down before stopping.
(iv) Write the name of your favorite inventor or the invention that you find particularly inspiring.
(This is a personal response. A sample answer is provided below.)
My favorite inventor is Thomas Edison. I find his invention of the practical incandescent light bulb particularly inspiring. It completely transformed society by making light accessible and affordable, allowing people to work and socialize after dark, which fundamentally changed the structure of our daily lives and spurred industrial growth.