10th English Quarterly Exam 2025 - Answer Key
Original Question Paper
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PART - I
Choose the correct synonyms for the underlined words.
1. The young bird kept calling her mother plaintively.
a) happily
b) sadly
c) rigorously
d) vainly
2. Indian Navy's all women crew was skippered by Lt. Commander Vartika Joshi.
a) crew
b) soldier
c) captain
d) repulsed
3. The doors and drawers were yanked open.
a) pushed
b) pulled
c) fixed
d) repulsed
Choose the correct antonyms for the underlined words.
4. Then a monstrous terror seized him.
a) tiny
b) large
c) horrible
d) terrible
5. They raised a lot of hullabaloo.
a) commotion
b) calmness
c) noisy
d) busy move
6. How cranky he was.
a) normal
b) strange
c) abnormal
d) happy
7. Choose the correct plural form of 'formula'.
a) formulas
b) formull
c) formulae
d) formulea
8. Attach a suitable suffix to the word 'appear'.
a) -able
b) -ence
c) -ance (appearance)
d) -ible
9. Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation 'INSV'.
a) Indian Navy Selection Verification
b) Indian Naval Ship Vessel
c) International Numeric Science Verification
d) International Naval Ship Verification
10. Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate phrasal verb given below.
The crew ____ of water and food before they could complete their expedition.
a) ran out
b) ran in
c) ran on
d) ran about
11. Choose the suitable option to pair with the word 'moon' to form a compound word.
a) style
b) stick
c) light (moonlight)
d) sky
12. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate prepositional phrase given below.
Children are given toys ____ sweets on Children's day.
a) on top of
b) in spite of
c) in addition to
d) due to
13. Complete the following sentence using the most appropriate tense form of the verb given below.
If I were a bird, I ____ around the world.
a) would have flown
b) would fly
c) flew
d) can fly
14. Fill in the blank with appropriate linker from the given four alternatives.
____ Jane ____ Ram has attended the function.
a) Neither, nor
b) Either, or
c) Both, and (Both Jane and Ram have attended...)
d) not only, but also
PART - II
Section - I
15. What was the condition of the attic?
The attic was a small, dark, and dusty room. It had been unused for a long time and was full of cobwebs. The floor was covered with a layer of dust and broken things.
16. Where did the crew undergo their basic training?
The crew underwent their basic training in Mumbai at the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC) and on various naval sailing vessels to gain hands-on experience.
17. What made the young seagull go mad?
The young seagull was mad with hunger as he had not eaten anything for twenty-four hours. The sight of his mother tearing a piece of fish right in front of him intensified his hunger and made him go mad.
18. Who were the narrator's neighbours?
The narrator's neighbours were Dr. Krishnan, a child specialist, and his family, who lived in the same apartment complex.
Section - II
19. "There's a family nobody likes to meet
They live, it is said, on Complaining Street"
a) Where does the family live?
The family lives on Complaining Street.
b) Why do you think the street is named as 'Complaining Street'?
The street is named 'Complaining Street' because the family that lives there is always complaining and grumbling about everything.
20. "A silly young cricket, accustomed to sing
Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring"
a) What are the seasons mentioned here?
The seasons mentioned here are summer and spring.
b) What was the routine of the cricket?
The routine of the cricket was to sing happily all day long during the pleasant months of summer and spring.
21. "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"
a) What does the poet mean by the phrase 'in the dim past'?
The phrase 'in the dim past' refers to past experiences or memories, which the poet does not dwell on.
b) Is the poet afraid of future?
No, the poet is not afraid of the future. The lines clearly state "nor holding back in fear from what the future veils".
22. "A woman is beauty innate,
A symbol of power and strength"
a) What is meant by 'innate'?
'Innate' means inborn, natural, or a quality that one is born with.
b) Who is a symbol of power?
A woman is a symbol of power.
Section - III
23. Rewrite the following sentence into the other voice.
That portrait was painted by my grandmother.
Active Voice: My grandmother painted that portrait.
24. Rewrite the following sentence in Passive voice.
Please assemble in the ground.
Passive Voice: You are requested to assemble in the ground.
25. Punctuate the following sentence.
to have tea at your shop said aditya
Punctuated: "To have tea at your shop," said Aditya.
26. Fill in the blanks with suitable articles. (a/an/the)
i) Selvi secured the first place in the competition.
ii) That boy is playing with an umbrella.
27. Rearrange the words in the correct order to make meaningful sentences.
a) the / sailors / deity / Tara-Tarini / patron / is / of / the
Sentence: Tara-Tarini is the patron deity of the sailors.
b) ancestors / once / zamindars / Aditya's / the / were
Sentence: Aditya's ancestors were once the zamindars.
Section - IV
28. A stranger wants to go to school. Write the steps to guide him to reach his destination.
Based on the given map, here are the steps to guide the stranger:
- Start walking straight along Gandhi Street.
- You will pass a Bus Stop on your right.
- Continue walking until you reach the First Circle.
- Take a right turn and walk a little to reach VOC road.
- Then, take a left turn onto VOC Road.
- You will find the school on your left.
PART - III
Section - I
29. Describe the funny incident that caused the confusion in the house.
The funny incident that caused confusion in the house was the arrival of the bird, Zigzag. Initially, the family was excited, but Zigzag simply slept and snored loudly. Its snores were so powerful that they echoed through the house, causing great disturbance. The neighbours complained, and Mrs. Krishnan was furious. The family tried everything to wake Zigzag up, but nothing worked. To make matters worse, when they left a plate of fruit for it, the bird shot the fruit at the ceiling fan, splattering papaya all over the walls and creating a huge mess. This combination of deafening snores and messy habits turned the house into a state of utter chaos and confusion, making everyone desperate for a solution.
30. Write in detail about the selection and training process which the crew underwent.
The selection process for the all-women crew of INSV Tarini was rigorous. Out of 30 women who had applied, six were chosen based on their survival skills, physical fitness, and mental resilience. The selected crew then underwent an extensive training program. Their training began with theoretical courses on navigation, communication, and weather prediction. This was followed by hands-on training at the Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC) in Mumbai. To build their endurance and sailing skills, they were trained for almost three years, sailing on INSV Mhadei for voyages like to the Mauritius in 2016 and 2017 and a trip back from Cape Town to Goa in 2016. This comprehensive training prepared them to handle the challenges of their historic circumnavigation of the globe.
31. Describe the struggles underwent by the young seagull to overcome its fear of flying.
The young seagull faced immense struggles due to its crippling fear of flying. While its siblings had already flown, it remained alone on the ledge, convinced its wings would not support it. Its parents tried various methods to encourage it; they praised, scolded, and even threatened to let it starve. For twenty-four hours, the seagull suffered from extreme hunger, watching its family enjoy their catch. The turning point came when its mother, understanding its weakness for food, flew towards it with a piece of fish but stopped just out of reach. Maddened by hunger, the seagull dived for the fish, forgetting its fear. In that moment of desperation, its wings opened automatically, and it found itself flying, thus overcoming its fear through a clever trick played by its mother.
32. Give a brief character sketch of Sasanka Sanyal.
Sasanka Sanyal, in the story 'The Attic', is portrayed as a nostalgic and emotional man who feels a deep connection to his past. Returning to his ancestral home after many years, he is overwhelmed with memories of his childhood. He is observant and reflective, as seen when he easily identifies changes in his old town. Initially, he seems reserved, but his quest for his old medal reveals his sentimental nature. The medal, a symbol of his childhood achievement, is very precious to him. However, Sanyal also possesses a generous and kind heart. Upon realizing that the medal was found by a poor boy, Rajen, and sold to support his family, Sanyal selflessly gives the medal back to Aditya to keep, showing that he values human connection and memories more than the physical object itself.
Section - II
33. Describe the journey of life as depicted in the poem by Henry Van Dyke.
In his poem 'Life', Henry Van Dyke depicts the journey of life as a quest that should be undertaken with a cheerful and brave heart. The poet wishes for a life where he does not hurry or turn away from his goal. He does not mourn for the things he has lost in the past, nor does he hold back in fear of the future. Instead, he embraces life with a "whole and happy heart" and travels with cheer. He seeks new friendships, high adventure, and a crown to win. He believes that every turn in life's road, whether rough or smooth, will bring joy, and he hopes to continue seeking what he sought as a boy until the very end of his journey.
34. Compare and contrast the attitude of the ant and the cricket.
The poem 'The Ant and the Cricket' presents a stark contrast in attitudes towards life. The cricket is a symbol of carelessness and lives only for the present. It spends the happy seasons of summer and spring singing and making merry, without any thought for the future. In contrast, the ant is hardworking, disciplined, and forward-thinking. It toils during the summer to store food for the harsh winter. When winter arrives, the cricket is starving and helpless, while the ant is secure and prepared. The ant's philosophy is to neither borrow nor lend, highlighting its principles of self-sufficiency and responsibility. Thus, the cricket represents a life of pleasure without foresight, while the ant represents a life of diligence and planning.
35. Read the following stanza and answer the questions given below.
They growl at the rain and they growl at the sun;
In fact, their growling is never done
And if everything pleased them, there isn't a doubt
They'd growl that they'd nothing to grumble about!
a) Pick out the rhyming words from the given stanza.
The rhyming words are: sun - done; doubt - about.
b) Write the rhyme scheme of the given stanza.
The rhyme scheme is aabb.
c) Identify the figure of speech employed in the first line.
The figure of speech is Repetition (the phrase "They growl at the" is repeated).
d) Pick out the alliterating words in the last line.
The alliterating words are: that they'd.
Section - III
36. Paraphrase the following stanza.
The summer of life she's ready to see in spring
She says, "Spring will come again, my dear
Let me care for the one who're near"
She's The Woman - she has no fear!
Paraphrase: This stanza portrays a woman as an optimistic and fearless figure. She looks forward to the good times in life ("summer of life") with the same hope that one has for spring after winter. She believes that happiness will return ("Spring will come again"). Her immediate focus is to love and take care of her family and loved ones ("the one who're near"). The final line emphasizes her courageous nature, declaring that she is a woman who is free from fear.
37. Rearrange the following sentences in a coherent order.
i) Mulan the General of the Army, became sick too.
ii) A heavy fever swept through the army.
iii) The Soldiers said "We will not fight for a woman".
iv) "The General is a woman" yelled the soldiers.
v) When the doctor came out of Mulan's tent, he knew the truth.
Correct Order:
- ii) A heavy fever swept through the army.
- i) Mulan the General of the Army, became sick too.
- v) When the doctor came out of Mulan's tent, he knew the truth.
- iv) "The General is a woman" yelled the soldiers.
- iii) The Soldiers said "We will not fight for a woman".
38. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
a) How did he carry his mother?
He carried his helpless old mother on his back.
b) How was the road?
The road was long, steep, and narrow, crossed and recrossed by many paths.
c) How was his journey?
His journey was painful.
d) What is the name of the Summit?
The name of the summit is Obatsuyama.
e) What does the word 'Obatsuyama' mean?
The word 'Obatsuyama' means the mountain of the 'abandoning of the aged'.
Section - IV
39. Prepare an attractive advertisement using the hints given below.
Tasty and hygienic - homemade taste - 200 varieties to select - purely vegetarian - Mani Vilas - V.E. Road - Tuticorin.
Advertisement
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Craving delicious, purely vegetarian food that feels just like home? Your search ends here!
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- 🌱 100% Purely Vegetarian
- ❤️ Made with love, served with a smile.
Visit us today!
Mani Vilas
V.E. Road, Tuticorin.
40. Write a letter to the manager of a famous daily, ordering subscription for your school library.
From,
The Librarian,
St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School,
Chennai - 600028.
15th September 2025
To,
The Manager,
The Hindu,
Anna Salai,
Chennai - 600002.
Subject: Subscription for School Library - Reg.
Sir/Madam,
I wish to subscribe to your esteemed daily, 'The Hindu', for our school library for a period of one year, starting from October 1, 2025.
Our students and staff find your newspaper very informative and beneficial for staying updated on current affairs and improving their language skills. Kindly enroll us for an annual subscription and send the daily copy to the school address mentioned above.
Please let us know the subscription amount and the available modes of payment. An early response would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
Librarian
41. You are Ganesh/Gayathri, Head boy/Head girl, of your school. Write a notice for your school notice board informing the students about the 'Fancy Fete' that is going to be organized in your school campus on 10th of next month.
NOTICE
ABC MATRICULATION HR. SEC. SCHOOL, TRICHY
NOTICE
Date: 15.09.2025
FANCY FETE 2025!
This is to inform all students that our school is organizing a 'Fancy Fete' on the school campus. The event will be filled with exciting games, delicious food stalls, and various fun activities.
- Date: 10th October 2025 (Friday)
- Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Venue: School Playground
All students are invited to participate enthusiastically and make this event a grand success. For more details, please contact the undersigned.
Ganesh / Gayathri
(Head Boy / Head Girl)
42. Look at the following picture and express your views on it in about five sentences.
The picture powerfully illustrates the importance of water conservation. It shows a hand responsibly turning off a running tap, preventing water from being wasted. This simple act is a reminder that every individual has a role to play in protecting our planet's most precious resource. Water is essential for life, and we must not take it for granted. By turning off taps when not in use, we can collectively save millions of litres of water every day and ensure a sustainable future for everyone.
43. Make notes or write a summary of the following passage.
Every day we see the creepy, crawling as well as the winged insects in the surroundings. These insects are of two kinds, the useful and the harmful. Bees and silkworm, which provide honey and silk fall under the useful category. We get food and clothing from them. Under the harmful category are the locusts and mosquitoes. Crops are either eaten or destroyed by locusts whereas mosquitoes cause malaria, bringing death to many. They are neither harmless nor useful. Above these two categories are the beautiful, pretty and colourful ones such as butterflies, lady birds etc.,
Solution: Note-Making
Title: A World of Insects
-
Categories of Insects
- a. Useful
- b. Harmful
- c. Beautiful
-
Useful Insects
- a. Provide food & clothing
- b. Examples
- i. Bees - provide honey
- ii. Silkworms - provide silk
-
Harmful Insects
- a. Cause destruction & disease
- b. Examples
- i. Locusts - destroy crops
- ii. Mosquitoes - cause malaria
-
Beautiful Insects
- a. Neither useful nor harmful
- b. Characteristics - pretty & colourful
- c. Examples
- i. Butterflies
- ii. Ladybirds
Solution: Summary
Title: The Different Kinds of Insects
Rough Draft:
The passage describes the insects we see daily. They are mainly of two types: useful and harmful. Useful insects include bees which give honey and silkworms which give silk, providing food and clothing. Harmful insects include locusts that destroy crops and mosquitoes that cause fatal diseases like malaria. Besides these, there is a third category of beautiful and colourful insects like butterflies and ladybirds, which are neither useful nor harmful.
Final Summary:
The passage categorizes the insects around us into three distinct types. The first category is 'useful insects', such as bees and silkworms, which provide valuable products like honey and silk. The second is 'harmful insects', which includes locusts that destroy crops and mosquitoes that spread deadly diseases like malaria. Finally, there is a third category of insects like butterflies and ladybirds, which are admired for their beauty and colour but are considered neither useful nor harmful to humans.
Section - V
44. Identify the errors in the following sentences and rewrite them correctly.
a) The Nile is the world's long river.
Correct: The Nile is the world's longest river.
b) My friend will arrive at Sunday.
Correct: My friend will arrive on Sunday.
c) The event time is between 9am to 10am.
Correct: The event time is between 9am and 10am.
d) He has good knowledge of English grammar.
Correct: He has a good knowledge of English grammar.
e) There is no water in the tank. Isn't there?
Correct: There is no water in the tank, is there?
45. Quote from Memory.
A woman is ........................ see in spring.
A woman is beauty innate,
A symbol of power and strength.
She puts her life at stake,
She's real, she's not fake!
The summer of life she's ready to see in spring.
PART - IV
46. a) Dr. Ashok - entrusts his - pet bird - Dr. Krishnan - children excited of his entry - it can speak - 21 - languages - Zigzag - sleeps endlessly - with heavy snore - no peace at - home - Mrs. Krishnan - not happy - shouts and asks for solutions - Dr. Krishnan writes - to Ashok - finding solution - no reply - Dr. Krishnan - takes Zigzag to clinic turn of event - Zigzag - takes care of - the orderliness - clinic - very quiet all surprised - Zigzag commands - Dr. Krishnan happy - finds - secret Zigzag - must be engaged - if not the sleeps - family is happy with his presence.
Zigzag's Adventure
Dr. Ashok entrusted his peculiar pet bird, Zigzag, to Dr. Krishnan's family while he was away. The Krishnan children were initially thrilled by the new guest, especially since it could speak 21 languages. However, their excitement quickly turned to dismay when Zigzag fell into a deep slumber and began snoring thunderously. The incessant, loud snores shattered the peace of their home, and Mrs. Krishnan, deeply unhappy, demanded a solution. Despite Dr. Krishnan's attempts to contact Ashok, he received no reply. Desperate, he took Zigzag to his clinic. There, a surprising turn of events occurred. Zigzag suddenly woke up and took charge of the clinic with surprising efficiency, commanding the children and maintaining orderliness. Everyone was surprised by the quiet and disciplined atmosphere. Dr. Krishnan was happy to finally discover Zigzag's secret: the bird must be kept engaged in work, otherwise, it simply sleeps. With this new understanding, the family learned how to live with Zigzag, and peace was restored, making everyone happy with his presence.
46. b) (OR) Prospero - the duke of Milan - Antonio - deprived the dukedom - There was an Island Prospero and his daughter Miranda - Ariel was the chief - created the storm - Prospero made them afraid - Ferdinand and Miranda - Prospero's brother King of Naples repent for misdeeds - Prospero forgave - Regained dukedom - Ariel dismissed.
The Tale of Prospero
Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, was a man devoted to his studies. His ambitious brother, Antonio, seized this opportunity to deprive him of his dukedom. Cast away to die at sea, Prospero and his young daughter Miranda survived and found refuge on a deserted island. On this island, Prospero honed his magical powers, commanding spirits, with the airy Ariel as his chief servant. Years later, he created a powerful storm to shipwreck his enemies, including his brother Antonio and the King of Naples, on his island. Prospero then used his magic to make them afraid and confront their past misdeeds. During this time, the King's son, Ferdinand, fell in love with Miranda. Witnessing their remorse and the true love between Ferdinand and Miranda, Prospero's heart softened. He chose forgiveness over revenge, forgave his brother and the king for their treachery, and regained his dukedom. Finally, having achieved justice and restored his honor, Prospero dismissed the loyal Ariel, freeing him from his service.
47. a) Read the following paragraph and answer the questions given follow.
i) Who is Tejaswini Sawant?
Tejaswini Sawant is an Indian Shooter from the Maharashtran city of Kolhapur.
ii) What did she represent?
She represented India in international sporting events.
iii) Mention her achievements in 2006. Commonwealth games.
In the 2006 Commonwealth Games, she won two medals: one in Air Rifle singles and another in the Women's 10m Air Rifle pairs.
iv) Where did her father work.
Her father, Ravinder Sawant, was an officer in the Indian Navy.
47. b) (OR) Read the following poem and answer the questions given below.
i) What is the poet going to do?
The poet is going out to play.
ii) What do you mean by one-o-eight?
"One-o-eight" refers to a very high body temperature of 108 degrees Fahrenheit, which the poet is pretending to have.
iii) What happened to the poet's illness?
The poet's illness magically vanished the moment he found out it was Saturday, a day he could go out to play.
iv) Did he really suffer from any ailment?
No, he did not really suffer from any ailment. He was faking his illness to avoid going to school.