CLASS: 10 - ENGLISH
COMMON HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION - 2024-25
Note: Answer all the questions. Choose the most appropriate answers from the four alternatives and write the option code and the corresponding answer. (14x1=14)
1. He was delirious
2. Scraping his beak now and again to whet it.
3. My Contention was to make sure that we by there.
(Note: In the context of the lesson 'Empowered Women', 'contention' means strong opinion/belief, but given the options, 'strenuous effort' is the intended choice for 'struggle/contention'.)
Choose the appropriate antonyms for the italicised words.
4. I indulged in baking.
(Context: Indulged means actively involved/enjoying. 'Inactive' serves as the closest antonym among options.)
5. The birds were chirping at the end of the woods
(Chirping is a pleasant, soft sound. Shouting is loud and harsh.)
6. One can control the computer screen the gaze.
(Note: 'Bink' is likely a typo for 'Blink'. To gaze is to look steadily; to blink is to close eyes momentarily, breaking the gaze.)
7. Choose the correct plural form of deer.
8. Attach a suitable prefix to the word large.
(Word: Enlarge)
9. The Common expansion of GPS is
10. Choose the correct meaning of the Idiom in the following sentence.
Afsar goes to the park once in a blue moon
11. Choose the suitable option to pair with 'sea' to form a compound word.
(Compound word: Seashore)
12. Fill in the blank with the most appropriate preposition given below:
The fox jumped ------------ the well.
13. Choose the suitable phrasal verb for the following.
Doing -------- every day in the morning keeps one healthy.
14. Complete the following sentence by using the most appropriate form of the tense given below:
The poem ------------ about the multifaced nature of women.
Answer any THREE of the following questions in a sentence or two. (3x2=6)
15. Why is technology important according to David?
16. How did the All – Woman Indian Navy crew go about their voyage?
17. Why did Herman and the author slam the doors?
18. What prompted the young seagull to fly finally?
Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any THREE of the following. (3x2=6)
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"?
It refers to the unhappy or unpleasant memories of the past.
b) Is the poet afraid of the future?
No, the poet is not afraid of the future.
20. Nothing goes right with the folks you meet
Down on that gloomy Complaining Street.
a) What is the opinion about the folks you meet down the street?
They are never satisfied and are always complaining.
b) What does the word 'gloomy' mean here?
It means depressing, dark, or sad.
21. And now if you will set us to our task,
We will serve you four and twenty hours a day
a) Who does the pronoun 'you' refer to?
'You' refers to human beings.
b) Whose task is referred to as 'our task' here?
The task of the machines (running, driving, printing, etc.).
22. Their hand are ours, and in their lines we read
A labour not different from our own
a) What does the poet mean by 'lines we read'?
It refers to the lines on the palms of their hands, which show signs of hard work.
b) What does not differ?
The hard work or labour done by people everywhere does not differ.
Answer any THREE of the following. (3x2=6)
23. Rewrite the following to the other voice: You are making a cake now.
24. Combine the sentences using a relative pronoun.
Kavita is my teacher. She teaches us English
25. Punctuate the following sentence.
i said no im not dont be silly
26. Combine the sentence using the appropriate connector
Sita saw a snake. At once she ran away.
(Or: As soon as Sita saw a snake, she ran away.)
27. Rearrange the words in the correct order to make meaningful sentences.
a) Writing/system/telephone/am/to/I/about/banking/your/complain.
b) You/believe/hear/should/what/never/you
28. A Stranger wants to go to the Hospital. Guide him to reach his destination. (1x2=2)
- Start from your current position and go straight; you will reach the M.G. Road.
- Turn right and go straight. Pass the R.K. Plaza on your right.
- Continue straight; you will reach the signal. Crossing it, continue walking for a short distance.
- The hospital is on your left side, directly opposite the BSNL office.
Answer any Two of the following in utmost 10 lines (2x5=10)
29. Give a brief character sketch of Sasanka Sanyal.
30. Write in detail about the selection and training process which the crew underwent.
31. Describe the funny incident that caused the confusion in the story, "The Night the Ghost Got In".
32. How do we use technology in our day-to-day life?
Answer any Two of the following in utmost 10 lines (2x5=10)
33. How is mystery depicted in the poem by Nadia Bush?
34. From the poem "The Grumble Family" what kind of behaviour does the poet want the readers to possess?
35. Read the following poetic lines and answer the question given below:
There's a family nobody likes to meet;
They live, it is said, on Complaining Street.
In the city of Never-Are - Satisfied
The River of discontent beside.
a) Pick out the rhyming word from the above lines.
meet - Street; Satisfied - beside.
b) Write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
aabb
c) Identify the figure of speech employed in the second line.
Metaphor / Personification (Complaining Street).
d) Pick out the alliterating words.
No strong alliteration in this specific stanza shown. (Usually "They - the", but standard answer key might accept "Said - Street").
Answer any ONE of the following: (1x5=5)
36. Paraphrase the following stanza.
But remember, please, the law by which we live,
We are not built to comprehend a lie,
We can neither love nor pity nor forgive,
If you make a slip in handling us you die!
37. Rearrange the following sentences in coherent order.
- iii) Once in shining, a cruel rural declared that all old people must be put to death.
- ii) A farmer decided to leave his old mother on top of a mountain.
- v) The mother dropped the small twigs as markers on the way to help her son return.
- iv) When the farmer bade farewell, she advised him to return home with the aid of twigs.
- i) The son made up his mind to take back his mother home.
38. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. (The Tempest)
i) Who was Antonio?
Antonio was Prospero's brother (the usurping Duke of Milan).
ii) Whom did Prospero forgive?
Prospero forgave his brother Antonio and the King of Naples.
iii) What was the gift given to the king of Naples by Prospero?
The gift was showing him his son Ferdinand alive (playing chess with Miranda).
iv) What game did Ferdinand and Miranda Play?
They played chess.
v) Who was astonished at the beauty and excellent graces of Miranda?
The King of Naples (Alonso).
Answer any Four of the following. (4x5=20)
39. Prepare an attractive advertisement using the hints given below.
Footwear for all - all sizes - endless variety all brands-under one roof - attractive offers shoes and heals - 43 M.G. road - Villupuram.
40. Write a letter to the Inspector of Police, complaining about the loss of your bicycle.
To: The Inspector of Police, [Local Station], [City].
Subject: Complaint regarding theft of bicycle.
Sir, I regret to inform you that my Hero cycle (Black color, Model 2023) was stolen yesterday from the market parking area between 5 PM and 6 PM. I request you to kindly register my complaint and help recover it.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully, [Name].
41. You are the coordinator of the science forum of your school. An event had been Organised on account of National Science Day for the members of the forum, now, write a report on the observation of "National Science Day" at your school.
By [Name], Coordinator.
[School Name] celebrated National Science Day on Feb 28th. The event began with a speech on the Raman Effect. Students displayed models of rockets and eco-friendly cities. A quiz competition was held. The Principal distributed prizes to winners. The day ended with a vote of thanks.
42. Look at the picture and express you views on it in about five sentences.
Answer:
1. This is a beautiful picture of a park or a village scene.2. There are many trees, making the area look very green and peaceful.
3. A cow and a calf are grazing near the trees.
4. In the foreground, there is a pond with lotus flowers, ducks, and fish.
5. There are birds resting on the tree.
43. Make notes or write a summary of the following passage.
The Importance of Books
Millions of books are published annually in various languages and genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and academic texts. Academic books are essential for students to complete syllabi and pass exams. However, books read for pleasure, such as comedies, horror, and thrillers, provide enrichment. Ultimately, stories are considered our best friends.
44. Identify and correct the following sentence.
a) The Tamil is my mother tongue -> Tamil is my mother tongue.
b) I and you love music -> You and I love music.
c) Dinesh is my cousin brother -> Dinesh is my cousin.
d) Her friends as well as she is hard working -> Her friends as well as she are hard working.
e) As we were late, so we apologized -> As we were late, we apologized. (or) We were late, so we apologized.
45. Quote from Memory:
If you make... ... ... Children of your brains.
If you make a slip in handling us you die!
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 brains!
46. Write a paragraph of about 150 words by developing the following hints. (1x8=8)
a) Dr. Somu requested Dr. Krishnan - take care of pet - Zigzag... (OR)
b) China faces great war - Mulan...
Dr. Somu asked his friend Dr. Krishnan to take care of his pet bird, Zigzag, while he left for Alaska. He described Zigzag as a harmless, lovable bird that could talk and sing. However, when Zigzag arrived at Krishnan's house, chaos ensued. The bird refused to speak and instead slept, snoring loudly like a factory. The snoring disturbed the neighbors and the family. Zigzag perched on the fan and fruit and nuts were sprayed everywhere when the maid switched it on, ruining Mrs. Krishnan's painting. Frustrated, they took it to the clinic, but there, Zigzag commanded the patients efficiently. Finally, the family realized Zigzag was a treasure when he wasn't asleep.
47. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions given below: (Charlie Chaplin)
a) When and where was Charlie Chaplin Born?
He was born on April 16, 1889, in London, England.
b) The birth name and nicknames of Charlie Chaplin?
Birth name: Charles Spencer Chaplin. Nicknames: Charlie, Charlot, the little Tramp.
c) How old was Chaplin during his first onstage moment?
He was five years old.
d) How did Charlie Chaplin get a chance to perform on stage?
His mother became ill during her performance, and he stood in for her to sing a song.
(OR)
Read the following paragraph (Poem) and answer the questions given below: (I know what the caged bird feels...)
a) Where did the wind stir?
Through the springing grass.
b) What does 'opes' mean?
It means 'opens'.
c) How does the river flow?
Like a stream of glass.
d) Suggest a suitable little for the poem.
The Caged Bird / Sympathy.