Marking Scheme
Strictly Confidential
(For Internal and Restricted use only)
Secondary School Examination, 2024
SUBJECT NAME ENGLISH (COMMUNICATIVE) (101)
(Q.P. CODE – 2/4)
General Instructions: -
1 You are aware that evaluation is the most important process in the actual and correct
assessment of the candidates. A small mistake in evaluation may lead to serious
problems which may affect the future of the candidates, education system and
teaching profession. To avoid mistakes, it is requested that before starting evaluation,
you must read and understand the spot evaluation guidelines carefully.
2 “Evaluation policy is a confidential policy as it is related to the confidentiality of
the examinations conducted, evaluation done, and several other aspects. Its
leakage to public in any manner could lead to derailment of the examination
system and affect the life and future of millions of candidates. Sharing this
policy/document to anyone, publishing in any magazine and printing in News
Paper/Website etc may invite action under various rules of the Board and IPC.”
3 Evaluation is to be done as per instructions provided in the Marking Scheme. It should
not be done according to one’s own interpretation or any other consideration. Marking
Scheme should be strictly adhered to and religiously followed. However, while
evaluating, answers which are based on latest information or knowledge and/or
are innovative, they may be assessed for their correctness otherwise and due
marks be awarded to them. In class-X, while evaluating two competency-based
questions, please try to understand given answer and even if reply is not from
marking scheme but correct competency is enumerated by the candidate, due
marks should be awarded.
4 The Marking scheme carries only suggested value points for the answers.
These are in the nature of Guidelines only and do not constitute the complete answer.
The students can have their own expression and if the expression is correct, the due
marks should be awarded accordingly.
5 The Head-Examiner must go through the first five answer books evaluated by each
evaluator on the first day, to ensure that evaluation has been carried out as per the
instructions given in the Marking Scheme. If there is any variation, the same should be
zero after delibration and discussion. The remaining answer books meant for
evaluation shall be given only after ensuring that there is no significant variation in the
marking of individual evaluators.
6 Evaluators will mark( √ ) wherever answer is correct. For wrong answer CROSS ‘X” be
marked. Evaluators will not put right (✓)while evaluating which gives an impression
that answer is correct and no marks are awarded. This is the most common mistake
which evaluators commit.
7 If a question has parts, please award marks on the right-hand side for each part.
Marks awarded for different parts of the question should then be totalled up and
written in the left-hand margin and encircled. This may be followed strictly.
8 If a question does not have any parts, marks must be awarded in the left-hand margin
and encircled. This may also be followed strictly.
9 If a student has attempted an extra question, answer of the question deserving more
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marks should be retained and the other answer scored out with a note “Extra
Question”.
10 No marks to be deducted for the cumulative effect of an error. It should be penalized
only once.
11 A full scale of marks __________(example 0 to 80/70/60/50/40/30 marks as given in
Question Paper) has to be used. Please do not hesitate to award full marks if the
answer deserves it.
12 Every examiner has to necessarily do evaluation work for full working hours i.e., 8
hours every day and evaluate 20 answer books per day in main subjects and 25
answer books per day in other subjects (Details are given in Spot Guidelines).This is in
view of the reduced syllabus and number of questions in question paper.
13 Ensure that you do not make the following common types of errors committed by the
Examiners in the past:-
● Leaving answer or part thereof unassessed in an answer book.
● Giving more marks for an answer than assigned to it.
● Wrong totalling of marks awarded on an answer.
● Wrong transfer of marks from the inside pages of the answer book to the title
page.
● Wrong question wise totaling on the title page.
● Wrong totaling of marks of the two columns on the title page.
● Wrong grand total.
● Marks in words and figures not tallying/not same.
● Wrong transfer of marks from the answer book to online award list.
● Answers marked as correct, but marks not awarded. (Ensure that the right tick
mark is correctly and clearly indicated. It should merely be a line. Same is with the
X for incorrect answer.)
● Half or a part of answer marked correct and the rest as wrong, but no marks
awarded.
14 While evaluating the answer books if the answer is found to be totally incorrect, it
should be marked as cross (X) and awarded zero (0)Marks.
15 Any un assessed portion, non-carrying over of marks to the title page, or totalling error
detected by the candidate shall damage the prestige of all the personnel engaged in
the evaluation work as also of the Board. Hence, in order to uphold the prestige of all
concerned, it is again reiterated that the instructions be followed meticulously and
judiciously.
16 The Examiners should acquaint themselves with the guidelines given in the
“Guidelines for spot Evaluation” before starting the actual evaluation.
17 Every Examiner shall also ensure that all the answers are evaluated, marks carried
over to the title page, correctly totalled and written in figures and words.
18 The candidates are entitled to obtain photocopy of the Answer Book on request on
payment of the prescribed processing fee. All Examiners/Additional Head
Examiners/Head Examiners are once again reminded that they must ensure that
evaluation is carried out strictly as per value points for each answer as given in the
Marking Scheme.
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Set 2/4/1
$
MARKING SCHEME
ENGLISH (COMMUNICATIVE)
SECTION A
(Reading) (20 marks)
1. Answer the following questions. 12
(i) bleak/foggy/rainy day/winding mountain road/perilous highway
(any one) 1
(ii) - - Carolyn asks mother to drive to garage to pick up her car
- told mother it would take three minutes but took ten minutes 2
- anxiety because of the delay (any two)
(iii) (B) – of the black-green evergreens towering over them. 1
(iv)- sloping rivers of daffodils in radiant bloom 2
- profusion of colour like a carpet/palest ivory to deepest
lemon/golden rays of the sun
- purple hyacinths/coral coloured tulips
- western bluebirds (any two)
(v) amazed/fascinated/spell bound by the unusual/unexpected
beautiful view 1
(vi) mesmerized/fascinated/moved/enchanted/spellbound 1
(vii) True 1
(viii) (C) – To change the world with a new vision/(D) That there is
huge world of possibilities 1
(ix) bleak 1
(x) (A) – dangerous 1
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2. Answer the following questions. 10
(i) Raghu 1
(ii) (B) – App Developer 1
(iii) Painting/Photography/Drama 1
(iv) (a) – Highest score in mathematics/plays chess/does robotics &
coding (any one) 11=2
(b) – Overall performances 97/100 /participates/wins in competitions
(any one)
(v) Camera 1
(vi) more creative / more artistic / any other suitable option 1
(vii) Ravi played well/led his team well but lost
- even though team lost – did not walk away/did not get disappointed
instead congratulated the winning team. 2
(viii) (C) – Mohit can convince others with valid points and facts 1
SECTION B
(Writing Skills) (22 marks)
3. Email to Principal for change of section from IXA to IXB 3
Content – 1 mark
Organisation (fluency, coherence/expression) – 1 mark
Accuracy – 1 mark
4. Factual Description of English notebook 4
Content – 2 marks
Organisation (fluency, coherence/expression) – 1 mark
Accuracy – 1 mark
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5. (a) Letter to Editor – Growing need of Vocational Education in the
present day world 7
Format – 1 mark
Content – 3 marks
Organisation (fluency, coherence/expression) – 2 marks
Accuracy – 1 mark
Value points
- competitive job market and industries seek skilled and specialised
workers
- plays pivotal role in preparing students
- equips learners with practical skills and hands on training,
nurturing the abilities
- provides a direct link between learning and real-world applications
unlike traditional education
- enhances employment prospects
- nurtures entrepreneurship and self sufficiency
- empowers students to thrive in diverse work environments and
contribute to the nation’s economic growth
OR
5. (b) Letter to Ministry of Tourism on propagating Ecotourism 7
Format – 1 mark
Content – 3 marks
Organisation (fluency, coherence/expression) – 2 marks
Accuracy – 1 mark
Value points
- Ecotourism – signifies responsible travel to natural areas
- conserves the environment
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- supports local communities
- promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature’s
wonders
- a necessity to protect our natural heritage for future generations
- Initiatives-educational campaigns-collaborating educational
institutions
- incorporating ecotourism awareness programs into curricula
- conducting workshops, seminars, etc.
- media and social media campaigns
- engaging videos, infographics and success stories-to inspire people
- communal involvement – local communities – can be involved in
planning and decision – making process
6. (a) Article writing on Importance of Diversified Culture 8
Format – 1 mark
Content – 3 marks
Organisation (fluency, coherence/expression) – 3 marks
Accuracy – 1 mark
Value points
-World – a beautiful tapestry of diversity – makes us unique – as a
global community
- not united by our similarities – but by our difference
- variations in culture, language, beliefs and traditions – threads that
weave together the rich fabric of human existence
- embracing diversity – fosters a deeper understanding of one
another – allows to learn from a multitude of perspectives –
encourages to step outside comfort zones, challenge notions – grows
as individuals
- diversity – sparks innovation, creativity, enrich collective
experiences and driving progress
- diversity – not always readily embraced
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- prejudices and biases – hinder the harmonious coexistence of
various communities
- need to recognize – by respecting and valuing our differences
- a world that thrives on unity, empathy and mutual respect
- celebrate uniqueness and actively learn from each others distinct
backgrounds
- create a society – cherishes diversity at its greatest strength –
fostering a sense of belonging for all – move towards a more
harmonious and inclusive world
- any other suitable point
OR
6. (b) Article writing on A world with Smog-free and Clean Air 8
Format – 1 mark
Content – 3 marks
Organisation (fluency, coherence/expression) – 3 marks
Accuracy – 1 mark
Value points
-India – a rapidly growing economy burgeoning population – facing
unprecedented challenges in transport sector.
- surge in economic activity – brought – an exponential rise in
number of vehicles – leading to severe pollution & congestion issues.
- Electric Vehicles – a glimmer of hope
- demand for EVs – skyrocketing – due to eco-friendly nature & cost
effective operations
- Urban India – seeks – sustainable solutions for its transportation
needs
- EVs – emerging as the frontrunners – transforming the people
commute
- Government’s push for electric mobility – coupled with
advancements in technology – led to a wider range of EV options – an
expanding charging infrastructure
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- EVs – reduces carbon footprint – offers smoother and quieter ride –
improves the overall urban living / experience
- adopting EVs – decrease in congestion and air pollution
- paving a way to cleaner and greener city
- India – will lead the change towards a sustainable and prosperous
future
- any other suitable point
SECTION C
(Grammar) (10 marks)
7. (a) (i) has acquired 3
(ii) seems
(iii) is
(b) Word before Omission Word after 4
(i) work this morning
(ii) fell off the
(iii) you should get
(iv) yourself a bicycle
(c) (i) Many people do not like this concept of zoo, as zoos keep
animals in cages. 1
(ii) (a) he had bought a new DSLR camera 1+1
(b) Rohit what he would do with that
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SECTION D
(Literature Textbook) (26 marks)
8. (a) (i) impressive voice/splendid baritone 4+4=8
(ii) boastful proud/arrogant (any one)
(iii) deep male singing voice
(iv) owner of the sumac tree/popular singer/wrote for Bog
Trumpet (any one)
8. (b) (i) announcement of the news of their father’s death through a
newspaper in the form of a verse.
(ii) feel it to be expensive.
(iii) money minded lady
(iv) distributing the property between them.
8. (c) (i) Counting your chickens again before they’re hatched/No
wonder you could never make a go of it.
(ii) saying that it was real thing this time/this time he would taste
success for sure.
(iii) Talking or thinking of something before it really
happens/dream of becoming successful before it has actually
happened
(iv) would get very excited/counted his chickens before they were
hatched/over ambitious/premature in his expectation.
9. Short answer question (five of six) (2x5=10)
Content – 1 mark
Organisation - 1 marks
Up to 1 mark can be deducted for Accuracy
(i) Value points
- full of admiration for snake
- found the snake-beautiful and majestic Any one
- called lord of the Earth
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- But – full of disgust – due to voice of education – snake was a
dangerous creature Any one
- should be killed
(ii) Value points – (Any two)
- Postmaster – (initially) – not realised the pains of Ali
- understood when trouble came to him
- daughter – ill – another town – waited for the letter – sad – seeing
the envelops – expected the letter from his daughter – snatched
- letter of Ali – realised the significance of letter
(iii) Value points – (Any two)
- John felt – Lavinia – would faint – seeing a ghost.
- prevented Lavinia from seeing her
- But – Lavinia – did not faint
- began to smile – talked to Helen
- Lavinia – quite normal
- fear of John – baseless
(iv) Instances of humour – (Any two)
- Mrs. Packletide – wanted the tiger’s skin to be spread also wanted
people (including Loona) Bimberton to talk about it
- Mothers – were asked not to disturb the tiger by singing
- Miss Mebbin – protected her monetary interests everywhere.
- The tiger was not killed by Mrs. Packletide – died of heart attack
- any other relevant point
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(v) Value points – (Any two)
- Julius Caesar – lost all hope of living
- sad to see Brutus – stabbing him – along with other conspirators
- he believed Brutus more than him
- Brutus was considered a noble man.
(v) Value points – (Any two)
- Sebastian – meets with are accident while playing games
- loses consciousness – memory gets saved in the game – goes into
coma
- Michael – plays the computer game (bought from the fair)
- Sebastian’s memory – works and instructs Michael – to help him
retrieve his memory.
- Michael help – but fails
- Tries every time with a hope
- Lastly, in the game ‘War Zone’ – rescues Sebastian
10. Long Answer Question (one of two) 8
Content – 4 marks
Organisation – 3 marks
Accuracy – 1 mark
10. (a) Value points (any four)
Ozymandias
- Time portrayed
- inexorable force – eroding human achievement – diminishing –
powerful monuments to oblivion.
- Shattered statue of Ozymandias – once mighty ruler – now
reminder of transience of human glory
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- Inscription – ‘”Look on my work, ye Mighty and despair!” – stands in
vast and desolate desert – emphasizes irovy of king’s ambition – how
it has been humbled & destroyed by Time’s passage
Not Marble nor the Gilded Monuments
– Time depicted
- adversary – attempts to claim beauty of verse
- poet defies time – by immortalizing through poetic lines.
- celebrate timeless power of poetry – can transcend ravoges of time –
preserve beauty forever
Both poems convey
- profound understanding of fleeting nature of human achievements
and inevitability of Time’s passage
- Ozymandias – presents Time as relentless force – brings about
downfall of human empires
- Not Marble, nor the gilded monuments – portrays Time as challenge
– can be conquered through immortalizing power of poetry.
OR
10. (b) Value points
Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Nicola and Jacopo – did not lose hope and courage
- family and house- devastated by bombing- sister had spinal
tuberculosis
- could not afford treatment
- did not give up hope- got her hospitalized at Poleta
- worked around the clock- pay fees
-sold fruits, newspapers, chauffeured tourists around town, cleaned
shoes etc
- never bought anything for themselves
- did not beg/ask for anyone’s sympathy
- sprits not broken by adversity – remained committed
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The Letter –
- Ali – waited for daughter’s letter
- went to Post office every day
- did not mind – even though post office employees made fun of him
- did not lost hope and courage
- finally a letter from Miriam came
- was dead by then
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