THE SCHOLARS
TERM – 1 EXAMINATIONS
CLASS: X ‘UDHAM’
SUBJECT: ENGLISH SET: ‘A’
Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80
SECTION A: READING SKILLS (20 marks)
I. Read the following text. (10)
Most health problems in modern America can be linked to poor diet. People who regularly eat foods high in
sodium, sugar and saturated fats face the danger of obesity and the increased risks of developing heart disease,
pretension, diabetes and cancer. A large portion of the population is under-educated about proper nutrition.
Individuals who live in food deserts, i.e. areas in lowincome neighbourhood, lack easy access to healthy,
affordable food and hence do not have the opportunity to obtain nutritious food.
Food deserts are located in high-poverty areas. They develop when major supermarket chains either relocate
out of these areas or simply avoid building stores there. Major food retailer chains limit their store locations to
wealthier urban or suburban neighbourhood. This means that those who live in high-poverty areas often live
miles away from the fresh products, available at supermarkets. Residents of these areas do not have cars and
are thus forced to travel long distances on public transportation to do their grocery shopping, or they will be
limited to only sell packaged, processed foods that offer little nutritional value.
Recent estimates show that those living in the poorest areas of the city experience 2.5 times more exposure to
fast food restaurants than the wealthiest inhabitants of the city. Therefore, individuals who live in food deserts
get their fast food restaurants and often suffer from a variety of health issues. Research has found that
individuals who live in rural areas are more likely to develop problems such as obesity, diabetes and
hypertension than those who live in more affluent neighbourhood.
A solution to the problem of food deserts is that more supermarkets should be built in lowincome
neighbourhoods. However, it is difficult to lure supermarket chains into poor areas because poor people have
less money to spend on food. As a result, supermarket chains do not consider them to be attractive customers.
One way the government can help solve this issue is by offering tax breaks or other incentives for supermarkets
in low-income areas.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions below: (10*1=10)
(i) The increased risk of developing hypertensions is because people regularly
(a) take proper nutrition (b)live in food deserts
(c) eat foods in sodium (d)have easy access to healthy food
(ii) Which of the following options DO NOT help in developing food deserts?
(a) Lack of easy access of healthy, affordable food
(b) Low-income neighbourhood areas
(c) Opportunity to obtain nutritious food
(d) Increased risk of diseases
(e) Availability of food retail chains
(i) (a), (b). (ii) (c), (d). (iii) (d), (e) ( iv) (c), (e)
(iii) Choose the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from the given quotes
1. The income gap becomes the basis of food choices of different regions
2. Everybody has the right to eat the best food.
3. Supermarket chains devoid the poor of luxurious food.
4. Government can use supermarkets to promote good health.
(i) Option 1 (ii) Option 2 (iii) Option 3 ( iv) Option 4
(iv) Which the following aptly describe the supermarket chains
(a)Capitalist (b) Helpful (c) Concerned (d) Selfish (e) Defunct
(i) (a), (b) (ii) (c), (e) (iii) (a), (d) (iv) (d), (e)
(V) Which of the following will be the most appropriate title for the passage?
(a) Improving Food Deserts (b) Food Problems in Food Deserts
(c) Bringing Supermarkets to Food Deserts (d) Health Problems in Food Deserts
(vi) Select the option that makes the correct use of "easy access", as used in the passage, to fill in the blank
space.
(a) The members of the club had...... to its premium benefits.
(b) One can .......the front door of the hall easily.
(c) The book is not....
(d) We cannot buy another car without....
(vii) Major....chains limit their store locations to wealthier urban or suburban neighborhood.
(a)market (b) mart (c) food retailer (d) industrial
(viii) Who has more exposure to fast food restaurants?
(a) Wealthiest inhabitants (b) Poorest areas (c) Rich individuals (d) None of these
(ix) Why do the poorest areas have food with low nutritional values? Pick the option that correctly classifies
fact/s (F) and opinion/s (0) of the students below.
(a) I think it is due to the lack of easy access to affordable food.
(b) Also, there is a difficulty in luring supermarket chains to the poor areas.
(c) I think the government can levy higher tax on the food products to lure retailers.
(d) I guess the fast food restaurants are better for these areas.
(i) F-(a), (c) and O-(b), (d) (ii) F-(a), (b) and O-(c), (d)
(iii) F-(c), (d) and O-(a), (b) (iv) F-(a), (d) and O-(b), (c)
(x) Why do supermarket chains limit their stores to urban or suburban neighborhood?
(a) Because they can't earn enough from lower income regions
(b) Because the government doesn't allow them
(c) Because the government levies higher tax.
(d) Because they do not have access to those areas.
II. Read the following text. (10)
1. Sniffer dog. Tucker uses his nose to help researchers find out why a killer whale population off the northwest
coast of the United States is on the decline. He searches for whale feces floating on the surface of the water,
which are then collected for examination. He is one of the elite team of detection dogs used by scientists
studying several species including right whales and killer whales.
2. Conservation canines are fast becoming indispensable tools for biologists according to Aimee Hurt, associate
director and co-founder of Working Dogs for Conservation, based in Three Forks, Montana.
3. Over the last few years, though, so many new conservation dog projects have sprung up that Hurt can no
longer keep track of them all. Her organization’s dogs and their handlers are fully booked to assist field
researchers into 2012.
4. “Dogs have such a phenomenal sense of smell”, explained Sam Wasser, director of the Centre for
Conservation Biology at the University of Washington in Seattle. He has worked with scat-detection dogs since
1997. Scientists have been using Conservation Canines in their research since 1997.
These dogs have enabled them to non-invasively access a vast amount of genetic and physiological information
which is used to tackle conservation problems around the world. Such information has proved vital for
determining the causes and consequences of human disturbances on wildlife as well as the actions needed to
mitigate such impacts.
5. The ideal detection dog is extremely energetic with an excessive play drive. These dogs will happily work all
day long, motivated by the expectation of a ball game as a reward for sample detection. The obsessive, high-
energy personalities of detection dogs also make them difficult to maintain as pets. As a result, they frequently
find themselves abandoned in animal shelters. The programme rescues these dogs and offers them a satisfying
career in conservation research.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions below:
(i) Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of paragraphs 1,2 & 5.
We can say that conservation canines are becoming indispensable tools for biologists despite e the difficulty of
maintaining them as pets due to their obsessive, high-energy personalities leading to their abandonment,
because …………………..
(ii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in the brackets, based on your understanding
of paragraphs 3 & 4.
The statement that main new conservation dog projects have sprung up that Aimee Hurt cannot keep track of
them is ………………………. (a consequence/ a causing factor) due to a rise in increasing demand for these
indispensable tools for the biologists which ………………………. (provides the extremely energetic dogs a
satisfying career! is in ever decreasing supply).
(iii) Justify the following in about 40 words.
In the fourth paragraph it given that ‘Dogs have such a phenomenal sense of smell”, which has a wide range of
implications for biologists using them as indispensable tools for their work. Explain.
(iv) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in Paragraph 1: Sniffer dog Tucker is one of the
elite teams of detection dogs used by scientists studying several species.
(v) In the table there is a statement given ‘Percent Increase in Types of Assistance Dogs in California’ and
shows a phenomenal rise of dog assistance in the Psychiatric/Emotional category. State one inference that can
be drawn from this.
(vi) Select the option that titles the detection dogs under Paragraph 5 appropriately, concerning information in
the text.
(a) 1. The ideal detection dog is extremely energetic. 2. Excessive play drive 3. Abandoned to animal shelters
(b) 1. Indispensable tools for biologists 2. Excessive play drive 3. Human disturbances on wildlife
(c) 1. Searches for whale faeces 2. Abandoned to animal shelters 3. Conservation Canines
(d) 1. Field Researchers 2. Human disturbances on wildlife 3. Conservation Canines
(vii) List two types of information that detection dogs can give to tackle conservation problems around the
World
(viii) Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage?
(a) There has been a phenomenal rise in the new dog conservation projects.
(b) Canines have become indispensable tools for biologists
(c) Extremely energetic with excessive play drive dogs are difficult to maintain as pets, so they are abandoned
to animal shelters, facing euthanasia.
(d) All of the above.
SECTION B: WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR (20 marks)
III.A. Technology today is an effective and convenient mode of learning.
You are Meera/Vaibhav and would like to share your views on the pros and cons of technology in education.
Write a letter to the editor of a national daily in about 100-120 words. (5)
OR
III.B. The Computer Hub, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi has advertised a discount of 20% on all types of
computers and related hardware. You are Rahul, owner of Softpoint Innovations, 110- 111, Nehru Place, New
Delhi. Place an order for suitable items for your company.
IV.A. The following pie chart shows the various components on which Jones' family spent money in the year
2019. Critically analyse the pattern of the expenditure of the family and write an analytical passage.
OR
IV.B. Below is a graph given showing birth and death rates in a country from 1901 to 2101. Write an analytical
paragraph (100-150 words).
V. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. (10*1= 10)
(i) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of a letter: Dear
Sir This is with reference to committee's letter of recommendation that ................... (highlight) the nominations
for 'Safe Residential Area' award for this current year.
(ii) Read the given sentence from a recipe review article. Identify the error and supply the correction in the
sentence.
This delightful recipe must keep your hunger pangs at bay with its balanced spices and oriental flavour.
(iii) Abhilash and Neha had a conversation about the inauguration of Neha's Dance Academy. Report Abhilash's
question.
Is your best friend helping you in this venture?
(iv) Read the dialogue between Shabnam and her mentor, Sara, regarding her summer internship programme.
Sara: Why did you choose to participate in this internship programme?
Shabnam: Ah! I am convinced this programme has the potential to enhance my abilities.
Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue.
Sara asked Shabnam ____ in that internship programme. Shabnam sighed and exclaimed that she was
convinced that programme had the potential to enhance her abilities.
(a) why to choose to participate (b) to choose participation
(c) why he had chosen to participate (d) with her choice in participating
(v) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the concluding line of an issued circular by an
Organization, to its Managers.
A copy of the plan is enclosed and ........(that/ then/ this) may be communicated to all Team Leaders for
compliance.
(vi) Identify the error and supply correction for the given sentence from a commercial company's current
marketing strategy.
The company aimed at increasing authority in areas frequently visited by the clients.
(vii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the closing line, from an analytical
report.
In conclusion, this study explores the association among short-sleep pattern and overweight youngsters.
(viii) Complete the given narrative, by filling the blank with the correct option.
The experience of nursing an injured bird left me _____ grateful for knowing the importance of being kind and
compassionate to all creatures.
(a) feeling (b) having felt (c) felt (d) feels
(ix) Report the dialogue between a vendor and his customer, by completing the sentence:
Vendor: It is nice to see you, Sir!
Customer: Yes, indeed! Unlike last month, I have been away for quite some time this month.
The vendor greeted his customer respectfully and mentioned that he was pleased to see him. The customer
answered in the affirmative and explained that ________
(x) Fill the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the live feed on a school news channel.
Congratulations Change Makers! The regional competition awards have been announced and our school music
club .......the first prize
(a) had been won (b) will win (c) was winning (d) has won
(xi) Complete the line from complete the line from a self- awareness song, by filling the blank with the correct
option.
The river runs through your veins
The trees and mountains …………………..
your name The moon and stars watch over
You're guiding your way back home
To dream the night away.
(a) will call (b) call (c) had called (d) calls
(xii) Identify the error and supply correction for the following note in a passenger's flight instruction manual:
Note - Passengers will not reach the airport late in order to avoid a fine equivalent to 5% of the basic fare.
SECTION D: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT (40 marks)
(VI) Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. (5)
(A) “The poor lady almost swooned. She was sure he would pine and die if he did not see her every day. But I
took a firm line and started to drive away. As I moved off, Mrs Pumphrey, with a despairing cry, threw an armful
of the little coats through the window. I looked in the mirror before I turned the corner of the drive; everybody
was in tears.” (5)
(i) Why was the narrator taking Tricki?
(a) To give him some medicines (b) To another owner
(c) To force feed Tricki (d) To cure him and save his life.
(ii) How did Mrs. Pumphrey react to the narrator’s suggestion?
(a) She refused resolutely. (b) She was about to faint.
(c) She was grateful. (d) She was resigned.
(iii) Which of these words is a synonym for ‘despairing’?
(a) Anxious (b) Upset (c) Suicidal (d) Miserable
(iv) What, according to Mrs. Pumphrey, would happen to Tricki if she left him at the clinic?
(a) He would get better. (b) He would attract some other disease.
(c) He would die. (d) He would get worse.
(v) Why did the narrator rush away with Tricki from Mrs. Pumphrey’s house?
(a) He wanted to reach the clinic as soon as possible. (b) His car was too small for Tricki’s luggage. (c) He
couldn’t bear to see everyone crying. (d) He did not like Mrs. Pumphrey’s company.
OR
(B) That evening, after I'd finished the rest of my homework, the note about the essay caught my eye. I began
thinking about the subject while chewing the tip of my fountain pen. Anyone could ramble on and leave big
spaces between the words, but the trick was to come up with convincing arguments to prove the necessity of
talking. I thought and thought and suddenly I had an idea. I wrote the three pages Mr. Keesing had assigned me
and was satisfied. I argued that talking is a student's trait and that I would do my best to keep it under control,
but that I would never be able to cure myself of the habit since my mother talked as much as I did if not more,
and that there's not much you can do about inherited traits.
(i) What is the main feature of an essay according to Anne?
(ii) Anne's argument about talking was that: (a) talking is a fundamental right (b) talking is a student's trait (c)
talking is a birth-right (d) talking is a duty
(iii) Anne would never be able to cure herself of this habit since: (a) her mother also talked much (b) her father
also talked much (c) her grandma also talked much (d) her grandpa also talked much
(iv) The word "trait' means: (a) a particular quantity (b) a particular quality (c) a particular touch (d) a
particular lesson
(v) Complete the following with a phrase from extract:
(VII) Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. (5*1=5)
(A) His ball went. I would not intrude on him;
A dime, another ball, is worthless.
Now He senses first responsibility In a world of possessions.
People will take Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
(i) Who is 'I' in the first line?
(a) Child (b) Child's father (c) Poet (d) None of these
(ii) What does the word 'Intrude' mean?
(a) To enter with permission (b) To enter without permission (c) To enter someone's heart without permission
(d) None of these
(iii) Why does the poet not want to intrude on the child?
(iv) What is the poet trying to make the child understand?
(a) That he should forget the ball and stand up for the future
(b) That he should keep on remembering the ball
(c) That he should worry about other balls
(d) None of these
(v) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE: According to the poet, the time has come for the
boy to learn the responsibility of taking care of his things.
OR
(B) There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me
a mermaid, drifting blissfully."
(i) Give the word from the passage which means the same as 'free flowing act of going with mentioned force'.
(a) languid (b) drifting (c) emerald (d) blissfully
(ii) Why are the lines given in brackets?
(a) they are not very important. (b) they were added after the poem had (c) already been written. (d)these reflect
the inner thoughts of
(iii) What is the role of the mermaid here?
(a) Mermaid is Amanda's favourite fantasy character.
(b) Amanda loves watching a mermaid lifting in water.
(c) Amanda longs to be free like a mermaid which sails effortlessly in the sea.
(d) Amanda wants to sail with a mermaid in the deep sea water.
(iv) Why does Amanda want to be the sole inhabitant in the sea?
(a) she loves to be in the water. (b) she doesn't like the company of anyone.
(c) she loves to swim like a mermaid. (d) she is fed up of the constant nagging of the elders.
(v) Name the literary device used in the “emerald sea”.
(a) personification (b) Anaphora (c) Alliteration (d) Metaphor
(VIII) Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. (4x3=12)
(i) Do you consider Amanda’s mother to be a nagging mother (Amanda!)
(ii) Why did the woman in control room behave strangely with pilot? ( Black Aeroplane)
(iii) He senses his first responsibility_ What responsibility is referred to here ( The Ball Poem)
(iv) How did Anne justify her being a chatterbox in her essay? (From the Diary of Anne Frank)
(v) What ‘twin obligations’ does Mandela mention? (Nelson Mandela- Long Walk to Freedom)
(IX) Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. (2x3=6)
(i) How would you assess Griffen as a scientist?
(ii) How did flowers hinder Horace work in his work?
(iii) Why was he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?
(X) Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. (1x6=6)
What do you know about Mr. Keesing, Anne’s Maths teacher?
OR
Briefly describe Mandela’s swearing- in ceremony?
(XI) Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. (1x6=6)
“Attack is the secret of defence”. Justify the statement in the case of Ausable.
OR
What was the curious episode that took place in the clergyman’s study?
