CBSE Class 10 English Term 1 Sample Paper Set B

See below CBSE Class 10 English Term 1 Sample Paper Set B with solutions. We have provided CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English as per the latest paper pattern issued by CBSE for the current academic year. All sample papers provided by our Class 10 English teachers are with answers. You can see the sample paper given below and use them for more practice for Class 10 English examination.

CBSE Sample Paper for Class 10 English Term 1 Set B

READING

I. Read the passage carefully.

I. Happiness is not something far away and unattainable. Happiness does not depend on circumstances or objects. It is an inseparable part of our consciousness, of our essence, but hidden and covered from sight by our thoughts, desires and worries. We all seek happiness but few, very-few, indeed, get it. We are unhappy partly because we desire much more than what we can hope to attain. Our countless desires are hard to be satisfied. And that is what makes us so sad in life. The secret of happiness lies in the simplification of life. Simple living encourages high thinking. It leads to contentment. Contentment gives us inner wealth, the wealth of the mind and of the soul.

II. A contented man devotes himself to virtues; a man can feel true happiness. I do not mean that for simplification of life, a man should become an ascetic. The happiness of a sadhu is of a negative kind. I want positive kind of happiness. For this I must live in the midst of life and faithfully carry out my responsibilities to my home and my country. But all this should be done in the spirit of selfless service.

III. A man, who wants to lead a happy life, should also make others happy. In making others happy he will taste real and lasting happiness. There is a kind of joy in serving others with virtuous motives, in sacrificing what one has for the good of others. An act of goodness is of itself an act of happiness. The secret of perfect happiness lies in renunciation.

IV. Wealth may give us joy for a while and fame may provide us with fleeting excitement.But they cannot give us permanent happiness. Kings have everything to make them happy and yet they feel unhappy. It is because they do not practise renunciation.There is a sense of joy in doing one’s work honestly and efficiently. A researchworker feels joy in research and a journalist in writing. In doing one’s duty sincerely,one feels peace of mind which is an important essence of happiness. It is only by cultivating spirit of renunciation, self-sacrifice, contentment and science work that one can really be happy. The strings of misfortune spare none but they will not cow such a person.

V. Happiness is like the sun, it is often hidden by the clouds of thoughts, worries and desires. We have to scatter and dissolve them to experience happiness. You don’t have to create happiness. All you have to do is calm your mind, because when there is a quiet mind and inner peace, there is happiness.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any eight out of the ten questions by choosing the correct option.

Question. Which of the following is the correct chain of things, as mentioned in the passage, leading to happiness?
a. contentment, high thinking, simple living, inner wealth
b. simple living, high thinking, inner wealth, contentment
c. high thinking, simple living, inner wealth, contentment
d. simple living, high thinking, contentment, inner wealth

Question. What does a contented man do?
a. He assimilates the basic virtues of life.
b. He faces boldly the adversities of life.
c. He encounters the strings of misfortunes.
d. He gives up bad habits effortlessly.

Question. What, according to the passage, is a positive kind of happiness?
a. Keeping our motives and feelings under control.
b. Love for life and a country.
c. Leading a simple life of an ascetic.
d. Carrying out all worldly activities in the spirit of selfless service.

Question. A man who wants to live a happy life should:
a. make others happy.
b. master the art of renunciation.
c. pursue wealth and fame.
d. inculcate the virtues of life.

Question. Which of the following is OPPOSITE in meaning to the word ‘fleeting’ as used in the passage?
a. Permanent
b. Passing
c. Fast
d. Momentary

Question. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE in the context of the passage?
a. One feels peace of mind in doing one’s duty sincerely.
b. Renunciation is the result of perfect happiness.
c. Multiplicity of desires make us unhappy.
d. Making others happy makes one happy.

Question. The phrase “cow a person” refers to get someone:
a. spared
b. caught
c. scared
d. provoked

Question. Which of the following statements is TRUE in the context of the passage?
a. Human beings seldom seek happiness.
b. Doing one’s work sincerely hardly makes one happy.
c. Peace of mind is tangent to happiness.
d. Simple life is like a life of an ascetic.

Question. Select the option that makes the correct use of “unattainable”, as used in the passage, to fill in the blank space.
a. …………………. development implies a long-term perspective.
b. Keep goals small so they are more easily …………………. .
c. Diabetes is …………………. but not curable.
d. Some economists think that 100% employment in India is an …………………. goal.

II. Read the passage carefully.

I. The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades.A vast majority of cases are asymptomatic or mild and self-managed, and hence the actual numbers of dengue cases are underreported or often misdiagnosed. One estimate indicates 390 million dengue virus infections per year (95% credible interval 284–528 million), of which 96 million (67–136 million) manifest clinically (with any severity of disease). The number of dengue cases reported to WHO increased over 8 fold over the last two decades.

II. This alarming increase in case numbers is partly explained by a change in national practices to record and report dengue to the Ministries of Health, and to the WHO.But it also represents government recognition of the burden, and therefore the pertinence to report dengue disease. Before 1970, only 9 countries had experienced severe dengue epidemics. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in the WHO regions of Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. The America, South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions are the most seriously affected, with Asia representing ~70% of the global burden of disease.

III. In 2020, dengue continues to affect several countries, with reports of increases in the numbers of cases in Bangladesh, Brazil, Cook Islands, Ecuador, India, Indonesia,Maldives, Mauritania, Mayotte (Fr), Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand,Timor-Leste and Yemen. The largest number of dengue cases ever reported globally was in 2019. All regions were affected, and dengue transmission was recorded in Afghanistan for the first time. The first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia® (CYD-TDV) developed by Sanofi Pasteur was licensed in December 2015 and has now been approved by regulatory authorities in ~20 countries. In November 2017, the results of an additional analysis to retrospectively determine serostatus at the time of vaccination were released.

IV. As described in the WHO position paper on the Dengvaxia vaccine (September 2018) the dengue vaccine CYD-TDV has been shown in clinical trials to be efficacious and safe in persons who have had a previous dengue virus infection. However, it carries an increased risk of severe dengue in those who experience their first natural dengue infection after vaccination. For countries considering vaccination as part of their dengue control programme, pre-vaccination screening is the recommended strategy.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the eight questions by choosing the correct option.

Question. In the line, ‘and therefore the pertinence to report dengue disease’, the word ‘pertinence’ DOES NOT mean:
a. importance
b. ignorance
c. relevance
d. appropriateness

Question. According to the WHO report, around 70% of the dengue cases from around the world:
a. affect people in Asia.
b. misdiagnosed in Asia.
c. do not occur in Asia .
d. remain untreated in Asia.

Question. The actual number of dengue cases is more than the figures in the reports because:
a. there has been a misprint.
b. cases are reported late.
c. cases are under-reported.
d. cases constantly increase.

Question. Choose the option that is correct about the rise in the number of dengue cases.
a. Rise in dengue is due to rise in tourism.
b. Dengue is being tested and reported in vast numbers.
c. Dengue is a communicable disease.
d. Dengue spread is uncontrollable.

Question. Which statement is NOT TRUE about the dengue vaccine as stated in the report?
a. Dengue vaccine works effectively on people who have been infected before.
b. Dengue vaccine works effectively on people who haven’t been infected before.
c. Dengue vaccine must be administered to people in the countries where it is an endemic.
d. Dengue vaccine has been in clinical trials but the results are not as expected.

Question. What does the word ‘endemic’ refer to?
a. Disease regularly found in people of a certain area.
b. Disease irregularly found in people of a certain area.
c. Disease regularly found in people anywhere.
d. Disease irregularly found in people anywhere.

Question. What is the above report informing us about? Choose the most appropriate response.
a. Spread of dengue and its effects around the world.
b. Spread of dengue and its under-reportage.
c. Spread of dengue and how it affects Asia.
d. Spread of dengue and directions on the use of vaccine.

Question. Choose which statement is NOT TRUE as per the report.
a. Pre-screening must be done before administering the vaccine.
b. Pre-screening must not be done before administering the vaccine.
c. Pre-screening helps to identify people who have been dengue positive in the past.
d. Pre-screening allows to target people who can be administered the vaccine.

GRAMMAR AND WRITING
Grammar

III. Answer any five out of the six questions by selecting the most appropriate option for each.

Question. The patient …………….. before the doctor came.
a. died
b. have died
c. had died
d. dies

Question. He works hard lest he …………….. fail.
a. must
b. should
c. can
d. would

Question. A number of people …………….. reported to be missing in the train accident.
a. was
b. have
c. were
d. has

Question. Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech?
Yashita said to Yash, “Let us play badminton.”
a. Yashita ordered Yash to play badminton.
b. Yashita suggested Yash that they should play badminton.
c. Yashita requested Yash that they should play badminton.
d. Yashita suggested Yash that they must play badminton.

Question. Every boy and every girl of the class …………….. in the song competition.
a. has participated
b. have participated
c. participate
d. were participating Writing

IV. Answer any five out of the six questions given, with reference to the context below.

You are Pranay of 43/4, Pathan Mohalla, Hyderabad, Telangana. You bought a washing machine (Automatic) from Nawab Electronics, Secundrabad. Within a week you discovered that the machine was not washing clothes properly. Write a letter to the dealer asking him for its replacement at the earliest.

Question. Which option lists the relevant aspects for Pranay to write this letter?
(1) Cash memo number
(2) The price of the machine
(3) Name and address of the shop
(4) The description of the machine
(5) Formal tone
a. (2), (4) and (5)
b. (1), (3) and (5)
c. (2), (3) and (5)
d. (1), (3) and (4)

Question. Which of these subjects best fits for this letter?
a. Inferior washing machine
b. Unsatisfactory services given by washing machine
c. Complaint about defective washing machine
d. Irritating washing machine

Question. Which option completes the starting line of Pranay’s letter appropriately?
I am (a) ………… to express my (b) …………….. at the supply of a defective washing machine.
a. (a) reluctant (b) idea
b. (a) pleased (b) views
c. (a) constrained (b) resentment
d. (a) sorry (b) regret

Question. Which option correctly justifies the choice of the concluding portion of the letter?
(1) You are requested to do the needful.
(2) Please replace the defective washing machine at the earliest.
a. No, to option (1) because of the authoritative tone.
b. Yes, to option (1) because of the tone of polite request.
c. No, to option (2) because of the informal tone.
d. No, to option (2) because of the commanding tone.

Question. Which option completes the concluding line appropriately?
I hope this letter will ……………………………………………………..
a. hasten you to resolve my problem.
b. make you aware about the shortcomings of your goods.
c. not affect our cordial relation and my problem will be resolved.
d. pressurise you to resolve our problem at the earliest.

LITERATURE
V. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:

“We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.”

Question. The guests at the spectacular ceremony are being called distinguished because:
a. they have been invited as guests to attend it.
b. they are eminent world leaders witnessing it.
c. they are visiting the country for this purpose.
d. they have resumed diplomatic relations with the country.

Question. It is a victory for ‘human dignity’. Pick the option that lists the correct answer for what ‘human dignity’ would include.
a. (a) equality (b) liberty (c) indecency
b. (a) liberty (b) indecency (c) self-respect
c. (a) immorality (b) self-respect (c) equality
d. (a) equality (b) liberty (c) self-respect

Question. Why does the speaker say that it is a ‘rare privilege’?
He says this as they have:
a. been deprived of this honour.
b. seldom been given this honour.
c. experienced it for the first time.
d. been chosen over other countries, for this honour.

Question. Pick the option that showcases the usage of ‘host’ as in the extract.
a. He was praised for his hospitality as the host of the party.
b. She was able to host the event without any hindrance.
c. She met the host and apologised for her friend’s misbehaviour.
d. He is the best host that one can ever come across.

VI. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:

Weeks went by and still Wanda did not answer.
Peggy had begun to forget the whole business, and Maddie put herself to sleep at night making speeches about Wanda, defending her from great crowds of girls who were trying to tease her with, “How many dresses have you got?” And before Wanda could press her lips together in a tight line, the way she did before answering, Maddie would cry out, “Stop!”

Question. Which primary feelings of Maddie does the extract reveal?
a. guilt, regret and righteousness
b. guilt and shame
c. shame, regret and courage
d. courage and righteousness

Question. Which of the following is most likely to be a part of Maddie’s speech?
a. Stop! I think it’s about time we asked her a new question. This is not fun anymore. How about her faded dress?
b. Stop! Don’t you know that I’m the one who had to lead in Peggy’s absence? This is unacceptable.
c. Stop! How dare you all join in without Peggy’s permission? Don’t you know she’d be angry?
d. Stop! Aren’t you all ashamed of yourself? Why do you trouble her? She means no harm to anyone.

Question. Pick the option with a cause-effect relation, with reference to the given extract.
a. Wanda’s absence— Peggy missing Wanda
b. Maddie’s need to make amends – Confessing publicly
c. Wanda’s absence – Maddie’s need to make amends
d. Peggy teasing Wanda— Maddie’s stand against it

Question. Wanda didn’t reply to the letter for weeks.
Pick the option that DOES NOT supply a possible reason for this, from those given below.
a. The letter took more than a couple of weeks reaching her as it didn’t have an address and needed to be forwarded.
b. She needed time to forgive Maddie and Peggy and think her reply through.
c. Peggy had second thoughts after mailing the letter and reclaimed it from the post office, to mail weeks later.
d. She was occupied with settling in at the new school in the city.

VII. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

Question. Of the many symbols the hemlock tree represents, choose the one that Frost drew upon in all likelihood, for this poem.
a. Symbol of longevity
b. Symbol of togetherness
c. Symbol of healing
d. Symbol of protection

Question. Choose the option that lists the possible feelings of the poet prior to the experience shared in the poem.
1. reassured
2. disappointed
3. curious
4. demotivated
5. thankful
6. disheartened
7. impulsive
a. 1, 3 & 7
b. 2, 4 & 6
c. 5 & 7
d. 1 & 3

Question. Identify the option that DOES NOT use the word ‘rue’ correctly.
a. The film was a disaster and he rued his decision to act in it.
b. I am sure she rued the day she listened to a fortune-teller.
c. It wasn’t long before I rued my disobedience and my deceit.
d. The one who is dishonest and heartless is finally rued by others.

Question. Synecdoche is a poetic device that uses a part to represent the whole. E.g. That’s a great set of wheels! (Set of wheels has been used for car.)
Pick an example of synecdoche from the poem.
a. Has given my heart / A change of mood
b. The way a crow/ Shook down on me
c. The dust of snow / From a hemlock tree
d. And saved some part / Of a day I had rued

Question. Choose the option showing the reason NOT corresponding with “… a crow / Shook down on me / The dust of snow”.
a. The crow’s landing on the branch of the tree.
b. The shivering of the crow, due to the cold.
c. The readjustment of position of the crow on the branch.
d. The cawing of the crow hidden in the foliage.

VIII. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:

The entire staff was roused and maids rushed in and out bringing his day bed, his night bed, favourite cushions, toys and rubber rings, breakfast bowl, lunch bowl, supper bowl. Realising that my car would never hold all the stuff, I 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. Out on the road, I glanced down at the pathetic little animal gasping on the seat by my side. I patted the head and Tricki made a brave effort to wag his tail. “Poor old lad,” I said. “You haven’t a kick in you but I think I know a cure for you.”

Question. What might the atmosphere of the household in the above extract signify?
a. Mrs Pumphrey’s status in society reflected in Tricki’s lifestyle.
b. The staff’s love for Tricki, which matched that of Mrs Pumphrey.
c. The grand life of comforts and luxuries that Tricki enjoyed.
d. Mrs Pumphrey’s indulgence and anxiety acted upon by the staff.

Question. As the extract indicates, Mrs Pumphrey indulged Tricki and bought him many things.
Choose the option that best describes the kinds of advertisement/s that seem likely to persuade Mrs Pumphrey to buy something for Tricki.
1. Statistics Appeal: Such advertisements use facts and data to convince consumers to buy products.
2. Scarcity Appeal: Such advertisements create a feeling of exclusivity and are often used to convince people to take advantage of a sale or limited period offer.
3. Personal Appeal: Such advertisements focus on evoking emotions to convince consumers and often relate to family or other inter-personal interactions.
4. Fear Appeal: Such advertisements focus on inspiring some kind of fear to convince consumers to take action in order to avoid certain negative or undesirable consequences.
a. Options 1, 2 and 4
b. Options 3 and 4
c. Options 1, 3 and 4
d. Option 2 only

Question. The narrator describes Tricki as a “pathetic little animal”. The use of the word ‘pathetic’ indicates that the narrator
a. was very fond of Tricki.
b. thought Tricki was contemptible.
c. pitied Tricki’s condition.
d. believed Tricki’s health was deteriorating.

IX. Attempt the following.

Question. What was Wanda’s drawings remarkable for?
a. Dazzling colours
b. Wrapping paper
c. Brilliant designs
d. Both a. and c.

Question. The whole school thought that:
a. Wanda was a dull girl.
b. Wanda was a dumb girl.
c. Wanda was a lonely girl.
d. Wanda was a nice and wonderful girl

Question. According to Anne, paper has:
a. more patience than people.
b. more power than people.
c. more appeal than people.
d. more value than people.

Question. Writing a diary for Anne Frank was:
a. a really strange experience.
b. a really bad experience.
c. a really pleasant experience.
d. a really unpleasant experience.

Question. What did the young seagull get as reward for his efforts?
a. A piece of cake
b. A new home
c. Scraps of dog-fish
d. More friends

Question. ‘‘Don’t be so upset, even though this seems like a total loss. Remember, no one dies of hunger.’’ Who is the speaker here?
a. Mr Keesing
b. Miss Mason
c. Lencho
d. Anil

Question. At the surgery, what treatment was given to Tricki?
a. Two vaccines
b. A small surgery
c. Expensive food
d. No medical treatment was given

Question. Constable Jaffers was knocked unconscious by:
a. Griffin
b. Mrs Hall
c. the men at the inn
d. Anil

Question. According to Mandela, no one is born ……………… another person because of the colour of his skin.
a. caring
b. hating
c. watching
d. holding

Question. Maddie spent the afternoon with Peggy writing a letter to:
a. Wanda’s brother
b. Wanda’s father
c. Miss Mason
d. Wanda Petronski