KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA VFJ

PERIODIC TEST 3rd – 2024-25

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (CODE No.
184)
CLASS – X
TIME ALLOWED: 3 HOURS
MAX. MARKS 80

General Instructions:
(i) This question paper comprises 11 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(ii) The question paper contains THREE sections —

 Section A: Reading Skills

 Section B: Grammar and Creative Writing Skills

 Section C: Literature Textbook

(iii) Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each Part.

SECTION A: READING SKILLS [ 20marks]

Q1.Read the following text. [10marks]

1. Floods are not new to India and this subcontinent, but in recent years, the problem of flooding
has received much greater attention, perhaps largely because it has led to greater damage now than
it did in the past. Even though information on the impending occurrence of floods is now more
accurate and certainly more timely, often there is very little time or infrastructure in place by which
damage can be minimized. This is particularly true in the case of flash floods resulting from sudden
and excessive heavy rain.

2. In the case of India, flooding is very much related to the seasonal nature of our rainfall. The
monsoons are spread over a short period during the year and often bring a concentrated volume of
rain, which cannot be absorbed by the earth and finds an outlet only in the form of streams that join
up with our major river systems. Flooding due to heavy rain is confined not only to the main rivers of
the country but also affects smaller tributaries and streams. Once these streams spill over their
banks, they could cause excessive harm, mainly because those living near the banks of these
streams, particularly in mountain areas, do not have easy recourse to moving away quickly.

3. One major factor that could lead to a higher severity of flooding in the future is the danger of
climate change. While the evidence of the nature of impacts resulting from climate change on
precipitation and flooding at the regional level is not entirely clear, it could happen that the Indian
subcontinent witnesses and suffers the effects of a significantly changed pattern of monsoons. One
set of scientists has estimated that the monsoons could be shorter in duration but far more
intensive; in other words, much greater precipitation would take place in a much shorter period of
time, thereby increasing the danger of floods. Climate change is the result of human actions through
the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, of which carbon dioxide is the
most prominent.
 4. At the local level, human actions have heightened the danger of floods through the cutting of
trees in the mountains as well as in the plains. In the case of India, the ecological damage through
deforestation of the Himalayas has led to large-scale erosion of mountain slopes and high levels of
siltation. These lead to the deposition of silt on the riverbeds in the plains and hence spillover of
water whenever the volume in the river reaches a certain level. With siltation on the riverbeds,
flooding occurs even at very shallow water levels. The vulnerability of the population has increased
substantially because of population pressures. An example is the stubborn and perhaps helpless
settling of slum dwellers on the banks of the river Yamuna in Delhi, who become victims of flooding.
What is a mere trickle most of the year, bursts its banks during the monsoons, as has been the case
in recent years.

5.Flood forecasting is critical to minimising the damage from floods. It is for this reason that
the Central Water Commission has set up a network of forecasting stations, which cover the
most important flood-prone interstate rivers in the country. These stations produce forecasts
that are used to alert the public and to mobilize various official agencies so that they take
both preventive as well as relief measures, whenever required. However, even in cases where
forecasts have been timely and generally accurate, people have often been reluctant to move
away, because in most cases they lack the means and physical options for moving away from
a danger zone to one that is relatively safe. In the case of flash floods, forecasts are difficult
to make, and often the time available for relief is very short.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:

(a) Based on your reading of the text, list two reasons why the writer says that in spite of timely [1]
forecasting people have suffered. [Paragraph 5]

(b) Why does the author say that flooding can occur even at very shallow water levels too? Mention
two reasons for the same. [Paragraph 4] [ 2marks]

(c) Why do some scientists estimate that a shorter duration of monsoon season is more harmful than
a prolonged one? [Paragraph 3] [1]

(d) The writer claims that flood forecasting is critical to minimising the damage from floods. State
one reason for the claim. [Paragraph 5] [1]

(e) Say whether the given statement is true or false. [Paragraph 2]

"Floods in streams in the mountainous regions cause more harm to people because of the rough
terrain." [1]

(f) The problem of floods has been considered more important recently because: [Paragraph 1]
(i) floods have led to much greater damage now than in the past.
(ii) floods are resulting in increased relocation.
(iii) floods occur only during the monsoon season.
(iv) of problems of frequent tornadoes and cyclones in the subcontinent. [1]

(g) "Human actions have caused as much damage as climate change," says the author. Mention two
points to justify the statement. [Paragraph 4] [2marks]

(h) Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given.
In the phrase "impending occurrence of floods," the word "impending" refers to: ……….[Paragraph 1]
(i) Something that will take place far-off in future.
 (ii) A happening bound to occur in the near future.
(iii) Something that has been planned for a long time.
(iv) Something that is planned and is ready for implementation. [1]

Q2. Read the following text: [10marks]

1. Unsafe water kills more people each year than do war and all other forms of violence
combined. Meanwhile, our drinkable water sources are finite: less than 1 percent of Earth's
freshwater is actually accessible to us. Without action, the challenges will only increase by
2050, when global demand for freshwater is expected to be one-third greater than it is now.

2. Water is uniquely vulnerable to pollution. Known as a “universal solvent,” water is able to

dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth. Water pollution is the release of
substances into subsurface groundwater or into lakes, streams, rivers, estuaries, and oceans
to the point where the substances interfere with the beneficial use of the water or with the
natural functioning of ecosystems. In addition to the release of substances, such as
chemicals, trash, or microorganisms, water pollution may also include the release of energy,
in the form of radioactivity or heat, into bodies of water. The key causatives of water
pollution in India are urbanization, deforestation, industrial effluents, and agricultural run-
offs with the use of insecticides and pesticides. The other causes are social and religious
offerings in water bodies and the use of detergents and fertilizers.

3. Water pollution can have disastrous consequences on the ecosystem. Furthermore, toxic
chemicals can travel through the food chain and get into our bodies, causing diseases and
death.

4. There is no single or simple answer to stop the water pollution crisis. However, there are
many solutions to prevent water pollution, both in our daily lives and within industries. They
are wastewater treatment, reducing plastic waste, and water conservation. In addition to
this, we must have water-efficient toilets, stormwater management, and ozone wastewater
treatment.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:

 (a) Select the correct option to complete the following sentence: [1]
Water pollution can have disastrous consequences on...
(i) the chain of chemicals in food.
(ii) weather conditions and flash floods.
(iii) the functioning of the earth’s ecosystems.
(iv) unexpected outbreak of diseases.
[Paragraph 3]

(b) Select the option that is true for the assertion and reason given below: [1]
Assertion: Energy is released in the subterranean water bodies.
Reason: The natural functioning of ecosystems in the water bodies is affected due to heat or
radioactivity caused by harmful substances that get dissolved in water.
(i) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the
assertion.
(ii) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of
the assertion.
(iii) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.

(iv) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

[Paragraph 2]

(c) Substitute the words ‘main contributors’ with words similar in meaning from the passage
in the following sentence:
The main contributors to water pollution in India must be addressed and resolved. [1]
[Paragraph 2]

(d) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in the passage: [1]
Less than 1 per cent of the Earth’s freshwater is actually accessible to us.
[Paragraph 1]

(e) Read the given prompt and fill in the blank by selecting the correct option: [1]
One of the solutions which does not prevent water pollution is ..............
[Paragraphs 3 and 4].

(i) building industries near water bodies.

(ii) controlling oil spills and plastic waste.
(iii) not dumping nuclear waste.
(iv) reducing intensive farming

(f) What do these key factors like urbanization, deforestation, industrial effluents agricultural
run-offs with the use of insecticides and pesticides tell us about India? [Paragraph 2] [1]

(g) Complete the following sentence suitably:

The author suggests water-efficient toilets and storm-water management to ............. [1]
[Paragraph 4]

(h) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason:

By 2050, when the global demand for freshwater is expected to be one-third greater than now
the world .............. of clean water. [1]

(i) Why do harmful substances interfere with the beneficial use of the water or with the natural
functioning of ecosystems? [Paragraphs 2 and 3] [2]
 SECTION B : WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR (20 MARKS)
GRAMMAR (10)

Q.3 Complete ANY TEN of twice of the following tasks, as directed

1. Identify the error on a shop hoarding and supply the correction, for the following sales offer:

Illegally parked vehicles will be fine.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

2. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the part of a notice posted on a school
notice board

As per the given schedule, the students council election of the school for the current session____
held on the 23rd of May. 2:30 PM

[A] maybe [ B] should be

[ C] can be. [D] will be

3. Report, the following dialogue between a teacher and her student by completing the sentence
Teacher: why have you not completed your homework ?

Student: There was a long power cut in my locality, and our inverter battery also ran out.

The teacher asked the student why he had not completed his homework. The student answered
that_____

4. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the given statement .

Aditya,____[who/whom/which/whose] mother got an award for the best teacher, is my nephew.

5. Identify the error in the given sentence, from a travel magazine and supply the correction

When you finally arrive in Sydney Harbour, you had been sailing non-stop for a week on
the high seas

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

6. The father said , “I bought a watch.”(Change the speech)

a. The father said that I bought a watch.

b. The father said that he bought a watch
c. The father said that he had bought a watch
 d. The father said that he has bought a watch

7. Fill the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the live feed on a school news channel.
Attention senior students!

The examination schedule for Pre-Boards…………. and the first exam begins exactly a week from now.

a. had been announced

b. has been announced
c. is being announced
d. will be announced

8. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line, form a
tribute to Nelson Mandela published in a newspaper.

Mandela’s understanding in freedom changed with age and experience over due course of time.

Option no. Error Correction

(i) changed was changed
(ii) in of
(iii) with along with
(iv) over in

9. Report the dialogue between Tony and Sarita, by completing the sentence.

Tony: Why did you call me?

Sarita: Will you go to museum with me?

Tony asked Sarita why she had called him. Sarita wanted to know whether Tony……………

10. Complete the given narrative, by filling in the blank with the correct option.

The Prime Minister reaches Chennai next week, where he…………. an auditorium.

(i) will inaugurate (ii) would inaugurate (iii) might inaugurate (iv) will inaugurating

11. Read the dialogue between a teacher and his student. Complete the paragraph by choosing the
correct option.

Teacher: Sahil, what happened to you? You look upset.

Student: I lost my Exercise Book.

The teacher asked Sahil…………. to him as he looked upset, to which Sahil answered that he had lost
his Exercise Book.

(i)what had happened (ii) if anything had happened

(iii) what has happened (iv) if anything has happened

12. 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.”

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

WRITING SKILLS (10)

Q4. You are Vaibhav/Vaibhavi, hostel warden, Radha Krishna Public School, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Write a letter to the sales Manager, Bharat Electronics and Domestic Appliances Ltd. New Delhi,
placing an order for fans microwaves, ovens and geysers that you wish to purchase fee the hostel.
Also ask for discount Permissible on the purchase. [5marks]

OR

Over rivers are polluted to a greater extent. Domestic sewage and industries are the main source of
pollution. The contaminated water is very harmful for health. Write a letter in about 120 words to
the Editor of a national daily describing the problem and suggesting solution to it. You are
Romit/Romita of 914, Model Town, New Delhi.

Q5. (A) Study the graph given below. The graph depicts the number of students of class tenth
speaking English and Hindi in three different types of schools in New Delhi. Based on the details
given in the bar graph given below, write an analytical paragraph in about 120 words [5marks]

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Govt Private KVs

Hindi English

Q5 (B) Global warming is primarily a result of the greenhouse effect caused by too much carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere which acts as a blanket, trapping heat. Global warming is leading to Arctic
meltdown. Study the following pie chart and write an analytical paragraph in about 120 words on
factors affecting global.

OR
 Proporti on of Human Acti viti es
Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning
31%
Energy use
31%

Indusrtry
Agriculture 10%
16%

Land use change

12%

That Increase Greenhouse Effect

SECTION C - LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT (40 )

Q6. (A) [5marks]

He came with a big party of relations with him for the wedding. A brass-band playing a popular tune
from an Indian film headed the procession, with the bridegroom riding a decorated horse. Ramlal was
overjoyed to see such pomp and splendor. He had never dreamt that his.
i. The given extract depicts an Indian wedding about to happen. Whose wedding is it? Does
the wedding take place? Elaborate in about 40 words with reference to the extract. [2]
ii. What had Ramlal never dreamt? [1]
iii. What effect does the wedding procession, as described in the lines below, have on
Ramlal? Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendor. Choose the most suitable
option. (A) surprises (B) excites (C) confuses (D) worries [1]
iv. Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘splendor’ in the given sentence from the
extract? Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendor. [1]
OR

(B)

“Tell me another!” scoffed Pranjol.

“We have an Indian legend too.
Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during
meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water
and drunk, banished sleep.”

“Tea was first drunk in China,” Rajvir added, “as far back as 2700 B.C.! In fact, words such as tea,
chai and chini are from the Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk
more as medicine than as beverage.”

(i) What is the main idea of this extract? [1]

(A) Tea as a popular beverage in Europe and how it spread.

(B) Origin of tea in India and why it became popular in Europe.

(C) Importance of India in popularising tea and influencing Europe.

(D) Indian legend on tea and how it travelled from China to Europe.

ii. Why do you think Pranjol ‘scoffed’? Answer in about 40 words. [2]

iii. When did tea come to Europe? [1]

iv. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket. The word ‘banished’ in the line “The
leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.” indicates that the tea leaves
_____ (eliminated/encouraged) sleep. [1]

7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given [5marks]

A.

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.

i. Fill the blank with ONE word. ‘And saved some part of a day I had rued’. The poetic
device used here is _____. [1]
ii. What was the reaction of poet when the dust of snow fell on him? [1]
iii. Rationalise what you think the poet was probably doing when the dust of snow fell on
him? [2]
iv. What kind of atmosphere is created through these lines? Select the correct option:
1. Tranquillity 2. Surprise 3. Joy 4. Reflection 5. Sadness
(A) 2 and 3 (B) Only 4 (C) 1, 2 and 4 (D) 3 and 5 [1]
OR

B.

Don’t eat that chocolate, Amanda!

Remember your acne, Amanda!

Will you please look at me when I’m speaking to you, Amanda!

i. Fill the blank with ONE word. Amanda is not looking at the speaker because she is busy
in _____. about her life of peace and joy. [1]
ii. What does the speaker’s worry about acne show? [1]
iii. Why is Amanda forbidden to eat chocolate? Answer in about 40 words. [2]
iv. The speaker wants Amanda to look at her to ensure [1]
(A) Amanda can become obedient
(B) stops eating chocolate
(C) Amanda follows the instructions
 (D) does not sleep

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words. 4*3=12

i. Chubukov says of Natalya: “... as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick
cat...” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer. (The Proposal)

ii. Why does the poet say that ‘Money is external’? (The Ball Poem)

iii. How is the fog like a cat? What three things does the poem suggest? (Fog)

iv. Why did Maxwell call the airhostess “the very queen of her kind”? (Mijbil the Otter)

v.Paper has more patience than people.’ Do you agree/disagree? Give (From the Diary of Anne Frank)

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2*3=6

i. What changes came into the life of Loisels after the necklace was lost? (The Necklace)

ii. Scientists contribute to make the world a better place. Griffin is an antithesis to this statement.
Justify. (Footprints Without Feet)

iii. Elaborate on the quality of the book that saved the planet Earth. (The Book That Saved the Earth)

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. [6]

i. How does the character of Lencho inspire us to have faith in God? How did he react to the help
offered by the post office employees? What was his reaction towards the post office employees? (A
Letter to God)

ii. Who was the real hero ? How did he save the other animals ? Was he proud of his bravery? Justify
your answer with instances from the poem. (The Tale of Custard the Dragon)

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. [6]

i. “Too much of anything is good for nothing.” Justify it with regard to “A Triumph of Surgery”

ii. “A lawless scientist is a curse to the society.” Discuss with reference to the story ‘Footprints
without Feet’