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Kerala Syllabus Class 10 English Board Model Paper March 2024 with Answers
Time: 2½ Hours
Total Score: 80 Marks
Questions 1 – 5. Read the excerpt from “The Danger of a Single Story’ and answer the questions that follow. (5 × 1 = 1)
I must say that before I went to the U.S, I didn’t consciously identify as African. But in the U.S., whenever Africa came up, people turned to me. I did dome to embrace this identity and in many ways, I think of myself now as African, although I still get quite irritable when Africa is referred to as a country. After I had spent some years in the U.S as an African, I began to understand my roommate’s response to me. If I had not grown up in Nigeria, and if all I knew about Africa were from popular images, I top would think that Africa was a place of beautiful landscapes, beautiful animals, and incomprehensible people unable to speak for themselves and waiting to be saved by a kind, white foreigner. I would see Africans in the same way that I, as a child, had seen Fide’s family.
Question 1.
Why didn’t Adichie consciously identify herself as an African before she went to the U.S.?
Answer:
Adichie didn’t consciously identify as an African before she went to the US because in Nigeria, her home country, she was surrounded by people like her – Blacks. But when she went to America, whenever Africa came up, people turned to her.
Question 2.
When did Adichie embrace the identity of an African?
Answer:
Adichie embraced the identity of an African when she realised that she was different from the others with whom she studied, stayed and worked. She was from Nigeria but for the people in the US she was just an African.
Question 3.
According to the passage, what is generally the single story of Africa from popular images?
Answer:
From popular images, the single story of Africa generally is it is a place of beautiful landscapes, beautiful animals and incomprehensible people unable to speak for themselves and waiting to be saved by a kind, white foreigner.
Question 4.
What was Adichie’s reaction when Africa was referred to as a country?
Answer:
When Africa was referred to as a country, Adichie’s reaction was irritation, because Africa is not a country, it is a continent, consisting of many countries. (In Africa there are 54 different countries.)
Question 5.
Identify a word from the passage which means ‘not able to be understood.’
Answer:
Incomprehensible.
Questions 6 – 9: Read the lines from the poem, ‘The Ballad of Father Gilligan’ and answer the questions given below. (4 × 1 = 4)
‘And is the poor man dead?’ he cried
‘He died an hour ago.’
The old priest Peter Gilligan
In grief swayed to and fro.
‘When you were gone, he turned and died,
As merry as a bird’.
The old priest Peter Gilligan
He knelt him at that word.
Question 6.
Who is the priest enquiring about?
Answer:
The priest is enquiring about the poor man who died before his arrival.
Question 7.
Why did the old priest sway in grief?
Answer:
The old priest swayed in grief because he was late in coming to give the dying man his spiritual needs. (In the Christian faith, people who are about to die are administered the sacrament known as Anointing the Sick.)
Question 8.
Pick out an instance of simile from the given stanzas.
Answer:
As merry as a bird.
Question 9.
Identify the rhyme scheme of the given lines.
Answer:
abcb; aaba
Question 10.
Read the following lines from the poem ‘Mother to Son’ and prepare a note of appreciation analysing the theme, imagery and other significant poetic devices. (5)
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin’ landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So, boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps.
‘cause you find it’s kinder hard.
Answer:
The poem “Mother to Son” is written by the famous Black American poet Langston Hughes. The poem shows a mother advising her son. This poem was written in 1922, when there were serious colour and race discriminations between Blacks and Whites in America. The life of the Blacks in America at that time was very hard as they were treated as second class citizens.
Here in the lines given, the mother is telling her son that all her life she had been climbing on and reaching landings, different stages in life. She had a hard time. She had to negotiate comers and walk in the dark without the help of any light. So she is telling her son not to feel discouraged and turn back or sit down on the steps and rest because he finds the way forward is very hard. He has to be a tough fighter like she was and achieve what he wants.
What strikes me first in the poem is the Black American English used here. “I’se been a-climbin’ on” means I have been climbing on. Then we see words like reachin landin’s, turnin’, and goin’. In all these words like ‘g’ is left out. This is Black American way of speaking and writing. Then there is ‘there ain’t been no light” which means there has been no light. In Black American English they use double negatives. “It’s a kinder hard” means it is kind of (very) hard. The poem is written in conversational (colloquial) style. It has a fine message. Life here is compared to a hard and harsh journey and the son is asked to go forward with courage and determination and not to be discouraged by the obstacles on the way.
Questions 11 – 15: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. (5 × 1 = 5)
Featuring animals or objects with human-like qualities and characteristics is known as anthropomorphic animation. From classic shows like Looney Tune and Tome and Jerry to more recent animated films like Finding Nemo, Zootopia and The Lego Movie, they’ve been around for decades.
Anthropomorphism is frequently used in these films to add a sense of humour, emotion, and relatability to. their stories. Anthropomorphic animation also aids in character connection by making the characters mor relatable because they act more human. This type of storytelling is incredibly effective when used to promote’ meaningful messages such as environmental awareness, racial equality and conflict resolution.
Because of their universal appeal, anthropomorphic animation enables film makers to create meaningful stories that transcend language barriers and cultural norms. Finally, anthropomorphic animation provides a user-friendly medium for entertainment and education that can inspire people from all walks of life.
Question 11.
What is anthropomorphic animation?
Answer:
Anthropomorphic animation is the featuring (showing) of animals and objects with human like qualities and characteristics.
Question 12.
Name a few recent films in the passage that have used the technique of anthropomorphic animation.
Answer:
“Finding Nemo”, “Zootopia”, “Lego Movie”.
Question 13.
Why is this kind of storytelling effective?
Answer:
This kind of story-telling is effective because it adds humour, emotion and relatability to their stories. The characters are more relatable as they act more human. It is very effective when used to promote meaningful messages such as environmental awareness, racial equality and conflict resolution.
Question 14.
How does the universal appeal of anthropomorphic animation help film makers?
Answer:
The universal appeal of anthropomorphic animation helps film makers to create meaningful stories that transcend language barriers and cultural norms. Moreover it provides a user-friendly medium for entertainment and education and can inspire people from all walks of life.
Question 15.
Pick out a word from the passage which means ‘relating to or done by all people or thing in the world’.
cpubfisfiers
Answer:
universal
Questions 16 – 17: Answer any ONE of the following in about 120 words. (1 × 7 = 7)
Question 16.
The heart touching story ‘Vanka’ reveals the ordeals of nine-year-old Vanka Zhukhov. His loneliness and desperation to be reunited with this grandfather clearly tells us that the little boy suffers for no fault of his own. Prepare a review of the story.
[Hints: serves as an apprentice to Aiyakhin-under-goes mistreatment-cherishes memories of his grandfather – writes letter to grandfather]
Answer:
Anton Chekhov’s ‘Vanka’ is a story that haunts the reader for long. Vanka is an orphan. He is apprenticed to a cruel shoemaker in Moscow. In the house ofthe shoemaker Vanka is seriously mistreated. He is not given sufficient food, he is made to rock the baby of Alyakhin in the night and so he can’t sleep properly, the senior apprentices send him to buy vodka and to steal cucumbers from the master. They also make fun of him. Vanka wants to run away to his grandfather in the village, but he has no shoes and he is afraid of the frost.
Tired of the life at the shoemaker’s house, Vanka decides to write a letter to his grandfather to come and take him back to the village. He promises to help his grandfather in different ways if he is taken. But the innocent Vanka does not even know that a letter can be sent only if it has a correct postal address, and the cover is stamped. After writing about his sufferings on a crumpled sheet of paper, he puts it in an envelope. On the envelope he simply writes “To my grandfather Konstantin Makarich in the village”. He innocently thinks that this will reach his grandfather and he will be rescued. He goes to sleep dreaming of the joys he will have when he goes back to his village.
Anton Chekhov’s story touches our heart. His style is simple and straight forward with a message for the readers. He exposes a cruel society that ignores and even mistreats its children. After reading the story nobody would like to mistreat the orphaned children. The imagery is so beautiful that we can read the story as if we are watching an excellent film.
Question 17.
The doctor in the story The Best Investment I Ever made’ recollects attending a misguided youth who attempted suicide. Prepare a brief narrative on the events that unfolded on the fateful night.
[Hints: sergeant calls on the doctor – finds a young man unconscious – gives resuscitation – brings young man back to life – young man tells his story]
Answer:
It was the second day of the narrator’s voyage. Suddenly he became aware that one of the passengers was watching him closely. The narrator felt that the man was not confident enough to.golo him and ask for clarifications. He was in his early 40s. The narrator learned that the man’s name was John. On the final evening at sea Mrs. John persuaded John to meet the narrator.
After introducing himself and hiswife, John started telling his story to the narrator. His parents were dead. His uncle helped him to get the job of a clerk in a London lawyer’s office. He had no friends and he fell into bad company. He started enjoying pleasures beyond his means. He started betting on horses. Soon he lost all his savings. In an effort to get money he stole some money from his office safe to make a final bet. But again he lost. He now wanted to commit suicide. He went to the room and turned on the gas.
The narrator, who was a doctor, was called in to attend to him as he was found unconscious. There was also a policeman as well as the land lady of John. The doctor soon revived him. John told them why he wanted to die. The doctor, the policeman and the landlady felt pity for him and they agreed to help him. The doctor gave him
the money to replace what he took from the office safe. The policeman would not report against John. The landlady would give him a month’s free board. John now changed completely. He worked hard and became a success. Now he and his wife are helping the backward, maladjusted and delinquent youth to return to normal life. The narrator felt that the money he gave John was the best investment he ever made.
Questions 18 – 20: Answer any TWO of the following: Each question carries five scores. (2 × 5 = 10)
Question 18.
The English Club of your school decides to conduct a seminar on the topic ‘Books are the Stairways of Our Imagination’. As the secretary of the club, prepare a likely notice inviting everyone to the seminar.
Answer:
ST. GEORGE H.S.S., EDAPPALLY
ENGLISH CLUB
3 June 2024
NOTICE
The English Club of our school is conducting a seminar on the topic “Books are the Stairways of our Imagination”. Prior to the actual seminar there will be an inaugural function which will be chaired by the famous Malayalam and English writer K. Satchidanandan. Many VIPs will be present in the inaugural function.
The Seminar will be conducted in the school auditorium.
Date and Time: 15 June 2024, 3.00 p.m.
You are cordially invited to attend the inaugural function and also the seminar.
Sd/- (Raj Job)
Secretary
English Club
Question 19.
The homeopath in the story The Snake and the Mirror’ after narrowly escaping the cobra, realizes the futility of indulging in self love and boasting. He writes his thoughts and feelings in his diary. Write the Hk6ly diary entry.
Answer:
29 July 1993
Last night was the worst in my life. I had rented a room in a cheap hotel as I hadn’t much money with me. It was 10 o’clock in the hot summer night. I had my meal at a restaurant and returned to my room. There were rats in my room. I lighted the kerosene lamp on the table. I took off my coat, shirt and vest. I opened the two windows. The room had a tiled roof.
I sat on a chair near the table. There was a mirror nearby. I looked into it and wanted to make myself more handsome. I was a bachelor. I combed my hair and adjusted the parting to look straight and neat. I looked at my face and decided I would shave daily and grow a small moustache.
I lit a beedi and started thinking of my marriage, I would marry a woman doctor with a lot of money and good practice. I wanted to be fat so that if I made a mistake and wanted to run away from her, she should not be able to catchrup with me.
Suddenly there was a dull thud as if a rubber tube had fallen to the ground. I looked back. A fat snake came over the back of the chair and landed on my shoulder. It slithered along my shoulder and coiled around my left arm. Its hood was spread out. It was just 3 or 4 inches from my face!
I was turned into a stone. I thought of God. There was some pain on my left arm. It was as if a rod of fire was slowly crushing my arm. The arm was losing its strength. But I could not do anything. Even if I moved a little, the snake would bite me. I did not have any medicine against poison.
Suddenly the snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror. It saw its reflection. It slowly unwound itself from my arm and slithered into my lap. From there it crept onto the table and moved towards the mirror. I got up from my chair and ran for my life. I reached a friend’s house. I put oil on my body and took a bath. I changed my clothes. But I could not sleep the whole night. It was the worst night in my life.
Question 20.
Satyajit Ray visits Disney studio in Hollywood and is amazed to find that animal – actors are treated with respect and reverence. He shares his experience in a letter to his friend. Prepare the likely letter.
Answer:
Satyajit Ray
Ray Pictures
Kolkata – 700 005
1 July 2024
DearKumkum
I am writing this letter to tell you about my visit to Disney Studio in Hollywood. I was really amazed to see the way animal actors are treated there. Nobody can beat Hollywood when it comes to making films with animals in them. I remember films in which an Alsatian named Rin-tin-tin acted even better than humans. Then there were films with a collie called Lassie. These dogs are like stars and they were paid like any other big actor. The owners of these dogs could easily get one lakh rupees from just one film.
Ray saw how these animal actors were reverently treated. Even the actor-dogs had their substitutes (stand-ins) there. Every animal in a Hollywood film is well trained. It is easy to train horses and dogs. But in Hollywood there were nearly a hundred trained ravens. Alfred Hitchcock, the creator of some of the best suspense films, used them in his film “Birds”. Unfortunately in India it is not easy to find trained animals and birds for films. I experienced the difficulty when I was shooting my film “Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne” which means The Adventures of Goopy and Bagha.
I hope you are fine. Say “Hi” to your parents. I will be coming to your house sometime in December.
Bye for now.
Yours lovingly,
Sd/-
Satyajit Ray
Questions 21 – 25: Answer any THREE of the following: Each question carries six scores. (3 × 6 = 18)
Question 21.
Write a short profile of William Wordsworth using the details given below:
Born : April 7, 1770, Cockermouth, England.
Honour : Poet Laureate (1843 – 1850)
Spouse : Mary Hutchinson
Notable Works : “Daffodils”, “Solitary Reaper” Lines composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey”, “Ode: Intimations of Immortatility”.
Movement : Romanticism
Death : April 23,1850, Westmoreland
Answer:
William Wordsworth was born on 7 April 1770, at Cockermouth, England. He was the greatest romantic poet in English literature. The romantic era in British poetry began with the publication of “Lyrical Ballads” in 1798. William Wordsworth co-authored it with Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Wordsworth was the Poet Laureate of England from 1843 to 1850. His wife was Mary Hutchinson. Some of his notable poems are “Daffodils”, “Solitary Reaper”, “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey”, “The World is Too Much with Us” and “Ode: Intimations of Immortality”. He is rightly called the pioneer of Romanticism in England. He is known as the High priest of Nature. He taught that Nature was the Mother, Teacher and Philosopher who teaches us so many good things. He died at Westmoreland on 23 April 1850.
Question 22.
The Castaway’ explores the emotional journey of Nilkanta. His behaviour and actions undergo drastic changes from enjoying the undivided attention of Kiran to later being disowned by the family that offered him shelter. Prepare a character sketch of Nilkanta.
Answer:
Nilkanta, is the central figure in Rabindranath Tagore’s story The Castaway’. He was an orphan boy, working with a theatrical group. Once the boat in which the group was travelling sank. Nilkanta escaped and he went to the family of Sharat and his wife Kiran. Judging Nilkanta’s age proved challenging due to his innocent countenance and lack of facial hair. However, his speech and penchant for smoking hinted that he was older than seventeen.
Quickly endearing himself to Kiran, Nilkanta provided excellent company and regaled her with his theatrical abilities. His camaraderie with mischievous village boys and adoption of a mongrel as a pet led to a series of antics. This irked Sharat and his mother. Despite Sharat’s scoldings, Nilkanta remained undisturbed as he had good food and the affection lavished upon him by Kiran.
When Satish, Kiran’s brother-in-law, arrived, Kiran’s focus shifted from Nilkanta to Satish, making Nilkanta sad and angry. His behaviour then turned hostile toward his friends and even his pet. Seeking revenge, he planned to throw away Satish’s favourite ornamental inkstand into the river. He kept it in his box. Kiran wanted to give some presents to Nilkanta. She brought two new suits, a pair of shoes and bank note. She wanted to keep them jn Nilkanta’s box. When she removed some things from the box to place her presents, she found the inkstand there. Nilkanta could not face her anymore. So, he went away without a trace, leaving behind even his box’ Even the police did not know where he went. The castaway thus becomes a castaway again.
Question 23.
Mexican girl Martha wins the prestigious Scholarship Jacket. The news appears in the next day’s newspapers. Write the likely news report.
Answer:
MEXICAN GIRL MARTHA WINS PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP JACKET
Texas, March 3 : The Texas Rural School Scholarship Jacket is awarded to Martha Stevenson, who has been scoring top grades in all the 8 years of her study there. Presenting the Scholarship Jacket, Dr. Bill Mason, Vice Chancellor of the University of Texas, said that Martha should be made a role model by all the students. Although coming from a poor family, Martha has been able to maintain top grades throughout her study i n the school. He wished her to continue to work hard so that she can reach greater heights in life.
The Board had decided to charge a fee of 15 dollars for the scholarship jacket. But the principal made an exception in the case of Martha, considering her merit throughout her stay in the school.
When asked what her future plan was, Martha said she would study Law as she wanted to become a solicitor.
Question 24.
Majid Majidi’s ‘My sister’s Shoes’ looks at the world through the eyes of children and demonstrates real life situations. You get an opportunity to interview the Oscar nominated film maker. Prepare six questions you may ask him.
Answer:
a) Sir, you are an Oscar-nominated film maker. What makes your films so successful and popular?
b) We understand that in Iran there are so many restrictions on film making, especially when it comes to the policies of the government. How do you manage to make such wonderful films even with strict censorship?
c) “My Sister’s Shoes” depicts a scene from your famous film “Children of Heaven”. What is the message you wanted to convey to the people , through this film?
d) Iran is supposed to be a rich country with all its oil wealth. Are there still such poor families as those of AN and Zahra?
e) In the scene in Ali’s house we see Ali’s mother lying on bed as she is sick. The doctor had recommended a surgery. But Ali’s father tells her not think of any surgery as he feels she will become crippled. Are the people of Iran generally superstitious?
f) We heard that your next project is about the conflict between Iran and Iraq. When will it be ready?
Question 25.
The young boy in the story ‘Adventures in a Banyan Tree’ enjoys spending time on his favourite banyan tree. Write a paragraph on the sights and sounds of nature that catch his attention.
Answer:
The boy’s first friend was a small grey squirrel. Slowly it became friendly with him. He gave the squirrel pieces of cakes and biscuits. The squirrel became so close to him that it even searched his pockets and took things out. In the spring when the banyan tree had small red figs, different kinds of birds would come to eat them. The birds included bulbul, rosy pastors, parrots and crows. The banyan tree was the noisiest place then. Halfway up the tree the boy made a platform. He used to sit there and read. From there once he saw a big fight between a mongoose and a cobra. The mongoose killed the cobra. He also saw how the grey squirrel mated with the white rat which his grandfather had bought from the bazaar. The squirrel made a nest on the banyan tree and in the nest the boy could see white baby squirrels.
Questions 26 – 30: Details of a few Oscar Award winners of 2023 are given below. Study them carefully and answer the questions given below. (5)
Question 26.
Name the composer of the best original song.
Answer:
M.M. Keeravani
Question 27.
The Elephant Whisperers was selected as the best ………………
Answer:
Documentary
Question 28.
Who is the Canadian American actor who won the best actor award?
Answer:
Brendan Fraser
Question 29.
Which movie won the award for the best original score?
Answer:
All Quiet on the Western Front
Question 30.
Name an American film directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.
Answer:
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Question 31.
Report the following dialogue. (2)
Zahra : What will I wear to school tomorrow?
Ali : You can wear my sneakers.
(a) Zahra asked Ali ……………….
(b) Ali replied ………………..
Answer:
a) Zahra asked Ali what she would wear to school the next day.
b) Ali replied saying that she could wear his sneakers.
Question 32.
Complete the following passage using appropriate forms of the phrasal verbs from the ones given below.
Aunt Jane was ………….(a)………… to find the way Jack and Jill were living. She ………….(b)………… to them that she had never owed a penny in her life. Before she ………….(c)………… to leave, she ………….(d)………… a cheque to Jill and asked her to ………….(e)………… at least one of their bills.
(hand over, taken aback, pay off, put across, get up)
Answer:
a) taken aback
b) put across
c) got up
d) handed over
e) pay off
Question 33.
There are a few errors in the passage given below. They are underlined. Edit them. (4)
At (a) one of the riverside house (b) of Chandemagore, an endless verbal battle was going on between Sharat and his wife Kiran about her stay (c) in the house. Kiran fell serious (d) ill making everyone terribly anxious.
Answer:
a) In
b) houses
c) staying
d) seriously
Question 34.
Complete the conversation between Satyajit Ray and Mr. Thorat. (4)
Ray : Mr. Thorat, I see that you have brought two tigers!
Mr. Thorat : Yes sir. I decided to play it safe. If one doesn’t perform well ………….(a)…………
Ray : Oh! That’s wonderful, ………….(b)…………
Mr. Thorat : Yes sir. I have fixed a wire to the collar made of tiger skin.
Ray : Okay. If everything is ready, we can start the shooting soon, ………….(c)………… ?
Mr. Thorat : Sir, There is a situation. The crowd seems unmanageable. You had better ………….(d)…………
Ray : Okay. I will do that.
Answer:
a) the other could be used for the shot.
b) isn’t it?
c) can’t we?
d) ask the people to keep themselves at least 70 feet away.
Question 35.
Complete the following passage choosing the right words from those given in brackets. (4)
The ship moved ………….(a)………… through the still darkness of ………….(b)………… night.
There was no need of speech. With a tender gesture Mrs. S. had taken her husband’s hand.
And ………….(c)………… we sat in silence, I could not ………….(d)………… reflect that it was the best investment I had made in my life.
(but, the, as, on, since)
Answer:
a) on
b) the
c) as
d) but
Question 36.
Read the following sentences and identify the Noun Phrases in the subject position and Verb Phrase. (2)
(a) The young fir trees stood motionless.
(b) The pounding in my ears drowned out the rest of the words.
Answer:
a) The young fir trees – NP in subject position. stood motionless – VP
b) The pounding in my ears – NP in subject position drowned out the rest of the words – VP