Reviewing solved English Question Paper Class 10 Kerala Syllabus Set 1 helps in understanding answer patterns.
English Class 10 Kerala Syllabus Model Question Paper Set 1
Time: 2½ Hours
Score: 80 Marks
Instructions:
- 15 minutes is given as cool off time.
- This time is to be used for reading the question paper.
- You are not supposed to write anything during the cool off time.
- Attempt the questions according to the instructions.
Questions 1-5. Read the following extract from “Preference Nationale” by Fatou Diome and answer the questions that follow. (5 × 1 = 5)
The woman examined my degree and returned it to me. She then said, “I want a European-type person. I don’t want anyone messing up my child’s education.” She is French but she hadn’t passed her degree. She could not tutor her daughter. She refused me work because of black lips which can speak the niceties of French grammar better than hers. I stood up. Before I left I wanted to show her my anger. I told her, “Goodbye, madame. If you had what I have between my ears, you would not be working as a supermarket cashier.”
Question 1.
What is the occasion described in this passage?
Answer:
The occasion described in this passage is the narrator meeting the French woman in the cafe. The French woman wants a tutor for her 11-year old daughter and the narrator wants that job.
Question 2.
Why did the French woman say that she did not want anyone messing up her child’s education?
Answer:
When the French woman saw that the narrator was a black woman, she was not happy. She thought a black woman was not the right person to teach her child properly and that is why she said that she did not want anyone messing up her child’s education.
Question 3.
The French woman could not tutor her daughter because:
A. she was a French woman.
B. the daughter was only 11 years old.
C. she had no time as she was working as cashier in a supermarket.
D. she hadn’t passed her degree.
Answer:
D. she hadn’t passed her degree.
Question 4.
“If you had what I have between my ears you would not be working as a supermarket cashier.” What does the writer mean by “What I have between my ears”?
A. Her nose
B. Her eyes
C. Her brain
D. The make-up on her face
Answer:
C. Her brain
Question 5.
What does the phrase “messing up” mean?
Answer:
“Messing up” means making something untidy or dirty.
Questions 6-9. Read the following lines from “The Mirror” by Sylvia Plath and the answer the questions that follow. (4 × 1 = 4)
Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me, Searching my reaches for what she really is.
Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon.
I see her back, and reflect it faithfully. She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands.
I am important to her. She comes and goes. Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.
In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish.
Question 6.
“Now I am a lake.” The “I” mentioned here stand for
A. The Lake
B. Sylvia Plath
C. The mirror
D. The young girl
Answer:
C. Themirror
Question 7.
Why is the woman in tears?
A. She has seen the liars.
B. She feels she is no more young and glamorous.
C. She is very young.
D. She has seen a terrible fish.
Answer:
B. She feels she is no more young and glamorous.
Question 8.
Why does the woman search the reaches of the mirror?
Answer:
The woman searches the reaches of the mirror to find out what she really is, how she really looks.
Question 9.
What has happened to the young girl that used to look into the mirror each morning?
Answer:
The young girl that used to look into the mirror each morning has now become an old woman without any glamour.
Question 10.
(A) Read the following lines from the poem ‘The Wild Swans at Coole” by W.B. Yeats and prepare an appreciation focusing on the language, theme, poetic devices and message ofthepoem. (1 × 5 = 5)
I have looked upon those brilliant creatures,
And now ijiy heart is sore.
All’s changed since I, hearing at twilight,
The first time on this shore,
The bell-beat of their wings above my head,
Trod with a lighter tread.
Unwearied still, lover by lover,
They paddle in the cold
Companionable streams or climb the air;
Their hearts have not grown old;
Passion or conquest, wander where they will,
Attend upon them still.
Answer:
The poet says that he had been looking at the beautiful swans for 19 autumns. But now he feels very sad. Everything for him has changed since he saw the swans for the first time. The swans are still making noise with their wings and they seem not tired at all. But for him twilight has descended and his pace has slowed down. He is not as energetic as he was 19 years ago when he saw the swans for the first time.
The swans are still not tired at all. They are paddling in the cold friendly streams with their lovers. Or they are flying above. They have not grown old and they pursue their goals with passion or they roam about in places of their liking. They are still youthful and energetic, unlike the poet who has changed over the years.
The poem is a profoundly moving and reflective. It is a contemplative meditation on themes of time, aging, the constancy of nature, and the pain of human change. The strength of the poem lies in the contrast drawn between the aging poet and the seemingly ageless swans. The imagery of the poem is great with fine pictures of nature. We see trees in their autumn beauty, dry woodland paths, the water mirroring the still sky under the October twilight and the swans drifting on the brimming water. The imagery of the swans, drifting on still water yet capable of climbing the air, makes them mysterious, beautiful. The swans also represent eternal youth and love.
The poem has a regular rhythm and the rhyme scheme is abcbdd. “The Wild Swans at Coole” captures the universal human heartache over the relentless passage of time and the painful awareness of one’s own mortality in the face of nature’s endless cycle.
B. The human heartache over the relentless passage of time and the painful awareness of one’s own mortality in the face of nature’s endless cycle is a universal problem Many old people are unhappy because they are neglected and they feel they have become useless and unwanted. You may have old grandparents or, at least, you may have seen some. What are the problems they face and what solutions can you suggest?
Answer:
Older adults face many challenges that affect the quality of their life. Key problems include health issues like chronic diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes and cognitive decline, often compounded by the lack of adequate healthcare. Social isolation and loneliness are also prevalent due to weakened family support, loss of loved ones, and limited mobility, negatively affecting their mental health. Furthermore, financial insecurity from fixed incomes and rising medical costs, alongside the generation gap and the digital divide, can marginalize seniors.
Effective solutions to these problems can be found in certain factors. One of them is Flealth and well¬being: Promote preventive care with regular check¬ups, healthy diets, and moderate exercises. Another factor is Social Connection. Encourage community engagement through senior centres and intergenerational programmes to combat loneliness. Family and community-led initiatives are essential for support. A 3rd factor is financial security. Strengthen social security/pension schemes and offer financial literacy training to protect the senior citizens against scams.
Questions 11-14: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (4 × 1 = 4)
Life is often described as a marathon, not a sprint. This famous saying beautifully captures the essence of perseverance: the ability to keep going despite difficulties and setbacks. For a student, facing tough exams, managing time, and balancing hobbies can be overwhelming. Many start with enthusiasm, but the real test lies in maintaining that initial energy when the path gets steep.
Consider the example of an inventor. A light-bulb wasn’t created on the first attempt; it took thousands of failed experiments. Each failure, however, was not a defeat, but a lesson learned. The inventor’s success wasn’t due to genius alone, but to the unwavering commitment to try one more time.
In your own life, perseverance means dedicating a consistent amount of time to studies, even when a subj ect is boring or hard. It means picking yourself up after a poor test score and analysing your mistakes instead of giving up. It involves developing a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities to improve, not as fixed limits on your potential. This quality—this stubborn refusal to quit—is the single most important factor that separates the achievers from the dreamers. Cultivate it now, and it will serve you well in every area of your future life.
Question 11.
According to the passage, what is the meaning of “perseverance”?
A. The ability to finish tasks very quickly.
B. The ability to keep going despite difficulties and setbacks.
C. The talent Of managing time and balancing hobbies.
D. The capacity to start tasks with great enthusiasm
Answer:
B. The ability to keep going despite difficulties and setbacks.
Question 12.
The passage compares the process of life to a:
A. Sprint.
B. A Marathon.
C. Race.
D. Game.
Answer:
B. A Marathon.
Question 13.
What does the passage suggest a student should do after receiving a poor test score?
A. Immediately give up on the subj ect.
B. Blame the difficulty of the paper.
C. Analyse their mistakes instead of giving up.
D. Work harder and learn more.
i) AandD
ii) BandC
iii) BandD
iv) CandD
Answer:
iv) C and D
Question 14.
The phrase “growth mindset” implies seeing challenges as:
A. Things to be considered seriously.
B. Opportunities to improve.
C. Overwhelming obstacles.
D. Proof of a lack of talent.
i) A and D
ii) B and C
iii) A and C
iv) A and B
Answer:
iv) A and B
Questions 15-18. Answer either A or B. (1 × 7 = 7)
Question 15.
(A) The jasmine vine, the mango tree and
Shakuntala blend in a unified image. Have you seen works of art in which humans and are depicted in harmony with nature? List 3 of such works of art that you remember.
Answer:
Three works of art in which humans are depicted in harmony with nature that I remember are:
a) Kerala Mural Paintings: They are found mainly in temples. Although they may feature gods and goddesses, a key characteristic is the integration of human and divine figures with lush natural elements.
b) “Harmonious life of nature and man,” by Aiswaria A.K. beautifully depicts farmers working in a paddy field. The artist’s statement highlights how agriculture is an “unavoidable part of our culture and traditions” and that farmers are a “true sign of harmony between man and nature.”
c) Tribal Art from the Western Ghats: The art of indigenous communities in the Western Ghats is a good example of humans in harmony with nature. Their art forms are often rooted in their daily life and their intimate knowledge of the forest.
OR
(B) PelayoandEhsenda are two major characters in the story “AVery Old Man with Enormous Wings”. Give the character sketches of both Pelayo and Elisenda.
Answer:
Pelayo is a bailiff and he has a club. He is young, strong, muscular, and athletic. He is willing to work hard. He is practical minded and responsible. He is courageous. He drags out in the old man from the mud and locks him up in the chicken coop. He is magnanimous and that is why he tries to send the old man away in a raft giving him water and necessary provisions. Pelayo represents ordinary people. He is practical minded, When the old man returns, he fences around the courtyard and allows visitors only on payment of 5 cents. He becomes rich and builds a two-storey mansion.
Elisenda is the wife of Pelayo and she has a baby. She is, young, strong and capable of hard work. She is a loving mother and she has strong maternal instincts. At the start of the story we see her putting compresses on her sick baby. She is shrewd and intelligent. She helps her husband in all the things he does. She is a good homemaker.
Question 16.
(A) “In the Attic” highlights the human experience of displacement and survival in time of war and persecution. “World Refugee Day” is an international day organised every year on 20 June by the United Nations. It is designed to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world. Write an article on the problems faced by refugees. (1 x 6 = 6)
Answer:
Refugees are people who are forced to leave their countries because of their fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. At the end of June 2024, there were nearly 123 million refugees worldwide as they were forcibly displaced from their homes due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events seriously disturbing public order.
There are many problem faced by refugees. The most important problem is making a living. Refugees can’t find work easily in the places they go to and they suffer poverty. Another problem is finding adequate and affordable housing. People are not willing to give their houses on rent to refugees. Athird problem is staying safe and healthy. Very often refugees live in crowded and unhygienic places with serious threats to their health. The health problem is not limited to their bodies but also to their minds. They suffer from mental trauma.
Then there are language and cultural barriers. The lands to which they go may have different languages and cultural practices and the refugees feel like fish out of water. Another big problem is that of educating the children. The pain of leaving behind your home and all those whom you loved is something that torments all refugees. In short the life of a refugee is really terrible.
The refugee crises in Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Sudan are currently among the world’s largest and most severe, with millions displaced and facing very pathetic conditions.
OR
(B) India had and still it has major Refugee problems. Discuss the causes, the events, and the challenges of the major Refugee Problems India faced. Use the hints given below: (Hints: Partition of 1947 – regional conflicts like Bangladesh Liberation War 1971 – Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009) – the persecution of Rohingya in Myanmar – the ethnic and political persecution of Tibetan Buddhists. Afghan Sikhs and Hindu after the Taliban take over in 2021 – social and economic strain – security – lack of legal framework – uncertainty for refugees)
Answer:
16. migration: The Partition of India in 1947 created one of the largest refugee crises in history, with millions of people migrating between India and Pakistan. Then there are regional conflicts. India has been a destination for refugees fleeing conflicts in nearby countries, like Bangladesh during the Liberation War of 1971, Sri Lanka, during the Civil War between 1983-2009, and Myanmar because of the persecution of the Rohingyas there.
Ethnic and political persecution is another reason. Influxes have also been caused by the persecution of specific communities, such as Tibetan Buddhists fleeing Chinese occupation in 1959 and Afghan Sikhs and Hindus after the Taliban takeover in 2021.
Refugee problems pose big challenges for India. There is the Social and economic strain. Large numbers of refugees can lead to social tensions and identity crises for local populations, particularly in border regions. They also place financial burdens on the country. Then there are security concerns.
India’s porous borders make it difficult to differentiate between refugees and other migrants, raising security concerns and complicating efforts to manage unauthorized entry. Another thing is that India has no specific national law for refugees, leading to an ad hoc and often political approach to the issue. There is the difficulty in managing migration. Once a refugee arrives, particularly through a porous border, it becomes challenging to track and identify them for deportation, as they often blend into the general population. Then there are the problems faced by the refugees. They often face uncertainty, insecurity, and exploitation, lacking access to basic amenities like housing, employment, and legal protection.
Question 17.
(A) Appearances can be deceptive. What wase Mr. Student’s first attitude about Teresa and how did that change? (1 x 6 = 6)
Answer:
Mr. Student’s attitude towards Teresa in the beginning was quite negative. He says that she is tall and strong, with bushy dark brown hair and a large coarse face. She has dark eyes. She speaks with a bass voice, which is the lowest adult male singing voice. He disliked her so much that he never left his door open if he knew that Teresa was in her apartment. But in due course his impressions about Teresa change drastically.
Once she said to Mr. Student that she was also a human creature that needed love and affection. When the narrator comes into closer contact with Teresa he understands her pain and her emotional needs and he becomes empathetic and is ready to help her. He agrees to write the letter to the imaginary Boles and the reply from Boles to her. These letters give Teresa some j oy thinking that there is someone out there that loves and cares for her. All human beings need this kind of love and support. Loneliness makes people unhappy and desperate and it kills the joy of life. Teresa reciprocates the help given by Mr Student by mending his socks, shorts and other articles of clothing. Appearances are certainly deceptive!
OR
(B) Ms Deepa is your English teacher. You had a negative initial impression about her as you thought she was stem and unapproachable. But soon you realised your first impressions were wrong and she is a very efficient and compassionate teacher. Write how the change happened in your thinking.
Answer:
My initial impression of Ms. Deepa, my new English teacher, was entirely negative. On the first day, she seemed stem and unapproachable, with a rigid posture and an almost military-like precision in her speech. Her classroom rules were strict, and her assignments, particularly the complicated grammar exercises, felt pedantic and overwhelming. I found her correction of my creative writing to be overly critical, stifling any enthusiasm I had for the subject. I felt that Deepa teacher simply didn’t understand students and lacked the warmth necessary for a good teacher.
However, in due course, my impressions began to change. The turning point came during a class discussion on “Macbeth” When I cautiously shared a unique interpretation of Macbeth’s character, expecting a dismissal, she instead paused, listened intently, and asked insightful follow-up questions that encouraged me to elaborate. I realized her strictness wasn’t a lack of warmth, but a deep commitment to academic rigour and helping us reach our potential.
Her precise feedback, which I had initially resented, started to make sense as my writing genuinely improved. She pushed me to be a clearer, more intentional writer. I discovered that behind the stem exterior was a passionate educator who truly cared about her students’ intellectual growth. By the end of the semester, my initial negative impression had completely transformed into profound respect and gratitude for her dedication.
Question 18.
(A) In “Preference Nationale” we see how the narrator is insulted by the bakery owner and also the French woman who was looking for a tutor for her 11 -year old child. The bakery owner and the French woman are racists. How does racism affect the people who are discriminated on the basis of race?(1 x 4 = 4)
Answer:
In “Preference Nationale” we see how the narrator is struggling to find work. Although she has high qualifications, she becomes ready to work as a salesgirl in a bakery. But the owner of the bakery is not ready to employ her just because she is a black woman. So he asks her to speak French with the Alsatian accent. When she says she can’t do that he insults her asking her why she can’t go back to her own country and work there.
When she tries to get the job of a tutor of the 11- year old girl of the cashier in supermarket, the cashier tells her that she wants a European type of person to tutor her child and she doesn’t want anyone messing up her child’s education. The only reason for her rejection by the French woman is that the narrator is a black Senegalese woman although she has high qualifications in French. Both the owner of the bakery and French woman are racists who have no respect for people from Asia and Africa whose skin colour can be brown, black or yellow. They think the whites are a superior race and all other races are inferior to it. Racism affects people adversely. It is against humanity.
OR
(B) In “Preference Nationale”, we see the narrator going to the cafe to meet the French woman and ordering a ‘mocktail’. Mocktail is a portmanteau word which means a word which is made by combining the meanings of two other words. An example of another portmanteau word is ‘brunch’ which combines “breakfast and lunch”. What are the two words that make the following portmanteau words?
a) mocktail
b) blog
c) motel
c) smog
Answer:
a) mocktail = mock + cocktail
b) blog = web + log
c) motel = motor + hotel
d) smog = smoke + fog
Question 19.
So far only one Indian has received the Nobel Prize for Literature. That was Rabindranath Tagore for his “Gitanjali” in 1913. From the hints given below, prepare his biographical sketch. (1 ×6 = 6)
(Hints: poet, philosopher, and artist – bom 1861 in Kolkata – key figure in the Bengal Renaissance -the national anthems for India and Bangladesh – experimental university in Shantiniketan Visva- Bharati University – political activism – renounced his knighthood – youngest of 13 children – wrote poetry at age 8 – died in 1941)
Answer:
Rabindranath Tagore was a renowned poet, philosopher, and artist from Bengal. He is celebrated for his profound impact on Bengali literature and music, his role as a key figure in the Bengal Renaissance, and for becoming the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, Gitanjali. He also wrote the national anthems for India and Bangladesh, founded Visva-Bharati University, and renounced his knighthood in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
He was bom in Kolkata in 1861 into a wealthy Bengali family as was the youngest of thirteen children. He disliked formal schooling but was a prodigious writer from a young age, writing poetry at age eight. Although he briefly studied law in England, he returned to India without a degree, to focus on his writing.
Question 20.
What is the purpose of Education, according to Muruganantham? What ideas of his have impressed you the most? (1 × 4 = 4)
Answer:
The purpose of education, according to Muruganantham is to empower us. It should make us self-reliant, confident and hard working. We must bear in mind that we do not need to beg for a job after education. Try to find solutions to social problems and create jobs for yourselves and others. Your need education and knowledge to identify the problems. Convert every problem into an opportunity. Come out with a solution, an invention, an innovation, and enterprise. Become solution providers and social entrepreneurs. Lakhs of Indians, especially Keralites, go abroad to the Gulf, to America, Canada, Newzealand and other countries looking for jobs.
Thus there is great brain drain in India. Instead of utilizing their talents for the development of their own nation, they work for other countries just because they get better paid there. Muruganantham says that educated people must become entrepreneurs and not job seekers. They should be job-givers! Muruganantham, known as the Padman of India, through his entrepreneurship did a great service not only to the womenfolk of India but the entire Nation. I am really impressed by his exhortation to the educated youths not to be job-seekers but job providers.
Question 21.
Read the passage below and frame four appropriate questions based on it. (1 × 4 = 4)
My father was a weaver. I was familiar with cotton. All my initial experiments failed miserably. The topic was taboo in our village. My interest in the subject led to my isolation in the community and even in my family. But I did not give up. I tried to find out what type of cotton the popular brands were using. It took me two years of trial and error to find out it was pinewood pulp and not cotton. The suppliers sent me some samples. I spent several days wondering how to make cellulose out of it. One day my pet dog accidentally scratched the sample card and I saw the soft cottony material. This gave me the idea of defibration.
Answer:
a) How did the narrator become familiar with cotton?
b) What topic was taboo in his village?
c) What was the reason behind the narrator’s isolation in the community and family?
d) “This gave me the idea of defibration.” What is represented by.the word ‘This’?
Questions 22-26: Study the advertisement below and answer the questions that follow: (5 × 1 = 5)
|
Advertisement WANTED: PROOFREADERS “The Daily Chronicle”, a leading English Daily invites applications for the position of Proofreaders to join our dynamic editorial team. Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, orMass Communication. Essential Skills: Age Limit: Candidates must be below 30 years of age as of the last date of application. Relaxation for experienced candidates will be considered. Future Prospects: Excellent opportunity for career growth into Copy Editor and Senior Editorial roles. Last Date to Apply: 30 November 2025 How to Apply: Send your detailed resume, cover letter, and a recent passport-size photograph to: Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. |
Answer:
a) How did the narrator become familiar with cotton?
b) What topic was taboo in his village?
c) What was the reason behind the narrator’s isolation in the community and family?
d) “This gave me the idea ofdefibration.” What is represented by the word This’?
Question 22.
What is the position offered by The Daily Chronicle?
Answer:
The position offered by The Daily Chronicle is that of Proof Readers.
Question 23.
Which of the following is not arequirement for the job?
A. A Bachelor’s degree
B. Good knowledge of English language
C. Drivingskills
D. Computer skills
Answer:
C. Driving skills
Question 24.
For whom will there be relaxation of the age limit?
Answer:
There will be relaxation of the age limit for experienced candidates.
Question 25.
Where should the application be sent to?
A. The General Manager
B. The Human Resource Department, The Daily Chronicle, Kochi – 682005
C. The Editor-in-Chief
D. The Personnel Manager
Answer:
B. The Human Resource Department. The Daily Chronicle, Kochi -682005
Question 26.
Who will be contacted for further assessment?
A. All candidates.
B. Candidates who reside in Kochi
C. Candidates who have relatives in the Board Members of the Paper.
D. Short listed candidates.
Answer:
D. Short listed candidates.
Question 27.
Edit the passage. The errors are in bold. (6 × 1/2 = 3)
The charioter tells the king that he is chasing a spoted deer. The king want the deer to stop running. The king tells him that the deer has been making the chase a long one. A deer often looks behind and the king sees that he, the deer, has a beautiful neck. The deer is affraid and his body has shrank. He is afraid of being hit by the arrow.
Answer:
charioteer, spotted, wants, The, afraid, shrunk
Question 28.
Complete the paragraph using appropriate forms of the phrasal verbs given in brackets.(5× 1 = 5)
The team had to (i) ______ a new strategy after the initial plan (ii) ______ so the manager told everyone to (iii) ______ the competitors’ methods and (iv) ______ fresh ideas by morning, urging them not to (v) despite the tight deadline.
(put forward, fall through, come up with, give up, look into)
Answer:
i) come up with,
ii) fell through,
iii) look into,
iv) put forward,
v) give up
Question 29.
Complete the following passage choosing the right words from the brackets. (6 × 1/2 = 3)
______ (i) the new fiscal quarter began, the leadership team has been focused ______ (ii) fostering innovation ______(iii) evay department. They believe significant breakthroughs can only happen when ideas are shared freely, moving ______ (iv) unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. The commitment ______ (v) improvement must resonate ______ (vi) the entire organization to truly succeed. (for, on. since, within, without, from)
Answer:
i) Since,
ii) on,
iii) from,
iv) without,
v) for,
vi) within.
Question 30.
Complete the following conversation between German Officer and Szpilman. (5 × 1 = 5)
German Officer: What did yo.u do for a (i) ______ ?
Szpilman: I am a (ii) ______
German Officer: Okay. Follow me to the next room.
There is a (iii) ______ there. I want you to (iv) ______ on the piano.
Szpilman: I will play Chopin’s Nocturne.
German Officer: It was wonderful. It is not safe here for you. I will take you out of the city into a village where (v)______
Answer:
i) living
ii) pianist
iii) piano
iv) play something
v) you will be safe
Question 31.
Report the following dialogue. (2 × 1 = 2)
Pelayo: Elisenda, come with me. There is an old man lying face down in our courtyard.
Elisenda: Can’t you see I am putting pads on our sick baby?
Answer:
Pelayo asked Elisenda to go with him. There was an old man lying face down in their courtyard. In response Elisenda asked him if he can’t see her putting pads on their sick baby.
Question 32.
Choosing words from those given in brackets, write two – word captions for the pictures.
(Talk, Child, Teacher, Student, Confusing, Helpless)
b)
Answer:
a) Helpless Child
b) Confusing Talk