CBSE Board Class 10 English Elective Previous Year Question Papers 2007

ENGLISH ELECTIVE 2007
CLASS 10
PREVIOUS PAPER

Time allowed : 3 hours Maximum Marks: 100
General Instructions :
(i) This paper is divided into  four  Sections : A, B, C and D.
(ii) All questions are compulsory.
(iii) Marks are indicated against each question.
SECTION A
(Reading) 20

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 8
India has a long tradition of proper use and wise conservation of all
resources that are useful to people. Forests have been the lifeline for tribals and other
forest dwelling communities since ages. For the conservation of forests, the concept of
sacred groves (small groups of trees) was started. In fact, the practice of dedicating
groves to local gods has a long history. They are the ancient natural sanctuaries where
all forms of living creatures are given protection by a god. These sacred groves have
been a traditional means of protecting a large number of different kinds of animals and
plants. Nobody is permitted to cut any tree or plant, kill any animal or bird, or do any
harm to any form of life in this area. Such groves can still be found in most states,
notably Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Meghalaya. The Bishnois of Rajasthan are
the followers of a faith that encourages them to protect and worship nature; the khejri
tree and the black buck are held in high regard.

1.1 (a) Why do the tribals conserve forests ? 1
(b) Why was the concept of ‘sacred groves’ started ? 1
(c) How has India maintained a long tradition of sacred groves ? 1
(d) Where do such groves exist now ? 1
(e) Which faith is followed by the Bishnois ? 1
1.2 Which words in the passage mean the same as the following : 3
(a) protection
(b) places of refuge for birds and animals
(c) holy/pious

2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 6
In India, since the earliest times, the traditional artisans, whether they
worked for the royal patrons or met the needs of villagers, belonged to artisan families.
The craft they practiced was inherited from their forefathers. It was invariably the
father or the grandfather who trained his sons in the fine points of his hereditary
craft. He used to pass his age-old skills and expertise to the next generation. The
patrons of the village painters were ‘the local people, the local temple priests, landlords,
rich farmers and others. In addition, traditional artists expressed religious themes
through the art. Their works also centred around the folk songs or legends or the
brave acts of the local warriors or heroes. A number of folk paintings are the creations
of rural women, the illiterate housewives, who painted the mud walls of their homes
and their thresholds on ceremonial and auspicious occasions. In this case, painting was
a personal, family obligation, dictated by socio-religious customs.
(a) On which occasions did the village women paint the walls of their homes ? 1
(b) How did the traditional artisans learn their craft ? 1
(c) For whom did the village painters draw and paint ? 1
(d) What are the themes of folk paintings ? 2
(e) How did folk paintings educate the villagers ? 12/1 3 P.T.O.

3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 6
The Van Gujjars are forest dwelling people that have been living in the
foothills of the Himalayas for centuries, rearing their buffaloes in the forests and
pasture lands. In winter, the Gujjars cut down branches from selected fodder trees.
They make sure that enough branches and leaves are left so that the tree may grow
again during the remaining period of the year. Also, they cut the branches just before
the time of leaf fall of the particular species. In this way they ensure that the tree
gets the full benefit of the foliage for growth. Buffalo manure provides a very rich
fertilizer for the forests. They live in complete harmony with the forests and their
wildlife. Wherever they live, the wildlife thrives. They protect and conserve the forests
and the wildlife. They know every species of tree, animal, and bird. They recognize
every sound in the forest and its meaning.
(a) Who are the Van Gujjars’ ? What is their occupation ? 2
(b) How do the Gujjars protect and conserve the forests ? 2
(c) Mention the seasons when they cut down the branches. 1
(d) What knowledge do the Van Gujjars have about the wildlife ? 1

SECTION B
(Writing) 20

4. You are Sanchi / Sarthak, a press reporter. Write a report of a trip you made with your
friends to a local tourist attraction, in not more than 80 words. You can use the
information given  below : 6
Day and place of trip — transport used — number of people in the group —
how long the journey took — attractions of the place — how it impressed you
— shopping, meals, recreation — journey back.
OR
There have been reports about children increasingly watching television as a result of
the increase in the number of channels which are available at the press of a button.
This has resulted in a drop in their academic performance. Also their physical
development is not upto the required level. Write a paragraph on ‘THE ILL-EFFECTS
OF WATCHING TOO MUCH TELEVISION’ in about 80 words.2/1 4

5. Your house was burgled while you had gone to see a movie. On your return, you found
all the house ransacked and the valuable things missing. Write a letter to the Station
House Officer of the Police Station of your area complaining about the theft, giving all
the necessary details like the date and possible time of burglary, particulars of things
stolen,  total  value   of   things   stolen,  details  of suspected  or unknown  accused  and
request for action. You are Priyanka / Tarun, A1/82, Palam Vihar, Hisar. Do not exceed
100 words. 6
OR
You are Tarun / Priyanka of A3/110, Sonia Vihar, N. Delhi. You have received a letter
from your friend Varun Joshi of Class X, Chandigarh inviting you to attend the
marriage of his sister on April 10, 2007. Write a letter to your friend expressing your
inability to attend the function giving a reason. Do not exceed 100 words.

6. Read the passage given below : 8
Why don’t I have a telephone ? Not because I pretend to be wise or pose
unusual. There are two chief reasons; because I don’t really like the telephone, and
because I find I can still work and play, eat, breathe, and sleep without it. Why don’t
I like the telephone ? Because I think it is a pest and a time-waster. It may create
unnecessary suspense and anxiety, as when you wait for an expected call that doesn’t
come; or irritating delay, as when you keep ringing a number that is always engaged.
As for speaking on a public telephone box, that seems to me really horrible. You would
not use it unless you were in a hurry, and because you are in a hurry you will find
other people waiting before you. When you do get into the box, you can’t breathe
chain-smoking; and by the time you have begun your conversation, your back is chilled
by the cold looks of somebody who wants to take your place.
6.1 On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it in points only, using
headings  and sub-headings. Also use recognizable  abbreviations, wherever
necessary. Supply a suitable heading to it. 4
6.2 Write a summary of the above passage in about 50 words. 

SECTION C
(Grammar) 15

7. In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Write the missing
word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in your
answer sheet.  Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined as shown below.
½×8=4
Once upon time there were e.g.  upon   a  time
two antelopes, a deer and doe (a)
that used roam and play together (b)
in forest of Ratu. Their bodies (c)
were covered pure white fur (d)
and golden spots. One day hunter (e)
came the forest and (f)
managed track and kill both the antelopes. (g)
Just then began to grow dark and (h)
it started raining heavily.

8. Read the following passage and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words given
in brackets. Correctly number and write the answers in your answer sheet. ½×8=4
In December in the southern hemisphere, the winds (a) ____________ (slow)
down.  Warm water (b) ____________ (collect)  at the  surface  and  (c) ____________
(cause) significant reduction in the food for the fish. This (d) ____________ (lead) to
changes in weather patterns. A wide variety of disasters (e)____________ (take) place
all over the world during this period. Its impact (f) ____________ (be) very damaging.
Storms (g)____________(hit) and life and property (h) ____________ (destroy).

9. Read the dialogue given below and complete the passage that follows. Write the correct
answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole
sentences. 1×4=4
Anu : Radhika’s parents have invited me to her birthday party. What shall I wear,
Mama ?
Mother : You should wear something warm, dear. It’s terribly cold today.
Anu told her mother that Radhika’s parents (a)________birthday party and asked
(b)______________ .  The mother (c)____________ , as (d)__________________.2/1 6

10. Look  at  the  words   and  phrases   given  below.   Rearrange  them  to  form  meaningful
sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the correct sentences in
your answer sheet. Number the answers correctly. 1×3=3
Example :
is it / that / attracts / so many /to it / about prayers / people / what ?
What is it about prayers that attracts so many people to it ?
(a) offer / peace / hope / and / of mind / prayers
(b) the / difficulties / courage / they give / to face / you
(c) an / should be / with / honest heart / offered / prayers

SECTION D
(Literature) 45

11. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in
your answer sheet in  one or two lines only.  Number the answers correctly. 5
When I think of the past, vast numbers of pictures rush through my mind.
Some of the pictures stay longer than others. They are my favourites and I begin to
muse about them, and, unconsciously almost, I compare past happenings with what is
taking place today. I try to find a lesson in them for my guidance. But what a strange
jumble is one’s mind, full of disconnected thoughts and ill-arranged images, like a
gallery with no order in the arrangement of pictures. And yet perhaps the fault is not
entirely ours.
(a) “They are my favourites.” What does the word ‘They’ here refer to ? 1
(b) What does the writer try to find in the past happenings ? 1
(c) Why does he call the human mind a strange jumble ? 1
(d) What does he compare the human mind with ? 1
(e) Find in the passage a word which means the same as the following : 1
a confused group of things

12. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in
your answer sheet in  one or two lines only.  Number the answers correctly. 5
As far as he could see, the trees were standing up against the sky. Not one
tree not two, not a dozen, but the thousands he had planted in seed and sprout. And
not little trees, no, not saplings, not little tender shoots, but great trees, huge trees,
trees as tall as ten men, green and huge and round and full, trees shimmering their
metallic leaves, trees whispering, trees in a line over hills, lemon-trees, lime-trees,
redwoods and mimosas and oaks and elms and aspens, cherry, maple, ash, apple,
orange, eucalyptus, stung by a tumultuous rain, nourished by alien and magical soil
and even as he watched, throwing out new branches, popping open new buds.
(a) Who does ‘he’ in the passage refer to ? 1
(b) How many trees did he see ? 1
(c) What had helped the trees to grow so big ? 1
(d) What was still happening as he watched ? 1
(e) Find in the passage a word which means the same as the following : 1
shining

13. How did Gobinda solve the mystery of the broken image ? What did he find out ? Write
your answer in about 80 words. 6
OR
How did the mother make the young seagull come out of his fear and teach him the
art of flying ? Write your answer in about 80 words.

14. How did Daredevil Dan escape from the two runners ? Write your answer in 30 - 40
words. 4
OR
Why did the  Surgeon  and Reuben want Dan to escape ? How did they help him ?
Write your answer in 30 - 40 words.

15. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in
your answer sheet in one or two sentences only. Number the answers correctly. 3
Sometimes he’ll hide in the cave of a rock,
Then whistle as shrill as the buzzard cock;
— Yet seek him — and what shall you find in the place ?
Nothing but silence and empty space,
Save, in a corner, a heap of dry leaves,
That he’s left for a bed for beggars or thieves !
(a) What evidence does the poet give of the wind’s presence ? 1
(b) Where does the wind hide itself ? 1
(c) What has been compared to the buzzard cock ? 1
                           OR
The good old Abbot of Aberbrothok,
Had placed that bell on the Inchcape Rock:
On a buoy in the storm it floated and swung,
And over the waves its warning rung.
(a) Who had placed the bell ? Where had he placed it ? 1
(b) How could the bell float and swing ? 1
(c) What warning has been referred to in these lines ? 

16. Why couldn’t the ship of Sir Ralph the Rover avoid the Inchcape Rock ? Write your
answer in 30 - 40 words. 3
OR
Why does the poet wish to listen to God in every moment of life ? Write your answer
in 30-40 words.

17. When does the sea behave like a hungry dog and why ? 2

18. Which aspects of nature does Tennyson mention in his poem, ‘Nothing Will Die’ ? 2
                      OR
How can the wind’s presence be felt ? Answer in 30 - 40 words. (Address to a Child)

19. Max was very cunning but careless and he was no match for Ausable as a secret agent.
Explain in about 100 words. 7
                                               OR
Who was Anil ? How did he influence Hari Singh’s life ? Write your answer in about
100 words.

20. Did Horace Danby feel sure of his success in robbery that particular year ? 2
                             OR
How   did  Tricki  become   an   accepted   member  of the   gang   and   start  enjoying  the
company of other dogs ?

21. Why did the tiger’s opinion of humans change when he came out of the circus and
roamed through the streets ? 2

22. Why was Matilda unhappy ? 2
                  OR
With what impression did the lawyer come back to the city ?

23. Why did Ramlal’s wife agree to send Bholi to school ? 2