CBSE Board Class 10 Functional English Previous Year Question Papers 2007

FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH 
PREVIOUS PAPER 2007
CLASS 10

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  Marks

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (6 marks)
Dance is a skilful art. It is an effective means of expression. Facial expressions
and hand gestures are the essence of dance. A dancer can express such feelings as
joy, anger, or helplessness without saying a word. People have been dancing since
time immemorial. Pre-historic people probably made up dances to gain favour of
their Gods. Many Indian tribes danced while appealing for rain and good crops. But
most people, these days, dance simply to have fun or entertain others. Dance is not
dancing can burn as many calories as twenty minutes of swimming or biking. Half an-hour of
dancing can burn as many as 200 to 400 calories. Dancing can reduce stress, tension,
anxiety and even depression. Dance, like music, knows no boundaries — geographic,
linguistic or racial. It is a great unifying force.

1.1 Answer the following questions briefly :
(a) What constitutes the essence of dance?    (1)
(b) Mention any two feelings which can be expressed by a dancer without
saying a word. (1)
(c) Why did pre-historic people perform dances ? (1)
(d) What did the Indian tribes appeal for through their dances ?  (1)
(e) How many calories are approximately burnt by half an-hour of  dancing ?  (1)
(f) How is dance a unifying force ?  (1)

2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (6 marks)
Ladakh is a desert in the mountains in the Eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir.
This region does not receive any rain and is covered in snow for most of the year.
Very little agriculture is possible in this region and very few trees can grow. For
drinking water, people depend on the melting snow during the summer months. The
people eat meat and milk products like cheese and butter. Each family owns some
goats, cows and dzos (yak-cows). The sheep in this region are very special. They
produce Pashmina wool which is prized. The people of Ladakh carefully collect the
wool and sell it to traders from Kashmir where costly Pashmina shawls are chiefly
woven.  Though  a  de s e r t  Ladakh  a lways   a t t r a c t ed  i t s   sha r e  of   t r ade r s .   I t  wa s
considered a good trade route due to its many passes through which caravans with
merchandise travelled to what is today called Tibet.
2.1 Answer the following questions briefly :
(a) Why is Ladakh a desert region ?.   (2)
(b) How do the people of Ladakh obtain drinking water in summer ?    (1)
(c) Which cattle do they tend ?   (1)
(d) Why are the sheep of this region special ?  (1)
(e) Why was Ladakh considered a good trade route in olden times ?    (1)

3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (8 marks)
There is only one natural satellite - the Moon. But there are many man-made or
artificial satellites revolving around the Earth. Aryabhatta, IRS-IB and INSAT-2A
are some Indian artificial satellites. They are more than 300 Km away from the earth.
At this height, the Earth’s gravity and atmosphere do not affect them.
Artificial satellites are of many kinds. Of them weather satellites send  information and
pictures of clouds, storms and ocean currents. They are used to  predict the weather.
This information is also used to warn people about storms,  floods, forest fires etc.
Communication satellites are used to transmit telephone conversation and TV  programmes
across the earth. They are helpful in sending messages through fax  machines, using
mobile phones and the internet. Science  satellites send information about outer
space. Astronomers study this data and get to  know more about things in is pace. These
satellites are launched into space by rockets. Once beyond the earth’s  gravity and
atmosphere, they are sent circling around the earth by the force of another rocket. There
is nothing in space to obstruct the path or speed of those satellites. So they continue to keep
going around the earth, just like the  moon.2/1/1 3 [P.T.O.
3.1 Answer the following questions briefly : (5 marks)
(a) Name any two of the Indian artificial satellites.    (1)
(b) Why are artificial satellites kept at a distance of more than 300 km away
from the Earth ?    (1)
(c) Mention any two kinds of man-made satellites. (1)
(d) How is the information sent by weather satellites used ? (2)
3.2 Find words/phrases from the passage which mean the same as the following : (3 marks)
(i) force of attraction between an object and the earth    (1)
(ii) body of water or air in motion(1)
(iii) block up/put something in the way of    (1)

SECTION  B
(Writing) 20  Marks

4. You are Sunil/Shilpi living at 23, Navjyoti Apartments, Dwarka, Delhi. There is no
community hall in your area. It causes a lot of hardships to the residents in organizing
a function. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner requesting him to provide
this facility in the area. Do not exceed 100 words. (6 marks)
OR
Your class went on a picnic to the newly created Valley Park in the city. Write a
letter to your friend in Calcutta describing your experiences of the picnic and how
you enjoyed it. You are Samarth/Sushmita living at 256, Block D, Mayur Apartments,
Delhi. Do not exceed 100 words.

5. Read the passage given below : (8 marks)
The bicycle is a wonderful invention indeed. It enables speedy travel using your
energy, whereas almost all other vehicles depend on external sources of energy.
Every school boy knows who invented the first bicycle. It was a Scotsman
named Kirkpatric Macmillan who in 1839 just fitted two wheels to a frame and
attached pedals to the back wheel. He then embarked on the first bicycle ride in
history. It was like nothing they had ever seen. He covered 112 kilometres in a mere
10 hours. It was a great feat considering the speed of travel in those days.
Macmillan’s design of the bicycle was improved over the years. Handlebars
became curved, tyres were made thin, and multiple gears were introduced. John Boyd
Dunlop, thereafter revolutionized road transport by introducing pneumatic tyres.
Racing bicycles became common by 1970. They were very good on smooth
roads and climbed slopes comfortably. But on the mountain terrain where the roads
were rough they flopped. It was at this juncture that Joe Breeze came along with the
mountain bike. He made the tyres thick and introduced a new gear system, a flat
handlebar and efficient hand brakes. It was fine on smooth highways as well as rough
mountain roads.2/1/1 4 [P.T.O.
5.1 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 title to it.    (4 marks)
5.2 Write a summary of the above passage in about 50 words.    (4 marks)

6. You have a neighbour who runs an automobile workshop on the ground floor of his
residence. Little space is left on the road and there are chances of accidents. Write
a paragraph in not more than 80 words describing the difficulties faced by the
residents. (6 marks)
OR
There were pre-monsoon rain showers on Tuesday morning. You found school going
children without any transport at the bus stops. Using the hints given below, write a
report in not more than 80 words for your newspaper. You are Dinesh/Divya, a press
reporter.
Massive water logging - roads pools of water - traffic jam - breakdown of cars,
scooters and other vehicles - great chaos on road - children got stranded.

SECTION C
(Grammar) 15  Marks

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. (½×8=4 marks)
A Lake Park has been developed DDA        developed   by  DDA
in East Delhi. It covers area of about (a)
69 hectares. It attracts large number (b)
of migratory birds. It is famous its (c)
many varieties native trees. A good (d)
walking track is popular fitness (e)
lovers who live this area. Here one (f)
can enjoy boating facilities as well nature (g)
walks the beautiful green surroundings. (h)2/1/1 5 [P.T.O.

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 answer in your answer
sheet. (½×8=4 marks)
An injured jackal (a)________ (save) in South Delhi late on Thursday evening. It
(b) ________ (wander) into the city from the nearby jungle. In fact the animal
(c)________ (chase) by the dogs. While (d)________ (try) to cross the road in fear it
(e) ________ (hit) by a (f)________ (speed) vehicle. The rescue team (g)________
(reach) the scene with an ambulance and (h)________(transport) the animal to
safety.

9. Read the dialogue and complete the passage given below. Write the correct answer
in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole
sentence. (4 marks)
Inspector : When did you come to the bank ?
Salesman : At  about 12.30.
Inspector : How much money did you bring ?
Salesman : Rs. 25000/-. I had to deposit it for my firm.
The   Inspe c tor   a sked  the   s a l e sman  ( a )____________.  The   s a l e sman  told him
(b)_____________________________________. The Inspector inquired of him
(c)__________________. The salesman told him (d)_________________which he
had to deposit for his firm.

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. Remember to number the answers correctly. (3×1=3 marks)
Example :
me/always/have/the thoughts/mother/of/inspired/my
The thoughts of my mother have always inspired me.
1. breathe in/the/fresh/i/morning air/always
2. angry/foolish/him/that/made/remark
3. great/childhood days/i/my/remember/with/pleasure.

SECTION D
(Literature) 45  Marks

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 marks)
Lencho showed not the slightest surprise on seeing the money; such was his
confidence - but he became angry when he counted the money. God could not have
made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested.
Immediately, Lencho went up to the window to ask for paper and ink. On the
public writing-table, he started to write, with much wrinkling of his brow, caused by
the effort he had to make to express his ideas. When he finished, he went to the
window to buy a stamp which he licked and then affixed to the envelop with a blow
of  his fist.
(a) Why was Lencho not surprised on seeing the money ? 
(1)
(b) Which two reasons did he give to justify his anger ?    (2)
(c) Why did he go to the window to ask for paper and ink ?    (1)
(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘least/smallest’?    (1)

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 marks)
Sulochana looked at her husband with frightened eyes. Perhaps he was right,
she thought. But may be he was growing older, and his hands and eyesight were not
as strong as before.
“You must be tired, working without a break,” she said, her words betraying her
simplicity.
(a) Why were Sulochana’s eyes filled with fear ?    (1)
(b) What did she think of her husband?    (2)
(c) How did she console him.?    (1)
(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘giving a sign of/showing what
one really was’ ? 
(1)

13. Sudha says, “Just have faith in yourself and everything will be fine”. How does she
prove it through examples from her own life ? Write your answer in about 80 words. (6 marks)
OR
Why was Anne’s teacher annoyed with her ? How was she able to bring about a change in his
attitude towards her ? Write your answer in about 80 words.

14. Who is Bridget ? Why does she ask for a surgeon ? Write your answer in 30-40
words. (4 marks)
OR
“I hold that one good turn deserves another”, says Reuben. What does he mean by
it ? 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 sheets. Remember to number the answers correctly. (3 marks)
— 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 has been left in a corner ? 
(1)
(b) Who has left it ?    (1)
(c) What purpose has he left it for ?    (1)
                 OR
Earth is dry to the centre,
But Spring, a new comer,
A spring rich and strange,
Shall make the winds blow
Round and round,
(a) Why is the Earth dry ?  (1)
(b) Who is referred to as ‘a new comer’ ?    (1)
(c) What is the significance of Spring ?    (1)

16. Why does the poet want to listen to the Lord ? Explain in 30-40 words. (3 marks)
OR
What message does the poet convey in the poem, ‘Nothing Will Die’ ? Write your
answer in 30-40 words.

17. What has the sea been compared to ? Give two examples which the poet has used for
comparison. (2 marks)2/1/1 8 [P.T.O.

18. Describe the character of Ralph, the Rover. (2 marks)
          OR
How does Wordsworth contrast the conditions outside and inside the house ?

19. What did the scientist do when he became furious ? What happened to the constable
and the people in the bar ? Write your answer in about 100 words. (7 marks)
                                                            OR
Why did the dogs at the surgery reject Tricki as “an uninteresting object” ? How did
he become an accepted member of the gang ? Write your answer in about 100 words.

20. What justification does Hari Singh give for stealing Anil’s money ? (2 marks)

21. Why did Matilda not like to visit her rich friend ? (2 marks)
     OR
What story did Ausable frame about calling the police ?

22. Seeing the tiger, how did the tailor and the constables react ? (2 marks)

23. What happened when Griffin didn’t wake up in time ? (2 marks)
                                OR
Why was Laszlo sent to Ranki Street ? What did he find there ?