PM SHRI KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA NO.

5 KALINGA NAGAR, BBSR

HOLIDAY HOMEWORK (AUTUMN BREAK) 2024-25

CLASS – X COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH

Q.1 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

In general, relatives are best avoided; especially those who knew you as a child and then lost
touch before reconnecting some three or four decades later. Somehow, such people are shocked
that you have grown taller since you were five years old, have more hair and surprise, surprise,
even a moustache. Change confuses them.

They hold it against you for growing up; it is as if you must apologise for becoming an adult and
having a family and children of your own.

I wonder how Nelson Mandela or Gandhi reacted when they were reminded of their childhood
catastrophises. There is always some ancient aunt or friend of the family around for whom a fall
from a bicycle at seven or eight is more real than winning independence for your country.

“Remember when we went on a picnic, and you threw up all over the dog?” In my case, someone
is bound to bring up that stunning, unique, never-before-or-since-experienced-by-anyone-else
family story. You can’t nod weakly and hope the conversation will move on, nor get defensive for
then they will tell you everything in pitiless detail, adding bits that never actually happened but
have clung to the story over the years like barnacles under a ship.

“And what about the time you hated milk and poured it out into the potted plants when you
thought no one was looking?” Exciting stuff this. Has nothing else happened in the lives of these
people that they have to live vicariously through my childhood mishaps?

This is why grandmothers are so popular. They tell children stories about the childhood of their
aunts and uncles to be weaponized later in family gatherings.

“Don’t talk about my throwing up. Tell me auntie, about the time you got lost in a grocery store
and ate up their apples in sheer panic?” That usually changes the topic, moving it into the
present and such things as your enviable job and brilliant academic record. Euripides, the Greek
playwright got it right centuries ago: one loyal friend, he said, is worth ten thousand relatives. In
fact, distant relatives are the best, and the farther away the better.

Part of the problem we have with relatives, I suspect, is that we think they might be a version of
ourselves, but more grotesque, more crass, less sensitive, which means some of those qualities
could be within us. Will I be reminding my young nephews and nieces of their silly deeds in
childhood? Is that a way of bringing the bigshots, the CEOs, the PhD’s and the professionals
down to earth? “You might be a star today, but don’t forget I know you wet your bed as a child”!

George Bernard Shaw summed up best the relations with relatives: When our relatives are at
home, we have to think of all their good points, or it would be impossible to endure them. But
when they are away, we console ourselves in their absence by dwelling on their vices.
Attempt the following questions on the basis of the passage you have read.

i. The writer says that relatives are best avoided. Which is the least effective argument put
forward by him?

(a) They are surprised by the changes that they find in you

(b) Something embarrassing that you did years ago is much more interesting than what you
have achieved now.

(c) Relatives are better if they do not remain in contact.

(d) We have to try hard enough to make them likeable to endure them.

ii. What according to the writer is a problem that we have with relatives?

(a) We are similar to them but less harsh and insensitive when compared with them.

(b) We do not know much about them so we cannot make any comment.

(c) They love to indulge in talking about what happened unintentionally

(d) We miss their presence and their interest in talking about it

iii. Complete the sentence appropriately

The author’s mentioning of Euripedes refers to_____________________________

iv. The passage includes some words that are opposite to each other. From the sets below,
identify two sets of antonyms.

(a) Dwell and change

(b) Console and upset

(c) Sheer and surprise

(d) Vice and grotesque

v. Complete the sentence appropriately

The central idea of the passage according to the writer is_______________________

vi. Which among the following do the relatives least prefer to do?

(a) Take pride about the achievements of the kids.

(b) Consoling the kids when they are in trouble.

(c) Talk about all the embarrassing moments.

(d) Using these moments as weapons to be used in the future.

vii. Select option that correctly displays the emotion that the writer is going through
 (a) (b) (c) (d)

viii. Which of the following arguments could completely change the thinking of the author?

(a) Relatives are sometimes mean with their words but not all can be categorised the same.

(b) In today’s world, you would rely on someone whom you know is a part of family rather than
some unknown

(c) During bad times, our family members are the ones who are beside us.

(d) Providing a generalised view shows that you are judging everyone and this also shows that
you are also trying to do the same as them.

ix. Fill in the blank with suitable word/ words

‘Grandmothers are popular’ as used above refers to _________________________

x. How does the writer decide to tackle the problem that he faces?

(a) By looking at the problems that the relatives also have

(b) By enduring the things that they say

(c) Looking at the brighter side of the conversations.

(d) Ignoring everyone and staying away from them

Q.2 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Call it a blessing or curse of Mother Nature, we have to breathe in over 10,000 litres of air in a
day (more than four million litres in a year) to remain alive. By making it essential for life, God
has wished that we try to keep the air we breathe clean. Everyone can see the food that is not
clean and perhaps, refrain from eating it but one cannot stop breathing even if one can feel the
air to be polluted. Several harmful and noxious substances can contaminate the air we breathe.
Generally, much is said and written about outdoor air pollution, most of which is due to
vehicular and industrial exhausts. Given the fact that most of us spend over 90% of our time
indoors, it is most important to recognise that the air we breathe in at home or in offices can be
polluted. It can be a cause of ill health. Air pollutants that are generally present in very low
concentrations can assume significance in closed ill-ventilated places.

2. The indoor air pollution can lead to allergic reactions and cause irritation to the skin, the eyes
and the nose. But as is logical to assume, the brunt of insult by pollutants is borne by the lungs. It
can lead to development of fresh breathing problems, especially in those who have allergic
tendencies, or it can worsen the existing respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis.

3. There can be several sources of indoor air pollution. Tobacco smoke is one of the most
important air pollutants in closed places. “Passive smoking” or environmental tobacco smoke
(ETS) can lead to all harmful effects of tobacco smoking seen in smokers in their non-smoking
companions. ETS as a health hazard has been unequivocally proven and is also getting social
recognition now. One can occasionally see signs displaying the all-important message: “Your
smoking is injurious to my health” in offices and homes. The children of smoking parents are
among the worst affected persons.

4. There can be several sources of indoor air pollution. Tobacco smoke is one of the most
important air pollutants in closed places. “Passive smoking” or environmental tobacco smoke
(ETS) can lead to all harmful effects of tobacco smoking seen in smokers in their non-smoking
companions. ETS as a health hazard has been unequivocally proven and is also getting social
recognition now. One can occasionally see signs displaying the all-important message: “Your
smoking is injurious to my health” in offices and homes. The children of smoking parents are
among the worst affected persons.

5. The next most important source of indoor air pollution is allergens. House dust mites (HDM)
are very small insects not visible to the naked eye and are the commonest source of allergy in
the house. They are ubiquitous and thrive in a warm and moist atmosphere. They spread very
fast and are very difficult to eradicate. Modern houses present ample breeding spaces for them
in the form of carpet, curtains, mattresses, pillows, etc.

6. Exposure to HDM can be prevented by the frequent washing of linen and by encasing the
mattresses and pillows in a non-permeable cover. Pets form an important part of life for some of
us. But they can add plenty of allergens to our indoor atmosphere. Cats are notorious for doing
this. Fine particles from feline fur can remain stuck to the upholstery and carpets for a long time
even after the removal of the animal and lead to the worsening of asthma and skin allergies.
Fortunately, owing to religious and social customs, cats are not very popular pets in India. Dogs,
however, are quite popular and can be as troublesome. Pets should be kept out of the bedrooms
and washed frequently. To remove the fur particles, one has to use vacuum cleaners as the
ordinary broom and mop are not effective.

7. Moulds, fungi and several other microorganisms thrive in damp conditions and can lead to
allergies as well as infections. Humidifiers in the air-conditioning plants provide an ideal
environment for certain types of bacteria and have led to major outbreaks of pneumonia. It is
important to clean regularly the coolers, air conditioners and damp areas of the house regularly,
such as cupboards, lofts, etc., to minimize this risk.

8. Toxic gases can also pollute the indoor environment. Biomass fuels (wood, cow dung, dried
plants) and coal, if burned inside, can lead to severe contamination by carbon monoxide (CO).
The poor quality of stoves and other cooking or heating appliances that cause incomplete
combustion of LPG can also lead to the emission of CO or nitrogen dioxide. Formaldehyde (a gas)
can be released from adhesives that are used for fixing carpets, upholstery and also in making
plywood and particle board.

9. The gases are very toxic in high concentrations as may be encountered during industrial
accidents, but even in very minimal amounts as may be prevalent in homes and offices can cause
irritation to the skin or the eyes, rashes, headache, dizziness and nausea. Improving ventilation
is an important preventive measure besides trying to eliminate the source that may not be
always feasible.

10. Other indoor pollutants are toxic chemicals like cleansing agents, pesticides, paints, solvents
and inferior quality personal care products, especially aerosols. Very old crumbling pipes,
boilers, insulation or false roofing can also be important sources. Asbestos is a hazardous
product that can cause cancer in humans. Thus, it is important to realise that the air we breathe
at home may not be clean always and we must try to eliminate the source of pollution. We
should give due consideration to ventilation.

On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.

i. God wished to keep the air we breathe clean because:

(a) we breathe 10,000 litres of air every year

(b) we breathe four million litres of air in a day

(c) we breathe 10,000 litres of air per day

(d) one cannot stop breathing even if the air is polluted

ii. The air in offices and indoors can be polluted because _________________.

iii. Allergy is caused by:

(a) dust mites (b) modern houses (c) mattresses (d) pillows

iv. ETS refers to _______________.

v. Pets should be kept out of bedrooms because ________________.

vi. Moulds, fungi and bacteria _____.

(a) thrive in damp conditions

(b) can be controlled by using air conditioners

(c) do not cause pneumonia

(d) thrive in dry conditions

vii. Burning of biomass fuel inside homes pollutes the indoor environment _____.

(a) because of the emission of toxic gases

(b) because of incomplete combustion

(c) because of the emission of formaldehyde

(d) none of these

viii. Cancer can be caused in humans due to:

(a) old crumbling pipes

(b) old boilers

(c) insulation and false roofing

(d) asbestos sheet

ix. The antonym of ‘safe’ as used in para 10 is _______________.

x. The synonym of ‘omnipresent’ as used in para 5 is _________________.

Q.3 Teenagers today are getting hooked on to the latest gadgets. Write an article on ‘The
Advantages of Technology and its Adverse Effects.’ You are Somya/ Saurav Taneja.

You may take ideas from the clues given.

 Gadgets: Mobiles, iPods, computers

 Greater affluence: Easy availability
 Improved communication: Easy connectivity, faster information exchange, global vision
 Impact on health: sedentary lifestyle, obesity, eating habits
 Impact on academic performance
 Social impact

Q.4 You are Abhinav, a sports lover. Write a letter to the Editor of a local daily expressing your
views on improving facilities for sportsmen. You can use the following clues and refer to Unit 1 –
Health and Medicine.

Clues

 facilities provided are pathetic

 no facility of international standards
 poor performance in overseas tournaments
 need of action for improvement

Q.5 The two boys in the story “Two Gentlemen of Verona” and the children of Abel in the drama
“Dear Departed” display contrasting qualities. While one gives us glimmers of hope and
positivity the other reflects the darker aspects of children. Elaborate with reference to the two
lessons. (150 words)

Q.6 One feels other’s pain only when one goes through it himself/herself. Explain the
postmaster’s change of heart in the chapter “The Letter” and why it took place. (150 words)

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PORTFOLIO:- Prepare your own portfolio defining yourself. You may refer to the format whose
soft copy has been shared in the class WhatsApp group. Try to showcase your skill of art and
collage in your file.

(Only Portfolio will be prepared and submitted separately, Rest of the Questions will be
answered in English notebook)