11 mm

ENGLISH
For
2026
Examinations

21 M. L. Q. Sets : ENGLISH (HL) -- STD. X


      
 ENGLISH (HL)
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Board’s
       
Activity Sheet
  of July 2025

STD. X
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Making Learning Smarter

Scan to ace your goals now

2026

ISBN 978-93-7354-967-5

D0051

Price : ` 100.00 9 789373 549675

 SMART DigiBook platform offers a digital
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available in PDF format and bundled with
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SMART
SOLUTIONS
STANDARD X
(MARCH 2020 TO MARCH 2025)

ENGLISH (HL)

• Salient Features :
T & C Apply

3 Simple Steps to SMART Learning

1. The latest pattern of the Board’s Activity Sheet at the beginning for students’
Step 1 : Scan the QR Code, download the
SMART Digibook App & click on Register. reference
Step 2 : Login using your credentials. (Registered 2. Complete solutions to all Board’s Activity Sheets of past years
users can login directly.) 3. Activity Sheets arranged from March 2025 to March 2020 to understand the
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 An excellent book for the
Preparation of the Board’s
Examination

ENGLISH (HL)
STANDARD X

This book contains ...

1. Format of the Activity Sheet at the beginning of the book
2. Study Tips for Students
3. Section 1 : Board’s July 2024 Activity Sheet with full Solution
4. Section 2 : Question Sets for Question-wise study and Revision :
(a) Guidance on how to attempt the question/activity
(b) Solved questions/activities
5. Section 3 : Assignments – Activities for Practice
6. Section 4 : Board’s July 2025 Activity Sheet for Practice
(Solution on QR Code)

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2
 Format of Activity Sheet

Section Skill/Testing Items Marks Time*

Section I Q. 1. (A) Language Study 08 Marks 10 min
Language Study (B) Language Study 02 Marks 05 min
Section II Q. 2. (A) Comprehension of 10 Marks 15 min
Textual Passages Textual Passage
(B) Comprehension of 10 Marks 15 min
Textual Passage
Section III Q. 3. (A) Comprehension of 05 Marks 10 min
Poetry Poem/Extract
(B) Appreciation of Poem 05 Marks 10 min
Section IV Q. 4. (A) Non-textual Passage for 10 Marks 20 min
Non-Textual Comprehension
Passage (B) Summary of Passage 05 Marks 10 min
for Comprehension
Section V Q. 5.  Letter Writing 05 Marks 15 min
Writing Skills (Formal OR Informal)
Q. 6. (A) Information Transfer : 05 Marks 15 min
Verbal to Non-verbal
    OR
Non-verbal to Verbal
(B) Views / Counterview 05 Marks 15 min
    OR
Drafting a Speech
Section VI Q. 7. (A) Expand the theme :
Creative Writing Expansion of Proverbs/
Maxims/Quotations/
Slogans         OR 05 Marks 15 min
News Report based on
the given headline
(B) Developing a Story   OR 05 Marks 15 min
Narrating an experience
with a given beginning/
ending
Review of solved Activity Sheet 10 min

Total 80 Marks 180 min

NB : (*) Approx. time to be given while answering the respective questions.

3
 Study Tips
How to Achieve Maximum Marks in English (HL)

(1) General Instructions :

The Activity Sheet carries 80 marks. Read each poem/lesson

as many times as you can. Study all the activities given in the
textbook. Though the wording of the activities in the Board’s
Activity Sheet may be different, the content will definitely be
based on the textbook. (Refer to the Board’s past Activity Sheets
in Navneet Smart Solution English (HL) X to get an idea of
what can be asked in the activities.)
(2) Instructions for Comprehension Activities : 
[Q. 2. (A), (B); Q. 3. (A) : A1, A2; Q. 4. (A) : A1/B1, A2/B2, A5/
B5.]
(i) Be familiar with each and every lesson in the textbook –
Prose and Poetry. You will then save a lot of time while
answering the activities based on the seen extracts.
(ii) Solve ALL the activities given on the side panels and those
given in ‘English Workshop’ in the Textbook. Many activities
in the Activity Sheet may be asked from or based on these
activities.
(iii) Study Question Set 5 for Non-textual passages.
(3) Instructions for the Language Study / Vocabulary Activities :
[Q. 1. (A), (B); Q. 2. A3/B3; Q. 4. A3]
(i) Solve all the Vocabulary exercises given in the textbook.
Learn all the Vocabulary topics given in the ‘Language Study’
section of the format thoroughly.
(ii) Learn the meanings of the words and phrases from every
lesson.
(iii) 
Practise forming nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, from
given words. Learn antonyms; adding prefixes and suffixes.
(4) 
Instructions for the Language Study/Contextual Grammar
Activities : [Q. 1. (A), (B); Q. 2. A4/B4; Q. 4. A4]
(i) 
Brush up your Grammar. Learn all the Grammar topics
of the ‘Language Study’ section thoroughly. Solve all the
Grammar exercises given in the textbook.

4
 (ii) Learn Transformation of Sentences, e.g. use ‘no sooner …
than’, add a question tag, frame wh-questions, remove ‘too’,
use ‘unless’, remove ‘not’, etc. Learn the different tenses.
These will be asked in the Contextual Grammar activities.
(iii) Learn how to pick out prepositions, adverbs, articles, etc.
   Important : Grammar and Vocabulary activities carry a total
of 22 marks. If you are thorough with your Grammar and
Vocabulary, you can score full marks here.
(5) Instructions for the Poetry Activities : [Q. 3. (A) A3; Q. 3. (B)]
(i) While revising the poems, mark out the figures of speech
and remember them. Make yourself familiar with the rhyme
schemes of each poem. This will make it easier and save
time while answering the Activity Sheet.
(ii) You will also be asked to write an appreciation of a poem
[Q. 3. (B)] from your Textbook. The complete poem will be
given in the Activity Sheet. Repeatedly read the appreciation
of all poems beforehand in order to prepare yourself for this
activity, so that you can complete it quickly and correctly.
Refer to the points for quick revision given in Question
Set 4.
(6) Instruction on summary of Non-textual passage : [Q. 4. (B)]
You should also prepare yourself for the question on Summary
[Q. 4. (B)]. Understand well what you should and should not
include in a summary. Read the instruction given in Question Set 5.
(7) Instructions for Writing Skills and Creative Writing :
[Q. 5., Q. 6. and Q. 7.]
(i) The topics in these sections include :
(a) Letter Writing (Formal OR Informal), (b) Information
Transfer (Verbal to Non-verbal OR vice versa) (c) Speech
OR View-Counterview (d) Expansion of Proverbs/Maxims/
Quotations/Slogans OR News Reports based on given
headline (e) Developing a story OR Narrating an experience
with a given beginning/end. Study well the Question Sets 6
to 13 given in this book.
(ii) You should read as many topics as you can, in addition to
the textbook, for this question. Your general knowledge and
knowledge of current topics should be good.
__________

5
 Contents

Page No.
Section 1 : BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET : JULY 2024
(With Explanation of Activity Sheet Format,
Full Solution and Marking Scheme) …   7

Section 2 : MOST LIKELY QUESTION SETS (ACTIVITY SETS)

1. Language Study [Q. 1. (A) & (B) : 10 Marks] … 35

2. Seen Passages [Q. 2. (A) & (B) : 20 Marks] … 52
3. Seen Poems/
Extracts for Comprehension [Q. 3. (A) : 5 Marks] … 102
4. Appreciation of Seen Poem [Q. 3. (B) : 5 Marks] … 113
5. Non-Textual (Unseen) Passages
for Comprehension and
Summary [Q. 4. (A) & (B) : 15 Marks] … 120
6. Formal and Informal Letters [Q. 5. : 5 Marks] … 133
7. Information Transfer
Verbal to Non-Verbal [Q. 6. (A) (A1) : 5 Marks] … 147
8. Information Transfer
Non-Verbal to Verbal [Q. 6. (A) (A2) : 5 Marks] … 153
9. Speech Writing [Q. 6. (B) (B1) : 5 Marks] … 160
10. View/Counterview [Q. 6. (B) (B2) : 5 Marks] … 166
11. Expansion of Themes [Q. 7. (A) (A1) : 5 Marks] … 172
12. Report Writing [Q. 7. (A) (A2) : 5 Marks] … 177
13. Developing a Story/
Narrating an Experience [Q. 7. (B) (B1 OR B2) :
        5 Marks] … 182

Section 3 : ASSIGNMENTS
(Activities for Practice) … 188

Section 4 : BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET : JULY 2025

(With answer on QR Code) … 229

6
 BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET  :  JULY 2024
Section  1 (With Explanation of Activity Sheet Format,
Full Solution and Marking Scheme)

Time : 3 Hours] [Max. Marks : 80

SECTION I : LANGUAGE STUDY

Note : The Language Study section will have two parts Q. 1. (A) and
Q. 1. (B). Q. 1. (A) has two sections : A1. Simple activities (4 marks)
and A2. Medium activities (4 marks). Q. 1. (B) is a set of Challenging
activities (2 marks). Thus Q. 1. carries a total of 10 marks. These
activities will be different from those asked in A3/B3, A4/B4 of Q. 2. (A),
(B) and Q. 4. (A). Try to finish Q. 1. (A) within 10 minutes and Q. 1. (B)
within 5 minutes.

Q. 1. (A) A1. Do as directed : (Attempt any four) (4 Marks)

Note : These will be 5 simple activities carrying 1 mark each. They
will be picked up from : Compound words, Pick out Infinitives/Gerund/
Present Participles, Punctuate the sentence, Find hidden words, Make
sentences from given phrase, Spot the error and rewrite the correct
sentence, Identify the type of sentence, Word chain of nouns/verbs/
adjectives, Form present/past participle where last letter is doubled,
Arrange words in Alphabetical order, etc. Students are required to
attempt any 4 activities.

(1) 
Make a meaningful sentence of your own using the
following phrase : (1)
‘to be known as’
(2) Identify the kind of sentence : (1)
Don’t waste your time in living someone else’s life.
(3) State whether the underlined verb is finite/non-finite :
 (1)
The hermit was digging the ground.
(4) 
Punctuate the following sentence : (1)
perhaps you could frighten her sir
(5) Write two compound words beginning with ‘Black’. (1)

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 7

A2. Do as directed : (Attempt any two) (4 Marks)
Note : These will be 3 medium level activities of 2 marks each.
They are based on Homographs, Homophones, Direct-Indirect narration,
Conversion of tenses, Change the voice, Word register, etc. Students are
required to attempt any 2 activities.

(1) 
The king said to the hermit, “Who are the people I most
need?” (Rewrite the sentence in indirect speech.) (2)
(2) 
The state parties are responsible for identifying and
nominating new sites.
 (Rewrite the sentence using ‘not only ... but also ...’.) (2)
(3) 
Pick out the modal auxiliary and state its function : (2)
We must keep our promises.

Answers to Q. 1. (A)

A1. (1) 
The man said that he would like to be known as a humble
person and not an arrogant one.
(2) Imperative sentence
(3) digging – non-finite verb
(4) Perhaps, you could frighten her, sir.
(5) blackout, blackboard
(Any four correct answers – 1 mark each)

A2. (1) 
The king asked the hermit who were the people he most
needed.
(2) The state parties are responsible for not only identifying but
also nominating new sites.
(3) must – compulsion
(Any two correct answers – 2 marks each)

Q. 1. (B) Do as directed : (Any one) (2 Marks)

Note : These will be 2 challenging activities for 2 marks each.
They are based on Usage of words in noun and verb form, Clause
Analysis/Synthesis/Transformation, Degree of Comparison, Modal
Auxilliaries, Use of two words in one meaningful sentence, etc. Students
are required to attempt any 1 activity.

8 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (1) M
 ake two different sentences to bring out the difference
between homophones : (2)
 wear, ware
(2) 
Identify the subordinate clause and state its type : (2)
When the train had gone, I found myself standing alone on
the deserted platform.

Answers to Q. 1. (B)
(1) (a) I like to wear bright clothes.(1)

(b) The cooking ware we bought for the new house was

expensive.(1)

OR
(2) 
When the train had gone – Subordinate adverb clause of
time.(2)

SECTION II : TEXTUAL PASSAGES

[Reading Skills, Vocabulary and Grammar]

Note : Qs. 2. (A) and 2. (B) will be based on passages from the prose
lessons in the Textbook. Each question carries a total of 10 marks. Each
question has 5 activities of 2 marks each. Try to attempt each passage
in 15 minutes.

Q. 2. (A) 
Read the following passage and do the given
activities : (10 Marks)
A1. Complete the web : (2)

Note : A1 will be Simple Factual Activity, carrying 2 marks. This

activity will be of Objective type such as Fill in the blanks, Choose
the correct alternative, True or False, Match the columns, Name the
following, etc. This activity may also include a web or a table to be
completed. Answers can be picked up directly from the given passage.

Features of
Hemingway’s
writings

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 9

 Hemingway’s language is simple and pithy. He mostly writes
in short and straight-forward sentences and practises an extreme
economy in his use of words. This simplicity is deceptive and a
reader can read his work again and again and find new layers of
meaning every time.
I first read this novel years ago, when I did not understand
it at all and was left unimpressed. In spite of this a vivid image
remained with me – an old man holding on to his fishing line
with the last of his strength. Recently I read this book again and
was extremely moved. The formidable strength of the old man’s
character, the quiet devotion of the empathetic Manolin and the
relationship between the two are heart-warming. Hemingway’s
descriptions of the sea and the creatures of the water are beautiful.
The marlin fights for its life desperately and it’s hard to know
whether our sympathies should lie with the old man or with the
marlin. But as the novel progresses the old man and the marlin
are inseparably linked because both stand for the same ideals,
that is, a noble struggle against destruction.

A2. 
Explain the qualities of the following characters : (2)

Note : A2 will be Complex Factual Activity, carrying 2 marks.

This activity is based on more than one part of the passage. It will be
an activity based on information transfer, i.e. it will be in the format of
complete the following, web, table, tree-diagram, etc. It could also be in
the form of a Wh-question.

(1) Old man

(2) Manolin

A3. Do as directed : (2)

Note : A3 will be Vocabulary-based Activity carrying 2 marks.

This activity too, will be based on the passage. It will include meanings
of words, phrases, opposites, similar sounding words, framing or
completing sentences, tables, etc.

10 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Find the suitable adverbs which modify the following
• 
words :  (2)
Words Adverbs
(1) linked
(2) fights
(3) moved
(4) writes

A4. Do as directed : (2)

Note : A4 will be an Activity based on contextual grammar,

carrying 2 marks. This activity tests your grammar skills. One or two
grammar activities, based on the passage, will be asked.

(i) 
  I did not understand it. (Make it affirmative.)

(ii) The marlin fights for its life.

 (Change into Present Perfect Tense.)
A5. Personal Response : (2)

Note : A5 will be an activity based on Personal Response,

expression, creation and imagination carrying 2 marks. It asks for your
personal opinion or views on the issues that arise out of the passage.

‘Every hardworking person achieves success in life.’ Explain.

Answers to Q. 2. (A)

A1. simple (½)

Features of pithy (½)

Hemingway’s
straightforward (½)
writings
extreme economy in the use of words
(½)
(short)

A2. (1) Qualities of old man – formidable strength, perseverance(1)

(2) Qualities of Manolin – devotion, empathy(1)

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 11

A3. Words Adverbs
(1) linked inseparably (½)
(2) fights desperately (½)
(3) moved extremely (½)
(4) writes mostly (½)

A4. (i) I failed to understand it./I was unable to understand it. (1)
(ii) The Marlin has fought for its life. (1)

A5. 
This may not be true in all cases. Along with hard work, one
must also get the right opportunities at the right times. However,
in most cases, hard work does lead to success. We have many
examples to prove it. Hence, we must work hard to achieve
success in life and not believe in things like ‘luck’ and ‘chance’.
 (2)

Q. 2. (B) 
Read the following passage and do the given
activities : (10 Marks)
Note : Activities in Q. 2. (B) are also based on a textual passage.
Refer to the notes given with A1 to A5 in Q. 1. (A).

B1. 
State whether the following statements are True or
False : (2)
  (i) Kailash Satyarthi sees children growing freely with dignity.
 (ii) Let us march from morality to divinity.
(iii) 
Today, beyond the darkness, Kailash Satyarthi sees
the smiling faces of our children in the blinking stars.
 (iv) Let us march from ignorance to awakening.
As a child, I had a vision of tomorrow : A vision of that
cobbler boy sitting with me in my classroom.
Now, that tomorrow has become TODAY.
I am TODAY, and you are TODAY. TODAY it is time for every
child to have a right to life, right to freedom, right to health, right
to education, right to safety, right to dignity, right to equality, and
right to peace.
TODAY, beyond the darkness, I see the smiling faces of our
children in the blinking stars. TODAY, in every wave of every
ocean, I see my children are playing and dancing. TODAY, in every

12 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 plant, in every tree and mountain, I see our children growing
freely with dignity.
Friends, I want you to see and feel this TODAY inside you.
My dear sisters and brothers, as I said many interesting
things are happening today. May I please request you to put your
hand close to your heart – close your eyes and feel the child inside
you?
I am sure you can – Now, listen to that child. Listen please.
Today, I see thousands of Mahatma Gandhis, Nelson
Mandelas and Martin Luther Kings calling on us.
Let us democratise knowledge. Let us universalise justice.
Together, let us globalise compassion!
I call upon you in this room, and all across the world. I call
for a march from exploitation to education, I call for a march from
poverty to shared prosperity, a march from slavery to liberty, and
a march from violence to peace.
Let us march from ignorance to awakening. Let us march
from darkness to light. Let us march from mortality to divinity.
Let us march!

B2. Complete the given diagram :  (2)

Children’s Rights

B3. 
(1) Write the noun forms of the following : (1)
  (i) democratise –
(ii) universalise –
(2) Write the adjective forms of the following :  (1)
 (i) prosperity –
(ii) liberty –

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 13

B4. Do as directed : (2)
(1) 
Today, I see thousands of Mahatma Gandhis, Nelson
Mandelas and Martin Luther Kings. (Begin the sentence
with : “Today, thousands of Mahatma Gandhis ... .”)
(2) Tomorrow has become TODAY.
 (Make it a Yes/No Interrogative Sentence.)
B5. What measures would you take to prevent child labour?(2)

Answers to Q. 2. (B)

B1. (i) 
Kailash Satyarthi sees children growing freely
with dignity. – True
 (ii) Let us march from morality to divinity. – False
(iii) 
Today, beyond the darkness, Kailash Satyarthi
sees the smiling faces of our children in the
blinking stars. – True
(iv) Let us march from ignorance to awakening. – True
 (Four correct answers – ½ mark each)
B2.

the right the right to the right the right

to life freedom to health to safety

Children’s Rights

the
the right the right the right
right to
to peace to dignity to equality
education

 (Any four correct answers – ½ mark each)

B3. (1) (i) democratise – democracy (ii) universalise – universe

(2) (i) prosperity – prosperous (ii) liberty – liberal
 (Four correct answers – ½ mark each)

14 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

B4. (1) 
Today, thousands of Mahatma Gandhis, Nelson Mandelas
and Martin Luther Kings can be seen by me. (1)
(2) Hasn’t/Has tomorrow become today? (1)

B5. To prevent child labour, I will firstly not make use of any items
that have been produced by using child labour, for example,
fireworks. If I see any child working, I will try to persuade the
parents to send him/her to school. I will inform my parents and
ask them to help the families by giving books/bags/clothes, etc.
if they agree to send their child to school. Finally, I will try to
contact an NGO working in the field of education and ask them
to help. (2)

SECTION III : POETRY

Note : Q. 3. (A) and 3. (B) will be from the poetry lessons in the
Textbook. Q. 3. (A) will be for comprehension, having 3 activities
carrying 5 marks in all. Q. 3. (B) will be for appreciation of poem. Both
questions carry a total of 10 marks. Try to finish the comprehension of
the poem and the appreciation in 10 minutes each.

Q. 3. (A) 
Read the following extract and complete the
given activities : (5 Marks)
A1. 
Read the words in the given cloud. Match them with what
they signify :(2)
Note : A1. will be Simple Factual Activity, carrying 2 marks.
This activity will be of Objective type like True or False, Complete the
following, Match the following, etc. or an information transfer question,
i.e. in the format of a web, table, tree-diagram, etc.

  (i) players (a) birth

(ii) exit (b) characters
(iii) stage (c) death
(iv) entry (d) life

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 15

 All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages, At first, the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.

A2. Write down in your words the difference between the

following stages of a man’s life : (2)
 (i) 3rd stage :  

(ii) 5th stage :  

Note : A2 will be Complex Factual Activity, carrying 2 marks.

This question may be based on more than one part of the extract or
may require a long answer of more than one sentence. This can be in
the form of a ‘Wh-’ question.

A3. Name the figure of speech : (1)

Note : A3 will be an activity based on Poetic Devices carrying
1 mark. This activity tests various aspects of poetry such as Poetic
language, Rhyming words, Rhyme scheme, Figures of Speech, etc. This
activity too, will be of the Objective type.

‘All the world’s a stage’.

16 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Answers to Q. 3. (A)

A1.   (i) players – characters (½)

 (ii) exit – death (½)
(iii) stage – life (½)
 (iv) entry – birth (½)
A2. (i) 3rd Stage : The third stage is that of a lover, who is
breathless and sighing with passion. He sings
sad songs dedicated to the beauty of his lover.
 (1)

(ii) 5th Stage : The fifth stage is that of a mature middle-aged

man with a round belly. He is stern and formal
and full of wisdom. He is full of wise sayings and
gives modern examples. (1)

A3. Metaphor : The world is implicitly compared with a stage. (1)

Q. 3. (B) Read the following poem and write its appreciation

of it with the help of the given points in a
paragraph : (5 Marks)
Note : In Q. 3. (B) in the Activity Sheet, you are expected to read the
given poem and write an Appreciation in the form of paragraphs based
on the given points.

The Will to Win

If you want a thing bad enough
to go out and fight for it,
work day and night for it,
give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it
If all that you dream
and scheme is about it and life
seems useless and worthless without it
If you gladly sweat for, fret for and plan for it and lose
all your terror of the God or man for it.
If you simply go after that thing that you want with all
of your capacity, strength and sagacity, faith, hope and
confidence and stern pertinacity.

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 17

 If neither cold or poverty, famished or gaunt
or sickness or pain
of body and brain
can keep you away from the thing that you want,
If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,
with the help of GOD you’ll get it!
– Berton Braley

You can use the following points while appreciating the

given poem :
• The title (½)
• The poem (½)
• Rhyme scheme  (1)
• Figures of speech  (1)
• Central idea/Theme  (2)

Answers to Q. 3. (B)

Berton Braley has written this inspirational poem, ‘The Will

To Win’.
   The poem has no specific rhyme scheme, but rhymes are used
randomly all throughout. The most common type is lines ending
with the word ‘it’; e.g. ‘for it’, ‘of it’, ‘without it’, ‘about it’; ‘beget
it’, ‘get it’; ‘sweat for it’, ‘fret for it’ and so on. Other examples are
‘capacity’, ‘sagacity’, ‘pertinacity’; ‘pain’, ‘brain’.
   The main figure of speech used is Repetition, as seen in the
abundance of ‘for it’ phrases used throughout the poem. The other
figures of speech are Climax, Tautology, Antithesis, etc.
   The poet gives us a formula for sure success. He tells us what
we should do and what we should avoid doing in order to achieve
success. He says that we must go out and fight for success.
   It is an inspirational poem. It motivates one to set targets and
achieve goals.

18 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 SECTION IV : NON-TEXTUAL PASSAGE

[Reading Skills, Vocabulary, Grammar and Summary]

Note : Q. 4. will be based on a Non-textual Prose Passage, i.e. a

passage not from the Textbook. Q. 4. (A) will be comprehension activities
of 10 marks. In Q. 4. (B) a Summary of the passage given in Q. 4. (A)
is to be written. Try to finish the comprehension in 20 minutes and
summary in 10 minutes.

Q. 4. (A) 
Read the following passage and do the given
activities : (10 Marks)
Note : The nature of all the activities for this question will be similar
to those given in Q. 2. (A).

A1. Complete the following sentences :  (2)

  (i) If you have Type 2 diabetes .
 (ii) Organic options are fine .
(iii) Different fruits and vegetables contain .
 (iv) Peas, corns and potatoes were not associated with .

Variety is key, because different fruits and vegetables contain

different beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. Wang’s study
showed that almost all fruits and vegetables, including leafy
greens, citrus fruits and berries, were associated with lower
mortality, but there were some exceptions. Fruit juices and starchy
vegetables such as peas, corn and potatoes were not associated
with reduced risk of death or chronic diseases. It may be due
to their higher glycaemic load compared with other fruits and
vegetables, which means they have a greater ability to raise blood
sugar levels. While the sugar content in two servings of fruit isn’t
a cause for concern in general, if you have Type 2 diabetes you
should discuss your portions with a dietician.
Your five daily servings can be met from a variety of fresh,
frozen or canned fruits and vegetables, whether conventional or
organic. Whichever options are available, affordable and appealing
are good choices.
Studies show that freezing and canning preserves nutrients,
which often makes these foods even more nutrient-dense than

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 19

 their fresh counterparts. Plus, canned and frozen produce are
good options for people whose barriers to consuming enough
servings per day include the high cost, low access, poor quality
and lack of fresh fruits and vegetables.
And what about organic options? They’re fine if you can
access and afford them, but it’s not necessary to purchase
organically grown produce.

A2. How can you fulfil your five daily servings?(2)

A3. 
Add a prefix to make opposites of the following : (2)
(1) mortality  ×  (2) ability   ×
(3) affordable ×  (4) available ×
A4. Do as directed : (2)
(i) They have a greater ability to raise blood sugar levels.
 (State the word class of the underlined words.)
(ii) Studies show that freezing and canning preserves nutrients.
 (Rewrite the sentence adding a question tag.)
A5. ‘Eating fruits are good for health’. Do you agree/disagree?
Give reasons for your answer. (2)

Answers to Q. 4. (A)

A1.   (i) 
If you have type 2 diabetes you should discuss your
portions with a dietician. (½)
 
(ii) Organic options are fine if you can access and afford them.
 (½)
(iii) Different fruits and vegetables contain different beneficial
nutrients and antioxidants. (½)
 (iv) Peas, corn and potatoes were not associated with reduced
risk of death or chronic diseases. (½)

A2. 
We can fulfil our five daily servings by eating a variety of fruits
and vegetables, either fresh, frozen or canned. They may be
conventional or organic, but they should be affordable and
appealing. (2)

20 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A3. (1) mortality × immortality (½)
(2) ability × inability (½)
(3) affordable × unaffordable (½)
(4) available × unavailable (½)

A4.  (i) they – pronoun; ability – noun (1)

(ii) Studies show that freezing and canning preserves nutrients,
don’t they? (1)

A5. 
I certainly agree that eating fruits is good for health. Fruits
are juicy and help to quench our thirst. They contain a lot of
nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants. These help to develop our
immunity and prevent common diseases. However, we must eat
all types of fruits. The fruits need not be expensive or special.
If fresh fruits are not available, we can eat frozen or canned
fruits. (2)

Q. 4. (B) 
Summary Writing : (5 Marks)

Note : Here, you will be asked to write the summary of the

non-textual passage given in Q. 4. (A). Note the following while
attempting this question :
(1) A summary comprises about one-third of the number of words
of the given passage.
(2) It should contain only the essential ideas of the original passage.
(3) All repetitions, illustrations, proverbs and quotations should be
excluded in the answer.
(4) The summary should be written in a language which is crystal-
clear, without there being any scope for ambiguity.
(5) The summary should be as simple, short and original as possible.
(6) It should be written in your own words. The sentences should as
far as possible not be copied from the original passage, except
the keywords.
(7) 
A title must be provided to the summary and it must be in
harmony with the summary.

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 21

 Marking scheme :
• Suggests/Writes a suitable title 1 mark
• Central idea/Theme 2 marks
• Use of appropriate language 2 marks
Total 5 marks


Read the passage given in Q. 4. (A) and write a summary of
it in a paragraph. Suggest a suitable title.

Answer to Q. 4. (B)
Importance of Fruits and Vegetables in our Diet
  Different fruits and vegetables contain different nutrients and
antioxidants. Most fruits and vegetables reduce mortality rate.
However, fruit juices and starchy vegetables have a greater ability to
increase blood sugar levels, and those having type 2 diabetes must
consult their doctors about the portions to be consumed. Our five
daily servings can be met by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables,
either fresh, frozen or canned. They may be conventional or organic,
but should be affordable and appealing. Canned and frozen goods are
good options when necessary. It is not essential to consume organic
foods for good health.

SECTION V : WRITING SKILLS

Note : Sections V and VI : i.e. Writing Skills and Creative Writing,

will carry a total of 25 marks. Try to finish each activity in 15 minutes.

Q. 5. (A) Letter Writing : (5 Marks)

Note : You have a choice between a formal letter and an informal
letter in this question. Some common guidelines for both the letters will
be given along with the questions. The answer is to be written in the
block format. Write the names and addresses mentioned in the question.

A1. Formal Letter :

Note : A1 in the Activity Sheet will be a Formal letter to officials,

authorities, would-be employers, newspaper editors, etc. Such letters
require specific wording and a definite format.

22 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Marking scheme :
• Sender’s Address and Date ½ mark
• Recipient’s Address ½ mark
• Subject ½ mark
• Main body 2 marks
• Subscription/Closing ½ mark
• Grammar 1 mark  
Total 5 marks

OR
A2. Informal Letter :
Note : A2 in the Activity Sheet will be an Informal letter to a
relative/friend, etc. The style and language should be casual, as if you
are conversing with them.
Marking scheme :
• Sender’s Address and Date ½ mark
• Salutation ½ mark
• Main body 2½ marks
• Closing ½ mark
• Grammar 1 mark  
Total 5 marks

Do any one of the following (A1 or A2) :

The students’ committee of your school has decided to organise
‘A Music Festival’ in your school. You are Meet/Meeta Shinde, the
students’ representative of New Vision High School, and residing
at B/102, Rambaag Colony, Nashik – 422 001.
Use the following points and write any one of the letters
given below :
• Day, date and time of the festival.
The reasons for arranging it – interest and love of the students
• 
for music. It is a good stress reliever.
• Your plan to manage the festival.
• You have decided to invite a famous singer as a chief guest.

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 23

A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :
Write a letter to the Write a letter to your
Principal of your school friend Amit/Amita inviting
seeking permission to and urging him/her to attend
organise ‘A Music Festival’ in the music festival.
your school.

Answers to Q. 5. (A)

A1. Formal Letter :

Meeta Shinde,
Students’ Representative,
New Vision High School,
Nashik  – 422 001.
6th August, 2025

The Principal,
New Vision High School,
Nashik – 422 001.

Subject : Music Festival in our school

Respected Sir,

On behalf of the Students’ Committee of our school, I request your

permission to organise a Music Festival in our school. Many of our
students are music lovers and deeply interested in music. Music
also helps to relieve stress.

After thorough discussion, the Students’ Committee has tentatively

fixed Thursday, 5th September, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., for the festival. It
will be a part of the Teachers’ Day Celebrations. The venue is our
school hall. Our own students will sing as well as play different
musical instruments during the fest. We also plan to invite Mr. Gopal
Mahadevan, the renowned musician, to give a short performance. He
has already agreed to this.

We sincerely request your permission and help. We have formed

a special committee for the function, and assure you that we will
manage things well.

24 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Thanking you,
Yours obediently,
Meeta Shinde
(Students’ Representative)
OR

A2. Informal Letter :

B /102, Rambaag Colony,
Nashik – 422 001.
6th August, 2025

My dear Amita,

Hi! How are you? How is your music practice going on?
I am writing this letter because I have an invitation for you. You
know that many of our students are music lovers and deeply
interested in music. Music also helps to relieve stress. Hence, our
Students’ Committee is organising a Music Festival on Thursday, 5th
September, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The venue is our school
hall. Our own students will sing as well as play different musical
instruments during the fest. We plan to invite Mr. Gopal Mahadevan,
the renowned musician, to give a short performance.

Each student of Std. X is allowed to invite a guest. I will be most

happy if you come. Trust me, the festival will be great. You will really
enjoy it. Bye for now. See you on the 5th.

Your loving friend,

Meeta

Q. 6. (A) Information Transfer : (5 Marks)

Do any one of the following (A1 or A2) :

Note : In the Information Transfer question, you have a choice

between Verbal to Non-verbal and Non-verbal to Verbal.

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 25

A1. Verbal to Non-verbal :

Note : In Verbal to Non-verbal, you will be given one or two

paragraphs which you have to convert into a format like a flow chart,
pie chart, graph, tabular data. tree diagram, etc. Your answer should
consist of a few words that include all the points given in the paragraph.
Read the paragraph carefully and pick out the points that you have to
use in the diagram/table/web. It is very important to understand what
is expected in the answer. Always give a suitable title.
Marking scheme :
• Title 1 mark
• Covering all points 2 marks
• Appropriate graphic/layout 1 mark
• Overall presentation 1 mark  
Total 5 marks

Read the following paragraph. Transfer it into a tree diagram

and give a suitable title :
A nation’s development depends on the nature of the economic
system. Every country has its economic system. Two different
criteria are applied while classifying the economic system. According
to the ownership of the means of production, the economies are
classified into Capitalist, Socialist and Mixed economy. As well as
according to the stage of economic development, they are classified
into Developed, Developing and Underdeveloped economies. The
nature of nations differ as per the system of the economy.

OR
A2. Non-verbal to Verbal :

Note : In Non-verbal to Verbal, you will be given non-verbal

information in the form of notes, flow charts, graphs, pie-charts, etc.
You are expected to write a paragraph based on this information. You
are expected to cover all the points given. Always give a suitable title.
Marking scheme :
• Title 1 mark
• Use of given points 2 marks
• Grammar 1 mark
• Appropriate language and conclusion 1 mark  
Total 5 marks

26 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Transfer the information into a paragraph :
Read the following web diagram and transform it into a paragraph.
Give a suitable title :

Distance Language

Barriers to
Discomfort effective Noise
with topic communication

Lack of
Distraction
interest

Answers to Q. 6. (A)

A1. Economic System of a Country

According to the ownership According to the stage of

of the means of production economic development

capitalist mixed developed underdeveloped

socialist developing

OR
A2. Barriers to Effective Communication
   Good communication is very important for the well-being of
society. However, there are many barriers to effective communication.
Difference in language and a lack of interest in the topic are two
major ones. If the communicators cannot understand each others’
language, or if they are not interested in the topic under discussion,
then communication will be affected negatively. This is also the case
if there is any form of discomfort with the topic being discussed.
Noise in the vicinity hinders communication just as distance between

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 27

the communicators does. And last but not the least, any type of
distraction for the communicators will prove to be an effective barrier.
One must get rid of these barriers if one wants good communication.
Q. 6. (B) Speech/View-counterview : (5 Marks)
Attempt any one of the following (B1 or B2) :

Note : Here you have a choice between Drafting a Speech and View-
Counterview.

B1. Speech :

Note : In a speech, you address the audience directly and end with
a proper leave-taking expression. You can use direct statements and
rhetorical questions. The speech can be of 2 – 3 paragraphs. Points for
guidance will be given along with the question.
Marking scheme :
• Appropriate beginning/conclusion 1 mark
• Body – Use of given points and additional points,
appropriate use of language 2 marks
• Appropriate sequence and flow of language 1 mark
• Use of appropriate grammatical structures 1 mark  
Total 5 marks

Draft a speech to be delivered in your school assembly on the

topic ‘What I can give for India’.
Use the following points :
• Taking care of the environment

• Saving every drop of water

• Helping to maintain a green cover

• Supporting each other

• Add your own suitable points.

OR
B2. View-Counterview :
Note : In view-counterview you have to write the view or
counterview of the points given. Language should be formal. You can
use exclamations and rhetorical questions. Give a title to your answer.

28 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Marking scheme :
• Proper beginning and conclusion 1 mark
• Appropriate vocabulary and grammar 1 mark
• Expressing opinion in good and lucid language
with logical order 2 marks
• Appealing and convincing thoughts 1 mark  
Total 5 marks

Write your counterview in a paragraph on the topic :

‘E-books are better than real books’.
Given below are the views on the above given topic. You may refer
to them to write your counterviews.
Viewpoints :
• It is available at much lower prices.
• It can be accessed through mobile phones and laptops comfortably
even while travelling.
• Users can carry hundreds of books anywhere they go.
• E-books are equipped with interactive elements for better reading
experience. These contain audio, video and animations which are
ideal for children.
• E-book publishing is very easy, fast and less time consuming.

Answers to Q. 6. (B)

B1. What I can give for India

Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends,
Good morning. The topic of my speech today is : What I can give
for India. I, XYZ, will share my views on this with you.
As I am still a student, perhaps I cannot do anything major
for the country at this moment. However, I can still do many small
but important things. I can take care of the environment and help
to maintain a green cover. I can keep my surroundings clean and
hygienic and persuade others to do so too. Saving water is the need
of the day, and I can help to save every drop of water and prevent
wastage. I will also recycle and reuse materials, and reduce my use
of some. To whatever extent possible, I will encourage people to

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 29

support and help each other. Thus, I will conclude my speech by
saying that I know that there are many more things I can do for my
country, and I will certainly try to do them. Thank you.
OR
B2. Real Books Score Over E-Books

Today, there is a lot of talk about the e-books being better than
real books. I beg to differ. This is not possible.
E-books are certainly cheaper and more easily accessible—to
those fortunate enough to live in cities. In a vast country like India,
where lakhs of people do not even have electric connections, let
alone laptops and phones, the very thought of e-books replacing real
books is laughable. One can certainly carry hundreds of e-books
wherever one goes, but does this replace the pleasure of reading a
real book? No, it does not.
Yes, publishing e-books may be fast and easy, and saves time,
but at what cost? Continuous exposure to the computer screen
affects our eyes and our health. Is it really worth it? E-books may be
interactive for kids with audio, video, animation and other facilities,
no doubt, but this also means that it does not allow the imagination
of the reader to grow. It retards creativity. Besides, real books have
a feel and smell that can never be replaced by e-books. No, e-books
can supplement real books but can never replace real books.

SECTION VI : CREATIVE WRITING

Q. 7. (A) Expansion/News Report : (5 Marks)

Do any one of the following (A1 or A2) :
Note : In Q. 7. (A), you have a choice between Expansion of the
given proverbs/maxims/quotations/slogans and Writing a Report based
on the given headline.

A1. Expand the theme :

Note : In expansion of Proverbs/Maxims/Quotations/Slogans you

need to write and elaborate on the theme or proverb in about 2 – 3
paragraphs containing about 100 words. Give a suitable title to your
answer.

30 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Marking scheme :
• Title and Beginning 1 mark
• Vocabulary and Grammar 1 mark
• Appropriate Points 1 mark
• Logical order 1 mark
• Conclusion 1 mark  
Total 5 marks

Expand the following proverb into a paragraph of 100 words :

Go Green : Breathe Clean
OR
A2. News Report based on given headline :
Note : You need to give an account of some event/programme/
happening for others to read. You will be given the headline of a news
item. You may be given points for guidance. The language used for the
report should be formal and should resemble the way a newspaper
report is written. There must be a headline, a dateline, a byline, an
introduction and a main body. The report should be precise and factual.
Marking scheme :
• Title/Headline/Dateline 1 mark
• Logical sequence of events 2 marks
• Use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary 1 mark
• Conclusion and layout 1 mark  
Total 5 marks

Write a news report based on the given headline :

‘Book Lovers’ Society organises a Book Fair’.

Answers to Q. 7. (A)

A1. Go Green : Breathe Clean

   ‘Going green’ is a term used to describe a number of things. It

means afforestation: that is, planting more trees to provide more
oxygen for breathing. It means protecting and expanding the forests
we have. It means trying to reduce air pollution in various ways, like
car-pooling, controlling vehicular and industrial emissions, stopping
burning of leaves and waste material, and limiting the use of non-
renewable resources.

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET – JULY 2024 (With Explanation ...) 31

  Going green can also mean adopting the three Rs—recycle,
reuse and reduce. Recycling means putting something old to fresh
use. Reuse means putting to use things that we would normally have
thrown out. Reduce means to decrease our extravagant needs and
try to live in a more frugal manner.
   Nature has already begun to give us human beings a warning—
go green, or there will be serious climate changes that will affect the
planet in a negative way. Thus, the only way out for us is to prevent
climate change by going green—only then will we breathe clean.
OR
A2. Book Lovers’ Society organises a Book Fair
 – By a News Reporter
   March 6, Jaipur : A mega book fair spanning over five days was
organised by the Book Lovers’ Society of Jaipur. The event took
place at the Jaipur Gymkhana near Rani Bagh.
   The book fair had books to please all sections of society, right
from toddlers to senior citizens. There were about seven tents
put up and the division of the books was primarily based on the
language of the book. There were also special bookstalls set up by
publishers. Most of the stalls displayed signs of some type of sale. It
was heartening to see the crowds, showing that the reading of real
books still held an important place in the lives of people.
   “It’s wonderful to be able to browse through so many books,”
gushed a young mother. “I have managed to buy quite a number for
my daughter as well as for myself. The discounts given are really
good. I’ve travelled twenty kms to come here, and it was well worth
it.” Long live the habit of book reading!

Q. 7. (B) Developing a story OR Narrating experience :

 (5 Marks)
Do any one of the following (B1 or B2) :

Note : In this activity, you are expected to complete the story or

narrate your experience based on the given beginning or end. A suitable
title must be given.

32 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Marking scheme :
• Title and Beginning 1 mark
• Vocabulary and Grammar 1 mark
• Appropriate Points 1 mark
• Logical order 1 mark
• Conclusion 1 mark  
Total 5 marks

B1. Developing a story :

Develop a story with the given beginning. Give a suitable

title :

It was Sunday, Anuj/Anuja along with his/her friends were going
trekking. As soon as they reached .
OR
B2. 
Narrate an experience :

Narrate your experience with the following ending. Give a
suitable title.
 Thus, my friend helped me in my academic
development.

Answers to Q. 7. (B)

B1. Lost in the Forest

   It was Sunday. Anuj, along with his friends, was going trekking.
As soon as they reached the beginning of the trail, they collected
sticks from the local guide.
   The five friends were going trekking into the nearby forest.
They soon set off briskly with the guide. Anuj lagged behind looking
curiously at the various plants and flowers. He was fond of plants
and planned to become a botanist when he grew up.
   He bent down to examine a pretty plant closely. What was it?
After a few moments, when he straightened, he found that he was
alone. Where had all the others disappeared? How had they just
vanished? He called out to them loudly, but all the response he got
was the swishing of leaves and some rustling in the undergrowth.
His heart beat loudly. Were there snakes or other creepy crawlies

2/Navneet 21 M.ACTIVITY
BOARD’S L. Q. SetsSHEET
: English (HL)2024
– JULY – Std. X D0051
(With (2026)
Explanation ...) 33
around? He wished he had not fallen behind the others and ignored
the warnings of the guide.
   His continued to call loudly, waving his stick fiercely. “Oh, where
are all of you? I’m lost! I’m lost!” Now there was panic in his voice.
   Suddenly the bushes moved aside and the face of the guide
appeared. “I told you to keep up with the others,” he said sternly.
“You would have been lost in the jungle. Come along!” Feeling
tremendously relieved, Anuj joined the group waiting patiently for
him. He would never be so foolish again!

OR

B2. A Helpful Friend

   I am sorry to say that I really hated the subject ‘History’. I found
it utterly useless and could never remember the dates and facts.
To my disgust, I always scored the lowest marks in the class in the
subject.
   Then one day, a new girl joined our school. Our class
teacher gave her the seat next to me and told me sternly to help
her at all times. I looked at her from the corner of my eyes.
Was she nice? Was she clever? Was she proud? To my surprise,
I found that her eyes had tears, which she was trying to brush off.
Immediately, I felt my heart soften.
   “Don’t worry, I will take you around in the recess,” I said. She
smiled and looked a bit relieved. Before recess, we had History –
a subject I hated and I grumbled beneath my breath.
   “You don’t like history? I love it”, said Nita, the new girl.
   “I keep forgetting the dates and facts,” I complained.
  “I will help you to remember them,” offered Nita. “I’ll teach you
mnemonics.’’
  These are techniques used to improve and assist memory. It is
a fun way of remembering.”
  
Over a period of one week, Nita taught me mnemonics and
I never hated history again. Thus, my friend helped me in my
academic development.
_________

34 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 MOST LIKELY QUESTION SETS
Section  2
(ACTIVITY SETS)

Q. 1 (A) (A1, A2) and (B)

Question LANGUAGE STUDY
Set (A) A1. Simple + A2. Medium Level Activities
1  – 8 Marks
(B) Challenging Activities – 2 Marks (Total : 10 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) This Section includes Grammar and Vocabulary items from the
syllabus, different from Q. 2. A3/B3, A4/B4 and Q. 4. A3/A4.
Remember that the definitions, rules and terms related to
grammar will not be asked directly.
(2) There will be three types of activities as follows :
A1. There will be 5 simple activities from the list given below,
each carrying 1 mark. (Students are required to attempt
any 4 activities.) (4 marks)
(1) Write two compound words of your own.
(2) Pick out an Infinitive/Gerund/Present Participle and use
in your own sentence.
(3) Punctuate the following. (Use of quotation marks, commas,
apostrophe, capitalisation, full-stop, question mark,
exclamation mark.)
(4) Find out hidden words from the given word.
(5) Make a meaningful sentence by using the given phrase.
(6) Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentences :
[Using the correct verb form. Subject–verb agreement
(be, do, have, third person, singular)]
(7) Identify the type of sentence.
(8) Complete the word chain of nouns/verbs/adjectives.
For example : Nature, English, H…, …, …, …. (4 words)
(9) Form Present participles/Past participles in which the last
letter is doubled. For example : plan – planning, plan –
planned
(10) Arrange the given words in Alphabetical Order.

QUESTION SET 1 – language study 35

A2. 
There will be 3 medium level activities from the list given
below, each carrying 2 marks. (Students are required to
attempt any 2 activities.) (4 marks)
(1) 
Make sentences of your own to show difference of the
Homographs – Homonyms in meanings.
For example :
(i) Homograph : Bat – a piece of sporting equipment;
Bat – A flying mammal.
(ii) Homophone : Peace – the general security of public places;
Piece – a portion of an object.
(2) 
Direct and Indirect narration : (Any kind of sentence from
Direct to Indirect)
(3) Conversion of Tenses.
(4) Change the Voice by giving object or subject.
(5) Word register. (4 words related to the given subject)
(B) 
There will be 2 Challenging Activities from the list given
below, each carrying 2 marks. (Students are required to
attempt any 1 activity.) (2 marks)
(1) Use of same given word as a noun as well as a verb in sentences.
(The word should be as it is.)
(2) Change the Degree of Comparison.
(3) Pick out the Modal Auxiliary and state its function.
(4) Analyse/Synthesise/Transform the Sentence :
(Simple, Complex, Compound)
(5) Use the given two words in one meaningful sentence.
(Note : In the examination, activities other than those listed
above maybe asked.)
• Thorough revision of Grammar and Vocabulary is necessary for
you to do these activities.
• Some activities are open-ended. The answers given to them are
just a model. Students may try to write their own answers.
• Study all the activities given with the answers carefully.
• Also attempt all activities for practice given in Section 3.

36 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Q. 1 (A) A1. Simple Activities
• Do as directed : (Any 4 in each set)
Note : We have covered all 10 types of simple activities in the various
sets.

SET 1 (March ’25)

(1) Pick out the infinitive from the following sentence :

He was asking to go for the concert.
(2) Identify the type of the sentence :
Get out and wait in the yard.
(3) Arrange the following words in alphabetical order :
inventions, inequality, indisputable, interactions
(4) Complete the word chain of nouns :
podium, m , , , .
(5) Punctuate the following sentence :
can you cook

Answers

(1) to go
(2) Imperative sentence
(3) indisputable, inequality, interactions, inventions
(4) podium, machine, elephant, table, engine
(5) “Can you cook?”

SET 2 (March ’24)

(1) Pick out the infinitive from the following sentence :
Every child is free to grow.
(2) Write the collocations for the following :
ticket .......
....... drizzle.
(3) Punctuate the following sentence :
dr kalam sat contemplating deeply

QUESTION SET 1 – language study 37

(4) 
Write any two present participles in which the last letter is
doubled.
(5) Find out any two hidden words of minimum four letters each
from the given word :
‘reverberated’
Answers
(1) to grow
(2) ticket office;
light drizzle
(3) Dr Kalam sat contemplating deeply.
(4) running, swimming
(5) brave, tread

SET 3 (March ’23)

(1) Punctuate the following sentence :

he will not be able to stop them
(2) Pick out an infinitive from the given sentence :
The sun began to sink.
(3) Give a new blending word, after combining the two words :
 (i) breakfast + lunch = .
(ii) smoke + fog = .
(4) 
Fill in the blank with the proper form of the verb as per the
subject :
Stephen Hawking continued to write at a prolific rate.
 (has/have)
(5) 
Write the ‘root word’ after dropping the prefix or suffix : 
relationship.

Answers

(1) He will not be able to stop them.

(2) Infinitive – to sink
(3) (i) brunch
(ii) smog
(4) Stephen Hawking has continued to write at a prolific rate.
(5) relation

38 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 SET 4
(1) Give a new blending word after combining two words :
 (i) biography + picture = .
(ii) camera + recorder = .
(2) Find out two hidden words of minimum four letters each from
the word : ‘another’
(3) 
Make a meaningful sentence of your own using the phrase :
‘a man of few words’
(4) Choose the verbs whose past participles are formed by doubling
the last letter :
act, stop, burn, rob, hurt
(5) Arrange the words in alphabetical order :
stopped, stretched, strictly, stomach

Answers

(1) (i) biopic

(ii) camcorder
(2) another : other, note
(3) The new minister was a man of few words.
(4) stop, rob (stopped, robbed)
(5) stomach, stopped, stretched, strictly

SET 5 (March ’22)

(1) Punctuate the following :

you have never heard of bach he asked
(2) 
Find out 4 hidden words having at least four letters each from the
given word : ‘proclamation’
(3) Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence :
All the great religions teaches us to care for our children.
(4) Arrange the following words in the alphabetical order :
invention, indisputable, interactions, inquisitive.
(5) Complete the word chain of verbs :
call, , , , .

QUESTION SET 1 – language study 39

 Answers

(1) “You have never heard of Bach?” he asked.

(2) Proclamation – train, roam, loan, coat, motion (any four)
(3) All the great religions teach us to care for our children.
(4) indisputable, inquisitive, interactions, invention.
(5) call, lie, enjoy, yell, learn.

SET 6
(1) Make a meaningful sentence of your own using the following
phrase : ‘all my life’
(2) Spot the error in the following sentence and rewrite it :
I doesn’t need beautiful armour made to my measure.
(3) Identify the type of sentence :
Give it to me quickly.
(4) Form a present participle in which the last letter is doubled.
(5) Find out four hidden words from the given word (Minimum four
letters each) : ornamentation

Answers

(1) I have lived in Mumbai all my life.

(2) I don’t need beautiful armour made to my measure.
(3) Imperative sentence
(4) verb – win; present participle – winning
(5) ornamentation : ornament, meant, train, mention

SET 7 (Sept. ’21)

(1) Make a meaningful sentence by using the given phrase :
‘by fits and starts’
(2) Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence :
The English will took Orleans.
(3) Complete the word chain of nouns :
forest, t , , , .
(4) 
Find out four hidden words of minimum four letters each from
the given word :
‘perseverance’

40 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

(5) Identify the type of sentence :
What kind of book do you like?

Answers

(1) I’m afraid this TV works by fits and starts.

(2) The English will take Orleans.
(3) forest, trees, shoe, elephant, train.
(4) perseverance – persevere, severe, seen, serve
(5) Interrogative sentence
SET 8 (March ’20)
(1) Write two compound words of your own.
(2) Pick out the gerund from the following sentence :
This attitude of taking destroys families.
(3) Punctuate the following sentence :
after all he doesnt pay me
(4) Form two present participles in which the last letter is doubled.
(5) Complete the following word chain of verbs :
examine, e , , , .

Answers

(1) doorway, moonlight

(2) gerund – taking
(3) After all, he doesn’t pay me.
(4) running, skipping
(5) examine, entertain, nurture, erect, think.

SET 9

(1) Write the root words for :

(i) attention   (ii) feebly
(2) 
Pick out the present participle from the given sentence and use
it in your own sentence :
The children were enjoying themselves in the swimming pool.
(3) Spot the error in the following sentence and rewrite it :
 I thinks more and more people should take up sports as a
full-time career.
QUESTION SET 1 – language study 41
(4) Identify the type of sentence : 
Why didn’t you come earlier?
(5) Complete the following word chain of nouns :
book, k , , , .

Answers
(1) (i) attend   (ii) feeble
(2) enjoying : I saw a family enjoying their picnic.
(3) 
I think more and more people should take up sports as a
full-time career.
(4) Interrogative sentence.
(5) book, kite, elephant, tooth, hand.

SET 10
(1) Write two compound words of your own.
(2) Pick out the infinitive and use it in your own sentence :
 There is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of our
children.
(3) Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence :
I always thought that Mathematics were an easy subject.
(4) Identify the type of sentence :
Give it to me quick.
(5) Complete the word chain of adjectives :
pretty, y , , , .

Answers

(1) foothills, high-speed

(2) infinitive – to deny.
Sentence : She loved her son too much to deny him anything.
(3) I always thought that Mathematics was an easy subject.
(4) Imperative sentence
(5) pretty, young, gracious, simple, enjoyable.
_________

42 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Q. 1 (A) A2. Medium Level Activities

• Do as directed : (Any 2 in each set)

Note : We have covered all 5 types of medium level activities in the

various sets.

SET 1 (March ’25)

(1) 
Rewrite the following sentence in Past Perfect Continuous Tense :
I am doing my bit.
(2) 
Make a word register of four words related to :
‘Bank’
(3) The king executed the bearded man’s brother.
(Begin the sentence with The bearded man’s brother .............)

Answers

(1) I had been doing my bit.

(2) Bank – money, cashier, counter, manager
(3) The bearded man’s brother was executed by the king.

SET 2 (March ’24)

(1) Identify the verb in the given sentence and state whether it is
finite or non-finite :
He gave the reward to none.
(2) 
Make two meaningful sentences to bring out the difference
between the given two homophones :
ware, wear
(3) 
Rewrite the sentence using ‘as soon as’ :
No sooner is the bill passed than it will become an Act.

Answers

(1) gave – finite verb

(2)  (i) The silver ware bowls I saw were beautiful.
(ii) I like to wear comfortable shoes.
(3) As soon as the bill is passed, it will become an Act.

QUESTION SET 1 – language study 43

 SET 3 (March ’23)
(1) 
Change the following sentence into indirect narration :
“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della.
(2) Make a word register of four words related with :
‘universe’
(3) Change the voice of the following sentence :
Don’t make any mistake.

Answers

(1) Della asked if he/she/they would buy her hair.

(2) universe – planets, stars, comets, asteroids
(3) Let no mistake be made by you.

SET 4 (July ’22)

(1) 
Change the following sentences into indirect narration/speech
and rewrite them :
 (i) “You are not tone-deaf ” he said to me.
(ii) “I made some money yesterday,” he said.
(2) Rewrite the given sentence using ‘not only ... but also...’ :
The state parties are responsible for identifying and nominating
new sites.
(3) Identify the tense of the underlined verb and rewrite the sentence
in present continuous tense :
Life hits you in the head.

Answers

(1)  (i) He told me that I was not tone-deaf.

(ii) He said that he had made some money the previous day.
(2) The state parties are responsible not only for identifying but also
for nominating new sites.
(3) hits – simple present tense
Present continuous tense : Life is hitting you in the head.
44 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 SET 5 (July ’23)

(1) 
Make two sentences of your own to show the difference of
Homograph : TRAIN
(2) Science and technology enhance the overall comfort and quality
of human life.
 (Begin the sentence with : The overall comfort .... .)
(3) 
Smita felt alone in their midst. (Identify the tense and rewrite the
sentence using the Future Continuous Tense.)

Answers

(1) TRAIN : (i) We must train our children to be polite to others.

(ii) We were happy when our train arrived on time.
(2) The overall comfort and quality of human life is enhanced by
science and technology.
(3) verb – felt; tense – simple past tense
Sentence in future continuous tense :     
Smita will be feeling alone in their midst.

SET 6 (March ’22)

(1) 
Prepare a word register of four words related to ‘music’.
(2) Dr Kalam’s own life was nourished by multiple faiths.
 (Begin the sentence with ‘Multiple faiths ...’)
(3) Rewrite the sentence by using ‘No sooner ............. than’ :
As soon as we went to a rocky beach, we saw the spread of the
majestic ocean.

Answers

(1) music – piano, songs, tune, melody

(2) Multiple faiths nourished Dr Kalam’s own life.
(3) 
No sooner did we go to a rocky beach than we saw the spread of
the majestic ocean.
QUESTION SET 1 – language study 45
 SET 7
(1) Make a word register of 4 words related to :
‘Military’.
(2) Change the following sentence to indirect speech :
He asked, “Can you cook?”
(3) At seven o’clock, the coffee was made.
 (Begin the sentence with “She … .)

Answers

(1) Military – soldiers, guns, tanks, missiles

(2) He asked me whether/if I could cook.
(3) She made the coffee at seven o’clock.

SET 8
(1) UNESCO launched an international campaign.
(Rewrite the sentence beginning with “An … .)
(2) 
The Dauphin will give me all I need. (Rewrite the sentence
using the present perfect continuous tense.)
(3) 
The Nobel Prize is one of the greatest honours in the world.
(Change the given sentence into positive and comparative
degrees.)

Answers

(1) An international campaign was launched by UNESCO.

(2) The Dauphin has been giving me all I need.
(3) (a) 
Very few honours in the world are as great as the Nobel
Prize. (positive)
(b) The Nobel Prize is greater than most other honours in the
world. (comparative)

SET 9
(1) 
Make two sentences of your own to show the difference of
Homograph : ‘past’.
(2) 
Rewrite the sentence using the future continuous tense :
I started a company.
(3) Make a word register of four words related to : ‘School’.

46 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Answers

(1) (a) The train sped past the station.

(b) There were many secrets in the man’s past.
(2) I shall be starting a company.
(3) School : teachers, examinations, benches, books.

SET 10
(1) Make sentences of your own to show the difference in the word
‘through’ and its homophone.
(2) Change the voice of the following sentence, ending with ‘… great
religions.’ :
All great religions teach us to care for our children.
(3) Rewrite the following sentence using Indirect Speech :
He said, “What shall we do, Ustad Sahib? ”

Answers

(1) (a) The little boy threw the ball over the fence.
(b) We could clearly see through the window.
(2) We are taught to care for our children by all great religions.
(3) He asked the Ustad Sahib what they should do.
_________

Q. 1 (B) Challenging Activities

• Do as directed : (Any 1 in each set)

Note : We have covered all 5 types of difficult activities in the various

sets.

SET 1 (March ’25)

(1) A diamond is one of the most precious stones.


Complete the following sentences with the help of the above
sentence :
(a) Very few stones .
(b) A diamond is more .

QUESTION SET 1 – language study 47

(2) Make two sentences by using the given word as a noun and as a
verb without changing its form :
‘approach’
Answers

(1) 
(a) Very few stones are as precious as the diamond.
(b) A diamond is more precious than most other stones.
(2) 
(a) We must always approach wild animals very carefully. (verb)
(b) The approach to the house was blocked by a huge pile of
snow. (noun)

SET 2 (March ’24)

(1) 
Use the given two words into one meaningful sentence :
rest; routine
(2) Change the following sentence into a compound sentence :
I awoke late next morning to find that Anil had already made
the tea.
Answers

(1) 
An hour’s rest in the afternoon was a part of the old lady’s
routine.
(2) 
I awoke late next morning and found that Anil had already made
the tea.

SET 3 (March ’22)

(1) Pick out the modal auxiliary and state its function :
Could I use your computer for surfing the net?
(2) Name and identify the subordinate clause :
When we were designing the first Macintosh Computer, it all
came back to me.

Answers

(1) could – permission

(2) Subordinate clause – When we were designing the first Macintosh
Computer; Type – Adverb Clause of Time.
48 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 SET 4 (July ’23)
(1) Pick out the Modal Auxiliary and state its function :
He could still feed himself.
(2) 
Identify the clause and state its kind :
It takes the shape that the water commands.

Answers

(1) modal auxiliary – could

function – ability
(2) It takes the shape – main clause
that the water commands – subordinate adjective clause

SET 5 (July ’22)

(1) Change the given sentence into positive and comparative
degrees :
The biggest challenge knocking on the doors of human kind is
fear and intolerance.
(2) Use the given word as it is as a noun as well as a verb in two
different sentences :
‘honour’
Answers

(1) 
Positive : No other challenge knocking on the doors of human
kind is as big as fear and intolerance.
 Comparative : Fear and intolerance are bigger than any other
challenge knocking on the doors of human kind.
(2)  (i) The statue was installed in honour of the social worker.
 (noun)
(ii) I honour those who show compassion towards animals.
 (verb)

SET 6
(1) Analyze the clauses in the following sentence :
I didn’t have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor.
(2) Change the following sentence into indirect speech :
Mary said, “I am really happy with my achievement.”
3/Navneet 21 M. L. Q. Sets : SET
QUESTION English (HL) – Std. Xstudy
1 – language D0051 (2026) 49
 Answers

(1) 
I didn’t have a dorm room. – Main Clause
So I slept on the floor – Subordinate Adverb Clause of Reason.
(2) Mary said that she was really happy with her achievement.

SET 7 (March ’20)

(1) Begin the sentence with “No sooner ……” :
As soon as the thief escaped, the family informed the police.
(2) 
Change the following sentence into positive and comparative
degrees :
It is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Answers

(1) 
No sooner did the thief escape than the family informed the
police.
(2) (a) Very few decisions I have ever made are as good as this one.
 (Positive)
(b) 
It is better than most of the other decisions I have ever
made. (Comparative)

SET 8
(1) Use the word ‘watch’ in two different sentences as a noun and as
a verb.
(2) The Taj Mahal is the most beautiful monument in India.
Begin the sentence with :
(a) No other ………
(b) The Taj Mahal is more ………

Answers

(1) (a) The boy got an expensive watch for his birthday. (noun)
(b) I watch football matches whenever I can. (verb)
(2) (a) Positive : No other monument in India is as beautiful as the
Taj Mahal.
(b) 
Comparative : The Taj Mahal is more beautiful than any
other monument in India.
50 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 SET 9
(1) We can do it. (Pick out the modal auxiliary verb and state its
function.)
(2) Identify the clauses and name them :
The nerves that controlled his muscles were shutting down.

Answers

(1) can – ability.

(2) The nerves were shutting down – Main Clause;
that controlled his muscles – Subordinate Adjective Clause.

SET 10
(1) The little boy might act very well.
(Pick out the modal auxiliary and state its function.)
(2) Analyze the sentence :
 Sitting beside her father in the gallery, Smita heard the
thundering welcome.

Answers

(1) might – indicates possibility

(2) simple sentence.
_________

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BOARD PAPERS SMART SOLUTION
ENGLISH HL : STD. X

Complete Solutions to all

Board’s Activity Sheet of Past years

QUESTION SET 1 – language study 51

 Q. 2 (A) and (B) – Seen Passages
Question SEEN PASSAGES
Set
(10 Marks for each passage,
2 Total Marks – 20)

How to attempt this question :

(1) Read the activities first.
(2) 
Then read the passage carefully. It is very important to
understand the passage. If you have read the textbook
thoroughly, you will recognize and understand the passage
easily and quickly.
(3) Two SEEN passages from the textbook will be given for various
activities testing the comprehension of the students.
(4) In all there will be FIVE activities per passage : A1., A2., A3.,
A4. and A5 – B1., B2., B3., B4. and B5.
(5) A1. and B1. will be Simple factual activities. They could
be True or False, Complete the following, Choose the correct
alternative, Match the columns, etc. The answers to these
questions will easily be found in the passage. Search for them
and write them down.
The total marks allotted for A1/B1 are 2. If the number of
sub-activities are four, each sub-activity will carry ½ mark. If
there are only two sub-activities, each sub-activity will carry
1 mark.
(6) A2. and B2. will be Complex factual activities. These may
be in the form of a web, complete the table, etc. Wh-type
questions may also be asked. The answers to these activities
will be found in different parts of the passage. Search for them
and write them down in the format given in the activities.
The total marks allotted for A2/B2 are 2.
(7) A3. and B3. are Vocabulary-based activities. Use your
knowledge of vocabulary to attempt these activities. The total
marks allotted for A3/B3 are 2.
(8) A4. and B4. are activities for testing Contextual Grammar.
Use your knowledge of Grammar to answer these activities.
The total marks allotted for A4/B4 are 2. If 2 activities are
given, each activity will carry 1 mark.

52 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

(9) A5. and B5. require your Personal Response (expression,
creation and imagination) and are based on some point or
aspect arising from the passage. Think carefully and answer
these questions in your own words. Write about 3 to 4
sentences. If the question is very specific, write only as many
points as are required. This question carries 2 marks.

Important :
(1) Study ALL the activities given for each passage in this Question
Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the passages for Practice given in Section 3.
(3) We have given the type of activities and the marks allotted only
for the first passage. These are applicable to all the passages
in this Question Set.

Lesson 1.2 The Thief’s Story

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities : (10 Marks)

PASSAGE 1

A1/B1. Simple Factual Activity :(2)

A1. Complete the following :
(i) 
The ‘I’ in the story refers to .
(ii) Anil kept Hari as a cook because .

PASSAGE (Textbook pages 9 and 10)

I was still a thief when I met Anil. And though only 15, I was
an experienced and fairly successful hand.
Anil was watching a wrestling match when I approached him.
He was about 25 — a tall, lean fellow — and he looked easy-going,
kind and simple enough for my purpose. I hadn’t had much luck
of late and thought I might be able to get into the young man’s
confidence.
“You look a bit of a wrestler yourself.” I said. A little flattery
helps in making friends.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 53

 “So do you,” he replied, which put me off for a moment
because at that time I was rather thin.
“Well,” I said modestly, “I do wrestle a bit.”
“What’s your name?”
“Hari Singh,” I lied. I took a new name every month. That kept
me ahead of the police and my former employers.
After this introduction, Anil talked about the well-oiled
wrestlers who were grunting, lifting and throwing each other about.
I didn’t have much to say. Anil walked away. I followed casually.
“Hello again,” he said.
I gave him my most appealing smile. “I want to work for you,”
I said.
“But I can’t pay you.”
I thought that over for a minute. Perhaps I had misjudged my
man.
I asked, “Can you feed me?”
“Can you cook?”
“I can cook,” I lied again.
“If you can cook, then may be I can feed you.”

Note : We have given complete passage here. However, only first and
last lines of the passages are given, hereafter, with the references of
textbook page numbers. Please refer to the textbook for the complete
passages.

A2/B2. Complex Factual Activity :(2)

A2. Complete the web diagram :

Anil’s virtues

54 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A3/B3. Activity based on Vocabulary :(2)
A3. 
Insert the appropriate word/phrase given below, in the
sentences that follow :
(flattery, dashed to, spirits rose, appealing)
 
(i) 
Do not stoop to just to gain something from
someone.
(ii) When the baby saw its mother, it gave an smile.
A4/B4. Activity based on Contextual Grammar :(2)
A4. Do as directed :
(i) I can’t pay you. (Make it affirmative.)
(ii) I took a new name every month. (Rewrite beginning
‘A new …!)
A5/B5. Personal Response :(2)
A5. Explain why, according to you, Anil employed Hari as a cook,
even though he could not afford to pay him.

Answers

A1.   (i) The ‘I’ in the story refers to the narrator, who called himself
Hari Singh.
 (ii) Anil kept Hari as a cook because he wanted someone to
cook for him. He perhaps also felt sorry for Hari.
A2. kind

easy-going Anil’s virtues pleasant

simple

A3.  (i) Do not stoop to flattery just to gain something from someone.
(ii) When the baby saw its mother, it gave an appealing smile.
A4.  (i) I am unable to pay you.
(ii) A new name was taken by me every month.
A5. Anil wanted someone to cook for him. He felt that perhaps Hari
could cook for him, and in return he could feed him, as he
could not afford to pay him. Anil was also kind-hearted and
probably felt sorry for Hari.
QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 55
 PASSAGE 2
A1. 
Match Column ‘A’ with Column ‘B’ and rewrite the complete
sentences :

‘A’ ‘B’
  (i) Hari was thinking of (a) to search for the notes
catching (b) the 10:30 express to
(ii) When Anil was sleeping Lucknow
peacefully, his face was (c) clear and unlined
(iii) Hari slid his hands under (d) an oil-rich Arab
the mattress
(iv) Hari thought he could live
like

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 9, 10)

I had been working …………………………… a week or two.
A2. Explain the underlying meaning of the following :
(i) I’m out of practice.
(ii) I could live like an oil-rich Arab for a week or two.
A3.  Write the adjective forms of :
(i) opportunity (ii) pleasure
(iii) sleep (iv) situation
A4. (i) Hari drew them out without a sound. (Frame a Wh-question
to get the underlined part as the answer.)
(ii) Rewrite the following sentences by adding the correct tail
tag from those given in the brackets : (does he?, didn’t he?,
isn’t it?, wasn’t he?, doesn’t he?, is it?)
(1) Anil was sleeping peacefully.
(2) He doesn’t even notice he’s been robbed.
A5. Explain why, according to you, Hari had many scars on his face.

Answers

A1. (i) Hari was thinking of catching the 10:30 express to Lucknow.
(ii) When Anil was sleeping peacefully, his face was clear and
unlined.

56 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (iii) Hari slid his hands under the mattress to search for the
notes.
(iv) Hari thought he could live like an oil-rich Arab.
A2.  (i) It means that Hari thought he was losing his ‘skills’ in
robbing by not putting them to use.
(ii) 
It means that Hari felt that he could live in luxury for some
time.
A3.   (i) opportune (ii) pleasant
(iii) sleepy/sleepless (iv) situational
A4. (i) How did Hari draw them out?
(ii) (1) Anil was sleeping peacefully, wasn’t he?

(2) He doesn’t even notice he’s been robbed, does he?
A5. Hari was a thief. He had probably got into trouble and fights
while robbing people. He could also have been in bad company
and got into fights with his companions, or been caught by the
police, and been wounded. This would have led to scars on his
face.

Lesson 1.3 On Wings of Courage

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1
A1. Match the columns :
‘A’ ‘B’
  (i) The birth of Arjan Singh 1938
(ii) Selected for the Empire Pilot Training Course 1969
(iii) Promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader 1944
(iv) Retired from service 1919

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook pages 15, 16)

Commending his role ............. Squadron Leader in 1944.

A2. 
Describe the achievements of Arjan Singh that led to his winning
the DFC award.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 57

A3. Complete the table :

Verbs Nouns
  (i) promote
(ii) move
(iii) recognition
(iv) excitement

A4.  (i) In 1944, the Marshal had led a squadron against the
Japanese during the Arakan Campaign.
 (Change the voice.)
(ii) His first assignment on being commissioned was to fly
Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North-Western Frontier
Province. (Rewrite as a Complex Sentence.)
A5. According to you, what are some of the qualities a leader must
have?
Answers

A1. (i) The birth of Arjan Singh – 1919

(ii) Selected for the Empire Pilot Training Course – 1938
(iii) Promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader – 1944
(iv) Retired from service – 1969

A2. 
In 1944, Arjan Singh led a squadron against the Japanese
during the Arakan Campaign. He flew close air support
missions during the crucial Imphal campaign. He then assisted
the advance of the Allied Forces to Rangoon. In recognition of
his feats, Arjan Singh was given the DFC award.

A3. Verbs Nouns

  (i) promote promotion
(ii) move movement
(iii) recognise recognition
(iv) excite excitement

A4. (i) In 1944, during the Arakan Campaign, a squadron against

the Japanese had been led by the Marshal.
58 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 (ii) His first assignment when he was commissioned was to
fly Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North-Western Frontier
Province.
A5. 
A leader must be able to make the correct decisions. He should
be firm with his team or group. He should be able to instill
confidence in them, and he should be just. Thus, the qualities
he should have are : decision making ability, firmness, ability to
instill confidence in others and a fair sense of justice.

PASSAGE 2
A1. Complete the table :

Event Year
  (i) Arjan Singh was appointed Deputy Chief of
Air Staff
(ii) Arjan Singh was promoted to the rank of
Air Commodore
(iii) Arjan Singh was appointed Vice Chief of
Air Staff
(iv) 
Arjan Singh led a fly-past over the Red Fort

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 16, 17)

For his role in ……......…………… to meet new challenges
A2. Complete the following :
(i) 
On 15th August 1947, Arjan Singh achieved the unique
honour of .
(ii) He had the distinction of having the longest tenure as .
(iii) 
Immediately after Indian Independence, he commanded
.
(iv) He was the overall commander of .
A3. Make sentences using the following phrases :
(i) geared up (ii) took over control
A4. (i) After his promotion to the rank of Wing Commander, he
attended the Royal Staff College at the UK.
 (Rewrite using the verb form of the underlined word.)
(ii) 
He was the overall commander of the joint air training
exercise ‘Shiksha’. (Rewrite adding a question tag.)
A5. Describe your source of inspiration.
QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 59
 Answers

A1. Event Year

  (i) Arjan Singh was appointed Deputy Chief of –1962
Air Staff
(ii) Arjan Singh was promoted to the rank of
–1949
Air Commodore
(iii) Arjan Singh was appointed Vice Chief of
Air Staff –1963
(iv) 
Arjan Singh led a fly-past over the Red Fort –1947

A2. (i) 
On 15th August 1947, Arjan Singh achieved the unique
honour of leading a fly-past of over a hundred IAF aircraft
over the Red Fort in Delhi.
(ii) He had the distinction of having the longest tenure as AOC
of an operational command.
(iii) 
Immediately after Indian independence, he commanded
Ambala in the rank of Group Captain.
(iv) 
He was the overall commander of the joint air training
exercise ‘Shiksha’ held between the IAF, RAF and RAAF.
A3. (i) 
Our school cricket team geared up for the final match
against P.Q.R. High School.
(ii) After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth took over the
reins of Scotland.
A4. (i) After he was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander, he
attended the Royal Staff College at the UK.
(ii) He was the overall commander of the joint air training
exercise Shiksha, wasn’t he?
A5. 
My source of inspiration is my uncle. Uncle was a highly
respected and capable doctor. He cured hundreds of people and
helped many more, free of charge. He never accepted any fees
from people who he knew were poor. Even today he helps in
organising medical camps. Watching him, I too wish to become
a doctor and help poor people.
60 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 Lesson 1.5 Joan of Arc

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1 (July ’23)

A1. Complete the given table :

Sr. No. Sentence Who said? To whom?
(i) You really think that?
(ii) Right, squire

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook page 31)

Joan : (smiling brightly at him) ……………………………
………………………………………… You’re as mad as she is!

From the passage find what the following are compared to

A2. 
and why :

Sr. No. Phrase/Sentence Comparison Reason

(i) as mad as
(ii) The Dauphin in Chinon is like

A3. 
He can’t work miracles.
 (Change the underlined word into an adverb and make a
meaningful sentence of your own using the same.)
A4. Do as directed :
  (i) He beat the English the year before last at Montargis.
I was with him. (Join the above sentences by using a
subordinating conjunction.)
(ii) What is wrong with it?
 (Begin the sentence with : There is ... .)
A5. Personal Response :
What are the essential qualities to be a good soldier?

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 61

 Answers

A1. Sr. No. Sentence Who said? To whom?

(i) You really think that? Robert Poulengey
(ii) Right, squire Joan Squire (Robert)

Phrase/
A2. Sr. No. Comparison Reason
Sentence
(i) as mad as as mad as Joan was planning to go
Joan to the Dauphin, who was
frightened, and motivate
him to fight for Orleans.
Poulengey agreed with
this crazy idea.

(ii) The Dauphin a rat in a Just like a cornered rat

in Chinon is corner gives up, the Dauphin
like too had given up and
refused to fight to save
Orleans.

A3.  (i) He can’t work miraculously.

(ii) 
Miraculously, all the passengers in the train survived the
crash.
A4. (i) I was with him when he beat the English the year before last
at Montargis.
OR
When I was with him, he beat the English the year before
last at Montargis.
(ii) There is nothing wrong with it.
A5. A good soldier must be strong, brave and loyal. He/She should
have complete faith and confidence in himself/herself as well as
the cause for which he/she is fighting. He/She should obey those
in authority and also cooperate with other soldiers to work as a
team.
62 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 PASSAGE 2 (July ’22)
A1. Complete the sentences :
(i) Nothing that we say seems …
(ii) If she can put some fight into him she can put …
(iii) Nothing can be difficult …
(iv) French soldiers are always beaten because …

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 32, 33)

Robert : What is your name? ……………………………
……………………….......………………… into anybody.
A2. 
Pick out from the passage two lines that provide for :
Her optimism.
A3. 
Match the words/phrases in Column ‘A’ with their meanings
in Column ‘B’ :

Column ‘A’ (Words/Phrases) Column ‘B’ (Meanings)

  (i) plundering (a) grassland
(ii) meadow (b) 
surround from all sides
(iii) to save their skin and attack
(iv) raising a siege (c) to save their lives
(d) looting
A4. Do as directed :
(i) I don’t remember. (Rewrite as an Affirmative sentence.)
 
(ii) Even the Dauphin might believe it. (Pick modal auxiliary.)
A5. As a monitor of your class, how would you boost the morale of
your classmates to participate in various school competitions?

Answers

A1. (i) Nothing that we say seems to put any fire into them.
(ii) 
If she can put some fight into him, she can put it into
anybody.
(iii) Nothing can be difficult if God is on your side.
(iv) French soldiers are always beaten because they are fighting
only to save their skins.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 63

A2. Two lines that show Joan’s optimism :
 (i) I don’t think it can be very difficult if God is on your side.
(ii) I will teach them all to fight for France.
A3. (i) plundering – looting
(ii) meadow – grassland
(iii) to save their skin – to save their lives
(iv) raising a siege – surround from all sides and attack
A4. (i) I fail to remember OR I am unable to remember.
(ii) modal auxiliary – might
A5. 
As the monitor of the class, I would explain to my classmates
the importance of extra-curricular activities and their place in
the all-round development of our personality. I would also tell
them how such competitions help to build team spirit and the
spirit of sportsmanship. I would also give the examples of great
and successful people.

Lesson 1.6 The Alchemy of Nature

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :
PASSAGE
A1. 
Pick out the statements that are false and write them
correctly :
(i) On the beach, the author found rocks carved and sculpted
by the wind.
(ii) The hibiscus flower smiles with the sun and dances with
the wind.
(iii) Rocks take the shape that the water commands.
(iv) Nature helps us to relax.

PASSAGE (Textbook pages 38, 39)

To see a world ………………………………… yet if we persist.

64 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A2. 
Complete the web, describing the role nature plays in our
lives :

soothes fulfils

Role of
Nature

commands whispers

A3. Pick out four abstract nouns from the passage.

A4. (i) The flower comes to life only for a day. (Pick out the verb
and say whether it is Transitive or Intransitive.)
(ii) 
Choose the correct ‘not only … but also …’ form of the
sentence :
Nature soothes and nurtures.

(a) Not only nature soothes but nurtures also.
(b) Nature soothes not only but also nurtures.
(c) Nature soothes but also nurtures not only.
(d) Nature not only soothes but also nurtures.
A5.  Why does the writer begin by quoting the lines from William
Blake’s poem ‘Auguries of Innocence’?

Answers

A1. Statement (i) is false. The correct statement is :


On the beach, the author found rocks carved and sculpted by
the water.
A2.
nurtures
soothes fulfils

Role of
motivates teaches
Nature

commands whispers
inspires

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 65

A3. Abstract nouns – imagination, joy, difference, awe
A4. (i) comes – Intransitive
(ii) (d) Nature not only soothes but also nurtures.
A5. The lines of the poem show that if we pause to reflect, there
is much beauty in nature and plenty that we can learn from
it. The write-up expands on the same idea, thus reflecting the
philosophy of the quoted lines from William Blake.

Lesson 2.2 Three Questions

Q. Read the following passages and complete the activities :

PASSAGE 1
A1. Write if the following statements are True or False :
(i) The king wanted to know the answers to three questions.
(ii) The king never failed in any undertaking.
(iii) The people convinced the king to make a proclamation.
(iv) The king announced a reward for the right answers.

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook page 52)

Once a certain king …………… proper time for everything.
A2. Complete the Tree Diagram :

Reward Winning Questions

1. 2. 3.

Who were the

most necessary
people?

A3. (a) 
The following compound words from the passage are
spelt in jumbled order. Rearrange the letters to make
them meaningful :
(i) a r e e t u k d n   (ii) y o n n a e
66 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 (b) From the passage, find the collocations for the following :
(i) …… time (ii) …… important.
A4. (i) Many learned people came to the court. (Frame a
Wh-question to get the underlined part as the answer.)
(ii) Others declared that it was impossible to decide beforehand.
 (Rewrite using ‘not’.)
A5. The learned advisers confused the king. Explain.

Answers

A1. (i) 
The king wanted to know the answers to three
questions.– True
(ii) The king never failed in any undertaking. – False
(iii) 
The people convinced the king to make a
proclamation.– False
(iv) 
The king announced a reward for the right
answers. – True
A2. Reward Winning Questions

1. 2. 3.

What was the Who were the What was the

right time for most necessary most important
every action? people? thing to do?

A3. (a) (i) undertake (ii) anyone

(b) (i) right time (ii) most important
A4. (i) Who came to the court?
(ii) Others declared that it was not possible to decide beforehand.
A5. By giving the king different answers, the learned advisers who
came to the court confused the king. None of the answers given
by the advisers was complete or comprehensive. From their
answers it is quite clear to me that each one of them dwelt on
part of the truth and not the whole truth.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 67

 PASSAGE 2 (March ’20)

A1. Relate the following actions of the king and the hermit :

learning breathing asking

digging
things heavily questions

King Hermit
 (i)  (i)

(ii) (ii)

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook page 53)

When the king arrived …………… repeated his questions.

A2. 
State whether you Agree/Disagree with the following
statements :
(i) The hermit was strong and agile.
(ii) The king came to the hermit to ask three questions.
(iii) The hermit handed over the spade and sat down.
(iv) The king wasn’t feeling sorry for the hermit.
A3. 
Solve the crossword puzzle using words from the passage
referring to the clues given :
1 Down
R 2 (1) Restart/Start again
(2) Sage

3 E Across
(3) A tool for digging
(4) Intelligent

4 W

68 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A4. Do as directed :
(i) When the king arrived the hermit was digging the ground.
 
 (Name and identify the Subordinate Clause.)
(ii) The hermit listened to the king but said nothing.
 (Rewrite the sentence and begin it with “Though …)
A5. Whom do you consider your guide when you are in difficulty?
Why?

Answers

A1. King –  (i) learning things

(ii) asking questions
Hermit –   (i) digging
(ii) breathing heavily
A2. (i) The hermit was strong and agile. – Disagree
(ii) The king came to the hermit to ask three questions.
– Agree
(iii) The hermit handed over the spade and sat down.  – Agree
(iv) The king wasn’t feeling sorry for the hermit.  – Disagree
A3. 1
R 2
E H
3 S P A D E
U R
M M
E 4 W I S E
T
A4. (i) when the king arrived – Subordinate Clause
Adverb Clause of Time
(ii) Though the hermit listened to the king, he said nothing.
A5. I consider my grandfather my guide when I am in difficulties.
This is because my grandfather is a very patient and loving
person. He is at home the whole day. He welcomes me when

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 69

 I return from school and listens to my experiences in school. If
there has been any problem in school or when I am playing with
my friends, he gives me good advice. He does not shout at me
or blame me for what has happened.

Lesson 2.3 Connecting the Dots

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1 (March ’24)

A1. Name the following with reference to the passage :
Activity Name
  (i) 
The company started by the narrator
and Woz.
(ii) The second company started by the narrator.
(iii) An amazing woman the narrator fell in
love with
(iv) World’s most successful animation studio.

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook page 63)

My second story …………………………………… Don’t settle.

A2. Complete the following web diagram :

Advice given by
Steve Jobs

The theme of Job’s

second story

A3. 
Fill in the blanks choosing the correct phrases in their
proper form from the brackets :
(to get fired, devastating, begin to dawn on)
(i) On committing persistent mistakes the employee
from his post.
(ii) When the teacher explained the solution of the problems in
Maths, it the students that the problems were easy.
70 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
A4. Do as directed :
(i) Identify the tense of the underlined verb :
If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.

(ii) I found what I loved to do early in life.

 (Identify the Main and Subordinate Clauses.)

A5. ‘Failure is the key to success.’ Explain in your own words.

Answers

A1. Activity Name

  (i) 
The company started by the narrator
and Woz. Apple
(ii) The second company started by the narrator. Next
(iii) An amazing woman the narrator fell in
love with Laurene
(iv) World’s most successful animation studio. Pixar

A2. 

Don’t lose Advice given by

Don’t settle
faith Steve Jobs

The theme of Job’s

Love Loss
second story

A3.   (i) On committing persistent mistakes the employee got fired

from his post.
 (ii) When the teacher explained the solution of the problems in
Maths, it began to dawn on the students that the problems
were easy.

A4. (i) haven’t found – present perfect tense.

(ii) 
I found – Main Clause
what I loved to do early in life – Subordinate Clause

A5. ‘Failure is the key to success’. When we make mistakes and fail,

we learn something, and can plan our future path. Failure helps

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 71

 us to gain knowledge. It teaches us to be humble and develops
our character. It also teaches us to be careful. Hence, we must
accept failure positively.

PASSAGE 2 (March ’23)

A1. Write whether the following statements are True or False :

  (i) Steve Jobs was diagnosed with cancer.
 (ii) We should be trapped by dogma.
(iii) Have the courage to follow our heart and intuition.
 (iv) Our time is unlimited.

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 63, 64)

About a year ago ………......…… Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.

A2. Complete the following web :

1.

2. Don’t waste time living

someone else’s life

Steve Jobs’ 3.
life lessons
from this
4. Let other’s opinions not
passage drown out your inner voice

5.

6.

A3. Fill in the blanks using the phrases given in the brackets :
(signed off, drown out, turned out, trapped by)
(i) We should not be superstitions.

72 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (ii) The movie to be a disappointment.
(iii) He with a very important message for all of us.
(iv) We should not let the opinion of others .
A4. Do as directed :
(i) It was their farewell message. (Add a question tag.)
 
(ii) I lived with that diagnosis all day.
 (Underline the verb and state its tense.)
A5. Personal Response :
What is your opinion regarding the farewell message ‘Stay
Hungry, Stay Foolish’?

Answers

A1. (i) Steve Jobs was diagnosed with cancer. – True

(ii) We should be trapped by dogma. – False
(iii) Have the courage to follow our heart and intuition. – True
(iv) Our time is unlimited. – False
A2.
1. Your time is limited

2. Don’t waste time living

someone else’s life

Steve Jobs’ 3. Don’t be trapped by dogma

life lessons
from this
4. Let other’s opinions not
passage drown out your inner voice

5. Have the courage to follow

your heart and intuition

6. Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

A3. (i) We should not be trapped by superstitions.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 73

 (ii) The movie turned out to be a disappointment.
(iii) He signed off with a very important message for all of us.
(iv) We should not let the opinion of others drown out our inner
voice. OR
We should not let the opinion of others drown us out.
A4.  (i) It was their farewell message, wasn’t it?
(ii) lived – Simple Past Tense.

A5. 
I agree with Steve Jobs’ farewell message ‘Stay Hungry, Stay
Foolish’. We should never become arrogant and think that we
are the wisest and know everything. We should be humble and
realize that there is always a lot for us to learn from life. We
should try to learn more and discover more things.

Lesson 2.5 Let’s March

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1 (March ’25)

A1. Complete the activity : 2

Names of   (i)
the people (ii)
given credit
by the (iii)
speaker (iv)

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook pages 78, 79)

I give the biggest credit …….……..… their broken spirits.

A2. Fill up the boxes :

(i) Two centres of global peace :

74 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (ii)  Two centres represents :

A3. Write the antonyms of the following words by adding

(i) 
prefixes :
(a) honour ×      (b) broken ×
(ii) Give one word for the following from the passage :
(a) a person who works for social change.
(b) a person who sacrifices his/her life for the country.
A4. Do as directed :
(i) I humbly accept this award on behalf of all such martyrs.
 (Pick out two determiners.)
(ii) I have held their injured bodies and felt their broken spirits.
 (Rewrite the sentence by using ‘not only ... but also’.)
A5. Would you like to be a social worker when you grow up? Why?

Answers

A1.   (i) Kaalu Kumar

Names of
the people (ii) Dhoom Das
given credit
by the (iii) Adarsh Kishore
speaker
(iv) Iqbal Masih

A2.  (i) Two centres of global peace :

India Norway

(ii) Two centres represents :

the sound of the cry of

silence innocence

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 75

A3. (i) (a) honour × dishonour   (b) broken × unbroken
(ii) (a) a person who works for social change. – activist 
(b) a person who sacrifices his/her life for the country. –
martyr
A4. (i) determiners – this, all, such (any 2)
(ii) I have not only held their injured bodies but also felt their
broken spirits.
A5. Yes, I would like to be a social worker when I grow up. I feel
very upset when I see any child being ill-treated and I want to
eradicate social injustices like child labour, begging and cruelty
to children. I feel sorry for those who are not as lucky as I am
and I want to help children who do not have proper food to eat
or parents to care for them.

PASSAGE 2
A1. Complete the tree diagram :
Aims in the life of Kailash Satyarthi : (any 4)
Every child should be free

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 79, 80)

Friends, all the great religions ………… and we never will.
A2. 
Make a list of two things that Kailash Satyarthi is not ready to
accept :
A3. 
Make sentences of your own using the following phrase/
word :
(i) give up   (ii) shackles
A4.  (i) I have the privilege of working with many courageous people.
 (Rewrite as a complex sentence.)
(ii) All the great religions teach us to care for our children.
 (Pick out the infinitive.)
A5. What is your vision of tomorrow?
76 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 Answers

A1. Every child should be free

(i) to be a (iii) to laugh (iv) to go to

(ii) to dream
child and cry school

A2. Kailash Satyarthi is not ready to accept :

(i) 
that all the laws and constitutions, police and judges are
unable to protect our children.
(ii) that the shackles of slavery can ever be stronger than the
quest for freedom.
A3. (i) We must never give up hope even when we face problems.
(ii) The people finally got rid of the shackles of dictatorship.
A4.  (i) I have the privilege of working with many people who have
courage.
(ii) Infinitive – to care
A5. 
My vision of tomorrow is of an India where there is no
corruption and no poverty. In my vision of India everybody can
live a life of comfort and ease. Everybody will be able to follow
the profession of his/her choice and there will be no crime.

Lesson 2.6 Science and Spirituality

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1

A1. Write if the following statements are True or False :

(i) 
It is necessary for science and faith to function true to their
roles.
(ii) Kalam’s status as a great scientist is in dispute.
(iii) Both fact and faith are required for a better world.
(iv) There is never any conflict between believers in science and
believers in religion.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 77

 PASSAGE 1 (Textbook page 90)
We often witness ……...........................… misery of failure.

A2. 
Match the words in Column ‘A’ with the associating facts
given in Column ‘B’ :
‘A’ ‘B’
(i) Science and faith (a) Created by fact and faith
(ii) Science (b) Success of societies
(iii) Better Planet (c) Betterment of humanity
(iv) Creations and Discoveries (d) Believers of science and
(v) Conflict religions
(e) Solves questions, discovers
truth, conceives inventions
A3. From the passage pick out one word for each of the following :
(i) increase the speed
(ii) point of view
(iii) keeps something within limits
(iv) unable to be challenged or doubted
A4. (i) All three of them used to sit and discuss the community’s
problems. (Pick out the modal and state its function.)
(ii) They shared the same values in life. (Add a question tag.)
A5. Which, according to you, is more important for our planet to
survive – science or religion? Give your reasons in brief.

Answers

A1. (i) I t is necessary for science and faith to function

true to their roles. – True
(ii) Kalam’s status as a great scientist is in dispute. – False
(iii) Both fact and faith are required for a better world. – True
(iv) There is never any conflict between believers
in science and believers in religion. – False
A2. (i) Science and faith – Success of societies
(ii) 
Science – Solves questions, discovers truth, conceives
inventions
(iii) Better Planet – Created by fact and faith
78 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 (iv) Creations and Discoveries – Betterment of humanity
(v) Conflict – Believers of science and religions
A3.   (i) increase the speed accelerate
(ii) point of view perspective
(iii) keeps something within limits curbs
(iv) unable to be challenged or doubted indisputable
A4. (i) used to – indicates past habit.
(ii) They shared the same values in life, didn’t they?
A5. According to me, both are important – science as well as
religion. Science provides us with facts that tell us about our
planet. Religion educates us about the proper attitude towards
all things created on earth. We need both for our planet to
survive. Both go hand in hand.

PASSAGE 2
A1. 
Go through the given statements and state whether you
Agree or Disagree with each of them :
(i) Science and spirituality seek the prosperity of human life.
(ii) Reverend Pereira absolutely refused to consider Dr Kalam’s
request.
(iii) Alternate accommodation was offered only to the fishermen.
(iv) Everyone present in the church agreed to Reverend Pereira’s
plea.

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 91, 92)

Dr Sarabhai and Dr Kalam ...… and the Reverend Pereira.

A2. Write who said to whom and when :

‘Can we give up God’s abode for such a great scientific mission?’
A3. Write one word for :
(a) one who follows a teacher or a leader –
(b) eager to know everything –
(c) a place of residence –
(d) echoed loudly –
A4. (i) How is it possible? (Rewrite as an assertive sentence.)
(ii) I am able to talk to you using this mic. (Rewrite using ‘can’.)
QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 79
A5. Discuss the response of the people to the appeal made by
Reverend Pereira. Would you give the same response?

Answers

A1. (i) Science and spirituality seek the prosperity of

human life. – Agree
(ii) Reverend Pereira absolutely refused to consider
Dr Kalam’s request. – Disagree
(iii) Alternate accommodation was offered only to
the fishermen. – Disagree
(iv) Everyone present in the church agreed to
Reverend Pereira’s plea. – Agree
A2. Reverend Father Pereira said this to the people in the church,
one Sunday. On the previous day, Dr Sarabhai and Dr Kalam
had approached him to request the people to give up the church
land for the building of a space research centre.
A3. (a) one who follows a teacher or a leader – disciple
(b) eager to know everything – inquisitive
(c) a place of residence – abode
(d) echoed loudly  – reverberated
A4. (i) It is not possible.
(ii) I can talk to you using this mic.
A5. The people got up and the whole church reverberated with the
deafening noise of a collective ‘amen’. Yes, if I had been part of
the gathering, I too would have joined in with a loud positive
response. Considering the importance of the space research
centre, I would have been willing to suffer the agony of relocation.

PASSAGE 3
A1. Write True or False :
(i) The 102-year-old Swamiji was as alert as any other
youngster.
(ii) Dr Kalam’s beliefs were directly influenced by Srijan.
(iii) Academic brilliance can be diminished by losing focus and
seriousness.
(iv)  The occasion described in this passage is the discourse
given by Dr Sri Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamiji.
80 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 PASSAGE 3 (Textbook pages 92, 93)
A few years later ............. perhaps it’s genetics?” I asked.

A2 Match the columns :

‘A’ ‘B’
(i) 1970 (a) Dr Kalam made his first successful launch.
(ii) 1980 (b) The writer graduated from IIMA and met
Dr Kalam.
(iii) 2009
(c) The writer was discussing with Dr Kalam the
(iv) 2012
number of Ph.Ds he had received.
(d) Dr Kalam made his first unsuccessful launch.
A3. Give one word from the extract for the following :
(i) a formal talk
(ii) relating to moral principles
(iii) heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics
(iv) a particular part or feature of something

A4. (i) God will shine through us. (Add a question tag.)

(ii) This display of inner strength touched Dr Kalam deeply.
 (Change the voice.)

A5. Write in your own words what the following expression convey

in the context they occur in the text : Through his (Kalam’s)
words of wisdom, I was getting to learn from countless great
minds.

Answers

A1. (i) 
The 102-year-old Swamiji was as alert as any
other youngster. – True
(ii) Dr Kalam’s beliefs were directly influenced by Srijan.– False
(iii) Academic brilliance can be diminished by losing
focus and seriousness. – True
(iv) 
The occasion described in this passage is the
discourse given by Dr Sri Sri Shivakumara
Mahaswamiji.– False
4/Navneet 21 M. L.QUESTION
Q. Sets : English
SET 2 –(HL)
SEEN– Std. X D0051 (2026)
PASSAGES 81
A2. (i) 1970 – Dr Kalam made his first unsuccessful launch.
 (ii) 1980 – Dr Kalam made his first successful launch.
(iii) 2009 – The writer graduated from IIMA and met Dr Kalam.
(iv) 
2012 – 
The writer was discussing with Dr Kalam the
number of Ph.Ds he had received.
A3. (i) a formal talk – discourse
(ii) relating to moral principles – ethical
(iii) 
heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics
– genetics
(iv) a particular part or feature of something – aspect
A4. (i) God will shine through us, won’t he?
(ii) Dr Kalam was deeply touched by this display of strength.
A5. This expression first of all conveys the information that
Dr Kalam himself was a very well-read person who had acquired
his knowledge from innumerable great minds of the past.
Further, it conveys that the speaker (Narrator; Srijan) himself
received an education from Dr Kalam by association with him.

Lesson 3.2 The Night I Met Einstein

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE
A1. Write True or False :
(i) The narrator liked songs that had words.
(ii) The guest was impolite to the narrator.
(iii) Bing Crosby’s song was one of the narrator’s favourites.
(iv) The narrator and the guest quarrelled about music.
PASSAGE (Textbook page 109)
So I went up ………………………… Could you have done it?
A2. 
Explain how Einstein and the writer were different in the way
they listened to music.
A3. (1) Pick out the words that refer to the following :
(i) a device used to play recorded music : .
(ii) one who is poor at deciphering musical notes : .
82 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 (2) 
Write the antonyms of the following words using a
prefix :
 (i) pleased
(ii) like
A4.  (i) Rewrite using the indirect form of narration :
He asked, “What kind of music do you like?”
(ii) Add a question tag :
It proves everything.
A5. 
Do you think the comparison between music and arithmetic
was a good one? In what way?

Answers

A1. (i) The narrator liked songs that had words. – True
(ii) The guest was impolite to the narrator. – False
(iii) 
Bing Crosby’s song was one of the narrator’s
favourites.– True
(iv) The narrator and the guest quarrelled about music.– False
A2. Einstein was used to listening to classical music, whereas the
writer preferred songs that had words and the kind of music
where he could follow the tune. Einstein had a keen ear for
music, but the writer was tone-deaf and so could not understand
music.
A3. (1) (i) gramophone (ii) tone-deaf
(2) (i) pleased × displeased (ii) like × unlike/dislike
A4. (i) He asked what kind of music I liked.
(ii) It proves everything, doesn’t it?
A5. 
Yes, I think that the comparison between music and arithmetic
was a good one because music too involves timing, rhythm and
beats that require some mathematical knowledge. Also Einstein
showed how, when we are taught arithmetic, we begin with the
simple and then move to the complicated. It is the same with
music. From music with words – which is within the grasp
of the average listener, Einstein progressed to music without
words – which is what classical music is all about.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 83

 Lesson 3.3 Stephen Hawking

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1 (Sept. ’21)

A1. Name the following :

(i) 
The disease that Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with :
(ii) The branch of science that Stephen studied at the University
of Cambridge :
(iii) The film that depicts Stephen Hawking’s life :
(iv) The British scientist, professor and author :

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook pages 115, 116)

Stephen Hawking (born January 8, 1942 ……………………
…………………………………………………… like String theory.

A2. Complete the table :

Year of What is in it?

Name of the book
publication (Topics covered)
1. A Brief History of Time
2. The Universe in a Nutshell

A3. (i) Pick out any two compound words from the passage.
(ii) Find out one word for the following from the passage :
(a) happening suddenly or immediately.
(b) easy to understand.
A4. Do as directed :
(i) 
The book wasn’t easy to understand. (Rewrite as an
affirmative sentence without changing the meaning.)
(ii) Over the years, Hawking has written 15 books.
 (Underline the noun and encircle its determiner.)
A5. Explain how the life of Stephen Hawking proves the proverb
‘Every cloud has a silver lining ’.

84 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Answers

A1. (i) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

(ii) Cosmology
(iii) The Theory of Everything
(iv) Stephen Hawking

Year of What is in it?

A2. Name of the book
publication (Topics covered)
1. A Brief History 1988 overview of space and
of Time time, existence of God and
the future
2. The Universe in 2001 guide to cosmology’s big
a Nutshell theories
A3. (i) compound words : worldwide, groundbreaking
(ii) (a) happening suddenly or immediately – instant
(b) easy to understand – accessible
A4. (i) The book was difficult to understand.
(ii) Over the years, Hawking has written 15 books.
A5. 
Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with ALS when he was still in
college. This was devastating news for him and his family. Before
the diagnosis, he had been bored with life and hadn’t always
focused on his studies. When he realised that he may not live
for very long, he began to concentrate on his work and research
and did groundbreaking work in physics and cosmology.
He indirectly became a versatile personality because of his
illness. This was the silver lining in the cloud.

PASSAGE 2
A1. Arrange the incidents in proper sequence as per their order
of occurrence in Hawking’s life :
(i) Hawking was rushed to hospital.
(ii) Hawking was unable to attend a conference in Arizona.
(iii) Hawking’s predicament caught the attention of a California
computer programmer.
(iv) Hawking announced that he was retiring.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 85

 PASSAGE 2 (Textbook page 118)
As physical control ………………… to make a full recovery.

A2. Make a list of two of Hawking’s physical inabilities after 1963.

A3. Use the following expressions in sentences of your own :
(i) caught the attention of   (ii) predicament
A4. (i) Stephen Hawking has continued to write at a prolific rate.
 (Pick out the verb and state its tense.)
(ii) He failed to appear at a conference. (Rewrite using ‘not’.)
A5. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Justify
your stand / answer by quoting a line from the passage. Though
Hawking lost control over his body, he wrote at a prolific rate
with the help of assistants.

Answers

A1. (iii) Hawking’s predicament caught the attention of a California

computer programmer.
(ii) Hawking was unable to attend a conference in Arizona.
(iv) Hawking announced that he was retiring.
(i) Hawking was rushed to hospital.
A2. Hawking’s physical inabilities after 1963 :
  (i) he could not go anywhere except on a wheelchair
 (ii) except for feeding himself and getting out of bed, had need of
assistance for virtually everything else
A3.  (i) My unpolished shoes caught the attention of the teacher.
(ii) I was in an awkward predicament when my shoe broke at a
party.
A4.  (i) has continued – Present Perfect Tense
(ii) He did not appear at a conference.
A5. Yes, I do agree.
The line from the text justifying this stand is :

Through the program and the help of assistants, Stephen
Hawking has continued to write at a prolific rate.
86 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 Lesson 3.5 Unbeatable Super Mom – Mary Kom

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1 (March ’20)

A1. Choose the correct alternative :
(i) Which state does Mary Kom belong to?
(a) Mizoram (b) Manipur
(c) Gujarat (d) Assam
(ii) Who inspired Mary Kom to choose Boxing as a career?
(a) Dingko Singh (b) Sushil Kumar
(c) Vijender Singh (d) Adams
(iii) What were her parents?
(a) Teachers (b) Boxers
(c) Tenant farmers (d) Horticulturists
(iv) 
When did Mary Kom make her International debut in
Boxing?
(a) At 20  (b) At 18  (c) At 48  (d) At 38

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook pages 129, 130)

There had to be one ……………………………… to look up to.
A2. What difficulties did Mary Kom face in her childhood?
A3. Find out one word for the following from the passage :
(a) shifting cultivation –
(b) strengthened –
(c) first public appearance –
(d) one who makes history –
A4. Do as directed :
(i) She started competing at international level.
 (Rewrite using an infinitive.)
(ii) Her father was a keen wrestler.
 (Rewrite as an exclamatory sentence.)
A5. ‘Sports are important in our life’. Explain.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 87

 Answers

A1. (a) Manipur (b) Dingko Singh   (c) Tenant farmers (d) At 18.
A2. Mary Kom was born in a small village in rural Manipur. Her
family was poor. Her parents were tenant farmers who worked
in jhum fields, and her surroundings were humble. She had to
help her parents with farm related chores, go to school, initially
learn athletics and later boxing, all at the same time.
A3. (i) shifting cultivation – jhum
(ii) strengthened – reinforced
(iii) first public appearance – debut
(iv) one who makes history – legend
A4. (i) She started to compete at international level.
(ii) What a keen wrestler her father was !
A5. 
Sports are certainly important in life. Sports teach us many
important values like team work, sportsmanship, humility, etc.
Sports teach us how to accept both victory as well as defeat
in the right spirit. They help us to reduce stress and provide
freedom from tension. We make new friends when we participate
in various sports. Sports also help us to keep physically fit.

PASSAGE 2
A1. Pick out and write the sentences that are True :
(i) Adams was Mary Kom’s friend.
(ii) Charles Atkinson was Mary Kom’s coach.
(iii) The judges for Mary Kom’s semi-finals at the Olympics were
not fair.
(iv) Charles Atkinson did not go along with Mary Kom for the
Olympic finals.
PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 130, 131)
In an exclusive interview …… did not work to my benefit.
A2. Describe the prime quality that Mary Kom displayed during her
first attempt in the Olympic games. What was her bad luck?
A3. Find antonyms of the following words from the passage :
(i) depressed (ii) diffident (iii) float (iv) gain
88 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
A4. (i) Mary said, “I am really very happy with my achievement.”
 (Change into indirect speech.)
(ii) 
The male boxers kindly practised with me whenever
I required them to.
 (Underline the subordinate clause and state its kind.)
A5. 
Describe what a sportsperson should do to be successful.

Answers

A1. True statements :

(ii) Charles Atkinson was Mary Kom’s coach.
(iii) The judges for Mary Kom’s semi-finals at the Olympics were
not fair.
A2. 
During her first attempt in the Olympic games, Mary Kom
displayed the prime quality of underplaying the faults of others
and taking on the blame for her losses upon herself. It was her
bad luck that the judges did not press the buttons in her favour
during her sparring with her counter-puncher Adams.
A3. (i) depressed × exhilarated (ii) diffident × confident
(iii) float × sink (iv) gain × loss
A4. (i) Mary said that she was really happy with her achievement.
(ii) The male boxers kindly practised with me whenever
I required them to. – Subordinate Adverb Clause of Time
A5. 
I think that sportspersons should spend as much of their
time and energy as possible in practising and mastering their
particular sport. They should also exercise daily and eat a
nutritious diet. They should have an optimistic and positive
outlook too.

Lesson 3.6 The Concert

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1 (March ’24)

A1. State whether the given statements are True or False :
  (i) The age of the girl was six.
 (ii) The boy on the bed was fast asleep.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 89

 (iii) Pandit Ravi Shankar was a tabla maestro.
 (iv) She had seen how the doctors had shaken their heads
gravely.
PASSAGE 1 (Textbook pages 138, 139)
One morning in a small …… astonishment of their Guru.
A2. Complete the following statements giving reasons :
(i) Anant was better than his sister in playing the sitar because
.
(ii) The girl was excited because .
A3. (i) Find any two adverbs from the passage ending with ‘ly’.
(ii) Find any two compound words from the passage.
A4. Do as directed :
(i) “I’ve always wanted to hear him and see him,” he said.
 (Change into indirect speech.)

(ii) His mother sprang to his side. (Add a question tag.)

A5. 
Describe your experience of any musical concert that you have
attended.

Answers

A1. (i) The age of the girl was six. – False

 (ii) The boy on the bed was fast asleep. – False
(iii) Pandit Ravi Shankar was a tabla maestro. – False
(iv) She had seen how the doctors had shaken
their heads gravely. – True
A2.  (i) Anant was better than his sister in playing the sitar because
he was already able to compose his own tunes.
(ii) 
The girl was excited because Pandit Ravi Shankar was
playing the next day at Shanmukhananda auditorium.
A3. (i) Adverbs ending in ‘ly’ : excitedly, actually
(ii) Compound words : newspaper, table-tennis
A4. (i) He said that he had always wanted to hear him and see
him.
(ii) His mother sprang to his side, didn’t she?

90 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A5. 
I once attended Shankar Mahadevan’s concert. When I heard
the first few notes being sung, I was thrilled. Never before had
I heard such music or singing. I felt as if I were transported to
a wonderland where only music reigned. Every beat, every note
filled me with delight. I began wondering if I were in heaven!

PASSAGE 2
A1. Write who said to whom :
Statement Who said? To whom?
(i) 
“This is not the last time they
are going to play.”
(ii) “A walk in the park will make
you feel better.”

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 139, 140)

Whenever they came to Bombay ……… to get the tickets.

A2. Give reasons : Smita was not ready to go for the concert.

A3. Write from the passage phrases that mean :

  (i) participate
 (ii) feeling that something good will happen
(iii) express their worries
 (iv) a rare opportunity

A4. Choose the appropriate Adverb or Adjective form to fill in

the gaps :
(i) They gave him whatever made him .
 (happy/happily)
(ii) He ran very . (fast/fastly)
(iii) He would become a sitarist some day.
 (great/greatly)
 
(iv) It would be to go to the concert. (nice/nicely)

A5. Describe the two contradictory pictures depicted in the passage

in your own words.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 91

 Answers

A1. Statement Who said? To whom?

(i) “This is not the last time they Anant’s to Anant
are going to play.” mother
(ii) “A walk in the park will make Aunt to Smita
you feel better.” Sushila

A2. 
Smita was not ready to go for the concert because she and her
brother, Anant, had always done things together and he could
not go now because of his illness.
A3.   (i) participate – take part in
 (ii) feeling that something good will happen – high hopes
(iii) express their worries – voice their fears
 (iv) a rare opportunity – a chance of a lifetime.
A4.   (i) They gave him whatever made him happy.
 (ii) He ran very fast.
(iii) He would become a great sitarist some day.
 (iv) It would be nice to go to the concert.
A5. On the one hand, the family is aware that Anant does not have
many days to live. They are worried. They have fears but they
suppress them. Instead they laugh and smile and talk. They
surround Anant with whatever makes him happy. They fulfil his
every need and give him whatever he asks for.

Lesson 4.2 The Luncheon

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :
PASSAGE
A1. Name the food items mentioned in the passage :
(i) , (ii) , (iii) , (iv) .

PASSAGE (Textbook page 152)

I knew I could not afford caviar ………… at the sight of them.

92 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A2. From the sentences given below, pick out two sentences that
indicate that the lady was doing exactly the opposite of what
she was saying :
(i) “I think you’re unwise to eat meat.”
(ii) ‘‘I don’t believe in overloading my stomach.’’
(iii) ‘‘I see that you’re in the habit of eating a heavy luncheon.’’
(iv) ‘‘Why don’t you follow my example and just eat one thing.’’
A3. Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the brackets :
(afford, task, menu, wondered)
(i) The to rescue the flood victims was very difficult.
(ii) I was thinking about buying a new vehicle and if we
had the money.
(iii) The restaurant seemed to be tempting.
(iv) You cannot to waste time with friends during exams.
A4. (i) She ate the caviar and she ate the salmon. (Begin the sentence
with – Not only .... but also .... and rewrite the sentence.)
(ii) She ate the caviar. (Rewrite in the present perfect tense.)
A5. 
Which food do you prefer to eat – home food or restaurant food?
Why?

Answers

A1. Food items mentioned in the passage are :

(i) mutton chops (ii) salmon (iii) asparagus (iv) meat (v) caviar.
 (any 4)
A2. (ii) ‘‘I don’t believe in overloading my stomach.’’
(iv) ‘‘Why don’t you follow my example and just eat one thing.’’
A3.   (i) The task to rescue the flood victims was very difficult.
 (ii) I was thinking about buying a new vehicle and wondered if
we had the money.
(iii) The restaurant menu seemed to be tempting.
(iv) You cannot afford to waste time with friends during exams.
A4.  (i) Not only did she eat the caviar but she also ate the salmon.
(ii) She has eaten the caviar.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 93

A5. I like to eat home food on a regular basis. Food in restaurants
is oily and spicy. Though it is tasty, it is unhealthy. However,
I like to eat occasionally in restaurants or from road-side stalls,
especially when there is a festival or celebration in the family.

Lesson 4.3 World Heritage

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE (March ’25)

A1. Match the World Heritage Sites given in Column ‘A’ with the
names of the countries given in Column ‘B’ :

Column ‘A’ (World Heritage Sites) Column ‘B’ (Countries)

  (i) Machu Picchu (a) Australia
(ii) Sydney Opera House (b) Austria
(iii) Yellowstone National Park (c) The U.S.
(iv) Historic Centre of Vienna (d) Peru

PASSAGE (Textbook pages 161, 162)

As of 2009, ………………………...… pollution and acid rain.

A2. Complete the following web :

Dangers to the
World Heritage Sites

A3. Classify the following words in the given table :

(natural, allocate, protect, heavy)

Adjectives Verbs

94 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A4. Do as directed :
(i) Pick out the subordinate clause and name it :
There are 890 World Heritage Sites that are located in
148 countries.
(ii) World Heritage Sites are in danger.
 (Frame a Verbal Question.)
A5. How can we preserve our Historical monuments?

Answers

A1. (i) Machu Picchu – (d) Peru

(ii) Sydney Opera House – (a) Australia
(iii) Yellowstone National Park – (c) The U.S.
(iv) Historic Centre of Vienna – (b) Austria
A2.
War Poaching

Dangers to the
World Heritage Sites

Natural Heavy tourist

disasters traffic

A3. Adjectives Verbs

natural allocate
heavy protect

A4.  (i) Subordinate clause – that are located in 148 countries

Subordinate Adjective Clause.
(ii) Are World Heritage Sites in danger?
A5. 
As responsible individuals it is our duty to treat historical sites
with respect and care, avoiding any action that might damage or
destroy them. We should also support conservation efforts and
report any damage or vandalism to the authorities. We should
maintain the cleanliness and purity of the place, obey the orders
and guidelines and motivate others to do so too.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 95

 Lesson 4.5 The Old Man and The Sea : Book Review

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE (July ’22)

A1. Write the statements and encircle the wrong alternatives :

  (i) The novel is based on pure fiction/real facts.
 (ii) The novel draws heavily on his own life/a biography.
(iii) The writer worked for Red Cross Society during the Second
World War/First World War.
 (iv) 
Hemingway’s story ultimately became a story of triumph/
disaster.
PASSAGE (Textbook pages 175, 176)

Hemingway’s novel is based …… a chord with the readers.

A2. Complete the web by filling the boxes :

Theme of
the Novel

A3. Find and write the collocations from the passage :

(i) man (ii) war
(iii) destruction (iv) triumph
A4. Do as directed :
(i) 
  Hemingway’s novel is based on real events. (Convert the
underlined adjective into an adjective clause.)
(ii) Hemingway’s language is simple and pithy. (Frame a
Wh-question to get the underlined part as an answer.)

96 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A5. 
Do you think one should have a role model to look up to?
Justify your response.

Answers

A1.   (i) The novel is based on pure fiction/real facts.

 (ii) The novel draws heavily on his own life/a biography.

(iii) The writer worked for Red Cross Society during the

Second World War/First World War.

(iv) Hemingway’s story ultimately became a story of triumph/

disaster.
A2.

draws heavily from the need to struggle against

his own life defeat or death

Theme of the Novel

the importance of
a story of ultimate triumph
determination and endurance

A3.   (i) old man (ii) world war

(iii) mass destruction (iv) ultimate triumph
A4.  (i) Hemingway’s novel is based on events which are real.
(ii) How is Hemingway’s language?
A5. 
Yes, one should always have a role model to look up to, especially
when one is young. The role model motivates a person and
shows him/her the way. He/She shows the direction. However,
the role model should be a humane and kind person with good
values. One should be very careful in choosing one’s role model.

QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 97

 Lesson 4.6 The Gift of the Magi

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1
A1. Pick out from the passage and rewrite the exact sentences
which indirectly imply the following :
 
(i) Della was not too happy to be bargaining for grocery, etc.
(ii) The flat was in a dilapidated condition.

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook page 180)

One dollar and eighty-seven …..… which is all very good.

A2. List four things that show us that Della was very poor.
A3. Pick out from the passage words that mean the following,
and state if it is a noun, verb or adjective :

Word from Part of

Phrase
the passage Speech
(i) Reluctance to spend money

(ii) Relating to
A4.  (i) 
Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles. (Frame a
Wh-question to get the underlined part as the answer.)
(ii) There was clearly nothing to do, ?
 (Add the appropriate question tag.)
A5. 
Della counted the money thrice. Explain what you think the
reason for this may be.

Answers

A1.   (i) 
Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the
grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one’s
cheeks burned.
 (ii) It did not actually beggar description, but certainly had that
word on the look out for the mendicancy squad.

98 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A2. The following things show us that Della was very poor :
  (i) The house was a poorly furnished flat at $ 8 per week.
 (ii) The couch was small and shabby.
(iii) The current family income was only $ 20 per week.
(iv) After a lot of bargaining and saving, Della had saved only
one dollar and eighty-seven cents for Christmas.

A3. Word from the Part of

Phrase
passage Speech
(i) Reluctance to spend money parsimony noun

(ii) Relating to appertaining verb

A4. (i) What is life made up of?

(ii) There was clearly nothing to do, was there?
A5. Della had struggled and bargained a lot to save money. She had
hoped that she had saved enough money to buy Jim a proper
Christmas present. She could not believe that it was only
1 dollar and 87 cents. She probably counted the money thrice
in the hope that it was actually more than that.

PASSAGE 2
A1. Write ‘Agree’ or ‘Disagree’ :
(i) Della wanted to buy a Christmas present for Jim.
(ii) There was a pier glass between the windows of the room.
(iii) Jim now earned $ 30 per week.
(iv) It was Christmas Eve.
PASSAGE 2 (Textbook page 181)
Della finished her cry …......................… to its full length.

A2. Explain the cause of Della’s disturbed mind.

A3. Find from the passage the antonyms of the following words :
(i) common (ii) slow (iii) spending (iv) dully
A4. (i) Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its
colour. (Rewrite as a complex sentence.)
QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 99
 (ii) She had been saving every penny she could for months.
 (Rewrite as a rhetorical question.)
A5. Describe your feelings about gifts.

Answers

A1. (i) Della wanted to buy a Christmas present for Jim. – Agree
(ii) There was a pier glass between the windows of the
room.– Agree
(iii) Jim now earned $ 30 per week. – Disagree
(iv) It was Christmas Eve. – Agree
A2. 
The next day was Christmas Day and Della had only one dollar
and eighty-seven cents with which to buy Jim a present. She
had spent a lot of time thinking about a good present for him,
but with the money she had saved she would not get anything
worthy of him. Hence, she was feeling disturbed.
A3.   (i) common × rare (ii) slow × agile
(iii) spending × saving (iv) dully × brilliantly
A4. (i) Though her eyes were shining brilliantly, her face had lost
its colour.
(ii) Hadn’t she been saving every penny she could for months?
A5. I love getting gifts, and I feel thrilled when I get gifts. This is
mainly because my family and friends try to find out what
I want and then gift it to me. I always preserve my gifts and look
after them carefully.

PASSAGE 3

A1. Pick out and rewrite the exact sentences which indirectly

imply the following :
(i) Della’s elated mood underwent a change as she opened her
gift.
(ii) 
Jim wanted to put the Christmas presents away and get
back to daily life.

100 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 PASSAGE 3 (Textbook pages 184, 185)
White fingers and nimble …………...… They are the Magi.

A2. Explain why Jim and Della are referred to as the Magi.

A3. Give the antonyms of the following from the extract :

(i) cheap (ii) bright (iii) foolish (iv) hated
A4.  (i) Add the appropriate Question Tag :
You’ll have to look at the time,.....?
(ii) Frame a Wh-question to get the underlined part as the
answer :
The Magi were wise men.
A5. Justify the title of the story, ‘The Gift of the Magi’.

Answers

A1.  (i) An ecstatic scream of joy; and then alas! A quick feminine

change to hysterical tears and wails.
(ii) And now, suppose you put the chops on.
A2. 
Jim and Della are referred to as the Magi because first each
willingly sacrificed his/her prized possession for the sake of the
loved one. Then they wisely realized that unselfish love is the
greatest of all gifts.
A3. (i) cheap × expensive (ii) bright × dull
(iii) foolish × wise (iv) hated × worshipped
A4. (i) You’ll have to look at the time, won’t you?
(ii) Who were the Magi?
A5. The Magi were three wise men who brought gifts for baby Jesus
during Christmas. They knew how to give and gave unique gifts
with special emphasis. In the same way, Della and Jim gave
each other unique gifts. The author compares their giving to
the gifts the Magi gave to baby Jesus. He calls them the ‘Magi’
because of their wisdom in realizing that unselfish love is the
greatest of all gifts.

_________
QUESTION SET 2 – SEEN PASSAGES 101
 Q. 3 (A) – Seen Poems
Question
SEEN POEMS/EXTRACTS
Set FOR COMPREHENSION
3 (5 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) Q. 3 (A) will be the comprehension of the given poem or extract.
(2) Read the activities first.
(3) Then read the poem/extract carefully. It is very important to
understand the lines. If you have read the textbook thoroughly,
you will recognize and understand the lines immediately.
(4) There are three comprehension activities : A1., A2., and A3.
(5) A1. Simple Factual Activity will generally be Objective in
nature. This means that it could be True or False, Complete
the following, Choose the correct alternatives, Match the
columns, Complete the web, etc. The answers will be easily
found in the poem/extract. Search for them and write them
down. This activity will carry 2 marks.
(6) A2. Complex Factual Activity will test further understanding
of the poem/extract. It may be of the type – Complete the
following, Choose the correct alternatives, Match the columns,
Complete the web, etc. or it may be a Wh-question. The
answers to these questions may be found in the poem/extract
or you may have to think and interpret something. This activity
will also carry 2 marks.
(7) A3. will be Activity based on Poetic Devices. You have to
identify the various poetic devices used by the poet such as
rhymes, rhyme scheme, figures of speech, imagery, etc. Use
your knowledge of all these aspects to complete the given
activity. This activity will carry 1 mark.

Important :
(1) 
Study ALL the activities given for each Poem/Extract in this
Question Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the Poems/Extracts for Practice given in Section 3.
(3) 
We have given the type of activities and the marking scheme
only for the first poem/extract. This is applicable to all the
poems/extracts in this Question Set.

102 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Poem 1.1 Where the Mind is Without Fear

Q. Read the following poem and complete the activities :

 (5 Marks)

POEM/EXTRACT (Sept. ’21)

A1. Simple Factual Activity :(2)

Match the expressions in Column ‘A’ with the meanings in
Column ‘B’ :
Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’
(i) Ever-widening (a) Clear thinking
thought and action (b) 
A person with self-respect and
(ii) Stretches its arms proud of possessing it
(iii) Clear stream of (c) Aim at perfection
reason (d) 
Broadening the outlook and
(iv) Mind is without attitude
fear (e) A fearless person

Poem/Extract (Textbook page 3)

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by Thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Note : We have given complete extract here. However, only first and last
lines of the extracts are given, hereafter, with the references of Textbook
page numbers. Please refer to the textbook for complete poems/extracts.

QUESTION SET 3 – SEEN poems/extracts ... 103

A2. Complex Factual Activity : (2)
Fill in the blanks with words or phrases from the poem :
(i) Everyone will be literate when .
(ii) Students should keep themselves aloof from .
(iii) Words should come out from .
(iv) The world should not be broken into .
A3. Activity based on Poetic Devices :(1)
Name and explain the figure of speech :
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.

Answers
A1. (i) Ever-widening thought and action – Broadening the outlook
and attitude
(ii) Stretches its arms – Aim at perfection
(iii) Clear stream of reason – Clear thinking
(iv) Mind is without fear – A fearless person
A2.  (i) Everyone will be literate when knowledge is free.
(ii) Students should keep themselves aloof from dead habit.
(iii) Words should come out from the depth of truth.
(iv) The world should not be broken into fragments.
A3. Alliteration : Repetition of the sound of ‘w’ and ‘h’ for pleasing
effect.

Poem 1.4 All the World’s a Stage

Q. Read the following poem and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT (March ’24)

A1. Identify the stages in man’s life from the given description
and complete the table :

Actions Stage

  (i) Full of strange oaths

(ii) Creeping like a snail
(iii) Sighing like furnace
(iv) Having fair round belly

104 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Poem/Extract (Textbook pages 24, 25)
All the world’s a stage, …..………………… sans everything.

A2. Write down the similarities between the first and the 7th (last)
stage of man’s life :
A3. Choose the correct alternative to identify the figure of speech
used in the following line :
All the world’s a stage.
(a)    Simile (b)    Metaphor
(c) Personification (d) Alliteration.

Answers

A1. Actions Stage

  (i) Full of strange oaths – soldier
(ii) Creeping like a snail – school boy
(iii) Sighing like furnace – lover
(iv) Having fair round belly – justice

A2. 
In the first stage, man is an infant, crying weakly and unaware
of what is happening around him. He is without teeth, without
vision and without taste. In the last stage, man becomes senile
and enters his second childhood. He is unaware of what is
happening around him. He is once again without teeth, without
vision and without taste.
A3. (b) Metaphor

Poem 2.1 Animals

Q. Read the following poem and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT (March ’22)

A1. State whether the following statements are True or False :
(i) Animals show their relations to us.
(ii) Humans have given up many good qualities.
(iii) Animals sweat and whine about their condition.
(iv) Animals are placid and self-contained.
QUESTION SET 3 – SEEN poems/extracts ... 105
 Poem/Extract (Textbook page 46)
I think I could .....................………………… drop them?
A2. 
Answer the following question with the help of the given
extract :
What craze do animals never display? Why?
A3. Pick out one example of Rhetorical question from the extract.

Answers

A1. (i) Animals show their relations to us. – True

(ii) Humans have given up many good qualities. – True
(iii) Animals sweat and whine about their condition. – False
(iv) Animals are placid and self-contained. – True
A2. 
Animals never display the craze/mania of owning things. This
is because animals are sensible and possess qualities such as
innocence and simplicity that prevent them from being foolish.
A3. 
Rhetorical Question : Did I pass that way huge times ago and
negligently drop them?

Poem 2.4 The Pulley

Q. Read the following extract and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT
A1. Write if the following sentences are True or False :
(i) The first gift that God gave was strength.
(ii) The gifts/blessings lay in a span.
(iii) The last gift left was beauty.
(iv) God distributed all the gifts.

Poem/Extract (Textbook page 71)

When God at first …………………………………… bottom lay.

A2. Write down what God’s glass of blessings contained.

A3. Identify and explain the figure of speech in the line :
‘Rest at the bottom lay.’
106 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 Answers

A1. (i) The first gift that God gave was strength. – True
(ii) The gifts/blessings lay in a span. – False
(iii) The last gift left was beauty. – False
(iv) God distributed all the gifts. – False
A2. God’s glass of blessings contained gifts such as strength, beauty,
wisdom, honour, pleasure, other treasures and the gift of rest.
A3. Pun : The word ‘rest’ has two meanings – ‘the remaining’ and
‘a quality that helps us stop doing something and relax’.

Poem 3.1 Night of the Scorpion

Q. Read the following extracts and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT 1 (July ’22)

A1. Choose the correct alternative given and rewrite the
sentences :
(i) The peasants chant the name of God to .

(a) nullify the stinging experience
(b) praise God
(c) appease God
(ii) The click of the tongue reflects the peasants’ to the
predicament.

(a) individual response
(b) collective response
(c) father’s response

(iii) The villagers panic and hastily suggest .

(a) to take her to the hospital
(b) ayurvedic treatment
(c) religious remedies to help
(iv) The villagers sat around with the poet’s mother in the centre
.

(a) under a tree (b) on the floor (c) inside a cave
QUESTION SET 3 – SEEN poems/extracts ... 107
 Poem/Extract 1 (Textbook page 101)
The peasants came …......…… understanding on each face.

A2. From the given extract provide evidence for the following :

Actions Evidence
(i) Efforts of the peasants to kill the scorpion
(ii) Evil versus good

A3. Find an example of Onomatopoeia from the given extract.

Answers

A1. (i) The peasants chant the name of God to nullify the stinging
experience.
(ii) The click of the tongue reflects the peasants’ collective
response to the predicament.
(iii) The villagers panic and hastily suggest religious remedies to
help.
(iv) The villagers sat around with the poet’s mother in the centre
on the floor.

A2. Actions Evidence

With candles and lanterns …
(i) Efforts of the peasants
They searched for him: he was
to kill the scorpion
not found.
May the sins of your previous
birth be burned away/May the
sum of all evil balanced in this
(ii) Evil versus good
unreal world against the sum of
good become diminished by your
pain.

A3. Onomatopoeia : buzzed the name of God/clicked their tongues.

POEM/EXTRACT 2 (March ’25)

A1. State whether the following statements are True or False :

  (i) The narrator’s father was a rationalist.
108 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
  (ii) It was summer when the incident took place.
(iii) Mother found relief after twenty hours.
 (iv) Mother thanked the neighbours for sparing her children.

Poem/Extract 2 (Textbook page 102)

More candles, more lanterns … And spared my children.

A2. 
What were the efforts taken by the father and the holy
man to reduce the pain of the mother?
A3. Find out an example of ‘Antithesis’ from the extract.

Answers

A1. (i) The narrator’s father was a rationalist. – True

(ii) It was summer when the incident took place. – False
(iii) Mother found relief after twenty hours. – True
(iv) Mother thanked the neighbours for sparing her
children.– False

A2. T
 he father tried every curse, blessing, powder, mixture and
herb that he knew of. He even poured a little paraffin on the
bitten toe and put a match to it. The holy man performed rites
to tame the poison with an incantation.
A3. Antithesis – ‘Trying every curse and blessing’ – words having
opposite meanings ‘curse’ and ‘blessing’ are placed close
together for contrast.

Poem 3.4 The Will to Win

Q. Read the following poem and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT (July ’23)

A1. Choose the correct alternatives and rewrite the sentences :

(i) If you want a thing bad enough, .
(a) argue for it (b) fight for it (c) sleep for it

(ii) We need to give up our for our dreams.

(a) time (b) money (c) energy

QUESTION SET 3 – SEEN poems/extracts ... 109

 (iii) To accomplish our scheme, we gladly need to .
(a) earn for it (b) live for it (c) sweat for it
(iv) 
To simply go after a thing you want, you should have
.
(a) faith (b) brains (c) power

Poem (Textbook page 124)

If you want a thing …... with the help of God you’ll get it.

A2. Complete the web :

Things that can turn

you away from goals

A3. Pick out one example of Tautology from the extract.

Answers

A1. (i) If you want a thing bad enough, fight for it.
(ii) We need to give up our time for our dreams.
(iii) To accomplish our scheme, we gladly need to sweat for it.
 (iv) To simply go after a thing you want, you should have faith.
A2.
Cold/Poverty Famish

Things that can turn you away from goals

Sickness or pain of
Physical weakness
body or brain

A3. 
Tautology : ‘Life seems useless and worthless without it.’ The
words useless and worthless have the same meaning.
110 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 Poem 4.1 A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever

Q. Read the following extract and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT (March ’23)

A1. Complete the web :

Things that cause suffering and pain

Poem/Extract (Textbook page 147)

A thing of beauty ....……............… fair musk-rose blooms :

A2. List down two impacts of beautiful things on us :

(i) (ii)

A3. Write down the rhyme scheme of the first four lines.

Answers

A1.
Dearth of noble people gloomy days

Things that cause suffering and pain

Unhealthy and
despondence
darkened ways of life

A2. Two impacts of beautiful things on us are :

(i) peaceful rest full of sweet dreams

(ii) health, relaxation and happiness

A3. Rhyme scheme of first four lines : aabb.

QUESTION SET 3 – SEEN poems/extracts ... 111
 Poem 4.4 The Height of the Ridiculous

Q. Read the following extract and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT (March ’20)

A1. Match the describing words from the Cloud ‘A’ with
Cloud ‘B’ :
Cloud ‘A’ Cloud ‘B’

  (i) broad (a) noise

(ii) humorous (b) jest
(iii) chuckling (c) way
(iv) trifling (d) grin

Poem/Extract (Textbook page 171)

“These to the printer” ………………… And tumbled in a fit.

A2. Pick out two lines from the extract that indicate humour.
A3. Write two pairs of rhyming words from the extract.

Answers

A1.
  (i) broad grin
(ii) humorous way
(iii) chuckling noise
(iv) trifling jest

A2. Two lines that indicate humour are :

 (i) The fifth; his waistband split;
(ii) The sixth; he burst five buttons off.
A3. Rhyming words :
(i) way – pay   (ii) split – fit.
_________

112 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Q. 3 (B) – Appreciation
Question
Set APPRECIATION OF SEEN POEM
4 (5 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) Q. 3 (B) in the activity sheet will be appreciation of a poem.
(2) You will be given the full poem in the activity sheet along with
the points.
(3) Read the poem first. You will be familiar with the poem, as it
is from your textbook.
(4) Read the points that have been given for guidance. You are
familiar with the points too, as they have also been given in
the textbook.
(5) Based on the points, write the appreciation of the poem in
paragraph format. Make sure that you cover all the given
points in the paragraph.
(6) Note : There are eight poems in the textbook. You should
repeatedly read the appreciation of all these poems beforehand
in order to prepare yourself for this activity, so that you can
complete it quickly and correctly. This activity carries 5 marks.

Important :
(1) Study the appreciation of ALL the poems given in this Question
Set carefully. The answers given in the point format will be
useful to you for your last minute revision.
(2) We have given only the titles of the poems. Please refer to the
textbook for complete poems.

Q. 
Read the poems. Write the appreciation of the poems in
paragraph format in about 6 – 8 lines with the help of the
following points :

Note : The points for guidance have been given only once along
with the marking scheme; however, the appreciation of all the poems is
based on these points :

5/Navneet 21 M. L. Q. SET
QUESTION Sets 4
: English (HL) – Std.
– APPRECIATION OFXSEEN (2026)
POEM
D0051 113
 Points for guidance/Marking scheme :
• The title of the poem : 1/2 marks
• The poet :  1/2 marks
• Rhyme scheme :  1 marks
• Figure of speech : (any one) 1 marks
• Theme/Central idea (At least 2 to 3 lines) :  2 marks
 Total 5 marks

1.1 Where the Mind is Without Fear (Textbook page 3)

(March ’25)

Points format
(for Understanding and Revision)

• The title of the poem : ‘Where the mind is without fear……’

• The poet : Rabindranath Tagore
• Rhyme scheme : Written in free verse without any rhyme
scheme or metre.
• Figures of speech : Personification, Repetition, Metaphor,
Alliteration, etc.
• Theme/Central idea : This is a prayer to God. Tagore appeals
to God to awaken his country into a heaven of freedom, where only
freedom of good thoughts, good words and good actions exists.

Paragraph Format

The poem ‘Where the mind is without fear’ is written by Nobel

Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
The poem is written in free verse without any rhyme scheme or
consistent metre. There are many figures of speech e.g. Repetition,
Metaphor, Alliteration, etc. which add to the poetic effects. An
important figure of speech is Personification – ‘Where tireless striving
stretches its arms towards perfection’. Here, the poet has perfonified
‘tireless striving’ which stretches its arms to reach its goal.
The poem is prayer to God. Tagore addresses God as ‘my Father’
and appeals to Him to awaken his country into a heaven of freedom,

114 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

where there is total freedom of good thoughts, good words and good
actions. He wishes for a country where people would be free from
fear, where knowledge would be free to all individuals and people
from all castes and religions would be united.
1.4 All the World’s a Stage (Textbook pages 24, 25)
(March ’20 – ’23; July ’25)

Points format
(for Understanding and Revision)

• The title of the poem : ‘All the World’s a Stage’

• The poet : William Shakespeare
• Rhyme scheme : blank verse i.e. no rhyme scheme, but
there is a steady rhythm of five beats in each line.
• Figures of speech : Metaphor, Simile, Alliteration, Repetition,
etc.
• Theme/Central idea : The theme of the poem is the cycle of
life.

Paragraph Format

The poem ‘All the World’s a Stage’ is by William Shakespeare. It

is taken from Shakespeare’s play ‘As you like it’. It is a monologue
by one of the characters in the play.
The poem is written in blank verse i.e. there is no rhyme
scheme, but there is a steady rhythm of five beats in each line. There
are many figures of speech, like Simile, Alliteration and Repetition,
but the one that stands out is Metaphor. In the lines ‘All the world’s
a stage, And all men and women are merely players’, there is an
implied comparison between two different things.
In this poem, Shakespeare compares life to a stage. He has
divided life into seven stages, each having its own varied qualities
and features. The theme of the poem is the cycle of life. It tells us
how one starts out as an infant, helpless, without understanding,
and ends the same way, without being aware of what is happening
around him/her.

QUESTION SET 4 – APPRECIATION OF SEEN POEM 115

 2.1 Animals (Textbook page 46)
 (Nov. ’20; July ’23)

Points format
(for Understanding and Revision)

• The title of the poem : ‘Animals’

• The poet : Walt Whitman
• Rhyme scheme : free verse (no rhyme scheme)
• Figures of speech : Repetition, Alliteration, Tautology,
Hyperbole, etc.
• Theme/Central idea : Animals are better than humans.

Paragraph Format

The poem ‘Animals’ has been penned by Walt Whitman.

The poet has broken away from the conventional use of a rhyme
scheme and has written the poem in free verse.
The chief figure of speech used in the poem is Repetition. Lines
such as ‘They do not sweat …’, ‘They do not lie awake …’, ‘They do
not make me sick …’ make a strong impact, expressing the qualities
that humans should possess, but do not. The other figures of speech
are Alliteration, Tautology, Hyperbole, Paradox, etc.
The central idea of the poem is that animals today are better
than humans as they have retained their good qualities, unlike
humans.

2.4 The Pulley (Textbook page 71) (July ’22)

Points format
(for Understanding and Revision)

• Title of the poem : ‘The Pulley’

• The poet : George Herbert
• Rhyme scheme : ababa
• Figures of speech : Metaphor, Pun, Inversion, Paradox, etc.
• Theme/Central idea : The reason why man is continually
restless.

116 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Paragraph Format

The title of the poem is ‘The Pulley’. The poet is George Herbert.
Each stanza of the poem has five lines. The rhyme scheme of the
poem is ababa.
The chief figure of speech used in the poem is Metaphor. The
‘glass of blessings’ signifies the sum of all human qualities bestowed
on man. The quality of ‘rest’ or ‘contentment’ is implicitly compared
to a ‘jewel’. The other figures of speech are Pun, Inversion, Paradox,
etc.
The central idea of the poem is the reason for man’s continual
restlessness all his life. According to the poet, this is because God
withheld the quality of ‘rest’ from man, so that man’s thoughts would
ultimately turn towards God, his creator.
3.1 Night of the Scorpion (Textbook pages 101, 102)
 (March ’22)
Points format
(for Understanding and Revision)

• The title of the poem : ‘Night of the Scorpion’

• The poet : Nissim Ezekiel
• Rhyme scheme : Written in free verse without any rhyme
scheme or metre.
• Figures of speech : Onomatopoeia, Metaphor, Alliteration,
Simile, Antithesis, etc.
• Theme/Central idea : The poet depicts the selflessness and
unconditional love of a mother who is stung by a scorpion.

Paragraph Format

The poem ‘Night of the Scorpion’ is written by Nissim Ezekiel.

The poem is written in free verse without any rhyme scheme or
metre. There are many figures of speech, e.g. Onomatopoeia like
‘and buzzed the name of God a hundred times’. Here, we feel we can
actually hear the buzzing of the prayers of the many peasants. The
other figures of speech are Metaphor, Alliteration, Simile, Antithesis,
etc. The behaviour of the peasants and the poet’s father are vividly
described. The imagery appeals to our senses.
QUESTION SET 4 – APPRECIATION OF SEEN POEM 117
 The theme of the poem is the sense of sacrifice shown by a
devoted mother. Even as she suffers the pangs of a scorpion-bite,
she thanks God for sparing her children from such an ordeal.

3.4 The Will to Win (Textbook page 124) (July ’24)

Points format
(for Understanding and Revision)

• The title of the poem : ‘The Will to Win’

• The poet : Berton Braley
• Rhyme scheme : No specific rhyme scheme, rhymes are
used randomly.
• Figures of speech : Repetition, Climax, Tautology, Antithesis,
etc.
• Theme/Central idea : What we should do and what we
should avoid in order to achieve success.

Paragraph Format

Refer to the solution to July 2024 Activity Sheet given in

Section 1.
4.1 A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever
(Textbook pages 147, 148)

Points format
(for Understanding and Revision)

• The title of the poem : ‘A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever’

• The poet : John Keats
• Rhyme scheme : aabb; rhyming couplets.
• Figures of speech : Epigram, Metaphor, Antithesis, etc.
• Theme/Central idea : beautiful things give unending
pleasure and can change our lives.

Paragraph Format

The poem ‘A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever’ by John Keats is

taken from a longer poem ‘Endymion’ based on Greek Mythology.
118 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 The rhyme scheme of the poem is aabb; that is, the poem is
written in rhyming couplets. There are many figures of speech, like
Metaphor, Antithesis, Personification, etc. but the one that stands
out is Epigram. The line ‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever’, is a pithy
saying expressing the idea of beauty in a clever way.
The important thing that the poet tells us is that beautiful things
last forever and give us immense happiness. They give unending
pleasure and can change our lives. They help us to move forward in
a positive manner.

4.4 The Height of the Ridiculous (Textbook pages 171, 172)

 (Sept. ’21; March ’24)

Points format
(for Understanding and Revision)

• The title of the poem : ‘The Height of the Ridiculous’

• The poet : Oliver Wendell Holmes
• Rhyme scheme : abcb.
• Figures of speech : Transferred Epithet, Hyperbole,
Onomatopoeia, Tautology, Alliteration, etc.
• Theme/Central idea : A funny poem to simply entertain the
audience; written for enjoyment.

Paragraph Format

The poem ‘The Height of the Ridiculous’ is written by Oliver

Wendell Holmes.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is abcb. There are many figures
of speech, like Hyperbole, Tautology, Onomatopoeia, Alliteration, etc.
but the one that stands out is Transferred Epithet. In the line ‘Ten
days and nights, with sleepless eye’, the adjective ‘sleepless’ should
be for the man and not for the eye.
The poem is a humorous one written for enjoyment, with plenty
of funny expressions. The behaviour of the poet’s servant on reading
the poem makes us laugh. The main purpose of the poet is to simply
entertain the reader.
_________

QUESTION SET 4 – APPRECIATION OF SEEN POEM 119

 Q. 4 (A) & (B) – Non-textual Passages
Question NON-TEXTUAL (UNSEEN)
Set PASSAGES FOR COMPREHENSION
5 AND SUMMARY
(10 Marks for Comprehension + 5 Marks for Summary)

This will be a Non-Textual (Unseen) passage. It could be an

anecdote, a topic of current interest, a newspaper item, etc. You
have to first do the comprehension activities based on the given
passage and then write its summary.
How to attempt this question :
(A) Comprehension :
(1) Q. 4 (A) in your Activity Sheet will be for Comprehension.
(2) Read the questions first.
(3) Then read the passage carefully and find out the answers.
(4) In all, there will be 5 activities based on the passage : A1., A2.,
A3., A4. and A5. The type of activities and the marking scheme
will be the same as that of Q. 2 (A) & (B).
(B) Summary :
(1) Q. 4 (B) in your Activity Sheet will be for Summary. A brief
summary of the passage given in Q. 4 (A) is to be written.
(2) 
Understand the main points and express them in brief in
your own words. Avoid exact repetition of the sentences in the
passage.
(3) 
Write the summary in 1 paragraph. Do not include any
examples and do not give your own views/opinions.
(4) 
Use appropriate vocabulary, grammar and language while
summarising.
(5) Always give your summary an appropriate title.
Marking scheme :
• Suitable title 1 mark
• Central idea/theme 2 marks
• Use of appropriate language 2 marks
5 marks

120 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Important :
(1) 
Study all the comprehension activities and the summary of
each passage in this Question Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the Questions for Practice given in Section 3.
(3) We have given the type of activities and the marks allotted for
each activity only for the First Passage. These are applicable
for all the Passages in this Question Set.

Non-Textual Passage 1 (March ’25)

Q. 1. A  
Read the following passage and do the given
activities : (10 Marks)
A1. Simple Factual Activity :(2)
Complete the following sentences with the help of the passage :
  (i) Rangoli is an .
 
(ii) remains the same in all the areas.
(iii) The traditional material used for Rangoli is .
 
(iv) Nowadays is used for making Rangoli.

The term RANGOLI is derived from ‘Rang’ (colour) + ‘aavalli’

(row of colours). Rangoli is an age old traditional folk art
done across India. The term rangoli refers to designs made
with coloured powders on the ground in front of the house.
In some parts of the country, the designs are done on walls and
even on ceilings. The designs vary in different parts of India but
the basic methodology remains the same in all the areas. The
designs are mostly geometric and symmetrical, while some natural
elements like flowers, birds, etc. may be included.
The rural and urban women of India have kept this art alive
by passing the expertise down through the generations. These are
decorative designs made on floors at the time of Hindu festivals.
Traditionally, such floor decorations were done only on
auspicious occasions or festivals. But today they are done on any
occasions like; wedding, birthday parties, opening ceremonies,

QUESTION SET 5 – NON-TEXTUAL (UNSEEN) PASSAGES ... 121

 etc. Different Indian states have different ways of Rangoli-painting
and also have different names in their regional or local languages.
For example :
Maharashtra − Rangoli
Tamil Nadu − Kolam
Uttar Pradesh − Chowkpurna
Andhra Pradesh − Mugullu
The traditional material used for rangoli is rice flour so as to
offer food to the ants, the birds and the squirrels. Even coloured
rice can be used for the purpose. It is pretty simple to get rice
coloured with food colours readily available in the market.
Nowadays white stone powder is used for making Rangoli.
Sawdust can also be used to make Rangoli patterns; its
advantage is that it floats on water; which can be utilised to create
Floating Rangoli patterns.

A2. Complex Factual Activity :(2)

Pick out the sentences that prove the following :

 (i) Art of rangoli has been kept alive by women.
(ii) It is easy to get coloured rice for rangoli.
A3. Activity based on Vocabulary :(2)

Choose the correct options from the bracket and fill the blanks :
(occasion, derived, tradition, purpose)
  (i) The English word ‘Grass’ has been from the
Sanskrit word ‘Ghas’.
 (ii) The main of Dr Patel’s life is to educate poor
and needy children.
(iii) 
It is a to apply mehendi to the bride before the
wedding day.
 (iv) 
The school had organised a parade on the of
Independence Day.

122 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A4. Activity based on Contextual Grammar :(2)
Do as directed :
(i) 
  The designs vary in different parts of India but the basic
methodology remains the same in all. (Rewrite the sentence
beginning with ‘Though’.)
(ii) These are decorative designs made on floors at the time of
Hindu Festival. (Pick out prepositions.)
A5. Personal Response :(2)
Should we follow such traditions in our life? Why? Why not?
Answers

A1.   (i) Rangoli is an age old traditional folk art.

  (ii) The basic methodology remains the same in all areas.
(iii) The traditional material used for Rangoli is rice flour.
 (iv) Nowadays, white stone powder is used for making Rangoli.
A2.   (i) The rural and urban women of India have kept this art alive
by passing the expertise down through the generations.
 (ii)  It is pretty simple to get rice coloured with food colours,
readily available in the market.
A3.   (i) The English word ‘Grass’ has been derived from the Sanskrit
word ‘Ghas’.
  (ii) The main purpose of Dr Patel’s life is to educate poor and
needy children.
(iii) 
It is a tradition to apply mehendi to the bride before the
wedding day.
  (iv) The school had organised a parade on the occasion of
Independence Day.
A4.  (i) Though the designs vary in different parts of India, the basic
methodology remains the same in all.
(ii) Prepositions – on, at, of (any 2)
A5. Yes, we should follow such traditions, which are a beautiful part
of our culture. All our traditions have some meaning attached to
them. However, we should follow only those that are backed by
scientific data. We should not follow traditions that are based on
superstitions. We should also be ready to change the traditions

QUESTION SET 5 – NON-TEXTUAL (UNSEEN) PASSAGES ... 123

 a little, based on the changes in society and the environment.
For example, we should not immerse idols made of plaster of
Paris in water bodies, as they are harmful to the fish.

B  Summary Writing : (5 Marks)

Read the given passage and write a summary of it in a

paragraph. Suggest a suitable title.
Ans. The Art of Rangoli

   Rangoli is a traditional folk art that is very popular in

India. Rangoli refers to designs made on the ground in front
of the house, or even on walls and ceilings. The designs vary
across the country but the basic methodology does not change.
The art has been kept alive by the rural and urban women of
India. Rangolis are drawn on auspicious occasions, festivals or
celebrations. Rangoli is called by different names in the different
states. Though the traditional material used is rice flour, other
materials can also be used.

Non-Textual Passage 2

Q. 2. A  
Read the given following passage carefully and
complete the activities :
A1. Complete the following web :

Skills for success

   Continuing her remarks at the Eastern Kentucky University

Commencement, First Lady Michelle Obama said :
   And my first question is : Who are you going to be? And if
you’ll notice, I’m not asking what are you going to do, but who are
you going to be? I’m asking you about how you plan to live your
life every day. How are you going to respond when you don’t get
that job you had your heart set on?

124 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

    For all of you who are going on to be teachers, what are
you going to do if the students in your class next year just don’t
respond to your lessons? For all of you going into business, how
will you react when your boss gives you a goal that feels way too
high?
   These are the moments that define us – not the day you get
the promotion, not the day you win ‘teacher of the year’, but the
times that force you to claw and scratch and fight just to get
through the day; the moments when you get knocked down and
you’re wondering whether it’s even worth it to get back up. Those
are the times when you’ve got to ask yourself, who am I going to
be?
   And I want to be clear, this isn’t just some vague platitude
about building character. In recent years, we’ve actually been
seeing a growing body of research that shows that skills like
resilience and conscientiousness can be just as important to your
success as your test scores, or even your IQ.

A2. Complete the following :

Michelle Obama’s general (1) Who are you ?

questions about jobs and (2)  failure in
careers : getting a desired job?

A3. Vocabulary :
 
(i) Pick out from the given words a word that has ‘re-’ as a
prefix : respond, recent, react, resilience
(ii) Explain : have your heart set on something
A4. Do as directed :
 (i) Pick out the nouns from the following words : 
respond, business, promotion, vague, platitude, resilience
(ii) Pick out and name the subordinate clause : 
These are the moments that define us.
A5. Write about the career you have planned for yourself. Give one or
two reasons for your choice.
QUESTION SET 5 – NON-TEXTUAL (UNSEEN) PASSAGES ... 125
 Answers

resilience conscientiousness
Skills for success
test scores IQ

A2.
(1) Who are you going to be?
Michelle Obama’s general
(2) How are you going to respond
questions about jobs and
to failure in getting a desired
careers :
job?

A3.  (i) ‘React’ is the word with ‘re’ as prefix.

(ii) ‘Have your heart set on something’ means to want something
very much, so much so that you would be very disappointed
if you did not get it.
A4.  (i) business, promotion, platitude, resilience
(ii) that define us – Adjective (Relative) clause
A5. 
I plan to become a teacher. Mummy often asks me to take up
the studies of my younger sister Rani and I find that I quite like
teaching. I also gather together some of the younger children
in our locality every evening and help them with their lessons,
while I teach Rani as well. I have the qualities of patience and
consideration of individual needs, which are very important for
a teaching career. Hence, I shall do my B.Ed. after graduation
and become a teacher.

B  Summary Writing :

Read the given passage and write a summary of it in a

paragraph. Suggest a suitable title.

Ans. Skills Needed for Success

   At Kentucky University, First Lady Michelle Obama asked
the students who they were going to be. She spoke about their
way of life and their response to not getting the jobs they
craved. She asked what they would do if things did not happen

126 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 the way they wanted or planned. Such moments, she said,
define character – not moments of achievement or victory, but
moments of failure and struggle. She said that recent research
showed that resilience and sense of responsibility were as
important for success as academic scores.

Non-Textual Passage 3

Q. 3. A  Read the following passage carefully and complete the

activities :

A1. Complete the web :

blowing ……… Rich people of discussing ………

the 19th century
spent their
romancing ……… evenings … dancing ………

Rich people of the 19th century – as shown in cinema – spent

their evenings in lounges and salons, dancing leisurely, blowing
smoke rings, discussing arcane philosophical topics, or romancing
well-dressed demure ladies. To be rich was to have leisure time.
Others did their running around. Today, the rich man is the one
with no time at all. Always hard-pressed and pre-occupied. Not
only do they have their hands full, they make quite a show of it.
Why? How did ‘busyness’ become the ultimate status-symbol of
our times?
Unlike our agricultural and industrial ancestors who prided
themselves on the luxury goods they owned and how little they
worked, today the ultimate aspirational objects are the workers
themselves, who, by bragging about how busy they are, can signal
just how much the labour market values them and their skills.
How much value people place on ‘busyness’ also varies with
culture. Americans, who do not even have the right to take paid
holidays, place a premium on workaholism, while countries like
Spain, Italy, Greece and France, which are more laidback despite
being developed, value leisure more.

QUESTION SET 5 – NON-TEXTUAL (UNSEEN) PASSAGES ... 127

A2. Complete the table with the differences between the rich
people of the 19th century and the rich people of today :

The rich people of the The rich people of today

19th century
1. If you were rich, you had a 1. If you are rich, you have no
lot of …… ……
2. 
They were very proud of 2. They boast about how busy
…… they are, sending signals
indicating ……

A3. Pick out the words from the passage which mean :
  (i) boasting
 (ii) modest and shy
(iii) understood by few
(iv) absorbed in thought

A4. Do as directed :
(i) 
  Americans place a premium on workaholism. (Frame a
Wh-question to get the underlined word as the answer.)

(ii) 
Today, the ultimate aspirational objects are the workers
themselves. (Rewrite beginning ‘Today, it is …)

A5. Explain how you spend your leisure time.

Answers

A1.

discussing arcane
blowing smoke
philosophical
rings Rich people of topics
the 19th century
spent their
romancing well-
evenings …
dressed demure dancing leisurely
ladies

128 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A2. The rich people of the The rich people of today
19th century
1. If you were rich, you had a 1. If you are rich, you have no
lot of leisure time. time at all.

2. 
They were very proud 2. They boast about how busy
of the luxury goods they they are, sending signals
owned. indicating how much the
labour market values them
and their skills.

A3.   (i) boasting – bragging

 (ii) modest and shy – demure
(iii) understood by few – arcane
(iv) absorbed in thought – pre-occupied

A4. (i) What do Americans place a premium on?

(ii) 
Today, it is the workers themselves who are the ultimate
aspirational objects.

A5. I spend my leisure by doing what I love most – reading. Every

vacation, I join the library near my house and get books to read.
I like mystery novels, and I find out which are the latest mystery
novels from the net. I also like to play football, which I do in the
evenings with the other children from my building.

B  Summary Writing :

Read the passage given and write a summary of it in a

paragraph. Suggest a suitable title.
Ans. The Concept of being ‘Rich’

   In the 19th century, to be rich was to have leisure time,
while others did the running around. Today, the rich man has
no time at all. And this ‘busyness’ has become a status symbol.
In the past, people were proud of their luxury goods, and of how
little they worked. Today, the rich boast about how busy they
are, and how much the labour market values them and their
skills. Of course, how much a person values his leisure also
varies from culture to culture.

QUESTION SET 5 – NON-TEXTUAL (UNSEEN) PASSAGES ... 129

 Non-Textual Passage 4

Q. 4. A  
Read the given passage carefully and complete the
activities :
A1. Write if the following sentences are True or False :
  (i) The boy could lose his temper as much as 37 times a day.
 (ii) The father was anxious to change the ways of his son.
(iii) Once the boy had controlled his temper, the father felt that
there was no need for him to teach his son anything more.
 (iv) Angry words leave permanent scars.
There once was a little boy who had a very bad temper. After
much thought, one day, the father handed him a bag of nails and
told him that every time he lost his temper, he had to hammer a
nail into the fence.
On the first day, the boy hammered 37 nails into that fence.
Gradually, the boy began to control his temper. Over the next
few weeks, the number of nails he was hammering into the fence
slowly decreased. The boy discovered it was easier to control his
temper than to hammer those nails into the fence.
In the end, the boy found that he didn’t lose his temper at
all. With quiet pride he told this to his father. However, the father
suggested that the boy should now pull out a nail for every day
that he kept his temper under control.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his
father that all the nails had been removed. The father then took
his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
“You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the
fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in
anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a
man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say ‘I’m
sorry’, the wound will always remain.”
The boy realized that saying things in the heat of the moment
would only result in later regret. There are some things in life that
we are unable to take back.
Glossary : lose one’s temper – to get very angry. gradually – slowly, over
a period of time. scar – a sign of damage to a person’s mental state. regret – a
feeling of sadness about something sad or wrong or about a mistake that you
have made, and a wish that it could have been different and better.

130 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A2. Complete the following :
 (i) The boy discovered that it was easier to than to
.
(ii) Things that we say only result in .
A3. Write from the passage words that mean :
 (i) slowly
(ii) a mark or a sign of damage.
A4. Rewrite using the direct form of narration :
The father suggested that the boy should now pull out a nail
for every day that he kept his temper under control.
A5. 
Perhaps you too lose your temper now and again. What do you
do to control yourself ?

Answers

A1.   (i) The boy could lose his temper as much as

37 times a day. – True
 (ii) The father was anxious to change the ways of his
son.  – True
(iii) 
Once the boy had controlled his temper, the
father felt that there was no need for him to
teach his son anything more.  – False
(iv) Angry words leave permanent scars.  – True

A2.   (i) The boy discovered that it was easier to control his temper
than to hammer those nails into the fence.
 (ii) Things that we say in the heat of the moment only result in
later regret.

A3.   (i) slowly – gradually.

 (ii) a mark or sign of damage – scar
A4. 
The father said, “You should now pull out a nail for every day
that you keep your temper under control.”
A5. 
Yes, I do lose my temper now and again. Sometimes I run off
to some quiet place and sit and think. At other times I prefer
to take a cold shower and cool off. Once I even ran around our
building four or five times to eliminate the anger.

QUESTION SET 5 – NON-TEXTUAL (UNSEEN) PASSAGES ... 131

 B  Summary Writing :


Read the given passage and write a summary of it. Suggest a
suitable title.
Ans. Angry words leave permanent scars
   A man gave his son, who had a bad temper, a bag of nails.
He told the boy to hammer the nails into the fence every time
he got angry. On the first day the boy hammered 37 nails into
the fence. Gradually the number of nails kept reducing, till his
temper was completely in control. The boy proudly told his
father this. The father told his son to remove the nails every
time he controlled his anger. Days passed and the boy told his
father that all the nails were removed. The father praised his
son, but pointed out that the holes were still visible. In the same
way, things said in anger leave permanent scars.
_________

For 2026 Examinations

NAVNEET
PRACTICE PAPERS
&
ACTIVITY SHEETS : STD. X
(All Subject)
In each subject :
• Board’s March 2025 Question Paper with complete solution.
• 5 Question Papers of each subject for practice.
• Complete solution of QR Code.

132 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Q. 5 A1 or A2 – Letter Writing
Question
Set FORMAL & INFORMAL LETTERS
6 (Total : 5 Marks)

Note : In the Activity Sheet, common guidelines will be given for

both the letters ( formal and informal ) in the form of ads, webs, leaflets,
news reports/headlines or other pictorial information. You will have to
study the topic or issue on which you have to write any one letter ( formal
or informal ) carefully. The block format must be used while writing
the letter. In this format all the components of the letter are aligned to
the left margin of the page. The body of the letter is single spaced but
paragraphs are separated by double line space. (While writing on ruled
paper, a line can be left between paragraphs to indicate the beginning
of a new paragraph.) Write the names and addresses given in the
Activity Sheet instead of ABC, XYZ, etc.

How to attempt Formal/Business/Official Letters :

(1) This question involves writing letters to officials, editors
of newspapers, heads of commercial or educational
establishments, etc.
(2) Two addresses are required for this type of letter : One is
your own and the other is the address of the person you are
writing to.
(3) The ‘Subject’ of the letter, that is, the main topic of the letter,
must be written in brief. If you have referred to something,
e.g. an advertisement in a newspaper, this must be written
below the ‘Subject’ as ‘Reference’.
(4) The salutation has to be very formal, e.g. Sir/Madam, Dear
Sir/Madam, Respected Sir/Madam, etc.
(5) The language and tone used for such letters must be very
formal, to-the-point and respectful.
(6) The main body of the letter should consist of two – three
paragraphs giving details or asking for information – as briefly
as possible.
(7) End off with respectful subscriptions such as ‘Yours faithfully’,
‘Yours sincerely’, ‘Yours truly’, etc.
(8) Webs, news items, ads, parts of letters or some other kind of
information will be given for guidance. Read them carefully
and use them to write the letter. You may add one or two
points of your own.

QUESTION SET 6 – FORMAL & INFORMAL LETTERS 133

General Format and Marking Scheme for a Formal Letter :
(1) Sender’s Address
(2) Pin Code ← ½ mark
(3) Date
(4) Name, Designation and address of the recipient ← ½ mark
(5) Subject (a phrase about the general content
of the letter)
← ½ mark
(6) Reference (referring to a letter previously
received/advertisement, etc.)
(7) Salutation (Dear Sir/Madam or simply
Sir/Madam) ← 2 marks
(8) Body of the letter (in 3 or 4 paragraphs)
(9) Subscription (Complimentary Close like
Yours faithfully, Yours truly, etc.) ← ½ mark
(10) Your name
• Correct use of grammar ← 1 mark

How to attempt Informal/Personal/Friendly Letters :

(1) This question involves writing letters to friends, relatives or
acquaintances.
(2) For this question, you have to give only your address, the date
and the salutation ( My dear …, Dear …, etc. ).
(3) 
The language used for such letters is casual, informal and
friendly.
(4) Study the topic or issue on which you have to write the letter
carefully. You will be given ads, webs, news lines or some
pictorial information as guidelines.
(5) 
Write about two or three paragraphs giving the required
information.
(6) 
Finish off with the subscription – ‘Your loving ……’, ‘Yours
affectionately’, etc.

134 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

General Format and Marking Scheme for an Informal Letter :
(1) Sender’s Address
(2) Pin Code ← ½ mark
(3) Date
(4) Salutation (My dear …, Dear …, etc.) ← ½ mark
(5) Body of the letter (in 3 or 4 paragraphs) ← 2½ marks
(6) Subscription (Complimentary Close like
Yours affectionately, Yours lovingly,
← ½ mark
Your loving friend, etc.
(7) Your name
Proper use of Grammar ← 1 mark

Important :
(1) Study ALL the Letters given in this Question Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the Questions for Practice given in Section 3.

Q. 1. Imagine that you are Pawan/Pooja Aurade, residing at 102,

Prestige Chambers, Shivpuri Road, Solapur – xxx xxx.
Attempt any one letter based on the given situation :
 (March ’25)

Schools celebrate Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s

Birth Anniversary as ‘Reading Inspiration Day’ on 15th October.

A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :

  Write a letter to an   Write a letter to your
educationist, Mr Anil Tripathi cousin, Nitu/Nilesh, making
from your city, inviting him to her/him aware of the
address the students on the importance of reading.
above mentioned occasion.

QUESTION SET 6 – FORMAL & INFORMAL LETTERS 135

Ans.
A1. Formal letter :
Pooja Aurade,
102, Prestige Chambers,
Shivpuri Road,
Solapur – 420 003.
25th September, 2025

Mr Anil Tripathi,
201, Neelkant Complex,
60 feet Road,
Solapur – 420 005.

Subject : Invitation to preside as Chief Guest on Oct 15, ‘Reading

Inspiration Day’
Respected Sir,
We are celebrating Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s Birth Anniversary on
October 15th as ‘Reading Inspiration Day’ in our school.
On behalf of the Literary Club of our school, I would like to invite
you to grace the occasion as Chief Guest and address the students
of Std. IX and Std. X on the benefits of reading, so that they are
inspired to read. A brief survey done at our school revealed that
barely 10% of the students read books unrelated to the school
syllabus. This was indeed a shocking discovery.
The function will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 12 noon. This will
be followed by a discussion and lunch. Our Headmaster and senior
teachers too will be present for the function. We will be honoured if
you accept our invite. We really admire you for your work in the field
of education.
Hoping for a positive reply.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Pooja Aurade,
Secretary, ‘Literary Club’,
Navjivan School.

136 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 OR

A2. Informal letter :

102, Prestige Chambers,
Shivpuri Road,
Solapur – 420 003.
25th September, 2025
My dear Nitu,
How are you? Still glued to the TV as before? Nitu, you must develop
the habit of reading. Let me tell you again about the advantages.
Reading increases our knowledge and keeps us updated about what
is happening in the world around us. It gives us information about
places which we are never likely to visit. It develops our vocabulary
and powers of expression. It is an ideal way to keep ourselves
occupied, even on a gloomy rainy day. Yes, there is no doubt about
it—the advantages of reading are manifold.
To preserve and encourage this reading culture, our school has
invited Mr Anil Tripathi, the renowned educationist, to address
students on Reading Inspiration Day (Oct. 15). This is also Dr A. P. J.
Abdul Kalam’s Birth Anniversary.
So, Nitu, develop the habit of reading. It is one which will never let
you down. Let me know if I have been successful in my efforts of
detaching you from the TV and making you read! Bye for now.
Your loving cousin,
Pooja

Q. 2. Imagine you are Suman/Sumant Dighe residing at

208, Galaxy Heights, Hira Colony, Mumbai – 400 052.
Read the following points about sports and games and
write a letter based on it :

• make a person more capable

• remove mental exhaustion
• improve blood circulation
• improve physical and mental well-being

QUESTION SET 6 – FORMAL & INFORMAL LETTERS 137

 A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :
  Write a letter to the Editor   Write a letter to your
of a newspaper to create friend Neha/Navin describing
awareness about the role of the advantages of sports and
sports in a student’s life. games.

Ans.
A1. Formal letter :

Sumant Dighe,
208, Galaxy Heights,
Hira Colony,
Mumbai – 400 052.
6th March, 2025

The Editor,
The Hindustan Times,
Mumbai – 400 001.

Subject : Role of sports and games in a student’s life

Sir,

I just read an old newspaper report ‘Hima Das wins five gold
medals’. I was highly impressed by this, and I wish there were more
youngsters like her.

Sports and games are very important in life and teach us many
essential values like team work, sportsmanship, humility, etc. They
help us to reduce stress and mental exhaustion and make us capable
of hard work. They improve blood circulation all through the body,
thus improving the physical and mental well-being of a person. They
make a person more capable with a high level of efficiency. Today,
more than ever before, we need the help of sports to make our lives
successful.

However, many students are not aware of all these benefits. I earnestly
request your newspaper to create awareness about the role of sports
and games in a student’s life. This will greatly benefit society.
138 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
Thanking you,
Yours truly,
Sumant Dighe
OR

A2. Informal letter :

Sumant Dighe,
208, Galaxy Heights,
Hira Colony,
Mumbai – 400 052.
6th March, 2025

My dear Navin,

Hi! How are you? I just read an old newspaper report ‘Hima Das
wins five gold medals’. I was highly impressed by this, and I thought
I would share my views about sports with you.

Sports and games are very important in life and teach us many
essential values like team work, sportsmanship, humility, etc. They
help us to reduce stress and mental exhaustion and make us capable
of hard work. They improve blood circulation all through the body,
thus improving the physical and mental well-being of a person. They
make a person more capable with a high level of efficiency. Today,
more than ever before, we need the help of sports to make our lives
successful.

I have neglected my physical health this past year and I am now

planning to join a local sports club. What about you? What do you
plan to do during the vacations? Why don’t you join me? Let me
know. Bye for now.

Your loving friend,

Sumant

QUESTION SET 6 – FORMAL & INFORMAL LETTERS 139

Q. 3. 
The leaflet given below has been put up on your school
notice board :

NAGZIRA SANCTUARY
A Heaven on Earth !
Experience the peace and beauty of this place first hand ! Learn
about wild animals and their habitat.
For further details, contact :
The Divisional Forest Officer,
Nagzira Sanctuary,
Bhandara – 441 904.

Imagine you are Frolin/Fenny D’Souza and write any one of

the following letters :

A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :

  Write to the Divisional   Write to your father,
Forest Officer, Nagzira asking his permission to go
Sanctuary, booking a weekend for the trip.
visit of your class.

Ans.
A1. Formal letter :

Frolin D’Souza,
Ideal English High School,
Fort Road,
Nalasopara – 401 203.
Palghar Dist.
7th September, 2025

To

The Divisional Forest Officer,

Nagzira Sanctuary,
Bhandara – 441 904.

Subject : Permission to visit Nagzira Sanctuary

140 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Dear Sir/Madam,
Thirty-three students of our school, studying in Std. X, wish to visit
the Nagzira Sanctuary. We have a great interest in wildlife and their
habitat. We would like to visit the sanctuary sometime in the first
week of October. We are planning a two-day visit and will make
arrangements for our stay with a local school there.
We would like to have the following information regarding our visit :
(i) Do we need to apply for special permission to visit the Sanctuary?
(ii) Are there any special rules and regulations that we need to
follow while on our visit?
(iii) Is there any arrangement for a staff member of the Sanctuary or
a guide to show us around?
If you have a brochure giving detailed information regarding our
queries, we would be very grateful if you could send it to the above
address.
Kindly let us know at your earliest if our visit will be convenient.
Yours truly,
Frolin D’Souza
OR

A2. Informal letter :

7, Sunset Park,
Red Rose Road,
Nalasopara – 401 203.
Palghar Dist.
7th September, 2025

Dear Daddy,
Our class is planning a trip to Nagzira Sanctuary in the first week
of October. It will be a two-day visit. Our class teacher is making
arrangements for our stay with a local school there. Already about
30 students from our class have registered for the trip. The expected
expenses for the trip will be ` 1500 per student.
Please let me know if I too can go for the trip. I would really like to
since I am very interested in nature and wildlife.

QUESTION SET 6 – FORMAL & INFORMAL LETTERS 141

Our teacher said you could transfer the amount to the school account
online.
I hope all is well at home. Give my love and regards to Mummy and
little Alan.
Thanking you in advance,
Your loving son,
Frolin

Q. 4. 
You, Akshay/Aditi Malhotra have read the following
headline in a local newspaper :

City roads see an increase of 7% in accidents this year.

Two-wheeler riders are the worst hit.

Write any one of the following letters :

A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :

   Write to the RTO pointing    Your friend has purchased
out the dangers to citizens a new motorbike. Warn him
due to reckless driving. about the hazards of reckless
driving.

Ans.

A1. Formal letter :

Akshay Malhotra,
7, Sunset Park,
Red Rose Road,
Solapur – xxx xxx.
18th June, 2025

To
The Regional Transport Officer,
Solapur – xxx xxx.

Subject : Dangers posed by reckless driving

142 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Sir,
I am sure you are aware of the increase in the number of accidents
in our city due to the menace of reckless driving. There has been a
7% increase in accidents this year. Two-wheeler riders are not only
the cause but also the worst-affected.
Sir, I have noticed that at key junction areas, very often there are no
traffic police. Also many of the traffic signals at crucial busy spots
are not in operation. As a result, there is complete disorder in the
flow of traffic. Vehicles criss-cross each other and cause traffic jams.
Two-wheeler riders slip through lines, take the wrong lane and catch
drivers keeping their proper lanes by surprise. This has led to one
or two serious accidents, which have been reported in the papers.
I request you to take cognizance of these matters and to remedy the
situation at your earliest. This is in the interest of the safety of the
citizens of Solapur.
Yours truly,
Akshay Malhotra
A concerned citizen
OR

A2. Informal letter :

7, Sunset Park,
Red Rose Road,
Solapur – xxx xxx.
18th June, 2025
Dear Mrinal,
David has written to say that you have purchased a new motorbike.
Congratulations ! Yes I am pleased about it, but am a bit worried
too. It seems that you haven’t yet learnt to ride properly, but are still
riding on the highway.
Mrinal, it does not pay to be reckless. Do you want to end up in a
hospital? With a fractured leg or dislocated joints? Or even worse?
It seems you ignore signals and do a lot of overtaking. Why are
you being so rash? I can understand your excitement at owning a
new toy. But please, do not forget that you have a responsibility to

QUESTION SET 6 – FORMAL & INFORMAL LETTERS 143

yourself and to others. I get nightmares just thinking of you riding
recklessly on the busy highway.
Please slow down. Control your impulse for adventure. You have a
lifetime ahead of you. Don’t throw it away. I do hope you heed my
words. I only want you to be safe.
Your loving friend,
Akshay

Q. 5. Read the following negative effects of online games for

children and write a letter based on it :

Negative effects of online games for children :

• useless activity
• waste of time
• addictive
• obsession with virtual world
• loss of sense of reality
• violent games lead to aggressive behaviour

You are Harsh/Harsha Verma residing at 53, Hari Smruti Heights,

Gokul Colony, Akola – 444005.

A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :

   Write a letter to the Editor    Your close friend Purav/
of a local newspaper asking Purvi Sharma plays online
him to spread awareness games. He/She does not read,
about the addiction of online go out or do anything creative.
games and its effect on Write a letter to him/her with
children. the help of the points given in
the above newspaper cutout.
You may add your own points
to support your subject.

144 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Ans.
A1. Formal letter :

Harsha Verma,
53, Hari Smruti Heights,
Gokul Colony,
Akola – 444 005.
30th July, 2025
The Editor,
Lokmat,
Akola – 444 005.

Subject : Effects of online games on children

Sir,
I just read a newspaper report about the addiction of young children
to online games and their obsession with the virtual world.
This is certainly true. If we observe carefully, we will notice that
children today are constantly playing online games. They are wasting
a lot of time on this activity and this affects their other creative
activities and abilities. There is a real fear that they will get addicted
to this pastime and lose their sense of reality. What is even more
worrying is that many of these games are violent and make children
very aggressive.
I sincerely request you to spread awareness through your newspaper
about this addiction to online games and its effects on children and
society. All of us need to actively do something about this problem
and resolve it as soon as possible. I am sure you will heed my plea.
Yours truly,
Harsha Verma
OR
A2. Informal letter :
53, Hari Smruti Heights,
Gokul Colony,
Akola – 444 005.
30th July, 2025

6/Navneet 21 M. L. Q. SET
QUESTION Sets6: –English
FORMAL (HL) – Std. X D0051
& INFORMAL (2026)
LETTERS 145
Dear Purvi,
Hi! How are you? Whenever I think of you, the picture in my mind
is of you playing online games with great concentration! Are you still
doing it?
I ask this question because I just read a newspaper report about
the addiction of young children to online games and their obsession
with the virtual world.
The report said that children today are constantly playing online
games. They are wasting a lot of time on this activity and this affects
their other creative activities and abilities. There is real fear that
they will get addicted to this pastime and lose their sense of reality.
What is even more worrying is that many of these games are violent
and make children very aggressive.

If you are still playing the games as before, I sincerely request you to
stop this habit. Your mom says that you are no longer very interested
in your singing and guitar practice. Please, Purvi, stop these useless
online games and your preoccupation with the virtual world! I’m
sure your parents too think like I do.

Bye for now. And do take my words seriously.

Your loving friend,

Harsha
_________

Based on the Latest Pattern of Writing Skills

NAVNEET
WRITING SKILLS IN ENGLISH (HL)
(ENGLISH HL Composition)
STD. X
– All topics as per syllabus dealt in
– Separate section on Non textual Passages for comprehension
and Summary

146 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Q. 6 (A) A1. – Information Transfer
Question
Set VERBAL TO NON-VERBAL
7 (Total : 5 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) For this question, you will be given a paragraph or two related
to some topic or issue.
(2) You will have to pick out the main points from the information
given and reframe it in the form of a table, a tree-diagram,
a flow chart, a web, a pie-diagram, a map, etc. as mentioned in
the instructions. In other words, you will be converting verbal
information into non-verbal information.
(3) 
Your answer should contain only those words which are an
essential part of the non-verbal presentation. Avoid adding
your own points.
(4) 
Go over once again the points that you have used in the
diagram carefully. It is very important to understand what is
expected in the answer.
Marking Scheme :
• Title 1 marks
• Covering all points 2 marks
• Appropriate graphic/layout 1 marks
• Overall Presentation 1 marks

 Total 5 marks

Important :
(1) Study ALL the questions in this Question Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the Questions for Practice given in Section 3..

QUESTION SET 7 – verbal to non-verbal 147

 (1) Read the following information given in the paragraph
and complete the tree diagram : (March ’25)

   Soil erosion, a major environmental hazard today is caused

by both natural and man-made factors. Soil erosion is caused by
unobstructed overflow and the flow of running water which carry
away the topmost layer of the soil. Forest fires which destroy the
roots of the plants which bind the soil together and lead to
erosion.
   The effects of soil erosion are flood, drought, etc. As the vital
nutrients of soil get wasted away, the soil turns barren. Soil
erosion can be prevented by construction of dams, bunds, etc.
Afforestation helps to prevent soil erosion as tree holds the soil
together with their roots. Improved method of agriculture such as
contour ploughing also help checking soil erosion.

Soil Erosion

Causes Effects Prevention

Afforestation
Deforestation

Water

148 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Ans.
Soil Erosion

Causes Effects Prevention

Floods Construction of
Natural Man-made Dams, Bunds etc.
Drought
Air Deforestation Afforestation

Water Barren
Excessive Improved Method
Land
Cultivation of Contour
Fire Ploughing

(2) Read the following information and complete the flow-

chart for the same, and give a suitable title : (March ’24)

   Sugar beet grows through the summer and is harvested in

autumn and winter. When it arrives on site, the sugar beet is
washed. The sugar beet is sliced into thin strips called cossettes.
   These thin strips are mixed with hot water to extract the
sugar and a lime solution is added to the raw juice to remove any
impurities.
   The syrup is filtered, heated and seeded with tiny sugar
crystals, which grow into the required size. The sugar crystals are
then washed, dried and cooled.
   Sugar is delivered to our customers in a variety of formats
for both industrial and retail markets.

QUESTION SET 7 – verbal to non-verbal 149

 Ans. Production of Sugar
Sugar beet is washed and cut into thin strips called cossettes.

Cossettes are mixed with hot water to extract the sugar.

Lime solution is added to the raw juice to remove impurities.

Syrup is filtered, heated and seeded with tiny sugar crystals.

Sugar crystals are washed, dried and cooled.

Sugar is delivered to customers for industrial and retail markets.

(3) Read the given extract carefully and transfer the following
into a flow chart :
Garbage disposal has become a great problem in urban areas.
Lots of garbage is being collected from every household. Some
cities have come up with innovative ideas to tackle this problem.
First of all, the garbage in trucks is segregated of organic waste
from recyclable waste. Then it is put in separate containers.
Earthworm culture is added to this organic waste. After a
few weeks the conversion process is complete and what we get
is vermicompost which is very good quality compost that can be
mixed with soil and used for better yields.

Ans. Garbage Disposal

Recyclable waste

Household garbage segregated in trucks

organic waste

earthworm culture added

after a few weeks, conversion process completed

good quality vermicompost obtained

vermicompost mixed with soil better yields

150 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (4) Read the following text and present the information in a
tabular form :

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a zealous social worker holding

modern and progressive views. He firmly stood against social
bigotry, conservation and superstition and advocated English and
Western Education for his fellowmen. He knew many languages
viz. English, Persian, Arabic, Latin, French and even Hebrew. He
was born in 1772 in West Bengal. He joined East India Company
in 1805. The title ‘Raja’ was conferred on Ram Mohan Roy by the
Mughal Emperor. In 1814 he founded the ‘Atmiya Sabha’ and in
1828 the ‘Brahmo Samaj’. He abolished ‘sati’, child marriage and
the purdah. He is rightly called the ‘Father of Indian Renaissance’
or the ‘Father of Indian Nationalism’. He died on 27 Sept. 1833
in England.

Points Information
(1) Name
(2) Year of Birth
(3) Ill practices abolished
(4) Institutions launched
(5) Languages known

Ans. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Points Information
(1) Name Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(2) Year of Birth 1772
(3) Ill practices abolished sati, child marriage, purdah
(4) Institutions launched ‘Atmiya Sabha’, ‘Brahmo Samaj’
(5) Languages known English, Persian, Arabic, Latin,
French, Hebrew

QUESTION SET 7 – verbal to non-verbal 151

 (5) Read the following information and prepare a pie diagram
for the same :

Annual Water Usage in Maharashtra

   Water is life. It is a universal solvent and an important resource.
The annual usage of water differs in various sectors of Maharashtra.
The major occupation of Maharashtra being agriculture, the
maximum amount of available water is used for irrigation, that is
86%. The distant following place 7% is contributed by the domestic
sector, which includes drinking, washing, cooking, etc. There is a
close competition of other sectors with 6% usage of water. One of
the key factors which plays an important role in the development
of a nation is the industrial sector. The consumption of water by
the industrial sector is very negligible, which is 1%.
   We know the energy sector plays a vital role in the development
of a nation. In this sector, the use of water is almost nil. If we try
to observe its place in the chart we realise that it holds 0% usage
and is yet to open its account.

Ans. Annual Water Usage in Maharashtra

Others
6%

Domestic
Irrigation 7%
86%
Industries
1%

_________

152 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Q. 6 (A) A2. – Information Transfer
Question
Set NON-VERBAL TO VERBAL
8 (Total : 5 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) 
For this question, you will be given some information in
the form of a table, a tree-diagram/flow chart, a web, a pie-
diagram, etc.
(2) Information of this type is called non-verbal. The information
given will be a bare minimum. It will be diagrammatical or
pictorial and consist of a few words or phrases.
(3) The information will be about some topic or issue which will
be mentioned either as the title of the table, pie-diagram or
tree-diagram or in the centre of the web or map.
(4) Read the points carefully. It is very important to understand
what is expected in the answer.
(5) You are expected to use the information to write a paragraph
covering all the points given. Don’t forget to give a title to the
paragraph.
Marking Scheme :
• Title 1 mark
• Use of given points 2 marks
• Grammar 1 mark
• Appropriate language and conclusion 1 mark

 Total 5 marks

Important :
(1) Study ALL the questions in this Question Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the Questions for Practice given in Section 3.
Note : Statistical information in some questions in this Section
may not be updated as per the latest data. However, the purpose
of such questions/activities is to give practice in the use of
language and writing skills for students.

QUESTION SET 8 – non-verbal to verbal 153

 (1) Observe the following web-chart and transfer the
information into two paragraphs. Suggest a suitable title :
 (March ’25)

Time
Discipline
management Hard work
in life

Good Physical
Strong desire Success of
and Emotional
to learn students
health

Learning Will power and Desire to

from mistakes determination excel

Ans.  
The Keys to Success

It is natural for students to want success in life. However, this

depends on certain mental and physical qualities. Students must
know how to manage time effectively, giving enough time for studies,
games, hobbies, etc. They must have discipline, which will keep them
focused. This is followed by will power and determination. Students
have to learn from their mistakes and persevere even in the face of
failure.
Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. To gain
success, students have to put in plenty of hard work and be
tenacious, continuing even when the going gets difficult. There must,
however, be a strong inner desire to learn and to excel, along with
concrete goals and ambitions. Last but not the least, good physical
and emotional health is essential. Hence, students must look after
their bodies as well as their minds. These are the keys to success.

154 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (2) Read the following tree-diagram and prepare a short
paragraph on ‘Soil Erosion’.

Soil Erosion

Causes Effects Prevention

Floods Dams
Natural Manmade Contour
Barren
farming
lands

Air Water Fire Excessive

cultivation

Ans. Soil Erosion

Soil erosion means wearing away of the land’s precious topsoil.

Soil erosion can be due to natural agents, like air, water or fire. The
cause can also be man-made as when there is excessive cultivation
of land by farmers. The effects of soil erosion are dangerous and
life-threatening. On the one hand it can result in floods which may
result in the death of many people, and on the other hand it can
lead to barren lands. To avoid disasters like floods and droughts,
we must make an attempt to prevent soil erosion. We can do this
by building dams at appropriate places and by practising contour
farming. However, there are many preventive and remedial practices
that can curtail or limit the erosion of vulnerable soils.

QUESTION SET 8 – non-verbal to verbal 155

 (3) Given below is the process of manufacturing paper.
Transfer the given information into a paragraph :

Raw materials :
wood, grass, bamboo, rags.

Cut into pieces and

immersed in water and
and made into pulp.

Mixed with lime for

whitening and pulp is
boiled and passed through
wire meshes

Wet paper

Passed over heated

roller and thin sheets
of paper is made.

Ans. Manufacture of Paper

For manufacturing paper, the raw materials needed are wood,
grass, bamboo and rags. These are cut into small pieces and
immersed in water. They are then converted into pulp. Later, the pulp
is mixed with lime for whitening and passed through wire meshes,
where it gets transformed into paper. This wet paper is passed over
heated rollers and we finally get the thin sheets of paper which we
normally use.

156 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (4) Read the following web diagram and transform it into a
paragraph. Give a suitable title :

An app for Time Online

every need management trading

Up-to-date
Need of Advantages of
knowledge of
entertainment Smart Phone
the world

Innumerable Apps for Curriculum

career developing based
opportunities every language programmes

Ans. Advantages of the Smart Phone

The Smart Phone, as we know it today, is indeed a SMART phone.

It has an app for practically every need of the modern man. The
in-built clock with its different features helps in time management.
Then, there are apps for developing most languages, thus making
foreign travel easier. The Smart Phone can acquaint job seekers
with the innumerable career opportunities available to them. While
the need for entertainment is fully satisfied by this phone with its
various downloads, the knowledge of curriculum-based programmes
too is available with a tap of the finger. Online trading, which Smart
Phones offer, is a welcome facility. With its news clips and online
newspapers, the phone provides us with up-to-date knowledge of the
world. Thus, this phone has plenty of advantages and is certainly a
boon to society.

QUESTION SET 8 – non-verbal to verbal 157

 (5) Observe the following bar-graph, which shows the results
of a survey of the reading habits of the students studying in
schools. Write a paragraph and suggest a suitable title :

100
90
Percentage of students

80
Syllabus books
70
60
50 Comics Science fiction
40
Magazines
30
20
Newspaper
10
0
Types of reading materials

Ans. Reading Habits of School Students

The results of a survey of the reading habits of the students
studying in schools was revealing. A large majority, 70% read
syllabus books. This is natural seeing the stress laid on academics
in our society. Surprisingly, a good 50% of students read science
fiction books. This interest in science fiction is encouraging. 45%
still read comics, showing that illustrations along with the written
word still carries a lot of importance. 30% read magazines, though
the type of magazines they read is not clear. Only a meagre 10%
read newspapers; it is to be hoped that they got information about
the happenings round the country and the world from TV and the
Internet. Students should be encouraged to read more and to keep
themselves well informed.

158 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (6) Study the following pie-diagram and write a paragraph
based on the information given in it :
Sources of Emissions of Air Pollutants
Commercial and Agriculture 10%
Residential Heating 1% Others 2%
Consumer and
Commercial products 8%

Transpor-
tation Industry
27% 52%

Ans. Sources of Emissions of Air Pollutants

From a quick look at the pie-diagram, we realize the well-known
but shocking fact that Industry is largely responsible for the emission
of air pollutants. The pie-chart places the figure at 52%. Second on
the list is transportation. This accounts for 27% of toxic gases sent
out into the air. Surprisingly, agriculture is responsible for 10% of
air pollutants. This may be because of fertilizer sprays and aerial
sprays of chemicals such as pesticides and weedicides. Consumer
and commercial products are responsible for 8% of air pollution.
Commercial and residential heating causes a negligible 1% of air
pollution. Other factors account for a nominal 2% of air pollution.
_________

QUESTION SET 8 – non-verbal to verbal 159

 Q. 6 (B) B1. – Speech Writing
Question
Set SPEECH WRITING
9 (Total : 5 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) 
This activity involves writing a formal paragraph ( or
paragraphs ) on the topic given for the speech.
(2) 
The objective of a speech is to express and convey your
opinions, views, knowledge and thoughts to an audience. It
also helps to enhance one’s oratory skills.
(3) 
Begin with an address to the audience such as ‘Ladies and
Gentlemen’, ‘My dear teachers and friends’, ‘Respected
Principal, Beloved Teachers and my dear friends’, etc. The
address should be appropriate for the audience that you are
addressing.
(4) 
Your statements must be directly addressed to the audience
and can contain rhetorical questions. The language should be
formal and the tone serious.
(5) 
You will be given points, questions, news items, etc. as
guidelines. Use them to frame the sentences for the speech.
(6) End off with salutations such as ‘Jai Hind’, ‘Thank you’, etc.
suitable to the occasion and to the nature of the speech.
Marking Scheme :
• Appropriate beginning/conclusion 1 mark
• Body – Use of given points and additional points;
appropriate use of language 2 marks
• Appropriate sequence and flow of language 1 mark
• Use of appropriate grammatical structure 1 mark
 Total 5 marks

Important :
(1) Study ALL the questions in this Question Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the Questions for Practice given in Section 3.

160 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (1) Prepare a speech to be delivered on ‘World Energy Day’
on the topic ‘Go Solar’. (March ’25)
Use the following points :
• No energy crisis
• Economical
• Saves on electricity bills
• Celebrated on 22nd October
• Conserves natural resources
Ans. Go Solar
Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends,
Good morning. Today, October 22nd, is World Energy Day and
on this special day I, XYZ, will speak on the topic ‘Go Solar’.
A large part of India lies in the tropical zone and gets plenty of
sunlight throughout the year. This means that we have a renewable
source of energy, solar energy, right at our doorstep. Then why do we
hesitate to use it more? It is free, renewable, and reduces pollution.
It conserves our natural resources.
Solar energy is a clean and green source of energy. It does not
emit any pollutants into the air. Once solar panels are installed, they
last for years, making the whole project quite economical. Only an
initial investment is necessary. To add to that, electricity bills are
substantially reduced. Subsidies and incentives by the government
only make it more attractive. We will not have any energy crisis.
So, we, in India, should wake up and grab the opportunity to
use a ‘freebie’ — solar energy. Even as I conclude my speech, we can
see the sun god smiling down on us!

Thank you.
(2) Prepare a speech to be delivered in an inter school
competition. The subject given to you is ‘Importance of Festivals
in Indian Culture’. Use the following points.
• Testimony to our diverse tradition and culture
• An environment of cultural harmony
• Celebration irrespective of religion and caste
• Forgetting enmity; forging bond of love
• Moral, ethical, social values of life; entertainment
QUESTION SET 9 – speech writing 161
 Ans. ‘Importance of Festivals in Indian Culture’
Honourable Judges, Respected Teachers and Dear Friends,
Good morning. I, Kushal Khanna, would like to say few words on
‘Importance of Festivals in Indian Culture’. A festival is an auspicious
day or period of religious or other celebration prevalent in all societies
and religious communities. Festivals play an important role in our
life. It is said that India is a rich country with a varied culture and
religious festivals play a very important role in Indian culture.
We celebrate festivals to keep alive the cultural heritage of our nation.
A festival helps us to embrace one another in a bond of love. It is during
festivals that people exchange gifts, celebrate events together and enjoy
the time spent in the company of each other. National level festivals help
to promote patriotic spirit and solidarity in society. Thus, festivals keep
us together and are a symbol of our customs and traditions.
More than their entertainment value, festivals reinforce values
like love, brotherhood, sacrifice and the victory of good over evil.
So let us all join hands and make life a celebration. Should we
not celebrate festivals to spread happiness and make our relations
strong forever? Enjoy festivals and bring to life a state of exuberance
and enthusiasm.
Thank you!

(3) Prepare a speech to be delivered in the school assembly

on ‘Science and Spirituality go hand in hand’. Use the following
points :
• Can work together
• Can explain lot of things of life.
• Gives scope for reasoning and thinking.
• Can give scope for intelligence and creativity.
• Can make more and more discoveries.
Ans. Science and Spirituality go hand in hand
Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends,
I wish you all a very good morning and a hearty welcome.
I am happy that I, XYZ, have been given the privilege of starting the
Science Day programme with a speech. The topic of my speech is :
‘Science and spirituality go hand in hand’.
162 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 No doubt, this is a difficult concept to understand, for we have
always been given to believe that they are mutually exclusive. However,
that is not so. There is no contradiction between the two. Both
genuinely seek the truth. Science explores the truth about the body
and physical world. Spirituality introspects on the nature of ‘self’ and
its relationship with the outer world. Science helps us understand
the physical structure of the universe, while spirituality deals with
human existence, values and morals. Both complement each other.
Both are two sides of the same coin. Both require mental discipline.
Science is the body. Spirituality is the mind. One explores the external
world; the other delves into the internal sphere. Their harmonious
co-existence contributes to the well-being of humankind.
Thank you all for listening to me attentively. I hope most of you
agree with my views on the topic. I end my speech with a very suitable
quote from none other than Albert Einstein : ‘Science without religion
is lame; religion without science is blind’.
Thank you once again.

(4) Prepare a speech on ‘Conservation of Water’. You may

use the following points :

• need for conservation

• methods of conservation
• future plans to increase water resources
Ans. Save Every Drop
Respected teachers and my dear friends,
Today, our school is celebrating ‘Environment Day’, and on this
occasion I, XYZ, would like to say a few words about the conservation
of water, which is the need of the day.
Water is the basis of life. Without water, there can be no life.
However, we cannot use this resource irresponsibly; we need
to conserve it so that everyone has enough for his or her needs.
The methods of conservation can be artificial, like building dams
and bunds. It can also be by eco-friendly means. The water table
can be improved; rain-water harvesting can be done. Trees attract
rain clouds and the roots of the trees help to hold water. Hence,

QUESTION SET 9 – speech writing 163

more trees should be planted especially on the banks of rivers and
lakes, and the sides of mountains and hills. Afforestation should be
initiated wherever there is a lack of trees.
At a personal level, each of us can help to conserve water by
using it judiciously. Instead of taking long showers, we can use a
bucket for bathing. Taps should be turned off while brushing teeth,
washing vessels, clothes, etc. and water should not be allowed to
flow unnecessarily down the drain. Water can be recycled and used
in the toilets and for watering plants.
Finally, I will end my speech by repeating that one of the best
and easiest methods to increase water resources is by planting more
trees.
Thank you.

(5) Write a speech acquainting your class about the

environment crisis that is worsening around the world.
Use the following points :
• environment in the past
• our environment today
• pollution problems
• steps to be taken
Ans. The Environment Crisis
Dear friends,
Good morning. Today is ‘Environment Day’, and on this
important day, I would like to say something about the ‘Environment
Crisis’. In the past our environment was the way God intended it
to be. It was green and clean and pristine and fresh. Our forests
were thick with trees. Birds, animals and insects co-existed there in
millions.
Just take a look at the surroundings today. You will see concrete
jungles and tall skyscrapers hiding the natural scenery, if there is
any scenery left to see at all! Almost 11 billion trees are being cut
down every year. Roads and parks are littered with different kinds
of waste. Plastic is the king. There is hardly any sphere of our lives
where we do not use plastic. And then we throw it away as waste to

164 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

pollute the environment! Vehicles and industries have made the air
we breathe unclean.
The amount of pollution is on the rise. What kind of a future
can we look forward to? A life of impure air, a host of lung diseases,
epidemics and unheard of ailments? No trees? No mountains?
No hills? Only desert wastelands that we ourselves have created?
What can we as students do? We have to take urgent steps to
make people aware of how dangerous the environment crisis is. We
have to think and come up with innumerable ways of saving our
Mother Planet. We have to do everything in our power to conserve
our forests, to conserve the landscape, to manage waste effectively,
to keep our earth as natural as Mother Nature intended it to be!
For a better environment and to save our world, let us all work
as one! Save our Planet! Save humanity!
Thank you.
_________

Based on the Latest Pattern of Writing Skills

NAVNEET
WRITING SKILLS IN ENGLISH (HL)
(ENGLISH HL Composition)
STD. X
– All topics as per syllabus dealt in
– Separate section on Non textual Passages for comprehension
and Summary

QUESTION SET 9 – speech writing 165

 Q. 6 (B) B2. – View/Counterview
Question
Set VIEW/COUNTERVIEW
10 (Total : 5 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) The objective of this activity is to help you to think logically
and express your views and counterviews about the given
subject politely, firmly and convincingly.
(2) 
You will be given a particular view regarding some current
issue or topic. You are expected to write a counterview of that
issue or topic. This means that you have to give your opinion
against the issue or topic given.
(3) 
Some kind of guidance regarding the ‘View’, perhaps in the
form of points, or in the form of a news item, etc. will be given.
You are expected to write a paragraph which reflects the exact
opposite of the views expressed.
(4) The answer to this question should be almost like a speech.
It should be argumentative and you should state your opinions
firmly.
(5) 
Hence, the language used for this answer should be very
formal and the tone should be as if you are addressing an
audience. You can use exclamations and rhetorical questions.
Give a suitable title to your answer.
Marking Scheme :
• Proper beginning and conclusion 1 mark
• Appropriate vocabulary and grammar 1 mark
• Expressing opinion in good and lucid
language with logical order 2 marks
• Appealing and convincing thoughts 1 mark

 Total 5 marks

Important :
(1) Study ALL the questions in this Question Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the Questions for Practice given in Section 3.

166 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (1) Write your counterviews on ‘Benefits of a joint family’.
 (March ’25)
Viewpoints :
• Equal distribution of work
• Moral values are preserved
• Good bond between siblings
• Respect for elders.
Ans. Perils of a Joint Family
Living in a joint family can be a boon or a bane. Those who
watch soap operas or mushy films glorifying the joint family think of
it as a boon. Only those who have lived in one know the pitfalls.
In a joint family, the work is certainly not equally distributed.
The smart ones escape all the chores, leaving the not-so-smart, naive
members to shoulder the entire burden. This leads to immense strife
within the family, very often beneath the facade of happiness. As
for moral values being preserved — well, if one wants to have sound
values one can do so anywhere, even if one is entirely alone. There
is no need to have numerous family members surrounding one.
The same goes for having respect for elders and bonding between
cousins. More often than not, there is jealousy and bitter rivalry.
Besides, doesn’t familiarity breed contempt? There is no privacy in a
joint family. Living closely in the same house may lead to annoyance
and irritation with each other. Hence, it is better to stay happy and
content — on one’s own, in a nuclear family, and leave the joys of the
joint family to TV serials.
(2) Write your counterview in a paragraph on the following
views :
‘Social networking sites are not a necessity’
 (July ’23; March ’24)
Views :
• There are other ways of connecting and staying in touch.
• People may resort to dishonesty.
• Cyber crimes are on the rise.
• Vital personal information may be misused.
Ans. Social Networking Sites – a Boon
We have to accept the fact that we live in a fast world today.
QUESTION SET 10 – view/counterview 167
Everybody is in a hurry. The days when we had to wait for the
postman to bring us a letter are in the distant past. It is a busy
world, and social networking helps us to keep in touch with friends
instantly, even those with whom we had lost contact. This was
evident during the recent Covid epidemic, when these very sites
helped us tremendously. Yes, people may resort to dishonesty and
cheating. Privacy is an issue, and cyber crimes are unfortunately on
the rise. The criminals may use vital personal information against
us. However, isn’t cheating prevalent in any area, and isn’t it up to
us to be careful? Just like we have learnt to be careful while opening
the door of our home, so too we have to be careful about the way we
use these sites. Social networking sites are certainly a necessity – to
be used prudently and with care.

(2) Write your counterview on the topic : ‘Deforestation is

essential for the progress of mankind’ on the basis of the views
given below.
View : Deforestation is essential for the progress of mankind
• Rising population
• Wildlife affected
• Global warming
• Flora and fauna endangered
Ans. Deforestation? Certainly Not!
Human beings are said to have superior brains, but after
reading the statement given above, I seriously begin to doubt this.
Deforestation and progress ? These two words just do not go together.
We must not give the excuse of rising population; if the population
is increasing, steps must be taken to control it, and not hack our
forests to provide for the coming generations. Deforestation will harm
wildlife. The food cycle will be affected by the disappearance of many
species. Many types of plants existing only in forests will disappear.
Deforestation will also contribute to global warming. Effects are
already being felt, as is apparent by the increasing amounts of
rain and floods. The effects may not be seen immediately; but the
coming generations will certainly feel the heat. Ultimately, by cutting
down forests, are we progressing or regressing ? I think the latter.

168 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (3) Write your counterview on ‘Old persons are burden to
society’ view :
• Their experience
• Their support and guidance
• Their role
• Their value
• Their knowledge
Ans. Old persons are NOT a burden to society
In today’s materialistic society, there is a general feeling that
old people are a burden to society. However, it has been found that
after retirement if elders are re-employed, they are more dedicated
and take pains to do more work than youngsters. The youth may
think that they know everything and the senior citizens do not know
anything, but with their type of experience we can learn a lot of things
from them. The wisdom in an old head is worth all the treasures of
the world. The elderly can share their expertise with the younger
generation. Becoming old is a cyclic change which everyone has to
pass through. Hence at the time when old people require the help
of youngsters, one should always help them. They can in turn help
the younger generation by giving them ideas from their experiences
on how to bring up their family. Thus their role of a guide, caretaker
and supporter is very valuable. They might be capable of giving us
a sense of direction to our aims; they are the guardians of tradition
and family structures.

(4) Write your counterview on the topic ‘Internet will soon

replace books’ :
Points :
• easily accessible
• time saving
• economical
• authentic
• storehouse of information

QUESTION SET 10 – view/counterview 169

 Ans. The Internet Versus Books
Today, there is a lot of talk about the internet replacing books.
I beg to differ. This is not possible.
The internet is certainly easily accessible – to those fortunate
enough to live in cities. In a vast country like India, where lakhs
of people do not have electric connections, the very thought of the
internet replacing books is laughable. Besides, it is a well-known
fact that easily accessible things are generally not very valuable!
Yes, the internet may save time, but at what cost? Continuous
exposure to the computer screen affects our eyes and our health.
Is it really worth it? The internet provides ready information, no
doubt, but this also means that it does not allow the imagination
of the reader to grow. It retards creativity. It makes research seem
unnecessary. It is economical, but how authentic are some of the
inputs? How much of what is given on the internet is verified? It is
true that it is a storehouse of information, but much of it is repetitive
and unverified. Besides, books have a feel and smell that can never
be replaced by e-books. No, the internet can supplement books but
can never replace books.

(5) Write your counterview on the topic : ‘Skyscrapers – the

bane of Mumbai’, on the basis of the views given below. Add your
own points :
View :
Skyscrapers are a nuisance
• Block the skyline
• Harm the environment
• No proper planning
• Increase urban population.
(Add more details and write a paragraph.)
Ans. Skyscrapers – A Necessary Evil

In my view, skyscrapers are a must in order to accommodate

the rising growth of population in developed and developing cities.

170 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Mumbai is no exception. However, this will affect the skyline. If there is
proper planning by civic officials, the construction of skyscrapers will
be accompanied by the establishment of parks, playgrounds, lakes,
ponds and green areas. Take a look at high-tech cities around the
world like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo in the east and New
York, Washington D.C., Paris and London in the west. These cities
are dotted with skyscrapers, yet have plenty of green areas, natural
sanctuaries, fish aquariums, bird parks and greenery everywhere. If
there is sensible planning, the construction of skyscrapers will only
change the venue of the natural habitat of birds and animals, but will
not affect their vital presence in the vicinity.
_________

QUESTION SET 10 – view/counterview 171

 Q. 7 (A) A1. – Expansion of Themes
Question
Set EXPANSION OF THEMES
11 (Total : 5 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) In this question, a proverb, maxim, quotation or slogan will

be given to you. You are expected to expand the theme (idea)
contained in it briefly, with the help of a short explanation and
examples.
(2) The ‘Expansion of a Theme’ should have a proper beginning
and an ending. The ideas should flow effortlessly. You may write
down your ideas in 2 or 3 short paragraphs or as instructed.
(3) Always give a title and begin properly.
Marking Scheme :
• Title and Beginning 1 mark
• Vocabulary and Grammar 1 mark
• Appropriate Points 1 mark
• Logical Order 1 mark
• Conclusion 1 mark

 Total 5 marks

Important :
(1) Study ALL the questions in this Question Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the Questions for Practice given in Section 3.

(1) Expand the following proverb into a paragraph of 100

words : ‘Nothing will work unless you do’. (March ’25)
Ans. Nothing will work unless you do

It is said that success is 99% perspiration and only 1%

inspiration. This means that unless you work, unless you really put
in hard work, nothing else will work. There is no use just waiting
for an opportunity or for good luck. One must go out and find
opportunities; one has to make one’s own good luck.
172 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 In this instance, the example of Marie Curie is apt. Her discovery
of Radium was not just by chance; she worked hard at finding it.
Sachin Tendulkar practised for hours before he became the legend
he is today. We only have to watch movie and TV stars rehearsing
diligently and sincerely to know that it is only hard work that
matters; other things will follow automatically. There is no point in
just having big dreams and lofty ambitions; one must have the grit
and will power to work towards their attainment. Failures have to
be faced bravely and overcome. Only when we work hard will things
work for us.

(2) Expand the given proverb into a paragraph of about

100 words : ‘A Bad Workman Blames his Tools’.
Ans. A Bad Workman Blames his Tools
When a workman does not have the skills for a particular job,
or does not use his skills in the right way, he fails. He then blames
the tools that he has, saying that the tools were faulty, hence he has
failed. He does not accept his shortcomings or take the responsibility
for his failure.

This is applicable in all spheres of life. A person who is really

talented and good at his job will know how to use the opportunities at
his disposal. Even if these opportunities are not very good, he makes
the best use of them and succeeds. On the other hand, a person who
is not talented or is lazy, does not use the opportunities provided to
him, however good they are, and then fails. He conveniently finds
someone or something to blame for his failure. He does not want to
admit that it is he himself who is at fault.
It does not matter what ‘tools’ we have; what matters is the
way we use them; the use we make of our opportunities. For doesn’t
everyone know that a ‘bad dancer blames the floor’?
(3) Expand the given quote into a paragraph of about
100 words :
‘Education is the most powerful weapon to change the
World’.
QUESTION SET 11 – expansion of themes 173
 Ans. Education – A Powerful Weapon
‘Education’ is a word with a depth of meaning. ‘Education’ does
not mean only learning to read and write. It does not mean only
gaining knowledge. It also means developing different skills to live a
positive life. It means developing emotional awareness of the people
and things around one.
Education is essential for the progress of human beings. It helps
an individual to develop to the best of his or her ability. It is like
a huge umbrella under which a person learns all types of physical,
social and emotional skills and values. Education teaches us the ways
of people living in different parts of the world and helps us to develop
empathy and understanding. It helps us to have opinions about
important matters and be able to express these opinions in a suitable
way. Through proper education, we can eradicate social ills like
poverty, gender inequality, caste and communal bias and intolerance.
In a world torn by wars, a good education will instill tolerance and
empathy. Thus, a good education is essential for every human to live
a successful life. It is the most powerful weapon to change the world.

(4) Expand the following idea in about 80 – 100 words :

‘Perseverance is the Key to Success’.
Ans. Perseverance is the Key to Success
The city of Rome, like all great works, was built over many years
of hard work. It took Ronald Ross almost 18 years to find out how
the malarial parasite entered the body of the human being. William
Harvey took 12 years to find out how blood circulated in the body.
It took Konrad Zuse 3 years to build the world’s first programme-
based computer.
It takes one year of continuous and hard study to do well in
the examination. Students who come in the merit list in the SSC
examination study for long hours every day. If you want to be good at
any sport or to play a musical instrument well, you have to practise
for hours. Then only will you be able to impress people with your
skill. So always remember, in order to achieve something great you
174 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
have to persevere for a long period of time. Thus the proverb implies
that we should not expect to achieve something great in a short
period of time. Perseverance is the key to success.

(5) Expand the theme :

‘Nature – The Best Teacher’ in about 80 – 100 words :
Ans. Nature  – The Best Teacher
Nature is a great teacher. When we observe nature carefully, we
learn many things. We learn that every action has a reaction. If we
cut trees indiscriminately, we suffer from disasters like droughts,
floods, etc. If we take care of nature, nature will also look after us.
Nature teaches us how to be patient and wait for the fruits of
what we have sown. The trees that stand patiently all through the
year teach us selflessness. They teach us to give rather than receive.
By observing animals, we learn how to live together and help each
other; we learn that each and every animal is important in the food
chain, and the disappearance of even one can cause problems. Each
plant is different with different requirements; so also each human
being is different and has his or her own needs and capabilities.
Nature teaches us to obey the laws of the changing seasons and
adjust accordingly.
The most important teaching that Nature has at present given us
is not to fool around with her but to respect her.
(6) Expand the following idea in about 80 – 100 words :
‘As you Sow, so shall you Reap’.
Ans. As You Sow, So Shall You Reap
If a farmer desires to reap a harvest of wheat, he sows wheat;
if he wants rice, he sows rice. What should we think of him if he
planted wheat and expected to harvest rice; or the other way round?
The law of nature tells us that we must sow what we wish to reap. If
we sow nothing, we shall reap nothing.
So it is with life. We have always to bear the consequences of our
actions. If we perform good deeds, we shall be rewarded with good.

QUESTION SET 11 – expansion of themes 175

If we perform bad deeds, we shall never enjoy peace of mind. Our
lives will be wretched and miserable. We cannot achieve fair ends by
using foul means. Even if we do, it will be short-lived.
Man can decide his own future by his present deeds. If he sows
the seeds of vice, corruption and sin, he reaps the harvest of misery
and ruin. If he plants virtue, purity and goodness, he plucks the
golden fruit of success and happiness. If we want to achieve good,
we should do good, for as we sow, so shall we reap.

(7) Expand the following idea into two or three paragraphs

(80 – 100 words) :
‘Handsome is as Handsome Does’.
Ans. Handsome is as Handsome Does
This is a well-known proverb which tells us not to judge a person
by his or her appearance but by their deeds. Everyone is impressed
by a good-looking person. This is only temporary, for the person
may not behave as charmingly as his or her looks seem to indicate.
In the long run, the actions of a person make him or her more
attractive than the looks. People like Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma
Gandhi or Mother Teresa did not have very striking or impressive
looks. But who will ever forget them? They will be remembered for
eternity as people who had an inner glow and whose deeds helped
the world. They glow with an inner light.
In fact, very often we find that good-looking people can be quite
rude and selfish, and we are surprised and troubled by this, for
we expect a handsome or beautiful person to behave in a positive
manner. On the other hand, a person with ordinary looks can be a
gem. Hence, we should never judge a person by his or her looks but
by their deeds.
_________

176 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Q. 7 (A) A2. – Report Writing
Question REPORT WRITING
Set Based on the given headline
12 (Total : 5 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) 
This question involves writing a short report about some
incident or event that has taken place in your locality or region.
(2) You will be given headlines or points for guidance.
(3) Read and understand the headlines/points carefully. Make use
of all the information given in the question.
(4) Your report should have a headline, dateline (place and date),
by line (by whom it has been written), introductory paragraph,
body and conclusion.
(5) The introductory paragraph, which is based on the headline,
states what has happened, when and where, and its outcome.
The body of the report gives the details. In the conclusion, you
can include a remark made by an important personality or a
reference to a past or future event of the same kind.
(6) The report should be written in the third person with passive
voice construction. The language should be formal and in the
style of a newspaper report.
(7) If no headline is given for the report, give one of your own.
It should be short and catchy.
(8) 
The report should answer questions like ‘Where?’, ‘At what
time?’, ‘What happened?’, ‘How’, ‘Why’, ‘Who’ and so on. It
should consist of one or two paragraphs of up to a total of
around 15 lines.
Marking Scheme :
• Title/Headline/Dateline 1 mark
• Logical sequence of events 2 marks
• Use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary 1 mark
• Conclusion and layout 1 mark

 Total 5 marks

7/Navneet 21 M. L. Q. Sets : SET

QUESTION English
12 –(HL) – Std.writing
Report X D0051 (2026) 177
 Important :
(1) Study ALL the Reports in this Question Set carefully.
(2) Also attempt the Questions for Practice given in Section 3.

(1) Prepare a news report based on the following headline :

‘Dengue fever claims 10 lives in Dhule’.

 (March ’25)
Ans. Dengue Fever Claims 10 Lives in Dhule
– By a News Reporter
March 6, Dhule : Much to the dismay of the Health Department
and the Municipal Corporation of Dhule, the dengue epidemic in the
city shows no signs of abating. In fact, fatalities have already risen to
10 and the hospitals are bursting with new cases.
“We are doing our best to take all precautions,” said Keshav
Patil, an official in the Health Department. “Dengue fever is a viral
infection transmitted to humans through the bite of a mosquito.
Hence, eradication of mosquitoes is the first thing that has to
be done. We spray pesticide and fumigate wherever possible. In
addition, we try to eliminate mosquito breeding sites like stagnant
water bodies. People need to protect themselves suitably, by using
mosquito repellant and covering themselves fully while going out. We
are distributing pamphlets to educate the public about dengue.” The
health department has started a rigorous awareness campaign to stop
the spread of the disease and also set up helpline numbers. “Anyone
showing symptoms of dengue must visit a doctor immediately,”
concluded Mr Patil.
(2) Prepare a news report based on the following :

‘Child labourers rescued from stone quarries’.

 (March ’24)
Ans. ‘Child labourers rescued from stone quarries’
– By a News Reporter
March 6, New Delhi : In a shocking incident, 14 child labourers
were rescued from three stone quarries here yesterday. They were
then taken to the civil hospital for medical check-ups.
178 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 Acting on a tip-off, the ‘Anti Child Labour Cell’ raided the stone
quarries yesterday morning. The owners objected to the accusation
and insisted that there were no children working anywhere in their
quarries. However, the activists were accompanied by a specially
trained dog, which soon sniffed out the children who were hidden
in a makeshift shack not far from the quarries. They were cramped
together and many were crying.
“It was indeed a pitiable sight,” said one of the officers. “Many
of us had tears in our eyes when we saw the condition of the little
children, most of whom had skin infections. All of them were severely
malnourished. The owners have been arrested and will be tried in
court.” One wonders: how can human beings be so cruel?

(3) Knowing the importance of teeth, your school had

arranged a dental check-up camp. Prepare a report for your
school magazine based on the following headline :

‘Model School organises Dental Check-up Camp’

Ans. Model School organises Dental Check-Up Camp

– By News Team
July 21 : The dental camp organised at our School yesterday
was a huge success. Over 200 students from the secondary section
had their teeth checked by a panel of four doctors. They were then
advised about the future course of action that they would have to
take.
Just before the start of the camp, the students were given a short
lecture by Dr A.S. Nadkarni, one of the doctors present. He laid
great emphasis on healthy eating habits. He spoke about the harmful
effects of consuming junk food, which is a growing habit today, on
the teeth. He tried to discourage the audience from eating sweets
and chocolates, which also were bad for the teeth. He elaborated
that our teeth were an important part of our personality and should
be kept white and sparkling. He then suggested that the school could
have regular check-up camps to help their students maintain good
dental health.

QUESTION SET 12 – Report writing 179

 (4) Prepare a report for your school magazine based on the
following headline :

India’s Vikram lands on the South Pole of Moon

Ans. India’s Vikram lands on the South Pole of Moon

 – By a Staff Reporter
Bengaluru, Aug. 24 : India has become the first country to
successfully land a spacecraft near the south pole of the moon, in a
historic moment that drew cheers from citizens all over the country.
“This moment is unforgettable. It is phenomenal. This is a victory cry
of a new India,” said the Prime Minister.

Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft’s Vikram lander touched down shortly

after 6 pm near the little-explored lunar south pole, in a world first
for any space programme. Scientists and officials clapped, cheered
and hugged each other as the spacecraft landed and people across
India celebrated joyously. The Chandrayaan-3 is expected to remain
functional for two weeks, running a series of experiments.
“India is on the moon,” said S. Somanath, Chief of the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO). ISRO shared pictures from
the spacecraft showing the moon’s surface. India became the fourth
nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon after the United
States, China and the former Soviet Union.

(5) Prepare a news report based on the following :

‘Helper’s daughter scores 96% in Class XII’

Ans. Helper’s Daughter Scores 96% in Class XII

 – By XYZ
Pune, 27 June : It was indeed a heart-warming sight to see
Meena being felicitated and cheered during a function at her school,
by students and staff alike. She had scored 96% in Class XII.
Why was Meena selected for this honour when she was not
the topper? The reason is this : Meena is Harihar’s daughter, and
Harihar is the sweeper-helper at the same school. The staff and
180 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
students are thrilled because it is through their efforts that she has
reached this milestone in her life.
“I have to thank all of you here for this achievement,” said
Meena, with tears in her eyes, during her thanksgiving speech. “It
would not have been possible for me to even appear for the exam, let
alone score so well, if it was not for the financial and moral support
given by all of you.” Harihar too had tears in his eyes as he watched
his daughter being felicitated on the very same stage that he had
so diligently cleaned that day. Meena plans to become a computer
engineer and help her family.

(6) Write a news report based on the given headline :

Blood Donation Camp Organised by NGO

Ans. Blood Donation Camp organised by an NGO

– P.T.I.
Pune, August 15 : A successful blood donation camp was
held at the EST Hospital at Ravivar Peth today. Dr R.C. Patil, who
inaugurated the camp, gave a short speech on the importance of
blood donation.
All the probable donors were given a free medical check-up
before they donated blood. There were nine doctors in charge of
the actual procedures. After the event, every donor was served
nutritious snacks and tea. These were arranged by a local NGO, who
also helped in the organisation of the camp.
“A record number of people have donated blood this year,” said
a beaming Dr Kulkarni. “We are very happy that our awareness
programme has been successful, and more and more people are
coming forward to donate blood. We expect even more donors at the
next camp, which will be held on January 26th.”
_________

QUESTION SET 12 – Report writing 181

 Q. 7 (B) (B1) OR (B2)  – Story OR Narration
Question DEVELOPING A STORY OR
Set NARRATING AN EXPERIENCE
13 WITH THE GIVEN BEGINNING/END
(Total : 5 Marks)

How to attempt this question :

(1) 
You will be given either the beginning words or the ending
words on which to base your story/narration.
(2) 
Using the help of the given words, you have to use your
imagination and develop your own story or narrate an
experience.
(3) The sequence of events in the story should flow naturally and
easily in their order of occurrence. The names of characters,
events, places, situations, etc. must be included in your story.
(4) The story should be short and well-organised. Don’t forget to
give your story a title.
Marking Scheme :
• Title and Beginning 1 mark
• Vocabulary and Grammar 1 mark
• Appropriate Points 1 mark
• Logical Order 1 mark
• Conclusion 1 mark

 Total 5 marks

(1) Develop a story and suggest a suitable title. The

conclusion/end is given.
 they learnt a lesson to live with the thought ‘Be Punctual’.
 (March ’25)
Ans. Be Punctual

Vihaan, Vicky and Arjun were very good friends. They loved
playing football and were very good at it. They were praised so often
that they became vain and thought themselves indispensable to their
team.

182 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 One day, the football coach announced that there would be
selections for a match. All those who were interested had to reach
the school at 5 p.m. sharp.
“But we were going to see a film at the mall,” said Vihaan to his
friends in dismay. “We will have to cancel it!”
“No,” said Vicky thoughtfully. “The show ends at 5 p.m. We will
easily reach school by 5.30. Only half an hour late. They will wait for
us.”
However, they had not realised how strict their coach was about
punctuality. When the three boys reached their school at 5.30,
sure that everybody would be waiting for them, they found that the
selections were over and the team had been chosen.
“But what about us?” asked Vicky in dismay. “You know we love
football and we are very good at it!”
“Then you should have been here on time,” said their coach
sternly. “The others have been waiting since 4.30.”
The three boys looked around miserably. Why had they not
postponed their film? Why had they been so arrogant? That was the
time when they learnt to live with the thought ‘Be Punctual’.

(2) Develop a story in about 80 – 100 words with the

following beginning. Give a suitable title :
Madhu was in a cake shop to buy a cake for her birthday.
She saw ....................
Ans. The Joy of Giving
Madhu was in a cake shop to buy a cake for her birthday. She
saw a small beggar boy outside the shop. He was looking at the
array of cakes with silent longing in his eyes. Madhu felt a stirring of
compassion within her.
She counted the money she had, then looked at the prices of the
cakes and made up her mind. There was only one thing to do. She
would buy a smaller cake for herself and with the leftover money, a
slice for the little boy.
Coming out of the shop a few minutes later, she gestured to the
boy and gave him a small box. She watched his face as he opened
the box and saw the mouth-watering slice of strawberry cake. That
look of thrill and wonder in his eyes was her best birthday gift.
QUESTION SET 13 – developing a story ... 183
 (3) Develop a story in about 80 – 100 words with the following
ending. Give a suitable title :
and that’s when he decided to avoid the use of plastic.
Ans. Say ‘NO’ to Plastic
It was a day of heavy rains. Kapil reached home, and saw a
terrible sight.
The rain water had entered his small house. His mother was
standing by helplessly, as the water rose higher by the second; their
clothes, TV set, cupboard, all began going under water. People were
sobbing as they saw their precious belongings carried away by the
rain.
Suddenly Kapil saw what the problem was. The drain next to his
building was completely choked—with what seemed to be millions of
plastic bags and other bits of plastic. Broken plastic buckets, plastic
containers, plastic school bags, plastic carry-bags,—they were all
there, piled up. Unable to flow through the drain because of the
plastic items clogging it, the rain water had entered their homes.
“Plastic! It has ruined our lives,” said an old lady standing
nearby. Kapil nodded slowly. At that moment that he made a vow to
himself to stop using plastic, and to make others stop it too.
That was when Kapil decided to avoid the use of plastic.

(4) Develop a story with the following ending in about

80 – 100 words. Give a suitable title having a moral :
and today he is a millionaire.
Ans. No Short Cuts to Success
This is the story of my uncle, who came to Mumbai from a small
village in Gujarat, and started a scrap business. He bought metal
scrap from merchants and recycled it. It was a very boring job, but
my uncle saw a prosperous future in it. He went about diligently
in his work, and he soon had his own recycling factory. Due to
sheer hard work, he progressed, till he became the owner of several
factories. He then diversified and entered the electronics market at
the correct time. He set up shops to sell electronic gadgets and his
showrooms just kept on increasing. Still, he did not give up working
hard. He always told us that we must work hard for there are no
short cuts to success. We believe him, for he started from scratch

184 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

and has now reached great heights. He was a pauper, and today he
is a millionaire!

(5) Narrate an experience with the given beginning.

It was raining heavily and I was going to  (March ’25)
Ans. A Rescue
It was raining heavily and I was going to simply sit at home
and watch some cartoons on TV. However, when I went to close the
window, I saw a very pitiful sight on the road outside. A little pup
had got caught in a large, deep puddle of water and was trying to
swim to the edge, but without success. The mother was standing
at the edge, trying to give directions in her own doggy way. I knew
that the mother and her pup belonged to an old lady staying in a
dilapidated cottage near our building.
I was afraid that the pup would die. Without thinking further,
I wore my rain shoes and ran down the stairs. The mother dog
wagged her tail when she saw me and gave a piteous whine. I knew
exactly what she was telling me: Save my pup, please!
I got into the puddle – which was pretty deep, even for me –
and gently picked up the struggling pup. I took it to the gate of the
cottage and it rushed in without a backward look.
But the mother did not forget my good deed. She came to me in
the pouring rain, looked up and gave a little whine, wagging her soggy
tail furiously. Then she gave my hand a large lick and scampered
behind her naughty baby. Though I did not know doggy language,
I knew that she had just said ‘thank you’ to me!

(6) Narrate an experience in about 80 – 100 words with the

following ending. Give a suitable title :
I discovered that I had forgotten my wallet at home.
Ans. An Embarrassing Incident
I remember the incident clearly. It was my birthday and I wanted
to give my friends a treat.
“I want to take my friends to ‘Joe’s Diner’, Daddy,” I said. Now,
Joe’s Diner was a luxurious, expensive restaurant, but Daddy had
promised me that I could take my friends there.

QUESTION SET 13 – developing a story ... 185

 “Certainly,” beamed Daddy. “Mummy will accompany you.”
“No adults. I will take my friends myself,” I said firmly. My father
agreed and explained how I had to order, how to check the prices,
etc. Finally, that evening, I happily went with Amar and Roshan for
dinner at ‘Joe’s Diner’.
We checked prices, calculated what the bill and the tip would
be, and ate a comfortable dinner. I felt very proud of myself. I had
managed it!
And then I made the horrifying discovery that I could not pay the
bill. After the sumptuous meal in a luxurious hotel, I discovered that
I had forgotten my wallet at home.

(7) Narrate an experience in about 80 – 100 words with the

following ending :
before the last date of submission!
Ans. The day I will never forget
I will never ever forget the day when I lost my Science Journal.
It was just two days before my practical exams, and I had gone to
my friend Rashmi’s house with my father, to show her my completed
Science journal. I was in a hurry and forgot the journal in the car.
My father left the car for a few moments to get some batteries; in
those few moments, the bag carrying my journal vanished from the
car. When I returned to the car and realized it was missing, I got into
a panic. I started crying loudly.
A few urchins gathered to watch what was happening. I told
them that I would give ` 100 to the one who found my journal.
They ran off and soon returned with the precious journal. It had
been thrown in the nearby garbage heap. My wallet, which was inside
the bag, was missing, but I did not care about that. I gave them the
promised amount and hugged my journal. Thank God I had found
my Science Journal before the last date of submission!

(8) Narrate an experience to the given beginning (in about

80 – 100 words) :
It was a hot sunny day.
186 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 Ans. One hot afternoon …
It was a hot sunny day. I was relaxing under a mango tree at the
bottom of our garden, when suddenly a mango seed hit me on my
shoulder.
I sat up indignantly and looked around. There was not a soul in
sight. I heard a small sound like a giggle; then another seed hit me
on my head.
“Ouch! Who is it? Where are you? Come on out!” I yelled angrily,
looking up into the tree. I could not see anyone in the branches.
There was another small giggle.
“Coward! Show yourself!” I shouted. Picking up the mango seed
I flung it back into the tree.
There was a sudden, loud blood-curling screech which froze my
blood. What on earth was in the tree that made such a sound?
“Who is it?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Who is it?” There was
another horrible screech and then a small monkey leapt down from
the tree, a mango in its paw. Looking at me angrily it bounded away.
I sighed with relief. It was only a monkey that had been in the tree –
not some alien or extra-terrestrial!
_________

Your Ultimate companion to success!

NAVNEET
BOARD PAPERS SMART SOLUTION
ENGLISH HL : STD. X

Complete Solutions to all

Board’s Activity Sheet of Past years

QUESTION SET 13 – developing a story ... 187

 ASSIGNMENTS
Section  3
(Activities for Practice)

Language Study

Q. 1. (A) (A1, A2) and (B) of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 10)

A1. Simple Activities

• Do as directed : (Any 4 in each set)

SET 1
(1) Pick out the present participle from the sentence :
We saw small bits of grass peeping through the small cracks.
(2) Make a meaningful sentence using the following phrase :
‘to get out of’
(3) Identify the kind of sentence :
You can’t connect the dots looking forward.
(4) Spot the error in the following sentence and rewrite it :
The hermit did not paid anything to the king.
(5) Rearrange the letters to make a meaningful word : rleirae

SET 2 (July ’22)

(1) Identify the type of sentence based on its function :

Take what you please.
(2) 
Spot the error in the following sentence and rewrite with its
correction :
He run very fast.
(3) Pick out the participle from the given sentence :
I don’t like frightening stories.
(4) Use the given phrase in a meaningful sentence of your own :
to look forward.
(5) Complete the word chain of nouns :
Strength, , , , .
188 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 SET 3
(1) 
Make a meaningful sentence of your own using the following
phrase :
‘to look into’
(2) Pick out the infinitive from the following sentence :
I just had to do it.
(3) Punctuate the following sentence :  
did you hear him he whispered
(4) Arrange the words in alphabetical order :
courageous, confronting, conferences, compassion
(5) Spot the error in the following sentence and rewrite it :
Life hit you in the head.

SET 4
(1) Write two compound words from any lesson from the textbook.
(2) Pick out the present participle and use it in your own sentence :
She went up the steps that led to the wings, her heart beating
loudly.
(3) Punctuate the following sentence :
how is it possible
(4) Find out two hidden words of minimum four letters each from
the word ‘exhausted’.
(5) Make a meaningful sentence of your own using the phrase :
‘a little later’.

SET 5
(1) Find out two hidden words of minimum four letters each from
the word ‘heritage’.
(2) Make a meaningful sentence of your own using the phrase ‘take
part in’.
(3) Spot the error and rewrite the correct sentence :
Smita stand at the window looking at the traffic.
(4) Form two present participles in which the last letter is doubled.
(5) Arrange the words in alphabetical order :
unimpressed, understand, universe, ultimately.
ASSIGNMENTS 189
 A2. Medium Level Activities
• Do as directed : (Any 2 in each set)

SET 1 (Sept. ’21)

(1) 
Rewrite the following sentence in present continuous tense :
She ate the caviar.
(2) Make a word register of four words related to :
‘Universe’
(3) We saw small bits of grass peeping through the small cracks.
 (Begin the sentence with ‘Small bits of grass ...’ .)

SET 2 (March ’20)

(1) Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
Robert asked, “Joan, how old are you?” “I am 13 years old,” she
replied.
(2) Make sentences of your own to show the difference in
homophones :
feet :
feat :
(3) Rewrite the sentence in present perfect tense :
I had been working for Anil for almost a month.

SET 3
(1) Prepare a word register of 4 words for the word ‘heritage’.
(2) Make sentences of your own using the word ‘long’ in two separate
sentences, the word having different meanings (homographs).
(3) Rewrite the following sentence using Indirect Speech :
Her brother said, “Enjoy yourself.” He added, “Lucky you!”

SET 4
(1) Rewrite the following sentence using Indirect Speech :
His mother sprang to his side. “Lie down son, lie down.”
(2) Rewrite the following sentence using the tense given in the
brackets :
He worked for the Red Cross.
 (Past perfect continuous tense of the underlined verb.)
(3) Prepare a word register of 4 words related to the word ‘writer’.

190 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 SET 5
(1) Make sentences of your own using the word ‘ground’ in
two separate sentences, the word having different meanings
(homographs).
(2) Change the voice of the following sentence, beginning
‘Families …’.
This attitude of taking and taking destroys families.
(3) Prepare a word register of 4 words related to ‘Collective nouns’.

(B) Challenging Activities

• Do as directed : (Any 1 in each set)

SET 1 (March ’23)

(1) Use the given words in one meaningful sentence :
afraid, admires
(2) Change the given simple sentence into a complex sentence :
He took me to a gramophone room.

SET 2
(1) Change to the comparative degree :
Pixar is now the world’s most successful animation studio.
(2) Rewrite as a complex sentence :
I came out of my ambush to find you.

SET 3
(1) Pick out the modal auxiliary and state its function :
Abhi could perform well in his school days.
(2) 
Change the given sentence into positive and comparative
degrees :
Jupiter is the largest of all planets.

SET 4
(1) Use the given two words in one meaningful sentence :
angry, rescued
(2) Pick out the modal auxiliary and state its function :
I might finish the work by the end of the month.

ASSIGNMENTS 191
 Seen Passages

Q. 2. (A) and (B) of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 20)

Lesson 1.2 The Thief’s Story

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities : (10 Marks)
PASSAGE 1
A1. Write whether the following sentences are True or False :
(i) 
In the beginning, Anil taught Hari to cook and write his
name.
(ii) Anil writes for magazines for a living.
(iii) Hari liked working for Anil.
(iv) Anil kept a small bundle of notes in a cupboard.

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook page 9)

He took me to ..................... the money under the mattress.

A2. Complete the following :

 
(i) Hari was grateful because .
(ii) Hari continued making money by .

A3. Write the meaning of the following word/phrase :

(i) tuck   (ii) by fits and starts

A4. Do as directed :
(i) Anil gave it to a stray dog and told me to be off.
 (Pick out the verbs and state their tense.)
(ii) Anil kept worrying about his next cheque.
 (Add a question tag.)

A5. What would you have done in Anil’s place if you knew you were
being cheated or robbed?

192 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 PASSAGE 2

A1. Rearrange the sentences in the order of occurrence :

  (i) He crept to the head of the bed.
 (ii) He slipped the notes under the mattress.
(iii) He opened the door quietly.
(iv) He went back to the room.

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 10, 11)

Anil’s money ………………………………… without any effort.

A2. Describe Hari’s regrets as he pondered over his theft.

A3. Find the antonyms of the following words from the passage :
(i) confident (ii) difficult
(iii) noisily (iv) intermittently
A4. (i) It was a simple matter to steal.
 (Rewrite as a negative sentence.)
(ii) Neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything.
 (Rewrite as two simple sentences.)
A5. Do you feel Anil’s way of handling a thief like Hari was effective?
Justify your answer.

Lesson 1.3 On Wings of Courage

Q. Read the passage and complete the given activities :

PASSAGE
A1. Name the following :
(i) Two posts held by Arjan Singh after his retirement.
(ii) Two qualities that helped him while leading the war against
Pakistan.

PASSAGE (Textbook page 17)

Singh was the first ...............................… Indian Air Force.
A2. Complete the following :
(i) The rank of the CAS was upgraded in recognition of ....... .
(ii) 
During the 1965 war, Singh inspired the IAF to victory
despite ......... .

ASSIGNMENTS 193
A3. Give the meanings of the following words :
(i) contemporary (ii) tenure
(iii) astute (iv) constraints
A4. (i) He inspired the IAF to victory, despite the constraints
imposed on the full-scale use of Air Force combat power.
(Rewrite using ‘even though …’)
(ii) He retired in August 1969, thereupon accepting the
Ambassadorship to Switzerland.
(Rewrite beginning ‘After....’)
A5. Describe a way by which you can serve your country.

Lesson 1.5 Joan of Arc

Q. Read the passage and complete the given activities :

PASSAGE

A1. Complete the table :

The words Who said? To whom?

(i) I can do no more.
(ii) 
Yes, there is something about
her.

PASSAGE (Textbook page 33)

Robert : (to Poulengey) ……………………………………………
………………… Yes, there is something about her. Goodbye.
A2. Give reasons : Robert said, “I wash my hands of it.”
A3. Use each of the following words in separate sentences, with
the words having different meanings (homographs) :
(i) fire (ii) dress
A4. (i) Even the Dauphin might believe it. (Rewrite using another
modal auxiliary indicating possibility.)
(ii) I can do no more. (Make it affirmative.)
A5. Write a few lines about any brave Indian warrior, in the past or
present, that you know about.

194 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Lesson 1.6 The Alchemy of Nature

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE

A1. Complete the web chart :

Things learnt from ants

PASSAGE (Textbook page 39)

We saw small bits ………………… become gold ourselves.

A2. Mention what you learn from the following :

(i) Bits of grass peeping through small cracks ...
(ii) Tree bare in winter blooms in spring ....

A3. Pick out and write four concrete nouns from the passage.

A4. (i) 
However impossible things may look, there is always an
opening. (Rewrite beginning with ‘Even if …’.)
(ii) 
Choose the sentence in the Past Perfect Tense from the
sentences given below :
(a) The ants had organised themselves around the fly.
(b) The ants organised themselves around the fly.
(c) The ants have organised themselves around the fly.

A5. Explain how human beings can look after nature.

ASSIGNMENTS 195
 Lesson 2.2 Three Questions

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1
A1. Arrange these incidents in proper sequence :
(i) The king asked the hermit the three questions.
(ii) The king saw that the hermit was digging the ground.
(iii) The king went alone to see the hermit.
(iv) The hermit greeted the king.

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook pages 52, 53)

Equally varied were ……………… in silence for a while.

A2. Give reasons : The king went to the hermit in disguise.

A3. (a) Write from the passage synonyms for :
(i) different (ii) persuaded
(b) Write from the passage antonyms for :
(i) retreating (ii) punishment
A4. (i) When the king arrived the hermit was digging the ground in
front of his hut. (Analyse the clauses.)
(ii) The hermit listened to the king but said nothing.
 (Rewrite the sentence beginning ‘Though ....’.)
A5. Whom do you turn to for answers to your questions?

PASSAGE 2
A1. Choose the correct sentences :
(i) The hermit pitied the king’s weakness.
(ii) The king received all the answers from the hermit.
(iii) The future is the only time when we have power.
(iv) To do good to people is the purpose of our life.

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 54, 55)

The king was very glad …………… you sent into this life !’’

A2. Write in brief the message of the passage.

196 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A3. Match the following :
‘A’ ‘B’
  (i) one who heals (a) sower
(ii) one who lives alone in a forest (b) physician
(iii) one who plants seeds (c) enemy
(iv) one who is actively opposed to you (d) hermit
A4.  (i) 
The most important time was when you were digging the
beds. (Rewrite in the comparative form.)
(ii) He was the most important man. (Rewrite as a question.)
A5. What qualities of the king stand out as he forgave his enemy?

Lesson 2.3 Connecting the Dots

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :
PASSAGE
A1. Write True or False for these statements :
(i) Steve Jobs slept in his dorm room.
(ii) Steve took his required courses as a registered student of
Reed College.
(iii) During Steve’s College days, one had to pay 5 cents deposit
for a Coke bottle.
(iv) Steve had comfortable college experiences.

PASSAGE (Textbook page 62)

Today I want to tell you .. makes great typography great.
A2. List any two hardships that Steve faced.
A3. 
Match the words in Column ‘A’ with their meanings in
Column ‘B’ :
‘A’ ‘B’
(i) intuition (a) a set of characters like letters, symbols,
(ii) calligraphy etc. in one design
(iii) typography (b) the style and appearance of printed matter
(iv) typeface (c) 
power of understanding the feelings of
people
(d) beautiful handwriting done with a special
pen or brush

ASSIGNMENTS 197
A4. 
Rewrite the following sentence in the positive and
comparative degrees :
It is one of the best decisions I ever made.
A5. 
Write a character sketch of Steve Jobs based on the information
in this passage.

Lesson 2.5 Let’s March

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1

A1. Fill in the blanks :

(i) Millions of people supported the of child labour.
(ii) One serious fault in society is the lack of .
(iii) 
Satyarthi wants to transform compassion into
global compassion.
(iv) We live in an age of globalisation.
PASSAGE 1 (Textbook pages 81, 82)
We can do it …………………… Let us globalize compassion.
A2. List 2 examples Kailash Satyarathi gives to show how the world
is interconnected.
A3. (a) Make a meaningful sentence using the following word as
a noun as well as a verb in separate sentences : 
march
(b) Pick out from the passage the verb forms of : 
(i) global (ii) service
A4. (i) We can do it. (Rewrite in the passive voice.)
(ii) 
We are connected through high-speed internet. (Frame a
Wh-question to get the underlined part as the answer.)
A5. 
Explain the message conveyed by the little bird story of the
forest fire.

198 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 PASSAGE 2
A1. 
Complete the web with the social issues highlighted by
Kailash Satyarthi in his speech.

(i) ……… (ii) sexual abuse

Social issues
highlighted by
(iii) ……… (iv) ………
Kailash Satyarthi in
his speech :

(v) ……… (vi) child labour

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook page 83)

I call upon all governments ……… It still makes me angry.

A2. What was the response of the boy’s father? What was Satyarthi’s
reaction to it?

A3. (1) Give the antonyms of the following using prefixes :

 (i) violence
(ii) civilised.
(2) Write the correct verb forms of the following :
 (i) slavery :
(ii) bold :

A4. (i) Governments must make child-friendly policies.

 (Rewrite beginning with ‘Child-friendly policies ... .)
(ii) 
Businesses must be more responsible, accountable and
open to innovative partnerships.
 (Rewrite using ‘not only … but also’ ... .)

A5. Explain what you can do to stop child labour.

ASSIGNMENTS 199
 Lesson 2.6 Science and Spirituality

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE
A1. Complete the following :
(i) To keep this planet liveable and thriving, we have to .
(ii) Dr Kalam tried to combat .

PASSAGE (Textbook pages 93, 94)

Dr Kalam sat ……………… The answers will be astounding.

A2. Give one value practised by each of the following :

(i) Dr Sarabhai :
(ii) Dr Kalam’s Father :
(iii) Swami Sivananda :
(iv) Pramukh Swamiji :
A3. Give the noun forms of :
(i) tranquil   (ii) pure   (iii) settle   (iv) final
A4.  (i) In giving so much, he becomes strong.
 (Rewrite using the finite form of the underlined verb.)
(ii) This challenge became my silent motivation.
 (Rewrite beginning ‘it was...’.)
A5. According to you, what makes society corrupt and unfair?

Lesson 3.2 The Night I met Einstein

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE

A1. Complete the following :

(i) 
The narrator’s memory has an image of Einstein as
.
 (ii) The greatest act towards human beings is .

200 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 PASSAGE (Textbook page 110)
“No, of course not.” ……………… the frontiers of beauty.”
A2. 
‘The last line tells you something about Einstein’. Explain the
statement.
A3. 
Write from the passage the homophones of the following
words :
(i) grate (ii) knew (iii) peace (iv) sins
A4.  (i) I was the most important person in the world.
 (Rewrite in the comparative degree.)
(ii) “I’m so sorry, Dr Einstein,” she said.
(Rewrite using indirect speech.)
A5. Explain how music can help a person.

Lesson 3.3 Stephen Hawking

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1

A1. Fill in the blanks :

(i) Hawking claimed that he could think in dimensions.
(ii)  is the study of the big. is the study of the
small.
(iii)  is a single unifying theory that can combine
cosmology with quantum mechanics.

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook pages 116, 117)

Together, these three books ……… and a half years to live.

A2. Complete the following :

(i) In September 2010, Hawking spoke against the idea that …
(ii) At the age of 21, Hawking was diagnosed with …
(iii) His new work concluded that the Big Bang was …
(iv) Hawking is convinced that humans may …

ASSIGNMENTS 201
A3. Match the words with their meanings :

Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’

(i) unifying (a) agreeable
(ii) compatible (b) unavoidable
(iii) inevitable (c) unplanned
(iv) spontaneous (d) joining

A4. (i) Hawking spoke against the idea. (Rewrite using ‘did not’.)
(ii) The Grand Design was Hawking’s first major publication in
almost a decade. (Add a question tag.)
A5. Write your ideas about the existence of God. Justify.

PASSAGE 2

A1. Write True or False :

(i) Hawking was diagnosed with ALS while studying cosmology
at the University of Oxford.
(ii) At college, Hawking was bored with life.
(iii) After the diagnosis, Hawking went on to become a noted
astronaut.
(iv) 
Hawking reflected on the condition of the boy suffering
from leukemia.

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 117, 118)

Hawking first began ………………… his work and research.

A2. Complete the table describing Hawking’s attitudes :

Before diagnosis of his After diagnosis of his

disease disease

(a) (a) 
Hawking poured himself
into work and research.
(b) 
Hawking had been very (b)
bored in life.

A3. P
 repare a word register of 8 words connected with medical
science and practice.

202 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

A4. (i) 
Hawking had kept these symptoms to himself. (Rewrite
using the simple past tense of the verb.)
(ii) He shared a room with a boy suffering from leukemia.
 (Rewrite as a complex sentence.)
A5. Write down two ways in which you can help your mother when
she is sick.

Lesson 3.5 Unbeatable Super Mom – Mary Kom

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1
A1. Write if the following statements are True or False :
(i) Mary Kom had to gain 3 kg in order to fight in the 48 kg
event.
(ii) Mary Kom usually participated in the 48 kg event.
(iii) Mary Kom had decided to participate in the 51 kg event
at the Olympics.
(iv) Mary Kom loves being a mother.

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook pages 131, 132)

Interviewer : India managed just six medals …………………
………………………………… rather than bad saturated fats.
A2. 
According to Mary Kom, what can help Indian sportsmen win
more Olympic medals?
A3. Write the adjective forms of :
  (i) proportion
 (ii) nutrition
(iii) finance
 (iv) health
A4. Underline the subordinate clauses and state their kind :
(i) Do you think nutrition is a neglected area in Indian sports?
(ii) 
India managed just 6 medals in the 2012 Olympics even
though we are a nation of 1.3 billion people.
A5. 
“What men can do in sports, women can do better.” Explain
your views on this statement.
ASSIGNMENTS 203
 PASSAGE 2

A1. (1) 
Choose the correct alternative for each question and
underline it :
(a) What did Mary Kom prefer being called?
  (i) Super Mom (ii) Super Boxer
(iii) Super Woman (iv) Super Being
(b) What is the full form of OGQ?
  (i) Olympic Group Queries
 (ii) Olympic Gold Quest
(iii) Overseas Guest Qualifications
 (iv) Olympic Golf Qualifications
(2) Complete the following :
(i) Mary Kom is good at ……… .
(ii) Mary Kom loves to be ……… .
PASSAGE 2 (Textbook pages 131, 132)
Interviewer : How big a role did OCQ … happened to me.
A2. Explain the role of OCQ in Mary Kom’s life.
A3. Find antonyms from the passage for the following words :
(i) few (ii) modern (iii) worst (iv) indifferent
A4. (i) The future is very bright.
 (Rewrite as an interrogative sentence.)
(ii) That’s the best thing that has happened to me.
 (Underline the subordinate clause and state its kind.)
A5. Write your ideas about a ‘Super Mom’.

Lesson 3.6 The Concert

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE
A1. Pick out the incorrect sentences and write them correctly :
(i) Both Ravi Shankar and Ustad Allah Rakha came to Aunt
Sushila’s house.
(ii) When Smita returned home, Anant was awake.
204 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 (iii) Ustad Allah Rakha played the sitar very well.
(iv) Anant survived the sickness.
PASSAGE (Textbook pages 140, 141)
He was there ……………………………… gently, very gently.
A2. Give reasons :
 (i) Smita was very excited when she came home.
(ii) Aunt Sushila’s neighbours were surprised.
A3. 
Match the words/phrases in Column ‘A’ with their meanings
in Column ‘B’ :
Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’
(i) a soft, compressed lump (a) motioned
(ii) (of a car) stops for a short time (b) wizard
(iii) an expert at music (c) wad
(iv) made a sign with the hands (d) pulled up
A4.  (i) The following morning, Aunt Sushila’s neighbours saw two
men get out of a taxi. (Rewrite beginning ‘It …’.)
(ii) They sat down on the divan by the window and played for
the boy. (Rewrite beginning ‘Sitting …’.)
A5. ‘Music can calm the mind’. Share your views about this.

Lesson 4.2 The Luncheon

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE 1

A1. Complete the following :

(i) The profession of the narrator : .
(ii) The lady was free .
(iii) At the time when the writer met the lady, he was living in a
.
(iv) The lady wanted to meet the narrator to .

PASSAGE 1 (Textbook page 151)

I caught sight of her …………………… manage well enough.

ASSIGNMENTS 205
A2. Who said these words? Under what circumstances?

Under what
Words Who said?
circumstances?
It’s many years
since we first met.

A3. 
Find out the synonyms from the passage for the words :
(i) a set of rooms (ii) acknowledged
(iii) handle (iv) directed a remark
A4. Do as directed :
(i) I hardly think about it.(Begin the sentence with ‘How …!)
(ii) She had read a book of mine.
 (Begin the sentence with ‘Hadn’t …?)
A5. Personal Response :
If you were in the place of the narrator, how would you have
reacted in the given situation?

PASSAGE 2

A1. Complete the web :

The writer’s
guest ate/
drank :

PASSAGE 2 (Textbook page 153)

We waited for the asparagus to be cooked .........................

................................................. absentmindedly took one.

A2. Complete the table :

Under what
Words Who said?
circumstances?
Are you still hungry?

A3. Give the superlative forms of :

(i) hungry (ii) little
(iii) terrible (iv) huge
206 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
A4.  (i) Then a terrible thing happened. (Rewrite using ‘that’.)
(ii) You see, I don’t eat any luncheon. (Add a question tag.)
A5. What were the narrator’s emotions at this stage?

Lesson 4.3 World Heritage

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE (July ’23)

A1. Complete the following boxes :

Sites protected by the World Heritage Trust

PASSAGE (Textbook pages 159, 160)

Although the idea ……….…………… November 16, 1972

Complete the following flow-chart of History of World

A2. 
Heritage Sites :
1954 :

1959 :

1965 :

16 November, 1972 :

A3. 
Match the words from Column ‘A’ with their meanings in
Column ‘B’ :

Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’

  (i) Artefacts (a) began
(ii) Dismantling (b) plenty of
(iii) Scores of (c) pulling down
(iv) Initiated (d) objects made by human beings

ASSIGNMENTS 207
A4. Do as directed :
 
(i) To protect the temples and artefacts, UNESCO launched
an International Campaign. (Identify whether the above
sentence is Simple, Compound, Complex.)
(ii) T
he state parties are responsible for identifying and
nominating new sites.
 (Use ‘not only .... but also ...’ in the given sentence.)
A5. Personal Response :
What role can you play to protect the World Heritage Sites?

Lesson 4.5 The Old Man and the Sea : Book Review

Q. 
Read the following passages and complete the given
activities :
PASSAGE
A1. Name the following :
  (i) Young and devoted apprentice –
 
(ii) The place where Hemingway had experience of fishing –
(iii) Hemingway was injured by this during the First World War –
 (iv) The year of publication of the novel –

PASSAGE (Textbook pages 175, 176)

An old and experienced ………… a chord with the readers.

A2. 
Complete :
Two things which Hemingway always talks about :
(i)
(ii)
A3. Prepare a word register of four words for : courage
A4.  (i) Ultimately his story becomes one of triumph.
 (Rewrite the present perfect tense.)
(ii) He was injured during the First World War. (Frame a
Wh-question to get the underlined part as the answer.)
A5. Would you prefer reading a book or watching an animated film?
Justify your answer.
208 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 Lesson 4.6 The Gift of the Magi

Q. 
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :

PASSAGE
A1. Complete the web with Jim’s qualities :

Jim

PASSAGE (Textbook page 183)

At 7 o’clock ….............................…........ I’ve got for you.”

A2. Complete the following :

(i) Della had the good habit of ....
(ii) Jim stared at Della because ....
(iii) Della took pride in the beauty of her hair because ....
(iv) Della was a bit apprehensive after she had sold her hair
because ....
A3. Match the adjectives in Column ‘A’ with the nouns in
Column ‘B’ :

Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’

  (i) new (a) prayer
(ii) silent (b) overcoat
(iii) first (c) expression
(iv) peculiar (d) flight

A4. (i) Add appropriate question tag :

I just had to do it, ?
(ii) 
Frame a Wh-question to get the underlined part as the
answer :

At 7 o’clock the coffee was made.

A5. Would you have done what Della/Jim did? Justify.

8/Navneet 21 M. L. Q. Sets : English (HL) – Std. X D0051 (2026)

ASSIGNMENTS 209
 Seen Poem/Extracts for Comprehension

Q. 3. (A) of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 5)

Poem 1.1 Where the Mind is Without Fear

Q. Read the following poem and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT
A1. Complete the web with any four qualities the poet wishes to
inculcate in his countrymen :

The qualities
the poet wishes
to inculcate in
his countrymen

Poem/Extract (Textbook page 3)

Where the mind is …….....…………… my country awake.

A2. 
Explain : Who is ‘Thee’ in the poem and what the poet appeals
‘Thee’ to do.
A3. Find and explain an example of Personification from the poem.

210 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Poem 1.4 All the World’s a Stage

Q. Read the following extract and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT
A1. Match the following :

A B
(i) Infant (a) acts like the pard
(ii) School boy (b) mewling and puking
(iii) Lover (c) whining
(iv) Soldier (d) sighing like furnace

Poem/Extract (Textbook page 24)

All the world’s ……………………… in the cannon’s mouth.

A2. Complete the following :

(i) Exits and entrances refer to .............. .
(ii) Reputation is like a bubble because .............. .
A3. ‘They have their exits and their entrances.’
Name and explain a figure of speech in addition to Alliteration.

Poem 2.4 The Pulley

Q. Read the following extract and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT
A1. Pick out and rewrite the sentences that are True :
(i) God was angry with man.
(ii) God wishes to remind man about his mortality.
(iii) God wants to pull man towards Him.
(iv) God has withheld the gift of ‘pleasure’ from man.

Poem/Extract (Textbook page 71)

‘For if I should …………………………………… to my breast.
A2. What does God want in return from man for the gifts He has
bestowed on him?
A3. Give an example of Metaphor from the poem.

ASSIGNMENTS 211
 Poem 3.1 Night of the Scorpion

Q. Read the following extract and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT
A1. Complete the following :
The peasants consoled the mother, saying :
(1) the poison will burn away …
(2) her suffering will decrease …
(3) the evil in this world will be …
(4) the poison will purify her …

Poem/Extract (Textbook pages 101, 102)

May he sit still ………………………… and the endless rain.

A2. From the extract, provide evidence for the following :

‘Evil versus good’.
A3. Pick out and explain an example of Repetition from the extract.

Poem 3.4 The Will to Win

Q. Read the following extract and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT
A1. Write if the following statements are Right or Wrong :
(i) If you want a thing badly, you should be ready to give up
your sleep for it.
(ii) You should not fear the opposition.
(iii) You should not go out and fight for what you want.
(iv) If you want a thing badly, you will not sweat for it.

Poem/Extract (Textbook page 124)

If you want a thing ………………………… god or man for it.

A2. List down four expressions from the extract indicating

strengths :
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
A3. Give an example of Antithesis from the extract and explain it.

212 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Poem 4.1 A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever

Q. Read the following extract and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT
A1. Complete the web :

Things of beauty

Poem/Extract (Textbook pages 147, 148)

…….....………… and clear rills …….....…………… or we die.

A2. Who are the mighty dead? Why are they attributed with grandeur?
A3. Write down the rhyme scheme of the last five lines.

Poem 4.4 The Height of the Ridiculous

Q. Read the following extract and complete the activities :

POEM/EXTRACT
A1. Pick out the lines that suggest :
(i) that the servant was out of control
(ii) the poet looked after the servant

Poem/Extract (Textbook pages 171, 172)

He took the paper, ………………………… As funny as I can.
A2. Complete the following :
(i) There was a grin on the servant’s face when …
(ii) The chuckling noise was heard when …
(iii) When he read the fifth line …
(iv) The grin grew from ear to ear when the servant …
A3. Write an example of Onomatopoeia from the extract.

ASSIGNMENTS 213
 Note : Appreciation to all the eight poems are given with answers
in Question Set 4. Hence, the assignment of Appreciation of
Poem is not given here.

Non-Textual (Unseen) Passages for

Comprehension and Summary

Q. 4. (A) & (B) of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 15)

Non-Textual Passage 1

Q. 1. A  Read the following passage and complete the activities :

A1. List the diseases that are caused by houseflies.

When you think of the most dangerous pests, the housefly

probably isn’t one of the first that comes to mind. Instead, you
probably think of a pest that stings, like a wasp or bee.
It is true that flies rarely bite or sting, but their danger lies in
the fact that they often land on dead animals, rotten food, manure
and trash. Because they frequent those places, they pick up and
spread diseases that are harmful to humans.
You get typhoid fever when you eat or drink Salmonella typhi
bacteria in contaminated food.
Cholera is an intestinal infection, and you get it when you
ingest bacteria called Vibrio cholera.
Dysentery is one of the more common diseases you might
catch from the bacteria spread by a housefly.
It gets worse – houseflies can also carry and spread leprosy
and anthrax. They even transmit the eggs of parasitic worms !
Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to keep
houseflies away, so you and your loved ones can avoid catching
any of the diseases transmitted by the tiny pests.
A yard full of animal waste, grass clippings and other debris
will keep you from getting rid of your housefly problem. So, take
the time to keep your yards clean. You should cut the lawns.
Flies love to hang out around rotting food, so make sure
all trash cans are sealed tightly. Make sure all of your food is

214 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 covered, and if you have fresh produce, keep it in a bag or sealed
container. Also, avoid leaving dirty dishes in your sink. The scent
of food leftovers could easily attract houseflies.

A2. Write how you can get rid of houseflies using the given clues :
(i) Avoid – (ii) Keep fresh produce –
(iii) Cut – (iv) Take time to –
A3. Using the prefixes make antonyms for the given words :
dis, im, un, in, mis.
(i) probable ×   (ii) clean ×   (iii) infect ×   (iv) human ×
A4. (i) It is true that flies rarely bite or sting.
 (Pick out the subordinate clause and state its kind.)
(ii)  You get typhoid fever when you eat or drink Salmonella
typhi bacteria in contaminated food. (Frame a Wh-question
to get the underlined part as the answer.)
A5. How do you keep yourself away from any disease?

B  Write a summary of the given passage. Suggest a suitable

title :

Non-Textual Passage 2

Q. 2. A  Read the following passage carefully and complete the

activities :

A1. Mention any four advantages of cycling as given in the

passage :

Advantages of
Cycling

Motor transport is killing us ! So says Dr Anuradha Lal of

DHI ( Doctors for a Healthy India ) which met in Delhi yesterday.
Thousands of people die every year in traffic accidents. Even more
people die because they breathe polluted air from motor vehicles.
(Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world.) So what
is the answer? DHI says we should make cycling easier. Dr Lal
outlined six reasons why :

ASSIGNMENTS 215
(1) Most Indian cities are very polluted because every motor vehicle
produces dirty fumes. Doctor says that city air is so dirty that
thousands of people die every year from chest illnesses. Cycling
is clean because it produces no fumes.
(2) Cyclists don’t have to spend on petrol, so bicycles are cheap to
run. Cycle repairs are cheaper than motor repairs too because
bicycles are quite simple machines.
(3) Bicycles save money for our country too. All motor vehicles
need petrol, which comes from oil. India does not produce
much oil so we have to buy it from other countries. But we
don’t need to buy anything from foreign countries to ride
bicycles.
(4) If we get exercise every day, we become healthy. Cycling keeps
us fit. Driving motor vehicles does not !
(5) In cities, sometimes traffic doesn’t move at all as there is not
enough space on the roads. Bicycles are too small to take up
much road space.
(6) Motor traffic is very noisy. In contrast, bicycles are quiet – except
for the gentle ‘tring, tring’ of their bells.

A2. Complete the table pointing out the differences between a

cycle and other vehicles :
Point of Health of
Pollution Price Space on the road
difference a rider
Keeps one
Cycle Clean
healthy
Other Vehicles Costly Covers major space
A3. Point out the contextual meaning of the underlined words in
the sentences :
 (i) Bicycles save money for country too.
(ii) Bicycles are too small to take up much road space.
A4. Do as directed :
  (i) Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world.
(Begin your sentence with ‘Very few ……’.)
(ii) Cycle repairs are cheaper than motor repairs.
(Begin your sentence with ‘Motor repairs ……’.)
A5. How, according to you, will cycling be safer and easier in cities?
216 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 B  
Write a summary of the above passage using the given
points. Suggest a suitable title :

(narrator ... effect of motors ... benefits of cycling)

Non-Textual Passage 3

Q. 3. A  
Read the following passage and complete the given
activities :
A1. Complete the following :

  (i) Shades of mehendi :   

 
(ii) Instant mehendi is provided by :   
(iii) Designs of mehendi :   
 
(iv) Henna gets importance in :   

Henna comes in different shades, from reddish orange to

brownish black. The Arabic preference for a black tinge sees them
heating the paste before using. A growing trend today is the addition
of artificial dyes and coloured stones along with the henna in order
to match the attire. This, however, does not last long and cannot
be considered as mehendi in its true sense. Zardosi mehendi is
the variation of this trend wherein glue is first applied in desired
patterns and zari powder of different colours are carefully sprinkled.
This lasts only as long as the glue stays and can even be washed off
in case of an error.
Cones are most popular means of application of mehendi. To
suit those in hurry, ready-made patterns and blocks are available
for quick and easy application. Tattoos in interesting shades
are also available today, providing a means of ‘instant mehendi’.
Besides the ease of applying it on and taking off, tattoos also come
in previously unseen oriental designs. In addition to the usual
paisleys, and creepers, dragons, scorpions and snakes adorn
many an arm or shoulder of the fashionably conscious.
The attractive hues left behind the deep green Henna leaves,
have a special significance during marriages and festivals in many
eastern countries. The customs behind its usage adds to its rich
appeal. Through centuries, mehendi has managed to creatively
retain its hold on people from diverse cultures.

ASSIGNMENTS 217
A2. Match the Column ‘A’ with Column ‘B’ :

Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’

  (i) Arabic mehendi (a) glue is applied for the pattern
(ii) Zardosi mehendi (b) 
black tinge is prepared by
(iii) Tattoo heating mehendi

(iv) Mehendi (c) drawn with the help of a cone

(d) provides instant design

A3. Fill in the blanks by choosing the appropriate words from

those given in the brackets and rewrite the statements :
[adorned, instant, pattern, attire, applied]
  (i) The gold ring his fingers.
 (ii) The young man wore a shirt with a floral .
(iii) A.T.M. provides us cash.
(iv) The bride looked beautiful in her bridal .
A4. Do as directed :
(i) 
Cones are the most popular means of application of
Mehendi :

(Select the correct positive degree from the alternatives
given below and rewrite the statements.)
(a) 
Very few means of application of Mehendi are as
popular as cones.
(b) 
No other means of application of Mehendi are as
popular as cones.
(c) Cones are as popular as any other means of application
of Mehendi.
(ii) Henna comes in different shades. (Frame a ‘Wh-question’
to get the underlined word as answer.)
A5. How does Mehendi give scope for art? Explain.

B  Summary Writing :

Read the given passage and write a summary of it in a

paragraph. Suggest a suitable title.
218 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 Formal and Informal Letters

Q. 5. (A) A1 or A2 of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 5)

Q. 1. 
You are Neha/Nehal Nagar from 6, Suman Apartments,
V. P. Road, Miraj – 416 410. Attempt any one of the
following letters with the help of the following leaflet :

Save Water for Our Survival

Every year we face severe water shortage. Let us :
• Save every drop of water.
• Begin recycling of water.
• Start rain-harvesting programmes.
• Prevent wastage in households and industries.
• Build storage tanks in fields and use drip irrigation.
Come, let us join hands to overcome water shortage.

A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :

Write a letter to the Mayor of Write a letter to your friend
your city requesting him/her describing the plight in your
to provide better facilities to city due to water shortage
face water shortage. and the action to be taken.

Q. 2. 
Imagine you are Dipesh/Disha Shastri, residing at
J. M. Road, Shivaji Nagar, Pune. Attempt any one letter
based on the given advertisement :

Blood Donation Camp

Donate Blood – Save Lives :
 Blood means life  A noble work
 Higher requirement  Can bring smile on many faces
Venue : F. C. Road, Pune.
Date : 14th June    Time : 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Contact : The Secretary, Lions Club, Pune

ASSIGNMENTS 219
A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :
Write a letter to ‘The Secretary’ Write a letter to your friend
requesting him to enroll your Manish/Manisha appealing
name for the Blood Donation to him or her to donate

Camp. generously.
Tell him/her the importance
of Blood Donation.

Q. 3. 
Imagine that you are Rohit/Rohini Raj from Ganesh
Society, Apple Street, Pune – 411 004. Attempt any one
of the given letters using the points from the following
leaflet :

Stay healthy Reasonable

stay fit Yoga for All! fees

• Essential in modern age

• Reduces tension
• Provides energy
• Develops concentration
Join the classes : Yoga for All
• Special batches for students Ganesh Society
Apple Street, Pune – 411 004

A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :

Write a letter to your school Write a letter to your younger
Headmaster/Headmistress brother telling him about
requesting him/her to start the importance of Yoga and
Yoga classes in your school. advising him to join Yoga
classes.

220 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Q. 4. Read the following rules put up at a bus stop. Imagine that
you are Shivam/Shivani Sharma. Attempt any one of the
following letters with the help of the given information :

Do not try to catch a running bus.

Do not hang or jump out of a moving bus.

A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :

  Write a letter to the   Write a letter to your
manager of the bus depot, friend describing your
complaining about scarcity of experience in an overcrowded
buses and the lack of a queue bus.
system.

Information Transfer – Verbal to Non-verbal

Q. 6. (A) A1 of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 5)

(1) Here are some tips about hair care. Read and write in
the form of a Dos and Don’ts table. Give a suitable title for the
table :

We must take care of our hair. Healthy hair looks beautiful

and makes us look good. It is important to keep our hair clean
by washing it regularly with soap or shampoo. At the same time,
washing our hair too often can spoil our hair, it can make it dry
and brittle. To have healthy hair, we must eat a balanced diet, which
provides nourishment to our hair and skin. We should eat lots of
green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and cereals. Consumption of
amla juice, ash gourd juice, pumpkin and coconut water enhances
hair growth. We should avoid hard chemicals and dyes. We should
also avoid the intake of maida (fine flour) and deep fried dishes,
sweets made of white sugar, soft drinks, tea and coffee. We should
not expose the hair to the sun during the hottest time of the day.
We should cover it up and wear a hat instead. If we follow a healthy

ASSIGNMENTS 221
regime of yoga and breathing exercises, we can enjoy healthy hair
for a long time as it slows down the process of greying and ageing.

(2) Read the following information and complete the table

given below it :
Chandrayaan-2, India’s second mission to the Moon will,
for the first time, unravel secrets around the Moon’s South Pole.
Chandrayaan-2 is a three-part spacecraft – an orbiter, a lander
and a rover. The lander is named Vikram after Vikram Sarabhai,
the founder of the Indian space programme. The rover is named
Pragyan, meaning ‘wisdom’.
Chandrayaan-2 was launched on 22 July, 2019 atop ISRO’s
GSLV Mk-III-1 at 2:43 p.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre
at Sriharikota. Performing as expected, the rocket released
Chandrayaan-2 in a highly elliptic orbit around Earth about
17 minutes later. In fact, it was released 6,000 km higher than
planned. The solar arrays on Chandrayaan-2 developed smoothly
as the probe began its journey.

Table Information
(1) Name of the Mission
(2) Date of Launch
(3) Centre of Launch
(4) Name of the Rover
(5) Founder of Indian Space Programme

(3) Read the following passage and draw a tree diagram to

cover the main points :

Amla has many health benefits. It is a rich source of

Vitamin C. This helps to improve the immunity of the body and
gives physical strength. It acts as a diuretic and laxative. It is used
to treat constipation. It can even cure insomnia. It is an important
component of Ayurvedic medicines and has been used traditionally
for the treatment of the scalp. It is very healthy for hair. People use
amla as a cooling agent to reduce the effects of sunstrokes and
sunburns.

222 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 (4) Given below is a paragraph giving an idea of what success
means to different people. Prepare a web diagram depicting the
information correctly :

For most people success means financial gain. If one is able to

afford the luxuries of life, one considers that as success. However,
for some, success means achieving fame and position in one’s
field. To others it is acquiring some sort of status in society. A few
people believe that if they can create employment opportunities for
others, then they have achieved success. Very few people aim to
become role models for others by being successful in their chosen
fields.

Information Transfer – Non-Verbal to Verbal

Q. 6. (A) A2 of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 5)

(1) Observe the following table and transfer the information

into a paragraph :

Population in Millions
States
Rural Urban
Maharashtra 560 410
Gujarat 320 190
Madhya Pradesh 440 160
Chhattisgarh 170 40
Andhra Pradesh 550 210
Karnataka 350 180
(2) Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the
information given in the following table :

House sparrows Forest sparrows

Eat seeds and insects Eat seeds and insects
Black and brown in colour Bluish and grey in colour
Build nest in a hole in a house Build nests in hedges and bushes
Lay three to six eggs at a time Lay two or four eggs at a time
Make noises in a series of calls Sing a warbling song

ASSIGNMENTS 223
 (3) Observe the web and transform it into a paragraph by
adding your own points :

Devotion

Determination

Optimism Sportsmanship Hardship

Dedication

(4) Transfer the information given in following tree diagrams

into a paragraph :

Values

Material Spiritual
(hard work, discipline, etc.) (truth, generosity, etc.)

Source from where children get their values

Family School Books & Self-

electronic media experience

Direct Simple
instruction observation Religious scriptures, Films,
biographies, etc. documentaries, etc.

Formal teaching Extra curricular activities

(books & syllabus) (sports, cultural programmes, etc.)

224 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Speech Writing

Q. 6. (B) B1 of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 5)

(1) Prepare a speech to be delivered for state level elocution

competition.
The subject given to you is ‘Fit India, Happy India’.
Use the following points :
• Live healthy • Practise Yoga
• Daily meditation and exercise • Maintain balanced diet
• Stress management • Follow the ideal lifestyle

(2) Write a speech of about 15 lines that you would deliver

on the occasion of Teachers’ Day Celebrations in your school.
You may take the help of the following points for your speech :

* Importance of teachers
* Relationship between teachers and students
* Gratitude towards teachers

(3) After going through the message on the School

Noticeboard, draft a speech to be delivered on ‘Organ Donation’.
Use the following points :
• saves lives of others • noble deed
• service to society • any other points

(4) Prepare a speech to be delivered in the school assembly

on ‘The India of my Dreams’ :
Use the following points :
Free from –
• Pollution • Poverty
• Plastic • Child labour
• Corruption.
You can add your own points.

ASSIGNMENTS 225
 View/Counterview

Q. 6. (B) B2 of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 5)

Q. Write counterviews for the following views/topics :

(1) Present the Counterview on “Sports should be optional
in schools.” You can use the following points from the view
section.
View :
• 
More failures at S.S.C. occur in subjects like Maths and
English.
• Difficult syllabus.
• Very little time for activities other than study.
• This causes stress and tension.
• Students tend to give up schooling altogether.
• Students have little sports background in schools.
(2) Prepare a paragraph of counterviews on the topic :
Dog – Man’s Best Friend. Use the following viewpoints to express
your counterviews :
Viewpoints :
• Friendly and playful.
• Safeguard our homes.
• Stress busters.
• Honest and faithful to their masters.
• Create liveliness in the family.
• Add your own points.
(3) Write a paragraph using the points given below expressing
the views on :
‘Overuse of Electronic Gadgets : Electronic Gadgets are
Hazardous to Health’.
View :
• Overuse of Electronic Gadgets.
• Adversely affects independent thinking.
• Leads to physical problems.
• Adds to dangerous non-degradable e-waste.
• Affects the faculties of creativity and imagination.
226 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
 (4) Prepare a paragraph of counterviews on the given topic.
Use the following view to write your counterview :
Computer has modernised education

• Information is easily available.

• Online study possible.
• Audio-visual studies available.
(Add more details and write a paragraph.)

Expansion of Themes
Q. 7. (A) A1 of Activity Sheet
(Total marks : 5)

(1) Expand the ideas contained in the topics given below

in 80 – 100 words each :
(1) Cut your coat according to your cloth.
(2) Actions speak louder than words.
(3) Time and tide wait for none.
(4) Pride goes before a fall.
(5) Be the change you want to see.
(6) The time to be happy is Now !

(2) You read the slogan ‘Green City; Clean City’ in an appeal
of the municipal corporation. Explain it in 2 – 3 paragraphs.

Report Writing Based on the given heading

Q. 7. (A) A2 of Activity Sheet
(Total marks : 5)

Q. Prepare a news reports based on the following headlines :

(1) ‘Government encourages classrooms to go digital’
(2) ‘Village Neglected by Authorities’.
(3) ‘Potholes claim 2 lives in Mumbai’
(4) ‘Water crisis in Beed’
(5) ‘Penalty for use of plastic bags’
(6) ‘Flood situation grim in Kolhapur’
(7) ‘Grand Arts and Craft Competition at SCZCC, Nagpur’
(8) ‘Snatch Theft is on the Rise’

ASSIGNMENTS 227
 OR

Developing a Story Narrating an Experience

with the given Beginning/End

Q. 7. (B) B1 or B2 of Activity Sheet

(Total marks : 5)

(1) Develop a story in about 80 – 100 words with the following

beginning. Give a suitable title.
‘It all happened because Nishant overslept that morning …’
(2) Develop a story suitable to the end/conclusion given
below. Suggest a suitable title : (in about 80 – 100 words)
… and on that day, I realised that, we should surround ourselves
with good friends.
(3) Develop a story and suggest a suitable title. The
conclusion/end is given :
... and they realised the importance of water.
(4) Narrate an experience with the given beginning. Give it a
catchy title :
It was summer vacation. I was at home ...

(5) Narrate an experience when you became the laughing

stock of your friends, with the following ending. Give it a suitable
title.
… I was so relieved that the situation was not as serious as
I had imagined.

(6) Develop a story in about 80 – 100 words with the

following ending. Give a suitable title :
... and I realised I must always heed the advice of our elders.
(7) Develop a story suitable to the conclusion/end given
below. Suggest a suitable title.
… It was a dream come true for me.
(8) Narrate an experience :
I was in class when suddenly my teacher said the Principal had
called …
_________

228 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET
Section  4 JULY 2025
(FOR PRACTICE)
Time : 3 Hours] With Answers on QR Code  [ Max. Marks : 80

SECTION I : LANGUAGE STUDY

Q. 1. (A) A1. Do as directed : (any four) 4

(1) Punctuate the following sentence : 1
what a lot of noise you all make
(2) 
Identify the subject and predicate in the following
sentence : 1
I do not know anything about Bach.
(3) Arrange the following words in the alphabetical order : 1
invention, indisputable, interaction, inequity.
(4) Fill in the blank with the proper form of the verb given
in the bracket and rewrite the sentence : 1
That news published today. (is/are)
(5) 
Write two past participles of any verb where the last letters
are doubled. 1
A2. Do as directed : (any two) 4

(1) 
Make two separate sentences using the following
homophones in each : 2
deer, dear
(2) 
Rewrite the following sentence in Indirect narration : 2
“I’m so sorry, Dr Einstein,” she said.
(3) Name and identify the clauses : 2
When the king arrived, the hermit was digging the ground
in front of his hut.
Q. 1. (B) Do as directed : (any one) 2
(1) 
Change the degree of comparison into positive and
comparative : 2
The IAF is one of the most potent air forces in the world.
BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET : JULY 2025 229
 (2) Use the given two words into one meaningful sentence :
 2
duty, discipline

SECTION II : TEXTUAL PASSAGES

[Reading Skills, Vocabulary and Grammar]

Q. 2. (A) Read the following passage and do the activities :

 10

A1. Write True or False within the boxes provided after each
sentence :  2
(1) We have a rose plant in our garden.

(2) 
As evening approaches, the flower withers
completely.

(3) We went to a rocky beach.

(4) Our problems are not colossal.

We have a hibiscus plant in our garden. Every fortnight a

flower blooms on it – big, bright and tender. Through the day it
smiles with the sun and dances with the wind, but as evening
approaches, it starts wilting. The morning after, it withers
completely and by evening it falls and becomes one with the earth
again. The flower comes to life only for a day, yet it does so in
full splendour. What if we too lived our life, however short, to its
fullest?
We went to a rocky beach and saw the spread of the majestic
ocean and the rocks alongside, carved, sculpted and shaped by
the water. Water is so gentle, rock so hard, yet, as the water flows
over it every day, for years, the rock gives in. It takes the shape
that the water commands. Our problems are so colossal and we
are so small, yet if we persist ......
We saw small bits of grass peeping through the small cracks
in a concrete pavement. It left us thinking : however impossible
things may look, there is always an opening ......

A2. How should we deal with difficulties and problems? 2

230 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X
A3. Vocabulary :  2
Complete the table :
Noun Verb Adjective Adverb
brightness brighten
persist persistently
A4. Grammar : 2
 (i) Underline the verbs in the sentence below and say whether
they are transitive or intransitive. 1
It withers completely.
(ii) 
Add a question tag and rewrite the sentence. 1
It left us thinking.
A5. Which things in nature attract you the most and how do you get
motivated by constantly observing them? 2

Q. 2. (B) Read the following passage and do the activities :

 10
B1. Complete the web from passage : 2

Parts of the body

One morning in a small apartment in Bombay a girl of

about sixteen looked up from the newspaper and said excitedly,
‘Pandit Ravi Shankar’s playing tomorrow at the Shanmukhananda
auditorium’.
‘Sh-sh,’ said her mother pointing to the figure sleeping on the
bed. ‘You’ll wake him up. You know he needs all the sleep and rest
he can get.’
But the boy on the bed was not asleep. ‘Pandit Ravi Shankar!’
he said. ‘Pandit Ravi Shankar, the sitar maestro?’ He raised himself
up on his elbows for one second, then fell back. But his eyes were
shining. ‘We mustn’t miss the chance,’ he said. ‘I’ve – ‘I’ve – always
wanted to hear him and see him ...’

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET : JULY 2025 231

 ‘Lie down son, lie down.’ His mother sprang to his side. ‘He
actually raised himself up without help,’ she murmured with a
catch in her throat and her eyes turned to the idols on a corner
shelf. The prayer, which she uttered endlessly, came unbidden to
her lips.

B2. Find the reasons for each of the sentence given below from
the passage : 2
 (i) The mother ‘sh-sh’ed her . 1
(ii) The boy’s eyes were shining . 1
B3. Vocabulary :
(1) Find out two onomatopoeic words from the passage.1
(2) 
Complete the cross puzzle in the given ladders in capital
letters.
(The words should be from the passage only) 1

B4. Grammar : 2
(1) He raised himself up on his elbows for one second, then fell
back. (Make it simple.) 1
(2) The boy on the bed was not asleep. (Make it affirmative.)1
B5. Why do you think the boy’s mother’s eyes turned towards the
idols kept in the corner?2

232 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 SECTION III : POETRY

Q. 3. (A) 
Read the following extract and do the given
activities : 5
A1. Complete the sentences with words from the extract : 2
(1) 
The villagers prayed that the misfortunes of mother’s
should decrease.
(2) Mother twisted through and through on a mat.
(3) My father was sceptic and a .
(4) The poet watched the feeding on his mother.

May he sit still, they said

May the sins of your previous birth
be burned away tonight, they said.
May your suffering decrease
the misfortunes of your next birth, they said.
May the sum of all evil
balanced in this unreal world
against the sum of good
become diminished by your pain.
May the poison purify your flesh
of desire, and your spirit of ambition,
they said, and they sat around
on the floor with my mother in the centre,
the peace of understanding on each face.
More candles, more lanterns, more neighbours,
more insects, and the endless rain.
My mother twisted through and through,
groaning on a mat.
My father, sceptic, rationalist,
trying every curse and blessings,
powder, mixture, herb and hybrid.
He even poured a little paraffin
upon the bitten toe and put a match to it.

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET : JULY 2025 233

I watched the flame feeding on my mother.
I watched the holy man perform his rites to tame the poison with
an incantation.
After twenty hours
it lost its sting.
My mother only said
Thank God the scorpion picked on me.
And spared my children.

A2. Why do you think mother thanked God that the scorpion picked
her, not her children?2
A3. Poetic device : 1
Name and explain the figure of speech in the following line :
My mother twisted through and through, groaning on the mat.

Q. 3. (B) Read the following poem and write an appreciation

of it with the help of the given points in a paragraph
format :  5

All the World’s a Stage

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Sicking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,

234 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
 – William Shakespeare

• The title and the poet of the poem 1

• Rhyme scheme 1
• Figures of speech 1
• Central idea/theme 2

SECTION IV : NON-TEXTUAL PASSAGE

[Reading Skills, Vocabulary, Grammar and Summary]

Q. 4. (A) Read the following passage and do the given

activities :  10
A1. Complete the web :  2

The food of the fossa

Madagascar is not famous only for its lemurs, though

the animated films might give you that impression! The island
nation off the east coast of Africa is home to interesting endemic
carnivores, too. One of them is the Fossa. Though it is the largest
carnivore on the island, the fossa’s habits in the wild are little
known since it is so elusive.

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET : JULY 2025 235

 Madagascar’s top predator looks like a mix of a monkey,
a cat and a weasel! A rich golden brown colour with a whitish
belly, a fossa has paws with claws like a cat, a 65-70-cm-long
thin tail like a monkey and small rounded ears like a weasel!
Its tail measures about the same as its sinuous, low-slung body.
Earlier, scientists thought that it was a nocturnal hunter
because it was so rarely spotted. However, recent studies have
shown that fossas hunt and sleep at any time of the day. It is a
superb ambush hunter and eats small and medium-sized prey such
as fish, birds, mice and wild pigs. However, its main food is lemurs.
Fossas are equally at home on tall trees and on the ground.
The long tail helps them to maintain their balance on narrow
branches. Retractable claws and flexible ankle joints enable them
to climb down tree trunks head first!
The den is made in an old termite mound, the hollow of a
tree or a rock crevice. There are two to six pups to a litter and they
are born toothless and with white fur. They are dependent on the
mother till they are eight months old.

A2. Describe the physical appearance of fossa.2

A3. Vocabulary : 2

Find out the words from the passage and write them in the
boxes provided :
(1) Animals feeding on other animals.

(2) Turning and twisting while moving.

(3) Awake and active at night.

(4) Surprise attack from a hidden position.

A4. Grammar : 2
(1) The animals are solitary and silent.
 (Use not only ... but also ... .) 1
(2) 
However, recent studies have shown that fossas hunt and
sleep at any time of the day. (Find any two determiners.) 1
A5. Describe any other mix breed animal or bird you are aware of.
2

236 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

Q. 4. (B) Summary Writing :  5

Read the passage given in Q. 4. (A) and write a summary of it

in a paragraph. Suggest a suitable title.

SECTION V : WRITING SKILLS

Q. 5. (A) Letter Writing :  5

(A1 or A2) Do any one of the following :


Read the following poster about ‘Cleanliness Week’ celebrated in
Talegaon :

Talegaon announces ‘Cleanliness Week’

• Cleanliness keeps you healthy.
• Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
• Period of cleanliness drive :
15th Sept., 2019 to 22nd Sept., 2019
Do this :
• always use dustbin
• keep your locality clean
• don’t spit on the roads and walls
• plant and save trees.

Imagine you are Nipun/Nayana Patel, residing at Somthana,

Hingna Road, Dist. Akola. Attempt any one letter based on the
given situation. Use the points given in the poster above. Also
use your own points :

A1. Formal Letter : OR A2. Informal Letter :

Write a letter to the Write a letter to your
Gram Sevak of your village friend Anil/Alka Roy telling
to make arrangements to him/her how you celebrated
celebrate ‘Cleanliness Week’. ‘Cleanliness Week’ in your
village.

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET : JULY 2025 237

Q. 6. (A) Information Transfer :  5
(A1 or A2) Do any one of the following :

A1. Verbal to Non-verbal :

Read the following information and complete the table on the
basis of the given information :

Vitamins play a major role in keeping us fit and healthy. They

are essential for the growth and development of human body. We
must have vitamins regularly. There are four types of vitamins.
They are Vitamins A, B, C and D. Vitamin A is found mostly in
milk, butter and eggs. The sources of Vitamin B are meat and eggs.
Eggs provide us both Vitamins A and B. We can get Vitamin C from
fruits and vegetables and Vitamin D from sunlight and fish oil. The
sun is the rich source of Vitamin D. So sit or work in sunlight.
Deficiency of these vitamins causes dangerous threat to the
human body. It leads to various disease and unhealthiness. Lack
of Vitamin A causes blindness. Vitamin B leads to the disorder of
the nervous system. Human skin is affected due to deficiency of
Vitamin C. This leads to various skin diseases, while Vitamin D
deficiency makes our bones weak. So, to keep fit, take a balanced
diet which provides all the vitamins.

Their Effect due to their

Vitamins
Sources deficiency
Vitamin A
Vitamin B
Vitamin C
Vitamin D

OR
A2. Non-verbal to Verbal :

Read the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy in
the given table and write a paragraph on it :

238 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

 Advantages Disadvantages
1. a renewable source of 1. high cost of development
energy
2. reduces electricity bills 2. weather dependent
3. low maintenance cost 3. lot of space is utilised
4. technological development 4. solar energy storage is
expensive

Q. 6. (B) Drafting a Speech/View – Counterview :(5 Marks)

Attempt any one of the following (B1 or B2) :
B1. Drafting a speech :
It is a known fact that sports have become a hobby of the
rich people. Prepare a speech on the topic “Sports are meant
for the rich only.” You can use the hints given below :
• modern sports are very expensive
• money is the main player
• the poor have neither money nor recommendation
• your suggestions

OR
B2. View – Counterview :

It is better to follow your heart than the advice of others.

Write your counterviews reading the following viewpoints.

Views :
• people find it easy to advise
• not everyone is your well-wisher
• you are the master of your own fate
• learn to take your own decisions

SECTION VI : CREATIVE WRITING

Q. 7. Do any one of the following (A1 or A2) :  5

A1. Expand the theme :
Expand the following theme into 100 words :
‘Music is the medicine for the mind and soul.’

BOARD’S ACTIVITY SHEET : JULY 2025 239

 OR
A2. News Report :
Your school had organised a science exhibition which was
inaugurated by a well known scientist. Write a news report
of about 20 lines to be published in the local newspaper.
Your report should cover the following points :

• the function
• his speech
• science exhibition
• prize distribution

Q. 7. (B) Developing a Story/Narration :  5

Do any one of the following (B1 or B2) :

B1. Developing a story :
Develop a Story. Begin with the given line and suggest a
suitable title :
Before I could understand what had happened, the monkey
jumped on my table and snatched the bananas from my hands
………………….
OR
B2. Narrate an experience :
Narrate your own experience ending with the given line.
…………………, thus he/she decided never to disobey his/her
teacher.
_________

Scan ☞ this QR Code for the

Model Answers to
Board’s July 2025 Activity Sheet

Shailesh D0051

240 NAVNEET 21 M. L. QUESTION SETS : ENGLISH (HL) – STD. X

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