2017-18 CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Sample Paper

Developed by CBSE, the 2017-18 CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Sample Paper is an invaluable preparatory resource, encompassing a diverse range of questions. This resource not only equips students with a strategic grasp of the CBSE Communicative English(101) exam format but also significantly enhances their readiness for the coming examinations.

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2017-18 CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Sample Paper Solved

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CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Sample Question Paper 2017-18

CLASS X 
ENGLISH- COMMUNICATIVE (CODE 101)
(SAMPLE PAPER 2017-18) 
TIME – 3 HOURS MAXIMUM MARKS- 80

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: 
I. The question paper is divided into three sections: 
II. SECTION A: Reading 20 MARKS 
III. SECTION B: Writing and Grammar 30 MARKS 
IV. SECTION C: Literature 30 MARKS
V. All questions are compulsory. 
VI. You may attempt any section at a time.
VII. All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.

SECTION –A: READING (20 Marks) 

Q1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 

1. Cricket is a global passion, played everywhere from Test match arenas to village greens, tropical beaches and dusty back lots. Cricket is the world’s second most popular spectator sport after football. 

2. The origin of cricket is somewhere in the Dark Ages. All research concedes that the game derived from a very old, widespread and uncomplicated pastime by which one player served up an object, be it a small piece of wood or a ball, and another hit it with a suitably fashioned club. Cricket was first recorded in 16th-century England, and it was played in grammar schools, farm communities and everywhere in between. But things really took off when 18th-century nobles realised it was a great sport. 

3. The oldest surviving set of cricket laws date from 1744 – printed on a handkerchief, naturally. It’s now in the MCC Museum at Lord’s in London. The oldest permanent fixture is the annual Eton v Harrow match, played since 1805. A young Lord Byron turned out for Harrow in the first match, though history doesn’t record how poetic – or “mad, bad and dangerous” – his bowling was. 

4. The first international match was in 1877 when Australia beat England in Melbourne. The match was dubbed a “Test”, since the gruelling nature of playing over five days was deemed the ultimate “test” for any side. But it was Australia’s first win on English soil – in 1882 at The Oval in London – that led to matches between the two nations being christened the Ashes. Following the defeat, newspapers published an obituary mourning “the death of English cricket”, adding that “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”. 

5. A One Day International (ODI) is a form of limited overs cricket, played between two teams with international status, in which each team faces a fixed number of overs, usually 50. The Cricket World Cup is played in this format. The international one-day game is a late twentieth-century development. The first ODI was played on 5 January 1971 between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (344words) 

1.1 Attempt any eight of the following questions on the basis of the passage you have read. (1X8=8Marks) 

i. According to the passage, how did the game of Cricket originate? 

ii. Where can we find the oldest sets of Cricket laws? 

iii. Which match did Lord Byron play? 

iv. When was the first international match played? 

v. Which countries played that match? 

vi. Why were the matches between Australia and England titled “The Ashes”? 

vii. In which format is the Cricket world cup played ? 

viii. When did the ODIs begin? 

ix. Which word in paragraph no.5 means the same as ‘exhausting’? 

Q2.Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 

1. Politeness has been well defined as benevolence in trifles. It is the desire to put those whom we meet perfectly at their ease, and save them from every kind of petty discomfort and annoyance. The limited part of benevolence called politeness requires only an inclination to make them happy temporarily, while they are in our presence, and when this can be done without any sacrifice on our part or only with a slight sacrifice of personal comfort. 

2. Politeness is said to be one of the important characteristics of civilised person. Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts. It must be implemented in every walk of life. When we deal with people elder to us we are polite. But, an honest polite person is polite with everyone, people of lower status, workers and even children. Not only with humans but also with animals we must be polite as they are our helpers. 

3. Politeness is a skill. Like any other skill, you can master it with practice. The greatest enemy of politeness is ego. To be a polite person, you have to sacrifice your ego. It is difficult for an egoist to be polite. You have to imply politeness in your thinking, speech and actions. Actions work more than words. Polite actions will give fine results. Politeness will reduce your stress and boost you to be productive. Apart from your present benefits, you protect your future. Being polite makes you mentally healthy. In our daily life we come across many incidents with people nearby and ourselves. 

4. Different rules of behaviour have to be observed, accordingly as we are in the street or in the drawingroom, at home or at school, in the company of friends or of strangers. There is also to be considered the great diversity of social etiquette which distinguishes one country from another.  

5. Politeness, besides being a duty that we owe to others, is a valuable possession for ourselves. It costs nothing, and yet may in many cases bring much profit. The great advantage of this excellence of conduct was very clearly expressed by Dr. Johnson, when he said that the difference between a well-bred and an ill- bred man is that one immediately attracts your liking, the other your dislike. (378 words) 

2.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any four of the following questions in about 30-40 words each : (2X4=8) 

i. Why is politeness called as limited part of benevolence? 

ii. List some of the persons we should be polite to? 

iii. Why is it difficult for an egoist to be polite? 

iv. What are the benefits of being polite? 

v. Which rules of behaviour are to be observed? 

2.2 On the basis of your reading of the passage, fill in any two of the following blanks with appropriate words/phrases. (1X2=2) 

i. Politeness is an art of choosing_________. 

ii. An honest polite person is polite with ___________. 

iii. To others, we _____________________. 

2.3. Attempt any two of the following. Find out the words that mean the same as under: (1×2 =2) 

i. ‘insignificant’ (Paragraph 1) 

ii. ‘manners’ (Paragraph 4) 

iii. ‘civil’(Paragraph 5) 

SECTION B: WRITING AND GRAMMAR (30 Marks) 

Q3.(a) You are Sonal/ Samkit of Vidyanjali Public School , Lucknow . You have seen an advertisement in ‘The Times of India ’ related to new batches of ‘Astronomy Club’initiated by National Science Centre , Lucknow starting from the coming fortnight .You wish to join the Club. Write a letter to the Director, enquiring about the venue , duration ,fee- structure , activities , transportation etc. Invent other necessary details (100-120 words , 8 Marks) 

OR 

Q3.(b) You are the In-charge of the Medical Section of Gyanodaya Public School , Nehru Vihar , Alwar . Your stock of medicines is about to finish .Write a letter to the Director of Jambo Medicare ,Delhi ,ordering medical items like glucose , crocin , bandages, tincture , pain-healers, ointments etc. Ask for discount on bulk order .Invent other necessary details. (100-120 words , 8 Marks) 

Q4 Write a short story, in about 200-250 words, with any one set of the cues given in the boxes below. Give a suitable title to the story . (10marks) 

OR 

Q5. Fill in any four of the following blanks choosing the most appropriate option from the ones given below. Write the answers in your answer –sheet against the correct blank numbers. ( 4 marks ) 

A. Sanitation and hygiene are also important ( a) ___________the well – being of society and biodiversity conservation . 

B. The government has (b )____________ a programme . 

C. It aims to develop ( c) ____________riverfronts . 

D. It will solve the problem of pollution ( d) ____________ the rivers . 

E. The need has been(e) ______for a long time. 

(a ) ( i) by (ii ) from (iii) for (iv) into 

(b ) (i) initiates (ii) initiated (iii) initiate (iv)initiating 

(c ) (i) an (ii) a (iii) in (iv ) the 

(d ) (i) in (ii ) on (iii) onto (iv )by 

(e) (d ) (i) feeling (ii ) feel (iii) felt (iv ) have felt 

Q6. In the following passage one word has been omitted in each line .Write the missing word, in any four sentences of the given paragraph, along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after it in the space provided . ( 4 marks ) 

Q7. Rearrange any four of the following word clusters to make meaningful sentences.(1x 4=4 marks ) 

( a ) rain water/flooding / helps/ harvesting / in / chances of / reducing 

( b ) storm / helps/ also/better/ water/ it / water management / in 

( c ) plant growth / in/storing /rainwater / can/ help / improving 

( d ) is/ from / stored/ natural and/ pollutants /rain water /free/ man- made 

(e) out/ the/street/ earthquake/another/on/people/ came/ fearing/ 

SECTION C LITERATURE (30 Marks) 

Q8 Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write the answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. (1X4= 4marks) 

(a) “We do many things, sir,” Nicola answered seriously. He glanced at us hopefully.” 

i. What does the speaker mean by “We do many things, sir,? 

ii. Whom is he addressing to? 

iii. Why was Nicola serious? 

iv. Find the synonym of ‘looked’.

 OR 

(b)CAESAR: Cowards die many times before their deaths; 

The valiant never taste of death but once. 

Of all the wonders that I yet have heard. 

It seems to me most strange that men should fear; 

Seeing that death, a necessary end, 

Will come when it will come. 

i. Whom does Caesar console and why? 

ii. Which quality of the speaker is revealed here? 

iii. Explain: Cowards die many times before their deaths. 

iv. Give the synonym of ‘Gallant’. 

Q9 Answer any four of the following Questions in 30-40 words each (2×4 = 8 Marks) 

i. Although Calpurnia revealed her fear after nightmare yet Caesar decided to go to senate house. Why ? 

ii. “Pen is mightier than sword”. Elucidate with reference to the poem ‘Not Marble Nor Gilded Monuments’. 

iii. Why was the ‘Writer’s inspiration Bureau’ formed? 

iv. What message is conveyed by Vikram Seth through the poem ‘The Frog and the Nightingale’? 

v.  How does the story ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ give hope to the society? 

Q10 Attempt any one out of the two following long answer type questions in 100-120 words. ( 8 Marks) 

Q.10. (a) ‘Pride goes before a fall.’ Justify the statement on basis of the chapter Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger. 

OR 

Q.10. (b). ‘Only the bearer knows where the shoe pinches’. Elucidate the statement with reference to the story The Letter. 6 

Q11 A ) Answer the following question based on prescribed novel text for extended reading in about 200- 250 words. (10 marks) 

The Diary of a Young Girl 

Q. 11. A. i. What are Anne’s views about the Laws that restrict the Jews’ freedom ? 

OR 

Q. 11.A. ii. Write the pen portrait of Mr. Van Dann 

OR 

Q.11 B) Answer the following question based on prescribed novel text for extended reading in about 200- 250 words. (10 marks) 

The Story of My Life 

Q.11. B. i. In the life of Helen Keller, Ms. Anne Sullivan acts as an inspiration behind her extraordinary life. Justify with suitable instances from the text. 

Or 

Q.11.B.ii. Give a pen portrait of Dr. Alexender Graham Bell.

2017-18 CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Sample Paper with Answers

CLASS X 
MARKING SCHEME/ANSWERS
ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE (2017-2018)
CODE: 101 
SECTION A READING 20 MARKS

Q1. 1X8=8 MARKS 

i. Old, widespread and uncomplicated pastime by which one player served up an object, be it a small piece of word or a ball and another hit with a suitably fashioned club. 

ii. 1744 – printed on a handkerchief, naturally. It’s now in the MCC Museum at Lord’s in London 

iii. Eton v Harrow 

iv. 1877 v. England and Australia 

vi. Australia’s first win on English soil in 1882 at the oval in London led to matches between the two nations being christened the Ashes. 

vii. ODI 

viii. 1971, 50 

ix. gruelling 

Q2. 2.1 2X4=8 

i. It is the desire to put those whom we meet perfectly at their ease, and save them from every kind of petty discomfort and annoyance. The limited part of benevolence called politeness requires only an inclination to make them happy temporarily, while they are in our presence. 

ii. People of higher status, people of lower status, workers, children and also animals. 

iii. The greatest enemy of politeness is ego. To be a polite person you have to sacrifice your ego. Egoist cannot be polite. You have to imply politeness in your thinking, speech and actions. 

iv. Polite actions will give fine results. Politeness will reduce your stress and boost you to be productive. Apart from your present benefits, you protect your future. Being polite makes you mentally healthy. 

v. Different rules, when we are in street, at school , in our home, with friends, as per the situation 

2.2 1X2=2 

i. your own thoughts ii. everyone iii. We owe politeness as duty 

2.3 1X2=2 i. petty ii. Etiquette iii. Well-bred 

SECTION B WRITING AND GRAMMAR ( 30 MARKS ) 

Q 3 LETTER WRITING 8 MARKS 

[Note: – No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given; t should be given for the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas. Use of both the traditional and the new format is permitted. ] 

FORMAT 1 Mark 

1. sender’s address, 2. date, 3. receiver’s address, 4. subject/heading, 5. salutation, 6. complimentary close. 

CONTENT 4 Marks 

ACCURACY 1.5 Marks 

FLUENCY 1.5 Marks 

Q4. STORY WRITING 10 MARKS 

TITLE 1 

CONTENT 4 

ACCURACY 2.5 

FLUENCY 2.5 

Q5. GAP FILLING 1×4 = 4 MARKS 

a) (iii) for 

b)(ii) initiated 

c) (iv ) the 

d)(i) in 

e) (iii) felt 

Q6. OMISSION 1×4= 4marks 

1 mark to be awarded to each correct answer. For the marks to be awarded the word before and after the missing word should be written. The correct word should be underlined. 

Q7 SENTENCE RE- ORDERING 4 MARKS 

a) Harvesting rainwater helps in reducing chances of flooding. 

b)It also helps in better storm water management. 

c) Storing rainwater can help in improving plant growth. 

d)Stored rainwater is free from natural and man-made pollutants. 

e) People came out on street fearing another earthquake. 

SECTION C LITERATURE 

Q8 1×4 marks 

i) The speaker does several works for survival/ livelihood. 

ii) The Narrator 

iii) Nicola doesn’t want to share his personal life with any stranger. 

iv)Glance 

Or 

i) Caesar was consoling Calpurnia because she had seen a nightmare and she was very much worried about the wellbeing of her husband. 

ii) Brave, Courageous, heroic 

iii) Those who fear death may die many times in a day but those who are brave die only when their actual death approaches 

iv)Valiant 

Q9 2×4 marks (1 mark for content + 1 mark for grammatical accuracy) 

i. Though Calpurnia revealed her fear after nightmare yet Caesar decided to go to senate house because Brutus viewpoint was more convincing for him. He also did not want to leave the chance to become emperor of Rome. 

ii. Time can destroy everything except for literature. Art and culture transcends time and remain relevant throughout the ages. 

iii. Writer’s inspiration bureau was formed by Helen and other ghosts to help the writers by giving them plot to write stories. They would inspire writers whose mind was soft enough to accept ideas. 

iv. One should not be naïve or submissive. One should follow practical approach and not fall for flattery. 

v. Despite being so young, the boys were empathetic and possessed human values. They faced all odds to fulfill their duties. 

Q10 8 marks 

(4 for content + 2 for fluency + 2 grammatical accuracy) 

a) ‘Fake pride ends up in misery’. Vanity always leads to down fall of a person. This statement truly fits on the character of Mrs. Packletide. 

Value points 

1. Women belonging to upper class of society try to showoff 
2. They become subjects of mockery and sometimes they need to pay a 
3. handsome amount 
4. Mrs Packetide wants to overshadow Loona Bimberton so as to satisfy her 
5. vanity by killing a tiger 
6. In the end she had to face financial losses. 
7. She was blackmailed by Miss. Mebbin 

OR 

b). It is important to respect everyone’s feelings which are truly conveyed by the writer through this chapter. 

Value points: 

1. Always respect the feelings of others 
2. We must not disrespect and contempt the feelings of others. 
3. In this chapter Coachman Ali’s daughter got married and left him. 
4. At this moment he understands the meaning of love and separation. 
5. Which he doesn’t when he was clever hunter. 
6. Everyone in the post office laugh at him/ mock at him. 
7. Postmaster also behaves rudely with him and at times he call him ‘a pest’. 
8. When he suffers with the same suffering and pain 
9. He realizes his mistakes and regrets for his bad act. 
10. Then he wishes to help Ali. 

Q11 A 10 marks 

( 5content+2.5fluency+2.5grammatical accuracy) 

ANY 5-6 POINTS 

1. Otto Frank left Germany to live in Holland 
2. they felt they could escape persecution in 1940, 
3. same laws were imposed on Jews in Germany 
4. Anne thinks the laws are unjust, and unfair 
5. not able to understand about this discrimination. 
6. certain restrictions were imposed like 

• a. wearing yellow badge 
• b. cannot use streetcars 
• c. only allowed to go to Jews school, Jews shops. 

1. she accepts these restrictions as a part of life in Amsterdam 
2. her entire life and viewpoint quickly changed when she was forced into
3. annexe. 

OR 

1. Mr. Vann Dann, good friend, Business partner of Mr. Frank 
2. chain smoker, pessimist • always fights with his wife, tries to pacify her 
3. stereotypical, henpecked husband 
4. plans of hiding along with Frank’s family 
5. Mr.Vann Daan is rarely mentioned in Anne’s diary 
6. occasionally behaves well with Anne. 

OR 

B ) 

( 5content+2.5fluency+2.5grammatical accuracy) 

ANY 5-6 POINTS 

1. lifelong companion of Helen 
2. teacher, guide, mentor. 
3. motivator • helps Helen to believe in herself 
4. very supportive • treats her like her own child 
5. teaches every minute thing with details 
6. she makes Helen “THINK” 

OR 

1. Dr. Alexander Graham Bell is kindhearted and caring doctor 
2. is an incredibly gifted inventor 
3. helped people with hearing disabilities. 
4. Helen dedicated The Story of My Life to him. 
5. has a special relationship with children, especially the deaf, 
6. his teaching methods for children are motivating and encouraging. 
7. he is funny 
8. lifelong friend of Hellen Keller.