Madhyamik 2025
CLASS- X
ENGLISH (Second Language)
SECTION - AREADING COMPREHENSION (SEEN)
1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
But a cat has really more character than most human beings, and gets a great deal more satisfaction out of life.
He- or she- is an athlete, an acrobat and a grim fighter. All day long the cat loafs about the house, takes things easy and allow himself to be pestered by the attention of the people in the house. To pass the time away he sometimes watches a mouse- hole for an hour or two - just to keep himself from dying of boredom. People get this idea that this sort of thing is all that holds life for a cat. But watch him as the shades of evening fall. You can see the cat as he really is.
When the family sits down tea, the cat puts in an appearance to get his share. He purrs noisily and rubs himself against the legs of the family members. If there is a guest at the table the cat is particularly civil to him, because the guest is likely to have the best of what is offered . Sometimes, instead of giving him something to eat, the guest stoops down and strokes the cat, and says, “Poor pussy! Poor pussy! The cat soon tires of that. He puts up his claw and quietly but firmly rakes the guest in the leg. “Ow!” says the guest, “The cat stuck his claws into me!” The delighted family remarks, “Isn’t it sweet of him? Isn’t he intelligent? He wants you to give him something to eat.
The guest dares not do what he would like to do-kick the cat out of the window. So, with tears of rage and pain in his eyes, he affects to be very much amused, and sorts out a bit of fish from his plate and hands it down. The cat gingerly receives it, with a look in his eyes that says, "Another time, my friend, you won't be so slow to understand." He purrs as he retires to a safe distance from the guest's boot before eating his food.
A. Write the correct alternatives to complete the following sentences: 1×5=5
(a) With tears of rage and pain in his eyes, the guest affects to be very much - i) amused ii) annoyed iii) unhappy iv) upset
(b) When the cat rakes the guest, the family is - i) embarrassed ii) sad iii) delighted iv) indifferent
(c) The guest wants the cat to be - i) thrown out of the window ii) pushed out of the door iii) kicked out of the window iv) kicked out of the door
(d) The cat moves to a safe distance from the guest's boot and - i) mews ii) howls iii) purrs iv ) screams
(e) The cat appears for his share when the family sits down for - i) tea ii) supper iii) breakfast iv) dinner
B. Complete the following sentences with information from the text: 1×3=3
(i) The cat has really more character _____________________
(ii) To pass the time __________________
(iii) All day long the cat _____________________
C. Answer the following questions: 2×2= 4
(i) When should we watch the cat and why ?
(ii) How has the author described the cat's physical fitness ?
( SAQ 2×2= 4 or cause effect 2×2=4)
2. Read the poem and answer the questions that follow:
To grass, or leaf, or fruit, or wall,
The snail sticks close, nor fears to fall,
As if he grew there, house and all
Together.
Within that house secure he hides,
When danger imminent betides
Of storm, or other harm besides
Of weather.
Give but his horns the slightest touch,
His self-collecting power is such,
He shrinks into his house, with much
Displeasure.
Where'er he dwells, he dwells alone,
Except himself has chattels none,
Well satisfied to be his own
Whole treasure.
Thus, hermit-like, his life he leads,
Nor partner of his banquet needs,
And if he meets one, only feeds
The faster.
Who seeks him must be worse than blind,
(He and his house are so combin'd)
If, finding it, he fails to find
Its master.
A. Write the correct alternative to complete the following sentences: 1×4=4
(i) With the slightest touch, the snail shrinks into its house with --(a) displeasure (b) pleasure (c) pain (d) surprise
(ii)The Snail has been compared to a -- (a) blind man (b) house (c) hermit (d) friend
(iii) The Snail likes to have his meal with -- (a) parents (b) grandparents (c) himself (d) cousins
(iv) The word 'chattels' mean -- (a) personal belongings (b) friends (c) family members (d) enemies
B. State whether the following statements are true or false. Write 'T' for 'True' and 'F' for 'False' in the boxes given on the right-hand side. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer:2×2=4
(i) The person who seeks the snail even after finding his house is very intelligent. [ ]
Supporting statement:
(ii) The snail doesn't remain perfectly contended with all he has. [ ]
Supporting statement:
(SAQ 2×2=4)
READING COMPREHENSION (UNSEEN)
3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
The 9th edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament was played in six different stadiums across the West Indies and the United States from June 1 to June 29, 2024. A total of 20 national teams, dividing into 4 groups, participated in the tournament, which was co-hosted by West Indies and the United States. The tournament featured 55 matches, all of which showcased the strength, skill, planning, and tactics of the teams. The first match was played on June 1 between Canada and United States of America. As the tournament progressed, the excitement grew. Several great players demonstrated their extraordinary talent, including R. Gurbaz, Rohit Sharma, Travis Head, Nicholas Pooran, Aaron Jones, F. Farooqi, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Akeal Hosein, Aiden Markram, and Glenn Maxwell. The two semifinals were played between Afghanistan and South Africa, and between India and England. South Africa and India defeated Afghanistan and the previous champion England by a significant margin, respectively.
The final match took place on June 29 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, West Indies. India won the toss and decided to bat first, scoring 176 runs for 7 wickets.
Initially, South Africa played well, but Bumrah, Hardik, and Arshdeep Singh's fantastic bowling performance led Team India to victory by 7 runs, with South Africa finishing at 169 runs for 8 wickets. The last few overs twisted the mood of the match, and Surya Kumar Yadav's catch became the turning point. Virat Kohli's unbeaten 76 runs off 59 balls built the foundation for the Indian team. India won their second T20 World Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah was awarded the Player of the Tournament, while Kohli became the Player of the Match in the final. Immediate after the tournament over Some great players took retirement from T20 format. Among them three from Indian team like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and other three from three different countries like David Warner, David Wiese and Trent Boult. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, trained by Rahul Dravid, won the hearts of millions of cricket fans for its fighting spirit, integrity, and fair play.
A. Choose the correct alternatives: 1×6=6
(i) India won the T20 World Cup for the - (a) 1st (b) 2nd (c)3rd (d)4th time.
(ii) The 9th edition of ICC Men's T20 World Cup was co-hosted by -(a) India and West Indies (b) England and Afghanistan (c) West Indies and United States (d) South Africa and India
(iii) For India , the player who scored the most runs in the final is- (a) Rohit Sharma (b) Hardik Pandya(c) Virat Kohli (d)Surya Kumar Yadav.
(iv) The final showdown was taken place in -(a) United States (b) India (c) West Indies (d) South Africa
(v) The number of players who took retirement from T20 format is- (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 7
(vi) The initial result of the final was - (a) India lost the toss and got bat first (b) South Africa Won the toss and decided to bowl first (c) India won the toss and elected to bat first (d) South Africa Won the toss and decided to bat first
B. Each of the following statements is either 'True' or 'False'. Write 'T' for 'True' and 'F' for 'False' in the boxes on the right-hand side. Also pick out suitable line(s) or phrase(s) from the passage in support of your answer: 2×3=6
(i) The tournament continued for 28 days. [ ]
Supporting statement:
(ii) Virat Kohli wasn't awarded the Player of the match in the final. [ ]
Supporting statement:
(iii) The previous champion became the invincible champion.
Supporting statement:
C. Answer the following questions: 2×4=8
(i) Name the players who exhibited their extraordinary performance?
(ii) What was the turning point of the final match?
(iii) Who was the captain and the coach of Indian Cricket team?
(iv) Who played the semi finals and what were the results?
SECTION - B
(GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY)
4. Write the correct alternative to fill in the blanks: 1×3=3
Four pedestrians __________( have being killed/ was being killed/ were killed) when a truck ________( rammed/has been rammed/ has rammed) into a private car. The driver of the truck _________ ( is absconded/ is absconding/ have absconded).
5. Do as directed:
A. Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles and prepositions: 1×3=3
Exiled _____ a new land, he would have _____ learn a new geography. So, when _____ family moves, the cat, if allowed, will stay _____ the old house.
B. Do as directed : 1×3=3
(i) Rambabu taught us English.( Change the voice)
(ii) "Father , is it true?" said the boy. ( Change into indirect speech)
(iii) As soon as Swami reached the school, an idea occurred to him. ( Make it a simple sentence)
( superlative to positive or join into a complex or turn into a complex sentence)
C. Choose the correct phrasal verbs from the list given below to replace the words underlined. Write the correct phrasal verbs in the boxes on the right-hand side changing the form where necessary. There is one extra phrasal verb in the list. 1×3=3
(i) A fire erupted in the market last night. [..............................]
(ii) Over-exercise causes harm to his health [................................]
(iii) The child was reared by his aunt.[.........................]
[ break out, bring out, bring up, tell upon ]
6. Given below are the meanings of four words which you will find in the passage in Question No.3. Find out the words and write them in the appropriate boxes on the right-hand side: 2×4=8
(i) The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change :
(ii) Something has been shown, explained, or proved:
(iii) to exhibit or display something, especially its best qualities or features:
(iv) A competition in which many players or teams play games against each other :
SECTION - C
(WRITINGS)
7. Write a story (within 100 words) using the given hints. Give a title and a moral to the story. 10
A lazy lion — demanded sacrifice of one animal each day — terror loomed large — a deer killed — next a goat killed — hare's turn — sad hare sat beside the well — reflection — idea — reached late to make the lion angry — hare told lion of a rival lion — lion went and saw the reflection — jumped and died.
8. Write a paragraph (in about 100 words) on the importance of sports and games in student life. You may use the following points: 10
[ Points: Integral part of life --- helps to maintain healthy life ---- increases sportsman spirit--- develops fellow feeling and cooperation --- reduces stress and anxiety --- makes physically strong.]
( Biography or Processing )
9. Write a letter to the Inspector-in-Charge of your local police station complaining about the loss of your Registration Certificate. Give necessary details. 10
( or Editorial letter)
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