Class 10 English Language Sample Paper 2024

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This article is about the CBSE class 10 Sample Paper for English Language and Literature. Here, we will discuss how to improve your grades using Class 10 English Sample Paper 2023-24.

We know that this year CBSE will ask subjective questions too. So, only having good knowledge of the content is not enough. You have to write proper answers on your board exam sheet. Therefore, you must practice writing answers regularly. It will not only help you to complete your paper within the given time but also enlighten you with great insights on finding the areas of improvement.

Sample Paper of English Language and Literature Class 10 – in PDF

We are providing CBSE class 10 English Sample Paper 2023-24 on the myCBSEguide app and website in PDF format. English Language and Literature model papers have three sections. The first section of the English Language paper is about reading comprehension. The second section has questions on English grammar and writing skills. The third section carries textbook questions.

Sample papers for class 10 English Language and Literature 2024 – with solution

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Class 10 English Sample Paper 2023-24

Class 10 English Language Sample Papers

CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature
(Code No. 184)
(Sample Paper 2023-24)

Time allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, GRAMMAR & WRITING and LITERATURE.
Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A: READING SKILLS (20 Marks)

Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages

Read the following text. (10)
(1) As a high school student, studying poetry can be a rollercoaster ride. This journey is punctuated by moments of profound appreciation for simpler pieces and intermittent frustration with more complex works. Let’s be real here -some poems are just plain confusing and no amount of re-reading seems to help decipher the intended meaning. The puzzlement that results from such instances can be both vexing and demotivating. If solving a riddle is what was intended, then playing Sudoku is a better option. One is led to ponder if obscurity was the goal.
(2) Conversely, some pieces resonate with the reader’s soul. stirring feelings of warmth, happiness, and connection to the world. Often, these compositions centre on themes that are universally understood, such as love, nature, or faith. Being able to actually understand what the poet is trying to say can feel like a little victory and is a welcome relief after grappling with more perplexing poetry.
(3) Then there are poems that are emotionally charged; the ones that make the reader curl up in a ball and cry or jump up and down with joy. One is left in awe of the poet’s ability to convey emotion through words. Let’s not forget the downright weird poems. These are the ones that defy categorization and leave the reader to their own devices in attempting to interpret meaning. The author’s use of figurative language and unconventional imagery can create a sense of bewilderment that is either intriguing or off-putting. Regardless, the reader can appreciate the uniqueness of the work.
(4) Despite the wide range of emotions and reactions that come with studying poetry, it can be a rewarding pursuit. Not only does reading poetry allow one to appreciate the artistic beauty of the written word but also enables one to develop crucial critical thinking and analytical skills. The process of unlocking a poem’s meaning can feel like cracking a code or solving a puzzle but the sense of accomplishment derived from mastering a challenging piece can be deeply gratifying. Finally, impressing an English teacher with a well-analysed poem can be a source of pride and validation.
(5) Overall, studying poetry is like a box of mixed chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. But whether it’s complex, emotional, simple, or just downright weird, there’s always something to be gained from the experience. So, let’s applaud all the poets out there, for making us laugh, cry, scratch our heads, and occasionally feel like a genius.
Created for academic usage/414 words
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
1. Which of the following statements best describes the author’s attitude towards studying poetry? (1)
  1. Finds poetry to be a frustrating and meaningless endeavor.
  2. Believes that the emotional rollercoaster of studying poetry is not worth the effort.
  3. Recognizes the challenges of studying poetry but also acknowledges the rewards it offers.
  4. Feels that poetry is too obscure and abstract for the average person to appreciate
2. What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph (1)? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
  If solving a riddle is what was intended, then playing Sudoku is a better option. One is led to ponder if obscurity was the goal. (2)
3. Complete the sentence appropriately.
  The author’s use of vivid imagery in the paragraph (3), such as “curl up in a ball and cry” and “jump up and down with joy”, greatly affects the reader because _________. (1)
4. The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) below, identify two sets of antonyms: (1)
  (a) intriguing and off-putting
  (b) deciphering and interpreting
  (c) appreciate and applaud
  (d) simple and challenging
  (e) emotions and feelings
5. Complete the sentence appropriately.
  We can say that the author’s tone becomes more neutral and objective when discussing weird poems, compared to other types of poetry because _________. (1)
6. Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, how studying poetry can be like exploring a new city. (2)
7. What is the message conveyed by Hina’s experience, in the following case? (1)
  Hina spends hours trying to analyze a poem for her assignment and finally feels a sense of accomplishment and pride, once she understands.
  1. Only those with natural talent for poetry should engage with it.
  2. Persistence makes studying poetry a rewarding pursuit.
  3. Study of poetry is guaranteed to impress others.
  4. The efforts of studying poetry is inversely proportional to the rewards gained.
8. State whether the following lines display an example of a simple/complex/emotionally charged/downright weird, poem. (1)
  The sun rises in the east,
  A new day begins, a fresh start.
  Birds chirp, nature wakes up,
  A peaceful feeling in my heart.

Read the following text. (10)
(1) Reduction in green areas has caused various environmental problems. People squeezed between concrete structures are looking for various ways to meet their longing for green. One of the ways to do so, is vertical gardens and green walls. Vertical gardening is a unique method of gardening where plants are grown in a vertical position or upward, rather than in the traditional method of planting them on the ground.
(2) The purpose of vertical gardens and green walls, which arises from the studies of different disciplines (landscape architects, architects, engineers, etc.), is to close the cold image of concrete and increase the visual value. In these systems, nature and structures are integrated, and thus, urban areas and the desired environment have become intertwined.
(3) Vertical garden case studies often show that , though functionality should be in the foreground, when vertical gardens are planned, they are generally made as aesthetic elements in the city’s underpasses and city squares, and decorative elements in residences, without seeking functionality.
(4) Experts support that the visual quality and evaluation of landscape architecture is determined based on the satisfaction of the users. Hence, a survey questionnaire was prepared for residents of varied age groups from of a metropolitan city . The given Table 1, displays these responses:
Table 1 – Total number of participants: 400

No.	Survey statements	Strongly agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly disagree
Vertical gardens-
1	improve quality of life of people in urban areas	191	138	43	9	19
2	reduce noise pollution	128	164	77	25	6
3	increase air quality -indoors and outdoors	172	147	51	28	2
4	reduce energy and water consumption	58	47	125	68	2
5	positively impact global warming	114	144	106	30	6
6	have a relaxing and calming effect	161	177	44	7	11
7	cost too much	86	107	152	42	13
8	make plants look beautiful	195	139	44	6	16
9	add naturalness to the environs	135	173	55	25	12
10	are among the determining factor to visiting a place	59	133	141	54	13
11	are inconvenient indoors	9	84	123	126	48
12	can be applied in every place	71	132	97	77	23
13	have a functional feature	81	207	100	10	2
14	distract drivers	34	101	106	131	28
15	funds are best used for social issues	57	72	100	130	41

(5) The study acknowledged that vertical gardening has the potential to transform urban spaces into green, sustainable areas, and further research should explore the impact of vertical gardening on the environment and human well-being.
Adapted for academic usage – 2019 case-study -Investigating the vertical garden applications in Turkey 225 words approx.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above

Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of paragraphs 1 & 2.
We can say that the situation of people living in concrete structures is comparable with a fish living in a fishbowl, and the need for vertical gardens to the need for decorations in the fishbowl because _________. (1)
Fill the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your understanding of paragraph 2.
The statement that, urban spaces have become more closely connected with the desired natural surroundings through the incorporation of nature and structures in vertical gardens and green walls, is a _________ (fact/opinion) because it is a ________ (subjective judgement/ objective detail). (1)
Justify the following, in about 40 words.
While the survey results suggest that vertical gardens may be effective in improving the quality of life in urban areas, further research and evaluation may be necessary to fully understand their effectiveness and potential drawbacks. (2)
Based on the survey results, which two concerns should a city government, looking to install vertical gardens, address? (1)
In Table 1, the statement 3, “Vertical gardens increase air quality – indoors and outdoors,” received the most neutral responses from participants, with 51 respondents indicating a neutral stance. State any one inference that can be drawn from this. (1)
Select the option that correctly displays what ‘intertwined’ signifies. (Reference-Paragraph 2) (1)
1. (i), (iv) and (v)
2. Only (ii)
3. Only (iii)
4. (ii) and (v)
FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED CANDIDATES
In the given sentence taken from paragraph 1, select the option that correctly replaces the underlined word, with its most likely antonym.
Vertical gardening is a unique method of gardening.
1. an indefinite
2. an exclusive
3. a combined
4. a standard;
Infer one benefit and one drawback of vertical gardening, in comparison to other solutions, such as community gardens or parks. (Answer in about 40 words) (2)
Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage? (1)
1. Vertical gardening has minimal impact on the environment or human well-being.
2. Vertical gardening is a sustainable practice that can transform urban spaces into green areas.
3. The impact of vertical gardening on the environment and human well-being has already been thoroughly explored.
4. The study needs to include experts from horticultural firms to offer any recommendations for further research.

SECTION B : WRITING SKILLS & GRAMMAR (20 marks)

GRAMMAR (10)

Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed. (10)
1. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket, for the given portion of a letter:
  Dear Sir
  This is with reference to committee’s letter of recommendation that _________ (highlight) the nominations for ‘Safe Residential Area’ award for this current year. (1)
2. Read the given sentence from a recipe review article. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence.
  This delightful recipe must keep your hunger pangs at bay with its balanced spices and oriental flavour.
  Use the given format for your response. (1)
  error correction
3. Abhilash and Neha had a conversation about the inauguration of Neha’s Dance Academy. Report Abhilash’s question.
  Is your best friend helping you in this venture? (1)
4. Read the dialogue between Shabnam and her mentor, Sara, regarding her summer internship programme.
  Sara: Why did you choose to participate in this internship programme?
  Shabnam: Ah! I am convinced this programme has the potential to enhance my abilities.
  Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue.
  Sara asked Shabnam ________ in that internship programme. Shabnam sighed and exclaimed that she was convinced that programme had the potential to enhance her abilities. (1)
  1. why to choose to participate
  2. to choose participation
  3. about her choice to participate
  4. with her choice in participating
5. Fill the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the concluding line of an issued circular by an Organisation, to its Managers.
  A copy of the plan is enclosed and _________ (that/ then/ this) may be communicated to all Team Leaders for compliance. (1)
6. Identify the error and supply correction for the given sentence from a commercial company’s current marketing strategy.
  The company aimed at increasing authority in areas frequently visited by the clients.
  Use the given format for your response. (1)
  error correction
7. Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the closing line, from an analytical report.
  In conclusion, this study explores the association among short-sleep pattern and overweight youngsters.
  Option No. error correction
  A explores explore
  B and or
  C among between
  D In for
8. Complete the given narrative, by filling the blank with the correct option.
  The experience of nursing an injured bird left me ________ grateful for knowing the importance of being kind and compassionate to all creatures. (1)
  1. feeling
  2. having felt
  3. felt
  4. feels
9. Report the dialogue between a vendor and his customer, by completing the sentence: (1)
  Vendor: It is nice to see you, Sir!
  Customer: Yes, indeed! Unlike last month, I have been away for quite some time this month.
  The vendor greeted his customer respectfully and mentioned that he was pleased to see him. The customer answered in the affirmative and explained that ________
10. Fill the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the live feed on a school news channel. (1)
  Congratulations Change Makers!
  The regional competition awards have been announced and our school music club ________ the first prize.
  1. had been won
  2. will win
  3. was winning
  4. has won
11. Complete the line from a self- awareness song, by filling the blank with the correct option.
  The river runs through your veins The trees and mountains ______ your name The moon and stars watch over You’re guiding your way back home To dream the night away. (1)
  1. will call
  2. call
  3. had called
  4. calls
12. Identify the error and supply correction for the following note in a passengers’ flight instruction manual: (1)
  Note- Passengers will not reach the airport late in order to avoid a fine equivalent to 5% of the basic fare.
  Use the given format for your response.
  error correction

WRITING (10)

Note: All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purpose.

1. As Vaishali Nathani of 214, Indrayani Apartments, Vaishali Street, Daipur, you believe that forming Ecology clubs and appointing Eco-minders in your city can aid in the preservation and conservation of nature. Write a letter to the MLA of your city area, in about 120 words, suggesting the need to form such clubs. Share their importance and implications. Recommend the involvement of resident volunteers for implementation of eco-club activities that nurture and protect the local ecosystem. (5)
  (OR)
2. As Armaan Khan, the School Literary Captain of Ujjwal Academy, Old City, Kiladerabad, you believe that languages can help bridge regional divides and promote unity. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily, in about 120 words, suggesting the introduction of an online regional language learning programme managed and run by student councils and language clubs in the city. The programme aims to help residents who have recently relocated to a new region in picking up the local language organically. Share the importance and credibility of such a programme and suggest a feasible way to execute it along with possible activities.

Tsering, of class X, is contesting for the post of the Junior School Captain, in the upcoming student council elections. Given below is her character traits’ graphic, shared in the public domain, by the school counsellor, for the awareness of student voters, at school.

All Tsering’s peers have been asked to write a paragraph in about 120 words, analysing these traits, to either support or oppose her candidature. As one of her peers, write this analytical paragraph, by selecting some of the traits that support your analysis.
You may begin like this:
As a responsible student voter, I believe Tesring possesses/does not possess the necessary traits to be a School Captain.
You may end like this:
For these reasons, I believe she has/does not have the potential to be a good School Captain and I support / oppose her candidature. (5)
(OR)

As the Captain of the school’s Cultural Club, you have been asked to study the given itinerary provided by a tour-organizing vendor. A 3N/2D Educational Tour for the Senior School Students: Jabalpur and Ranha National Park (Vandhya Pradesh) ▪ Tour Travel & sightseeing by bus.

Accommodation on quad sharing basis.
One staff complimentary for every 20 students.
Bottled mineral water throughout the tour.
Dance Party on 22 November.
Insurance policy of ₹20,000/- per head.
Provision of Tour Manager’s assistance to all places.

Day	Estimated time of departure from	Estimate d time of arrival	Sight-seeing Destination/ Activity	Time spent at the destination
22 Nov. 2023	8:49 am (Nagpur Junction)-8 hrs. 30 min	5:23 pm	Reporting at the hotel
23 Nov. 2023	9:00am (hotel)	10:00am	Bhawartal Garden	1 hr.
	11:00am (garden)	11:40am	Bhedaghat Dhuandhar Falls	1 hr.
	12:40pm (falls)	1:00pm	Lunch (nearby restaurant)	1 hr.
	2:00pm (restaurant)	2:15pm	Marble Rocks Cable car tour	1 hr. 30 mins
	3:45pm (Marble Rocks)	4:45 pm	Rani Durgavati Museum	1 hr. 30 mins
	6:15pm (museum)	7:00pm	Back to the hotel
24 Nov. 2023	5:30am (hotel)- 170 kms- 4 hrs. drive	9:30am	Ranha Tiger Reserve	7hrs.
	4:30pm (Tiger Reserve)	9:00pm	Back to the hotel
25 Nov. 2023	7:54 am (Jabalpur Railway station)- 8 hrs. 45 min	4:21 pm	Nagpur Railway Junction

Analyse this itinerary to either approve or reject the tour proposal, while focusing on the students’ safety, interest, and physical wellness. Write this analytical paragraph in about 120 words, by selecting features that support your analysis.
You may begin like this:
A thorough analysis of the itinerary provided by the tour organizing vendor reveals that the tour proposal should be accepted / rejected.
You may end like this:
Therefore, the tour proposal for the educational trip should be approved/rejected.

SECTION D – Literature

LITERATURE TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT (40 marks)

6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.

The question he tried to answer was simple: What is the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa?
“Everyone assumed the spots were just ornamental,” Ebright said.
“But Dr Urquhart didn’t believe it.”
To find the answer, Ebright and another excellent science student first had to build a device that showed that the spots were producing a hormone necessary for the butterfly’s full development. This project won Ebright first place in the county fair and entry into the International Science and Engineering Fair. There he won third place for zoology. He also got a chance to work during the summer at the entomology laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
(The Making of a Scientist)
1. State any one inference about Dr Urquhart from the given context: Everyone assumed the spots were just ornamental,” Ebright said.
  “But Dr Urquhart didn’t believe it.” (1)
2. State TRUE or FALSE.
  None of the terms (a) -(d) below, can be applied to the question – What is the purpose of the twelve tiny gold spots on a monarch pupa? (1)
  1. A hypothesis – a proposed explanation for a phenomenon
  2. An assumption – something that is taken for granted or assumed to be true without proof
  3. A premise – a proposition that forms the basis of an argument
  4. A theory – a well-substantiated explanation for a natural phenomenon
3. Ebright’s approach towards finding the purpose of the gold spots on a monarch pupa was highly effective. Elaborate in about 40 words, with reference to the extract. (2)
4. Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘a chance’ , in the given sentence from the extract. (1)
  He also got a chance to work during the summer at the entomology laboratory of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
  (OR)
LOMOV: It’s cold… I’m trembling all over, just as if I’d got an examination before me. The great thing is , I must have my mind made up. If I give myself time to think, to hesitate, to talk a lot, to look for an ideal, or for real love, then I’ll never get married. Brr…It’s cold! Natalya Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated. What more do I want? But I’m getting a noise in my ears from excitement. (Drinks) And it’s impossible for me not to marry. In the first place, I’m already 35- a critical age, so to speak. In the second place, I ought to lead a quiet and regular life. I suffer from palpitations, I’m excitable and always getting awfully upset; at this very moment my lips are trembling, and there’s a twitch in my right eyebrow.
(The Proposal)
1. Which of the following is NOT a reason why Lomov thinks he must marry? (1)
  1. He is already 35 years old.
  2. He suffers from palpitations.
  3. He is excitable and easily upset.
  4. He is in love with Natalya.
2. Why is it fair to say that Lomov’s tone, when he says “What more do I want?”, is uncertain and questioning? Answer in about 40 words. (1)
3. Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.
  1. A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic, usually with two or more people presenting different viewpoints and arguments.
  2. A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage, which reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience.
  3. An aside is a brief comment or remark made by a character directly to the audience, which is not intended to be heard by other characters on stage. (1)
4. If an actor were to enact this extract, what would he be required to focus on, while modulating his voice? (1)

7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. (5)

But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice. (Fire and Ice)
1. Fill the blank with one word.
  When the speaker says that ice could also bring about the end of the world , he refers to ________, as the means for destruction. (1)
2. What does the speaker’s alignment with those who favour ice, suggest? (1)
3. Which of the following best describes the speaker’s attitude towards destruction caused by ice? (1)
  1. Indifferent
  2. Fearful
  3. Dismissive
  4. Respectful
4. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines. (2)
  OR
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
(Fog)
1. In what way does the language used in this poem challenge traditional ideas of what poetry should be? (1)
2. What is the significance of the use of the word “little” to describe the fog in the poem and how does this word choice contribute to the overall mood and tone of the poem? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
3. Complete the sentence with the appropriate option.
  The lines from the poem tell us that the city is ________. (1)
  1. hilly
  2. coastal
  3. industrial
  4. under-developed
4. Identify the type of imagery used in the lines of the poem. (1)

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words 4×3=12

Justify the opinion that the traditional baker and his bread play a significant role in the cultural and social fabric of Goan society. (Glimpses of India-I) (3)
How does Leslie Norris use vivid imagery and metaphorical language in A Tiger in the Zoo, to effectively depict the confinement and oppression, experienced by the captive tiger. (3)
Explain how the description of the devastation caused by the hailstorm reflects the sadness within Lencho, in A Letter to God?
Refer to the given lines, from the text – (3)
Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness. (3)
Kitty was a trusted friend to Anne. Elaborate.
(From the Diary of Anne Frank) (3)
How does Ogden Nash’s The Tale of Custard the Dragon, challenge the notion that individuals should conform to societal expectations? (3)

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2×3=6

The story, A Triumph of Surgery is a powerful example of the importance of saying “no”. Explain. (3)
How does education play a transformative role in Bholi’s life? (Bholi) (3)
The various elements of Robert Arthur’s writing style work together to create a sense of tension, uncertainty, and suspense, well-suited to the mystery and suspense genre of the story, The Midnight Visitor. Comment, with reference to any one element. (3)

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1×6=6

You have been asked to present an evaluation of the approaches of the mothers of both, the baby seagull and Amanda, towards helping their children. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words, comparing the approaches of both parents.
You may begin this way:
One acknowledges that both parents, Amanda’s mother and the baby seagull’s mother both….however, …
(Reference -Amanda! & His First Flight)
(OR)
You have been chosen to address a student gathering from the neighbourhood schools, to speak on the resilience of human spirit required to transcend discrimination. Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words, with reference to the commonality of themes in Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and The Trees by Adrienne Rich.
You may begin this way:
Good morning, everyone. Today, I’d like to discuss two pieces of literature that offer a powerful insight into the resilience of the human spirit required to transcend discrimination.
You may end this way.
To conclude, I’d like to say that …
Thank you

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words. 1×6=6

Imagine that M. Loisel, from The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant, writes a diary entry, exploring the theme of class and social status, and the nature of social mobility, in the context of his own experience.
Write this diary entry, as M. Loisel, in about 120 words.
(OR)
A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of their experiences, challenges, and interactions with other characters. In light of the above information, trace the character arc of the thief in Ruskin Bond’s The Thief’s Story, in about 120 words.

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