CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Sample Paper 2012 Set E

1. Read the poem given below and answer the questions: 

Wind

Subramania Bharati

Wind, come softly.

Don't break the shutters of the windows.

Don't scatter the papers.

Don't throw down the books on the shelf.

There, look what you did - you threw them all down.

You tore the pages of the books.

You brought rain again.

You're very clever at poking fun at weaklings.

Frail crumbling houses, crumbling doors, crumbling rafters,

crumbling wood, crumbling bodies, crumbling lives,

crumbling hearts -

the wind god winnows and crushes them all.

He won't do what you tell him.

So, come, let's build strong homes,

Let's join the doors firmly.

Practise to firm the body.

Make the heart steadfast.

Do this, and the wind will be friends with us.

The wind blows out weak fires.

He makes strong fires roar and flourish.

His friendship is good.

We praise him every day.

Wind, come softly.

Given below is the summary of the poem. Fill in the blanks with suitable words to complete the summary. Use only one word for each blank.

The poet begins by a) ___________to the wind to blow softly and not cause havoc by breaking window shutters, scattering paper or throwing books on the shelf. The poet b) ___________against the wind since it has torn the pages of the books and has brought rain again. The poet feels that the wind is extremely clever as it c) ____________fun of those who are weak. It does not like anything weak. Everything that d) _______easily be it houses, doors, wood or rafters, is e) _____________mercilessly by wind. Besides, it also crushes weak bodies, lives and hearts. The poet f) __________wind to a God who doesn't do what people tell him to .The poet offers a g) ____________to help humanity. He appeals to people to be firm, positive and strong both physically as well as mentally. They must have a h) _____________heart if they want to be friends with wind. If we are strong then wind will not only i) _____________ us but also aid us in achieving success and in flourishing. It is j) __________to be friends with wind.

2. Question in lieu of Q2, Q5, Q8 and Q10 with marking scheme and answer key 

Section A

Reading

Question 2 : Read the passage carefully and complete the sentences that follow by choosing the correct option for each: 

Abraham Lincoln writes to the Headmaster of his son's school

"He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel, there is a hero and that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader. Steer him away from envy, if you can, teach him the secret of quiet laughter... Teach him, if you can , the wonder of books... but also give him quiet time to ponder over the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hillside."

"In school, teach him that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat... Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tell him they are wrong... Teach him to be gentle with gentle people, and though with the tough. Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the bandwagon. Teach him to listen to all men, but teach him also to filter all he has heard on the screen of truth, and take on the good that comes through it."

"Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad... teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him to scoff at cynics, and to beware of too much sweetness... Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders, but never to put a tag on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears to the howling mob... and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right."

"Teach him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel. Let him have the courage to be impatient... Let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind."

1. Abraham Lincoln writes a letter to his son's headmaster because …

a. he wants his son to be educated in the best possible manner.

b. he is very apprehensive about his son's welfare.

c. he wishes to assert his views on education.

d. he does not approve of the way the headmaster runs the school.

2. Reading books is important for students, but it is equally important...

a. for them to be quiet, and to think and introspect.

b. to make them appreciate the mysteries of nature.

c. to make sure they listen to their fellow beings.

d. to make them dedicated leaders.

3. Students must understand the it is honorable to fail then to cheat because…

a. they are being watched by God.

b. by cheating they lose self-respect.

c. they develop the habit of cheating.

d. they will have to live with failure

4. Everyone is getting on the bandwagon. Here 'getting on the bandwagon' means…

a. the name of a vehicle.

b. joining popular and successful people.

c. riding a wagon.

d. chasing a wagon.

5. Abraham Lincoln does not want the headmaster to cuddle his son because…

a. he is a ruthless father.

b. he doesn't care for his son.

c. the headmaster is very strict.

d. he wanted his son to become strong.

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