Samacheer Kalvi 10th English Model Question Paper 4

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Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi 10th English Model Question Paper 4

General Instructions:

1. The question paper comprises of four parts.
2. You are to attempt all the sections in each part. An internal choice of questions is provided wherever applicable.
3. All questions of Part I, II, III and IV are to be attempted separately.
4. Question numbers I to 14 in Part I are Multiple Choice Questions of one mark each. These are to be answered by writing the correct answer along with the corresponding – option code.
5. Part II has got four sections. The questions are of two marks each. Question numbers 15 to 18 in Section I and Question numbers 19 to 22 in Section II are to be answered in about one or two sentences each. Question numbers 23 to 28 in Section III and IV are to be answered as directed.
6. Question numbers 29 to 45 in Part III are of five marks each and have been divided in five sections. These are to be answered as directed.
7.  Question numbers 46 and 47 in Part IV are of eight marks each. Question number 47 has four questions of two marks each. These are to be answered as directed.

Time: 2.30 Hours
Maximum Marks: 100

Part – I

Answer all the questions. [14 x 1= 14]
Choose the most suitable answer and write the code with the corresponding answer.
Choose the appropriate synonyms for the italicised words.

Question 1.
He saw his brothers and sister perfecting in the art of flight.
(a) achieving
(b) trying
(c) finishing
(d) balancing
Answer:
(a) achieving

Question 2.
A board creaked, when it was trod upon.
(a) weary
(b) worn
(c) walked
(d) opened
Answer:
(c) walked

Question 3.
The sun was soothing.
(a) anxiety
(b) boisterous
(c) dexterous
(d) comforting
Answer:
(d) comforting

Choose the appropriate antonym for the italicised words.

Question 4.
You don’t have to use any auxiliary means of repulsion.
(a) disgust
(b) revolution
(c) repercussions
(d) attraction
Answer:
(d) attraction

Question 5.
Consumable products self-order replacements.
(a) throwaway
(b) expendable
(c) durable
(d) perishable
Answer:
(c) durable

Question 6.
How ignorant you are!
(a) oblivious
(b) unaware
(c) uninformed
(d) well – informed
Answer:
(d) well – informed

Question 7.
Choose the correct plural form of ‘dozen’.
(a) dozens
(b) dozenes
(c) dozen
(d) perishable
Answer:
(c) dozen

Question 8.
Form a derivative by adding the right suffix to the word – broke.
(a) en
(b) cian
(c) ssion
(d) al
Answer:
(a) en

Question 9.
Choose the correct expansion of the abbreviation DARE.
(a) Documentation Automatic Retrieval Equipment
(b) Documents Arrangements Retrieval Equipment
(c) Department of Agricultural Research and Education
(d) Director Arrangements Retrieval Equipment
Answer:
(c) Department of Agricultural Research and Education

Question 10.
Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate phrasal verb given below:
She …………. with a mild warning.
(a) got away
(b) got into
(c) got up
(d) got out
Answer:
(a) got away

Question 11.
Choose the suitable option to pair it with the word ‘sit’ to form a compound word.
(a) out
(b) innings
(c) stand
(d) meaning
Answer:
(a) out

Question 12.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate preposition given below:
The spider crawls ……….. the wall.
(a) so
(b) before
(c) after
(d) on
Answer:
(d) on

Question 13.
Complete the following sentence using the most appropriate tense form of the verb given
below:
It was a historic day, which …………….. in navigation history and globally.
(a) was marked
(b) will be marked
(c) marking
(d) would be marked
Answer:
(d) would be marked

Question 14.
Choose the most appropriate linker from the given four alternatives.
The situation was Do ……………… die.
(a) else
(b) so
(c) but
(d) or
Answer:
(d) or

Part – II [10 x 2 = 20]
Section – I

Answer any THREE of the following questions in a sentence or two. [3 x 2 = 6]

Question 15.
What did the young bird’s family do when he started flying?
Answer:
The family saw the young seagull making his first flight and floating on the ocean. They flew and landed on the water just ahead of him. They were beckoning to him with a shrill voice. They were praising and rewarding him by offering scraps of fish to him.

Question 16.
How did they plan to manage a storm?
Answer:
Even during the storm when three people would be out on watch, the other three who would be inside wouldn’t be able to rest. When somebody heated the water, the other person would heat the gloves because it was raining also.

Question 17.
What did Sanyal say about Aditya who had asked him for his prize?
Answer:
Sanyal said that Aditya could not bear the fact that Sanyal had got a prize. He was envious and said that he had lost it because of the hole in his pocket.

Question 18.
Why did Mr. Hamel say it was the last French lesson?
Answer:
The order had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master was to come the next day. Hence Mr. Hamel said it was the last French lesson.

Section – II

Read the following sets of poetic lines and answer any THREE of the following. [3 x 2 = 6]

Question 19.
“Don’t ever try to saw her pride, her self-respect.
She knows how to thaw you, saw you – so beware/”
(a) What do the words thaw and saw mean here?
(b) What is the tone of the author?
Answer:
(a) Thaw and saw means that she will reduce you to nothing.
(b) The tone of the poetess is a caution about careful intervention.

Question 20.
“My heart was so light that I sang day and night,
For all nature looked gay. ” “For all nature looked gay”,
“You sang, Sir, you say?
Go then”, says the ant, “and dance the winter away”.”
(а) What is meant by‘gay’?
(b) Why does the poet say that the nature looks gay?
Answer:
(a) ‘Gay’ here means ‘happy and joyful’.
(b) The poet says that the nature looks happy because it’s springtime.

Question 21.
“But remember, please, the Law by which we live,
We are not built to comprehend a lie,
We can neither love nor pity nor forgive,
If you make a slip in handling us you die!”
(a) What is the warning given in the above lines?
(b) What is the reminder given by the machines?
Answer:
(a) The caution is the perils and hazards of mechanization.
(b) The reminder given by the machines is the law by which a machine lives to do the work of a man.

Question 22.
“It is the human earth that we defile
Our hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence
Of air that is everywhere our own,
Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange.”
(a) What are we doing to the earth?
(b) What is outraging this earth?
Answer:
(a) We are polluting this earth.
(b) Hells of fire and dust are outraging this earth.

Section – III

Answer any THREE of the following. [3 x 2 = 6]

Question 23.
Rewrite the following sentence to the other voice.
Answer:
The flat tire was changed by Saravanan.
Saravanan changed the flat tire.

Question 24.
Rewrite using indirect speech.
Answer:
“I haven’t seen them since last week,” said Roshini.
Roshini said that she hadn’t seen them since the previous week.

Question 25.
Punctuate the following.
Answer:
‘Our school used to be one–storeyed and a new building has come up, which wasnt ‘ Our school used to be one-storeyed, and a new building has come up, which wasn’t there.’

Question 26.
Transform the following sentence into a simple sentence.
Answer:
Our teacher is diligent therefore he is popular among students.
Our teacher is popular among students for his diligence.

Question 27.
Rearrange the words in the correct order to make meaningful sentences.
(a) went to / a friend’s dog / see / Sita and Ravi
(b) to obey / Rama decided / his mother / this time / very hard / for a long time / and prayed
Answer:
(a) Sita and Ravi went to see a friend’s dog.
(b) Rama decided to obey his mother this time and prayed very hard for a long time.

Section – IV

Answer the following. [1 x 2 = 2]

Question 28.
You are in Sandy Dance School. Ask a passer-by to help you reach Canara Bank with the help of the given road-map and write down the steps.
Answer:

• From Sandy School go straight on Amina Salai and take the left and enter P.S.M. Road.
• Go past Forex Mall on the left and P.V.R Cinemas on the right.
• Take the immediate right after P.V.R Cinemas and you will find Canara Bank on the right side.

Part – III [10 x 5 = 50]
Section -I

Answer any TWO of the following in utmost 10 lines. [2 x 5 = 10]

Question 29.
Narrate the extensive search operation made by the policemen in the house.
Answer:
The arrival of the police blows the whole event out of proportion. The cops call out for the front door to be opened, and when no one in the house goes downstairs, they break it in. They go upstairs to find the narrator, still walking around with a towel over him after his bath. The mother insists there were burglars though the police confirms that all doors and windows are bolted from inside. The police set about probing the house, moving furniture and emptying closets.

At one point, a policeman’s inquisitiveness makes him point out an unusual old musical instrument, a zither, to another officer. The police are suspicious of the family members’ strange behaviour. When the narrator’s grandfather, sleeping in the attic, makes a slight noise, the policemen spring into action. They race upstairs to investigate. The narrator fears trouble because his grandfather feels that the Civil War is in progress.

When the policemen arrive at his door, he is convinced that they are Meade’s army and calls them deserters. He slaps a policeman sending him to the floor and takes the man’s gun from his holster and shoots at him, hitting him in the shoulder. He fires twice more and then goes back to bed. Back downstairs, the police feel defeated. They bandage the wounded officer and search the house again.

Question 30.
How is Dr. Watson used to trap Smith without his knowledge by Sherlock Holmes?
Answer:
Dr. Watson is called by Mrs. Hudson to tend Holmes, who is apparently dying of a rare tropical disease, Tarpaunli fever, contracted while he was on a case at Rotherhithe. Holmes forbids Watson to go near him because the illness is highly infectious. Although Watson wishes to examine Holmes himself or send for a specialist, Holmes demands that Watson
wait several hours before seeking help.

While Watson waits, he examines several objects in Holmes’s room. Holmes is angered when Watson touches things on his table stating his dislike for people fidgeting his things. At six o’clock, Holmes asks Watson to turn the gaslight on, but only half-full. He then instructs Watson to bring Mr. Culverton Smith from 13 Lower Burke Street to see Holmes but to make sure that Watson returns to Baker Street before Smith arrives. Watson goes to Smith’s address. Although Smith refuses to see anyone, Watson forces his way in.

Once Watson explains his duty on behalf of Sherlock Holmes, Smith’s assertiveness changes significantly. Smith agrees to come to Baker Street within half an hour. Watson excuses himself, saying that he has another appointment, and returns to Baker Street before Smith’s arrival. Believing that they are alone, Smith is frank with Holmes and explains how he murdered his nephew Victor. At the end, Holmes calls for Watson to come out from behind the screen, to present himself as another witness to the conversation. Holmes explains his illness was feigned as a trick to induce Smith to confess to his nephew’s murder.
‘A detective s perspective traps the criminal. ’

Question 31.
Give a detailed account of all thoughts and questions in the narrator’s mind while accompanying Aditya from the tea shop to Sanyal’s house?
Answer:
The narrator had noticed the keen interest of Aditya in seeing the tea shop at Bramhapur if it still existed. They saw Sasanka Sanyal another customer seated in one comer of the Nagen’s Tea Cabin. When that customer was asked to leave by Nagen the owner, he behaved in a strange manner and reacted sharply. Before leaving the place, he stretched himself, raised his lean arm and with diluted eyes recited a poem by Tagore.

On hearing this poem and seeing the customer’s strange gesture of Namaste, Aditya’s expression changed. The narrator noticed the eagerness in Aditya to know who the gentlemen was and what he was doing. The information he had received from Nagen uncle perturbed Aditya. He was distressed perhaps to know that the man lost his wife and only son last year. When he left, Aditya was bent on knowing where the gentleman stayed and drove straight to his ancestral house with firm determination. His nerves seemed overwrought for some reason and he felt a strong necessity to visit his house.

Aditya was totally a different person now and he expressed keen interest to visit his house where he lived twenty nine years ago. ‘
“Memories are sometimes pleasant yet disturbing.”

Question 32.
How was the last lesson different from earlier lessons?
Answer:
The last lesson was different from earlier lessons in numerous ways. It revealed the love and respect of the teacher and students for their mother tongue. Even the teacher was unusually kind and did not scold children. M. Hamel taught very patiently, with utmost dedication and sincerity. It seemed as if he wanted to give all that he knew before going away.

He was dressed at his best and his ‘iron ruler’ was not used even to rap it on the desk. The last lesson was attended by villagers with deep remorse to show their love and respect for their mother tongue and also to M. Hamel. The students listened very carefully and everybody was absolutely quiet. Franz regretted for not learning his lesson. The last lesson was indeed emotional. It stirred patriotic feelings and awakened the villagers to the importance of their mother tongue.
“The bird of love flies on two wings-
Faith and Dedicated Service.”

Section-II

Answer any TWO of the following in utmost 10 lines. [2 x 5 = 10]

Question 33.
Describe the tree which adds to the mystery of the house.
Answer:
The poem, ‘The House on Elm Street’ by Nadia Bush is a dark poem. The house and the tree depict darkness and also a mysterious feel. Trees generally grow green. It is a representation of fertility and robust nature. Unlike a tree’s characteristic features the tree beside the mysterious house is also mysterious. The tree stands erect with no leaves in them.

There is no fall of leaves during autumn and there is no leaves sprouting during spring. There aren’t any leaves on the tree for the leaves to dry during summer nor for the snow to cover the leaves with snow during winter. This tree doesn’t grow tall nor does it get small. It is quite a mystery to see a living tree appearing lifeless!
“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man s desire to understand.”

Question 34.
Bring out the essence of the Poem ‘Life’ in a Nutshell.
Answer:
Henry Van Dyke, one of the greatest American short story writers and poets, has surpassed the act of writing skillfully. ‘Life’ is no doubt one of his priced literary pieces. This poem is a pinnacle of expressive embarkment on the quest of self-revival from the glum beats of monotony. It has a very deep and farsighted meaning held within it and this is evident from the very beginning of the poem. The poem is the poet’s own reflection on his life and tells his point of view on the more important things in life.

The poet advices the readers from his life experiences. We feel that he is now an older man reflecting on his younger days. Through his words he is explaining to us what he is taking away as most important to live is the best life possible. Life is too short to get caught up in the moment or worry about the past. On the other hand, it suggests that we look forward to what the future holds. We sometimes find ourselves brooding on the bad times and we forget about how much good there is in the future.

The poet is making us understand this concept and be more aware of reality. “Life is short and if we enjoy every moment of everyday, We will be happy no matter what happens or changes our way!”

Question 35.
Read the following stanza and answer the questions given below.
“If drive past the house almost every day.
The house seems to be a bit brighter.
On this warm summer day in May.
It plays with your mind.”
(i) Pick out the alliterated words in the 2nd line.
(ii) Pick out the rhyming words in the above stanza.
(iii) What is the rhyme scheme followed in this stanza?
(iv) Which line indicates the usage of the poetic device, ‘synecdoche’?
Answer:
(i) The alliterated words in the second line are be bit brighter.
(ii) The rhyming words are day and May in the above stanza.
(iii) The rhyme scheme followed in this stanza is ‘abac’.
(iv) The second line, ‘The house seems to be a bit brighter’ indicates the usage of the poetic device, ‘synecdoche’.

Question 36.
Paraphrase the following stanza.
But the queerest thing is that not one of the same
Can be brought to acknowledge his family name;
For never a Grumbler will own that he
Is connected with it at all, you see.
Answer:
But the strangest thing is that not one in the Grumble family can accept the family name because no Grumbler will accept that he is a grumbler nor associated with the qualities of a grumbler.

Section – III

Answer any ONE of the following: [1 x 5 = 5]

Question 37.
Rearrange the following sentences in coherent order.
(i) This box contained rubies, diamonds and pearls.
(ii) The box contained an interesting mechanism which will certainly explode when opened.
(iii) I thought of Susan.
(iv) I stood appalled, the key in my hand.
(v) I carried the iron box, set it down with care in a closet, laid the key oh it, and locked the closet.
Answer:
Rearranged number sequence: (iv), (ii), (i), (in), (v)
(iv) I stood appalled, the key in my hand.
(ii) The box contained an interesting mechanism which will certainly explode when opened.
(i) This box contained rubies, diamonds and pearls.
(iii) I thought of Susan.
(v) I carried the iron box, set it down with care in a closet, laid the key on it, and locked the closet.

Question 38.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
As he walked beside the canal, he noticed how the rains had swollen the waters, and how they beat against the side of the dike, and he thought of his father’s gates. “I am glad they are so strong,” he said to himself. “If they gave way what would become of us? •These pretty fields would be covered with water. Father always calls them the ‘angry waters.’ I suppose he thinks they are angry at him for keeping them out so long.”

As he walked along he sometimes stopped to pick the pretty blue flowers that grew beside the road, or to listen to the rabbits’ soft tread as they rustled through the grass. But oftener he smiled as he thought of his visit to the poor blind man who had so few pleasures and was always so glad to see him. Suddenly he noticed that the sun was setting, and that it was growing dark. “Mother will be watching for me,” he thought, and he began to run toward home. Just then he heard a noise. It was the sound of trickling water!

Questions
(i) Who does ‘he’ refer to?
(ii) Who works at the dikes?
(iii) What did he think was the reason for his father to say they were ‘angry waters’?
(iv) What did the little boy do while walking along the waters?
(v) Why did the little boy run towards home?
Answer:
(i) ‘He’refers to Peter.
(ii) Peter’s father works at the dikes.
(iii) Peter thought that the waters were very angry with him for keeping them out for so long.
(iv) He stopped to pick the pretty blue flowers that grew beside the road, or to listen to the rabbits’ soft tread as they rustled through the grass.
(v) He ran towards home as he knew that his

Section – IV

Answer any FOUR of the following. [4 x 5 = 20]

Question 39.
Prepare an attractive advertisement using the hints given below.
New Millennium Bike – comfortable ride – sleek look affordable price.
Answer:

Question 40.
You are Anuragh, who has seen the advertisement of the newspaper. Write a letter, placing an order, requesting them for a demonstration of the product at home. Also, remind them to deliver and install the promotional offer on purchase of the computer.
Answer:
Anuragh/Rita
25, South Madha Street
Chennai .
10th Sept. 2020
The Marketing Manager
HiTech Computers
Mylapore
Chennai
Sir,
Sub: Placing order for personal computer-Si45-8th Gen.
This is with reference to your advertisement in The New Indian Times, Dated 28th August, 2020,1 wish to place my order for the mentioned product/model-S 145-8th Gen./1 request you to install the model within a week and arrange for a smooth delivery at home. I would also prefer that as per your advertisement, your technician installs my free internet connection and anti-virus software, during the demonstration. Kindly ensure that your purchase bill is delivered with an authorized letter of warranty and details of after-sale service by the dealer. An urgent positive reply confirming the order would be appreciated.
Yours truly
Anuragh

Address on the envelope:

To
The Marketing Manager
HiTech Computers
Mylapore
Chennai.

Question 41.
You are Ramesh/Rashmi. As President of the Literary Club of your school you have organized an inter-school debate competition on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of your school. Write a notice in about 50 words, informing the students of your school about the competition.
Literary Club
ST. Thomas Public School, Trichy
5 Dec. 20XX
NOTICE
Inter-House Competitions
The Literary Club is organising an inter-school debate competition on the
occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations as per details given below:
Date : 18 Dec. 20XX Time : 11 a.m. onwards Venue : Saraswati Auditorium
Topic : “Nuclear Armament is India’s best defence against cross-border terrorism”
Last date for receipt of names : 10 Dec. upto 4.30 p.m. in the Activities Room.
Ramesh/Rashmi
President

Question 42.
Look at the following picture and express your views on it in about five sentences.
Answer:

I love this picture which has a good collection of Plantcils. Plantcil is a blended word of plant and pencil. The reverse side of the pencil has a seed in it. When the pencil becomes very small to hold and write you can sow the reverse side of the pencil which will bring for the new sapling for you to grow. This is a good example of recycling material. Let us advocate ‘Reduce Reuse and Recycle’ and also promote it as return gifts for birthday parties.

Question  43.
Make notes or write a summary of the following passage.
Question
A proper consideration of the value of time will inspire habits of punctuality. “Punctuality”, said Louis XIV, “is the politeness of kings.” It is also the duty of gentle men and the necessity of men of business. Nothing begets confidence in a man sooner than the practice of this virtue and nothing shakes confidence sooner than the practice of this virtue and nothing shakes confidence sooner than the want of it. He who holds to his appointment and does not keep you waiting for him shows that he has regard for your time as well as for his own.

Thus punctuality is one of the modes by which we testify our personal respect for those whom we ” are called .upon to meet in the business of life. It is also conscientious in a measure for an appointment is a contract, expressed or implied and he who does not keep it, breaks faith as well as dishonestly loses character. We naturally come to the conclusion that the person who is careless about time will be careless about business and he isn’t the one to be trusted with the transaction of matters of importance Notes

Title.: Punctuality
INSPIRES HABITS A PUNC.
(i) Prime duty A all;
(ii) Pune, brings confidence;
(iii) Appts kept – shows regard for all.
(iv) Pune. – mode to testify personal respect for others.
An appt – a contract
(i) Loses character – not punctual;
(ii) Careless abt time – careless abt business;
(iv) Can’t be trusted.
Abbreviations: A – of; PUNC. – punctuation; Appt-appointment; abt-about

Summary

Title: Punctuality Rough Draft
The value of time will inspire habits of punctuality. It is the duty of all gentle men and all business people. NothlngTJringsjiiishakes confidence in a man sooner than the practice of this virtue or the want of it. He who holds hislipptTmtfnexitJias regard for time. Thus in punctuality, we testify our personal respect for those we meet in business An Appointment is a contract and he who does not keep it loses character. We can conclude that the person who is careless about time will be careless about business and cannot be trusted with the transaction of important matters?

Fair Draft:
Title: Punctuality
The value of time inspires punctuality and is one’s prime duty. It is the duty of gentlemen and the necessity of businessmen. Nothing brings confidence than the practice of Punctuality. He who holds his appointment has regard for time. Thus in punctuality, we testify personal respect for those we meet. An appointment is a contract and he who doesn’t keep it loses character. We can conclude that one who is careless about time will be careless about business and cannot be trusted with the transaction of important matters. No. of words written in the summary: 73

Question 44.
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
(a) We shall go out if it does not rains.
(b) My teacher did not object to using me calculator.
(c) Very soon did I realize that he is at fault that day.
(d) No sooner did the rabbit come out of the bush when the hunter killed it.
(e) My elder brother asked me that what I was doing.
Answer:
(a) We shall go out if it does not rain.
(b) My teacher did not object to me using calculator.
(c) Very soon did I realize that he was at fault that day.
(d) No sooner did the rabbit come out of the bush than the hunter killed it.
(e) My elder brother asked me what I was doing.

Section – V

Quote from memory. [1 x 5 = 5]

Question 45.
The summer ……….. no fear.
Answer:
The summer of life she s ready to see in spring.
She says, “Spring will come again, my dear.
Let me care for the ones who ’re near. ”
She’s The Woman – she has no fear!

Part – IV

Write a paragraph of about 150 words by developing the following hints. [2 x 8 = 16]

Question 46.
(a) Mulan – legendary Chinese warrior – grown up child – aging war expert – neglects convention and regulation – disguises – registers in lieu – saves father from death – secretly takes his place – rises to the needs – daring – hardships – firm determination – confident and brave – Self-belief – China’s greatest heroines.
Answer:
The Story of Mulan portrays the legendary Chinese warrior Hua Mulan. This old Chinese folktale is about the story of the young Chinese maiden who learns that her wizened, old and frail father is to be called up into the army in order to fight the invading Huns by the Chinese Emperor. When the Huns invade China, one man from every family is called to arms. She hears of the order that every family must send one man to the army while washing clothes.

Mulan’s father, who is frail and aged decides to fight for his country though it is clear that he will not survive an enemy encounter. He decides to go to war but is prevented by her daughter with her outrageous decision. Knowing her father’s frail state, she decides to disguise herself and join in his place without second thoughts. In the army, Mulan proves to be a brave soldier who is later put in charge of other soldiers. Her battles goes so well that more soldiers are added. After a few years, Mulan becomes the General of the entire army. Suddenly, bad fever swept through the army. Many soldiers including Mulan become a prey. The arrival of the doctor brings to light the hidden truth.

Many soldiers disapprove such a thought, though some soldiers see the winning chances. Just then a soldier announces the surprise attack by the enemies. With no time to debate, the soldiers spring to action at the command of the General who hears this from inside her tent. She gets dressed and though not strong, she stands tall. She instructs the soldiers to attack knowing very well her strategic planning that all her soldiers acknowledge and win the battle.

It was such a big victory that the enemy gave up, at last. The war was over, and China was saved! The Emperor forgives Mulan and was glad that Mulan had ended the long war. He wanted Mulan to stay with him in the palace and be an advisor but as she chose to go to her family, the emperor gave her six horses and six fine swords so that her people will know that he thinks of her.

[OR]

(b) Explain the mother’s love with reference to the story, ‘The Aged Mother’ by developing the hints.
The despotic ruler decree – mother’s love – pure and unselfish – guides – kind mode of death – summit of Obatsayuma – son’s danger – untrodden path – wisdom and experience – breaks twigs – guide for return journey.
Answer:
The story of the Aged Mother, a folklore from Japan, tells a story about the care and wisdom of a mother to his son, their condition and the son’s love and gentle respect. This story talks about the conflict in the poor farmer’s mind.A mother’s affection is something that none can describe. It is composed of insightful sustenance of sacrifice and pain which is eternal and unconditional.

The thought that “A mother’s love is invaluable and can never be equated to further belongings that a child might own’ perturbs the narrator. The law pronounced by the tyrant ruler fills the heart of the poor farmer with deep remorse. Instead of putting his mother to death in the hand of the cruel law he decides to give his mother a kind mode of death. He takes his mother to the bare summit of Obatsayuma and plans to abandon her there.

The mother too is pained on the way to the summit of the mountain. Her heart grows concerned because she knows that her son will be in danger on his way back because he is not familiar to the paths and hence she breaks the twigs and drops it quietly on the road to serve as a guide for her son’s return journey.

Question 47.
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
As a young boy, one of my favourite pastimes was hunting frogs along the banks of a pond near our home. I was unaware of their unique visual powers that enabled them to elude me so easily. Later I learnt that the frog’s optical field is very much like a blackboard wiped clean, and that the only images it receives are objects that directly concern him. These little amphibians are never distracted by unimportant things, but are aware only of essentials and whatever may be dangerous to them.
In life we frequently become preoccupied with the vain things of the world. We allow our lives to become so cluttered with materialistic and insignificant concerns that we lose our perspective of the things that endure.

Questions.
(a) What was the young boy’s favourite pastime activity?
(b) What is unique about the frog’s vision?
(c) Why was the author never able to catch a frog?
(d) What is the lesson we must learn from the frog?
Answer:
(a) The young boy’s favourite pastime activity was hunting frogs along the banks of a pond near his house.
(b) The frog’s optical field is very much like a blackboard wiped clean and that the only images it receives are objects that directly concern him.
(c) The author was never able to catch a frog because they were never distracted by unimportant things but were aware of all essentials that may cause danger to them.
(d) The lesson we must learn from the frog is that in life we frequently become preoccupied with the vain things of the world. We allow our lives to become so cluttered with materialistic and insignificant concerns that we lose our perspective of the things that endure.

[OR]

Read the following poem and answer the questions given below:
Abou Ben Adhem! (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room, he said,
“What writest thou?” The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low.
But cheerily still and said, “I pray thee then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”
The angel wrote and vanished.
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom the love of God has blessed.
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.

Questions.
(a) Who is the angel in this poem?
(b) When Abou Ben Adhem was awakened in his dream, what did he see in his room?
(c) What has made Abou bold?
(d) Why does the poet use the expression ‘lo’?
Answer:
(a) The angel is the messenger of God in this poem.
(b) When Abou Ben Adhem was awakened in his dream, he saw an angel writing in a book of gold amidst the moonlight in his room.
(c) Exceeding peace that he received from the vision he had, had made Abou Ben Adhem bold.
(d) The poet uses the expression To’ to express surprise.