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Read the following extract… (Class 10 English 2023, Q6b)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2023, set 2/6/1 · 5 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English 2023: question 6(b)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2023, paper 2/6/1, section C, question 6(b), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q6(b) · 5 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedFootprints without Feet

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house in the middle of London? And where was the man? As they gazed, a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere! Further footprints followed, one after another, descending the steps and progressing down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter and at last disappeared altogether.

  1. (i)

    The boys were surprised to see a barefooted man in London because _____.

    1. (a)everybody in London moved around in shoes.
    2. (b)it was very cold in London to move around barefoot.
    3. (c)the muddy footprints were fresh.
    4. (d)only a homeless person would walk barefoot.
    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word 'started' in the above extract.

    1. (a)When I reached the theatre the movie had already started.
    2. (b)The fire started from the kitchen.
    3. (c)On hearing the bell ring, the sleeping Raman started and jumped out of bed.
    4. (d)Taking a deep breath, Ravi started down the stairs.
    1 mark
  3. (iii)

    The boys reaction can best be described as

    1. (a)captivated, bored
    2. (b)repulsed, absorbed
    3. (c)curious, unhappy
    4. (d)captivated, interested
    1 mark
  4. (iv)

    Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text: Disappeared : Vanished :: Extraordinary :

    1 mark
  5. (v)

    According to the extract the boys were _____ when they saw the footmark. 1. terrified 2. nervous 3. delighted 4. curious 5. puzzled. Select the correct option.

    1. (a)1, 2, 4
    2. (b)Only 1
    3. (c)4 and 5
    4. (d)2 and 3
    1 mark

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2023 board paper, set 2/6/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Think about the weather in London.

Hint 2

For 'started', look for the sense of a sudden jerk.

Hint 3

Note that the boys followed the footprints, which shows curiosity.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. (i) (b) it was very cold in London to move around barefoot, which is why the sight surprised them.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) (c) On hearing the bell ring, the sleeping Raman started and jumped out of bed. Here 'started' means made a sudden movement from surprise.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) (d) captivated, interested. The boys followed the footprints, fascinated.

    1 mark

  4. (iv) Remarkable. It is a synonym of extraordinary, just as vanished is a synonym of disappeared.

    1 mark

  5. (v) (c) 4 and 5. The boys were curious and puzzled, not terrified or delighted.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) b; (ii) c; (iii) d; (iv) remarkable; (v) c

Where the marks are

  • One mark for each correct answer (5 marks)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Footprints without Feet, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2023 board paper, set 2/6/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.