CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2023-24: question 1
From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2023-24, section A, question 1, for 10 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.
Q1 · 10 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedReading (unseen passages)
Read the following text.
(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.
- i1 mark
Which of the following statements best describes the author's attitude towards studying poetry?
- (A)Finds poetry to be a frustrating and meaningless endeavor.
- (B)Believes that the emotional rollercoaster of studying poetry is not worth the effort.
- (C)Recognizes the challenges of studying poetry but also acknowledges the rewards it offers.
- (D)Feels that poetry is too obscure and abstract for the average person to appreciate.
- ii2 marks
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.
- iii1 mark
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 ____________.
- iv1 mark
The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) below, identify two sets of antonyms:
(a) intriguing and off-putting
(b) deciphering and interpreting
(c) appreciate and applaud
(d) simple and challenging
(e) emotions and feelings - v1 mark
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 __________.
- vi2 marks
Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, how studying poetry can be like exploring a new city.
- vii1 mark
What is the message conveyed by Hina's experience, in the following case?
Hina spends hours trying to analyze a poem for her assignment and finally feels a sense of accomplishment and pride, once she understands.
- (A)Only those with natural talent for poetry should engage with it.
- (B)Persistence makes studying poetry a rewarding pursuit.
- (C)Study of poetry is guaranteed to impress others.
- (D)The efforts of studying poetry is inversely proportional to the rewards gained.
- viii1 mark
State whether the following lines display an example of a simple / complex / emotionally charged / downright weird, poem.
The sun rises in the east,
A new day begins, a fresh start.
Birds chirp, nature wakes up,
A peaceful feeling in my heart.
Source: official sample paper from cbseacademic.nic.in (PDF). See it in the full Sample paper 2023-24.
Hints
Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.
Hint 1
Re-read paragraph 1 for the tone words, and paragraph 4 for the author's final verdict on poetry.
Hint 2
For (iv), check which pairs mean the opposite of each other, not similar things.
Hint 3
For (vi), think about what an explorer needs to enjoy a new place, then apply it to poems.
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 mark
(i) Option C. The author admits poetry can be confusing and frustrating, yet paragraph 4 calls it a rewarding pursuit. Options A, B and D are one-sided.
- 2 marks
(ii) Tone: critical (or sarcastic). Rationale: the writer suggests that deliberately obscure poems are not worth the effort. Comparing a poem to a riddle, and saying Sudoku would be better, shows impatience with needless obscurity.
- 1 mark
(iii) ...it makes the reader feel the strength of the emotion the poet conveys, creating a powerful emotional impact and a deeper understanding of how intense poetry can be.
- 1 mark
(iv) (a) intriguing and off-putting; (d) simple and challenging. Each pair has opposite meanings.
- 1 mark
(v) ...the author accepts that weird poems may be off-putting, yet also values their uniqueness and the challenge they offer, so no bias is shown either way.
- 2 marks
(vi) Exploring a new city needs an open mind and a willingness to accept the unexpected. Likewise, studying poetry needs openness to different styles and approaches, and readiness to be challenged and surprised by what one finds.
- 1 mark
(vii) Option B. Hina's persistence finally brings understanding, pride and a sense of accomplishment, so persistence makes studying poetry rewarding.
- 1 mark
(viii) Simple. The language and structure are plain and easy, and it describes a peaceful natural scene.
Answer: (i) C; (ii) critical/sarcastic, with rationale; (iii) it creates a powerful emotional impact on the reader; (iv) (a) and (d); (v) the author acknowledges both the off-putting and the unique, challenging side of weird poems; (vi) both need an open mind and willingness to be surprised; (vii) B; (viii) simple
Where the marks are
- (i) Chooses C (1 mark)
- (ii) Names the tone (1 mark) and gives a rationale (1 mark)
- (iii) Explains the emotional impact on the reader (1 mark)
- (iv) Identifies both antonym pairs (a) and (d) (1 mark)
- (v) Mentions both the neutral and the objective aspects (1 mark)
- (vi) Links both the city and poetry to an open mind and willingness to be surprised (2 marks)
- (vii) Chooses B (1 mark)
- (viii) Says simple (1 mark)
Revise the chapter
- Chapter: Reading (unseen passages)
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