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Read the following… (Class 10 English SQP 2023-24, Q2)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Sample paper, session 2023-24 · 10 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2023-24: question 2

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2023-24, section A, question 2, for 10 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q2 · 10 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedReading (unseen passages)

Read the following text.

(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 statementsStrongly agreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly disagree
Vertical gardens-
1improve quality of life of people in urban areas19113843919
2reduce noise pollution12816477256
3increase air quality -indoors and outdoors17214751282
4reduce energy and water consumption5847125682
5positively impact global warming114144106306
6have a relaxing and calming effect16117744711
7cost too much861071524213
8make plants look beautiful19513944616
9add naturalness to the environs135173552512
10are among the determining factor to visiting a place591331415413
11are inconvenient indoors98412312648
12can be applied in every place71132977723
13have a functional feature81207100102
14distract drivers3410110613128
15funds are best used for social issues577210013041

(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.

  1. i

    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 mark
  2. ii

    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 mark
  3. iii

    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 marks
  4. iv

    Based on the survey results, which two concerns should a city government, looking to install vertical gardens, address?

    1 mark
  5. v

    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 mark
  6. vi

    Select the option that correctly displays what 'intertwined' signifies. (Reference-Paragraph 2)

    Figures (i) to (v) are shown in the question.

    1. (A)(i), (iv) and (v)
    2. (B)Only (ii)
    3. (C)Only (iii)
    4. (D)(ii) and (v)
    1 mark
  7. vii

    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 marks
  8. viii

    Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage?

    1. (A)Vertical gardening has minimal impact on the environment or human well-being.
    2. (B)Vertical gardening is a sustainable practice that can transform urban spaces into green areas.
    3. (C)The impact of vertical gardening on the environment and human well-being has already been thoroughly explored.
    4. (D)The study needs to include experts from horticultural firms to offer any recommendations for further research.
    1 mark

Figure in the paper: Figure for question vi: five striped-line arrow figures labelled (i) to (v), left to right. (i) two chevron-like bundles of striped lines with arrowheads on the outside. (ii) several parallel striped lines crossing diagonally over one another, with arrowheads at both ends of the diagonal. (iii) a U-shaped set of parallel striped lines with arrowheads pointing upward at the top ends. (iv) two horizontal arrows pointing left and right, crossed by two vertical parallel lines. (v) a branched bundle of striped lines with arrowheads pointing up and sideways, curving into each other. See it in the official paper.

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

For (i), notice what the plants and rocks do for the fish, and match that to the city dweller.

Hint 2

For (iii) and (iv), look at the rows on cost (7) and driver distraction (14) in Table 1.

Hint 3

For (vi), 'intertwined' means twisted together, so look for the figure showing lines crossing and twisting.

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) ...just as a fish needs decorations like plants or rocks to imitate a natural environment and improve its life, people in urban areas need green spaces such as vertical gardens to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) opinion; subjective judgement. The statement expresses a belief about the benefits of vertical gardens and cannot be proved as an objective fact.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) True. Most participants agreed or strongly agreed that vertical gardens improve quality of life (191 + 138 of 400). However, the survey does not show long-term effectiveness or drawbacks such as cost or driver distraction, so more research is needed.

    2 marks

  4. (iv) The government should address the cost of installation and maintenance, and the possible distraction of drivers, by choosing locations carefully.

    1 mark

  5. (v) Many participants may not be fully aware of how vertical gardens affect air quality, so more awareness is needed. (Any one valid inference.)

    1 mark

  6. (vi) Option B. 'Intertwined' means twisted or joined together so that the parts are hard to separate, which is shown by figure (ii) only.

    1 mark

  7. (vii) Benefit: vertical gardens fit into small urban spaces and add to the look of a place. Drawback: they give no space for recreation like parks, and they may cost more to install and maintain.

    2 marks

  8. (viii) Option B. The study says vertical gardening can turn urban spaces into green, sustainable areas.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) fish needs decorations to simulate nature, people need vertical gardens for wellbeing; (ii) opinion, subjective judgement; (iii) True, with evidence from Table 1; (iv) cost, driver distraction; (v) participants may be unaware of the air quality effect; (vi) B; (vii) benefit: fits small spaces, drawback: no recreation space or higher cost; (viii) B

Where the marks are

  • (i) Completes the analogy with the idea of a natural, healthy environment (1 mark)
  • (ii) Both opinion and subjective judgement (1 mark)
  • (iii) Says true, and justifies with Table 1 evidence and the limitation (2 marks)
  • (iv) Names both concerns, cost and driver distraction (1 mark)
  • (v) Gives one valid inference (1 mark)
  • (vi) Chooses B (1 mark)
  • (vii) Gives one benefit and one drawback (2 marks)
  • (viii) Chooses B (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: Reading (unseen passages)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Reading (unseen passages), one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paperSample paper 2023-24: 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.