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Read the given… (Class 10 English SQP 2023-24, Q6.B)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Sample paper, session 2023-24 · 5 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2023-24: question 6.B

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2023-24, section D, 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-basedThe Proposal

Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given.

LOMOV: It's cold... I'm trembling all over, just as if I'd got an examination before me. The great thing is, I must have my mind made up. If I give myself time to think, to hesitate, to talk a lot, to look for an ideal, or for real love, then I'll never get married. Brr...It's cold! Natalya Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated. What more do I want? But I'm getting a noise in my ears from excitement. (Drinks) And it's impossible for me not to marry. In the first place, I'm already 35— a critical age, so to speak. In the second place, I ought to lead a quiet and regular life. I suffer from palpitations, I'm excitable and always getting awfully upset; at this very moment my lips are trembling, and there's a twitch in my right eyebrow.

(The Proposal)

  1. i

    Which of the following is NOT a reason why Lomov thinks he must marry?

    1. (A)He is already 35 years old.
    2. (B)He suffers from palpitations.
    3. (C)He is excitable and easily upset.
    4. (D)He is in love with Natalya.
    1 mark
  2. ii

    Why is it fair to say that Lomov's tone, when he says "What more do I want?", is uncertain and questioning? Answer in about 40 words.

    2 marks
  3. iii

    Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.

    1. (a)A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic, usually with two or more people presenting different viewpoints and arguments.
    2. (b)A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage, which reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience.
    3. (c)An aside is a brief comment or remark made by a character directly to the audience, which is not intended to be heard by other characters on stage.
    1 mark
  4. iv

    If an actor were to enact this extract, what would he be required to focus on, while modulating his voice?

    1 mark

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

Read the reasons Lomov gives for marrying and see which option is missing from them.

Hint 2

Notice that he talks only to himself.

Hint 3

Think about what emotions he shows and how a voice would carry them.

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) D. Lomov never says he loves Natalya. His reasons are his age of 35, palpitations and being excitable.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) Lomov's tone is uncertain and questioning because he is trying to convince himself that Natalya is a suitable match. His doubts and fears show he is not fully sure he has decided rightly.

    2 marks

  3. (iii) (b). A soliloquy: Lomov is alone on stage speaking his innermost thoughts, which is neither a debate nor a brief aside.

    1 mark

  4. (iv) The actor should show Lomov's nervousness and excitement through voice modulation, for example rising when he is excited and lowering when he is anxious.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) D; (ii) he is trying to convince himself, with doubts showing; (iii) (b) soliloquy; (iv) nervousness and excitement

Where the marks are

  • (i) Chooses D (1 mark)
  • (ii) Explains the uncertain, self-convincing tone with reference to his doubts (2 marks)
  • (iii) Chooses (b) soliloquy (1 mark)
  • (iv) Mentions nervousness and excitement in the voice (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: The Proposal (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Proposal, 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.