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Read the following… (Class 10 English SQP 2024-25, Q1)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Sample paper, session 2024-25 · 10 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2024-25: question 1

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2024-25, 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) Water is one of the most essential resources on Earth, yet it is often taken for granted. Despite its abundance, the reality is that only a small fraction of the world’s water is fresh and available for human use. With increasing populations, climate change, and industrial demands, the pressure on our water resources is growing. This makes water conservation not just a collective responsibility but a crucial individual duty. Each person’s effort towards conserving water can significantly impact the preservation of this vital resource for future generations

(2) One of the primary reasons individual water conservation efforts are so important is the cumulative effect of small actions which may seem trivial on their own. However, when multiplied by millions of people, these actions can lead to substantial water savings. For example, a single dripping tap can waste over 15 litres of water a day. Imagine the water saved if every household in a city repaired just one leaky faucet. This highlights the power of collective individual actions in reducing water waste.

(3) Moreover, personal efforts towards water conservation often lead to greater awareness and education. When individuals take steps to conserve water, they become more conscious of their water usage and the importance of this resource. This awareness can then spread within communities, inspiring others to adopt similar practices. For instance, a family that installs water-saving devices in their home may encourage neighbours and friends to do the same, creating a ripple effect. This grassroots approach to conservation can be particularly effective in areas where larger-scale initiatives may be slow to implement or lacking in support.

(4) In addition to daily habits, individuals can also make a difference through more significant lifestyle choices. For instance, opting for drought-resistant plants in gardens and supporting water-efficient agriculture can all contribute to water conservation. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is one of the largest consumers of water globally. By supporting sustainable farming practices, individuals can indirectly reduce the water footprint of their food.

(5) Critics might argue that individual efforts are negligible compared to the large-scale water consumption by industries and agriculture. However, this perspective overlooks the potential for individual actions to drive systemic change. When people collectively make water-conscious choices, they send a powerful message to businesses and policymakers about the importance of conservation.

(6) Each person’s commitment to saving water, no matter how small, contributes to a larger culture of sustainability. By making conscious choices and spreading awareness, individuals can help ensure that future generations have access to the clean, fresh water they need to thrive. Water conservation is not just the responsibility of governments and industries; it is a shared duty that begins with each of us.

Created for Academic Usage / 441 words

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

  1. I

    In paragraph 1, what does the phrase ‘each person’s effort towards conserving water can significantly impact the preservation of this vital resource’ emphasise?

    1 mark
  2. II

    Complete the following with the correct option from the two given. Water is often taken for granted, despite its essential nature because ______. (paragraph 1)

    1. (a)it is abundant and always easily accessible, making people less aware of its usage
    2. (b)its importance is not always recognised, leading people to overlook its value
    1 mark
  3. III

    Support the writer's idea that small individual actions towards water conservation are not trivial. (paragraph 2)

    2 marks
  4. IV

    Select the option that best reflects the concept of a ‘ripple effect’ in the context of student life at school. (paragraph 3)

    1. (a)A student’s act of volunteering at a local charity leads to the school administration organising a large-scale fundraising event.
    2. (b)A student who consistently follows good study practices inspires classmates to improve their own study routines, creating a culture of academic excellence in the class.
    1 mark
  5. V

    State whether the following statement is True or False. (paragraph 3)

    1 mark
  6. VII

    List any two points that a powerful message sent to businesses and policy makers about the importance of water conservation might include. (paragraph 5)

    2 marks
  7. VIII

    Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given. (paragraph 6) In the phrase ‘culture of sustainability,’ the word ‘culture’ refers to ______.

    1. (A)A set of beliefs and practices shared by a group
    2. (B)The artistic and traditional practices specific to a community's heritage.
    3. (C)The lifestyle habits and choices that are popular among the urbane
    4. (D)The techniques and methods used in development efforts
    1 mark

Source: official sample paper from cbseacademic.nic.in (PDF). See it in the full Sample paper 2024-25.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Go back to the exact paragraph named in each sub-part and read it again.

Hint 2

For III, think about what happens when millions of people each do one small thing, and use the dripping tap example.

Hint 3

For VII, think about what businesses can adopt, and what policymakers can make and enforce.

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) The phrase stresses that personal responsibility matters: each individual's small action, added together, makes a big difference in saving water for future generations.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) Option (b): its importance is not always recognised, so people overlook its value.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) Small actions are not trivial because, though minor alone, they add up to large savings when millions adopt them. For example, one dripping tap wastes over 15 litres a day, so mending leaky taps in every household of a city would save a great deal. Individual efforts are therefore essential to wider conservation goals.

    2 marks

  4. (iv) Option (b): a student's good study habits inspire classmates to improve theirs, spreading outward like a ripple.

    1 mark

  5. (v) True. Large-scale initiatives can be slow or poorly supported, so the writer recommends grassroots, individual-led efforts in such areas.

    1 mark

  6. (vi) The question text for this sub-part is not supplied. The marking scheme key is option C (crop rotation and organic compost to maintain soil health).

    1 mark

  7. (vii) Any two points. The message could urge businesses to adopt water-efficient technologies and methods to cut their consumption. It could also call on policymakers to frame and enforce stronger water-conservation regulations.

    2 marks

  8. (viii) Option A: 'culture' here means a set of beliefs and practices shared by a group.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) Individual responsibility matters; (ii) b; (iii) small actions add up; (iv) b; (v) True; (vi) C (per scheme); (vii) water-efficient technology, stronger regulations; (viii) A

Where the marks are

  • Personal responsibility and collective impact of small acts (1 mark)
  • Option b for II (1 mark)
  • Small actions accumulate into large savings, with a supporting example (2 marks)
  • Option b for IV (1 mark)
  • True for V (1 mark)
  • Option C for VI per scheme (1 mark)
  • Any two valid points for businesses/policymakers (2 marks)
  • Option A for VIII (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 2024-25: 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.