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Read the following extract and… (English 2025 2/3/1 Q7a)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2025, set 2/3/1 · 5 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English 2025: question 7(a)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2025, paper 2/3/1, section C, question 7(a), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q7(a) · 5 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedDust of Snow

Read the following extract and answer the questions:

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood

(Dust of Snow)

  1. (i)

    Fill the blank to complete the sentence. Shaking down of dust of snow gave the speaker a change of heart by __________.

    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    How does the interaction between the natural elements (crow, snow, hemlock tree) contribute to the speaker’s emotional transformation in the poem? Answer in about 40 words.

    2 marks
  3. (iii)

    ‘Dust of Snow’ is referred to as:

    1. (A)mist
    2. (B)dust of branches
    3. (C)snow residue
    4. (D)snowflakes
    1 mark
  4. (iv)

    The crow and the hemlock tree represent __________. 1. sorrow 2. elation 3. hope 4. anxiety 5. enthusiasm

    1. (A)1 only
    2. (B)2, 3 and 5
    3. (C)4 only
    4. (D)1, 4 and 5
    1 mark

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2025 board paper, set 2/3/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Think about what the poet says the small incident did to his heart.

Hint 2

Crows and hemlock trees are usually seen as symbols of sadness. Why is it surprising that they cheer him up?

Hint 3

Compare your answers with the actual words of the poem for the options in (iii) and (iv).

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) ...reminding him of nature's beauty / uplifting his spirits unexpectedly.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) The crow and hemlock tree are usually linked with gloom and negativity, yet the crow shaking snow on the speaker acts as a surprise trigger. This small natural moment lifts his mood and turns his sorrow into a positive, hopeful feeling.

    2 marks

  3. (iii) D) Snowflakes

    1 mark

  4. (iv) A) 1 only

    1 mark

Answer: (i) reminding him of nature's beauty; (ii) the usually gloomy crow and hemlock unexpectedly lift his mood; (iii) D; (iv) A

Where the marks are

  • Completes the sentence with nature's beauty or an unexpected uplift of spirits (1 mark)
  • Crow and hemlock, associated with negativity, become a catalyst for change (1 mark)
  • Change of mood to a positive, emotional transformation (1 mark)
  • Option D (1 mark)
  • Option A (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: Dust of Snow (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Dust of Snow, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2025 board paper, set 2/3/1: 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.