SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2022-23) ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (Code No. 184) CLASS-X Section A: READING SKILLS with answers

 Section A: READING SKILLS 20 Marks

I Read the passage given below. 10

1

Mountains have always been held in great awe by mankind. They have been a challenge to

humans. Those brave among us have always wanted to conquer them. You see, the more

incredible the mountains, the greater the thrill – a challenge to the bravery of the human race.

Climbing mountains is an experience that is hard to put into words. You are in a beautiful

environment and, when you reach the top, you feel incredible. But you also have to climb down,

which is when most accidents happen – people are tired, it gets dark, it’s harder. So, mountain

climbing is undoubtedly one of the most popular adventure sports along with being challenging

and risky for the climber.

2

Without any perceived risk, there can’t be a feeling that any significant challenge has been

surmounted. Fair, but we have to bear in mind that mountaineering is not a sport that can be

embraced without preparation. The enthusiasts must develop in themselves the spirit of

adventure, willingness to undertake hardships and risks, extraordinary powers of perseverance,

endurance, and keenness of purpose before climbing a mountain. They should also know how to

handle mountaineering equipment. Then comes the penance of the rigorous training. This

could very well be the lifeline up there. It helps inculcate and hone survival instincts that allow the climber to negotiate perilous situations. There are numerous institutes in India and abroad that

offer such training.

3 Mountain climbers are unanimous in agreeing that the unpredictable weather is what they fear

the most. There may be sunshine one moment and a snowstorm the other. At higher altitudes,

snow is a regular feature and being decisive about setting up camps or proceeding further is

crucial. The icy sheets after ice storms make walking treacherous, while the powdery snow makes

a mountaineer sink deep into the snow. Up there, where the intention is to embrace Nature’s

wonder, one realises that it cannot be done without facing its formidable glory. A true

mountaineer may challenge the mountain, yet is always respectful to the powerful forces of

nature.

4 Summiting mountains carries its own health risks such as oxygen and altitude sickness problems,

frost bites, swelling of hands and feet, fluid collection in brain or lungs and exhaustion. Yet, the

gratification mountaineers feel from mastering something that is so frightening, urges them to

undertake these endeavours. We may think that the mountaineers are fearless, experts say, “Not

at all. It’s fear that keeps them so intrigued with such arduous journeys.” Impulse and brazenness

can be deadly foes. In the words of the Indian mountaineer, Bachendri Pal, “The biggest risk ... is

to not to take the risk at all. Remember that.”

(444 words)

Adapted—

https://evirtualguru.com/essay-on-mountaineering

https://fairgaze.com/fgnews/mountaineering-origin-and-its-benefits_71549.html

https://www.aplustopper.com/essay-on-mountain-climbing/

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. 1x10

I Why does the writer say that mountains inspire ‘awe’ in humans? (Paragraph 1)

A. They present us with opportunities for exciting sports.

B. They evoke the wish in us, to master them.

C. They inspire in us, deeds of valour.

D. They represent peace and calm, to us.

1m

ii Select the option that corresponds to the following relation below:

The more incredible the mountains—the greater the thrill (Paragraph 1)

A. The higher the stamina—the lower the food intake

B. The more you laugh—the lesser your illness

C. The smaller the car—the bigger the advantage

D. The heavier the luggage—the higher the penalty

1m

iii Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the

following:

So, mountain climbing is undoubtedly one of the most popular adventure sports

(Paragraph 1)

A. doubt

B. caution

C. conviction

D. denial

1m

iv Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 1

Opinion  

___________________________________________________       

Reason    

                  Best experienced rather than described 

V The writer compares training to penance in the line --Then comes the penance of the

rigorous training. (Paragraph 2)

State 1 point of similarity between training and penance.

1m


vi Based on your reading of the text, list 2 reasons why the writer says that

“mountaineering is not a sport that can be embraced without preparation”.

(Paragraph 2)

1)__________________________

2)_______________________________

1m

vii What connect does the writer draw out between unpredictable weather and setting

up of camps? (Paragraph 3)

1m

viii The writer says, “A true mountaineer may challenge the mountain, yet is always

respectful to the powerful forces of nature.” (Paragraph 3)

Select the reason the mountaineer is respectful to the forces of nature, up in the

mountains.

A. survival

B. experience

C. tradition

D. directive

1m

ix Supply 1 point to justify the following:

While mountain climbing, an impulsive mountaineer is either disaster-prone or as good

as dead.

1m

x Evaluate the INAPPROPRIATE reason for the feeling of exhilaration on reaching a

summit, that the mountain-climbers experience.

A. Achievement of a seemingly impossible feat

B. Spectacular panoramic view

C. Application of the inculcated survival instincts

D. Opportunity to use sophisticated mountaineering equipment

ANSWERS

Marks to be awarded only if the response reveals structure or semblance of coherent thought 

rather than a transcribed chunk/exact line/s from the passage in an attempt to pass off as a response.

I. Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. 10 marks

i.Why does the writer say that mountains inspire ‘awe’ in humans?

A. They present us with opportunities for exciting sports.

B. They evoke the wish in us, to master them. 

C. They inspire in us, deeds of valour.

D. They representpeace and calm, to us.

(1 mark)

Value Points Guidance

B.They evoke the wish in us, to master them

ii.Select the option that corresponds to the following relation below:

The more incredible the mountains—the greater the thrill (Paragraph 1)

A. The higher the stamina—the lower the food intake

B. The more you laugh—the lesser your illness

C. The smaller the car—the bigger the advantage

D. The heavier the luggage—the higher the penalty

(1 mark)

Value Points Guidance

D.The heavier the luggage—the higher the penalty 

iii.Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the following:

So, mountain climbing is undoubtedly one of the most popular adventure sports

(Paragraph 1)

A. doubt

B. caution

C. conviction

D. denial

(1 mark)

Value Points Guidance

C. conviction

iv.Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 1.

Opinion Reason

____________ Best experienced rather than described

(1 mark)

Value Points Guidance

hard to put in words 

v.The writer compares training to penance in the line --Then comes the penance of the rigorous 

training.(Paragraph 2)

State 1 point of similarity between training and penance.

(1 mark)

Value Points Guidance

very difficult / requires perseverance

(Any other relevant)


vi.Based on your reading of the text, list 2 reasons why the writer says that “mountaineering is not a sport 

that can be embraced without preparation”. (Paragraph 2)

1) ______________________

2)______________________

(1 mark)

Value Points Guidance

(Any 2)

 Because mountaineering includes difficulties 

likehaving to walk on icy sheets that cannot be 

accomplished without proper preparation of 

equipment

 Because mountaineering includes dealing with

several Health hazards that cannot be managed 

without preparation.

 Because managing unpredictable weather is 

essential in mountaineering and cannot be 

accomplished without being prepared with specific 

training

 Because mountaineering presents the risk of fatality 

due to faulty decision-making and cannot be 

addressed without being prepared by 

accompanying/ engaging experienced climbers

(Any other relevant/ correct from text)

 Award 1 mark for 2 correct/ 

relevantpoints

 Award ½ mark for 1 correct/ 

relevant points

vii.What connect does the writer draw out between unpredictable weather and setting up of camps? 

 (Paragraph 3)

. (1 mark)

Value Points Guidance

If the weather is unpredictable, it makes it difficult to 

decide when to set up camp as mountaineers would prefer 

to climb when it's sunny and camp when it’s snowing.

 Award 1 mark for the complete 

explanation 

 Award ½ mark for a partial but correct 

explanation

viii.The writer says, “A true mountaineer may challenge the mountain, yet is always respectful to the 

powerful forces of nature.” (Paragraph 3)

Select the reason the mountaineer is respectful to the forces of nature, up in the mountains.

A. survival

B. experience

C. tradition

D. directive

(1 mark)

Value Points Guidance

A. survival  Award 1 mark for the correct answer 

 No partial credit 

ix.Supply 1 point to justify the following: 

While mountain climbing, an impulsive mountaineer is either disaster-prone or as good as dead.

(1 mark) 

Value Points Guidance

Survival is key in mountain climbing and it can be done with 

meticulously planning / careful decision-making/ careful 

application of training (any one or more)

It has no room for rash or impulsive decisions/ actions—

these would lead to accidents or fatalities.

 Award 1 mark for relevant justification

 No partial credit

x.Evaluate the INAPPROPRIATE reason for the feeling of exhilaration on reaching a summit, 

 that the mountain climbers experience.

A. Achievement of a seemingly impossible feat

B. Spectacular panoramic view 

C. Application of the inculcated survival instincts

D. Opportunity to use sophisticated mountaineering equipment

(1 mark) 

Value Points Guidance

D.Opportunity to use sophisticated mountaineering 

equipment

 Award 1 mark for relevant justification

 No partial credit



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