DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL

SECUNDERABAD
NACHARAM | MAHENDRA HILLS | NADERGUL

Grade- X PT 1 EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS Subject- English

A LETTER TO GOD
I. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope: the help of God, whose eyes, as he had been
instructed, see everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience. Lencho was an ox of a man, working like
an animal in the fields, but still, he knew how to write. The following Sunday, at daybreak, he began to write
a letter which he himself would carry to town and place in the mail. It was nothing less than a letter to God.

1. Why did the writer say- ‘still he knew how to write’?

(a) Lencho never went to school.
(b) Lencho was illiterate.
(c) Generally farmers were illiterate in the past.
(d) Lencho’s could not afford Lencho’s Education during his childhood.
2. Which of the following statements best describe ‘deep conscience’ as used in the passage above?
(a) (b) (c) (d)

3. Lencho’s letter to God was ____________________.

(a) Funny
(b) Thought provoking
(c) Strange
(d) Wise

4. Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option:

COLUMN I COLUMN II
A. daybreak i. what comes next in time
B. following ii. trained or educated
C. hope iii. the time in the morning when daylight first appears
D. instructed iv. the feeling of expectation or desire for something to happen

(a) A- iii; B- i; C-iv; D- ii

(b) A- ii; B- iii; C-iv; D- i
(c) A- iii; B- ii; C-iv; D- i
 (d) A- iii; B- iv; C-i; D- ii
5. Identify the metaphor used in the extract given above.
_____________________________________________________________________.
II. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.

The postmaster- a fat, amiable fellow- also broke out laughing, but almost immediately he turned serious
and tapping the letter on his desk, commented. “What faith! I wish I had the faith of the man who wrote this
letter. Starting up a correspondence with God!”

So, in order not to shake the writer’s faith in God, the postmaster came up with an idea: answer the letter.
But when he opened it, it was evident that to answer it he needed something more than goodwill, ink and
paper. But he stuck to his resolution: he asked for money from his employees, he himself gave part of his
salary and several friends of his were obliged to give something ‘for an act of charity’.

6. Describe the postmaster.

7. What more did the postmaster need to answer Lencho’s letter?
8. Find the word which means – obvious.
9. The synonym of ‘determination’, from the extract given above is ___________________.
10. ‘……several friends of his were obliged to give something ‘for an act of charity’.’ – Which of the
following meme can be related to his friends?
(a) (b)

(c ) (d)

NELSON MANDELA- A Long Walk To Freedom

III. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days, I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and
world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the
largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies would take place in the
lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat
of white supremacy, and now, it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the
installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government. On that lovely autumn day, I was
accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second deputy
president. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president. When it was my turn, I pledged to obey
and uphold the Constitution and to devote myself to the well-being of the Republic and its people.

1. Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract:
1) The ceremony took place in the grand amphitheatre.
2) The inauguration was experienced as the largest gathering.
3) It was the time for the formation of a non-racial government.
4) The incident was noticed on 10th June.
5) The white men ruled Africa for decades.
6) It was the installation ceremony.
7) It was South Africa’s republican day.
(a) 1 and 7
(b) 2 and 5
(c) 4 and 7
(d) 3 and 5
2. Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/ s (F) and opinion/ s (O) of the statement below:

(a) F- (2), (3), (4) and O – (1)

(b) F- (3), (2) and O – (4), (1)
(c) F- (2), (4) and O – (3), (1)
(d) F- (1), (2) and O – (3), (4)
3. Mark the sentence where besieged IS NOT used as expressed in the passage above.
(a) The king’s army was determined to besiege the castle before nightfall.
(b) The reporters would besiege the winner of the contest for interviews.
(c) The robber was besieged by the residents and hit hard.
(d) The police seized the firearms found at the gangsters’ hideout.
4. What does the writer imply by saying ‘the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and
Nations?’
_________________________________________________________________________.
5. Which word from the last 4 lines of the extract is the synonym of ‘back up/ standby/ support?’
IV. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.

It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a
young man that my freedom had already been taken from me, that I began to hunger for it. At first as a
student I wanted freedom only for myself, the transitory freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read
what I pleased and go where I chose. Later, as a young man in Johannesburg, I yearned for the basic and
honourable freedoms...

6. Give a title that best suits this extract.

___________________________________________________________________________.

7. Why do you think the speaker mentions that some freedoms are transitory?

___________________________________________________________________________.

8. The speaker says, ‘at first as a student I wanted freedom only for myself.’ Why do you think he only
thought about himself?
___________________________________________________________________________.
9. Choose the option that best fits the usage of the word ‘illusion’ as used in the extract.
(a) He was never able to get past the illusion.
(b) The illusion I experienced was quite intriguing.
(c) A large mirror in the room creates an illusion.
(d) I was living under the illusion that this is possible.
10. A part of the extract has been paraphrased. Choose the option that includes the most
appropriate solution to the blanks in the given paraphrase of the extract.
The speaker’s belief about freedom, since childhood proved false. It was not until the speaker grew
up to be a young man when it i) __________________ on him that he was ii) ________________ of
freedom. Then he began iii) __________________ it.
(a) desired ii) dawned iii) depriving
(b) dawned ii) deprived iii) desiring
(c) dawned ii) arrived iii) desiring
(d) arrived ii) deprived iii) dawned
 TWO STORIES ABOUT FLYING- I His First Flight
IV. The day before, all day long, he had watched his parents flying about with his brothers and sister,
perfecting them in the art of flight, teaching them how to skim the waves and how to dive for fish. He
had, in fact, seen his older brother catch his first herring and devour it, standing on a rock, while his
parents circled around raising a proud cackle. And all the morning the whole family had walked
about on the big plateau midway down the opposite cliff taunting him with his cowardice.

1. Based on the given sentence, pick the option that corresponds to what
human parents would say.
‘while his parents circled around raising a proud cackle.’
a) Well done!
b) Oh no!
c) Ready?!
d) Really!?
2. Which option lists the image nearest to ‘skim the waves’?

a) image (i)
b) image (ii)
c) image (iii)
d) image (iv)

3. Imagine that the young gull attended a workshop on inspiration and confidence building and received a
couple of pieces of advice.
Choose the option that reflects these pieces of advice, most relevant to his situation.

a) (i) and (ii)

b) (ii) and (iii)
c) (iii) and (iv)
d) (i) and (iv)
4. Which of the following feelings did the young gull, NOT feel according to the given context?
“…all day long, he had watched his parents flying about with his brothers
and sister…”
(i) sad (ii) incompetent (iii) excluded (iv) ungrateful
(v) inspired (vi) jealous (vii) anxious
a) i, iii, vi
b) ii, v, vii
c) ii, iii, vii
d) iv, v, vi

5. Select the most appropriate option for the following:

devour : guzzle: : nibble : _______
a) chew
b) savour
c) peck
d) gulp

DUST OF SNOW

V. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a Hemlock tree

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I had rued.

1. Who is the poet of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’?

__________________________________________________________________________.
2. What does ‘dust of snow’ mean?
__________________________________________________________________________.
3. Choose the option that lists the possible feelings of the poet prior to the experience shared in the
poem.
(1) Reassured
(2) Disappointed
(3) Curious
(4) Demotivated
(5) Thankful
(6) Disheartened
(7) Impulsive
(a) 1, 3 & 7
(b) 2, 4 & 6
(c) 1, 4 & 6
(d) 3, 5 & 7
4. Of the many symbols the hemlock tree represents, choose the one that Frost drew upon in all
likelihood, for this poem.
(a) Longevity
(b) Togetherness
(c) Healing
(d) Protection
5. Synecdoche is a poetic device that uses a part to represent the whole. E.g. That’s a great set of
wheels! (Set of wheels has been used for cars.) Pick an example of synecdoche from the poem.
(a) Has given my heart/ A change of mood
(b) The way a crow/ Shook down on me
(c) The dust of snow/From a Hemlock Tree
(d) And saved some part/ Of a day I had rued.

FIRE AND ICE

VI. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.

6. What is the poet’s opinion in the stanza given above?

__________________________________________________________________________.
7. Identify the rhyming scheme of the stanza.
__________________________________________________________________________.
8. What is the contradiction mentioned in the poem?
__________________________________________________________________________.
9. What does fire symbolise?
(a) Greed
(b) Apathy
(c) Indifference
(d) Despise
10. Identify the poetic device in ‘some say…….. fire, some say in ice.’
(a) Repetition
(b) Anaphora
(c) Alliteration
(d) Metaphor

A TIGER IN THE ZOO

VII. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
1. According to the extract, the poet wishes for the tiger to be ‘sliding’ through the foliage as this
would ________________________________________.
(a) assist in keeping the prey unsuspecting of the predator’s sound.
(b) aid in camouflaging the presence of the predator before it rushes in.
(c) help the predator pounce on the prey comfortably without getting tired.
(d) Support the predator’s vision as it eyes its prey.
2. Pick the phrase that DOES NOT suggest that the forest in the extract is lush.
(a) long grass
(b) the water hole
(c) plump deer
(d) lurking in the shadow
3. Which fact DOES NOT connect with the significance of the water hole for the tiger?
(a) Many tigers chase prey into the water and hold the victim’s head underwater until it drowns.
(b) Prey feed in the water on water-lilies and often wander into the middle of the water hole, where they
are vulnerable and easy for the tiger to kill.
(c) Prey that has quenched its thirst ensures consumption of hydrated meat for the tiger.
(d) Chasing the panicked prey from shallow to deep water where the tiger grabs it.
4. Find the word from the extract convey the meaning – ‘remaining hidden, so as to wait in ambush’.
__________________________________________________________________________.
5. ‘The shadow’ here refers to the shadow of _______________________________________.

HOW TO TELL WILD ANIMALS

VIII. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
If ever you should go by chance
To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance
 A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion.
1. Where does the poet say that one can find the Asian Lion?
__________________________________________________________________________.
2. Identify the word which means- “of an orange-brown or yellowish-brown colour.”
__________________________________________________________________________.
3. How according to the poet, can you identify the beast?
__________________________________________________________________________.
4. What is the poet’s real purpose of giving such a suggestion?
(e) To spread awareness
(f) To conserve wildlife
(g) To create humour
(h) To publicize Asian Lions and their territory
5. Pen down the rhyming scheme of the stanza.

_________________________________________________________________________________.

A TRIUMPH OF SURGERY
IX. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
The entire staff was roused and maids rushed in and out bringing his day bed, his night bed, favourite
cushions, toys and rubber rings, breakfast bowl, lunch bowl, supper bowl. Realising that my car
would never hold all the stuff, I started to drive away. As I moved off, Mrs Pumphrey, with a
despairing cry, threw an armful of the little coats through the window. I looked in the mirror before I
turned the corner of the drive; everybody was in tears. Out on the road, I glanced down at the
pathetic little animal gasping on the seat by my side. I patted the head and Tricki made a brave effort
to wag his tail. “Poor old lad,” I said. “You haven’t a kick in you but I think I know a cure for you.”
1. Given below are emoticons reflecting various expressions and reactions. Choose the option that
correctly describes the narrator’s mindset in the given extract.

(a) (i) and (iii)

(b) (ii) and (v)
(c) (iii) and (v)
(d) (ii) and (iv)
2. As the extract indicates, Mrs. Pumphrey indulged Tricki and bought him many things.
Choose the option that best describes the kinds of advertisement/s that seem likely to persuade Mrs.
Pumphrey to buy something for Tricki.
(i) Statistics Appeal – Such advertisements use facts and data to convince consumers to buy
products.
(ii) Scarcity Appeal – Such advertisements create a feeling of exclusivity and are often used to
convince people to take advantage of a sale or limited period offer.
(iii) Personal Appeal – Such advertisements focus on evoking emotions to convince consumers and
often relate to family or other inter-personal interactions.
(iv) Fear Appeal – Such advertisements focus on inspiring some kind of fear to convince consumers
to take action in order to avoid certain negative or undesirable consequences.
(a) Options (i), (ii) and (iv)

(b) Options (iii) and (iv)

(c) Options (i), (iii) and (iv)

(d) Option (ii) only

3. Given below are some well-known quotes shared by the staff to console Mrs. Pumphrey, after
Tricki’s departure. Choose the option that correctly identifies the quote that IS NOT appropriate to
the consolation offered.

(a) Option (i)

(b) Option (ii)
(c) Option (iii)
(d) Option (iv)
A Gardener
A Pet sitter
A Veterinary Doctor
A Forest Ranger
4. The narrator describes Tricki as a “pathetic little animal”. The use of the word ‘pathetic’ indicates
that the narrator_________________________.
5. Why was Tricki gasping on the seat by the narrator’s side?
__________________________________________________________________________.

X. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
He discovered the joys of being bowled over, tramped on and squashed every few minutes. He
became an accepted member of the gang, an unlikely, silky little object among the shaggy crew,
fighting like a tiger for his share at mealtimes and hunting rats in the old henhouse at night. He had
never had such a time in his life. All the while, Mrs Pumphrey hovered anxiously in the background,
ringing a dozen times a day for the latest bulletins.
6. Read the following statements, each of which describes the gist of the given extract. Select the option
that captures the essence of the extract correctly.
Statement I – It highlights the kind of comforts and luxuries that Tricki was used to at home.
Statement II – It brings out a contrast between Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey’s state of being.
Statement III – It reflects that Tricki was happier at the surgery, and loved being with other
dogs.
Statement IV – It shows Tricki’s journey with his peers at the surgery, and documents his recovery.
(a) Statements I and II
(b) Statements II and III
(c) Statements I and III
(d) Statements II and IV
7. “All the while, Mrs Pumphrey hovered anxiously in the background”. Given below are different
types of pet parenting styles described in Country Living, an e-magazine. Choose the option that best
reflects the kind of pet owner Mrs. Pumphrey was.

(i) Traffic Light pet owners have a healthy balance of rules and freedom and give clear and
consistent signals for ‘yes’ and ‘no’.

(ii) Entranced pet owners have the best intentions, but as soon as their pet locks eyes with them and
gives their command, they are at their pet's beck and call.

(iii) The Goose pet owners go all-out in protecting their pet. They often limit their time away from
their pet, especially puppies.

(iv) The Baggage Handler pet owners love being close to their pets and going on adventures
together. They are always mindful of the pet's comfort and security.

(a) Option (i)

(b) Option (ii)
(c) Option (iii)
(d) Option (iv)
8. What does the reference to Tricki as a “silky little object” signify?
__________________________________________________________________________.

9. Identify the metaphor used in the extract given above.

__________________________________________________________________________.
10. Find out the phrasal verb which means- ‘to push or make them fall on the ground.’
__________________________________________________________________________.

THE THIEF'S STORY

XI. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
Well, it’s time I did some real work, I told myself, and I’m out of practice. And if I don’t take the
money, he’ll only waste it on his friends. After all, he doesn’t even pay me.

11. Who does ‘I’ refer to in the above extract?

__________________________________________________________________________.
12. What did the Narrator mean by “real work”?
__________________________________________________________________________.
13. Which of the following expressions has the same meaning as ‘rusty’?
(e) Did some real work
(f) Out of practice
(g) Only waste it on his friends
(h) Pay me
14. Which of the following statements are his justifications for his “real work”?
Statement 1- If I don’t take the money, he’ll only waste it on his friends.
Statement 2- He doesn’t even pay me.
Statement 3- I’m out of practise
(a) Statements 1 and 3
(b) Statements 1 and 2
(c) Only statement 1
(d) Only statement 2
15. Which of the following is the proper usage of the word “take” as used in the passage given above?
(a) He is very clear with his ideologies and has a take on everything in life.
(b) This scene is complicated and so the actors would need 4-6 takes at least.
(c) It takes a lot of patience and energy to be a kindergarten teacher.
(d) The secretary took the letter pad from the locker in the Manager’s room.

XII. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below.
Anil was watching a wrestling match when I approached him. He was about 25-- a tall, lean fellow –
and he looked easy-going, kind and simple enough for my purpose. I hadn’t had much luck of late
and thought I might be able to get into the young man’s confidence.
‘You look a bit of a wrestler yourself,” I said. A little flattery helps in making friends.

16. According to the extract, the young boy was watching the wrestling match because he
(a) had been invited there by the wrestlers.
(b) was supposed to meet someone there.
(c) was looking for simple people to dupe.
(d) loved wrestling and followed it very closely.
17. Anil looked easy-going, kind and simple to the narrator. Which of the given characteristics would
NOT fit in with this description?
(a) compassionate
(b) suave
(c) uncomplicated
(d) carefree
18. ‘I hadn’t had much luck of late’ means that the boy hadn’t ___________________________.
19. Describe Anil in 15-20 words.
20. Identify the Idiom used in the above extract.