Diagnostic Assessment Tool in English Grade 10

Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION III-CENTRAL LUZON
REGIONAL DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT

English 10
Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________________

Score: ________________________________
Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write it on the provided Answer Sheet.
1. You are asked to write an argumentative essay about the issue on Covid-19 Vaccine Prioritization Policy.
As part of your introduction, construct a thesis statement that affirms with the prioritization policy.
A. The rate of transmission and the threat of the new variant of the virus is very high.
B. It is possible that our medical workers can get infected with the new variant
C. The vaccine should be readily available to all who are willing to be immunized.
D. Medical workers must be the first to be inoculated once the vaccine is available.
2. A counterclaim is an opposing view to your argument. Suppose you are writing an essay about the benefits
of going to school, what counterclaim should you address in one of your paragraphs?
A. Many young people only go to school just because they have to.
B. School is a place where you learn social and communication skills.
C. Some successful people were not given the opportunity to go school.
D. Going to school is very important to your future education and career.
3. How should you conclude an argumentative essay to make it compelling?
A. Mention and acknowledge an opposing view to balance opinions.

B. Get the readers’ attention with a hook or grabber about the topic.
C. Restate your thesis statement along with the reasons that support it.
D. Acknowledge all your sources or references to make it more credible.
4. Cohesive devices are words or phrases that show the relationship between paragraphs or sections of a text. Fill in the
blank with the correct word to complete the text below:
Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without
special treatment. ____________, some may become seriously ill and require medical attention.
A. As a result B. On the other hand
C. Because D. As matter of fact
5. A rhetorical question is an effective writing technique used to hook readers’ interest by using questions
intended to make a point, rather than get an answer.
Which of the following rhetorical questions best complements the informative text below?
The casual killing of dolphins by commercial tuna fleets has become a global ecological problem. In the
eastern Pacific, yellowfin tuna follow certain types of dolphins. By locating schools of dolphins, fishermen
Address: Matalino St., D.M. Government Center, Maimpis, City of San Fernando (P)
Telephone Number: (045) 598-8580 to 89 • Email Address: region3@deped.gov.ph
also locate tuna. During the early days when tuna were caught by hook and bait, the dolphins and fishermen
are allies. Today, however, speedboats herd schools of dolphins and tuna together tightly. When mile-long
nets are cast, the dolphins become helplessly entangled under water and are unable to rise to the surface to
breathe. In 1986 alone, between 125,000 and 129,000 of these warm-blooded, air-breathing creature died
unnecessarily.
Source: Gabriel, J.P., & Martires, E.M.(2005), English IV (page 85).Saint Bernadette Publications, Inc.
A. How can dolphins be useful to fishermen?

B. How do the commercial tuna fleets pose a global economic problem?
C. Do you think the warm-blooded and air-breathing dolphins are going to be extinct?
D. If the situation continues unchecked, is it well worth it to lose forever one of the most gentle and
intelligent creatures?
6. As a writer, you ought to use patterns in paragraph development that fit the train of ideas you want to
convey. Arrange the following sentences logically using analysis as pattern of development.
I. Our constitution created a national government with three distinct branches.

II. This separation of powers prevents any one branch or person from becoming too powerful.
III. No one branch has its absolute power; each one has its own duties and limitations.
IV. They are the legislative (Congress), the executive branch (the President/Cabinet), and the judicial branch
(justice system).
V. For example, the President is the one to appoint Supreme Court justices, but those appointees must be
approved by the Congress.
VI. When Congress on the other hand, makes a law, the President has the right to vote it, and the Supreme
Court may determine whether it is constitutional or not.
A. I, IV, III, V, VI, II

B. I, III, IV, VI, V, II
C. I, II, III, IV, V, VI
D. VI, V, IV, III, II, I
7. Suppose you are writing a critique of a research study and you find the theoretical framework difficult to
understand, which of the following sentences will you use to soften the absolute statement?
Readers find the theoretical framework difficult to understand.

A. A lot of readers find the theoretical framework difficult to understand.
B. Readers find the theoretical framework very difficult to understand.
C. Readers might find the theoretical framework difficult to understand.
D. Some readers find the theoretical framework difficult to understand.
8. Using language structures helps a writer avoid absolute statements in writing a critique. Fill in the blank to
complete the critique statement below:
The text _________ inappropriate for Grade 10 students who may have a little background of the topic.
A. must be
B. is absolutely
C. seems to be
D. ought to be
9. Suppose you are writing a critique about “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, which of the following
information will you include in your introduction?
I. One evening, Mathilde’s husband went home with an invitation for a fancy ball.
II. Mathilde and his husband soon found out that the borrowed necklace was just fake.
III. This story mirrors the author’s understanding of the French society of his time.
IV. Mathilde dwelled on lacking a fancy dress and jewelry to wear for the ball.
V. Maupassant manages to highlight the travails of life one entertains as a result of being class-conscious.
VI. Henri Rene Albert Guy de Maupassant’s “The Necklace” is a short story of Mathilde Loisel and the
experience she had with a diamond necklace.
A. VI, V, IV
B. VI, V, III
C. I, II, III
D. I, II. IV
10. Analyze to which part of a critique the text must be included:

Mathilde’s character is influenced by the materialistic values of the French society during that time. The
necklace only signifies man’s reliance to material things. For the Loisel’s, it represents their dream of a luxury
life which later led to a problem. The universality in this story applies to any society where people have to
hide behind clothes and commodities in order to gain respect.
A. Analysis
B. Conclusion
C. Introduction
D. Summary
For items 12-18, read the story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and critique the selection
guided by the questions that follow.
The Cask of Amontillado
The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed
revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to
a threat. At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled — but the very definitiveness
with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A
wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger
fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.
It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. I
continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the
thought of his immolation.
He had a weak point — this Fortunato — although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even
feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. For
the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity, to practice imposture upon the
British and Austrian millionaires. In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack,
but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. In this respect I did not differ from him materially; — I was
skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.
It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my
friend. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much. The man wore motley. He
had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells. I was
so pleased to see him that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand.
I said to him — “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day!
But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts.”
“How?” said he. “Amontillado? A pipe? Impossible! And in the middle of the carnival!”
“I have my doubts,” I replied; “and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without
consulting you in the matter. You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain.”
“Amontillado!”
“I have my doubts.”
“Amontillado!”
“And I must satisfy them.”
“Amontillado!”
“As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn it is he. He will tell me —
—”
“Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry.”
“And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own.”
“Come, let us go.”
“Whither?”
“To your vaults.”
“My friend, no; I will not impose upon your good nature. I perceive you have an engagement. Luchesi —
—”
“I have no engagement; — come.”
“My friend, no. It is not the engagement, but the severe cold with which I perceive you are afflicted. The
vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre.”
“Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have been imposed upon. And as
for Luchesi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado.”
Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm. Putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a
roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.
There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time. I had told
them that I should not return until the morning, and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the
house. These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance, one and all, as
soon as my back was turned.
I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato, bowed him through several suites
of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults. I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting
him to be cautious as he followed. We came at length to the foot of the descent, and stood together on the
damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors.
The gait of my friend was unsteady, and the bells upon his cap jingled as he strode.
“The pipe,” said he.
“It is farther on,” said I; “but observe the white web-work which gleams from these cavern walls.”
He turned towards me, and looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of
intoxication .
“Nitre?” he asked, at length.
“Nitre,” I replied. “How long have you had that cough?”
“Ugh! ugh! ugh! — ugh! ugh! ugh! — ugh! ugh! ugh! — ugh! ugh! ugh! — ugh! ugh! ugh!”
My poor friend found it impossible to reply for many minutes.
“It is nothing,” he said, at last.
“Come,” I said, with decision, “we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired,
beloved; you are happy, as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go
back; you will be ill, and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi ——”
“Enough,” he said; “the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough.”
“True — true,” I replied; “and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily — but you should
use all proper caution. A draught of this Medoc will defend us from the damps.”
Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the
mould.
“Drink,” I said, presenting him the wine.
He raised it to his lips with a leer. He paused and nodded to me familiarly, while his bells jingled.
“I drink,” he said, “to the buried that repose around us.”
“And I to your long life.”

He again took my arm, and we proceeded.
“These vaults,” he said, “are extensive.”
“The Montresors,” I replied, “were a great and numerous family.”
“I forget your arms.”
“A huge human foot d‘or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded
in the heel.”
“And the motto?”
“Nemo me impune lacessit.”
“Good!” he said.
The wine sparkled in his eyes and the bells jingled. My own fancy grew warm with the Medoc. We had
passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of
the catacombs. I paused again, and this time I made bold to seize Fortunato by an arm above the elbow.
“The nitre!” I said: “see, it increases. It hangs like moss upon the vaults. We are below the river‘s bed.
The drops of moisture trickle among the bones. Come, we will go back ere it is too late. Your cough ——
”
“It is nothing,” he said; “let us go on. But first, another draught of the Medoc.”
I broke and reached him a flaçon of De Grâve. He emptied it at a breath. His eyes flashed with a fierce
light. He laughed and threw the bottle upwards with a gesticulation I did not understand.
I looked at him in surprise. He repeated the movement — a grotesque one.
“You do not comprehend?” he said.
“Not I,” I replied.
“Then you are not of the brotherhood.”
“How?”
“You are not of the masons.”
“Yes, yes,” I said; “yes, yes.”
“You? Impossible! A mason?”
“A mason,” I replied.
“A sign,” he said.
“It is this,” I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire.
“You jest,” he exclaimed, recoiling a few paces. “But let us proceed to the Amontillado.”
“Be it so,” I said, replacing the tool beneath the cloak and again offering him my arm. He leaned upon it
heavily. We continued our route in search of the Amontillado. We passed through a range of low arches,
descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air
caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.
At the most remote end of the crypt there appeared another less spacious. Its walls had been lined with
human remains, piled to the vault overhead, in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris. Three sides of
this interior crypt were still ornamented in this manner. From the fourth the bones had been thrown down,
and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size. Within the wall thus
exposed by the displacing of the bones, we perceived a still interior recess, in depth about four feet, in
width three, in height six or seven. It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use within itself, but
formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and was
backed by one of their circumscribing walls of solid granite.
It was in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavoured to pry into the depths of the recess. Its
termination the feeble light did not enable us to see.
“Proceed,” I said; “herein is the Amontillado. As for Luchesi ——”
“He is an ignoramus,” interrupted my friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward, while I followed
immediately at his heels. In an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress
arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered. A moment more and I had fettered him to the granite. In
its surface were two iron staples, distant from each other about two feet, horizontally. From one of these
depended a short chain, from the other a padlock. Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work
of a few seconds to secure it. He was too much astounded to resist. Withdrawing the key I stepped back
from the recess.
“Pass your hand,” I said, “over the wall; you cannot help feeling the nitre. Indeed, it is very damp. Once
more let me implore you to return. No? Then I will positively leave you. But I must first render you all the
little attentions in my power.”
“The Amontillado!” ejaculated my friend, not yet recovered from his astonishment.
“True,” I replied; “the Amontillado.”
As I said these words I busied myself among the pile of bones of which I have before spoken. Throwing
them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar. With these materials and with the
aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.
I had scarcely laid the first tier of my masonry when I discovered that the intoxication of Fortunato had in
a great measure worn off. The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from the depth of
the recess. It was not the cry of a drunken man. There was then a long and obstinate silence. I laid the
second tier, and the third, and the fourth; and then I heard the furious vibrations of the chain. The noise
lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my
labours and sat down upon the bones. When at last the clanking subsided, I resumed the trowel, and
finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier. The wall was now nearly upon a
level with my breast. I again paused, and holding the flambeaux over the mason-work, threw a few feeble
rays upon the figure within.
A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to
thrust me violently back. For a brief moment I hesitated, I trembled. Unsheathing my rapier, I began to
grope with it about the recess; but the thought of an instant reassured me. I placed my hand upon the solid
fabric of the catacombs, and felt satisfied. I reapproached the wall. I replied to the yells of him who
clamoured. I re-echoed — I aided — I surpassed them in volume and in strength. I did this, and the
clamourer grew still.
It was now midnight, and my task was drawing to a close. I had completed the eighth, the ninth, and the
tenth tier. I had finished a portion of the last and the eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be
fitted and plastered in. I struggled with its weight; I placed it partially in its destined position. But now
there came from out the niche a low laugh that erected the hairs upon my head. It was succeeded by a sad
voice, which I had difficulty in recognising as that of the noble Fortunato. The voice said —
“Ha! ha! ha! — he! he! he! — a very good joke, indeed — an excellent jest. We will have many a rich
laugh about it at the palazzo — he! he! he! — over our wine — he! he! he!”
“The Amontillado!” I said.
“He! he! he! — he! he! he! — yes, the Amontillado. But is it not getting late? Will not they be awaiting us
at the palazzo — the Lady Fortunato and the rest? Let us be gone.”
“Yes,” I said, “let us be gone.”
“For the love of God, Montresor!”
“Yes,” I said, “for the love of God!”
But to these words I hearkened in vain for a reply. I grew impatient. I called aloud —
“Fortunato!”
No answer. I called again —
“Fortunato!” No answer still. I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture and let it fall within. There
came forth in return only a jingling of the bells. My heart grew sick — on account of the dampness of the
catacombs. I hastened to make an end of my labour. I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it
up. Against the new masonry I re-erected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has
disturbed them. In pace requiescat!
11. The name Fortunato, which reminds you of the word fortunate, is an example of which literary device?
A. Foreshadowing
B. Irony
C. Hyperbole
D. Imagery
12.What literary device is used when Fortunato says “the cough is mere nothing; it will not kill me, I shall
not die of a cough”?
A. Foreshadowing
B. Irony
C. Hyperbole
D. Imagery
13. How should the story be analyzed based on Marxist approach?
A. Look into the reason behind Montressor’s revenge and dismiss him as an insane man.
B. Notice the character of Fortunato as an individual who has a low disregard for others.
C. Focus on the various literary devices used in the story such as hyperbole, irony, and
foreshadowing.
D. Note that the first paragraph of the story delineates the conflict between the characters arising
from their social roles.
14. How should the story be analyzed based on Structuralist/Formalist approach?
A. Look into the reason behind Montressor’s revenge and dismiss him as an insane man.
B. Notice the character of Fortunato as an individual who has low disregard for others.
C. Identify the various literary devices used in the story such as hyperbole, irony, and
foreshadowing.
D. Note that the first paragraph of the story delineates the conflict between the characters arising
from their social roles.
15. Evaluate to which approach to criticism the passage could be best analyzed:
Fortunato’s fate in the story is viewed by others as karma or a payback for the countless injuries (although not
specified) he had done to Montressor. It might be argued that Fortunato got what he deserved as his sins finally
caught up with him in a horrendous end.
A. Feminist
B. Formalist
C. Moralist
D. Reader-response
16. How did the Carnival, one of the historical contexts used in the story, influenced the development of the
plot? The Carnival ____________
A. implies that Fortunato is an unlikable character.
B. allows the characters to wear costumes based on their social influence, thus, the characters are
classified based on their status.
C. creates a chaotic setting where no one would notice Montressor leading Fortunato into the
catacombs.
D. consists of parades, circuses, elaborate costumes, and excessive consumption of alcohol, meats,
and other indulgences restricted by Lent.
17. “I do not care. Let us go. I’m well enough. The cold is nothing. Amontillado! Someone is playing games
with you. And Luchresi! Ha! Luchresi knows nothing about wines, nothing at all.”
As he spoke, Fortunato took my arm, and I allowed him to hurry me to my great stone palace, where my
family, the Montresors, had lived for centuries.
Judge the character of Fortunato based on his dialogue with Montressor. Fortunato is ________.
A. friendly
B. tactful
C. trustworthy
D. full of himself
For items 19-25, read the story “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe and critique the selection
guided by the questions that follow.
The Tell-Tale Heart
Hear “The Tell-Tale Heart” read aloud.
The Tell-Tale Heart

True! — nervous — very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am
mad? The disease had sharpened my senses — not destroyed — not dulled them. Above all was the sense
of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then,
am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily — how calmly I can tell you the whole story.
It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and
night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He
had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! One of his
eyes resembled that of a vulture — a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my
blood ran cold; and so by degrees — very gradually — I made up my mind to take the life of the old man,
and thus rid myself of the eye forever.
Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You
should have seen how wisely I proceeded — with what caution — with what foresight — with what
dissimulation I went to work! I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I
killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it — oh, so gently!
And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed,
so that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly
I thrust it in! I moved it slowly — very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man’s sleep. It
took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his
bed. Ha! — would a madman have been so wise as this? And then, when my head was well in the room, I
undid the lantern cautiously — oh, so cautiously — cautiously (for the hinges creaked) — I undid it just
so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye. And this I did for seven long nights — every night
just at midnight — but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was
not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly
into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how
he had passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that
every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept.
Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch’s minute hand
moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers — of
my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door,
little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and
perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startled. Now you may think that I drew
back — but no. His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness, (for the shutters were close
fastened, through fear of robbers,) and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and I kept
pushing it on steadily, steadily.
I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening, and
the old man sprang up in the bed, crying out — “Who’s there?”
I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and in the meantime I did
not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening; — just as I have done, night after night,
hearkening to the death watches in the wall.
Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or
of grief — oh, no! — it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when
overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it
has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say
I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. I knew that he
had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been
ever since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not. He had been
saying to himself — “It is nothing but the wind in the chimney — it is only a mouse crossing the floor,”
or “it is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp.” Yes, he has been trying to comfort himself with
these suppositions: but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him had
stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of
the unperceived shadow that caused him to feel — although he neither saw nor heard — to feel the
presence of my head within the room.
When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little —
a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it — you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily —
until, at length a single dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and fell upon the
vulture eye.
It was open — wide, wide open — and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness
— all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could see
nothing else of the old man’s face or person: for I had directed the ray as if by instinct, precisely upon the
damned spot.
And now have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over acuteness of the senses? —
now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in
cotton. I knew that sound well, too. It was the beating of the old man’s heart. It increased my fury, as the
beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.
But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed. I held the lantern motionless. I tried how
steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime the hellish tattoo of the heart increased. It grew
quicker and quicker, and louder and louder every instant. The old man’s terror must have been extreme! It
grew louder, I say, louder every moment! — do you mark me well? I have told you that I am nervous: so I
am. And now at the dead hour of the night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise
as this excited me to uncontrollable terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still. But the
beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst. And now a new anxiety seized me — the
sound would be heard by a neighbor! The old man’s hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the
lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once — once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor,
and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But, for many
minutes, the heart beat on with a muffled sound. This, however, did not vex me; it would not be heard
through the wall. At length it ceased. The old man was dead. I removed the bed and examined the corpse.
Yes, he was stone, stone dead. I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was
no pulsation. He was stone dead. His eye would trouble me no more.
If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the
concealment of the body. The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered
the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs.
I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I
then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye — not even his — could have
detected any thing wrong. There was nothing to wash out — no stain of any kind — no blood-spot
whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all — ha! ha!
When I had made an end of these labors, it was four o ‘clock — still dark as midnight. As the bell
sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart, —
for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as
officers of the police. A shriek had been heard by a neighbor during the night; suspicion of foul play had
been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to
search the premises.
I smiled, — for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a
dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade
them search — search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber. I showed them his treasures, secure,
undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to
rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat
upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.
The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly at ease. They sat, and while
I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished
them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. The
ringing became more distinct: — it continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of
the feeling: but it continued and gained definitiveness — until, at length, I found that the noise was not
within my ears.
No doubt I now grew very pale; — but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound
increased — and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound — much such a sound as a watch makes
when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath — and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly —
more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with
violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to
and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men — but the noise steadily
increased. Oh God! what could I do? I foamed — I raved — I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had
been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew
louder — louder — louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard
not? Almighty God! — no, no! They heard! — they suspected! — they knew! — they were making a
mockery of my horror! — this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony!
Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that
I must scream or die! — and now — again! — hark! louder! louder! louder! louder! —
“Villains!” I shrieked, “dissemble no more! I admit the deed! — tear up the planks! — here, here! — it is
the beating of his hideous heart!”
18. The loud beating of what the narrator thinks as the old man’s heart symbolizes the narrator’s
__________.
A. guilt
B. love
C. sincerity
D. strength
19. Fill in the blanks to create an organized outline of the critique of “The Tell Tale Heart” based on the
Structuralist approach?
I. Introduction
A. Title: The Tell Tale Heart
B. Author: Edgar Allan Poe
C. Thesis statement: Some of the most prominent literary devices that Poe uses in this classic short
story include point of view, symbolism, irony, hyperbole, imagery.
II. Body
A. Summary
B. Analysis
a. Point of view: ____________
b. Symbolism: _______________
c. Dramatic Irony: ____________________
III. Conclusion
A. First Person Point of View

The Old Man’s Eye
The Madman’s Monologue
B. Second Person Point of View

The Beating Heart
C. First Person Point of View

The Old Man’s Eye
D. Second Person Point of View

The Old Man’s Eye
20. How will you critique the story based on Moralist approach?
A. Point out the different types of irony used by the Edgar Allan Poe.
B. Note how the narrator believes he will get away with the crime until his guilt conscience takes
control.
C. Analyze how the words presented in the story provide a background of paranoia and mental
deterioration.
D. Identify the narrator based on how he opens the story by addressing the reader and claiming that he
is nervous but not mad.
21. How does repetition affect the development of the story? The repetition of words in the story
___________________
A. creates a picture of a beating of the heart.
B. prolongs the agony of the old man with evil eyes.
C. adds to the suspense and creates a terrifying mood.
D. proves that the narrator is really mentally disoriented.
22. How is Marxism depicted in the story?
A. The narrator tries to convince his readers of his sanity.
B. The old man having an “evil” eye is the reason for his murder.
C. The narrator is never kinder to the old man before he killed him.
D. The powers between the two characters change during the day and night.
23. Which aspect of the old man vexes the narrator of “Tell Tale Heart”?
A. his old house

B. his children
C. his wrinkled face
D. his clouded blue eye
24. Which passage below best represents inciting incident of “The Tell-Tale Heart”?
A. “I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him.”
B. “The disease had sharpened my senses – not destroyed – not dulled them.”
C. “I admit the deed – tear up the planks! – it is the beating of his hideous heart.”
D. “As the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the door.”
25. Read the short text below and answer the question that follows.
As the night ended, the sun rays splashed across Tinay’s bed. She opened her eyes slowly. The first
thing she saw was the beautiful pink box wrapped with a ribbon on her study table. She smiled and she realized
that it’s her special day. She opened the box and was surprised with what was inside – it was a new laptop for
her online study. Tinay was teary – eyed and felt grateful for her parents. She knew that her father saved
money from his daily earned salary as a tricycle driver. It was a happy day indeed and she exclaimed “it is the
best birthday present I have ever received!” Meanwhile, a tall dark man with broad shoulders from afar was
witnessing Tinay’s reaction with the gift she received and he was wiping his tears happily.
What character was exhibited by Tinay’s father in the text?

A. a good husband B. an idle father
C. a hardworking father D. a loving father
26. It is said that a smile is universally understood. And nothing triggers a smile more universally than a taste
of sugar. Nearly everyone loves sugar. Infant studies indicate that humans are born with an innate love of
sweets. Based on statistics, a lot of people in Great Britain must be smiling because on average, every man,
woman, and child in that country consumes 95 pounds of sugar each year.
From this passage it seems safe to conclude that the English

A. eat desserts at every meal
B. are fonder of sweets than most people
C. have more cavities than any other people
D. do not know that too much sugar is unhealthy
27. Your teacher showed this news report in class. What relevant issue can you get out of it?
A. The structure of the earth.

B. The astronauts lives on the moon.
C. The first man who landed on the moon.
D. How lunar module had landed on the moon.
28. In your History class, your teacher presented a new topic for discussion. She mentioned that genealogy is
fun. Just as a piece of furniture or a picture takes on much more interest if you know its history, so does an
individual become more real once the ancestral elements that shaped him are known. An in-depth family
history is a tapestry of all those to whom we owe our existence. Which statement best conveys the theme of
your teacher’s discussion?
A. Genealogy is a study of family history.
B. Most genealogies are a waste of effort.
C. Genealogy is a study of people and their belongings in the past.
D. Genealogical research can bring meaning and life to a family’s history.
29. At the canteen, you overheard your schoolmate made mention this statement. “You cannot be a hero
without being a coward,” she uttered to her companion.
What does this sentence suggest?

A. Heroes are cowards in disguise.
B. Heroes are transformed cowards.
C. To be truly heroic, you first have to know the meaning of fear.
D. You can never be one or the other, it is always a combination of both.
30. Having a cold is no fun. Coughing makes it hard to fall asleep. A sore throat is painful. Try some tea with
honey in it. The honey will soothe your throat. There may be no cure for the common cold. You can treat the
symptoms though. Which of the following states the problem in this situation?
A. Drink tea with honey.

B. Honey soothes the throat.
C. Sore throats can be painful.
D. There may be no cure for colds.
31. Nobody wants to be stung by a bee. Bee stings are itchy and painful. But what if the bee stings you anyway?
One thing that you can do is put vinegar on it. The acid in the vinegar may reduce the pain and swelling from
the sting. In this condition, what can possibly solved the problem stated?
A. No one wants to be stung.
B. Stings are itchy and painful.
C. Vinegar reduced the pain and swelling.
D. Use vinegar if you happen to be stung by a bee.
32. What character of Miss Aquino is revealed in this statement? “Sir, during the five years that I’ve taught
I’ve done my best to live to my ideals. Yet, I please nobody. It’s the same old narrow conformism and curry
- favor.”
A. idealistic B. pessimistic
C. militant D. stubborn
33. With varying success, many women around the world today struggle for equal rights. Historically, women
have achieved greater quality with men during periods of social adversity. The following factors initiated the
greatest number of improvements for women: violent revolution, world war, and the rigors of pioneering in
an undeveloped land. In all three cases, the essential element that improved the status of women was a shortage
of men, which required women to perform many of society’s vital tasks.
What conclusion can be made based from the passage?
A. Only pioneer women have been considered equal to men.
B. Women today are highly successful in winning equal rights.
C. Historically, women have only achieved equality through force.
D. Historically, the principle of equality alone has not been enough to secure women equal rights.
For Questions 34 – 36: Read this excerpt from a back to school speech.
The President’s Speech to Students

Barack Obama
1 You’re this country’s future. You’re young leaders. And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a
nation is going to depend in large part on you. So I want to talk to you a little bit about meeting that
responsibility.
2 It starts, obviously, with being the best student that you can be. Now, that doesn’t always mean that
you have to have a perfect score on every assignment. It doesn’t mean that you’ve got to get straight as all the
time – although that’s not bad goal to have. It means that you have to stay at it. You have to be determined
and you have to persevere. It means that you’ve got to work as hard as you know how to work. And it means
that you’ve got to take some risks once in a while. You’ve got to wonder. You’ve got to question. You’ve got
to explore.
3 That’s what school is for: discovering new passions, acquiring new skills, making use of this incredible
time that you have to prepare yourself and give yourself the skills that you’re going to need to pursue the kind
of careers that you want. And that’s why when you’re still a student, you can explore a wide range of
possibilities. This is the time where you can try out new interests and test new ideas.
4 So that’s a big part of your responsibility, to test things out. Take risks. Try new things. Work hard.
Don’t be embarrassed if you’re not good at something right away. You’re not supposed to be good at
everything right away. That’s why you’re in school. The idea, though, is that you keep on expanding your
horizons and your sense of possibility. Now is the time for you to do that. And those are also, by the way, the
things that will make school more fun.
5 But I also want to emphasize this: With all the challenges that our country is facing right now, we
don’t just need you for the future; we actually need you now. America needs young people’s passion and
their ideas. We need your energy right now. Nothing inspires me more than knowing that young people across
the country are already making their marks. They’re not waiting. They’re making a difference now…
6 The point is, you don’t have to wait to make a difference. Your first obligation is to do well in school.
Your first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career. But you can also
start making your mark right now. A lot of times young people may have better ideas than us old people do
anyway. We need those ideas out in the open, in and out of the classroom…
7 When I meet people like yourselves, when I sit and talk to [a student at this school], I have no doubt
that America’s best days are still ahead of us, because I know the potential that lies in each of you. Soon
enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government. You will be the one who are
making sure that the next generation gets what they need to succeed. You will be the ones that are charting
the course of our unwritten history. And all that starts right now – starts this year…
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/back-to-school
34. What evidence from the speech best shows how students can prepare themselves for the future?
A. Students need to act responsibly during their time in school.
B. Students need to try new possibilities to discover what excites them.
C. Students should focus on courses that will help them earn good grades.
D. Students should realize that they will not excel at everything that they try.
35. Which of these statements is supported by the remarks made in President Obama’s speech?
A. Explore a wide range of ideas and career options.
B. Work hard in school and try our new possibilities.
C. Figure out different ways to become energetic leaders.
D. While in school, acquire a variety of skills and interests.
36. Which sentence from the speech best supports the idea that President Obama thinks students must take
responsibility for their own futures?
a. “Now that doesn’t always mean that you have to have a perfect score on every assignment.”
b. “Your first obligation is to make sure that you’re preparing yourself for college and career.”
c. “Soon enough, you will be the ones leading our businesses and leading our government.”
d. “Down the road, those will be the traits that will help you succeed, as well – the traits that will lead
you to invent a device that makes an iPad look like a stone tablet.”
37. To help us survive in pandemic, everyone should be vaccinated.
Give the author’s position on this situation.
A. Vaccines are the only way to be saved.
B. Wearing mask is less important than being vaccinated.
C. Wearing masks, disinfection, physical distancing and vaccines will help us survived in this
pandemic
D. The rate of transmission and the threat of the virus is very high without the vaccine.
38. What is the author's position on the issue of liquor ban in the paragraph below?
People in Barangay agreed and disagreed on the liquor ban being imposed by the officials. Liquor drinkers
and sellers are not in favor to this ordinance, otherwise most people in Barangay think it is a better way to
keep everyone healthy.
A. Drinkers and sellers do not like the ordinance.
B. The community will be better.
C. Others agreed while some disagreed.
D. Barangay needs some improvement.
39. Give the author’s position in this paragraph.
Students during pandemic time take advantage on the use of internet connection for their online classes.
Parents do not restrict them to enter in a super highway of information where they can no longer filter the
right from wrong information.
A. The internet connection is important.
B. Students need guide so they can distinguish the good information online.
C. Students are free to choose the information.
D. Parents should be responsible during students’ online classes.
40. Tree planting can make things better. When we use respectfully and economically, we have one great resource on earth.
Trees will give us food, shelter, clothes and others. We can be a complete and happy human when we love and appreciate
the trees.
Give the author’s position in the paragraph
A. Trees are all we need.
B. Trees can make us happy.
C. Trees provide us what we need.
D. Trees are big help to human kind
41. The law will prevent crimes.
Give the author’s position .
A. Law will hunt the criminals
B. Criminals will avoid the law
C. Laws should be remembered by everybody.
D. Criminals should know the law.
42. Color of your skin will give you impression from the society.
Give the author’s position .
A. Color of your skin will dictate your personality.
B. People are judged by the color their skin.
C. Color of one’s skin is the best way to know the person
D. The fair color of the skin is better.
43. She told me that she was unwell so she _____________not go to office.
What is the correct modal to be used in the sentence?
A. She told me that she was unwell so she did not go to office.
B. She told me that she was unwell so she could not go to office.
C. She told me that she was unwell so she should not go to office.
D. She told me that she was unwell so she will not go to office
44. How about going to the circus tonight? It ________ so funny.
A. How about going to the circus tonight? It maybe so funny.
B. How about going to the circus tonight? It tried so funny.
C. How about going to the circus tonight? It would so funny.
D. How about going to the circus tonight? It might so funny.
45. You __________ wear a seatbelt when you arrive here.
A. You can wear a seatbelt when you arrive here.
B. You have to wear a seatbelt when you arrive here.
C. You will wear a seatbelt when you arrive here.
D. You do wear a seatbelt when you arrive here.
46. Observation Unit is an element or aggregation of elements from which information is collected. Which
one of the following is an example of Observation Unit?
A. The researcher interviewed the employer for the data of all the employees of the company.
B. A group of researchers selected one section from Grade 10 learners to be the subject of their study.
C. A set of exclusive attributes is considered to determine the profile of the respondents.
D. The mean income of all the families in a barangay was identified.
47. Suppose a study is to be conducted in a certain barangay to determine the educational background of aged
12-18. Which term includes all the youths whether High School learners, Senior High School learners,
Alternative Leaning System learners, or out-of-school?
A. Element B. Sample
C. Population D. Sampling Unit
48. In writing the introduction of a research, the researcher must include:
I. purposes of conducting the study

II. suggestions to address the issue or concern
III. the relevance of the study to the intended audience
IV. previous studies done on the chosen topic
V. substantial information that needs to be accurately analyzed
A. I, II, and III,
B. I, III, and IV
C. II, III, IV and V
D. I, II, III, IV and V

49. How will you define the terms used in your research or study?
A. The use of a dictionary to define terms must be preferred.
B. The terms should be clearly defined according to how they are used in the study.
C. The definitions of terms from a study related to your chosen topic must be adopted.
D. Complicated and lengthy definitions should be included to define terms in different ways.
50. Which of the following is NOT CORRECT in providing the general meaning of a term?
A. The term vaccination has come to be used as the treatment of a disease with a vaccine.
B. As believed by many, imagination refers to the movement which results upon an actual sensation.
C. In broad biological terms, neurons can be defined as any specialized cell that transmits nerve
impulses.
D. Throughout this thesis, the term education means informal systems as well as formal systems.
51. Which of the sentences below follows a correct grammar in making definitions?
A. In this study, the term Overseas Filipino Worker will be used to refer anyone who is a
Filipino migrant worker.
B. In this study, the term Overseas Filipino Worker will be used to referred anyone who is a
C. In this study, the term Overseas Filipino Worker will be used to refer to anyone who is a
D. In this study, the term Overseas Filipino Worker will be used to referred to anyone who is a
52. Fill in the blanks.
In this study, a university student ________________ someone who ____________________ in a
college or university school in the town for the school year 2021-2022.
A. is define to……is enroll

B. is defined to……is enrolled
C. is defined as ……is enroll
D. is defined as……is enrolled
53. You used the word possession as one of the terms in your research about road safety. How will you define
it?
A. the act of having or taking into control
B. occupancy of property without regard to ownership
C. time taken to honk the horn at the car ahead after a stoplight turned green
D. a psychological state in which an individual’s normal personality is replaced by another
54. Technical definitions could be used in expanding the vocabulary since most of these terms are defined
precisely. An operational definition, on the other hand, is more on the application of the word.
Give the technical definition of the word joy.
Joy is ________________________________________________________.
A. a state of happiness or felicity
B. when you see someone smiles and laughs
C. the feeling of contentment and satisfaction
D. having all the things that you want and need
55. Which of the choices below can be the operational definition of the term item?
A. separate pieces of news or information
B. a distinct part in enumeration, account, or series
C. person who is selected to become a participant of the study
D. an individual article or unit, especially one that is part of a list
56. Give the expanded definition of the word depression using Cause and Effect technique.
A. Depression and stress are closely related.
B. It is one of the common mental health illnesses.
C. Technically, depression is a mental disorder, but it also affects your physical health and well-being.
D. People with depression may have trouble maintaining a normal work schedule or fulfilling social
obligations.
57. If you were asked to define COVID-19 by discussing the history of the term, how will you define it?
A. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
B. COVID-19 was identified in Wuhan City, China as case of pneumonia of unknown cause.
C. The Chinese authorities identified a novel coronavirus, temporally named 2019-nCoV, later officially
named COVID-19.
D. Most people infected with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover
without requiring special treatment.
58. Etymology is one of the techniques used to give the expanded definition of a word by explaining its origin.
Which one of the following statements defines the term vaccine using Etymology technique?
Vaccine:
A. cures mumps, measles, typhoid fever, cholera, plague, tuberculosis, etc.
B. was introduced by British physician Edward Jenner, who in 1796 used the cowpox virus (vaccinia).
C. comes from the Latin vaccinus, from vacca ‘cow’ (because of the early use of the cowpox virus against
smallpox).
D. is a preparation that is administered (as by injection) to stimulate the body's immune response against a
specific infectious disease.
59. How will you give definition to the word viruses using analogy?
A. They are glitters that spread easily and go everywhere.
B. Compared to bacteria, viruses are even smaller and require living to multiply.
C. Familiar infectious diseases such as the common cold, flu and warts are caused by viruses.
D. Viruses are like hijackers. They invade living, normal cells to multiply and produce other viruses like
themselves.
60. Which is NOT a characteristic of a Descriptive Research?

A. helps others better understand the need for the research
B. allows a researcher to provide insights into the why and how of research
C. a highly practical research method as it contributes to solving a problem at hand
D. a design method which is created by gathering, analyzing, and presenting collected data

Diagnostic Assessment Tool in English Grade 10

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Republic of the Philippines

REGIONAL DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT

Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________________

3. How should you conclude an argumentative essay to make it compelling?

A. Mention and acknowledge an opposing view to balance opinions.

A. How can dolphins be useful to fishermen?

I. Our constitution created a national government with three distinct branches.

A. I, IV, III, V, VI, II

Readers find the theoretical framework difficult to understand.

10. Analyze to which part of a critique the text must be included:

“And I to your long life.”

13. How should the story be analyzed based on Marxist approach?

14. How should the story be analyzed based on Structuralist/Formalist approach?

The Tell-Tale Heart

Hear “The Tell-Tale Heart” read aloud.

The Tell-Tale Heart

A. First Person Point of View

B. Second Person Point of View

C. First Person Point of View

D. Second Person Point of View

A. his old house

What character was exhibited by Tinay’s father in the text?

From this passage it seems safe to conclude that the English

A. The structure of the earth.

What does this sentence suggest?

A. Drink tea with honey.

The President’s Speech to Students

I. purposes of conducting the study

D. I, II, III, IV and V

A. is define to……is enroll

60. Which is NOT a characteristic of a Descriptive Research?

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Name: __________ Date: _