GURU GOBIND SINGH PUBLIC SCHOOL/SECTOR 5B

HOLIDAY ASSIGNMENT
SESSION 2023-24
CLASS- X
SUBJECT- ENGLISH

I.Read the following passage carefully:

I was a below average student. Both in schools and colleges, rarely my teachers knew me by
name. I don’t think I was a dunce; just that I didn’t have an academic bent of mind. Since failures
were more a habit than an exception, a below par performance never disturbed me. Neither were
my teachers proud of me nor did I make my parents feel proud of me.
2. Of course, my parents being noble-hearted, never gave up on me. They never put me down in
the presence of others. In fact, to shield me, they always projected a positive image of me to the
world.
3. In 1984, while pursuing my graduation in Mathematics, I had failed in one of the subjects in my
fourth semester. I already had three arrears. For the first time, hearing about my failure, I saw
tears in my father’s eyes. This was my first experience of seeing my father cry. I couldn’t handle
his crying. To withdraw myself I escaped to the terrace of my apartment. I suffered a fear like I
have never known before. I was trembling. I never wanted my parents to ever cry again because
of my failures. But, I was scared. ”Was it too late to begin in life,” I doubted. I was already over
18, just about 50% marks in my four semesters, 4 arrears to clear and 3 regular paper to face in
my fifth semester, no talent, no special abilities, never won a prize in my life, not a single
certificate I truly wanted to make it very big in life, if not for my sake, just to make up for all that I
had put my parents through. My thoughts were haunting me, “Rajan, you don’t have any taste of
success. You just don’t know what it is to succeed.” With tears flooding, I cried, “Can I still make
it big in life or have I missed the bus ?”
4.My neighbour, Vijayaraghavan, who learnt about the sobbing of my soul, casually said, “Rajan,
the harder you press the spring the faster it will bounce back. So what if your life has been
pressed by failures for 18 years. Decide to bounce back and bounce back big in life. Even God
will not stop you.” Bounce back I did ! I bounced back big to clear all the 7 papers in first class
and ever since I smile at my failures.
5. After all what is resilience the number : To get up one more time when you have fallen. I do
not remember of times when life has pushed me down, but every time I have bounced back big,
for, I can hear the message lingering from within me even louder, “The harder you press the
spring the faster it will bounce back. Bounce back and bounce back big.”
6.Ever since, I have given enough opportunities for my parents to cry cry they do, glad they have
a son in me.
On the basis of reading of the above passage answer any five of the following questions:
(2x5)
1.Why was the author a below average student?
2.How was the parents behavi0our towards the author?
3.What couldn't the author bear?
4.How did the neighbour inspire the author?
5.What message does the author want to give?
6.Find words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following:
(i) ability to recover quickly (Para5
(ii) difficult to forget (Para 3)
II.Read the following passage carefully:
India is the world’s most populous democracy and will, by 2030, be the most populous country,
overtaking China. And it is young — there are more Indian 10-year-olds than there are
Australians.
With more than a dozen distinct languages, scripts and religions, India is multiculturalism on the
grandest scale. And to sustain a vibrant modern democracy, surely India is one of the greatest
political achievements of our times.
Once you appreciate its size, you see its potential. Think of all those 10-year-olds who will one
day be voting in India’s elections and who will also, one day, belong to India’s middle class, the
engine of its booming economy.Put all that together and it’s easy to understand why India will
play a central role in our region and the world and, I hope for Australians, it is easier to see why
the relationship between our two countries has never been more important.
That formal relationship began for many Australians in 1950, when Robert Menzies became the
first Australian leader to visit independent India. Since then, both countries have been
transformed. Now we must turn our attention to transforming the relationship to one that matches
India’s huge needs and its enormous potential with our people, Australia’s best assets, as well as
our resources and our shared democratic traditions.
I am delighted to be taking up Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to make my first official
visit to India as Prime Minister, from April 9-12.
Three focus areas
During the visit we will focus on three areas of our relationship that show great potential: our
economic, knowledge and strategic partnerships.
India is inspiring the world with its explosive economic growth. Its economic take-off is lifting
millions out of poverty, transforming the country into the world’s fastest-growing major economy,
with forecasted growth of 7.5% in 2017. This is a stunning result for India, and a rare opportunity
for Australia. From Mumbai to Melbourne, from Bengaluru to Brisbane, India will be in the market
to buy some of the best things Australia has to offer.
Two-way trade is growing, and approaching $20 billion, but that’s far too low and there’s so much
more we can do. This will be a key focus of my visit. I’ll meet with executives from some of
India’s biggest companies, and speak with Australian entrepreneurs in India who are expanding
their market reach into this extraordinary country.
The Government will announce the results of the tenth round of the Australia-India Strategic
Research Fund. Worth more than $100 million, this initiative has enabled our sharpest minds to
collaborate in areas such as food security and health, and advance the boundaries of human
knowledge in quantum computing, nanotechnology and astronomy. By combining our talents, we
can add to the technological achievements already made in both our countries.
As an education destination
For decades our citizens have been criss-crossing the Indian Ocean in search of knowledge.
Last year, Australia was the second-most popular study destination for Indian students — 60,000
came to Australia to learn. Through the Government’s New Colombo Plan, I want to see more
and more young Australians choosing India as a place to study and boost their own qualifications
and experience. India’s demand for our minerals and resources remains high. But education is a
new pathway to shared prosperity. Consider the numbers — the Indian Government is aiming to
train 400 million people by 2022. We can help them achieve this goal.
A great strength of our education relationship is found in the higher education and research
sector. Collaboration between our institutes on high-end research, innovation, science and
technology are central to developing our knowledge partnership.Having met twice already, Mr.
Modi and I know that our close economic cooperation is also matched by shared strategic
priorities.
The security and stability of the Indo-Pacific is fundamental to both of us and my visit provides an
opportunity to discuss key regional and geostrategic issues and strengthen our engagement. As
liberal democracies, we can work together to encourage free trade and prosperity and to help
safeguard security and the rule of law in our region.
The Indian link
At home, we are lucky that India — its culture, its art, its food, its people — has become such a
large and important part of Australian life. Half a million Australians are of Indian descent. That
number increases each year. Whether it’s Little India in Melbourne, Diwali celebrations in
Brisbane, or the long-established Sikh community on the North Coast of New South Wales,
modern Australia, the most successful multicultural society in the world, could not be imagined
without the contribution of Indian-Australians.
Choose the correct options to answer the following questions: (1x10)
(1).According to the given passage, which of the following statements regarding 'Robert Menzies
' is correct?
(a) He is the current Prime Minister of Australia.
(b) He was the first Australian leader to visit independent India.
(c) He is the current Defence Minister of Australia.
(d) He was the first Anglo-Indian leader to visit Australia in 1950.
(2). Consider the following statements regarding 'India' as described by the writer
I. India will be the most populous country by 2030.
II. India is one of the greatest political achievements of the world.
III. Currently, India is the biggest defence partner of Australia.
Which of the above statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III
(c) I and III only
(d) All are Correct
(3). What is the worth of the tenth round of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund?
(a) $ 400 Million
(b) $ 50 Million
(c) $ 100 Million
(d) $ 300 Million
(4). The writer of the above passage is visiting India on the invitation of
(a) CM of Maharashtra
(b) Vice-President
(c) President
(d) Prime Minister
(5). Currently, the two way trade between India and Australia is
(a) $ 100 Million
(b) $ 20 Billion
(c) $ 100 Billion
(d) $ 200 Million
(6). Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Australia in context with India?
(a) Last year, Australia was the second-most popular study destination for Indian students.
(b) Half a million Australians are of Indian Origin
(c) Last year, Australia was the most popular study destination for Indian students
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(7). Choose the word/words which is most similar to Booming.
(a) Failing
(b) Growing
(c) Profitable
(d) Thunderous
(8). Choose the word/words which is most similar to Vibrant.
(a) Spirited
(b) Pale
(c) Sluggish
(d) Zippy
(9). Choose the word which is Most Opposite to the word printed in bold in the passage.
Delighted
(a) Captivated
(b) Entranced
(c) Ecstatic
(d) Melancholy
(10). Choose the word which is Most Opposite to the word printed in bold in the passage.
Descent
(a) Plunge
(b) Droop
(c) Ascent
(d) Swoop
Section B- Writing and Grammar (20 marks)
3.People have adapted to wearing face masks as a ‘new normal’. But most of them do not know
how to dispose of them properly. Spread awareness regarding the disposal of protective masks
by writing a letter to an editor of a popular newspaper. (5)

4.As a health conscious person, you noticed an advertisement in the newspaper on yoga classes
in your neighbourhood. Write a letter to the organizers enquiring about the duration of the course
and other relevant details. You are Swapna/Surendra of 60, RK Puram, New Delhi. (5)
5. Answer any ten of the following questions by choosing the correct option:(1x10)
(i)The hospital board clearly mentioned that you ________ smoke in the hospital as it is a health
hazard for all.
A. cannot
B. must not
C. need not
D. might not
(ii)There’s never _______ petrol left after Rahul uses the car.
A. much
B. little
C. many
D. a little
(iii) I am taking driving lessons now. Hopefully, I ___________my driving test by November.
A. will take
B. would pass
C. will have taken
D. will be taking
(iv)Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech?
Sunitha asked Venkat, “How much is the rent for your flat?”
A. Sunitha asked Venkat how much was his rent for flat.
B. Sunitha asked Venkat how much the rent for his flat was.
C. Sunita enquires from Venkat that how much rent he pays.
D. Sunita told Venkat how much the rent for his flat was.
(iv) Which option displays the correct change of the following to reported speech?
She said, “I told Damanjit to send you an e-mail three days ago.”
A. She told that Damanjit had mailed you three days then.
B. She informed me that Damanjit has mailed me three days before.
C. She says that she has told Damanjit to send me an e-mail three days then.
D. She said that she had told Damanjit to send an e-mail to me three days before.
(v)The dog ____________ under the chair before the children arrived.
A. has been hiding
B. was hid
C. have hid
D. had hidden
(vi) The underlined word in the following sentence is grammatically wrong. Correct it by choosing
the correct option.
"Girls usually are taking more time for dressing."
A is taking
B take
C takes
D have taken
(vi) The underlined word in the following sentence is grammatically wrong. Correct it by choosing
the correct option.
"Little water that was left in the bottle was not enough to quench the thirst of two persons."
A a little
B the little
C some little
D less
(vii) I think I _________ have failed the test, but I'm not sure.
A ought to
B must
C may
D might
(viii) We have to rush. We __________ miss the last bus home.
A needn't
B mustn't
C couldn't
D shouldn't
(ix) Twenty years _________ the minimum age to fill this form.
A. are
B. is
C. has
D. have
(x) Each and every member __________ to vote.
A. has
B. have
C. having
D. are
(xi) Tomorrow at 9 am you ______ lessons.
A have
B will have
C will have had
D will be having
(xii) Yesterday I _______ a fantastic film.
A will be watching
B was watching
C have watched
D watched
Section C- Literature(40 marks)
Read the extracts given below and answer the following questions:
6. A "He knew. But neither his lips nor his eyes showed anything" (1x 5)
(a) Who is 'he' in the above line?
(b) What did he know?
(c) Who is the the speaker of the above line?
(d) Why didn't he reveal?
(e) What can you infer about the person under reference?
B. " All night the roots work to disengage themselves from
the cracks in the veranda floor. The leaves strain toward the glass small twigs stiff with exertion
long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof like newly discharged patients half-dazed, moving
to the clinic doors."(1x5)
(a)Why do the roots work all night _____
(i) to free themselves
(ii) in fear
(iii) because they are forced to do so
(iv) all the above
(b)Why do the twigs get stiff?
(i) due to cold
(ii) due to fever
(iii) due to pressure they apply on glasses
(iv) due to human activity
(c )Which word mean “to get free” in the stanza?
(i) bough
(ii) shuffling
(iii) half- dazed
(iv) disengage
(d) Which poetic device has been used in the line ' like newly discharged patients'
(i) metaphor
(ii) simile
(iii) personification
(iv) alliteration
(e) Who is the poet of the above line?
(i) Carolyn wells
(ii) Leslie Norris
(iii) John Berryman
(iv) Adrienne Rich
7.Answer the following questions in 40- 50 words. Attempt any four. (4x3)
(i) How did postmaster react seeing Lencho’s letter?
(ii) What ideals does Nelson Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
(iii)What does Anne write in her first essay to support her habit of talking so much?
(iv) Why do you think the tiger looks at the stars?
(v)What does John Berryman want to convey through the 'Ball poem'?
8.Answer the following questions in 40- 50 words. Attempt any two. ( 2x3)
(i)Why is the doctor tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest?
(ii) Why was it not easy for the thief to rob Anil?
(iii) How is Ausable different from other Secret agents?
9.Answer any one of the following Questions 120- 150 words: (6)
Bread and cakes were essential of Goan life in older days. Describe the memories that the
author recollects about good old Portuguese days and their loaves of bread.
OR
Why is it important for everyone to experience loss and to stand up after it? Explain with
reference to' Ball Poem'.
10.Answer any one of the following Questions in 120- 150 words: (6)
'Money cannot make a man as much as education can’. Elucidate this statement with reference
to 'Thief's Story'.
OR
Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?