Board Paper of Class 10 2023 English (Lang. and Lit.) Delhi(set-1) - Solutions

1. Read the passage given below:

1. Hiking is a great source of pleasure to us besides being beneficial for health. Once we leave the crowded streets of a city and go out for a walking tour away from the mad world, we really feel free. The open air has a bracing effect on the mind. The congestion of the city, the uproar and tumult, the intolerable noise of traffic, the hectic daily routine, all these are forgotten and the mind is at ease. We then feel like running, leaping, singing and laughing. We travel merrily mile after mile in the company of friends and associates.

2. Hiking takes us in the midst of nature. The sight of waterfalls, flowers, streams, trees and bushes is pleasing. A connect is established between us and nature. Various sounds of nature, like the murmur of a brook or the song of a bird, acquire a new meaning and significance to us.

3. You enjoy the beauty of nature. Minute observations like a snake casting its slough, a mouse peeping out of its hole, a squirrel leaping about on the branches of a tree, a bird flying past us, all these are noticed and they arouse our interest. We have no business worries, no fear of the examination, no anxiety about the home. We have leisure to stand, to walk and talk. It is more thrilling and pleasurable to hike in a mountainous region than in the plains. The excitement of climbing up to the top of a hill, the adventure of coming down a slope, the grandeur of sunset behind a mountain -
All these sights lend a rare charm and interest to our journey.

4. We walk along a zigzag motor road or cut across a mountain path in search of adventure. We may have bright sunny weather or might get caught in a shower of rain. We may look below us into the yawning chasm or up at the mountain peak. The feeling of unlimited freedom makes our hearts leap with joy.

5. Hiking is one of the healthiest sports. It ensures a complete escape from the urgent and busy activities of life and therefore gives solace to our brain. It regains its lost energy and is able
to do twice as much work as before.

6. The fresh air, beautiful mountains, majestic trees, chirping sound of birds make one's mind and soul at peace with nature.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions below:

(i) To go out for a walking tour is
(ii) Why does the writer say that the mind is at ease when you hike?
(iii) Complete the following with a phrase :
(iv) Infer one reason for the following based on information in paragraph 2.
(v) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word from paragraph 2.
(vi) Give one reason why it is a pleasure to hike in the mountains than in the plains.
(vii) Hiking gives the brain, the rest it needs because
(viii) List any two examples of minute observations you make while on a hike.

(ix) Supply one point to justify the following:
(x) Substitute the word leap with joy' with one word similar in meaning in the following sentence from the passage. VIEW SOLUTION

Read the extract given below :
1. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. When areas in and around Leh began to experience water shortages, life didn't grind to a halt. Why? Because a retired civil engineer in the Jammu and Kashmir Government came up with the idea of artificial glaciers.

2. Ladakh, a cold desert at an altitude of 3,000 - 3,500 meters above sea level, has a low average annual rainfall rate of 50 mm. Glaciers have always been the only source of water. Agriculture is completely dependent on glacier melt, unlike the rest of river/monsoon-fed India. But over the years, with increasing effects of climate change, rainfall and snowfall patterns have been changing, resulting in severe shortage and drought situations. Given the extreme winter conditions, the window for farming is usually limited to one harvest season.

3. It is located between the natural glacier above and the village below. The one closer to the village and lowest in altitude melts first, providing water during April-May, the crucial sowing season. Further, layers of ice above melt with the increasing temperature, thus ensuring continuous supply to the fields. Therefore, farmers have been able manage two crops instead of one. It costs about 1,50,0000 and above to create a glacier.

4. Fondly called the glacier man, he has designed over 15 artificial glaciers in and around Leh since 1987. In recognition of his pioneering effort, he was conferred the Padma Shri by The President of India.

5. There are a few basic steps followed while creating an artificial glacier. River or stream water at high altitude is diverted to a shaded area of the hill, facing north, where the winter sun is blocked by a ridge or a mountain range. At the start of winter i.e., in November, the diverted water is made to flow on sloping hills facing distribution channels. Stone embankments are built at regular intervals which impede the flow of water, making shallow pools which freeze, forming a cascade of ice along the slope. Ice formation continues for 3-4 months resulting in a large accumulation of ice which is referred to as an 'artificial glacier'.

Based on your understanding of the extract, answer the questions below:
(i) Infer one reason for the following, based on information in paragraph 1.
Areas in and around Leh began to experience water shortage but life didn't grind to a halt.

(ii) Select from the passage the appropriate option to fill in the blanks:
Agriculture is completely dependent on ...................unlike the rest of river/monsoon-fed India.
(a) rainfall pattern
(b) climate change
(c) glaciers melt
(d) extreme winter conditions

(iii) Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phrase paragraph 3:
icing : cake :: layers : .....................

(iv) Select the correct option to complete the following sentence :
At the start of winter the diverted water is made to flow.................
(a) on sloping hills facing distribution channels.
(b) on high altitude.
(c) on ice-cold water level.
(d) on mountain range.

(v) From the chart select the months of water surplus.
(a) January, February
(b) November, December
(c) July, August, September
(d) March, April.

(vi) Fill in the blank by selecting from the passage the correct option :
The ………….. have been the only source of water in areas in and around Ladakh.
(a) glaciers
(b) rivers
(c) streams                        
(d) water springs

(vii) The word ‘located’ in paragraph 3 means :
(a) found                             
(b) locally found
(c) situated                         
(d) adapted

(viii) Write any two steps followed while creating the glaciers.

(ix) List one reason why artificial glaciers seem the best option.

(x) Select the most suitable title from the following for the passage :
(a) Water Shortage. 
(b) New Ways to Pool Water.
(c) Artificial Glacier.                       
(d) River Beds. VIEW SOLUTION