CBSE Class 10 English Answer Key/Marking Scheme 2023-24: Revealed!

CBSE Class 10 English Answer Key 2023-24

Marking Scheme

Read the following passage carefully: 20 marks

Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, as rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with them. Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or nonexistent. But the developed world, especially in countries with low recycling rates, also has trouble properly collecting discarded plastics. Plastic trash has become so ubiquitous that it has prompted efforts to write a global treaty negotiated by the United Nations.

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(2) Plastics made from fossil fuels are just over a century old. Production and development of thousands of new plastic products accelerated after World War II. It transformed the modern age so much that life without plastics is unrecognizable today. Plastics revolutionized medicine with life-saving devices, made space travel possible, lightened cars and jets-saving fuel and pollution – and saved lives with helmets, incubators, and equipment for clean drinking water.

(3) The conveniences plastics offer, however, led to a throw-away culture that reveals the material’s dark side today, single-use plastics account for 40 percent of the plastic produced every year. Many of these products, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

(4) Most of the plastic trash in the oceans, Earth’s last sink, flows from land. Trash is also carried to sea by major rivers, which act as conveyor belts, picking up more and more trash as they move downstream. Once at sea, much of the plastic trash remains in coastal waters. But once caught up in ocean currents, it can be transported around the world.

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(5) Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, from birds to fish

to other marine organisms. Nearly 700 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected by plastics. Nearly every species of seabirds eats plastics. Most of the deaths of animals are caused by entanglement or starvation. Seals, whales, turtles, and other animals are strangled by abandoned fishing gear or discarded

six-pack rings.

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(6) The solution is to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and seas

in the first place, many scientists and conservationists including the National Geographic Society say. This could be accomplished with improved waste management systems and recycling, better

product design that takes into account the short life of disposable packaging, and reduction in manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics.

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage:

(i) Which of the following statements best describes the reason

why plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing

environmental issues?

(A) Plastic trash collection systems have become inefficient or

nonexistent.

(B) Rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products

overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with them.

(C) Some plastics have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet

they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

(D) The developed world, especially in countries with low

recycling rates, has trouble properly collecting plastics.

Answer : (i) (B) Rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with them.

(ii) What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph 2? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.

‘It transformed the modern age so much that life without plastics is unrecognizable today.’

Answer (ii) The tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph 2 is celebratory. The writer expresses a positive view of the impact of plastics on modern society, highlighting their transformative effect.

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(iii) The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (A) – (E) below, identify two sets of synonyms.

(A) garbage and trash

(B) starvation and strangled

(C) disposable and reduction

(D) persist and downstream

(E) transformed and revolutionized

Answer: (iii) Two sets of synonyms from the passage are:

(A) garbage and trash

(E) transformed and revolutionized

(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately:

The writer says that most of the plastic trash is found in the Earth’s last sink and the reason it is transported around the world

is _________

Answer: (iv) The writer says that most of the plastic trash is found in the Earth’s last sink, and the reason it is transported around the world is ocean currents.

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(v) Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, the downside of the convenience that plastic offers.

Answer: (v) The downside of the convenience that plastic offers is the creation of a throw-away culture, where single-use plastics contribute significantly to environmental pollution and pose long-term threats to ecosystems and wildlife.

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(vi) Complete the sentence appropriately :

According to conservationists, the two ways in which most of the deaths of animals are caused are _______

Answer: (vi) According to conservationists, the two ways in which most of the deaths of animals are caused are entanglement and starvation.

(vii) Based on the passage, how can we contribute to the reduction of

plastic waste?

(A) by internationalising the waste management system

(B) by minimizing the use of single-use plastics

(C) by not abandoning fishing gear

(D) by not using helmets made of plastic

Answer: (vii) (B) by minimizing the use of single-use plastics

(viii) State one reason why plastic pollution is most visible in developing

Asian and African nations.

Answer: (viii) One reason why plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations is due to inefficient or nonexistent garbage collection systems in these regions.

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2. Read the following passage carefully:

(1) Rotation of crops is a universal phenomenon which is practised by most of the farmers of the tropical and temperate countries. The main objective of rotation of crops is to obtain higher agricultural returns on the one hand, and to maintain the soil fertility on the other.

(2) In other words, the rotation of crops helps in making agriculture

more sustainable. The importance of crop rotation is more in the

areas where farmers grow two, or more than two crops in the same field in a year. Irrigation facilities have also been appreciably developed in the country during the last three decades. The availability of water to the arable land has helped in the

intensification of agriculture.

(3) In the areas such as Punjab and Haryana, where the Green Revolution is a big success, one soil exhaustive crop (rice) is followed by another soil exhaustive crop (wheat). Subsequently, the field vacated by wheat is devoted to either rice or maize or cotton. Thus, in

one year, the farmers are harvesting three soil exhaustive crops from the same field. Such a rotation of crops may fetch more income to the farmers, but depletes the soil fertility at a faster pace.

(4) A number of field studies were conducted to assess the traditional

crop rotation pattern. One such field study about the changes in the rotation of crops was conducted in the village Banhera (Tanda), Haridwar district. The main rotation of crops of the village is shown in the table below.

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage:

(i) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your understanding of para 2.

One of the reasons that there has been an intensification of agriculture in the country is the development of irrigation facilities is a/an _______(fact/opinion) because it is a/an ______-(subjective judgement/objective detail).

Answer: (i) Fact, Objective detail.

(ii) Based on your understanding of paras 1 and 2, state whether the following statement is true or false.

If proper irrigation facility is provided, higher agricultural returns can be obtained by making crop rotation more

sustainable.

Answer: (ii) True. Proper irrigation facilities can enhance the sustainability of crop rotation, leading to higher agricultural returns.

(iii) Justify the following in about 40 words.

Crop rotation may fetch more income to the farmers, but depletes the soil fertility at a faster pace.

Answer: iii) Crop rotation may indeed increase farmers’ income by allowing for multiple harvests in a year, but it accelerates soil fertility depletion due to the repeated cultivation of soil-exhaustive crops, impacting long-term agricultural productivity negatively.

(iv) Based on the table, mention the years when the land was left

fallow for maximum number of days.

Answer: (iv) The years when the land was left fallow for the maximum number of days are:

1961: 210 days

1963: 210 days

1965: 210 days

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(v) The study conducted in village Banhera (Tanda) reflects that during the years 1960 to 1965, from April to June, the land was left fallow or uncultivated throughout. State any one inference that can be drawn from this.

Answer: (v) One inference drawn from the study in village Banhera (Tanda) is that during the specified years, there was a traditional agricultural practice of leaving the land fallow or uncultivated from April to June, possibly indicating a historical pattern of agricultural management or environmental conditions.

(vi) Select the option that correctly states the significance of crop rotation as given below:

(1) Crop rotation is done to obtain higher agricultural returns.

(2) Higher agricultural returns can be obtained by harvesting soil-exhaustive crops.

(3) Crop rotation demands that land should be left fallow for a few months to increase the fertility of soil.

(4) Better irrigation facility to the arable land has helped in the intensification of agriculture.

(5) If crops to be harvested are chosen wisely, crop rotation can help in maintaining fertility of soil.

Options:

(A) (1), (2) and (4)

(B) (1) only

(C) (3) and (5)

(D) (1) and (5)

Answer: (vi) Option (D) (1) and (5): If crops to be harvested are chosen wisely, crop rotation can help in maintaining fertility of soil, and better irrigation facility to the arable land has helped in the intensification of agriculture.

(vii) Crop rotation is helping in making agriculture more sustainable. Mention one benefit and one drawback of crop rotation. (Answer in about 40 words)

Answer: (vii) Benefit: Crop rotation promotes soil health, reduces soil erosion, and controls pests naturally. Drawback: It may deplete soil fertility faster if not managed properly, leading to long-term productivity issues.

(viii) Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study

mentioned in the passage?

(A) The study needs to include more valid data to support the practice of crop rotation.

(B) Crop rotation is a sustainable practice that can transform the agricultural sector.

(C) The impact of crop rotation on farmer’s upliftment has been thoroughly explained.

(D) Crop rotation is independent of the type of crops harvested and availability of water for irrigation.

Answer: (viii) (B) Crop rotation is a sustainable practice that can transform the agricultural sector.

SECTION R

Grammar and Creative Writing Skills

Grammar

3. Complete any fan of the following twelve tasks, as directed.

2011-10

Beat the given sentence from an art journal. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence.

When marginabzed voices get a chance to tell their story, anger or sadness would be a justified theme.

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

Answers: (i) Error: marginabzed Correction: marginalized

(ii) Fill in the bank by using the correct form of the word in the brackets, for the given portion of a letter.

Kundy pay heed to our request and provide the students with __________adernary support on their project.

Answer: necessary

(iii) Monika and Sunil had a conversation about their summer vacation plans. Report Sunil’s question.

Are you planning to visit your hometown during the summer vachamn

Answer: (iii) Reported question: Sunil asked Monika, “Are you planning to visit your hometown during the summer vacation?”

(iv) Read the dialogue between Shambhaxi and Akshat, regarding a thes plantation drive

Shambhav : How do you plan to contribute to the tree plantation drive

Akshat:: I have prepared a speech for the morning assembly to raise awareness about the drive.

Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue

Shambhavi asked Akshat __________. Akshat replied that he had prepared a speech for the morning assembly to raise awareness about the drive.

(A) how he had planned to contribute to the tree plantation drive

(B) how did he plan to contribute to the tree plantation drive

(C) how he planned to contribute to the tree plantation drive

(D) how was he planning to contribute to the tree plantation drive

Answer: (iv) Select the correct option: Shambhavi asked Akshat how he planned to contribute to the tree plantation drive.

(v) Identify the error and supply the correction for the given sentence from an advertisement for guitar classes.

“Where words fail music speak.” Each batch will contain only five students which will assure personal attention to each student. Use the given format for your response.

Answer: (v) Error: speak Correction: speaks

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(vi) (Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the quotation by Joyce Meyer.

____________(Complement/Compliment/Compliance) people Magnify their strengths, not their weaknesses.”

Answer: (vi) Correct option: Compliment

(vi) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for a website’s terms and conditions document.

We reserve the right to make change to this website at any time without notice and it is your responsibility to revisit this page from time to time to re-read these terms.

Option No . Error Correction

(A) change changes

(B) any the

(C) notice noticing

(D) and or .

Answer: (vii) Error: change Correction: changes

(viii) Complete the given narrative by filling in the blank with the

correct option.

I don’t know anyone else who _____________to the new theatre production yet.

(A) has been

(B) have been

(C) are going

(D) were going

Answer: (viii) Correct option: (A) has been

(ix) Report the following dialogue between a customer and a salesman by completing the sentence.

Customer: Where can I drop a request to get an exchange?

Salesman: Sir, you need to fill in this form before getting the exchange.

The customer asked the salesman where he could drop a request to get an exchange. The salesman answered politely that ______________

Answe: (ix) The customer asked the salesman where he could drop a request to get an exchange. The salesman answered politely that the customer needed to fill in a form before getting the exchange

(x) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the advertisement given by a car company.

The vehicle also has a divider to separate the front passengers from the rear, in case you want __________around like Miss Daisy.

(A) to be driven

(B) to driving

(C) the drive

(D) the driving

Answer: (x) Correct option: (A) to be driven

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(xi) Complete the slogan, by filling in the blank with the correct

option.

Save the green and blue before our future generation ______________paint everything black.

(A) may has to

(B) has to

(C) have to

(D) should

Anwer: (xi) Complete the slogan: Save the green and blue before our future generation has to paint everything black.

(xii) Identify the error and supply the correction for the following part of an advertisement of a web hosting site:

One of the world’s most popular domain name seller provides fantastic web hosting packages as well

Use the given format for your response.

Error Correction

Answer: (xii) Error: domain name seller Correction: domain name seller provides

Creative Writing Skills

Note: All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for

assessment purpose.

4. Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below:

(a) In your local market, you have noticed that young children are working in a few restaurants. You were aghast to see a blatant violation of laws. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily, in about 120 words, expressing your concern at the situation and suggesting measures to resolve the problem and drawing attention of the concerned authorities.

OR

(b) You are Mauzam Haseeb/Nasifa Khan of 917, Platinum Apartments, Gomti Vihar, Kath Nagar. As John Silva/Jane Pereira of 64, Sangam Apartments, Sunrise Hills, you feel very unhappy at the poor maintenance of the public parks in your area. As a result children have no place to play and parents find it difficult to walk on the tracks. Write a letter to the CEO of Sunrise Hills, in about 120 words, expressing your concern at the situation and suggesting measures to resolve the issue of poor maintenance.

5. Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below:

(a) Energy drinks are drinks containing stimulant compounds, usually

caffeine, which is marketed as providing mental and physical stimulation (marketed as energy, but distinct from food energy).

The following table shows some of the potential risks of energy drinks. Based on the given information, write an analytical paragraph, in about 120 words, assessing the short-term benefits versus common risks of energy drinks.

POTENTIAL RISKS OF ENERGY DRINKS

Recent studies have shown that whilst there are undoubtedly some short-term benefits of energy drinks, over-consumption does present some common risks and symptoms including:

–

palpitations -dizziness

tremors – tingling or numbing of skin

agitation – insomnia

gastrointestinal problems -respiratory distress

chest pain – headache

OR

(b) Ecotourism means responsible travel to natural areas, that

minimises the negative impact on the environment, making it an appealing choice for environmentally conscious travellers.

The table given below lists the pros and cons of Ecotourism. Based

on the information provided, write an analytical paragraph, in about 120 words, assessing the pros and cons of Ecotourism.

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF

ECOTOURISM

Pros Cons

promotes conservation – cultural disruption

provides economic benefits to

local communities – destruction of natural resources

– fosters environmental awareness – habitat disturbance

. SECTION C Literature 40 marks

Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two, (a) or (b):

(a) For the first twenty-four hours, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far from my bed as possible. The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning, and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen, interest in his surroundings. I made a body-belt for him and took him on a lead to the bathroom, where for half an hour he went wild with joy in the water. (Mijbil the Otter)

(i) Which of the following is not a reason why Mijbil came on to Maxwell’s bed in the small hours?

(A) He had started taking interest in his surroundings.

(B) He was becoming friendly with Maxwell.

(C) He wanted to play with Maxwell on his bed.

(D) He wanted to feel safe and not remain indifferent.

(ii) Maxwell says that Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly, he was simply aloof and indifferent for the first twenty-four hours. Give reasons in not more than 40 words.

(iii) Read the following descriptions (A) – (D) and identify which one

correctly corresponds to the extract.

(A) Owning a pet is tedious and needs commitment.

(B) A pet needs his own space and time to get adjusted to his

(C) owner’s environment.

Maxwell decided to bring Mijbil because he was very sad to lose his dog.

(D) Maxwell and Mijbil loved travelling.

(iv) Which characteristic trait of otters is revealed when Mijbil is

taken to the bathroom?

OR

(b) The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in any case an

unusual event. A stranger of such uncommon appearance set all

tongues wagging. Mrs. Hall, the landlord’s wife, made every effort to be friendly. But Griffin had no desire to talk, and told her, “My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has affected my face.”

Satisfied that her guest was an eccentric scientist, and in view of the

fact that he had paid her in advance, Mrs. Hall was prepared to

excuse his strange habits and irritable temper.

(Footprints Without Feet)

(i) State any one inference about Griffin from the given context: “My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not

wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has

affected my face.”

(ii) State True or False:

Even though Mrs. Hall was satisfied with Griffin, she was skeptical to excuse his strange habits and irritable temper.

(iii) It was not difficult for Griffin to convince the landlord and his wife about his strange appearance and eccentric behaviour. Elaborate in about 40 words with reference to the context.

(iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘set all tongues

wagging’ in the given sentence from the extract?

A stranger of such uncommon appearance