RUCHIKA HIGH SCHOOL
HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION 2025-26
ENGLISH-I
CLASS – X
Time: 2 Hours Maximum Marks: 80
Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper
provided separately.
You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes. This time is to
be spent in reading the question paper.
The time given at the head of this paper is the time allowed to write the
answers.
……………………………………………………………………………………
Attempt
all five questions.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [
]. You are advised to spend not more than 30 minutes in answering Question
1, and 20 minutes in answering Question 2.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
Question 1.
Write a composition (350–400 words) on any one of the following: [20]
a) You visited your ancestral home in your native place after ten years, for a
week. Describe the changes you witnessed in your ancestral home and around it.
Also write how you spent your time there with the people you met, and what
feelings and memories you carried with you when you left.
b) Write an original story based on the proverb: “All is fair in love and war.”
c) “Stray dogs should be relocated permanently.” Express your views for or
against the statement.
Question 2. [10]
Select any one of the following:
a) Your school arranged a pleasure trip to the Sunderbans. You were on the trip
accompanied by your classmates and supervising teachers. Write a letter to a
friend of yours living in a different city giving him/her a description of the
place and what you encountered on your adventure to the world’s largest delta.
b) Write a letter to the Councillor of your ward informing him/her about the
illegal activities that are going on in a dilapidated warehouse (granary/
storeroom) in your locality.
Question 3.
a) Write a notice for the members of the Language Club to participate in a
proposed visit to the local shelter for destitute (poor/needy). [5]
b) Write an e-mail to the Curator of the Culture and Heritage Museum you
propose to visit, seeking necessary permission and sharing briefly the reasons
for your planned visit. [5]
Question 4.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
That day was spent in the daily routine of activities that defined our
schedules—gathering water, helping with the planting of crops, conducting
training on how to deal with emergencies, and so on. To be honest, I thought
people were focusing on whatever task they could find to keep their anxieties
from overcoming them. All of us had seen the fires the previous night, and even
now we could see several pillars of black smoke rising over the horizon. Once
in a while, people would stop, gaze at the smoke and wonder aloud what had
happened, but none of us had any answers to offer.
Nitish did manage to get us all to focus on
immediate problems when he shared the fact that keeping the lifts powered all
the time would mean that we would run out of diesel for our generators in less
than a week. While some people still groaned, and it took a debate that lasted
more than an hour, ultimately, we did manage a compromise. The lifts would run
every alternate hour during the day, and would be shut at night between
midnight and six in the morning till we were able to get more fuel. People
volunteered to have the diesel in their cars siphoned for a common pool, and
Nitish and a few volunteers got to work.
As we walked out, I saw Rani at work with her
crew and once again had to smile at the out-of-shape, middle-aged executives
and office-dwellers working under her strict supervision. I asked her what she
was planting.
“Things that will grow fast so we have some
food supply soon,” she said. “Things like beet. In a month we can have
something. Also, some things we’ll need but will take more time, like
potatoes.”
It was late afternoon when I could finally
walk to the club to check on Megha. She was sitting against a wall, looking
totally drained. “Aadi, we lost another patient.” I sat next to her and let her
talk and get the frustration out of her system. Sometimes that was the best you
could do.
Healthcare was something we took for granted.
But now that we’re back to where we were perhaps a hundred years ago, illnesses
that were no more than minor inconveniences are becoming killers. We’re
struggling to keep some stocks of insulin under refrigeration, but it’s
draining our generator, and we’ll run out soon enough. So, diabetics will be at
severe risk. Two people have died of heart attacks: if we had a full-fledged
hospital with defibrillators running, they may have lived.
We were fast moving into the kind of society
none of us had experienced. The world we had lived in was considered civilized
largely because our advancements in technology and science had helped even
those who were unwell have a shot at a full and healthy life. In the black
world we inhabited now, it was much more Darwinian—truly a survival of the
fittest—and the sick and the old were being hit first and hit hardest.
a) For each word given below choose the
correct meaning (as used in the passage) from the options provided. [3]
compromise
a) a problem solved by mutual discussion
b) a problem solved by mutual sacrifice
c) a problem solved by mutual collaboration
d) a problem solved by mutual agreement
supervision
a) instruction
b) charge
c) guidance
d) tutelage
b) Which word in the passage means the opposite of the word ‘remote’?
(1)
(i) common (ii) immediate (iii) alternate (iv) full-fledged
c) Answer the following questions briefly in your own words:
(i) How was that day spent? [2]
(ii) What did people do once in a while? [2]
(iii) When did Nitish manage to get all the people to focus on immediate
problems? [1]
(iv) What was Rani planting and why? [2]
(v) In what condition did the narrator find Megha and why? [2]
d) In not more than 50 words, summarise the threats that the healthcare
sector was facing. [8]
Question 5.
a) Fill in each of the numbered blanks with the correct form of the word given
in brackets. Do not copy the passage, but write in correct serial order the
word or phrase appropriate to the blank space. [4]
Example: Use 0 Few people know that flowers ……….. (use) textures to
attract different kinds of insects.
Don’t ……… (i) (ask) me how, but flowers manage …….. (ii) (arrange) their cells
in such a way as to provide ………. (iii) (visit) insects with surfaces that ………..(iv)
(feel) variously like cotton, silk, wool and velvet. Some even …….. (v) (use) a
kind of oily ‘gloss’ that ………. (vi) (provide) their petals with a sheen that
………..(vii) (attract) insects butterflies smell and ………. (viii) (taste) flowers
with their feet.
b) Fill in the blanks with appropriate words. [4]
(i) It took the rider a long time to break ___
the wild colt.
(ii) The new invention was a major break ___
the field of technology.
(iii) The offence is too serious to allow the
offender to get ___ with such a light punishment.
(iv) The new teacher tried her best to get ___
her ideas to her students.
(v) The fighter that he is, Anil will pull ___
from his present state of ailment.
(vi) Everyone was surprised when the new party
pulled ___ twenty percent of the vote.
(vii) After the pandemic, workers across the
country have been laid ___ in large numbers.
(viii) I have been laid ___ with malaria since
last Monday.
c) Join the following sentences to make one
complete sentence without using ‘and’, ‘but’ or ‘so’. Choose the correct
option. [4]
(i) You must do more yoga. Your metabolism will be better.
a) If you must do more yoga, your metabolism will be better.
b) The more yoga you do, the better your metabolism will be.
c) You must do more yoga and your metabolism will be better.
d) You must do more yoga so that your metabolism will be better.
(ii) I do not know Irfan. I do not know Roger.
a) I neither know Irfan nor Roger.
b) Neither do I know Irfan nor Roger.
c) I know neither Irfan nor Roger.
d) All the above.
(iii) Swati may recognise Smita. Swati may not recognise Smita.
a) Swati may or may not recognise Smita.
b) Smita may or may not be recognised by Swati.
c) Swati may nor may not recognise Smita.
d) Swati may not recognise Smita.
(iv) I have known many comic characters. Tintin is the best of them all.
a) Tintin is better than all the comic characters I have ever known.
b) Tintin is the best of all comic characters.
c) No other comic character is as good as Tintin.
d) All the above.
d) Rewrite the following sentences according to the
instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do
not change the meaning. Choose the correct option. [8]
(i) She sent a grand letter to the Minister of State, stating her demand.
(Begin: A...)
a) A letter was sent by her to the Minister of
State, stating her demand.
b) A grand letter was sent by her to the Minister of State, stating her demand.
c) A Minister of State got a grand letter from her stating her demand.
d) A grand letter stating her demand was sent to the Minister of State.
(ii) “Now, I’ll disguise myself!” chuckled the wicked old witch. (Change
into indirect speech)
a) The wicked witch said chuckling that she would disguise herself then.
b) The wicked old witch chuckled and said that now she would disguise herself.
c) The wicked old witch said chuckling that she would disguise herself then.
d) The wicked witch chuckled and said that now she would disguise herself.
(iii) The bellman went on shouting his message at the top of his voice.
(Begin: Shouting...)
a) Shouting at the top of his voice, the bellman went on with his message.
b) Shouting as he was at the top of his voice, the bellman went on with his
message.
c) Shouting on the top of his voice, the bellman went on with his message.
d) Shouting, the bellman went on with his message at the top of his voice.
(iv) Rakesh was the only one who went readily for the assembly.
(Begin: None...)
a) None went readily for the assembly except Rakesh.
b) None except Rakesh went readily for the assembly.
c) None but Rakesh went readily for the assembly.
d) None but Rakesh went for the assembly.
(v) You would be nervous to face them alone. (End with a question tag.)
a) You would be nervous to face them alone, will you?
b) You would be nervous to face them alone, won’t you?
c) You would be nervous to face them alone, would you?
d) You would be nervous to face them alone, wouldn’t you?
(vi) The party was a remarkable success. (Change into a negative
sentence)
a) The party was not a great success.
b) The party was no ordinary success.
c) The party was great but not a success.
d) The party was not a little success.
(vii) Radha is one of the most courageous children I have ever seen.
(Use: as...as)
a) Very few children I have never seen are as courageous as Radha.
b) Very few children I have seen are as courageous as Radha.
c) Radha is as courageous as other children, as I have seen.
d) Radha is as courageous as very few children.
(viii) As soon as the bell had rung, it started raining.
a) No sooner did the bell rings, than it started raining.
b) No sooner did the bell ring, when it started raining.
c) No sooner had the bell rang, than it started raining.
d) No sooner had the bell rung than it started raining.
Answer Keys
Question 1. (a)
It was after a full decade that I returned
to my ancestral home, a place deeply woven into the fabric of my childhood
memories. As the train approached my native town, a strange mixture of
excitement and nostalgia overwhelmed me. The familiar landscapes—lush fields,
winding paths, and the distant temple bell—welcomed me like long-lost friends.
Yet, I knew that much must have changed over the years, both in the place and
in the people who lived there.
When I reached the house, I stood still
for a moment, gazing at the old structure that had once echoed with laughter
and life. The ancient wooden gate had been replaced by an iron one, the tiled
roof had been renovated, and the once sprawling garden was now partly paved.
The guava and mango trees, under which I had played hide-and-seek with my
cousins, had disappeared, giving way to a modern car porch. The old swing on
the veranda had been replaced by a glossy sofa set. Though everything looked
neat and new, I missed the rustic charm and the aroma of the past that once
filled every corner of the house.
Around the neighbourhood too, the
changes were striking. The narrow village lanes had turned into wide concrete
roads. Many thatched cottages had given way to brick houses with solar panels.
The pond where we once bathed and caught tiny fish had been drained and
replaced by a community hall. Development had come, but it seemed to have
stolen the simple beauty of village life.
During the week I spent there, I
met many old acquaintances and relatives. My childhood playmates, now adults
with their own families, greeted me warmly. In the evenings, we sat together
reminiscing about the old days, laughing over incidents that seemed only
yesterday. I visited the village temple, the school I once attended, and even
the old banyan tree that still stood tall, whispering tales of the past.
When the time came to leave, I felt a deep ache in my heart. Though the place had changed beyond recognition, the memories it held remained untouched. As I boarded the train, I carried with me the bittersweet realization that time changes everything, yet it cannot erase the emotional roots that bind us to our beginnings. My ancestral home, though altered in form, still remained the eternal symbol of my childhood, love, and belonging.
(b) The stormy night
blurred the line between earth and sky as Captain Arjun Mehta led his weary
troops through the war-torn valley. They had been ambushed by enemy forces and
were surrounded with little hope of survival. The enemy commander was none
other than Colonel Kabir Khan—Arjun’s one-time best friend and now his bitter
rival. Destiny had drawn them into a battle neither could have imagined a
decade earlier.
Years ago, at the National Defence Academy,
Arjun and Kabir had been inseparable—two brilliant young cadets who shared
dreams, victories, and secrets. But everything changed when Meera, a spirited
journalist who often visited the academy, came into their lives. Both men fell
deeply in love with her, but it was Arjun who finally won her heart. Kabir had
smiled at their engagement, but behind that smile burned a quiet heartbreak
that eventually turned into cold resentment. Time and duty separated them, until
fate reunited them on opposite sides of the border.
Now, as gunfire roared through the valley,
Arjun realized that his only chance to save his men was through strategy, not
strength. He knew Kabir’s military mind too well—his discipline, his pride, his
weakness for following orders to the letter. Arjun devised a daring plan. He
captured the enemy radio frequency and, mimicking Kabir’s voice perfectly,
issued a false command ordering his troops to withdraw and regroup on higher
ground. Believing the message authentic, Kabir’s soldiers retreated, giving Arjun’s
battalion enough time to advance and claim victory.
The next morning, after the ceasefire, Arjun
and Kabir met at the border under the white flag. Both stood silent for a
moment, their uniforms stained with mud and memory. Kabir’s eyes were cold, yet
his voice carried a grudging respect. “You tricked me, Arjun. You’ve changed.”
Arjun smiled faintly. “Perhaps. But you taught
me once that in war, there’s no room for mercy. And in love—well, you know that
better than anyone.”
Kabir gave a short laugh, half bitter, half
admiring. “All is fair in love and war,” he said finally, before turning away.
As Arjun watched him disappear into the mist, he felt neither triumph nor guilt—only the quiet understanding that the heart and the battlefield follow the same rule: fairness is defined by survival and the cause one fights for.
(c) Stray dogs have
become a common sight in almost every city and town.
They
roam the streets, rummage through garbage, and often pose a threat to
pedestrians and motorists. The question of whether they should be permanently
relocated is one that divides opinion sharply. I firmly believe that stray dogs
should indeed be relocated permanently, both for the safety of humans and for
the well-being of the animals themselves.
Firstly, stray dogs can be dangerous,
especially in densely populated areas. Many people, particularly children and
the elderly, live in constant fear of being bitten. Incidents of dog bites,
sometimes leading to rabies, are reported frequently. Moreover, sudden attacks
on cyclists or pedestrians can lead to serious accidents. Relocating these
animals to controlled shelters or adoption centres would greatly reduce such
risks and ensure safer public spaces.
Secondly, stray dogs themselves suffer on
the streets. They live in miserable conditions, exposed to hunger, disease,
traffic, and extreme weather. Most survive by feeding on garbage, which makes
them prone to infections and malnutrition. By relocating them to
well-maintained shelters, we can provide them with food, medical care, and even
the chance to be adopted by caring families. This approach is far more humane
than letting them struggle for survival on the roads.
Furthermore, uncontrolled stray
populations often lead to unhygienic surroundings. Open garbage attracts dogs
and leads to littering, creating breeding grounds for germs. Relocation, along
with sterilization and vaccination drives, can help maintain a healthy balance
between human and animal life.
However, relocation must not mean
cruelty or neglect. It should be systematic, scientific, and
compassionate—creating safe animal zones or community shelters where the dogs
can live freely but safely. Citizens should also be educated about animal care
and encouraged to adopt rather than buy pets.
In
conclusion, permanent relocation of stray dogs, if done responsibly, benefits
both humans and animals. It ensures cleaner, safer streets and gives these
helpless creatures a chance to live with dignity. Compassion and control must
go hand in hand. After all, true civilization is measured not by how we treat
the powerful, but by how we care for the voiceless beings who share our world.
Question 2
(a)
Ruchika High School Hostel
Bhubaneswar
4th November 2025
My dear Rohan,
I hope this letter finds you in good health
and cheerful spirits. I have just returned from an unforgettable school trip to
the Sunderbans, and I couldn’t help telling you about it!
Our school arranged the excursion last week,
and we were accompanied by three teachers and about thirty classmates. We
travelled by train to Kolkata and then by boat to the Sunderbans, the world’s
largest delta formed by the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. The journey
itself was thrilling, as the river stretched endlessly and mangrove forests
surrounded us on every side.
We stayed in an eco-lodge near the forest
edge. The air was cool and it was filled with the sounds of chirping birds and
rustling leaves. Early the next morning, we set off on a guided boat safari
through the narrow creeks. The sight of the golden sunrise over the water was
simply breathtaking. We spotted deer, crocodiles, and numerous exotic birds.
The highlight, however, was catching a distant glimpse of the majestic Royal
Bengal Tiger walking gracefully along the riverbank—it felt like a dream come
true!
In the evenings, we enjoyed local folk dances
and tasted delicious Bengali dishes. The villagers were humble and hospitable,
sharing stories about their life amidst the tides and tigers.
It was truly an adventure into nature’s
mysterious world. I wish you had been there with me—you would have loved every
moment!
With best compliments,
Yours truly,
Sowyam
(b) Plot no. 625/1898
Lane 2, Surya Vihar, Garage Chhak,
Old Town, Bhubaneswar
Khorda. PIN:751002
4th Nov. 2025
To
The Councillor,
Ward No. 58, BMC,
Bhubaneswar,
Khorda.
Subject: Illegal
Activities in an Abandoned Warehouse
Respected Sir/Madam,
I wish to bring to your kind notice certain
unlawful activities taking place in the old warehouse near the Mahavir Market
Complex, Garage Chhak. The building has been abandoned for years, but recently,
some suspicious individuals have been using it late at night. Neighbours have
often seen strange vehicles parked there, and loud noises are frequently heard
after midnight. It is feared that the place is being used for illegal trade or
other criminal purposes. The building is in a dilapidated condition and it poses
a safety hazard to the nearby residents.
Therefore, I would like to request you to look
into the matter urgently and take some necessary actions to stop these unlawful
activities. Your prompt attention will ensure the safety and peace of our
locality.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Yasica
(A concerned resident)
Question 3.
(a) A VISIT TO THE SUNRISE SHELTER FOR THE
DESTITUTE
Date: 4th November 2025
All the members of the Language Club are
hereby informed that the Club is organizing a visit to the Sunrise Shelter for the Destitute on Friday,
10th November 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The purpose of the visit is to
interact with the residents, distribute essential items, and conduct a short
cultural and reading session to spread warmth and joy.
Members willing to participate must submit
their names to the undersigned by 8th November 2025. Participants are also
encouraged to donate clothes, books, or non-perishable food items.
Let us come together to make a small
difference in the lives of the needy.
(Riya Sharma)
Secretary, Language Club
Ruchika High School
b) To: curator@heritagemuseum.in
Subject: Request for Permission to Visit the Culture and Heritage Museum
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am writing on behalf of the Language Club of
Ruchika High School, Bhubaneswar. Our club is planning an educational visit to
the Culture and Heritage Museum on 15th November 2025. We would like to
seek your kind permission for a group of 25 students and 2 teachers to visit
the museum on that day.
The purpose of the visit is to help the students
understand India’s rich cultural legacy, traditional art forms, and historical
artifacts that they have been studying as part of their language and social
studies curriculum.
Kindly confirm the convenient date and time
for our visit and inform us if any formalities need to be completed in advance.
We are looking forward to your positive response.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Riya Sharma
Secretary, Language Club
Ruchika High School
Email: riyasharma@ruchikahigh.in
Contact: 9008765400
Question 4
a) 1. (d) a problem solved by mutual agreement
2. (c) guidance
b) (ii) immediate
c) (i) The day was spent doing routine tasks
like gathering water, planting crops and training for emergencies.
(ii) They paused at times to watch smoke
rising and wonder what had happened.
(iii) Nitish made them focus when he warned
that diesel for generators would soon finish.
(iv) Rani was planting beet for quick food and
potatoes for later harvest.
(v) Megha was exhausted and upset because
another patient had died for want of medical aid.
d) Summary The healthcare system was
collapsing due to shortage of power and equipment. Insulin stocks were
spoiling, heart patients died without machines, and minor illnesses turned
fatal. Without technology, society returned to a primitive state where only the
fit survived.
Question 5
a. (i) ask (ii) to arrange (iii) visiting (iv) feel (v) use (vi)
provides (vii) attracts (viii) taste
b. (i) It took the rider a long time to break in (to train) the
wild colt.
(ii) The new invention was a major break in
the field of technology.
(iii) The offence is too serious to allow the
offender to get off (to go/escape) with such a light punishment.
(iv) The new teacher tried her best to get across
(convey) her ideas to her students.
(v) The fighter that he is, Anil will pull through
(recover) from his present state of ailment.
(vi) Everyone was surprised when the new party
pulled off (succeed in getting) twenty percent of the vote.
(vii) After the pandemic, workers across the
country have been laid off (jobless) in large numbers.
(viii) I have been laid up (ill/bedridden) with
malaria since last Monday.
c. (i) b) The more yoga you do, the better your metabolism will be.
(ii) c) I know neither Irfan nor Roger.
(iii) a) Swati may or may not recognise Smita.
(iv) d) a) Tintin is better than all the comic
characters I have ever known.
d.(i)
b) A grand letter was sent by her to the Minister of State, stating her demand.
(ii)
c) The wicked old witch said chuckling that she would disguise herself then.
(iii)
a) Shouting at the top of his voice, the bellman went on with his message.
(iv)
b) None except Rakesh went readily for the assembly.
c) None but Rakesh went readily for the
assembly.
(v)
d) You would be nervous to face them alone, wouldn’t you?
(vi)
b) The party was no ordinary success.
(vii)
b) Very few children I have seen are as courageous as Radha.
(viii) d) No sooner had the bell rung than it started raining.
Courtesy: Different AI Sources
Compiled and edited by Dr. Shankar D Mishra
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