English Class X Sample Paper 1

A2. Read the following poem carefully. (8 marks)
ODE ON SOLITUDE

Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground. Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.
Blest, who can unconcern’dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day.
Sound sleep by night; study and ease;
Together mixt ; sweet recreation:
And innocence, which most does please
With meditation.
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown,
Thus unlamented let me die,
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.

A2.1 Below is the summary of the poem. Complete it by writing the missing word I phrase against the correct blank number in your answer sheet. (½ x 10 = 5 marks)
The poet’s (a) ….is to live in his (b) …………… place cultivating his (c) …….and tending his (d) …. He hopes to spend his days (e) …..and quietly mixing (f) ……with relaxation. After death he doesn’t want to be (g) ….He hopes to leave the (h) …stealthily with not even a (i) …………….. marking the place of his (j) ……………

A2.2 The poet uses certain expressions in the poem to suggest something to the reader. There are some suggestions given below. Choose one suggestion that best fits each of the expressions in the table, and write the answer against the correct blank number in your answer sheet . (½ x 6= 3 marks)
die, memorial, land inherited, pass by, hope, without being mourned, steal from someone, carry a stone, not mourned over death