Xam Idea Class 10 For English With Answer
1. Seema decided to write a story for her school magazine, but after some time, she could not complete the story as she had to go out for some urgent work. Completer the story on the basis of the beginning given below, in about 150-200 words.
“An old man had two daughters. He loved both of them. Once, he asked them…”
Ans. SALT AND SUGAR
An old man had two daughters. He loved both of them. Once, he asked them, “what is the sweetest thing in the world?”
“sugar,” said the older girl. “salt, “said the younger girl.
The old man thought the younger daughter was mocking him. He said, “if salt is sweeter than sugar, you had better find another home where the cooking is more to your taste”. And he pushed her out of the house.
It was a beautiful summer night. The pretty maiden sat singing in the forest near her father’s cottage when a young prince, who had lost his way hunting, came to her. Struck by her beauty and gaiety, he fell in love with her and took her to his palace and married her.
The bride invited her father to the wedding banquet without telling him who she was. All the dishes were prepared without salt. The guests began to murmur.
“Oh”, said the bride’s father, “salt is truly the sweetest thing in the world. But when my daughter said so, I threw her out of the house. If only I could see her again and tell her how sorry I was!”
Drawing the veil from her face, the happy girl went to him and hugged him. Then, the properly salted dishes were brought in and all the guests ate their fill.
2. Knowledge is power. Based on the following visual, along with your ideas, develop a story based on the theme of helping children from economically weaker sections of society (EWS) and below poverty line (BPL), in about 100-150 words. (10 marks)
Ans THE KHUSBOO IN MY LIFE
For the past few days. I had been observing a thin, frail girl coming and sitting on the bench and looking continuously for hours together at the passers-by without playing or talking to anyone. From her appearance, I concluded that she was from the economically weaker section of society. That day, I could not control myself and went to talk to the sweet girl. After talking to her, I found that her father had died in a clash during a street violence and that her mother had gone out to work. Her name was Khushboo. When I talked to her, she replied with ‘jee’ every time which showed that she was a cultured girl. I pointed towards a house and told her that I stayed there and asked her if she wanted to come along with me. The girl thought for a while and then held my finger. I was elated. I offered her something to eat which she ate after washing her hands. All my family members were impressed with that sweet girl. I showed her some storybooks with illustrations that she looked at very carefully. I asked her if she went to school. She told that her mother could not send her to school as they were very poor. Tears filled her large innocent eyes. So, I decided to teach her.
As soon as I reached home from my college, she would run to me. This became a routine. I was glad to find that she was a book-lover. For hours together, she would turn pages of storybooks and enquire in detail about what was being spoken by the characters. Her desire to learn led me to ponder if I could ever teach her. And one day, I held her tender fingers to teach her to write. Since that day, there has been no looking back. We both share a wonderful relation with each other. My mother says that she looks like my sister. And I have pledged to educate khushboo.
3. Write a story, in about 150-200 words. Use the clues provided to begin the story. Provide a suitable title.
Aman – sixteen years old – returns after school – next door building – thick smoke from window – old couple lives there – a man must take immediate action
Ans AMAN SAVES THE OLD COUPLE
Aman said bye to his friends Nikhil and Nysa, and got down from the bus. It had been a hectic day. Exam were round the corner and his teachers had started taking regular tests. On Monday was the dreaded subject, mathematics. Aman knew he had to work hard to get good marks. His parents were working hard, so that he could secure admission in a good school. He reached home and opened the door with his key. He was just about to drink water when he noticed thick smoke bellowing from the window of the adjacent building. Mr and Mrs sikand lived there. They were old. Aman often visited them. They also loced him and had gifted him a bat on his sixteenth birthday. Aman ran to the building and alerted the watchman. Both of them rushed upstairs and knocked on the door. After repeated knocks, when there was no response, they broke it open along with the other neighbours, who had gathered there by then. They found Mr and Mrs sikand on the floor. Aman found the source of the smoke –a short circuijt. He informed his parents and took the old couple along with another neighbor to the hospital. The doctor examined them and said that they were fine and would be discharged soon. Aman went to meet them. He told them what had happened and asked them to be careful in the future. The sikands thanked Aman and promised to be carefull in the future.
4. Begin your story, in about 150-200 words, with the given line and give a suitable title. (10 marks)
‘How foolish I was to have believed that young woman…’
Ans THE INNOCENT VICTIM!
How foolish I was to have believed that young woman! I saw her first near Lala Motiram’s shop. She was standing there calmly, head held high but eyes searching for something. I would not have noticed, had my bike not punctured at exactly the same spot. She looked worried. I went up to her and asked her if she has any problem. She was quiet. I coaxed her and eventually, she told me that she had come for an interview to our city. She slept off in the bus and had woken up suddenly at the stop. In the rush, she had forgotten one of her bags in the bus and that bag had her wallet in it. I told her not to worry and told her that the bud would be back at that stop by 4 p.m. I also assured her that the people here are honest and whoever finds it would return the wallet. She seemed relaxed and started to move. However, I felt bad for her and offered her some money. She seemed indignant and I had to coax her to take it. I gave her my card and said, “Take it as a loan. You can return it when you get your wallet.” Saying this, I gave her 250 rupees and went off, happy at helping someone in need. I never heard again from the lady. I had almost forgotten the incident until I saw her again. She her again. She was there, at the same spot. This time talking to Mr shah, one of my neighbors. I was angry but decided to act wisely. I walked up to them and wished Mr shah. The young woman seemed terrified seeing me. I asked her, if she had found her wallet. She understood that her game was up and started apologising. We threatened her with dire consequences, if she is seen around again. Mr shah thanked me for saving him and hid money that he had withdrawn to pay his wife’s hospital bill. I smiled and went off thinking how foolish I was to have believed that young woman.
5. Write a short story, in about 150-200 words, on the basis of the hints provided. (10 marks)
Branches of huge banyan tree-parents-starvation-problems-trend setters
Ans NEVER SAY DIE
The sun shone through the branches of the huge banyan tree in the front yard of the yadav household, ushering in another wonderful day. Time had not been very kind to manic and Hariyali. They were only in their teens when they lost their parents to starvation.
The village headman shastriji said, “what will happen to these orphans? How will they live? God knows!!”
The listeners sighed in response. No one cares to offer any help.
Manik, the elder child was fighter. He refused to fall prey to any problems. Along with 10-year-old hariyali, he began cultivating vegetables in the backyard of their small house.
“where there is a will there is a way”. The yadav siblings, blessed with green fingers, gradually began to taste the fruits of success. They moved into a bigger house that had a huge terrace. They revolutionized the process of vegetable and fruit farming, developed simple indigenous farming machinery, set up vermicompost pits, propagated using discarded plastic to grow plants, and extended support to anyone who sought their experience and expertise.
They became trendsetters.
A few years later, they were in for a huge surprise. The village headman came visiting along with some local elders. “come here, dear children”, he said. With folded hands, manik and Hariyali stood at a distance. “No no, not so far away. Come close to me.” He said loudly, “these two yadav children have made our village famous”. Everyone was surprised. “They have been selected by the municipality as green warriors,” said the headman. They continued their efforts and gradually began crossing the seas.
6. Write a short story on the basis of the hints provided, in about 150-200 words. (10 marks)
Loved reading about life on other planets-one day-walking in the school, suddenly heard a noise-strange man, no creature-an alien saying something-then more come-abducted me.
Begin the story with:
I loved reading about life on other planets………
Ans AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ALIEN
I loved reading about life on other planets. Well, that is what I loved to do, of course the only other thing was watching movies like ET, Alien, men in black, etc. the commonality being the aliens. My friends and parents laughed at me and said that I was moving away from the real world. I was also told that I might end up looking like an alien, if I do not pay attention to other things in life. But my love for aliens was beyond all this. Whatever anyone said, I loved anything and everything about them. One day, I was walking in the school all alone thinking about the new alien fiction that someone had told me about I wanted to check if our librarian had ordered it. How I would have loved to lay my hands on it! Suddenly, I heard a strange whirring noise. I turned around and saw some strange creatures. It was in fact like one of those alien creatures that I had seen in the movies—-big eyes, green in colour, two pairs of heads and arms with multiple tentacles on their heads. Thinking it to be a figment of my imagination, I pinched myself hard, only to realize that they were in fact there. One of the aliens said something to the other. Some more aliens joined him. They abducted me and took me to their planet. When I came about I could see people in white coats standing all around me with needles and various other instruments in their hands. scared I tried to push away their hands. Suddenly, I heard one of them speaking in English. The voice seemed to be quite like that of someone whom I knew. The person was asking me to be given an injection. I tried to resist but couldn’t and slept off. Next day, when I woke up, I was in my bed with my parents near me. It seems I had high fever and had fainted in the school. Now the truth, what was the truth, was that really the case? Did I just imagine because of my sickness or did all that happen? Only God knows!
7. Write a story, in about 150-200 words, based on the input given below.
The parent-teacher meeting was scheduled for tomorrow – scared of informing them – had been scolded for missing school – no way out – cooked a story……
Ans FORGIVENESS: A GREAT VIRTUE
It was late at night. Rahul was wondering what to tell his parents. The parent- teacher meeting was scheduled for tomorrow. But he was scared of informing them. He had forgotten to finish his homework and therefore, bunked the school. He had played in the park the whole time and returned home only in the evening. He had been scolded for missing school. There was no way out. His father was very strict and his mother would also get angry if she come to know. His teacher was sure to inform his parents. He decided to cook up a story. By night he thought of a story, mustered up courag, and after dinner, went to his parents’ bedroom. He knocked on the door lightly. His parents asked him to come inside. He went inside, opened his mouth to speak, but then no words came out. He decided to try once again but the same thing happened. Finally, he tried time, but failed again. Tears started rolling down his eyes. Concerned, his mother rushed to him and asked him why he was crying. Slowly, Rahul told his parents the full incident. His parents were angry at first, but then when they saw that Rahul was feeling really guilty and was apologetic, they pardoned him. Rahul promised to be regular in going to school and in doing his homework every day. Since that day, Rahul’s grades began improving, everyone was amazed, but no one knew the real reason.
8. Write a story, in about 150-200 words, based on the input given below.
They started a trek to the peak of the mountain-supposed to be a very hard journey-a five-day long trek-when they started…..
Ans AN ADVENTUROUS TRIP
They started a trek to the peak of the mountain. It was supposed to be a very hard journey, but all the friends were enthusiastic about it. They had prepared well and now wanted to enjoy. They had a very hectic semester and wanted to have a blast before the next semester began. It was a five-day long trek and they had informed their parents about their plans. They promised to call their parents before starting the trek. But then when they reached, they forgot all about about it. Next day, when they started the climb, they heard people calling their names. Taking it to be the enthusiasm of the people, they did not pay any attention and moved on. Suddenly, it started snowing. They were in a predicament and realised that the people might have been warning them. Somehow, they reached the first camp and decided to take a break there. They also got to know how some parents had come looking for their kids. Though they made fun of the idea that time, it was only later that they realized it was none other their parents. Their parents scolded them and told them how worried they were after hearing about the impending heavy snowfall and the lack of communication on their part. The boys apologized and promised to be more careful in future.
9. Write a story, in about 150-200 words, based on the input given below.
She finally had it – the key to the treasure – the map – she trembled – excitement – anticipation
Ans THE TREASURE HUNT
It had been a long way up. Radhika was tired, but she did not want to give up. She was determined to win the competition. After all, she had prepared very long for it. Moreover, she could not lose to Ravi. He was always after her and wanted to prove that girls could not do anything right. Radhika was determined to prove him wrong. After a few more steps, she checked the route map, given by the organizers. She was near the location. Now, she started looking carefully for the markers. Finally, she found it, the key to the treasure, the final map. Trembling with excitement and anticipation, she slowly opened it, only to find a blank page. She threw it away in anger. A minute later, she realized her folly. The organizers would have put the information secretly. They would not make it so easy. She ran to get it before anyone else found it. She finally found it and bought it back to the large tree. She slowly opened it again and tried to look at it closely. Suddenly, she saw some letters. She held the sheet to the sun and looked closely again. There it was—-the secret code for reaching the treasure point. She checked her compass, she was moving in the right direction. Trying to keep her cool, she made some calculation using the information in the map. She was just 500 meters away from the place. She ran and started digging at the specified spot. She pushed the mud hard with a stick. Suddenly, there was a sound. Slowly she peeped in. it was a small tin. Taking it out, she checked it. There lay the final treasure—a cheque for Rs. 10,000. She could not contain her joy and shouted loudly. She had finally won.
10. write a story, in about 150—200 words, based in the input given below.
Learning to swim—enjoy—not fully trained—pushed inside—started drowning….
Ans NEVER GIVE UP!
The summer vacation had begun. I had finally got the opportunity to learn swimming. I know this wasn’t an age to learn such activities, but then being alone in this world now, I needed something to keep myself busy. All the children were settled and I had a lot of time to spare. At my age, it is necessary to keep oneself active, and to learn swimming had been my dream. And before I die, I wanted to fulfill all my long wished. So here I was with my instructor who had told me the starting steps and asked me to get into the pool and start kicking water as the first step. For some time, I did that. But knowing that I did not have a long time left (just like the others there), made me restless. I had taken some basic training earlier too, so when the instructor went to the office, I decided to test myself. I managed to swim. I came out and decided to take a break. Suddenly, one of the kids decided to play a trick on me. He pushed me into the water. Being not fully trained, I started gasping for breath. I started seeing stars, I was drowning. Suddenly, I felt two hands pulling me. I did not want to die and somehow, the hands pulled me. By the time I came out, I was tired. I saw the same boy and another boy near me. The instructor was also nearby. Everyone was trying to talk to me. I just said that I was fine. The instructor started shouting at the young boy who had pushed me. I felt bad for the boy who looked really repentant and on the verge of tears. I told sir how the boy had just accidentally pushed me and just left at that. That is how, my adventure with swimming ended, but that was only for that day. I am determined to swim again tomorrow.
11. write a story, in about 150—200 words, based in the input given below.
While strolling in the park near my house, I spotted a cobra. I panicked but stood there like a statue. Frightening thoughts were arising in my mind and then…….
Ans THE KING COBRA
It was a very pleasant evening. The pre-monsoon showers had lowered the temperature. The cool south-west winds brought in a cool breeze.
Just back from school, around 4 p.m., I stepped out to stroll in the park near my house. There were very few people in the park at that time. I had run three times around the track and decided to rest for a while, and walked towards a bench.
All of a sudden, I spotted a cobra under the bench on which an elderly gentleman was sitting with his grandson. I was in a state of panic as I was petrified of snakes. I tried to shout out to them but no sound emerged. I stood still like a statue. I was so frightened, with various thoughts flooding in my mind, that I suddenly fell down in a faint.
The watchman came running with a bottle of water which he sprinkled on my pale face and woke up with a start. “snake, snake”, I shouted. The visitors in the park came running towards me.
Suddenly, a little boy named Arjun, crowled under the bench and picked up ‘the cobra’, and said, “Are you speaking about this one?” Everyone started laughing. I was embarrassed. It was a toy snake that belonged to Arjun.
12. Develop a story with the help of hints provided, in about 150—200 words.
It was my first exam. I was already late. I dashed towards my scooty and put the key in the ignition. But it wouldn’t start. Panic-stricken, I rushed towards the main road…….
Ans IMPORTANCE OF TIME
The first day of the exams and the subject was the most dreaded, Maths. Mind you, they were the Boards. I woke up late, blissfully unaware of the alarm that rang obediently at the scheduled time of 5a.m. I had to rush with my morning ablutions. No time for breakfast. The clock struck 8.30. The reporting time at the centre was 9 a.m. and I needed 40 minutes to reach.
Cursing my stars, and shutting my ears to mummy’s admonitions, I dashed towards my scooty. As fate would have it, the ‘fellow’ refused to comply. Panic-stricken, I rushed towards the main road to find some other means of commuting. The auto-rickshaws were on strike, and no taxi was available. I began sweating profusely and tears welled up in my eyes.
Suddenly, a car stopped in front of me. I was shocked to see the occupant. It was none other than my English teacher. “Hop in”, he said. Taking a detour from his route to our school, my most favourite teacher, calmed me down all through the journey, wished me luck, and reached me at my centre, exactly at 9 a.m. I secured 98% for Maths for the first time in my life, thanks to the good wishes of a great teacher.
A wonderful teacher and a great human being, I hold him in great esteem even today and try to replicate his outlook towards life and relationship with students.