HBSE Class 10 English Core Half-Yearly Assessment 2025
Solved Paper – Full Solution in English (40 Marks) Time: 90 Minutes | Max. Marks: 40
SECTION A: READING COMPREHENSION (10 Marks) Class 10
1. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. (1×10=10)
Section A (Reading Skills)
Q1. (i) (a) they are rich in protein and calcium.
(ii) (a) improve the quality of blood.
(iii) (b) most common.
(iv) (a) A lot of added sugar in diet.
(v) (c) processing of food.
(vi) People with the lowest intake of sodium.
(vii) Almonds, avocado.
(viii) A little salt is part of a healthy food plan, and low sodium intake may actually increase the risk of heart disease.
(ix) moderation.
(x) Eating something in limited amounts, without excess.
Section B (Grammar)
Q2. (Attempting all six for completeness; any five as per instructions)
(i) (c) left.
(ii) (c) an.
(iii) (d) can.
(iv) (c) My uncle, who lives in Mumbai, is a doctor.
(v) (a) He said that honesty is the best policy.
(vi) (b) Metaphor.
Section C (Writing Skills)
Q3. (Choosing the application)
To
The Principal,
[Your School Name],
[School Address].
Subject: Application for organising an educational tour to a historical place for Class 10 students.
Respected Madam/Sir,
I am [Your Name], a student of Class 10A, writing on behalf of the students of Class 10 to request permission for organising an educational tour to the Red Fort in Delhi. This historical monument, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, offers invaluable insights into India’s rich heritage and freedom struggle, aligning perfectly with our history syllabus.
The tour would involve approximately 50 students and 5 teachers, scheduled for the first weekend of December 2025, lasting one day. We plan to travel by bus, with an estimated cost of ₹800 per student (covering transport, entry fees, and a guided tour). This outing will not only enhance our learning but also foster teamwork and appreciation for our cultural legacy. We assure you of complete discipline and adherence to all safety guidelines.
We kindly request your approval and any necessary support for this initiative. Thank you for considering our request.
Yours obediently,
[Your Name]
Class 10A Roll No.
[Your Roll No.]
Date: [Current Date]
(Word count: 178)
Section D (Literature)
Q4. (Choosing the prose extract from “A Letter to God”) (a) Lencho had predicted that it would rain. (b) Big drops of rain began to fall during the meal. (c) From clear weather, it changed to heavy rain with clouds gathering in the north-east. (d) Lencho went out to feel the fresh and sweet pleasure of rain on his body. (e) Lesson: “A Letter to God”; Author: G.L. Fuentes.
Q5. (Choosing the Mandela question)
Nelson Mandela describes the scene of his inauguration on 10th May 1994 as a spectacular display of military precision and national unity, symbolising South Africa’s transition from oppression to democracy. The ceremony took place in a sandstone amphitheatre in Pretoria, with the sky clear and blue, setting a hopeful tone. Jets streaked overhead in a display of the South African Air Force’s agility, while helicopters hovered above, and military bands played ceremonial tunes. International leaders and dignitaries from over 140 countries gathered, underscoring global support for the new era. Mandela highlights the irony of the military—once symbols of apartheid’s brutality—now saluting freedom, with soldiers of all races marching in unison. This grand spectacle, he reflects, was not just a personal triumph but a collective victory for justice and human dignity after decades of struggle.
(Word count: 142)
Q6. (Choosing the seagull question)
In “His First Flight” by Liam O’ Flaherty, the young seagull is terrified of leaving the ledge on the cliff where his family nests, watching them soar effortlessly while he remains hungry and hesitant. His mother tempts him with a piece of fish, flying close but just out of reach, heightening his desperation. On the verge of fainting from hunger, he dives desperately towards the fish, screaming in fear. To his surprise, his wings spread out, cutting through the air and preventing a crash—he has instinctively learned to fly. The initial terror turns to ecstasy as he rises higher, following his family over the sea. His brothers and sister circle around him with raucous cries, and his parents circle with pride. This pivotal moment marks his transformation from fear to freedom, teaching him resilience and the thrill of independence. The author uses vivid imagery to show how necessity and courage overcome innate fears.
(Word count: 148)
Q7. (Choosing the “Fire and Ice” question)
The central idea of Robert Frost’s poem “Fire and Ice” is the apocalyptic end of the world, explored through the dual forces of desire (fire) and hatred (ice), both equally destructive to humanity. The speaker ponders whether the world will perish in flames of passion and greed, symbolising emotional excess, or in the cold grip of indifference and hate, representing emotional numbness. Frost equates these personal vices to global cataclysms, suggesting that human flaws could lead to self-destruction. The poem’s brevity and rhyme underscore the inevitability of ruin, urging reflection on how unchecked desires or icy apathy could consume society. Ultimately, it warns that the world’s end might be as mundane as our inner conflicts, not some grand event.
(Word count: 112)
Q8. (Choosing the Griffin question)
In H.G. Wells’ “Footprints Without Feet,” Griffin, the invisible scientist, enters a big London store late at night during winter, driven by cold and need after escaping from Iping. Desperate for warmth and clothes, he sneaks into a large department store (likely Omniums), unwraps himself from his bandages, and tries on warm clothing from the displays—overcoats, hats, and trousers—stuffing his pockets with food and stealing a warm overcoat. As dawn breaks, he falls asleep on a pile of carpets in the furniture section, exhausted. He is rudely awakened by shop assistants who discover the disarray: clothes scattered, a half-eaten meal, and muddy footprints. Panicking, Griffin flees invisibly, overturning displays and causing chaos, but is eventually trapped and assaulted by the staff using a stick and hose. This incident highlights his vulnerability despite invisibility, leading to his escape into the streets, bandaged and desperate.
