Villupuram District — Common Quarterly Examination 2026-27 — Class 10 English — Tentative Key

Q	Answer	M	Q	Answer	M	Q	Answer	M	Q	Answer	M
1	(a) nibble	1	5	(c) calm	1	9	(a) Indian Meteorological Department	1	13	(c) had sailed	1
2	(c) uproar	1	6	(c) dishonesty	1	10	(b) over the moon	1	14	(b) Though	1
3	(b) captained	1	7	(b) shelves	1	11	(d) book	1
4	(d) harsh	1	8	(c) width	1	12	(b) on	1

Sec 1 — Prose (Answer any 3) 3×2 = 6

15	Did not sink — floated safely on the sea; realising this, it screamed with joy and began to swim	2
16	The front door was locked, so the police broke it down / forced it open to get inside	2
17	A severe storm in the South Pacific — seas 9–10 m high, winds of 60–70 knots — plus equipment breakdowns needing urgent repair at sea	2
18	The silver medal that rightfully belonged to Sanyal, kept hidden for years in the attic	2

Sec 2 — Poem (Answer any 3) 3×2 = 6

19	a) The poet (Henry Van Dyke) himself b) A life with forward face and unreluctant soul	2
20	a) The Grumble family (of Complaining Street) b) Anyone who stays with them too long will learn their ways	2
21	a) Her faith and beliefs b) With persistence	2
22	a) Starvation and famine (extreme hunger) b) It was winter — wet from rain/snow and shivering with cold	2

Sec 3 — Grammar (Answer any 3) 3×2 = 6

23	The rules should not be violated by anybody.	2
24	Miranda asked her father why they had not destroyed them.	2
25	"I'll stay with mother," he said.	2
26	As/Since he heard the ghost's footsteps, the brothers slammed their doors.	2
27	a) The sea does not discriminate between gender. b) Teamwork is most important in the middle of a crisis.	2

Sec 4 — Road Map 1×2 = 2

Any clear, relevant set of directions to the Bus Stand using the map (e.g. straight along Main Road, right at School Street) — full marks for any workable directions

29	Seagull feared his first flight • Family flew away; he remained • Hunger made him gnaw eggshells • Mother tempted him with fish • He dived, flew and floated Full marks for account without mistakes using textual details / any relevant answer	5
30	Footsteps circled dining table at night • Narrator and Herman heard mysterious sound • Mother threw shoe through neighbour's window • Police searched house, found no burglar • Grandfather shot policeman, thinking him deserter Full marks for account without mistakes / any relevant answer	5
31	Six women officers led by Lt Cdr Vartika Joshi sailed INSV Tarini around the globe • crossed the dangerous Cape Horn • faced extremely rough, freezing seas — winds over 60 knots, waves up to 7 m • stayed far from rescue for nearly 254 days • overcame it through years of rigorous training, courage, discipline and strong teamwork/bonding • completed India's first all-women circumnavigation Full marks for account without mistakes using textual details / any relevant answer	5
32	Wondered why Aditya wanted to revisit his crumbling ancestral home after so many years • noticed his nervousness & sudden change of expression • was puzzled by Sanyal's strange, proud behaviour and past life • speculated about the mystery of the medal and what Aditya meant to do about it Full marks for account without mistakes / any relevant answer	5

33	Optimistic, courageous attitude to life • moves forward without regret for the past or fear of the future • pays its toll to youth & age with a happy heart • ready to face the way uphill or down • still seeking friendship, adventure & hope • believes the road's last turn will be the best Full marks for description without mistakes / any relevant answer	5
34	Poem depicts qualities common to all women — beauty, strength, hope, persistence, faith, love, self-respect • not about one woman but every woman • speaks for and represents womankind as a whole, justifying the title Full marks for justification without mistakes / any relevant answer	5
35	i) sun–done, doubt–about ii) aabb iii) Repetition / Anaphora ("they growl at") iv) growl, grumble	5
36	The frightened cricket, made bold by hunger and shivering wet and cold in winter, went to a miserly ant to beg for shelter from the rain and a little grain to survive Full marks for paraphrase without mistakes / any relevant answer	5

Sec 3 — Answer any one 1×5 = 5

Correct order: (ii) → (iv) → (i) → (v) → (iii) — Prospero raises the storm; Ferdinand meets Miranda & is set the trial; Ariel as harpy makes the banquet vanish; the King & Antonio repent; Prospero forgives them, regains his dukedom & frees Ariel

Sec 4 — Passage (Mulan) 1×5 = 5

a) Cut off her long black hair with her sword & put on her father's robe b) "Look at me. I am your son now. I will go in your place. I will do my part for China." c) He refused: "No, my daughter! You cannot do this!" d) Because her father was old and unfit for war, and she wanted to protect him e) Reveals she was brave, selfless, loving and dutiful

Sec — Answer any 4 4×5 = 20

39	Advertisement: Name of shop/product (1) · Catchy heading & visuals (1) · Offer details (1) · Address (1) · Borders/presentation (1)	5
40	Letter: Sender's address, Date, Receiver's address (1+1) · Salutation & Subject (1) · Body (2) · Closure (1)	5
41	Notice: Name of Institution & date (1) · Heading NOTICE (1) · Details of Tree Plantation Drive (2) · Undersigned (Secretary, Eco Club) (1)	5
42	Any five relevant sentences describing the farm scene (barn, horse, sheep, goat, cow, ducks, chickens) without mistakes	5
43	Notes: Title (1) · Key points/sub-headings on sleep & health (4) OR Summary: Title (1) · Rough copy (2) · Fair copy without errors (2)	5
44	Spot Errors: a) Neither of the two roads leads to the temple. b) She is one of the best players in the team. c) He is fond of playing chess. d) The news of his success was welcomed by all. e) I have been living in this town since 2015.	5

Sec 5 — Quote from memory 1×5 = 5

So let the way wind up the hill or down, / O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy: / Still seeking what I sought when but a boy, / New friendship, high adventure, and a crown, / My heart will keep the courage of the quest, / And hope the road's last turn will be the best.

46 a/b	Paragraph (150 words): Development of hints into a coherent paragraph (6) · Suitable title (1) · Conclusion/moral (1)	8
47 (a)	i) Because they store books and provide a quiet space for reading, research & reflection ii) Digital catalogues, e-books and online journals iii) Promote literacy among children & adults, often free of cost iv) Improves concentration, vocabulary and imagination	8
— OR —
47 (b)	i) No, neither the speaker nor anyone has ever seen the wind ii) The leaves hang trembling iii) The trees bow down their heads iv) A powerful force can be known only through its effects, though it remains unseen itself	8