Welcome readers, CBSE has just released this sample paper for class 10 2024-25 board exams. In the article below we have answered the first question which is an unseen passage. All the questions have been answered by our expert teachers. You can watch the video enclosed for an explanation. Good luck!
CBSE Sample Paper 2024-25 Class 10 English – Water Unseen Passage
Read the following text.
(1) Water is one of the most essential resources on Earth, yet it is often taken for granted. Despite its abundance, the reality is that only a small fraction of the world’s water is fresh and available for human use. With increasing populations, climate change, and industrial demands, the pressure on our water resources is growing. This makes water conservation not just a collective responsibility but a crucial individual duty. Each person’s effort towards conserving water can significantly impact the preservation of this vital resource for future generations
(2) One of the primary reasons individual water conservation efforts are so important is the cumulative effect of small actions which may seem trivial on their own. However, when multiplied by millions of people, these actions can lead to substantial water savings. For example, a single dripping tap can waste over 15 litres of water a day. Imagine the water saved if every household in a city repaired just one leaky faucet. This highlights the power of collective individual actions in reducing water waste.
(3) Moreover, personal efforts towards water conservation often lead to greater awareness and education. When individuals take steps to conserve water, they become more conscious of their water usage and the importance of this resource. This awareness can then spread within communities, inspiring others to adopt similar practices. For instance, a family that installs water-saving devices in their home may encourage neighbours and friends to do the same, creating a ripple effect. This grassroots approach to conservation can be particularly effective in areas where larger-scale initiatives may be slow to implement or lacking in support.
(4) In addition to daily habits, individuals can also make a difference through more significant lifestyle choices. For instance, opting for drought-resistant plants in gardens and supporting water-efficient agriculture can all contribute to water conservation. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is one of the largest consumers of water globally. By supporting sustainable farming practices, individuals can indirectly reduce the water footprint of their food.
(5) Critics might argue that individual efforts are negligible compared to the large-scale water consumption by industries and agriculture. However, this perspective overlooks the potential for individual actions to drive systemic change. When people collectively make water-conscious choices, they send a powerful message to businesses and policymakers about the importance of conservation.
(6) Each person’s commitment to saving water, no matter how small, contributes to a larger culture of sustainability. By making conscious choices and spreading awareness, individuals can help ensure that future generations can access the clean, fresh water they need to thrive. Water conservation is not just the responsibility of governments and industries; it is a shared duty that begins with each of us.
Source: CBSE Sample Paper 2024-25
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
I. In paragraph 1, what does the phrase ‘each person’s effort towards conserving water can significantly impact the preservation of this vital resource’ emphasise?
ANS: It emphasises that personal responsibility is crucial in preserving water resources for future generations.
OR
ANS: It emphasises that small individual actions can collectively contribute to a substantial impact on water conservation.
II. Complete the following with the correct option from the two given. Water is often taken for granted, despite its essential nature because _________.
a) it is abundant and always easily accessible, making people less aware of its usage
b) its importance is not always recognised, leading people to overlook its value (paragraph 1)
ANS: b) its importance is not always recognised, leading people to overlook its value.
III. Support the writer’s idea that small individual actions towards water conservation are not trivial. (paragraph 2)
ANS: Small individual actions are impactful because collectively, they can result in substantial water conservation. For instance, repairing one dripping tap can save over 15 litres daily, demonstrating the power of collective efforts.
OR
ANS: When millions of people take similar small steps, like fixing leaky taps or reducing water usage, the cumulative effect becomes enormous.
IV. Select the option that best reflects the concept of a ‘ripple effect’ in the context of student life at school.
a) A student’s act of volunteering at a local charity leads to the school administration organising a large-scale fundraising event.
b) A student who consistently follows good study practices inspires classmates to improve their study routines, creating a culture of academic excellence in the class. (paragraph 3)
ANS: b) A student who consistently follows good study practices inspires classmates to improve their study routines, creating a culture of academic excellence in the class.
V. State whether the following statement is True or False. (paragraph 3)
“This grassroots approach to conservation can be particularly effective in areas where larger-scale initiatives may be slow to implement or lacking in support.”
ANS: The statement is TRUE because large-scale initiatives require huge funds and efforts to bring change. So the grassroots approach can be more effective.
VI. The writer mentions ‘sustainable farming practices’ in paragraph 4. Which of the following is a sustainable farming practice?
A. Using chemical fertilizers and pesticides extensively to increase crop yields.
B. Clearing large areas of natural vegetation to expand farmland for organic farming.
C. Implementing crop rotation and using organic compost to maintain soil health.
D. Relying solely on monoculture farming to maximise production efficiency.
ANS: C. Implementing crop rotation and using organic compost to maintain soil health.
VII. List any two points that a powerful message sent to businesses and policy makers about the importance of water conservation might include. (paragraph 5)
ANS: Any 2 points-
a) It will stress the need for businesses to implement water-efficient technologies and methods to reduce their overall water consumption.
b) It will highlight the necessity for policymakers to create and enforce regulations that promote water conservation at home and the workplace.
c) It can emphasise the importance of investing in public education and awareness campaigns about water conservation to encourage broader community participation.
VIII. Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given. (paragraph 6) In the phrase ‘culture of sustainability,’ the word ‘culture’ refers to _________
A. A set of beliefs and practices shared by a group
B. The artistic and traditional practices specific to a community’s heritage.
C. The lifestyle habits and choices that are popular among the urbane
D. The techniques and methods used in development efforts
ANS: A. A set of beliefs and practices shared by a group
Class 10 English Sample Papers –
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Unseen Passage in Hindi
EXTRA QUESTIONS from Essayshout Teachers (not given by CBSE)
Q: Why is water often taken for granted?
A: Water is taken for granted because it seems abundant, but only a small fraction is fresh and usable for humans.
Q: Why is water conservation becoming increasingly important?
A: Water conservation is crucial due to growing populations, climate change, and industrial demands putting pressure on water resources.
Q: How can individual efforts help in conserving water?
A: Individual efforts, when multiplied, can result in substantial water savings, like repairing leaky taps to prevent water wastage.
Q: How much water can a single dripping tap waste in a day?
A: A single dripping tap can waste over 15 litres of water daily.
Q: What effect can repairing leaky taps in every household have?
A: If every household repaired a leaky tap, it would save a significant amount of water in a city.
Q: What impact do personal water conservation efforts have beyond saving water?
A: Personal efforts increase awareness and encourage others in the community to adopt similar water-saving practices.
Q: How can water conservation spread within communities?
A: Water conservation can spread when individuals inspire neighbours and friends, creating a ripple effect in awareness and action.
Q: What lifestyle choices can contribute to water conservation?
A: Choosing drought-resistant plants and supporting water-efficient agriculture are significant lifestyle choices that conserve water.
Q: Why do critics believe individual efforts are negligible?
A: Critics argue that individual efforts are small compared to large-scale industrial and agricultural water use.
Q: How can individual actions influence businesses and policymakers?
A: Collective individual efforts send a strong message to businesses and policymakers about the importance of water conservation.
Q: Write suitable titles for the passage.
A: Save Water, Save Future
Power of Small Actions
Water Conservation Matters
Every Drop Counts
Together for Water